under another sun

Lorraine ill in bed most of the day. I worked above her all day, occasionally bringing her dry toast, black tea and later a miso soup. Luckily the strategic bucket remained unfilled. With a heroic effort she dragged herself out and off to Kingston this evening to see Betty's dissertation piece. We arrived in the nick of time to see Relationship status: desperate . The piece that Emily and Beth put together worked really well I thought. It had a proper structure and some really funny turns from the girls. The boys in their production, acting as their dates, brought a variety of caricatures to their performance that made them shine too. I am biased, of course, but Beth's ability to convey two things at the same time with one expression, her irony and comedy are really excellent. Lots of laughter in the show from the college audience. Emily did really well too especially in a slapstick routine with a hopelessly clumsy date, that saw her getting drunk, water sprayed in her face...

Slow start to the day. Both Lorraine and I completely exhausted. Lorraine fighting off a cold, and me feeling worn out and ancient after weeks of antibiotics for my prostrate infection, which is fighting a stubborn resistance. However a really cheery day. Lurking in bed for hours in the morning, Lorraine reading the new poems in bed, and to my relief liking them. Off to town today. I called in to the Twitten to discuss showers with Gary, and met Sophie again, with whom he is buying a house. Then off on a shopping spree with Lorraine. Bought a present for Betty, who is 21 this week, and then focused entirely on myself buying loads of clothes. Great to have Lorraine with me, egging me on, and providing a second opinion, and the odd aghast face when I emerged from a changing room with raspberry coloured trousers. I have been feeling increasingly shabby as the year has gone on, so great to be able to afford new trousers, teeshirts, shirts, a warm jacket (to replace the coat Brian ruine...

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...

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.

Poetic interlude Up early and happily working on my new poem, which is about a pebble and God and is set in Moulin Huet, which was a rather nice place to spend a poetical interlude. Also I explored more on my other concept, which is too new to talk about but is a kind of 'how to' book. I also briefly tweaked some copy for Amanda in NZ who has added game inventor to her list of accomplishments. Her new board game is called Komodo, and sounds great fun if you like storming at your relatives and friends. Off after lunch to show Gary, Lorraine's ex-husband, around my house in the Twitten. He finds himself in need of one, and although a slightly weird thought at first, this may prove to be an excellent and rapid solution to my renting situation. Lorraine working from home this afternoon before going off to a governor's meeting. I was called by Nicola this evening, and have three days work back up in the smoke starting tomorrow. Rather good for the Kenny coffers, bad for poe...