Film: Tenet

Well, well, well. All those films on tv that I've already seen - and when they finally put something on that I actually want to see, it clashes with something else I really want to see! Happily, the channel with the film has a +1, so you can watch what was on an hour before. I still missed the first half hour or so - but not too bad. Worse was having to watch it with my mother, it being on while she was still up - and as usual, she had zero interest. Especially when people started being killed in it.

I'd never seen Tenet, but was intrigued - I've seen a couple of Christopher Nolan films, and they're nothing if not interesting. This one, in particular, has the reputation of being highly confusing. Agreed - I could maybe have done with that extra half-hour, except I don't think it'd have done much good! So.. there's a Protagonist, who's a CIA agent, and to be fair, most of the film is a pretty straightforward spy thriller. Exotic locations, some sharp outfits, a beautiful woman - not as many as James Bond has, but that's not actually the point, here. His handler is Robert Pattinson - reminding me constantly of Ilya Kuryakin, as a blonde. I do wonder whether Nolan mightn't actually have intended that, as they both have graduate degrees in physics.. Hey, there's even a villain, who wants to destroy the world - and, fitting the zeitgeist, he's Russian! (although played by Kenneth Branagh). Michael Caine also has a cameo, in the London section, his role being to impart a vital piece of information to the Protagonist.

Some weird stuff happens throughout, and we're kind of set up for the ending - enough, at least, to suspect that the film is going to resolve itself in a really interesting way. So (sigh), here goes. I actually had to refer to the Wikipedia article several times, throughout and afterwards, as I kept losing track of the plot. In The Future, somebody has effectively invented time travel. Well, it's Christopher Nolan, so it'd have to be time travel. In this film, they're calling it "inverted entropy" - which is a term I have some trouble with, as I have searched for a meaning for this, and can't find one. But well, let's just think of it as time travel. Now, the baddie has been in touch with The Future, and has got the (ahem) ninth part of the Algorithm (this is actually beginning to sound like The Matrix!), and if he combines them, he can destroy the world. I never did get what the Algorithm actually is, but never mind.

Now, Christopher Nolan has apparently spent a lot of time thinking about time travel - for instance, the grandfather paradox; suppose you go back and kill your own grandfather before he can produce your parent. Yeah, but then you wouldn't exist, to go back and kill your grandfather, would you?! Logically impossible, therefore. A lot of the characters in Tenet spend a lot of time zipping back in time - to situations some of them have already experienced. This is where the term "inverted entropy"comes in handy, as we can just refer to the time-travellers as "inverted". Anyway - to avoid potential logical complications, they all go in disguise (so their past selves won't recognise their future selves) and basically avoid direct contact with their past selves. Or anyone that knows them, ideally.

Funny thing is, in Christopher Nolan's version of time travel, when somebody is travelling back in time, their actions appear, to people - shall we say, native to the time - to be running in reverse. Conversely, to the time travellers, the world around them seems to be running in reverse. (This is the kind of logic you encounter in relativity theory, so there might actually be a basis for the idea.) BTW, they have dinky "turnstiles" to effect the time travel. Anyway - this, basically, all leads to a lot of very cool effects - particularly during the highway chase scene. And towards the end of the film, sure enough, it all ramps up, there's lots of weird stuff, and some of the weird stuff that happened at the start of the film is explained.

People have complained that there is little character development, and apart from the time travel, the story is really basic. All true. But the visuals are terrific - and won the film an Oscar. So, worth seeing - just go with the flow.

Nothing more planned until I go back to London. I fly back on Monday - and on Tuesday, am again thinking of film. With the partial listings available, at the moment it's looking like Aftersun - a directorial debut, in which a woman remembers her childhood holiday with her father, played by Paul Mescal. It's getting terrific reviews, and was showing here, some time ago - when it had competition from other films, and tended to be on too late for me. And now that I have nothing to see..! it's gone. In London, the closest showing to me is in the Curzon Camden.

On Wednesday, back with the London Horror Book Club - for an actual book club meeting! Yes, I'll have to bite the bullet and get around to reading something by then - specifically, The Silent Companions, by Laura Purcell. Happily, it's a short one - and the free Kindle sample I got from Amazon, and finished, has already covered about 1/3 of it! So, seems doable - it's a Gothic novel, in which a young lady, newly widowed, comes to her late husband's brooding family estate for the first time. Set in 1865, it keeps referring back to the supposed origin of the mystery that unfolds, in the 1600s. Anyway, our discussion will be in the Prince of Wales, quite close to me. This group obligingly holds an online version of all their in-person Meetups, on the day after!

Next Thursday, I'm with a new group - Shanty Singers Colliers Wood - who seem to exist to advertise free shanty singing concerts. That night, it's in The William Morris. Should be fun!

On the 6th, I've finally booked for The Sex Party, at the Menier Chocolate Factory. My goodness, it's so long since I was last there, I couldn't remember my username, and had to ring them! (CT were advertising cheap tickets, but had sold out.)

On the 7th, back with Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners, yay! This time, it's The Mysterious Square Mile Walking Tour.. lunch afterwards, natch.

On the 8th, headed with Cultureseekers to the "Executions" exhibition at the Museum of London Docklands. Should be nicely atmospheric.

And on the 9th, Up in the Cheap Seats are headed to Mandela, a musical at the Young Vic. Unfortunately, I was way too late for a cheap ticket - but then I noticed that someone attending couldn't make it, and had advertised two tickets for anyone who wanted - much cheaper than what I could get elsewhere. Front row, too! One ticket had gone - I messaged her, and yay, I got the other! Well, they won't email it to her until a couple of days beforehand, at which point I'll get it..

