May the Lines Sag Heavy and Deep Tonight

[dotinthesky]

What a miserable day! London couldn't look uglier, with its chilly drizzle and grey skies; everyone already looks pale and haggard, as if they've been enduring Winter for months. In a primary school's playground I saw two little boys get into a savage punch up. At work, I wanted to punch one of our freelance artists and throw him down the stairs. I took half of the day off but everything went wrong, everyone needed me, and I had to be the first rat to jump the office's ship for my own sanity's sake.

Ten years ago, on this day, I went to see the Cowboy Junkies play live in Montreal. There's one video on YouTube, from that same tour, but filmed in New York. I can't remember if they played this song at the gig, but I do know they were wonderful and, afterwards, they came to the foyer to meet their fans. (I was long gone by then.) Some friends came with me, others agreed to meet me afterwards at Cafe Sarajevo, where a gypsy band often played, the drinks were fairly affordable, and the nibbles were great.

That was the night I met Kevin. I'd invited his boyfriend at the time, Matthew, who was someone I had a lot of friends in common, to come along and bring whoever he wanted. I'd been told 6 months before by my friend Helen that Matthew had this boyfriend who "would be just perfect for you - it's a shame they are dating!" That was Kevin, and he sat all night beside me, laughed at my drunken jokes and generally made a great impression. Him and Matthew's relationship ended a few days later - for unconnected reasons.

I bought an EuroMillion Lottery ticket on the way home. 100 million pounds up for grab this Friday. I figured that this would be the one day I get all my numbers right... or wrong. Kevin gave me a copy of David Lynch's book Catching the Big Fish. I swallowed pills and took a bath listening to classical music an hour ago, with just one candle for company. Kevin is now home and is doing The Guardian's crosswords. There aren't enough lightbulbs in this flat; my eyesight feels tired.

I apologise for today.

P.s. Thank you again lovely rag_and_bone for buying me a paid account on LJ! I promise not to terrorise (too much) your flist with my polls. :-)

Comments

[rag-and-bone.livejournal.com]

happy birthday! and PLEASE terrorize me with polls. i LOVE polls.

[naturalbornkaos.livejournal.com]

Happy birthday again. I've been really interested in reading "Catching the Big Fish" - looks great.

Also, I was scrolling quite quickly down my FL and I saw the picture and was all, "Huh? That looks like Ollie on the TV there". Took me a few seconds to realise who'd posted it and what it was.

[saint-narcissus.livejournal.com]

Happy Birthday.
I love the story of you and Kevin meeting.
-D

[beeorkendurkey.livejournal.com]

happy birthday, my darling.
xoxo

[nisaba.livejournal.com]

Happy birthday mate. Here's to you, here's to Kevin, and here's to the both of you. No apologies necessary.

natality

[idioticpoet.livejournal.com]

[octoberxswimmer.livejournal.com]

Keep terrorizing me with your posts. I enjoy them immensely. We all know how much I terrorize my friends with novellas and photography. I would much prefer text than polls, so keep that in mind. Happy Birthday! Hang out with my friend Dawn in London. She needs friends. Perhaps you can be her Bruce. I am not sure if that is possible.

So, you have been dating Kevin for ten years?

[etre-moral-etre-sincere.blogspot.com (from livejournal.com)]

The story of how you guys met is really cool. I wonder if I could know it before - something there seems vaguely familiar.

[fisticuff-s.livejournal.com]

wish we could throw you a dinner party! bella would be so excited to see you on your bday!

here's to another happy year!