On Thursday, 8 Jan 1998 (I kid you not!), Stuart Gardiner wrote:

Someone mentioned that B&S could play the Royal Albert Hall. Well on the basis that someone said a while back that B&S were only playing Manchester Town Hall because of the architecture, I'd say it's a real possibility. They probably couldn't sell it out yet, but in a few months time who knows? It would suit them perfectly, I hope they do because it would be ****ing awesome...

And then, one week later, he also wrote:

Oh, and if the band really do read this list occasionally, can I get down on my knees and beg you to play a gig(s?) at the Royal Albert Hall? That would be the most incredible experience ever...

Well, it's only taken 3 years and 5 months, but it proves that the band really do take notice of what the fans want. We should all thank Stuart G for suggesting it in the first place. Those irritated by Jubilant UK fans who can't stop going on about it should note that, searching in the archive for Royal Albert Hall produces nearly twice as many matches from early 1998 as May 2001. Plus there were only about 200 people on the list then anyway. Having said that, everyone calls it RAH! now, which is good, but means that my figures are biased. Who cares. Other things... Come to Ipswich everyone! I've been doing some research, and roughly half of the tickets are still on sale. Some friends and I are going to stay in a nice campsite, with swimming pool and bar no less, only a stone's throw (4 miles - you just have to be good at throwing stones) from the town centre. It's easy to get to from London, Cambridge, and more or less anywhere else in SE England, and there are early trains in the morning to get to work if you're that way inclined (like me). Jonathan and David. I haven't heard the song, but the story of Jonathan and David seems perfect B&S material. There is much controversy over whether J & D were lovers or just good friends. For example, this passage, from 1 Samuel: "...Jonathan became one in spirit with David and he loved him as himself." is about as smutty as the bible gets. Apart from Songs of Solomon, the 'Lady Chatterley's Lover of the Old Testament'. Anyway, even today there are heated arguments between biblical fundamentalists & liberals, etc etc. Enough biblical smut. I learned a new word yesterday - I always thought floccinaucinihilipilification was the longest word ever, but apparently there is a disease called pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis. I'd love to be diagnosed with that, purely to see the expression on the doctor's face when he has to break the news. Something to do with breathing in volcanic dust, I think. Can anyone recommend some good lounge music? (a la Songs for the Jet Set) Lounge music is good, as is pseudo-Mexican music and Eastern European folk music. Am I the only one who has a Serbian folk ditty as my mobile ring-tone? Yes, thought so. I saw Le Gout des Autres the other day. It's a new French film, and is very good. I hadn't heard of it, but just turned up at the arts cinema and saw the first film that was showing (always the best way to do it, I reckon). The theme tune is fantastic - very French kitsch. Apparently it was nominated for an Oscar, so perhaps I should have heard of it. Anyway, go and see it if you get a chance. It's funny, touching, and in French. Well, the working day is nearly over, and I had better head off home. It's a nice evening - I look out over Westminster Cathedral, and it looks all orange and Mediterranean in the evening sunlight. One day I must bring my camera to work with me before my work finishes (I'm temping). I love sunlight on summer evenings. I'm sure I had some real reason for posting to the list, but never mind. Signing off... Rob _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list mail sinister@missprint.org. To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to majordomo@missprint.org. WWW: http://www.missprint.org/sinister +-+ "sinsietr is a bit freaky" - stuart david, looper +-+ +-+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" "peculiarly deranged fanbase" +-+ +-+ "pasty-faced vegan geeks... and we LOST!" - NME April 2000 +-+ +-+ "frighteningly named Sinister List organisation" - NME May 2000 +-+ +-+ Nee, nee mun pish, chan pai dee kwa +-+ +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+