Brain Teaser Answers...

1. Today is the 1st January. Yesterday, 31st December, was Chris's 8th birthday. On the 30th December she was still 7. This year she'll turn 9 and next year she'll be 10.

2. A rainbow

Brain Teasers...

1. The day before yesterday Chris was 7 years old. Next year she'll turn 10. How is this possible?

2. What ends in a 'W' but has no end?

Answers tomorrow.

Darren's birthday...

Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday, dear Darren
Happy Birthday to you

Dealing With Stress And Conflicting Needs...

I'm not in the office today. I'm being sent on a course: Dealing With Stress And Conflicting Needs. This one day programme examines the causes of stress and its impact on individual and team productivity. Delegates will analyse their individual stress levels and learn how to deal with stress and conflicting needs effectively in order to improve and maximise their performance in the workplace. Hmm. I wonder if my company trying to tell me something?

C30, C60, C90 Go...

The Puzzler has been mentioning tapes recently. Audio cassette tapes. Which got me thinking.

You don't actually see many of the old fashioned cassette tape recorders around these days. Maybe just the odd one or two in older cars. Radio/cassette players usually. Or maybe in old Music Centres or aging ghetto blasters in spare bedrooms where they gather dust as no-one has the heart to throw them away. No, these days digital is all the rage for audio: CDs, MP3 players and the Interwebnet.

Back in my day audio cassette tapes were the bee's knees. They paved the way for the personal stereos like the Walkman. They could be used to record stuff off the radio - the Top Forty usually. They could be used to copy entire albums from friends. Home Taping Is Killing Music. They were versatile little critters. But best of all they could be used to make compilation tapes for parties. Bring some of your tapes, man. If you had a twin tape deck you were cool. Party on like it's 1985.

Casette tapes came in four sizes. Well, lengths really. The only difference between them was simply the length of the iron substrate coated plastic tape coiled around their weedy plastic spindles. The lengths were either 30 minutes (15 minutes each side, oh yes, they were reversible), 60 minutes (30 each side), 90 minutes (45 each side) and 120 minutes (60 each side). Hence C30, C60, C90 and C120.

C30s - they were my favourite. Just the right length for a short compilation tape of maybe 5 songs each side. The C30 never seemed to get tangled up either which was a good thing. The C60s I always thought were the 'wrong' length - you couldn't fit any but the shortest albums on them - LPs rarely were the same length on each side of the vinyl anyway. C90s were much better - actually slightly too long for an album - but you could always repeat your favourite tracks at the end. A bonus. The C120s I hated though. They were so prone to getting mangled up and potentially ruining your tape recorder as well as the tape itself that I dreaded even using them.

Up in the attic I've still got a few cassette tapes. Only a few mind. They are cassette singles of the early ZTT artists. Ah, thank you for the Memorex.

The Worst Logo In The World...

[Thanks to Richard]

Reissue: Don't do anything I might find out about...

"Look at this! 'Humon Resources'. I ask you. 'Humon'! How do they expect to get the job when they can't even address an envelope without making a basic spelling mistake?" So started a rather surreal conversation in Sainsbury's this morning on the way to work. A rather cute in-a-military-kind-of-way security guard had been watching me ever since I first walked in the sliding double doors. He had waited for me to queue up with my chicken hickory Be Good To Yourself instant meal and then without warning just started talking to at me. An envelope in his hand was apparently from a recent job applicant. Quite why he had it or indeed felt the need to show it to me was as yet a mystery.

"You take my sister. I got an e-mail from her yesterday. And you know what? It had sixteen spelling mistakes in it. I counted them. She spelt 'wool' W-U-L." I eyed him suspiciously. He was dressed in the typical gold trimmed brown trousers and jacket that is often the standard apparel of supermarket security personnel. He was quite muscular and had a chiselled jaw. His highly polished black shoes and crisply ironed shirt gave him the appearance of a door-to-door Mormon or a fresh young accountant bright-eyed ready for their first job interview. I smiled and nodded saying nothing - thinking that maybe he would leave it at that. Making no further eye contact I shuffled forward one place in the queue. A queue that now seemed to have slowed to a snail's pace. As I looked straight ahead I mused; maybe he'd been driven mad by the inanity of his job? Perhaps banging on to complete strangers somehow was keeping him in touch with reality. Then he made me jump by whispering almost directly into my ear. I'd not noticed but he had moved closer. Much closer.

"Did you have the strap and the cane at school?” he said. I grimaced and then my eyes darted around nervously wondering whether in fact I was part of some elaborate prank or sting. No one else seemed to be looking at me or smiling in my general direction so I just thought it was me who was overreacting. Maybe he was hitting on me? Had I got the signals wrong from the start? I slowly turned and smiled. What the hell. I'd chance it. And with a nod said, "Yes." Big mistake. Huge.

Without pausing for breath, permission or further responses from me he held up not only me, but the the rest of the queue, with a stream of such wistful pronouncements as, "We had assembly every morning at school, didn't we?” and “We had to say the Lord's Prayer and behave while we said it, didn't we?” Not only was I getting increasingly late for work but was also beginning to feel slightly uneasy. Why was this man talking to me? Didn’t he need any feedback when he spoke? I studied him for a while. He had steely blue eyes and almost perfect tanned skin. His short-cropped dark hair was slightly greying at the sides. His lips where slight but betrayed a permanent smirk. Still he was banging on, “We had to dress smart and look smart. They don't do that anymore, do they?"

After what seemed like an eon I was saved at last by Mohammed on check out number three. "Next please!" I'd finally got an excuse to turn away from my rabid talker. With a single movement the food was scanned, money was in Mohammed's hand, I'd stuffed it into a thin plastic bag and was making for the door. I was free. I'd made my escape. Well, I thought I had. Just as I was heading out throught the doors he called after me, "Don't do anything I might find out about!”

Quite the most surreal trip to Sainsbury's I'd ever had.

Fat Chance...

Magic Numbers out. Goldfrapp in.

Double Dutch...

Oh dear. Google Maps seem to have got Belgium and Holland the wrong way round. Duh!

Goldfrapp Secret Warm-Up Gig...

Last night Paul, Simon and I went to see the wonderful Goldfrapp (check out their fabby new web site) do a 'secret' warm-up gig for their upcoming tour in The Junction in Cambridge.

It was fairly quick to get up there (54 mins on the train from Kings Cross) and the venue itself was new, very well organised and had good lines of sight. Despite, or perhaps because of that, we three stood at the back. We wanted to be near the bar. Natch.

The support act were The Shortwave Set who were OK-ish. A little bit Kirsty, a little bit odd ball. Pleasant enough though. But it was Alison and Will we were here to see. And when they arrived they did not disappoint.

The stage went dark, the music started thumping, the lights exploded into life and there she was; decked in a head-scarf, 70's Abbaesque flares, hair 'til Tuesday and platforms like stilts. The lighting was suddenly blinding. The sound became teeth-shatteringly loud. Goldfrapp had arrived. Think T Rex. Think The Glitter Band. Think Glam Rock.

