The Beach
Welcome to the Beach. For new visitors, here鈥檚 a quick guide provided for Molly by Simon Worrall.
Sometimes it is fairly quiet, but you can leave your footprints for others to find later on. Othertimes it is the home for a real party, with constant gossip, rumour, innuendo, chit-chat and so on.
There is no direct answer to your question about finding your way. 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.
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 and the evenings are balmy. It has a number of different locations; the Nick Clarke waterfront bar; the smokers corner; Fido's Run for the dog-walkers; and others.
Froggers often leave bottles / glasses of their favourite tipple on the bar for others to sample, not to mention big / small eats. For example last Thursday I left a bottle of Talisker and some crudites there, which were well received in some quarters.
There is a herd of camels who frequent the sands, which froggers are very fond of. Lately a bunch of reindeer have showed up from who-knows-where. 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. To answer another point you raise; we are ALL chums here.
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.
And by the way, if you are interested the froggers have also created their own site at https://www.pmblog.co.uk/ .
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Now thats nice!
Lovely clear beach, not a soul in sight
All the loungers free and a well stocked fridge!
Perfect day!
Wonder when the Frogs arrive?
Where is everybody? I realise that all the fun and banter starts long after I
can stay awake but surely there is someone to talk to?
Never mind-the water is warm and I can keep looking for Weed.
LadyPen-you are a tease.....
Molly
p.s.I'd be really cross if someone said they were me(or should it be " I"?) Not that it matters really-content better than form on the blog,I feel..
Hey Eddie. The beach is great!
Your'e up early? I say, how the devil goes it this morn. ? How was the period we call the weekend ? Did it serve it鈥檚 purpose or has it left you bereft of something or other ?
We had a massive mummy and food weekend, Heston鈥檚 twenty four hour steak, we did it ! And the catsup created from an eighteenth century recipe which involved extracting the juices of a kilo and a half of mushrooms overnight, we did that too !
The process involves placing the mushies in a thin pillow case, covering them in salt and hanging them over a bowl, dangling from an old bootlace tethered to a hole in a beam, after only a minute or two, it鈥檚 drip drip drip for the rest of the day.
The result is a ridiculously small amount of a dark brown, almost black liquid, saltier than the saltiest anchovy after he鈥檚 been for a night out on the salt with Harry Saltzman.
Cheers.
Morning Molly
Just me and thee than?
Weed
Hey, I've just noticed a picture of Mr. Knibbs and Lissa. How long has that been there? It's over to your right.
Aren't they lovely!
Gosh-didn't see you there Weeed--let's see what's left in t'fridge....
(hope my apostrophes look o.k....)
Molly
Morning Weed, morning Molly. I'm just brewing up some Lady Grey, do you fancy a cup?
Morning all! I can't stop here on the beach too long, as work beckons me back to January :( Still, I've brought some pasties for people to nibble on when they fancy, and the coffee machine is all set up. Enjoy!
Mrs Trellis--
How nice-thank you. Must make it a quick one though-am late for class as it is. But who cares-it's such a lovely day.
So nice ,this Earl Grey-do you have any biscuits- I hate to appear greedy.....
Mollyxx
It's definitely a new arrival (the picture) - as am I, on the beach at least!
Very good to feel the sun on my skin!
Hello everyone,
Start of another beautifully crappy day, isn't it?
Lissa, I hope that you have a good leaving-do planned!
Mmm, FF, pasties! Thanks, m'dear!
... Coffee ... Coffee ... Monday morning ... must ... have ... coff ... ee ...
...
..
.
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
:卢)
morning all! What lovely sunshine, and the sand's so warm. I'm going to kick off my flip flops and have a stroll along the beach. Might even find a piece of wood that thingy could turn into somethign beautiful.
Lissa's pic went up yesterday. She hasn't actually said when she's leaving yet has she.
Fearless I posted a comment to you on another thread yesterday and it never appeared - that's the first time that's ever happened to me and boy - is it annoying! It wasperpfectly harmless, just something about them not daring to show Marc what the blog was like in case he ran away screaming. OK it's not very funny NOW, and was only mildly amusing at the time, but who could have found anything offensive in it?
Belinda: What's the matter? I think you need to help yourself to something from the drinks chiller. Relax!
Morning all.
Welcome to the Beach, Jo. I'm sure you'll find yourself relaxing here very quickly ... it's a seductive sort of place, especially when you should really be doing something constructive back in deepest January!
Not being a turkey-for-Christmas sort of person (we had sizzling chicken fajitas instead!) I am on a real turkey-soup kick just now. I made a double quantity yesterday, using some boiled-ham stock, and then SO and I promptly demolished 2 bowls each of it in one sitting!
What's left is, I assure you, delicious. So if anyone can face anything with turkey in it, do help yourselves from the pot simmering on the barbecue.
All natural ingredients, and only a tiny bit spicy to banish the chill.
;o)
Fifi
Good morning,all. Great strapline Whist, had me chuckling. Can't face January yet, so came here first to get my strength up. Lovely photo Lissa...will you be allowed to say goodbye on-air I wonder so we have the voice to go with the face? Thanks for the pasties Fearless Fred, just the thing for elevenses.
Aunt Dahlia: Please don't EVER bring up meringues - so difficult to get out of the carpet!
Meringues: There is a shop in my home-town which sells gorgeous meringues the size of people's heads. Absolutely wonderful.
Big Sister (17): I suspect it's a case of Monday Morning in January blues. Something I also seem to have on Friday afternoons in July, oddly enough. ;-)
A question to pose to you all: Do you think it is possible in today's world in this country, to 'drop out' of society? Sort of like self-sufficiency but to go further and not appear on the radar of the government (this isn't simply about avoiding taxes or anything like that) or double-glazing salesmen at all? I have been talking about this with a few people but we haven't come up with anything concrete as yet.
I love the strapline!
Who chooses the strapline? I've always meant to ask....
Molly
I am going to be curbed maliciously here, but my picture is up on WOTW! Hurrah!
Belinda, which page is it?
Mine still haven't turned up
Weed
Hello Weed,
It is in Gallery 40 and number 43. Not very interesting at all, and horrible quality (rather like myself), but never mind, it is up there.
Thank you Lissa for all your efforts!
Hello all.
Finished the first part of the days work, so thought I'd chill out here for a moment or two.
I'll have one of those extra-large Fairtrade black americano's please. Thank you. Mmmmm, lovely. Nice, spicy coffee aroma, just the ticket.
I'll have a pasty if I may, one of Ron Dewdney's Dockyard Specials. Ron's a pasty maker in Plymouth. His D Special is made for sale in the NAAFI in Plymouth Naval Base. Less meat content, plenty of potato and onion (sauteed in butter) and quite peppery. Fantastic pastry crust. Delicious.
Had French Onion soup for supper on Saturday. Made to Delia's recipe, but substituting red wine for the white. Let it reduce a little to thicken it up and Bingo! My all-time favourite soup, with some of them fancy French bread cretin things thrown in and some grated Gruyere melted on top. Unbeatable.
There's some in the tureen on the bar, do help yourselves everybody. Don't let the camels near it or they'll be jet propelled for the rest of the day.......
Right, time to get back to January. :-(
Si.
Well done Belinda...worth waiting for isn't it? Is yours named or anonymous, like mine? My daughter did mine for me, on her phone, and she wasn't going to pay for a message as well as a photo!
Belinda (22),
My immediate reaction is that you could not 'disappear' in this country unless you did not want to own anything that has to be logged and tracked (property, car, gun etc); you did not want to be paid in anything other than cash; you did not want medical or dental services; you did not have children requiring education; you do not want protection from the anti-social actions of others etc etc.
Most of us need to rely on others for something - perhaps that's a crude definition of society. For me the real question now is whether the price we pay for this is too high in terms of loss of liberty.
Sorry - bit serious for the beach.
Belinda (22);
with great difficulty I fear, probably impossible. You'd need to pay cash for everything, no bank accounts, credit cards, etc. Live in a home where nobody knows you're there, no council tax, no telephone, no TV and so on. Avoid every single place where CCTV is installed, which means every single town and city, and every major road. No mobile, no passport. And that's just the tip of a big iceberg.
I recently read a book by an author called John Twelve-Hawks, called 'The Traveller'. He claims to live exactly like this. He calls it 'off the grid'. The book, incidentally is the first of a projected three and well worth a read.
Molly (23);
Until now Lissa has done the strapline thing. She posted a while back in mid-December that she'd fed all the ones for the entire month into their computer system, so it seems to be done well in advance and be fairly hands off....
Is that right Lissa?
Si.
Lovely photo Belinda....I take it you would normally be at work at 5pm? I'm listening to 成人快手7 right now......the programme about apostrophes...highly entertaining in a nerdish kind of way!
Mmm, French Onion Soup .... Now, I know I've made a point about hot soups on the Beach, but in this case I definitely make an exception. Heavy on the cheese, please! Simon, you are soooo clever!
Si-thanks for that-I just wondered.
I think I'll make the soup tonight-you make it sound so appetising! Just bought Delia's veggie book-quite good actually.
Bon appetit!
Molly
More on the value of the apostrophe:
RESIDENTS REFUSE TO BE PLACED IN RUBBISH CHUTE.
Belinda, Si and Ann P....it makes you wonder how some people do seem to vanish into thin air, such as those whose family members lose track of them. I suppose that comes down to a certain element of choice on the part of the ''escapee'' and a lack of resources provided for people trying to find them.....and of course civil liberties and the right to privacy must have an effect.
BigSis;
Flatterer! Double Gruyere for you then....
Molly;
If you're going to give it a whirl on the soup, Delia calls it 'Soupe a l'oignon gratinee'. The croutons are also in her book, home baked from a sliced french stick, some oil (nominally olive) and some crushed garlic.
SO was looking through the book trying to find the recipe for 'French Onion Soup', until we realised it had kept the french name instead. Recipe makes a nominal 6 bowls as a soup course. The way I eat the stuff, as a main course, it makes just enough for two..... We probably only have it two - three times a year, so it's a real treat.
Ooooh, stop it. You're getting me all hungrified!
I'm seriously contemplating a 'Fondue Sayoyarde' for supper. For those not in the know;
Mix together grated Gruyere and Emmental cheeses in proportions to suit your tastes. Add a dollop of white wine, a tot of brandy and some crushed garlic. Make lots of this and melt it in the fondue crockpot. Keep it bubbling over the flame gently, don't scorch the bottom through too-high a heat. Take a large amount of French bread and cut it into small chunks. Use your fondue fork to dip the bread cubes into the melted cheesey mixture, smother it and yaffle the lot.
Like I said, make plenty, it's very more-ish! A classic Alpine ski-resort dish.
Si. :-))
Si: Count me in on the fondue! Cheese is probably my biggest weakness (bar none) ... And fondue is BRILLIANT!
I'm debating now whether to change tonight's menu. And there was I, thinking of going on a diet.
Gillian (34) I think there is a difference between disappearing from your friends and family and disappearing altogether.
I believe if an adult disappears the police are allowed to check out use of National Insurance number to see if they are in employment, also probably bank account/credit cards. If these are legitimately in use then the person is presumed to be OK and just does not want to make contact. At least that was the case of a person I knew of some years ago.
But now it seems you are actually a non-person for some purposes if you are not on record - witness the case discussed on 'Money Box' last night of a lady who wanted to buy Premium Bonds. She did not drive or travel abroad so had no licence or passport and was therefore deemed not to be allowed to transact financial affairs due to recent anti-money laundering regs. Just hope she never wants to move house, rent property, get a mobile phone etc. etc.
And don't get me started on ID cards!
Yum.
Today, I love PM. Found my picture. Gallery 40 No 32. With a grammatically awful comment!!!
Soup sounds great, better than my boring January Salami and salad sandwich with the kids bought bread. I could not be bothered to set the Bread machine last night.
Warning: am about to Lower The Tone here, so those of you with a sensitive disposition might care to look away now (but it WAS funny, honest) . . .
The light fitting in our toilet broke when my son attempted to change the bulb in it the other day, so for the moment we have to either cross our legs and wait til daylight or use the facilities in the dark.
I went flying up there last night and (a) having failed to realise just how well brought up the crowd of gorgeous young men who seem to live here at the weekends (ie they don't just put the seat down, they put the LID down as well) and (b) being in a bit of a hurry (as well as in the dark), guess what I did?
Hm. Must find an electrician.
xx
LadyPen
Thanks,Anne P.I didn't know about the police checks you mentioned. I'm just musing again.....if you don't have a passport, wouldn't your birth certificate suffice? After all, you need to produce your birth certificte in order to get a passport.....
BigSis (36);
'Diet' is 'Die' with a 'T'.
Si.
Great beach. Lovely weather. Yummy food. Hello everyone.
Admin Annie at 15 - I think someone somewhere said Lizza would be leaving on Friday of this week - at least whoever it was (and it might have been Lissa herself) said that was when Marc takes over.
The camels are very frisky today, which reminds me that Fearless has TWO dates this week, I think he said. Do let us know how they go, Fearless. We love a bit of gossip down here, don't we Gossipmistress!
Ann P (37),
I don't have a current passport, and my driving licence is so old as to not have a photo on it. I had tremendous trouble hiring a car last year, simply as I had no current photo-ID. Not that I want ID cards, by the way.
