I know, I know – almost as soon as I return I go AWOL again! Anyway – last weekend…

We went up to London to see We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre (I even wore a dress – proof on my Fotothing) as part of the Red Letter Days experience voucher I won back before Li’l Bhaji was born. The theatre didn’t seem unduly empty after Thursday’s attacks (and there we were hoping for lots of bargains and an unusually quiet London, oh well!) except for our row which only had us and another couple in it. Can only assume that our row had been block booked by Red Letter Days for out-of-towners who cancelled at the last minute. Either that or we smelled.

The show was fantastic – it has a futuristic theme written by Ben Elton and based around the greatest hits of Queen. Extremely funny, and by the end of the evening my hands hurt from clapping so hard.

Then it was off to our hotel – the Radisson Mountbatten. What can I say except that I shall be forever spoiled for the Holiday Inn after this! A very small room, but very luxurious with the best part being that particular brand of discreet before-you-realise-you-need-it service that only the Brits in particularly swanky places seem to do really well.

Sunday we floated about London – catching some of the War Remembrance celebrations in St James’ Park and also making time to pop into the Apple Store on Regent Street (unfortunately without making a purchase). Then on to Croydon for a meetup with our gamer friends.

Sunday night in the Holiday Inn (did I mention I’d been badly spoiled by the Mountbatten? It just wasn’t the same!) and then on Monday poor Akra had to go to a business meeting in Uxbridge while I did the tourist thing in Central London while dodging various short-term bomb scare chaoses (can you have a plural of chaos?!)

And here I am back again, exhausted, a pile high of washing to get through, a thousand and one chores to catch up with and absolutely NO inclination to do anything other than veg.

You all had a good weekend, I trust?

Have been on a long weekend to Central London while the boys were staying with their grandparents. Had a fantastic time, some photos are going up on my fotothing (see thumbnail link in the left bar) – will write more about the trip tomorrow, but today has been “catch up” day.

While you wait, here’s a link to a great site: We’re Not Afraid.

Your brain does funny things when you’re watching news reports. Well, mine does anyway. Some random meanderings.

WHY do they use the phrase “loss of life”? I hate that euphemism. It’s not lost … you’re not going to find it down the back of the sofa … “oh, so that’s where I put them”. Why not just say “died” or “killed” or “murdered”?

Also, did you notice the Beeb started calling it “the deadliest terrorist attack on British Soil”? I don’t mean any disrespect to those who died yesterday, but was I the only one screaming at the telly “OI, REMEMBER LOCKERBIE?” Obviously I wasn’t and the BBC heard me, as they changed it about 5 minutes later to something like “the deadliest attack on a city in British History”.

On a more serious note, there’s now a push for everyone to put in an ICE (In Case of Emergency) contact into their mobile phone to make it easier and quicker for emergency services to contact loved ones. More details here. I’ve just done it myself, and it takes less than a couple of minutes to do.

News reports still coming in. 4 confirmed explosions (so not quite as bad as first feared) – definitely a terrorist attack. In laws all safe, thank god. Still waiting to hear from a friend who works in Central London (B, if you still check this page – can you drop me an email to let me know you’re safe please?)

Not going to add much except to say, if you’re in the UK, would you consider completing this questionnaire to see if you’re suitable for blood donation. Blood banks are going to be hit by this.

Just seen reports saying that there have been explosions and the entire London Tube Network has been closed down. Also that a bus has exploded. London Underground are saying it’s a power surge – but surely a power surge can’t be responsible for a bus?!!

Very much hoping this is not what I think it is. Thinking of all those in the capital at the moment.

I need to rant, and damnit, this is my blog and my rant space. Be aware that rational responses to comments left may have to wait until tomorrow when the red mist has subsided.

So over just a couple of days, I firstly get a very abrupt response from my MP (yes, I was foolish enough to send yet another letter about ID cards) with no intention of letting the facts getting in the way of his made up mind… again. Still, at least he didn’t send me 20 trees worth of paper explaining why he was going to completely ignore me this time. Then today, I get a letter from the planning office – long term readers may remember my concern over a planning application for a mobile telephone mast at the bottom of my road. It’s a grand total of 3 lines long including the greeting and the signing off. The abridged version (cutting out not very many words in the middle) was “Thank you for your letter, the decision was to approve”. Never mind all the complaints, never mind the very sensible suggestions of a better location for the mast. Just fuck you, we’re going to do what we damn well please.

WHY do I bother? Is it any wonder that people are disenfranchised with politics when they barely go through the motions of “listening” or “consulting”? I’m oscillating between wanting to throw up my hands and descend into apathy, or going into full offensive protest mode.

But then, what’s the bloody point… eh?

So, if you had the opportunity for a day off in London, on your own (no children thanks to my lovely parents-in-law) to do with as you will, what would you do with it?

So far my shortlist of ideas include:

• having a long cup of coffee and reading a paper cover to cover just because I can.

• a tour around BBC’s Television House
• an open top bus tour taking lots of photographs as I go
• lunch at the most child un-friendly restaurant I can find (recommendations welcome)
• museums (Natural History and/or British being priority, of course)

Any other good ideas?

So there I am at a friend’s house this morning, explaining how Li’l Bhaji seemed very steady on his feet and that I was sure that he’d be “walking any minute now” (not at all meaning it in the literal sense). About 15 minutes later, he gets given a biscuit while holding a toy and he lets go of the sofa to grab the biscuit. He’s standing quite happily on his own, not noticing his amazing feat. Then he realises Mummy has a CHOCOLATE biscuit rather than a rich tea finger and he takes a step towards me on his own. Obviously, he meant the “any minute now” far more literally than his mother.

Of course, he probably doesn’t realise what he did at all, but he has taken a few steps while loosely holding onto one of my hands since, so I guess it’s time to clear the decks, Li’l Bhaji is coming through…