We were treated to a seventy-five minute set of eye-popping, ear-splitting, mind-blowing versions of Utopia, Train, Strict Machine, Lovely Head, all the hits and more. And we loved it. Couldn't stop smiling. Not enough of the new stuff though - just the new single Ooh La La (get it in the shops now, kids!), No. 1 and Lovely 2 C U. Can't wait to hear more.

As a footnote I have to add that the backing band were great too. The chemistry between them and Alison was really good. I'm really looking forward to seeing them do it all over again in October at the Brixton Academy.

Glam is definitely back.

Queer Aisle For The Straight Guys...

We're sure that most overyourhead readers don't object to gay marriage as long as it doesn't frighten the horses, but we wonder if that liberal sentiment extends to heterosexual same-sex union?

We'll find out soon enough, because Canadians Bill Dalrymple, 56, and chum Bryan Pinn, 65 have decided to tie the knot, the Ottawa Sun reports. Although Pinn is reported as calling the impending nuptials a "hoot", there is good business sense behind the proposal. Pinn adds: "There are significant tax implications that we don't think the (Canadian) government has thought through."

Indeed, the pair want to "shed light on the widespread financial implications of the new [gay marriage] legislation and are willing to take it all the way". Well, not quite all the way, because apparently there will be no consummation of this particular union. The two have, though, checked that there are "no laws in marriage that define sexual preference". Dalrymple and Pinn conclude by saying their upcoming wedding is not intended as a slight to gays and lesbians. However, gay and lesbian rights activist Bruce Walker warned: "Generally speaking, marriage should be for love. People who don't marry for love will find themselves in trouble," although he gamely conceded: "If someone wants to do something foolish, let them do it."

Effing Sunday...

I had a lovely day yesterday with Martin. He introduced me to the Sunday with five F's:
F number one is 'friends'
F number two is 'the Fort'
F number three is... er... (being a family journal I can't tell you what Fs three, four and five are but suffice to say they put a smile on my face.)
OK, OK since you're clever and know how to reveal white text the final three F's are: freesomes, fisting and fucking.

Brighton Pride Pix...

If you want to see pictures of Brighton Pride you could do worse than popping over to Blogadoon's site and taking a gander. Of even to Psyonic's Pridepix - which is shameless linked to in my side bar! :)

No Nurse, I said Prick His Boil...

Die Brain Cells, Die...

It would have been our anniversary today. So I'm all set to bleach my hair and drink excessively. Or is that hair excessively and drink some bleach? I haven't quite decided yet. Either way - brain cells will be killed in their tens of thousands! Hurrah for the single life!

Brighton...

Me, I'm off to Brighton tomorrow for Brighton Pride (on Pride in Brighton and Hove 2005 to give it it's proper name). It's always a giggle. It claims to be the "biggest (and best) Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Trangender Pride Festival in the country" attracting more than 100,000 people. And who am I to contradict them? The plan is to get the 09:55 Brighton train from Kings Cross (well, it is just a plan!) The parade starts on the sea front near the Palace Pier on Maderia Drive at 11am sharp and then trails up to Preston Park for the festival at 2pm. See you on the train going down, in the park, in the cabaret tent for Dame Edna or on the drunken train home!

Trampofoil...

Stuck for something to do this weekend? Why not walk on water with trampofoil?
[Thanks Rog]

Best Film Title Ever...

1,001 Ways to Eat My Jizz, Part 3: Biscuits and Gravy Edition.

Full-scale...

You will need a really big monitor for this.

Sitges For Beginners...

Beach 2pm - 6pm
Parrots Bar 6pm - 8pm
Snooze 8pm - 10pm
Food 10pm - midnight
Bars midnight - 3am
Clubs 3am - 5am
Shagging 5am - 8am
Sleep 8am - noon
Food noon - 2pm

Repeat as necessary.

Six Impossible Things Before Breakfast...

"I can't believe impossible things." said Alice.
"I daresay you haven't had much practice," said the Queen.
"When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."
- Lewis Carroll

Reissue: Hey lady, you lady, cursing at your life...

I've been to Georgia
I've been to California
I took the "hand" of a preacher man (well, he was a vicar and it wasn't just his hand I took)
And we made love in the sun (in a sauna actually but it had a sun lamp)
I've been to Nice (and got mugged thank you very much)
I've been to (the Isle of) Greece (with a girlfriend first and later with a boyfriend - how Grecian)
I've sipped champagne on a yacht (many times, in many places, daarling)
I've moved like Harlow (well I didn't wiggle my hips quite as much) in Monte Carlo (backpacking as it happens)
I've showed 'em what I've got (too many times, too many places)
I've been undressed by kings (well, I've been undressed in Kings, the tacky nightclub in Gran Canaria)
I've seen some things that a woman ain't supposed to see (you'd better believe it!)
I've indeed spent my life exploring subtle whoring (and sometimes not so subtle)
I've even been to Paradise (and Heaven, Bangs and Bolts)
And before you ask, yes, I've been to me. Many times.

Reissue...

At the risk of incurring some ire from long-time readers I've decided to dust off (i.e. republish and in some cases substantially rewrite) a few of my favourite previous musings on overyourhead. These will only make ocassional appearances and be clearly marked with Reissue:. And it'll certainly be well below the 10% that the Beeb puts out.

Robot Cat...

Why not fall in love with a robot cat.

[Thanks Rog]

Tube Notice...

Mary Poppins...

Last night Gordon, Tony and I went to see Mary Poppins The Musical at the Prince Edward Theatre in Old Compton Street.

With smash songs like A Spoonful Of Sugar, Feed The Birds, Chim Chim Cher-ee and the sublime Let's Go Fly A Kite how could it fail? The two show stoppers were the fantastic Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious and roof-top winner Step In Time.

Laura Michelle Kelly as Mary was fabulous. Directors Richard Eyre and Matthew Bourne (who also choreographed) have got it just right. It is an imaginative, energetic and artful production, and no matter your age, by the time Mary floats off the stage with her magical umbrella, you're bound to fly high right along with her.

Mary Poppins is spit spot. And practically perfect in each and every way.

Armed and Dangerous...

I just came out of Highbury & Islington tube station on the way home: seven policemen, three machine guns, a lot of rather nervous passengers. Not sure if it makes me feel safer or not.

A Little Mouse With Clogs On...

I've got a mouse in my house. A friendly little guy who occasionally pops into the kitchen when we're not around. Well it use to be just occasionally. Now he's getting bolder. Coming back when we're in. Hiding behind the bin. Scratching around and making lots of noise. Tap dancing in clogs I'll be bound. And he's becoming a bit of pest. And I want him out. Dead or alive. So does anyone have any suggestion on how to get rid of him?

