Thursday, January 27, 2005
Wednesday night, I made a pilgrimage to the Apple Shop on Regent Street.
It's a hymn to hip design, and it's full of people seemingly getting a wireless connection, or checking their mail on the hundreds of sample machines. There's the Guru Bar (or whatever it's called). There's a glass staircase going up the centre of the shop, seemingly haning from the air. Everything is sleek, hip and well-designed, as any Apple thing should be.
Frankly, it was a bit like being in a cult.
But I noticed one thing: nestled away on the interior of the glass stairs was a bottle of Loctite.
Maybe the whole thing'll come crashing down?
It's a hymn to hip design, and it's full of people seemingly getting a wireless connection, or checking their mail on the hundreds of sample machines. There's the Guru Bar (or whatever it's called). There's a glass staircase going up the centre of the shop, seemingly haning from the air. Everything is sleek, hip and well-designed, as any Apple thing should be.
Frankly, it was a bit like being in a cult.
But I noticed one thing: nestled away on the interior of the glass stairs was a bottle of Loctite.
Maybe the whole thing'll come crashing down?
Today is Holocaust Memorial Day.
I wish I had time to write something more thoughtful - this is more of a bizarre linkog of related stuff that's been in my head recently. Please regard it as first-draft: I try and be more thoughtful than a brain-dump for serious topics.
Provisos over.
So Mark Levene in the Independent thinks Holocaust Day is misused - we've forgotten about refugees, which is what it's really about, apparently.
I went to the Intelligence Sqaured debate on Zionism Tuesday night - I made pages and pages of notes, but briefly, it was the best secular Jew-spotting there is. I was surprised how people identified themselves as "Jews" rather than Jewish (or Jew-ish), but apparently that's very twentyfirst century. While I don't in any way think there are some debates Jews should have behind closed doors, in case "they" hear us, there was something more than disturbing about hearing Amira Hass say "inshallah" with such venom. I don't think the debate itself was antisemitic - it was interesting. But the framing of the debate now, at this time: makes me wonder.
And now this: in Tuesday's FT, a frankly disturbing piece about how Russian MPs are trying to ban Jewish groups:
"Let us assure you, Mr Prosecutor-General, that there are a large number of well-established facts which lead to the indisputable conclusion: the negative assessment by Russian patriots of typical Jewish qualities and [their] actions against non-Jews are based on true facts and what is more these actions are not accidental, but prescribed by Judaism and have been practised over the past 2000 years," the letter said. "Therefore, statements and publications against Jews are self-defence, which may not be stylistically correct, but justified in its essence."
Typical Jewish qualities? P-ulease. And Judaism's quite a bit older than 2,000 years.
I carry the cultural heritage of people who expect the worst. (At the weekend over lunch, we had a lengthy conversation about how we all inherently expect Something Bad To Happen, which is why I had 30 litres of water and a mule in my bathroom in case of the war). And I know that the war is over, and I want to think that the suffering helped create a better world. But what I see is encoded antisemitism regularly: a subtle or not-so desire to other us, to notice us, to comment.
Sixty years on, what have we learned?
I wish I had time to write something more thoughtful - this is more of a bizarre linkog of related stuff that's been in my head recently. Please regard it as first-draft: I try and be more thoughtful than a brain-dump for serious topics.
Provisos over.
So Mark Levene in the Independent thinks Holocaust Day is misused - we've forgotten about refugees, which is what it's really about, apparently.
I went to the Intelligence Sqaured debate on Zionism Tuesday night - I made pages and pages of notes, but briefly, it was the best secular Jew-spotting there is. I was surprised how people identified themselves as "Jews" rather than Jewish (or Jew-ish), but apparently that's very twentyfirst century. While I don't in any way think there are some debates Jews should have behind closed doors, in case "they" hear us, there was something more than disturbing about hearing Amira Hass say "inshallah" with such venom. I don't think the debate itself was antisemitic - it was interesting. But the framing of the debate now, at this time: makes me wonder.
