Katie in the NYT

Whatever other reasons may explain the lack of women’s voices on the nation’s op-ed pages, the lack of women asking to be there is clearly part of the problem. Many opinion page editors at major newspapers across the country say that 65 or 75 percent of unsolicited manuscripts, or more, come from men.

The obvious solution, at least to Catherine Orenstein, an author, activist and occasional op-ed page contributor herself, was to get more women to submit essays. To that end Ms. Orenstein has been training women at universities, foundations and corporations to write essays and get them published.

Uproars over the sparse numbers of women in newspapers, or on news programs, in magazines, and on best-seller lists regularly erupt every couple of years. A doozy occurred in 2005, after the liberal commentator Susan Estrich and Michael Kinsley, then editor of The Los Angeles Times’s opinion pages, got into a nasty scuffle over the lack of female columnists. That dustup is what motivated Ms. Orenstein to take her op-ed show on the road, which she has done with support from the Woodhull Institute, an ethics and leadership group for women.

“It’s a teachable form,” Ms. Orenstein said recently over coffee and eggs. “It’s not like writing Hemingway. You show people the basics of a good argument, what constitutes good evidence, what’s a news hook, what’s the etiquette of a pitch.”

Over the past 18 months several hundred women and men (though in fewer numbers) have taken the seminar, which can cost a group up to $5,000, Ms. Orenstein said (although she has also donated her services). She has not kept records, but said about two dozen former students have sent her clips of their published essays to say thank you. Suzanne Grossman at Woodhull didn’t have comprehensive statistics but said that the first pilot session for a dozen women at a Woodhull retreat produced 12 op-ed articles. (Some participants wrote more than one.)

“I try to convey the idea that there is a responsibility,” she said. “Op-ed pages are so enormously powerful. It’s one of the few places open to the public. Where else is someone like me going to get access? It’s not like I can call up the White House: ‘Hello?’ ”

About 30 women who also are not in the habit of calling up the White House gathered Monday evening for one of Ms. Orenstein’s seminars. Eighteen, mostly from nonprofit organizations, sat around a large conference table in Manhattan against a dazzling backdrop of New York City’s skyline at sunset, while a dozen or so listened in through a speaker phone in Washington.

They had been invited by SheSource, an online database of women experts, financed by the White House Project, a women’s leadership organization, Fenton Communications and the Women’s Funding Network.

Ms. Orenstein asked: Could every woman at the large rectangular table name one specific subject that she is an expert in and say why? The author of “Little Red Riding Hood Uncloaked: Sex, Morality and the Evolution of a Fairy Tale,” Ms. Orenstein began by saying, “Little Red Riding Hood” and writing the words in orange marker on an oversize white pad.

Of the next four women who spoke, three started with a qualification or apology. “I’m really too young to be an expert in anything,” said Caitlin Petre, 23.

“Let’s stop,” Ms. Orenstein said. “It happens in every single session I do with women, and it’s never happened with men.” Women tend to back away from “what we know and why we know it,” she said.

Next she asked the participants why they thought it important to write op-ed articles. Women shouted: “Change the world,” “shape public debate,” “offer a new perspective,” “influence public policy.”

“You are all such do-gooders,” Ms. Orenstein said laughing, “I love this.” She then proceeded to create another kind of list that included fame, money, offers of books, television series and jobs.

The Rev. Dr. Katherine Hancock Ragsdale, an Episcopal priest and the executive director of Political Research Associates in Boston, frowned. “It’s not why I do it,” she said.

That, Ms. Orenstein declared, is a typically female response: “I never had a man say, ‘That’s not why I do it.’ ”

Bravo!

Eitan by the River

This photo taken in Richmond on the toe path. Not far West is the Teddington Lock, which is the limit of the tidal Thames but the three miles between Teddington and Richmond are only truly tidal for about two hours before and two hours after high tide. That is when the three separate vertical weir gates (one in each navigation arch) of Richmond Footbridge are raised. At all other times the weir gates are lowered into the water which means that there is always a minimum depth of 1.72 metres of water between Teddington and Richmond.

When the weir gates are lowered, three red discs (red lights at night) in a triangular shape are displayed under each arch to indicate that navigation through them is not possible. There is a lock that can be used when the gates are down. High tide at Richmond is about 1 hour after high water at London Bridge with low tide being between 3 and 3½ hours after low water at London Bridge.

"Hoist up sail while gale doth last. Tide and wind stay no man's pleasure."

Robert Southwell

Our Kate

Today I have a free hour between meetings and so visit the National Portrait Gallery on Trafalgar Square. The showing exhibit "Face of Fashion" presents the iconic photos of Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, Paolo Roversi, Mario Sorrenti, Steve Klein and Corinne Day. Day "discovered" Kate Moss in 1989 and took this photo 'Kate's Flat' in 1993. The gallery is small but each image packs punch including Klein's bloody and snot covered image of boy-toy singer Justin Timberlake never published. Klein also shoots Brad Pitt and Angelina Jollie suffering suburbia when the public became interested in seeing the couple together in '04.

