Just realised that you need some music to read this by… otherwise it’s a little dry… like eating Jacob’s Cream Crackers (as in brand… not my…) in a ‘how many can you eat in one minute comp’ AKA ‘a chore…’

A new fave…

I love the litle sign placed above the electrical sockets on trains…

‘Socket for use with laptops and phone chargers only.’

Whenever I read this I always regret not having brought along my iron and freshly laundered but crumpled frocks in order to indulge in a little light domesticity. I would use the table as my ironing board and hang all my freshly pressed garments from the luggage rack. The carriage would soon smell softly of Lenor and become warm and a little humid. The windows may steam up a little. It would be worth it just to see the ticket inspectors faces. As you know- I love to wind up British rail staff and I seem to be particularly good at it. Mind you, they don’t do too badly at reciprocation.

So- yes, I’m off down to London on the train, firmly ensconced in first class, super off peak, which is not much more than normal and worth the extra (in my opinion) in order to indulge in an hour’s uninterrupted writing, internet usage, unlimited tea and many packets of ‘complimentaries’… biscuits to the rest of us.

I’ve had a great week so far. Apart from a few minor and commonly occurring incidents, such as Otto becoming more Houdini like by the minute. He’s worked out how to wait until the electric gate is almost shut then he wriggles through at the last minute, which confuses the motor’s mollusc size brain and it jams. Open. I wouldn’t mind so much if he did something amazing like hunt down a gazelle and tear it to bits, limb by limb, dragging his prey home to the front door, bloodied and breathless, a testosterone fueled conquering hero, but no… All he does is skitter along the road side like a glue sniffing dullard threatening to play solo ‘chicken’ whenever a car drives by. This makes the drivers grumpy and they return him with a lecture. Last night an off duty policeman announced himself- ‘Ahoy!’ (I was hoping for a pirate!) as he wandered through the open door. I was swigging a glass of rose on my tod, (thank god it I wasn’t necking the bottle- you know how you can let your standards slip when you think you’re on your own and no one’s looking.) Didn’t like that. Made me feel twitchy. He lectured me for ages… and then threw in a quick flash of his badge right at the end for good measure- probably when I began to look sullen and started to argue. Not good. He’s a bugger, is Otto. Much worse than the kids.

But on the whole, life is just hunky dory at the mo. This is the first official week of my new regime… Three days at work, two put aside to write. Monday is spent in the office and at the moment Thursday and Friday are also Carter’s days, either in the office or with customers and as for Tuesdays and Wednesdays… well… they’re mine. In a short while I’ll drop off another day and then I’ll have no excuse not to become utterly prolific and get one of my novels moving to a point of no return.

I’ve been writing a lot though. Found my poetry hat again after mislaying it for a while, which has been very pleasurable- for me anyway!

I was really inspired after attending this month’s Word! at the Y Theatre in Leicester on Tuesday 2nd August. (see side bar for link.) I always enjoy Word! but there is no doubt some nights are just better than others and this was the best I’d been to, possibly ever. Craig and I met earlier in town for a quick drink and moseyed on up there for eight as neither of us wanted to perform this week. The place was packed and really buzzing. All the open mike slots were excellent and just before the interval, a group of teenage lads that attend a writing workshop, about six of them, had a small slot together, each performing one piece. They brought the house down. I was so impressed with their political and social awareness and their informed assurance. Their performances were polished and it was so exciting to be a part of it. Well done to the kids and well done to the obviously inspiring teacher who has been working with them. The lads give up their Saturday afternoons to workshop their poetry and spoken word and I think it’s just brilliant that ideas and words are engaging a group of youngsters in this way. Powerful! Young Nathan Lunt was the headlining act after winning the Poetry Slam back in the New Year. Very enjoyable it was too. I like Nathan’s poetry. It’s good. Yes.

Craig and I wandered down to some rather dodgy pub on Granby street afterwards along with half the audience and performers and proceeded to get merrily sozzled. I spent most of the evening in the smoking hovel and met lots of thoroughly entertaining peeps. The great thing about the poetry scene is it includes many mentalists. I love mentalists. (I include myself amongst them I hasten to add) I suppose some would call them ‘creatives’ but that would be inaccurate. They are, of course, creative… but they are also so much more! What a great night.

Tagged: Badly behaved dogs, British Rail, diary, friends, Inspiration, Open-mic, Train Travel, Word!, writing