Play with the city - glasgow

So me and a very good girl friend decided to gorge ourselves with a pre- theater and a bottle of red before we set of to the Citizens Theater in Glasgow to go see The Shakespeare tragedy Romeo and Juliet.

The production was held by Glasgow’s Reids College final year acting students and by my standards;  I would say they all passed with flying colours.

This was the first time I had been to the Citizens Theater so I wasn’t sure what to expect but there wasn’t a dry eye in the house especially at the end of the night when I realized I had lost a shoe! How on earth I hear you say… well, as I was getting into the whole.. ‘oh romeo oh romeo’ I had kicked my shoes off and made my self comfortable. At the end of the production only one shoe.. no idea what happened to the other one! Taxi!

Anyways, an excuse to buy new shoes.

The production was fabulous. Rather than the ‘the greatest love story ever told’ the Shakespeare’s text was more relevant to our youth, in a climate plagued with knife crime, ASBO’s and gang culture, The Production was  an edgy and very tense interpretation the playwright’s message and it still had a lesson to teach us.

I like getting another take on something (Leona Lewis Snow Patrol- ok  not that one) and the Citizens Theater certainly don’t that! We left the there thinking ‘WaW… How good was that’

Did anyone else go to this?

Find a shoe?

Most people who enjoy a meal out on a regular basis have an opinion on which are the best places to go. But ‘best’ can mean different things to different people – ranging from wallet-busting fine dining venues, to places that just ooze character, or simple unadorned eateries. But all have at least one thing in common- good food.

A new restaurant that’s popped up and causing a stir in Glasgow is Peters on Hyndland Road, we were there to treat a workmate who is leaving us for early retirement… the cheesy burger!

Split into two parts, a cosy front bar with groups of tables, and booths in the back. The environment is suitable for a quiet cocktails as it is a three- course meal; and either will put a smile on your face. The standards are high and the service is friendly, all good for a night out eating and drinking with work buddies.

The decor is not expected of,lo the building- booths, pillars and brickwork- with nice classic touches. The food is great. Daily specials make the most out of the fresh ingredients- such as an amazing Salmon and Haddock fish cake with sweet chili sauce. Or how about a mains of Pan roast breast of chicken with borlotti beans and plum tomato ragout or for something a bit more richer the Saddle of venison, parsnip puree and honey , served with roast vegetables and beetroot jus.

You can get a lunch/ pre theatre in the restaurant costing from £10.92 for two courses or £12.95 for three! Food like this, priced like this puts a smile on the face, even in the midst of a recession!

None of our table went for a desert, simply because we were so stuffed by the starters and mains (a few of us leaving lots of the mains of our plates) however I did put a ‘tick’ to one certain desert that I am definitely going to try next time I give Peters a visit. Mixed Berrie parfait with orange tuille, yum yum yum.

Peter is the new kid on the block and it’s risky being there with so many of it’s neighbours shutting down because; dare I say it- the credit crunch. But I think Peters will do well and if not, I hope they keep me in mind when they are getting rid of their stock of  Cristal Champagne.

I wont mention how much ass kissing I got to mention this comp on this site…

So the lovely, young, fit, handsome, boys at ilovelegion.com held a ski and snowboard comp at Bearsden Ski and Board Club on Sunday the 1st of March. Me and my sister were there ogling the boys in their ‘hanging past their bum’ trousers and shampoo commercial long hair as they posed and strutted some moves on and off the slope.

I am such a big fan of Legion, they are pushing through the crowd of other “snowsports sites” to promote young Scottish talent, they are a cheeky bunch of bum scratchers who are from my hood and I love them.

Now enough with the cheap ass advertising (they are all really old ugly gits)

Now I cant remember the last time I went riding so I didn’t enter the competition, I just went as a spectator and to join in with the after party. (had to take Monday off work, I had the flu you see)

Sunday saw a glorious day for Glasgow, sun was out and for a change it was actually warm! It was a perfect day to fight for a table outside on the balcony, beer in hand as we watched the ski and snowboard competition that was taking place that day.

Bearsden has a couple of good ramps, enough for even the biggest pie munching riders to be able to get some air. There were a few rails out as well for the smart ass riders out there (i cant do rails for shit)

So anyway, who won… No idea.

The after party, ahh now we are talking. The party took place in some swanky pad. I’m thinking the writer of Skins was hosting it as it was wild! The Myspace  parties wouldn’t  have a look in here. The place was jumping with the very best of Glasgow’s punters, all with a posh accent of course!

As we sipped Jacks and co with a cigarette in the winter gardens there was a full blown rave in the front drawing room, some R&B in the lounge and a band in… the other lounge?

It was a great night and I’m hoping there is going to be one again very soon! well not too soon as my head is still thumping.

Friday saw a strange night as me and my mate Robert found ourselves sitting drinking bottles of Corona, eating toast with blueberry jam and listening to a really cool band I cant for the life of me remember what was called.

