The Beach
Emboldened by the rare sunshine, my mind turned to the beach - and Simon's nifty new intro. If you're puzzled by "The Beach"...read on..
What is the Beach?
Itâs a place to go when the stresses of your real life need relieving. Sometimes it is fairly quiet and you might feel like youâre the only one around, but you can leave your âfootprintsâ for others to find later on. Othertimes it is the home for a real party, with constant gossip, leg-pulling, rumour, innuendo, chit-chat and weirdness. If this were a forum (and it sort of is because we post responses to each other, not just to Eddie, hence our term for ourselves 'Froggers', a combination of forum and blogger) then the beach would be the off-topic area.
It's a tropical location, no matter the time of year it's always warm and pleasant there. Sunrises and sunsets are spectacular, the evenings balmy. It has a number of different locations; the Nick Clarke waterfront bar; the smokers corner; Fido's Run for the dog-walkers; the Naughty Step and many others.
How do you find your way around? There is no direct answer to the question. The beach is a moveable feast, literally. It will be renewed by our Lord and master Mr. Edward de Mair each Monday morning. This is because we have found in the past that when the number of posts exceeds about 600 the entire thing becomes unwieldy and unstable. A case of the beach turning to quicksand.
Froggers often leave bottles / glasses / trays of their favourite tipple on the bar for others to sample, not to mention big / small eats.
There is a herd of camels who frequent the sands, which froggers are very fond of. There are sun-loungers, so you can take it easy and catch some rays. Quite often the late-night attendees will have a barbie.
It's a fun place, with only one real rule; Be nice to each other; we are ALL chums here. New Froggers are ALWAYS welcome.
The real debate happens on the other threads. The beach is a place for banter, whimsy, relaxation and friendship, where jarring comments are not particularly welcome. There are certain very mild protocols, which you tend to pick up as you go along. So slip your shoes off, feel the sand between your toes, relax and enjoy yourself.
Comments
Honourable mentions go to Centerfold (J. Geils Band), A Good Heart (Feargal Sharkey), Paradise City (Guns'n'Roses), I Still Haven't Found... (U2) and scores more. Of course this is just my thoughts at the moment. When I'm in a different mood, the list will undoubtedly change...
Jason (111), I am a very sad person. And when my musical choices include Stan Rogers and 1960s Broadway Musicals, then you will understand why I am refraining from being uninhibited.
Crikey where is the week going? Its nearly going home time on Tuesday and this is my first visit to the beach. Goody! music lists - I love doing these (and yes agree with the suggestion to do films also). Only trouble is I cannot possibly think of just 5. Have just spent the last hour on a conference call with some overseas colleagues so I used the time fruitfully to scribble my list down - and it changed about 10 times in that hour. Anyway here are my choices as at 16.20 hrs on 16th Jan (no doubt by 16.30 I will change my mind).
In no particular order....
(And before I go on may I say how delighted I was to see In the Cage by Genesis appear in your list Simon - I became a fan of Genesis when I was quite a wee lass (well 13 actually) and along with my best friend we were devoted and loyal fans for many years, in particular of the early era - before they became too "poppy" Having seen them live many times I can honestly say In the Cage is one of my favourite ever live moments by any band that I have seen over the years so excellent choice, and of course I then had to start with Genesis...)
1) Supper's Ready by Genesis - just a wonderfully theatrical prog-rock extravaganza (was going to pick Follow You Follow Me as the song which literally got me hooked but plumped for this one.
2) Bat Out of Hell by Meatloaf - still one of the only albums that nearly 30 years later I am still virtually word perfect in and have to sing along (very loudly and badly) to it.
3) Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley - just beautiful.....
4) Unintended by Muse - my favourite current band. Had a hard job picking just one but this is off their first album and if we ever got married this would be my first dance song.
5) Exit Music by Radiohead - Thom Yorke's voice just does things to me!!!
So that's it - am a bit of a rock chick at heart if you hadn't guessed but also love many other musical genres - but this is my 5 for now.
And Belinda don't be shy about posting yours - my choices are definitely mock-worthy but no-one here will judge, its just interesting to see other people's choices.
Of course, how could I have left off U2 - One!
And mentioning Feargal Sharkey made me think of another long time favourite, Teenage Kicks by the Undertones (favourite track of the much missed John Peel). Oh I can't do just 5......
This morning I heard someone say they'd rather hear this fellow than Pavarotti. Five tracks from someone whose timing and phrasing seem inimitable (or at least hard to match):
Tangled up in blue
Simple twist of fate,
Isis,
Tambourine man,
Forever young,
And that's just five off the top.
xx
ed
I see FFred thinks he might change his list when the mood changes, as did I, and have others. And when I read other people's lists I think - oh that's so beautiful, I should have put it on my list ...
That's the joy of music, don't you think.
And Jason - my Bach is definitely better than my bite !
Where have you all gone? Come Bach ...
Thinking of this on and off all day, but I just can't refine it to fewer than about 50! Especially now that I've been roving about the net listening to others' suggestions.
Each choice sparks off another - even better. According to Nick Hornby, men do "lists of.." better than women do anyway.
This morning I heard someone say they'd rather hear this fellow than Pavarotti. Five tracks from someone whose timing and phrasing seem inimitable (or at least hard to match):
Tangled up in blue
Simple twist of fate,
Isis,
Tambourine man,
Forever young,
And that's just five off the top.
xx
ed
Belinda: you could see it as educating us?
Jason - ok I know who Gwen S is. Quite like her, she's a bit different. When you wrote I imagine the discrepancy in musical duration is a metaphor for many of the differences between men and women. Or something .... which particular differences were you thinking of?!
Ffred - now you are just showing off with that bold type! And why haven't you organised those dates yet? They will be thinking you aren't all that keen.......
(BTW Ffred like your Irish photos, especially of the leaves and the arty rocks and water)
Gossipmistress: At this moment I am choosing to be enigmatic. But I'll never keep it up.
Ah, GM, I have maaged to arrange one. I was just keeping quiet!
Ed I (119)After today's news I wonder how long it will be before we hear B.D.'s rendition of ''My Love is like a red red Rose''......which would work or ''The Banks o' Doon''....which may not. I wonder if he's moving in in time for Burns Night?
Ffred - we'll watch out for the heady smell of aftershave on the beach then.....
Jason - that means then, giving yourself time to think up something on the verge of risque but sufficiently funny to get you off the hook....... ;-)
See, my skill at educating people is inducing the "pff, yeah right, I know better than that!" response. Which is a form of teaching I suppose. None of this is educational, controversial or surprising (or interesting), but most of my choices are a result of personal associations as you will see below.
In no particular order, my five choices are:
1) Stan Rogers - Fisherman's Wharf. Really I could put anything by Stan here as he was a brilliant singer and songwriter. Someone who died before his time but his legacy remains. As long as you like Canadian folk music about fishermen. ;-)
2) Barbara Harris - What Did I Have. Going into the 1960s musicals here, Barbara Harris was a gorgeous singer and amazing actress who had a very short-lived career for some reason. This lovely song is from the stage version of From A Clear Day You Can See Forever...which Barbra Streisand butchered on screen a few years later.
3) Gloria Gaynor - Never Say Goodbye. Favourite songs are mostly a trigger mechanism for recalling good memories, I believe. This disco-rich song takes me back to an extended trip to 1970s San Francisco (see below) when anything and everyone was freely available. Trip is the operative word there, obviously.
4) Wooden Ships - Crosby, Stills and Nash. I once spent a year travelling around US and Canada in a van as a teenager. And yes, I had flowers in my hair. This song reminds me of the days when we were driving along, and the warm sun (still a novelty for me at that stage in my life) was in my face. I have deliberately omitted from my memory the fact that I also usually had doggy breathe/slobber in my ear at the same time.
5) Crowded House - How Will You Go. The only 'modern' song I have included and I think this is about 10-15 years old by now. It's stuck on the end of an album but it perfectly illustrates the desire to escape from everyday life. Apparently it was about someone's drinking problem, but I prefer to think of more positive connotations as I wish to escape again.
Gossipmistress: go back and read (122) slightly more slowly...
Molly - a fellow Andreas Scholl fan - goody goody. And Gillian I have an album on whihc AS sings My love is like a red red rose, - you've never heard it until you've heard a counter tenor sing it!
OK my choices (for the time being and off the top of my head)
Mad World (you know the one that goes "don't you think it's kind of funny...)
I Am What I Am (sung by Shirley Bassey)
A Perfect Year from Sunset Boulevard (sung by Glenn Close) or With One Look from same musical - can't choose between them
My Foolish Heart sung by Elkie Brookes
Duet from the Pearl Fishers
I have loads of "that's my all time favourite song" songs or pieces of music but those spring to mind just now
Mary
FF now important things first, either you are not really interested, or they will think you are, in which case it is so long since you told us about those dates that you run the risk of them losing interest. Clear as mud?! Being enigmatic is inadvisable unless you are not interested, & pressure of work is no excuse, otherwise I suspect at least one of them will prefer you to show a preference! If you just don't want to share it all here, that's another matter altogether of course & you can be as mysterious as you please (-:
Mrs T, now we shall all be sad when we read stand on the doorstep of the Furrowed Brow unless admin annie can reconfigure it for us, I like the Frog & Lily pad. Perhaps Simon could incoporate the reason for the name change in his intro, & these things being a collaboration Big Sis, you started us off brilliantly.
Which brings me to, sorry Molly, you just can't have an automatic name check every week... I would sulk.
What is this about a magazine Valery P & I want a photo of Johnnie too Fifi, waah, where's mine?!
Fiona, oh I love Muse too, but hadn't thought of them as a wedding song. I saw them at Glastonbury and everyone I was with hated them, but they all loved Paul McCartney (& it was pretty amazing to hear a Beatle sing their songs) & they hated Oasis swaggering around onstage which I thougth was really funny. Why not, & anyway if you can look cool onstage under very hot lights in a Versace leather coat, you deserve to swagger! DISCO by Ottowan reminds me of a school holiday in France and falling in love with Pasçal... only snogging, I was 14 and very innocent. Can't say that I'd include either on a list though, not even doing a list, because it would just change tomorrow anyway.
admin annie, I think everyone on TODAY shouts to keep us awake, in case we hit the snooze button and doze off, or are driving & ditto. I think Eddie should give them some lessons on how to interogate the issues without being adversarial or SHOUTING. I can't listen, it does things to my blood pressure & puts me in a bad mood which is not a good start to my day. Loved Sequin in her new role.
Jason: I was choosing to be enigmatic in ignoring your wit......
Anne P (64);
The trick with the Fr. Onion soup is to let it simmer and reduce until it's a bit more gloopy.
Fifi (74);
From a knee-length-boot shop! (I can feel the comments on that one already).
gm (85);
The original 1963 recording of the War Requiem?
Belinda (127);
I was glad to see that you published yours. No worries about ridicule. After all Fiona and I have acknowledged a liking for prog rock. You can't get more ridiculed than that! And I thoroughly approve of 'Wooden Ships' by CSN. I nominated Suite:Judy Blue Eyes in my selection, but 'Ships' gave it a close run.
Val P (118);
Do what I did, cop out and give a representative five, instead of an all-time top five.
AA (129);
I've heard the Scholl 'Red Rose' on Cl*ss*c FM. His voice is highly unusual, but beautiful once you get used to it. And that rendition was delicate. Not an 'extraordinary rendition' though. That's something very different.
Following Molly's suggestion it's going to be five movies to watch on your desert island next week. Forewarned, so get your thinking caps on now. The week after might well be books, or more broadly 'literature' to encompass poetry, reference works, etc. What say you all? Suggestions welcomed.
There's a steaming pot of strong coffee on the bar, with a selection of croissants, pain au chocolat, etc. Brunch will be available from 10 o'clock onwards. Help yourselves.
Si.
Si (133)
You're just being silly now.
How on earth is somebody of Fifi's proportions, (if we are to believe Billn'Ben), ever going to get into a boot shop that is only knee-length?
Si, yes counter tenors do sound strange until you get used to them and it took me a long time. I can now listen rapt to a good one, but have yet to be able to watch one on stage and not feel distiicntly uncomfortable.
I am working on my songs for later and also my films, both difficult to get down to five. Can we have The Godfather Trilogy as one choice - you can buy them on DVD in one box. Please!
In an effort to bribe you into saying yes, there is cafe au lait and a big box of plain and almond croissants, plus some pains au chocolat on the bar.
As I'm rather shy and retiring these days, it takes a great deal to get me blogging (but I do watch from my little ledge you know) and thus I am moved to thank Eddie and co for my strapline today.
And it isn't even Burns' Night!
RJD (134);
That depends on whose knees we're discussing here.....
Now an African elephant has very HIGH knees, whilst a snake has very low ones.
Re: silly. You mean my liking for Genesis? Or Leadbelly, or Steve Hillage, or my taste in soup, or.... (cont. P.94)
** this post has been edited for reasons of length. And boredom **
Si.
Thanks for the coffee and croissants Si (133), much needed this morning I can tell you. I should warn you all to keep your distance today - am feeling a definite case of flu (and being a woman it really is flu :)) Have just had a lemsip and if anyone can rustle up a hot toddy later that would be grand.
Yay! HelenSparkles a fellow Muse fan! And to see them at Glastonbury - I am very jealous. Yes not a band you would immediately think of as being a wedding dance number but if you have the first album, Showbiz, give this track a listen (Unintended) - its beautiful.
Madmary (130) is your preference for the original Tears for Fears version or the later Gary Jules slowed down version?
