Friday, April 27, 2007
The Roebuck and the New Inn
After a hard and very boring but profitable day's work on Richmond Hill, I needed some food. The Roebuck was the nearest and they had a decent menu - steak and ale pie would have hit the spot nicely - but they don't sell draught cider, so I walked straight out. I used to take my aunt to the New Inn on Ham Common for a good feed - they have a nice garden - so I went there. It's been over a year - if not two - since I visited and they've changed owners and the food has gone downhill significantly. Both in quality and range. My scampi and chips wasn't bad but it was decidedly average.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Busy, busy.
Got to prep my house for sale, and clean up my aunt's for her return.
And hayfever sucks.
And hayfever sucks.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
The Wierd 24 Movie Meme
Via The Smallest Minority
1. Name a movie that you have seen more than 10 times.
Lord of the Rings. All three films.
2. Name a movie that you've seen multiple times in the theater.
Star Wars.
3. Name an actor that would make you more inclined to see a movie.
Denzel Washington, Sean Connery, and Alan Rickman for starters.
4. Name an actor that would make you less likely to see a movie.
'Hanoi Jane' Jane Fonda.
5. Name a movie from which you can and do quote.
Aliens, assorted Monty Python.
6. Name a movie musical that you know all of the lyrics to all of the songs.
Nope. Unless you count one of the filmings of Handel's Messiah.
7. Name a movie that you have been known to sing along with.
Nope.
8. Name a movie that you would recommend everyone see.
The Incredibles. Fun for all the family.
9. Name a movie that you own.
I've got many DVDs.
10. Name an actor that launched his/her entertainment career in another medium but who has surprised you with his/her acting chops.
Fred Thompson. Seriously.
11. Have you ever seen a movie in a drive-in? If so, what?
Are there any drive-ins in the U.K.?
12. Ever made out in a movie?
Nope.
13. Name a movie that you keep meaning to see but just haven't yet gotten around to it.
Hot Fuzz.
14. Ever walked out of a movie?
In a cinema? Yes.
15. Name a movie that made you cry in the theater.
Probably most romances. A Tale of Two Cities never fails to bring a tear to my eye.
16. Popcorn?
Iced Water
17. How often do you go to the movies (as opposed to renting them or watching them at home)?
Very variable. I never rent, though.
18. What’s the last movie you saw in the theater?
300. Excellent fun; not terribly historical.
19. What’s your favorite/preferred genre of movie?
Anything that isn't horror. I like action, adventure, romance, comedy, farce, and more. Curiously, I generally only like comedy and farce the first time around.
20. What’s the first movie you remember seeing in the theatre?
No idea.
21. What movie do you wish you had never seen?
The Lair of the White Worm. I saw it at too young an age.
22. What is the weirdest movie you enjoyed?
That would be telling.
23. What is the scariest movie you’ve seen?
I don't actually enjoy horror movies, but I'll make an exception for Alien.
24. What is the funniest movie you’ve seen?
Here my mind goes blank. I've seen plenty of funny movies but I couldn't say which one was the funniest. Seems like some rewatching is in order.
1. Name a movie that you have seen more than 10 times.
Lord of the Rings. All three films.
2. Name a movie that you've seen multiple times in the theater.
Star Wars.
3. Name an actor that would make you more inclined to see a movie.
Denzel Washington, Sean Connery, and Alan Rickman for starters.
4. Name an actor that would make you less likely to see a movie.
'Hanoi Jane' Jane Fonda.
5. Name a movie from which you can and do quote.
Aliens, assorted Monty Python.
6. Name a movie musical that you know all of the lyrics to all of the songs.
Nope. Unless you count one of the filmings of Handel's Messiah.
7. Name a movie that you have been known to sing along with.
Nope.
8. Name a movie that you would recommend everyone see.
The Incredibles. Fun for all the family.
9. Name a movie that you own.
I've got many DVDs.
10. Name an actor that launched his/her entertainment career in another medium but who has surprised you with his/her acting chops.
Fred Thompson. Seriously.
11. Have you ever seen a movie in a drive-in? If so, what?
Are there any drive-ins in the U.K.?
12. Ever made out in a movie?
Nope.
13. Name a movie that you keep meaning to see but just haven't yet gotten around to it.
Hot Fuzz.
14. Ever walked out of a movie?
In a cinema? Yes.
15. Name a movie that made you cry in the theater.
Probably most romances. A Tale of Two Cities never fails to bring a tear to my eye.
16. Popcorn?
Iced Water
17. How often do you go to the movies (as opposed to renting them or watching them at home)?
Very variable. I never rent, though.
18. What’s the last movie you saw in the theater?
300. Excellent fun; not terribly historical.
19. What’s your favorite/preferred genre of movie?
Anything that isn't horror. I like action, adventure, romance, comedy, farce, and more. Curiously, I generally only like comedy and farce the first time around.
20. What’s the first movie you remember seeing in the theatre?
No idea.
21. What movie do you wish you had never seen?
The Lair of the White Worm. I saw it at too young an age.
22. What is the weirdest movie you enjoyed?
That would be telling.
23. What is the scariest movie you’ve seen?
I don't actually enjoy horror movies, but I'll make an exception for Alien.
24. What is the funniest movie you’ve seen?
Here my mind goes blank. I've seen plenty of funny movies but I couldn't say which one was the funniest. Seems like some rewatching is in order.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Narcotics
Misty describes her previous (and often involuntary) uses of narcotics. I've never taken narcotics stronger than alcohol - and I don't do spirits. I don't smoke, either. Cigarette smoke makes me choke or sneeze.
In other words, I'm a sad boring young fart. :) And I'm happy to be one.
