Y I, Mum?

Bored.

2012-01-23T18:50:00.002+01:00

Still stuck with the Sherlock theme, and will be for quite a while.
A silly one and a 'normal' wallpaper, 1280x1024 and 1600x1200 versions are here.

There's also a blank version for the 'Lost' one, in case you want to make your own version :D

Blackout Day

2012-01-18T18:51:00.000+01:00

~~Dear~~ US Congress.
WTF has happened to Freedom of Speech/Information/ReseachingMyQuizzesProperly?!?!
Der Weltgendarm puts his big boots down again?!?! Go f*** (and police) yourselves.

Rest of the world - take action.

Love's Labour - Lost

2012-01-18T16:55:00.000+01:00

Well, you see - this one's titled 'Lost' (yeah, no-brainer) and it took me all night but it was a labour of love. Even though I lost another 8.725 hours of sleep. One day I will catch up.
Anyroad, this one screamed at me to be made ever since I first laid eyes on this promo photo from the highly entertaining 'Hounds of Baskerville' ep.

I guess I'm not the only one who had a Bilbo déjà vu. Really, jumps at you, does it not?!?

It's a bit sloppy in the details (edges, direction of light end shadow etc.) but good enough for a giggle. The promo photos used belong entirely to the BBC and Peter Jackson and his visualwizards respectively, the signpost I found at this wonderful fount of graphs resources. The background is made from 4 photos I once found on the 'net.. don't remember where. If they're yours - holler, I'd like to give credit. Thanks all for letting me borrow them and take 'em out for a spin.

Next - Smurfs Up!!!

BTW - since TDH won't feature for a while - if you (or you or you) want calendars for your desktops I'd be willing to revamp/re-calendarise some last years (here's a little 'best of' quilt.. not including Ben or Toby but the offer extends to them)... gizzus a shout.

Off now to research weird sports (extreme cello playing.. now there's an idea for a RAllpaper ;) and inventions for tomorrow's quiztravaganza. Back with Jim from IT, and assorted thoughts on our favourite 'netectives :)

Sherlocked

2012-01-17T19:54:00.000+01:00

Still not done screencapping (barely started) and no coherent comment on series 2 either.. but.
Finally started the first wallies, though rather 'boring' garden variety drabbles. The dramatic/funny/smurfed/beautiful ones are in the works ;)
If you want the 1280x1024 versions, gizzus a shout (or check your mail ;)... I will try and make a HUGE one for people with big eg.. screens :)...

No TDH British actors' art in the immediate future (though ginger ones might feature in February ;).... cerebral is the new sexy :)

Comical hobbit

2012-01-15T19:04:00.001+01:00

Have had problems sleeping lately, things weighing down on my mind.. the cure is random and aimless photoshopping .. and since the latest Fierce Furry-Footed Friend picture is out... this is what I ende up with at 4pm. Don't ask me how though :) (the 'comic' version was a lazy option, the 'original' journey pic will take more time and effort, I just couldn't be arsed with all the details)
Even more than before looking forward to Decemerb 14th. Brazen Bilbo. Yay.

More or less same one, different sizes. Grab if you like, ignore if you don't. The 'proper' version might be out here before the film :)

Large dogs and Little Johns

2012-01-10T20:47:00.002+01:00

SPOILERS FOR SHERLOCK: THE HOUNDS OF BASKERVILLE. If you haven't seen it ... don't peak behind the cut. If you have - enter if you dare.. mindless ramble ahead.. and a few pics :)

Finally got round to watching Sherlock last night (funny, many of my friends still think I refer to the steam-punk big-screen adventure with a - admittedly dishy - Watson and TOTALLY MADCOW Holmes...). Of course I refer to the VASTLY SUPERIOR BBC mini series "Sherlock" (if you haven't seen it.. whatchastillsittingherereadingthis?!?!?!). And 'The Hounds of Baskerville' (note: plural hounds, singular Baskerville!!!) was the most eagerly awaited one for me since this is one of my all-time favourite Doyle stories. And how brilliantly adapted for 21st century it was (though I must say, A Scandal in Belgravia was even perfecter (yeah, I know ;).. maybe it was the extra humour added to the hilarious enough dialogues and scenes.. so many laughs I wouldn't know where to start... proper blog post follows, along with tons of screencaps).
Anyroad.. Sherlock Holmes 'Who let the dogs out'. I had been wondering how they'd get the Hellhounds/Dartmoor/escaped convict.. story translated into 'Netective speak.. nice angle with the genetic-experiment-area51ish theme:). Have yet to re-watch and savour/analyse/autopsy/screencap it... the first viewing is always the visual equivalent of gorging oneself with favourite foodstuff (pomelos, toona salad, chocolate-cherry-chocolate-more chocolate cake..)
Just this for now.. the probably most brilliant (I know, overuse.. but - at least visually - it was ;)) single scene - Sherlock's severly suffering from withdrawal (no smokes, no cases).. and goes out for a bit of occupational therapy. Then returns, more (or less?) successful... the look on John's face as the camera slowly wanders up from his feet to his face... priceless. The mind boggles at what this therapy involved.
I HAD TO shop all frames into one. Judge for yourself (click to enlarge)... Call me Ishmael (or Ahab)

Other first impressions/thoughts... the ep opens in a fairytale forest-like setting,

you half expect Little Red Riding Hood and the big bad wolf and you get....

everbody's favourite werewolf!!!! I was dead chuffed to see Russell again, shortens the wait for Being Human season 4. :)
And one more telly-related coincidence.. two Little Johns in one ep. Robin of Sherwoood's Clive Mantle as Dr. Frankland (btw - LOVED him in Game of Thrones!!).. and The BBC Robin Hood's (aka RAbin Hood ;) equivalent - Gordon 'love the Scottish burr' Kennedy as Gary the bar/inn keeper...
Anyroad, more thoughts/pics on both eps (and maybe even series 1, finally) later this month. Just like John Watson, I need time to put my cases together :)
Last cap of the ep - a blast from the past... though my dad never had one of them in his car. Bobblehead pooches. We used to call them 'Wackeldackel' (wobble-sausage dogs...or somet).

Blood & horses

2012-01-09T21:53:00.001+01:00

Two (and a half - the Thorin one doesn't really count) more drabbles.... was toying and trying ... actually, the Mitchell one is a 2011 project I've finally managed to finish.

Enjoy. And if you feel so inclined - leave a wee note :)

January calendar

2012-01-08T15:18:00.000+01:00

Hadn't planned on making this one, just couldn't sleep Friday night and started playing with photos, filters & layers. And ended up with these two drabbles, not that I'd remember how.
Anyroad, enjoy what's left of January.

The originals (without calendar) are in the mail.

