Scribblings from the Mitchy Side

So on Wednesday, I took the afternoon off and scampered London-wards, for verily and forsooth, I had six tickets for that day's recording of QI.

I had good fortune with the trains all the way there, starting from when I managed to catch my train of choice by 30 seconds, and arrived at Waterloo at 3.15. I found a seat near the clock, where I'd arranged to meet itsjustaname, adelpha, kelemvor and thalinoviel.

thalinoviel was the first to arrive, swiftly followed by itsjustaname. We were quite smug that the women had arrived early and before the men. However, adelpha and kelemvor arrived not three minutes later and at my urging, even though we were early, we headed off towards the London Studios. I explained that I'd read the small print that morning and it did say that entrance wasn't guaranteed. Ulp!

Now all we had by way of directions was "Follow the signs for the National Theatre", but itsjustaname had a trusty map which revealed that the old LWT studios were next to the National Theatre, so we felt confident we were heading the right way. After a trek across the bridge and a couple of minutes walk I saw the back of a long queue....."Uhh, see that queue up there?" There was muttering but we were optimistic that we would still get in. While we were waiting, we were joined by silenttex, so our group was complete.

Right on time, the gates were opened and the queue started shuffling down. We were in the last batch of 40 they allowed in! Phew! This meant we were right at the back of the studio, but it was ok, there was still a clear view of the studio floor and there were monitors everywhere that showed what was going on, so you could see everything.

After the warm-up guy had done his stuff - he was quite funny actually and did his job well - Stephen Fry was introduced to rapturous applause. He then introduced the guests - Sean Locke, Jimmy Carr, Jo Brand and regular panellist Alan Davies. It was entirely Alan's fault that the show was being recorded in the afternoon, as he was due to scamper off in a fast car at six thirty in a bid to get up to Highbury for Arsenal's Champions League game against Villarreal :) At least he doesn't support Chelsea or Man U, because then I'd have to dislike him a little bit!

The show was brilliant, they filmed for about an hour and a quarter, with another 15 minutes of pick up shots at the end. The amount of stuff that WON'T make it into the show was a revelation. When I saw Have I Got News For You being recorded many years ago, nearly all of what we saw went in. Not the case here, they give the panellists free rein and then I think they pray they can get 30 minutes of footage that won't give the BBC2 powers that be a conniption fit. Interestingly, quite a few of the answers and Stephen Fry's responses were re-filmed at the end and I have to say, they did a good job of making it look like it was the first time they'd asked/answered those questions. I've long forgotten nearly everything that was said now and I have to confess, I did have problems hearing a lot of it. Stephen Fry mumbles, damn him! However, I heard enough to thoroughly enjoy myself and giggle a lot :) Next time I will get there really, really early and bag myself a seat nearer the front :)

Work has been busy this week and I've been immensely thankful it was a short week. I've been wrestling with financial returns and as I'm not a trained accountant or even a vaguely competent mathematician, it's been a struggle. However, the end is in sight and next week, PartyGirl has bagged me to help her with the Nursery Education Grant returns so I'll be doing stuff that I'm good at :) Course, the downside to the short week is the smaller pay packet, which will go into my account the week all the bills go out. Bah. However, my tightening of belt has meant that I've broken even for another month, just, so at least I'm not deep into my overdraft. We'll see how I do after the holiday in New York :P

The football this week has been good. Arsenal beat Villarreal on Wednesday night, a good game that was amusingly interrupted by a squirrel scampering onto the pitch. Cue "Nice one, Squirrel!" jokes in the press. Today, the Arse are playing Spurs, a match that's a fierce rivalry at the best of times but is extra spicy today because both teams want to claim the last Champions League place in the Premiership table. So far, the two managers have had to be separated on one occasion, it's 1-1 and Spurs have just had a man sent off. About par for the course. Also I've seen my favourite football banner so far this week. All you need to know is Spurs have never played in the Champions League. "Q: What's the difference between Spurs and a squirrel? A: The Squirrel has more Champions League experience!" *snickerfits*

Leeds have bagged a play-off spot in Championship division (which is the one below the Premiership). Sadly, our form of recent weeks meant that we were unable to take advantage of a poor run of form by the team in second place and bag an automatic promotion spot. So now we'll have play off games in May, where four teams will compete for the final Premiership place. I want us to go up, but I'm frightened we're not ready, truthfully. Oh well, we'll see what May brings.

Last night I did a fantastic RP scene with lithium_doll and therealsherbs. lithium_doll has re-activated her mortal character, Ailen, and DAMN it was good to get our three mortal characters together again. Snark! Drama! Angst! Seckrit stuff! Heeee!!! Besides, Sherbs and LD are just fantastic to RP with and we spark off each other really well. Fun times!

And now I need lunch and more tea. And there will be more sport and more RP today. And Dr Who and baseball later. Ah loves Saturdays!!