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A Tailor-made Saint
Yesterday was, apparently, the feast day of a patron saint of tailors.
But the best thing is the saint’s name: Saint Homobonus.
How cool is that, eh?
Posted on November 14, 2008 | Filed Under The World we Live In | 0 Comments
Oh Bugger.
It’s amazing how often curiosity can lead you to bad decisions.
The other day I saw in Boots that all blood pressure monitors were half price. So I nabbed one for ?Ǭ£15 and just gave it a go, having been wondering for a while whether mine might be a tad high.
A tad high? Mine registers at “Stage 2 Hypertension” apparently.
A diagnosis which, ironically, has made me feel just a little bit stressed.
Posted on November 14, 2008 | Filed Under My So-Called Life | 2 Comments
Bloody Hell!
I mean… I hoped he’d win, but… still.
Reeling just a little bit.
Lets hope his landslide victory doesn’t lead in eight years to the same disappointment our own President Anthony Blair took us on a journey to…
Posted on November 5, 2008 | Filed Under The World we Live In | 0 Comments
Beautiful People
I have, of late, been watching the BBC series “Beautiful People”, inspired by Simon Doonan’s book of the same name (although the original edition was apparently called “Nasty”).
And I have to say I’ve found the whole thing extremely enjoyable. I downloaded the first couple of episodes and started watching on holiday, but found myself barely ten minutes in before stopping and vowing I had to show it to Chris on our return.
He howled his way through the first couple of episodes, and so a new obsession was born. And whilst it’s fair to say that the first couple of episodes were by far the best, on the whole it’s been a silly, joyous, camp and riotously bonkers affair that has, for me, been one of the most original series on TV for a while.
The DVD came out yesterday and so we watched the final episode last night (whole days ahead of broadcast) and it surprised me by having a surprisingly poignant ending – fair brought a tear to my eye it did.
Plus there’s a Dynasty-style catfight with the ever-magnificent Frances Barber (God I love that woman), an interesting variation on Charlene’s “I’ve Never Been to Me” so what’s not to love?
It has become one of my favourite series ever. I do hope they get another series.
The book, incidentally, is a very different kettle of fish, but still a very, very funny read. It comes heartily recommended.
Posted on November 4, 2008 | Filed Under Film, TV, Theatre | 0 Comments
Girls Aloud – Out of Control
So, after the surprising #1 hit “The Promise” (which I must say I loved but didn’t see coming) the new Aloud album hits the stores tomorrow.
And what’s it like?
Well, it’s lovely. Which, to be honest, is something of a mild disappointment to me, but hey. It basically lacks punch – I was hoping for a couple of tracks which were bold, brassy, punding statements of sass, but instead the whole album has taken its cue from “Call the Shots” and gone down that route instead.
You will find nothing as barkingly inventive as “Biology”. Nothing as poppers-o-clock as “Something Kinda Ooooh”, and – unlike their last effort – nothing remotely slap-in-the-face-brilliant as “Girl Overboard” or “Close to Love”.
So I’m a bit grumpy.
But… what you will find are a collection of (largely) solid, sophisticated mid-tempo pop songs. Their colaboration with the Pet Shop Boys “The Loving Kind” is an absolute gem. It’s gorgeous and it’s synthy and it features the word “disinclined” which already makes it stratospherically brilliant in my opinion.
Other highlights? Well… “Rolling Back the Rivers in Time” is about as close to a Springfield-esque 60’s soul number as they’re ever likely to get, the seven minute epic “Untouchable” is a majestic beauty, “Turn to Stone” and “Love is the Key” are gorgeous, and “Love is Pain” was an instant personal favourite (possibly for the title alone).
So that’s seven gems out of twelve tracks all told (“The Promise” benefits from the slightly longer album version by ending properly). But the rest can just cock off.
All involved in the reggae-infused limpness of “Revolution in the Head” should be ashamed of themselves. And a song with as brassy a title as “We Wanna Party” turns out surprisingly lacking in tooth.
So for all it’s brilliance – all the high spots are undoubted high spots in the Girls’ catalogue – “Out of Control” seems singularly badly named. It’s a mature, restrained album all told – not bad by any means but it’s sure wrong-footed me.
Posted on November 2, 2008 | Filed Under Pop Music | 0 Comments
Merlin: The Midpoint
So, here we are: seven episodes into the BBC’s latest family-oriented drama, Merlin. And what are we thinking so far?
Personally I’m rather enjoying it. Obviously Bradley James as Arthur isn’t getting his shirt off enough (and he looked worryingly swoon-some with red eyes in yesterday’s episode), the plots are playing wildly fast and loose with the legend, and the anachronisms are clunking around the place like mad (I mean… potatoes?) but I must say I’m rather enjoying it.
