A couple of days ago, just as the sun was setting, Dan and I took a stroll along Brighton beach. I could have posted one of those gorgeous sunset sky pictures but this is what really caught my eye. Brighton beach is not the conventional idea of sun, sea and sand. Neither is it the conventional idea of straight, gay, trans, et al, its just an unconventional town. I have been to many unconventional places, even in conservative USA, but the truth is if you are unconventional there, New York, San Francisco and New Orleans will catch you and scoop you up. Of course that is a gross over-simplification, I mean I had good times in LA, Chicago, Charlotte, San Diego... oh that time in... and then I realise (and I have said this before) I really, really, really like cities. I love the idea of being in a small artistic town, Frome appeals, even Winchester appeals, Canberra (as opposed to Melbourne or Sydney or Brisbane) appeals. But London I had the greatest of time of my life in and it was the hardest place I ever left (and if I am honest I would go back to Dulwich tomorrow). I was in London yesterday and the buzz is still there, indeed I have been up there a number of times in the past few weeks and it still holds that attraction. Edinburgh is a city that beckons me back, of course, time, after time after time, and I like the idea of it, but leaving home means there is no going back, and going back isn't always the best thing about moving on. If I went back I would be a stranger, just another pebble on the beach, looking for a place to be - which of course, brings us all the way back to this picture. And now I will post some Nick Cave, just for me own Brighton reason.
