Hotel - Part 2

Mutterings continued.

Our game of My Fleet's Bigger Than Your Fleet was interrupted by the arrival of room service. Mmmm....pie 'n chips 'n salad. And the beer was good too.

Rob hooked my portable DVD player into the telly (after some concern that the sound wasn't the best - the cable connecting it to the telly was for vid only. "If only we had another cable to connect to sound, " said Rob. "Like this?" I enquired, pulling yet another cable out of my suitcase).

As the kitchen was closing at 9pm, we ordered dessert (hazelnut icecream with choc biscuit sandwich) at 8.30 to scoff during the vids.

Viewing started with a rather grim episode of Space:1999 (in which alien Christopher Lee, looking like a cross between Sauruman and Draco Malfoy's dad) gets the better of slimy politician Michael Dotrice), followed by the start of Atlantis, which featured Jewel "Kaylee" Straite. Unfortunately, the disk wasn't too good so we didn't get to see what Kaylee was doing with the Stargate mob.

Tossed up between watching Mystie or going with a free movie. We plumped for Batman Begins and were very pleased we did. Cool film. I was assured that it had shades of The Shadow in it and I really should see that film too.

This morning - breakfast. I'd gone with the full brekkie - unusual for me as I only have low GI cereal and a cup of coffee most days, except when I'm travelling. As the stay in the hotel was my holiday for this year (and next, come to think of it), I went for the full breakers.

As pictured below:







The bacon was crisp, the hash browns tasty, and the poached eggs looked like dumplings, with the promise of yummy golden yolk within.

I was a little unsure about getting into the spa within an hour of eating such a feast, but I kept within the flags and wore my floaties so I was alright. Didn't overdo the bubbles this time, either. All-in-all, a lovely start to the day.

And the rest of the day has been spent doing bugger all.

Glorious - a hotel fan-girl review

Mutterings continued.

Day 1, part 1.

Post-hotel, spa-satiated Poss here. Had a lovely time, brought home some hotel booty (only what I'd paid for! The spa wouldn't fit in my suitcase) and feel all refreshed. My pruney fingers are starting to fill out and not look like cheap wrinkly sausages and I smell wonderful.

I decided to go the whole hog, as it were, and upgraded to the double spa suite at the Chifley. I'm guessing that the design of the room is intended to appeal to romantic couples as the spa is next to the, very large, bed. Couple hops into spa, drinks champers while fighting over the side spa jets, gets amourous, gets out, falls into bed for evening of rumpy pumpy on damp sheets (urgh!). The spa was large enough for two people, sitting, or one Poss, completely submerged. I was impressed by the generosity of towelling - two large bath sheets each for the spa and bathroom, ditto bathmats and face flannels. And two towelling bathrobes.

The spa - pristine.

The spa after I'd been at it - note plethora of bubbles left after all the water had drained away.

Actually using the spa was an adventure; there were instructions which advised filling the tub so there was a couple of inches at least of water above the jets. I had overestimated, slightly, somewhat, ahem, the amount of Lush Karma bubble bar needed, and the resultant bubbles obscured the surface of the water. I had no idea what the level of the water in the tub was when I turned the spa on. The resultant spout of water that came out of the tub, hit the back wall, rebounded and flooded the kitchen, made me think that I should have let the taps run a little longer. Cotton bath mats are very absorbent, thank the small gods.

The first lot of bubbles threatened to swamp the room, putting paid to any idea I had of quietly reading while soaking - Jasper Fforde would have ended up as pulp, not an apt description of his writing abilities. I let all the water out, got rid of half the bubbles and started again, this time ensuring that the water level was ABOVE the jets before turning them on.

More pruney than raisiny.

I was impressed by the large bathroom with twin basins - no fighting over the sink with the risk of being spattered by projectile toothpaste. And the loo was a separate room; very civilised. There were three sets of shampoo, shaving cream and moisturiser dispensers - two adjacent to the basins and one in the shower. No untidy plastic bottles littering the place here.

