23rd January

I'm not in a fantastic mood. I have an exam in two days time where I am not optimistic of success, to put it mildly. In this precise moment, the choice to do the course I selected feels like the wrong option. But I've no choice in the short term but to push on and try to get through what is a stressful and anxious time.

I missed the inaugeration on Friday due to work, which feels like something of a blessing. Regrettably I felt compelled to read the transcript of Trump's speech, with its total disrespect for all who came before him. Certainly his jingoistic rhetoric was cause for alarm. It's difficult not to be down on the slogan "America First" when a man shouting "Britain First" was responsible for the murder of one of your country's MPs last year..

I was heartened though by the reports of women mobilising all over the world on Saturday to protest this man and his shameful attitude towards women. This feels like a profounding dispiriting moment for the planet but I feel we must all continue to stand up for what we believe to be right, for the next four years and beyond.

Tonight I'm off to see Mr Swallow and Chris Gethard at the Soho Theatre because if nothing else I am a fine selector of double bills. Reviews will follow but probably not for a bit.

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