Corrinne F

Ooh, I’m in the gang!

I used to wear original Opium in the 1980s/90s, but when Black Opium came out in 2014 I found it suited me better. Your skin reacts differently to perfume over time, which is a pity because some of the scents I wore as a teenager/in my 20s were lovely but they smell different on me now.

It really is. The shops used be full in the run-up to Christmas. When I did a Saturday job on the perfume counter at Army & Navy back in the ‘90s we were lucky to get our tea break at this time of year.

Well that was lovely. Another few hours in a restaurant with a dear friend that went way too fast. I could’ve sworn Bromley had more life midweek in the old days, though. We walked through town to her bus stop and it was deserted except for some teenagers drinking in the darkened Christmas market.

Not that you can see the moon. I am awaiting my mate on a rainswept street in Bromley, forgetting that when she says “Am leaving now” it means “Am still in my house” half an hour later.

YouTube video by Idris Muhammad - Topic Moon Hymn

Full moon again tonight
youtu.be/Z5l0qqQzuZ0

Back at the Travelodge awaiting my mate Bev’s call to say she’s on her way. This could take a while, knowing her liberal attitude to time, but I’m quite glad of the chance to rest. Last year’s trip was a week long and I fitted *loads* in, but this time I really don’t seem to have as much energy.

They’re too one-sided to be a chocolate bar imo

“Gross perjury somewhere”

They’ll be dunking on Leibniz next

Left Falmouth in such a rush I forgot to pack various things. Like perfume. Luckily London, even outer London, has huge glittering palaces containing such items as are rarely seen in small seaside towns in the far west. I couldn’t afford to *buy* Black Opium, but made liberal use of the tester.

Your art is beautiful.

LinkedIn still rattling on about connecting with people I don’t know and have ZERO interest in connecting with. For the last time, I am not on a roll.

The Bee Gees/Diana Ross's Chain Reaction echoing through an arcade is rather good. (I am not interested in alternative opinions.)

Drum Drum eBook : Chapman, Rob: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

My new novel Drum is now available to pre-order as a Kindle. You can't pre-order the pb but they are both out on Jan 1st. Like most people I've had to raise my prices v slightly but I hope you will think my endeavours worthy of the price of a couple of trendy coffees.
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0G2TD6M2Q

Brilliant news! Pre-order placed.

The unbelievable cheek of it!

All quiet on the Russian front.

I remain stupidly tired, even after two nights’ reasonable sleep. Just after 10am and still in my hotel room, which is echoing with the sound of the shopping arcade PA. Heard every Christmas song at top volume this morning. But I’ve also updated the website, sent a mailout and applied for a job, so…

I’ve been told it’s now seen as aggressive! As opposed to grammatical. But what do I know? I’m the ancient of days.

Wishing you all the best and hope everything goes smoothly

Found art II

A belated happy birthday, Glenn 🎂🎉

THE CAT Steinberg recounts that in his house he drew his cat on the wall. Afterwards, the real cat would always stay there, close to its image. Reversal: in the universe of Steinberg, it is the image that tames the thing. (The images of Steinberg are of pets.)

Roland Barthes on Saul Steinberg’s cat:

Text: The great road unrolled its vast burden, the climate came to the rescue—it always does— and we were shaken as in a hat and distributed on the ground. I wish I could tell the next thing. But in dreams I can't, so will let this thing stand in for it, this me I have become, this loving you either way.

John Ashbery
from "From Estuaries, From Casinos", HOTEL LAUTRÉAMONT

YouTube video by Peter Gosling - Topic Peace

First day of Advent: the season of peace begins.
youtu.be/stszmOfYFC0

Sorry to hear that, Matt. Wishing you all the best.

RIP Brian Hayes. I sometimes used to phone in to his LBC morning show in the unemployed early 80s. He was a model of sanity, erudition, and impartiality compared with some of the grotesque hosts now. Two rounds of tea and toast, the Guardian and Brian Hayes on the radio would see me through to lunch

Was supposed to see another friend this evening but by the time I got back to my room I’d been thoroughly rained on and it was already 6.30pm. So we’ve rescheduled for tomorrow. I can’t believe how tired I am. If I’d gone back out to meet her I suspect I’d be half-asleep by mid-evening.

I think it’s for the same reason that the brain finds it easier to learn and retain words set to music as opposed to pieces of text.