to business!
I have just completed a 20-page business plan, and associated stuff, in order to get financing that'll get me through the hectic summer ahead. The bank would have to be daft not to give me it, basically - I'll have the money sitting in another account (untouchable until the tour's completed due to the Package Travel Regulations 1992, but basically mine. Or rather Ensemble Tours'. Ahem.) I am trying to find a flat for a group of 18 people for the Fringe, finish arrangements for the Nice tour, set up an interview venue in Paris, put quotes together for a choir going to Rome and a couple of Americans coming to Scotland, and not worry too much about the effect war or otherwise is going to have on my poor little travel business... meep... I also have to get quite a lot done today, otherwise I will be unable to go to the demo tomorrow. War is scheduled to start at 1.15am British time, early tomorrow morning. We have less than 12 hours.

Yesterday I bought the Red Hot Chili Peppers' "What Hits?" (£5, not great, but my little sister is happy because it has "Under the Bridge" on it), the Chemical Brothers' "Dig Your Own Hole" (a few decent songs, also £5), and the Kerrang! "Life is Loud" double album (£3, 39 songs, and at least three of them are going on my computer.) Life in Edinburgh appeared remarkably normal and unconcerned despite imminent war. Wish I felt the same way.

Oh, and a couple of bits of good news - got a card from Dana and Nooka (two of the American girls) yesterday, from Shetland, which brightened up my day, and I'm in the Edinburgh and Lothians final of the Shell Livewire award. Need to get lots of stuff together so I can make an impressive speech and show them I'm doing well and stuff.