Anfield agony atoned

2012-01-06T18:26:00.002+01:00

No time for long post (yet), too busy celebrating the first week of the year (and particularly the Wednesday) and balancing that big fat grin on my face ;)
Only this for now .. silly little drabble but :D :):):):):):))))
Long may it continue.

And so it continues...

2012-01-04T21:30:00.000+01:00

with more 2011 leftover projects.. it'll be some time before I can start anything new.
Hoping that he'll do bien tonight, here's the latest CabbyMan wallpaper and a new(ish) Henry-would-make-such-a-smashing-musketeer calendar.

And so it begins...

2012-01-02T21:31:00.001+01:00

Slowly arriving in 2012. No New Year's resolutions but the one not to make any. That one I should be able to keep :)
Working through lots of 2011 leftovers, 'singing' Over the Misty Mountains Cold (have been ever since first watching THE TRAILER). Wishing it was December already. In the meantime there are projects old and new to be finished (or even started), and since The Hobbit is one of the things I most impatiently look forward to this year, let's start with a few pics.

If ever there was a man born to be a Hobbit....(or John Watson.. SHERLOCK ROCKS.. but more of that soon)
And before some of you moan....I haven't forgotten THE dwarf.

And for fans of a ginger Doctor : ).. Happy Who Year.

A Hobbit New Year to y'all, Tolkien/Jackson/Armitage/Turner.. fans and otherwise. May it bring peace, health, joy, some sort of success to The Toon, new adventures and plenty to laugh about (except Newcastle football). The rest will sort itself.

More seasonal sillyness

2011-12-24T22:57:00.000+01:00

Still ROFL under the Christmas tree... this time in English. Oldie but goodie.

The Little Angel on the Top of the Christmas Tree!
One particular Christmas season a long time ago, Santa was getting ready for his annual trip but there were problems everywhere. Four of his elves got sick, and the trainee elves did not produce the toys as fast as the regular ones so Santa was beginning to feel the pressure of being behind schedule. Then Mrs. Claus told Santa that her Mom was coming to visit; this stressed Santa even more.

When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two had jumped the fence and were out at heaven knows where. More stress.

Then when he began to load the sleigh one of the boards cracked and the toy bag fell to the ground and scattered the toys. So, frustrated, Santa went into the house for a cup of coffee and a shot of whiskey. When he went to the cupboard, he discovered that the elves had hid the liquor and there was nothing to drink.

In his frustration, he accidentally dropped the coffeepot and it broke into hundreds of little pieces all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the broom and found that mice had eaten the straw it was made of. Just then the doorbell rang and Santa cussed on his way to the door. He opened the door and there was a little angel with a great big Christmas tree.

The angel said, very cheerfully, "Merry Christmas Santa. Isn't it just a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Isn't it just a lovely tree? Where would you like me to stick it?

Thus began the tradition of the little angel on top of the tree.

Advent

2011-12-24T22:42:00.002+01:00

Und das Ding wird auch jedes Jahr besser. Herr von Bülow war schon genial.

Es blaut die Nacht, die Sternlein blinken,
Schneeflöcklein leis herniedersinken.
Auf Edeltännleins grünem Wipfel
häuft sich ein kleiner weißer Zipfel.
Und dort vom Fenster her durchbricht
den dunklen Tann ein warmes Licht.
Im Forsthaus kniet bei Kerzenschimmer
die Försterin im Herrenzimmer.
In dieser wunderschönen Nacht
hat sie den Förster umgebracht.
Er war ihr bei des Heimes Pflege
seit langer Zeit schon sehr im Wege.
So kam sie mit sich überein:
am Niklasabend muß es sein.
Und als das Rehlein ging zur Ruh',
das Häslein tat die Augen zu,
erlegte sie direkt von vorn
den Gatten über Kimm und Korn.
Vom Knall geweckt rümpft nur der Hase
zwei-, drei-, viermal die Schnuppernase
und ruhet weiter süß im Dunkeln,
derweil die Sternlein traulich funkeln.
Und in der guten Stube drinnen
da läuft des Försters Blut von hinnen.
Nun muß die Försterin sich eilen,
den Gatten sauber zu zerteilen.
Schnell hat sie ihn bis auf die Knochen
nach Waidmanns Sitte aufgebrochen.
Voll Sorgfalt legt sie Glied auf Glied
(was der Gemahl bisher vermied) -,
behält ein Teil Filet zurück
als festtägliches Bratenstück
und packt zum Schluß, es geht auf vier,
die Reste in Geschenkpapier.
Da tönt's von fern wie Silberschellen,
im Dorfe hört man Hunde bellen.
Wer ist's, der in so tiefer Nacht
im Schnee noch seine Runde macht?
Knecht Ruprecht kommt mit goldnem Schlitten
auf einem Hirsch herangeritten!
He, gute Frau, habt ihr noch Sachen,
die armen Menschen Freude machen?
Des Försters Haus ist tiefverschneit,
doch seine Frau steht schon bereit:
Die sechs Pakete, heil'ger Mann,
's ist alles, was ich geben kann.
Die Silberschellen klingen leise,
Knecht Ruprecht macht sich auf die Reise.
Im Försterhaus die Kerze brennt,
ein Sternlein blinkt - es ist Advent.
Loriot

Wenn the snow falls wunderbar

2011-12-24T22:36:00.001+01:00

Die Familientradition verlangt einen Kulturbeitrag jeglicher Art (Weihnachtsgedicht, -lied, -tanzeinlage o.ä) bevor man seine Geschenke erhält. Mum's 2011 Entertainment-Einlage war das folgende (wenn auch nicht selbst geschriebene) Gedicht. ROFL.MAO. (...or I would have, had it not reminded me of one of my mentally slightly less gifted, or just bone-lazy) students who - at 21 - still speaks like this.

When the snow falls wunderbar (unbekannter Author)

When the snow falls wunderbar
And the children happy are,
When the Glatteis on the street,
And we all a Glühwein need,
Then you know, es ist soweit:
She is here, the Weihnachtszeit

Every Parkhaus ist besetzt,
Weil die people fahren jetzt
All to Kaufhof, Mediamarkt,
Kriegen nearly Herzinfarkt.
Shopping hirnverbrannte things
And the Christmasglocke rings.

Merry Christmas, merry Christmas,
Hear the music, see the lights,
Frohe Weihnacht, Frohe Weihnacht,
Merry Christmas allerseits...

Mother in the kitchen bakes
Schoko-, Nuss- and Mandelkeks
Daddy in the Nebenraum
Schmücks a Riesen-Weihnachtsbaum
He is hanging auf the balls,
Then he from the Leiter falls...

Finally the Kinderlein
To the Zimmer kommen rein
And es sings the family
Schauerlich: "Oh, Christmastree!"
And the jeder in the house
Is packing die Geschenke aus.

