Well, of course, I am now back in Canada, and Monica is (theoretically) hard at work doing her research in London. However, her adventures today were just too good not to share with you. So here it is, in her own words:
:-)
"I went to the British library, as per usual, and Neil came at lunch to meet my friend (Katherine, whose also working at the library) and I for lunch. Anyhoo, there's security everywhere, and they start cordoning the place off for a reception of some kind. Katherine and I were o.k., but Neil was told that because he wasn't a reader (i.e. didn't have a card to one of the special reading rooms), he would have to leave the building. No general public allowed. So we went outside and watched all the security preparations, and asked, of course, who was coming, but were told by security that they couldn't tell us. So Neil finally leaves, and Katherine and I have to get searched and go through metal detectors before we're allowed back in, and are only allowed in the read ing rooms, as the foyer is completely cordoned off.
Anyhoo, Katherine found out from the library staff that the Queen was coming to open an exhibition at the library! Too exciting. So we huddled out of our reading rooms at the appointed hour, and hordes of academics pushed their way to the railings overlooking the foyer (where the security guards would let us), and we looked down upon all the snooty invited people who were drinking champagne. The Queen came and they all acted very proper, but we all clapped. She looked surprised -- "Who on earth are those people?" I'm sure she was thinking. But we all watched her open the exhibition and then hob-nob around with rich people and lords, I imagine. It was all very fun.
So there you go -- tell your friends that I got a good long stare at the Queen, and that, in fact, I got to look down on her."
:-)
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