tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810931438681479792024-03-13T18:58:05.521-07:00Agent Zig ZagAn occasional look at London's curios, inhabitants and visitors.Agent Zig Zaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02727546032713681964noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-481093143868147979.post-10042790335653676152011-01-31T11:31:00.000-08:002011-01-31T13:23:28.201-08:00The death of a Londoner. January 31st 2011.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhub7NQtWblzhMLHOg90m6Cx2042BT8spxnfiKSX_0FaFrLHfgSwMGLMyG5hnYjU3wdPdYuIIHMdDBhiYwOYhHbh9gmcNHAkZ_iHMQDzUNVeZAZtXeynJoY_j22IgAu4_10vMH-sulowPw/s1600/CIMG0831.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhub7NQtWblzhMLHOg90m6Cx2042BT8spxnfiKSX_0FaFrLHfgSwMGLMyG5hnYjU3wdPdYuIIHMdDBhiYwOYhHbh9gmcNHAkZ_iHMQDzUNVeZAZtXeynJoY_j22IgAu4_10vMH-sulowPw/s320/CIMG0831.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568437251391013938" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This is dedicated to the memory of a small Londoner who this morning died in my arms. A wee Lady who came into my life just over fifteen years ago and was more or less a constant companion to me ever since. She survived being born on the streets of Tooting in Southwest London where she was found wandering at the young age of 6-8 weeks old. She came to live with our family a few weeks before Christmas when she was 12 weeks old. An unusual step for the dog and cat home in Battersea, as we had informed by them that they do not like to home puppies and certainly not so close to Christmas. You see we asked for a puppy as we already had a boisterous German Shepherd bitch and did not want to introduce an adult dog into the family as we were not certain that she would accept it. However, fate intervened and there must have been something about the Zig Zag family that was agreeable to the staff at Battersea as we had a phone call telling us that a puppy that had been found by the police , was now available and we had a couple of days to get in and see it. <br /><br />We took along our German Shepherd to meet this new possible addition to the family. At first I was put off as this ugly looking little dog with it's big paws, but of course my children fell in love with her right away. At least the GSD showed indifference. <br /><br />We took her home and fretted as to whether or not the GSD would savage her that very night. And the usual argument as to whether or not the dog would be allowed to sleep in with the children. That was a big no and it was decided that she would sleep downstairs. After a period of time of being in the house the, as yet, nameless dog headed for the occupied basket of the GSD. Hearts went into mouths, breath was held and this Agent stood by to intervene in any unpleasantness. We needn't have worried, the GSD sniffed at this interloper and gave way to allow her access into the basket! We could hardly believe our eyes as our somewhat belligerent GSD made room for this wee bundle of hair, head and paws to snuggle into the GSD and promptly fall into a fitful sleep. This small dog was to become known as Sally's dog. (One of my daughters, who had pestered me for weeks to get a puppy as the GSd really is a one person dog).<br /><br />From that moment afterwards they were then inseparable buddies and never a cross growl passed between them. Of course the GSD passed on before the wee Lady but my other half took her to the veterinary when her time came. <br /><br />Unwittingly, the wee Lady has been the cause of much mirth amongst our family. When she came to be on her own she had a habit of trotting on ahead 20 or 30 metres, but never very far away. One day whilst enjoying a pleasant walk on a sun filled day, air alive with insects and butterflys, we had walked along the side of a trout filled stream and were now crossing a water meadow. The wee Lady had walked ahead and through a stile to greet some other walkers, the first sign of anyone else we had seen for sometime. She trotted past them and the followed them back through the stile towards us. Meanwhile we had stopped to just look back at the view and as this middle-age couple came towards us , we greeted them as according to our manners and the woman asked us; "Is this your dog?". There was no one else in sight and we stifled our laughter and relied in the affirmative. She then went on to say what a lovely dog she was. This is still an 'in' joke within the Zig Zag household. <br /><br />We have been blessed to have such a dog in our lives.Agent Zig Zaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02727546032713681964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-481093143868147979.post-91356618851175753162011-01-11T14:11:00.000-08:002011-01-12T06:55:40.751-08:00La Puce à l'oreille (A flea in her ear)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURtJgs6Ueeot1_AsCeHaGQ3jFWkHaLG5Z_9zJys46q30RW0f8Jnr-Rgu6cvDghEBkwsQB3oOsULjxIbysJnV_XER9yBnvIC9mami5cuoSv9jZ33TraA_xQXZDzJ0hXRz3bkcM4f-kVwQ/s1600/smallposter.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 140px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURtJgs6Ueeot1_AsCeHaGQ3jFWkHaLG5Z_9zJys46q30RW0f8Jnr-Rgu6cvDghEBkwsQB3oOsULjxIbysJnV_XER9yBnvIC9mami5cuoSv9jZ33TraA_xQXZDzJ0hXRz3bkcM4f-kVwQ/s400/smallposter.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561057758211545874" /></a><br /><br /><br />Hasn't London got some prime theatres and actors? I have been to the Old Vic for the second time to see A Flea in Her Ear. A classic example of British farce, except that it was written by a Frenchman, Georges Feydeau and set in Paris in 1900. <br /><br />Raymonde suspects her husband, Victor, of infidelity and she turns to her best friend, Lucienne, to help her gain proof. They concoct a ploy — based on a perfumed letter — to trap him at the Hotel Coq d'Or. In true Feydeau fashion the plan misfires; the plot is complicated by confused identities, revolving beds, a great many doors and the fact that the foolish hotel porter, Poche, is the exact double of Victor.<br /><br />Superbly acted amidst lovely set designs, this is a play worthy of spending your hard earned cash and going to see. Wonder at John Marquez's over the top portrayal of the manic hispanic character. I promise you, that you will laugh out loud. <br /><br />Superb!Agent Zig Zaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02727546032713681964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-481093143868147979.post-3407354950944070452011-01-01T09:24:00.000-08:002011-01-02T00:08:24.469-08:00Keeping Mummery.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFwyaIPcc1dbel30b0yW_Q5wv9UOshwDZPu_DMUClxaIlO7Pdn5VIDGcOjP0vNBt-kz-don1V6AJGBE4eqySR3XHiMyTF2CakebyFe_Jy8WlcLqFqI6T5cDJVuDXMsGK1aw1pnEovi7s/s1600/dragon.