200

Well it's been 2 years and 200 posts since I started the classic eccentric - which I didn't think was too bad a rate of post - over 8 per month - while working full time (changing 3 job roles in the same company and studying as well), being in a relationship, having a cat (anyone who has a cat will SO get that) and living in the world that is 2008.
However back in 2006 when I started the blog, I had the intentions of a web diary with a bit of extra stuff (funny bits, my obsessive collecting, pop culture pollava - all types of interesting shit really) and it has just worked out to be something else that I honestly still don't know what that it is. However an evolving blog is open to change and movement that then lends itself to explore. And does allow a whole of a funny crap too rather than just being about me me me.
However being a little conceited and part of a generation who thinks of themselves first (um which generation? Oh that's right ALL generations) I did expect to get more feedback on the content of the posts. And also to make sure someone other than myself and Andy were reading! The comments I have received have been interesting & welcoming. The funny thing is the most reaction I have had in the last 2 years were my posts on Corey Worthington, the party animal of Narre Warren. So much for my witty posts of OZ life - just get a dickhead from the burbs to steal the show! So Gen Y....which is a little rich coming from the cynical Gen X'er that I am.
Cynic or not I'm glad I did start the blog. It has given an outlet for my creative side. I'm also glad in the last year or so I have concentrated more on the content rather than the amount of posts. I'm glad I wrote about the history OZ TV - it was something I spent a lot of time on, as well as showing my love for the box. But saying that you tube posts are fun and quick - and sometimes images are much more interesting than words alone. Especially when they are either handsome men from Spunk Alerts posts (contrary to a comment made - Spunk in OZ means sexy or hot - not the UK meaning!), unfortunate singing moments from Eurovision to Idol to Jan Terry and, my favourite, the venomous Cyanide and Happiness comics...just too twisted and a bit wrong.

And the next 200?

Well hopefully this blog will continue to evolve further still...

You Tube: Dancin' Matt

I saw this on Sunrise the other week and I really liked it - dancin' across the world with matt - and connecting with all...quite moving

You Tube:The B-52's - Funplex

Once described as 'new wave kiddy camp rockers' when they used to play in the Mudd Club (NYC in the 70's while wearing woman corsetry) now still rockin' on making comment of the world nowdays...bless them.

Cyanide and Happiness

Site to Check out - Tough at the top

Tough at the top is a new online TV show created by the infamous Crazy Cousin Anne - (well not my cousin - actually a dear friend Brigid's cousin but I digress).

Basically it all started after a move to Darwin, meeting another of similar name at the pub, then getting drunk at the pub and finally the buying of a motorized esky from eBay (yes I'm not making this up) both Anne Edmonds ( Crazy Cuz) and Anna Daniels (not Crazy Cuz) decided to approach the local ABC TV(NT) and pitch an idea for an online comedy series - And Tough at the Top was born.

The girls have written, directed and starred in this off the wall Territory comedy. Highlights have included so far 'The NTique Roadshow'...their take on another TV show of a similar name and most recently a mock- u -mentry style of a campaign for the rights of racists (v.funny). The site will be updated every week - future highlights will include flapper dancing 1920's style on current day Darwin's wharf, picnicking by the local esplanade in crocodile suits(not too far from actual croc attacks)....and (of course) the obvious hooning around the highways of NT on a motorized Esky - which will no doubt be my favourite...

http://www.abc.net.au/darwin/features/toughatthetop/?section=video

Book Review - A short history of nearly everything

[And yes it is!]

I really enjoy reading Bill Bryson travel novels. I think its his laid back but intelligent approach to his subject(s) and to life in general. The first novel I read of his was The Lost Continent: Travels in Small-Town America - and loved the way he told of his travels in the USA, trying to find that fictional small town he grew up with when watching TV & movies in the 50's & 60's. Of course the hilarious thing is that the closest town he found that got to be looking and feeling like a real small town America was Provincetown! But I digress. A short history...continues his journey, but this time instead of travel its history [and what makes up everything in the universe] itself that is the journey dujour.