Get a cat?

Get a mousetrap? (Humane? Vicious spring-loaded? Electrocuting?)

What is good bait? (Cheese? Peanut butter?)

Be Good...

ISP Be is launching a ADSL2 service this Autumn in London. So what? Well..
- it'll be a 24 meg service
- it'll have no caps
- it'll no usage limits
- it'll cost under £30 a month
- it'll come with a free Thomson SpeedTouch 716g wireless router (normally retails £117)

Bye, bye Bulldog.

2CV...

Have a giggle at a great spoof of the Citroen dancing car/robot.

[Thanks Rog]

Windows to Run on Intel Processors...

News just in: Microsoft have announced today at a packed press conference that Windows XP will be ported to work on the Intel range of x86 processors. Microsoft strongly denies that this has anything to do with recent announcement from Apple Computer at their worldwide developers conference.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer was enthusiastic about the move today as he described one of the largest moves in the operating system's history. "We want to show the world that we can innovate just as well as Apple, this is not about copying them, it's just coincidental." He described the process by which developers will be able to make the transition. "Anyone who is using our current set of development tools will be able to recompile for Intel and be working within years"

Microsoft will be offering a developers' transition pack that consists of an Intel Pentium 4 based PC with a prerelease version of "Windows for Intel" for £99,999. Ballmer justified the price tag by stating that developers "who make serious money from Windows" will want to be on this transition early in the development cycle. "And besides, there's a 'Where's Clippy?' colouring book inside every developer pack," said Ballmer.

When Mr. Ballmer was asked from the press gathering whether Bill Gates had been consulted about this "move" he became agitated as he said, "I don't need to consult Bill on every little technical issue!"

Apple has suggested a two-year time frame for their switch to Intel. Microsoft is not so optimistic, they believe that their transition will take 5-7 years due to the plethora of different hardware implementations they must support. "Moving from one processor to another is easy", he said, "Moving from one processor to that same processor, well, that's difficult."

Journey's Friend...

Nightmare journey into work today: Highbury & Islington closed due to over-crowding. Bus up to Holloway Road. Closed (duh!). Bus down to Angel over-crowded. Another bus to Oxford Street and then walked. It took me 90 minutes door to door. It would have been quicker to have walked the whole way. Oh well, I guess this is what life is going to be like for a while.

Never Copped A Feel...

The Michael Jackson defence - in song.

Maybe People Were Harder to Please Back Then...

"20cm-long, 3cm-wide" Feeling inadequate anyone?

Crazy Le Shopping...

Mon Dieu! If any more evidence was needed that I've been going off the rails recently let the following stand as evidence. I've been shoppping. Yes, shopping! Me! And these are some of the things I bought in Paris this weekend; a ton of new clothes, two desktop fans, some cosmetics, a man bag and a new bag to bring it all back in. And I hate shopping. I rest my (suit)case.

Crazy Frog...

Get your revenge on that crazy frog - beat it up.

Suspected Suicide Bomber Shot at Stockwell...

10:40: Police have just shot somebody at Stockwell tube station by armed police. He was believed to be attempting another bombing.
10:51: Apparently the man was shot dead while trying to board an underground train by police in civilian clothes.
11:02: Reports that a police unit was setup to ride the tube undercover. It is widely believed that the shot to head was meant to incapacitate bomber. An air ambulance was on the scene earlier but has now left.
11:25: Witnesses are saying they heard six or seven gun shots as they ran out from the lower platforms at Stockwell.
11:27: The man shot was believed to be one of the suicide bombers from yesterday. Eight or nine undercover armed police officers chased the man as be vaulted the barrier at Stockwell. He ran down the escalator. He apparently stumbled which is when the uncover police revealed themselves shouting for people to keep clear and shot him.
11:38: Eye witnesses say five shots hit the man. "I was sitting on the train reading my paper. I heard a load of noise, people saying, 'Get out, get down'! I saw an Asian guy run onto the train hotly pursued by three plain-clothes police officers. One of them was carrying a black handgun - it looked like an automatic - they pushed him to the floor, bundled on top of him and unloaded five shots into him."

UPDATE: And it wasn't the guy they wanted after all. He was a Brazilian electrician unconnected to the incidents.

The Morning After The Night Before...

Again I'm facing a trip to work on a Friday after a terrorist attack within a few miles from where I work and live. And as I travel in to work a few questions arise: Initial reaction? Inconvenient. Am I nervous? Not really. Am I worried? No. Determined to carry on as normal? Yes. Do I understand the attacks? I think so. Do I understand the bombers? No. Will it happen again? It might. What can I do? Very little. Is this a sustained campaign? I hope not. Will be become a regular part of our lives? I hope not. Do I think the bombers will be caught? Yes. Am I scared? No. Has the latest terrorism 'worked'? No.

Paris Match...

I'm off to Gay Paree this afternoon with Marcus; partly Bona AGM, partly R&R, partly to get out of London. Naturally we're travelling first class Eurostar, daaarling: Marcus's treat. And we've got a suite at the fabulous Saint Merry Paris. While I'm there I hope to do some reading, pick up a flower fan and a bit of light le shopping.

London Explosions...

13:55: Emergency services are attending three different Tube stations in London following a series of 'incidents'. There were unconfirmed reports of some kind of explosion and smoke at Warren Street, Oval and Shepherd's Bush stations. Also of an 'incident' on a bus (number 26) on the corner of Hackney Road and Colombia Road in Hackney, East London.

14:07: It is thought that they were three 'dummy' explosions using detonators which have sparked the evacuation of three Tube stations in London and the closure of three lines - Northern, Victoria and Hammersmith & City. The fourth 'dummy' explosion was the one on the bus.

14:12: The Hackney bus driver heard a bang at around 1.30pm which appeared to come from the upper deck. When he went upstairs to investigate, the windows on the upper deck were blown out. He then evacuated the bus and the police evacuated the surrounding area.

14:15: People told to get off their mobile phones in the affected area due to the possibility of potential unstable devices.

14:17: Reported that armed police gone into UCH hospital near Warren Street tube.

14:25: Passengers on the Victoria line train report that they smelt a burning electrical smell. They all tried to rush into the next carriage. Shortly after the train pulled into Warren Street - and the train and station was then evacuated. There are reports of a man carrying a rucksack which suddenly exploded. It was a minor explosion but enough to blow open his rucksack.

14:41: A witness says that at Oval a man with a rucksack was wrestling with three men and then managed to escape.

15:25: A man was also arrested by armed police at the gates of Downing Street.

Google on the Moon...

Space fans will know that yesterday was the 36th anniversary of the first manned Moon landing on 20th July 1969. To celebrate this rather non-significant fact, Google has knocked up a Moon map showing the landing sites of all six US landings. And in the process, Google has discovered something approaching a sense of humour. Click here and then zoom right in for the full picture.

Google on the Earth...

