Was up at 5.30am; did the Gatwick run. Paused at Nicholas Culpeppers before going back on the road. Timing the traffic worked as I got to work in Croydon in 45 mins. Tried a different route; via South Croydon. And so I did 11 hrs at work; a project this week which I want to clear..potentially again at 5am tomorrow. I got a nice bit of takeaway fish from a local chippy that I like; an affordable £4.50.
Hopefully not too cold tomorrow morning; i'll battle through it.

Hawkers

Slept 9.30 last night for nearly 9 hours.
Fri night my friend couldn't find Hawker's House which has a sign and is five minutes from Canada Water station; he's hard work, I had to and get him. Yet someone from Perth, Western Australia found it straight away. Nice vibe in the place.
Workmen today over four hours late. Engineering works at Paddington station overran; it was the middle of the afternoon. And my friend is a drunk. Tomorrow'll be better.
Fri's late travel was a tube from Waterloo just after 1.30am then a 319 bus. There was a few hours filming early Sat morning. Old Spitalfields Market was pleasant; I knew i'd bump into people. Liked the dj's. Then to Winter Wonderland with Mark and his kid. WW was full of people from out of town and out of the country. Thankfully not overly busy; never seen so many kids in one place.

Like the multitude of leaves outside; big ones covering the pavement.

Squid and red wine sauce. Charred florets. Fennel puree. All ideas from Masterchef; I have some ideas also.

With the bus Hopper you can break your journey up; get the timings right.

Heard the year's first Christmas song on the radio today; Paul McCartrney. Does it take you back to a different time? Or evoke an emotion? Listened to some sad songs tonight. Some people have the gift of emotion. Hideaway; wake up feeling different. I expect to do well.

The jokes I put online; some are meant to be ludicrous, some are digs at myself.

Here comes the rain again

Use time well. Had Sunday lunch with Clara; spaghetti. When you're in a Turkish area you got to have the kebab which i did later; quality, and cheaper than South London..£4. Enjoyed jazz later; a version of Here Comes The Rain Again. My friend opening his heart; love it when guys are honest, you will get my respect. The place is open till 3am but i left at 1.30am; missed a rousing version of Hallelullah. Got back fine; Stokie to Waterloo and then another bus. Walked in the rain later; not cold though. 5 hours sleep; not late for work. An hour's overtime to get ahead of the work.

Fri night slept badly; missed the boxing. Sat morning went for a Parkrun. Didn't see that coming; my 10th organised run in the park of the year and the fastest. The training, drive is paying off. So I was buzzed. In Tooting bought a trouser belt, memory card for the phone.

Later got to Earlsfield in good time; Bob visiting from Spain, seeing him and Jamie was great.
Earlsfield to Chancery Lane an easy journey. Templars Hall a lovely building; Neil's birthday. Left there about 1.10am. Surreal to have the 319 running all night at weekends now. Opens up new links; to and from Clapham Junction, near Victoria. It coincides with the Northern Line night tube; exciting.

Thurs night was my Fri night so to speak; went to Dorking, keen to get away from London. The genteel pace. Sometimes the backwaters need shaking up post-Brexit and i'm the one to do it. Dorking to Balham's 45 mins.
Tonight; chilled, no rush to get back. The happy times are coming. They're not bad now but it'll be elevated.

Torrid

Sun- The beautiful country New Zealand is going through it; South Island hit by a 7.8 quake.

Thiem in the tennis has more energy than Djokovic so his future's looking bright. The ATP Finals is a high standard as it's the top players against each other. It raises your game.

Some Progressive Psytrance has woken me up a bit.

Tues-was trying to sleep after a torrid night's one but thoughts wake you up ie 'what you don't have night after night'. Listened to a wonderful cover of Jonas Blue's By Your Side which I came across by accident; resonances. People are actually up and down; flighty. Moments are not enough. So it's nice when you see the love out there between people. Know when to be ruthless; that's also a beautiful thing.

Experiential

Rainy day tv; caught up with the last two Masterchef episodes and Citizen Khan. He and Peaky Blinders are both from Birmingham; that tie in was nicely done. Last week there was Sadiq Khan and Michael Vaughan on the programme. A viege is tomato, basil, oilve oil and lemon juice. Halves of cabbage roasted, cauliflower shavings. Venison in chocolate sauce; deep flavours. As in life there'll be more notes.

