Having now had a look at the bar we had arranged to meet in, think it will be better in the National Film Theatre bar (the one round the back not the one facing the water). It’s only 2 mins from the previous suggestion but bit better atmosphere.

Hope to see you there, anytime after 5.

Bad blogger!

Work (capital W) continues to suck a lot of my energy but I’m still enjoying it so that is far from a complaint. The other work (small w) is also starting to pile up so I’ve gone for a divide and conquer approach, also known as “they can chase me if they really want something done”.

Elsewhere life continues, and I can happily report that the new car is great. It’s very nice to drive and has a much better ride than the Civic had, I am missing the 2.2 litre turbodiesel though! I’m still getting to grips with all the voice commands mind you but that’s all part of the fun.

Speaking of fun, I will be launching myself in the general direction of London next week. I’ve been invited to a book launch party (what WILL I wear! Seriously, WHAT WILL I WEAR!!) on Monday, and I will be wandering the streets of said city on Tuesday (anything good I should visit?). I’m planning to be in the Royal Festival Hall bar on Tuesday evening from around 5.30pm and as I’d rather not sit there and drink alone I’d like to invite you all to come along and ply me with alcohol. That’d be great, thanks.

Also known as a Ford Fiesta Titanium, 1.6 TDCi, with Tech Pack (bluetooth, USB port, keyless entry and ignition) and Body Styling kit (front, rear and side skirts). Got about £3.5k off list price.

The morning light is cold and thin, leaving everything dull and flat.

Yet there is still a stark beauty at play, a clean harshness that I find attractive. It’s similar to those magazine shots of a white room, minimally decorated. It speaks of open places, clean slates, blank canvases.

It is a bit of a bugger to drive in though.

And I’m really not all that sorry about it. Irresponsible? Occasionally. Human? Undoubtedly. It’s not something I’m proud to admit but there you have it.

Part of the attraction is the thrill. There is a feeling of being alive that can be obtained which is similar to (but not as intense as) riding a rollercoaster, and isn’t that one of the things that defines us? Our drive towards emotion? It’s why people throw themselves down icy mountains on flimsy pieces of moulded glass fibre, or disappear into uncharted territories full of nasty beasties and big scary monsters, it’s all done in the name of emotion and that wonderful adrenalin rush that comes from pushing things to the edge of your control.

God, I sound like some hopped-up loony, driving at 100mph every chance I get. I’m not, honest. I top out about 90…

In all seriousness, being a responsible adult (stop laughing at the back!) means that there is a constant battle when these situations arise. The emotion-driven part of me strives for more, faster, higher, closer to the edge, the rational part of me senses the danger and the safety mechanisms kick in. Partly fear, partly self-preservation, it rails against adrenalin, and endorphin.

I know I’m not alone in this respect, that with middle-age approaching and the tendency for life to start to slow down kicking in, driving a car is sometimes the only place where such vicarious thrills can be saught. Perhaps I should’ve gotten into more outdoor based sports like caneoing which I enjoyed, I’m sure I would get a similar thrill, blasting down a fast flowing river. Man versus nature and all that.

Alas we all live in a society and as such need to obey the rules, which means being sensible, colouring between the lines, and following a set of principles.

Or you could bend the rules a little, occasionally let the urge to be silly take over, and slap bright dabs of your favourite colour wherever you damn well like.

After all, life is about living.