That being the case, it seems that there will soon be an awful lot I could not do unless I get a photo-ID driving licence (why should I have to pay extra for that), or get a new passport, which I've always threatened to do just before they put the price up again...or this threatened interview that's supposed to be happening - or even ID cards at the same time (rant over).
Gillian (41), Birth certificate will certainly not surfice.
Why go abroad when we have the Beach?
Anyway, left some nice bread and pate on the bar for a (latish) lunch, everyone.
Hello everyone
Just to let you know that I have set up a big screen just behind those sand dunes for The Froggies Beach Film Club. I am asking for suggestions of films that will appeal to Froggies on the Beach before I pop down to the local video hire store to see if they have it in stock. I already have a copy of 鈥淭he Sand of Music鈥 but I hope that there are better ones than that!
H.
LadyPen (40)
Are you the same frogger that we used to confuse with another frogger called LadyPee?
I'm getting confused again.
Thanks to everyone for their comments about 'disappearing', and thank you Simon for the book tip. I'll check it out and see if what it says.
I think I am mostly interested in being in a situation where I am simply left alone by the wider world, if that makes sense. I suspect I would have much more enthusiasm for my life if I was directly responsible for my continuing survival and welfare rather than spending all my time to work for money to buy overpriced produce that I do not really need and lose 70% of my salary automatically on taxes and bills. Of course in order to live what is effectively a money-free lifestyle, you need a great deal of money behind you in order to out-right buy accommodation which you could alter to suit your needs.
I once bought a book on 'simple living' which was simply a collection of people's stories about giving up their high-stress lifestyles to live a more simple, quieter life. All of these people had previously been lawyers or doctors and started each of their stories with "Well during my previous life, I had managed to put 拢500,000 in the bank!" which isn't really ..erm..practical for the average person.
I could make my own meringues though, couldn't I?
Gillian (30) - Oh yes, I would normally just be running out of the office at 5pm, whilst grappling with my new MP3/radio thing so I can listen to PM. I always manage to miss the first 5 minutes though ...sorry, Eddie. It takes me nearly two hours to get home, so PM finishes around the same time that my FM reception conks out.
Belinda;
Sorry, didn't make it clear. The book is a novel, 1st of three. It's the author who lives the way you describe (although so does the protagonist of the book).
Si.
Belinda,
If you do find somewhere to disappear to (to which to disappear), you might be interested in doing a bit of , and make sure your new location has broadband, of course.
LadyP,
A shocking situation! The Electrician had better take care where he stands.
Vyle (33),
That's all very well, but does the apostrophe go before or after the S?
xx
ed
Monday January 08, 2007 at 13:57:21 GMT
Humph (45);
What else, "Carry On... Follow that Camel".
Si.
Si
PLEASE don't give me any more gorgeous ideas about food-I'm seriously thinking of soup AND fondou-would that be too greedy/silly?
There are, I know,many more important issues to thiink about,but I find the beach a haven for thinking about food-it does seem to spark a fair bit of discussion(goodee!)
Am out tonight so shall certainly tryy the soup tomorrow and report back....
Is any of yours left now? I may just......
Molly
Lady P: I had the same thing happen to me not long ago. My sympathies ...
RJD, don't tease her!
Humph: How about The Sheikh, or Sands of the Desert. Which puts me in mind of Johnny Depp, a possible contender for the Rudoph Valentino of the 21st Century Award? Other nominations always considered, of course!
Belinda: Sorry you're feeling so down. Sounds like the New Year Blues to me. I think a party is called for .....
Afternoon all!
Since I have caught a headache-earache-and-throwing-up-type bug, I won't hang around infecting everyone on the beach, but I thought it might be nice if I delivered this Magnus Magnusson Memorial four-seater black leather sunlounger with built-in drinks facilities on either arm.
Yes, it's built to hold bum, bum bum, bum, bar bar.
(He'll be missed.)
!
xx
ed
Sorry,Humph....and everyone else. Couldn't resist suggesting a film about the camels....The Humpback of Notre Dame. Ouch!
This is great. Now I can have my Cafe Latte Cold with Pi~na Colada without alcohol. Great Place. Heaven on Earth.
Try again!
!
mutter mutter mutter
LadyPen (40). At work, afew years ago we had a more intersting problem. The toilet light and extractor fan caused a power surge after about 30 seconds casuing the trip switch to blow (subjequently found to be due to a rodent Knawing the mains cable). The ladies whistled. As for myself, well I have to say that my aim is true ;-)
Low-rents of our ?
and shouldn't it be the Humphback?
xx
ed
Humph (45);
I'm sure everybody has already seen it but I wouldn't mind watching a classic again - "Beach Cassidy and the Sundance Kid"
Teehee RJD :-) (Or should that be teepee? Maybe not - that's a wigwam. Peehee, then.)
xx
LadyPen
..and I'd love to see the "Shoreshank Redemption"
I have built both tipis and wigwams, and I can assure y'all they ain't the same thing atall! A wigwam is from the Eastern Forests, and is closer to today's 'bender'th an to a tipi, which was mainly a Plains Indian type.
Ironically, the Plains Indians didn't build very big ones when their main draught animals were men and dogs, but, once the Europeand introduced horses, the tipis got bigger. Also, as soon as they could, the Indians were willing to exchange twice as many buffalo hides for enough cotton canvas to make a cover.
xx
ed
Monday January 08, 2007 at 15:31:59 GMT
(Hides make better blankets than canvas, though)
Humph (45)
Bring me the beach of Alfredo Garcia.
Sorry
Lady P -
A female friend who came to dinner last week here told a grim story of when she went for a job interview (at the same organisation where I also worked - and knowing how incompetent they were, I know it will be true!)
As she was waiting to be called, nature called, so she asked the receptionist the way to the loo. She was shown there, with an apology for the fact that the light wasn't working. It was an internal room, so no other light to assist. Somebody went off to locate a torch for her - to no avail. So some helpful soul (our rather useless boss, as it transpired) lent her his lighter. My poor friend had no option but to attempt to negotiate an unfamiliar loo with this crude tool, burning her fingers into the bargain.
Funnily enough, it occurred to me that he could have lent her his mobile phone. However, it would never have occurred to him.
Listing to the program on 成人快手working (15:45 today, Monday), the presenter made reference to the "Eddie Mair Screensaver". Anyone know anything about this?
Sis (64),
I hope she hadn't been indulging in too much hummous or sprouts, etc.!
xx
ed
Mrs T (64)
Shouldn't that be:
Bring me the beachhead of Alfredo Garcia?
H.
PS No appologies necessary.
Deepthought: We are of one mind (see the Fifi thread)
Deepthought (66) - perhaps that is his superhero name?
Hi all.. hope you are well
Dear Belinda - you do sound a bit down but I know how you feel. I have been feeling the same yearning for a while now - its a never ending battle. Hence our decision to move to France - hopefully to spend less money on a place double the size of what we have now and the chance to be a bit more self sufficient than this overpriced, materialistic, keep-up-with-the-jones'*society allows! (oh dear now I have started!). Its not just the fact that these tales always start with the squillions of pounds they have managed to save but they always seem to have some fabulous talent/skill/hobby that they then turn into a mult-million pound home industry!
(* how was my apostrophe?)
Oh and please stop referring to meringues - I have a great weakness for them. I bought a box of 4 cream meringues reduced in a well known supermarket starting with W and ending in trose the other day - fully intending to share them with the 3 other girls I sit near at work - and I took them home and them all myself.......more or less one after the other!!!
Anyway must dash - home time, can I have latte to go please for the journey?
Jason (69),
That's a thought:
Eddie Mair, Screensaver!
oooooooooo dear! court blues again. We turned up at 2 this afternoon as requested, waited until 2.45, were sent away to come back again at 3.45, waited until 4.30 and were then turned out because the case would not come on today after all.
Defence solicitor now says she will try and persude defendant that it's not worth calling us on the grounds that we are getting more fed up every time - although actually that's not true. I didn't mind so much today since a)we only wasted the afternoon and b) I didn't have 101 pre Christmas tasks awaiting me at home. So I will now have a nice cup of tea and a biscuit.
Fiona (71) : I know someone who's done it. She is the breadwinner (she's a patent attorney) and he is the homemaker. The kids are rapidly becoming bilingual and as a family they have a much improved quality of life.
Or so the Christmas Round Robin would have us believe!
Fifi ;o)
Annie,
When I was called up as a witness in Edinburgh some time ago, I was paid transport costs and 'loss of earnings', totalling 拢140 or so, as I remember. It happened twice. The first time the accused didn't show, and the second time, when he was in custody, he pled guilty, so no witnesses were needed.
Both times, there were quite a few witnesses sent home before lunchtime, from a number of cases.
Consider the cost to the public purse.
xx
ed
Monday January 08, 2007 at 18:05:03 GMT
Oh this is a great beach! So much to catch up on.
Firstly Onion Soup. I've delved into Delia's tome and found the recipe so that's on the menu for Saturday with some more of my chicken liver pate and maybe some fruit and cheese for afters.
Thanks for that Si.
Then there is the rumour of an Eddie Mair Screen saver, where can I get one!
Toilet stories, can I mention the fact that we have to use ours in the dark at night otherwise the extractor fan comes on and wakes whoever isn't using it up. Also the seat is broken.
Mary
madmary (76): was the seat broken as someone climbed up on it as they tried to turn off the extractor fan so it wouldn't wake someone else up but instead they ended up screaming with a broken ankle, water everywhere and woke up said someone else all the more?
Not that I have ever done that myself, you understand...
I think the tasks are lining up quite nicely for the new boy Marc now (are you listening Marc?), i.e.:
1. We need a nice Eddie Mair/ PM screensaver we can download, please, asap, since the frogs are getting restless at the mere mention of such a thing.
2. We'll send you our photos for the weekly beach, all you need to do is post a new one each week.
3. We need your photo in the photo gallery.
4.In your spare time, you're welcome to continue editing the programme occasionally.
Hope you enjoy your new responsibilities!
Jason, sadly no! I can't remember how the seat got broken, but I can't get the doughnut bit off the bowl, so we are condemned to a lidless toilet. The doughnut bit doesn't really fit either and slides which wouldn't cause a broken ankle but could cause untold damage if I chose to tell the untold.
Mary
I never imagined that my toilet disaster would stir up so many memories :-)
But BigSis (65): how would a mobile phone have helped?? Would she have called for an electrician? Taken a photo? Played soothing, stress-busting music? Conected to the internet? (Maybe I shouldn't ask . . .)
And I seriously LOVE Marymary's last para in 76 and Jason Good's 77. Apostrophe police, wherever you are, eat your heart's out . . . :-)
I used to be an English teacher. But (never start a sentence with one) firmly believe that creative use of language (as long as it gets the message across) is just such fun. And (never start a sentence with one of those, either) that's a sentence without a subject, I think. Also not allowed. As aren't sentences without verb's.
EDIgle - the teepee thing was sposed to be a joke, BTW. As I'm sure you were aware, you beast :-)
I had to pay a 拢15 parking fine today. Gr. I'd was 11 minutes late getting back to my car, ripped the tikkit off the windscreen, raged all the way home - only to discover when I got there and opened the cunningly designed tikkitything that, if I'd opened it on the spot and bought 拢5-worth of excess parking time before I left, I could have saved myself 拢10. (On the other hand, I could have realised that the meeting I was at was bound to last longer than the time scheduled for it and bought four hours in advance instead of three. Pfuff.)
You lot are so life-enhancing. I wish you all lived next door.
xx
LadyPen
Oh and PS . . .
Fifi (74) - don't some people just make you want to throw up?
xx
LadyPen
BTW EdIgle (49) - the yurts are AWEsome!!
Am tempted to go and knit myself one right now.
xx
LadyPen
Hello all,
Right would I be correct in assuming from all of the posts about disappearing earlier on, that I can't stay down here on the beach, in the real world, cos all those pains in the ar*e (is that the correct plural), back on the parallel universe in January can still get me. Oh how depressing.
I think I need a Liffey. ED!!!
Yes and even worse in our case Ed because the solicitor is coming up from Edinburgh by plane at public expense too.
****
And now a plea, to Annasee, plus anyone else who thinks they know a bit about classical music. My son and fiancee are planning a DIY wedding and one of the things they're looking for is music for Rachel to enter to - ie coming up the aisle music if it was a church wedding. Now son suggested part of Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance no 4, which is all very well but I can't help feeling if you're coming in to Big Music you need to be a bit statuesque. Sounds awful but do you know what I mean? She's only about 5'5 and thin - a lovely figure but Elgar's P & C is just too big for her. So any suggestions for alternative entry music for a little slip of a thing. Pachelbel's Canon already rejected on the grounds that it's now 'too common' and Clarke's Trumpet Tune on the grounds that we had it.
I wait with bated breath. No rush, it's 2008 before they expect to tie the knot but they're getting giddy with brochures and stuff - bless their little cotton socks.
fillums about beaches huh?
how's about:
Sands of Iwo Jima
Dune
Beaches
oh, sorry, it was a pun competition was it...?
how about:
Dr Muir Or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Beach
AA, (My brother's one of those)
"up" from Edinburgh? I hope you're not one of those who goes up south!
How about Claire de Lune?
xx
ed
Monday January 08, 2007 at 22:14:01 GMT
As a Lady, does anyone know how to pee in silence?
