Scotland!

The trip to Scotland has made a lot of things click for me. I realized how many scholars, friends and lovers of Scottish extraction have profoundly shaped my life. From economist Adam Smith to my wild red-headed friend Jill Guthrie, from Scottish moralist Francis Hutcheson to my first kiss Matt MacKenzie, from poet Robert Burns to my first love.

Which led me to musing about the Scottish character - deep thinkers. Prone to both asceticism and romanticism; brooding and exuberance. Moreover, they could sell ice to an Eskimo. They've spun a dark history of slaughter and gray weather into yarns of brave hearts and magnificent landscapes, all fueled by single malt whiskey, hearty ales even heartier food (love the steak pie!!).

More later. We're off to climb Arthur's Seat!

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Brick Lane

Next Wednesday we will visit the Brick Lane neighborhood with the inestimable Martin Upham as our guide! I selected the neighborhood (with Martin's guidance) for its pedigree as an ethnic ghetto but found so much more!



Bring your camera, wallets and/or your window shopping goggles as there are loads or vintage clothing shops, cool boutiques, original fashion shops, organic food eateries, music stores besides the expected array of Bengali and Indian restaurants.

The Thames Festival

Percusionists in the air! Leave it the French to rock the Thames Festival.
Saskia Butterfly gets her face painted by a real artist.
She models the results from the Eye, the world's tallest ferris wheel.

Chinatown

Morning Run on the Thames

Schoolgirl Sas

Here, by popular demand, are the uniform pictures - not as dramatic as I would have liked but I guess I'm to blame - I went for the version she'd actually wear without too much whining. We've funked it up a bit with some leggings and, dear God, no socks! As a Catholic school uniform survivor, I duly instructed Saskia to say that her mom told to go without socks because she had no clean ones (mostly true - she had clean black ones she insists are too big and won't wear). NO ONE SAID ANYTHING!! And, she still managed to bag the Head Teacher's Pupil of the Week Award, so I think things are going as well as can be expected. Now, if I can just get her into aftercare and get my internet connection going at home, I'll be golden (I"m actually able to poach and open wireless signal tonight, praise be...better post this before I lose it.)

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