Don't Rain On My Parade (III)...

And so, after a rather damp Bristol Pride and a less than sunny Manchester Pride, Yahweh saw fit to bless Cardiff Mardi Gras with wall to wall sunshine on Saturday. Surely, if God agreed with Cardinal O'Brien, the leader of the Catholic Church in Scotland, that gay marriage is a grotesque subversion, he wouldn't have given us such a glorious day.

Maybe, instead, he chose to punish us in other ways; by ensuring that the the bar prices at the Mardi Gras were sky high whilst the quality of entertainment was abysmally low. I could've endured the worthy speeches had they been punctuated by something interesting to keep me occupied in between. However, some children dancing and someone from S Club 7 lip-synching and dancing rather badly just wasn't enough to keep me going. Indeed, the only thing that did sustain me was the excellent company.

In the end, despite the prohibitive prices, the alcohol won out. I was, by late afternoon, wide-eyed and legless. The promise of Heather Small topping the bill was, I have to say, a stretch too far. I had to be assisted off the field and, in an attempt to revive me, taken for something to eat at a restaurant in the town centre where I accidentally set fire to my napkin (or so I'm told).

I look forward to a better Mardi Gras in Cardiff next year where fast track queues for ticket holders move quicker than the queues for non-ticket holders, where there's a better show of entertainment throughout the day, where alcohol is priced fairly and there's more of a choice, where the food is a little more varied than chips with everything and where I'm not getting collared every 30 seconds by someone wanting me to complete a bloody survey. Having had my bitch, I must say that I'm pleased it happened and I'm glad I went. We all had a lot of fun.

1 Year Ago:

A period of re-adjustment...

Don't Rain On My Parade (II)...

Despite some initially pessimistic weather forecasts, Manchester Pride 2012 wasn't quite the wash out we were led to believe it would be. Saturday's Parade down Deansgate was bathed by blue skies to start with but got a little greyer by the time it reached the Village. There were stretches of sunshine that saw everyone spill out onto Canal Street and sudden showers that saw everyone run for cover again. Indeed, the same on/off weather persisted through much of Saturday, Sunday and well into Monday. I'm pleased to say that everyone's spirits weren't dampened by these occasional showers.

I guess many of us take Pride events for granted nowadays. Time was when they were more of a political rally than the carnival that we see today. I for one am pleased that they have become more of a fun event rather than the heavily policed, grim marches they once were. Now the police march with us. The theme this year was ‘Queer’d Science’, in honour of the centenary of the birth of Alan Turing, who was appallingly treated by the authorities over his homosexuality. How times change.

I was so pleased to see so many families out enjoying Manchester Pride over the weekend; there were so many kids at the event in the afternoon. And I was also pleased to see some pretty big companies, proud to sponsor Manchester Pride; companies such as easyJet, RBS Group, The Co-operative and Selfridges. It's a sign of acceptance; it's a sign of the times.

How disheartening then to wake on Sunday morning to the news that Cardinal O'Brien was to lead the Scottish Catholic Church in reading out a letter in each of the Church's parishes in Scotland criticising the Scottish government for plans to introduce gay marriage. How out of touch can these people get?

You may remember that Cardinal O'Brien called plans for gay marriage a "grotesque subversion" back in March. Having been part of Manchester Pride this weekend and seeing all the smiles and laughter and fun, I believe that the only grotesque subversion is the Scottish Catholic Church and Cardinal O'Brien.

After a damp Bristol Pride and the patchy weather that beset Manchester, let's hope that God sees fit to bathe Cardiff Mardi Gras this coming weekend in glorious sunshine. I'd pray for such weather, if I believed there was even the smallest outside chance that he existed.

1 Year Ago:

A little too highbrow...

Cycling matters...

Us cyclists are a funny lot; we love to point at motorists and accuse them of driving without due care and attention and then off we go and break the rules ourselves. We jump lights, ignore one way streets, cycle on pavements and we approach signalling as an optional extra (if the mood takes us). Of course, I'm not talking about every cyclist and the majority of them that break the rules don't do it all the time.