Large bed, on which I slept in the very middle (unlike at home, when I tend to cling to the left-hand side for some reason - most likely because Milo has taken the right-hand side):

After the thorough soaking I wandered down to Hay St for a bit of a mooch before Leece was due to arrive. I found Stoppard's The Real Inspector Hound in Elizabeth's Book Shop. I've been looking for it since we saw it last Xmas. That is, the Xmas before the one we've just had.

Leece arrived around 5ish and took me to have a look at the extraordinary antiquities/curios/antiques shop in the Parmelia Building. Fascinating. I got a call from Rob, who was in the foyer of the hotel, so he joined us. Leece had spotted an ad in one of the hotel lifts for the in-house special - gourmet pie with steak chips, garden salad with passionfruit dressing and a Gage Roads lager to wash it down with. Sounded a winner.

While waiting for the food, L and R introduced me to the ship shoot-em-up game that Rob keeps winning. His record has not been broken, though I did almost take out his mother ship - only 2 more points and I would have had him! Bwahahahah. I came second, which isn't bad seeing I didn't know what I doing and kept asking for help.

The Bill Bailey Trouser Press and Tea and Coffee Making Facilities Rating: 9/10. One point lost when I had to ring Reception and ask for a jug.

Grey Day

Mutterings continued.

The sky was very overcast as I was leaving work tonight. Rain isn't forecast, unfortunately.

I'm off until next Wednesday - that's five whole days! Off shopping in the morning and then to the hotel in the arvo.

The plumber arrived about 11am this morning and left after 12. Lots of mess in the bathroom and kitchen - don't tradespeople clean up after themselves any more??

Grungy

Mutterings continued.

I'm sitting here, at home, waiting for the plumber to arrive. Yes, the drains are blocked. Again. I won't describe the sight of the shower stall - I'll let the blog title do that. Bloody annoying given that the rent has gone up.

Groovy music

Mutterings continued.

I've been listening to Yahoo's LAUNCHcast this morning and stumbled across the Jethro Tull station Not only JT, mind - it's currently playing Zepplin's The Battle for Evermore. It also features Crosby, Stills and Nash, Traffic, Yes and other cool stuff.

Now they're playing King Crimson's Court of the Crimson King. Which I have. Now it's JT's Thick as a Brick, which I also have.

And speaking of groovy music:

AC/DC beats U2.

AUSSIE rockers AC/DC have been named the fifth greatest rock act of all time in a poll of almost 60,000 British fans.

Pink Floyd topped the list, beating other rock legends such as U2 and the Who to the title.

Led Zeppelin came second, followed by the Rolling Stones.

The Who were fourth, then AC/DC, U2, Guns N' Roses, Nirvana, Bon Jovi and Jimi Hendrix.

The poll was carried out by British digital radio station Planet Rock.

The survey of 58,000 listeners also named the 1970s the golden age of rock, followed by the 1960s, the Spandex years of the 1980s and grunge decade the 1990s.

Pink Floyd are thought to have sold a staggering 200 million albums worldwide since forming in 1965.

Top 10 rock acts:
1. Pink Floyd - agree
2. Led Zeppelin - agree
3. The Rolling Stones - like some of their early stuff
4. The Who - agree.
5. AC/DC - ditto early stuff
6. U2 - nup
7. Guns N' Roses - def. nup
8. Nirvana - nup, again
9. Bon Jovi - see Nirvana
10. Jimi Hendrix - agree.

Flippin' 'eck!

Mutterings continued.

This recipe was linked from my gmail spam box:

Title: FRENCH FRY SPAM CASSEROLE
Categories: Main dish
Yield: 8 servings

1 pk Frozen french fry potatoes,
-thawed (20 oz)
2 c Shredded Cheddar cheese
2 c Sour cream
1 cn Condensed cream of chicken
-soup (10 3/4 oz)
1 cn SPAM Luncheon Meat, cubed
-(12 oz)
1/2 c Chopped red bell pepper
1/2 c Chopped green onion
1/2 c Finely crushed corn flakes

Heat oven to 350'F. In large bowl, combine potatoes, cheese, sour
cream, and soup. Stir in SPAM, bell pepper, and green onion. Spoon
into 13x9" baking dish. Sprinkle with crushed flakes. Bake 30-40
minutes or until thoroughly heated.


