f4f3 | "But this is Phil talking, I want to tell you..."

Well it isn't Phil Oakey, obviously, it's me, but I'm listening to the tail end of an 80's mix, and enjoying it. Did I ever tell you how I saw the Human League at the Apollo back in '81? Ah, that was when all romantics were new...

So...

unblinkered is off in Ireland, and my social calendar has filled up faster than a Smart Car at the diesel pumps. Tonight I had three Spaniards round for Wii fun and little bits of wine. Tiny little bits. And a nightcap of whisky. I served them Laphroiag, Laddie, and Bowmore, and myself a rather ordinary Japanese malt, which served to remind me that they do do ordinary.

It hasn't been the brightest few days, but there are the occasional slanting rays of sunshine. I may have secured a contract through to April, but I won't know until the middle of October, by which time my contract will only have four weeks to run. I've been in contact with two or three very good friends, and nice things are happening in their worlds.

Tomorrow I'll be out for coffee and nachos, and on Friday I'll pub crawl down Byres Road for the first time in a long time (Lloyd Cole is doing "Forrest Fire" for me now, and it's making me smile).

October is filling up nicely, with people I'm really looking forward to seeing. There's even a free weekend to go play at the cottage (and relocate a couple of hundred books and CDs there, freeing up the spare room here).

If I can get the job thing worked out, I may just be in a position to have a good Winter (Simple Minds doiing "Love Song" now, from Sons and Fascination).

I've been thinking about friendship. No, that's not quite right. I've been doing friendship. There's been a whole lot of rallying around going on over the last couple of weeks, and it's time to say thanks - to

scunner_darkly ,

pshtaku that was,

billking1959

rparvaaz ,

unblinkered ,

jmcl63 ,

littlescot1 and those others who don't pop in here, like Marie and Paul and Maxine, thanks, y'all.

I have a feeling a few political posts are on the way, and maybe some more work stuff. But for the moment Everything But The Girl are doing "Each and Every One", from Eden, an album I'll always associate with the slightly fusty lounge of my first flat, so it's probably time to retire for the evening.

Good night, y'all.