Due to a massive hangover I didn't really feel like cooking my own lunch today. But then I had the problem - if I didn't want to cook and I couldn't call anyone to have a 3pm lunch with me, what was I going to do about food? Seasoned drinkers will know that the answer is fast food - so I decided to combine my desire for something fried with following up on the International Food Challenge. Because I felt I needed the fresh air and the coolness of the rain was kinda soothing, I walked the 3km to KFC to try their fries. I must now report that while they indeed hit the spot, they did lack chicken salt and so KFC Germany is therefore not the same as KFC Australia.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to curl up in bed and watch some videos.
Showing posts with label blog challenge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blog challenge. Show all posts
Monday, March 28, 2011
Sunday, March 06, 2011
International Food Challenge.
A while ago, Pooey and I were discussing her dinner options in Radelaide. I made the comment that every country I'd ever had McDonalds in (Aus, UK, France, Italy, Germany, US) has tasted always the same. This then brought up the question - does KFC also taste the same? Pooey confirmed that while the chicken tasted the same in the UK, the lack of chicken salt made their chips substandard. She then set me a challenge - find out if KFC is the same in Germany as it is in Aus!
We then investigated where I could get KFC in Munich. Apparently KFC has only been in Munich since 2005 and there are only 3 outlets?!? I decided that the most convenient one I should visit would be the Bayerstr. location, between the Hauptbahnhof and Stachus. I happened to be in the vicinity of Stachus today so I decided to drop in and get some Wicked Wings (aka Hot Wings here).
We then investigated where I could get KFC in Munich. Apparently KFC has only been in Munich since 2005 and there are only 3 outlets?!? I decided that the most convenient one I should visit would be the Bayerstr. location, between the Hauptbahnhof and Stachus. I happened to be in the vicinity of Stachus today so I decided to drop in and get some Wicked Wings (aka Hot Wings here).
Never received my wings in a bag before.
Also, the minimum number of wings I could buy a time was 6. Lucky I was hungry.
One of the things I like about KFC is that depending on what you order, the pieces are actually identifiable as chicken (no comment the hormone stories). Yep, looks like a wing to me!
On first bite, I was mildly disappointed. While it was fried and it was chicken, it didn't taste particularly hot. I then thought to myself, *well wicked wings in Australia don't really taste hot either.* And so, my disappointment dissipated as I enjoyed the crispy deep fried batter with the occasional pseudo chili tang.
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Kitchen experimentation - Rainbow cake Mk I
Awhile ago, caramelbear found a recipe for rainbow cake and showed it to the rest of us. Me being the resident Remy scoffed at the fact they used cake mixes and lemonade to make the cake. Yuk. Diet cake? Cakes should be made with things like eggs and butter! They're all about celebrating the wonder of life not restriction!
Having voiced this sentiment, I was challenged by the other Orangehoodies to make my own version of the rainbow cake. I decided to use the lemon cake recipe since it's relatively easy with a nice clean flavour. Plus lemon is a fruit for people who care about things like nutrition. And so, here I present my Rainbow cake made with all the things that make life worth living!
Ingredients
250g butter (yes, one whole block!)
1 cup of caster sugar (yes, one whole cup!)
2 tsp lemon rind (fruit!)
4 eggs (protein and cholesterol!)
2 cups self raising flour (carbs!)
1tsp baking powder
2tbs lemon juice (fruit again!)
1.5 tbs poppyseeds (everyone loves opiates!)
Food colouring (mmmmm!)
2 cups of secret ingredient (my love!)
Cream the butter and sugar together
Grate the lemon rind and add that to the butter/sugar mix.
It's easier to grate and then juice the lemon
Slowly beat the eggs into the butter/sugar mixture until the mixture is nice and liquidy
Sift the flour and baking powder into the mixture and mix in well
Add the poppyseeds and lemon juice, then start dividing up the mixture and colouring it with food colouring (the original recipe used something called "jelly colours" which I couldn't find in the normal supermarket - might have to look for them in the specialist baking stores). Bake at 170 degrees C/338 degrees F for 45 minutes
Ice if you want, I was too lazy so I covered it in a saturated sugar syrup that will form a crust as well as soak the cake more lemon flavour. Cool in the tin (for 30 mins), then transferred it to a wire rack.
And this is how it ended up!
(note to self, put more green in next time)
I will agree with the original baker in that for this cake to work properly, you need to increase the quantities so the colours show up better, otherwise you get colour smushing which is what happened in my cake. That will mean you can either bake one MEGA cake (and change the duration it stays in the oven) or do what they did and make 2 separate cakes. Regardless of whether it was successful at doing the *rainbow* thing is debateable, but it's still delicious and I imagine, better tasting than a cake without fat or sugar!
Having voiced this sentiment, I was challenged by the other Orangehoodies to make my own version of the rainbow cake. I decided to use the lemon cake recipe since it's relatively easy with a nice clean flavour. Plus lemon is a fruit for people who care about things like nutrition. And so, here I present my Rainbow cake made with all the things that make life worth living!
