The John Robins Vibemail - Issue #19
Current Mood: Purged
Hello dears! Yes it’s me! Right here right now after far too long. I do hope you will forgive the frankly unacceptable length of time that has passed since last I slid into your inbox (for want of a less erotic image). My defence is twofold. Firstly there has been very little career-wise to update you on, Edinburgh is a-go, the tour is still on sale and Elis and I still gabble on about the ploughman’s much to the delight / distain of the Great British public.
Secondly our old friend life has been happening with all its teeth and claws. After receiving some very kind messages following the passing of my step dad I did pen a very long note / eulogy which I had a mind to put on here as a kind of grief postscript. However he was a very private man, so instead of sharing it with you all I shared it with the universe (and my mum) instead. Short version is: death I can just about get my head around, dying, however, far stranger. Also, every time I try to describe the care provided by district nurses and St Peter’s Hospice nurses I fall to bits, they really are the best of us aren’t they?
Speaking of going to bits, you may notice my current mood is set to “purged” above. Why’s that then John?! Have you finally bitten the bullet and done ayahuasca?! Goodness me no, if I need to interact with God I just whack on Love Over Gold by Dire Straits (RIGHT GUYS?!). No, this feeling of purgation has descended (and strap in for a moment of pure Partridge) after I suffered something of a mental collapse on the M40 yesterday between the hours of 14:36 and 16:20 after leaving a corporate golf engagement. Nothing bad happened, it was precipitated solely by the stress of living inside my own unbearable mind 24/7/365. Thankfully the weather in my head has now cleared and the sunshine breaks the clouds once again, but to anyone who saw a man screaming at himself in a Kia Sportage as he passed Cherwell Valley Services (southbound) rest assured all was well by Beaconsfield and it’s delightful Pizza Express.
So, to business!
Members Present
Well (Noble) Very Learned Sir John “Johnny JR” Robins MA(Oxon) KHS FRS
Present!
Howl Brighton Date
Dear Brightonians, what a journey it has been! The building has now been signed off, and the throne, dressing room and eighteen backstage toilets completed to my own unique specifications. And I can announce that Brighton will be on members pre-sale TODAY 10am Tuesday 4th July and on general sale TOMORROW 10am Wednesday 5th July. As a special treat we have put in TWO DATES at the Brighton Corn Exchange. They are 9th and 10th December 2023. The link is here BUT WON’T GO LIVE UNTIL 10AM TODAY.
https://brightondome.org/event/33944/john_robins/
I can also confirm that the Winchester date has been moved to 2024. Huge apologies for any inconvenience this has caused, or indeed any confusion, as, by sheer coincidence it has been rescheduled for exactly the same date one year hence (28th Sept). The dates for Birmingham (27th Sept) and Milton Keynes (29th Sept) have also been moved, and ticket holders should have been contacted by venues. Again, apols, but it is for good reason.
Tickets for all dates and Edinburgh Fringe shows are available at Johnrobins.com
Edinburgh Fringe 2023
I have two shows at The Edinburgh Fringe this year. A Work In Progress at 3.10pm and a more polished show at 8.50pm. They are both at just The Tonic’s Nucleus venue in the 'Sub Atomic’ and ‘Atomic’ rooms respectively. It would be great to see you there if you’re up!
Tickets are here
How Do You Cope?
Good question! And one we’re putting to a wonderful array of guests for this fourth series. You can listen to them all, and past episodes on the 8th wonder of the digital world, BBC Sounds, here. If you’d rather stick two fingers to stylish design, industry leading innovation and intuitive interface dynamics, you can also listen wherever the hell else you like.
Our first episode was a catch up between Elis and I about what the last year has held for us. In it I spoke about all things sobriety that were in my head at time of going to press (it was recorded a couple of months ago). I’d like to thank every single person who got in touch to offer their experience, strength and hope after listening. And to those who reached out for tips and advice on their own relationship with alcohol I wish you so much strength as you navigate the choppy waters of booze. All I can say is that, for me, attempts at moderation made things worse in the long run, eventually I had to put my life before my pride. If you do make the decision to try living life sober, chances are at some point you’re going to have to speak to some strangers about your drinking, and far from being an unbearable task, I have found it to be transformative and absolutely crucial to my recovery. Go well!
The Floral Revolution
On last weeks show Elis, Dave and I spoke at length about the unbridled potential of John Robins X Floral Shirt. So before signing off I thought I would immortalise this wardrobe revolution for you. It’s a Puma golf top, and fittingly displayed in the Cobra Puma golf truck at The British Masters where I was lucky enough to have an insanely strong espresso whilst watching a man cut golf club shafts with a big saw (bliss).
Any Other Business
Most of my other business centres around #PersonalDevelopment, learning how to meditate and having the odd flip out in a Kia Sportage. An experience made all the more bearable by the Sportage’s industry leading interior (even at the lower trim levels). I have got into / started drinking a lot of coffee in a big way, and no doubt this will lead to a month long obsession with grind size, roast level and V60 brewing techniques before inevitably being put on the back burner with all the other spreadsheets of things I got into / started drinking a lot of over the years. But you gotta have some fun right?
I will hopefully darken your doorsteps again before Edinburgh starts with a long list of #RobinsRecs, but the brochure hasn’t arrived yet and I can’t yet face up to navigating the Fringe’s, let’s be honest, nightmarish website.
night night!
Dear John. Big fan of your adventures in floral fashion. I’m not a big coffee person but I can recommend gardening. A big thing that helps me see progress where life can sometimes hide it - is in seeds.
People can make gardening very complicated but if you get a packet of cornflower seeds some compost and a pot you can watch their resilience and beauty as the grow. And once they’ve done their thing cut them down and they bloom again.
Even when life prunes you down to your stalk just remember you have roots and will grow again. A lot of the time far stronger and with more of a flourish than the previous season.
Sometimes, a small in-car breakdown is very therapeutic. I had one once in my old talbot samba and felt very much better afterwards.