Google Earth is great fun. "Google Earth combines satellite imagery, maps and the power of Google Search to put the world's geographic information at your fingertips." Bit of a hefty download but lots to see and great fun to see which of your neigbours has a pool.

RTFM...

I've never met a human being who would want to read 17,000 pages of documentation, and if there was, I'd kill him to get him out of the gene pool - Joseph Costello

Film Flicker...

Do you like to flick through the film channels? Or maybe you're not sure what film to watch tonight? Well, try flicking from 12 Angry Men to Zorba The Greek.

The Summer Screen...

Anyone fancy joining me for one or more of these films?

London's big screen under the stars. For five nights this August, FilmFour, the UK's most innovative production company and film channel, joins forces with London's most original outdoor venue, Somerset House, to create a night at the movies like no other.

Cutting edge technology and the splendour of the 18th century courtyard combine for The Summer Screen, an inspired programme of classic films, favourites and special previews. A stunning setting ideal for an urban picnic, with global cuisine and live DJing. Come and dream with your eyes open.

Tuesday 16th Aug - Close Encounters Of The Third Kind
Wednesday 17th Aug - A Matter Of Life And Death
Thursday 18th Aug - Spirited Away
Friday 19th Aug - Flash Gordon
Saturday 20th Aug - Shaun Of The Dead & Land Of The Dead Special Preview

Doors 6.30pm; DJs from 7.30pm; Introduction and Film 9.15pm. Somerset House, Strand, London WC2

Rocky On The Cheap...

Want to be a boxer but can't afford the gym equipment? This French guy has the answer.
[Thanks Kevin]

Viral Chart...

The Viral Chart tracks, monitors and reports the performance of viral advertising campaigns from around the World in a real time on-line Chart.

Leaving The City...

I've left the city for a few days. A few days rest and respite down in Devon. First I'm staying with my very dear friends Tony and Gordon at their glorious pile (Kaywana Hall) in Kingwear just near Dartmouth. And from there I'll be moving on to stay with my equally close friends Christopher and Stuart at their cottage in Slapton. I intend to swim in their pool, read my book and lie in the sun. I really need some downtime.

Two Minute Silence at Noon...

It is expected that millions of people across Europe will join the people of London in a two minute silence, a week after the bombings that killed at least 52 and injured 700. The mayor, Ken Livingstone, has urged London buses and cabs to stop; Tube trains will still run but the silence, at 1200 BST, will be announced. People are being urged to stand outside homes and offices. A vigil will also be held at 1800 BST in Trafalgar Square.

UPDATE at 12:05: Berkeley Square is normally a bustling and noisy place with cars, lorries, cabs and people. But just now it was totally silent. About two thousand people came out of their offices at noon and just stood. In silence. The cabs stopped. The bikes stopped. The noise stopped. Very moving.

Cool Animation...

Fab little animation - can you guess what it's advertising?
[Thanks Rog]

Life's A Beach...

A snap of me on the beach in Sitges a week or two ago. And I was trying to find the Erasure's "Here I Go Impossible Again" if you must know. 

[Picture: Blogadoon]

Brain Teaser Answers...

1. 32 hours. The hole will have 8 times the volume. It would take 12 men 8 times as long to dig it, and 16 times as long for 6 men.

2. The letter U.

Brain Teasers...

1. It takes twelve men two hours to dig a hole two feet long by two feet wide by two feet deep. How long will it take six men to dig a hole twice as long, wide and deep?

2.What occurs once in June, once in July and twice in August?

Sigur Ros...

On Sunday night Kev and I went to see Sigur Ros performing at Somerset House. Those Icelandic good time boys (and girls?) wowed us with their high-kicking quick-fire bubble-gum pop songs... ok, ok... I'm joshing of course... Sigur Ros are better known for their anthemic, mostly untitled, part-Icelandic, part-English 8+ minute tracks that put them fairly and squarely in the realm of prog rockers. Fabulously atmospheric in a perfect setting.

We went down there on Kev's motor bike - me hanging on the back for dear life. Naturally we stopped off at Comptons on the way there and the way back. Well you would, wouldn't you? Great fun.

Full Of Pep...

Well, what a week it's been: Live8, London Olympic bid win, G8, bombs in London, a million poppies over the Mall. So this last weekend should have been time to have a rest. A time to take stock. A time to reflect.

Like hell it was! Flatmate Paul was away, flatmate Drew was away, the brakes were off. Let's get ready to rumble/fumble/tumble!

I'll not bore you with all the gory details here but Bowie had it right with the expression "putting out fire with gasoline". Martin, Frank, Andy, Kevin, Blake, Eric, 8 other people who I didn't catch the names of, an Italian doctor at A&E, Kevin (a different one), Martin (again) and the lovely Clare all had walk on parts in my weekend of overindulgence. But don't get me wrong, I wasn't taking anything dodgy to fuel my weekend of madness - my recipe for excess was a simple one; moderate beer intake, sunny weather, an over-excitable nature and a bucket of adrenaline. Stir and stand well back.

And having got all that out of system I had a great night's sleep last night and am fresh as a daisy today. Go figure. A mad weekend? I must have needed it.

Andy Bell Signs New Record Deal...

This in from the wonderful Erasure Information Service:

Erasure frontman Andy Bell has signed a worldwide solo recording deal with Sanctuary Records, and announced details of his debut album, which will be released on 3rd October 2005, and entitled 'Electric Blue'.

The first single release will be 'Crazy', released on September 26th. The single will come on three formats, with club remixes from Erasure partner Vince Clarke, plus Cicada, MHC and King Roc. It will also feature additional non-album tracks and the video, which is being made by the award-winning Al + Al.

The album features 14 brand new tracks, including two duets, with Claudia Brucken (of Propaganda and Act) and Jake Shears (of Scissor Sisters), and encompasses a variety of musical genres.

'Electric Blue' was co-written and recorded throughout 2004 and 2005 with Manhattan Clique (Philip Larsen & Chris Smith) who have worked with Erasure, Moby, The B-52's, Stereophonics and Goldfrapp in recent months.

Live dates are being planned for late 2005/early 2006, and the trio are also planning a series of PA's and DJ gigs around album release.

As one half of Erasure, Andy Bell has sold in excess of 20 million records worldwide, and chalked up over 30 hit singles. Latest album 'Nightbird' received huge critical acclaim, as did a recent sold-out European and North American tour.

Just Another Day...

It was a bit unnerving to travel through King's Cross station just now on the way to work. But now I'm in work I can reflect a little on my journey home yesterday and the people I saw.

Last night I'd decided to meet up with Drew after work. He had come back into the city via Victoria - a short hop from Green Park where I am - so it made sense that we hook up to go home together. There were obviously no tubes running so it was the pavement for us - along with thousands of others trying to make their way home. Although in fact the buses seemed to be running a reasonable enough service as far as I could tell we still decided to walk. The sun was shining on our city after all.

