One of the reasons I read Chris’s substack is that it is rare to come (🙂) across the shabbier sides of human nature . Collectively we’ve all done shit and it’s good to be reminded. That said, “ hail the king of degeneracy “ .
Hello Mr Fat Painter. I got a review for a stand-up show once that read "Dangerfield brings tales back from the otherwise unseen margins of society and hands them out like sweets." While not particularly well written, the 'hands them out like sweets' bit stuck with me. It was a good observation as I don't want to hand them out like 'Wow, look how wild this is', because when you're in that world, it's quite normal, like sweets. Thanks for reading and leaving a comment, much appreciated.
I like the frenzied sleazy of your describing these sort of affairs. It's a sketchy one this as you, suddenly ditch the earlier characters to persue the more pressing tale. I like the sudden gear shift.
You told this story a while back as I remember the image of the tell tale make up all over you three.
I felt the effect here created as much sympathy for Nick "the sad poverty of his lingering" as for any braggadocio on your part. Your acute awareness of his failings come across a bit callous in this context as the writing's emotional focus seems less on the act and more on the repercussion.
I don't know but it's maybe not so easy to sit with a character that is so resolutely "winning!"
"...no one would dare call us out. They just weren't strong enough." I like the honesty but that's a cold room.
Anyway, I'm probably just jealous as I've been stuck with the guitar bores way, way more than I've ever been this blessed.
It feels like you wanted to write this more than you had to write this. Who wouldn't? It's a fantastic memory but possibly too much of a "win" to not seem a tad indulgent?
A moot point as your descriptive and emotive writing is always a pleasure to read.
Hello Ludwig - this is a fascinating review - I spoke to the character 'Lucy' and she was quick to point out the upbringing of the boyfriend, and it's a horror story, so I had a lot of thinking to do about how to tell the truth, but with some understanding too - which isn't easy under the circumstances. And yes, it's a win win win, but there's a place for that. " I like the honesty but that's a cold room." was superb. I really appreciate this response, your understanding of what was going on is great. And yes, that change of gears, I was thinking, "ah, fuck all that lot, it's dull compared to what I really want to say" and then thought "Just write that, tell then that, why not?' - an excellent review which shows you spent time reading and understanding. Really appreciated.
Nice one Jim, seems you read a few last night - really appreciated. it's quite the ask to get people to read these days, so thank you. And nice one for the comment.
Hello Sally, you know, when I was writing this one I was thinking about Dartford people who might know certain details. Serious question, do you think there are other towns who got through as much speed as Dartford did in the early 90s? Seems both likely and unlikely at the same time. Thanks for reading and leaving a comment, it's much appreciated.
You know what, 'the ginger person' was pure fiction, but now I know who you're talking about. How strange my unconcious went there. But not that strange considering the obvious.
Hello John - thanks for reading and leaving a comment - I know it takes effort and time. That's great news. it was a tricky one this, because the pay off is all mine..... sort of... but if you think about the life that surrounds the 'good bit' are there really any winners? So I was really concerned and had to work hard on making that clear without over-egging it, because then it would have been shit, lol. Thanks again, and thank the wife. There's about 7 more in the archive you can read and there's 2 more every month - ish.
Honestly, if it helps you out, I'm happy to leave a comment on these. You're great for us all, spiritually, mentally and physically, and I'm so happy you're back. Big big love, my fren, and thank you!
I think you describe a very present and pertinent struggle here: our avoidance of the mundane. Avoidance that many of us indulge in, rather than accept. The mundane is a part of our lives and can even be meaningful.
Something about popping round the shop of an evening and the rows of trite, bright Happy Shopper wares that badly wed commerce with necessity. Sleepy evenings in; laughing at the banality of soaps that exchange storylines rather than risk originality. We still watch them though.
People fear the mundane as opposed to accepting it. Drugs and debauchery are our way of trying to escape it. Which is fine; the problem is when you never want to leave. It's why my uncles are sober. If they drink, they disappear for days (I think my grandfather would be described as bipolar nowadays and he passed that trait on, especially to me).
