I’m here, if anyone’s around. The shoutbox is in the sidebar on the left.

I have an invitation to attend a party on New Year’s Day, but no actual plans for New Year’s Eve. I intend to just relax, and think about my plans for 2009. If you’ve decided not to join everyone else at the party of the year, you can meet up with me here for a chat about whatever comes to mind.

I’ll have an instant message box set up here by 10pm GMT (click here for your local time), and will be available for a chat until at least 1am.

If you think you might be able to attend, please RSVP in the comments so I’ll know how many chicken wings to pick up from the supermarket.

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you got everything you wished for. Catch up with you soon.

My flaky cousin has flaked out on me, so I’m left with a spare ticket for the sold-out New Kids on The Block concert at the London O2 next month. They’re very good tickets (in block B2), so I could easily sell them, but I would still prefer to go if possible. The problem is that most people I know either aren’t fans, or wouldn’t pay £51 to attend.

It’s easier to sell two or more tickets, as most people will go with at least one friend. I guess I’m asking if anyone out there is interesting in buying my spare ticket. I’d be happy to let it go for the original price I paid for it (£45 + £6 booking fee). Leave a comment below or email me asap if you’re interested.

Check out Walmart Soundcheck for a taster of the guys’ performance; there’s a preview clip below.

Ages ago I signed up to receive daily emails from wikipedia, telling me snippets of historical information, quotes and other interesting facts. Tonight’s email featured the word lucubrate, which means either a) to work diligently by artificial light; to study at night or b) to work or write like a scholar.

I probably do my best work at night, so I’m grateful to know the word for it. Anyway, it’s my bedtime now, so I’ll end my lucubration for now.

I’d always wondered what went on in those 24-hour stores in the early hours.

Video: Day ‘N’ Nite by Kid Cudi vs Crookers

(via)

Dale invited me to join in with this meme, so here it is.

Five names you go by

1. PJ – only online
2. Penny – my given name (not short for Penelope)
3. P – just few people in my family call me that
4. Pennicho/Penola – bizarre nicknames bestowed on me by friends
5. Pen – some of my family and friends call me that, but I hate it.

Three things you are wearing right now

1. Old blue nightie
2. Old Purple Nightgown
3. Glasses (slightly askew as a nose-rest is missing)

Two things you want very badly at the moment

1. Chocolate
2. Biscuits (or even chocolate biscuits)

Three people who will probably fill this out

I think most people I know who would have done this have have already done it.

Two things you did last night

1. Hoovered the house
2. Watched Heroes

Two things you ate today

1. Toasted hard-dough bread with cheese
2. Curried goat with white rice

Two people you last talked to on the phone

1. Andrea
2. Miguel

Two things you are going to do tomorrow

1. Go to work
2. Return home

Two longest car rides

1. From here to Heathrow airport
2. Taking a black cab and watching the meter tick over in a traffic jam

Two of your favourite beverages

1. Karibbean Kola
2. Orange juice

I received this Razzle Dazzle DVD in the post this morning, no note or clue about the sender. Anyone who knows me would know that this is not my kind of movie, though I think I know who sent it to me.

Anyone want it? It’s still sealed. It think it would be perfect for a girly night in, perhaps as a follow-up to Mamma Mia.

I first discovered Lady GaGa a few months ago when I got the latest New Kids on The Block album. I wondered who the female vocalist on the track Big Girl Now was (sounded a bit like Christina Aguilera), but I discovered that it was actually Lady GaGa.

Although her stage name sounds like a ragga or hiphop mc, Lady GaGa’s music is actually more of an ecletic mix of electronica, pop and rock. Her sexy performance style pays homage to burlesque, and she lists Madonna, Queen and David Bowie among her influences. Her current look reminds me of a young Donnatella Versace, with that harsh platinum blonde hairstyle, but she carries it well.

I think that this 22 year old is going to be really big next year as she’s got a great voice, a cute face, a hot body (which she shows off constantly in underwear, bikinis or latex catsuits), and catchy songs. She also seems quite eccentric, which is always a bonus in the performing arts.

Here’s a short film released by the artist which features several songs from her debut album, The Fame. It’s rather risque, so don’t press play if you don’t want to see a brief flash of naked breasts or a very brief noose-related dance sequence.

I also really liked this video for her recent single, Poker Face.

If I had a spare £5 million ($7.4 millon) I’d definitely buy this mile-long tunnel complex under central London. The Kingsway Tunnels were originally built in 1940 as air-raid shelters for up to 8000 people, but then were used as temporary base for the troops, then as a base for the secret service. Since then, the space has been used as a public record library and a telephone exchange (which connected the Cold War hotline between the presidents of the US and USSR).

The precise location of the tunnels has been a guarded secret since its wartime use, and still is kept under wraps today. They can’t be used as a public venue for health and safety reasons, as only two lifts provide access to the site. The site is fully equipped with electricity, water supply and ventilation equipment.

BT (formerly known as British Telecommunications) is the current owner and has been using the tunnels as storage space in recent years. It doesn’t need the space any more and is looking for a buyer. An overseas billionaire has shown interest in the site, as well as various companies and someone interested in housing a wine collection.

Imagine an entire mile of space to play with; I’d have a gym at one end, a cinema at the other, a music studio setup, and all kinds of fun stuff to keep myself amused. The only problem would be the lack of sunlight (vitamin D?), the noise from ventilation fans, the vibration of the Underground trains, and the dry, hot, stale air. Still, one can dream. (via)

Further reading:

• The New York Times
• BBC News