As I say there were many people at street level but I wouldn't say it was rammed. As many as in a typical rush hour crowd perhaps with a smattering more tourists thrown into the mix. But the thing that was slightly more unusual than normal was that there was precious little traffic on the roads; just the odd taxi, the odd bus and the odd car. I guess most people in vehicles had left the city already or just not wanted to drive in at all.

On a normal day our walk home would have taken perhaps an hour or so. But this was not a normal day. Our city had been bombed. We felt like a drink. A beer or two to steady our nerves. Well, we tried for a beer or two. But our nerve steadying mission was thwarted almost immediately we got to Bar Code. Bar Code was closed. How about Comptons? Comptons was closed. The Admiral Duncan? Also closed. Ho hum. We'd just have to keep going I guess. Maybe a pub in Islington would be more accommodating.

It was an interesting walk home I can tell you.

By the time we'd got to Angel, almost completing our journey, we had come across simply dozens upon dozens of policemen. Granted we'd passed very close to Russell Square en route but even further out from the centre on every street there were uniformed policemen. Some just pounding the beat (always in pairs, mind you). Some in police cars with giant numbers painted on the roofs screeching up and down the roads sirens blaring as if they were playing some giant game of sudoko controlled from the police helicopters in the air. Some policemen were standing at road blocks whispering urgently into walkie-talkies. Some were in police vans looking bored just waiting for that call while others had crowds of map waving tourists around them wanting directions. There were policemen everywhere. The atmosphere was a little weird to put it mildly. Unworldly almost. Like a Police World where the hi-vis jacket was the norm. Where were all these policemen earlier? Where will they go later? They seemed to have appeared from thin air.

The faces of many of the people walking with us as we progressed through the bustling streets of London were hard to read at first. Some seemed to be just trudging home, tired and looking forward to an end of this day of disruption - not really caring much about what was going on but perhaps looking forward to a day off tomorrow. Others looked perhaps a little more concerned. Where were they going? Should they be avoiding the trouble spots? Should they be worried that there may be other bombs?

But the majority were just walking. Walking and talking. Mobiles stuck to ears chatting to friends and family on their mobiles. "Yes, I'm fine. Yes, Mum, I'm fine. No, I don't get that line anymore. I'm fine." This mass of people was gradually making it's way home perhaps only mildly put out that it actually had to use it's collective set of legs for once rather than let public transport take the strain. For all these people it seemed a mere minor inconvenience that four bombs had gone off less than a mile away. Terror wasn't something that happened to them or indeed affected them - it happens over there not here - life goes on in a city - I've got to get home, there's Eastenders to watch - you can't let these things get to you, that's what they would want - it's just part of living in a city. For these people, the majority walking home last night I'd say, terrorism just doesn't work. They were completely unphased by it. Tomorrow will be just another day.

London is under a terrorist attack...

10:15am: We are currently under attack by terrorists. There have been explosions at tube stations and on buses around London - Aldgate, Old Street, King's Cross, Edgware Road, Taverstock Place. The tube network is down, our phones are down, the mobile networks are jammed and reports are coming in of casualties.
10:52am: Another explosion in Taverstock Place. Reports of "the bus ripped open like a can of sardines and bodies everywhere."

10:55am: "At least 90 casualties" at the Aldgate station explosion. Which I guess means injuries and possibly some deaths too.

11:19am: Now confirmed; six reported explosions on the tube - Aldgate, Edgware Road, King's Cross, Moorgate, Old Street and Russell Square stations. Three explosions reported on buses - but only one is confirmed - Taverstock Place.

12:56am: Turns out there were just four confirmed explosions. One on a train between Algate and Liverpool Street tube stations. One on a train between King's Gross and Russell Square tube stations. One at Edgware Road tube station and one on a bus near Woburn Place - thought to be a suicide bomber. A previously unknown group calling itself "Secret Organisation al Qaeda in Europe" have claimed responsibility.

02:27pm: Sky News are reporting that "at least 33 people are reported to have been killed and 1,000 injured"

03:15pm: The first blast hit a train leaving Liverpool Street Station between Moorgate and Aldgate East at 8.51am. Seven people are confirmed dead in that blast. At 8.56am a blast occured on a train between King's Cross and Russell Square killing 21 people. Five people were killed in a blast at Edgware Road Tube station. Three trains are believed to have been hit by this explosion at 9.17am. At 9.47am a number 30 bus at Upper Woburn Place was hit by a fourth blast. Emergency services could not confirm the number of dead in this attack.

My friend Martin was on the King's Cross train but luckily he survived. This is the message he sent me a little while ago:
"hi there - I was on the train at KX that the bomb went off on. i was stuck down there for about 25mins, but then the smoke got so bad that a guy smashed a window in and we managed to squeeze through, I was about the tenth person to escape. Just rested with the police then walked home - wasn't til I got home that I found out it was a bomb - we thought there was an electrical fault so I was home by about 10.30. I was pretty scared, did think about the possibility of not being able to get out. but the carriage next to ours was pitch black so that looked worse. I was a bit panicy but was distracted as I was trying to help this young English girl and Polish woman to calm down. I kept saying to the Polish one that it was OK and things like this happened on the tube etc - but all the Londoners kept staring at me as if to say 'no it doesn't' got pretty dirty, and my lungs hurt a little, but a bath and washed all my clothes so feeling more together."

Which Blogger?...

Which popular blogger invited me round to his gaff last night?
(Such invitations are about as rare as a purple squirrel)
Which same blogger also cooked me dinner?
(Curry if you must know. And delicious it was too. His ability to cook apparently honed on feeding the five thousand every weekend in Norfolk)
Which same blogger showed me his wedding snaps and recent holiday snaps?
(Quite an eye for composition if a slight obsession with flowers)
Which same blogger also showed me his favourite comedy subtitles from porn films?
(Oh yes he did)
Which same blogger then treated me to a mini breakneck bus tour of East London followed by a pint at the George and Dragon?
(You really should charge, m'dear)
Which same blogger listened to me bang on about my personal woes with appropriate nods and comments that not only implied he was hearing but actually listening too?
(With precious few outward signs of boredom)
Which same blogger gets oodles of brownie points for being a friend and laying on a great evening?
(Let's do it again soon)

Merde...

Thanks to all the people who sent me this:

London Beat Paris to the 2012 Olympic Games...

Just a few moments ago London won a two-way fight with Paris by 54 votes to 50 at the IOC meeting in Singapore after Moscow, New York and Madrid were knocked out. Fantastic news.

No Doubt...

Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt - Abraham Lincoln

Twenty20 Cricket...

