Pass the Duchy
The Motorcycle Diaries: good, but could have had more motorcycle.
So, what's a republican to do when it comes to the thorny issue of buying Duchy Originals products. Because it was set up by Prince Charles, so then you're supporting the monarchy. But then again, it's a profitable business, so it's like encouraging one of them to do something useful. But on the other hand (that's the third hand by now), the profits are donated to charity (wait, that's supposed to be a positive thing isn't it). Mmm, well, the other thing is, they're expensive. But they're good to eat and good (well, better) for you.
What a minefield.
Does anyone know if there is a word for the fear of being splashed by exploding yoghurt pots when opening them? Because it's starting to get to a slightly phobic stage for me.
Behind the News
In my dream last night I was talking to a cat who had read "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" but didn't know what a sheep was. I think I want my dreams to be more logical. I mean, how would a cat turn pages?
So, all this stuff about Lord Bragg and Tony Blair almost deciding to step down in the spring? The real reason is that his daughter attempted suicide in spring. The British media have all agreed not to report the story, although I'm betting that someone's going to blurt it out inadvertently today because it's one of those really widely known "secrets", and with all this analysis of what Melvyn Braggs comments are really getting at.
I agree that it's good that the Sun didn't run some "dramatic suicide bid" front page, and the Daily Mail do some awful feature on "middle-class girls who attempt suicide", but I think that it's good if people know. And it makes sense of what everyone is saying today in the papers and on the radio and whatnot.
Another trip to the movies planned this evening, this time for The Motorcycle Diaries, hurrah!
Hackles have been raised
I thought that Foxtons had sunk to the lowest lows of all the lowly real estate agents with their hackle-raising branded Minis, until I read about how Siberian real estate agents do business. I wonder what is the Russian for "location, location, location"?
As predicted in my previous entry I did go and see Super Size Me last night, and it was very entertaining and interesting. I loved the guy who has eaten 19,000 Big Macs with seemingly no negative impact except a disastrous haircut.
The nappy aisle of the supermarket is an alien place to me, and somewhat nausea inducing on my visit just now (disposable maternity briefs anyone?) I couldn't get the nappy sacks I was after to take to my sister-in-law in Houston but I did get the ready-rolled white icing. Everyone who is someone travels with a roll. Don't they?
Popcorn: food of the gods
Things I didn't do today: bring my purse with me when I left the house; say yes to doing an interview on LBC radio about celebrities in advertising (a subject that surely needs no further probing).
Things I did do today: got a free ride on the bus to work when I realised I did not bring my purse with me. WINNER!
On Saturday I was going to go and see Stage Beauty, only to find that Chelsea Cinema was unexpectedly closed. But it wasn't so bad because we stumbled upon one of those Oxfams I always thought were just mythical -- one that stocked all designer-label stuff. Not that I want to buy designer-label stuff, but it's good to know where you can get a pair of Prada trousers for £19.99, and knock-down Manolo Blahnik shoes. Even if they were trousers that looked like they would fit no one on earth, and very horrid shoes.
I'm off to see Super Size Me this evening with JennyJ, who says that it will be OK for me to eat popcorn in the cinema because popcorn is healthy. But I remain unconvinced.
What is with your hair, Lenny Kravitz?
The only reason I can think that Lenny Kravitz is wearing his hair like that is so that no one will realise that it's really him who has sunk to the depths of appearing in a Gap advertising campaign.
Wednesday I went to an exciting party, for the opening of the exhibition for the photographer Platon's book, 'Platon's Republic'. It was exciting because everyone there was really good looking, and looked like a somebody. Then on the Thursday I went back again for a private view with Platon and he was really interesting and it was fun, he took me through the pictures and told me stories about them and talked about what is going on in the world. It was sad seeing that Esquire picture, the last official portrait of Bill Clinton before the end of his presidency, it's such an upbeat photograph and then when you think about what has happened since then.
Further grimness on Friday evening, when I went to a double bill of Tim Robbins films in Hammersmith, where his new play Embedded is also on. Tim Robbins was there at the beginning being interviewed and answering questions, all the talk was about the forthcoming presidential elections and the war in Iraq, and there wasn't much of anything positive said (or to be said). Except that at least the internet is giving other voices a place to be heard.
I liked his argument about the myth of the liberal media in the US. I wasn't so keen when he descended into slagging off George W. Bush for not being a real cowboy and going to expensive schools. I mean, there's enough real stuff, there's far too much real stuff, to criticise him on without resorting to cheap insults. As if a real cowboy is what is wanted anyway!
He kept repeating "It's a surreal world", and I don't know. Now it feels as if it would be surreal if something normal and good happened in the world. Something sensible.
Plans for Sunday: swimming, reading the papers and maybe the six-hour Italian film?? We'll see.
