You Love To See It...

What a week it's been!

You know I love a good election night, and boy was it a good election night. On Tuesday I pulled my customary all-nighter for the US Midterms (almost - I went to bed at 5.30am) and caught up with old pals, Jake Tapper, Kaitlin Collins, and John King on CNN. The last time I checked in with them was 2024 when the vibes were oh so different. This time was WAY better. As the Senate, House, and Gubernatorial races ticked along, the initial relief quickly segued into the purest of joy. 

My favourite aspect of the evening were all the historic firsts. Ready? Get this. The Senate now includes the first openly gay man, the first Muslim, and the first Native American woman. The US now has the first female Black governor, California has elected its first Latino governor, Texas (yes, Texas!) has elected its first Latina governor, there's now the first female Native American governor, Florida has its first Black governor, Florida and Wisconsin have their first Black governors, and Ohio, Minnesota, and Tennessee have their first female governors. Did you get all that? Elsewhere in House races across the country, trans and non-binary people now represent a variety of districts. There's something truly sweet about these results. The country has wholeheartedly rejected the white supremacist, misogynistic, homophobic, and transphobic polices that have been enacted over the past two years. It's a resounding vote for basic decency and treating people with respect. 

Awful people getting their comeuppance is a heady drug. The buzz continued a couple of days later when a guy whose comedy I once liked, was convicted of rape and sexual assault. After his immersion into the far-right, and his very public religious conversion, I assumed he'd be protected from consequence by powerful mates. How wonderful to be proved wrong. Justice is so deeply satisfying. Let's have loads more of it please.

I couldn't be faffed with research 
before the Internet.

Writing News

I'm at the research stage right now. Happily, I'm not writing historical fiction, nor anything that requires a detailed understanding of a different period or place. I have neither the skills nor the interest. If I had to do all that in order to write a book, I'd bore of the project before I'd started chapter one. (If you do want a painstaking recreation of another era, Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall trilogy is your friend.) That being said, I still have to do research. It's just quicker and easier when it's about the modern day. Over the past week, my search history has become riddled with research questions for the next Leeza McAuliffe book. Here's what I've been learning about...

• GCSE Options for Y9s - What subjects are likely to be offered in a small school and when are they first discussed in the academic year?
• Railway Timetables - How would someone travel from rural Cumbria, to Manchester? How long would it take, how much would it cost, and what would be the route? 
• Manchester Stations - If someone were to get on the wrong train in Manchester Piccadilly and not realise for half an hour or so, where might they end up?
• Baby Names - What were the most popular baby names in 2011 that would mean they are the popular names for 15 years olds in the present day?

My new book is not too challenging to research so that means I can enjoy the fact-finding. Sometimes, however, there's an issue. I come to realise that a plot point I want to include in the story, might not be realistic once I've read more about it. At times like that, I've got a decision to make. Do I listen to the research, change the plan, and make the story more believable, or do I think 'sod it' and invoke artistic licence. I'm not going to lie, folks, it's usually the latter.

A happier time for the Habs

Culture 

While I was enjoying the election coverage, I also had half an eye on the Montreal Canadiens. Because of the time difference, I usually watch their hockey matches the following day and do my best to avoid score-spoilers online. On Tuesday, I got to experience the game live (albeit on the iPad whilst most of my attention was on CNN.) Either way, it was quite something. A four-nil lead for almost the entire game led me to assume it would be a shutout - and fair play to goal-tender Jacob Fowler who'd been consistently brilliant. That is, until the final two minutes. Improbably, the opposing team of Winnipeg, spent those 120 seconds scoring four goals of their own. Overtime ensued, where the Canadiens lost 5-4. It was utterly batshit and I still can't believe how it went down.

Grey bread sauce is circled.

Food and Drink

On Sunday I made my very first bread sauce. I'd never bothered before, mainly because it seemed the most disgusting thing ever. But a few weeks ago, it was part of a Sunday roast that I had in a restaurant and that one experience made me want to have a go myself. Fast forward to last Sunday, when I cooked all the composite parts of a roast, just so I could add my first bread sauce attempt. Ridiculous, I know. The downside was that I used brown bread so it looked pretty icky - more grey than brown. The upside, though? Oh man, it was gorgeous. Lots of pepper, some cloves and onion, and a grating of nutmeg. In terms of vibes it might feel a bit wartime stodge, but I'll defo be making it again.

