Thanks for this John. I’m looking forward to your Doctor Who book. Many years ago my friend Richard made his own Discordian Calender. The month of September was called Tom Baker. My Birthday is the same day as the passing of TC Lethbridge. You know the story there. I’m not the reincarnation of TC Lethbridge but to be clear, my Birthday is in fact 30th of Tom Baker. Just in case you wondered. I’m going to tell Richard about your book. He’s going to love it.
Great letter and thanks for the timely counterculture support/nudge/reminder.
I also enjoyed the note on the podcast episode.... "Please note this episode contains an error in the date of the first broadcast of Doctor Who, which was on 23rd November 1963 rather than the 13th of November as stated. Audio will be updated at the earliest opportunity."
Wonderful stuff John. I try to get my counterculture right now by sitting on moor but, damn, that social media is just so moreish.
I embarrassed myself recently by proclaiming to the world that my aunt made Play School's Humpty - turns out she didn't, but she did make Jemima (the two have a similar look about them, which is why I'd assumed she made Humpty as well), also Rosie & Jim. And my uncle & aunt's prop-making workshop turned out a fair bit of stuff for Doctor Who, including a black orchid which I believe gave its name to an episode. Trying to get my uncle to write his memoirs right now - he's a fabulous writer - but it's going slowly.
Hope to catch you in York, Sheffield, or... somewhere. I believe I still owe you pint from the Blake do in Brighton in, what, 2019?
Oh, fab! And I very much enjoyed your conversation with David Johnston - listened to it on Christmas Day, on our way down to our daughters in Liverpool. What you said about magic particularly resonated (and I also really struggled with visualising things)
Good luck with the book tour. Are you aware of the small independent bookstore chain Toppings & Company and their style of book events? My wife & I are fans having been to a number of them at our local branch so wanted to recommend them to you to consider on your tour. All guests buy tickets to go: the base tickets give entry to the book talk with the author and a glass of wine, next level up tickets also include a copy of the book, plus the base tickets can be used as a discount on the purchase of the book if the person decides to buy it straight after the talk hence an incentive to buy. It’s very established and popular at our local store (St Andrews) so presume it will be similarly at their other stores (3 are in England if you aren't coming up to Scotland). Link: https://www.toppingbooks.co.uk/events/
"The leaders of such movements never know if they are fated to be strung up in an Italian piazza or commit suicide in a bunker, but deep down they know there is no scenario in which they are honoured in old age, reflecting on their positive impact on the world."
As much as I like what you're saying, you are saying it safely stationed in the U.K. Here in Portland, Oregon, I don't have optimism that Musk will be dead soon enough. : (
RIP David Lynch - a true genius. I was captivated by his work the moment I saw Eraserhead.
Elephant Man is still one of my fave flicks, he could have easily have gone down the macabre route, but instead created a very sympathetic piece. (I met Michael Elphick once - I wished I’d have asked him about David Lynch but at the time I didn’t want to hassle him about his film work)
Despite being a music obsessive, Mogwai have never been on my radar until now so thanks for posting the link, I’ve had an earwig and it’s right up my street!
Will certainly get an order in for the Dr Who book and hopefully catch you on tour somewhere.
My only tenuous link to the world of Dr Who is through a mate who lived near Tom Baker whilst still at school and he used to do gardening for the 4th Doctor. He recalled him to be a thoroughly likeable and eccentric chap.
I’m very much looking forward to this. I think you rekindled my interest in the good Doctor in fact. I was hiding behind cushions for the first episode as a boy. Halcyon times.
Strung up in an Italian pizza - have you been reading Zaffre Kolinsky?
At least it's not Swedish Pizza
Damned tangly stuff, that mozzarella.
(S'funny, I was thinking about Zaffre Kolinsky earlier this morning)
Speaking of Blake-synchroncities... this happened while I was in London.
https://rosiewhinray.substack.com/p/a-postcard-from-london-bone-hill
That's a lovely story, thanks for sharing. I think this song must be for you https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irmURXnkt54
Excellent, thank you
Counterculture = IRL 📵
Thank you for this, JH! Great pep talk!
Looking fwd to Exterminate/Regenerate :)))
Thanks sir!
Thank you John. Always a voice of reason and inspiration.
