Thursday, May 31, 2007

Squeeze me

In a recent email a friend commented that I might get to meet their new 'main squeeze'.

The phrase intrigued me - when did you last hear it used?

And 'main'? Does that mean they have a few 'minor squeezes'??

Monday, May 28, 2007

Zodiac

The weather is rubbish so chance to head to the cinema and catch up with a decent movie. Despite containing the attractions of Ms Dunst and Ms Knightley neither Spiderman 3 nor Pirates 3 appeal - both have had bad reviews and appear to be mindnumbing stuff. Indeed both also appear to be bottom numbing given their running times.

Mind you, the 158mins running time of Zodiac didn't put me off. It's had good reviews and is an interesting account of three different people - a cop, a journalist and a political cartoonist - searching for a serial killer and is based on a true story.

The film is set in San Fransisco in the late 60s and 70s and seems to capture the time well. The three leads are interesting and there is some good character acting from Mark Ruffalo and Jake Gyllenhall. The journalist is played by Robert Downey Jr who these days seems to play a version of Robert Downey Jr regardless of the role - but I find him good to watch no matter how much of a self parody he seems to have become.

Be warned, although it's a 15 certificate a couple of the scenes of the killings are pretty tough going - the sort that makes the whole audience wince. They're not gratuitous, but are realistic. Fortunately these scenes are early on and not frequent and the film settles down.

If you're expecting car chases and a court room finale you'll be disappointed - the ending can only hypothesise who done it as the killer was never brought to trial. However, if you like a good character driven piece, with some nice humor in places, then you'll like Zodiac.

Unlike Pirates and Spider 3 this is definitely worth a look.

Sunday, May 27, 2007

And how do you know the bride or groom?

Went to a wedding yesterday- well strictly speaking not the actual wedding but the church blessing and reception but it was virtually the same thing.

It was an East meets West occasion. The bride is Indian and a lot of her family had flown in from Mumbai to attend - the groom's from Berkshire. One side of the church was all saris, the other was all middle class home counties suits and hats. It also lead to the reception being a wonderful mix of cultures - we were in a ballroom of a central London hotel, complete with chandeliers, tucking into curry, saag aloo and roti. The music was an entertaining mix of dance floor classics (Groove is in the Heart etc.) and Bollywood style numbers.

Importantly overall the day reflected the styles of the bride and groom - laid back and fun - and there are definitely worse ways to spend a Saturday.

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Please engage brain...

... before opening mouth.

Wise words and last night once again demonstrated that I really ought to put them into practice more often.

Friday, May 25, 2007

How was it for you?

Was the last session of my evening class last night and it was a little strange - some of the drama students performed a few of the scenes each of us had written. When I say 'performed' we're not talking about a full Busby Berkeley number - rather a 'workshop' run through of a scene.

It was slightly disconcerting - there were people saying some words I'd written. Would it work? Would they approach it as I thought I'd written it? How would they see things? The really interesting thing about it, and not just my two 'vignettes' but the scenes others had written, was what you thought was good probably wasn't, and some good acting could really make something that didn't initially read well appear pretty good.

Will I return to my 'work in progress'? Who knows...

Sunday, May 20, 2007

Website of the week - #41

A few weeks ago I linked to this rather good video.

Of course, there are now the homages and pastiches from people who perhaps have a little too much time on their hands...

This is a pretty good re-enactment by some high school kids and like the pizza delivery in this video.

Of course, there is also the obligatory Lego version.

Saturday, May 19, 2007

Downs

Ever had your trousers nibbled by a lamb? More on that later...

Spent the day in beautiful East Sussex catching up with a friend who'd recently moved to Lewes. Always good to catch up with them, especially as without their help and guidance several years ago I wouldn't be where I am now career-wise.

After a fantastic lunch at Bill's Produce Store in Lewes we walked over to Glynde. Great views and lovely weather - as my sun burnt forehead testifies.

After pottering around Glynde for a bit - including a typically English scene of village cricket and a pint at the local pub - we wandered back.

On the way back one of the lambs, for some reason, came gambolling up to me - perhaps I have a certain sleep smell... Anyway it was all very cute and the lamb enjoyed a nibble on trousers.

Not sure its mother was particularly amused as after a while a very angry ewe appeared and charged at me and my friend; we beat a hasty retreat. A pleasant walk, beautiful countryside and catching up with a friend - overall a pretty good day!

Friday, May 18, 2007

Fan Power?

Surely I'm not the only one who raises a wry smile at the irony of Chelsea fans moaning about ticket prices and organising a boycott of overpriced food at Wembley??

Sunday, May 13, 2007

Website of the week - #40

For those who want to take offsetting to new levels try this.

Read the small print and beneath it all there is an interesting point.

Saturday, May 12, 2007

Wembley Way

Next Saturday the first cup final at the new Wembley?

Nope - today was the first one and I had a ticket to see Kidderminster Harriers take on Stevenage Borough in the FA Trophy, the prime cup competition for non-league clubs.

