Adventures in Milan – Day 2

Birthday coffee

Gucci, Gucci, wherefor art thou, Gucci?

Not that I need to buy anything from there but it’s just odd that of the hundreds of shops I’ve seen whilst mooching about today, not one is Gucci or Armani or Versace for that matter. Some American designers have a presence and there’s a Vivien Westwood around the corner but of the Italians, I’ve just seen Dolce & Gabanna. I’ve seen a Gucci shopping bag but that doesn’t count.

There are a few lingerie chains so as it should be, Italians like to look good from the underside out. There is comfort in the lack of skyscrapers although a Pirelli one is highlighted on the map. I think I’ve spotted it – now that they mention it – but I would say it’s just a tall building.

Thankfully my research into Starbucks is correct; there are none!

As was my previous experience of McDonalds in Florence ten years ago, their food is better here. However, now it is improved even more; McCafe Italiano serves Tiramisu, amongst other delights and has decent coffee. Don’t think I’ll be trying the coffee back home though. 

There is a downside to everything being so fast in Milan; I can’t slow down for a coffee. In the USA, I’d happily spend an hour or two relaxing with a book or magazine, or just writing in a comfortable coffee shop. Here, as in Madrid, they have lots of stand up coffee places and the coffee only comes in one size, tiny, so I can’t linger with it. It’s ridiculously expensive too. Last night, paid €2.80 for espresso and this morning €4 for cappuccino! It’s all delicious of course.

Right, off to choose this evening’s gelato to see if I can beat last night’s latte & nutty soya combo.

Adventures in Milan- Day 1

 

 

Birthday cards & flowers

The arrival

Our plane leaves half an hour late but arrives just 10 minutes after time. For the first time in my life I am earliest on the plane, I’m usually about last as I don’t see the point of sitting on a plane when you have several hours to go. This though is my first European trip in years so a short hop in comparison to two decades of transatlantic flights.

This is the flight they ask me if I’d like more leg room and to sit by the exit door, the one that’s barely enough long enough for me to read the Post and get into my book (read 4 pages). Still I take my ‘emergency door operator’ responsibilities seriously and for once read the instructions. They don’t trust me though and the steward gives me one-to-one tuition. You’re reading this so thankfully I didn’t need my new knowledge.

The only thing about flying out from Birmingham is that I don’t have a chance to experience Air Italia’s food and service but that’s not enough to get me to fly out from London. I do have another theory why my two favourite colours are red and green; I’ve recently come to the conclusion that it’s because I love Christmas but as we land and I spot the Air Italia plane, it could just be the Italian flag.

I immediately feel under par as soon as I arrive at the airport; everyone here is ultra glam, slim & stylish. It’s been ten years and I’ve forgotten how easy the Italians make it look.

I decide to risk an Italian taxi and not only survive but I’m pleasantly surprised that the cab driver rounds down from €10.10 rather than waiting for me to say, ‘make it €12’.

As I start to walk around to get my bearings every woman I see is the same. Even their unkempt hair looks glamorous; everyone has colour and perfect haircuts so I don’t think there’s any such thing as natural hair here.

In amongst the abundance of mainly Italian designer shops I come across a book shop that specialises in automobile reads. I spot the Duomo, the much talked about cathedral a couple of times but I’m saving that for a rainy day and when my friend flies out to join me.

I’m writing this at Passarella Cafe on a main street sitting outside under a canopy but the outdoor heating is so warm, I can take my coat off. There’s no menu so how is everyone else ordering? I’ll settle for pretty much anything in Italy as I know even the fast food tastes good. I love this!

I’m amazed how I’ve managed to write 500 words with the distractions of both perfectly coiffed hair and Fendi shopping bags walking past me

The downside is that everyone smokes. The two on my left have their unlit cigarettes poised ready for as soon as they have inserted their last mouthful but I guess my asthma can take that for a few days. In any case, rain is due so I’m staying outside as much as I can until then.

Now, it’s time for my first coffee in Italy. The first of many as the 2 daily cups rule goes out the window here; this the real deal.

Day 2 follows.

 

Fave bday cards

 

LuvDrop or Internet dating

LuvDrop v Internet dating

♥       You’ll know that the people coming to LuvDrop are single; the rest is all there to be discovered

• Online, you know all their likes and dislikes and have already made up your mind about them

♥       With face to face meetings, you meet the true personality with no place to hide

• With internet dating you will only read the person’s CV and that’s just what they want you to know

♥        At LuvDrop events, you may find yourself liking someone who on paper would have been on you ‘no’ list

• With internet dating you will reject everyone that doesn’t conform  to your wish listLuvDrop events

Having Unprotected Sex with HIV

Who cares if you’re famous…

A member of German girl band No Angels is facing imprisonment in Germany because she knowingly infected a man with HIV. Read more as published on Powder Room Graffiti

LuvDrop or Speed dating?

 

↓ You have to stop talking to someone even if you like them and by the time you see them next time, they’ll be talking to someone else

♥  You can talk to someone all night with LuvDrop. There is no timer on you.

↓  Host is there to seat you, administrate the evening and make you pair off

♥  Hosts are there for you; to make  introductions, to help you feel comfortable and confident

↓ Anyone can go to speed dating events, un-vetted, single or not

♥  LuvDrop host invitation only events for members who have applied to join

↓ You have to exchange numbers there and then if you want to see anyone again. Everyone at speed dating will know numbers get exchanged so no-one will feel special

♥  If you’re don’t want to hand over your phone no straight away, you can email another member later – or we can get in touch for you

More info about LuvDrop: Dating in the City

LuvDrop Membership

What your membership means

• Invitations to exclusive LuvDrop events
• As a member you can email other single members
• Every event will have two hosts to introduce you to other members and make you feel comfortable
• Qualify for the rewards scheme that repays your loyalty
• Invitations to special city social events

and so much more

Adventures in Birmingham – October 3rd 2010

I seem to have missed reporting a week of adventures so let’s start with the Opus Fifth birthday party. I’ve been in Birmingham a year now, get out a fair bit and yet still did not know a single person in a room filled with suits and cocktail dresses.

However, Opus pulled out all the stops to ensure we are still talking their gorgeous restaurant’s bash two weeks later. It’s an achievement to survive the downturn and still come out smiling but it helps to be located in the business district packed with high flying lawyers and the like.

I’m told by one of the faces I did recognise, Irene the friendly restaurant director that these are all Opus customers. It starts at 7pm and I’m stunned to walk in around 20 minutes later to see the room full of champagne quaffing strangers. It stays that way until gone 10pm when people started leaving but only after tasting the delights of the chefs from Lasan,

I spend all evening dodging the official photographer; I really don’t do photographs. My friend meanwhile happily spends all evening in front of the camera and supplying me endless bubbling flutes.
I have no excuse as champagne is one of the few drinks I don’t have a reaction to.

