Who's the coolest culinary celebrity? Gordon Ramsey. You DONKEY!!!

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So I'm an proud unabashed genuine Transformers' fan! Many of you know that and embrace it ever if you may think I'm too old for it. I like many took many of life's lessons care of the Optimus Prime monologue that ended many an episode of the 6 frames per second cartoon series. I've been psyched at the thought of the movie in a way that I really didn't imagine I could be. When the first leaked images appeared I knew it would never meet the expectations I had. Too many liberties taken with the classic characters and the design of some of the bots - Decepticons - in particular, just looked wrong. Then something happened this trailer was released and showed us for the first time how cool the film could be

New Extended Transformers Trailer

I'm HOOKED!!! And after getting way too excited at seeing the film, I'm just happy I enjoyed it as much as I did. Yesterday a group of us went to see the movie, many of them serious VFX artists and others - girls! And the verdict from the Bayhem - Big grins all round! I swear I had no idea just how cool this movie is. The moment Optimus starts talking you know it's going to be good, but it's really funny. So the occasional gripe about the nonsensical human caharacters aside, the action between the kids and the bots was amazing, like everything I'd hoped to see from the comics and TV show. The moment Prime puts the kids on his back and runs from the bad guys, you're right back to being an 8-year old and suddenly the theater chair seems a little bigger.  I don't use the word Awesome much in fact at all, but good bless you ILM you've only gone a done it, made those robots look so damn believable!

A word of caution for those fans who have yet to see it. Suspend the disbelief at the plot holes whilst watching and concentrate on the action. Also, get use to Megatron not being, well Megatron. You get a Megatron, and he is one evil bastard but he's not our Megatron. Once you do that you're in for the most memorable, exciting and genuinely fun cinema experience of the last 10 years!

Already chomping at the bit for the sequels and just hope that the humans take more of a truck cab backseat. Bring on more carnage Mr Bay. It can't come fast enough!

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What other names did your parents consider for you?

I'd always heard that my Ma fancied the name 'Leo' I could swing with that I guess. Although I did lose the golden locks back in nursery school :(

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So we spend a couple of days in the wet and warm delights of Walt Disney World PLC. Now I've got to admit to being a bit skeptical of the whole mega power that is Disney. Their recent films sucking so badly at least they've got the theme parks. It turned out, rather coincident I might add that we would be there in the parks for the annual Gay days events. Thrill seeking in the comfort of a pink crowd sounded like more fun than a park full of screaming kids. YAY.

We headed straight out on the first evening for the Magic Kingdom, which by Monorail is still rather an amazing sight! The castle rising out of the horizon certainly has more impact in Orlando than it does in Paris. Where they have REAL castles! Anyhoo, And and I both love the big rides and since my Cardio man gave me the all clear, I had some thrill time to make up. Splash Mountain and Big Thunder at night were a trip! The nightly fireworks were incredible, if unapologetically wasteful in every way. The next day found our very straight hotel full of gay clientele and the stuffy conference rooms made home to a huge Gay expo. From what I could tell, we are heavily into Loreal exfoliates and the new model Saturn (!?) Our hotel was the hub of the events for the weekend, complete with Bananarama and over-priced parties.

Since we were there for the theme parks first and the pool parties way second it felt a little wasted on us. Some fun people watching though. Animal Kingdom the next day was incredible and features the best safari ride we had ever seen. Another wonderful thing about this one is that the facilities for the critters were easily the best I've ever seen. The Gorilla enclosure alone was unbelievable and huge, although of all the places the largest silverback could use to relieve himself, up against the viewing glass 6 inches from the kids in the front row is obviously the best place! Expedition Everest is the latest thrill ride and easily the best roller-coaster we've been on, that bloody animatronic Yeti (grr) got me every time. A perfect day in one of the most amazing theme parks ever. EPCOT was next and even though it did it's best to impress, after the newer parks it's looking a bit old hat. The Futureworld doesn't quite look that spectacular anymore and could be renamed Animatronic Ellen World, no kidding. The various 'mini-countries' around the huge lake were rather well done though. Particularly good was the pint of draught Harp lager at the British pub (had to be done!) The firework display here was astonishing, went on for ever and felt like an Olympic ceremony.

