A few weeks ago I was asked to speak in London by a friend of a friend. I agreed, and asked that details of the event be sent to me by e-mail. They weren’t. I sent a number of texts and e-mails, to which I didn’t get a response, before phoning the friend who’d given my number out. Obviously I had concerns about the organisation of the event, about the apparent lack of publicity, and about being messed about.

After eventually receiving an e-mail, I raised my concerns, and after being told I had nothing to worry about, asked to be informed of the location of the squatted venue last Friday, when the first events started. Somewhat obviously, I need this so that I can actually get to the event to speak, but also so I can help advertise it, arrange to meet up with friends, and arrange accommodation and my travel scheduale. Not only have I not received the location of ‘Weatherbombin’, where I’m supposed to speak tomorrow, but I can’t find it out. There’s no mention of the event on Indymedia, and the group’s own website still doesn’t give the location. After more unanswered e-mails, in desperation, I again telephoned the friend who had put ‘Weatherbombin’ in touch with me, but he can’t get hold of them either.

Bearing the above in mind, I am not prepared to come to London, a considerable journey for me, on the basis that I may be able to find out the venue after I arrive. Bearing in mind I was assured I could go ahead and buy a train ticket, and the phonecalls I have had to make, the invitation to speak at ‘Weatherbombin’ has already cost me nearly £40, the amount I have to live on each week at the moment, but I’ll just have to put that down to experience. My apologies to anyone who had expected to hear me speak.

(originally posted 15/2/05 15.45)