Weekend Review: Singstar Studios in Manchester!

On Sunday I rounded up a few friends and headed to Manchester Singstar Studios. Oh my god, it was brilliant. I'm writing up the whole experience for Grrlgamer.com but I have to tell a little here.

- Mr. Me is actually a pretty good singer. He scored consistently higher than anyone else!

- Mr. Me and Lucien Doomdark did some great duets.

- Kim is pretty good as well, though goths shouldn't know the words to SClub 7 tunes.

Everyone was a bit fish out of water for the first 15 minutes, then everyone wanted a go.

We had such a good time, pink wigs and all. I was a little disappointed there was no vocal coach as advertised. I was extremely happy my penchant for humiliating myself in public is still there. We ended up at the Retro bar after for some ranting and nut eating.

What was less than awesome about the night was on our trip back from The Best Take-away Ever toward the House of Students, we passed the beginning of a crime scene.

Yesterday we found out it was because a boy was shot in the park, just as we were buying our kebabs.

Weekend Review: Counter Terrorism Night

Anyone who saw V for Vendetta heard the rhyme:

Remember, remember, the 5th of November but there's more:
Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot...

The 5th of November 1605 is when Guy Fawkes was foiled as he tried to blow up parliament. Like our 4th of July, the English now celebrate this date by shooting fireworks. Unlike our Independence Day, they don't get the day off work. As a result, many celebrations take place at the closest weekend.

Up until Saturday I hadn't actually been to a Bonfire Night. I wanted to, but none of our friends ever seemed particularly inclined towards lighting large fires and shooting rockets into the air. But then this year a friend invited us to his family home near Doncaster to participate in the festivities.

The reason Guy Fawkes night is generally referred to as 'Bonfire Night,' has to do with, er, bonfires. The English celebrate the foiled terrorist attempt by burning things, usually including an effigy of the man himself. For a month before Bonfire Night, most kids from 5-16 plonk themselves in front of a local shop with their own Guy Fawkes to beg for funds to finish him. Some of the cheekier ones, who trust in failing memories, stay out for another few weeks.

But many, our friend included, burn something else. This particular family has a tradition of setting alight Labour Prime Ministers. And this year was a particularly fine example and likeness of Britian's fearless leader. It took old Gordon a good 20 minutes before he began to crumble. Something about dour Presbyterian spirit I expect.

We ate a delicious game pie brought by a fellow reveller. The one thing to mind when eating anything with 'game' in the title is the buckshot. A fair amount of damage to fillings can really disrupt enjoyment of such a tasty treat. Like most English gatherings, the evening turned to drunken tales and a lot of laughter. I really enjoyed it, partially because of the magic of gazing out in a valley full of fireworks. Mostly though, it was due to the company. David managed to corral and excellent group together.

I do think I'd rather participate in the 4th of July. By virtue of being in the summer, the revelry tends to be slightly warmer. No bonfire needed.

Why Boris Johnson is the best thing ever.

A few weeks ago, Dave and Robin created a most magical picture. This was of the wonderful and glorious MP for Henley, Boris Johnson.



Now, occasionally, when I'm upset or annoyed at the world I like to do things to cheer myself up. Last week, in all of its dreadfulness, prompted the following letter to said MP:


Dear Mr. Johnson,

I tend not to write fan letters as they easily become embarrassing and a little gushy. I'll simply sum up my position as most decidedly pro-Boris and all things under the Boris Johnson banner. When I return to my country I shall tell wondrous tales of Boris Johnson and expose them to your wit and intelligence via the magic of YouTube. I noticed in your biography that you're actually American. How about returning and running for president? I would vote for you. If anything, the quality of the presidential debates would improve dramatically by your very presence.

My friends are also decidedly pro-Boris. So much so they've created a piece of propaganda specifically to further your cause. It's attached to this e-mail and I hope it brings you as much joy and amusement as it has us. The reference is from the popular animated television series Futurama, which has a hypnotic toad that controls the minds of the citizens of Earth via the television. We believe that if you could harness the power of the HypnoBoris, your rightful position as Prime Minister would be easily within reach.

I'll conclude my gushing fan letter by saying, in all seriousness, that your candor, wit and intelligence is proof that not all politicians have become bloated PC pansies paralyzed by their own self importance. In particular I greatly appreciate your attempts at getting the MP for Motherwell and Wishaw to clarify the term 'drunk' in 2003 and a wonderfully direct question regarding my government's failure to acknowledge the British government during the Iraq war in December. I only wish that my circumstances would allow me to run from Andy Burnham's constituency and into Henley.

Here is a link to HypnoBoris: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/robin.langridge/obeyboris.gif

Kind Regards,
Tiffany Craig

Today I received the following response:

Dear Tiffany

Thank you for your lovely letter, and I will see if I can get anyone to obey me with your picture.

Best wishes

Boris Johnson



(ps we have put it on the office wall, from frances, Boris’s secretary?


I am giddy with joy.

I've notified the creators of HypnoBoris who are also most giddy.

Hooray for Boris!