The old woman that lives below has a broomstick she strikes the ceiling with at the slightest sound.
Have tried running the taps first to no avial and even used a funnel to shorten the distance, also to no avail. Have tried not to let it bother me but that doesn't work and I REFUSE to buy a potty though she is driving me that way!
Am desperate for a solution.
Any suggestions?
Admin Annie - I'm furiously humming the tune my sister-in-law used two years ago, but it won't come to mind...ah, what a day, 3 telephone numbers have gone right out of my head, and my credit card has been declined twice ( before I even got to the number entering bit, I think there's something stuck on it, either that or it's worn out - like me). It may come back, in which case I'll pass it on in due course!
Not only all that, but I had to grapple with the optician because he wanted to strengthen my contact lenses (just on one eye) for distance, but then I'd have to wear my reading glasses more often, which is a no-no. Then he turned to my varifocals (which I wear when I don't have the lenses in) and agreed not to change the lenses in them either - but 'didn't I just fancy updating the frames'. The answer was 'No, I can't afford it', result, grumpy optician, but all it cost me was the unpleasant yellow-eyed effect to drive home with. Why was I telling you this? Can't remember, eek. Unless it was triggered by the thought that when I have to make a toilet trip during the night I don't have the lenses in, can't find the varifocals, don't switch the light on and invariably find myself navigating with my eyes closed. Now why's that I wonder?
Brian,
I find ears a useful anagram sometimes, but it doesn't respond to your plural question.
One ears, many pains, I guess.
here's your Liffey.
Cheers
ed
OOOH Ed - that was it! Claire de Lune! How spooky is that. I'd just done a big post (which has probably gone into limbo so this one won't make sense) and was about to shut down when I remembered that I'd also wanted to say to you how much we love that book - Tom and TD gave it to SO for his birthday last year. It's so inspiring.
Edinburgh to Orkney is up isn't it? Was, the last time I looked!
Carol,
Try being as noisy as possible! For sheer fun, drop ice cubes (or some other harmless objects) in the pan from a great height, one by one....plop, plop, plop,... blow loud raspberries. Give the poor dear some real entertainment
xx
ed
admin annie - is the wedding a civil service? So they won't have the option of an organ playing the music? If they're using a CD then the world is their oyster! As long as they get someone trustworthy to operate it, & make sure when she gets to the front it isn't switched OFF! like that, but tastefully faded out.
I think Baroque music is always nice - something a bit stately. Pachelbel excepted as it is so popular that even the registrars roll their eyes at the mention sometimes. Vivaldi? Marcello, Bach, Handel. Water Music? Fireworks music? There's a lovely Handel Chaconne (originally for harpsichord) which is one of the music samples on my website - I use it a lot for the bridal entry as it has variations which I can go through several times should there be a hold up in the proceedings (smallest bridesmaid throwing a strop & refusing to come in, 5 mins & a lot of Handel later... for example)
Or what about Scottish or Irish folk music? There are some absolutely haunting & glorious melodies around - it's just a matter of choosing something you like. When Rachel & I have done weddings together, we've had people choose "Mary Young & Fair" & "O'Carolan's Air" quite often - there's something so beautiful about the tunes. But there's such a wealth of glorious stuff out there there are probably dozens of pieces they would like.
If it is a civil ceremony, don't forget that quite often the actual time the music is on for is a minute or 2, maximum (unless the venue is huge), so it's not worth agonising over the choice for too long, or, worse, having a row about it!
I think you're quite right about P&C - save that for the Proms. A bit too heavyweight & grand for a family celebration, I would have thought.
I don't know if this is any help at all?
Ed as Val says Edinburgh to Orkney is indeed UP!
thanks for the musical suggestions and I will pas them on and they have ages to sort it out. It would help if either of them had any particular musical tastes but they don't and husband and I only really know stuff with words as we like our music to come with voices. I will nip off now to listen to the Chaconne Annasee and many many thanks - it is a help.
I'm sure it's going to be a lovely wedding but I suspect I will be monkey sick of it before it's done.
Ed, Thanks for the drink I needed that, but I may well have another.
Carol, How about complaining to the council about HER anti-social behaviour. On a more practical note, two or three sheets of tissue in first might help.
admin annie, I'm thinking Tchaikovsky, possibly from Symphony No 6 "Pathetique".
If I put up a tent to escape from them, will I see you all disappear in the distance as the weeks go by?
More black stuff I think.
Brian
AA, I do so apologise, as there was no intent to rudely interupt the civil ceremony.
You may like to try Bach B.W.V. 1056 that is 2.52 seconds long and about the right length for down the isle.
There is also some wonderful baroque harp around. Blackwells train their staff very well and they are usually more than qualified to help. Very best wishes on getting it right.
Cor I'm doing a lot of thinking tonight.
AA Another beautiful piece, The Intermezzo Sinfonico from Cavalleria Rusticana.
Brian
VAlery P above. My approach to your contact lens dilema is the one you chose. i.e. LEAVE WELL ALONE. If its working and are legal to drive and the lenses are not to put it techically knackered then leave. It does do your eyes good to have a new lens every once in a while (do you wear RGP's?) I trust it cost you at least an examination fee. The Optometrist has bills to pay also!!
You may have heard of 20/20 vision (6/6 is the metric and commonly used standard). Well you want 6/Happy vision.
Just made some cocoa. There is some left which can be sweetened with Vanilla or Irish Cream syrups or bog standard sugar. Help yourselves. What sort of bread do you want in the morning? I'm about to put the bread maker on.
I have a Pain de Champagne bread recipe but its too late to open the Champagne now.
Dearest Ed,
Thanks for that as had been feeling a little ashamed of having done exactly that along with a few days of simulating both frequency and the longest pee in the world with help of the kettle, rasberries and all. Alas, it made her worse.
I may have to get a bigger funnel or find some soothing chamber music.
Any suggestions?
AA,
Well that's allright, then. Sorry, but I just can't abide folk who go 'up to London', and I'd forgotten you were really 'up there'.
xx
ed
Theme from M.A.S.H.?
And now for something completely different
ed
08/01/2007 at 23:51:31 GMT
'Chamber' music, indeed!
;-)
Humph (45) how about 'Camel without a cause' or 'Silence of the Clams'? Or maybe '2001: A Plaice Odyssey'?
Carol (87) on no account do it quietly - the miserable old bat! I agree with Ed I - as loud and unpleasant as possible. I don't mean you are loud and unpleasant Ed.... now I'm just digging myself deeper...
Sara (43) Oh absolutely, maximum gossip from Fearless "Two dates" please:-)
LadyPen: You mean you haven't read all those stories about people being rescued by using their mobile phones as a torch? You just keep the 'screen' illuminated? Get it?
Carol (87): Try deadening the noise by putting a piece of toilet paper into the bowl (like a lilypad) before peeing. (Oh, I see B&B also suggest that - so it's officially endorsed by two froggers!) I know it has worked for me when I've found myself in potentially embarrassing pee-spots.
Bread? Mmmmm, naughty but nice. I'd love some stonebaked organic stoneground and/or any French (campagne, or whatever) white.
Now, off to give some satsumas to the camels. Do you think they'll like them?
Admin Annie - you seem already to have some fantastic suggestions for the wedding music, but have a couple to add. Presuming on cd?
Do they like choral music? If so, Vivaldi's 'Nulla in mundo pax sincera' with eg Deborah York or Emma Kirkby singing (I wrote 'sinning' there first!) is beautiful and very light.
John Rutter's 'Gaelic Blessing' (known to most singers as the garlic dressing) is also lovely but may be more of a register-signing piece. There are loads of recordings of it (or most choirs will know it) - would porbably choose Cambridge Singers with John Rutter.
At various times we've also been asked to sing everything from 'You'll never walk alone' to the theme tune from the Vicar of Dibley!
A Annie - been lying in bed thinking about your music and realised that you may not want or be able to use anything religous.
Also thought of Bach's double violin concerto (slow movement) or Handel's 'Arrival of the Queen of Sheba'. Off to work now!! GMx
admin annie - the one thing I didn't mention is that if it is a civil ceremony there are quite strict rules about no religious content. This rules out things like Ave Maria, a lot of Bach choral stuff, & generally anything with the words G*d or L*rd in the lyrics. I'm not sure about the Vivaldi mentioned above, or even the Gaelic Blessing. It can depend on the Registrar. They usually want a list of the music to be played, some weeks in advance, so they can vet it.
This getting married lark isn't as simple as you might think!!
Fiona (71);
Whereabouts in France? My parents have a place about an hour North of Bordeaux. Right out in the countryside, no neighbours, peace and tranquillity.
Carol (87);
Retaliate. Scream like you're passing a bowling ball every time. Then drop a small melon into the bowl and shout out 'OH THANK GOD'.
AA (84); GM's suggestion about Vivaldi's 'Nulla...' is bang on. I'm going to refrain from adding anything more into the confusion on this one. Shooting a few weddings a year I get to hear a big variety of music being used. The front-runner for a lot of weddings is still 'Arrival of the Quenn of Sheba'. Much as I genuinely love it, I do find myself thinking 'Oh no, not again'.
Si.
Sara/Gossipmistress, I shall try to keep you entertained with any gossip, but I'm definitely NOT going to tell you all where and when the dates are prior to them happening. I don't want a repeat of the last date I mentioned here!!
For the Film Club, surely it has to be
"Some like it Hot" ?
FFred (105)- why? What happened then? Have I missed something?
Some Macallan marmalade we got for Christmas and some of my home-made grape jelly (from Derbyshire black grapes grown outside - who says there's no such thing as climate change?) on the bar for this morning's croissants.
Enjoy.
On Woman's Hour, as I post, they are talking about ways to use up unwanted dates (Lamb stuffed with aubergine and dates, as it happens ...)
Fred, if either of yours prove unwanted, you'll know what to do. Stuff 'em. Or give them to the camels?
Big Sis
I replied on the thread where you asked the question but ??? malicious, too quick and ether time again.
Original discussion The Pre Christmas Beach, 18 December
Fifi and your posts in the 80s and after. Would you believe I did that from memory?
*takes deep breath*
Hello all.
Lissa says you're all lovely (as is she) and I'm looking forward to getting to know you all.
Happy beaching.
The New Blog Prince
p.s. @ 78 - requests noted.
grape jelly - mmmmm I'll have somem on one of these croissants that I'm about to have with a cafe au liat, plenty more on hte bar. I appreciate it's abit late for croissants but it's been a busy morning.
I'm going to pass on all the music suggestions, but am horrified to learn that if they have a civil ceremony, which is what they are planning they aren't allowed any religious music at all.This strikes me as very odd.
Diodn't manage to listen to the Chaconne Annasee as the machine wouldn;t let me, depsite my oredereing it's protocols or whatever else it said would make it work. I'm getting a mew computer dhortly which I hope will enable me to listen to that, plus all Eddie's clips that he posts plus not having ebery game I play crash intermittently.
Dear Blog Prince
[Makes a deep curtsey]
If we kiss you, will you turn into a Frog?
Cinderalla - there's no harm trying...
*mwah* *mwah*
Nope.
Still a blogfrog prince type-thing.
CINDERELLA!
Get back to scrubbing the floor of the bar. And when you have finshed that there is a lot of camel muck that needs clearing.
But a lovely blogfrog prince type-thing.
In the interests of the public good, I have tracked down some video footage containing an image of our new Frog Prince.
Bear with it and you'll see him (about 1.48 mins into the footage, from memory)
My apologies to the ArtistFormerlyKnownasBlog Prince.
BIG SISTER!!!
I am blushing as we speak. I can't *believe* you've googled me. My credibility here has lasted, what, 43 minutes?
I have a big sister as well....I know how to deal with them
*cackles*
Now, Marc m'dear, you're starting to get an idea of the naughtiness of the Froggers!
Ugly Sisters, I've already told you that scrubbing sand just doesn't work ..... And the camel dung is all nicely piled in the compost heap already.
I've got a lunch date with my Prince. And, thanks to Big Sister, I now know what we can chat about.
Did I spot Tony Blair in amongst all those choristers?
AdminAnnie - if you find the Registrar getting iffy about anything with religious overtones, try going over the top in the opposite direction.
O Fortuna from the start and finish of Carmina Burana will get everyone's attention.
Either people will be terrified that Damien's been invited to the wedding, or they'll be checking which after-shave they put on.
If SO and I ever get married, we'll arrive to O Fortuna and while the register's being signed we'll play The Stripper. As we make our dignified way out to the confetti-free front steps afterwards, it'll be the Vision On theme tune, on a loop, top volume.
Luckily, after 21 years of unwedded bliss, this event seems very unlikely!
Fifi ;oD
Fifi:
Did you notice the recent comments which had
Fifi on Fifi !!!!!
ROFL! (:-D)
I didn't google you, dear Marc, I went to the 成人快手 Website and searched for you there. I knew I'd find you somehow.
I seem to recall that one of my grandmother's favourite songs was "One Day my Prince will Come".
I know how she feels!
No need for blushes, though ...
Morning all (or make that afternoon! just realised the time). I'm just sticking the kettle on now if anyone fancies a cuppa - I still have some lovely double cream shortbread that I took back with me from home so will leave them out for you all to help yourselves....
