Six Night Stand and Sleepy Sunday

Monday 23rd March 2015

I’m at the Lit & Phil in Newcastle with that bottom lip itch that I wrote about twenty-one years ago. Another bloody coldsore. Just listened to some great readings by Kath Kenny, Neville Dale Harris, Fiona Ritchie-Walker, Dave Browne and Sheila Wakefield. A lot of their stuff sounds rather personal; poetry and prose bordering on memoir and I like it. Been reading Leonard Cohen poems in the interval. Lines I first heard in 1992 in a tv documentary. ‘Let Us Compare Mythologies’, ‘The Spice Box of Earth’, ‘The Energy of Slaves’… A Canadian poet who became a singer songwriter to pay the rent. On the bus into town I read ‘Here In My Head’ by Cath Elms. Very personal essays and journal fragments in a little A6 cut and paste zine. 8.05 pm.

More engaging readings from Joan Johnston, Nev Clay, Ellen Phethean and Anthony Hurford. Had a drink in The Bridge afterwards with some of the writers. Me and Jenni walked back to her place. Egg mayonnaise sandwiches and pink pyjama trousers on Mister Steve. 11.33 pm.

Tuesday 24th March 2015

Me and Jenni went into Newcastle for a bacon and cheese melt Panini at Eat 4 Less. Then I critiqued a short story on the bus to Durham. Rather lively session in Writing for All. Then a publishing workshop for this term’s final evening class. In my element coz I got to chat about small press stuff. Got some lovely comments on student feedback forms and interest regarding further sessions. Back home my ‘Stolen Sharpie Revolution’ book on DIY zine-making was on the mat. Ditto the last ever copy of Geoff Hattersley’s ‘Port of Entry’ from the publisher. Pristine condition, 26 years old. Nine quid including postage – a bargain considering it’s a hundred on Amazon. So chuffed. Had a mint day. Hope tomorrow is just as good. 11.09 pm.

Wednesday 25th March 2015

Stayed up till twenty-to-one this morning reading Stolen Sharpie Revolution. Made a mini-zine of small poems in creative writing session for Friday’s gig at Newcastle Literary Salon. Group made some of their own at Cambian Appletree this afternoon. Evening session was characterisation in poetry sequences and NaPoWriMo warm-ups. Although I made the decision last week to give the 30 poems in 30 days challenge a miss this year… Half eleven and still working. I read some Albert Huffstickler poems on the bus home. Wish I could get more of his books. Most are indy chapbooks that cost the earth on Amazon. I was lucky enough to publish ‘Huff’ in “Moodswing” about thirteen or fourteen years ago. Just spoken to Jenni on the phone. Looking forward to Jibba Jabba tomorrow. But lots to do before I get to the Cumby. Feeling a bit tired now. Waddy term is over now but still lots of paperwork to complete. OK. 

11.31 pm.

Thursday 26th March 2015

Session was good this morning. Though we started a bit late, pleased with the way the exercises went. Good to get a pretty cheap pair of glasses ordered this afternoon. Made up a bunch of my mini-zines. The woman who fell down on the V8 bus last week thanked me this afternoon. Had a bit of a read through of poems on the bus into Newcastle. Got to Jibba Jabba early and helped set up the chairs and adjust lights. Bigly audience tonight. Strong open mic. All the guests were class. Ani Sanwick’s songs sounded great. Julian Lee got the laughs. James Oates on top form and Rosie Garland just sensational. Missed the bus coz gig went on till ten to eleven. But worth it. Jenni is staying out late. I am walking back into town to get food then over to her place to sleep. Will put my gig set together at home tomorrow then return to Newcastle for Literary Salon. 11.54 pm.

Friday 27th March 2015

Slept on the bus this evening. Woke up with that itchy bottom lip again. Luckily Poundland had some coldsore cream. Went to Eldon Square toilets to put contact lenses in. Newcastle still busy with shoppers returning for their buses. I am now in Eat 4 Less with my second bacon and cheese melt Panini of the week. A few minutes ago the staff had a little excitement when five teenagers came in all wanting spicy chicken this and that. Less than an hour from closing stocks running low, these kids were almost over the counter pleading for what’s left. It looked like the front row of a One Direction concert. I don’t know how Maccy Dees or KFC keep going when the food here is so cheap and so nice. The music isn’t always to my taste but it’s rare that I actually get to sit inside and eat. In less than half an hour I need to be back on Clayton Street at the Scrumpy Willow and Singing Kettle café for the Literary Salon gig. Juli Watson was in touch today and offered me pretty much anywhere in running order except opening slot. I’m closing the night. My set timed at 14 mins. Looking forward to seeing Patrick Shannon, sean burn, Jenni plus others. In the meantime I crunch my toasted bread and tear the pig flesh between crooked teeth. Cometbus compilation zine book arrived today. 8.10 pm.

Good night at the Scrumpy Willow. About five people short of packed. Eighteen of us. The place is tiny. The theme was mental and physical health. Hard hitting sets from Patrick Shannon and sean burn. Then a break. Jenni lightened the mood quite a bit but ‘Nightmare’ showed her serious side. Two of the guests cancelled so Ben and Juli did mini-sets. And I closed the night. Don’t know what was up with me but I was changing lines on automatic pilot during ‘Eyes’. I pretty much read half the set but gave plenty eye contact, a few poems totally from memory. The café owner liked my stuff and was keen to have me leave some copies of my ‘Introspective’ mini-zine. Me and Jenni had a good laugh afterwards in Rafferty’s round the corner while the metal heads rocked out to Metallica’s black album and Iron Maiden’s ‘Number of the Beast’. Lovely little incident on the last bus home. A young woman of about thirty new to the area got chatting to an elderly man and took a selfie with him. She missed her stop then gave him a little kiss goodnight. All very innocent. 11.36 pm.

Saturday 28th March 2015

Clocks go forward an hour tonight and blue sky prevailing it’ll be light till eight tomorrow evening. Already starting to get my summer head on. Which is just as well coz I’ve been plagued with cold since Christmas. Going to be longboarding again. By the end of April for sure. Would be good to get the brakes fixed on the street bike, get the front derailleur fitted. And at some point switch the Marzocchi Bomber forks for some fatty rigids. Want to write some zine stuff as well, out in the field. Got three little beauties from Rust Belt Jessie from Wisconsin this morning. All handmade. She was surprised the package reached me so quickly. Her prose reminds me of Poppy Z Brite in some way without being goth. Rosie Garland was in touch as well. Pleased to get the book discrepancy sorted. I’m going into town to meet up with Jenni for Mr Wideyback James Oates and brother Chris’s ‘50th Birthday’ party. Still a bit sniffly but optimistic there will be plenty good times ahead. 7.31 pm.

Later: Bigly thanks to Jenni, James and Maureen, Chris and the Oates family for a lovely evening. 11.16 pm.

Sunday 29th March 2015

Really tired after six nights out in a row. Didn’t get much done. Spent most of the day checking out small press zines. So expensive to get titles from overseas. And surprise, surprise, most of the ones I gravitate towards are American. Watched a documentary on criminal ‘insanity’ and a bit of Have I Got News For You then back to the computer for a while. Bed by midnight.