Glasgow clubbers who are tired of the same old club sounds or pine for those seething, sweating club nights in which they danced the night away as teenagers can now rejoice, for the city has a brand new electro and techno club night where you can kick back and actually enjoy your mates and the music. yeah there is space for a boogie, but there is also scope to hear your mates opinion on Cajun Squirrel Crisps. The Flying Duck is the new place to be.

The night held a “Going out is the new staying in” night which offered Glasgow townies; booze, tea, toast, bands and DJs all creating a house party vibe.

The club itself has a  low-fi and low-key atmosphere with a homely familiarity that’s a cross between an old man’s pub and your best mate’s house. The decor itself has to be seen to be believed. On entering the ‘close’, you then travel down the stairs into the hallway of the tenement, through to the “house-inspired” decor of each of the rooms and then you land in ‘the jewel in the crown’, the kitchen. It’s true what they say- The party always ends up in the kitchen!

We has such a great night that we are grabbing a few more buddies and heading back there next Thursday!

There is nothing wrong with a mooshy mooshy love story, and when your feeling fat and sorry for yourself (I have a cold so have been gorging on chocolate the past four days) there is nothing like a good sob story of someones else’s heartache and  life tragedy to make you feel better!

So, I’m treating my best girl friend to go see Romeo and Juliet at the Citizens Theater in Glasgow on the 28th of February.  Tickets are £8 so plenty of pocket money left over to buy my weight in Galaxy!

mmm now my brain is on the sweet sugary stuff- here is a run down of my fav’s.

1. Aero. (mint or plaie, I cant decide)
2. Kinder Bueno.
3. Terrys chocolate orange.
4. Dairy Milk Bubbly.
5. Wispa. (thank god they are back!)

So anyways, The night itself was a blast. The venue was packed with a shit load of girls wanting to be spotted and the atmosphere was very ‘girly’ girls all out to have a couple of drinks and loads of laughs with their mates. We got pissed, laughed lots, bitched lots and got lost trying get home from the night. Good one, do it again?… “ooh yaa darling”.

Putting the weird name aside — apparently the name of some tribe wandering about Iran — I love, love, love my Qashqai; and if you try come take it away from me, I’m sorry but I cannot be held responsible for my actions.

Now you’ve have had your warning, we can get on with the review.

The Nissan Qashqai has some set of “urban credentials” also known as Baws in Glasgow. It is a big beefy boy, but one that likes a bit of lipstick, silk underwear and a bottle of poppers at the weekend. This fruity figure of a man (still talking about the Qashqai here) has the exterior of the Royal British Guard standing in front of Buckingham Palace. Highly polished, stiff upper lip and a big furry hat. This car screams “Yeah I’m not as scary when I’m described that way, but fuck with me and I’ll have your scrotum for a change purse”. This car will give even the most feminine of drivers some great big hairy space hopper balls. The road my friend; is yours.

We have been lucky enough to have some snow in this old Country of ours lately and this is where the Quasqai really let me down. Could I have had a duvet day? No chance, the bloody thing held the road no problem and I ended up in work on time every day of the lovely white conditions. Nipping through town? No probs, switch on the 2 wheel drive and you can nip in and out the gridlock like a Smart Car.

Inside the Quasqai is comfortable, no luxurious; no… imagine the best damned VIP area without the booze and hard drugs, that’s how lush this car is. You have all the James Bond gadgetry at your finger tips. Connect your phone to the car for hand free dirty phone calls. Never bump into the bollard at Tesco again with the beepy beep-beep reverse assistance. Bollocks to Radio 1, a 6 CD changer is integrated via the dash and steering wheel. See what I mean about Lush?

So would I buy one of these city 4×4s. If you had asked me 6 months ago I would have went on about Chelsea tractors and fur coat no knickers Mums dropping off a solitary sprog at school before her morning and afternoon of cheap chardonnay and knee trembling spin cycles. But now I have one, I don’t want to go back to dodgem style cars like a Punto or God forbid a Sex in the City Mini. I’ve been spoiled. You cannot paint dogs’ bollocks in the finest filet mignon and expect him not to lick.

Annnd. I remember thinking this was one of the coolest adverts on the clever box, and now Im driving one of these. If only I was a giant who could kick flip!

He is dead and buried… a more-ish handful of dust somewhere in Ayrshire, but 250 years later we are still celebrating the life’s work of Scotland’s most famous womaniser, philosopher and bard; Robert Burns. A good 250 years hole in the head dead, but boy ‘o’ boy can he can still host a good party! Food, songs, drams and rubbing shoulders with some of Scotland’s finest z-list talents. It all made for a healthy hangover and some fun photos for the album on the morning after.

Held at Oran Mor at the top of Byres Road in Glasgow’s West End, my good self and a few bum chums checked out Burns night.
David MacLennan who is the man in the know when it comes to all things theatre and art, welcomed us all to the night before a choir called The Sirens of Titan held us all in a head lock with an appetiser of Burns in song and Cock-a-leekie soup.

