I went to see the film "Killers" tonight. I heard a review on the radio a few weeks ago that had put me off as it got 0/5, but there was little else showing at the cinema that I hadn't seen already.


Much to my surprise I really enjoyed it. It's what I call a 'winter Sunday afternoon' film, easy on the eye and the brain!

01.07.10

As the weather was so nice we set off for White Horse Hill in Oxfordshire for a long walk.


 The views are beautiful across miles of countryside


though it did involve walking some steep slopes


and avoiding thistles too!


Though there were some other distractions!!

 

27.06.10

Started the day with a much needed lay in and then set off to London for lunch at Balans in Soho where they do superb steamed mussels.
Then a walk through central London in the sunshine to get to Hyde Park to see the Hard Rock Calling concert. I arrived in time to just catch some of 'Corinne Bailey Rae's' set and after a short break it was 'James Morrison' who was superb as always.

pic courtesy of anorak.co.uk

Next on was Jamiroquai who I had always wanted to see live

pic courtesy of anorak.co.uk

 and he didn't disappoint, although I don't think I'd make an effort to see him again. Good but just not my thing.
Finally it was time for Stevie Wonder.

pic courtesy of anorak.co.uk

I had high hopes that he would be amazing, but... erm... he was just ok. Granted when he played the classics like "Master Blaster", "Uptight (Everything's Alright)", "Signed Sealed Delivered", Superstition", "For Once In My Life", "My Cherie Amour" he was superb. It was just the dreadful "chat" in between songs and an awful tribute to Michael Jackson played on a harmonica that took the magic away at times.
A great experience though and a beautiful day to enjoy it!

26.06.10

Tonight we went to see 'Get Him To The Greek''.


A really great film with brilliant performances from Russell Brand, Jonah Hill and Sean Combs. I loved it!

23.06.10

A very relaxing day spent with Gareth's Mum & Dad, sat in their garden !


And I wasn't the only one having a great time!

 

20.06.10

It seems that someone got creative overnight with some paint and threw it over quite a few cars where we live, mine included. Luckily my car only got it all over the back, but my neighbours weren't so lucky.

Three hours of scrubbing eventually got it all off but I'm aching now! And my neighbours are still out there.

18.06.10

I went up to The Roundhouse in Camden tonight to see 'Keane'.






They definitely attract a very different audience these days and for once I felt young at a gig!

15.06.10

Our last day on the Island and the final cooked breakfast at the hotel. Not sure my arteries could take anymore! To work off some of the calories we decided to go exploring along the south coast. The beach at Ventnor was relaxing and calm,


followed by a long walk along Compton Bay.




Final stop was The Needles


where Gareth saw the light... well held it at least!


The light on the Solent gave us some beautiful views and colours.






Then it was back on the ferry where we passed two Cunard liners on their way out of Southampton,


Queen Mary II and Queen Victoria. Impressive.
An absolutely great weekend!

14.06.10

We started the day with another hearty breakfast before going on a drive and finding ourselves at the Bembridge Windmill


before eventually arriving back in Shanklin for a walk along the beach.


Soon it was time for day three of the Festival and with our new foldaway chairs we made ourselves comfortable


to watch Spandau Ballet, though working out I last saw them play live 27 years ago didn't make me feel any younger!


They played a brilliant greatest hits set that the crowd loved!
Next I walked up to the acoustic stage to see Mike Rosenburg from 'Passenger' who played a well received set, including my favourite "Walk You Home" that he rarely plays!


I walked back to the main stage watching 'Editors' and then it was time for 'P!nk' to take to the stage, which she did in style. From a box suspended from a crane at least 100 foot above the ground


she dropped rapidly on wires onto the stage.


Soon enough she was rolling over the audience inside a zorbing ball


and if that wasn't enough, she sang the final song suspended on wires over the audience!


It was going to be difficult for 'Paul McCartney' to follow that, but he managed it with no problem!


He played a set including "All My Loving", "The Long And Winding Road", "I'm Looking Through You", "Eleanor Rigby", "Something", "Band On The Run", "Paperback Writer", "Let It Be", "Live And Let Die", "Hey Jude", "Day Tripper", "Get Back" and "Yesterday".


He was absolutely superb. A legend. And a perfect finale to a great Festival!

13.06.10

I went to see 'Prince Of Persia' tonight.


Pile Of Shite.

21.05.10

I had to travel to Reading tonight to find a cinema that was actually showing 'The Disappearance Of Alice Creed'.


A British suspense film starring Gemma Arterton, Martin Compston and Eddie Marsan with plenty of twists in the plot. A really great film.

18.05.10

We went to the Anvil in Basingstoke tonight to see 'Sean Lock'.


How was he?
I nodded off.
Twice.

