I’ve had too much going on in the real world to spare the concentration for my virtual life (that and I just couldn’t summon up the energy to type) I’ve been visiting the family, well, some of the family.

I spent more time with my brother Richard on this visit than I have in the last god knows how many years – normally when I head down to Daventry he’s there for about 5 minutes then he heads out to see his mates or go to the gym which means that normally I spend the lions share of my time with the younger brother, Kenneth.
This time around, not only did I get to see both brothers for some QT but I caught up with my cousins as well, Ria is doing so well for herself that i’m a tad jealous, Jasmine is very much on my wavelength, I spent practically a full 2 days in her company and they were most enjoyable. her fella makes me laugh though. Rob is the politest young man you’ve ever come across in your life and it’s obvious they adore each other, I also got my first glimpse of her engagement ring so I guess I need to stop calling Rob just a ‘boyfriend’ now that he’s a bona fide fiance..

Anyhow, he deserves the ‘bowchikawow woww’ thrown his way by the 2 young girls at the end of his street (much hilarity this caused.. Especially when he then admitted he’d slammed the door shut rather swiftly as said young women started walking towards him.. Coward *grin*)

I have to say though, the Hartleys and the Stringers are an incredibly good looking family. I saw my cousin Stephen for the first time in over 10 years and WOW! I mean on a phwoaaar rating he’s 100! I couldn’t believe it, in fact I was mildly disturbed to realise that if I’d been single and unaware of who he was .. I so would!
Seriously, he’s a stud!
This was an admission that mildly nauseated my brother so of course I had to big it up some *grin* y’know, as sisters do when they find something to tease you with.
But it got me thinking, for all our mental quirks, we are a pretty bunch. Well, mostly, I’m about mid range, my brothers (much as I hate to admit it) are quite high on the attractiveness scale, but Sues kids are stunners and Vals are not far behind and Joans were always acclaimed for being purdy lil thangs – the next generation look set to be heartbreakers too..

Yup, did the genetic ego some good seeing that lot, any kids I have are definitely drawing from a cracking looking gene pool *grin* especially if they’re lads judging from the way things are weighted at the moment.
Modest much? *chuckle*

I also saw Spiderman 3 while I was there. Not impressed.
In the car on the way back Jasmine pointed out that you could’ve had at least 2 films for the sake of that one and I had to agree.
The Sandman plotline was unnecessary, lose him and keep Harry as an amnesiac throughout this one and there’s a plausible next film already written, just let him team up with the Sandman when he remembers his hatred of spidey. this time could’ve concentrated on developing the enmity between Peter/spidy and the new photographer, Basically it was pants. too many characters, too many plotlines and not enough cohesion.

..Though we did laugh at ‘emo peter’ that cocky walk had us in stitches! Cringing with it of course but I don’t think there was a single girl in the cinema not chuckling in horrified amusement at his transormation.

We need bread and stuff so I’m going to walk up to aldi later and i’m actually going to hang some washing outside for the first time this year, that will probably wipe me out but i’m in such a good mood I hope it doesn’t – I may ring Kay and see if she fancies karaoke tonight – it’s been soooooooooo long!

Right, the tunes are pumping (quietly) I’m on the Joss Stone, Maroon 5, Amy winehoouse, Garbage, Nickleback, Frou Frou and Damien Rice playlist today, it’s quite fitting for the weather I feel.

Just thought I’d share this dream I had with you the other night, it’s been a while since I did that *grin*

Basically I was a scriptwriter and this is the sketch I was working on for some comedy/drama thing:

Greg – oily smarmy character with a hint of boyishness about him (think guy secretan from green wing)

Olivia – Fairly uptight and insecure, streak of ruthlessness and the ability to melt at the slightest compliment which then completely transforms her actions towards that person.

Sarah – Basically a female guy, feminine lager drinking football supporting.. Jodi Kidd type

The back story is that Greg and Sarah get it on, he shows his true colours she vows to get even. Knowing he loves his car more than life itself she arranges for it to be crushed on reality tv show ‘revenge’.
Unfortunately Greg is not around to see this happen because he is at a conference with Olivia (whom he hates) However, the show is aired live on tv and Greg see’s it in his hotel room, first outrage then grief as he collapses and changes the channel because he cannot bear to see his pride and joy being mangled. This is when Olivia walks in to see whats wrong (she knew about the revenge thing because Sarah asked her to let her know his reaction) Amazed that he isn’t watching the revenge show despite constant priming throughout the day she asks whats up.

Unable to speak, Greg merely gestures at the tv which is now showing a program on the plight of abused children in thailand, tears are streaming down his face and Olivia backs out of the room quickly.

She calls Sarah who is also sobbing wildly. (cut to split screen to see both sides of the conversation)
Olivia: whats wrong – didn’t the car get mashed?

Sarah: Of course it did! it’s not that. I’ve just seen something really crappy on tv is all – its just total shit that this kind of thing still goes on *sniff*
Olivia: um..its not that Thailand documentary on channel 4 is it?

Sarah: Yes actually – now cheer me up, what did Greg say about the car?

Olivia: ah.. well..

Sarah: *giggles* he’s livid isn’t he?

