Category: old blogging

just updated my Amazon wishlist. Go spend money.

just been for lunch with Sarah in the Nags, which was excellent, and bumped into Paul F whilst there. Also bumped into Tim. So many friends, life is damned good.
(incidentally, this post is in no way related to the one below)

very very big grin.

Yesterday, I finished reading A Sweetheart Deal and cried for most of the last two chapters. It’s a brilliant book, certainly Ben Richards’ best so far. If you haven’t bought it and read it yet, go and get it now. Sorry – you can’t borrow my copy as I’ve loaned it to Fi.
Inevitably, as soon as I’d finished it and got through an entire pack of Kleenex (I’m *such* a softy), I zipped down to Waterstones in search of new entertainment, and emerged with Atomised by Michel Houellebecq. Any book which has a picture of a near-naked woman on the cover and is described by the Independent as “gloriously, extravagantly filthy” has to be worth a look. Seriously though, I read his previous novel (Whatever) and enjoyed that, and this book focuses on relationships and interaction with the world – which if you have looked at the novels I’ve been reading in the last few months, you’ll know is a theme I’m always returning to. Will report back as I progress through the pages.
But do go and buy that Ben Richards book … no, now! go on…! go!

A grey and not particularly cheerful day outside, but inside, the good mood marches on.
Last night I went for beer with Fi, Alison and Sarah, as well as a few of their mates, and also bumped into Arron and GSWUTWBTB in W2. The triumvirate returned here for coffee post-pub and we discussed rye biscuits – it was one of those nights. Today we’re meeting up for lunch.

oh, and for those who are wondering, I’m trying to be a cool cucumber at the moment.

today I went to St Albans to give a lecture. quite good, although I’ve got a feeling I may have got myself a speeding ticket as I rushed up the A3 – bummer. at least there was a guy with a speed camera, and I was doing 85. not good.
St Albans is an interesting looking place – it was Sarah’s home town when she was small. Roman ruins, a cathedral, a bustling market, and a distinctly unchanged-for-years feel to the city centre – the branch of Marks and Spencer has very old-fashioned neon sign, the sort that the branch here dispensed with years ago.

last night: drinks with DA, Kearn, Paul F, Paul C and a couple of their mates. nice, to use a well-worn word.

I love piccalilli

highlight of the day so far in a work sense – the man from the Ministry dropping by to check us out for noxious pests. Looks ok, so that’s good.
Today is one of those busy days in which not a great deal is actually achieved – I need better time management. Or a holiday. Not sure which.