under another sun

NYE A day of work today, helping Lorraine with her ghastly head teacher stuff, and working on building a new website for AnotherSun Recordings. Went to the gym this afternoon, was there for an hour. I am officially festively plump, and am keenly anticipating more rational eating and drinking. Chelsea lost again today. But the workout was good and New Year's Eve had to be attended to. Went to the Basketmakers where Matt and Wayne were, as well as Sam and Gary who introduced me as his landlord to his new girlfriend. It is a strange situation given that Gary is Lorraine's ex-husband. But it all works out fine, all very Brighton. Soon our party was joined by Guy and Tim and other friends and I found myself kissed by men wearing caps. I don't mind except when they are too beardy. (I am currently smooth faced). Generally a good night, lots of chat with Matt about the Opera we are going to write, and then most folks left and Rosie arrived. She said she was drunk enough to do her p...

On reflection Mum's birthday today, had a nice chat with her and Mas and invited myself over to see them next week when I am working up in London. Both sounded cheerful. Lorraine working all day on her head teacher business, and I worked all day on websites and designing publicity for the CD launch concert. All quite companionable sitting side by side up in the mezzanine office. We broke off only to eat various leftover bits in the fridge. In the evening out to the Shahi for a cheery curry feed with Beth. This year was a game of two halves. The first half a frenzy of creativity, and the second a decisive move in with Lorraine which is a success. I now think of The Old Church Hall as my home. Otherwise a year that saw me launch a short story in the Guernsey Literary festival, stage two plays in Brighton, record a CD, manage to keep my business on track in a recession, have my house in the Twitten fixed up and rented is definitely successful. The main downside was The Cloud Of Things...

Goody four shoes Thank Christ at last I was able to upload information for the PPL for the CD. When I was able to do it, the upload took under two seconds. To get to that point had taken me well over two weeks of frustration and teeth gnashing. Back to the gym. Felt good to be doing at least something to balance the festive pie-eating booze swilling frenzy. Afterwards after a hasty gym shower with my clothes dangerously unlocked in the changing room, I went shopping, recession style. I bought a new cheap watch as my old cheap watch had gone a bit rusty, and two pairs of rather nice shoes as I don't own a pair of shoes that don't leak. One pair a sensible black, the other less sensible brown suede brogues but both so comfortable to wear they are like butterflies kissing your feet. Bumped into Gary in the shoe shop. I have been bumping into Gary lots. He was in the pub yesterday too. Then met up with Lorraine, Sam and Beth. Sam nursing a hangover. Lorraine and I paused to stroke...

Clueless Just Lorraine and I at home today. Lorraine sadly continuing to beaver away on her head teacher course, and I helped her a little. Then I flew my new shooting Nazi aircraft game on the Wii, and I watched some Larry Sanders shows, which are utterly brilliant. Like Frazier, all the pieces were in place when the show kicked off. Lorraine and I just enjoying hanging out together. In the evening off to meet Wayne and Matt in the Tavern. Arriving we found Tanya and Catherine glowing with intelligence, but no quiz. Wayne attempted to negotiate that the Tavern should pay for a six person transport to another pub with a quiz. Instead however we all repaired to the Basketmakers, bumping into Sam and two of his oldest friends who were persistently buying Lorraine drinks. I really like Tanya and Catherine. Another episode of Larry Sanders show before bedtime.

Zonk out Diet gradually returning to normal, with quorn sausages this morning to start. Pat and Maureen driven off to the station at noon. I am rocking a Donnegal Tweed cap at the moment, and Pat has given me a few insightful cap-wearer's hints such as to leave your cap in your coat pocket when you're visiting someone. Fond farewells. Then off to see The Gandeys, nice to see Richard and Glenda, and of course young Mark. An undertow of awkward there given that Mark and Beth have broken up. Mark wanted to show me something on his computer and his screensaver was of him and his new girlfriend for example. Beth conducting herself with poise. Nevertheless good to see them, before we zoomed off to a nearby shopping centre to struggle in the crowds in the sales. I could find nothing to buy. Home, and Lorraine's old pals Sue and John popped in. They were down from the Cotswolds seeing various people in Brighton. A nice chat with them. After they left a greatly zonk out, eating salm...