Ingredients250g butter (yes, one whole block!)
1 cup of caster sugar (yes, one whole cup!)
2 tsp lemon rind (fruit!)
4 eggs (protein and cholesterol!)
2 cups self raising flour (carbs!)
1tsp baking powder
2tbs lemon juice (fruit again!)
1.5 tbs poppyseeds (everyone loves opiates!)
Food colouring (mmmmm!)
2 cups of secret ingredient (my love!)
Cream the butter and sugar together
Grate the lemon rind and add that to the butter/sugar mix.It's easier to grate and then juice the lemon
Slowly beat the eggs into the butter/sugar mixture until the mixture is nice and liquidy
Sift the flour and baking powder into the mixture and mix in well
Add the poppyseeds and lemon juice, then start dividing up the mixture and colouring it with food colouring (the original recipe used something called "jelly colours" which I couldn't find in the normal supermarket - might have to look for them in the specialist baking stores). Bake at 170 degrees C/338 degrees F for 45 minutes
Ice if you want, I was too lazy so I covered it in a saturated sugar syrup that will form a crust as well as soak the cake more lemon flavour. Cool in the tin (for 30 mins), then transferred it to a wire rack.
And this is how it ended up!(note to self, put more green in next time)
I will agree with the original baker in that for this cake to work properly, you need to increase the quantities so the colours show up better, otherwise you get colour smushing which is what happened in my cake. That will mean you can either bake one MEGA cake (and change the duration it stays in the oven) or do what they did and make 2 separate cakes. Regardless of whether it was successful at doing the *rainbow* thing is debateable, but it's still delicious and I imagine, better tasting than a cake without fat or sugar!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Blog challenge - Who would you choose to...?
THE RULES:
You have to choose one footballer to do each of the following activities with.
You can't choose the same person for more than two answers.
You have to explain your reasons behind each answer.
Bonus lolz for being specific with certain questions!
Who would you choose to...
1) Go backpacking across Europe with?
Hroje Vejic. I've always wasnted to go to Russia. He's the only guy I can think of who can speak Russian who's not Russian. Or Marat but he's not a baller.
2) Teach you their language?
Kaka and Ronaldinho for the Portuguese, Spanish and Italian. Kaka is so pure that while I might get distracted, he would make sure I pass the exams. Plus, he looks really hot in glasses.
Ronaldinho is so ugly I'll study really hard so I can prove that I don't need two tutors.
3) Go on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire with?
Niko Kranjcar or Frank Lampard. Both are apparently smart and I like to win.
4) Bake a chocolate carrot cake with?
Cesc Fabregas. Cesc would be really into making the cake - enthusiasm and willingness to learn is important in cookery. Then we'd have a really good reason to go visit Xabi and make him eat it.
5) Get drunk and sing karaoke with?
Iker Casillas. He can't sing for crap but he's got enthusiasm and that's what's really important in karaoke.
6) Go on an extreme sports holiday with?
Christoph Metzelder. He's made of glass. 'Nuff said.
7) Raise money for underprivileged kids with?
Fabio Cannavaro. He loves kids, kids love him, plus he seems like the kind of guy who people would just give money to. That last bit is really important.
8) Marry and have lots of sex and babies with?
Iker Casillas. We'd have the most beautiful babies - the sons would look like David Silva, the girls would look like other halfie girls.
9) Play an embarrassingly tabloid-worthy prank on?
Cesc! He seems like he'd take a joke really well if this is any example.
10) Have a short but wholly satisfying sordid affair with?
Yoann Gourcuff. And it would only be short because Iker would get so upset at how quickly Lashes and I bonded over fromage, galettes, crepes, la langue francaise...
11) Go to a fancy dress event with?
Again, people have said Fernando Torres and really, with evidence like this, why wouldn't you want to go to a costume party with him?
My other option would be Crouchie after seeing this pic that Ven posted.
Seriously, he looks so happy in that parrot suit its worth seeing again.
12) Have a drunken hook up that you may regret with?
The dirty hot David Villa. But thinking of his cutie-pie daughter Boo/Zaida would mean it's never happening again. And Gina might have a few choice words too.
13) Go ballroom dancing with?
Niko K. All gentleman - he's 6'1, looks great in a suit, and probably knows how to waltz without stepping on my feet.
14) Pull off an Ocean's Eleven style heist with?
Becks, Cronaldo, or someone else equally famous. He can go in and distract everyone while I carry out The Heist.
15) Go on a secret mission with?
See number 14.
You have to choose one footballer to do each of the following activities with.
You can't choose the same person for more than two answers.
You have to explain your reasons behind each answer.
Bonus lolz for being specific with certain questions!
Who would you choose to...
1) Go backpacking across Europe with?
