Apricot Stone

Definitely my favourite song from tonight's Eurovision Song Contest - Armenia's glorification of its national fruit: "Apricot Stone", complete with giant apricot stone on set. Utterly Eurovisional, unlike the winning song by Germany, which was already a recording hit across Europe before the show. O well ...

Piglet St James

On the way to the Athenaeum Club the other day for a book launch, we noticed the guards were taking a break, so Piglet stepped into the breach for a moment or two

Chants of the Season

As the domestic season finally winds to a close (well done Ian Holloway and Blackpool!), Chris Charles via the BBC website gives us a selection of chants from the terraces. This is my selection from his selection:

"We've got Novak, we've got Novaa-ak.
"Our carpets are filthy, we've got Novak."
Huddersfield Town supporters show their love for Lee Novak.

"Tun-cay, cay - Huth, Huth, Abdoulaye!"
Stoke supporters, to the tune of Too Shy by Kajagoogoo.

"We love Taboubi, We love Taboubi, We love Taboubi on a Saturday night."
After Hedi Taboubi scored for Wrexham, to the tune of T Rex's We Love To Boogie.

"Does your mummy know you're here?"
England supporters voice concern for their Egyptian counterparts at Wembley..

"We can't see you sneaking out!"
Colchester United fans to their Southampton counterparts when thick fog descended.

"He's young, he's flash, he fills the air with ash. Sigurdsson, Sigurdsson!"
Reading's tribute to their Icelandic midfielder.

"There's only one Gordon Ramsay."
Oldham fans to Delia Smith and the Norwich fans.

"Alive, alive-o-oh, Alive, alive-o-oh,
"Stephen Ireland's two grannies.
"Alive, alive-o!"
Sung at France v Ireland in Paris, to the tune of Molly Malone.
Ireland pretended first one granny, then the other was dead to excuse himself for playing for the Republic in 2007 - Ed.

"You're supposed to be a gnome!"
At the Port Vale-Lincoln match, to a rather small referee!


STADIUM ANNOUNCEMENTS

"And tonight's match referee is...oh dear God....Davy Malcolm."
From the Ballymena v Glenavon Irish Cup replay.

A Rare Beast

I took one look at this and thought: aha! A Pushmi Pullyu. Learn all about it here.

Rabbi Albert H Friedlander z"l

He would have been 83 today, as would his brother Charles. Sadly missed and happily remembered - the father of ravaj.

The Time To Vote Approaches

A great moment is approaching. Having become a citizen in January, I am finally eligible to vote. On Thursday, there will be a General Election.

I remember my first-ever vote in 1984. I listened carefully to the candidates, as I sought out their positions on the issues that were important to me. I made my choice, and my candidate suffered one of the greatest defeats in the history of American Presidential elections.

These days, it seems that the only way to make a choice is to decide what one likes the least. There aren't really any policies - despite each party telling us that they are the party for change - it is all spin. Matthew Parris wrote about this in the Times yesterday:

"Change is the last thing the British people want. They want things to carry on as they are. They are losing confidence in their politics to arrange it. That’s why they’re angry. Do you imagine change is what the Greek mob want? No, it’s change they fear.

We are in the same condition as the benighted Greeks, but not so far down the primrose path: dimly aware of the truth, scared of the truth, angry with the truth, and howling for the head of any politician who threatens to admit the truth.

The truth is simple: we’re living beyond our means. The change — if change were what we were really prepared to embrace — is simple: we will have to live within our means."
The Times 1.5.10

As he says, hard times are coming. Whoever gets the poisoned chalice will try their best, and make a lot of people very angry. So how am I supposed to choose? Thanks to the recent adoption of American-style debates, presentation and performance have suddenly become career-changing elements for our party leaders. So do I go for the guy who sweated the least? The one who had the nicest tie? Do I eliminate the one who stood there with his hand in his pocket?

I'll get back to you :-)

Amanda Seyfried

On the one hand I am far too old to be interested in a pretty little thing like Amanda Seyfried. On the other hand I am the proud older sister of a fine journalist whose interview with said actress was published by the Sunday Telegraph here.

Prisoner Piglet

My parents were great fans of the television show "The Prisoner", starring Patrick McGoohan. It has just been remade, which does not usually work for cult favourites. Above, Piglet flees from Rover - The Giant Ball of Death. Below, Patrick McGoohan is closely followed by the big white ball.

Facebook Manners And You

Just saw this on a friend's Facebook page and thought it was jolly good.

Where Did Thursday Thirteen Go?

My old friend Thursday Thirteen seems to have disappeared, although some of the old gang may be found around here. I fell asleep thinking about one the other night, and since I will soon forget it since I cannot seem to remember any ideas by the morning, I shall do it now. So here we have my latest (not) Thursday 13:

THIRTEEN THINGS AUGUSTUS

1. Augustus Caesar
The obvious one. Here are a couple of things he is reputed to have said.

2. Augustus Sans Serif
If you are into fonts, have a look at this.

3. Augustus Who Would Not Eat His Soup
Although the original German story from 'Der Struwelpeter' tells of Suppen Kaspar, the English translation describes the demise of Augustus. To hear it told to you right now click here.

