Flat Update

Things have been on hold for the past couple of weeks. Not because anything's gone wrong, but just because the post has been frustratingly slow; the initial letter I received confirming that Abbey National are going to lend me the money was dated 16th May, but didn't arrive until the 29th.

Anyway, the offer has eventually reached all the relevant parties, and things seem to be moving forward relatively quickly. The solicitor's searches have been done, bar one or two; now the arrangements are being checked, and contracts drawn. Given that there's no chain on either end of this sale, apparently it's looking likely that I'll be in there by the end of the month. Fingers crossed, I guess.

Musicless

My MiniDisc player has broken.

At first I thought it was the car speakers; you see, I plug the MD player into my car stereo via a nifty audio-to-tape device. The drivers' side speakers started cutting out, and fiddling with the audio jack didn't seem to make any difference, so I assumed it was the speakers. Turns out it's not; it's just that the audio socket on the MD player has comprehensively died.

Fortunately, when I bought the player I also bought the store insurance. I'm not entirely sure why, since I never normally do. Clearly, the salesman was in a particularly persuasive mood. Alternatively, maybe I was swayed by the length of the coverage - I bought the thing in 2001, the policy doesn't expire until 2006, and MD players don't normally last me more than about two years before they wear out. Anyway, the upshot is that the player has now been sent away to be cared for and loved by the store technicians - and for the next four weeks (or thereabouts), I'm reduced to listening to the radio whilst I drive.

I have no way of recording tapes. I haven't had a tape player for years - why would I? I never use the things. And the situation is almost enough to make me go and buy a cheap CD player, just to get by. I mean, what are my options? Radio 4 may be wonderful, but you can't listen to talk radio whilst you drive. Radio 1 is tolerable in the evenings, but laughable during commuting hours. Then there are Capital and 2-ten, both of which play pop dross. The most bearable options are Virgin and Radio 2. On the upside, these two play music which is not entirely hateful; on the downside, the vast majority of the time they come with teeth-grindingly irritating DJs.

No, what I need are compilation tapes. Anyone out there care to volunteer to make one for me? Anything goes. Except ninety-minute Chris Rea mixes, obviously.

Ow

Just finished Polystom. Brain hurts now.