At the hop

Planet Gallifrey: Matt Smith on Craig Ferguson

2011-10-22T02:58:00.000+09:00

Planet Gallifrey: Matt Smith on Craig Ferguson: Here is Matt Smith's interview on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson from a few days ago.

2011-08-21T04:04:00.001+09:00

Oh and I've stuck some more tracks together for 8tracks no real theme this time just odds and sods that I thought would sound well together, still taking it for a test drive but please find it below if you like the errr likes of The Ramones, Buck 65, The National, Fever Ray, Warren Zevon, and the like.

2011-08-21T03:40:00.002+09:00

Not lots to report this week as being one of the last few of the holiday its rather sped by.
Did see beautiful lies with Audrey Tautao, who it seems whenever you mention her name to people they automatically pull a "ahh shes lovely" face and who also seems to be predominantly remembered for her haircut (well if you judge two seperate people commenting on it as predominantly, well I do so leave it) . Anyway The film is a rather enjoyable french farce which although not exactly side splitting, well the old man in front of us did found it hilarious anyway, is a rather nice little film. Will say that thank goodness Audrey Tautao does inspire the "ahhh" face as her character is.......well frankly kind of horrible. I was struggling to see what anyone would see in her but I was rather happy when things seemed to work out for the best in the end (wait does that count as a spoiler? No? good in that case I was not expecting the aliens to appear at the end.)

Also today had a door step visit from a pair promoting Christianity, who seemed rather confused when I politely said I was an atheist but when asked why just said that I just was. Should I have said I felt it in my soul? Or that Jebus made me that way? Anyway they were rather polite and after asking if I knew anyone on the street who might need helpfrom the lord (does he do plumbing as our sink has been making funny noises) shock hands and shared names...Now T.O.H is suggesting that possibly they now know my name and my address I can expect more visits attempting to persuade me to change my mind about the whole lack of god thing, as the same thing has happened with the Jehovah witness who visits every Sunday to see if I've changed my mind so far I have managed to avoid her and am hoping that T.O.H might be able to say "please go away" (or words that that effect) for me....still waiting.

2011-08-15T06:10:00.003+09:00

One of my favourite...no actually it probably was my absolute favourite thing to do was to make mixes for people, hunting through my records finding that right selection of songs, deciding what theme it should have, if any (and the answer is yes even if the other person doesn't know about it) then sitting by the tape machine pause button at hand, then later the computer trying to cram 14 songs (14 songs usually fit the 74 odd minutes of a cd) sometimes DISASTER the computer couldn't quite fit the end of one, or skipped the beginning of another. Obviously with the advancement of the internet both the sharing of pictures of cats and music itself have changed, and yes I have just realised how old this makes me sound, oh I remember when all this was fields ect ect. Still I've enjoyed collecting a host of songs on spotify, listening to last fm radio and now Im really enjoying 8 track.Basically its a site where you create mixes and listen to others, looking for covers for your album, thinking of witty names oh I had forgotten how much I enjoyed that. Anyway love has been on my mind recently so for my fourth mix I collected songs that I find hit the love button (wait does that sound weird?) so I thought I'd share below
(wait does that sound weirder?)

oh and for some reason I've become obsessed with Tusk by Fleetwood Mac, a band I've never really had any interest in their later years, but my parents recently bought the album for an in law for some reason the song Tusk has just sat in my head for almost a week. I'm a sucker for big pounding drum beats and Tusk delivers big time (ha thats my Tim Westwood voice) plus it sounds kind of nothing like their other stuff ((I think! please let me know if I'm wrong (considering its just me that reads this this is a note to myself, also buy more soya milk and))
Anyway looking on youtube (home of sleepy animals and people miming to songs) and it appears to also be a favourite of marching bands. Now being English (yes shocking I know) marching bands just seem kind of cool and different to me, its possibly my time as a Scout marching through town, but synchronized playing of instruments (I was going to write synchronized marching but that makes me sound slightly fascist) and drums/horns just seems win win. I found this video below as an example

See brilliant, plus I only spotted the man dressed as a roman centurion at the very end.

More music and the odd "hack"ing (no I cant really make that witty title sorry)

2011-08-03T04:59:00.003+09:00

Hello, have probably recovered from Millsaddedon 2011 in whhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifich Mills's around the country mounted a campaign against London, the score? Three, two probably we can defiantly claim the natural history museum and true we almost lost out when it came to lunch times but the final night at a party held in the building where the kings speech was filmed (and finding wearing plaid at an all white dress party doesn't always go down well) and also finding same building has a jacuzzi in the basement (presumably the bit where Colin Firth is in it with Geoffry Rush is in the DVD extras). So Sunday was rather.......tiring and funny enough Monday too.
Still up to speed now more or less and realised I haven't really written anything whilst on holiday mainly because I've tried to go out and do....things well things that cost nooooo money still it means I have re discovered the joys of sleeping in, and watching movies (a seperation is amazing by the way) also been watching the phone hacking scandal open up and float around somewhat like a giant wasp thats been brought into a room, no one really likes to acknowledge its there, everyone is flapping their hands and its kind of a bastard. It has struck me though about Rupert Murdochs whole "oh I'm just an old man whos a bit doddery I didn't know anything." a plea used usually by war criminals who apparently were fine to slaughter andmassacre but now have a bit of a cough and cant hear well so cant possibly stand trial now thankyouverymuch. Whats worse is that people have been saying they even felt sorry for him! Really! and again Really! For what, twenty, thirty years Murdoch has controlled, manipulated, bullied and basically bulldozed his way through politics and media and now apparently hes a bit old so we should go easy, sorry but again Really!?! The other question is that with Rupert and James Murdoch claiming they didn't know anything (plus Rebekah Brookes and I presume Pierce "human slug" Morgan as well) doesnt this actually make them really bad bosses, after all it was apparently going on for years, was credited with breaking the Sven Goran Ericsson affair (which I presume is in no way an admition of guilt actually saying in a book thank god we had phone hacking) and used by tens possibly hundreds of journalists and yet the supposed bosses knew nothing..? We could just presume that they really didn't know anything in which case they are aweful bosses who apparently couldn't even run their news rooms....
So the choice is either they are massive massively incompetent to run business or they knew about the hacking tough choice...

2011-08-01T10:08:00.002+09:00

Just attempted to make a mix album on 8 track its my first go and for some reason says its not published so obviously Im not doing something right, anyway heres a few tracks that always move me towards the melancholic side, enjoy or ....er maybe not

quick pea and ham soup and small ramble

2011-07-17T19:41:00.004+09:00

My CD player is currently refusing to play the junior boys so evil glares at that, although it does remind me that apart from metronomy and Tuneyards (capitals be damned) I havent bought anything for a while, although as it is now officially school holiday (yay) I have plenty of time to potter before finally deciding not to buy anything which is my usual way.
T.O.H has been trying to cut down on gluten this last few weeks and generally it doesnt make sense time wise or in effort to cook two full dinners so Ive been having similar meals (with added bread for my gluten fix hmmm gluten) and so thought I'd jot down a quick and easy recipe, plus have noticed I havent put any food up for ages.
My mum and dad got me (or mamma and pa bought one, if your posh) a hand held blender for my b day which has been so useful not just in soup making but also pestos, making minted peas (which is simply just cooked peas mint jelly and some oil, even peanut butter, anyway this is a recipie for pea soup its very very easy and changable to your needs (for example Im not a fan of really thick soup so the first time I added less peas) its also very easy to make a veggie version simply cook the onions as directed, add the stock salt and pepper and cook the peas for 15 minutes before blending, making it far quicker and way cheaper.

ingredients
about 2 pounds of peas (if using frozen defrost first (and wash) )
around 2 litres of stock (I used two cubes of gluten free stock cubes but you can obviously just use veg stock instead) (oh and I also added a pinch of tumeric as I like the colour) (also I like brackets)
1 onion finely chopped
a small butter portion
1 small bacon joint (I used a sainsburys basic one around 350 g and made sure it didnt have too much fat, I suppose to make it even healthier trim most of the fat off first)

in a large pan melt butter add the onion and cook until soft, add the bacon joint and enough water to just cover the joint (around 2 litters should do it), bring to a boil, reduce slightly and cook for around one hour turning the joint halfway through, by now the bacon should be nice and soft so skim any fat that floats to the surface remove the joint and add the peas, cook the peas for 10 to 15 minutes and as you do take off any fat from the joint and shred the meat, after the 15 minutes blend the soup and add salt and pepper to taste, add the meat and re heat the soup serve with nice thick bread and butter or if your gluten free rice cakes crushed up give the soup a bit more chunk.
anyway thats it, suggestions or changes always welcome. Its Sunday so going to continue to potter in PJs and plan on seeing the Princess of Montpensier in a bit yay sundays yay holidays YaY generally

2011-06-25T05:18:00.003+09:00

Hello there, Monday to Wednesday was a three day residential school trip which as you would expect was rather....tiring and have returned home to find I have developed the sickness bug thats been going around (a rather bad habit at school is that as soon as anyones sick you can guarantee that sooner or later you will get it too) so have now also been off for two days feeling sickly ewwwww
anyway Glastonbury is currently on this weekend to which my brother has headed off so theres a certain amount of Mills envy (despite the rain) and right now Im looking out for him as Morrisey sings/makes witty comments I gave him my inflatable pilllow to take away and a list of things to bring and now rather glad I recommended wellies and bin liners. Although a question about glastonbury exactly who brings those massive flags you see waving around? and more importantly whats the point?
On a sadder note just seen that Peter Falk has passed away, I think I've mentioned my love of columbo before and my weekends (and other days of the week) are made so much better if I manage to catch a repeat of an episode, the deceptively smart sleuth battling wits with murders (and if I remember right a kidnapper or two) has shaped crime television since it first aired (see modern programs like The Mentalist which featured a direct lift from Prescription murder the other week) which comes down a lot to Peter Falks amazing performance, thats not mentioning The Princess Bride or Murder by death in which he stared (I love his very confused Humphry Bogart/classic private eye role)

2011-06-07T03:02:00.003+09:00

TV has been watched, wii games have been played 13 assassins observed and a riverside festival attended. Not a bad holiday overall but one that went by waaaay to quickly, perhaps it was the first few days of having nothing to do except tidy, yes what a crazy wild time I have.
Anyway yes 13 assassins was rather good indeed possibly it was taking the "we need to make a team." style movie and giving it a twist, or the absolute eeeevvvillll emperor (to be) but it was probably the part with the flaming pigs or the alley of swords that you know will be (and are) used...no actually it was the flaming pig weapons....
Im not a lawyer, but please dont tell my clients, buuuut RatKo Mladic's "I'm a bit sick, see I've got a note." Attempt to avoid being prosocuted for genocide is possibly not the best way to defend oneself.

2011-05-31T08:04:00.002+09:00

T.O.H is off away on holiday for the next 11 days leaving me behind in blighty to potter and generally weep in my gooseberry yogurt during this half term break, anyway I asked my little five year old nephew what I should this week on my own and after a little thought he simply said "Watch TV." he didn't seem to want to add anything else.
trying my best so far

2011-05-30T07:39:00.002+09:00

As its half term, its also bank holiday which means another full week off, which on one hand is yay and another what the hell am I actually going to do with myself? plus T.O. H is away for 11 whole days away in Spain (where apparenly the rain falls mainly on the plane)
Anyway heading home tonight I was stopped in the street by a random man, who asked me to lend him my phone so that he could ring his girlfriend and ask if he could come around, at this point I should say that A) apparnetly he had no credit and B) I had 3 pints. Anyway I did agree, but only if he first gave me his phone and his keys. He made his phone call (and no his girlfriend didnt want him to come around) and we actually ended up wandering up the road together. Now thinking about back I partially feel bad that I didnt trust the man to make a call without doing a runner and yet think I wouldnt have done anything different, I dont particually hold with it being a sign of the times as any history program shows people have been robbing/conning/stabbing with sharpy things other people since time, or Peter Akyroyd, began. What I do find interesting is the personal aspect of it what would I have done 2 years back?, 5 years back of ten would I have lent him my phone and not even considered him doing a runner? or would I have ignored him completly, walked past and not say a word. As I said to him at the time and still believe now you have to have trust in people, trust that might be broken, but trust all the same.

