Rev Stan's other stuff

The next Hamlet or Donmar vs RSC

The Donmar Warehouse's Wyndham's season wraps up with Hamlet starring Jude Law which opened a couple of days ago.
I am desperately avoiding any reviews until I see it in July as I want to form my own opinion. At the moment Mr Law and the Donmar team has a lot of work to do to impress coming barely 6 months after the RSC's Stewart/Tennant production finished its London run.
So what's it up against?

Credit: RSC (www.rsc.org.uk)

Jude Law vs David Tennant
Jude Law is still a bit of a posh soap actor in my eyes, while his body of work looks quite varied he's just not one of those actors who stands out for me. He's also too old to play Hamlet. Arguably David Tennant was too but he compensated by bringing a youthful energy to the role. David Tennant, aside from his age, was a fantastic Hamlet as I wrote on this very blog after seeing it last year and I feel sorry for Law having to follow it because comparisons are inevitable.

Patrick Stewart vs Penelope Wilton
Well it's the entire company really but those are probably the two most familiar names. The RSC company was entirely marvellous, stand out performances from Mariah Gale as Ophelia (redeeming herself after Miranda in The Tempest from the year before) Oliver Ford Davies as Polonius too was exceptional bringing to the fore the comedy of the character and Stewart quiet and calculating...I could go on. Wilton I just can't visualise as a Queen at the moment but Ron Cook is potentially a superb Polonius as I think he has the skill to work the comedy in his speeches. The rest of the cast I'm not familiar enough with to judge.

Jude

Shiny mirrors vs A traditional set?
The RSC production was simple but nonetheless impressive using mirrors as a back drop and the stage itself. Torches were used to clever effect and stage furniture was sparse which gave the production a modern feel - aimed I'm sure at the younger audience attracted by the presence of Dr Who. The Donmar's season at the Wyndham's so far has been impressive (although I missed Madame De Sade because I was poorly). I predict the Donmar will go for something a little less minimalist and maybe a bit more traditional, which worked very well for both Twelfth Night and Ivanov.

Should Nicky Wire be allowed to sing?

This is the track I mentioned in my post Manic's gig post. Mosh says it gets better but I've only ever managed to listen to the first 20 seconds before it makes me feel violent and the only reason I don't throw something at the stereo to switch it off is for fear of missing and therefore having to endure it a moment longer than is absolutely necessary.
I don't want to hear people who can't sing, I pay to hear people who can.
Just because he's in a successful band and ties feather boas around his mic stand doesn't mean he should be allowed to assault eardrums. And what wonderful, in-tune song by James Dean Bradfield was dumped to allow space for this on an otherwise good album, which I forgot to mention is called Journal For Plague Lovers.
Am I being harsh? Am I missing something?

13 William's Last Words

Manic Street Preachers

Saw the Manics last night

Mosh took this one, taking full advantage of his height, originally uploaded by Rev Stan.

Photography was generally a bit poo as was quite packed into the crowd and had the world's tallest people right in front of me, as usual. But still love the Camden Roundhouse which is such a great building.
Mosh took this one though but if you are interested in the 'arty' shots I took then go to my flickr page (link on bottom of pic).
They played their new album in entirety, had a 10 minute break then played an hour of there most popular tunes.
It was a good night apart from Nicky Wire singing, which I hate but everyone else seems to enjoy. (He can't sing for toffee for those unfamiliar and when I borrow the album from Mosh I'll post the one track he sings to prove it).
There was a really good atmosphere, the band were having a bit of a love in and flattering the crowd. (It is lovely being told you are the best crowd in the world but I think the suffix is 'at this particular gig'. Good evening all round really.

