Randomness

Silence Will Fall...

2010-05-26T09:24:00.002Z

things seem to be hotting up.
Ive managed to get my paws on a preview of this weeks Doctor Who .... and its not one to record and watch later. Unless you can alienate yourself from all ways people can accidentally give away a few things.

I like these Silurians. Sure they seem to be part Luxan with the tongue lash thing, but fun, aren't they?

And did you spot the Doctor's line giving us even bigger red flags and neon signs to the Pandora's Box nature of the Pandorica ... there is always hope.
And with this 2 part story being among my likes this year, at least it means I have now liked more than not ..... it was looking a bit equal there for a few weeks.

Totally separate, I am off to Cardiff Bay shortly to my thing as a six foot dog. In a wedding dress.

Doctor McFly?

2010-05-08T14:35:00.002Z

A friend of mine has come up with a very interesting theory, which I have spent today investigating.
In Flesh & Stone, the angels nick the Doctors jacket just before he runs into the forest. There is the business with Amy and the angel in her eye.... before the Doctor leaves her sat on the rock stump thing. He then returns and tells Amy that she needs to trust him, do what he says, and remember what he told her when he was 7.
Thing is, he has his jacket on.
Yes, maybe its a huge continuity gaffe - but what if it isnt? What if to fix everything, he is going back over his adventures and doing stuff, setting things up.
Go back and watch The Eleventh Hour again.
He tells her to do as he tells her, not ask stupid questions and don't wander off.
He tells her that sometimes grown up lie to make you believe things are ok when they are not: Everything's going to be alright.
Then, we see her sat waiting on her suitcase for him. The camera pans back into the kitchen and a man runs very quickly through the shot - this 'Future Doctor' back to make sure things happen?
Later when he returns 12 years later, we see a him trying to get into Prisoner Zeros room, from the point of view of room next to the radiator - since the next thing that happens is Amy whacks him with a cricket bat, we naturally assume it was her POV we were looking from .... but in that case she gets down that landing very fast and silently to hit the Doctor..... maybe it wasn't Amy's eyes we were looking through...
Then, just before the Doctor returns to finally take Amy away, the night before the wedding, as the TARDIS 'brakes' are heard grinding, and we briefly see Amelia sat on her suitcase ... in daylight ... reacting to the TARDIS arrival...... before we cut back to Amy in her bed.

The Beast Below: TARDIS arrives on Starship UK. The Doctor is barely out of the door and we see him in the screen with the crying little girl, he waves for Amy to join them. He then sets Amy up on her investigation, saying it took 4 attempts to get the girls purse. Seems he has been there a lot longer than the 40 odd seconds its been for Amy.... Maybe he hadn't even left the TARDIS, and this was Future Doctor?

We have also had these snippets that River Song was in prison for killing some man, a great man, the best. We also know that the explosion that causes the crack is still out there and that the Pandorica will open and silence will fall. It would take an event/object the importance of the Doctor to stop it..... are we being lead to think she throws the Doctor to it to stop it? And if one falls into the Pandorica, once all of the evils of the universe have escaped, are you left with hope? And what form would that take? Your faithful companion? Your most faithful companion - your TARDIS?
Then again, allegedly, somebody else taught River to pilot the TARDIS - surely somebody else of equal stature?
And there are bound to be red herrings..... and this could all be bollocks, but its fun theorising, isn't it?

Go Go Dalek Rangers!

2010-04-20T11:56:00.002Z

New Daleks! That had Power Rangers for parents. Lovely.
There seems to be a lot of fuss about their arses. Cant say I noticed myself. Was too busy watching the plot zoom by faster than a speeding spitfire in space.

So Amy doesn't remember the Daleks stealing the Earth?
I am putting money on this relating to that robot scientist chappie (lets call him Pinocchio, yeah?). The village he described, although it had a different name, sounded a whole lot like Leadworth where Amy is from.

And will every episode end with a gratuitous shot of Amy's crack?

Beasts

2010-04-16T11:13:00.002Z

Decidedly underwhelmed by The Beast Below.
Bit confused - when did Amy record the message to herself?
Why did they rehash Meat and Planet of the Ood and think it was good for episode 2?
Still, daleks this week. *yawn* When are the Cybermen back?

Ritual for Dolls is going well.
First time I get to use the full makeup and Golly head will be in front of an audience, which is fine, but just means if it looks crap or needs any changes, its tough.
The play is certainly strong enough to get through to the Welsh Final, possibly even British up in Glasgow in June ... but part of me hopes not as it clashes directly with the Who finale.
Nightmare.

I'm the Easter Bunny!

2010-04-06T11:18:00.003Z

Apart from, I'm not, actually.
But I could have been.

Another bank holiday weekend, another few days of driving somebody to lots of Doctor Who locations. Not that I object, I love it!
Highlights this time around included the Doctor Who roadshow complete with free Doctor Who 3d specs, and a Monster Pageant that consisted of one Judoon and one Cyberman making lots of small children scream and cry.
Oh and some free lenticular stickers.
We had a trip to Llandaff village green, which doubled as Leadworth in The Eleventh Hour this week. I also own a new 11th Doctor sonic too.
Pictorial evidence of all of these on the Face of Book.

So ... that new series then?
Totally loving it.
I am in the minority who love the new theme and titles. Nearly exploded at that. Awesome. I also have a feeling that at some point I am going to tell somebody "You're Scottish. Fry something"
I also tried dipping fish fingers in custard last night. And its gorgeous!! Sadly, custard isn't something I can have too often as its a bit dairytastic.

Now, for my usual series starter theories and observations....
Myth (with a Greek looking Y) .... surely you'd just leave the laptop unbranded if it didn't mean anything, right? One myth being the story of Pandora's Box .... The Pandorica, the box that opens from the inside? Plus this leads nicely into the whole dark fairytale thing....
We had an apple, Green one side, Red the other, like in Snow White. The Doctor bites it and claims Amelia has tried to poison him.....
Amy is whisked away just before midnight, just before marrying her charming prince .... just like Cinderella.
No ducks?
Cracks in the universe. Just why was the Doctor looking at something the very shape of said crack on his monitor when he came back for Amy? And while we are on that one, the TARDIS seems to be quite happy taking the Doctor where he wants to be, but not when (although it has done that a lot across the many years Who has been on air)
We shall see.

And thank goodness he wont be saying 'who da man' again

Shameless Plug

2010-03-19T08:57:00.000Z

A good friend of mine is being published.

Buy it here bitches or kittens will die.
Slowly.

Croeso

2010-03-17T15:04:00.003Z

Today marked my either my third or fifth Welsh lesson ... depending on whether you count the online videos we have to do away from class as lessons.

A few people have asked why I am doing this now. Do I need to speak Welsh for work or to live here? No. I very rarely come into contact with the language, without an English version of whatever publication being on the reverse. I have dealt with the Welsh Language Board for work, but everyone has been bilingual, so its not as if Ive ever had to sit in a conversation and not know what was being said around me.
Even most Welsh people I know consider it to be a dying language and find the enforced bilingual nature of things by the WAG to be a waste of money.
Again, when you look at my class, I am the only English person. The others are all Welsh but are learning as beginners - and some doing as badly as I am!

I cant say I finding it easy, like say French was at school. Is that due to the nature of the language or that I was taught French from 11 - 16 and i am now 38?

I cant say that I am massively worried whether I pass or fail at this. Just having had a go and picked up a few things will be enough for me - because its an understanding that I want to gain.
I'm not doing this to be able to write blogs in Welsh. Or hold a conversation (although that would be nice) .... but its helping me pronounce words and places that do crop up in my daily life.
Road signs are bilingual - which is fine when you see a sign to Newport/Casnewydd ... because I can read the Newport bit and know where I am going. But the overhead matrix signs will often be one or the other - again fine if you drive for 10 miles and see both versions, but there have been occasions where I have only been on the main road long enough to see one or the other.... so a basic understanding there would be advantageous.
Its knowing how to say Yrstrad Mynach without looking like a cock.
Knowing why a Y can be about 6 different vowels sounds and when each applies.
And its just good manners.
One thing I notice in a lot of comments from friends and family, particularly those in the London area more than say Manchester... is that they are actually have a very racist attitude to Welsh people and don't even realise it. On more than one occasion, one chum in particular has shown massive ignorance in this way, and made comments implying that Wales is a bit backwards, behind the times and its population maybe not as intelligent as English counterparts - and one of my most pc friends, whom I would usually watch my P's & Q's around.
As Blon Fell Fotch Passameer Day Slitheen said, the whole of the south wales coast could fall into the Bristol channel and London wouldn't notice.

I'll say one thing, its one fucked up language though..........

Diolch N fawr.

I'm A Slacker.

2010-03-15T12:48:00.002Z

yes, I have just re watched the Back to the Future films.
They look fucking awful on an HD ready TV on DVD - Blurays please Universal!

So yeah.

Where was I?

Had I been to see Avatar? Wow. Totally loved it. Yes, the story was clearly written on the back of Cameron's hand while he was having a wank. I suspect he had his target audience in mind though ... the American Public, and while I really shouldn't generalise .... oh you know what I am saying.
That and I would watch Sam Worthington read the phone book and love it..... and by it I mean him ... and by love I mean willy fun.

I am guessing I had made the transition to bluray and bought the 37 inch 720 thingy telly?

Had I done the End of Time? Bobbins wasn't it? But fun bobbins all the same. I always say that Festive Who needs to be bobbins. I know a lot of the educated professionals don't agree ... but the 12/13 million viewers ever year seem to put me firmly in the 'right again' column. So that's that.

Matt Smith eh? Looking good I think ... although 'sources' say there's trouble at mill ..... we shall see.

Alice in Wonderland? Been yet? Not as good as you hope but nowhere near as bad as they are saying, I think you will find. While The Red Queen seems to draw more attention, it was her White counterpart who stole the show for me....... for all her airs and graces (hilarious) I found something actually very sinister lurking there and was disappointed that it didn't actually come to anything. The whiter than white hair, skin, frock, with black lips and dark eyes & eyebrows. Then her vile ingredients for the spell....... a wasted set up or am I seeing what isn't there?
Gotta love Fry's Cheshire Cat too.

Of course, we are now on the path to hopefully becoming Foster Carers too. We had a very initial assessment and went on a course as an introduction ... now waiting to be assigned a caseworker before we go to panel and make the grade or not .....

And the flowers I planted last Autumn have a semi success rate .... the crocus are up and lovely .... not sign of my snowdrops or Narcissus.... but I think I planted them in too much shade. That will teach me.

Are you up to date with Ugly Betty? If not .. at least catch the episode with the Drag Wilhelmina .... hilarious. I have watched Pushing Daisies in its entirety too. Can see why it didn't last but I did love it.

And you MUST be following RuPauls Drag Race....... season 3 needs to be the UK Race........

Golly

2010-02-09T16:45:00.001Z

been a while, hasnt it?

Countdown

2009-10-20T11:10:00.002Z

No, not the rather good four part comic, with Captain Picard and the crew of the USS Enterprise NCC1701-E that leads into JJ Abrams rather good Star Trek movie. Although feel free to check that out - available now as a graphic novel.
I was thinking more of more generic wibbly wobbly timey wimey shit.
Isn't everything we do a constant countdown to something?
At the moment I have several.
One week and a few days til my Halloween party this year for my online Doctor Who chums. Although it has to be said, DW is a very small part of our friendship, it was really just a way of introduction. (And that new logo, thoughts? I love it)
After that I will then be running up to and planning the trip to London to see La Cage, courtesy of the lovely Sue, where I will again be meeting some online chums. Also need to do the main bulk of Project X that weekend. Can say no more about that.
Then there is the works Xmas do up in Manchester in December. Which I am expanding to encompass into a weekend to hang out with Robb, which will be fully awesome.
Which leaves mere weeks to get Christmas done and dusted. And somewhere in all this is three more Doctor Who specials to end the Tenth Doctors era (plus appearances in SJA, online/red button adventure Dreamland and an alleged Children in Need spesh).
The the year begins all over again with public holidays to sort out, birthdays to roll around once more ... but of course, the big one ... the one I am already on a countdown for and have been since my wedding was over......
Today marks 1 year and 4 days til the next big trip to Florida.
369 days, 8856 hours, 531,360 minutes .. give or take ....

But the one thing that occurred to me as part of a training day we had on Friday. All these times and dates, a set of rules we follow to make life easier - because we choose to.
What if you chose not to accept time as it is widely known? Why not say sod it. I am going to have a three month year, with 42 days in each month, 27.5 hours in each day and that's how I am living my life.
Granted, holding down a 'regular' job might be an issue, but if you manage to get yourself into some kind of e-commerce, what limits you?
I remember a customer when I worked in Cineworld in Stevenage who came and sat in the cafe to meet his friends to see a film. When i asked him what showing they were going to, he didn't know. He had no set time to meet them, because they were all people who do not subscribe to the clock as laid out. They don't follow time, but just believe that if they make rough plans, and the event is meant to be, they will all be there at the same time at some point.
He sat there for most of my shift and stayed when I went home and Bev came in.
What an amazing way to live your life. You have to be incredibly brave or incredibly stupid to manage it - and you could argue that the two aren't poles apart.
Plus incredibly rich or really not give a shit about money, I suspect.

Oh and the chap? Apparently, over the course of the evening, his chums did show up and they caught the film they were wanting to see. How cool is that?

A Question of Pride

2009-08-28T09:43:00.003Z

This weekend sees Cardiff and Manchester go head to head with their Pride festivals.

A bad idea from the off.

Manchester has acts like Alphabeat, Little Boots, Bananarama, Human League, Peter Andre .... and thats realy only a small selection of whats on offer.

What does Cardiff have?
Ianto off off Torchwoods rock band, Blazin Squad & the Musical Theatre troupe from the Copthorne Hotel.
Fucking hell.
They'd be better off ploughing the money into decent public transport to Manchester for the weekend.
I find this so typical of Cardiff though. It wants so hard to be this amazing centre of culture and excellence, but nobody actually wants to do the hard work to get it there. So our shops still close at 8 or 10. No bars or clubs go all night. You cant get a decent bite to eat much after 9 most days. And you have no hope of decent festival of any kind.
If you talk to most of the people round here, they'd love it - but nobody wants to put their back out to make it happen.
Dont suppose the good people of Manchester fancy coming down and showing us how its done?

Budget Barbie Camper

2009-08-25T11:34:00.003Z

Saturday was the day we went to see Priscilla The Musical in London. It was a wedding gift from some good friends of ours.
Id been feeling rough since weds, but was damned if I was missing it, so just went and sweated a lot.
And so glad I did. Its AWESOME
Not only do they manage all the costume and make up changes, but they really do have the bus on stage ... and it moves!
All the ABBA references are changed to Kylie, including the priceless moment when Jason Donovan says 'Quite fancied Scott myself' ... genius casting.
Its quite a lovely touch that when singing as narrative, the actors perform, when the characters prance around in women's clothing mouthing the words to other peoples songs, three heavenly Divas fly down from the sky and sing for them.
And a Kylie medley!
Go ... you'll have a blast! Its just been extended to February with the current cast.
Just watch you don't get hit by a ping pong ball.................

Should Probably Mention ...

2009-07-22T11:58:00.004Z

... I got married at the beginning of the month.
Twas fully awesome and the best day of my life to date. Its well documented in pictures over at Facebook, but I haven't really spoken to anyone about how it felt - my internal ramblings etc.

Thanks to Rach, I was rocking a be-awesome blue suit and Union Jack All Stars.
We'd had rain forecast all week and it pissed down hard all night leading up to it - but 2 hours before the ceremony the skies cleared and it was the most amazing beautiful day.

Dan had been whisked away to his mate David's, so that we wouldn't see each other before the ceremony. I arrived with about 20 minutes to go and hid round the side of the building with Rich, Shane & Mark. Upon entering City Hall, a not un-attractive man asked where I was going. 'I'm getting married' I explained - 'Oh Hi Paul' he said - he knew who I was - small detail but really impressed me! I had to go off into a separate room first and talk legal shit with the registrar, then had my Mum walk me in. I hadn't told her - so it was a nice surprise for her on the day. We had chosen that I make an entrance to one version of the Bridal Dancing Queen from Muriel's Wedding.

I wasn't really nervous to speak of, but did feel incredibly self conscious at first. But as soon as you see how amazingly happy everyone looks for you, that dissipates rapidly. As we faced the front and went through the ceremony, I was vaguely aware that a person was kind of off to my side and in front, taking pictures, but it was only about halfway through I realised it was our friend Emma!

We had rings to exchange and had chosen from the sets of vows they give you. Ours did have a line about faithful after all the love and cherishy stuff - and you could almost hear the silent giggle from our friends who know we have an open affair, but it was all good. Until I had a fit of laughter during one set of my vows. It was seriously taking every last bit of concentration to not howl aloud. And then I had to just look into Dan's eyes while he said his version. Which is when I lost the plot and started shaking violently with suppressed laughter. Suppose it was kind of nerves, kind of just so immensely overjoyed and relieved and happy to be there, doing this mad thing.
Which is what put Dan off .... causing him to get my name wrong. If you watch the video, I slap his arm for it. I am not overfond of my middle name at the best of times, so him putting it first and calling me Charles Paul Robinson -well that just made me want to laugh even more.

Our dear friends Nick & Robb did a brilliant reading from Tales of the City for us, and then while we and our witnesses signed the legal stuff, we had an edited version of For Good from Wicked playing, and we left to the other version of Bridal Dancing Queen.

It was fucking ace.

And if you follow Torchwood Children of Earth - there is a bit .. in day 4 .... where as they evacuate Thames House, You see Jack in a corridor shouting while lights flash and sirens wail - he is stood outside the room we got married in!!!

The sun held for us as we posed for photos with everyone outside in the gardens. Awesome.
We went down to Cardiff Bay for a Chinese buffet. Be-awesome
Then went to Terra Nova to kill time until the evening - stupidly hot. I thought I was going to melt.
The evening was then a private room in a pub in Cardiff. We did a cutting of cake thing but generally mingled and chatted to all our came along. Twas fantastic.

Its also massively humbling, having so many people just be there, for you. All day my mind was racing with a mix of 'why the hell are they all dressing up and coming out just for us?' & feeling like I had just stepped off five consecutive rides on Nemesis at Alton Towers. It was a 10 hour massive adrenalin rush.

But it was brilliant.

Ceremony part 1
Ceremony part 2

Set Photons to Stun...

2009-05-18T15:18:00.000Z

How mad is this?

And Star Trek rocks. Fact.

Breeding Permission

2009-04-28T11:49:00.002Z

After reading an article today about a 24 year old who is feeding her 9 month old triplets junk food, (by chewing it first of course, because that makes it ok), young Peter and I decided that you should have to complete a questionnaire to be allowed to breed.
Feel free to pass this to your local AM/MP/Frog Breeding Society.

From: Peter
Sent: 28 April 2009 10:17
To: Paul Robinson
Subject: RE: Some people really should be allowed to breed...

Basic tests should be in place and a license granted.

From: Paul Robinson
Sent: 28 April 2009 10:21
To: McHugh Peter
Subject: RE: Some people really should be allowed to breed...

And question one should be how to spell Findlay.............. (she has called her son Finlee)

Question two, how many people do you know that have been on Jeremy Kyle?

Question three: Henley's to you means:

A) A Regatta

B) A top brand of clothing innit

C) Something belonging to the lead singer of the Eagles.

Question four: Can you get pregnant if you do it standing up?

a) Yes

b) No

c) Yer but no but yer but no

Question five: Sex is better:

A) Romantically, at home, by candlelight

B) With the car door shut so the light goes off

C) Up against a tree, with an orderly queue formed

Question Seven: Is your mam

a) Also your Aunt

b) Under 40

c) A regular on crime watch

d) None of the Above

And thinking about the ability to actually raise kids....

