Ralph Lauren has a Closing Down Sale

gig news, a workshop and an update

Hello

It’s been a while. 6 months in fact. I honestly have no idea how that has happened. There’s some things I want to tell you about:

1. I am running an online poetry workshop on Sunday 21st July. With a bit of a twist.

Anyone who signs up will get a letter full of words and inspiration a week or so before the workshop. I have created some of these letters in the past for a different project, and they are an absolute delight to put together. They will give you a peek into what we will be exploring during the workshop, and hopefully get some ideas flowing.

There are 2 tiers of pricing, pick the one that most suits where you are at. No explanation required.

Expect music, and some creative prompts to get the juices flowing!

2. I am headlining at Verbalise on 22nd June. This will be at Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal, starts at 7.30pm with some open mic slots available first. I would LOVE to see you there. Brewery Arts is an ace place, great for sitting outside with a beer in Summer (and poetry, obvs).

I’m gutted as Karine Polwart is playing here on the same night but if I get chance I’ll definitely be trying to sneak a peek at that gig as well. So if you don’t come for me, come to watch her and let’s have a pint afterwards!

If you have any questions about either of these two events, please just leave a comment and I’ll get back to you. In my infinite wisdom, I decided to come off Facebook, which feels good from a mental health point of view, less good when promoting gigs and workshops. So, an ask- please share either of these things with anyone you think would enjoy it.

---

So that’s that. Exciting things ahead.

On the flip side, I am currently off work. My brain is doing strange things and I don’t really know the cause of it. Lots of freezing, lots of shutdown and general (temporary) loss of basic skills. Burnout-y type symptoms, though I use the word lightly because i don’t know for sure. I’ve decided to get some extra support and investigate a bit more, because these repeated cycles of ‘burnout’ are frustrating, but I’m right at the beginning of that journey and there is not much more to say about it right now.

Despite the circumstances around it being shit, I’m also curious to explore a bit further and see what occurs. Every time one of these ‘burnouts’ happens, I have no choice other than to fully sink into it and do the things that make me better. These are always simple things; poetry, certain frequencies of music, good food, walking, slow movement, staying hydrated, lots of Mortimer and Whitehouse Gone Fishing etc. etc. The things that are so obviously good for us. There is no choice of doing too much, because the body just simply won’t allow it. I am lucky that my kids are a bit older now; they understand and can make themselves some shit noodles if I can’t make tea.

The fact that I’m writing at my computer feels positive and tells me things are heading in the right direction for now. Today I managed to cook a sausage casserole whilst listening to

Mark Diacono

on Radio 6 without burning it. Progress!

A food photographer I am most definitely not…

Last evening I got to a poetry night in Morecambe’s West End; one of my favourite nights because of the frankly bonkers collection of wonderful folk who attend. I was primarily there to see my friend read from his new book.

Ralph Lauren has had enough of Morecambe…

I was surprised I could do this. It felt easy and familiar, as poetry nights often do. No bullshit, just a lot of people telling you their truth as far as they understand things. I find it so much easier to understand than general conversation!

I’ve also been doing lots of thinking around the things that give me energy, and the things that drain it. Ive been trying to add more of the good stuff; the things where I feel energised and most like myself (even if it’s technically quite energy intensive), rather than detracting lots of stuff. Always an interesting tightrope to walk. Turns out Body Combat at my local gym is an absolute winner for me; slightly obsessed.

Amyway, I hope you are all well. And that this wasn’t too much of an overshare.

I would love you to post any music suggestions in the comments; that seems to be my go-to at the moment rather than reading or podcasts.

Em x