Hroje Vejic. I've always wasnted to go to Russia. He's the only guy I can think of who can speak Russian who's not Russian. Or Marat but he's not a baller.
2) Teach you their language?
Kaka and Ronaldinho for the Portuguese, Spanish and Italian. Kaka is so pure that while I might get distracted, he would make sure I pass the exams. Plus, he looks really hot in glasses.
Ronaldinho is so ugly I'll study really hard so I can prove that I don't need two tutors. 3) Go on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire with?
Niko Kranjcar or Frank Lampard. Both are apparently smart and I like to win.
4) Bake a chocolate carrot cake with?
Cesc Fabregas. Cesc would be really into making the cake - enthusiasm and willingness to learn is important in cookery. Then we'd have a really good reason to go visit Xabi and make him eat it.
5) Get drunk and sing karaoke with?
Iker Casillas. He can't sing for crap but he's got enthusiasm and that's what's really important in karaoke.
6) Go on an extreme sports holiday with?
Christoph Metzelder. He's made of glass. 'Nuff said.
7) Raise money for underprivileged kids with?
Fabio Cannavaro. He loves kids, kids love him, plus he seems like the kind of guy who people would just give money to. That last bit is really important.
8) Marry and have lots of sex and babies with?
Iker Casillas. We'd have the most beautiful babies - the sons would look like David Silva, the girls would look like other halfie girls.
9) Play an embarrassingly tabloid-worthy prank on?
Cesc! He seems like he'd take a joke really well if this is any example.
10) Have a short but wholly satisfying sordid affair with?
Yoann Gourcuff. And it would only be short because Iker would get so upset at how quickly Lashes and I bonded over fromage, galettes, crepes, la langue francaise...
11) Go to a fancy dress event with?
Again, people have said Fernando Torres and really, with evidence like this, why wouldn't you want to go to a costume party with him?
My other option would be Crouchie after seeing this pic that Ven posted.
Seriously, he looks so happy in that parrot suit its worth seeing again.12) Have a drunken hook up that you may regret with?
The dirty hot David Villa. But thinking of his cutie-pie daughter Boo/Zaida would mean it's never happening again. And Gina might have a few choice words too.
13) Go ballroom dancing with?
Niko K. All gentleman - he's 6'1, looks great in a suit, and probably knows how to waltz without stepping on my feet.
14) Pull off an Ocean's Eleven style heist with?
Becks, Cronaldo, or someone else equally famous. He can go in and distract everyone while I carry out The Heist.
15) Go on a secret mission with?
See number 14.
Friday, February 06, 2009
Blog Challenge - Music Genre (Opera)
Since some of the more popular and fun genres got taken by the time I found out about this week's blog challenge, I decided to explain a little about Opera.
I've mentioned before my love for it and how people don't understand. I recognise the difficulty in appreciating it - it's an extremely convoluted and some may say unnatural way of singing. The storylines are often ridiculous and sung in a foreign language - and even if you did speak the language, the vocal presentation means the words are often still incomprehensible. And to make matters 'worse', since voice is often considered more important than appearance (although this is changing, for the better or worse), the roles are often presented by plump people pretending to be young lovers.
People often snort when you talk about a voice that can bring you to tears. However, the form showcases what the human voice is capable of and in the words of dancinghula and Kt after their first opera, they felt a sensation of 'movement' when the singers were doing their arias - akin to being at a rave and the bass causing their internal organs to reverberate!
Anyway, here are a number of arias that illustrate 'movement'.
Viens Malika (Flower Duet) from Lakme by Leo Delibes, sung by soprano (Anna Netrebko) and mezzo-soprano (Elina Garanca).
O Soave Fanciulla from La Boheme by Puccini, sung by Pavarotti and Mirella Freni
Au Fond du Temple Saint from The Pearlfishers by Georges Bizet, sung by tenor (Roberto Alagna) and baritone (Bryn Terfel - enjoy the visual joke of little Alagna vs. big Terfel).
If you're willing to give opera a try and sit through a performance, I'd recommend Mozart or Verdi because a lot of their works have been ripped off for advertising/movies and are pretty recognisable.
Sull'aria from The Marriage of Figaro, sung by sopranos Kiri Te Kanawa and Ileana Cotrubas - used in The Shawshank Redemption
Der Holle Rache (ff to 2:50), from The Magic Flute, sung by soprano Diana Damrau
Der Vogelfanger Bin Ich Ja from The Magic Flute, sung by Bryn Terfel
Soave Sia Il Vento from Cosi Fan Tutte, sung by soprano (Miah Persson), mezzo (Anke Verdung), and Bass (Nicolas Rivenq)
I've mentioned before my love for it and how people don't understand. I recognise the difficulty in appreciating it - it's an extremely convoluted and some may say unnatural way of singing. The storylines are often ridiculous and sung in a foreign language - and even if you did speak the language, the vocal presentation means the words are often still incomprehensible. And to make matters 'worse', since voice is often considered more important than appearance (although this is changing, for the better or worse), the roles are often presented by plump people pretending to be young lovers.
