Was just listening to 'Front Row' on Radio 4 whilst deciding what to eat tonight when I heard a tribute to Linda Smith. Aged just 48, she died yesterday from ovarian cancer.
Many may not have heard of her, but if you are a comedy anorak like myself, with an addiction to Radio 4 comedy - now supplemented with the excellent BBC7 - you were undoubtedly a big fan of her wit and humour. A humourist and humanist - she was president of the British Humanist Association - it's very sad to think we won't hear her wit afresh again.
BBC News article
Humanist Association website tribute
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Culture Vulture???
In London you have a range of cultural activities on your doorstep - you often don’t take advantage of this, but it’s reassuring to know that you can should you wish to drag yourself off the sofa. This week I did something I’ve never done - I went to the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream . Somewhat shamefully, I’ve never seen an RSC production, nor that particular play.
To be honest I didn’t know much about the plot beforehand - I knew it was the play which contained Bottom and has the best use of a horse’s head outside The Godfather - but being a Shakespeare comedy I figured it would contain mistaken identity, star-crossed lovers, perhaps some cross dressing, and maybe a random bunch of Muscovites. So I took my seat - American tourists to my right and posh sloaney types to my left.
I was slightly annoyed that Bottom was played with a Brummie accent - not that I had a particular problem with that, it was just a bad rendition of a Brummie accent - and towards the end the play does almost descend into ‘Carry On Shakespeare’. But this was proper Shakespeare; with ACTING and SHOUTING and PROJECTION. Very funny, well acted and a thoroughly enjoyable 3 hours.
You can always tell the quality of the cast by looking at the credits in the actor’s biographies. Proper actors will have at some point in their career appeared in The Bill/Casualty/Holby City. A top notch actor will be one whose been in all three. Disappointingly I have to report that according to programme with this RSC production, plenty of the cast had done sterling work in regional theatre but only two have appeared in The Bill, and another has appeared in both Casualty and Holby City. However, I can report that one had appeared in ‘Allo ‘Allo and another proudly includes The Dick Emery Show amongst their TV work. Very reassuring.
To be honest I didn’t know much about the plot beforehand - I knew it was the play which contained Bottom and has the best use of a horse’s head outside The Godfather - but being a Shakespeare comedy I figured it would contain mistaken identity, star-crossed lovers, perhaps some cross dressing, and maybe a random bunch of Muscovites. So I took my seat - American tourists to my right and posh sloaney types to my left.
I was slightly annoyed that Bottom was played with a Brummie accent - not that I had a particular problem with that, it was just a bad rendition of a Brummie accent - and towards the end the play does almost descend into ‘Carry On Shakespeare’. But this was proper Shakespeare; with ACTING and SHOUTING and PROJECTION. Very funny, well acted and a thoroughly enjoyable 3 hours.
You can always tell the quality of the cast by looking at the credits in the actor’s biographies. Proper actors will have at some point in their career appeared in The Bill/Casualty/Holby City. A top notch actor will be one whose been in all three. Disappointingly I have to report that according to programme with this RSC production, plenty of the cast had done sterling work in regional theatre but only two have appeared in The Bill, and another has appeared in both Casualty and Holby City. However, I can report that one had appeared in ‘Allo ‘Allo and another proudly includes The Dick Emery Show amongst their TV work. Very reassuring.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Well, Can I?
Will be a guest at a wedding in a couple of weeks and looking forward to it.
Am debating whether I could 'carry off'/get away with a light pink shirt as part of my ensemble - apparently only a few people can (?).
What thinketh ye??
Have I said too much??
Am debating whether I could 'carry off'/get away with a light pink shirt as part of my ensemble - apparently only a few people can (?).
What thinketh ye??
Have I said too much??
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Escape to Teddington
Sounds like a bad 1950s sub-Ealing comedy film title - it would probably star Bernard Cribbins, Lionel Jeffries and Beryl Reid having to hide out in a convent as nuns with 'hilarious' consequences.
Anyway, driving back from North Devon I reflected on why I live where I do. 10 months ago I was living in Surrey Quays - the cheap bit of docklands - really Bermondsey with aspirations. I shared a great flat with a great flatmate but knew I didn't want to stay in Surrey Quays; so to move where? It quickly boiled down to either the centre of London or somewhere further out - my bank account made the decision.
