There has been an enormous proliferation of hi–vis florescent clothing among the civilian population in London over the last couple of years: motorcyclists, cyclists, joggers, workmen. I had thought that the clothing manufacturers must have discovered a cheaper way of making the fabric and were marketing it, but now wonder whether or not it is a plot sponsored by the government in lieu of employing more police officers? I am sure that the fact that until you get up close you are never quite sure whether or not a particular brightly clad individual is a cop must have an impact on behaviour.

Labels: london

Dublin Hotel

In November 2003, I stayed in a 5 star hotel in Dublin, and was surprised by the unhelpful response of the staff to my request for another pillow, when they told me “we haven’t got any, the hotel is full”. All has finally become clear.

Labels: travel

Olympic torch

Whoever choreographed today’s procession of the torch in honour of the Beijing 2008 Olympics (which went past the end of my street) is a genius. I thought that running the torch across London in front of jeering crowds, in a blizzard, at the centre of a phalanx of implacable security who occasionally peeled off to beat someone to the ground and arrest them or to tear down a flag or placard captured the appropriate spirit brilliantly.

Update 7/4/08: London mayoral candidate Brian Paddick (LibDem) has stated today that “these events reflect badly on London”. He is absolutely right. Our protesters had over 31 miles of procession to seize or extinguish that torch but frankly the most likely candidate for putting it out was the weather. Despite having only 18 miles in which to work and being up against terrifying CRS riot police, the French managed to get the thing doused four times before the authorities gave up and cancelled the whole Olympic flame relay and ceremony over there. If protesting were an Olympic event, the French would kick our ass.

Labels: london, sport

Le Gavroche

Went to Le Gavroche for dinner with the wife last night. Liked it. Fancied most things on the menu and particularly liked what I ended up ordering (lobster salad followed by Scotch beef — wife had octopus and soft–shell crab followed by turbot — “Aux Perdrix” 2004 Nuit Saint Georges followed by a Delamain Cognac to drink).

Labels: diary, eating, london

Paternoster Chophouse

Went to the Paternoster Chophouse for a dinner with work. Didn’t like it. Nothing I really fancied on the menu and didn’t particularly like what I ended up ordering.

Labels: diary, eating, london

I just saw a bloke in the gym wearing one of those No Fear T–shirts which said “Fear is in the eye of the beholder (don’t let it be you)”. I know that the whole No Fear concept is pretty stupid at the best of times, but isn’t this another level when it comes to total nonsense? Beauty is in the eye of the beer–holder, that much is certainly true.

Labels: training

New weapon

One of the most striking images of the Islamic fundamentalist threat is that of the suicide bomber, going into battle against us in our places of work, entertainment or on our public transport networks such as the tube with dynamite–laden vest, fanatical zeal reinforced by the promise of virgins in paradise. I was therefore interested to see posters on the tube recently suggesting that we might have found a terrifying weapon with which to strike back — a suicide vest compared to which the power of mere explosive is as the bite of a gnat to a mauling from a salt water crocodile:

show/hide poster

The wearer will presumably infiltrate into the dark places where terrorists gather, before triggering the device and deploying Kerry Katona with devastating consequences to all within range.

Labels: london, war on terror

WSPA benefit

I went to a benefit comedy gig for the WSPA last night at the Hammersmith Apollo, hosted by Robin Ince. It was a big gig with lots of good people on the bill. Some, I’d seen before (Lucy Porter, Phil Nichol, Will Smith, Bill Bailey: most of whom did similar, if not the same, material as the last time I’d seen them). Of those whom I did not recall having seen previously (a slightly equivocal statement, I appreciate: comedy club visits and booze tend to go hand in hand), I probably enjoyed Chris Addison and Tim Minchin the most. Tim Minchin in particular seems to be a very talented performer and I would be keen to see him again on a smaller bill.

Labels: comedy, diary, london