Hi Simon - we are looking over t'other side (around the Toulouse area - ideally within an hour or two of both mountains and sea), do your parents live there permanently? How doe they find it. Fifi you mentioned friends also made a similar move and have improved quality of life. That's certainly our objective - we intend to give it a go for a year or two, if we doesn't work out then at least we know.
Hello and welcome Marc - hope you know what you are taking on here eh!! :0)
Marc (121): We know more about you than that... Have you noticed a strange crackle on your phone line since you were installed? That is the sound of frogs tapping the line ;-)
Anyhoo, froggers leave their credibility wrapped up in the towel and safely stashed under the lounger. Those that still have any, that is.
I think I last saw mine when trying to eat blackcurrant sorbet on a sun-scorched, walled terrace surrounded by VIPs and whilst simultaneously wearing a white shirt. A small tip - do not try to eat more in one go than would fit on the teaspoon in liquid form if you wish to avoid a clever representation of a bullet wound as you are introduced to the Great and the Good following a promotion...
Great work Big Sis! I like the look of our new Blog Prince, & he seems willing to work hard... Camel droppings are horrible, but he's made a good attempt at clearing them up.
Full marks for your research capabilities, btw. Erm, was there any work you were supposed to be doing this morning? No? Oh well, that's fine then. Carry on.
Well edited on TWAO today, Lissa.
As I may have been moderated before, and for the sake of clearing up a misunderstanding, I repost the following:
"I didn't google you, dear Marc, I went to the 成人快手 Website and searched for you there. I knew I'd find you somehow.
I seem to recall that one of my grandmother's favourite songs was "One Day my Prince will Come".
I know how she feels!
No need for blushes, though ..."
One thing you'll soon discover, Marc, is that the threads get very tangled sometimes!
BTW have you done the online Legal Beagle course like Eddie?
On Woman's Hour, as I post, they are talking about ways to use up unwanted dates
I used to just give them a fake telephone number after breakfast.
The beach is lovely and hot today. I'm thinking of making some home-made lemonade for everyone. Tally-ho!
Oh Jason, you do conjure up some lovely pictures sometimes!!
apologies for all the typos in my last post, I was in a hurry and didn't check it, despite my new year's resolution always to do that very thing.
I wonder how iffy Registrars would feel about Brahms German Requiem, not that any of it would be suitable anyway for a wedding but an interesting one to argue nonetheless.
Are we all allowed to give ourselves titles willy nilly on the frog then? Welcome, o froggy Prince. I see your picture isn't up yet!
Good to see our Frog Prince has arrived without getting stuck in the quicksand or kicked by the camels. Bodes well for the future. Welcome, o great one.
Fearless, could you at least let me and Gossipmistress know when these dates of yours are happening so we can pray for you or at least snigger a bit. Actually, Admin Annie's getting so much practice planning her son's wedding that she will be able to plan yours easily when the time comes, so there's no need to delay.
Which reminds me, AA - I know a really really nice (and short) piece but I'm not sure what it's called. I think it's "Gabriel's Oboe" or something like that and it was a film theme but I don't know which film. Can any frogger enlighten me? It's very romantic and haunting.
Valery P - do you not have multifocal contact lenses? My life improved 100% the moment I got them and I haven't worn specs at all since then, except for a little pair of simple reading glasses from Boots without which I find telephone directories a bit of a struggle.
Admin:
If you follow the link I've posted, you'll see even better than a photo - you'll see our new Prince moving and speaking, too!
To save you searching (sorry, Marc, it just has to be done!) here it is again:
admin annie: flattery of the highest order. They say that a picture may paint a thousand words, but I find that a handful of words can paint a movie.
Sadly I was only a witness to the episode of the melting sorbet being one among a group of fresh faced "management trainees" for a financial institution many lifetimes ago.
At a related meal a few months later another contemporary reached the sorbet course to realise why he shouldn't have eaten the fish with the teaspoon as he tried to consume said sorbet (orange this time, and devoured at the current location for the Darts championship on 成人快手2) with a fish fork.
An interesting evening that introduced me to the horrors of flamboyant post-prandial cigar smoking as a small man with stubby hands created a fog around the table in his pursuit of largesse. The Port was nice, though. And I recall winning a bottle of whisky in the raffle.
Fortunately I saw the light and sold my soul to punk.
Some of my friends who have migrated to France report that the only thing wrong with the place is too many English folk.
A bit like me in Scotland, come to think of it. How long have folk here been 'running' for office, 'waiting in line', etc.?
A topic for the Brow and Furrow? Which 'merican intrusions to 'proper' English do we most despise? Of course, on the other side, they just love Anglicisms, and even moreso a Scaaatish acksent.
xx
ed
Big Sister (121) I am indebted to you.
I had stopped looking at the Recent Entries bit since getting flustered to see "Simon Good on Fifi" the other day.
Sometimes a vivid imagination is a curse!
However "Fifi on Fifi" ... oh dear!
ROFL
Fifi (either underneath or on top according to level of filthy mind...)
Jason (136) I seem to recall a recent piece on French etiquette insisting that sorbet should always be eaten with a fork...
but perhaps not a fish fork.
Fifi (137) I make it "both". I dread to think what level that make's mine.
Fiona (127);
No they don't. They still need to work, despite both having passed 65 last year. It breaks their hearts that they don't get out there more often though. And I can see why. It's not a part of France I'd ever considered visiting myself, I'm more of a staggeringly high mountains man. But the peace & quiet is simply wonderful. I love going there, even though I've only made it a couple of times in the last few years. I took SO there for the first time last autumn (we've only been together a year-and-a-half). She fell in love with it too. Frankly I'd love to live and work over there, but right now it's not an option.
Toulouse (la Cite Rose) is a wonderful place, very young and 'buzzy' thanks to its big University. But very expensive to buy there, thanks to Aerospatiale having the Airbus factory at Toulouse airport. It really pumps up the property price having a highly paid workforce like that in the vicinity.
Sara (134);
by Ennio Morricone from 'The Mission'.
Si.
Sara (134)
The music "Gabriel's Oboe" comes from the film "The Mission" starring Jeremy Irons. I am not sure how to fit it in to the film club's theme of the beach, though. I am surprised that no-one has suggested "For a few dollars Mair". However, I would agree that it is a good suggestion for wedding music.
H.
I'll be alright in France then Ed (137), being Scaaatish myself :)
Reminds me of a time many moons ago when I travelled abroad for about the first time ever - I went to New York and I stayed at the home of a NY based colleague in Queens (I worked at the time for a well known worldwide courier company). When I met her sister (who I don't think had ever been anywhere other than Manhattan) she asked where I was from "Aberdeen" I said.....blank look from her... "Scotland?" I said helpfully to which she replied "Oh, you speak really good English"........
All I could say back was "thank you"!!
Sorry Sarah and Humph, Gabriel's Oboe is not wedding music.....it is a beautiful piece of music but far too mournful. The guests would be crying for all the wrong reasons. The same goes for the theme from The Deerhunter. That reminds me.....another film for all the regulars at Nick's bar....The Beerhunter. For those who linger around the fire embers....Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Scone or Goblet of Soup.
Annasee
How kind! How could I forget the frog? Marc and I are sitting opposite each other with our respective crowned frogs.
I think he's been bitten by the blog bug. He was supposed to be my "number 2" (deputy ed) on WATO today and he was blogging at gone 11 o'clock!!!
L
Goodness, Humph, I'm all excited now - I saw Jeremy Irons in Embers last year in which he was utterly outstanding, and then I met him with a handful of other theatregoers at the stage door (with his two dogs!) and he was so charming and also signed my programme.
Made me feel just like a teenager again!
I do think Gabriel's Oboe is a very arresting and beautiful piece - people sure would stop chatting, listen, and notice the bride! Do you know who wrote it btw? Some of these people who write for films etc are amazingly talented (just think of Geoffrey Burgon and the Brideshead Revisited music).
And now my little pea-brain (pea, not pee as in earlier comments!!!) has just leapt on to "star in the film, write the theme tune, sing the theme tune". Some of the LB catchphrases are very very annoying!
Sara & Humph - isn't the music for 'The Mission' by Enrico Morricone?
Never mind 20,000 is this some sort of record for day one on the beach?
Sis,
It's Tuesday, ain't it?
xx
ed
Jason (140) : Super-low level, which is nigh-on perfect for me.
Unless you lurked for a long time before you started posting here, you will have missed me performing The Hedgehog Song on an early Beach ... the rudest song I sing in mixed company!
Contact me via the website and I'll send you the lyrics. It begins: "You can rugger* the bear, if you do it with care..."
* Fifi Rhyming Slang
and has another 18 verses of inappropriate behaviour with animals (except the hedgehog).
"Fifi. Lowering the tone in a pub near you soon."
;o)
Sorry Sis & Gossipmistress - mea culpa! (149)
xx
ed
It occurs to me that newer arrivals at the Beach (and the blog generally) may not be aware of the unofficial Frog Benefit known as Fifi's Bits.
* pause for sniggering to subside *
This is a free service
* more sniggering *
providing jokes, cartoons, audio and video clips by email.
To subscribe, contact Fifi via her website link. Either leave a message in the Guestbook (remembering to fill in your own email link so I can contact you direct) or use the Contact Us facility (more private, but takes longer because emails have to be forwarded).
It is helpful if you can indicate:
- how robust (ie rude!) your sense of humour is
- whether your computer setup can cope with large attachments
* yet more giggles from the naughty corner *
All email addresses are kept in strictest confidence. (I don't joke about privacy, ever.) And you can Unsubscribe at any time, and nobody will know.
For a free sample of the sort of nonsense on offer, please follow the link to Jonnie's website and click on Fifi's Bits.
All part of the service....
Fifi ;o)
Re: Big Sister on Marc Settle.
I bet you DID Google him!
:-)
Gabriel's Oboe is by Morricone. I think it's a wonderful melody. Extremely memorable & hummable. Maybe too much so. When I did the ballet a few weeks ago our oboist used to sometimes launch into the first few notes immediately after she'd played the 'A' for tuning. Naughty. It used to stick in my head all night then. As it will now you've talked about it! Would make a lovely piece for the entrance of the bridal party though.
Jonnie - (152) perhaps the word you meant was "ogle" not "google" ? She might have...
Also, I think our new Frog/ Blog Prince (I thought you must have got your frog when I saw that this morning...) is even more famous than we thought. Why, I did a concert in Skipton last November for the "Settle Orchestral Society"! Clearly a man of many talents and much culture, but your own orchestra? That's really keen.
Ed (151) well, I've just disproved my theory.
Having done a lightening tour of all the other beaches we've dipped our toes in, day one posts mostly vary between 19 and 72. And although this week's beach has 103.....
...beach on 30th Nov had 111!
So I admit I was wrong!
It was a bit spooky back on Day One beach. The tidal erosion has reached comment 864, which is an eerily apt comment from Big sis:
At 10:51 AM on 14 Nov 2006, Big Sister wrote:
Ah well, just wandered back here for a last look. And all that's here is -------- space.
But the Beach is looking great over on 14.11!
Thanks, DayOne, for serving us so well.
Big Sis
Appropriate or what?
GMx
*sigh* the beach seems strangley deserted tonight. Is it down to slow mods or is there a party happening somewhere and I have not been invited? Oh well, I will just have a wee tipple and pop back in a mo
Well I've decided I can't handle the parallel universe in January, so I'm moving lock, stock and barrel(of Liffey) to DayTwo.
See ya.
Wot ? no-one on the beach since 06:54pm - I don't believe it.
Are you all hiding? Was it something I said?
Oh well I'll just have to share this bottle with myself...what a treat you've missed.
I'll just curl up in the big hammock with it. See you in the morning.
Jonnie (153): No, I honestly didn't google him - but only because I was aware that I was more likely to find him easily on the Beeb website. Trawling through google can, you'll admit, be a nightmare.
At first I looked for him on the Editors blog, to no avail, but then I did a general search - and the video, plus two audio, clips came straight up!
But why he blushed is beyond me.
I think everyone has been playing on 20000 blogs thread :-). Or is Tuesday night the night for the post Christmas Gym sessions??
Well, I don't know. Where was everyone last night? You can't ALL have been at the Cransley celebrating with the Poole Panto bunch, can you?
Or were you getting stuck in, decorating the new place? I've stuck a temporary sign up saying 'Frogs Porn Bar' till we can agree on a proper name for it.
Anyway, Mrs Trellis and I had our promised singsong, and one of the camels liked it so much we are training it to hit a bodhran with its hoof.
Shame that Aperitif didn't feel up to joining us though. I don't care for whisky and poor Mrs T had to finish the Macallan alone ... shame! I made do with a few glasses of Cabernet Syrah; it was hell, I tell you! ;o)
Tonight I'm afraid I will be away practising to be a Jam Tart, prior to our first gig at the weekend. We're singing at an M.E. Support Group social in deepest Lincolnshire. However I'll spend quite a bit of today here on the Beach, between extremely boring jobs.
Oh, does anyone know if it's possible to make a decent spag bol out of refried beans? I am treating a veggie friend to dinner on Friday and was thinking of bunging in some onions, garlic and mushrooms ... makes a change from 'something with aubergine' which is my usual offering.
Suggestions welcome.
Fifi xx
Fifi: I've a good recipe for Chili sin Carne, which is always a hit with veggies and non veggies alike. If you're interested, I'll post it.
What about French Onion Soup? If I remember Deliah there is no meat stock in that recipe. Or go Mexican with the Refried beans. Veggie enchildas?
