Sport & Me.....

It's official, I'm a changed woman.  I've enjoyed the Olympics and I've enjoyed sport!  Who'd have thunk it?  I can't blame sunstroke or the menopause so I can only think that I really have changed over the past fortnight or so. 

I mostly hated sport at school - from being dragged off to the local swimming pool in primary school to being made to run in the snow across muddy old fields in Sixth Form.  I hated the school showers, I hated the "picking of teams", I hated pretty much all of it.  I did like badminton & I was good at hurdling, but that was the limit of it, and to be honest, I was even a bit half-hearted about those sports!  So when London won the 2012 Olympic bid, I sighed a long sigh and dreaded the day it finally arrived.

Back then, I didn't know I'd be living in London again but now that it's all over, I'm glad I have been.  I've come out the other end of the Olympics being very proud of the city I live in, proud of how we've done such an amazing job when everyone was sure we'd make the world's biggest cock-up and proud of how we made such a good impression on the world that was watching, waiting for us to cock-up.  I've silently cheered on the runners, the cyclists & the swimmers, and enjoyed an Opening Ceremony that I was sure I'd hate!  I've seen friends who would normally be doing other things throw themselves into the free olympic events and love every minute of it.  And quoting Mr Raison "I'm packing my Olympic case with a tear in my eye. Thank you Great Britain for the best holiday romance ever".  

I can't guarantee I'll be watching much sport at anytime soon but I've enjoyed it all and was sad to see the flame go out on London.  Thank you 2012 Olympics!

In other news......

Dear Catastrophe Waitress #2 was a big success with happy, drunk folk dancing til we closed.  Dancing = a good night so we'll be having more.  Next one on 7 September will be a scandinavian music special and if Crouch End isn't bored with us then, a 90s indie special following that.  Think Neds, think Poppies, think Menswear!

and finally....on a steaming hot day yesterday, I ventured to the Tate Modern for the Edvard Munch exhibition.  Huge amounts to look at but no sign of the obvious "Scream".  My very basic review of the exhibition:  I liked some, I didn't like others!  An acquired taste for sure but for Munch fans, you'll love it.  We headed off to Camden Town afterwards for lunch at an old favourite, The Goodfare on Parkway - no longer cheap as chips but still excellent food for under a tenner.  When in Camden, it'd be rude not to finish off with cocktails and, as luck had it, Zen Sai had a Happy Hour from mid-day til 8 (practically all day then!) so some lychee gin concoctions & strawberry margharitas were consumed before heading home.

Off now Frock Fans as "House Gift" is in Crouch End and the like and I don't want to miss any more.

Never trust a man with egg on his face.....

I'm writing this weeks' blog from deepest, darkest Wiltshire, where the only life outside is ramblers with umbrellas, who have most probably got lost.

Last weekend saw a trip out East - East London that is, not Essex.  I'm not THAT brave.  I don't know Hackney well but from what I've seen, I like it.  My only past experience of that area is being stuck in Murder Mile at silly o'clock, trying to find a bus driver that would accept a £10 note.

Whilst waiting for folk, I had a coffee in a particularly nice cafe' called This Bright Field in Cambridge Heath Road (http://www.thisbrightfield.com/).  Such scrumminess on the menu included sourdough bread, avocado & banana on black rye, and Brixham whole mackerel.  Just my cup of tea - mental note to return.

Over the road next to the Viktor Wynd gallery (or The Last Tuesday Society as it's otherwise known) for the Sebastian Horsley exhibition.  Only £2 to visit this bizarre but fascinating place on a Saturday and well worth the money, if only to laugh at the totally random books they have on show.  One room was dedicated to Sebastian Horsley and a word of warning, it's not for the fainthearted.  Luckily I was expecting the worst and loved it.   Sebastian Horsley, famous for carrying out his own crucifixion in the name of art, was a fascinating character, who died way too young.  The exhibition, as well as showing explicit images of his "art", includes personal effects (his door keys, diary etc.) giving a real insight into his life.  We'll probably never really understand exactly how his mind worked - he was indeed a one-off.  RIP sir.

