A better view from the gallery

I had this idea the other day. Obviously, I'm going to be watching the coverage of the general election in May (presuming it does happen [actually, it would be quite funny if he didn't call it for another year, but I don't think that's going to happen]), and an election party shall be had! But also, we could do a few things to make it a bit more interesting, like sweepstakes on various outcomes. The obvious ones would be how many seats each party is going to get; by what majority a government will be held etc. But we could have other random ones like how many times politicians say certain jargon words throughout the night or how many times we go to Peter Snow's Swingometer! Ooh, lots of fun to be had! I am such a geek.

Current number of seats held by the 3 major parties:

Labour 408
Conservative 162
Lib Dem 55

Chicken shit "pragmatism"

I was hugely disappointed, yet of course not surprised, when Ruth Kelly outlined the government's White Paper and its response to the 18 month Tomlinson enquiry into education for 14-19 year olds. Tomlinson's report had recommended (with the support of headteachers, school governers and universities) a radical overhaul of secondary and further education, introducing a diploma, incorporating both academic and vocational learning. It would of course scrap GCSEs and A-levels, and the ridiculous focus on examination for assessment, giving more scope for comprehensive and broader learning. Part of the aim of Tomlinson's recommendations were to get rid of the two-tier system of academic and vocational courses, which gave academic learning higher value.
It's very frustrating to see Labour miss yet another opportunity to put forward radical policy. What is more frustrating, and extremely emblematic of this government, is that it is - as is seemingly most political decision making - so cynically linked to votes. So close to a general election, how could I possibly expect our government to win over middle England by scrapping the "gold standard" of A-levels!
Not to completely dismiss the government's plans, and just to prove I'm still a Labour supporter, some of the suggestions were pleasing. If there is to be a considerable focus on vocational learning (under 14 broad subject areas) it is good to hear that they will be widely informed and advised by employers across a broad section of employment sectors in the UK. Linking these courses to the needs of industry is, of course, vitally important and I applaud that.
The government's focus, which again I applaud, unlike their policy aim of 50% in higher education, is to raise the level of 16 year olds staying on in further education (from the current level of about 70% up to 90%), either in vocational or academic settings, but I fear that their aim to end the "snobbish divide" as Kelly calls it, will not be accomplished without a radical change in policy, which Tomlinson appeared to outline in practical guidelines.
What pisses me off is that, with this White Paper, Tomlinson's discarded recommendations come across like liberal idealism, when in fact, they appeared to suggest some of the pragmatic idealism that New Labour fought to power on.

By the wayside tavern

I'm not sure my estimate of 2000 words a week is entirely realistic. At the moment, it's around 1000. I don't regret the estimate though, I think I'll be able to get it up to 1500. It's good to have a target, even if it does fluctuate a little. 'Tis going well at the moment; I'm just polishing my first chapter.

Jo Whiley is playing a Bright Eyes song on the radio. This in entirely inappropriate, firstly because any of the songs from 'I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning' are far too beautiful to be played on the radio, and secondly, because she is far too annoying and undeserving to play them on her show.

...and a good telephone manner.

I'm shaking from a caffeine rush. Just been in a record shop and didn't buy anything. Richard Madeley is so funny. Water tastes nice. I love sandwiches. It would be nice to run a book shop. Maybe I could run a dictionary shop; just sell dictionaries. People get high on pills. Jump off the golden gate bridge. Running on the spot. Selling yourself is no fun at all, like when you write a personal statement and lie about your cleanliness. My brother used to suffocate me with a pillow. Those poor lost indians. Watching the clock, watching the clock, watching the clock. It would be satisfying to read every book ever written. Maybe I could do that this summer. Have you ever eaten welsh toes? Moon River.

Hell is chrome

I am, at this moment, listening to A Ghost Is Born by Wilco, a very good album. I'm very much looking forward to seeing them in March; have been a fan for a long time, and still haven't seen them live.

I was listening to Alan Milburn on Radio 5 today. Ooh, I know he's a right sleezy Blair clone, but I can't help getting on with him. And he's a Newcastle fan. I would hate to see him leader of the party, or God help us, PM, but he is undoubtedly likeable, and quite a moderate to my surprise. On the other side of the bench however, why is it that Tory MPs are so dislikeable and so bloody reactionary when they speak in interviews? I suppose that's being in opposition for you. Or maybe just being a Tory.
But for the record, my tip (and hope) for the leader after next (I'm sure Gordon will get a crack at the whip eventually) is the wonderful David Miliband, currently working at the Cabinet Office with Milburn. Should get a senior post after the election hopefully.

Also... I want to be an academic, I've decided. At least, that is, I'm applying for the Ma at Hallam, and we'll see how it goes.

