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Took the day off of work today and went up to the London Metropolitan Archive with Mum. Sadly, it was a pretty unsucessful trip. They didn't have the parish records we wanted to see and we didn't find out much other information either. At least it was a day out and we had a nice lunch at Starbucks. Also, Mum has leant me her Oyster Card until I get mine sorted out. She doesn't need it any more as she has a Freedom Pass so I can keep it indefinitely.
The College where I work is currently undergoing a major rebuild. Around 70% of the buildings on site are going to be demolished and new ones built in their place. I've decided to photograph the project as it progresses. The first batch of photos can be found here. I guess you could describe these as the 'before' photos. I'll take some more next time is any visible progress.
Now for a bit of a TV update. I love sitcoms. I grew up watching sitcoms with my family. Favourites when I was growing up included: 2.4 Children, Dad's Army, Allo Allo, So Haunt Me, The Good Life, Keeping up Appearances, The Cosby Show, Cheers... I could go on. Since the end of Friends I've felt that sitcom was in decline. Many new sitcoms were produced but a vast majority of them were rubbish and only lasted one series. But now the tide appears to be turning. Last Monday I watched the first episode in the second series of Gavin and Stacey. I can't remember the last time I laughed as hard at a new piece of TV. Likeable characters, loveable wierdos, a sweet romantic storyline and farcical situations. Gavin and Stacey includes all the elements that I believe make a good sitcom and the cast is fantastic. A mixture of BBC3 regulars and well established comedy actors all with great comic timing. I love the fact that the writers have moved away from the traditional 'sitting room with a sofa' setting and have taken the sitcom 'on location'. It makes it feel fresh and different to the other sitcoms around at the moment which are almost entirely studio based. I hope they don't make too many changes if the rumoured move to BBC1 takes place.
Strangely, I also like 'Ideal' which comes on after Gavin and Stacey on Monday nights. Ideal is completely the opposite to Gavin and Stacey in that the action takes place entirely in one studio set - a dingy Manchester bedsit. The large cast of semi-regulars bring the action to the set. Unlike G&S, Ideal has surreal elements and the characters are far from likeable but it still makes me laugh. I also have a bit of a soft spot for Jonny Vegas. He reminds me a bit of CB (but don't tell him I said that!)
I also watched most of the first episode of a new US comedy-drama called 'Greek'. I've always been a bit confused by the whole sorority/fraternity thing which goes on at US universities and a look at Wikipedia didn't help much. Anyway, I think I might like 'Greek'. The characters don't seem too annoying (unlike the characters in 'Gossip Girl' who I find really irritating) and the series looks quite fun. We shall see!
Oh, and I watched Eastenders tonight for the first time in ages. I've never been much of an 'Easties' fan but I was tired after running and kind of flaked out in front of the TV. It was terrible. Possibly the worst I've ever seen it. I wouldn't mind a bit of Jack Branning though. He's upped the 'attractive male' quota in the square quite considerably.
Tomorrow I'm having my hair cut and then rushing straight to the nearest photo booth to have my passport photo taken while I look like I've 'just stepped out of the salon'. I might also try and spend my Topshop vouchers and possibly have a look for dresses for my friends' October wedding. The friend I saw on Wednesday has already bought her dress but I'm finding that I can't get enthusiastic about shopping for something which is still four months away. I think I'd ought to try though. I don't want to end up stressing out at the last minute like I did last year.
The College where I work is currently undergoing a major rebuild. Around 70% of the buildings on site are going to be demolished and new ones built in their place. I've decided to photograph the project as it progresses. The first batch of photos can be found here. I guess you could describe these as the 'before' photos. I'll take some more next time is any visible progress.
Now for a bit of a TV update. I love sitcoms. I grew up watching sitcoms with my family. Favourites when I was growing up included: 2.4 Children, Dad's Army, Allo Allo, So Haunt Me, The Good Life, Keeping up Appearances, The Cosby Show, Cheers... I could go on. Since the end of Friends I've felt that sitcom was in decline. Many new sitcoms were produced but a vast majority of them were rubbish and only lasted one series. But now the tide appears to be turning. Last Monday I watched the first episode in the second series of Gavin and Stacey. I can't remember the last time I laughed as hard at a new piece of TV. Likeable characters, loveable wierdos, a sweet romantic storyline and farcical situations. Gavin and Stacey includes all the elements that I believe make a good sitcom and the cast is fantastic. A mixture of BBC3 regulars and well established comedy actors all with great comic timing. I love the fact that the writers have moved away from the traditional 'sitting room with a sofa' setting and have taken the sitcom 'on location'. It makes it feel fresh and different to the other sitcoms around at the moment which are almost entirely studio based. I hope they don't make too many changes if the rumoured move to BBC1 takes place.
Strangely, I also like 'Ideal' which comes on after Gavin and Stacey on Monday nights. Ideal is completely the opposite to Gavin and Stacey in that the action takes place entirely in one studio set - a dingy Manchester bedsit. The large cast of semi-regulars bring the action to the set. Unlike G&S, Ideal has surreal elements and the characters are far from likeable but it still makes me laugh. I also have a bit of a soft spot for Jonny Vegas. He reminds me a bit of CB (but don't tell him I said that!)
I also watched most of the first episode of a new US comedy-drama called 'Greek'. I've always been a bit confused by the whole sorority/fraternity thing which goes on at US universities and a look at Wikipedia didn't help much. Anyway, I think I might like 'Greek'. The characters don't seem too annoying (unlike the characters in 'Gossip Girl' who I find really irritating) and the series looks quite fun. We shall see!
Oh, and I watched Eastenders tonight for the first time in ages. I've never been much of an 'Easties' fan but I was tired after running and kind of flaked out in front of the TV. It was terrible. Possibly the worst I've ever seen it. I wouldn't mind a bit of Jack Branning though. He's upped the 'attractive male' quota in the square quite considerably.
Tomorrow I'm having my hair cut and then rushing straight to the nearest photo booth to have my passport photo taken while I look like I've 'just stepped out of the salon'. I might also try and spend my Topshop vouchers and possibly have a look for dresses for my friends' October wedding. The friend I saw on Wednesday has already bought her dress but I'm finding that I can't get enthusiastic about shopping for something which is still four months away. I think I'd ought to try though. I don't want to end up stressing out at the last minute like I did last year.
