reasons to be cheerful: part 2
Half term week is upon us and bar a glitch this morning when my trusty BlackBerry barely stopped ringing for an hour, with eager payday millionaires aplenty organising the coming days (and most of the early part of next week before I head off back to That London for the third time in a fortnight) I have taken the opportunity for some resting up before the final horror marathon (for now) on Saturday evening in Leeds. Even the pick and mix (currently half price in Wilkos, folks) is bought.
As some readers will be only too aware the temperature here in Scarborough has dropped through the floor, and whilst the mornings are unarguably brighter, the reality of having to draw curtains shortly after four pm yesterday came as something of a shock. To my relief, an unexpected clocks-going-back lie in was eventually had on Tuesday morning after missing the weekend one; leaving the Vue West End at quarter past seven in the morning to get on the underground and eventually make it to bed for nine thirty or so (after breakfast, emails and a quick shower to remove the general all-night-in-a-cinema mank) meant that the usual Sunday-morning bedfest was postponed. Eight hours on an overheated National Express coach the following day did more than enough to lay the groundwork for some serious sleeping when I eventually staggered through the door and (almost) straight to bed. A fun (if slightly lazy) weekend was had altogether despite a few changes of plan – the London Dungeon was doing an extremely brisk trade and since I lacked the desire to stand in a whiny queue in the freezing cold for an hour (we get plenty of practice at that in Scarborough throughout the summer months, after all) I skipped it in favour of a stroll into town, a celestial croque-madame at a nearby Café Rouge and headed instead for the fabulous Hollywood Costume exhibition at the V&A – woohoo! This turned out to be not only predictably nice to look at but fascinating too, and more than enough by way of entertainment outside the Saturday night films themselves (especially for those whom, like me, had no idea that some of our most watched actors were so short).
I recommend making the trip to anybody if only for the end gallery with frocks, suits and otherwise from a huge array of film favourites including not only the ubiquitous sequins and feathers, but also exhibits from Batman, The Blues Brothers, Star Wars and even Uma Thurman’s Kill Bill jumpsuit which the costume department apparently suffered bleeding fingers from having to take in every few days during filming, and which I coveted all the way home. Towards the very end was Marilyn Monroe’s white pleated dress from The Seven Year Itch, hopefully at last putting paid to the ongoing myth perpetuated by folk who can’t walk past a fish shop that MM was a (modern) size 16; I doubt I (size 10 top half, 8 bottom half) would have even got into it, let alone been able to zip it up. Although I would have killed for a chance to try…
As advertised, I will be back next week in a more usual capacity, and whilst Saturday 10th is now fully booked (and Friday morning is debatable) I will be around for shenanigans from Thursday to Sunday lunchtimes – yay! Also of interest in the capital next week is Wrap Up London (part of Hands On London); for those who don’t remember from last year, coats are being collected at eight city centre stations between Wednesday 7th and Saturday 10th of November for distribution to charities and shelters, supporting those without enough warm clothing and helping them tackle the upcoming winter in a little more comfort. They are aiming for ten thousand men’s, women’s and children’s coats to help out people in need, so anybody passing through or close to Victoria, Kings Cross, Waterloo, Charing Cross, Paddington, London Bridge, Canary Wharf or Liverpool Street, please have a look and bring something along. Even I don’t own quite that many, although having been rootling in the cupboards for warmer gear this last week it seems that I’ll have more to donate than I’d previously thought, having forgotten that most of my kit from previous winters is now far too big. All information for anybody wanting to donate is on the link above – have a look!
Back to this week, and as promised, The Halloween Pumpkin Photo – see below! Sadly (or not) Mr Pumpkin is now featuring in a quickly thrown together Thai curry along with Mr Aubergine and Mr Yellow Pepper in supporting roles, and quite right too. Thank you again to the kind gentleman who brought him along (although not from my filleting knife, which is looking slightly the worse for wear). I will still be around in Scarborough until next Wednesday, bar Saturday evening and Sunday (more horror/pick and mix/subsequent recovery) for limited incalls before heading off on the 8th, so anybody wanting to catch me before then, just get in touch.
Woooooooooooooooooooo! More next week….
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