Happy Christmas...

Happy Christmas
Happy Christmas
Happy Christmas
Happy Christmas
Happy Christmas
Happy Christmas

Essex Xmas Party...

We had a super Essex Xmas party on Saturday at the Romford and Gidea Park Rugby Club. Dave was our new Santa Claus. Grumpy Santa had a year off. Enter stage left Overacting Santa. Ho ho ho.

Doctor Who: The Day Of The Doctor...

Stuart and I saw the 50th anniversary Doctor Who: The Day Of The Doctor at the Southend Odeon Cinema.

It was in 3D and a made sure there was no chitting-chatting going on around us. The broadcast was almost live - there was a delay while Strax told us all to shut up and Matt Smith showed us all how to put on our 3D glasses.

The show was great though. exciting, thrilling, lots of stuff for fans and casual viewers alike and uber pleasing to see David Tennant, Billie Piper, Tom Baker's returns. What with the Night Of The Doctor that's two regenerations in one week. And the third at Christmas. Stephen Moffat you're spoiling us.

Holiday Entitlement...

An American friend asked me recently how much annual holiday I was entitled to each year at work. He was moaning he got just two weeks leave so couldn't come over to see me. So that's 10 days off a year (apart from national holidays.) Gosh!

I rather sheepishly had to admit we did rather better than that for holidays so maybe Stuart and I should come and see him instead. He pressed me for a more exact answer. I still didn't want to tell him. "You Europeans(?), you're are always on vacation. What is it 20 days? Something nuts? 25?!"

So I had to confess to him:- in 2013 I took 29 days holiday, still have 15 days holiday left over and as I work a 9-day fortnight had taken every other Friday off (an extra 26 days) on top of all that. So that's 55 days off and 15 to carry over. 70 days total.

He went very quiet. Then said, "Jees! No wonder your British economy is down the crapper!"

Doctor Who: The Time of The Doctor...

The Doctor Who Christmas episode will air at 7:30pm on Dec 25th 2013. Called The Time of The Doctor it will see Matt Smith regenerate into Peter Capaldi.
"Orbiting a quiet backwater planet, the massed forces of the universe's deadliest species gather, drawn to a mysterious message that echoes out to the stars. And amongst them - the Doctor. Rescuing Clara from a family Christmas dinner, the Time Lord and his best friend must learn what this enigmatic signal means for his own fate and that of the universe."

Got The Builders In

Some days I just wish all this building work was over. Fresh layers of dust and grim everyday (sigh).

It's been over a year so far but I suppose I've started so I'll finish. It's all self-inflicted pain of course so I should deserve little sympathy. Besides, I've got the grit between my teeth now. Literally!

Mind you, what you see here is just one room. You should see the others! Ha ha.

I asked the builder yesterday as a joke, "will it be finished by Christmas?" He said "Oh, yes." But thinking about it now - he didn't say which year!

Christmas @ West Lodge...

Last Sunday Stu and I went over to West Lodge in Upminster to have Christmas lunch with all the Essex gang. Once again Grumpy Santa made an appearance - much to everyone's joy.

Ronnie Spector...

Last night Stu, Darren and I went to see the wonderful Ronnie Spector at the Jazz Cafe in glitzy Camden Town.

Touring to promote her new Christmas EP, "Ronnie Spector's Best Christmas Ever"  RS also performed all her hits including Be My Baby, Baby I Love You, Paradise and Walking In The Rain.

She was full of energy and sang like an angel in her tight black dress with boobs 'til Tuesday.

The encore saw her change into her Sanata outfit which had the crowd dancing and singing along. Christmas is Ronnie Spector.