It doesn't get any gayer than this for Australians who celebrate Mardi Gras annually in Sydney. More than 130 floats and an estimated 9,500 people participated in the Mardi Gras parade on Saturday. The march began as a protest in 1978 by homosexual and transsexual men and women and has become one of the world's largest and most flamboyant gay pride events.
Openly gay gold medalist Matthew Mitcham lead the parade surrounded by hot go-go boys wearing speedos and carrying score cards.
Matthew Mitcham
While one Australian Olympian is riding around holding his head high, another Olympic swimmer Ian Thorpe has been forced to issue a press statement amid persistent speculation over his sexuality. The move comes after many newspapers ran gossip stories about a month-long holiday Mr Thorpe took with his close friend, Daniel Mendes. " is a good friend whom I have known for many years," said Mr Thorpe. " find this kind of inaccurate speculation tiresome and I am annoyed by the hurt it has caused those closest to me."
Ian Thorpe & Daniel Mendes
And to prove that he's not gay gay, Ian also spoke of wishing for an Angelina Jolie's type as his wife and have four children.
Aren't you glad that you live in a society where gay people are at least tolerated and to a large extent accepted. Of course you could live in Nigeria where there are simply no homosexuals according one leading Nigerian politician is claiming that there are no gay people in his country. The Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ojo Madueke, told a UN panel that there is no need to look into gay rights in his country as no LGBT citizens exist. The claim is even more farcical considering Mr Madueke' government' plans to introduce laws that will criminalise homosexual acts in Nigeria.
The Bahrain government is not much better it has blocked access to all gay-related websites as part of a clampdown on gay behaviour in the country. The move means that gay people
who live in Bahrain will no longer be able to access sites such as gaydar.com, or any internet pornography. The government says the blocks are due to a " in homosexual activity" which it wants to stop.
They also jailed a male driving instructor who walked through a Bahrain market wearing women' clothing. The man was reportedly dressed in a long black robe and scarf, and carried a small purse. Authorities in the Gulf State warned last year that they intended to crack
down on "Homosexual" behaviour, which they say is rife.
7th March
It is understood that the Queen is keen to meet President Obama. He will be invited to Buckingham Palace when he arrives in UK for the G20 meeting in April. This is a highly unusual meeting as the President is not on an official visit to the UK.
The Queen's last meeting with a US president was with George Bush during his farewell European tour last June when she invited him to Windsor Castle for tea, this was also very unusual as she treats Windsor very much as her home, While Buckingham Palace is much more the office and place of business.
Newspapers on this side of the pond have started to slag off the Obama's already. They consider that the gifts given to the Brown's and their children were inappropriate and lacked any thought.
The Brown's gifts to the Obama's included a pen holder fashioned from the oak timber of HMS Gannet, a Navy vessel that served on anti-slavery missions off Africa.
Another treasure given to Obama is a framed commissioning paper for the HMS Resolute, a Royal Navy ship that came to symbolize British-American goodwill when it was rescued by the U.S. from icebergs and given to Queen Victoria. It is the sister ship of the HMS Gannet.
Finally, Brown gave Obama a first edition of Martin Gilbert's seven-volume biography of Winston Churchill, whose World War II partnership with President Franklin Roosevelt symbolized the U.S.-Anglo alliance.
In return Gordon Brown was given a set of 25 classic American movies to mark his historic visit to the White House.
The Obama's are new at this game and no doubt were caught out by the gesture from Britain, this being the first official visit from Europe.
Now Gordon Brown can add his American Movies to the Bomber Jacket given him by President Bush.
Back home from their travels, Gordon and Sarah Brown held a reception at Downing Street last night to celebrate the work of LGBT campaigners. It was the first time the LGBT community had been invited to a reception at number 10. The event, held to mark LGBT History Month, was due to be held in February, but was postponed due to the death of David Cameron's son Ivan. (David Cameron is the leader of the opposition)
A Chilean man with a broken leg was arrested at Barcelona airport after his "cast" was found to be made of cocaine not plaster, it was discovered after police sprayed the cast with a chemical that turns bright blue when it comes into contact with cocaine.
5th March 2009
½ of 1 percent. Can you believe that is the rate that the Bank of England announced at noon today. Another half-point cut in base rate from an existing 1 per cent that was already the lowest in the Bank's 314-year history to a new all-time low.
We also have a new term in financial jargon "quantitative easing", The Bank announced it is to pump £75 billion of newly created money into the economy over three months. Will it work - Who knows ?
Gordon Greets Barack
Gordon Brown has become the first European leader to visit Barack Obama. On top of that he is only the fifth British Prime Minister to address both houses of congress. During the address Gordon Brown delivered the news "I want to announce that Her Majesty the queen has awarded an honorary knighthood for Sir Edward Kennedy," to an eruption of cheers. Brown called the Massachusetts Democrat one of America's "most distinguished senators, known in every continent and a great friend."
Brown Nose
If you live to be 100 years old her in the UK you will receive a message from the queen. Achieving your century in Japan you receive a silver cup. However the Japanese have one of the longest life expectancies of any nation. In 1963, the first year the silver cups were given out, just 153 Japanese celebrated their 100th birthdays, more than 20,000 people are expected to reach their 100th birthday this year. So the Japanese government is reducing the size of the cups to compensate for the increase in expense.
Weird things happen all the time. Match these
Dutch artist Levi van Leluw, uses his own for a canvas. The 23-year-old creates amazing scenes by covering his head in ink patterns, tree bark, long slicked-down hair and even pebbles. Strips of carpet and realistic forest scenes are some of the other stunning works that put most traditional self-portraits to shame.
Oh dear a woman bit her boyfriend's tongue off mid-kiss, Tracy Davies bit deliberately on Mark Coghill's tongue during a drunken embrace, slicing the front third of it off, "She told him she loved him, she asked him to kiss her using his tongue. He did so and within a few seconds, she bit down hard on his tongue, he pulled back, and the tongue had come clean off in her mouth.
2nd March 2009
In the European culinary world, Michelin stars are everything. To be awarded just one star is an achievement in itself, but to achieve three stars is like making it to the moon and back. Here in the UK only three restaurants have reached the high echelon. Disaster struck last week when one of these exalted Culinary Temples had to close it's doors due to a food poisoning outbreak.
Heston Blumenthal runs the "Fat Duck" at Bray on the river Thames. His cooking is very scientific and goes far beyond the realms of ordinary food. Referred to as the "culinary alchemist" he took the decision to temporarily shut The Fat Duck as a precaution while tests are carried out after around 40 customers were taken ill over the last couple of weeks.
Heston said that food poisoning had been ruled out but he took the decision to shut the Michelin-starred restaurant, while an investigation is carried out. Tests by the celebrity chef's own food safety consultants and environmental health officers have so far failed to solve the mystery.
He said: "The whole thing is really upsetting and perplexing. We have done so many tests but nothing has shown up. We called in the environmental health and I took the decision to close the restaurant. All of our checks were clear but if there is a problem then the restaurant has a duty to try and find out what it is."
A Fat Duck Dessert
On the subject of Michelin Stars and Celebrity Chefs Gordon Ramsey is back in the news today. He has weathered the disdain of French critics by emerging as one of the winners in the 100th edition of France's Michelin Red Guide, the bible of gastronomy.
Gordon Ramsay au Trianon
Ramsay, was given two stars for his first French restaurant, Gordon Ramsay au Trianon, at Versailles, which opened a year ago. This makes him the first British chef to be awarded deux macarons on Michelin's home soil in the 109 years since the guide was first published.