Out and About

I did more babysitting! Last week, two of my nephews were the recipient of off-the charts Aunt Bantz when I spent the evening being a responsible adult again. Here's one thing I know: looking after kids is a piece of piss when they go to bed when they're supposed to. It also helps when they're actually nice and spending time with them is a pleasure. Luckily for me, all those standards were met. I watched Aladdin, read some stories, then left them both upstairs. Downstairs, I had my tea, watched the Traitors final, and then read my book. A thoroughly lovely, chilled evening. 

Much of my past week was mundane. I made bread sauce. Big wow. I watched a Habs game that had a surprising result. So what! I did some Googling and watched my nephews. Who cares? None of these things are newsworthy to anyone else. But while I did those things, other people in other places were busy. They were standing up, giving evidence, or organising voters. They were being resilient in the face of oppression, criminality, or power. They were being really really impressive. Whether it's the myriad of political races in the US or the high profile court case in the UK, brave people being strong has made a huge difference. I'll say it again, what a week it's been. Something to remember and be inspired by when we need to be resilient ourselves. 

Have a lovely week, folks.

Season of Love...

Do you want to know the problem with today?

Sure you do. Settle in. The problem with today is that even though autumn's only just begun and you've barely started to relax into your pumpkin candles and maple lattes, it's suddenly November. And in November, there's the inevitable slide into the thing that no one wants to mention yet. And even though no one wants to mention it yet, it's one payday away, and shit needs to get sorted. 

This blog is not about Christmas. Nope, this blog is about clinging to the autumnal thrills of the season and eking out all the good stuff before chaos and stress rock up. This is a love letter to autumn and winter, rather than Christmas. A love letter to the joys of the present, not the upcoming future. To be completely honest, this is a love letter for anyone in the UK still furious at last week's clock change. Let my words wash over you, let them sink in. Consider them my gift to you.

WALLOW IN WORDS

So now it's dark by 5pm. If summer nights are your favourite thing, that's no fun. But dark nights equal cosy nights. Picture the scene: Work is over, your kids are in bed, and you've had your tea. What to do with your remaining evening?  Here's something you simply cannot do in summer. Well, you could but you'd look deranged. You can put on your PJs, you can open the book that you're currently engrossed in, and you can curl up on the sofa and spend the entire evening reading. This is not a summer activity. It's purely for the now times and it's great.

TAKE IT EASY WITH TELLY

The TV schedules are epic. That's just a fact. Once September arrived, all the channels were boasting about their line ups. The UK autumn listings have included new series of Celebrity Traitors, Great British Bake Off, Slow Horses, Rivals, Blue Lights, and Black Doves. Plus there's some newly commissioned shows. The Split Up, Youth, It Gets Worse, Yaga, and War are all there for the watching. The televisual options over the summer months cannot compare. I assume scheduling execs expect people to be out gallivanting when it's hot so don't feel the need to bother. Come autumn, they've bothered so much. Amazing.

LUXURIATE IN LAYERS

If you love a summer wardrobe, I probably won't sway you, but let me try. When you're too hot, you're too hot. Barring full nudity - and I feel we must -  there's only so much you can do to cool down, so when the temperatures soar we struggle. In autumn, as the temperatures drop, layers are our friend. We can be indoors with a long sleeved tee, and then add a cardy when it gets colder. Add a coat for when we need to leave the house and we're sorted. A visible t-shirt under a jumper is my favourite look - on anyone. Layers are sexy and autumn is when they return. This summer was a long hot slog. Let's enjoy having to layer up.

LAZE IN THE LIGHTS

Dark nights mean we need additional light. Natch. But there are so many options. Of course, there's always the big light. Or not. That only switched on when someone's lost the back of their earring on the carpet. Forget that, I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about soft table lamps, flickering scented candles, or tea lights dotted along a mantlepiece. I'm talking about the white-glow of fairy lights strung along a wall. Creative lighting is what the season is all about. How boring when the only light we need is the stupid, glaring sun.

