If that's too cryptic, let's get literal

I saw vol 1, so I guess it made sense to see vol 2 too.

Yep, the concluding part of the epic Kill Bill. Enjoyable? Yes. Different? Yes. Worth watching? Yes. Amazing? No, I wouldn't go that far. For me it did tie up the story fairly well and contained plenty of quirks and cool touches to keep the attention of the audience.

I am left feeling rather curious about how the next Tarantino film will turn out. I still haven't managed to see Jackie Brown, although I'm certain that Pulp Fiction will remain my favourite.

New phone for me, new kitten for you

Today my new 7250i was delivered to me at work, an upgrade from my trusty but ageing 6310i. So, out with the Blootoof and in with the FM radio and CIF camera.

I nipped out of work early (well, i did work late last night) to look 'round a few properties to let, ending up in Godalming and so I seized the opportunity to see Rich and Katie. My eagerness to visit had nothing to do with the new arrival, honest...

Sprite is ace, captured here to give me an excuse to use my new toy.

I also had a great meal out at Osteria Romana, managing to try black spaghetti for the first time again (thanks Lisa. My girlfriend has a far better memory than I)

You are dealing with a culture clash - a north London Jewish boy versus the Etonian Oxbridge culture

"Mr Desmond's routine then moved on to Basil Fawlty-style goosestepping and ended with him instructing his executive to sing outlawed verses of the German national anthem as the enraged Telegraph executives walked out."

I never thought I'd read the words "miserable little piece of shit" in the Financial Times.

I Take Back Everything I Said About Newcastle. It's Ace.

The urge to have a long weekend break from work, combined with the opportunity to meet up with some school friends I hadn't seen in a looong while, resulted in my recent trip up north to the drizzly city of Newcastle. The first and last time I'd previously visited was 3 years ago for a friend's 21st birthday, and despite having a great time at the hotel venue hired for that night, the following night out on the toon left me with an overwhelming impression of an agro' and pretentious atmosphere wherever we went. In fact, it turned out that I had experienced a rather unfortunate Dr. Rick Dagless-style visit to a foreign place which, for whatever reason, had turned out poo and inflicted a distorted view upon me, and thankfully the last few days have set the record straight...

The journey started proper last Thursday at London Gatwick airport. Having flown several times before with EasyJet, it was great to find out that BA flight prices were far less than I imagined they would be, and all without the hassle of travelling through London to get to Stansted. Check-in was very quiet just after 7 pm and I had plenty of time to get some food, have a snoop around, and take advantage of the post-security shop prices, and sneak in a quick game of Zelda before my flight.

Friday started off with a trip up to the town centre for a bit of CD / DVD shopping, but it wasn't long before we stopped for some liquid refreshment and so began the night out, in the afternoon. A few venues, several drinks, 2 delivery pizzas, and a taxi ride later we arrived at WHQ (World Headquarters). Admitedly we got there just before open time, and there was a brief moment of panic as we tried to work out why the club was closed and where the hell were we going to go. Fear not though, for minutes later the doors opened up and in we went.

What a fantastic club. Don't just take my word for it. I can honestly say I've never been to a place like it. The atmosphere, the drinks prices, the decor, the music: all great. My music highlight of the night was hearing Kelis' song "Milkshake" mixed in with an instrumental version of David Bowie's "Let's Dance". Great, because I normally hate hearing the first song, but add a little mixing magic, and voila! Other tunes played that night ranged from Daft Punk, to Billy Taylor's "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free" (known to some as the theme music from the BBC "Film 'xy" TV shows, now adapted and used as an advert for Coca Cola, much to some peoples' digust, let alone another baaad advert from them).

Close to 3am I managed to tear myself away from the dancefloor, although the ringing in my ears stayed with me for a long time which had something to do with how LOUD it is on the top floor. Quote from their literature:

"In terms of Sound System, no question, we so, so rule"

and it did rule my head for the best part of the next day. Usefully, we were straight into a cab outside, and back to a friend of a friend's flat. Things were just getting boring when another flatmate arrive home with two friends from work. Interesting night.

Walking back to where I was supposed be be staying the following morning was beautiful. It was approaching 7am, and I was in a very relaxed state of mind due to no sleep so far and the after-effects of several drinks. The route was pretty straightforward on a map, but I didn't realise before I was walking it the kind of environment I'd be in. It's all slightly hazy but I remember crossing a big bridge of woodland and passing a sign for Jesmond Dene along the way. It was so quiet and peaceful, and continuously reminded me of walking back from house parties years ago where I'd lasted the night with those who liked to stay up chatting and drinking, and decided I'd rather get back to my own bed than find a bit of carpet to curl up on.

