Sometimes no matter how hard you try to plan, you can't plan for many life events and other catastrophes. Most of the time you have to, just hold on and hope you make it to the other side.

Tails, my best friend of 15 years and the bestest dog died 4 weeks ago today, after she had become really unwell quickly, and having 2 vet visits in less than 12 hours. It was the saddest moment when I realised that our bubble of love was going to come to an end, and she really had given me all she could.

Over the past 3 years whilst Richard has been unwell, she has been my rock, my nightly midnight walk companion and when I was home, she just wouldn't leave my side. Since we lost her brother Junior in 2024, she has cried so much more for me when I am not around (Richard or Miles didn't cut it). I, also thought over the last few months that this might be because she was in pain and didn't want me to know, so only cried when I wasn't here. Miles and I did take her to the vet the week before as we knew she wasn't quite right, but her bloods came back great for a dog her age. She had lost her hearing though, which was sad enough.

So, in a week, my dog died, Richard went to spend time at the beach for a few months and I, in a very ADHD moment decided Cinda, the cat, was too sad and needed a kitten, so in one of the worst weather days we have had in years I drove out to the suburbs and got a kitten. Did we get the one from the ad? Of course not! We got the one who got in the cat carrier and her name is Dusty Blue and is nearly 15 weeks old now. She is going to the Vet this week to see if she is actually microchipped. :-)

Cinda does not appreciate a kitten, and I didn't realise at all how much effort you need to go to, to make sure they are eased into meeting each other. And then my brother came to visit and work is always crazy at this time of year so, I might learn, one day, to just tackle one thing at a time.

Dusty though has brought up the vibe in the house, and she is a great way of just being present.

So, Making of a Musician has been on the back burner whilst I regain some composure and also, I was waiting on Idge to get his music back from mastering. Which I hope he has by now.

I have 3 interviews after Idge to edit. Jovan aka Blckwndr, Jo (Jonty McDoom) and Tim (Part of the Duo Tommy and Roy), my first go at interviewing 2 people at once and also, a Mother and Son who are both musicians, and I really can't wait to get that out for you all to hear. Then there is also another first which is a video recorded episode with Grim17, which I am just so over the moon that he wanted to chat to me.

I am starting to seriously get some live things off the ground this week. I have Ben and Jordan from season 1 helping me with it too and at the moment I really appreciate having them to bounce ideas and work out how to make an awesome event that pays musicians.

I also have a few interviews coming up over the next week, a secret special that will come out later in the year and Aubrey Van Gelded, who I really can not wait to chat to as Aubrey has been a great support for me on bluesky. It really helps keeping me going through the mess my life has been since the start of the year :-)

I also have a few more interviews lined up and the 2026 calendar is full if it all goes to plan from now, but of course it will not but I will try and do my best.

And, I can not tell you how excited I am that I am going to chat Music with Cash Savage later in the year too. I just hope I am not too fan girling and have some professionalism by then :-) Can not wait!

So, I guess, what I have learnt over 48 years of having no control over how your life is going to turn out. There is always a tiny spark of joy somewhere, so if you are struggling, hold on.

Also, if someone is treating you shit. Tell them. You don't need that energy! Take care.