under another sun

Last day at Shadric's studio, and walked there upright like a human the back gyp having mostly worn off now. Midweek temperature now gone, and I felt a bit more energetic, but still had a paracetamol breakfast, and before bed as a bit achey. As I was walking to work a former colleague, Helen asked about my availability. So I may have another substantial bit of work starting next week, fingers crossed. Arranged a call on Monday morning. A few more instructions from Pat and the gang up in Hampton. Had a quick stroll to buy a bit of lunch from the cafe. Chatting this afternoon about music and art with Shadric, a nice guy and a good designer. Then home a bit before five, and walked home. Lorraine working a bit late, so I finished listening to  The Exorcist , which I had enjoyed. A robustly constructed story. Lorraine home and tired after a long week for her. I nipped out to get a takeaway, and we luxuriated in being at home and watching Masterchef, and an early night.

A long night's sleep. Lorraine dressed in pyjamas for national book day, brought me up a nice cup of tea which I had with a paracetamol breakfast. She left still in pyjamas for school. However, as the day wore on, I was feeling a bit perkier than yesterday, although still a well under par. Walked to Shadric's studio in the sunshine, pausing to look at the hosts of golden daffodils. A steady day's work. Noticed some of Shadric's designs and an enormous pencil drawing of his grandparents, which I really liked. Went for a brief scurry around at lunchtime, simply to free up my seizing back, which is slowly improving too. After work, walked home and guiltily bought a bag of fish and chips, as Lorraine had an arduous and lengthy governor meeting tonight. I went to bed before Lorraine came home, as I was still feeling unwell. I had spent the evening listening to my audiobook of The Exorcist , which is very interesting and as much about the idea of faith as it is spooky stuff...

Felt utterly rubbish this morning as I walked to Shadric's studio office. As I turned off London Road onto Tongdean Avenue, the road narrows under the railway bridge. A woman was made to fall off her bike by a car. I was too busy looking around me and being creeped out by listening to The Exorcist to notice what had happened. Voluble swearing from the bicycle woman, and the car that was involved also driven by a young woman. It all blew over though and nobody was hurt thankfully. I arrived at Shadric's studio running with sweat, with a headache, achyness, painful throat and generally exhausted. Typical. Cancelled a few cheeky beers with Anton scheduled for tonight. Slipped out at lunchtime to buy a pack of paracetamols at the shops in Eldred Avenue. Also bought a vegetarian sausage roll made with kidney beans, tiny cafe there, with four people having an awkward business meeting, with one bloke being incredibly self important about the subject of signage. Nice chatting wit...

Worked in the morning from home this morning, getting a flying start on the work I'd picked up yesterday. A few distractions. A letter from a solicitor that I could not make head nor tail of. I phoned to explain I had a degree in philosophy, and worked as a writer but could not understand what their letter was trying to get at. Turned out it was something to do with not choosing to act as an executor. I hate language that's sole purpose is to obscure meaning. I bite my thumb at them. The designer I met yesterday, who rejoices in the name of Shadric Toop, picked me up in his car at lunch time, and drove us to near the Withdean stadium to work in his studio office.  I had studio envy. It is a lovely place. He works on the top floor, and there is a pottery wheel, and pots in various stages of completion. Upstairs he has desks and a view out onto trees of his mother's garden. He's a nice guy and from all the work here and there in his studio a good designer. His mother is...