REVEL IN ROOT VEG

Autumn's seasonal eating is better than summer's seasonal eating. There, I said it. Look, strawberries, the other berries, radishes, asparagus, and watercress are all well and good. I like those things and will eat them again next summer. But do they satisfy my hunger? Are they substantial? Do they excite me? No they do not. Here's what gets my taste buds tingling (as much as any fruit or veg can). Apples, squash, celeriac, potatoes, pumpkin, red cabbage, chestnuts. Mm mm mmmm. Cosy, warming, and a filling part of any meal. I can never get excited about salad, even when I'm enjoying it. I'm all about the hardy root veg. Well done to them for their resilience in the hard, wintry soil.

DELIGHT IN DRINKS

It's not just food. Drinks also get more interesting at this time of year. You can't walk past a coffee shop right now without smelling their cinnamon, pumpkin, or maple syrups. And that's before we get onto cocktails. I'm still a recent convert to a cocktail and that's because I was doing them wrong. I'd always assumed cocktails were just boozy cordial. Fruity, juicy, and something for a summer holiday. That's before I discovered winter cocktails. Check out the menu pictured. It's from one of my favourite places in Edinburgh. I'd go for a Maple Rum Old Fashioned or What's Schnappening? (And not just because of the name, which is an honest-to-God delight.) Flavours like apples, vanilla, maple, and almonds are spot on for the chilly weather. How wonderfully winter-warming.

I won't lie, I could do this all day. I could take every day experiences like eating, drinking, or putting the lights on, and show how they just got better by virtue of the season change. Ultimately, however, it's up to you. If you hate the dark nights and colder weather, none of this will change that fundamental for you. I'm not a magician, soz. However, if the next time you feel fed up with something autumn/winter-based, I'm happy to have provided what a reframed perspective might look like. Alternatively, come June, when things start getting sweaty again, you can smugly provide me with my own reframed perspective. How's that for a plan? 

Have a lovely week, folks.

Mojos Come, Mojos Go...

It's been a few weeks since my travelling shenanigans, and my mojo has finally returned. 

Being 'back to normal' externally doesn't automatically translate to the way I feel inside. Being home, knowing I have a book to write and a timeframe in which to write it, makes zero difference when I'm still wishing I were in Canada. No matter, my mojo has finally returned! So what does that mean?

Well, it means that I'm back in the zone. I'm immersing myself in the world of Leeza McAuliffe again, and I'm excited about planning her next adventures. More of that below, but for now, I'm just glad that I feel up for the challenge once more. Writing a book is such a rollercoaster of emotions. One day you feel certain you're creating magic and the next you feel deeply ashamed that you ever entertained the thought you could do this.

If I think too hard, or look too far into the distance, the imposter syndrome kicks my arse. How dare I assume I'll have a new release in two years when at the moment it's only a list of ideas. The cheek, the nerve, the gall, the audacity, the gumption! Yeah yeah yeah. Well right now, imposter syndrome can piss off. The mojo is back, I've got a book to plan and I can TOTALLY do this. So there.

Here they are!

Writing News

My bullet point plan for the next Leeza book is getting plumper by the day. Each chapter (aka each month of the year) is getting filled with activity. We're past the stage of 'any old idea will do'. Now, if a plot point comes in at the beginning, there needs to be a middle and end to that plot throughout the year. If I want to introduce an event towards the end, it needs to be have been hinted at earlier on, even if it's unclear what will happen at that early point. It's all good fun. Plus, it's so much easier to do this now, while it's a plan of about 4000 words, rather than when I've written a draft of 65,000 and I can't easily see all the parts in one go. In my original, vague timetable, I'd planned to start writing chapter one by the end of November. That's not a million miles away from being achievable.

The Diplomat feels more
realistic than The West Wing, not least
because there's actual swearing in it
which I imagine is rife
in the US embassies of the world
these days

Culture

So. Much. Good. Telly. The new series of The Diplomat is as excellent as I'd hoped. If you miss The West Wing, and recognise that a modern-day rewatch can highlight its dated nature, The Diplomat can fill that gap marvellously. I've also seen off the new series of Reacher, another rewatch of Hacks, and am just about to dive into the new series of Nobody Wants This. So ruddy bloody spoilt. 

