And only moments later...
We can announce that George Michael will be going on sale with dates for the 2006 tour at 10.00am on Sunday 23rd April 2006 - watch this space for further updates
Now, if only he'll wear that lovely jumper...
BECKY ON: club tropicana drinks are freeee
I just got a VERY excited email from my friend up in Machester. Oh boy, she is EXCITED!! In fact, I shall quote:
"Possibly the happiest day of my life may be just around the corner - George Michael has announced he's touring, more details to be announced on Saturday night's Parkinson, tickets go on sale for SOMEWHERE in Manchester Saturday morning and I'm going to queue up, possibly through the night, to get some. If anyone wants to come, let me know ASAP - I'm not promising anything as at the moment I don't know anything and if I get some, there might be a ticket limit and some people at work want some too but I'll do my best to get as many as possible!
Must go and lie down.....too excited....."
See, THAT'S excitement!! If there's anything you do with your weekend, watch Parkinson on Saturday night - (never thought I'd say that). But in case you REALLY can't drag yourself back to the flat in time, you heard it here first...
BECKY ON: what not to wear
It's diffic
ult to know what to wear for a night out these days. Weekend wear used to consist of micro skirts resembling belts, a cleavage enhancing lycra top, wedges to rival stilts and enou
gh eye-liner and lipstick to make Kiss weep in my shadow.
These days, all I really want is the previously mentioned CAT CARDIGAN. After my posting this afternoon, I briefly continued my quest to find a similar retailer online. I really want to find it cheaper, but more than that, I don't reeeeeally want to trek all the way to Spitalfields on Sunday with a hangover the size of Wales after 
my funky disco boat cruise.
However, (big sigh), I can't find it anywhere else.... which does prove that Spitalfields market is full of unique, glittering gems of goodness and, as demonstrated here, that the rest of the world is missing out. I'm not sure who actually wears these disturbing garments,... it's quite strange that there aren't many pictures of people dressed in them, just a bunch of sad, sagging, feline infested woolly numbers which, if they could speak, would surely plead for their own immeditate endings involving a creative arsonist, a large aerosol spray can and a box of matches.
Unless I drag my ass out of bed and head to the weekend market I will have to go another week not knowing what to match my new jeans and blue flat shiny shoes from Dotty P's with, and that would SUCK!!! Arrrrgh - QUANDARY. What's a girl to do?
KATIE ON: Squid and gore
Hopefully, your Easter holiday wrapped you in a warm blanket of chocolate and relaxation. Something tells me the airport staff didn't fare quite so well.
Museum staff also copped the brunt of the school holiday stress syndrome. In a bid to unleash the tourist within, I braved the V&A Museum, the Science Museum, the overpriced choccy mountains at Harrods (would you mortgage your house for a diamond studded Easter egg?) and Regent's Park. Now I know where they hide the pint sized, demanding little Londoners. It's the best contraception possible. I've been put of children for life.
The Darwin Centre at the National History Museum is a place to seek respite and to ogle a giant squid. I strongly recommend you head down there to marvel at tiny little animal carcasses preserved in glass jars. The flesh-eating beetles are also a sight. I'll steer clear of the battered calamari rings from now on though - I don't want that giant squid's papa hunting me down for revenge.
Speaking of flesh, 'Bodies - The Exhibition' is in town. Wait for it science junkies... this one's a corker! More preserved bodies than you can poke a stethoscope at. I'm talking actual full-body specimens and organs here gents. I had problems stomaching the giant squid... this one's bound to be interesting. I'll be heading down to the Earls Court Exhibition Centre on Sunday - full gory reports to come.
Maybe it will help motivate me for my post Easter gym assault. Maybe Britain has found the solution to the obesity problem; introduce inner organ gore and scare the living hell out of the wobbly masses.
Tonight I'm off to see 'Trainspotting'. It's playing at the Hackney Empire until April 22nd so be quick or you'll miss out on sex, drugs and all things nasty on stage. I chatted to cast members Laura Harvey, Peter Milne and Ruaraidh Murray last week. They're a talented group of actors who told me it's a moving play that will stay with you long after the curtain drops. I'll let you know the verdict tomorrow.
It's a weekend full of gore and grime - just what the doctor didn't order. I can't wait.
BECKY ON: been there, bought the t-shirt
Well, not literally, but check this out. For serious BLOGGERS only. It's a hot new t-shirt design from thread
less.com. Cool or what?