Films: I Wanna Dance with Somebody & The Notebook

Friday (early), it was back to Ireland for Christmas. Kudos to me for getting up in time! Well.. all went fine until I got to Heathrow. See, I'd already checked in - but Aer Lingus, with whom I'd booked, charge you to bring on the case - so I hadn't paid the extra, and therefore had to check it in. And oh lordy, what a disconcerting sight was the queue.. wasn't like this at all the last time!

So, I was about halfway through, and thinking to myself how slowly it was going, and how time was advancing, and how close the gate was to closing.. and then there was some announcement for passengers for Shannon - but I didn't hear it. So I made an executive decision, excused myself out of the queue, and joined the adjacent, priority queue. There were two check-in assistants - when the one at the adjoining queue (which I'd just left) finished with her current passenger, she turned to me (I was now second in the priority queue). So I trotted over to her, explaining that I was for Shannon - and lickety-split, I was in. After having to go through the e-gates - those in Stansted don't take your picture, you know, and I'd forgotten how those in Heathrow often don't like glasses. Well, after all that, my flight was delayed - which was fine, apart from that brief period when it disappeared from the departures board! The delay was only an hour, in the end.

Oh, lovely.. this was one of the longhaul aircraft, with individual entertainment screens! and I'd brought my headphones, with the intention of listening to my audiobook. I checked out the movies, none of which were familiar - so I looked at the music selection. And lo, whatever was first up - but a U2 concert, from Hammersmith, in 1982.. So that was me sorted, then! As someone remarked afterwards, the flight can't have been long enough for me at all.. As to the delay, turned out it had to be de-iced. In Shannon..?! Now, as it was flying on to Boston, perhaps it had come from there the night before: which, with the weather they've been having, would explain that..

Since then, would you believe, nothing decent for me in the cinemas - until I Wanna Dance with Somebody, the Whitney Houston biopic, opened today! Stars Stanley Tucci as her record producer. So I went to see it in Ennis. And wow, for all that the cinema was open - it was almost the only thing that was! which was good for parking, at least..

I had to queue behind a crowd of teenage girls, one or two adults accompanying. Naturally, they were going to the same film - in fact, I ended up sitting right in front of them! Which was fine, except for the odd flurry of teenage energy, which rocked my seat. Anyway. Now, you might know that Whitney Houston was known as The Voice - and with good reason; she had a terrific range, a powerful delivery. Which begs the question - who on earth could reproduce that for the biopic?

That would be one Naomi Ackie. Now, as you might expect - no, she doesn't really do the singing: well, not the full performances, anyway. Seems she does sing the snatches where the character is considering a song, trying it out.. But she absolutely nails the mannerisms, and you really wouldn't know the performances themselves aren't hers. So, that's actually Whitney we're hearing! and boy, what a tribute. I was literally moved to tears a couple of times. And what a sad story it is - plagued by a father who insisted on managing her, then threw all her money away, so she was forced to tour incessantly: and a husband who cheated on her persistently. Small wonder she ended up overdosing on drugs, and accidentally drowning in the bath.

But don't think it's a depressing film - my, it was good to hear all the old songs: and I did know most! So - recommended, for the sake of listening to the music. And realising how very good she actually was.

Later tonight, I ended up watching The Notebook on tv, a real weepie of a romance between Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams (their older versions played by James Garner and Gena Rowlands, respectively), for whom the path of true love certainly doesn't run smooth. I defy anyone to watch this without a tear in their eye..

Yep, that's it now until I go back to London - that exhausted the available list of films. I fly back next Monday - and on the 3rd, am also thinking of film. But the listings aren't out yet - so that'll have to come as a surprise. To us all.

On the 4th, back with the London Horror Book Club - for an actual book club meeting! Yes, I'll have to bite the bullet and get around to reading something by then - specifically, The Silent Companions, by Laura Purcell. Happily, it's a short one - and the free Kindle sample I got from Amazon, and finished, has already covered about 1/3 of it! So, seems doable - it's a Gothic novel, in which a young lady, newly widowed, comes to her late husband's brooding family estate for the first time. Set in 1865, it keeps referring back to the supposed origin of the mystery that unfolds, in the 1600s. Anyway, our discussion will be in the Prince of Wales, quite close to me. This group obligingly holds an online version of all their in-person Meetups, on the day after!

And on the 5th, I'm with a new group - Shanty Singers Colliers Wood - who seem to exist to advertise free shanty singing concerts. That night, it's in The William Morris. Should be fun!

Dickens in the City - A Festive Walk

Last London event of the year, today, went to (drum roll).. Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners!! Oh, it was so good to see them again - I took the day off specially. It was for Dickens in the City - a Festive Walk. Ah well now, I wouldn't miss the last of the year.. Started nice and close to me too, at the Shakespeare's Head pub. It was originally full, with a waitlist, but there were some cancellations. Nice way to finish the year - I can't go on his walks so much now, while I'm working and he's mostly scheduling them during working hours..

No time whatsoever to shop these days - breakfast, therefore, was scavenged from Pret, en route. A smoked salmon sandwich, yum. When I arrived at the meeting point, there were a couple outside - most, it seemed, were inside, but I stayed outside to finish my sandwich. Ah man, it was indeed good to see folks again.

Our walk took us to parts associated with Dickens - and with his characters! Anyway, it was good to be back around the City sights:

This, for instance, is a statue of Samuel Johnson, which I never recognised!

And with impeccable timing, we were here for the hourly chiming of the bells!

Also here, where a chiming of bells greeted us:

Round the corner, we came across a curious statue of wild animals, dining together - a couple of stools are left free, for anyone who cares to join them!

After the main event, we repaired to The Bunch of Grapes, where we were fed (yay)! We had a room to ourselves, upstairs, and for my part, a moreish steak and ale pie. Conversation was also interesting - after a seriously bad report from a member of the 50+ Friendly Frolickers, I've just left that group - certainly, my one experience with them didn't fill me with enthusiasm.

