David Bowie: Songs on the Bowie Spectacular – Part 1

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In case there was somebody who missed it, David Bowie died the classiest of deaths – he celebrated his birthday, released an album, and quietly left us – at least, left those of us who were already chewing on his lyrics – without a hint of his condition.

On his 69th birthday, David Bowie released his 27th studio album (or 25th if you choose to leave out Labyrinth – a silly mistake – and Tin Machine), Blackstar, which is without a doubt an album filled with poignant lyrics – for those who care to dig into them. (more…)

Ideas in a Flash (Gordon)

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We were merry. All of us. Every single blessed soul had been on a high – even myself, the person who doesn’t really enjoy being in crowded spaces with people I don’t know.

As stated in my previous entry, however, the night wasn’t like that, and regardless of how many glasses of wine or bottles of beer we had devoured like oxygen – there was a lot going around – it was a natural high, this wave we were all seemingly surfing on. (more…)

Flash Gordon 35th Anniversary (Has It Really Been That Long?)

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When a fan goes to the effort of arranging an event at BAFTA for Flash Gordon, it’s just rude not to attend.

Lisa Downs recently went to the trouble of arranging a fantastic night for fans of 1980’s Flash Gordon with fantastic results.

Lisa, a filmmaker, decided to arrange the night when she saw just how much Sam J. Jones and Melody Anderson had to say to each other over dinner one night – a conversation she was privy to due to the work she has put into creating her documentary Life After Flash. (more…)

Vegetables and Other Tales

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Today I’ve been digging in to a pretty awesome blog.

I’ve –  on and off – been doing this whole Forever Living thing. Have you heard of it? Perhaps not. Allow me to summarise the Cleanse 9:

  • Breakfast is three tablets, a couple of shots of chewy evil (aloe vera gel), and loads of water.
  • Snack is a sachet of fiber – dissolved in loads of water.
  • Lunch (for two days) is three tablets, a couple of shots of chewy evil, and loads of water.
  • Dinner (for two days) is two tablets, a couple of shots of chewy evil, and loads of water.

(more…)

Hindle House, Hackney, Remembers Blitz 75 Years On

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My Grandmother had been 15 years old when her grandmother refused her offer to make the tea – a refusal that saved my nan, but killed her grandmother.

That fateful evening, the air raid sirens gave warning of the overhead Messerschmitts. Nan’s uncle Chris Appleby had the torch, and her gran refused Nan’s offer to make a cuppa because of that torch: “No, you don’t know where the bucket is because I’ve lent Chrissy the torch.”

So Nan stayed in the lounge with her mother. That was the last they saw of the Appleby Matriarch, Edith. (more…)

When Exposure Just Isn’t Payment

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Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the Twitter account For Exposure.

Here you’ll find myriad reasons why the boss won’t be parting with some cash. You know – aside from the usual reason why nobody really wants to part with cash. Well… I say “nobody”. I sure as hell would to get an awesome house of my very own.

But while exposure isn’t actually a bad thing… I can’t think of a way to actually finish that.

Yesterday I was pretty much offered a job within five minutes of a conversation with a man I went to the extent of Googling in the run-up to this chat. Kudos on the multiple ventures and the title that everyone’s throwing around – “entrepreneur” – but my brain went into overdrive. (more…)

Goodbye, ‘Never Mind The Buzzcocks’

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It’s with much sorrow I must tell you all that the BBC has finally canned Never Mind the Buzzcocks after 18 years of entertainment.

My personal source of mirth was first broadcast back in 1996. Those of us who watched will have fond memories of the most memorable rounds, like the celeb lineup – kind of like Where’s Wally but the person used to be famous – and guess that song (I particularly liked the one that went waaaaaa bum bum bum bum gudda gucha… shhhhhhh).

Of course, historically it’s only really been the viewers who loved the show. Some of the celebrities didn’t quite see the funny side. (more…)