Disconnected...

I woke up one morning about four weeks ago and realized in a flash that I'd hit a wall. Most days I can't wait to get to work. On this day, I struggled to get myself out of the house.

No I didn't write this. It's a quote from Tony Schwartz, the opening line of his HBR Blog on the 19th April.

But it could just as well have been me, because this is exactly what happened.

Feelng full to the brim, my usually cheery demeanor was flailng about, limp and crumpled, under the heavy demands of work. To do lists that never appeared to get any shorter. Colleagues who, despite me giving my all, seemed to always want more. WIP (Work in Progress) folders stacked in order of importance urgency, glinting manically through their plastic sleeves.

So I booked a trip...and completely disconnected.

No phone. No internet. Just me, my guidebook and some excellent and eminently suitable reading matter, Paris: The Secret History (check out #18 The Book Nook). Four days completely immersed in the streets and gardens and cafes of Paris.

I had no idea how rejuvenating just four days could be.

Tony sums it up beautifully:

By the end...I felt empowered and enriched. With my brain quieter, I was able to take back control of my attention. In the process, I rediscovered some deeper part of myself.

So I am back at work still facing the overwhelming mountain of work but with a little more perspective and my personal motto re-etched in my brain. Don't live to work. Work to live.

And a whole swathe of Paris pics and precious moments to share with you.

Disconnected in the Jardin des Plantes, Paris

So stay tuned for more from the City of Lights soon...

An Idée Fantastique...

This morning I am sitting at the Eurostar terminal at St Pancras International.

I'm here early, having woken at the same (ridiculous) time as a normal workday and decided that instead of lolling about under the covers, I would head down for a perfect mini-break breakfast (Mark II) of scrambled eggs, smoked salmon and rye toast. (Mark I - consisting of fresh blackberries and yoghurt - was around 6.30am.)

Replete, I've now positioned myself in a comfy chair within eyesight of the boarding screen and have a little over half an hour to wait until train 9018 departs for its glorious cross-channel run.

Yes peeps, I'm off to Paris.

I've been to the City of Lights before but the last trip was in 2003. That's a whole ten years ago so a couple of weeks back I decided that taking an extra day around this already 3 day Bank Holiday weekend and treating myself to a May mini-break was an idée fantastique.

The weather promises to be dry and in the high teens (celsius that is) with some sunny periods so my light layers are packed, my camera is close at hand and with the main tourist sights already 'in the bag', I'm ready to wander, eat, drink, shop, wander some more and breathe in the Gallic charm of this metropolitan monument to the romantic spirit.

Boarding has now started so I bid au revoir to the week that was...

...and a cheery bonjour to *gay paree*.

ps...I may or not not post while I am there - it largely depends on whether I can find time between the wandering, eating, drinking, shopping and wandering some more...c'est la vie!

Spring Frolic...

This afternoon I hosted a small group of friends at Gidday HQ.

Our quartet - or Fab Four if you like - makes an effort to do something together every month. March saw us venture into The Lost Lectures, February was lunch at The Banana Store and a wander around Borough Market (see my post on London's Hip Pocket for more on this outing) and last year we discovered  some rather delectable delights at Ceviche in London's Soho and beneath Tower Bridge at The Perkin Reveller.

It has been such a busy time for our little quartet that there was a danger of April slipping away without a Fab Four frolic. So I took matters into my own hands and invited my trio of lovely ladies for a Gidday soiree on the back patio.

To my delight (and great relief) the weather stayed dry and while it was a trifle chilly, I had blankets and wraps on hand. There was even much excitement when the sun made a cursory appearance between main course and dessert and for a few brief minutes, we basked in Spring-like warmth.

I learnt years ago that the key to being able to enjoy hosting these events is being prepared - I have no desire to be stuck in the kitchen while my guests are having all of the fun.  So we started proceedings with a vegetable platter, an avocado dip and some Mediterranean bread and seeded crackers for dipping - and I got to enjoy the wine and conversation, both of which flowed effortlessly.

To follow was a cheese and vegetable pastry-less quiche which went down a storm and after part-baking this morning, only need another 20mins in the oven. It came with a big bowl of green salad (easy to whip up) and some fresh vine tomatoes marinated in a light dressing (made last night) all of which meant I spent more time at the table...and drank more wine.

But the thing I am most proud of is my dessert - individual ginger and white chocolate cheesecakes...

..built to frame the cute champagne candles I had found in Tesco a couple of weeks ago and complete with golden 'bubbles'. And made last night meaning even more time at the table for me this afternoon.

Before long, over three hours had passed, the coffees had been finished and it was time for my visitors to go.

It was such a pleasant Sunday afternoon and it reminded me how much I love to cook for other people, an opportunity that needs to be 'manufactured' in my time of singledom versus being ever-present - as it was - when I was part of a couple. And in any case, solo cooking exploits can be quite dangerous. Prior experience tells me that one cannot should not consume cheesecake (or any baked goods for that matter) on one's own and still expect to fit into one's jeans. Sharing is definitely the key.

So here's to more Spring Sundays with fabulous friends, scrumptious sustenance and convivial conversation.

The Word On The Street...

Here I was flicking through the Evening Standard on the bus home tonight, the sun (yes, that bright, shiny thing in the sky has been back this week) bouncing boldly off the windows when I turned the page and saw this...

Alicia Martin's sculpture at Casa de America, Madrid
Source: http://cubeme.com/blog/2012/03/19/alicia-martins-biografias-installation/

How amazing is that!

So I googled Alicia Martin and saw that she is quite the clever clogs with this installation caper. She did one in The Hague in The Netherlands last year...

Aren't they just fantastic? You definitely couldn't do THAT with a Kindle. (Sorry Audrey!)

ps...reminds me that we're overdue for a visit to the Gidday Book Nook too...soon peeps I promise.