Point Zero

Some time ago, I read a newspaper article that referred to Point Zero - that very special state needed for something to happen.  In my case, to begin a new arty project.  It's all to do with having the time, no distractions or obligations and the correct materials to hand. As the all-time mistress of displacement activity, I will admit this state has been pretty rare around here!

But with the ironing basket (almost) empty, a couple of free days in my diary and a new book (together with extra emailed ideas, thanks to the creative genius that is Maggie Grey) I gathered a few bits and pieces to play.

 Even though I happened to have exactly the right media, for some reason the results didn't turn out as expected and some further experiments are needed before I can claim total satisfaction with the outcome.

But the surfaces are interesting, the process was therapeutic and I'm looking forward to another go, maybe using a different brand of gesso.

Anyway, the blue and purple paint under the fingernails will be great at the posh do I'm going to on Wednesday!

Enough

I suppose the name of my blog gives a clue to my philosophy of life - if I could be grand enough to have such a thing.   I think the ability to recognise "enough" is greatly under rated and think back to a poster on the wall of the library in the first school I worked.  It was a cartoon of a small rowing boat with two or three hippos squashed in; another one was about to leap onboard and the caption said it all:

More is not always better.

So yesterday, dawdling in the bathroom as often happens on a Sunday morning, I found myself nodding along with Clive James as he spent five minutes voicing a few thoughts on matters of taste, ostentation, yachts, wealth and the US election.  I didn't realise we felt similarly about so many things.

The script of his programme can be read here and there's a listen again link alongside.

Russian Oligarchs may find some parts of the programme upsetting.

Issues of security

Finding ourselves with a day free of commitments and one or two errands to run, we headed for Bristol on Tuesday.  First stop, the new Cabot Circus shopping centre - very smart.

(in creating that link to the Wikipedia entry for the centre, I discovered a discussion taking place about it - have not come across such discussions before but found it an interesting read)

We loved the sweeping curves of the glass roof structure, and the inside/outside feel - wouldn't want to be that window cleaner though.

We were surprised to see wildlife grazing

and this Hundertwasser-ish wall was fun, too

But taking this photograph, I felt a tap on my shoulder.  No photographs allowed.

"Security".

Whose?

But I couldn't be bothered to argue, so camera went back in my bag and after giving the chap a Hard Stare, we went and had lunch in Carluccios.  Very good it was too.  In the afternoon, we did an IKEA run (not a good idea, half term holidays!) and nipped into Get Knitted.

Yesterday I was reminded of another measure taken for my safety but this one doesn't make me cross, but instead I have a small giggle to myself.

Why?

Well, it's in a place almost exclusively used by sensible, grown up women and is sited some fifteen yards or so away from the potential danger spot.

Fast running water?  Deep and treacherous lake?

No, a shallow, ten foot diameter garden pond with an ornamental edge and a fountain in the middle.

But it's good to know it's there, just in case I fell in.

The thing is, who would throw it to me?

Whatever you'd call it

I'm blessed with a husband who likes to know exactly where he stands in terms of the important things in life - mealtimes in particular.  Brunch is a concept little known in this household since breakfast and lunch are important features of the day and what about elevenses?  So when we received an invitation to friends for Sunday lunch some weeks ago, with advice to arrive around 2pm, someone went into a little tailspin.  Surely there must be some mistake....how would he last that long after breakfast?  And then what about tea?

I'm glad to say the whole "late lunch" affair was a huge success and "we" are total converts to this idea.  So much so, that enjoying the company of friends staying for the weekend and already committed to a concert on Saturday night, we invited a few for a late lunch yesterday - or was it an early supper?  Sunday morning was a casual cooking time with conversation over the newspapers around the kitchen table, as gradually the table was set and friends arrived.

Ten of us enjoyed a long, leisurely meal, talking and laughing our way through the last of the weekend sunshine.  As dusk fell, candles were lit and more wine was poured until eventually, goodbyes were said and the home team shared the clearing up.  At last, the final glass was put away, the worktops cleared, the dishwasher humming.  We retired to the sitting room with coffee and a few last chocolates.

Best thing of all?  It was only 9.30pm!  What a lovely way to spend a Sunday.

Another interesting place to work

Perhaps this one gets the prize?

    

Look a little more closely and the view is even better...

  

 Sorry, it was very hard to overcome distractions such as the team practice taking place ;-)   There were fine views in the other direction too - what a great venue to teach a workshop!

 The funding for this project had come from something entitled CaMeL and doing our best to intrigue and encourage tutors to come along to the event, we established a theme...

Two of our belly dancing tutors provided entertainment at lunchtime, we enjoyed a delicious middle-eastern menu for lunch and tried not to overindulge in too much turkish delight with our coffee.

Oh and somewhere in between, I think we were reasonably successful in inspiring one or two new bloggers, Flickr users and e-learning afficionados.