From the NPG I have lunch with old friend Najib who founded London company First Credit which buys non-performing loans that are repackaged and sold to new buyers. The company I learn is to be sold for over $700 million this year.

Wobbly

Madeleine voice mail on my mobile: "Hello, it is Madeleine. I have a wobbly tooth. when Aggie was in the middle of reading us a book, I interrupted and said: 'what is this?' I interrupted and said 'what is this wobbly thing in my mouth?' and asked if it is a wobbly tooth and Aggie said it was."

Catherine

I took this photo of Catherine at her wonderful wedding to Peter in Pacific Palisades in June 2006. The ceremony was outdoors during a summer heat-wave. I was able to snap about ten photos - far fewer than my one good image per 200 frames requires but this one I like. The shot taken shortly following the ceremony and captures the afternoon's mood. The roses were unintentional but make the picture interesting I think. Madeleine pulled a runner that day - but this another story.

Proportion of senior management jobs held by women, by country:

Philippines - 50%

Brazil - 42

Russia - 34

China - 32

USA - 23

Australia - 22

France - 21

Ireland - 21

GLOBAL AVG - 17

Italy - 14

Germany - 12

Japan - 7


The UK is barely above the global average at 19%.

Yoga

Eitan and Madeleine practice Yoga Tuesday mornings in the Tim Berners-Lee School Hall (Berners-Lee, FYI, is credited with inventing the World Wide Web and is an alumni of the school). At the same time as yoga, the school ochestra bangs together fight songs creating quite a ruckus. The Initially aggrieved yoga instructor and mum complained to our Head Mistress but to no avail - space is money, after all. The kids contort themselves in may favorite poses including the Downward Facing Dog, the Lotus pose and the Tree pose. I sit nearby and read a book.

In London I learn that it is illegal to hail a cab while the cab is in motion. The cab driver is supposed to ask each of his passengers whether they are suffering from any 'notifiable disease such as smallpox and the plague.' A driver is allowed to urinate in public, as long as he is on the rear wheel of the vehicle with his right hand placed on it (the cab, that is).

It is also illegal to be drunk in a pub. Or to serve somebody who is drunk. Or buy a drink for somebody who is drunk. It is also illegal to dance in a pub where dancing is described as "the rhythmic moving of the legs, arms and body, usually changing positions within the floor space available and whether or not accompanied by musical support."

Love

Watching Sir David Attenborough's "The Life of Birds" we see two Kirtland Warblers mating (neither kid has any interest in knowing). I ask Eitan if he thinks that there may be a connection between smootching, love and children and we agree that there are many mysteries yet to it all.

Skyline

Some of the world's most famous architects have thrown their weight behind plans for a 30-storey sky-scraper on the edge of the City of London. The public inquiry into the "Walkie Talkie" (pictured) at 20 Fenchurch Street opened yesterday. The inquiry, which comes amid a growing concern about London's changing skyline, is set to pit an array of traditionalists against modernists including Frank Gehry, Lord (Norma) Foster and Lord (Richard) Rogers who all support the building. London's Mayor Ken Livingstone is also an advocate as he tries to increase living and work space in the back-drop of the world's dearest property values. Against the structure are many local councils and heritage groups who bemoan the loss of London's flat line and mostly uninterrupted views of St. Paul's Cathedral. (Picture from the WWW)

Other London high-rise controversies:

• St George's Wharf, Vauxhall, where deputy prime minister John Prescott has given the green light for a 50-storey residential tower criticised for it 1960s-style architecture.

• On the South Bank, an array of new towers reaching 460 feet are to go up nearby the entrance to Waterloo station.

• A 51-storey tower south of Blackfriars Bridge will feature a hotel run by Dubai.

• A 46-storey residential tower in a mixed-used scheme next to Vauxhall station.

• A 48-storey residential and leisure development in SE1.

The Tie

But what is the tie for? “Neckwear has long been a way of finishing an outfit, displaying wealth, and drawing attention to the face and framing the head,” says Sonnet Stanfill, the Curator of Contemporary Fashion at the Victoria and Albert Museum, who refuses to take sides in the tie spat. “It allows colour into an outfit, and allows an expression of one’s personality. The contemporary interpretation of ties continues that tradition.”

Sonnet in The Times today. Photo from the V&A.

Father ~ son

Sunday, March 4

Goalie

Here finds Madeleine protecting goal. Otherwise she prefers racing back and forth on the pitch generally disrupting play to the advantage of her side. On occasion her fast-breaks elicit appreciative "ooos" and "ahhs" from us admiring dads. Practice goes for one hour Saturday morning rain or shine (Eitan also plays Monday afternoon with school). It's a nice way to start the weekend especially now, after three years, I recognise many of the fathers sidelined on the pitch.

Train ride

This photo from several weeks ago on a Sunday afternoon strikes me wistful and I think how quickly parenthood slips by - even while paying attention.

