Lazy Sunday...

So – here it is Friday, and I never got around to updating the rest of the Easter weekend… in a nutshell, my Easter surprise trip was a lovely boutique hotel in nearby Richmond – the ‘lazy Sunday’ package at the Bingham… starting with a fabulous long lunch overlooking the river, afternoon stroll, cinema in the evening, and fun Jacuzzi bath (are you supposed to use bubble bath in a Jacuzzi tub? Not sure… it certainly bubbled up to no end!)

As for the movie – we saw Sunshine, really very good, if a bit of a slow starter. The basic premise is that the sun is dying out prematurely (it’s set in 2057) and a team of astronauts has to detonate a nuclear bomb in the sun’s core to re-start it and save the planet from rapid descent into permanent winter… sounds just like those comet bashing movies like Armageddon, but no. There’s plenty of action (especially in the later half of the movie) but it’s much more psychological and metaphysical; what’s it like being cooped up in a spaceship (granted, a very very large spaceship) with 8 people for 3 years of travel, with the mental pressure of being the last hope for saving the all of people-kind, and the very likely possibility you won’t make it back home (a previous mission had already gone missing 7 years earlier). And then this is combined with the majesty of being so close to the sun, what is that like to observe, even through the strongest filtered lenses. So good – and given the special effects, probably much better in a big screen than on the TV. (unless of course it’s a home-cinema sized one, mom & dad!)

Then a fabulous day off still on Monday, with very quick journey time to home - my favourite way to travel! No jet lag, no stiff legs from a long car ride... wonderful!

how much do I *love* a 4-day weekend?

Sunday morning, still 2 more days off to come!

So far so good - Friday a wander around Primrose Hill to Regent's Park, posing prettily for pre-wedding pictures (aww - don't they look cute.) Was sunny and grand... except my shoes were perhaps a wee bit inappropriate... I didn't realise how much walking we were going to do! From the station to Primrose Hill to the park, through the park, onto Marylebone High Street, down to John Lewis... ouch. (OK - I realise that means pretty much nothing to the majority of readers, but if this link works, you can get an idea!)

Saturday a little quieter... Ashley went off for a canal-hike; I stayed a little closer to home & met up with friends Matt & Ailsa for lunch and also to see their new little girl Erika for the first time. Aww, how adorable, 11 weeks, slept the entire lunch... (of course, she can't be as cute as my niece, and no, I'm not biased in any way.)

And still 2 more days of the weekend to go.

The Kwik-e-Mart is coming!

Well, temporarily at least... seems a few 7-11s are being rebranded kwik-e-marts - complete with Squishees (and decrepit hotdogs? mmmm hotdogs). Unclear from what I can find as to which few 7-11s... but my guess is if your town is named Springfield, and you've got a 7-11, there's a good chance you'll get one of the few, going up to promote the Simpsons movie...

woo-hoo - Mariners top their division!

OK, so it's only 1 game - but I'll take that 1.000 record when I can get it, thank you very much.

Another weekend flown by too quickly… where do they go!!?? Started off Saturday with a final visit to our wedding venue – for a little reminder of how things might look in only FIVE WEEKS TIME! Ack!

Then into town for a quick visit to the Face of Fashion exhibit (and more) at the National Portrait Gallery (thanks again Brian and Amy!) We could’ve stayed there for days, but were off again to visit one of London’s great consumer monuments:

Selfridges. (Again – I could’ve stayed there for days!) Every spring, Selfridges decorates and has events in a particular theme; this year it’s Surrealism – in conjunction with the V&A, which is hosting a major exhibit of the same name. We met up with our friend Cat and enjoyed Dadadandy cocktails (gin, ginger ale, lemonade, ‘washed with absinthe’) in the Ultralounge, ooh la la, how decadent. The drinks were to celebrate the launch of the new ‘surrealist perfume’ – Choix “the scent of choice”… with ingredients that include, umm, nothing. How surreal. And yet I was *still* tempted to purchase!

Drinks & dinner rounded off the day – and there was Saturday gone!