Hello Bradley, thanks for reading and leaving a comment, it's an interesting take too. In my piece 'Units of Fast' (which is now funny since speed is referred to 'The Fast' by some) I tried to look into the mundane, and an element of its many possible conclusions, doing nothing - and how it's almost not allowed. As we approached the end of the 20th century I became aware of how boredom was becoming almost forbidden, something to be ashamed of. Twenty years later, for younger people at least it's almost impossible to achieve, there's almost no space for it (which is odd for a time-based (non)pursuit). I would separate speed and alcohol here though; Drink depresses, dulls the senses and is much like the most idle of meditations. Speed sensitizes and engages - albeit artificially (which the two have in common). However, either way there is certainly less space for simply being - even simply being with ones desires, and expressing them, but like all drugs, they take the truth we're missing anyway, and give it back to us in a form that cannot be maintained without sacrificing why we went there in the first place.
And yet they let the boat rock them, that's the tragedy. But as I said - they're not strong enough - to do anything about it. or can't access the strength.
Brilliant , Took me back to the early 90s when i was a raver and tucked into the " pervert powder " for years , The way you describe the smell and taste is perfect it makes me gag just to think about it , i used to bomb mine with plenty of rizlas , But once when i swilled it back in the middle of dance floor in our local club it got caught on my tooth and broke open because of the water , it didnt end well , God it made you horny but i had a few situations never a threes up but lovley girls never the less , But i suffered from " billy willy " possibly the most frustrating moments of my life , Keep them comin mate they are superb :)
Hello Glen - thank you for reading and taking the time and effort to comment, it means a lot. For those reading this who don't know, 'Billy' is slang for speed as in 'Billy Whizz' a character from a well known UK comic The Beano, who was characterized by moving around at incredible speeds. I am aware of 'Billy Willy', but this was when I was 24 so it had a lot of natural, youthful sexual drive to content with, and in my experience, if you managed to get it going, you could keep it going. Leave it alone for more than a minute though and it retreated back into its hairy little home. As old William said about the demon drink, "...it provokes the desire, but it takes away the performance.' But I never really had that problem, and I tended to avoid having sex with girls if I was on speed and they were not, as that's just too much distance; the things you need to do to get the performance don't tend to go down too well with someone not lost in the same decadent whirlwind.
Hello Sarah, thank you for reading and leaving a comment. I'm working on a new one already as this one was a bit late. Thanks for your kind words, they mean a lot.
Visceral stuff! Enjoyed it! Great flow to your prose and dialogue with an overall cinematic vibe. Can see the screenwriter still flourishing amidst the seasoned scribe. ;-)
Thank you, Max for reading and leaving a comment. A good comment too - because if writing gives you a visual interpretation, something's working. And yes, I been made aware (taken by surprise actually) of the filmic aspect of my recent writing, especially this piece. Nice one.
Thank you Adam. I write autobiographical fiction, so yes, but no. There was a dealer who lived in a toilet, just not that one in that setting. Thanks for reading, and leaving a comment - really appreciated. Obviously it's a tricky piece because the 'pay off' as it were, was me having a fantastic time, and I'm guessing most readers didn't have that time. it goes against the traditional end of a story, which is fine, but a long way beyond it, which might not be.
That reminds me of my 20's, maybe some sulfate is on the cards again after all! Just saying that I got a chill down my spine and a phantom smell in my olfactory sense's. Maybe not, but thanks for the neurological reminder.
Hello Jef - thanks for reading and leaving a comment - perhaps unsurprisingly I started to feel the same - which was great for the process of writing 'the ending' but left me realizing those days are over, and although there's a lot of hideous things that come in that package, as you have read (and experienced) it's not all bad!. Thanks again.
One of the reasons I read Chris’s substack is that it is rare to come (🙂) across the shabbier sides of human nature . Collectively we’ve all done shit and it’s good to be reminded. That said, “ hail the king of degeneracy “ .
Hello Mr Fat Painter. I got a review for a stand-up show once that read "Dangerfield brings tales back from the otherwise unseen margins of society and hands them out like sweets." While not particularly well written, the 'hands them out like sweets' bit stuck with me. It was a good observation as I don't want to hand them out like 'Wow, look how wild this is', because when you're in that world, it's quite normal, like sweets. Thanks for reading and leaving a comment, much appreciated.
I like the frenzied sleazy of your describing these sort of affairs. It's a sketchy one this as you, suddenly ditch the earlier characters to persue the more pressing tale. I like the sudden gear shift.
You told this story a while back as I remember the image of the tell tale make up all over you three.
