Blogging from Birmingham

Got here a bit early so thought I'd put up a few more things today.

Everything at Harry's Place is worth reading today but Harry's bit is the best:

"Blair on Ahmadinejad's threat to "wipe Israel off the map":"

"...These sentiments are completely and totally unacceptable. I have never come across a situation of the President of a country saying they want to wipe out, not that they have got a problem with, or an issue with, but want to wipe out another country. This is unacceptable."

"...If they carry on like this, the question people are going to be asking us is: When are you going to do something about this? Because you imagine a state like that, with an attitude like that, having a nuclear weapon?"

The first "summit" meeting between Mainstream media and the blogosphere is going on, read about it here.

Providores Restaurant:

My favourite restaurant these days. Everything is delicious and all the other plates you see going past make you wish you'd ordered that item.

I got there early yesterday as I wanted to get the best table in the room in honour of my guest. The staff couldn't have been more wonderful, practically winking at me every time they came over!

I got caught out as he said he was disappointed he was not being taken more seriously after publishing a serious history book, note to self, ALWAYS google before a lunch. Afterwards I ran to Waterstones, only to be directed to the humour section. Serious indeed!

I really enjoyed talking to him and I appreciated the way he licked everything up with his fingers, in the classiest way of course, because it was that kind of a meeting, just got friendlier and friendlier and he had to dash off madly, looking at his watch at 5 past 3 saying "my meeting's at three", felt a stab of guilt at that.

I still have no idea what this weekend's research project is all about but the briefing is from 4 to 7 and we're at it all day tomorrow. They said we'll get "press coverage" so if there is a link I'll find it and put it up.