Boat race. Oxford won.
About as boring as last year. You see about 15 seconds of highly toned man flesh zoom past you and that's that.
Anyone else excited?
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
Don't Panic!
Chronologically awkward update:
The Panics in London on Wednesday night played the best set I have ever seen them play. Who the hell knew bad weather would make J happy and talkative?
Must..blog...about...Highlands...
The Panics in London on Wednesday night played the best set I have ever seen them play. Who the hell knew bad weather would make J happy and talkative?
Must..blog...about...Highlands...
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Grey Gardens
Kew Gardens and the Henry Moore Exhibition
aka Everything Looks Better In a Park. Sculpture is no exception. Even when it is raining and the tour guide is clearly one step away from permanent residence at an old folks home. I suppose it takes a specific type of person to want to spend their Saturdays showing people around a garden but thank heavens for those people. Kew was amazing, the Moore statues were mind blowing - and they way the pieces had been positioned was phenomenal. Earlier this year I went to the Chelsea Physic Garden which was interesting in its own way, but quite small (it was built in the middle of Chelsea) I can see how they felt somewhat slighted when Kew opened, just a boat ride away, with all that amazing space. And budget.
Kew Gardens also had the building where the 'mad' King George convalesced. Ooohhhhh....history.
St Patrick's Day
SPD last year I was on a train between China and Mongolia with two mad Irish boys who were intent on drinking the Trans-Mongolian dry. This year I was in Trafalgar Square with an umbrella. And not even that many Irish people. Sure, there were a lot of people who claimed to be sort of Irish, but if you don't have the accent and the twinkle in your eye then it seems somewhat lacking. Or perhaps that was just the whole Trafalgar Square aspect - it was kind've what I imagine it would be like if the City of London and Ken Livingstone were allowed to organise an Australia Day celebration.
So instead of intermingling with actual Irish people, I absorbed the 'traditional' Irish performances. Like the releasing of thousands of orange, white and green balloons just after Ken had been touting his green credentials. I also met 3 Argentinean brothers who pretty much Marlon Brando-d me. Definitely looking forward to South America now.
Work
Things I learnt today: if you get fired, don't post about it on your blog and say all manner of things that are not true. People will look at it and laugh while preparing court documents.
aka Everything Looks Better In a Park. Sculpture is no exception. Even when it is raining and the tour guide is clearly one step away from permanent residence at an old folks home. I suppose it takes a specific type of person to want to spend their Saturdays showing people around a garden but thank heavens for those people. Kew was amazing, the Moore statues were mind blowing - and they way the pieces had been positioned was phenomenal. Earlier this year I went to the Chelsea Physic Garden which was interesting in its own way, but quite small (it was built in the middle of Chelsea) I can see how they felt somewhat slighted when Kew opened, just a boat ride away, with all that amazing space. And budget.
Kew Gardens also had the building where the 'mad' King George convalesced. Ooohhhhh....history.
St Patrick's Day
SPD last year I was on a train between China and Mongolia with two mad Irish boys who were intent on drinking the Trans-Mongolian dry. This year I was in Trafalgar Square with an umbrella. And not even that many Irish people. Sure, there were a lot of people who claimed to be sort of Irish, but if you don't have the accent and the twinkle in your eye then it seems somewhat lacking. Or perhaps that was just the whole Trafalgar Square aspect - it was kind've what I imagine it would be like if the City of London and Ken Livingstone were allowed to organise an Australia Day celebration.
So instead of intermingling with actual Irish people, I absorbed the 'traditional' Irish performances. Like the releasing of thousands of orange, white and green balloons just after Ken had been touting his green credentials. I also met 3 Argentinean brothers who pretty much Marlon Brando-d me. Definitely looking forward to South America now.
Work
Things I learnt today: if you get fired, don't post about it on your blog and say all manner of things that are not true. People will look at it and laugh while preparing court documents.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Dedicated Follower of Fashion
I have 2 skirts in different colours but the same cut.
I wear them each once a week and have done for about 7 months.
Today I discovered that the zip is supposed to be at the side, not the back.
Stupid skirts.
I wear them each once a week and have done for about 7 months.
Today I discovered that the zip is supposed to be at the side, not the back.
Stupid skirts.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Big Girls Don't Cry
Went to see Jersey Boys last night (with Alana, Libby, Kate and Wayne). I was almsot thwarted in my attempt to get there by transport for London and the inability of the Tube to work as soon is it rains (some would call this a somewhat minor design flaw failing to take account of English conditions, I would call it a pain in the arse). Anyway, once I actually got to the theatre (after locating a bus) the play was pretty amazing. The way they used screens and cameras, projecting the live action on the stage onto screens above made it look like they really could have been on the Ed Sullivan show.