And now this: in Tuesday's FT, a frankly disturbing piece about how Russian MPs are trying to ban Jewish groups:
"Let us assure you, Mr Prosecutor-General, that there are a large number of well-established facts which lead to the indisputable conclusion: the negative assessment by Russian patriots of typical Jewish qualities and [their] actions against non-Jews are based on true facts and what is more these actions are not accidental, but prescribed by Judaism and have been practised over the past 2000 years," the letter said. "Therefore, statements and publications against Jews are self-defence, which may not be stylistically correct, but justified in its essence."
Typical Jewish qualities? P-ulease. And Judaism's quite a bit older than 2,000 years.
I carry the cultural heritage of people who expect the worst. (At the weekend over lunch, we had a lengthy conversation about how we all inherently expect Something Bad To Happen, which is why I had 30 litres of water and a mule in my bathroom in case of the war). And I know that the war is over, and I want to think that the suffering helped create a better world. But what I see is encoded antisemitism regularly: a subtle or not-so desire to other us, to notice us, to comment.
Sixty years on, what have we learned?
Deborah Lipstadt is on a private plane with five other US representatives, visiting Poland for the 60th anniversary (sounds a little partyish, I know) of the "liberation" from Auschwitz. When I was in NY, I made her a weblog, and forced her to blog - she's written a very interesting first-hand account - Greetings from Krakow. And I'll put the photos up tonight. Promise.
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Did I mention that I'm going to the Intelligence Squared Zionism debate, tonight?
I'll keep you informed.
I'll keep you informed.
For the kid who has everything: Fantasy Dressup. Counrtesy of Z.
Rob Lowe's a Doctor Who fan? Who knew?
Great piece in yesterday's Guardian about What friends are fo by Jenni Russell.
I'm figuring it's not this Jenni Russell, because, although she's a writer, she (a) lives in the US, and (b) can't spell opportunity.
Are friends the new family? I suspect not. I think friends are friends, and family are family - you do, to some degree, choose your friends.
I have a story to tell about friends and friendships ending, but I got up at 7am to go to a client's early, so it'll have to wait. Sorry.
I'm figuring it's not this Jenni Russell, because, although she's a writer, she (a) lives in the US, and (b) can't spell opportunity.
Are friends the new family? I suspect not. I think friends are friends, and family are family - you do, to some degree, choose your friends.
I have a story to tell about friends and friendships ending, but I got up at 7am to go to a client's early, so it'll have to wait. Sorry.
Monday, January 24, 2005
This is my new mobile phone. And they price-matched the Three tariff. I did the telecoms pricing manouvre I wrote about two years ago, although the Money Saving Expert has similar advice.
Total saving: £480 on my tariff, and a free £100 phone. Nearly £600. Must make sure not to spend it.
Total saving: £480 on my tariff, and a free £100 phone. Nearly £600. Must make sure not to spend it.
People sometimes say I'm a coincidence magnet, or some Lois-Weisberg-come-lately. How about this: I was moaning to a friend about how I had to sort out my gym membership being on hold, and get my money back from them because my ankle isn't better and I need to talk to the general manager at Holmes Place. I mention his name, and J says to me, "Rob L*******? I was at sixthform college with him."
Actually, we were at a party, and it was loud, and I thought she said she was at Sitcom College with him, and I didn't know what it was.
Anyway, I just talked to him. He was nice.
Actually, we were at a party, and it was loud, and I thought she said she was at Sitcom College with him, and I didn't know what it was.
Anyway, I just talked to him. He was nice.
Good Curl Definition
While I know my friend J is sick of me being the kinda girl who talks about her hair, I just have to tell you that since I got back from NY, where I got my haircut on the last morning at Devachan Salon my curl definition has been commented on by everyone I've met. Clients, friends, strangers (the woman standing next o me in the loo at a restaurant on Thursday) have all said some variation of "gee your hair looks great" only not iwth an American accent.
In the spirit of cultish following of new products, I have cleared out my bathroom cupboard, taken all those thought-they-would-help past it products to a charity shop, and am entering a new era where I only use one product, and have less stuff in my life.
I can't recommend these guys enough. In fact, I think I'm going to email them and suggest I'm their UK agent - can you believe you can only buy it in the US?
