under another sun

A quiet day pottering about in Kenny towers after the long drive of yesterday. Lorraine and I went for stroll through Blakers's Park and onto the shops to buy some vegetables. Reading and relaxing in the afternoon. I tried several times to come up with a devastating summation of 2016 for my other blog, but failed. In the evening Anton came around and we sat in the kitchen drinking and eating snacks as Lorraine cooked us a rather excellent chicken and ham pie. Also spoke to Mum at this point too. Anton stiff and in pain from time to time after falling down the hill in Stanmer Park while out with Oskar. However after supper, we settled down to play Small World, a board game Anton gave us for Christmas. I found it rather complex, but it was fun and we drank and played this game, where you took on a Tolkeinesque race, such as in my case dwarves and rat people, and they have a variable special powers. Anton very keen on this game indeed. As usual, when the end came and the dust had se...

Thick fog again today. Lorraine and I drove up to see Mum, however the journey up plagued by traffic and thick fog took us almost four hours to reach Barnet Hospital. Lorraine doing heroic driving in difficult conditions. Spoke to Anton en route, turns out he had fallen down a hill playing with Oskar's new motorised car, banged his head, cricked his neck, and bashed up his body. Couldn't feel his arm for half an hour. Apart from a stiff neck he is okay now. We had planned to pick up Mum but we so late we met her at Mason's ward. Mas sitting up and quite chatty, and seemed to be a bit brighter than when I last saw him. A nice enough ward and a young doctor who mason said, correctly, was a bit of a Clarke Kent. Nice to have Lorraine there, who was chatting lots and feels at home in hospitals having been a ward sister in a earlier manifestation. We gave Mas some Christmas presents, and he was in fairly good spirits. Drove mum to a nearby pub restaurant for a drink and a me...

Lorraine and I on our own this morning, which was peaceful and a bit weird. Floated about tidying and so on. I weighed myself, and recoiled in horror. However if you are not going to be fattest you've been all year two days after Christmas, when are you going to be? A more reasonable day of eating again today. Lorraine and I went for a long walk down to the sea, through the lanes, stopping off for a coffee, and doing essentials like buying ink for my ink pen, and thank you cards that Lorraine must write to the thirty or so kids who brought her presents. Nice to be sauntering along by the seaside. The sun low and bright forcing you to squint into it. On the other side of the downs the south gripped by fog, but Brighton it was blue and sunny. Much needed dose of sunlight and fresh air. We were tempted by kippers in buns, but decided to wait till we got home. Eventually hopped on a bus and childishly surged to the front seats upstairs. Two down at heel Spanish speaking South Ameri...

Kippers this morning, for hardy lovers of the more aromatic start. Sadly, everyone leaving today,  Pat and Maureen returning to Ashford. We drove them down to the station, and saw them onto the train, laden with bags of shopping and so on.  A bit later Lorraine drove Sam and Jade and Beth off to the station too. Beth off to stay with John. Sam and Jade off to stay with Gary and Sophie. Me waving them off from the doorstep, and then turning back to the novelty of a house with only me and two cats in it. A successful and fun Christmas, and I enjoyed seeing everyone very much. Nice to spend it with Sam and Jade, which was a first for me. When Lorraine returned, we ate the last of the turkey pie and after doing a few bits and pieces, sunk into the sofa. We had one glass of wine each, far steadier than previous Christmas evenings, and did nothing in abundance. Mason is not improving quickly, and just wants to be home. Visiting the hospital every day is a bit gruelling for...

A day of vast shoppings. After the lengthy and important business of breakfast, Lorraine set off into town with Pat and Maureen. I phoned Mum and had a chat, before deciding to walk into town. Jade came with me and we had a really nice and wide ranging discussion walking into town. She made the very good point of people wanting to leave the UK because of Brexit, are really seeking to live somewhere where there is no politics. On reaching North Street we split up as she had wedding shopping to do. I sought out Lorraine, Pat and Maureen in Churchill Square, busy buying things. After a bit we surfaced and had a much needed coffee. Then Lorraine took Maureen clothes shopping next door, which Pat and I were able to duck out of and chat in the cafe instead. Then the mission that is M&S. After scorning many coats, Maureen found a furry green coat. This Pat claimed to pre-fur, and she bought it. Pat and Maureen then caught a bus home, and Lorraine and I went into the North Laine to mee...