And so, on to The Ship:

..where good conversation was had! Man, I hope to have many more events with these people. For now, it was a great send-off from London for the year!

Tomorrow (early), it's back to Ireland for Christmas. And would you believe, nothing decent for me in the cinemas - until I Wanna Dance with Somebody, the Whitney Houston biopic, which opens on Monday! Well, see you on the other side.. Have a very merry one.

Concert: The Tallis Scholars

Tonight, back with London Classical Music and Theatre Group - we went to St. John's, Smith Square to hear the Tallis Scholars. Which promised to be lovely! I had to get a ticket for the Gallery - the ground floor was already sold out! I checked again yesterday evening, and there was one ticket left for the Stalls - at £40 - the Gallery now being sold out.

Grabbed a bite in Pret after work - handy for shops! And then a succession of buses. Interestingly, where Google Maps told me I had to change, the bus stop was closed for roadworks - happily, the one before did me just as well.(Why that stop isn't flagged online as closed beats me - I've complained to TFL). 

I arrived first, waited in the ticket office, as the organiser had specified, and in due course, he happened along. We never did meet the third person who'd signed up - well, not at that stage anyway - perhaps he did, later. Now, someone nearby remarked that it was sold out - not a surprise. Certainly, the cafe was full, and we didn't get a seat - never mind, we had a good ole chat anyway, catching up on the news and our Christmas plans. And when it was time, we headed up - me, all the way up. And boy, does a person get tired of the spiral staircases! Not to mention I hadn't been in the Gallery before, and had to ask three people for directions - out a particular side door, turn to the side for the Gallery stairs. Well, I had no trouble getting a seat (upstairs was unreserved).

I couldn't see all the singers without getting up and peering over the edge - but that wasn't the important thing. The important thing was the heavenly music they produced, the polyphony washing over me and covering me - rather like a sound bath, I mused. I couldn't pick a favourite piece - I was just delighted to be there. Should be required listening for everyone, at least once in their life. From an announcement made at the end, I understand next year is their 50th anniversary.. hmm..

I didn't meet the organiser again - we hadn't made arrangements to do so. But it was good to see him. On the way home, more buses - and another unexpectedly closed bus stop! What is it with these.. I've also complained about this one. Well, at least I was home in time to shop - believe me, it ain't easy, these days!

Last London event of the year, tomorrow, goes to (drum roll).. Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners!! Oh, it'll be so good to see them again - I'm taking the day off specially. It's for Dickens in the City - a Festive Walk. Ah well now, I wouldn't miss the last of the year.. Starts nice and close to me too, at the Shakespeare's Head pub. It was full, with a waitlist, but there have been some cancellations since, so might be some more spaces now. Nice way to finish the year - I can't go on his walks so much now, while I'm working and he's mostly scheduling them during working hours..

On Friday, it's back to Ireland for Christmas. And would you believe, nothing decent for me in the cinemas - until I Wanna Dance with Somebody, the Whitney Houston biopic, which opens on Monday! Well, see you on the other side.. Have a very merry one.

Play: The Grotto

Tonight, couldn't see anything on Meetup, again - so I booked with TAC for The Grotto, a Christmas comedy at the Drayton Arms, which was local to me, many years ago! You never know, I thought I might even get to eat there.. they didn't seem to be booked up, so I decided I'd have a go. I remember the food being decent, long, long ago.. and they're less central, so it might be possible!

A decent distance, and it turned out to have to be Tube - to Gloucester Road, where, I mused, I've hardly ever gotten off. The Tube journey was enlivened somewhat by the fat bloke - no argument about it, he was fat - mansplaining across a couple of seats across from me, a plastic bag plonked on one of them. A couple looking for seats gave him a look - at which he growled an expletive, and a warning to stop looking at him. Then a guy with a crutch got on, and asked him to move the bag, which was on the seat at the end, which would be handier for him. "No," came the response. He asked again, quietly. "No." He stood. Happily, the owner of the bag got off at the next stop - and everyone breathed a little easier.

A short, zigzag walk to the pub - which was, sadly, packed. I had a look around - spotted a restaurant called Thali across the road and decided to try it. Rather bravely - it didn't display a menu. But I was hungry enough not to care much..

Well, it was just lovely. Sparkly red napkin rings, friendly service - and prompt, but then, they were practically empty when I arrived! I had free poppadoms to start, with a mango dip - then for my official starter, samosas, as usual: chicken, not as usual! Never before seen chicken samosas. They were served with a sauce that, she warned me, was mango and chili - emphasising the chili! And for main - since they didn't have butter chicken - I was intrigued by the "turkey tikka" monthly special, and asked for that. She checked I didn't want it as a starter, and warned that it came without sauce - never mind, I said, I'd have it anyway. And it was delicious! Not an awful lot of it, but I'd also asked for pulao rice and peshawari naan.. all lovely, and accompanied by a nice sauvignon blanc. Ah yes, this was a lovely, relaxed meal - just what I needed. And just across from the theatre, which I made with five minutes to spare.

I did find the warnings, posted on the stairs, intriguing - for a Christmas show, particularly. Well, I was seated right at the back:

The scene: Santa's Grotto. The characters: Santa and an elf. They do a marvellous job of miming the presence of small visitors to Santa, as raucous Christmas music plays. Then it's time to clear up - something of a relief to both. But as Santa steps out for a moment, and the elf starts to dismantle the Christmas tree - something odd happens..

It's completely bonkers, happily. Just what I needed, again! I could give away the plot, but I couldn't do it justice. Suffice to say that it's just the right amount of surreal - and there's a third character, whose presence is not immediately felt. Runs for just over an hour - highly recommended, for a healthy dose of laughter to tide you over Christmas! Runs, as the warning above says, until the 30th..