FF - good luck on the already arranged date - keep us posted! And dont worry about the Johnny Palin/Michael Depp fantasies! Anyway you obviously know your Python and are well travelled and so you're halfway there - and I bet you look just as dashing dressed as a pirate :)
Which leads me on to another suggestion for the list ideas - how about if you were to host your own private dinner party on the beach who would be your ideal 5 guests? Perhaps that could be on the list for another week Si ?
Re (The boot problem (74, 134) or is it fifi's legs Problem?. The answer, of course, is a bespoke pair. Should we all start saving now? Fifi Boot Fund.
Now that I have laryngitis, not helped by singing at a folk club last night, I actually sound how Bill n Ben described me!
But with the croaky remains of a Scottish accent.
Fifi :o(
RJD (134) I was going to observe something similar until I realised that the shop is knee-length, not knee-high. I imagine the rest of the space was taken up by another new Starbucks?
Simon (133): Of course my (hazy) good memories of Wooden Ships is slightly tempered by the song being about two survivors meeting after a nuclear holocaust. I bet the Doomsday Clock was going crazy that day!
Private Dinner Party:
Eddie (sitting on my right hand)
The Dalai Lama
Nelson Mandela
Desmond Tutu
Prince Hassan bin Talal
There are women I'd like to ask along, but if it's limited to five, these are the people I'd most want along. Eddie, needless to say, would be there because (1) he'd ask some really good questions; (2) he'd probably like to be there; (3) I'd really like him to be there.
And, I'd imagine, so would all the other froggers.
Helen Sparkles 131
I know, I know-Im just a spoiled brat !
Fifi et al
Just (another ) idea- how about ,once a week,say a Friday,having a sort of 'surgery' at the FB when those intimidated slightly by the 'heavies' could drop in and leave our comments/questions. It must be irritating when someone like me interrupts a debate with my (juvenile) contributions....
Whether or not we would get a response is irrelevant.
But we could then all keep in touch with FB.and still go to the Beach for uor fun and relaxation.
I'd be happy to provice eaties...
Just a thought......
Back to work---byeeee
Mollyxx
Big Sister (143) - if Eddie is sitting on your right hand how will you manage to eat? Or are you having Chinese with left handed chopsticks :)
Simon (133) I don't actually possess a recording, so I had to go and listen to a few! The 1963 version sounds amazingly bright for its' age (unlike me!) and stonking enough. If I was looking for a modern one, I'd like a new one recorded please, with Rachel Nicholls, James Gilchrist, Roddie Williams & Richard Hickox, preferably with me being allowed to sing in the chorus. I'm so easily pleased.......!!!!!
Big Sister - with Eddie placed there, how will you eat the soup?
Five songs:
You Tell me I am Falling Down-Linda Ronstadt
Over the Hillside -The Blue Nile
Vivaldi Concerto for Two Guitars
Move On Up - Curtis Mayfield
Moondance - Van Morrison
All random choices....as has been said before, Ask me tomorrow and my choices would be all different. If I had a Crosby, Stills and Nash choice it would be You Don't Have to Cry
Molly, I think you might be on to something.
But do we really think we're irritating anybody there by asking questions rather than formulating answers? Or making a brief comment rather than filling the screen?
Brian Redhead used to say his job was to ask interviewees the questions any viewer would wish to ask.
And every now and then, a subject is bound to come up on which you are an expert and have a brilliant point to make. If you're relaxed about being in the FB generally, you won't feel self conscious about sharing what you know when the time comes.
Come on, let's pop in to the FB right now, Molly, and see if we can't lighten the tone a bit. I would hate the place to become exclusive .. not at all what I had in mind for it!
;o)
Fifi
Molly (144) Please stop apologising for yourself. Your contributions are like mine - they come from the heart and not from a text-book and are as valid and welcome as any of the ''heavies''. I refuse to sit at anyone's feet, and I don't think anyone here would expect any of us to do that, which is one of the pleasures of joining in. I take my place on a sofa and listen, and learn. If I have a question I ask it there and then as it may provoke a response. If it doesn't I can look for the answer elsewhere. As you say, it's irrelevant. And as for ''juvenile''.....well! Shame on you! If you want to see what ''juvenile'' is look at Simon (66) on the ''Well of Course.....'' thread.
Eddie would indeed probably have to sit as you suggest, just to keep me in order. But as it might be uncomfortable for him (I'll desist, uncharacteristically, from anything lewd here!) I'm prepared to keep both hands free. Besides which, I'm no good with chopsticks.
However, looking at it another way, I could eat in the American way, i.e. with a fork. But as I'm righthanded, I'd probably drop food all over the place. And I'd be incredibly embarrassed in such hallowed company. Though, thinking about it, D.Tutu, N. Mandela, The Dalai Lama and Eddie would probably have a good laugh at that. Not so sure about the Prince - this might be a way of testing his sense of humour?
Oh thanks, fellow froggers, catching up with all your wonderfully silly and profoundly moving (tick as required) posts this morning, has shaken me out of an extremely fragile mental state. Re the FB for example, yes I was feeling a bit excluded (ridiculous I know for a founder frogger), but there we go, c'est la vie. However, thanks to Molly's post, and Fifi and Gillian's answers, I'm all set to give it another go.
Fifi - did you try The Assumption Song? I find myself with time on my hands (unlike Big Sis who has people on hers!), and will transcribe if you didn't manage it?
Si - ok, ok, I'll give it a go later - in fact I'll work on it while I'm walking the dog in a moment.
Sparkles - re 82 from RJD and replies, the explanation is on the "This is nothing to do with anything really" thread, in a convo about what's on our coffee tables, if you want to check it out :o)
Frances........ Thhhh-waaack!
'The Furry Burrow'? That's where I live
Gillian (150);
Juvenile? It certainly was. The curse of the Y chromosome, possibly?
I also like 'The Blues Brothers', 'American Pie', 'Porky's' and 'Animal House', which all rely on a healthy dose of idiotic, nonsensical humour. And I don't like three-tissue movies, boring period drama, reality TV or any of the soaps. Sorry for being such a trivial human being.
Sadly there are some people out there for whom money, or power, or a fast car, or whatever, is a genuine aphrodisiac. They will only see the number of zeroes on Clooney's bank balance, i.e. the size of his wonga. Not on this blog though, obviously. We're all above that kind of thing around here....
There will be a large proportion of Mr. Clooney's fans who are attracted to him because he's (supposedly) a handsome cove, or wealthy, or famous. Not because they actually know the first thing about him in real life. So my comment, whilst facetious in this context, was relevant in reality.
Lighten up everyone! This is the beach. Read the intro at the top of the thread and remind yourselves why we come here.
"The beach is a place for banter, whimsy, relaxation and friendship, where jarring comments are not particularly welcome."
Now then, who's for a lunchtime snifter. Sun's over the yardarm, time for a medicinal something. Harvey Wallbanger anyone?
Si.
Vyle posted this link
in January, and I thought I'd share it here.
Anyone for a stress-busting pillow fight? Feather only, of course.
Very good workout for the upper body, and I can quite see why women would be attracted to it. Could even be bust-stressing.
Can't think why (straight) men would want to watch, though...
I have to say that I too find the FB rather daunting. This is a shame because it's not how it was supposed to be I know, and it is good to have somewhere where we can reflect on serious issues. And I don't consider myself uneducated, ill-informed or even uninterested in politics. Why only yesterday I had a letter from our MP (says she blushingly). But I go to the FB and I feel, well there is no other word, I feel daunted. So I check out some of the postings then flee to the beach. Don't know what we can do about it though.
ValeryP ... if you could transcribe the Assumption Song, that would be fantastic. I have so much to do back in January, I'm not sure where to start!
You are such a love.
I'm hoping Ed will be so busy over in the FB that he won't notice a passing mention of 'airlifting snow to the Alps' on today's new thread. I fear an apoplectic response to that idea!
Oh dear. Ah, but time for lunch now. Who's for some roast chicken risotto, prior to making stock and then soup this evening?
Fifi
George Clooney's voice isn't his best feature, I'll agree.
Stop sniggering, you at the back!
I first saw him interviewed when he was cast in the role of Batman. Hadn't heard of him before. He struck me as thoughtful, self deprecating, funny ... and not bad looking.
A lot like my reaction to Kevin Spacey. And there have been rumours that both KS and GC are gay. Interesting isn't it? I digress.
Anyway, George Clooney's more recent political statements and activities and movie endeavours have only strengthened my impression of an extremely interesting and likeable man.
The fact that he's also easy on the eye doesn't alter how attractive I find him ... I fancy Ian Hislop and Clive James just as much!
But as luck would have it, I am spoken for. And as a true Scot, window shopping remains my favourite form of Retail Therapy.
One final thought: if digressing is done by a man, does he instead diger?
Fifi ;oD
Sorry Simon (153). I do have a sense of humour, and I did see the funny side of what you said. I made a cardinal error....in trying to help someone else see things from a different perspective, I seemed to hold a third party up for criticism, and for that I am truly sorry. Hey, I've only just got the hang of italics.....where's the irony tag? And if your list of films makes you ''trivial'', that goes for me too. I can be as facetious as the next man.
Not had the opportunity to frog lately (work etc) but just had to share this with you all (esp Val P).
This was a general email sent out by one of the office managers. I have not altered it in any way. Promise.
Val, you had better sit down and take a deep breath before you start.
P.S. If anyone can make sense of the following I would be grateful if they could explain it to me!
To all
People are complaining about the state of the office ,Tea Bar and stationary store area .
Why as no one ever make the mess how does it get dirty . The problem is every time I ask people who leave boxes on the floor or Copy machines empty sink dirty no one ever no's.
So can I just take this opportunity to thank all the people that don't make the mess .
Please
Can everyone please just take the time to firstly think of other 's and put the rubbish in the bin or get them remove not just leave for other to clear ,we all make the mess so do your bit to keep it clean .Don't think some one else will do it because believe it or not there is no one . Fill up the copy if it empty or clean the sink instead of just emptying the tea/coffee down the sink and letting someone clean it and get your empty boxes in the bin provided .
If you don't no there are two bin in the car park that are provided for waste . We have been asked that all hallways be kept clear of all rubbish so please respect this request it in your interest
It no good complain because you are only complain about you
We spend a lot of time in these offices so it make sence to keep it kleen
For people who are keeping item under the desk beware
Your turn will come !!!!!!!
After the Deluge, Jackson Browne,
and
The 'live' version of 'stay'
xx
ed
OK so the whole world is going to pot. There must be a bloggage again as the thanks I posted to Marc with a c about three hours ago for getting my pic up on Window on Your World has still not appeared. I did however get a personal email telling me it was there - WOW!
But that's about the only good thing today. I've been struggling with T***T*** who have failed to fix my son's phone line for over two weeks, and who are now refusing to speak to me, as I'm not the account holder, even though they were quite happy to talk to me for the past 2 weeks, not that most of them ever said anything useful or informative...GRRR
Oh dear - sorry about that.
Here I've brought some home made ginger biscuits. Think I'll just go for a swim to cool off.
Nothing has been posted anywhere that I can find since shortly after 1pm. It's now 4.25pm. Something tells me it's not because we're not talking!
Do you think they tried to send a Newsletter again today, and it's broken the Blog?
Eeeeek!
[hands fly up to cheeks in expression of horror]
Fifi
;o)
So... 5 minutes past PM time and the Beach isn't working, either?
Maybe we can lighten the tone of the FB by having serious discussions of non-serious subjects. By which I mean, really dig into the things about which we would normally just have a rant somewhere, then apologise and change the subject.
For example:
- why are telephone companies uniformly useless at communication?
- what is most people's spam email flogging, and can anyone really be making money out of it?
- does anyone here actually watch Big Brother, and if so why?
Nothing too scary, but somewhere pleasant to thrash out those half-formed ideas about everyday life that normally seem too trivial to explore.
FB's the perfect place for this . In fact, I shall just hop over there (ribbit, ribbit) and suggest it. Even before I know whether you agree with me.
Power to the froggers!
Fifi xxx
PS remembering to wait patiently in case of 'malicious submission errors'!
Frances (156) I've challenged you (153)!!
Anne P (163) - I'm a little bit slow today, like the blog, but why should you expect TakeThat to come round and fix your son's phone line? Anything to do with Jason Orange ?
Gossy, that was clever, getting your answer in before my question!
Now if I can just see through this cloud of feathers...
thwack!
Who is dissing George's voice, nothing wrong with it at all, in fact I love it. It will of course be no surprise to anyone that I love George for what he says & his integrity about film-making. In fact I wish he was far uglier because then I'd have no competition! BUT I really am deluded enough to think that his friendship with Mariella Frostrup means he would actually like to invite me to his pad in Italy, if only he knew who I was.
Oh Simon, why do you have to tell me about your favourite films when I was really getting to like you?! (-:
I love Jackson Browne Ed., but have rather stopped listening to his CD after I realised it was him who clouted Daryl Hannah.
Who are these heavies you speak of Gillian & Molly, I like all the froggers, & surely we are not irritating anyone?! If we are I don't care, so there, and Ed will write an essay on just about anything really (X) but Fridays are fine by me.
I love Moondance too Gillian & anything else by Van really, he is the man, if fact I was planning 'Have I Told You Lately' to accompany me down the aisle. But shall be listening to Muse again now.
I've wimped out of attending a really interesting seminar tonight, because I just feel so ropey.
It was about how you can design energy efficiency and environmentally-friendliness into new housing, and both SO (the artichoke) and I were to go.
Instead, I am sitting on the sofa doped up with cold remedy, feeling sorry for myself.
So, there is only one thing to do.
Pour myself a huge glass of cabernet merlot, lie back and snooze on the hammock while 'thurr's bin a murr durr' is taping for SO's return later this evening.