Here's one of their oldie goldies

You Love Us

Manic Street Preachers

My current favourite actor

Back in August Jenny and I were not only lucky enough to get to see David Tennant  play Hamlet at Stratford but somehow managed to get front row seats. It was an amazing experience and one we'll never forget and still high on the spectacle the next day we returned to the theatre to buy souvenir posters.
But that wasn't quite enough. I'm afraid we were overcome by a teenage-esque surge of obsession.
I did a bit of research on the internet, found the details of Tennant's agent and following the instructions to include an SAE or cardboard tube in this case, sent both posters off with a short note in the hope that they would get signed but requesting they were returned regardless. The agents website makes no guarantees except that it may take many months.
Well the posters went off in September and I'd all but forgotten about it until, hey presto, two days ago a cardboard tube arrives back.
With bated breath I unfurled the posters inside to see if Tennant had indeed put black marker to paper and he had - not the most crafted signature but each was personalised nonetheless. I can just imagine him locked in a room with a stack of pictures and posters to sign, slowly getting cramp in his hand. It's a tough life being famous but hey ho, he did it and so that is why David Tennant is currently my favourite actor.
Now I just need to get it framed and put up in a place where it won't fade but just slowly increase in (sentimental) value.

Signed Hamlet poster

QotD: My Favorite Vacation Spot

What is your favorite vacation destination to visit?

The next one? (Don't tend to go back to places over and over again as there are so many places I've never been too)

Not sunday afternoon cinema: Little Ashes

There is a great Dali film but this ain't it. I have a small fascination for the Spanish surrealist painter having seen some of his work in galleries and visited Cadaques, Figueres and the home of Gala, his wife, in Catalunya but it wasn't that that made me want to see this film. It was the potential for it to be car crash cinema with Robert Pattinson taking the pre-Twilight lead as Dali.
It follows the painter's early years at art school and his relationship with the poet Frederic Garcia Lorca. It is a relationship Dali denied for years, we are told at the end the film, and if he'd seen this film he's probably wished he'd never opened his mouth.
Pattinson looks uncomfortable with an accent that travels as much as character does during the film. The only thing I can commend him on is the brave choice of role (I wonder if he'll ever attempt anything similar now he's a superstar) but can only assume the casting director had a massive crush on him during his audition. You can almost feel the directors frustration at trying to eek out a half credible performance.
It is a shame because it is an interesting story but the film never really gets under the skin of the relationship despite the best efforts of the rest of the cast. Whoever plays Dali in the future needs to have far more depth and scope in their acting ability.
However, I must just add that there was some great cinematography and it wasn't anywhere near as bad as last years worst film, Incendiary. There was an attempt to do something a little different that just didn't quite come off. Oh and it silenced the many giggling Twilight fans drawn by a chance to see 'Edward' while waiting for New Moon in the Autumn.
Here are some other reviews and a trailer clip:
Telegraph
Variety
Guardian



QotD: Happy Memorial Day

How are you spending Memorial Day?

Just a plain old bank holiday here in blighty. I went to John Lewis on Oxford Street to pick up a new hoover I'd ordered then I assembled it. Then I tried it out because it's a Dyson and it's got a ball so it moves really slickly and is quite cool for a hoover. (Can't believe I just used 'cool' and 'hoover' in the same sentence.)

Dyson ball

Muse news

An autumn tour gets more likely by the week:

This from Muse's myspace blog

Hi,

Yes, The Resistance is on it's way.  Out in a few months hopefully. We've just started mixing some tracks and it sounds wicked. Still got a bit more work to do but its coming along nicely.
See you guys soon..

Dom.

Here's Stockholm Syndrome live at Wembley to celebrate

13 Stockholm Syndrome

Muse

Air ambulance lands in Larkhall Park

Air ambulance lands in Larkhall Park, originally uploaded by Rev Stan.

Word of mouth, as accurate as that is, is that there has been another stabbing in my neighbourhood. Reprisals for the fatal stabbing a few weeks back. It seems there are two rival teenage gangs on the warpath. The police are obviously jumpy as when we got back from our holiday yesterday they were out in force and talking to groups of teens.
Didn't hang around to see the poor unfortunate that needed the air ambulance.

Trafalgar Square on a sunny bank holiday weekend

Trafalgar Square on a sunny bank holiday weekend, originally uploaded by Rev Stan.

