Was brilliant. Up at 8am to catch the 9am bus into Birmingham to catch the 10am train, a 'by the hour' plan that almost failed in Kings Heath when the driver didn't understand that he was supposed to keep driving, and not talk to some bloke he knew. After five minutes, I politely asked if we were stopped here or continuing and this spurred him into apologetic action.

Lucky I had, really as I arrived in the station with under ten minutes to spare. Ticket bought, sandwich bought and large bottle of water bought (see my partygoing ways) I hopped on the train and for the next half an hour worked on the laptop, sorting a pitch document for a possible work for hire novel which, if greenlit will make me VERY happy.

Got to Euston at 11.30am, and got to Leicester Square at noon where I met my Dad and my uncle Jackie for lunch. This was good as I don't often get to see my Dad that much since moving to Birmingham eight years ago, and the last time I saw my uncle was four years ago at my Mum's funeral. But it was good to see him again and you really couldn't tell that we hadn't seen each other for a while.

Lunch was spent pretty much talking about old family things, the fact that Tracy and I will be spending a week in Ireland next month (and therefore a day in the family stomping grounds of Dundalk) and the fact that I am the first of my father's sons to do this properly. Go me. I also gave Jackie a bag with several of my comics / GN's in to show him that I did, after all write the funny books.

About 3pm I left them to go to a meeting, things went very well and I might have to go back next week depending on what they think of some ideas I suggested. I seem to be doing a lot of things with London companies recently. Most surreal. After that I popped by Orbital Manga on St. Martin's to say hi to owner Damian, who showed me the flyers and posters for my Doctor Who signing there with Gary Russell on the 27th of September. He also told me that Alan Moore will be signing there again on the 13th of September, which of course is when I'm in Dundalk. Typical. 

From there I was to the Spice Of Life where I met with Markosia boss Harry Markos and artist compatriate Dan Boultwood (thelaird) - I'll be putting LJ names after people as there was a lot of 'oh I'll find you on the net' type conversations, and I'm all for helping people. Anyway, I met with Harry and Dan where we put the comics world to rights and a definite move forwards was made with a Hope Falls trade. Dan's now designing a cover and I'm sorting out the introduction with someone that fits the book perfectly.

Harry had to disappear unfortunately but was replaced with a Lee 'Budgie' Barnett (budgie_uk) and shortly afterwards a Molly Crabapple (mollycrabapple) and two friends of hers called Daniel and Jamie (although I might be wrong with the names - there had been whiskey by this point.) Budgie had to leave but was replaced before he left shift by a Jamie McKelvie (kenix), a James Chapman (flywingedmonkey and a Tracy Farrow (belle_fille1982), all in quick succession. There was drinking, talking and then Molly went to sort out her Dr Sketchy's event with Daniel and Jamie, and McKelvie went back to work. Shortly afterwards Daniel and Jamie returned for some food before they went back to Dr Sketchy's and during the conversations Tracy realised she'd actually been to one of Daniel's lectures. Small world!

With Daniel and Jamie leaving again, and Master Chapman cycling off home, Dan, Tracy and I held the fort until a surprise appearance by Nat (hirudo) and Rob held the tide until we all left about 10.30pm.

As I was staying at T's, we went back to Bermondsey where I woke this morning, tubed it back to Euston and then caught the train to Birmingham, where I wrote a gameshow treatment while travelling.

Now I am home, tired and working once more. Brilliant day though and thanks to everyone who popped by to say hi...

Now you all have each others LJ's go say hi or something.