I love musical theatre, and last night at the Theatre Royal in Brighton was a melting pot for the talent of the local theatre groups when they got together to put on a Musical Spectacular in aid of the Martlett's our local hospice. Not one of the act did you stifle a yawn at or let your eye lids close for a second. Even the local school of dance and dramatic art pulled off a couple of rousing numbers. The three boys out of thirty odd girls did however look a little out of place. One of the boys is heading up to London to perform in the current run of "Oliver", one of the girls is currently in "Billy Elliot" Brighton has a lot of talent that is for sure.
One of the highlights of last nights show had to be the performance from CATS by the Shine Theatre group. I had never heard of Shine until last night, but they were amazing. Shine Theatre Group started in 1997 with 3 members and now has over 140 children between the ages of 5-19 years who participate in Dance, Drama and Singing. Their aim is offer ALL children of whatever ability or disability the chance to experience music, drama and dance, and through performing, gain confidence and work to a professional standard.
From the way the able students shared the stage with those less able was a joy to see and an experience to share the shear enjoyment on their faces.
It has been a week for the Seniors of our society. Geoff Dornan a 71-years-old became a celebrity-for-a-day when he was fined £300 for roller-skating down the main street in his home town. Geoff claimed that he took up the hobby seven years ago to keep fit - but the council said that he was a nuisance and a danger to the public.
He was twice caught on CCTV dodging and weaving between pedestrians. And despite being cautioned by the cops he continues in his quest for speed. Outside court he said "It's like a speedboat and a rowing boat going down a river. I am the speedboat of the street and if I see people in the way, I slow down or change direction."
Meanwhile near to home on the A27 here in Sunny Sussex, 90 year old great grandad Stanley Murphy took a wrong turn in his mobility scooter — and ended up on a 70mph carriageway.
One astonished driver pulled over to the hard shoulder to help — and pensioner Stanley tried to OVERTAKE his flatbed truck. Paving company boss James Dunne, 46, said: ?The old chap looked pretty confused and scared and looked like he wasn't going to stop. He started trying to overtake me but I got him to pull in. James took Stanley's scooter home on the back of his truck, while Mr Plod drove the old boy home in the cop car.
You would have to live in Britain and be of a certain age to remember Fanny Craddock, no doubt Brian and Tony will remember her well. For twenty years or so from the mid 1950's she was Queen of Cuisine on British TV. She was a bit of a snob and she was rude to everyone: BBC colleagues, helpers, members of the public, fellow cooks and her long-suffering partner, Johnnie.
Had she lived she would have celebrated here 100th birthday this week. She died in 1994 at a nursing home close to "Duchess Towers". A lady l know worked at the nursing home where she spent her final years, apparently she a B****H until the very end.
A lesbian couple have won the right to NHS (National Health Service) treatment to help them have a baby after threatening to sue health chiefs. The NHS had denied Caroline Harris and Julie McMullan IVF treatment as they were not classified as an infertile couple. After threatening to sue the health board for treatment costs, The health board said it had reviewed its position in light of regulations, including the Equality Act.
Not all came up roses for a modern day cupid. James David Miller invaded the pitch at Blackburn Rover's football club, dressed only his boxers and trainers, he then fired a dozen red roses into the stand at his girlfriend showing his undying love. Well not everyone saw it that way. He was also fined £200 with £75 costs after his one man pitch invasion. As a serving soldier in the British Army, he will also be disciplined by army chiefs. We have since heard that his girl friend has also ditched him.
26th February 2009
Tuesday saw the unveiling of the memorial statue of
Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother
During his budget speech of 2005 Gordon Brown, then Chancellor of the Exchequer
announced the decision to create a national memorial for Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother
The intention was to commemorate the life of this well known and popular public figure, and add an attractive, durable feature to the public space of central London. Designers, architects and artists from throughout the UK, Commonwealth and the world were invited to submit their expressions of interest for this memorial at the start of 2006. The selection of the winning design was made by a selection committee chaired by The Prince of Wales, grandson of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.
A special £5 coin produced by the Royal Mint to celebrate The Queen's 80th birthday was sold to raise funds for the national memorial to The Queen Mother.
The memorial, which had been kept secret, was unveiled by the Queen on Tuesday. It stands in front of – and below – a statue of King George VI, her late husband, off the Mall in central London, a quarter of a mile from her former home at Clarence House.
The statue which stands 9½ft tall is resplendent in her Order of the Garter robes and her ever-present smile shines through with a warm glow.
A number of world-leading British research teams, are developing gels that can protect people against HIV. A preliminary trial, released this month, suggests that a new gel, applied inside the vagina, may reduce the chances of women contracting HIV by a third. The research is to receive more than £90 ($126) million of funding, after work by the scientists suggesting that it has the best chance yet of controlling the spread of Aids.
This week in 1821 Spain ceded Florida to the United States, This was part of the Adams-Onís Treaty, also known as the Transcontinental Treaty of 1819, which settled a border dispute in North America between the United States and Spain. The treaty was the result of increasing tensions between the U.S. and Spain regarding territorial rights at a time of weakened Spanish power in the New World.
Talking of Royalty, we hear on the grapevine that Key West has visiting Royalty. The Queen of Aqua is being visited by "The Queen's Dad"
Have a great time Perry. Sorry to miss you this time around.
23rd February 2009
What a wonderful evening for the British film industry, no less than eight Oscars for Slum Dog Millionaire. A British triumph at the 81st Academy Awards in Hollywood winning eight awards including Best Picture and Best Director for Danny Boyle.
Britain's night of triumph continued with Kate Winslet's award for Best Actress for her role as a concentration camp guard in The Reader, her first win after five previous nominations.
And to cap it all even "The Duchess" won an Oscar. Not yours truly, but the film based on the "Duchess of Devonshire" taking the Oscar for Costume Design
Another highlight of the evening was the acceptance speech by Milk writer Dustin Lance Black: Milk based on Harvey Bernard Milk who was an American politician and the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California.
The Speech went like this :-
"If Harvey had not been taken from us 30 years ago, I think he'd want me to say to all those gay and lesbian kids out there tonight - who have been told that they are less than by their churches, by the government, or by their families - that you are beautiful, wonderful creatures that are valued. No matter what anyone tells you God loves you. And thank you God for giving us Harvey Milk."
Tomorrow is Shove Tuesday, Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras, the day before the start of Lent. Lent is a period of forty days and nights when some Christians give up certain foods. Shove Tuesday or Pancake Tuesday as it is sometime know in Britain is the last chance to indulge oneself and use up foods not allowed during Lent.
Historically, Christians would give up fatty foods and eggs. Pancakes became associated with Shove Tuesday more than 1000 years ago because they were a dish that allowed families to use up their eggs and milk.
Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday, the celebration of which spread to the Spanish speaking countries and the America's. The term "Mardi Gras" has now come to mean the whole period of activity related to these events, beyond just the single day.
Pancake racing is another activity that takes place on Shove Tuesday. The race is thought to date back to 1445 when a woman who was busy cooking pancakes heard the church bell ring. She raced out of the house to go to church still wearing her apron and clutching her frying pan.
21st February 2009
Police officers in London responded to reports of an "unusual smell" coming from a car with a smashed window in Enfield, north London. They were determined to take no chances, when they responded to reports of an unidentified chemical spillage. All they knew was that a projectile hurled through a car window had shattered, showering the scene in a pungent-smelling liquid.
