Keeping It Going

Monday 16th October 2017

Slow day but eventually got through my work list. Didn’t see an orange sky or a yellow sky. Just a grey one. Lucky we missed most of Ophelia but the wind is scarily strong now and the rafters are creaking loudly tonight. All it takes is some structural damage and I’ll be in debt and stacking shelves somewhere to meet the repair bill. Last time it was the garden wall that collapsed… Listened to the new Marilyn Manson album today. At one point I thought, yeah he’s become the David Essex of goth metal, ha-ha. But I still like him really. Although I think The Pale Emperor was a better album. Also listened to more Alison Moyet and some Eddie Cochran hits – ‘C’mon Everybody’ and ‘Something Else’ – performed by Led Zeppelin. Need to get back on track. Busy days ahead. 10.42 pm.

Tuesday 17th October 2017

Bit lethargic of late. Had a canny lunchtime chat about the wonders of Barry’s Bargain Superstore. Cheap comfort food makes me very happy. Workshop this afternoon was a half-term recap with read backs and feedback, then focused writing in the second hour. Read a hundred pages of Selima Hill’s new poetry collection, Splash Like Jesus, at the Lit and Phil… Mint night at Babble Gum. Loads of top open mic from visitors and regulars. Strong poem about anorexia by Pearl. Awesome totally improvised Halloween poem by Tim from Bristol. Darkness hiding in daylight from Ian Waugh. I read from Free To Be Me and sold a couple of copies. Great set by David O’Hanlon – all new stuff including Letter to Therapist. Hannah Welfare had a great dark witch poem to open her set. Renata and Trev played some new and familiar songs, including Good Quality Darkness. Host Alix Alixandra had a new poem ‘Imagine a Woman’ and along with Matt Miller – who also performed – did a sterling job of keeping the night going. Headliner Genevieve L Walsh was outstanding. Loved her Lighten Up poem – lots of grit and darkness laced with humour. Good to hang out with Jenni after the gig. Wish I’d bought Genevieve’s book but short of cash. 11.00 pm.

Wednesday 18th October 2017

Good session at Appletree. Read some more snapshots from Jessie Lynn McMains’ Reckless Chants #24. More positive feedback for ‘Free to Be Me’. Evening class went well. Ten people came. Want to keep it informal, some may need extra guidance. Swift ride home. Crisps and chocolate. A mint, if somewhat disturbing, newsletter from Julia Eff about escaping from domestic violence. Great Genevieve L Walsh poems on YouTube. 

11.17 pm.

Thursday 19th October 2017

Morning pages, emails, bank transactions. Picked up books from Consett library ( including ‘Room at the Top’ by John Braine and ‘Ask the Dust’ by John Fante. Two hours travel each way for a fabulous night at The Stanza in North Shields. Strong sets from all the guests – Hannah Welfare, Aaron Wright, Jeff Price, Ian Waugh and Alix Alixandra. Also good to hear house band Renata and Trev for a second time this week. Loads of top open mic as well – Megan Pattie, Ross Punton, Chris Hodgson, numerous others. Thanks to all who bought my pamphlet. Chuffed to catch last bus home. 11.13 pm.

Friday 20th October 2017

Slept late coz I didn’t get to bed till around two. Posted a pamphlet link on Facebook. Sold another copy. Spent much of the day reading stuff online. Articles on anti-natalism; Universal Credit; Rollins on US president. Also opening pages of Widdershins by Helen Steadman: it’s about 17th century Newcastle witch trials. Some of the action is set in Consett near my place. Attempted to upload the Kindle version of the novel to android tablet but it didn’t work. I’ll get the book the way it should be bought – on paper! Will try to read it in its entirety before the author’s talk at Books on Tyne Festival on Tuesday 28th November. Her Consett appearance on Halloween clashes with a workshop and it’s too late now to arrange a trip there for Waddy writing group. Also no guarantee they’d like to attend. Listened to The Clash’s first album and Johnny Marr doing Smiths songs tonight. 11.03 pm.

Saturday 21st October 2017

Awake at half five. Up around eight after the usual writing routine. Out to the Post Office to send off a pamphlet. Read some workshop theory then started whittling down the prototype ‘deluxe’ Anomalies 400 pages of contents to ‘standard’ length. It’s now 180 pages, but that’s still too many for a single signature fold and stitch book. 140 plus a picture insert sheet is probably the limit. Ate too much junk again. Canny day. 11.39 pm.

Sunday 22nd October 2017

Jenni is away at a Sage Francis and B. Dolan gig in York. Got my room de-cluttered today. Filed papers and trashed old handouts. Not a lot of time for much else, besides prep for a mid week evening workshop whilst listening to a live recording from the current Jarboe / Father Murphy European tour. Enjoyed my chicken rendang and rice. Bed soon. 11.21 pm.