Spent much of today uploading photos to my web site. I always like looking through old(ish) photos -- they revive lots of happy memories, make me smile when I recall something I haven't thought about in ages, remind me of friends and acquaintances I might not have seen in a long time. In today's case there were photos from my brother Declan's wedding in Cyprus last year ... my tour of the States in April ... holidays to Boston and Italy ... and lots more! You can check them all out (along with my vast library of photos from the last 7 or 8 years) here: PHOTOS LINK

Answered more fan mail tonight. I picked up a load of letters from Pablo at the weekend (including some from my trip to Japan, which had got mixed in with more recent mail -- sorry for the long wait, folks!!). I answered 20 letters last night and another 20 tonight. There are more than 20 still waiting on my shelf -- I'll try to answer them tomorrow, before I set off on tour, but I can't make any promises! As I always say to people who write to me -- you WILL get a reply, but it can take 2 or 3 months sometimes!!! It's usually NOT that long, but it can be -- so be prepared to be patient!!

Saw the movie of "Miami Vice" last night. Very disappointing. I used to like the old TV show, and while that was often all style and little substance, I thought writer/director Michael Mann would bring something new to the mix this time round, given the experience he's accrued since then (on such great films as "Heat" and "Last of the Mohicans"). Sadly, this was as heartless as Lord Loss. While the style was admirable in parts, I didn't give two hoots about any of the characters, and the whole thing just felt hollow. Today, on the other hand, I saw a film with LOTS of depth -- "This is England", a UK film set in 1983, about a young boy who gets linked with a group of skinheads. It's a fascinating look at alienation, friendship, nationalism, and a whole lot more. Like all of Shane Meadows' films to date, this one comes highly recommended by me. It has some flaws, certainly, but its strength far outweigh them.

I'm coming to Canada in less than 3 weeks.

Heh heh -- thought that might throw a few of you!!! Yup, you read it right, Canadian Shansters -- I'll be with you in mid-October!!! I'm coming to Vancouver and Toronto. Sorry for the late notice, but the offer to go came up only very recently, and while I normally like at least a few months in which to warn fans that I'm coming (to give them a chance to try and get me to come to their area), in this instance it was either jump at the opportunity or not get there until at least October 2008. I decided to throw caution to the wind and sign up for the trip -- if it goes well, I can hopefully come again within the next couple of years and give more warning next time. For a list of where I'm going to be and when, click here: CANADA TOUR