2011-05-22T03:40:00.002+09:00

For some reason still feeling rather....tired this evening although that might be the gins from last night it could be waking up early yes yes definatly that in no way is it the gins. Anyway T.O.H is away working tonight and these last few weeks they have been cooking dinner something that I usually do mostly to releave stress from work (you wouldn't believe the calming effect of bashing tomatoes will have) So tonight I've got the first chance to cook for myself...annnnnd I cant be bothered. I did however see Steve Albini's food blog which as would would expect goes into a lot of detail about everything, which does make me wonder what he would be like to live with, I mean can you imagine having to shop for EXACTLY the right toiler roll or moving the door mat in the wrong place...

2011-05-08T03:28:00.002+09:00

Hello hello yes hello, I've had birthdays galore (very nice too thanks for asking) cinema visits in which Werner Herzog shows us really really old drawings and the odd (literally) albino crocodile, a two and a half week holiday that included a surprise visit from my brother, a cheese and cider festival giant margarita glasses picnics listening to a lot of Johnny Flyn and sushi.
That was a busy two weeks wasnt it

March towards summer

2011-04-09T19:26:00.002+09:00

Hello there, today is supposed to be relax Saturday due to plenty of gin and tonics at bossa last night but have just realized that there's a huge amounts of birthday presents to buy, gardens to be sorted and jaunty hats to be worn (okay maybe not the last one) anyway one last, probably very looonng week to go before the end of term then two weeks off only spoilt by having not actual money still it will be interesting to see what I can get up to for no money at all.
The other week T.O.H, T.O.H's brother and I headed to to London village to attend a small march in response to the government deciding that really we dont really need services like decent education, fire services, a quality health service, pensions and the like. and what a brilliant day it was too, I was joined by my sister as we marched through London with I beleive close to half a million people. Of course out of these half a million people about 100 caused property damage which is (I dont do maths good) I believe was less than 1 percent, of course the media decided that this small amount of property damage was far more important than all the other people marching and their cause so decided to focus on that instead; so much so that if you watch most footage of the violent protesters you can see rows and rows of photographers and the news that night had (out of an hour) had 45 minutes dedicated to the violent and 4 minutes on the rest of the protest with the odd advert thrown in. Now I understand why the news has to report on such events but why not more about the thousands and thousands of peaceful protesters? Anyway Ive got to go and start my day pottering doesnt start itself you know.

oh and on a different note does spotify now have far more adverts than usual? its now following every song.

2011-03-20T23:26:00.005+09:00

Well after catching up on the latest episodes of the killing which has left me pondering ways in which to sleep for six days straight till the last two episodes are show, BBC 2 are showing both the life and death of colonel Blimp (thats one film not in two parts) and the Red shoes, two of the greatest films made (FACT!)
The Red shoes in particular is astonishing in its amazing use of colours, costumes and music, especially during the actual performance of the ballet, those who liked Black Swan would do well to see it if they haven't all ready, there's less face stabbing toe peeling horror more Obsession and Anton Walbrook being the most swarve man on the planet (not an easy task when wearing huge slippers and an Egyptian robe) .
so thats my Sunday sorted then.

British Red Cross

2011-03-19T19:35:00.003+09:00

Its now been over a week since the disaster in Japan and there are now a number of ways in which support can be given including The British Red Cross whose link can be found here
or through Save the children - here
thank you

2011-03-12T20:39:00.002+09:00

was going to talk about the Leicester beer festival I went to yesterday which was all rather good fun (a lot of rugby tops in one room) and how eminem seems to bellow through every song but just watching the terrible scenes of Japan and so instead should just say that I hope that help gets there quickly and everything manages to be put under control as quickly as possible.

2011-02-27T21:23:00.002+09:00

Last Sunday before returning to work, booo, although am curious to find out exactly why Ive been paid less money than usual, although the lack of funds has meant not being able to walk to the cinema to watch true grit will have to potter downstairs and hope that columbo is on.
Anyway London visit last week (also hence the no funds) which included the interesting Wellcome collection a free exhibition of the best kind, that of a random person collecting random objects for years (see Dennis Severs house for reference) which is currently holding a big exhibition about drugs through the years which is well worth an hour or two if your near Euston station if not for the prohibition posters, or the (in my opinion not actually really talked about) opium wars that Britain basically started with China, then go for the random people who visit and see how many people were "asleep" in what I call the poppy room. Anyway well worth a look as was the British museum which is the BRITISH MUSEUM so really no explanation is neccesarry about how good that place is stolen/borrowed collection and all.
Oh and we also visited St Johns tavern, home of the massive scotch egg (thats not its actual name but would be suitable it it was.) and very nice pork scratchings. hmm which has just reminded me about breakfast.

Its also interesting, well not really but still, the similarities between Charlie Sheen and Col Gadafi's recent rants to the media, and if Gadafi wasnt an insane fruitloop who has killed hundreds of his own people I would point out that I havent seen either in the same room together.

2011-02-19T04:02:00.001+09:00

Best quote from the metro yesterday.
‘We were drinking in New York, New York, but they wouldn’t let Johnny in because he was wearing his knuckle dusters.’
dress codes have just got way too picky

2011-01-29T17:59:00.002+09:00

So...
the kings speech, great posh swearing
Of Gods and Men, beautiful incredibly moving
the Mechanic....surely there's space enough on this poster to add something? a flying uzi totting bird, a smiley face? another Jason Strathern?

New Year, Old post

2011-01-05T04:30:00.002+09:00

So Christmas time has come and gone, new year was once again spent in the Derbyshire wilderness (well Hope valley) and school back on tomorrow.
Hope that anyone reading this had a good holiday all round, and that does include me in the future (hello future me) possibly reading this whilst our new metal overlords rule with an iron fist. I think our christmas tree will be staying till the weekend when we will have some sort of ceremonial cutting up, rather than last year when it turns out that when a Christmas tree appears to last for four months and you keep topping up the water lets just use the term..rotten.
anyway so far have given blood, made a loaf and started planning what to plant in the garden, whenever the soil defrosts, this year could include radishes, courgettes and potatoes so lets get back to planning.

2010-12-04T06:45:00.002+09:00

still in nest and now complete with a green tongue (thats really not right is it?) and currently seem to be stalked by Zeljko Ivanek who when isnt appearing in The mentalist, will be in the event, or in "In Bruges", and has also popped up in the episodes of homicide life on the street. For a man who seems to specialize in figures of authority usually on the shifty side he really does get around.

Art for change

2010-12-03T02:45:00.002+09:00

Im sick again, so before I retire back to my nest (complete with day nurse, blankets and episodes of homicide life on the streets) I should mention the art for a change exhibition thats currently situated at the Malcolm Arcade in Leicester, its a collection of works from artists all over Leicester and an attempt to encourage people to not only see some nice work but also think about art (a little bit a least). Somehow Ive managed to sneak a couple of paintings in amongst the actual real art.

For contact details see below or pop along

Art for change

Exhibiting art work not

to decorate walls but

to break them down

can be found in

Malcom Arcade

Leicester for a short time only

info@artandcompany.org

facebook: art for change leicester

right back to my nest cough cough

surely its a cold cold day

2010-11-30T06:18:00.003+09:00

its been a verrrrry long day at work to say the least, plus its cold outside..have you noticed? You might not have as obviously England as a whole has just got on with their daily rout.......oh no wait once again England will probably grind to a stand still as obviously snow isnt something that happens every year you know. I saw on the news that one council are already reviewing why they dont have enough salt and grit for the roads before its actually had a proper chance to snow yet. Oh well obviously there will never be enough salt to prevent fields of ice forming along my road (I mean where my house is, obviously its not my actual road, I dont think it is anyway)

Annnyway sad news all round with news that both Leslie Nielsen and Irvin Kershner have passed away. Nielsen in particular will be missed if not for his work on police squad, airplane, naked gun, forbidden planet, coloumbo and a host of other programs/movies.

anyway It's the same old story. Boy finds girl, boy loses girl, girl finds boy, boy forgets girl, boy remembers girl, girl dies in a tragic blimp accident over the Orange Bowl on New Year's Day.

Bhaa electricals

2010-11-17T05:32:00.001+09:00

I'm not an expert on Dickens (Charles that is not David) but I'm pretty sure that the whole point of a Christmas carol (both the book and the muppets version) is that Scrooge looks over his life time (and future) and realizes a life dedicated to money leaves nothing in its passing but sorrow changing his ways out of love of his fellow man. So is it just me but having an advert where scrooge buys gifts for people because he gets a few pounds back juuust about misses the point some what.

back sick ah sick ah school ahhh

2010-11-08T22:46:00.003+09:00

Well I suppose it should be somewhat appropriate that the first chance I get to write something here its a sick day, well apparently its technically a day off albeit one that involves me having to make a nest on the sofa and watch homicide life on the street (which is giving me a craving to eat crabs) and drinks shots of lemsip (hmmm paracetamoly) anyway in the last few days
Its rather miserable weather right now (hence to cold...actually working in a school your pretty much victim to these things, hence the nit comb sitting in the bathroom ahhh) and apparently its going to be this way from now on so its probably a time to invest in thermals again.
Ive attended an auction which was rather good, the last one I went to T.O.H and I ended up with 300 pounds worth of Persian rugs so it was probably better that this time I didnt get anything although the grandaughter clock would have been a nice addition..dont know what too but it would have been nice.

back to work

2010-10-23T18:59:00.003+09:00

So as Lieutenant Columbo is busy sparing with William Shatner (who is doing a very good impression of a hammy over the top actor bytheway, oh and he did it) I'm enjoying the last of my half term holiday and also realizing that its generally holidays when I have time to type on this blog. Still writing a little bit is better than not writing at all (well possibly).
Anyway its been a rather nice week that has managed to go extra slowly, whether this means the 8 1/2 weeks till the end of term will also drag remains to be seen.

hols, and freshers

2010-09-27T00:30:00.003+09:00

As its been too much of a gap between posts I still want to put a few bits about T.O.H and my holiday.

Well as you last left I was poised on Beachy head with T.O.H reaching out towards me, thankfully it was only to stop me from falling over the edge although why they had to push I will never know.

Brighton; lots of shiny lights, including carousels, piers and fish.chips (hmmmm fish.chips)

Crazy golf; I have no shame in say that I was beaten by T.O.H on their very first attempt at crazy gold. Although as the loser had to buy the slush puppies there is some shame in that (see face).

One of my favourite moments was attending a talk by Mark Gattis and Paul Franklin. Mark Gattis (as you might know) wrote and stared in the League of gentlemen, has written for Doctor who, has his own successful series of books (think Lord Byron crossed with James bond with dash of Jason King) oh and helped create Sherlock which became one of the BBCs top program this year, so you know a rather talented guy. Anyway as you would presume it was all very entertaining with tales of how characters from the league of gentlemen were created, stories about the Sherlock holmes society (and how the press made up a number of lies about the show) and how he wanted the Daleks bigger and badder but not with that added back bump. Obviously I wouldn't be as interesting if I attempted to repeat his stories but if you ever get the chance I would suggest seeing him talk (or watching crooked house which is great)

Paul Franklin is part of the computer graphics company responsible for effects on the likes of Harry Potter, The Dark Knight and inception. Again he was full of interesting stories that would be rather boring if I attempted to repeat them, I will say my favourite thing he talked about was how Chris Nolan doesnt own a mobile phone, or an email account for that matter, so if your friends with chrisnolan76 on twittebook or what ever its called sorry chances are its not him.

holiday its a holiday, its almost at an end

2010-08-25T05:30:00.008+09:00

T.O.H is thinking "just one good push...."

