SCRAPINGS FROM THE BARREL   It's been a while since I've done this. After my last one it felt like everything I wanted to say about being a single parent I'd said. Feedback pretty good. I quite like writing – I managed to get a letter into the 2 local free papers advocating Portishead Socialism Or Death! The excuse was more exciting developments with the traffic lights in Portishead. One paper even published a picture of Karl Marx, which impressed me. Then some clever dick wrote in saying Socialism Was Bad.   So what I'm saying is I've found it hard to find something to say about single parenthood without repeating myself with diminishing returns like an old rock band living on past glories (this blog entry being the equivalent of a B-Sides compilation). An update on my son has to say that with a slight wobble or 2 everything is going great. He's set for a small promotion at work; his band are having a bit of a breather after some successful gigging (including a live on the internet gig from London); never mind that, he's got another band on the go as well; after a few hard lessons he thinks he's got his finances under control; again after a few knocks he's happy that he's managing in his shared flat. We see each other about once a week, either if I'm in Bristol we meet for a coffee after work or he'll come home to Portishead for some of the weekend and eat lots of food I'm happy to give him. We speak on the phone too. We get on great. So I suppose I'm proud and relieved.   For me things never changed much at home as I've helped a homeless mate out and allowed him to stay when he wants, almost a straight swap for my son. He's not around all that much. No money changes hands because it's illegal. However I've had to show my ruthless streak and say it's got to end before Christmas, which I like to celebrate in my own way by pretending it's not happening. The big shock to the son-now-an-adult system has been how much poorer I am. This is probably a message that isn't officially welcome but for the first time I feel I have to justify every penny I spend just to break even. When I next need a new washing machine or cooker (both dodgy) I'll be up the creek without a paddle! Still you deal with these challenges.   So I'm going to leave this sorry excuse of a blog here that's proof I'm still alive and kicking. I really hope some inspiration can strike me soon, any suggestions appreciated.