The police officers arrived in full protection suits, ready to deal with whatever chemical threat was lurking on the quiet street in the early. There were fire engines and ambulances with their lights flashing, the road was sealed off and the local residents thought they would have to be evacuated - a female officer was even taken to hospital as she got some of the liquid on her suit.
So imagine their embarrassment when their hi-tech monitoring equipment identified the substance as ... HP sauce.
At least it added a bit of spice to life.
If you come down to the sea today (well tomorrow actually) you are in for a big surprise.
The Sussex Beacon is holding the 2009 Half Marathon, raising funds for the Sussex Beacon. The Sussex Beacon is a continuing care centre for men and women living with HIV/AIDS.
The event is now sold out, but you don't have to race you can come and watch the fun and games.
Highlights of the Sussex Beacon 2008 Half Marathon
In 2008 this event raised £120,000 ( $170,000) and attracted nearly 5000 runners
Oh Please, if you have to advertise that fact on Youtube that you grow cannabis, don't be surprised if PC Plod comes knocking at your door. A 25-year-old man was arrested after he posted videos on the Youtube website of a cannabis plant he was growing. Police said they were "amazed" that the man had used his name on the website.
The man, who was said to be "extremely surprised" officers had seen the video, was given an official slap on the wrist by the law.
20th February 2009
Thanks Neil for the link to this Television Commercial
for Bjorn Borg
19th February 2009
Two American fundamentalist Christians have been excluded from entering the UK after they threatened to protest in Basingstoke. Rev Fred Phelps and Shirley Phelps-Roper are leading members of the Westboro Baptist Church, a small Kansas-based sect.
The group claimed on their website GodHatesFags.com that they would be protesting at a performance of a gay-themed play in Basingstoke tomorrow.
Matthew Shephard
The play in question is "The Laramie Project" based on the murder of Matthew Wayne Shepard a student at the University of Wyoming who was tortured and subsequently murdered near Laramie because he was gay.
I suspect their exclusion form the UK may also have had something to do with what they called our Queen on their website. These people sound disgusting.
An online ad for boob cream showing beautiful woman having her breasts massaged with boob cream has become an Internet smash - although it was unclear today exactly whether the success was due to female or male interest!
The three-minute video advert for a company based in Thailand and Malaysia shows a beautiful Thai woman having her breasts vigorously massaged by, er, an expert. As the woman appears to have a near-perfect pair of boobs it is unclear why she would want to spend $1,359 on the Stherb Professional Anti-sagging and Firmness Breastcare programme in the first place.
According to the blurb, "After 10 courses the breasts will flower like a sunflower receiving light."
Mike and Chris out for a stroll with the Red Hat Society
Had an email from Mike and Chris this week. Fellow "Atlantic Shores" addicts and Fantasy Fest deviants.
It was a sad day for Key West when Atlantic Shores Resort closed its doors permanently. The phoenix has now risen from the ashes but it will never be "The Shore" that we knew and loved. No more Tea by the Sea, and definitely no more skinny dipping in the pool.
The new resort to rise from the ashes is a modern upscale resort with room prices to match. Southernmost at the Beach Resort is part of the Southernmost Hotel, on the beach etc. group you get the drift
We have been visiting Key West for twenty odd years and "The Shores" had always been part of our itinerary of daily events. Locals and tourists alike would hang out, it did not matter a hoot if you were gay, straight or a swinger, rich or poor it was one big melting pot of humanity and always fun.
Those of us not lucky enough to live in KW but lucky to visit on a regular basis got to recognise faces and trade marks of other trippers that followed a regular timetable of visits.
What made "The Shores" special was the fun people that worked there. It was never quite the same after Katie and Super Girl stopped screaming their tits off in the middle of the afternoon, and Katie's singing was a joy to behold.
For years we were a little scared of Rhonda Riviera, but then we became friends and never looked back. It is with great Sadness and Joy that we remember Rhonda.
The chair boys over the years were brilliant, where in this world would you arrive for your sun bed and find the notice saying reserved for "Pink Elephants" from England. Thanks Robert for that one. And a big thank you to Jonathan for looking after us so well.
Hurricane Wilma, did her best to destroy the deck, we shall never forget the morning following Wilma and seeing the destruction that she caused. That was of course the end to the pier and the pig pen.
You cannot mention the pig pen without thinking of Chip and Dale.
After the pier went there was talks of it being rebuilt, but that was never to happened and along with it went some of the essence of "The Shores".
The Shores was soon no more. Lost and gone forever. However a brand spanking new resort has arisen for the ashes. It is truly splendid. Thank you Todd for showing us around during our last visit to Key West. What a great job the Southernmost team have done in creating this wonderful new resort.
14th February 2008
Happy Valentine's Day.
Valentine's Day is the second largest card sending and receiving day each year only surpassed by Christmas. One billion valentine cards are sent each year. In fact it is believed that the first greeting card ever send was a Valentine.
The first written valentine is attributed to a young Frenchman, Charles, Duke of Orleans. From his whilst being held prisoner in the Tower of London. He fought his lonely confinement by writing romantic poems or rhymed love letters to his wife in France. About sixty of them remain. They can be seen among the royal papers in the British Museum.
During the seventeenth century people made their own valentines using original verse or poems copied from booklets with appropriate verse. The Victorians took the cards to elaborate lengths, trimming them with lace, silks and satins and embellishing them with special details like feathers, flowers, Cupids and hearts, gold leaf, hand painted details and even sweetly perfumed sachets. The first commercial valentines appeared circa 1800 and were rather simplistic. Cards were hand-delivered. Until the mid-1800's, the cost of sending mail was beyond the means of the average person, and the recipient, not the sender, was expected to pay the cost of mailing.
Cupid, the mischievous son of the Goddess of Love, Venus, is supposedly responsible for people falling in love. According to the myths, anyone being hit by Cupid's arrow falls in love with the first person he/she sees.
Had you been in the UK yesterday you may well have been shocked by the front page pictures on the tabloid newspapers.
Alfie patten a mere child who has become one of Britain's youngest fathers.
He was only 12 when his girlfriend, Chantelle Steadman, 15, conceived after unprotected sex. At only 4 feet high he looks more like an eight year old.
The whole story is playing out not 4 miles from us in "Sunny Sussex". Willingdon School is our local secondary school (11-16 year old).
In the past decade, more than 40 other boys aged under 14 have fathered children. Figures from the Office for National Statistics also show that four boys aged 11 have had children in recent years. Britain has the highest teenage pregnancy rate in Western Europe. A total of 385 girls under the age of 14 became pregnant between 1998 and 2007.
12th February 2009
The first new mainline steam engine to be built in Britain for nearly five decades has made its first long-distance passenger trip into London this week. The Tornado a £3m Peppercorn class A1 Pacific engine was built in Darlington over 18 years with donations from enthusiasts.
Tornado pulled 13 carriages, equating to about 500 tons, and ran at speeds of up to 75 mph. It carried around 500 passengers and was greeted by Thousands of people who were at the sides of the tracks waving as we went by. A large crowd was at Kings Cross to welcome her.
Robert Morland from the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust said: "We built it to the original plans and drawings which came from 1948, so the engine is completely new but it is as it would have been as one of the original engines." The naming will be conducted by Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall later this month.
A white-tailed sea eagle has been spotted feeding on the beach in Cumbria. This is the first time one has been spotted in England in more than 200 years.