Well all good and nice things must end so its the last actual week of holidays here in Leicestershiirreee, two more days of play scheme work and one Friday off a long weekend and back to work (queue the NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOs)

We did manage to go on holiday the other week which was all rather jolly, first up a hour trip down to Eastbourne, as I think Lee Evans once said lots of ramps) nice to be the youngest people in a town, well apart from the odd depressed group of youths in a car. Anyway We stayed at a hotel called the Big Sleep co owned by John Malkovich (sadly he wasnt dressed as a bell boy as I hoped complete with tiny hat)

John realizing he forgot his tiny bell boy hat

Anyway The hotel and Eastbourne were rather nice indeed, sea walks, massive delicious turkish dinners, even more massive walks through Beachy head (not to close to the edge though) and a visit to the George Musgrave museum....
havent head of George Musgrave, well basically just think of your average person well if that person had in their life invented a new type of toy, helped come up with the idea of double yellow lines ( and other areas of road safety) been a missionary, spent 30 years researching and painting the life of Saint Paul along the way discovering the spot where St Pauls ship was ship wrecked, ran to be an MP, painted hundreds of pictures, wrote lots of poems been on a number of TV and radio programs and lived in a windmill (the last one not quite and achievement but still rather impressive) and at 95 years of age still finds time to man the museum almost every day. If your in Eastbourne I do recommend a visit not just to learn about an interesting person then to see his interesting array of archaeological finds, collection of cameras and dioramas and collection of paintings here's the man himself.

Anyway yes an interesting place to visit but make sure you leave at least an hour to see everything.
Finally we stopped off for some pie and eels (see me scoffing my face below) hmmm eel before heading off to Brighton which as its late and Ive got crumble to eat will hold off for another day.
Anyway Eastbourne, not as many ramps as you think and all rather nice

hello there

2010-08-07T20:05:00.003+09:00

Oh hello there, its been a while since I jotted anything down here. Not really sure why exactly I could bluster along and say its something to do with the lack of time, new job (the old one) new new summer job (bit like the old one) , but its probably something to do with Zelda on the wii which has so far roughly claimed 50 hours of play, which is either not bad/bad when you think that I only started 4 weeks back.
Anyway in the mean time bits and pieces that I should mention mainly just so I dont forget probably about in a weeks time as that roughly how long my memory seems to be lasting, presumably getting ready for my pipe, slippers and pottering two of which I'm already invested in.
I managed to successfully reapply for my old job (I was a long term temp) which means come September Ill have more work, hurrarrs all round, although with current council cuts how long this lasts remains to be seen. During these summer holidays (only six weeks boooo) Im working at a play scheme which has so far been rather good Im working in the kitchens which means hair net greatness.
Last week I went over to London village for the field day music festival which was all rather good, especially as I got to see my brother and sister, the highlight was probably Matthew Herberts one club which is rather difficult to explain but basically imagine finding out the geography teacher at school makes rather amazing dance music completely from scratch and suffers from some form of dance turrets...hmm maybe there is a better way to explain it but thats about all I can manage any heres a link to a video from the solar festival although the bobbing up and down in it does make me feel rather sea sick you have been warned. Also present was the Fall (see below) apparently you can be a real Mills unless you see The Fall at least once in your life so I can finally claim my membership card,

Here be people number 2, Mark E smith - The fall

2010-08-07T20:02:00.000+09:00

Race for Life

2010-07-06T04:06:00.003+09:00

T.O.H is currently doing circuits around the house in training for the very good cause charity Race for life. To sponsor them in this grand endeavour you should just have to click the link below.

2010-06-28T05:04:00.000+09:00

prediction for tomorrows sport pages...
"mullerd"
failing that probably some use of the word blitzkreg

world socceeerrrr

2010-06-22T06:15:00.003+09:00

So its amazing that one day in the press Wayne Rooney is described as maverick with a spirit of a street fighter the next a petulant thug who is apparently a primer donna

I suppose thats the magic of the world cup...

oh and I remember years ago seeing a still from a deleted scene from Blade runner that apparently showed Dekard (sorry about spelling) visiting Rachael who has been placed in a statis chamber at the end of the film....or did I make this up as I have never heard of anything like this again...any help would be useful thanks.

world soccerrrbballl ffeevverr

2010-06-13T01:31:00.001+09:00

As the simpsons said finally we can decide who is the greatest nation on Earth, Mexico or Portuga

World cup opportunist of the month (or every 4 years) goes either to all those old English football players/managers who are scrambling around to be the face of what ever product is willing to pay for their tracksuited selves to badly act on TV whilst England is in the competition; wether its TV's, sofas, newspapers, bad beer, or trading cards it looks like footballers arent that bothered what they flog (however hats have definatly got to be doffed to Grahem Taylor who managed to be the face of two very different products whilst obviously wearing exactly the same tracksuit and filmed in the same place.) To say Im already rather tired of this massive advertisement push is an understatement and I don't think seeing a man reviled in the press singing badly or mugging away is really going to get me to buy a bigger TV.
The possible winner (of the opportunist thing not the world cup) is probably the bar down the road that has changed its name to bar 66, that's not six hundred houses down from Satan's address but rather a date that England fans seem to constantly fixate on, its either that or the amount of days its going to last, either one really.

Somehow I have managed to loose almost all my Saturday, its either down to Luther being on BBC iplayer or Resident evil 4 being on the wii although considering I've been waiting for T.O.H to come home so I can rant about how I just teamed up with a helicopter to mo down a load of non zombies as I ran from trench to trench picking them off its probably the second one isnt it.

right back to the SOOCCCCEERRRRRBALLLLLLL

The end is nigh! (of holidays)

2010-06-04T20:15:00.001+09:00

Well almost the last day of my holiday which has gone farrr too quickly its been filled with salads, exploding kettles, village fairs, gardening, children mocking my Leicester accent (and lack of t's) morris dancing, spanish non zombies, field music and me getting gerbils and guinea pigs mixed up.
apart from those its been fairly quiet.

When Barbara Cartland went mad.

The Willow game....not as good as the star wars one.

caption was going to be either, "Dirty picture." or "Brass is £2 a bag."

one week off

2010-06-01T06:36:00.002+09:00

Right well Im first day into my week off, well technically everyone gets today off as its half term which is rather annoying as we only seem to get weeks off when there's bank holidays...annyway
currently....
still having sweet tea after giving blood yesterday, which went alright considering it was my first time, well I say alright I will say I had to have a lay down after sitting up if you see what I mean; apparently T.O.H set off a chain of people having to have a lay down in the reception which I imagine like a set of pale dominoes. So today have been rocking the plastered arm and pale complection look which would be like an accident prone character from twilight but without the sparkles...

Planning a dinner party tomorrow although its going to be somewhat of a mishmash as the dinners have rather varied tastes so its going to be two types of salad (Mediterranean and noodle salad) scolloped cabbage, and an indian dish made from poppadoms and onions, homemade walnut bread and chocolate cake, so tomorrow is going to be pottering to the MAX!

Not that impressed with Robin Hood (accent goes on holiday) ,which seemingly starts out wanting to want to be all gritty and real and somehow by the end hes shooting arrows between the fingers of the sheriff (sorry SPOILER!) Russel Crowe does a pretty decent job not mentioning his somewhat holidaying accent (which has been mentioned elsewhere, dont make him angry) but theres waaay too much hay nony nony men in tights, plus the french having D day style landing craft annoyed me too much.

Errrrr oh and this last month saw British Sea power (ace) and this week seeing Field music (hopefully ace) plus thinking about getting tickets for Field day which would be nice.

Right its off to plan the potter

shonening, voting and errr droning?

2010-05-15T04:35:00.003+09:00

should really get around to cleaning out the cobwebs that probably cover this blog.. oh wait thats right its on the internet an actual no physical place (oh gone are the days of those people convinced the matrix was only around the corner OR ALREADY HERE) so thankfully theres no chance of finding a spider the same size as the one that was inhabiting my kitchen the other night, that when it jumped ( no prodding needed ) it actually thudded on the work surface.... thudded people thats how big it was.

Anyway apart from watching lost, and let me just get this straight, everything is jacobs fault and he lived in a cave with his mum for 30 year hmmmmm, watching the end of suernatural (which won the "wait...what!" award for an ending that will probably be surpassed by losts "ahhhh more questions that will not doubt occur)
Also this week I've been rather concerned with the fact that the conservatives have their grubby fingers back in the pie of power (a harry potter non used title I believe) which might put my job and education in general in somewhat of a dangerous situation. Hmm well dont say I voted for them.
Oh and this week I saw Shonen knife, who I haven't seen for a couple of years which also means its time for a line up change. Anyway your always guaranteed to have a fun time at a Shonen knife gig and considering that songs range from stories about bannana chips to pyramid power you know its not going to be exactly doooom and glooooom but it does always comes with excellent guitar riffs and a chance to headbang although it did also come with a collection of creepy men who spent faaaar too long at the signing stand taking pictures annnyywaay it was still all rather good and how many songs do you get about bannana chips anyway?

tired

2010-04-25T19:57:00.003+09:00

Friends staying around this weekend so not had much sleep inbetween heading to a bad nightclub (although we did spot a couple with his and her hair, sadly this hair was Nic Cages from Next) having a fantastic meal at the New Lagoona, becoming official tour guide for Leicester (were only 3 out of five stories were made up!) oh and receiving a wii and reading world war Z so over all rather busy you could say.
Oh and managed to get 12 winning dogs out of 14 races last week but still came away with less money from when I arrived which I think pretty much sums up gambling.
(best dog name of the night...Avon Hunter)

Its my birthday and I'll post if I want to....so there.

2010-04-15T05:01:00.003+09:00

Havent posted anything for a while as its my birthday and I have an excuse so tough.

So far have been enjoying a relativly calm time at work, although one child saying their favourite drink was black tower juice was rather strange. A trip to the zoo tomorrow which should be....er interesting to say the least.
This last week T.O.H and I have been trying out some game dishes first up rabbit cooked in a middely sweet french sauce, followed by venison slow cooked in mushroom sauce, out of which venison came out the winner next week its wood pidgeon verses.. well not sure yet Anyway as it my b day week I'm off to potter. oh has any one seen those new Magnum icecream adverts? Seriously how much does Benicio Del Toro need money?

Happy Richard Lynch day!

2010-03-31T23:14:00.003+09:00

A day for Richard Lynch who has played bad guys (and one president..apparently) for well over 20 years.
For service to movies you probably have never heard of (most of which are 2 or 3 in a series including the amazing sounding "Cyborg 3...the recycler!") being "that guy, you know....that guy!"as well as for actually being a good actor, an accomplished musician and multi linguist. He's been great in some bad films and (good) TV for a long long time, heres a quote from the man himself (well... from IMDB anyway) to support this theory.

"I've always felt like a thoroughbred without the proper track to run on."
How true.
Richard Lynch fan site here

Richard Lynch I salute you!

2010-03-31T02:11:00.002+09:00

Second day of holiday and boredom setting in, plus to make it worse I've already seen this episode of murder she wrote.

Suggestions welcome

BBC why must you mock me sooooooo... and an appeal

2010-03-29T19:01:00.004+09:00

As its the first day of the holidays I've got round to the usual things you do in days off, hover, sow buttons on cardigans (yes thats right CARDIGANS!) check how my gardening attempts have been going (so far soil but its got grass seed on it, no grass just seed but its a start)
oh and getting rather impatient for the new series of Doctor who to start, not helped by the BBC repeating the first minute over and over like some sort of...well time loop anyway Saturday roll on quick.
Now to something actually important.
When T.O.H and I came back from Japan allllllll that time ago we passed through Mongolia on the transiberian express. My time in Mongolia became (for me anyway) one of the highlights of the trip, not just because it was so different from our other experiences both in Japan and travelling back but also because of the friendlyness of its people, a large number of whom still live in traditional tents herding animals. We were so well treated by the camel hurders, our guide and the staff at the area we stayed in, and I wont forget my time huddled in blankets watching the sun rise over mountains. Sadly the country has suffered one of its hardest winters in years which has resulted in terrible hardship for its animal herders who already struggle as it is.
This BBC report explains it far better than I
Anyway to find more information about all the work The Red Cross do both generally and for people in Mongolia and a location for those who might want to donate I think you can use the website here
Right back to work, currently planning on cooking rabbit this week..it is easter after all

A question

2010-03-21T03:06:00.002+09:00

This week I attended a training session on behaviour in keystage one students. We looked at reasons for disruptive behaviour, discussed ideas and assessments of students even played some games. However I wasn't quite sure how to ask for the answer as to when a six year old student turns to you and repeatedly says "Your mums sexy..." which has happened more than once last week...
they havent even met my mum.

