Interrupted by pie and thunder Thunder woke me, so up early and began straight away working on my poems in the light of yesterday's conversation - and seeing some instant improvements. What is slightly maddening is that several of them are reverting to how they were a while ago. There is a lesson in this, and I hope I am learning it. But thanks to Brendan a short collection of about 22 poems has suddenly revealed itself. At 10 I went off to LA Fitness and had a swim in the empty pool. I was reminded of the Westworld movie - with the gym being populated by a few unspeaking automata - but maybe that's just Sunday Morning. Something cold about this, but I prefer it to the thrashing about and child dodging of the public pool. Then a mooch in the damp flea market by the station but, apart from two sweetcorn cobs, nothing took my fancy. So I returned home for a very sensible lunch of brown rice, fish, veggies and a glass of sparkling water with a squeeze of lemon, and was just se...
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Poetic surgery Up lateish, and strangely anxious about meeting Brendan Cleary today. What if he thought all my poems were dire? Spoke to Mum about skeletons, then was picked up by Lorraine who had Maureen and Pat, her parents, with her. Lorraine drove us down to the seaside to have a pleasant chatty lunch in the sun at The Meeting Place cafe. I had a cheese and ham toastie, (but was careful not to go mixin' ma toasties seeing what that does to rabbits). We then wandered down to the pebbles and Pat and Maureen bask in the sun, and were dozing happily. As I had to go, Lorraine walked with me along the seafront, being generally reassuring as I was feeling twitchy again. I'd sent Brendan my poems after arranging for a poetry surgery through The South. I was trying not to feel too much like I'd done an exam and was going to get the results. It turned out however to be a very useful process indeed, and I was delighted with our conversation. His comments were very astute and extre...
An empty pool So apart from being plucked out of the street to go on radio... Reuben got in touch, and I have a couple of days work at his agency. Kate is there at the moment, and she was able to email me with an accusation of copying. Next week is filling up nicely, what with the interview I am doing on Monday too. Still feeling edgy though, which I don't like. I joined the gym, which doesn't seem too appalling a place. I went for a forty minute swim in an almost empty pool. This was wonderful, as it allowed me to zone out rather than constantly be negotiating other people in the lanes. Heard a radio feature about pool attendance, which has soared given the Great Britain's Olympic swimming medals. This was linked to an increase in pool rage, with people jostling and arguing in the overcrowded lanes. Later returned for a one-on-one with a pleasant and suitably Adonis-like personal trainer, but this was cut short as I need a note from my doctor to say it was okay to work on ...
Radio interlude Not every day that you are grabbed off the street and bundled into a radio station. I was mooching off to look at gym clothes -- what do people wear in gyms? -- prior to joining LA Fitness, when a woman who turned out to be Allison Fearns , a presenter at BBC Southern Counties stopped me in the street. In seconds I was in the studio, and then as the strains of Street life by Randy Crawford died away, I was being interviewed live by Allison in her show's "streetlife" spot - where they simply grab someone off the street and interview them. They told me the interview would be 5-10 minutes but it seemed to go on quite a bit longer. Naturally this was all catnip for me, and I somehow (arf) managed to talk fluently about my life and works, and mentioned my poetry and Skelton Yawngrave too. Talked for what seemed about double the allotted time. Came out of it feeling very pleased with myself, and feeling that it was some sort of sign. They said I must come in a...
The looming of cats Woke at five with a hangover, which was entirely Anton's fault. Got up groggily and blundered on with my Skelton Yawngrave business for several hours and then spoke to Mum. In the afternoon went to the local gym called LA Fitness, and have booked an induction meeting tomorrow. Home, and I spent much time cleaning my bathroom, as if by cleaning external things I could purify myself. Grey sunless day. What an appalling country this is. Looked at cats on websites. I am edging closer to getting one, although it seems these days you have to go through all kinds of hoops before you can have a cat. Some cat adoption places come around to your house to make sure you don't have cat fur cushions, or that you've not secretly got three or four pitbull terriers with cat issues. I am thinking I should get a kitten so that it won't always be looking at me accusingly and comparing me to its previous owner. A quiet evening in reading, and virtuously sipping green tea...
Getting organised First morning in blighty. Grey all day. How can us Brits live without ever seeing the sun in summer? No wonder so many of us are busy stabbing each other. Slept well though in the cool night, however, but woke unfeasibly early and got up after an hour or so to sift my email backlog. Spent the morning setting up another interview for next monday - and a possible one with Bill Bryson on the horizon, which if it came off would be a fascinating. I seemed to have a million things to organise today: Ash text nagged me to book my ticket to Eire, and Marcella followed it up with several emails, telling me I needed to bring a suit and so on. Marcella's wedding is on November 1st in her home town of Westport on the gorgeous west coast. I went there a few years ago with several pals to celebrate Marcella's birthday, and Matty boy drove me off to the grave of my hero WB Yeats. Also researched the local gyms, and have narrowed it down to two. Then internet groceries, ...
