Recently...& SOAP
+RECORDING:-->> Saturday, 11 November 2023
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Dear Chasers!
This is my idea of a ‘Monologue’ called SOAP. That I Wrote Quite Recently….
I was on the tram and I could smell the soap coming from an old man who was getting off.... I felt a nostalgia for my granddad. It would have been Gramps' birthday today on 8 November 2023. He might have been about 75 now. Maybe 80. I lost count the day he died. I can't even remember how old he was when he left us. I just remember he ‘scrubbed up well’ and always stunk of soap. The older generation were more basic and ground in their ways. I don't like the smell of soap much.
This guy on the tram. It wasn't Imperial Leather although even that doesn't match my stuff these days. It's kind of an odd stink. It makes me think of loneliness, but so does every fucking thing. I pictured the old man washing his face and skin in freezing cold water from a small bathroom sink. Maybe a strip wash with a rough green towel trying to cover the obligatory stench of piss and the decay of old age. The old man waved to an older lady who called out his name. Away he sauntered with his freshly polished walking stick and beige leather loafers with cream stitching and slacks the colour of the shit I had this morning. I empathised with his lack of taste. I imagined his Sainsburys outing the only dose of daylight he would get that week.
To fill one plastic shopping bag with supplies, carry it home and fill the cupboard. Stick the shiny kettle on while cooking a single lamb chop under the grill on top of the old style gas cooker. Turning the chip pan on full heat to melt the last meal's lard. Stirring his cup of tea vacantly. Taking it back to his armchair in front of the TV. Not thinking of switching it on. Slumping down in his same old spot. Un-crumpling yesterday's newspaper to finish the crossword while his brew cools down. Looking around at the empty dusty room. Clean enough for guests to view only because of lack of use.
The old lady thinks about him on the tram and for the rest of the day. Wished that they'd had time to chat. Longing for the company. She goes home and feeds her cats. Slips into something like an apron and slippers gets the plain flour out ready for baking. She screws open the cap on the bottle of vodka that she still hides behind the radiator cover, even thought she lives almost alone. Her temporary lodger doesn't enter the lounge or kitchen ever, yet... just in case he did. She feels better keeping her business private.
She takes a swig, then another straight from the bottle. Fastens the lid then things better of it and pours another measure into a mug with the Queen's photo on it. Later she fills it up with Yorkshire tea and takes it up to bed with her. Lying under the covers she finds by flicking through the remote, an older TV channel that she doesn't mind ignoring. Setting the remote down by the side of her legs on the bed. Closes her eyes and one single tear slides down her face as the bum bum bum to EastEnders theme tunes jolts her from her reverie... looking up just in to see the end of Arthur lying face down in the fucking cabbages on his beloved allotment.
Thank you for sticking with me “thus far” and I hope you enjoy the little bits below…<3 Bye..! xx
Recently… I made a mix to go with the SOAP theme.
The music doesn’t actually reflect anything to do with SOAP ;-/ ..! Its just another extended eclectic melodic trip of my mood on the day. I hope you feel it with me.
Recently…. Read (acquired TBR) Books
First of all I read and completed the small The Yellow Wallpaper book by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. I thoroughly enjoyed sailing through it. Jobs a good’en. I mention it in my other newsletter dated 10 November 2023 on the main account subscription although it is pointless me sending you over there because that mention of this book is part of something more (a huge rant about my relationship and domestic unbliss!) which for obvious reasons, I had to hide in the secret section behind a paywall. So, here is an image instead haha! If you do fancy hearing more from me on an occasional basis - do consider subscribing over on JustClingingOn. Check it out.>!! x
Recently….In The Bath I have Been Reading
Dance Dance Dance by Haruki Murakami
So far its 100% more up my street than Norwegian Wood which I read about a year ago. I went out and bought a few of Murakami’s books inexpensively from the grumpy book man. I do enjoy his writing style but wasn’t seduced by the ‘romance’ situation in Norwegian Wood. THIS..!! Dance, Dance, Dance, has keep me reading to chapter 4 in a ten minute bath. I even brought it back to my desk with me instead of leaving it in the sink as I usually do with books I try to read in the bath. I would recommend it already.
Recently… Visited Website
I’d heard of this project before but never quite felt the need to go there. Only now, I have decided to start attempting to read some of the Classic Literature that have always tested me in the past. I wanted to read for then for fun, not to analyse. I have a free app on my phone but while my phone was across the room charging (and switched off in Time Out because it makes me feel more free and in control) I do this sporadically throughout the day when I feel I might get overwhelm or its cousin - boredom! It often helps me to disregard my devices and grab a book. Or use my Chromebook to just write. Its a new device and I decided not to transfer all my stuff to it like a lot of people might do. I haven’t installed Instagram, Facebook or messenger. I am keeping clean for my work. I do struggle a bit as I have youtube on it and of course google. This is where the website comes into it. I could enjoy reading an e-book while sitting comfortably at my desk in between working and worrying that I might be losing grip on my creative mojo :-( Link Below
FREE CLASSIC LITERATURE E-BOOKS Project Gutenberg Website
Recently… Searched For Song
As you know, I really hate Cross-Platforming which is what I call sharing and re-sharing the same shit on every single platform.I occasionally do it. I already have with the SOAP MONOLOGUE it features on my standalone podcast ‘safe place’ on Spotify. I don’t mind if you wish to check it out yet but at the moment I’d rather keep it separated from my substack support system. You might leave me if you hear me ‘behind closed doors’. If you really, really want to hear me on there you can find the direct link to the podcast via my Instagram profile. I’m not even going to remind you of my insta handle here.. ;-) lol if you make it all the way to my unofficial podcast you’ll need to do your homework. Thank you. Anyway, as I was saying, I usually hate doing this but I mentioned this song for paid subscribers in a personal video shared over there in JustClingingOn land. I can tell you that it really is the most recent song I looked up after hearing it on my private video. I could just choose something else but I love it too much not to share with you. Here is a lovely song to cheer your day in a way you’ll be thankful for my cross-platforming misadventures! that’ll make it worth it for me too.
Recently… Discovered Podcast
London Writers’ Salon - Check it out ..!!
Recently… Relevant YouTube VIDEO
I have followed Emma for ages.. but, hadn’t seen this video until recently. The moment I decide I wanna dive into the classics, like magic, this pops up! I love this channel, they don’t need any plugs from me as they have a HUUUGE following already but why not give them a sub if BOOKTUBERS, reading and cosy chats are your bag. Thumbs up!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LOOKING THROUGH THIS WITH ME>…XX I FEEL YOUR PRESENCE WITH OR WITHOUT SEEING YOUR <3 HEARTS - click like if you like ! xx