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 154px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFwyaIPcc1dbel30b0yW_Q5wv9UOshwDZPu_DMUClxaIlO7Pdn5VIDGcOjP0vNBt-kz-don1V6AJGBE4eqySR3XHiMyTF2CakebyFe_Jy8WlcLqFqI6T5cDJVuDXMsGK1aw1pnEovi7s/s400/dragon.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557275011657283906" /></a><br /><br />Twelth night will soon be upon us and I invite you all to join in a little revelry on Bank Holiday Monday.<br /><br /> On Monday 3rd January at 1pm, the theatre collective, the Lions part will be presenting their annual end-of-Christmas ritual The 12th night Mummers play. It's not actually Twelfth Night on the 3rd but it's the nearest holiday we can get. The event begins outside Shakespeare's Globe with the arrival of the Green Man, by boat, followed by the wassailing ritual. We then make the short procession to the Bankside Pier where the mummers play is performed featuring Father Christmas, St George, the Turkey Sniper, the Spanish Doctor, and Beelzebub. At the end we will find the King Bean and Queen Pea from the audience and have a coronation. From there we farandole off to the George Inn for mulled wine, ale food and Morris dancing and singing.<br /> <br />"A more oddly English event you could not hope to find in London."<br /><br />See <a href="http://www.thelionspart.co.uk/twelfthnight/">The Lions Part</a>Agent Zig Zaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02727546032713681964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-481093143868147979.post-1138222631389270712010-04-15T13:47:00.000-07:002010-04-16T06:33:39.826-07:00The Elephants in London<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKyGD0lab_EjChF9BjZEAVBnYMu5vSo_1fcMbr2UN9x3kyzIpHqnCSKg77G_Xt0GQe6HJb6A7gWaSNa7chwXOuqN1LDgh7dbiWjOcwQfJgz3UfeqMfZfg-cjdM6IUoMFRJTasqQF4yJeA/s1600/Elephant+Map.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKyGD0lab_EjChF9BjZEAVBnYMu5vSo_1fcMbr2UN9x3kyzIpHqnCSKg77G_Xt0GQe6HJb6A7gWaSNa7chwXOuqN1LDgh7dbiWjOcwQfJgz3UfeqMfZfg-cjdM6IUoMFRJTasqQF4yJeA/s320/Elephant+Map.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460470364293329138" /></a><br /><br /><br />The London Elephant parade will be upon us from the merry month of May. Remember those painted ceramic cows a few years ago, that were dotted around London? Well we are soon to see Baba the elephant and chums dotted around London. The map above shows where some of the elephants have been placed so far. They appear to be the brainchild of Mark Shand, of the charity Elephant Family and they will stand in prime locations across London for two months before their auction in July. Some have already been bought for £5,000 and the proceeds will then go to 20 wildlife charities actively working to protect the endangered Asian elephant — the smaller, forest-dwelling cousin to the better-known African — in India and across the continent. <br /><br />I first came across Mark Shand when he presented a lecture at the Royal Geographical Society about his adventures whilst travelling through India on an elephant, named Tara. I have read two of his travel books, Travels on My Elephant and River Dog and both are ripping good reads. His older sister is also the Duchess of Cornwell, although I had no idea about this fact until I read about it in the London evening newspaper. I wish this venture well and I would love to see a large amount of money raised for these charities. After all do we Londoner's not have a love affair with the elephant? We even have an area of London named after these magnificent creatures, The Elephant and Castle. The rumours about the area being so called comes from a corruption of "la Infanta de Castilla" referring to any of a number of Spanish princesses connected to English history including Eleanor of Castile, Catherine of Aragon, and Maria, daughter of Philip III of Spain. However, there is no trace of the informal name before a reference of 1765 when the Court Leet of the Manor of Walworth met at met at "Elephant and Castle, Newington" on 21 March 1765. If the pub had had a different name, then because of its prominence on the principal routes, the area likely would have been called by that name.<br /><br />Details of the parade <a href="http://elephantparadelondon.org/">here.</a>Agent Zig Zaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02727546032713681964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-481093143868147979.post-18306310357441857312010-04-07T08:09:00.000-07:002010-04-07T15:00:44.893-07:00New Wimbledon TheatreLast night I went to the musical 'Hot Flush' at the New Wimbledon Theatre. Who would have thought that a musical about the menopause would be so hilarious? I certainly didn't but I'm pleased to say that I had a very enjoyable time.<br /><br />The Theatre is about to celebrate it's centenary and is hosting an open day on 14th April with a grand opening at 11am by June Whitfield CBE. Throughout the day there are prizes to be won, such as the chance to fly across stage like Peter Pan. Theatre tickets for a year. There are workshops that include 1920's dance, lighting & sound and a family panto workshop. There will be stage make up demonstrations and songs from My Fair Lady performed by the Wimbledon Light Opera. The day culminates in a ghost tour at 6 pm. <br /><br />It is advisable to book for the dance workshops and ghost tour on wimbledonadmin@theambassadors.com<br /><br />Children U14 must be accompanied by an adult. <br /><br />More info <a href="http://westend.broadwayworld.com/article/New_Wimbledon_Theatre_Opens_Its_Doors_For_Easter_Holiday_Open_Day_20100324">here</a>Agent Zig Zaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02727546032713681964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-481093143868147979.post-8206455905350437002010-04-03T00:25:00.000-07:002010-04-03T00:32:42.977-07:00What to do over Easter?A couple of good plays currently showing that I can vouch for as being good or very good, are <br /><br />Sweet Nothings, playing at the Young Vic, explores the power of sexual longing, the cruelty of tradition and the vulnerability of those in love. It is directed by the feted Swiss/European director Luc Bondy. <br /><br />And on at the Duke of York's Theatre is that Alan Ayckbourn classic, Bedroom Farce. Very amusing and well acted.Agent Zig Zaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02727546032713681964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-481093143868147979.post-53085508327968442462010-03-22T14:37:00.000-07:002010-04-03T00:24:59.934-07:00The Art of CheeseNow I like cheese, but surely this is taking the biscuit? News has reached this agent's ears and assailed my olfactory bulb, that a restaurant dedicated to cheese opened sometime this year in Chelsea. Apparently the restaurant has a menu of a hundred different types of cheese. <br /><br />One review I read stated that they had enjoyed the lemon tarte du jour served with a tongue-tingling homemade blueberry sorbet. Now that sounds like my type of pudding! The restaurant even has cheese ice-cream on the menu. Can you imagine?