Paleochora
Home from Crete this afternoon, and feeling really relaxed. A week's escape in the southern Cretan village of Paleochora - a population of about 2000 swollen by visitors in the summer from all parts of Europe and beyond was just what the doctor ordered.
Spent days sitting on the beach in the shadows of the umbrellas, and reading the surprisingly good Watchmen, and listening to audiobooks. The sun was incredibly hot, and the stones and sand were painful to walk on as they were so hot. Broke off from this periodically to swim over the rocks of the eastern pebbly beach.
There was beautiful snorkeling to be had. The shallow sea floor was boulder strewn, at first glance looked like some kind of lunar landscape. But they when you looked it was full of life: old gold coloured anemones with libidinous pink tips waving in the current, and spiky dark stars of sea urchins wedged in between the rocks. And at least a dozen species of fish, gorgeous brightly coloured wrasse,...
Hellboy and the family Toby and I off today to London. Travelled up to Victoria, which affected by various Sunday travel malarkies included a short walk to Westminster. We all lurked about eating in the afternoon, including snapping on Mason's patented venison soup. Everyone slightly underpowered but we all rallied to enjoy Hellboy which was on TV, and made me definitely want to see Hellboy II. Del Torro is a fabulous director even when he is doing Hollywoodish stuff like this. Mum showed us a picture she'd painted, which was the first time that she'd painted anything for some time, which was great to see.
Networking A busy day today. Went down to the Quadrant pub to attend the Brighton Social Media Cafe. Mex had let me know about this, and she attended too. A diverse and interesting group of people with a pleasingly geeky undercurrent. I met several interesting people, including having a long and interesting chat with a business advisor called Julia, Mex also introduced me to several other people, and stepping in to big me up in the course of introductions. A nice man called Curtis was saying that he wished his ex-wife would be as nice about him. It was all well worth attending, and I learned quite a bit too. And only about 50% of it from Mex. The cafe will be repeated so I'll pop along again. Then a delicate Thai meal with Toby and Mex. They'd not seen each other for several years and it was all quite jolly. Mex full of news and ideas, as well as vivid accounts of cat handling, her cat Boli. By coincidence I am in the market for a cat too, and may well score one shortly. Fond f...
Harvest Up early and worked for a few hours on Skelton Yawngrave. And, have finished the first draft bar a few paragraphs. Found myself quite moved when I reached the ending, but whether this was due to the brilliance of the writing, or just simple relief I don't know. It stands at 68.5k but the second version will be longer. I am delighted. Toby and I then had quite a chilled day. The two Mr Kennys took themselves for a stroll down to the Pavilion gardens in the afternoon to meet Anna and my Godbairns. Anna cheerful and lovely as usual, Klaudia running about the place wearing my hat for a while, and then sitting in it. Young Oskar on the brink of saying loads of things. And he is almost as tall as his sister already. Some other ladies joined us with kids with painted faces, and Toby looking slightly alarmed as they began to howl. Able to do a good deed today, as Reuben called me looking for someone to help out at his agency, and I reminded him that First Matie was on a break at th...
Up on the roof Off this morning for another blood test, and got into a mild disagreement with the nurse over an energy generating windmill. She mentioned Glyndebourne and I told her I had interviewed its CEO recently. She thought the planned wind turbine would be an eyesore, and I said that the Christie only had the best environmental interests at heart. She jabbed me in the arm rather smartly after that. Then home to break my cafetiere, and resume work on the Skelton Yawngrave novel, before Toby emerged from bed. Worked hard in the morning, and Toby went out for a short walk. Unfortunately the weather was unspeakable again, with lots of rain. After a lunch of fried tomatoes on toast, I went for a swim, and found I seemed to suddenly have a great deal more energy. Surged up and down happily. Bought a new cafetiere and then hung about with Toby listening to bits and pieces of music and generally chatting. As the day wore on the weather finally cheered up. Lorraine invited Toby and myse...
Toby and the Turtle Lots of work on Skeletons first thing this morning. Only a few days away now from completing the first draft. Spoke to Mum, and talked about how I have more Achilles heels than a spider, and the rubbishness of art dealers, among other subjects. Just setting off for a swim when I heard a shout from behind me and there was Toby emerging speedily from the end of my twitten having arrived earlier than expected. So instead of a swim we went for a walk along the seafront and pier. It was incredibly windy and stormy this afternoon. In fact it was the strongest wind I can remember down here. The sea was white, and there was one of those winds you can lean into. We walked along noticing the Union flag in tatters over a seafood shop. Drops of spray and rain stung our faces. There were still people enjoying the pier, and certain rides, which was rather amazing. We hung off it watching very big waves rolling in. After this exhilaration, we repaired to the Mock Turtle for cream...