Everyone able to rouse themselves from the Festive Boxing day stupor this afternoon to go down to the sea. Lorraine ferried everyone down to Hove. I had a stroll along the seafront with Pat and Maureen and then photographed them keeping warm in the cold. The sun slowly setting, clear fresh day though, and it blew the cobwebs off. Then Lorraine arrived with the others. I snapped Jade and Sam looking at at the sunset, and Beth took the groupshot. Then home to continue eating our own bodyweight in food, and I chatted to Mum on FaceTime.  Lorraine, Jade and I sat up late watching the movie Pitch Perfect, which I enjoy far more than I know why.

Up early, with the excitable hellos of Jade and Beth, and Sam looking into our bed room with a penguin hat on. Up and straight down for the stocking presents, eagerly attended by Sam and Jade and Beth.  Lorraine playing the Santa's elf. Much excitement, and a tribute to Lorraine's shopping skills. We added a wrapped parsnip for Beth's stocking. We made our way to the kitchen, and then two shelves of the food cupboard collapsed as Lorraine was in it. Amazingly no breakages, and Sam handily mended the shelves again. Lorraine said we needed a new kitchen. Then with Pat and Maureen a big present-opening spree. I got a very nice bag, big enough to got to the gym with, and carry a laptop. Also Lorraine got me tickets to see my favourite comedian Stewart Lee, and a framed photo of Moulin Huet with I love Peter written in the sand. Two chats with Mum today, who my thoughts were with a lot. In the morning, she had already been round to several neighbours dropping off cards and...

All up early. I zoomed around to Choice Cuts where I was able to pick up the preordered turkey and a large pork pie. Unlike last year it only took me ten minutes. Couldn't help but look at the turkey and wonder if it had also voted for Christmas. Chats with Mum of course. Mas still in hospital, and will be for Christmas sadly. Lorraine and I off to do a spot of shopping very locally with Lorraine. Jade and Sam went into Brighton. Pat and Maureen off to buy some presents for the cats. Beth became a baking goddess for much of the day, helped by Lorraine. The Kenny Towers kitchen turning out cheese twists, mince pies, flans, sausage rolls, baked salmon, ham cooked with cloves and marmalade, little pies and much more. In the afternoon, Lorraine and I drove to Anton's to drop off some pressies for my Godbairns.  Saddened to see that Oskar was wearing a Manchester United shirt. Nice to chat with the kids.  Klaudia telling me the funny story of Oskar's girlfriend who had ask...

A day of preparation. Lorraine and I mooching about in Brighton, with a few last things to buy including a present for Mum's birthday. It was fun. Off to Brighton Station at tea time to collect Pat and Maureen from the train.  I helped Maureen over a dangerous chasm from the train onto the platform, only ruining it by mentioning to her that this may be the opportunity to do away with her as I did so. We drove them home safely and got packed, and Pat and Maureen added to our pile of presents. Sam and Jade arrived in the evening, and suddenly the Christmas players were all assembled, by close of play. A few drinks and a some cheer.

A night of weirdly terrible dreams. In the morning listened to Jane chatting on JKT's BBC Guernsey show reading poems and being interviewed about being a poet and a Camila lookalike. Some lovely stuff, and as a lover of puns, I particularly enjoyed her puntastic poem about a vegetarian Christmas. Hear Jane here, at 2 hours 52 minutes. Beginning to feel distinctly Christmassy now. The humongous food shop today in Sainsbury's, which luckily enough was remarkably uncrowded. This all went well, apart from the bit where I found myself struggling with a large Scottish salmon, which began to slip out of its long bag at me as I was handling it at the till. Drove home and unpacked the sacks of provender, the house now groaning with foods of all kinds and an embarrassment of boozes.  Off in the afternoon to drop in on Janet and Ken, to swap presents and invite them around to strap on a Christmas Day nosebag with us. Ken looking very well, and we had cups of dragonfly tea and bis...

