Greetings from the Golden State

Greetings comrades. Arrived in La Jolla today after a wonderful trip from San Francisco via Santa Cruz, Big Sur, Santa Barbara and LA. So much fun I'm thinking of becoming a hippie beach bum and never coming back. I love San Francisco, and Santa Cruz, but Santa Barbara blew me away on a first visit. Exquisite views and really nice vibe. LA was mad, but exhilarating. Grumpy drivers, and too many cars (ever heard of global warming?), and too many facelifts, but great energy. Weather has been good (in the 70s/80s) over the last few days. People have been really friendly and forgiven us Blair. I really think I could live out here for a while, particularly as a way of missing another year in the championship for the irons.

The beer has been excellent - Anchor steam beer would go down well with the WNDC, whilst the microbrewery at the Brewhouse in Santa Barbara did a wonderful 'James Brown Ale' which should be on sale at the Somerville. Downed three very nice pints of Newcy Brown tonight.

I've been thinking a lot about America, and although it has it's faults, I like the easy-going democratic side of life here. The strong national identity is also good, as people see themselves as Americans first, and then their cultural whatever next. I also love the way there is space to be bohemian, most obviously in Santa Cruz, but also in pockets elsewhere. America is so much more than the idiot who occupies the White House, and whilst they can learn from us, we can learn from them. Good people, good weather, and good times!

Hope to see you all weds if not too jetlagged!

Wall Paper

Since our last posting much has happened and yet little has changed, such is our 40 something condition. Where once we were fabulous paintings that grabbed attention now we are but the wall paper to other paintings, everyone else's lovely life dependant on us unnoticed as the ever present background. Small sigh.

Still, we have go-karted. We have won a quiz, all be it with a few ringers (even in victory we opted for the polo shirts). We have discussed our old book and chosen our new book. We have holidayed in the last Alpine snows before the forever summer. We have talked of Sarah Cardy, Second life, Teenagers, showers and growers, West Ham, ipods, workshops, plumbers and Tom Bradby to name but a few that spring to mind. Mustnt grumble hey.

Anyway something that made me smile last night on the radio :

The Price of Art in Luton

On the bridge approaching the railway,the man was begging.
I said draw me a dog and I'll give you a quid.
So I gave him some paper and he did.
And I said, there you go, mate,you can make money out of art!
Will you sign it?
As I handed him the one pound thirty-odd I had in my pocket,
he informed me that the signed ones were a fiver.

John Hegley