Sticking my head in the sand

Accepting there's nothing I can do to influence the current fiscal catastrophe, I'm choosing to stay informed but act like it doesn't feel like the end of the world. Accordingly, here are some random money-free thoughts for the day...

I saw this recipe (in my current Easy Living) for a lovely edamame bean dip and think it's best to share it. Boil 500g (1 lb) shelled edamame beans in light salted water until tender. Drain and reserve the cooking water. Place in a blender with 1 clove crushed garlic, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, a pinch of paprika and 75ml (2 1/2 fluid oz) extra virgin olive oil. Blend with a little of the cooking water until you have a smooth, thick puree. Season to taste. Doesn't that sound yummy?

Yesterday I found about this research project (courtesy of one of my information literacy listservs), tree of academics. It's intriguing; see what you think...

It's Turner Prize season. Time to get excited about controversial art...

But if you feel your art history is a bit weak, try this list of essential art history texts from The Times...

A move toward high tea? I'm completely in favour of this trend...

Is it OK to give home-made Christmas gifts? Of course!

My newest no-guilt pleasure is the sugar-free coffee syrups from 1883. Their calorie-free chocolate is the ruling flavour at the moment...

Lastly, enjoy this pic (courtesy of my faithful friend, the self-timer) of my new do. I went totally short and LOVE it.

Is this person for real?

Read this and weep, and hope this person doesn't get the chance to become President.

I voted!

No, it's not as thrilling as the fabric encased US voting booth (do they still have those funny privacy curtains on voting day?), but I just did my official absentee ballot for the November election. Completed in the comfort of my own dining room. I also had Bailey and friends running in and out of the house, the cat rubbing on my leg, iPod music in the background, and text messages coming in. It's certainly not as solemn as the voting booth, but just as effective.

By the way, have I ever explained how you vote in this country? Our polling station is the local scout hut and inside there are just three wooden cubicals, each with a nubby pencil on the end of a long string. You check in, get a ballot sheet and use the nubby pencil to make a big X on the sheet next to the name you want to support. No mess, no fuss, and no advanced degree required to understand the instructions.

Thoughts on racism

Racism has been on my mind this week. I'm sure it's because of the current US presidential campaign, and the fact my mind boggles at the mere thought that people may choose John McCain over Barack Obama. Barack Obama is intelligent, ethical, young and demonstrates humility. If Obama was white, would Americans still think John McCain is the better candidate? Why will white America accept the successes of black atheletes, musicians, and actors, but can't accept a black President? Is it because becoming President should involve hard work, intense commitment, and wisdom, and white America isn't ready to admit Barack Obama has done this, and therefore might actually be a better person than the rest of us? We willing to accept an idiot white man (Bush) as our president but not a smart and able black man? It's easier to accept the successes of other black Americans because their success can excused (in a racist mind) as genes, random talent and luck. Admitting that a black person works far harder, is much smarter, and much more deserving than a white person still seems something America can't manage.

Sunday morning thoughts

It's the time of the week I might to get to sit for a minute. Accordingly, here are some random thoughts...

I love any practical thrift tips. Yes, it's no secret I need all the help I can get on this topic, so today I appreciate The Guardian's advice...

Although I'm not a huge Sky News watcher (in truth, I'm not a huge watcher of any one channel) I'm very much looking forward to their political journalist's book on the Blair PM years. With previews like this, I think the book will be a big seller...

And on the topic of reading, here's an aumsing list, courtesy of The Times, of books you don't need to read before you die...

But back to reality, this morning we're going to Ramsbury to spend the day celebrating our friend Jessica's birthday and her lovely grandparents, Val and Derrick's, 40th wedding anniversary. Good times ahead!

Bringing home the funny

Whilst cycling at the gym, I read this Shouts & Murmurs by Paul Rudnick in one of my recent issues of The New Yorker. I laughed so hard and loud all the British gym-goers couldn't help but look...well, OK, stare. I didn't care. This column is hilarious (and check out the Keywords for an added on-line only laugh...).

Yet again, I start an anecdote with...

"I was reading The New Yorker last night and..."

Yes, all of you who deal with me on any regular basis already know this is how I start many conversations (the other popular starter is, "Today on Radio 4 I heard..."). Today is no different and so I must share the article I read last night by Ariel Levy about Cindy McCain. It's a must-read, for insight into the woman and into her husband. It is fascinating reading.

This article tied in with the topic of The Talk of the Town, Sarah Palin. One line by Hendrick Hertzberg wraps it all up...

If he (McCain) does become our next president, then all of us, believers and non-believers alike, had better pray for his health.

Amen.

Still recovering

It's Tuesday and I'm still restoring my strength after Saturday's birthday bash. Bailey hosted 35 kiddies at her princess-themed birthday celebrations (venue? not our house, not in a million years...we had it at the Friends Meeting House in Watford...I highly recommend the space) and even though we had fantastic entertainers, I'm still completely exhausted by it all.

It was fab to see all the attendees completely enjoying themselves, and to get to see dear grown-up friends as well (such as Dr Crook, who is now a required guest at all of Bailey's birthday parties). The always-gorgeous and fun Plows family all came, and one of the grown-ups took this pic of Bailey. I love it! Thank you so much, Clare and Daran!

Thinking about September 11th

We all have our own histories with September 11th. I'm not going to detail my personal recollections of the event, but today I have been giving thought to the current political climate (which actually feels like a mess) and its link to September 11th.

