Scooter!

1. I bought my scooter today. I pick it up in 2 weeks time - cannot wait.

2. Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Really liked the film - wish I had enjoyed Barcelona more when I have been there!! I have always felt the issue was me, not the city. Anyway, good film and Penelope Cruz was terrific.

3. Porridge for breakfast.

Jeffrey Foucault

I have just downloaded some free Jeffrey Foucault tracks - he is a great singer and musician.

Chocolate Fondant Pudding

1. Cafe Boheme this evening in Soho - great food, fabulous company. The chocolate fondant was delicious, the pear endive salad very fresh.

2. The F Facelift. Gosh that made me laugh!!

3. Viva's air conditioning is back so she is no longer sweltering.

Distressing news that Daylesford is now under risk of bushfires again. Hope tomorrow goes well (it is the danger day). W has been a hero sorting out the rescue services. I hope they are all safe in Melbourne tonight.

Another Important Beautiful Thing

Daylesford has escaped from a bushfire but it was a close run thing. I am so glad K&W and the boys are ok.

Back to Work

1. People seemed glad to see me back.

2. I ate fruit salad for breakfast, salad for lunch and went to the gym. I feel healthy and I did not die in the process for lack of carbs!!

3. Someone has finally stood up for Jennifer Aniston - and it is my Fug Girls. I am not a Jen fan but boy does she get a hard rap. I thought exactly what they said as I watched the Oscar Highlights last night.

And here is another Brilliant Oscars Summary just for good measure - it has had me laughing all day.

What the Hell

It is my blog, I can post what I want!!

Being Sick

1. Being Sick meant I got to spend all afternoon catching up on my DVDs of Season 2 of Grey's Anatomy. And, at long last, I have found the man I plan on divorcing Richard Armitage for: Jeffrey Dean Morgan. Why, oh why, did they have to kill his character off? I'm devastated, I could not muster much enthusiasm for Meredith and McDreamy getting back together, I was in grief! Denny Duquette (was) divine. Thankfully JDM is still around to keep me entertained. No more toyboys!! I am a woman of the world again.

2. The Oscars. Watching Live from the Carpet from E! at the moment - it is a repeat, but so what, it is brain candy and I am still upset about Denny dying ;-))))))))))))

3. Being at home when everyone else is at work, even though I am genuinely sick.

Naps

1. Sleeping for nearly 3 hours this afternoon to get over my cold.

2. Lark Rise to Candleford.

3. I smiled at the neighbour who was cleaning her porch area and she smiled at me.

Sunshine!!

1. Beautiful almost spring day in London.

2. The piper playing at the entrance to the church as I walked by; a melodic sound of Scotland in the metropolis.

3. Lunch at R's; the chocolate brownie was to die for.

The Bushfires by Thomas Keneally

From a wonderful article about the fires and my homeland by Thomas Keneally in today's The Guardian .

"I always throw Nome, Alaska, at anyone who expresses doubt about climate change around our place. Admittedly, Nome is a long way from Australia, but last summer my wife and I saw there a number of moored, well-rigged but unexceptional yachts that had come through the Northwest Passage. That is, they had made without drama a journey that defeated Cook in the 18th century and killed Sir John Franklin and all his expedition in the 19th century. Only Arctic melt made this possible.

Then, a month ago, my grandson and I went with others for a flight over the coast of Antarctica and the South Magnetic Pole. A scientist on board pointed out clearly discernible blue melt-pools on the surface of the tongue of an ice shelf, an utterly new and unprecedented symptom of increasing temperatures.

And in between, Australia with its long-term droughts and violent storms and awful catastrophes, its wonderful ancient bush inhabited by spirits utterly different from those of Europe, atmospheric as anyone could hope for; surpassing strange. And with fire on its breath."

My Day Off

1. The Shirodhara massage was very relaxing (as it should have been).

2. I finally made it to Breads Etc. It was a good place, reminded me a lot of the brunch places that one finds back home and all over the US but have sadly failed to materialise anywhere else. Kind of enjoyed listening to the 2 media guys who were talking at top note about the Brit awards. And felt resentful that they had the kind of lives that allowed them to hang out on a Friday as you do.