I have to admit, I sometimes break the rules myself but, along with all rule breakers, I'd argue that  there are very good reasons for doing so. Honest! My ride to work every morning takes me up a broad pavemented avenue in Cardiff called Lloyd George (Boy George, as I call it) Avenue. A cycle lane runs adjacent to to this broad pavement and yet I always cycle on the pavement. Why? Because the cycle lane is punctuated with barriers at every junction whereas the pavement is not. Also, the cycle lane is frequently blocked by kids playing and parked cars. Excusable? Probably not.

My journey also takes me through two pedestrianised areas in the town centre: The Hayes and Queen Street. You're allowed to cycle through The Hayes but you are not allowed to cycle through Queen Street, despite the fact that one segues into the other and with no clear and obvious signage. It's confusing. The police in one area of Cardiff have decided to target pavement cyclists, taking a zero tolerance approach with those caught, by issuing them with fixed penalty notices. I guess that murders and burglaries aren't quite as profitable. Who says that crime doesn't pay!

And talking about profit, some of you may remember my complaint to Cardff Bus in May. Well after much prompting and further complaints about their lack of response, they eventually got back to me over two months later. This tardiness by them gave me ample opportunity to fizz, fester and frustrate; the result of which is I have cancelled my £50 a month season ticket and opted to cycle to work instead - whatever the weather. I've fitted my bike with mudguards and bought myself a waterproof cycling jacket and trousers and still had change out of £50. Next month I move into profit!

Last Saturday I cycled the Taff Trail from Merthyr Tydfil to Cardiff with my friend Howard. The weather was beautiful, the views stunning and I almost reached a state of cycling Nirvana... Until I hit Pontypridd, where the trail runs out along with any signage to guide you to where to pick it up again. What a shining example of shitsville this place is. It's confusing, it's dangerous and it's enough to make you jump lights, ignore one way streets, cycle on pavements and approach signalling as an optional extra. Really!

1 Year Ago:

The ladies who lunch...

What a lovely day...!

What a beautiful day today has been. I cycled around in the lovely sunny weather, went for a refreshing swim, bought myself some new sun glasses and a hat in the sales and then met up with the lovely Jaime F for tea and gossip in the Bay.

When I looked at at the weather forecast yesterday, today was going to be a bit of a wash out but it turned out alright, didn't it; I even put my shorts and some suntan lotion on before going for my bike ride... and the rest of the week doesn't look too bad!

Did I bring some of that Canarian sun home with me...?

Cardiff World Naked Bike Ride...

Tomorrow sees the fifth Cardiff World Naked Bike Ride, "highlighting the need to escape vehicle dependency and focus on the power and individuality of the human being".

100 naked cyclists are expected to participate in the event that starts on Saturday June 9th at 2pm for bike and body decoration in Park Place behind the National Museum. The ride then sets off at 3pm around Cardiff; the 9 mile ride finishing at Sophia Gardens.

Cardiff Council has not granted permission to the event to use its parks and is keeping a careful distance regarding this event, "Although staff would only intervene in the world public bike ride if a complaint is made by a member of the public, we would neither facilitate the event nor condone it."

I'd be tempted to participate myself but sadly I'm not in Cardiff on Saturday...

Thou cream-faced loon...!

Do you think I look a little simple in this photo? That wasn't why I posted it but looking at it now, the phrase that springs to mind is the one used by Macbeth when he calls one of his servants a "cream-faced loon".

The reason I actually posted the photo was because it was a moment of stillness today, which doesn't seem to happen that often in my life. I had an appointment to see my G.P. this evening and I left work with so much time to spare that I decided to park my bike up and go for a cup of tea in Bute Park.

The weather was so beautiful and it was a joy to just stop and watch the world go by. I could have stayed on in work another half an hour but I'd hit a wall by late afternoon and needed a change of scenery. I'm so glad that I didn't stay on, otherwise I'd have been rushing to get to my appointment. As it was, I relaxed, sipped my tea and then had a leisurely ride along the river to Grangetown where my doctor has his surgery. I should do it more often; a perfect end to the working day.

Shame about the stupid photo...

Today's run at 18:08
Distance	5.04 km	Time	28:23
Pace	5:38 min/km	Cadence	79 spm
Comments: Warm and sunny.

Finally...

It seems that summer has finally arrived. Cardiff basked in sunshine throughout today; hazy at times but sunshine nonetheless. After what has seemed like the longest spell of cold and damp weather ever, today's warmth was a tonic.

