Around the world in 367 days

You can't move these days without hearing what effect it is having on the planet. I already try to recycle, and turn off appliances etc etc but I'm also going to try and do the following to reduce my carbon footprint:

Start eating more beef. I already eat more than my allowance but having heard that a big part of the problem is bovine flatulence I feel I must do my bit to help in reducing their numbers and thus their impact.

Wear smaller shoes.

It's just a start but if every one does their bit we can all have a positive impact on our planet.

Posted by Alexander at 22:14 | Permalink | Comments

This weekend was Trowbridge Festival weekend so a dozen or so of headed down to Wiltshire from various corners of the country for four days of Folk and Roots music. I have to admit, when I agreed to go to the festival I was thinking, Killers, Kaiser Chiefs et al and was a little apprehensive of just what was waiting for me. And yes, there was a fair share of cider swilling, long haired West Country folk but I still ended up having the best weekend!!

Folk doesn't need to mean lots of twiddly music and even when it does there was three tents and plenty on offer. Each day started leisurely with bacon sarnies off the camp stove and numerous cups of tea. Then about 2 or 3 we'd mosey down in small groups, programe in hand with an idea of the bands we wanted to see. A few trips to the Thai Curry stall, many trips to the bar and after watching a ton of top quality music we'd head back to the campsite some time in the early hours.

Weatherwise we were very lucky - especially after picking up the papers on Monday morning to hear of all the flooding around the country. It was very muddy but only really rained as we were packing up to leave.

I liked almost all the bands I saw. In particular, I really liked - Martha Tilston, Hothouse Flowers, Bellowheads, Jenna, Joe Brown and Eric Bibb although he apparently had too much stuff - some of which can be purchased on eBay... . They were all excellent live and really entertaining. I also really liked Oojami - a mix of Turkish and some sort of dance music with belly dancers that kept me up well after all the others had gone to bed - but I still had a lot of fun - until I fell over in the mud!! Overall though my favourite act would probably have to be Eric Bibb. The guys got a great voice and a lot of style but fought off some strong competition in Martha and the Bellowheads, a close second and third!

I'd still love to go to Glastonbury one year but have a feeling it might end up being the kind of thing you only do once. I could see me going back to this year after year and am looking forward to going again in 2009. There are a great mix of people of all ages and backgrounds. It's also really family friendly which helps to give it a really relaxed feel.

After a long weekend of no showering it was very of good of Jane to let us get cleaned up and have some lunch with her in Chippenham. Jane - hello, and see you again soon - PT!

Posted by Alexander at 22:03 | Permalink | Comments

I'm on a course this week in Hammersmith so each day I have a selection of London's most nightmarish tube rides to navigate. The Northern Line, Victoria Line and District Line. To anyone familiar with the London tubes, the mere mention of one of these lines causes mild palpitations - to utter three in one breath can cause serious physical and mental anguish.

It will be interesting to see how many issues I have over the five days and the 30 different tube rides I will have to take...

... and on morning number one the count is already up to - one, or 33%. Not only that but I think worse excuse of the week has already been won!! It was all going well until I was about to change at Victoria to get on the District Line. Unfortunately, the station was closed due to... dust!!! Where's Marjorie Daws when you need her - she loves a bit of dust!!!

Posted by Alexander at 10:51 | Permalink | Comments

My god, my readers have fabulous bodies... I bet they look great dressed in mink... how do I let them know that because of the downloading process; my blog has no inner monologue?

I hope I didn't write that all out loud just now...

Posted by Alexander at 13:34 | Permalink | Comments

On Friday night the summer concerts at Canary Wharf returned. Opening night saw the London Symphony Orchestra playing the hits from Hollywood. I'd seen them play the couple of years here and again they failed to dissappoint. A great selection of music from Jurassic Park and Out of Africa to Rocky and Superman and of course finishing on a number of Star Wars numbers.

It was excellent entertainment that we shared with our friends Ben and Michelle (and about 1000 other 'Canaries'). There aren't much better ways (personally) to spend a Friday night than catching up with a couple of friends, with a picnic, a few tinnies and watching the sun go down whilst being suitably entertained with live music.

Next on the list of concerts we'll be taking in are the Jazz and Blues and then the Rat Pack nights.

Posted by Alexander at 20:16 | Permalink | Comments

For those who regularly keep abreast of alexanderhiton.com, you will remember that I have blogged about playing psp with one of my co-workersduring our lunchbreak. The thing is, it's not something that we do onoccasion, it happens almost every day. Sure we're geeks, but we're happygeeks.

Each lunch hour consists of a game of Tiger Woods golf, followed by agame of Virtua Tennis. The winner buys the other one lunch. Over the months I have invariably won the lunch payouts between us.Today, however was a special day. Ben is being kicked out next Friday for general laziness and an inability to comprehend the simplest of ideas and I'm on a course next week, so today was our last chance to get in a competition. To make things interesting, I declared that all previous results no longer counted and that whoever was champion today should be declared Master of the universe. Little did Ben know but I was feeling a little sorry for him. You see he is mentally challenged and was repeatedly beaten with an ugly stick when a child. Actually, I think they probably threw the whole tree at him!

