Monkey:Journey to the West of London

Yesterday was our trip up to London taking advantage of a 2 for 1 ticket price for Monkey, Journey to the West and meet up with everyone for Steve's birthday meal.

With the Jubilee line closed, it was an early start for a Sunday morning catching the 9:30am train from Brighton. We took the Thames Clipper from Tower Hill upto the O2 Millennium Dome. The chill factor in the wind was the invisible enemy of warmth and it was worse at the O2. Monkey was based outside the dome in a massive big top tent. Luckily they'd devised some sort of inflatable tubed heating system but our coats stayed on.

We couldn't believe our luck with our allocated seats as we were on the front row at the very middle. However, a shoehorn was required to wedge us between our neighbours. The show started with projected animated sequence of Monkey's egg hatching then the screen rolled away to present the live action players as the yellow/black track-suited Monkey played with his minions (and constantly scratching his crotch). The translation of the Chinese opera lyrics appeared to the flanks of the stage but it made more sense reading the programme's scene guide explaining the mysteries of the Oriental opera.

Some clever interaction with animation helped divide the scenes and the wire-flying acrobatics which enchanted the audience. A personal favourite scene was the Underwater Palace (pictured above) which had the richness of Hewlett's character design with an armored plated shark amusing us the most. The next scene saw Monkey gatecrashing heaven's party which he scoffed all the sacred peaches. I managed to bag a free souvenir as a stray peach was thrown from the stage as Monkey went mental against the soldiers.

The story continued as Buddha expelled Monkey from heaven and was taken on by the priest, Tripitaka for his quest to get the scriptures on his journey west. All the other characters joined him along the way with less animation used but more kung fu dancing and action. Once past the White Skeleton Demon, Spider woman and Volcano City, they reach the Paradise scene with a huge Buddha background set with monks chanting away. It finishes, bizarrely, with some chorus line dancers doing Chinese plate spinning with UV colours.

Our own journey to the West, to Putney wasn't as eventful apart from the most annoying man sat behind us on the Clipper as he sang some sort of Gregorian monk chant/mumble. We only just made the rendezvous point as Steve and the others were about to leave for the restaurant. Carluccio's, a high-end Italian brand with shop was passable for food but I wouldn't visit them again. Hope Steve appreciated his designer chopping board and Top Tramps card game!

Wii wish you a Merry Christmas

Christmas Day was an in-law family affair with Kev and Karol, Donna and niece, Morgan plus Viv bringing along one month old Amy. Lunch was a stuffing of turkey and enough vegetables to sink a ship. My present to Morgan went down rather more better than first thought with a can of fake snow (as pictured) which she used to create many creative pictures.

The Wii Board came out later between more eating and Wallace and Grommit etc. Below, I've tried to review the games we bought with it based on a number of sessions over the Christmas holidays.

Wii Fit is worth getting though only the committed will really gain from it. Its the gaming equivalent of the sandwich toaster, which after the family and friends Christmas could easily be a dust collector if you dismiss the quick fitness evaluation and instant games. It's quite amusing comparing your social circles with it's perceptive Wii Fit Age calculator. I consider myself above average for fitness so it was quite complimentary ranking me 5 years younger after some tests. For others it can be a wake-up call seeing their Body Mass Index swell to overweight. The lecturing continues if you haven't used it for a while with the software commenting on your absence or stirring up trouble as it notices other members haven't used it for a while. For kids and fun, the hula-hooping, football heading and ski related exercise games will keep everyone amused for so long. After a few go's you should be able to unlock other games and exercises then be able to monitor your weight, BMI and balance statistics.

Shaun White Snowboarding has its moments of fun though the more you play it the more they could have done to improve it. It must be the memories of Electronic Art's SSX series that are still fondly remembered and easily compared to as you realise how little depth this Wii game has. Three comparisons quickly come to mind which are the dull character designs, the short length of tracks (as well as being a little dull in design) and the limited choice of music. Personally the board feedback can be a little hit and miss causing some outbursts of frustration when missing those vital unlocking goals. The in-game emails are slightly amusing but completely pointless.

Burning clocks, calories and bridges

I'd completely forgotten about a Brighton tradition on the Winter Solstice. 'Burning of the Clocks' was a parade of paper lantern art towards the beach then set alight to mark the shortest day. Getting a decent photos was near impossible but it wasn't the best parade I'd seen. It climaxed as all the paper lanterns were stacked on a heap then some clockwork music prepared for the lighting of the bonfire behind a scaffold platform then the fireworks were let off.

