Cover Versions and Other Cities!

I have Popfest in Glasgow on December 9th where I’m DJing, performing with my Rinettes and displaying/selling my art exhibition “Cover Versions and Other Hits”.

It’s very exciting to be offered an exhibition and DJing in London at the start of next year (date TBC). If the limited prints sell out in Glasgow, I may have to begin a new series of designs, even a new theme, or maybe it’ll be a mix of both. Either way, it’s something I’m very pleased to see is taking off in a really good way!

Incase you missed it, and live in the UK, you can still see the Buzzcocks from last night here. This is the one from 2008 with Russell Brand that never got aired due to the Andrews Sachs saga, and why I got to do the line-up again recently when it was thought it would never air. Sadly the bit where Russell Brand commented on my back tattoo was edited out, but overall a very funny episode and I’m so glad it got aired in the end! I awoke to a mass of extra Twitter followers after it too!

Can’t believe I’m getting to say this, but after 2 years* Never Mind the Buzzcocks with Russell Brand is finally going to be aired! Rachel Stevens and Greg Davies are also guests. Similar to October, there is a particularly brilliant line-up section with Russell studying someone’s tattoo! Tune in next Wednesday 10pm BBC2!

*Due to the scandal where Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand made lewd phonecalls to Andrew Sachs on Russell’s BBC Radio 2 show, the BBC decided to suspend the two comedians and pull all their shows pending further investigation. Even though this episode of Buzzcocks was taped before the suspension, this episode due to air on 30 October 2008 was pulled as well.

Always enjoyed reading Kevin Rose’s list like this each year, then an update saying what was achieved a year later. They’re achievable wishes, not just “win the lottery” dreams etc. After my 2010 year of absolute hell, I’ve made a list (not in order!) but obviously most things determine whether number 1 is possible resulting in daily smiles!

1. Able to see out both eyes again.
2. Learn how to cook more soups and meals
3. Discover in-depth knowledge about a different subject every day
4. Get back into drawing portraits and illustrations then put online and hopefully get work from it
5. Once married, get pregnant!
6. Start my 2nd solo album and do gigs
7. Play big summer festivals with Bis, and even record a new song
8. DJ at more fun clubs
9. Get back into my daily aerobics again, and do my own DIY DVD
10. Do guest vocals with someone I admire

I have friend’s and fiance’s lists too, so look forward to seeing what’s ticked off by Hogmanay this year!

Rehearsing with Bis

Solo gig in Tokyo

Tetris shortbread

DJing at Pretty Ugly in Glasgow

Here’s an update before I can hopefully just concentrate on trying to relax and enjoy Christmas. Latest hospital check-up confirms that I have a manky cornea in my right eye, but left one (my only sight) is showing hints of it too scarily enough. It’s extremely dry and bumpy which results in the lack of vision. I’ve to absolutely flood it with special drops throughout the day with the hope of helping it improve and not needing a transplant one day. I’ve not been the luckiest person this year, so not building my hopes up but at least I’m not back in hospital just yet. My wedding is now 6.5 months away (so much still to do which for Miss stupidly organised is just surreal!) so hope things improve soooo badly. Everyone showing their concern and love this year has helped me so much through this and I don’t know what I would have done without that.

I’ve had dry eyes ever since I got Lasik surgery at Optical Express last year. This however, is so extreme it’s like blinking over a disposable contact lens that’s shrivelled up. I seriously want this to improve and not having a 2nd eye is utterly shite (5 months now which I can’t believe!). My surgeon said this severe dryness and the 3 Retinal Detachments are completely different problems, but one wouldn’t have happened without the other. I’m investigating further into the cause of all this as I can’t have anyone else ruin their life like this, but I need to give my head a break for a bit as it’s consumed it for so long. Thoughts of what I’ve been through sadden me so much and I’ll never forget it.

I’ve never had problems like this in my life so just hope this nightmare stops. I have to be aware of detachments as always, but please let me have my eyes back for my wedding so I see who I’m marrying and he doesn’t let himself go to pot!

So, eyedrops like crazy, trying out the best waterproof eyeliner and mascara (Blinc wins so far!), and hope to smile and have fun over Xmas as it’s something I feel I aint done in a long time. Then, all going well let 2011 start without me worrying out my eyes (hopefully just making music and planning for my wedding!). Goodness knows what will happen as I’m a long way off being able to see anything but one letter on a test chart, but I can only try.

This just gets better and funnier!

Never Mind the Buzzcocks is back for a new series and meant to be a great episode on Thursday 18th November, 10pm on BBC2. Tune in!

