under another sun

Thinking about how Ken lots, and how irrepressible he had been for most of the time I had known him. I would love to be able to believe in a heaven where he is sharing a nice bottle of Blanquette de Limoux with Janet right now. Apart from this, I wound up the week by posting signed stuff to a solicitor, putting an open to persuasion update on LinkedIn, and readying and sending off a short story to Popshot. This more in hope than expectation, but demonstrating Iron Discipline nevertheless. A chat with Sonia who made me laugh as usual, then off to the gym for a session there. Most enjoyably, I sat in Starbucks afterwards with a notepad, and plotted the first part of this new story I seem to be writing in the horror tradition. It is about twins. Then home in the pouring rain and straight into a hot shower once home. A quick chat with Anton, sending sympathy about Ken, and then Lorraine home and she immediately began cooking a pepper beef curry This was one of Beth's favourite chil...

A domestic day, generally tidying, under the influence of Marie Kondo , and smiling somewhat at her idea that socks don't like to be balled. The idea of sentient socks is an odd one, although it is a fact that some socks slip away never to be seen again. Dropped in on the now 15 year old Klaudia to hand her a belated birthday card, and discuss her Golden Weasel trip which this year is likely to be ABBA themed. Anton and Oskar seemed about to settle to an afternoon of gaming. Then home via Sainsbury's and looking at the budgeting software with Lorraine, under the influence of Catherine. I'm beginning to see the purpose of micromanaging money, especially as I am broke at the moment. Actually sitting down and talking about it all, and seeing what is going where is useful too. It is all part of Iron Discipline. A chat with Mum, and then some roast chicken and a glass of wine to round off a nice weekend.

Drew up a list of achievable to-dos but then sidetracked by another smidge of work from Valérie in Paris, which was very welcome. It really is a pleasure to work with Val, which I have done for many years now. She definitely is my favourite client. God knows what will happen after Brexit. Plus the omnishambles of Brexit means people are already dithering over their budgets, which means jobs are not being firmed up. Despite mantras of Iron Discipline and so on, allowed myself to get pretty cheesed off today by an email from my accountant confirming I did indeed owe a small amount of tax money from last year. They referred me to page three of a letter they sent me a year ago. The small amount of progress I have made this month neatly wiped out and back to square one. Sigh. My own fault, but not feeling well disposed to my accountants at the moment. Otherwise I went to the gym where I got rid of some of my grrrrrs. Later I spoke to mum briefly, billed my French friends, and then cooke...

Lorraine working from home. I tidied up my office and caught up with this blog and started writing lists of things to be done. A trip to Sainsbury's, using a list which seemed to take us longer than when we just do it on autopilot. Annoyingly my sinuses and throat chose today to hurt lots, and I felt washed out. Slept on the sofa for an hour in the afternoon, which definitely does not accord with principles of Iron Discipline. However rallied somewhat after sleeping. Lorraine said I was fighting off a cold, which is made it feel more rigorous. Lorraine cooked a lovely dahl this evening, with curried cauliflower and we ate this watching more episodes of Bleak House . This was a brilliant series, which I missed when it was first broadcast. Makes me want to read the novel again.

Woke up with my head buzzing with ideas, as Calliope and Brian walked on me. They are no respecters of hangovers. Fed the wretched weasels at about eight thirty and then made tea and crept back into bed. Cheery and optimistic today. I am usually dubious about January, and use the turn of the year to brood on my own shortcomings. This year I am simply not going to do that nonsense. Lorraine and I discussing in bed the iron discipline that we will employ to make a success of this year. I feel the need to heft myself up by my bootlaces. I am not fit, I am overweight (as ever at this time of year) and need to generate cash, and push on with my projects. Today, however, was about gently starting the year. Drank no booze today, for which my liver and kidneys are profoundly grateful. Lorraine cooked a rather marvellous turkey pie, as we were chatting to Mum on FaceTime.  Spoke also to Anton, who had watched all the Indiana Jones movies last night at home with a cold. Lorraine and I th...