All in All

Right, it's no secret that I love Abba, but there's one thing I've never quite understood.

They were one of the biggest bands of the 70s and early 80s, they were perfectionists and had a rottweiler of a litigatious manager in Stig Anderson. So on that basis, how on earth did this end up being the cover photo for the 1983 double album, 'The Singles, The First 10 Years'? I mean, didn't they look in the mirror and think, "No, these dresses are a big mistake"?

I have no idea about what's going on with Agnetha's shoulderpad and just what is that thing in Frida's cleavage?

Bad fashion faux pas, sorry guys.

Well this is just getting ridiculous. I'm all for comics increasing in their popularity, but only if it doesn't stop me from getting what I want.

Yesterday (Thursday) was new comics day. By the time I got to my comic store(s) - I tried both - at 5.30pm, every single copy of Wonder Woman was sold out. This never happens.

So why has it happened now? Well, this was the final part of a four part Superman story and Superman is surprisingly going through a bit of a popularity renaissance at the moment (I say surprisingly because I've always found him boring), so I assume all the Superman fans who wouldn't normally look twice at Wondy were all there first. What happened? Well as far as I can tell from messageboards, Superman has spent the past three parts being brainwashed and beating the living hell out of Batman and the rest of the Justice League. Now, Wondy actually shows that she is his match for strength etc, uses her tiara to slash Superman's throat (class!) and then kills the person who is controlling Superman as this is the only way to free Supes from the control.

This will have big implications on the future as heroes mustn't kill, so Supes and Bats will no longer trust her, the public will fear her and she will feel let down by the others for not supporting her.

Anyway, I know I was talking about dropping Wonder Woman a couple of months ago so it's a bit rich of me to now be complaining that I can't get hold of a copy, but my point is (I think) that with so many important issues coming up, will I need to take every Thursday off work to get there when the doors open in case I miss something? It's worse than trying to buy White Stripes tickets this morning (which I also failed at).

Of course I'm blaming the terrorist bombers - If the Piccadilly Line was still running I would have been able to make the trip during lunch and not been in this situation.

If anyone can get me a copy of Wonder Woman 219 I would be most grateful.

Once again, it's Home Alone Dad and dog, as Ian goes off filming in Rome this time.

Well, we don't care, do we, Marf? We're going to have fun, fun, fun while he's away, and still have time to fit the blind that's been hanging around waiting to be put up for a year now. And we'll have less than healthy food, and trash television. No, we'll be fine, honest.

Anyway, I'm off to see Luke Haines with Kieran tomorrow (sorry Marfs, home alone again, abandoned by both of us this time), so I'll be perfectly busy and entertained during this absence.

Come home soon, though, Daddy I.

Well, what could be better? Not only have I just had my pc upgraded so everything is faster and less virus ridden than ever, but Blogger have now added an 'add picture' function to make it even easier than before to put in a picture to sum up what you are talking about. Sorry Picassa and Hello, your time has come and gone.

So to celebrate, what better than the lovely Alan Shearer without his shirt on. Lovely Alan, as we often refer to him, has been a constant bonding link between Mac and I since practically the day we met. I don't care that he's not pop star pretty like the Beckhams of this world, he's just what the doctor ordered as far as football players are concerned.

Well, yesterday there was a failed attempt to bomb more of the Underground. More disruption on the transport system. More admirable praise of Londoners carrying on regardless with that Blitz-like stiff upper lip. More conspiracy theories. No, we're not afraid, so there.

But is that really true? Yes, I haven't stopped using the Tube and will carry on even though I could switch to the overground. But that doesn't mean to say that I'm not checking out every person in the carriage in case they could be a bomber, hating myself for scrutinising men of Asian descent carrying bags with more suspicion than others, feeling a great sense of relief whenever we get into a station and the doors open, especially the station of my destination.

Truth be told, actually I am afraid. Afraid for me, and for eveyone I know and care about. I'll carry on as normal, but that won't stop me being afraid because there's no end in sight, and I don't think you can say that there will ever be one. The four would-be bombers escaped yesterday (what? No-one tried to stop them? See, we are afraid) so they are still out there, and how many more are hiding in the wings? Someone has been shot dead at Stockwell (which is too close to my home for my liking). Is he one of the four, or was he part of wave 3?

