An Evening with Benjamin Zephaniah

Yesterday we were at the Belgrade Theatre to attend a performance by the well known poet Benjamin Zephaniah. He was to headline the 2nd Coventry International Festival of Literature.

According to the brochure, he was going to discuss his latest book, Forbidden Fruit: an anthology of love among the races which I was looking forward to. But it turned out to be a Question Time-type session. I guess you can't expect what the audience are going to ask.

The auditorium was packed and it was a warm night. Suddenly, those sitting in front of us started to leave their seats. What...Someone had fainted. The organisers got her out quickly and I hope she's fine.

In between questions, Benjamin recited 3 poems in his usual dub style, which involves reading to a background of reggae rhythm. His ardent fans were stamping on the wooden floor demonstrating their appreciation. Definitely a change from the usual subdued audience for a literary discussion.

Flash photography was not allowed in the theatre. I took a few without the flash but it was too blurred.  Benjamin also made news in 2003 when he declined to accept the OBE from the Queen. He said that it was an affront to his Jamaican heritage.

Apart from that, the week went smoothly. On Monday, the cataloguers had a training session on e-journals and on Tuesday, I got a magnolia tree for charity. The library were collecting donations for the Burmese Nargis fund. I've planted the tree at the bottom of the garden.

It was also football heaven week.  The UEFA Cup final in Manchester saw Zenit St Petersburg thrashed Glasgow Rangers 2:0. The atmosphere was to die for but the mayhem after the beautiful game was a letdown.  Then Portsmouth defeated Cardiff City 1:0 in the FA Cup finals.

I took Thursday afternoon off cos my shoulder was causing me some pain. Took painkillers and a hot water bottle to bed. On Fri, called in sick. Went to the doctors to have it checked out. It was diagnosed as muscular cramps. Don't ask me how I got it.

I was prescribed co-codamol. It made me so high that I only took one instead of 2 tablets. If you see me looking a bit woozy and loopy, I'm not on drugs...:-)