I promised I'd write

What do you write when you feel numb instead of brilliant?  This, I guess.

Today I am:

walking a bit because it's warm (relatively) but too cloudy for real fun.

fussing on the interwebs at the place with craft brews & free wifi.

restraining myself from blowing all my earthly savings on vinyl.

and that's Sunday.  Still on a huge Kaiser Chiefs tear so going to have a listen to "Employment" far too loudly & try to be inspired.

"If"

The rather marvelous UK comic, Tiffany Stevenson has reimagined Rudyard Kipling's "If" for we forward thinking women.  It's a thing of beauty. (Also credit to Lauren Bravo for inspiration & contribution)

IF you can keep your tiny victories when misogynists about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when rape juries doubt you,
Cause he's famous and the media doubt it too;

If you can be pro choice and not be tired by campaigning
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being mansplained , don't give way to mansplaining
And dare to have boobs too small or hips too wide!

If you can dream - and not make the patriarchy your master;
If you can drink - and make taking down Trump your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph or have a bra fitting Disaster
And love your body just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Credited to men to make a trap for fools,
Or see yourself on panel shows & be called token
And not stoop to their level but educate those tools

If you can insert a tampon on a moving train
And not splatter the cubicle walls
And campaign for equal pay over and over again
And never accept the status quo due to lack of balls

If you can push a human out of your vagina and
Raise them to dream big long after you are gone,
Or choose not to if you so desire
And not judge your sister cos its a different path she is on

If you can walk with crowds and feel safe
From abuse or a harassers touch,
if neither trolls nor sneering sexists can hurt you,
If you love yourself and other ladies almost too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of public breast feeding done
Yours is the Earth everything that's in it, And which is more - you'll kick ass

I'll be moving this soon - probably just to wordpress. In the meantime, wanted to share a new treat I'm enjoying.
I was directed recently to @BBCRadio4's terrific "With Great Pleasure".  One of the recent hosts is the actress Helen Baxendale.  Included in her readers was her "Cuckoo" co-star, comic & actor, Greg Davies (whom you should all know I adore).  It's a great conceit - choosing some favorite bits of literature & bullying your friends into reading them aloud. A particular thrill that among her choices was John Irving's "A Prayer For Owen Meany", my favorite book.  Full episode here

The bonus thrill is another recent host is the fantastic Phill Jupitus, who I grow to love more daily. I'm still devastated at the loss of #NMTB but it's terrific watching his follow up act.
One of his choices was a graduation speech given by Richard DeMarco, CBE, Scottish artist and contributor to Edinburgh Festival & the Fringe.

This quote will stick with me:

"You are born to be creative to the last breath of your life.  Using the art - the language of your art - each one of you. You can make society well"

It's well worth listening to it being read, first by the original & repeated by Phill.  You'll find it here, with that bit at about the 14:00 mark.
If you follow #shortfilmsunday, I know it's a duplicate but it matters. To me.
One of the additional pieces Phill chose is "Genesis" by former US poet laureate, Billy Collins. I posted the entire poem but it follows the DeMarco bit & Thom Tuck's reading is worth a listen for sure.
 I'm devastated at the loss of Bowie today.  It matters so much that the legacy he leaves is the courage to make the art you want. to use your own voice & be original & true to yourself.  These both speak to this theme.
I hope I try to do that, in my own small way.