TMTW: October-December 2024

What happened:
Caught up with friends, browsed the Affordable Art Fair, saw Hairspray at the theatre, took a quick trip to Margate for Peter Hook & The Light (and a visit to the Shell Grotto), then I was poorly! That was October.

In November we celebrated Olly's birthday, then I went to Philadelphia for a week-long work trip. Apart from going to see a 76ers basketball game (they lost), it was work, work, work! (Did manage to briefly have a walk around the Old City again, where all the colonial stuff happened.) When I came back I went straight into what I thought would be two weeks of jury service... I was discharged after 1.5 days!

December should have been all about the festivities - of course - but I got sick. Yes, again! (FML.) So I missed my work Christmas party and a few other things, but we did get to see The Devil Wears Prada at the theatre and have a brief jaunt to see the Christmas lights in London. Was far too crowded - the busiest I've ever seen London in my entire life - and I only got to tick off Covent Garden. Christmas was nice - we hosted on Christmas Day and Boxing Day - then celebrated NYE at a house party. 

What I ate:
Yum Indian food at Tamila, went all-in at Blacklock for a Sunday roast, had brunch at Dishoom, dim sum at Bobochacha, a delicious dinner at Pomus in Margate (below), celebrated Olly's birthday at The Barbary Next Door, had a team dinner at Pho, a Christmas-vibed dinner at Daphne's and back to Blacklock to go all-in for chops this time (I prefer their roasts!). 

In Philadelphia: Food at El Vez, Dolce, The Black Sheep, Grandma's Philly, Beck's Cajun Cafe at Reading Terminal Market, The Continental Mid-town, Ruth's Chris Steak House, IHOP, El Rey and Mac's Tavern. (And the work cafes.) Drinks at: Misconduct Tavern, The Mulberry and the bar at the W (where we stayed).  

What I watched:
Finished watching Kaos and Bad Monkey, watched seasons 2 and 3 of Industry, season 4 of Slow Horses, Sweetpea, Agatha All Along, season 4 of Only Murders in the Building, season 1 of Lioness, season 2 of The Santa Clauses, season 6 of Strike, The Day of the Jackal, rewatched season 7 of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and started watching Shogun.

Films watched: The Day After Tomorrow, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, Fly me to the Moon, The Fall Guy, Monkey Man, Home Alone, Our Little Secret, Fly me to the Moon (again!), Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Hot Frosty, Red One, Elf, Die Hard, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, Nutcrackers, Jingle All the Way, Santa Claus: The Movie, Love Actually, Big, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Dear Santa, Wolfs, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, The Holdovers, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Wonka.

What I read: 
In October I read 21 books. I gave The Lost Victim by Robert Bryndza a four star rating, same for One of the Girls by Lucy Clarke. In November I read 12 books. I gave Lethal Vengeance by Robert Bryndza a four star rating, same for The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz, and Sweetpea and Dead Head by CJ Skuse. In December I read 11 books and listened to one audiobook. Four stars to both The Accomplice by Steve Cavanagh and Midwiner Murder by Agatha Christie. 

How was the end of your 2024? x