under another sun

Off to drawing class this morning, trying to be early. Lorraine phoned me shortly before I arrived to say I'd left my paper at home. So had to double back, Lorraine handed it to me in the street. Late again, which made me feel irritable. The model was Tommy, who we have had before. A slim young guy, who I find a bit difficult to draw. Melissa stopping me after a few pencil strokes, and saying that the foot would be off the page. Tommy and I spoke afterwards and he wanted to connect with me as he is writing a play which needs a bit of background about advertising in it. Nice chat with Melissa afterwards too. Adele, Patrick and I had bumped into her in the Boot last Friday too, and she apologised for not introducing her husband. She locked up an we left. Sauntered home, realising that I'd left my umbrella in the women's Institute Hall. Then home to find Lorraine hard at work tidying. In the afternoon she made off to take Maureen, with Patrick in tow, to see the doctor.  I att...

A call at 6:30 from Steve in the Waggon and Horses sounding a bit shaken and telling me that Paul had died in the night, and if I could let mum know as he thought she'd find the news upsetting. Steve and Paul had come to Mason's funeral and both are regulars and friends of Mum's at the Waggon. Too early to call Mum, so I waited till 9ish to tell her the news, then called Steve back. He'd received a call early this morning from Paul, and had rushed around to see him, but found him. He gave him CPR for 15 minutes, till the ambulance turned up, but poor Paul was already dead. Mum was obviously saddened by it, and said she was going to the pub this afternoon.   I found the whole thing somewhat triggering. Something about a sudden death, involving Mum, the day after Mason's birthday and I felt very stressed over breakfast. Lorraine gave me a hug, but it was a shadow over the day, and I only felt happier when I talked again to Mum in the evening. She'd been to the pub...

Another busy seeming day. Up and off to drawing class in the morning. Our model today was a woman from Mumbai. Adele and I were chatting in the break about how much more fun it felt to draw people who aren't skinny and perfect looking. My own drawings all curates eggs, but I did do one in the two minute poses at the beginning that I quite liked. We always start with these quick poses and I inevitably make a hash of them. Then home, a bit of faffing about, then it was time for the Understory. However as Robin sent me the podcast at exactly the same moment as the Understory session started. My manners were terrible for my fellow poets, I was eating noodles, had prepared nothing and had to make my excuses after an hour. To do some editing and blurb writing. We managed to get the podcast, featuring Robin's interview with Erica McAlpine. The second I'd finished this, a quick change and into the car with Robin. We drove to Crawley where there was a presentation and a bit of a par...

Up and a bit of preparation for recording with Robin. Then off to attend my life drawing class. Adele was there, having had to walk to class today. Patrick had kindly taken Chris off in the car to A&E with chest pains. Soon found out that he was okay, luckily.   Having wondered if they would ever feature a male model, I got what I'd wished for. Men, it turns out, are different shapes. My first few efforts were hopeless, but it slowly improved. Toby called me while I was drawing in the hushed room so had ask him to call back. Lorraine meanwhile off to Eastbourne to do more pottery. This class not so tilted at beginners and they just had to get on with their projects, which she found a little daunting. Home just after noon, and soon was recording with Robin. Then I immediately joined the Understory Conversation. Good news about one of the group's health which had been a cause for concern. Otherwise a cheery meeting. Cooked, and didn't fancy doing any editing this evening....