From one dandy to another....Thursday saw another trip to see Adam Ant, this time in the unlikely setting of The Wyvern Theatre in Swindon.  I can only think Mr Goddard stuck a pin in a map and it landed on Swindon by mistake.  Having said that, out of all the gigs I've been to over the last year or so, I think this last one was by far the best.  By chance, we got seats really close to the front so even my short friend had a good view.  A fantastic first set including Plastic Surgery, Beat my Guest and Never Trust a Man (hence the title of todays blog) followed by an equally great encore.  Mr Ant, you are most certainly worth the ticket money.  As the overly excited dancing man in front of us said after the gig "Now THAT's how you do it".  To top off the Swindon Ant experience, I coincidentally saw the man himself the next morning, having a sneaky fag outside his hotel - now what are the chances of that?

Back to the silence of the countryside now but before I leave you, here are two totally random pictures, because I felt like posting them - Mr Goddard (my restraining order will be taken off soon, honestly!!!) and a book that made me smile in Viktor Wynd.  That is all.......

Back in the Summer of 69.....

it was probably a darn sight better Summer than it is in 2012!  You can blame my lack of blog updates on the weather...still.  My flowery mac has become my best friend and I've spent more time in the flat than is healthy. 

On one of the very few dry days we had, myself and a visiting swedish friend went on a "Back in the Day" Walk.  These are walks around different areas of London, which concentrate on music, culture etc. in Soho, Brixton or Lambeth.  We chose the "Soho - Roots of the Swinging 60s" walk (strangely enough!).  Barrie Evans who runs the walks was a teenager in Soho in the 60s, frequented the "hip" clubs back then and met his now wife (if I remember rightly) at The Flamingo Club in Wardour Street.  The walk takes in sites of once great clubs, coffee bars, comedy venues....along streets you'll know well but down others you might not even know exist....like Ham Yard, behind a dodgy restaurant!  It was a great afternoon and I'd recommend spending a couple of hours with Barrie and his stories.  www.backinthedaywalks.co.uk.

We checked out a restaurant that I'd heard about but not eaten in after we'd walked round Soho that afternoon - the mexican Wahaca on Wardour Street - www.wahaca.co.uk.  This could well be one of my "new favourite places to eat".  Really interesting food, huge portions, and good prices.  I had a burrito filled with feta, courgette and cactus, followed by caramel salted ice-cream.  It's a huge place so you shouldn't have any problem getting a table.  Aside from the food - the toilets are bizarre!  Just check them out and you'll see what I mean.  I'll be back for Mojitos next time.

Today, another rare sunny day in London, we went to Soho Festival.  As last year, a strange but fun afternoon consisting of jugs of Pimms, a spaghetti eating competition, puppet shows and random Soho characters.  Proceeds help Soho's elderly residents apparently.  One day, perhaps I'll be an elderly Soho resident but without the stories that probably come with being one.  The French House followed where we watched the world go by over a bottle of Meteor white beer, and finishing off at Pollo for way too much food that is sensible for ladies trying to watch their weight.

So lovely Frock Fans...unfortunately that's the best I can muster up until the weather improves.  Next weekend - the Sebastian Horsley exhibition a Viktor Wynd, and a barbecue.

Dear Catastrophe Waitress and things like that......

Another few weeks without writing a blog....the weather having played a big part in this again.  Today I should have been writing about East Finchley Festival but as it got cancelled due to a water-logged site, I won't be! 

Friday saw the first night of an occasional club of mine, "Dear Catastrophe Waitress" (named after the Belle & Sebastian song for those who didn't know).  I no longer want to go out to clubs at 11pm and have to put up with night buses full of drunk annoyances so, for purely selfish reasons, I put Dear Catastrophe Waitress on in a favourite bar of mine in Crouch End - Kiss the Sky.  DJs for the night were local lad, Bob Stanley (he of St Etienne and muso fame) and Darren Beach.  I decided on a "no obscure tracks" rule for the club - just good indiepop, indie, 60s, britpop, punk etc.  (Perhaps some swedish tracks for another time - not sure if Crouch End is ready for that quite yet).  Thanks to Darren for playing Swing out Sister....it doesn't really fit into any category other than one I've made up called "Random bands that Cath likes".  The bar was full, cocktails were consumed, the crowd looked happy and there was even some dancing, so I think for a first night, it was a success.  Am considering some themed nights for another time - perhaps 90s indie (Neds, Poppies etc) or punk.  We will see.

