JetPlane

• Royal Mail are going to do well out if me today—must buy lighter presents next Christmas. #
• @fergycool lovely bright morning for punting, just watch out for the wind on the way back! in reply to fergycool #
• @ChemSpiderman we are old fellows! in reply to ChemSpiderman #
• @gavindecuir enjoyed your haiku, thanks for sharing. in reply to gavindecuir #
• @fergycool the Eagle—that's a more comfortable tour of the best bits if Cambridge. in reply to fergycool #
• @jamesconroyfinn Slight oversell: National Rail services in London! I was all excited about using my Oyster in Cambridge. Shame that. in reply to jamesconroyfinn #
• @dml29 look forward to hearing the progress. in reply to dml29 #
• @MikeyCbg and very nice it looks too! I'm also looking forward to trying the Sauvignon Blanc from the same. in reply to MikeyCbg #
• @dml29 30 days wasn't it in reply to dml29 #
• Feeling pooped this evening—will go to bed early with Don Juan and a glass of something. #
• Home alone tonight—finishing the turnip, a much maligned vegetable. #
• @drable is that the Unilever Library, pretty cool! in reply to drable #
• @cm4233 nearly, but not quite! in reply to cm4233 #
• @MikeyCbg chimay red! Where's that wine gone? in reply to MikeyCbg #
• Good news that Green Tea will help prevent kidney stones—I should br protected for life! http://bit.ly/7WU792 #
• Going to the panto tonight. Feels a bit early to be going in November. Maybe I'll have a sudden rush of Christmas spirit! #
• Having a good laugh over 'The Broons' — Scotland's Happy Family http://flic.kr/p/7iTS5E #
• @aswiseman was it comfortable? in reply to aswiseman #
• *Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves* blog post http://www.grahammccann.org/JetPlane/?p=1593 #
• As much as I love his music, I've found Morrissey sadly dreary on Desert Island Discs. Interesting music selection, almost all new to me. #
• @MikeyCbg were you listening in the van!? I think Kirsty did a good job: "I can't tell whether your joking" — yes, no-one can! in reply to MikeyCbg #
• @dml29 when did you become twitter-addict in reply to dml29 #

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Michael, Vit, Jay, Barrie and I went to to see Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves last night, by ADC/Footlights. It was a long panto: three hours, and would have been better with 30 mins lopped off (from the second half). It was ambitious—flying camels, forty thieves (yes really, well almost), lots of smoke and, a cross-dressing genie called Jeanie (well-played by Ben Kavanagh), and a fabulous baddie (James Walker). Vit got a hard stare from the baddie because of his loud heckling, which was funnny. The start of the second half, with chorus rap, and odd interlinked sketches, didn’t really work, but the chorus all had some lines, which was good. Really enjoyed Josh Higgot, who was in the chorus, and appeared as Gandalf, and Mustafa the Genie. He’s got a great natural comic talent and timing.

From the ADC web site:

Welcome to the desert.

In their 126th year, the Footlights team up once again with the ADC for a return to traditional pantomime…ish. Join Ali and his street-wise chum Cassim, as they struggle against the nasty Chief Nalu (boooooooo!!!) in a bid to free the beautiful (and remarkably physically and emotionally strong) Morgiana. Also, meet Jeanie, the genie, as he tries his best to be a Genie, Jamiel and Amara, the loveable misfits, and no less than forty whole thieves!!! And some real Camels…ish.

The ADC/Footlights Pantomime has been playing to sell-out crowds for loads of years, and with a traditional script by Daran Johnson, Abi Tedder, and Liam Williams, an original score by Richard Bates, and direction from Matt Bulmer, this year will be no different. Although it will be a little different. The script will be different. Better still, perhaps? Judge for yourselves. And as usual this year boasts performances from Cambridge’s bestest comic actors all ready to Panto your mime.

• Finishing the last of the 2008 Menghai "Five Coloured Peacock" Bu Lang raw Puh Er. Really enjoyed it. #
• Good to relax with Jools Holland and a glass of powerful shiraz (Kangarilla Road). Waiting for Annie Lennox! #
• Enjoyed an impressive meal last night at the new Chemistry Centre in Burlington House. Successful whole-table talk http://flic.kr/p/7gPecj #
• @Willz so you talked—traditional media! in reply to Willz #
• At the Birmingham Metropole Hitel, getting ready for the RSC General Assembly. 800 rooms and very busy. http://schmap.me/b25rz3 #
• Michael was picking champagne foil out of his shoe before he headed off to work. Getting ready for another day in the wine trade! #
• @dml29 well that's sorted for next years party in reply to dml29 #
• Mesmerised by Maddy Prior singing the Song of Hiawatha in Part 2 of Mike Oldfield's Incantations—so beautiful and hypnotic. #