While I know my friend J is sick of me being the kinda girl who talks about her hair, I just have to tell you that since I got back from NY, where I got my haircut on the last morning at Devachan Salon my curl definition has been commented on by everyone I've met. Clients, friends, strangers (the woman standing next o me in the loo at a restaurant on Thursday) have all said some variation of "gee your hair looks great" only not iwth an American accent.
In the spirit of cultish following of new products, I have cleared out my bathroom cupboard, taken all those thought-they-would-help past it products to a charity shop, and am entering a new era where I only use one product, and have less stuff in my life.
I can't recommend these guys enough. In fact, I think I'm going to email them and suggest I'm their UK agent - can you believe you can only buy it in the US?
Anyone know anything about Theatre 0?
Friday, January 21, 2005
The Six Degrees of Lois Weisberg goes blog. Well, haddock.
So the reviews of Limmud NY roll in: this from the Forward (you may need to register):
"Limmud is a postmodern shtetl," said Nigel Savage, an environmental activist and British Limmud veteran who helped initiate the program's New York incarnation. "For the first time since before the French Revolution, we have put three generations and a wide range of denominations to live and celebrate together."
I know that Nigel's my buddy, but postmodern shtetl? P-u-lease.
There's a couple of innacuracies, like that Limmud UK doesn't hold conference over Shabbat, thus negating the possibility of creating a multi-denominational sabbath space (don't I just sound so American?). We do, and we did.
What's interesting, to me, anyhow, is that every Limmud is bound to reflect the community it happens in. And this is the way it should be. So this article places a heavy emphasis on the debates and arguments that took place in order to make the event happen: maybe that's what US Jewry is about. In any group, there's bound to be differences of opinion, but creating a Limmud, and enabling the transformative impact it can have on both participants and the wider community, is about moving past or round those difficulties. While I had a great time - and I really did, I'll be back next year - I can't help wondering if Limmud NY happened despite the differences.
"Limmud is a postmodern shtetl," said Nigel Savage, an environmental activist and British Limmud veteran who helped initiate the program's New York incarnation. "For the first time since before the French Revolution, we have put three generations and a wide range of denominations to live and celebrate together."
I know that Nigel's my buddy, but postmodern shtetl? P-u-lease.
There's a couple of innacuracies, like that Limmud UK doesn't hold conference over Shabbat, thus negating the possibility of creating a multi-denominational sabbath space (don't I just sound so American?). We do, and we did.
What's interesting, to me, anyhow, is that every Limmud is bound to reflect the community it happens in. And this is the way it should be. So this article places a heavy emphasis on the debates and arguments that took place in order to make the event happen: maybe that's what US Jewry is about. In any group, there's bound to be differences of opinion, but creating a Limmud, and enabling the transformative impact it can have on both participants and the wider community, is about moving past or round those difficulties. While I had a great time - and I really did, I'll be back next year - I can't help wondering if Limmud NY happened despite the differences.
Jon Ronson has had a weapon named after him by one of his inteviewees. That's what comes of hanging out with, er, radicals. Good blog, though.
Did I mention that while I was in New York, I made a weblog for Deborah Lipstadt? It's at History On Trial, go check it out, as she's just off to Poland for the sixitieth anniversary commemoration of the Holocaust, and is one of six people representing the US government - you'll get the real inside track.
With mainstream news coverage like this, let's face it. It's only a matter of time before Belle de Jour's identity is rumbled. Me? I'm keeping shtum. And no - for the nth time - it's not me.
Just a reminder: I still love wordsmith.org's A Word A Day (awad) mailing.
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
My New York correspondent tells me the two best places to pick up black and white cookies are William Greenberg Desserts (Madison Avenue between 82nd and 83rd Streets), and Artie's Deli (Broadway between 82nd and 83rd Streets).
Sadly I didn't get there, because I got a cancellation with Keith at Devachan, and while I really wanted to go to the new MOMA building, I was transported to curly-hair heaven... it's a whole salon of people who have curly hair. They cut your hair dry. They understand. They are cool. My new best-friend Sharon told me about them, and she's right.
I'm home. I've put two loads of washing on, checked my mail, and even done some work.
