…grayblog…

Category: old blogging

  • Anyone going to Cocteaufest? And

    Anyone going to Cocteaufest? And could anyone have thought of a less tacky name for it?

  • Read this – Tom seeks

    Read this – Tom seeks his father. Or at least contemplates seeking him.
    Both of my parents are still very much alive, still married, and have lived in the same area since the Second World War. I see them both almost every day, and have done for all of my life. Whilst sometimes that can be a bit crowded and lead to family friction, I think I’d find it very strange if they weren’t around. But then I have never known anything different, and perhaps, when that time comes, I will find new dimensions to life that I hadn’t previously discovered or explored. Then again, their absence may just leave a big hole. Either way, I hope that the day when that becomes reality is a long way off.

  • I forgot to link to

    I forgot to link to this the other day: Telegraph interview with Haruki Murakami.

    The hero of Murakami’s stories, which are invariably written in the first person, is a sort of Japanese everyman for the modern age. We might assume that he is a version of Murakami himself. This Murakami doppelganger is somewhere in his twenties or thirties. He works as a minor cog in the wheels of the service industry – commercial translation, writing advertising copy – something below his intellectual capabilities. He’s sometimes unemployed. Work bores him. He lives in Tokyo, most usually in an egg-carton apartment building close to a flyover. He is sometimes married or has a girlfriend, but he’s essentially a loner. He usually has a cat.

    He listens to a lot of music – rock, classical and jazz (Bill Evans and the Beach Boys are particular favourites) – but nothing Japanese. His listening is frequently interrupted by strange telephone calls – mysterious women offering phone sex; gangsters making quiet threats. He tends to sleep badly, often getting up in the middle of the night to drink whisky and brood on things until day-break. He is a decent sort, bemused by the essential strangeness of life, with more questions than answers. "I can understand his position," says Murakami lightly. "He’s an outsider. He’s his own man. He doesn’t belong to any system or any company. He’s part of me, but he’s not me. He’s looking for something."

  • This evening, I purchased a

    This evening, I purchased a CD, the first in weeks and purely on a Wallpaper recommendation. Andy Votel’s Music To Watch Girls Cry, which, so far, seems excellent, bizarre, amusing and diverse, all in one.

  • A bald man and a

    A bald man and a young girl, presumably his daughter, have just posted a short note through my door.

    LOST – Charlie the Cat! Charlie has been missing for a week now and we are desperate to find her. She is a gorgeous large grey cat with a slight limp. Please can you check in your sheds to make sure she has not been locked in! Charlie is security tagged and was wearing a purple collar. If you have seen her, please call 01243 xxxxxx. Thanks.

    Sad. I bet that girl is really upset. Actually, I wouldn’t mind betting her Dad is upset too.

  • Hot to pick up a

    Hot to pick up a really hot babe. How handy!

  • Been all over East Sussex

    Been all over East Sussex and Kent today, collecting illegal signs before I get into trouble for them.

  • Big excitement in Orchard Street

    Big excitement in Orchard Street this evening. I thought that 181 had been withdrawn from the market, but this morning a large removal lorry drew up outside and packs and boxes were being packed into it as I left for work. This evening, two smaller vans are outside, and packs and boxes are being moved into the building. Notably, a very attractive blonde is also carrying packages in.
    I shall be monitoring this situation closely. Might be time to call on Frannie, as I reckon I could get a better view from upstairs.

  • The boy did good… BBC

    The boy did good…
    BBC Sport – England win Test.
    BBC Sport – dream debut for Kirtley.
    Wisden verdict.
    Cricinfo profile of R J Kirtley – needs updating with the result of this Test.

  • Long hard day at Pashley

    Long hard day at Pashley today. The event was depressed by the lack of recent rain, but was still moderately successful. I’m pooped.