Merry Christmas, merry Christmas,
Hear the music, see the lights,
Frohe Weihnacht, Frohe Weihnacht,
Merry Christmas allerseits...

Mama finds unter the Tanne
Eine brandnew Teflon-Pfanne,
Papa gets a Schlips and Socken,
Everybody does frohlocken.
President speaks in TV,
All around is Harmonie,

Bis mother in the kitchen runs:
Im Ofen burns the Weihnachtsgans.
And so comes die Feuerwehr
With Tatü, tata daher,
And they bring a long, long Schlauch
An a long, long Leiter auch.
And they schrei - "Wasser marsch!",
Christmas is - now im - Eimer...

Merry Christmas, merry Christmas,
Hear the music, see the lights,
Frohe Weihnacht, Frohe Weihnacht,
Merry Christmas allerseits...

It's Christmas Eve, babe...

2011-12-24T12:33:00.008+01:00

not in the drunk tank yet but it's only a matter of time if I keep sampling the eggnog ;)
Before the festivities begin in earnest, last words :D

Lots of things were left undone but the important ones are getting ticked off the list peu à peu...
Quizmas - check.
Home for the holidays - check.
Tree decorated - check.

Last Christmas shopping - check.
Eggnog sampled - checking, repeatedly.
Christmas messages/cards/pics - checking now.
Basically, Christmas - CHECK. Chic.
So - before I shut up this shop for the next few days - two more cards, a multi-lingual message and some favourite holiday tunes.

From the wet spot that is Mecklenburg/Vorpommern, and from me and mine - here's wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas, Frohe Weihnachten, Joyeux Noel, Happy Hanukkah, Feliz Navidad, Gelukkige Kerstmis, God Jul, Buone Natale, CPEЋAH БOЖИЋ,

ᏓᏂᏍᏔᏲᎯᎲ & ᎠᎵᎮᎵᏍᏗ ᎢᏤ ᎤᏕᏘᏴᎠᏌᏗᏒ

or - as the Pirates and Pastafarians say - HAPPY HOLIDAYS. May they be merry, and bright, and peaceful, joyful, include a good stuffing (especially for Bolton Wanderers ;), a repeat viewing of the Hobbit trailer, excellent Who & Downton Xmas specials, and lots of eggnog ;)

And the last two cards, for the Whovians and the friends of the black & white persuasion.

And since merry (or silly) tunes are as much part of Christmas as eggnog, and prezzies, and ~~snow~~ rain - here are some of my - old and new - faves.
And bollox-embed-not-working-Xmas-curse... click if you care.
Starting - of course - with all-time no.1 - Fairytale of New York. The Pogues version. Bestest Christmas song EVER hands, and arms, and arse ;), down. Check out Matt Dillon ;)

Only recently discovered (don't know why so late?) - The Real Slim Santa. LOL

From the 'aaaawh, cute' list (was actually looking for the Rolf Harris version of Six White Boomers) - Aussie Xmas ;)

And travelling round the globe - another all-time favourite - from snowy (?) Canada

One from the 'gee, am I really that old?" list - purely for nostalgic reasons. Stop The Cavalry. Bless the 80s.

Must not forget - from the naughty, un-PC list.. un-bleeped. LOL. Every year.

And I could go on, and on, and on (and might even do so later).... or you could suggest some.
For now - off to have the traditional Christmas Eve lunch of potato salad & wieners. And more eggnog ;)
Once more A merry Christmas to everybody! A happy New Year to all the world! Hallo here! Whoop! Hallo!

Saucy Santas

2011-12-18T23:13:00.002+01:00

...sharing, caring, yada yada yada :) (I'm still severely damaged by last week's research for the Seinfeld quiz round)..
Anyroad - in the festive spirit (after several pints and a lovely pre-Crimbo afternoon with friends) so here's for all those who are not on facebook or the mailing list .. Happy Christmas. Once more. (gizzus a shout if you want matching wallpapers)
To follow (time permitting) - the 10th Doctor, Henry 'Sainta' Cavill, and Aidan Turner. As well as a black & white Santa (you do know Santa is a Geordie, eh?)

Santa Claude is coming

2011-12-12T21:36:00.000+01:00

a bit early.
Anyroad, in the spirit of peace, love, Glühwein and prezzies - here are some (first ones)... a friend convinced me that sharing is giving a damn.
Happy ChRAstmas to HIS followers. I don't have much time for extracurricular activities at the mo so I had to 'rip off' my favourite August calendar...
Black & White Toon, Toby, Ben, Dr. Who and Henry CaVILL-YOU-BE-MY-PREZZIE-THIS-YEAR versions are hopefully coming soon, as well as a Santa Claude comic strip...computer troubles and lack of time hopefully sorted before 24th.

RIP Speedo

2011-11-29T19:38:00.000+01:00

I'm still trying to come to terms with the sudden, untimely, and - at least to me - totally senseless death of Gary Speed. He was one of the best players and persons who ever wore the black and white (and any other colours), a true professional in a world where mainly money matters and football is often reduced to a footnote. Not only was he an exceptional player, he was also a gentleman, a role model, and - if you read the reactions to his death - a man respected and loved by all whose lives he had touched in whatever way. I will always remember his years at SJP, his committment, honesty, passion for the game, tenacity, and leadership on and off the pitch. After a long (if not quite successful in terms of trophies) career as a player he had another long one as manager ahead of him. A beautiful wife, two lovely boys.. and I will never understand why - apparently - he decided to blow the whistle.
The world, and not just the footballing one, is a sadder place without him.
Rest in peace Gary, in our hearts you will live on forever.

Fingerübungen

2011-11-14T21:32:00.004+01:00

Not as if I haven't got enough on my plate with new (VERY THICK) students, ever-growing quizzes, family worries, tons of unwritten posts, and approaching birthdays and winter.. not to speak of all the new films and returning TV shows that shorten my nights (yay, Garrow's Law is finally back).. there is that urge to waste time with photoshop projects that don't serve any purpose (well, some might make some people smile :))
Anyroad, I said Henry Cavill would be next... and since I have to practise for period-themed birthday (card) wallpapers ... here are the latest drabbles.

Remember, remember...

2011-11-05T18:10:00.002+01:00

the 5th of November when - for only 45 minutes - Newcastle were 2nd in the Premier League :D
Had a brilliant afternoon watching us beat my brother's team.. and still resisting the urge to send him a naughty text message :D
Anyroad, since I couldn't sleep last night (pre-matchday anticipation) I spent a few hours making a GUY (Fawkes) wallpaper... I needed a new calendar for November anyway... and in the spirit of give and take (we took all 3 points) I'll give you... Sir Guy Fawkes.
Enjoy.
The next few 'shopping adventures will involve Demba Ba.. and the Duke of Suffolk (and other Henry Cavill characters).. got a new mini obsession :)

Off into the remaining weekend, a very happy bunny.

