Manifesto

13 September 2026

In August I was made redundant. My time is my own now and I want to improve my world and the world of the people around me. Here are my main tracks for the rest of this year:

music

I play piano and bass every day. I will practise these and aim at improving my playing not just standing still. I haven’t been playing guitar or drums every day but I will begin to do so. I will make music for people to see and hear, by playing at open mic nights. I will write some songs.

fixing and decorating my house

My house is a mix of elements that I’ve put work into so they’re how I like them and elements that have been waiting for me to do that, some for over 20 years now. There are still too few of the former and too many of the latter. I will work towards making the whole place better, more what I actually want to live in and more like something I would hope people drop round to rather than something I fear the shame of people seeing.

making clothes

I’ve made clothes and costumes before, for myself and others, but never taken it seriously enough to be good at it. Now I will take it seriously. In the last few weeks, I’ve tried to find a pattern drafting course to take; two courses were cancelled between my applying for them and the course starting. I will learn the skills I’m missing myself, starting with books and the Internet.

Designing and making clothes for a specific human being combines the technical, the aesthetic, and the personal. Being able to start with a conversation and a tape measure and finish with someone walking away thinking “I feel great in this” is a microcosm of the way I want to interact with the world. I will find people to make things for. By the end of the year I want to have made things for 10 different people. I’m actively looking for collaborators: if you’re reading this and you know me or live near me, I’d like to make you something.

reading books

I used to be a constant reader and now I have a house full of books which I pick up from time to time. I’m going to see what it feels like to read a lot again.

restoring the Wurlitzer

I have a Wurlitzer 625T electronic organ, half-dismantled in my dining room. I will restore it to full playing condition.

being visible

I’ve hidden too much for too long. I will be my real self, in person and on the Internet. I’ll write about what I’m doing here and I’ll put things onto Instagram and TikTok and YouTube.

helping people

“They are called Good Deed Doers”. I will be helpful.