Above all I’m finding it a damned sight more watchable than Robin Hood ever was. True it’s plots are similarly repetitive (you’d have thought Uther might have learned to be more suspicious of strangers, in the same way Nottingham’s guards need a quick lesson in security) but there’s a lot more humour and charm in it, I’m finding – helped in part by a lack of over-emphasised parallels to modern day terrorism which so dogged the Hooded one’s adventures.
It’s also nicely played by all concerned. Anthony Head and Richard Wilson instil a vital sense of gravitas to the proceedings; and the stories, whilst simple, do appear to be layering things in slowly. Knowing the legend of Morgana it’s interesting to see her slowly becoming aware of her powers whilst still being the good guy (or rather… gal), and you do get a feel that a lot of stuff happened at the start of Uther’s reign that he and Gaius would rather forget.
It’s not quite the “must-see” television of Doctor Who (well, let’s face it so little is) but I’m impressed enough and enjoying it enough to keep watching.
Hmm. Thinking about it, surely the Arthur/Merlin slash fiction must be seeping through the interweb by now…
Posted on November 2, 2008 | Filed Under Film, TV, Theatre | 1 Comment
Feeding Frenzy
Coming back from Luton airport the other week, Theresa switched on the radio – as is her wont – to Radio 2 where, to a certain degree of horror on my part, we found ourselves catching the last half of Russell Brand’s radio show.
It was, naturally, the now infamous one with Jonathan Ross and the prank calls to Andrew Sachs. And at the time I thought (as I usually do of most of their material to be frank) that it was juvenile, puerile and that the whole thing was a bad bad idea.
Frankly I was embarrassed listening to it and felt really rather bad for Andrew Sachs.
But I can’t help but feel that the events unfolding over the last week were somewhat of an overreaction. Needless to say, the Daily Hate Mail led the charge, gleeful as ever to have a stick to beat the BBC, and Jonathan Ross, with. And it succeeded in whipping up the complaints from a mere couple after the show aired (which I’m genuinely surprised by – I would have expected more) up into the tens of thousands.
And I feel a little bit uncomfortable about that. If it hadn?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t been for all of this it might have had the chance to peter out with dignified apologies and no carping and sanctimonious speeches and editorials, no villagers wielding torches and so on.
Sachs was owed an apology, now received (although why it should be our business to know this I have no idea – Ross at least tried to personally deliver his apology and gift privately) and I do think they should be rapped over the knuckles over the whole thing. But I absolutely hate seeing the BBC got at by the mosquitos of the tabloid press like this as if they are the arbiters of what is right and wrong.
I mean… the vacuous and borderline immoral shite that the free presses peddle is beyond belief and yet they get away with it time after time without censure.
Ultimately the only person out of this who has come out of it with any dignity is Sachs himself who, it is telling, was only after an apology.
His granddaughter on the other hand… I must say I’ve rather taken against. Anyone who uses the word “justice” to mean “I got my revenge” is as far as I’m concerned easily as bad as the Middle Englanders whose outcry inflated this whole affair.
Although seeing the Mail take up arms alongside a self confessed Satanic Slut has been deeply amusing.
I’m pleased Brand resigned in a way, though. Not so much because I can’t stand his work (and I really can’t) but because he has done the right thing.
And I hope that a good many politicians take note.
Posted on October 30, 2008 | Filed Under Film, TV, Theatre, The World we Live In | 2 Comments
Maltese Musings #6 – What’s On the Scene?
To be fair, this wasn’t this year’s big gay holiday. This wasn’t, incidentally, due to having a pratfalling aunt in tow, but basically it was always intended to be a more restful and sedate affair when compared with – say – a trip to Gran Can, and from our point of view we were mainly only window-shopping when it came to the males.
That said, though, Theresa was most insistent we went out and had a rip-roaring time without her on a couple of evenings and so, inevitably, we decided to opt for a bit of faggery.
Now, it’s true to say that as a small island Malta isn’t really going to have much of a gay scene; indeed our brief investigations into the possibilities turned up only two options in the area near to us, viz and to whit one bar and one club.
The club – “Klozet” – was an interesting place. You could tell the clubbing options were limited since different styles of gay were all mashed together (if you’ll excuse the expression) in one room. Indiepooves, twinkypooves, bearpooves and coffin-dodgers all abounded in the shiny environs, none of them looking entirely like they belonged but certainly making the most of a bad job.
Still, I often find myself most at home in places I don’t really belong so oddly enough I rather enjoyed it to an extent. Well, I did once the copious consumption of JD and coke had numbed the senses to the style of music on offer. For some reason the resident DJ seemed to consider “stuff that sounds like Gloria Estefan or Beyonce” to be the only criteria for a set, which did tend to pall after a while.
Well, okay. It palled after the first song. But I was enjoying myself anyway and the drinks were cheap so I didn’t care.
