I promise to come back here .. and write, more regularily.

Posted by Mark at 12:41 AM | Permalink

Perhaps 10:30 isn’t that late but as I get more and more tired with this it seems it to me.

The weather is on the turn today so it’s put an end to me sitting out to read, or write. or listen. Instead I sat in the study and sorted the pictures out for lessons two and three. I’m pleased I’ve managed to get on so well and the bonus is that lesson four is a review of a magazine and basically a written submission so that shouldn’t take too long to sort out. A few speedy submissions will mean I catch up for lost time. Working upstairs I caught up with a few favourite radio programmes thanks to the BBC’s excellent Listen Again service. Of course the downside of this is that you have the benefit of hindsight. It has been chillingly demonstrated by From Our Own Correspondent, which I listened to on Saturday and enjoyed so much I listened again tonight. It was a day after filing his report that Frank Gardener was shot and seriously injured. His report contained the line, spoken by himself, “This is not the Saudi Arabia I know”. Very prophetic.

Why am I staying up ? Well I have always been interested in American history and the latest chapter of it is being played out with the funeral of Ronald Regan. Tonight the BBC are covering the parade moving his body to the Rotunda in the capital, where all those years ago he was sworn in. It will come as a shock to many Americans to see the pomp and pageantry of the state funeral and no doubt re-awake the memories of Jackie Kennedy, who re-instated the old tradition of the riderless horse for JFK and of his young son saluting his father’s body. There’s little poignancy in this occasion but the solemnity in which America conducts this occasion is in sharp contrasts to the way it’s behaved abroad recently.

Posted by Mark at 10:57 PM | Permalink

Monday's has been, for as long as I remember, a night for jazz. From the Mondays of my college years when I drove to Winchester listening to a French jazz station crackling away on the radio in my old Sunbeam to later, when I lived in the city, and walked to the pub where we'd entertain people until last orders, then drink with the landlord until we'd wander home or to Toby's for food and a ceaseless collection of records and stories.

Tonight really was no different. A evening on the patio with beer and Iberico, the hard white Spanish cheese in oil, and Radio Two and Humprey Littleton. A wide range of jazz, tbe best being Coleman Hawkins playing "If I Could be With You One Hour Tonight". Not a bad sentiment...

Posted by Mark at 10:29 PM | Permalink

Words are more and more important to me.

Reading, writing and listening to the radio confirm how important they are and what a nice change it makes from a world where we are so visually stimulated. I was listening today to the BBC's From Our Own Correspondant. Perhaps not the succinct, punchy style of Letter from America but still very interesting. I bought a notepad today, smaller than the one I carry in my photo bag but big enough to make a few notes and the odd list. I also bought a flashgun. I hate flash work but I think I need one for the course, or at least an understanding of how to use one. So far I'm confused and need to sit down and work at understanding it. I think I'm like Edward Hopper, I see light. Light which is there, not battery produced. I also met an acrobat today, vaulting over children in Covent Garden. It's amazing the people you find in life.

Hot day, shoppings done and lesson two is read. I just need the photographs to send it. Tomorrow's a new day.

Posted by Mark at 10:45 PM | Permalink

I've been really busy today.

I can't beleive how many bills I had to pay today. A whole load appeared in one large lump pushed through the letterbox. From TV licence to Tibet Society they all arrived and needed paying. Luckily almost all can be done online now so no need to find stamps, envelopes or even write them with my increasingly bad handwriting. I could have been a doctor, I have the handwriting for it.

After bills I had washing then pictures and BFP things to read. I badly need to get on with lesson two and submit that to cater for the 3 week turn around.

Still no news on the work laptop so I will have to chase that on Monday.

This evening was a simple meal of pitta, rocket and hummus with lamb cooked in harrisa, mint (from my new herb box on the window sill) and lemon juice. Now that Amy has moved and taken her cat Part Owned is making a re-apperance and decided to come sit on my lap and watch me drink white wine. In the last sun, with the cricket commentary on it was a nice end to the day.

Posted by Mark at 10:44 PM | Permalink

Not a lot good happened ... tomorrow I need to sort out stuff and make an effort to move forward in life and work .....

Posted by Mark at 11:45 PM | Permalink