Sauteed leeks; therapeutic after work, and a new cafetiere. Lemongrass incense.

#LatenightLondon; thinking most places would be closed I was nicely surprised. Picked up London Drinker mags, Nandos in Elephant open after 11pm so did a takeway. Both pubs for the mag distribution were open; and the best bit was that I didn't drink..there is enough momentum..didn't need it.

Bank Hol Monday: Made the short trip to Lords after some of the strong refill filter coffee at Spoons. Chilled at the home of cricket. Sometimes you don't know when to declare so when a good thing is done for you you find yourself taking full advantage of it. I never predicted an England win and in the end the margin was comprehensive. In the middle we saw a hand from Coriander son but he needed to make a ton. Different Stokes; the One Who Makes Things Happen. Shades of Flintoff, Beefy. After the fastest ever ton which built a lead as handsome as that he took 2 in 2 balls to bring a wall of noise. It's all about timing in life; the magic which makes others play catchup. We said a while ago that we would go to see this; and it was well worth the £20. Afterwards went to the Windsor Castle; recounting my work stint at London Business School. Later saw the jubilant Norwich fans; they were a good laugh.
Sunday early afternoon met up with a Palace fan mate; the people you meet, the glittering diamonds who make life electrifying..thank you life, I salute you. Watching the match was a wonderful experience..arms aloft. We permeated the Top 10, up one on last year. You might think i'm a mad sports nut but we celebrate what that is glorious in life. The sense of community, my last 6 year history with the area. You leave me with abiding memories.
From there me and Max went to Carshalton. Saw morris dancing, folky bands. I had a gorge vegetarian lasagne. Did some bouncing with a Palace fan musician.
When do you 'punish' yourself and when do you reward? People talk about unforced errors. There are learned behaviours. Go with the flow or against it? It's man management; tactical. Different responses with different people. Change something as it's happening. Or proactively.

The forecast was for mild, not stouts or porters this time. Wed night in Wimbledon; left work at 8. Caught up with old mucker Mike; 6 milds were on. Was invited there again Thurs night but couldn't make it.
Yesterday stretched out journey to town; no fast trains from Norwood Junc and then no trains from London Bridge to Charing Cross, so a tube to Leicester Square. Bumped into Chris at the Montague Pyke. Fairport Convention at Borderline had a certain demographic but the music has a storytelling quality and layered vocals so I had my sashimi face. The company was good. Always a hippy. Carried on the 90's vibe for one night only at the Pillars of Hercules; these were jaunts of a yesteryear.
Going to Ilford tonight; nosh..a nice drive A13, North Circular so had to turn down Surbiton places.

Ask the questions; you have the solutions. Going in the right direction. Have great options. You know who's not coming back and who you're going to move on from. Listen to the instinct; the inner feeling, sense. You don't even need to explain it.
Seeing Fairport Convention today.

A nice 13.5 hrs at work Fri past midnight. So a lie in and not much till Sat 5.00 for shopping. Sat night was rock n roll grapefruit juice and Nutri Bullet recipes. Just after 1am went to Fire, Vauxhall to support a friend with his dj set. The dancing was top notch, no hassles. When I left about 4.15 it was dawning into a blue skied day.
Not much turnaround before I left for Kingston for some derigging; lifting and shifting. 10-12 pints leftover ale, cider so the wheelie day case was handy. Didn't stay for Sun lunch with Chris and Phil; got a train straight through from Kingston to Vauxhall (again). Some attractive co- commuters; it was Norwegian Independence Day; flags, national costume and singing. Sat in a park near Vauxhall Cross; saw horses near the urban farm. This was the last time I was seeing St Pauli this season and having gone behind after 4 mins ended up winning 5-1..scoring with all the chances. Had some huge knuckle for lunch; more like a whole fist..it was really rather good. Amanda, Christina, Vanessa nice company.
Next stop was the South Bank and I walked it along the river. At the Understudy bumped into Suresh after Thurs night; Fourpure saison went down well. The folk music was great and added to a crackling atmosphere.
In Tooting had a bite at Spice Village; lovely Pakistani place. And that was the weekend done.

Was in rainy Kingston last night with Suresh; a catch up. Gentle, not noisy environment; didn't have time to go to the river.
Quiet today.

Low maintenance is what I like.
No pressure, demands (workplace alright though sometimes thankless), inaneness.
Went to London Photo Show private view; and got a lot out of it.

No excuses; have to make weaknesses strengths. Some people just don't listen.

You have to inspire confidence or precedings are curtailed.
Poor KP'll probably score 1000 no and still not get picked. Saying 'I want to be part of this' instead of 'I can bring this'. Cowardly, sheepish leadership. In life you got to have the best; not those that toe the line..that's not how you measure attainment. Those that make you watch. As long as one isn't toxic or creates a negative atmosphere (Ballotelli).

Was feeling a bit tired at work but after a walk feel alright. Wearing a Rastafarian hat I got a snapper from the Caribbean shop; Scotch bonnet peppers. This is the Fri Night wind-down; a few tunes like Alesso.

True passion finds its way home. Be a spark..they can have the last word. You are picked because you do things differently.

Sometimes you don't want to get away with certain things. If someone has treated you bad doesn't mean you do the same to others. People do go under the radar for no reason. When I make mistakes I have to try and address them; I castigate myself and get on with it quietly. At a distance is better than an alliance dying but things have to be learnt. I like to be tested to the limit. We have to use the bad breaks..as well as the good opportunities.

I'm walking with a staff/ stick because of my knee; the Heather Mills jokes have caught up with me as have some reckless elements over 22 years. When you don't do as much in your younger life as you should have this is what happens. Three events I missed; if a part of you didn't completely want to go, it is decided for you and taken out of your hands. It was almost a relief; today I had a local walk and now i'm having my favourite Polish beer in a crystal glass in what you would call being holed up. Cooking, chores, feeling grateful for all that has gone before me..this is a chastening experience. There'll be a comeback, at a slower pace. Adapted movements. One of my style brothers last night said the staff is a good look so i'll use that. Let me be the sage; let me impart experience. Flair and pragmatism is a good mix. Somewhere along the line certain stages are missed out; some stages are later or earlier than others but broken bodies doesn't equate with broken spirit or unbroken dreams. One day you look out of the window and say 'I used to be a part of all that'.
Saw my cool friends Rick and Alison last night. They give me balance. Wasn't a major late night out. In, the boxing didn't finish till 5.55am. Americans are the most parochial, least objective people but I was surprised at their response to Floyd who has been irking everyone this week. Him and Chelsea are boring; Shaun Murphy is not.

A Gatwick drop for Athens; not the Georgia one. Gave Kid B fest a miss last night. I'm trying to convince my friend to play Taylor Swift's Blank Space with his band.
It's May Day; dance round the Maypole; Maydie Hosp in Croydon. We can call it Paradise.