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• Great news that I will be able to put my work SIM in my iPhone when I travel overseas! http://shop.o2.co.uk/update/unlockmyiphone.html #
• @eyefarrell Lucky thing (S2) what can't you do with 37 MegaPixels! Not on my Xmas list yet though in reply to eyefarrell #
• @tinaly thanks, but don't worry I'll assume he's a wild hick cowboy! PS, I don't think *anyone* drinks eggnog. in reply to tinaly #
• Back from an interesting win tasting at Majestic Wine, Cambridge—Chatx. Haut Tayac 2000 Margaux very good & spicy Roaring Meg Pinor Noir. #
• IN London: we went to Smollesky's Balloon, and to the Goat Taven (very nice) #
• /smollenskys/ #
• @eyefarrell Ian, went to Smollensky's Balloon and the Goat Taven in reply to eyefarrell #
• @ChemSpiderman see you in the morning; hope your flight is OK. Stansted? in reply to ChemSpiderman #
• Chop Sushi! Is a fascinating game—quirky and zen. I love the exploding wasabi bombs against the demons. http://flic.kr/p/7eM1Uo #
• Blown away by the finalé of Damon Albarn's Monkey Opera—dissapearing Volcano. The opera is good fun and the live performance (BBC) amazing. #
• Basejumping—looks fun and would kill or cure my fear of edges/heights. Great photo by Miro030 http://fav.me/d54dz1 on #deviantart #
• Snuggled up in bed eating toast and marmite, listening to the heavy rain outside. Getting up the willpower for the cycle to work. #
• @twinkleboi sound more ignorant and stupid to me. Lovely bus you travel on in any case! in reply to twinkleboi #
• @twinkleboi 4 miles / 20 mins / I'm still in bed. in reply to twinkleboi #
• RT @petapixel: 5 giant holes that devoured everything around them: http://j.mp/68Fva #
• @djryan yes, sorry, not what you want to read on the train. If it's any consolation I got soaked & looked like a bin man in my waterproofs! in reply to djryan #
• @eyefarrell no, but good luck! in reply to eyefarrell #
• RT @JonSatriani: Periodic Table of Cupcakes http://twitpic.com/pcrbq (via @Canageek, @LabSpaces, @scientistlady) #
• @GongfuGirlin context lobotomized seems an oxymoron. #
• Packed house for the ADC late night show—What's Wrong with Angry? Full of men, strangely #
• @JonSatriani oh, will try ! in reply to JonSatriani #
• *What's Wrong With Angry?* blog post http://bit.ly/2a52Om #
• @soolz you're such a softy really! in reply to soolz #
• Been pruning jasmine from our roof, two stories up! It's a flat roof, so I forgot how high I was when I was in the middle of all the yanking #
• @chaileyf oh you're going to the tip—I thought it was a sudden burst of jogging. in reply to chaileyf #
• @Willz @dml29 I'm tempted to join you, but the house is dry for beer—having wine instead Cheers! in reply to Willz #
• @echofon you Mac–iPhone sync is fantastic! It works really well, thank you. I don;t think I could go back to twitter without it. #
• @Willz @dml29 steady on, you'll end up on the whisky, then the vodka… in reply to Willz #
• I'm finding I'm making the same meals that my mother made me when I was young—'nurture'—off to check on the boiled ham! #
• Laughing along to Burning Star Core "Everyday World of Bodies", some of the tracks are completely whacky! #
• @YMISNTANYTHING I'd love to join your Burning Star Core group, but I can't write in Japanese! in reply to YMISNTANYTHING #
• Minding my boiled ham/And pots of seasonal veg—/Memories of youth! #twiku #haiku http://tr.im/twiku #
• @dsceiorg loved you google wave haiku! in reply to dsceiorg #
• @Willz @dml29 Michael's home and managed to find two bottles of Chimay (red)—I didn't know he had a stash! in reply to Willz #
• Just watched Get Real, the film adaptation of What's Wrong with Angry http://bit.ly/sIV8H quite different but fun! #
• Auld Langs Syne /Can't roll back time, but /All is fine #twiku #haiku http://tr.im/twiku #
• Treats for me!/Scallops for lunch-I'm /So lucky #twiku #haiku http://tr.im/twiku #
• @soolz "add a twibbon" —big softy! in reply to soolz #

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Great night out at the ADC to see the late night production of What’s Wrong With Angry?  by Patrick Wilde,

produced by the CU Amateur Dramatic Club. The audience was buzzing and the main cast were fantastic! Top of the bill were James Frecknell (Steven) and Lowri Amies (Linda)—both carried of their parts with ease and were perfect for the roles. I enjoyed Adam Lawrence as Hutton, the schoolteacher. He was interesting in the role, and really grabbed my attention.

For the first time in all the plays I’ve seen at the ADC there was an encore for the cast. Well deserved for giving such as a passionate production. The late night slot can be hit and miss—this was wonderful.

From the ADC web site:

“Of course I…want to, but I don’t want to want to.”