Beasts and beer

2010-03-15T02:30:00.004+09:00

As usual its quiet Sunday time where after a visit to see my nana (hello nana) its planning the following weeks dinner, watching the 39 steps (in which my favourite bit has just occurred where a drugged Robert Powell is flying along a ramp in a wheel chair, you might just have to watch it to see what I mean). The Leicester beer festival is in its last day today, I went over on Friday night where amongst drinks called things like Roman Orgy and 2010 a beer odessey, my friend found a 12 percent beer called Bazs Bonce Blower which apparently had its desired effect.
Last night saw two notable events...A) The Wild beasts played at Leicester University supported by Erland and the carnival, both very good indeed I was particularly surprised by how upbeat the wild beasts proved to be live as I had some concern it would all be very shoe gazery, but thankfully everything was rather uptempo (as these modern guitar combos tend to be) oh and the sound quality was brilliant.
B) Ive become rather interested in tweed
C) Curse you ebay
D) Last night was the final opening for the Charlotte before, I am led to believe, Demontfort University converts it to flats (it seems gradually the university is taking over Leicester, but hey theres no way they would not listen to public opinion forcing a weak willed council to do its bidding... ohhh)
Anyway I actually didnt want to go to the final night at the Charlotte, mainly because I like my memories (ohh memories) and I knew seeing it in its final state would be rather sad, although its not like the charlotte was ever clean thats part of its charm but still. Sadly my uncle wasnt very well (although it was in no way any relation to the beer festival I should stress) so I ended up with his ticket and it was more or less as I thought with the upstairs picked clean, each of the small atic rooms seemed to hold a collection (gaggle? mob?) of shouty youths or old people reminiscing (im the second one obviously, or am I the shouty old person?) while a collection of bands saw out the night. Right off to roast chicken

Soupy soup soup, - Italian pea and pasta soup

2010-03-09T02:58:00.004+09:00

Its just occurred to me that I haven't really posted any food recipes recently, so here's one for an italian style soup I made last night taken from the very good soup book called errr soup.
Sometimes theres nothing nice than an almost broth like mix of peas and pasta this is very easy and quick to boot

2 tablespoons of butter
1/3 cup of roughly chopped panchetta ham or smokey bacon
1 small onion finely chopped
3 1/2 cups of frozen peas
2 stalks of celery finely chopped
a litre of chicken stock
1 teaspoon of tomato paste
2 teaspoons of chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
1/3 cup parma ham
Salt and Pepper to taste
several lasagne sheets either dried or fresh cut into small squares
a small amount of parmasan

In a large saucepan melt the butter, add the onion, celery and panchetta and cook over a medium heat for 5 minutes stirring all the time.
Add the frozen peas a continuing to stir cook for a further 3 minutes
Add the tomato paste, stock and parsley and salt and pepper to taste; if using dried lasagne add now ( oh and taking care as the stock should be quite salty, I didnt add anything to mine) bring to the boil, cover with a lid and reduce to a simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.
If your using fresh lasagne sheets add to the soup in the last three minutes.
To serve place into bowels add the chopped parma ham and top with some grated parmasan

bits bobs and hand jives

2010-03-03T04:48:00.005+09:00

Right as the sticky belly pork is cooking away some points and bits about the last few weeks that I should mention just to remind myself of what was happening when I reread this in years to come when the machines have taken over ( and I for one welcome our new metal overlords).
Anyway
For the last few Fridays me and T.O.H have been having dance classes, thankfully its not to re enact that bit in dirty dancing at the end (as I dont think T.O.H could pick me up after a running jump anyway) but for 1950's jive dancing (and not like this more this ) so we've been practicing the superwomen, hand push, waste bin and what not which is all going surprisingly well especially when I often have the grace of a drunken sloth. The big question is what exactly I should wear to the end disco tech thingy bowling shirt, Hawaiian shirt? strippy T shirt? Suggestions are welcome

Oh and saw A prophet the other week.... A seriously very good, hard hitting film, theres a ton of reviews out there that can explain it better than I, see it but be warned.

You might have heard but the BBC have made the decision to close 6 music and the Asian network station. Which seems so amazingly bad its almost funny; as the drive to get us all to buy into DAB radio, closing two of the stations only available on digital and ones that provide an alternative to commercial stations out there seems...well stupid. The news has brought a wave of protest but feel free to add your voice to the crowd. Places where you can hear quality alternative music is few and far between so lets try and keep them going.
A petition to save both stations can be found here
A Face book group for 6 music can be found here
Other ideas for what to do can be found here

Solomn Kane. or how evil can be fought.....with evil (and pointy swords)

2010-02-28T10:10:00.003+09:00

So things I have learned from Solomn Kane.
Pointy swords do indeed fight evil, often removing evils head/arms/closest body part whilst doing it.
Its fun to fight evil but funnier to make evil stab itself with its friends sword.
If Solomn Kane doesnt want to fight someone he might still be able to stab them with two swords, set them on fire and decapitate them....its to save them any more pain you see.
Capes may look good on Solomn Kane but try it in Leicester high street and see whappens
People with too many mirrors in there houses are...evvvviilllll
You actually can pull yourself off a cross you had been crucified to...handy to know

Anyway thankfully the film proved to be a rather good all round movie, yes theres a few too many "oh I've been knocked out again so lets have a dream flashback" sequence , the budget obviously ran out for the final fight with a CGI beasti and the big evil chap didnt exactly get a look in...oh and the cross bit hmmmm er okay...
Anyway good bits, James Purefoy is great as Kane although I did somewhat prefer his fun filled stab happy evil version at the beginning rather than moody good version but he carries the whole thing so well that doesnt really matter. Like Kanes sword the film is generally to the point (ha and indeed ha) and the fight scenes are excellent with heads and arms flying everywhere.
Hopefully the films going to do well enough to warrent a sequal as I'd be happy watching Kane wander around stabing eeeevvviiilllll with a westcountry accent and as its about 2 I'm off to swish my cape around the house.

Tag line writers of the world unite!

2010-02-18T03:21:00.002+09:00

I'd pretty much assumed that most ridiculus/genius tag line movie of the year award would be won by the shouty blowing up thing "From Paris with love" with the English tag line of

"Two agents, one city, No merci...."

Seriously just take a minute to consider that line.....

ready?

well Solomn Kane has possibly beaten that with this fine effort

"Fight evil....with evil"

but but thats evil squared how does that work? And surely sharp sword will also apparently do the trick.
How about "Fight evil...with a sharp stick!" or "Fight evil.....with fire!"

Anyway One of these films I want to see, the other features John Travolta

ponyo ponyo ponyo!

2010-02-16T21:35:00.003+09:00

As Ponyo (apparently said in a sing song way like this, rather than OH GOD MY EARS MY EARS way like this) is being released in English cinemas this week film four are showing a host of Studio Ghibli films so this half term (hurrarr) morning has been spent watching the excellent Princess Mononoke and trying not to buy anything on the internet.On Leicester comedy festival news I saw Stewart Lee (41st best stand up ever) last week which as you can see from the picture I arrived slightly early (and it did get fuller than this I promise)

You know when people say "it felt like he was talking just to me.."

Not a show to see if your names Richard Hammond but one to see if you actually like comedy, although as his show says if you prefer a milder comedian then please ask for one.
Right better crack on with the doing nothing for half term plan, its been rather nice to have a day where I havent been bitten, kicked or sworn at although as the days only half way through and T.O.H is asleep upstairslets see how that goes.

Share in red roses go up, shares in christmas cake....not so good.

2010-02-15T08:07:00.002+09:00

I could be cynical and suggest that if your a person who only says/does/acts romantically on one day in the whole year then perhaps a bit more effort might be made; but instead seeing all the teenagers clutching roses on the bus and the karaoke noises (or something being strangled) drifting from the bar across the road has put me in a more open mood. So instead heres something suitably romantic from a band not exactly known for there jollity

Food beards and funnies (possibly also with beards)

2010-02-07T07:46:00.000+09:00

Rather up and down the last few weeks and really cant be that bothered to right although should mention a few things, first the other day was T.O.'s B day for which we went to the really rather good (and apparently michilin stared dontyouknow!) at Maiyango; our pear and hazelnut risotto, chicken terrine, trio of lamb and guinea fowl were all delicious (oh and a turkish delight creme brulee) helped by a strawberry cheese cake cocktail. I will stop speaking/typing about it as I'm now getting rather hungry and I dont think I can afford another visit for a while and theres only so many choclate biscuits I can eat.
Second, saw Midlake at Leicesters Musician and yes very very good indeed, although I came to realise that probabaly like every other man (and possibly lady) I thought "hmmm I wonder would I look good with a beard?" Although I already know that I resemble somewhat of a pre pubesent scurvy cabin boy on a pitrate ship so the answer is...no
Thirdly (and probably last as Coloumbo's on, hey I have to have some vices) Leicester has its annual comedy festival on, I've so far gone without seeing any comedy shows as last year I was skint and this year..well its only just started however theres more than enough stuff for everyone what ever you find funny, I'm personally off to see Stewart Lee at Demontfort hall on Wednesday and possibly idiots of ants on Thursday see listings here
Theres also the five pound fringe festival going on which should make things lighter on the wallet somewhat.

Right back to Sunday TV watching

Oh and this video and song have been both been in my head a lot recently, T.O.H is insisting the drumming is by machine while I'm thinking its not any suggestions are of course welcome.

Comic Author spotted

2010-02-05T04:44:00.006+09:00

Alan Moore spotted in childrens jigsaw

Apparently the teddy bear in the front seat was not impressed

Apparently its cold

2010-01-09T22:01:00.002+09:00

Yes apparently according to some new outlets its cold, which is rather amazing considering the time of year. Of course this being completly unexpected it has caught councils everywhere amazingly unaware, so that the road outside our house has frozen like a lake (and on which I actually saw several people attempt a small bambi like ballett only without all the tights and antlers.
As theres nothing else apparently happening in the news theres apparently been people trapped in a pub someplace that it possibly so unnews worthy I presume they will also report on what flavour crisp snack they had to endure....oh the horror of living in a country that seems so unprepared for snow that we don't actually store grit for these occasions (and the councils that do are so smug about it to be unbearale Yeah well done for doing what is apparently your job) and employers are so mean that we refuse to actually pay employeese when they cant come to work because the country grinds to a halt because its got to minus one.
I should point out that T.O.H's polish work college reported it reached -27 back in Poland where (and in other places) they seem prepared for this sort of thing.

current snow watch; Spotted several men in town sporting short sleeve football tops, presumably in an attempt to attract the eyes of women (or men) who fancy people who A) have hyperthermia and B) Have fingers and external digits like that of a smurf (or one of the blue people from Avatar deleate as you see fit). Mind you one guy was at least wearing a scarf so that his neck is warm when his fingers drop off.
Still for the last few days I have been wearing so many layers that I'm beginning to think about getting up extra early just to apply a few more meaning that pretty soon I'll resemble some sort of mascot. Today however I have nooooothing to do Woo and indeed hoo so its been a morning of thinking about doing stuff and not (surely the best kind of thinking there is) and watching the snow come and go and getting outbid on ebay (damn you bidder 3 damn you to helllll) oh and presuming the A team trailer I saw is some sort of cunning joke/pastiche isnt it. oh and rather enjoying watching Zero punctuation a computer game (and when I say computer game I am aware that its like saying Spectrum ZX) which is rather nicely anger spewed and makes me wonder why I rather like angry reviews (See also The Filthy Critic and Charlie Brookers stuff) maybe its that I'm genenerally not an anger filled person (except when it comes to Pierce Morgan or David Cameron two people seemingly breed from the same slug) so I need some extra anger in my life. grrrrrrrrrrrr

Snow for the new year.

2010-01-02T05:16:00.005+09:00

Well thankfully part two of the end of David Tennants tenure as The Doctor was far far better than part one (with its magical super hands master) with a fine swan song from Tennant and ensemble especially Bernard Cribbins, hopefully Matt Smith will keep up the good work.
Hopefully you had a good new year, I'm not actually one who likes to do much for new years although I'm glad that T.O.H and I went away with some friends letting off fireworks amongst the snow capped peak district to see our new year. Despite the icy lanes (that somewhat reminded me of postman pat) we managed to have a good wander to the pub and even managed tobogganing thanks to some bin liners well I say tobagganing which is more or less sliding along icy roads over stones isn't it?