A shot in the dark Another large breakfast, and then a walk to the sea for mum and I, giving us time to chat. Lorraine drove Pat, Maureen and Betty to the sea and we met them there. The sea slightly rough and lovely, and Beth and Pat bought a selection of seafood and tucked in. Then Mum and I wandered back home, and the others drove. Later we dropped Mum and Mas back at the station and, despite tube strikes, they made it home in one piece. Something of a slow afternoon, feeling rather liverish. However after sleeping managed to rally enough to go out again. Off to Dawn's flat which was full of people, including half a dozen women of about 21 who were all insisting on games. The first of which was sliding a chocolate coin down from your forehead into your mouth without using your hands. Both Dawn and Lorraine rather accomplished at this. Then a game of Charades, which I'd never played before. Felt, in a grumpy-old-mannish way that I had strayed into an ice breaking game in some ...

Christmas Day Up and at ‘em. Salmon and scrambled eggs, and Bucks Fizz for breakfast. Then struggling to weigh the turkey on defective scales. Once this accomplished Lorraine forcing cranberry and herby butter under its skin and into the oven it went. We dragooned everyone, especially Mason, into helping to prepare the mounds of vegetables which were all cooked in their various ways. Mum and Maureen swigging the rum that had been used to soak raisins in and generally giggling naughtily over the mince pies. Lorraine jetted vegetable oil into her fringe lending her a strangely authentic cook look. I got some amazing presents including a painting from Mum and Mas, a new man bag and the Larry Sanders boxed set from Lorraine, and a Chelsea duck and a DVD of Cave of Forgotten Dreams from Beth. Went for a short breather in the park with Mum, Mase, Pat and Maureen before Christmas dinner. Marvelling at hardcore joggers and peering into the dormant newt pond. Home, and Janet and Ken arrived s...

Candles at Christmas Up and at 'em today. Lots of things to be done before Christmas, Lorraine and I got an early start doing some local shopping for bread and general Christmas goodies. Big breakfast and then Lorraine and I drove to the station to successfully scoop up Mum and Mase from the station. A very smooth journey apparently. Got everyone settled in, and then off to St Nicholas Church for their Crib Service, which is nothing at all to do with gansta rap, but in fact all about the Nativity. Mum and I walked there, and Lorraine drove Mas, Pat and Maureen. There met Anton, Anna Brian and the children. Oskar sitting on my lap for much of the service, and Klaudia on Brian's. Better service than last year, with a pantomime element added with a big wrapped present on the altar and Father Robert and others trying to steal it. Oskar bellowing behind you! with the best of them. Then the children collected their little candles (Oskar going up this time unaided as he is now five) ...

Let go and Lego Rather a strange day, off into London to do my last day's work in the agency this year. Spent the day with Keith working on concepts to do with toothpast and tooth varnish. One rather top idea otherwise a bit like pulling hen's teeth. The building was empty of everyone except for cleaners, but still we worked on till the day's end. Keith curiously elated once the 'part timers' had gone. I decided to find all this quite fun, and had a pretty enjoyable day, Keith and I pausing to snack on a japanese style curry and wild rice for lunch in a juice bar for lunch. A quick and manly handshake with Keith and then I rushed off into the streets tired but happy. Passed a large Christmas tree made entirely of Lego at St Pancras station. Briefly entertained the notion that this really was just a neat comment about the commercialisation and artificiality of Christmas, but I suspect it really was just a Christmas tree made of Lego. Home at last to Lorraine and Bett...

The Gods of Delay Enraged first thing as I needed to send a single email from my computer before leaving for work. This two second operation turned into fifteen minutes for various computer reasons. Suddenly this began to stand for every delay and frustration I have had in the year and I wanted to self harm wildly and then pound my computer into dust. Instead, after a short rave, I kissed Lorraine and went back up to London for what I had assumed would be my last day of work, but in fact isn't. Rather cheesed off at this as it gives me no time to do any of my Christmas preparations. Spent the day in a pink room trying to come up with concepts about dental caries and also eye problems. Several wild flights of fancy with Keith and much laughter, but no solution. Snuck out at lunch to score some sarnies and then back to work. Huge amounts to do in no time. Home at 8:30, thankfully sober as a judge, and armed with fish and chips. Lorraine and Betty both out so before bed I tried for th...

Positive sausages Sordid hangover this morning, and up at 4.00am drinking sparkling water and sparking hissy fits among the disconcerted cats. Hideous drag off to work, but felt steadily improved as the day wore on, starting with a mustardy sausage sandwich from an Italian cafe, and was told that it (the sausage sandwich) represented a positive start to the day, and that it would be a good one. It was, and working hard on stuff with Keith, culminating in a late presentation that went well. Then The FB gave a funny speech to his agency, and we all glugged some champagne for a bit. Then off to a pub for their agency drinks. I sensibly bolted before harm was done, and schlepped home. Popped into the Evening Star for half an hour to say hello to Fingers, Steve Cartwright, Claudius and the Shakespeare Trio before going down to The Basketmakers to meet Lorraine, Cath and Rosie. Beth and Sam arrived too. A cheery spell before heading home and eating some pie before bed. Rather craving a night...