So, 7 months ago I escaped to Teddington (virtually rural in London terms) and I've already spotted a few differences between here & Bermondsey;
...there are fewer police signs appealing for witnesses to serious assault, GBH, armed robbery or murder - this is reassuring...
...Teddington is a bit posher - not only does it have a M&S Simply Food, but the local kebab shop puts your doner in Styrofoam box and you get a serviette with a plastic & knife fork...
...people will say 'hello' and not try to mug you...
...in Bermondsey if you saw an 18 year old woman with a 3 year old in a pushchair you weren't sure if they were sisters or mother and daughter - in Teddington the 18 year old is probably the Polish nanny...
...Teddington is very fond of puns in shop names - there is 'Top Gear' (selling motor accessories); 'Kitchen Sync' (selling kitchenware); 'Wok This Way Again' (a chinese takeaway - the 'again' suggests this, scarily, could have a sister shop); and, my favourite, the cigar shop - yes Teddington is the sort of place which has a cigar shop - called 'Hava Havana'...
Will I stay long term? When I moved someone commented that I might miss 'the urban edge' of Bermondsey. Teddington seems 'nice' - a double edged compliment if there ever was one - and I tend to have a sense of unrest. Answer - I don't yet know.
Anyway, driving back from North Devon I reflected on why I live where I do. 10 months ago I was living in Surrey Quays - the cheap bit of docklands - really Bermondsey with aspirations. I shared a great flat with a great flatmate but knew I didn't want to stay in Surrey Quays; so to move where? It quickly boiled down to either the centre of London or somewhere further out - my bank account made the decision.
So, 7 months ago I escaped to Teddington (virtually rural in London terms) and I've already spotted a few differences between here & Bermondsey;
...there are fewer police signs appealing for witnesses to serious assault, GBH, armed robbery or murder - this is reassuring...
...Teddington is a bit posher - not only does it have a M&S Simply Food, but the local kebab shop puts your doner in Styrofoam box and you get a serviette with a plastic & knife fork...
...people will say 'hello' and not try to mug you...
...in Bermondsey if you saw an 18 year old woman with a 3 year old in a pushchair you weren't sure if they were sisters or mother and daughter - in Teddington the 18 year old is probably the Polish nanny...
...Teddington is very fond of puns in shop names - there is 'Top Gear' (selling motor accessories); 'Kitchen Sync' (selling kitchenware); 'Wok This Way Again' (a chinese takeaway - the 'again' suggests this, scarily, could have a sister shop); and, my favourite, the cigar shop - yes Teddington is the sort of place which has a cigar shop - called 'Hava Havana'...
Will I stay long term? When I moved someone commented that I might miss 'the urban edge' of Bermondsey. Teddington seems 'nice' - a double edged compliment if there ever was one - and I tend to have a sense of unrest. Answer - I don't yet know.
Monday, February 20, 2006
I Name This Shop....
More exploring around North Devon. In one small town I discovered a couple of slightly strange shop names. Firstly, "The Mole and Haggis Bookshop" - why?
Secondly, the local greengrocers was called "Xanadu". A great name for a 70s themed roller-disco perhaps - but I couldn't quite see the link to cucumbers and kumquats......
Secondly, the local greengrocers was called "Xanadu". A great name for a 70s themed roller-disco perhaps - but I couldn't quite see the link to cucumbers and kumquats......
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Way Out West
Been spending a couple of days in Barnstaple, North Devon. To me Barnstaple always seems to be the name of northern town. A sibling of Barnsley and Bradford, it once went on a holiday down south, probably carvanning, and decided to move and settle there. It now perhaps looks down on its northern brothers, who in turn feel that it has become some sort of southern softie who has forgotten its northern roots.
Anyway, some family members have relocated here and I'm paying a visit - partly to catch up with them all, but also to be a bit nosy. Although they moved only 3 weeks ago, the house looks remarkably lived in and organised - much more than I am in my small flat which still contains boxes to unpack after moving 7 months ago.
It's a great part of the country - yesterday was spent at various bays enjoying the sun, sand and watching the surfing dudes and dudettes whilst drinking hot chocolate - you can see the attraction of relocating. But why do we live where we do? Family? Work? Friends? Lifestyle?
I've lived in Birmingham, Manchester and London - I'm a city boy. I love the outdoors and can see the attraction of country/village life, but could I live there? I doubt it. For me there is a bit of a paradox - you move to the country for the space, but I sense it could also be a bit claustrophobic with people knowing all about your business etc. By contrast the city, though crowded and busy, offers a sense of anonymity and privacy.