It is one of the largest birds in this country. A true king of the skies which until now was only found in Scotland. It is thought the recent winter storms may have forced it to fly off course. It could be heading to Scotland, or back to France.
Prince Harry is to be sent on an equality awareness course by army chiefs after he was caught on camera using the word "Paki". Prince Harry was filmed talking about friend Ahmed Raza Khan in 2006
His military bosses have spent weeks considering their response to the race-row footage, which was filmed three years ago. Like all rookies, the prince went on an equality course when he first joined the army.
But it has been decided a refresher course will help the third-in-line to the throne understand why his language was offensive.
While Harry has been getting ticked off. Grandma has been busy on her own account. She has given her website a makeover and will unveil the new look at Buckingham Palace in front of the inventor of the world wide web. Sir Tim Berners-Lee will give a short speech on the history of the World Wide Web before helping to launch the revamped site, which will reportedly include more detailed information about the royal family, enhanced audio and video footage and a more user-friendly interface.
Royal.gov.uk was launched in 1997 and currently enjoys about 250,000 visits a week. The site was visited over 100 million times in its first year, and recorded an astounding 35 million hits in the week after Princess Diana's death.
9th February 2009
Just some images of Sussex in the snow last week.
British movie Slumdog Millionaire enjoyed a stunning night at the British Academy Film Awards in London, winning seven BAFTA awards including best film. It beat it's America Rival The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Both were nominated for 11 Bafta's each, Slumdog won 7 and Benjamin Button 3.
Slumdog has been nominated for 10 Oscars behind Benjamin Button's 13. It should be an interesting ceremony with lots of interest from both "Sides of the Pond".
The oldest gay and lesbian bookstore in the US falls victim to the economic crisis. Sad news this week on the web site of The Oscar Willed Bookshop in Greenwich Village, New York.
After more than 40 year's of trading the shop, which is believed to be the oldest gay and lesbian bookstore in the US and probably in the world, is closing down.
Hang on or Hang them up. If you live in Japan you can know buy the perfect answer for man boobs. A bra especially designed for men.
Barack Obama may be the 44th president of the USA, but he's only the 43rd man to hold the job. That's because Grover Cleveland gets counted twice, having won non-consecutive elections. You may have noticed that Obama totally messed this fact up in his speech.
It has been some time since l have mentioned Mammy, otherwise known as Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. I know that at least one Black Duck is always eager for news from the Palace.
This week the Queen cancelled her forthcoming spring tour of Dubai and Abu Dhabi because of an overburdened work schedule, Buckingham Palace said yesterday. She was due to embark next month on a five-day state visit with the Duke of Edinburgh, who has recently cancelled several engagements because of a back injury. The Palace strenuously denied, however, that the decision was connected to the Duke's health.
It is the first time in recent memory that a state visit has been cancelled for reasons other than war or terrorism.
On the subject of Royalty, we were treated this week to a TV documentary of William Tallon known affectionately as 'Backstairs Billy. Billy Tallon worked in service for HM Queen Elizabeth - the queen mother for over fifty years, from his days as a humble page to eventually as butler, running the household at Clarence House. It was a fascinating insight into the relationship between the long-time retainer and the Queen Mum. In parts it had touches of the relationship between Queen Victoria and John Brown.
The Gay Alphabet
Fire and Ice
This is what fire fighters do in their spare time
Sperm donors who visited one clinic in the UK this week were greeting by a sign saying
"Would all guests report to Mr Handcock"
5th February 2009
Back in 2001 a bronze of Winston Churchill was lent to George Bush by Tony Blair from the Government Art Collection for the duration of his presidency. It was placed in the Oval office where it stood for the past eight years as a symbol of an enduring special relationship with America
Shortly before Mr Obama's inauguration, the Jacob Epstein bronze is understood to have been removed and placed in storage by White House curators. Recent photographs show that a bust of Abraham Lincoln, one of the new President's heroes, has been moved to take the position once occupied by Churchill.
The British Embassy in Washington said last week "We have made it clear that we would be pleased to extend the loan should Mr Obama so wish.". No answer has yet been received.
On Monday the heaviest snow fall in nearly two decades covered north Kent and south east London in more than six inches of snow, paralysing the public transport networks and leaving many people stranded and unable to work. For the first time in living memory, London buses which even ran during the Blitz, were suspended for the day, leaving more than six million people stranded across the capital.
A further consequence of the bad weather over here is a national shortage of road salt, which is starting to impact on public services, with all the schools in Worcestershire closed today for lack of salt to grit the roads. Thankfully here in the south east we had warmer weather over night and most of the snow has disappeared.
Another gay flag ordered to be taken down. This time in London. A senior Metropolitan police officer has said he was advised that it was up to him whether or not to fly a rainbow flag outside a station in east London and he was not ordered to take it down. The flag was flown at Limehouse station to mark the start of LGBT History Month. However Sir Paul Stephenson, who was appointed Met Commissioner last month, was reported to have ordered that the flag be taken down.
The Bank of England announced today that it is to cut interest rates to a record low of 1 per cent.
Wow - the heaviest snow fall in the last 16 years fell on Britain overnight, we woke up to a white wonderland. The south east corner including London and "Sunny Sussex" caught it the worst. The snow will stay with the UK for the rest of the week, forecasters warn, as a cold snap takes hold that is likely to grip Britain until the middle of February.
More than 2,800 schools were closed, 800 flights were cancelled, courts including the Old Bailey were shut, hospital operations postponed, and millions of commuters endured a nightmare journey to work, as up to 1 ft of snow fell up the eastern side of England overnight.
London Theatreland will be dark this evening. The Royal Opera House and the National Theatre announced that most performances had been cancelled for tonight and most of the popular including Oliver!, Avenue Q, Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera. All events at the Royal Festival Hall and the Queen Elizabeth Hall will also be affected.
The Chinese Prime Minister is in London today. Gordon Brown (our Prime Minister) thinks that he may be our secret weapon, he wants to double our exports to China within 18 months.
Oh how the tables have turned.
Meanwhile India is poised to unveil the ultimate in credit-crunch computing: a 500 rupee (£7) laptop.
The fifth annual LGBT History Month looks set to be the biggest ever with hundreds of events planned nationwide. History Month, which takes place throughout February, was started back in 2005 by the LGBT campaigning group Schools Out. It has grown to become one of the biggest events in the LGBT diary.
The calendar of events is aimed at promoting equality and combating prejudice within the LGBT community.
All is not well however in the Principality. A Conservative MP has accused North Wales police of 'tokenism' for marking LGBT History Month by flying the rainbow flag at their headquarters building. David Jones, MP for Clwyd West, I can't see any reason why any flag other than the Union Flag and the Red Dragon of Wales should fly outside our police headquarters.
"This is tokenism and posturing. People want to see their police force focus on fighting crime, not getting involved in political tokenism and gestures."
Hate Gays - Become a Bishop.
A priest who thinks Hurricane Katrina was "divine retribution" on New Orleans for being tolerant towards gay and lesbian people has been made a bishop.
Fr Gerhard Wagner, who has also branded the Harry Potter books as the work of Satan, has been made auxiliary bishop of Linz, Austria by Pope Benedict XVI.
In December the Pope claimed that the existence of gay people is as great a threat to humanity as the destruction of the rain forest.
Can't imagine watching the Superbowl, but we know that lots of our Americans Friends find it interesting. At the weekend it proved a little more exciting than normal when viewers in Arizona tuned in to watch they ended up watching porn after the channel was disrupted by an erotic film. Complaints flooded in from angry viewers as their game was replaced with a woman unzipping a man's trousers, before a graphic scene unravelled. And we thought that sort of thing only happened in Key West.