And on the way home - on the Tube, again - a lady with a gorgeous labrador, wagging its tail and sniffing everyone, saying hello, and getting a lot of hellos back. One lady even got her face licked! And so we wended our merry way home - early enough for me to get some shopping in, phew!

Tomorrow, back with London Classical Music and Theatre Group - we're going to St. John's, Smith Square to hear the Tallis Scholars. Which should be lovely! I had to get a ticket for the Gallery - the ground floor was already sold out! I checked again this evening, and there was one ticket left for the Stalls - at £40 - the Gallery now being sold out.

And - last London event of the year, on Thursday, goes to (drum roll).. Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners!! Oh, it'll be so good to see them again - I'm taking the day off specially. It's for Dickens in the City - a Festive Walk. Ah well now, I wouldn't miss the last of the year.. Starts nice and close to me too, at the Shakespeare's Head pub. And it's full, with four on the waitlist. Nice way to finish the year - I can't go on his walks so much now, while I'm working and he's only scheduling them during working hours..

On Friday, it's back to Ireland for Christmas. See you on the other side..! Have a very merry one.

Concert: Charpentier's Christmas Music

I was back in Ireland for the weekend - just worked out that way - coinciding perfectly with a train strike! So I booked a ticket on the bus - mercifully, he cancelled (yet again) our evening work meeting. In fact, it's now gone down to a single, daily meeting - which wouldn't have suited that day, so good timing.

I made the bus in good time -in fact, it was five minutes late. Now, it was to leave at 4.25, for a 7.25pm flight; I didn't want to leave it any later. So, it arrived at 4.30 and we piled on. And.. there we stayed, on the bus, as it crawled up the motorway for the next 2h 20 minutes (twice as long as normal).. in what the driver described as "shit" traffic (gee, I wonder why!). She postulated she'd get us there next week sometime, but she'd do her best - as it happened, we arrived at the airport five minutes before my gate was due to close. Approaching the airport, when it looked as though there was half a chance we'd make it, I'd booked Fast Track, so now legged it there ASAP - made it two minutes after the gate officially closed, and was let through. Which told me - the flight was delayed. Hallelujah - goes to show, if you're with Ryanair, and you're close - run for it. They generally are delayed, in which case they delay closing the gate. I finally made it to the boarding gate queue at 7.20pm - they hadn't started boarding yet. The relief..

.. And would you believe it, there wasn't a single film showing in any of my local cinemas in Ireland at the weekend that I haven't seen and wanted to see.. Bah humbug! Just had to go Christmas shopping. ;-)

Last night was another delayed flight back - I had my return bus ticket, which was just as well, because we'd have been too late for the train. Was very quickly out of the airport - so I made a bus within about half an hour of landing, and got home about 2.30am. Now, I was thinking of scrapping this late-night flight - but if work is scrapping early morning meetings, well..!

This evening, back with London Baroque Music Lovers for the first time in months! This time, we were back to see Les Arts Florissants, who were performing Charpentier's Christmas music at the Barbican. Now, my initial thought was to eat at Cote Barbican - but I checked, and they only had availability from 7pm, which was no good. Second choice was The Lucas Arms, which was on my way to the fastest bus - nope, they only had availability from 6.15pm, which was also no good. Sod it, no point in even checking O' Neill's - I went to Pret. Caught the bus from Stop E outside, afterwards (which Google Maps, for some reason, says is closed) - the departures board there is as much a work of fiction as ever, telling me my bus was 10 minutes away, as I could see it pulling up! In the end, I made it in good time, and chatted to the organiser - whom I hadn't seen in so long - and a couple of newcomers - before we went in.

I actually had a ton of empty seats around me, so could spread myself out as I liked - even more so after the interval, when the lady to my left didn't return! Well, to each their own - in common with the group, I thought the concert was absolutely lovely - as was the moment, just before the start, when someone from the Circle (where I was sitting) yelled out "Happy Birthday!" to the conductor, William Christie: whereupon he turned to acknowledge the gesture, hand on heart. As someone near me remarked, "Aww.."

The first half was gorgeous - particularly the choral parts, in my opinion. The second half started with the Pastorale sur la naissance de Notre Seigneur Jésus Christ, a lighthearted number sung by observers at Christ's birth. This might have been my favourite piece of the evening - but frankly, it's hard to choose. At the end, an encore, complete with tambourines. A concert I'm delighted not to have missed!

Afterwards, we repaired to the Martini Bar, which - unlike the downstairs bar - does stay open after shows. And sells wine, as well as martinis.. and we had a lovely time! Meetup can be lovely, when it throws people together like this.. and wouldn't you know it, we ran right into the orchestra on the way out.

Tomorrow, couldn't see anything on Meetup, again - so I'm with TAC for The Grotto, a Christmas comedy at the Drayton Arms, which was local to me, many years ago! You never know, I might even get to eat there.. I'll have a go. I remember the food being decent, long, long ago.. and they're less central, so it might be possible!

On Wednesday, back with London Classical Music and Theatre Group - we're going to St. John's, Smith Square to hear the Tallis Scholars. Which should be lovely! I had to get a ticket for the Gallery - the ground floor was already sold out!

And - last London event of the year, on Thursday, goes to (drum roll).. Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners!! Oh, it'll be so good to see them again - I'm taking the day off specially. It's for Dickens in the City - a Festive Walk. Ah well now, I wouldn't miss the last of the year.. Starts nice and close to me too, at the Shakespeare's Head pub. And it's full, with four on the waitlist. Nice way to finish the year - I can't go on his walks so much now, while I'm working and he's only scheduling them during working hours..