Also, as I'd mentioned on last week's vlog (follow me on Insta or TikTok at Bondiela) I've just bought Jacob's Tierney's book, I'll Believe in Anything - the annotated scripts of Heated Rivalry. What's great is that in his annotations, he mentions the music he'd imagined playing in various scenes, which I'm now listening to on repeat. The album, Éther, by Peter Peter is soundtracking my life right now, and it's fab. It seems I'm all about the Quebec music scene these days and no one is more surprised than me.

Food and Drink

I've become obsessed with empanadas, or at least my bastardised, anglo version of them. Let's call them little filled pockets instead. There's zero authenticity to my made up recipe. Here's what I do.

• In a whizzer (or chopped and mixed with a firm wrist)  mush up...

- A handful of big raw prawns 

(and now wash your hands)

- A tsp of cornflour

- half a raw egg

- 1tbs soy sauce

- a couple of garlic cloves

- a thumb of peeled ginger

- a tsp of sesame oil

Four pockets
(the recipe made
 about sixteen)

• Next make your pastry, buy your pastry, or do as I do - make flatbread dough. It's really up to you. If you want my dough recipe, it's here (just quarter the ingredients.)
• Roll your dough or pastry into small, flat circles about the circumference of a standard mug.
• Fill each circle half full with raw prawn mix (even though it smells fit, don't lick your fingers!) and fold over the other half of dough/pastry. Crimp with your fingers or a fork, and place on a baking tray. 
• By all means brush with egg wash if you can be faffed.
• Repeat until the dough and/or prawn mixture is used up.
• Bake at, oh let's say GM6, 180 fan, 200 electric, and get out of the oven when golden brown. That's probably after about 15 minutes. 
• Cut into one of the pockets to check the prawns are pink all the way through, and then you're done. Enjoy with beers or a cold drink of your choice. 

Out and About

Because of a relative's recent 7th birthday and another relative's forthcoming 40th, I went to a joint 7th and 40th party in Warwick over the weekend. To be fair, it was more of a 40th than a 7th, mainly because I drank a lot of prosecco. Actually, it's approximately forty-one years since I experienced a 7 year old's birthday party so maybe popping open the fizz is what goes on these days. The weekend was fab, there was lots of catching up with lovely people I've not seen for a few years, and I got to wander around Stratford on Sunday afternoon. Fun.

If your mojo is MIA this week, don't force it. It'll come back. Likewise, if you're feeling tip top and full of vim, get as much shit done as possible, Your own mojo-missing days will come. Everything passes, we still ride the roller coaster, we know it's all good. Yeah? Yeaaaah.

Have a lovely week folks.

I'm Nicky Schlegel...

Do you remember the Schlegel sisters from Howards End? 

If you're not familiar with the book you might remember Emma Thompson and Helena Bonham Carter from the 1992 film, or if you saw the 2017 mini-series, Hayley Atwell and Phillipa Coulthard? The Schlegels are described as 'intellectual and idealistic' on Wikipedia, and 'left-leaning, concerned with equality, feminism, and women's suffrage but also profoundly attached to culture and the arts, and the world of ideas and intellect' on the blog linked to that quote. We see them host discussion forums in their home for likeminded women, and attend recitals and cultural events out in the world. 

So why am I telling you this now? Well, all I can say is that in recent weeks, I have never felt more like a Schlegel sister. It's true! Because of several things happening at once, I've been out in the world, hoovering up culture, hearing people share ideas, and reflecting on the big issues with like-minded people. 

Remember I told you about my night with Rachel Reid in Montreal? Where she discussed her books while a bunch of bands played and I experienced Quebec's indie music scene without even planning to? That was the start, but it didn't stop there. Last week, Manchester Literature Festival began and a friend suggested going to one of the events. The one we picked was Russell T Davies being interviewed by Bernadine Evaristo. It was epic. I've been in the same room as Russell T Davies before, but that was when we were in the audience of a play. I desperately wanted to tell him how Queer as Folk had blown me away but I didn't. I'm not that person. (Like when I saw Jonathan Harvey in the Tesco fruit and veg and I wanted to explain that Beautiful People was a perfect TV show that captured the essence of my own family without it being specifically similar.) I'm rubbish at fan-girling in the flesh, but I digress. Sitting in the audience, listening to gossipy insider snippets from Russell, and hearing about his writing process and body of work, was marvellous. I felt invigorated and refreshed for my own writing shiz.