Teenagers in the UK blog 4.5 hours per week on average according to The Times. This compares to reading which occupies two hours - including homework.

Volvo 544

Moe's beloved car, purchased used in '63 to drive across the US of A with his young bride Grace Manning post-Peace Corps, remained parked in front of 1860 San Ramon or 1530 Euclid Avenue until sold in 2000. The 544 was the first production car with seat-belts as standard and I recall the smell of the red seats on a summer's day - or the hot black dash-board when parked in the sun. The thing had excellent gas mileage even then, a six piston engine I could understand, and rarely broke down (excluding an epic return-trip from Yosemite on the freeway in a snow storm, circa 1979). She was always reliable for the 0600 pool-run (Katie in the back seat, me up front) and afterwards Moe took her to San Francisco on the ferry or, when that service stopped, the North Berkeley Bart station. The 544 was profiled yesterday in the New York Times, which Moe points out, refers to her as "humpbacked" and treasured by many people today. While cars now may be more airo-dynamic or stylish, none elicits the short honk and quick wave of two guys passing each other in a vintage 544.

Teddy

Teddy the bear

Eitan takes this photo of Teddy, who has been with us since 2001 when he was chosen from the town hall market in Topsham, Exeter. It was love at first sight. Eitan continues his cherished friendship and will not go to bed without the bear. Part of the ritual used to be a thumb-suck and a grip on the left ear (right in the photo) and we can see the wear-and-tear (Eitan stopped sucking his thumb six months ago when we agreed that I would give up beer). Further strain to Teddy has come from the washing machine and life. I now call him "Open Heart Teddy" while Sonnet rolls her eyes.

Madeleine, in a serious voice, confides to me: "Dad, I learned on TV - and I am not happy about it - that Scooby Doo is going to be on every day." (Madeleine was once frightened by the cartoon)

Madeleine: "Do you know what day I wish it was? Halloween, Christmas and Easter!"

Eitan: "I don't want to go over there to see the deer because they poo a lot."

Eitan: "Dad I know how to use the (TV) remote control. Now I do not need you any more."

Self portrait

Eitan takes a photo of himself and Teddy. "I am thinking about me curled up on the coach. I feel very comfortable. I am spending the afternoon with daddy as Sonnet is picking up Madeleine from a birthday party. I hope that Madeleine is having a very nice time at the party."

Caulkins

Tracy Caulkins, who I recall vividly from my swimming career in the late 1970s and '80s, was born in '63 and is widely regarded as one of the best American swimmers of her era. She was the first to set American records in all four racing strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly), and she won 48 individual (nonrelay) United States national swimming titles during her career. 

Caulkins was born in Winona, Minnesota and became a leading swimmer as a teenager. In 1977 she won her first national titles, capturing the 100-yard and 200-yard breaststroke races at the U.S. indoor championships and the 200-meter and 400-meter individual medley races at the U.S. outdoor championships. A

t the 1978 world championships in West Berlin, West Germany (now Berlin, Germany), Caulkins won the 200-meter butterfly race and the 200-meter and 400-meter individual medley races. She was also a member of the winning 400-meter freestyle and 400-meter medley relay teams. That year she received the James E. Sullivan Memorial Award, given annually by the Amateur Athletic Union of the United States (AAU) to the outstanding amateur athlete in the country. 

At the age of 16, she was the youngest athlete ever to win the award.Although Caulkins was favored to win several medals at the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow, the boycott of the games by the United States caused her to miss the opportunity. She then enrolled at the University of Florida, compiling 12 individual collegiate championship titles there in various events from 1981 to 1984. 

Caulkins also won the 200-meter and 400-meter individual medley races at the 1983 Pan American Games in Caracas, Venezuela. By 1984 she was not as dominating a swimmer as she had been earlier in her career, but at the Olympics that year in Los Angeles, California, she won the 200-meter and 400-meter individual medley races. She earned a third gold medal as a member of the winning 4 × 100-meter medley relay team. Caulkins retired from competitive swimming after the 1984 Olympics. (Photo from the US Swimming archive)

Print

The most popular tabloid daily in England is Rupert Murdoch's The Sun - famous for The Page 3 Girl which show-cases a pair each morning and includes the model's thoughts on daily events or Prince Harry. Every lorry has the rag stashed on the front dashboard while business men on the tube unabashedly check out the the day's selection. Of cultural interest Tanya Robinson's breasts - pictured - are chosen the best in Britain.

Daily circulation - National Morning Popular press - June '05
Daily Mirror 1,742,378
Daily Record 462,472
Daily Star 855,612
The Sun 3,230,652
Total of average daily net circulation: 6,291,114

Booz

The above cartogram redraws each country according to how much alcohol is drunk (figures from 2001). Compare a bloated and distorted Britain with a shrivelled Australia. Sadly in this category, our little island punches above its weight. (image from University of Michigan)

From England's Department of Health:

• In England in 2002, around two fifths (37%) of men had drunk more than 4 units of alcohol on at least one day in the previous week: just over one fifth of women (22%) had drunk more than 3 units of alcohol on at least one day in the previous week.