Now if only I had $17 left in my American bank account to get one shipped across the pond. And why are the girly ones more expensive than the blokes'? WASSAT ALL ABOUT???
Honestly, I still have a week and a half til pay day and a grand total of £43 to my name. Now it's not all bad coz I've already been to Threshers and stocked the fridge, but I still think this calls for a weekend budget plan...
Thursday: Going out for colleague's leaving bash - 2 drink max, £10
Friday: No plans yet, but could use my cineworld unlimited card as I pay £13.99 a month anyway and thus all movies are FREE. Therefore could afford some food and one (...maybe two) drinks afterwards in "no smoking, no music, food is shite" Whetherspoons. Yippeeeeee. Max £10
Saturday: I'm going on a Thames boat cruise with Lucy and Sarah and luckily for me, I got some FREE tickets from this place. We even get a chicken supper, ain't that grand! I LIKE BOATS, I DO. Last time I went on a boat cruise I got so drunk, er,... seasick.... that I passed out in a pile of coats upstairs in the casino. Classy. Can't wait. But yeah, it's FREE, so I should have some money left over for...
Sunday: when I'll no doubt head to Spitalfields and buy this AWESOME CARDIGAN that I saw there a few weeks ago. It's red and sparkly and has a cute cat on it. I tried to find it on t
he Internet but could only find THIS MONSTROSITY which is definitely NOT what I hope to purchase. Not unless something goes seriously wrong with my brain on the boat cruise, anyway. The one I want is £29.99, so I'll have to borrow a tenner off Dan. But still,... at only ten quid over my budget that's not a bad line-up for the weekend.
Might not be able to eat next week, but you know what, if I've got my cool cat cardigan on, who gives a crap. I'll be stylin' baby.... yeah.
Claire on: bournemouth beachside fun
Hello there weekend people,
Before I tell all about the best place to get your beach fix (without jetting away) this weekend, i'll just quickly introduce myself. I am Claire and I have the pleasure of working at the pink palace that is lastminute.com editing all our wonderful theatre and restaurants pages....
.... right, now that is over I can start on the good stuff. Bournemouth is my home town so I may be a little bit biased but it is really very nice. You have to forgot all you have heard about it being the blue rinse capital of the UK - that is a LIE. It is the hottest place to dip your toe in the ocean (well ok, the channel) this summer. 
I don't even need to tell you that the beach is fab, you can see for yourself but we also all know that our weather sucks eggs most of the time so here are some top tips for weekend activities that you can enjoy come rain or shine.....
- Spot some creatures of the deep at the Oceanarium - they even have the UK's first cownose stingray birth.- WOW
- Paint a mug at the Fired-up Ceramics cafe - make mugs for all your friends and then they will love you forever.
- Take a trip in a great big hot air ballon. - as the website says it will be the ride of your life.
- Spot some peacocks on Brownsea Island - there are a LOT
- And for my personal favourite - Monkey World - there are lots and lots of monkeys and they are fab.
Ok, I hope that I have sold you with these wonderful attractions but if not then check out what the oracle of travel judith chalmers has to say about the place - Judith on Bournemouth
p.s. - they have mini deckchairs too - how cool is that?! So if you are vertically challenged (or a child) then you will be sorted too!
Alex on: Being a Tourist in Your Own City
I recently had a friend come and stay with me from a far away land, and I have to admit I was fretting over where to take him. But luckily, he had it all sorted; "Covent Garden!" he shouted, "Soho!", "Parliament!" he reeled out all the top tourist attractions. And then it dawned on me, as a Londoner, I really don't take advantage of the city. I mean, tell a fellow Londoner you want to go to Covent Garden, they roll their eyes and sigh "urrgghh, it's sooo touristy". But it's not! Not really, not if you know where to go. And I guess that's what this place is for!
So Covent Garden, whats it got to offer? Well, last night me and the SFTW guys went 
for a meal at The Rock Garden. This place is an absolute diamond, with an al fresco area for those rare days of sunshine and an interior that looks like the inside of a maharajah's marquee! The Rock Garden boasts great food and service, plus an exciting atmosphere. It's recently changing its menu from Modern European to Modern British, with locally sourced food! A typical meal will cost around £20pp and you get free entry to there Gardening Club.
Another little gem is The Langley. Just pass the station this club/bar is rammed full of cool Hoxton types. Leather sofas, great music and great bar service awaits in this little beaut. They are renowned for their Thurs night happy hours 5pm-7pm. So whack on your scarf and shades and wander in.
