Film: Roofman

I'm back in Ireland for the weekend, on my last trip this year, my weekends are looking so busy! My flight, I have to say, was one of the most entertaining ever - the attendant doing the announcements had the most amazing sense of humour - he actually managed to get people to take off their headphones, because he was more interesting than whatever they were listening to! So, one of the more pleasant flights..

Today, met an old friend for a bite to eat at Jade Cottage, arriving a bit later than last time, now that we knew they open later. He went for their lunch menu - I had chicken crispy rolls, which were delicious, and General Tso's chicken, which is sweet and spicy, and which I love (not on the lunch menu, though). Mind you, I can never finish it.. and today, some of the pieces had quite stringy chicken in them.. but gee, my friend was keen to try a bit - and absolutely loved it! Yes, that sauce is gorgeous.. it's just the portions are generous. Wine was served in crystal - crikey, I do believe this is the only place I've eaten that I can say that of! We both had ice cream for dessert, me being too full for a cake.. But hey, it was great to catch up, and it's years since I've been here.

I decided to squeeze in the cinema (and why not?!),with Roofman, a fact-based comedy about a crook (Channing Tatum) who hides out in an unused bit of a toy store. Complications ensue when he falls for Kirsten Dunst, an employee. Peter Dinklage plays the manager. Playing in Limerick, and at the Omniplex at a more reasonable time. I booked because the screen seemed to have more sofas than individual seats, after the revamp.

Just made it in nice time, finding a parking space near the cinema. But when I got to the screen.. hmm. There seemed to be a family occupying my whole row! Regardless, I made my way to the end seat I'd booked - over the pile of popcorn on the floor, which I couldn't possibly avoid, and picking sweet wrappers off my seat! After a few minutes, the mother of the family arrived, and claimed my seat, saying she'd been sitting there! I explained that I'd booked it - she replied with, "Well, we're a family of four you see, so if you could find a seat somewhere else.." She also remarked that the useless article that was probably the father of the family should have said something. Quite. I had to pause when the screen went dark - but duly found a seat in the row in front. Honestly though, what terribly behaved kids - they left the place in an absolute tip, and one of them had their feet on my (sofa) seat for much of the film! As I said in the survey that the cinema subsequently sent me, I know it wasn't their fault, but it was disgusting..

Happily, the film was much better. Channing Tatum is terrific at comedy, and plays a very sympathetic character. Story is, he is an absolute genius at many things - unfortunately, he tends to mess up. So he escapes from prison and hides in a Toys 'r' Us for about six months, before being discovered, and that only because he falls for this lady and starts a relationship. It's highly entertaining - and the real-life characters are interviewed over the credits, which delayed the poor guy who wanted to clean the screen, as some of us wanted to see that. Not that family, I'm glad to say..

Back to London tomorrow. On Monday, a Meetup group called London Loves Jazz is advertising a concert by Kim Cypher in Pizza Express Soho. I liked the music I heard online, and bought a ticket - but baulked at joining the group, what with the joining fee, and the intensive questionnaire, including whether I was prepared to be "an active member".. so I'm going independently. I didn't have a great experience with my last jazz group. My companion of Tuesday has decided to come too.

On Tuesday, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) for Kindling in the Park Theatre. It's a comedy about a group of perimenopausal women who go on a camping trip to scatter their friend's ashes. My companion is going to that too, and we'll be heading to Palmyra's Kitchen afterwards.

On Wednesday, back with storytelling - Winter's Night Wonder Tales, with Alys Torrance, is back at The Palmerston. Tickets through Eventbrite.

Then, two Meetups in a row. On Thursday, I booked with yet another new Meetup walking group - Walks and Tours - for a Xmas Lights walk around Mayfair. Meeting in the Mercato Mayfair. And as it's a Thursday, I'd be lugging my laptop, ouch!

But just the other day, Up in the Cheap Seats advertised a trip to see Precipice, a climate change drama, at the New Diorama. Sounds interesting - and crucially, this'll mean less carrying of the laptop! So I've switched, and am now doing this.

On Friday, back with The Hideout for Keeper, directed by Osgood Perkins - details TBA, but it'll be somewhere around Leicester Square.

Next Saturday is another ex-colleagues meeting - or probably just another meeting with James! We haven't seen Ivan since June, and Martin since last Christmas.. Probably in The Phoenix again.

And on the 16th, back with Mandy and London Herstory Walks for Rebel Women of the South Bank.