Leaves are the new pies Back to normal today, or at least a simulacrum of normality where my morning coffee is decaf, and lunch is a salad sandwich. In the evening stayed in to watch TV as this is the new going out. Drank sparkling water too, as this is the new beer. Had a swim, with no ill effects. But all in all, I have been feeling curiously calm and chilled, and the hypochondria is abating. Worked for hours and fruitfully on my Skelton Yawngrave story. In the evening Lorraine called around to check I was still alive: and we were both pleased to discover that I was. To celebrate we ate some Guernsey bean jar and watched a reality show with Drum and Bass hero Goldie and Blur's Alex James, among others, attempting to become conductors. Unusually I find myself taking a passing interest in the Olympics. Normally the idea of learning who can, for example, throw a stick a bit further than someone else makes me want to put my head in a blender.
Feeling better To the doctor. Lurking horribly in the waiting room for 40 minutes which provided an excellent backdrop for hypochondria. Looking at pamphlets pinned to the wall with titles like Heart Attack? and Coping with Cancer? Fortunately Lorraine came too, which was well beyond the call of duty, and prevented me from balling into a foetus position and sobbing under the chairs. Finally in to see the pleasant doctor who took my blood pressure again. Fortunately today's reading was on more of a human scale, but still higher than it ought to be. So before long I was toddling around the corner to score myself a dose of blood pressure pills. Only another hypochondriac could sympathise with the various horrors I have been through in the last days. Today is the first day in getting a grip on my health and this is to be welcomed. The dragon faced, I bought Lorraine a coffee and fruit juice (me a decaf and fruit juice) as a token of thanks for her support. After salad sandwiches, t...
Rock cake and samba Spent today not self destructing again. The morning mild mannered, and included a conversation with Ken, who I will go up and have tea with shortly. Lorraine called by in the afternoon, and we went for a long afternoon stroll along the seafront in the strong wind and by the very rough sea, churning greenly underneath big scudding sometimes rainfilled clouds. Saw the aftermath of a pop concert with pop stars McFly, who I failed to recognise, being surrounded for autographs. Had a cup of tea and half a rock cake in a gale at the meeting place cafe. Rock cakes are rather nice, and I hadn't had one since I was a child. As we ate the rock cake, a the samba band playing a few yards away turned out to be the one Lorraine's pal Dawn plays with. Chatted to Dawn, who I really like and who can often be seen on any parade that needs a bit of samba drumming. For example she was on the pride march the other week. She commented on how chilled we looked. This was pleasing s...
Pollyanna day My horoscope this morning which talked about a Pollyanna tendency. I had to look this up, as I've not read the Pollyanna by Eleanor H Porter. Turns out Pollyanna was an orphan and an incurable optimist who played "the glad game" which enabled her to see her the best in all situations. I think Pollyanna had the right idea. As today was given over to hypochondria, gentle pleasures were forefronted so as not to die suddenly. I wandering about in the library with Lorraine, and popped into the Eagle for lunch. I lurked on my gold sofa watching TV and reading the newspaper, and watched Throw Momma from the Train which happened to be on and is a very funny film. Lorraine bravely spent lots of time with me, exhibiting her usual kindness and generally being reassuring. Wondering what I can do differently to keep my blood pressure down: I love my work, I'm not under excessive financial pressure, I have loads of friends and am very close to my family, I do a a fai...
Through the roof Started the day by zooming down to the quack's office to have a couple of blood tests. Apprehensively I was expecting to have my blood pressure taken but they didn't. I was apprehensive because I have had a few borderline readings on blood pressure, and sometimes these have been high. I have attributed these mainly to white coat syndrome. However this afternoon I broke out my own blood pressure monitor which I bought a year ago, and haven't used. On using it, I found to my alarm that my blood pressure was through the roof. Lorraine came around and did it on herself and then on me again to confirm that this was accurate. The good news is that Lorraine is a very reassuring person to have around at times like this. I ended up calling the doctor for advice, who said that I should discuss getting a prescription for blood pressure pills on Monday. Obviously as a card carrying hypochondriac this was all a bit disturbing. However have tried to frame it positively, ...
The Dark Night An extremely productive and enjoyable day's work, making great strides in the story now and the threads weaving together now the end of the story is in sight. Broke off to go for a swim in the afternoon. Off this evening with Lorraine to see The Dark Knight, which is the current batman movie, and starring the late Heath Ledger as the Joker. Not sure I particularly enjoyed this dystopian vision. Violent, but stylish and fairly intelligent. It was closer to the original DC comic material than other stuff. But I felt it was a "feel bad" movie, and came out feeling somewhat gloomy, not to mention wanting to pull some Batman style action on the noisy teenagers who talked inanely all the way through it while sitting behind us.
