Research, and Heat

It was worth braving the scorchio temperatures today for the University of the East's Research Conference. There was so much to learn: about the increasing focus on property in literature aimed at women readers, about the different stories behind buildings in an Iranian city (with a charming shoe metaphor: ancient, religious and trainers); a Glaswegian girl who at the age of 12 was at the forefront of the Glasgow Rent Strikes; and class and magic in children's books.
On the way home I dropped in to the soundcheck at the Camden Working Men's College showcase night, but it was just too damn hot to stay for the evening. It was very busy and looks slick to was going to be really good fun.
But it's hot!
Why aren't people crying on the tube?
It's horrible nestling up against those armpits and lumpy backpacks in the sweltering heat.
At least I have a good book to read- actually, a brilliant one that I thought would be crap, but I couldn't resist buying it. It's title? Eurovision! A History of Modern Europe through The World's Greatest Song Contest, by Chris West. It puts so much into perspective by tracking European (and more) history from the inception of the contest onwards. We have lived through troubled times, and the song contest has sometimes been directly involved in revolutions, with particular songs signalling that it's time for a coup, for instance. There's lots about the songs and their titles, and one of them made me laugh out loud. The book is a real romp with a serious heart, and because it's episodic, with each chapter concentrating on a consecutive year, you can read it on the train to work without missing your stop.
.... well, maybe just missing a stop once.