Drew, a load of his friends, I and 20,092 other people headed off to watch Surrey take on Kent in the Twenty20 series at the Brit Oval last Friday night. In Twenty20 matches each side has just one innings per side, each innings limited to a maximum of (theoretically) 20 overs. The first innings starts at 5.30pm, the interval at 6.45pm and the second innings ends by 8.15pm. So it perfectly suits popping along after work for a couple of hours of fun in the sun. Only it wasn't particularly sunny it has to be said. It rained. Quite a lot. So much so that we retired to the pub for a while. Still, when play resumed Surrey 167-6 (15 overs) beat Kent 144-8 (15 overs) by 23 runs maintaining their position at the top of the South Division.

Clutching At Spanners...

Kath and Kim fans come in all shapes and sizes - why there are 'little' fans like my friend Ben who might watch an occasional episode and smile here and there. "All very amusing", he'll say. And then there are big fans like me, Andy, Guy, most UK TV critics and the entire population of Australia who watch it at every opportunity usually with fine wine spouting out of our noses as we laugh, giggle, guffaw, snort, roll and/or roar at every gag.

But a new breed of Kath and Kim fan has recently been brought to my attention (yes, I'm talking about YOU Jennifer and Lucy!). These fans are so big that they leave we mere 'big' fans for dust. These new super-sized fans find that Kath and Kim consume their every waking moment. They are a type of uber-fan. A fan so dedicated that they design, develop and publish their own jaw-dropping Kath and Kim web site.

Yes, let me urge you to visit: Clutching At Spanners. Not least because it features a Kath And Kim Drinking Game (from an original concept by overyourhead) but also so you can just marvel at what can be achieved when you're a fan(atic) and have loads of time on your hands. Well done girls!

Gay Pride...

Today is Gay Pride in London. And I along with (so the BBC expects) more than 30,000 people will be taking to the streets of London for the annual Gay Pride festival and parade. Taking time out from fronting Live8 Bob Geldof is kicking-off Pride march in Park Lane. Good for him. The march will go past Trafalgar Square where there will be a rally with the usual politicos. There will also be a cabaret in Leicester Square. Should be a right old giggle. Can't wait.

Gay Shame...

And later tonight I'm off to an evening of Gay Shame at the Coronet. It's Duckie's annual event that promises A Gay Grand Guinoil, A Homosexual Horror Show and A Funeral for Fag Fundamentalists (starring our own, our very own Kiki & Herb). It'll be the usual heady and bold mix of "clubbing and contemporary theatre in a visual and musical fantasia that is part Death Camp and part the Death of Camp."

We are urged to "wear black, look down and help put gay liberation back by 50 years. Hear confessions, explore obsessions and submit to depressions. Featuring Old Fashioned Illusions, Faggot Film Noir, Bad Porn, Public Health Warnings, Pathetic Peepshows, and 10 Spectacular Murders. This event is for Sad Old Queens, Lonely Lesbians, Closet Cases, Bitter Bull Dykes, Men who have sex with Men, and their Friends and their Fans."

As with all Duckie events - it'll be hilarious. Can't wait either.

Places I've Been...

The countries in red are the places I've been to. 30 countries in all which is only about 13% of the total. Note to self: book more holidays.


Why not create your own visited countries map?

Spot the difference...

Can you spot the difference between these two photographs? You need to look really closely/carefully.
[Thanks: A Little Brainteaser]

Sitges Bulletin 2...

It´s my last day in Sitges and I intend to make full use of it. So I´m off to the beach to over do it and perhaps pick up that sunburn I´ve managed to so skillfully avoid thus far.

Sitges has been fun this time around. Why? Well, it´s been great spending more time with Simon. I do like Simon and he is a funny guy. It´s also been nice to get to know Jeremy that much better (and boy did we had lots to talk about!) I guess I´m beginning to feel better about life in general too which is something I´m pleased about. The sun does that I suppose - make life seem that much brighter.

It´s also been great getting to know Pete and Craig too. And Matthew and Richard, of course. I´d not really spent much time with them before this trip. Not forgetting other partners in crime: David, Roberto, Pano, Ian, Andy, Kevin, Alistair, Tomas, Stefan, Gary, Paul, Gary no 2, Jonathan, Fabio, John, Ray, Paul no 2, Simon, Nick, Mark (I could go on...)

Viva Espana.

TV On The Internet...

Currently Telewest are trialling webcast TV - and at the moment it's free for everyone. Yay! At the moment there are just four channels which includes content such as entertainment, films and sports. Maybe not earth shattering but good proof of concept I guess.

Poverty vs Poofs...

I have it on very good authourity that as Live8 and Gay Pride are on the same day (2nd July) in London and both events start or take place in or near Hyde Park that Live8 tried to get Pride stopped. The quote I heard was, "What's more important? Solving poverty or a bunch of drag queens waving rainbow-flags?" Hmmm. Good point. But room for both, surely?

Boys Beware...

"What Jimmy didn't know was that Ralph was sick, a sickness of the mind known as homosexuality." It's hard to believe this 1950s public information film was actually meant for real. The whole premise is so demented it just reads like comedy.

Richard Whiteley RIP...

PNEUMONIA is a nine letter word.

Sitges Bulletin...

Having a great time in Sitges. Falling into a bit of a routine too. Al Fresco Cafe for brunch at 1, nudist beach at 3, Parrots at 6, dinner at 10, XXL/Bear Bar/B Side/Man Bar/Mediterraneo/Trailer/Organic for the rest of the night. Marvellous. Not exactly restful but fun all the same. (Especially loving the foam parties)

Sitges...

Overyourhead is off on it's holidays (again) from today for a week: Sitges (http://www.gayinsitges.com). If I don't get a chance to do any posting... back soon!

Make Bono History...

I'm not quite sure what to make of this.

"Although worthy causes like the makepovertyhistory campaigns tackle the big issues head on, we think it’s time that the powers that be paid a bit more attention to some of the, well, more petty issues that tax the average man on the street. Take Bono, for example. Last time we looked, no-one was planning to storm the streets of Edinburgh to demand an end to didactic Irish frontmen. But think of the untold suffering that Bono – and other celebrities like him - have caused the world over the years. It’s enough to make a stone weep… get your makebonohistory t-shirt."

Justin Bond And The Freudian Slippers...

Paul, Drew, Marcus and I went to see the marvelous Justin Bond with his backing band The Freudian Slippers at the Soho Theatre last night. Partial thanks must go to Favourpill for some free tickets.

Justin (the Kiki of Kiki and Herb) is an amazing vocalist - calling him distinctive doesn't really do him justice. His impressive range, his throaty "I've been chain-smoking since the tender age of two" rasp and his sheer power of projection is enough to keep any audience transfixed.

As is his trademark he managed to weave random stories into his singing that both shocked and tickled in equal measure: Salome wants to be baptised in John The Baptist's blood and cum, Justin's dress is from a hippy Goat Shop, only the committed really know the meaning of the word commitment. We were taken on a journey back to the sixties, to free love, on to prostitution, to drug use and despair. We were shown glamour and squalor. Torch and chintz.

