Last Thursday (the 18^th) I took off ill, with a cold which is coming and going like the tides. Friday was the work Christmas meal, at the wonderful Blue Elephant on Fulham Broadway. I arrived a little worn out as I had already walked from London Bridge to Temple with my first black and white film, snapping en route. The Thames Path is a nice walk, one day in the summer I shall have to load up with a pile of film and do it from end to end.

Blue Elephant was excellent as usual (this is our third time there I think) and I staggered out at 2130, full and rather drunk on Harvey Wallbanger's, red wine and a few glasses of Laphroaig. Discovered that I had Dan's present still in my bag. Phoned Rob at 2330 to tell him that he forgot to take the present from my bag, and discovered he was still in the Blue Elephant... glad to hear my boss was there too, relaxing for what is probably the first time for quite a while...

Saturday involved nearly-last-minute Christmas shopping and then going into London to see Sexie. Eddie Izzard was as glorious as ever, in his leather mini-skirt, black boots, and breasts. Possibly the best sight of the evening was the touts selling tickets for "a man in a dress" outside Wembley.

Sunday mainly involved large amounts of sleep, and more nearly-last-minute shopping. Hopefully I've got everything for Vicky now, but there is still a few more days left of shopping in case... In a few minutes friends will start arriving and we'll be off for the now traditional Christmas Chinese Meal. Hopefully the Thai at the Blue Elephant won't have accustomed my taste buds too much.

NP: Out of Season, Beth Gibbons and Rustin' Man. How festive can I get?