I walked into Pret a Manger in Mornington Crescent preoccupied and a bit sad. I’d just heard about the attack on the Russian concert hall, and my mind was on the whole WW3 thing that has been emerging on so many fronts at the moment. Ukraine as the flagship for a combined destabilising of international trust in the peacekeeping of NATO. Gaza as an example of how our allies behave – but VETO to keep it burning. Taiwan coming up, the prize for. And then this attack on civilians in Russia just as we are forgetting they are human. It’ll slightly dial back Putin’s ebullience after his inevitable election win. Sudan is killing itself as well, and much of Africa is in the balance. Spring is often the time that ward escalate, and here we are. There’ll be a great deal happening in the next few months. Likely a concerted attack on many fronts in Ukraine and new recruits burnt on the altar of one man’s dislike of the idea of NATO. They’ve started to call it a war now, The Russians. It has certainly been an extended trail of persistence, motive and resources. It’s far enough away from us still that we can all get overexcited about the colour of a cross on a football shirt. But longer it goes on the closer it gets.
This is why you shouldn’t listen to the news when you’re tired. I walked into pret despairing for the world, and the single member of staff behind the desk must have seen something in my demeanor. I got my soup and my sandwich for free, such a bright gesture over such dark thoughts. I love how Pret let’s their staff do that occasionally.
Showtime shortly thereafter and Milo and I once more enjoying the little revolutionary tale we are telling. It’s a happy little group, the Scene and Heard lot. I needed the focus at the moment so I’m glad they asked me. I’m in the process of pulling my socks up. Lovely while I do it to be in the room with such a wide selection of good practitioners, all craft positive, all kind.
I’m home now and even though I didn’t stay for drinks after the show again it is still later than normal people go to sleep. Morning won’t be super early though, and it’s just a bit of driving tomorrow and another show. I’ll likely listen to music so the news doesn’t spin me out again, even though it got me a free dinner.
AlBarclay 