I think we're looking at an entire week's fat quotient there...

Fabulous weather we're having

Mutterings continued.

15:35 on Boxing Day and it's only 22c. Amazing.

Pottered around, did some housework, etc - a quiet day so far.

I watched Star Wars III last night. Some parts were good (eg the battle scenes) but some of the dialogue was dire and some scenes just too cutesy (eg the battle droids going, "Uh oh!" and "Woah!").

This month's good health news:

"Chocolate is good for you

LOVERS of dark chocolate have been given the perfect excuse to indulge -- it is good for the heart.
A study has found that eating a few squares a day could help prevent problems with blood flow.

This is because chocolate contains high quantities of antioxidants called flavonoids, which prevent arteries hardening.

These benefits are not shared by milk chocolate, possibly because the milk interferes with the effect of the flavonoids.

In the study, published in the journal Heart, tests were carried out on 20 smokers, chosen because they have an increased risk of hardened arteries and heart disease.

Asked not to eat anti-oxidant rich foods, they were then fed 57g of different types of chocolate.

After two hours, those who had eaten dark chocolate, with 74 per cent cocoa solids, had "significantly improved" blood flow." Next month, scientists will no doubt discover chocolate is bad for you. Again.

Excellent Day.

I've had a great couple of days. Last night I visited Leece and Rob, exchanged pressies (Leece tempted me with t shirts - I couldn't decide between the false frog and the Mach 1 Rhino; I settled on the former. And Leece designed a very cool Midsummer Night's Dream t shirt), had a wonderful BBQ and watched Atlantis, Space:1999 and MST3K. And Rah Xephon, but the less said about that, the better. 8-0

And today was spent with the family, including both of my nieces and a fiance (one of my niece's, not mine). We ate lots, laughed lots and had a lovely, lovely time.

I've just received an email from Cafe Press saying my zebra t shirt is on its way. Yay.

According to Guardian readers, the worst film of 2005 was..... And the best...

Forgot to mention (another one)....

Mutterings continued.





... it was Manfred's first birthday on Thursday. He was actually registered on the 16th December last year, but I didn't pick him up until the 22nd so that's his 'real' birthday.

Got all the Xmas shopping done this morning. By "all" I mean I got the last of my brother's pressies. And I've just come back from the hairdresser's and am soooooooooo happy with the result. Jenny, the el supremo, said, after surveying the results, "We will never let your hair get any longer than this again!"

So, while the blowdrying and wax still holds my hair in something approaching a style, some pics. I don't normally like taking, or having taken, photos of me, but ... what the hell!



Arty moi...



I think the mirror needs cleaning moi.

Off to Leece and Rob's tonight.

Have a happy and safe Xmas, everybody!

Finally Friday

Mutterings continued.

It's rather good having Xmas Day on Sunday. Today really feels like the end of the week and the shops are open tomorrow as normal. And we get Monday and Tuesday off as well.

Just home from Xmas drinkies at work. We had a sausage sizzle at lunch time, which was nice.

I have a heap o' pressies to wrap tonight - hope people don't notice the cat hair in the sticky tape. I always end up with cat hair in the sticky tape. And Milo has been known to get sticky tape on his tail!

Forgot to mention I got my EBCB badges the other day. Most cute!

From the Guardian - some very amusing office Xmas photos.

The 20th Century Roadshow has just featured a "mad collector" (his words!) of Dr Who stuff. Very amusing scenes of a Cyberman hiding behind the sofa while watching Alan Titchmarsh on the telly.

First in, best dressed, and all that.

Mutterings continued.

Back again - had a bad couple of days, got dumped, got upset, got angry, and now I don't give a shit. Posses bounce back pretty quickly and don't waste their lives feeling sorry for themselves when they've been insulted and treated very shabbily. Thanks to all my mates for listening to me vent, thinking up imaginative forms of revenge, and making me feel loved.

I ordered a copy of Serenity with Ezydvd yesterday - their version comes in a rather nice looking tin. Cost $33 and Ezydvd say that they only have 7,000.