Recovering from the champagne, the next evening is alcohol free with the girls for my first trip to Syriana. This is part of our (my) plan to discover ‘foods of the world’ from restaurants outside the norm and Syriana is conveniently located just the other side of St Pauls Square. The place is big and not disappointedly colourfully decorated which immediately puts a smile upon my face.

Considering there are eight of us, we have fantastic service from the friendly and accommodating staff. The variety of starters bought in front of our expectant eyes are perfect but not sure if I can tell the subtle difference in the main courses between say Indian food. Still they let me have take-out so I have 3 meals for the price of one. I shall be back if for that reason alone.
It’s a delight to meet with Karen Strunks to impart my otherwise useless knowledge of New York ahead of her exciting month there to promote her 4am project.

Some time ago when I had projects on I agreed to be a mentor for business students. It seemed like a good idea at the time but still, it means a first time jaunt to the seemingly hundreds of buildings (and building sites) that make up the University of Birmingham. I’ve not been inundated yet with emails as to what the next stage is so perhaps it means more reward and less time taken up than I imagine.
Saturday is a return to the Hyatt for afternoon tea to celebrate a friend’s birthday. A few months ago, it’s great but it’s fantastic now; I suggest at the time (I imagine I wasn’t the only one) that pots of tea and coffee are more ideal as we are in affect consuming three courses; a glorious mix of mini sandwiches, the most perfect scones we’ve ever tasted and the requisite cake indulgences. We not only have pots of coffee now but they are unlimited. Now it’s perfection. Highly recommended.

The following week, I’ve organised a celebration evening for the summer school students I trained in July and Malmaison kindly offer as their hospitality.

I’m thinking it may be a great place to hire a suite to have a little Luvdrop event but alas, their suites are too small.
Still, Luvdrop is a main topic for our Entrepreneur MeetUp at Urban the next day. When those events kick off this month it will be Adventures with Luvdrop

Luvdrop – a new enterprise

In case I haven’t mentioned, just wanted to let you know about a new enterprise I’ve started.

What
There are plenty internet dating sites around. LuvDrop is not one of them.
LuvDrop is not about finding Mr or Mrs Right, although that may come along later. LuvDrop is about encouraging people to date again. The only criteria is to be single.

Put simply, we use modern technology (MeetUp, Twitter, FB) to enable single people to be in a room together. Thereafter, we introduce them and let nature take its cause.

It’s like we’re holding a small party and have invited our single friends to it. Naturally we introduce them to each other, make sure they are comfortable and have a drink in hand and are not left alone for any length of time.
Ahead of time, we’ll make sure they have plenty of notice, know where they are going and provide them with contact details.

Why
There is no dating scene to speak of in Birmingham or maybe I’m just spoilt by spending so much time in New York. In any case, a friend and I were talking about this one day and a few weeks later, we decided to start LuvDrop.

When
The first event is planned for October 12th
All the events will be Monday to Thursday around 8pm or possibly during weekend daytimes. There will be no events on the busy Friday or Saturday unless it’s a special occasion. 8pm starts allow people to go home, get ready and present themselves in the dress code of ‘first date’!

Where
At nice venues around Birmingham city centre where we can have a private corner but not necessarily tucked away from the rest of the customers. After all, LuvDrop is about enabling people to get out and start dating again.

How
By membership.
We’ll accept members by application and then we’ll ask for a token membership fee. We only want to include intelligent, professional and mature men and women who will show respect to their fellow other members.

Who
This is run jointly by me and my business partner Darren Hawkins. We will both host each event and each be available to assist members by email and face to face. Our job is to make them feel welcome and introduce them to the others, just like good hosts do.

I’d really love to know about any experience you’ve had generally in the dating arena. Please comment here or drop me a line at rickie@luvdrop.com

Link to article on The Business Desk

Gratitude – August

Wow, it’s a hard month to be grateful but alas, there is always something:

•  5 days in Glasgow for book writing & getting to 32000 word target
• Meeting the lovely & talented Marsha Moore
• Having a light work month so more time for writing
• Match of the Day is back!

Adventures in Glasgow-August 2010 Part 2

Sunday I miss breakfast at the hotel. I don’t like eating early, before 9am but it’s there for the taking. I just don’t know where the time goes.

I’m looking forward to Sunday afternoon tea today at Cup, scene of gorgeous lunch last time but I’m not hungry enough. I delay until Monday, when it’s quieter I reason and then promptly forget.
Instead I pay a short visit to Kelvingrove Museum & Art Gallery, opposite the local Bean Scene (and what I am looking at as I write this. Well obviously not that precise moment or everything would be spelt incorrectly)

I don’t fancy spoiling the day by going downtown to the cinema tonight so stay west and complete my word target

Words up to 5000
Lunch: Off Shore
Cupcake: 1, Waitrose

Monday
A bonus day. Same as yesterday, miss breakfast, go to Cresswell St Bean Scene and write 1000 words. It’s a struggle to reach the word target for the second day running.
Yes I have been to the same coffee place each morning and it’s absolutely nothing to do with the guy who works there. Nothing, I tell you, it’s simply my favourite Bean Scene.

I finish early and the vintage place is still not open at 12.10 so I take a little, OK quite a big walk into Partick and back to the museum for more Glasgow story gazing. It’s really quite good in there.

I didn’t go to Cup today either; maybe I know it will never be as magical as the first time. I’ll go on my next Glaswegian visit.

After buying my movie ticket, my plan is to take a look at the ‘other side’ of Glasgow where Caledonia University is. There is nothing there, not even a coffee shop. Where do these students go? There are hundreds – OK many many places around University of Glasgow.

Cupcake: 1 Waitrose lemon & lime 7½/10 photo
Movie Grown Ups 7½/10
Words up to 6500

Tuesday

My last morning visit to the morning Bean Scene and they remember my order! I managed to get the same seat each time too; I’m beginning to wonder why no-one wants to sit there but I do arrive early so there are not many customers around.

What I’ve noticed on this trip

People just take up the whole pavement and many times I’ve had to wait until they move out of the way for me to pass or more often, I just step into the road. This isn’t just once or twice but several times on a walk. Why?
There is definitely a divide between attitudes; warmth towards a stranger in the West End rather than anywhere else. I know my place.

Big plus is there was no rain to speak off. The umbrella didn’t come out once. In fact we had glorious sunshine most days.

Words 7000

New Frocks

Adventures in Glasgow – August 2010

Wanted some vintage coffee tins but found this perfect one; my daddy used to drink Camp coffee!