Sunday was a little more relaxed, sticking close to home – but still, disappeared before I knew it. Made a yummy impromptu ‘what can I find in the cupboards’ soup – chopped tomato base, with corn, kidney beans, black eyed peas, and rice; and plenty of cumin and chipotle powder for spice. Yum. And just enough over for lunch too – lucky me!

It's pronounced 'Bruggh-uh'

Add another European city to my list! Went to Brugge (aka Bruges) yesterday for a meeting for work – luckily I got there while it was still light out Wednesday evening, so did a little wander and took a few photos. Unfortunately, the light may have been out, but the town itself was relatively shut. And until I got to the main market square, it seemed eerily quiet. In fact, I ended up carrying my wheelie bag from train station to the hotel, as the echoing over the cobblestones sounded disturbingly loud… I half expected someone to throw open a window and glare out at the noise! (but not say anything of course – that would shatter the silence!)

After a little walk around, I had *huge* meal of moules et frites at one of the many bistros lining the main market square. I’m sure it was a complete tourist trap, but I was hungry, and at least there were no photos on the menu… (ok – it did come in 5 languages, but that’s just being helpful!)

Then Thursday evening back to London via Eurostar… ah – the new great age of the train… what a lovely way to travel!

i am a crafty girl...

Ooh - very exciting - the Stitch & Craft show is today! (well, for the pedants among you, it's from Thursday through Sunday, but I'm *going* today, so for me, it's today!)

Though since my rate of purchase is between 1 - 2 kits/show, and there are 2 shows/year, but I only complete about 2 items / year... well - you do the math...

Costco from birth to...

Bleugh. I was just looking around the Costco website for work (another story) -- when I saw a category label 'Funerals'. Y'know, right up there with 'Furniture', 'Food&Wine', 'Floral'... why not another F-category. 'folders'? nah, way too narrow. I know, how about 'Funerals'. Overnight shipping, too - nice to see they appeal to all religions. So, as you're meandering around Costco, after you take a nibble cut from the 10-pound block of the cheese of the month, and add a 5-gallon tub of mayo to your cart, don't forget to wander over & try out the casket. Eeew.

I know it may be more, umm, cost effective, and I know I won't be here to appreciate it -- but please please when I go can my funeral needs not come from Costco?

*disclaimer -- this entry is my opinion only, and certainly not intended to offend anyone who may have recently purchased a casket, urn, or other funereal-keep sake through costco...

How cool is this?!

So - I'm just reading through an old copy of the FT Weekend Magazine, (which has sadly gone downhill I think since they discontinued 'The Business' a few years ago, but at least they have Mrs Moneypenny back, but I digress...)

Anyway - casually reading an article entitled 'Rhyme and Reason', about hip hop culture and politics and blah blah... when who do I see quoted: JASON TANZ!! It must be the same Temple-Beth-El-knew-years-ago-Jason Tanz, mustn't it??

Very very cool - I went to temple (or at least think I did, because it must be him) with someone whose book is now appearing in the Financial Times.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to Kris, my blogging (and crafting) idol, who now joins the ranks of the thirty-somethings... And who I've finally mentioned my blog to - so I may increase my audience by 20% or so... better widen my topics beyond family-related interest!

Wedding shoes?

Maybe a little too high... and a little over the budget!

weekend update

Tuesday evening and only just now getting to our weekend update – a very good one I must say, with a mix of going out, friends, spontaneity, and some general slobbing around…

Friday night was dinner with our friend Cat – an unexpected treat, as it was initially supposed to be just a drink, but we extended to a lovely evening out (Thai Pot – yum).

Saturday we’d planned to relax in the morning & head out later that day, but with the sun shining, and our usual early rising (Ash being earlier than usual at about 5 a.m.!), we headed out around 10, first stop, the British Library. It was the last weekend of an exhibit called ‘London: A Life in Maps' or some such thing, and it was fascinating to see the different maps of the town-then-small-city-then-metropolis over time… looking at some maps that still had individual homes marked across the entire city, when that was still practical. We thought the exhibit was a bit crowded – but it was nothing like when we left around 12:15 and saw a queue stretching of probably 50 – 75 people! The early bird *does* get the worm. Or the map, in this case.

