#MeToo when I was in year 8 the textiles room had art stools with the holes in the seat so that you can carry them. A boy thought it would be funny to put a pen up my skirt through this gap, and ram the pen right in to my private area. I cried and cried when I got home that night, it hurt like hell, but put it down to boys being boys. I didn’t tell anyone because I thought they wouldn’t take me seriously. I only realised about 6 years later once I had read Everyday Sexism, that it was completely wrong. How are we conditioned in to believing things like this are okay?

I have a better week this week. I’m not as sad, I’m just upset at my body I think. I am learning to sew using a second hand sewing machine. I am making all sorts! I just need someone to cut out the pattern and help me pin – and away I go! Dislocating fingers can’t stop me! I thought my troublesome forefinger and middle finger were on the mend, but they have swollen up pretty huge so they are in splints now.

I have been doing lots of poetry admin – which is difficult when you’re down, so I’m glad to be feeling a bit better and getting back on with things.

I went to the Lakes International Comic arts festival this past weekend. I got given a few review copies, spent more money than I should have, and met lots of people who I have been emailing. There were so many accepting people in town. I didn’t get stared at, I got smiled at. People noticed I was a person! That is quite a rare thing for Kendal, I usually get never ending stares and scowls.

My exciting announcement is being pushed back to Monday, so look forward to that!