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So it’s sorted. Will the UK get the new kind of politics that our new Deputy PM, Nick Clegg, is so fond of talking about? Who really knows. One thing’s for sure – I admire the man’s (and the party’s) optimism that we will. I admire the belief that the new coalition government is the best thing for Britain, and that the Tories and LibDems can deliver on the promise to provide a stable and fair government, based on what the country decided at the general election.

Bit of  an odd thing that though – assuming that the country, as a singular, decided anything at all. Indeed, it could be equally (and has been, quite vocally) argued that it did the exact opposite of that, and showed just how different and diverse we are in our opinions. That’s no bad thing necessarily, but it does beg the question of how politicians make the jump from the fact that 26,116,083 people voted – between them – for three different parties, to the idea that we all voted for the current situation.

I didn’t vote for the Tories. I’ll say that because I’m open about it. I don’t believe that I should hide the fact, and I don’t believe I voted for another party (the LibDems) particularly to get the Tories in and have the LibDems on board. But then, when over 26 million people vote, it’s hardly easy to sort it all out. Not at the moment anyway, without Proportional Representation.

So it’s a bit of a stretch to say that ‘the country decided’. We didn’t, did we? We didn’t not decide either. Each of us decided to vote for a party/candidate/PM, but not enough of us did to avoid a coalition government. Yet there is Britain to run, and with Gordon Brown resigning yesterday in a truly dignified manner, what has the ‘ConDem/’LibCon’ government done to bamboozle us? Decide to get along! The barefaced cheek of it!

I must admit, it’s a crazy but inspiring idea, yet it might just work.  I’m not ‘anti-Dave’ per se. I don’t believe he represents my vote in the General Election, but it was quite refreshing to see him and Clegg address the nation’s media on the lawn of Number 10 today. I don’t jump into the fire of claiming that the LibDems sold me out either, because at first glance they appear to have brokered a sensible power-sharing deal, and, on the face of it, helped to shuffle ‘new politics’ into a rather stale deck.

What’s more, politics seems accessible and enjoyable for once. (I’m actually writing a blog on the damn thing, and) With the media, commentators and MPs not quite sure where they stand, the barn door appears to have been blown open for those – like me – previously tired by Punch and Judy back and forths. What? Oh come on, a little optimism never did any harm.

It might be I’m at the age to take interest, or the increased media coverage of this election. It might be the knowledge that ‘my’ party will have an impact in this new coalition that’s turned me and my friends and colleagues on to the political goings on. Or it might be those ‘New Politics’ (post ‘New Labour’) we’re hearing so much about. Whatever it is, I don’t really feel too bad about it. And I hope others don’t either.

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Hope you enjoy this. For reasons best categorised under ‘random machinations of Kevin’s brain’, this track, the first off The XX excellent album ‘X’, will be forever linked for me with the UK General Election 2010. It’s probably to do with a certain channel’s political coverage that, but anyway, it’s an excellent track. Press Play. Enjoy. Simple as that.

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The best ideas, those formulations of words that provide a resonance and clarity/originality – or those at least chosen for that effect – are more often than not the fruit of arduous labours and research. Research into what can be made of the overall content from its parts, but ultimately research into the possibilities of what can be written.

Take it, scarily, existentially and you argue that everyone’s actions are subject to the same crazy construction process: Considered clothing, greetings, conversations and thoughts are all the fruits of infinitesimally small decisions as well. But I want to stick to writing and research here, and so thanks to kottke.org and Life.com for this fascinating image .

Einstein’s desk at Princeton, on the day he died. Incredible eh? Imagine all the workings and notes in there that never made it to publication. Further theories we might have now, and Einstein’s own little question marks and screamers.

The mind boggles. What’s more, if you read the editorial on Life, you’ll see that the image is one of a selection, taken by Ralph Morse, the others of which were previously unpublished and forgotten about.

To be honest, it makes the raft of unpublished posts hidden away on this very website, that I don’t deem anywhere near good enough for publication, a little inconsequential somehow.

In my 26 odd years on the planet I’ve borrowed words many times, I’ve owned a t-shirt that states I’m a ‘Word Burglar’, and my love of all things wordy has found me in a job where I get to commission, edit and write them. I do things in my spare time that heavily involves them – be that freelance word bits, creative bobs, journal updates, facebook or twitter communication, or just, you know, talking to people. In fact, I should think most of us use them quite a lot.

So, why not adopt one for a year? Any word you choose (as long as it’s not already taken). The cost? £20. The cause? The education of children with speech, learning and communication difficulties – a fine reason if ever there was one to go without a few beers or a bit of extra money spent on luxuries for a week or two.The whole thing can be read about at the Adopt A Word website, you can follow @adoptaword on Twitter, and you can even buy extra merchandise once you’ve adopted a word so that you can flaunt your chosen adopted on mugs, key-rings and t-shirts.

You even get to put a little message in as to why you chose the one you did. It’s a glorious celebration of words, already taken up by the likes of Stephen Fry, Scroobious Pip, and…well, me. So get adopting!

So, if you weren’t at Poejazzi at Camden’s Proud Galleries last night, you missed out big time. It was the best damn Monday night I’ve had in a loong while, let me tell you. But ‘what did I miss?’ I hear you ask. Well let me tell and show you.

You missed (as ordered on the bill),

Tim Clare

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Louise Golbey

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Kasai Masai (http://www.kasaimasai.com/)

Benin City

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…and 12 Tone Brass Band (clip quality not great).

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All of who were fantastic.  But if you weren’t there then you missed out a bit. Which is a shame. However, tomorrow I’ll let you know about another grand happening in London town this Sunday. So don’t forget to check back then.

Cheers! Kev

must write more.

k