I need a week to recover

Last night I went to see Harold Pinter's "most tumultuous full-length play" (according to his own website) The Homecoming at the Almeida. Knowing of Pinter in the current day, the Nobel Prize, his anti-American stance/rants, his marriage to Antonia Fraser, I had the idea he isn't your everyday kind of crowd-pleasing playwrite. That's why I bought the ticket; I like my theatre dark and difficult otherwise, what's the point?

Having never seen a Pinter play until last night, I now need a week to recover. The play's dialogue is unconfortable and disconnected, and although the play is over 40 years old, none of the language was dated. I am surprised the interchanges between characters are still shocking, and can't imagine what people must've thought when it opened all those years ago.

There were quite a few younger people there, mostly young men who looked like students (possibly GCSE level), who really laughed through the play. There seemed to be an age divide between the laughters and the serious, and I was amongst those not laughing.

Huge step in civilisation

I'm completely in favour of Italy's new law forbidding men to touch themselves in public. Please make this a global initiative!

Last night

No, I didn't feel last night's earthquake, although everyone else I've spoken with at work did. I was sleeping under a blanket and two duvets last night (I've been really cold lately) so maybe all the bedclothes absorbed the tremors.

Unrelated issues on a Monday afternoon

Over the weekend I found out our closest eating establishment, the Kings Lodge and Masala House, was closed by the environmental health officer due to a seriously unhygienic kitchen. Apparently a dead rat was found in the food storage area. If you're interested, read more from the Watford Observer...

Didn't Tilda Swinton look stunning at last night's Oscars? I haven't seen any moving images of the ceremony but saw the photos on various websites this morning. She's one of those actresses I think are great, mostly because she starred in Orlando...

A very happy welcome to the world to Thomas Wilkinson, son of my friend Debs (whom I met when she was librarian at Merchant Taylors' School) and her husband Colin. Thomas joins brother James in the Wilkinson house and I'm glad to hear momma and baby are well...

Nicolas Sarkozy certainly knows how to use his native tongue with maximum effect...

Speaking of presidents, it's shameful when you've been such a bad one no one wants to host your library.

Vanity Fair at the NPG

Today Bailey and I went to the Vanity Fair Portraits exhibition at the NPG. The photographs were beautifully displayed and very enjoyable to view. The exhibition also included a selection of recent magazine covers that were well received. It seemed popular; the place was packed and everyone seemed very engaged.

Bailey and I ranked our favourites. Bailey's was Diana, Princess of Wales by Mario Testino (1997) (although I think it's because of the Princess title). Mine were Gisele Bundchen by Walter Chin (1999), Julianne Moore by Michael Thompson (2000), Run DMC by Jonas Karlsson (2005). There were lots that were fascinating, such as Claus von Bulow by Helmut Newton (1985) wearing a leather motorcycle jacket and jeans; a very young David Hockney, shirtless by the pool with nude swimmers in the background, by Helmut Newton (1975); and Robert Mapplethorpe, before his death, and admirers by Jonathan Becker (1988).

We used our time at the NPG to see the last day of the BP Portrait Prize 2008. I'm very glad I didn't miss it.

More on Fairtrade

Tate & Lyle has announced it will go Fairtrade for all its products by the end of 2009. This is an enormous company to add the Fairtrade standard.

It's not like we already love and appreciate this company. First, they make sugar. Second, one of the company's founders, Sir Henry Tate, donated his art collection to the nation, which was the beginning of what we know as Tate Britain (and we love Tate Modern too).

Post-birthday thoughts

Yesterday was my 38th birthday and it was a good day, full of fine wishes from friends, colleages and family. Since I'm abstaining from just about all foodstuffs right now, I didn't chow on a cake but Bailey and Simon did sing happy birthday whilst carrying a cake they got to eat.

We had planned to have a babysitter last night, so the grown-ups could go to the cinema. Unfortunately Bailey took ill with a fever and it didn't feel right to go out, so the adults watched Paris, je t'aime after kiddie bedtime (big thanks to Jamie who sent it for Christmas). I enjoyed it, a lot; of course I did. In the middle of the film I remembered my birthday was also the anniversary of our engagement. Simon proposed atop the Eiffel Tower 11 years ago. There isn't a day that goes by I'm not grateful for saying "yes". Corny but true.

Of course, all this feeds my wanderlust (which has been a pretty high and constant level lately) so I'm trying to plan a Paris trip soon.

On the culture front, this weekend includes a ticket to the Vanity Fair portraits exhibition at the NPG. Bailey and I are going on Sunday and I'm very excited.

On the book front, my in-laws gave me The Silver Spoon for my birthday. I've been pining for this book since it came out and have given it as gifts to loved ones, and now I've got it. It's gorgeous and the recipes are so straightforward. Reading through it is a culinary adventure in itself; imagine what it will be like when I can eat what I make.

On the travel front (my favourite topic...), here's The Guardian's ranking of the top 10 fair trade holidays. Fairtrade Fortnight starts on Monday (Bailey's school is having events around the 2 week period, since they are proudly a Fairtrade school) so it's the perfect time to get up to date with the Fairtrade programme. My favourite place to buy Fairtrade goods is Oxfam. It's a good day when you can browse the charity clothes and books, then look at the Fairtrade treats...

