Week 5, Day 3

Views from my bedroom overlooking Alex (Alexander Turm). And in the other direction, the incinerator at some hospital and some churches which I don't know the names of. Not been up to much yet except sleeping-in late, followed by long leisurely german breakfasts, and later drinking beer with friends.

Week 5, Day 1

ICH BIN EIN BERLINER! Arrived last night. Just hung around drinking kaffee today. Ich liebe Berlin!

Week 4, Day 4

Have been away visiting friends and family 'up north' for the past week and a half or so. Visited the The Bluecoat in Liverpool, where I haven't been for years, and saw a nice exhibition of the life and work of Malcolm Lowry and of the artists his work has inspired. I'm ashamed to say I had never before heard of Lowry but he is apparently quite famous, was born in Wallasey (a triumph in itself), lived in Mexico and Canada, was an alcoholic, and checked himself voluntarily into Bellevue psychiatric hospital in New York in 1935. He's best known for his novel Under the Volcano (1947). A lot of the art work displayed evokes the Mexican Day of the Dead celebrations (apparently a key setting for the novel - which I will now endeavor to read; although another of his novels, Lunar Caustic (1958) also sounds good, as it draws on his experiences at Bellevue). liked the telegrams dotted throughout the exhibition giving details of Lowry's adventures between Mexico, the US and Canada in the late 1930s, and Brian O'Toole's pen and ink cartoons.

Off to Berlin for a month on Wednesday - Cannot wait!

Week 2, Day 4

The Ligeti was enjoyable. Music was excellent. Interesting set design - giant rotating naked woman in crouching position, light projections changing the facial expressions etc. But the staging was a bit too west-end theatre. Too circus-like. Too many cheap laughs (e.g. breaking into Jackson's 'Thriller' routine; entering via the arse, the nipple or any other possible crevice - you get the picture). This was perhaps not surprising given that it was staged by the company behind the 1992 Barcelona Olympics opening ceremony!

Spent a nice Saturday afternoon in Islington. Ended up at 69 Colebrooke Row. Excellent if expensive cocktail bar - well worth a visit if you're in the area.

Week 2, Day 1

So, one week down and it already feels like I've been off for ages. Kick started my 'getting fit' goal yesterday by going swimming. 40 laps - not bad. A lovely thing happened on the way back from the pool. I got off the 41 bus at Turnpike Lane. It was pouring down and I had no umbrella. As I was walking to the next bus stop a woman appeared at the side of me and her umbrella appeared over my head. I turned, smiled, she smiled back, I said thank you, and we walked together to the next stop. How nice was that?! This sort of thing rarely happens. Makes you think that we don't have to be complete strangers with those we pass in the street. It may sound a bit over-sentimental, but I deny anyone not to feel this way when it happens to you.

Attended the opening of the Museum of Everything last night. Described as 'London's first ever space for artists and creators living outside our modern society', it basically displays art and creations by people who would not maybe classify themselves as artists, who do not make their livings as recognised artists, who would not normally be considered as artists by the established art world, but who have nevertheless influenced and inspired some of the worlds greatest artists and curators. Great evening. Awesome art displayed in a beautifully ramschackled and distressed shell of a building, cocktails, nibbles, jazz band. As Florian said, it was a 'little Woody Allen-esque'.

Today I went to see the Exquisite Bodies exhibition at the Wellcome. Highlights included the syphilitic wax-models based on real patients, the infected genitals behind the curtain, the 2-headed calf, and the bearded lady.

Tomorrow, off to see Ligeti's 'Le Grand Macabre' at the ENO, can't wait!

Week 1, Day 4

Friday: bit of work; deleted emails while watching 'Waking the Dead'; drank an entire bottle of prosecco while weeding my wardrobe. 2 carrier bags despatched to the charity shop = more room for new clothes. A good day's work.

Saturday: excursion to buy some art. The Arts Council co-ordinate a great scheme whereby they give you an interest-free loan to buy a piece of original artwork. (old.artscouncil.org.uk/ownart/index.html). They have a list of participating galleries, and you just have to go there and find something you like. From a list of about 7 galleries in the west end we managed to view 3. One had relocated and the others were shut! Better luck next week - east end galleries. Disappointment overcome by the purchase of a dress from shop (Almost Famous) conveniently placed next door to a gallery we were able to access (www.caa.org.uk/).

Sunday: coffee in bed; shower; breakfast; cleaning; shopping; pub; home-cooked roast...

Day 1

well it's day 1, week 1, and what have I been doing? WORKING of course! Tying up loose ends and the like in between a very nice breakfast at the Green and a visit from a very funny woman from ONS doing a survey about lifestyle and income. Can only hope things improve from tomorrow.