Those of you that know me well will know I've put clubs on for a very long time now.  I don't generally go very long without doing something. 

Seeing old pics go up on Facebook yesterday reminded me what a great club Sweden Made Me was.  3 of us put the club on in a little upstairs room in a pub in Brighton every month for something like 4 years & practically every one of those nights during the first few years was packed out.  The DJs only played tracks by swedish bands/artists (hence the name of the club) and it proved EXTREMELY popular with Brightons' swedish students particularly.  They came, they drank Kopparbergs, they danced to Broder Daniel - and so did we.  Maybe it'll be resurrected sometime soon but it will never be quite the same as it was in the mid 2000s.

Another Sunny Day was another one of my club nights - in Stockholm originally.  I lived there for a few months (not nearly long enough) and put my club on every Monday night in a bar/restaurant called The Sugar Bar.  For someone who planned the club from England and didn't even see the venue until I moved there, I didn't do too badly.  Every Monday, I put an indiepop band on and had some djs.  Some great, great swedish bands played and I made good friends.  I also learnt how to use a cash register, deal with swedish ID, and get by with pigeon swedish if needs be.  Another Sunny Day still exists, in Brighton, with friends now looking after it....and looking after it well!!!

Pop Klubb has been another huge success, started originally with friends in Newcastle.  The club was (and still is) held in a little old social club which, during the day, is full of old men drinking pints and playing dominos (probably!).  Our first night all those years ago was just a handful of people watching my friends' band Your Favourite Question.  Now, years down the line (and no longer my baby), Pop Klubb is hugely popular, packed out every time with an amazing reputation, not only in the Toon.  Guys, I'm proud of you.

There have been other nights here and there.....good nights, rubbish nights....etc.etc....and there will probably be more.  

 

You can't beat a good launch.....

Happy Jubilee Day folks....and of course you m'am....knowing you'll be reading this before heading out on a boat with the corgis.

Free Thursday struck again this week - 3 royal cheers for that!  It was an exercise in itself trying to figure out what things to go to, which we could fit in, and which we unfortunately had to forego.  This week alone there was the usual favourite of Carnaby Street discount night, an exhibition at our friends The Society Club Shop, an exhibition at Proud Camden and a night at Signal Gallery.  Too much to do, too little time.

First stop - the launch of the Icecreamists book "Vice Cream".  Greeted at the door with apple vodka cocktails, which were completely delicious, and continuing with raspberry concoctions and prosecco.  Thank you ice-cream folk - a very nice start to a Thursday evening indeed.  I finally sampled the Lady Goo Goo....breast milk ice-cream.  I know it's not everyone's cup of tea (or ice-cream) but I'm open to a lot of things and it was as good as anticipated.  It reminded me of those bottles of milk you got given as a small in primary school.  I will be trying the Vice Lolly (made with holy water and in the shame of a green pistol) next time round!

Off to the launch of the A to Z of Mod book at the Fred Perry shop next.  Well done Messrs. Baxter and Hewitt for getting such a crowd together.  Nice tunes, courtesy of Dave & Smiler, nice (but slightly warm) cider and lovely folk to chat to.  Phil Daniels & Gary Crowley in attendance.

Final stop - Trishas in Greek Street.  I've heard about this place many a time as friends have been going there for years.  A little cellar bar, behind a door I will probably never find again, full of old photos and with tons of Soho history.  I think it's probably only wine, beer or water....no poncey stuff like prosecco....but it's welcoming, interesting and I will return....if I can find that door!  Dave - where was it again?????

Jubilee Weekend & sadly for her royal ladyness.....probably a wash out.  While the sun came out briefly yesterday, we headed to Newburgh Street for their little street party.  Free strawberries & cream, non-alcoholic fruit cocktails, pimms (if you were quick!) & chocolate.  We watched a rockabilly band, queued for a piece of the humungous chockywockydoodah jubilee cake, cut by Russell Grant (complete with crown) and a giant drag queen reminiscent of the amazing Leigh Bowery and had a lovely time with the mod folk.

So that dear frock fans is it for today.  If you're doing Jubilee type things, enjoy, fill your boots and take a brolley.  

And....we're back in the game!

Fear not Frock fans....I have returned!  After weeks of doing nothing worth writing about, all is back to normal it seems.