Beautiful and warm and an almost continental atmosphere in Trafalgar Square today as tourists sat cooling their feet in the fountains and kids splashed around while their parents tried to ignore the signs saying do not play in the fountains....

Bright Star - Ben Whishaw interview

Have been avoiding Cannes reviews but came across this lovely piece on Jane Campion's Bright Star with lots of clips and a good interview with Ben Whishaw about the film. Sorry no code to embed so click here if you are interested. Still no release date grrrr.

Ben Whishaw and Abbie Cornish in Bright Star

When ducks attack

When ducks attack, originally uploaded by Rev Stan.

Second time I've accidentally caught a bird looking like it is about to attack something.

Beach near Winterton on Sea

Winterton on the sea beach, originally uploaded by Rev Stan.

Had a lovely walk on the beach near Winterton on Sea today. It was virtually deserted indeed for a while we couldn't see another soul.
A seal kept us company, swimming along the shoreline for a while. There were lots of seabirds which my Mum and Dad would've been able to name but can't (seagulls are about my limit).
As always lots more pics at www.flickr.com/photos/revstan

Gigs alert

Fever pitched excitement in the Stanley holiday cottage this morning as tickets for two gigs of choice went on sale at 9am.
Both lappies were fired up ready (probably about the only good excuse we have for bring both), Mosh was on The Cult at Royal Albert Hall duty and I was on Skunk Anansie at Brixton Academy.
The Cult, as anyone who's been bored enough to read this blog for some time will know are an old favourite from my teens. They were the first band I saw live at the tender age of 14 so I have to see them whenever they resurface for a sharp in take of cash from gigging, if only to relive my youth in the sad way people of my age do. This time they are not only playing the RAH which is rather a grand venue for a band such as The Cult but they are also playing their breakthrough album Love in its entirety followed by their remaining greatest hits.
And Skunk Anansie, I just love. They are one of my favourite bands. They've split, Skin went solo and now they are back together again on a greatest hits tour (coughs while muttering: money).
So in honour of safely procuring tickets for both events here are a couple of tracks:

Revolution

The Cult

Weak

Skunk Anansie

I'm thinking of something similar for my flat...

Grand entrance as used in The Duchess, originally uploaded by Rev Stan.

If you've seen the film The Duchess starring Keira Knightley and Ralph Fiennes then this entrance hall may look familiar. It is one of several rooms in Holkham Hall which doubled as interiors of Devonshire House the home of Knightley's and Fiennes's characters.
Holkham Hall is privately owned and still lived in by the Earl of Leicester's family. Not bad eh?

Rest of pics on my flickr page

How's this for a guest bathroom

IMGP3239

One of several guest suites in the Strangers Wing at Holkham Hall, home of the Earl of Leicester. And if you spotted what looks like a toilet flush lever on the chair, it is exactly what you are thinking...

Weavers leave their mark

Weavers leave their mark, originally uploaded by Rev Stan.

Tapestry weavers were allowed to weave themselves into their work. As these cherubs - part of a much bigger tapestry - have less than youthful faces, it is reckoned that this is how they chose to do it on this particular piece which I think is quite amusing.

Vox Hunt: My Favorite Spring Flower

Show us your favorite spring bloom.

Bluebells as seen at Blicklington Hall

A light supper, pub style

A light supper, originally uploaded by Rev Stan.

When I ordered the ribs I was expecting those from a pig not a mammoth they had in the deep freeze.
Still very nice and served on a bed o'chips with lashing of that cheap bbq sauce we always had when I was kid that everyone secretly prefers to the posh stuff.
And no I did not eat it all (it was the same size as my torso from crimminies sake).

Difficult conversation

Mum asked one of her doctors yesterday if she was going to die. He told her if they couldn't sort out her breathing then yes.
She's been visited by the palliative care nurse who asked her if there was anything she hadn't done that she wanted to. The only thing she could think of was organising her Thanksgiving Service ie her funeral service.
I can't even begin to imagine what it must be like to have such a conversation. To be faced with your own mortality so starkly it messes with my mind.

Inside Norwich Castle

Inside Norwich Castle, originally uploaded by Rev Stan.