In other words, I'm a sad boring young fart. :) And I'm happy to be one.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Another excellent Fishmongers' do last night
Pity my guest couldn't make it, but I sat with some fascinating people. A retired mogul in the shoemaking industry, the head of English heritage, the chief archivist of a county, the Renter Warden of the Gardeners and more.
The food was, as ever, spellbindingly good, but it's the first time I've started with ice cream! There was an interesting speech afterwards.
The food was, as ever, spellbindingly good, but it's the first time I've started with ice cream! There was an interesting speech afterwards.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
I'm free!
I am now unemployed, having accepted voluntary redundancy and a modest wodge of cash.
Now I've got to decide whether to sell my house or to rent it out. Anyway, I've had the estate agents round and things are looking modestly favourable.
Now I've got to decide whether to sell my house or to rent it out. Anyway, I've had the estate agents round and things are looking modestly favourable.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Busy, busy!
Good stuff, bad stuff, difficult stuff. My aunt is sliding, but not fast, and it's not a pretty experience. There's more about which I cannot blog at the moment.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
My first hangover!
Only a mild one, though.
At 40, I've been drinking alcoholic beverages for 22 years and until this morning had yet to have a hangover. This is probably because I stick to decent stuff and don't drink too much. But last night I was sipping Thatcher's Katy cider and really rather regretted it this morning.
At 40, I've been drinking alcoholic beverages for 22 years and until this morning had yet to have a hangover. This is probably because I stick to decent stuff and don't drink too much. But last night I was sipping Thatcher's Katy cider and really rather regretted it this morning.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Bother said Q
As his server died.
Oh well, a new box has been ordered and will arrive on Saturday. This means I get to spend part of my weekend building a server.
Oh well, a new box has been ordered and will arrive on Saturday. This means I get to spend part of my weekend building a server.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Friday, January 19, 2007
Fishmongers' Livery Concert
Ah, bliss!
It was a black tie do. We started with Champagne and nibbles, courtesy of Stephen Pini. Then it was off to listen to the Forte String Quartet from the Guildhall School of Music for some Haydn and Tchaikovsky. A break for more drink and nibbles (I had proper lemonade). And back for a piano recital by Anton Lyakhovsky and Toms Ostrovskis who played pieces by Rachmaninov and Lutoslawski. Piano music isn't normally my cup of tea, but the two pianos together made a real difference. I was surprised at how loud they were, even though I was right at the back.
And then we had a buffet supper. Top quality food.
It was a black tie do. We started with Champagne and nibbles, courtesy of Stephen Pini. Then it was off to listen to the Forte String Quartet from the Guildhall School of Music for some Haydn and Tchaikovsky. A break for more drink and nibbles (I had proper lemonade). And back for a piano recital by Anton Lyakhovsky and Toms Ostrovskis who played pieces by Rachmaninov and Lutoslawski. Piano music isn't normally my cup of tea, but the two pianos together made a real difference. I was surprised at how loud they were, even though I was right at the back.
And then we had a buffet supper. Top quality food.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Torchwood finale
Crap, wasn't it? It was so bad that I couldn't watch it all the way through but switched over to other programs then switched back. And the big baddie? I'm sure they've used him before.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Predictions for 2007
Happy New Year to my one reader.
Now, Misty's made her predictions, I'm going to make mine.
January: Nothing of significance happens; the press get distracted by twin badgers.
February: I get fixed up for a blind date on St.Valentine's Day with a blind Russian shot-putter; being a gentleman, I get her drunk and put her in a taxi home.
March: Excitement about Tony Blair's resignation reaches fever-pitch; TB tells them to fuck off.
April: Showers. The badgers are doing well.
May: Gordon Brown succeeds Tony Blair and calls a quickie election. The skunks topa BBC poll and get proposed as candidates.
June: Elections. Who cares who wins? They're all after my wallet. My MP's a tosser, so I'll probably vote for her best opponent. Round here that would probably be the Monster Raving Loony Party. The badgers almost get elected.
July: Sunshine! My nephew's 5. Damn the rest.
August: More sunshine!
September: Prime Minister Cameron announces that Britain will leave the EU but remain in EFTA.
October: Cameron announces that the UK is negotiating membership of NAFTA.
November: Georgina celebrates her first birthday. Yay!
December: The badgers do what Guy Fawkes failed to do: blow up Parliament. Everyone thinks it's part of some celebration and nobody notices that all the MPs are dead. When it is finally noticed, nobody really cares.
Now, Misty's made her predictions, I'm going to make mine.
January: Nothing of significance happens; the press get distracted by twin badgers.
February: I get fixed up for a blind date on St.Valentine's Day with a blind Russian shot-putter; being a gentleman, I get her drunk and put her in a taxi home.
March: Excitement about Tony Blair's resignation reaches fever-pitch; TB tells them to fuck off.
April: Showers. The badgers are doing well.
May: Gordon Brown succeeds Tony Blair and calls a quickie election. The skunks topa BBC poll and get proposed as candidates.
June: Elections. Who cares who wins? They're all after my wallet. My MP's a tosser, so I'll probably vote for her best opponent. Round here that would probably be the Monster Raving Loony Party. The badgers almost get elected.
July: Sunshine! My nephew's 5. Damn the rest.
August: More sunshine!
September: Prime Minister Cameron announces that Britain will leave the EU but remain in EFTA.
October: Cameron announces that the UK is negotiating membership of NAFTA.
November: Georgina celebrates her first birthday. Yay!
December: The badgers do what Guy Fawkes failed to do: blow up Parliament. Everyone thinks it's part of some celebration and nobody notices that all the MPs are dead. When it is finally noticed, nobody really cares.
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