26.3.12

The appliance of science

It always comes as a surprise when people find out i studied science. I think perhaps people expect i might have read or art or French, it often comes as a surprise to people that i ever studied at all. In certain circles you can cut a conversation dead by answering "florist" to the "and what is it you do?" questions.

"How lovely" they say.

I avoid these circles.

But i did, study science, i spent time dissecting human brains, classifying plants, discussing mathematical algorithms, wearing a white lab coat and burning my biro in the flame of a bunsen burner.

The Natural History Museum is like a paradise, I'd take it over Selfridges any day. Museums are one of those things i tend to do solo, i can get quite excitable, especially if there is a penguin, a dinosaur or a big piece of fluorite. The building alone is enough, the carvings and sheer scale are awe inspiring.

I eagerly await Jen Altman's new book Lustre. The colours of minerals are so very different to those of flora, they make for a very welcome change.

Also the Natural History Museum, like a lot of them in London is free. Gratis. Nothing to pay.

and there is a shop.
and you can get married there
and if you have small children you can literally spend a night at the museum.

8 comments:

flwrjane said...

You and GG could chatter on to your hearts content on all things science.

I'll be at Selfridges.

xo J.

Becca said...

You have to have children to spend a night there. I checked. Spoilsports.

I recently went and (probably because it was free) just skulked around lighting up the dinosaur in the reception. Maybe if I had to pay to get in I would have been more appreciative. I just don't think I am cut out for any form of museum.

Getting married there is rather like the Royal Courts of Justice. You have to know 500 people. I barely know 5 (although that does not explain how our guest numbers have increased beyond recognition).

Miss Pickering said...

Jane, marvellous. Pop over next week x

Becca, it's true you do need to have a very big wedding, which is annoying.x

Bxcolby said...

Actually it makes sense. Yes you like flowers and 'pretty' things but there have been lots of hints of science... chemical flasks, maps, taxidermy...

It makes you quirky, interesting and stand out from the crowd. A kindred spirit to this determinedly skirt wearing engineer (though not worn on the railway track, obviously).

Terri said...

I understand completely. I inherited a love of Egyptology from my father.

Miss Pickering said...

Skirt wearing engineers and Eygptology fans.

Hooray! This is wonderful.

Becca said...

Jane, I'm with you. Except we have to go during the day because otherwise it gets full of tourists (she says distainfully).

The best bit about the museum is its proximity to the Hummingbird Bakery shop.

Bow Street Flowers said...

Well, blow me down. I'm in awe. Science is wicked sexy.