• In England in 2002, 21% of men had drunk more than 8 units of alcohol on at least one day in the previous week, and 9% of women had drunk more than 6 units.

• In 2002, average weekly alcohol consumption in England was 17.0 units for men and 7.6 units for women.

• In England in 2002, 27% of men and 17% of women aged 16 and over drank on average more than 21 and 14 units a week respectively. Drinking at these levels among men has remained stable at about 27% since 1992: for women it has risen from 12% to 17% in the same period.

• In 2003, a quarter (25%) of pupils in England aged 11-15 had drunk alcohol in the previous week; the proportion doing so has fluctuated around this level since the mid 1990s.

• In the United Kingdom, expenditure on alcohol as a proportion of total household expenditure has fallen from 7.5% in 1980 to 5.7% in 2003.

Super Return

Here I am taking a welcome break from the Super Return conference in Germany. I feel in camouflage as the audience is 98% white male wearing same dark suit and hermes tie... 50% with spectacles. A female speaker referencing fund-raising quips: "in this audience, size really does matter." Ar ar. We hear about why mega-funds are better than regional funds, the amount of private equity raised for buyouts, how the industry is transforming Europe for the better and the negative press surrounding above average rates of return - in short, just what one would expect from a mature, wealthy industry. I spend most of my time out of the conference hall catching up with friends and discussing various opportunities.

Heathrow

I spend my Sunday afternoon at Heathrow - picture from Terminal 4, Gate 15. I learn from my driver that T4 opened in 1984 and the airport paid for the installation of sound-proofing for the houses that seem to end at the run-way. Heathrow 5 and the third runway will open in '08 while the airport remains the busiest in the world. Lucky us. To make up for the latter half of my day, I bike Richmond Park in the morning then take Eitan to the common to play football. Sonnet makes Sunday waffles and bacon - the English kind that is thick and salty (not those skimpy strips in the USA). Now I eat French fries at The Westin and watch a French program on killer whales.

Netherlands

I am off to Rotterdam today then Germany for the Super Return Conference. Most of us ex-pats, even after ten years, don't know where Holland is or the difference between Holland and The Netherlands. So here it is:

Holland occupies an area of 41,160 square kilometres and is home to 16 million people. Partly reclaimed from the waters of the North Sea, it is Europe’s most densely populated country. The Netherlands enjoyed a golden age from around 1580 to 1740 when the Dutch East India Company sent ships to the Far East in search of spices and other exotic goods, while colonising the Cape of Good Hope, Indonesia, Surinam, the Antilles, and New Amsterdam (now New York). Today, only the Antilles remain a Dutch colony and are really self ruling. Disaster hit the country in 1953 when a high spring tide accompanied by a severe storm broke the dykes in Zeeland. 1,835 people drowned. To make sure such a tragedy would never occur again, the Delta Project blocked the southwest river deltas using a network of dams, dykes and 3.2km storm surge barrier.

Eitan and Madeleine watch the movie Babe about a pig on a farm. Madeleine asks: "where do sausages come from, mum?" and the film takes on new meaning.

Madeleine excitedly asks: "Eitan after you have had a bath and changed your clothes do you want to play tea parties with me?"

I look under Eitan's bed to find British and American money (coins and bills); a "stash" of Halloween candy and various treasures including music CDs, polished rocks, toys and toy bits, a shield, a compass and some marbles.

Smoking

According to the World Health Organization, China has one of the highest rates of smokers among its male population - more than two thirds of the adult males are smokers. Only Russia and some eastern European countries come close to this high prevalence of smoking in China. In India, by comparison, the percentage of smokers among adult males, is less than half of China. Only some 30 percent of the adult males are smoking in India.

In the European nations of Germany, France, and Spain around 40% of the males are smoking - some 15% more than in the United States of America. Only the United Kingdom and Finland have rates of male smokers that are comparable with the USA. In Sweden, on the other hand, less than 20% of the males are smoking.

The situation among females is completely different: In the WHO selection of countries, China and India have the lowest rates of female smokers - only 3 to 5 percent. Female smokers are also rare in Russian . Very high rates of female smokers, however, can be found in Norway, Germany, and France - where roughly 30 percent of all adult females are smoking. In the US the proportion of female smokers is around 22 percent.

In any case, I am in Paris tonight for meetings, returning tomorrow. This airborn shot of Eitan taken in '04 on holiday in the Sierras.

Fashion

Two models, photographed by Sonnet last year, wearing designs to be featured in Sonnet's upcoming book on New York fashion.

Richmond

How did this late-summer photo get by me I wonder? Taken in Richmond nearby the High Street and our house, Eitan, Madeleine and I burn off some Sunday afternoon energy during the fading sunshine. While winter arrived disturbingly late in '06 the farmer's day-light savings nets dark mornings and early sunsets. We take what we can get outdoors. I note that Madeleine wears her All-England gear, excluding the sandals of course.

