I've been dividing my time recently between string arrangements for Prefab Sprout/Mr McFall's Chamber, and reading about Handel: Chris Hogwood's biography, Donald Burrows's book on Messiah and John Tobin's on its sources.  That and the usual pre-Christmas stuff.  Tomorrow, the McGillivray sisters take up their usual Christmas Eve residency in the bar of Babbity Bowster, so I may well drop in.  Katherine rang up the other night to talk me into playing for a viola d'amore recital she's giving in February.  I had to say yes - going by accepted statistical averages, this is probably the only time in my life that anyone will ever ask me to play in a viola d'amore recital.