Tired and overcast

In news that will shock and astound people the world over, I am tired today.

The nights have been hot, and our flat feels stagnant and oppressive. There is no flow of air, because it's on the first floor and the front door opens onto a hallway that never gets any blasts of fresh air itself. There are windows that open, inviting a breeze in, but the air that drifts idly through does nothing to force out the thick heat. After drying my hair this morning I stood at my window, still completely undressed, and leaned out to find some cool air to soothe my skin. Given that the trains pass about six metres from that window, this was a somewhat desperate measure. No trains went past. It would have been like an adult version of The Railway Children.

The tube is heavy with a leaden heat, so that when you enter the tunnels you can feel the burden of summer in the city enveloping you. I take layers off and stand, staring at the space between someone's head and another person's newspaper, will the journey to pass so I can breathe again.

The heat makes me tired. Also I recorded some vocals on a track in a studio yesterday evening, and got in late. This evening I am going to meet Janie Price (aka Bird) to talk about playing my cello with her. Which I am excited about, and a little nervous.

I feel a bit frustrated today, with everything, but it is only the tiredness. I can't go into details about what is the most frustrating to me right now, although I might set up another blog for it because I am getting annoyed thinking about it. It is only something that isn't that important, in the grand scheme of things, though. Nothing major.

I really enjoyed last night, being in the studio and recording some vocals. Working with other people rather than just on my own. It was refreshing to be asked to do something, rather than having the responsibilty. It was fulfilling for that moment, and fun. I told them that if they ever need any more female vocals I'd be happy to help out, because I enjoy it. Sometimes I forget that I am in this because I enjoy it. It's strange that spending some time doing what I love throws the rest of my day to day life into such sharp relief, the dreary, mundane things that I am forced to do.

Best not to dwell on it, perhaps.

I am going to Biarritz, France, on the first of July! I ordered a bikini yesterday, from bravissimo.com, which is my favourite shop in the world. It is a string bikini in aqua. If it's nice I will perhaps order the black one, too. Because I am flash and more than a bit fancy. I mentioned Biarritz because I thought it would cheer me up, and it does. I went out on Saturday night with the friends I will be going with, and they are a great group of people. We're going to be staying in a villa, ten of us, and I'll be sharing a bed with my friend Pippa. It'll be one of those holidays where there will be a full fridge of beer at all times, good music playing, and everyone will just chill out. There will be surfing, which I will do once or twice, but I have only surfed before for four hours once in very gentle surf (in Australia) and to my understanding Biarritz can be quite hardcore. Being whacked on the head repeatedly with a big piece of board is not so much my idea of a relaxing way to get away from it all. I plan to not have a plan, and see what happens. I haven't been on holiday for over two years, and I can't really imagine what it'll be like.

Does anyone have any tips for lifting the spirits on overcast, muggy days? Apart from not being in the city, which is sadly not an option. Maybe someone could send me a puppy to play with? Or some wine to drink? Or I could feed the wine to the puppy?

Ideas, please.