28 October 2007
Watched Brat Camp last week, swiftly followed by Henry Perkins: Bolshoi Boy. Both programmes about 15-year olds - but one was a feckless, spoilt 15-year old with a feckless, spoilt mother who both thought the world owed them a living.
The other was about a thoughtful, discplined 15-year old who, in an effort to improve himself, was prepared to travel halfway across the world to study for two years in a place where he doesn't speak the language and has completely different training methods to those he was used to. Generally, he displayed all the attributes to which one would hope we would all aspire. I am glad to see that shouting and the odd sharp tap on the leg are techniques that have not gone astray at the Bolshoi. Never did me any harm and Henry Perkins certainly seems to come out none the worse for wear for it. Anyway, he's still sticking it out for the next year.
Both were pretty riveting TV. Brat Camp is a tour de force. I love seeing pathetic excuses for human beings forced to endure the travails of living in the 'wilderness', with nowhere to run or hide and not being waited on hand and foot, for once in their lives. I can't wait until 1950's School comes back, where you get to see present-day kids forced to re-live 1950's educational methods.
I like being redundant - shame I have to start work again on Monday.
The other was about a thoughtful, discplined 15-year old who, in an effort to improve himself, was prepared to travel halfway across the world to study for two years in a place where he doesn't speak the language and has completely different training methods to those he was used to. Generally, he displayed all the attributes to which one would hope we would all aspire. I am glad to see that shouting and the odd sharp tap on the leg are techniques that have not gone astray at the Bolshoi. Never did me any harm and Henry Perkins certainly seems to come out none the worse for wear for it. Anyway, he's still sticking it out for the next year.
Both were pretty riveting TV. Brat Camp is a tour de force. I love seeing pathetic excuses for human beings forced to endure the travails of living in the 'wilderness', with nowhere to run or hide and not being waited on hand and foot, for once in their lives. I can't wait until 1950's School comes back, where you get to see present-day kids forced to re-live 1950's educational methods.
I like being redundant - shame I have to start work again on Monday.
21 October 2007
Against my better judgement, went to see The Dark is Rising yesterday. I was pleasantly surprised early on to find that it is set in England as per the book, as I had read somewhere that is was set in the US but that was just about the last pleasant surprise to be had. I suppose if you have not read the books it was watchable, but if you have read the books, it is an absolute travesty.
They might as well have set the film in Japan for all the relevance it had to England. All reference to English paganism and the Arthur legends was completely erased. The Old Ones were the most ineffectual, pathetic individuals and one could only wonder how they had managed to live outside of time all this time due to their uselessness.
There was also some weird plot addition where Will, the main character, is the 6th sign, rather than the fire sign. He also ends up rescuing a long lost twin brother at the end. What?????? Utterly disappointing. They'd also taken out the rhyme about the finding of the signs, which was always an important part of the books to me.
Anyway, the way it's been done, doesn't look like they're going to do any of the other books - thank god.
There were only about twelve people in the cinema, mostly single saddoes like me, who had gone to see it on their own and who were all, no doubt, as disappointed as me when they came out.
They might as well have set the film in Japan for all the relevance it had to England. All reference to English paganism and the Arthur legends was completely erased. The Old Ones were the most ineffectual, pathetic individuals and one could only wonder how they had managed to live outside of time all this time due to their uselessness.
There was also some weird plot addition where Will, the main character, is the 6th sign, rather than the fire sign. He also ends up rescuing a long lost twin brother at the end. What?????? Utterly disappointing. They'd also taken out the rhyme about the finding of the signs, which was always an important part of the books to me.
Anyway, the way it's been done, doesn't look like they're going to do any of the other books - thank god.
There were only about twelve people in the cinema, mostly single saddoes like me, who had gone to see it on their own and who were all, no doubt, as disappointed as me when they came out.
Labels: films
20 October 2007
I'm officially redundant. Please let the new job start soon.
Just recorded a voiceover for an Indian performance arts company. Having not spent much time in the company of other thespians for a while, I was struck but how bizarre they are - oddly pretentious, this particular bunch were. Not all of them and not all of the time, but sometimes. Anyway, the good thing is we whipped through it very quickly, so I don't have to record today. Hurrah!
