Nectarines, The Dark Knight and Hilary's retirement day

1. Nectarines are lovely. I had one today and the juice inconveniently dribbled down my chin.

2. I went with Emma and my friend Brian to see The Dark Knight at City Screen. Emma had seen it before and enjoyed it the second time, I found it a bit long but thought it was pretty fine and reflected the fear and loathing America seems to have for itself and the rest of the world and Brian hated it which was probably predictable. Emma made the point that it wasn't a conventional Hollywood ending with happiness and resolution. I got confused about who was good and who was bad and that seemed a very sharp observation. Brian just thought it was a bad film. Heath Leger was incredible as The Joker. I know there has been a huge amount of hype since we lost him. It took nothing to ignore that. Laughing Man came to mind, how could the writers have known his character so well?

3. This was Hilary's retirement day from Channel Four. I gave her a call this evening and we chatted about the past and the future. She said she knew I was the only person who would know how she feels. It was possibly a slight exaggeration but I was glad we had an opportunity to connect and remind each other that the only certain thing is change. She was wobbly and sentimental and vulnerable. I think we were able to move past regret and she was acknowledging just how generous the experience had been and as importantly just how much she has been able to contribute to her industry as a result. I reminded her that Hilary must find her 'no'. As she and I both recognise the danger now is that she says 'yes' to everything. I said 'no' to someone in the last few days. I have found it the most painful and lonely thing to do. Almost immediately I tried to take it back, but the statement was made and the throw away "whatever" response given back. Sometimes I'm when I'm feeling lost I find myself asserting that friendship and humanness will win the day whatever happens. It is an optimistic state of thinking because it relies on other people's trusting compassion. Of course people lie, but that doesn't necessarily mean they are worthless. People make mistakes.