People often snort when you talk about a voice that can bring you to tears. However, the form showcases what the human voice is capable of and in the words of dancinghula and Kt after their first opera, they felt a sensation of 'movement' when the singers were doing their arias - akin to being at a rave and the bass causing their internal organs to reverberate!
Anyway, here are a number of arias that illustrate 'movement'.
Viens Malika (Flower Duet) from Lakme by Leo Delibes, sung by soprano (Anna Netrebko) and mezzo-soprano (Elina Garanca).
O Soave Fanciulla from La Boheme by Puccini, sung by Pavarotti and Mirella Freni
Au Fond du Temple Saint from The Pearlfishers by Georges Bizet, sung by tenor (Roberto Alagna) and baritone (Bryn Terfel - enjoy the visual joke of little Alagna vs. big Terfel).
If you're willing to give opera a try and sit through a performance, I'd recommend Mozart or Verdi because a lot of their works have been ripped off for advertising/movies and are pretty recognisable.
Sull'aria from The Marriage of Figaro, sung by sopranos Kiri Te Kanawa and Ileana Cotrubas - used in The Shawshank Redemption
Der Holle Rache (ff to 2:50), from The Magic Flute, sung by soprano Diana Damrau
Der Vogelfanger Bin Ich Ja from The Magic Flute, sung by Bryn Terfel
Soave Sia Il Vento from Cosi Fan Tutte, sung by soprano (Miah Persson), mezzo (Anke Verdung), and Bass (Nicolas Rivenq)
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Blog Challenge - Happy Music part 2
On further thought, I think my list below is woefully inadequate. I had my other ipod on random (yes, I have two) and I remembered even MORE, older music that cheers me up! So here's some more with me trying to break them into genre.
Motown
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell - Aint No Mountain High Enough.
I would just like to say that I love music from the Gordy Berry-Motown Era. Watch the documentary *Standing in the Shadows of Motown* and I swear that you will either already know (and love the songs). If you don't, you will.
Diana Ross & The Supremes/Phil Collins - You Can't Hurry Love
It was really hard trying to pick my favourite from the entire back catalogue and I couldn't decide if this one or Marvin & Tammi made me happier. Then I came across this clip and decided that it just had to be included.
80s
Asian/Cantopop
Harlem Yu - Qing Fei De Yi
Now, I can't actually speak or read Chinese. I can read and say some things here and there but not enough for you to give me text and me to do anything with it. But I used to listen to this song enough that Miss Pooky and I ended a glorious karaoke night by singing this. Spoof/Fan clip by WongFu.
RnB/Pop
Janet & Luther - The Best Things In Life Are Free.
A short story, I was in a nightclub a few years ago when the canny DJ played this and the entire place erupted into cheers. Such is the power of this song.
Janet Jackson - Someone To Call My Lover
Continuing on from Miz Jackson, Mischka played this song in her car and 'fessed up that she loved it. I do too and I promised her that I'd look up the song that the opening guitar riff was taken from and I forgot about it until I heard the song again today. It's from "Ventura Highway" by America.
Motown
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell - Aint No Mountain High Enough.
I would just like to say that I love music from the Gordy Berry-Motown Era. Watch the documentary *Standing in the Shadows of Motown* and I swear that you will either already know (and love the songs). If you don't, you will.
Diana Ross & The Supremes/Phil Collins - You Can't Hurry Love
It was really hard trying to pick my favourite from the entire back catalogue and I couldn't decide if this one or Marvin & Tammi made me happier. Then I came across this clip and decided that it just had to be included.
80s
WHAM! - Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go
I don't care what people say about the 80s being the decade that style forgot. This was a classic decade for music, particularly 1987 (hai Kahunes!).This song is actually from 1984, but despite being only 3 years old at the time the peppiness has stayed with me ever since!
Since I can't find a clip for WHAM! that allows embedding, I'm putting in a classic from 1987, Rick Astley's Never Gonna Give You Up - RickRolled!!!
I don't care what people say about the 80s being the decade that style forgot. This was a classic decade for music, particularly 1987 (hai Kahunes!).This song is actually from 1984, but despite being only 3 years old at the time the peppiness has stayed with me ever since!
Since I can't find a clip for WHAM! that allows embedding, I'm putting in a classic from 1987, Rick Astley's Never Gonna Give You Up - RickRolled!!!
Asian/Cantopop
Harlem Yu - Qing Fei De Yi
Now, I can't actually speak or read Chinese. I can read and say some things here and there but not enough for you to give me text and me to do anything with it. But I used to listen to this song enough that Miss Pooky and I ended a glorious karaoke night by singing this. Spoof/Fan clip by WongFu.
RnB/Pop
Janet & Luther - The Best Things In Life Are Free.