The rain ruined so many things and I thought it was never going to stop but there is a weather god thankfully and the sun has shone for the past week.

One of the perks of being self-employed is being able to take time off in the week and this week I have done.  A long lost friend who deserted the UK for the Land of Oz returned for a visit so we caught up over a scrummy lunch in one of my favourite "cheap deal places" - The Mediterranean Cafe' in Berwick Street.  I've probably mentioned it on many an occasion but it deserves it.  Good, cheap food & lovely staff who remember you.  There's always space inside & out, and it's a great people-watching spot.  Bar Italia next.  Not a celeb in sight however.  Guaranteed as soon as we left, Paul Weller or someone equally interesting dropped in.  We headed off to Covent Garden at probably the worst time of the day - finishing work time!  Everywhere was packed and annoying, with the rucksack brigade getting under foot as per usual.  A mojito in Long Acre was well needed.  We finished off at the Burberry Shop discount evening.  Now I'm not a fan of Burberry normally but I would have paid good money for some macs and bags if I'd had it.  The fizz flowed and the canapes kept coming.  If I actually knew what any of them were I would tell you. 

More visiting friends on Friday and more eating, drinking and sunshine antics.  Brick Lane for lunch in Cafe' 1001, a look in the vintage shops, Swedish Orgasm cocktail in Exit, beer garden catch up with yet more visiting friends, Jerk Chicken at the Street Feast food market and a cheeky rose' to finish off at The Bricklayers in Old Street.

It does seem that all I do is eat & drink doesn't it?  It's probably actually true but I'm going out before the sun goes in and the rain starts up again!  Inbetween the eating & drinking, I headed to the Can't Buy Me Love Vintage Market at the Boogaloo yesterday.  It's nice to have the stalls in the courtyard again.  Lots of clothes for sale this time round.  Unfortunately not really my style.  More 60s & 70s frocks please stall-holders.

And finishing off.....Brick Lane again today....on what could well have been the hottest day of the year so far.....for the Art Car Boot Fair.  Lots of stalls with cheap artwork etc by famous folk.  Notable people - Billy Childish, Pam Hogg (looking fantastic)....and Jarvis Cocker wandering around in inappropriate clothing for such a hot day.  I would have liked to see the handbag disco & the Jarv djaying but the heat is too much today for a little pale-skinned creature like myself.

More good stuff going on this week so expect another lot of rambling soon.  Ciao lovelies x

St Swithin - Do one!

Another blog and it's still raining.  The ark is under construction and I'm about sail to off to warmer climes.  Enough is enough.

It's pretty quiet at the moment as rain has continued to prevent much play but never mind, I'm here in a nice flat, with a nice cup of tea, some crappy tv and the heating on.  Could be worse.

I went to my old homestead of Brighton for a very short break on Friday, unfortunately for a visit which included a trip to the dentist.  The love that I once had for Brighton seems to have gone, sad though it is.  I think that perhaps I've been spoilt living in one of the nicer parts of London these days but being greeted at the station by the sight of hen parties in inappropriate clothing with inflatable genitalia (that sounds like they themselves had inflatable genitalia - not what I meant!) did nothing for me.  They were everywhere, being loud and obnoxious, getting under your feet and generally being a nuisance.  A few people have commented that Brighton never used to be this bad but I think perhaps we all just ignored the hen & stag parties, junkies and annoyances.  They were probably always there.  My suggestion to you hen & stag parties - Blackpool is lovely apparently & it's there, just waiting for you.  Ann Summers shops and 50p shots a go go.  See ya!

As much as I disliked the above, it was nice to see some friends and my most favourite little girl in the world.  Dolly I love you.

We dodged the showers yesterday, braved the rail replacement bus and headed to my old haunt, The Spread Eagle in Camden.  The legend that is DJ Wheelie Bag was running a little event called Shindig, as part of the Camden Crawl Festival.  DJ Wheelie Bag is new to me but he apparently IS a legend to those in the know.  He managed to pack out the pub, played great vinyl from his funny little dj trolley with twirling half naked Barbie Dolls attached to it, had grown rockabilly types playing Buffalo Bingo for Poundland prizes and gave out Wagon Wheels. Our mate Mr Edwards played some great ska, we drank prosecco and watched a Johnny Cash tribute band.  Much fun was had.

I'm off....that ark won't finish itself.