For anyone who doesn't know - it is based on the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and the songs were, unsurprisingly, fantastic. The actor who played Frankie, although a little nasal, did a surprisingly good job given that he has the task of imitating a fantastic and famous voice. My one complaint would be that the songs were not much used to progress the plot - sometimes it jsut felt like an elongated karaoke. But, I'm a sucker for men who do little dances 1960s style, so I was pretty much won over. I was less won over by the women who decided to sing along to everything. We all know the words. We've paid £42 to hear the short guy with the nasal voice sing. Internal dialogue people!
Oh - on the weekend I went to Nottingham to see Luke (you know, my friend Luke, from Nottingham?) and it was really fun. For the following reasons:
1. Robin Hoods: They were trying to break the record for the most amount of Robin Hoods in one place the weekend I arrived. I was not aware of this and assumed for the longest time that this was just what one should expect from Nottingham.
2. The Robin Hood Ride: Hilarious, tacky. I didn't learn anything except that ski lift thingies can be put to alternative purposes and the level of 'high tech' at this place was one of the guides leaping out at you and yelling 'boo'! Almost on par with 'Mini Europe' for most fun I've had at a dodgy tourist attraction.
3. Notts County Football Game: Not to be confused with Notts Forrest. Notts country are the oldest league club in the world. Luke has season tickets. Even with my limited level of football knowledge I knew the quality of football was not great. But the people were funny and interesting. AND I might be in a book. There was a guy there who has been hired to write a book about the Notts County season - and he interviews a couple of people at every game to get different perspectives. He wanted me for an 'Australian Perspective' So - I have now spoken about English football on behalf of all Australians. Bet you're all pleased to hear that.
In other news - I have moved house. I am now living with Wayne. In future house moving situations I have learnt:
1. Not to move in with an alcoholic;
2. Not to think that said alcoholic is likely to pull herself out of it;
3. Not to leave booze of any description in the kitchen whilst living with said alcoholic; and
4. Not to call my mother at 4am London time, while drunk, and trying to rouse my room mate from her passed out state. To explain why I thought this would be effective - I was actually trying to call my mum so that I could get my home phone number to call and try calling the house phone to wake Sam up where where ringing her mobile, knocking on the door and pressing the doorbell had failed. I do not think my mum has super powers that would allow her to unlcok doors using her Jedi mind tricks from the other side of the world. Did I mention that while I was calling my mother, I was standing on a sandbank with a massive stick trying to tap on our lounge room window so that Sam would wake up and get her keys out the front door so I could get the fuck in? I'm surprised I wasn't arrested.
That's all for now.
For anyone who doesn't know - it is based on the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and the songs were, unsurprisingly, fantastic. The actor who played Frankie, although a little nasal, did a surprisingly good job given that he has the task of imitating a fantastic and famous voice. My one complaint would be that the songs were not much used to progress the plot - sometimes it jsut felt like an elongated karaoke. But, I'm a sucker for men who do little dances 1960s style, so I was pretty much won over. I was less won over by the women who decided to sing along to everything. We all know the words. We've paid £42 to hear the short guy with the nasal voice sing. Internal dialogue people!
Oh - on the weekend I went to Nottingham to see Luke (you know, my friend Luke, from Nottingham?) and it was really fun. For the following reasons:
1. Robin Hoods: They were trying to break the record for the most amount of Robin Hoods in one place the weekend I arrived. I was not aware of this and assumed for the longest time that this was just what one should expect from Nottingham.
2. The Robin Hood Ride: Hilarious, tacky. I didn't learn anything except that ski lift thingies can be put to alternative purposes and the level of 'high tech' at this place was one of the guides leaping out at you and yelling 'boo'! Almost on par with 'Mini Europe' for most fun I've had at a dodgy tourist attraction.
3. Notts County Football Game: Not to be confused with Notts Forrest. Notts country are the oldest league club in the world. Luke has season tickets. Even with my limited level of football knowledge I knew the quality of football was not great. But the people were funny and interesting. AND I might be in a book. There was a guy there who has been hired to write a book about the Notts County season - and he interviews a couple of people at every game to get different perspectives. He wanted me for an 'Australian Perspective' So - I have now spoken about English football on behalf of all Australians. Bet you're all pleased to hear that.
In other news - I have moved house. I am now living with Wayne. In future house moving situations I have learnt:
1. Not to move in with an alcoholic;
2. Not to think that said alcoholic is likely to pull herself out of it;
3. Not to leave booze of any description in the kitchen whilst living with said alcoholic; and
4. Not to call my mother at 4am London time, while drunk, and trying to rouse my room mate from her passed out state. To explain why I thought this would be effective - I was actually trying to call my mum so that I could get my home phone number to call and try calling the house phone to wake Sam up where where ringing her mobile, knocking on the door and pressing the doorbell had failed. I do not think my mum has super powers that would allow her to unlcok doors using her Jedi mind tricks from the other side of the world. Did I mention that while I was calling my mother, I was standing on a sandbank with a massive stick trying to tap on our lounge room window so that Sam would wake up and get her keys out the front door so I could get the fuck in? I'm surprised I wasn't arrested.
That's all for now.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
I started a list...
This is a list of bands and plays I have seen in London thus far. I keep forgetting and thought I had better write it down so that I could remember most of it.