Leece has put her wonderful zebra on a series of t shirts at Cafe Press - I've just bought one to match my fabbo cushions. And mug. And bag. Hmmm...I see a pattern here. A striped pattern. Tee hee.

I'm treating myself next Friday to a stay in a nice hotel in the city - The Chifley on the Terrace. Has a spa, free movie and looks rather nice. I'll be taking the mini DVD player, just in case the movie isn't too good. L and R are coming over and bringing Mystie. Should be good.

Hard to believe it's Christmas in 3 days time - it's just started raining!

I WANT THIS! It's a robot velociraptor.

I've heard of an oil cartel and a drug cartel - but a cardboard box cartel??

Cool - in more ways than one. This giant squid is only a tiddler, at 7m long.

Funny weather we're having.

Mutterings continued.

Cloudy, rain threatening, humid. Christmas Day looks like being cool, which is nice.

Strange turn of phrase used in a telly program about cold cases (Waking the Dead), "Sorry Boyd - I can't get anything from the semen samples. The cells are completely knackered." Quite.

Fabulous weekend

Mutterings continued.

Busy but fun. Leece and Rob came over for dins and DVDs last night - they made a fab Ploughperson's lunch, Oz-style, which was just delicious. And I made banana splits with nice nanas, fresh strawberries, etc. And nuts. Very important to have nuts.

The Stargate:Atlantis ep was great (amusing quote - McKay: Seriously, am I the only one creeped out by (the magistrate)? Sheppard: They're politicians, Rodney - they're all creepy. ); the MST3K movie was not bad at all. Moonbase Zero Two starred Warren Mitchell, obviously slumming it, and Bernard "Carry On..." Breslaw as baddies. The opening credits were animated and quite amusing - very Pink Panther/The Party.

Went to Pat's place for Xmas drinkies and a chat. Lovely.

Far out!

Mutterings continued.

30c outside. I don't like it! I've just opened up the window next to the pooter to let some air in and discovered a marbled gecko! He's now on the inside of the window, just above the handle. Cool. He's now INSIDE the handle.

Did a lot of Xmas shopping this morning. All's that's left to do is something for my brother and some jewellery for one of my niece's.

'Little Britain' named top UK comedy show

Quirky sketch show Little Britain beat off the latest venture from Ricky Gervais to take the top honour at this year's British Comedy Awards.

The BBC show, the creation of double act Matt Lucas and David Walliams, was named the Best TV Comedy ahead of BBC Four's The Thick Of It and Gervais' Extras, his follow-up to the hugely successful The Office.

However, the other shows did not go home empty-handed.

The Simpsons won yet another award for Best International Comedy Show, beating Australian TV comedy hit, Kath and Kim, masterminded by Jane Turner and Gina Riley .

Ashley Jensen from Extras beat Tamsin Greig from Channel Four's Green Wing and Catherine Tate for her self-titled show to take the Best Comedy Actress gong.

Jensen also picked up the Best Comedy Newcomer award.

Chris Langham, star of The Thick Of It, was named Best Comedy Actor ahead of Gervais, Walliams and Lucas.

His show also picked up the Best New TV Comedy honour.

ITV1's talent show The X Factor was named Best Comedy Entertainment Program, while Festival took the Best Comedy Film award.

"This year's comedy output on television is probably the strongest ever in the 16 years of the British Comedy Awards," executive producer Michael Hurll said.

Victoria Wood and Julie Walters were also honoured at the star-studded ceremony for their work together over the past 25 years.

Wood and Walters received an award for "Outstanding Contribution to Comedy".

The pair have joined forces in television shows such as Talent in 1979, Victoria Wood As Seen On TV (1985), Dinnerladies (1998), as well as a London West End musical this year, Acorn Antiques."

Disappointed the wonderful Tamsin Greig missed out on a gong. I haven't seen Acorn Antiques, but am reliably informed by my Northern Matette that it's very funny. Must be good for Sir Del Jacobi to guest star in an episode.

Excellent!

Mutterings continued.

We had our Xmas lunch today at the very nice Waterfall Restaurant. The western wall had a nice cascade of water running down it - we quickly named it the Urinal.

Tasty food, fun gift giving - I ended up with a bottle of red wine.

