Lynched film and now Lost

Lots and Lost to talk about (see what I did there? Not a spelling mistake but a play on words. Eh, clever hmm what?)

The weekend started with the arrival of my Dad and his girlfriend, Gail. Had only met her once for about 10 minutes and didn't come away with a good impression. My over-grown doubts and worries of hating her were soon driven away and found out alot more about her over a Kutis curry than I sometimes know about my dad. Kutis do amazing Indian food including Venison Masala. The other thing which is worth going there is for the traditional curly sandaled waiters like Ali Baba.

Saturday morning was a rude awakening at 8am as Coleman Snr was keen to get down to the boatshow, the biggest annual event Southampton ever puts on (another reason to move out). So big that Paul and Sarah couldn't get a hotel, B&B or bush to lie under that weekend. As I was rubbing my tired eyes to see if all was well for breakfast, my dad was stirring a cup of tea in his shirt, pants and socks. So glad Kerry didn't see that.

The afternoon was spent mostly watching the TV even though it was well toasty outside. We'd been looking out for a particular episode of Its a Knockout on Challenge TV as Kerry's dad was a contestant representing Plymouth. We'd almost given up until after the Budgie costumed race and 10 minutes to go, there appeared a badly moustached bloke climbing a drawbridge - Mr Bartlett had arrived and it was 1981. Very bizarre.

After waving off my Pa, we headed to Kev and Karol's for a Paul & Sarah mini reunion over a BBQ meal. Lucy had brought Caitlin along, who for a toddler, was just mad but cute with it. The toys to entertain her were an odd mix of a mini-football, a wobbly fat policeman, a police car and police van. Whether Lucy was trying to teach her from an early age of what vehicles and people to be wary of I don't know. Quick! Hide these for mummy!

A few drinks that night so memory a little hazy apart from Paul quoting that famous artist Damien Hurst but naming him David instead. Off which I quipped David Hurst, Damien's lesser known brother who pickles eggs instead of half-cows. Kev had asked me to quote but somehow loses it zing on screen.

Karol had recommended renting Highway and Mulholland Drive. Could only get the second one on Sunday night watched the David Lynch expecting weird but good things. OK, Twin Peak styling and 'dreams' but ropey dialogue right from the start. The clunkiness continued with very little going on. When it ended, all of sudden a shit load of happened in the last 15 minutes and ended with an evil tramp. What was that about?!

Lost finally let go of our Tuesday night responsbilities. Nice to se Jim from Neighbours getting some work. More fecking questions need to be answered in the next series. Will Michael come back? Where do the Others live? What's with the big foot statue with four toes? Are Mr Echo and Locke still alive?

So good to see Japanorama back on. Thursday night featured Hard Gay which I have honourable respect for. Found a proper website dedicated to the 'say, say, say, hooooooooo' leather-hot-pant wearing man.

This week has flown by and we look forward to Kev and Karol (again), this time at Casa Coleman. I was hoping to take them along to see the One Man Star Wars Trilogy. Here's Winchester Theatre Royal's web quote:-

"Charles Ross, the writer and solo performer, spent too much of his childhood in a galaxy far, far away – adulthood has been similar. Ross plays all the characters, recreates the effects, sings the music, flies the ships, and fights both sides of the battles. This critically acclaimed, sell out show toured throughout America and Canada, before transferring to Off-Broadway and was this year’s undoubted hit at the Edinburgh Fringe festival. Including a special guest comedian, early booking is recommended."

Alas, they sold out weeks ago.

What Pirate September 2006

What Pirate September 2006
Originally uploaded by Ginger DJ.

Apparently its Talk like a pirate day today so in honour of our favourite salty seadog from Ibiza I give you the new issue of What Pirate magazine.

Picture taken in Ibiza bar/restaurant KM5 where the bill comes packaged in a miniture treasure chest as modelled by Paul (couldn't resist the photo).

Arggh matey!

