In a shocking development, I’m the only one to load and unload the dishwasher over the last few days. Add to that the fact that this morning’s breakfast is probably the first set of crockery I’ve dirtied since a week last Tuesday and you begin to feel my frustration.
Weirdly, I’m going to miss this place.
Most of the food this week has been been pretty good. But my frustration remains that all meals were wither hotel based or conference based. I’m in Italy, for crying out loud, can’t I have a proper pizza?
Anyway, last night the buffet was not of the ordinarily high standards. The cardboard boxes had cold, salty [...]
I enjoy fluidity, it seems. Fluidity of language and the rhythm that comes with speaking one’s own language.
I am in Italy and I have discovered a fondness for Italian men speaking. I know, a terrible cliche, and you know how I dislike being a cliche, but it is true. The galloping speech where one word [...]
The least trained housemate was eating a pot noodle as I was waiting for the washing machine this evening.
His usual end of meal routine is to pile everything up near the sink and hope that someone else clears it away and puts his dishes in the dishwasher.
Tonight, however, he drained the remaining liquid down the [...]
I needed new sunglasses and, if I’m heading to Milan in a heatwave, it was better sooner than later.
In the shop there was an enormous choice, but I am notoriously bad at choosing anything to suit me. The main reason I wear contact lenses is that I’ve never fully forgiven myself for the purple and [...]
We were going to an event in an outlying town, my colleagues and I. One of my colleagues brought a friend along for the ride. The trouble was we only had the name of a landmark. I tried looking it up on the web, but no maps nor descriptions of its location.
I drove to the [...]
The problem I often have with birthday plans is that romantic plans should be a surprise. That means I can think them through carefully but you should never suspect a thing until I strike when you least expect it.
The trouble is you are often so last minute that unless you know there’s a plan, there’s [...]
Please, America. Please don’t shoot him
Ending the day with fewer words than I started. When I have too many words, this is a good thing. When I have too few it’s pretty bad.
It was a clear morning this morning. Blue sky and a crisp air. Having been cooped up most of the week either due to inclement weather or inclement mood I felt a long walk through the local park was in order.
I’ve never been along Jesmond Dene before. I have no idea why. Less than ten [...]