I'm enjoying my time in Devon - and I hope it will be the first of many visits - but I sense that if I lived here, after a few weeks I'd really miss not having a local arthouse cinema showing poncey films in french. Perhaps, just like Barnstaple, I've become a southern softie.....
Anyway, some family members have relocated here and I'm paying a visit - partly to catch up with them all, but also to be a bit nosy. Although they moved only 3 weeks ago, the house looks remarkably lived in and organised - much more than I am in my small flat which still contains boxes to unpack after moving 7 months ago.
It's a great part of the country - yesterday was spent at various bays enjoying the sun, sand and watching the surfing dudes and dudettes whilst drinking hot chocolate - you can see the attraction of relocating. But why do we live where we do? Family? Work? Friends? Lifestyle?
I've lived in Birmingham, Manchester and London - I'm a city boy. I love the outdoors and can see the attraction of country/village life, but could I live there? I doubt it. For me there is a bit of a paradox - you move to the country for the space, but I sense it could also be a bit claustrophobic with people knowing all about your business etc. By contrast the city, though crowded and busy, offers a sense of anonymity and privacy.
I'm enjoying my time in Devon - and I hope it will be the first of many visits - but I sense that if I lived here, after a few weeks I'd really miss not having a local arthouse cinema showing poncey films in french. Perhaps, just like Barnstaple, I've become a southern softie.....
Friday, February 17, 2006
"Devon, I'm in Devon"
In Devon for a long weekend . I’ve been to numerous parts of the UK - from the Scilly Isles to the Orkneys, but Devon is a county I’ve only really driven through rather than visited.
When in a new part of the UK I like to listen to the local radio stations - I find they give you a good feel for the place. Coming through Devon I tuned into the local station and caught some of their phone in.
“Today we are discussing how short people when driving tend to be at a bit more of a disadvantage as the sun shines in their eyes more. Give us a call to talk about this and how you deal with it.”
First caller; “I tend to prop my self up in the driving seat by using a lot of cushions.”
Second caller; “I don’t understand why car manufacturers, instead of fitting the shades they currently do, don’t fit some sort of roller blind to the windscreen. The driver can then adjust it depending on their height and where the sun is.”
This is why wherever I have a mad idea to attempt to write some form of comedy I feel I should give up - I’ll never come up with anything funnier than what happens in real life.
Guess I’ve now got a feel for Devon.
When in a new part of the UK I like to listen to the local radio stations - I find they give you a good feel for the place. Coming through Devon I tuned into the local station and caught some of their phone in.
“Today we are discussing how short people when driving tend to be at a bit more of a disadvantage as the sun shines in their eyes more. Give us a call to talk about this and how you deal with it.”
First caller; “I tend to prop my self up in the driving seat by using a lot of cushions.”
Second caller; “I don’t understand why car manufacturers, instead of fitting the shades they currently do, don’t fit some sort of roller blind to the windscreen. The driver can then adjust it depending on their height and where the sun is.”
This is why wherever I have a mad idea to attempt to write some form of comedy I feel I should give up - I’ll never come up with anything funnier than what happens in real life.
Guess I’ve now got a feel for Devon.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Snuggle-Wuggles Love Cutesy-Putsy
Are you ready for some level 5 openness and honesty? And no, I've no idea what level 5 is, but I'm guessing I'm usually around level 0.5. Are you worried yet?
Today is Valentine's Day. I'm quick me - the numerous email reminders from Interflora were a bit of a clue as was me spotting that M&S were selling single long stemed red roses at Waterloo station last night; but how I made it on the La Senza email reminder list I'm not entirely sure. So, with it being Valentine's Day thoughts move to great romantic couples - Romeo & Juliet, Beatrice and Benedict, Darcy and Lizzie Bennett, Chantelle and Preston (I've still no idea who Preston is/was and saying he's in the Ordinary Boys doesn't help).
So here is my confession - I'm a bit of a romantic. I know, I know - I can sense some you spluttering on your coffee as you read that but it's true - perhaps well hidden, but true.
Of course the slight problem is that whilst on the whole I can be pretty perceptive; in certain areas it has to be said I'm a bit of a muppet - I can't read signals, I send the wrong signals, move too fast, move too slow, my timing is poor and I can be pretty clueless. However, rather than see this as a major negative, I much prefer to look at this as part of my naive charm! On the plus side it can provide great entertain for friends - like rubber necking at an accident, they know they shouldn't look, but.... it's...... just....... too..... tempting!