Dave Anderson; another Scottish theatre darling waved a big machete in the air whilst reciting ‘Address to the haggis’  in  broad auld Scots using words that even I couldn’t comprehend let alone understand, before he stabbed a big bag of haggis and dished out our mains. History dictates that The Haggis is borne into the room to the screeching… I mean dullest tones of the  bagpipes and serenaded with Burns’ great paean to the stuffed sheep’s stomach, after the ceremonial piercing; the haggis is toasted with a traditional dram of whiskey. Bottoms up.

So you guess it, the main meal of the night was Haggis, neaps (swede) and tatties with a creamy pepper sauce, loved it! After dinner we had a toast to the Lassies by Jimmy McGregor, a great speech about how much Jimmy loved his women. Reminiscing to a young age when he would court them up the back close in the tenements of old Springburn with nothing more romantic than a poke of chips. Moira Kerr made a reply on behalf of the lassies; a witty speech and a wee sing-song.
Time for desert, the best bit. A Raspberry Cranachan tower with Moustarda of berries followed by coffee and traditional tablet.

David Hayman (the Trial and Retribution guy) made The Immortal Memory speech were he spoke of the charity work that some of Scotland’s finest are doing and the many Scots who have passed but should still be remembered. We of all people ended up with his business card at the end of the night and thought it would be funny sending him some text messages asking “Where do you get those shirts?”
More coffee and tablet.

The finally of the night was Karen Dunbar  her with the nostrils in ‘Chewing the Fat’ reciting what is probably Burns’ most famous poem; Tam O’Shanter. As with all things Karen is involved in, she was a great image up on the stage and got many a laughs from the tables around the room.

There was also a previewing of ten unique and strangely witty paintings, illustrating Burns’s Tam ‘O’ Shanter by the artist and author Charles Nasmyth.

So who was spotted? Robbie Coltrane, Duncan Ballantine, a shed load of the stars of Taggart and River City (I didn’t know any of them) and plenty of others just smelling of TV personality.

Now here is a question for you. What ever happened to moshing? Has skinny tight jeans stopped young knees from bending? I think so!

Anyways, I’ll get to that later on.

Bloc Party played at the 02 Academy last Monday (26th of January) and they were for lack of better words, very disappointing Francis.

So in I went, purchased my £3.50 pint of Carling, “probably the most tasteless tinny crap in the world” and settled in to Tommy Sparks, AkA Brian Ferry, The Jam, Billy Idol and Billy Elliot) all rolled up into one big ball of “granny dressed him before he left the house” cuteness. If he wasn’t 6ft odds you would just pick him up and put him in your pocket along side your Tamagotchi. For all intensive purposes Tommy Sparks was great support. OK so no topping the bill here, but the performance was accomplished and perfect for the upcoming headliner.

Now onto Bloc Party. After the lights dimmed some intense uplifting music pumped through the PA. Building in intensity in perfect sync with the crowds anticipation. Then it stopped the lights went up, the band fiddled with their guitars a bit then went into the opener. Bit of a damp squid.

So yeah, moshing. What ever happened to it? As Bloc Party Blasted out some head banging, ear bleeding tunes the crowed seamed to have a …………. romantic sway to them? No mosh pit, more a sway with your arms in the air congregation, are we all growing older than our years!!!

This was Bloc party’s second night in Glasgow and I think they must have been on the Tennents as they kept talking about how much they loved our fair city. I’m not the biggest Bloc Party fan, but at the same time I don’t dislike them. Their albums are polished pieces of uplifting, melodic musical art and I had similar expectations of their live set. Sorry kids what a let down. Instead of the clean crisp productions and clever hooks behind intense static. What I got instead was a noisy, rough cluttered garage band stuff you expect from your wee brother and his mates.

The man of the moment is not, as you might mistakenly be thinking, Barack Obama (we are sooo over that shizzle), but a 250 year old womanising ploughman from Ayrshire… This Year marks the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns’ birth.

Oran Mor is holding a mixed night of music from Moira Kerr, Jimmy McGregor and the Sirens of Titan Choir, comedy from Karen Dunbar and actor David Hayman performing ‘The Immortal Memory’ to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Burns’ birth, complete with a traditional Burns supper… AKA Haggis, neeps and tatties!

The Burns’ celebration night is on Saturday 24th of January at 7pm, the event will will also be previewing 10 unique and witty paintings illustrating Burns’s epic poem, Tam ‘O’ Shanter, by artist and author Charles Nasmyth.

Oran Mor, meaning the ‘great melody of life’ or ‘big song’, is a cultural centre and meeting place in the heart of Glasgow’s West End. Inside are two bars, two restaurants, a nightclub and stunning private event space available for hire in a fab looking converted church, formerly Kelvinside Parish Church.

The Place is going to be in full swing by 12 dark with a Ceilidh bringing us into early Sunday morning! Im thinking, tartan skirts… men in kilts… and plenty of drams-a-drinking.

Anyone joining me?