Meenzer

As long as the tapas are mostly things you can prepare in advance - if he wants not to be stuck in the kitchen all night, ten fresh hot dishes are not the way to go. (Ever tried this place, btw, Fishster? If not, we're going there on a man-date some time: http://www.elparadorlondon.com)

Cancelled his gig at the Cluny Aye, he was meant to be playing here tomorrow night but the tour was postponed when he went into rehab. They've rescheduled the date here for January (it's not on his site yet but I've had an e-mail from the venue), so hopefully they'll manage the same there...

And your entertainment can be dressing up as the bloke from the Go Compare ads and singing a few arias.

Could be worse, makes it a no-brainer on the plonk too. You can do the lasagne prep in advance and do bruschetta and parma ham and salady stuff for the starter and there you go, minimal time away from the group as desired...

I'm very jealous, I don't think they will every make it south of the equator. And are Therapy still around? Do they still have two bass players? Hm, did they ever? They certainly had a cellist/guitarist fella for a while, which was a bit odd, so chances are he doubled up on every other instrument too. Anyway, they're still plugging away to a small but loyal audience, aye. This gig is a double-set thing, they're playing Troublegum in full plus a regular set with special guests etc. - like a farewell gig but without actually fucking off. Of course it'll be a bit cack, but the 15-year-old inside me () can't resist.

Do you have any foreign heritage ticking away in the background? I only ask because I know I'd channel my mother's side of the family and do a Swedish night - roll out the aquavit, salmon, strange herring concoctions and all. Gives the whole thing more of a personal note and gives people something they probably won't have had as often. Works as well if you've got any dishes with a strong regional identity to call on. Otherwise, locally sourced products are always a goodie - if you can say this meat came from such-and-such a farm, this fish was caught off wherever etc., that tends to be good for brownie points (as well as tasting better!). Plus there's no shortage of good stuff like that in the NE. Failing that, just get them absolutely smashed. Seems to work well on the show.

Went to the Royal Opera House last night for an evening of Kurt Weill songs, don'tcha know. Therapy?, Dar Williams, Godspeed You Black Emperor and Justin Townes Earle are among the near-future treats.

I'll proofread your statement if you write it in German.

Radgi?

As for SoHo, good place for cafe-/bar-hopping I thought, around Spring St and all. I'm really fond of the run of restaurants on Mulberry St in Little Italy, too, for all it's touristy as owt.

Worse than Abu Hamza tbh.

Wall Street is what it is - two minutes looking at the Stock Exchange, take your photos and you're done really. You can tie it in with a wander around Battery Park, the WTC site etc. though. It's also near here:

Or they get called dogs.

A good owner back his cats with Whiskas tbh.

Now doesn't that make you feel wanted? Random fact of the day: My son's newest word is "boobies" I'm so proud I wonder why that word sprang to his mind? I was just going to say, that word followed by extensive drooling is the reaction you get from most of the Trent Posse too

Apparently I have "-1 New Messages".

I heard it was Greek. Honestly, you sink your crusty breadstick into some warm hummus one time...

Smartarse. Aye, French in theory, though in practice I've barely spoken a word of it for 10 years.

I've been known to dabble in the Deutsch.

Do you want it in braille? I don't have the power to ban anyone, either here or there man! Maybe try Arabic.

Lets see Meenzer, you're not attracted to Catherine for obvious reasons, so what are you bothered about If we're playing that game, maybe you're bothered about me not being attracted to you.

More disappointing than seeing a grown man acting like a petulant infant?

I love how "soccer" comes in below sailing, surfing, polo and "slamball".