<br /><br />I enjoy a nice piece of stilton with plum pudding as much as the next agent, but cheese ice-cream? Almost on par with cheese in a can. I shudder at the thought. I think I was put off cheese when I spent a lovely week in Switzerland. My hosts were proud of their region and epicurean delights, that mostly involved cheese. Raclette and fondue being amongst their favourites. But I failed to see the delights of eating fondue with or without kirsch, and after a week I looked forward to returning home to a cheese free month. <br /><br /> I realise that there may well be some of you that enjoy such folly in abandonment and for those of you who would care to? The name of this restaurant is <a href="http://artdufromage.co.uk/restaurant.htm">L'Art du Fromage</a> at 1a Langton Street, SW3<br /><br />Ben Gunn, eat your heart out!Agent Zig Zaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02727546032713681964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-481093143868147979.post-71236815167134561712010-02-27T08:57:00.000-08:002010-02-27T09:34:11.910-08:00PASIÓN DE BUENA VISTA<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ3wbINd_piXaKjJS8iLwK1mrfDWKZz2bZt_10UH1k-2UTEHHbmdOQX-cE4YHU7Ozyd8BdGyj9A3WTGw2NMlV1L_VPmOpWQUVbSdq_P_Glb53QpNy3enx3csg22XWojLRmgHvR0Btdx3Y/s1600-h/Pasion30.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 287px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ3wbINd_piXaKjJS8iLwK1mrfDWKZz2bZt_10UH1k-2UTEHHbmdOQX-cE4YHU7Ozyd8BdGyj9A3WTGw2NMlV1L_VPmOpWQUVbSdq_P_Glb53QpNy3enx3csg22XWojLRmgHvR0Btdx3Y/s320/Pasion30.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442975521752265266" /></a><br /><br /><br />Ever since hearing the trumpet playing of Alfredo 'Chocolate' Armenteros in NYC in my youth I have been partial to a little cuban music now and again. Some 50 years after the Buena Vista Social Club closed it's doors in Havana, that far sighted and entertaining musician Ry Cooder in partnership with Nick Gold travelled to Cuba and recorded an album with Cuban musicians that reflected the glory days of the Buena Vista Club in 1950's Cuba. This went on to become a world wide known album and a few years after the album release the German film director Wim Wender, made a documentary film of the Buena Vista Club performers. <br /><br /> Tomorrow night (Sunday 28th Feb) at the<a href="http://www.the-london-palladium.com/?gclid=CLrZmOiCk6ACFRhp4wodCi_meQ"> London Palladium</a> the Pasion De Buena Vista is visiting and putting on a show. Now this has little to do with the original line up of the Buena Vista Club. After all a number of those musicians might well have died since that album was recorded. But none the less the show features musicians and dancers from Cuba and it's got to be a reasonable night out, surely? A dear friend of mine has secured tickets and I look forward to attending.Agent Zig Zaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02727546032713681964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-481093143868147979.post-38041446713744768262010-02-11T09:53:00.000-08:002010-02-11T10:00:51.010-08:00The good folk at ClerkenwellJust up the road from the HQ The Knights Hospitaller under the Order of St John in Clerkenwell, on every Thursday evening the Islington Folk Club meets from 8pm prompt, at <br /><br />The Horseshoe<br />24 Clerkenwell Close<br />London<br />EC1R 0AG<br /><br />Nearest tube is Farringdon. <br /><br />I've never been but tonight I shall give it a go. After all if it gets too boring I can but have a 20 minute walk or so and be in my club. <br /><br />Tonight's offering is <a href="http://www.myspace.com/potatopotatoband">Potato, Potato</a> Never heard of them, neverless heard them. But I'm game to give something new a whirl.Agent Zig Zaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02727546032713681964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-481093143868147979.post-4237571331764790172010-02-09T15:38:00.000-08:002010-02-09T16:09:13.550-08:00A Broken Middle East: a wasted decade of war on terror<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFg9HvQrpucpnO9U9wetRcsC_SSkrwdrHx2hDZhi778N0qVk3PTkT4rr9zrxkPvazN3VK8yvIu5PJKVcJqXsc_ekaZ0b_qew0RdOY95skuZTHipPy31BNpbP9sPwWWrpyL7ql8CXG7bSA/s1600-h/LSE.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 236px; height: 84px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFg9HvQrpucpnO9U9wetRcsC_SSkrwdrHx2hDZhi778N0qVk3PTkT4rr9zrxkPvazN3VK8yvIu5PJKVcJqXsc_ekaZ0b_qew0RdOY95skuZTHipPy31BNpbP9sPwWWrpyL7ql8CXG7bSA/s320/LSE.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436394059789483730" /></a><br /><br />Did you know that almost every day in London there is an interesting lecture to which you, and I can attend. This one caught my eye and I would suggest that for any sane person with an interest in this current so called, 'war on terror' that you get out and attend this one. It is on tomorrow evening at the LSE. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">A Broken Middle East: a wasted decade of war on terror</span><br /><br />Department of International Relations inaugural public lecture<br /><br />Today’s Middle East is broken. The crisis of prolonged authoritarianism and failed economic policies have caused chronic poverty, pervasive corruption and the rise of extremism in Arab societies. A wasted decade of war on terror has reinforced widely held perceptions that the West is waging a crusade against Islam and Muslims.<br />Fawaz Gerges is a professor of Middle Eastern politics and international relations at LSE.<br /><br />Speaker(s):<br />Professor Fawaz A Gerges | talks <br />Chair: Howard Davies | talks <br /> <br />Date and Time:<br />10 February 2010 at 6:30 pm<br />Duration:<br />1 hour 30 minutes<br /> <br />Venue:<br />Sheikh Zayed Theatre, New Academic Building<br />London School of Economics<br />London<br />WC2A 2AE<br /><br />Entry is free and is on a first come first served basis.Agent Zig Zaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02727546032713681964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-481093143868147979.post-65124644297099571012010-01-26T16:58:00.000-08:002010-01-26T17:19:03.038-08:00Holocaust Memorial Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjmvO7sagpk-qFMVZtcMq9ysvFtmshuc3ZpolYkZNsH0DLzhUX3k4PADR7dC6lMnDjRHXgUJvkxvb-LaOgDdTJERQzqhpNCglNIuIuaHykAh6SdGbiT9ZEgj_V5O7bcYddKJD4afPQoA/s1600-h/Moon+through+the+trees.