Post-It Notes: The Ultimate Toy

Dear 3M/Post-It Note People,

Post-It Notes are the ultimate toy.  My 6 year old spends most of her life carrying post-it notes around to make animals (easier than origami), write stories (quicker than books), draw pictures (small is the new big), and label things for us (no mistaking the fan switch in the bathroom now).  As a toddler, she spent a good part of a plane ride unsticking and sticking Post-It notes to her seat.

Apparently, these are the rage at school too.  In a school with a "no toys from home" policy, 6 and 7 year olds are smuggling in teeny tiny colorful note pads in their pencil cases under the guise of "school supplies".  I suggest you let social networks run their course.  I wouldn't want you marketing this idea from above.  It could blow their cover.

Thank you for this great invention,
Anna's Mom

Practically Meeting Helen Mirren

Helen Mirren is one of those smart, classy actresses that seemingly everyone admires.  John and I couldn't get tickets for her London Show, the Audience, but we did wait to catch a glimpse of her coming out of the Gielegud Theatre on our walk back from dinner.  As we waited, the guy at the door took fans' programs and returned them with her autograph.  That seemed a nice thing to do.

When Dame Helen finally emerged, she looked radiant and poised in her pink coat and handbag.  We all listened attentively as she paused to thank everyone for coming and that she appreciated everyone's support and time.  With a smile and a wave, she was ushered to a waiting black Mercedes Benz.  As her car drove off, we all stood there, contented and blessed, as if we'd met the Queen.

Doesn't everyone look happy?

Me with Dame Helen's escape car (and a man who wandered into the picture)

Eating our Way through London

Spanish cold meat platter at Barrafina

Sardines at Barrafina

John and I were in London for three days, saw The Book of Mormon and The 39 Steps, went to the National Gallery, did some shopping and basically ate our way through London.  My friend Jen recommended Barrafina, a Spanish tapas restaurant which is all counter service and no reservations.  We went for a late lunch upon arrival into London, and it was well worth the wait.  For one thing, I was seated in front of a leg of jamon and not far from an octopus on ice.  The vibe was great, a mix of trendy lunch dates and business people.  My favorite food was the jamon and chorizo, John's the razor clams and artichokes.  The quail and sardines were also mas fina.

That night, after seeing The 39 Steps, we went for a very late dinner at Shoryu Ramen.  We'd read about it in the Sunday Times originally; this was our second visit.  I wish we had a photo of their hirata buns, the special of the day, incredible with slightly spicy breaded and fried chicken in fluffy white steamed buns.  We both loved the ramen; would recommend the extra bamboo shoots (menma) on the side.

Spicy Ramen at Shoryu Ramen

A couple years ago, John and I discovered Green Queen Street--a modern British gastropub with locally sourced ingredients--recommended to us by a local shopkeeper.  With its dark hardwood interior, the restaurant exudes cultural capital yet feels un-snooty and welcoming.  John pointed out that the wait staff all have classy accents and seem to wholeheartedly believe in what they are selling.  I ordered fish soup, spring greens and artichokes; John had corned beef and radishes and a pint.  We got there in the early noon hour--considered early for lunch by UK standards--took our seats and the place soon filled.

Menu of the day

Spring greens, my absolute favorite

Corned beef and radishes-- sounds unusual, but is really good

We went for a North African/Lebanese dinner at Maison Toureg in Soho.  John and I agree that the moussaka was a little heaven on a plate, especially with the rosemary bread.  We also had babaganoush, meat pastries and sardines.  There was a family near us that kept ordering the sausages.  Must be good too!

Meze selection at Maison Touareg

I should add that we stopped at Pret A Manger here and there for light bites and snacks.  I could eat their baguettes, chocolate covered rice cakes and almond croissants all day.  Too bad the food in London is so good.

Love the Pret advertising

Tweet/ads for Five Guys

The Beauty of "Never Mind" and Other Phrases

Anna is a fairly prompt homework doer.  She usually brings home 1 or 2 books to read for the next day.  However, today, her book wasn't in her bag.  She felt disappointed, and my immediate response was to say "Never mind."  To which she said, "Never mind".  And that was that.  We moved onto something else.

I love that phrase--"Never mind."  I hear it said all the time here but not very commonly in the US.  "Never mind" seems distinctively British.  The idea of one keeping calm and carrying on in light of a setback can grant quite a feeling of security.  It's an unfortunate glitch, don't dwell on it, and let's move on.

Another phrase I recall from living in Harrogate was "Oh dear" (pronounced "Oh deeyah").  It had a similar effect and was often used when small children dropped their ice cream or scraped their knee.  I recall 1 year old Michael would reflexively say "Oh deeyah" when he dropped his binky, and would just hand it over to me for wiping.  Knowing that phrase seemed to reduce the gravity of the situation.

Example of an "Oh deeyah. Never mind." opportunity

Paper Products in the UK: A Theory

Paper plate or taco: your call

I mentioned in an earlier blog post that paper products are much fewer and harder to find here in the UK than in the US.  Whereas in the US, napkins, paper plates and disposable cutlery, Ziploc bags, aluminum foil and such take up vast shelf space on in supermarkets, their existence here is relatively scant.  I buy paper napkins in the bargain section of Tesco when they have them.  Our friends Tim and Alicia, my Mom and John have supplied us Press 'N Seal, Ziploc bags and Chinet plates when visiting from the US.

I'm sure a lot of this product product minimalism has to do with the cultural values of not being wasteful.  However, I decided to buy a few disposable items here to use on those occasions that we just can't face washing the dishes again.  (We don't have a dishwasher.)

Well, John was just eating a sandwich and his disposable plate buckled into a state of ruin as he ate.  John said it was "the worst" paper plate he'd ever used.

This got me thinking.  I used to think there was some additive that could be used in US products but not allowed here--kind of like that triangle you get on fine China which is only considered a health hazard in some US states and not others.  However, I now wonder if paper products here are purposefully lower quality, a behind-the-scenes eco-government initiative.  Think about it.  Product dissatisfaction dissuades usage.  Therefore, people waste less.  I mean, I won't be buying those plates again.  My plastic wrap gets tangled so I use a plate to cover my food.  Paper shmaper.  I will have to call my MP about this.