Blog 5 – A Walk In The Park

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I’m being bullied. Not by trolls lurking on twitter, and everywhere else in the internet. In real life.

Every couple of days as I walk my dog, a group of 5 teenage boys appear. As I approach them, they begin shouting “Gay Dog” and “Bender”.

However, life has got even more Peep Show lately with the addition of “Gay Cock Dog.” That’s now the weapon of choice.

Now as yet, I haven’t reacted. I’ve taken the highest moral ground I could find and pitched my tent.  I have supplies and matches and plenty of water, I think I’ll be safe up here for a while. Is there another solution? I think not.

*Edit

On my last circle of the park, one of them has broken ranks to ask for my autograph. The belief amongst my tormentors is that I’m a famous author. Excellent twist. Did not see this coming. May sign autographs as yet unknown famous author.

**Edit

Have just read an interview with Snoop Lion in the Guardian Magazine, who believes that the only solution is to “match hate with love.” He’s discovered this after studying the teachings of the Rastafari Movement. We will now attempt to love the tormentors to death. A 31 year old man and a Jackapoo, loving a group of young boys to death…to be continued.

Blog 4 – Vietnam Adventure

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Vietnam has been open to proper tourism for less than 20 years. And there are still some places where it feels even less. We spent some time in the North on the Chinese border, where there are around 8 ethnic minorities who still live as a traditional life as possible. Sapa and Bac-Ha all take about an hour by road from Lao Cai.

The journey to the North at the moment is via sleeper train that takes around 8 hours, and costs less than $40.

The journey will be cut to 3-4 hours in the next few years when they finish the highway from Hanoi. And even shorter in 5-10 years when the airport opens in Lao Cai. Beautiful country.

 

Teenage Cancer Trust

This year marks the 13th year of gigs, to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust. Noel Gallagher has curated an incredible week of live music including Kasabian, Primal Scream, Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon and Noel, himself. There’s also a comedy night lined up with Russell Brand and Noel Fielding. All the performances take place at The Royal Albert Hall between March 18th and March 25th. Dan will be presenting on stage during the week. For more information, check out @teenagecancer on Twitter.

XFM Drive-Time

Dan’s got a brand new show. He will be presenting the 4-7pm drive-time show on London’s XFM from January. In recent months he’s been on the station covering evening shows and live events such as the iTunes Festival. The new show starts on Monday the 7th of January!

 

The XFM Evening Show

Starting tonight, Dan will present the XFM Evening Show, Monday – Thursday from 8pm. It’s 3 hours of new music, with live sessions and interviews. Dan takes over from Mary-Anne Hobbs who’s leaving the station after 14 months. The first week of shows includes live music from The Lumineers. Plus there’s interviews from The Staves and The 1975. Check out the show across the UK on FM & digital, and around the world at www.xfm.co.uk.