under another sun

Dreary Monday. Three hours waiting for folks in France to forward me a single email containing a few files they promised on Friday. Then, gallingly presented at the end of the day but then the goalposts were moved, so more tomorrow. However I have to look on the bright side. No travelling needed, and I could do everything from home -- and have chats with Lorraine from time to time. All is well, for a Monday. Funny how whatever you are doing, Monday's still have a residual work pall about them. Anton called. Chris the plumber stopped by to measure things. Texts from Keith.  Lorraine went to her physical trainer in Bolney, and even popped into school by arrangement and Rebecca's class read some stuff out to her. A big step to go back, and she said it felt perfectly natural and weird at the same time. The new head sweet with her.  We roasted a chicken this evening (held over from yesterday) with roast parsnips and potatoes and assorted veggies. Lorraine and I are eating less meat...

Simply manacled to my desk and writing stuff to do with ecologically sound coatings. Happy to be working, but my brain a bit sluggish and I made heavy going of it. Monday passed fairly unlamentedly. All at Kenny towers to bed early. Lorraine and I hearing an unclassifiable shrieking in the back garden, which we told each other was foxes. Quite a good backdrop to the Thomas Ligotti horror horror story I was reading though.

For no reason a feeling of foreboding this Monday. A misty morning. Lorraine up early and off to school. I got up as she was leaving. Outside the bare tree full of starlings settled in the mist. Worked right away as usual, putting finishing touches to Sin Cycle, which must be done this week. Spent time reading poems today, and Nine Gates, Entering the mind of poetry, by Jane Hirshfield, which is I keep agreeing with. Also did a bit on my other blog. No word yet from the Paddington folks. Walking. Lorraine very pleased to be back home. I had missed her.

Thank Goodness the French didn't vote for the fascist Le Pen in the presidential elections, choosing a weird wunderkind banker instead. A poor night's sleep, and slightly wussy with an upset stomach first thing. Then going to work clinging onto the idea that (after today) I only have two more Mondays to do at this agency for the time being. Little for Keith and I to do, other than very small bits. Feeling edgy today.  I was briefed on something towards the end of the day, that was of course needed urgently. A walk at lunchtime in Russell Square. Spoke to Mas, Mum out and then later off to The Royal Free. Meanwhile a new bathroom is being put in. When I eventually caught up with her this evening, she said it seems she will need an operation on her pancreas, as they have found pre-cancerous cells. She is philosophical about it, and I suppose it is good that they have caught this early. Still it means more hospital, which is not ideal for her or Mas. She will learn more tomorr...

Yippee for a Monday. Up fairly early, took Lorraine breakfast and tea and went into the nerve centre of my office and caught up a bit with things. In the afternoon was briefed by Val in Paris. Had an idea and got this down, but not the easiest brief. But overwhelming feeling of happiness not to be  cramped on a train. I went for a walk, which felt marvellous and freeing. Simple pleasures. Lorraine took Maureen and Pat and Beth off to an exhibition which featured some of Lorraine's pal Carolyn's work. Maureen came back with with an embroidered broach.

A very poor night's sleep. But I sent out poetry manuscripts today, worked on poems, had a quick teleconference and did some work with my chums in Chiswick, which seemed to use up the entire day. Felt weirdly Mondayish. Beth out all afternoon and evening rehearsing for the production of Annie she is in.  Spoke to Mum, who had a stress test on her heart and so on today, and was fortunately found to be in very good shape. She didn't mention that she'd already walked three miles before she'd arrived at the hospital. Went for a few short walks today, listening to the audiobook of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, which although I have read it already and it is very short, is a treat. Quietly stayed in tonight, instead of going off to a poetry workshop, which I couldn't face at the last moment. Cooked for Lorraine who is reaching the end of her half term. Lately children have been worrying about clowns, with the scary clown craze coming over from the US.

An English Monday morning in August. Torrential rain. Woke up tired as I'd slept poorly. Began filling in three forms to do with an application Telltale are making for an award. My deep love of forms coming to the fore as usual. Despite the rain, compelled to get out, had to renew a prescription at my doctor's, then went to Lewes via the nearby Brighton station for a nice chat with Robin and Nick, and to collect a few pamphlets. They'd been to Croatia for their hols, and were getting ready to move to Eastbourne next month. Shuddered in sympathy as I heard some of the house move stuff. Home via London Road, and up the Hill from there, the sky really quite extraordinary, as the not particularly good snap below, and the one from my study a few minutes later show. I hope Toby's plane journey was not too fairgroundish. A nap on the sofa, as I am still feeling a bit drained by my chest infection. Then spoke to Mum on Facetime who was a bit sad to have said goodbye to To...

A Mondayish Monday. Long train delays on the way to work. Luckily I had a new vacuum flask with me, so was able to enjoy a cup of tea during the journey. At St Pancras I left the train without my jacket, which I only realised some hours later. I was also late for work. Brain functioned poorly for most of the day, and I felt tetchy and fed up. Passed the Shard on the way home. A beautiful, savage structure. Reached home at 8:45am. One of the fish had died. Chatted to Lorraine, who makes life better. Tomorrow is another day.