Katie leaves for Miami today to cover the trial of Carl Dorelian who was a wealthy member of the Haitian military regime’s high command, promoted for his role in staging a violent coup d'etat. Not only was he granted amnesty in the United States, he won $3.2MM in the state lottery.

I ask Eitan and Madeleine how we can reduce garbage and help the planet. Madeleine suggests: "if you love a rabbit, keep it."

Maida Vale

This photo taken May 24, 2002, at Lauderdale Mansions. Eitan about 18 months and seems to be happily adjusting to his sister, who would have arrived three months prior.

Hard to believe but the UK is third for global venture capital. Last year's 515 vc deals, worth €1.8BN, was comfortably the largest market in Europe (source: Library House). California topped the list with 1,367 deals valued at €9.1BN followed by Massachusetts with 338 worth €2.1BN.

17

Here is Sonnet one year before leaving Anchorage, Alaska, to attend Smith College. 1985 was spent at the Lycee Francais in San Francisco with her mother, who was teaching a literature course.

Aldershot

Yesterday we check out the Aldershot Military Museum, located on one of the two surviving barrack bungalows built in North Camp in the 1890s. We learn that before 1854 and the arrival of the army, Aldershot was a town of 17,000 with 130 pubs. Lawlessness and buggery was the rule but the area offered a nice, bog-free local close to London and suitable for a tent and GI Joe. During WWI and II, the complex became the British training grounds for troops on their way to Europe. Madeleine in front of the Marching Regiment otherwise known as The Old-Age Pensioners that Time Forgot.

Farnborough

The kids and I are in the forgettable town of Farnborough, Surrey this weekend while Sonnet visits Paris. We stay family-style at the Holiday Inn which has a swimming pool and spa open from 0700 to 2200 (rest assured we are arrive at 0701). The kids are thrilled by in-room movies and room-service. Farnborough otherwise hosts a military base, museum and sports grounds so after the morning dip we take our football kit to a professional pitch and kick the ball around. Eitan is dog-eared by the end but holds it together to earn a number of goals from me (Madeleine, wary of the fierce father-son competition, finds a sand trap to make castles). We return to the hotel for another hour in the pool - Eitan and I discuss the chemical compound H2-O which floats us.

"It is not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what is required." Churchill

The Rabbi

You must have heard of the nice Jewish boy who meets the girl he would like to marry. He realises she has to run the gauntlet of his mother. He decides he will take two other girls home as well, to see if his mother will be able to choose the one he wants to marry.

He gets home. the three girls sit down on the sofa opposite his mother. After two minutes, she says to her son, 'It's the one on the left.'
He says, 'Mother, that's amazing. It's incredible. How could you guess? How could you work out she is the one I want to marry?'

His mother shrugs and says, 'Already I don't like her.'

Madeleine

Mrs Sedden, Madeleine's reception teacher, and I sit down for our parent-teacher review of Madeleine's progress. "Madeleine" she says "is enthusiastic, enjoyable to be with, and making excellent progress. She takes her work seriously in the class-room and pays good attention to her work. She is a pleasure." Mrs Sedden also comments:

"Madeleine is working hard on her reading and writing. She recognises the beginning of words which she can write. She can spell her full name, and can trace and copy new words. When she started in September 2006, she could recognise 9 letters. At Christmas 14 and now 21 - this is 'excellent progress.' The next stage for her is to assemble the letter-sounds of a word into a full word."

On numeracy, Madeleine is "just where she should be." She recognises numbers 1 to 5 and is working on 5 to 10. She can add 1's (ie, 1+1, 5+1 9+1 etc) and understands the 10 series (10, 20, 30, 40....). She is comfortable and enjoys math.

"Madeleine's drawing is becoming more focused and less abstract." Mrs Sedden shows me an early drawing of a person and now - the difference is striking. "She is very creative and loves to work with the various art tools."

I thank Mrs Sedden, who says "well thank you for letting us have Madeleine." Bravo.

Parent teacher

Well, who would have thunk that I would find myself waiting outside Eitan's classroom on a chilly Thursday evening for a parent-teacher conference? Madeleine's review follows shortly. Mrs Reynolds, Head Teacher of the Hedge Hogs (Eitan's Year 1 class), notes that Eitan is "positive about learning. He takes everything in stride and knows how to focus. Eitan enjoys school and appreciates that it is about a bit of fun." Other comments from her: "He absorbs learning, works hard, and sets a high standard for himself." Mrs Reynolds concludes that Eitan "is a star" which of course comes as no surprise to me. Further comments:

"Eitan's reading is coming along nicely and he is able to spell "high frequency" words correctly (the, they, must, etc). His progress is excellent."

On numeracy: his numbers work is "good" and he can count forwards and backwards in tens. His calculation is strong to 20 and he is "comfortable" in this medium. Eitan loves music, is active and coordinated in playground PE (the kids play "hockey stick"); he recognises coins, appreciates the concept of "heavier and lighter", can name 3-D objects and is learning how to use a computer key-board. In class the kids are studying China and science: healthy foods and the body. Eitan knows the difference between healthy food and sweets.