I've deliberately cut off the top
of the photo because the 
only  picture I took
made the most
charismatic and attractive
political leader of our time look
an absolute show. 

That was a week ago. But that's not all. Last Thursday, I was back in Manchester for the next thing. I'd had tickets for ages, and it'd been one of those things that crept up without me realising. Suddenly, Thursday had arrived and I was back on a train for... an evening with President Barack Obama. 

I won't lie, this wasn't the 'An Evening With...' format pioneered by ITV in the eighties. This was an interview with Afua Hirsch, that gave Obama the best part of ninety minutes to explore ideas relating to the future of democracy. He wasn't promoting a book or campaigning for a particular election, he just talked. That meant it was broad strokes in terms of topics - a big picture of the world rather than drilling down into specifics - but it was enthralling and oddly calming. A brilliant person clearly explaining how the world is and how it can be. No bombast, no denigrating others, no anger and bitterness. He just talked and it was great. 

I've nothing in the diary now. No cultural events and not one piano recital in my future. My Schlegel sister vibes are going to melt away. But honestly, the past few weeks have been pure EM Forster, no mess.

Just some of my active folders

Writing News

We're into the final days of  Leeza McAuliffe is Branching Out. And what does that mean? Well, since its release in May, I've still had a few bits and pieces to do. That means the folder (LEEZA BOOK 3) is still on my Desktop, along with the other active folders in my life. This week I read the penultimate reading of Leeza McAuliffe is Branching Out to the writing group I attend. Next time, it will be done. The final 1500 words will be read and I'll have finished reading the entire book. It's taken me eighteen months to do that; fair play to the rest of the group for their feedback and comments. Once the next meet up is over, I will conduct the official ceremony to remove LEEZA BOOK 3 from my Desktop and into my Documents where she will retire. If you strain your ears enough you might hear the distant crowds... LEEZA BOOK 3 is dead, long live LEEZA BOOK 4.

Adults is loads of fun

Culture

I'm not sure I can add much more than the opening paragraphs. I'm a Schlegel sister, didn't you read? It's also fair to share that I'm rereading Dick Francis' The Edge (set in Canada on a train, you see) and I'm excited that the next series of The Diplomat has dropped. Finally, for Gen Z and their fans, I absolutely hoovered up Adults on Disney earlier this year, and found myself revisiting it in the week. A funny house-share sit-com. Love it.

Food and Drink

As sure as night follows day, mashed potato and gravy follows the start of drizzly autumn. Not as pithy a phrase but no matter. I've been craving a proper gravy tea for days so this is Saturday night's. Also, randomly, I was talking to a woman in Canada - a student tasked with guiding the food tour around Halifax - who explained her Mum was English and she loved Yorkshire puddings. This is my first YP since that chat, but she planted the seed that made me cook this over the weekend. It was fit.

Out and About

So let's talk specifics. Russell T Davies was at the Royal Northern College of Music and Barack Obama was at the Co-op Live Arena - both venues I'd never visited before. I was also reminded that Manchester's trams are amazing and I wish Liverpool had a similar system. I had lunch with a friend, a mani with someone I can chat to forever, and a dash for a late-night Maccies when I missed a meal with all my gadding about. Fun.

A quieter week awaits. That's good. I need to get back to LEEZA BOOK 4 and fill that folder with all my ideas. Meanwhile, I'll continue to be left-leaning, concerned with equality, feminism, and women's suffrage but also profoundly attached to culture and the arts, and the world of ideas and intellect.' That's a plan, isn't it.

Have a lovely week, folks.

Together in Autumnal Dreams...

I'm not saying it's because I was in Canada, recently, but that's definitely part of it. 

Morning! There's a teaser for you. What is it that Canada may or may not be responsible for? Why, it's the fact I'm full of the joys of autumn now. I was almost in the zone before I left, but now I'm fully immersed.