Mr Bryson goes back and forth in his novel trying to give an oversight of the universe that is older than anyone can say, bigger than anyone can think and more unknown than the...well unknown itself. From the creation of the planets and the mighty milky way to the tiniest of bacteria, from modern health sustaining life to nuclear bombs taking it, the Cro-Magnon man to the species that is modern man, let alone insects, dinosaurs and the stuff of life - the lot! Bill draws from papers, people and all sorts of paraphernalia to paint the picture of what is known, [and in most cases than we like to think so] unknown about virtually everything.

My love for this novel was the multiple subjects discussed and the way that we need to almost compact and change things so to suit circumstance rather than to accept that they just don't fit in a category. For example our solar system is always shown to suit text book page sizes so they fit all neatly, whereas the distance between the planets are so long that even reducing the earth to a pea on paper Jupiter is still 300 metres away...and you would need to standing in the next suburb to even get the chance to see Pluto! [Let alone if you make it real scale.] I also love the fact that when scientists and the so called 'people of knowledge' don't know, can't explain or find the missing links in history of life, they just make it up until someone knows, explains or find them [yes I'm not making that up either.]

Some of the subjects are not as interesting as others. While I found the solar system, universe and creation of the planets fascinating, I almost slept through the atom and elements chapter(s). However I am quick to point out it was only because it reminded me of high school chemistry lessons rather than the way Mr Bryson's places pen to the parchment [Mr Lee my chemistry teacher would be quite upset with me now] that sent me to sleepy by by's.

But saying this, the book is just a really great read about...well the title suggests everything. Mr Bryson did win the Descartes Prize and also Aventis Prize from the science world. Apparently some top scientist was supposed to say that the book is "annoyingly free of mistakes" - however a list of errors made by the book is online for those wanting to doubt him. It's a shame that scientists with all their brilliance get just as much fun disproving people and ideas rather than trying and finding new ones. Maybe they should focus more on endeavours to finding those bloody missing gaps rather than just making it up.

Regardless, you will be enlightened and enjoy this one.

Four big bangs of out five.

Cyanide and Happiness

Whats in a name?

As much as I detest the narrow minded and lowest common denominator view that the other newspaper in Melbourne - 'The Herald Sun' - offers, putting aside the usual sensational "footy shock - gangland related -petrol price- interest rate hike - oz battler being pushed over the edge " headlines that it usually spruces to it's audience, occasionally there are interesting little tit bits of information worthy a read - and good to kill a lunch break with (especially when someone has taken the 'The Age' for the green guide or epicure sections or has already done the Sudoku).

One of these was in yesterdays paper (25.06.08) in the cunningly named 'in Black & White' section (god you can imagine the pitch meeting for that title) which was about names - a dear 72 year old Mr Ed Bourke (you can imagine him on the verandah discussing the state of the country and how best to grow cabbages in the Melbourne Spring) has compiled a list of actual names that match their chosen occupation (and yes I am not making any of these up) and sent them to the wrong newspaper for publishing...

for example -

Water Ecologist - Mr Grant Hose

Melbourne Zoo CEO - Mr John Gibbon.

Minister for Finance - Mr John Lenders.

Housing Indutsry Spokeman - Mr Simon Tennent.

Rommel's aide during retreat from Tobruk in WW2 - Von Schlippenbach.

In true Herald Sun style they hinted at the list was four pages long and only published 5 names - which means that they didn't really care for Mr Ed Bourkes list - or the list wasn't really that good. Please leave any names you have read in the comments that are just as quirky as those that Mr Ed Bourke has found over the years...usually the real ones are better than ones you can make up yourself.

b

You Tube: Coke is it

Coke ads have always been a sign of the times...But the Electric Pandas singing a Coke ad in pub scene of the early 80's? We used to sing in school 'Coke is Shit'..a bit like the pandas really

Spunk Alert: Tiago Botega

Well after a long break from posting Spunk Alerts ( god forbid - no I had not run out of attractive men - more so laziness dear reader/voyeur to this catergory) - I found this hottie - and all I know about him is that his name is Tiago Botega, I'm assuming he's some sort of a model, he is 23 years old and comes from Garibaldi, Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil (why of course he does).Not that I think you really needs to know much more.However if you know more about this piece of hotness (interests, occupation, telephone number so I can stalk etc) please please let me know...

