I'm trying to finish an outline for my new travel book, which might be about the Vikings in some way. This planning stage is the hardest thing about writing. Anyway, today I spent about 20 minutes messing about with the cut and paste function, then put on 'Straight Outta Boone County' (Cowboy Songs, Home Songs, Western Songs, Mountain Songs) and have so far spent the rest of my time attempting to recreate 1940s style vocal harmonies, every now and then popping downstairs to put on some more coffee. Pretending To Be A Country And Western Singer is a classic procrastination technique for a writer.

Due to my dodgy eye (detached retina) I'm having problems reading the type on screen. Full stops now appear as commas.

3rd Feb 2002
I stare at the papiermaché fish. I fixed its tail last night and am now wondering whether to hang it again or put it back into the pile of half-forgotten stuff in the upstairs cupboard.

A thin sheet of rain tickles the window. On this damp Sunday morning I am happy that I'm not religious. I can drink strong coffee and read the sports news.