The reason it's Canada's fault is clear. They do it so much better. Pumpkins on doorsteps, golden-leafed wreaths, pumpkin ale served in bars, apples and cinnamon flavours all over the place, and you can't pass a tree without seeing a healthy percentage of orange. I've come home and want it all to continue. 

pumpkin ale = fit

I've tried, honestly. In a bid to stave off jet lag on my first day back, I went to The Range to find some autumnal decor. I must have missed the boat. It was Halloween heavy, but much less generically seasonal. I did find a pumpkin spiced candle in TK Maxx so that ticked a partial box. I'm not hopeful about the hunt for pumpkin ale, but I made some apple granola bars to try and scratch this particular itch. It feels a bit performative to be honest. What was freely flowing in Montreal and Halifax, is coming off as forced now I'm home. The good news is, as I type these words, I'm looking out at a grey, rainy day. Forget your orange leaves and pumpkins, that's a proper UK autumn right there.

Not a thought in my head

Writing News

I did wonder if I'd be hit by a load of ideas while I was away. Particularly on the sleeper train. That's when I had twenty-four hours to look out of the window, take in the scenery, and think. As it turns out, what with the steady stream of books I devoured, the regular trips to the dining car, and general chitchat with other passengers, I had zero thoughts about Leeza McAuliffe and the new book I'm planning. In fact, I forgot every thought I'd had prior to the holiday. That's a good thing. It means when I next open the planning file and look at what I'd come up with before I left, I've got some distance. I can decide whether it's a load of old nonsense or if there's something there that works. Soon enough I'll know every part of it off by heart and a fresh perspective will be gone. I need to dispassionately assess it, while I still can.

Montreal Canadiens
v
Pittsburg Penguins

Culture

Obviously I'm obsessed with Celebrity Traitors. That's a given. I read nine books while I was away (everything Rachel Reid has written, plus I finished Midnight Express by Monisha Rajesh). I've also come back with a hunger for hockey. After watching Montreal Canadiens play in their stadium, plus another match on TV in a Halifax bar, I've got the bug. That means a subscription to NHL.TV for all my Canadiens needs. So far, they've had a shaky start to their season but I can only assume, with my transatlantic support, they'll work it out soon enough and make the playoffs. (Do I sound like a fan? Hopefully.)

Salmon kilaw
and oysters

Food and Drink

It's fair to say I ate a lot of fish on holiday. Montreal was the place for smoked salmon bagels, and Halifax was the place for seafood chowder. There were multiple versions of both those things on my travels. Now I'm back, I'm all about recreating versions of the stuff I enjoyed. So far I've done salmon tacos and maple glazed salmon. The thing is, I returned with two bottles of dark maple syrup in my case. Right now I'm happy to glaze just about anything, and am looking for recipes that do just that.

Out and About

Like I said, I had a bone-weary wander around the Range while I tried to stay awake. TK Maxx and Home Sense also got a look in. Then, once I was fully rested and back up to speed, I had my weekly brunch, and a lash lift. A trip to the garage for car admin was also squeezed in, and that was my week. 

I'll continue chasing my autumn-core dreams. I won't be beaten. It's far too early for Christmas, but I'm determined to season up my home now summer is done. I hope all your Octobers turn out to be as bouyant and life-giving as mine is so far.

Have a lovely week, folks.

Serendipitous Mindfulness...

Hey, you're back! After last week's half-assed offering, I wasn't sure. Thank you! I promise this week will be better.

I'm currently heading to the airport. At least if you read this the moment it drops online, I am. Any time after that, I could be doing anything. Exciting! But back to the point. It's Monday morning, I'm about to get on a plane, and if this is scheduled correctly, you'll be reading it as I head home from my adventures. 

I've been in Canada. Largely because I love Canada. That's all that matters, right? This trip was my third visit, and ever since I returned a few years ago, I've been waiting for the next opportunity to go. That being said, the trigger was back in January this year. The TV show Heated Rivalry dropped on Sky. On the surface, it was a sexy romance about rival ice hockey players. So what? But dig the tiniest bit deeper and it was a tender love story about yearning, masculinity, and breaking free of the shackles society imposes. I binged the show when it dropped, then binged the six part book series afterwards.

The whole thing is set in North America. Like I said, Canada was on the to-do list and had been for a while. Yet it was no coincidence that I booked this trip within a couple of weeks of watching the show. I was all in. I loved being immersed in the locations via the small screen and page, and now I was going to see them myself. Whoop! Beyond that I had no plans. The flights and hotel were sorted, I decided to reread the books while I was there, and that was it. Until a couple of months ago. Now, this is where it gets interesting. 