An afternoon with Nev Up to the smoke again this morning, but only for a half day, for this afternoon was given over to celebrating Nev's return to these blighted shores. Now an Australian, Nev seems not to changed much at all, and there was no hint of an Aussie twang. A collection of agency folks had gathered to celebrate his return in The Salisbury, including Paul and First Matie who came in the evening when we moved onto another pub in Soho. Brilliant to see Nev and having worked together as partners for three years or so, we picked up straight away when you work so closely with someone, you really get to know them. He loves his Australian life. He lives in Manly, which always makes me smile, and it is a place designed Nev, who likes sports and roaming about in the wide outdoors and the sun brandishing golf clubs and the like. After some dedicated drinking I had to wuss out and go home, after fond farewells and beers and a rum and coke. Left Nev and lots of pals to it. A wonder...

A cuppa with Reuben Up and surging to the station for the 7:24 train, only to find a baleful multitude gathered at the station. A train had broken down on the line, blocking all trains to London. Luckily I met Reuben, and we sloped off to a cafe and had a cup of tea and a chat for some time before returning to the station and finding that we could travel again. Nice to chat to Reuben as the train dawdled north through fields with horses standing about in coats. Finally at work, at 10:10 (three hours door to door). In the afternoon Keith and I went off site to work on a thorny brief about eye health. We found ourselves in a curiously empty pub where we had lunch and hunched over our pads. At 5:30 stopped and simply had a beer instead which was quite cheerful. I really like Keith. Home to Lorraine and a hearty chicken soup. Finally got the last piece of the jigsaw for the CD, the code number of the barcode that will be used on the CD. Have had to download complicated software from the PP...

The yin and yang of brownie points The sense of lots to be done. I spent a little time helping Lorraine with some ghastly protracted written statements she needs to make for her headteacher course. Accumulated a fair few brownie points. My afternoon hijacked by The Shakespeare Trio, with whom I ended up doing a protracted photo shoot, wandering about in the dim winter afternoon around the seafront and pier. Managed some good shots of them, one or two of which I will post here shortly. Richard and I sloped off to The Basketmakers for a quick beer afterwards, before I repaired home, where I discovered I had lost brownie points. I had left the lid unfastened on the fabric conditioner. Fastening lids on things like Marmite jars is something I cannot do, and have never been able to do since I was a child. Anyway on this occasion the fabric conditioner was knocked by Lorraine, and it emptied out over a rug, necessitating the rug being washed. Lorraine and Beth working at putting up the Chris...

Shopping Laughing this morning at a text from Jane in Guernsey wondering if spray starch (see Thursday) was the Viagra of the poor. Lots of shopping this afternoon with Lorraine. After some hours of enjoyably nosing about in shops and rain dodging (and buying Lorraine a dress that was not a Christmas present merely a Saturday present) L and I snuck off for coffee in the Marwood, which as one of its staff said was 'mental busy' as he sucked at a cigarette outside. Then I sloped home to boof exhaustedly on the gold sofa, Lorraine returning shortly after. We had two invitations for evening revelry but as both of us were in need of a night in, we curled up before the TV weakly sipping tea and water. Actually this was rather blissful.

Mad Friday... As it was dubbed in the press and on the radio. For this is THE day of office parties and field hospitals were set up in major cities to cope with the hoards of drunkards spilling out onto the streets. It seemed rude not to join in. Up to London again. Working with Keith this morning, which is always good fun, squeezing blood out of a stone concepting about eye diseases, interspresed with foaming at the mouth raving about politics. Worked for two hours drawing blanks and then right at the end, an idea that may have legs. Off at lunchtime with First Matie, Keith and a designer called Hamish for a beer. Soon joined by Karam and The French Bloke. Ended up spending the afternoon having a hugely enjoyable drink in a London Boozer with the FB of whom I am very fond. This followed by a long train journey in which I slept a good deal and arrived reasonably refreshed at Brighton. Out with Anton and Anna to a nearby boozer called the World's End where there are, according to fo...

