Jetlag from Florida proved extremely convenient in staying up to watch the Oscars yesterday.  Having not missed them since 1985, it continued an unbroken stream of mostly tedium.  I thought it was actually a decent show, whooshing through all the boring awards (Will Smith doing 4 awards in about 5 minutes must be some kind of record), but that having-5-actors-sing-the-praises-of-the-5-acting-nominees was toe-curling.  Must never do that again.

As for the winners, well, they're all pretty good, I guess, though Mickey Rourke should definitely have beaten Sean Penn.  As for the real best picture of the year?  I joke not when I say it's Wall-E.  Seriously, watched it twice more on the transatlantic flight.  It's genius.

Speaking of geniuses, one of the bizarre strains of British culture is its hatred of cleverness.  Witness the furore over poor bright girl Gail Trimble on University Challenge.  Leave her alone, for Christ's sake.  Fortunately, she doesn't seem all that bothered.  Which is the cleverest thing of all.

And a new event to announce.  In addition to the LSE event on this Friday, I've just formally booked for Brighton Festival on 10 May at noon.  It's my first big appearance where people have to get tickets to see just me, so all comers welcome.  I'm tentatively booked at a couple of other big festivals, but I'll let you know when they're formalised.  Hope to see you there.