I like non-league football and have seen both of these clubs at their own grounds - for a couple of years one local Boxing Day derby used to be Hitchin Town v Stevenage, and I've been to Kiddie and also seen them knock Birmingham out of the FA Cup in a third round giant killing a few years back - so I knew what to expect. Mind you it was still weird to leave the tube station and be bombarded with Black Country accents.

Outside the ground it was good to see the crowds looking at the new Booby Moore statue, and the walk up Olympic Way towards the stadium and arch was impressive.

The match was pretty good too - Kiddie taking a 2 goal first half lead for Stevenage to fight back and, just as extra time was looming and with Kiddie missing an equaliser in the final seconds of injury time, snatch victory 3-2. Both teams played decent quality football and this level always gives the fan a chance to see some young up and coming talent alongside the twilight years of a couple of quality older pros - Jeff Kenna was playing for Kiddie with Steve Guppy in the Stevenage line up.

Overall a good game and the 53,000 plus fans made the most of it - complete with the obligatory Mexican waves.

What of the expensive stadium? Well, it's OK. I was in the second row from the back and couldn't complain about the view and the toilet facilities are fine - both of which were major issues at the older Wembley. The noise generated by the fans was great and the place will really rock with a full house. Also the stewarding and policing were excellent and I got away from the ground and onto the tube quickly and easily. But.?.?

Well - the catering facilties are poor - they are pricey, seemed surprised that people wanted to eat and took way too long to serve people - ditto the bars. There also isn't that much circulation room in the concourses and I couldn't find a litter bin all day. Seats and leg room are OK but the boast that every seat 'has more leg room than those of the old Royal Box' is a bit hollow - let's just say the Royals must have had as little room as the fans at the old ground. The biggest problem is the PA system is appalling and would shame a very minor non-league ground - I didn't hear a clear annoucement all afternoon.

Are these minor gripes? Perhaps. But this is a new ground which has cost milions and been very delayed. Hopefully many are 'teething' troubles but who knows - if you're going to the FA Cup Final then I'd recommend eating beforehand or prepare for a long wait. However, the biggest problem for the ground is its location. Wembley is a stadium next to an industrial park and some retail outlets - there is nothing else to do around there. Compare the situation to Cardiff - the Millenium Stadium is superb, atmospheric, well run and smack in the centre of Cardiff. When I went to a FA Cup semi final there a couple of years ago I had a wander round the city and got some food before the match - within 40mins of the final whistle I was sat with friends in a bar overlooking Cardiff Bay. For Wembley the temptations of IKEA and the Brent Cross Shopping Centre are a poor substitute.

Don't get me wrong - it was a great day, a great match and it's a great stadium.

I just prefer Cardiff.

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Circus returns to village

I notice that once again the circus has taken up residence on the village green.

With village life you're often aware when a big story is about to break.... all the gazebos, lights and cameras suddenly appear.

Whatever your thoughts about the current PM - it was news management right to the end. Coincidence?

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

Who lives in a house like this..

Early this evening I was on my way to a meeting and bumped into Loyd Grossman going the other way.

Once again life seems strange...

Sunday, May 06, 2007

Website of the week - #39

The theology of Lego.

Also available in book form.

Saturday, May 05, 2007

A London Treasure


I don't go to the Victoria & Albert Museum very often - but every time I do I love it and promise to go back. It is a completely mad place.

The general collection can best be described as eclectic - from huge rooms which contain the sort of thing a slightly eccentric uncle collected over the years, to fine pieces of intricate metalwork.

Sculpture mixes with P Diddy designed clothing, and in the 1980s section you can get reacquainted with things you used to have in the house as a kid but are now in the great rubbish dump in the sky.Even the stairways have beautiful ceramic work holding up the banisters.
Off course, being a slightly strange pace it is wonderful for people watching. Londoners enjoying a local treasure, locals from Brompton popping in to use the cafe, bemused tourists, and a higher than I'd expect number of young Bridget Jones types out with their 'gay best friend' - though that's probably due to the current Kylie exhibition.

A fascinating way to while away a couple of hours.

Friday, May 04, 2007

Cyber Friends

Had a look at my MySpace space.

I have 2 friends - and one of them is Tom who seems to be a mate to the whole world...

Mind you, given that I don't really know how to work MySpace, haven't told anyone where it is and, indeed, even forgot that I had such a thing, I guess I've 2 more cyber friends than I ought...

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

I'm not a huge fan but...

...I do seem to go to more Bon Jovi concerts than necessary. Last year I ended up watching them in Milton Keynes and later this year I'm seeing them play the first gig at the revamped Dome. It's more to with venues - I've never been to the Dome, even when I lived just 2 tube stops away - than the band, honest.

However, I did find myself in a finance meeting today looking at an income line that was about 50% on target. I heard myself saying outloud,

"Oh, we're halfway there,
Oh, we're living on a prayer."

People did laugh - but it probably also confirmed much what they suspected about me.