Star struck Off without incident this morning. An enjoyable day, working with a guy called Steve on a COPD brief, and went to lunch with Karam and Keith having a fishfinger sandwich and a pint and chatted with First Matie in the afternoon. Turns out that Karam went to Warwick University like me, except some years later. Talking about familiar Leamington haunts. He also studied philosophy, but combined it with biochemistry and business studies. Ye Gods. Home on a slow train, and wading through the pouring rain, realised my shoes leaked. Lorraine out again, this time collecting Betty and bringing her home. After cleaning up copious cat poo and wee (Basil the chief suspect being unable to squeeze out of the cat flap through being too fat) I snuck off to get a takeaway curry in the rain, enjoying the opportunity to read the local paper and drink a small beer while waiting. Betty home and cheery, quickly changing into a furry jumpsuit called a onesie. And so to bed. Below Having that stran...

Stiffened resolve Began the day at a hideous 4:30am as Lorraine's clock went off two hours prematurely. Staggered about until I looked at my watch and saw the truth. Slumped back into bed, blearily awaking at 6:30 and managing to fumigate one underarm with spray starch for ironing shirts, rather than deodorant. Lorraine shaking the bed laughing, and texted me later in the day to enquire about my stiff arm. Off up to the smoke, and finished The Black Dahlia en route, a surprisingly optimistic ending. The carriage like a plague ship, full to the gunnels with grey-faced sneezers and coughers. Work fine. A brief about eye diseases, and another about COPD. Chats with First Matie and The French bloke. Enjoyable enough day. Home, and Lorraine out playing festive skittles with Education colleagues. I cooked a mountain of pasta, and boofed onto the sofa, where I was difficult to dislodge. L and I having a rum and coke nightcap afore bed.

Tetchy Alighted from the tetchy side of the bed this morning, but managed at least to do some Christmas shopping, and bought PollardandKenny.com which will be up and running soon. Went for a walk to the sea which was rough and bracingly windy. In the afternoon, I called up by the agency to start work for the next few weeks so I plunged back into the dark to buy a train ticket and try to get ahead on the shopping. I am well pleased that there is another good chunk of work coming, as the Kenny coffers still have a lot of recovering to do. But words cannot express how much I want to get on with some writing of my own. For the last few months this has proved impossible in any sustained way and I feel like a junkie who is going cold turkey. L and I to bed early. Stormy weather and incessant rain. Reading the Black Dahlia again which I have almost finished. Disturbing and dystopian are just two words for it. Below the lively sea.

Adminhead Admin will be the thing that pushes me into madness. I'm not a form filler by inclination, but have a conflicting impulse to do things properly. So this morning spent in search of wild geese and ISRC codes. These are codes embedded into tracks of your CD so that in the event of people playing it on radio their usage can be tracked and eventually paid for. To get these codes you have to join the PPL (Phonographic Performance Ltd), joining the PPL was hard, rubbish site, and had to call them. This may be the final piece of the jigsaw. I seem to have spent the last six months doing admin for the house, my business, the CD and it is working my nerve as Americans would say. Meanwhile Matt is busy organising things for the launch concert in February, cat herding musicians and so on. Off to the gym today, making amends for a heavy weekend. Then later I met Dipak for a coffee in the Marwood Cafe and thence to buy a toy truck for Oskar and a make your own perfume game for Klaudia....

Burning issues Up reasonably early today. Lorraine has a cold. In an unplanned branding exercise, I managed to scorch three fingers picking up an iron that Lorraine had turned off seconds before. Spent the next hour or so with my hand in water or on cold pad whimpering quietly whenever I removed it from the cold. The cold business worked however, as at the end of the day I had just a line of three small blisters. In the afternoon off to meet Lakshmi and Aimee at Brighton Station. Hadn't seen either for some time. Aimee now moved back to London. She told us about her Friday night, having seeing Coldplay she returned home to her flat, and decided to have a cigarette and nightcap glass of Scotch on her tiny balcony dressed only in her pyjamas. She has a complicated door, which while she was out there partially closed. She showed us the bruises on her arm caused by fishing around trying to get it open again. After some time she decided to tear off the net curtains and fashion a rope to...

If the cap fits Really enjoyable day. A leisurely start with Lorraine followed by intensive tidying up of our study area. It feels amazingly good to have it all sorted. Then a session in the afternoon of Christmas shopping. We accidentally found ourselves in Mad Hatters buying hats. Lorraine bought a lovely grey hat, which is slightly 1920s-ish to my eyes, but she looks fab in it. I tried various hats on, but nothing was grabbing my attention till I tried on a cap. I have always assumed caps wouldn't suit me but I found I was rocking a Irish wool cap, and so Lorraine and I walked out of the shop sporting hats. It was a clear and cold day, and it was good to have a warm head, especially the part of my head rendered vulnerable by The Area of Concern. Thus clad, we did a good amount of Christmas shopping and at no point did I feel like stabbing anyone. Sensibly repaired to The Basketmakers at the end of the day, where it was really nice to sit and chat to my lovely Lorraine. Bumped i...