4. Augustus Egg
Here is the way to all you may ever wish to know about the nineteenth-century painter with the fabulous name.

5. Agaricus Augustus
What might this be? I had no idea, and was pleasantly surprised by this picture.

6. Augustus Jackson
This Augustus was an African-American credited with an important place in the history of ice-cream. Go here, and click on his name for more. Safe for diabetics.

7. Fort Augustus
For your next expedition to find Nessie, why not make your base camp in this historic town by the loch.

8. Augustus de Morgan
He was a famous British mathematician and logician. Famous at least in the world of mathematics. Sadly, words like 'trigonometry' or 'differential calculus' do not compute in my brain. Far be it from me, however, to deny you anything actually so have a look at this.

9. The Augustus Society
This group preserves and promotes a positive image of Italian-Americans in Clark County, Nevada.

10. Augustus John
Here is a brief biography of the (mostly) twentieth-century portrait painter. Famous also for his multitudinous affairs, apparently his illegitimate children were referred to as 'Johnlets".

11. Charles Augustus Lindbergh
That's it. The middle name of the famous aviator. As it was for his father, and his poor first son.

12. Seimone Augustus
An Olympic basketball gold medal-winning female Augustus! Read about her here.

13. Augustus Gloop
The one you've all been waiting for! No? O well, the demise of the chocolate guzzler in Willy Wonka's factory may be viewed here.

I had wanted to include Gus the Theatre Cat, but it turns out that 'Gus' is short for 'Asparagus'. *sigh*

Alan Sillitoe RIP

Alan and Ruth have been part of my life since I was a child. There will probably be lots of articles and obituaries in the next few days that examine his legacy and place in English literature. He was kind and loving, and I am sad for Ruth and David and the rest of the family.

from Paul Bowles
Google Images of Alan
Everyday people remember Alan
BBC Obituary
Telegraph obituary
Guardian obituary
Times obituary
Alan's selections for Desert Island Discs

Jo Grant Returns

While Sarah Jane Smith has always been my favourite companion, Jo Grant was my first Doctor Who companion (and with hindsight probably the one I fancied the most). Now the Telegraph reports that Jo will return for a couple of episodes of 'The Sarah Jane Adventures'.

On the one hand, hurrah! On the other hand, how can she possibly live up to the expectation of a 25-year-old memory?

Women Priests - Why Not?

This is my blogfriend La Chienne de Garde's personal perspective on a recent poster campaign by the French Catholic Church. The Church hopes to convince young believers that it is cool to be a priest. More details from the Telegraph here.

Not the best time to be recruiting, methinks.

PS This is the original recruiting poster:

Irony?

We were looking forward to being in Krakow just about now. Unfortunately, ash in the air prevents our journey to Poland. Isn't that ironic?

Gays in Football

They say that it's not safe to be out as a homosexual footballer in Britain. This picture is from the City of Manchester Stadium earlier today at the end of the game between City and United. It was in front of 47,019 people. Not to mention the television audience across the world. I guess it doesn't count if you just scored the winning goal.

UPDATE: ESPN posted the pic and originally named the file 'nevillegay' before changing it to 'nevillekiss' and eventually removing it. Story here.

For Gleeks Everywhere

Loved Jane Lynch in 'The L Word', 'The 40-Year-Old Virgin' and 'Julie & Julia'. She is what makes 'Glee' worth watching. This, however, is stratospheric!

Let's Blame the Jews ... Again

Today's Guardian has an interesting story: "Bishop 'blames Jews' for criticism of Catholic church record on abuse". The emeritus bishop claims he never said it. Even though he has a previous record of critical comments about the Jewish community. The report may be found here.

Scary. Not particularly surprising. In the end, though, it's just another smokescreen to hide behind. We are no longer discussing the abuse and the priests who did it and those that covered it up. Now there is a different subject to discuss, i.e., interfaith relations. Feh! Get back to the point please Catholic clerics. Who is responsible for the abuse, and what are you going to do about it? Eh?

O Akos, My Akos

No doubt we shall throw the game away, but my favourite player is back on form and has scored a fantastic goal so I shall just rejoice in that!

And So It Begins

I am so tempted, but shall take the high road and say no more.

Keep It Gay!

Today's Guardian has a blog article about the current state of plays and their gayness. The premise seems to be that these days there is a much greater range of portraits of gay men on the stage. Ultimately, though, the conclusion is that gays on stage are not yet completely out of the closet. The blogger makes quite a good case, as he trawls through productions of the past, present and future. O, and he even mentions a lesbian, albeit in brackets. Read it for yourself right here. Feh!