So after a 3rd retinal detachment and operation all is sealed but sadly nothing to prevent it happening somewhere else again. The lasering he did around the eye this time doesn’t stop it detaching more, just prevents the gel getting to the important vision loss area if it did. That’s where it got to before the 1st operation but fortunately hasn’t 2nd and 3rd time due to me noticing it so early. Asked about my other eye and he just doesn’t want to think about that as the chances I know are still high. Back in 2 weeks and hopefully not before he said. So, same old ‘get on with my life but don’t build your hopes up’ all over again. Can I have one month without a retinal detachment never mind the 3 months they say is more promising?? Gave biccies and a card to the ward staff from my parents.

The gas bubble in that eye pushing against the treated area still takes up about 80% of my sight so I don’t see anything yet. As it’s still raw and achy I’ve to keep taking drops. I couldn’t even read the top letter on the board, but hopefully will see more once the bubble shrinks and I stop taking drops, even if the area outside the bubble is just like a muddy puddle. I feel I can’t walk alone ‘til it shrinks more and it was sad not leaving the house at all yesterday after all my ‘carers’ were back at work. So cold but fresh air is nice! Thankfully I don’t have to posture any longer and can sleep however I wish rather than the past week’s almost sitting upright with a neck pillow yuck.

It’s rare for people my age to have a retinal detachment. As I had pretty bad sight at -6 its not unheard of, but more likely when I’m 60 or 70 years old. Don’t mess with your eyes kids!

Gave my surgeon the Bis Greatest Hits after he was intrigued to hear why I was in London last week. He said he’d been on youtube looking at stuff so that’s embarrassing but really nice.

So that’s it. Again nothing bad, but nothing to open the champagne for. I still feel delicate so still taking things easy even though I hate it and miss my aerobics on these cold mornings so much!

Two years ago I appeared on Never Mind the Buzzcocks for the ID parade but it was never shown due to Russell Brand being on it and the Andrew Sachs saga kicked off. I was gutted as I couldn’t wait for folk to see it. After 2 serious eye operations for retinal detachment, I was warned to never build my hopes up for nothing happening with my eye again, but not to stop getting on with my life. So, I was over the moon to be in London again yesterday! I couldn’t fly but the train was easy peasy. However, I was getting very concerned about a darkness appearing in my eye and knew I’d need to get it checked out seeing as timing was so important before. Talk Back amazingly got me a 5.30am train home the next morning. It was a shame to have that worry, but I tried to put it to the side and enjoy what I’d been looking forward to!

I had a wonderful day. It’s just what I’ve needed after 2 months of horror with my eye operations. There was some great guests, and I never thought I’d be in the same room as one of my fave aerobics ladies! I see her almost every morning but only on DVD! It’ll be aired within a month I’m sure, but I’ll let you know if I hear more. Meant to be one of the best recordings so far, so I can’t wait for you to see it.

Green room afterwards was nice. Wine, nibbles, and a certain team captain saying how he bought Bis records in the past! Jules Holland was recording with Ting Tings and Ray Davies down the corridor so those were good people to catch a glimpse of, as well as the amazing Craig McLean from my Beggars Banquet/Wiiija days. Back at the hotel Cyndi Lauper was in the bar with many folk. I thought I’d end up just staying awake throughout the night for our 4am taxi to Euston, but I got 2.5 hours and that was okay.

Thankfully I got to the hospital in Glasgow before the surgeon who’d done my previous operations left. Sadly I had guessed correctly, and more retinal detachment had appeared. This was a completely new couple of holes, but thankfully small seeing as I’d caught it early enough. So, I can’t believe I’m saying this but I’m back for operation number 3 tomorrow at 7am. This time as well as the big gas bubble they’re going to put a lasering around the whole eye to try strengthen it from further tears. The tear is also at the top of the eye, so for once i don’t have to lie on my side for 50mins every hour seeing as the gas bubble is best to rise when sitting/standing up. So not great news, but I’m just happy that I got to do my Buzzcocks again which I’d been anxious to for ages. I’ll be a zombie and not be able to see for a good while (not that it was returning in a hurry anyway sadly) but I suppose I have more hope that they’re doing something to prevent this happening again. The other eye still has a 1 in 10 chance of getting it.

I’m up at 4am, so once again just packing a few things, removing my eyelash extensions I was so happy to have back too, and off to the place that i’m so sick of. I have my Blackberry and Nano loaded with stuff. I really hope I’m taken early like last time (I requested that!) but I’m sure I’ll tweet like a wimp prior to mr anaesthetic coming to see me.

So that’s the update kids, and thanks so much once again for your kind words that have really kept me going!

Interesting to see what some folk do while listening to my song DNA! Check out 5mins and 7.35mins in of the latest episode of Being Victor on MTV.co.uk to find out

Went for my check-up this morning. The retina attachment from the 2nd operation is secure, so no more lying down thank goodness. However, he says not to build my hopes up about anything as not only could other areas detach in that eye like before, but the other eye has a 1/10 chance of doing it too. Arse.

