Quote Of The Day

"Victory goes to the player who makes the next-to-last mistake - Chessmaster Savielly Grigorievitch Tartakower (1887-1956)"

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Start Spreading the News...


Tomorrow Stuart and I are off to New York for ten days. It's Stuart's first time so we're planning on doing the full tourist thing. We're staying in midtown at the Chelsea Hotel on 23rd Street and more or less walking everywhere from there. The last time I was there was with David in 2001. New York (and the world) is a very different place now.

So we would be really interested if anyone has any tips or advice of places in New York that we really must see.

[Thanks to Sparky, David and Oscar for the advice so far]

Big Brother Sister 2007...


Those first impressions. By text:

BB: house weird and colourful. Sink and bath in living room. They have a fish telephone. Oven in bedroom. Four beds - sleep 4, 3, 2 and 1. Fridge in small garden. Astro turf. Small pool. Neon diary room and chair. All girl house mates so far.

1st two in are blond 18 year old pink-loving screechy girlie twins. Then 60 year old posh trout.

Then next was black stroppy jobless IT girl. Then weird druggy hippy pink-haired lezza (loving her!). Then Yorkshire Victoria Beckman wannabe. Then nervy Narinda clone. Then posh blond Tory Peaches clone.

Lastly we have a fat ugly enormous-knockered Welsh embalmer (loving her!, an Indian catholic misery and a old fat ugly political leftie bisexual Eastender (loving her!). So that's 11 girls in, no men. Man Friday?

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

The Best Disco In Town...


Last Saturday Stuart and I went to see The Best Disco In Town Live 2007 at the Hammersmith Apollo. 70s-fastic disco shakedown with Rose Royce, The Three Degrees, Odyssey, George McCrae, Travares and The Real Thing. We loved it. Even though some of the acts seemed to have few of their original line-up.
High point: Odyssey zipping up their boots
Low point: The Real Thing rapping (!)

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

The Drowsy Chaperone...


On Friday night Stu and I went to the Novello Theatre to see The Drowsy Chaperone starring Elaine Paige. Written by fans of musical theatre, about fans of musical theatre and for fans of musical theatre. I have to say we weren't impressed. It was a bit of a one joke show. Maybe we just weren't in the mood. It was all very vaudeville. Very razzmatazz. Very trying-too-hard. Apparently it had transferred from Broadway. Hmmm. Lost something in translation me'thinks.
Best bit: It was short. No interval.
Worst bit: The second half

Monday, May 28, 2007

Russians Attacks Gays...


I think this sort of homophobia strikes Russia well and truly off the tourist map, don't you? Disgraceful.

Friday, May 25, 2007

Marc Almond in Concert...


Just in case you haven't heard:

Monday 9th July: Shepherds Bush Empire
Marc Almond returns to the stage this July following the release of his latest record 'Stardom Road' in July. After a near-fatal accident back in 2004, he started recording this musical journey of cover songs that have influenced Marc through his life and his significant growth as an artist.
Tickets available online @ TicketWeb or phone 0870 771 2000

Brain Teaser Answer...


The answer is 379.

They are a series of Happy Primes; happy numbers which are also prime numbers.
[Thanks to Dr Who for the heads up]

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Brain Teaser...


What's the next number in the sequence?
313, 331, 367...

[Thanks Dr Who series 3 episode 7: '42']

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Simon Amstell...


On Sunday Roger organised tickets for Kevin, Stu and myself to go and see Simon Amstell do a pre-Edinburgh warm up gig at the Pleasance Theatre. He was trying out some new material and it was all most amusing but for his flow. He constantly interrupted himself by writing down a punchline that worked or crossing off one that didn't. Still good though.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

A Gay History of Britain: Love and Sex Between Men Since the Middle Ages...


Last night I went to a book reading at Gay's The Word by Matt Cook. Matt was reading from his latest book A Gay History of Britain: Love and Sex Between Men Since the Middle Ages. Fascinating.

Monday, May 21, 2007

The Lord Of The Rings: On Stage...


Last Wednesday Stu, Rog, Kevin and I went to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane to see The Lord Of The Rings: On Stage (still in previews) - the first ever major stage adaptation of JRR Tolkien's classic trilogy The Lord of the Rings.