Thanks for this John. I’m looking forward to your Doctor Who book. Many years ago my friend Richard made his own Discordian Calender. The month of September was called Tom Baker. My Birthday is the same day as the passing of TC Lethbridge. You know the story there. I’m not the reincarnation of TC Lethbridge but to be clear, my Birthday is in fact 30th of Tom Baker. Just in case you wondered. I’m going to tell Richard about your book. He’s going to love it.
That's just magnificent
Love this John, thank you for the clarity - the clarity of the joy of mystery !
Great letter and thanks for the timely counterculture support/nudge/reminder.
I also enjoyed the note on the podcast episode.... "Please note this episode contains an error in the date of the first broadcast of Doctor Who, which was on 23rd November 1963 rather than the 13th of November as stated. Audio will be updated at the earliest opportunity."
Ha! I wonder how many people pointed that one out!
Wonderful stuff John. I try to get my counterculture right now by sitting on moor but, damn, that social media is just so moreish.
I embarrassed myself recently by proclaiming to the world that my aunt made Play School's Humpty - turns out she didn't, but she did make Jemima (the two have a similar look about them, which is why I'd assumed she made Humpty as well), also Rosie & Jim. And my uncle & aunt's prop-making workshop turned out a fair bit of stuff for Doctor Who, including a black orchid which I believe gave its name to an episode. Trying to get my uncle to write his memoirs right now - he's a fabulous writer - but it's going slowly.
Hope to catch you in York, Sheffield, or... somewhere. I believe I still owe you pint from the Blake do in Brighton in, what, 2019?
I very much enjoyed your conversation with Andrew O'Neill Dan, I listened to that on my way up to Newcastle on Friday
Oh, fab! And I very much enjoyed your conversation with David Johnston - listened to it on Christmas Day, on our way down to our daughters in Liverpool. What you said about magic particularly resonated (and I also really struggled with visualising things)
Good luck with the book tour. Are you aware of the small independent bookstore chain Toppings & Company and their style of book events? My wife & I are fans having been to a number of them at our local branch so wanted to recommend them to you to consider on your tour. All guests buy tickets to go: the base tickets give entry to the book talk with the author and a glass of wine, next level up tickets also include a copy of the book, plus the base tickets can be used as a discount on the purchase of the book if the person decides to buy it straight after the talk hence an incentive to buy. It’s very established and popular at our local store (St Andrews) so presume it will be similarly at their other stores (3 are in England if you aren't coming up to Scotland). Link: https://www.toppingbooks.co.uk/events/
I was not - but that does sound good, thanks!
"The leaders of such movements never know if they are fated to be strung up in an Italian piazza or commit suicide in a bunker, but deep down they know there is no scenario in which they are honoured in old age, reflecting on their positive impact on the world."
As much as I like what you're saying, you are saying it safely stationed in the U.K. Here in Portland, Oregon, I don't have optimism that Musk will be dead soon enough. : (
RIP David Lynch - a true genius. I was captivated by his work the moment I saw Eraserhead.
Elephant Man is still one of my fave flicks, he could have easily have gone down the macabre route, but instead created a very sympathetic piece. (I met Michael Elphick once - I wished I’d have asked him about David Lynch but at the time I didn’t want to hassle him about his film work)
Despite being a music obsessive, Mogwai have never been on my radar until now so thanks for posting the link, I’ve had an earwig and it’s right up my street!
Will certainly get an order in for the Dr Who book and hopefully catch you on tour somewhere.
My only tenuous link to the world of Dr Who is through a mate who lived near Tom Baker whilst still at school and he used to do gardening for the 4th Doctor. He recalled him to be a thoroughly likeable and eccentric chap.
😎✌️
Thank you John
Also Also? Best way to spend the July 12th weekend! Also …Where/when are you planning to be in Belfast? Great read, John. Worth the wait.
Still waiting for a definite date for that one - other than the beginning of May. Hopefully know more soon
But are you at the Also Festival in July ? I’m working in the book tent . If Exterminate / Regenerate is on sale there, it’s getting the hard sell .
You star! But there's no plans for Also this year alas. Belfast will be the afternoon of May 4th, it turns out
Superb piece and I can’t wait to read the new book. Please come to Bridport! The Electric Palace.
I think we tried for there but no joy - will check
I’m very much looking forward to this. I think you rekindled my interest in the good Doctor in fact. I was hiding behind cushions for the first episode as a boy. Halcyon times.
Seeing the first episode as a kid is pretty wonderful. Hope you lives up to it!
I meant, *hope the book lives up to it!*, I clearly need coffee
Drinking same as I write 👍🏼