The best prospect though was Adams’s Bar, which we visited twice. Barely bigger than a handbag, it was a snug place to be sure, but it was a friendly place with a much better selection of music (although admittedly on one night it degenerated from non-stop ABBA to non-stop Madonna – who I’ve decided is a total waste of skin – but you can’t have everything).
Our first visit there coincided with what was apparently Malta’s ever Pub Quiz. The gentleman in charge of this innovation seemed to be struggling with this a bit: apparently the concept was completely alien to the area, but it was reassuring to see that certain decisions Rob and I made in regard to the Griffin one are adopted by others too. And it was very good, so I hope it takes off.
(Indeed, whilst we didn’t take part since they were halfway through when we arrived, afterwards the host came over and asked if we knew anything about quizzes. I was able to chuckle and admit I was hosting my 91st the next week.)
Adam’s Bar is attached to a hostel of the same name and if you happen to be a big ole mox visiting the island I think you would do well to drop in. It was a matter of some regret, actually, that we didn’t spend a few more nights in there propping up the bar.
Chris rather fell in love with the former-go-go-dancing barman, in fact, so I think he feels the same way.
Posted on October 30, 2008 | Filed Under Holiday Excess | 3 Comments
Maltese Musings #5 – Hotel Service (Or Lack Thereof)
Now, during our stay in Malta we found ourselves opting to stay in the Imperial Hotel in Sliema, a decision which we came to rue somewhat, if truth be told.
Admittedly it all looked suitably regal in the foyer and landings – all (slightly faded) Mediterranean glamour – but this didn’t extend to the rooms which were apparently decorated in a particular style known as “random furniture and dodgy workmanship-chic.”
Still, it was at least warm and dry and the reception and bar staffs were wonderful: helpful, knowledgeable and friendly.
By comparison though, we were clearly an imposition on the breakfast staff. Theirs was an exercise in surly abruptness you’d object to in most places but since the buffet was self-service all they really had to do was clear plates and keep the food coming. Every morning, though, we’d have to find a clear table, scavenge random cutlery and plates from other tables and then be barged into and flapped at by the help.
Various other niggles abounded too with regards to towels, poolside service, and internet access which I won’t bore you with here, but suffice it say that despite costing about the same as your average IBIS it definitely lacked the attention to detail. I think it’s fair to say that if you’re going to stay on Malta you will pay through the nose for really good accommodation.
That said, the very cute lad I fancied on reception did make my last day by sighing and looking terribly disappointed when I ordered the taxi.
I’m under no illusions about my attractiveness here, though. I think it was because our party comprised the only males under forty the place had seen in decades.
Seriously, I think the three of us brought the average age down by about thirty years.
Posted on October 26, 2008 | Filed Under Holiday Excess | 0 Comments
Maltese Musings #4 – For the Love of Rocks
Aside from the beauty of the island and weather, Malta also has a rich history to explore. And so, spurred on by Theresa (to whom “chivvying along” is a way of life), we went out to see how much of it we could find.
What we found were, on the whole, rocks.
Now, to be fair to Hagar Qim, it’s more a case of lousy timing on our part that it’s such a crushing disappointment. Years ago this temple complex was apparently filled with relics and statues and you could wander all round it. Currently, however, it’s a building site, two accessible chambers and an abundance of builder’s sand.
This is due to the building of a visitors centre to house all the relics and so on, but, at present, for €7 a head, the sight of what effectively amounts to ancient and modern rubble isn’t really worth a two-hour round trip. And it wasn’t just our group that thought this, either.
Similarly the Roman Domus outside Mdina was ever so slightly underwhelming. A room detailing Roman occupancy of the island was followed immediately by a room containing a couple of mosaics in various states of repair. And then you came to a balcony overlooking… a field of rocks. No attempt was made to even contextualize said rocks, mind you – there was no “that bit over there we think may have been the privy” for example – they were just there.
Fishbourne it wasn’t.
Thankfully it wasn’t all quite so apathetic. Aside from a smattering of cathedrals (of which more later) St. Paul’s Catacombs at Mdina were a particular highlight. I mean, I like graveyards and churches and mausoleums etc so I naturally leapt at the chance to hand over money and see a few new graves.
And very impressive and well-preserved they were too. They were a little cramped admittedly, but lets face it the intended occupants weren’t going to need much in the way of free space. So yes, all very catacomby and atmospheric.
Except… well… there was a guide in the form of an audio handset available, and – as much as I enjoyed it – I’m not sure that it didn’t take the edge off things a bit.
In it, a lady whose voice was somewhat reminiscent of Fenella Fielding spoke in a bustily sultry manner as the character of a Roman ghost called “Valeria”. And I’m afraid that after an hour of barely suppressed giggles, when she finally breathed “I will whisper my final words in your ear: farewell!” I found myself yelping and running for the exit gasping for air.
I loved it so much I want to go again. (Assuming I can take an inhaler next time.)
Posted on October 26, 2008 | Filed Under Holiday Excess | 0 Comments