Another jaunt to Glasgow for book writing, this time for 4 nights so word target is 7000.

Bean Scene visits
Cresswell Lane, West End 4 (each morning)
Woodside 2
Kelvin Grove 2 (nearest to hotel)

Which one do I love most?

I think it’s fair to say I love Glasgow now.

It’s because I stay away from the city centre and only spend time in the areas I like, namely the West End and a little bit of Woodlands. I delve into the city centre twice to get to the cinema and both times, whilst the films are worth seeing, I dislike being there.

If only they built a Cineworld at the other end of town – or will that spoil it?

It’s a rare occurrence that there’s no rain when I arrive on Friday afternoon so I decide to walk to the hotel, with a stop at M&S for hotel room goodies to break up the journey. A random few drops of rain arrive during the final leg of the walk but nothing to wet the umbrella over. I’m home and dry.

There’s something very pleasing about familiarity so walking into the hotel is like coming home. I even recognise the guy on the desk although I’m guessing his recognition of me is politeness.

Early Friday evening is to achieve the word target in the local Bean Scene and then fish and chips. This time I have everything sussed for a traditional Friday – bar the cinema, I give that a miss for tonight.

Words: 1000

Saturday Straight to the West End for writing at Bean Scene in Cresswell Lane. Next door I discover De Courcey’s Arcade, which contains a now obligatory cupcake bakery. The staff reveal that it may not have opened when I last visited.

The best sighting is yet another vintage clothes store in Glasgow. However, I do like Just for You because I receive personal shopper service. Almost immediately the owner begins collecting frocks for me to try whilst insisting throughout I’m a size 8 and me arguing I’m 10-12. Also, her stock ranges between Karen Millen and designer – no Top Shop in here (how is that vintage anyway?). Obviously I love Top Shop, even though I should have grown out of it at least ten years ago but there’s not an awful lot of point in buying second hand Top Shop or Miss Selfridge.

The lady does me a deal so I buy the second dress that I love but don’t need along with the first dress that will be very handy indeed for all these functions I have to go to for my charity project work. We become ‘firm friends’ and I go back each day just to say hello – not to see what else has been bought in, honest guv.

Cupcake: De Courcey’s Arcade strawberry & vanilla 7½/10
Lunch: Off Shore near the university again (I keep wanting to spell it Off Sure)
Movie – The Sorcerer’s Apprentice – 8/10
Words up to 3000

Part 2 to follow

Sky fail update – August 17th 2010

Recap

1. Ordered – early-mid March
2. TV installed – 10 days before move in date (had to have first in order to have broadband to follow)
3. Move in date – March 26^th
4. Broadband & landline service – never arrived, gave up and cancelled 8 weeks after service was due to commence
5. Increase in money spent on broadband as Sky could not deliver – 300%
6. Amount of weeks without all the channels I pay for – 3
7. Amount of months without Sky plus – 5 and a half
8. Calls made to Sky on premium rate telephone number from mobile – dozens (see no: 4)

Five months after moving in, nearly six months since ordering the service after learning Virgin was not available in my new place, I find out that the system is actually working fine.

Sky plus has never worked or works haphazardly and seemingly only when I test it. It turns out I can’t have Sky Plus because I have a shared dish. There is no way around it.

My problem is that no-one told me I was getting only part of the service

when I paid my hard earned cash for it back in March.

The second issue is that I still have to pay the whole amount that everyone else pays,

whilst getting half of the service.

Today, someone actually called me back from an email technical enquiry. That’s how I find out but they insist on repeating MANY MANY times that DAS should have told me when I ordered from them. DAS are the engineers that installed, they are not Sky.

No matter how many times I state I never ordered with DAS, I called Sky, indeed I never knew who they were until they turned up with a box, the Sky person keeps repeating ‘they’ should have told me. It’s like talking to a four year old who only hears what they want to hear.

Even when the call is transferred to a ‘manager’, she repeats that I have to get a new box from DAS and do I want the number? Despite me telling them many times that the DAS engineers have come out twice (four times in total counting the attempted installs) and so I pretty much have them on speed dial.

It’s beyond exasperation to make so many calls (7 in all over the loss of many of the channels for 3 weeks) only to be finally told during the 2^nd (DAS) engineer’s visit that Sky Plus is not available to me because of the shared dish. I didn’t believe them; ‘why would someone sell me half a product and make me pay in full?’ I asked.

Another thing, I was offered a free trial package in order to have free installation. I elected for ‘Sports’, they gave me movies. This was duly changed (another phone call).

When I called up (another call) to cancel it, they offered me a free extension to July. When I called (again) to cancel in July, I told them I’d received a letter in the meantime offering a free upgrade to all Sky Sports channels “without paying a penny more”.

I spoke with Martin at the time who said that’s fine; the sports channels will automatically be taken off at the due time.

I checked with Shaun today, whilst I was on the phone, as my bill appeared to have gone up and he said, yes, they started charging when the initial trial finished. Confused?

 I just cancelled it, having to give one month’s notice to something I never asked for and now have to pay for; the usual Sky con is in full flow here.

I love where I’m living but I will not be staying and when I go, I will certainly not be in this Cable-barren area. Or possibly this country.

 I maintain my mantra from mid 2008; the country’s gone to the dogs.

Don’t Dream it’s over; Final Part

I kept it quiet, in fact I still haven’t told any of my friends I’ve been, but on Monday 23^rd August, I attended an appointment at the American Embassy to reapply for my tourist visa. 

My best friend knew, as she made the appointment for me from her landline (£1.20 per minute, spent approximately £40 on 3 phone calls in addition to cost of visa application, visa photo, police check + photo, transport to London, day off etc). I started to application process back in May.

A couple of days before, I met someone who went through the exact same thing, although her partner came over to the UK and they had a civil partnership. Later that evening I told a newer friend but those are the only three that knew/know.

It’s just over a year since the last application, I have a job and my own place, 2 of their criteria fulfilled. The other was to be married and have children but I feel that’s drastic change in lifestyle just to have 2-3 visits to the US each year.

The day is shorter and faster than last year’s visit:

• 10.10 Arrive
• 10.30 Appointment (last one of the day)
• 10.20 Seated after the 4 external checks before entering the building
• 11.30 Called to reception to check forms
• Called back twice to complete yet another form
• 1.30pm Coffee is cleared away and there are 6 people left in the hall after lunch time. 4 interviewers are still working.
• 2.45 2 of us left, I’m called to interview.
• 2.52 Denied again. Interviewer doesn’t see sense in applying again; maybe wait 2-3 years for the next time.

