random acts of senseless beauty

So I go and see a film of a book of a blog of a book, about women finding their loves of words and men and food… a brilliantly written screenplay to boot… and come home inspired to write.
“I am a writer” says Amy Adams/Julie at the end of the film.

I feel like I’ve [...]

It’s been cold here.  I know it’s been cold everywhere, but in the last couple of weeks it’s been surprisingly and abnormally cold here in Nashville.  The other night we got down to -15C, and it didn’t rise above freezing – even with weak sunshine – for a good few days.
Right now it’s 49F/9C here [...]

Here in sweet Nashville, Tennessee there has been a ‘gas crisis’.  That is, about 10 days ago every station in the city and its surrounding areas ran out of petrol.
Seriously.  They ALL ran out.
As Thomas said, it was like being back in the 1970s.  Queues needing a police marshal, arguments, fights… all CRAZY.  I had [...]

And finally, today… it’s both Peter’s 4th Birthday, and International Talk Like A Pirate Day.  Lots of fun, and a million photos on Flickr.

Also I got some AMAZING photos of the kids while we were waiting for the school bus…

Ball?

Attitude!
Now, I have to try and find a ‘gas station’ that still has gas in [...]

Hello.  I’m sorry.  It’s been CRAZY.  I have LOTS to say and LOTS of photos to put up, but I’m here in Nashville and I’m alive and I have a room and a car and a bank account and a phone and even have my first friend visiting (yay Sammy!) and we’re just heading out [...]

I hadn’t cried at all at work, then the a friend made me laugh so loudly that the tears came unbidden. 
The email read “a parting gift.  It’s not much but…” and then it was simply a link to this:

Jim. The pleasure has been all mine. Never change.

This morning, bag on arm and keys in hand, ready to leave the flat, I’m called back by the need to write. I seemingly have to let out some of the words that are jumbling round my head before I get on the bus and on with my day.
It is a strange time [...]

These days may feel like in-between-days, but they’re passing with flair.  Situation:  Good.
Life: Good

Han & Tom got married
Work: Good

Cute Clare
Captain played in The Hub for Steve Merchant’s show
Levels of Siliness: Good

Self Portrait (with moustache)
Coming Week-Day-Weekend: Looking Good.

Treasu(red)
Wonderful H in Los Angeles has sent all five of our fabulous group of girls matching shirts. They speak assurance to ourselves and also mean that, when needed, we can show solidarity in our uniforms, however great the physical distance between us.
I’m at the end of a few days at home, using up leave [...]

MGMT@ICA
After a significant dry spell this week brought a hatrick of live music.
Tuesday night was Mr Lawson’s Solo Bass Night at Darbuka. Yolanda Charles and Steve were both brilliant, and wonderfully different from each other. Yolanda is the most amazingly funky woman, and was beautifully nervous considering the kind of gigs she’s done [...]

I’ve got this week off and am using it to get done the big writing piece I’m in the middle of. Well, that I’m meant to be in the middle of but am barely getting started on.
My head is full today with a mixture of big questions about life, mediocre household [...]

Canary Wharf
I had such great plans for today. Plans to write and tidy and accomplish so much as to feel proud of myself at the end of the day.
Nope. No tidying. No writing. Nothing ticked off the To Do list. But still I feel proud of myself. Today I [...]

There’s a crazy world where people know my name.
I refuse to use the word famous as it 1) sounds really big-headed and 2) it isn’t true. For a start famous is several levels above the strange niche market where people squint, wrinkle their noses for a second and then say “oh… that one [...]

Home
After 31 years and 1 month my parents moved out of our family home. It’s a move that’s been coming for a while, but that didn’t make the final goodbye any less of a wrench.
There are so many happy memories tied up in those brinks and mortar and although, as I was reminded, [...]

Twice my mother scowled at me for reaching for my mobile phone.  I tried to explain… but she kept shaking her head “People will see”.
But I wasn’t texting.  I was taking notes.
After a long and loud (and sober for me) evening in the pub with friends I’ve known for as long as I can remember [...]

So maybe some of the dizzy I mused over in the last entry wasn’t deep inner emotional turmoil at all. Maybe it was the early stages of the ‘flu that has kept me in bed for the past few days.
Being ill sucks. Having Marky here doesn’t. I’m sorry not to be able [...]

My wonderful wonderful parents celebrated their Ruby wedding on Saturday in the same church hall where they held their wedding reception.
Date 1, Christmas 1966. Date 2, Valentines day 1967. Engaged August 14th, 1967. Married, December 2nd 1967. And you wonder why they called it The Summer Of Love?!
My parents marriage, partnership, [...]

The Innocent Newsletter often brings with it something amusic to brighten up the afternoon. This YouTube clip is very silly, and utterly beguiling and had me laughing a bit too loudly in the office.
Why French TV is much more entertaining that British.

It’s a grey and rainy Tuesday with nothing to do till Duke Special tonight.  Cary and Paul have headed off to airports and realities, leaving me in the glorious situation of feeling both loved and talked-out, and with a long stretch of quiet ahead.

Innocence Mission through the speakers.  Check
Living Etc Magazine left behind by Cary.  [...]