L and R are coming for dinner tomorrow night.

Eeek!

Mutterings continued.

I wrote about the Plain Speaking Awards a couple of days ago - this is the winner of the Golden Bull: "

• Halton Borough Council for a public notice

‘A path from a point approximately 330 metres east of the most south westerly corner of 17 Batherton Close, Widnes and approximately 208 metres east-south-east of the most southerly corner of Unit 3 Foundry Industrial Estate, Victoria Street, Widnes, proceeding in a generally east-north-easterly direction for approximately 28 metres to a point approximately 202 metres east-south-east of the most south-easterly corner of Unit 4 Foundry Industrial Estate, Victoria Street, and approximately 347 metres east of the most south-easterly corner of 17 Batherton Close, then proceeding in a generally northerly direction for approximately 21 metres to a point approximately 210 metres east of the most south-easterly corner of Unit 5 Foundry Industrial Estate, Victoria Street, and approximately 202 metres east-south-east of the most north-easterly corner of Unit 4 Foundry Industrial Estate, Victoria Street, then proceeding in a generally east-north-east direction for approximately 64 metres to a point approximately 282 metres east-south-east of the most easterly corner of Unit 2 Foundry Industrial Estate, Victoria Street, Widnes and approximately 259 metres east of the most southerly corner of Unit 4 Foundry Industrial Estate, Victoria Street, then proceeding in a generally east-north-east direction for approximately 350 metres to a point approximately 3 metres west-north-west of the most north westerly corner of the boundary fence of the scrap metal yard on the south side of Cornubia Road, Widnes, and approximately 47 metres west-south-west of the stub end of Cornubia Road be diverted to a 3 metre wide path from a point approximately 183 metres east-south-east of the most easterly corner of Unit 5 Foundry Industrial Estate, Victoria Street and approximately 272 metres east of the most north-easterly corner of 26 Ann Street West, Widnes, then proceeding in a generally north easterly direction for approximately 58 metres to a point approximately 216 metres east-south-east of the most easterly corner of Unit 4 Foundry Industrial Estate, Victoria Street and approximately 221 metres east of the most southerly corner of Unit 5 Foundry Industrial Estate, Victoria Street, then proceeding in a generally easterly direction for approximately 45 metres to a point approximately 265 metres east-south-east of the most north-easterly corner of Unit 3 Foundry Industrial Estate, Victoria Street and approximately 265 metres east of the most southerly corner of Unit 5 Foundry Industrial Estate, Victoria Street, then proceeding in a generally east-south-east direction for approximately 102 metres to a point approximately 366 metres east-south-east of the most easterly corner of Unit 3 Foundry Industrial Estate, Victoria Street and approximately 463 metres east of the most north easterly corner of 22 Ann Street West, Widnes, then proceeding in a generally north-north-easterly direction for approximately 19 metres to a point approximately 368 metres east-south-east of the most easterly corner of Unit 3 Foundry Industrial Estate, Victoria Street and approximately 512 metres east of the most south easterly corner of 17 Batherton Close, Widnes then proceeding in a generally east-south, easterly direction for approximately 16 metres to a point approximately 420 metres east-south-east of the most southerly corner of Unit 2 Foundry Industrial Estate, Victoria Street and approximately 533 metres east of the most south-easterly corner of 17 Batherton Close, then proceeding in a generally east-north-easterly direction for approximately 240 metres to a point approximately 606 metres east of the most northerly corner of Unit 4 Foundry Industrial Estate, Victoria Street and approximately 23 metres south of the most south westerly corner of the boundary fencing of the scrap metal yard on the south side of Cornubia Road, Widnes, then proceeding in a generally northern direction for approximately 44 metres to a point approximately 3 metres west-north-west of the most north westerly corner of the boundary fence of the scrap metal yard on the south side of Cornubia Road and approximately 47 metres west-south-west of the stub end of Cornubia Road.’ "

I think they're taking the piss. Surely!

Went to Retro's last night; met Leece in the carpark and she forced me to spend money in the Oxford St Bookshop. I bought the Egg, Bacon, Chips and Beans book, which is very funny, and Johnson's Dictionary. Interesting description of a lizard: "An animal resembling a serpent, with legs added to it."

