Tech Part 2

......and then after visiting the infirmary I went to one of the Brother's cinema showings.  About once a  month the Brother invites anyone who wants to his place to watch a musical.

Last night just about qualified: Woody Allen's "Everyone say I love you". 

I was reading his interview in TimeOut.  He was saying he was hardly ever happy with his films and I can understand where he is coming from, after refamilliarising myself with this film.

It was amusing but predictable.  Characters were cyhpers not really people, most acting themselves.  More than one was an impression of Woody himself; and as to the singing, the less said the better.

Technical hitch.....

Think I left my phone in my pal Brother Bubble's room in the infirmary earlier tonight so this posting will be late and in two parts.

Very lazy morning followed by the special lunch of the week, Sunday Roast:

Looks great I hear you say, and yes it is.

But just in case you think we don't have to work a little to have such treats, behold how good we are:

You see we put the servicing dishes and any sauce providers (in this case the gravy jug) together at the end of the meal so it is easier for the young ladies who do the serving can easily remove things.

Ride of the Valkyries

Yes! Think that's my new calling!

How so do I hear you ask?

Well after a visit to Apple in what I thought was Central London, but turned out to be NFL land......

I then worked my way through project stuff until time for evening excursion.

I went to support one of my fiancés in her performance as Mata Hari.

It was splendid as always!

And so to my new role in Continental Mythology.......

Don't you think I'd be perfect on my flying horse swinging my battle ax and screaming at the top of my lungs?

Answers on a postcard to Valhalla.

Sad and splendid....

Mixed blessings....is a phrase that comes to mind.

This afternoon we had the funeral (and Thanksgiving) for our Brother, Chris.

I didn't know Chris well. He was already in the infirmary when I arrived.

I meet him on a few occasions when we was in his wheelchair with his breathing apparatus.

(Please stop smoking now!) 

We always exchanged a story and a laugh or two; he seemed a real gent.

Chris was an actor so we had a few famous faces on hand.

Eileen Atkins, here as she appeared in the latest version of Robin Hood.

Although you might remember Gary Raymond from roles in Jason and the Argonaunts or El Cid, I liked Suddenly Last Summer.

He was also in a TV program in my youth, The Rat Pack about SAS units in the desert war of WW2.

Besides Ms Taylor and Monty Cliff, Summer featured my sister's middle name's shake.

John Castle, pictured here with Ms Hepburn, in The Lion in Winter, read a wonderful passage from Shakespeare. 

For the end the ceremony Chris had selected Fred Astaire singing "You can't take that away from me".

It was a recording; Fred was not actually here.

The It Crowd finale was great.  The title "Coffee Toss Tramp Bitch" was enough to make the hour worthwhile. 

Results!

I Was a faberunie day cause things worked out!

Morning visit to the Royal Courts of Justice for some justice gratefully received.....

Interesting to view a place of nice neo gothic architecture knowing that I live in a gem of real gothic architecture.

After a day of afternoon admin a wonderful musical event.....open mic at Crazy Coqs! There was talent expressed left right and center with profusion of glamour thrown in for good measure.

I finally got the beautiful Triona to attend and wow the room as I expected she would.

Here she is with her lovely friend Niamhs who I didn't mean to give Micky Mouse ears!

Only slightly questionable episode of the evening was having to explain to a rather lovely new friend that I wasn't gay.  Nothing wrong with being gay but I asked why she thought I was?  The answer seemed to be that I dressed well, sang MT and was friendly.....go figure?

Well getting that straight between us was a result......

Top of the World Ma!

After our splendid musical extravaganza last night, you'd have thought I'd have enough?  Nnnnnnoooooo!!!!

Set off to St Paul's church Kensington to listen to the BBC Singers in concert.

It was a inspiring program of American music;  Latin 16th century polyphonic, colonial American church hymns, Barber and wonderful modern by a chap named Eric Whitacre.

Afterwards had tea at the top of Harvey Nic's with an Angel of Music, Elisabeth.

Busy day tomorrow so this short and sweet.....

Glorious

No, not me! 

An experience at Charterhouse that was splendiferous even for this place.