On Eitan's inter-personal skills: "he shows good empathy, communicates easily and is well liked by the other children and his teachers. " All children are asked to set a goal for themselves; Eitan's will be to "eat my lunch more quickly". When asked to think about an accomplishment, he says "I no longer rush when leaving for Football Saturday morning."

I ask Mrs Reynolds if Eitan is sufficiently challenged, and she says she keeps a "special eye on this." Bravo.

Rock

I meet my tax consultants on Bedford Square in Bloomsbury next to the British Museum. A luxury of London is the content - and today I explore Europe from the Romans to the Rococo. In the East Wing I learn that Constantinople I changed the Mediterranean by moving his seat of power from Rome to Constantinople (Istanbul) with easy access to the Danube. He also sponsored the Christian church, allowing it to thrive during his reign. I also pay my respects to the Rosetta Stone (postcard pictured) which was discovered in Rosetta, Egypt in 1799 by the French during Napoleon then stripped by the British military and transferred to the British Museum in 1801. The stone is inscribed with the same passage of writing in two Egyptian language scripts (hieroglyphic and domitic) and in classical Greek, which allowed Frenchman Jean-Francois Champollion to translate the thing by 1822. Hieroglyphics fell from use in the 4th century after 3,500 years so the translation returned to us a forgotten culture. Famously upon arriving in the UK I did not know the significance of the rock and made the mistake of telling Silver so.

After telling Madeleine the bedtime story "Ali Baba and the Forty Theives" she asks me if I can tell her "Ali Baba and the Forty Dwarves."

Sonnet is in Paris this weekend with Halley.

Moss

Sonnet meets Dana and Rana for girls night out at the Dorchester Bar. The crowd is giggly as Kate Moss and Pete Doherty arrive and Sonnet bumps into Pete thinking "this guy is trying a bit too hard to look like Pete Doherty." For those not in the know, Moss and Doherty have been an item for some time despite his repeated drugs offenses. When not baked he performs for Brit band Babby Shambles and is generally maligned by Fleet Street for corrupting Croydon's beauty child Kate.

This photo from Google Images.

Comet

Eitan salutes the old British de Havilland Comet, whose engine is seen behind the boy. The Comet achieved fame as the world's first commercial jet airliner, flying in 1949. Two crashes at Rome's Ciampino Airport resulted in an investigation and redesign, stopping manufacturing until 1954. By then the Americans had caught up and surpassed British technology with the DC-10. England suffered a loss of confidence in this epoque in part because the island ceded its world leadership in aviation and other hi-tech manufacturing.

L'il Caesar

The kids at the V&A museum next to Caesar (I think) today. Last week Madeleine spends an afternoon with Sonnet at work - and is thrilled to be so close to all the adult things: books, computers, closed offices, art and of course - adults! Aggie drops Madeleine off at lunchtime then Madeleine and Sonnet drive home together after exploring the museum's archival treasures including fancy dress, ball-room gowns and glass slippers. Sonnet's colleagues make Madeleine feel special and we agree that it is a good idea for her to value work.

Madeleine to Eitan watching a documentary on birds: "Do you like bats more?"

Madeleine tells me "I love mum so much" then breaks into tears.

Eitan on the underground: "This is one long tunnel."

I'm Flying This Jumbo

Sonnet works today, so I have free reign with the kids. We start by going to the common to practice football and work ourselves out. Afterwards, I tell the kids: "bad news - no food in the house... so we will have to go to McDonald's." Now that I am Mr Popular, we head out for a greasy fry then to the V&A to visit mum in her habitat. Eitan admires the sculptures. This photo of Madeleine taken across the street at the Sciences Museum where the top floor is dedicated to airplanes.

Madeleine on the underground chats up the lady sitting next to her: "My name is Madeleine, I go to the Big School and my dad is 39 years old!"

Eitan explains to me how the wings of a plane work: "The air goes underneath the wing making pressure. This can happen when the plane moves forward. "

Madeleine at a cafe trying to read the kid's menu: "Does that spell treat?"

Battersea Bridge

The bridge, in south-west London, links Battersea south of the river with Chelsea to the north. Its 40 foot width makes it London's narrowest road vehicle bridge. 


Until the late 18th century, a ferry service had operated across the river at this location, but an Act of Parliament in 1776 authorised construction of a toll bridge. A group of fifteen investors financed this first bridge, at a cost of £15,000. Designed by a Henry Holland, the bridge was composed of 19 narrow wooden spans, making it difficult for river traffic to pass through. The ceremonial opening was in November 1771, but regular traffic first moved across the bridge in 1772. 


In 1795, some of the wooden spans were replaced by iron girder sections, creating spans almost double the size of the wooden ones. Like other London toll bridges, Battersea Bridge was eventually bought by the Metropolitan Board of Works, closed in 1883 and subsequently demolished in 1885, to be replaced by the current bridge. 