More news of the forthcoming Serenity DVD. " 1. If you buy Serenity on DVD at JB H-Fi, you will receive (over the counter) an exclusive Slip Case/O-Ring that carries Joss Whedon's signature (these are not individually signed but the signature is part of the artwork). The O-Ring itself will have a mat finish and parts will have spot gloss and embossing so it will look fantastic!

2. If you buy Serenity on DVD at EzyDVD, you will receive (over the counter) an exclusive Tin Case. These have been produced by EzyDVD with artwork that we have provided and that artwork will be slightly different to that above so that it is exclusive.

3. Not a packaging option, but if you buy Serenity on DVD at Sanity, you will receive an exclusive Serenity Mouse Mat for FREE! "

Eats

Mutterings continued.

We had a sausage sizzle (sossige inna bun!) farewell lunch for our Curator of Horticulture today. Ian Crombie joined the Zoo in '88 - his name may not be known outside the zoo fraternity, but he's got himself a formidable reputation in the horticulture industry. You know someone has made an impression when, on telling his staff he was retiring, half of them burst into tears.

And tonight it's off to Retro B's (burger inna bun!) with TUS. Lunch with Kim tomorrow at Munch...Thingies and then Xmas lunch at the Pagoda on Friday.

One of my favourite actors and favourite directors have just got 'hitched' - congrats to Antony Sher and Greg Doran. I love this entry from Mr Doran's diary, " I dozed in front of the telly, waiting for my favourite show, Creature Comforts. It makes me laugh in seconds. " Me too. I watched last night's episode on the ABC, Impressions, and laughed out loud a number of times.

Also from the Torygraph: " Stupendous special effects, a brilliant cast, and a heartbreaking story - Peter Jackson's three-hour remake of King Kong is a work of genius, says Tim Robey."

Earworms (good)

Mutterings continued.

Was tootling around the little supermarket next to the PO this afternoon and heard Joe Jackson's Stepping Out on the radio. Another of my all-time favourite songs. I bought the album on the strength of that one song. I've bought a LOT of albums on the strength of one song... So, ever since, I've had, "You babe, stepping ou-out, into the light, into the night..." going through my head. Most pleasant. Just taken Jethro Tull off the hi-fi and replaced them with Mr Jackson - I'd forgotten how good the album Night and Day is.

GRADS committee meeting tonight - hopefully UWA won't have doublebooked our room again. The new GRADS logo has been decided and is up on the website.

From The Guardian: "

"Congratulations to Rhodri Morgan, the Welsh first minister, for another political triumph. He will be honoured for the second time with the "foot in mouth" award at the 2005 Plain English Awards, in London tomorrow.

Morgan's winning howler, uttered during a policing debate, was: “The only thing which isn’t up for grabs is no change and I think it’s fair to say it’s all to play for, except for no change.”

He's yet to confirm his attendence but he shouldn't worry as he's in good company. Previous winners include Donald Rumsfeld for his insight into Pentagon thought, the now-famous "there are known knowns and known unknowns..."

Other gobbledygook winners include the Department for Culture, Media and Sport for their brain-melting definition of hot food in the new Licensing Act. But our favourite is non political and surely a joke email from UK2net to a customer: "YOUR EMAIL DID NOT REACH A HUMANOID. IT ONLY REACHED REPLICANT LEVEL 1. E-MAIL ARRIVING FROM HERE ARE SPOOLED FOR AUTOMATIC CHECKING AND WILL NOT BE READ BY HUMANOIDS."

Elephants, eats, etc.

Mutterings continued.

Elephants - live webcam from the Jerusalem Zoo. They've had a bub Asiatic ele and placed a webcam in the nightquarters and out in the exhibit. Neither are very attractive but the eles are active and the calf is very cute. The cam doesn't seem to work with Firefox, unfortunately.

Went vinyl shopping yesterday but came away empty-handed. Replay Records in Kenwick has a great selection of old stuff but nothing took my fancy. I called into Mikasa on the way back and sorted a Xmas pres. for brother and sis-in-law.