A short story, I was in a nightclub a few years ago when the canny DJ played this and the entire place erupted into cheers. Such is the power of this song.
Janet Jackson - Someone To Call My Lover
Continuing on from Miz Jackson, Mischka played this song in her car and 'fessed up that she loved it. I do too and I promised her that I'd look up the song that the opening guitar riff was taken from and I forgot about it until I heard the song again today. It's from "Ventura Highway" by America.
Beatles vs. Stones
Beatles - I Saw Her Standing There
Super difficult to pic a favourite out of their amazing backlist but this always makes me want to go out and dance - Grease-style. Or put on a puffy dress and scream.
Beatles - I Saw Her Standing There
Super difficult to pic a favourite out of their amazing backlist but this always makes me want to go out and dance - Grease-style. Or put on a puffy dress and scream.
Stones - Start Me Up
Mick's antics and face used to really freak me out when I was younger. Now that I'm older, it's good for bopping along while on public transport.
Song I love that I'm kinda ashamed to say I love
Jesse McCartney - Leavin'
Why I was sitting in the OKR Party House watching TV baffles me but this song was all over the music video channel when I was in London. It's catchiness drilled a hole in my head and oddly enough, reminds me of sunshine - probably due to the *heat wave* London had while I was there. Incidentally, I don't find Jesse hot - he still looks like a little boy to me.
Mick's antics and face used to really freak me out when I was younger. Now that I'm older, it's good for bopping along while on public transport.
Song I love that I'm kinda ashamed to say I love
Jesse McCartney - Leavin'
Why I was sitting in the OKR Party House watching TV baffles me but this song was all over the music video channel when I was in London. It's catchiness drilled a hole in my head and oddly enough, reminds me of sunshine - probably due to the *heat wave* London had while I was there. Incidentally, I don't find Jesse hot - he still looks like a little boy to me.
Blog Challenge - Happy Music
There are many songs that make me happy. The emotional response I get is one of the most important things I look for - screw the political message *cough Radiohead cough cough*. So I had to cap this at 10 songs and 7 genres based on what I had on my ipod.
In no particular order....
Pop
Jason Mraz - I'm Yours
I'll admit to getting a little sick of the overplay this song is getting on the radio, but then I listen to the original acoustic and I remember again.
Maroon5 - Little of Your Time
Adam Levine and M5 are the masters of strangely boppy break up songs. This one is a conversation between two people - one who's had enough and one who's resorting to sex to make the other one stay.
Rock
Oasis - Stop Crying Your Heart Out
It seems kinda strange to think that Oasis, they of the brawling and drinking could write something so sweet and tender. I especially love the strings. Should I not be able to organise it myself, I would like to have this played at my funeral for the positive message.
Disney
Enchanted/Amy Adams - That's How You Know
I love this song and I've spoken before about it's infectious happy :D
Opera
The Barber of Seville - Largo Al Factotum
One of my favourite pieces from one of my favourite operas. I love this vid of Thomas Hampson singing it, especially when you get the close up when he does the really fast bits (4:17)
The Barber of Seville - The Lesson Scene (Contro un cor)
The character who sings this is (Rosina) is written for a mezzo-soprano but sopranos are often cast in this role to make the vocal gymnastics seem even more spectacular. Count Almaviva is surreptitiously courting Rosina and finagles his way into her house under the eye of her guardian, Dr. Bartolo by posing as the priest who gives Rosina her singing lessons. Seriously, Edita Gruberova makes this look easy.
Dance
Groove Armada - Easy
This is a great house track - the thumping beat, the build up through the gradual addition of instruments, particularly when the piano kicks in, the roaring singing from (I think) Sunshine Anderson. Yeah, 'cos looking back it was EASY EASY EASY!!!
Linus Loves ft. Sam Obernik - Stand Back
I've also spoken about this one before and I still love it. Check out those moves!
International
Mikuni Shimokawa - Sore ga ai deshou (I Guess That's Love)
This was the opening theme to my favouritest anime of all time, Full Metal Panic! - Fumoffu. I can't find a video with the translation but I think you should all get the message from the clip and song.
In no particular order....
Pop
Jason Mraz - I'm Yours
I'll admit to getting a little sick of the overplay this song is getting on the radio, but then I listen to the original acoustic and I remember again.
Maroon5 - Little of Your Time
Adam Levine and M5 are the masters of strangely boppy break up songs. This one is a conversation between two people - one who's had enough and one who's resorting to sex to make the other one stay.
Rock
Oasis - Stop Crying Your Heart Out
It seems kinda strange to think that Oasis, they of the brawling and drinking could write something so sweet and tender. I especially love the strings. Should I not be able to organise it myself, I would like to have this played at my funeral for the positive message.