The set started with the Sex Pistols' Anarchy In The UK and moved from jazz, folk and tranny pop through to Joy Division's Heart & Soul and finally a Bossa Nova of Shannon's Let The Music Play "We started dancing and love put us into a groove, as soon as we started to move." the virtually full house was transfixed thorughout. A triumph.

Third series of Doctor Who...

I thought the final episode of Dr Who on Saturday was amazing: well written, incredibly exciting, a Dalek invasion, lots of death, a big old gay kiss and, of course, that regeneration. Perfect.

And more good news: the BBC confirmed last week that a third series of Doctor Who - plus a second Christmas special - has been commissioned. So that's another 28 episodes at least. Filming of the first Christmas special and second series with Casanova star David Tennant, Eccleston's replacement and the tenth Doctor, is due to begin in July. Jane Tranter, BBC Controller of Drama Commissioning, said that Billie Piper, who plays the Doctor's companion Rose Tyler, will feature in every episode of series two, contrary to earlier reports. Cool.

My Hot Weekend...

It was 32 degrees in London but that didn't seem to slow me down.

Saturday was Matthew and Richard's London Partnership Registration and reception at the Grange Hotel Holborn - 400 guests were fed and watered everyone seemed to enjoy themselves immensely. Well done, boys!

Mid-evening Stuart and I headed off to Martin's 40th party at Vic Naylor's Bar in St John's Street. Martin's ex, Paul, had prepared an amazing array of puzzles, toys, games and events all based on Martin's life. Everyone came in fancy dress too. Great fun. Especially the giant swan. He seemed to like my present too.

On Sunday Drew moved in and we took loads of stuff to the dump to clear the decks and Martin popped over to tell me how much he liked his present but wasn't sure how to plug it in. Oops.

Sunday night we went to see Ellen Greene...

Ellen Greene...

Last night Paul and I went to see Ellen Greene perform her Torch show at the New Players Theatre. She has performed this nightclub act all over the world and finally was making it to London. Lucky London, I say.

Ellen Greene is perhaps most famous for portraying Audrey in the 1986 cult classic Little Shop Of Horrors including her show stopping songs Somewhere That's Green and Suddenly, Seymour both penned by the wonderful Howard Ashman and Alan Menken.

Last night's performance demonstrated Ellen's experience as a stage performer. She simply shone as she treated us to a diverse selection of music, ranging from jazz classics to more recent pop: Kate Bush, Tori Amos and Queen were just some of the artists that Ellen covered. She was funny, energetic and disarmingly vulnerable. Her unique vocal style was engaging at least, brilliant at best and her emotional range meant our hearts were singing one minute, breaking the next.

Go see. On until the 27th June.

Brain Teaser Answers...

1. The answer is 41 and 43. The numbers are made up of the number of days in the month plus the number of the month itself January 31+1 = 32, February 28+2 = 30, March 31+3 = 34, and so on.

2. A decimal point

Death Of A Salesman...

Drew treated Emma, James and myself to a night at the theatre last night. That's Theatre with a capital T, darling. He took us to see Arthur Miller's Death Of A Salesman at the Lyric Theatre in London glitzy West End.

Death of a Salesman is one of Miller's most famous plays and won the Pulitzer Prize in 1949. Willy Loman is an aging salesman who has worked hard throughout his career, but all his aspirations for himself and his family seem to have failed. He begins to lose his grip on reality leading to tragedy.

Great production and moving performances (especially by the fabulous Brian Dennehy as Willy, Claire Higgins as the wife and rather excellent Douglas Henshall as golden-boy Biff).

It's a long play - three hours - but quite gripping. Shame the theatre was so hot though.

An unintentionally funny moment was in the last dying (literally) moments of the play as Willy's wife finally breaks down and weeps over Willy's grave after he has committed suicide. "We're free. Free. We're Free Willy. Free". Fnah. We had a whale of a time.

Brain Teasers...

1. Complete the following series:
32, 30, 34, 34, 36, 36, 38, 39, 39, 41, ??, ??

2. What mathematical symbol can you put between 2 and 3 to make a number greater than 2, but less than 3?

You're A Winner, Baby...

The rather fabulous Flavourpill were running a competition in this week's missive about Justin Bond and the Freudian Slippers show starting next week at the Soho Theatre: "Performing as Kiki, which early-'80s power ballad became Bond's torch song?" I sent off my best guess (OK easy enough if you're a fan) and hey presto!

From: flavourpill.net
Sent: 15 June 2005 17:08
To: Jonathan
Subject: YOU WON A FLAVOURPILL CONTEST!!!
Congratulations Jonathan! You won a PAIR of tickets to Justin Bond and the Freudian Slippers, Mon 20 June (7:30pm) at The Soho Theatre. I'll send a confirmation to print out and bring.
Thanks.
======
flavourpill - cultural stimuli
london.flavourpill.net

Dalek Found Safe And Well...

Looks like that stolen Dalek has been recovered from Glastonbury Tor following its theft from a Somerset tourist attraction last week.

I Put A Spell On You...

I love the Belgians. Why? Because they have a cunning misspelt ID card plan. The new Belgian electronic ID card contains typos introduced purposely to confound potential fraudsters. To trick fraudsters, the Belgian Government has introduced three circular arcs on the card - just beneath the identity photos - where you will find the name of the country in the official languages spoken in Belgium - French, Dutch and German, as well as in English. But instead of 'Belgien' in German, the ID card incorrectly uses the name 'Belgine' and instead of 'Belgium' in English, the card reads 'Belguim'. Apparently other errors will be printed on the card to "further confuse fraudsters". With any luck, these will not be revealed. Yay! Mis-smellers of the world untie!

Michael Jackson cleared of child abuse...

Michael Jackson moonwalks free. "We expected some better evidence, something more convincing - but it just wasn't there" - Jury member.

The Incredible Machine...

I've always loved playing The Incredible Machine - and here's an online version.

My Weekend...

I had a nice little weekend. The Morrissey bash on Friday was great fun - highlights were loads of gladioli hanging from the ceiling, Justin Bond singing I Know It's Over and finding out that Panic was written in response to DJ Steve Wright playing I'm Your Man immediately after a news report of the Chernobyl disaster. What more could one want? Fun and informative.

On Saturday it was my nephew Angus's annual birthday BBQ. Simon and Dawn were in fine form and it was great to see all the family as ever. Afterwards I popped over to see Jo and Martin's new extension and came away the proud possessor of four freshly laid hen and bantam eggs that I had for breakfast Sunday - Mmmm, delicious!

Sunday afternoon I popped in to see the gorgeous David's new gaff in South Lambeth Road and then on to a little soiree hosted by the super-sexy Darren and Jim. It was all very nice and very civilized - well, initially anyway! Nice to catch up with Rachel too.

I rounded off the evening with a trip to Horse Meat Disco and caught up with the ever-lovely (and could that be freshly gym-buffed?) David and Roberto and listen with some intrigue to Ian's latest shenanigans.

