under another sun

Lorraine off to meet Adele for coffee, I meanwhile continued writing my new short story, which for all kinds of complicated reasons is called Kansas . Writing in flow state. There is nothing like it.  Also firming up two potential guests for the podcast. In the afternoon we did some gardening together, and in the evening we simply took ourselves out for a curry in Seaford in a recently opened restaurant called Spice Village . This was fairly empty, but was the best Indian food I'd had in Seaford washed down with the obligatory bottles of Cobra beer. I'd revisit without a qualm. We were put in a little booth, which was nice as the place lacked a bit of atmosphere but the friendliness of the staff certainly ensured a cheery time.  Then we walked home along by the sea just after the sea had set. A full pink moon hanging in the air next to Seaford Head, and looking back towards Newhaven the sea was lined with anglers. Quite magical.

October already. Up early to work on the Paris brief. Lorraine working from home for the first hours, before zooming off to school. I sent off the work, after working for a few hours on it, and then heard nothing. Walked my 10k in two bouts, and painted the bathroom ceiling, another coat tomorrow perhaps.  Went for a walk and was shouted at twice, one after glaring at two teenage boys who were play fighting and almost ran into me, and the second by a driver because I was walking in the road to avoid people on the pavement. I put this down to the full moon in Aries. Otherwise very enjoyable. Love looking at how quickly the grass has turned green again and is sprouting back. Beautiful clouds today too. There is another possibility of work in the pipeline. I have several possibilities now, which is a good deal better than nothing but tumbleweed and crows which has characterised most of the rest of this glorious year.  I assembled a new office chair, which was achieved with only ...

Up in the dark under the light of a full moon. Lorraine up early, and off. Me up early and off to London. Not before having an explosively upset stomach, so bad I wondered if I should stay at home. But I went anyway, nervous that I was going to soil myself on the crowded train. Especially when it was being delayed for an extra half an hour crawling towards Clapham. Arrived at the agency where I was greeted very warmly, with Suzie, Jo and Yas all leaping up to kiss me, and Matt and Steve giving me a friendly shakes of the hand. Working with Dave briefly trying to salvage something from the time we had. Then to the Charity to receive ten pages of feedback on a clutch of material I'd written for them. Feedback included the fact they don't like the world 'For', and my word choice in one case was a bit wussy, in another place it was patronising, there it was old-fashioned and in two places cheesy. The cheesy phrase was particularly singled out for praise by another part o...

Down Mix of hypochondria and depression. Seething heartburn (not something I am prone to) plus having pulled a chest muscle over my heart meant that I sampled a range of stabbing chest pains at four in the morning. Dead tired but wide awake for half the night, with Calliope barging about excitedly with round eyes. Full moon sending us both crazy. First order from Amazon Advantage today (even though the page is not fully up yet). After doing some billing, worked on a poem, I spent the day feeling over hot, lethargic and unable to string two thoughts together. Walked up the hill to feed Anton's cats, the second time in greasy rain, but with keys. Deadheaded dripping roses. Talked to Lorraine about how rubbish I felt. Bed. London tomorrow.

Full of moon Awake early in Strand on the Green with my brain a hive of ideas. Dressed, I decided to make an early break back to the seagulls. Coat on, I discovered that I had lost my phone. Galling visions of waiting around for the restaurant to open... Pacing about listening to Matt conducing lengthy ablutions then I popped out to First Matie's place and, mercifully she had it. Then a lift from Matty to Turnham Green, then home against the tide of commuters, bumping into Reuben at Victoria. Home and to work. Saw Lorraine briefly in the afternoon, as she is on half term. Otherwise I worked like a madman possessed today till 10:30pm with a new and easily executed idea (codename: The Pamphlet) which is either certifiable or utterly brilliant. Not decided yet. Was half hoping to see the eclipse of the full moon, but after a week or so of crystal clear nights there was an annoying blanket of cloud cover. I expect astronomers up and down the country were grinding their teeth, and stamp...

Fools full of moon Full moon may have had something to do with an exceedingly snarly atmosphere in the agency this morning, with certain people behaving like children. Tremendously unimpressed by this, but fortunately I kept aloof. Keeping aloof is hard when you want to knock people out but I managed it. Other than this tetchfest, and too much work, little to report today. Went to the chiropractor, which curiously was the most peaceful interlude of the day. She is an excellent chiropractor, who was brought up on Cyprus. Had a nice chat about skeletons and modern Greek poetry as she sorted me out. And walked back along the river to my agency with a spine as supple as a slow worm. Returned to the fray, and left work quite late, although feeling fairly cheery. I am now in my traditional position of having responsibility without being given the authority, which needs to be resolved quickly. Home and I had a pizza and watched the last three episodes of Frasier before beginning a new Skelly ...