Although penalties are always a bad way to end a final, I was of course ecstatic that the luck went United's way. It was fun being a guest on the 2G's show as it's always refreshing to talk about something other than music. All together now - "We are the champions my friend..."

OK, now that's out of my system it's back to work.

A quickie for those who don't know or can't get/afford a copy of HP: I'm offering "Greatest Divide" as a free download on my site. It's right on the home page (as well as on the music page), and all you have to do to access the download is register on my site (which is also free, of course).

The format of the blog will be changing a little on myspace and facebook. Essentially I now only need to post it once - on my site - and links to the posts will appear on myspace and facebook automatically. Less work for me always gets my vote! Let me know if it works fine for you.

I'm still in the process of designing the deluxe set, but there should be news soon and I'll of course update you all when it's available.

The CD version of Halfway, pleased should be available in more places (e.g. CD Baby, Amazon.co.uk) soon. I'm sorry (but kind of happy!) that Amazon.com sold out of their stock so quickly, but more CDs are on their way to them.

For those who bought the digital version of the album, and so didn't get the booklet along with their purchase, we'll be putting a PDF of the booklet up on the site very soon (maybe even by the time you read this). It will be on the Halfway, pleased page, in the "purchase links" box, at the bottom under "Extras."

I've posted a new photoset of candids from a TV taping I did with Charlton and Doug. I'm sworn to secrecy about the show, but will let everyone know when it's scheduled to air (which will be later this year).

And now for something completely different........

Question time! Just so's you know, my web team are hard at work on a handy-dandy form that will allow you to submit questions directly, so please hold your thoughts until that's ready (which'll be very soon, I'm told). But for now, this should get us up to date:

Suzanne asks:
Q: So you play quite a few instruments - which ones (well or otherwise...)?
A: Guitar, bass, percussion, keyboards, theramin and washboard.

Q: What would you have you taught (grade level/subject)?
A: I was at college studying for a general education degree, which means I would have taught Elementary school.

Q: If there was something you could do over would you - even if it meant you ended up in a different place in life now?
A: No, I actually like where I'm at. All things good and bad led me to where I am so I wouldn't change anything.

Gerald asks:
Q: Apparently Halfway, Pleased is coming out on KOOK Media. Assuming that's your own label, why not Zerodisc? Are we ever likely to see another release on Zerodisc? I liked the logo.
A: I liked the logo also but the company had lapsed.

Mac-f asks:
Q: i want to know if a new TFF album is writing or not and a also a new tour?
A: No new TFF plans at the moment, I will of course notify everyone should that change.

Corinna asks:
Q: What was the most strangest item (toaster not included!) you have ever been photographed with - and your not allowed to say Roland
A: Dubious clothing and bad hair.

Q: What does your wife think of all the female attention you get? You never talk about her much - why?
A: Frances is probably the most secure person I know, she's puzzled by what you all see in me. We've been together for 20 years now, what's left to say?

Q: Is there any questions you would like to ask us lot??
A: Could someone stop and pick me up some milk? I forgot earlier.

Q: During your time spent touring (TFF)- when being interviewed by non speaking English television/radio shows hosts did you ever think - "what on earth are you saying?? how do i reply?"
A: Yes, but I find "my hovercraft is full of eels" answers most things adequately.

Q: When you make a single/album - do you have to put your own finances into it? or does the record company pay for everything?
A: That depends if I do it with a record company. For ELAHE the record company paid for it, for HP I paid for everything.

Melia asks:
Q: My favorite song in the world is Head Over Heels! I watch the video to cheer me up sometimes. So, what's with the monkey?
A: Zippy would be highly insulted, he's a chimpanzee.

Margaret asks:
Q: My 10 year old daughter waved to you and blew you a kiss and you looked right at her at humphrey's by the bay. Do you vaguely remember her ?
A: I believe so.

Q: Who runs your Facebook page for you and do you run your own myspace?
A: Just little old me.

Wayne asks:
Q: Are there any TFF songs where you tried to sing lead vocals, but then decided to go with Roland in the end?
A: We normally try both our voices on all songs, so yes.

Kara asks:
Q: Has your viewpoint on scream therapy changed at all?
A: Yes. One of the premises of Primal Theory is that all children come in as a blank slate. Having now had two children I can categorically say that that is nonsense. (Wow, two thats in a row - how many hads can you string together?)

Jenelle asks:
Q: Do you have any childhood pics of yourself, and if so, would you put post them?
A: I don't, I believe my mother may have some, I'll ask next time I'm there.

Q: In the vid for Pale Shelter, did anyone notice Roland getting hit in the eye with a paper airplane? If so, why leave it in the vid?
A: It's hard to miss. We thought it was funny. It's certainly Diva's favorite part.

Kate asks:
Q: Do you say soccer or football? If you say soccer, do you still think football? Or do you just say "Galaxy game" to avoid this all together?
A: Football, although I'm not convinced half of the time if that's what the Galaxy are playing.

Heather asks:
Q: Wondering if you still keep in touch with John Fredericks, if you do can you give him my email? Do you still talk to and work with Neil Taylor?
A: No to both I'm afraid. They're in the UK and I'm in LA.

Bernice asks:
Q: in a typical normal day what do you usually do?
A: As little as I possibly can.

Patricia asks:
Q: Which is the title of the first single will announce the album ? Is this Seven of Sundays ?
A: I'm not really a strong believer in singles but if there was one I suppose SOS would be it.

Q: Have you another songs writen, stored in " a drawer " for a next album ?
A: Maybe, maybe not (to be said in a strong Scottish accent a la "Little Britain")

Nourset asks:
Q: Do you remember a show on English TV named "taking a singing lesson"?
A: That was someone impersonating me - honest!!

Paul asks:
Q: I may be behind in the history of tff and this may be a stupid question but is tff still together?
A: tff written like that is, like this, t f f , not so much.

Carolyn asks:
Q: What is your opinion about mixes and mashups?
A: I don't mind them, some are really good in fact.

Q: Do you still have that cool gold jacket you wore for the Seeds of Love poster? :)
A: No, I believe it's hanging in a Hard Rock somewhere.

Q: Is the American release of HP still on track?
A: It's out.

Jenelle asks:
Q: I saw a pic of you and Roland with a toaster, a BBQ fork and what I think is a paint brush. What exactly does it mean?
A: My hovercraft is full of eels?

Angela asks:
Q: Any memories of your time in BODS?
A: Not really, primarily because that was Roland not me. (For those scratching their heads - Bath Operatic and Dramatic Society.)

Carolyn asks:
Q: Alissa's idea of Egg Zone shirts is a good one! Maybe some HP shirts also? I know I would order them.
A: They're available from the "Cafe Press" box on the Store page at my site, or you can go right to www.cafepress.com/curtsmith to order (well, at least the HP ones are, I'm sure more will be coming soon).

That's it for now, I'm off to stick a fork in a toaster and decorate the house.

EZEZEZEZEZEZEZEZ
Papa S.