strawberries 8 July 2009
I was at the launch of a first novel tonight and it reminded me all over again how special that event is for anyone who follows the writerly path. A first book is the one you get to spend most time on in as much as it’s the one in your head for longest. Then it’s onto the treadmill and although you (hope to) get better all the time there is never quite that same sense of having taken on the world and (somehow) won. And so the lovely Amy Huberman, for it was she, a wonderful Irish actress, has joined the ranks. I wonder if she’ll ever have to face what Lorraine Kelly did on a book tour once. Apparently a lad queued up holding a large box and the publicist got a bit worried, as indeed one might. Turns out this guy had made a bucket list (things to do before you die?) and circa number 6 was to feed Lorraine Kelly strawberries and cream…which he did…and she was a tremendous sport about it (the attendant photographers were delighted also with the photo op) but what strikes me is how RANDOM such a thing is to have on your bucket list in the first place. Mine might include seeing the Grand Canyon but anything like the strawberries and cream moment? – oh, hang on, as long as George Clooney has a pulse there is a definite threat that he’ll be on a list of mine and it’ll involve something I would very much enjoy – fair enough so…I get it, Mr Strawberries and Cream and Lorraine Kelly…
software 7 July 2009
Ah, technology giveth and taketh away. While I was waiting at Jo’burg airport and had a bit of wifi access left I used it to follow the scores in the men’s tennis final – it was SO exciting and quite the best match I never saw. But here at the Dublin base the Irish laptop has decided to lose the software needed to activate my dongle thingy (I know, I know, ‘nurse – the screens!’ Hence no blog last night – well, to be perfectly honest, it was a mixture of that and chatting with my sis in law (Rebecca) and drinking wine and the challenge was too too much when I approached it from a northwesterly direction. I have now resorted to the UK system which will no doubt cost an arm and a leg cos I am roaming…
The flight back to the London yesterday was most pleasant except that I couldn’t sleep and my right knee got hopelessly locked and left me with a limp yesterday – of course I immediately thought Deep Vein Thrombosis but seems not and all is back to rights today. The not sleeping led to one great thing – we flew above spectacular thunder and lightening storms over the Congo (I checked the flight monitor thingy and I think that’s where we were) – just remarkable and I think I was the only one awake and looking out at the amazing show nature was putting on over Africa. It was thrilling and humbling – nature doing its thing and me in a tin can in the sky courtesy of man’s ingenuity. Wow.
airport 5 July 2009
I am sitting in Jo’burg airport having a beer and contemplating what we did before WIFI/internet access and mobile phones and communication at will. It’s both a blessing and a hindrance, of course, ‘cos there’s no hiding anywhere now. One of the things I started off with when i wrote THE WOMAN ON THE BUS was the wondering about how long any person could hide from their life and the answer is not very long. For example, I used my credit card 90 minutes ago – that’ll be on a screen somewhere now and I am presently using paid for access to the ‘interweb’ – again very traceable.
Anyhow, some things I noticed yesterday and failed to report – there was no queue for the pristine and well stocked ladies loo in Ellis Park after the match – then again, us women weren’t exactly LEGION at the event – still…big plus there for South Africa.
There were some Scots behind us in the crowd, playing Flower of Scotland on bagpipes, and wearing kilts and English Bobby’s helmets, and that struck me as incongruous at first but then I realised it is the UNITED Kingdom (sometimes) so why not?
My favourites, though, were the lads in full formal Lions garb and pith helmets – you could see them, sitting in a row, from any part of the stadium – and these were the Gibraltor supporters, I learned.
Off on the 11 or so hour flight to London’s Town now and from thence, later tomorrow, to Hibernia…I’ll report from That Other Side when all’s flung into the washing machine and a bottle of Fine Wine is opened to share with my sis in law Rebecca (the brilliant painter) on that end of the works.
lions 4 July 2009
I was at the final test match in Johannesburg today and it was wonderful to see the Lions win, not least because the Springbok fans can be a bit ungenerous in victory at times…Best of all was hanging around the Lion Chaser which the lads from chasethelions.com have brought along and parked at all of the matches and from which they broadcast of a day. It is the cutest volkswagon camper van I have ever encountered – FULL of personality – and I am happy to report that it will travel to Ireland soon on a slow boat, to be pampered and revved up to spec, and from there to many other events globally. It’s a lil sweetheart! Rarely did anyone pass without smiling and pointing at it and many, many Irish came over to chat with the lads and have a beer. There was a real joy about it. As to the internet show each evening it has been just amazing – very lovingly lampooning sport and pundits and spreading lots of happiness and laughter and a bit of mischief. The Hubby (producer for the whole shebang) says lampooning comes of love and satire is of hate – I don’t quite agree. On the lampooning, yes I’ll admit fondness would be a big element but I just think satire has sharper edges really – for instance I do a regular spot on BREMNER, BIRD AND FORTUNE as you all know and we, in our little section, satirise a certain kind of venal middle class person but I’d have to say it ain’t with hate in mind. It’s spikey is all. He’ll have to revise his thesis somewhat I think, but as he’s up to his oxters with the internet show right now (they are literally finishing tonight’s edit and sending it out to be uploaded – which bounces off somewhere in the US and is rerouted etc – veh veh technical and complicated and by all accounts maddeningly SLOW) I’ll save the discussion till next week.
