Drove myself nearly mad trying to get ready for the London/Spain conferences. Those of you aware of my work load this term know that the week before I left was the busiest, not even counting the packing and the prepping for other lovely people to take my courses when I was away.
It was with some relief, then, that I found myself boarding the plane to London. I read Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett to get myself in the mood. Found myself behind two Brits in line–the man was complaining about some salty cheese–and I knew I was going home.
The flight was delayed, so we got in later than expected. I then had to make my way through customs (what is your conference on? Vampires?! Is this some kind of literature thing?) & to Chaz and Carmen’s. Carmen was kind enough to make me a cup of tea. I was able to instantly agree with Chaz’s assessment that I would love her. We share a lot of the same interests and she’s extremely intelligent, articulate, and beautiful. (My ex has excellent taste in women!)
Then I was off to a fancy champagne bar to meet Courtney and Liam. We had a rose and some very nice tapas while catching up. Then we headed to Soho for more wine and pizza. I made it home relatively early, but stayed up with C and C until midnight–we had to catch up too. I was also able to have my first mince pie with cream–I have to say that I I’m sold.
The next morning, I was off to the conference. Most of the papers were on Trueblood and Twilight. One other paper was on Fledgling, but it was the day before, so I didn’t get to see it. The arm of the University of London where the conference was was in my old neighborhood–Bloomsbury. Thus, I knew precisely where the Nando’s was & headed there for lunch. (Ah, peri peri chicken.) Then I had my paper, which I think could have been stronger, but a woman came up after and asked another presenter and I to submit papers for a collection she’s putting together, so it couldn’t have sucked too badly.
I then ran into the British Museum to say hello to old friends (statues mainly). Hit the gift shop for some presents for the boy, then off to meet Afzal for dinner. I had a decent venison ravioli (deer is in season there), and then we headed off to the theatre. Vanessa Redgrave and James Earl Jones in Driving Miss Daisy. They are both brilliant performers. Redgrave’s Southern accent only slipped on a couple of words. The staging was beautiful–simple, but effective. I really wasn’t expecting to moved by the play–I know the movie well and wrote a paper on the play a long time ago when I was an undergraduate. Still, I teared up at two moments (even though I could recite the lines).
We hit a Snog Yogurt (snog means kiss) in Soho and then I headed home. I beat Chaz there, so Carmen and I opened some wine and talked. We had to open another bottle when Chaz came home and ended up talking until three in the morning. A heavy rain reminded me I was in London as it hit the sloped windows of my attic room.
More to come . . .
