Sequential Adventures

I was lucky enough to stay in London with our friends Brad & Liz and their daughter Sophie. So much nicer to be in a home rather than a sterile, generic hotel room. Besides, it offers me a chance to indoctrinate Sophie into the ways of Sanrio and share a lot of laughs with her parents. I got a good night's sleep and took my time going out in the morning after rush hour was over (love that Oyster card!). My only real work was to renew my British Library card. That done, I considered doing some work in the library, but then remembered I was supposed to be on vacation.

So, I said hello to the Beowulf manuscript and took a peek at the Nobel exhibit which featured artifacts and films. I saw some interesting things like a film on Rabindranath Tagore and Selma Lagerlöf's shoes. Afterward I wandered with the vague idea of checking out the hotel we'll be using for the UHD London program in May -- it's very conveniently located between Tavistock Square and Russell Square.

Once I was in Russell Square, how could I pass up a visit to Quinto Books? Particularly once I saw the HALF PRICE banners in the windows. Pity I could only find one book to buy. Made a quick stop in Atlantis, but only bought one book there, too. Then I wandered down to the National Gallery to see the medieval paintings (and see whether "their eyes followed me around the room"). But I also checked out a new exhibit by Tom Hunter called "Living in Hell" which featured his photos mixing Hackney, tabloid headlines and old Masters' works. Very compelling. Then it was back on the train to the west side for dinner and more relaxing.

I should really be finishing that last syllabus, so more later...