Disney
Enchanted/Amy Adams - That's How You Know
I love this song and I've spoken before about it's infectious happy :D
Opera
The Barber of Seville - Largo Al Factotum
One of my favourite pieces from one of my favourite operas. I love this vid of Thomas Hampson singing it, especially when you get the close up when he does the really fast bits (4:17)
The Barber of Seville - The Lesson Scene (Contro un cor)
The character who sings this is (Rosina) is written for a mezzo-soprano but sopranos are often cast in this role to make the vocal gymnastics seem even more spectacular. Count Almaviva is surreptitiously courting Rosina and finagles his way into her house under the eye of her guardian, Dr. Bartolo by posing as the priest who gives Rosina her singing lessons. Seriously, Edita Gruberova makes this look easy.
Dance
Groove Armada - Easy
This is a great house track - the thumping beat, the build up through the gradual addition of instruments, particularly when the piano kicks in, the roaring singing from (I think) Sunshine Anderson. Yeah, 'cos looking back it was EASY EASY EASY!!!
Linus Loves ft. Sam Obernik - Stand Back
I've also spoken about this one before and I still love it. Check out those moves!
International
Mikuni Shimokawa - Sore ga ai deshou (I Guess That's Love)
This was the opening theme to my favouritest anime of all time, Full Metal Panic! - Fumoffu. I can't find a video with the translation but I think you should all get the message from the clip and song.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Blog Challenge - My Box of Hotties Edition Femme
So this week's blog challenge is a box of women who I find particularly attractive. I actually found this a lot harder than doing the Edition Homme. Surprising? Perhaps not. Unfortunately, the others appear to have gotten in early on this topic so we may see some repeat turners here!
I like the classyness of Natalie Portman and Audrey Hepburn. Both are more beautiful than sexy but Natalie can teach me the pole dancing she did in Closer while Audrey could help me with fashion tips!
Maybe this is too much information but despite their obvious charms, Charlotte Rampling and Eva Green have a coldness that intrigues me. We can all speak French together. (I've had to use a more mature pic of Rampling because she's NSFW in a lot of her younger pics.)
Now, before everyone goes into hysterics about me naming Nigella Lawson think about it this way - she cooks and doesn't care about stuff like diets or carbs or fat levels. Sure, she doesn't really look like how she does in the pic I've used but if she doesn't care, I don't care! Nigella is all about indulgence and where's the fun in life if you're going to be denying yourself?
I always thought Helena Christensen was the best out of the 90s supermodels (feel free to disagree) and she's kept her looks without obvious surgical enhancements *cough Cindy, Elle cough cough*.
The obvious one - Angelina Jolie. Come on, who wouldn't say yes? Other than Jennifer Aniston who does not appeal to me at all so her opinion doesn't count.
And of course Monica Bellucci who I've mentioned many times as being my best lesbian love.
I am highly amused to note that I also have a female *type*. As with the men, dark hair and dark eyes seem to be the go!
I like the classyness of Natalie Portman and Audrey Hepburn. Both are more beautiful than sexy but Natalie can teach me the pole dancing she did in Closer while Audrey could help me with fashion tips!
Maybe this is too much information but despite their obvious charms, Charlotte Rampling and Eva Green have a coldness that intrigues me. We can all speak French together. (I've had to use a more mature pic of Rampling because she's NSFW in a lot of her younger pics.)
Now, before everyone goes into hysterics about me naming Nigella Lawson think about it this way - she cooks and doesn't care about stuff like diets or carbs or fat levels. Sure, she doesn't really look like how she does in the pic I've used but if she doesn't care, I don't care! Nigella is all about indulgence and where's the fun in life if you're going to be denying yourself?
I always thought Helena Christensen was the best out of the 90s supermodels (feel free to disagree) and she's kept her looks without obvious surgical enhancements *cough Cindy, Elle cough cough*.
The obvious one - Angelina Jolie. Come on, who wouldn't say yes? Other than Jennifer Aniston who does not appeal to me at all so her opinion doesn't count.
And of course Monica Bellucci who I've mentioned many times as being my best lesbian love. I am highly amused to note that I also have a female *type*. As with the men, dark hair and dark eyes seem to be the go!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Blog challenge - My Box of hotties
Alright, this week's blog challenge derives from Vanillabear/Lucyfer who made a list of the hotties she's appreciates and found that there was enough to field a first team and a Castilla :P. It was also inspired by Gina's and Sarah's immortal posts.
So here is a 10 man list of the guys in my Hottie Box. In no particular order, they are:
San Iker Casillas. Those cheekbones. That shootout. I may be a Barca girl but I'm not blind. I've already said a lot about him and what I haven't said, that pic should tell you. By the way, The God of Spanish Football is 2 days older than me. That's fate, I tell you ;).
I've also previously mentioned Yoann Gourcuff, aka The New Zidane, aka Lashes. This pic is from the 2008 D&G AC Milan calendar. Now that I've found out D&G are using rugby players for the 2009 edition, I'm not so upset that Milan have loaned him to Bordeaux. Shirtless model vs. playing time, I'm glad that choice has been taken from me.
