Its All Greek

So off to London for Onassis. To One Aldwych for cocktails and lunch first. It was fabulous as ever. Onassis was a little less fabulous. Robert Lindsey was, of course, brilliant. And the play could have been brilliant but needed to have been written more as a play and less as a documentary. The supporting cast were not great - even though the guy playing Aristotle's son looked great in his pants. To the Waldorf afterwards for more cocktails where I had a Waldorf-tini. Same as a vodka martini except that its mixed in a gold cocktail shaker and has edible gold and silver flakes added. Rather extravagant but fun. Left DD in London as she was off to a friends in Guildford for the weekend so me and B &M caught the train home. Extra hour in bed this morning which was nice. That's all. J x

Been a While Again

Sorry about that. So what's been happening? Have been to the Bridgewater Hall for The Planets Suite by the Houston Symphony Orchestra (could have been done better I thought although the music is good). Saw WNO's production of Fidelio at The Grand in Swansea (superb apart from size and shape of principals - I'm a fan of appropriate casting (there's a technical name for this that escapes me for the moment) but to see a starving prisoner played by someone who is wider than he's tall (to be fair he's quite short) is not good). We've had the Spending Review announcements - not too bad for HMRC and my job on the face of it but we won't know quite how it will all play out until April. And then yesterday I went to an all day film workshop-thing on The Manchurian Candidate (hence Jane's link in the comments of the previous post). Had a great day with Jane (she's always good company even though we will never agree on a single thing that's work related), met some really interesting people and got to see a great film in a really cute old theatre in the middle of Glossop (who knew Glossop had such treasures?). And I'm off to some arts and crafts thing with DD and friends in Spinningfields this afternoon. Need to buy some gloves first though. Busy as ever.... That's all. J x

The Good and the Bad

The good news is that I had my check up at The Christie on Thursday and everything was fine (apart from not seeing the lovely Debbie of course - Sean reckons she was having a "cheeky lie-in"). But my next appointment is not until July next year and it will be my final appointment. My last ever (hopefully). How fucking fantastic is that? I got quite choked up when Sean informed me. That means I will have been cancer-free for 5 years. I'm not sure what the recurrence statistics are after 5 years but I think they are virtually nil (apart from my mother who had it again after 8 years but I'm not sure she had the same cancer the second time round - she survived both obviously). So that's really good. Lots of good stuff happened at work too. And I'm off to Swansea on Thursday for a production of Fidelio by the Welsh National Opera at the Grand Theatre and so get to spend some more time with the Aged Ps who will be back from Portugal by then. I hope.

The not so good news is that I heard that a friend of mine, Sharon, is just starting out in her own cancer journey. I hope you'll all join me in wishing her the best of luck - I know she reads this blog from time to time and so will see any encouraging messages. Good luck honey, we'll all be thinking of you and rooting for you and - if you don't start up your own blog - drop us all a line on here to let us know how you're getting on. Much love. Jonathan x

Cornwall Round-Up

Well, I liked Cornwall although there's not a whole lot to do apart from beaches and gardens. The visit to St Ives was nice though and I can now say that I have done all four Tates. Any of my readers have this claim to fame too?

Was a bit disappointed in the Eden Project. My own fault really as I was hoping it was something it wasn't. Had I read up on it properly beforehand I would have known it was all the sustainable living and aren't we being cruel to our planet so we should all sit in the dark and eat hemp mumbo jumbo that I can't abide. The Biomes were cool though and some of the planting was nice. But I much preferred Heligan which was more garden-y and therefore more up my alley. Trouble with Heligan was that it rained on that day. Still it didn't spoil our walk through the woods and the Lost Valley nor the Jungle area. All of which were fantastic. It did mean we had the place to ourselves though which was nice - apart from the Gardeners World crew who were filming in the Melon House. The formal and kitchen gardens were also nice but not at their best at this time of year.

We also visited one other garden - Pine Lodge. Not a great name admittedly but they did have a Pinetum which was fantastic. They also had an extensive Winter Garden which was just starting to come into its own. Apart from all this we also visited Fowey which is just unnaturally picturesque.

The cottage we were staying in was nice although the beds weren't big enough so consequently no-one slept brilliantly.

Came back to Manchester yesterday (a day earlier than planned) as the forecast was dreadful for today - and looking out the window I'm not sure I'd have liked travelling today. Plus I'd have got caught up in all that Ryder Cup shenanigans... Unpacking, washing & cleaning today. What fun. Have some planting and terrace-tidying to do tomorrow when the weather is, apparently, going to be nicer. That's all. J x

Can You Smell Fish?

