Readers in the Brighton and Hove area might like to know that as part of the Poetry and Book Festival I am doing a reading tonight at the Mad Hatter (on Western Road opposite Waitrose) at 8pm. Sorry for the short notice, but it would be great to see people there! Details here: http://www.thesouth.org.uk/event_8dec.html.

11:48

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I certainly subscribe to the principle of Wastemonsters (link from Yummy Wakame), where you can download free flyers to attach to evil SUVs. But I don't think it will really work. It seems to me that most SUV owners know perfectly well that they are driving a climate-destroying death trap, and they DON'T CARE. I don't think I'm going to change anyone's mind by coming across all righteous on their windscreen; if anything they'll just be able to dismiss me even more easily as an interfering liberal killjoy. Still, have I got any better ideas? No. Better shut up then.

I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm always the first to get out the tatty office Christmas decorations and generally overflow with good will and tinsel. But even I draw the line at The One Stop Xmas Shop, which has sprung up in Western Road like a sparkly Matterhorn. It's hellish. And going past on the bus this morning I noticed a new feature: illuminated Santas climbing an illuminated ladder up to the first floor windows. Unfortunately this gives the distinct impression that they are burgling the place.

10:39

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