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Re-watching The Wizard of Oz on TV over the Christmas break reminded me of an incident that happened to me whilst on holiday in Las Vegas in October.

Most of the the large hotel casinos have the same gaming machines, primarily because they’re owned by the same company, on this visit there were new machines based on The Wizard of Oz, they were proving very popular and sometimes you had to queue to get on them, they were very entertaining and you could win quite a bit of money on them if you played at the right time.

Playing on the machines made me realise that I’d never actually read the book by Frank L. Baum. So, whilst out shopping and passing a Border’s bookstore, I called in to buy a copy.

Whilst at the counter paying for the book, the young man behind the counter asked ”Would you be interested in the DVD box set, they’re celebrating its 20th anniversary or something!”

I stood slightly shocked; lost for words even. After a second or two I replied, “No thank you, region 1 DVDs don’t play in European DVD players and I think you’ll find that it’s the films 75th anniversary not 20th.”

He stared at me and replied “Really? Is it that old?”

“Yes, and the book is a lot older than that, the book is 109 years old”  I responded.

“No Way!” he exclaimed, picking my book up from the counter and handing me my change.

“Yes, perhaps you ought to have a break from your playstation once in a while and discover your literary heritage, it may prove useful considering you work in a bookstore.” I responded before walking away from the counter.

So, to Dorothy and her silver shoes (please note, not ruby!), Toto, Scarecrow, Tin Woodman and Cowardly Lion, A happy 110th birthday!

As a Christmas gift “The Beloved” and I were given tickets to see the Northern Ballet Company perform Peter Pan at the Grand Theatre in Leeds. I’ve seen the Northern Ballet perform before with productions such as Romeo and Juliet and also Dracula, so I knew that they could do a good performance when dealing with subjects other than the traditional “Swan Lake” type material.

Peter Pan was excellent, the sets and costumes were fabulous, including the pantomine style Nana the dog! But the best thing about the performance had to be the wire work. How anyone can still perform dance moves while flying through the air is beyond me, it looked magical! Peter Pan flew across the stage, landing on very small areas such as bedposts and mantlepieces, danced and flew off again, balancing precariously on any object he fancied.

The performance is highly recommended if you get a chance, it’s a show I’d gladly go back to see if they do it again later in the year.

I’ve finally got around to putting some of the photos of our trip earlier this year into a format suitable for viewing. Here are some of the things we got up to! For best viewing click on the full page gallery in the bottom right hand corner.

I’ve just been handed a truffle log to savour with a cup of coffee. As you can see from the photo below, I don’t think I’ll be eating it as it looks rather too much like something else.

Who am I kidding? Of course I’m going to eat it, it’s covered in chocolate!

A little something to cheer us all up! Ah, the classics of comedy! The world is a sadder place without Eric!

For years they shared a bed on TV, because for years that’s exactly what they did in real life. When staying in digs touring with their act, they’d only book one room with usually only one bed to cut down the cost. There was never anything sexual or gay about it and it just carried on into their comedy. It was never questioned or mentioned. Strange isn’t it!

Shopping with mother tonight for groceries was a complete eye opener for me. It was sheer and utter madness. I could only presume that the frenzy of buying was due to the fact that the shops will be shut for exactly one day.

It was bizarre to watch women snatching pork pies and sausage rolls off the shelves like we’re experiencing a famine. Bags of grain being handed out in third world countries are received with more decorum than I witnessed tonight.

Tempers and exasperation knew no bounds, I actually heard one man say to his wife “Oh shut up woman or you’ll get a slap!” Now really! Is this true British behaviour?

We’re supposed to be cool and collected and be at home standing in queues. It’s what we do best. Not this mad trolley rage that I experienced this evening.

Get a grip Britain!

One of the funniest sketches ever!

Here’s New Moon star Taylor Lautner, showing us that he also is a victim of fashion and can generate his own full moon!

There’s a lot of buzz on the t’internet about handsome Taylor’s sexuality, but I’m not going to comment as he’s only 16 and it would be just plain wrong and I’m digging a hole for myself right now and I should just stop….

Yesterday, for some reason, I forget why, someone asked me what the difference was between murder and manslaughter. My reply was of course that murder is when a person deliberatley sets out to end the life of another person. Manslaughter on the other hand is when, through either incompetence, neglect or inaction, someone loses their life.

Quite simple really.

But when I’m in charge I’m going to bring out a new charge, one of “Thwarted manslaughter”. This will be, for example, when someone is found to be carrying a knife or other weapon or when someone is caught using a mobile phone while driving or neglecting to carry out necessary maintenance on transport vehicles or when someone leaves home on a snowy morning and doesn’t clean their lights, windows and roof of loose snow or anyone who drives in an antisocial and reckless manner in bad weather.

The charge of thwarted manslaughter can be brought when someone is caught doing something which could ultimately lead to someone’s death, but has been prevented. The sentence for thwarted manslaughter will carry a mandatory 5 year prison sentence with enforced community service.

While I’m at it,  I’m bringing out another one specifically for the guy that orchestrated the campaign against Joe McElderry’s bid for the Christmas No1. That charge will be Spite and his punishment will be to be locked in a room and forced to listen to Rage Against The Machine, non stop; 24 hours a day until Christmas Day 2010.