DOG TEASE VIDEO
Sometimes things come to your attention that, despite any effort to avoid it, go unfailingly straight to the funny-bone bull’s eye. Here’s one that has scored more than 147 million hits on [...]
Life
INTERNET v HIGH STREET?
It’s a well written tale that the Internet has caused huge problems for the High Street and has dehumanised shopping . But has it? I know somebody who regularly lectures to business groups on the Internet as his company Cheapflights is a such a success story. Indeed my friend has written a [...]
SECURITY NEWS FROM CASSIUS
It’s been quieter here since the attempted break in August. I have been teling the Master for years in my security audits that the place is vulnerable but does he listen? The Lebanese security detail did well to apprehend the burglars when they tried to knock down the front door. I [...]
SEX AND HUMOUR
There are many reasons why sex can be sublime: the gratification of lust, the exquisite sensation, the beauty of your partner,experimentation but I would say that humour would not feature highly in people’s list. This is a shame as some of the funniest remarks in my life have been made during [...]
VLADEK SHEYBAL
Many years ago I was at the Regents Park Open Air theatre when I recognised the actor Vladek Sheybal who played Kronsteen the chess grandmaster and sinister enforcer in From Russia with Love. Whenever I watch arguably the best of the Bonds I see Vladek Sheybal and the chanteuse Lotte Lenya playing [...]
THE MONSTROUS REGIMENT
When I was a young man, there was a glib and mildly amusing review of the readership of the national newspapers doing the rounds. You may remember it – let’s see if I can: ‘THE TIMES is read by the men who own or run the country; the DAILY TELEGRAPH by those who would like the country to be [...]
MENTAL ILLNESS
The other day I was chatting to a good friend of mine who is a counsellor for Samaritans. This worthy organisation recently celebrated its 60th birthday . I am amazed and impressed in equal measure how my young upbeat friend can devote one night a week to listening to those, as she puts it, on the [...]
Malmaison Newcastle
For a relatively recent hotel the Malmaison can claim to be defining and historic. It kick started the Quayside revival of Newcastle one of the most popular quarters to party in England and it redefined the notion of a metro hotel. Gone are The Gideon brown bible, teas- made, Colby trouser [...]
A la Colthard – Goodmans
There are 3 things initially to say about Goodmans. Firstly, it is extremely expensive, secondly the steaks are sublime, thirdly the chain is a runaway success. It’s unusual to start a review with a cost warning but would be diners should know that a starter , two steaks and decent bottle of [...]
A la Colthard – the Royal China
Husband Ollie and middle son Humph have been perturbed by the form of Chelsea where they have season tickets. I gather from their conversations that the Special One might mot be so special with their worst start in years. Chelsea were playing Fulham last Saturday and the idea was to have dinner [...]