Oh my sweet disposition

Did anyone see the documentary on Saturday following Michael Howard around? Very innaresting, as Neil Young would say. I tell you what's significant though: he just doesn't have the personal ability to make him likeable. Unlike TB, who is great at all that baby-kissing stuff, and has a real personable element to him, Howard looks visibly uncomfortable at having to rub shoulders with the common folk. I'm still voting Labour by the way. Even if it is a wasted vote for me here in Hallam, where Labour lie in a distant third place; I beleive in the party.

I've been watching House Of Cards, which young Si Wilkins kindly loaned me. If you don't already know, it was a political drama made in the early '90s, dramatising the post-Thatcher power struggle amongst the Tory party. Ian Richardson plays the deliciously conniving Francis Urquart, who slowly picks off his rivals for power. It's very good, though probably not as good as I remembered; wincingly smug at times (it is supposed to be smug, but still...) and the woman who plays the young eager reporter isn't particularly convincing. Still, very entertaining.

Death of a genius

I heard the very sad news today that Arthur Miller has died, aged 89. I actually thought he was older than that. The man was an inspiration; he never stopped working at his craft, and was still producing new work up to his death. One thing I thought that was incredible when I saw his interview on the 'Imagine...' doc last year, was that he was still as sharp as a knife; he engaged continuously and tirelessly in contemporary debates and issues. It is a thirst and lust for life that envy so so much. Much like I was with Johnny Cash, I was completely in awe of Arthur Miller, and would have loved to have known him.
The production I saw of The Crucible a year or so ago was simply breath taking, and one of the most incredible experiences I have had with any art form.

Arthur Miller R.I.P.

Dreamland

I'm reading Ian McEwan's 'Atonement' and it really is quite depressing how incredibly good a writer he is.
I'll never win the fucking Booker Prize at this rate.

Cultural train wreck

Very tentatively, I 'officially' started my novel yesterday. I've done about 9000 words planning and working on my characters, and the narrative is as clear as I'll be able to know it at this point. That's to say, the narrative often has to be earned by the experiences of the characters. Starting is not something I'm eager to do, as previous attempts have often been written too soon, and the thinness of the characters becomes obvious. However, I feel relatively confident and excited by these characters and the narrative has, to me, a natural trajectory.

My aim, at this early stage, is to do about 8000 words a month, or around 2000 a week. The frustrating element of writing whilst working full-time is that I can only use my days off (which inevitably can get filled up with other things I need to do) or my evenings, and I never seem to get a decent long stretch at it. Oh well, thousands of other writers have had to contend with the same problem; hopefully that tension will give me more determination to stick at it.

Fiction

Quoting other people is intended to make yourself look clever, without the effort, imagination or vulnerability to say something personal. Or else, 'that guy said it way better than I ever could.' The writer wants to be the revelator, but all the veins have been so repeatedly plundered for private pleasure, then whored to the printing press, that we sit wanking blankly at our own thinly veiled confessions, in the tragic hope they 'connect'. Do you ever read back what you've just written? I try not to. Apparently, when writing his recently published 'Chronicles' book, Dylan, in certain chapters, couldn't read back some of what he'd written, for fear he would cringe too much and never end up writing anything.

T-shirt slogan

Oh dear, I fear this weblog could easily turn into 'Pete's favourite quotes'. How vain. Oh well, I can live with that.

Today I bought Why I Write by George Orwell. It's one of those Penguin Big Ideas books. He's very clever and I like the four reasons he gives for why people write.

"All writers are vain, selfish and lazy, and at the very bottom of their motives there lies a mystery. Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven on by some demon whom one can neither resist nor understand. For all one knows that demon is simply the same instinct that makes a baby squall for attention."

The conceit of the writer. Along with "sheer egoism", Eric discusses "Aesthetic enthusiasm", "Historical impulse", and "Political Purporse". Hmmm, all pretty faggy really.

Jim Crace

There was a superb article in the yesterday's paper, in which writer Jim Crace printed replies to would-be writers badgering him for advice on the perils of completing that oh-so important first book. A sample:

Dear Alison,
It was so nice to be recognised in the restaurant last night. I appreciate you coming across to introduce yourself to me and my wife and was touched that you went to the trouble of abandoning your meal and your friends to hurry home for your manuscript. I feel a bit guilty about the little scrape you had with your car on the way back. All in a good cause, I suppose.

Then later:

But, then, what if I had read The Lizard? What use would that be for you? I don't have a printing press in my garage. Editors do not phone to seek my opinions. And if I showered them with recommendations or endorsed every manuscript that came my way, then you may be sure they would conspire to be in a meeting whenever I called, or out at lunch, in every meaning of that phrase. My opinion counts for hardly anything. I live in Birmingham. You might as well ask your spouse or friend or cousin to read your unpublished books for all the good it will do you. None of them will tell you the truth. They will pretend they loved it or they will affect amused indifference if your success would be threatening. Besides, what if all your aquaintances adored The Lizard? You are still no closer to being published. "Dear Sirs, I enclose my novel for your consideration. All of my seven neighbours think it is wonderful."