10th November 2021: A New Home / Jeff Garlin / Isabel Allende

Today, I am thankful and grateful for

- the relief of an agency confirming an agreement with me to rent a new room - a new home!

- Jeff Garlin as Jeff Green

- Isabel Allende

9th November 2021: Restringing / Helena Gualinga / Difference Between Organising & Mobilising

Today, I am thankful and grateful for

- restringing

- the work of Helena Gualinga

- understanding more the difference between organising and mobilising

28th October 2021: Completing Mental Health First Aid Course / Relief / Michael Prime

Today, I am grateful and thankful for

- completing a course, at an unexpected point (I thought there was more!)

- for the relief, waking from a dream of having my bag and passport stolen

- Michael Prime's music with mushrooms

12th October 2021: Courtesy / Third Birthday Of Friend's Child / Infinite Livez

Today, I am grateful and thankful for

- the grace of the professional who was understanding and courteous around my fucking up

- the third birthday of a friend's little person

- Infinite Livez

10th October 2021: Treasure Trove / Haircut / Aggrey Washington Burke

This morning, today, I am grateful and thankful for,

- the feeling of stumbling on a treaure trove accidentally

- the sensation of refreshment from a haircut

- the life and work of Aggrey Washington Burke, exploring how how racism affects mental health, as well as how situational conditions link with mental health outcomes.

2nd October 2021: Hedgehog / Addiction 0 / Conversation With A Friend

Today, I am grateful and thankful for

- the arrival of a visiting hedgehog

- falling off on one of my addiction challenges and getting up to try again (Not alcohol. Still free from July 2014)

- a lovely conversation with a good friend

27th September 2021: Lovely Walk / Help / One Week Of Good New Habits

Today, I am thankful and grateful for

- a lovely walk

- the drama, Help, written by Jack Thorne, with Jodie Comer, Stephen Graham and Ian Hart amongst others. Made me think of when my Mum worked in Care Homes, and how proud I am of her for the work she did. Made me think of those brave people who acted with compassion in the face of crisis, with inadequate support. Pay rise / conditions rise now. 

- for 1 week into some good new habits

26th September 2021: Against Rule Changes / Church For Animals / Stuffed Puppets Of Humans

Today, I am grateful and thankful for

- those who stood up against the proposed voting changes within the Labour Party

- a church service for animals, and the mixture of sounds from those in attendance

- gardens filled with stuffed puppets of humans

25th September 2021: Sabina Nessa / Charles Jencks / Top Boy / A Short Free Course

This Saturday, I am thankful and grateful 4, 

- the words and heart of Sabina Nessa's sister, Jebina Yasmin Islam, and those that gathered last night at Pegler Square, and for the coverage for those of us unable to get to that place.

- the imagination Charles Jencks' explored in the architecture of his home.

- Top Boy

- a short free course

23rd September 2021: Progress With Recordings / Relationship Explored Between Marianne & Connell / September Birthdays

Today, I am grateful and thankful for

- making some progress with some new recordings

- the careful and patient exploration between Marianne and Connell's relationship in Normal People

- the September birthday celebrations of some friends.

21st September 2021: Health Of Friends / The Life Of Leonard Cohen / Penny Stamps

Today, I am grateful and thankful for

- an important reminder that the health of people we care about can change in a breath.

- for what would have been the 87th Birthday of Leonard Cohen.

- an envelope covered in lots of penny and five-penny stamps

17th September 2021: moor mother / Black Encyclopedia of the Air / Overturning Puberty Blockers Ruling / Toby Kebbell

Today, I am grateful and thankful for

 

- moor mother's new album, Black Encyclopedia of the Air

- Those, including Gendered Intelligence, who worked towards the overturning of this ruling

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-58598186

- the actor, Toby Kebbell - who's been wonderful in two of my favourite TV episodes, in two different series (The Street, Black Mirror)

16th September 2021: Watering Cans At Graveyards / The Divine Comedy / Anti- A Cold War

Today, I am grateful and thankful for

- watering cans left in trust at graveyards

- 700 Years Of The Divine Comedy

- those pushing back against any escalation towards a cold war

14th September 2021: Humility Of Poor Performance / Meeting Lovely People / Support

Today, I am thankful and grateful for

- the humility of coming out of an interview, having expressed myself very poorly

- meeting some lovely people involved with an excellent organisation

- for the support I have as my body and mind feel like they're two-thirds deep in a mud pool

13th September 2021: Great North Run / Reading In The Bath / Solidarity Against Bullying & Harassment

Today, I am thankful and grateful for

- those who participated and raised money/brought awareness to good causes in this year's Great North Run

- reading in the bath - the feeling of holding those paper pages a few inches from the waterlevel, engrossed in text.

