Hair Metal Hilarity, Telling Tales and Tough Luck

Monday 8th June 2015

Today has been rather satisfying. Steadily getting through the To Do list. Was good to be able to ease off a little this evening and have a laugh online. Me and Jenni have a collaborative piece to write for a special occasion and have been firing ideas back and forth. Later, I cranked up the hair metal and posted a three-word Facebook status update. Those words were TWISTED FUCKING SISTER. Jenni’s comment: FISTED SUCKING TWISTER. Now that’s just going too far, dear! I hope Dee and Co return to the UK on their ‘Forty and Fuck It’ final tour next year. Was reminded that July is international zine month so I’m hoping to get a little DIY publication of some sort together for that. Been looking back at the NaPoWriMo stuff in my FB notes and hope to make use of it at gigs in coming months. Ran out of toner cartridge tonight so I might need to be in work early tomorrow to get some printouts done. Really enjoyed my air guitar. I Wanna Rock!

Tuesday 9th June 2015

Hammed up travel hassle for a ‘conflict’ workshop this afternoon and wrote another eight new drafts from previously used Edward Hopper paintings in evening class. Pleased with quite a few of the vignettes. Not sure what the best outlet is for them yet. I have years of non-poetry marathon stuff I’m not sure where to place – zine, chapbook, collected in a chunky volume? Back home and eating a cheese and tomato sandwich for supper. Shocking, as I had a massive chicken korma and rice for tea. When the college courses are finished I’ll have to put in some serious miles on the big bike. Watched some short biketrial clips on Facebook this evening. I was never great at rock-hopping, but I do miss that sort of riding. It’s a bugger getting old. Being an adult isn’t really the best for someone with my interests. Oh well, I’m sure the summer will have something special in store. OK 10.35 pm.

Wednesday 10th June 2015

In Newcastle thinking it’s Thursday coz most of the poetry nights are on Thursdays. Enjoyed sitting in Northumberland Street just scoffing my eat4less baguette fries apple tango £1.75 combo. Been in Eldon Square using the free wifi, but to be honest I don’t think I like the idea of being connected on the move. Tonight I’m at Blakes café for Telling Tales. Jeff Price has just asked me if I’d like to do a turn. I don’t really have proper stories so I’ve scribbled down Yesteryear’s Lunch as best I can remember in the back of my new notebook and hope I don’t make a pig’s ear of it. Was expecting to see Jenni here but she hasn’t arrived yet. Out of steam now, more later… 7.58 pm.

Had a superb time at Blakes tonight. The place was packed. Some top stories. Great to catch up with Jenni. And to see Kate Fox read. Also Scott Tyrrell with an intro to his unfinished novel. John Quinn performed well. Alfie Crow’s pyrotechnic tale was brilliant. Olya Bowers good unscripted also. Nice to see Jo Colley read. And Rosie Anderson who closed the first half was amazing. Thanks to Jeff and everyone involved. 11.31 pm.

Thursday 11th June 2015

Came home feeling pretty exhausted today. All I’ve done since the Mind session is sit at the computer and look at zine reviews. Bought a few more items. Some UK, one American. The new range of Mindless Longboards have just been released. I was supposed to be riding in Consett and Blackhill Park this evening but didn’t trust myself to not fall off due to fatigue. I lay down for about an hour to listen to the Henry and Heidi podcast about Rollins collaboration with William Shatner. Then back at the screen. Have written little. Need a full rest from it all really. Thought I might be up and printing Jane Burn’s pamphlet in the morning but she needs a bit more time to double check everything. So it will be next week now. Jenni was going to King Ink. I think she’s coming here tomorrow. Haven’t sorted the room out yet. Eyes hurt. House is warm. Would like to work on my own stuff tomorrow. Believe it when it happens. 10.43 pm.

Friday 12th June 2015

Spent a lot of time tidying the house. Jenni is coming over tomorrow. This evening I went out on the XC bike. Ten minutes down the trail the fork suspension just totally gave out. Been on the blink for a couple of years. Either badly in need of a service or replacing altogether. The latter very expensive. I’ll take the bike to the local shop in the morning. Jane sent a file of final corrections this evening. I’ll look tomorrow and hopefully, fingers crossed, we’ll get it printed next week. Still take a while to assemble and trim copies after that though. This evening I re-read some of my 2012 journal – a time when I was putting essays, poetry and vignettes into it – and am keen to give an edited version a bit more exposure. Always intended to do a full year as a paperback on lulu.com but never got round to typesetting it all. Some of the writing gave me butterflies… Haven’t eaten much today. An orange. Toast and poetry jam. A ham and tomato sandwich. A tin of salmon and five pickled onions. Maybe one more snack then bed. 11.37 pm.

Saturday 13th June 2015

New bike forks will cost a hundred quid fitted. I’m opting for rigid. Never liked suspension anyway. Got eight perzines in the post. Looking forward to reading them. Paid utility bills and keyed in some work. I’m trying not to eat so much but it’s affecting my energy level. More proofreading, editing and copy-ups. Lots to do this weekend. Jenni is coming over tomorrow. Hope to get my stuff done tomorrow by lunchtime. 10.16 pm.

Sunday 14th June 2015

Got my finances pretty much up to date. Good to hear from Jenni. Made the final tweaks on Jane’s pamphlet and got the green light for printing. Read some zines and checked out rigid mountain bikes online. Found a great video of a guy on a rigid in a quarry. Might take mine over to Castleside quarry when I get it back from the shop. Doing well with the not eating everything in sight. 11.28 pm.