The snow capped peaks

Taking pictures with a camera phone of rather quick fireworks is deceptivly difficult still on with the ohhhhs and arrhhhhhs

Anyway I hope that everyone has a good/great/hangover free new year (delete as appropriate) and 2010 see you well.

Merry Xmass

2009-12-28T09:25:00.002+09:00

Hope everyone had a jolly good Christmas and boxing day, after having a lovely dinner courtesy of my mother had the enjoyable experience of watching my mum and dad attempt to knock each other out on wii boxing.

2009-12-20T20:41:00.002+09:00

Somewhat onto the nth episode of Sherlock Holmes which has been broken up with the joy fest hat is Wallender and the lovingly creepy Christmas treat that is crooked house that once again proves that Mark Gatiss is a fantastic writer and does a decent scottish accent to boot.
Somehow this year I've more or less got all of our X mass present shopping which leaves more pottering time of course and shows that I am properly turning into my mum, I've also had plenty of time to finish watching Channel 4's (or E4 or More 4 Im not sure what the different is) excellent programme Misfits about a bunch of anti social teens given super powers, which all sounds very pastiche (see Heroes for reference on how to make it rather boring or at least never ending) but actually has been one of the best things on, helped by great acting and lashings of rather inventive swearing all round (not really one to watch with Nana unless your Nana likes swearing and rude stuff, she might, I dont know your nan; anyway the fact that it has a tiny budget that would probably just about buy one explosion in Spooks (or an empty warehouse) or one coffee for Simon Cowell seems to have made the writers even more creative setting the whole thing around a community centre and focusing on dialogue rather than flashy effects.

Its up on 4 on demand as well as itunes and DVD, be warned that the More 4 website does give away some of the plot including Nathan's mystery power so watch the episodes before venturing on there, you have been warned.

Right back to Holmes

lemon mental dear Watson

2009-12-20T05:04:00.003+09:00

I think I'm on hour 9 of ITV 3'S Sherlock Holmes weekend whether this explains why I was trying to figure the life story of the man serving in Londis just by the look of his hands I'm not sure, roll on Murder by decree

Well Nanas happy anyway

2009-12-14T07:03:00.005+09:00

Well my Nana is now happy with Joe winning X factor, I like to think shes been speed dialling away since Saturday night.
As we're slowly edging towards X mass, somewhat like a left over after eight mint melting down the back of the tv on boxing day, can I just recommend some albums for those looking for these things. I'm pretty sure most will be on albums of the year that always crop up this time of year (funny that) but just thought I'd through my ten pence in

Lets Wrestle - In the court of the wrestling lets'
An album of youth; shouty willing to try anything swigging G and T while swinging at people youth. Oh I should mention that I first heard both Lets wrestle and Pete and the pirates from the excellent Mark Riley show on BBC radio six which always has plenty of new stuff to get excited over.

Peaches - I feel cream
In making a disco/dance album peaches has also (in my mind anyway) made her best and most all round album, still dirty but now rather dancy too.

Pete and the Pirates - Little death
Possibly my favourite album this year despite the fact that it came out last but then I only heard it this year so tough, annnywwayy packed to the brim with poppy catchy funny and very listenable tunes.

Future of the left - Travels with myself and another.
Amazing, thats just about all you need to know... well okay if you want more, its louder bigger and cleverer than their last album; managing to smack you in the face and make you laugh at the same time. Loved by most people with sense try it, like it.

Anyway will add more when I think of them, suggestions as always welcome.

pig jabs, scary sounds and running with blunt objects

2009-12-06T23:10:00.003+09:00

Have recently had my pig cold jab, which although hopefully will prevent any form of swine flu has the side effect of err giving me a tiny teeny version of flu so hurrar hot fever just the thing in these cold days. Should really appologise to the people at work who I also seem to have passed my cold onto but as they will never read this think I might save myself some finger work.
Along with millions of people I saw Paranormal activity last week, a movie which seems perfect for dates as most of the people we sat with were in pairs and at the end of the movie rather closer together, personally I got annoyed about half way through and from that point on stayed that way. I dont really want to say much about it as they might give the plot away but really... CLOSE THE BLOODY DOOR IF SOMETHINGS TRYING TO COME IN DONT SLEEP WITH IT OPEN!! and if the same things were happening in my house I'm pretty sure I'd be straight on the phone to the experts, but then I suppose thats the point that the boyfriend is basically a fool who just makes it all worse.
Speaking of movies T.O.H and I watched the Korean movie The Chaser the other night, which
A) Did involve chasing yay! and
B) Should possibly be called "Blunt objects and how they should not be used" seriously I dont think I've seen a movie where so many people have been hit by so many different things, defiantly not one for the squimish its dark violent and I would recommend it.

2009-11-17T03:58:00.002+09:00

So its good bye to Edward Woodward who sadly passed away, I was going to post a clip from The wicker man one of the best British horror films made, but feel that it would spoil the film somewhat for those who havent seen it; plus theres faaarrr too many clips from the new version in which Nicolas Cage takes Woodwards subtle performance and instead dresses up in a bear suit to punch ladies. So theres that.

At the weekend T.O.H and I went down to the Pump and Tap to enjoy its last hurrar before the Leicester council and DMU knock it down, although its sad to see it go especially in such underhanded ways it was good to see the place packed out, although my rather tired head on sunday suggested I should have cut down on the hob goblin.

Oh and thankfully Waters of Mars turned out to be rather good on Sunday too, despite having to spend a good portion of the episode either running down a big corridor or standing around looking worried David Tennent provided some mighty fine acting, especially during the power mad crazy pants ego trip at the end in which he does something seemingly even the daleks wouldnt, quite whats going to happen come Christmas is anyones quess although its going to be good to try.

2009-11-08T20:55:00.002+09:00

After being stuck with a feeling that after an, attempted, good deed I had somehow trapped an old lady in the top floor of WHSmiths to wander around in the stationary, thankfully I've seen her wandering Leicester street. Having been rather busy the last few weeks with a new job which is good, when not having people attempt to kick me in the shins, but does leave me rather tired at the end of the day still having now got goldeneye for my N64 theres nothing better than karate chopping Russian guards after a long day at work.

Anyway taken the plunge so to speak and gone for a spotify account which means being able to listen to music on my phone, which just about drowns out the ramblings of teenagers on the bus on the way to work. Have also begun to suspect I'm getting somewhat older as I actually seem to have a bad hip because of the old weather! I know I wear cardigans and use the term disco tech but theres clearly a line that shouldnt be crossed here I presume the next step is inane rambli...
anyway finally seem to have managed to get one piece of art work selected for the city gallery exhibition shown until January, I'm not yet sure which piece it is as I'm heading down there in a bit to find out in hurar

Before Halloween a few TV horrors.

2009-10-30T05:43:00.003+09:00

Just a quick question but is anyone in the BBC'S The Restaurant supposed to be likeable or for that based with sense? My favourite saying so far is the man who exclaimed about his wife "In Ireland we have a saying; she's gorgeous." Or the lady who tried to open a tin with a knife and seriously don't get me started on the guys from the city bar both seemingly beamed in from the 80's complete with high fives and freaking Raymond out with constant winking at him.
Just a question.

Street Fighter alive and judging X factor

2009-10-19T18:35:00.009+09:00

M. Bison...................................C. Cole

OF COURSE!

Curly haired village of the damned.

2009-10-10T19:21:00.001+09:00

First of all things which annoy me in advertisement number errr 112... This one might be just me but does it throw anyone else when you see the same person in different adverts? I take it theres a breed of actor who must thrive on appearing in adverts silently going about there daily routine whilst celebrities (and one of the Noland sisters) wax lyrical about some product or other that will make life better. During the silent era of movies these actors would probably be giants but in this day and age they must be content pretending to be amazed at how their stained jeans (and who has grass stained jeans nowadays anyway?) are washed even at a low temp or how having six blades on their razor will be even better than 5 (because its one more of course).

Anyway the most recent adverts to feature the same people has Marco Pierre White (another person who seems to have become famous or at least better well known while I was out the country) attempting to flog stock cubes during which he appears to be cooking in a professional kitchen for critics but wha wha what! its turns out its just a bunch curly haired children who I presume we are supposed to figure are his own children although I wonder if his wife knows about these three little strangers living in her home that also looks like a rather large professional kitchen? Annnywaay 0ne child (who must be the leader of the curly mob) then tastes the food that we are led to presume Marco spent all day slaving over then gives a tiny nod to show approval rather than show any gratitude that his, pretend, dad has been working away all day.

I like to think its actually a village of the damned situation where if its not exactly right Marco Pierre White will be lifted in the air and torn apart by the mutant curly haired aliens disguised as tiny annoying food critics; although not as annoying as the ones on master-chef who's job it appears is to pretend as if the cook has just delivered a plate of mud with some leaves sticking out of it.
But I digress somewhat.
The reason I mention this is because the ring leader of the curly haired village of the damned also appears in a rather annoying advert for cereal that shall we say makes a popping noise, making chocolate cakes, how Mr White feels about his fake son sneaking off from his gourmet meals to make chocolate cakes on the sly we will sadly never know unless by the next advert he has mysteriously disappeared to be replaced by an equally curly haired child although one not using the art of deception to gain access to chocolate crispy cakes.
of course it could also just be an advert

Friday stuff

2009-10-09T19:28:00.002+09:00

If your in or around Leicester I recommend going to The Curve theatre to see Arthur Miller's All my sons, a play written sometime in 1947 but even more relevant today dealing with what people do for there family or rather the lies they tell to cover the cracks in life, or something like that anyway.

Find tickets and info here

Should at some point head down to London village in the next few weeks to have my finger prints taken by New Scotland yard (which I should point out is for a CRB check not that I've been court committing crimes...or that I've been committing crimes and not been court..oh you get the idea)
As the warm sun has vanished I have course began to get a cold so currently plodding around my house silently grumbling to myself I could do it out loud but cant be bothered so instead its a cup of tea and house work for me woo and indeed hoo

bridges, curves and peel

2009-10-08T22:49:00.003+09:00

I've now finished my latest contract at school so this is the first weekday off for a while (well okay a month) which is showing its a bad sign when you've seen all the episodes of murder she wrote...
Anyway some much needed house work this afternoon and managed to bag myself a ticket for tonight's dress rehearsal of Arthur Millers All my sons tonight at the curve theatre so that's something to look forward to.

This Saturday sees the annual John Peel day going ahead despite radio one quietly dropping their commitment continues with a host of bands playing across England, if you've in or around London you could do worst than check out this event which see a host of bands play for only a fiver.

For the last few months Leicester council have once again proved their honesty and in no way going behind peoples back tradition by deciding to destroy the bowstring bridge to make way for DMU to build more buildings in Leicester, in this case a gym, this has lead to various petitions, marches and whatnot.
I think one of the main points of annoyance is that the council and DMU have gone about the business with a great level of under handedness with a number of emails sent in secret confirming deals between the two while denying any final plans to the public. It does make you wonder just how much power the DMU now holds with Leicester council, as its now got to be one of the biggest landowners in the city centre, and one that brings in a huge number of students each year.
To me its also linked to how the council seem to be slowly undermining Leicester Market, one of the biggest and oldest in Leicester, apparently there have been plans for years about building even more flats (because of course that's what people want right now instead of good quality cheap local food, more flats) in the spot. The council have already moved all the bus routes making it more difficult for older people, the main sauce of trade, to shop there. The council have never really invested any money in the central fish market since it was built I think almost 20 years ago despite it returning a nice healthy profit for them, finally I found that a large number of shops around that area are starting to close which although understandable in these economic times its also because landlords have apparently risen the rent so high that no shop can stay there. So far the market traders have managed to fight off attempts to move the market out the city (so that I presume no one can go there) and a Sunday market at the Leicester city stand that they claim would mark a deliberate attempt to undermine their business but I wonder how long they can last. Now I'm not suggesting that the council are corrupt or fully planing on destroying the market in any way buuuuuuut if anything does happen I wonder who might benefit..???