I felt the effect here created as much sympathy for Nick "the sad poverty of his lingering" as for any braggadocio on your part. Your acute awareness of his failings come across a bit callous in this context as the writing's emotional focus seems less on the act and more on the repercussion.
I don't know but it's maybe not so easy to sit with a character that is so resolutely "winning!"
"...no one would dare call us out. They just weren't strong enough." I like the honesty but that's a cold room.
Anyway, I'm probably just jealous as I've been stuck with the guitar bores way, way more than I've ever been this blessed.
It feels like you wanted to write this more than you had to write this. Who wouldn't? It's a fantastic memory but possibly too much of a "win" to not seem a tad indulgent?
A moot point as your descriptive and emotive writing is always a pleasure to read.
Look forward to more. Gertcha
Hello Ludwig - this is a fascinating review - I spoke to the character 'Lucy' and she was quick to point out the upbringing of the boyfriend, and it's a horror story, so I had a lot of thinking to do about how to tell the truth, but with some understanding too - which isn't easy under the circumstances. And yes, it's a win win win, but there's a place for that. " I like the honesty but that's a cold room." was superb. I really appreciate this response, your understanding of what was going on is great. And yes, that change of gears, I was thinking, "ah, fuck all that lot, it's dull compared to what I really want to say" and then thought "Just write that, tell then that, why not?' - an excellent review which shows you spent time reading and understanding. Really appreciated.
Anytime, bud. Keep 'em coming.
Was kind of thinking the same but couldn't articulate it. Still a good story though. Love his stories anyway. Roll over Irvine Welsh
Nice one Jim, seems you read a few last night - really appreciated. it's quite the ask to get people to read these days, so thank you. And nice one for the comment.
Spot on Chris ! Dark but true ! Tell is still alive and lives in my block 👍
Hello Sally, you know, when I was writing this one I was thinking about Dartford people who might know certain details. Serious question, do you think there are other towns who got through as much speed as Dartford did in the early 90s? Seems both likely and unlikely at the same time. Thanks for reading and leaving a comment, it's much appreciated.
There are endless characters that’s for sure , the ginger guy is still about and he works from the bookies these days I hear lol
You know what, 'the ginger person' was pure fiction, but now I know who you're talking about. How strange my unconcious went there. But not that strange considering the obvious.
This is the first time I've ever read one of these things - I generally don't read much anymore, unless it's a comic... I REALLY enjoyed that!
Mrs has signed up and reading some, too.
Hello John - thanks for reading and leaving a comment - I know it takes effort and time. That's great news. it was a tricky one this, because the pay off is all mine..... sort of... but if you think about the life that surrounds the 'good bit' are there really any winners? So I was really concerned and had to work hard on making that clear without over-egging it, because then it would have been shit, lol. Thanks again, and thank the wife. There's about 7 more in the archive you can read and there's 2 more every month - ish.
Honestly, if it helps you out, I'm happy to leave a comment on these. You're great for us all, spiritually, mentally and physically, and I'm so happy you're back. Big big love, my fren, and thank you!
Well there's helping the algorithm, and there's helping the writing. At this stage, I'll take either. Nice one, John.
Reminds me of a mate who slept with his brothers bird on 2 occasions. Sexual draw is a powerful thing , you capture the intensity for pleasure well.
Nice one, Manny - it looks like you're doing a bit of a bings on my Substack! Much appreciated.
Nice
Cheers, Jim - only just seen this.
A picture book of familiar memories and diminished standards, but you do what needs doing, wry smiles, niff mags and horniness.
Hello Andrew. Thanks for reading and leaving a comment. It's a fair summary.
Another gem. Thanks Chris.
Much appreciated, thanks for checking it out.
I think you describe a very present and pertinent struggle here: our avoidance of the mundane. Avoidance that many of us indulge in, rather than accept. The mundane is a part of our lives and can even be meaningful.
Something about popping round the shop of an evening and the rows of trite, bright Happy Shopper wares that badly wed commerce with necessity. Sleepy evenings in; laughing at the banality of soaps that exchange storylines rather than risk originality. We still watch them though.
People fear the mundane as opposed to accepting it. Drugs and debauchery are our way of trying to escape it. Which is fine; the problem is when you never want to leave. It's why my uncles are sober. If they drink, they disappear for days (I think my grandfather would be described as bipolar nowadays and he passed that trait on, especially to me).
