Moving, keep on moving...

So, what's been going on?

Well, over the last few months, I've been back and forth to Spain - Barcelona, Madrid, Marbella/Puerto Banus. A business associate has been looking for potential bar/restaurant sites in Spain and I've been consulting for him.

Anyway, we've located a suitable site in Puerto Banus on the Costa del Sol and I'll be moving to Spain permanently in the New Year, initially to oversee the opening of the venue - looking after staffing, training, menus, advertising etc as well as managing the site for the first couple of months.

But, I'll be looking to continue the search for other locations in Spain to increase the portfolio, with the intention of doing similarly in several other cities.

It's all very exciting. And I'm certainly looking forward to the change in temperature. England's far too cold for these old bones...

HybridAnglo is Four Today

Well, at least in Tribe years*

Damn. A lot has happened. People have come and gone. Tribes have disappeared or changed beyond all recognition. Friendships have been made and lost again.

It's almost enough to make me feel nostalgic.

Oh well, as I believe they may shout at political gatherings "Four more years! Four more years!"


*seven times the drama of a human year

Some Artwork

Some of these you might have seen, others could be new to you.

www.redbubble.com/people/hybridanglo/art

More to follow...

Mark x

I don't know why I like this...

...I'm not even sure if it actually works as an advert, but I'm really liking this, showing on UK tv at the moment.

www.aglassandahalffullproductions.com/

You gotta love the big hairy fella on drums, right?

Damn! Is it that time already...

... sorry, where the hell has my head been?

Belated Merry Christmasses, Hannukahs (Chrismukkahs, anyone?), Kwanzas and a very happy, healthy and prosperous (if that's yer bag) New Year to anyone who knows me on here.

Been as busy as a dog with two dicks, trying to organise the finer details of my impending pub purchase, having technical problems (this laptop will be the death of me) and trying to squeeze in a little jaunt abroad while I still had the time to devote to snow, schnapps and other things beginning with an S.

Anyway, I shall probably be equally delinquent in my Tribal responsibilities for the next few weeks as well. With any luck, the next time I'm on here, I should be the slightly dishevelled, broken-veined yet convivial host of my own (well, mine and the bank's) establishment.

If all goes to plan, I'll be in for my birthday. Anyone in the vicinity (not likely, I know, but the offer's there) is more than welcome to join me for drinks. I've sent invites to my fellow celebratees - Ernest Borgnine, Neil Diamond, John Belushi, Nastassia Kinski, Tatyana Ali, Mischa Barton and, if memory serves me correct, Ms Hunny Du Mellons. So, it should be a star, if not corpse, studded event.

Sunset over Firth of Forth

A few weeks ago, after a particularly stressful period of work, counselling and general life-crap, I took a trip to Scotland. The mother of one of my best mates is a marketing manager for a major hotel group and she was able to offer me mates' rates for a couplle of hotels. Spent a couple of nights in Edinburgh, at The Holyrood (just by the Scottish Parliament) doing tourist-type stuff - open top bus tour, shopping on Princes Street, eating shortbread, thinking about drinking whisky - before heading to North Berwick, on the coast for a night of 5-star luxury at the Marine Hotel (for £30, bed and breakfast!)
Did nothing more than order room-service, go for a wander along the beach, before returning to my room and photographing the sunset, which was absolutely stunning, even if the photo does not do it justice.

Excuse my absence...

... been at a funeral.

My uncle (who is only 7 years older than me), died last weekend. It turns out he'd been suffering from cancer of the oesophagous (sp?), but didn't tell anyone. So, his death was a bit of a surprise.

So, went to the funeral and reconnected with some estranged family. It's all been a bit weird. Not sure how I feel. But I get the feeling I'm going to be spending a little time away from here, trying to work out any number of issues and re-evaluating my priorities, not to mention my lifestyle.

See you all around.

Mark xx

My Weekend...

So, got an e-mail on Thursday evening. Old friend, not seen him for ages, but we keep in touch. Anyway, he says he's getting married. Only problem is, it's in a couple of days. Can I make it?

Of course I can. He might leave things until the last minute, but he's a mate, I've done well on tips this week and it's in London.

Travelled down Friday night after work. Wedding, 11am at Marylebone Registry Office, drunk by 4pm. Still not got my head down by 2am. Very beautiful day, if a little messy.

Still, I managed to get up early on Sunday morning, grab a quick breakfast and head into town. Wandered round Soho, Leicester Square (preparing for Charlie & The Chocolate Factory Premiere) and then down to the river.

Spent a few hours at the Tate Modern, walked along the South Bank to the London Eye, doing the whole tourist with digital camera thing.

Met up with friends in Chinatown for a meal, then a few mojitos in Bank, Aldwych (just off the Strand).

All in all a great weekend, and a justifiable reason for ringing in sick this morning if ever there was one.

Numbers

45 believed dead, with upto 1000 injured, 150 of whom are considered "serious."