“Life is a rollercoaster, you’ve just got to ride it” sang Ronan Keating; after the past month or so, I concur completely.
From a starstruck Elijah meeting Leighton Baines around the corner at the end of February, to the said icon being on our train into train and sauntering past as I swooned at his style at the start of April, it’s been a funny new weeks.
Things started off largely positive: The Mandalorian returned in style; I attended a conference at a very classy venue, with beautiful views of that non-existent stadium that will never appear… whilst Sir Ian McKellen was just down the road; we met a group of film makers creating a music video and I was asked to email one of them a photo I’d seen; meanwhile, dejection and ecstasy in equal measures on the professional front and on the playing field as E’s team lost a semi final and a quarter final in a tournament on penalties.
We celebrated an important birthday and, of course, Mothers’ Day, and eagerly anticipated a surprise Morrissey gig which was hinted at with the most serendipitous t-shirt.
I’ve written enough about Moz over the years and don’t agree with much of what he has said in recent times, but – as will be alluded to later – some things are more important than money or misgivings, so don’t feel the need to justify my excitement at what will probably be a last hurrah in his presence. I just hope he doesn’t cancel again, or walk off in a huff…
Finally, we also sat down to watch the multi-Oscar winning Everything Everywhere, All At Once. Never has a film’s title been more appropriate. I tried to describe it to some friends as Michel Gondry meets the Matrix, and ultimately it’s about being a parent. I’d urge anyone and everyone to watch it, and to read the explanation on the BBC site first. It’s simply beautiful, as a restaurant critic once described a local eatery: bonkers but brilliant. It also evokes those of us of a certain age’s childhoods, with the renaissance of the brilliant Ke Huy Quan from The Goonies and Indiana Jones.
Not quite as good, but still enjoyable fare, was the Luther movie and the fourth series The Bay which I love because it’s set in Morecambe and it mentions familiar places, shows them too, and let loose on the world the little known fact that Busta Rhymes spent his childhood in the resort. We even took a little day trip there over Easter to spot the locations and murals it champions. Oh, and we also loved the finals of Great British Menu, with some amazing dishes inspired by illustrators and storytellers and served in innovative ways.
Illness lingered, bringing some worrying times, but the mood was lifted with another glorious day spent at Comic Con.
This was heavy… but I was in heaven.
Much has been written in the news recently about the astronomical amounts charged by the Star Wars cast at their celebration event in London – and, as an avid devotee, I’d still be tempted but in these times couldn’t justify spending four hundred and fifty pounds to meet or stand next to a non-plussed actor – even the recent more general Sci-Fi and popular culture event in Liverpool cost a lot of money but was worth every penny when I got to be near Matthew Modine (for free) or see my daughter be lovingly addressed, then embraced, by the daughter of Casper Van Dien whom she’d adored in Stranger Things. I think you can see the beaming smile as she got to meet one of her heroes, and the kindness shown.
All of human life is at these conventions, and I marvel at the creativity / bravery of some of those who dress up. We both did it first time around, in November (I was Matthew Modine’s character then, always the bridesmaid!) but this time Betsy was Chrissy and I was more toned down but still in my element getting photographed with the weird and wonderful and noticing major film & TV stars around us. I’d recommend the event to anyone with even a remote interest in what we watch, as it’s a great day out for all. Just save up.
Talking of exciting, excellent albeit expensive things, we celebrated eleven years of marriage over the holidays. It reminded me of our parents, whose golden anniversaries we celebrate later in the year, and also my grandparents, who were unknowingly made famous by this postcard featuring them which my cousin coincidentally found and kindly shared recently.
Every year, we celebrate the event with posh meals out as a couple. it’s a special occasion, so we make the effort, make the most of it and then don’t go out for weeks. It’s always more than a meal, and we’ve been very lucky over the years to visit: the Hotel Negresco in Nice, with its carousel themed La Rotonde, for our first (Lisa was expecting); L’Enclume and Northcote in my homeland for high-end tasting menus in elegant surroundings; in Cottonopolis, Manchester House, Adam Reid at the French for great GBM gourmet and Pep Guardiola’s Tast for creative Catalan haute cuisine; then, closer to home, the fantastic foodie haunts Wreckfish and Barnacle… it’s fair to say our anniversary meal is arguably the culinary highlight of the year.
This year was to be no different, especially after the first quarter of 2023, but this time with even more to celebrate. It was somewhere I’d been itching to try but we started early with a variety of aperitifs at new(ish) venues The Vines, Alberts Schloss, Bouchon, Black Barrel (we don’t get out much) and even stumbled across a film set on Dale Street before arriving at Hawksmoor.
I wrote about our first visit to its Mancunian sister for my fortieth and so knew we wouldn’t be disappointed this time. everything about the evening made it more memorable: the cool, understated decor; the fascinating signage and design, which we’ve now got on our family salon display; the modern, moody colours of the walls; the attentive service what with the explanations of the different steak options and the gluten free choices; the delightful drinks, including the best, cleanest martini I’ve ever tasted; and then the steak itself.
Simply perfect.
I recently read the fascinating story of where the saying ‘Beef and Liberty’ came from, and this whole experience felt like freedom from the real world for a couple of hours. Superlatives can’t describe how everything tasted. Some may baulk at the prices but you’re paying for quality in every bite and there’s a reason why the Hawksmoor family were recently voted the second best steakhouse in the world, and this was it. The excellent Ben – who feels like an old friend now he’s served us on two such occasions – even brought us a little digestif to celebrate, and all was right in the world.
Go!
The end of the two week hiatus is nigh, and the rest of the holiday was spent finishing the equally moody, enjoyable, meatily intense The Bear which makes me really want to wear a t-shirt with YES, CHEF on it. And visit Chicago!
We also had a look around the Shakespeare North Playhouse, toured the serene Taylor Park, paid a visit back to the Bus Yard in the sunshine, made some salt cod chichetti in advance of our next big outgoing, went to a Northern Soul-themed bowling alley, and got creative…
All in all, a nice end – to an era.