Friday 15 March 2013

The Artist is Present

I think I really would have enjoyed this piece by Marina Abramovic at MOMA in 2010, even before this incredible moment.


The man's name is Ulay and he was the artist's lover and collaborator for many years before they decided to end their relationship in the late 80s. To properly honour their relationship their break-up involved them walking from opposite ends of The Great Wall of China and the meeting in the middle to hug, and then part.

Although they saw each other in the years between, she did not know he would be at this performance.

Just beautiful, honest and truly moving.

Discovered through whoorl.


Thursday 21 February 2013

Quick thoughts

The most reliable way to blog is in quick spurts - from my brain to your screen without an editing process in between. Writing, thinking, editing makes me procrastinate. Have I expressed myself in the best way? Does this manage to get my point across? Am I engaging my reader? Fact is -one reader or ten (i can tell you which I'm closer too) - my blogging frequency improves the less I think and the less I write. Sometimes it's frustrating because I know I want to get a much bigger point across than 3 minutes frantic typing allows. Even so, sometimes you just can't hold it in. Sometimes it's just better to go with the flow.

I guess it comes down to what you want your blog to be. For me it's become a record of things which were important to me at the time that I somehow thought the world should know. It's the thoughts that you need to released to the world but not necessarily to your friends. And sometimes it's the things you want people to know without having to actually tell them.

Monday 18 February 2013

Fixin's

Well I wish I was a fixer
I would fix you up inside
I would build you a town if the world fell down
I wish I was that guy

- Jason Mraz, Frank D Fixer

Tuesday 5 February 2013

Dear World,

Sometimes, it's not all about you.

Sometimes it's about me.

Sometimes it would be nice if you wiped your own @rse.

That is all.

Wednesday 30 January 2013

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen: still my favourite book of all time ever

I have so much to say about this book right now. So much that I want to eloquently phrase in more words than I have time for.

As I read it again, it's as though I'm discovering it for the first time. I am finding myself laughing out loud on the tube (utterly forbidden), highlighting paragraphs (unheard of), lip-syncing my favourite bits of dialogue (not recommended in public) and actively contemplating how much I am enjoying reading it every ten pages or so.

It may be a sad reflection on my life at the moment, but experiencing this book again is lifting my spirits, filling my heart and making me truly joyful. I love reading, I love books, and I have loved this book for most of my life but something special is going on right here and now.

Saturday 12 January 2013

2012 in a nutshell

JANUARY

Went for my annual ice-skate. Welcomed friends to MY house for the first time. Walked Earlsfield to Richmond again. Finally went to Bookclub. Went to Wildlife Photographer of the Year.

FEBRUARY

Spent Valentine's Day with Simona. Celebrated Auntie Margaret's 80th and visited the family up north. Ate 3 courses of cheese with B.

MARCH

Reluctantly went to an audition that was more than I could have ever imagined. Had afternoon tea at The Ritz for dinner. Attended a baptism. Threw my first dinner party. Celebrated the imminent arrival of a baby (NOT a baby shower). Made 'nappy cake' for aforementioned celebration. Visited friends and family in 
California. 


APRIL

Joked about heart attack and ended up in A&E. Heard about the arrival of Master H while waiting to be discharged to ward. Scared the A&E nurses by promptly bursting into tears. Attended an 80s themed 40th.


MAY

Margaritad at The Big Easy. Dedicated myself to introducing the phrase 'Totes Toots' into common vocabulary. Celebrated a birthday where L(&L) announce they're expecting. M&D arrived to look after me. One Man, Two Guvenors. A Night with John Irving.


JUNE

Queen's Jubilee. Learned to care (a little) about history in Berlin. M&D look after me (and my house) some more. Went North for the weekend to see friends and family. Went further north for another weekend to see more family. Matilda.


JULY

Introduced M&D to some of my best friends for the first time. Annual Chez Bruce visit. Relutantly said goodbye to M&D. Went to my first rehearsal. Learned to make sushi. Watched Olympic Opening Ceremony Technical Rehearsal.


AUGUST

Performed in front of a live audience of 80,000 + a UK TV audience of 7.6 million + a few more million around the world. Also, nearly got run over by Steven Hawking. Inspirational. Unforgettable.


