I’ve been watching Grayson Perry’s series on the English class boundaries around ‘taste’ (titled helpfully ‘In the Best Possible Taste’). His research was ultimately aimed towards creating six large tapestries, but as the techniques he’s using to do the research are largely anthropological in nature it brought home for me again some of the anxieties … Continue reading
Author Archives: Caitlin McDonald
Sneezy Deer
Richmond Park is famous for its deer. I’d been meaning to go seek out their sylvan mystique for some time, but until a few weeks ago had not yet made the journey. We went with the express purpose of seeing these world-famous deer. (Also because we noticed a spot on the map marked ‘Spankers Hill’ and we in fact have … Continue reading
Staged Magic
I went to the last performance of ‘The Duchess of Malfi’ at the Old Vic. When I entered the theatre clouds of frankincense wafted over me. What an evocative scent, one that will always remind me of trying to find calm in a turbulent time. I burned frankincense candles in Egypt when all was going … Continue reading
Spurious Museums
Well, despite my time in Scotland being a writing trip I did manage to find time for distractions and diversions. On the first day I left the Elephant cafe wandering up towards Edinburgh castle. As I moved towards the entrance I finally realized that the giant sports-stadium style scaffolding projecting out from the hillside is … Continue reading
The London Train
Speeding through the majestic countryside of Eastern Scotland and northern England, I’m reflecting on my writing holiday. Edinburgh was the perfect place, of course, because on the second day the weather turned chilly, and grey, and eventually rainy, forcing me to buckle down and concentrate on the purpose of my visit. But it was more … Continue reading
My Brand New Book!
I can’t stop smiling. I look at my number of readers and I cannot stop smiling. I have just published my first book. Granted, it’s just an ebook, and it’s published on a small independent website called LeanPub, but still…it’s a book, and it’s mine. It is called, by the way, Global Moves: Belly Dance … Continue reading
Traveling Lines
The sun woke me just before six. We couldn’t figure out how to open the blinds, but somehow a little patch of flickering light appeared, playing over my eyes. I thought about going back to sleep but then I thought how seldom I get to travel on a conveyance with a club car, where I … Continue reading
Moving On
Alas and alack, the lovely Fitzrovia adventure will shortly come to an end. Our landlord has decided to do up the flat and then do up the rent, so very soon we must up sticks and shift. I’ve been very sad about this because the Fitzrovian garret adventure has been just sublime, but I can’t … Continue reading
April Showers
For weeks now the weather has been completely, utterly, and typically British. Staunchly. Proudly, even. It’s been changeable though mostly wet, windy, and colder than expected for the time of year. While not very pleasant to inhabit, something about being immersed in the kind of weather where we grit our teeth and go for bracing … Continue reading
Cobbler Calamity
There are times when it is good to have a logistical plan in place. This is what I thought as I sat on the bus, holding my breath while trying to steady the box on my lap. Yes, there are times when it is good to have a logistical plan in place. Or possibly a … Continue reading
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