tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37282782012-02-17T01:10:33.799ZWriting, chat, Guardian Talk, pals, socialising, cooking, observations, books, detective fiction and TV seriesLondon Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717482089076191269noreply@blogger.comBlogger181100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728278.post-17763750823903735422007-02-25T22:15:00.000Z2007-02-25T22:33:04.071Z

A few drinks in the "Front Room" (along with a great home-made birthday cake for S) and then on to have a Thai meal.M chatted about cats who had mooched in to her home, called Duncan and Pamela (Pamela!). This is as good as cats called Brenda or Babs, or a guinea pig called Abigail (or Dave).

London Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717482089076191269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728278.post-18843654606365590842007-02-12T13:45:00.000Z2007-02-12T22:52:12.462Z

Saw this on Sunday 11 February. Stunning.I loved the novel and the way that it became slowly clear that the narrator was not a very likeable person, with an agenda of her own. I wanted to see how well thsi was conveyed on screen (never likely to be too much of a problem with a talent such as Judi Dench playing Barbara).If anything, the character was even more awful than in the novel. Loneliness

London Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717482089076191269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728278.post-44307051183963771522007-02-09T19:54:00.001Z2007-02-09T19:51:05.641Z

A very fine actor. What a great pity.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6346301.stm

London Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717482089076191269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728278.post-69119521157809298012007-02-06T20:54:00.000Z2007-02-06T21:05:48.464Z

The Tube home from work rolled into King's Cross and was roundly thumped on the sides by a sea of Portugal football fans, many of whom filled the carriages. Very loud, very high-spirited and very good fun. I got chatting to a few of them (the carriage was rammed and everyone was packed in close). All good fun and livened up the journey home.

London Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717482089076191269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728278.post-15041594718829710242007-02-04T22:37:00.000Z2007-02-06T20:53:42.457Z

Did gloriously nothing today. Fabulous. Pottered on GU and looked at web hosting services. Rock and Roll...Forgot to mention this series, Soul Britannia on BBC4. Excellent stuff, with a look at the social impact of change in Britain between the 1950s and 1960s as well as some great music.More BBC4 tonight: East of Ipswich. I saw this years ago when I lived at home and liked Oona Kirsch in it. I

London Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717482089076191269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728278.post-37030665659073244612007-02-03T21:27:00.000Z2007-02-03T21:38:39.814Z

An interesting display of maps at the British Library. We agreed that in some areas they could have been better displayed, but enjoyed the exhibition and poring over the maps, discovering when certain areas appeared (WG: 1822), along with 'Devil's Road' and Devil's House from Crouch End. I'm sure I've heard tell of Crouch End being the end of the world...Meal and natter near Oxford Circus, and

London Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717482089076191269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728278.post-49899125860727439472007-02-03T21:19:00.000Z2007-02-03T21:26:59.115Z

I could see a dreadful woman ambling down a corridor towards me as I entered the staff canteen (she wasn't ambling, but I know why...). I made painful conversation with her in the queue and hoped she would go elsewhere to eat.My colleague asked if we could make our way to a table with only two spare places. I badly wanted to, but squashed down the moment of evil and said we really shouldn't do

London Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717482089076191269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728278.post-47978984409968390192007-02-02T13:52:00.000Z2007-02-04T23:01:07.079Z

Missed the Writing Group on Wednesday after double-booking myself.Am seeing maps and having coffee and cake with CB tomorrow.

London Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717482089076191269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728278.post-64991688722040348522007-02-02T13:48:00.000Z2007-02-02T13:51:51.085Z

Packet of smoked salmon1 lemonTub of creme fraicheSome Olive oilBottle of white wineGarlicPacket of pastaBrown up a bit the salmon in a pan with oil/garlic add a bit of white wine and squeeze the lemon in. Then add creme fraiche while getting pasta ready. Makes a lovely creamy but sharp and light subtle tasing dinner.Serves 4 adults easily with rest of bottle of wine.

London Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717482089076191269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728278.post-13072869641449802492007-01-31T20:15:00.000Z2007-01-31T20:27:08.398Z

Supermarket Man smiled at me yesterday evening. That's the second time in, oooh, about two years. He takes his time about things, I feel.This is immature and puerile, but it amused me:http://education.guardian.co.uk/schools/story/0,,2002927,00.html

London Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717482089076191269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728278.post-52083495307691689522007-01-28T20:40:00.000Z2007-02-04T23:02:37.383Z

Excellent night out with the girls: pub, surprise birthday party. Two good bands made up of regulars playing quirky and unusual choices of songs.In between the band, "Opera Elvis": another regular who didn't look like Elvis, and didn't particulalrly sound like him. But he had a cracking voice and great presence (plus the rhinestone suit and cape, natch). And he really did do opera (very very well

London Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717482089076191269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728278.post-44847883825979106432007-01-26T22:31:00.000Z2007-01-26T22:33:47.122Z

Watching: Midsomer Murders.You can't beat a good old-fashioned murder with families, brothers, intermarriage, family business and huffy locals.

London Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717482089076191269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728278.post-21735667756379923742007-01-25T21:34:00.000Z2007-01-26T13:49:40.130Z

Out with Mr Nice earlier this evening. The old pub near old work simlar but different.Among other things, we discussed the issue of Pride in Ignorance (a particular bete-noire of mine) and the perennial problem of Showercam. What is to be done about Showercam?Watching: Inspector Alleyne.: "That's the trouble with women and poison; they never when know when to stop."

London Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717482089076191269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728278.post-1150916362612219732006-06-21T18:56:00.000Z2007-01-26T13:49:52.683Z

Hellfire by Nick Tosches, the biography of Jerry Lee Lewis.http://observer.guardian.co.uk/omm/story/0,,1795951,00.htmlNapier-Bell book ordered yesterday: You Don't Have To Say You Love Me. It will go with the Black Vinyl, White Powder book I read last summer.

London Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717482089076191269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728278.post-1150915986120154002006-06-21T18:51:00.000Z2006-06-21T19:02:27.410Z

I've discovered that my father enjoys watching "Grumpy Old Women".The thought of him nodding along to the wisdom of Germaine Greer amuses me greatly.

London Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717482089076191269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728278.post-1105997204011729592005-01-17T21:14:00.000Z2007-01-26T13:36:11.495Z

A Russian(?) couple stopped me on the way home and asked if I knew where there were English language schools in the area. I ummed and ahhed for a moment and suggested the local library tomorrow. They seemed pleased with the suggestion and I hope it's helpful. It occurred to me that, in general, a native English speaker wouldn't know that information.I haven't cooked with chillis at home for ages,

London Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717482089076191269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728278.post-1105918921440465112005-01-16T23:39:00.000Z2006-06-21T19:03:49.476Z

Woke at 9.25, then fell back to sleep - more late sleeping.Some reading and posting on the Graun boards, then cooked stir-fry (as per last night) with the remaining ingredients.Watching the Jack Good documentary as I write.

London Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717482089076191269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3728278.post-1105821737710037952005-01-15T20:30:00.000Z2006-06-21T19:04:53.606Z

Was awoken by drilling at 10.00 this morning. A van is parked over the road, with some workmen poking around in a large hole. Fell back asleep until 14.00.The water is off (hence the van). There was enough water in the kettle for a cup of tea, but I reckoned I'd need to buy some bottled water from the shop to keep me going. Watched a bit of an old Columbo, Publish or Perish. I'd seen it before,

London Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717482089076191269noreply@blogger.com0