Xabi Alonso. Possibly the best dressed member of the SNT, the word that comes to mind is *suave*. Plus that video of him flirting with an interviewer that makes me think life with him would never be dull.
I couldn't choose between these two members of the Croatian NT. The older man and intellectual-looking Hrvoje Vejic or the sweet and angelic Niko Kranjcar? Vejic looks like he could give good conversation, but Niko is nice enough to take photos with random women in the frozen shellfish aisle.
Here's an injection of actual rather than perceived intelligence into the Box. Louis Theroux, is an Oxford grad with a first in modern history, broadcaster of highly amusing documentaries, and owner of nerdy glasses. Just in case you weren't convinced the man has brains, Mischka assures me he also has a PhD (tbc). That's okay, it's like a bonus.
Back to the bimbos, Henry Cavill makes puffy shirts look hot. He's the reason to watch The Tudors. I said I was going to post a video from one of his many naked scenes here but I decided instead to post the link instead because it is VERY NSFW.
Pierre Boulanger is a new addition. Watching Monsieur Ibrahim, I thought *gee, he'll be beautiful when he grows up* and then vomited when I realised he brought out the pedobear in me. Caramelbear then found pics of him as an adult (he's now 21) and the world righted itself again.
Dean Winchester is way hotter than Sam. Jensen Ackles is way hotter than Jared Padalecki. And this video proves he has a sense of humour. Can you see Sam miming to Eye of the Tiger? No, you can't.
Christian Bale needs no explanation...
...And of course neither does my husband, Marat.
One thing I've noticed by compiling this list, it's pretty apparent I have a type which should be obvious to all. Tall, dark, athletic, glasses, cheekbones and European...that appears to be the requirements to entering my Box.
Honourable mentions:
Andy Lau but he was better 10 years ago. And he has to be wearing his suit from Infernal Affairs. Throw Takeshi Kaneshiro in there too.
Adam Levine - sexy yes, but maybe a bit too slutty for me.
Adrien Brody and Gaspard Ulliel appear to have dropped off the radar in the last few years. If they'd just release a kickass movie, I'm sure they will be back in there.
Numerous other soccer hotties e.g. Canna, Del Piero, Nando, etc.
So here is a 10 man list of the guys in my Hottie Box. In no particular order, they are:
San Iker Casillas. Those cheekbones. That shootout. I may be a Barca girl but I'm not blind. I've already said a lot about him and what I haven't said, that pic should tell you. By the way, The God of Spanish Football is 2 days older than me. That's fate, I tell you ;).
I've also previously mentioned Yoann Gourcuff, aka The New Zidane, aka Lashes. This pic is from the 2008 D&G AC Milan calendar. Now that I've found out D&G are using rugby players for the 2009 edition, I'm not so upset that Milan have loaned him to Bordeaux. Shirtless model vs. playing time, I'm glad that choice has been taken from me.
Xabi Alonso. Possibly the best dressed member of the SNT, the word that comes to mind is *suave*. Plus that video of him flirting with an interviewer that makes me think life with him would never be dull.
I couldn't choose between these two members of the Croatian NT. The older man and intellectual-looking Hrvoje Vejic or the sweet and angelic Niko Kranjcar? Vejic looks like he could give good conversation, but Niko is nice enough to take photos with random women in the frozen shellfish aisle.
Here's an injection of actual rather than perceived intelligence into the Box. Louis Theroux, is an Oxford grad with a first in modern history, broadcaster of highly amusing documentaries, and owner of nerdy glasses. Just in case you weren't convinced the man has brains, Mischka assures me he also has a PhD (tbc). That's okay, it's like a bonus.
Back to the bimbos, Henry Cavill makes puffy shirts look hot. He's the reason to watch The Tudors. I said I was going to post a video from one of his many naked scenes here but I decided instead to post the link instead because it is VERY NSFW.
Pierre Boulanger is a new addition. Watching Monsieur Ibrahim, I thought *gee, he'll be beautiful when he grows up* and then vomited when I realised he brought out the pedobear in me. Caramelbear then found pics of him as an adult (he's now 21) and the world righted itself again. Dean Winchester is way hotter than Sam. Jensen Ackles is way hotter than Jared Padalecki. And this video proves he has a sense of humour. Can you see Sam miming to Eye of the Tiger? No, you can't.
Christian Bale needs no explanation...
...And of course neither does my husband, Marat. One thing I've noticed by compiling this list, it's pretty apparent I have a type which should be obvious to all. Tall, dark, athletic, glasses, cheekbones and European...that appears to be the requirements to entering my Box.
Honourable mentions:
Andy Lau but he was better 10 years ago. And he has to be wearing his suit from Infernal Affairs. Throw Takeshi Kaneshiro in there too.
Adam Levine - sexy yes, but maybe a bit too slutty for me.
Adrien Brody and Gaspard Ulliel appear to have dropped off the radar in the last few years. If they'd just release a kickass movie, I'm sure they will be back in there.