MGM the next day was cool but the heavens opened care of a tropical storm called 'Barry' - stupid bloody name for a storm! The Tower of Terror was the big one and the ultimate test for the ticker, although the Aerosmith roller-coaster was a good way of drying off (very cheesy stuff). The Saturday at Magic Kingdom is THE day for the Pink populace, everyone respledent in red, nice match with the sunburnt faces. Very cool experience seeing that many overgrown children in one place. The parades took on a whole new meaning, alerted as we were to which of the characters as we heard the raucous chants for Cruella, CRUELLA!!!, guess we love the baddies! Not as much as the actress loved the crowds, Dahling! A sheepish Aladdin loooked a wee bit nervous as the floats snaked their way through the geers and whistles. Very funny. The weather cleared on the Sunday and we hit Typhoon Lagoon, huge water park and a new experience for a former chubby kid once too worried about things like water slides. Not any more!!! The storm meant the planned pool parties were a bit of a wash-out but the last night provided some entertainment and a jolly old night with a couple of guys from Leeds.

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Just realized that our new (relatively new) arrival is no where to be found on the Blogsphere... Thanks Jamie. So lets sort that out...

First Night Mischief...

Milo... now

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I've been asked for this a few times now and never got the chance  to upload it. Here are a couple of pieces from my latest class at the Academy - Visual Elements of Story. Thankfully successfully completed!

Enjoy.

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So And and I have just returned from a short break to Florida, care of some freebee tickets from United Airlines. I've been meaning to visit my Auntie Marilyn in Fort Lar-dee-da for a long time. We caught the red-eye flight out of SF straight after the madness of the Spring Show Industry Day which could have been better timing but jeezy creezy this is one big country to cross. Some 6 hours in all!

Anyhoo, we managed to get some rest on the flight and we met by my aunt (well Pen's aunt really, or mum's cousin, or... well you know northern families) who then gave us a tour of Fort Launderdale in all it's glory... and HUMIDITY! It's almost solid out there at the momenr in readiness for the tropical storms ahead. That took some getting used to! First stop being the infamous (at least to me) Andrew's Diner. Now I've heard a lot about this place care of Marilyn so I was really intrigued. The gay vibe was pretty well sealed with the server regaling us with his exploits at a recent Gay rodeo, where he tells us he didn't win but was 'mounted by a steer!' - some booby prize then.

We were really surpised to find we were relatively close by (nothing being really that close) to the biggest Gay district in Florida (nee the East coast) - Wilton Manors. Now not wanting to push te stereotype but it's always glarily obvious that a neighborhood embraces a pink populace thanks to the wealth of stores selling lovely things. My Aunt told me that when the gay couples moved in just less than 10 years ago it was quite different, now it's festooned with antique shops, coffee houses and a rather good gay club by the name of Alibi. Where thanks to the 'older' population of the area, we for one glorious night enjoyed being the youngest guys there. What a different joy from a night in the Castro!

We had a wonderful relaxing couple of days with my Aunt and her friends, a boat tour through the winding waterways and million dollar homes of the rich and slightly has-been (How can a house once owned by Sonny and Cher now be owned by the family behind Taco Bell!?) Shopping at a huge Flea Market and lots of eating. A couple of days in we visited a Butterfly park with one of my Aunt's best friends Kay and her Goddaughter Kaylan. Very cute. A sumptuous meal on the last night before we all went up to Orlando.

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The Academy of Art's Spring Show is now being held at our brand spanking new purchase - 601 Brannan Street. It's a perfect space for the event, light, airy and big! There's tons to see there and I would encorage any of you with a love of the arts to head down there and take in a few of the exhibitions. The Giant bunny statue from Fine Art Sculpture is definitely one of the best pieces. Me good ol' School of Animation has done us pretty proud too!

I'll be there this coming Saturday from 10am hosting the school's Open Day and doing some portfolio reviews for prospective students so if your in SOMA pop in and say hi!

http://www.sfstation.com/academy-of-art-university-annual-spring-show-exhibition-e54831

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Now I hate poor excuses and like this 'ere blogging nonsence so I'm going to get my Mojo back and get into it. Got a lot of stuff to update you on since the last bout of blog, me MFA work, hilarous if slightly disturbing stories of new kittens, and tales of home demolition.and rotting cadavers. Nice.

Watch this space!  

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Alongside good chutney, real ale and first-class sarcasm, one of the many things I miss about living in Blighty is the good ol' beeb. It's programming is second to none, delivering informative, thoughtful and downright profound TV. Here's a rare public information broadcast encoraging people to think twice before questioning the license fee.

vic & bob licence fee ad

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