You Tube: Adorn Hair Spray 1960's TV Commercial

Bless Andy finding this- He will now have a busy weekend with COL-LOS-SAL clips - let alone the Upsie Daisy and Bikini Brush ( follow up ads) by ADORN - why can't we advertise more stuff like this...

Cyanide and Happiness

A str8 mans dream and nightmare...

Eurovision 2008 - postscript

OK so I need just to wrap it up after watching the show on Sunday night - and yes I was tough on Eurovision - and maybe because it's an easy target. So be it. As much as I give it shit it's still very fabulous in that camp trashy way that only the Europeans do so well.

Great news about the shortened voting - no more extended French lessons with' L'Italie 2 points' and the suchlike. Only the 8,10 & 12 points are announced - it reduced it to a 3 hours show instead of an 24 hour telethon. V.good.

A bit pissed off Russia won - only as it was a shit song. I suppose that is a matter of taste. Or maybe lack there of. A bit like the humor of the euro trash presenters.

The pirates got in the finals (Bless), the turkey puppet from Ireland didn't (good). What was with the bloody washerwoman/brides from Bosnia & Herzegovina and the old man in white who spoke throughout the whole song from Croatia - in Croatian! How the fuck I missed those mentals! And the worst thing is I'm probably related him!

OK so in summary my favorites was the woman with the divine makeup from Sweden (previously winner in 1999) - Great dance song -(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNHhjLzO5Sk) and the fabulous Page 3 chick from Ukraine - yet another ace dance hit (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4FxGF-171Y) - she came second!

Overall it was good year of Eurovision. If good years involve all the a fore mentioned. I can only imagine the glamorous horror pic of next years in Moscow...ooooh those Russians.

Eurovision 2008 - Finale

Well the ruskies won it...and I have to say..it's Shit..or дерьмо (in russian) - See you in Moscow for '09 ( Jesus)

Eurovision 2008 - Part 4

Well we just got back from Thailand yesterday (pics & entry to follow) and wading through the 300+ emails ( mostly spam and the like) I received while I was away - I received a brilliant link from Popbitch re:Eurovision

http://cde.cerosmedia.com:80/1K482b0f42acf88012.cde

It basically is a run down on this years AND previous acts - and yes it includes the crazies, the shocking and the downright camp of previous years

Bless Eurovision + Popbitch !

10 things to make and do

Well Andy and I are off to Thailand tomorrow - soaking up the sun, enjoying the pool bar and all the wonders that the Golden Kingdom offers...Meanwhile I have made a list of 10 things that I will and some I won't (actually) miss when we are away from OZ...

1. The Logies - OZ TV Night of nights...a wannabe Golden Globes Award TV show for all of OZ TV...actually its always a let down and the girls (minus Kate Ritchie and Sonya Kruger) always dress like slappers....speaking of which...

2. Ladette to Lady ( Season 3) - what isn't wrong about this show ? Sluttish alcoholic's Brit girls try to get it 'poshed' up at a finishing school and just get it so wrong - too good - this new season they have managed to finds even bigger slappers than before...a bit like the current season of...

3. Big Brother - Now I have always been a fan - HOWEVER with it's new hosts who have managed to turn it to what is basically a sanitised version of the Kyle & Jackie O Radio Show - let alone the trashy contestants - ugh - enough already! The other TV Brother I like is...

4. Brothers & Sisters - I just can't fault this TV show - drama with a family you would want to be a part of ...In fact I think I am another missing gay relative of the Walker Family - OK so enough of TV...lets move on to

5. Melbourne's Weather & the Cold Snap - Its only April and it's been cold. Sorry not cold - Freezing. And the forecast in 2008 is that we are about to enter one of the coldest winters on record. Goody. Best enjoy the tropical heat then and being away from

6. All work and no holiday - I haven't been overseas since Hong Kong in 2006 and I , Andrew and all of our friends are in dire need of a holiday...like yesterday. And I also need a break from...

7. Facebook/Yahoo/email etc - This is mostly what I need a detox from - I actually don't need to know what my friends (actually mostly acquaintances) are doing/saying/singin' etc every fucking moment! And enough of the poke! OK so I'll calm down now and move to more relaxing things like...

