anaphalaxis

So, another week under the belt, or over the shoulder if you prefer.

Immediately you can tell I'm in a better mood... Or not so much.

This week has been busy busy busy. I went up to a big fair in Birmingham and found a few decent things, then went to Northampton to see a friend (it's on the way back). Decent sales this week, although the bank balance is still fooked. Selling things is one thing. Actually getting people to pay you- totally different!

So I think I'm probably going to start stalling up at Portobello. I've got a contact in one of the smarter galleries and there's a space vacant. It is too big for me alone, so I've found some people interested in sharing. We shall see what transpires. If it pans out it may be quite fruitful.

That's all work. Pretty much all I've been up to though. I'm also almost certainly going to sell my flat and move to somewhere a bit bigger. Not having enough space is driving me spare, and as the market is a bit wobbly at the moment I can probably afford to upgrade a bit. More financial responsibility, but I should be able to handle it if business keeps the way it is or, even better, improves. It should. I've got a long way to go, and that's a good thing- I certainly don't think I've hit a glass ceiling.

I've decided I want to invest in something tangible with some of the money my Grandmother left me. It won't be a lot. Half goes to my mum and half to me, and by the time she died most of what she'd saved had been spent on running her home, medical things, blah blah blah. But there's going to be a bit, and she didn't leave anything tangible of any value really. She wasn't an acquisitive sort of person.
I want to buy something which is from her, which I can tell my kids is from their great grandmother, and which will stay in the family.
My grandparents bought me a Terry Pratchett book for Xmas and Birthday when I was little. I remember them well, and used to read them when I went on holiday.
I think I'm going to buy one of the original illustrations. Not the front cover illustrations alas- the early ones were done by a bloke called Josh Kirby who died in 2001. They are all privately owned and have never been seen on the open market. I imagine they are worth an absolute fortune.
Now they are done by a guy called Paul Kidby, who has done quite a lot of the covers for the recent books, but also illustrations for some of the extra "nerd" books; Not the novels but Maps, character bios, that sort of thing. He's really good if you like that sort of thing (and actually, I do), and some of the smaller and less important ones are quite affordable. I've been looking in to it, anyway.

The girl mentioned in my last few blogs is back from holiday, and so far seems to be understanding where we are. She did ask me out for a drink a couple of times. One time I politely refused, and the other time I actually was out of town. I'm almost certain she thinks she's going to change my mind on the whole thing, and if she keeps seeing me I'll work it all out. Then again, she may have simply taken what I said at face value and is just being friendly.
Except she did sort of tell me she was convinced I was just "being thick" and would back-pedal on my decision....
I did actually use the words "I don't see us as having a future together" and "the spark is missing" so really other than saying quite mean things which will upset her I don't know how I can be plainer about how I feel. I don't think I need to feel responsible for any wrong thinking she might be doing. I think I've done my bit. I'll watch this space and set her straight if I feel like I have to.

Well I think that's just about it. Much thanks to the people who bother to read and respond to all this dull drivel. I'm not sure why you do, but thank you anyway!