I had lunch with school-chum Genette and her daughter today. Secret Squirrel was packed to the rafters and queues out the door, so we went to the Italian place next door where I had a very nice Crostini - chicken, avocado and mozzarella cheese.

From the "They Shouldn't Be Allowed Out Alone" files - "Lion bites woman's fingertip off.

A LION bit off, and then ate, the tip of a woman's finger after the woman climbed a barrier next to the animal's enclosure at Melbourne zoo to pick flowers." She climbed over a fence, crossed a metre-wide barrier and stuck her hand in the enclosure.

Educating Poss

Mutterings continued.

I finally got around to giving Manfred a bath yesterday - I went to one of those coin in the slot, do it yourself places. Tip to self - never plan to go shopping afterwards - wet feet and soggy trouser bottoms aren't pleasant. Hint #2 to self - take chamois to wipe Manfred down with afterwards.

Windy, grey day and now the rain, promised for the last couple of days, has arrived. Sun's out so it may have gone again.

End of the week and start of the weekend.

Mutterings continued.

Went shiny thing shopping on Thursday night - came home with a rather groovy-looking radio and record player. I'm currently playing the Notting Hillbillies Lost, Presumed Having a Good Time on it. Not bad sound.

Chaired a trio of job interviews yesterday morning - each applicant had five interview questions, so we estimated each session to take about 30 minutes. I think all of them were done in under 15 minutes each.

This morning I managed to spend over $100 in JB's - I did buy 4 DVDs, so I guess that works out to only $25 each. One surprise buy was JMS's Legend of the Rangers. Make good Saturday night viewing. I also found At Last, the 1948 Show. And to satisfy the completionist in me, I bought SWIII:RotS. Never got to see it at the flicks - I have been assured it was better than 1 and 2, which I also have but don't watch. Final purchase was a 2 disk set of Cream Live at Royal Albert Hall.

Now playing - Jethro Tull - Living in the Past, probably my most favouritest song ever.

Day before the day before the weekend

Mutterings continued.

Dins with TUS last night was most pleasant. Poor Rob was late thanks to a broken thingie on his bike.

Lunch today with Kim at Secret Squirrel. Parts of my life have taken a turn for the fuck-it-all, so I had a good old whinge, bitch, moan etc and felt validated. Thanks Kim! *smooch*

And while I'm in a cussin' mood - friend at work and I were discussing the more irritating aspects of Microsoft and very real need for a "just fuck off!" key on the keyboard - for use when Word insists on bringing up a panel on the right third of your page to tell you you've copied some text and it's on the Clipboard, or opening up documents in the stupid Reading layout.

"Sir Ian leads renaissance of a great British tradition

Dominic Cavendish reports on the boom in 'posh pantos'"

"Exclusively available online from Guardian Unlimited - A half-hour of all-new drivel from Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant and Karl Pilkington." "I've seen him blossom from an idiot into an imbecile."

The Times's review of King Kong. Five stars! "What we are left with is an outstanding film imbued with childlike wonder, both at the mysteries of human intimacy and at the seemingly limitless possibilities of the medium."

Dins

Mutterings continued.

Off to Retro Betty's tonight.

Not an exciting day - lots of typing, including a briefing note, risk review and inputting of stats. Made a lunch-time foray to the PO and was surprised to find myself only second in line. Tottered across to the new supermarket and staggered out with a bag of cat litter and a couple of tins of mince. Exciting times.

'Shower hose' passage wins Bad Sex award

Giles Coren wins cheeky British literary prize

LONDON, England (AP) -- It was the shower hose that clinched it.

A passage describing a male character's genitalia as "leaping around like a shower hose dropped in an empty bath" helped British food critic Giles Coren win the 13th annual Bad Sex in Fiction award Thursday for his debut novel, "Winkler."

The prize, presented by Literary Review magazine, aims to "draw attention to the crude, tasteless, often perfunctory use of redundant passages of sexual description in the modern novel."

Coren beat heavyweight competition, including Salman Rusdhie's "Shalimar the Clown," John Updike's "Villages" and Paul Theroux's "Blinding Light."

