the city 30 October 2008
The things you learn…I was filming a piece of satire about the economic crisis today and before we got on camera we were discussing matters financial. We wondered where the gold ingots propping up the country were and how many are left, because some of them were sold off a while back, I seem to remember. They are housed in the vaults of the Bank of England, of course. Now, seems the B of E was mooted for a move to The City some time ago, specifically the Canary Wharf region of the Docklands, where a lot of banks and financial businesses are based. But this was abandoned as an idea because architects said the foundations would sink under the weight of the gold as the reclaimed land is unstable. So there you have it – unstable in a physical as well as metaphorical way. All we need to know, really…
As to the continuing fallout from Manuelgate – I can’t help thinking that if the whole thing had actually been FUNNY there might have been less comment. And certain people might still be in jobs. But as bad as it all was, and inexcusable, there is a taint of trial by tabloid about the whole episode that makes me deeply uneasy…
And as for some of your suggestions that I be the next Timelord – I LIKE HOW YOU’RE THINKING
manuelgate 29 October 2008
For those of you on the ‘other’ side of the pond who might not know, there’s a huge showbiz scandal here involving two very highly paid BBC presenters who made inappropriate and tasteless calls to the, now elderly, actor who plays Manuel in the sit-com FAWLTY TOWERS about his granddaughter, who is a glamour model and burlesque performer. So, Jonathan Ross and Russell BRand, for it was they, are the subject of nearly 20,000 complaints and have been suspended. Both apologised and tonight Brand resigned. What I can’t believe is that the show in question was pre-recorded yet still it was decided to broadcast it. Then again, although what they did was crass and unacceptable, it wouldn’t normally have created such a ballyhoo, I don’t think. Reason? I think the nation is TOTALLY cheesed off and not in the mood for pranks and japes, especially from very well paid pundits. People are depressed and angry about this recession we’re in, possibly worried too. They’re fractious. On top of that, David Tenant announced tonight that he’s to step down as Dr Who, and he has been one of the most popular Doctors ever. Having taken all of these events into consideration, strikes me that Russell Brand did very well in his movie acting debut recently and he is currently jobless…so I’ll count the hours before some genius suggests he’d be a great replacement for that famous BBC flagship programme – you KNOW it’s only a matter of time…
shows 28 October 2008
Went to a theatre show tonight that I liked more than the others in my company – or was more tolerant of it, is probably a better way of putting it. Anyhow, we got to discussing things we’ve been to, or others have been, and their experiences and she related a great story that she heard Bill Bailey tell. He was at a Whitney Houston concert and there was a big delay before she came on – an hour, actually. Eventually she sashayed on and crooned into the mike ‘hi, I love you all’ and the huge man beside Bill simply said ‘sing, bitch!’
In reference to the RETRO stuff from yesterday – let’s remember all the BAD shaggy perms while we’re at it…I still shiver, I have a feeling…Impulse, anyone?
retro 27 October 2008
I was wondering about the durability of things retro today. It came from wondering if M&S chicken liver pate has changed since it first hit shelves in 19blahblah? The packaging is certainly rejigged but I couldn’t quite decide about the product* We all know that clothes/fashion will come back into favour (except for enormous shoulder pads, probably, hopefully). My Dad didn’t change his hairdo for the last 50 years of his life and it never dated – suited him too so that was a relief! I think it must all boil down to the rule of any discipline – like, apparently, there are only 7 jokes in the world and similarly you hear there are only 7 plots for plays or films, and 7 basic riffs in music. (Dunno, as 7 is one of those numbers that ‘turns up’ like the lucky/unlucky number/rule of 3). A good prawn cocktail is always good, 80s or not but a Vesta curry (just add water) is perhaps not.
I’m of an age now where I am likely to be classed ‘vintage’ – in fact I saw a great trackie bottoms once that said that across the ass and should have bought ‘em but didn’t (LIKE AN IDIOT – I should’ve…I’d‘ve looked awful in them, sure, but the sentiment was totally great and the distasteful appearance could have been both fabulous and disgusting in all the right and wrong ways) However, I don’t think that ‘retro’ badge is gonna work it for me as the slide takes over completely. Ah well…
*Actually, I think, for the record, that the CLP from M&S ain’t as good as it used to be OR is it that I have become IMPOSSIBLY sophisticated?! (eh, not)
galtymore 26 October 2008
Anyone Irish living in London will be familiar with the Galtymore Ballroom in ‘County’ Kilburn. It was like a little bit of 1960s Ireland in the UK and was the venue for many odd but great nights out. Sadly, it is now demolished. BUT there is a chance that I will be able to have a bit of it in my Dublin home. Turns out my builder’s brother was involved in the demolition and he knows where we can get some of the Galtymore floor. Richard and myself are beyond excited by this idea and that the venue might live on a little with us. Now it’s just a case of deciding where to put it.