Hello Bradley, thanks for reading and leaving a comment, it's an interesting take too. In my piece 'Units of Fast' (which is now funny since speed is referred to 'The Fast' by some) I tried to look into the mundane, and an element of its many possible conclusions, doing nothing - and how it's almost not allowed. As we approached the end of the 20th century I became aware of how boredom was becoming almost forbidden, something to be ashamed of. Twenty years later, for younger people at least it's almost impossible to achieve, there's almost no space for it (which is odd for a time-based (non)pursuit). I would separate speed and alcohol here though; Drink depresses, dulls the senses and is much like the most idle of meditations. Speed sensitizes and engages - albeit artificially (which the two have in common). However, either way there is certainly less space for simply being - even simply being with ones desires, and expressing them, but like all drugs, they take the truth we're missing anyway, and give it back to us in a form that cannot be maintained without sacrificing why we went there in the first place.
But that boyfriend of Lucy's. Some people live their whole lives like that. Never rocking the boat. It's why Remain got 48% of the vote.
And yet they let the boat rock them, that's the tragedy. But as I said - they're not strong enough - to do anything about it. or can't access the strength.
Brilliant , Took me back to the early 90s when i was a raver and tucked into the " pervert powder " for years , The way you describe the smell and taste is perfect it makes me gag just to think about it , i used to bomb mine with plenty of rizlas , But once when i swilled it back in the middle of dance floor in our local club it got caught on my tooth and broke open because of the water , it didnt end well , God it made you horny but i had a few situations never a threes up but lovley girls never the less , But i suffered from " billy willy " possibly the most frustrating moments of my life , Keep them comin mate they are superb :)
Hello Glen - thank you for reading and taking the time and effort to comment, it means a lot. For those reading this who don't know, 'Billy' is slang for speed as in 'Billy Whizz' a character from a well known UK comic The Beano, who was characterized by moving around at incredible speeds. I am aware of 'Billy Willy', but this was when I was 24 so it had a lot of natural, youthful sexual drive to content with, and in my experience, if you managed to get it going, you could keep it going. Leave it alone for more than a minute though and it retreated back into its hairy little home. As old William said about the demon drink, "...it provokes the desire, but it takes away the performance.' But I never really had that problem, and I tended to avoid having sex with girls if I was on speed and they were not, as that's just too much distance; the things you need to do to get the performance don't tend to go down too well with someone not lost in the same decadent whirlwind.
Another Great gritty read Chris. Your a great story teller. Can't wait for more 🙂
Hello Sarah, thank you for reading and leaving a comment. I'm working on a new one already as this one was a bit late. Thanks for your kind words, they mean a lot.
I see your a very busy man now ur back on YT 2 daily just caught up on all your streams some crackers there. I look forward to the next read.
Thank you. Yes, the break - while not well managed - actually did me good, and the streams have, like you said, been cracking lately. Nice one.
Didn't Fonzie have his office in the toilet? He had a phone.
Yes he did, but before he scaled up, his original office was a photobooth.
Visceral stuff! Enjoyed it! Great flow to your prose and dialogue with an overall cinematic vibe. Can see the screenwriter still flourishing amidst the seasoned scribe. ;-)
Thank you, Max for reading and leaving a comment. A good comment too - because if writing gives you a visual interpretation, something's working. And yes, I been made aware (taken by surprise actually) of the filmic aspect of my recent writing, especially this piece. Nice one.
A cracker, was worth the wait. Is the bit about the drug dealer literally living in a toilet true? - insane ha!
Thank you Adam. I write autobiographical fiction, so yes, but no. There was a dealer who lived in a toilet, just not that one in that setting. Thanks for reading, and leaving a comment - really appreciated. Obviously it's a tricky piece because the 'pay off' as it were, was me having a fantastic time, and I'm guessing most readers didn't have that time. it goes against the traditional end of a story, which is fine, but a long way beyond it, which might not be.
That reminds me of my 20's, maybe some sulfate is on the cards again after all! Just saying that I got a chill down my spine and a phantom smell in my olfactory sense's. Maybe not, but thanks for the neurological reminder.
Hello Jef - thanks for reading and leaving a comment - perhaps unsurprisingly I started to feel the same - which was great for the process of writing 'the ending' but left me realizing those days are over, and although there's a lot of hideous things that come in that package, as you have read (and experienced) it's not all bad!. Thanks again.