A broadly sleepless night interspersed with strange nightmares.
Today, another full day, starting with essential Tree Of Keys admin. The CD and download track sizes were slightly different as I'd included the between-track gaps in the downloads. This isn't correct; there are not separate CD and download versions of this album, and ISRC codes are shared. The same code should point to an identical recording, not have different lengths. So, I first unified the track lengths by adjusting the CD project. Then filing the album across various music authority databases. I can't do more until I have the EAN-13 code.
Then, a full day of work on the shelves. I unclamped the CD shelves, then drilled 3mm pilot holes and screwed the top and bottom. Screws are needed as these are key load-bearing parts. I used the 4.5x50mm screws intended for the wall, thus needed those somewhat large holes (I normally use 3.5mm diameter screws, I chose the bigger ones partly because they were golden and pretty).
Then, marked the new central supports, cut these, and routed out 6mm slots. For the 12mm slots, needed in the assembled shelves, I did some experiments. In the end, I clamped 12mm MDF each side of the 6mm shelf, then used a 16mm forstner bit to drill sideways into the shelf. This created a slot wide enough to fit the 12mm spine, my 12mm bit didn't (in tests) make a slot wide enough. It wasn't perfect, but sufficient.
I made one mistake in cutting slot in the top shelf when I didn't need to. So I fixed this with a plug. It's at the back, not serious, and will practically be invisible when painted. Mistakes, in life, are inevitable.
For the other shelf unit the spine is 6mm wide, necessary because the width is designed explicitly for 'Really Useful Boxes' and the size is tight. To strengthen that all, I'll also be adding flat pieces to the back, to act a bit like columns, or a fake back-board. That will (should) be the last of the sawing. I'll do that another day.
Tree Of Keys is now done, a necessary reworking because this album was not listed or present anywhere. Next I need to remaster The Modern Game for the same reason, then The Myth Of Sisyphus, but that as part of my regular upgrade process. I aim to remaster one old album for each new one, but this year I've remastered or re-recorded a lot of albums, partly because of the switch of distributor gave me this opportunity, and partly because of upgrades in my mixing and singing skills. I can't wait to rework Nightfood, my favourite album, but each must wait their turn.
I also have books to write, and paintings to work on... yet everything feels like fixing what is old. I'm working to death, yet feel I'm not making progress. At some point, some point, I'll have time to create new things, which all artists should be doing. I've said it before, creativity is about digging tunnels, then shoring them up, both activities are valuable and necessary. Those who charge ahead without shoring up the tunnels may get lucky and find a cave of gold, or they may end up suffocating due to a tunnel collapse. Good luck (or bad luck) never lasts forever.
Onwards we roll our heavy rock.
