Where to Start?

2 exciting things and one disappointment.  The disappointment is that the helpline training I was involved in had to be rescheduled. So the work and effort I'd put in (admittedly not days and days worth) has come to naught so far.  Unfortunately this seems typical of the helpline's shambolic organisation.  As my friend Jim would say, you need to have proper processes in place otherwise nothing works...

The first exciting thing is that our dear friend Figster is now a published author.  I know!  He has had a short essay included in a new book called "Queers Dig Time Lords" (available from Amazon - other retailers are available). A rather niche market I suspect but a great achievement nevertheless. Well done honey.  What makes it all the sweeter though is that in the book he has dedicated the piece to me. In print! Me! I know! I adore him. Sadly however he won't be attending the party but never fear he will be up to stay mid-July during the Manchester International Festival and you can all fawn over him then (as indeed shall I).

The second exciting thing is that the party invites have now gone out.  Not in glorious technicolor as I had once hoped but emails are certainly cheaper than the physical invites I sent for my 49th party.  For those who may be confused, this is not a birthday party.  It was initially conceived as a sort of farewell party given my original prognosis.  However, since I'm still around its now just a general celebration of life, summer and alcohol.  And canapés.  And friends.  And family. And Eastern European bar staff. And Manchester.  And, oh, just loads of stuff.  Come along and lets just celebrate.

The third exciting thing (I know, I lie all the time) is that I've had an acceptable offer on the Brighton flat so that should sell fairly quickly (they're cash buyers). Hurrah.

The fourth exciting thing is this weather. I was actually sunbathing yesterday on the terrace. It was beautiful.  Although given the background noise of bulldozers and cranes from over the road it was somewhat reminiscent of Spain a few years ago...

The fifth exciting thing is that I shall be shortly taking a trip even further oop North and staying a couple of nights in Newcastle and a night in Coldstream hosted by the fabulous Mr & Mrs T.  Looking forward to it immensely.

The sixth exciting thing is The Great Gatsby which I saw last night.  The film is sumptuous in the way that only Baz Luhrman can achieve. The party scenes and the costumes are a feast for the senses.  Prada, Brooks Brothers and Tiffany were all involved. And, as an extra plus point, it's a fairly interesting story and Leo is quite good in it. They also manage to include quite a lot of the original wording from the book which makes me now want to read it even more (i.e. even more than I did with just Jane nagging me). It's also out of copyright and therefore should be a free download on iBooks. But talking of feasts, the film was followed by lasagne in Carluccio's with the fragrant Jane and redoubtable Bill.

The seventh exciting thing is the fact that I've managed to mention seven exciting things before breakfast (this is a lie as I had breakfast an hour ago but let's go with poetic/blogger's license).  Every day should start this way. Have a good one and y'all come back y'hear?  J x