I cycled into work today, which always puts me in a good mood and, although I didn't get much of a chance to enjoy the sun on my face during the day, it was pleasant to emerge into it at home time this evening. My journey home was a joy in the warm breeze, made all the more pleasant by my bike ride back to the Bay.

And for tonight's run, I decided to try a course I'd never run before; the final leg of which saw me jogging down Boy George (Lloyd George) Avenue in the dappled sunshine. It certainly puts a spring in your step.

I finally topped today off with a new potato and egg salad in my determination to enjoy this long awaited seasonal weather. Well, you never know how long it's gonna last.

Today's run at 18:05
Distance	5.01 km	Time	27:28
Pace	5:29 min/km	Cadence	81 spm
Comments: Bright and sunny.

Sometimes, no other word will do...

I was waiting for the Number 7 this afternoon, looking forward to getting home and enjoying this unseasonably good weather. The bus was running late and those waiting with me began tutting. It seemed that I wasn't the only one keen to escape the centre of Cardiff for the cool breeze of Cardiff Bay and beyond.

Just as we'd all but given up hope, a bus rounded the corner. Could this be the elusive Number 7, I thought. I squinted into the sunshine to see if I could read the number on the front panel but, as it drew closer, it became evident that the front panel was blank; no number and no destination.

The bus stopped and I tentatively walked forward to ask if this was, indeed, the Number 7. Other passengers seemed to have the same idea, as I wasn't the only one to move toward the bus. We'd none of us walked more than a step or two when the bus pulled off. Did he not see us?

As he began to round the next corner but before disappearing out of sight, the rear panel became illuminated with the elusive number 7.

What a cunt!

Today's run at 17:04
Distance	5.02 km	Time	28:39
Pace	5:42 min/km	Cadence	81 spm
Comments: Bright and sunny.

Don't take your mum for granted...

I spent yesterday afternoon with my mum helping her choose a new mobile phone. Her contract with O2 has been up some time and I know she's been itching to get her hands on a new gadget. For a 77 year old she likes her techie toys.

When we got to the 02 shop, she said she'd like a smartphone with a touchscreen. She tried using one of the display models and soon realised that touchscreen technology maybe a step too far. Or maybe she caught sight of the look of alarm on the salesman's face as she pawed at the screen in frustration.

While she was distracted with another phone a few steps away, the salesman asked me what features did she consider to be the most important. I said, beyond making calls and texting, a good camera and enough memory to store any images. She chipped in, "And the internet, boy; definitely the internet..." I questioned this but she was quite resolved.

She eventually decided to go for a Blackberry Curve. I'd assumed that she'd want the black model but she was quite adamant that the purple model was the one for her. I questioned why the purple, adding that I thought she'd much prefer black. "No boy" came the reply, "The purple goes with my glasses..."

Thin ice...

I'm not into leather, denim, combat or rubber fetish wear and I'm not a bear, cub or chub admirer.  However, I would argue for the rights of those that enjoy these things. During the 1980s, when the climate toward gay people in the UK was a lot harsher than today, I did my bit to fight for equality.

I went on marches and attended rallies to protest at the prejudices against people living with HIV, to protest about Section 28 and to protest at agent provocateur, entrapment tactics by the police. Working as an actor, as I was at the time, I helped produce work that was concerned with these issues. Equality and fair play has always been important to me.


It's particularly disappointing to hear then that the Eagle, one of Cardiff's newer gay bars, has been asking women to leave the premises. To be honest, I can't understand why any woman would want to go to there; with their rubber and leather themed nights, their boot camp nights, their bears, cubs and chubs nights and their soft porn video displays on every wall. However, again, I would argue for the rights of those that enjoy these things.

There has always existed a misogynous streak in some gay men. The terms, fag hag, fruit fly, fish and a whole host of other nicknames are testament to this. And, as much as lesbians and gay men have campaigned together for equality down the years, it's never been an easy alliance. It seems some animals are more equal than others.

As a part of society that has had to fight to be accepted (and we ain't there yet), we really ought to know better. We're on thin ice...

Rhod Gilbert...

I went to see Rhod Gilbert at the Wales Millennium Centre last night. I laughed like a drain, as he entertained a packed house with his hysterical rants for over two and half hours. I'm not going to review his show, The Man with the Flaming Battenberg Tattoo, as there are enough reviews out there on the internet already.

