(no subject)

[cybermule]

Swimfest: 20 lengths/500m/40 minutes. As ten double-lengths. The girl at the cafe looked like Juliette Lewis. Bloody knackered :)

Went to a dayschool on the 19th century realist novel. Dickens is less of a complete mystery to me these days, although I still don't like him much. The best section was on Turgenev - we got to read extracts from his letters that showed how his philosophy and writing typified the realist novel. There were some good quotes:

- there's no use in waiting for the so-called noble moments of inspiration;if inspiration comes, all the better: but you must work all the same. Mr Benn's creator said that, so it must be true!

- strive not only to capture life in all its aspects, but also to understand the laws by which it moves and which do not always appear on the surface; you must through the play of circumstances aspire to create types - and at the same time remain faithful to the truth

Browsed around "Fresh and Wild", which is an amazingly large health supermarket full of posh stuff. Didn't buy anything, but did note that they gave away a lot of free samples ;P Saw a weird old-fashioned barber's. Bought an excellent lemony green tea at Temple Meads.

Swimming, slacking and Beowulf tomorrow. Ooo - pak choi seedlings too! Better start thinking how I'm going to grow those on...