Book Launch: The First Ghosts

Tonight, I was to be back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) - for Noor, at Southwark Playhouse. The true story of a WWII spy - and bought, as usual, on my PAYG subscription - which gives you cheap tickets to five shows, and never expires. Suggestion of eating beforehand at Mercato Metropolitano. But wouldn't you know it, tonight's performance was cancelled.. Instead, I booked for to a talk at Watkin's Bookshop (which also has a Meetup presence!). Theme was The First Ghosts, by Irving Finkel - ghost stories have been around for a long time..! He's written a book about the first evidence of tales of the supernatural.. 

An early start meant I dropped out of work slightly early, and left eating till afterwards - which meant my stomach was grumbling throughout. A number of buses would get me down there - it turned out to be just off Charing Cross Road, on Cecil Court - which is a forest of bookshops! I found Watkin's, and headed in - a sign indicated that the talk was downstairs. I took a seat - and in due course, realised that this is actually an occult bookshop! Cool..

I was sat beside Secret Societies, myself. Well, the event - which was being filmed - started slightly late. Irving Finkel, it transpires, works for the British Museum - seems a bit jealous of the Egyptologists, frankly. Probably because there seem to be a lot of ghost sightings in that section, and as he complains, he's never had one!! Cue a good smattering of snide remarks about Egyptologists, and how if a time machine were invented, they'd probably appropriate it..

He was hilarious, actually. Lots of anecdotes, obviously loves his subject. He explained how the Classical civilizations' interest in ghosts has been well-documented, and he wouldn't be bothered with Egypt - which is how he came to look at Mesopotamia. He pointed out how belief in ghosts is hard-wired into the human psyche, and it's just not natural to deny it. He suggested an interesting experiment - take 12 people, at a dinner party. Have one exclaim that "no way" do they believe in ghosts, then wait a bit. Sure as anything, someone will come out with a supernatural anecdote - something they've seen, or someone they know has. And in general, 8 of those 12 will have some psychical experience to relate. So there.

I'm not that interested in the book - but crikey, I'm glad I came to the talk! Both for the experience, and to see inside Watkin's for the first time. Well, now I know where to come for occult books.. I was hungry by the time it was over, but could I find anywhere around there to eat?! All packed. I caught buses back - from another of those stops whose predictions of arriving buses are a complete work of fiction. Muttered a prayer as I entered O' Neill's.. Again, the downstairs was packed - but this time, mercifully, the upstairs was almost deserted! And I was well-fed. Interestingly, they'd sent me a drinks voucher by email, but it didn't work when I came to pay - perhaps you have to book a table? although it didn't mention that..

Tomorrow, I'm back to Ireland for the weekend. Film for Saturday - now that the listings are finally out - is looking like Róise & Frank. Set in the Irish-speaking Gaeltacht, it's the story of a grieving, recently bereaved woman, who becomes convinced that a stray dog she finds is the reincarnation of her husband, Frank.. Not showing in London at all, it seems, but I can see it in Ennis. Let us pray there isn't a match on..

On Monday, with nothing on Meetup, I thought about heading to see the Carnaby Street Christmas lights, which will be up by then. But I had another look at what's on, and have now booked for Piano Passions at Cadogan Hall - Beethoven and Chopin, gorgeous!

On Tuesday, headed to see John Gabriel Borkman, by Ibsen, at the Bridge Theatre.

On Wednesday - originally, nothing better coming up than Soho Comedy Factory, upstairs at The Blue Posts. Now, instead, I've changed my booking for Noor to this night. Sadly, not with the group, who rearranged for a night I can't go.

Next Thursday, back - at last! - with London Classical Music and Theatre Group (LCMTG), for Alcina at the Royal Opera House. More Handel..

On the 11th, I was heading to The Horror Show at Somerset House - a horror-based art exhibition - with The Horror Book Club. But then Civilised London popped up with another meal - so I booked that, and we were headed to Champor Champor, a Thai / Malay restaurant. Meeting beforehand at The Rose, nearby. Until he decided, just last Thursday, to cancel it! I supposed he hadn't wanted to do it with only two of us, since I was - unusually - the only one to sign up. But to my further surprise - he kicked me out of the group later that night! No warning, no explanation - not very "civilised". Jeez, I suppose he's had enough of me. And you think you know someone.. 

Killer is, he was such a good reference for good eateries - and the group is private, so without being a member, I won't be able to see where he's going. Ah well, TBH, I was beginning to feel out of place with the people who were attending the meals.. which was pretty much all I was doing with the group, lately. Meantime, I'm back at The Horror Show - at least the ticket won't go to waste!

On the 12th, planning another meal with the people that are harder to herd than cats! As of now, of the four people I've invited, two are pretty certain "no"s and Ivan is as uncommunicative as ever. Jeez.. If it's just the same person that was the only one to make it last time, I think we'll head somewhere different. For variety. On the other hand, Imad's Syrian Kitchen is right off Carnaby Street.. and the lights are probably going to be cool.. Of course, there is the small issue of the irregularity of the wine measures!

On the 13th, back with the Crick Crack Club (CCC) at the British Museum, where Daniel Morden and Hugh Lupton are performing The Iliad.

On the 14th, not having been with LCMTG for ages, I'm with them for the second time in a week! Heading to Wigmore Hall this time, for the Takács Quartet, who are playing Beethoven. Now sold out - and I'm not surprised, given that when I booked, I got one of the last three (top price) seats! Ah well, it wasn't astronomical - and I do love Beethoven.

On the 15th, back at the QT Bar - for the RB and Soul Revue. Now, they put on a great show - but, given my experience last time, I'll know to buy my drink at the upstairs bar and take it down with me - better choice! And at least this time, I'll know where I'm going.. Pity I didn't think to check CT first, who have cheap tickets!!

On the 16th, I'm back at Conway Hall, for a concert called Sing Like a Vagabond - Shouts and Cries of Victorian London. Tickets are free, but you do have to book.

On the 17th, I'm back with UITCS at the Coliseum, for a performance of Yeomen of the Guard, by Gilbert & Sullivan. And knowing the steepness of the steps in the Balcony - and the irregularity - and what with my stairs phobia - I've done my best to get a seat at the side, so I can use the handrail to get down. Oh, and an aisle seat, what with the restricted legroom..

Then I'm back to Ireland again. And for once, not going to the cinema that weekend - instead, UL is hosting a PhD reunion, with a tour of the campus and, crucially, free lunch. And I'll be using the occasion to catch up with an old friend and, hopefully, find out what finally prompted him to quit lecturing at last, more than 10 years after I did, considering he was bullied even worse than I was!