2002 – Page 2 – Hello Curns

Wasted Weekends

I feel very strange things about this Monday morning. You see I didn’t do any of the things I wish I had done over the last weekend.

I feel very strange about this Monday morning. You see I didn’t do any of the things I wish I had done over the last weekend. I had great plans to spend the time decorating the exterior of my house before the windows fall out due to the winter rains and frosts. Then I thought I might finally finish clearing the back garden so that some form of order is visible (again, before the winter frosts come). No. I couldn’t do any of this because I went to sleep.

Instead of going out late at night drinking after seeing Taboo on Friday night, PY and I came home because I was exhausted (I don’t think anybody else really wanted a long drinking session either, but that is not the point). I slept late, got up, had breakfast and started a few general household chores. Then I thought I would have forty winks. Unfortunately, I slept until 5pm and then realised that Saturday was gone. A whole weekend had then to be squashed into Sunday (where I stayed in bed late again), and I wasn’t very enthusiastic. I also had to have a late-Sunday brunch-style event in Notting Hill with some friends over from Australia. That was great (and seeing people who live outside London always makes me crave space and forget the advantages of this great city), but I can’t believe I didn’t do much around the house. I had such great plans.

So, that’s why I am now somewhat deflated. The weekend – which I look forward to like every other office-bound individual – turned out to be a letdown. And now I’m facing another full working week before I get some time off. To cap it all, I will then have to do all last week’s little jobs, as well as any new ones I come up with. I hate days like this and weekends like that! And I resent the fact that it is all my fault.

Everything Taboo

I thought Taboo was fantastic, so I wrote a review.

I went to see Boy George’s Taboo last Friday and have been contemplating the blog entry ever since. I have to say that I thought that it was fabulous and I want to see it again (I even ordered the soundtrack last night!). It’s a fictional account of a lot of real people, but most of the plot must be based on Boy George’s own life story, as I recognised many of the characters and plot lines from his book Take It Like A Man. Obviously, he is a key (though not the central) character. I would thoroughly recommend this to anybody visiting London, regardless of the way you feel about Boy George. It’s a strange time capsule of a musical, and his songs are great – although several of them are old (some of which are taken from the underrated album Cheapness and Beauty, which I regard as one of the best of all time). The story is tender, the performances top-rate, and the whole thing is laugh-out-loud funny (especially Julian Clary).Lastmiunte.com often has cut-price tickets a few days before a show. Go see it. Often.

I also posted a review to the gay boy musical fan group at Yahoo! This is what I wrote:

I thought Taboo was fantastic – and I wasn’t sure what to really expect. I think I had envisaged it as something akin to Closer To Heaven, but it wasn’t really like that at all. I loved the fact that The Venue is quite small and quite intimate, which made you feel closer to the stage (and the audience bits help) and, of course, it brought memories flooding back (although I was watching events in the early ’80s from the safety of the north).

I am a big fan of Boy George’s more recent albums – Cheapness and Beauty is one of my all-time favourites. When I heard some of the songs were being reworked for the show, I was worried. Luckily, few have been re-penned, and those that have been re-done are still as good as they are on the CD (although different). I was stunned by how much the mannerisms of the Boy George character seem to be like the Boy George we see on TV, etc. It was a remarkable performance. Duncan Bennett as Billy was superb (was he really in the band Point Break? I don’t remember him), as well as being some appealing eye candy. It was a thoroughly entertaining night out, and I would recommend it to anybody.

Julian Clary was superb and, of course, looked stunning in those Leigh costumes. I would be interested to see how other people play the part, as he put his own stamp on it without it seeming to be too Julian Clary.

I’ve ordered the CD – the cheapest I could find it was £10.99 at Play247– although it was on back order, I noticed tonight that they have posted it to me. I’m sure the CD doesn’t do the show justice (they rarely do), but I hope it will be brilliant anyway! Lastminute.com always seems to have discounts on top-price tickets. I bought the cheaper seats directly from the box office and, to be honest, I think my view was as good as anybody with the more expensive ones (the theatre isn’t really large enough for it to make a difference). However, Lastminute’s discount seats are even cheaper, and I shall certainly be going again.

[Links: BBC News – George breaks 80s Taboo|BBC News – Matt Lucas’s comic extremes|Guardian – We were so naughty|I Love the 80s]

Why did you steal 40,000 hotel coat hangers?

How much room do you need for 40,000 coat hangers?

Judge: I think Mr Chrysler is running rings round you already. I would try a new line of attack if I were you.

A most extraordinary trial is going on in the High Court at the moment, in which a man named Chrysler is accused of stealing more than 40,000 coat hangers from hotels around the world: Independent

I think this is the most brilliant thing!

Red Hair Hurts

There is often a story to be found in New Scientist that makes me smile – often for no obvious reason.

Today’sNew Scientistnews service reports that people with red hair are more sensitive to pain and consequently need more anaesthetic during operations than other patients.