Summer lightning Wrote happily about skeletons all day, and keeping a low profile. In the evening, after watching a TV programme about Guyana's wildlife, I noticed the sky flashing with distant lightning. So I headed down to the seafront, getting drenched en route, but glorying in the light show. Walking in the stair rod rain I kept stumbling across little sodden colonies of people sheltering in arches and shop doorways. One or two of these groups being foreign students amazed by the ghastliness of the English summer. The electric storm has been going for a couple of hours as I write with little sign of abating. I love it. Looking up at a few airliners flying in a flashing sky. The view up there must be spectacular - if not a little alarming. Below fragments of lightning taken from the pier.
Under the new moon Loads done on my skeleton story, a long awaited brace of cheques for some freelance work, and a good swim. All in all the formula for a splendid day. In the evening I was invited round to Lorraine's house for a splendid curry too. Then Lorraine and I went off to walk by the sea at around sunset. The tide was low again, revealing that yard or so of pure sand at the edge of the pebbles which we walked in for half an hour. And the sea was surpisingly warm. I saw the new moon too over the sea. Not seeing the new moon through glass prevents bad luck. My grandmother used to make a ritual of this. I remember her on several occasions in the back garden in Guernsey dancing in circles, while shaking handfuls of silver coins, and bowing to the new moon. I don't remember how many bows this involved: perhaps seven or nine. This unusual behavior was designed to guarantee wealth and health for the next month. Below the sunset, and the moon over the sea.
Brainwaves, muppets and mince pies Eye test first thing today. Set off after working for a hour or so. After going to North Road rather than North Street I made it just in time only to discover I had left my wallet at home. However a woman let me in to have my test, which later created a furore of stifled bad temper afterwards, as she shouldn't have done as they've had people running off having had their eyes tested. And they were eyeing me as if I'd do the same, despite me offering to leave my camera as security. More importantly for me was that my mince pies had not further deteriorated and also my eye health appears to be okay too despite my floaters. I have loads of these dratted things, drifting in lines and curtains over my vision. Infuriating, but nothing to be done about them apparently. Then back to work on Skeletons. I unravelled a thorny part in the plot today, which allowed me to create a spurt of progress. Much better even than this, however was a chat I had w...
A family Sunday Nightmares, dreaming that I was grinding my teeth and woke up to discover I was in fact grinding my teeth. Another where I was trying to complete some important form and found I was unable even to write my name. Some snickering and weird stuff in the Twitten woke me up at 3 am too. An early start as I was going to travel up to Edgware today for a family Sunday lunch. I listened to my audiobook of Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell - what an achievement that book is - in a carriage full of perky German students, and hungover Pride revellers. Mas picked me up at Stanmore station and after collecting Mum and Toby we all drove off to Wheathampstead, which is the other side of St Albans - a place that mum lived in during a former life in the time of the Romans. Here we went to the splendid Golden Elephant restaurant, which is in a very low-beamed old English building. In fact the beams are so low that one of them has black cushioning attached to it to prevent its clientele brai...
Pies and Pride My larder (aka the station Marks & Spencers) had rearranged itself this weekend. The big deep refrigerator which normally houses cheese and milk and a variety of chilled products was given over to pink champagne. For it was Pride weekend. At lunchtime Lorraine and I sauntered down to the bottom of Trafalgar Street to see the parade pass by in the rain. I actually found myself quite moved by it: everyone was smiling and it was a very happy occasion. The fact that the Pride march is such a part of Brighton life and so widely supported is a cause for celebration. People since the dawn of time have moaned that things are getting worse. But I think a society where the gay police officers association leads the parade is a much better and saner than it used to be. Nothing like watching a parade of gaudy colours to get your appetite up, so Lorraine and I went off to eat pie and mash and peas in Pokeno pies. Then after a few cups of tea at home, did a little work in the aft...
Zaffrani and skellys Spent Friday back with my skeleton story, which seems easy and much less intense than working on the poems. I have missed thinking about Skelton Yawngrave. The poems and this story come from entirely different sub-personalities, and you'd be hard pressed to say that they were written by the same person. Arranged for a yearly check up at my doctors next week. As a hypochondriac the prospect of this is appalling. I'd rather eat a cactus. Also arranged for an eye test as I am fretting about my eyes. Sigh. The thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to. In the afternoon broke off for a swim. The pool was stuffed full of people including several larger dugong-like gentlemen like me. However I persisted for half an hour or so, nosing hopefully for seagrasses, and felt fairly good for it. Brighton exuberant this evening as Lorraine and I walked through the streets, as this is the Pride weekend. For us however, the now traditional Cricketers & curry combo. ...