Although this has in no way anything to do with Leicester MP Keith Vaz who has know a number of shall we say bad judgements in the past his wikipedia page is worth checking out, and keep in mind hes head of the ethics committe.

Whilst building work has already started there's still time to join the petition here, or join the facebook group here

damn you paper work damn you to hellllllllllll

2009-10-02T03:53:00.003+09:00

Having a CRB check to work in schools is obviously important and understandable. However I've been now told that I need a check done in Japan and apparently that means
A) Getting my finger prints sorted out at the local police station, fair enough it is part of their job to fingerprint people I suppose, however that means paying them 70 pounds! that 70 pounds to print my fingers a total of 10 times that should take about 5 minutes whether they actually use inkk made from unicorn horn remains to be seen.
B) Take my completed unicorn horn inked finger print form to the Japanese embassy, of course as thats way to easy this means taking it by hand with a proof of ID and letter explaining why which may or may not be Japanese (their letter isnt exactly clear) and it should be pointed out I live in Leicester.
C) It can take up to 2 months to be completed which potentially means no work for that time huarrar christmas store job for me.
D) I have to pick the returned form up again by hand so thats another trip to London village.
So there's that.

Greg Wallace continues in his attempt to fit an entire plate of food on his spoon. Micheale keeps doing that unimpressed look.

tv stuff

2009-09-26T19:41:00.003+09:00

Two things I've noticed this week although I'm not the first one to point out A)

A) Seriously Greg Wallace stop eating so much either get a bigger spoon and stop trying to pile as much on there as possible or just run off with the plate and sit in the corner chuckling to yourself, no wonder poor Micheal is so thin

B) Its somewhat strange that on ITV 3 just before Wire in the blood comes on (about a fictional northern town that seems filled with either prostitutes or serial killers) you get an advert for welcome to Yorkshire the juxtaposition of "ohh Yorkshire full of mountain bikes and dales" to "Ohh Bradfield I see the latest serial killer has notched up double digits then" I'm surprised they didn't go for the Red Riding trilogy either.

Canal friends

2009-09-19T18:21:00.003+09:00

Should first mention that in most of the coverage of the passing of Keith Floyd, there's of course mentions of drink, ladies, rather chaotic presentations and while yes that's all part of the charm I should say that Floyd, to me anyway, was the first person to actually get out there and show the world in all its culinary delights. Taking his show all over away from the kitchen with just a stove a wok and a large bottle of wine (and of course a camera man) so thank you Mr Floyd for that.

Anyway a quick mention of yesterdays lunch; I'm currently working in a primary school alongside a student with special needs, as the weather has been so nice (and by the way am I the only person who thinks the weathers been really nice this year its just that I've heard countless people complain of a lack of sun spoiling their chances of wearing shutter shades so poor poor pity full them.) As the weather has been nice I've been enjoying my lunch alongside Alystone canal.
Yesterday I sat eating my chicken tikka sarnies (hmmmmm) when a women in her sixes started opening the locks ready for her husband to guide the boat into the lock. Seeing as she was opening the gates on her own and with time on my hands I offered her some help which she accepted. After chatting for a little bit waiting for the water to rise in the lock she crossed over to open one gate and I waited for the other. As I'm waiting a man wanders up to me its only when he's about 3 metres away that A) He starts shouting out random swear laden sentences (example "what the F... are you B... doing?" "put some F.... strength in it you f....) and B) He's wearing the following clothes, a black nightdress, painted nails, make up and fair enough up to this point but its the drawn on toothbrush mustache, swastika and the handcuff hanging from one arm that's making me wonder juuuust a little bit, the drawn on mustache and swatstika have been attempted to be scrubbed off but that just leaves them looking like a motion blur. He comes
over and then with the words "Come on gay boy!" attempts to help me open the gate, well I say attempt but really he kind of leans against it for 10 seconds, says some more swear words then kind of staggers upright and decides to watch me open the gate myself all the while we're being watched with some bemusement by the lady on the other side. So whilst we're opening the gates off our new friend trots at one point deciding to shout abuse at a passer by thereby possibly ruining their attempts to feed the ducks before deciding to goose step around the canal path, the last I see as I head back to work (and more grateful for having to return to a group of rather excitable 8 year olds) is him laying sprawled over the canal gate dispensing his swear laden words.

So heaven knows what Monday might bring.

Annnnnyway I'm eating

sitting on bennch eating sarnies only to find keith floyld has died so rather sad. will drink wine in honour of him tonight

2009-09-15T21:00:00.001+09:00

At the food hop - Chunky chicken soup

2009-09-06T18:12:00.004+09:00

Just remembered that I still havent put any of the chicken recipes that I mentioned the other day and as my free view box is on the blink making the only program actually viewable Something for the weekend in which Tim Lovejoy can't seem to eat and talk which is rather worrying for a food based program. Annnnyway

This soup has been taken from a very good soup book called errr soup which I heartily recommend but sadly I can't actually find it on the internet but did find this from the same editor here.
I added a couple of things to make it even chunkier as it became a main meal for a visiting friend.

ingredients.
4 skinless, boneless chicken thighs - washed and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 tablespoon butter
2 small leeks, washed and thinly sliced.
2 tablespoons of long grain rice
3 3/4 cups of chicken stock
salt and pepper

extra - 2 tablespoons of pearl barley
1 carrot, washed peeled and sliced.
1 tablespoon mixed fresh parsley and mint

to add garlic croutons
2 tablespoon of olive oil
1 garlic clove - crushed
4 slices of bread, cut into cubes

Melt butter in a large saucepan, add the leeks and cook until tender (about 5 - 10 mins). Add the rice, carrots and chicken, cook for 2 minutes.
Add the stock and pearl barley, cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until the rice and the barley is tender.

Whilst the soup is cooking make the croutons but heating the oil in a large frying pan, add the crushed garlic and breadcrumbs and cook until the bread is golden brown, stir all the time. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with salt.

Add the parsley and mint to the soup and season to taste serve topped with the garlic croutons.

On the moors

2009-09-01T06:05:00.003+09:00

Currently stuffed to the gills of slow cooker chilli and masses of rice with just enough space left in my finger tips to mention that I'm rather enjoying the new version of Wuthering Heights in which Tom Hardy continues to be great at playing very bad men. Personally I've never really understood the appeal of Heathcliff in that yes wild love and all that but to me his actions outweighs any love he may state for Cathy particularly in the second part of the book in which he grows into a truly bitter bully. I do always feel that Linton gets somewhat of a short shrift on things his love for Cathy my not be like that of Heathcliff (in all his stalky ways) but he still accepts her and she chooses him for what ever reason. Anyway better get back to watching practically everyone die

But you know theres always this and always this

London london londond london

2009-08-31T19:31:00.002+09:00

Best thing over heard in London this week by a man speaking loudly into his mobile.

"I gave her a choice, facebook, her phone or me.
She chose Facebook and the phone!"

Last day of holiday boo and indeed hoo

h.o.l.i.d.a.y ... off to London for a few days to see family dont worry more random thoughts will follow. in the meantime be seeing you.

2009-08-25T17:44:00.000+09:00

At the movies - inglourious basterds

2009-08-20T19:29:00.003+09:00

Hmmmm
that sound is pretty much the only opinion I can think of right now to describe Inglourious Basterds; which seems to be one big contradiction of a movie, or rather a contradiction filled movie about movies err if you see what I mean. Its a film thats talky, reallly reallllly talky yet somehow seems all surface, I saw people walk out while others actually applauded at the end, as I said contradictions.

I actually cant really think about what to say/write about it but I did want to point out that the film is about movies and the love of them, like the multiple type faces in the intro, the little flashbacks and genre changes to the ending which is literally death by cinema the plot revolves around movies with film stars and critics characters and projectionists oh and giant heads. Tarantino relishes movies for movies sake choosing not to delve into anything too deep about war when there's scalps that can be cut loose, so theres no discussion about people forced into the German army, no guilt about actions and their consequences, and definitely no doubt about the basterds mission as in this film every Nazi is a full on card carrying member of the party who basically deserve what ever happens to them.
For all their advertised in the posters and trailers the basterds don't actually have as much screen time as you'd expect in fact most of whom seem to disappear after their introduction, exceptions include Eli Roth clearly having a ball as the bat wielding Sergent as is Til Schwieger as an ex german soldier who likes sharpening his knife a little too much. Each of the featured team have some nice little touches like Brad Pitt, who here appears all chin, having what appears to be a noose mark around his neck and Eli Roths baseball bat inscribed with names details shown which are never explained presumably cut out from the finished film

The decision to go with subtitles and constant changes in languages was a good one, its in the multi national actors that the film shines Christoph Waltz is amazing as the Nazi charged with hunting down Jew's, his strange cheerfulness is made even creepier by peoples reactions to it and their realisation that hes always one step ahead, while Melanie Laurent is one of the only characters to get some depth to her story and gives a great performance as the revenge seeking Shosanna.

Anyway I don't really want to spoil anything about the ending, buuuuuuuut to me its Tarantino showing the film for what it is, a movie and one made holywood at that, with an ending that in his head (its seems to me anyway) would have been the perfect Holywood ending to the war but as I said I don't want to spoil anything.
This has been the only film this year that I want to see again, just to get my head around it for better or for worse

so.... as I said
hmmmm

Fringe thursday.

2009-08-13T19:33:00.002+09:00

With Summer Sundae this weekend eluding me like a dancing flitering moth due to being slightly outside of my economical abilitites (in other words I've no money) I'm was pleased to see listings for the fringe festival going on around the city this week. I've been meaning to mention something about it but haven't had the time (in other words I'm too lazy).
Anyway as a warm up to the Summer Sundae weekend a host of venues around Leicester are banding together and putting on bands, DJ's and the odd exhibition or too, oh and the Orange tree are doing a BBQ mmmmm BBQ, tonight there's bands bands throughout Leicester who can all be seen for only 4 pounds, thats 4 pounds for a ticket that gets you into the Firebug, Muscician, The Shed, Lansdowne and other plus and oh yes there is a plus there's also a free bus that runs between venues every half and hour or there abouts.

The only trouble is that their on at the same time making run around like a kid in some sort of....store.
Anyway tickets can be bought at Rockaboom, or the firebug or I presume at the venues themselves and you can find more information thats been better written and see more about the Fringe festival here

at the cluck

2009-08-11T23:48:00.005+09:00

As its summer break apart from Quincy (muurrrrdderrr!) the tv also seems filled with either money loan adverts (usually featuring celebrates, well Carol Vorderman and Michael Burke if you count them as celebs, who presumably need just that little top up to pay for that new pool.) or adverts to get rid of your old gold (the pitch of which seems to be that you can do it all with just a handy envelope, so simple!) which I like to imagine goes towards being melted down and made into a golden suit for rich people. During most of these ads you'll hear the term "in these times" presumably its either because we've forgotten for one tiny second theres a recession on (panic!)or as I like to think the makers of the adverts are convinced the apocalypse is coming and what you don't see is Michael Burke saying "and in these times......WHEN THE HORNED BEAST IS UPON US OOHHHHHTHEENDOF THE WORLD REPENT REPENT.." and cut end scene.
Anyway moving on, the reason I mention this (and not because its the end times, well probably not) is that to save us some money T.O.H and I have been buying a large chicken roasting it then using the meat for the rest of the week. So I've decided that for the next few posts its going to be chicken week.

Told you it was a big chicken

So today I've got a 2.5 kg chicken from Sainsbury's part of its basics range, I'm presuming here that the chicken isn't battery farmed and checking it over there doesn't appear to be any signs like hock burns, although if you know any differently then please let me know.
Anyho I've washed, rubbed the whole thing with salt inside and out, washed it again and rubbed it this time with a mixture of salt and pepper, the first salt rubbing is to help get rid of any germs the second is to ensure a nice crispy skin. I'm going to stuff it with a carrot, onion, lemon and Rosemary and thyme from my garden. I'll make a pocket in the skin of both breasts and stuff that with some home made garlic butter (just butter softened and mixed with a crushed clove of garlic and chopped parsley) that will keep the meat nice and tasty and tender while cooking hmm, it should go into a preheated oven (190 degrees C) for 20 minutes per 500 grams plus about 10 minutes resting time to allow the juices to come out, the juices should be clear and the meat should pull away from the chicken when cooked.
Right al this has got me hungry so its tea and biscuits time hurrar

ebaying the day away

2009-08-06T20:06:00.002+09:00

I've never actually bought anything on ebay and just remembered why the annoyance of losing out at the last minute to a bid 3 pence higher than your own which is what happened yesterday.
ARRHHHH anyway today we met yet another of Quincy's girlfriends and even his first wife, quite how the man has time to date a different lady each week, shout at his boss, be a coroner and solve murders is a mystery...of course it might have something to do with him not being actually real,

Had my first go at the wii fit thing at the weekend where I found I was exactly the perfect body fat index hurrar which of course means I can eat pie and chips today.
Today I will go out and check my beer traps for any of the slugs that have been terrorising my garden, and have so far managed to eat all my basil plants and three of my sunflowers snails fine slugs no

Come in number 6 your time is up.

