Idle

I have no idea what the weather was like today. It’s almost midnight, and I’ve been in my pajamas all day. I’m in bed again now, with the blanket on, Boo in her customary station to the left of my head. She likes to sleep on my hand. I’m sure I should have generated invoices and done world things, but frankly I wanted a day of absolutely nothing, and I’m one of the lucky ones that can do that. Boo is not really a responsibility, she’s largely just a playmate. She is fine so long as she can feel like she’s part of something.

I’ve been reading Dan Abnett again. I signed up for a mail order 2000AD thing, thinking it would only be about fifty volumes, but I think they are pushing for 200 of the damned things. I haven’t anywhere to put them, I’ve read pretty much all of them, if they are still wrapped in plastic I know I haven’t read them yet. Dan Abnett is a writer who started around the same time I stopped reading the comic. Every time I find his things I love them – Feral and Foe has been a great read. Edgeworld was the one I took to Stratford. I think he scripted the much lauded Alien Isolation game. I tried it on my steam deck but honestly didn’t have the patience to stealth the androids. But, yeah – it’s been a consumption day, a geek day. I’ve also made a start into my lovely new four part Joseph Campbell The Masks of God set in the original edit. His attempt at a definitive overview of the intertwined myths by which we have understood the world, in purest form. It’s annoying that his prose is quite flat. For someone so curious about the interplay of story to society, he has forgotten that grammar is a made up thing and if we are too obedient a little part of our writing dies.

My first Christmas movie every year varies, but I’ll always end up watching one around this time of year. Die Hard often wins, but this year it was Michael Cane and the muppets, with a telling of Christmas Carol that feels eerily close to the first script we had for it up in Manchester. It’s lovely not working this season, especially now the Santa thing is done. I might end up with some pickups, but largely I think this is me until January, signing off from having to do work. I don’t like it, but it has always been coming. Lou would remind me that I can do DIY in my flat and indeed I really have to as she will be living here in my bachelor pad from the 13th. I’m really happy about it, and absolutely freaking out at the same time. It’ll be the longest we’ve stayed together, but she’ll be here in this friendly but weird home where everything is all over the place.

I think sleep is the next move. I haven’t switched on my Steam Deck since I’ve got back from Stratford – Red Dead must be feeling neglected. I’ve got these graphic novels to catch up on, and they are often so good. Maybe a shot of whisky. I’m beginning to feel like I can sleep even despite being the definition of idle all day.