The Wii Fit got delivered and with the limited time we've had its a bit of a giggle with some home-truths coming out. Like the Brain Training on the DS, it measures your age in BMI, weight and based on other exercise results. Proudly, I came out 5 years younger with the ideal BMI. Haven't yet tried the Shaun White Snowboarding just yet as we've got Batman on the PS3 to finish.

A couple of pieces of news today which made me smile. The Icesave money has finally been transferred to my account - Merry Christmas FSCS. The other bit of news was received via a phone message. The husband of the couple renting my mum's house in Norfolk called requesting a reference as he's moving out. The reason is that he's getting a divorce! Shame I'll be left with the bad one.

Merry Christmas

Not sure I'll get enough time to update the blog before the big X so Merry Christmas readers. Little Big Planet has launched a season special update pack on the PS3. Quite a cute costume if you want your game to look all Christmasy.

We finally caved in and bought ourselves a Wii Board. Argos Santa is delivering it tomorrow. Can't wait to get into the Shaun White Snowboarding game.

It's an in-law Christmas this year meeting at Kev and Karol's. On the 28th we'll be in London to see Monkey: Journey to the West at the O2. It was extended to 4th January and they had 2 for 1 ticket deals on.

Otherwise we'll be fighting over the Christmas Radio Times. Luckily I bought a HDD DVD recorder for those schedule clashes.

Birthday Day 2

Christmas present paranoia set in the next day as I panicked I wouldn't be able to find a decent gift for Kerry before it got too late so braved the rain and went into London. As I came out of Bond Street tube station I was confronted with around 30 Father Christmas's drinking at a local pub. Before I attacked Carnaby Street's new shops with my plastic swipe sword, I found a cafe for a quick bite and coffee. It had to be the best ever cappuccino and toasted panini I've ever had. The shopping wasn't as successful as I liked but I did eventually found something.

After a tasty carbonara (no restaurant can out do Kerry) a birthday cake was presented or was it a giant Nintendo DS. The evening surprise was unfortunately given away in the working week seeing Kerry's Facebook history joining an event called the Parisian Police - Daft Punk Christmas Party at the New Hero. Before we got there we headed over to Kemp Town for a cocktail treat at the Om bar. The doorman requested I took my hat off yet we were confronted with a party of mask wearers obscuring their identity! We teased Om newbies James and Emma daring them to use the toilets much to our enjoyment then headed over to Paul and Sarah's to say hello to sickboy Paul, unwrap some more birthday presents and to takeaway Sarah for a not so famous five club adventure.

Christmas Punk Party
My big mouth nearly got us into trouble swearing at the bouncer though he didn't make himself clear. IDs were requested from everyone for their id with Emma and Sarah forgetting theirs. Then he said he wouldn't let us all in or that's what myself and Sarah heard. Inside, the Interstella 5555 video was playing with a few randoms dancing and nearly considered leaving. However, once the proper music started the place started filling up with a bit more atmosphere.

Got quite chatty with the DJ who runs the Somewhere in the Universe club nights and swapped French house legend stories. He's had an impressive line-up last year with the new wave of French house DJs with Mr Headbanger records himself, Busy P awarding him a Police badge. He mixed in a few classic tunes as well as some new floor-fillers plus used a few Daft Punk videos for some visual candy. His mate, who looked like Mickey Pearce from Only Fools and Horses and Morrisey took over for about 4 (badly chosen remixes) songs but got a few nasty glares from us - New Kids On The Block is a no-no. This only made me more convinced that I could put on a night like this but better.

Credit goes to Sam84 who took the photo and has an excellent Flickr portfolio.

Birthday Blue Man

Facebook has turned into my virtual mantle-piece with lots of mates wishing me a happy birthday - certainly brightened up an ordinary day at work on Friday.

Kerry spoiled me again this year with another well chosen gift selection. The jaw-dropping, jewel-in-the-crown present was the Ferrari race day experience at Thruxton. As well as the F355, I'll be doing laps in a Maxda MX-3 (to get used to the track), Porsche Cayman, a couple of cars driven by an instructor and a go at a single seater Formula Renault - that's nearly 40 miles on probably the longest track in the UK. Not only that but they'll film me from the dashboard just like Top Gear for a take home DVD. The gift pack was the perfect marketing gimmick with the card-opening sound of a Ferrari starting up and driving off - music to my petrol-head ears.

