  Tough Day The ghost of a steam train - echoes down my track It's at the moment bound for nowhere - Just going round and round Playground kids and creaking swings - Lost laughter in the breeze I could go on for hours and I probably will - But I'd sooner put some joy back In this town called malice. -The Jam, A Town Called Malice Hoo boy, today is weighing on me, squashing down on me like a real monster.
I was going to write about all the various things that are going on, but I've been finding it impossible to write specifically enough to vent my frustrations and yet obtusely enough to protect the privacy of the other people involved. Meanwhile, I'm sending a plea out to any of my friends who might be in a position to help me out by keeping Kate during non-school hours while I'm out of town next week. I have a short-notice trip that's taking me out of town from early Monday morning to Sunday evening, and without M. to back me up, I'm scrambling.
Kate is staying with a friend for a couple of nights, but they can't manage the whole time themselves. I've put my "It's the 80s! " iTunes mix. (Violent Femmes, Suicidal Tendencies, The Jam, The Cure, R.E.M., Soft Cell, The Proclaimers, Big Star, Prince, Rush, Sonic Youth, Devo, Throwing Muses, The Jesus & Mary Chain and so on. ) It's that kind of a day. 
