I think I’m getting over my own life crisis – or it’s in remission maybe. I’m actually more interested and excited about what I’m doing now than I have been for at least 10 years. (Code! Web sites! Teaching semi-literate undergraduates!)

Why? Who the heck knows.

My advice, for what it’s worth, is forget the hell about the industry you work in. It’s finished (as you knew it). But there’ll always be something else…

Well I do – Shouldn’t I?

Upside down sunflowers? I suppose you could change their alignment to the sun and try to grow them in a corkscrew shape?

Lime on potato, manure on carrots – straightjacket time for you! Smiley

Id like to turn over part of my allotment to scientific research and do everything wrong and see what the results are like compared to doing everything right.

Grow carrots in manured ground.

Add bucketfuls of lime to potato experiment.

Try to grow crops in amongst fennel.

Try to grow a sunflower upside down like you can tomatoes.

I’ve always wanted to do a piss-take allotment version of the Eric Prydz ‘Call on Me’ video.. a whole bunch of allotmenteers doing an aerobics workout on the plot.

I could make this seriously funny. But I need a dozen volunteers willing to seriously camp it up for a whole day’s filming…

I wonder if I should go out and do a series filming other allotmenteers and veg growers for their tips on ‘real life’ veg growing?

I wouldn’t do ‘formal’ videos. As you say, they’re always desperately worthy and dull. I’d want real people using real language who like taking the piss as much as imparting real wisdom.

Any volunteers??

If you do decide to follow on then please for the love of the gods, make it nothing like J Harrisons egoistic self righteous do as I say and not as I do blog and print.

People like it here because its informal, you say shit and your style of reaching out to the world prompts laughter, free thinking.

If I were the cheeky chappy Soilman I’d develop your published video media. Its always well received.

Here’s why:
You’re honest about the good and the shit.
You’ve built a multi-generational community (here on this site, and I imagine elsewhere as well) rather than hiding away with people who are just like you.
You share your life-experience and wisdom (including the failures–THANK YOU) willingly.
You’re funny.

And, I second (third?) the idea of the book.

The book idea is great; do it.

Caz: Ditto, and… yes, sadly

Clare: You’re on. Name the day.