Why Aye, Cabaye

2011-10-25T19:57:00.000+02:00

CabbyMan adoration continued... here are two wallpapers just for him :).. and any Toon fan who likes.. again, graphically not quite satisfactory yet but late night, short hours, and apparent loss of inspiration ... can/must/will do better. All that period photoshopping has left me all idead-out...

Oh aye, Cabaye.

Frog on the Tyne..

2011-10-24T18:36:00.000+02:00

Just couldn't resist the bad pun (there will be more, they attack at all times). And don't get me wrong, it's not at all a racist slur... rather an expression of the affection I have for wee Cabby Man.. He hasn't quite taken Spidey's spot as my (current) favourite Newcastle player (yet) but ever since he ran out in black & white to show that he means business I've come to divide my (purely platonic) love between the agile Argie and our little Gallic terrier Yohan Cabaye. Oh aye.
Unlike many of the French mercenaries that have worn (and often disgraced) the shirt, he shows committment and no small amount of skill and - rather unusual for a footballing froggie, at least in our colours - a love for graft and grit. And I was dead chuffed when he finally got his first goal on Saturday. Not that I have seen it yet but it must have been a cracking one..
...on the shallow (a)side, it does help that he's not exactly unpleasing to the Aye (warned you, bad puns ahead). So for the lasses who are not into soccerball, get a load of this.. or this. You get me?

Anyroad, it's been too long since I last made Toon-related wallpapers and comics, and like many other projects before, the "Why Aye Cabaye" one has fallen prey to the distractions of life .. I'm glad I've finally found my way back from regency frocks to fierce Frogs. And since no man is an island, and he has been forming such an excellent partnership with Cheik 'Cheeky Titty' Tiote the first one celebrates out new dynamic midfield duo. Who TF is Joey Barton?!?

Graphically I'm not quite satisfied with it (yet) but now that I'm back on Toon track there will be more... and hopefully more goals from CabbyMan too...
Why Aye, Cabaye!!!

More silly shopping

2011-10-10T17:07:00.001+02:00

seems I just can't stop... this one begged to be done too ;)
Happy Turkey Day - the Spooks way

Sunday sillyness and Thanksgiving

2011-10-09T21:32:00.001+02:00

Best laid plans and all that... recent sunny spell and various new (and older) addictive TV shows have (largely) kept me away from indoors activities like photoshopping.. not from starting new project but from finishing them...
A timely reminder though brought Canadian Thanksgiving to my attention ;) and tradition demanded a card. Not the one I had in mind... I got waylaid by this picture

and - having discussed the disappointment that is Spooks The Final Series (don't get me started ;) lately - I absolutely HAD TO make this one...it was beggin' me...

Sometimes they come back....

NO, I'm not in denial over S9 anymore but if it hadn't been Lucas on that roof but John, series 10 might have been a lot spicier. Now I only want Ruthie to get what she's been deserving so long.. and bugger the rest of them. (BTW - if you want the full-size wallpaper minus silly comment - gizzus a shout)
Anyroad, back to matters that matter. While not the intended card, this one I'm half pleased with.. hope you and you and you ;) like it too.. and have a fantastic Thanksgiving.

Back to old projects now, involving RichArt III, cellos and musketeers... and Toon wallpapers...unless I get sidetracked again ;)

Tuesday trifle

2011-09-20T20:49:00.001+02:00

Not much ramble left in me after that long piratey post, just a few things that I had been meaning to drop here for a while..
While cleaning up my HD recently I went over all the wallpapers that I've burnt the midnight oil over since the discovery of Photoshop.. this was the very first one, almost to the day 3 years ago. Back then I had no real idea what PS could do (not that I have now ;) and was merely playing. The results were rather.. crude.

Main sujets back then were favourite TV shows (large collection of Sea Patrol wallpapers, the first show that made me join a forum... and later rue it), and my beloved Newcastle United.
Then one day I discovered Spooks, and a certain TDH actor.. and never looked back (only to re-watch a number of shows I would never have looked at in the first place hadn't it been.... ) Of over 400 wallpapers (not to speak of other formats) in 3 years, almost 200 are RAllpapers. This one was the very first (Lucas, o/c)..bit ...meh.

And these are my all time favourites (ignoring other themes and actors :).. some I love for the colours, some are just silly drabbles, some are a way to express feelings for which I have no words (says the queen of rambling ;) and others are just a means of trying new PS tricks I've picked up... Ultimately though it's all about having the right muse...

These days I often use Photoshop to relax.... aimlessly playing around with filters, and layers, and textures is a great way to clear the mind.. and if the result is acceptable, all the better. Like this.. nowt deep, just lovely to look at.

or little 'fings' like these...

The next few though (apart from more piRAtes) will be Spooks-themed. I just finished watching the first episode of series 10, the beginning of the end, like, and while there will be the usual thoughts and remarks later, along with a few choice pics, this is the image that burned itself into my mind. Not that I was ever under the illusion he'd be back somehow :)

Another chaRActer has officially bitten the dust yet the caravan moves one.. once more unto the breach for Hairy and his brilliant dogged bitch, and only 5 episodes left until an iconic show breathes its last. I hope it gathers some more pace over the next weeks and goes out in spectacular style (don't mind if that annoying Calum character get the most gruesome of deaths...)
More of my favourite TV shows are back this week, and since new jobs, and Newcastle, and new friends, and new quiz challenges will take up most of my time over the next weeks and months, 'art' will only get the odd hour at night. Whatever though mind and fingers produce, you'll see (most of) it here...

Pondering pasta and piRAtes

2011-09-19T22:00:00.009+02:00

Ahoy mateys!!
This post has me all at sea – in every sense. Not sure where to begin or how to get some sort of order into it but I’ll walk that plank and dive in headlong. Oh, and get your life vest, and some ship's biscuit, and a bottle of rum yo-ho-ho....this is another VERYLONGONE (comes with sights and sounds though, to make it more appealing :).. I cannot possibly break it up, it’s all connected in a weird way...you'll see.