First there was more organising of a remarkable business venture of which future broadcasts will be filled.  After lovely lunch a long chat with our green fingered one and only, and a frustrating visit to my GP.  In exchange for such a large comprehensive free at source service, we have to put up with the massive organisation required to run it.  Rather that than some vast soulless corporate insurance profit maker.

Cycled back and found one of my friends from the infirmary in the common room and we had a chin wag.  The garden was looking rather fetching in our extended summer light.....

After din I went to the infirmary to check on my dear friend Brother"Bubbles" who has just arrived back from hospital after a fall.  Had a bit of after dinner coffee and a chat and a laugh with some other the other inmates.

Then a real treat!

We have special music tours and this one was arranged for "Old U of L ers". 

So a few more pics than usual:

First the Cloister, then Chapel Court.....a site for some music.....

And then into the Chapel where Purcell, Handel, and Mendelssohn listened and played.

A further bit of music from the mistral gallery including a madrigal from which I remembered the bass line from distance High School Glee.

All in all quite a wonderful time!

And the laying is easy.....

Stayed up too late, or early, working on correspondence....so missed break and slept late.

After nice lunch and delightful chat, I travelled to Ricardo's to work on business presentation.

While there I got a chance to say hello to another pal pictured below, Morley.

My pal was very relaxed.

Stayed until about 8 and returned to Charterhouse for a sandwich and chips.

Long day tomorrow so this is it.....well maybe one more photo (I've just received)....the Divine Lady Cheek at a great evening of entertainment a week ago.

Boast

What the heck! I am going to; our special meal of the week: Sundy Roast.

Thought it would be too much to post a photo of desert, but it was a glazed brûlée topped with berry compote. 

We were part of London Open a Day.

I was not in attendance though.  I went AWOL and turned up at the People's Palace at Queen Mary's Universary to attend a Tea Dance.  Rather splendid.....cha chaed my way around the floor with aplomb and with a rather beautiful young lady....

Quality

Time.....

Straight after breakfast the fast train to Ebbsfleet to spend the morn with my buddy Ricardo. we spent an inordinate time struggling with a download of software onto his Mac so I could do some work.

Didn't happen till we got Apple Retail assistance; guess where I am again on Monday?

A few hours break and then more Quality...this time a Murder!

If I hadn't visited the Barbican during the week I wouldn't have known that a brilliant Thames movie version of LeCarre's story was on in the cinema.

It was superb! Amazing cast, well expressed, and pure LeCarre. 

Kinda glad that I get to cling onto both my birthright to enjoy iconic American literature (Steinbeck) that conveys an optimistic humane outlook, and also accept my adopted English storytelling (Greene/LeCarre) who's subject matter is bitter guilty decline.

Denholm Elliot was terrific, but Guiness has the edge as George S.

Perhaps you had to be the kind of person who seemed to be a heart uncomfortable in their own skin as I believe was Guiness in order to express with a look a bemused bafflement with life.

"Poor George, life is such a puzzlement to you", as expressed by my friend Sian in TTSS. 

Just returned from a lovely time consuming Thai with Brothers and friends.

Our favorite movie star's parents Rob and Rachel came along too.

Delightful time it was, extra chilli was the icing.

Groovin since '53

Usual mornin work of the paper, sublime Fish n' Chips with Bread n' Butter Puddin for lunchin and then a mini Jive session with Brother Philip.  Philip spent over 30 years as an accompanist so we thought we'd have a compatibility test.  Turns out we are a match made in Charterhouse!

A short singing lesson with one of the talented girls here and then off to listen to a live broadcast of "Friday night is Music night". It was rather special as it was their 60th anniversary concert.

Wonderful music and voices, septing for Russell Watson.  He's alright I guess, but he plugged a new album done in conjunction with one of the writers of Les Mis and Miss Saigon. So he gave us a premire of a new song and it was so dirivitive......should have seen to looks some of the orchestra were giving each other.....

Slight cock up on my part....Lizzie was supposed to come with me but cause I wanted to save her standing in the queue I told her to come at 7 and she was late (hairdressing prob) so she wouldn't have gotten in.....another concert on Wednesday......to make up for it.