All I will say is, if you get the chance to see him, then do. For those of you who have never heard of him or those of you wanting a bit more of him, have a look at the clips section of his website.

You are what you eat...

As I got into the pool for my swim tonight the warm fumes of belched pasty and chlorine wafted over me. I could see the culprit; he'd just turned and done a little kick to begin his next lap. The exertion must have forced a burp out which had perculated through the water to the surface. I felt sick. Who eats a pasty before going for a swim?

According to many reports, we are beginning to wake up to the benefits of eating a healthy diet. Open any magazine or newspaper and you won't have to look too far for that article on healthy eating. Those of us that care about these things try to avoid too much processed food and we watch the fat, salt and sugar levels in the foods we eat.

However... There are a group of Cardiff school kids that get on the same bus as me in the mornings that have successfully managed to avoid all literature on healthy eating. The stink of barbecue, beef and onion, smokey bacon and prawn cocktail flavour crisps on the bus is overpowering. A packet of Walkers seems to be the preferred breakfast of choice round our way.

Wow...

And so it was to Wow Bar in Cardiff last night. If you dislike noise, crowds, swearing, drag queens and go-go dancers then this won't be for you. On those occasions when I need to get out of the house and (if I had any) let my hair down, I like Wow.

By far the best drag queen they have there is Pixie Perez. Pixie is unlike the other drag queens, in that the routine doesn't seem staged, is anarchic and it feels quite dangerous - like anything could happen (and it sometimes does). I've seen her chase passers by down the road and, although her audience have long lost sight of her, her hilarious obscenities can still be heard over the speakers via her radio mic.

On a Sunday night, the crowd is heaving, the atmosphere's great, the eye candy's pleasant, the air is blue, the jokes are course, the go-go boys are buff, the humour's cruel - and it's all done in the best possible taste! Well worth dropping in on those Sundays when you just need to blow out.

You can find more photos such as the one above on Wow Bar's Facebook page.

Photographic memories...

I went to see this photographic exhibition of Keith S Robertson's work at the Wales Millennium Centre yesterday. The prints and negatives were discovered by Jon Poutney, whilst renovating a music studio. Jon has responded to Keith's work by revisiting some of the locations. It was an interesting take on Cardiff in the 80s and today. Much has changed and how soon the memory fades.

Well worth a visit if you're in the area.

Today's run at 11:26
Distance	5.01 km	Time	28:35
Pace	5:45 min/km	Cadence	81 spm
Comments: Muggy.

How priorities change...

I once used to think of Good Friday as bit of a waste of a public holiday; most shops and public buildings were closed and licensing laws meant that pubs were open Sunday hours only. There was simply nothing to do.

Many of you will be scratching your heads in puzzlement: what in hell's name are Sunday hours? Well, time was when pubs used to have to close in the afternoon before reopening in the evening and on a Sunday those hours were restricted even further. Good Friday always followed the opening hours of a Sunday and so the start to the Easter weekend was always delayed until this archaic practice was finally binned.

Today has been a relaxed day with no thoughts of any restrictions on shopping or drinking or, for that matter, any other activities. To be honest, I haven't given a thought to anything being shut because it's Good Friday. Indeed, everything I've needed or wanted to do I've done.

I walked to Cardiff city centre today. It was packed with shoppers; a busy day it seemed. The shops were full and restaurants and cafes were doing a brisk trade. Families now treat a visit to Cardiff centre for a look around the shops and a bite to eat as a day out. Time was when there'd have been nothing open in the centre of Cardiff on a Good Friday.

I've not been swimming in over 3 months. It's strange how quickly you can fall out of the habit of doing something. Until early December, I was swimming at least 3 times a week but because of the bike ride to get to the pool, the dark nights and damp weather, I replaced swimming with running. How lovely it was to get back in the pool this afternoon. Time was when the pool would not have been open on a Good Friday.

I called in the supermarket on my way home and picked up some food for my dinner. The aisles were jammed with trolleys as people did their weekly shop. In addition to food, I picked up a couple of bottles of wine that were on offer. Time was when the supermarket would not have been open on a Good Friday and even if they were, they'd not have been able to sell me any alcohol.

How priorities change...

A cure for post holiday blues...

