August 21st - 27th 2006
Sunday Reread
Saturday Hove
Friday Just to say
Thursday Brighton & Hove
Wednesday Context
Tuesday Hove
Monday Civilised
Sunday 27th August
That new Iain Banks novel that I wrote about last week? I was so enthused by my own fervor that, despite my own advice, I ordered it from Amazon that same evening, paying roughly twice what it would have cost me in a bookshop twofer.
It arrived this morning. Turns out I've read it already.
Saturday 26th August
Hove, Summer 2006
Friday 25th August
This Is Just to Say
by William Carlos Williams
I have eaten
the plums
that were in
the icebox
and which
you were probably
saving
for breakfast
Forgive me
they were delicious
so sweet
and so cold
Variations on a Theme by William Carlos Williams
by his friend Kenneth Koch
I chopped down the house that you had been saving to live in next summer.
I am sorry, but it was morning, and I had nothing to do
and its wooden beams were so inviting.
2
We laughed at the hollyhocks together
And then I sprayed them with lye.
Forgive me. I simply do not know what I am doing.
3
I gave away the money that you had been saving to live on for the next ten years.
The man who asked for it was shabby
and the firm March wind on the porch was so juicy and cold.
4
Last evening we went dancing and I broke your leg.
Forgive me. I was clumsy, and
I wanted you here in the wards, where I am the doctor!
Thursday 24th August
Brighton & Hove, Summer 2006
(click for pix)
Wednesday 23rd August
BRIGHTON PRIDE WEEKEND IN 43 TEXT MESSAGES:
Definitely going. Maybe 10am train as march starts at 11am this year. U?
Whats the vibe on the streets. am trying some last min clothes shopping & failing.x
So far, so good. But the night is young. What do you have planned for yours? A walk to Dukes Mound, I hazard.
Cant believe u av paid for a room & not there yet. u were a badger i swear in ur last carnation.x
yes. Will be there incredibly early as we are meeting friends of my Brazilian date for breakfast. Hear you are there already :-)x
If you're going to San Francisco, wear flowers in your hair. If you're coming to Brighton, wear a hat.
A hat wouldn't go with my shirt. C u soon. I'm bursting with energy. Beware.
Staying in the big city. Enough of big gay gatherings for the moment.
Lovely day for it! On my way to Victoria.
This had better be worth it. Train is a nightmare. Schubert loud on headphones to deal with it. Going to need a stiff drink.
Indeed. am a man of my word. eta 30mins to station then will try to check in hotel. will call when done.x
Sod it. Arranging the flowers in my hair and off to san fran soon.
Whereabouts are you likely to be in one hour's time, is there a march to gawp at?
Aye. Passing through dreary suburbs of south London. Will find hotel, drop bag off (pano) and come get you.
I'm watching from in front of the main pier.
On my way to the church.
Off to charles st.
We are where you last saw us before you plunged into the throng. Outside Wild Fruit tent.
Seated at the ice cream van dominic at wild fruit tent is you fancy meeting me.
Oh, we're not THERE any more. Now at bear tent near entrance.
At van now 1645. Back of van. Seated.
We are looking for you at the x x l tent.
On the left hand side of the caberet tent
About as far as you can get. Outside, basically
They have just sorted r room out.can we say 22.15 at amsterdam terrace.x
Was up at 7 this morning for reason. Two nights running with four hours sleep. Seem to have a croaky voice today. having breakfast with The Lesbians
Last seen heading for the station.
It was spent on a luggage rack, oblivious and wasted, and better than could have been expected. And I have finally been to barcode vauxhall.
What are you doing in Hove?
Wasn't that a 10cc song? I'm now in Hove, so don't forget it... I am wandering in the opposite direction
My journey home was very eventful. How was the rest of your night?
Are you doing the street party?
Mounted a man on the mound. Going home to hose the shit off, then hitting the Bulldog
Train journey back ok. Caught train 2041 which still stopped for every little old lady on the way back. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Gay hotels should know better than to use white linen...
Have you seen mike today? is he ok? I haven't heard from him today.
Outside the Bulldog. You?
Hmd wasn't the same without you.
You out? Or out cold?
Had a quiet eve after all.just having breky.x
I just sneaked my disastrous trade out. Must remember to check if they are top or bottom, on their personal hygiene, mental sanity and sleeping habits
We r doing pavilion at 12
Passing through dreary suburbs of south London.
Tuesday 22nd August
Hove, Summer 2006
Monday 21st August
Iain Banks has new science fiction novel out, The Algebraist set amongst "The Nasqueron Dwellers [who] inhabit a gas giant on the outskirts of the galaxy, in a system awaiting its wormhole connection to the rest of civilisation. In the meantime, they are dismissed as decadents living in a state of highly developed barbarism, hoarding data without order, hunting their own young and fighting pointless formal wars..."
More complex world-building, in other words, hurrah!
I would normally rush to buy it, but given recent news, I might be better off pacing myself.
The novelist has admitted to the Guardian that he feels like a student again, having comprehensively missed the deadline for submitting the manuscript for his next book.
And the reason?
He was too busy playing Civilisation.
......previous week