On Friday, it's back to Ireland for Christmas. See you on the other side..! Have a very merry one.

Storytelling: The Winner Takes It All

Last night, back with the Crick Crack Club, yay! for The Winner Takes It All at Rich Mix. This, the club's last performance of the year, was performed by a congregation of souls known as Pandvani 108, comprising Ben Haggarty, Emily Hennessy, and Sheema Mukherjee, among others.

Signed up to a pointless series of sales induction talks, I dropped out of last night's early, shh.. and took myself off for food. No earthly point in going to O' Neill's, which would have been my standard - they're only taking bookings these days, and completely booked out for the rest of the week. I figured I'd be OK with Pret, in the station. Well, I was.. except it was freezing! I shivered my way through my meal. Also, in this Pret, they don't have bins - you literally just leave your stuff on the table for collection. To be fair, they do seem to collect rather fast..

And so I caught the bus, the #205, for once, coming (roughly) when it was supposed to! And when I got off, I had a freezing walk to Rich Mix - last night was a seriously frigid one. Oh, was I glad to get in - and noted that, had I taken the bus suggested to me on Google Maps, I'd have been late! Certainly, had I stayed for the end of that (pointless, annoying, boring) meeting - I noticed today that it finished at 7.09pm - I'd definitely have been late! Never mind hungry.. Anyway, I got myself a glass of wine - not terrific, but they didn't have the sauvignon blanc, and headed in, getting a seat in the front row. In fact, when I arrived, the place was half empty!

Two other musicians appeared, besides Sheema Mukherjee, and there were three storytellers as well - Ben, Emily, and a lady I wasn't familiar with. She turned out to be Steph Brittain. Anyway. You always expect the best from the Crick Crack Club, but this was something different - more lighthearted than usual, Ben not all in black (and with ankle bells!), plenty of jokes, and other storytellers commenting on the main story being told. And the music being played? Primarily popular songs! linked to whatever story was currently being told. Great fun.

Ben started us off with a saucy take on the story of Endymion - followed by Steph, with something Indian (I think) and Emily, who tends to go for Indian stories in general anyway. After the interval, more from Steph - and Ben gave us a tale of Fionn Mac Cumhaill! To, of all things, the soundtrack of Thugamar Féin an Samhraidh Linn, softly sung by Steph! In Irish, yet. Well, that was unexpected. Emily finished off the night, with a typically mischievous tale of Thor and Loki. Another terrific night, to finish off the year.. and a cold walk back to the bus.

This evening, I'm back to Ireland for the weekend - just worked out that way - coinciding perfectly with a train strike! So I've booked a ticket on the bus - will just have to take this evening's meeting on my phone! If it even happens.. since I started this job, there hasn't been an evening meeting! Fingers crossed.. And would you believe it, there isn't a single film showing in any of my local cinemas in Ireland at the weekend that I haven't seen and want to see.. Bah humbug! Just have to go Christmas shopping. ;-)

On Monday, back with London Baroque Music Lovers for the first time in months! This time, we're back to see Les Arts Florissants, who are performing Charpentier's Christmas music at the Barbican.

On Tuesday, couldn't see anything on Meetup, again - so I'm with TAC for The Grotto, a Christmas comedy at the Drayton Arms, which was local to me, many years ago!

On Wednesday, back with London Classical Music and Theatre Group - we're going to St. John's, Smith Square to hear the Tallis Scholars. Which should be lovely! I had to get a ticket for the Gallery - the ground floor was already sold out!

And - last London event of the year, on Thursday, goes to (drum roll).. Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners!! Oh, it'll be so good to see them again - I'm taking the day off specially. It's for Dickens in the City - a Festive Walk. Ah well now, I wouldn't miss the last of the year.. Starts nice and close to me too, at the Shakespeare's Head pub. And it's full, with four on the waitlist. Nice way to finish the year - I can't go on his walks so much now, while I'm working and he's only scheduling them during working hours..

Next Friday, it's back to Ireland for Christmas. See you on the other side..! Have a very merry one.

Film: Elif Ana

Last night, I'd arranged to attend another carol service - at St. Stephen's Walbrook - with an ex-flatmate. As advertised by London Cultureseekers. Started at 6pm. But wouldn't you know it - my blasted, pointless, sales induction meeting ran on till practically then. And while I might not be paying attention, it's another thing entirely to sign off! So, so much for that. Instead, I was at the cinema again - top of the list was a Turkish film, Elif Ana. Based on a book, it tells the story of a little girl who grows up to be a healer. Full of music, by the looks of the trailer - and music that I like. Actually higher rated than Fanny och Alexander, which I'd seen the night before - but I didn't know it was on, not having redone the list yet, when I booked that! Well, last night's film's closest showing is in Cineworld Wood Green - at 8.20, so I was ok. Thought I might get food up there somewhere - there's no earthly point in going to O' Neill's without a booking, these days. And they're booked up days in advance.

I passed The Lucas Arms on the way, but it was full too, so I continued on. Just missed a bus I could have taken - it was a very cold wait for the next! And all the way up, I saw icy pavements - the snow we had on Sunday never melted, you know, and bits are treacherous. I prayed that when I had to get off, it'd be on a clear patch - and mercifully, it was! Apart from when I had to change buses on the way up.. I'd just figured out that my stop for the next bus was right beside where I'd got off - and lo, the next bus appeared! Had to park behind another - and right in front of a big patch of ice. Happily, I found a wee clear patch, so had no accidents, and made it to the cinema safely.