We all know that sinking feeling of the return schlepp from a holiday; there's no other option and no alternative than to leave but you'd give your right arm to stay one more day. Please, please, God, don't make me do this. Well, he did and here I am back in Cardiff.

Meeting up last night for a last drink with Mauro, Paddy, Seamus, Olivier and Maarten was lovely; we started at a small and bijoux cocktail bar called Kactus and then moved on to a Dutch bar where the barman looked uncannily like Jeremy Clarkson. I had one eye on the time because I had an early start this morning but it was a lovely and relaxing evening all the same.

The flight home was uneventful and the commute from the airport outside Cardiff to the town centre was grim, given the cattle truck state of the Arriva train I caught. The weather in Cardiff is at least 15 degrees below the temperature on Fuerteventura and 10 degrees below what it was  in Cardiff only yesterday. This made it a doubly depressing return home.

At times like this, there is only one solution: hit the town and extend the holiday. Look out Cardiff...

Cardiff Airport not good enough...

I've criticised Cardiff Airport here twice before. Once last year in a post entitled International jet setting... and again this year in a post entitled Prepare for take off...

And now I see that Carwyn Jones, First Minister, has gone on the attack, stating that he wouldn't want to bring people to Wales via Cardiff International Airport. He talks of people being locked in the baggage hall and of having to use a side door because the front doors were shut. As I have argued here before, there is nothing international about Cardiff Airport.

Mr Jones has faced pressure to back down on his statements but he is standing by what he said and refusing to retract them. With any luck, someone (the owners) will sit up and take notice because this isn't the standard you'd expect from an airport - even a small provincial one.

Today's run at 17:20
Distance	4.10 km	Time	23:12
Pace	5:40 min/km	Cadence	80 spm
Comments: Cloudy.

The Olympic torch...

With 8,000 people involved in carrying it a distance of 8,000 miles, the Olympic torch begins its 70 day journey in the UK at Lands End on the morning of May 19th. 212 of the bearers will be children aged 12 and the oldest torch bearer is 99 year old Diana Gould.

Details released today show the torch's route across the UK; the aim being to bring the torch within 10 miles of 95% of the population. Luckily for me it passes within 200 metres of my front door at a little after 06:30 on the morning of Saturday May 26th.

I'd best set the alarm...

Today's run at 17:52
Distance	4.06 km	Time	22:21
Pace	5:30 min/km	Cadence	80 spm
Comments: Sunny.

Local news...

So, they're thinking of introducing pink lighting to deter acne ridden Cardiff yobs from congregating and getting up to no good. The lights, so BBC Wales tell us, are unflattering to teenage skin and therefore pubescents avoid them like the plague.

Judging by the number of cheap jokes and puns on the words light, pink and spot used in this report, they could have played a video of this news item instead and I would have thought that would keep most people at bay.

Three unconnected things...

1. My local police station is far from the suburban local police station you might expect. No. When I first moved to the Bay it was little more than a two story portakabin; today it is a multi story monster of a building, housing the Eastern Divisional Headquarters of South Wales Police.

I happened to look up to the roof as I was passing earlier in the week and couldn't help noticing a rainbow flag flying. How times have changed; I remember when they arrested us homos for holding hands and dispatched mounted police to contain us as we protested against the spiteful Section 28 in the late 80s.

2. Splott is an area of Cardiff, the name of which some people think is derived from a truncation of God's Plot. It isn't; it's from an Old English word meaning speck or plot.

On my way home tonight, I saw a sign for Splott Sunday Market; except it doesn't appear to occur on a Sunday...?

3. One of the routes I take for running takes me past the entrance to St David's Hotel in the Bay. Madonna camped out here while she rehearsed for her Sticky & Sweet stadium tour, which she opened in Cardiff's Millennium Stadium in 2009. I didn't see her once during her stay - not even out jogging through the Bay with her bodyguards. I often hear of international sports teams staying here but, again, I've never actually seen any of them.

On tonight's run, I'm please to say that I was lucky enough to whizz past Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen as he made his way to reception. At last, I can die happy.

I hope I haven't spoiled the surprise make-over anyone was planning for me?

Today's run at 17:57
Distance	4.01 km	Time	21:29
Pace	5:21 min/km	Cadence	82 spm
Comments: Clear.