Best not come near me anyone, as one of my gargantuan sneezes could be enough to bag you as well.
* sorry sniff * :o(
Fi
Fifi I don't know which version of Mad World I like. I think I would like a slow version so maybe that's the one.
Mary
phew, it looks like I've missed a lot today! Sorry for being out, but it was a lighning trip to Franc today, getting up at 3:30am to get the first flight out of Heathrow, and only just getting back now. Anyone got any thing alcoholic I can imbibe?
Mary (172) : Did I black out there? Were we talking about Mad World? But I do agree that 'that' version, the original, was the best. I liked the other too but ... you know.
Oooh, this hammock is comfy! Someone top up me glass will you? Otherwise I might have to move...................
;o)
Fifi
I nodded off in the hammock Fearless, so my giant glass of cab. merlot is intact. And there's still half a bottle left in .. the bottle.
Help yourself, it's been open all evening so the temperature should be perfect by now.
Did you buy anything nice in Franc by the way? (Or don't they call it Euro now...?)
Fifi
Mmmmm - that's better.
A long swim and a short time communing with the camels, followed by a Tai Chi class back in January and then an hour in front of the fire with the wonderful Ray Mears. As Ed I. would say 'Respect'.
So now I can contemplate the world in which Take That will immediately sort youngest son's phone, and fulfill their promise that it 'really will be back tomorrow'.
Time for a wee dram with the young Macallan, I think - had him looking on while I swam, just in case you understand.
Fifi - do hope you feel better soon.
Ooh, Ta, Fifi! Just what the doctor ordered....
Unfortunately I didn't really have a chance to do any shopping, even at the airport :-( People never believe me, but I've been to Paris more times that I can count, and I still don't know the place apart from the office and CDG (That's Roissy Charles De Gaulle airport, in case you were wondering!). At least I was in the new terminal this time. Anyone who has been to the old T1 at Roissy will know what I mean by "The 1960's concrete doughnut"!
Fifi I don't know which version of Mad World I like. I think I would like a slow version so maybe that's the one.
Mary
Sparkles (170);
I didn't say they were my favourite films.... I do like heinously daft, idiotic humour though. Carry On and that kind of thing. Two of the above will appear on next weeks top five films list for my desert island. You'll have to wait to see which.
Si.
Woops! Fifi, I've done a Mair! I've got you mixed up with Fiona!
Forgive me, as you would Eddie.
Mary
was skimming posts and have learnt a salutary lesson.
Never ever ever speed-read the word "count".
Sorry FFred at 117 it was just me....
Fifi - sorry to hear you're feeling ropey, so the rough throat wasn't down to too much singing after all then??
The household here have had this lurgy one after the other since Christmas, so I guess it'll be my turn next? I heard an interesting speculation the other day though, you get fewer colds as you get older because, the more you are exposed to different strains, then the more immunity you build up. I spent most of my childhood and teenage years with the cold (judging by what's written in my diaries), so here we are then - a big plus to getting older, at last! Possibly?
Will get to work on the Assumption in the morning, I'm off to bed now. Night All.
Favourite Songs - non classical. And like everyone else half of them change with the weather.
Would you lay with me in a field of stone by Tanya Tucker.
Let it Be Me - Everly Brothers
Talk to me of Mendocino by Kate and Anna McGarrigle
I've never been in love before from Guys and Dolls
Where or When sung by Bryan Ferry.
See I'm an old softy really
Bottle of Pinotage on bar. its the second cos we have just polished off the first. we were only going to have a glass. Honest!
Frances (169) ... watch out......
oh dear... THHHWWAAAACCCCKKK!!!!
(just when you least expected it)
I think I just got Val & MadMary too.......
Oh lets have a top 5 film night, preceded by dinner with our top 5 people, & followed by dancing to our top 5 tunes. What a marvellous evening that would be!
For those escaping from the wind and rain in January, you'll find a large teapot of English Breakfast tea on the bar. Accompanying it are plates of hot buttered toast, crumpets, muffins and bacon butties. With a selection of jams ans sauces.
Enjoy!
Si.
Val P (182),
Apparently people who had (and survived) the 1918 'flu were relatively immune to the Spanish 'flu of 1968. There is some truth in what you say.
The problem with Bird 'flu is that once it has adapted to humans as a host, (and become contageous), it could well be a new strain that no-one has any residual immunity for.
I've not got cold/'flu at the moment, so feeling ropy this morning must be due to something else. I'll grab a coffee (more available for others) and lie in the morning sun, before I have to lug myself back to January...
Morning all! I'm feeling all bright and positive and cheerful today - wonder why?
A big mug of tea and a bacon butty will go down very well Si, thanks.
Who was it who ages ago provided the tablet recipe? thanks again, I have to make some today to take to a Burns Supper tonight where I have to stick the knife inthe haggis while reciting a verse of the incomprehensioble poem. Anyone know which verse it is?
Off now to see what people are saying on other freds. catch you later!
oops, can't remember if I said, but if not, I hope you are feeling better today Fifi.
And I wonder how our intrepid travellers are faring in Sri Lanka?
Simon: Thanks for the bacon buttie and lovely tea. Just the trick for a day like this in January, though here on the Beach the sun is shining and the sky an endless blue.
How lucky we are to be able to relax here and escape the winter storms.
Morning all....
Thanks Si for the very tempting breakfast. A piece of hot buttered toast and a nice cup of tea will go down a treat thank you very much.
Sorry Fifi I did warn you all to stay away from me - I fear my lurgy is catching. I'm on day 2 of lemsip now and am feeling marginally better.
Madmary - as one half of the Fiona/Fifi duo I forgive you! Its a common occurence. Perhaps I should change my frog name? Any suggestions welcome (only nice ones please!).
And I have a bone to pick with our Eddie. There I was snuggled on the sofa watching Relocation Relocation (thought Elgin looked lovely - have family there but not been there myself for many a year). Anyway, blame it partly on lack of mobility due to cold/flu symptoms (i.e. couldn't reach the remote) but mainly on excessive curiosity brought on by Eddie's report but I found myself watching a bit of Big Brother!! I honestly despair with what the world has become, what pathetic ignorant people these are! Anyway thankfully SO came back and rescued me so to speak by changing channels!! Please forgive me everyone - I was not well....
Oh and can I just wade in on the George Clooney debate - basically agree with what HelenSparkles says - and he seems like the sort of guy that if you bumped into him in your local pub he would have time to chat - seems like a genuinely unaffected guy - a refreshing change from the egostical "star".
And Helen - on the subject of Muse - have posted some of the lyrics to that song below. They are certainly not the most meaningful lyrics ever written for sure, but I like the simplicity of them and they seem to fit us - as SO and I did get together in a rather unintentional way.....
you could be my unintended choice
to live my life extended
you could be the one i'll always love
you could be the one who listens to my deepest inquisitions
you could be the one i'll always love
i'll be there as soon as i can
but i'm busy mending broken
pieces of the life i had before
first there was the one who challenged
all my dreams and all my balance
she could never be as good as you
etc etc.......
Bye for now all x
Sparkly Helen, just to let you know I have e-mailed you via your blog.
AA (189);
3rd verse.
'His knife see rustic Labour dight,
An cut you up wi ready slight,
Trenching your gushing entrails bright,
Like onie ditch;
And then, O what a glorious sight,
Warm-reekin, rich!'
As you recite the start of the first line;
'His knife see..' you hold up the knife for all to see it.
As you move on to the start of the next line 'An cut you up...' you slice into it.
And you finish taking the first slice as you recite the remainder of the verse.
Hope this helps!
Si.
Brilliant, Si (194)
AA(189) Have a few drams before you start....remember the words dight, slight, bright,sight all have the 'i' sound as opposed to the 'I' and would rhyme with 'licked' but for the
ccccccchhhhhhhh sound at the back of the throat! Sorry if that sounds patronising to the Scots
You beat me to it Si - I've had great fun with this over the years. I have a wonderful (so I'm told, I'm not being show-offy) party-piece called Kate O'Shanter's Tale, which goes down really well. I'll look it out later. Though knowing my luck it'll get moderated (everyone now remembers the Purple Peom I guess), y'all seem to get away with poems and lyrics though?
Oops - must point out, I didn't write the aforementioned, in case you think I'm blowing my own trumpet.....
Wading in knee-deep into the George Clooney debate:
I don't dislike him, but he doesn't really do it for me like he does for so many others. I liked him Good Night and Good Luck but I was far more entranced with the gentleman who played Ed Murrow. There are some actors out there - some better known than others - that reduce me to a quivering wreck to an extent that Casanova could only ever dream of. There was one particular performance I saw recently on a borrowed DVD of a Canadian TV show, which had me absolutely floored with the sheer level of gravitas, charisma, honesty and intensity which came out of the screen. The particular actor happened to be very good-looking as well, but it is more acting and performance which interests me rather than the bland good-looks of many talentless people in the spotlight today.
heartfelt thanks Si, I will print that out and take along as a crib, don't know who's providing the dagger but if push comes to shove I have a letter opener in the shape of a sword.
Just had great fun making the tablet. As the recipe called for 4 pounds of caster sugar, which I didn't have and as we don't actually NEED 5 pounds of the stuff I decided to quarter the quantities. So I melted and simmered and stirred in sugar then went to weigh out the condensed milk. And the battery on my scales had run out. I needed 4 oz, the tin had a gram weight od something really useful like 304 and the only other measuring tool I had was a jug in pints and mills. So no wonder I panic'ed when it didn't seem to be setting.All those things you learn in maths that you think you'll never use in daily life, like ratios and percentages, and they all played their part. Anyway I am happy to say that after 30 minutes in the fridge the stuff has set and looks very nice (in tablet terms) and will no doubt taste of mainly sugar like it always does. If the gannets at the Burns Night Supper leave any of it I'll drop some in on the beach when I get back.
AA;
Ref: the Burns thingy. A suggestion, if I'm not teaching you to suck eggs?
Try to imagine that you're in a Shakespeare play and overact it *ever so slightly* for dramatic effect. I've only had the privilege of attending at one Burns supper (where the bloke who invited me did the entire address). That's how he seemed to do it.
If it's done properly I gathered that it's very theatrical, very dramatic. I was certainly impressed, even though I didn't understand the exact meaning of the verse.
Si.
Thank you all for your good wishes, you are very kind. I need to pop out now for some more cold remedy. 'Someone' has been filching them from my secret stash, and now we both have colds I STILL have to go out and get more!
There's only three of us in this house, and one of those is Daisy T Cat. She can't reach the shelf so it ain't her!
As long as I'm dosed up I feel not too bad - just addle-brained.
Must remember to ring Dad and wish him happy birthday while I actually have a voice.......
Fifi
The best Burns night I went to had the bloke reading the thing in floods of tears before he could finish. Great sentimental lummocks.
Does anyone have a remedy for caffeine withdrawal, I've been off coffee since monday and have one monster headache and vileness which is taking an age to wear off. I'm told I'm also a teensy bit grumpy. ME!
I tried posting after half a bottle of wine last night to tell Simon on another list that I have the english version of Rabbie Brns Ode to the Haggis. If I can find it, I;ll post.
Ihave a claim to fame, I'm in a goverment document. Not by name but by Project. Link to one of the documents is below. I wouldn't bother looking. I doubt its even newsworthy. Well apart from the lack of funding for eye care in England. :-) If you look I am part of what is called SOAP.
Helen (170),
I hadn't heard anything about any 'clouting'. I find it hard to believe without real evidence.
xx
ed
Okay, to the froggers wanting their gossip fix, the first date will be tomorrow evening. Location will be classified until after the event, just to prevent it being gatecrashed by hordes of froggers!
Good luck Fearless! Have a bracing drink to steel your nerves.
No, really I mean have a lovely time.
Mary
The best remedy I know for caffeine withdrawal is a cup of coffee - sorry but somebhody had to say it.
I think the idea is you just grion and bear it muttering no pain no gain and it does go away and you feel great.
I know I couldn't do it so I am very impressed you are even trying.
English Translation "Address to a Haggis"
Great Leader of Puddings
Above all you take your place-Cooked stomach & Guts
You are worthy of a Grace as long as my arm.
The heavy plate you will fill your shape like a distant hill
Your skewer would mend a machine if needed
While through your pores the juice distils like amber beads.
The country-lad wipes his knife and cuts you quickly digging into your gushing insides- then Oh what a glorious sight- warm smelling strongly and roch.
Then fork for fork they reach and struggle to eat most.
Devil takes the hindmost!
Till all their well filled stomachs are swelled like drums and the old master, most likey to burst. "Be Thankfull" Exclaims.
Is there a man who over his French Ragout or olio which would surfeit a Sow or Fricasse which would sicken her.
Can look down sneering with scorn on such a dinner?
Poor Devil! See him oâer his rubbish as weak as a thin slick,
His thn leg like a whip lash, his fist a nut through bloody flood and field to run- Oh how unfit!
But mark, notice the country lad fed on haggis
The trembling earth echoes his tread
Holding in his large strong fist a knife
He can make it whistle so arms and legs and heads will roll like tops of thistles.
Ye gods who care for mankind and provide food for them
Old Scotland wants no watery soup that slops in bowls but if you want her grateful prayer
Give her Haggis
I think it looses intranslation from the scots! But there will be some freshly caught Haggis on the bar next week.
FFred! Have a great time! Hope you will come down to the beach afterwards and tell us all about it.... (you can trust us, we won't tell anybody...)
Aunt D - have you tried Redbush tea? Caffeine-free and very soothing. I've been grumpy for the last ten years even with caffeine!
I'm starting to feel left out 'cos I've never been to a Burns night. Do you need some level of Scottish ancestry to attend? (If so, I'm stymied...)