Just recorded a voiceover for an Indian performance arts company. Having not spent much time in the company of other thespians for a while, I was struck but how bizarre they are - oddly pretentious, this particular bunch were. Not all of them and not all of the time, but sometimes. Anyway, the good thing is we whipped through it very quickly, so I don't have to record today. Hurrah!
14 October 2007
Now I'm nervous at the thought of starting a whole new company from scratch. The administrative details alone seem to be a bit of a nightmare. No infrastructure in place at all - just a bunch of willing employees, raring to go.
But no e-mail, headed paper, couriers, taxis, telephones, stationery, computer server... And also shortly, no office.
I wish I could spend more time pottering about East Dulwich and less time slogging away in town so that I can afford to potter around East Dulwich. Spent a pleasant afternoon wandering around the shops and seeing if I could spend any money to celebrate still having a job. Only came back with household essentials but the fun was had in the pottering.
I love that JL's new food hall does ready made meatballs in pork, lamb or beef, so you don't have to faff around with rolling up the mince yourself. Then you can just pop them into noodle soup or make meatball and tomato sauce linguine at the drop of a hat. Made lovely tomato sauce with a ton of tomatoes from Pretty Traditional, the greengrocers, and a satisfying full and leafy bunch of flat leaf parsley. And the best thing is there's some left over for tea today.
But no e-mail, headed paper, couriers, taxis, telephones, stationery, computer server... And also shortly, no office.
I wish I could spend more time pottering about East Dulwich and less time slogging away in town so that I can afford to potter around East Dulwich. Spent a pleasant afternoon wandering around the shops and seeing if I could spend any money to celebrate still having a job. Only came back with household essentials but the fun was had in the pottering.
I love that JL's new food hall does ready made meatballs in pork, lamb or beef, so you don't have to faff around with rolling up the mince yourself. Then you can just pop them into noodle soup or make meatball and tomato sauce linguine at the drop of a hat. Made lovely tomato sauce with a ton of tomatoes from Pretty Traditional, the greengrocers, and a satisfying full and leafy bunch of flat leaf parsley. And the best thing is there's some left over for tea today.
13 October 2007
My best eating buddy has gone back to New York for good. I am very sad. We used to try out new restaurants together and revisited old favourites - mainly Malaysian places. Sigh.... Never mind, at least we have someone who can show us NY's best eateries when we go. Last time we went, we only found about 2 good places to eat, even though I went armed with food guides and reviews from the internet.
I'm still in a job. The new company is about to rise from the ashes of the old, like a phoenix. The deal will be signed on Monday and we will hopefully be open for business from Tuesday. What a relief.
We've had a sad palm plant of some description in the corner of the living room that has been valiantly trying to stay alive, despite not having been watered for about 3 months. It's finally started to turn yellow. I have murdered a plant.
I'm still in a job. The new company is about to rise from the ashes of the old, like a phoenix. The deal will be signed on Monday and we will hopefully be open for business from Tuesday. What a relief.
We've had a sad palm plant of some description in the corner of the living room that has been valiantly trying to stay alive, despite not having been watered for about 3 months. It's finally started to turn yellow. I have murdered a plant.
10 October 2007
I met my first Russian oligarchs today. They came to view our office property. They flew in from Russia, came straight from the airport, saw the property and flew straight back. I suspect they are probably the richest people I will ever meet.
I am told a VIP is coming to view the property on Friday. He is coming at 18:00 - I said I was happy to stay, as long as he didn't make me wait till 19:00. Oooh, who could it be...?
I am told a VIP is coming to view the property on Friday. He is coming at 18:00 - I said I was happy to stay, as long as he didn't make me wait till 19:00. Oooh, who could it be...?
7 October 2007
There's a new Foxtons in East Dulwich - we were in need of yet another estate agent. I am glad they have seen fit to blend in with the other shopfronts on the street with their great big neon sign and acres of glass.
