Friday, July 03, 2009

Default Post on Gwyneth and Jeff

Somewhat busy, but here's some news of old favourites. Gwyneth emails me to say that ''Going Green' is no longer just the ideology of left-wing hippies.' Who knew? Cameron Diaz joins in with her 'Green List'. This includes high-heeled shoes by Olsen Haus which are, apparently, vegan. Once again, who knew? Meanwhile, good old Jeff comes up with a real thigh-slapper - 'Stuart Rose told an amusing story that he'd asked the board of Marks & Spencer if they were at any time considering sacking him could they do it in the morning as he hadn't had a relaxed lunch for several years.' The prose shimmers and inspires.
Posted by Bryan Appleyard at 9:43 am

10 comments:

  1. BritJuly 03, 2009 10:45 am

    Glad you mentioned Jeff because it reminded me of one of the most brilliant travelogue pieces I've ever had the pleasure to read.

    There's something about this report of Jeff's trip to Rome that somehow touches the soul in a way that ... well, just read it:

    This is my 7th or 8th trip to Rome, but I learnt something worthwhile from Chris Beetles. If you want to visit St Peter's Basilica, you should get there at 7.30am when the doors open, as you'll have the basilica virtually to yourself for an hour which means you can get up to the roof-top for the magnificent views without queuing and return to the ground floor and enjoy the Michaelangelo, Raphael and three Berninis before the coachloads arrive. By 10.00am it's pandemonium, which is precisely when we were departing, so if you are in Rome and want to see St Peter's, get up early. When I arrived back in London, despite having enjoyed eight of the most sumptuous meals I've ever had in my life, I discovered I was actually a pound lighter, which will give you a clue as to how much walking the three of us did during the past 5 days.

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  2. maltyJuly 03, 2009 11:09 am

    Jeff, I suppose, as a one time guest of her majesty would be accustomed to rising with the larks.

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  3. Dr HackenbushJuly 03, 2009 11:48 am

    just wondering: is Jeff's conviction now 'spent'? (cf. the 'officially rehabilitated ex-prisoner' Jonathan Aitken)

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  4. Susan B.July 03, 2009 12:53 pm

    Brit, that is SO funny. How can this man be such a boring dude and uninspired (dare I say pedestrian?) writer and yet sell books?

    One of life's great mysteries.

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  5. estetik burun rinoplastiJuly 03, 2009 12:54 pm

    I think so..

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  6. AnonymousJuly 03, 2009 1:22 pm

    Jeff's novels came highly recommended by the secretary i shared a small office with for 2 years, in my last job, where i learnt how to write such exciting and stunning prose, which is why i'm quite successful these days. So we all might take a leaf out of Jeff's book, so as to speak. Then we could all learn something worthwhile.

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  7. Ian russellJuly 03, 2009 1:44 pm

    were there many right-wing hippies? we attach the flowers to your hair or your testicles to the wind-turbine, you choose!

    what were his prison diaries like?

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  8. BritJuly 03, 2009 2:19 pm

    Boring, Susan? Never!

    Uninspired I'll grant you, but Jeff takes 'uninspired' and uses it to create magic.

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  9. Michael SmithJuly 03, 2009 7:56 pm

    Given how much money he makes, I wish I could write that badly.

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  10. circus monkeyJuly 04, 2009 2:54 pm

    Am I the only one who has had a bellyful of overprivileged brats and meedya darlings lecturing us on being green?

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