- the solidarity of friends in Newcastle, who share a love of live music, supporting one another to build a safer culture, and seeking due process for serious allegations

12th September 2021: Interview / Shedding Jealousy & Envy / The Tennis Of Emma Raducanu & Leylah Fernandez

Today, I am thankful and grateful for

- A further interview for another interesting role

- for recognising jealousy and envy stemming from insecurity recently, and the knowledge of tools to get me out of those ludicrous thoughts (fairly quickly). 

- exceptional tennis between Emma Raducanu & Leylah Fernandez. The rallies were fantastic and both played really well. Congratulations to Emma Raducanu for all of your successes.

7th September 2021: Michael K Williams / Personal Space / Solo Walk

Today, I am thankful and grateful for

- the life and gifts of Michael K Williams

- the personal space of a solo walk

6th September 2021: Metal Detector / Witnesses In R. Kelly Case / Thoughtful Intriguing Gift

Today, I am thankful and grateful for

- seeing someone focussed on discovery, operating a metal detector

- the people who are and have been testifying in the trial of charges against R. Kelly

- for a thoughtful, and intriguing gift

5th September 2021: Sarah Harding / Checking Breasts & Health In General

Today, I am grateful and thankful for

- the life of Sarah Harding. I am grateful for her pop! 

- for friends who regularly check their breasts, their bodies, their health.

3rd September 2021: TikTok Activists / Little Simz / Facing The Mountain

Today, I am thankful and grateful, 

- the people on TikTok who created a bot to disrupt the snitching system set-up in Texas to report those seeking abortions.

- Little Simz' new album - Sometimes I Might Be Introvert

- for recognising the size of the mountain, and the chance to find a way to settle, move past fear and intimidation.

2nd September 2021: Spider / Aled Jones Singing With Himself

Today, I am grateful and thankful for

- the thrill and jump of discovering a huge spider, and attending to their exit from the property.

- Aled Jones singing with his younger self 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=engSQve1CKU&ab_channel=ClassicFM

1st September 2021: Conversation With A Friend / Positive Text Exchange With Childhood Friend / Straw Bales

Today, I am grateful and thankful for,

- a lovely conversation, catching up with a friend

- a positive text exchange with a childhood friend making contact, from an interim of about 20 years ago

- Stacks of straw bales

30th August 2021: The White Lotus / Louisiana / Gift Of Greengages

Today, I am grateful and thankful for

- the way in which The White Lotus expresses a variety of transactional relationships and the interpersonal dynamics of oppressive behaviour - and inequality! Excellently realised script, and well-performed.

- Those helping those affected in Louisiana, and those affected by Hurricane Ida.

https://weather.com/news/news/2021-08-30-hurricane-ida-how-to-help

- a neighbour's gift of greengages

29th August 2021: Lee Scratch Perry / Cone Shaped Top / Open, Empty Churches

Today, I am thankful and grateful for

- The life and music of Lee Scratch Perry.

And to have seen him at The Jazz Cafe, Sept. 2017

- A cone shaped top on a church tower

- Open, empty churches. I love the trust it speaks to, and inspires its cultivation in other areas. 

27th August 2021: Naming Origins / Meeting Lovely People / Cows Huddling / A Gift Happily Received

Today, and yesterday, I am and have been grateful and thankful for

- having my mother impart the origins for the choice of her first name - Virginia. 

Her father chose this name after attending the cinema at the point of her birth, to see the movie - Born Free. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060182/ - which starred Virginia McKenna.

- meeting some lovely new people

- huddled cows under the shade of trees

- a person who was happy to recieve a birthday gift

24th August 2021: Making Instead Of Buying / Crying / Job Interview Offer

Today, I am thankful and grateful for

- thinking about buying something, then realising I could make it instead, and did so.

- for crying for the first time in a long while. A compromise of taking antidepressant medication is it can keep a door closed to crying when sometimes it would be helpful and useful. It helps stop me from bottoming out too, so I respect and am grateful for how it helps too.

- the offer of a further job interview with another organisation whose work I have admiration for

23rd August 2021: Chloë Sevigny / Sheela Na Gig / Mary Cook

Today, I am thankful and grateful for

- Chloë Sevigny. She has a special energy, and has been in some fantastic projects.

- Sheela Na Gig - the activism around a phoneline for women in Camberwell, the mythical story, the images, and this song and performance by P.J. Harvey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkS_R7RDuMc&ab_channel=beppilgrim

- Mary Cook. You made me and Mum smile so much. Utterly loveable.

22nd August 2021: Kindness Of A Stranger / Terminator Soundtracks / Pirate Radio

Today, I am grateful and thankful for,

- the kindness of a stranger, rescuing Mum and I from a walk cut-off by fiesty horses, and leading us on an alternative route. Kim was wonderful company, as was her spaniel.