Question 8: Nutrition is:

A) Essential for healthy bones

B) Not going large every time, and makes sure you get diet coke

C) Better than Old Trition.

Question 9: Engerland Engerland Engerland?

a) Engerland Engerland Engerland!

b) Awwww yeah man! Where are the [delete as appropriate] Scots/Welsh/Paddy bastards and we'll give them a going over?

c) Fuck off you yob

d) What?

Question 10: Doctor Who?

A) He's that tall skinny bloke, yeah?

B) A 904 year old Time Lord of Gallifrey in the constellation of Kasterborous

C) Do I look queer?

Question 12: Do you pay attention to detail?

a) Yes

b) No

c) ____________________(please insert comment)

And we think that would about cover it. You'd need to score at least 12 to be allowed to breed.....

The more observant will have seen the logic in this.

Bad Paul

2009-04-24T08:34:00.002Z

Ive been a bit shit with this of late, havent I?
Its all down to time, Proper Job and Other Jon don't leave a great deal of it you see. And what I do get, I then do my damnedest to actually have a life.
So all in brief.
Planet of the Dead. Camp Nonsense, but you know how I love my Doctor Who Camp Nonsense on a Bank Holiday. I actually got to see it a day early and on a big screen.
I know! How cool is that? They had a Dalek (meh) and a Cyberman (YAY).
A quick look at the pictures on my facebook page will tell you that I have also been out and about a bit.
A new quiz for Easter for my forum pals, a few trips out with various Squee's, Bad Wolf Bay, Paintball - and man I LOVED the paintball, there's the next Florida trip booked for October 2010, starting weight watchers, Who chasing ..... its all keeping me vitalised and in one piece mentally.

But lets discuss Who theory.
Herein may contain spoilery goodness, depending on your point of view.
I always said that 4 specials, would go thus:
Camp Nonsense (ting! 10 points for the Cub in the corner), Traditional scary monster story, Two Part Finale Balls to the wall fan wank apocalyptic extravaganza.
Looks like I may well be right, based on odd bits of filming that Ive caught and the Waters of Mars trailer. Speaking of Waters of Mars, which as is the case these days, is being referred to as WoM .... which if you say aloud, sounds like you are flexing a lightsabre .... I am predicting its going to be shown as part of Children in Need. Everyone, and I mean everyone else thinks I'm barking with that theory and for those people I have three words.
The Five Doctors.
And it looks pretty much entirely set in a Biodome on Mars - yet they filmed a snowy street scene outside Tree's flat in Feb ... the TARDIS arriving and Doctor, older lady MILF companion type and two youngsters and a WALL*E thing emerge ... and Ood Sigma. So guessing that's the end!
And for the finale, rumours of returning companions en masse again. Donna, Wilf, Syvlia, Sarah Jane and Luke all seen filming on location so far. Maybe sightings of John Simm .... but although we have seen plenty of new scenes filmed, we have also seen them back at a lot of previously used locations, leading to a little theorem of mine.
I think, as part of the shenanigans, the Doctor may be breaking the holiest of holy Time Lord rules and buggering about in his own timeline. Think Back to the Future part II, when Marty goes back to Hill Valley in 1955, and is running around trying not to bump into himself ..... lord knows how or why this occurs, but its a theory Ive had for a few months, and I'm not seeing too much that dissuades me from it yet.
We'll see over Christmas I suppose!

Ska for Kids?

2009-03-18T08:48:00.001Z

The Simpsons

2009-02-18T16:17:00.001Z

After 20 years .... a new title sequence....

Khaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!

2009-02-13T16:42:00.001Z

What If...

2009-02-12T16:03:00.002Z

.... a team of Gay Superheroes took on their straight Arch Nemesis...... Peter and I were wondering... Id gotten as far as saying that they would look something like the Leather Clone from The Village People

From: Peter.McHugh
Sent: 12 February 2009 13:04
To: Paul Robinson
Subject: RE:

hmmmm...you gonna grow the mustache? Assless chaps? I could be a super Villain!

From: Paul Robinson
Sent: 12 February 2009 13:11
To: McHugh Peter
Subject: RE:

The Hetero! You vile fiend!

From: Peter.McHugh
Sent: 12 February 2009 13:07
To: Paul Robinson
Subject: RE:

I'll go round putting beercans on tables without coasters! Women shall be undressed with my eyes! Copies of the sun shall be purchased even though as a newspaper its got no news!

From: Paul Robinson
Sent: 12 February 2009 13:14
To: McHugh Peter
Subject: RE:

We'll stop you and your ways! We'll do your hair and redecorate your lair when you aren't looking

From: Peter.McHugh
Sent: 12 February 2009 13:10
To: Paul Robinson
Subject: RE:

Nooooo! Not a throw rug!!! Curse you Welsh Super Best Friends!

From: Paul Robinson
Sent: 12 February 2009 13:19
To: McHugh Peter
Subject: RE:

and IKEA shelves

From: Peter.McHugh
Sent: 12 February 2009 13:15
To: Paul Robinson
Subject: RE:

Aha! But you'll need a straight man to assemble those shelves! While your trying to find one I'll hide your facial cleansers...ALL OF THEM!!!!

From: Paul Robinson
Sent: 12 February 2009 13:25
To: 'Peter.McHugh
Subject: RE:

we can put up shelves..... we DESIGNED THEM!

HA HA HA WEEP YOU FOOL

From: Peter.McHugh
Sent: 12 February 2009 13:21
To: Paul Robinson
Subject: RE:

I know your type Endurance man...it starts with a bar of soap. But that's not good enough. Soon its time for the scrubs. And anyone who doesn't scrub shall be exfoliated! Exfoliate! EXFOLIATE!!!!!

From: Paul Robinson
Sent: 12 February 2009 13:31
To: McHugh Peter
Subject: RE:

And you know what follows exfoliation?

Moisturise me, moisturise me!

From: Peter.McHugh
Sent: 12 February 2009 13:27
To: Paul Robinson
Subject: RE:

Taxi's here! I'm off to my evil lair. Chat Monday!:D

I know .... the ending needs some work............

Bolt

2009-02-09T16:32:00.002Z

Bolt, star of his own TV show, about a super dog gets lost adn accidentally sent from Hollywood to New York. Trouble is, he believes his powers are real. He drags a cat called Mittens, whom he believs knows the whereabout of his kidnapped person, Penny, and manages to find his number 1 fan, Rhino the Hamster en route too.

I defy anyone to not enjoy this film. Its big action for the kids, plain fun for the adults. A real daft silly leave your head at home and go with your heart romp.
And its .. .FULLY AWESOME!

Choice lines all come from Rhino ("I'll get a ladder" & "I'll snap his neck" leading the pack).... although Bolt and Mittens are cracking characters in themselves.
There are one or too Disney schmatlz moments - but thats just a law of physicas by now, surely? One that hit home, is the big reveal of why Mittens is so bitter... and just why the pigeons never saw the wrath of her claws....
Watch out for the evil hench cats ..... "Is this going to be a long message?"

I Like to be in America!

2009-02-06T13:06:00.003Z

So Ive been to Florida again!
About a month ago now ... but anyway.....

We drove up to stay near Gatwick the night before we flew, thanks to Jason for arranging that! It was beyond cold. Thick freezing fog most of the way and then Dans directions took us down some right dodgy country lane to get there..... then we think they had the booking backwards, as Jason had a mini apartment to himself and Dan & I had 2 single beds.... ;o) It was sometime around going to bed that it really hit me where I was going. Even though I had fully planned which outfit I was wearing to which park on which day.
Good flight out. Although I did recognise one of our flight attendants. I'm convinced it was Miss Foster. She must have survived the fall, got back in with the Adipose First Family and is secretly feeding us Apidose in airline food. And lets face it, a route betwixt the UK & USA is going to be prime feeding grounds for such a mission. And we had Mamma Mia on the films list! And Turn Left on the tv channel! Hurrah!

Hitch number 1 was when we got in a cab to go to the house. It didn't exist on his sat nav. Luckily, with the direction provided for fly drive passengers, we got there.
AND SWEET LORD WHAT A HOUSE.
Video tour is on youtube
Dan & I had a walk through the estate (it was very American Dad) down to the Winn Dixie and M&Ms Pizza in the evening.

We had planned a lazy day Sunday. It was scorching hot weather and we had a wolf sniffing around first thing. Presumably belonging to the pack Jason heard howling when walking back from the shops one evening.. We also had vultures circling.... it was all a bit Jungle Book frankly. The pool wasn't heated and was very very cold .... but I was determined to use it ... and managed about 14 minutes before it felt like my balls might actually vanish forever so I got out.
It was a glorious day, scorching hot .... and the only really hot day we had.

Monday was the Universal Day. We had just the one day to get round both parks. But it was so dead there, that wasn't an issue really. Jaws and ET were shut. Presumably off at some rubber creature convention together.
And the big issue.
The Simpsons Ride is NOT as good as Back to the Future The Ride.
Not happy.
We had a pootle around, had a world famous Nathans Hot Dog. We'd never heard of them until the Sunday but Dan & Jay had watched a documentary for over 2 hours about famous American restaurants (some of the burgers these places make ... one took 8 people to eat about half of it....), so we felt obliged after that. I wasn't impressed. Jasons looked like runny turds.
We went on to what used to Earthquake and is now called Disaster. They still pull people from the crowd to take part in the ride. When they asked for a good looking, confident, leading man, one hand went up. Can you guess?
I had to wear a boiler suit and so slo-mo acting on a stool in front of a green screen ..... and was later edited in as being blown out of a large ball of fire. Cool huh?
The afternoon was over at Islands of Adventure, where a section is closed for construction on The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Which is just a load of mud right now - I craned a look from Duelling Dragons. Not easy at 70mph, upside down.
That night we ordered Chinese. And the rice came in those cartons like you see in films! YAY

Tuesday was a rest as it rained a lot. Jason and I went for a short walk, that became a three house trek around estates, the worlds biggest Pharmacy on Highway 27 up to Clermont ever, and climbing through fences, lost. We also found an internet cafe, bizarrely full of rich old ladies gambling, and looked up ways to try and get to Downtown Orlando, and a Bear Bar, on public transport ... it was a three hour trip for a 30 min drive...so we gave up on the idea.

Wednesday saw our first venture to Disney and the renamed Hollywood Studios. Because their contract with MGM expired. Not much had changed there although looking back at my videos, there were a lot of hot bearded men there that day, that I keep zooming in on. They have stopped the parade too ... and have a Pixar Block Party instead. I was very confused when Princess Atta leaned over to me I gave her a very blank look. And then a woman in the crowd pointed out she wanted a kiss ..... I don't think Ive pulled a female Ant before. At least she was royalty. And because of the hardness of the head on the costume, it was more a headbutt.
Dan took quite an interest in one of the dancers too......
In the evening, we met up with Jarrod from the Doctor Who Forum, which was cool. More than cool actually.

Thursday was our day in the Magic Kingdom. Stitchs Great Escape was under staffed, s went wrong as we walked past the bit that has all the set up .... but I was very impressed with the Monsters Inc Laugh Floor. Its largely a stand comedy routine, but from CGI monsters - that interact with the audience in real time. I am sure its a few comedians sat watching the audience in full motion capture gear, buts it impressive all the same.
And the castle had a crane around it again. Why are they always painting it when I go? Again, with just one day, it was a bit of a highlights only stop, but I think we did pretty much everything worth doing. As we went on the carousel of progress thing, through Space Mountain, there had been a fault and all the lights were on. Holy Shit Id never have gone on that thing if Id seen it in the light before! Rickety hardy does it justice. Its clearly safe, but is a proper old wooden bone shaker. We tried to get pics and video but as we were behind a perspex sheet, they didn't come out.
And of course, parades, fireworks et al were fully in order.

Friday was home time ... and so of course the sun came back out.
We had a troll around Downtown Disney, saw Bolt in 3D - after which Jason and Dan started calling me Rhino (which between you and me, I actually quite like), fed a Crane french fries by hand.... and after a quick shop in Virgin Megastore (still open and not even a Zavvi!) had to head for home....the plans are on to return, October 2010!
LET IT BEGIN!!!!

Mac V PC

2009-02-02T10:45:00.000Z

Then check out this guys other stuff over at his website!

Quickie

2009-01-31T10:13:00.000Z

Yes I am shit and havent blogged in ages..... just had a lot on and stuff.
Back with a full report on Florida very soon! Promise!

He's a Pirate

2009-01-06T11:30:00.001Z

Discover Klaus Badelt!

2009

2009-01-02T12:55:00.003Z

My first act of 2009 was to inhale a piece of glitter from a party popper and nearly do a Geraldine.
I had downed a bottle of Jack Daniels in under two hours in my defence.
And danced. mostly to Kylie ... Cant Get You Outta My Head kept coming on the various music channels Jimmy was skipping through and I insisted we listened each time we found it.

New Years Day saw a trip into Cardiff. Of the shops that had opened, they all closed by 4. The coffee houses included. So we went to Cardiff Bay .. where places were open til 6 only .... even the pubs.
You see, as much as I love it here, this is my one issue with Cardiff. It so wants to be some amazing city on a par with London or Manchester .... but I bet they had places open yesterday!
Must try harder, Cardiff!

2008

2008-12-30T09:24:00.003Z

Since I can never bloody remember the last 5 minutes, never mind the last year, this handy quiz courtesy of one of the lovely Squee'rs is making a review of the year a bit easier.

1) How did you begin 2008?
Id had one or two ... or ten

2) What was your status on Valentine's Day?
Engaged to my lovely man of course

3) Were you in school (anytime this year)?
I possibly should have been but no

4) How did you earn your money?
Proper Job & Other Job

5) Did you have to go to the hospital?
No but a fair few trips to the quacks including a minor surgical procedure in December

6) Did you have any encounters with the police?
Not unless avoiding the traffic when they played Cardiff counts. Oh ... you mean the law?

7) Where did you go on vacation?
I didn't, it was all about saving for Florida for 2009

8) Did you buy anything over £1000?
The holiday cost 1350 ... so yeah

9) Did you know anybody who got married?
Lauren & David

10) Did you know anybody who passed away?
Smeagol

12) Did you move anywhere?
No

14) What concerts/shows did you go to?
Kylie twice and Madonna. Ooh and Wicked for my birthday!

15) Are you registered to vote?
Yes

16) Who did you want to win Big Brother?
I don't even know who was in there!

17) Where do you live now?
Senghenydd. And for the record, its pronounced Sen Gen (with the G as in girl or grape) Ith

18) Describe your birthday?
The actual day, not much going on, but then went and saw Wicked with 8th row centre seats. Met up with Mark & Andrew and we went and got the girl playing Elphaba to sign our tickets

19) What's one thing you thought you'd never do but did in 2008?
Actually properly go out in the village in Manchester
Eat dinner at The Ritz

20) What has been your favourite moment?
Its a few hours long, but its my Halloween Party. Finally got to meet Liam and made a few new special friends. Weekends like that are rare and to be cherished

21) What's something you learned about yourself?
That I cant do it all, no matter how hard I try. But that it shouldn't stop me trying.
I cant read myself very well .... When I slip into darker places, I don't seem to notice.

22) Any new additions to your family?
Nah

23.) What was your worst month?
Hmmmmmm...... dunno really.

24.) What music will you remember 2008 by?
The CD Ive played the most this year is easily X by Kylie

25) Who has been your best drinking buddy?
OGers, no question. Be that HIvers, KI'n'DA or SS

26) Made new friends?
Yes

27) New best friend?
Two actually. They know who they are.

28) Favorite Night out?
Since my Halloween party was technically a night in ..... its a tie between meeting the Squee Squad at Hard Rock, the 2nd Kylie gig with David and going out with Robb in Manchester. Although there were many other great nights like Eds birthday, Non Con ..... oh just so many!

29) What do you look forward to most about 2009?
Florida from Jan 10
Paupers Gally at the end of Feb...
I'll prob plan some more but only thinking that far ahead at the moment.
Oh .... and some wedding or other I have to attend on July 3rd....... :o)

30) Some up 2008 with five words.
Tired, Exciting, Broke, Happy, Loved.

The Bit Inbetween

2008-12-29T12:06:00.002Z

Christmas already seems like it happened many months ago ... just me?
We had a very quiet affair. I finished work at 1.00 on the Eve, and was dashing off to get Dan, then go to Newport to pick his mum up and take her to Swansea. It then transpired that the family had already taken her to Swansea, so I could relax.
Christmas Day was another day to ourselves .. as was Boxing Day actually. The only person I even spoke to on the phone was Rachel!
Dan did me some wonderful presents, and managed to track down lots of my favourite tv shows from way back when and obtain every possible ep he could to make as full collections as humanly available. I also had a few Tinkerbell related goodies, which delighted me no end!
We hadn't got a turkey, as it seemed a bit much for two of us, so we had a chicken ... and a bottle of pink champagne that after one sip, I politely pushed to one side and got myself a diet coke instead.
I'm not really sure what happened after that. Ohh, no .. I remember now ... I went for a walk. Dan didn't fancy it so I went for a yomp down to the shop and back for an hour. Just to get off my lardy arse really.
Watched a bit of Harry Potter and then some Wallace and Gromit, before getting ready for the amazing disappointment that was The Next Doctor.
Now there are those who don't like fluffy camp nonsense for a Xmas ep and see that as an excuse or whatever .. but generally, that doesn't bother me. What does bother me is being bored. And I was. It just seemed to be a handful of concepts strung together with a flimsy bit of running about and angst. And it didn't even deal with its own set up particularly well. Did we ever actually work out what the deal was with Miss Hartigan and the Cybermen? Or why they seemed to have a cyber controller with a human brain, as they did back in series 2, but had painted some of his face black? And what were the Cybershades? Had they converted Hot Gossip while in the void by accident?
I have to say, I have never for a second believed that David Morrissey (whom Id not seen in anything before that I could think of ... but rather cute .. and hairy ... ooh yeah) was a time lord, let alone the Doctor. All this guff because he had a fob watch .... well lots of people did back then .. duh! Bizarrely though, I didn't actually cotton on to him being Jackson Lake until the reveal. Quite how I missed that I'm not sure.
And what about Rositta? Where did she come from? Sure, there was the very veiled reference to her being a lady of the night .... but that didn't quite tie in with the whole confused identity thing .. was it just a religious dig, ala wotserface Magdalene? Perhaps. But I cant see that Jackson Lake would see his wife killed and son kidnapped and think, sod this, I'm off to get my end away ... or that the Doctor, based on his interpretation of the memories, would arrive in London and think, 'ooh time to get me some ass'
And do not even start me on the Power Rangers ending. Although its nice to see The Iron Giant get some more work.
I did giggle like a loon at the abundantly silly Doctors on a rope chase (with soap merchandise to follow). Grinned whole heartedly like a ming mong at the 10 Doctors montage. Then there was that beautiful moment .... the companions leave him and break his heart. That alone was worth the previous 58 minutes.

It was back to Other Job Saturday for a 2-10 shift ... reasonably dead ..... although I did have great fun teasing the poor valleys scum who came to see Australia. Along these lines...
Scally: Can I have 2 tickets to Australia butt?
Me: No this is a cinema, not an airport.
What larks!
I did kick out a gang of unruly feckwits, who had tried to start on another bloke in the queue. He totally took the bait and it took his girlfriend, myself and another lady in the queue to calm him down. The kids tried to get in for a further hour, but since neither Shelley or I would serve them, they eventually buggered off. Such a shame .... Most people up the valleys are so lovely, genuine slat of the Earth types ... then you get the Valleys Scum Chavs who ruin it for everyone.

Last night we popped down Kay;s for an hour .. and stayed for 4. Will has been given an Elmo Live for Christmas. Possibly the most amazing toy ever. At about a foot and half in height, it stands, sits, tells jokes and stories, sings ... and .. wait for it .... it does Jazz Hands! I want one.

