Awards, Parties and Sunshine
May. 1st, 2011 09:25 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
wishusFollowing swiftly on from the BSFA Awards last Saturday, this Wednesday it was the turn of the Clarke Awards.
Thanks to the wonder that is London Midland I almost missed it. Honestly - I got the station at Northampton at 3. You need an hour to get to London, max, plus 20 minutes for each tube journey from the station to the hotel, then the hotel to the ceremony, and I mostly got ready on the train. But, due to cancellations and delays, I didn't get to London until near 6. A mad dash ensued, and I arrived, tights in ladders, just as they were about to start. No free ice cream for me :( Luckily, I'd also eaten one of those on the train.
But it was all still very fabulous, and a roar went round the room when Lauren Beukes was announced as the winner. Well done, Lauren! She is an excellent writer with a very distinctive style, and really does bring something fresh to sf.
The party carried on to the wee small hours, and having only consumed toast and a Magnum ice cream all day, I think it is safe to assume I was a bit squiffy. But the dress did fit. I know, makes me sound a bit Lindsay Lohan, but believe me, my life isn't all parties, parties, parties...
So on Friday, a little party round my brother's house, with cake and champagne, while we watched the Royal Wedding. I know I should be more cynical about these things, but I do get swept along with the romance and fairytale. The first dress was a bit staid, but very Disney, though to be frank, Kate could wear a white bin-liner and still look fabulous. Which to be fair is pretty much what her sister, Pippa did, looking super-sophisticated in that sheath dress. It was all very sweet and lovely. The press now seem to want to pair off Pippa and Harry now - it's like we've suddenly all started living in some kind of modern Austen novel. Sophie Kinsella, there's a potential hit here - get writing!
After the wedding, we took my nephew, Basher, to the park to play kickabout. He's only 2, and potty-training, so we have to load up for a picnic like we're going on an expedition, but Bash is handling the situation very maturely and not making too much fuss when he hasn't earned a sticker. We all have to applaud the poo, like we're living out a Pete Teckman routine.
So mature is Ash, we even chanced a trip round Abington Park museum, where he remarked "I don't like it" about the Roman coffin, though he did quite like the giant snakes and ladders.
...and we return there today with my mom who is coming down to celebrate her birthday. They are opening the bandstand so there'll be music and stalls and lots to later, then later - another party for someone else's birthday.
I have though made a list this morning of all the writing projects I have planned over the summer... it's a page full. So, I think these summer sunshine days of sparkling wine and relaxation need to stop now. Erm...
Thanks to the wonder that is London Midland I almost missed it. Honestly - I got the station at Northampton at 3. You need an hour to get to London, max, plus 20 minutes for each tube journey from the station to the hotel, then the hotel to the ceremony, and I mostly got ready on the train. But, due to cancellations and delays, I didn't get to London until near 6. A mad dash ensued, and I arrived, tights in ladders, just as they were about to start. No free ice cream for me :( Luckily, I'd also eaten one of those on the train.
But it was all still very fabulous, and a roar went round the room when Lauren Beukes was announced as the winner. Well done, Lauren! She is an excellent writer with a very distinctive style, and really does bring something fresh to sf.
The party carried on to the wee small hours, and having only consumed toast and a Magnum ice cream all day, I think it is safe to assume I was a bit squiffy. But the dress did fit. I know, makes me sound a bit Lindsay Lohan, but believe me, my life isn't all parties, parties, parties...
So on Friday, a little party round my brother's house, with cake and champagne, while we watched the Royal Wedding. I know I should be more cynical about these things, but I do get swept along with the romance and fairytale. The first dress was a bit staid, but very Disney, though to be frank, Kate could wear a white bin-liner and still look fabulous. Which to be fair is pretty much what her sister, Pippa did, looking super-sophisticated in that sheath dress. It was all very sweet and lovely. The press now seem to want to pair off Pippa and Harry now - it's like we've suddenly all started living in some kind of modern Austen novel. Sophie Kinsella, there's a potential hit here - get writing!
After the wedding, we took my nephew, Basher, to the park to play kickabout. He's only 2, and potty-training, so we have to load up for a picnic like we're going on an expedition, but Bash is handling the situation very maturely and not making too much fuss when he hasn't earned a sticker. We all have to applaud the poo, like we're living out a Pete Teckman routine.
So mature is Ash, we even chanced a trip round Abington Park museum, where he remarked "I don't like it" about the Roman coffin, though he did quite like the giant snakes and ladders.
...and we return there today with my mom who is coming down to celebrate her birthday. They are opening the bandstand so there'll be music and stalls and lots to later, then later - another party for someone else's birthday.
I have though made a list this morning of all the writing projects I have planned over the summer... it's a page full. So, I think these summer sunshine days of sparkling wine and relaxation need to stop now. Erm...