This was designed by MBW chief engineer Sir Joseph Bazalgette , constructed from 1886 and opened by on 1890. It is composed of five wrought iron and steel cantilever spans supported on granite piers. On September 20, 2005, the bridge was struck by a gravel-carrying barge, which became stuck underneath one of the arches. The collision caused significant damage, requiring the bridge to be closed for a period predicted to be weeks if not months while repairs could be carried out.

My photo faces north towards Chelsea.

Your Tongue

Sometimes you just become aware of it, as in this photo from last year. Today we are bogged down in typical London weather: grey and wet. This does not stop football, and so we troop over to the the common to brave the elements with the other soccer loving kids on the block. Eitan's side wins 4-1, but the final goal against us is a laser-strike that has all the dads humming. Bertie scores an "own-goal" and is berated by his team. The afternoon takes Madeleine to Daniel's party on Plum Road while Eitan and I pick up school pal Harry to go to Hugo's - inside being the key element. Unfortunately it is closed so we walk the Thames path to burn off some energy then reward ourselves with an ice-cream. Post party, Eitan and Madeleine compare notes on who scored more sugar. Sonnet at work today preparing for NY Fashion plus seeing her hair stylist in Barnes.

This evening a "nasty old wasp" is discovered in Madeleine's bedroom. Madeleine is buzzy with fear: "Is the wasp angry with me mum? Are you going to suck the wasp down the hoover mum? Does this make the wasp mad mum?"

Sonnet Goes Live

17 April - 2 September 2007
"For over a century, New York has reigned as America's fashion capital. Today, its creative legacy, successful fashion empires, and important press and retail sectors ensure that the city's influence has become global.
'New York Fashion Now' will showcase clothes and accessories from a range of New York's emerging fashion talent. The display will feature twenty dynamic young design labels (most of them launched within the past three to seven years) such as Zac Posen, Maggie Norris, Thom Brown, Mary Ping and Derek Lam. It will chart the contributions each has made to the changing face of the fashion industry in one of the world's most powerful fashion capitals. Outfits will include elegant sportswear, new menswear, expressions of craft, avant-garde design and examples of the synergy between celebrity and fashion.

Though embracing different philosophies and methods, this group of designers is unified by the idea that New York City itself is central to their creative identity. Specially commissioned photographs of New York neighbourhoods will place the clothes within the context of the city's vibrant street-life.

'New York Fashion Now' captures a period of extraordinary outpouring of creative talent within New York's fashion culture, revealing how each designer has responded to the challenges and opportunities the city offers the aspiring designer."

Photo from V&A website: Crimson jersey evening dress, Mary Ping, Autumn/ Winter 2005-6, photographed in Lincoln Center, New York. Photographed by Isabel Asha Penlizien

Richards

Sonnet, surrounded by her family (photo taken at cousin Maire's wedding in La Veta, Colorado). From left to right: Brook (glam cousin, lives in Pacific Palisades), Marcus (loving bro), Missy (Aunt #1, famous for La Popeta and the oosik - don't ask); Bru (off-beat, lives in Rome), Robin (Aunt #2, artist extraordinaire who revels in the jewellery and textile art), Ray (uncle-in-law, married to Robin), Silver and Stan. Missing is Martine, Aunt #3 whose horse ranch enraptured Eitan and Madeleine last summer.

Russ

Russ Ellis is the father of longtime friend David, who I grew up with in Berkeley; David and I
met at King Jr. High School when he belted out Stevie Wonder's "Happy Birthday" to an auditorium of jubulient seventh graders - genius shows its early face. Russ is Vice Chancellor Emeritus, UC Berkeley which comes in handy when David and I need tickets to the football games. Today, he is a sculpture and painter and his work may be seen at the International Sculpture Center in Hamilton, New Jersey. I also love this photograph of him.

Photograph by Judy Dater.

Bouncy

The kids yesterday before Madeleine's party. Madeleine receives 28 presents and Eitan does his best not to gripe about the unfairness of it all. He tells Gracie "I am a bit jealous" - but this can only be expected.

Sonnet tells Madeleine: "My favorite book as a child was "Bread and Jam for Francis."
Madeleine: Does she eat pizza?

Eitan learns about palindromes: Wow, dad, sis, Madam I am Adam...

... and symmetry, which he faithfully explains to his sister: "It is when everything is the same on the other half."

Cake & Candles

Madeleine celebrates her FIFTH at the sports grounds with 28 screaming savages. "Uncle" Anthony bikes from Islington to join the fun (brave soul he) and receives a loving hug from the Birthday Girl. Sonnet's planning is rewarded by smiling parents who pick up their giddy, sugar soaked children who do not want to leave. A sure sign the thing a success. FYI the cake picked out by Madeleine from Waitross, and the jelly beans placed by Eitan and Madeleine.