What day is it? Oh Monday ... fuck .... New Year still seems ages away, not just 2 days ...... I hate this bit inbetween.

There's No Need!

2008-12-24T08:59:00.002Z

Just had an interesting message from my mate Nick ....
Apparently if you replace Wand with Cock in Harry Potter, this is what you get..
What happens if you replace the word 'wand' with 'c0ck' in the first Harry Potter book...

Let's see the results...

"Why aren't you supposed to do magic?" asked Harry.
"Oh, well -- I was at Hogwarts meself but I -- er -- got expelled, ter tell yeh the truth. In me third year. They snapped me cock in half an' everything

A magic cock... this was what Harry had been really looking forward to.

"Yes, yes. I thought I'd be seeing you soon. Harry Potter." It wasn't a question. "You have your mother's eyes. It seems only yesterday she was in here herself, buying her first cock. Ten and a quarter inches long, swishy, made of willow. Nice cock for charm work."
"Your father, on the other hand, favoured a mahogany cock. Eleven inches. "

Harry took the cock. He felt a sudden warmth in his fingers. He raised the cock above his head, brought it swishing down through the dusty air and a stream of red and gold sparks shot from the end like a firework, throwing dancing spots of light on to the walls

"Oh, move over," Hermione snarled. She grabbed Harry's cock, tapped the lock, and whispered, 'Alohomora!"

The troll couldn't feel Harry hanging there, but even a troll will notice if you stick a long bit of wood up its nose, and Harry's cock had still been in his hand when he'd jumped - it had gone straight up one of the troll's nostrils.

He bent down and pulled his cock out of the troll's nose. It was covered in what looked like lumpy gray glue.

He ran onto the field as you fell, waved his cock, and you sort of slowed down before you hit the ground. Then he whirled his cock at the dementors. Shot silver stuff at them.

"Yes," Harry said, gripping his cock very tightly, and moving into the middle of the deserted classroom. He tried to keep his mind on flying, but something else kept intruding.... Any second now, he might hear his mother again... but he shouldn't think that, or he would hear her again, and he didn't want to... or did he?

Something silver-white, something enormous, erupted from the end of his cock

Then, with a sigh, he raised his cock and prodded the silvery substance with its tip.

'Get - off - me!' Harry gasped. For a few seconds they struggled, Harry pulling at his uncles sausage-like fingers with his left hand, his right maintaining a firm grip on his raised cock.

How rude!
Merry Christmas!

Xmas - Sat on my arse!

2008-12-22T13:31:00.002Z

So after a flick through the schedules, knowing I have a few days of just me and Dan, relaxing at home. This is what I am planning:

CHRISTMAS EVE
8.30pm (ITV2)

Peter Pan
Yes, I have it on DVD. But after watching TInkerbell over the weekend, I think I need this to top up my faith, trust and pixie dust

11.00pm (TCM)
Batman
Because its on late enough that I might be awake when Santa comes

CHRISTMAS DAY
3.10pm (ITV1)
Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban
I'll need something semi good to snooze though

4.30pm (BBC1)
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit
To set myself up for the new one later

6.00pm (BBC1)
Doctor Who
Nobody, nobody is to text, call or even think my name during broadcast, lest I slit their throats

7.00pm (BBC3)
Doctor Who Confidential

8.30pm (BBC1)
Wallace & Gromit: A Matter Of Loaf And Death

11.00pm (TCM)
Batman Returns
Can you imagine a better film to end Xmas Day with? No, me neither.

BOXING DAY
11.55am (BBC1)
Ella Enchanted
If I'm up anyways

5.50pm (BBC1)
The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe
Narnia. Nuff said

8.30pm (BBC1)
Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest
I love this film.

What I wont be watching under any circumstances:

11.00pm (TCM)
Batman Forever
Not as bad as Batman And Robin.

Been a While!

2008-12-18T13:13:00.002Z

So long in fact, I cant really recall the last tales I told you.
I am fairly sure you haven't heard about the Christmas Party though, so you can have those tales and be happy.
Back to Manchester again and the wonderful Palace Hotel - and this time we had rooms there.
I drove up with Emma, Kat & Daf, since there were more people needing transport than seats available on the coach. It was our mission to ensure we arrived before the coach and snagged decent rooms. Until we had a text from Ceri who had gone up the night before and compared the rooms to Harry Potters cupboard under the stairs..... oh dear ....
She was either fibbing or unlucky as mine & Daf's room was gorgeous! It was at the end of a corridor in an old part of the building, all ceramic tiles and archways.... it reminded me a lot of the corridor to the dept of mysteries in the film of Order of the Phoenix. The room was mahoosive - the ceiling was so high, I swear we had clouds form at one point. It was lavishly decorated, with enormous drapes and beds big enough to house small African tribes. But I had plans!
I was meeting up with my dear friend Robb, my chum Alex and ... another guy called Paul Robinson. We did consider harassing the local police with a superb identity theft joke, but ran out of time.
We went for food and then to a really cool coffee house arty place ... before I had to head back to change for the party. I left myself a good 45 mins or so to prepare.... or so I thought.
Sadly, I'd cocked up my schedule by an hour and was already 5 mins late for the reception. One quick change and a hell of a lot of Diesel Fuel for Life later, I was in my silk jacket, dress shirt, bow tie and platforms and mingling with my colleagues.
As winners of station of the year last year, we had to go in last to applause and cheers and shit, before going to our seats. I was a tad confused as my seat didn't seem to exist any longer and was just a team of small oriental people bleaching things. Apparently, one of my glorious comrades from one of our Scotland stations had vomited over my starter as he stumbled by, so four of us had to stand around rather sheepishly while this was all changed - all though the intros and Scouting For Girls set...... I think it was Smooth Radio London sat behind us scowling, but I cant be sure......
The evening was pleasant enough. We also had performances from Lemar, Sharleen Spiteri, Leon Jackson, James Morrison, Simply Red & The Script. I wasn't really sure who most of them were until they did a song I knew though.
As soon as the awards ceremony was over, I legged it back to my room to shower and change and hit the Village with Robb.
We started by looking for a working cash machine - and then stayed in that pub for a drink first off. It was a really cool venue - all kitted out with old church decor. So little alcoves and pulpits and stuff ... some great potential for Evita balcony moments if ever I saw. Then moved onto Poptastic. Which does what it says on the tin. Lots of amazingly cheesy pop from across many years - they played Your Disco Needs You, which as you all know is all I need to fall in love with a club. Although I will never quite forgive Robb for leaving me to go to the bar, allowing me to carry on dancing un knowingly to a song from High School Musical. But I only hold that grudge because its easier than admitting that I actually was enjoying the song til I realised.
We left there about 2 and had a stroll and a chat to cool off a bit before heading our separate ways to get some sleep!
Manchester rocks and I cant wait to go back!

Yesterday marked two weeks since I last let Smeagol out. I did open the door to mark the occasion, in the vain hope maybe he fell through a 2 week hole in the space time continuum and re-appeared. When he didn't, I just went upstairs and did a small candlelit meditation to make sure he has found his way.
I do still get a bit tearful and I still keep looking hopefully out the back ... just in case.... I wonder at what point that hope goes away and I'll give up?

Blood and No Life

2008-12-15T14:22:00.002Z

Well, I have had no voice for 5 days now. This sucks.
Seeing a doctor again tonight as really not convinced there is nohting they can do about my throat bleeding. Even if its some preventative infection measures.
Anyhoo, Jacquie stuck this on FB so figured I'd see how much I dont have a life...
SUPPOSEDLY if you've seen over 94 films, you have no life. Mark the ones you've seen. There are 239 films on this list. Copy this list, go to your own facebook account, paste this as a note. Then, put x's next to the films you've seen, add them up, change the header adding your number, and click post at the bottom. Have fun.

(x) Rocky Horror Picture Show
(x) Grease
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest
( ) Boondock Saints
(x) Fight Club
(x) Starsky and Hutch
(x) Neverending Story
(x) Blazing Saddles
(x) Airplane
Total: 9

(x) The Princess Bride
(x) Anchorman
( ) Napoleon Dynamite
(x) Labyrinth
( x) Saw
( x) Saw II
( x) White Noise
( ) White Oleander
( x) Anger Management - but wish I hadnt
( x) 50 First Dates
(x) The Princess Diaries - of course, its Dame Julie.
( x) The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
Total so far: 19

( x) Scream
( x) Scream 2
( x) Scream 3
(x) Scary Movie
( x) Scary Movie 2
( x) Scary Movie 3
( x) Scary Movie 4
(x) American Pie
(x) American Pie 2
(x) American Wedding
( ) American Pie Band Camp
Total so far: 29

(x) Harry Potter 1
(x) Harry Potter 2
(x) Harry Potter 3
(x) Harry Potter 4
( ) Resident Evil 1
( ) Resident Evil 2
( x) The Wedding Singer
( ) Little Black Book
( x) The Village - and I will never ever ever see any film this man makes ever again.
(x) Lilo & Stitch
Total so far: 36

(x) Finding Nemo
( x) Finding Neverland - Oh I cried.
(x) Signs
(x ) The Grinch
(x ) Texas Chainsaw Massacre
( ) Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
( ) White Chicks
( x) Butterfly Effect
( ) 13 Going on 30
(x) I, Robot
(x ) Robots
Total so far: 44

( x) Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
(x) Universal Soldier
( x) Lemony Snicket: A Series Of Unfortunate Events - the best Tim Burton film not made by Tim Burton
( ) Along Came Polly
(x) Deep Impact
( x) KingPin
(x ) Never Been Kissed
(x ) Meet The Parents
(x ) Meet the Fockers
( ) Eight Crazy Nights
( ) Joe Dirt
(x ) KING KONG
Total so far: 52

( x) A Cinderella Story
( ) The Terminal
( ) The Lizzie McGuire Movie
( ) Passport to Paris
( ) Dumb & Dumber
( ) Dumber & Dumberer
( x) Final Destination
(x ) Final Destination 2
(x ) Final Destination 3
( x) Halloween
( x) The Ring
( ) The Ring 2
( x) Surviving X-MAS
( ) Flubber
Total so far: 59

( ) Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
( x) Practical Magic
(x ) Chicago
(x ) Ghost Ship
(x ) From Hell
(x ) Hellboy
( ) Secret Window
( ) I Am Sam
( x) The Whole Nine Yards
( ) The Whole Ten Yards
Total so far: 65

(x) The Day After Tomorrow
( x) Child's Play
( ) Seed of Chucky
( x) Bride of Chucky
() Ten Things I Hate About You
( ) Just Married
(x ) Gothika
(x) Nightmare on Elm Street
( x) Sixteen Candles
( ) Remember the Titans
( ) Coach Carter
( x) The Grudge
( ) The Grudge 2
(x) The Mask
( ) Son Of The Mask
Total so far: 71

(x ) Bad Boys
( ) Bad Boys 2
( ) Joy Ride
( ) Lucky Number Slevin
( ) Ocean's Eleven
( ) Ocean's Twelve
( ) Bourne Identity
( ) Bourne Supremecy
( ) Lone Star
(x ) Bedazzled
(x) Predator I
( x) Predator II
( x) The Fog
(x) Ice Age
( x) Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
( ) Curious George
Total so far: 78

(x) Independence Day
( ) Cujo
( ) A Bronx Tale
( ) Darkness Falls
(x) Christine
(x) ET
( ) Children of the Corn
( ) My Boss's Daughter
() Maid in Manhattan
(x) War of the Worlds
( ) Rush Hour
( ) Rush Hour 2
Total so far: 82

( ) Best Bet
( ) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
( ) She's All That
( x) Calendar Girls
( ) Sideways
(x) Mars Attacks -ack acck aack!
( x) Event Horizon
(x ) Ever After
(x) Wizard of Oz -and there is my daily mention. marvellous
(x) Forrest Gump
(x ) Big Trouble in Little China
(x) The Terminator
(x) The Terminator 2
( x) The Terminator 3
Total so far: 92

(x) X-Men
(x) X-2
(x) X-3
(x) Spider-Man
(x) Spider-Man 2
( x) Sky High
(x ) Jeepers Creepers
( ) Jeepers Creepers 2
( ) Catch Me If You Can
( x) The Little Mermaid - isnt it neat?
( x) Freaky Friday
( x) Reign of Fire
( x) The Skulls
(x ) Cruel Intentions
( ) Cruel Intentions 2
( x) The Hot Chick
(x) Shrek
(x) Shrek 2
Total so far: 107

( ) Swimfan
(x ) Miracle on 34th street
( x) Old School
( ) The Notebook
( ) K-Pax
( ) Krippendorf's Tribe
( ) A Walk to Remember
( ) Ice Castles
( ) Boogeyman
( x) The 40-year-old Virgin
Total so far: 110

(x) Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Ring
(x) Lord of the Rings The Two Towers
(x) Lord of the Rings Return Of the King
(x) Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
(x) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
(x) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Total so far: 117

(x ) Baseketball
(x ) Hostel
( ) Waiting for Guffman
( ) House of 1000 Corpses
( ) Devils Rejects
( ) Elf
(x) Highlander
( x) Mothman Prophecies
( ) American History X
( ) Three
Total so Far: 121

( ) The Jacket
( x) Kung Fu Hustle
( ) Shaolin Soccer
( ) Night Watch
(x) Monsters Inc.
(x) Titanic
(x) Monty Python and the Holy Grail
(x) Shaun Of the Dead
( ) Willard
Total so far: 126

( ) High Tension
( ) Club Dread
(x ) Hulk
(x ) Dawn Of the Dead
(x) Hook
(x) Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
( x) 28 days later
( x) Orgazmo
( x) Phantasm
(x ) Waterworld
Total so far: 134

(x) Kill Bill vol 1
(x) Kill Bill vol 2
( x) Mortal Kombat
( ) Wolf Creek
() Kingdom of Heaven
(x ) the Hills Have Eyes
(x ) I Spit on Your Grave aka the Day of the Woman
( x) The Last House on the Left
( ) Re-Animator
( x) Army of Darkness
Total so far: 141

(x) Star Wars Ep. I The Phantom Menace
(x) Star Wars Ep. II Attack of the Clones
(x) Star Wars Ep. III Revenge of the Sith
(x) Star Wars Ep. IV A New Hope
(x) Star Wars Ep. V The Empire Strikes Back
(x) Star Wars Ep. VI Return of the Jedi
( x) Ewoks Caravan Of Courage
(x ) Ewoks The Battle For Endor
Total so far: 149

(x) The Matrix - and I should have stopped there, when this one was bollocks, but no ...
(x) The Matrix Reloaded - I went and saw this pile of wank...
(x) The Matrix Revolutions - and still didnt learn becuase I wasted another 5 quid on this rain of shit too.
( x) Animatrix
(X ) Evil Dead
( x) Evil Dead 2
(x) Team America: World Police
(x ) Red Dragon
(x) Silence of the Lambs
(x ) Hannibal
Total: 159

oh.

Dear Smeagol....

2008-12-09T11:00:00.002Z

... do you remember the first day we met?
I do so clearly. You were with your mum and your siblings, sat amongst the straw on the floor of the living room you were born in. Amongst the rabbits and rabbit shit, where the kids were sat eating chicken nuggets, off plates sat among the straw and rabbit shit. I was nearly sick and knew I had to get you outta there ASAP. So we arranged I could pick you a week later - June 28th 1996 - at 9.00am so you could be Jamie's birthday surprise. I have often thought I should have brought your twin too, especially since he never found another home, and having the same condition you had, didn't see his first birthday by not getting the care we gave you.
You were dead silent all the way home, in your box, as I walked through Hitchin, back to our house in Common Rise. I hid you away, and got Jamie out of bed to come and get his present. Made him close his eyes to meet his visitor - he thought I'd got his Dad over! You were silent as I took you out of the box, and just as you were about to hit his lap, you let out a tiny meow and gave the bloody game away. Jamie was delighted though.
You were a sickly kitten and cost me a fortune in vet bills - I only had a bloody part time job as I was still technically at Uni then. They told us we'd only have you til about 7 or 8 at the utmost. But you always take after me - stubborn buggers, aren't we?
I used to bite my nails back then, and can recall with interest seeing you on the floor of our flat in Haysman Close watching me intently - then biting your own claws to cut them back.
I remember the panicked phone call I got while I was at work because you had jumped out of our second storey window ... and left an almighty skid in the mud and were fine!
I remember in Common Rise you sitting on the end of the bed, fascinated by Star Trek Voyager, but attacking Tuvok. Great, I though, I have a racist cat.
I remember losing my temper with you during a game of tag, going to grab you for clawing me too hard, falling and snapping my thumb back so far it touched the back of my hand. I had to go onstage for the rest of the run of Wind in the Willows in a hand cast.
Then there was the night you vanished off the balcony from Hilltop Court. Jamie had only moved out that afternoon and I'd bloody lost you already! I was, to be fair, a bit drunk ... and I could hear you calling. I ran down to find you, thinking that a fall like that surely meant broken legs ... I was cut to buggery in the brambles getting into Macy Grays garden. Remember her? Clearly not Macy Gray but looked a bit like her and sang gospel at 4am every fucking Sunday morning. And were did you turn up? Next doors balcony, hidden amongst his skunk plants. I got high as a kite just passing through his living room to find you.
You are great when I have a migraine ... curling up, with your back pressed into the length of my body, so I have something to cuddle. You also have an amazing talent for only trying to get on my lap about 3 seconds before I am getting out of the chair.
The first night I let you out, when me moved into Russell Rise, I was so nervous. Would you dive up the alley and go out to the main road? Would you even bother coming back? Of course, you did the moment you got hungry. And then the next door brought me a mouse to show how proud you were that I was finally convinced you were well enough to go out. Shame you didn't think to kill it. Or catch it once it was loose in the house. Three hours it took me to corner the bugger.
Moving house was always a worry for us. From Hitchin to Letchworth, and then Letchworth to Luton, you hid for weeks! But the move from Luton to Wales - four hours in a van - and you just crawled out of your box, had a sniff about and settled on Dans other sofa.
You seem to really love living up the valleys now. That shack was your fave hiding place as you could see the backdoor and know the moment I came home, to leg it to the backdoor.
But you haven't done that these last 7 days, have you?
Its been so cold. You never did well in cold. I keep thinking, that maybe you went to sleep on all the brambles between the lane and the river at the back of the house and didn't wake up. Or maybe found somebody who keeps better hours than I do. Or feeds you tuna more than once a month.
I have had a candlelit vigil for you every night since Sunday.
I have asked Nan to keep you safe until I can join you one day.
There probably wont be any more memories for us to make, but I promise you one thing, Beaglebot.
I wont stop loving you.
Your daddy x

Bit of a Turkey

2008-11-25T16:38:00.001Z

So you are on live tv pardoning a turkey for Thanksgiving as a publicity stunt .. so where do you stand for the post stunt interview?

Not there I am guessing, is a better answer.

Very Quickly Then...

2008-11-24T15:03:00.002Z

Bit tired
Back been playing up but seems betterer
Had another Doctor Who Forum-tastic weekend over last few days, including:
Ed's 40th. Including Canada Quiz that was a lot of fun.
Going out in town in my platforms Friday night. Always a plus
Having a rather fabulous Sunday with Shaz & Nick, ending up in Coffee Mania (that's becoming a habit) and A diner that had a bad drawing of Elvis on the loo door that made him look like something from 29 Days Later.
Rich is coming down for the week now - YAY
Tomorrow is the KI'n'DA 50 party, but I shall only be there briefly at two points across the evening as I shall be heading to the CIA to drink Baileys from a shoe, as The Mighty Boosh are in town and we have tickets.