Sadly I didn't get there, because I got a cancellation with Keith at Devachan, and while I really wanted to go to the new MOMA building, I was transported to curly-hair heaven... it's a whole salon of people who have curly hair. They cut your hair dry. They understand. They are cool. My new best-friend Sharon told me about them, and she's right.
I'm home. I've put two loads of washing on, checked my mail, and even done some work.
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
[wrote this on Monday afternoon, but it's been hanging out in the ether...]
OK (so, as all Americans start sentences) I'm sitting in the closing gala of the Limmud NY inaugaural conference. As you know, I've had a great time, but let's face it, there's been a lot of swaying and quite a lot of sharing.
That said, there's something ineffably exciting about passing on the baton: I feel honoured to have been here. The Limmud the NYers created reflects US Jewry and the US community, and that's the way it should be. Some journalist whose name I've forgotten, said about Limmud a couple of years ago, "in every country where there are Jews, there should be a Limmud."
We're lighting candles now, btw.
What's been interesting for me, is the emphasis on different Limmud principles. So for me, before I came, the emphasis was on voluteerism, and that was what I talked to people here about. Now I've been here, I think the work for the NY Limmud community is about creating a truly multi-denominational community, while letting go of some of the strong desires for existing "turf". Pluralism is a word that has a genuine meaning here in the US, and I think it gets in the way.
We've just been asked to turn to the person next to us, and say what we've gifted ourselves with. New friends, a new hairdresser, the study of Torah, writing connections. Not necessarily in that order.
I'll definitely be back next year. Not least because I'll need new contact lenses.
OK (so, as all Americans start sentences) I'm sitting in the closing gala of the Limmud NY inaugaural conference. As you know, I've had a great time, but let's face it, there's been a lot of swaying and quite a lot of sharing.
That said, there's something ineffably exciting about passing on the baton: I feel honoured to have been here. The Limmud the NYers created reflects US Jewry and the US community, and that's the way it should be. Some journalist whose name I've forgotten, said about Limmud a couple of years ago, "in every country where there are Jews, there should be a Limmud."
We're lighting candles now, btw.
What's been interesting for me, is the emphasis on different Limmud principles. So for me, before I came, the emphasis was on voluteerism, and that was what I talked to people here about. Now I've been here, I think the work for the NY Limmud community is about creating a truly multi-denominational community, while letting go of some of the strong desires for existing "turf". Pluralism is a word that has a genuine meaning here in the US, and I think it gets in the way.
We've just been asked to turn to the person next to us, and say what we've gifted ourselves with. New friends, a new hairdresser, the study of Torah, writing connections. Not necessarily in that order.
I'll definitely be back next year. Not least because I'll need new contact lenses.
Monday, January 17, 2005
High-speed Limmud Ny update: Nessa Rappaport on writing Jewish memiors; JJ Goldberg from the Forward on news media; panel debate on Shabbat in a multi-denomination envinronment; Frank London (from the Klezmatics) and So-Called (hip hop DJ)jamming; Yisroel Campbell on Jewish 12 step programmes. Or should that be programs?
I'm having a great time. It's kinda nice to be a regular punter: I don't know anything, I can just do my thing. Also, there's a lot of Jewish hair. A lot. One of my new friends is trying to persuade me to get my hair cut at the Curly Hair book woman's salon downtown on Tuesday. I'm trying to get to the MOMA new building, so it's a tough choice.
THere's been a lot of sharing, but then that's America for you.
Like this guy: "because, y'know, I was in regular analysis, but the therapist, he was, y'know, atheistic, and I was looking for something more... spiritual. So, I found a Jungian - you know from Jung? - analystic, and he understood my spiritual search. I wanted to welcome synagogue into my life. I'm an interior decorator: the space here is making me nauseous."
We just stood together in the coffee place.
It's great though: I love the immediacy, and the openess, and the energy. I love how warm people are, and how I have new friends to go out and play with tomorrow. I love that lots of nice people have lent me their wireless connection even though they don't know me.
Today, I'm thinking maybe I'm a New Yorker: I like black and whites (cookies) and onion baigels, and short attention spans and oversharing. I love the upper west side and downtown. I love wild hair and pushy women, and balding guys who wear round glasses. I love deep intellectual conversation with people I hardly know.
