Joy night off

I stayed an extra night here at Birch. Just to be sure. We are seeing what happens if we open up the installation a bit without someone to threaten potential thieves with a chainsaw. It is open and unmanned.

The day was glorious. All the hens are gone – (see blogs passim) What a remarkable proof they were of groupthink. Not one of them tried perspective or kindness. They couldn’t have a carrot so went evil. I pity the groom.

With them gone, it’s nicer. Sure I still had one strange interaction: “Why can’t everything be like it was when I was a child? I hate modern life. I hate young people. Everybody has to think like me.” Those weren’t her exact words, but a very good summary. Then: “Why don’t you take that head off?” “Heads aren’t detachable, are they?’ “You’re a man in a panda head. You aren’t a real panda.” “Why would you tell me what I am?” “Oh well in a world where there are 600 genders you can call yourself whatever you like…” This is another old bitter lady. Maybe friends with the troll. This one seemed angry and sad. Very quick to roll things into her own agenda. I had no compassion for her in the moment as she seemed unnecessarily angry, but I wanted to try and help lance the boil. I’ll gladly take some pus in my face if it helps someone stop being a cunt. Sadly we were interrupted by someone quite rightly upset about the tone she was taking with me. But that was just a moment. And as I hold, art is nothing if it doesn’t provoke a reaction. The papers write about the unpleasant things first. So, it seems recently, do I.

I invited Brian to come hang. I don’t have any skin about who signs up to be a member here, but if I was Brian I would sign up immediately as he lives ten minutes from this place. There’s a shared work room, a gym, an incredible heated outdoor pool. There’s a huge ancient house, two restaurants to satisfy your courgette, fennel and chamomile desires. There are bars serving interesting cocktails. And… there’s so much land. Old land, but land that has been strangled until lately. Big wide open land and an amazing pool. In CROYDON! Remember, folks, it’s the New Jersey of London. Nobody in Croydon is supposed to give a fuck about anything other than themselves and the latest episode of the celebrated show: “Oh FUCK and one of these arseholes is going to have to be famous now?”

Bri and I hung out and caught up under the evening moon in the incredibly beautiful grounds. It was brilliant. I love that man. We’ve covered a huge amount of ground. I’m happy we had the chance to hang out here.

Life.

I’m happy. I have good friends even though we are busy. I haven’t seen that cunt for months properly. What a treat. I’m happy I stayed at Birch. I hope nobody trashes the installation.