So here I am stuck in the middle of bloody nowhere and New Tricks is on the telly. How on earth anyone can watch that load of tripe is beyond me but I long ago gave up trying to understand the telly viewing habits of the Aged Ps. They're even getting excited about some new cricket stuff coming up soon. How is that possible now we know they're all corrupt? It really is beyond me.

Anyway, I've retreated to my bedroom with the computer and I've been reading some blogs and comments from way back when this all started. And at one point people started blogging jokes - I must have been depressed or something? Maybe I had cancer? Who can remember... but anywho there's a joke about budgies and smelling fish (thank you Newcastle Wench) and I've just realised that I don't understand it. Can anyone explain? Ta. That's all. J x

The South West

Arrived in Cornwall to spend a few days with the Aged Ps looking at gardens and St Ives. We're staying in a gorgeous cottage not far from the Eden Project and the weather, so far, has been lovely. And according to the BBC this morning we may well get away with relatively dry weather. Fingers crossed. The cottage also has free wi-fi - hurrah - and so I should be able to keep you updated with news. Only news at the moment is that DD has landed safely in Minorca and is about to enjoy a free holiday she managed to blag whereas my friend Karen (originally from Scotland, now in Brighton) has managed to gain a temporary promotion to Grade 7 so well done her. That's all. J x

Someone left my cake out in the rain...

Really? How likely is that? Have you baked a cake? And then have you left it outside and forgotten about it? And then its rained. I don't think so. It is a sublime song though. Been to some bars with DD tonight. Big mistake. As always. But I love it and I love her.... That's all. J x

The Day After

So the party was a huge success. Thousands of people. Hundreds of cocktails. Canapes to die for. And a barman who turned up at the door in a soaking wet shirt that clung rather alluringly to him and through which you could see his tattoos. My head hurts today though. Thank you to everyone who came. Hopefully I wasn't rude to anyone. I shall post some photos (if I can remember how to do it) once I get them from the official photographer. I believe there may even be a dvd...! Huge thanks to my party organiser for making it all run so smoothly. That's all. J x

Party Minus One

Well, the flat looks good. And all this rain is washing the terrace. Now all I have to sort is the music - and wouldn't you know it but my iPod chooses this moment to play up. Hey ho. These things are sent to try us... Bed time soon because Frau Party Organiser arrives dead early to make me do loads of last minute things. Oh and my bloody tuxedo doesn't fit because I'm a fat bastard! So its jeans albeit not George at Asda jeans... That's all. J x

Update

The little orange munchkin thinks my flat is the nicest one in City South (he cleans others apparently). I agree. But I bet he says that to all the boys! That's all. J x

Party Minus Two

So, 2 days to go. And my flat is being cleaned by the smallest, campest, orangest gay munchkin one has ever seen! He seems fairly efficient though. Apart from that there's still loads to do and yet my party organiser extraordinaire sails though it all serenely. We've had to change bar staff - the original mixologist has dislocated his shoulder. The replacement seems good though. He mixed me a martini last night that was very tasty indeed. Drinks have been ordered from Asda. Panacea are supplying the glasses (this will truly be a mixed bag party...). Its a shame I won't have my additional wardrobe installed by the time of the party (see below) but c'est la vie.

In other news, London was fab although I'm not a huge fan of Legally Blonde the Musical (despite the fact that I appear to have been ear-wormed by omigodyouguys, one of the songs). Great to see Fig though and we're still best friends which is fab. He did tell me that he'd bumped into an old friend of ours from University days who I haven't seen for ages but he didn't give him my telephone number, just told him to look me up on Facebook. Of course I'd discontinued my Facebook page (never used it really) so now I've had to reinvigorate it just in case he tries to look me up. I hope he does. Would be great to talk to him again.

The wardrobe was a laugh a minute. Went to Ikea ready to purchase (superb staff by the way) only to find they didn't have all the bits and even the bits they did have couldn't be sold because there was a quality stop on them. And even if they could be sold the builder hadn't brought his roof rack for the car anyway! Complete farce. And still loads of stuff lying around the flat that should be in a wardrobe.

Incidentally, the spell check on my computer doesn't recognise the word Asda. And that's why I use an Apple computer... That's all. J x

In London

Been shopping (hurrah), seen the 4th plinth exhibition (I like the enormous blue cock) and now taking a well earned rest before meeting up with young Figster for a night of jollity, musicals and... well, lets leave it there shall we? What else could one possibly want? J x

To London

Off to London. Legally Blonde, Fig, Dover Street... could it get any better? Will report back soon. J x

I'm Turning Japanese...

...who are these strange people with their strange hieroglyphs. And why are they so interested in me and my goings on? I understand why you, dear reader, hang on my every word. Indeed I often do it myself. But the Japanese? I wonder if there is a way to instantly translate what I type in English into hieroglyphs? That would be fun.