Thurs night before meeting Bart and Waritsara i wanted to be on my own; don't know if i'd have been good company. As it happens in Camden Brewdog bumped into some people i know from Hackney. I had a Cheesmas burger after.

Last night went to a birthday off Purley Way, Waddon. Didn't go for bar work in Woking. Nice carvery; the beef was lovely after a day's work. My shine will not be dimmed. Deal with life and stay strong. We are destined for beautiful things.

A birthday tonight in Purley.

Got from East Croydon to Camden in good time. Don't always rush around; save the frenetic for Tokyo..even faster pace than here. Ever since my friend went to French Polynesia my head's been slightly in the clouds. Met some old friends tonight and made a new one; not a massively late night.

London was progressive with our new Mayor, Brexit was not and the Dystopian vision has now taken further shape.

Monday Monday

Sat night came out of Charing Cross and joined a march to Parliament. It was a mini rave, no fighting. Missed Pat. Liked the darts; Joe Cullen. Palace conceded goals and lost again. Slept midnight-8am; probably need more. I was the first at West Norwood food Feast; set up. The sun was out. Vietnamese street food was lovely; with mint. After 1pm the weather got colder. The painting, mosaic workshops got me into colours, expression. Later it got rainy but that's ok. West Norwood to Charing Cross was no problem; 12 mins to Clapham Junc, change for Waterloo.
My friend from Troon, Scotland was down and this was Riztours; went to the Harp. Saw Lisa Stansfield somewhere else; it's not just being a fan but there's history, a story with those who inspire you. A sublime weekend fires you up for work on a Mon. Though I do want to be in French Polynesia like my friend. Stresses at work; doing things you don't want to do. Shopped at Lidl after. Trying the crowns; goose one was great, the skin had a nice crust. Now have a turkey one. Crushed coffee beans tonight while watching snooker. Feel a lot better with relaxing music on.
I've had a good run; can't have too many regrets.
First Brexit, now tomorrow will hatred reign? Peace must outweigh provocation.
Another busy week.

Boxtalk with Rizwan Hafiz

Was painting till 3.30am on a Fri night; because of the shit job this is when i could do it. Did a bit more this morning with Saturday Kitchen in the background. Used the heavy roller; 10 litres of paint is enough..primrose colour. Last night Margot Robbie vids got me through the strokes. There was a craft beer evening in Bermondsey last night; na you're alright, not paying £6.90 for a half. The Craft acronym stands for Can't Remember A Fxxing Thing. I was happy to go to new Croydon Boxpark; the evolving of the area in the last 30 years. Boxbar is the new Tiger Tiger which was here; loud, garish..a look of disgust came over me and MeatLiqour was better to chill out. In a stab vest you can visit Bronx Cronx. There's Fish, Wings and Tings..Coqfighter is the wonderful combination of chicken and beer, the Potato Project is Spud u Like in old money. Hopefully it will be more ubercool than Shoreditch; it can draw people from south of Croydon. Went to a fest in Redhill Thurs night; in a village hall..simple not frenetic. A reunion with Angela.

Sunday special

Workmen meant to turn up at 11am Sat; try 5.30pm..wanted to go to an exhibition.
So quiet Sat night and Sun was the day out. Clocks went back but was up 8.30am. Initial balls up; Mely was going to turn up later to Tesco Wine Show so i thought i'd go by bus and still get there for 12.15/12.20pm. Wrong; it took an hour and 35 mins to get to Olympia. But when i got there was told Botham's in the house. Ruddy faced he candidly talked about getting wine poisoning in New Zealand, what he would get up to in Test Match rest days. He's not interested in food/wine matching; said have what you like. Still an old style rebel; wish Ian Chappell was there so that they could have a scrap once again. But Sean Fitzpatrick was there as his cohort; and like all New Zealanders told an engaging story.
The show finished at 4pm; wanted to go for dinner. Comedy i could've left; if you're in the front row and get heckled you might as well go to Wonkei's. I came up with some quips and a comic said 'Leave the jokes to me'. The comedy i'd seen on BBC Asian Network Sat night was superior; helps the comic timing. Was nice to be out Sun night in town.