Flug what now?

Just wanted to draw everyone's attention to Flugtag - it's the second annual Red Bull sponsored event that takes place next Saturday 7th in Hyde Park. It's an event where crazy showmen and Jackass wannabes have made their own man-powered flying machines, and they compete to find the best one by flying them off a 6m high ramp.  It will take place throughout the whole afternoon, and although all tickets have been allocated, it doesn't take a genius to realise that even if you are just near the Hyde Park area, all you have to do is, er, look up and you'll be able to enjoy the spectacular as much as anyone. It's definitely one of the more unusual things that goes on in this town, but then that's the beauty of London - there's always some crazy new event or activity to go along to and be entertained...

...things took a turn for the worse...

I had arranged to go and meet my friend Tash outside the cinema 10 minutes before the 7.30 start because I had to give her her ticket that I'd pre-booked on my card. By half past she still wasn't there and I couldn't call for an update because she'd left her phone at home.  I started to get a bit anxious when my friend in the cinema texted to say the trailers had started, and when she still wasn't there 10 minutes later I was really getting annoyed. You must understand, I'm not a horrible person or anything, but when you've been waiting to see a film for about 6 months, it's kind of annoying to miss the start. I went back in to check the progress of the film, and to my horror saw that opening credits had been and gone and the film was well under way. I ran back, ditched the ticket with the cinema attendee and prayed that Tash would be smart enough to work out what I'd done with it...if she ever arrived. She DID finally arrive, and we all enjoyed the film together...I won't go into details for those unfortunate souls who haven't seen it yet, but it didn't disappoint, which was impressive considering all the hype.  It wasn't an incredible film, but then the programme wasn't the best thing on tv either - it was always just a guilty pleasure that made you smile, and that's exactly what the film did for me. I'd really recommend it to everyone (well, ladies only probably), although if you do go, make sure you get your friends to by their own tickets... ;)

Yes it's Ladies Night

I took it upon myself at the beginning of the week to contact all my lady friends (via the medium of facebook obviously, what else...) and start a dialogue about the best day, time and place to go to see the must-awaited Sex And The City.  We've all been talking about it for months and I've said to about five different sets of friends that we'd see it together, so in the end I decided the best thing to do was to combine everyone for a big ladies night.  The date was set for thursday; location: the o2 centre on finchley road.  It was a 7.30 performance but not wanting to take any chances I went there straight from work, had a pre-performance hot chocolate with a friend and then we placed ourselves in the queue for the cinema 40 minutes before start time.  We were pretty happy that there were only a handful of people in front of us, and within a few minutes we were feeling throughly pleased with ourselves when the queue all of a sudden grew to stretch all the way through the lobby and out the door. Wearing smug smiles, we were soon let into the theatre and carefully selected the best seats in the house - not too close to the screen, not too far away. We sat chatting and eagerly anticipating the start of the film. With all the reports about sold out performances and people elbowing and tripping people up to get good seats, we couldn't believe how lucky we'd been.  But then things took a turn for the worse...

True Favela Chica

Another great night at Favela Chic.  Got there earlier this time - free guest list, thank you very much - so was there in time to see the place with the lights on...hadn't really looked at the decor last time seeing as it was a) dark and i was b) drunk.  It's a wicked place - loads of random kitchy things hanging on the walls and from the ceiling, and i got to have a proper nose around the private area this time too. The jugs of capirinha were flowing and the brilliant dj was again on the decks, and a great night was had by all the favela chicas.  

Indiana Jones and the Let Down of the Century

I have't even seen it yet and I'm already disappointed. The reviews have been so underwhelming, and all reports from friends./co-workers/loud people on the tube have been decidedly less than enthusiastic. I just don't understand why Spielberg, Lucas, Ford et al would make such a hullabaloo - i like that word - about making a fourth film in what is one of cinematic history's greatest collections...and then go and balls it up royally.  Surely, SURELY, it wasn't all about the money, was it? 

Sure, it's wrong to judge a book by its cover, and so obviously I should go and see it before I knock it, and I will.  Afterall, it's still Indiana Jones.  But then that's just what they want isn't it. I'll be playing straight into their hands, the greedy little money-grabbers...

I'm Holding Out For A Hero

You'll have to excuse me, I'm a little bit fluttery in the heart, weak in the knees, rosy cheeked, giggly and girly...you know the drill.  I saw Iron Man last night, and haven't quite recovered from the experience.  I've always been an ardent fan of Mr Robert Downey Jnr, ever since the Ally McBeal days, and more recently in the Kiss Kiss Bang Bang days, but it wasn't until I saw him in all his iron-clad glory on the big screen that my obsession really took hold.  He's just such a wonderful specimen of a man.  And I don't just mean physically, although that alone is more tha enough, but he truly is a superb actor.  He pulls off the handsome and cocky billionaire that is the character of Tony Stark with aplomb, and brings a warmth, wit and sincerity to the role as a whole.  The film carries itself well - tight script, impressive action sequences, polemic narrative - butit is the main man himself that gives it its edge.  I recommend that anyone who hasn't yet seen it gets themselves down to the local Vue asap, but (and it seems strange to say this about a comic book movie) particularly all the ladies.

Reggae Roast

Had an awesome night last Sunday.  Reggae Roast is a night that I'd heard about a few months ago when my mates first went, and at that time it was held in The Grand Union in Kentish Town.  Last week hwever it was moved to the bigger/better location of The Big Chill in King's Cross.  It was a nightmare to get in because the queue stretched all the way down the road and round the corner - they even had a separate "smoker's queue" for those who had just popped out for a cheeky fag to be able to get back inside.  So you can tell already that it was a popular night.  Inside was, er, cramped to say that least, but my cunning friend Mollie found us all a secret room downstairs to chill out in.  Good music, good drinks, and a buzzing atmosphere means I'll now be a Reggae Roast regular.