8. Sudoku - This is my latest obsession - I do them on the train home, in the Sunday paper or even at lunch break. This is one geeky obsession that is coming along the trip - I bought a big book of Sudoku for those moments by the pool of not being drunk yet and bored of the latest Bill Bryson or the constant OZ discussion of the...

9. The great OZ dream - After the previous year of trying to buy a house, then giving up when houses continued to rise (not just through the roof but the stratosphere)- I was most happy to hear that house prices last quarter have stopped increasing, stabilized and starting to fall - a few more interest rate rises, a few more people defaulting and we may be able to afford a home in Melbourne...(greater Melbourne that is). Another rising figure is...

10. 50,000 - Hits made to my Blog (well almost there) - In manner of Kath & Kim I will crack open the Tia maria and the footy franks...rather as I will be in Thailand maybe a Pad Thai with yet another Mai Tai ( Might I?).

See you in 3 weeks.
X b

You Tube:Eurovision 2008 - Part 3

How could I miss Ireland's entry - Dustin the Turkey - a puppet. And it's in the Semi Finals...again not making this up.

You Tube: Eurovision 2008 - Part 2

These are some high (low) lights -including the pirates (again not making this up)- THIS IS EUROVISION in 2008!

Eurovision 2008 - Part 1

Lordy I almost forgot it's that time again - The world shudders when Europe sings! And this year it's just as crappy,trashy, glitzy and over the top pop/house/folk and other nonsense that makes Eurovision so...so bad.

And this years, in the words of Mel Brooks - vhat a shidinker! - 3 fat 70's sexist comedians now turned singers from Estonia, A girl with what looks like makeup by Divine from Sweden, a girly looking poofy from Iceland, A Spice Girls cover band from Germany, A Turkish sounding song from Holland (whatever happened to Tulips from Amsterdam ?) A page three girl from Ukraine and finally Pirates (yes Pirates - I'm not making this up) from Latvia- Bless eastern Europe for trotting these souls out. Maybe the Iron Curtain wasn't such a bad thing?

I will be posting just a selection of entries to peruse, laugh and wonder at. The date to countdown is the 24th of May - or the 25th in OZ (the Sunday) - so we will be back in time from our holiday to watch the marvel car crashing grotesque wonder that is Eurovision!! Hopefully SBS will be screening the version voiced by with the ever witty & sardonic Terry Wogan (can you believe people complain in OZ about him?). Can't wait.

Cyanide and Happiness

Pure Pleasure Seeker

You know that you want it now.

I was fortunate enough to see Ms Róisín Murphy at Billboard on Friday night, Melbourne CBD. The last time I was at Billboard was for a dance party in ’99. Then it had mirrors on the ceiling & walls, lots of smoke and uniformed gay's - like a club from the movie ‘Cruising’ with Al Pacino – but I digress. Alas the mirrors are gone but the same underground feeling lingers. As the club was packed to the (former) mirrored rafters many were anticipating the lady’s entrance.

Now I have read many reviews of Róisín, and all and sundry have commented on how she performs. Or rather her grand performance. They did not lie. Her voice (in my opinion) is better live, especially with a band. The selected ensemble included songs from her days in Moloko as well as her solo albums (needless to say I was overjoyed with her performance of 'Let me know' when I busted a move while standing on a step with friends - we were between the drunkest woman in the world and a large bear called Beryl, which I think were left over from the dance party in '99 - again I digress) The sound of her voice is almost like some ethereal siren on the rocks, or maybe that more of an ethereal disco siren on stage drawing you in closer and closer to danger on the dancefloor. It wasn’t about just seeing an artist sing to an audience, but engage them.

But it’s not just about her singing - it’s the rest of her performance which is just as entertaining. I loved the combination of digital art images (yes art darling) in the background, especially the psychedelic porn and the 60’s pop art (with Lyrics). Her changes in costumes (and hats) were onstage between songs with a simple rack on stage left – but it worked. And she is not shy to use the stage. (Mrs Hapgood - My Year 12 Theatre Arts Teacher - would have been pleased with her use of space and movement). Róisín literally lets herself go and the audience follows suit.