I'm old Greeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeg

I Dont Want One, I Need One

2008-11-12T13:49:00.001Z

He's Not Me

2008-11-05T22:18:00.002Z

So I have had no voice for two days now
Don't you wish you had been here to take advantage of that?
I have a swollen throat and my gland things in my neck are up to the point they poke out and I look like Frankenstein's Monster - and that really hurts.
So in a moment of self pity, and partly desperation after letting Dan watch nearly three hours of Power Rangers (he is worse than I am right now with this bug), inspired by something I read in Empire magazine today (last months issue), I watched Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
Of course, I don't need to tell you anything about the film, because you have seen it. (Anybody who hasn't needs to do so immediately)
So you know the scene where they are leaving the swanky restaurant at lunchtime, and Ferris' dad is stood by the door? His Dad is having a conversation with his client. About advertising and finding the budget to advertise because if you want to sell more, you have to spend on advertising. A conversation I am involved in many many times a week.
When did that happen?
When did I become Ferris Buellers Dad?
When the movie first came out, I was 16, going on 17 (ooh sound like a cue for a song). I was quite a lot Ferris and just a bit Cameron. This worked fine because my best bud Alex was a lot Cameron but a bit Ferris, so we had a good balance.
But I suppose when you factor in that my son would have been 18 by now ... the age Ferris is in the film .. it sort of adds up.
Now I am not only ill but totally fucking depressed too.
The world can be so cruel.

Falling Apart at the Seams

2008-11-04T11:09:00.002Z

Over the last 5 days I have managed to have a bad eye infection and am now going down with man flu.
But hey - it was Samhain last week !! Woohoo!
I was a bit upset initially on Friday. For the first year in a long time, I didn't have a pumpkin.
Well, I did ... but Id left it in a carrier bag, it was wet and rotted. I only found out last thing Thursday and of course, nobody had any left on Friday. BAH
But it was a corker of a weekend. I did another quiz night - complete with video rounds. A lot of my chums from DWF came along, so all in all we had people from Berkshire, Southampton, Glasgow, Manchester, Dublin and Cardiff. It was a proper UK wide gathering! Pics on the Face of Book.

I expect you are wondering what I think about David leaving Doctor Who?
Well, not a lot really. He wasn't going to stay forever was he? I do pity the poor bastard who gets the job next though. I daresay, the decision is already made, and the chap is already feeling the pressure, seeing the press its getting already.
A few people seem to think that the announcement will be made before Christmas. Cant say I agree. I mean, if they tell us now, its 18 months before we see him on screen - that's just a ridiculous scenario. He'll be ripped to shreds before setting foot in the TARDIS - remember the furore over Daniel Craig?
Which segues nicely into Quantum of Solace. Yet to see it, but I cant find a person who has that has liked it. Oops.
I'm not a Bond fan really, so wont care one way or the other

Heres One I Made Earlier

2008-10-19T19:32:00.002Z

Just an idea that has been knocking around in my head for a while now. Since 2007 seemed to to be the year of the Kylie & Doctor Who crossover, I came up with this video ... and have finally sat down and made it. Its my first go at video editing, so be kind!

ps - the TARDIS sound effects are on the song, not from the episode or added by me!!

Going to the Chapel

2008-10-14T11:26:00.002Z

The first of my siblings got married on Saturday.
Given it was in Newport Pagnell, I thought about using a different route than the M4/M25/M1 combo that I use to Luton.
Multimap wanted to send me up to Birmingham on an M50/M5/M42/M6/M1 route .... but a quick check revealed I could nip under Coventry and cut off the top of the journey and save some time.
It was gloriously hot as we arrived at the church, and I met my new brother in law for the first time.
Dad arrived soon after and handed Dan & i cameras and instructions on what to film. So glad I was there as a guest. He wasn't allowed to travel in the wedding limo (complicated story) so we kept the front of the church clear as there was limited space for the limo to pull in.

Lauren looked stunning. She had gone for a cream and chocolate theme which really worked. The vicar looked a bit like Ellen - and that really should have been all the warning sign I needed.

During the actual ceremony, she managed to bring in a whole speech about sex. You know the usual bit about Gods love and love and marriage being an act of God ... sexual too apparently. I was amused but impressed at this. I later found out that during the rehearsals she had also mentioned that she loved it when her husband gave her orgasms at this point ....
She also managed to point out that both Lauren and David are being made redundant. What a lovely thought for your wedding day. Then during Sing Hosanna ... she charged up and down the aisle clapping and encouraging everyone to sing and dance and clap screaming 'Come on, its a celebration'.
There was also, as she put it 'the legal bit' where the organist struck up a tune, while the happy couple and the witnesses went off to sign shit. The organ wasn't a church one, it sounded like a casio, and was flat a pancake with every third note being slightly off key as it played ...Kiss From A Rose. No, really.

We then headed off to De Vere for the reception meal. I kept saying in a very high and apt voice, call it Bubbles darling .. but nobody seemed to get it.
There was a red carpet laid out upon arrival and champers and fruit juices. One familiar looking dark red drink which claimed it was Cranberry juice, I am sure was actually the mouthwash they give you at the dentists, but since it was that, OJ (repeats on me) or champagne (driving) I managed three glasses.....
Then while I was talking to my brother Aaron and his girlfriend (who it turns out is best mates with Kerry who I used to work with at NTL Luton!), this very strange small woman appeared out of nowhere and began straightening the creases from the red carpet .... 'Ooh look! A Hobbit!' I cried ..... but really .... she barely came up to my nipples and I'm not exactly tall myself!

The meal was lovely, although as it was buffet style, I had both the meat eaters and veggie options without realising it.
Sadly, not long after the speeches, we had to be heading off as I had work at 10.00am Sunday and didn't fancy getting back after a total of 7/8 hours driving and then having little sleep. But it was lovely to catch up with that branch of the family who I haven't really seen in a very long time. Pics on the jolly old facebookage

Got adventurous on the way home. Went MK/Buckingham/Bicester/nearly Oxford/Cheltenham (never been before, dead posh)/sort of Gloucester/Ross on Wye/M50/M4
Man, I sure know how to live.

The X Factor had it coming....

2008-10-14T10:25:00.002Z

And if you dont laugh at this one, see a doctor, becuase you might already be dead!

Two Rules....

2008-10-09T08:30:00.002Z

Only two rules-- and you MUST follow them:
1. You can only say Yes or No.
2. You aren't allowed to explain anything unless someone asks you.

1. Taken a picture fully naked? --- YES
2. Painted your room? --- YES
3. Made out with a member of the same sex? --- YES
4. Driven a car? --- YES
5. Danced in front of your mirror? --- YES
6. Have a crush? --- YES
7. Been dumped? --- YES
8. Stolen someone’s heart? --- YES
9. Gotten in a car with people you just met? --- YES
10. Been in a fist fight? --- YES
11. Snuck out of your house? --- NO
12. Had feelings for someone who didn't have them back? --- YES
13. Been arrested? --- NO
14. Made out with a stranger? --- YES
15. Left your house without telling your parents? --- YES
16. Had a crush on your neighbour? --- YES
17. Ditched school to do something more fun? --- YES
18. Slept in a bed with a member of the opposite sex? --- YES
19. Seen someone die? --- NO
20. Been on a plane? --- YES
21. Kissed a picture? --- YES
22. Slept in until 3? --- YES
23. Love someone or miss someone right now? --- YES
24. Laid on your back and watched cloud shapes go by? --- YES
25. Made a snow angel? --- YES
26. Played dress up? --- YES
27. Cheated while playing a game? --- YES
28. Been lonely? --- YES
29. Fallen asleep at work/school? --- YES
30. Yelled at a friend? --- YES
31. Felt an earthquake? --- NO
32. Touched a snake? --- YES
33. Ran a red light? --- YES
34. Been suspended from school? --- NO
35. Had detention? --- YES
36. Been in a car accident? --- YES
37. Hated the way you look? --- YES
38. Witnessed a crime? --- YES
39. Pole danced? --- YES
40. Been lost? --- YES
41. Been to the opposite side of the country? --- YES
42. Felt like dying? --- YES
43. Done something you told yourself you wouldn't? --- YES
44. Laughed until something you were drinking came out your nose? --- YES
45. Caught a snowflake on your tongue? --- YES
45. Sang in the shower? --- YES
46. Made out in a park? --- YES
47. Had a dream that you married someone? --- YES
48. Glued your hand to something? --- YES
49. Got your tongue stuck to a pole? --- NO
50. Ever gone to school partially naked? --- YES
51. Been a cheerleader? --- NO
52. Sat on a roof top? --- YES
53. Didn't take a shower for a week? --- NO
54. Too scared to watch scary movies alone? --- NO
55. Played chicken? --- NO
56. Been pushed into a pool/lake with all your clothes on? --- NO
57. Been told you're hot by a complete stranger? --- YES
58. Been easily amused? --- YES
59. Mooned/flashed someone? --- YES
60. Cheated on a test? --- YES
61. Forgotten someone's name? --- YES
62. Slept naked? --- YES
63. Gone skinny dipping? --- YES
64. Blacked out from drinking? --- NO
65. Played a prank on someone? --- YES
66. Gone to a late night movie? --- YES
67. Looked at your reflection as you walked past a window? --- YES
68. Failed a class? --- YES
69. Choked on something you're not supposed to eat? --- NO
70. Played an instrument for more than 10 hours? --- NO
71. Cheated on a girl/boyfriend? --- YES
72. Thrown strange objects? --- YES
73. Felt like killing someone? --- NO
74. Felt like running away? --- YES
75. Have you ever ran away? --- YES
76. Made a parent cry? --- YES
77. Cried over someone? --- YES
78. Had sex more than 3 times in one day? --- YES
79. Dated someone more than once? --- YES
80. Had/Have a dog? --- YES
81. Own an instrument? --- NO
82. Been in a band/orchestra? --- NO
83. Drank 25 sodas in a day? --- YES
84. Broken a CD? --- YES
85. Shot a gun? --- YES
86. Had feelings for one of your best/good friends? --- YES

Its Tuesday.

2008-10-07T11:42:00.003Z

Interesting weekend.
Finally got some very nice photos of myself and Dan taken.
Not really suitable for public consumption ... not all filth as such but we are wearing leather trousers and harnesses, so kind of specialist.

And last night I finally got around to the first three episodes of Heroes series 3 ... and all I can say is meh.
The world seems to be talking about them like they were the finest three hours of television but it was really only very average at best.
I did thoroughly enjoy the first ep of Eli Stone last night. It appears to be something of an Ally McBeal alike, but since I have only ever seen about 2 eps of that, I cant say that this worries me. And its nothing to do with the fact that it stars the altogether yummy Jonny Lee Miller, or that he gets his chest out in the first 20 minutes. No siree.
Well.
Maybe it helped
But it was good all the same.

The wonderfulness that is Nick came to visit this weekend. I asked for a few minutes of his time to figure out why Dan's pc kept freezing ... which turned into his entire weekend working on it and a trip to Bristol to get parts!! Cant say how grateful we are for that!

The first of my siblings to get married has her wedding this weekend .... I am hoping to be there but not sure I have the cash for the fuel .. plus my tyres are almost bald so a run like that may not be entirely safe (and certainly cant afford new tyres this side of payday). I'll be gutted to not be there though.

And did I mention I have started writing my autobiography? I was so bored at Showcase the other week, I just picked up a pen and paper and started scribbling. Had three pages before I realised what i was doing. I'm sure I'll not finish it, but there you go.
And who the hell would want to read it?

And what a crap title for a post. Just couldn't think of anything really.

Funny Cats

2008-10-02T13:31:00.001Z

Nick has introduced me to the world of lolcats
Very funny indeed.

And this is something you never want to hear the Doctor say ..... actually made me scream out loud and heave. But I suspect certain ladies (yes, Squee Squad, I mean you) may watch this over and over and over......

Surprises

2008-09-25T11:48:00.002Z

Don't you just love em?
Good job Dan does.
Twas his birthday yesterday and because I am a total fool, I hadn't booked the night off from Showcase, so betwixt Proper Job and Other Job, saw him for a grand total of 23 minutes, split between morning and evening.
I know. I should be fired.
However, I had made plans......
I very craftily managed to get cash to his team mates, who decorated his desk and bought him cards, and gifts and the biggest cookie in the world ever known to humankind*. He had great fun getting it all home on the bus.....
I had also managed to get him a complete set or original Power Rangers figures to go with his Zords he has been collecting. It had to be a mix of original series and movie figures, but its close enough.
Plus of course, we celebrated at the weekend because Mark, Lyanne & Andrew came down to visit! Hurrah! They have all recently been converted to the cause (ie are now Doctor Who fans) so they got the full tour. Plus we had a meal in the evening at Ba Orient (aka the location of the Lady Cassandra's birthday party, where Chip dies, in New earth) which was lovely and Mark paid for all of us!!!! The fool! We then had a go on the big wheel ..... but all so full of food its a miracle that we didn't spew when the men on it kept spinning our cage. I was grabbing the central wheel very hard to stop the spinning and to my own surprise, managed it! Its amazing the strength you can muster when fear is a factor.
Mark & Andrew also bought us a new phone for the house........

*not a guarantee

So Many Questions....

2008-09-19T07:36:00.002Z

What did you do this afternoon?
Its 8.30am .... I'll tell you when it gets here

Can you take a bra off with one hand?
Dont wear one

Can you use chop sticks?
Actually, yes.

Last time you were on the phone? With whom?
Mark last night

How many e-mail addresses do you have?
3 sort of

Who will you be sleeping with tonight?
Dan

Do you like to grocery shop?
Only if I can nip down the toy aisle and see what Doctor Who stuff is in

What kind of mood are you in?
Chilled

Last time you cleaned?
Myself? This morning

Are you getting engaged any time soon?
Already am

If you got married to the last person you kissed what would your new last name be?
I dont expect it to change

Do you watch The Hills?
A film or actual hills?

Which one of your friends is going to have the cutest baby?
How can you asnwer that without offending somebody!

Last thing someone bought for you?
Teabags, coffee and sugar

What are you going to do now?
Finish Sunrise Senior Living scripts

Has anyone ever called you perfect before?
Yes, but they were wrong

What song is stuck in your head?
Winner Takes it All

Did anybody ever call you beautiful?
Yes but they were wrong too

Is there a person that you miss?
Plenty

Last item you bought yourself?
um ... a dairy milk I think

Are your eyes the same colour as your mum's or dad's?
Dad

What makes you laugh?
Lots of things

How do you vent anger?
I dont and I probably should

Last place to spend the night?
Aside from home? Newcastle

What are you looking forward to in the next month?
Seeing Mark, Andrew & Lyanne tomorrow

Do you think you would make a good wife/husband?
Hell no.

Are there things you can't live without?
Dan

What was your first thought when you looked in the mirror this morning?
Why do I have a rash on my chest?

Have you ridden in someone else's car today?
No

What's annoying you right now?
Nothing really

Do you notice when someone is staring at you from across the room?
Usually

Do you smile at strangers?
Hell yes

Were you named after anyone?
Paul McCartney

When a friend walks out of your life, do you go after them or let them go?
Let them go.

Would your life be the same without alcohol?
Easily. I really dont drink often at all

When was the last time you had Jamba Juice?
I havent

Do you wear the seatbelt in the car?
100%

Are there people who can make you feel better no matter what?
Sure.

What woke you up this morning?
Alarm clock

What was the highlight of your week?
So far? Well .... it was at midnight on Tuesday and involved Dan ;o)

Are you happy right now?
yeah

Who do you dislike currently?
Celine Dion

Are you wearing makeup?
Does moisturiser count?

If you could have something right now, what would it be?
100k

Who do you most look like in your family?
Dad

Did you have a dream last night?
Yes. It involved Dai, Ed, Rob, Dan, babies and wolves

What were you doing at 10:00 last night?
Just come off the phone to Mark and was fluffling about getting ready for bed

This summer are you going anywhere?
Its September.....

Are you going to starting summer shopping soon?
Um .. what?

Is your birthday in the summer?
Yes

Ever watched a movie and hated it, but than ended up watching it again and loved it?
Yeah. And the other way around too.

Are you a morning person or a night person?
Night Owl

Are you there for your friends?
Id hope so

Are you a forgiving person?
Far too much probably

If you could move somewhere else, would you?
Dont think so

Do you still talk with the first person you dated?
Um. On and off

Was it a boy or a girl to text you first today?
Chap

Where is your cell phone?
pocket

Are you currently wanting any piercings or tattoos?
No

What are you listening to??
Tree and SP chatting about Greenway

Does your phone ring in the middle of the night often?
No

When did you last cry?
Last night.

Are you jealous of anyone?
Hell no. Why would I be?

Do you like coffee?
Yes

If you had to choose between a million bucks or to be able to change a regret?
Take the money!

What was the last thing you got grounded for?
Fog at Bristol airport. Orlaith Clodagh Clodagh Orlaith

Do you crack your knuckles?
Um. no

How many kids do you plan on having?
Missed that boat Im afraid but often think about it

Favourite colour?
Depends but purple gold and silver are way up there

Do you have a strong relationship with your parents?
Sure

How old will you be in 5 years?
43. Oh fuck.

How about in 20 years?
58 ... I really wont live that long though

What was the last movie you watched?
Semi watched Fellowship of the Ring last night

What colour are the walls of the room you are in?
Light blue. GMG corporate colours of course.

If you were in an accident, would you rather lose a hand or an ear?
Ear, clearly.

Have you ever dyed your hair an unnatural colour?
Yes. But I defy you to find photo evidence

Does anyone call you baby?
Dan

How's your heart lately?
Still there.

Favourite fruit?
Grapes

Are you scared of spiders?
Mahoosively

Do you have a piercing?
Fuck me no.

How long does it take for you to take a shower?
10 minutes

Do you like being around a large group of friends, or two best friends?
Either or

Do think you'll be married in 10 years?
Yes

Do you like your life at the moment?
Of course. Id change it if I didnt

Where were you Saturday night?
I cant actually remember.

How late did you stay up last night?
drifted off about 11.30

Has someone of the opposite sex ever told you they loved you?
Yes

When is your birthday?
June

Describe life in one word?
Adventure

What happened at 10:00 am today?
I'll tell you when it gets here!

Famous Friends

2008-09-17T16:13:00.002Z

Ooh look!

A friend of mine is being published in a book!
Well ... not him ... that might hurt. But a story he has written.

Well done!!!!!

Thats two like, really proper writers who are in my links now!

Steven Moffatt, Are You Listening?

2008-09-15T16:28:00.000Z

Been Wondering....

2008-09-11T09:43:00.002Z

If you get in a lift to go up, what do you get in to come back down?

And if you get off a tube train and go back up to ground on an escalator, did you use a descender to get down there in the first place?

The Campest Film Opening EVER.

2008-09-09T16:24:00.000Z

While I am on a roll ....

Drugs are bad, mmmm kay?

2008-09-09T16:16:00.001Z

We're Here, We're Queer .. but we wont come out if its raining.

2008-09-09T11:42:00.002Z

Yes, Pride was cancelled.
To be fair though, I saw photos of Cooper Field and it looked like a lake with odd bits of grass in it.
So all the acts were quickly snapped up by Pulse nightclub who were having their own party ... but of course you had to then fork out for another ticket to get into their area of Churchill Way. Unless you just stood by the Capitol Centre, Nat West or British Gas, where you actually had a better view than the paying punters anyway.
This did mean that I didn't have access to the schedule though, so had no idea when Jaki Graham was on, and didn't want to stand there all day watching the drag acts, waiting for her to appear ... so had to leave that dream unfulfilled for now.
We met up with a lot of our DW Forum chums, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday .... evidence of which is now on Facebook, natch.
Selected tales include ... watching a rugged youth being arrested outside the Minnellium Stadium from the safety of a first floor window in the pub .... guessing passers by personal history's with t'other Paul ..... a few nice trips down the bay for food and stuff ..... retiring to our place with Nick, Ally & Ian to take the piss out of cheesey music videos and Time and the Rani ..... and trying to keep out of the rain of course.
But considering I had last week off and did nothing .... I aint half bloody knackered!

