My London home is often a temporary resting spot for itinerant scientists and literary types, and this past week it has been graced with the presence of a certain house-hunting Nature Network denizen. Although the search for an abode can often be a hellish, stressful affair, Richard seems to be coping well:
Please keep your hats with you at all times when traveling on London Underground
The fine spring weather we’ve been having probably contributed to the air of good cheer, as did the frequent rest stops around the public houses of Rotherhithe where, apparently, the libations are superior to their Antipodal counterparts:
A pint of bitter at the Ship and Whale, Saturday
After having found a lovely four-bed house near the Thames (I’ll let the man himself tell you more), Richard gamely followed me around London to various sci-lit events. On Monday at Fiction Lab, there was a big turnout at the RI for the discussion of my novel Experimental Heart:
Book signing after the event, Monday
We’ve recorded the session for LabLit.com’s first podcast, so I won’t say any more at present except that it was an enjoyable and vigorous discussion. We’re just waiting for our composer to finish the jingle, and hope to have the podcast available sometime next week!
On Tuesday it was back to the RI for a discussion on The Science in Science Fiction. I was pleasantly described to see a diverse turnout of about 120 people keen to learn more about how science fiction writers have influenced real-life science and technological events. My favorite example, from panelist Mark Brake, is that apparently South Korea has become the first country to adapt the Three Laws of Robotics as a prelude to their goal to have a robot in every home by 2020.
Overall, I have found Richard to be thoroughly house-trained. He brings you coffee in the morning, uses the bread machine without looking at the recipe book, cooks a mean fajita and even cleans up afterwards. Every home should have one of him, too.
All together now:
“It’s fun to stay at the
”
Seriously, huge thanks to Jenny for letting me abuse her hospitality. Chez Jenny is an incredibly hospitable haven, and mine hostess is too modest. She’s even offered to host a birthday party for me on Tuesday next week: anyone around?
Be careful what you wish for.
You’ll notice I’m not saying where you live. That’s privileged information.
I’m glad that YMCA gif is finding some use.
You managed to get a houseguest to bake bread for you? That’s impressive, even with someone as talented as RPG visiting.
Glad to hear the house-hunt and various literary events were successful. You look very happy, signing your book. :D
I never know what to write, and still feel terribly self-conscious – I hope I don’t ever get used to the thrill of meeting readers. I enjoyed hearing feedback as well.
That was because we were too close to the mic.
Oh… never mind. I’ll just go and work on the podcast, shall I?
I can’t wait to hear it. So glad someone else is editing it – I’d probably err so much on the side of fairness that nothing complimentary would make it in at all.
Oh, pfft. They loved it, overall, and you know it.
I have also stayed at the Manse du Rohn, but only drank her beer and ate her food. I think I paid for a round of drinks at the pub though,didn’t I?
…maybe not…
You tight-arsed son of a sailor.
Ian, you did raise the overall aesthetic factor of the environment. That has to count for something.
You’re saying Ian’s prettier than me?
laughs
@Richard: and more fragrant!
@Jenny: Hoorah! Have aesthetic value! Maybe I can be declared a national monument and get some stimulus money!
You seem overly stimulated already, mate.