Anyway. So what is news? Am currently sat at home awaiting a man to come and measure me up for some shutters. A man called round yesterday and did very little and yet charged me £175 for it. I'd left DD in charge. Say no more. DD and a tradesman in an enclosed space. Doesn't bear thinking about. I bet he was wearing overalls too. They do that up here.

So what else? Went to see Corrie last night (50 years of Coronation Street in 2 hours, live on a stage narrated by Jim McDonald and written by Jonathan Harvey). It should have been pure comedy gold and so it proved. Not the original actors of course but we had 5 people (2 men and 3 women not including Jim McDonald) playing about 50 different characters and they were fantastic. We saw Gail get married 4 times (each time declaring that this time it would be different because she could sense it - naturally it never was). We saw Deirdre and Ken, Deirdre & Mike, Deirdre & Ray as her hair got shorter and shorter. There was a barge, a tram, the ghosts of Elsie and Ena, Hilda and her little brown parcel back from Stan's funeral. We laughed, we cried, we had a stonking good time. If you get a chance, get a ticket.

What else? Went to see the touring production of Les Miserables and was happily surprised. Really enjoyed it. Only bad bit was Eponine who appeared to think she was auditioning for X Factor rather than playing a street urchin.

What else? Went to Swansea, saw the Aged Ps, had fun, got wet, saw lots of cricket and tennis. Ageds are doing fine though you'll all be glad to hear.

Otherwise all quiet on the North Western front. Work is good. Flat will be good once I get shutters installed and get round to ordering a new wardrobe from Ikea. And then its the party - don't ask me, DD is in charge. But before that we have Pride this weekend followed by a weekend in London with the Figster and tickets to Legally Blond. Hurrah. So that's all. J x

Holiday Hey Hey Yeah Holiday

Is that a song? No idea. Do I care? No I don't. Now have a week off work and really looking forward to it. Those who know me may find this fact surprising given my avowed love for my job - but its all been getting a bit on top of me recently. So I'm looking forward to a week off - 2 days in Manchester sorting stuff (as my good friend and party organiser DD would put it) followed by 3 days in Swansea (at least one of which will be spent on a visit to the National Botanic Garden of Wales) followed by a trip to Les Miserables at The Lowry with my good friend Jim. Now those who know me (you know who you are) may well express surprise at these plans since you will have heard me say on many an occasion that I'll never go and see a touring West End show in the provinces again (unless I haven't seen it in the West End first). But I thought "what the hey" how can they ruin a show like The Glums even if they don't have fancy barricades? The songs are so strong that it should be a good show anyway. Well, watch this space, famous last words and all that. I'll let you know. Have to go now and do stuff so that's all. J x

Antiqueing

Is that a word? Should be since its what I did yesterday in Lancaster (nice) and Morecambe (not so nice) with DD & Bryn & Michelle. I bought an old 1940s suitcase. Shall fill it full of old theatre programmes. May start a collection of old suitcase since I have a lot of old theatre programmes. We also had lunch at The Midland in Morecambe and navigated its bizarre rules and regulations regarding the taking of refreshment (times and locations - there are all sorts of rules). Cool place though. Old hotel updated by Urban Splash. Pity they don't run it. Then back to The Midland in Manchester for cocktails. A very nice day.

On leave next week. Back to Swansea on Wednesday and then back up to Manchester on Saturday. That's all. J x

Spring (?) Cleaning

Have spent the entire day cleaning out cupboards. Let no-one tell you I don't lead an exciting life. I did go to Canal Street last night though. That was fun. Well at least it was once we moved off the main drag and away from the hen parties and stag dos. Discovered a new bar down a back street - all very sleazy but it does one good to have a little sleaze in one's life from time to time! That's all. J x

Jokes

Oh, give over. It could be worse, I could be sending these to your mobile phone...

Sign outside an Australian gym (apparently): Fat and ugly? Want to be just ugly?"

Also, on twitter:" Gutted. This bird invited me to a party but I forgot to RSPB".

Thank you, my name's Jonathan and I'm on here for the rest of my life.... J x

50,004

Whoo hoo. Curates egg week. One exam pass. Three (count them) new trainees. Very happy with all that. One (expanded) Leadership Team meeting where everyone behaved like Civil Servants and didn't want to change anything and in any case spent most of the meeting arguing about First Class Travel and how they should be entitled to it. Didn't get half of the stuff done that I should have. Not so happy about these. So there you go. Curates egg. Managed to see DD a great deal which is also good. And went to Toy Story III with Gill & Sara. Not so enamoured with the film but lovely to see the ladies. Party planning carries on apace... That's all. J x

P.S.

DD rained all over my parade on the "really exciting idea for the party" front so its going to be dead boring. Sorry. J x