Your Disco Needs You ... ish

2008-09-08T14:36:00.000Z

Vote for me good people of America!

Busy Doing Nothing

2008-09-04T10:37:00.002Z

Ive been so tired for so long but just kept going.
So this week, I took a week off proper job (still had two shifts at other job, but I do still have a holiday to pay for!) and I have done ... absolutely fuck all. Its great.
Didn't leave the house for almost 4 days.
We did go to see Hellboy II on Sunday ... which was a bit meh ... its good, but nothing wonderful. Particularly if you have seen Blade II, Hellboy & Pans Labyrinth as its just a cross of the three really. Why its getting 4 and 5 star reviews everywhere is beyond me. The journos just seem to be well up for sucking Del Toro's cock at the moment just because they want access to the stuff for The Hobbit. Of which one film that is actually the book could be good .. but I am really not convinced by this other one they are going to make set betwixt Hobbit and Rings.
And its Cardiff pride this coming Saturday (not lat week as I told Rach .. although she did get a good shopping trip out of it apparently. I think I must have arranged it ages ago before I had found out exactly which date it was. Noted for next year that its Saturday September 5th!!) .. and its going to be fucking pissing down. If I didn't already have a ticket, not sure Id go. I despise being out in the cold and wet ... and if my clothes get wet I shall be leaving immediately before I start retching. I have no idea why wearing wet clothes or being touched when wet makes me spew ... it has to be a psychological thing though, right? But I have now read that Jaki Graham is playing there ... I was a huge fan of hers in the 80s .. Breaking Away is an album I am still trying to get my hands on as it was my fave after True Blue .. which gives you some idea of when that was! I never got to see her live ... so its fulfilling a 23 odd year ambition .. so I shall stand there up to my bollocks in mud, soaking wet and blowing chunks til she has been on .. then go home.

Madonna Live Clips .... Saturday night!

2008-08-27T15:11:00.002Z

Borderline
Like a Prayer

The Long Long Weekend

2008-08-27T11:55:00.002Z

I have been busy!
Friday afternoon we all trotted along to Sing Along Mamma Mia. While I didn't enjoy it as much as first time, its still well worth a trip. Sadly, its not actually karaoke embedded in the print with helpful sing along bouncy ball on the words, as much as as a PowerPoint presentation of the lyrics, projected onto the bottom of the film from a separate projector. And of course, I was lost with the lyrics and needed the words .... stop looking at me like that.
Saturday was then Madonna day .. hang on .. let me go back a bit first .... You may recall I could only afford the one ticket and was going to be sat up in the rafters, yeah? Well, Friday I got a text from a friend who has contacts with Live Nation and he has 90 free tickets to give away..... yes, 90. So of course, I got hold of anyone I thought was in town and for the price of a bottle of booze, managed to get tickets for Dan, Nick, Mark, Matthew, Maria, Dannii and Gabs ... and gave my old ticket to Cath as I was now going down on the pitch.
The concert was BRILLIANT! Much more entertainment and much less political or religious codswallop. Still a bit confused by the Armenian Gypsies doing a song halfway through and not sure including skipping in your act is wise, but good fun nonetheless. Of course, I cried when she appeared through a splitting video wall (there was lots of good video wall usage ... particularly the video wall tube that descended onto the stage and she performed inside it, laying on a revolving piano while the tube displayed water splashing), cried through the entire song You Must Love Me and again just before the end through emotional trauma. I actually managed to record You Must Love Me as an audio file on my phone, for prosperity. Her re-works of Into The Groove and Vogue were stunning. The set comprised of most of Hard Candy, plus a token song from every album she has recorded in full (IE nought from the likes of Who's That Girl, which only had 4 tracks from her and Something to Remember which was a collection of album tracks, things she has contributed to soundtracks with just a few new songs). The main exception was Erotica, as although Rain's intro was played, that was all.
If she has yet to visit your neck of the woods, grab a ticket .. you wont be disappointed.
Sunday was my long prepared for Quiz Night for my Doctor Who Forum chums. All went v well ... pics are floating around facebook and that, if you want a gander. It was an audio based quiz, with rounds where you had to identify reversed songs, lots of TV themes, lyric based questions .... you know the kind of thing ... and a very poor Doctor Who round, just for fun. I called it the Game of Rassilon, which any fan worth their salt knows means to win is to lose and he who wins shall lose .... none of them cottoned on until it was too late though ... so the losing team won the Doctor Who figures and the winners just got champagne.
We then had a trip down the bay on Monday, where I finally got meet the utterly fabberlus Ali Bongo. We had a drift around the Up Close exhibition to check out the series 4 additions. Captain Jacks coat, a space suit with a skull in it (which is a very bad idea as its very low light in there and next to impossible to count your shadows), a crippled Sontaran - really! Its legs look fucked! I think the forgot to fill the costume with foam or something and its stuck on a pole. And a Hath, on a podium, with three angled mirrors, meaning it looks like its standing on a music box. I was waiting for it to revolve gurgling Truly Scrumptious.
So that's me for you. How are you?

They Are Remaking What?

2008-08-20T09:55:00.001Z

I ask you, is nothing sacred?

Sure, the stage show re-invents itself continually, and quite right too, but no good can come of this, I promise you!

Hallowed Ground

2008-08-19T11:23:00.002Z

This morning, I had to visit the Millennium Stadium.
Where Madonna is rehearsing.
Today.
She wasn't on site, as we first thought, but her people were and she is due at 2pm today for a rehearsal.
She arrives with six van loads of security. All staff at the venue are to stay at their desks while she arrives and leaves. Nobody is to look at her. Even the security guards, must look away as she passes. The guards in the bowl itself, must face away from the stage while she rehearses.
And yet, I still worship her. I walked through the doors she uses to get to her area (blacked out of course) and my tummy gave a little wobble and I thought I might be sick.
Finally got an e-mail with my tracking number for my ticket ... should have been delivered today, but since I wasn't home, I shall need to go to the post office to sign for it.
I cant quite get my head around the fact that I am seeing her on the first night of the entire tour. Usually, I know the set list and costume changes inside out before the ticket even arrives on my doormat .. but nobody will have seen this show before me. Everything will be shiny and new, like a virgin, you could say.
I cant wait!

Fucknuts

2008-08-15T10:45:00.000Z

bah!

Guided Tour

2008-08-12T15:58:00.002Z

Well, of sorts.
I am dealing with Rustie Lee's agent on possibly using her for future radio campaigns (don't have one in mind, but think she'd be great for the right client) and thought I'd just remind myself of her voice .. and laugh .. so had a quick YouTube... and found a channel called Luton Today!
Sweet lord its local news at its dullest, but enables me to show you some sights of my home town, without me driving all thew way there to film them.

Wardown Park. This is the place I genuinely believed was Narnia when I was 7.
It was also the place I had a lot of casual gay sex around the age of 28

Alan Crosby .... taught me video production for GCSE Creative Arts in 1988/89

This Sainsburys is on the estate where I had my morning paper round. Most of the estate was still being built back in 86 though....

A few glimpses of the town centre. Shithole that it is.

St Patricks Day is a big deal in Luton.... they cordon off a whole area for it.. right by where I lived before moving to Wales

Ooh look, inside the Arndale. As shit as it looks you know. And never that quiet ...

And they finally shut the Home Stores. About bloody time. Been on its arse for donkeys years.

And finally.

Stockwood Park. Another great cruising ground.

Take a Letter, Maria

2008-08-12T12:15:00.002Z

Dear Duffy,

I am somewhat confused by your request of a meeting.
While I totally appreciate your sentiments, of a meeting on Warwick Avenue, you haven't really stated which town.
I did a search and streetmap gave me 51 different Warwick Avenues in the UK.
I am sure I could easily find the one in Bedford, as I am reasonably capable of finding my way around there.
However, if you mean me to be in attendance in Huddersfield, Liverpool, Quorn or Wednesbury, for example, I really think we should re-schedule as I have never been to those towns and might have trouble finding it. Unless I can borrow a sat nav from somebody, in which case, can you possibly release another single with an actual postcode in it?
Now, i did also Google Map it, and it actually pinpointed Ashworth Road, Maida Vale. I cant say I am totally au fait with the entirety of your request, but did think you mentioned a tube station and this is just around the corner from Maida Vale tube. Shall we meet there?
yours
Paul
x

This Ought to Carry a Health Warning...

2008-08-12T10:53:00.001Z

Look and drool

And ... have been told secret that may or may not come to pass/be true ... in fact, its about something ages away that might or might not happen and lots could change and it could be utter bollocks.

But I need to be ready for the day.... just in case.

My my, How Can I Forget You?

2008-08-11T11:44:00.002Z

Time seems to be something I have less and less of these days. And what i do get, tends to be last minute, leaving me really not being in touch with my friends half as much as I'd like.
But you know, its all worth it. I really enjoy other job a lot and its all helping me to give Dan the most amazing Christmas present I can give. Well, without major breakthroughs in medical science, and even then I'm not sure Id want to be the one to give birth. I mean, sure it would be a beautiful experience, but frankly, I don't think my ass is ready for it. But I digress.
Was back at Kylie last week. Sadly not front row this time, but smack in the crowd - it was like being in a huge nightclub but with Kylie playing live. The atmosphere was AMAZING. It wasn't quite as good as The Big Prince Night Out - but to be fair, I doubt any gig I ever go to can be, for the rest of my life. (Rach, I will be paying some cash towards it .... I just keep bloody forgetting!!).
Pictures of both trips to Kylie can be found on my facebook page (complete with Kylie balloon kindly given to me by a lady who liked my Thundercats tee)
And speaking of dear Rachel, she sent me a Wizard of OZ poster as a gift. Its fabberlus! I need to get a nice frame for it.
I am hosting a quiz night for a lot of my Doctor Who Forum chums over the upcoming bank holiday weekend. The same weekend I am seeing Madonna in Cardiff. Of course, we are very excited by this prospect as its the opening night for the whole fucking tour!!! Nobody anywhere will have seen it until I do! That's ... um ... fucking huge! Cant quite process this thought yet.
But yeah, this quiz .... its the Sunday night and is mostly audio .... with a few other bits thrwon in there. I spent a lot of yesterday sourcing the material and now need to edit it into actual questions and rounds n shit. I'll let you know how it goes.
And holy-mother-fuck-a-nun-up-the-shitter ..... from 20 August a sing along version of Mamma Mia hits cinemas! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah. I am going to propose we do it with a warm up and stuff at work, but they'll never go for it. Might see if Mark wants to do it at the Broadway for one night and go there instead. Sure, its a six hour round trip, but worth it I feel. Any excuse to don my platforms.

There and Back Again

2008-07-29T11:39:00.002Z

I feel like I haven't stopped for the last seven days.
Starting with straight from work Tuesday, it was this months KI'n'DA meet, down the Great Western as per. Finally got to meet the very lovely and exceptionally hot James Gent. Even got to take him home too.... no, nothing like that .... because ....
Up at 4.15am Wednesday to fly to Newcastle. It was our semi regular group creative day, but we had to fly from Bristol. We arrived at the car park and couldn't actually see the terminal for the thick fog. As we had breakfast, flights were being grounded and cancelled left, right and centre. Except Easyjet. They stick those buggers up in the air come hell or high water. All I could think of was Pam Ann doing her skit about Ryanair being grounded. Of course, we were on Easyjet, so we took off more or less on time.
Wednesday was also the evening I saw The Dark Knight (including fabulous lenticular poster). Long film. Fucking amazing, but I did feel the time. Possibly because I had been up since 4.... Quite scary and horrific too, I thought. I can see why people are on about Heath's Joker. Its in how much he plays it down that makes the performance so incredibly striking. You believe this guy could be out there on the streets. Still unsure about the ending for one character.... but will go see it again soon!
After the film, we met up with the rest of the creatives and I had one quick drink before heading off to bed .. at midnight ... before having to be..
Up at 4.30 Thursday to fly back to Bristol and then came straight back into the office.
Up at 5.00 Friday to get my train as was working in London all day. Sarah & I had lunch at The Ritz, so that I could fully understand the experience and write an effective campaign for them. Hey - it was their idea ... and having been, I see why. Its not just some posh restaurant, its an experience. The food was like nothing I have ever eaten before. Salmon mousse that dissolved on the tongue, lamb that was as soft as butter and what that chef cant do with chocolate aint worth doing. The staff were beyond wonderful too. Our head waiter, always checked out orders and head wines to suggest that complimented each dish. He'd then explain each dish, each drink and give us the details and origins. And, the point of me being there was that its surprisingly affordable! You can get a three course meal for £36 ..... and all of that service comes too. I cant recommend it enough.
Spent Friday night with Rich, playing Indy Lego again. Nearly finished Raiders now......
Saturday was a bit of running around ... went and met up with Ian from Doctor Who Forum in the afternoon, then got a bus across to the O2 to meet up with everyone for Kylie.
Sweet lord. I was 10 feet away from the stage. I got a wave and a wink off the lady herself. And a smile off Will Baker her Gay Husband. *dies* Pics on facebook. David & I then went off to our hotel to crash for the night.
A quick drive round Richmond Hill Park on Sunday (have you been? Its fucking huge!!) and then on my bus back to Cardiff .... non air conditioned bus....... sweated like a pig. Thank fuck Rach called me and chatted most of the way to keep me occupied!
So there we are .... Batman, The Ritz and Kylie ... what a great week!

Short Trips and Fecktards

2008-07-22T11:56:00.002Z

So in no particular order:
Mamma Mia. LOVED IT! Of course it helps that it has Christine Baranski in it (ooh, as I started typing, Dancing Queen has come on the radio). Its an utter cheese fest but really ... go in, kick off your heels and let your hair down. And stay through the credits.
Sadly, the first hour or so of the movie I had some inbred cunt of a woman from up the valleys chat at regular volume. So I told her to shut it. So she carried on. So I turned round and said really, I fucking meant it SHUT UP. Silence until the end of the movie. Then she tapped me on the shoulder and started having a go saying she had paid her money and would talk next time if she wants to. Please let her come to my till so I can refuse her entry, I thought. But stood up, turned around and screamed at her "You may have paid, but so has everyone else and they didn't come here to listen to you, you inbred fucking valleys whore. Now fuck off back up the A470 to Ponty, do me a favour and DON'T BREED".
Her amazingly insightful come back?
"Don't you breed either you gay"
Oh the pain.
I did apologise to the audience members around me for my language, but they all thought she had it coming.

Wall*E is amazing. Mostly because its very light on dialogue, which works on two levels. Firstly, it means that the kids don't get bored in the talky expositiony bits. Secondly, you can really admire the detail in the animation.
Do also make sure you are in your seats for Presto, the Pixar short that precedes it. Proving that Pixar really should reboot Roger Rabbit as a franchise.

I finally took the plunge and went to Prince Caspian too.
I don't mind admitting I had been inwardly putting it off as some things I read didn't match my hopes for the film, after being such a fan of the whole Septet (yes, its a word, unlike Quadrilogy, which FUCKING WELL IS NOT) for 30 years. I was anxious to say the least (heightened by my very delicate mental and emotional state right now ... but I may say more about that later .. or I might chicken out again) and spent the first 20 minutes or so actually really thinking that since it was going 'right' maybe it would be better to leave than be disappointed. Thank the Goddess I stayed! By the end I was totally in love with it. Its not as perfect as Lion/Witch/Wardrobe (hell, can we just call it Closet and be done?) .. I mean they have a cameo from The White Witch .. but its really not a bad adaptation. In fact, its very good!

Last week I worked from our London station for a day. That was good fun and also meant I got to squish in a very quick visit to Richies - largely because to do there and back in a day would have killed me and he kindly put me up the night before. I am back again this Friday ... having lunch at The Ritz! I KNOW! Had to buy posh trousers and everything (my suit ones need the hem wonder webbing). I am then staying in London, because Saturday is KYLIE!!!!
And before that, flying to Newcastle and back for work, slotting in a preview of The Dark Knight while I am there. Just no stopping me at the moment.

But ... Christ this is hard ... I am sad to report after a 4 year break, my depression has come back. Its been about for a while, probably getting on for two months truth be told. I am doing what I have always done with it, and carrying on best I can. Its not something i can give in to. On top of that, I did something a bit daft at work ... and while its not best to discuss on an open forum, its safe to say I have also totally had my confidence removed.
Each minute of each day feels like walking against the tide, but i keep moving forward. Not said anything to Dan, because he just says he doesn't know what he can do to help and then looks like he is going to cry ... which makes me feel worse because making him upset is the last thing I want to do. So its actually better for me to not say anything.

Still, shouldn't whinge. Nobody's life is in my hands. I have clothes, food and water and a nice house and I get to see films and eat chocolate and a trip to Florida to look forward to, Two Kylie & 1 Madonna gig ... I'm one of the lucky ones, right?

Something & Nothing

2008-07-17T12:22:00.002Z

Yes, its been over a week.
Worked a lot .... even in London for a day .... had a friend over for the weekend, which was lovely.
But ... got stuff going on that I cant really bare to the public ... so might not be around much for a while....
enjoy!

Its Good News Week?

2008-07-09T11:48:00.004Z

Dan has received notification of his annual pay rise and bonus! Hurrah!
It also occurred to me that his new salary is a few hundred quid more than mine.
No big.
Until you consider that he started working for his employer, seven months after I started working for mine, and he started over 2k lower.
Should I be asking for a better raise?

If Only I Could Send This Round My Work....

2008-07-08T16:05:00.001Z

But I cant really. I just wrote it to ease my frustrations

The Glass Bottle: A Remarkable Invention.

Glass is first thought to have been invented around 3000BC by the Sumerian Civilisation. They mixed silica and sand in very hot forms and found that when it cooled, what remained was glass. Although very differently produced. the process still remains the same today. The glass is consistent throughout the mix, meaning its a thick and durable at the bottom as it is at the top of a bottle. Which is why its fine to use milk, right to the bottom of the bottle! Yes, right to the bottom! So one has to wonder why there are constantly about 8 pints of milk in the downstairs fridge, with only an inch used off the top.

You see, other great inventions, like when Louis Pasteur discovered you could pasteurise milk to keep it fresher longer, then some spark also invented a sealed aluminium foil lid, which means if replaced, it stays fresh longer, and even longer if not even opened before the previous bottles worth is used up! I know, its bloody incredible. And guess what (seriously, you are going to die when I tell you this bit) if you keep it in the fridge .. in any of these states .. it stays fresh longer still! I know!

So to cap it all, can whoever the OCD freak is that insists on only using the top inch of the milk before opening the new one, please stop. Or if genuinely, you believe all the other bottles have gone off so a new one needs opening - don't put them back in the fridge! Empty them down the sink!

If you get really really stuck, ask some of the people upstairs. They may be a filthy bunch of undeserving pigs when it comes to their fridge and kitchen, but they have really gotten the hang of this milk bottle thing. Amazingly.

Raccoon Time Again

2008-07-08T15:00:00.002Z

So some poor chap over at the Doctor Who Forum has had to have his dog put to sleep. And as always in the Leisure Hive, the community has rallied with support. But two things in particular have caused a fly to fly right into my bloody eyes, don't you know. Both of them .. one then the other ... darned flies

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting s of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

If it should be, that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do, what must be done?
For the last battle cannot be won.

You will be sad, I understand,
But don't let grief, then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship, must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,
When the time comes, hold back your fears
You wouldn't want me to suffer so,
Please, won't you please, let me go?

Take me where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me until the end
And hold me close and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.

Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We've been so close, we two, these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

And knowing, that at 12 years old, this day is closer for young Smeagol than its ever been, breaks my heart. He had an operation on his ear over a year ago ... and now he scratches it a lot and once in a while it seems to be upsetting him ... and I have been making all kinds of excuses about it not being a problem and him just using to get attention (which, to be fair, he does actually do sometimes as it clears up the moment I get out of my chair to feed the little bugger) .. but I am terrified of getting it looked at ... just in case they tell me its the end.

