predencia

In the book Walking in This World Julia Cameron suggest that all artists including writers should do something every week that have nothing to do with their art.

On Tuesday I went shopping for a new pair of sandals in Birmingham city center.

There was a busking band playing Latin American music. As I danced on the other side of the road the band leader invited me to come and dance with the band.

‘What the hell’ I thought as I dropped my bags danced to the lambada. He joined me and we provided a light moment for the many passers by. I think I also helped to increase their takings.

Friday 8^th November 2013

I went to see my friend Roy McFarlane in a performance at the Midland Arts Centre (MAC) tonight. I was early for the 8 p.m. start I thought it was, only to be told as I picked up my ticket that the show started at 7.30. Why did I think it was 8??

It was an evening organised by Britain’s leading poetry company Apples and Snakes, and showcased four very different poets.

Watching them I had a yearning to be back on stage, a feeling I haven’t had in a long time. Maybe I’ve been too focused on writing and have neglected performing.

Less time on the phone and I may have made it on time

Thursday 7^th November 2013

I went to a book launch tonight. Bishop Joe Aldred was celebrating yet another publication. One that encourages us to ‘think outside the box’.

It was a very well attended event. The energy was great, the presenters were respectful of time and there was much humour. Then there was the one about the dead donkey, the ashes in dumplings and the spider in the soup.

His daughter‘s wonderful voice filled the open space at the Drum and the food was delicious.

I met a friend from Cameroon whom I haven’t seen for a while. He was so taken with my trip there that he’s coming to see me at the weekend to hear more.

There’s something about being in the company of writers that makes me want to write.

Monday 28^th October 2013

This last week I’ve taken to my bed more than usual, the result of being exhausted after my Cameroon experience.

When I wasn’t actually sleeping, (which I’ve done a lot of), I’ve been reflecting on the way my blog has been dominated by this ancestral search in the past few months.

Blogging has become a significant part of my writing. I’ve been reminding myself that I originally began the blog to try and trace whether my spiritual development would have any discernible effect on my creative writing.

At the moment I seem to be doing less and less creative writing. I’m trying to regain the drive and passion for the purely creative.

I’ve never seen myself as a journalist, yet I have spent many hours and many thousands of words journaling, both publicly and privately.

If there are any creative writers who also blog I’d…

Wednesday 23^rd October 2013

Just before I left Cameroon someone asked me what I’ll miss. As I thought about my answer it seemed that most of the things I’ll miss have a counterbalancing thing that I won’t miss.

1.     Cleanliness

I won’t miss open garbage. The way rubbish is dropped on the streets, although it does form a rather interesting mosaic when mixed into to the red mud.

Every first Thursday of the month is ‘Clean-up’ day. I was happy when I heard that it was a day for making the environment more beautiful. But sadly it seemed to only apply to people’s cars, frontages and homes. The communal areas remained neglected.

I won’t miss open urination by men – however much rain there is. Neither will I miss outside toilets. Although I’m no stranger to doing my business outside (years of hiking in Britain) I prefer not to…