On the music front, I'm completely in love with my new iPod. I'm getting to hear beloved songs I haven't heard in ages, simply due to access issues. This has left me rather music orientated (which I always was when younger but seemed to not satisfy lately... don't know why but maybe it's just because I'm always on the go? Regardless, my iPod has got me back in balance with my music needs). Hearing some of these songs has made me realise I left some vital ones off my Valentine's Day songs about love list. Here they are...

Life in a Northern Town by the Dream Academy. The strange thing about watching the video today is that the driving footage still resembles what driving through places up north look like.

Walking After You by Foo Fighters (very nice thing about the video: Dave Grohl in a suit)

Lastly, on the humour front, today's article from The Onion is a gem.

Best Valentine's present, ever

I'm still on a Valentine's day buzz thanks to my present from Simon, an iPod nano. Mine is black and I love it!

Celebrating the semicolon

This is a fab article from today's New York Times.

Eco Easter

Chocolates at Easter are huge business in this country. They don't even waste Easter basket space on plastic "grass"; it's all about putting as much chocolate as possible in there.

Cadbury Schwepps, provider of 50% of all Easter chocolates purchased, is very proud of their social responsibility policy. This includes the Purple Goes Green campaign, including the following targets:

• 50% reduction of net absolute carbon emissions by 2020 - with a minimum of 30% from in-company actions

• 10% reduction in packaging used per tonne of product and 25% in the more highly packaged seasonal and gifting items• Use more environmentally sustainable forms of packaging - aim for 60% biodegradable, with 100% of secondary packaging being recyclable

• All 'water scarce' sites to have water reduction programmes in place

This is big stuff, especially when you think of all the packaging that ends up in the bin after the chocolates have been consumed.

Since Thursday

I've been off work since Thursday and it's been a jam-packed time of having fun and getting things done.

On Thursday Bailey and I had the day together since it was half-term week. We decided to go to the cinema, a pretty significant gesture of parental duty and love because I'm such a horrible film snob (I know I shouldn't be; I have no roots in fine film or a list of degrees backing up my taste in film. Honestly, I should be a film slut but in reality, I'm a film snob). We saw Penelope, which was bearable for me and enjoyable for Bailey. I did have to explain a few things about it later because although it was a U rating, there were a few stronger adult themes (it's PG in the States, and I wouldn't have taken Bailey to it if I'd known that) but we managed those topics just fine.

On Friday, I had a personal day and spent the day in The Spa at Presence in Watford. I wouldn't have imagined any space could be transformed from a store in Watford to a beautiful, relaxing and professional spa but this place has done it all. I had a fantastic time, and left feeling very calm. I mentioned Presence last summer in one of my blogs. I'm glad to report it's still going strong and the coffee shop is still fab.

Saturday involved a trip toward Swindon, so Bailey could stay over with our friends the Plows. It's Bailey's first sleepover with friends and it was my first night without Bailey in the house since she was born. Strange and very quite, indeed. Simon and I made the most, stopping in Reading for a little shopping on the way home, working through series 4 of The Wire, and using the evening to browse the shelves and read mags at Borders in Watford.

Today I'm off to Ramsbury to collect Bailey and hear all about her night away!

Valentine's day thoughts, part 3

On the day we celebrate love, the London Underground has banned the advert poster for the upcoming Canrach Exhibition at the Royal Academy, because the featured Venus is offering full frontal. Read Louis Wise's op-ed on the situation...

Valentine's day has given me reason to think about my favourite songs about love. Here are just a few...

Slave to Love by Bryan Ferry

Hallelujah, performed by Jeff Buckley...I know Leonard Cohen wrote it and does his own version but this one does it for me

Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want by the Smiths

Love Will Tear Us Apart by Joy Division

Pearly Dewdrops Drops by Cocteau Twins...OK, I know the word "love" isn't in this song but I was very much in love the first time I heard it and the emotion stuck (even if the person didn't)

My Secret Place by Joni Mitchell and Peter Gabriel

You're The Best Thing by The Style Council

I'm sure I could make this list go on for several days to come...

Valentine's thoughts, part 2

Reading Chekhov on Valentine's Day is cool (and getting to say his name anytime is fun); here's his short story from a new anthology of love stories, My Mistress's Sparrow is Dead, edited by Jeffrey Eugenides.

John Peel's final words

John Peel's gravestone has finally been erected, three years after his death. Read this to see the epitaph.

Valentine's thoughts

Of course tomorrow is Valentine's Day and I'm very happy I live with two people I love like mad. But me being me, I still think of the pain of love and the ways we all manage love and relationships in the day-to-day. This makes me think of the best film ever about love, and the struggle of love, Brief Encounter. If you haven't seen it yet, please run to get the DVD and do so. You'll never be the same.

Happy anniversary, Judy & Ron

Happy 20th wedding anniversary to Mom and Ron! Lots of love to you on your special day, and enjoy Steve and Eydie tonight!

