7 october 1999

'Optimistic' is possibly my favourite 'band' song that is played together live in a room. Sounds fucking great. We do about 9 versions. In most there are some amazing moments. The penultimate take would seem to be the one. As its Thom's birthday today at recording, takes a backseat in the evening – but we do manage to have a small reunion of the conga's on percussion. It isn't for midnight - they do add their customary sound to 'Optimistic'. Their last gig was on 'paranoid android' at St. Catherine's. Brilliant day.