I went to buy a new pen this lunchtime and ended buying some other things as well: a compass and this fantastic lantern. Not just mindless consumerism though, you see I'm going camping in a fortnight. I just hope I don't break the lantern winding it up too much. It's great though - I thoroughly approve of clockwork things - anything that aids me, however slightly, in my flight from the clutches of the Man. Anyway, the lantern - I think it's beautiful, like a miniature lighthouse.
I'm probably too delicate for camping. I don't even like crashing out on people's floors. But it's a friend's stag do and there is absolutely no getting out of it. That was my first reaction anyway. Now I've borrowed a tent, some billy cans and a stove and some other bits and bobs off my brother and I'm almost looking forward to it. I'm going to practice putting the tent up this weekend. Aside from the natural hardships to be expected of camping in northern England in September most of my wariness stems from the 'stag' part of the deal. When drunk I've a tendency to be slightly dogmatic on the subjects of pop music and foreign policy but I'm basically harmless. The prospect of rolling into a small village pub with some of my friend's other, more laddish, friends...
8 hours ago