Illustrated Ape

Stourhead gardens a week or so ago.

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I have subscribed to the Illustrated Ape magazine because I love it. It is my ultimate (short-term) ambition to have one of my stories published in this magazine. It is everything a magazine should be. The stories and images are awesome. This for me is the Holy Grail of the published world. It rips writing out of the past and brings it bang into the present.
The latest copy arrived at my doorstep today, fresh and crisp. Tomorrow, when I'm at work in the sweet shop, I will read it all twice over.

Jesus was the first zombie

Something draws me to this artist. I can't let go. Am I just like all those other fakers? Probably. If I could be bothered with fashion and style, I would let this artist influence me. But the truth is, I can't be bothered. I am too practical by nature. Living a fairly rural lifestyle makes fashion a hard thing to get into. My usual day-to-day activities usually involve getting at least 9% of myself covered with mud.

But I have become aware of some amazing music via occasionally following her blog (http://bellz-v.livejournal.com/). Peace Burial at Sea being one such band.
There are lyrics and titles to some of their songs that resonate with me.
Jesus was the first zombie
This is such a quiet town
Stay cool forever
Take my things and burn them.
Within chaos there is logic
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I did go to Manchester in the end, and I'm really glad I did. I met with a couple of lovely people, I got inspired by these people. I hope you do too. http://makingeggs.blogspot.com/

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I did a new website! It's not totally finished yet, but I'm bored of doing it already, so it might not get finished for a while longer. Visit it anyway, because it's looking sparkly and nice anyway.

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another picture from Vladlena Shevelova to see us out.

Salvia

Yesterday was my brother's 18th Birthday. I made him a story and printed it out, illustrated it and turned it into a chapbook of sorts. I am very happy with it, even if my brother doesn't understand it. At least I do.

Here is the front cover:


The story is a strange magical realist look into the folly and egotism of mankind. The front cover depicts two of the characters: Badger (rep from the Animalia kingdom) and Agaric (rep from the Fungi kingdom.)

I'm not sure if I should go to the Noise festival thing in Manchester. It is far away, and when I asked them who would be there representing the written word category the answer was no one at the moment, keep checking for further guest confirmation. They might be able to pay my train fare up there, which is good. Hmm...If there's no industry professional, and I know no one in Manchester to go to if the event turns out to be pointless, then why go?

Porridge

This morning's porridge was all set to be delicious and warming. This time I decided to follow the instructions on the packet precisely. I even got a measuring jug out, and the old-fashioned weighing scales. I put it in the microwave (I know, I should have done it on the hob since I was going to all the effort of getting it just right, but I didn't.) The first round went well. 3 mins, stir, 2 mins. That was the way it said to do it. All was well at the 3 minute mark. I put it in again after stirring, then set it to 2 minutes. I came back when I heard the microwave ding. The steam cascaded out into the kitchen, I had to stand back so that it didn't get in my eyes. When the air had cleared I peeked inside and saw a gooey mess bubbling on the microwave glass plate, sticky streaks slopped down the side of the bowl. Over half of it had escaped, pushing up the lid and oozing out of the bowl. I keep finding more lumps, now dry, about my person from when I took the bowl out of the microwave to clear it all up.
This is a very disappointing way to start the day. I have done nothing useful since.