Mixed Lot

Most of us have a morning ritual and I am no different. It normally starts about 5am and involves coffee - lots of coffee. Beth and the children are still fast asleep and I can work in silence. Dressing gown, laptop, oh and more coffee.

'Working' is a concept that I don't really subscribe to. I went to Diss auction yesterday with a mate of mine. Technically, that's working but in truth I just had a full English and a laugh. Oh, and three cups of coffee. Of all my vices, it's coffee every time.

He bought a ceramic Belgian cockerel - quite an attractive thing - but I bought nothing. There was nothing for me. That happens sometimes but when it does it doesn't matter. What matters is the life and the blood of it.

I saw another friend of mine 'I thought you were dead' I said.

'I am' he replied, inspecting an oil painting hanging just below me in the gallery.

He didn't look defunctus but I accepted his right to assert a state of mortalis that will enable him to avoid the percepteur.

He joined us in the gallery where the conversation turned to music. I wasn't really around in the 1960's but they seemed to have a mutual love of the blues-rock band 'Cream'. The only cream I like is in coffee. Or drizzled over a warm sticky treacle sponge. Actually, I'll stop there...

It's been a strange few days in 2011. It hasn't really got going yet - Diss really was empty yesterday, rows and rows of empty shelves that are usually full. I hope that we will be able to offer something worthwhile next Thursday, when we have our first auction of the year.

Tonight I am meeting an old friend at The Lawyer for a few drinks and a catch-up. I don't want to get too pissed though because (like today) I have to work tomorrow. I also have to bear in mind that customers can (and frequently do) call me at all hours of the day.

'I tried to call you the other night' complained one regular at The Cloisters Fair.

'It was Boxing Day, Colin'

'I wanted to see how much my football programmes made at the auction!'

'And it was ten o' clock at night, Colin'

'Were you not there then?'

'Yes - and I was in bed, Colin'

'Who with?'

'With my wife, Colin, and I don't think she would have been too happy if I had answered!'

'Why, what were you doing?'

I do receive phone calls at all hours and usually do answer - a missed call could be a missed opportunity - but there are limits! I didn't answer Colin's question, just rolled my eyes and took another sip of coffee.

At least I like Colin - he's a character like so many of our customers. There are one or two that I do wish would just leave me alone. They won't though because they can't read body language.

Oh well, I had better go and do some real work. Not before I have made another coffee though...