Alexandra Shulman, a writer, has detailed experiencing three consecutive nights of sleeplessness, which she attributes to the July full moon, referred to as the "buck Moon." She notes this sleeplessness is distinct from typical insomnia, describing it as a barrier to sleep that is unrelated to worry or fatigue. While not generally inclined towards mystical beliefs, Shulman expresses a strong conviction that the full moon impacts her sleep quality, a phenomenon she acknowledges has some scientific backing regarding lunar influence on human physiology.
Shulman also voiced significant dissatisfaction with privatized public services in the UK. She recounted an experience with British Gas, which issued a final bill of over £2,300 for a deceased mother's account, despite minimal usage in the final months. She described the process of rectifying such billing errors as time-consuming and frustrating. The issues extend to other utilities, with Thames Water being cited for awarding significant bonuses to senior management amidst reported chaos and imposing a hosepipe ban attributed to infrastructure problems. Comparisons were drawn to the efficiency of Italian rail services, where a two-hour journey was completed comfortably and punctually for a fraction of the cost, contrasting with a negative experience on a GWR service in the UK.
Beyond these issues, Shulman touched upon evolving lifestyle trends. She expressed concern that the increasing popularity of weight-loss injections, or "fat jabs," might diminish the enjoyment of food. She questioned the appeal of all-inclusive hotel buffets in a context where eating may be perceived less as a pleasure and more as a necessity for some.
In culinary matters, Shulman highlighted the importance of accurately written recipes, recalling a friend's omission of a crucial step in a tomato galette recipe. She contrasted her reliance on professional cookery writers whose recipes are consistently reliable with the frequent failures encountered when following recipes from restaurateurs, drawing an analogy between recipe writing and the distinct skills of architects and builders.
The author also recommended the documentary "Wham! 10 Days In China," describing it as an entertaining film about the musical duo George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley. She noted its depiction of 1980s fashion, the press coverage, and the band's efforts to engage a Chinese audience unfamiliar with dancing at concerts. The film is also noted for containing an earlier, unreleased documentary by Lindsay Anderson.