Captain Shakespeare.. not a pirate but simply adorable

Lately, life has conspired to make me ponder pirates. I admit I’ve always had a thing for swarthy swashbucklers. Whe we were kids growing up without the distractions of television, we’d spend long hours outdoors, pretending to be Robin Hood, Sinbad, Zorro, or any of the musketeers. Wooden swords were crossed and arrows buzzed by, but never bothered, neighbour’s cat and being ever the tomboy, I always was one of the merry men rather than Maid Marian. We’d watch any old adventure film on the black and white telly mum finally decided to get, and having grown up by the lake and learned swimming and sailing at an early age, I had a special interest in maritime adventures. Pirates, particularly. Not sure what exactly drew me to them though. There was that absolute freedom they enjoyed, to do whatever floated their boat, or ship. Maybe it was that juvenile attitude towards authority (no pirate’s ever been grounded for failing to clean their bunk) which has never left me. Or it was the thrill of braving the elements, adrenaline rushes that come with being out on the water in gale force winds, not knowing whether you’d ever see dry land again (experienced first hand, that... quite scary in real life). It most certainly were the adventures in far-off lands (when, as an East German kid, you couldn’t even make it to Paris, let alone Port Royal) with their white beaches under azure skies, and sunshine 24/7. It also was the camaraderie amonst the gang, soldidarity at sea, when you had to trust your mates (not to slit your throat) and of course there were all those hidden treasures (alluring when your pocket-money is 3 quid a week).. and (says shallow me) in most films the pirates were being portrayed as the good guys (and invariably looked better than the navy types sent out to catch them)...Taking all that into account, pirating just seemed like a great career choice in those days. (pauses for breath.. do grab the chance and have a drink/dinner/pee..or just RUN!!!!.)

Of course we’d never ponder the more mundane matters of buccaneering (wouldn’t have made for a glorious movie, somehow..). Ignored the hardship on ships without running water, regular food supply, and GPS, no thought wasted on occasional sea and other battles that could well leave you crippled for life, no dental plan or health insurance, no retirement or pension... unless you had plundered enough.
Over the years my perspective righted itself and adult me admits that – while it looks good on screen – a pirate’s life would not be worth pursuing. The inner child though still flips that cutlass and shouts ‘aarrrrrr, prepare to be boarded, you cowardly landlubbers!!’
And not to forget – being a northern lass, I did grow up with tales of ‘our very own’ privateer/freebooter folk hero. 14th century pirate Klaus Störtebeker, one of the so-called Victual Brothers... robbed the rich, gave some to the poor.. wisely kept most for himself. What stuck in mind is the story of his capture and heroic death. When about to be executed, Störtebeker asked the mayor of Hamburg to release as many of his crew as he could walk past sans head. Allegedly his request was granted and, once beheaded, Störtebeker's body got up and walked past twelve of his men before the executioner tripped the body with an out-stretched foot... bloody cheat!1 (not that the money-bags kept their word, mind... the twelve had their heads chopped off too)... If you’re ever at the Baltic coast, check out the Störtebeker Festspiele at Ralswiek... open air theatre about his life, and battles, and death... quite the spectacle.
Anyroad, so much for the trip down memory lane. And nothing sums all this up better than Jimmy Buffet’s ‘song... arrrr. Who better to sing about pirates than the man who inspired 'parrotheadness'? (I know, that word didn't exist till just about now..)

Now, the reasons why freebooters have entered my thoughts again lately are manifold and seemingly unconnected (or are they?). Two weeks or so back I re-watched The Curse of the Black Pearl. Easily one of the bestest pirate movies ever made (till then, my favourite pirate was Burt Lancaster in The Crimson Pirate), and not just for dashing Depp and brilliant Bloom. The 10-hour extras on the DVD contained quite some information on the historical background of pirates. (have to remember to watch parts POTC 3 and 4, much neglected)

before

after

Next I spied Rose Tyler wearing a ‘Pirates arrr cool’ shirt on an old episode of Doctor Who. Just one wee scene and easy to miss.. but somehow my distracted mind noticed.

Then there were the countless posters the Pirate Party had put up in the streets in the run-up to the local elections in Berlin...the political scene is getting more and more colourful. Suffice to say, they did get my vote yesterday (and got their seats!!!!). Bout time Pirates came back. Arrrrrr.

Which brings us to the trigger for this post... The Flying SpaghettiMonster.
One of the rules of the pub quiz I run states that the losers of the night can pick their favourite topic for one of the question rounds in the following week. Levelling the playing field a bit, like... (we call it Yogi round, for they are still smarter than the average bear). Anyroad, the lads chose the topic ‘Flying Spaghetti Monster’... and after an initial 3.5 seond shock I actually had lots of fun with it. The name and concept itself were vaguely familiar but in order to find 9+ questions that don’t bore the rest of the quiz teams, I had to look deeper. And now I’m hooked (currently reading The Gospel of the Church of the FlyingSpaghetti Monster... even put down my Terry Pratchett for it!!!).. their ideas appeal and the reasoning is not without merit. If you are not familiar with this – I’m using the term carefully – religion (got stick on quiz night for introducing religious rounds) I cannot recommend highly enough reading up on the rites and writings of the Pastafarians, as the disciples of His Noodliness are known. Not saying I’ll join any time soon but a closer look on the lighter side of church and chow is definitely in the cards. But what’s with the pirates, you ask. Right. (deep breath... time for another visual interlude...)

Lucas North.. closet pirate?

En bref, according to Pastafarian "beliefs", pirates are "absolute divine beings" and the original Pastafarians.. and that "global warming, earthquakes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters are a direct effect of the shrinking numbers of pirates since the 1800s." (have I mentioned that a sound sense of humour is prerequisite when dipping into Pastafarianism?).. and it goes without saying that we’re not talking about the gun-toting, ship-napping variety found off the coast of Somalia but rather the kind unsurpassedly epitomised by Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow. Irrational, irrepressible, irresponsible… irresistible. Footloose and fancy-free. The pirate of my childhood dreams.
But even those good pirates, created by His Noodliness, have (very loose) rules and maxims by which they live. Most of those I would have no problem adopting.. some I already have. If you’re ever in doubt .. ask yourself… WWAPD?

Another thing I learned from Thursday’s lesson on Pastafarianism – the followers of The Flying Spaghetti Monster celebrate. A lot. Like, every Friday is the most holiest of days for Pastafarians. And a highlight in the calendar of holidays is Talk like a Pirate Day. Celebrated on 19 September (actually, invented long before Pastafarianism but heartily taken on board). When I first read about it some 10 years ago I thought ‘not another silly holiday’. Now it all makes .. not any more sense than then. But it’s fun all the same. Arrrrrrgh. Shiver me timbers.

Ooof.. almost there now.. and rounding up this epic pirate post, the shallow side of swashbuckling (and the dishy one.. RArrrrrgh.). Many moons ago, I was asked by a friend if – for the first fanstRAvaganza - I could dress up Mr.Armitage in various costumes, pirate being one of them. Back then I had only just dicovered the man, and photoshop and thus the first result was a bit … uninspired and looked like this.

Admittedly dishy but way too nice and clean for a proper pirate. The recent emergence of pictures of the bearded and fierce variety in Recognise Magazine have made me go back to a pic I started back then and never finished. Mainly for lack of fitting face photos. And a long night later..RArrrrr.