Had far too good a night with some friends and suspected it would involve lashings of wine so tried to do this blog before I left last night BUT the internet had other ideas. Sure enough when I got home I was only fit for crawling into bed…hence the delay in wrestling this out of me. I know those same ‘friends’ will read this and I say to them HOW CAN YOU CALL YOURSELVES FRIENDS WHEN YOU HAVE ALLOWED ME TO GET INTO THIS STATE!
I am finishing the corrections to the typeset of the novel today and am appalled by the amount of mistakes – some are real howlers. The hangover ain’t helping and I must keep things in perspective and not feel that the whole thing is ruined by those same mistakes, but it’s hard. Still, I have enjoyed reading some sections very much. I wonder when I will go through it again. There comes a time when you move on and never properly read a book again, simply bits at events. This may be that time now for me and MISSING YOU ALREADY – an odd idea and a little emotional.
grey 24 October 2008
You all know that I rail against the decrepitude that goes with getting older. But mostly it’s the sagging that I object to – gravity PULLING your bits to the ground, dragging you into the grave, really. I hate the look of disappointment the face gets when gravity is forcing it south. There are some things I don’t mind, though, genuinely. Wrinkles are one of those. I have had lines across my forehead since I was a kid – frowning from wonder and not from being cross I hasten to add. I usually have a fringe to cover those as they are quite extreme. Nice system – the wonder lines but also a bit of natural curtain to cover them. I’d prefer if they weren’t as deep as they are, but , hey get over it. And the fringe is good for deflecting some of the stickyouty nose bit too. The other thing I thought I would mind more is going grey. And I still might, as I have only the suspicion of a few grey strands around the sides of the face but nothing too bad, if they are there at all and not just my imagination. Both of my brothers have some grey and I think it suits them. Distinguished, almost. I am hoping for the same for myself. I saw Rosanne Barr on tv tonight and she looks great since she let the locks go naturally grey – in fact, if anything, it takes years off her. I am wondering if grey ain’t nature’s version of highlights, actually? When you think about it…
irony 23 October 2008
I made the voiceover session with time to spare but it could have been so different. Dublin was (still is) very windy today, and gusty with it which is a cranky lad, so the airport was cautious about the number of flights coming and going and how close together they were which is why our flight was late in and out of Gatwick. When we landed in Dublin rain had joined its cousin the wind and the weather was vile enough. The captain then came on the address system to praise the first officer (Gareth Davies) who had landed the plane because the 3 in front of us were unable to do so and were diverted. Well done Gareth – he got a round of applause. The greatest irony of the day was that the session I recorded was a pitch for…a ferry company…yep, that would be boats, and me nearly missing it through planes, which would indeed have been a possible campaign in itself for the ferry company.
The recording studio – Beacon – has had a fish tank installed and they are getting 2 seahorses soon to join the other fishes in there. I was most interested in that as there were seahorses in the creme de la mer concession aquarium in Dublin Airport for a while, then they simply disappeared. I had worried about their safety and feared them dead. More likely is that they were removed because they won’t eat the same flake food as the other fishy inmates. They need shrimp. So Beacon has a supply in the freezer and are ready to welcome them into the fold. Can’t wait – they are a beauty of a animal, or creature, or watery beast, or whatever they should be classified as.
A thought – as the G cat sat, purring for Ireland, upon me tonight it occurred to me that if humans could purr that would be great intercostal exercise – we’d be lovely and slim if we had that facility.
calm 23 October 2008
Calm, calm, I shall remain OH SO CALM. I am sitting in Gatwick, which is a nightmare airport at the best of times, and I am early for my 12.55 flight to Dublin but foolishly so, really, as it’s delayed to 13.20…so far…I do actually have an interest in getting to Dublin as quickly as possible as I have a voiceover session at 4…calm, calm…I shall remain OH SO CALM…
fraud 22 October 2008
I might as well tell ye all about the fraud that the site itself didn’t want me to talk about last night. Anyhow, as you already know, an elderly relative appears to have gone to Thailand for the weekend recently and bought a high spec digital tv on her credit card – an unnecessarily long way to go and a very short stay. Anyhow, she denies this and the matter is with the relevant authorities now. We were giggling on the phone about it yesterday when she reminded me that she has actually, strictly speaking, committed fraud once before. When her husband died, suddenly, she used his credit card in the weeks afterwards for anything she needed as she didn’t have one of her own at the time. When the company stopped the card she paid up all that she owed and got her own card. She did remark at the time, mind you, that they were ever so slightly reluctant to let her do so, and she always had the notion that they were thinking about ‘making an example’ of her. Now she’s wondering if they have dredged up this sordid, criminal past of hers and are wondering all over again if she’s a wrong ‘un…
2 things 21 October 2008
i did write a thing earlier about a relative’s fraud BUT the site CHOSE not to print it – i will keep it 4 tomorrow – it was the first of the 2 things mentioned in the blog titles….what the hell is going on with technology deciding what i would like to publish?!?!? more anon – though it will never be as interesting as it might have been…