You can read extremely edited highlights of the following interview in the latest edition of Web User magazine, out today (only 99p from all good newsagents, and free from all unobservant newsagents). Hello if you've just arrived here from there after reading their review of my blog (page 16, right-hand column). Honoured, I assure you.
1) Why and when did you set the blog up?
I started in September last year, so it's a year old now. I started off because the Guardian ran a competition for Britain's best blog, and when I saw the winners I thought "I could have a go at doing that", so I did. <link>
2) You're mad keen on history - what's your favourite fact about London's past?
Only six people died in the so-called Great Fire of London. I find that kind of reassuring. <link>
3) What's the most surprising famous place you've found that's within 5 minutes of where you live?
I was most surprised to discover that Sylvia Pankhurst's ‘Votes for Women’ movement started right here in an old bakery ninety years ago, literally a stone’s throw from my front door. <link>
4) Is there one famous place/person you'd like to live 5 minutes from?
I wouldn’t want to live 5 minutes from a famous person because of all the fans and stalkers I’d no doubt have to wade through on my way home. I would like to live 5 minutes from the Thames, or nearer, preferably with a view out across the river. <link>
5) Are you going to give readers an occasional update on what your accumulated Nectar points can currently buy you?
I could, but at the rate I’m accumulating them (which is about 5 points a month) it’s going to take me 500 years to earn a Eurostar return trip to Paris, and I suspect most of my readers will be dead by then. <link>
6) You obviously have a deep affection for London - but what narks you the most about the place?
I’m quite difficult to nark, but I do fail to understand why Ken can’t put on extra nightbuses between midnight and 2am at the weekend so that crowds of us don’t have to wait in vain while several packed buses sail past without stopping. <link>
7) Was being part of the first UK flash mob as disappointing as it sounded?
It was a shame not to be able to get into the sofa shop, first because it was locked and then because it’s difficult to get 200 people through one door in less than ten minutes. They should have thought about that when they selected the location. <link>
8) Would you do it again?
Yes, and I have, twice. Singing Singing in the Rain with umbrellas in the fountains at Somerset House. A much better concept, and a lot more fun. <link> And bookswapping in Soho Square - London's best ever lending library. <link>
9) You once gave your afternoon up to the throw of a dice in homage to the Dice Man. Have you done that since? Would you even consider it again?
I’ve not dared do that since because I think I used up all my luck the first time, when I got sent to the Boat Race instead of one of the other lesser events. Next time I might end up somewhere I didn’t actually want to go. I know that’s the point, but why risk it again? <link>
10) Congratulations - You've been elected Mayor of London. What punishment would you dole out to people who have polyphonic ringtones?
I’d quite like to set all their phones to vibrate instead and then ram their mobiles down their throats. I doubt I’d last very long in the job would I? <link>
11) How much of a diamond geezer are you?
On a scale from Two to Ace, probably at least Jack. <link>
12) North London. Why?
Because the alternative is South London. <link>
13) Is your nearest footy team Orient or the Hammers?
I’ve checked, and it’s Orient just ahead of West Ham. Only time those two will ever appear ahead of Arsenal in a list… <link>
14) Any other hobbies?
Going out and having a life I can write about. <link>
15) Complete this sentence: "Diamond Geezer is..."
…daily, unpredictable, listy, humorous, numerate, slightly nerdy, but hopefully at least 95% original. <link>
Interview with a geezer