A day of shopping. Into town with Lorraine, and then we split up so that I could buy my lovely wife a present. As I was about this, I bumped into Janet, and Janet and I enjoyed a quick cup of coffee and arranged to see each other tomorrow. Off then for a haircut. Busy men in there today, but I didn't have to wait too long. In the evening, back into town to meet Rosie and Innis and watch the parade for the burning of the clocks. There were lots of clocks this year, though far fewer larger ones than in years before. Lovely to see them parading through, interspersed with drumming bands of samba and bhangra varieties. Then everyone went down to Marine Drive and looked down on the ship model into which, rather slowly, people put their clocks. Eventually this was set on fire, as a suitable rebuff to the longest night of the year and blazed happily despite the rain starting at the same time. Then a spectacular and thunderous firework display. Now raining with a peevish persistenc...

Lorraine working at home this morning. Me too, but with little accomplishment I phoned home this morning, and had a ten minute chat with Mason, who sounded better than I've heard him for a while. Sonia here today, so kissed her Merry Christmas and made off into town to do Christmas shopping, and found things remarkably easy to find. Feeling calm and balanced. Even the shops seeming fine and not over-frenzied. There seems plenty of time this week, and simply coming home when the process grew onerous. Bought a few pressies for folks and picked up some stuff from the post office using Lorraine's driving license. Walked home. Lorraine finally finishing work for the year. Quite a moment, and to celebrate we  polished off a bottle of wine, and watched  Fleabag . A lovely little series, with its roots firmly in theatre.

Heard from Mum this evening that Barts had released Mason back into the wild, much to everyone's surprise. Mum said they had ordered some Chinese food, and Mason had eaten it as if it were a feast. Messaging the Tobster too. Lorraine into school this morning just to do some filing, and returned home with more presents and cards. I did some bits and pieces, trying to press on with my own stuff but finding my brain a bit awol. Was offered a chunk of freelance work in January, which I have tentatively said yes to. But otherwise it seems my neurones and synapses have called it a year, even if I haven't given them permission. Betty cooked up a top supper of stuffed chicken breasts and roasties and we had James and Kitty around. Dylan forgot to come. But we had a good laugh nevertheless, and watched We Three Kings , which we had manage to film with a rudimentary camera. Also the first five minutes of A Glass of Nothing , before the camera died. Kitty just getting ready to move up...

A house day, Lorraine and I doing things like washing the fridge, carrying things about and hoovering and washing floors, and making the front room Christmassy. Spoke to Anton and Mum this morning. As the day wore on I felt increasingly cold and magnetised by the sofa. By bedtime Lorraine sniffing too. Watched the final episode of Humans tonight, good TV. Lorraine and I also watched the first two episodes of Fleabag. I've heard and read people raving about this, and finally got around to looking at it. It is a cult hit that first appeared on BBC 3. A blacker than black comedy, with lots of direct to camera stuff. Very dark and despairing, but brilliantly written. Very impressed. There is great TV on at the moment, but you have to know where to look. Lorraine looked at some of the presents she received at school. My favourite, by some distance, was some quite realistic, handmade 'Reindeer droppings'.  On the flip side of the label was written '100% organic'. We...

Up and at 'em fairly early, Lorraine and Beth both in Leeds with Sam and Jade this morning. Hus called around this morning and spent the day replastering the spare bedroom wall. I like Hus and nice to chat, and he did a good job in a considerate way. We'll go for a beer in the new year. As the day wore on I began to snuffle heralding the arrival of yet another cold. Since I had my flu jab I have had colds and bugs in abundance. In the evening went off to Brighton Station, where I went to the station bar, ordered a pint of Harvey's and waited for Lorraine's train to arrive. Very pleased to see her smiley face too. After buying a bite to eat outside the station, we went up to Richard and Maria Grazia's house. A few chums there, including Steve and Claudius. Richard and Steve played a musical piece based on the G scale of G Ab B C D Eb F, which was rather peaceful and oriental sounding, which Richard said there is an Indian raag with this scale in. I report this co...

Lorraine, having taken the last day of school off, and Beth up to Leeds at an unholy hour, leaving well before six. They were travelling up to Leeds to see Sam graduate. I slept a bit longer, but found myself in the wide awake club at seven. Feeling tired, I had a slow day. Wrote to my old friend Tracey, now living in California, who got in touch recently. Tidied up the house, did ironing etc. Mainly, though, I had some sofa time, and through Netflix watched Annie Hall again, which I'd not seen for decades. And a SF film called Advantageous , by Jennifer Phang, which was rather thoughtful in a slow way. Talks with Mum, and Lorraine sent this photo by Lorraine of herself with Sam looking smart on his Masters graduation day.