There is often a story to be found in New Scientist that makes me smile – often for no obvious reason. I don’t think this one is very funny, but researchers have discovered that people with red hair are more sensitive to pain. What about people with limited amounts of hair?

America’s Fault

An interesting and somewhat heartfelt piece in The Guardian today

“Before last weekend, liberal Australia felt the US had brought September 11 upon itself. But, says Clive James, the bombing in Bali has smashed that argument – and thrown his country into the war against terror.”

An interesting and somewhat heartfelt piece in The Guardian today: Guardian Unlimited | Clive James: Don’t blame the west

Shapes Made By Radio Waves

The Ministry Of Defence is interested in the technology that allows us all to be monitored by our mobile phones.

Well, according to a report in this weekend’s Observer newspaper, the Ministry of Defence is interested in the technology that allows us all to be monitored by our mobile phones. Apparently, there are many positive uses of this ‘spy’ technology – following people on the move (walking or driving) and monitoring areas (nuclear power stations, roads, etc.) when visibility is bad. Nobody seems to ask what happens if you loan your mobile phone to somebody or (gasp) switch it off.

Observer: How mobile phones let spies see our every move

Up Above The Streets And Houses

In case you’re wondering, my attempt to bring forth an avalanche of programmes from my childhood didn’t quite have the desired result.

In case you’re wondering, my attempt to bring forth an avalanche of programmes from my childhood didn’t quite have the desired result. However, Danny Baker on BBC London this morning did spend some time talking about Rainbow (fab title sequence here). Somehow, it doesn’t seem quite so much of a spooky coincidence as the whole Fame thing.

Awww

I was certainly right. I ached this morning. Almost every bone and several parts I didn’t really know that I had. It remains, however, a great feeling not to have spent the day indoors watching television on a wet Sunday afternoon. I tackled nature, and although nature probably won in the end (watch as all my careful pruning results in a whole pile of dead plants by spring) it was a rewarding task. I don’t get to spend much time outdoors and I don’t to do much physical work. I am a desk-jockey and it probably isn’t that good for me. I never really wanted to be a desk bound. For me, sitting in an office all day has strange overtones of turning into my father. I have nothing against my Dad, I just never thought of myself as being a desk-based person but I am. I sit in front of a screen and type for most of the day. I guess that’s why I enjoyed the rain yesterday and, luckily, I don’t seem to have the cold I thought that amount of soggy clothing would bring on.

Starmaker, Dream Breaker

So it’s all getting a bit spooky. There I was on Friday night, remembering the songs from the TV series ofFame(I preferred the TV series as it was much fluffier. Being so young, the grittiness of the film version didn’t hit me for several years) and remembering Danny as one of my childhood lust objects (download your Danny wallpaper here).

I spent yesterday doing all the boring things you occasionally have to do around the house. Cleaning. Paying bills, etc. At some point, I switched on VH1 to find it was their 100 Worst Videos day. And the song I switched on to? No 62 (I think), which was Starmaker, by the Kids from Fame (OK, it would have been a better story if it was Friday Night, but still).

So let’s see if I can tempt fate – I want to see more about the following: Play School, Rainbow, Harley Hare, The Clangers, Trumpton. How spooky would it be if this actually worked?

It will aid my aching bones. I’ve been in the garden all day cutting down bushes and pruning. I was outside for the grand total of seven hours, and it rained for most of them. Strangely, I feel invigorated after spending the day outdoors. No doubt I shall ache tomorrow.

Friday Night’s Gonna Be Alright

Friday night’s gonna be alright.

Well, in a few minutes I’ll hopefully be leaving the office. I have been here late most evenings and, to be honest, I am really looking forward to going home and sleeping. The air-conditioning in the office has been broken, so we have gradually baked our way through today. I would he happy without the nonsense air-conditioning anyway, but all the windows have been sealed shut so that you can’t get any really fresh (well, fresh for London standards) air into your lungs. I have a weekend of hard, manual labour planned. I have to tame some of the wild growth in my garden. I can’t wait. Friday Night, as Danny (one of the Kids from Fame) once sang, is “gonna be alright”. I’m sure I remember that because I used to have a huge crush on Carlo Imperato.

Start shaking your hips
Baby, pucker your lips
Cause I’m coming to see you soon

I must only have been about 10 years old!

Anyway, why, you may ask, do I spend ten minutes writing this? Well, our dumb systems are taking forever to do some processing, and I am not going to sit here all night watching the screen!

Mussels

I used to work with most of these guys six or seven (if not more) years ago, and we’ve all remained in contact ever since.

Last night I met up with some old work colleagues. I used to work with most of these guys six or seven (if not more) years ago, and we’ve all remained in contact ever since. This is fantastic, especially for me, as they were the first people (apart from some ex-University friends) whom I met when I moved to London. We have, however, fallen into the trap of thinking we are all six or seven (if not more) years younger than we actually are and spend the evenings getting very drunk in various London drinking holes. We then wander like (drunken) startled rabbits around the West End looking for a post-closing curry. A fun, if somewhat painful, experience.