Olivia: No actually he’s in tears in there, completely unable to speak – I think-

Sarah: BRILLIANT!

Olivia: no, let me finish – he never actually saw it happen, I don’t think he knows yet..

Sarah: what do you mean ‘he doesn’t know yet’?

Olivia – well he was just watching the same documentary as you and I’ve never seen a grown man so affected, he’s sobbing like a baby in there, curled up around the remote as if he’s lost his best friend.. Listen (holds phone up and the sound of sobbing from the next room is clearly audible)
Sarah: SHIT!

Olivia: yep – if he’s that bad over some kids he doesn’t know – you may just send him over the edge with this little stunt.. best find him a new car quick if I were you.

Sarah: I didn’t know he was so sensitive, c’mon – did you?! He must be so insecure to hide himself behind that crappy persona of his.. oh my god! what am I going to do? I can’t be responsible for him cracking up – not now.. I mean.. shit!

Olivia: Uh huh, I told you it was a bad idea..

(cut to next scene where Sarah is frantically trying to find someone who stocks Gregs car – a futile task because it’s a classic)

There was a hell of a lot more, in my dream i had practically the whole series down – but this is the scene that had me in stitches – just the look of shocked horror on her face when sarah realises what she may have done.. Priceless *grin* Stef wasn’t half as tickled by this as I was but I guess you have to have ‘seen’ it in it’s entirety – it’s like green wing (which is where I assume I got my muse) you need to have come to like and know the characters to really ‘get’ it.

Right, I’d best get on with my day methinks – the shower won’t start itself..

Since I wasn’t at a band practice and Stef didn’t feel like cooking we went to the cinema and had a bite to eat at Frankie & Bennys. The film was TRE-mendous! what an absolute corker of A1 entertainment *grin* I kid you not – i’ve not laughed like that in months!

The name of this delightful explosion of belly laughs? Why obviously it had to be:

HOT FUZZ

We’ve been waiting for this to come out for a while and thankfully it didn’t disappoint. There are moments of complete gross out (you’ll know the ones I mean when you see it) because they didn’t stint on the ‘oldskool special effects’ but the humour is superb. I’d love to be in a film with these guys because it looks like it’d be just one big laugh from start to end.
Now I cannot wait for their next effort *grin* Sean of the dead was ok, this was fantastic – surely they can only get better? Either way, this is one for the purchase list no two ways about it.

After about 5 minutes of this I repeated the ‘whats so good about it?’ question and they put it on.

I don’t think I’ve laughed so much in ages – yes, most of the tunes are quite cool and catchy, some of the characters are amusing and look as though they’re supposed to be, but the acting?! Oh man! I know it’s a kids film but some of it was so wooden and well.. crap that I had to laugh. But in a way that was part of the reason I enjoyed the film – it reminded me so much of some of the people I’ve known in my life – both from school and the 4 years I studied theatre and from my musical experiences. The characters are 2 dimensional at best but it’s a light fluffy film with a bouncy score, great for kids and ok for a nights entertainment if you’re not up for anything even remotely taxing.

Not one I’d rush out to buy though..

We also ate out at some American diner type place in Cheam.. I wasn’t that impressed – Stefs turned me into a food snob. I was actually horrified when the waiter came over and asked if we were finished with the dressings (they came in 4 bowls with tea spoons on a tray) he then handed them over to another table – surely that’s a hygiene no-no? for all he knew we’d licked the spoons (we hadn’t but that’s beside the point)

I had a chicken salad because my stomachs been dodgy all day and I figured I was safer with raw food.. Didn’t expect the chicken to show up that way though – I know a little pink can be a sign of well cooked chicken so I wasn’t too fussed at first, but as I peeled away the layers of flesh it went from slightly pink to white to red and that can’t be good.
At least the chocolate fudge cake was as expected. You can’t go wrong with hot fudge.

Oh.. and the thing that tickled me the most today?
I overheard a conversation between 2 builders while travelling from Clapham junction to Sutton, one was extolling the virtes of an eatery somewhere near timperly road – whilst giving directions to the other lad he said “It’s just at the corner of the road that lad was shot the other week” I had to bite my cheeks to keep from laughing out loud.

A. surely there is something a little more permanent to use as a landmark

B. would you really seek out a place to visit in an area known for gun crime?

No wonder the food is so cheap mate.

Yup, the CFS has reared it’s ugly little head and attempted to steal my life again – this time around though I haven’t crumpled into a weeping wreck at the unfairness of it all. Stef took me into town on wednesday so I could meet up with Dawn, he’s a good lad really, there should be more about like him!

I’ve cancelled so many meetups with Dawn through this illness that I’m amazed she still bothers with me so I really didn’t want to miss this one but I just couldn’t face the bus journey – even though I’d been in bed for a good 4 hours in an attempt to gather some energy for the outing. Anyhow, Stef drove me in despite it being 5pm and the journey back was likely to be murder for him, I got there not long after she did and we went in to watch a cracking film.

I definitely recommend ‘The Holiday’ to anyone who likes a film that makes you laugh, cry and wince a little at the outright stupidity of some people..

Anyhow, I made it home and basically collapsed, but it was worth it. I do love a good film, and seeing Dawn is always fun.