Regardless of who led the terrorist attacks on September 11 (seven years on and no mastermind has been brought to justice for the plot), the horror and loss of that day made most nations of the world genuinely sympathetic to Americans, something that hadn't been accomplished before with any sort of normal diplomacy. Following September 11, our current president had the world's attention and had a global cause to unite most leaders in turning away from terrorism. What has President Bush done with that power? He attacked a country that had nothing to do with this terrorism, which has led the USA into a state of fiscal decline (wars aren't cheap) and made most of the world's leaders think our country is a pretty silly joke. We used to be a leader in world politics and an example of doing a few things right. Now we have the international reputation (historians think it too) of having a very dumb president, who can't even manage a country to look after its own citizens (think Hurricane Katrina).

If this state of the union doesn't inspire everyone to vote (please register if you haven't already) for change, I can't see what will.

Happy birthday, Bailey!

Bailey-girl is five years old today! As you can see, she was in full party mode in the first pic, taken at Isabel's party on Sunday. I've also included a pic of Bailey's birth. What a long way she's come...

Of course, Bailey was up very early to see the decorations (there are streamers everywhere) and open the first found of gifts (we've learned to space them out, so they are appreciated).

The birthday celebrations include a family-style small get-together tonight and the kiddie-focused (and some adults too...don't worry, folks, I have lots of nice wine for the adults who are attending) one is Saturday.

Who knew being five could be so much fun?

Stormy Images

I've just added a personal photo album URL to my blog; check out the "Watching" section to your right. Keep checking in on this link as I take on the personal project of adding old photos to this site.

Varied thoughts from Sunday morning

It's a rainy Sunday morning and we're relaxing on the couch until we're required to get up and get going. In the meantime, here are a few items from my current state of mind...

I'm no Oprah fan. Actually, I'm not anti-Oprah either; I simply live and let live with her, and don't watch her show. I must say though, for the first time in my life, well done, Oprah! Taking a political stand as the election finally gets close is something I can respect...

(rant alert) If the Republican party somehow spins Sarah Palin's 17-year-old pregnant daughter into some representative for the nobility of American motherhood, and this helps them win the election, I'll renounce my US citizenship and, as a feminist, burn my brassiere (yes, I know the burning is a myth but I'm talking historic symbolism here). By the way, young women, no matter what anyone else tries to tell you, at 17 you should be applying to a selection of universities so you can start your degree next autumn, not applying for a shotgun wedding license (rant finished)

It's the birthday party season on Bailey's social calendar. She just got an invitation with an enclosure saying please just give money instead of a gift. Is this cool or not? I certainly agree with the spirit behind it, since it's very easy for the recipient to get overwhelmed by a volume of small gifts and completely lose the plot about giving and receiving, but this clangs my complete-lack-of-etiquette meter. Any thoughts? (here's a very interesting and idea-inspiring US discussion on it)

I enjoyed this fun and informative read about frugal travel in Europe...

Have I ever said how much I respect our local GP surgery, for this service alone; they allow you to submit a prescription renewal request through their website. So smart...

Bailey's fifth birthday is this week. How in the world did I become responsible enough to be the mother of a 5-year old??

You have to work to impress me

To all my Stateside admirers who want to shower me with gifts, please send Archer Farms sugar-free vanilla coffee syrup (available at the amazing SuperTarget). It's delightful.

A must see exhibit

This photo exhibit of the Press Association's history of England looks like it's going to be fab. I love it that the show is set for St Pancras station.

Another product endorsement

I'm all about Bio Oil at the moment. I knew nothing about it until my recent Florida travels, when I saw an ad for it in a Martha Stewart periodical. I purchased some with the sole purpose of using it on my leg (in June I inadvertindly spilled a boiling hot beverage on my left thigh and I am still trying to get the skin back to a normal shade of pale), and I am pleased to say I'm seeing slow but steady improvement.

Something I like about the USA

Whilst in Florida I discovered all those fantastic "naughty" foods being offered in 100 calorie packs. How smart! It takes all the measuring, counting, fretting and eating the entire packet because you don't know how much is a reasonable portion. It also helps as a parent, since I know exactly how many calories of this certain food type Bailey had consumed (to ensure fruits and veg somehow made up the rest of the calories for that day). Well done to whomever came up with this genius retail packaging.

Best of Sarasota

(yes, it will be weeks before all the commentary from this trip is out of my system)

As I have done on past trips, this summer I visited John Carl Spa & Salon (OK....I first noticed it ages ago because it's very well located, next to Selby Public Library, a short walk from Whole Foods, which offers free covered parking, and a stone's throw from Starbucks...yes, good location is a very good thing). I had two massages over the duration of this stay, decadent I know, but I felt like I must because the massages were so good. These massages were both given by the amazing and artisan massage therapist Randy (full name: Randall Gagne, LMT). He's not only highly skilled and experienced, but he's kind and offers a complete escape from whatever reality I was managing when I walked in the door. I left feeling relaxed, refreshed, and realligned, and very grateful for his fine treatment of my body.

This spa has it going on because everyone who walks in the door gets treated with tip top customer care. There were obvious regulars coming and going as I was in the reception areas, but I was treated with just as much enthusiasim and attention as those folks. This is a great way to manage your customer relations and I will continuing visting this spa and Randy, and recommending it to all within listening distance.