You been spying on me? Not sure which is more sinister, being spied upon or that carer reaching across to change the channels. Brrr.

Jesus, Roy! That's uncanny! Particularly the bit about the wall of DVD's. When I said jim-jams, I was being polite but seeing as this is turning into some sort of encounter group, I'll confess it was actually boxer shorts & an England rugby top... form an orderly queue, ladies!

The only real Who collectible I've got is something unofficial & personal to me. A plastic Tardis drinks mat made as a surprise gift by my daughter. Altogether now... AAHH! Perhaps a new competition for you, Nick? Who has the best home-made Who artefact? Could this secure me a cameo in the next Harrison Dextrose adventure...?

Homemade Who artefacts? Hmm. Or perhaps saddest/duffest piece of memorabilia? (Admittedly Dextrose-character compo had slipped mind, as am rather stuck in writing the bugger. Over the 25,000-word mark, fact fans. Will give that some thought. until which, any more entries to the Who-tat Compo? I reckon my framed set of nine TB tiles, which weigh a sodding ton, are pretty duff... yet also great. I'll take a pic and add later.)

Everyone seen this? http://blogtorwho.blogspot.com/2010/02/new-series-trailer.html

Yes, saw it at the weekend after it aired. I thought "trailer" was a misnomer - it's a flashy (and rather cheesy) cinema advert. A trailer usually has actual footage from the show being trailed. Still, if it gets people excited, and wanting to watch, who cares?

Just like to say 'Congratulations' to both Carey Mulligan & Duncan Jones on their BAFTA awards last night. Not seen Ms. Mulligan's film but if her performance in 'Blink' is anything to go by it must be well worth a look. Duncan Jones's 'Moon' is one of the best debut films I've seen in a while.

Speaking of which... his dad's 'A Reality Tour' 2cd live album is one to invest in. A decent blend of old, new & obscure. The re-worked version of 'Loving the Alien' is a real highlight. I also recently got the remastereed version of Bowie's debut Decca album (the one he doesn't like talking about!). 'Charmingly naive' is probably the best way to sum it up!

Michele, I couldn't agree more. And Ade, thanks for the tip re Reality Tour, which I've considered... and considered... and not bought yet. Now I will. (His VH1 Storytellers is supossed to be well worth a punt, too, on similar lines... and I haven't bought that yet, either.) I would have to disagree re the Decca album, though. That was one of my first Bowie albums, and though some of it is pure tosh, I love London Boys, Silly Boy Blue, Let Me Sleep Beside You and especially karma Man. I still love Karma Man. PS Do you have the Bowie at the Beeb double? A MUST for every Bowiephile.

This might just be the funniest thing I have ever seen: http://www.adultshalloweencostumes.com/adult-official-black-dalek-costume.html

Have added image to a page (linked from thumb) so we need never not look at it again.

Jesus

I do know how to spell supposed. Dep si.

Bloody hell! That costume is worthy of a whole episode of 'Trisha'... but let's not get into that again!

I have got 'Bowie at the Beeb' - the live disc is fantastic. As is 'Live at Santa Monica 72'. Alright, the sound is a bit patchy on occasion & they do make the odd cock-up but sometimes that's what good gigs are made of.

Have you heard Peter Gabriel's version of 'Heroes' off his new 'Scratch My Back' offering? I quite like it & it'll be interesting to see what Gabriel song Bowie does for the 'And I'll Scratch Yours' companion album later in the year.

Oh Sweet Jesus

This is even funnier! http://www.adultshalloweencostumes.com/adult-fancy-dress-costumes/male-adult-costumes/adult-official-brown-dalek-costume.html

Have added to the "Black Dalek" page.