2009-07-29T08:13:00.003+09:00

hmmmmm the new version of The Prisoner, well you've got good actors, a good setting for the new village oh and what seems actual rovers like the original if they stay away from a "yay two thumbs up as we walk into the sunset ending" who knows it might just work.

Be seeing you

Food hop - Chicken and bacon Terrine

2009-07-28T04:41:00.004+09:00

With the summer holiday on my viewing of Quiency (apparently it wasn't suicide it was muuurrderr!!!) and murder she wrote (apparently Jessica didn't do it) is in full swing, oh and discovering little things like for example how small my actual face is seriously its like a risen on a stick! And yes I really do have that much time on my hands.
Anyway this recipe is from the somerfield magazine, this is the second time I've made this and I will say that look for a good smooth pate to use as a base, I added a good handful of cooked mushrooms and a crushed clove of garlic to bulk it up into a full dinner. I served this up with home made bread and salad.

ingredients
4 rashers of unsmoked streaky bacon
175-200g chicken breasts - cooked, ( I baked mine in the oven with whole cloves of garlic, dried parsley and a dash of lemon juice) when cooked leave to cool and then shred.
170g Brussels and garlic pate
30ml fresh parsley chopped
Extra - a good handful of cooked mushrooms and garlic

finely snip the bacon and fry over a medium heat until the fat starts to run then increase heat and cook for another 3 minutes.
Put the Brussels in a large bowl and soften with a wooden spoon. Strain the hot fat into the pate mixing well, if you cook the mushrooms within the same pan as the bacon they will probably absorb the bacon fat so mix a small amount of olive oil (from about a teaspoon) into the pate instead and mix till smooth. Leave the bacon to cool.
Add the chicken, bacon and parsley (and the mushrooms if used) into the smooth pate and taste with black pepper. Place into a storage container, dish or ramekin, cover and chill for 30 minutes then serve with crusty bread and salad.

At the OH WHAT A LOVELY DAY TRA LA ALALLAAAA

2009-07-22T23:05:00.005+09:00

So as my spleen is looking like a raisin from all the venting, ewwww, rather than post another oh boo hoo hooo moany meany post I thought for a nice change here are 10 things tickling my fancy right now

1) The fact that the pilot episode of Murder she wrote's just come on TV yes I am inhabited by the spirit of an old person or a mature student, either one. Oh and hurrar for Angela Lansbury for still acting awa...wo wo wo sexual tension and Ned Beatty! Can see why this was picked up..
2) Psychoville, about as black as my soul! but far funnier personal highlight so far has been the rope inspired episode, would say with luck there might be a series two but I think the way things are going no ones going to be left standing.
3) Oxfam online second hand shop
4) Seeing a Larry David Lookalike, true this is Leicester so he was walking down the street spitting but still. Also spotted today a slightly sad Ray Wise lookalike no spitting spotted!
5) Fat healthy looking pigeons, makes a change.
6) Future of the left, despite being poorer than a small child in a Charles Dickens novel might juuust have enough to attend Summer Sundae just to see these play.
7) Finding ladybirds on my plants this morning take that aphids!
8) The Doctors new bow tie, yes yes yes clearly based on George Lambs big brothers little brother look but with the new/retro Tardis, sonic screwdriver (which will hopefully be reined in somewhat in getting out of every situation) I like it.
9) Making kedgeree tonight have no idea how but lets give it ago shall we.
10) This video never fails to make me happy/creeped out just aided by Michael Emerson appearing to be the nicest guy on Earth, just don't let him look after your bunny.

Although Christopher Walken reading kids stories will do..." schooch closer children"

Quincy vs Ninjas

2009-07-15T18:04:00.003+09:00

Would write more but Quincy is currently working on a case that involves ninjas yes ninjas although to be fair ninjas who appear to be scared of a broken bottle must be those rubbishy east side ninjas.

Update; The ninja killer did at least manage an amazing swan dive out of a ten story window.

At the movies - transformers revenge of thegoodlordisitoveryet?

2009-07-14T19:43:00.003+09:00

Seriously who would have thought that a film with so many explosions could be so mind numbingly boring you begin to hope the world will end just so something might happen. They actually manage to remake the first film but twice as long, twice as many slooow moooos, and twice as stupid dialogue that actually amazes me that a group of people wrote this. Basically any bits that didn't involve robots kicking each other in the head (or to put it another way any bit with actual people in it) was as stilted as a very very tall person in the circus, oh and they also manage to keep the streak of racism that ran throughout the first one.
So as you might have guessed I didn't like it and that's not even mentioning the part with robot heaven yes robot heaven where even the calculators go.

July the 5th got my sparkler and ketunaise ready

2009-07-05T20:04:00.003+09:00

By the way, does anyone else find the push this year to get us to celebrate the fourth of July a little strange? A host of supermarkets have been doing deals of food, well I say food but Aldi selling a squeeze bottle that squirts out a combined mixture of mayonnaise and ketchup like a savoury (again savoury is stretching it is it called ketchunaise or mayup?) toothpaste doesn't seem food like to me and really when have tinned hotdogs actually been a food source?, annnyway its one thing remembering what July 4th actually stands for for Americans (its fireworks ins't it?) but shops attempting to get English People celebrating it? If so I presume all the other countries that manage to liberate themselves from the English empire will soon enough get a day in the shops... so role on August for India liberation day

Anyway what do I know I hated the Patriot a film in which an Australian helps form a country against a man so evil he should really have had a twirly mustache (and thats pretty much the pinnacle of evvvilllll)

Anyway happy July 5th

Future of the left

2009-07-05T19:27:00.007+09:00

Currently a happy Sunday morning as not was yesterday a rather nice birthday party for my Nieces and nephew (and the buffet to boot) and one where I didn't ingest too much jelly and ice cream, but also because I picked up my copy of the new Future of the Left album - Travels with Myself and another.
And goodness me its already sounding brain thumping good. I'm still playing it as I write but it sounds harder and more musical than Curses and a real step up generally (although Curses is still ace) and with masses of good reviews including quite a few mentions of album of the year, would say pity the neighbours as its one to play loud but then they get to hear it so pity reserved. I'm currently debating whether to head to this years Summer sundae on Saturday just to see the band although anyway whats even better is that you can order it from Spiller records direct thus (and I like using the word thus as well as discothèque) keep the independent music shops going, support a great band, get a fantastic album and pay under a tenner for it.
What more is there to ask?

Oh videos? Fine
first single which strangely reminds me of the pub over the road from my house, just not as lively, and minus the donkey.

And one of my favourite singles from Curses warning the keyboard sound will stay in your head alllllll day.

Band site here including link to buy the album

A) Sunshine B) Moonlight C) Goodtime D) Boogie

2009-06-28T02:17:00.005+09:00

Currently watching TV stations to see if they can run a Michael Jackson tribute program that isnt called King of pop, or there abouts, also pitying poor Farrah Fawcett whose sad death has been completed overshadowed so spare a thought for the golden globe nominated actress.

Actually sitting around this Sunday morning the Spitfire from last night has encouraged a "more relaxed" morning with Floyd around the med for company. Theres something rather soothing about watching Keith Floyd on a Sunday morning possibly its because you've got a vague suspcion he's feeling the same way as you, but also the whole lets just throw stuff in out in the open no fancy pants stuff needed makes a nice change. On the opposite end of the spectrum theres Masterchef which I would watch but one of the judges/prsenters seemes to have morphed into extreme bloated version of himself I caught it last week to see him sitting around stuffing masses of food into his face whilst barking as loudly as he can about how expert he is at food I'm sure he actually said at one point "Only me and the southern Italians like vegetables" which is a surprise I'm sure to the rest of the world.
Anyway all this talk of food has made me crave breakfast so its off to the kitchen it seems the spitfire has vanished from my system and the sunshines out hurrar!

A question on flashes

2009-06-16T04:25:00.003+09:00

Have no idea what the title of this post means it just popped up in the window when I was typing it, now is a loud bang and a blinding flash better than a slow build up "my eyes my eyes!!!" style job? Hm thanks google for the question.

Anyway last few weeks things that have been on my, currently tired tired oh so tired brain.

A) Am I the only person in the whole world who actually enjoyed Terminator Salvation, far better than 3 (although that's not saying much and stepping away from the android goes back to the future thingy in my mind worked), anyway apparently its also gone down well in the rest of the world too.

Speaking of movies

B) Doghouse err now if anyone out there is a Danny dyer fan first... really?!? Really? and secondly does no one else think that a story about man hating/eating zombie women who therefore have to be bashed around the head might be err somewhat sexist?

Hello sunshi.....oh err goodbye then.

2009-06-07T00:14:00.002+09:00

Well a week of sunshine has been better than nothing I suppose although its a bit like saying 2 minutes in heaven is better than 1 minute in heaven (who ever says that?) Anyway far too rainy today to head over to the canal festival apparently taking place down the road.
So instead I'm sitting twiddling my thumbs well twiddling my thumbs on the keyboard whilst watching the Doctor who episode, The tomb of the cybermen, which while featuring all kinds of greatness (from the fantastic set design creepy robot voices and clear cyber leader brain far better than the stompy seemingly steam powered modern versions oh and exploding chest panels.) It does however have the worst archaeologists...ever; not content with pushing levers till at least something explodes no seems to think perhaps taking a break when someone dies (as they regularly do) might be the best idea of course, even Eddie Izzard and his speed archaeology wouldn't do that.

Of course the fact that the villains (or at least the human villains) are apparently members of the brotherhood of magicians just makes things even better.

Eviviiiillllllll

Anyway that's going to whittle away the hours at least one anyway.

so its hello sunshine and goodbye phil spector..

2009-05-31T00:36:00.003+09:00

Well thankfully on the last few days of my holiday the suns come out, which this being both A) Leicester and B) England, means a large number of young men wandering around shirtless which, I presume, is to show off either how their farmer tans look or the tattoo that's spelling out some one's name although its dead classy like as its in another language (sadly no Patrick swayzee centaur ones...YET). I do remember someone once telling me years ago about getting a chinese symbol tattoo in South America and upon returning to England they later found out it was the symbol for diesel. Before heading out and enjoying the rest of the sunshine should mention the great program shown the other night on BBC 4 called Feast which featured its presenter (Stefan Gates) taking part in whole load of Japanese festivals, well apart from the baby sumo festival (and yes you read that right baby sumo) the first half was rather calm despite going to a penis festival (where I dont think I would buy much merchandise from) but the second half had him going and taking part in the naked man festival, I think part of the enjoyment I had from it was how game the presenter was for it all and the rest was a touch of nostalgia for the days when I would be made to drink sake and stuff my face by old Japanese people...and that ladies and gentlemen is what I miss about Japan drunk old men, well that and katsu curry.
Anyway its still on BBC 4 player for the next few days or floating around the tinternet if you get the chance I recommend it. In the meantime off to a BBQ whilst attempting to avoid both wasps and shirtless youths the scourge of the summer!

At the eww cough cough couhg

2009-05-28T20:49:00.004+09:00

Well as I could have guessed with this week being half term and me looking forward to visiting places like London village (apparently its down south somewhere) seeing friends having lunch with T.O.H and generally enjoying not having to go to work I get really sick I believe the technical term is I have the lurrrgeee. Anyway whilst I'm busy making home made lemsips (juice of one lemon, 1 teaspoon of sugar a tablespoon of honey hot water and a dash of either brandy or rum hmmmmm) I can't even really be bothered to move my fingers choosing instead to employ a stick/long pointy thing / sitting on the sofa thing that's far too complicated to explain as sadly the typing monkey has quit.

