under another sun

Up early, and writing, while Lorraine made off to do Storytime in the Library. When she got back we caught a train to Brighton. We had a fresh and zesty lunch at Wahaca restaurant, and we drank some kind of fruity water with hibiscus, and lots of lovely bits of picky food. Lorraine popped off to do some lengthy bank business, I went to Caffè Nero and had a cup of coffee and stared blankly at my notebook.  I was thinking about something that Brian Eno wrote in A Year With Swollen Appendices , about the book you have already written.  I have several projects that are near the touchline, I just need to focus and do some hard work. I have quite a few published short stories, which I could collect for example. Lorraine found me and we mooched happily through the Lanes, ending up in a shop called Julian Stephens. Lorraine made magpie noises while looking at the shiny things, and soon I bought a nice ring as a late birthday present.  Then we walked up to the Evening Star where w...

Woke up feeling stressed. But sitting talking to Lorraine made me feel much better, however. Up for an unhurried breakfast, called Mum and eventually Lorraine and I made off to Brighton. I went to Clippers to have my hair cut by Stacy, who had squeezed me into his Saturday schedule. I asked him about his nosebleeds (he was bleeding last time I saw him) and he told me that he went to A&E and had to have his nose cauterised, twice, as the first time it didn't work. Apart from a sore nose, he's all good now. Met Lorraine and then a rather wild bout of retail therapy. Went to Jones and bought a pair of tan ankle boots for loafing about in. Lorraine and I popped into Joe Malone, where Lorraine bought some perfume off a very sweet man with lots of makeup. Another man working there in lots of makeup and bell bottoms took tiny little steps like a geisha. Rather fascinating. Then off to Clarkes in Churchill Square. Strange in there, very little stock on show, but what there was artf...

Into Brighton this afternoon. Lorraine and I went into Churchill Square where we went to a wellness exhibition that Beth was involved in running. Lorraine and I went in there and attended a meditation. Rather a nice interlude to sit on a beanbag and unplug for a while. My brain took me to Moulin Huet where I was looking at worm casts.  Then Lorraine and I did some shopping, and then found ourselves drifting into The Basketmakers Arms for a beer. Then to Wahaca restaurant where we had a decent bite of Mexican food. Lorraine and a cocktail too and it all felt like a bit of a celebration.   Brighton at its best today. Thronging with liveliness thanks to the festival. Massed drummers in New Road, singers here and there and the feeling there was music and fun everywhere. As we walked down Gardiner Street a mob of people wearing headphones, streaming towards us, all breaking out to sing 'Everybody dance... Clap your hands clap your hands' the Chic song, which was great but slightly...

Wednesday is hump day. Up and off to London again, walking down to the station, and happily the day somewhat cooler. Had some French work to finish off on the train in the morning, then into the agency. My Art Director sick at home, but pushed on with the work regardless. Presented to the Creative Director late in the afternoon, and all happy with the progress. Back to Brighton, and went down to The Basketmakers Arms , which as crowded, with folks crowding outside too as it is about to be sold to new owners who the word is will not change a winning formula. Had a cheeky drink in there with Betty and Lorraine, which was great fun. Couple sat next to us, and the man spilt his cider all over his wife and lapdog. Lapdog shook itself over my trousers. Then toto Wahaca restaurant for a quick bite. Made me think of Oaxaca in Mexico, which the name is an anglicisation. I ate grasshoppers there, and they put a spring in my step. A happy evening tonight, and L and I were in bed early after g...