After a day of recovery, I was initiated to the infamous Baja's. I'd heard mixed opinions of the place, but after I finally got to the front of the 45 minute queue I found myself growing to like it fairly quickly. Although it was rammed with people, I never really had to queue at the bars, and it was surprisingly easy to get from one end of the venue to the other. There must have been about 6 hen nights there that night, and we invariably got roped into a bit of banter with those that snaked past the group of us stood mid-way between the food area and the nearest bar. Closing time was a nightmare compared to the previous night, but it was quite good to wander through the crowds of people outside, in search of a cab and/or hot food. For the whole time in the club and outside, I didn't see one bit of trouble. I'm not saying that it wasn't happening at all, just that it was in complete contrast to when I was at the very same club some 3 years earlier.

The following (Sunday) night was supposed to be much lower key than the previous 2, and it would have been if we hadn't ended up playing drinking games. Things started in Osbourne's (as they generally do round there) for a roast lunch, the match and, eventually, happy hour drinks. Then, it was time for me to experience The Gate. After a bit of discussion, we settled on ASK for dinner.

/aside:

When I mentioned the next day to other friends that we'd gone to "ay-ess-kay", I got the piss taken out of me because they insisted it was pronounced "ask", and that spelling out the letters was stupid. So, instead of saying I was right there and then, I backed down, let it go (for a while), did my research, and smiled a wry smile to myself.

/back on track:

The food was pretty good, and despite the (surprise surprise) hen party on a nearby table, or the waiter trying to evercharge us £2 each through a bad case of mental arithmetic, it left us in the mood to carry the night on. Downstairs it was then, to Lloyds No 1 (unfortunately a Wetherspoon, and therefore sadly lacking in JD, ironically). Beyond Bar was closing, and we didn't fancy a club (although I must go in London some time) so we settled on a quick Taxi ride to Revolution, where I learned for sure that chilli vodka is not good. But then neither was staying up until 6am playing Touch The Cup.

Even a long walk and a Full Monty breakfast from Willi's Coffee House did little to stop me feeling rough the next afternoon. Not surprisingly then that the evening consisted of little more than a take-away curry in front of the Baftas on TV, especially with an early-ish flight the next morning. By the time I was eating my little BA hot breakfast with little plastic BA cutlery, I was feeling well rested, much better, and thinking back fondly on the last few days.

Espionage and Sexual Promiscuity Go Hand in Hand, Surely?

Come on, have you never seen a Bond film?

"Criminal charges against Captain Yee were dropped last month but he was found guilty of lesser offences.

He was said to have committed adultery and stored porn on his office computer."

- BBC News

... and some choice quotes in the article from GuardianUnlimited:

"They charge him with having classified documents, but they don't know if they're classified or not. Now, I don't want to slam our military too badly in the foreign press, but does this not represent a certain lack of competence?" The army itself did not seem to treat the seized papers as if they posed a threat to national security. In the middle of trial preparations, military prosecutors accidentally delivered some of them to the home of Eugene Fidell, Yee's defence lawyer.

and

A case that had begun with the threat of the death penalty had ended with the lightest ticking-off it was within the court's power to give.

Cigarette Offer

"Everyone goes on about how cigarettes can give people cancer, I just thought it would make a nice change for someone with cancer to give people cigarettes."

- from The Framley Examiner

Surprise Result

Well, I pitted them against each other, but after seeing them both I'm not sure I predicted correctly.

I saw Dawn a few weeks ago and thought it was brilliant (make sure you stay until the end of the credits), and tonight I made use of Orange Wednesday 2 for 1 offer to see Shaun. Yes, I enjoyed it, but not as much as I thought I would. Maybe it's because I built it up too much. Maybe because it's got quite a few recycled Spaced jokes that I've already seen / heard before.

Or maybe it was because it was just good, not great.

Well whatever. As a direct comparison, I think I enjoyed Dawn of the Dead the most. Now I have to see the original...

Federal Air Marshal Career Advice

"Outstanding physical shape and firearm proficiency is necessary should they need to take action".

Forgetfulness not desireable.

iRespect

iPod mini. The world's smallest 1,000 song player. Five new colours. For Mac and Windows. Malevolent Gutter Punk deterrent.

Nice one, Phil. So, what other devices might do the trick too?

(via LinkMachineGo)