Mailbox Ask Bob
STELLAR SUGGESTION
Bob Servant, window cleaning kingpin and beneficiary of Dundee’s Cheeseburger Wars, turns Agony Uncle for The List
LETTER OF THE FORTNIGHT Re: Big Picture, Midsummer Astronomy (681) That magnificent photograph of the sun reminded me of my courting days when I would impress a popsy by pointing out some astronomical feature, perhaps a planet or a constellation.
Bob, I’m doing a best man’s speech in a couple of weeks and, to be perfectly honested, I’m terrified. Please help, the advice I’ve had so far is the usual nonsense about imagining them all naked or taking deep breaths. Have you got anything better than that? Terry Terry, The old public speaking jitters eh? Don’t worry pal, I’ve got the answer. Your friends are close with the naked stuff but I turn it on its head. What I do is to imagine myself naked and I take the opportunity to jazz myself up a little. The last speech I gave I imagined myself naked with hair like Richard Madeley, arms like Arantxa Sánchez Vicario and the torso of a young Mugabe. My worries melted away Terry, and so will yours. Bob
Hi Bob, Wimbledon is nearly upon us. Do you think Murray can win and put a smile on all our faces? Yours, Rhiannon Edwards Rhiannon, Thanks for getting in touch. I’m a Murray man and I always have been. I remember I used to watch him when he was six years old and think ‘this kid’s got the lot’, but then his Dad asked me, in no uncertain terms, to come out from behind the trees and leave the garden. But I have never held his pushy parents against him and I for one am happy to throw my considerable weight behind Murray The Magician aka the ‘Dunblane Hydro’. Bob
Send your questions to bob@bobservant.com twitter.com/bobservant
Younger readers might appreciate a monthly chart of the night sky and the wonders therein. But please don’t call the feature I Saw Uranus. John Samson, Edinburgh Editor’s note: John, if there’s one thing we like more than helping our readers to find success with the opposite sex, it’s a crude joke about Uranus – which are sadly lacking in the world post-Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey. Fair play.
THE LETTER OF THE ISSUE WILL RECEIVE ONE BOTTLE OF THE BLACK GROUSE WHISKY Smoky and Smooth – a marriage of fine peated Scotch malt whiskies and The Famous Grouse
NEXT ISSUE Wednesday 20 July
BEST SCOTTISH WEBSITES We’re turned our favourite form of procrastination into a form of ‘research’, to bring you the definitive list of Scotland's best home-grown sites. NATIONAL MUSEUMS OF SCOTLAND The Chambers Street institution is due to re-open. The List be remembering the charm of the old exhibits, as well as welcoming the fun of the new.
120 THE LIST 23 Jun–21 Jul 2011
CONTRIBUTORS Publisher & General Editor
Robin Hodge Director Simon Dessain
EDITORIAL
Editor Jonny Ensall Deputy Editor Claire Sawers
Assistant Editor Henry Northmore,
Allan Radcliffe Research Manager
Laura Ennor Research
Alex Johnston, David Pollock, Fiona Shepherd, Kirstyn Smith
Editorial Assistant
Niki Boyle Editorial Intern
Jenni Flett, Joanna Sproule
SALES & MARKETING
Media Sales Manager Juliet Tweedie
Media Sales Executive
Jude Moir
Media Project Sales Manager
Suzanne Robertson Business Development
Executive Adam Coulson Business Development
Manager Brendan Miles
Sponsorship & Promotions
Manager Sheri Friers
Promotions Executive
Amy Russell
Circulation Executive Murray Robertson
PRODUCTION Senior Designer
Lucy Munro Production Manager
Simon Armin
DIGITAL Web Editor Hamish Brown
Senior Developer Andy Carmichael Senior Designer Bruce Combe
Software Developer Iain McCusker
Online Editorial Assistant Alice White
ADMINISTRATION Accounts Manager Georgette Renwick
SECTION EDITORS Around Town Kirstin Innes
Books/Comedy Brian Donaldson Clubs/Play Henry Northmore
Dance/Kids Kelly Apter Food & Drink Donald Reid
Film Paul Dale LGBT Lauren Mayberry
Music/Shopping Claire Sawers Noticeboard Anna Millar
Theatre/Visual Art Allan Radcliffe