“The suspicions have been aroused” by my extended stay, despite me NEVER overstaying, going there numerous times over 20 years and never breaking any law.

All I have to do know is figure out how I can get all my belongings collected and packed from two different NYC locations and returned to me. I can’t wait to have everything back.

The end.

Gratitude list – July

This month, I’m grateful for:

Birmingham Jazz Festival
Another training project completed (although always continual follow up to do)
50 Things That Make Me Smile in Birmingham – there’s 50 things to be grateful for right there
Spain winning the World Cup (if it’s not to be England (ha) or Italy, Spain are deserved world champions)
My friends coming to stay for the weekend
Thank heavens for Meet Up, saving my ‘life’ for a second time! I’m grateful for making new localised friends.
20,000 words of the book written, or is it books?

A Week of Jazz

When I say out loud that the Birmingham Jazz Festival website doesn’t have listings, I was told that I won’t need to find listings, every venue in Birmingham will be involved.

It appears to be true as I hear two or three different sets of trombones, trumpets and French horns on my way back home through Broad Street on the first night.

Next day, my friends come up for the weekend and we find no jazz at 24 Carrots, where they often have music anyway.

We find none advertised in any of the venues at St Paul’s Square and we see nothing from there into the city centre and back.

We go out thinking if nothing else, the Yardbird Jazz Club will definitely have some. I say the JAZZ club will have some. No, nothing jazzy there and no music on either before or after dinner.
We go to New Orleans, nothing there on Saturday night either.

We visit one more canal side pub (remains un named as it’s awful, on a Saturday night anyway) but they advertise jazz the following weekend.

We go home.

New Orleans Jump Band

Sunday I plan. I’m determined to see a blooming trombone and a straw hat before I send my friends home this afternoon.

We start at Urban Coffee Co for post pancake coffee and newspapers and I run across (OK, skip with excitement) to Hotel Du Vin to get visual and vocal confirmation. Yes we have jazz.

Bingo. This planning malarkey works. Well it always has done so I don’t know why I listen to non-planning advice.

Now this is more like it. Trombones, straw hats, pastel pinstripe suits topped of with waiter service. A perfect Sunday lunchtime with the bonus of a generous portion of sublime fries served in a way only somewhere as delightful as HDV can; in gold goblets with linen napkins. Life shouldn’t really be this good.

So now the Jazz Festival has kicked off I want more and I’m in the mood for a Sunday roast whereas the rest of the party are content with pancakes and fries. The only way to have what we all want; a drink, a snack and a full roast is to go to a pub.

Digby Fairweather Big Four

Brasshouse has music at 3pm which it is by the time we’ve waited the 40 minutes to have microwaved/boiled/killed vegetables with some beef. It does the job though (although there is no danger of my ever returning) and by now we are getting blasé about eating accompanied by trombones.

So with my previous excitement now a jazz addiction, I set about planning the week.
Wednesday is not strictly Jazz Festival but they do have live music at the Ikon Café with a gypsy jazz guitarist so it does count. Although they may think I was stalking them given that I’m there for the rather excellent new exhibit opening the previous evening.

Michael Sutton & Mike Conliffe

Friday, my favourite writing/coffee haunt has excellent live music from not one but two musicians. Another wonderful I-wish-we-have-this-every-week moment culminating in the fact they play Moon River as their last track. Two or three years earlier, I asked for this track whilst hearing a band play but the word came back ‘no’, they don’t know it. This kind of makes up for it. A wonderful end to the week/start to the weekend.

Saturday, I go with trepidation to The Lord Clifden, a pub, barely in the Jewellery Quarter but with a good musical reputation. The bands’ description sounded to me like a house band on one of my little discoveries in New York, Café Wha in that they’ll play a tight set and be multi-talented.

Federation Of The Disco Pimp

We immediately feel comfortable; it’s already almost full at 8.30, the band are sound checking, it’s a mixed crowd from the student type, to us, to the old time 1970s funksters with a lot of head nodding, toe tapping and hip shaking going on.

Although I don’t see inside the place – we are in the vast beer garden – I can see there’s a mirror ball inside which to me can only be a good thing. The BBQ is in full swing and a huge variety of specialist beers are set up at the external bar. Which brings me to the only negative of the week; I have absolutely no idea when it’s relatively sparse at the bar and two people serving, why four people (men) manage to get served in front of me. This extreme lack of customer service would normally be a walk out situation for me but we have come to check this place out and see this specific band so I’m extra tolerant. (NB I will go back but won’t return for a third time if this happens again – drives me crazy as a customer, particularly at over £5 a pint – not mine mind)

In the audience I see, Status Quo, assorted hair-extensioned WAGS and Nelson Mandela. OK two of them are look-a-likes but cause great amusement amongst us.

Greg Abate

Finally, a return to Hotel Du Vin where this time I arrange to leave Urban Coffee Co extra early to ensure comfortable seats. Same fries, same mineral water, different friends, equally as fantastic music and all round wonderful Sunday.

By careful planning, I have seen a different act at each venue, however by chance, each artist has performed a unique type of jazz tinged with blues, funk, soul or just swing. This has been a fantastic Jazz & Blues Festival that’s given a relative newcomer to Birmingham an opportunity to try out some new places and listen to my happy music, you know, the type that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Staying in for two weeks now, except maybe a quick look into Lord Clifden again.

Live music: The Coral & Cherry Ghost

I’m thrilled to see this gig advertised; two for the price of one. I really like the Coral and have one or two of their albums but I just adore the first Cherry Ghost album from 2007. Every track I heard from it had enthralled me even before I listened to the whole thing, on my way back from a birthday trip to San Francisco thanks to the always brilliant Virgin Atlantic; is there a more perfect airline? I don’t think so.

In preparation, I’m out last weekend to purchase their new album, my first in a year as I’ve kind of decided no more CDs; I may as well begrudgingly go into download territory. It’s hard as I have never been a fan of the tiny CDs that replaced the almost weekly occasion that was ‘buying an album’. Back then, I came home with a large purchase in my hand and devoured the hundreds of sleeve notes and lyrics whilst playing and taping the new vinyl. Nearly all my records are pristine as they have just been played once – and thereafter only listened to on tape.

I discover that I’m a day early for the release, I’m sure Radcliffe & Maconie said it was out in June? As if to compensate, I buy my first ever DVDs (I’ve decided I’m going to buy my top two films of each year – only in the sale. I bought Milk (2008) and Away We Go (2009). Next day, my music geekness is restored as I wait for HMV to open to buy the day’s best new release. And I say that having only heard the single so far.

I feel with their talent and sound, Cherry Ghost should be headlining their own gig of this magnitude so for me, The Coral were the bonus act, despite their longevity through five quality albums. To add to the magic, the gig is taking place in Alexandra Theatre. A theatre!

