Zines, bikes, coughs, colds, gigs, etc...

Monday 16th March 2015

As usual I’m a bit anxious coz it’s Monday and have to come up with new stuff. Did outcome lists for end of term paperwork, online feedback to evening class students and hand-washed clothes for tomorrow. Spent some time looking at political party policies in the run up to the general election but will need at least a day to read through properly. Gonna have an early supper and off to bed so I can be up early to ensure Jenni gets up for a job trial. Penultimate week of the current Waddy term. Need to start losing weight. Wish this fucking winter was over. 10.42 pm.

Tuesday 17th March 2015

It’s 10.30 pm and I’m on the 43 out of Durham which only takes me as far as Stanley. Then I go to Asda for a chicken mayo sandwich and wait till 11.15 pm for the 78 to Consett. The town will be closed down by the time my black dm platforms hit the tarmac. One of these days I’ll meet myself coming back. I’m tooled up with paper weaponry. Zines from Jenn Hart and Henry Raby, the nerd punks on tour. I only saw the last fifteen minutes coz I had a writing workshop. Bigly thanks to Jenni for the GOOD QUALITY DARKNESS t-shirt. Black ink on black fabric, the words from the song by Renata and Trev, resident musicians for The Stanza. Tired now coz I’ve been up since six. And I’m only at Sacriston. 10.37 pm.

Wednesday 18th March 2015

A number of people over the years have told me I always think the worst and they’re probably right. Some days I dread leaving the house, thinking people must realise I’m full of shit and a total fraud. Makes doing my job a bit scary. Then I get in the room with the workshop participants and we have a good time. They produce some storming drafts and I encourage them to submit work for publication. And feel good for a while. I work at motivating people who write better than I do. They should be published. Today I had three good sessions. The second one a bit scary but not for reasons outlined above. Working in a secure unit can be challenging at times. But the people who take part are good to talk to and we do the exercises same as elsewhere. Then I come home, eat and go to make a hot drink – but have somehow left the empty kettle in the bath. 10.56 pm.

Thursday 19th March 2015

Had a little trundle along Waskerley Way cycle track on the 27-speed this afternoon. Legs aching in no time at all. So unfit. Lots to improve on over the coming months. Some poor old woman got flung down the V8 bus in Consett today when the driver had to break suddenly. She hit her head on a steel post. Hope she was okay. Luckily her granddaughter was in the bus station and rang to get her a lift home. 11.32 pm.

Friday 20th March 2015

The Stanza was great last night. 23 on the open mic and great sets from all the guests. And could we call Scott's last poem an encore? I think so. Mint stuff. Well done to all involved. Had an inspiring day looking at perzines online. Ordered one from Illinois and one from London. Also ordered Stolen Sharpie Revolution (DIY zine handbook) and listened to the Hank and Heidi podcast. Had the heating on a lot today. Have a sore throat. Not sure if it’s from riding the bike yesterday or caught on public transport. Twisted Sister’s drummer AJ Pero died today. Moving tributes on Facebook from the rest of the band. I first heard them as a fourteen-year-old kid and was soon embroidering the big TS bones logo onto the back of a denim jacket that I wore for school. Didn’t get to see them play live until over twenty years later. Nick Cave has a new book out called The Sick Bag Song. Meanwhile, I keep retching, don’t know why. Don’t have an upset stomach. 10.34 pm.

Saturday 21st March 2015

Fourth cold in three months and getting worse. More research today. Contacted an author called Rust Belt Jessie for some zine swaps. Been at the computer most of the day. Keyed in some Home Town Slog but nowhere near finished. Instead of a full-on day editing it I’ll do a couple of hours here and there before the end of the month. Enjoyed reading Geoff Hattersley and Brendan Cleary. Good to see Punk Britannia as well. Tomorrow will be a proper work day, I think. Hope this cough eases. Ok. 11.23 pm.

Sunday 22nd March 2015

Full on day. Full of distractions. I read more stuff on screen than paper these days, yet still the Amazon one-click gets the better of me and the book parcels arrive. Got the Poetry Jam event page up and did feedback on student poems / vignettes. It’s getting late. I wanted an early night. So much to do on the final week of term. Paperwork that no-one will read. Thanks to Jenni for phone call and all the zine geeks who have piqued my interest. Read more Rust Belt Jessie. Great! 11.57 pm.