I then rushed over to ShowOff open mic and met up with Bea and Claire and we sang and drank and brought the house down!  They are two talented women.

So now to dream land......

The Sum of its' Parts

is a way of describing an interesting day.

Apple, I adore you! 

The new operating system for iPad and iPhone is beautiful....

Spent a morning at the Barbican using their Wi Fi to update and fortunitus is was cause it alerted me to 3 events of which I was not aware. rapture; it seems with out an uppercase R....

We had a large group of visitors on tour this afternoon, so I volunteered to try to avoid a train wreak of a situation with two groups of 35 trying to make their way in opposite directions through our narrow medieval passage ways.

Then attended the best cabaret in town! The Double R club.

And here is the kind of enjoyment experienced....

Yes, it was a brilliant time! 

Made new friends, renewed salutations with those known and even managed to work on progressing a project.

Result! 

Amiable Andrew

Another easy going, steady as you go sort of a day.

Paperwork, projects moved forward....

A highlight was having a friend over for the first time.  Joined us for tea and a bit of a tour.

I am developing an approach to the Charterhouse Tour with will included images and perhaps vids on my iPad.  Below is an example: an image, in a non tour hall, that shows the extend of war damage from the 1940's.

It was very nice re engaging with someone who was "transformed" (any quess what's on the telly in the background) from a professional engager to a friend who gave freely of his considerable expertise when I required help. Doesn't happen often but my friend is a special person.  It was very satisfying to acknowledge we were both happy and well.

I was also proud to introduce him to another very special person in my life, my Brother Peter.

Amongst Peter's past accomplishments was helping to set up Amnesty International.

So all round a good day from a succession of good days.... 

Slowly made my way to Rush

Amongst my tasks today was to obtain some magazines for a couple of brothers who "don't get around much any more"......song for every occasion, me.

In trying to be helpful, I got into a bit of trouble because another brother who clings onto his independence fiercely, was the one who usually did this.  I didn't realise.....

Charterhouse is a great place to experience human nature and because I care for my older friends here, understanding feelings has become a talent I want to perfect.

Mealtime banter was delightful as always.....our supper served in QE 2 room cause there was a black tie do in the main building. We scrub up well....

This evening I went to see Rush.  Not the greatest film ever but a fine effort. Would have thought the production team might have selected a subject in which one would care a bit more about the main characters.  So, fine action scenes but give me "La Grande Bellezza" any day.

Mundane Monday

Since my Sunday evening was so eventful, despite starting out feeling slightly under, my Monday has been taken gently, easy does it....

Sunday night was great fun at a cabaret venue within easy walking distance from Charterhouse.  The show was made up of grads from The Cheek of It burlesque school.

Talented entertainers and an exceptional good, hilarious hostess on hand.  

I sat with some dancer buddies and remarked already on Facebook that the best audience in burlesque is other dancers watching their colleagues and friends.

After the interval there was an audience participation bit and I was one of three chaps taken up on the stage, given a bar of Imperial Leather and asked to demonstrate our showering technique to music.....as you do.

I came third out of three, but did get a third place prize!

If anyone needs some baby oil, come and see me.

I had a really good time making some news friends and ideas were sparked left, right and oh you know, in the middle.  When I finally planted my body back in my flat.....oh joy!, rapture!, BBC had a program about guests on the Andy Williams Show from US TV in the 70s and 80s.

There was some terrific singing and interesting to hear the smooth voiced Mr Williams insights and comments on his fellow stars.

Look at this! Dick Van Dyke, Ann Margaret, Andy and Andy Griffiths!

Lovely memories to fall asleep to.....

Today, useful bits and pieces.....frustrating dialogue with a colleague....but hey....if things aren't rocky occasionally, how you going to enjoy the smooth?

OK so.....

... I have a lot to say, but it will have to wait until tomorrow cause I'm a little too half cut.  Is that an English or American expression?

Means I make sense to my self but probably not to others.

Why is it that a personal sense of philosophical expression works

when inebriated so well at the time... But then you can't figure out what the hell you mean?

Like my life passing before my popcorn

Uneventful morning but we then had a traditional English BBQ. In other words inside on china....and very nice it was too.