I have Santa Monica on LP from eons ago, and play it a lot. But I think my fave Bowie live album - controversy ahoy - is Live itself. Sadly am not enough of a Gabriel fan (actually am not a fan at all) to buy his album for Heroes, but I'll try to source it on Spotify. (PS have you heard Midge Ure's cover of MWSTW? Really good. If you have Spotify also check out Tubalcain's Andy Warhol from the wonderful Goth Oddity: A Tribute to David Bowie... by a series of goths.)

Haven't heard the Midge Ure version of 'The Man Who Sold The World'. Must check it out. I still swear by the Nirvana Unplugged version.

I once saw The Mike Flowers Pops (remember them?) do a version of 'Ashes to Ashes' live on stage at Madness's Madstock 96 all-dayer at Finsbury Park. Very funny but done with a lot of affection for the original. A top day was had by all that day as Squeeze were the main support act & in between bands, the P.A. was turned into a giant radio live from Wembley where England beat Spain on penalties in Euro 96. Brings a warm, rosy glow on a cold day when thinking about this...

P.s. Those Dalek gimp suits are just plain wrong on so many levels!

I well remember Mike Flowers Pops, as I was into the similar-ish, far better My Life Story(equally kitsch, not reliant upon covers) at the time, though would have loved to hear his Ashes. Equally do I recall England v Spain in Euro 96, as I was at Wembley to watch the game, and felt sorry for the Spanish who were robbed by the ref - however not sorry enough that I did not remain in the stadium for ages after the game, Waddle/Hoddle-dancing to Three Lions over the PA, in delirius celebration. Great days.

PS Would anyone care to nominate Bob the Blog for the below, once nominations open on 8 March? I wouldn't remotely expect to come anywhere, but it's all exposure, which cannot hurt. http://www.completelynovel.com/win-free-books/author-blog-awards

PPS I notice the shortlist is drawn up from the author with most nominations - which surely turns it into a Who's the Saddest Facebook/Twitter Self-Publicising Nerd Compo, when surely it should be purely about blog content? But there you go, them's the rules, so the more the merrier nomination-wise, if you wouldn't mind... (I'll post reminders nearer the opening date.)

Turd in a box.

Bit cryptic Nick-you found one? Or has your good lady discovered you were the winning bidder for the 20k+ Dalek?

Ah, Royston, funnily enough I have just been reading about the Bonhams sale and was here to post some links. Here's one: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1253515/Doctor-Who-auction-exterminates-recession-props-sell-thousands.html

I've yet to see the full list of winning bids. hold on.... The Sea Devil went for (to my mind, 'only') £2,040! I'd have killed to own that! And the Pyramids of Mars sarcophagus a more portly £4,800. Ditto, though I imagine Sinead would have had something to say. And wonderful as the object is, that price hardly feels like 'a snip'. Royston, your bronto fetched (to my mind, 'a bonkers') £1,320. Odd given that it looked like it would fall apart if stared at by Paddington.

Here's the full list: http://www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin/public.sh/pubweb/publicSite.r?sContinent=EUR&screen=ResultsXML&iSaleNo=18192

Sob.

PS I can tell you have not read Harrison Dextrose. Shame on you!

Mrs Dextrose update

Just passed the 30,000-word mark. Plan is to write between 65 and 70K - ideal for a comic novel, I was told by someone who knows. Deadline: mid-April. Lordy, but it's going to be tight.

I can imagine the joy of the collector pitching up to collect his prized Brontopurchase 'Here you are Sir in five boxes and one envelope as we think we got most of the rest up when we swept the floor.Oh and please observe the 'dont touch it for christssakes' recommendation on the certificate of sale.'

"...and - ahem - that'll be £1,320 please! [snigger]"

Just rewatched a very amusing film that contains one of my fave ever exchanges:

"What do you remember about the canals from those days?"

"Very little."

Anyone?

Would that be '24 Hour Party People'? Very enjoyable but not nearly as good as 'Control' or the actual Joy Division documentary film.

Here's one back:

"I'm a brother Seamus!".

"What? Like an Irish monk?!?".

Over to you...

Withnail?

