I lost one of my heroes yesterday. Kevin Ayers, founder member of Soft Machine, the Whole World, and all-round brilliant singer-songwriter, passed away at the age of 68. He was found at his home by a neighbour (he lived alone) and apparently had a note next to him which read 'You can't shine if you don't burn'.

So we've lost David Bedford, Lol Coxhill and now Kevin. I'm absolutely gutted. He was such an amazing man; his music inspired me, cheered me up when I felt low, it was like listening to a summer's day. I was so grateful to him for all the things he gave to the world and one day I rather wanted to tell him just how amazing I thought he was, and how much his music affected me. A lot of my novel has been written whilst listening to his work, both with bands and his solo stuff - several scenes were actually inspired by it. He himself inspired Lazuli quite a bit - the easy-going attitude, the decadent but charming nature. I owe Kevin an awful lot.

But one of the things I most admired about Kevin was that, unlike most musicians, he wasn't a slave to the music industry. He wrote from the heart, as well, with his unique imagination and whimsical nature showing through. He went where he pleased, lived exactly as he wanted and released music when he felt like it. So there was always something much more heartfelt about his work; you could feel him and his life in it - the wine, the sea, the Mediterranean sun, the love.

I don't really have the words to do him justice right now. The Guardian has a very good obituary up for him, as well as his last interview which shows the person he was pretty well. Maybe when I've had a few days to think about it I'll be able to write something better.

Rest in peace, Kevin. Hope the wine is flowing freely wherever you are. Oh and by the way, thank you very much.

Just something to whittle away those final moments before work ends. Two of those muffins remain uneaten - which is definitely unusual for me! I keep humming songs from Kevin Ayers' 'Shooting at the Moon' to myself and then stopping, wondering if anyone can hear me humming away to myself like something of a lunatic.

I suppose I'll just give Jason the remaining muffins because I don't think I could stomach another. Or maybe his mum would like one. It's a small gesture but it would be nice. I've also got to give him his bracelet today. I hope he likes it!

Anyway, I must go - 16.55 now and he's probably down there already!

So I think I have another malware thingy on my computer. WHERE THE HELL DO THEY COME FROM. There I was, happily browsing the Internet (or as happily as a TalkTalk user could browse, at any rate) when suddenly BOOM! The browser closes, and when I try to open it up again I get a pop-up saying 'install Vista Home Security 2011 OR DIE'. See, the thing is, it looks like a genuine Microsoft program. But then, so did ThinkPoint and Security Shield.

Also, this pop-up, while mostly well-written, contains a few subtle quirks in the language that make my malware alarm go wild. I quote word for word...

"Windows recommend Activate Vista Home Security 2011

Click "Yes, Activate..." to register your copy of Vista Home Security 2011 and perform threat removal on your system."

One: there are elements of Engrish to your writing. Two: I have no recollection of ever having a trial version or whatever of your program. Three: kindly go to hell and perish there a million times.

Methinks it's time to get Malwarebytes on its arse.

Anyway, I managed to write four pages on 'The Great Couch Happening of '69' today, as well as kick arse on Final Fantasy VII. Usually it's one or the other with me. I write and keep writing, or I play FFVII and keep playing. I even managed to listen to a few records, and work a little on my screenplay version of 'The Great Couch Happening of '69'. All in all a productive day. This journal entry will be my final productive act of today, if you don't count sleeping as productive!

Personally, because I'm a lazy sod, I do. It makes me feel better about myself. If someone says to me "So you didn't write or draw anything today?" I'll look them square in the eye and say "I slept. That still counts as doing something with my life!"

Ehem.

( And so the story continued and you all got bored and went off to do more interesting things... )

Kevin Ayers and the Whole World "Shooting at the Moon" [CD]


( Times are full of pumpkin people; they appear then they fade away... )

09:47PM: Have an interview with Lazuli at the end of the book! Of course! That's a nifty way of showing where he might be, one year after reality gets fixed!

09:53PM: Maybe I should try this coffee... anything I put in this flask these days tastes a bit off...

09:54PM: Hmmm. Strong, with a weird biscuity aftertaste. It smells weirder than it tastes, though. And this time, it isn't soapy. For this, I am pleased. I've also only written just over half a page. It's been nearly an hour, now. Bugger.

10:12PM: Wa-hey! A page! Five more to go! I'm turning my phone off to minimise distractions. Not that it's working well, anyway.

10:44PM: Nearly 11, nearly two pages. Oh, wait, two pages exactly because of that little bit I wrote to polish off the page I started on. And the coffee's not all that bad!

11:00PM: There comes a time where every portable CD player requires new batteries. Mine's time is soon, and it had to happen when we're all broke.

11:20PM: Three pages! Currently listening to Matching Mole's 'Gloria Gloom'.

09/08/10 @ 12:37AM: So technically I'm done for the night. Just completed my sixth page. I want to go to bed now as I'm exhausted, but I don't much fancy shifting everything back onto my desk! I listened to 'Cunning Stunts' before 'Little Red Record', and then followed it up with 'Whatevershebringswesing'. It's as wonderful as ever. How long has it been since I've listened to Kevin Ayers? Answer: too long.