Belleville Rendezvous

I am so excited by my newest purchase of this classically animated gem. I first saw it on BBC2 last Christmas (so I believe) and it totally captured my imagination. It is a dark tale of kidnap and misadventure, and reminiscent of the old Pink Panther cartoons, except with better animation. It is a delightful story, with very little dialogue, and a rather endearing little grandma and her dog. See it if you can... here's a taster of what it looks like: Rendezvous.

Geiser Bill

A water pipe in Henley is having an identity crisis. Fueled by romantic tales of North American national parks and sweeping New Zealand landscapes, it has decided that it wants to be a Geiser. See BBC news for details, there's a great photo of a 30 foot spout of water on Henley High Street!!

Cookie Monster!!!!

I have an absolutely splendind recipe for a giant cookie, which is cookie mix but all put on the tray in the middle and chucked in the oven for 8-10 minutes. Personally, since I didn't have a baking sheet, I put it in the upturned lid of a casserole pot, one about 12" in diameter. So, the recipe goes like this:


3/4 cup light demerera or brown caster sugar
1/2 cup (approx 100 to 125g) butter/marge
one egg
few drops vanilla extract
1 to 1 1/2 cups self raising flour
add anything else, choc chips, marsh mallows, peanut butter, ginger, m&ms...


That's the basic recipe. My friend Steph gave it to me. She usually adds an entire block of dairy milk into it (roughly chopped) , about 250g of choc? I don't know. So, I usually put in about half that, Or half a 150g block, but then I do add an enormous amount of semi-crushed maltesers to the mix, about 200 to 300g depending how I'm feeling. Then in the oven for about 8-10 minutes depending on your oven, and whether the mix is in a shallow container or on a flat sheet. I have found that it is important not to overcook the mixture as it will go fluffy like cake. you need it to be more the consistency of a brownie, squidgy. So, I take it out after a while and it is lightly browned on top. The mix then sinks a little once it is cooled, and I slice it into 16 bits. If its on a tray, you can always pass it round and people can snap off what they want. I don't like my cookie crunchy, because it should really melt. It is very rich, very addictive and lethal. You have been warned!

Pouting, Prunes and Married Men

Why is it that a girl co-ordinating her lipstick to her outfit is sometimes the recipient of the most outrageous comments?

For two consecutive days, and in a bid to rekindle the joys of summer, I have been wearing bright red and bright pink shirts. This works particularly well with the requisite black suit for a smart receptionist. And this trend has carried on into my casual every day wear.

Needless to say, upon seeing my red red red lips, a friend's husband exclaimed in a rather exhuberant manner, 'WOW! How fantastically lucious your lips look!' not only once, but in fact did not cease until he left the house. His wife was not there at the time, and although I'm sure she would have agreed and not worried about it, I must say that I felt quite uncomfortable!

For, as a single girl in anticipation of finding a mate in the next few years, being considered a sexually alluring by someone who was already married, and about 10 years my senior was quite disconcerting. Especially in the instance that I don't tend to get that reaction from unmarried men.. why not? Even my married friend Tim commented upon how stunning I looked at the time. So, single men, please feel free to comment upon how gorgeous I am looking, thanks. A bloke in the coffee cart just about managed a, 'You've got lipstick on your teeth...' Gee, thanks, not quite the same thing.

In regards to the wife of the gentleman who commented upon my lips: she was the one who taught me how to conceive the most perfect of pouts. The secret is to say, under your breath, the word 'Prunes' whilst looking directly at your subject of choice. Go on, try it... a bit like those Victorian exercises that gave a maid a modest expression.. what was it? Prunaprismia and Vimini Pimini? Oh, I have learned so much from Serena Wombat!

Back to the old drawing board with the yet to be written song, 'Thursday Night with Married Men' (devised at a similar time as 'I fancy Time Travellers' - see earlier post) and my favourite exclamation... 'I get on well with married men, if only i was married to one...'

Happy Franks

A discussion over Sunday lunch yesterday had got me thinking... It all began with a limerick...