31st January 2009
High on a hill with a lonely goat herd, may not be as lonely as you may think. When first of all nude walkers came over the alpine border the tranquil, neutrality-loving Swiss tried to pretend it wasn't happening. Now the Swiss authorities are trying to fend off hordes of German ramblers dressed in nothing more than a rucksack and walking boots. The influx appears to have been started after a German mountaineering website declared the Swiss wilderness a "paradise for naked ramblers".
But the Swiss authorities soon found that they were powerless. When they arrested a group of German nudists they had to apologise and let them go as there was no law against rambling in one's birthday suit.
Swiss legislators have spent the winter trying to find a solution and now they are ready to pounce. A law stipulating that naked walking is a crime is expected to be enacted this spring. A fine will leave nude ramblers £120 out of pocket — providing they have any — or facing further legal action if they are unable to pay on the spot.
Campbell's are in the soup again over it's advertising methods. An ad for Campbell's Soup Company appearing in gay magazine The Advocate has been condemned by the American Family Association (AFA). The double-page ad features two female restaurateurs and a young boy. The text accompanying the picture identifies the women as a couple and the boy as their son.
On the AFA website, the organisation urges supporters to "Send an email to Campbell Soup Company President Douglas Conant," and "Tell him you want his company to stop supporting the gay agenda."
Pepsi is also getting it in the can from the AFA. Here in the Uk Pepsi has released a gay themed advert
This week I received sad news from Andrew of Andrew and David fellow Brits who used to resided in Key West. Andrew sadly informed us that David had passed away after a sudden illness.
Those of you living in Key West will probably remember David and Andrew from Flamingo Crossing Ice Cream Parlour on Duval Street. They lived in Key West from 1994 to 2005.
The first time we met David, before he became a friend was one afternoon when we popped in for an ice cream. He greeted us with the words. "You can tell Brits from a mile away, they are the only nation that wear socks with sandals"
Andrew & David
Visiting the Eiffle Tower in Paris
David and Andrew would often be spotted with Pistol, especially during the many re-runs of Sordid Lives at Donnies Bar International now Bobby's. David would make flyers and fun posters for Pistol in the early days of Pistol and Enema. He also made us some fabulous gift wrapping paper taken from a colourful picture of Duchess & Lulu during an early Fantasy Fest Masquerade parade. It was from this picture that we became friends.
In 2005 David and Andrew packed their bags and left Key West. Returning to England for a short while before they eventually set up home in Spain.
Andrew our thoughts are with you at this sad time.
29th January 2009
Doom and Gloom everywhere you turn here in the UK. Last night world economists warned that Britain will be hit harder than any other advanced nation in the worst recession for more than 60 years..
The stark figures are a severe blow to Gordon Brown, who has continually insisted that Britain is better placed than most countries to weather the downturn. The IMF outlook suggests that the recession in Britain will be deeper than that in the United States, Italy, France and elsewhere.
What we need over here is the "Obama" factor, it seems to be working in the States giving their Citizens the feel good factor.
Sir Elton has been stamping his foot again. On a recent visit to Argentina he left the country without meeting the President after she postponed a scheduled encounter after his concert in Buenos Aires. Sir Elton is being accused of snubbing Christine Kirchner after she delayed the meeting by five hours. He left the country and travelled to Chile, where he is continuing his tour. Guess he had a schedule to meet.
We are pleased that the Butt Plug we won at 801 Bingo is doing the rounds like any self-respecting butt plug should. The plug was first of all given to Postal Wendy, who went on to create "Mr Butt Plug", who made his second appearance at bingo. This time to be auctioned for the King and Queen of Hearts fund, Dwight bought it, then gave it back to be auctioned off at our next event. I think it is time for it to be traced around the world via the Internet, much like books are.
Oh dear the Catholic Church is sticking it oar in again. The Roman Catholic church in Scotland has launched another attack on gay and lesbian people. Saying that "There is an overwhelming body of evidence showing that same-sex relationships are inherently unstable and reduce the life expectancy of those involved," He was commenting on the case of two children who have been adopted by a gay couple.
Meanwhile his holiness is stroking pussy.
In this case a lion cub that was presented to the pontiff in the Vatican's Paul VI hall yesterday as part of a performance by members of the Medrano Circus
Happy cows yield more milk. According to research at an British Agricultural college. The study found farmers who named their cows gained a higher yield than the 54% that did not give their cattle names.
26th January 2009
"Some hae meat and canna eat, And some wad eat that want it; But we hae meat and we can eat, And sae the Lord be thankit." - Robert Burns - Selkirk Grace.
Robert Burns is Scotland's most well-known and best loved poet: even south of the Border, most people can quote the odd line of Burns' poetry. He was born in Alloway, Ayrshire in south-west Scotland, on January 25th 1759, and Burns' Night is celebrated on or around his birthday.
The menu usually consists of cock-a-leekie soup (or Scotch Broth) and haggis with "tatties and neeps" (also known as clapshot - don't ask me why!), Tipsy Laird (sherry trifle to you and me) followed by oatcakes and cheese, all washed down with liberal tots of good Scotch whisky! The haggis is "piped" in - brought in ceremoniously by the chef accompanied by a piper - and "addressed" with Burns' own Address to a Haggis poem before being cut and served. Traditional speeches and toasts punctuate the meal (...more Scotch...) and Burns' Night suppers range from the formal to the frankly uproarious excuse for yet more partying, but they all follow the same basic format.
Burns night last night, followed by Australia Day and the Chinese New Year. All these celebrations in a couple of days. Anything to brighten these dark January days we are having.
Lord Kitchener is calling for Britain's men again, but this time it's to fight for themselves instead of their country. If all goes to plan this powerful poster will soon be seen in sport's locker rooms, public loos and community centres around the country.
The aim is simple - it is to encourage a lot more men to be aware of the symptoms of prostate cancer and through a PSA blood test, have themselves checked on a regular basis.
The simple truth is that the disease kills 10,000 men in the UK each year but the survival rate for those diagnosed early is excellent. Although widely considered to be an old man's disease it can catch men as early as 40.
Prince Harry is having a bit of a bad month. He was accused of being racist. Harry was widely criticised earlier this month after footage emerged of him describing a colleague as a "Paki" in 2006. The video is widely available on Youtube and it certainly did not sound racist to me. Much like calling an a friend "An Old Queen".
He was also accused of being homophobic, but he received rare praise from a leading gay rights campaigner who said he was "liberated and enlightened" for kissing and licking a male friend.
The video, obtained by the News of the World tabloid, also includes images of Harry on a night out with friends in which he mouths to one soldier: "I love you" before kissing him on the cheek and licking his face. Not very homophobic me thinks.
No sooner had this little furore died down than PRINCE HARRY has split with his girlfriend Chelsy Davy after a five-year relationship. It was not known what caused the break-up but that friends of Chelsy have said the time the pair spent apart and Harry's lifestyle were to blame.
Take a little more care with your driving or you could end up like this poor German driver you failed to make a corner in the road and ended up in the church roof.
Spell check tonight - Chelsy Davy = Cheesey Day
24th January 2009
It was interesting flying home the day after Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th President of the USA. Enabling us to get a view of the ceremony from both sides of the Atlantic. Bumping into fellow Brits on Duval street just before leaving we exchanged views that the ceremony although marvellously attended by the biggest crowd ever, was a little lacklustre. However we put this down the fact that here in the UK events like this have a lot of ceremony, pomp and circumstance, along with marvellous historic costumes, carriages and heraldry.