Enough already. Let's just say I'm having a good time. Hello, Louis.
I'm having a great time. It's kinda nice to be a regular punter: I don't know anything, I can just do my thing. Also, there's a lot of Jewish hair. A lot. One of my new friends is trying to persuade me to get my hair cut at the Curly Hair book woman's salon downtown on Tuesday. I'm trying to get to the MOMA new building, so it's a tough choice.
THere's been a lot of sharing, but then that's America for you.
Like this guy: "because, y'know, I was in regular analysis, but the therapist, he was, y'know, atheistic, and I was looking for something more... spiritual. So, I found a Jungian - you know from Jung? - analystic, and he understood my spiritual search. I wanted to welcome synagogue into my life. I'm an interior decorator: the space here is making me nauseous."
We just stood together in the coffee place.
It's great though: I love the immediacy, and the openess, and the energy. I love how warm people are, and how I have new friends to go out and play with tomorrow. I love that lots of nice people have lent me their wireless connection even though they don't know me.
Today, I'm thinking maybe I'm a New Yorker: I like black and whites (cookies) and onion baigels, and short attention spans and oversharing. I love the upper west side and downtown. I love wild hair and pushy women, and balding guys who wear round glasses. I love deep intellectual conversation with people I hardly know.
Enough already. Let's just say I'm having a good time. Hello, Louis.
Sunday, January 16, 2005
This is surreal. I'm sitting in a faded borscht-belt hotel, that's seen better days, sitting with Deborah Lipstadt and Rebbetzin Hadassah Gross, chewing the cud about Martin Luther King, sparkly clothes, Auschwitz and Kaballah.
No, really. Amichau Levy Lau is a performance artist whose alter-ego is Hadassah (a Rebbetzin Jungreis lookey-likey). My shaynah punim t-shirt has gone down a treat.
No, really. Amichau Levy Lau is a performance artist whose alter-ego is Hadassah (a Rebbetzin Jungreis lookey-likey). My shaynah punim t-shirt has gone down a treat.
Friday, January 14, 2005
Being in New York means I'm not spending hours poring over the Guardian online but I've heard tell that Aaron Barschak is the Commentator du Jour on the Prince Harry Nazi-gate Story.
You can imagine some Guardian Editor running around the office saying "That bloke in a dress, the one who tried to break into the Palace - let's get him." Even nutters get their 15 minutes of fame. Sometimes twice.
You can imagine some Guardian Editor running around the office saying "That bloke in a dress, the one who tried to break into the Palace - let's get him." Even nutters get their 15 minutes of fame. Sometimes twice.
Briefly - it's late, I'm on dial-up - I saw Modern Orthodox with Molly Ringwald and Jason Biggs at the Dodgers Stages tonight. It's fab. A great script, excellent acting (especially from film actors who sometimes aren't so great on stage), Molly looks about the same as she did in the Breakfast Club (no, really) and me and J were rolling in the aisles.
Sure, there's caricatures, but there's something about watching a play with intensely Jewish, almost Yeshivish content, in an environment where everyone is laughing at the jokes (sample: there's no word in Yiddish for thin). Even the black couple sitting behind us. Because this is New York. In London, we'd be looking over our shoulder to spot the other person laughing a big theatre. Here: everyone gets it. I'm still working out what it means. If anything. Not the play, the collective experience.
In other news, I have bought some black Chelsea boots. Only in New York.
Sure, there's caricatures, but there's something about watching a play with intensely Jewish, almost Yeshivish content, in an environment where everyone is laughing at the jokes (sample: there's no word in Yiddish for thin). Even the black couple sitting behind us. Because this is New York. In London, we'd be looking over our shoulder to spot the other person laughing a big theatre. Here: everyone gets it. I'm still working out what it means. If anything. Not the play, the collective experience.
In other news, I have bought some black Chelsea boots. Only in New York.
I had to come all the way to New York to find out this?
It's tough getting knee-length boots if you have well-defined calves. I've heard. Now, here's a company that's already thought of that.