SEPTEMBER

Visited Brighton Beach for the annual BBQ. Celebrated the end of summer. Travelled to Thailand for an idyllic wedding. Got upgraded (in a hotel) for the first time.


OCTOBER

Prematurely celebrated an adoption. Ate my first bacon naan. Saw Quartet at the LFF. Babysat. Went to an incredible Supperclub.

NOVEMBER

Had a Girls' Night In. Anxiously awaited the results of an adoption matching panel. Sobbed loudly in my open plan office when aforementioned adoption was approved. Dorylatalo entered the world. Had one last hurrah before the W family moved to New York. Spent a weekend in Paris eating and drinking (excessively).

DECEMBER


Saw Jason Mraz at The O2. Had Christmas lunch at my local with (ex)work buddies followed by Sticky Toffee Pudding at mine. Farewelled G&S's life as they knew it. Annual fancy dress party. Christmas with the Gang. Christmas Curry. Requiem. Met my godson. The Ginger Ninja arrived. Afternoon tea at The W with J&S. ChrisHtmas with the world's most adorable elf. New Year's Eve.

Thursday 10 January 2013

So, 2013 ...

Got off to a fantastic start and then went rapidly downhill, perhaps as penance for my revelry.

I have just returned to work following the longest break I had over the Christmas period. Of course, I spent three and a half of those four days curled up in bed or on the sofa feeling sick and sorry for myself, but if was a break none-the-less. Unfortunately, after that extended period of relaxation I seem to be coming down with something else. Most convenient that my immune system schedules it's rest periods on the weekends as well...

I shall suffer in silence no doubt, grateful that my parents are genetically obliged to listen to my woes.

And so I seem to have caught the January Blues, an infection with which I am unfamiliar. I have always thought it self indulgent - I am truly not a very sympathetic, or empathetic person in so many senses - and I'm not sure that my opinion has changed even now. My nature leans towards the selfish, despite protestations to the contrary from my friends and colleagues, and this excuse for a slump would be totally within character however-much I try to disguise it.

I can even hear it in the prosaic tone of this post.

And so adieu before even I tire if the sound of my own voice.

Friday 4 January 2013

...and start as you mean to go on.

2012 was full of some amazing experiences, but somehow I've found myself extremely glad that it's over. 

That said, I waved it goodbye and welcomed in 2013 with the things that make me happiest - friends and food.

The hostess with the mostest Christine and her glamorous assistant came up with a fabulous plan to throw a casual 10 course dinner party for 10 (as you do) and I, weak at the knees at the thought of having a captive audience to bake for, declared that I was in charge of puddings.

Our inspiration was an incredible weekend in Paris which included a traditional French Sunday lunch - lots of courses eaten slowly over the afternoon and into the evening. I had visions of  mountains of sweet treats filling the table, surrounded by our friends, wide-eyed as children on Christmas morning. There would be so many options no one could decided where to start, but by the time the evening was over, all that would be left was a few crumbs and some very full bellies.

Shortly after that, I decided I should be a little more practical. It would be ok if I made something that some of the people had tried before. It would be sensible to do something a little simple. Sanity would require some dishes that could be prepped beforehand.

And so with much to-ing and fro-ing; some improvisation; a last minute additional guest or two; an early morning delivery laden with with bags full of everything from  ramekins to edible star glitter; a couple of hard-working glamorous assistants of my own; being rudely interrupted by the arrival of 2013; and letting go of that one dish that just didn't work out quite right, one little dream of mine came true.

And then there were the after dinner biscuits which were the surprise hit of the night.

The evening (and the five mouth-watering savoury courses) is written about here (otherwise known as the blog I send to my parents to let them know what I've been up to) in a way which will make you feel (and wish) you were there. 

And honestly, you totally should wish you were there.
Photo c/o little swallow : china doll

In a nutshell:
- Apple & Blackcurrant Gingernut crumble
- Strawberry Tarts with balsamic honey glaze (these stayed in the kitchen where they belonged!
- Chocolate absinthe cake-y star things with Cointreau cream
- Lemon Posset
- Salted caramel chocolate meringue
- Cashew butter balls

Oh yes.