Babes & Rock Monsters

Random road trip catch-up post.

Crazy and eventful few days, which saw me swing between the extremes of a goth club in Brighton and an under-fives sing along at a local library in London. 

To be fair, it really began with Cardiff Casino. But that's another story.

Let me kick off with eggs.

Duck eggs fascinate me.

There were some in the fridge the other day, donated by a neighbour, and I still can't get over the size of them. I mean, ducks aren't really bigger than chickens most of the time, yet look at the comparison:

Takes up half the pan. Anyway, eggs are a good illustration of my week. Started off sensibly with a fried egg for breakfast, ended up eating a pickled egg out of a packet of salt 'n' vinegar crisps in Brighton. As you do.

Didn't stop to photograph it, but found Matthew Hipkin had tried the same with Hoola Hoops on his blog Random ramblings of a geek:

I'm so about to give this a go when I get the chance:

Had a couple of good nights in Forest Hill with my mate Cathryn, and the  delectable Ma & Ra.

Ma practising psychometry on a particularly powerful pendant. Predicting CATastrophy, PURfection and deep-running FELINEs. 

Early morning cat-in-the-face wake-up call from Ra.

Now, Cathryn and I can drink, there's no denying it. Many a night in Rwanda where Bar Stella became our second home. Nothing, however, could have prepared me for Brighton.

Check out my post Dreadtastic for the lowdown on how I became a locktician. You'll find a picture of the first time I ever dreaded someone (this is Phil, the guy I went around Australia with). Anyway, hadn't seen him in four years, check this out - six year old dreads:

It's a totally incredible feeling to know that there are people walking around out there sporting artwork that I created. To be fair, he does take really good care of them. 

Anyway, a crazy catch-up night starting with food and drinks in Kemptown and culminating at 2am in The Caroline - a real metal/goth joint with Cerberus guarding the bar like the gates of Hell. My face had never felt more naked. For ten years I had a labret and eyebrow piercing. Eventually decided to be a 'professional' and take them out. I really missed them that night. 

Eventually crawled to bed at 5am, something I haven't done in years. Nice to know that I'm still capable of it, though. Not sure how much longer my liver will be. Anybody tape that Blue Peter episode where they taught you how to make a new one from a washing up bottle and a sheet of sticky-back plastic? I'd appreciate a copy.

But the best part of the adventure has been catching up with the rug rats. Wee cheeky Ryanman and the latest edition, baby Zuba. Walks in the park, colouring-in, sing alongs and nappy changes. And that was just me - the kids need far less attention!

Bit knackered now. Just finished proofing the final proof of my next novel. Few other projects in the pipeline, but first I think I need to catch up on some sleep!