Oh my green goodness!

Haven't been to see a musical in absolute ages, but the other day my Irish friend Étáin took me to see an absolutely brilliant one called Wicked.
A new musical that opened first on Broadway a couple of years ago, and I can oh so thoroughly recommend it.
It's basically tells you the 'untold' story of the witches from The Wizard of Oz, with some great numbers thrown in and a marvelous cast, including Idina Menzel (who plays the part of Elpheba, the Wicked Witch of the West, the green one) which was just brilliant. Actually few words can describe her performance, it's simply outstanding. If anyone's planning to see Wicked, I'd recommend going before the end of January, as that's when Idina will be replaced by someone else.


HongKong la!

It's been a year since my last visit to the 'fragrant Harbor', so I've decided now would be a good time as any to go back and visit my friends over there.
Since I've got the next 10 days off, tonight will be long, something like a 12hour flight, but, hey ho, HK's so worth it.

Beirut la!

Just done my first Beirut trip since the summer's war over there.
And what can I tell you. Well, fair enough, it's not like I ventured into the southern suburbs or anything, but judging from downtown and the immediate surrounding area, you couldn't tell anything went on.
Except for the odd poster of Hassan Nazrallah with slogans such as "divine victory".
The weather was absolutely grand, people out and about and a general happy chappy feeling. But that's the Lebanese for you, most of them grew up in and around hostilities, not mentioning the civil war which wasn't over that long ago.
It will take a hell of a lot more to dampen their spirit I tell you.