Material Girl and Motherland

1. We're at the Glad Academy this afternoon to hear Carol Craig speak on materialism. This is my first time here and I am delighted to be handed a songsheet on arrival.

2. After a rousing rendition of material girl, Carol gets going. It's interesting stuff designed to provoke as much as inform. I spend some time considering the true cost of 'having it all' and not for the first time, moving to Sweden seems like a really good idea.

3.The Glad Acad signs off with us singing Can't Buy Me Love and we head for dinner at The Brunswick, which is great - nice service, smashing waffle.

4. On to the Fruitmarket for Celtic Connections. Tonight we're here to see Mulatu Astatke.

5. A very cool gig and noises out of a cello that I've never heard before.