do the write thing (graham hopkins)

Just having my usual leftie night of guilt and (given my poor health) despair of our world. And the highly connected people who can just ruin people’s lives. So strangely get drawn (for some reason) to injustice. This song always does it for me. It’s another extraordinarily beautiful an powerful work of one of Nelly’s songwriters Boff Whalley – Chumbawamba’s “waiting for the bus”. Gary Tyler wrongly accused spent 42 years in prison (until he – after never doing so - finally “confessed” to get out) for a crime he didn’t commit. Unless you’re one of the right wing trolls that have been thumping me ... tell me this isn’t how you write songs ... youtube.com/watch?v=tDekZf… theguardian.com/artanddesign/2…

@clairy_clairy8 Oh that's me: a useless, broken, shy boy! I'm working on it making make me feel good!

@clairy_clairy8 I'd reply but my lips are sealed

@LeandadeLisle When it is returned to France, will it be Bye Bye Bayeux?

For people of a certain age…

@clairy_clairy8 I love you putting a smile on my sad, ugly face, Claire! You so cheer me up! Downside is you put dreadful puns in my head: first thought in my head: Pyjamarama! ... it ain't what you do it's the way that you do it. And I just want to be a fun boy free of pain!

@clairy_clairy8 To get me ready ... I bought a toothbrush, some toothpaste, a flannel for my face; pyjamas, a hairbrush, new shoes and a case Actually tbh these lyrics are not reflective of me: the unnecessary hairbrush was a calamitous mistake ... and pyjamas - good god!

@LauraAKarim Thanks, Laura. I wish, though. I've decided my physical and mental health medicine in spurts of lucidity and what little energy (as a writer) I can muster is just keep thinking and do a tweet, a FB post or a crap pun ... just to believe I can still do it ... x

@doingallwrite 🤭 Sounds like you’re feeling better 😊

Had a hilarious conversation with my four year old this afternoon. We have many, but this one was next level. He was muttering about Henry VIII. I said Henry wasn’t a nice man & he said ‘No Mummy, kings are good people. Only burglars are nasty.’ 🫣 😂 His worldview needs nuancing. May have to introduce him to Horrible Histories earlier than I was planning to 🤔

@coseyfannitutti I had a million thoughts. But all up in flames.

For a minute I thought… 😳

@LauraAKarim Was gonna be as bold as brass and blow my own trumpet ... but even I couldn't be that low ... x

@doingallwrite May well have done. Their loud music could be quite offensive on the ears 😂

@reece_dinsdale “Let’s not waste Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about.” Donald Trump. Can't think why he thinks that ...

How many Ukrainians had to die whilst Trump played petty political games just to show he was in charge? He sickens me! bbc.com/news/articles/…

@NewWaveAndPunk If Shaky was there it might be the Green D'or!

Is Palmer receiving the Felon D'or?

@MichaelRosenYes Michael Rosen - a thorn in the side of the establishment and entitlement!

On 3 September, he will come to the Intelligence Squared stage to introduce his new book, 'Good Days: An A-Z of Hope and Happiness'. He will celebrate the small things that bring joy and happiness, and explore how we can live well, even through difficult times.

@_paullay But you're used to Villa Park - so a pretty low bar for comparison!

The greatest sport on earth. Nothing comes close.

@_paullay Good lord(s). As a sky blue boy, I'm agreeing with a Villa fan... I'm finished! But what a test. I remember trying to explain/compare cricket to baseball for my then American brother in law ... I said how glorious tests were and they last five days: "FIVE FUCKING DAYS?!"

@reece_dinsdale Betcha by golly ...

Wow!

@unguenta @MichaelRosenYes oh and as a playwright I always like to amuse people ...!

@doingallwrite @MichaelRosenYes I'm rather amused that you think Emily Maitlis and John Sopel are real journalists.

This is a fascinating conversation. I hope you listen to it.

@unguenta @MichaelRosenYes Admittedly it is a low bar, Roisin. But as a once card-carrying NUJ journalist (and in a company that banned/discouraged unions if you wanted to "get on") ... I'd share a platform with them ... (I get New World, Byline Times, Private Eye & New Statesman) ... all we've got ...

@BoWSociety @DanielDanielsPR @17thCenturyLady @RoyalStuartSoc @WorcesterTIC @JamesConnell8 @1642Author @ericanela @DannyBuckUEA @LynnDenham1 @worcesternews Although Barbara in my Nell Gwynne musical is selfish & money-grabbing (it's a musical - no space for nuance!) my Nelly who impersonates her; which Nell did in real life - does it so funnily...As Nelly says: "Barbara was undeniably beautiful. But she was also very...intense!"

Prepare for passion, power, and peril! On 31st July, the legendary Andrea Zuvich reveals the scandalous allure of Barbara Villiers, mistress of a king and the most magnetic woman of the Stuart court. One night only at The Commandery, Worcester. Dare you attend Ravenous? ⬇️

@LauraAKarim Good advice Dr Laura! That would be great trip. See if I can book a big yellow taxi!

@doingallwrite Hope you feel better soon. Maybe listen to some Joni Mitchell too. Lovely soothing voice 😊

Not sure why but sometimes images just get me. Normally move on but as I'm ill in my bed I dwell. But Joni Mitchell backstage at a festival just seems to capture her creativity and brilliance. And as a writer, I simply don't know why. It just does! And it's Gray ... not Blue! x