Author Archives: Scribe Doll
Double Standards: The Ravens in the Tower
I took one of my students to the Tower of London, last Friday. I confess that, in the seventeen years I have lived in London, I had never been there. Well, at least not in daytime. I was not looking … Continue reading
Posted in Animals, Half-English Observations
Tagged animal cruelty, katherine gregor, monarchy, ravens, scribe doll, scribedoll, tower of london
11 Comments
Kisses, Handshakes and Hugs
When my Italian, Spanish, Irish and Basque friends greet or part with me, they kiss me. That is, their lips smack into my cheek full on, like a firm cushion. A solid, present, committed kiss. My English friends*, for the … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged basque, english, handshakes, hugs, Irish, italian, katherine gregor, kisses, musings, scribe doll, scribedoll
3 Comments
Pet Hates: Job Interview Platitudes
Sorry to keep you waiting, we’re very busy today. Tempting answer: Are you suggesting I am not busy? I can honestly say that I have seldom been seen at the agreed time. It is the would be employer who … Continue reading
Posted in Pet Hates
Tagged employers, job interviews, katherine gregor, musings, platitudes, scribe doll, scribedoll
1 Comment
Trust
Some thoughts on the painting Tobias and the Angel (circa 1470-80) by the Workshop of Verrocchio. Egg tempera on poplar. National Gallery, London. Trust me, if you will. I am loving, I am infinite, I am immortal. I do not … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged 15th century, archangel, archangel raphael, katherine gregor, national gallery, painting, raphael, renaissance, scribe doll, scribedoll, tobias, tobias and the angel, trust, verrocchio
5 Comments
Odds & Ends: Human Decency Is Not Dead
The past week has brought to light a ugly side to the nation, that makes me feel deeply uneasy. I can only hope that History will not spin the truth into a falsely glorified image of an ideologically motivated revolt … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged decency, entitlement, freeloader, French, honesty, katherine gregor, mobile, phone, reward, scribe doll, scribedoll
Comments Off on Odds & Ends: Human Decency Is Not Dead
Odds & Ends: The Money Yardstick
I know this one is going to spark off controversy, so here comes the disclaimer: this is just my personal opinion, which I have formed from my own observations. However, I would be most interested in hearing about your experiences. … Continue reading
Words and Civilisation: Sales Assistants’ Language
You wear a brand new purple T-shirt and notice, and the end of the day, that the colour has run over your white underwear and even rubbed off on your skin. The following day, you take it back to the … Continue reading
Posted in Words and Civilisation
1 Comment
Pet Hates: In Restaurants
No.1 Is everything O.K.? Have you noticed how waiters wait for the exact moment when you have your mouth full, before they ask you that? I often try and cheat them by staging my forkfuls when they are not around … Continue reading
Posted in Pet Hates
Tagged cake, food, katherinegregor, napkin, restaurants, scribe doll, scribedoll, waiters
Comments Off on Pet Hates: In Restaurants
Odds & Ends: The Neglected Sense
On the Tube, the conductor’s announcement is so loud, the sound is fuzzy and incomprehensible. I plug my fingers into my ears and meet the eyes of other passengers. They are impassive; their curiosity at my reaction, unemotional. In the … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged katherine gregor, manuel de falla, music, nights in the gardens of spain, noise, orpheus, plato, proms, royal albert hall, scribe doll, scribedoll, volume
3 Comments
Odds & Ends: An Actor’s Perception of Age
I used to be a theatrical agent. A few of my ex-clients, I now have the pleasure and privilege of calling my friends. Perhaps one of them will be able to solve this particular puzzle. Or did this happen only … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged actors, age, agents, casting, katherine gregor, scribe doll, theatre
6 Comments
Scribe Doll 