Aunt Dahlia, you shouldn't do it cold turkey, unless you really want the headaches. Cut down gradually, substituting one cup per dayish (depending on intake). I agree that Redbush is a very fine tea, but still not a decent sub for coffee.....
Gossipmistress - don't feel left out, I think they are actually more prevalent out of the old country than in, ex-pats are very keen. They are fun though! Oops, I still haven't looked out the Tale mentioned further up. Tomorrow, I promise.
admin annie - it should really taste of more than sugar. My brother makes great tablet, to our grandmother's recipe, but I can't make it for toffee - hee hee.
DeepT - hope you improved as the day progressed? Yes, I'm not sure my informant was referring to flu, the incidence of flu always being so much smaller. We were just talking about colds which of course are ten a penny. Being a man, perhaps you don't differentiate? Sorry, that was nasty, but I couldn't resist it. :o) I have only ever had flu once in er-um the many years I've been around. Then it turned into bronchitis...the family couldn't believe that I could actually take to my bed and stay there. It took me about 6 months to recover fully!
Hmmm, I've just thought about that last post, and you may interpret it as meaning that I stayed in bed for 6 months. Of course I didn't. though I wouldn't mind doing that now!
Naturally, I'm being maliciously fast now, and I'll have to wait until they've finished reading the last one, or whatever the problem is that stops us from posting in Real Time.
Nope, still too fast. Didn't realise I could type that fast? Perhaps a brisk trot over to check that the camels are ok for the night?
Campfire songs anyone? The camels weren't enough of a distraction. Fifi's got a great new song btw, and is working on performing it for us all!
FF..hope all goes well for you.
References to Red Bush tea......I listened to the wonderful Number One Ladies Detective Agency on Radio 4 yesterday....they drink Red bush tea all the time. The stories are written by Alexander McCall Smith, and are worth reading or hearing for their homorous and gentle examination of human nature. He touches on the big issues of Aids and Civil War but in a reflective way......sorry, it's turning into an essay. I just love the stories.
Good luck FF - keep us posted..... And unless you are going to a surprise birthday party north of the border (can't say too much - dont want to give the game away and it's a small world!) then I won't bump into you.
Gillian - have you read any of his other books? They are all equally charming. A few years ago he started writing a "daily novel" in The Sc*tsman newspaper, in the style of Dickens' Pickwick Papers, entitled 44 Scotland Street. A delight. It is said that he writes them in more or less Real Time (maybe 6 weeks in advance or so), at least that was the idea to begin with. He is now on the third novel in the series, and part of the charm (for locals) is that he uses kent faces and places in cameo parts as the whim takes him. I commend him to you with these and of course the entire No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series of books, and another series about a genteel lady detective in Edinburgh (I should g**gle to find out the name, but rushing as usual!).
Aye Gillian, but are they 'racist'? 'Sexist'?
I'm a fan too, btw.
xx
ed
Huddoa. Fifi here, behide de bride red doze.
Actually now the medication's kicking in, I'm not feeling too bad. And the weather in January is sunny and mild again, after the gales. Hope you all kept your roofs! We only lost a wee bit of ours...
I'm also feeling pretty chipper because I read in our local paper this morning that the slimeball who brought toxic waste to my neck of the woods, and broke umpteen regulations in the way his company proceeded to dump it, is behind bars.
Apparently he hired a dodgy detective to tap the Environment Agency's phones, while they were investigating his activities.
Sometimes it's good to know your estimation of people has been spot-on.
Thankfully his two landfills here were subsequently sold to a company that actually knows what it's doing. The top brass are all qualified ecologists as well as chemists.
Sadly, the sale has made our slimeball a very rich man : ÂŁ65 million is quoted in the article.
Still. He's in jail. Brilliant!!!
To celebrate, I shall make some lovely soup out of the chicken stock I made yesterday. That should see off the last of my cold eh?
Fifi
Right, I know I will get help here.
I have an awful problem. No - I don't want to talk about that one - that will clear up in time.
It's grammatical. I am very confused where to put my punctuation marks when using quotes and brackets and recently have been spraying them all over the place.
"Is this correct?" or
"Is this correct"?
And what about things in brackets? (if you see what in mean).
Full stop inside/outside. Question mark at the end or in the middle?
Can anybody provide or point me to an Idiotâs Guide?
Fifi (215) No bright red dose yet for me. Hoping the flu jab I had will prevent it. In any case I had that chesty type cold that took ages to shift for most of November. If the bloke made 65million on the sake of dodgy land surely the courts should take some of his slightly ill gotten gains to clean up the land. Mmm perhaps thats a furrowed brow topic. Asset stripping criminals.
Boring corned beef and tomato sandwhiches for lunch in January for me.
Gillian and Valerie P: This is the second set of No 1 Ladies Detective Agency stories to be presented as Radio 4 afternoon plays. I heard odd parts of the first set whilst driving between jobs and at the time briefly sought out a CD version so I could listen to the lot. All I could find was an audio book version - not the same at all!
Anyone know if there is a way of keeping these stories as they are currently on "Listen Again". Or are we only able to hear them for the 7 days until the following episode?
Mmmm, just back from a brisk walk along Fido's Run... There were a few camels lurking behind the dunes (what IS it they do round there?) and the sea was a lovely sparkling blue.
Brilliant!
Now for a quick relax on the lounger and a spot of lunch.
Updating myself (currently at 216) I have found the first 4 plays are available on 2 CD volumes from 5th February through the ±«Óătv online shop for just under a tenner a volume.
Jason (216)
You could record onto tape, but
a) Auntie might object on copyright grounds;
b) You may have already given up on recording tape;
c) There may not be a tape player where you want to listen.
There must be some way to take digital recordings. The program that comes with Windows does it, but I've never found out how to record anything that lasts for more than a minute.
Jason (216),
Something from called total recorder should do the job. The trial version inserts a noise every minute and has a time limit, but you can find a way or even pay for the full version. I got my evaluation copy via limewire after a suggestion from Jonnie. (other streaming recorders are probably available)
Good luck
ed
RJD (216): I wish I could help you but grammatical rules of quotations/bracketed statements are the bain of my life.
As far as I write:
Question marks:
If the quote is a question itself, then the question mark goes inside the inverted commas. i.e. "Are we going to the beach?". If the quote itself is not a question but forms part of a sentence which is a question, then the question mark goes on the outside of the inverted commas i.e. Did she just say "We are going to the beach!"?. If the quote and the sentence are both questions, then you put a question mark both inside and outside the inverted commas i.e. Did she just say "Are we going to the beach?"?
I am probably completely wrong but that is how I write things, and I do the same with other punctuation marks - by putting the appropiate punctuation with the quote or the bracketed statement as though they are a separate sentence in themselves.
However I am not the expert in english as everyone knows, so better to ask someone more intelligent and nice.
RJD: If the question mark/exclamation mark forms part of the quotation, then put it inside the quotation marks. Just as you would if you were reporting speech. But if you were quoting something and questioning it, eg
Did he really say "I couldn't agree more"?
then the question mark comes after the quote (It's your question, not his)
But conversely if you were saying
His comment to me was "Do you really care?"
then the question makr was his, so stays in the quotation marks.
Does that make sense?
Bane or Bain?
Apparently, I'm not too hot on the spelling either.
Jason (216) And worth every penny! I listened to all of the previous series.......a real joy even though I'd already read the books. I buy them as soon as they're published and read them in two or three sittings.
Valery P. (213) I love Scotland Steet too. I believe the third book is available in Hardback.
The name you were searching for is Isabel Dalhousie. I am trying to read the first book in the series, ''The Sunday Philosophy Club'' but it does not have the same appeal. However I know I will get to the end.....unlike McCall Smith's other series, the von Iglefeld books. I just don't ''get'' it and it's the only time in my life that I've given up on a book.
Ed I (214) Can they relly be construed as sexist or racist? I'd never thought about it before and you have me worried. They are written with such warmth and affection and promote such a positive image.....or so it always seemed to me
Oh how lovely it is to be back down on the beach. It all got a bit serious for me in The Furrowed Brow so it's great to have a drink and relax - some favourite brews are on the bar, and here's some chilled Chardonnay for me and anyone else who would like some.
Belinda (223) - I think YOU are intelligent and nice and also correct - except that I probably would avoid the double question mark you describe. It's probably absolutely right, but perhaps looks a bit pedantic. No doubt Valery P will have thoughts on that.
Has anyone seen FFred this morning? I am all agog to hear his news. Was she nice, FFred?
whoops, I meant it's tonight, Sara. So, I'm just a bundle of nerves at the mo! Don't worry, I'll try to come to the beach tonight afterwards, and I'll try to let people know how it went. Of course, if you see me at the bar nursing a large Whiskey (Irish, hence the e, then you'll probably be able to guess how things went!
Belinda - Bane. A favour returned.
Belinda & Big Sis
OK so far. Now, what about the () or should I just stop using them?
RJD
Belinda
1.You are right,Belinda-Did she ask"Are we going to the beach?''?
2.You are also a more intelligent and nicer person than I. I supposedly understand syntax,for what it's worth.
3. My spelling is awful..
Mollyxx
Sara, I think Fred's date is tonight.
Good luck, Fred, if I'm right. If it doesn't work out, we'll be hear on the Beach to give you a hug. I'll try to send you a virtual kiss on the cheek ....... x ;o>
Fearless (228) be fearless! Just be your lovely self and have a fun time. And tell us all about it!
GMx
Jason, I have an exceedingly nacky digital radio, which is Pure brilliant, which has a tiny little slot into which you stick a tiny digital SD card, and it records on the spot, if instructed beforehand, and will do the whole series. I assume , since I'm not broadcasting the programmes, just listening when R4 embarks on one of its new 'comedies', that I'm not breaking the law.
Vat of redbush tea on the camel stand, on account of I've got its hump.
xx
FFRed, I think you are a great bloke and anyone should be lucky to snag you - so, head up and make sure he/she is up to your standard. And not wearing a womble costume.
Don't worry, Ffred, I'm sure she'll be charming (more Shilpa than Jade, if you get my drift!) and you should relax and have a lovely time. We'll be thinking of you. Lol.
RJD and others:
Here's a good link I've tracked down. I'll give it a whirl, too ...
Big Sis (237)
Perfect. I'll not got a thing wrong from know on!
Aunt Dahlia: so that radio I wanted to treat myself to (but was vetoed by Higher Authority) would have prevented me missing out... I knew as much.
FFred: Good luck, matey. Relax and try to enjoy. We expect reports, though!
RJD:
Were those () a hug for me? How nice! and just what I needed ..... ;o) () from me
RJD, and anyone else interested. If you want one of the standard reference works on punctuation etc, try "Hart's Rules for Compositors and Readers at the University Press Oxford". It was the standard work when I was in publishing many years ago and there seems to be a "New Hart's Rules" current and available on-line. Since these things don't change much a second-hand copy should be quite adequate.
The companion volume is the Oxford Dictionary for Writers and Editors - useful for awkward spellings, including names, and decoding acronyms.
Well I hope we'll be singing something from ''Singing Together'' around the campfire soon. I wish someone at PM had put the words in the Newsletter, though. This could be the best Friday night I've had in ages.
Again, RJD, your name has apparently evoked immoderacy, so I'll post again that, to my mind, () is the equivalent of a hug. So, here's another () from me X
Singing Together.....Lovely! The sort of thing that ±«Óătv Truths used to do so well. Same time, same place, next week, Eddie? Altogether now...Two, Three - Brennan on the Moor...Brennan on the Moor........
I got back from supermarket hell just in time to hear the last of PM. Oh, the nostalgia! Singing Together was my favourite thing at school and I have a few song books from the mid 1970s.
Please join Gillian and me for a singsong around the campfire tonight. I will bring the wood blocks, triangles and tambourines, and the words, and I'll bring the piano although really I'm not the best person to play it.
Anyone with keyboard skills, other than blogging???
Fearless - Good luck tonight. (Not Goody, obviously.) I have a feeling tonight will be a good one. But if I am wrong, just drop along here later and drown your sorrows with your mates at Nick's Bar.
Big Sister - I have now bought a green pepper, mustard seeds, cumin seeds and fab chocolate ... I'm ready to chilli out!
I am just working on the last bit of a new song about my cold. Will post it later, or over the weekend. Wonder if you can guess which festive song it's based on....?
Fifi (atchooooooooooo!)
Punctuation:
Well, I'm a fan of Lynne Truss's (other punctuations are available) book 'Eats, Shoots and Leaves', which I find amusing as well as erudite.
I did find two mistakes in it, though(!), which made me feel all clever-clogs.
My husband and I sangalong with Brennan on the Moor during PM. Great fun. It took me right back to primary school!
Mary
Speaking of singing, I cannot hear the programme here, but the idea took me back to some very happy times at school. Mhairi's Wedding and Barbara Allen - does anyone know of a simple voice recording of Barbara Allen? Not one of those pretentious tenors strangling it. Oh and the Raggle Taggle Gypsies O- still sing what fragments of that I can remember. It would be a shame to lose such lovely ballads - do you do stuff like that Fifi?
Aunt Dahlia (247) : I can dig up the songs but I'm not technically competent to magic up recordings.
Can you get to the East Midlands easily? I'm sure I can find people who can perform them on request.
I do have a recording of the Raggle Taggle Gipsy (singular) by Planxty; send me a postal address and I'll send you a CD!
Fifi xxx
PS sorry, I am so bunged-up this evening, I can play guitar for you but others must singsong without me.
Holding up prompt-cards now:
* one * two * three* ..... !
Scottish primary education in the fifties was a little on the dour side at times - but Singing Together and Music and Movement made up for what our, mostly aged, teachers could not provide. Wonderful. This evening's programme brought it all back, and we too still have some of the booklets.