Journeys End

2008-07-07T13:10:00.002Z

Ok, lets pretend last week never happened, ok? I had a shit week from about four different directions, but as is motto for my family, Keep Moving Forward*
So .. Journeys End then?
I am a tad torn. At the time, I was wrapped ... but then I thought about it ... and am now not as impressed as I was. I still enjoyed it, don't get me wrong ... but running it around in my head yesterday on my 9 hour shift at Showcase, I managed to talk myself out of loving it.
You see, the first half is already a blur .... I'm not even entirely sure what happened to resolve the story. Something to do with the TARDIS having to power down (I let out a small amount of squee seeing the TARDIS totally powered down ... in the state it was in the day I walked upon it. Kind of made that moment more real for me), some gubbins about Captain Jack, a furnace and some clothes that can obviously stand very high temperatures. I know I got a bit panicky over Jackie Tyler nearly getting turned to dust, with an actress who looked dead like Gita from Eastenders, the duplicate Doctor and all the bollocks about Donna ..... and a massively wasted opportunity with the true nature of the Doctor. The companions didn't seem to jump to his moral defence, did they? I dunno ... lovely moment, not quite realised.
Then I am quite clear from here on ..... Davros, defeated but not destroyed - because you know he will be back. That lovely shot of all of them running into the TARDIS and flying it as its meant to be flown ... my first thought was that actually I can pretty much recreate that scene with my toys..... since Jackie & Donna weren't flying anything! The goodbyes ... and then the bit I loved the most .... the everlasting death for the faithful companion.
Yes, there is a corner of my mind hurrumphing at us being cheated from a promised death again ... but the fact Donna lives, having lost everything she became, is far more painful ... and yes, I bawled. Such venom from Sylvia kicking the Doctor out .... ingrate!
So yes, I did enjoy very much ..... but do think it was not what it could or should have been.
Never mind. Cybermen at Christmas.

So now ..... join me in my own TARDIS for a while ..... Remember this? That was the scenes of Donna being dropped home!
And just how much of this did I get right?
Missing Bees: check!
Lost planets: Check!
Shadow Proclamation: Check!
Rose: Half check ... seems it was our Rose but her reality was ahead of ours....
I then went on to say that the Doctor and Donna being mistaken for a couple was going somewhere: BIG CHECK! And people laughed at me saying it was just a running gag. HA!

So, bottom line, I rock. Oh yes, I totally fucking rock and you know it.

*points for anyone who gets this reference

2008-07-04T15:20:00.000Z

I am in a vile mood today and getting worse.
that is all.

To Boldly Not Go

2008-07-03T13:29:00.002Z

News has reached me today that the Star Trek Experience in Vegas is to close on September 1st.
Fucking gutted.
This was to be part of our holiday to the USA in 2010. Some time in Florida to do Harry Potter world, which should be open at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure by then ... and then take a few days to fly across to Vegas, specifically to do the STE. There's nothing else about Vegas that appeals to me, so now, chances are I will never go. Which is fine, because now I don't want to. So not sure where I was going with that.
Having a bit of a shit week all round and this is just one more kick in the nut sack.

I was lucky enough to catch the Star Trek Adventure back in 2003 in London, so guess its not all bad.
It was basically a large tent in Hyde Park, full of props and costumes. Then the final bit before you went out through the gift shop, because there is always a gift shop, (I fully expect that when I die, there will be a gift shop where I can buy tea towels and mugs to commemorate life, to take to wherever I go next. Perhaps there are two shops. 1 if you are going to heaven and one if you are going to hell. In which case, id need earplugs for heaven as the constant singing about god and wotnot will get right up my nose. If its hell, I'll need a Clone Zone before I get there. But I digress), So anyway, best bit was the trip through the NCC 1701-D. I have loads of pics at home. Will have to put some on here. The jist was you start in engineering and there is a problem. You get shipped into a very large turbolift (it held about 40 people .... so very out of scale with the tv show) and up to the bridge, where a full scale battle is going on on the viewscreen. Sadly, they didn't budget for paying actors to fill the roles on the bridge, so its just you lot and maybe a guide standing in uniform doing nothing, while the audio plays out. But good fun all the same.

Today's silver lining is this however. Min has got an OBE! How marvellous. I do find it worrying that she is planning on singing on stage until the age of 60. That's twenty tears away. Do I have to stay for the whole gig, or can I just dip in and out between now and 2028? I am assuming they will bring a screen on for her to wash and poo behind.

A Dark Night

2008-07-02T11:15:00.002Z

If you are reading, chances are you know me. Or have read enough so that even though I am a total stranger to you, you feel like you know me, and maybe want to touch me inappropriately on occasion. So you can imagine how excited I would be at the prospect of an advance showing of The Dark Knight. And then to find they are doing one in my area. And then that the one in my area is at the cinema I work in.
You can probably then also imagine my reaction to the dawning realisation and abject horror that, said preview is on the day I am in Newcastle for a training session.
I cant bring myself to talk about it anymore.

Green & Sexy

2008-06-30T11:51:00.002Z

We took yesterday, my first day off from my plethora of employment positions for 17 days (before now doing a further 13 with no break), to catch up some flicks.
The Incredible Hulk. Very good. Not as good as Iron Man. Very much in the vein of the 70s tv show. Nice nods to the show and the Marvel Universe. Mentions of SHIELD, Nick Fury ... and cameo from Tony Stark, laying another stone towards an Avengers movie, after the post credit one in Iron Man.
Sex & the City. I have seen ... maybe 5 episodes of this ... but Dan followed it so I did promise Id take him. Very good, but far too long. They could have cut the New Year montage in half for a start. I was slightly perturbed that they have clearly been stalking me to get the Kim Cattrall character right......
But in both .... BOTH ... films, I had to tell audience members to SHUT.... THE .... FUCK ... UP.
Starting in Hulk, we were second to back row, with some kids behind us. Now the kids were great, they had some noisy sweet wrappers, but that's about it. It was their fucking retard mothers, who had clearly been sent out so dad could watch the sport in peace, and had no interest in the film. Well excuse us, the rest of the audience, of we actually did want to watch the fucking movie. Ten minutes in, I got up, went over to them and asked them to shut up as they were disturbing the film. They didn't utter another word.
Then, we sat in a similar position for SATC. A couple, sat in the very back corner, insisted on chatting at regular volume, commenting and making jokes, though the film. After a good 40 mins, I leaned back and barked at them to shut up. Which they did. But then 20 mins before the end, some mincing queen and his hag, sat in the other corner started. They didn't need telling. They got a look .. and that was enough.
But why the hell does this continually happen? 9 films out of 10 that I see, either I or another audience member has to ask somebody to stop talking. And its not just me. Whenever I whinge about it ... and believe me I do .. a lot ... everyone I speak to has a similar story. Its really not a hard concept to understand. Large room full of people concentrating on one thing - if you speak, they will hear you and it will affect their viewing pleasure. There are even lovely (very 80s looking) graphics in the pre film sequence, asking you to not chat.
I'm buying a tazer.

Oi, Dave Ross, NOOOO!

2008-06-29T09:24:00.002Z

Ok, I can now talk about The Stolen Earth properly.
First and foremost .... slight cop out to start with. After that dramatic ending, we don't pick up where we left off, but rather some time later. Initial pangs of wanting to slap RTD soon fade though as I begin to wonder where the hell they still have milkmen like that. Actually, its a rather charming place called Church Village, just at the top of the hill from the Doctor Who studios at Upper Boat and you can see my mate Rhys Nan's house in the background. And then we get what is clearly a motif for season enders .... if the Doctor is happy, bad things happen. Donna says that Rose coming back is a good thing, the Doctor lets his guard down for a split second to agree and WHAM The Earth gets nicked. Note to self: Don't ever buy the Doctor something he really wants, could lead to own death.
And then, we have 3 minutes of pure televisual fanwank spunkfest. Now do bear in mind, when I first got to watch this ep, there had been no leaks, no next times, no BBC1 trailers and clips. So the full appearance of Martha & UNIT, Jack & Torchwood, Sarah-Jane with Luke & Mr Smith was a total surprise. And I think it made the ep so much more special for it. And mine & Dans own running private joke of Mr Smiths fanfare gets its own gag!!! This is where RTD excels and will be missed .... he knows what we are all thinking .... and acts on it, so we all feel like he wrote it just for us ... not you .. just me ...
Marvellous reactions from everyone too, when the Dalek transmission comes across. Perfection as always, from the stunning Lis Sladen.
And by this point, The Stolen Earth has you by your balls and legs it, dragging you along, breathless. Desperate to keep up, but fairly sure you are going to need to go back and check the route for loose change when it finally lets go.
I loved Wilf. BC is a legend. So glad I got to speak to him on location once.
The Shadow Proclamation - what is Donna's loss to come? Well, clearly she's going to snuff it if you ask me.
Harriet Jones, former Prime Minister. Was that a call for help to bring the Doctor to them .. or a trap to lure him in? Did you notice the background to her cottage (he he .. cottage) when seen via webcam was Red & Gold themed ... now what else was Red & Gold in this episode .. .hmmmm... Plus ... 'Yes, we know who you are' from the Daleks - a running gag, or do they know.
Osterhagen key? Harriet certainly seemed very keen for it to not be used .. because she knows it will work? Or maybe its all a double bluff and she is playing Dave Ross at his own game?
Speaking of Dave Ross ...... I was shitting myself. I was not impressed with Julian Bleach as an actor in Torchwood. But the lad came good and proved my fears unnecessary. And such a great job from Neill and the peeps at Millennium FX too.
And how funny is Dalek Caan? 'I fleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew and danced....' yes dear, I'm sure you did. Which of course, makes his prophetic 'ever lasting death for the faithful companion' prophecy all the more chilling. But its Donna, yeah?
So we have the Doctor and his chums reunited on an outer space Facebook and a mobile phone. Ive called the number ... its dead ... great reactions from La Tate when she asks who Captain Jack is ... but because Wilf isn't allowed a webcam, Rose is left out of the plans .... so heads to the Doctor herself.
Again, spot on performance from Catherine here, as she reveals Rose's appearance ... why don't you ask her yourself. If there is anyone out there still doubting Catherine's abilities, you need a reality check as you clearly cant tell a good actress when you see one and perhaps would be better off following Pobol Y Cwm from now on and leaving Doctor Who well alone, as its clearly a bit above you love.
And so, elated, the Doctor and Rose run to each others arms (why oh why was this not on a beach at sunset?) .. but . . uh oh ... the Doctor is happy ... and doesn't spot the Dalek behind the van!
Exterminate zap
And the Doctor is exterminated. But notice how only his left torso glows in negative..... it only got one of his hearts!
Jack arrives in the nick of time, leaving Gwen & Ianto being mullered back at the hub, going out fighting, like Owen & Tosh as Gwen so beautifully name checks.
Back in the TARDIS, we get a full on, energy spunking, vortex spewing regeneration .. maybe ... as we wont know until next week. So, my theories
1. Hand in jar .... referenced with brief shot at start of ep. Its holding him like an anchor, fixed in this body, so he will regenerate, but still look the same. This would mean David has the sole honour of playing two doctors - tenth and eleventh.
2. As above, but said hand then grows a whole second Doctor. This gives us the handy plot device of being able to fully kill off one - bound to Donna to seal the Medusa Cascade once more.
3. Donna will die. And ... SPOILERS BELOW stop now if you wish to be clean. Read on if you want me to soil you, make you dirty ... yeah, you like that shit doncha baby .... yeah ... oh sorry, back on topic.....

Donna also gets dropped off at home, because I stood and watched them film it. So given walls between realities are fucked, and she had a whole reality form around her, this Donna can peg it (she is continually referenced as something new anyways) and the Doctor can grab the Turn Left one from somewhere to take her place. He tells Wilf that she can never find out ... it all suggests some memory wipe .. or given Jack is about, some handy retcon.

Whatever it may be ... lets pray its not a reset button. Roll on Saturday!

Exterminate

2008-06-26T09:24:00.000Z

Captain Jack Harkness .. shame on you .....

Tournez A Gauche

2008-06-23T11:14:00.002Z

So did you watch Turn Left?
So while not exactly as I had suspected, it was The Trickster involved ... ha!
I really loved this episode. While apparently quite light and fluffy to begin with, this one really began to plug on the emotional strings and some very hard hitting concepts, for essentially a family show.
From a very (potentially not PC) traditional Chinese market on some alien world, we go from having froths on noses and milk taches, to Martha being dead and a beautiful eulogy for Sarah-Jane Smith in the space of about ten minutes ... and it wont end there. As jubilant as the return of Rose Tyler is .... speaking as though she has grown too many teeth for some odd reason ... we are soon faced with the destruction of most of southern England, refugees, Torchwood giving their lives for us - just so we can start packing any non British citizen off to labour camps. That moment, the glances and salutes between Wilf and the Italian chap (whose name escapes me) is one of the mist gut wrenching pieces of telly Ive seen in many years. 'Its happening again' stammers Wilf, tears in his eyes ... beautiful ... and I fear, frighteningly realistic, were such a situation to happen.
Then, back in her own timeline, Donna recounts the story to the Doctor .... and its a great piece of work from David & Catherine. Totally conversational from Donna .. but we see the realisation, the hope and the horror in the Doctors eyes .... What was her name, what did she look like .... then those two words ... Bad Wolf ...
While I have been enjoying series 4 .. I have had in the back of my mind that I was still preferring series 3 .... until now .. and lets see how this final trilogy pans out. Of course, I only have a few mins from part 2 and part 3 to go ... and WOW.
Some select lines from The Stolen Earth, that will spoil nothing but may get you thinking:
"Disappearing bees. Disappearing bees. DISAPPEARING BEES!"
"Good, I like Saturdays"
"Harriet Jones. Former Prime Minister" "Yes, we know who you are"
"I'm taking you to the Shadow Proclamation"
"Doctor Jones, you take your orders from UNIT, not Torchwood"
"Mr Smith, I need you"
"Oi, I was there first"
"There's nothing I can do"
"Please don't die"
There, that should be enough to tease.

And so yesterday was my second Race For Life, in Swansea.
Or it should have been. but i spent the entire time stuck in a Peugeot.
I arrived brisk and bright at Real for 7.30am to load the Real Mobile and get off to the race to set up before any runners arrived. We load, we drive, we stop for a bagel in McDonalds. We arrive on site to find one wheel as flat as Lady Cassandra. And as they are setting up the race site, we now cant call the AA to fix it as they wont be able to get to us until the site is cleared. Then our producer realised he had brought nothing to record the interview with the actress who plays Stacey in Gavin & Stacey and can I pop back to the station (45 min drive each way) and pick up a flashman. Its 9.15 .. first race is 11 .... touch and go, but not impossible, so I get in his pool car and floor it back to Cardiff in record time. Except there is no flashman in his studio. Or the other studio. Or in news. Oh well, cant be helped, bit of a waste of drive, but if I floor it back again, I can be there to do what I am supposed to be doing at the stage. Then he calls me back ... Richard took it home .. can I go and meet him at Culverhouse Cross Maccy D's and pick it up ... well .. that about 20 min from work .. so a bit out of the way, but still do-able. Off I scoot. After going around the roundabout for the eighth time seeing only Burger King ... I realise I need to head off to the retail park round the corner ... and sure enough, find my target. Floor it back to Swansea .... but the main road in is a part of the course and has closed .... so I sit ... going about 500 yards over 90 minutes ... until traffic slowly starts to crawl down the alternate routes which they open once the bulk of the runners have gone .... and arrive on site for the last few to come over the finish line. 'Stacey' has left ... so there is no interview to even get any more. I just sit back, wait for the site to clear and the AA to arrive ..... and try and calm down. The easiest way to wind me up ... is always make me sit in traffic. Make me do if for no reason and its safer to just leave me alone.
But you know, I was getting paid, so its not all bad.

New Game!

2008-06-23T09:05:00.002Z

you grab any book, go to page 123, find the fifth sentence, and blog it. Then tag five people

Since the nearest book to me is actually the 2005 Commercial Radio Pocket book (well, actually its my employee handbook but it doesnt have enough pages.

Chief executive - David Goode.

oh dear. I might need to play this again at home......

And I tag .... Dan, Nabusan, Emma, Kevin & Mark

gasp

2008-06-20T16:16:00.003Z

So I have seen The Stolen Earth.
And if you look back across my Doctor Who reviews, you will see theories and predictions. And boy I just love being right. Even though, with one ep to go, some is still to come to pass and some may still be wrong. But a good portion are proven. I rule.
I wont spoil ..... but .. my heart pounded for the entire episode.
Some great lines. But I cant even mention them because it will give away too much.

Fanwank hardly covers it though. Fanfullonpenetrationfuckingbarebackwithspunkrightupyou is probably a better phrase to use.

Feel Good Factor 12

2008-06-18T09:47:00.001Z

Look out for the shoe change.....

7 Songs

2008-06-16T12:30:00.002Z

I have been tagged by young Mr Kemsphall ...

"List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they’re not any good, but they must be songs you’re really enjoying now, shaping your spring. Post these instructions in your blog along with your 7 songs. Then tag 7 other people to see what they’re listening to."

1. In My Arms - Kylie. Current single from the brilliant album X. Clearly, given I am off to see The Impossible Princess live twice in the next two months, I need to be fully up on latest lyrics, so X spends a lot of time on the CD player in the car. Also helps that if you don't listen really carefully, you can get away with singing 'how does it feel, in my arse' to much homosexual hilarity.

2. Incredible - Madonna. From Hard Candy. A bouncy piece, largely about somebody who is a great shag and generally great to be around. I like to think of Dan during this song. Because even after all this time, I cant get my head around how great it is to have him in my life.

3. White Diamond - Kylie. Dan made me the copy of X I have in the car and included the acoustic version of this from the White Diamond DVD. Its written by Babydaddy and Jake Shears from Scissor Sisters and sung by Kylie, so what's not to love? It also sends out a very beautiful message about being there for your friends in their time of need. I'd hope I can be their White Diamond when they need me. One friend in particular, who popped into my mind a week or so ago, for no reason I could fathom as I listened to the song. I sent him the lyrics and wonder if he knows just how much his friendship means to me. Which is quite a feat given we have never communicated in any other form than textually - by phone or pc. But you know when you just get a gut feeling about somebody, that they are important in your life and you may be in theirs one day - well, that's how I feel about him.

4. New York to LA - Patsy somebodyorotherIcantremember. Used as Pam Ann's curtain call and signature tune. Kind of addicted to Pam Ann right now. Really, check our her stuff. Its all over youtube and she has a live DVD.

5. World Looking In - Morcheeba. Ive had this track kicking around for years now, but recently re-discovered it when I bought a 3cd complete Morcheeba set for about 2 quid off play. It sets up images of my mind of spending a cozy night in with your special somebody. Just the two of you, maybe in a log cabin, in big Val Doonican jumpers, with a roaring fire and some chilled out music and a bottle of wine. Maybe one of you is reading a book to the other as you snuggle up. See, you had no idea I could do romantic, did you? Just you ask Dan! Different man behind closed doors, me.

6. Mamma Mia - ABBA. Ok, I'm not exactly playing this through choice right now, its just that at Showcase I get it every 15 mins or so on the Mamma Mia trailer. And it is my fave ABBA song. And I cant wait for the film ... and WALL*E. Just had to get that in there.

7. Defying Gravity - Idina Menzel, Kristina Chenowith & the cast of Wicked. Oh come on. You didn't think there wouldn't be a Wicked mention, did you? This was a tough call mind you. For Good was equally viable as it again, sums up some important friendships for me .... but I need to end on the drama, so Defying Gravity it is. A great song, about making big decisions in your life, moving forward, because you have to keep moving forward, and taking a risk. I took a risk by moving to Wales - for me it was a very big decision, to leave behind everything I had known, all the good times and bad, the friends and family, the proximity to London - which I always felt was essential in ever re-launching my acting career. But it paid off big time. I am happier than ever before, my (frankly very unstable back then) mental & emotional well being improved, and nobody, in all of OZ, no wizard that there is or was, is ever gonna bring me down.