The evening was a treat.  Claire and I walked over to the Renoir to see "The Great Beauty".

We're talking fine film making.  It was breathtakingly beautiful; amusing and serious. Complex as a person and imaginative as a dream. 

It was also elephant to my own situation in many ways....

In the end "it's just a trick".

.....go away!

Can you guess what I am referring to?

A visit to a consultant was my first thing first today.
Anyone who complains about our NHS can go copulate with themselves.
I went to UCLH, a spanking facility, was seen in a timely manner, had a most satisfactory meeting with a leading consultant, had an X-ray and all likety split.
After our Friday fish dish for lunch, I had planned to venture out.
That didn't happen.
Instead I spent more time trying to do on my iPad what I had been able to do on my Mac Book Pro.
Not easy.....
Then tonight was meant to be outdoor tea dance at the Olympic Park......

I decided there must be a more enjoyable way to catch a cold....probably later this weekend....

My Sister, the Shard and Bob's Lobster

The beginning of the day was spent slaving over a hot computer.  Lunch was amazing with the most wonderful apple pie made with apples from our garden.

An excursion to Greenwich followed to see my sister, Helen and meet some of her colleagues.

Next off to the Shard for birthday drinks with some of my salsa buddies....

Then a wonderful surprise; we walked over to Borough Market and had our din at Bob's Lobster.

It's a van that serves three items and sparking wine.  I had Mac & Lobster which was sublime!

It was then off to Crazy Coqs Open Mic.  I sang  Learning the Blues.

It's a beautiful venue with a really good standard.

It is good to spend quality time with friends and it is nice to say, family.

Did I tell you....

That I once watched the World Cup final in a Spanish bar with Ben Chaplin, whose has just appeared in the Wippers Times on BBC2?

Today was a paperwork day.  Writing a brief for the construction of sADw, legal cock fight prep, admin for Charterhouse and general larking about.

At lunch the conversation included a recommendation to go on a tour of other Carthusian buildings in the UK.  Here are some examples: 

Looks like a definite item for the to do list.

We also discussed an idea that we should go on a treasure hunt....."your Majesty, could we please have the treasures from Charterhouse that the Crown took from the priors and which are probably sitting in a warehouse somewhere".....

Or what about inviting Peter Ackroyd or Bill Bryson here for a literary conversation.

That's on the soon to do to do list.

Finally, feeling a little jaded; watched Horizon on Sex and found that I'd known most of the information cepting the contortion of the penis when in the female body.....according to the MRIs anyway....

World Domination

Yes, let's not aim too high....but....

Rushed breakie in order to walk two streets away to a Marketing conference.

That's the advantage of living in central London.

So that is the first speaker showing off his colourful socks; more colourful than mine if you can believe it....

The content of the conference was very very interesting and the last speaker whose mantra was the incomparable success of email lead marketing was music...  Confirms plans for one of my start ups....watch this space!

Great lunch and a terrific session at Apple working on presentational ideas.

A brief hiatus (including fab scones for tea) and then met my pal Monika at the British Library for some advice and brain storming....

One disappointment of the day is to do with the dynamic of Charterhouse.

I was planning a Xmas entertainment with the generous participation of some talented friends but the offer was declined.  Don't understand that mind set, but I have to learn that not everyone feels the same around here as I do.....

Guess World Domination will have to exclude this little bit of paradise.

Too

As in far too sleepy to supply a report.....
If the truth be told, the day was productive but uneventful.
Laughing at meal time and happy face to be able to report that Brother Peter seems better.
Oh, I should mention that my adopted sister, Helen Katherine, had a good day at her University.
She is bravery personified and deserves all the best in her exciting, creative future.....that is all.

Kidnapped!

So, what a day! 

I was on my way to a party when a SAS team from the Excel centre bundled me into a car and the next thing I knew I was in a copper being flown to the O2 centre. Just as we were approaching I was told to put on a parachute (at gun point) and told that I would have to be number two in the operation.  I tried to explain that I had never attacked a national exhibition/entertainment centre before.  They refused to except this excuse and the next thing I knew I was pushed!

No wait.....none of the above happened....but I did go to Sarah and Chris' fab-lous party, had a great time and made lovely new friends!