It was certainly a spectacular show to watch; great set, wind and smoke aplenty, grey and white wizards, flying elves, magic-wielding hobbits, bouncing back-flipping orcs, stilt-walking ents et al.

We lost count of the number of special effects; the flashing lights, the perpetual smoke, the hydraulic spinning stage and the actors on wires.

Oh and it was a musical too. The songs were not very memorable though and so it just served to slow the pace down.

My overall impression is: good show but a tad over ambitious. Needless to say gollum stole the show.

Best bit: the orcs coming out into the audience
Worst bit: the hobbits coming out into the audience

Friday, May 18, 2007

QX...

Guess who's in QX this week? Page 42.




Brian Teaser Answers...


Well done Scott for getting all the answer correct

1. 40 trucks: his original garage could hold 32 trucks. By increasing the size by 50%, the new garage could then hold 48 trucks - which is 8 more than he currently owned.

2. 946

3. Tiptoe through the tulips

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Jose Arguing with Police about his Dog...


"A man was arrested on suspicion of obstructing police. He was later cautioned," said a police spokesman. You really couldn't make this stuff up.

Brain Teasers...



1. A haulage contractor did not have room in his garage for 8 of his trucks. He therefore increased the size of his garage by 50 percent, which gave him room for 8 more trucks than he owned altogether. How many trucks did he own?

2. My local greengrocer is a would-be mathematician. He likes to arrange his apples in nice rows. However, when he lays his apples in rows of 3 he has one left over. When he lays them in rows of 5 he also has one left over. Remarkably he also has one left over when he arranges them in rows of 7 and 9. 11 seems to be the magic number, for, in rows of 11 there are no apples left over. How many apples does the greengrocer have?

3. What is represented by these letters?
T T T
U I U
L P L
I T I
P O P
S E S

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Scientology vs. BBC...


Panorama last night was way too short. It didn't even begin to air the issues. But John Sweeney's rant was a joy. He loses it big time with this Scientology guy who's been badgering him. Although he did apologise afterwards. A bit of classic TV.

Monday, May 14, 2007

This Is England...


Stu and I went to the movies to see This Is England last week. It was a great film but not without it's faults. I wasn't 100% sure that the characters motivation ran 100% true but it was good to see the subject matter of skinheads' racism tackled head-on. Worth seeing.

Friday, May 11, 2007

Eurovision 2007


Ukrainian nationalists have been complaining about drag queen Verka Serdyuchka representing them at the Eurovision Song Contest in Helsinki on Saturday. So I know you I hope is going to win!

Short clip here.

Obligatory camp video here.

Arsenal vs Chelsea...


It was our last home game of the season last Sunday - shame we didn’t win though. But the score line reflected the play. And it was fun to stop Chelsea's premiership ambitions in their tracks too.

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Miss Diane...


Last night Stu treated me to a trip to Wembley Arena to see Miss Diane. No, not her from Crossroads... The fabulous Miss Diana Ross.

She was a diva-esque 25 minutes late on stage but we didn't care. She proceeded to do 100 minutes with no break: four costumes changes and all the hits. Big sound. Big frocks. Big hair. She was fantatsic.

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Gilbert and George Art For Free...


Pssst! Wanna own your own Gilbert and George original? For free! You have 48 hours to download it from now.

Marc Almond at Wiltons...


On Friday night we went to see Marc Almond at Wilton's Music Hall. It was good to see Marc back on stage after so long though he was all but crippled by stage-fright at times and, as he himself remarked, the show was all over the place. On Sunday we went to see him again however and it was a show transformed; better set list, better staging and better performance. He was essentially promoting his new album Stardom Road which is out June 4th. The track listing is:
1. I Have Lived
2. I Close My Eyes and Count to Ten (featuring Sarah Cracknell)
3. Bedsitter Images
4. The London Boys
5. Strangers In The Night
6. The Ballad Of The Sad Young Men (featuring Antony Hegarty)
7. Stardom Road
8. Kitsch
9. Backstage (I’m Lonely)
10. Dream Lover
11. Happy Heart
12. Redeem Me (Beauty Will Redeem The World)
13. The Curtain Falls

Monday, May 07, 2007

One Year In...