Still last weekend did manage to enjoy a rather jolly sail on Leicester's canals, was rather worried about how to actually open locks, especially as the introduction speech was five minutes, involved a model and something that no one seemed to understand. Anyway thankfully the day all went rather well, turns out locks are actually simple to do and drinking pims on a warm day along the canal is rather nice (see picture below for an example of how almost anyone can hold a rope.)

Hello sailor

Canal trip

At the movies - Star Trek

2009-05-24T20:02:00.003+09:00

As the movie has been out for ages surely everyone who is going to see this movie has seen it, bbuuuut when has that actually stopped me? Anyway If X men origins- Wolverine should have been titled "Wolverine how I grew a buffon hairdo, muscles and shouted at the sky (in t shirts)"
Star Trek could possibly be called "How James T kirk is a ledge clinging douche who gets smacked in the face almost every scene." Seriously I understand making him a rebel but for most of the movie he's just kind of dickish without any particular reason (seemingly), without spoiling too much of the movie at one point Kirk is stranded on an ice planet and interestingly non of his so called friends actually seem that bothered about it, nor does anyone lift a finger when hes being throttled in front of them, if you do see the movie count how many times people hit him in the face, or in fact how many times he has to cling to a ledge.
However saying that the film is actually pretty good, the effects are great, it never feels stuffy or too over blown and Zachary Quinto is fantastic as Spock in fact most of the crew are pretty good each given a few moments to shine/ say a famous catch phrase. Whether the next film will continue the lens flare/face smacking plot points remain to be seen but for now this latest movie is well recommended.

At the potter

2009-05-09T03:21:00.002+09:00

Ended up today with an slightly unexpected day off, which as they say was nice although did leave me at a loose end, thankfully Leicester city has been hosting its bi annual continental fair, in which you can taste food sold in France for 2 euros for the princely sum of 5 pounds BARGIN! wait thats not right....Actually shouldn't snear really as learning about other cultures and their products is never a bad thing plus forked out for some nice olive bread hey its the end of the week I can do what I want.

At the movies -Wolverine or also know as x men 4 original lets see how far we can strech this out 4, wolverine and about 100 other people

2009-05-02T19:12:00.008+09:00

Whilst my posts usually take a few days to write out due to the massive, massive thought that each one takes up, no not really I just can't think of things to write, will attempt to jot this one down in the time it takes for me to cook two slices of bacon.
3
2
1
go
So thanks to Orange Wednesday went to see Wolverine or X men 4 as it was titled in the listings (surely it should be X men 0? or is that too much thought?)

Probably the biggest MEH film so far this year.

Not exactly awful (close though) but pretty far from good, I'll have to mention bits of the film so if you haven't seen it beware spoilers although to be fair you can mostly work out everything that's going to happen within the first 15 minutes and most of that is rather dull.

So bacon is cooking, stomach is rumbling lets look at a few things shall we.

Well for a start there's the fact that movie should just be titled "wolverine yells at the sky a lot" as that seems to happen every five minutes.

oh Remember the trailer where Logan fights in the big wars, yeah that was cool wasn't it? well tough that's the intro, Logans time with general stryker's team lasts about five minutes during which time we never actually see their relationship develop its literally just Logan turns up, rides in an escalator goes to Africa and that's it, in fact no ones relationship gets any real time at all characters pop up on screen say their line and leave; speaking of characters you might ask yourself how many are needed in a film? Well this movie answers that question as theres waaay too many, for example pity poor Ryan Reynolds who seems perfectly cast as the fast mouthed Wade Wilson a character who apparently, after protests from fans, the director promised to feature more heavily in the movie but still manages to get what seems 5 minutes in the beginning to say what seems 3 lines fly around (a power that it seems all mutants now posses) stab some people and then disappear (more or less) while Will I am who should have had waaay less time gets to stand around for an eternity attempting to make a cowboy hat look cool.

Meanwhile theres tons of scenes that don't seem to have any real point, Gambit gets to run after some kids (and speaking of which did the budget run out at the end so that they could just employ 20 kids rather than any adults? from the way the Island was built up it was supposed to hold hundreds instead it was reveled to be a rather old factory containing what seemed 20 kids and no guards as of course who needs guards in a secret military base holding what are allegedly dangerous people) anyway where was I oh yeah Gambit gets to run after some kids then promptly run back for no actual real reason apart from to get him out the way. We have a pointless end scene with Styker and the MP's (oh and the best line comes from Styker when questioned about his adamantium bullitts replies "no but they might wipe his memory!" followed presumably by bwahahahahahahahaha but you'll probably have to watch the film to make sense of that.

Oh bacon cooking err lets see oh yes hey old couple who live out in the wilderness, who happen to stumble on a naked wolverine hiding in their barn why not pass on some words of wisdom whilst conveniently giving Logan your (presumably deceased) sons clothes which just so happen to fit exactly and within five minutes of knowing him give him a fully fulled pristine motor bike hey thanks!
Well at least we got to finally find out how Logan got that nice jacket.

On the bright side apart from a complete lack of motivation apart from just being a bad guy Liev Schreiber is enjoyably snarly, Hugh Jackman sports the best buffon haircut....ever but over all the movie just comes across as a bit well MEH!

right bacon time for me

hot phone madness

2009-04-25T17:58:00.004+09:00

First week at my new work placement has gone well but understandably I can't actually talk about it, so instead some things still on my mind this lazy Saturday.

Can mention my new phone, a G1 or goggle touch screen phone from T mobile ohhhhhhhhhhhh. After a week of jabbing at the thing I've about worked out how not to turn the thing into Chinese or make something explode from far away like Michael Bay. So its going well although apart from
A) The battery life is shorter than a mayfly in summer and B) It getting hotter than a day old mayfly in summer still have managed to make Animal collective my girls a ring tone so thats all I need.

At the food hop - Chicken Fricassee

2009-04-18T08:36:00.003+09:00

T.O.H and I happened to be talking about school dinners the other day; the mere mentioning of school dinners will either prompt people to pull either a snarled just tasted something gritty in my soup face or a misty eyed far away look somewhat like this only less you betcha! actually more like this oh Gordan street.
Anyway we both had the misty eyed look over such exotic food as yellow chicken curry with raisins! (the ! is a reaction a 10 year old me had at discovering such fruit can exist in sauce) cheese flan, pink squares of sponge cake or the slush puppies I wasn't allowed to have in later years (still can't damn you ice headaches damn you to hellllllllll!)
so all this discussion led me to attempt to make Chicken fricassee, this was my first attempt at a dish you don't find much any more (apparently Leicester authorities are bringing it back though hurrar) or if you do then its a fancy pants version that requires a mass of produce including white wine which I presume my old dinner ladies didn't use (unless its this school)
anyway....

For 4 people
450 grams of chicken thighs skinned and boned then washed thoroughly and chopped into small pieces.
4 tablespoons of flour
2 handfuls of button mushrooms, washed well and roughly chopped
2 cloves of garlic, peels and chopped
1 whole leek, washed, with the outer layer and green stalks removed, then cut into small rings.
1 can of Campbells condensed cream of chicken soup
about 150 ml of milk (3/4 of the can of soup)
20 ml of double cream
2 tablespoons of oil
about 25 g's of non salted butter.
a dash of salt and pepper.
1 tablespoon of mixed herbs.
1 and a half teaspoons of dried parsley
some water

First set up all the pans you need and set out the materials.
Spread the flour on the plate, mix in some salt and pepper and a dash of parsley. Mix the Chicken thighs with the flour until they are coated well.
Heat the oil on a medium heat in a large skillet. When its hot add the chopped garlic and leek and stir for around 3 minutes until the leek just begins to soften, then add the chicken, stirring thoroughly to ensure it doesn't stick. Add the chopped mushrooms and continue to stir over the heat until everything is cooke (about another 7 - 12 minutes). Keep the oil on hand, the mushrooms should give out plenty of liquid as they cook but just in case add a dash if needed although not too much.
Once everything is cooked, add the soup from the can, fill the can up to 3/4 with milk and top with some water, add to the chicken and stir until well mixed, then add the cream and dried herbs until well mixed.
Bring it up to the boil then reduce to a simmer, cover with a lid and leave for at least 20 minutes, stiring every five minutes or so to ensure it doesn't stick.
After 20 or so minutes check and add salt and pepper to taste.

The first night I served mine with freshly cooked rice, the second I served it with salad and ciabbatta both worked well.
As always comments and suggestions welcome.

Last week of being free to wander and potter during the day saw a sign in a local university shop that read...
"Reduced
naked calender"

strangely depressing

At the birthday hop

2009-04-16T01:32:00.010+09:00

Well, well, well it appears that despite all odds I've managed to make it to 30 years of age an event that whilst seems to leave other people panicking about old age and what not doesn't seem to be bothering me perhaps because I'M already looking forward to wearing slippers and drinking wine and of course moaning about things oh wait...too late for that.

Anyway to mark the event T.O.H booked a surprise trip away to Matlock Baths (that's the little Switzerland don'tyouknow!) I've mentioned before about the craftiness of T.O.H so the fact that they went to the lengths of actually bluffing buying things from Ebay, faking ringing the doorbell to pick up surprise presents and basically getting my entire family in on the plan shouldn't really come as a surprise.

Thats the look of both surprise and getting up at 6 in the morning.

I'm trying to look scared, sadly my enjoyment of cable cars is breaking through.

The view of Matlock somewhere in the mist.

In event of the cable car breaking down, I was clearly prepared to descend manually, although I might need to use both hands next time.

A stick and spot of sun light, that's all I need to keep me happy and Kendal mintcake of course.

Hmm a reflective me it may look like I'm pondering becoming thirty but really I'm thinking about sticks.

So yes a lovely two days eating cream teas of trains, wandering through old lead mines, learning about the lives of miners (basically rubbish from about the age of 7 including the opportunity to die from lead poisoning) pottering, eating fish and chips with masses of bikers, staying at the excellent Sunny Bank B and B and sticks lots of sticks.

I should mention again the great Sunny Bank bed and breakfast we stayed at, as well as the amazing restaurant they recommended called The Old Bakery in which I enjoyed the likes of grilled fresh trout in almond butter, field mushrooms stuffed with goats cheese and red onion and of course T.O.H's company (which is always a treat)

anyway couldn't wish for a better birthday, now I'm wondering what's in store for my fourtieth!

At the hurrar

2009-03-25T02:41:00.002+09:00

Well the good news is that apparently I seemed to have finally stumbled into an actual job, I've been waiting weeks/months for work and interviews and this week three of them came at once, a bit like buses although without the driver swearing at you. Speaking of which I presume its something to do with me hitting 30 in a few weeks, during which time I will of course be handed the official pipe and slippers and use phrases like "In my day..." but the other day I was actually impressed by the girl sitting somewhere behind me on the bus who managed to talk non stop for 45 minutes. I don't mean that includes conversational breaks where the other person speaks but a proper no pausing for breath, no waiting for the person on the other end to answer, a stream of consciousness that featured everything from boyfriends, TV, movies, the papers, breakfast, pencils, a batch of very off key singing oh and how quiet the bus was.
T.O.H suggests that maybe there was no one on the other end of the line.

Oh and should mention the other week I managed to get stuck down the side of my bed like some form of 1970's sitcom. A situation that although comic in the first few minutes rapidly led to blind panic by the thought of T.O.H coming home and finding me wedged against the wall like a pound land doorstop or a fish wrapped in Sellotape. If in upcoming weeks this blog is silent and papper and milks starts pilling up on the doorstep for gods sake kick the door down.

oh one more thing

2009-03-22T02:31:00.002+09:00

Also if anyone else watches Dollhouse (anyone, anyone?) was that Alan Tudyk (possibly alpha) in the cap and glasses walking past one of the TV interviewees (the man with the white shirt and tie)? For anyone else who doesn't watch it forget this entire paragraph.

Battlestar galatica - a final review

2009-03-22T02:28:00.004+09:00

Soo errr angels did it?
Beats wizards I suppose.