A Day in Review

24 Hours ago I was walking up Parliament Hill which overlooks the whole of London after visiting Kenwood House. It was breathtaking and really refreshing to spend a sunny afternoon in London, but on Hampstead Heath, which doesn't feel like London at all until you walk up that fateful hill.

(If you don't know why it's fateful, ask Guy Fawkes.)

After a very relaxing afternoon stroll post country house visit, it was a dash to get back to my flat and get ready to go to a networking event being held at the Royal Academy. Some contemporary Russian art show.

Contemporary.

Networking.

And me. Interesting combination.

The show wasn't of much merit in comparison to earlier art, interesting and possibly some of it will continue to see the light of day in 20 years time, we shall see, but I don't really recall the art (How sad.). Rather, I recall the curator saying in his speech that the fall of the Berlin Wall as in 1990.

Pfft. Contemporary Art Historians. Anything before 1995 clearly falls under ancient history and therefore exact dating doesn't matter. 1990 indeed.

Contemporary Art Bird was there, but not in her usual spirits. While Cocker Spaniel and I interacted with a piece you're meant to sit in and enjoy, she refused and instead considered it then walked off, rather shyly after I shouted to her, 'Oh c'mon! You should give it a go. It's fun. You need to interact with your art.'

She smiled and laughed a little nervously and then skittered away.

Cocker Spaniel smiled, and said, 'I liked that - "Your art".'

We chuckled and the director of the event walked in and asked us if we were enjoying ourselves. A few minutes of small talk later, we had successfully procured business cards.

We did a little dance in the loo to celebrate afterwards.

Hey, a triumph is a triumph.

Following the event, we were flanked by Afghan Hound (who had also attended), and went to get a few G&T's down before heading to Mahiki, as the art group had organised for us. And wouldn't you know, Greek God turned up as well?

The evening was no longer a networking opportunity, and instead it was an opportunity to cut loose, drink, dance and have after hours fun. Cocker Spaniel had a fruity libation before heading home, clubbing isn't her thing (and fair play to her). Feeling the strength of our drinks, Afghan Hound and I cut shapes out on the tiles for the next 4 hours.

Greek God drank for the whole Europe and ending up nearly licking a girl's face off on the floor, one from our course no less.

That was entertaining.

Eventually we were all kicked out of the club around 3 only to drag ourselves by foot, bus, cab or private car home. I went for the bus-foot route.

5 AM is a late bedtime. But worth it.

24 hours on from Hampstead Heath I've dragged myself into the library for research. I sat down by a seat that was empty, but had a stack of books beside it. Thinking nothing of it I grabbed mine on reserve and came back.

What do you know? They're researching Gainsborough and Reynolds, the English counterparts to Raeburn. Brilliant they have some books on the London art market in the early 19th c. that I'll eventually need.

Oh, slip of paper with a name, I wonder if I know them.

Lean over and peek...

I've sat down next to The Voice.

fuck-a-doodle-doo.