Wonderful Sometimes
Tuesday 10th December:
Up shortly before 09:00, a little later than I'd have liked. Had quite a long yoga practice after breakfast. Started panicking about time so increased the playback speed for the last segment, making Adriene sound comically like Pinky & Perky.
Showered, dressed then jumped straight back onto the tourism report. It was a little more demanding than I'd thought but was very pleased to get it pretty much wrapped just before noon.
Rushed down the hill. Just missed the tube. The next one was in 18 minutes. Told GoB I'd be late for lunchtime meditation. When I finally arrived in Angel she'd replied saying it wasn't on but that they were letting her use the room anyway. Hurried to St Mark's. Two senior ladies were meditating quietly. Confused, I joined them. My head was racing with too much going on but I was glad I went. It transpired GoB had gone to Rigpa. I seem to consistently fail at arranging rendezvous. I offered to buy her lunch by way of recompense. We met in a cute cafe by Newington Green, bedecked with Christmas decor.
She asked me if I'd seen the new Beatles documentary - 64? I had not so we ended up going round to her flat to watch it. A very pleasant way to spend an afternoon. I love the Fabs. I don't understand how anyone can't. I did wonder if anything of a romantic nature might occur. I detected a mild frisson when we departed but that was it.
Bussed back into town to meet Danny for the evening's lecture. It was unpromisingly titled "Women at the Piano: A History through Images" but as with most of the Gresham talks it managed to be quite fascinating, presented by a female Russian presenter and looking at how most of the women portrayed were anonymous and in deep contemplation. She said that the piano was seen as feminine whereas wind instruments were disapproved of since they distorted their pretty little faces, as well as potentially looking a bit saucy. Although it was remarkable how erotically charged many of the pictures were. Some absolute belters too.
I'd no idea whether Danny would like but he enthused enthusiastically. We went over to the Cittie of York for a post-talk debriefing and eventually got one of their cute booths that makes me feel like Samuel Johnson. I've only really ever spoken to Danny at gigs and rehearsals but he is a very lovely and wise young man. I felt it was a more adult conversation than I usually have in the pub. We stayed for one too many but I left on a bit of a high tbh.
On my return I received the following message:
"You should know mate - a big reason I want to be in the band is: You. The reason I came to a random talk with you tonight is: How great your company is. Daisy is lucky to have a wonderful father."
I think this is possibly the nicest thing anyone has said to me. What a sweetheart.
Today's expenditure:
Lunch at Cafe 60: £36.34
Drinks at Cittie of Yorke: £15.60
Milk: £1.55
Sandwich: £1.40
Tubes, buses, trains: £10.50
Total: £65.39
Alcohol consumption:
1x bottle cherry beer
1x pint of very malty ale
1x pint of wheat beer
1x bottle apricot