Please Send Me Evenings and Weekends


Life in the greenhouse is never dull if Danny's with you


6-9 July 1999: Please Send Me Evenings and Weekends

On the first evening, the vivacious Ms. Lothlorien took the lot of us out to dinner at Salsa! on Charing Cross road. It's a so-so/bad Tex-Mex restaurant that features salsa dancing. So after dinner I danced with both Ms. L and the lively wife of one of our technical advisors.

Now those of you who know me are thinking, since when does Mr. Bookey dance? Well, it happens. I have one basic move, and I deploy it carefully, and I use several speeds. It works. Ask Lothlorien.

We walked back to the hotel. In London you can walk, alone, through a public park. The biggest fear is stepping on a hedgehog.

The next night, our company sponsored a charity event for homeless youth, and it was called "A Night at the Races." We raised 8000 pounds. I won 3 pounds. I made sure no one knew my surname. I would never hear the end of it.

Danny and Susie were in from Saskatoon, Canada, for the conference. So we went to Mildred's in Soho for dinner. I love Danny and Susie. It wouldn't have been a trip to London without seeing them there. They just moved to Canada a few months ago. Danny took one look at a chocolate cake and nearly turned into Homer Simpson, but restrained himself.

Danny took us on the most zig-zagged route available, and we passed the Admiral Duncan en route to Mildred's. It has re-opened. You all might recall it was ripped apart by a nail-bomb blast in late April. The culprit is awaiting trial. Life is going on. Danny knows a woman who was on that block and easily could have been injured. Danny and Susie both worked right around there.

Danny and I spent several greenhouse hours in the press room, which is all windows and under-airconditioned. Danny and I both ask the vendors questions. Danny refers to this as, "If you weren't there, I probably would have died." Likewise. I often just sit there and listen and take notes, and then Danny turns and says, "Do you have any questions?" My old standby, for the more boring vendors, is "Who are your competitors?" Interesting answers and reactions follow.

On the third night of the show, John W. and I went to Brick Lane in the East End for Bengali food. This is another area that had a nail-bomb attack in the Spring. Of course, it's doubtful that lightening will strike in the same place twice, but I think it's important to remember that we cannot be afraid of these places. We have to jump right back on the horse and prove we are commited to living together in this world, whether we like each other or not. Personally, I like everyone (until I get to know them), and I especially like their food.

Our British office does a smashing job of it all. It's really wonderful being around such talented, dedicated folks. Jane is a wonderful manager, and her daughter, who is just 18 and helping out part-time, felt guilty about leaving to go on holiday. Kirsty, who is the right-arm of the operation, is also a marvel. I handed her her Employee of the Month plaque. She was duly embarassed and made me promise to deliver it surreptitiously and sans fanfare. Of course I did. In the movie, Jane Seymour will play Kirsty and Judi Dench will portray Jane.

Posted: Tue - July 6, 1999 at 02:29 AM        

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