If I do not write this I will definitely, spontaneously combust. There is so much to tell you and get off my chest; I can't carry it around any longer. Even my new uplifting bras can't cope with this strain.
Through the gap between the detached houses opposite our terrace of three, the oilseed rape field glows neon yellow on the horizon. I think of Dorothy and her friends travelling together on the yellow brick road and try to use my brain, my heart and my courage to their full capacity, as I continue on my own journey. I also spy with my little eye lots of lovely bluebells in the woods where I dwell.
A list of good things that have happened lately:
Romeo selling some of his ceramics
Dancing for four hours at an 80s/Wham Disco
Easter holidays: including a fabulous family trip to Dublin to see my sbf (special best friend)
Mini-Me begins his first ever full and beloved cricket season
Dirtbag travels solo from Huddersfield to Middlesborough by train, to stay with a desert found friend
Family Party weekend in Wales (a total of 35 Hoyles were there!)
Nose Piercing Update
I knew the time had come to change it. Trusting that I could do this myself, I inhaled deeply and began trying to unscrew the minute silver ball. After about thirty minutes I almost gave up.
Don't give up Susie, most people do, but don't. See how these encouraging words apply to all sorts of situations and not just writing? Keep on unscrewing and screwing Susie.
Eventually the tiny stud came loose and fell off into my hand. Next, I had to carefully pull the metal bar from a tangle of nasal hairs and crusty snot from the inside of my nostril. Nothing to worry about there wasn't any blood pouring forth. I'd imagined the hole in my nose being quite visible and gaping but almost immediately it seemed to close up like a clam shell, sending me into a mild panic. How would I ever shove the smaller bar up my nostril and into the pierced site? With MUCH difficulty as I was to discover. It was such a challenge, more so than any physical test I have endured, except childbirth, naturally. Prodding and pushing, stabbing and jabbing away made it red and sore again. Finally, I pushed it through the opening and saw it poking out on the other side. Euphoria was swiftly replaced by more stress as I couldn't for the life of me screw the minute pale blue jewel into the new smaller stem. I felt like Gulliver attempting to tie a Lilliputian's shoe lace, all fingers and thumbs getting nowhere fast. Knowing that something so ridiculously small, could fall from my sweaty pincer grip and be lost forever in the worn tread of our bedroom carpet, filled me with woe.
Romeo came to see what I was doing. He doesn't trust me being alone in these days of my crisis, for fear of what I get up to. Lots of mischief at best, as you will find out if you carry on reading. Beginning to really stress out, I started frantically cursing and told him to go away and leave me alone. Poor man.
About an hour later, I emerged all dressed up and ready to go out, grinning with pride and revealing my new sparkly nose stud. Naturally, I apologised for my psychotic outburst. Was it all worth it I ask myself? Of course it was! I love it and can change my piercing as often and erratically as my moods dictate.
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| SOLD: The Souq |
Record Store Day 2017
My favourite radio station BBC Radio 6 Music were broadcasting live from Vinyl Tap in Huddersfield on Friday 21st April. It was Lauren Laverne's show with guests including my favourite, living poet, Simon Armitage. We had just returned from our fab Dublin trip and after much deliberating, I decided to stay at home and listen to the show from the comfort of my kitchen. (The dance floor is tiled and the permanent disco ball glitters from the ceiling). Although, I had contacted the shop to see if I could be part of the live audience and Adam kindly replied that I could, subject to space. Not wanting to get up early to queue, as many did, I thoroughly enjoyed the three hour show further promoting a cool, local independent business and my hometown. However, the following day I popped into town on the train to support the shop on actual record store day. Dressing casually in my black jeans and colourful trainers, long sleeved turquoise top with my Arabian Colour Run T.shirt over that, featuring a splash of rainbow across my bosom, with its gold embossed shine, specifically contouring my left breast. I may as well point people in a positive direction if they follow me at all. Chucking on a blue charity shop cardigan, hair roughly tied up, large silver hoop earrings in place and the look was complete. Oh and with a raincoat just in case, I set off. Would I have made more effort if I'd have known the outcome of my day? Possibly. Never one to hold back on her opinions these days, Dirtbag had earlier remarked rather derrogatorily, 'Muuuum, what are you wearing?' I said something like, 'I'm a comfortable, cool, retro 80s style hippy chick!' And invited her to come with me but she politely refused. So, I trundled along on the train, with a small army of hopeful Huddersfield Town fans going to the home game that afternoon. Incidentally, they lost 4-1, if you're interested.
Back to the real action.