And I tag:
David J Thacker - because once every six months is just poor!
Mark Leete - because with sooooooooooo much music in your collection, your answers will be wonderful I am sure.
Roo - because you know you need to do this more often dear.
Nabusan - Because I will learn much from your choices, about what the kids listen to these days!
Bsabas - because its always nice to hear from you
Kevin Charnas - because you are a gem and I love you dearly.
Richie - because you are always threatening to start a blog so maybe you will flippin well do it now!

But Seriously...

2008-06-16T10:16:00.003Z

... who the hell marks a play down because its too realistic?
Nobody I hear you cry!
Well, you'd think. Sadly, Mr Paul Fowler GODA, does exactly that. And I'm very glad he does too. Because it meant we didn't win the Welsh Final, so its one less thing for me to cram into my diary twice a week.
We went on and did what I think was actually our best performance to date. Despite the stage manager standing behind our set and chatting through the entire play, quite audibly too.
As you know, I don't stick around for all the after show bollocks as its not why I go onstage, but I hear I got a favourable adjudication, which was nice. Suzanne's was positive. Kay's was not. It was felt she pitched too high or too low. Les, the plays author happened to be in that night (and what a lovely man he is too. Very touched he came down and saw us perform) and he made sure that the adjudicator knew in no uncertain terms, that actually, Kay was spot on with her portrayal of Rose, since it was based on his own Mother. It was at that point, when pressed, that Mr Fowler admitted that actually what he didn't like was that the play made him uncomfortable for being too realistic. Well fuck me gently with a chainsaw. Realism? In a drama? That's where I have been going wrong all these years.
Now I am glad I spent most of the start of the evening taking the piss out of his picture in the programme.

And now for some long overdue Doctor Who catching up!
All hail the Moff! How superb was that two parter? I am thinking that River Song will show up during series 5 at some point ... that would be a nice touch. She is, I am told, the new series stab at Bernice Summerfield, but since they don't have rights to her as a character, they have invented River Song to be her in all but name. In which case, lets def see more of her.
I do love the way SM takes the most basic of human fears and makes you shit your pants even more over them. Piranha like aliens that live in our shadows, blink and the angels will get you. I am so glad I am not watching this as a 7 year old. I'd need therapy. Oh who am I kidding, I do need therapy!
And I want a future sonic. That was cool! It has a red setting. You hear that Master and your laser wank? Red. HA!
Then this week was the delight of Midnight. I was so not convinced by the premise. Sounded like they were doing a cheap ep to save cash for some explosive finale or something. BAH! I thought. And then that fabulous study in all things nasty about human behaviour came along. I know plenty about paranoia and how the voices in your head convince you of something from nothing in 3 seconds flat - you ask Dan! So it was a relief to see its not just me. RTD clearly has the same issues to have come up with that. Expected nothing, but it delivered everything. Its nice to be wrong once in a while ...
... which i wasn't about the title of episode 12. The Stolen Earth. Which i said about 2 months ago ... when most forum users were wittering on about War on Skaro ... and a few select cunts, I mean individuals, flaming me to the point I left the new series threads and haven't been back since. I am told that a friend of mine has flaunted it in their faces a bit, in my absence that they were wrong ...
And now, I await Turn Left, like Smeagol looking at his food bowl in the mornings. Cannot wait. Then again, should have it in my paws tomorrow or weds, so that's good.
And what else is to come? Pictures have surfaced of a certain big bad and a red friend of his, that may or may not feature another returning character in its innards. Not as excited about that as I should be probably. Kind of waiting to see on that.
But of course, last week was the milestone that is 37.
I came into work on weds, first birthday I have worked in 19 years! But this was so that I could have Thursday and Friday off to go Baldock way and see Mark & Andrew. We had a trip to see Wicked (yes, again) on Thu night, with the free tickets I had managed to obtain via work. Being comps via marketing, I was expecting to be up in the nosebleeds, but was quite content with that. Imagine my surprise when I found we were in the middle of row H! Right at the front. Imagine my further surprise to find me old mucker David Stoller on stage playing Doctor Dillamond! Then imagine my anger at the silly cow behind me who couldn't see over my head and insisted on fake yawning and tutting through the entire first half. Even when I turned round and had a go at her for being a selfish cow, pointing It I had a large section of stage blocked by the hair of the man in front of me because he had a mohican thing ... actually, I can recall the exact words ..."I cant see much over his hair either, but unlike you I am not being selfish and disturbing it for anyone else so SHUT UP". But being an ignorant type, I don't think she even realised I was talking to her. In the interval, I pointed out some empty seats and suggested she moved. Which she did.
After the show, we eventually (because we had to wait for ever for Mark to go for a bloody wee) got to stage door to try and catch David .. but he had already gone. We did meet the main cast though and got a few autographs. The girl playing Elphaba signed my ticket, which is now framed in our hallway.
Naturally, because it was Mark & I, the entire night was an absolute scream.
Then Friday morning, after breakfast at the hotel listening to a mother and daughter have a conversation about dogging (I kid you not), we went to the Broadway for our private screening of The Wizard of Oz. Well worth seeing on the big screen, no matter how many Christmases you have seen it on the telly.
I was working Friday night, chaos that it was. Working Saturday, working Real Patrol and at the cinema Sunday .... and now feel like I could do with some sleep.
Goodnight!

Flying, Forever Young

2008-06-09T11:06:00.001Z

I'm flying my colors so that everyone can see
Isn't this the perfect place to introduce me
To say that I'm different I'm special it's true
Let the magic of my colors put it's power on you

Hello old friend
It's good to be with you
Time is standing still
Our love... shines true and bright, it always will.
My wishing star, Has guided all you do.
My empty heart you fill,
We still feel... forever young.
Looking back, We're just the same, As we were when we began, This love will keep protecting us. Reach for me and I'll take your hand.
When we're apart,
Just close your eyes,
And you'll see me waiting there.
You can always count on me, I will always care.
My special friend, Inside my heart you stay, You'll be with me until, The sun... shines through the night, It never will.
My little star, You'll never fade away, The hands of diamond still... and will be, Forever young. Step up and take my hand, One touch... and we'll be friends, Forever.
Hello old friend, It's good to see you too,
Time is standing still, For we'll be... forever young.
Hello to you, It's nice to see your smile, Step up and take my hand, One touch and we'll be friends... forever.

You'll need a friend to get a big job done
I guess sometimes two heads are better than one
You'll need friend to let your feelings free
Sure could use someone to talk to me
So make a friend and let me take you there
When you think nobody cares Nobody cares
Nobody cares like a bear

Crash Bang Wallop, what a picture

2008-06-05T11:22:00.002Z

Its deffo an 'on' week. One of those weeks where its all happening and pacing is vital.
So naturally I have gone hell for leather and worn myself out already. And beat myself up over nothing, leading to more cock ups to beat myself over.
You know, the usual.
Starting with Monday then ... young Gareth has been quite ill, so I covered his shift at Showcase after finishing at Real ... was a bit of a dash as didn't have my uniform on me, so had to dive home, change and dive down there. Sex & the City and Indy are still selling out, so twas quite a busy one all round.
Tuesday was the working day as per, then a rehearsal in the evening. Now usually, Kay very kindly puts up with me betwixt work and Telstars, to save me diving home for the sake of a 30 min sit down and excess use of petrol, leading to growth of carbon footprint. But as my dining table is a prop in the play, and I cant be there Friday afternoon for the tech and set up stuff, somebody else needs to already have it so they can actually set the set. This meant I had to go home and get it of course. Then when we arrived at Century Wharf to use the function room, it was full. Of mostly old people. In a meeting. And they didn't look ready to leave any time soon. So Suzanne checked with the concierge (I know .. its only an estate of posh flats .. but they have a concierge! And a leisure suite - one of the bays best cruising grounds by all accounts but that's by the by). Suzanne then very discreetly and politely snuck in to advise them that their booking had ended at 7.00 and we were booked in from 7.00 til 10.00. To which their chairman became rude, verbally aggressive in tone and extremely unhelpful. He had an e-mail confirmation and that was that. Not prepared to discuss, negotiate or compromise in any way - he kept on about how confidential their meeting was. Suzanne, ever the courteous, remained calm and tried to deal with him. I however, didn't. I told him in no uncertain terms that I was bored with him now and to go back to his room and his secrets. When he tried to talk to me, my response was 'Did I ask you to speak to me? No, now go back in there, go on, I don't need to speak to you anymore, bored now, goodbye'. I thought Steve was going to need a crash team. Ive never seen him laugh so much.
Rehearsals then didn't go great. We genuinely seem to put in a worse performance each time we do it now. Hopefully being back in front of an audience will make a difference. But at the same time, I desperately do not want to win the festival now. I did for a while ... but now I really want to put this play to bed and to not have to do it anymore. We shall see.
Wednesday we had all been told we were banned from the office for the day. Its a particular thing management have with the sales team lately. Keep them out on the road as much as possible. True, they do seem to do an awful lot from their desks now, certainly much more than when I first started .. but mad schemes aren't really the answer. Performance management is, but that never going to happen here. So off I went as part of Team Fame, trying to collect as many business cards as possible and win the £100 team night out. Our area was Newport/Cwmbran/Pontypool kind of way. Mia had the idea of hitting printers ... and taking any excess business cards they may have printed. Only individual cards counted ... having 500 of one companies different members wasn't allowed. The weather was divine, so we had quite a scream running around randomly asking anyone and everyone for cards. I managed to spend a good half an hour at Mahmilad ..... used many times in Torchwood and Doctor Who, so that was exciting. I also did a proper Fame dance on the roof of the Real Mobile .. of which I hope to have photographic evidence shortly. We won, of course .. and won the award for most original ways of getting business cards. Not for me walking in on an old man having a wee, thinking it was just the works kitchen though. Well, the bloody door was open! I mean, in an open warehouse, even if it was a quiet day, would you stand there with your cock out taking a piss with the door open? Oh .. you would? Fair enough. So the upshot is, we have £200 for our team night out. And given we get 50& discount at Hard Rock, that's effectively 400 .. so we can afford to bring partners. Or just the four of us go but get completely wasted.
Last night was a typical orange weds. Most stuff sold out ... and my till was out. Cant work out why. Was very tired but don't think I made any horrendous mistakes. Except clearly i did. Fuck it.
I also reversed the Real Mobile into another car. Just couldn't see her behind me. Not even a scratch on eiterh vehicle luckily though.
Then I dropped my mobile, cracked the screen and now cant see anything on it. Fairly sure I opted out of insurance, after not needing it in 10 years of owning a mobile phone, so that would be about right then. Also 995 positive all my contacts are saved to the phone and not the sim, and I now cant see the screen to be able to copy them across. Hoping my Samsung PC Studio will copy them to my laptop so I can put them across to a new phone. And by new I mean my old one. Cant afford a new one and am 12 months away from my next free upgrade.
Still, BB is back tonight. *yawns*

Ouvrez le Thora Hird

2008-06-02T14:36:00.000Z

Shadowplay

2008-06-02T10:07:00.003Z

Ah, what a weekend.
Not a bad rehearsal Friday night. I lost the end of one of my lines, which sadly meant Suzanne's following line would make no sense at all, so things ground to a halt. It happens.
Saturday was a up early for a fire drill they didn't actually make us do as not enough people showed up. A quick shufty round Tesco to get food in for the evening and then off to the airport to fetch Ally, swinging into town to pick up Dan McGrath en route home.
From here on, Dan McGrath will be called other Dan, with my Dan as Proper Dan. The diligent will spot the reference.
So we already had the lovely Mark Leete down with us, so we all spent the afternoon watching some classic Who and drinking wine. By we, I mean they as I was flapping around determined the evening was a success.
People began arriving from about 6.15 and by 7.00 we were all sat around silently waiting for Silence in the Library. Which I thought was very good. Lots of still moments, incredibly atmospheric .... and lots of questions to be answered. Luckily, we had the second part to put on, so we didn't have to wait long .... just til about 10.30 .... so I wont say too much and will review it in depth next week. Largely as i cant quite recall which bits happened in which part and don't want to give anything away. I was right about the fate of Donna and the library people though.
We had a few drinks, lots of chat, a quiz that had some very sore losers - well one in particular bless him, and I should probably have made more lasagne as it went down very well.
Eventually, after being the last two standing (chatting in the kitchen) Ally and I headed to bed about 2.00am
Sunday was all about the low key.
dropped Ally back at the airport ..... watched the last three eps of Ugly Betty season 2 (not a patch on the season 1 finale .. although i did chuckle at Naomi Campbells cameo), bit of ironing, bed!
And now, quite frankly, I could go to sleep right here at my desk - but wont ...

Host with the Most (toys)

2008-05-30T15:41:00.002Z

I am sure there are other tales I should be throwing at you. I had no access to this for nearly two weeks ... my life cant be that empty!!
Um..
We went and saw the theatre last week where the Welsh Final for the one act festival is being held. Looks lovely on the website. Bit of a shit hole in reality. With no toilets backstage. And the audience chairs are a bit threadbare. really, no toilets backstage. And paint peeling off the walls of the auditorium. I mean, can you imagine having to hold your pre show nerves wee and poo from when they open the house at 6.00 until you go on at about 8.30? And we aren't even performing on the stage ... that's going to be used as a scenery store as they have no wing space. And did I mention no loo backstage? Not bad a venue for just your common or garden am dram production .... but this is the Welsh Final. I pity the poor fuckers who are travelling for about 5 or 6 hours down from North Wales ... but would like to be there to see their faces - it will be quite a picture.

Weds night was GREAT FUN! Our 7.00 - 8.00 walk in period sold out. Completely. By about 6.45. So we had a few hundred people in the queue, with nothing for them to go and see unless they wanted to come back at 9.45 ... and then seats were limited. And I'm not being sarcastic. I genuinely enjoyed work. Disappointing people I feel are below me on the evolutionary ladder (we are the nearest cinema to Pontypridd you see) is something I take pleasure in. Call me twisted.

And did you see The Unicorn and the Wasp? Fuck me hard with a wheelbarrow! i LOVED it. I am not a huge Agatha Christie fan, I think I read about 10 of her books when I was 11 or so.... so a lot of references were lost on me, as I suspect they were the general public at large, but how can you not love such campery delicious goodness? Only Doctor Who can be a show like that one week and a twisted horror the next (well, two weeks .. as we have had Eurovision in between).

Yes .. Eurovision, now that's worth a paragraph.
It was all planned. Get a Chinese delivered (food, not some young oriental man) while we slowly get pissed laughing at the rest of the continent who actually take it seriously, Goddess bless them. Do you think we could find a chinky that was open? Could we buffalo! All closed for mourning for the earthquake. Which is fair enough .... but on a Saturday? Id have thought that was not a sound business decision. I have checked with a few friends ... nobody else had this problem - just Aber valley and Caerphilly. But its their choice and left me with fish and chips and pissed off before the night even began.
And how we laughed.
Spain .. Latvia ... France ... what the fuck was that about?
And why did our entry appear to be a re write of Sydney Youngbloods If Only I Could? Honestly ... go you tube them both and see if you agree.

Still, Silence in the Library tomorrow (followed by Forest of the Dead for me .. but you mortals have to wait a week MWAH HA HA HA!) and we are hosting KI'n'DA's ep night. we have themed it ... everybody needs to come dressed as a librarian. I have made little library cards (laminated and everything) for all attending and shall be cooking a lasagne. Expect reports after the weekend!

Technical Difficulties

2008-05-28T16:18:00.002Z

Yes ... its been a while .... but basically I couldn't get on here for various reasons.

But now I can again it seems.

So whats been going on?
Well I had a week off last week and it was glorious weather. Rich was down to stay with us for a week and we had a great time. We finally got to do a decent amount of work on the comedy stuff we have been tinkering with for some time. Even though, I don't think you will ever hear our recording of I Know Him So Well. believe me, its for your own benefit.
But we did get a few other songs recorded .... and a large portion of Love of Monsters too .. with some bonus things that happened as we filmed that add a nice touch too.
We also spent a lot of time sat around eating and relaxing, which was cool as we both really needed it.
Dan is now off this week - and its pissing down! I picked the right week then!

Young Mr Leete is in town this week and we had a lovely chat and meet up last night, then it just so happened that my Fire Warden training was in his hotel, so we met for breakfast too!

reeto .. short n sweet ..... got to go to other job now and have a night of madness as its the first Orange weds for Sex & the City (meh) and Indy (loved!) and pissing down ... chaos will ensue!

Breathe Easy

2008-05-15T11:21:00.002Z

Today is the first day I have not been coughing .... well .... maybe every 5 or ten minutes, but certainly not the continual hacking. I am probably back where I was about 4 weeks ago ... so perhaps that's how this works ..... or maybe, like before, just as I think I am better, it will knock me for six again.
Good news though - Watching the Magpies is officially in the Welsh Final for the one act festival. There was a bit of doubt on it as one of the other festivals top 2 plays scored extremely high, so may have pushed us out. Actually, they may still have pushed someone out - it just wasn't us! I'd better look at my script. Not really touched it since I came off stage a month ago! And as Kay became a Nan yesterday (William Gethin Baber, ickle dot of a baby), at least that is no longer hanging over things. There was some worry that the baby could come during festival, if early or late! We should be on the Friday .. but that isn't confirmed yet. And since its in Blackwood, its as close to home as its ever likely to be for me. And then we shall have to see if we make the British Final - in Swansea this year. The good news there is, that as the home team, we would go first on Friday ... so no fears of missing Doctor Who, as that's finale night. I could watch Who, then go to festival in case we won and I had to go onstage at the end of the night.
I now have my tickets for Indiana Jones next week. I am off work all week and Richie is coming down and we are going to be filming some stuff we have put together. Its actually going to be a tough schedule for us as we have a lot to achieve. But as I was quite adamant that I wanted to see Indy on day 1 and wanted gallery tickets, I had to book now to avoid disappointment. So we are at the 6.00pm showing - the first Dan could make after work. V excited. Also quite keen to see Speed Racer but goodness when I'll get there now.
And this afternoon I am off to take a brief for a chocolate factory. In my head I really want it to be a bit Willy Wonka..... I am sure the reality is going to be something of a let down.

Snot Fair

2008-05-11T10:34:00.002Z

You may not want to read this if you are eating
So the flu that knocked me down a few weeks back came back with a vengeance over the course of Wednesday, meaning that by 4.00pm I was at home, in bed, coughing so hard it was causing me to retch and vomit. The earliest appt my GP could offer was Friday morning and as I was only getting worse, I took it and went along. He listened to my chest, looked down my throat, and while I sat there hacking away like a blue sky miner, he looked me square in the eye and told me I don't have a cough. That threw me. I am fairly sure, and given I live with me 24/7, that I have been coughing continually for some weeks now. But its not a cough. Its a Chinese strain of flu that has some completely unpronounceable name - C strain. No cure. Minimum of six weeks for it to pass through you. So in theory I only have about 8 days left now .....
Apparently the horrendous hacking is caused by the insane amounts of gunk being produced in the back of my head, dripping down my throat. So he prescribed super duper strength sudafed and told me to drink lots of water, rest over the weekend then go back to my usual routine from Monday.
Well, Friday was a day like I have never experienced. I pulled several muscles from the extent of the hacking and retching. Food and sleep were something I hadn't experienced since the wee hours of Wednesday .. but I finally managed to get some dinner down me on Saturday night .... and also managed something very close to a nights kip.
The pain and coughing continues, and breathing is difficult at times. Not to mention talking .... that comes in fits and starts .. but today, I finally feel like there is some improvement.
And of course, the weather the past 7 days has been utterly glorious. And from my bed and toilet, the view has been great.