It is 1992, Section 28 prohibits the “promotion” of homosexuality in schools, and the age of consent for gay men is twenty-one. Sixteen year old Steven Carter, who is just fine with being “dodgy”, falls in love with John Westhead, head boy and popular sporty type. His love is returned until societal expectations force John back into “the closet”. As Steven comes up against pressure at home and at school, Hutton, his teacher, longs to give him some support, but finds that the law is not on his side.

Patrick Wilde wrote the play to challenge the assertion that it’s “easier to be gay now”. The issues that the play wrestles with are as applicable to 2009 as they are to the recent past and it remains a poignant, beautiful and honest tale.”

• RT @Machina_Ex_Deus: It is absolutely massive!!! World's biggest and most expensive ever cruise ship http://bit.ly/49wrLQ #
• @twinkleboi sounds like a great day! Congratulations on your six-monthy-versary. in reply to twinkleboi #
• Probably going to let my Flickr Pro account expire—at least for a few months! #
• @chaileyf i exceeded 100MB in 5/12 months but that's it (and the back-up is very handy) in reply to chaileyf #
• @Oleanderman where can we get details—looks fab! in reply to Oleanderman #
• RT @Oleanderman: is happy to announce Tedious has arrived (and no, it's not a dwarf.) http://twitpic.com/o41j7 #
• Enjoyed a lovely ripe Queijo de Azeita that Michael brought back from Lisbon—like scooping fondu out the middle. http://flic.kr/p/7cTNfV #
• Queijos de Azeitão—sheeps' cheese made with cardoon thistle instead of animal rennet! http://www.saboresdeazeitao.com/queijos/index.htm #
• The autumn colours of our vine are pretty. http://flic.kr/p/7d1fRV #
• @eyefarrell daring to sling your phone over the side of the boat! I can't get a feel of what conditions are 'right' for the iphone camera. in reply to eyefarrell #
• Waiting to see The House of Bernada Alba at the ADC Theatre (with a large glass of merlot) http://flic.kr/p/7d7Dzk #
• @Oleanderman thanks for dropping the book off—quite a surprise when I got in. in reply to Oleanderman #
• Strong cast for The House of Bernada Alba: the woman playing Bernada is great, and there is a wonderful dancer playing one of the servants #
• OMG, I'm a pariah. I now have two empty seats on each side of me, but the rows in front and behind are full. All I need now is a spotlight #
• @jeradhill is there a US version? The UK show is great. in reply to jeradhill #
• @jeradhill not all the uk humour translates to the US, so it's good to hear that the IT Crowd works! in reply to jeradhill #
• Just home from the fireworks on Midsummer Common—good laugh this year. #
• @dml29 oh you old humbug! The Brits have feeble displays compared with other places. in reply to dml29 #
• RT @petapixel: A bald eagle attacks an unsuspecting swan in midair: http://j.mp/2xCFvb #
• @twinkleboi @MikeyCbg Sounds *lovely* are you bringing some home? (please!) in reply to twinkleboi #
• @twinkleboi how was the Primark? Did you go? in reply to twinkleboi #
• *The House of Bernada Alba* blog post http://bit.ly/3SbX4m #
• @cm4233 no, we're going to bed! Are you in town? in reply to cm4233 #
• @humphreyj welcome home, it's good to get a warm cat welcome! in reply to humphreyj #
• OK, going to have sushi for lunch now that I'm a master at Sushi Chain! http://flic.kr/p/7dHfop #
• Is Teri-Aki the only sushi restaurant in Cambridge? http://www.teri-aki.co.uk/ #
• @twinkleboi thanks, there is a new place on Mill Rd, the Green Box, nut it's good to have your recommendation. I need sushi! in reply to twinkleboi #
• Good sushi, having an icecream-filled mochi thing for pudding—called Yukimi Daifuku #
• @drable if you have a spare Wave invite I'd appreciate one, thanks. I'll DM my email address. in reply to drable #
• @untruenorth ta! I'll try that next time. It appeals it looks small and cosy! Teri-Aki was a bit slick, chrome & glass. Good sushi though! in reply to untruenorth #
• @drable Thank you! Should keep me amused for a while! in reply to drable #
• @humphreyj what time were you up at? in reply to humphreyj #
• *Chekhov: The Bear and The Anniversary* blog post http://bit.ly/3xNiLQ #
• Need to wrap up warm for going out to teh Farmers Market, BBrrr… #
• regretting trying to make oxtail soup—the mess in the slowcooker looks a long way from what I hoped for! Smells good though #
• Onions and squash from the Farmers' Market (also bought a 1/2 kilo squid!) http://flic.kr/p/7e3LkS #
• @chaileyf this better not make my iPhone smell of fishy fingers! http://flic.kr/p/7dZnuV in reply to chaileyf #
• @jamesconroyfinn jamcofin, jacof in reply to jamesconroyfinn #
• @dml29 we ate most of it, stir fried with broccoli, garlic and ginger. It was a bit much, 1/ a kilo. I bought it because it was Scottish. in reply to dml29 #
• @cjm55 bizarre—how was the ostrich burger? I found them a bit *herby* in reply to cjm55 #

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