It really left me wanting more. Róisín - I’m letting you I’m lonely. Come back Poste haste.

You Tube - Ken Lee

Bless Bulgarian Idol - and this girl who really needs to go to english class or wash her ears...

Cyanide and Happiness

My homage to ' So you thing you can dance (Australia)....Bring back Mary!

Your Tube: OZ TV AD

Apparently this is the most offensive ad on OZ TV at the moment - and one of the most funniest!

New Attitude

Well The Perth trip was amazing, Andy & I had an ace time - relaxing, catching up with our families and generally enjoying the sun and the rest. I have managed to come back to work with Miss Patti La Belle's lyrics in my head...which (of course) is a good thing.

Actually I have also come back to a brand new job (starting next week) - same company but different area - I have worked on Collins street for almost 10 years and now moving to an non- CBD location - ok so it's just off St Kilda Road - but it's not Collins Street.

People either love or loathe working on the CBD - I love it. The hustle & bustle, the stores, cafe's, bars and all that the city has to offer is only a lunch break or home time away. No don't get me wrong - St Kilda road is lovely, and yes you can still get a decent cup of coffee but just not the same. Also I have managed to work with so many great people and I know virtually no one at the other site so that will be a new challenge for me.

I will really miss the city - especially as I am here 5 days a week.

I wonder why is it that you become more sentimental with age? Or is that just a me thing?

Melbourne Moment

The View into the dining room @ The Precinct, Richmond.

And now it's time for a break...

Well after a year of no holiday - we are off to Perth again for a week of much needed R & R - I will be having a short break from the blog and be back in early March....

In the meantime I found yet another helpful site for the traveller...especially like its name

http://blog.whathappensnow.com/category/travel/

V.good site - especially about the packing and travelling light ( I'm still yet to learn that feat so I am trying this trip in preparation for Thailand in May).


X b

Site to check out: popbitch

I love POPBITCH.

I have been on their mailing list since 2000.
For all the dirt, gossip and just plan innuendo of the celebrity, stars, has beens and wanna be's, Popbitch has it all. As well as what's happening around London town, music and tid bits of the pop culture bubble.

They send out a great email once a week ( Thursday UK time) will all the juicy bits...and actually some down right filthy bits too.

I'm suprised I haven't added them sooner to the blog!

Cyanide & Happiness

God she eats a lot. I've had days like that.

You Tube: "Let Me Know" - Róisín Murphy

This ace dance track has been a fav over summer - Her outfits are always so fab...I love her so much!

Corey (Party Liason) gets bashed

Oh how the mighty have fallen! Corey gets beat up at the local shops...ACA really hates him with yet another...(ahem)...newsworthy item they are famous for.

Melbourne Moment

Shady characters at The Prince Of Wales, St Kilda - OZ Day.

Spunk Alert: Charlie Cox

Well I just watched Stardust last night - and not only did Miss Michelle Pfeiffer's old age makeup got my attention - this spunk did too!

Presenting Mr Charlie Cox.

I can't really tell you much as he is still quite 'new on the movie scene' (what's the old line - the overnight sensation was really 10 years in the making ???) Mr Cox lives in London and has a dog named Dickon - and he's single... He's very London urban posh (or would that just be urbane?)

Very serious and actor-ry snap here - still v.hot though.

This is one Actor about to become big in the next few years...and hopefully gets his gear off soon on celluloid...and I will post!

Corey Delaney, Party Liason - One more time

Ok so I found these - promise it WILL be the last on Corey....

Well you thought it.

Bless now the HOFF joins in the fun....
Agreed.

THE END.

Corey Delaney, Party Liason - The Finale

OK so I promise this is to be the LAST post on Corey (NB the newspaper yesterday posted his last name as "Worthington " however he is also known as Delaney? Yet another facet of this piece of dimondique.

I found the below after joining the Facebook group Vote Corey Delaney - Australia's Biggest Bogan!! and needed to share (for those who do not know - Bogan = Redneck in OZ).

