Went into the office for a little bit this morning after a lovely breakfast. I should really start eating breakfast, but the morning arrives so early. Went for a walk with Patty this afternoon & took a bunch of photos – I’d really like to learn more about photography & take more photos in general; I suppose it appeals to my visual nature. It was fun but he & I differ in taste: he prefers macro nature pics while I prefer more urban landscapes – something that tells me a bit about who we are. Got a bit of sun on the way as well. Heading out tonight for the first time in at least two months. looking forward to a bit of debauch. Then tomorrow I finish the first draft of the play & begin shaping it a bit more. I’m really hoping that it plays itself out on the page the way it’s currently running in my head, but time will tell with that one. It’s cool now that it’s a bit later. Far more comfortable. have to remember to pick up that accordion while I’m back in Canada – I will learn how to play.

The big costume sale preview was today for all of the staff at The REP. We’re downsizing our costume store here during the closure period so anything that could go must go. Definitely some neat stuff – like the horse or donkey head or whatever that is in the photo. picked up an almost brand new pair of converse for something like £5. Also bought a jacket & waistcoat that I thought was fairly nifty but when I got home Patty said they looked stupid. Oh well.

Doing a ‘transition year’ project at the moment that mixes primary school kids with kids from the secondary school they’ll be going to next year. I’m really pleased with how well it’s going so far – they seem to be getting it & enjoying it. pitched about 2/3rds of the first draft of the commission I’m writing in the evening – I had already given them a draft that was crap so I was glad when this one didn’t read like some angsty teenagers poem. Prior to that I was meeting with a west midlands based theatre artist and we waxed philosophic about making theatre in the midlands & writing in general. I’ve come to the realisation that when I write when I’m tired it generally reads like a 16 year old wrote it, so I must ensure I get some sleep so I don’t embarrass myself again with the second draft of this commission. I’m quite pleased with how it’s turning out so far. This draft was far more focused. I’m going to finish it this weekend & start on the second draft. It seems as though I’m on a roll, but that may be because I fell asleep on the couch. Deadlines coming up soon. It’s definitely the sprint to the finish now.

Long days again this week. Not sleeping enough. Lots of projects coming to a head so I’m becoming a bit anxious – wondering if I’ve missed anything, which I’m sure I have somewhere. Really looking forward to the primary school project that I’ve been working on for about a month & a half now – they’re performing next week (the picture below is a backdrop for one of their plays). All in all I hope it’s worth it. First draft of the commission I’m writing for a community group is due tomorrow, so writing is going to take up this evening. The weather is a bit warm for my liking at the moment but I suppose I haven’t become accustomed to the summer quite yet – Jesus… I’m writing about the weather… that’s where I’m at, at the moment. Listened to a radio programme that linked increases in domestic violence to how well England does at the world cup; apparently the rate goes up when they lose, and we thought hockey was bad. Budget cuts here have been taking their toll on the arts – one of my colleagues is going to lose their job because of it. Never before has government policy so directly effected me – scary stuff. The economy here is in ruins we’re told, and with a welfare state like the one they’re running I can’t imagine how they’ve kept it going for so long. I feel like a conservative when I hear how much money has been wasted. We’ll see how these changes go I suppose. That seems like the only sensible thing to do.

Last thing: heard a radio interview with a philosopher cabby in London that asks all his passengers to write down advice & quotes, and I think he unknowingly gave some great advice as well. ‘Some of it is genius, and some of it is phalluses & foul language.’ He was speaking about the quality of some of his replies but I think that remark may extend far beyond what he meant it to – I know that my days seem to be a broad mix of those.

To be honest: I should have stayed in bed today. Arrived at the school I’m currently working in & just didn’t have it in me, which is bad news because the kids perform their plays next week. Uh-oh. Then when I get to the theatre, it turns out that in advance of the ‘Emergency Budget’ due out tomorrow there have been extensive cuts to the arts sector & one of my colleagues is probably going to lose their job – again this is before the ‘big cuts’ happen. Uh-oh. After this is all said & done, it turns out that I may not be paid for the play I’m writing for this community group – and I’ve definitely already spent that money on a trip to visit family. Uh-oh.

So, what’s there to do but go home, sit on the couch and wash away the memory of it all with some booze & gratuitious violence (note the picture with the empty glass of wine & the man bleeding to death on the telly).

Let’s see what tomorrow has in store.

Spending the day in London with the boy; that’s him in the photo. We’re off to see ‘The Miniaturists’ at the Arcola – a series of short plays one of which was written by a friend of a friend & is directed by another friend. Should be fun. Prior to that we were hanging about the British Library, seeing the sights, checking out an exhibition on maps. This may sound bad but it wasn’t as interesting as I hoped it to be. About a month ago I watched a great BBC documentary on maps; can’t remember the name but it contextualized everything a bit better & made sense of the details that I find really interesting. Valuable nonetheless. Would have preferred to see the exhibit on surveillance at the Tate Modern but it wasthe boys turn to choose. Lovely day out regardless. Would very much prefer not to go to work tomorrow.