under another sun

Back on the book this morning, and in the afternoon doing some billing. The client with whom I had a lively difference of opinion was surprisingly pleasant and accommodating. Got only as far as the shops in my encounters with the outside world. Spoke briefly to Mas, home safely from Dubai. I'm sure there's a lengthy tale in there, yet to emerge. Finished Snow Country by Yasunari Kawabata, and immediately wanted to read it again, but more slowly. One of those books where what it doesn't say is as important as what it does. I love it when a piece of art makes me think of its countershape. Lorraine home late after a gruelling week, which was rounded off by a curry and quiz night with teachers from the school.  Beth back she is working tomorrow in Brighton. She went straight out to meet Laura. Feeling a degree of tranquility this evening.  

Up early and crafting 'inspiring' copy for a pharma company, quite a challenge as they have given us no actual content to put in it.  A modern version of newsletters with no news, something I have over the years written a depressing amount. Then a few hours later, I made off to London, reading Snow Country by Yasunari Kawabata on the train. Enjoyed being up in the smoke again, albeit for a few hours. While I love Brighton, the elbowy majesty of central London is undoubtedly buzzy. Within minutes had bumped into an old pal Mark Dawson in Villiers Street. Skirted Covent Garden and met mum inside the British Museum. We had intended to see the current exhibition of 'Ice Age' art, but there was a slot system, and so there was over a two hour wait, which I didn't have time for. Somewhat galling. Instead we repaired to Pizza Express and talked for a couple of hours instead, strapping on a classic pizza nosebag, and sipping a Peroni and mum cider. Nice restaurant with pai...

On my own, which I'd not been for a while. Cats sleeping next to each other on the bed. Sky full of one or two crystal snowflakes from time to time, but they were not settling. Went for a short walk, but very cold easterly wind outside that made my eyes ache as I mooched back from town.  Lorraine having a good time in Leeds with Sam, and also met his friend Jade, who was chatty and friendly. Naturally now Lorraine was gone, the freelance work quelled itself, and I spent the morning thinking about the Opera Matt and I are planning. Also two books had arrived from Amazon. Started to read Snow Country by Yasunari Kawabata, which I'd heard reviewed on A good read, a bookish BBC Radio 4 programme lovely stuff so far. Also reading a chunk from the a book by Nick Mason, who was the drummer in Pink Floyd, called Inside Out, a Personal history of Pink Floyd . which is well written. I love reading all this stuff about zooming up and down the country in Ford Transits, and playing sma...