Saturday 22 January 2022

Fart in a Colander

 Sorry I haven't been around much lately - I've been in a bit of a dither this past few weeks what with one thing and another.  "Like a fart in a colander" (that doesn't know which hole to get out of), as my Grandma used to put it.

 I can't quite put my finger on what's brought it on, but I suspect that a combination of things are to blame, including more Car related woes (it's in the garage again!).  I have taken up swimming (in a pool, not the sea) though, which seems to be taking the edge off, somewhat.

 Oh, the inclusion of the Parsnip People (from my allotment) up there will become apparent if you keep reading.

::

 New music: I've been surprised by White Lies latest release "Am I Really Going To Die".  That's three in a row from them that I've taken to.  I'm not usually a fan of their music as it aways seems too maudlin and ernest for my liking, but this one is quite bright and pop-y with some rather exhilarating bits (I haven't really listened to the words, so it's probably really miserable).

 Also, I'm getting sick of the lead singer's glum, beardy face singing at me/the camera.

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 I've been watching Ghosts on BBC iPlayer - My new favourite tv show!  It's funny, endearing and just as I imagine an adult, modern version of Rentaghost would be.  Plus, although it's a sitcom, there are one or two scary moments - Mary's dream in S3 Ep 5 "Something to Share?", for example.  Just Mary describing it is bad enough, but when Alison (and the other ghosts) catches her dream and we get to see it... Brrrrr!  The bit with the carrots brings to mind a certain scene in Pan's Labyrinth.

 

 My favourite ghost is Robin the caveman, but I do have a little crush on The Captain! 

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 In other news, I'm not getting on very well with the new version of the Freakin' Green Elf Shorts Travel Map.  I've got as far as marking all the winners' locations on Google Earth in the hopes of provoking some inspiration, but all the dithering (and procrastination) has smothered any emerging ideas.

 Maybe I'll have put something together by the time Ms Scarlet has passed the FGES on to the latest winner, Maddie, the Mistress Borghese?

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 Finally, here are some photos from the promenade here in overstrand on 9th January - the last time I published anything!



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 I'm off to play Lego with my nephew, Count Podgkinson very soon, so I'll do the rounds to catch up with what you've all been up to once I'm back.

42 comments:

  1. Those shorts are so old, they'll be appearing on Antiques Roadshow next! Jx

    PS nope - no idea about the "Parsnip People", nor their connection to anything.

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    1. Haha!! I'd love to see Fiona Bruce modelling the FGES!!!
      Sx

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    2. Oh, gods, can you imagine the horror if, in a few decades time, they *do* actually appear on AR?!?

      Jon, the connection to the Parsnip People was the carrot part of Mary's dream in the 'Ghosts' bit - especially the YouTube clip linked to at the end of that paragraph.

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  2. I watched the first series of Ghosts - but missed the second series - I will catch up because it is enchanting, and different from the usual dreary sit-com fayre. Did you watch The Goes Wrong Show? I quite like that as well.
    Yep, I think the White Lies lyrics might be on the gloomy side, but put to a jolly tune!
    As for the map - if it's not floating your boat right now then put it aside for a while. No rush! I'm still at the planning stage of Maddie's collage - so the shorts won't be going anywhere this month!
    Sx

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    1. I only discovered Ghosts earlier this month, but I've already watched all three series twice! I can't wait for series 4 (they're filming it now, so it should be out later this year)!
      I've not heard of The Goes Wrong Show - I'll see if I can find it.

      Ah, hooray for collages in their planning stages!

      * marks diary to check back in August *

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  3. The new map style is fabulous!

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    1. Thank you, Very Mistress! I like the idea of tracing the Detestable Polyestables whereabouts on a globe, but it doesn't translate well to a 2D image for the blog. I set up a FGES project on Google Earth (Earth spins this way and that with a marker for the 'Shorts popping up at every stop) which seems to have the capacity to be shared, but I haven't worked out how to do so yet.
      Maybe by the time Ms Scarlet's finished her collage, I will have got to grips with the blasted thing?

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  4. I know what it is, there's something in the environment or air or tides which is putting everyone on edge. Even I am finding my usual calm equanimity is getting a little ruffled sometimes and I'm biting people!

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    1. I hope that whatever it is dissipates soon. I'd hate to get a muzzle out for you.

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  5. Well, my dear. May your dither clear... although, I don't see what the fuss is all about. Life is to be taken in bits and pieces. We can't paint it all one color... that would be boring. Love the music - but not the vid. I agree. I want to smack his face... stand up straight you gloomy gus. Reminds me of something from the 80's, but I can't put my finger on it. Thanks for the pics, to. And swimming! Physical activity is just the thing to clear your head. Beware of the chlorine, though... Be of good cheer. Kizzes.

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    1. The White Lies songs that I like - this one, "I Don't Want To Go To Mars", and "Tokyo" - all have an 80s feel to them. Perhaps that's why I like them?

      Oh, the swimming - I love it! I think swimming is the closest we can get to flying unaided. I spend so much time underwater that it's a wonder I haven't grown gills.
      You're right about the chlorine, though. I feel like I have a head cold all day after a morning swim (there's a lot of nose-blowing), but it's worth it.