And you can go and see it for the princely sum of £1 if you turn up within the last hour of opening. They won't let you up onto the ramparts though which will probably be the biggest disappointment of Mosh's entire life. Probably.
William the Conqueror, him of 1066 fame, built it although it's really the walls at the back of this picture that are Norman, the rest has been added and altered over the last 900 years or so.

The times change but the effect of the light doesn't

The times change but the effect of the light doesn't, originally uploaded by Rev Stan.

Taken in Strangers' Hall, Norwich. So named because some of the invited occupants in the 17th century were 'not from round these parts' in fact they were from the Lowlands and brought valuable skills with them which helped Norwich's beleaguered woollens and cloth trade. And that's today's bit o' history.

Sunshine & rain: British summer holiday weather

Groynes again, originally uploaded by Rev Stan.

Headed north to the coast yesterday and the faded chintz that is Cromer.
We had some beautiful sunshine as you will see but true to the forecasts there were also some heavy downpours. Still made for some interesting photography. As usual rest of pics are on Flickr

Cromer pier before the down pour

Cromer pier after the rain

Unusual tombstone

Unusual tombstone, originally uploaded by Rev Stan.

This man wanted to be buried standing up so he would be ready to face the day of judgement and therefore be ready to make a sharp dash into heaven. True to his wishes his tomb is vertical in the wall of Norwich Cathedral with the following inscription

IMGP2950

Photographers in the font

Photographers in the font, originally uploaded by Rev Stan.

Mosh and I went into Norwich today and spent a good couple of hours or more in the Cathedral which dates from 1096. First we did one of the free tours which are given by volunteers. We were the only ones on it so had plenty of time to ask questions of our enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide.
There is much of the cathedral that is 900 years old which is breathtaking in itself but the little imperfections and small features that were pointed out made it all the more interesting.
Then we had a bite to eat in the refectory before returning to take pictures which are all on my flickr page. Thanks to our guide there are so many stories behind the pictures that I can't even begin to tell here - you'll have to go on the tour. I may post one or two of the best pics and their stories.
We got chatting to chaplain on duty who was drawn to us by the some of the less conventional angles we were taking pictures from. He was very friendly and sent us on our way with a blessing.
It was a lovely way to spend a few hours and will definitely go back at some point.

Oh and if you were wondering about the rather unusual font, it is made of two huge brass chocolate mixing bowls which were donated by local chocolate and sweet manufacturer Rowntree Mackintosh before the factory was moved to York....

QotD: Grudge Match

Do you hold grudges against people? Tell us about an incident if you do, and if you don't, tell us how you rise above it.
Submitted by Sophie.

I sometimes find it hard to forget and although I can forgive, in certain circumstances it is still there, deep down.
Equally I fell out with my brother and we didn't speak for about three years, it may have been longer, then one day it just felt right to get back in touch. We met up and I realised how much I'd missed him. Nothing was said about the circumstance around which we fell out and it doesn't matter in the least now, I love him to bits and never want to have that happen again.

Gobbing statue

Gobbing statue, originally uploaded by Rev Stan.

Because that's what it looks like, obviously. Taken at Blickling Hall today when there was a brief break in clouds. Blickling Hall was completed in 1629 and was built on the site and possibly using bits of the Boleyn's family home. On the anniversary of her death Ann Boleyn (whom the guide claims was born here not at Hever Castle the Boleyn's other home) rides up to the front door in a coach pulled by headless horses with headless horsemen and the lady herself holds her head in her lap.

Now that would be a sight.

More pics of Blickling and it's stunning grounds at the usual place

White Lion Cottage

White Lion Cottage, originally uploaded by Rev Stan.

This is our home for this week and damn fine it is too.

Ben Whishaw in Cannes

He looks just like Ariel in The Tempest should look in this pic. Spooky that.

Ben Whishaw & Abbie Cornish in Cannes

Pic came from here

Wild flower poesy

Wild flower poesy, originally uploaded by Rev Stan.