Deliverance Up at the crack of dawn with Lorraine, and then working in a frenzy on the layout for the CD packaging, everything made more difficult as I am still learning how to use the Corel program. However the result looks entirely smart. Delivered layouts on a memory key, plus the master CD down to Modo at lunchtime, and had a chat with the guys there. A nice bunch, and their creatives working on a pitch. Feeling rather tense with having hunched over a computer tweaking things by millimetres for the last 48 hours. Off to the gym for a much-needed workout and then home to do some chores and luxuriate on the sofa reading The Black Dahlia . Almost finished. The book is unremittingly paranoid, and depicts a world where brutality and corruption are inevitable. Interesting though. Rarely does my blog stray into politics but, my God, Cameron has made a unbelievable hash of the European negotiations, allowing himself to be be cornered into a no win decision. The UK now stands isolated in E...

Cover Apart from lurking with Lorraine by the TV and eating food I'd concocted, spent the day manacled to desk till midnight laying out our CD cover and 8 page booklet into templates ready for production. Little time for anything else. Happy with my results though. Sonia around cleaning as I worked.

Between Cheese and a Mitre Working on re-laying out the CD cover today, and also a long phone chat with Sophie. Then off to London this afternoon to go to my dentist in Chiswick. More The Black Dahlia on the train. Was 45 mins early so got off at Turnham Green station and mooched past my old flat in Thornton Avenue, where I lived for a year before moving down to Brighton. That was a particularly depressing year, and I found I had blanked the street name and house number. Then through Chiswick down towards Strand on the Green, where Matty boy, First Matie and Graeme now live, past pubs where I used to read poetry, or places where friends had lived. I moved to Chiswick in 1986 which is a long time ago. Melancholy fading light, and by the time I had arrived at the dentist I felt as if life is fleeting and everything I've done was a no more than a hill of beans. A 40 minute wait in the dentist's reception not helping much. I was delayed by a massive job on an older man, requiring ...

What torpedoes? At last decided on the CD producers we are going to use: Brighton's own Modo . So full steam ahead now, and damn the torpedoes hissing through the water. Conversations and email with Matt and Dipak and Richard about the launch concert in February. The Shakespeare Trio will be on the bill too. Next step this week is to finalise the cover, deliver the master CD to Modo, revamp relevant websites and, contact The Beacon charity to whom I want to give some of the proceeds. Went to see Janet and Ken this afternoon, popping in for a chat after vising the Real Patisserie and arming myself with pieces of patisserie, guts sufficiently recovered to snap down one wee tarte tatin with them accompanied by a cup of Earl Grey tea. All rather civilised. Generally put the world to rights for some time. Janet managing with her arm, and looking far perkier than when I last saw her. Janet suggesting I might find someone to offer occasional admin support, and knows just the person. S...

Dark places Felt like I had food poisoning, with unpleasantly exploding guts today. I got up very early, however, and watched a documentary about James Ellroy called Feast of Death, which was a wonderful. He's a guy with a weird rather obnoxious public persona, Ellroy was discussing the murder of his mother when he was a boy, and how fed by his father be built up an unpleasant picture of what she was really like. This murder resonated with him on with The Black Dahlia case, a real unsolved murder which he turned into a novel. The documentary focused on this and My Dark Places , which is a memoir about seeking the facts in his mother's murder. Fascinating stuff. I bought The Black Dahlia , which I began to read right away. It is compelling and unpleasant. My French clients finally coughed up what they owed me too, which is rather good. Apparently they are struggling. Met Matt in the afternoon to discuss the CD production and performances. We are looking at a CD launch concert ...

Sofa time Definitely hungover this morning. I was not, however, the only one. Feeling slightly nauseous, I had to sit outside in the fresh air for a while. Soon felt right, however, due to the amazing therapeutic properties of a bacon roll. Usual suspects for Lorraine and I to lurk about with. First Matie walking about with one contact in, Matty extolling the virtue of showers, and naturally Max and Michel, whose children are adorable, and Judith who seemed remarkably poised for a lady who was trampolining in the small hours. After sufficient tea was drunk, and I had a go on Michel's new guitar, a Washburn the same make as my one, Bianca, then fond farewells exchanged and Lorraine and I drove home listening to radio four in the car. Once home Lorraine and I dove onto the gold sofa and barely moved for some time. On the way home we had bought a chicken, but as I prepared it I pulled the legs apart to stuff it with onion and sage only to discover it was a virulent green. Lorraine out...

