Well I have indeed had my guitar back in my hands these last days…although hitting it with rocks doesn’t seem to produce the sounds I remember. Perhaps I’m doing it wrong?
I will doubtless have the opportunity to find out tomorrow in rehersal (What song? …What key?….. Who are you again?). Impending performance (more anon) has focused the group mind into resolution of some practise. Needless to say this is all at desperately short notice, and of course our favoured rehersal spot, is fully booked.
It must be the sunshine, because all the other studios are also fully booked, all, but one…
It’s new (to me) and I haven’t been there yet, so I’ll reserve judgement on the actual facilities.
However: First 5 phone calls, “Hello, do you have a room for Wednesday 6-9?” ” yes/no” (all NO, but had it been otherwise… “Fab, can I book that for Wilson” “See you then”.
New Studio (recorded voice- not a good sign) -just go to our webpage……
Webpage, Available thu 6-9 room 2 or 4 (pictures) – ok, select 2, select times, select “stuff” select number of guests, give names of guests, read extensive disclaimer, confirm my ID, set up an account, make up a password, make a new password, identify all the squares with motorbikes, renter the names/times./stuff, give my address, my email, my phone, my last address (lived here less than 5) actually have to look up old post code, enter coded email confirmation, enter coded text confirmation, identify all the fire hydrants, enter my drivers licence, take and send photo of my drivers licence, renter my password, indentify all the squares with palms (clearly got that wrong – I am a robot) indentify all the squares with seagulls (that was a tern stupid – definitely a robot) identify all the motorcycles (already aced this), input bank details, enter password again! Confirm which dates I wanted and who is coming, wait for email confirmation.
Somewhere, I have entered my secret password in the name field – “Congratulations Password Wilson, be sure to bring photo Id for you and your guests [I am NOT kidding] which security will check. “
I have no photo ID showing “Password Wilson” so I now have to navigate back through to change my name (and of course all my guests). After 45 minutes I have lost the will to live, but I can find no other studio free.
Finally a confirmation email comes to Tony Wilson, this includes the three seperate alpha-numeric codes which I and my guests will require to enter “the gates” “the building” and “the studio” [Swear to god!].
They clearly like to make the creative process more challenging. However I can now book with them wordwide (I’m told). I still have to find the studio in an unnamed street off a back road in a buisnespark under a motorway…in downtown LA
I’ll let you know how(if) it goes.
Next week on IaDL – Help! we’re still trapped in this automated studio….
Dalmallyfest the Asylum 