News, views and woo hoos – Sept ‘09

These are some of the people and places that have been tickling our fancy this month…

Couch-surfing is for those of you who like to travel a bit differently. The concept´s crazy, but it´s great fun and attracts like-minded individuals, so it can lead to solid friendships. Next time you´re going somewhere alone and want to get to know the real soul of the city, try it.

Freecycle is a growing movement, which aims to reduce wastage and thus helps our lovely environment. It´s like eBay, in that it helps people get rid of things they don´t need and helps others find stuff they do, except it´s free! If we´re looking for anything extra, this is our first stop.

Kids´ Company is this month´s charity. They´re amazing. They work with thousands of vulnerable children to give them the emotional and educational support to forge happy futures, despite the backgrounds of severe deprivation they come from. They are always looking for mentors too…

Good things that have happened to us:

The picnic was wonderful. Thank you for coming and for bringing so many supplies we are still eating the cheese. We managed to pick the sunniest day of the year, which we think reflects all your good karma. We especially liked Andy´s guitar strumming and the game of rounders, played with tennis racquet and ball.

Loveart was also a really enjoyable evening. The exhibition did very well. By chance one of the artists selected for display had met his wife through us nor us nor he knew that there would be collaboration, so that was a happy coincidence. You managed to drink a bottle of wine, each, between you! Sterling work.

Dating anecdotes:

Nicky, Trish and I were recently invited to dinner at a very exclusive members´ club just because we´re a cool company, apparently. Not being used to that sort of scene we were all really nervous. Not long after we´d sat down a rather charming, clever chap started quizzing us about the Tree-House. He had rather specific criteria in a lady; his parents would like her to be Middle-Eastern. Immediately our brains started whirring through our innumerable chums from the Orient. Bingo! I have a gorgeous, intelligent, warm, Palestinian friend. She has a similar vibe to him, I could see this happening. He started to get really excited. Throughout the evening Karim kept fishing for clues, with the whole table of London´s movers and shakers getting involved by this point. Being notoriously difficult to please, they all wanted to know how we´d managed to create this exciting prospect so quickly: she sounded perfect. Worn down by the pressure, I caved and decided to give one last bit of info and told the baying group that she was a journalist. At which point the table went silent. Trisha, Nicky and I all looked anxious. I said she´s not a hack, she’s a really accomplished one, to which I got the following bellowed response: I know she´s not a hack, because she´s my sister! You were going to set me up with Sima, weren´t you?! Oops! Luckily he appreciated that we clearly had discerning taste so it turned out all right, despite it being slightly squirmy.

Top dating tip:

Listen, listen, listen. There are some dating gurus who think upon first meeting you should ask the other person lots of questions and let them chat away as much as they can, rather than try and talk yourself up. And remember what you hear! It´s very touching when people recall the little things, as well as big ones.

Next planned party:

Nicky´s going to get in touch shortly about the cocktail making evening. Spaces are limited, so be ready to respond quickly when she sends out the details. Being major lightweights ourselves, we´re in training now.