Tonight:
5°c
If only Derek Draper had followed his own advice. Two weeks ago I attended the launch of his new book, Life Support: A Survival Guide for the Modern Soul.
It contains instructive chapters on Coping with Shame, Techno-stress, Being Your Own Worst Enemy and Telling the Truth: "The second type of dishonesty occurs when we cannot live without our lie," writes Derek. "This is the 'unknown' lie. What happens here is that we have to believe in something, even against all the evidence, because it is too precious to us to forgo." I am sure Frances Osborne recognises that lie.
Draper may have reinvented himself as a psychotherapist but he is as irrepressible as ever - as he demonstrated at his own launch. After allowing himself to be photographed with a lifebelt over his head, he introduced me to fellow guests with the words: "This is Sebastian, who has still to have his breakdown."
Draper then fiddled with his BlackBerry and gave me a constant update about the stream of congratulatory messages he was receiving from well-wishers. "Peter has just messaged me to say he might drop by after he's done Channel 4 News," said Draper. "James has just texted to say he's sorry he can't join us as he's with Ed and Yvette." The names just kept coming thick and fast - except few, if any, were at Derek's party.
"I bet you don't believe me," said Draper. "Isn't it funny, this is what I was accused of when I was being a lobbyist. Boasting about all my contacts." Derek, I never doubted you for a moment.
* I have a confession to make. I have finally fallen in love with golf. Watching it - the US Masters - not playing it. My joy may have had something to do with my parents-in-law's television set. They are very much analogue in-laws in a digital age - and their TV is unbelievably fuzzy. I cannot actually see the golf ball until the camera zooms in for a close-up. So it becomes more of a spot the ball competition. Believe me, it adds a whole new dimension to the game.
* If you are an impoverished author (or just a stingy one), the best place to have a party in town is the Artesian Bar at the Langham on Portland Place. A nominal fee will secure you a swanky venue with impeccable literary associations. Conan Doyle set a couple of Holmes stories here, Mark Twain was a guest and the hotel is now creating a Book Butler for its residents. Kathy Lette hired the venue earlier this year and next week Stephanie Theobald is to launch her new novel, A Partial Indulgence, sponsored by Ruinart, there. Seems like a total indulgence to me.
