'i predict a riot'

apologies for the shocking amount of time that has elapsed since my last post...life has somewhat overtaken me over the past week or so, plus, thanks to the general sluggishness of homechoice, we still heven't got broadband sorted in our flat yet (tho is happening on Tuesday, allegedly)...

Joan Armatrading gig was superb, and my friend played/sang brilliantly....much general drunkeness and messiness occurred at the party after. Just about recovered in time for sunday lunch with Bec and her parents, who were most lovely...

Last weekend was spent doing SOJ at Hammersmith, working on some awful children's show....aaaaargh, whilst accidentally going to a party on saturday night in between...

Much good news this week as my friend's biopsy results came back clear, so we are off to see the Kaiser Chiefs at Brixton Academy this evening to celebrate...hurrah!

And to backtrack to the whole Christmas rant thing briefly, whilst in Hammersmith last weekend I spotted the first Christmas tree of the year in a pub - needless to say, despite being in search of a watering hole we refused to go in in protest. I sadly did not have my camera with me, but should I get a chance I shall supply photographic evidence soon...

it's a giggywhirl

well, despite my flu clinging on for dear life (but being decategorised to a level 1 cold - slight remaining bunged-upness, average tissue usage = 2 per hour)i have fully reimmersed myself into the world of 'going out'!

After lovely curry on Wednesday with the hausfrau, the elf, Jamie and codenamelizzy (who beat me to the regaling of the Gym/Gin story, so check out her blog to read it), I hurtled up to the South Bank, arriving in time to catch the end of Super Furry Animals and all of New Order, who were on fine form despite some guitar issues...Bizarre audience happenings, as was full of rowdy men intoxicated on both beer and football success, which culminated in a full on mosh pit at the front - in the Queen Elizabeth Hall too - whatever next?! Managed to survive in tact tho, and somehow found myself in the aftershow, where i was able to gaze admiringly at Fergal Sharkey among others - hurrah! A very splendid night, although I was mysteriously attacked by Time Bandits at some point, who viciously stole at least a couple of hours from me, which meant I didn't arrive home til 2.30...

...which I am definitely getting to old for. Struggled through work yesterday, and then, finding myself with a couple of hours to kill after work, I was reminded of one of the things I love about living in London; the ability to wander around and literally sumble across unexpected gigs/performances/exhibitions etc...so, I was browsing in hmv, when from downstairs I heard the familiar vocalisings of susheela raman, a very fine South Indian rooted singer, who I first saw a couple of years ago as part of a Tim Buckley tribute concert. She plays the spitz tonight and next Friday and is well worth seeing live.

So after this, my second wind (although technically first, as had been windless all day) kicked in and it was off up to darbucka for a very fine John Peel Day gig organised by the lovely steve. T'was an eclectic line-up, kicking off with chilled acoustic singer/song-writeriness from calamateur, followed by the superb mellowness of Steve's solo set, who was, as ever on top form both musically and wittily. The evening was then topped off by the African energy and all-round good vibes of Rise Kagona. Sadly I had to be sensible (for once) and leave before the end in order to catch my last train home, but it was a superb evening and one I think John himself would have been most impressed by...well done Steve!

And now for something completely different, as tonight it's off to the Albert Hall to see Joan Armatrading...well, technically I'm going to see my friend who has been on tour for the past month as her support artist, but I've always been a Joan fan too, so its a win/win situation!

sniff

well, have finally managed to make it back in to work after being confined to the roundness of my bed for the best part of a week thanks to (possibly) the nastiest flu I've ever had...it is still lingering now, almose a full week later, but thankfully is receding slowly...I did however arrive at work today to be greeted, firstly, by one of my colleagues loudly exclaiming (can you quietly exclaim?)'you look terrible' during the all staff meeting (thaks Em!), and then discovered my boss is now incubating the little fluey bacteria critters and is needless to say blaming me entirely...ho hum...

On the upside, my bonus bed time meant I got to watch my newly purchased scrubs dvds which cheered me up no end - hurrah for lovely Zach Braff!

Am venturing out into the social world again tonight, starting with curry in a local restaurant ((3 Monkeys), which should help to clear the sinuses, before, hopefully, heading up to the South Bank to catch some of the john peel day launch concert at the Queen Elizabeth Hall...

google gets political

all right, so I know this is my third post today, and I know this has probably done the rounds already, but just incase...

Go to Google, type in "Failure" (no quotation marks), then hit "I'm feeling lucky".

see what happens.

why oh why oh why (contd...)

so it seems I'm not alone in my early Christmas disgruntlement (ref: - 24/9

Hurry! Only 81 days to go ...

Tesco stores are covered in baubles, Boots has its 'Xmas' gifts out and John Lewis staff are already wishing customers 'Merry Christmas'. Can they be serious? Stephen Moss reports

hurrah for the Guardian! and whilst buying my copy i steadfastly ignored the display of a certain crisp brand's 'limited edition christmas turkey and stuffing' flavour...

crossing the void

so, another weekend passed, and without the merest hint of trauma - hurrah! The Eggplants gig went swimmingly - was great to see those of you who turned, and those of you who didn't should hang your heads in shame - you know who you are!

Have got purplemafling und familie coming to stay tonight which will be most lovely - met up with them for late lunch and then dinner yesterday, and was great to see them all again and catch up on life...

Although all these inserts from the life of shark have only served to highlight the shark-shaped (have just searched to see if there was suitable word for this, and was asked 'did you mean egg-shaped?', is it just me or was this somewhat random?!) void she has left behind (I'm not entirely sure you can have a shaped void, but you can now!)..anyway, to get to the point, to alleviate the aforementioned lack of shark, I have booked my trip to New York (hurrah) for the end of November, which is most exciting!