So here's to another chorus of Mhairi's Wedding.
sliante!
Fifi, I'll bring along SO for the keyboard skills, mine are limited to singing.
''Two Gypsies stood at the castle gate,
They sang so high, they sang so low.....''
All join in now!
And for my next solo......
''Stepping gaily as we go,
Heel to heel and toe to toe,
Arm in arm and.............''
Sing up Anne P!
"In Scarlett Town, where I was born,
There was a fair maid dwelling.
Made every youth cry well a day -
Her name was Barbara Allen."
I can still remember that verse. How wonderful to find others who remember it, too.
We had singing together at school, & I say bring back country dancing too, it was the only time I got close to the best looking boy in the class. He was my partner, & we were very good, but he had a lot of interest from prettier girls. Not that they sparkled like me of course, but it takes a more mature soul to appreciate such things, like FF - did she sparkle FF? Hope you got over your nerves but we do find such things quite endearing, especially if we are nervous too, & dates are scary things for everyone.
On the grammar thread, if I have a quotation "blah blah blah?" and it is the end of a sentence, I have been putting a full stop at the end, but have noticed many learned writers of academic paper type things don't. I feel sure I am right, but perhaps someone will tell me because my next paper is being marked by someone who could have written Lynn Truss's book!
I've been up with the lark this morning, no-one is stirring on the beach, so I'm taking myself off for a little walk (in January). I have seen water voles most mornings on my walks but I can't take a photo of them as they move like lightening if you get to close. I would need a very powerful telephoto lens to capture them in all their cuddliness.
Working today, so you all have a good Saturday!
Mary
A grumpy day yesterday as teenage step-daughter decides it wold be much more fun to go shopping in Manchester with a friend than come home and walk the dog - literally the one chore she has to do.
Guess what? Today she wants driving in to Stockport so she can buy something else, but she only wants to "dash in and out" so hanging around for buses would be a real drag...
Aunt Dahlia (248) If you have access to Real Player on your computer it gives a long list of people who have recorded Barbara Allen and you can listen to a snippet. It includes Joan Baez, Judy Collins and Art Garfunkel. Lime Wire would also do the same, but we're having problems accessing it today. I know Emmylou Harris has also recorded a version, arranged by Dolly Parton, but I can't find a sample to listen to.
Jason (256) You're a saint! Welcome to my world!
FFred how did it go??
Am elbow-deep in puddings for tonight but will pop back later...with a few samples if successful. (No meringues this time...)
Morning all! Well, I think things went okay last night:-) I'm not going to jump the gun and say for certain what's going to happen, as I'm a believer in seeing how things develop naturally, rather than pushing it, if you know what I mean. Still, there's promise, I think...
Anyway, I'm off for a stroll to the dunes to feed the camels...
Gillian (258): I most certainly am not a saint. She's been told "catch a bus or a train, I'm not your taxi" by both me and SO. Oh, and walk the dog first.
She has now flounced out to catch a train...
We have been "encouraging" her to get herself a part-time job since she finished her GCSE's last June. She prefers to survive on the EMA money she gets (which is a great incentive to get her out of bed) and, in her words, "be a lady of leisure".
I know we should be getting her to do a load more chores than just walk the dog (she does do her own washing and tidy her own room) but she just does a 2% job of everything, you get her back to do it again and the total rises to 5%. She'd prefer to put pretty dirty plates away than wash them properly, for example.
Completely does my head in. As I kid I was terrified of my parents (not something I'd want my kids to feel, admittedly) and did what I was told...
I need another lie down.
Ah, Jason, at times like this I feel very smug about not having kids. A major disincentive was the thought of them being teenagers and me being obliged to live with them!
I'm sure she will make you proud of her one day.
When you're mature enough!
[ducks to avoid empty Lagavullin bottle...]
Fifi ;o)
Fifi the red-nosed frogger
Had a very shiny conk
Which with her big green coat made
Her look like a friendly gonk.
All of the other froggers
Rallied round with hot Lem-sip
(other cold remedies are available, including the ibuprofen-based one Fifi is actually using)
Helped her to rub in menthol
Soothing her chapped upper lip.
Then one power-cut windy night
Eddie came to say:
"Fifi with your conk so bright
"Won't you light PM tonight?"
... can anyone think of a last verse?
Believe it or not, I'm stuck!!!
Fifi xxx
Sun is shining in January too. Isn't that nice!
Ffred, it's good to hear that it went well and you obviously had a nice time. Your account was a bit short on detail, though!! Not enough for a gossip. Don't hang around for too long "seeing how things develop naturally". They won't develop at all unless you ring her up and ask her out again! Think of taking her somewhere specially designed to suit what she likes - rather like my clever-dick son-in-law did when he booked the Morse Experience as their first date because he knew she really liked the Morse series.
More! We need to know more!
Meanwhile, Jason, I'm sure it will all turn out OK in the end - everything you say is just so typical of teenage daughters, so nothing to worry about there!
How have my fellow froggers survived the gales on Thursday? We had the top of a very large scots pine come down; it fell into the churchyard and the stone it fell on is a bit broken, but the Vicar says it was broken before, so that's okay then. It's nice to be down here at the beach, beside the azure sea and only a gentle zephyr to cool us in the sunshine.
FF (260) Good man! Glad it went well for you....so did you arrange a second date? And when do you meet uo with Number Two? No pressure, you understand!
Fifi (263)......
So off she went to London
with guitar and plans well-made
but when she saw the studio
instead of Eddie there was Jade!
(sorry!!) GMx
Jason (261) Shame on you! How do you expect to bond if you don't take advantage of these ono-to-one opportunities?! Your step-daughter must be the same age as my younger daughter who left school after GCSEs last June to go to College. I must admit she works hard for her course but the only thing she does in the house is look after her own room. We are also trying to persuade her to get a part-time job as we can't afford to keep her in the style to which she would like to become accustomed! Hang in there.....all things must pass. Come and sit in the shade with me and we'll moan the afternoon away together. I've brought some roast veg. paninis if you want to share.
FFred - how exciting! Do have a chocolate/mascarpone/raspberry tart!
Oh how the froggers loved her,
And they shouted out with glee,
''Fifi the red-nosed frogger,
Lost without you we would be!''
This is the Yoda version!
Gillian: I now have the small wrinkly thing firmly locked in my mind. Madness it is.
Thank you, creative brothers and sisters of the Frog.
Grateful I am!
Now I'm going to try another ground-breaking froggy first : right here, on the Beach, I am going to cook Big Sister's recipe for Chilli!
I won't be able to read you all AND cook AND post at the same time, so bear with me if things get a little one-sided from me for the next hour or so.
Wish me luck!
Fifi xx
Just running to catch up with Fred in the dunes to let him know how glad I am to hear that there's a wee glimmer of promise in the air after last night. To go with the welcome sunshine back in January this afternoon ....
Just assembling the ingredials. Not sure my biggest pan is big enough but I will see if I can find my Dutch oven or the old pressure cooker. Otherwise it's going to be split into 2 lots.
3 tins kiddley beans - check
mustard seeds & cumin seeds - check
1 green pepper, 4 big onions - check
(well 4 mediums + 1 little one)
chocolate, cinnamon - check
tintoms & tomgoo - yup
(write tintoms on next shopping list - last one gone!)
Commence onion chopping on industrial scale!
Fifi 3:00pm
Two onions chopped, and yes I found some sunflower oil which is warming in the pressure cooker ... my eyes are streaming.
Why do my eyes never water chopping onions, when I've got my contact lenses in?
And it feels strange to do this much onion with no garlic ..........
Back to number three onion then.
Fifi 3:10pm
And to think I used to LOVE onions!!!!!
The last one didn't get very finely chopped, as I couldn't actually see well enough. But they're all in now, and from the sound of it cooking gently.
Now for the pepper.
(And cleaning the tears off the inside of my specs!!!)
Fifi 3:20pm
Just browsing through my iTunes library... Why on earth did I ever buy "Trouble" by Shampoo? Hang on, its very catchy...
Mmm, Big Sis' Chili. Great stuff (modestly!)
Should help drive away Fifi's cold ....
Leftovers great for snacks, tortilla fillings, jacket potato toppings ............
While the onions and pepper are softening, I'm opening cans of kidney beans and tinned tomatoes.
And checking: is this glass jar of chilli powder or cayenne pepper?
Oh well.
Fifi 3:25pm
Mustard seeds are in!!!!
Never used them before, but I can tell you they look marvellous.
Stirring like mad....
Fifi 3:28pm
Just think how much good those onions will do you, Fifi!
Oooh, it all happened rather quickly at the end there!
When the chocolate went in, it smelled horribly like a pudding for a few seconds, then it suddenly melted and everything went authentically dark brown and gloopy.
Question: how do I 'reduce the heat' at the same time as I 'simmer rapidly'?
Oh well, 40 minutes of stirring to go.
Fifi 3:40pm
Fifi (280) I think it means 'reduce the heat' whilst licking fingers seductively in a Nigella fashion....
Good grief, you'll have RSI (Repetitive Stirring Injury)
I did post earlier, before I went out, but like most of my contributions it got lost dumped moderated. Quite puts me off trying.
However, I did want to say thank you for the singing - and helpful clues.
Hope the chilli blasts your sinus back to operative Fifi
will now press button and come back tomorrow to find this never appeared - is it just me?.... wanders off behind sand dune sobbing.........
Madmary (255), *I'm* not going to move like lightning if you get close!
jason, what is this "small wrinkly thing firmly locked in [your] mind"? I think we should be told.
FF: fingers crossed. I respect your privacy, of course, but that's no reason for you denying *the others* the juicy details.
Chilli's made. Very gloopy, very spicy, and I need to stock up on soured cream or our heads will explode!
I will leave it in the kitchen to mature overnight ... nobody's to try it until at least tea-time tomorrow, okay?
However in the meantime, there is the other half of the bar of very good chocolate, in the fridge behind the bar.
Last one to get a square's a hairy kipper!
Fifi xx 5:00pm
The water vole (284 or thereabouts): Why, Yoda of course...
Mmm, Fifi, that should help your cold ....
Jason (270) and Water Vole (284) For it, the best place that is!
No more, I promise!
Fifi (271) (cont'd)
She took Eddie's supper with her,
And he said to her with glee,
''Fifi I love this chilli,
Can I have the recipe?''
Gillian:
If Eddie does love the recipe, I hereby wish it to be noted that it's MY recipe (just so Eddie thinks of me as he eats it!).
Fifi,
All of the other froggers,
Talked about his mystery,
Dig up a load of dirt on him,
And you'll go down in history.
Fifi (273),
My easiest method of chopping onions without crying is to keep them in the fridge for a few hours beforehand. The theory behind it is that the volatile componds don't evaporate anything like as much as when the onion is at room temperature, so there's much less for you to breath in/get in your eyes.
I know, not much help for today, but have been rather busy of late, and still have work to do tonight (yes, it's got to be done by tomorrow morning). May be able to pop by again later.
Fifi (262): I forgot to ask, how did you know I loved Lagavullin? Not had a dram for a while as it (and Talisker and Jameson) apparently makes me depressed. I think that is just SO trying to spoil my fun...
Big Sister (290) Sorry - should have acknowledged that the recipe came from you. ...which I'm sure Fifi would have done, had she given it to Eddie.
I am recording this for reasons of future embarrassment:
My husband has a kidney stone, and is currently in the bathroom making a sound I last heard from a rutting moose.
I called NHS Direct to see whether I should take him into hospital and got told "No, he is fine at home. If he passes out though, then you may think about bringing him in!". So that's a load off my mind.
Water Vole (284): To quote the first line of the first episode of Friends... "There's nothing to tell!". Really, everyone, it was just a case of having a couple of drinks and a bite to eat. We're going to see if we can meet up again in the next week or so, but I honestly don't have gosip for you!
FFred
p.s. Did someone let the camels eat figs? They seem to be in a wierd mood today, and I can only put it down to their diet...
Dear Belinda, I think if he passes out then you are fully within your rights to ring for an ambulance. How are you supposed to get him downstairs by yourself if he's fainted?
I'm sorry but I did laugh when I read your posting. Rutting moose indeed. Aparently kidney stones are the nearest thing to childbirth on the pain scale that men can experience. You may wish to remind him of that if he improves sufficiently to appreciate it.
Fingers crossed on his behalf that nature takes its course in the most "natural" way possible so you can avoid the hospital. Its the paperwork of a hospital admission that is so tedious. Doesn't matter if you go in at 4 am in agony, by ambulance (as I have done...) the first thing that happens is a nurse coming by with a clipboard & 10 sheets of boxes to be ticked. "Do you have stairs st home? Do they have a handrail? Do you have any pets? " I wish I was making this up but I couldn't. I'm sure it's all terribly important to someone, just not usually the patient!
Belinda (295): coincidentally (sort of) I just watched the Martin Clunes and Holly Aird drama from a while ago "Losing It" about a man with testicular cancer. I have winced my way through most of it. Now I hear of a poor Brother suffering kidney stones and may need to pass it... My eyes are watering.
But, most of all, your final sentence made me howl with laughter. I am sorry, and I promise to grow up as soon as possible.
Get him to drink lots more water in future!
Ok, so here is our day's excitement, for anyone who feels their day was lacking.
I was cooking in kitchen, early evening. Daughter in room next door, making card for new baby cousin born today in Australia (that was exciting enough news, really, but there's more ). SO was in front room, hoovering (on account of we have visitors tomorrow). He'd also lit the fire. So far so good.