Cool pirate or what?!? I could actually see Mr. A portraying a brooding buccaneer, pensive pirate, fetching freebooter… not in a Jack Sparrow type of role but a ‘serious’, slightly troubled, tragic, heroic, yet captivating captain of the seas. Not that such film is ever going to be made but I’d volunteer as first mate, or even the ship’s cook or cat… and let other damsels dream of being rescued. Phwoarrrrrrrrr.

Well, matey...congratulations if you’ve made it this far… hope you did bring enough food ;)…if you have any pirate moments you’d like to share – the floor’s all yours. I’m off to get some more arrrrr-ing and timber-shivering in, and maybe later sink a bottle, or noggin, of rum. Yo-ho-ho. And all the time I’ll be wondering if the increased occurrence of pirates in my life lately has been all coincidence or if The Flying Spaghetti Monster had His Noodly Appendage in all this…
PS: matching RAllpapers are in the mail ;)

(De)constructing Dwarves or The Thorin body shop

2011-09-05T19:59:00.001+02:00

Lack of news from Kiwi Kountry has me neglecting the vertically challenged ones these days but this I had to share. Something that had been bugging me for a while. When the promo pics came out, the much awaited ‘full gang’ pic found on TheOneRing.net had Thorin in a different outfit than the regal blue one he was seen in later,and I was wondering if he was the diva of dwarves and would change costume 3 times a day. Until I took a closer look and discovered that he was wearing hand-me-downs, borrowed from friends and family. Making them must have been a labour of love .. lots of chopping and ‘shopping, making sure the parts fit. Back then Thorin only had a ‘Klingon’ head and no legs to stand on. The thought never occurred to me that robbing the other dwarves could produce a body (or maybe it was inherent indolence that made me shy away from the venture).

Hats off the DWartist though who went to great lengths to clothe the king. I can understand them – sometimes the official photos just aren’t released fast enough…. I was ‘shopping dwarf groups every time a new ‘instalment’ came out .. and spend a whole night making ‘my own’ Kili… before the big pic appeared only hours later.
Let’s hope the long wait for updates (and new footage) from Hobbiton is soon over, it’s been too long already.

The Dressing Game though looks like fun… I’ll try and make my own dwarves out of spare parts… up here soon-ish;)

In the meantime a bit of much-neglected Gizzy.. I watch 309 every now and then and I’ve always wondered if/how he and Meg would have got on had they been allowed to live… here’s to new beginnings. If anyone feels inclined to write, or knows where to find, a fanfic about the two… Gizz’ a shout.

Toby or not Toby

2011-08-31T16:02:00.000+02:00

lame line, I know..mind is otherwise occupied.
Anyroad, since for some people Toby Stephens is of equal or even bigger importance than Richard Armitage or other dwarves, here's a September calendar to stare at for the next 31 days. And it's not set in Mainz, for a change :P.. but er ist ganz meins.. argh, must be off before more bad puns find me.
Enjoy.

Mixed bag of nuts and nutters

2011-08-27T22:15:00.002+02:00

Weekend away up north and as usual when I turn my back for 5 minutes, the clowns that own/ru(i)n Newcastle United are at it again. Not that the 'sale' of Joseph 'twit(ter)' Barton came as a surprise (just need to hear Parsnip assure us that xxx is definitely/almost certainly/very likely/probably/... staying said xxx is out of the door before you can say 'Ba'. And I wouldn't even moan about losing JailBait .. he has lately bee getting on my t(w)its a bit.. were it not for the fact that a) we paid close to 6mill for him and got sweet FA back after sticking with him through thick and thicker for 4 years, and b) we don't look like having/getting an adequate replacement any time soon (probably as soon as a striker and left-back)...(oh, and snigger/headshake at the the wondrous choice of QPR).. Anyroad, another chapter in the northernsoccercircussaga, annoying but not shocking and not worth getting worked up about it. Madness as usual.

Three things have made me smile though... the fact that the Hoops lost today, the long-awaited return of Doctor Who tonight.. and my new favourite wallpaper.

Let's hope that by some miracle or fluke the remnants of what once was Newcastle UNITED can grab 3 points tomorrow. With or without you, JB.

How d'you do...

2011-08-25T16:37:00.002+02:00

..that?!?

I have recently been asked by some Photoshop (andRA) fiends how I got Lucas North into his swim trunks and the evening surf… and other than saying ‘very carefully and patiently’I had no proper answer that would fit in a nutshell. BUT since summer is back in town (i.e. rain and chilly days/nights) I decided to sit down and write a little HOW TO…

As mentioned before, I’m really bad at giving directions, partly because I never remember all the tricks and turns of my trial-and-error method of photoshopping (bit like free-style cooking… couldn’t give you a recipe). Anyroad, here are the main steps with as much explanation as I can come up with (my PS version is German and while most of the tutorials I read are in English, I’m still having trouble with English PS terms/tools…).. and a few visual ‘aids’ (for ogling’s sake, mostly;)..

The whole thing kicked off with Canada Day and this calendar

.. it was a rush job and not all that satisfactory graph-wise but the idea of Lucas, on holidays, in swim trunks… nuff said. So here's how to ...

Step 1 – find a (hi-res) picture of topless Lucas (for our purpose there is only one with the right size and angle… found at super RAsources RANet.com or the Russian site… )

Step 2 – remove background and chop off and discard all non-essential body parts. I know, what a waste.. no worries, they’ll get replaced. With hi-res pics I normally use a layer mask and various brushes to cut out the shape… (not the biggest fan of pen tool) .. quick mask, magnetic lasso, or magic wand will roughly clean up background, edges are a bit time-consuming depending on level of accuracy needed. When done freeing the torso, give it a spray tan … Lucas looks a tad pale after 8 years in jail. Experiment with photo filter and/or use empty layer set to ‘soft light’ and paint with appropriate shade(s) of brown.. trial and error really.

Step 3 – find new head (for Lucas, o/c). The old one is a bit scruffy for our purpose and shaving/trimming would take too long ;). Trick is to find one with matching angle/light/expression… enjoy trawling above RAsources 

Step 4 – find bottom in swim trunks. Now this is hard work but someone has to do it. I sifted through tons of trunk-clad hunks before finding scrumptious Hugh Jackman taking a swim. (I frequently use him as ‘body/clothes double’ for Mr. A.. the two have been likened more than once). Remove Hugh’s impressive torso and mirror and fit bottom to Mr. A’s equally dishy one (once they match I linked/grouped layers.. that way they can’t move around without my say-so but I can still alter them separately) .. mind the hands!

Step 5 – basically trial and error adjusting brightness, colours, saturation.. and fiddling with details.

Step 6 – find fitting background. I wanted some surf in the foreground to match the splash around the knees and a more serene ocean background, preferably with a boat or ship. DeviantArt aside, there are tons of free wallpaper/texture sites out there, just takes a bit of surfing… Next blend/chop/fit the two backgrounds and adjust colours, brightness, and saturation (e.g. I added a touch of peach to the surf to reflect the evening sky).