Where is this new place then? I can't find my way around all these blogs!
Big Sister (162) I'd like the recipe please....I have new veggie friends and am daunted by the thought of cooking for them. I'm stuck in a rut with my cooking, too....so inspire me please!
I was at the beach last night, but I was silently laying in the hammock in the dark, watching the sun inch its way down to the horizon in a beautiful blaze of colour, and listening to the lapping waves and the contented snuffling of the camels and reindeer.
4 Mai-Tai cocktails later, I was completely knocked out oddly enough.
Yes please Big Sister. I have a tin of refrieds to finish, and also a tin of spicy refrieds that I really like the look of.
Stewart M, I would have made enchiladas or similar but it's a bit more effort than I really wanted to make for a quick pre-rehearsal supper. I may well rustle up a really hearty tomato soup with lentils and barley though.
I find with onion soup that it's not filling enough and I always have to eat more... and that's a Delia recipe, too. Welcome to the jokes gang by the way, Stewart!
Little Weed - the new place hasn't happened yet. We're still moving the furniture around and choosing the wallpaper over on the Fifi thread. Feel free to make improper suggestions ... Mrs Trellis has been doing so all morning, although not on the blog!
;o)
Fifi
Fifi (167)
Improper? Moi? Butter wouldn't melt my dears.
Fifi - do you ever use Quorn when cooking for your veggie friend? - quorn mince and the beans would make a great chilli. I think its like marmite - either love it or hate it. My very carnivorous (correct spelling?) SO hates it because it tastes of nothing and its not meat! - but that is why I like it. I was veggie for 10 years and fell off the wagon during pregnancy cravings. But was always a fussy meat eater - hated mince because of the texture and the fact that I couldnt see if I was eating any bits of fat!! Even know I will pull apart every bit of beef or chicken to avoid what I called as a child "bouncy bits!" I'm afraid its a legacy from a rather poor childhood diet! Anyway my point is that I think it makes a great mince substitute and frequently use it for spag bol, chilli, lasagne etc and it absorbs the flavour of whatever you add to it. Hope that helps!
Oh and Simon W (141) - hope your folks manage to make it over there on a permanent basis one day. As you say it is beautiful and very peaceful.
Hands up who wants to see Fifi making a prat of herself?
Warning: set down any cups of hot beverage before watching this.
Fifi ;o)
Salted or unsalted butter, would that be, Mrs Trellis?
:oD
Fifi
Okay, the recipe (And - Good News! Fifi, if you make it the day before you need it, it's even better ....)
I'll give the ingredients as set out in the original recipe, but you can play around with quantities (e.g. I use two onions and vary the quantities of beans).
Serves 6
Ingredients:
4 large onions, chopped
1 large green pepper, seeded, chopped
3 tbsps oil (I use sunflower or grapeseed as olive oil can be rather strong for this one)
1 tbsp each mustard seeds and chili powder
1 teaspoon each cumin seeds and unsweetened cocoa*
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
454 gm tin tomatoes, roughly chopped
3 tins kidney beans (about 3lb cooked weight of kidney beans)
tomato paste - about two tbsps
*I mix the cocoa powder into a paste with vinegar, which helps develop flavours. Alternatively and even more deliciously, use the best dark chocolate you can afford, about 1/2 a bar will be gorgeous.
Method:
Cook onions and green pepper in the oil over a medium high heat until onions golden and pepper is soft.
Add mustard seeds and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
Add chili poder, cumin seeds, cocoa paste or dark chocolate, cinnamon, tomatoes and their liquid, beans and their liquid, and tomato paste. Reduce heat, simmering rapidly, uncovered, stirring frequently, for about 40 mins or until most of the liquid has cooked away and the chili has thickened. Do be careful or it will scorch!
Season with salt to taste (may not be necessary with tinned beans).
It can be served with relishes such as chopped tomatoes, diced green chilies, chopped cucumber, sliced onions, and/or grated cheddar cheese.
It's delicious with rice or as a filling for jacket potatoes. Or just on its own.
This dish has been a winner for me with vegetarians and meat eaters alike. You can, of course, add meat for carnivores if you wish, but, frankly, it simply isn't necessary.
Let me know if you make it and what you think.
BTW, I made Simon's fondue last night. It was fab, though I had a very bad night's sleep afterwards. Not your fault, though, Simon!
Okay, the recipe (And - Good News! Fifi, if you make it the day before you need it, it's even better ....)
I'll give the ingredients as set out in the original recipe, but you can play around with quantities (e.g. I use two onions and vary the quantities of beans).
Serves 6
Ingredients:
4 large onions, chopped
1 large green pepper, seeded, chopped
3 tbsps oil (I use sunflower or grapeseed as olive oil can be rather strong for this one)
1 tbsp each mustard seeds and chili powder
1 teaspoon each cumin seeds and unsweetened cocoa*
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
454 gm tin tomatoes, roughly chopped
3 tins kidney beans (about 3lb cooked weight of kidney beans)
tomato paste - about two tbsps
*I mix the cocoa powder into a paste with vinegar, which helps develop flavours. Alternatively and even more deliciously, use the best dark chocolate you can afford, about 1/2 a bar will be gorgeous.
Method:
Cook onions and green pepper in the oil over a medium high heat until onions golden and pepper is soft.
Add mustard seeds and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
Add chili poder, cumin seeds, cocoa paste or dark chocolate, cinnamon, tomatoes and their liquid, beans and their liquid, and tomato paste. Reduce heat, simmering rapidly, uncovered, stirring frequently, for about 40 mins or until most of the liquid has cooked away and the chili has thickened. Do be careful or it will scorch!
Season with salt to taste (may not be necessary with tinned beans).
It can be served with relishes such as chopped tomatoes, diced green chilies, chopped cucumber, sliced onions, and/or grated cheddar cheese.
It's delicious with rice or as a filling for jacket potatoes. Or just on its own.
This dish has been a winner for me with vegetarians and meat eaters alike. You can, of course, add meat for carnivores if you wish, but, frankly, it simply isn't necessary.
Let me know if you make it and what you think.
BTW, I made Simon's fondue last night. It was fab, though I had a very bad night's sleep afterwards. Not your fault, though, Simon!
Fifi (171)
For preference unsalted but, not adverse to salted in some recipes!!!
"Big Sis' Chili. So good it's worth posting twice."
Momma Cherri eat your heart out.
(Oh no, Gordon Ramsay's just hoving into sight ..... quick! Hide!)
Can someone recommend some lovely wedding music that isn't the bridal march but won't make people cry for all the wrong reasons?
For those who enjoy the irony of veggie food which is a good imitation of meat (the very reason my daughter outlaw hates it), I discovered some time ago that excellent meatlessballs can be made from thawed-out McCartneyburgers.
Yum! It must be the onion. Imagine a world without the onion family - hardly worth living in.
xx
ed
Pizza dough in Bread Machine. Bring your own toppings.
Silver Spoon Recipe so its real Italian
I think I'll do mine as a calzone
9oz Plain Flour Extra Extra Strong (grade OO whatever that is)
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 oz fresh yeast or half weight if the fast acting variety
4 fl oz luke warm water
I bung it in bread machine on dough setting or knead together and rise till double size. (3 hrs)
Roll out, add toppings and bake for 20 mins at 220 gas 7.
Calzone
2 oz mozzerella
1 oz Salami Diced
1 oz Cooked HAm, Diced
1 beaten egg
1 oz Ricotta
Seasoning
Two rounds of dough rolled. Put ingredients on one side. Put other round on top and crimp edges. Cook for 15 mins at 220
Stewart,
My recipe (from Italian brother-in-law) has a dribble of olive oil in it.
Roll out? You must be kidding! Spin it out, using thick edge as flywheel to get centre properly thin...
Also delicious to chop up olive-sized bits of risen dough and drop into hot oil for panzanella (little breads), to serve with Parma Ham, perhaps? Of course, mixing in some chopped garlic is another way, and I leave other variations to y'all.
xx
ed
Wednesday January 10, 2007 at 17:04:43 GMT
Helen at 176 - more info, please. What sort of wedding? where? is the music for entering/leaving or signing the registers?
Did you not like any of the music we all suggested for Admin Annie (see comments 92, 104 etc)?
It's only Wednesday (or is it? I'm losing track) and already this week's beach seems to be sinking under our combined weight. Must be all this wonderful food . . . :-)
xx
LadyPen
Shall we start a wedding business?
Look at the talent we have between us - cooks, musicians, seamstresses, (and knitters, should anyone fancy a knitted gown), photographer, fantastic honeymoon beach destination... anyone got a vintage car? Or maybe we could offer a camel.....
gm (182)
Not in !
xx
ed
gossipmistress (182): my wife used to do weddings in her "nice car" when she had it - a black Beetle Cabriolet, polished to mirror like reflection which contrasted beautifully with a wedding dress.
Alas it was too expensive to keep and had all manner of problems surfacing as the warrantee ticked away so she got rid.
Well,
So welcome to .
xx
ed
Helen. It is probably a good idea to contact one of our regular froggers, Si Worral as he is a wedding photographer and will have quite a good take on this subject.
Jason (183)
My dad had a Black Standard Vanguard which doubled as a wedding car when I were a lad. This was our family car. Red Leather seats. Portable Radio.
He now has two Series 1 Landrovers. The station wagon would do if its wet though its a bit of a step up and the soft top one would be great in summer. I'm sure for the correct fee....
Have you seen the video clip here
or here?
RIGHT NOW
(ouch!)
xx
ed
Ed (183) ha! My brain is so slow that that link took me about 5 minutes to 'get'!
Stewart (185) I still have a portable radio in my car - it winds up and lives in the glove box!! I think your dad would have to qualify as a frogger first. Or has he already??
ed ABove. Re the Pizza Bases. I do sometimes spin the dough but when the kids are making their own. Well they are too small to catch but not too small to weild a rolling pin.
Sorry (Sara 180) didn't look back far enough before, and shall puruse musical choices tomorrow when less tired, I also have a tape of music my dad gave me which I shall check for admin annie in case anything appeals.
I intend to have a DIY wedding too, and have finally found somewhere that doesn't charge 拢3000 just for using the building! I nearly booked a party, just turning up in a white dress by chance, 0000's are added on as soon as one utters the W word.
I'm still coming to terms with the fact that we are suppose to plan it a year in advance and I will never be that organised... Still, we have (well I have) taken a while to get around to it, SO was always keen but less keen to do the legwork.
I do think you could all combine your talents and do my wedding for your supper & limitless supplies of lovely fizzy stuff, after duties are completed of course! Eddie could be toastmaster, in fact could do the toast...
Re: Stewart (185)
At least the Landrover would be fine on the beach.
Where on earth is everyone tonight then? It's taken me an hour to catch up with all the day's threads, but no-one is around now?
RJD - I posted on Paddy and I, but it hasn't appeared yet.
Fifi - did I fall out of the loop of the jokes? I thought they'd just dried up.
Stewart M - read your comment t'other night about my optician (I'd forgotten that was your trade) and was too tired to post. I wear monthly replaceable/throway ones and I presumed the cost of examination is included in my direct debit! Oh - that sounded a bit snidey, I didn't mean it that way. I meant, I don't think I have to pay any extra, I presume it's all in with the cost of lenses, solutions etc.
He did have me toying, a couple of years ago before I had to give in to the reading glasses, with lenses adjusted to one eye for distance and one for reading, but I stumbled around for as long as I could, finding I couldn't ever see properly! They're now balancing finely, and as you say, I don't want to tip over the edge. Ah me, age cometh not alone.....
Is there a bloggage this evening...?
As there are so many subjects or threads going at the moment it is hard to know where to post this thought.
Monday 4 threads (including the Beach)
Tuesday 6 threads
Wednesday 2 threads
Plus a trial run of the Pub/Library on 鈥淚 have a small but growing鈥 and a breakaway attempt on DayTwo.
LadyPen says on 鈥淚 have a small but growing鈥 - I'm struggling as it is and I feel as if I'm losing contact with people's thoughts, ideas and concerns simply because I can't remember where they mentioned them.
I totally agree with you LadyPen. I know that this blog is supposed to be organic and anarchic and whatever we want it to be but I must admit I鈥檓 getting a little cheesed off at having to chase around trying to find out what is happening where.
I love the Beach and don't want it to change. I think we should try "The Furrowed Brow" or whatever we are going to call it. I also think we should have the daily message from El Mair. But I think the present plethora of threads is inhibiting rather than stimulating contributions. I think the sparcity of comments in recent evenings illustrates this.
Anybody agree? Anybody disagree? Any comments or solutions?
RJD
RJD - I agree about the multiple threads - I find I haven't got time to chase around all the current threads to see who said what. I tend to limit myself to the previous day's threads only, and the week's Beach. As we so often go off-message anyway, I can't see that it matters too much if you comment on a recent topic , on a more recent thread. I just can't remember where I've seen stuff more than a day anyway - sometimes not even that long! When Eddie doesn't post till quite late on in the day (tsk - it's not like he has work to do or anything) then the previous day's threads tend to be where it's happening. Enough is enough! I mean, he's paid to do this, we're wasting time. My conscience is bad enough already.