Winners receive a statuette and a bottle of champagne -- but only if they show up to the ceremony in person.

Most do. An exception was last year's champion, Tom Wolfe, who won for passages in his campus novel, "I Am Charlotte Simmons," described by judges as "ghastly ... inept ... (and) unrealistic."

I've read some the passages in question and they were bad. Really bad.

Damned Funny

Mutterings continued.

I'm addicted to Order of the Stick. This one in particular made me laugh. And this explains the origins of my character Osric.

From The Scotsman:

Headline: Attacker struck passer-by with fish he wouldn't kiss
Published: 22 November 2005
Page views: 18,839
Why we like it: Random acts of violence are despicable and should be condemned by all right-thinking people. Except, of course, when they involve fish. In this case, an unfortunate member of the public was going about his daily business when a total stranger invited him to kiss his fish. He refused and was forced to get rather closer to the fish than he would have liked.
Full story

Downturn in the weather

Mutterings continued.

Rain, chill winds, grey clouds - things are looking up! Lovely drop of rain last night while Leece, Rob and I were tucking into our burgers at Retro Betty's in Innaloo. We'd just been to see The Corpse Bride, which is a lovely, funny film. L and R taught me a new card game, which I then proceeded to lose in a big way. Ah well, it's not whether you win or.... hang on, yes it is!

Watched ABC's My Favourite Film last night. Some surprises:

And the Top 10 Films are

1. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy - agree

2. Amelie - called a Chick Flick, but the women on the MFF panel (Sigrid Thornton, Margaret Pomeranz and Judith Lucy) all hated it.

3. Blade Runner - yep.

4. The Shawshank Redemption - didn't like it.

5. Donnie Darko - didn't see it.

6. Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope - yep.

7. Pulp Fiction - a guilty pleasure.

8. The Princess Bride - def. yes.

9. Gone With The Wind - bit long-winded for my tastes. Tee hee.

10. Fight Club - hard to believe it was a top ten.

Downtime

Mutterings continued.

aka, The Weekend.

Hayman's panto, The Legend of Snow White, was as wonderful as ever. Lots of over-the-heads-of-the-kids-in-the-audience gags, singing and a knockout Dame (in this instance called Gloria Mundi). And we all fell in love with a chap called Mario who played the Mirror and a very cute rabbit. He brought a Lou Costello touch to the bunny.

Dress Ups

Mutterings continued.

Panto night tonight. I'm looking forward to it as the Hayman theatre production is always a hoot. And it's fun to yell directions at the actors - "He's behind you!" "Oh yes he is!" and "Get off!"

Shopping at Garden City is getting pretty hideous in the lead up to Xmas. Good thing I get there early - left at 9.30 to the sight of drivers doing the circuit of the different car parks looking for a space. And what were all those kids doing out shopping with their parents at 8.30??

Shiny thing purchase - several, all pressies. Got a groovy lime green metal citrus juicer for sis-in-law.

Rob and Leece have been talking about electric bicycles. The GiaCarlo is very cool, looks like a scooter and has a very attractive speedo.

Close of the working week

Mutterings continued.

I have a night off! I've been out night this week, enjoyed each night immensely, but am grateful for a night in.

Hairy Pooter was great - very funny, very grim. And a great running gag with the cannon. I think #3 is still my favourite, however.

Chops, chips and company

Mutterings continued.

Dinner at Villa Picasso last night was great; pity the service was so slow. The entree, Italian sausage, fetta and.....gasp...olives was lovely. I ate all the olives. The Agnello (lamb cutlets with Mediterranean vegies) was delish. And the Tiramisu for afters went down a treat.

I bought Maureen a lovely picture book called Zen Shorts; it's aimed at kids but is just gorgeous and Maureen seemed to like it.

Thanks to Leece for pointing out that I managed to delete the fun Weather Pixie graphic on t'right hand side of the page. It's back.

The Annual Haggis Hunt has begun. I've spotted four Golden Haggii so far - one was lurking outside the Scottish Parliament. And one in the rain at Gleneagles.

Hairy Pooter night tonight; really looking forward to it.

The chips? Had pie (beef stroganoff) and chippies for lunch. Mmmmm.....