As I've said before, one of my favourite sitcom lines is 'you don't get to be in your 30s and still be single by being good at this' (on occasion I do wonder how far I am away from an Oakhall holiday - wonder how many will get that reference?). So Valentine's Day is one of those days, along with birthdays and New Year's Eve, which makes me pause and reflect. I have a lot for which I am thankful and grateful - yet so far some pieces have still to fall into place in that jigsaw of life.
Is today annoying? Can be slightly, but that soon passes as the day is about love and romance and how can you stay annoyed about that? Plus, like the eternally optimistic football fan says (and as a supporter of Birmingham City I need to be optimistic about now), there is always next week, next month or next year and who knows?
Don't misinterpret the above as being downbeat or negative - it's certainly not meant to be. Today is a lovely day and if you do have that special someone then send flowers to their workplace to show how much you care, do something romantic, embrace the day - embrace them!
Mind you, £4.99 for a single rose....
Today is Valentine's Day. I'm quick me - the numerous email reminders from Interflora were a bit of a clue as was me spotting that M&S were selling single long stemed red roses at Waterloo station last night; but how I made it on the La Senza email reminder list I'm not entirely sure. So, with it being Valentine's Day thoughts move to great romantic couples - Romeo & Juliet, Beatrice and Benedict, Darcy and Lizzie Bennett, Chantelle and Preston (I've still no idea who Preston is/was and saying he's in the Ordinary Boys doesn't help).
So here is my confession - I'm a bit of a romantic. I know, I know - I can sense some you spluttering on your coffee as you read that but it's true - perhaps well hidden, but true.
Of course the slight problem is that whilst on the whole I can be pretty perceptive; in certain areas it has to be said I'm a bit of a muppet - I can't read signals, I send the wrong signals, move too fast, move too slow, my timing is poor and I can be pretty clueless. However, rather than see this as a major negative, I much prefer to look at this as part of my naive charm! On the plus side it can provide great entertain for friends - like rubber necking at an accident, they know they shouldn't look, but.... it's...... just....... too..... tempting!
As I've said before, one of my favourite sitcom lines is 'you don't get to be in your 30s and still be single by being good at this' (on occasion I do wonder how far I am away from an Oakhall holiday - wonder how many will get that reference?). So Valentine's Day is one of those days, along with birthdays and New Year's Eve, which makes me pause and reflect. I have a lot for which I am thankful and grateful - yet so far some pieces have still to fall into place in that jigsaw of life.
Is today annoying? Can be slightly, but that soon passes as the day is about love and romance and how can you stay annoyed about that? Plus, like the eternally optimistic football fan says (and as a supporter of Birmingham City I need to be optimistic about now), there is always next week, next month or next year and who knows?
Don't misinterpret the above as being downbeat or negative - it's certainly not meant to be. Today is a lovely day and if you do have that special someone then send flowers to their workplace to show how much you care, do something romantic, embrace the day - embrace them!
Mind you, £4.99 for a single rose....
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Baby on Board
I’m sure that when I become a parent I’ll do all sorts of things I would never have dreamed of; things I’d normally be extremely embarrassed about. For example, lifting a small child up in public (ideally a public place such as a crowded restaurant), sniffing his/her bottom then passing him/her to my partner and saying, "what do you think, time for a change?"
However, the whole ‘baby on board’ sign in car windows I really don’t get. What are you trying to say? You’re more fertile than me? I should drive differently because a baby is more important than an older child or an adult?
Only the ‘small person on board’ sign is weirder. It has no place in society - unless you’re giving Ronnie Corbett a lift.
However, the whole ‘baby on board’ sign in car windows I really don’t get. What are you trying to say? You’re more fertile than me? I should drive differently because a baby is more important than an older child or an adult?
Only the ‘small person on board’ sign is weirder. It has no place in society - unless you’re giving Ronnie Corbett a lift.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Wot I done on my holidays
So what do you on holiday that you don’t normally do?? On my recent ski trip the new stuff I tried included;
…exercise daily - I tend to be more beer barrel (or Watney’s Party 7 for those who’ve been watching Life on Mars) than six pack. Rarely do I have my five 30 minute exercise periods a week. A skiing holiday changes that…
…fruit daily - I’ve accidentally become known as ‘mr no fruit’. A shade unfair but couldn’t say I ate fruit every day - on holiday I did, and that doesn’t include the banana shaped and flavoured chocolates - which included 15% banana pulp!
