Doctor Who - The Stolen Earth
I've just watched the penultimate episode of the current series of Doctor Who. Sheer flippin' brilliance. Absolute TV magic, its no wonder this show has become the flagship of the BBC, not to mention a national institution. All those dark, little hints and clues throughout the series are drawing together. Earth assembles a collection of heavyweight Who heroes to take on the might of the new Dalek empire. There's a shock in store for the Doctor as he learns of the return of an old adversary, and what about that cliffhanger ending? Can't wait for next week's episode!

Waterstones Short Story Competition

Waterstones are currently running a short story competition, the prize being the opportunity to be published and a writing course. Anyway, I thought I may as well give it a go. As that fella from the National Lottery keeps telling me, you've got to be in it to win it. That reminds me, what were those numbers again...

Hutch

I love this photo. It was taken by a friend of mine. Its not a particularly great picture, but there is a funny story behind it.
I'd gone into Nottingham city centre to buy a suitcase, as I was going on holiday in a week or so (believe me it's these little details that add that extra special touch). Anyway, whilst in town, john, a friend of mine rang up and asked whether I wanted to meet up for a few beers and a chat. It seemed a pleasant way to kill a Saturday afternoon, so I agreed. I met John in "The Tap 'n' Tumbler" as agreed, but it seemed dead (unusual but it could have been due to the sunny weather), so we decided to head somewhere else.
Anyway, as we passed a restaurant John said "Mark, hold on a minute".
Grateful for the rest, remember I was lugging a hoofing great suitcase around with me, I stopped. John moved closer to the restaurant window and started fiddling about with his phone. Had I paid a little more attention I perhaps would have worked out what he was doing. Anyway, he suddenly turned around and said "We need to go now" and ran off down the street. The very next second, a middle-aged man comes tearing out of the restaurant and....oh my gawd...it's David Soul. Furthermore, he looks none too chuffed. He sees John belting his way down the street. He looks at me. I look at him. In retrospect I'd like to think there was a moment of understanding between us in that look. We both know what our pre-determined roles are and set out to fulfil them.
"Hey man, that's so f**k'in rude!" David bellows "C'mere"
I do my part. I turn and I run, as fast as my legs will carry me. David decides to give chase. I'm doing a decent job of getting away under the circumstances. Running down the street with a kingsize suitcase isn't easy, it's banging into my knees every other step. By the time I get it home, it won't be in any fit state for use. I carry on and I think I'm beginning to outdistance the Soul man when disaster strikes (misfortune can be a cruel mistress). I begin to realise the hilarity of the situation. I'm running down the street with a huge suitcase, being chased by 'Hutch' and I don't know why. I suddenly start to laugh and I just can't stop. I begin to lose pace, the suitcase has become twisted around my legs and tears of laughter are pouring down my face. All of this just seems to make Dave even more angry now that he's caught me up. 'Hutch' launches into a full vocal assault. I manage to compose myself and do the only sensible and mature thing that I can under the circumstances. I turn and run...again.

Of course later I realised what John was up to...taking this photo. Still he was kind enough to forward a copy to me.