It's Stu and my first anniversary today. The last year has flown by.

Friday, May 04, 2007

East London Line and Victoria Line...


Changes are afoot at Highbury & Islington station near where I live. The new East London Line to open in 3 years. And then extended to Highbury & Islington a year later. So I'll be able to get the train direct from H&I to Sydenham where Sarah lives.

But… lots of work is going on the tube system in the meantime too. From TfL web site: During 2007/08, major Tube improvement works will include: Victoria line - Over 18 extensive weekend closures for line upgrade work, including two weekends of full-line closures and four partial weekend closures. Additionally, the Victoria line will close at 23:00 every night from Monday to Thursday, between 23 July and 22 November 2007, to assist Metronet with delivery of this major line upgrade. Early closure of the Victoria line will be suspended if it coincides with a Premiership football match at White Hart Lane or Emirates, and if there is a major event at Finsbury Park.
Alternative travel arrangements for the Victoria line early closures will include ticket acceptance on most local bus routes and two special bus services:
From Brixton to Victoria (where passengers will be able to use the Circle and District lines): starting at 23:00 to close of traffic
From Walthamstow Central to Finsbury Park (where passengers can catch the Piccadilly line): starting at 23:00 to close of traffic.

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Stuart Capon RIP...


It was Stuart's funeral yesterday. It's been such a miserable week since his death that I felt compelled to go down to Devon at the end of last week to show some support for his sister Sarah and his partner Christopher. It was good to be able to give some practical help too helping look after Sarah's triplets. I also had the chance to sit in Stuart and Christopher’s garden and make my peace with his passing. I'd known Stuart for nearly twenty years and have such fond memories of all the time we'd spent together. I'll miss him lots.

Stuart used to work in the oil and gas industry like me and was much loved. Last week this email arrived at work.

Dear LPG friend,

Many in the gas market will already be aware of the sad news that Stuart Capon passed away on Friday 20th April.

Stuart will be missed and remembered not just for his good friendship but also in our market for his alert, enquiring, mind which resulted in such a high and longstanding reputation. Stuart never lost his enthusiasm for the marketplace, even after a spell away. It was enthusiasm for LPG... but always with an eye for fun and a very quick wit.

All those who had contact with Stuart over the last 18 months or so have been quite amazed and impressed with his positive spirit and bravery in fighting initially liver cancer caused by hepatitis earlier in life and later by other cancerous complications.

It can not have been at all easy for him but please be HAPPY that Stuart found such fulfilment over this time ! He really did, and so did those he came into contact with.

Lots of people are asking what they can do to show their respects to Stuart and to offer support to friends, family and Christopher, his almost ever long partner.

Stuart's funeral will be held on Tuesday 1st May at 15.30 hrs and will be a private family affair.

However, there will be a opportunity to join his family and friends on Saturday 16th June in Devon to remember his life. It is requested that flowers are not sent but should anyone wish to make a donation in Stuart's memory, it is suggested the hospice that was such a help to him should be the beneficiary of such a thought.

details are
The Triangle Centre
c/o Mr Tony Pithers
Kaywana Hall
Higher Comtour RD
Kingswear
Devon
TQ6 OAY

Devon will be hard to reach for many people. There will be arranged at a later date a memorial gathering in London to celebrate the life of Stuart. We will without fail let you know the details of that in due course.

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Qantas to Test in-flight SMS...


Hi hon, I'm on d plane. Qantas has been given the green light to start testing in-flight mobile phone services, but voice services will be disabled. They were given the thumbs-up to a limited evaluation of GSM mobile phones and GPRS devices, but only for one commercial aircraft. According to a Qantas spokesperson, the three-month trial will involve a Boeing 767 plying between domestic capital cities. Qantas has decided to limit the pilot to e-mail and text, and disable voice services. The spokesperson said once the e-mail and SMS evaluation ends, Qantas will decide if voice calls should be tested. Qantas said passengers wanting to send or receive an SMS will need international roaming activated, and a GSM mobile phone. To send or receive e-mail messages, a GPRS-enabled device would do. Great, first the tubes and now the airlines.