There once was a lady called Thatcher
Who ran so fast no one could catch her
Mid-way through a sprint
She choked on a mint
And prayed that the Lord would dispatch her

What this has to do with silly names I can't remember... but the point was it spurned a discussion about how I wanted to be called Semolina Franks. Or Nutty Muscovado. Then my writer friend enquired whether that meant the character had to be true to their name, and that it might be quite inconvenient for sake of the plot. I pointed out that on the contrary, the character could behave in direct oppossition to the implications that their name brings. I mean for goodness sake! Having a suicidal entertainer called Happy Franks (Played by Steve Buscemi in THE IMPOSTORS), is actually quite funny.

Well, I was vaguely amused... and the session also did spurn countless variations of limericks to do with young felines and time travellers....

Clearly I have nothing better to think about, it even spills into my social life.

Ham Radio

I've just had quite a pleasant and unexpected experience. My friend Soose is working at BBC Radio Berkshire on Phil Kennedy's show. In support of Soose I tune in during my journey to and from work. So today, knowing the answer to a quiz and having my mobile phone handy, I called into the station and ended up talking to Phil Kennedy himself.

This was quite fun, as topics ranged from my neighbour's Jack Russell puppy in their first floor window all the way to the sports commentator Joel wearing one of my glittery blue pvc corsets. What an exciting thing to be doing on a Monday afternoon! I'd been on another show a couple of times chatting to another DJ and that was when I brought in the corsets.

And I even figured out how to listen to the radio via the internet! I feel quite chuffed that Phil enjoyed talking to me... must chat to Soose about it. Its put me in a such a good mood!!!

Ok, so I'm a woman

Perhaps its the new pursuit of working at Reception. Perhaps its the fact that I'm working in an industry dominated by men. But oh my goodness, I am having FUN FUN FUN (till my daddy takes the T-bird away). The eye candy is enough to last me all year.

Is it offensive to men if we can't take our eyes off them? Or just appreciate their dimples? When we look them in the eye and smile? Can they tell that we're busy sitting there going 'Frrrroooaaaggghhh' on the inside? There is this American guy (soft spot for yanks i'm afraid) called Travis Graham. He's tall, besuited, clean cut, with a kind of five o'clock shadow, floppy straight hair in a preppy cut, wearing cute dark rimmed specs... I seem to have two types...

Preppy and Gerard Butler.

mmm... still, this guy is sitting in reception right now and I can't stop my gaze from drifting in his direction. Pity he's not looking my way. Ok, I'm a woman. I'm not in a relationship, and I'm allowed to look. But not lust. What's the difference anyway? Can you go weak at the knees and not call it lust?

Under the Weather

Well, how on earth can you feel over the weather? And what if the weather happens to be bright and sunny? Can you still be 'under' it? And would that make you feel good, or make you feel bad? Feeling bad becuase of the weather - mmm haven't they already called that one 'SAD'?

What about feeling generally run down? Am I a Duracel Bunny? Because I'm sure that even Duracel bunnies run out of steam. You see, I'm a train now as well. But to be honest, that's not environmentally friendly, the burning of fossil fuels.

Anyway, I wish there was a way of saying I'm feeling robust and vibrant... because its a lot to aspire to at the moment.

I'm going down (down down), but at least my sense of humour is still intact...

Gorgeous women I like

Why don't women look like this anymore? This is worth aspiring to. Personally, I believe it has been due to the decline of good design in undergarments. What is the fashion world thinking? Lycra? What's that? Stretchy tops? Noooo! We want perfectly tailored, feminine figure flattering forms, Betty Grable style high heels, sexy off the shoulder numbers, sophisticated, film noir, and in no way Britney! Trash is just trash whichever way you look at it. Cover up, don't make yourself so available and retain charm and mystique. OK? Got it?

Ava Gardner Elegance, Style, WOW! What a woman!

Sophia Loren In this most famous photograph from 'The Millionairess' (1960)

Jane Russell Hello Gemima! I also have a thing for cowboys.

Marilyn Monroe Yes, I love corsets.

I know there are some pretty girls nowadays, but where are the WOMEN with REAL CURVES who are CLASSY, not trashy?