Wow - I just posted Marc's school report (or is it...?) on "Normally" at 4 14am - I've looked now & it's already there - less than 1/2 an hour later. Someone's still awake then - besides me! Good Morning Moderators! (But I'm going back to bed now with whisky & earplugs - storm still raging outside)
Val (188) Yes I posted on 'paddy & I' last night as well and it hasn't appeared....
Of course it was the most hilarious and witty post I've ever written and now I can't remember it...( a likely story!)
The gist of it was:
Teeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheehee!
Crying with laughter, very infectious giggles.
And re the clip of Paddy sneezing - what an alien
sneeze and did his Mum not teach him to put his hand in front of his face?!
Morning all!
I just thought I'd pop onto the beach quickly before I get stuck into January work stuff. I know some here have been wondering why I'm quiet and if it had anything to do with dates. Well, it's work stuff to be honest. As usual there's a lot to do before one of the largest trade-shows in London in a couple of weeks, and I was the one who got volunteered to sort out all the techie-stuff, being an engineer. So, I haven't been able to pop along as much as usual, I'm afraid. I am still lurking and looking, it's just I don't have enough time to frog much. I've left some coffee on the counter for the early birds, and there's some cider behind the bar for those having a liquid lunch. Have fun, my fellow froggers, and I'll be back soon....
FFred
Val - now both our posts have appeared on 'Paddy & I' - mine took 9 hours! Yet ones on here were there within 30mins. Weird!
Nice strapline. Well done, Big Sis.
Helen - I have a CD of bouzouki music which you might find surprisingly pleasing. (My CD collection is completely bonkers. You name it - if nobody else likes it I've got it somewhere.)
Fiona - I haven't felt sufficiently enthusiastic about the veggie thing to toy with quorn. It looks horrible to me, and I seem to recall you can't get any that isn't genetically modified (correct me if I'm wrong though). However now that I seem to be cooking fairly regularly for a vegetarian, and that aubergines are getting expensive, I am motivated to give it another go! Thanks for the thought.
Everyone - Bill n Ben has sent me a hilarious song/video. Pleasepleaseplease contact me direct so I can sent it to you!!! I am trying to persuade the Lying Scotsman that we should include it in our set......
Fifi :oD
Hello
I agree with somebody somewhere that this is getting out of hand - trying to keep track, find something worth adding, losing it, swearing, and finding it where the sun don't shine several days later.
Like Fred, I don't have much time at the moment so- love you all, keep up the jokes, but give us lurkers a clue where you are.
I could slip into rant 37 here, 'The use of the personal pronoun - ''you'', ''we'', ''us''...
I'm sorry, I think it would help if we had just the one post per diem by Edith Miaf or his ghost writer - in place of the newsletter, the beach for frivolity - although a kitchen would be more appropriate of late, and the serious club line.
I'm going to drink lots more coffee now
bibi
Yeah, too many threads, & I'm busy too at the moment, so miss our sense of frogging community. Shall we just stick to the beach and the latest from Eddie? The beach for mutterings & musings & today for the serious stuff? If there are several threads for the day, I think I shall stick to the first, unless one comes up with a topic I specifically want to comment on.
To those who find it a faff chasing all the threads on here....
I have emailed Eddie, very sweetly suggesting a solution to this:
* * *
I've just found this on the Beach, dear Sir:
"I love the Beach and don't want it to change. I think we should try "The Furrowed Brow" or whatever we are going to call it. I also think we should have the daily message from El Mair. But I think the present plethora of threads is inhibiting rather than stimulating contributions. I think the sparcity of comments in recent evenings illustrates this."
And I have to agree. Fun as it is to have 2 or 3 or 9 new threads from you in a day, it's a complete bugger for us froggers keeping track of what gets added to them all. This is not a criticism ... it's gorgeous that you are as active, and as interactive as you are with us! But now that we have an established culture going on here, do you think we might alter the format ever so slightly?
One post per day, perhaps including early thoughts on what will be in the programme (which neatly deals with the newsletter issue, till the teckies can sort it out) -- and then anything frivolous goes to the Beach, and anything serious that occurs later in the day goes to the Bar?
Your 'umble and obedient slave, now terrified that she has overstepped the mark and will never have a comment read out on PM ever again.............
* * *
It's not perfect I know but it's all I can think of. If anyone wants to talk serious today, then I invite you to
/blogs/pm/2006/11/i_have_a_small_but_growing.shtml
where I'm currently painting the walls ready for our first 'serious' discussions.
Still don't have a name for it yet though...
Fifi xx
Hello,
The shrinks have let me out to get some fresh air, that's nice of them.
Seeing as I'm only next door I can see that the local council have stopped anybody taking over DayOne beach again. They're building a Hypermarket, such a shame.
Now where were we, hang on, where am I.
That's a good idea Fifi, I have to say I'm finding it rather tricky at the moment shuffling my way around.
I suppose Eddie could always post other comments within his own daily posting ?
Valery (194) Trade!! Profession :-) But you are right you will be paying the professional fees in with everything else. But if you can cope with the vision LEAVE WELL ALONE. When folk reach the reading spectacle age pschycology is involved in accepting the inevitable. I had a pateint who convinced themselves for about 4 years they did not need reading spectcales. I play along.
Helen Sparkles I had a do-it-yourself wedding it too only about 6 weeks to achieve (I'm not counting the trip to the registry office as I can't recall how long in advance we had to book, but it wasn't long). Mainly the six weeks was taken up with me buying material and making my wedding suit for a mere 拢30.
This is what we did. We borrowed a room at our local pub from 5pm till 7pm (this was before all day opening). Her allowed us to bring our own wine but other drinks people bought themselves at the bar.
We went to a Majestic wine (sadly no longer in existence) but other wholesalers are available. We purchase a few cases of nice white and red wine.
I went to Waitrose and purchased some huge pates and cheeses and lots of french bread, and some sweet stuff too.
A friend agree to take casual but lovely pictures with only one or two posed photos (拢50)
We travelled in own cars to the ceremony and back.
I booked a night in a local hotel which was lovely but we were so drunk we don't remember much about it!
We then booked a cottage in Much Marcle for the week.
My bank card got swallowed up by the cash machine the week before the wedding so we took a limited amount of cash all the food from our freezer and ate out only a couple of times during the honeymoon.
I would say that the whole wedding cost about 拢500 including the honey moon.
It can be done!
And gossipmistriss I too have a portable wind up radio! I love it!
Mary
Fifi (206) et al, do you think the main problem with keeping up with all the threads is not just the amount but the fact that many recent ones are without a real subject, so we all start our own. This then becomes messy when we all write about lots of things on so many threads.
(BTW absolutely no criticism intended here on No. of threads etc, as Fifi so eloquently said, we love all the effort and interaction! GMx)
Lots of people, myself incuded, had mentioned previously that maybe we could have a daily thread to either 'replace' the presently-absent newsletter or to mention some of what might be in the show. That would then give a bit of focus to our nonsense!
Also like the idea of Fifi's Pub/Cafe/Library and don't see why we couldn't have longer discussions on there and daily topical things relevant to the show or anything else on daily thread. Long live the beach just the way it is!!
GMx
Hi everyone. Like FFred, I'm a bit hard-pressed for time just now but I keep popping by to follow what's going on here.
I love the Beach and I think the Furrowed Brow could work OK too, but only if it had a "signpost" beside the main thread like the Beach has.
I had been wondering how to cope with commenting on the main thread and whether it would be better to have only one of those per day. The trouble is that when Eddie does multiple postings I don't have time to look at them all so - unlike Helen - I tend to concentrate only on the latest. The net result is that I become reluctant to comment on an existing main thread because it can so suddenly become old hat when something new is posted. That's a shame when you have been thinking long and hard about how best to comment and then get round to composing yours, only to discover that everything has suddenly moved on to a new posting. Today, for example, we are still adding to yesterday's thread and have no idea when a new one will be launched. I think that is where the Furrowed Brow would have an advantage because we could simply switch a current debate to the pub and it would have a chance to continue for as long as we wanted it to. Then Eddie could simply add new posts whenever he felt like it.
On the other hand maybe Jonnie is right, and we could have just one main thread per day with Eddie adding more as comments. Of course he does that now sometimes, and we also get comments on the main thread and on the Beach from our excellent Frog Prince and Princess. I do actually like days of multiple postings because they have a nice immediate and frantic feel to them, which is fun.
So all in all I would go for the Beach, the pub and any number of daily posts from Eddie.
Glad you found the music suggestions, Helen - we hope they're helpful. I know just what you mean about wedding costs, though. Put the word "wedding" before "flowers", "cars", "venue", "clothes" and almost anything else and the price doubles. I married off both my girls in 2003 and it was not a cheap year!! One of them stuck to a very practical occasion - small, but still not cheap, but the younger one is a born again romantic and had "the works" - huge flowery marquee, fireworks and garden flares and even posh mobile loos which had pictures on the walls and played Handel music - it was truly dreamy and I don't regret it, but the cost was astronomic!!
What a long comment this is! Must now love you and leave you and GET ON WITH MY WORK as Eddie once instructed me to do!
Yes, Jonnie, I think that is the simplest solution. Not to inhibit any of Eddie's gloriously random postings, but if they came as new comments within the current (single) day's post, then we could still react, & veer off as usual into uncharted territories as soon as his back was turned again. Much easier to follow one thread, & less time wasted scrolling up or down, I would have thought.
How's the weather where you are? It's dreadful here!
I've just caught up with all the activity on the beach-you certainly have been busy froggers.
Thank goodness everyone is confused about the various threads-I thought it was only me!
I think that things will settle down- all the extra sites/excitement over the 20000 mark can't have helped.
We all had such a good day on the beach on Monday-what a crowded place it was!
Well, just off to read my newsletter....
Molly
newsletter...
Fifi
Thanks for picking up what I may have started at (196).
I was going to make the same suggestion as Annasee, Jonnie and others have - Eddie to add new bits as comments within the main thread of the day.
There are countless occasions where several discussions go on within the same thread, so we can handle that without a problem. It doesn't prevent Eddie starting the occasional new thread if he thinks the subject is important and topical.
I'm sure that El Mair knows us well enough to understand that our suggestions are aimed at improving the Blog and not in any way to stiffle his priceless interventions.
I am just promiscuous with my postings Sara, as well as working from home, so frogging is a fine displacement activity!
Thanks for the wedding post mary, I think I may have got it cracked now, but it has taken a lot of research! The only thing I am spending any money on is the dress, but that's because I am not going to wear a wedding dress, but rather seizing this as my opportunity to shop at Alberta Ferreti! A shallow ambition which may well be abandoned.
Hi there - yep lots of good points raised and I too have the same problem trying to keep track of everything, a good example being the posting announcing we were near (or at) 20,000 postings which then headed off into a serious but very interesting debate on homosexuality and religion. Its hard work keeping track - and sadly I do have to limit myself timewise and keep reminding myself that I am sitting at this desk and at this pc in this office for a reason other than to frog with all you lovely people!
Oh and Fifi good point about Quorn and GM - got me thinking as I was sure it specified it was not. There is a question on the FAQ which specifically answers that point and have posted the link below for you. yes it does look horrible but it is a useful veggie (but not vegan apparantly) ingredient.
Well they've moderated me twice.
I can't really be bothered any more.
RJD (214) -
'Stiffle' is a LOVELY word. Have you got any more?
Well done to Fifi for coming up with her suggestions, Jonnie for reposting them and RJD, Sara and Annasee (plus others) for sublime common sense.
Am now going back to Wikipedia to look up 'storming, forming and norming' again to see where we've got to now :-)
If I was EdIgle I'd post a link but I'm not so I can't.
My January wheelie bin has now blown over twice, but at least the sun's shining. As it always is, here.
Has anybody ever had anything to do with applying for (and preferably getting) Arts Council funding? Would love to hear from you if so.
xx
LadyPen
I'm a very new frogger and am having a lot of difficulty keeping up. So many blogs, so little time...
A little bit of a tidy-up with clear signposts would suit me, then maybe I might be able to comment with something worth saying...well one can but dream.
Speaking of which; lovely beach this..having a hard day today, glad of the sand between my toes for a few moments.
RJD 196
I meant to say earlier that I agree with you -fewer postings seem to appear at times and also I feel that new (potential) contributors must find so many sites a little confusing and just not bother to post.
This is a shame,is it not?
Molly
O RJD, HOW I would love to stiffle Eddie. (or anyone for that matter.)
I just hope they're not tickleish
Although, on reflection, I'm not sure I'd want to go anywhere near his 'priceless interventions' - even with your bargepole.......
Oh, Lady Pen, don't get me started on the Arts Council. !!! Just don't . Please. Last time I was told I needed an "Exit Strategy" from funding... I sort of lost the will to live after that, & haven't applied recently. But I have had previous successes. You're welcome to email me if I can help.
This has to be my last strapline suggestion (speaking of displacement activities...):
PM- breaking news, held together with pink post-it notes
What about:
1 A single thread for today (whatever day it actually is, NOT Today, which is something else altogether and with which I want nothing whatsoever to do). Lord Mair starts it up with whatever's on his mind at the time, and anybody who wants to (including Lord Mair) just joins in with whatever's on theirs (NB subtle use of apostrophes). PLUS (of course)
2 This Week's Beach, AND
3 The (ongoing) Burrowed Frow.
If a particular topic (eg climate change, care of/for elderly people, weddings, lovely food etc) is of particular interest to anyone, individual froggers could take responsibility for bookmarking (other reminder systems are available) the thread it's on and revisit it whenever they like. Or maybe (better?) there could be a mechanism by which they could request it to be redirected to the Burrowed Frow, whereupon it could be assigned to its own corner and continue for as long as participants wanted it to. This would take into account the fact that topics tend to arise spontaneously - as a result of what people are listening to, reading or experiencing at the time - rather than some external agenda.