After the library we headed a bit further East to Spitalfields and Brick Lane, for “Taste of the East”, which was supposed to be local restaurants and music, etc… Must admit, we were a little disappointed, as – while there was a nice variety – it wasn’t really ‘Taste of’, just various market stalls similar to Borough Market, but on a smaller scale. And, while we did see the Bollywood Brass Band, which was fun, the main draw – for me – never showed. What was that? A group called Klezmania, which I was really looking forward to seeing. We waited around for about 10 minutes past when they were supposed to be on, but there was no announcement, no nada, and finally we just gave up… And then after a little more shopping, the rain appeared, and with it our signal to head home.

Where… we got sucked into another one of those countdown shows – 50 top tv dramas of all time. As it was a UK show, most of the entries were, not surprisingly, British – however I still recognised a few, and there were also some American ones in there… including the number 1… which I insisted on staying up until midnight to see, through drooping eyelids… Can you guess what it was? (Answer put at the end of this - to give you time to guess)

Sunday was quiet and relaxing and a little bit of work and a lot of rain… and then before y’know it, it’s the work week all over again…

Keep scrolling for the answer...






The number 1 rated TV Drama ever, as voted by I have no idea: The Sopranos! I guess I better get the DVDs...

You make me feel so young...

Belated happy birthday to my father-in-law-to-be, Mr. Eddie Agar... who celebrated his birthday in style with Big Band flair last Saturday night - performing as part of the Roy Bailey Band. We had a fantastic time and had a great view from the 5th row -- my only complaint was the lack of dance floor!

See some of the action here:

doin' our own thing...

Well, looks like Ashley & I continue to buck the trends... Marriage rates in the UK fall to the lowest levels since 1896 -- but who are we to follow the crowds?! Someone's got to keep those florists and venues in business...

Ooh – lookie – I’ve added a new Resolution Watch widget to the sidebar – a visual reminder of how well I’m doing against my 3 Rs -- reading, recipes, and running. Oh - and 1C - culture.

I’ve added another ‘been-meaning-to-read-for-ages’ book to the list – The Kite Runner – and yes, Dad, I agree it was magnificent. A distinctive voice painting such a clear picture – I couldn’t put it down.

I have fallen at one hurdle, however – the vow not to buy any more books until I read the ones I already own… because after The Kite Runner came What Came Before He Shot Her – the latest by Elizabeth George. Another unputdownable read – though of course in a different way. I’ve read all of her Inspector Lynley books, and this was a bit of a departure for her – rather than being a fairly classic modern English detective novel, this looked at the societal factors in play that lead to a 12 year-old boy being arrested for murder.

Now – onto the next – chosen from my shelves this time, no more return to Amazon! User vote:
--(fiction) The Time Travellers Wife
--(nonfiction) The Man Who Ate Everything (food writer essays from Vogue)

Vote early, and vote often!

global audience?

As some of you may have noticed, I've added this little map widget thing to the lower right of the site -- supposedly showing where my hordes of visitors are coming from. Not surprisingly, the mass is from the US Northwest (hi Mom & Dad, Sis...). London appears to be there too - again, no surprise.

But -- what's that? Lurkers in China and Russia (too small to see exactly where, but perhaps Moscow? Shanghai??) Huh? So - if you *are* visiting from a farflung land (well - farflung relative to London or my family) -- please, say hi! The more the merrier...

Another Schindler?

Read this really interesting article in Sunday's Financial Times Magazine - about Ernst Leitz, head of the Leica factory in Germany in the 30s, who may have helped dozens of Jews by giving them apprenticeships at the factory, and then jobs in New York -- sending them and their families to the US... official records put the number at 42, though anecdotally some speak of many many more. In any case, it shows that however many stories you read, there are always new ones worth discovering...

Horrible wedding day...

I am *so* not letting anyone give me curls for the wedding...

Happy Groundhog Day

And check back at 12:30 GMT to see if Phil says winter or spring... C'mon Spring!

Update: Spring it is! Thanks Phil... (wait a minute - does the early spring prediction only apply to those in Punxatawney? Hmm... maybe I need me my own groundhog...)

I want this blender!

I soooo want a Blendtec now! Will it blend???