The Bedside Crow

So, Don Delillo

celebrated but famously reclusive American novelist, author of Libra,White Noise and Mao II - about the famously reclusive novelist Bill Gray. I was on my way to the council dump out on the Purley Way when I spotted this car. I mean, if you wanted to be reclusive and you were a famous American novelist then Norbury could be just the ticket. Ain't nobody going to think of looking for you there.

 

Abroad is funny.

 

Hey Dad! I bought you a present. Eldest spent the weekend in Berlin.

The Actual Magic Toyshop

  

A customer who had read my piece about The Magic Toyshop by Angela Carter in the latest issue of The Transmitter magazine came in today to tell me that he had read the book in manuscript for the publisher.

Of course, he said, you know where the original magic toyshop was, don't you? I told him I didn't, and as he began to describe the location on Church Road, I realized that he was talking about what is now our accountants offices.

Later I went to see our accountant. Oh, yes, he said, only a month ago I had a chap visit me who remembered that there was a train set in the front of the shop. As a boy, he told me, he used to put a penny in the slot and watch the trains go round.

Blackbird

Blackbird from Jonathan Main on Vimeo.

Darwin In Three Words.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: We like a book with a bird on the cover.

 

And this one has birds on the inside, too.

Lovely.

Apparently

I am now the 'go to man' for settling pissed up arguments in the pub across the road. Pick a topic, any topic. They wander over with their queries and it always starts with the same statement, 'You're an intelligent man, well you must be, what with all these books, so tell me...'

Today's question: St George, did he fight in the crusades?*

Do I look like fricking Stephen Fry, to you? Do I?**

*Answer: How the fck should I know.

**Answer: Possibly I do after 5 pints from the economy drip tray.

The Transmitter magazine June issue out now!

Also with added new website and blog.

Admittance by proof of downward-facing dog.

 

This security gate is alarmed. It will go off it you attempt to pass through it when you haven't done any Yoga today. Just so you know.

Culture: Get Some Here.

 

Found this banner hanging from the lamp post outside the shop when I arrived, soaked through from a miserable rainy cycle to work, this morning. Ten minutes later and it looks like a lovely sunny day.

I guess the key word here is, locally. And of course it could have all gone horribly wrong; across the road the banner says *Beauty* - good job there wasn't a terrible mix-up.