Possibly in the guise of Catherine Zeta-Jones? Although, I would rather see her in corsets.

Also, another one I quite fancy is Eliza Dushku, although she is seriously lacking curves. Shame, She's exceptionally pretty and feisty.

I also prefer brunettes.

And don't forget this one redhead.

I think what I'm getting at is the old fashioned glamour, romance, sexiness. Not this blatant popcorn in your face easy cheap pop. Its just not on, people!

Dr Feel!

OK, OK, still on the theme of Muppets....

I love Dr Phil McGraw. And I fancy his son, Jay, but that's another matter. Dr 'NO NONSENSE' Phil is fantastic. He tells it like it is. If I had television, it would permanently be fluctuating between Quantum Leap and Dr Phil. I love watching those disfunctional people finally coming to the realisation that they're disfunctional and that their behaviour is truly outrageous (A realisation I've come to several times in my life already).

ANYWAY, Sesame Street are in their 35th Series! Wow! And as a homage, they are introducing some new characters, one of whom is.... Dr Feel, who is a little balding muppet who talks about feelings. Elmo (currently residing on my rearview mirror) is one of his patients...

http://www.drphil.com/slideshow/slide.jhtml?contentId=2118_drphil2.xml

It is awesome!!!

Dancing Queeeeeeeeen!

OK, so my dancing mates and I seem to be obsessed by any films that include dancing. Wierd, huh? Dirty Dancing being an absolute fave together with Strictly Ballroom. Nevertheless, another film with Puerto Rican singing sensation Chayanne and actress and singer Vanessa Williams, 'Dance with Me' has also caught our attention. The backdrop switches from Salsa club to International Ballroom Dancing contest. There's this fantastic scene in the salsa club where they do la rueda. Not to be missed. And not forgetting 'Save the Last Dance' a cross between Romeo and Juliet, Grease, Othello and countless other shifty teen movies with the same plot. And THEN, a new film comes out, Dirty Dancing 2:Havana Nights.

What?? New one? Where? I want to see it! And its a straight to Video number. AAAARRRGG. Still trying to get hold of it, really. But, was looking up new films recently and found that in the U S of A they're planning an Autumn 2004 release for a new Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon, Jennifer Lopez remake of Japanese film called 'Shall we Dance?'

(Is it just me or do these film titles give away what they're about?)

But the most exciting fact about this (and I know becuase I viewed the trailer on tinternet) is the presence of Stanley Tucci is a Diva come ballroom dancer obsessed with wigging. Winning? Oh, just watch the trailer!

Yes he does wear sequins.

NB Here is a silly photo from one of my favourite films by Stanley 'The Impostors'. If you get a chance, see it.

Fansites

Well, in an endeavour to find a photograph of Brick, I am severely disappointed! I would have thought that fan sites would be springing up all over the place. Is it just me who sees the attraction?

Answer: Yes.

I saw Steve Carell in Bruce Almighty and decided he was brilliant. When I saw the trailers to ANchorman, I knew I had to see the movie, and I wasn't disappointed. So, to re-cap... Funny men who play idiotic characters:

Christopher Guest (Nigel Tufnel)
Steve Carell (Brick Tamland)
Stanley Tucci (Anyone vaguely silly, although he does a good line of evil characters too and might even deserve a post all to himself).

Enough for now. If anyone has a photo of Brick, please send it to me!!!

And I've changed the settings on the blog so anyone can add a comment, cheers.

STOP PRESS: You Muppet!

Breaking news: Pepe the King Prawn is to be starring in the Muppets' Wonderful Wizard of Oz, now filming. He will be taking on the particularly important role of Toto, to Ashanti's Dorothy. Queen Latifa is Aunt Em. I'm looking forward to see this one! For more information about Muppets see: www.muppetcentral.com.

Brick Tamland

I'm in love with Brick Tamland. Here's his biography:

No one knows how old Brick is or where he is from.
He simply showed up one day at the station in a perfect
suit and said, “I want to talk about the clouds.” Due to
his enthusiasm and pleasant demeanor he was given
a shot on the weekend broadcast. After getting over an
initial fear of the camera (he was literally afraid of the
actual camera. He thought it was an oven or a machine
gun) Brick soon became a favourite of viewers.