- The Terminator / Terminator: Judgement Day soundtracks. 

- the idea of, and the feel and experience of, Pirate Radio

21st August 2021: Gummo / Harmony Korine / Isobel Yeung / VICE / Consent

Today, I am thankful and grateful for

- the film, Gummo (1997)

- the film's director, Harmony Korine

- Isobel Yeung, the participants, and this VICE episode around consent, sexual assault and rape, and restorative justice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhFyGz8wQaY&ab_channel=VICENews

18th August 2021: Interview Offer / Trust Of A Friend / Amia Srinivasan

Today, I am grateful and thankful for

- the offer of an interview to an organisation I have a lot of respect for

- for the trust of a friend

- Amia Srinivasan

17th August 2021: Prescription Service / Hard Conversation / Lovely Walk With A Close Friend

This evening of this day, I am grateful and thankful for

- the swift service of a repeat prescription

- for a shorter turnaround in bracing a hard conversation with someone I care about deeply

- for a lovely walk with a close friend

16th August 2021: TQN-aut / Aid Organisations Supporting People Of Afghanistan / Photos Of My Mother's Relatives

Today, I am thankful and grateful for,

- the being of TQN-aut, that it happened, for the difference they made and the difference they supported

- the following organisations (UK focussed) supporting the people affected in Afghanistan: AfghanAid, Aryana Aid, Muslim Hands UK, Emergency UK, Tearfund

- Worn physical photos of my mother's parents and grandparents as young people.

15th August 2021: Sunshine Through Trees / Finishing A Book / Those Helping The People Of Afghanistan

Today, I am grateful and thankful for

- sunshine through the trees onto the old railway track

- a nice long, reading session, and finishing a book

- all those sheltering, protecting & helping the people of Afghanistan, and to those helping to evacuate people safety where they can

14th August 2021: Charlie Brooker Analysis / Jana Rush's Music / Pip & Guy's Allotment

Today, I am thankful and grateful for, 

- This concise media analysis by Charlie Brooker in 2009.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PezlFNTGWv4&ab_channel=NoUnicorns

- for becoming acquainted with the music of Jana Rush, and that feeling of finding something special

- my friend sharing the some vegetables from her and her partner's allotment.

15th July 2021: New People / People Of Cuba / Those Bringing Aid To Those Affected By Flooding, West Germany

Today, I am thankful and grateful for, 

- meeting new and kind people.

- The people of Cuba, may they have their needs met.

- Those bravely assisting those in the emergency flooding in western Germany. 

- I am grateful for the life of Dawn Foster (@DawnHFoster). I am so sad she leaves us too soon. Rest in peace, and I wish peace to her close friends and family

 

14th July 2021: Interview Opportunity / Hypnotic Music / Questlove & Summer Of Soul

Today, I am grateful and thankful for

- the opportunity to interview for an organisation I greatly respect

- the gentle, hyponotic music coming from the house across the road

- Questlove (and his team's), commitment to making a film, Summer Of Soul, about The Harlem Cultural Festival, bringing into light this under-celebrated occasion in music history.

4th July 2021: Silver Amalgam / Daniel Ellsberg / Music Documentary Style Choices In The 90s

Today, I am thankful and grateful for, 

- the silver amalgam that is used for teeth filling.

- Daniel Ellsberg, and his bravery

- 45 degree angle framing, and turning frames, for band members during interviews for 90s music-TV documentaries.

2nd July 2021: Memory / Damselflies

Today, I am grateful and thankful for

- the wide ranging capacity, and use, of memory

- damselflies

1st July 2021: Horseshoe Route / Virtual Reality Technology / Neighbourhood Cat

Today, I'm grateful and thankful for

- a walk around fields, on a 'horseshoe' route, with a good friend

- for Virtual Reality technology

- for a new, sociable and friendly young cat in the neighbourhood

30th June 2021: Job Application / Nina / Synesthesia

Today, I am grateful and thankful for

- completing a job application

- for the luxury of rocking my friend's baby, Nina, on my shoulder

- for the possibility of synesthesia

29th June 2021: The Work Of Dr. Deepti Gurdasani / St. Faith's Villa Care Home Carers / Salman Toor

Today, I am grateful and thankful for

- the work and information given by Dr. Deepti Gurdasani throughout the Covid-19 crisis

- the care workers of St. Faith's Villa Care Home

- the artwork of Salman Toor

26th June 2021: John Roger / No Reservations / Vinyl Mixing Videos

Today, I am grateful and thankful for

- John Roger's walks around London. For the homesickness I feel. 

- For the series, No Reservations, by Anthony Bordain, for Anthony Bordain

- Those themed vinyl mixing videos online. The effortlessness of the DJ's, and their gentle bopping and enjoyment of the music. This afternoons - Columbian Salsa Records with Gia Fu. Sounds married with the light summer light - very soothing.