West Side

Another week, another skyline. This a photo from the 35th floor of the hotel room on Central Park South facing west. The past two days have been spent with my French friends Astorg Partners, who raise a €800 million fund to invest in French leveraged buy-outs in the so-called "middle market" - enterprise values of €50 to €300 million. Astorg sold seven companies in 2006 returning a median 3.8X cash - above average. Along with the hotel, we enjoy restaurants including my favorite the Grand Central Station Oyster Bar, which is tres old school (the French do not appreciate the New England clam chowder). From New York, we head for Boston then home this morning in time for Madeleine's fifth birthday party. Our meetings go well.

Eitan turns a funny

Eitan asks Sonnet if people eat whales. Sonnet launches into a serious reply about how certain countries consume whale meat as part of their diet and culture. Eitan puts together the Big Joke: "No mom, Wales is a country - and you can't eat that!" Testing his formula, he comes up to me and asks if I drink out of glasses....

Gamble

The UK is gearing up for Super Casinos, including the conversion of disastrous Millennium Dome thanks to our Man In The Know: John Prescott, may he and his kick-backs RIP. There has been little discussion on the street about Vegas style mega complexes soon to 'enrich' London and the UK, while the government salivates over another revenue stream. Today, there are 140 casinos in Britain, up from 117 in 2001. What us Brits gamble on: 65% of Brits play the national lottery 22% play scratch cards 14% play fruit machines 13% gamble on horse racing 9% do the football pools 3% play in casinos Overall, over 60% of adults gamble, and bingo is the only gambling activity in which women out-play men. In 1999, .8% of the population was classified as problem-gamblers. (source: Sunday Times)

This photograph from the World Wide Web.

Virgin

In a very unusual and honest expression (for the British), Virgin Media's head of internal communications admits in public that his cable company has a history of "crap service" and "very tired people," and has been stuck in "synergy hell." These comments made by James Weekley to fellow internal communications professionals at the Royal Society of Arts this month. Weekley noted further that Virgin's approach to life is typified by Sir Richard's catch-phrase: "Screw it, let's do it!" Mr Weekley was unavailable for comment yesterday, and it is unclear if he still works at Virgin.

Assembly

Eitan reads a short passage in front of his peers and their parents. I join the audience with Aggie and Madeleine, who picks up on the vibe and is excited for her brother. I ask Madeleine if she is nervous, and she replies: "yes daddy, but I am shy." We then have a general discussion about shyness and it turns out that kids are shy but adults not. As for Eitan, he's lined up on stage awaiting his turn for a go - the procession closes in, he flushes, Madeleine rubs her hands - then up he pops and belts out his words in the most perfect British accent. it's over, I'm relieved and Madeleine returns to her main interest: a treat. We mingle a bit with the parents and kids, then walk home together for an early afternoon (for me) and movie for them. Renata baby-sits while Sonnet and I have dinner with Mike and Gretchen Bransford at the Churcill Arms in Notting Hill.

This morning I ask Madeleine how we can make it easier for her to get going in the morning. Without missing a beat: "you can bring me breakfast in bed."

Punk

This is Sonnet at the University of Alaska, Anchorage, in 1982 and in the 8th grade. Mom Silver is teaching "Women Autobiography." On the back of the picture, Silver writes: "Sonnet en punk, with studded bracelet, German jacket, stalion pants and personal Pensées." She tells me her favorite band then was The Stray Cats.

Chimes

I took the this photo Sunday evening at sunset from the Southbank, next to Westminster Bridge. As the kids say happily: "The tide is in!"

Big Ben is part of the Palace of Westminster, on grounds occupied since the Saxons ruled the area. The oldest buildings date back to 1097. The presence of royal grounds 1050 when Edward the Confessor built a royal palace here. For the next 500 years, Westminster was the residence of the royal monarchs. After a fire prompted Henry VIII to move out of the building to the Palace of Whitehall, the building remained in use as both a palace and the home of the English parliament. It has remained like this since January 20, 1265. A raging fire in 1834 destroyed many of the ancient buildings, but they were replaced in 1870 with a new set of constructed buildings that still stand today. It was during the rebuilding process that Big Ben came into existence in the massive clock tower which we love today.

Furthermore: The bell itself weights 13.8 tonnes, while the striking hammer weights 203.2 kilograms. It is tuned for the E note just above middle C. When operating, the hammer strikes the bell every 5 seconds. Big Ben is not the biggest or heaviest bell in England. That distinction goes to ’Great Paul’ in the nearby St. Paul’s Cathedral. Great Paul is a full 2 tonnes heavier than Big Ben.
A large crack developed in the bell due to a heavier hammer in use in the 1860s. That’s when the controversial move to rotate the bell and replace the hammer with a lighter one was made. While this saved on expensive re-casting costs, it also meant that the bell no longer struck a true E note.
Also housed in the tower are the four quarter bells used to play the Westminster Chimes every 15 minutes. Big Ben is prominently heard on many of BBC’s broadcasts on the hour, a tradition dating back to 1923.