These days any self-respecting new novel comes with a You Tube-friendly video – presumably in the hope that it will “go viral” and become some sort of internet phenomenon. Well, that’s fair enough in theory – the problem is that usually these video trailers are awful. Usually they feature the author squirming in front of a camera talking awkwardly about …
Status Update
We’re back from a wonderful week away. Four days with friends in Boston, then four days in Maine. There we visited an old friend, Don, and his wife Samantha. Don and Samantha own Rabelais Books, a bookshop dedicated (and I do mean dedicated) to cookbooks. We loved our time with them. I will write more about it in another …
Soul Sister
Just in case you didn’t believe me when I said that Catherine usually sings her heart out when she hears a song she likes, here’s the evidence. And then I promise I’ll stop with the cute kid videos, OK?
Name That Tune
I confess this footage of my daughter stumps me. I can’t for the life of me remember what on earth she was listening to on the headphones which made her into a human metronome (well, kind of.) Chances are it was either “Hey Soul Sister” by Train, or, um, “Hampsterdance” by that noted songsmith, Hampton the Hampster. It’s strange – …
Wii 0, Life 1
Oh, Wii console, how you have traduced us! Not sure if it’s a terribly American thing to do, but on the 4th of July, the George family went bowling. This was largely at the request of Hallam, who has rediscovered Wii Sports and was curious to see what it was like to bowl for real. Like so many things in …
Who Would Be a Fan?
England are out of the World Cup. In one of the most atrocious displays of defensive ineptitude that I can remember, they were torn apart by a young, vibrant German team. Yes, there was a disallowed goal in the first half, but I doubt the result would have been any different had it been allowed to stand. England were …
Endorsed Aphorism of the Day
This is a new feature, which I will be posting about from time to time. Due accreditation will be given, where known. If you have any good suggestions for gems to include, please let me know. The snarkier the better. Here is today’s pithy pearl of wisdom to get things started: There is no I in team, but there are …
Thank You.
Well that was fun. I have been overwhelmed by the wonderful and generous response from so many people to my news. I’ve been inundated with emails, phone calls, Facebook comments, and singing telegrams (OK, not that last one), all wishing me the best. I am very touched by everyone’s good wishes. Thank you all so much. I hope you’ll continue …
Diabolical Genius? Or Just a 5 Year-Old?
Exciting episode on Sunday evening. We’d had a lovely weekend – two trips to the swimming pool, a water-fight in the yard, lots of home-cooked food, the original Muppet Movie… all in all, a very relaxing, family-focused time, just the four of us. Catherine’s bedtime was approaching and as usual we were all crammed on to her bed listening to …
Keeping a Straight Face
Stop me if you’ve heard this story before. It’s about an Englishman – a successful corporate attorney, who works in a big law firm in one of the most exciting, vibrant cities on earth. He’s married to a glamorous American wife. Suddenly, against his will, he finds himself transported to a small town in the middle of rural America, where …