A few weeks ago, I think when I was first tentatively going out again, I mentioned an LCC block which I thought was being renovated, or “regenerated”.  At the time it looked empty, with some windows missing.  It turns out that I was wrong, and it is being demolished.  Most of the form is wrapped … Continue reading 43.  On the way out from Victoria. →

Writing at home, unusually.  The air is cool, pleasant.  It’s half past nine so not especially early.  It feels calm, although there are sounds of the day beginning.  Already the sun is heating up.  Voices are heard.  People do shout rather here.  Cigarette ends seem to land on the balcony from above.  They become part … Continue reading 46.  Thursday morning. →

I don’t know what went wrong.  I’m here now, piecing things together.  Actually not piecing together.  Working out what to do next.  Cutting things out.  Planning.  New spaces.  Different life.  Different people.  I have to do this every few years.  Different writing.  Different habits.  Not piecing together, tearing apart.  Separating good from bad.  Letting go … Continue reading 15X. 11th March 2022 →

Re-starting serious writing again, after a long break.  Transitioning to think like an artist again. I’m at the great Chiltern Court.  It’s odd to think that John Betjeman came here in a past era.  If he was here now he’d probably mingle with the locals, he seemed a jovial type.   People from the past sometimes … Continue reading 152.  “Is there anybody clearing the tables because I don’t think there is anybody clearing the tables” →

An announcement this afternoon that new restrictions are to begin tomorrow.  This is the most urgent implementation yet, I believe.  Stay at home, essential shops only to open, go out for a walk but only with one other person, and so on.  This just reinforces the feeling of detachment, end, disengagement, empty time.  The bookshop … Continue reading 82.  Watching, not joining.  The Saturday before Christmas. →

It was a last minute decision to come here.  It’s okay.  Spacious, screens.  There’s a commotion about a group of young people.  They’re arguing.  That happens in groups of people, which is why I don’t function in them, or engage in situations with multiple people.  The mixed race man with check trousers is here, not … Continue reading 104.  Thursday afternoon at Cannon Street. →

At St Pancras.  I do like it here.  It’s more expensive than the other speakeasies I frequent, but more decadent, populated by continental travelling people.  I haven’t stolen any plates for ages, it’s not really possible with the number of attentive people hovering.  They’re mostly pleasant though. An attractive man opposite.  Pale, young, comfortable face, … Continue reading 66.  Friday. →

The first Sunday of the new year.  Why do we call it the “new” year?  Why not just the year? A cloud of irritability is settling in.  It is still bitterly cold outside, with a dark gery sky and wet streets.  Yesterday morning I cycled around the west end.  I’ve been intending to do this … Continue reading 86.  Sunday afternoon.  Murder, all bran and rape. →

I’m maybe oversensitive to it but it feels as though the distancing and mask thing is loosing importance and momentum now.  There’s a Hoggarth/Lord Of The Flies vibe of destruction abroad.  I don’t want to waste energy gatekeeping it.  There will be self-appointed expert authorities doing that for years to come.  The Melvyn Hayes character … Continue reading 45.  Another day.  Roughly the same place. →