Undeck the halls of boughs and holly For many, today is the The Great Monday of the Year. But I just want to get stuck in again, and feel very grateful to have the opportunity to do so. But first... Spent the day on admin of all kinds: chasing freelance payments (my old agency again ), working through emails, hoovering, and taking down the tree and other fripperies of Christmas, with Calliope diving noisily into the bauble bag. Had a long chat with Matt about This concert will fall in love with you. Both very excited about it. Before the concert I need to start strutting about on stage again. But I feel rusty, and need to get back in the saddle somehow. Had a much needed quiet night sipping Japanese green tea. Very cold, so I sat on the sofa under a blanket (and a strategically placed Calliope) and started watching my all time favourite drama series Twin Peaks again. Poor Laura Palmer, wrapped in plastic.

Rain and swine flu A proper Monday morning for most, teeming with rain in Brighton. I got up a little before seven, scarfed oats and a large cup of tea and got to work. For one good thing about rain, is that it makes you feel great to be inside in the warm and dry. At eleven I broke off and went out into the rain for a workout in the gym. I used the cross trainer apparatus which is giving Toby legs like the Hulk, and quite enjoyed it. Made me sweaty. Someone nodded at me today in the gym. Naturally, to blend in, I returned their nod with an indifferent stare. I am beginning, just a little, to enjoy it now and feel less self-conscious. Back to work, untangling a chapter of the book most of the afternoon. I'm keeping focused. Heard from Diane, and Lorraine and Bob today. Also from a Canadian writer friend Mark who is going to write a travel book about Europe, which sounds rather a splendid idea. Listening with increasing interest to the news about Swine Flu. Two people have it in Sco...

The last bauble in the bag Today was the big Monday of the year. I however woke to a coverlet of snow in the Twitten and a purring kitten, and feeling lucky and privileged to be working from home. Not having to struggle off to London on the train is ace. Later I got a text from Beth who was thinking of Calliope's first experience of snow. The kitten herself, however, was generally disdainful of it. Slid off to the quack first thing. Then back home to write nine more case studies on unpleasant ailments - I learned more about Ulcerative Colitis than I ever wanted to know. Wonderfully, however, the website folks have paid my invoice: Calliope and me will eat for some months! And fortunately not each other. I had a dream a few days ago about a person called Barcelona Katz. I am usually good at understanding my own dreams, but Barcelona Katz has got me stumped. Unless it is yet another blinking cat reference. After this off to the gym at 6:30, which was unbelievably crowded with people ...

The unalterable essence of Monday Mondays are Mondays whatever you happen to be doing. There is no use going against the grain, so today's focus was on generating work - and doing dutiful, Monday-ish stuff - emailing people and speaking on the phone. I took a break for a walk a couple of hours in the middle of the day. Invigorating to walk in the wind by the rough grey sea for an hour or so, despite the rain. But the grey eventually made me feel gloomy. But my mood was dispelled by an Agent Cooper style - excuse me - DAMN fine cup of coffee and a quick phone call with Sophie who I am going to see tomorrow, and I zipped back home to recommence the tedious stuff with new heart. Spoke to one of my fellow denizens of the Twitten, who told me he had taken a few months off last year at the same time, and had loved it, which was good to hear. Spoke also to Max the Mentor and Bob, while I was out and about. In the evening had a bit of a spring clean in my study, which felt good, and I ende...

Moanday Bad mood all day. It started this morning as I stood in a packed and elbowy crowd outside Victoria station listening to the penetrating and unremitting bleep of the alarm for 25 minutes before being allowed into the station. Then at work, I wasted the whole day on a rubbish idea for this new pitch. Briefly out for a colleague's leaving lunch in the ghastly Puzzle. Ate a chicken burger and looking out at rain falling on Fulham Palace Road. But at least got to catch up with the French Bloke who was sitting next to me. Most evenings now I turn up at Victoria in time to watch my train depart. This ensures I have the maximum opportunity to wait in the non-space of the station. Today was better, at least I used the time to speak to Sophie. Also my boss at work who called to discuss what we could do about the rubbish idea tomorrow. Home listening to The Lord of the Rings as an audio book as I played the Zuma on my mobile phone like a maniac. It's really hard to play it on a p...

A proper Monday Up unnaturally early today, so took advantage of this to leave for work at a freakish hour. Once in London, me and the Gnome sat with pinched faces in a succession of drafty nooks and crannies in Hammersmith having left the agency to work on concepts. There are few places in the building to get a spot of peace and quiet. We ended up drinking coffee in the Blue Anchor, which was sufficiently morgue like place to be able to think in. No sooner had we arrived and had settled in, then the staff turned it a wind tunnel by opening up several doors. Back to the agency to blah blah to a room full of predominantly Welsh clients in the afternoon. The Gnome glowing and blending in. In contrast, I felt somewhat nervy presenting today. All was fine however, and just after work we spent some time schmoozing the client and talking to two new colleagues. One, called Lana, claims to be related to Vlad the Impaler, which is a caution.