This would mean we'd need links/signposts to
1 Today's thread
2 This week's beach
3 The Burrowed Frow.
I LIKE the anarchy other people have also mentioned, and would be reluctant to have everyone's inputs over-categorised - especially since it's the anarchy (in the nicest-possible sense of the world) that makes reading the Blog such a wonderfully thought-provoking and gloriously funny and moving experience. The random juxtaposition (now THERE's a good word for a Thursday) of ideas is what makes it so REAL. For me, anyway.
Other opinions are available, of course.
The alternative, I spose, would be to adopt a system similar to that operated by The Archers people (qv), where they have zillions of current threads peopled by about five regular posters each and it all seems a bit cliquey and upitself. I'd hate The Blog to become an exclusive club into which newcomers were afraid to venture.
Wodjer fink?
xx
LadyPen
Torrential rain in January this morning, now just very, very windy. Felt the need of some comfort so have baked a traditional Victoria sponge cake. It's on the bar together with your choice of tea - Ceylon, Darjeeling, Earl Grey or just plain teabag (other beverages are available).
Enjoy.
PS - Or maybe long-running topics such as those mentioned in my last could be assigned their own space on pmblog.co.uk (sorry Jonnie) for continuation? One person wd simply have to ask whether all relevant contributions cd be cut-and-pasted into a new space on there . . . But that would mean fragmentation of our community, which I'd regret. But, as it gets bigger, maybe that's what has to happen :-(
xx
LadyPen
O gawd. Last has been posted before the one to which it refers.
Bl**dy hell.
xx
LadyPen
Lady Pen (219) email me the details via Fifi and I'll ask Best Beloved if he can help. He has had experience (successful) of such things.
Thoughts on anarchy.
If the Mairster were to restrict new postings to comments on the 'current' single daily blog, then sometimes we probably wouldn't see them until the following day. That might stimulate someone to sort out the accursed moderation system.
PM: His Mairster's Voice
PM: The McMairfia in action.
Sorry.
xx
ed
Thursday January 11, 2007 at 17:50:22 GMT
Lady Pen 225, that's almost exactly what I suggested in the Furrowed Brow a while back. Great minds thinking alike? or fools seldom differing?
Anne P I've had a very enervating afternoon, I'm afraid I need ALL that Victoria sponge to myself.
I'll bake a coffee cake tomorrow.
PM: A smorgasbord of news and views.
EdIgle (230) -
Quite so (again).
Annasee and AnneP, I'll be in touch. Thanks so much.
xx
LadyPen
LadyPen (219) & Aunt Dahlia (222)
Well that's nice innit? An honest ffrogger makes a simple spelling mistake and you just poke ffun at him. Well I'm offf in a hufff now.
Anyway my Spellcheck said it was OK
Eye halve a spelling chequer
It came with my pea sea
It plainly marques four my revue
Miss steaks eye kin knot sea.
Eye strike a key and type a word
And weight four it two say
Weather eye am wrong oar write
It shows me strait a weigh.
As soon as a mist ache is maid
It nose bee fore two long
And eye can put the error rite
Its rare lea ever wrong.
Eye have run this poem threw it
I am shore your pleased two no
Its letter perfect awl the weigh
My chequer tolled me sew
In case y'all missed it, here it is again. A chance to do some eating of local food from the beach.
Enjoy
ed
Thursday January 11, 2007 at 20:04:10 GMT
RJD- brilliant poem. I'm thinking of printing it out as an English exercise for the 9 year old. "Why is almost every word in this poem wrong?" In fact I think I'll do that right now. Thanks again!
Annasee
No credit to me. I'm sure I was given this by somebody at least 10 years ago.
Wow - I have just a posting through in 4 minutes! FOUR MINUTES!!!!
I may have to go and lie down.
Molly (221)
Sorry, I missed you earlier.
I'm sure that you are right. Given 5 or 6 options on a single day where are those new to the blog supposed to choose?
...are we not in danger of making it all a bit too, well organised?
RJD - brilliant poem! and congratulations on the 4 minute mile.
Good grief the froggerators have really got their rocket propelled boots on tonight. Mine (239) went through just about as fast.
Ah! Anne P your (239) is now all mine!
The poem is not mine by the way. Quite old and I can't remember who gave it to me.
I mean the poem is quite old, not me.
Well, I suppose it depends on what you mean by old . . . Is it time for cocoa yet?
They've probably been stiffled.
Aunt Dahlia
Surely one dig at me was enough. LOL
RJD-
Exactly! I mean,I still get lost and confused.In fact I was just about to post 'it's Bexhill!' and here I am on the wrong site-just goes to show!
Like Weed,I still feel v.new.Also,I'veyet to have anything refused-worrying!
jonnie- when are you off to Ceylon? I'm very envious.Have fun..
Mollyxx.
Valery P - I've replied elsewhere but this place seems very fast tonight.
Before I embarass myself with my cousin who I only meet very occasionally can I try a bit of maths. If I remember correctly we were talking of the early 70s, yes? My best reckoning would be that in say 1973, he would have been no more than 12 or 13. Doesn't sound likely does it?
1n 1973 Finbarr Nolan would have been 21.
I'll have to check what age I would have been!
Final question and I know some people think we all sound the same, but did my namesake have a Northern or Southern accent?
RJD (247 as I write) I thought I was suffering from time slip brought about by the new high speed moderation. I take it this is a new conversation between yourself and Val P. about the mysterious Finbarr and not one from months ago that has just mysteriously been freed up from the moderators' black hole in the ether?
It would be very disconcerting if all those mysteriously lost postings suddenly began randomly reappearing - quite surreal in fact.
Anne P
No, this is all new. I'm afraid it is all my fault - I have awakened memories for Valery that I have no control over! And it's not Finbarr, it's Finbarr's friend!
Hey RJD, I've been chasing you about all over the threads, I should've thought to check the beach. My, you do make me sound fast!
Well, now I'll have to blow the cobwebs off my memories, but I was 20, and so if Finbarr was 21, that's about right for his pal too :o), so not the cousin (I'm not that bad!). Ho hum, happy days, perhaps better left buried? Depends on your inclination of course.........
Aperitif, where are you girl? I need your moral support!
As to accent - too long ago to remember, he actually sang more than he spoke! These days I do know the difference, one of my best pals is from NI, plus I have an exceptional ear for accents (not frightfully useful, but I find it interesting).
Valery P
It's an awful pity because if it was '73 then I would have been 19. You should have mentioned the singing before - unfortunately that would have ruled me out immediately.
Re: BillnBen,
I guess it's a bit stupid to question why you were (yet again) moderated.
Moderators, please explain ?
Re: Annasee, just left a huge, chatty post to yo, previewed it and then the system hung (hanged) and that was it.
So in a nutshell -- Yes the weather here was dreadful.
Ventured out at 3PM and picked up a bargain at TK Maxx (jeans and shoes)
Bournemouth looked deserted and sad!
Last one was far more chatty -- but must get to bed.
Night to all !
One of the gorgeous young men who seem to spend quite a lot of time round here has lent me a Ry Cooder CD. Am listening to it as we speak. It's not as good as the Ry Cooder CD I lent him, but hey - it's OK.
Son Joe (into ska, reggae and Clash - my fault, sorry) discovered Gorecki's Symphony No.3 this evening when I somehow managed to leave it on just before he went out and came back in. He was blown away by it. As were the friends he brought back.
Wow. How wonderful is that?
xx
LadyPen
Joe Palooka ?
The one that likes Chris Evans !
Lady Pen, Tell us more!
No! I know who you mean! Now stop it!
Get to bed, I'mn sure you are.
AND Remember you are a grown Woman!
This IS a Radio 4 Blog!
Since I have a few moments just now, (printing out on a *very* slow printer that has to be hand fed paper back in January), thought I'd drop by with some coffee and croissants (other beverages and breakfasts are available).
I certainly will need to stock up, as long day ahead...
I see much of the marks in the sand about threads are re-runs of comments made in the first few days...I have a modified stance.
I don't mind there being more than one thread in a day, especially is there is a serious one like ""Ruth Kelly" or "Latest on Iraq", which often draws in new bloggers, as well as a more general one. But I think the countdown to 20000 posts was perhaps over-done.
Perhaps there is some way that a comment made by Eddie within a thread could be highlighted, so he does not always have to start a new thread to bring something to our attention?
Anyway, back to January and this bl**dy printer.
Having a few moments to spare before starting work I had a look at the other bbc 'beaches '.None there.
There are lots of very neat and tidy blog places to see but none with the appeal of this place.
Do we really want to alter things so very much?
I like the lack of formality (!!!!) here -strange how quickly names take on personalities almost immediately.
It's a bit like coming home having visited a particularly well organised friend.
just time for a quick coffee and paddle before bells start to ring....
Mollyxx
LadyPen (254);
Gorecki's 3rd is probably the most uplifting piece of classical music to emerge from the end of the 20th Century. How anyone could not be moved by it I don't know, even more so when you know the story behind it.
Back in oooohh, 1994 (?), the South Bank Show did an entire programme where they played the classic version by Dawn Upshaw and the London Sinfonietta, over the music they ran footage of the concentration camps. Between movements they had parts of an interview with Gorecki himself. It was so affecting that I went right out the next day and bought it. If they ever released that programme as a DVD I'd buy a copy just as quickly.
For those not in the know (and I reckon most of you probaly are), Gorecki saw what happened in a small Polish town called Oswiecim, later to achieve notoriety as Auschwitz and was marked by the experience. The libretto in the second movement is taken from a poem written by a Polish teenager held captive in the Gestapo HQ in Zakopane. Gentle, slow and very, very moving.
Got to have a contemplative cuppa in the shade. English Breakfast Tea please. Any of that Victoria sponge left? Oh, admin annie finished the lot!
Si.
Anyone who thinks Lissa's last day today should be mentioned on air, or that she should say something on air before she leaves, write in now, quickly. There's a bit of a movement going on, over on the "Tomorrow, Marc..." thread (Jan 11th). Add your voice for Lissa to be heard. Power to the listeners!
Get those say -nothing politicians off the airwaves, bring on someone we do want to hear!
Simon, I know what you mean about the Gorecki. I was in shreds, sobbing on the sofa, after watching the documentary with the concentration camp footage over the music ... and yet somehow there's a calm, an optimism, a forgiveness in it, that makes sense of the sadness and pain.
It would be one of my Desert Island Discs, for sure.
RJD, I have pinched your poem and sent it out as an email. Hope you don't mind!
Everyone with a wicked sense of humour ... I have something very funny to share, but it's an attachment of about 2.4MB. Email me via website if you're brave enough to try it!
Ah. Daisy T Cat is hinting strongly that my presence is required in the catering dept. While I'm there I'll rustle up some French toast for the beach bums...
Fifi xx
sorry yes I did finish off that Victorai sponge, but as promised - look! here is a coffee and madarin cake that I have made. As it's not really cake time though there is a also a box of toffee muffins on the bar, together with some coffee.
admin annie (261);
Any time is cake time on the Beach!
Si. :-)
What is DayTwo?
Cheese, please, Louise!
Si and Fifi -
The Dawn Upshaw version is the one I have (I know that others are available as my sister has one). It stopped me in my tracks the first time I heard it, and has had the same effect on everybody I've introduced it to. It makes me cry, too - and it did even before I knew what had inspired it. Just amazing.
Do you know Aarvo Part's 'Speigl im speigl'? (Or is it 'spiegl'?) That's the next one I'm going to hit the gorgeous young men with. Just in the interests of broadening their horizons - well, somebody has to :-)
Jonnie (255)-
Son Joe is definitely NOT Joe Palooka. At least, I don't THINK he is . . . though he does sometimes read The Beach while he's hovering behind me waiting for me to get off the computer . . .
xx
LadyPen
Sis,
Two steps back from Woody, a quiet, but comfortable padded cell
xx
ed
BigSis (263)
Sorry to state the bl**ding obvious but it's the day after DayOne. August 18.
admin annie-
cake time now?
Has Si finished it up?
Mollyxx
Fifi, Your Wicked attachments are just that :-) The Staff enjoyed the Jokes I got yesterday. I'm dglad work PC's are sound less re the video. I have an anti-stress kit to send you. Less alcohol in it than yours. Mine will pin on the side of the bar though.
Our soon to be ex blog meister, Lissa may not want any undue Radio attention.
RJD: Please, no sw**ring! And I've dropped by, saw it was a Boys' Place, waved, and came back.
Sometimes the obvious isn't right, is it? Otherwise, how do we explain the invasion of Iraq?
[ducks as various froggers throw coconuts, etc.]
The Blair Mole Project is just starting. I'll put my earphones on .....
Stewart (269) If Lissa's too shy to speak then I think there should be at least a word of thanks from Eddie, if only in recognition for her contribution to WOYW. This was my signpost to the Frog, for which I'm very grateful.
Speaking as a new-comer, I enjoy the multiple threads and the spontaneity of the blogs and wouldn't want it to be too organised.
