Sunday 7th
October 2012
Unusual to be in my own bed of a Sunday morning.
Stayed up till about two o’clock working on a selection of writings for my
chapbook. Didn’t get to Jenni’s till about half one this afternoon. We had
Rogan Josh and rice then went out to Gateshead.
I needed cinnamon, Jenni bought juggling balls. Had a lazy time, very sleepy.
Think the last fortnight has just caught up with us really. Watched an episode
of Lewis this evening. Jenni didn’t want me to leave afterwards and was jokingly
untying my shoelaces, pulling at my jacket and blocking the doorway, mucking
about on the stairs. I fell at the bottom and tweaked my right ankle a bit. I
read some Wild Mind on the bus. Some kids sitting at the back were looking for
trouble. One started chatting to an uninterested girl opposite but didn’t
pursue it once she stated she has a boyfriend. Then some expletives started
flying, threats made. Two grown blokes scrapping in the aisle. Driver had to
drag one off the other. I walked from Consett then had a hot cross bun. Will be
in bed soon. 11.05pm.
Monday 8th
October 2012
All the big work catches up with me. I’d like to
pull back for a while. It would be a luxury to have a week just to read a
couple of novels. I’ve not been able to find the time to get back to Stephen
Clark’s book, and the progress I’m making with The Boy Who Could See Demons is
just pointless. Might as well shelve it and go right back to the beginning over
the holidays.
Much of the day has been given over to experimenting
with bookbinding and researching production of hardback volumes. I’m quite
obsessed with making books. I stitched together the block of a 96 page
book. Going to buy some PVA glue and a little brush from Boyes and make a
hardback later this week.
It’s been good to have the day at home. I’m going
to a poetry slam tomorrow night. Not taking part so I’ll probably end up being
one of the judges. 10.16pm.
Tuesday 9th
October 2012
Wednesday
10th October 2012
Mark Speeding put together a great Slam in Whickham
library last night. Seasoned performers and newcomers. Eight competitors, four
rounds. Very close scoring throughout. Warm up round on the theme of Stars had
some interesting pieces about constellations and celebrities. Enjoyed the mix
of stage and page stuff throughout and was pleased to see newcomers do so well.
Jamie Jackson was in the semi-final. Aidan Clarke and Grame Fletcher in the
final. Only a tenth of a point in it. Aidan just pipped it with a poem about a
stay in hospital with bladder trouble. Grame then sang us out with a brilliant
rendition of Janis Ian’s Stars. Nice to have drinks and nibbles, nice to be
asked to do a guest slot.
Later: I have been home for approximately two
minutes. It’s 7.28pm. I left Jenni’s house in Bensham at 7.50am. In between I
have facilitated three writing workshops of approx one hour each in Middlesbrough. Using the most immediate connecting buses,
almost a twelve hour day. Anyway, I’m home and ready for my tea.
Thursday
11th Oct 2012
Would like to see Martin Figura’s one man show
Whistle at the Side Cinema tonight but really sore throat and snotty nose came
on about lunchtime and I don’t think I should be going out to spread my germs.
Trust me to get another cold.
Watched lots of You Tube clips on junk journals,
smash books and vintage binding. I like bookbinding. It’s a nice craft project
that eventually gets me away from the computer for a while. 11.00pm.
Friday 12th
October 2012
Good evening earth. This is Snotty calling. Throat
is an open wound with a cactus dragged across it, nose is a blocked waste
disposal unit, eyes are dirty windows and my neck is a rusty hinge. I’m hoping
that some lockets or soothers and the distraction of food shopping will make me
feel okay today.
Inadvertently got PVA glue up my left arm. I
remember in primary school coating my arm with the stuff so I could peel it off
like sunburnt skin during storytime. Not quite as much fun when you’ve got the
body hair of a yeti. Wish this fucking cold would fuck right off. 11.32pm.
Saturday
13th October 2012
Stayed up till three o’clock this morning. Got my handmade hardback book finished. It’s downstairs with clamps on the
corners and a big pile of paperbacks pressing it flat. It’s only A6 but the
same procedure will make a big 2013 Journal.
Still snotty but my throat isn’t sore now. Really
don’t want Jenni to catch my lurgy but I know she’ll be disappointed if I don’t
visit this weekend.
Less than usual from me this week. Been
preoccupied with my little handycrafts for a few days. Bookbinding doesn’t
exactly make for riveting journal entries – unless the reader is a fellow celebrant.
"When I Grow Up" by Juliana Hatfield arrived this
morning. No idea when I’ll find time to read it.
Currently being blown away by "No More Shall We
Part" by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds on Spotify. Wonderful. 7.07pm.
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