On the bright side, I've been foraging in John Lewis' brand new food hall this week. What a pleasure to have somewhere new to buy tasty food. I stockpiled our snack selection at work and bought lots of dried meats, artisan breads and other choice comestibles for a food filled weekend. All good. I shall be going home that way more often.
Just had dim sum at Dragon Castle with the blister's family. We ordered far too much as always but it was all very tasty. The nieces and nephew are doing well at school and are all settled in nicely, so all is well.
On the bright side, I've been foraging in John Lewis' brand new food hall this week. What a pleasure to have somewhere new to buy tasty food. I stockpiled our snack selection at work and bought lots of dried meats, artisan breads and other choice comestibles for a food filled weekend. All good. I shall be going home that way more often.
Just had dim sum at Dragon Castle with the blister's family. We ordered far too much as always but it was all very tasty. The nieces and nephew are doing well at school and are all settled in nicely, so all is well.
5 October 2007
My company has gone into administration. It has been a very sad week.
2 October 2007
I've twisted my flaming ankle again. I thought I would be healthy and get off the bus early so I could have a brisk stride to work and then went over on a bit of uneven pavement. Spent all day with my foot on an archive box and a cushion. Luckily I had a trusty ankle bandage in my bag as I, sadly, carry one around with me all the time. Sigh...
Saw 2 Days in Paris at the weekend. Not a first or second date movie... or even one you might want to see if you've been dating a while and things aren't quite hunky dory. Not depressing as such, in fact fairly funny, but could be unsettling.
Saw 2 Days in Paris at the weekend. Not a first or second date movie... or even one you might want to see if you've been dating a while and things aren't quite hunky dory. Not depressing as such, in fact fairly funny, but could be unsettling.
1 October 2007
We went to a very nice restaurant called The Forge in Covent Garden yesterday for my birthday. It's owned by the same people who run Le Café du Jardin on Wellington Street. The setting is just off Garrick Street on Floral Street, very quiet and tastefully decorated with bare brick and nicely judged turquoise leather upholstery.
They are having a £25 for 3 courses and glass of Kir Royale offer and it's very good value for money. I wanted to go because they had spaghetti vongole on the menu, but sadly they had changed their menu just before we went. So, I started with 3 Colchester oysters, followed by a massive Lancaster pork chop and an onion stuffed with chestnut stuffing. BB had an excellent haddock tempura and a retro reconstructed chicken Kiev bursting with garlic butter. The sides were roast potatoes cooked in goose fat and nice crunchy French beans. For pudding I had tarte tatin with vanilla ice cream, inspired by watching Saturday Kitchen, which came with a vanilla stick and apple crisp for decoration. BB had creme brulée liberally laced with Grand Marnier. It was all very good and we were the only people in the restaurant for most of the meal, so we had exemplary service. All in all very enjoyable indeed.
My boss and my best friend both gave me earrings for presents and were aghast to notice that I don't have pierced ears. Who doesn't have pierced ears these days, my boss did cry, as she went off to think again. BB's ma and grandma gave me the exact same birthday card. Either they are scarily alike or BB's ma buys the cards for both of them.
They are having a £25 for 3 courses and glass of Kir Royale offer and it's very good value for money. I wanted to go because they had spaghetti vongole on the menu, but sadly they had changed their menu just before we went. So, I started with 3 Colchester oysters, followed by a massive Lancaster pork chop and an onion stuffed with chestnut stuffing. BB had an excellent haddock tempura and a retro reconstructed chicken Kiev bursting with garlic butter. The sides were roast potatoes cooked in goose fat and nice crunchy French beans. For pudding I had tarte tatin with vanilla ice cream, inspired by watching Saturday Kitchen, which came with a vanilla stick and apple crisp for decoration. BB had creme brulée liberally laced with Grand Marnier. It was all very good and we were the only people in the restaurant for most of the meal, so we had exemplary service. All in all very enjoyable indeed.
My boss and my best friend both gave me earrings for presents and were aghast to notice that I don't have pierced ears. Who doesn't have pierced ears these days, my boss did cry, as she went off to think again. BB's ma and grandma gave me the exact same birthday card. Either they are scarily alike or BB's ma buys the cards for both of them.
