Superman Lovers: this seems like the worst reason for a baby’s name ever. Would other European countries be so draconian, however? I am sure for instance that a baby born in Germany being named “Ubermensch” because when he was born […]

Day spent swimming off (and reading on) a rock ledge under Les Calanques, then driving back to Marseille(s) where the Peron Hotel now has a room free! mark s wanders city alone looking for fruit and meets the most thuggish-looking cat in europe, whic[…]

9 Songs To Go…!
Until the 1000th No.1. From the record industry’s point of view it would be neat if the 1000th No.1 also coincides with this year’s Xmas No.1. Will the public be so accomodating? With another week at the top for Eri[…]

the trust issue
[ps i don’t think i made a remotely clear point in three tries in the comments to barry’s post below! (memo to self: don’t post when you got up at 6am fact-checking footnotes), and i think i’ll leave it for an[…]

ADVENTURES IN LENTILS 2
I was just going to have a frozen pizza. It was late after all. But then the “frozen pizza wretchedness” overcame me so I went for the store cupboard instead. Hmm, I though. Lentils and butter? I put the lentils on[…]

FT TOP 100 FILMS
23: GREMLINS 2
Of the sequels in this list, this one perhaps might raise the biggest eyebrow. Its predecessor is by no means a great movie, it might have its fans but was too kiddie to be scary, and too scary for the kids. Oh and its[…]

Dungeons and Dragons’ sell was simple and appealing. You were the hero in a fantastic world – you could star in an epic saga of your very own. Set against this was the fact that Dungeons and Dragons was a game, and moreover had been put t[…]

Mis-placed loyalty
The All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group held their Labour Conference bash yesterday. There was a free bar, with very nice nibbles and canapes.
The Group’s chair noted that whilst there were issues like ‘Binge drinking an[…]

Everything on Friday begins with C!!!
Les Calanques: are the mini-mountain ribs on either side of Marseille(s), where no one is allowed walk in August for fear of becoming lovely unrescued barbecue flavoured w.wild rosemary when they catch fire. Ci[…]

More London business: this coming weekend may be a good weekend for sniffing around the cutting edge of East London’s art world. It’s F-EST so they’ll be looking out for you. This may make it a bad time to go and visit, depending on[…]