Meet the new London mayor!

Dear England, did you know that your new major of London is actually American-born? So now the owner of Manchester United hails from this side of the Pond. And so does the London major!

Considered more English than most (thanks to his stuttering manner, and acting like a slightly deranged lord of the manor let loose), Boris is the pride of the conservative-friendly nut-jobs. he is also a journalist and author, formerly serving as editor of The Spectator.

But what you probably didn't know is that Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson, was born on 19 June 1964, in the Grand Ol' USA.

That doesn't stop him wearing the England football shirt - the away shirt that is!

Sparring Partners!

Forget chess boxing, here's the real thing. Today is the Democratic vote in North Carolina and Indiana, after which we should be able to declare a winner. Somehow I think Hillary will fight on, though. John McCain must feel a little left out. I hope so. Clearly after this epic struggle, it'd be pointless to have Bush II take the White House. Am I rooting for Clinton or Obama? Well, I'd like the fight to go on, so at least one of them gets in!

Coconut Grove, and South Beach, Miami

Just the name Coconut Grove alone made me want to visit, but this part of Miami - after a nice overground MTA rail ride - was a lovely part of the city. The long marina and lazy brought images to Scarface and Miami Vice immediately to mind!
At night the hotel strip comes alive with great drinks, music and a lot of dancing - all along about 5 blocks, or you can cross the street and hang out with the police parked on the beach while the ocean laps in and out in the bay. A cool way to spend the evening drinking overpriced cocktails and walking up and down with nothing better to do!

The morning after...

Barack Clinton / Hilary Obama!

Wouldn't this just solve the problem?

Wouldn't this just be the perfect case? Clearly in the future - with DNA and facial surgery - the fusing of two humans will be possible!

It would certainly solve the current battle, and the losing candidate wouldn't even have to endorse the winner!

Whoever loses, recommending the victor has got to be embarrassing, but somehow I think the above politician - whichever way the vote swings - will manage after all the recent campaigning and hand pressing!

Home of Snooker, Sheffield

It never ceases to amaze me, England, that the home of that gracious and genius-inspiring game, snooker, is actually a little humble theatre in Sheffield, former home of the British steel industry (remember "The Full Monty"?). Somehow this makes the whole occasion must more special, that moments of true theatre are played out in such a quietly

The funniest thing about going to see a snooker match - as I remember from seeing Peter Ebdon, Matthew Stevens, and Ronnie the Rocket about 6 years ago (although I can't remember exactly who was playing who), is the snippets of applause between the shots. The audience has to time them to perfection like at Wimbledon, so not to distract the players. But the intensity of watching these men pot these little balls on the table, and then a ripple of applause from around the arena (as though it were a child's game - thought clearly it's not easy!) is one of the strangest things. Funny, and seems to sum up the amusement of not really knowing what life is all about. Is it important the blue goes in the middle pocket to get back on the third red? Well, of course it is!

By the way, I've no idea who that bloke is in the picture. Clearly a besotted fan of snooker and not the theatre!