Unlike me, Harry Potter obviously did not learn Latin at his Muggle primary school. If he had, he would have immediately known what damage the sectumsempra spell would inflict, when he used it on Draco in the Half-Blood Prince, by recognising the charm’s etymology, and could have spared himself serious trouble. Here is a fun roundup of the etymology of wizarding spells, creatures and artefacts: … Continue reading Wizarding etymology
One of my favourite parts of London is Bankside, the riverside route between Blackfriars Bridge and London Bridge. The 800 metres between the Tate Modern and the eastern end of Clink Street hold a quirky mix of buildings in various architectural styles covering 800 years. Listed residential chic 51 Bankside is a terraced house built in the early 1700s. In the 1950s the Southwark Cathedral … Continue reading 800 years in 800 metres
I first encountered A Midsummer Night’s Dream while reading Ballet Shoes as a child. The three Fossil sisters are enrolled at stage school, where reluctant actress Petrova is nearly fired from her role as the fairy Mustard-Seed in the play, after repeatedly struggling to intone correctly the very simple line ‘And I’. Yesterday I saw a hilarious and mad production of the play at the Globe. It … Continue reading Midsummer jollity at the Globe
Riddle this: What’s super awkward if it happens on a tube, exciting if it’s with a hot guy in a bar, a necessary prerequisite to ordering food in a restaurant? The dreaded eye contact! Eye contact is undoubtedly very powerful – and not just if you’re Sauron. It can be delightful if shared with a loved one, cementing intimacy and provoking sympathy. In Arthur Aron’s … Continue reading Eyeing me, eyeing you
in my write mind 