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjmvO7sagpk-qFMVZtcMq9ysvFtmshuc3ZpolYkZNsH0DLzhUX3k4PADR7dC6lMnDjRHXgUJvkxvb-LaOgDdTJERQzqhpNCglNIuIuaHykAh6SdGbiT9ZEgj_V5O7bcYddKJD4afPQoA/s320/Moon+through+the+trees.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431222348321879010" /></a><br />Last evening, but a few hours ago, I was enjoying a small libation at The Lord Hood, a traditional pub in Greenwich and at the same time listening and chatting to the musicians of the Greenwich Folk Club collective, and very good they were too. Amongst their conversation they were talking about it being Australia day and they were scratching their collective heads trying to think of something to play. But no one talked about today 27th January being <a href="http://www.hmd.org.uk/">Holocaust Memorial Day</a>. Is it because not many people in London know of this date, chosen as it was, as it was on the 27th January 1945 that the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau took place. I would urge all free thinking peoples to just take a moment to reflect on the Holocaust and to remember those millions of souls who died, persecuted by a deceitful and perverse government. Visit the web site and light a candle. I was the 19131st person to do so. Perhaps you will open a link to events in your area and make an effort to attend one, Whatever you do, I bid you, shalom.Agent Zig Zaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02727546032713681964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-481093143868147979.post-54958693577539306302010-01-18T03:54:00.000-08:002010-01-18T07:23:01.164-08:00Giving to charity?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxozhdxMj4tnWrFl167KLQeXa63dLZkNU9NX5dJy7-L5dJrBlON6tyN6Enj_Z_QFB9ZiPIoO1Rg8Z7RGUpqhvWs6eCkxlds6d1fmKyEfUhsJIABD9T4EMjb2ypTIqRbinHOxG8MUMvD4E/s1600-h/injured-boy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 260px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxozhdxMj4tnWrFl167KLQeXa63dLZkNU9NX5dJy7-L5dJrBlON6tyN6Enj_Z_QFB9ZiPIoO1Rg8Z7RGUpqhvWs6eCkxlds6d1fmKyEfUhsJIABD9T4EMjb2ypTIqRbinHOxG8MUMvD4E/s320/injured-boy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428097637600036322" /></a><br /><br />I meant to write this last week, and I had thought about writing about <a href="http://www.nyjo.org.uk/">The National Youth Jazz Orchestra </a>of G.B. whom it would appear are facing a shortage of funds in the upcoming fiscal year. The orchestra nurtures and encourages young talented musicians and I understand that Amy Winehouse was one of those who have benefitted from their philanthropy. According to Chairman, Nigel Tully, the orchestra requires £105,000 by April for it to continue. The orchestra costs £200,000 a year to run, which to my mind, does not seem to be a lot of money for such a jewel in the crown of British musical talent. They get £60,000 from <a href="http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/">Arts Council England</a> and the <a href="http://www.mbf.org.uk/">Musicians Benevolent Fund</a>. My plea was going to be, please make a donation and keep this worthwhile organisation solvent and allow it to continue in the sterling role that it has been carrying out for 47 years.<br /><br />But then one of the worst naturals disasters that has ever occurred in the world, hit one of the poorest countries in the Americas. That being the earthquake that hit Haiti. A large area of the country has been effected with several million people left without any water, food or shelter. Aid assistance to the country is being hampered by geographical difficulties and apparently the U.S. Army who have taken control of the airport and seemingly are concentrating on getting their military personnel on the ground before assisting charities. The international charity, Médecins Sans Frontière have complained that one of their aircraft carrying an inflatable field hospital was refused permission to land at the airport that services the country. Yet, Jets carrying VIPs such as US secretary of state Hillary Clinton, and Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, have been able to land. What do these idiots think they can do? Hot air is of no use to these unfortunate people caught up in the earthquake zone. It does irritate me that some people appear to make political gain out of their selfish acts. <br /><br />From some osmotic type of process I hold the knowledge that a mere £50 will pay a food pack for a family of four, that will feed them for two weeks. £50? Let's face it, there are a lot of people who live in the U.K. and other western countries, who would spend £50 on a night out and not even think twice about it. <br /><br />Now I'm not going to ask you Dear Reader to make any donation. That will be entirely up to you. But if you would care to help out your fellow man, then perhaps a donation via <a href="http://www.dec.org.uk/">The Disasters Emergency Committee</a> might just be what you are looking for? Or of you would prefer to make a donation via the telling bone, this be the number to call. 0370 60 60 900. (UK only).<br /><br />May your God go with you.Agent Zig Zaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02727546032713681964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-481093143868147979.post-1166210791001921642010-01-14T05:56:00.001-08:002010-01-14T12:04:03.181-08:00What a difference a day makes!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQc8q5OggAW8tEpiwZ9xM8HcD1W2Fhelh535newmG8udDVXaVulZztQhJuU2uZNIjkJPO04KskuBiR7wE5TtLSRPcUWyO10u6ZKZQvgGx4wewELYdIJqKttIouYzm-QynogHbCeNg-8M/s1600-h/DSCF0007.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQc8q5OggAW8tEpiwZ9xM8HcD1W2Fhelh535newmG8udDVXaVulZztQhJuU2uZNIjkJPO04KskuBiR7wE5TtLSRPcUWyO10u6ZKZQvgGx4wewELYdIJqKttIouYzm-QynogHbCeNg-8M/s320/DSCF0007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426594709699242562" /></a><br /><br />This is a picture of my garden today. Yesterday it was covered in snow after we had around 2 inches (5 cm) of snow fall the previous night. However, last night we had a lot of rain following a considerable change in temperature during the afternoon. The birds are frequent visitors and I'm sure that if they were capable of sentient thought they would be pleased that the snow has gone, and the weather has warmed up.Agent Zig Zaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02727546032713681964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-481093143868147979.post-29366776835522741062010-01-13T04:09:00.001-08:002010-01-13T06:55:03.096-08:00Winter Wonderland<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSTD5SSX9LFVNIpRz2aTAQh143jupKYndIhrBxtO9kv4Xva9f6OIgKy-N1YM-O8usaKv79jrruiXxiw8T_qGaSs6XD_G1tDpI0tHsTxyJsw8HAHSl2Zo0kF3HXKZOx7wGS4pzhLFhcAA/s1600-h/DSCF0004.