Aw shucks The luxury of a slow start for Lorraine and I gradually getting ourselves sorted out in time to drive up to Chertsey Meades and meet Matty boy, First Matie, Tash and Steve, and meet Judith, Dion and Camilla for the first time. There was a conspiracy to surprise the FB for his 50th birthday. Matt had scored things the FB likes, such as dozens of oysters, champagne, roast beef and so on. I found myself a shucker of oysters after Matt showed me how. Something about shucking oysters that is simultaneously repulsive and enjoyable. We lurked in wait and sprang out on him in a fairly mild mannered way. The FB has an unpredictable streak and I suspect that if he thought he had burglars he would have charged in with a chainsaw. People then fell on the bubbly and oysters with gusto. I'm not much of an oyster guzzler myself but it seemed rude not to have several, and Lorraine loves them. A lively night ensued of general feasting and merriment until I was advised by my friends that I...

Anna's birthday Up and about today. Gary called around in a van and I helped him load it up with table and chairs etc for the Twitten. This done, I went out in Brighton to buy a present for Anna that Lorraine and I had spied through a shop window the night before as today is by coincidence three friend's birthdays: Anna, the French Bloke and Reuben. Shopping and walking home in steady rain. And in the evening was kitchen porter to Lorraine's Masterchef as she cooked up a lamb biryani with lots of ingredients. Anna and Anton brought Klaudia and Oskar who zipped about while the adults sipped sparkling wine. Anna looking very glamourous for her fortieth birthday, and is in a really positive frame of mind, looking great, and her coaching business is really taking off. Showed Anton the vintage 1944 copy of Guernsey newspaper The Star. Betty arrived home too during the evening, and seemed on good form. A cheerful night, which ended with sleeping children being ferried out into a ...

Skateboard terrain The R4 Today programme talking about the drought we can expect next year due to low autumn rainfall. As usual this sort of talk cue for the skies to empty themselves of huge amounts of rain all day and night. I became a Landlord today, so phone calls this morning to utilities. Once this landownder business done, off to collect the master CD of Pollard & Kenny's Clameur from Simon. Paused en route to buy a pie from Bangers Home Made Pies, a shop I happened on whose only business seemed to the manufacture of rather nice pies. I scored a small chicken and mushroom pie and was well pleased. A bit early for Simon, I tarried in the Levels park, taking snaps of the rainsoaked and strangely melancholy skateboard park, made more so by a small tree that had been turned into a shrine for a young woman. Once the CD obtained from Simon I mooched back into the city centre talking to Matt about the CD. Then off to get my hair cut in the Laines by a bald barber who did a g...

Chip Suey My former stepfather Gerald, who has not proactively contacted me in 30 years, sent me a Linked-in request today to join his business network. Didn't see that one coming. A hard to describe off-kilterness to the day. Cold moving onto the chest now. Bah. Working on the mystery prose for a few hours. Then called Janet to find out how she was and have a brief chat about politics and so on. Then into the city abuzz with people who have just been on a protest march through town. Vanloads of policemen to ensure that the lawfully protesting public sector workers: those selfish nurses, teachers, local council workers and so on who are having their pensions reneged on, didn't turn violent. After I met Dipak for a breeze-shooting session at Marwood's cafe. Discussing musician stuff (I'm an impostor) and hearing a rough recording of the Shakespeare's latest sonnet. This followed by a rendezvous with Lorraine at the Twitten to stuff a final box into the boot of the ca...

Stormy Writing prose for several hours today. What I am writing exactly I don't know, but it feels good to be doing it. Spoke to people about CD production. One company says they are unable to keep up with demand, which surprised me when I thought downloads were king. This means I am going to use the people in Brighton that Dipak and Richard used. Total gloom reigning in the Economy. I watched our unctuous Chancellor's autumn statement today. We are in trouble and will continue to be so for the foreseeable future. Lorraine phoning me to tell me about the wild sea she was driving past, prompted me to go for a walk. I found myself in a bad mood as I passed the protest camp that has grown up in the green lawns of the Old Steine and walked on the Pier towards sundown. The pathetic fallacy of the rough sea with the wind whipping the starling murmurations seeking refuge under the pier. Home in teeming rain, feeling rather better and I cooked a large vegetable chilli for Lorraine and ...

Camilla strikes again Woke up with a northern cold, souvenir of Yorkshire. Tended to only the most necessary of business, before abandoning myself to the luxury of reading. Finished A Prayer for Owen Meaney . What a cracking book, one of those books that it is a shame to reach the end of, although the end is brilliantly worked. Now reading Summer by Edith Wharton which seems altogether less good, although I enjoyed Ethan Frome . Otherwise had time to marvel at Jane's site Camillalookalike.com which if ever you need a Camilla lookalike it would be foolish to turn elsewhere, as is self evident from the picture below. Jane looks like the Platonic Ideal of Camilla.