Ade, most correct (though I must disagree re Control, which I enjoyed very much, however I prefer the funnier 24Hr PP). Royston, for you ze wooden spoon - but do not be downhearted; as the chef in our family, I use a wooden spoon on almost a daily basis, and would not turn my nose up at a new one. So think on.

Sorry, forgot your quote, Ade (as explained previously, once I start to input my own text I can't see anything previously written, which is no boon given my memory). Anyway, the Seamus quote... I'm afraid has me stumped. Anyone else?

.....Jeff Bridges....the Big Lebowski.....Dude....

..."Chocolate covered cotton"...easy.

PS Hi, Mal.

I only rewatched that about a month ago! So how come I didn't remember it? (Rhetorical.)

The wooden spoon would be handy as I too do the cooking-Sunday lucnh was pan fried pheasant breats, shittake mushrooms in butter, with sweet potato mash.

God, we're all so metrosexual.

http://blogtorwho.blogspot.com/2010/03/james-corden-confirms-who-role.html

Christ, I can't bear James Corden. Oooh look at his tummy! Hear him squeal! Look, he's kissing a man! Tosser.

Nah cooked it after I doused myself in Brut aftershave, idly inking in my 'Death or Glory' tattoo, talking to my mates on the phone about footie and while slapping She Who Must...for not doing the ironing. All man me.

Who is James Corden btw?

Nice work, Royston (including not knowing who James Corden is). He's in Gaving and Stacey and the gut-wrenchingly unfunny Corden and Horne (whom I have time for) "sketch" "show". Right, I'm off to slap a rabbit.

I have Wikipedia's How To of the Day on my iGoogle homepage and used to laugh at them and occasionally read them, until I got bored. Until today! I'm not going to click on the link because it may well be genuinely practical. Just savour the title:

How to Keep Car Windows Fog Free Using a Potato

Hi Nick. Would that be like 'How To Defend Yourself Against Someone Armed With A Banana'? The Pythons would be so pleased if it was...

Totally agree re: James Corden. As a somewhat rotund gentleman myself he does us no favours whatsoever! As for that sketch show he did with his mate - Dear oh dear!

Right then, I'm off down the park after a long day chinning cows to drink meths & Cherry B, scream at passersby & fight my own reflection coz I'm right bastard hard, I am!

I may be able to topthe banana idea with Wiki's genuine How To of today. They seem to be currently mining a richly bonkers vein. Ready?

11 Tips for Managing Hayfever as a Buddhist

"Facebook wants to be your one true login"

Enjoyed the user comments in this story: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2010/feb/11/facebook-readwriteweb

Just received this from the Who PR people:

London, 8 March 2010: It has been announced today that Doctor Who will begin an exciting national tour across the UK in March, introducing the new Doctor to fans of the series in five different locations spanning the length and breadth of the British Isles.

The tour will introduce the Eleventh Doctor, Matt Smith, and his Companion, Karen Gillan, to fans of the show and offer them a unique chance to meet the stars. Each location will also host a regional premiere of episode one, The Eleventh Hour, for local children, working alongside BBC Outreach to enable kids to get a first look at the new Doctor in action.

Click on the blue spot for the full PR.

Anyone else found the new 'eye of the storm' trailer a bit pants? I know it is intended to be viewed in 3d, but it looks a bit crap on terrestrial.

What? This one?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKGlpdNParM

Would concur!

National Tour my foot - they're only visiting 5 towns - and none of them are near me!! *sulks*

Nope its the one that is also on the cover of this months mag.

Was being silly.

Big in China

Just signed a rights agreement to allow the Daredevil Book for Cats to be published in China by the (state-owned) Radio & Television Publishing House. Will be in Chinese script. Cool!

Thought you were going to say 'Big in Japan'. Great news Nick and cheered me up after a bloody awful Monday.

Why, thank you, Royston. I hope your Wednesday is proving far lovelier.