3. I like my new haircut! Craig did a fab job. Was lovely to see F after so long - she looked great, have dropped FS a note to let her know we bumped into each other.

A Musical Pairing I Never Imagined

Coldplay and Gary Barlow!

Jade Goody

What is happening to Jade Goody is unbelievable.

It will be sad when she dies - she is only 27 with two young sons. It is a cliche to say it, but you could not make it up. I hope the custody situation with her boys gets sorted soon. Poor, poor girl.

The Dark Knight

1. The soundtrack to the movie The Dark Knight is awesomely good.

2. All the crowds out in the West End for Valentine's Night. I have not seen so many people out on a Saturday night in quite a long time. Guess the world was feeling romantic!

3. My third favourite 3BT is actually from a few days ago (so it is slight cheat). The Wine and Chocolate Tasting at the Club was terrific - met some great people, enjoyed the wine, the chocolate was delicious and I will definitely be returning!

Been a while

I have had such a busy week so here are 3 favourite things I remember from it:

1. The employee reps who told me that they appreciated when I took their side on a point.

2. The Pitman Painters at the National. Initially I wrote off the artwork as not being very good but after seeing the play, I re-evaluated.

3. Mum's happiness at being with Archie and the joy in her voice when I spoke with her. I wish he could stay for longer.

An Important Video

"Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo.

Whitney's back

She looks amazing if not slightly medicated

Whitney Houston at the 2009 Grammy Awards
by TheDlisted

Melting

1. The fact that I was rescued from doing the call with the lawyers and the Bank this evening by other people.

2. The gang want to meet for dinner on Feb 26.

3. I think I have finally solved the syncing problem for my itouch!

And it is not a beautiful thing, but... these bushfires in Australia are awful.

Christian Bale Rant

I only just heard this - wow! I love Christian but yes, he does need help, his sister is right he has anger management issues Has this sound guy (Shane) given an interview yet or sold his story?

Benjamin Button

1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I saw it earlier today and it is hard to get this film out of my mind. It has raised interesting ideas around aging and perceptions about what people can do. I suspect the message of this film will stay with me for a while.



2. The colour of the sun in the sky this morning when I went for my early morning run... it was almost peach, very unusual, eerily beautiful.

3. Roast chicken straight out of the oven.

Hidden Gem

Check out Ringo - what a dude.

S&S

1. The mini S&S reunion. It was great to see so many old friends, surprising who I no longer had anything in common with, and those that I did. All round good fun.

2. No queues in the Wandsworth Parking Permit Office.

3. Finally met the Leader. The earrings were cool.

Mango

1. My melon, blueberry and mango salad from M&S

2. Arriving at work early and having time to sit in Pret and read my book (Loving Frank) and munching a croissant.

3. The sun is still shining and the snow has not melted.

Pink Sky

1. The unusual pink sky this morning as I left for work; very pretty against the snowy streets.

2. K's email about queuing round the block. Yes, time to get my arse in gear.

3. The nice woman who went out of her way to hold a door open for me this evening as I went to the gym. It was a courteous thing to do.

London in the Snow

1. Waking up to centimetres of snow outside the front door - so much fun coming into work. Clapham is like a winter wonderland.

2. The huge snowman built on Clapham Common - it was about 15 feet high and wore a hat. And there was still plenty of snow around it!

3. Grouchy barista at Eat smiled for once. Guess the winter weather brings out the Happy in all of us!

First Frump to First Fox

I caught this interesting article about Martha Washington thanks to the Huffington Post. It seems that Martha Washington may not have been dowdy in the way that historians have tried to paint her.

This kind of history always interests me.

Archie

1. Sitting with Archie sleeping soundly on my shoulder for, more or less, 3 hours. Too cute.

2. K looked glowing and happy - she proves that motherhood is a beautiful thing.

3. M is a great dad who obviously cares for his son. I am really proud of him.

St Anton... my 3BTs

1. There is nothing like the sensation of speeding down a slope, perfect blue sky, powder snow - total freedom and the joy of being alive.

2. D&J showed interest. I am not dead yet.

3. The Majesty of Mountains.

Songs that Will Remind Me of St Anton

Cry For You by September




The Final Countdown by Europe



And Finally.... Human by The Killers. Perfect song to ski down a slope to.


Human Video