Up early and had breakfast with Lorraine, then spent the day tying up the laces of the year, billing the Marlborough, paying Jessica our tech and so on. Not to mention a bit of Christmassy stuff and working on the Centaur a bit. Then off to London to see Mum and Mas. I'm listening to Gogol's Dead Souls at the moment, which I started to read about thirty years ago. I shouldn't have waited so long. A really funny book. Must re-read his short stories too. Met Mum in the cafe in Bart's hospital, and when it was time we drifted up to see Mason. He was released from Intensive Care this morning, and now is on another ward. He was much better than when I last saw him, and mentally much more like his old self, and asking how the play went and so on. He has bruises all over, with their constant difficultly in finding a vein. He had a cannula put into his groin, which was painful, and then had to be replaced. However, now he a pacemaker and a triple bypass he has the full set....

Up early and working on the opera, deliveries happening during the day, including one that never knocked or rang merely stuffed the you were out slip through the door. I did some shopping, various chores and talked to Mum before she went off to see Mas. I also spoke to her this evening, and he has now had his pacemaker put in. I'm going up to see him and Mum tomorrow, as it is a chuffing non-strike day on the railways. Beth lurking about with Laura today, on a daytime sleepover, which seems to consist of making huge scooby snacks and watching obscure things on TV. Beth pleased that Laura had also bought her a murder book. Jade has asked her to be a bridesmaid too, and Sam and Jade's wedding now has been set for August. Off this afternoon to talk to Helen and hear the latest music she has written to my words on the Centaur project, and talked about everything from Post Modernism to the Diabolus in Musica . She also sat at the piano explaining some music theory to me about f...

Not a very productive day. But off to the gym. Walked through the deadness of Brighton Station, as it was another strike day. Most of the station was fenced off, which made me wonder if they were expecting trouble. Police hanging about too. Also started using a mindfulness app on my phone, which prompts me to take a ten minute meditation break every day. Have been doing it for three days now, and I really like it. In the evening Beth cooked and when Lorraine got home, we decorated our tree and room a bit. Beth said she wasn't feeling well and had tinselitis. Below Brighton station, and our Christmas tree in progress.

Monday, and raining. Off to the gym this morning, to do something about my festive plumpness. Then home before going off to London. Trains are utterly diabolical at the moment, Preston Park ominously deserted, with signs about disruption and strikes (all blamed on the union and not mentioning the world's most incompetent railway company, and the world's most incompetent secretary of state for transport Chris Grayling of course). Travel hard to impossible on any day this week apart from today and Thursday -- when I will go up to see Mum and Mas again. Spoke to Mum and it sounds as if they are going to give Mas a pacemaker because he is not recovering and is still in intensive care. Apparently he is the person who holds their record for being in intensive care after a triple bypass. Otherwise by judicious choices, I managed to get to Chiswick with only three trains. Walked to the City barge along Strand on the Green, passing Isis Court where I once lived, and felt pleasantl...

Sunday, glorying in a bit of a lie in, till the necessity for us to get up and eat kippers grew too strong. Lorraine and I drove to a Bolney garden centre (briefly playing Royal Consort as Lorraine chatted to the owner who had donated a Christmas Tree to the school). We bought a Christmas tree, a long time since I've had a real one. Reminded forcibly of why its leaves are called needles when I carried the blighter in from the car. Otherwise moving chairs about, and thinking about Christmas a bit. A very frustrating day. L and I decided that we would sort some house stuff out. Assembling a free standing towel cupboard for the bathroom. After an hour of assembly,  the last bit was the hinge lid. The lid was cut too big to fit, and one of the hinges was missing a vital part. We have a dodgy connection from the TV arial outside to our TV. It has worked for ages, and the coax became intermittent. Took it all apart and reassembled it. Went to the hardware store and bought a new bit and...

