Your latest book, gig, film, iPod track?

Next time someone asks what you're listening to or readng, will you lie? Apparently, most people asked about the food they eat will lie. The same is probably true of reading and listening habits. Currently in my ears is Aretha Franklin singing 'Do Right Woman'. Happy with that.

So, as I prepare to draw a line under two years that saw me crash a car, break a shoulder and lose half of my stomach along with a tumour the size of a small football, I'm definitely going to be a Do Right Woman.

Which means reading, eating and listening to what I want to. The things I know are right for me. After all, I'm not answering to anyone.

And, for the record, my latest gig was Quincy Jones. That'll do.


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The importance of blurred lines in an audience with Quincy Jones

If 'An Audience with Quincy Jones', compered by Paul Gambaccini, left me with one single impression, it was that the lines are not just blurred but practically invisible between jazz, blues and soul.

The house band - The Allstars Collective led by Paul Pacifico - put on a good showing of Quincy Jones classics and there were some extraordinary performances by British musical royalty. Mica Paris, Jocelyn Brown, Sonique and Beverley Knight were simply perfect and worth the night out alone. A highlight of the evening was an indescribable performance of 'Me and Mrs Jones' by Sarah Jane Morris. You really had to be there.

Hugely, unapologetically political from the first, Quincy Jones clearly has issues he feels strongly about. Equality being at the root of it all. The man is far more intelligent than I'd ever imagined and knows more about music, language and storytelling than I'd thought possible. He's been responsible for the soundtrack of most of my life, one way or another and that was enough, but it turns out he's passionate about influencing the next generation and changing the future.

The night was three hours of sheer joy. Helped by the fact that Mr J was sat two feet from me for the whole of the first half of the show. The 300 people in the room that night were blessed with some sensible talk about making the world a better place - and that's on top of the fantastic music. Blurring lines seems like a very good idea, and that's not just in music.


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Inspiring passion

Sometimes, you meet people - or hear them talk - and their passion inspires you. Their words make you want to work. Hard. Whether it's music or writing, that passion is all that's needed. All it will take.


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Every man for himself

Maybe it's Thatcher's children, but people just seem so rude on trains these days. Men have definitely decided en masse to push in front of every woman they can. Just to prove they can, perhaps.

Get off a Thameslink train at St Pancras in the evening and you'll be hard pushed to reach the platform without asking someone politely to step away from the door so you can actually get off to let them on.

Of course, I could just be turning into a grumpy old woman. I do always step aside though, and pick up litter that I pass to put in the nearest bin. I'm not the only one with manners, but there are definitely more people working in central London who barely notice others, let alone show them any courtesy.

Rant over.

Define 'professional'

I've had a couple of recent experiences that caused me to question people's use of the term 'professional'.

It seems prevalent within organisations where people have little contact outside their immediate business connections. People who choose not to network are somehow cutting themselves off from the benchmark against others.

I don't think all networking organisations and opportunities are great. Some of them are definitely not for me, but I enjoy the ones I do get involved in. The people whose paths I cross work in many different fields and - no matter how hard one might try not to be judgmental - they range from dynamic to a bit dopey.

The dynamic ones sometimes demonstrate behaviours not to be repeated and the dopey ones can show how humility works. There really is something to learn from everyone. Which is my point, really. If you're not getting out and about, you'll believe everything you tell yourself about your business and, indeed, your professionalism. Whether that's good or bad.

I think it's almost impossible to be professional in a silo. If you don't converse intelligently with people other than your clients or your colleagues, you won't ever learn anything new. And if, by the way, you think you have nothing to learn from anyone, you really aren't professional.