Santa begging
James and Emma turned up a bit later for the weekend and before we headed out to the restaurant we heard some seasonal music outside. We opened the door to an open-topped double-decker with Santa ho, ho, ho-ing whilst avoiding the overhead power cable and the driver trying to get around the double parked cars.

Blue Man Group
Back to the meal and Kerry's other surprise was a Moroccan restaurant, the Blue Man. It was a cosy cellar location sharing with a large office party. The service was good and food very tasty. I think the starter did me as well as the tasty Flag beers.

Store Wars: The Phantom Present

Had a quick trip to Norfolk at the weekend to see some family and the plan to do some quality Christmas shopping in Norwich. I've always raved on about how good the clothes shops are but all the regular places have gone a bit too 'safe' for my liking especially Elements. Philip Brown has also cut down its weird stuff and Dogfish has jammed so much stuff on its rails its beginning to feel like a flea-market. Its sister store, Catfish has gone stale and relies too much on brands long in the tooth and aimed at the pint-sized princesses.

A curry catch-up in the evening with my dad revealed he'd crashed his car thanks to some black ice but mainly because of a dopey couple who were driving in the middle of the road. Fingers crossed his insurance company will understand.

Sunday was another attempt at Chrimbo shopping, this time in Brighton. There were plenty of items I could buy for my double or myself but no luck with the special lady. Looks like either an online xmas or a late shop in Carnaby Street for me.

Star Wars trivia
On the telly was ITV's Star Wars season continuing with The Phantom Menace. Ignoring the franchise murderer that is Jar Jar Binks I couldn't help wonder who was voicing Boss Nass. According to IMDB it was the mountain climbing, dog snogging, 'fresh horses' thesp legend that is Brian Blessed. The trivia doesn't stop there as I read through the cast list. Ignore the likes of Liam Neeson and Ewan McGregor check the not so known about performers:-

• Sofia Coppola as Sache
• Keira Knightley as Sabe
• Peter Serafinowicz as Darth Maul's voice, he of Duane Benzie (Spaced)
• Roman Coppola as Senate Guard (uncredited), he directed Daft Punk's Revolution 909 video
• Rob Coleman as Pod race spectator in Jabba's private box

The last one I'm particularly pleased with as he was credited above Roman.

Mighty Boosh toys

Whilst searching for unusual Christmas presents I came across the Forbidden Planet website and saw these. They're on pre-order only at the moment but supposedly in time for Christmas. (Click on each photo to pre-order and view more details). For £20 you get two characters at 4.5 inches high designed by Pete Fowler, who does the Monsterism series.

A cold comedown Christmas essential

Money moan and little luck

I’ve had two punctures in the space of a week. Wasn’t too bothered about the first one but the second one was halfway home in the pouring rain to meet a locksmith for the front door lock which I thought had broken. Turned out that I’d left the spare key in the other side of the door and it took just the locksmith to use a ‘U’ shaped bar to turn the handle open. That was an easy £80 down the drain.

Icesave and Orange are officially my least favourite companies. In order to reclaim my inheritance, for the past two weeks I’ve been trying to get my password reset and after the 5^th attempt it was down to Orange blocking my emails, who their Indian call centre won’t admit or understand.

The Plumber issue has finally been sorted – his emails actually got friendlier when I mentioned complaining to the Chartered Institute. I can't say I'm happy with the final amount but glad to get rid of the man.

Socially, we've been keeping it local. We entertained Paul and Sarah with some leftover fireworks from the party and got to grips with the Virtual Vinyl DJing for a laptop set.

Paul and Sarah showed of their Wii Fit, something I’ve been avoiding all year but since a proper snowboard game has come out (Shaun White) looks like our Christmas will be a white one.

Last weekend I DJ’ed Paul and Sarah’s impromptu party with James tagging along. We were all for it as there was nothing club-wise worth attending. Left the house at around 6am with a taxi ride home. The driver's previous pick up was none other than Steve Coogan and Eddie Izzard and he continued to dish out the addresses of other Brighton celebs.

Sunday was a complete wipe-out and the working week has been a little rough.