Step 7 – time to launch our hero. Trickiest part – the splash around the knees. Chop/ blend until the splashy water matches the surf (or as good as, the Hugh pic was taken at bright midday sun, I couldn’t be arsed to fiddle with it any more).. play some more with brightness, light, drop and other shadows and saturation till reasonably happy with result. Flatten/save (BTW – save changes to psd ever so often.. nothing worse than a night’s work lost when PS decides to crash..I’m still learning that lesson at a cost..)

Step 8 – optional (I had to use it because the original pic was 1280x1024 and I had to adapt it for my wide screen without losing any part of Lucas. Proportions suck sometimes…) find another background, beachy or otherwise, make original pic into photograph/post card, add a few shells, and maybe a calendar and –ta-da!!! – surf’s up.

oh, forgot...the visual aid... and September calendar ;)

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday..

2011-08-22T20:32:00.001+02:00

to you...belatedly...dear
RYAN TAYLOR!!!

Yep, unlike the other army celebrating today's birthday boy, the Toon Army (and yours truly) are still partying with Saturday's child, all keen-eyed and wild.. and this screamer.

You just can't make yourself (and thousands of fans) a better prezzie.. Happy 27th again and thanks for the memory.

Oh, yeah, that other birthday boy... have a great one.. life after 40 just gets better every day. Well, most days.

September calendar version and other RArt in PB or dA...

You are so beautiful...

2011-08-20T15:39:00.004+02:00

you lads in black & white... but enough of another Newcastle victory over the unwashed down the road...(can't get enough of it, really ;)..I was rather talking of Berlin.
This August has been the bestest April we've had in a long time... surprise showers changing place with sunny spells.. during which I take my little camera and go on photo safaris in KrautKountryKapital.

Here is some of the latest prey... and this one here is my favourite by far.. found by the side of a busy Berlin street, battered, bruised, stained, fading, trying to escape from behind iron bars...but never defeated and inherently beautiful.

The rest is here...
Oh, and even though I never promised you a rose garden.. here is the sunny side of my little rainy-day haven...

It's such a perfect (derby) day

2011-08-20T15:19:00.002+02:00

Brilliant sunshine, lovely little breeze - just like August should be. And though I might have been moaning about the Makem derby being so early in the season, and despite the dreadful premonitions earlier this week... whatcha know?!?!
We Beat The SMB Again. At their own poxy SOS. And got one of the dirty soandsos sent off (should have been two actually) ... Live doesn't get much more beautiful than that. And I haven't even touched a drop today. First derby ever I sat through sober. Only slightly dischuffed because it wasn't on telly.
Totally happy bunny now, will enjoy the rest of the sunny day on a little photo safari across town, then off into the sunset and to another barbie with hopefully copious amounts of alcohol. Or at least a celebratory drink or two.
I sincerely wish all non-Newcastle-supporting peops out there an equally brilliant weekend.
stupidlygrinningly yours,
HappyBunnyInBerlin

oh, almost forgot.. TOP OF THE TABLE!!!! (not for long but you have to take what you can get ;)

Another John bites the dust

2011-08-16T19:59:00.006+02:00

Finally getting round to summing up Saturday. What a let-down. Not the weather (which was decidedly above average) nor the Newcastle season start against Arsenal (which was average) but the tv ‘treat’ I had planned for afters. Strike Back Series 2. The first two episodes. What can I say? 1 hour 27 minutes of my life I won’t get back. Yes, I forced myself to sit through all of it, in the vague – and vain – hope that it would improve.

So – here’s a (sc)rambled round-up of episodes 1+2. There will be spoilers which – at least this time – serve as caveat to people who are still anxiously waiting for the DVD (or the show to appear on their TV screens). Members of the Armitage Army – do not. Those 15 odd minutes of ‘fame’ are not worth sitting through the rest. Get the screencaps from RANet.com or wait for someone to post the video of Mr. A’s appearance (only slightly longer and more meaningful than a Hitchcock cameo). If this sequel has shown us anything it’s that a good actor can possibly save a poor plot whereas a bunch of average or mediocre thespians only emphasize the weaknesses of a rehashed story.

Anyroad, from the beginning. Bullet-points, the extended version 

Credits. Very much reminded me of ‘Luther’… same graphic style has been (over)used lately on a variety of shows. Getting stale. Some sort of James Bond-ish them song (“this ain’ no place for no hero”?!?!?)…bah.

Main characters. This time you get two rugged heroes. A clean-cut, clean shaven, soft-spoken British sergeant and a hairy, stubbled, foul-mouthed American ex-sergeant. Pick your preference.

Sgt. BraveBrit: SAS/Section 20 (which officially doesn’t even exist we learn, but still occupies lovely office space in MI6 headquarters), married, nice house and kindergarten sweetheart wife who’s desperately trying for a baby. So desperately that he sneaks in a scheduled shag while on his way to a major operation. A tough, loyal, by-the-book soldier, although he seems to have some Porterish problems with following orders (and turns out to be not all that faithful to wifey). Appearance: Sgt. Stonebridge (the name alone!!) comes with a chiselled face (bit heavy on the jaws maybe)and a truly impressive physique (gee, they were waiting awfully long to make him take his shirt off) but has neither the ambiguity, nor the voice and screen presence of ThePorter. All in all squeaky clean to the point of being … bland. Wouldn’t weep if they shot him half through episode 3.

Sgt. YuckyYank: Scruffy ex-Delta Force sergeant, chucked out for possession of narcotics (falsely accused, his life ruined – PAO Porter all over), fights, drinks, and shags his way through Sout East Asia. No known family ties, worked with John Porter in Somewherestan. Brought in for one operation because he is the only one who can identify EvilMuslimTerrorist (EMT). Not exactly the erudite type, half of his vocabulary consists of the word ‘fuck’ and 2.5 personal pronouns. Appearance: Sgt. Scott is tough, tall and not too shabbily built but scruffy all in all (cute shark tattoo though). Would probably clean up alright but who cares? Cheeky chauvinist badass who’s average bordering annoying and has nothing going for him.

Not sure who’s supposed to be ThePorter in this one. Team play? Made for an international/US audience, you have to have at least one ‘good American’ in there… (I’d still very much prefer Toby Stephens’ treacherous fauxAmericain).. So - will the BraveBrit die a heroic death in the end to save by-then-morally-improved-and-redeemed cousin? I guess I’ll never find out.

‘Supporting’ our dynamic duo is a shuffled pack of shallow characters (both goodies and baddies) whom I couldn’t care less about.