The bands:
Modest Mouse - Royal Albert Hall
The Decemberists - Royal Festival Hall
Stars - Scala and Koko
Broken Social Scene - Scala
Billy Bragg - Roundhouse
The Go! Team - Electric Ballroom
Lucky Soul - 100 Club
Daniel Johnston - Union Chapel
Shins - Hammersmith Apollo
Ryan Adams - Hammersmith Apollo
Portishead (yet to see)
The Panics (yet to see)
Stupid Wilco cancelling *shakes fist*
[It felt like a lot more - but I can't remember. It felt like I was always waiting for tickets to be delivered on a Saturday morning.]
And for the plays:
Wicked (twice)
The Lion King
Billy Elliot
39 Steps
Little Shop of Horrors
In Celebration
Equus
Globe Plays; Merchant of Venice, Othello, Love's Labour Lost
Les Miserables
The Drowsy Chaperone
Spamalot
The Woman In Black
Avenue Q (twice)
Lady Be Good
Jersey Boys (Next week, preview performance, so amazingly glad to be getting to see it before I leave)
Pretty good job methinks.
The bands:
Modest Mouse - Royal Albert Hall
The Decemberists - Royal Festival Hall
Stars - Scala and Koko
Broken Social Scene - Scala
Billy Bragg - Roundhouse
The Go! Team - Electric Ballroom
Lucky Soul - 100 Club
Daniel Johnston - Union Chapel
Shins - Hammersmith Apollo
Ryan Adams - Hammersmith Apollo
Portishead (yet to see)
The Panics (yet to see)
Stupid Wilco cancelling *shakes fist*
[It felt like a lot more - but I can't remember. It felt like I was always waiting for tickets to be delivered on a Saturday morning.]
And for the plays:
Wicked (twice)
The Lion King
Billy Elliot
39 Steps
Little Shop of Horrors
In Celebration
Equus
Globe Plays; Merchant of Venice, Othello, Love's Labour Lost
Les Miserables
The Drowsy Chaperone
Spamalot
The Woman In Black
Avenue Q (twice)
Lady Be Good
Jersey Boys (Next week, preview performance, so amazingly glad to be getting to see it before I leave)
Pretty good job methinks.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
You Woke Up My...
I have just seen one of the best gigs of my life. Seriously - Billy Bragg at the Roundhouse.
When I first got there I thought I'd arrived at the wrong place - there was a sign that said 'Support The BNP'. That seemed wrong, Billy Bragg not being known for his fascist tendencies. However upon closer inspection it actually said 'Support The Destruction of the BNP' so that was alright.
I've never been to the venue before but it is insane. I love it! It is cavernous, and as the name suggests, circular. The stage is about the height of the one at the Rosemount but the roof is about 25m high. Intense but brilliant. And there he was - this lone man who held the stage by himself for 2 hours and made me love him even though my feet hurt, I had been working until 7pm (serving a counterparty who officially hates me after consecutive services) and I'd had enough of the day.
He talked about the Clash and the Rock Against Racism march in Victoria Park (which I pass on the bus every morning), he played songs off Mermaid Avenue, Back To Basics and Don't Try This At Home. I have never been at a gig in my life with so many old men that looked the same - short hair, leather or khaki jackets, jeans, grey hair.
He also talked about his son Jack playing 'Rock Star' continually on his play station. He covered the Buzzcocks. The crowd knew ALL the words to his songs and he was quite content to just let them sing while he played guitar. Sounds like it should have been awful but it wasn't.
So - I know everyone probably saw him at Big Day Out - but it really was amazing. I have never heard the phrase 'geezer' been used that much in one night. What a champion.
When I first got there I thought I'd arrived at the wrong place - there was a sign that said 'Support The BNP'. That seemed wrong, Billy Bragg not being known for his fascist tendencies. However upon closer inspection it actually said 'Support The Destruction of the BNP' so that was alright.
I've never been to the venue before but it is insane. I love it! It is cavernous, and as the name suggests, circular. The stage is about the height of the one at the Rosemount but the roof is about 25m high. Intense but brilliant. And there he was - this lone man who held the stage by himself for 2 hours and made me love him even though my feet hurt, I had been working until 7pm (serving a counterparty who officially hates me after consecutive services) and I'd had enough of the day.
He talked about the Clash and the Rock Against Racism march in Victoria Park (which I pass on the bus every morning), he played songs off Mermaid Avenue, Back To Basics and Don't Try This At Home. I have never been at a gig in my life with so many old men that looked the same - short hair, leather or khaki jackets, jeans, grey hair.
He also talked about his son Jack playing 'Rock Star' continually on his play station. He covered the Buzzcocks. The crowd knew ALL the words to his songs and he was quite content to just let them sing while he played guitar. Sounds like it should have been awful but it wasn't.
So - I know everyone probably saw him at Big Day Out - but it really was amazing. I have never heard the phrase 'geezer' been used that much in one night. What a champion.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