This is a first for me but somehow it works beautifully. From the third row of the dress circle (I wouldn’t have chosen the location myself) we have a perfect view. Whilst it’s odd to be sitting down at such an event, the mostly melancholy tunes of both bands just seem to fit the chandelier and dusty decor.
The support’s support band (whose name I didn’t catch) matched the harmonious vibe of the two main acts perfectly and set us up for the best new (2006) band for years.

I should play them more often as the minute Cherry Ghost take to the stage; I have that warm fuzzy feeling inside that says all is good in the world, because we have music like this to enrich our lives.
The smile doesn’t go away throughout their short but otherwise perfect set. I just love the vibe and quite frankly they could be reciting their shopping list and the track will still be fantastic. It’s swaying, deeply melodious and haunting at times. In fact, I feel I am in a far away blues club at 4am on a Friday morning not a theatre in the centre of Birmingham on Monday night at 8.30.

I cannot wait to catch them at a headline gig to hear their complete set. I’d pay good money and travel a fair distance for that. 20 minutes walk from my house works just as well though.
What’s more I’m pleasantly surprised to hear The Coral much louder than I foresee as they work through some classics, some early numbers and of course a few from the new (to be purchased – no downloaded) album.

Gosh, next I’ll be replacing by Blackberry with an iThingy.

Cherry Ghost

Cinderela (goes to the ball)

I’ve worked at a few functions and black tie fundraisers off late for the charitable organisation I recently started working with.
However, on Saturday I was asked to attend one as a guest rather than wave £20 raffle tickets to diners and carry a bucket of large notes around whilst ensuring my dress doesn’t get caught on my heels in front of hundreds of £100 a seat guests.

I still consider it ‘work’ as I would rather have watched the football (despite Cameroon going out anyway in the world cup). My definition of work is if I’d do something else if I didn’t need to earn and actually I don’t get paid for that as obviously most people would consider a black tie dinner a ‘perk’. Everyone seems to be there when I arrive, including my companions, the Chief Executive of the charity and her husband.

A quick visit to the ladies to refresh from the journey before I grab a glass of champagne and enjoy the last of the sun accompanied by what I think was a string quartet; couldn’t quite see through a stream of tall glamorous blondes. This being a safari park, we are then awakened by noisy drumming and being called to dinner.

The company being 30 years old, the theme is the 1980s although thankfully not in dress. I’m excited to be sitting at the Adam Ant table, but only until I realised there’s a Duran Duran one. Others included Spandau Ballet, Human League, ET, BMX and Commodore 64. This is a really fun touch I think.

The Cinderela reference is to the car that’s booked for me to go the 20 miles from Birmingham to the West Midlands Safari Park as the last train back is before the big announcement I apparently need to be at.
The big announcement being the programme I’ve been working on with this event organising company, who’s party this is to celebrate ’30 years of sweet success’. It’s to pluck 15 long term or disadvantaged unemployed people from an assessment day and put them on to a training programme and then work placement, with the 15 being whittled down to 3 finalists at the end and one eventual winner, announced at the event, to her surprise. This bit hadn’t been divulged to the lucky 15.

In the event, we only found 13 and for ‘we’ read ‘I’, despite my standing on street corners of darkest Worcestershire asking people if they were unemployed as they come out of the job centre. The job centre you see, wouldn’t forward anyone to our programme and ignoring the fact that it wasn’t costing them anything and they, ahem, are meant to find people jobs. Go figure.
The existing training programme the charity have is mostly geared up to get people jobs as kitchen porters and the like so I re-write a lot of it to make it work for an event organising company and add modules on PC skills, internet and social media.

I stop feeling like Cinderella when none of the above is mentioned at this schmancy black tie affair that I had to go to. I’m not a good car passenger and felt a little ill by the time I had got there and mightily ill when I got back, just making it indoors in time. Any accident wouldn’t have looked good on my Travolta outfit, possibly my favourite of all time, an unbelievably glamorous cream 3 piece trouser suit.
I’ve got plenty of frocks for these occasions but I’ve almost run out of those with the essential little cap cleaves, designed to just cover up my tattoo which otherwise is always covered in business situations. Also, having been to so many recently – with the same crowd – I felt like a change. Plus I had the distinct impression that the spotlight was going to fall on me given the number of times they chased my RSVP and the car being sent.

There was a small mention of our charitable organisation when the announcement was made but none of the above!
Also, the unknowing winner, who had been working at this event, along with the rest of the team as part of her work placement was ill for most of the afternoon but they can’t let her go home. And they can’t tell her why.
When I finally find out why she isn’t around, I’m escorted up to the room she’s staying in where I found the poor lady cold, bored, without a tv or radio and devoid of any comforting company, whilst suffering flu symptoms. We don’t have much choice so I stay with her until her ‘announcement’ was made and so she could go home. I think the fact that she was offered a 3 month trial period of her dream job made it all a little bearable.

I stay to listen to the rest of the announcements and see the finale, a fireworks, fountains and strobe lights extravaganza. I have to wait for the return journey at 11.30 anyway, which arrived at 11.45 as they’re convinced that I would be out late. Still I get in and speeds away before the clock strikes midnight and it turns back into a pumpkin.

Bed Buddies (as published on Powder Room Graffiti)

I’m unable to understand why they – whoever ‘they’ are – say that women can only have un-emotional sex. Translation: A woman has to really like a guy to sleep with him, or if it’s a drunken accident, then the woman really wants it to develop into something more.

Led Zeppelin – Best Rock n Roll Band ever?

But you wouldn’t think they happened 30 years ago judging by this weekend.

First I walk in on Saturday evening and switch on BBC2 for the live edition of ‘I’m in a Rock n Roll Band’. I really love this series but haven’t watched a single episode yet; they are all stored on the iplayer waiting for me but I enjoyed the live show much more than I thought I would. It’s nice to see Mark Radcliffe on there. I pretty much nearly always agree with him and even though I knew he would be unkind to Slash, in my eyes one of the best guitarists, he is right. If I was around ten years earlier, I would be all about the Zep too.

Then I fall asleep with a Led Zep gig playing in the background.

I wake up to hear them on Kerrang radio (It was a ‘Kerrang’ type of Sunday morning)

I walk into my coffee shop and they are playing a track too.

It’s an interesting debate between The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and Queen as the best band ever.

I would have expected Rolling Stones or The Who to figure despite of and considering the panel are made up of BBC music presenters. And, Jonathan Ross. (Just kidding, you know I love the JR).