Yeah - there just isn't much to eat around there, apart from a Five Guys, which I didn't fancy. So I bought a bag of Maltesers in the cinema. And when I found out the screen wasn't cleaned yet, I opened them.. and having heard nothing more by the time I finished them, I bought another! both from a very smiley lady at the till. I'd booked a good seat, in front of the aisle that runs across, so there was no-one in front of me, and I had a rail to put my feet on. Recliners, how are you! This was just as good. Now, come start time, nothing had started showing - an usher came in to tell us that there wouldn't be any ads (!) but we'd be told when to turn off our phones. And at 8.45, she finally did tell us to turn them off - and bless, she did try and wait for us to do it. Some did.. you'll never get everyone to cooperate, though.

And so to the film, at last. Based on a true story, it seems! It's an odd beast - the title character is an old woman, having an eye operation - she says something about how you don't need eyes to see the truth, and then it flashes back to her childhood (she was born in 1908), and her mother's death. Her mother, dying, removes her amulet and places it around her daughter's neck - and lo, also passes on her gift of foresight. Elif Ana also grows up to be a healer - has an annoying habit (to her family) of running off into the mountains on her own, where they're all afraid she'll be eaten by a wolf. As she grows up, though, her reputation as a healer and clairvoyant grows, and people start to seek her out.

It's lovely, actually. Elif Ana is played rather dreamily, especially in young adulthood - smiles at people rather than talking to them, spends more time talking to the animals, all of which obey her. Her marriage is arranged to a childhood sweetheart, who idolises her - and through her life story, we see the fractious history of her tribe (I think she's Kurdish), who are always afraid of raids. Ottoman soldiers also pass through, and there are sporadic episodes of fighting - later in the film, we meet her son, a musician who has joined the army, but refuses to shoot a gun! Also some troubling scenes of persecution of non-Muslims.

It's set in a picturesque mountain region - and yes, it's full of music. Some people don't like this particular kind of music - me, I love it. For her wedding, for funerals - throughout so much of the film, music for all occasions. There's a curious local guru-type, who has a habit of sitting on the train tracks and playing his flute.. Well, I just thought it was delightful to watch. And apart from a gang of youngsters, who left early, the audience seemed to agree - they seemed mostly Turkish, from what I could hear of what they were speaking. I joined them in a round of applause. Recommended, if you get the chance to see it.

Another cold wait for the bus back - and again, I had to catch two. On the first, I found myself sat beside an elderly Irish lady - one of those who never. stops. talking. Her brand of talking was to ask questions - oh yes, this is the sort of person who'd have your whole life story by the time you parted. Kind of a relief when it came time for me to change buses, before I gave away everything! On the second bus, light relief was provided by the two young girls who got on, the first flouncing past the driver without paying, calling back to him "My card is in the post!". As they sat at the back, she giggled to her friend - "He didn't know what to say to that!" Ah, the trials of a bus driver..

Tonight, back with the Crick Crack Club, yay! for The Winner Takes It All at Rich Mix. This, the club's last performance of the year, is performed by a congregation of souls known as Pandvani 108, comprising Ben Haggarty, Emily Hennessy, and Sheema Mukherjee, among others. I'm planning to drop out of today's sales call early, shh.. so I might actually get fed beforehand..

Tomorrow, I'm back to Ireland for the weekend - just worked out that way - coinciding perfectly with a train strike! So I've booked a ticket on the bus - will just have to take tomorrow evening's meeting on my phone! If it even happens.. since I started this job, there hasn't been an evening meeting! Fingers crossed.. And would you believe it, there isn't a single film showing in any of my local cinemas in Ireland at the weekend that I haven't seen and want to see.. Bah humbug! Just have to go Christmas shopping. ;-)

On Monday, back with London Baroque Music Lovers for the first time in months! This time, we're back to see Les Arts Florissants, who are performing Charpentier's Christmas music at the Barbican.

On Tuesday, couldn't see anything on Meetup, again - so I'm with TAC for The Grotto, a Christmas comedy at the Drayton Arms, which was local to me, many years ago!

On Wednesday, back with London Classical Music and Theatre Group - we're going to St. John's, Smith Square to hear the Tallis Scholars. Which should be lovely!

And - last London event of the year, next Thursday, goes to (drum roll).. Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners!! Oh, it'll be so good to see them again - I'm taking the day off specially. It's for Dickens in the City - a Festive Walk. Ah well now, I wouldn't miss the last of the year.. Starts nice and close to me too, at the Shakespeare's Head pub. And it's full, with four on the waitlist. Nice way to finish the year - I can't go on his walks so much now, while I'm working and he's only scheduling them during working hours..

On the 23rd, it's back to Ireland for Christmas. See you on the other side..! Have a very merry one.

Films: The Sparring Partner & Fanny och Alexander (Fanny and Alexander)

These three days, with nothing on Meetup that I fancy (and can make), I decided on film. Top of the list for Monday - that I could make, and looked like I might actually enjoy it - was The Sparring Partner, a Hong Kong film based on the true story of a young man who conspired with his friend to murder, and dismember, his parents. Closest showing was in the Odeon Luxe Haymarket - unfortunately, for days, I could neither confirm the times, book a ticket, nor see how it was booking, because the website wouldn't let me in! Even when I got access on my phone, it didn't work right - I always have trouble with Odeon. Apparently, I wasn't the only one - they were advising people to try to use the website incognito.

The website finally worked - on Monday! - only for me to see that the film was nearly sold out. So I booked in a hurry - getting half-price because I signed up as an Odeon member 10 years ago, when I first came to London! Anyway, I tried to get into O' Neill's again to eat - no such luck. The downstairs was packed, but the upstairs was open - but lo, they told me they were only taking bookings. Sod that, I made for the cinema.