It's tough getting knee-length boots if you have well-defined calves. I've heard. Now, here's a company that's already thought of that.
It's a global village, sweetie.
So I heard the news this morning, with pics already, just like you did, about how Prince Harry is a Nazi. Allegedly. And I heard about some BA flight that got turned back to London thre hours into its New York-bound flight because it turned out they thought they had a possible terrorist on board, but only discovered after the flight had left, as it turned out they were working from an outdated checklist. Right. You know how that happens.
So I heard the news this morning, with pics already, just like you did, about how Prince Harry is a Nazi. Allegedly. And I heard about some BA flight that got turned back to London thre hours into its New York-bound flight because it turned out they thought they had a possible terrorist on board, but only discovered after the flight had left, as it turned out they were working from an outdated checklist. Right. You know how that happens.
Thursday, January 13, 2005
I am in New York! I feel I should use a (rare) exclamation mark to represent the exuberance of the city.
Sitting in M's lobby of her upper east side apartment building last night, waiting for her to get home from work (I was early, can you believe), it was like theatre. People running backwards and fro, hair straightened, furs, careful doormen, New York winter.
- Happy Noo Year, Martha
- Happy and healthy. Did you meet my new daughter in law?
- Welcome to the family. What a family
Italian food, long cup-of-tea-and-sitdown with M, and now all set for meeting friends, museums, shopping.
My house (in London) is tidier than it's ever been. Doubt it'll last long: I left P house-sitting and she's hardly the tidiest. (Sorry, P. There's food in the fridge. No tomatoes, mind).
Talk later, daahling.
Sitting in M's lobby of her upper east side apartment building last night, waiting for her to get home from work (I was early, can you believe), it was like theatre. People running backwards and fro, hair straightened, furs, careful doormen, New York winter.
- Happy Noo Year, Martha
- Happy and healthy. Did you meet my new daughter in law?
- Welcome to the family. What a family
Italian food, long cup-of-tea-and-sitdown with M, and now all set for meeting friends, museums, shopping.
My house (in London) is tidier than it's ever been. Doubt it'll last long: I left P house-sitting and she's hardly the tidiest. (Sorry, P. There's food in the fridge. No tomatoes, mind).
Talk later, daahling.
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
I am reading an (advance) copy of Blink (I think it's out in February).
I love how Malcolm incubates ideas for ages: I read a piece in the New Yorker back in 2000 about job interviews, and how interviewers basically make snap decisions. I was a headhunter at the time, so we all thought it was very interesting. Now Malcolm's developed his idea even further. It's smart, easy to read, and exciting. Which for non-fiction, is amazing. To me, anyhow. Like I'm sitting at my desk thinking I'd rather be on my sofa finding out what (intellectually) happens next. But I am finding out everything there is to know about retail investment. Such is life.
I love how Malcolm incubates ideas for ages: I read a piece in the New Yorker back in 2000 about job interviews, and how interviewers basically make snap decisions. I was a headhunter at the time, so we all thought it was very interesting. Now Malcolm's developed his idea even further. It's smart, easy to read, and exciting. Which for non-fiction, is amazing. To me, anyhow. Like I'm sitting at my desk thinking I'd rather be on my sofa finding out what (intellectually) happens next. But I am finding out everything there is to know about retail investment. Such is life.
Oh, how annoying is this. I've just realised that I don't have a universal adaptor, so I can't charge my US phone before I leave. I've called John Lewis, Currys, Dixons. No-one sells them. Gah.
Monday, January 10, 2005
Never Mind The Goldbergs - I wish I'd thought of spelling my name Matthue. If it was Matthew, of course.
Whenever people ask me how I spell my name, I always say with a silent Q. Like in the Young Ones? Remember?
Whenever people ask me how I spell my name, I always say with a silent Q. Like in the Young Ones? Remember?
This is the weather for Kerhonkson, New York. Snow. Except it's not snowing in Manhattan. So now I have to take two wardrobes, and I'm trying to travel light.
How to be creative. Must try harder (me, that is).
Did I mention I'm off to Limmud New York later this week? And that I've basically financed the trip by buying a year's contact lenses? Of course some say I should have learned from last time: and I did. I ordered them two weeks ago, and they're already there. See.