So, not the greatest news, but could be a lot worse. He said I shouldn’t put my life on hold worrying, and if the worst happens it happens. Nothing I do or don’t do will prevent it, so I’m just going to get on with my life best I can. Eyelash extension appointment booked!

3 weeks ‘til the next check-up, and once again just to watch for dark areas appearing meaning that more is detaching. It’s scary and of course I’m going to worry no matter what he says. Can’t see anything out that eye yet which makes lots of things difficult, but I’m trying. Going to aim to get into the toon at the weekend and make up for many things I haven’t done in weeks! Can’t fly as the gas bubble in my eye is still pretty big, but as long as I can do okay ‘til my honeymoon I don’t have to panic just yet.

So that’s the latest peeps x

Being Victor, the first web-only drama has been a success since its launch on MTV.co.uk recently. Of course we know it’s down to my song My DNA being used in it *clap clap*, and superb dub editing.

For my family who aren’t great with the internet, it’s great that STV decided to air the drama as 30 minute shows beginning next Tuesday 5th October! My family are so are so happy at being so inspirational and hope it gets the whole of Scotland seeing it. Tune in, tune in, tune in!

Become a friend on Bookface to win some goodies and catch up on the dirt!

I’ve been tweeting about this for a while, but for those who don’t catch some things I thought i should give an update on what the hell has been going on.

A month ago I went for an eye check-up as I hadn’t been seeing quite right for week, but was always just told that it was dryness due to my laser eye surgery last year. This appointment was the 3rd check-up since June but this time with a lady I hadn’t met before who instantly sent me to hospital. It was an unexpected shock when I was told I had retinal detachment and would need surgery the next morning. My engagement party 2 days later had to be cancelled which upset us so much. I was utterly shocked.

I hadn’t had a general anaesthetic before so it was really scary. Turns out it was 3 tears in my eye too so more complicated. I was gutted that it wasn’t detected earlier as the timing is crucial I’m told. Anyway, the surgeon was amazing and after 2 failed attempts at reconnecting the retina he opted for the gas bubble procedure and all seemed okay. This was the one I didn’t want as was told in advance that I’d have to lie on my side for 50 mins out of every hour for 7-10 days. 10 mins break each hour to sit up and eat, do emails etc was yuck, especially for an OCD freak like me! This was in order for the pressure (kinda like the way a spirit level works) to push the bubble against the area to be sealed.

So, for the first time ever in my life I had to have a sick day/week and lie on my couch for a week. For me this was hell as I’m always so active with a million things to do! My eye was swollen like Rocky and shut completely to begin with, and to lie still doing bugger all was just so frustrating.

Anyway, I persevered and a few weeks later was starting to get my life back to being a bit more normal. I missed little things like my own rubbish cooking, aerobics and getting dressed up for a night out so much, so it was great being on the mend, especially as I wanted to do all the exciting planning for my wedding next year! I even booked an appointment to get my eyelash extensions redone. It was hard only having one eye working as depth perception is rubbish. Sadly I wasn’t allowed to fly with the bubble in my eye, and missed being Godmother to my niece in Surrey which was sad.

But…..check-up on Wednesday said that something was seen in my eye that was a little worrying but may be okay. I was told to come back next week but to let them know immediately if anything seemed wrong. After the late detection of this before I was extremely wary and 2 days later decided that I needed to get myself checked out as I was worried something wasn’t quite right. I was hoping to be told that I was just being paranoid but sadly was told that another little tear had appeared right enough.

So, I’ve to get the exact same operation this Thursday. I’m absolutely gutted. That whole experience was awful, and thought I was on my way to being normal again, albeit not seeing very well. I wanted to go to gigs again and plan for my wedding which is now less than 10 months away! Only advantage this time is that I have nearly a week to prepare for it so am trying to do all the things that I won’t be able to shortly. I am going to my favourite pub quiz on Monday, making lots of my rubbish cooking, drinking lots of red wine, and downloading films to see when lying down etc.

So that’s the update. Not a very happy one, and I certainly prefer writing about music news. Any recommendations to what I should do while I still can for the next 4 days is much appreciated! I’m going to stock up my fridge with fiance friendly food to cook, get my hair done, and hopefully sort a few more wedding things. I’ve to be there 7.30am Thursday. Annoyingly its the day the Pope chooses to visit Glasgow and make it hell to get across town. But, fingers crossed all goes okay and I’ll get those eyelash extensions back one day! Thanks to everyone who’s given me amazing support throughout all this.

MTV.co.uk are launching the first web-only drama called Being Victor today, and my song DNA will be used it in somewhere! The teen drama has been compared to Skins, and set to be received very positively. There’s a good article in the Telegraph with more info. STV will be broadcasting the show this month also, and will be re-cutting the shorter episodes into half hour episodes.