Daughter goes into hall, : "Why is there smoke pouring out of the front room? What's Daddy doing ? "
I could still hear the hoover, so figured it couldn't be anything drastic. Stepped out of the kitchen to see smoke literally billowing from the hoover, while SO happily working away with his back turned, oblivious to it all. When we yelled, he did a quick switch off, grabbed the bag out of the machine & hasty exit outside, before returning saying "I'd just sucked up a spark beside the fireplace, and thought, 'I'll have to watch out for that'. It really catches quickly in the machine doesn't it?" (tone of surprise, bewilderment, et al)
So he'd been hoovering around a lit fire? (It is an enclosed stove, but still - probably not high on the recommended safety procedures, I fear)
Then he went outside, & came back to get a glass of water. A drink, I thought . Probably shock. Very wise. But no, the glass of water was to extinguish the fire which was now burning in the vacuum bag outside. It's all bricks & concrete outside, so fairly safe, but honestly... Aren't you glad you don't have us for neighbours!
Never saw the Martin Clunes thing, but I have lost a round part of me through the same disease, only it wasn't.
I had the said article removed very swiftly and proficiently (all praise to the NHS). A couple of weeks later, after a biopsy had been done, I was summoned to the doctor. In his words 'good news - the testicle we removed wasn't cancerous!' He was slightly bemused by my request to 'put it back then'.
nimmo: My condolences, matey - cannot be a pleasant experience to go through with all the accompanying terror. Glad you've kept a sense of humour through it, and I understand you can get great prosthetics. (But singularity also has a certain appealing novelty, I am told.)
One day I will blog the experience I had during the snip when the doctor was a little too forward with the local anaesthetic needle on one half of his job and squirted into thin air prior to using the bluntest scissors in the world. Oh how I laughed.
I realised watching that programme how lacking I am in insurances if I should get struck down by something...
Belinda - What was the outcome -- Is he ok?
I had one a few years back - agony is not the word, the Doc said it was due to hard water in London.
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Eddie;
Thanks for using the updated version. I felt that the previous one was meant to have been a work in progress, never the finished article. So I thought I'd find a modified form of words that would better explain the Beach for the benefit of newcomers.
I hope it meets with approval from the beach-bums, new and old.
Si.
Hey, new Beach a day early! Good old Eddie, always so thoughtful.
Today I am singing not for my supper but for my afternoon tea! A social do for my friend's local support group for sufferers of M.E. (Yes I can both say and spell the full thing but who wants to read that!)
We are singing as the Jam Tarts, for the first time in full tarty dress. Short skirts, fishnets and tarty little tops. In my case, topped off with a feather boa.
Never a dull moment - eh Bill n Ben??
Fifi ;o)
Si - yet another string to your bow when the photography goes quiet? You, like many others on the Frog, not only express yourself so well in the written word, but also have so much to share. Thank you.
I'm spreading my towel on this comfy looking rock over here, but I've left the makings for Kir Royale over on the Nick Clarke Bar - there should be enough for all who drop in over the next couple of hours. Cheers!
For those who've already adopted this week's Beach, here is Bill n Ben's scurrilous description of the first frog tryst....
Fifi
At 11:37 PM on 13 Jan 2007, Bill'n'Ben wrote:
A blog tryst (or is it a twist)
Well as you know, cos Fifi announced it, I was in Whittlesey today at the Straw Bear Festival, on the pretext of looking at the dancing. In previous years I have been helping with the PA for the afternoon and evening gigs, but there was only one rig this year ably run by my two colleagues.
So there I am in the garden of the Bricklayers Arms, chilled to the bone and trying to warm myself up with Liffey, anybody in there right mind would have chosen coffee but not me. As a really boring traditionalist, I by the way dance with Westminster Morris Men, I do like to see dances done properly, and thatâs why I was staring into my glass as it happened.
Suddenly there was silence, no music, no bird song; you could hear the dogs yelping as they ran from the scene. It was overcast but you noticed the darkness increase as this huge shadow advanced towards me. The ground shook, I had to grab my pint to stop it falling from the table.
And then the sound. In a voice so low that the bottom C pipe of the organ at St Paulâs Cathedral would have trembled in fear, I heard, âYou BillânâBen? Hello, Iâm Fifiâ.
The vision. There she was, a Six foot Six Goth, built like an Amazon. Dressed from head to foot in black, every square centimetre of flesh that I could see was either covered in tattoos or body piercings. âMy Godâ, I thought, âthis is my kind of womenâ.
âIâve got to get this bl**dy guitar off my backâ, decapitating six members of the Rutland Morris team as she swung it over her shoulder, quickly followed by the guitar.
âWell, how ya doin cockâ, she growled.
âFineâ, I trembled. Was I in awe, or just bl**dy terrified of this women. We watched a few dances and then decided to adjourn to the bar. It was like a seen from a bowling alley, Morris and Molly Dancers were being thrown every where as this Chieftain Tank of a woman headed towards the pub. Why bother opening a door, if you can smash it off its hinges as you crash through. The pub cleared in milliseconds, âOh, thatâs buggered up the sing song ainât itâ, she growled again.
âItâs made it easy to get to the bar though, my dearestâ, I sighed, hopelessly in love with this (wo)man mountain.
The landlordâs protests, âLook wot you done to my businessâ, were quickly stifled as a long low growl emanated from the corner of the bar.
âShadapp, or Iâll stick an apostrophe were the sun donât shineâ.
âOh, sheâs obviously not very well educated or she hasnât been listening to Lynn Truss, or taking notice of whatâs said on the blog, thatâs not were you put an apostropheâ, I thought, but decided not to discuss the point further.
On our next visit, we will discover just what guitarists do to warm their hands up.
Brian(now living in fear)
I knew it! Fifi you terrified the poor man!
Brian come and sit down on this lovely piece of sand with me, and I'll look after you!
Mary
Oh, goody! (not Jade or Jackiieeeeyyyy)
A new beach to play on, and me with a half hour to myself.
Like the new intro, Simon.
Ah, fifi, the truth is out. Though I kike the Jam Tarts outfit, and the feather boa (as long as it's not constricting).
BnB, I've got a shovelful of correct apostrophes I picked up from where they'd been discarded by their careless owners. We could play Hunt the Apostrophe, if you like?
Here are some to start off with:
' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' '
Care to join in, Valery?
A splendid new beach - thank you, Eddie. The sun's shining over in January, but much too cold to strip off and laze around as we are all doing here. Thanks for the Kir Royale, Valery P - just what I needed! Things are not good in January - too much to do: parish magazine to edit (why do people always submit stuff so late and ask so nicely if I could please please possibly squeeze it in?!) and son visiting and laundry to do and pressure of work facing me on Monday!
It's no good, Brian (Bill'nBen) - I just can't believe that our lovely sweet friendly Fifi is as terrifying as you say. Drop the apostrophes, gather up your courage and be bolder next time. She won't bite you!
Talking of trysts, FFred is being very quiet just now. Have you had one or even both of your dates yet, FFred? and how did it/they go? Tell all, please....
Hmmm a new beach a day early? Methinks Eddie wanted somewhere to sunbathe on his day off!
Sorry, Sara(7), nothing to tell yet :-( I'm still trying to arrange things...
The second instalment
A Bloggerâs tryst (or a froggerâs truss)
A sense of normality eventually returned to the bar. The rest of the clientele seemed to be giving us a WIDE berth. I sat there sipping my Guinness as this She Devil sank Jack Danielâs by the bottle.
âI canât play this guitarâ, she grumbled, âcos my tiny hands are frozenâ.
KABOOM!!! The pub exploded. This time the crashing came from the front of the bar.
âNot another bl**dy door goneâ, screamed the landlord, hysterically.
âIâve already told you mate, shaduppâ, came a retort from our corner.
As the dust began to settle, a figure came into view. Like a vision from the Domeqc port adverts, dressed in a full length black cape, stood Placido Domingo. He quickly went to see our lady, dropped to one knee and carefully took her hand in his. He gently kissed it and caressed it, and as the Orchestra of La Scala, Milan (now how did they get here) played, he gently sang the aria, Che Gelida Manina from La Boheme. What a magical moment, obviously not for Fifi. As the aria finished she was seen frantically waving her free hand screaming, âWhat about the other one, what about the other oneâ? Luckily the back door had already been ripped off of its hinges, as appearing from the gloom came, Luciano Pavarotti. He quickly approached, knelt humbly and as he took her hand, history was made as the two Maestros once again sang the aria as a duet. As the last chords were fading, glasses trembled on the shelves, âRight thatâs OK now boys, youâre dismissed. Letâs have some bl**dy musicâ.
Her first song was amazing. âTiptoe through the Tulipsâ sung in the high falsetto voice of Tiny Tim. We hardly had time to recover before we heard âDo you hang your Christmas Stocking on the Wallâ as she barrelled into Sladeâs âMerry Xmas Everybodyâ. This could have been Noddy Holder in person, and at the end of the song as she screamed, âIts Christmaaaaasâ, the ceiling fell in.
Her introduction to the next song was novel, to say the least. âThis ones traditional, SO BL**DY WELL SING ALONGâ. Who were we but her humble servants, we did as instructed.
The Babe was in the Man,
The Man was on the Girl,
The Girl was on the Bed,
The Bed was on the Feather,
The Feather was on the Wing,(running out of breath)
The Wing was on the Bird,
The Bird was in the Egg,
The Egg was in the Nest,
The Nest was on the Leaf,
The Leaf was on the Twig,
The Twig was on the Branch,
The Branch was on the Limb,(now turning blue)
The Limb was on the Tree,
The Tree was in the Bog,
The Bog was down in the Valley OH (unconscious)
Just back from my Jam Tarts gig. Thankfully the press photographer turned up long before Jan and I had wriggled and shovelled ourselves into our skimpies!
I won a fondue set in the raffle. Anyone got some alternative recipes for using it? I don't have a sweet enough tooth for chocolate and SO can't have too much cheese without getting heartburn.
And now it's time to put the recycling out for tomorrow, while he does the rest of the rubbish.
Please be aware, Bill n Ben has used his artistic licence to the limit in his description. He got the bit right about me being female.... but the rest, however delightful, is as fictitious as a made-up story full of lies, as told by a lying liar.
I can't wait to find out what happened once we got to the bar, and I invented Fifi's Patent Hands-Warmer....!
Fifi ;oD
You've gotta give me points for my range: from the deepest voice in creation to Tiny Tim!
I'm starting to worry that some new froggers may think this actually happened...!
There is a photo of the hand-warming. I'll send it round tomorrow to anyone silly enough to request it via email or the website.
Go, Bill n Ben, go!
Fifi
Dear Bill'n'Ben - you mean she GAVE you the cue and your didn't launch into Che gelida manina? Shame on you!
Fifi,
You wrote,
I'm starting to worry that some new froggers may think this actually happened...!
What do you mean, it did happen, just as I reported it. On your own admission you have photographic proof.
The froggers will get the impression that I tell fibby poos.
Brian x
Fifi has made my night!
Fifi,
I told you I had a lack of brain cells, because I forgot to add this.
If you e-mail the 'photos, I'll send them to Eddie, we may as well go down in history.
Thank you for the e-mail yesterday, I'm currently trying to put an answer together. It's going to be long, probably very confused, and if the other froggers don't mind not really suitable for the frog.
Brian x
That's fine BnB, you email away. Regular froggers know I am always happy to go off-lilypad.
And it's true, things did go 'sort of' how you described. Although I think you've been rather over-complimentary about my appearance. Strapping, I may be. Amazonian? I think not... if only.
My best mate IS actually married to a 6-foot lady Goth. Other than her girly-girly voice, you have HER down to a T!
Will download pickies tomorrow when the laptop's gone back up to the office after the weekiend, and also send a copy to Jonnie for the 'real' website.
May also be able to lay my hands on a not very good pic of the Jam Tarts today in full regalia. Now THAT is SCARY!!!
Fifi ;o)
B'n'B - curiouser and curiouser?
Glad the Kir Royales went down well - there was obviously enough cava to go round quite a few of us! Plenty Creme de Cassis left for next time.
I did enjoy the apostrophe game, through they tended to get a bit confused with seaweed towards the end Frances.
Day and A half away from a pc. And look what happens!! Pub set up, an early beach and a fantastic tall tale from BillnBen. I'm sure some truth in there somewhere. The Brow seems to have been busy since it was opened. I'll have to look in later.
Stewart M - good, you found the new Beach! Pull up a lilo and let's see if we can't do some damage to the Red Stump I've brought (you do like red wine don't you?).
The camels have been practising their drumming skills on my bodhran while I was out singing for my dindins today, so we might try for a little singsong later, if anyone is up to it.
Aunt Dahlia - congrats on another fine strapline, by the way!
Fifi xx
Oh, and helpfully Bill n Ben has provided a songsheet for the Rattlin' Bog. More or less anyway. I've still got a bag of tambourines, drums etc which I took to the Jam Tarts gig ... so even those with a tin ear can still join in the racket-making
Mrs Trellis, are you there? I've brought my 100w amp so if you bring your guitar...
And Aperitif sweetie, where are you? It would be gorgeous if you would be kind enough to drop by for a little while and lend us your tonsils. I hope you're feeling lots better by now. We do miss you, tha noze.
Annasee, I think we can do an arrangement for harp if you're prepared to be open minded about the sort of music you play! Fancy a go?
Fifi
Fifi, where did you get your bodhran? There are bodhran makers up here and I wondered if that was where you got yours.
Red preferred over White unless its champagne. Though there is a good sparkling Red Shiraz that the Aussies do.