And Ed....your video-clip of the eel was vile the first time....why on earth did you think we'd need to see it again?!
I need a lie-down on a lounger....I've come over all peculiar again!
It's a good job I brought these two chocolate cakes. Despite the sparseness of the folks on the Beach all the other cake has gone! I'll leave these here and have an ice cold malawi shandy. Mmmm! so refreshing and a dabble in the water's edge. It's such a relief to be here where it's calm after all the winds back home.
A quick snooze on one of the sun loungers as the sun goes down should put me right.
Hey look - the camels are back
According to ''Recent Comments'' I should be on the Beach now, but I'm nowhere to be seen. Has someone dumped me behind a sand-dune while I was taking a nap? Oh no....I'm adrift in the ocean on my li-lo. Where's our lifeguard, the Young Macallan, when you need him?
Sis,
It's only a 'boys'' place 'cause there ain't no lassies.
xx
ed
Friday January 12, 2007 at 16:04:06 GMT
In our effusive praise of Lissa we should not forget the shy and retiring Richard, the Blog Wizard. No, no, he's not going to Derbyshire with Lissa,,,,it's just a turn of phrase. He keeps himself so much to himself but I just thought he should get a mention. Memo to Marc......RICHARD HAS HIS PHOTO IN THE GALLERY AND IT'S LOVELY!
Was that the voice of Lovely Lissa, giving the PM telephone number?
Sounded awfully like how I imagined her to sound!!!
Fifi
Hi folks!
Well, I'm just in time to open a nice bottle of unoaked chardonnay. Anyone want a tipple? I'm feeling rather chuffed with myself, as I'm able to listen to al the programme tonight, as I managed to finish early, get to the gym, and still managed to get into the car before 5pm. Of course, it could be because I know it's Lissa, Blog Goddess's last programme tonight, so I had to make the effort:-)
Oh, I've left some of my lemon, paprika, & soy sauce chicken kebabs ready to put on the grill in the fridge. Help yourselves, foks!
Farewell! Be kind to Marc. Lx
Mmmm those kebabs are delicious.
I am so glad that I resolved not to go on a diet this month.
Farewell Lissa, please visit us though! Thanks for all your hard work (and I suspect keeping Eddie in order).
Welcome to Marc!
Mary
coffee & mandarin cake sounds wonderful, recipe please, I am not a cake baker so be kind!
take care Lissa, see you around here soon!
Marc, niiiiice Beach photo.... hope you can have some fun around here
Marc....thank you so much.....great photo.....lovely smile. I am so sorry I shouted at you earlier on (but it seems to have done the trick!) I think you intended to post your photo all along but were too much of a gentleman to do so until Lissa's last shift was over. WOOW.....Welcome to Our World
ps Did we hear Lissa's dulcet tones earlier on?
Ah, that was lovely. A final paddle in the August shallows, and now for a glass of cab sav at the Nick Clarke Memorial Bar.
Talking of which, did anyone hear the revised repeat of Nick's wonderful audio diary this morning?
Was I the only one who cried?
Sweet of Lissa to post a farewell. Hope it won't prove to be a Final Farewell, but just a temporary one till she joins us in the ranks. My favourite suggestion for her nom de frog was Her Knibbs ... but I'm sure she will pick something fitting.
Marc, you have settled in incredibly quickly, and we all love you to bits already. Welcome to our world!
Fifi xxx
what a day I've missed...Lissa on the beach, all the rest....
Anyhow, a few G&T's that I nicked from the "Furrowed Brow", as I thought I would join in but decided I'd had one too many already...
I'll be in that hammock over there...
Has anyone just watched Room 101? It was so good to see the Git wizard going in :-)
FF (286) -
Yes.
xx
LadyPen
Fifi,
Congratulations on getting the Furrowed Brow underway, and I'm sorry I didn't offer to humpf furniture, but I've got this bad back, you see....
I see my pint's settled down just fine. Time to order the second so it'll be ready when I need it in about three minutes...
Ahhhhh
Where's Brian? Have the doctors let him out for a wee bit tonight?
Lady Pen, Simon & Fifi,
Gorecki No 3, sublime. I feel that the Dawn Upshaw is the definitive version and it reduces me to tears every time I hear it.
Big Sister,
Nah, it's not a lads place. I just feel comfortable escaping there from the parallel universe, so I now live there. The bonus is the padding is thick so it doesn't hurt when I smack my head against the wall after being moderated all the time for no good reason. (Rant over)
But the shrinks have let me out again. Well they did this morning, I haven't been back yet.
What have we got Liffey or Sapphire?
I'm forgetting my manners again, evening all.
Brian
Lady Pen, Simon & Fifi,
Your words on Gorecki No 3 prompted me to go out and buy it at lunchtime today. I knew the piece but hadn't heard it in ages.
Listened to it on the way home this evening. Beautiful.
Brought it into the house and showed it to Mrs RJD. She then produced the copy that we bought two years ago.
Ah well.
RJD,
I had to giggle, that's the sort of thing I always do, console yourself with a Liffey, and if you don't mind I'll join you.
Cheers.
Brian
RJD - I'll have your spare!
Right, I'm going to make my way back to the cell, before the night staff get upset.
Have a peaceful night and I'll see y'all later.
Brian
Simon, Ladypen ,etc etc
just catching up on the beach-is it quiet today or is it me?
Anyway,. a long time fan of Gorecki, I certainly didn,t know the background to the second piece; thank you for that,Si.I do think that having the background to music makes all the difference to how you respond and it can permanantly affect your feeling for the piece.I'm listening to it now.
LadyPen-my youngest,at Uni, took a copy with her. Amongst all the 'dross' she loves it-encouraging that it appeals to the young ones too ..
Maybe we should have a 'music room' at FB where we could share/recommend goodiesof all genres?
Mollyxx
Well how odd, I was sure that there was a posting here earlier from Fifi announcing a frogger tryst today with Brian. Has it been post moderated? can't recall anything that would have caused it.
Hello everyone on this waaarm beach. And farewell to Lissa - like FF, I was able to listen to the whole prog yesterday (a rare opportunity) and we will all miss you, Lissa, so do come back and see us whenever you can.
Either here or in the Furrowed Brow. Isn't it splendid there? I fell asleep last night in front of the log fire.
Does anyone know when we get new FB's - will it be on Mondays, as with the Beach?
I've made up some chocolate and toffee ice cream sundaes with lots of nuts and toffee sauce and pretty little umbrellas! Enjoy!
Well, after the recommendations re Gorecki No 3, I went out and bought a copy this morning. I'm planning on listening to it later on when I've finished all the usual chores. Thanks for the suggestion, all!
Re the renewing of the FB, I'd actually suggest that the FB is given a clean on a Friday (maybe as the programme finishes) rather than a Monday. It's an ideal location (partnered by the beach, of course) for us to continue on things over the weekend....
Anne P (295) There was such a posting, and I responded to it, but my message is nowhere to be seen either. Perhaps it has gone to Whittlesey to keep an eye on Fifi and BnB. I hope it comes back with lots of gossip.
I am just back from the Straw Bear Festival where I met Bill n Ben!!!
There will be photos ... I am incompetent in the field of posting these anywhere you can see them, but I will send them to BnB so he can do the necessary.
I warn you now: believe nothing that man tells you about what I got up to today!
Fifi
Don't worry, I am back safe and sound after a very pleasant afternoon at Whittlesey.
Or Whittlesea, as they call it at Festival Time.
There will be photos in due course. Bill n Ben will fill you in on the details. Far as I'm concerned, I just did what I usually do in a folky singaround sort of a thing ... played a bit, sang a bit, joined in a bit, and made some lovely new friends!
Fifi xx
Wow! I've come here having been reading some really heavy stuff on the FB thread. Great idea, just that at the moment I haven't got any great ideas!
I'm cutting down on the booze, so just a small glass of white wine please, some olives and nuts to nibble on while I make it last!
Fifi, never mind B'n'b telling on you, what's the dirt on him!
Mary
Mary
Not to spare BnB's blushes ... he's lovely!
Can sing, too, provided there's enough noise going on around him.
And he knows EVERYBODY in the folk music world .. those I know, whose I don't.
Friends, I comment Bill n Ben to the house!
Fifi xxx
I sort of got the idea B'n'B would be an OK guy.
Mary
Mary
BnB is sound as a pound. But he's going to write the most awful rubbish about what a tart I am in musical company...
And it's all true!!!!!
Don't believe a word of it. I am as pure as the driven slush.
Fifi ;oD
Annasee -- I think we've had this strapline at least once before, and maybe twice!
Do you have undue influence at 成人快手 HQ!
Fifi n ;o)
Can I come back from DayTwo??
Fifi - not quite enough influence, obviously, or we would have heard more of Lissa on Friday! Does anyone else wonder where her parting message (written just before the programme started, I think )has been for 24 hours?? I've only just seen it now, but it was written late Friday afternoon. I'm sure I looked this morning & it wasn't there. How bizarre.
I must say, the strap line felt very familiar - already used at least once maybe twice, as you say. There must be a backlog of all the new ones we sent in last week that will need HTML coding (is that the right term?) Probably a nice little job for the NBP on Monday morning, before he gets on with his "real" work - though how he thinks he'll have time to be doing any reporting now he's at our beck & call, I really don't know...
Still, nice to see he's been making an effort with the photo & all. Not to mention the holiday snaps.
Sure, Brian, but be sure to bring the barrel.
There's more in the brow if we run low.
厂濒谩颈苍迟别
ed
xx
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 that鈥檚 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 Paul鈥檚 Cathedral would have trembled in fear, I heard, 鈥淵ou Bill鈥檔鈥橞en? Hello, I鈥檓 Fifi鈥.
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. 鈥淢y God鈥, I thought, 鈥渢his is my kind of women鈥.
鈥淚鈥檝e got to get this bl**dy guitar off my back鈥, decapitating six members of the Rutland Morris team as she swung it over her shoulder, quickly followed by the guitar.
鈥淲ell, how ya doin cock鈥, she growled.
鈥淔ine鈥, 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, 鈥漁h, that鈥檚 buggered up the sing song ain鈥檛 it鈥, she growled again.
鈥淚t鈥檚 made it easy to get to the bar though, my dearest鈥, I sighed, hopelessly in love with this (wo)man mountain.
The landlord鈥檚 protests, 鈥滾ook wot you done to my business鈥, were quickly stifled as a long low growl emanated from the corner of the bar.
鈥淪hadapp, or I鈥檒l stick an apostrophe were the sun don鈥檛 shine鈥.
鈥淥h, she鈥檚 obviously not very well educated or she hasn鈥檛 been listening to Lynn Truss, or taking notice of what鈥檚 said on the blog, that鈥檚 not were you put an apostrophe鈥, 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)
Hello Froglets,
Just taken me 20 minutes to read through all the postings on the Furrowed Brow, very interesting looking at the view points. Ed I even links to a whopping essay he did at one point.
Re: Confused and the leather shorts, alas he never came back to visit us. It was all a bit upsetting at the time as he was clearly confused, as indeed YOU are.
let's see if this one gets through
Re: Ed (309)
and his link ..............................
Institutional blogging must stop.
Whilst the 成人快手 and the Guardian are two of the media institutions I hold dear (well, probably the only two really) their insistance on calling everything on their websites "a blog" to indicate it is an opinion piece is really an abuse of terminology. It's an editorial, it's a column, it seems it's whatever they want it to be. But in truth all they've become is an excuse for nitwits that while away a couple of hours at work by getting in to a slagging match at the end of said "blog".
This is not democracy guys, this is not an expression of your communicative rights. It's, oh what's the point.
........................The cheek of it!
Re: Lady Pen,
Apologies for my earlier posting re: your son being Joe Palooka.
I didn't understand my own comment, in fact any of my post! which possibly, is a very good reason not to go on the blog at 3 AM after a party where much alcohol was consumed.
Being a good boy tonight and on the Earl Grey.
I'll dig up the Goreki in the morning and stick it on the PM Blog beach for those that would like a listen. I always find it very moving.
Night x
Well, I'm just going to have another Liffey and chill out, before I head off home. I'd better go back , because those nice people at the 成人快手 have given me a sign post, that was really nice of them.
And thinking about it, there's going to be somebody after my blood soon, I'm going to be safer locked in a cell.
Have a peaceful night everybody, I'll see you all later.
Brian
Jonnie,
Posting the Gorecki would be a good deed indeed, as I'm too mean (and cautious) to do a pay-download, and I don't know it, but with the rave reviews it's been getting round here, I'm sure to love it. The smoking lamp is now lit, but only for adulterers (of tobacco).
nighty night
ed
Sunday January 14, 2007 at 01:33:35 GMT
Bill n Ben ... naughty boy, you swore not to tell!!!
I have a number of calls on my time today, so I won't be able to post my frankly far less credible description of yesterday's assignation until considerably later.
By which time BnB's description will be seriously imprinted on froggers' minds, and lovely fluffy cuddly Fifi banished forever from your thoughts.
Oh well. Now, where did I leave my fishnet nose-ring?
Fifi ;oD
Fifi - we didn't believe a word of it!
Val - Some of the physical descriptions are a trifle questionable -- however the basic facts are true!
With luck the landlord will have fixed the doors again by the time I go back again this time next year....
LOL
Fifi xxx