I gave a public lecture similar to the one I gave at Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts last month entitled art@Dialogue and other Realities where I explored the various aspects of dialogue in the process of art and life. I have come to understand, or at least, to justify my extensive travel as an “art” process in itself.
When God gave the first humans consciousness, he whispered advice under his celestial breath as they shivered their way out of Eden; ‘obscure theyselves’. Every tribe or half-simian with the ingenuity has since learnt to brew or distill fluids and vapors to occasionally relieve themselves of the intolerable jabber of thought; to numb their magnificent senses just enough to sensually smudge judgment and nerve.
A good bar is sanctum to this need. — Brian Catling
Bar-hopping here seems to be a regular daily pastime, although I suppose one never sees the stay-at-homes, those who don’t imbibe. The norm for those who do is to stop by the local pub for a few pints of the local bitter or stout in the evening after the workday is done. It involves a lot of standing up, and with my great weakness for Guinness Stout, it is dangerously enjoyable! I have become a bit famous for my drinking habits — markedly, when I order one water after the other, with an occasional Guinness mixed it. For me it is a serious question of remaining properly hydrated — between the ubiquitous tea (a diuretic) and the alcohol, I insist on consuming at least as much water as beer or whatever… And having a glass or two of water well in advance of the morning tea.
Dinner with David, Sarah, Michael, George