Another great venue is The Punch and Judy pub. This is slap bang in the centre of Covent Garden
and the balcony allows you to look over Covent Garden and watch the street artists with a cold beer in your hands. The beer isn't overpriced and there is always a great atmosphere inside.
So put your rucksack and your hiking boots on and wander around with a map - go on, be a tourist!
KATIE ON: Shakespeare's Birthday
Image courtesy of Andy Bradshaw
Sunday 23 April – 10am–4pm
The Shakespeare's Globe is opening its doors in a free birthday celebration for the man with a quill ion his hand and a skill for spinning a yarn. Head down there for a day of Warriors and Queens - Roman style.
To launch the day, Cleopatra will sail down the River Thames and arrive at the Globe at 10.15am, re-enacting the famous description from Antony and Cleopatra:
‘The barge she sat in, like a burnished throne,
Burned on the water. The poop was beaten gold;
Purple the sails, and so perfumed that
The winds were lovesick with them…’
She will be met by twenty Roman soldiers and a band of musicians to herald the start of the festivities. Lucky lass...
There's something for everyone: gladiatorial fighting (sorry, no Russel Crowe though), a 'best theatrical death' competition, lessons in how to wear a toga (theyr'e the next in thing), the opportunity to try on Cleopatra's costume, and the chance to take to the world-famous Globe stage and deliver a line or two yourself. There will also be the opportunity to take part in workshops on dance, voice and movement with seasoned Globe professionals.
No booking necessary - just turn up! If the heavens pour down, don’t stress: all activities will be brought inside.
This day is organised as part of the Mayor of London’s celebrations for St George’s Day 2006. What's more, it's 100% FREE. Shakesperian music to the ears of the skint.
Shakespeare's Globe:
21 New Globe Walk
Bankside
London SE1 9DT
BECKY ON: the real Eastenders
Not enough people visit Mile End. They're all too busy loading themselves up with cream teas and Prada shoppings bag
s along the Kings Road, or gathering en masse around a mime, painted silver and pointlessly perching on a podium in Covent Garden... or cricking their necks looking up at the lights in Picadilly Circus with a thousand other tourists. WHICH IS LAME. The truth about London can only really be learned by staring down at the 'ghettos' from a double decker bus in Mile End. Don't believe me? I kid you not peeps. Just check out these fabulous EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS ...
Exhibit 1: note the amicable way in which two friends walk casually past a man on a bike, having strolled peacefully through the park in order to cross the road. Such a beautiful sight. I love the angle of this shot,.. I know, I know,.... amazing. And no muggings in sight.
Exhibit 2 is also interesting, demonstrating life outside a very much open Lidl store - the number one Bow choice for value shopping. Note how the child in front stretches out his arms in glee, no doubt 
enchanted by the glorious surroundings in which is lucky enough to be growing, from child to adult. What joys.
Exhibit 3 provides a fascinating insight as to the hatted man crossing street theory. Can he really see the traffic when his face is half consumed by his fashionable headwear? Whatever the case, he makes a relatively smooth crossing whilst staring down at his matching trainers. Well done.
Exhibit 4 highlights yet another road 
crossing, this time by a punk haired gambling man, heading straight for the betting shop. I love the way his trousers flap in that springtime Bow breeze.
Next time you're short on things to do at the weekend,.. I can highly recommend this Mile End bus tour. Take the 277 from Grove Road towards Canary Wharf.
Or call me for more information.
KATIE ON: mini popcorn
SKINT SODS UNITE!!!
There are FREE movie screenings over the weekend... and it only takes 5 minutes out of your life.
Sit back and relax in luxury cinema seats whilst enjoying pocket sized popcorn. Awww... pint sized pops for a pint sized gal. I'm THERE!
The official details:
Cinema Peroni free film screenings in London will be taking place at a variety of eye-catching locations across the capital. Projections are expected to take place at 8pm. To maintain the element of surprise, the locations are limited to the street name or area so keep your eyes peeled.
Friday 7th April
Projections will be taking place on Regent Street and Pall Mall.
Saturday 8th April
Soho projections will be centred around Golden Square, Old Compton Street, Dean Street, Greek Street and Brewer/Sherwood Street.
Friday 21st April
Chelsea's projection will take place on the Kings Road.
Saturday 22nd April
Shoreditch and Clerkenwell will be the scene of the final Peroni Cinema projections.
Enjoy...
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