under another sun

Beth off early to work teaching dance to under sevens. I had a slow start, delving into the cold outside world to do shopping. Lorraine making her way home from Leeds this afternoon, after having an excellent time with Sam. I made off to meet Matt in The Foundry, where sitting at the bar over several pints of Landlord bitter, we discussed the way ahead on the opera. Good to be plotting with him again, as well as getting his opinions on Messiane, and talking about politics a good deal as this informs our latest wheeze. But we are in non-disclosure mode about the actual subject matter. Lorraine arrived in the pub, and it was splendid to see her too, although perfectly fine on my own, I did miss her and found myself very pleased to see her again. After wetting her whistle, she and I made off for a celebratory curry. She had been in the company of lively Bradford City fans, making their way down to London for a cup final today. Bradford are in the forth tier of English football, but ha...

A slightly sluggish start for me, getting to the end of a bruising week. Lorraine left for Leeds to spend a couple of days with Sam this morning. Betty back to London for a day too. I was left to my work writing an e-blast. This done, I took myself out for a chilly afternoon walk in town. I dove into one or two second hand music and bookshops, which as I had no glasses with me, I found it hard to read the titles. I had plans to meet Matt tonight, but as he was unavailable, and with Anton away I opted for a quiet night in the warm. Watching an episode of Space: Above and Beyond and channel hopping in a desultorily fashion. Downloaded Messiaen's  Quartet for the End of Time  composed during his time in a prisoner of war camp listening to birds, and scored for the few musicians among his camp: clarinet, violin and cello, with himself on piano. Rather extraordinary, and is a favourite of Mum's I think. Spiritual questing on a foundation of profound unease. Lovely stuff. New ...

Mum's birthday Up in Edgware for Mum's birthday. Slept heavily due to my sniffy man cold, but up late to have breakfast of toasted crumpets and coffee with Mum and Mase. Getting up is a much more protracted affair now for Mum and Mase due to their little Salty kitten, who is unbelievably vocal and gets in the way of everything. Nice little thing it is though. I gave mum a present of Messiaen's Quartet for the End of Time which is strange birdsong music composed and first performed in a Gulag during the second world war, with its first performance in the camp, with Messiaen playing a piano to an audience of prisoners and guards. We listened to this birdsong-like music for a bit before we drove off to Stanmore for some lunch a the Weatherspoon's pub. All pretty cheery and enjoyable, and some good beer to boot. Excellent to see mum being able to enjoy a glass of wine again. Reminiscing and chatting over pies, and a couple of drinks was good fun. Snoozy afternoon and watch...