I was going to be in Montreal at the end of September. I'd only passed through the place before, it looked beautiful, and quite a few scenes in Heated Rivalry were set there. What was not to love? At the time, I idly pondered how great it would be to see a hockey match, but how unlikely that would be? I'd no idea of when the season ran, nor whether it would be realistic. I kept thinking about the impossibility of getting a one-off ticket for Anfield, for example. There was no way. Montreal hockey matches were probably the same.

Or not! It turns out, via my online investigations, the season was starting in October, but there were a couple of pre-season friendlies beforehand. Then - in a truly thrilling moment - I read that one of the friendlies was on the Saturday night I was there. Can you believe it? I was in Montreal for five days of the year and one of them was when a match was taking place. I waited for the tickets to go on sale, saw they were non-crazily priced, so made the purchase. Serendipitously boss!

Rachel Reid

But that's not all. A month ago, I was scrolling Instagram and a post stood out. The writer of the Heated Rivalry books - Rachel Reid - shared that she was kicking off her North American tour in Montreal. Cool, I thought. Good for her. Then I saw the dates. It was two days after my hockey match. Last Monday to be exact. I could actually be there! Yes, last Monday night, I saw Rachel Reid do a Q&A in the Rialto Theatre, Montreal, alongside the guy who scored the show (Peter Peter) the actor who played Kip (Robbie G.K.) and four bands who featured on the soundtrack. It was another 'the planets have aligned for me' moment. So, SO, cool. 

Montreal Canadiens
 v Ottawa Senators.
It was a 4-2 win
 to the Habs. 

And now I'm on my way home and I haven't even told you about the hockey match or the author Q&A. I mean, what can I say? Both experiences would have been brilliant regardless of being on holiday. The hockey was crazy-fast, thrillingly brutal, and an absolute event. I loved every second. Then, two days later, the Rachel Reid night was gorgeous. Literary chat, live music from cool Quebec indie artists, and the combined good vibes of a theatre full of people who all love the exact same thing . 

Robbie G.K and
Rachel Reid.

Live sport and culture in one weekend - of course I had a ball. But experiencing them in Montreal itself? All a bit tingly and ethereal, I think. I kept looking around at my surroundings - whether that was the Bell Centre for the hockey or the Rialto Theatre for the arts night - not quite believing I was there. Maybe that's how Canadian Beatles fans feel when they visit Liverpool. They hug themselves on Menlove Avenue and can't believe their luck. That was me last week. All I know was that I've never been more mindful. Being aware of a brilliant thing, while it's happening is such a unique pleasure. Those memories have been locked in forever. 

I suppose that's the life lesson right there. Appreciate your surroundings, be mindful, and take a moment to recognise the feelings you're having while you're having them. I'm not sure how realistic that is, when I'm walking round the Asda, or driving around Merseyside. The run of the mill, mundane stuff doesn't quite offer the same tingles. Still, it's an aim. An aim that doesn't need the planets to align for it to happen. It's up to me and my own efforts. So once I'm home, I've got my plan. Look up, breathe in, and notice shit. It's always good to have an aim.

Have a lovely week, folks.

A Cop Out, Or...

I know, I know, this is a MASSIVE cop out. I'm sorry. 

I love writing how the past week has gone and sharing it every Monday. Honestly, I do. But today I'm a million miles away (well, 5000ish) and getting out a weekly update is just too tricky. Hang on one moment though. All is not lost, don't you worry. As if I'd leave you hanging. Below, for your reading pleasure, are the opening pages to Leeza McAuliffe is Branching Out - the most recent in all the Leeza McAuliffe series. Read, enjoy, and I'll do better next week.

Right then, that's your lot. I apologise once again for this half-assed Monday morning missive. If, on the other hand, this is the best thing you could have read today, and you want more, please don't hesitate to click this link. You can find out about the rest of Leeza's year, how Jake continues to navigate his recent coming out, and just what the deal was with the recently deceased Aunt Lucky. All waiting for you, should you wish it.

Next week will be a little more business as usual. That is, if you're not too busy with your head in your new Leeza book. LOLZ.

Have a lovely week, folks.