Maybe I'm just being a bit sensitive, but this seems a bit off, frankly.

I get a message through a casting website, out of the blue, from a student film-maker, telling me they'd looked at my CV and thought they'd approach me.  There's an exchange of emails, including the script, which I like, and I say so.  They ask if I'm ok with the fact that there's no cash involved.  I say that's fine.

There is a pause for a couple of days.

Then I get an email telling me the role's been cast, and thanking me for my "interest in the film".  Er, excuse me? You approached me, remember?

I feel like shouting email obscenities.  But I shall not.  However, young film-maker, might I suggest that if you're going to approach people like that, you make very sure you want to use them first, rather than gaining their interest and then shitting upon them?  Thank you, this has been a public information broadcast.

I'd had a most wonderfully moving morning.  Tears; glorious, cathartic, joyous tears. Tears over the perfect ending of something marvellous.  Tears too, at a touching honour paid to me.

Thus equipped, even the most mundane of chores seemed blessed, so I popped out to buy a few bits and pieces.

I emerged (to use the cliché) blinking into the sunlight.  And was assaulted by the beauty of spring.

The may blossom was out, burying me in its heady perfume.  The verges seemed to be exploding with a billion tiny flowers.  The sun was just warm enough to lift the heart, but the air was cool and fresh,  full of promises and possibilities.

To mark the moment appropriately, on the wall of a corner house, a Virginia Creeper, just testing its new spring world with fresh green leaves.

I was grinning like a loon by the time I walked back through the front door of my block of flats.  Much to the alarm, I fear, of my neighbour!

"Journey of the Sorcerer" pops up on iTunes.

..and it's 28 years ago, I'm standing in the Art Room at Fairkytes in Hornchurch, building scenery with a couple of new friends I've known about two weeks.  I can smell the size on the canvas, the paint, the fabric softener Andy's mum uses.  Andy has just introduced me to the Hitchhiker's Guide, and I'm entranced.

Now, in 2008, this brings tears.  Quite why it does, I'm unsure - but it happens almost every time the tune plays, and with the same images and memories.  I suppose the moment does mark a first step into a larger world, in its way.  There is much that's happened in my life that I can trace back to those Sunday mornings all that time ago.

I might play it again in a minute.

Talented people are an inspiration.  Sounds obvious, doesn't it?  It's easy to forget though, and this week has been a handy reminder for me.  I've spent most evenings, and one day, in the company of a crew of filmmakers, most of whom are impressively passionate about the work they're doing.  They've been afflicted with all kinds of difficulties, most of which haven't really been under their control, and they've risen above them, got on with the job, worked around, and still managed to have that commitment to quality which is so infectious and powerful.  Given the circumstances they've found themselves in sometimes, it would have been so easy for them to adopt an attitude of "that'll do", but it hasn't happened yet.

Unsurprisingly, I'm enjoying working with them immensely, I'm very much looking forward to seeing the final result, and hoping just as much that the opportunity arises to work with most of them again.