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSTD5SSX9LFVNIpRz2aTAQh143jupKYndIhrBxtO9kv4Xva9f6OIgKy-N1YM-O8usaKv79jrruiXxiw8T_qGaSs6XD_G1tDpI0tHsTxyJsw8HAHSl2Zo0kF3HXKZOx7wGS4pzhLFhcAA/s320/DSCF0004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426205090817042434" /></a><br /><br />After a couple of days of warmer weather and snow melt, this scene greeted me on awakening this morning, traditionally the coldest day of the year. Snow really changes a landscape and gives it an ethereal quality, deadening noise as noise waves are absorbed within it's crystal make up. But snow also brings problems to our little feathered friends and it is especially important at times like this to put some food out to help the birds in their foraging for food. The RSPB gives some helpful tips on<a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/helpingbirds/feeding/whatfood/index.aspx"> what to feed</a> the birds that visit your garden. Attracting birds to your garden is a very wonderful thing to do and the little splashes of colour among the trees and shrubbery is a delight that lifts the spirits. Don't forget that it is equally important to put out some water on a cold or snowy day as the usual supply might well be frozen. A shallow dish such as a saucer is probably best.<br /><br />Here is another picture of my garden taken this morning.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZolDFWI26AJwuIpEcC9zL8CiypjpbNk3qrfG1GBc7WgmydlH8AdypW7TkzSrHZOlPc9jcebt55MLcSrp5yajgaD8mI7sH2v9qopQu-nk3Qpc0qr5-JlOl78sHcUyzWe7dUBDvoqqxERY/s1600-h/DSCF0003.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZolDFWI26AJwuIpEcC9zL8CiypjpbNk3qrfG1GBc7WgmydlH8AdypW7TkzSrHZOlPc9jcebt55MLcSrp5yajgaD8mI7sH2v9qopQu-nk3Qpc0qr5-JlOl78sHcUyzWe7dUBDvoqqxERY/s320/DSCF0003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426195962574059170" /></a>Agent Zig Zaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02727546032713681964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-481093143868147979.post-42215406912604324732010-01-13T03:17:00.000-08:002010-01-14T11:31:15.084-08:00Six Degrees of Separation - update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRbyI-CT3SG65FZ4Aa5Ld2SJlStaAb2tC626e0a1MEvwAhtbYzZc5s8WTGtqxQh-AdBoBYR8h0-jGgAVhW_2ZDRJ_9HcTpX7BIpmrghUknO56fNKuC2U3lm2a4n2grLOas3FcRc9hqDk/s1600-h/Six+Degrees~credits.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRbyI-CT3SG65FZ4Aa5Ld2SJlStaAb2tC626e0a1MEvwAhtbYzZc5s8WTGtqxQh-AdBoBYR8h0-jGgAVhW_2ZDRJ_9HcTpX7BIpmrghUknO56fNKuC2U3lm2a4n2grLOas3FcRc9hqDk/s320/Six+Degrees~credits.jpg" /></a><br /></div>I went to see this play last night at the Old Vic theatre. There was a sprinkling of 'luvvies' in the audience enjoying a pre-performance glass of champagne in the 'Air America' bar. I thoroughly enjoyed the play but at first I couldn't help wondering why John Guare had made the central character of Paul, a con-man into a hero. But then Americans have always worshipped their 'bad boys and girls', haven't they? I guess it started off with the likes of Billy the Kid, followed by John Dillinger, Bonnie And Clyde and most recently characters such as 'Omar Little' in the Wire.<br /><br />Rather than let me prattle on about what I thought were the highs and lows of the play, although they were mainly highs, especially <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://ashbee.net/rada/grad06/abi.jpg&imgrefurl=http://ashbee.net/rada/grad06/abi.html&h=301&w=240&sz=6&tbnid=lpEwC4wXfT9WsM:&tbnh=116&tbnw=92&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dobi%2Babili&usg=__d7NHBctaActuqO9v_zt0bqAo2Es=&ei=96tNS-PnL9CZjAeO0pnEDQ&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=5&ct=image&ved=0CBQQ9QEwBA">Obi Abili</a> who portrays the character, Paul. I will instead direct you to this well written <a href="http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/stage/theatre/article6979817.ece">piece</a> about said play.<br /><br />The play continues at the<a href="http://www.oldvictheatre.com/index.php"> Old Vic</a> until 3rd April and if you are under 25, you can purchase a ticket for £12.Agent Zig Zaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02727546032713681964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-481093143868147979.post-33002756157389317802010-01-11T01:04:00.000-08:002010-01-11T14:28:07.830-08:00Six Degrees of Separation<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UCWRIWGHYy0NIlQMECanXIERV8s4h0hYxSUzix6pJ24JECJzy1n34je293HdYQHDAmQuQNiYeigzWMOL7YrKlRG-YW-NzSUQPkg5NwaRGW2KJkaLiNWJUAaxBAfOiaDzpUSRGLOtJd4/s1600-h/six+degrees.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425416496645137970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UCWRIWGHYy0NIlQMECanXIERV8s4h0hYxSUzix6pJ24JECJzy1n34je293HdYQHDAmQuQNiYeigzWMOL7YrKlRG-YW-NzSUQPkg5NwaRGW2KJkaLiNWJUAaxBAfOiaDzpUSRGLOtJd4/s320/six+degrees.gif" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 150px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Copyright Old Vic)</span><br />
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</div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> first read about this supposition about five years ago. This theory proposes that every living person on this planet is but six people away from knowing somebody else. This is so, even if you have never actually met them. So in theory I am six degrees away from knowing Barack Obama, the incumbent president of the United States of America. This is how the theory is supposed to work. </span></span><span style="line-height: 25px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span style="line-height: 25px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If a person is one step away from each person they know and two steps away from each person who is known by one of the people they know, then everyone is at most six steps away from any other person on Earth. It was popularized by a </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_Degrees_of_Separation_(play)" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial; color: #002bb8; text-decoration: none;" title="Six Degrees of Separation (play)"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">play</span></span></a><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> written by </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Guare" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial; color: #002bb8; text-decoration: none;" title="John Guare"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">John Guare</span></span></a><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">. </span></span></span><br />
<div><span style="line-height: 25px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
