Woof! The balls on my billiard table have frozen…

Actually, that’s not true, I don’t have a billiard table.

But our office water cooler froze over the weekend. Impressive!

Meanwhile, I need a new hat. I have no idea what happened to last year’s hat, daresay it will turn up shortly after I have located & paid for a new one.

Hats are a dodgy purchase for me… gales of laughter usually accompany the first try on in front of the troops. Imagine a Mr Potatohead in a beanie perhaps.

But anyway, the hat is needed when the mercury drops to the 11 mark. I find my usual outdoor (evening dog walk) ensemble, supplied by well known fashion houses versatile enough to see me through most weather:

Caterpillar boots - bought in Shelly’s of London more than 10 years ago & still going strong
Kathmandu Apocalypse pants – will see you comfortably through The Big One, or several Small Ones
Rodd & Gunn heavy duty rugby jersey
Kathmandu Force 10 jacket – this is the warmest jacket I have ever owned!
Line 7 gore-tex raincoat
Line 7 multi pocketed vest - for all those accessories… doggy bags, doggy treats, torch, carabina, cellphone, 50m river rope, cross country skis, sleeping bag… you gotta be prepared for any eventuation…
Thorlo socks and Macpherson Men’s underwear (no way am I ever appearing on the web in playboy Y-fronts!)

I can usually be found out & about in any combination of the above. But my ears have been a bit pink the last few evenings… and a good hat is hard to find.

Anyway, some recent viewing at Chez Llew

Closer – Natalie Portman, Julia Roberts, Clive Owen & Jude Law being shits to each other in London. No really, that’s about it. Decide for yourself whether Law is typecast as himself. The acting is top notch, even Roberts. Only Portman survives the running length with any vestige of audience sympathy intact. And actually, pay attention throughout to what she says her name is. It’ll have you wondering at the end.

In Good Company – Dennis Quaid & Topher Grace being shits to each other. Scarlett Johanson in solid support.

The Island – Obi Wan Kenobi & Scarlett on the lam. Tosh, but solid popcorn fare. Send in the lycra clad Clones….

Sideways – this one is really good. The gifted Paul Giamatti & his best mate Thomas Haden Church go on a road trip looking for good wine & even better women in sunny California. Also has Sandra Oh & Victoria Tennant. It is very funny.

Million Dollar Baby - Oh man! This is sad. Clint Eastwood is surely the greatest living American auteur. But let's have a happy one next eh Clint? But maybe not with orangutangs or anything. Hilary Swank is quite something though.