Personal, Whimsy & Caprice

Esser braves the Saturday afternoon rain at Jubilee Square, but I miss it. I’m girding my loins for a struggle to see Santogold and a possible 2am gig if we miss her at Digital earlier in the evening. But all bets are off when she cancels both gigs. So we head for the nearest venue: […]

We go in search of afternoon entertainment. Soweto Kinch and Mr Hudson play an impromptu pretty fun mini-set on the Theatre Royal Balcony. Energetic and entertaining, it gets the juices flowing. And I see another band (I don’t catch the name) at the Water Margin. It’s probably just as well that I don’t know the

I’m down at the Great Escape Festival in Brighton and, so far, not an auspicious start. Team attempt to see the majestic Vampire Weekend fell at the first hurdle with the impossibly huge queue snaking out of Concorde 2 and although some of our merry band persisted and watched ’em though a side door. A

Ever since Rose Tyler left Doctor Who at the end of Series 2, Saturday night’s highlight show had lost a bit of its sheen. Freema was pretty good. Blink was superb. Paul Cornell’s episodes were a tour de force. But The Shakespeare Code was terrible, the Daleks in Manhatten disappointed and 42 was formulaic. Even

Here’s some stuff I’ve been looking at online recently. Vanity first. I was interviewed by Ina Steiner of Auctionbytes about vzaar, eBay and the like. Tamebay reviewed the updated version of Make Serious Money on eBay UK which is now available in all good bookshops, and WH Smiths. I also featured in the Q&A section

Inspire is a strong word, but Duffy‘s song Warwick Avenue set me off down a train of thought. Quite literally: underground to a tube train of thought. What other songs are named after London Underground stations or, more precisely, have the names of tube stops in the title? Yes, you’re right; it’s exactly the sort

Russell, You have done, without doubt, the most amazing job at reinventing Doctor Who. You are, without argument, a superb writer and a visionary Executive Producer. Your place in heaven is assured. You have my unerring admiration for not just bringing Doctor Who back but for ensuring that it’s better than it’s ever been. Thanks.

… been selling my book on eBay using video. … Fallen in love with the writing of Edward St Aubyn: fiction as sensual pleasure and vice. It’s not often you read a paragraph, savour each word and go back and read it again. Not that it’s cosy or twee stuff, some of it’s kinda grim.

… been called a ‘Hoxton twat‘. I’m absolutely thrilled. It’s so wrong. I love it. Deep joy. … featured on News 24 talking about the Guardian and Max Gogarty. My post on the subject is far and away the most read thing I’ve blogged about and set personal records for visitors and pages views in

… revelled in the musical might of Vampire Weekend live at the Hoxton Bar and Grill. I don’t know the last time I felt so giddy about a new band. Maybe it’s.. well… ahem.. never… or at least not this millennium. They write songs about public transport and punctuation. Hell, I even had to look

2007 passes without sorrow. It had some great moments: a new book published, a memorable trip to Marrakech and a superb 30th Birthday party among others. But it fell, with remarkable symmetry, into two equal six month chunks (punctuated by quite simply the worst week of my life. Four gut-wrenching reasons – apply for details.)

… signed the contract for my new flat. Woop woop! … started saying “woop woop!” to express excitement or approval. Rather unbecoming. … been informed by someone cooler than me that noone says “woop woop!” anymore. The kids actually say “w00t“, it seems. … enjoyed a raucous Pogues gig at Brixton Academy. Beery, brazen and