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</div><div><span style="line-height: 25px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So I would think about who amongst my friends, colleagues or contacts is most likely to know someone who knows Mr. Barack Obama? I would then e-mail them and they in turn would e-mail somebody else and the theory is that within 6 people I would actually make contact with Mr. Obama. Now I happen to know a VP for Goldman Sachs as well as having some family contacts in Chicago (just by chance). I would then decide who would be most likely to be an important link in that chain and send them an e-mail and then wait and see if Mr. Obama gets in touch? I concede it's not really likely to occur, is it? But, one never knows. I know of an FBI agent who lives in Washington D.C. and perhaps through him I might just get my link? I hope to meet with this agent in the flesh later this year and I will promulgate my idea to him and see how I get on. I'll keep you posted!</span></span></span><br />
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</div><div><span style="line-height: 25px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now you might just be wondering, what has this to do with London? Well, at this present time, the <a href="http://www.oldvictheatre.com/whatson.php?id=56">Old Vic</a> theatre is staging a production of John Guare's play, 'Six Degrees of Separation'. This agent has secured tickets for this week and I'm looking forward to seeing this play. The play is inspired by real-life events of a flamboyant con artist who convinced wealthy residents in Manhattan that he was the son of actor, Sidney Poitier. Six Degrees of Separation is a supposedly a captivating study of society's pretensions that are exposed by one man's self-confidence and imagination.</span></span></span><br />
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</div><div><span style="line-height: 25px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This production features Lesley Manville, Obi Abili Anthony Head. All pictured above. </span></span></span><br />
</div><div><span style="line-height: 25px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
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</div><div><span style="line-height: 25px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm looking forward to seeing it and I will attempt to give you a critique. </span></span></span><br />
</div></div>Agent Zig Zaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02727546032713681964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-481093143868147979.post-88082599882561055372010-01-10T09:43:00.000-08:002010-01-10T12:58:14.231-08:00The Snow Queen Cometh.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ci3iR6vMR3bSV58QME1xVS2iWgwyU8gJ80c4D_eDvtmLkqP_PZrZhBMCOX1ichJ1RVNdKKg3LhN2WbNwJhKuKi5n7QQ_pMefop64K-IskfcsFJqbTSBUbQ0ox-Yhyphenhyphen31Luapb22QbB-E/s1600-h/Snow+Queen.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 174px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ci3iR6vMR3bSV58QME1xVS2iWgwyU8gJ80c4D_eDvtmLkqP_PZrZhBMCOX1ichJ1RVNdKKg3LhN2WbNwJhKuKi5n7QQ_pMefop64K-IskfcsFJqbTSBUbQ0ox-Yhyphenhyphen31Luapb22QbB-E/s320/Snow+Queen.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425170548161512450" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">(Photograph copyright of E.N.B)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>The icy grip of winter has reached the shores of the British isles. There is a lack of grit for the roads and of our inhabitants, some of whom are panic buying and stripping supermarket shelves of stock. The roads of London have remained relatively traffic light over the weekend with many of our inhabitants and visitors alike choosing to stay warm indoors. In the outer parts of London the footpaths are still icy underfoot and with threats of more snow over the next few days and the cold spell set to continue, misery is sure to be among the topic of conversation. Along with, 'Global warming! What global warming?'</div><div><br /></div><div>However, there is good news on the horizon, <a href="http://www.ballet.org.uk/">English National Ballet</a> have performances of Prokofiev's ballet, The Snow Queen, during the forthcoming week. This is the celebrated production by choreographer Michael Corder. I urge you to hurry and get your tickets for this stunning performance as it only has one week left in it's current run at the London Coliseum. </div><div><br /></div><div>The English National Ballet celebrates it's 60th birthday this year and to celebrate the company has plans to put on a traditional 'Edwardian' styled production of The Nutcracker in December. I'd recommend bookings tickets now as The Nutcracker is always a popular seasonal occasion. For those of you who cannot wait for December or perhaps holiday abroad, then check out their web site for plans to bring Swan Lake to at the Royal Albert Hall in June. You're sure to be in for a treat watching rising star Vadim Muntagirov and guest ballerina Polina Semionova. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Coliseum hides a little secret amongst it's restored Edwardian splendour. It has a lovely little bar on it's upper floor with a balcony that has views over the rooftops. Enjoy a chilled bottle of champers before a summer performance. </div>Agent Zig Zaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02727546032713681964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-481093143868147979.post-48073545599762764392010-01-08T03:53:00.000-08:002010-01-11T11:38:57.851-08:00Maharaja: The Splendour of India's Royal Courts<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih41KzS0Sxk0AXJJ3jSuNhV-6iJohT82eQ9MZ809P1rNgXNDqsn1DFZgiiOImwe_0un73xcu_Z71j4SLMQqOiTi6vdrLaOnZalj1-2SlpFGhPdvgI6yRR1dMxkqBgjj3MxO6TPjqcyUfI/s1600-h/Maharja+of+Mewars+Rolls+Royce.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424340724287020162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih41KzS0Sxk0AXJJ3jSuNhV-6iJohT82eQ9MZ809P1rNgXNDqsn1DFZgiiOImwe_0un73xcu_Z71j4SLMQqOiTi6vdrLaOnZalj1-2SlpFGhPdvgI6yRR1dMxkqBgjj3MxO6TPjqcyUfI/s320/Maharja+of+Mewars+Rolls+Royce.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 192px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
This is your last chance to go and see this wonderfully eclectic collection of the life and times of the Indian Maharajas from the 18th century through to the 20th century. The exhibition includes the 1927 Rolls Royce Phanthom (as pictured) that belonged to the Maharaja of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Map_rajasthan_mewar.png">Mewar</a>. There are also photographs by Man Ray, jewellery, fine clothing, some wonderful 1930's art deco furniture, such as the chunky library chair that has reading lights built into the head rest. Elsewhere in the exhibition there are wonderful works of Indian art and indeed illustrated historical documents. <br />
