London Jaunt- It's life, but not as we know it

The British Library has two exhibitions on at the moment concerning things that are made up, speculative fiction and typically ancient literary traditions. One is the Out of this World science-fiction exhibition, while the other is the more permanent display of the British Library Treasures, its collection including: great religious texts from around the world such as gospels, bibles and Qu'rans; Chinese scrolls and texts; tomes of early poetry and Chaucer; Jane Austen's writing desk and manuscripts; a whole lot more, including Beatles notes.

They are both well worth looking at. I went the other day, in another London Jaunt to make myself feel better/ drag me out of my room and away from the relentless job application process, and it was immense. The best part- it's free.

There's not that much I can say about the collections that won't tarnish the moments when you see it yourself. Suffice to say, Out of this World ties the great literary genre of science-fiction together nicely and shows it as that, not just some tacky 19th and 20th century genre-fic. And it has a tripod, from the War of the Worlds.

The Treasures collection is just as good, with really old works and beautifully embellished, historically crucial masterpieces. Go to it, it's incredible. One thing though- you cannot take photographs in either collection, a bit of a downer.

The science fiction collection isn't around now for very long, so hurry down over the next month or miss out! It finishes on the 25th September.

On a lighter note, I also had my first ever Wagamama's. It was great, especially because of the sense of achievement and triumph at eating the whole thing with chopsticks. And because it was a lot of food for a pretty good price. And because it was sort of hidden away. There was a doorway, with a sign, and then down some stairs and along a corridor and through two sets of doors... the cellar kitchen/ dining room! It was quite utilitarian and bohemian, in a way.

Also, panning for jobs in the great river of detritus and telesales, I may have finally gleaned a nugget. More news to follow.