Norfolk cottage had this beautiful poesy of wild flowers on the kitchen table. I love wild flowers and have wandered into the village this evening they are in plentiful supply so I don't feel guilty they've been picked for us. Got some lovely detailed pics, if I might say so myself.
Photo's from first day can be found at www.flickr.com/photos/revstan have created a collection where I'll be adding pics during the week.

Wild flower poesy detail: blue

Wild flower poesy detail: white

Hurray for holiday

So here we are in Norfolk - first time visiting this part of the world. Cottage is gorgeous, built in 1895ish and a generous size for the two of us (if Mosh starts playing System of a Down there is another sitting room I can retreat to). Will post piccies later.
Village has three pubs the first of which we are testing out tonight. I think it is the poshest of the lot judging by the menu.
As is usual in the countryside, mobile phone reception is erratic, my mobile doesn't work in the cottage but does in the centre of the village which is a 10 minute walk. Mosh's does have a couple of bars in the cottage - thank goodness we are on different networks as it makes it easier to pick up my sister's daily reports from Mum's bedside.
It was looking a bit barren for wifi in the village until we fired up our laptops in the cottage and hey presto, connection to the world. Quite convenient as it means I can upload pics as we go and a relief for Mosh as he's got some copy to complete and file by Monday morning.
Right better get properly unpacked so we can head to the pub.

Stan's Birthday: captions welcome

Stan's Birthday: captions welcome, originally uploaded by Rev Stan.

Mosh took this at my birthday lunch with Jen, Spike, Nadia, Jeremy, Adam and Dr T last week.

Hotel bedroom, 62 Castle Street, Liverpool

Hotel bedroom, 62 Castle Street, Liverpool, originally uploaded by Rev Stan.

An upside to the recession is that despite having our work travel budget slashed, a lot of the decent hotels have drastically dropped their prices. So via the power of Lastminute.com booked this gorgeous hotel in Liverpool city centre for the same price as the shitty Travelodge near Cambridge Mosh and I had the misfortune of spending the night in back in March.
In fact we have been staying in nicer hotels for less money than we were able to book before the economy went tits up.

And this was the view from my room:

Queen Victoria statue, Liverpool city centre

QotD: What never fails to make you laugh?

What never fails to make you laugh?

Submitted by BeautifullyBroken.

You could tell me the most sophisticated, intelligent or clever joke and it might make me laugh but farting stories get me giggling every single time.

Placebo: to have cameras or not to have cameras

DSC00117, originally uploaded by silktwisteddagger.

The battle to control artists music and images was in evidence last night and I fear Placebo have done themselves no favours.
The band has a new album out in June which begs the first question of why tour before it is released particularly if it is going to have management in such a copyright protection froth it risked alienating many of the core fans?
But I get slightly ahead of myself. The above notice was posted outside the venue and not that unusual except that the policy was enforced to the letter with every one receiving a thorough frisking by security. (This alone caused a great deal of bad feeling as it meant queues to get in the venue were long and very slow moving, indeed it took Mosh and I nearly an hour).
Cameras found in pockets and bags had to be 'checked in' and collected after the gig (another fiasco in organisation).
The result was a dark mood and a rebellious one after all most people still had their phones with cameras and video.
Security prowled on the look out for anyone who dared although a few people in middle rows got away with it purely because of where they were sat. It made me laugh in a two-finger-salute way that within a minute of the first song I saw a flash go off somewhere. However, those standing in front of the stage had bright lights shone at them by stage security if they so much as raised their phone towards the stage.
The band seemed tense, the crowd too and there was a noticeable lifting of mood when half way through the set lead singer Brian Molko declared a camera amnesty because the lights being shone into the audience were distracting him.
Cue hundreds of phones raised above heads to take pictures.

