Getting My Protest On...

There's nothing like a good protest to clear your head. 

After weeks of both avoiding the news and doomscrolling 'til late, enough was enough. It was time to put down the screen and get some fresh air. Last Wednesday, that's exactly what I did. I got the train to London and joined thousands of others incensed at the fascist rhetoric being spewed on the daily, at the Stop Tr*mp march.

Here are my thoughts from being on the ground. 

1. People are lovely.

2. The mood was positive, upbeat, and passionate.

3. There were loads of different groups and campaigns represented. 

4. Police officers were dotted along the route but were relaxed. I saw no trouble.

5. Being part of a group of like-minded people, was MUCH needed. 

It really was an eclectic bunch. Everyone from pro-Palestinian groups, to Jewish socialists, to Pro-EU marchers, to LGBTQIA+ people and allies, to Amnesty UK, to climate change activists, to people campaigning about violence against girls and women...  the list went on. There were also people like me. No flags or banners; simply wanting to add our voice to the mix. 

The upshot was, that when I came home, I felt more positive than before. The thing is, I understand the need for careful diplomacy. I understand, what with the state of the world, the importance of exhausting all peaceful attempts at situation-calming. I understand the need to offer - like a shiny trinket to a whinging baby - a state visit invitation. Once that visit was underway, however, I also understood the need to protest. We all have our part to play, and I'd be horrendous at diplomacy.

 

Writing News

The manuscript is down to 63,000 words! I REALLY want to get that last pesky 3000 deleted. That's my mission. It will be a similar length to the first two Leeza McAulifffe books, use a similar number of pages, and therefore cost a similar price. Then, stand by beta readers - aka assorted siblings, siblings in law, and parents - you'll be getting emailed.

Culture

OMG, The Girlfriend on Amazon Prime is FAB. Like a cross between a soap opera and a classy psychological thriller, it's twisty-turny and you constantly reassess what you think. Warning: It might be triggering for anyone with an overbearing mother-in-law. Just saying.

 

In other news, I'm rereading a book from 2000 called Boiling a Frog. This was the first Christopher Brookmyre book I ever read, starting me on the path of ALL his stuff. What's interesting is how well it holds up today. It's a political crime thriller set in Scotland. Think back - it's the new millennium, with New Labour, and a newly devolved Scotland. Everyone's happy. Or are they? The tone is something like 'after years of the Tories, this is better, but is it really?' type thing. The thriller part is good too, but the political snapshot of the times is fascinating.  

Food and Drink

It was bound to happen, wasn't it. Mere weeks after I discovered Joe and the Juice and my new favourite weekend lunch (a Tunacado with a Go Away Doc please) I've only gone and bought a juicer.

Juicy carnage

I know, I know. It's another gadget that'll get used once, gather dust, then be consigned to the back of a cupboard, but hear me out. After being particularly hungover last week, I woke up craving a Go Away Doc juice. This is carrot, apple, and ginger in liquid form. It's refreshing, restorative, and more importantly, tasty. In order to get one, I had to make the thirty minute trip into town. Except there was a football match on that day, so thirty minutes took an hour. Then, I had to make the same extended journey back home. The upshot is, I've realised I can't be making a two-hour round trip every Saturday, just for a drink. That was my logic when I succumbed. So far, my juicer is my new favourite thing. I'm well aware the feeling won't last.

Out and About

Last week I promised you an unexpected shenanigan. Well, London in a day is definitely worth a mention. I left the house at 9.30am and got back in at 10pm. Knackering! The over-long day isn't because it takes hours and hours to get to the capital and back. Nope, it's simply that the cheaper train fares are early and late. Luckily I had a book to read as well as the march, so that filled out the time nicely.

So what's the plan this week? Are we well? Are we embracing autumn knits? Are we thriving? Whether we are or we not, doesn't matter. We're here, we're cracking on, and we're making the best of it. Til the next time.

Have a lovely week, folks.