And with the pound at nearly $2 I feel the urge to shop. But I must contain it, as I've cleared out my house in a de-cluttering/moving house kinda way, and I like having less stuff. So the last thing I want is to come back from NY with more stuff. But a pair of trainers, right, that would be OK?
And with the pound at nearly $2 I feel the urge to shop. But I must contain it, as I've cleared out my house in a de-cluttering/moving house kinda way, and I like having less stuff. So the last thing I want is to come back from NY with more stuff. But a pair of trainers, right, that would be OK?
Columbia Road Flower Market on Sunday; it's very different in the winter. Not quite as heaving, and more evergreen/shrub-like. Bought some fabulous ornamental cabbages and heather for my window box.
Reminds me: a good few years ago I was at a friend's wedding in New York; very funky. She had a Yohji Yamamoto dress, and the table decorations were all modernistesque. Cabbages, rather than posies. You know the style.
All the "older people" were saying things like "you'd think she'd have ironed her wedding dress" and "are those table decorations the salad."
Reminds me: a good few years ago I was at a friend's wedding in New York; very funky. She had a Yohji Yamamoto dress, and the table decorations were all modernistesque. Cabbages, rather than posies. You know the style.
All the "older people" were saying things like "you'd think she'd have ironed her wedding dress" and "are those table decorations the salad."
Sunday, January 09, 2005
Saw Vera Drake last night at Kilburn's very own Tricycle cinema.
Well kept secret of North London: when a new film is sold out in the whole of London, the Tricycle always has seats and they are comfy. I gather it's because they're Arts Council funded rather than commercial, so they don't actually do any marketing. Keep it to yourself.
I ran into 17 people I know. Not including me. It was very nice, very sociable. One person said to me "you can never go to the Tricycle on a Saturday night without your makeup on." I don't know if that was a veiled reference to my flawless skin even in a no-makeup scenario, or what.
As I sat down, the person in front of me whispered to their cinema companion: the place is crawling with Jews. Because she was someone who looked vaguely familiar in a you're-Jewish-too way, I didn't get the sawn-off shotgun out of my handbag.
Vera Drake is a great movie, if a little long. (Here be spoilers, be warned). From 1949 to 1951, North London was just a linked series of cups of tea. Dear. No, really. I think from now on I will refer to a cuppatea in faux rhyming slang as a Vera Drake. I realise that people will probably think I mean a piece of cake or piece of hake, but needs must.
Followed by toffeeappletinis at Brondesage, the loudest local hangout there is. Whodathought I'd be sitting outside on the Kilburn High Road in January. NW6 is where it's at. The Kilburn Rivieria, if you will.
Well kept secret of North London: when a new film is sold out in the whole of London, the Tricycle always has seats and they are comfy. I gather it's because they're Arts Council funded rather than commercial, so they don't actually do any marketing. Keep it to yourself.
I ran into 17 people I know. Not including me. It was very nice, very sociable. One person said to me "you can never go to the Tricycle on a Saturday night without your makeup on." I don't know if that was a veiled reference to my flawless skin even in a no-makeup scenario, or what.
As I sat down, the person in front of me whispered to their cinema companion: the place is crawling with Jews. Because she was someone who looked vaguely familiar in a you're-Jewish-too way, I didn't get the sawn-off shotgun out of my handbag.
Vera Drake is a great movie, if a little long. (Here be spoilers, be warned). From 1949 to 1951, North London was just a linked series of cups of tea. Dear. No, really. I think from now on I will refer to a cuppatea in faux rhyming slang as a Vera Drake. I realise that people will probably think I mean a piece of cake or piece of hake, but needs must.
Followed by toffeeappletinis at Brondesage, the loudest local hangout there is. Whodathought I'd be sitting outside on the Kilburn High Road in January. NW6 is where it's at. The Kilburn Rivieria, if you will.
Saturday, January 08, 2005
Could just be my current frame of mind (house moving), but just discovered House Price Crash which doesn't make me feel great. And NetHousePrices.com and MyHousePrice.com.
