Computer in Shop

Am writing from the lounge of my posh London health club as my poor computer is being diagnosed by the Mac Docs as we speak. I'll know in three to seven business days what the problem is and how expensive a solution will be.

Had an uncomfortable multi-cultural experience this morning. Headed into Shepherd's Bush to an area I had read was a fabric store mecca. Mecca is probably the right word here since everyone in this neighborhood is Middle Eastern. I felt extremely blond and conspicuous and quite uncomfortable about my discomfort. At one point I was in a shop buying felt for Maddie (she's learning to hand sew and felt is much easier to work with than cotton or other fabric). While the shop wasn't that small, it was so crammed with rolls of fabric, there wasn't much room to stand. I was waiting on a very nice man to cut my fabric and four women dressed literally from head to toe in black with only their eyes showing came into the shop. They were having a great time and looking at some really ornate fabric. I so badly wanted to ask them what they used such fabric for since they were all dressed in black. Do they dress differently at home or for special occasions. I didn't know if they would be happy to answer my questions or if such questions would seem rude and intrusive. I guessed the latter.

Next time I go into that neighborhood I am atleast wearing a hat. I felt like my blond head of hair was glowing! Mmmmm. You think you're all multi-cutural and ethnically enlighted and then you find yourself the only blue-eyed blond in a two-block radius and it all goes out the window.