The owls are not what they seem... is one of my favourite quotes from Twin Peaks. But Leeds, it transpires, is full of owls. The arms date from the Corporate Seal of 1626, when the Borough of Leeds was first incorporated by Royal Charter of Charles I, when the wealthy Sir John Savile, of Howley Hall near Batley, was elected the first alderman of the Borough. He was also M.P. for Yorkshire. The owls come from Savile family's coat of arms. Up gingerly this morning, and Lorraine and I met Sam downstairs for breakfast. I had not slept particularly well: too much to drink the night before, and the wind had been wuthering in the windows. We consumed a huge breakfast and then Sam and Lorraine went to buy a coat and I went to the Art Gallery. This proved to be closed, so I spent a happy hour before it opened rubbernecking in Leeds, which is much more attractive when not viewed in the rain. In fact it has magnificent buildings, and is a magnificent city. Nice streetnames too, including Swin...

To Leeds So up earlyish and up North to Leeds. Bought a paper which Lorraine started reading and before we'd left the environs of Brighton was already experiencing an outburst of Tourette's Syndrome reading about The Tory Government's Education Secretary Michael Gove's approval of 'Victorian' (his word) standards by sending a version of the King James Bible to every school. While I would not deny the importance of this translation to the development of thought and literature in English (which even resonates in the lyrics of Bob Marley for example) what I object to is the fact that Michael Gove sees fit to write an introduction to it. Anyhow, the journey very painless and we found ourselves in Leeds at around 2:30. Raining, obviously, because we were up North. Mounted policemen (as there was a fiercely-contested football game) and generally more Northerners than you could shake a stick at. Our hotel pleasant, and a pleasant room with nice tiling, and one of those...

A walk on the mild side Writhing and itching through the night, due to MSG. However once up began to get things done. Wrote to Simon Scardanelli after agreeing with Matt that the latest mix of the album was the one. Wasted half an hour waiting to talk to someone from the EDF power company. Out at lunchtime to go to the bank and I dropped in to Brighton Museum and Art Gallery to see an exhibition of Ragamalas , Indian miniatures inspired by music. Simply exquisite. Met Dipak this afternoon at Marwood's cafe, where they do - excuse me - a damn fine cup of coffee. We were discussing our CDs and hooking up with the Shakespeare Trio for a performance in February. We ended up going on a long walk, around the pier and then along the coast to the Marina where we stopped for another coffee and a beer and talked for some time in the Weatherspoons pub there, which has big windows overlooking the marina. As Dipak and I talked a murmuration of starlings gathered swooping in the air, as dusk arr...

Chelsea buns Up with the sparrows, or considerably before the sparrows as the evil black cat that torments our cats was fighting with Brian through the cat door. It sounds as if people are crashing into the house at five in the morning. If I could ever catch that black cat I would give it a good hiding, for this is a psychocat: elusive and violent. It even went for Lorraine the other day when she was shooing it. So, up and finishing the brochure about short stature in children. Then other practical tasks to do with renting my house, taking meter readings, catching up with billing, popping into the gym and so on. Had a leisurely afternoon however and in the evening the cats and I watched a slovenly Chelsea performance where they threw away the game in the last ten minutes. I support Chelsea because of a currant bun. It is Dave, my Grandfather's fault. As a teenager, shortly before the second world war, he was working in his parent's cafe on the Esplanade in St Peter Port cafe. ...

An interlude of work Working on growth deficiency copy. But wonderfully this was being done from home, so I had three cats and worked with the sound of rain falling on the windows, which is a sound I love. The job took all day, and it was a quiet day and quieter evening as Lorraine had to stay away from home today having attended a conference. I met up with Gary in the Basketmakers and we his move into the Twitten for an hour over a couple of pints of seafarers. All good, and as well as having the rent money, will be delighted to have the place inhabited. Home and chatting to Lorraine on the phone, and trying unsuccessfully not to finish off the party snacks and cheese which are still lurking about. And so, shepherded by Calliope, to bed.