Both of the last two do the same: take the basic land registry information and put the database online. MyHousePrice charges you £2 a go, and NetHousePrices has 500 free searches if you sign up in beta now (they got a bit overwhelmed, so it may not be open yet), and then charges (I think) £4,95 for 48 hours. Perfect if you're buying and want to check out recent prices.
Of course there's another thing: two friends I told who I knew would have an addictive desire to check out the price of the house of everyone they know were immediately frustrated by the no-new-registrations thing. "Quick, quick, tell me how much 12 Any Street went for. God, it's like drugs."
What I've discovered is that the house I'm thinking of buying is overpriced, and that my nieghbours sold the almost identical flat to mine in the summer for 15% more than I'm even asking.
Both of the last two do the same: take the basic land registry information and put the database online. MyHousePrice charges you £2 a go, and NetHousePrices has 500 free searches if you sign up in beta now (they got a bit overwhelmed, so it may not be open yet), and then charges (I think) £4,95 for 48 hours. Perfect if you're buying and want to check out recent prices.
Of course there's another thing: two friends I told who I knew would have an addictive desire to check out the price of the house of everyone they know were immediately frustrated by the no-new-registrations thing. "Quick, quick, tell me how much 12 Any Street went for. God, it's like drugs."
What I've discovered is that the house I'm thinking of buying is overpriced, and that my nieghbours sold the almost identical flat to mine in the summer for 15% more than I'm even asking.
Friday, January 07, 2005
Belle de Jour's book is out today. Bizarrely, Amazon have twinned it with a fascinating book from the Vietnam frontline.
M mailed me to tell me (apropos of my Year of the Volunteer post) that it's also the year of the Comma Separated Value as well as the Make Poverty History campaign.
I guess, glued to the TV like everyone else who was around on boxing day, I've been thinking about the Tsunami. A lot.
I mean, there's not a lot that I can say that hasn't already been said. I'm just wondering what it would be like to be sitting having breakfast with my family, like the brother of someone in my parents' shul, and then a wave comes and washes your wife away, leaving you and your two teenage children.
Or like the hundreds of other stories I've read and heard. The enormity of destruction, coupled with the fact that I've spent a lot of time in Indonesia, and in Sumatra especially, is overwhelming. I'm finding myself getting quite tearful everytime I read something new, and I'm getting to the stage where I can't follow it any more.
Makes me feel like the only thing that counts in the world is how we treat other people: whether it's about aid, or volunteering, or just being there for your friends and family.
We live in uncertain times. Oh, and happy new year.
I guess, glued to the TV like everyone else who was around on boxing day, I've been thinking about the Tsunami. A lot.
I mean, there's not a lot that I can say that hasn't already been said. I'm just wondering what it would be like to be sitting having breakfast with my family, like the brother of someone in my parents' shul, and then a wave comes and washes your wife away, leaving you and your two teenage children.
Or like the hundreds of other stories I've read and heard. The enormity of destruction, coupled with the fact that I've spent a lot of time in Indonesia, and in Sumatra especially, is overwhelming. I'm finding myself getting quite tearful everytime I read something new, and I'm getting to the stage where I can't follow it any more.
Makes me feel like the only thing that counts in the world is how we treat other people: whether it's about aid, or volunteering, or just being there for your friends and family.
We live in uncertain times. Oh, and happy new year.
Discussion on the Guardian's letters page on the place of god and religion during the recent tsunami. Richard Dawkins gives it all hes got: "There, in one sentence, we have the religious mind displayed before us in all its absurdity."
Thursday, January 06, 2005
New year, new stupid trends: life caching is the latest.
Yeah, right. Filing, that's what it is. Good old-fashioned filing.
Yeah, right. Filing, that's what it is. Good old-fashioned filing.
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
Good morning, good morning.
Yes, I'm still here. Just was relaxing and having a little rest.
In a completely unrelated (or it was when I found it but I've forgotten why now), here's a great website on the The Search for Noah's Ark in present day Turkey.
How was your break?
Yes, I'm still here. Just was relaxing and having a little rest.
In a completely unrelated (or it was when I found it but I've forgotten why now), here's a great website on the The Search for Noah's Ark in present day Turkey.
How was your break?
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