Numerous other soccer hotties e.g. Canna, Del Piero, Nando, etc.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Blog Challenge - Favourite words
At least, I think this is the blog challenge of the week.
Swoosh
Bubble
Tush/Tummy
Hinterland
Speckle
Nums
Onomatopoeia
This is all I can think of at the moment and I wanted to get the blog challenge over and done with.
(Sorry gals)
Swoosh
Bubble
Tush/Tummy
Hinterland
Speckle
Nums
Onomatopoeia
This is all I can think of at the moment and I wanted to get the blog challenge over and done with.
(Sorry gals)
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Blog Challenge - How we picked our teams
Much to the disgust of the other SBAers, I am a fan of ManUtd (or ManUre), Barca (or Barcugh), and AC Milan (or the better Milan). This week's blog challenge is to explain how or why we ended up supporting the teams that we did, so here is mine.
Basically, I ended up following these teams because of my younger brother, Spuey. The time was the 1990s. The time was the early-mid 90s, prior to the existence of the internet (yes, such a time existed in my memory!) and pretty much the only teams from Europe that made the news in our antipodean home were articles about the winners of the era.
Given that ManUtd won the EPL from 1992-94, it seems obvious. My brother came home from primary school one day with a bear he'd made in Art class. It was wearing black shorts and a red t-shirt emblazoned with the word *SHARP*. Sister Pooey and I were like, "Why does your bear say *SHARP*?" and he explained that it was meant to be a Man Utd uniform.
Likewise, over this same period of time, both Barca and Milan were having golden periods, winner numerous domestic trophies in Spain and Italy, respectively, culminating in their meeting the 1994 UEFA Champions League Final. Sure, Milan spanked Barca 4-0 in the match but it was win-win for us!
Sure, it hasn't been easy supporting these teams - jibes about being bandwagon jumpers, that my team has the worst hair in La Liga, that Milan are the oldest team in the world (mean age 28.85 years, st. dev. 5.58, median age 30 years), that ManUtd are a team of fugs etc. But you know, variety is the spice of life. So to my 'Pool, Arsenal and RM friends, vive la difference!
Given that ManUtd won the EPL from 1992-94, it seems obvious. My brother came home from primary school one day with a bear he'd made in Art class. It was wearing black shorts and a red t-shirt emblazoned with the word *SHARP*. Sister Pooey and I were like, "Why does your bear say *SHARP*?" and he explained that it was meant to be a Man Utd uniform.
Likewise, over this same period of time, both Barca and Milan were having golden periods, winner numerous domestic trophies in Spain and Italy, respectively, culminating in their meeting the 1994 UEFA Champions League Final. Sure, Milan spanked Barca 4-0 in the match but it was win-win for us!
Sure, it hasn't been easy supporting these teams - jibes about being bandwagon jumpers, that my team has the worst hair in La Liga, that Milan are the oldest team in the world (mean age 28.85 years, st. dev. 5.58, median age 30 years), that ManUtd are a team of fugs etc. But you know, variety is the spice of life. So to my 'Pool, Arsenal and RM friends, vive la difference!
Monday, October 27, 2008
Blog Challenge #2 (Halloween Special) - Skeletons
Here are some random facts about skeletons
An example is the tomb of Pope Alexander VII by Bernini in the St. Peters (Vatican City).
- A human skeleton at birth has approximately 270 bones. An adult human has approximately 206.
- The human skeleton has several functions. Some of these include:
- To give the body it's shape - male/female shape differences can be seen in skeletons!
- Protecting vital organs, for example the skull to the brain, ribcage to protect lungs and heart
- Movement. Although the skeleton (bones) themselves does not enable movement, the skeletal muscles are attached via tendons to bones give leverage. (In theory, without bones we'd still be able to move, albeit in a restricted way.)
- Blood cells are produced in the large bones of the skeleton.
- Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva is a genetic condition whereby soft tissue is ossified - turned into bone - after an injury. The Pathology Museum at my work has two skeletons with this condition in a glass cabinet.
- The use of skeletons in Western Art is iconographically linked to death (the occurrence) or Death (the entity). Death the entity (a.k.a. The Grim Reaper) is often shown with an hourglass or scythe.
An example is the tomb of Pope Alexander VII by Bernini in the St. Peters (Vatican City).- The philosopher and social reformer Jeremy Bentham's skeleton was preserved and put in a glass case as per his wishes. He was acquired by University College London and you can still see him in his glass case today. However, you can't see his skeleton because it is dressed in period clothing.
- Skeletor was a He-Man character who despite having only a skull for a head, had massive guns and a six-pack. How that worked, I don't understand.
- As far as I can tell, there is no sex fetish involving skeletons. Admittedly I have not done much research on this because I'm too scared at what google might throw up at me.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Sculpture of the Week (Blog Challenge #1: Robots)
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