I Feel Like Chicken Tonight

Hello everyone,

Today is my last re-visited blog. I have run out of them so this is the last 'blast from the past' for all my new fans. I know it's sad for you all but you must not let it get you too down. If it does I would phone Childline or the Samiritans. When you get through ask for Esther Rantzen and say that I sent you.

The blog below goes back to last Summer in the UK. It was a time of revolution and change. Not only had Facebook taken the UK by storm but Crystal Palace had the grand opening if 'Shecky's Chicken Shack'. Would life ever be the same again?

As an aside I will write a new blog over the weekend about how life is been since we returned to LA. That is something to look forward too I’m sure you will agree.

Marc

p.s. Once again the 'revisited' comments are in Brenden Brackets and Barry Bold.

Friday, June 08, 2007

I feel like chicken tonight...

Here I am with another blog on the myspace. I wonder if it will be last? Don't worry kids I'm not dying and I don't have AIDS or anything like that. It's just that everyone keeps telling me that myspace is dead as its now run and used by corporate dudes. Apparently I should be on the facebook where you have friend groups or that kind of jazz. Apparently there is no music on the facebook but that could a good thing. There is nothing worse then getting all excited when you see that you have a friend request from someone, just to find out that its some band trying to get their friend numbers up with some random request. I always decline these fools. (I did indeed leave the myspace. I got a 'facebook' account which I still enjoy today. And I set up a blog here. The rest, as they say, is history).

I have been pondering today about what is better out of ‘Nandos’ or ‘Shecky's Chicken Shack. As most of you will know I am a fan of fine eating. I like nice restaurants and all the bits and bobs that go with it (such as stimulating conversation, fine wines and even dressing up). I must admit though that every now and then I like to join in with the working man and go to Nandos. Even though I want to be vegetarian I can't resist their chicken with hot peri peri sauce. The best thing is though that you can have bottomless coke. You are allowed to get as many drinks as you like from the machine. I normally have about four litres worth then I am high as a kite for the rest of the day on caffeine and e-numbers. It is the best fun ever. But in Crystal Palace (where I live) there was rumours of Nando's opening on what we new residents call 'the triangle'. Dudes like Jim Bob who have lived there for years say that its just us newbies that call it that but I digress (besides 'The Traingle' is a great name). I was so happy as I am growing to love the Palace, and having a Nandos would make my life complete.


Some residents were up in arms though as 'The Triangle' whilst full of loads of ace pubs and places to eat doesn't have many chains (though having said that there is a Pizza Express and a Cafe Neros now - but you get what I mean. There is a lot of independent places). It turned out though that it wasn't Nandos, but a new chicken pretender to the throne, Shecky's Chicken Shack. What would it be like? Could it live up to Nandos? I could not sleep for the worry. Would my dreams be ruined? Well, last night Emma took me to Shecky's as a treat. She is a vegetarian so that is love for you isn't it? They did have this veggie wrap thing, that she had with rice and corn on the cob. I couldn't look at Emma's plate as I hate sweetcorn. It is my worst food ever and I actually vomit if I eat it. I despise it in all formats. I couldn't moan at the Emster for having it though as she was in Shecky's after all. Anyway my chicken came (I also got lots of sides and chips) and it was delicious. And the good thing is that they have copied Nando's bottomless coke idea so I had three glasses. I had to go the toilet in the night about five times but it was worth it. I think Nando's still wins as it was first, but I liked Shecky's and there was no chavs there. And Nandos does encourage the chavs. So hooray for Shecky's Chicken Shack.

(I would seriously live to regret these comments dear readers. The next time I went back to the Chicken Shack it was rubbish. They ran out of chicken – at a chicken shack! And they were dead rude when I moaned about the aforementioned lack of chicken. From memory I got cross and James Brierley had to calm me down. This occured after a new pub we had visited forgot our food order and left us starving like a poor little famine victim. It was a bad night foodwise you could say. I think Sinead Taylor posted some bad reviews on virtualnorwood.com such was her fury with the pub. Anyway it was no surprise when Shecky’s shut down soon after. This is a shame as they could have been friends with the chicken lovers like me. It is business rule no. 1 though that if you don’t have chicken in your chicken shack then what chance do you have. It’s replacement was ‘Prezzo’s’. This closed down in two weeks. The place is cursed, or either that and both places were rubbish. I should point out that in America Land you always get coke refills. It is the norm here and I for one salute the Americans on this policy. Lets hope that if this Obama dude gets voted in then he doesn't revoke free coke refills . I like this Obama fella a lot, but I wouldn't be so keen if he stops the free coke.)

On an advertising front I am on a podcast. How exciting is that? I bet you have just done a burp or something you are in such a frenzy at this news. If you have an interest in Arsenal, football or you would just like to hear me chat you should check this mutha out. It is the first in what will be a long line of Gooner podcasts. I have been writing for the magazine for 10 years now, so it's good to do the first podcast of what is a fine publication. http://www.onlinegooner.com/exclusive/index.php?id=326 (I did a few fair of these podcasts and I was great in every one. They aren’t as great now as I’ve gone to the US and I’m not in them any more. I still listen to them though as that’s the kinda guy I am).

It is my brother, Jon's (or Jonathan as I call him, though he hates being called that so I shall never stop) birthday tomorrow. He will be 25 for all of you interested in ages and that kind of jazz. We are going bowling. I am rubbish at bowling. My top score is about 70. I wish I was good at things that involved co-ordination but I am just not. It has taken me a couple of years to learn how to drive. I do get there in the end but it doesn't come easy. I blame it on being left handed. Either that or I'm poo at everything. I'll stick with the left handed option. If you were left handed one hundred years ago they used to cut your hand off and bugger you and everything. We live in enlightened times when you think about it. ( I have since got a bowling score of 96. I am getting better every year readers. I pretty much hit the pins every time, I just need some spares and strikes)

I reckon I should finish now. I'm never quite sure where to stop these things. Tomorrow Emma and I are shopping for wedding rings and looking for stuff for our wedding list. I'm actually dead excited about that. And when we've finished we shall head off to little Jonathan Ollington's bowling bonanza. I may get a little tipsy as no doubt he and those crazy Cable Street Spy Club boys will be. And then on Sunday Emma and I are going to Brighton. I'm not turning into a gay* but we are off to have lunch with Vicki and Gary (Emma's sister and husband). They live in The Brighton. it has a beach and everything. Why don't you let me know on the comments what you plan to do this weekend? Or if it's Monday don't bother. Instead just tell me about if you like The Nandos.

Until next time, cheerio.

Marc

* For all you homosexuals, and friends of homosexuals that is obviously a joke. I am a fan of the Pet Shop Boys, I like Abba and I am very house proud. I am practically a gay myself. Apart from the fact that I don't want to kiss a man or to touch one in a rude way.