We set up an 18 hole course playing in Central Park New York. One of the hardest courses there is, and proceeded to play. It was a close game,until I decided that it was time to let Ben win, so got myself into an awkward situation trying to putt while standing in the water. This tough break helped propel Ben to an 8 hole lead, and just to keep him on his toes I brought it back to allow him a mere 5 hole victory.

It was now up to me to come-back for an at-best draw. All I had to do was manage to hold my mental game together and beat Ben in a game of 3 set tennis. However, again, in the interests of charity I let Ben win the tennis as well. Let's just say that whatever was left of his ego after the narrow victory in golf, just couldn't help him muster the strength, skill or talent to win every game off me.

Ben was momentarily crowned - Master of the universe. Then the real challenge began, anyone can win a round of golf - it takes real skill to score a hole in one. And it takes immense skill to score two!!

Ben may have been the Master of the Universe, but relatively this lasted less than the Planck Epoch.

I am now and forever officially - Master of the Universe.

Posted by Alexander at 14:49 | Permalink | Comments

The Tour of France rolled into Town today so we trooped off to Green / Hyde parks to join the million odd people who had the same idea. I'd already done two spinning classes already so you'd think I'd be bored of it by then. It's a bit different though - these guys only cycle for less than 9 minutes - I had to do it for 90 minutes!!! To be fair they are travelling at 60 kph will I remain entirely stationary!!

The view from the back of the crowds wasn't too great though so I hoiked (it's a word!!) myself up the nearest lamppost for a better view. It's possibly not the most exciting sport in the world but it's maybe the only time it will start in London and certainly ticked the something different box. Unfortunately the Lewis Hamilton of the British Cycling world, Bradley Wiggins, couldn't quite live up to the hype but still finished a respectable third.

Now it's just a matter of living up to it's name and getting back onto French soil - easier these days now they've got the tunnel but not a very exciting stage to watch I would think!!

Posted by Alexander at 23:18 | Permalink | Comments

After years of promising we would we finally made it to Wimbledon last week. So we picked one of the sunnier looking days and headed off after work.

A mere two hours queueing and we were in. However, the thought of another hour or so queueing to see a show court didn't appeal so we made do with the selection of games on the outer courts.

For our first visit I think this was the better anyway as we got to get a feel for the atmosphere and see a few games. Also on the outer courts you really are within touching distance and you must feel a little detached on the show courts sometimes. Having said that next time we go back we will suffer the further queueing or maybe just fork out the 50 odd quid it costs to get the tickets in the first place. Spare a thought at this point for the people queueing from 4pm for the following days games - no play took place all day for them - oops!!!

We did get to see Gasquet, who went on to the semi's winning his game and also caught some doubles games. Definitely one to go back and try and again another time - just keep an eye on that weahter forecase - the thing Wimbledon can guarantee you is rain!!

Posted by Alexander at 23:08 | Permalink | Comments

(Embedded image moved to file: pic14771.jpg)
I was never a huge fan of Sesame Street but knew enough of the
characters such as Bert and Ernie and Cookie Monster to get the homage
paid to the show by the West End play Avenue Q. We went last night and
it was really good fun.

The show has a couple of human characters who then interact with the
puppets. The puppets, all in the form and guise of the Sesame Street
puppets include Trekkie Monster, Rod and Nicky (Bert and Ernie), Lucy
The Slut and Mrs Thistletwat. The main characters are the puppets of
Princeton and Kate Monster and the show and the songs centre mainly
around their lives. The puppeteers are also on stage and although all
interactions are only between the puppets or the human characters their
presence really adds to the experience. The lady playing Kate and Lucy
was particularly good.

Sesame Street was good at teaching you the alphabet and how to count to
10 - I seem to remember Dracula helping me out there - and the basics of
right and wrong. Avenue Q picks up the generation in their early 20's
when they are ready for the next set of lessons in life. The show
depicts the main character having just left University and this is when,
as we know, the tasks of learning real life begin. The show tackles
sensitive issues such as one's purpose in life, racism, religion,
sexuality, infidelity, chastity, the risks and rewards of childhood
celebrity and the real reason for the internet (you will have to watch
the show to find out the answer).

There are a couple of cringeworthy moments such as the simulated puppet
sex where I was glad I took my parents to Billy Elliot instead. Having
said that I would take them to see it and am sure they would enjoy it
and as long as you aren't easily offended most people would laugh a lot.
It's very different to any of the other musicals we've been too but it
comes highly recommended.

Rating: 8 1/2

Posted by Alexander at 12:00 | Permalink | Comments