I bumped into George Gauld in Nathan’s br said after his meal he’d visit br his father in Seagate. br I offered a lift. br When we reached my VW van br it was difficult for him to step in br because his left leg was much br longer than his right leg, br and also because he couldn’t br bend his longer leg at the knee. br While we ate in Nathan’s I told him br I couldn’t decide if I should be br an artist or an alcoholic. br Gauld said, “When you create br you connect yourself br to all the real visible realities br of other human beings br but the alcoholic high is br connected to nothing br floating disembodied in the void.” br I didn’t respond to his statement then br but as we neared Seagate br I blurted out, “How come you drink? ” br “I’m a cripple, ” br he said calmly, br as if he’d worked out br the torment br long ago.