The view from this side of the pond is somewhat mixed. A majority of Brits think that we have cosied up to Bush for too long and that the change is for the good. Already Obama has condemned Guatamo Bay and our people appear to want to do all that we can to close down the camp and bring an end to the atrocities that have been carried out there. Also the stance that Obama is taking on the Middle East is being applauded.
Getting back to the inauguration ceremony, his choice of Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at his swearing-in ceremony on the steps of the US Capitol has caused outrage in the gay community. "Pastor Rick", as he brands himself, supports the banning of gay marriage and is an opponent of abortion. The gay rights movement was already spoiling for a fight in the wake of a gay marriage ban in California, and activists are being vocal in their outrage.
Mistake us for thinking that we were back in Great Britain, one of the opening pieces of music, although the words were unfamiliar, the tune was undoubtedly our national anthem "God Save The Queen"
Aretha Franklin, the gospel and jazz singing "Queen of Soul". What a marvellous outfit and hat she wore, however some felt a little more youth and zest may have been more appropriate.
Barrack Obama's address, was down to earth and reached out to all sections of society, regardless of political alliance. Come on lets get down to work and make this word. I hope he is sincere in his wishes, it is not only America and Britain that are in mess but whole damned world.
George Bush's greatest legacy of eight years in power is undoubtedly the fact that he made it possible for Barack Obama to be elected in the first place.
The Presidential Oath. Watching the ceremony live l thought that it was the President of 4 Minutes (The well oiled machine running 4 minutes late - Oh dear) that made the slip up. It wasn't until later that evening talking to Cruella that l learned it was the Chief Justice that had fluffed his words, causing The New President to slip up.
Obama did not slip up at all in my opinion, delivering his address without once appearing to refer to any form of prompt. A taste of things to come l think.
In conversation with a friend here in the UK, she commented that she got the distinct impression that Chief Justice of the United States The Honourable John G. Roberts, Jr. Was a touch racialist - I wonder.
On a final note. Was anyone else under the opinion that Elizabeth Alexander got away with her poetry reading because she was standing behind a bullet proof glass screen.
GOD BLESS AMERICA AND ALL OUR AMERICAN FRIENDS AND PRESIDENT OBAMA
The Party's over, and so it is time to get down to work. Not just for Mr Obama but alas for us as our stay in Key West has come to an end and we are heading back across the pond. The last few days here have been acclimatising us for the weather back home.
What a wonderful turnout for the inauguration, but can't imagine standing out in all that cold weather for such a length of time. Just imagine trying to find your way to the John every now and then.
We saw the inauguration of Bill Clinton around 16 years ago and were not sure what to expect this time around. Coming from England that is full of pomp and circumstance perhaps we get used to a little more ceremony.
Our Queen doing a walkabout
Just can't imagine this being possible for Mr Obama
We are used to our Royal Family going right up to the crowd and shaking hands with the public. America being a completely different cup of tea you have got to admire the way that the new President and Mrs Obama walked down Pennsylvania Ave. It had got to take some guts to do that with all the crack pots in this world.
Who knew that the New President was left handed until you saw him signing in today. Apparently four out of the last ten presidents have been left handed.
News from back home this morning. The Pound fell below $1.40 to its lowest point in seven and a half years because of concerns about the depth of Britain's banking crisis and the Government's rising debt levels as it seeks to bail out the struggling sector. Just the same story that we have been hearing here in America this week.
The pound, which declined by 2.67 cents to $1.4529 yesterday, fell further to $1.396 this morning. Never a better time for you Americans to visit Britain. We can even recommend some wonderful Bed and Breakfast's.
More news from home, very close to were we live . A cargo ship lost 1,500 tonnes of timber in rough seas off the Sussex coast yesterday. This is the second time in just over twelve months.
Some of the wood washed up near our home last year.
OK - So we have got to admit it, until last night we were Virgins. Bingo Virgins that is. All the years we have been coming to KW we have never been to the 801 Bingo on a Sunday afternoon.
What a crazy lot of loons, had no idea what to expect or even how to play the games. RV was as crazy as ever, hurling the wonderful prizes into bag size lots for the unsuspecting winners to take home to their loved ones. Well maybe not when you saw what was actually up for grabs.
Honestly can you ever imagine going to Bingo back in jolly old England and expect to win a dildo, that even had a hook to hang it in the shower. Imagine that a dildo in the shower. Out of date toffee all stuck together, old bits of 801 drag stuff. Bit of chewing gum, are you now starting to get the picture.
64 - Lucky Whore, 74 - Lets find a Twink for Me. My goodness we are off and haven't a clue how to keep up the with the numbers. Each number called and the Crowd Goes Wild chanting and stamping like a herd of Banshee's.
Some of the numbers reminded us of old friends who have now gone, but are certainly not forgotten. Number 20, Rhonda, Forever and Ever Queen Mother No 20 who could ever forget Rhonda Riviera. 61 Monkey Heads 061 Monkeyhead - Ronnie, one of the first friends we met in Key West. He would shouts at the Conch Train as it passed by. "How do you like it up the rear". Ronnie made fabulous fried Chicken, some of the best we have ever tasted.
B12 and you help yourself to a shot from the Shot fountain. This place it crazy. Next a stop Pizza, The Craziness goes on.
Get to meet Postal Wendy at last . Now dear l have got to say this. Your picture on P&E does not do you justice. In the flesh you are much more handsome and younger than we were led to believe. OK you may have some funny habits but so what. Great to Meet You.
Don't know what number started it off but before you know it the whole craze load of folks are ringing bells of all descriptions, on and on and on, got so mesmerised that almost missed the next number. Bingo, the Duchess wins the game. Talk about embarrassed. What the heck is in that bag. A nice Key Lime Pie, but from then onwards it goes down hill. Arse cream, what the hell is that, someone shouts "It tastes like SH**. Maybe it does, pecker shaped candy. An old drag bag that not even Lulu would be seen dead with. A filthy lesbian movie - Postal Wendy grabbed that one. But here is the surprise, a great big red butt plug - Wendy wants that too, says she is going to decorate it and send it to OJ Simpson in Prison. Come on Wendy, pull the other one !!
15th January 2009
I think we may have an answer to the critter mystery.
Crystal from Fort Lauderdale, informs us that I think that that animal is a white opossum, also called possums. I grew up in Michigan and we had lots of them. They are marsupials that carry their babies in pouches and are mostly nocturnal.
Thanks Crystal.
Crystal happens to be a friend of "The Bitch Sisters"
Have the Sisters returned to the closet forever or might they reappear. ?
Earlier in the week it was strange animals. We still are no nearer to identifying the strange critter, we keep asking the locals but so far no one has the answer, not even animal loving Timmy Tux.
So today's walk revealed not critters but Drag Shoes, first of all we spotted this wonderful array of slippers lined up on a balcony at the back of Peary Court Naval base, perhaps they were there to lure unsuspecting sailors off the base.
How about this one for a door pull, 1 Love Lane, what a wonderful address, would Love to know who's bell this one rang.
Talking of Drag, did you know that it is National Drag History Month.
According to this man on Duval this evening, there is no sin in heaven, no fags, no prostitutes and no pornographers. Shucks
Just be careful what you do with your mobile phone, OK call a Cell Phone if you like. In a trend spreading across America, teenagers are sending nude or semi-nude pictures to one another on their mobile phones in a practice called "sexting".
