The joy of notepads

I take my mother shopping every week, she lives about an hour away, I wish I could see her more. She is, after all, of 'an age' and needs a bit of help every now and then, but schedules and that dictate otherwise and my sister is very nearby to help if need be. 

Anyway, these days it's a quick hour; I teach in a school nearby, I swing by, wait in the car and reply to work/gigging emails on my phone whilst she picks up her groceries. It does feel like, in these frantic times, that every minute needs to be used wisely. 

But a few years back it wasn't quite the case. I was a full-time performer, which often meant I had a LOT of free time on my hands. It never really worked out, as much as I tried; I was skint, living a dream and, although there was some big moments both professionally and personally, I was pretty much just unemployed but never admitting that. The one person to benefit from this? My mum. Our shopping trips were long, she had her son back. During that time I'd bring a notepad and just...write. Ideas, lots and lots of ideas, that realistically I knew would never see the light of day. 

In my office (aka spare room) this evening I've been going through the pile of notepads. 11 of them, all filled with ideas. So many ideas, some of them with quite detailed structure. The cynical part of me thinks I had better ideas in those days, but, well, not being arrogant but I've written three pretty good shows this year already and it's only March. 

Anyway, been going through them. One of them, The Second, appeals greatly and I've started writing it. It's now the show that Alex, Nicole and Paul M will be bringing to Brighton in May, our first reading is on Sunday...

Some of the other ideas aren't bad, too. I get the sense this year could get even busier...

Notepads are great. I never would have found these if they were digital files. 

Otherwise, all busy here. The meeting with Helen in Swindon was glorious - she's an amazing friend I picked up along the way on this fun creative journey (we met at the now defunct Swindon Fringe about 8 years ago), we met for lunch and made so many plans. I'll be in her film in June, and we'll be writing together soon. 

On the way back, the noises from my car got worse, we're talking tractor levels here. Called a mobile mechanic who came around on Tuesday but in that very moment my car drove beautifully, like new, like a patient denying he's ill to a doctor. Quite embarrassing. An hour later, after the mechanic had gone, all the issues came back. Today it's been almost undriveable. Coughing, splurting, bouncing. Not quite sure what to do now. I guess...hope the issue goes away?

Rehearsals start tomorrow night with Esther and director Cara for the '...Jim' show. 

Strange smell of seaweed in the house and I'm a bit confused. I think Freddie dog has been in the pond again.

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