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</div><div>My favourite is the Cartier elephant mystery clock that was sold to the Maharajah of Nawanagar. The hands on this clock appear suspended in the middle of the see through clock face, with no visible mechanism to turn them. Truly astonishing and a beautifully <a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.cartier.com/var/cartier/storage/images/tell-me/living-heritage/patrimony/the-cartier-collection/exhibitions/loans-to-public-exhibitions/elephant-mystery-clock-zoom/11287171-1-eng-MS/elephant-mystery-clock-zoom_large.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.cartier.com/tell-me/living-heritage/patrimony/the-cartier-collection/exhibitions/loans-to-public-exhibitions&usg=__INGZhpiYhLDZtvexsxvMURPuxmU=&h=172&w=300&sz=5&hl=en&start=5&um=1&tbnid=itM2aS4eil0Z-M:&tbnh=67&tbnw=116&prev=/images%3Fq%3Delephant%2Bclock%2Bby%2Bcartier%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1">designed clock</a>.<br />
</div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">(To see the clock, open the link, then click on London, UK and then on discover some pieces)</span><br />
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</div><div>There is even a mock up of a life size elephant and horses that are adorned with bridlery and jewellery worn during a majestic procession. <br />
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</div><div>Here is a <a href="http://vimeo.com/7164607">link</a> to installing the procession - it is a time lapse video. Turn HD off for a better connection. <br />
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</div><div>With over 250 items on display there is surely something for everyone. But hurry as the exhibition is due to close on 17th January 2010. <br />
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</div><div>The <a href="http://www.vam.ac.uk/">V&A</a> Museum<br />
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</span></h1></span>Agent Zig Zaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02727546032713681964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-481093143868147979.post-81762175403597299752010-01-07T11:39:00.000-08:002010-01-07T16:30:00.912-08:00London's newest memorial<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpeqf7qtfJ7Fk_JCtGFLgbhMzeH2FEfr7zNhOnIA9OCY-hvXmxyt4YnH73UJPSN8EmiyVj4PXwpiATr4PiboWuCDxK5JKxSlHHKwRwTfnA0LaGg6o0JfTPX2em77Mml_XThWYewJDd6c/s1600-h/Jean+Charles+De+Menez.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpeqf7qtfJ7Fk_JCtGFLgbhMzeH2FEfr7zNhOnIA9OCY-hvXmxyt4YnH73UJPSN8EmiyVj4PXwpiATr4PiboWuCDxK5JKxSlHHKwRwTfnA0LaGg6o0JfTPX2em77Mml_XThWYewJDd6c/s320/Jean+Charles+De+Menez.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424085372443674354" /></a>This is London's newest memorial and it is in memory of Jean Charles de Menezes, the Brazilian who was shot dead by Metropolitan Police Officers during an anti-terrorist operation that went so horrendously wrong on the 22nd July 2005. It is a memorial that fills me with shame. Shame that I was/am part of the security services that are sworn to protect the innocents in society and bring to justice those that cause terror and criminal acts against the rest of society. On that day, something went very awry with the police operation that was surveilling a possible terrorist suspect following the bombing of the London tube and bus services a few weeks earlier. An agent in a O.P. failed to keep observation on the door of the suspects address as he/she was away answering a call of nature . Then in the street and away from the address he/she spies JeanCharles walking past them in the street. A call gets put out to the surveillance team that is nearby and they tail Jean Charles in the street and then onto a bus. At no time as I understand it have any of them identified Jean Charles as definitely being the suspected bomber that they were meant to be looking at. Equally, he was never ruled out fully as he very much resembled who they were looking for. Police surveillance officer 'Ivor' followed Jean Charles onto the bus and then off the bus into Stockwell Underground Station. 'Ivor' called this in and continued to follow Jean Charles onto a tube train. 'Ivor' sat three seats away from Jean Charles continuing to observe him. The train was still stationary at the platform with the doors open when the specialist armed officers of the Metropolitan Police CO19 firearms team came running onto the platform. 'Ivor' stated at the inquest that he had thought the 'intelligence' picture had changed and shouted to get the attention of the CO19 officers. 'Ivor' jumped up out of his seat and grabbed hold of Jean Charles de Menez . pinning his arms by his sides in a bear hug. To all intents and purposes and according to some observors, 'Ivor' had Jean Charles de Menez under control. Can you imaging 'Ivor's' surprise when the CO19 officers shot Jean Charles in the head whilst in his grip? According to some reports in the press that I recall reading at the time 'Ivor' was physically thrown from the train by a CO19 ooficer and had a gun pointed at him by another. He stated that he was frightened of being mistaken for a terrorist and being shot himself. I feel sorry for 'Ivor' in so many ways, as had this not ended up with the shooting of an innocent man, but he had grabbed an armed terrorist. Then 'Ivor' almost certainly would have been in line for a bravery award and probably a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Cross">George Cross</a>. In contrast, the <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8435507.stm">officer in charge</a> on the day of this fatal shooting of an innocent man has been awarded a Queens Police Medal in the New Year honours list for 2010.<div><br /></div><div>My sincerest condolences to the family of Jean Charles.</div>Agent Zig Zaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02727546032713681964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-481093143868147979.post-33622494143190698452010-01-05T11:41:00.000-08:002010-01-05T12:03:08.174-08:00Giving up smoking for a New Year resolution?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47XO3XG5t4UqUcYESlD2RJVnpHMsr3YAYmMI-2L7UKOsBeaI0apLO0_BA1kwCc6wKO2uO9vrXsXYezYuuAPaCUpXk15lFt8hoTr8EwNjlIpPj2H3uRS0WgRzMSNVss7INF7EsekGSZ8k/s1600-h/UCL_Portico.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 312px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47XO3XG5t4UqUcYESlD2RJVnpHMsr3YAYmMI-2L7UKOsBeaI0apLO0_BA1kwCc6wKO2uO9vrXsXYezYuuAPaCUpXk15lFt8hoTr8EwNjlIpPj2H3uRS0WgRzMSNVss7INF7EsekGSZ8k/s320/UCL_Portico.