Random musings on a Sunday morning

Cheers to Vanity Fair's editorial staff for adding The Vanities Dare column to each issue. Here's this month's entry and don't tell me this isn't entertaining and wicked at the same time...

Sadness is in the air following last night's fire at the Camden Market. I'm relieved to read no one was injured, killed or is missing...

Last night I watched A Lady Does Not Write, a documentary on Edith Wharton's American life. I now want to read all her books...

I think the cover on the current The New Yorker is quite clever...

Big thanks to Zil who sent me a paper copy of The Onion, one purchased from a newspaper vending machine on the streets of D.C. The charm of the paper version never fades...

In my professional life, I do a fab session on plagiarism involving a lesson on taking pieces of other works to make your own. One of the examples I use is the installation titled American Alphabet (can you spot the consumer product name for each letter? For example, the B is from Bubblicious gum). This week I found out there's a British Alphabet too. Anglophiles out there, how many letters can you identify?

Smoky Paris

It only takes one visit to Paris to understand smoking is a vital element of Parisian life. That's why the recent French smoking ban has been hard to imagine. Here are some thoughts from The Guardian, to keep me posted until my next visit...

Pancake flipping

For everyone who pledged money for Bailey's pancake flip, she did 17 flips yesterday. We are all very proud and appreciate all the sponsorship support!

Pancake day

Today is Shrove Tuesday. Bailey's sponsored pancake flip at school is today at 11:00AM. Thanks to all who have offered sponsorship to her and I will let everyone know her grand total as soon as I find out. Although I of course hope she is successful and has fun, I hope she's not a flipping prodigy.

Medical confessions

This article from today's Guardian dishes out what doctors really think. Give it a read.

Afrika! Afrika!

Yesterday Bailey and I went to see the matinee of Afrika! Afrika! at the O2. It was gorgeous, exciting and very entertaining. Here's a clip if you want to see more.

My favourite part had to be the break dancers. Break dancers certainly aren't what you think of when you plan for the circus but this troop of dancers were fast and cool, and the members seemed as pleased to be showing off their individual talents as doing group moves. I couldn't take my eyes off them.

Bailey loved the music, dancing, acrobatics, and costumes. One of the female dancers made eye contact with Bailey and gave her a wink, only to end up picking Bailey up out of the audience to dance on stage with her for the finale. Bailey was in heaven, for sure (and I was thrilled for Bailey, knowing how happy she must've felt...I'm still quite amazed at the general feeling of kindness towards little kids in the greater world).

I hadn't been to that venue since it was the Millennium Dome, so long ago. O2 has gone all out and made it a first-class venue, with an interior boulevard containing restaurants, coffee shops and bars as well as exhibition space (Tutankhamun is currently there), a cinema and an ice rink. It's all quite impressive, especially after the venue sitting vacant for months (years?) whilst the government figured out what to do with it.

Research session at the British Library and more

On Wednesday afternoon I attended a basic research skills session at the British Library. Yes, this is my profession so I didn't need the information on offer, but wanted to see how they conduct a session, since I do them at WHC all the time. Overall, I'd rank the session as OK. The librarian who ran it was a stereotype; rather uptight, unsmiling, and slightly unsaavy on the IT front (she kept on clicking her PowerPoint ahead of her speaking, and didn't know how to click it back). When she finished, she reminded us to not hestitate asking for help even if the staff may look surly; she said that person may have just had an ugly word with a colleague or a frustrating patron to manage, so the unwelcoming face isn't directed toward us. As the customer service champion in the Learning Centre, I was appalled at that remark. I know they work at the British Library, THE library of all libraries in this fine country, and they get to work in a gorgeous new building surrounded by the oldest and latest forms of information and all that might make you haughty, but if you work there, why ever be surly??

But back to the point, I did learn a few interesting things. One was that there is a consortium of greater London area academic libraries, called the M25 Consortium. I'm all about the consortium idea when it comes to library use. It makes so much sense to offer resources for sharing with like-minded institutions, and to share ideas with colleagues. I'm a firm believer this gathering of better ways through sharing procedures and ideas makes for a higher standard of service for all.

Speaking of work, the huge issue at the moment is parking. Because of the new build on the Hempstead Road campus (where my office is located), as of January there is no student parking (the old building has to be torn down in phases and this includes using the student car park as a base for the demolition). This had a knock-on effect on staff. We all had to reapply for parking permits and had to justify the need for using a car if we live within 2 miles of college (which I do). But back to the students, they are very cross and are parking all over Watford, mostly in an illegal way. This matter involves thousands of students and I've found the residential roads around college are packed with student parkers. I'm sure these residents are fuming, because the area is mostly very big and pricey homes around Cassiobury Park.

And a bit more locally, although it's bone cole, we haven't had a hint of the horrible weather others are getting in this country. Of course I'm grateful for not being at the mercy of a blizzard, but the Florida in me wants just a bit of snow to admire.

A wicked sense of humour

Who at Woolworths named the company's latest girl's furniture line Lolita? I didn't know this store had such a dirty sense of humour.