15.05.10

I went to see the film 'Kick Ass' tonight, more on a whim than a plan.


It absolutely blew me away. I loved it! A great surprise when I had no expectations. I recommend it to all!

11.04.10

I travelled up to the Hammersmith Apollo tonight to attend the premiere of a new British film 'The Infidel'. It was odd to be in the foyer with the likes of Clive Anderson, Ruby Wax and Jo Brand and the press taking lots of pictures.


Prior to the screening there were speeches by David Baddiel who wrote the story and Omid Djalili, the films star, as well as an acoustic performance of "Pure" by Ian Broudie and his son Riley which was really special. The film itself was very British and very funny too!

08.04.10

Gareth and I went to see 'Frankie Boyle' at the Reading Hexagon tonight.


He took great pleasure in abusing most people in the front row, and as we were sat in that row it wasn't the most relaxing evening of my life, though we did escape his scrutiny. He was funny at times but for the most part he was just offensive and crude and really didn't know how to cope when an audience member turned on him and made him look really stupid. Probably the most entertaining part of the night!

x07.04.10

I went to see the film 'The Crazies' tonight.


 The audience could win prizes for synchronised jumping out of our skins! A really good film!

02.03.10

I drove to London tonight to see Mika at the Hammersmith Apollo.




 As I've said before, part of the pleasure in going to a Mika gig is the way he is so adored by his fans and he never lets them down. He put on a great show tonight!

28.02.10

We went to see 'The Lovely Bones' at the cinema tonight.


I read the book years ago and absolutely adored it so I had high hopes for the film. I was very disappointed.

19.02.10

Gareth and I went to see the new George Clooney film "Up In The Air" tonight.


I'd not been that tempted by the trailer but when reading a few reviews comments like "a modern classic" and "definite Oscar contender" made me wonder what all the fuss was about?
Well the film is superb, and the acting, especially the chemistry between Clooney and Anna Kendrick is brilliant. I would go and see this film again, it was that good.

15.01.10

I finished reading 'Little Girls Lost' by J.A.Kerley today.


It came recommended by Gareth's mum and I must remember to thank her because it really was a brilliant book and I am now planning on reading more by the author.

13.01.10

Gareth and I travelled up to London tonight to see 'The Misanthrope' at the Comedy Theatre.


I really had no idea what the play was going to be about as my only reason to see it was to be able to be in the same room as the utterly gorgeous Keira Knightley.
I must admit that at the beginning of the play I thought I'd made a huge mistake as the dialogue was intellectual to the point of me not caring what was being said and just looking at my watch in hope that she would be on stage soon. I concentrated a LOT more once she appeared and by the end of the play I saw the point that was being made. She of course was brilliant as was Damian Lewis and a special mention must go to the costume designer for making her outfits so... erm... revealing. Sigh.

12.01.10

Gareth and I went to see 'The Road' tonight.


It was both visually bleak yet beautiful too and the acting was superb with plenty of 'don't go in there!!' moments. Recommended!

11.01.10

Woke up to a most odd sunrise as there appeared to be an upwards glow from the emerging sun into the cloud.


We started what became quite a journey to get to London this morning. There were delays on the trains due to the weather but the one we chose was just 15 minutes late arriving at Basingstoke which wasn't too bad. Unfortunately another train had broken down near Surbiton which was causing a backlog as trains started to queue behind it. Ours was 6th in that queue and the wait added a further 3½ hours to our journey! Still, the view of snow covered countryside was pretty to look at!


Our first stop was the British Music Experience at the O2.


 We got tickets free via Sky and although I enjoyed it, it was nowhere near worth the normal entry price of £15. Quite a few of the interactive displays were out of order which was a shame, but the memorabilia on display was fascinating for me. Concert tickets from Beatles gigs were a particular favourite.
Once we checked into the hotel and went for a meal our next stop was the Apollo Victoria Theatre to see "Wicked"

Due to the weather disruption the theatre was only about half full so we got to stretch out and relax! We also got really great seats at a really cheap price because we were buying the tickets on the day. Result! The show really was amazing and I would really recommend it, but if you just want to hear the songs feel free to ask Gareth as I'm sure he's going to be singing them constantly from now on!

07.01.10

What a day. One I won't forget in a VERY long time. As the snow started to fall various colleagues at work decided to set off for home early. I joined them and someone did suggest I grab some food and drink from the local shop just in case, but I thought if I got away quick I'd avoid the worst of the traffic and weather.
In the words of Depeche Mode: WRONG!
I left the office at 3.30pm and arrived home 9 hours later at 1.35am. In that time the whole of Basingstoke had come to a halt which resulted in all roads backing up for miles and miles in snow and icy conditions. I need to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who helped me get home. All the people on the road sides who pushed my car up inclines and out of ditches. I would not have got home without you.

