3-2-2022: Day 238
The Universe was teaching my sorry arse a lesson. I was going back to school, back to the books, and back to basics. I have no clue where I lost my wireless headphone charger case. It could be somewhere lost on a table outside the Tom Foolery coffee shop, lost near the old war bunkers on the River Adur, or lost in a rose bush up some garden path. Either way, the headphone case was lost forever in a black hole vortex of time and space.
Turning the keys in the door lock, I could feel the sense of loss deeply, on realising the charger case was missing in action. As I mentally retraced the steps from taking my in-laws dog on his walk, I was already mourning the lack of plugged-in music time. Music: food for the mind, oxygen for the lungs, and lessons for the soul. So, for the time being – as decreed by the Universal forces – there would be an enforced spell of absence for music on a moving mission.
5-2-2022: Day 240
The heathland was getting boggy. I was surrounded by thick dark peaty mud on all sides, looking for grass islands to leap onto, to navigate a path to dry land. Encircled by gorse bushes, wild grass, and marshy waters, I was lost. I was running somewhere through the wilderness of the New Forest, without a clue, or GPS tracker, following the footprints of those who have gone before. And scanning the horizon, the wild ponies were busy grazing, the deer running free, and the kestrels flying high overhead.
I was chasing away the hairy dog, feeling thick headed, groggy, and running on empty from the night before at the Youth Hostel.
An ocean of booze had been sunk, reminiscing with old friends, on times been and gone, in front of a flame flickering hearth. And, as the evening rolled into night, rolled into early morning – Time – for a moment, slowed to the pace of a giant African snail.
8-2-2022: Day 243
The hallowed t-shirt eventually arrived in the mornings post. It was waiting to be torn open on the doorstep in a grey plastic envelope. It was touch and go whether the internet order would prove fruitful, as the iconic t-shirt was discovered on a Liverpool supporters merchandise site for the princely sum of a penny. A snip – even with postage and packaging thrown in. So, as I unwrapped the gift to Self and tried the new clobber on, I was reminded of the two loves of my lifetime – New Order and Liverpool FC.
The classic black and white t-shirt featured the cover of Joy Division’s first album – Unknown Pleasures – a series of radio emission waves from a neutron star; paired with the dates Liverpool FC were crowned league champions. It was a snug fit and smug fit. And, as I admired my purchase, I thought of a penny for anyone’s thought on this fantastic bargain for days.