Thursday 6 January 2005

I suppose in the spirit of fairness and in the light of some of the feedback I got from yesterday's Blog, I should, perhaps say that the people in Leigh can be very friendly and....oh yeah the motorway links are good!
Some might say (c. Noel Gallagher) that the city I'm from isn't exactly a multi cultural metropolis. Some may even go further and say that they "don't get Sunderland" (c. Some soft southern puff!). My home town has it's faults, it's obvious that Thatcher ripped the heart and soul from the place in the mid to late 80's by putting over 30,000 people out of work. Yet, despite living in the shadow of it's much smaller neighbour N**c***le, wonders have been performed in re-igniting the spirit of the city and it's people. Granted I'd rather see men toiling where the marina now stands, however the centre has been transformed into a nice compact shopping village with two decent department stores and the world's largest Poundland (somewhere to get all those batteries for your gadgets and rust cleaner for when you've given up using the bicycle!). We also have a magnificent coastline, somewhere to chill, eat dreadful bacon sarni's and watch people have fun at the National Watersports Centre!We are rightfully proud of our beaches in County Durham, they are ours and whilst we do appreciate that the Northumberland coast is beautiful, it is, just that, the Northumberland coast. Last time I looked N**c***le didn't have one. The Empire Theatre is something else to be proud of, now with an extended stage we have the largest of all the north east regional theatres. The nicest new stadium in England, the most loyal set of fans, thankfully no equivalent to the notorious Pigg Market, the best social housing in the UK, thanks to a Labour Administration voted in every time since 1947. Oh and the greatest comedian of all time..Bobby Thompson.
Spent a convivial few hours in one of my favourite places last night. Yes, I was in Bradford (again, much maligned, wrongly in my opinion). I was in a lovely pub, high up on Baildon Moor. I wish all nights could be this friendly and easy.
I was back home in time to watch the previous night's "Shameless", classic writing and truly powerful performances. Paul Abbot has tapped into the Chav culture so accurately. I had the pleasure of meeting said Mr. Abbot and I have worked on one or two of his dramas. He is a class act.
Quote of the week:
Customer in pub
"Can you tell me what the Italian Steak is, exactly?"
Spotty teenage Waitress
"It's er....steak in, er...Italian Sauce"
Customer (OK then, it was me!!!)
"What's the Italian sauce like?"
Spotty, annoying as fuck, gum chewing Waitress
"It's got 'erbs and that in it"
And we fought for a minimum wage so twats like her could have money to save up for a double buggy and hair straighteners for little Courtney-Lee and Davina-Magenta!
Shameless indeed!
FTM!