Camera ban is lifted alas I only have my phone to take pictures

Talking to people afterwards it was evident that the ban had pissed a lot of people off and tainted the evening. Indeed rather than writing about what the gig was like (Brian's voice was amazing, new material promising but the new drummer and keyboardist need reigning in) I'm instead writing about not being able to take pictures.
So why do it? OK so they want to keep the new material off the web before people get a chance to buy it but is a scratchy youtube video of a couple of songs really going to stop someone parting with their cash?
Likewise the odd half decent photo of the band performing?
Some bands have embraced the internet and use it to generate a fevered anticipation ahead of releasing new material or touring. Some, Metallica for instance, offer fans a professional recording of each gig to download for a few quid afterwards and most fans would rather have that than a poor quality bootleg.
It is also baffling that on Placebo's website and myspace page they are asking people to send in pictures and video clips of them live. They even have a flickr group for fans to upload images to.
Placebo and it's management need to determine a consistent policy on new material, photography and images working with the internet not against it.
Last nights incident has left a bad taste in my mouth and at the time I determined I wouldn't buy the new album but I probably will. 

On a slightly separate issue, a few years ago some bands resisted the mp3 revolution and copy protected songs or even whole albums. I like many of my friends listen to music via my iPod probably 90% of the time and any albums or songs I have that can't be listened to that way just don't get listened to.
It wasn't so long ago that Radiohead was one of those bands that would copy protect a song or two on it's albums, fast forward to last year when it was giving away its latest creation for free...

Ricky Gervais 'acting'

During this interview on the 'blue' carpet at the premiere to Night At the Museum 2 the BBC correspondent comments on the similarity of�Ricky�Gervais's�character in the film that of David Brent from The Office and asks whether he drew on Brent for the performance.

Surely it is time for the media to admit that Gervais, while funny at times, is one dimensional. If he is in a film or in a TV series David Brent is pretty much what you are going to get every time. Once they do I think it will be time for him to take a back seat on concentrate on his writing.

�

Medical humour

Which is kind of appropriate

THE HISTORY OF MEDICINE
2000 B.C. - Here, eat this root.
1000 A.D. - That root is heathen. Here, say this prayer.
1850 A.D. - That prayer is superstition. Here, drink this potion.
1940 A.D. - That potion is snake oil. Here, swallow this pill.
1985 A.D. - That pill is ineffective. Here, take this antibiotic.
2009 A.D. - That antibiotic doesn't work anymore.  Here, eat this root.

Mirror image

Mirror image, originally uploaded by Rev Stan.

Before i got on the bus which got held up in a massive traffic jam because Parliament Sq was closed for a demo (again) I went wandering with my camera phone and am quite pleased with the results. Also discovered how to use the digital zoom for the first time...
Rest of pics at www.flickr.com/photos/revstan

Mosh's 2mins & 40 seconds of fame

Birthday post

Yesterday was a real tonic. Anyone who knows me knows how excited I get by my birthday and planning what I'm going to do but there have been too many horrid things going on in my life to really give it the usual build up this year.
Nonetheless I had a lovely, lovely day (even if I was at work for some of it). Got so many lovely cards and pressies and messages and I feel very spoilt indeed.

Birthdy flowers

Just a few highlights include the beautiful opera glasses that Soph gave me for use when in the cheap seats at the back of the theatre, the huge selection of chocolate from my favourite chocolate shop, Montezuma's, and a speed boat trip on the Thames (both from Mosh) to the bottle of rum, limes, mint, sugar and mojito making instructions from Francesca.
Dave, previously of the vox parish, sent me a link to this poem for which I'll be eternally grateful not least because it confirmed what I think about Bono (that he is a cock) and one day I hope to have the time and inclination to read the whole thing.
Had a lovely dinner at one of my favourite restaurants, Josephine's, with friends and came home feeling thoroughly cheered up.
And it doesn't end there, having another bunch of people over for lunch on Sunday!
Right, off to spend my iTunes vouchers and here are a copule of tracks from CD's Mosh bought me. The first is the fabulously engergetic but slightly mental PJ Harvey from her collaboration album with John Parish. It has some great tracks but I chose this one because of simple, sweary lyrics (you've been warned) and the second needs little introduction except it is from the Donnie Darko sound track and has to be one of my all time favourite cover versions.
PS some pics from the day are here

06 A Woman A Man Walked By_The Crow Knows Where All The Little Children Go

PJ Harvey & John Parish

17 Mad World

Roland Orzabal

So now I look like I've been bitten by a vampire

Bitten by a vampire, originally uploaded by Rev Stan.