Especially like this one from Zoolander...was this his muse?
And the most favorite quote used at the moment in OZ is...
No they're not...Well maybe they are...
Even Southpark has been touched with Corey (for Brig)
I will now assume (prey) that Corey will fade away out of the limelight like a Big Brother contestant...or the 3rd place winner on Idol...or the Bronze Medalist in the javelin...

Corey Delaney, Party Liason - Part 2

Although I think the media is wasting far much too time on Party man Mr Corey Delaney who incidentally got arrested today( this story has left OZ and now been picked up by CNN & BBC!) I got this emailed to me today and I had to share...Party boy extraordinaire Ben Cousins meets his match with Corey!

On further news Wikipedia has rejected an entry about the party man - one user was quoted...

He's a dickhead kid. We don't write articles about every dickhead kid, even the ones who have been on ACA (A Current Affair).

Well put. However the media needs to shut up about it.

Somehow I still don't think this story has ended...

You tube: Corey Delaney, Party Liaison

This is why A Current Affair (ACA) is fucked up. A no news day so they attack a deranged teenager and the wild house party he held on the weekend. Both as fucked up as each other....Really!

Cyanide & Happiness

My Ode to ALIEN...

08? Great!

It's now a few weeks in into the new year and I thought it was time to review the resolutions/goals/my shit seeing 'Heaven 07' has left us and now we enter 'Great (in) 08' - I'm already hoping for 'Mime in 09' or 'Rhyme in 09' for a revival of poets and Marcel Marceau impersonators but I digress....Seeing it's '08 thought a top great 8 resolutions...well maybe more of a things to do this year instead of unachievable resolutions (besides I have already given up smoking 2 years ago and I still like a drink so that rules that out) so here goes...

1. Exercise more - use that gym membership/new clothes & runners especially bought for the gym last year...Well the ipod got usage so not a total waste...

2. More attentive beard Grooming - My urban chic growth resembled Robinson Caruso a little too much in 07...

3. New Clothes New Clothes New Clothes - will be my mantra - I will try to reduce the amount of jeans & dark polo's worn and try (again) to embrace colour...well for Summer least.

4. Avoid rolling my eyes - apparently its not cute anymore when you are over 30 - just plain annoying.

5. Keep an open mind in all situations - even though you know it's going to end in tears (i.e. gay weddings/the friend with that new hairstyle/OZ digital TV etc)

6. Cookery Bookery Revival - After 10 years of owning the 'Cooks Companion' by Ms Stephanie Alexander I actually used it a bit last year and enjoyed it v. much. Ms Margaret Fulton still remains true as well. Which leads into...

7. Praise the Domestic Goddess - I will personally nominate Ms Alexander & Ms Fulton for Order of Australia and Miss Nigella Lawson for Goddess/Sainthood of the order of the Kitchen.

8. Spunk Alert - I will also try to find more hot spunks to post - The only verbal criticism I got from my blog last year was where are the Spunks? Gay men - really!

X b

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Well its that time of year...and given our love for the Christmas (and especially the tree) it's all the go in the household...This year's theme is silver, pink & purple (yes I know... very masculine and butch for two men)...a slight variation on last years theme.The coffee table...
The front door wreath - this is a new addition to the Christmas Cast...and I think a permanent one.Detail (of course).
And now that the day is hastily approaching - we have been preparing the food - I have made a Christmas Cake...Andy is about to make the Chritsmas icecream (yes it's real-I'm not making it up) and has already made the ham....and a v.smart one at that...
And now to cook the turkey and wear our eating dresses and impersonate Sumo's for a few days...The truck from Dan Murphy's has already delivered the booze so if a war breaks out in the next few days we should be good until the New Year.

12 Daze of Christmas

For those who have never heard cabaret lounge singer Fay McKay singing the 12 DAZE of XMas - ENJOY!

Wigs for Pets

To continue with the theme and my love of dressing up animals - I found this site

http://www.kittywigs.com/

Yes you can buy wigs for your cat - for example this blonde bombshell creation

I especially like the description for the wig ( as if the wig and fern t-the cat model- doesn't just sell it to you anyway)....

Blonde is a magical mix of bashful and brazen. Fern shows off the many moods of a natural blonde: sweet yet catty, smart yet batty -- where life is alluring and coy. Now all she needs is a bikini and a Swedish accent.Blonde sets off your kitty’s eyes and makes your kitty look tan.

