8th December. Dance To The Sound of The Band 'SOUND CHECK' at Ruth's 40th.

The two bands (which later proved to be one band twice over) set up and carry out all the necessary sound checks commensurate with playing Shea Stadium, this takes about 2 to 3 hours - it's going to be a late night. Children carriere around on skate boards in the festively lit steading, adults drift in then out to the fire in the yard, circulating back to the kitchen, becoming progressively inebriated. A rival acoustic set featuring some of the more musical guests plays inside the house, which is warmer. Then music starts issuing from the steading, "The bands started!" No, just another long 2 minute sound check.

At some point the Celtic band which is the warm-up, commences, the adults leap about and twirl around but it's all rather short-lived, as the instruments soon have to be packed up. The 2nd 'heavier' band start adjusting and fiddling about with microphone stands etc... I take the opportunity to join in the fun to be pushed around lying on a skateboard by an eight year old. When the rock band finally gets going they have to stop to retune again, something to do with the low ambient temperature. After a short set there is a 'break for drinks' then not long into the 2nd set there is an interlude when the drummer has to leave to go for a pee...