And the painful physio starts...

Fab Birthday cake, more than makes up in taste what it lacks in looks!

Fab Birthday cake, more than makes up in taste what it lacks in looks!, originally uploaded by Rev Stan.

Nadia made this gorgeous, flour free cake. It didn't quite turn out how she expected but I didn't mind in the least because it tasted gorgeous.

Birthday self portrait

Birthday self portrait, originally uploaded by Rev Stan.

Taken, like last year on Waterloo Bridge while walking to work.

When actors fight back

I'm loving this blog post from The Telegraph's theatre critic Charles Spencer about how two of Britain's acting legends hit back at a critic who rubbished their performances. I also like the fact that Charles Spencer has the good grace to say 'fair do's' rather than go on the offensive which would have been the easier option.

Mending broken bones

Yay, finally had the pins removed today. When I had the op four weeks ago I was told removal wouldn't hurt but I didn't believe it. I'd seen the xray which showed how long and how many bones those buggers went through (one and a half inches long they are!).

The bone mending pins

The consultant who was to perform the removal actually said it would hurt. Great. I had to lay down, presumably in case of fainting while he brandished a huge pair of surgical pliers to literally yank them out one by one.
But it didn't hurt. Not to start with. It was a momentarily weird pulling sensation but no pain until a few seconds afterwards then it started aching and feeling sore. There wasn't any blood.
The procedure was completed with him spraying stingy stuff around the holes, presumably some form of antisceptic and the nurse applying a sticky plaster.
Then it was straight to the 'specialist' OT, the lovely Gaylene. No really that was her name. From her accent she's either American or Canadian, I can't tell the difference so i prefer to hedge my bets.
So now I can take the brace off five times a day to do my exercises and the rehabilitation begins. Probably the most exciting thing is that after 48-72 hours when the holes have closed I'm allowed to take the brace off when I shower and wash my hands. No more plastic bags and elastic bands and washing hair with one hand. Can't wait.

Last nights theatre: You Can See the Hills

Got an email yesterday with a cheap ticket offer for this play at the Young Vic which has one more week to run. So on the spur of the moment I organised and bought tickets for myself and my neighbours to go last night. It was only £12.50 each - a bargain for what turned out to be a briliant piece of theatre.
It's a monologue by teenager Adam, delivered expertly by William Ash, as he goes through his formative years into adulthood. It is funny, poignant, sad and above all else I dare anyone to see it without recognising some of their own teenage years.
Interesting that the two most memorable and enjoyable/interesting plays I've seen in recent weeks have been small productions. It quite puts to shame the Donmar Warehouse's last two outings both of which had great casts but were thoroughly disappointing.
Here is a clip of the opening few minutes

The critics gave mixed reviews but the audience last night, from the rousing applause given to actor William Ash certainly seemed to enjoy it as much as we did. And that is far more important.
Telegraph
Guardian
The Stage

Another new hair cut

Another new hair cut, originally uploaded by Rev Stan.

This is what happens when you tell your hairdresser you are bored with your current haircut. I almost wish he'd gone further but i'm happy with the results. We'll see how happy I am when I have to wash and style it and the long wispy bit at the front may become really annoying when I'm lent over my desk at work reading proofs....
Mosh isn't going to like it.

Vox Hunt: Funny Book

Share a book that made you laugh.

Vernon God Little

DBC Pierre

And

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time

Mark Haddon

Sadly I don't think either author has written as good a book since.

Eddie Izzard lego Star Wars thing

Thanks to Andrew and Francesca for telling me about this on the way to the theatre tonight. I'm sure most people have already seen it but if you haven't then some clever/time unconscious people have taken a bit of Eddie Izzard's live show and animated it with lego...

London graffiti car

Parked in front of my flat this morning. Sod Ferrari red and the Foxton minis, this is how you get your business noticed...

Graffiti car