25th June 2021: A John Davisi Meditation / Those Who Helped Following Miami Building Collapse / Peterloo Protest / Coldwar Steve

Today, I am grateful and thankful for

- A meditation by John Davisi

- Those who helped to find and support survivors following the building collapsing in Miami

- the 60,000 people who gathered at St. Peter's Field, to demand reform to parliamentary representation in 1819. 

- the art of Coldwar Steve

17th June 2021: Safe & Comfortable Home / Friends' Focus / Cello Playing Of 'Rebecca Is A Burden'

Today, I am grateful for

- a safe, comfortable and supportive home, that helps me to grow

- for inspiring friends, focussed on important global issues, and important localised issues all over the world. 

- for the cello playing of 'Rebecca Is A Burden'

15th June 2021: Positive Eye-Test / People Drinking In The Square / Football, EUROs

Today, very thankful

- that my eye-test revealed positive results and I do not require glasses at this time.

- walking through the centre of town in the sunlight, seeing people enjoying drinks together in the square. 

- watching football for the first time in ages, and finding it enjoyable. That amazing lob by the Czech Republic yesterday against an unfocussed Scottish goalkeeper!

1st March 2021: Paidia / Cornel West Saying Paidia

Today, gratitude for thanking you for,

- the word, Paidia

- the way Cornel West intones that word

27th February 2021: Open Conversation / Resetting Mental Health / First Strong Sun,

Up there, down there, everywhere

Grateful, and thankful for!

- An open conversation with a friend around St. James' & Hyde Park.

- Resetting a little from a mental health drop yesterday

- The first of feel of strong sun on skin this year

15th February 2021: Anhedonia / The Process / Tooting Common Fossil Tree

Today, I am grateful, thankful for

- for the word, anhedonia - a common symptom I experienced in phases of depression. 

- for an involved discussion with my brother about the film about The Process - for the people involved in The Process, and the history of The Process Church The Final Judgement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awcrm8uOul8&ab_channel=LemmyCaution

- For a fossilised tree

https://www.tootingcommon.co.uk/fossil-tree

8th February 2021: Oxford AstraZeneca / Mum Receiving A Gift / Emptying Rubbish Bins

Today, I am very grateful and thankful for,

- the happiness of my mother receiving a present

- for the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine - and for my parents receiving appointments, and the vaccine. 

- the pleasure of emptying rubbish bins.

5th February 2021: Reflection / Trust Of Someone / Light Through The Window

Today, I am grateful and thankful for

- the opportunity to reflect about how I advocate for those who have a more active relationship managing their mental health, and pushing-back and confidence in communication in general.

- that someone felt trusting to share something very personal with me. 

- for a lovely light through the window, and the warmth on my bare torso.

2nd February 2021: Learning About People / Speaking With Close Friend / Puzzle Games / Escape Rooms

Today, I am grateful and thankful for, 

- sharing time with fascinating people, and learning about parts of their lives that they care for very much

- for speaking with my good friend in Sheffield

- for puzzle games / escape rooms

30th January 2021: SOPHIE / Community Centre Architecture / Feeling Loss

Grateful & thankful, 

- SOPHIE - rest in all the glory you brought. 

- The architecture of a community centre near my home, and the elevation it offers through a path up on its roof. 

- For feeling loss, and to have it married by the soft rain and grey skies. The immaterial, more so.

10th January 2021: Thinking About Big Tech / Battersea Park / Flatmate

Today, I am very thankful for, 

- feeling comfortable thinking about the complexities associated with Big Tech social media companies and their position in the world.

- The beauty of Battersea Park

- A thoughtful and considerate flatmate

6th January 2021: The Birth Of A Friend / Views From My Room / Real-time Reporting From Around The World

Thankful and grateful for, 

- the birth of a close friend

- the views, and particularly the skies, outside of my bedroom window on the 4th floor. Wild skies, and a mix of archetecture, and light. 

- real-time reporting from around the world

3rd January 2021: Dr. Strangelove / Peter Sellers / Myatt's Fields Park / Choices

Today, I am grateful and thankful for - 

- Dr. Strangelove - Peter Sellers is brilliant and dynamic in it. 

- For Myatt's Fields Park

- For settling on some choices for the next few months, (outside of unexpected circumstances)

2nd January 2021: Conversation With Friends / Peaceful Environment For A Few Days / Expert Advice

Grateful, and thankful for

- a lovely and personal conversations with 2 close friends

- for a peaceful environment for few days

- for expert advice from a friend

1st January 2021: A Day Recording / Reset Computer / MF DOOM

 Grateful and thankful for, 

- a day spent recording music

- a decluttered, resurrected computer and how recording is so much easier now it has been reset - spring cleaned!

- for the music of MF DOOM.