Chateau Musar (we never did find out what the harvest was like from this), E&E Black Pepper Shiraz. Normal i.e. ÂŁ5-8 stuff. Even the occasional cheap stuff. We had a bottle (well there is some left) of ÂŁ3.00 Shiraz last night. Usually used for cooking with but as we had a curry last night there was no point in opening decent stuff. Plus I'd aready had three G&T's (with lime) whilst cooking. hic :-)
We felt the bottle of E&E we had at new year was past its best so I shall leave one of the remaing ones on the bar.
Oh and I drink Ale also. For your info Keighley & Worth Valley Railway have an annual beer festival. Steam Trains, Folk singers, Morris dancers. I sing badly, can't do morris (though know a few who do) Still enjoy the ale and the trains though.
Annie - my bodhran is on permanent loan from my fellow Jam Tart; not sure where she got it though.
Stewart M - our tastes coincide, although I have given up beer in the last few years because it's soooo fattening. Still, there will always be special occasions....!
There's a tiny bit of home made salsa left here, and some sour cream. If anyone has half a bag of tortilla chips we're laughing.
Mrs Trellis, your department I believe.....?
Fifi xx
Aha,
A sing song, this could bring back more memories.
Well, I've got another barrel of ESB, I'll just poor one and then we'll go for it.
Wooo Hooo
Hello everyone! I was drawn down to the beach by the exotic music emanating from the sands, and what an amazing sight! I've never seen a camel playing the drums in fishnets before!
Maybe I've drunk more Port than I thought.....
Gossipmistress: Can you imagine how hard it was to get those drums into the fishnets in the first place?
Ooops, I've just put my back out doing the limbo under that baby camel!
No need for falling down juice tonight, then ....
I love beaches it is nice place for recreation and fitness, I sneak a look and capture in my camera the habitat for numerous rare plants, invertebrates & mammals.
Watch out chaps! I-spy a lurker at (29)!
Si.
Ooh 'eck! another strapline! *blushes with pride* Although I think I've had the honour of this one before. Maybe this is something NBP can look into. In case he wants another strapline to put in its' place, can I suggest:
"We asked a minister for an interview - you know the rest"
Jason (27) Fifi's stockings were too small so they used real fish nets....
Hello all. Thank you for all your previous comments to me about disappearing/alternative lifestyles etc. I am still trying to put a few things together (baby steps...) for a strategy. I'll tell you how it goes.
It's lovely on the beach today isn't it? Warm, but windy and I'm just going to put the wet-suit on and swim with that school* of dolphins over there.
*is it a school? As they are big mammals, shouldn't it be a university or community college?
Hm. Not sure how the Lord Mair's weekend went (what with being emboldened, and going to partees), but I note he's dropping his sentences .... As he will probably withdraw and rectify, I'll post here what I currently read on my screen from him:
This is nothing to do with anything really
Eddie Mair 15 Jan 07, 10:10 AM
but your new blogmeister, Marc with a c, was having a partee at his lovely home yesterday, to celebrate his birthday. I wouldn't normally mention this kind of thing, but in the space of one minute I met two couples there who both met each other through speed dating. I had never met
This greatly annoyed someone else there. She's been looking for the ideal man through internet dating but says they're all drips.
Permalink Comments
Now, I'm commenting here because (how unsual!) the comments button isn't yet working on that thread, and also because I'm wondering if the Frog Prince might need a birthday cake from us? I'll set up the cooker and bake a nice carrot cake for him as my contribution. I'm sure other froggers will follow suit.
Belinda: More like an Academy on a Blairday. Or might it be the Goldolphin School, perhaps?
Advertising link alert at 29!
Si, can you write a lovely intro for the Furrowed Brow too? I am sure you are busy but this intro is sooo good. I feel the Brow should open on a Friday, it feels like an end of the week & kicking off shoes kind of place, just as a new beach is a fine start to a week?
Speaking as an invertebrate, I'm not sure I approve of someone taking pictures on the Beach without permission.
It's unconstitutional -- isn't it?
;o)
Fifi
Helen: Just to start the ball rolling ....
"The Furrowed Brow/Borrowed Frau
The best pub on the Web and the place where froggers kick off their workaday shoes, debate and chat about issues of interest and/or relevance to them. The place to share serious conversation with old and new friends over a relaxing quaff. Brawls are strongly discouraged: differing opinions will be respected, just as long as they are lawful and not inflammatory.
Whatever your tipple, feel free to join us here."
Over to other froggers ....
Yes, come on Si, you can do it, get that brow furrowed and let us have another intro?
Sparkles / Val P.;
I take up the challenge!
BigSis;
If you don't mind I'll take your suggestion as a starting point?
I didn't bother posting to the 'Brow' yet. Topics didn't light my fire on this first edition. Better have a graze at it and get a better feel for what's going on there.
Following up on a comment last week. A question for all Froggers to treat either seriously or in as silly a fashion as they wish;
Which five songs/tunes/pieces of music would you have to have on your own private beach? We'll come to the essential item(s) next week. And maybe develop it from there onwards.
Si.
I know this is going to sound a bit odd but I am having trouble popping into the Furrowed Brow because of the name. I know that it is silly but whenever I hear/see the name I cannot help but think of Sergei Esenin. He was a Russian poet who committed suicide. His note read:
Goodbye, my friend, goodbye
My love, you are in my heart.
It was preordained we should part
And be reunited by and by.
Goodbye: no handshake to endure.
Let's have no sadness -- furrowed brow.
There's nothing new in dying now
Though living is no newer.
Written in his own blood, and given to a friend the day before he hanged himself.
~~ Sergei Esenin, Russian poet, d. Dec. 28, 1925
I love those lines and yet they fill me with an immense sorrow and can leave me feeling melancholy for hours.
I know, I know, get a life!
Eddie-
Nice new beachguide -is it not for meeeeeee any more?
I'm bereft !
Think I'll go now and read about speed dating..
Mollyxx
Si: Of course I don't mind. Could this be the first bit of joined up frogging?
Five pieces of music, eh? Too difficult for me. I'd want something like 500 ...... So that's me off the desert island.
Oh -- in that case, we do need to re-name the Bar. Can't have Mrs Trellis drooping around outside with a soggy hanky, can we!
I would like it to be gender-vague, hence not jumping immediately at the Burrowed Frow suggested by Jason. Brilliant idea though, and if others go for it I will go along.
All the best innkeeping puns have already gone, of course, such as 'Welcome Inn'.
How about:
- Frog and Lilypad (already suggested)
- Frogs Porn Bar (as non-PC as I dare!)
- Thinking Allowed (also suggested already)
- The Thinking Den
- Eddie's Armchair
- Round the Fireside
... amazing what a bit of chicken soup does to the brain, isn't it!
Fifi
Mrs Trellis-
having read your posting,I wish I hadn,t posted my previous trite contribution.
Sorry Eddie-i feel better now..
It,s a lovely day-I,ve left a Lemon Drizzle cake-help yourselves!
Mollyxx
Mrs. T: How do you feel about Borrowed Frau's? Do they also fill you with gloom and despondency?
Okay, now my 31 looks silly, but I swear it was one of my suggestions before I popped out of the office three hours ago...
Nope, I'm all for Borrowed Frau's!
Gossipmistress (32): And I didn't even know that fish played football...
(And if you omit the last S in your name as I did when I first typed, your name becomes quite Parisien.)
1. The Stripper - makes me laugh and want to dance at the same time. It has never tempted me to take off my clothes but then I've only ever heard it sober...
2. Carmina Burana - classical music with a robust sense of humour. And you can sing along, even if you don't do Latin and have to make up your own words.
3. Todora (those amazing wailing women of Bulgaria) - powerful stuff, unusual harmonies, and it conjures up a mountainous landscape like nothing else.
4. Complainte pour Ste Catherine (Kate & Anna McGarrigle) - have loved this ever since I found it in SO-to-be's tape collection.
5. Ready an' Willing (Whitesnake) - because there will always be a part of me that's pure rock chick. Head-banging optional.
Those are my 5 pieces of music. Do I get a prize, or an extra throw or something?
Fifi
Marc's birthday carrot cake has now cooled sufficiently for you all to help yourselves. And, inspired by Eddie's thread, I've also baked a very fast date and walnut cake.
Enjoy!
The Barroom Sprawl
Fifi
How about:
Think or Sink
Brain Drain
Mellow Yellow
Mollyxx
ps-pass the chicken soup.....!
Mrs T - if you could find the exact Russian words I could probably supply an alternative translation, bearing in mind that translating poetry is a nightmare. I strongly suspect that the translation that you have is rather free considering that it rhymes and scans so well. Would that help? I have sort of got used to the Furrowed Brow now and like it. Although I could go with the Frog and Lilypad. OR we could test the mettle of the NBP and ask him to name it.
Fearless I love your alternative strapline suggestion - I do hope they use it one day.
Anyone else hear Sequin's Debut on the Westminster Hour yesterday?
And can anyone tell me why presenters on the Today program shout so loudly at people. I thought it was just John Humphreys but Naughtie was at it this morning. I wouldn't mind them losing it slightly and raising their voices as a dificult interview went on, but they go in shouting, which isn't the best way to treat people first thing in the morning.
Big Sis you reminded me of my daughter's favourite joke.
"What's the fastest cake? Scone."
Thank you all for your concern over my problem with the name but it is of no importance. I will pop in occasionally I simply felt like mentioning the reference and the way it can stir up such a strange mix of feelings.
Mrs T, that's so moving, now I'll be sighing all afternoon.
Re the FB - what does Marc have to suggest? Has he recovered from his partee enough to put his thinking cap on? Hmm - The Thinking Cap, Thinking Tap?
Keep going, keep going .. I'm getting all these name ideas down safely .. we're up to 13 already!
Fifi
Admin Annie (54),
(Sequin) Yes. And a good start, I thought.
Hello All - scrummy cakes are here already, I see, but I've brought along a sponge birthday cake for Marc filled with lots of jam and fresh whipped cream and with nice soft icing on top and his name in Smarties. I didn't put candles on it because I didn't know if I'd got enough (!) and anyway it's warm enough down here already.
Oh, and there's chilled champers to celebrate at Nick's Waterfront Bar.
I was going to suggest calling our new bar "Marc's Bar" in honour of our new Blog Prince, and then I thought of "The Jolly Frogger".
5 bits of music, eh? Impossible, I reckon. Once I got past Samuel Barber, Albinoni, Rutter's Requiem, the Allegri Miserere ... I am in such floods of tears ... all quite unsuitable for a beach birthday party!
Jason (50) ... not for Le Football... but nets for twitching in order that they might gossip
La Mademoiselle Gossipmistre!x
Fifi (51);
Hmmm, not so easy is it?
Here's a representative five, rather than an absolute all-time favourites list then, and in no particular order;
Equinoxe - Jean-Michel Jarre, surely his finest moment. Cheating a bit, 'cause the entire album and all the parts are called Equinoxe, so I didn't have to choose.
Suite:Judy Blue Eyes - Crosby, Stills & Nash. Who can remember seeing this on the film of the first Woodstock festival? Evocative of an entire era of peace & love.
In the Cage (Live) - Genesis. Prog rock at it's finest. Complex and challenging, but powerful.
La Villa Strangiato - Rush. An instrumental showcasing the many talents of this three-piece hard rock outfit from Toronto. One of the world's biggest selling bands of all-time. And their guitarist Alex Lifeson at his finest, setting his nightmares to music.
and either the Adagio for Strings by Barber
or The Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams. Flip a coin. Two of the outstanding pieces of classical music ever.
Si.
I recall some lovely onion soup receipes recently and some comments that it could be too thin to be filling. For those poor undernourished souls try this quick alternative, invented today to use up yesterday's leftover roast squash.
Take lots of onions and chop very finely, sweat, covered, in about 30 gms butter for at least half an hour on a low heat, add a couple of teaspoons of muscovado sugar and still well. Take a quantity of roast squash or pumpkin and scrape it out of its skin. Liquidise with water or stock, heat and add to the onions. Add additional liquid and seasoning to taste.
Fifi, you get a prize for being first to post your 5. It'll take me about * years, I'm hopeless at making lists.
Your prize is, the first slice of birthday cake, Marc you don't mind do you?
Jonnie, if you're still around, all the best to you and Simon for a lovely holiday. We'll look forward to the photos - of the beach at the very least.
xx
Anne.
The Jolly Frogger ... I'll add that to the list. It's coming along nicely now. Well done everybody, keep them coming.
I've just come back from a very cold walk with Max. There is what my Grandad used to call a 'lazy wind'. The kind that doesn't blow around you, it cuts right through!
So, a paddle in the rock pools back here on the Beach will warm me up nicely (in the absence of either Placido or Luciano!) before I plunge into the 2nd report of the day.
Pass that champagne will you Gossipmistress? And that really BIG glass...
That's better. ;o)
Fifi
Oh - exciting news - and expect many, much more comfortably produced posts from this frogger! My Christmas present from SO has finally arrived, the van having blown down the drive and got into a fankle with the dustbin lid at the bottom.
It's a Posture Chair!! Does this mean he's given in and would rather see me slumped correctively at the PC than slumped uncomfortably? It's wonderful, and you'll know me at the First Froggers' Convention, cos I'll be the one with the superb posture...
Eeek, ooh, note to self though, remember to remove knee length boots before sitting down at pc, otherwise there's a kind of delayed pain in the shin once I stand up, and I fall over.
All,
Thanks for all the various bits of cake (btw, Happy Birthday Marc!) and soups. I'm feeling somewhat recovered but still in need of a nice liedown in that sunlounger over there. Catch y'all later.
zzzz
Without any juice, Valery P (69)?
Now it's 4 pm and I still have no newsletter. Has it died again, do you think? Or are all the PM team going to just too many partees?!
So we are renaming The Borrowed Frown already?