What started out as a bit of fun among adolescents has spread fast, and is starting to lead to serious consequences. Recently, teenagers have been arrested on child pornography charges and there have been reports of high-schoolers losing jobs or college scholarships as a result of being identified in sexually-suggestive pictures that have appeared on the internet.
What a wonderful building St. Paul's is. Have you ever noticed how it catches the setting sun, tonight it was sensational, not truly captured here. A fitting send off for Franko Richmond whose memorial service is taking place there this evening.
Don't Miss That Bus.
12th January 2009
If you go down to the pier today your sure of a big surprise. Well may be not quite to the pier, but at lease to the Custom's House. Many locals never make it down on Duval, let alone the bottom end to "Tourist Ville". However if you do, you are in for a further treat by J. Seward Johnson. His 25 foot tall "God Bless America" tribute to artist Grant Wood's "American Gothic", has been replaced with his latest work - "King Lear" and his latest Exhibition ICONS. Eleven new works of art stand around the porch and grounds of the Custom House Museum.
So realistic are some of the characters, you are afraid to approach then in case they move..
Beginning with a clay or pliable material called plasteline, Johnson shapes his life-size model around a metal and wire armature or skeleton. Once the model is complete, assistants cut it into sections and coat each piece with liquid rubber to form a flexible mold. This is one of the most critical moments in the entire process: all of the details desired in the cast must be maintained. Then each rubber mold is cut in two, pulled away from the plasteline model, and filled with melted wax. Once the wax hardens, the rubber is peeled away from the wax casts. The wax casts are assembled to make wax versions of each section of the original plasteline model. At this point the wax replicas are scrutinised carefully. All blemishes are removed or chased until the wax models are virtually identical to the plasteline original.
Next, a complex network of wax rods called sprues or gates, is attached to the wax models. These wax rods will become channels that will ensure even distribution of the metal throughout the mold and allow the venting of air and gas during the actual casting. Each wax object is then dipped into a ceramic slurry that will harden into a shell. A few days later, these ungainly objects are baked in a hot kiln, further hardening the shell and causing the wax models to melt, to run out of the channels, and to be "lost."
Now the artist is ready to pour the molten metal, generally bronze or aluminium, by way of the sprue channels into the molds. Once the metal has cooled and hardened, the ceramic shells are broken away. The metal sections are reassembled to match the original figure and welded together. Meticulous chasing removes any imperfections until the cast replicates the original model. Then the surface is finished, either by painting or by patination, a chemical process that alters the colour of the bronze.
So another Key West Icon has died. Franko Richmond, musician, composer and music teacher to many budding young musicians on the Island. On recent visit we attended a fund raiser for Franko at St. Pauls, it was packed to bursting with standing room only for many attending. At the time it was very uplifting to see so many performing the their skills, whose lives Franko had touched.
His battle against cancer continued. He finally gave up his struggle this week during a power outage on the island. He died at home with his wife, Gail Lima Richmond, after the 36-minute interruption in electricity shut off his oxygen unit and she and his brother couldn't get a manual backup to work
We hear that passenger numbers into Key West International airport were down some 15% last year, this being the third year in a row that the number has dropped. Surely the Airline companies can see that the fares from Miami to Key West are totally out of proportion with the rest of the USA.
Another delight for us in Key West is to see the wonderful tropical foliage. Plants we treat as house plants and grow to 10 -12 inches suddenly appear in gardens the size of small trees.
Not being green fingered l always called these wonderful Angel's Trumpets, Datura but l am informed by the green fingered Lulu that they are Brugmansia. Oh well you live and learn.
Orchids are also a wonderful feature of outdoor life. Our neighbour in Paradise Mike , grows some wonderful specimens for us to admire.
Congratulations Cruella on giving birth,
La Stone man was at it again l presume
8th January 2009
Time and Time again you see the community of Key West rally around to help someone in need. I have never seen this happen to such an extent as l have in Key West. One person who always seemed to be there to help when help was needed was Mark Barauck
Mark was active with AIDS Help Inc. and Hospice of the Florida Keys and Visiting Nurse Association as well as the Tree of Hope event, cancer research and many other causes. He also stepped up to front the Fantasy Fest Royal Coronation Ball, which benefits AIDS Help. When the Island was struggling after the effects of Wilma.
Mark Barauck for the benefit of those who visit Key West on Vacation was the owner of La Te Da, He died suddenly over the Christmas period. He was 51, 2008 was a very bad year for the gay community of Key West, losing some of it's long time characters.
This evening a celebration of Marks life was held overlooking the ocean at White Street Pier, the sheer number of Key West Friends, family and those who knew him from La Te Da was a fitting tribute to a man that did so much for the community.
The impact Mark had on the Key West community has resulted in December 31st being declared as Mark Barauck Day.
I've said it before and will say it again, every time you walk around Key West you see something new. We were taking an evening stroll the other night walking alongside the cemetery on Angela street, the light was beginning to fade, when this mysterious animal moved towards us almost in slow motion. Taking up position on the top of a tomb it proceeded so eat food that appeared to be left out for some errant moggie.
Using both hands almost like a human. It was the size of a cat and obviously was not spooked by humans as we were only a few feet away from it. Eventually it turned and again in eerie slow motion it disappeared among the tomb stones.
Asking around among some local Key Westers we were unable to identify it. The most likely explanation is that it was a possum, but we are unfamiliar with these creatures, it was possibly a little on the large side.
Twelfth Night is January 5th, the last day of the Christmas Season before Epiphany (January 6th). In some church traditions, January 5th is considered the eleventh Day of Christmas, while the evening of January 5th is still counted as the Twelfth Night, the beginning of the Twelfth day of Christmas the following day. Whatever Twelfth night is the time to take down your Christmas trimmings.
We normally arrive in Florida just after Christmas and it always seems so strange to us to see Christmas decorations in such a warm climate, especially snowmen, reindeer and sleighs. Of course coming from a cold climate when we always associate Christmas with cold weather and snow this is not surprising.
Seeing poinsettias outside being used as Christmas decorations is also another delight. Back at home these are strictly for indoor decoration and soon loose their bracks if they get a hint of cold weather on them.
Voulez-vous (aha!)
Take it now or leave it (aha!)
Now is all we get (aha!)
Nothing promised, no regrets
Voulez-vous (aha!)
Take it or leave it ! We headed down to Bourbon Street last night, what a hoot. Ma Ma Mia here we go again! Having bought the video at Christmas we just never got around to seeing it before we left home. Glad that we did not as it was far better watching it on a big screen with other people tapping their feet and laughing out loud to this camp rendering of ABBA songs.
A medley of ageing actors, not particularly melodious but it did not matter, it just added to this camp romp. Julie Walters does it for me at anytime, l just have to look at her and she sets me off. Well dancing on the table at the end had me wetting myself. Sometimes l think that the American audience did not get some of the British Humour, but one line that hit my mark was " All this f***ing Yoga makes your feet swell " as they tried to pull off their glitzy platform boots.
ABBA Original Line Up
4th January 2009
We were invited out by friends to a delicious dinner last night. It is always a delight when friends go to so much trouble on your behalf. We were very surprised to be served a Victoria Sandwich Cake for dessert. The Victoria Sandwich is the quintessential English cake, conjuring up images of old England and afternoon tea. Ours friends called it Queen Victoria Cake and this set us all wondering what the origin of the cake was and whether it had originated in the reign of Queen Victoria.
