A shark joke, being here now and twinkling

1. One of the removal men had been a joker on the day of the move. One of his jokes was told over and again several times yesterday and although everyone seemed to think it wasn't that good we all laughed together each time it was told. There is something beautiful about a group of Council workers laughing together.... "why did the shark use a mobile phone?"..."because he had blue tooth".

2. I went to the hospital to visit my friend who has been there for five weeks now. It was good to share smiles and be able make jokes and gossip about work. He was positive and bright despite feeling low earlier in the day. Whenever I go I come away feeling better about myself. It's quite a selfish feeling. I realise (again) that what comes next might be uncomfortable and harsh but it could as easily be healthy and bright. Ram Dass' slightly cliched aphorism "Be Here Now" seemed more realistic than ever.

3. After that moment of elevated consciousness i strode very purposefully down Gillygate and tired to make twinkle eye contact with each passer by. One bloke looked at me very cautiously. Most people just ignored me or pretended not to notice. I got a buzz from it though.