Mercifully, it hadn't snowed any more - and hasn't, at time of writing - and the pavements are getting ever clearer, from constant footfall. The West End is particularly clear, given the volumes there. Realising I'd be crossing the Trafalgar Christmas Market, I thought I'd try for food there - I had time. Sadly, no mulled wine - but I had a very welcome burger. Caveat - if that's what you want, go to the stall in the middle of the market - it's £1 cheaper than the one at the edge. Location, location, location.. And after that, I treated myself to some churros - delighted to see these at all the markets now! Yummy. And very welcome in the cold we had that night..

And so to the cinema, where the screen wasn't open yet. They had pinot grigio on the shelf, so I asked for some of that - it was later that I saw sauvignon blanc on the menu. The pinot grigio wasn't great, TBH. Anyway, it wasn't long before the screen was open, and I headed in. All the seats here are recliners, nicely - there's a switch on the side that makes the back lower and the footrest rise. Which meant that all you could hear at the end of the film was the click and whirr of people's chairs being returned to an upright position.

So - it's an interesting film, about an interesting case. Nobody doubted that the victims' son was guilty - for reasons of his own, among them, obviously, a mental disorder, he had committed this crime. It happened in the other guy's flat - the big question at the time was: to what extent was he culpable? The victims' son claimed that the other guy was the ringleader, putting the idea in his head; conversely, the friend, who seemed to have a mental deficiency of his own due to a suicide attempt some years back, claimed he'd known nothing about it until he got home, whereupon the son made him help dispose of the bodies. The truth? probably lies somewhere in between.

The film is based around the lawyers' arguments and - more particularly - the jury deliberations. All sorts of possibilities are entertained - for instance, was the friend faking stupidity? Someone remarked that it's much easier to do that than to fake cleverness. Or perhaps he was just duped by the victims' son, who wanted someone to share the blame. I remember the same deliberations at the time. Go watch it - see whose story you believe, or whether you can come up with an alternative theory..

Again, it ran too late that night to blog, as I had to be up early.

Yesterday - hellfire, if the best thing on Meetup wasn't Free Stuff and Free Events, with another online singalong. I decided on film again - and this time, it was Ingmar Bergman's film, Fanny och Alexander (Fanny and Alexander), which is showing at the BFI. Which has a tendency to sell out - and sure enough, when I checked on Monday, it almost had. So, again, I booked.

I'm in a completely pointless set of sales meetings this week - should have been watching one while writing this, actually. It's part of everyone's induction, but completely pointless for me - the idea is to let everyone know the kind of things that the sales team finds important. So anyway, they're timed to suit the US, where most of the trainers and sales team are - which means they run really late into our evening. So I wasn't expecting to have time to eat - mercifully, one of the speakers couldn't make it, so I just about had! I ran to GBK - which is on the way, and - was completely empty!

Tight on time, I ordered and paid straight away - and gee, they had onion rings. For once. The guy warned it'd be about 10 minutes for the burger - what actually happened was the onion rings arrived after 10 minutes (he muttered something about bringing me a plate, but never did), with the burger not arriving until 10 minutes after that. By which time I'd eaten most of the onion rings. Well, I wolfed down the rest (which was very nice) and raced off, arriving just in time for one of the buses I could get to the cinema. And all was going well.. until we hit dreadful traffic in Aldwych. Including a wheelchair passenger - nothing against the guy, but it was another delay. Finally, when I got to the cinema, and tried taking the river entrance - I was blocked by an attendant who explained that there was a private function and it was blocked that way! So I had to go around. Was 6 minutes late - which, for the BFI, isn't good. Mercifully, they don't seem to have ushers on the doors, blocking latecomers, any more - and this is precisely why I booked an aisle seat. So I took my seat as unobtrusively as possible.

The film opens - well, the bit where I started opened - at Christmas 1907, in Sweden, in the sumptuous (and rather claustrophobic) household of a theatrical family, of which Alexander is one of the youngest members. Fanny is his sister, who doesn't get much of a look into the plot. Frankly, it's something of a relief to get to the next day, when most of the decorations have been removed, and the decor follows cooler, Scandinavian lines. Alexander is a dreamy young soul, but his and Fanny's happy childhood is disrupted by the death of their father, whereupon their pretty young mother marries a local bishop: a nightmare of a man, who sees Alexander's flights of fancy as lying, and disrespectful, and who lives a spartan lifestyle - a complete contrast to the luxurious life they've left behind.

It's a long film, coming in at three hours - a woman behind me remarked to her companion, at the end, "Well, that was long!". I didn't feel it, to be honest. Very glad to have seen this - it's beautifully shot, the characters frequently shot in closeup, continually holding our attention. I became completely engrossed in each aspect of the story. The conclusion of the story is delightful - but the plot isn't really as interesting as the characters living it. I actually really enjoyed it. 40 years old now, imagine.. And I had to be up early again, hence the delay in the blog.

Tonight, I'd arranged to attend another carol service - at St. Stephen's Walbrook - with an ex-flatmate. As advertised by London Cultureseekers. Started at 6pm. But wouldn't you know it - this blasted meeting ran on till practically then. And while I might not be paying attention, it's another thing entirely to sign off! So, so much for that. Instead, I'm at the cinema again - top of the list now is a Turkish film, Elif Ana. Based on a book, it tells the story of a little girl who grows up to be a healer. Full of music, by the looks of the trailer - and music that I like. Actually higher rated than Fanny och Alexander - but I didn't know it was on, not having redone the list yet, when I booked that! Well, tonight's film's closest showing is in Cineworld Wood Green - at 8.20, so I should be ok. Might get food up there somewhere - there's no earthly point in going to O' Neill's.

Tomorrow, back with the Crick Crack Club, yay! for The Winner Takes It All at Rich Mix. This, the club's last performance of the year, is performed by a congregation of souls known as Pandvani 108, comprising Ben Haggarty, Emily Hennessy, and Sheema Mukherjee, among others.