Great - now the cat wants to look tanned and wear a kini...when was this ok ? There are more cat hair do's & don'ts on the link

If you have anything related to dress up pets please let me know asap as i need another fix shortly. X b

Ps - All money raised goes to the ASPCA - again I'm not joking.

Cyanide and Happiness

Book Review: Land's End (a walk through Provincetown).

Michael Cunningham’s novel The hours was the connection of three women over different decades and how they manage with a day in their respective complex lives. It was well written and one of the few times that the film and the book were identical twins of one another. He writes in a style that is simple to read but it is not simple writing or subjects he is dealing with. Winning a Pulitzer prize is no simple feat.

In Land’s end, a non fiction work, his writing style is again apparent. He pieces together an array of stories, prose, history and his own experiences of Provincetown (or P town as it’s known – another example of simplification of a word - the laziness of today). The writer was blessed with being a ‘P town’ resident for more than just a summer on the cape (unlike most vistors there).

For those not in the know (or maybe I should say the ‘ho’) Provincetown is a gay (getaway) haven on the tip of the east coast of the USA. It’s a picturesque ex-fishing town full of salt box and cape cod cottages surrounded by the sea from all around as its at the end of a peninsula. Packed in summer and dead in winter, Michael literally writes about the town and its various incantations it takes on. Whether it is due to seasons, the remoteness, or just being the last stop at the (actual) end of the road this is not your average town.

Now the older I’m getting the more I want to know about the history. In this book some interesting facts emerge. For example the site of P town was actually where the pilgrims first landed before Plymouth Rock. However let me stress this to you that this book is not an historical record more so an overview of the town. Personally I would have liked to have read more of it's past but the author points out that it is merely another facet of the town uniqueness.

It is the accounts of the day to day running of the town that is the authors focus. From the A & P with gay cashiers (who double as drag queens at night) to the grand old town hall (the benches out the front used to be called the meat rack in the 70's), the old fishing wharf which was once the lifeblood of the town, the golden horde that is Marine Specialities (if you ever lost anything you’ll probably find it here) the ghost of art communes or simply the dunes, the sand and the sea, with all that interact with it.

It’s a lovely read with its never ending cast of its residents, or should I say all the driftwood that has managed to float in and out the bay itself, some staying more than a summer.

4 pilgrims out of 5

Thanks to the lovely Brigid lending me this copy.

Look what they done to my pet...ma

This has been troubling me for sometime. Pets dressed up like people.

Now I just want to make myself clear first...Dressing your pet up in clothes is a form of animal cruelty...however saying that... its one thing that make me laugh so much I wet myself. OK so its infantile but it looks so funny as its so ridiculous to dress up your cat/dog/ferret - and you can clearly see that the pet hates the whole moment - that dress up/make over scene from Pretty Woman it ain't.

The below are prime examples of the cruelty/hilarity
- here we see Fluffy is dressed as rag doll/Ginger Spice - probably the most sombre/prettiest Gerry has looked...

And here as the blue telly tubby...I think Fluffy is getting over it...The dog models don't seem to mind it as much...even when dressed as your favourite action heroes from Star Wars (Vader, Yoda & Leia) - the bodies clip on.
Back to Fluffy - now as duck - fluffy looking pretty pissed off and looks like she's about to attack her owner ( I especially like how the duck hides Fluffy ears)

Speaking of ears...Nothing says Easter like a cat in bunny ears ...

And finally - why not dress up Rex as Anne of Green Gables ...
IF you want more - click on the below link to a (very expensive) fashion & accessory site for your pet - my special category are the individual robes (more duck) & evening wear ( for making your pet sexy - however why is that needed is still a bit weird)

http://www.pamperedpetscatalog.com/index.html

Rabbit would scratch my eyes out even before I bought him an evening gown like the "Party Trim Tutu Dress"

http://sf2000.registeredsite.com/~user990875/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PPC&Product_Code=15CS-PWT&Category_Code=Apparel-Evening+Wear

You Tube:House of 1000 Muppets

What do you get when you cross the trailer of a horror film with the muppet movie? This is very clever.