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423344336420278706" /></a><div> So have you made a resolution to give up cigarettes in 2010? If so you might be interested in attending a talk entitled 'Beating cigarette addiction - the latest evidence.' , at the Darwin Lecture Theatre at University College London (pictured). This will be on Thursday 19th January and begins at 1.15 p.m. prompt. The talk will be given by Professor Robert West and might just give you an insight into giving up the dreaded weed. I consider myself lucky in that I never really started smoking as I had been put off by literature that I had read in the dentist's waiting room when I was younger. Am I glad that I picked up those leaflets! </div><div><br /></div><div>I wish all of you who have made a resolution to have the strength to complete whatever it is you have resolved to achieve. I'm still sticking with mine that I made a couple of years ago in that I resolved not to make any. I haven't been disappointed so far. </div>Agent Zig Zaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02727546032713681964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-481093143868147979.post-36284411313604518302010-01-04T08:47:00.000-08:002010-01-07T15:40:56.732-08:00Doing the Lambeth Walk.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVJc55o2_VUgxB3W4AYzMP_Bdfgi85nlSeJvu9zOxCENNhG6FZDvQH1Lw4Mi3pLv-kWtJuWNAGufKx7LrMW6c9Ag3dMHU2Sl75rwUjZkprO9wN5UYxwFEDoSLdcAXFVQN4oG7RjhNX1M/s1600-h/OSS+Memorial.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVJc55o2_VUgxB3W4AYzMP_Bdfgi85nlSeJvu9zOxCENNhG6FZDvQH1Lw4Mi3pLv-kWtJuWNAGufKx7LrMW6c9Ag3dMHU2Sl75rwUjZkprO9wN5UYxwFEDoSLdcAXFVQN4oG7RjhNX1M/s320/OSS+Memorial.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423316320384806082" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This photograph is of the S.O.E memorial that was unveiled on 4th October 2009 by the modern day Duke of Wellington. It is situated on the opposite side of the Thames river to Parliament and is outside Lambeth Palace and near to Lambeth Bridge.</div><div><br /></div><div>The statue depicts Violette Szabo (G.C) and is by the sculptor <a href="http://www.karen-newman.com/">Karen Newman.</a> </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.violette-szabo-museum.co.uk/">Violette Szabo</a> was but one of many brave women (and men) who fought for this country in the Second World War. For me one of the most striking facts about the S.O.E is that many were foreign born but happily embraced the way of life in Britain and willingly volunteered to fight against the dark shadow of Nazism that threatened to envelope Europe at that time. Unlike <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/6927633/Muslim-cleric-Anjem-Choudary-vows-to-continue-Wootton-Bassett-march.html">Anjem Choudary</a> and his group Islam4UK who are planning to hold a march in Wooton Bassett, the town near RAF Lyneham where the bodies of British soldiers who have been killed in conflict are flown back to.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hearses, bearing 'our glorious dead' are driven at a respectable pace through the town and many British people line the streets in reverent silence. Although I consider that Choudary has a point about innocent muslim men, women and children being killed. I do not think it will do him or his group any credit to stage such a demonstration in this town. I think that the patience of the British people are starting to wear thin and if he does try to go ahead with this demonstration he is likely to be met with some resistance. </div><div><br /></div><div>Next time you are in London, take a walk along the riverbank and enjoy views of the Houses of Parliament. Take a closer look at the lamp posts that stand on the river bank here. What fish is entwined on each post? Some guide books will tell you that they are Dolphins (not a fish) but if you look closely I believe you will find that they are in fact Sturgeon. Yes, sturgeon at one time used to populate the Thames in rare numbers and in the middle ages it was declared to be a Royal fish by Edward II. There is at least one reference to a recipe for sturgeon from a fifteenth century paper found in the Library of Mr. Samuel Pepys:<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Times, serif;font-size:small;"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times, serif;font-size:small;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b>“Take and lay hym in Water over nyght seth hym and let hym kele and lay hym in vyneAger or yn Aysell that sauce in kyndely ther to serue hit furth”.</b></span></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">See MS Pepys 1047 (n.d.) (dated by British Library to the Fifteenth Century) </span></span></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I gleaned the above fact about sturgeon from a fascinating paper, <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica, serif;"><a href="http://lsr.nellco.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1015&context=rwu_fp">Like a Sturgeon?: Royal Fish, Royal </a></span></span></span></div> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 21.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a href="http://lsr.nellco.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1015&context=rwu_fp">Prerogative and Modern Executive Power</a></span><span style="font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a href="http://lsr.nellco.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1015&context=rwu_fp"> by Jonathan M. Gutoff </a></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 21.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 21.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Talking of fish I've often enjoyed lunch at the <a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/52/566761/restaurant/London/Masters-Super-Fish-Waterloo">Masters Super Fish</a> Restaurant at 1<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">91 Waterloo Rd <span class="locality"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Waterloo</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, SE1</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">. This is but a 15 minute walk away and although first impressions regarding the decor might be a bit off putting, don't be fooled as you will probably get the best Fish and Chip lunch in London here for less than £10. The fish is fresh and consequently this place is not open on a Sunday or a Monday.</span></span></span></p></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Agent Zig Zaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02727546032713681964noreply@blogger.com0