Well, not last night. Firstly, we added some extra people – friends of ex-colleagues – which made the night more interesting. Secondly, we decided (this is all very grown up) to go out for a meal. We decided to go to Belgos in Covent Garden. I had very little to do with the decision (in fact, to be honest, I never replied to that email, so I have nothing to complain about), but the great thing is that I love Belgos. I’ve always enjoyed the whole pots-of-mussels thing and make a mess to show I enjoyed the food.

And to add to that, there was the cutest waiter serving the table next to ours – which was all the better, as he got to lean over and serve them. Ah, the joys of lust!

My Big Fat Greek Wedding

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

My Big Fat Greek Wedding was something of a hit-and-miss film. You learned a lot about the Greek (lead) character, Toula, and her family relationships. But you learned very little about her love interest, Ian. If the point of the film was to show the development of Toula from the shy woman living life for her father by waiting tables (“seating hostess”) in his restaurant to the confident, beautiful self-styled woman that Ian Miller falls in love with, then, I guess, it succeeded. Sadly, because you know so little about him and his one-dimensional parents, this film feels empty and fails to pull you in.

Reviews will tell you how My Big Fat Greek Wedding makes you laugh, cry and feel. I, however, was left wanting more. The large Greek family, played with love and humour, finally accepts non-Greek Ian into the family. Ian, however, never challenges that their acceptance requires him to turn into them. Far from celebrating diversity, the film fails to show both sides of the tale, and we are forced to believe that Ian will do anything, unquestioningly, for Toula. I suspect I’m reading too much into what should be a light Saturday night romantic comedy, but as the film played out, I found myself less and less engaged.

Having said all this, there were some laugh-out-loud moments and some top-class performances. Andrea Martin (Aunt Voula), Michael Constantine (Gus) and Lainie Kazan (Maria) all stood out. Nia Vardalos (Toula), who also wrote the story, is worth mentioning as well, because she certainly conveyed Toula’s side of the story. Unfortunately, that’s all I felt I got (Toula’s side), and it could have been so much more.

—
Originally posted at musak.org | Wayback – original | Wayback
Posted October 6, 2002

A Walk on the Wild Side

My two days off have been great. Yesterday we drove to the Outlet Mall in Swindon. It’s the first time we have put miles on this new Ka.

[Written on my Palm & posted Sunday 6th]

My two days off have been great. Yesterday we drove to the Outlet Mall (what’s the British equivalent of that?) in Swindon. It’s the first time we have put miles on this new Ka (which I haven’t mentioned yet). Still, we drove in the sunshine and shopped. One call from a client was swiftly dealt with.

In the evening, we made it to Bristol, where we are staying at a Travelodge in Bristol City Centre. After unloading, we took a quick taxi ride to visit some friends we hadn’t seen for a long time until last month. And now it’s been twice in five weeks which is a great feeling. Chinese meal and back to the hotel.

This morning we had a quick walk around Bristol City, as it’s been many years since I was last here and things seem to have changed. The most amusing thing was the ill-fitting suits on a bunch of young men walking towards the Magistrates Court. I know I shouldn’t leap to conclusions (perhaps they were newly qualified solicitors), but I could just imagine their legal representation reminding them to look respectable for the judge.

As this holiday was originally pencilled in for longer and as a trip to Cornwall to see the Eden Project, we decided to opt for Bristol’s local equivalent Wildwalk at the complex known as @Bristol. I suspect this isn’t anywhere near the scale of Eden, but it was an interesting walk through the development of life on Earth. It features a glasshouse full of tropical plants and – to my surprise – living, breathing birds (I thought it was just a tape of their calls). Recommended if you are in Bristol. Right now we are heading south via the lovely A roads, looking for a suitable tourist spot to stop at.

Nearly There

As I am not going to fake the blog, then you, dear reader, must put up with the dull bits as well as the not-so-dull.

Looking back at yesterday’s post, I see that everybody has a much more interesting life than I do, or at least it seems that way! As I am not going to fake the blog, you, dear reader, must put up with the dull bits as well as the not-so-dull bits.

Today is my last day at work this week. I am taking two days off to clear my head. There are a lot of things to think about when it comes to work and, more importantly, PY and I want to spend some time together. The downside of this break (originally meant to be a week and reduced to two days) is that I will be here (in the office) for another couple of hours. So, no more time to update. I am going to boil the kettle and get on. Posts beyond this point will be written on my Palm Pilot and updated when they can be.

Snapshot of the Blogsphere

A quick look around the web and some of the comments for the first day of a new month.

It may be October, but the weather doesn’t suggest it at all. Anyway, my current three favourite blogs are saying this today:

You think you’re fine with everything until you wake up at 4am convinced there’s someone in your flat again. [plasticbag]
Bloody hell, it’s October. How did that happen? [not.so.soft]
I don’t know what to do with my life. This morning I had my Early Modern Architecture class, and it made me indecisive again [trabaca]

Wonder how this will read in a year’s time?