21.12.09

Tonight was a very special night.


I travelled up to Camden in London to see 'My Life Story' play a special reunion gig at Koko in Camden, opposite Mornington Crescent tube station. When the venue was known as the Camden Palace it was here that my good friend Jake wrote most of the songs that became the album "Greetings From Mornington Crescent" so it made it even more special that he chose here to play the 15 year anniversary performance.


 



It was a superb gig and hearing "Angel" played live so beautifully was the icing on the cake. I cried. Of course!

 

26.11.09

Quite a day today! We travelled to Cardiff with my good friend Kim. Once there we met up with Gareth's sister Laura and my great mate Mark for a good wander around all the shops!


After a visit to family we then met up with mate Scott in readiness to see Pam Ann at the Cardiff Millennium Centre.


She was hilarious as always and coped well when the airline staff in the audience all shrunk away from going onstage. A great day spent with great friends!

08.11.09

We went to see Russell Brand play a warm up show in Reading tonight in preparation for some huge shows he's doing over the next few days.


He was exactly how I'd imagined, all flamboyant and big worded and I loved him for that. The best entertainment though was the lady sat in front of us. I don't think she actually understood what was going on so laughed when everyone else did, but slightly louder and more theatrically! We didn't know who to concentrate on!

07.11.09

There was an electricity fault in Basingstoke tonight that briefly stopped all power to the town centre. Everything came back on except our block as it has its own generator and that would have tripped when the main supply went. So after sitting in candlelight for over an hour I gave in and we walked around the town until a suitable restaurant was located. Thai was decided upon and as we walked in we noticed that in the distance the lights in our block went on. Ah well, too late then! Yum!

04.11.09

Gareth and I went to see comedian Rob Brydon tonight as he was playing at the Anvil Theatre which is walking distance from where we live. He was funny but not as funny as I'd hoped.

03.11.09

After months of postponements and cancellations I finally got to see Morrissey tonight. He played at the City Hall in Salisbury and made the long wait so worthwhile.


He was superb and to make my evening complete he played "Ganglord", my favourite song by him! Result!

02.11.09

I finished 'The Railway Man' by Eric Lomax today


It's his story of survival as he was tortured by the Japanese in the Second World War. It made me cry. A lot.

01.11.09

Our friends Mark & Mark came for dinner tonight and tried their vocal skills on 'Lips' on the XBox.




A really great evening!

30.10.09

Tonight we went to see 'Rhod Gilbert' at the Theatre Royal in Winchester.


I've always enjoyed watching him on TV and have wanted to see him live for quite a while. He was absolutely hilarious and his observations on eating alfresco at Swansea Marina almost made me wet myself!

29.10.09

We went to see the film '9' tonight


with no preconceived ideas about what it was about. I really enjoyed it despite it's dark imagery. A feast for the eyes!

28.10.09

Tonight was a very special night.


I travelled up to Camden in London to see 'My Life Story' play a special reunion gig at Koko in Camden, opposite Mornington Crescent tube station. When the venue was known as the Camden Palace it was here that my good friend Jake wrote most of the songs that became the album "Greetings From Mornington Crescent" so it made it even more special that he chose here to play the 15 year anniversary performance.


 



It was a superb gig and hearing "Angel" played live so beautifully was the icing on the cake. I cried. Of course!

 

26.11.09

Tonight  I went to see  Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Terry Jones & Terry Gilliam of Monty Python at the Royal Albert Hall where they performed "Not The Messiah (He's A Very Naughty Boy), a humorous oratorio based on 'Life Of Brian'.


I never imagined I'd get to sing along to "Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life" and "The Lumberjack Song" at the top of my voice


with accompaniment from the BBC Concert Orchestra and Chorus! A great and special evening!

293.10.09

I travelled up to Oxford tonight to see 'Puressence' play at the O2 Academy there.


They were incredible as always and being such an intimate gig allowed me to get closer to the front for some great picture opportunities.

22.10.09

Happy Birthday Gareth!
After a meal at Nando's (Gareth's choice) we went to the Anvil Theatre to see Julian Clary. We tried our best to look inconspicuous! He was really funny, though I was surprised to feel young amongst the audience, particularly as his humour could be considered a little risqué!

18.10.09

Gareth bought 'Lips' for the XBox today. To hear him murdering "Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis is something I'm possibly going to have to get used to. At least it also includes "Just Like Heaven" by The Cure so I can show him how singing is done!

17.10.09

I travelled up to the Roundhouse in Camden tonight to see 'Echo & The Bunnymen'. They were superb as always, playing classics like "Bring On The Dancing Horses" and "The Killing Moon". A great gig!!

15.10.09