If it is to be the scene of ongoing discussion and endless debate, I would like us to consider calling it "The Endless Debat"
Valery (68, 69). Is that one of those Chairs you kneel on? I used to have one and found myself sitting on my Honkers. i.e feet on the bit where your knees go and bum on bum bit.
So much for improved posture but if your legs bend really comfy!
Off to Chiropractor tomorrow ;-)
If its on wheels you won't get round the beach on it . The sand is too soft today.
Val, where do you get knee-length boots? Because of my wrongly-proportioned kind of tallness, they only ever make it halfway up my shins.
Low heels are also hard to find in a knee length boot.
* awaits the inevitable smart comments from froggers on the wording of THAT ! *
Latest bar name suggestions duly noted.
Oh, and I can report that Jonnie is absolutely GORGEOUS!!! (His SO's not half bad either...)
Fifi xx
My five songs for my own private beach (and these would change with the wind, I'm afraid). Counting down in reverse order in the time honoured way...
5. Underneath it all by No Doubt.
Reminds me of youth. Has a truly great lyric in the middle for those who have ever really loved: "You give me the most gorgeous sleep that I've ever had."
4. Many rivers to cross Jimmy Cliff
A hard choice from a lot of fantastic reggae and ska music. This one just beats Bob Marley because of the way it makes my neck hair stand on end.
3. Don't look back in anger by Oasis
Narrowly beats "Live forever" and "Half the world away". Sadness, joy, hope and despair all expressed to a solid wall of sound.
2. I wanna be the only one by Eternal
"Our song". Played at our wedding. Always reminds me of SO.
1. The man with the child in his eyes by Kate Bush.
Probably my favorite song ever, and the song I want at my funeral.
It's impossible to pick, really. So much music with meaning for me that 50 wouldn't be enough.
RJD - Endless Debat, really?
Stewart M - yup, that's the one. So far, so good with the posture, ask me in a while..
ah - thanks for that, I've just delved to the bottom of the box and found a package with the wheels in, I forgot it would need those!
Sara - no juice, yet.
Fifi - ah, that's easy, I'm only 5 ft tall! Where did you find Jonnie though, shouldn't he be packing?
Jason G - going to be re-visiting a few of those, ta.
Valery P ... ah, that would explain it. Shame though ... I could quite fancy strutting about in a pair of knee length or even thigh length boots, if I could only find any!
Jonnie treated me to a photo this morning, in return for the selection I'd sent him from the Froggers' Tryst.
And then returned to his packing. Bon voyage, le Cransley Deux!
Fifi xxx
I shall refrain from observing that "it is always better to find low heels outside a knee length boot" as I'd hate to play into Fifi's trap.
Don't forget the trial of Tony Blair on More4 about 10pm tonight.
I am definitely going to start roasting that chicken now. So, while I do that, here is the current list of suggestions for re-naming the FB ... arranged into some sort of order so your dear froggy brains don't start bleeding!
- Borrowed Frau
- Furry Burrow
- The Borrowed Furrow
- The Borrowed Frown
- Thinking Cap
- Thinking Tap
- Thinking Cup
- Think or Sink
- The Jolly Frogger
- Frog and Lilypad
- Frogs Porn Bar
- Mairs and Stallions
- Brain Drain
- Mellow Yellow
- Thinking Allowed
- The Thinking Den
- Eddie's Armchair
- Round the Fireside
- The Bar Room Sprawl
- The Endless Debat (sic)
Perhaps we should have one per week, so we can tell when it's a new Bar? This would also be helpful to the Beach renewal process, I think!
Anyway, I am still happy to accept any more ideas you may have. Go for it!
Fifi xxx
My five favourite songs/pieces of music. WOW that's a toughie. After long deliberation I have chosen the following:
Number 1 of all time (for now):
Vivaldi Nulla in Mundo Pax Sincera. Pref Soprano - Jane Edwards
2: Bach Goldburg variations (the whole lot!)
3: Verdi's Requiem. Libera Me
4: Saint-Sanes. The Swan from The Carnival of the Animals.
5: Bellini. Casta Diva (MUST be sung by Maria Callas.
oh Mrs T - not Callas. Mirella Freni, surely?
Valery P
This blog must be frequented by incredibly polite people. I can't think of many other places where you would have got away with your (36) without someone asking "Well, how do you reconcile being a fan of football with supporting Hearts? (. .. sneaks off with hands protecting his head . . )
Re Boots. There was that film last year "kinky Boots" Based on an english shoe manufacturer. I've not seen it but the premise was expanding into the transvestite market. ANd that was a wonderful few minutes on "Just A minute" on Sunday.
Just if fifi is tall and not suited to ladies boots for ladies, perhaps looking at the ladies boots for gents market will get her what she wants :-)
RJD admits that he is a wally.
My last posting should have been on the "This is nothing to do with anything really" thread.
Fifi (79) 'Mairs & Stallions' was really a suggestion for a dating thread - or is there a suggestion that the Furrowed Brow might be used for speed dating in the evenings...?!1
Ooh err, 5 favourite pieces of music - very difficult as these would probably change weekly!
1. Britten's War Requiem (especially the stonking
Dies Ire)
2. Purcell - Funeral sentences for Queen Mary
3. Howells - 'St Pauls' Mag & Nunc
4. Mahler's beautiful 3rd Symphony
and for a bit of light relief,
5. Either Cesario Evora 'Pic nic na salamansa'
or Kirsty Macoll 'There's a guy works down
the chip shop swear's he's Elvis', can't decide!
Gossipmistress: Kirsty Macoll gets my vote as that would mean there's one tune other than my choices that I have actually heard of...
By the time I finish my list, you froggers will be off onto another jaunt!
Anyway,does anyone know the name of the cello piece 'played' by Alan Rickman in 'Truly,Madly,Deeply'?
Please help as it's haunting me and I must have....
Mollyxx
RJD - double ouch. I can't believe you said that even once, never mind twice! I thought we were all nice to each other on the Beach?
I'm off for a swim to cool off.
Molly, I don't know if this is right but the music for Truly Madly Deeply was composed by Barrington Phelong (the guy who wrote the lovely theme for Inspector Morse). I have done a web search and cannot tell if that particular tune is written by him, but chances are it was.
Hope that helps you track down the tune, or maybe you could see if Amazon or Play.com sell the DVD or video, then you could have your own copy!
Mary
5 songs huh? I can't really.... As per everyone else - impossible. erm, in random order then, best 5 songs I see as I scroll through my list:
Te Deum - Arvo Part
Vokuro - Bjork
An Ending (Ascent) - Brian Eno
Gimme Dat Harp Boy - Captain Beefheart
hold on.... I'm only up to "B" in me iRadiogram.... hmm..... I don't think I can do this so I'll choose another random pick..
Cat People - David Bowie (its a good song but it also reminds me of Natassia Kinski and.... oh... ohhhh...
[ahem]
Fifi,
How about calling it "The * as a Newt"?
* c'mon, you're the one who does the rhyming slang...
:ÂŹ)
Molly (87) I looked up the cello music from Truly Madly Deeply - I knew it was JS Bach but as far as I can see it is the Cello Sonata in G minor BWV1029. Beautiful isn't it?
Jason (86) I've heard of 4 of yours! Do I win a prize?
(Kate Bush's Babooshka would be on my subsiduary list if I could sneak it onto the beach, hidden in a consignment of Veuve Clicquot...)
Talking of champagne - Fifi - here is your treally HUGE glass of champagne - only 9 hours late! I had the glasses in the freezer so they're steamy cold!
Cheers!!!
GMx
Just a quickie to say we are packed and being picked up at 5AM destined for Sri Lanka.
I've stowed away the laptop just in case I can connect but I doubt it.
Sorry that the www.pmblog.co.uk has Ed's old newsletter stashed on it but there you go -- I haven't got time to do anything about it now as passing on instructions about the Hotel and more importantly the cats and dog was more pressing than I first envisaged.
Ed I -- I did manage to stick the 2nd movement of Goreski up on the pm blog beach for you and others.
Hope you all have a lovely time and I shall miss you.
Jonnie xx
Whisht, are you and Aperitif reading my mind? I've just left a message for you both on your fl*krs. Now I'm really freaked out. How did you both turn up out of the blue just as I was doing that? Eeeek.
Valery P - I've already apologised on the correct thread.
Right Off to bed,
And thanks Anne P for your good wishes.
I'll be so looking forward to drinking a toast to you all!
First time away in 18 Months, but still love this beach the best.
Gossipmistress: I am now intrigued - which one hadn't you heard of?
Jonnie and Simon: Have a wonderful time in Sri Lanka. Watch out for all those tigers...
Re names for the Pub:
Of course, if we rename it regularly, we could regard it as a Pub Crawl (or hop), couldn't we?
RJD - and it would have hurt you how much, exactly, to apologise twice??
Just teasing, of course, but as you can imagine I am very sensitive about them this season (if you follow these things). Didya look at the link though, didya? I love the noise the pages make as they turn over! Whoo-omph!
How about "Eddie's Drop Inn Centre?"
Val
I was more than impressed by the magazine. How often is that produced? Are you a regular at the matches and if so how did you treat Mr Presley at the weekend?
It's good eh? We produce the newspaper every week (the best pound you can spend at the newsagent!), but the digi version was a one-off at Christmas. We were using the technology we already use to produce digi-mags for others eg Setanta's Viewing guide.
My guys are the best - superb graphics, journalism and attention to detail, I'm sure you'll agree.
As to Sunday's match - no I wasn't there, sadly. I listened instead. I would have applauded Elvis and been genuinely pleased to see him play again. The guy has professional printed all the way through his bones. It stuck in my throat a bit that Celtic were point scoring (in more ways than one!) by making him Captain. C'est la vie however. Onward and upward, life moves on, etc, etc.
Jason (96) it's no. 5 Underneath it all by No Doubt - never'eardov'em! Or the song. Should I have done?
I think I've been a bit greedy really because I've got about 5 hours of music in mine and you've got about 15mins.. unless No 5 is several hours long?
Gossipmistress: Ahh, fair enough. They had a bigger hit called Don't Speak and are fronted by a blonde called Gwen Stefani who also does some solo stuff (including a fashion range, apparently). Alas it is not several hours long (unless artificially enhanced with the Repeat button).
I imagine the discrepancy in musical duration is a metaphor for many of the differences between men and women. Or something.
The wind appears to have changed so I now have my second five tracks:
5. Good Vibrations by The Beach Boys
Given my surname, not difficult to fathom some of the appeal. Surfin' USA only pipped by the name, but probably better beach music.
4. Let love speak up itself by The Beautiful South
A truly beautiful, moving song that always manages to make me cry. If I could ever write something like this I would be a very satisfied person.
3. The Beach by All Saints
Firghteningly apt but also a lovely song. And nothing at all to do with the sexual overtones of some of the lyrics.
2. Maggie May by Rod Stewart
Viewed from too young an age, this left me longing to be inside the story it painted. And a reminder that I shouldn't be sat here on the sand.
1. Roam by The B52s
I find the female voices in this haunting and uplifting all at once. "Around the world the trip begins with a kiss."
Favourite music - great lists! Like Kate Bush choices.
Have just had a complete rethink and my new list goes:
1. Have you met Miss Jones (sung by my daughter)
2. Gabriel's Oboe
3. Wind beneath my wings (sung by my daughter. Sorry it's so naff but she sang it for her dad at his birthday party)
4. Everything Bach ever wrote
5. My funny Valentine (sung by my daughter to new husband at their wedding).
And now I'm just off to listen to them all again and weep quietly behind this sand dune. I will be some time as Bach wrote quite a lot.
"The Beach" clearly meaning "Pure Shores". Doh!
(And, no, I'm not suggesting a rename of this place!!)
Beach Strapline of the moment: "Sara's Beach - more Bach than a large tree."
I fank yew. I'll be here all week.
My favourite Kate Bush song is probably Running up that Hill. My favourite Beatles song is probably Fool on the Hill.
So if anyone knows a song about a running fool on a hill, then I will probably like that very much.
I find song/music choices very personal (obviously), and mine especially are mock-worthy so I will not humiliate by posting them here. Plus I would probably change the titles so I sounded cooler than I actually am, even if I have passed the point when anything I say could be considered noteworthy or interesting. So I'll keep quiet and read your choices instead.
Mary 89
Good idea-I've done that -from Play.com.
My list:
1.Bob Dylan-Blood in my eyes(makes my hair curl ...)
2.Bach Cantatas(all/any)-by Andreas Scholl
3.Abdullah Ibrahim-Voice of Africa, track 1-can't help bopping around to this-sad,really!
4.Georgia on my mind-Ray Charles
5.J.S.Bach-Cello sonata in G minor.(thanks to dear GM)
good this-can we play again?
what about films
next time--
Mollyxx
Mary 89
Good idea-I've done that -from Play.com.
My list:
1.Bob Dylan-Blood in my eyes(makes my hair curl ...)
2.Bach Cantatas(all/any)-by Andreas Scholl
3.Abdullah Ibrahim-Voice of Africa, track 1-can't help bopping around to this-sad,really!
4.Georgia on my mind-Ray Charles
5.J.S.Bach-Cello sonata in G minor.(thanks to dear GM)
good this-can we play again?
what about films
next time--
Mollyxx
I note that Kate Bush appears a couple of times in the lists so far produced.
I have a compilation album where she sings MnĂĄ na hĂireann (Women of Ireland) in Irish and it makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand - a simply stunning voice.
Belinda: inhibition is a sad thing. Throw off your covers and show us what you've got. In a manner of speaking...
Okay, my five pieces of music for perusal (and no doubt some slight ribbing as well) are in no particular order: