The Martians Have Landed And We Have Their Hands


Actually, these aren’t pictures of alien extremities or even extra terrestrial apparel. I’ve been helping my Beloved with props for the school play she’s running. Still, I think they look good.
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And this just in from top poet Jo Bell:
“Ding Dong Merrily on High…
Christmas events and offers from Bell Jar

For the creative person in your life –
why not give them a poetry workshop?

Gift certificates available for:
4 February workshops in Macclesfield £40
4 April workshops in Macclesfield £40
A February workshop in Disdbury £15

Or while away the winter evenings with a poetic event:

Tuesday 2nd December 7.30
Christmas Bells at Neston Library, Cheshire
Jo Bell reads Christmassy prose and poetry –
with music from handbell ringers plus mulled wine and mince pies

Saturday 6th December 8.00
Hoo-Hah Poetry in the Space, Lansdown, Stroud
With Jo Bell, Matt Harvey and Peter Wyton
Details at
www.bell-jar.co.uk

Drat

So, you’re out with your beloved and her friend last night and you’re having a very pleasant evening. And you end up speaking to your friend on the phone – you’ve not spoken to him in a while so that’s good. And he tells you you’ve forgotten another friend’s birthday.

Bugger.

Sorry, Luke.

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And I’d like to wish the wonderful Anne Brooke all the very best. She’s just left an online forum I’ve been a member of for years. She will (as the threads suggest) be sorely missed. She’s a star and has helped me loads. She’s also a good friend and a great writer.

Thanks, Anne.

The Future is Unwritten

I watched The Future is Unwritten last night, the Julien Temple film/tribute to the late Joe Strummer. And it was excellent. Anyway, I found this interview clip earlier and a few things struck a chord, so I thought I’d share.

There was a quote which I wish I could remember properly cos I’d have liked to have shared that as well. It was something like: People can change anything.

Thank You

Over this past week or so I’ve had loads of emails from people, some I know, some I’ve never spoken to before, telling me that they like my work. Usually I get that kind of mail now and again and it’s lovely. It’s really great. It’s fab to hear that my work’s enjoyed by people – it’s something I’ll never get tired of hearing. So to all those who’ve taken the time to read what I’ve written and then taken the time to tell me: Thank You.

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And this is cool too, isn’t it? My friend’s (and TOP writer) book cover. Go Jenn.

Faves

This is one of my favourite pieces from Tania Hershman’s The White Road and Other Stories. It’s called Plaits. And as it doesn’t look like I’ll be able to upload me reading I thought I’d treat you to this instead – Tania reading at the Frank O’Connor festival earlier this year.

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2108078&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1
‘Plaits’ from James Murray-White on Vimeo.