Lego Luke & Leia

Nothing too exciting this week hence the lack of blogging entry. Highlights of the weekend were shopping and repairing the garden fence whilst avoiding the spider invasion. I've never been in a house to have so many different types of spiders. The downstairs bathroom is rife with skinny blob-with-legs spiders that live off lint whereas Kerry gets terrorised by the monster tree spiders with the muscle to crawl up the plug hole.
Another slightly annoying thing is our Polish neighbours who are getting a bit noisy lately playing naff folky music before we want to get up. Although there's the regular couple, they seem to have a different friend or two staying every other week with bathroom noises through our paper-thin bedroom wall.
Latest purchases are the new Lego Star Wars II game, which has been on all week and currently listening to Whitey's album, The light at the end of the tunnel is a train. Discovered his talents on that Leave them all behind mix album. It’s electro/punky/rocky, a bit New Order and a bit Colder and almost all the tracks are worth listening to if not better. Recommended.
Tuesday evenings are now my peak of weekly worry now that I've gone full-time with karate sensei duties. Every week I have to devise a teaching plan and teach around 15 students, all different grades. I can see why the previous sensei, Carmen left with the hassle.
With summer over and rain a bigger issue, getting to work is now a pain in the arse. Even though I had 2 rain coats and water-proof trousers, my socks and pants were still damp by lunchtime. There's no radiators at work so had to dry my socks under the hand dryer and stuff my pants with toilet roll (no way was I going commando and get caught with my boxers under the hand-dryer).
Kerry's been thinking what to do with her inheritance and her dream of seeing Machu Picchu has been favoured. Coincidently, we've been watching that Ben Fogle programme on BBC2 this week where 5-6 normal people trekked to a remote Inca settlement. With all the walking near mountainous cliff edges and Kerry's fear of heights, it's going to be a challenge even if we do the easy route.
Other TV treats are the return of Extras (though I missed most of it last night due to karate) and That Mitchell and Webb look which was slightly hit and miss. Removing the canned laughter would help but the Sherlock Holmes tramp character, Sir Digby Chicken Caeser was probably my favourite whereas Kerry was more tickled by the dancing banana sketch at the end.

Too much responsibility, too rough to care

You're suppposed to feel better after a holiday aren't you?! Ever since the delayed flight back from Ibiza I've just felt crap with little energy and the sweats. Had to skip karate Tuesday night though have mixed thoughts about going back having to take over the class from now on. On a good day I'd be able to do it but I have the feeling I'm going to get bored of the whole responsibility plus my memory for it is sketchy at best.

Watched A Cock and Bull Story Sunday night and although Coogan and co were good the staggered multiple plot thing sort of tripped on its arse. There's a few laughs there but it ended up as a production white elephant.

Seriously addicted to Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney on the DS - I may have a problem. Have since banished it from bringing it to work.

Work has been very uninspiring lately. Today I did a 10 minute presentation in front of a dozen PHD students only to discover halfway through I'd left my flies open. Luckily the beast was snoozing in his cave.

Ibiza Day 9: Sunset

P9010285
Originally uploaded by Ginger DJ.

Our last day to take advantage of the hire car we drove over to the South West of the island for a view of Es Vedra, a huge rock island just off the coast. Paul wasn't up for the joy ride after the previous night's goose-chase so we explored on our own. What we didn't realise was how mountainous the roads would be to get there and it scared the crap out of poor Kerry with vertigo. Found a place to park on a 15% gradiant which was a little touch and go then took some photos. Couldn't decide where to eat so headed over to Salines beach near the airport which is famous for a jetset favourite. Drove past some wild flamingos (though Kerry didn't believe me until the return) and the huge areas of salt plains. Salines was too busy so back to Ibiza Town for grub.
After our sunset cock-up the night before we actually planed for champagne picnic with well timed results as you can see! Nice to finish the holiday with an old school memory.
Thanks to Paul and Sarah for letting us stay!

Ibiza Day 8: Benirras & Bambuddha

Benirras beach
Originally uploaded by Ginger DJ.

Another attempt at getting up before noon, this time to hire car and head for our favourite beach called Benirras. Went for a small car as parking near Paul and Sarah's was tricky and ended up with a Kia in bright green. We thought this would be a one-off until we spotted about half a dozen as we drove up the island. Benirras was busy therefore lost the charm we'd discovered last time. I'm guessing it was non-peak season for us 3 years ago.

On the route back home I spotted the sign to Bambuddha Grove, a restaurant/bar place we'd all agreed to go before the holiday ended. It should have been so easy finding it again - you'd think. We failed getting over to San An for a proper Mambo sunset, just minutes late then headed back over to Bambuddha Grove. About 2 hours later we arrive after missing it 3 times doing loops round it etc. The Grove is an amazing place and one you know you could be rubbing shoulders with those in the know. Sections of the restaurant were split by a bamboo forest, bar seating area similar to KM5 and the dining area like a Thai temple. The menu had quotes from the Karmasutra plus amazing Thai-like dishes. One very small spoiler was the €2 charge each for just sitting down. We finished the evening watching Dominator, a British gothed up attempt at a manga film. Paul's old band had contributed a song to the soundtrack and his band mates had also helped with animation processing and voice casting. Cradle of Filth singer and bizarrely Mark and Lard also did lead voices.