Learn To Fly - August 20 2002

07.21 am I have just lost all the stuff I typed between 07.09 and
now, by hitting the wrong key on the Vaio, so all the stuff I wrote has
just vanished. Maybe it was rubbish what I was saying so I think I will
not try to re-type what I said previously. So here we go again.

It is cold now, and I have the back door open in the dining room where
all my stuff is. I hope it isnt cold like this at Reading.

Yesterday (19) I fed the cats and Tabby didnt like what he was given.
When he doesnt like something he sniffs it and walks off. Longhair has
his biscuits.

I woke up and went online, then I played guitar. Then I listened to a
CD a friend had sent of his band, which was good sixties garage punk. I
messaged Erin. Then I went into Leigh to meet my wife at the new
Mariner's Court. We had a coffee and I had a nice lunch of scambled
eggs and smoked salmon. I had thought it would be a titchy meal but it
wasnt.

I went to Fives, and rang Erin on the way but she was busy and I didnt
get to talk to her. I assumed she was out with friends at the
time.

In Fives I listened to three Foo Fighters CDs on the sound system and
bought the lot. I havent heard them before and only had the name of one
song (which Erin had mentioned) and a recommendation about the first
album from someone else. This meant I didnt buy the Who BBC Sessions.
Not that I had planned to of course, because I didnt know the CD
existed till it was there.

I had a cup of tea in Hippos and looked through the CDs before I walked
home again. It was very hot. I played guitar again, the Strat I had
bought Saturday. And the sweat being generated was phenomenal .

I had had an idea for a story while in Leigh, so I sat down and wrote
2500 words about that. It was about two friends who haven't seen each
other for six months and the changes that have happened.

Then I went online and spoke to D and also to Erin. I showed them the
story as I was quite pleased with it. Erin came back with a lot of
comments. Some of them I hadnt thought about till then. We chatted for
a long while, but I think Erin had a lot of other stuff to sort out so
we werent that talkative with a lot of pauses in the chat.

Characters can make or break the story, and its cool when you get a
character worked out and defined. I sometimes draw on personal
experience for my characters or my imagination. I think it makes them
more real. And also places, if I have been to a place I can describe it
better than a place I have never been too.

I am listening to Dookie again, the song "She" has come on. It's one of
my favourite songs.

I got disconnected from chat then my wife reminded me I was supposed to
be curfewed at 11, and it was 11.30 so I had to say hello and goodbye
to Erin, instead of chatting some more.

Last night it wasnt that hot but I have taken to sleeping on top of the
covers, I suppose I am trying to get an idea of how cold it may be at
night at Reading in the tent, and if it is cold I shall have to sleep
fully clothed.

This holiday has been quite lazy, I have bought two guitars, and lots
of CDs and bits and pieces for Reading. I know I was supposed to do a
lot of tidying up, but havent had the time, or it has been too hot to
be bothered. A lot of CDs I have bought so far have been by bands I
hope to see at Reading.

I must get some self heating coffee. My wife says a banana is not a
proper meal, but I dont eat much nowadays. I dont see the point. She
did say that I should take cans of baked beans and eat them cold. Thats
ounds great, cigarettes, coffee, bananas and baked beans. I think I
will skip the baked beans.

One thing I remembered last night is that I was popular with girls I
knew, and I seemed to be able to hit it off quite easily with girls I
hadnt met before.

It is raining now. Rain seems to play an important role in my emotional
life.