Finally - a use for social networking

So my line of work has led me to have to engage with quite a lot of the rubbish that's written about social networking and how it's going to transform our world... it's not that I don't believe it, but more that I find the zealot-like nature of some of the main advocates of these arguments a little creepy. And I can't escape the suspicion that the vast majority of them (with a few honourable exceptions like him and him) are basically socially awkward freak boys.

Anyway. I have found a site that I genuinely think is excellent (thanks, S). Scarlet Mist is a site for fan-to-fan ticket swaps at face prices. What'll all those touts at Brixton station do now hmm? I am *hoping* that the site delivers on all the various gigs I appear to have missed out on whilst in hibernation... things like Goldfrapp at RFH, or Vampire Weekend, or Robyn. Was amused to spot gigs by Joe Satriani and Terrorvision whilst perusing, although I think I can live without those ones... even if G can't...

Sunday night feeling

I've got it bad. Turns out that taking three weeks out makes going back to work a pretty scary prospect. So tonight I've been trying to cheer myself up by thinking about all the good things coming up this month. My lovely ma helped by emailing me a scan of the horoscopes from some magazine she was reading to prove to me that this is year is to be my best yet (thanks, Jupiter...)

Anyway. Think I might not rely purely on the stars to make this true. So, in no particular order, and to make up for the fact I'm not jetting off to Thailand like B, some things that should bring inspiration into the rest of January... and that probably require ticket purchasing...

Sweeney Todd. Tim Burton, Helena Bonham Carter (who it turns out I really like - see here for a great interview with the wonderful Barbara Ellen), and, of course, Johnny Depp. It's got singing but I'm intrigued enough to get over my usual musical-phobia. Launches end Jan here.

Lust, Caution. I suggested going to see this with S next weekend but have just noticed that it runs for 3 hours, and I think I'd rather spend some of the evening actually interacting... still, Ang Lee doing Shanghai, 1940s, affairs (hetero this time, in case you were wondering) - a pretty irresistible combination. And it's high time I saw another Shanghai film - the last one was 2046, which I loved, but was too long ago.

The Importance of Being Earnest. This is the first theatre performance I really remember going to. I was v excited, and remember laughing a lot - probably thanks to the wonderfuls Jane Horrocks and Maggie Smith, both of whom were starring in it. This time round it's Penelope Keith. On at the Vaudeville Theatre, 22 Jan to 26 April. I *pray* that this means that the Stomp run is finally over...

I will go to the Roundhouse very, very soon. I will I will I will. I will.

Also I must book tickets for Goldfrapp THIS WEEK before they sell out. Playing at Southbank Centre (of course) as part of the Ether festival in April.

Ah, the Lyric Hammersmith. My favourite. Even typing it brings a smile to my face. This time, they're doing a production of Kafka's Metamorphosis, between Jan 11th and Feb 2nd.

And for those nights when I can't face the glittering lights of London's West End (or its cold grey pavements), I've read somewhere that there's going to be a programme or three about Thatch's early career, but I can't for the life of me locate the little torn out bit of magazine that gives me any more info than this, dammit. But it sounds so promising...

Regina Spektor

One for me and LGG? She's playing at RFH on 7th September...

Kings Cross music festival in August

So I've failed to make Glastonbury but this Kings Cross based festival on 25th/26th August looks pretty cool.* There appears to be some confusion about the dates but it looks like it's happening around the bank holiday weekend...



* my proxy: metronomy are playing. nuff said.

Jarvis Cocker at Meltdown

In case I get stood up on the 23rd, which at this stage is looking quite possible... Jarvis' curating of Meltdown looks ace this year, I'm sorry that I've missed it all, but at least here I might get to hear the great man himself. Been really digging his Pulp stuff again recently, so could almost live with being stood up for him.

Oh my! Dragonette are playing again

This time, supporting a band who I *think* are called Chromeo, but to be honest their graphic design is so awful that I can't even read it. Anyway, Dragonette as support stood out. They're playing at the super cool Rivoli-esque looking London Bush Hall on 27th June, which clashes horribly with a work dinner, but hey, maybe I can get out of it.

Joan as a Policewoman

One for me and C? On 11th July at Shepherd's Bush... credit cards 0870 400 0688 or online at www.livenation.co.uk

don giovanni at ROH

dates for tickets: fri 15th, sun 17th, tues 26th (all june), weds 4th, sun 8th (both july): info on cheap day release tickets here.

girls rock night - 93 feet east on 8th june

featuring The Duloks, amongst others.... should be great.

Yes, and am now typing the day after the night before to say that it was great, despite my fatal mistake in choosing to go with people who weren't exactly into the girl band concept of the night... hey ho. Duloks were crazy, sex-obsessed, out of tune but inexplicably hot, especially their lead singer, whose energy was enough to make me feel ancient. Also The Scha-la-las were totally excellent. I dig their dresses...