No wait....I landed on a big yellow suspension tower...Ouch!

Getting on

In late so felt like a lazy morn....

Lunch was deeeeelicious especially the red berry soup desert featuring our own mulberries.

Afternoon was quiet work time, with a cinema break on the televisual media.

John Ford's The Searchers has grown on me over the years.  So many set ups are like Remington paintings. The story is simple and complex as is John Wayne's character, Ethan Edwards.  He is not likeable but as solid and reliable as the Monument Valley locations.  

Ford was a conservative and a "his way" patriot but his best narratives had a beautifully observed poetic truth, be the stories of IRA informers, Welsh coal miners, the Oakies or his hallmark Western epic heroes/anti heroes.

This evening I had the great pleasure of seeing one of my favourite people.  At one point I called her Red, but now I think I'll have to call her Pink!

We went to the best drinking hole in town, which I will not name because we were given free nibbles and half price drinks!

I love that kind of love!

Life was particularly good today.....

Cinema Door Johnny

Treat of the day.....I forced myself onto an outing with Bro Peter to see his Goddaughter in her new film. Lydia's mother and father were there too and it was fun to applauded when her name appeared in the credits. Very much worth seeing; Richard Curtis' new film About Time. Photo below; it was just as inviting as his other films but with a touch of thoughtfulness missing from the others.

So morning involved a trip to Apple, trying to get along with out a laptop and instead making do with the iPad.

The afternoon was admin, mails before the film and then I cycled to ShowOff open mic at Leicester Square. Had a few relatively controlled songs before I continued at the Players in unrestrained singing along and flirting.....

So now a short report in order to get a few hours sleep before breakfast with the Boys.

Charterhouse Magazine July 2013

Life is like a Rocking Horse

....back and forth, but staying in the same place.
After break I had a chat with the Master.  
It was a real heart to heart with a generous helping of soul searching thrown in. 
There isn't anyone whose opinion I value more and it was thought provoking.
He described me as trying to make too many people happy......how does that go wrong so often?
Guess it is never too late to change my spots....
We then had a Brother's Development meeting and were kept on board with our exciting new building plans.  Think I'm going to be joining the steering committee; can't wait.  Feels like my past experience will be well utilised.
Delicious pasta and rhubarb crumble and then cycled to Apple to sort out some backup prob.
At 6 a gathering with some of our Governors, appropriate amount of wine flowing.
Very tasty cheese soufflé for din and admin this evening.
Troubled over a distressing confrontation with a former intimate friend.....gotta stop trying to please and get off my horse.....
This blog is my contribution to the written record of life here.
Above is the current version.....

Swing at Spitalfields

Homeostasis

Isn't that what we all want?

Admin morn and then a real treat for mid day! 

Swing under the sails at Spitalfields.

Macmillan Coffee event were there and I chatted about the possibility of doing something at Charterhouse.  Turns out we can't organise a charity event here as we are a charity. Disappointing....

Spent some time talking to a great designer and her fashion shop about socialADworking.

Very happy with the dinner awaiting me....Stilton and Broccoli soup and Jambalaya!  Wonderful to have a main course with a song that i could sing about....

Chatting away found out that BroBrooke has an American Founding Father as an ancestor, Robert Livingston.  He negotiated the Louisiana Purchase, administered the oath of office to George Washington AND help developed the first steam boat with Robert Fulton!

After a bout of Irish jokes and a perambulation around the garden an amazing BBC program about genius mechanical devices.

Hence today's blog title......working on it.....

The first day

Well, here goes; my first blog on my new site.

Talk about helping to move Charterhouse into the 21st century.

Thought that since I am not very good at contributing to our magazine I would blog instead.

What to report?:

At break, cornered the Master to mention a Grange Park Opera evening here.   

Disappointed the boys by not going to the Hope for a pre lunch drink, but I was prepping for business meeting for the afternoon.

The Master sat at my table at lunch and the chat centred on Syria.

After the successful meeting a lovely din and salutations from BroPeter, who I hope is recovering his strength.

Fun that one of the girls asked if she could pick my brain on the subject of charisma....as if I know anything.

So it goes......