Anna, the Duchess of Bedford (1788-1861), one of Queen Victoria's (1891-1901) ladies-in-waiting, is credited as the creator of teatime. Queen Victoria adopted the new craze for tea parties. By 1855, the Queen and her ladies were in formal dress for the afternoon teas. This simple cake was one of the queen's favourites. After her husband, Prince Albert, died in 1861, the Queen Victoria spend time in retreat at the Queen's residence (Osborn House) at the Isle of Wight. According to historians, it was here that the cakes were named after her.
Further discussion went onto the Royal Albert Hall, and its origin, It was opened in 1871 by Queen Victoria and was dedicated to her late husband and consort Prince Albert who died in ten years earlier in 1861.
Where would you be heading at midnight on a Saturday. KWEST of course where Goddess emcees the weekly amateur strip contest. You could tell that the town is packed. No less than eight contestants signed up to strut their stuff. Three dropped by the way side, but five did manage to do the deed. It seemed like they were all from Missouri by the baying of the crowd.
Where's your camera when you need it. Walking home from the activities of the night at around 2.00am there was much activity outside of Fast Buck's. A number of police cars a fire engine and various support vehicles and on top of the portico a young man slumped down surrounded by a couple of police officers and firemen. How he got up there or why l have not idea, but it seemed like the service men were having a problem trying to persuade him to descend the ladder to the pavement.
Eventually he was strapped into a harness whilst he made his way to the ground. He was then cuffed and driven away to be charged with trespass and disorderly conduct.
We were also distressed to hear that a guy had been mugged on his way up Fleming Street at 4.00am on Friday night.
Take Care Guys.
3rd January 2009
The New Year is here and the good folks of Key West are very positive about the coming year. It certainly got off to a good start, according to some sources the biggest crowd for three years and was voted one of the top ten destinations to spend New Year in the USA.
More positive notes today from the local rag, construction of the new terminal at Key West International was completed this week. Passengers are expected to begin using the new facilities by 25th February and the remodelling of the entire airport is due to be complete by June 7th.
Of course this is progress, but there was something so charming about arriving in Key West International that will be lost forever.
The restoration of the Old City Hall on Green Street also seems to have reached completion. As we passed by the other night the bell tower was ringing out a Christmas carol. Not sure if they were ringing true or was it a recording - Anyone Know ?
No New Year would be complete without a couple of stories about new born babies, well a mixed-race British couple has defied the odds — twice — by producing two sets of twins in which one sibling appears to be black and the other white. Dean Durrant's newborn daughter Miya has dark skin like him. Twin sister Leah has fair skin like her blue-eyed, red-haired mother.
And for only the second time in history a woman unexpectedly went into labour and gave birth on the London Underground, to the astonishment of other passengers. Julia Kowalska was travelling with her sister on a Jubilee line train when her waters broke. She got off the train at Kingsbury Station, north-west London, but could not make it any further and went into labour on the platform. According to Transport For London the last time this happened on the network was when Marie Cordery was born at Elephant and Castle station in 1924.
Dockyard Doris and Shipyard Stu
We wish you a safe trip back to the UK Today
1st January 2009
Happy New Year
Out with the old in with the new. I cannot believe that it is 9 years since we stood on the beach at White Street Pier to watch the fireworks heralding in the new millennium. What a spectacular display that turned out to be. Nine years down the line and we have only missed one New Year's Eve in Key West.
Six hours to go
A thousand miles north in Times Square you could if you wish stand in the freezing cold in gloves and muffler to see the crystal ball drop. No such protective clothing was required here in Key West unless of course you were directly underneath Sushi as she popper the cork as she descended in her Ruby Red Slipper. The crowds were deeper than ever outside Bourbon Street for the now notorious Drag Drop. But you cannot help but notice that where a few years back the crown was predominately gay it is now a very straight breeder crowd.
So deep was the crowd that it was almost impossible to make your way though it. Some were even getting snappy that there was crowd movement at all.
As twelve struck Sushi descends to street level, in years gone by the furthest she made it was to the top of the canopy, but after a near accident a few years back the canopy is now removed for a safe and secure landing at street level.
Having made it through the crowds into the garden bar for a much needed refreshment we emerged an hour or so later to witness an orderly queue waiting to be photographed in the red slipper. Sushi as Key West Ambassador was still entertaining the crowd.
We here that further down Duval a large conch shell was dropped at Sloppy Joe's and that some pirate wench was lowered from the mast in Key West Harbour.
Just goes to show what a diverse place Key West really is.
Along with the rest of Key West we were sorry to here that Mark Barrack of La Te Da passed away suddenly on New Years Eve after a short illness.
We also remember the other friends that we have lost during 2008,
Not forgetting Pistol
30th December 2008
It is around ten years since we visited Southbeach. Having flown in later than normal we decided to spend the night and see how things had changed.
Our first visit there was a little over twenty years ago. At the time it was a very run down art deco district, the hotels along Ocean drive had seen better days and were populated mainly by older folks playing out their days by sitting on the side walk putting the world to right.
Five years on the strip had changed completely, the hotels had a new lease of life, street cafes and bars had become the norm and the body beautiful were strolling the beach.
Or latest visit this week we saw that Collins Ave. had also been given the treatment and the whole scene has spread one street further back. The big name hotels had moved in and even more of the beautiful deco buildings were getting the treatment. Some had undoubtablely ground to a halt, due in no small way to the economic situation we are experiencing.
However walking around the restaurants, cafes and bars there certainly did not seem much of a slow down the patronage these establishments were receiving. Maybe it was just the holiday season - maybe not.
Later in the day after a little retail therapy on the mainland we headed down "The Keys", have got to say it was one of the busiest drives down US1 that we have had for many a year, we were even held up for over an hour approaching Big Pine, with nothing to show for the delay other than the volume of traffic.
Arriving back in Key West is always a treat. One of the delights is walking around seeing what is old, what is new, what has closed, what has opened and who is still in town.
27th December 2008
Christmas came and went, a very quiet and relaxing time here in Sussex. As usual on Christmas morning, members of England's oldest swimming club, Brighton Swimming Club (founded 1860), go for a morning dip in the sea, just to the west of Brighton Pier.
This year there were about 30 intrepid swimmers, and about 3,000 spectators - well, there were certainly many hundreds of spectators. I didn't attempt to count them.
There were also a few pantomime characters adding to the fun. The sea front is remarkably busy on Christmas morning. Many, no doubt, are out for a constitutional, or just to keep out of the way while Christmas dinner is being prepared by someone else.
Further along the coast, And who should come along on his bicycle, but Santa! Not content with riding his sleigh throughout the early hours of Christmas morning, Santa was out again on his bicycle, only this time he was pulling crackers with passers-by - or rather as he passed by.
We took a stroll along the promenade in the evening and it was almost deserted. Apart from two lone figures on the beach. It seems that whatever season, day or night there is always someone on the beach in Brighton.
Soon sex will be a thing of the past if scientists have their way. Scientists are working on an electronic "sex chip" that will be able to stimulate pleasure centres in the brain. The prospect of the chip, which could be a decade away, is emerging from progress in deep brain stimulation, in which tiny shocks from implanted electrodes are given to the brain. The technology has been used in America to treat Parkinson's disease.
In recent months scientists have been focusing on an area of the brain just behind the eyes known as the orbitofrontal cortex. This is associated with feelings of pleasure derived from eating and sex.