Gone 2 The Dogs...

Sweet game on this film web site.
[Thanks Charlie]

Panic On The Streets Of London...

Tonight is the first of the London Readers Wifes Holy Trinity starring Justin Bond, Tina C., Nathan Evans, The Puppini Sisters and many, many more. Hosted by Miss Amy Lamé, the Un-Official Stephen Patrick Morrissey Fan Club Convention promises talkaoke, puppetry, poetry, karaoke, contemporary dance, visceral video vox-poncery, hairdressing and some brilliant pop song performances. The festivities will commence at 9pm at The Coronet right next to the Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre. Come! It'll be a scream. Next up Bowie and then Bush.

Brian Eno: Another Day On Earth...

Brian Eno's new album is out June 13th. Yay! Gotta love the man who brought us ambinet music and worked with Talking Heads, U2 and James.
Eno's song-writing, his typically concise analysis of the problems that most song-writers face, and the methods he employs to solve these problems reveal the unique nature of his approach to this particular art: 'Song-writing is now actually the most difficult challenge in music. It's very easy to make music now but lyrics are really the last very hard problem in music. What I think lyrics have to do is engage a certain part of your brain in a sort of search activity so your brain wants to say 'here are some provocative clues as to what this song might be about'. They don't have to be explicit... in fact for me they certainly shouldn't be explicit'.
And here's the track listing:
1 This 3:33
2 And Then So Clear 5:49
3 A Long Way Down 2:40
4 Going Unconscious 4:22
5 Caught Between 4:25
6 Passing Over 4:25
7 How Many Worlds 4:47
8 Bottomliners 3:59
9 Just Another Day 4:21
10 Under 5:19
11 Bone Bomb 3:09

Erasure New Single

Why not listen to clips from the fantastic new double-A side Erasure single Here I Go Impossible Again / All This Time Still Falling Out Of Love out 20th June?

Bad Wolf...

If you've been paying close attention to Dr Who you might have seen references to Bad Wolf in recent episodes.... check out the clues, the revelations, the theories and the Dr Who site itself. You might even want to contribute to the Bad Wolf forum.

Big Brother 6: The Grim Sleeper...

They're all up for the chop this week. Got a scythe, anyone?

Anne Bancroft is dead...

I used to love Anne Bancroft who sadly died recently. Yes, she was great in The Graduate and other worthier work but secretly I loved her most in husband Mel Brooks's To Be Or Not To Be. Hilarious.

You've Slovene one, you're Slovene them all....

Last Tuesday Drew and I headed off to 'London' Stansted Airport at the crack of noon. We were Slovenia-bound for our quick fire trip around the Balkans. We parked in the long-term car park and took the Pink Elephant transfer bus to the terminal; £7-20 a day thank you very much - and that was the cheapest rate. The flight was smooth and we arrived at Ljubljana in glorious sunshine - weather that was to follow us around for the next five days.

What a beautiful country Slovenia is; handsome cities, lovely countryside and lots to do. We visited mountains and lakes, castles and monasteries, caves and beaches. We even went up a cable car that was a mile higher at the top than at the bottom - yes, a mile.

We stayed in a lovely hotel - the Grand Hotel Union Executive - a stone's throw from the river. Perhaps not quite the five stars it advertised but certainly four and a half. The river runs through the centre of Ljubljana spanned by picturesque bridges, river-side restaurants and bars. It was quite delightful to walk through this old part of town on the warm evenings and take in a beer and do some people watching. The Slovenians are a handsome bunch and Drew and I we happy just to admire the view. Or wiew (sic) as one ad sign said.

In the evening we met up with Goran and Marco (hi guys!) for beers, a bit of friendly chatting and some invaluable tourist advice.

On Wednesday we headed up to Lake Bled - world famous for it's scenery - and then on to the far end of Lake Bohinj for the head spinning cable car ride up the Vogel. I bricked it. We headed back into town to see the Ljubljana Castle, climb the tower and sent pictures by e-mail back to friends and family. In the evening we went to Pri Skofu for eats and then more beers with the boys.

On Thursday we headed down to the world famous Postojna Caves, carved out by the River Pivka over the centuries. There is an electric train which took us 5km into the caves but the untraversable and most breath-taking part we saw on foot. In the caves there are marvellous stalactites and stalagmites, which must place these caves amongst the most beautiful in the world.

Later in the afternoon we crossed the border into Croatia and headed for the coast. Eventually we stopped at the Millennium Hotel in Opatija. Now Croatia is worlds apart from Slovenia - the infrastructure is dreadful out of the cities and it is definitely a work in progress. Having said that, the seaside resorts are very well developed - having been a much sort after tourist destination for hundred's of years. It reminded me a bit of Brighton or Nice.

On Friday we drove to Zagreb and stayed at the fabulous Regent Esplanade Hotel - a truly well deserved five stars; chilled champagne when we arrived, heated marble floor in the bathroom and staff who could just not do enough for us. It was heaven. The city itself was interesting and defo somewhere I'd like to go back and explore.

On Saturday we drove out of Croatia and back into Slovenia. En route back to Ljubljana we stopped off at the Cistercian Sticna Monastery. It just so happened there was a festival on and if I didn’t know better I'd have said they were worshipping the sun! Beautiful place though and a real find.

Continuing our journey we legged it back to the capital for a relaxing sauna (me) / walk through the Old Town (Drew) and then dinner by the river. Goran and Marco joined us once again for beers at Lan (?) and then a night-cap or three at Tiffany - tucked away in Metelkova, a sort of artists area where a few bars, discos and clubs come alive after dark in broken down barracks abandoned in the 1990’s by the disappearing Yugoslavian army. Tiffany bar was a rough as anything but great fun. The music was 'dance' with little 'd' with Slovenian and Croatian pop thrown in for good measure. We showed them some moves.

Sunday we crawled out of bed severely hung over and to the airport ready for our trip home. Great holiday. great holiday destination.

Big Brother...

We know how you like your pizza. No, we really know how you like your pizza.
[Thanks Rog]

Petals Around The Rose...

An old chestnut but fun all the same - Petals Around The Rose.

Slovenia and Croatia...

Overyourhead is off on it's holidays from today for a week: Slovenia and Croatia. I may not get a chance to do any posting so back soon.

Nancy Boy...

On Saturday Drew and I went to see Nancy Cartwright's one woman show, "My Life as a 10-Year-Old Boy," at the Riverside Theatres in Hammersmith. As I'm sure you know Nancy is really a 'boy' - Bart Simpson.



It was quite a good show - with lots of suitably amusing anecdotes - ruined only slightly by the fact that... I was dragged up on stage and forced to take part in the trivia quiz!



For my pains (and imperfect knowledge of Bart's middle name) I won a Bart Simpson key ring - given to me by Bart Simpson him/herself! Yay!