Friday, October 24th 2008

Coalition, Brighton

Tuesday, September 30th 2008

In spite of the rain...

Good Morning

 

JD’s and lentil-men. I hope this finds you well. I’m looking out at the Brighton rain, through the ceaseless stream of traffic that is the road I live on, thinking that the scene is heavy with symbols of depression, but I’m feeling good nonetheless. British People! Stop whinging about the weather and recognise the incredible fortune you all have to live in this country, at this time. I’ve noticed that even when there’s been a full week of blazing sun, once it’s gone folk here forget about it straightaway. A spot of rain, and they’re full of Typicals.

 

Well I know Mud Island has its failings, but it’s a patch of land where my family live, and all my friends. It’s where my beautiful Other Half is to be found. It’s where my home town is, where 99.9 per cent (official figure, confirmed by officials) of my memories were formed. It’s where I learnt to ride a bike, and it’s where I manage to make a living through playing music and writing. We’ve got more music festivals than anywhere else (feel free to contradict me here); we’ve got Good Shit coming out of our earlobes. I’m listening to the Clash right now. They’re from round here.

 

I think patriotism is for fools, especially patriotism in a country that has spent the last few hundred years brutalising the rest of the world. I don’t think this country is Better than anywhere else. I’m not Proud of Britain, but I’m at Home in it. I just want you lot to look out of your windows at the rain and the traffic, and not despair. Think of the rain as a blessing, and imagine the traffic as the sound of the sea. Then put London Calling on, and see if you can fail to smile.

 

Nice, nice, nice.

 

Dizraeli