Being of a different generation I wouldn’t expect any of my favourite bands to be in the top 10 so I am not too concerned with who won, but was routing for the final winner, Led Zep. Only because, if I had a choice, as I did, there’s would be the music I’d rather listen to, even though I can only name a couple of tracks, if pushed.

I’m thoroughly with the argument that if the Beatles didn’t exist, we wouldn’t have music now as we know it, and for that I admire and respect them. I’m just not keen on their tunes.

As for lead singers the top three are Robert Plant, Freddie Mercury and, wait for it Kurt Cobain. A couple of good tracks does not an all time best singer make. That young TV presenter girlie did not really sell his case by saying we must vote for him because ‘he’s hot’. He wasn’t. We weren’t going to vote for him anyway and mercifully he was beaten by Mr Rock N Roll, Robert Plant.

I also have a theory on which generation is in at 10pm on a Saturday night watching this:

The Beatles fans will watch the first half hour and then probably go to bed.

Queen Fans will probably be out for dinner or at a friend’s house

Led Zep fans will have been out and come back especially to watch this.

I kind of fall in that last category.

It’s a sign of the times when all three bands are depicted on the show by their tribute equivalents, especially as Led Zep rose from the ashes to perform again recently. Well all the members that are still with us.

I’m glad I watched it and know can name three Led Zep tracks without even thinking about it.

Long live Rock n Roll.

Glasgow May 28-31st 2010 (Part Two)

Light Rain

Breakfast is included and although I’m not one for early eating, I’m not one than can resist food either. I feel a little self-conscious walking into breakfast with a kilt-like skirt, probably not the best choice for an English girl in Glasgow. I’m a little irked that the waitress assumed I did not want haggis but it’s a pleasant enough experience and demonstrates even better value for money. Scottish breakfast minus haggis apparently equals Irish breakfast, complete with potato scone. Or bread as I know it.

Light rain is projected and I find myself pulling on my in case it’s really cold, roll neck sweater. The strange this is last night I was cold coming back from the coffee shop but I knew I would be. Glaswegians were walking around like it was summer without coats. Curious.

The rain is mightily strange; there’s one drop every six seconds and it feels like walking under a shop canopy and drops fall of the end so hardly worth bothering with.

I’m too full for more coffee so a walk is called for, past Bean Scene, clocking potential coffee shops in the West End, specifically in area called Partick although of course I thought it was Patrick for first 20 minutes.

With the rain coming I settle for Big Mouth Coffee Co and finally get cracking on the book before discovering a bit more of the West End. I lunch at Off Shore by Glasgow University.  More book is written accompanied by lovely sweet potato, coconut and something soup and big chunks of brown bread. It was just what I needed both the meal and discovering this area. Glasgow is looking up and when I get back, I have a new attic room, twice the size with a decent bathroom. Although it’s another floor up, I have a bath.

I stroll the shops and grab a cinema ticket for later. After 2 weeks without a film to watch, I’m left with CopOut with Bruce Willis which is actually very funny and a thoroughly enjoyable couple of hours.

I head back to pick up recharged laptop and head out for night cap and heading towards my word target at the local Bean Scene.

Cup

Sunday is a gorgeous day and I set off after a lovely bath and light breakfast to another Bean Scene in the Hillside area of the West End. Glasgow doesn’t seem to have many road signs and my map had a big subway line going over all the main road names. I didn’t even realise there was a subway until I saw an entrance this morning. Eventually I get there; it’s hidden away in a lane. Another thing that Glasgow has lots of and explains where people walking in front of me disappear into.

Pea & Mint Soup & Cheese Scones

I love this neighbourhood. There is a Marks & Spencer Simply Foods and a Waitrose which I went in just for the fun of it. They have St Georges flag cakes just randomly placed in bakery. Un-sold I may add. Even though there is a Waitrose a couple of miles from my home and another 20 minutes drive away, I don’t have a car so it’s the novelty value. I saw someone carry a Waitrose bag the other day and assumed then there must be one in the city centre John Lewis. Disappointedly not but I found this when I took a wrong turn this morning. That’s pretty much how I discover most things; walking onwards even when I’m not where I thought I was going to be, what’s to lose?

That’s how I finally realised the steeple of the church like building I have been looking at from afar was indeed part of glamorous Glasgow university. Actually the rest of it composed of horrid 1970s tower blocks and more pleasant modern buildings but it is the size of a small village.

Hillhead also has a delightful place called Cup which offered afternoon tea but it’s a little early for that so I have soup; pea & mint with cheese scones. I’m able to sit upstairs which I note is quieter and thought it was as good as place as any to carry on writing so ordered a long cold drink to sip on. An hour later, it got much busier for late lunchers and it was time for me to get to the cinema for the only other film that I want to watch, the Bad Lieutenant with Nicholas Cage. Bad indeed. That’s 2 hours I’ll never get back.

I needed cheering up after that. I could have stayed in a gorgeous part of Glasgow, enjoying both the sun and the scenery whilst cracking on with the writing. I catch the last rays whilst walking back and get to the local Bean Scene again.

Sun with no rain

On the last, the warmest day I skip breakfast and have a bagel at one of the two final Bean Scenes. I just love this place and it has made my trips to Scotland all the more worthwhile. I found it strange that both wide doors at Bean Scene were open and they felt the need to put a fan on too. It’s 9 in the morning and barely 10c!!

Glasgow had emptied the ATMs on Saturday night at I had to visit three to get some cash, which it only dispensed in £20 denominations.

Still, I love this area. It reminds me of New York in that the houses are similar, with stoops and basements but then we have that in London. There’s a big social culture in NYC but the Scottish version involves drinking. Best of all, the decent coffee shops (the now famous on this blog, Bean Scene) open till late but not till midnight as they do in NYC. Just like one of my early visits to Starbucks (I know, gahhh!) in 2000 on Broadway that featured live music. This was my first solo visit to NYC so it was nice to hang out till way past 10pm and feel both safe and entertained. I was unfortunate not to experience such melodic pleasure in Bean Scenes either here in Glasgow or previously in Edinburgh.

I notice a fair few recycling points in Glasgow and it feels like there is one for glass on every corner. I‘m surprised they are not next to every regular trash bin given the amount of merry people in the streets each night. I have to say, it’s the drinking that made me slightly uncomfortable in Edinburgh and more so here.

Given the number of friendly Glaswegians I have met, heard, listened to and ready about over the years, I didn’t get the warmth I’d expected from the local people.

I imagine I will one day, but at the moment, I’m not sure when I may be back.

Cup

Glasgow May 28-31st 2010 (Part One)

Book Writing, Round Two

It’s a bank holiday so I must be in Scotland.

