This was a strange experience for us. We got to the cinema early and entered screen 10 as the credits were rolling from the early evening screening. As we looked up at the auditorium, there was just a middle aged couple still in their seats. The cleaners had not arrived yet, as there were empty popcorn buckets and drink cartons all over the place. In any case, we firstly double checked our tickets to confirm we were in the right screen and then took our seats. Central as possible, as always. The credits by this time had rolled and the projector was switched off. Music is switched on, someone was obviously in the mood for some 80s cheese as they started with The Word Girl by Scritti Politti. A few minutes later, the staff arrived to clean the cinema and were shocked that two guys were already seated waiting for the movie to begin. In any case, they carried on cleaning and we just waited for the movie to start. Well I of course was waiting for some famous music to play.

I had only seen a couple of trailers for the movie last weekend and had decided on Sunday to go and watch the movie. I am a fan of De Niro, although confess quite readily I have not seen most of his outstanding performances, but I am sure I will get around to it eventually. I knew a little about the content before hand but was very impressed. De Niro also directs this and has tried his best to leave his mark on throughout. My only complaint is the fragmentation, constantly jumping from through times lines, college years, World War II and the present (1961). I also expected more on the Cuban Missile Crisis but this was just a backdrop for the real story. The plot centres around Matt Damon and his development into one of the founding fathers of the CIA. The story is complex but well worth trying to get grips with. Jolie and others play a bit part in comparison to Damon, who gives a fantastic person as the lead throughout. The movie is all about him and his change from a human being into an emotionless ghost. Enjoyable, complex, disturbing but gritty and always at the edge is how I would describe the film. This is not for everyone, but if you enjoyed Munich last year, you will enjoy this as well. It is fascinating to know the story behind how such a big surveillance organisation was formed after the Second World War.

Spent the afternoon in London with Tazza. It was the first time I had seen him almost two years. I tried to look back through the archives to locate the exact date but I cannot. We had decided in early January to meet up, but this was the first weekend I was free. I left home just before midday and got to the station in time to catch the 12:04 service (which was running a few minutes late) into Marylebone. We met at Liverpool Street and headed for Tottenham Court Road. The original plan was to get lunch at the Tokyo Diner just off Leicester Square but we decided to go somewhere else, somewhere different. We went to a nice little Italian restaurant just off Tottenham Court Road. It was pleasant, the food was great and it was relatively inexpensive. Tazza remembered that the last time here was here (a few years ago) they did a wonderful lemon sorbet, so he ordered one. I decided to go for the mango sorbet. However they arrived in cones, when I expected them to be served on a plate or dish. Never mind, less washing up for the chef. Afterwards, we walked past the Italian cake shop next door. It had some amazing cakes on display in the window, a mountain of delicate flakes of chocolate. However, I was too full to even contemplate more food. We then decided to head over to Oxford Street and John Lewis in particularly. However as expected the item I was looking for was still out of stock and they did not expect an order in until sometime in March. Never mind. We then decided what we wanted to do. If the weather had been better, we would have ended down to the river, instead we catch the bus down to Oxford Circus and then catch the tube down (one stop) to Tottenham Court Road. I was all up for walking but my dear old friend, wanted to make use of public transport. We ended up in The Tottenham public house for a drink before we both said our goodbyes and headed in opposite directions home. It was good to see Tazza again, it had been nearly two years and I felt bad for not making more of an effort, particularly considering he is only in East London, not Outer Mongolia. Next time, I may drive and see him nearer his home in Manor Park.

I got home just after 6.30pm and felt tired. Pav text me and explained they were leaving at 9pm to head over to Brixton and I was welcome to come. A night out clubbing just did not appeal to me in my current physical state, so I declined. I am sure both my body and my wallet were happy with the evening off. Tomorrow I am going to try and give the car a clean, if the weather holds. Most likely end up just hoovering the inside, then piano lesson number five at 11am, then back home in time for the football. Not a bad weekend really, all things considered. I will not even try and mention what I will be up to next week.

I think I should just briefly mention the music I have been listening to over the past week or two. My sister came in and said Neyo had done a song with a girl group called Trinity. She was half right. The group are actually called Trinity Stone. The song is called Real Love and the the sound is unique in the sense it is less street and more harmonic radio pop. It is very good and you too will be hooked after the first listen. They have other singles out and are currently in the studio working on their debut album. Another vocalist I have been listening to recently is Ama. Sadie Ama. I was a big fan of her big sister, Shola and look forward to her return later this year. However, the younger sibling of the family is a great talent in her own right. I first heard her music on Kiss 100 and the single Falling which has had regular airplay since last autumn. I only listened to the song properly last weekend and fell in love with it. Sadie’s voice is so angelic, soothing and mesmerizing. I am looking forward to hearing more of her material. Just a shame she has not quite made it onto music television just yet. Give her a chance.