Brick makes many local appearances; some scheduled
and some not. He also hosts the annual Brick Tamland
charity golf event. And though last year’s tournament
did cost five people their lives, the event will be held
again this spring with a guarantee that Brick will not
try to land a helicopter on the course again.

Brick loves to travel during his down time. Last year he
wandered onto a parked jet plane thinking it was a
bathroom and ended up in Stuttgart for two weeks before
being found by local police. Two years ago he fell asleep
in the back of a logging truck and was later found in
Alberta, Canada shirtless and in shock.

But most of all Mr. Tamland truly loves his job and his
News Team. He hasn’t cashed a paycheck in five years
and actually sleeps on the news set. Brick sees no reason
to have an apartment of his own because ‘they have
a potty and food here at the station.’

This is from http://www.anchorman-themovie.com

Actually, as far as idiotic but loveable characters go, along with
Nigel Tufnel, I'm starting quite a collection, aren't I? Perhaps
I can have Time Travellers in one pocket and Silly men in the
other?

Or better yet, why not combine the two? Do we know any idotic
time travellers?

Tap, Kane and Felines

Not that any of these things have anything in common, but...

TAP: I'm in love with Nigel Tufnel. And I can't stop singing 'Gimme Some Money'.

KANE: are coming to London and I'm going to see them play! Yay! For anyone who doesn't know, Kane are fronted by Christian Kane, a chap who played Lawyer Lindsey MacDonald in the series ANGEL. Anyway, they're an awesome Outlaw Country band, and did I mention it, they're coming to London????

Geronimo is my fave cat. He's Maine Coonian.

GSM

There was a young lady from Reading
Who was rather amply proportioned
She tried on a dress
But looked such a mess
That she got me to make her a corset!

Tooti Fruti de Mer

Its official. Pepe the King Prawn, a distant and oh so charming relative of Barry the Lobster has superseded Barry in the recent 'Crayfish of the Year Award'. Perhaps its something to do with being Spanish? I mean, I haven't seen Barry in years, and all of a sudden, I'm sitting at my mum and dad's one Christmas, and who should happen upon my televisual screen but a handsome cassanova with six hands and rather wild red hair in a pale green hoodie? Perhaps it was that he reminded me of my youth. Perhaps it was the accent, KHO KAY? The constantly shifting loyalties? The disregard for females? Why do I like men (or fish) who keep women at arm's length?

Personally, I've always had a soft spot for those of the ginger variety. Ginger tom cats. My mate Jonathan. Any men with nice freckly arms. Chubby little freckly faced boys with big brown eyes... oooh, just noticed, liking ginger things if they are of the male variety. How transparent.

I always knew crustaceans had personalities.

Time Travellers

I've been threatening to write a song about fancying Time Travellers ever since my ten year old self laid eyes on Marty McFly. Scratch that. I've had a fascination ever since Marty McFly, I've only been threatening to write the song since Teresa Bowman and Chelsea Art College. By the age of 15, this had progressed to Sam Beckett, which is a fascination that has seen a resurgence in my household lately. This is mainly due to the fact that my next door neighbour has a Sky+ box and is currently recording all of Quantum Leap for me. I even called my car Ziggy.

I'm not sure if the song will ever get written, however I have recently added another Time Traveller to my small collection: Gerard Butler. I saw him recently in TIMELINE and confirmed the suspicion that I like men with long hair and beards in loose fitting clothes. Maybe I just liked him because he looked like Jesus... although the blue eyes and the Scottish accent gives him away. Maybe it was the sword wielding that did it. An attraction to the heroic is a growing trend, thank you Hollywood.

Does travelling through portals count? Because then I could add Alexis Denisof.

Any suggestions for song titles? I'm thinking 'I fancy time travellers' is not quite going to cut it...

Prawn Charming

http://www.geocities.com/soaring_higher/pepe.jpg

nuff said