Downstairs in Vinyl Tap the small stage was loudly rocking with a young local band and all sorts of people were casually milling around leafing through racks of albums. There was a good atmosphere and I didn't mind being on my own. After about fifty minutes or so I was thinking of moving, when lo and behold but who should appear two record racks in front of me? None other than my local literary hero. Smiling to myself and having a quick, silent pep talk to be as normal as possible, I casually strolled up alongside him. I will try really hard to accurately recount our little chat without any hyperbole.
Me: Hi Simon, can I just say 'Hi' to you?
Simon: Yeah, Hi.
Me: (here we go, trying not to sound like Kathy Bates' character, Annie Wilkes, in the film Misery) I love your work, I'm a big fan of yours.
Simon: (humble and smiling) Thank you.
Me: (not giving up now) The show went well yesterday didn't it? I listened to it from home, it sounded really good.
Simon: Yes, it was good. (he did say something other than this but I don't want to make up his dialogue and misquote the genius).
At this point I began rambling on about my husband and ten year old being at cricket, teenager still in bed, told him that we had been living abroad and how much I loved being back home in Huddersfield. I was probably trying to make him feel at ease in my presence or something. Feeling very normal and relaxed I carried on, despite him glancing down at some records. I wasn't finished yet.
Me: You didn't do anything at this year's literary festival did you?
Simon: No, but I probably will next year.
I'd noticed a poster stuck on the wall boasting the day and its events. At the bottom it read: After Party 6 pm - Late AT Magic Rock Tap DJ sets from Vinyl Tap & Simon Armitage.
Me: What's this DJ set you're doing tonight then? It's a bit different to a poetry reading.
Simon: (seeming quite excited about this) I'm just sorting some records out for it now, you should come along.
I think I did allow a natural, giggly laugh out at this point. It was almost like Shakespeare his very self asking me to prompt from the wings at a staging of Romeo and Juliet in The Globe Theatre.
Me: Well, I wasn't planning on staying out all day and night but I'll think about it.
(those of you who know me really well can imagine my broad grin and blue eyes flashing mischief here)
Simon: (looking intently at the records now, surely giving me a hint to get lost)
Me: I'll let you get on then. Thanks for chatting to me. Keep writing.
He did smile and say goodbye and was generally very humble and pleasant. I was my honest self throughout this chat and thrilled to tell him face to face that I love his work. Because I can't tell all the brilliant dead poets and authors that can I? And it's important to encourage one another in our natural gifts and talents isn't it? For me it was the perfect chance meeting and I felt so happy just to spend a little bit of normal, northern time together in our hometown. Not sure that the feeling was mutual but he did smile at me. Grinning, I went back upstairs and looked at more vinyl. Despite not having a record player yet, I bought Solid Air by John Martyn because it's very cool. I love the songs and the album cover equally. And, just for the record, I still don't do drugs, even though Go Down Easy is one of my favourite tracks. Or maybe I have misunderstood and it's just about lying down with someone you love?
Wait a minute Suze, did you go to the gig at the brewery then? Of course I did. I supped four halves of Dancing Bear (Number 1 on the blackboard and the weakest ale on tap). One half was bought for me by a lovely couple, who along with their lovely friends kept me company, as I was alone. It turned out that Romeo had taught their kids a few years ago and sang with ThunderBridge at their wedding! Trying not to panic I kept careful watch so no one would hang the DJ. I recall singing along to Bigmouth Strikes Again by The Smiths and Seconds by The Human League. The Dancing Bear was well behaved though and didn't make a fool of herself. Although, I did scribble a note to the poet DJ on a beer mat with the link to my blog on it, saying he would probably feature in the next post. I gave this to Tony, the owner of Vinyl Tap, and asked him to pass it on. So really, I'm just keeping my word here while recording my wonderful life. Remember that this is mostly a selfish act to make me laugh when I am an old woman.
Catching the last train home, I felt slightly giddy. It isn't a Wonderbra but it certainly gave me a boost and stopped my confidence from sagging throughout this exciting day.
Thank you for continuing to read my diary and sharing in my adventures.
Keep on, keeping on whatever you enjoy doing and that which makes you happy.
I know you, I love you,
And I'll be your friend
I could follow you, anywhere
Even through solid air
Lyrics from Solid Air by John Martyn, obviously.
With Love xx
Recently read: The Good Guy by Susan Beale, The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis and An Idyll in Winter (short story) by William Trevor
Listening to:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtW1S5EbHgU
Singing: our folk repertoire for the upcoming festival
http://www.shepleyspringfestival.co.uk/
Dancing to: We Got The Power by Gorillaz, The One 2 by !!! and Inner City Blues by Marvin Gaye
Watched: Philomena (2013), Revolutionary Road (2008) and The Wizard of Oz (1939).