…salad daily - not a particular favourite of mine - what is the point of lettuce? In Switzerland the first course of each evening meal was a salad - quite tasty!
…moisturise daily - beauty this *good* requires minimal work - but on holiday you like to make that little extra effort, no?
The hotel bar also had its own character. Full of skiing, ice hockey and curling team pennants (somewhat bizarrely including one from Sheffield United), it also included a photo of Sepp Blatter (FIFA President who apparently grew up in the same village as the hotel owner), a photo of Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman following a member of staff (who moaned that she looked 5 kilos heavier in those days) and a photo of the town doctor meeting the Pope - I loved it.
Other guests included a group of South Africans, an older Scottish bloke with a magnificent beard, a group of 20 somethings including a woman from Wales (lovely accent) and a couple who I can best describe as being very 'Abigail's Party'. Quite what the Swiss made of it all who knows....
…exercise daily - I tend to be more beer barrel (or Watney’s Party 7 for those who’ve been watching Life on Mars) than six pack. Rarely do I have my five 30 minute exercise periods a week. A skiing holiday changes that…
…fruit daily - I’ve accidentally become known as ‘mr no fruit’. A shade unfair but couldn’t say I ate fruit every day - on holiday I did, and that doesn’t include the banana shaped and flavoured chocolates - which included 15% banana pulp!
…salad daily - not a particular favourite of mine - what is the point of lettuce? In Switzerland the first course of each evening meal was a salad - quite tasty!
…moisturise daily - beauty this *good* requires minimal work - but on holiday you like to make that little extra effort, no?
The hotel bar also had its own character. Full of skiing, ice hockey and curling team pennants (somewhat bizarrely including one from Sheffield United), it also included a photo of Sepp Blatter (FIFA President who apparently grew up in the same village as the hotel owner), a photo of Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman following a member of staff (who moaned that she looked 5 kilos heavier in those days) and a photo of the town doctor meeting the Pope - I loved it.
Other guests included a group of South Africans, an older Scottish bloke with a magnificent beard, a group of 20 somethings including a woman from Wales (lovely accent) and a couple who I can best describe as being very 'Abigail's Party'. Quite what the Swiss made of it all who knows....
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Safely back - physically fine
Back from a week skiing in Zermatt - a beautiful location with stunning scenery. A good week, I’ve done more skiing than I’ve ever done in a week before. All limbs ache, but are safely accounted for.
A week’s skiing is great - you get fresh air and exercise (always a change for me) and because you are worried about staying upright it takes your mind off other things, work etc. Yet, because you also spend a lot of time on lifts and in cable cars, you do get time to think and the beautiful scenery gives you a fresh perspective. It is a nice balance between exercise and relaxation, between distraction and reflection - a very good week. Plus, because you are doing so much exercise, you get to eat like crazy without fear of blowing up like a whale.
Other stuff….
…. Being weighed in order to set the ski bindings I found that I’d lost a few kilos compared to last year - result!
…. I definitely need to be fitter
…. I wish I could speak another language - one staff member at the hotel could speak six - I can barely speak one
…. Apparently some parts of the blog have been a bit cryptic (naturally) and people have been reading between the lines… interestingly they’ve read things pretty well…
.... watch The IT Crowd currently on C4 - v. funny
.... the alpine scenery at 12,000 feet in sunshine and beautifully still conditions is amazing
A week’s skiing is great - you get fresh air and exercise (always a change for me) and because you are worried about staying upright it takes your mind off other things, work etc. Yet, because you also spend a lot of time on lifts and in cable cars, you do get time to think and the beautiful scenery gives you a fresh perspective. It is a nice balance between exercise and relaxation, between distraction and reflection - a very good week. Plus, because you are doing so much exercise, you get to eat like crazy without fear of blowing up like a whale.
Other stuff….
…. Being weighed in order to set the ski bindings I found that I’d lost a few kilos compared to last year - result!
…. I definitely need to be fitter
…. I wish I could speak another language - one staff member at the hotel could speak six - I can barely speak one
…. Apparently some parts of the blog have been a bit cryptic (naturally) and people have been reading between the lines… interestingly they’ve read things pretty well…
.... watch The IT Crowd currently on C4 - v. funny
.... the alpine scenery at 12,000 feet in sunshine and beautifully still conditions is amazing
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