I’m going for my second book writing trip (that’s first book, second trip). The train is just as busy and this time I have a table seat but quickly realise there’s three distractions on three seats right there. Unfortunately that wasn’t all. There is only one thing louder than a noisy child and that’s a hen night. They were polite enough talking to us civvies but as loud and colourful as you would expect otherwise when conversing with each other. I was just grateful not be going to Blackpool.

Not much writing gets done. Instead I’m defending the otherwise excellent Virgin Trains to a couple who live in Spain as for some reason, there were problems reserving seats. I had to be persistent to get mine but still bought rare full price tickets.

I’m not looking forward to Glasgow as I had Edinburgh and have already lowered my expectations after that primary Scottish adventure. The taxi driver who stays silent throughout the £5, not £3-4 journey I had been lead to believe didn’t change my opinion.

After checking in and realising I was on the third floor of walk-up, I discovered there was no bath. It was an even smaller room than Edinburgh but less than half the price so it’s still fantastic value but no bath. Noooo!

Luckily, they are able to move me but not till tomorrow so I don’t unpack but step out into the street to get acclimatised. Turn left for city centre and right for the West End were my instructions from the staff, who I’m warming to now. I have a good feeling for going right as that’s where the university is and experience has told me, universities equal lots of coffee shops of the non-Starbucks variety.

However, already feeling weary, I went to investigate the city centre first.

It’s a standard city centre, with more bars. Many, many more bars, right there amongst the shops.

No Smoking Sign

Having got a good grip of where everything is; cinema, train station for return and Marks and Spencer, I turn back to find the recommended fish & chip place. There are the standard amount of outlets in Glasgow, compared to none in Edinburgh so as much as I’m not a fan of chip shop chips; fish is my Friday tradition whenever possible and the salmon sandwich on the train doesn’t really count.

The Sandyford Hotel is an old fashioned family run hotel and they have real keys that actually work every time complete with a huge tag so you cannot walk out of the hotel with it and have to hand it in. It’s quaint and it also forces the staff to talk to you each time so they quickly got to remember my room number.

BBITW

As I walk, I’m thinking about the fantastic music scene that was so persistent in the 1980s and still plentiful now. The BBITW, GUN came from here and I go past the well known small, live music venue, King Tuts that everyone plays at.

When I return to the hotel, I check on the status of El Presidente, the band formed by ex-bassist who I loved but hadn’t heard anything form since the brilliant first album in 2006. I had looked up El Pres recently and there was still no word on any new material. Back in the day, junior members of my staff were riotous in their collective jibes of my supposed shrine to them. Brilliant new bands only come along once every few years and perhaps I was a little over excited and imitated a slightly younger music fan.

Things I learnt: Mark Rankin, former singer of BBITW is the cousin of Sharlene Spitteri of Texas, El Pres are still not ready with a second album and GUN have reformed.

I said Gun reformed!

Wikipedia of all places told me Gun had reformed and started playing gigs last year and despite my listening to the radio all day and paying close attention to social media, OK just Twitter, no-one had told me!

However, excitement was quickly over as they are without, although with the blessing, of their lead singer. Could you have the Stones without Jagger, Beatles without McCartney, Guns N Roses without Axel Rose? No.

So whilst they will play the old stuff and the new tracks are so far so good, I’m taking the attitude it’s a new band and I’ll follow with interest. They have got an established new singer, Toby, who used to be with Little Angels and is voice is nicely similar so he can cover the old classics. I could probably cope with that but of course we’re all 10 years older and Joolz the guitarist, who I rate being up there with the best and certainly a mesmerising musician to watch used to have de rigueur long messed up hair as befits a guitarist of such stature. Sadly he is now shaven headed but it is the first time I have actually seen his face! And he looks happy.

Boy it was exciting for a while there.

West End

I learn I’m staying in the right area as I can walk to all three Bean Scenes, my favoured discovery in Edinburgh. This small independent chain promises coffee, food and music. I never got to hear any live music but what they played was always excellent. And they open until at least 10pm which is great for the solo traveller in a city that likes to DRINK alcohol.

The nearest one was around 10 minutes walk in the West End direction, opposite a lovely looking, but un-attempted museum and park. That was my destination each evening until around closing time.

Bad Service

Gratitude List – May 10

• First on the list; I’ve now been in my lovely new job for 3 months
• I’m grateful for the successful roll-out of the Believe programme including having novices experience event organising at our own Fundraiser. I’m grateful it all went pretty smoothly and hopefull we’ll find some jobs for the long-term unemployed (the point of the programme)
• The book I’m writing is now up to 13,817 words
• I’ve been to Glasgow for the first time (see book writing)
• I’m grateful for the encouragement of writers, ones I don’t even know especially @marshawrites
• My crush tally has gone up to three. I feel I’ll be back in the dating game soon

Carrie Bradshaw is no role model

It concerns me that women, especially young ladies think of Sex and the City’s leading lady as someone to aspire to.

The media may not have helped either but perhaps it’s not their job to educate, just report on findings and they have reported a great deal about women who think that being Carrie is the way to go.

I think people forget Sex and the City is meant to be a comedy; after all I first stumbled across the iconic programme after the series had ended on one of the comedy repeat channels. Some of my younger girlfriends (and all the gays) had reported on it but I refused to watch any programme that was about women bemoaning the lack of men in their lives. Then I realised it was a comedy.

If taken even slightly seriously, of the four, Miss Bradshaw is surely the worst role model. The other three, like the rest of us have their hang-ups but are not shopaholics, broke or spend their life chasing a wealthy, older, unavailable and probably unsuitable man. (Mr Big)

Miranda with the only steady corporate job is much more of a fitting role model although it’s only in comedy land that such a character seems to be on long lunches daily and yet complains at how long her working hours are. I do like her and yes partly because I can identify with her the most but also because she’s her own person. Whilst she likes men she would quite like just the one in the long-term, if possible. We all have our irritating habits and Miranda is not faultless (stop shouting!) but at least it doesn’t matter to her how much her date earns.

Samantha is the character with the best lines and therefore the best SATC girl. Period.

I’m not suggesting that every woman should be completely promiscuous and sexually non- committal, although I for one won’t judge you for ‘putting it out there’. Samantha is successful, is good at her job and loves it, lives life to the full and is independent in the real sense – you know all those good, inspiring things. Independence doesn’t just mean in the financial sense, Samantha is emotionally independent and can make her own decisions. When have you ever heard her ask for advice?

And before you even think it, yes I know we all need emotional support and advice from time to time but we do know our own mind a little more by our 40s.

We forgive Samantha her indulgences, long lunches and late night conquests because we believe she has earned it. And again, because she has the best lines.