To the studio again Mopped the floor and hoovered this morning first thing, then after doing a few worky bits and pieces went to the gym before lunch in an attempt to reverse some of the excesses of the weekend. Two calls at the gym: spoke to Max as Elijah's favourite zebra toy has gone awol and to Gary arranging his move into the Twitten. Called the useless letting company to sack them. In the afternoon off to meet Matt at Simon Scardanelli's studio, and spent some time fixing the levels on track four. The mixing software playing up today however, so it all took a bit longer than it should have done. Then Matt and I repaired to The London Unity , which is just down the road, to have a quick planning meeting over a beer. We are going to formally launch the CD as close as we can get to Valentine's day next year, and the actual CD will soon be ready at long last. Matt told me again that Cem the violinist on the CD has had to temporarily stop playing due to RSI. Spoke to Mum...

A hearty aftermath Up surprisingly early this morning after a few hours sleep. Lorraine and I up, finding a slightly-wan looking Betty on the sofa accessorised by three cherubic children who were all sitting on her. Gave Betty birthday presents -- as today was her actual birthday. Then a long slow morning nursing hangovers, Lorraine cooking breakfast and The FB and Max and Kate emerging with various need for liquids, toast and painkillers and antihistamines for Max's cat allergy. Matty boy returned looking fresh and rested after a night in a hotel, as did Richard Gibson and Maria. Richard was too worse for wear to cycle home the previous night, and searching for his guitar capo, which later on manifested itself in his jacket pocket. When everyone had left, Lorraine, Betty and I had a short few minutes doze, before starting the party again in the Sussex Yeoman where we ate roast dinners with Wayne and Matt. A cheery lunch before Betty had to go back to college. Then the rest of us m...

Party time So today zooming about getting ready for a large party to celebrate Betty's 20th birthday and me and Lorraine living together. Lorraine off to get an astonishingly red hair cut n' colour which everyone agreed was rather smart. Then Betty, Lorraine and I going off to buy quantities of boozes and food in supermarkets, blow up ballons, prepare food and move furniture about. Very tired all day but a shower and a stiff drink worked wonders. Max, The French Bloke and their cherubic children Tahlia, Zemirah and Elijah arrived an hour and a half early, which effectively started the party with the children zooming about. Betty upstairs glamming herself up with two of her pals, watched awe-struck by young Tahlia and Zemirah. Another pal Linda arrived somewhat before the party started already drunk and slightly chaotic. Then lots of guests, First Matie and Matty Boy, The Shakespeare Trio who gave us a bit of a tune accompanied by Steve Cartwright on banjo, Claudius, Matt and Wa...

Friday Friday thank goodness... Laughing aloud on the train reading Owen Meany. Spent the day in and out of a large room with folks talking about digital apps interspersed with bouts of work. I found myself drawing on a whiteboard two circles side by side, which made Keith snicker. Broke off for a sandwich with First Matie, and then back into it. Felt tired and jaded as I left work, as it had been a typical agency against the clock Friday frazzle. Fairly fast journey home however, catching up on a Melvyn Bragg podcasts, one about Continental philosophy which was particularly interesting, despite this I couldn't get home fast enough. Home, and I dragged Lorriane and Betty who returned today out for a celebratory curry. I was interested to hear Betty talking about the work she's been doing at college. Below two snaps in the still-autumnal London.

Leaves Up to London again. Working with Andy on a somewhat confusing pitch brief. Lunch with Keith and Hamish in a pub, me on chicken and two pints of soda and lime laughing about unfortunate medical accidents, starting with digital rectal examinations and prolapsed rectums and moving down market from there. In the afternoon Andy and I soldiered on, mainly in a room overlooking Tavistock Square's autumn trees shafted by low autumn sunlight. It was so beautiful that it kept drawing my eyes. On the opposite wall light and shadows were playing on the wall shifting and filtered through the leaves. Andy took a couple of snaps. After work a quick drink in the office with First Matie, The French Bloke and others, and found myself talking people's heads off about Mexico, smallpox and the Aztecs mode of warfare all about taking prisoners, rather than killing people (having listened to a podcast about it recently). The FB talking knowledgeably about Derbyshire Thicknecks, people with iod...

Ticking the box Off again to London again this morning. Listening to Clameur and Shakespeare Trio bits and storyboarding wee videos for them in my head. Matt scheduled to finalise CD today but this has been bumped till next Monday so we can do it together. Trying to stifle dual waves of frustration at how this simple job has taken months to complete and how pitifully small my creative output has been in the last months. Very happy to be working again though, as this is boosting the Kenny coffers nicely and means I can pay all my bills. Just a bit more work and I will have money to live on too. Splendid. Working with First Matie today on fleas and ticks, which is always a pleasure, and taking a pitch briefing from Matt who is a stylish presenter these days. Home again reading Owen Meany still. Jolly good book all round. Home and had to pop in next door to babysit Joe for a few minutes while Mark went off to buy bread. They have so much on their plate, but the baby is now much improved a...