Substack diary no.161: Saturday, 23rd. May 2026

I did not have a very good night’s sleep, and the reason is a failing on my part that occurs from time to time and which I seem unable to prevent. When someone I know as a ‘friend’ or relative engages in hate speech, lies or sophistry I should challenge them but instead I have a tendency to clam-up. However, during the night I find myself having these conversations over and over again, and endlessly rehearsing the things I should have said. Hence the anxiety and lack of sleep that plagued me during the night.

Anyway, on this fine warm sunny day I find myself already forgetting the unpleasantness, whilst at the same time remembering that yesterday was on the whole a good and quite pleasant day. Conversations with thoughtful people helped enormously, as did a few very good beers!

Today I shall try to forget about the sharp divisions in society and focus on resting, reading, writing and cooking a nice dinner! I will even watch a good film. I recently acquired a new 4K disc of The Eye (2002), which I have not seen for many years, but which really sticks with you. A film in Cantonese that centres on a woman who, having been the beneficiary of a cornea transplant, feels compelled to track down the dead owner of the cornea as she is now able to see disturbing ‘ghosts’. I shall sleep well tonight!