Seeing this invitation, painted on a Brighton wall, this afternoon I wondered what I should write or draw. And what is the 'dream'? I mean is it an aspiration or the confusion of images that woke me this morning at five-thirty. And also, what would be the point because the truth is I have accomplished things I could't have dreamed of as a young man, even as a thirty year old man. To desire more almost seems greedy and what good would dreaming do, when so much joy comes unexpectedly. Of course there is always another book to write, a song to sing, a film to make, it would be nice, but I have done okay. Although, of course, a dream extends more than to ourselves, we can hope for others and I do, this is why I am involved in a creative project that will promote a social justice idea I have been mulling over for a while - though more of that later because I have partners in the project and its is still in its infancy. So its a strange thing this having a dream. Most realistic ambitions are doable and achievable and I wonder, if I had written this graffiti would I have used the word 'dream' or would I have changed it for 'hopes'. Its given me something to mull over. One thing that does concern me is seeing liberal Europe lurching to the right - goodness, did the Greeks really deserve the kicking they have just received? And its a worldwide thing, the UK; USA; Australia... are all moving the same way, its hard to reconcile this with hopes and dreams and aspirations for social equality. I guess my message on this wall might be, 'I wish everyone had a life like mine, which is good.' I listened to this song the other day, because I can whenever I like, how good is that - not everyone can and not everyone will be a Joe Ely fan, but I am - I wanna smear the moonlight in your skin / And put Orion in your crown