spiceburger 3 July 2009
The Irish (of which I am one, it must be pointed out) are not particularly noted for our contributions to world cuisine. Alright, there’s Irish Stew, but I bet it was invented somewhere else. There is a thing called ‘coddle’ that’s sort of native to Dublin and is boiled sausages and ribs and can be well dodgy if made by the wrong person. But our one triumph is the Spice Burger. This is also an item that won’t have travelled far from native shores but is HUGE at home. The Spice Burger was invented in 1950 by a pork butcher on Dublin’s Northside and is a blend of beef, onions, cereals, herbs and spices coated in crumb. I must admit it is bleddy delicious and a very guilty treat. Recently the company that makes these delights went into receivership and the production of spice burgers ceased. There was an understandable and sustained public outcry and I am delighted to report that the receiver has re-opened the company for 2 days a week so that the burgers can be made – orders are flooding in in response to the public’s declaration of love for the Spice Burger and the product has been saved. Brings a grateful tear to my eye and I SO want one now it’s visceral, though I reckon it’ll be impossible to score any in this suburb of Johannesburg, or anywhere in this city – sigh…
shiraz 2 July 2009
I’m afraid I supped too well at the altar of South African Shiraz last evening and was in no fit state to report on my day as a result. It seemed churlish not to join in the tasting and comparing of the various vintages purchased to accompany the barbecue we had. Apologies. I’d love to say this sort of thing could never happen again but as it has happened from time to time in the past it seems history would make a liar of me.
I joined the local gym here in Ferndale yesterday and feel like a proper native now. Also saw something on our travels that made me think of home and, yet again, how similar life is wherever you do – basically we passed 4 men sitting on the back of a truck looking at another man digging a hole in the ground. I think they were probably all supposed to be digging the hole…
I had thought that the fact that it is very sunny but very cold here in Johannesburg was as a result of the altitude here but it has been pointed out to me that it’s also because it’s winter here at the moment – er, yes, that would do it alright…
It’s still a little weird to be doing my researches into a cholera outbreak in London while sitting in the sun in Africa but, hey, I’m adapting. And words are getting writ re novel number 8 so all’s well.
soweto 30 June 2009
I went to Soweto this morning with the lads, filming (chasethelions.com) and I was in the background of a shot (at 11.30 in the morning drinking a fine local beer with some fine locals). I got talking to a lovely woman who told me she was divorced (‘the men in your life, they break your heart’) then found another love and he died and she is currently in search of love again. I was struck all over about how you can sit yourself down anywhere in the world and, with a few questions, be right into the nub of things. And it ain’t so different, life, wherever you go…
impressions 29 June 2009
And so, Johannesburg. The weather is sunny and extremely cold when darkness comes. It’s a place of contrasts, like every major African city and town I have been in (though I imagine our own cities must seem that to visitors but we are inured to it somewhat) – one minute you’re in a posh area, the next by township. We passed the outskirts of one today, the metal lean-tos packed tightly next to one another, and standing in front of them, although it was very early in the morning, men were lounging, out of work, bored, and waiting for something at all to happen in the day.
Later I felt something of a star, and that was odd and unexpected – I was left by car to the local gym because I’m trying to keep off the weight I lost at the beginning of the year and get a bit toned (the latter is proving more difficult than staying off potatoes and bread – oh, and pasta and rice too) so I need to do an hour’s exercise each day (at least) – it’s also great for thinking and releasing the old endorphins or seratonin or whatever the happy stuff is. Anyhow, it’s not a great idea for me to walk to the place, which isn’t that far away, so I was driven by a unit driver and he waited for me!!! I could get used to such things…though I needn’t as this particular service is only available to me for the week I’m here.
I would also like a wife, in case anyone is wondering – not a personal assistant, no, I want the 24hour wife thing that most of us who are married are providing – I know I have something of a cheek to suggest that I am actually on-call 24/7 (though I am, in my own peculiar way) but, dammit, when I am being wifely I am GOOD at it! And I want one of those, thanks very much.
joburg 28 June 2009
I had a really wonderful time talking to the good people of Dundee yesterday – Dundonians, as I am led to believe they are called. It’s always great to get out and about and discuss the writing – especially as I (sort of) know things about the books that are published. And I find it really encouraging to be in that writer’s zone so it helps the continuing of the latest novel…which is continuing in its desultory way (my fault not the novel’s – I need to get the finger out properly and push myself to do a specific amount of work each day.
Right now the second leg of the mammoth travel day is upon me – I am about to board for johannesburg. That young wretch I am married to, who sometimes accuses me of not supporting him enough, better appreciate this or the long threatened divorce (well, from time to time I mention it wistfully) may finally occur…talk to you from the Other Side tomorrow…
away 27 June 2009
i get to see a lot of hotel rooms. i am also a person who quite likes staying somewhere that someone else cleans etc, though i don’t relish in and out in one day stuff…which is pretty much what i am doing tonight in Edinburgh – have to get out of Dodge early so am poised to get to waverley EARLY. this place has 4 stars but some quirks (service all over the place) including someone being overhandy with the shake’n‘vac or whatever passes for that now. AND it’s been a long time since i actually stayed in a ‘single’ room and, yes, there is just one SINGLE bed in here – i am of a vintage now that loves a double all to myself (nice to share too, mind you, but not ce soir, mes amis) so tonight i will feel a tad cramped i should think. now, i have stayed in rooms with 2 doubles, say, and the choosing of one over the other is awfully guiltridden (no puns intended there, though i’ll not correct the word either…). and there was the time on the TAMING OF THE SHREW tour last year when we fetched up in Longford (NW ireland) and i was afforded a big room (a treat by way of perceived status, perhaps???) but the trouble was it was just big, no character AT ALL, and had 3 SINGLE beds to choose from – a lose-lose situation as i was the only gal in the dorm and i don’t enjoy sleeping in a single bed anymore, alone or not – i didn’t like that AT ALL…