Up blearily early thanks to the cats. Unaccountably worried that I had offended people with the play. But realised that I was simply being paranoid, and experiencing the post show weirdness. Quick catch up with Mum.  Then made breakfast for myself and Lorraine, then we had to get up to drive to the Marly to collect the props. Some scuffing about there, before I walked uphill across town carrying the hatstand and two chairs, trying not to lance shoppers in the North Laine. Not something I'd recommend with a hangover. Dropped them back to the Duke of Wellington with thanks and sauntered gingerly home. Devoted much of the rest of the day to doing as little as possible. Lorraine off having her hair cut, and then doing a spot of Christmas Shopping. In the evening off in steady rain to meet Anton and Mari for dinner in the Sussex Yeoman. Braved one of their nice burgers. Lorraine and I really enjoyed meeting Mari again, and having a relaxing evening. She has managed to expose Anton...

Less nervy today, although naturally nerves started at around 5pm. A taxi with James and Lorraine to The Marlborough, which was packed and had people conducting some kind of a Christmas Gift auction downstairs. More people tonight, and the room felt very full.  Catherine and Tanya and Steve Cartwright, Rosie and Innis were all there. A big day for Beth as Gary was there with Sophie, having been unable to see her during the Festival.  Emily and Eliza, two of her university besties came too. John came tonight too. The show went excellently. Less nervy than yesterday, and always fascinating to see how different audiences react to the same play. They really tuned into the dark side for the final section of A Glass of Nothing . Beth really on point tonight. Spectacular. Very proud of her and Dylan, Kitty and James. I couldn't have asked more of them, and they consistently did better than I imagined they could. Sad that we were done after just two nights. I have to get my thinki...

A bit of a limbo during the day. I slept this afternoon for an hour, and otherwise pottered about not doing too much of anything, other than wasting time humble bragging on Facebook, in an attempt to get more people through the door tonight. Lovely Lorraine arrived home early and she, James and I cabbed down to The Marly for six. Dylan, Beth and Kitty already there. Lurked in the green room a bit, and then as soon as we could get into the theatre, boshed in and set up rapidly. Bloody great white flats left in the room, and we had to dissemble them with the help of Marly folks before the seats could be done. A bit of nervous hanging around beforehand. Went to sit in the bar, nursing a half-pint. I met Ptolemy who Beth has taught, and had brought a posse of his drama A level class with him, having seen A Glass of Nothing earlier in the year. He congratulated me on the writing, and Beth says he can recite bits of the play. A very promising 16 year old I think, who clearly has marvellou...

Bit of a free floating day today. To the gym this morning to dispel tension, which worked but made me sleepy in the afternoon. And spoke to Mum, who said Mas was feeling a bit more himself, and they are talking about moving him from intensive care again soon. Otherwise a bit of tinkering with things to do with the play. Beth in bed most of the day. When James came we set off for the Marly in a cab. Nice Pakistani cab driver who I ended up discussing Pakistani politics with. He is optimistic about the future, which is good to hear. Did the tech rehearsal tonight, suddenly lots more real once the stage lights and sounds were sorted. A solid tech, Jessica, who new her stuff, which helped. Being on a lit stage really brought out the energy in Dylan particularly. He is such a natural. Beth conserving her voice. Lorraine came tonight too, and her presence was really welcome. Touching how much strength Beth derives from her being there. Lorraine thought We Three Kings was good too, and ...

Up early and doing few bits in a somewhat unfocused fashion. Then the afternoon spent in our last rehearsal in the Duke of Welly, before walking across town carrying a hatstand, (kindly lent us by the folks in the Duke of Wellington) down to the Marlborough. A supper of sorts in Starbucks, because it was near and we needed food, then a first dress rehearsal in the Marlborough. Spoke briefly to David and Tariq who were both there. First time I'd been in the theatre there for some time. The stage has been enlarged, and the old sticky carpet taken up and it's come up trumps. A good rehearsal, and we finished up at 9:45, and had a quick drink downstairs in the Marlborough's bar with Beth and James, having a wee in the urinal of the gender-free toilet. The Marlborough is mainly a lesbian pub serving vegan food, and has a good atmosphere, but I can't help feeling a bit of an interloper there sometimes, but I must remember this is the third time I have written stuff which ...

