Countdown to Uncertainty

Monday 13th June 2016

Fourth day of grim in a row, weatherwise. Major toothache. Checked out the Front Street Consett surgery online and the most they charge for an NHS assessment, polish and filling is £48. Which would be worth it to remove plaque, refill a cavity and prevent painkiller addiction. But I’m probably going to wait until the end of term. Rollins is doing four nights in Edinburgh during the Fringe and the gigs finish early enough to catch the nine o’clock train back to Newcastle. I’ll see how I’m fixed financially. Not the end of the world if I don’t make it. The computer has been majorly moaning and groaning today. Hope it’s not about to give up the ghost. Read a couple of Bukowski stories. Used to read a lot of his stuff in my twenties. Have always been curious about his early chapbooks and limited editions. Posted link to a collector’s site on Facebook. Pleased to have lesson plans sorted and ideas for tomorrow. 11.11 pm.

Tuesday 14th June 2016

Went off on a tangent in today’s workshop and spent almost an hour going over submitting work and how pro writers earn a living. Making writing pay might seem kind of superfluous to requirements of a wellbeing course and part of me felt as though I’d misused time that could’ve been better spent generating new writing. But a lot of people who write want to know if it’s a viable occupation beyond personal enjoyment. Got home to find Talktalk server is down so no email access. Used Facebook to send tweaked manuscript of “Laughter to Split Glass” to Sheila at Red Squirrel Press. Looking at an early October launch at Lit and Phil in Newcastle alongside pamphlets by Keith Parker and Chris Ratscheus. This evening I ended up reading more therapeutic journaling stuff – which gave me a headache. Teeth seem to have calmed down a bit. Hoping tomorrow is better. Ready for my summer break to be honest. 10.41 pm.

Wednesday 15th June 2016

Due to other things taking place at Cambian Appletree today, no-one was available to participate in the workshop this afternoon. I said I’d be happy with travel expenses but staff insisted I take the full fee. My day started with prep for this session before I got out of bed. Left the house after an hour of paperwork at ten past eleven. At Waddy after bank transactions then more EU remain/exit stuff. An article about the music industry and tariffs on bands having to negotiate for each country they play in and the EU vinyl production may seem small change in the grand scheme of things but it was a good example of Brexit fallout from an industry I can relate to. Good to see people outwitting Gove on numerous issues. Fuck it! Can I just stop thinking about this now? I want a sabbatical from stupidity. 11.51 pm.

Thursday 16th June 2016

Repeat of last night’s Time workshop went well at Mind this morning. Although due to ‘time’ constraints I had to miss out a couple of exercises. Quick nip into Barry’s Bargains Store for some ham and pease pudding plus a few other things mostly unhealthy then home to an ever worsening state in the general domesticity stakes. Will get the house looking half decent over the holidays. But this afternoon I slept. Managed a bit of Lemmy biography afterwards. Nice little food shopping trip. More fresh pineapple! 11.35 pm.

Friday 17th June 2016

Rang the dentist today as the toothache is getting worse. No appointments available today, have to try again Monday. Posted a card to Ernie for Sunday and read some news articles. Sick of trawling through Brexit and Remain. Sick of division, racism, scaremongering. Insincerity of elected officials. I’ve only managed to key in some prose and research some books. Listened to the new Swans album. Bit disappointing to be honest. It’s the third in a series of 2 hour opuses with twenty-five minute ‘songs’ that come across like extended jam soundscapes, short on lyrics but long on repetition. I used to rave about Swans when they played songs. When Jarboe was in the band. Good to hear from Jenni tonight. And to see Henry Rollins reading Dr Seuss online. Highly amusing. 10.37 pm.

Saturday 18th June 2016

Slow day. Meant to be rehearsing for Alphabetti Soup gig but didn’t have time. Put a lengthy comment expressing my feelings about EU referendum on Jenni’s Facebook post this morning. Lovely ride over to her place this afternoon. New haircut really suits her. We went out to get food then watched a programme this evening on Tate Modern followed by UK’s Best Part Time Band. Good stuff. 11.05 pm.

Sunday 19th June 2016

Lie in this morning. Struggled with morning pages. Spent much of the day watching EU Referendum programmes. Then three episodes of Breaking Bad. Jenni made a lush lunch with fried vegetables and chicken. Loved the mushrooms in pepper sauce. Raining heavy this evening so I’m staying an extra night and will see if I can ride the bike back tomorrow. 10.45 pm.