under another sun

Up early and my baby drove me off to the station again. Needed to be on time this morning, for a 9:30 meeting. However an empty train broke down just outside the station, just as we were about to leave, and after much delay our train was rerouted via scenic Lewes. Mood not improved by getting to work almost an hour late, followed rapidly by an infuriating and frankly insulting meeting after which I had to take a walk around the block to calm down, and after a chat with Pat I decided not simply to pack up and leave. In a foul mood for the rest of the day. In the middle of this Claudia called to ask for our address as she was trying to get herself seen by a doctor, as her foot had swollen up. She trained up to where Lorraine met her, and took her to a medical centre in Teddington where they looked at it, and because she has allergies against the usual antibiotics they drew a line on her leg, and said if the infection reaches here she needs special antibiotics. After work I went off t...

My lovely wife made me a flask of tea to drink on the train. I however left home without drinking the tea nor remembering the flask. A dispiriting scene at Brighton station, as there were problems further up the line. Eventually one left late, and crammed, for London but luckily I was a mere 20 minutes late to work. My place had been moved overnight, and the computer on my new desk wouldn't let me in. This eventually resolved, I got a fair amount done this morning but was forced to idle in the afternoon away as there was no brief. My mood much better too. At lunch I took a stroll around the neighbourhood, thinking of Bob who I have met in this area quite often, except at night and punctuated by refreshments. I lurked under the looming British Telecom Tower, and into the grand Fitzroy Square, where the wind blew fallen gold plane tree leaves from the large private garden in the middle. London is a leafy place. Left work early at 5:45. But caught the world's slowest bus ten m...

Up at seven and soon slouching towards London to be paid. A strange day at Tavistock Square, as they had no work for me, despite me having been booked. I had been told that the week would be intermittent, but wasn't expecting there to be nothing to do on the first day. As a consequence they asked me not to come in tomorrow. While waiting for a brief, I sat about surfing. It also gave me the opportunity to ask April, fresh back from the US, to sign the exchange of deed stuff which I then posted at lunchtime. I also had email with the incompetent leasing agents. Only a few more days of this hateful property-based soul-sucking and I will be free. The Buddha was right. Nice to chat to a few folks at work,  including Matty boy and Pat. Received some congrats and a kiss from Yaiza, who had seen wedding photos on Facebook. Also chatted to Mum, busy redecorating the house, as I mooched about the dripping Squares at lunchtime. Feeling tired, I was pleased to be able to leave work ten mi...

Back up to Tavistock Square. Train late. Worked very hard on lots of digital copy with charming people, but this made the day pass in a flash, only squeezing in time to talk to my solicitor about the house sale, correspond with the buyers and so on. The house sale drags at me like a giant tapeworm. Today the buyer's solicitors took a turn to be squirm hatefully in the GI tract of the sale. Nice chats with Matty boy, Pat and First Matie. Then a draggy journey home. Someone under a train somewhere, meant delays, two trains replaced by one small one, and crammed with passengers. Arrived home feeling tetchy and stressed. Lorraine returned home from singing in the choir to compose an email to the Cricketers, after an unsatisfactory reply. Rain enthusiastic. Saturday will probably be wet. Gah.

Ticking the box Up at 6:30 and up to London for a day of filling in for First Matie while she is at her sister's wedding. Lorraine meanwhile sitting her final interview for her headteacher business in Kent first thing in the morning. Texts from her later, and a chat at lunchtime confirmed it had gone pretty well, although Lorraine is already beginning to remember things she should have said. Up in London. Feelings of dejection revolving about the ratio of effort to results, and a conviction that the world is and always will be indifferent to anything I produce. This self-ingulgent gloom confirmed by The Argus not carrying a review of our concert, despite buying two copies, one for Matt, to read all about it. Felt good to be back in the agency, if only to be among some pals. A Pooterish moment... I was sitting next to Julian who was designing a poster about killing ticks. I asked him if it was a 'tick boxing' exercise. He even had the good grace to laugh. Journey home despic...

Stranded in London So to London again to work in Tavistock Square. Feeling cheery this morning, as I was to work on some interesting stuff to do with dental caries (tooth decay). Made Pooterish observations about how the work was boring and the same old drill , though no one seemed to appreciate this. Hot sweaty day, and the office air conditioning seemingly at its last gasp. Sidled up to Marks and Sparks with Kate at lunchtime for a chat as we bought our lunches. Worked with Keith in the late afternoon. I find working with him quite exhilarating sometimes. Then shortly before I set off from home Lorraine texted me to say that as she was driving home the radio had said the trains between London and Brighton were doomed. A burst water main had created a small landslip onto the track which had made it impassable. Quick glance at all the websites showed that to get to Gatwick (half way home for me) add four hours onto your journey. Plan B was to leap into the sweaty sardine tin of the t...