And then there’s the plausible, traditional Charlotte who believes a man will not settle down with a successful woman and whats more, there’s nothing wrong with a man paying for everything. We forgive her too because firstly, she truly believes in her choices and because she doesn’t want to be a lady what lunches. Charlotte is happy to run a home and support her man in whatever he needs emotionally or practically. Mother Nature willing, Charlotte will pop out some sprogettes too.

Carrie on the other hand works one day a week and spends her days ‘wondering’ whilst managing to afford a $400 shoe habit as well as the long lunches, late nights etc. Reminder; this is Comedy Land! I know how much cocktails cost in New York and I tell you, no average salaried person can meet the expense of that life – and get a taxi home every night.

The motivation that prompted this piece is seeing the episode when Carrie shrieks when it rains. Why spoil a perfectly nice story featuring my favourite museum, the Guggenheim with screaming just because it starts raining? It’s like she has never seen the wet stuff falling from the sky before.

Nonetheless, those of you who watch the series, either as bona fide hardcore fans or for the odd moments of escapism like me, probably have a little bit of each of the characters in us. I for one recognise the girlieness in Carrie and when she jumps for joy at the tiniest thing but have more in common with the others. I even like Charlotte’s fondness for pink and hair bands.

By the time they got round to making the films, the programme had gone from being a witty look at a fantasy Manhattan life (come on, let’s not pretend here) to either an unfunny comedy or a drama, depending on your view point.

But yes, I am a fan of the series and love chuckling at repeats on late night TV whenever I get the chance. The great thing about watching it on TV is that it’s only in 20 minutes bursts, give or take and I can mute the cringe-worthy bits, or go and make a drink, or carry on with whatever I was doing. I find they don’t like me doing that in the cinema so the film is a no go.

Do please tell me what happens though.

The Day I met Dara O’Briain

I have no idea; no idea why I didn’t think to get a group of people together to see the funniest man on TV, especially with three nights in the centre of Birmingham as part of his tour.

I’d read the book, Tickling the English, a few months ago and simply loved it. Not just the clever repartee and jokes but the history lesson delivered from what Dara learnt about the country whilst on tour. Fancy that I thought, it takes an Irishman to come over to England to teach us our own history.

I loved it so much that despite my new policy to borrow books rather than buying, having given all but a few special ones to charity whilst packing for the New York adventure in 2008, I felt I wanted to buy this. I resolved to put it on my birthday list for this year, along with the two others that have fell into this category in the last two years; Edward Rutherfurd’s ‘New York’ – possibly the best and longest novel I have ever read – and John McEnroe’s ‘Serious’. The latter I thought I had bought – having given it to my boyfriend for Valentines but he turned out to be an ex-boyfriend so that has to be bought. Again.

I read a tweet from Dara announcing a book signing in Birmingham on Wednesday. Unfortunately it was a day when I was out of town training and scheduled for 1pm so no chance of me getting back in time. Thereafter, a chain of events took place in the next 36 hours that changed everything.

On Monday afternoon, I find out that the trainer I had booked to deliver the health & safety course for my delegates (long story) was not qualified as his license had run out. After much thought, I realised the only way forward is to postpone that to a later date and bring my Wednesday training forward to Tuesday.

In the meantime, I had learnt that Dara’s book signing was at 5pm, not 1pm. Ordinarily, I still would not have made it back into the city in time but despite me stretching the last days training to a day and a half (a day was pushing it quite frankly) I could make it back for that!

Excited didn’t even cover it. I have never been to a book signing before – never had the inclination – but somehow this series of events made me feel that this was meant to be and I was meant to go.

So I arrive at 5pm and grateful to see a line outside, join the queue, before realising that wasn’t the end, that was several metres away so Dara in fact had a very respectable queue waiting in what now what had developed into rain. With no idea of book signing protocol I immediately strike up a conversation with the last lady in the queue and between her and the Waterston’s queue monitor, I realised I needed to go in and buy a book first. Luckily for me the lovely lady fan agreed to save my place. Inside I realised the book was in a 3 for 2 offer and I wished I’d researched and arrived earlier as there could have been books I would have liked to buy in paperback without too much guilt of space being taken up.

I couldn’t see any on first glance and re-joined the queue with my single purchase and by this time, there were two chatty chaps behind us and the four of us never stopped talking until we made it to the front, some 35 minutes later. It’s amazing how much you have in common just because you like the one person or that particular book.

I wish I’d at least got their names and although the lady waited whilst I’d got the autograph before leaving and I did the same, we well went our four separate ways and I’m left wondering if our paths will ever cross so gloriously again.

Dara? Yes he was as pleasant, charming and witty as you see him on TV or no doubt on stage. I explained he was my first and that I had to enquire after the protocol. Protocol? He said. Yes, I thought the books would be on the desk and I’d get it signed and then pay for it.

A quick witty repartee and my passing shot of ‘have a good show’ and that was that, the guy behind me was having not one but 2 autographs and a photo and my time had finished.

In the excitement I had forgotten the most important comment, to tell the author to his face that I loved the book so much that I wanted to own my own copy.

Never mind.

Me and one of the chaps behind me decided that my new policy should be to only buy the book if it’s autographed. So I really should have bought that autographed copy of ‘New York’ when I saw it in that lovely Montreal book shop at Christmas. And made more of an effort to bump into McEnroe seeing as I was living in his neighbourhood and not just kept it as my daily ‘step out the door, will today be the day?’ fantasy.

What did Dara write? “Lovely to be your first”

Gratitude – April 2010

Project – my first project with Springboard was a bigger challenge than anyone expected and in different ways. Thankfully it launched and I’m 70% through training the group.

I’m also grateful to the staff of the Y Centre, the community centre where I am training a group of long term/disadvantaged unemployed. Not only is finding the building a stroke of luck, but the staff are unbelievably lovely.

All this made me even more grateful for a long weekend to Edinburgh. After all these years of transatlantic holidays, I finally jump on a train for the five hours to Scotland. Admittedly I can get to New York in six but that’s after the journey to the airport and the three hours waiting at both ends not to mention baggage reclaim and delays. This little trip meant walking 15 minutes to the train station, jumping on a train, seeing the also undiscovered north east of England and jumping off 5 hours later, having written 700 words and straight into the Edinburgh sunshine for the two minute walk to the hotel. It was glorious.

Book The point of disappearing for a long weekend was to start on the long awaited – by me, anyway – book. The target 5000 words duly achieved against a magnificent backdrop of discovering yet another city on this fine planet.

There’s also one more thing; I’m grateful for a little crush I have developed. There is nothing to tell, I am blissfully ignorant of his situation and not looking for anything to happen. I’m just grateful to have my mind taken off the ex-BF. At least for some of the time.