Jordan Harper

A lovely crisp autumn morning in E9.

Folly!

Every Thursday at Proud Cabaret
No.1 Mark Lane, London EC3R 7AH

Had an absolutely terrific night at Proud Cabaret last night, where Michael and Miss Stark presented the inaugural Folly! supper club: a ‘retro’ cabaret night to be held every Thursday, with music, comedy, burlesque and really great cocktails. The venue itself is modelled on a 1920s speakeasy, and tucked away in the basement of a fairly anonymous city building, there’s something illicit feeling about the whole affair.

Last nights lineup was an absolute killer, with ‘Crooner and Sex Symbol’ Earl Okin, compere Dorian Crook, burlesque from Domino Burlesk, the absolutely wonderful Bobby Valentino and his Sextet and cabaret ‘Dark Star’ Dusty Limits.

The highlights were undoubtably Earl Okin — whose comedy bossa-nova is just wonderful — and Bobby Valentino, who tore the roof off with a vintage sound that’s hard to describe but easy to dance to.

We’ll definitely be going back.

I also discovered an amazing cocktail, the ‘re-fashioned’: essentially an old-fashioned made with Angostura 1919 rum rather than bourbon. It may be my new favourite cocktail, even better than Calloh Callay’s Guv’nor.

Permanent link to 'Cocktails at Proud Cabaret last night. A rum based Old Fashioned made with Angostura 1919 and served with a vanilla pod. Now that’s what I call thinking.'

Cocktails at Proud Cabaret last night. A rum based Old Fashioned made with Angostura 1919 and served with a vanilla pod. Now that’s what I call thinking.

Permanent link to 'Real-time simultaneous offense and gratification is not my thing, I have a brewery to run.'

“Real-time simultaneous offense and gratification is not my thing, I have a brewery to run.”

— James Watt (of BrewDog)

Permanent link to 'The message for the British government is a simple one: don’t exclude rational argument in order to exploit a visceral public response.'

“The message for the British government is a simple one: don’t exclude rational argument in order to exploit a visceral public response.”

— David Nutt, Governments should get real on drugs - New Scientist

Apparently this is as old as the hills, but I’d not seen it before. Hilarious (via @thingsofrandom).

Permanent link to 'Caricature Map of Europe 1914 - Absolutely stunning illustration from Keith Thompson depicting Europe circa 1914, with each major country filled in with a caricature: from the regal British lion sat atop a pile of riches to the paranoid Ottoman empire spying on Europe. It’s really quite wonderful.'

Caricature Map of Europe 1914 - Absolutely stunning illustration from Keith Thompson depicting Europe circa 1914, with each major country filled in with a caricature: from the regal British lion sat atop a pile of riches to the paranoid Ottoman empire spying on Europe. It’s really quite wonderful.

Sir Alex Ferguson calls on fans to end 'disgusting' chant aimed at Arsène Wenger

Fair play to old red-nose, and United, though it’s about time.

Nice trailer/tent thing. via ahli:

I’ve always hated trailers but since this one is half tent, I’ll let it slide. It looks so luxurious on the inside!

things-i-done

This weekend, I...

Went to see a special screening of Colin at the ever-magnificent Union Chapel courtesy of the good folks at Jameson.
Had a delicious late dinner at Isarn on Upper Street: very impressed.
Rather enjoyed watching Arsenal stroll past Tottenham without really breaking sweat. Which is odd, because Tottenham’s squad is so much stronger than Arsenal’s. Heh.
Went to a Halloween party in (what used to be) the Clock End. Weird experience wandering around the space where the pitch used to be. Eerie. I think I may have drunk about half a bottle of Sailor Jerry.
Tasted a few wines in Bottle Apostle: blown away by a 1982 Borgogno Barolo. And by blown away, I mean in a slight daze for about half an hour.
Had a delicious Sunday dinner at The Empress of India: roast beef and a great upside down apple tart with vanilla ice-cream and calvados caramel.

Permanent link to 'It’s been over a year now since I last went to Paris. I’m pining, and for some reason was thinking of the wonderful Institut du Monde Arabe — one of my favourite buildings anywhere.'

It’s been over a year now since I last went to Paris. I’m pining, and for some reason was thinking of the wonderful Institut du Monde Arabe — one of my favourite buildings anywhere.

At a screening of COLIN at the Union Chapel. Zombies everywhere, but free Jameson to compensate….

Permanent link to 'Simple and useful designs just don’t seem good enough when they are dead pixels. They need to be brought to life before they can be appreciated. Until that happens we overcompensate with garnish.'

“Simple and useful designs just don’t seem good enough when they are dead pixels. They need to be brought to life before they can be appreciated. Until that happens we overcompensate with garnish.”

— Ryan Singer - (37signals)

Kasabian Football Hero (via KasabianTour). Guitar Hero, played with footballs and panels taped to a wall. Awesome.

Support Details | Tech support anger management

This is just beautiful. Allows users (clients) to send all of their browser details to someone for help in diagnosing problems. Via benw:

A really neat interface to get useful system stats and browser set-up info from your users. Lots of useful applications for diagnosing support requests. (via David Emery.)