The name game

Today I got a rather watered-down taste of what it may feel like to be famous by exploiting a 'who I know' link in order to get something in return.

I was speaking to a very friendly chap at the Daily Telegraph for work, who has helped me out with a few little things in the past. However, this time I think I was asking a little bit too much and he was understandably a tad reluctant. Luckily for me, I had earlier googled him to try and find out his telephone number, only to discover that he was the 1993 Mastermind champion, specialist subject - Doctor Who!!

I seized my opportunity, casually slipping into the conversation that I am the great-niece of the late, great Patrick Troughton (the second Doctor). Needless to say he happily granted my request!

Wombling free

Ok, so it wasn't actually free to get in, but I happily parted with a tenner today to watch AFC Wimbledon play Maidenhead United in Kingston. Having not been to a football match in ages it was great to be back on the terraces.

Little bit of back history...AFC Wimbledon was formed in 2002 by a bunch of Wimbledon FC supporters who were rightly disgusted by the fact that the FA gave permission for their beloved team to relocate to Milton Keynes. The vast majority of fans severed all links with the club, and consequently, soon after moving, Wimbledon went bust and became MK Dons.

Interestingly, the 'AFC' bit doesn't officially stand for 'association football club', or anything in particular, although some argue it should stand for 'a fan's club'. This would make sense - for a non-league club to attract over 3,000 supporters to each match is no mean feat and they are currently top of the Conference South division after a 3-1 victory today. And I very much liked their cool Womble mascot...

The breast day of her life

An absolutely hilarious photo in the Sun’s Kelvin MacKenzie column today:

I have a sneaking suspicion that we will be hearing a lot more about this anonymous bride over the coming days…

(Thanks to Holly for the pun!)

Watch this and weep

Most depressing film ever = 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas', but I would still urge everyone to watch it at some point, even if it's not in the immediate future.

I went along to a free preview screening tonight, courtesy of The Grauniad, before it's officially released on Friday. Let's just say that I'm not sure I have ever heard anyone actually sob in the cinema before - and not just the one person. In fact, I think I was in the minority with my dry eyes.

I don't know what's wrong with me sometimes. Perhaps I'm just emotionally retarded. But then how come I cried like a baby during 'Titanic'?! Anyway, a thought-provoking film that certainly puts all silly, everyday trivial matters into perspective.

Totally ASHed

Ash know how to put on a show. Last night they did just that at the Roundhouse in Camden, playing their classic album '1977' in its entirety, plus loads more besides. This was pretty much my dream gig. 1977 is like my favourite album of all time, it having converted me from pop to punk rock in the summer of 1996.

Oh I remember that summer well. Spraining my ankle, going mental whilst watching Euro 96 (if only Gazza's leg had been one inch longer!) and rocking out to Ash and Dodgy CDs with my bro. I seem to recall lime green and orange were the vogue that year. I wore them together. Anyway, it really was a great gig, all the more so because I was at the front - woooo! Oh, and I love the way drummer Rick McMurray appears to be totally motionless when he plays, apart from his wrists. Legend!

I have some ace photos of the gig on my mobile but I can't seem to get them onto my laptop, grrr.

We, who shall remain nameless

My band needs a name. I have come up with tons of names already but they have all been greeted with nothing but a bemused silence.

My ideas so far:

• Tuco (the 'ugly' character from 'The Good, The Bad and The Ugly')
• Hunter Wing (which is where we practice)
• Elephant in the Room (just thought it sounded cool)
  
• Fonz (seeing as he's my mate)
• Tumbleweed (because that's how quiet it goes when I've suggested any of the above)

So I am going to put it to the vote. Please indicate which of the above names you think is the best by voting on the poll on the right (go to my original blog if you're reading on Facebook). Or suggest your own by leaving a comment. I will then take the democratic findings to next week's practice and that will be that!

Petra PR stunt

,, You may have read in the newspapers today the shocking story of Petra the Blue Peter dog. Turns out that the Petra who thousands of kids came to know and love wasn’t the original Petra after all. The original puppy died two days after making its first, and only, appearance on the show, so they drafted in a secret replacement.

According to today’s reports, this ‘secret’ has only now been exposed following the revelation in former Blue Peter editor Biddy Baxter’s new book. Oh yeah? So how come this article in the Times from over a year ago knows about the dead Petra? And how come, according to Google’s news tracker, it was known way back in 1996? I’LL TELL YOU WHY! Because Biddy’s publishers want some cheap publicity for the book and journalists are too bloomin lazy to check their facts (unlike my pal Rudi, who helped me out by finding the above links).

Yes, I do realise that by writing this blog I am also publicising the book, so their stunt has blatantly worked a treat. DAMMIT!


(Me in the Blue Peter garden next to George the tortoise's memorial plaque. He was a much better pet anyway).