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.