I woke at about 5am with the strangest, hardest-to-pin-down headache ever. I was convinced it was something dreadful (likely nothing worse than 'middle of the night' syndrome!). Fought with it for a couple of hours, becoming increasingly frustrated, but caught an interview with Linus Torvalds on BBC News 24 (which I believe was repeated later). Woke after little sleep and blearily caught bus to Burnham. Head still feeling odd. Nice to see folks after a longish absence. Got back, ate too much, read too much and vegetated. Wrote lots of letters to the local newspaper, which always helps.
Early start - out to Sterling Books. Browsed for a long time - first chance to really poke around for a while. Mission accomplished with a copy of Matthew Arnold's Poetical Works following yesterday's inspiration. Wandered and arranged a brief meeting for later. Met the bus, and ended up back in the bookshop. More purchases. Coffee at an outdoor cafe in unexpectedly fine weather. Later, a meal related to one of the many October birthdays - there being lots of people makes me a little wary, but a pleasant event nonetheless. Afterwards, ajourned to Rugby Club where an old friend is now behind the bar, assuring a fine welcome and some good music. Late wander home. A bit gloomy myself later, having gleaned some disturbing news from apparently innocent conversation. Of course, I'm probably just thinking the worst, as ever.
Hmm, wonder what would happen if the Police raided Ulster Unionist offices?. Enough politics. Its been one of those weeks. Alternately tense and dull. No major disasters, but forced to dispatch a brusque e-mail today about root access to the SCO box at work. No harm done it seems, much tidying later - and a chewing gum eating contest. Snatched a quick conversation regarding Tennyson's 'Ulysses' and Arnold's 'Dover Beach' - which was interestingly life-affirming. Off to the 'Theatre in the Hut' - a small shed in a little alleyway which tonight staged a 19th Century style drama called 'Ladies in Retirement' - very entertaining, a good old yarn, and some fine acting from several of the small cast. Not such an irresponsible and unforgettable Friday, but a lot of fun nonetheless.
The beginning of October approaches, and with it I fear the usual string of bizarre happenings, minor disasters and faux pas which characterise the lead up to my birthday. Today, the calamities seemed to be happening to other people around me. Perhaps Friday was a huge one-off strangeness in place of the usual several weeks? Lots of prods towards adulthood too - I tried to open an ISA because it seemed vaguely like what a sensible adult should do. I had a haircut too, and the kind young chap who did it tried to cover some skin by using a strange concoction which smelled like pineapple. I looked modern and pro afterwards, but a bit uncomfortable.
Lost::MikeGTN
I've had a home on the web for more years than I care to remember, and a few kind souls persuade me it's worth persisting with keeping it updated. This current incarnation of the site is centred around the blog posts which began back in 1999 as 'the daylog' and continued through my travels and tribulations during the following years.
I don't get out and about nearly as much these days, but I do try to record significant events and trips for posterity. You may also have arrived here by following the trail to my former music blog Songs Heard On Fast Trains. That content is preserved here too.