I'm sorry, I should be more "British" and "not be afraid", but it's starting to get to me.

My dear friend Keith Boadwee from San Francisco has published this photo of the four of us which I thought was so wonderful that I had to steal it immediately. Left to Right, the adorable Kenny (Keith's boyfriend), Keith, myself, and best boyfriend Ian. If I remember correctly this photo was taken at the Turner Prize opening a couple of years ago when Keith's friend Anya was nominated (and along with the other nominees, unfairly lost to the totally overrated Grayson Perry). We love Keith and Kenny so much and fingers crossed will be seeing them later in the year when we can inundate the Blogger network with photos of them. We love you, guys!

Far too busy workwise to blog last week. So a brief round up and then normal service should be resumed later in the week.

Transport and London feel much the same as before the bombs, although I'm conscious of being more alert watching everyone on the train.

Despite what I said previously, not a single comic title has yet been dropped from my monthly purchases. Wonder Woman has improved slightly, I still don't know why I am buying Aquaman, Titans, Outsiders and Donna Troy still on my favourites list, although I was very disappointed with the 4-part crossover, Fables constant as ever. Sad but not surprised to see Books of Magick has been cancelled with the last issue in October.

Post-Montreux gigs - Super Furry Animals at Somerset House (pity the audience were only after a greatest hits show. I like SFA but have come to the conclusion that the average person going to see them in London should be barred from ever attending a gig again). Sigur Ros at Somerset House (beautiful). Architecture in Helsinki (fantastic, although it was a tiny venue and there are eight of them and they have come from Australia, so I have no idea how they are making any money out of this). Kathryn Williams at St James' Church (beautuful). Coco Rosie at Bush Hall (great, but I wish they didn't insist on sitting practially on the stage floor. I'm only 5ft 8 and couldn't see a thing)

I have been wondering whether to say anything about yesterday or not.

The notion that we could be a terrorist target has I guess been in every Londoner's mind ever since 9/11, and especially since the war in Iraq, but it's another thing when something like this actually happens. The shock and fear as the news gets out, as well as trying to find out what;'s actually been happening and what are the actual facts. Then the urgent ringing, emailing, texting to make sure everyone is okay, and to let everyone know that you are fine.

It makes you realise how many people you care about, and how many care about you. I had calls and emails from as far as the States and Australia, friends I haven't been in touch with in months, business contacts, so many people. So if anything, that's the message to send to these terrorists - their actions have actually brought the population closer together, and doing so you'll never win.

Today I'm back, sitting at my desk in my office, using the same public transport to get in, meeting friends for a concert tonight and celebrating my dearest Ian's 40th birthday. Nothing and no-one is going to scare me into changing my way of life. So you've failed, Mr Terrorist, like you always do and always will.

We're just back from the Montreux Jazz Festival, where we used the excuse of having a celebratory long weekend treat for our joint 40th birthdays in order to see Kraftwerk and Queens of the Stone Age in small intimate venues.

Well, Montreux was great. I felt a little but cheated at the way that you have to buy special non-refundable "Jazz money" to buy any food or drinks at the place, but I guess we all have to make our money where we can.

Queens of the Stone Age were great but I could have done without (the admittedly do-able) Josh Homme drifting into an exceptionally long and dull guitar solo during 'No-one knows' at the end, but that's a minor quibble. The support were Eagles of Death Metal, who were quite simply dreadful. Just an average pub rock band who happen to be best mates with Josh and so get the great gigs.

But Kraftwerk. Really, really great. AND we were sufficiently close to see that they do actually do things and not just play a pre-programmed backing track. Great slowed down version of 'Autobahn'. At least 4 dedicated fans dressed like the Man Machine in their red shirts with black ties. Bless.

But the oddest thing about Montreux? The statue of Freddie Mercury on the lakefront. Very odd (let alone all the merchandise - Freddie memorial baseball cap or nail file, anyone?

I so don't care about Live8, I'm fed up with it being the only thing in the papers or on the news, and yet you seem to be seen as some form of pariah for saying anything negative like that.

The timing, however, couldn't be better as ages back we booked tickets to go to the Montreux faestival this weekend to see Queens of the Stone Age and Kraftwerk, and so we can completely miss the terribly sincere and caring Chris Martin et al and actually enjoy music without worry all weekend.

See you next week!