An abominable night's sleep. After lying completely awake for a couple of hours with a merry-go-round of thoughts dipping up and down I simply got up and did some work, with Calliope which was helpful. As a consequence I felt pretty shattered this morning, and instead of travelling to London which had been my plan A, contented myself with phoning Mum a couple of times. Mas about the same as yesterday, Mum still bearing up. Did props and sound effect organising things with Beth, and ran some of her lines, this afternoon after snoozing for a bit.  In the evening before Lorraine came home, Beth (with me kitchen portering) made a strange mauve soup from yesterdays leftover vegetables and a bit of chicken. It tasted really nice, but mauve though. Beth printing off duplex checklists for the props and gathering everything together. We will be dropping it all off at The Marlborough tomorrow, in a marathon rehearsal day at the Duke of Welly, then a dress rehearsal in the Marly in the ev...

Lorraine and I had a late breakfast, with Beth and James arriving in time for toast. Phoned Mum who said Mason had been taken back into Intensive care, which was somewhat concerning. When I called her in the evening, however, she said that he was noticeably better than he had been. A cab into town, and Lorraine and I did a smidge of shopping, before I joined the others at The Duke of Welly, where I had to collect my computer and simply come home again, to transfer the show playlists onto the laptop, and then return. Had good day's rehearsing, and it was generally quite fun, if a little gruelling. Kitty had been filming all night, so was a bit shattered, but did well nevertheless. Everyone else firing well. We Three Kings feeling much better now. Ended after six and had a quick drink under an electric bar fire in the beer garden, watching the James and Beth smoke. Nice chat with the owner, and I thanked him again for his kindness in letting us use the rehearsal room. Turned out ...

A peaceful morning. I got up and bought some bread and bacon, and Lorraine and I had bacon sarnies in bed, which was decadent. Lorraine had to go off to her school this afternoon, as it was the school Christmas fair and she had to be sociable and mingle with folks. I spoke to Mum, then received a poetry rejection for a MS I'd been rather hopeful about, and then went to the gym for the first time in ages. It helped and I wasn't too tired afterwards.  I went into my ideologically unsound Starbucks for a coffee and a vile blueberry muffin, and thought about doing some work, but found I wasn't in the mood for poems, or doing much. Reading a book of Ancient Egyptian writing. Although I was taken to the British Museum at an early age and Ancient Egypt has always been no my radar, I never feel I know too much about it. The fact that the first great dynasty started just shy of 3,000 years before Christ in a civilisation that continued till well after Christ's birth really is ...

Best news of the day is that Sam and Jade have now officially announced their engagement. Lorraine and I are really chuffed about this, and Beth is too. Sam and Jade are coming for Christmas, so it will be a double celebration. In other news, an overdue billing session this morning, and I finally got my invoices up to date. Then set off to Farringdon to meet Mum at Barts. Mason now out of intensive care, and in a room of his own, close to the nursing station. He is still very tired, and falling asleep mid-sentence and then waking up with a disoriented start. Mum and I sat with him for a couple of hours, and then left. Had a one fast drink in the Butchers Hook and Cleaver, posh Pie and Ale pub, and then we walked to Farringdon. Mum bearing up well with the travelling and visiting, though I am urging her to take a day off. A wearyingly slow train home, but Lorraine picked me up at a little before seven, as she had worked late, and we went home, and then walked down to a very busy Sha...

Made a layer pie today, one of my mum's old recipes, where you layer onion and pork luncheon meat in a pie, then pour in beaten eggs. You bake it, and when sliced it appears in attractive strata of pork and oniony egg. It is not a thing of great sophistication, but very comforting on a cold day with baked beans and baked potato.  Fed this to an appreciative Lorraine this evening. I like to be able to cook for her in the evening. She brings me tea and breakfast in the morning quite often. It is a beautiful thing a cup of tea in the morning. Went off with Betty during the day to London road to a poundshop to buy bits of Christmassy stuff for the stage set of We Three Kings. Beth also prepared the music for the show. Not going to London, nor having any work, nor a rehearsal meant I had the luxury of a sleep this afternoon for an hour. Beth sorry to be missing the pie. Nice to speak to Matty this evening, having sent him some of my Chad poems, which he received while sitting in The...