Spoiled Brats

2008-05-07T12:08:00.002Z

Darn my terrible all consuming desire to know everything and know it all NOW.
There are spoilers aplenty winging their way electronically around the world as we speak, for the finale arc for the current series of Doctor Who. And of course, as much as I'd like to say I didn't, I read them. I am a ming mong. Oh dear. Do I join the growing throngs and post them here? Are they entirely accurate? I suspect a few choice points are but not the entire thing .... it seems to completely ignore the fact that the episode Midnight exists between Steven Moffats 2 part story and the Doctor Free ep for one thing.... but it wouldn't be too hard to edit the endings around to make that work, I am sure.
No, bugger it, I'm not telling you ..... they are out there if you want to find them.

And to top it all, after the opening show last night in Paris, I now also know almost every last limb movement for Kylie's X 2008 Tour. But that's ok ... I don't mind that so much.
Pictures can be seen here.
And this is the set list (with thanks to young David and Monsieur Leete)

Act 1: Xlectro Static
Speakerphone
Can't Get You Out Of My Head (Greg Kurstin Remix) (with excerpts of "Boombox" (an unreleased song from X)
Ruffle My Feathers
In Your Eyes

Act 2: Cheer Squad
Heart Beat Rock
Wow
Shocked (with excerpts of "Lose Control" (an unreleased song from X)

Act 3: Xposed
Like A Drug
Slow (with excerpts of "Free" from Impossible Princess)
The One
2 Hearts

Act 4: Black verus White
On A Night Like This
Kids
Step Back In Time
In My Arms
Love at First Sight

Act 5: Naughty Manga Girl
Sometime Samurai (Video Projection)
Come Into My World (Fischerspooner Mix)
Nu-di-ty
Sensitized

Act 6: Starry Nights
Into the Light
I Believe in You (Ballad Version)
Cosmic

Act 7: Beach Party
Loveboat (from Light Years)
Copacabana
Taprobane
Spinning Around

Encore
No More Rain
All I See (Acoustic Version)

Ooh Doctors Daughter!

2008-05-06T11:05:00.004Z

There we go, bank holiday weekend done with. Including a bastard of a migraine Sunday night, which lingered and left me feeling rough as fuck all day Monday.
And now, for Doctor Who continuity sake, I need to go all out of order. But that's dealing with time travel for you.
Saturday night and KI'n'DA's military themed party for The Poison Sky. What larks! Our lovely hosts Richie and Jeff put on a great night, with karaoke (I sang Cher. Well, sang is pushing it .. growled is more like it. And I was the only sober person who sang .... and its just as well they had all been drinking to put up with my wailing) quizzes on the playstation thing - that I won both times I played - and an extensive tour of the library from Jeff. Which is two units, but worthwhile all the same. And we all passed round a fake Tera Patrick arse and pussy doll that was delivered to them by mistake. And we played with the vibrating bits to much amusement. And of course, we all gathered to watch The Poison Sky. And how cool was that? particular highlights include 'back of the neck', Sylvia's no nonsense axe business, the fire in the sky (which surely would have burned up all the oxygen in our atmosphere?) and the latest surprise Rose.
Now, I have been thinking .... is Rose looking for the Doctor to warn him of the impending theft of planet Earth (see missing planets theory), or has she come back from the events which are due (we think) in ep 11 when the Doctor himself is stolen? Time will tell. What a cracking two parter!
But on Friday night, I had the privilege of watching this coming weeks episode, The Doctors Daughter.
Wow.
The boards are alight with speculation about this daughter and where she may have come from ... and a few people are going to be gutted. Stop now if you don't wish to know.
She is made from a chunk taken from the Doctors hand ... not in the jar, but the one still on his arm. It uses technology to form all the bits it needs and forms a fully grown female, ready for battle. So she isn't a pre existing daughter, she is born there and then with the Doctor effectively Mother and Father to her. She does have two hearts, but is she a time lord? The Doctor is very nasty and bitter towards her at first, saying that every time he looks at her, he remembers his real family who are now all gone - and its in these moments that DD excels. The main story about warring factions of Humans and Hath didn't set my world alight ... but the consequences from it, the smaller character moments it gives Donna and the Doctor are what really stand this out. And the minor twist .. such as it is ... about the war, is something I doubt anyone will see coming.
And what becomes of the daughter? Can you say spin off?

From New York to LA

2008-05-02T09:26:00.003Z

This song has been stuck in my head since seeing Pam Ann last week .. and I love it!
In other news. Iron Man.
What fun!
Great comic book adventure movie. The effects are great, even if the story does feel like a big set up for a franchise .. but aren't they all these days?
There are lots of very nice nods for Marvelites .... the SHIELD running joke is superb, if a tad obvious to anyone who has read any related comic material.
Robert DJ is a very dry Tony Stark, equally at home with his humour as his serious moments. A lot of the performance is in his eyes, a sign of a great actor. So glad he was cast - this would have been shit with a Cruise/Pitt/Clooney in the starring role. And Jeff Bridges is very woof. Who knew he'd make such a nice Daddy? Gwyneth makes a very sweet Pepper, all fawning eyes and sighs.
Iron Man isn't a comic I have read a great deal of (mainly just Civil War really) but I feel this does the characters justice.
Pus we had a brand new Indy trailer that I didn't even know was coming. I think I had a bit of wee come out i was so excited. Also had the new Hulk trailer. Meh. I liked Ang lee's one frankly.

2008-04-29T11:12:00.002Z

I couldn't find a suitable title for this post, for reasons that will become clear.
On Friday afternoon, I had a call from a friend and former NTL Swansea colleague to inform me that her nephew and one time acquaintance of mine, had died. Seemingly suicide. No, he isn't from Bridgend.
Now, I do have to say, he wasn't a close friend. In fact, if anything, I think he saw me as in the way a bit as he was very attracted to Dan. He'd occasionally send Dan messages to the effect that he could be a better boyfriend to Dan than I was being. Dan, of course knows better, because I am the best boyfriend anyone could ever wish for (NOT! every day I wake up and he is still putting up with my shit is just a miracle frankly). But still it was something of a shock as the man was only a year or so older than me. And the real headspin is that he was on my mind two evenings last week, after not having given him a second thought for months
Apparently, his father died some months ago and his mother is terribly ill in an Alzheimer's ward, so he had moved back home.
So far, so bit-sad-but-what-can-you-do
Then yesterday I had another call. Possibly not suicide, but may have been a tragic accident after a drink and drugs binge. Not hard street drugs crack stylee, but more Heath ledger style tragedy.
And if you are eating, please stop now and come back when you are done
The house was a total mess. Piss, shit, vomit and blood seemed to be everywhere. Walls, floors, clothes, beds, chairs - all covered. Syringes littered the floor where he used to inject himself with something that gave him fake tan. They also discovered he was HIV+. We can never know what events lead to this, but whatever it was, it wasn't pleasant. he'd already had one big breakdown many years ago - was this another?
Now, his sister and another member of the family had to go through the house and clear up. Which they did - and found his leather gear too. Nought wrong in that you probably think. Hell, we have two drawers of leather stuff at home .. trousers, chaps, thongs ... its hardly the shock of the century. But these evil bitches took great delight in being vindictive, spiteful and homophobic about it. A member of their family who had just died. And my mate who was there was horrified by it all. Even two days later on the phone to me, her voice was cracking up relaying the tales of their sneering and jeering as they went about putting everything in bin liners before just dropping it off at the local dump.
yes .... just the dump .... with all the body fluids and syringes inside .... for any council worker, scavenger or such to just go through and find. Granted, HIV cant live outside the human body, so that isn't a risk ... but goodness knows what else what might be there. It should have been taken to the hospital for incineration.
I have offered that of my friend can get hold of his mobile, I'll go through it and make the dreaded call to his contacts. God knows, we cant let these heathens do it. I may even attend the funeral .. not because I have any great need to deal with my own grief over it, but because somebody may need to be there to make sure the man is laid to rest with some dignity, because fuck knows, he wont get it from his immediate family.
But to happier things
Madonna's new album is out! Hurrah! Only managed one listen so far, but Spanish Lesson and Beat Goes On are standing out as faves at the moment. I very rarely instantly love a new Madonna album .. or any album for that matter. I find I will like something but we have to bond. Spend time with each other, grow to love our own foibles. The only time I ever instantly hit it off, was Ray of Light, which remains my fave Madonna album to this day. perhaps I should write up my relationships with each album? or would that just be silly?
And on the ever growing list of shit to look out for in Doctor Who (god help you trying to watch an individual episode .... you miss half of it listening for buzz words). Dan spotted another - Medusa Cascade. I am going to stick my neck out and say Davros is hiding there!

Who's Right?

2008-04-28T12:13:00.002Z

This weekend, was the legendary Vox Awards piss up. Radio Commercial Producers/writers, voice over artists and such all converge on the Hinckley Island hotel for an insane amount of alcoholic abuse. And .. joy of joys .... I had BBC 1 & 3 in my room, so managed to watch Who & Confidential before going down to dinner! I shan't bore you with ins and outs aside from mentioning an amazing rendition of Wired for Sound by Emma Clarke (you may know her as the 'tube lady' from the furore earlier in the year) & Richard Sweetman (you may know him as the Robbie Williams expert from that BBC1 lookey likey contest thing earlier this year), on roller boots complete with leg warmers. I have a chorus on video ... but my laptop has decided it no longer likes the samsung studio programme I need to use to get it off my phone ... but do hang on for it... when it appears, its worth it. Probably. Well, Rach will love it, anyway.
And so to my predictions for The Sontaran Stratagem .... wasn't far off, was I?
It has reached a point where they might as well set off sirens and have a big WARNING WARNING DANGER DONNA NOBLE sign every time they hint at her life being in the Doctors hands .... did I say hint? Its not so much a hint as a smack in the chops really.
But I really liked it! I had heard Martha was terrible in it ..... and that Freema was as good as a plank of wood ... but I totally disagree. I thought she played a very realistic Martha Jones, who has clearly grown and developed - even since her time in Torchwood. I thought she was superb.
And how much did I laugh at the Doctor mistaking Donna's request to go home for a cuppa? Genius. I didn't think much to the actor playing the child genius. He has one of those faces I just think looks better after I have punched it. As well as thinking how lovely his lair was and what a great job he'd done decorating it since Gwen and Rhys had their wedding in there.... And I am going to gloss over the Sontaran Haka .....
But see .... the cars emitting poison gases! Its all in the sat nav ..... Atmos! Did you notice the taxi in Partners in Crime has an Atmos sticker in it? Eh? Eh? That RTD ..... like I keep telling you - nothing is an accident. Love or loathe his writing style, he is a very clever young man indeed! And I think he's brilliant!

Come Fly with Me

2008-04-25T08:23:00.002Z

Last night we went to see the divine comedy that is Pam Ann.
I cannot recommend this show enough.
The first half is delivered akin to her being an air hostess and you are all in departures at an airport, with the second half being set on board the plane. There is a lot of audience interaction, bad language and downright filth. So you can see why I loved it.
Six unsuspecting genuine trolley dollys were pulled from the audience continually across the night, to be gently poked fun at ... and then she came out into the cabin to talk to the various sections of the craft. We were way back in economy, so we didn't see her.
The genuine consensus did seem to be that Virgin Atlantic staff spend more time giving head than attending to passengers.
Now hang on! We flew Premium Economy to and from Florida and not once did any of the crew offer to suck me off. I feel cheated. Granted, I am sure on the way back the male attendant was gagging to get his mouth round Dan's, but Dan being the tactile gent he is, just sat down and fell asleep for most of the flight. Fool!
Pam is still touring on and off for the rest of the year, so try and catch her - you wont be disappointed

Sontaran of Brunei

2008-04-24T12:09:00.002Z

What a week.
Friday was mucho madness as it was Telstars night to perform both of our plays at the Glamorgan Drama League One Act Festival. Which means I have finally got shot of that fuck awful trophy .... don't get me wrong, it meant a lot to win it but by god is it ugly.
Festival days always mean a lot of buggering about loading and unloading set and props, everyone getting uber stressed for absolutely no reason (ergo me going into 'quiet mode' so I can actually just focus on getting stuff done rather than the flapping/blaming game that always seems to kick off in amateur theatre.
So we were on first and due to the set being too small for the stage, I had to spend the 36 minutes I wasn't on stage pressed up against a door. I entered and exit through it, but couldn't get to the wings without being visible ... so there you are.
The Unknown Theatre Company were on after us, with a play that got a very mixed reaction. Strong language and sexual references were made throughout, but as a regular reader here, you will know that I wasn't bothered by that. The performance by its very young cast was nothing short of stunning. Four very strong performers, held my attention from start to finish with a script that had no real narrative to speak of. Its one of those arty bollocks things that you either get or you don't .... and lets just say that a lot of it made sense to me. The poor girl who wrote the play took her own life at just 28 and from this text I can see how that came about - she had MAJOR issues. There were four streams of consciousness ... I think its up to the individual to interpret exactly how/who/what/why each one was about and I wouldn't presume to tell you. I could only offer what I took from it. The set consisted of just four office chairs on wheels with the backs removed for the cast to wheel about on, a hollowed out TV and also a laptop for internet and TV broadcasts and a large mirror. The four actors showed a great range of emotion from predator to prey, joy to despair and desperation .. and Id guess they were 17 at most.... no mean feat. As i say, not for everyone but I thought this was a powerhouse performance from the entire cast. My only one very small nitpick .... the dancing in the nightclub bit .... I'd question whether any of them have ever actually been in a real nightclub - nobody dances like that! Then again, as I say .... they cast didn't look legally old enough to have had the experience of being off their tits at 4am, with the sweats kicking in and heading off to Old Compton Street before the come down hits you. Not that I have you understand .... um ... moving swiftly on ....
We won the festival! Yay for us! Arse. I didn't want to, as further performances may clash with major Doctor Who transmissions. We had just better be on the Fridays....... but its all on points, so there are no guarantees we are through to the final yet.
Pootled about the weekend, had work Sunday daytime, then by Sunday evening felt like shit with a terrible flu type of thing that saw me off my feet until this morning. And still hacking like I am about to cough up a lung. Joy.
But to more important matters. The following Doctor Who spoilers have been posted on digital spy, and two are red herrings.
Both the Ood and the Adipose make a surprise appearance.
Unlikely methinks. Not so soon.
Wilf has been put on a macrobiotic diet.
Probably. But again, no line is a throwaway with RTD at the helm.
When The Doctor first reunites with Martha and learns that she is now a Doctor, he sings the chorus from the song 'Dr Jones' by Aqua to her. She is not impressed and calls him 'Mr Cheese'.
I fully endorse this as being true for no other reason than the song was stuck in my head all day weds for no reason whatsoever.
The Sontarans discuss their involvement in the Time War.
Of course .... after all, that's sort of where this is all heading this year, to tie up these four series and then move on.
The Doctor berates a child genius over his decision not to deploy the conditional clause in conversation.
And that will be a Shadow Proclamation reference you mark my words
A Sontaran leader is called a 'baked potato' by a human.
I called them potatoes as a kid, so yeah, why not.
The Doctor displays his squash skills - much to the annoyance of a Sontaran. It's not just cricket the Time Lord excels at.
I say yes ... but not what people think ..... he will bounce something off a wall 'squash stylee' - not actually don white shorts and a headband
Someone experiences death by Sat Nav.
A car does drive into a river in the trailer.....
Rose Tyler is briefly glimpsed for a couple of seconds when she emerges from the slime after being cloned by the Sontarans
Rose will be glimpsed .. but nothing to do with slime.... probably.

Death Star Canteen

2008-04-16T11:40:00.002Z

Eddie Izzard is a legend. Thanks to the sex God that is Kevin Charnas .. because I blatantly stole this from his blog.

And another thing, having now seen Planet of the Ood (yes, four days prior to transmission) I say two non spoilery things
1. I think it will be cut down from the version I saw. One scene was a tad grim for teatime audience, IMHO
2. Add global warming to my list of shit to look out for as a series thread.

Its a Who-off!

2008-04-14T14:14:00.002Z

Scroll to the very bottom of this post, and read up or it wont make any sense, becuase I dont have time for all the copying and pasting it would require to do it in a descending manner.
thank you.

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Leete
And you are the ninth doctor's dirty earholes!!!
FIN

>>> "Paul Robinson" >>>
And finally then......
You are the First Doctors winkle!

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Leete
You are K9's pooper scooper!
(Can we stop now.... I really should be getting some work done!)

>>> "Paul Robinson" >>
You are Rassilons Ring

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Leete
You are Tegan's Jovanka

>>> "Paul Robinson" <
You are the stain under Jamie's kilt

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Leete
you are Adric - No, better still, you are Matthew Waterhouse.

>>> "Paul Robinson"
You are Mel

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Leete
You are Bannakaffalatta's tentacle spooge.

>>> "Paul Robinson">>>
You are the fendahls tendril poo

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Leete
And you are a shaved Yeti.

>>> "Paul Robinson" >>
And you are Metebelis 3 Spiders egg sack

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Leete
You're a Raxacoricofallapatorian's discharge.

>>> "Paul Robinson"
You are an open sore left by a Macras crabs (can crabs get crabs? Or do they get peoples?)

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Leete
You're the Jagrafess of the Holy Hadrojassic Maxarodenfoe's left man boob.
(This is officially a "Who-Off"!)

>>> "Paul Robinson"
And you are a scab around the Terileptil leaders gammy eye

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Leete
you, dear boy, are a Krillitane toothpick!

>>> "Paul Robinson" >>>
You're a cybermans used lubrication!

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Leete
You're a Haemovore Haemorrhoid!

>>> "Paul Robinson" <>>>
And you are the Face of Boe's spittoon

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Leete
And you are the contents of Novice Hame's kitty box

>>> "Paul Robinson" >>>
You're the Wyrrn's (sp?) green bubble wrap!

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Leete [
And you're a Vervoid dried seed pod.

>>> "Paul Robinson" 14/04/2008 13:29>>>
Well you're a Zygon fleshy sucker thing

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Leete
And you are the Raston Warrior Robot's "smooth area"
Bring it, girlfriend!

>>> "Paul Robinson" 14/04/2008 13:25>>>
well you're a human dalek hybrids facial appendage!
This is so silly .... I love it!

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Leete
And you're the Ood's dangly tentacles....
Oh, what larks! Your turn!

>>> "Paul Robinson" 14/04/2008
Well you're Roses snotty nose!
Mwah ha ha ha

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Leete
You ARE Martha!
*snigger*

>>> "Paul Robinson" 14/04/2008 13:15
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
I love Martha!!!!!

So Mark leete and I had a Who-off ... throwing Who related insults at each other ... read up for the results.

Titter Not!

2008-04-14T12:36:00.002Z

The Fires of Pompeii then eh?
Wow. Great sets, great FX, some cracking writing from the warped genius that is James Moran and a bloody great volcano.
Again, not going to go into telling you what happened, no point really. But further to my list of items to watch .... based on what we saw this week and what appears in the trailer for next week .... whats this about the Doctor and Donna being mistaken for a married couple everywhere they go? That's no accident, I'll lay!
And the Pyrovile soldiers ... I know they are supposed to look like Roman Centurions, but I couldn't help look at those heads and think of certain Transformers. See Terrorsaur's robot face in Beast Wars for a prime example.
And what did the girl see? Something on Donna's back ... hmm .. that ties in with ep 11 I suspect. She is coming back ... Rose? Or maybe not ... And this talk of a terrible decision, leading us to believe that this relates to the decision made to sacrifice Pompeii to save the world - don't you believe it! That's coming back at the end of the series, I am thinking, when the Doctor has to choose which of his companions lives and dies. Perhaps.
Watch this space!!

And I know I am twisted and evil and going to burn in hell for all eternity, but this just made me laugh