And then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend - just worked out that way - coinciding perfectly with a train strike! So I've booked a ticket on the bus - will just have to take that evening's meeting on my phone! If it even happens.. since I started this job, there hasn't been an evening meeting! Fingers crossed.. And would you believe it, there isn't a single film showing in any of my local cinemas in Ireland at the weekend that I haven't seen and want to see.. Bah humbug! Just have to go Christmas shopping. ;-)

On Monday, back with London Baroque Music Lovers for the first time in months! This time, we're back to see Les Arts Florissants, who are performing Charpentier's Christmas music at the Barbican.

On Tuesday, couldn't see anything on Meetup, again - so I'm with TAC for The Grotto, a Christmas comedy at the Drayton Arms, which was local to me, many years ago!

Next Wednesday, back with London Classical Music and Theatre Group - we're going to St. John's, Smith Square to hear the Tallis Scholars. Which should be lovely!

And - last London event of the year, on the 22nd, goes to (drum roll).. Laurence Summers and the 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners!! Oh, it'll be so good to see them again - I'm taking the day off specially. It's for Dickens in the City - a Festive Walk. Ah well now, I wouldn't miss the last of the year.. Starts nice and close to me too, at the Shakespeare's Head pub. And it's full, with four on the waitlist. Nice way to finish the year - I can't go on his walks so much now, while I'm working and he's only scheduling them during working hours..

On the 23rd, it's back to Ireland for Christmas. See you on the other side..! Have a very merry one.

Museum of the Home & Carols by Candlelight

Last Sunday, I was vaguely thinking of heading to see Carnaby Street's Christmas lights.. but then London Social & Cultural Meetups were off to the Museum of the Home, followed by carols by candlelight at Westminster Chapel. So I booked for that.

Really had to drag myself out of bed, after the night before.. The fastest way to the Museum of the Home was to take the Tube to Old Street, and walk from there - so that's what I did. On what turned out to be a really foggy day! I messaged them when I got there - but, as I was to discover, they were already inside. So, when I hadn't got a response after a couple of minutes, I headed in too - still no sign. The receptionist told me which way to go - so off I went! The tour starts downstairs - with a whole heap of photographs of contemporary dwellings. Each room is dedicated to a different theme, but all aim to give an idea of what people's homes are like, and what they were like in the past.

This cabinet has a secret compartment, guarded by the knight at the centre - the piece was commissioned by a wealthy lady for her husband, in the 1930s:

Like Saturday, I primarily photographed what I found interesting:

such as this ration card for furniture!

A feminist version of a Peter and Jane book:

Unfortunately, I had no mobile reception downstairs, so missed the group trying to get a hold of me! I did finally catch up to them at what turned out to be the end of the ground floor exhibit - they'd come in the wrong way, so by that stage, I'd actually seen more of the exhibit than they had! Bless 'em, they hung around for all that time, not wanting to miss me.. Hallelujah to catch them at last!

Back on the ground floor, there was an interesting exhibit on home tech:

That's an Amstrad, just like my first computer! And beside it is an Alexa, which we could only get to answer very particular questions..

After that, the ground floor exhibit is mostly reconstructions of period rooms, with explanations. So here, we have an olden times Midwinter feast:

The sitting room of a family, just returned from a frost fair:

A Hanukkah feast for a 17th century Sephardic Jewish family (no menorah, though!) - note the preponderance of fried food, which is deliberate, apparently, being representative of the Miracle of the Oil:

This family is prepping boxes for the servants - for Boxing Day!

And we got some idea of the attitudes of yesteryear!

And here's a 12th night feast:

Continuing to the other part of the ground floor exhibit, we saw recreations of living rooms through the ages. Quite an interesting museum - although someone remarked that seeing the older items, which she remembered from years ago, just made her feel old! We also noted that there were no displays of bathrooms or kitchens.. but on the plus side, the interactive exhibits give the kids plenty to do! and the adults would enjoy some, too. They've put a lot of work into those. This museum is free - worth a look, if you're in the area. Unfortunately, the cafe is closed indefinitely..

So we headed down the main road till we found somewhere that looked ok for a drink - stopped into a place called Zeleha. Where I got a cold drink - would have gone for hot chocolate, but my tummy was still feeling sensitive, so I decided not to risk it. Good soundtrack there.

When they threw us out at 4, we wended our way slowly to the carol service - got the Tube to Leicester Square and walked from there. Only to realise.. oops, we'd mistaken the time it was to start! It had already started, so we hurried along there. Not that I think we really missed much - this was one of those religious services that include carols, as opposed to an actual carol concert. Religion lite, happily.

Question - why are carols generally pitched so high? Hurts my throat! Question #2 - why did the organist increase the volume for each verse of Hark the Herald Angels Sing? By the last verse, we couldn't hear anything else! It was nice, though, in general - and we got chocolates on the way in!

They were serving free mulled wine and mince pies afterwards - but neither is something I'm keen on. Anyway, for that evening, CT advertised tickets for Love Factually - a kind of rewriting of one of the relationships in that classic Christmas romcom, Love Actually. Sadly, all their tickets were gone - but I got a full-price ticket from the venue. It sounded good. Showing at 2Northdown. I was hungry though, so reasoned, if I left now, I'd have time to eat in O' Neill's beforehand! If they had room..

For once, they did, and I was well fed. While I was inside though..

Whereupon, I made the executive decision to skip the comedy show - it was too damn cold, I'd been to enough today, and nobody was waiting to meet me there. Plus, I had other stuff to do. So, I went straight home from there. In what was, by now, a winter wonderland:

Glad I stayed in, frankly. Still, I didn't get a chance to blog - the film list had to be redone. For more on that - and ongoing - see the next instalment!