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  6. Fart in a Colander is an expression I'd never heard, but I Love your Gran's definition of why the phrase was used.

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    1. It's a phrase my Nan used as well! She had some other choice ones too, like "Why can't she keep still? Has she got a flea up her arse?" and "She's no better than she should be." Jxx

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    2. I love the "fart in a colander" expression as it conjures up such an image!
      I think we should continue using phrases and expression like these to keep them from dying out.

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  7. Ghosts looks like it would be fun show. I'll not get to see it unless it comes on Netflix or Amazon Prime. Right now were completely enthralled with Archive 81. We'll be finishing the last two episodes tonight. https://youtu.be/fwCJe66VlQc

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    1. Ghosts maybe more likely to show up on BBC America as it's a BBC production? However, there is a US version exec-produced by the British creators on CBS - it started airing in October last year.
      I've been humming and hahing about watching Archive 81 - I might give it a look now.

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    2. Oh, I've just watched a couple of clips of the CBS Ghosts and it looks terrible! All bright and clean and, well, American. Although, I'm probably biased as I love the original so much.

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    3. We would actually have the same bias! We often find that the original British versions are done better (like IT Crowd.) Honestly, I don't why they even bother to make "American version" of these shows. I have yet to even meet an American who likes the American version better if they've taken the opportunity to try both. Maybe the tv executives somehow make more money doing it that way.

      You have to watch Archive 81 because a depiction of something you relate to will seem very stereotypical at first but it's an albatross.

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    4. This goes way, way back to possibly the only time US remakes of British shows were successful, the 1970s - Till Death Us Do Part became All in the Family; Man About The House became Three's Company (and its spin-off George & Mildred became The Ropers); and Steptoe & Son became Stanford & Son, for example. Since then, to my knowledge only Queer As Folk and The Office have been remade to any level of success. Jx

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  8. American television producers do not use ugly people in their dramas/comedies, they choose looks over talent. I love Ghosts too, Mary being my favourite, in the American re-make is she depicted as a beautiful French maid and is Fanny Button wearing the worst aging make-up imaginable? ugh no thanks.

    I've recently discovered Inside no.9 brilliant.


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  9. Mitzi - Inside No.9 is genius! Have you seen the one where they are stealing the painting from the very swanky house? I think it’s in the first series - honestly one of the best 30 minutes I’ve spent watching television.
    Sx

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    1. A Quiet Night In is a masterpiece, as is The Devil of Christmas (very Acorn Antiqueish with a disturbing end), The Trial of Elizabeth Gadge and Zanzibar with the lovely Marcia Warren. Only one episode I wasn't struck on, Love's Greatest Adventure with that woman off Corrie I just couldn't get into it. They remind me a bit of Tales of the Unexpected.

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  10. P.S Have you watched Mandy?! She’s a character!
    Sx

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    1. The way she walks as if she is pushing a heavy wheelbarrow downhill has me cackling everytime.

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    2. I've been watching it and agree with Mitzi about Mandy's walk.

      My fave episode was ‘Who Are You, Do You Think?' - a parody of the programme "Who Do You Think You Are?"

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    3. 'Mandy' always reminds me of Mitzi because I think Mitzi is capable of creating and writing such a character.
      It's a brilliant creation!
      Sx

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    4. Did you know she's distantly related to Julie Goodyear? She jokingly suggested that Julie play her mother on "Mandy." THAT I'd love to see.

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    5. I didn't know that, and I'd love to see Julie play her mother as well!
      Sx

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  11. Apologies, Mr Devine, we seem to have wandered off topic!
    Sx

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    1. I doubt he'll mind, it's not like he's keeping an eye on proceedings - we could mess up his sideboard, and he'd be oblivious - and I might make that my project for the end of the week!
      Sx

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    2. SShhhhh…. I am working on my glorious sideboard project. I need to concentrate.
      Sx

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    3. Apologies. I'll leave you to it and see if I can find The Goes Wrong Show or Mandy...

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  12. Replies
    1. Hahahahahaha! Melanie won the race to blow the sideboard up! Jx

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    2. Damn it! Now my invasion will have to wait until next week. I imagine Putin is saying much the same thing.
      Sx

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    3. I see...

      :: narrows eyes and considers reaction* ::




      * Or I would do, but my tea's nearly ready.
      Hmmm... I could have saved some energy by burning it to a crisp on my Sideboard rather than in Apocalypse Oven...

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    4. I just thought if your weather has been as dreary as ours you could do with a warm fire to toast your cold footsies.

      Ms Scarlet: Ha ha ha! Love your response! I'm sorry, but you were taking too long! I was secretly hoping we might do it at the same time. Maybe the pictures would make some silly montage of whatever you put up ended up roasting over an open fire. There's still time for you to toss some nuts, marshmallows, or whatever on there. What do Brits toast over open fires? Anything?

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  13. I must be on the dark side of the moon...I have no idea what you're all talking about!I hope youtube might give me a clue re. Ghosts.

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    1. Don't worry, Dinah - I haven't a clue about any of the programmes they're going on about, either. Jx

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