And to stay with the Izzard theme…
“Pol Pot killed one point seven million Cambodians, died under house
arrest, well done there. Stalin killed many millions, died in his bed, aged
seventy-two, well done indeed. And the reason we let them get away with it
is they killed their own people. And we’re sort of fine with that. Hitler
killed people next door. Oh, stupid man. After a couple of years we won’t
stand for that, will we?”
Went to see Eddie Izzard last night at the Cardiff CIA. The guy is brilliantly, beautifully insane. Just a brief mention about his billion-mile-run for Sport Relief, then he went on to talk about ‘everything that has ever happened’.
Izzard hardly ever tells a joke, and much like a surreal Bill Hicks his humour comes from observation and protest. Izzard’s protest is much more subtle, of course, and buried amongst discussions about speeding raptors, hungry badgers, Northern Romans, set-upon squirrels, startled Nazis, and coughing giraffes, but it’s there nonetheless. Sometimes it’s a plea to live life without worrying Who or What is watching over us, other times it’s a dig at politics (and particular politicians).
He’s a clever, funny man. One of my favourites among many was ‘If there’s a God, why didn’t he flick Hitler’s head off?’
And he still does love his badgers and jam. Though rarely together.
Finally received my copy of Hellbound Hearts today, stories based on the Hellraiser universe created by the excellent Clive Barker. Thrilled to see I’m on the cover along with Neil Gaiman, Dave McKean, Kelley Armstrong, Steve Niles, Christopher Golden and Mike Mignola, and there are loads of other stories from Conrad Wiliams, Sarah Pinborough, Mark Morris, Simon Clark, Chaz Brenchley and many others. Can’t wait to dig in … after I’ve read King’s new monstrous tome, UNDER THE DOME.
Off to see Edie Izzard tonight!
I’m going to see Eddie Izzard! Yay! It’s not until November, but I managed to snag a couple of tickets for Cardiff CIA yesterday for me and the missus. Muchly looking forward to hearing stories of oil-drilling cats and other distinctly not normal stuff.
And this evening, I shall mostly be watching Sir David Attenborough talking about Darwin and his Origin of Species. Fundamental Christians need not attend.
First though, footbal training for my 5 year old, then a long walk in the park with the dog.