Story kicks off with… ThePorter. No explanantion as to what happened after he drove off into the sunset, considered ‘resourceful, tenacious and a clear and present threat’, and hunted by CIA, NSA, Alphabetti Spaghetti, and border-hopping warlords. Apparently back in the fold, and the field, on a mission for non-existing Section20 but maybe not all that resourceful since now in the hands of some Islamic zealots. Tied up, head-bagged, (water-boarded?),kicking&kicked around… BUT NEVER DEFEATED. Anyroad, hostage in exchange for some Islamic brothers in British and US jails. Much like SB1Ep1, SAS rescue mission FAILS (we learn later there’s a traitor). Then YuckyYank gets extracted from Asian cess pit he now calls home to help bring back our hero only to be present for livestream execution (you killed ThePorter, you bastards!!!). And just to make sure no one dreams of Mr. A’s return in SB3 (perish the thought), close-up of blood dripping from a head wound. Decidedly Dodo.

Cue fake wake in a pub, and SgtYY is recruited because a) apart from ThePorter, he’s the only person in the world who knows what EMT Latif looks like (no he don’t muahahah), and b) he’s the only one who could decode the message left in the barrage of expletives ThePorter chose for last words .. and o/c to save the world from EMT’s Project Dawn which no one but ThePorter knew what it is and maybe revenge ThePorter and bring back his body.. sans shirt, preferably). With all that in mind and mission statement – the S20 team, led by Colonel “Mini Me to Judy Dench’s ‘M’” Grant is off to Delhi. For a sarnie, a mango lassi, and a Latif at large.

The next hour has so many boring/annoying/predictable/stupid moments that I won’t bother with details.. just the gist. Our dynamic duo arrives at hotel, rest of S20 sets up in hidey-hole full of hi-tech gadgets Tarik would be proud of (THE CRIB?!? that’s a crib alright..), and - wouldyoubelieveit – totally unbeknownst to Indian (not that much)intelligence service.

Hotel gets invaded by bunch of EvilBetracksuitedMuslimTerrorists (EBMTs) who take everyone hostage, except SgtYY who had snuck upstairs for a quick shag with a waitress/maid.. also escaped - a British brunette who had refused his advances and hence aroused my suspicion. BTs set up massive bomb and start asking/looking in hotel computer for a ‘Mamoud’, now and then shooting hostage when computer says ‘no’.

Meanwhile SgtYY has the situation sussed and goes John. McLane, that is, not Porter. I mean, he would have kicked EBMT arse too but he’s dead, Jim. Anyroad, armed with not much more than a wee girl for a human shield, a big wet bath towel, the sight of his presumably enourmous cock, his even bigger mouth, and his larger-than-life ego, he soon kills half of the EBMT team and re-establishes contact with Colonel ‘Mini M’ Grant. Who, meanwhile, has been joined by a Pakistani spy major (or major spy) who from the very first minute I knew was dodgy and working for the man he was allegedly helping to find. You got it. Latif.

At the same time in the hotel. Mamoud (a SUPER weapons expert) can’t be found (by now it’s easy to figure it’s BrunetteBrit), more hostages die, moreEBMTs die, SgtBB ignores orders and goes looking for SgtYY, united they clean up the hotel, find BB/Mamoud and after all that trouble stupidly get captured by EBTMs. Not before Mamoud tells SgtYY that she sortofyouknowIdidn’treallywantto was part of the secret organisation who was to plant WoMD in Iran before the Gulf War (FAIL) and when SgtYY stumbled upon dodgydealings he got dishonourably discharged. (SRSLY, wouldn’t it have been much easier and safer to just shoot him on a mission?) The guy now in charge of EBMTs is ‘bespectecled man’ who was hostage (till SgtBB freed him) and super suspicious for asking SgtBB too many questions. Still, he’s so obviously set up to be Latif that you have to be thick to think he really is.

However, on with the lame show… Indian armed forces finally turn up with determined general (lovely doe-eyed Alyy Khan whom I remember fondly from Sharpe’s Challenge),Colonel MiniM has to tell truth and pledge cooperation but before the native troops come up with a plan to enter, our dynamic duo has saved the day, out-gunned and out-cunned the EBMTs, rescued Mamoud, shot alleged Latif, freed remaining hostages (giving little human shield back to her mother)and rugby-tackled a MASSIVE bomb. All in a day’s work and with only a scratch or two (half of which miraculously heal before the next meal). Mamoud is taken for a wee chat by THEREALLATIF (or fake Pakistani spy). Only to –SURPRISE!!! be found dead on the rocky road to nowhere a few hours later. By now the British spies have realised their MOTHEROFALLFUCKUPS and have no choice but to give brutish but brave SgtYY a proper job, rank, and salary in the hope that he may help to find Latif and prevent Project Dawn.

We close with SgtYY revealing to his new buddy SgtBB (well, maybe not BFFs yet but at the end of SB2, Sgt YY will either be godfather to BB’s baby or adopt it and marry his widow. Mark my words) that ThePorter had meant for him to infiltrate S20 because HOLDYOURBREATH there’s a mole amidst them who gave away ThePorter’s name and intel and warned the terrorists. Who may or may not be part of ~~Nightinga..~~ the secret organisation who framed SgtYY and might just as well be working with Latif (I wouldn’t be surprised).

So – PorterAllOver - we’re left with another fine bromance, another conspiracy, another (anti)hero trying to clear his name and get his life back (though in SgtYY’s case that would probably just entail being brave, brutal, and annoying. Only sanctioned and salaried.).This time he has a buddy from the start and the two are up against not only EMTs but a traitor in their own ranks (and a supersecretspyorganisation). Sounds familiar?

As for ThePorter – Richard Armitage has about 10 minutes (frequent repeats/flashbacks included) and delivers his 4,75 lines with the well-known verve and voice. I doubt though that his name in the credits (even listed third in the end credits) and the same bit of footage, shown over and over throughout series 2, will bring in the thousands of viewers the Armitage Army assembled for the first series.

At the end of the day, Strike Back 2 is a lot like Strike Back 1 mixed with some Spooks, and a bit of Burn Notice, minus the actors to makes us care (though I suppose there are some Winchester/Stapleton fans out there ;) All in all shaky, not stirring. Average TV fare for rainy afternoons when you’ve watched everything thrice, even the news (then again, that’s probably true for SB1, unless you’re a Richard Armitage or Toby Stephens fan ;). Lots of shouting, shooting, shagging and swearing (SRSLY, too much of the latter even for my ears), a pretty predictable plot, very graphic action, and characters who could be replaced at almost any time without causing much of an uproar. It even lacks the occasional funny scene (I’ll always think of Porter in May when it’s time for the Eurovision Song Contest phone-in.) I can easily pass up on the rest of the series, now that the Premier League is back and offers way more action than any Chris Ryan book/film ever could.

As for suspense, and spies, and shocking plots - here’s looking forward to Spooks’ final series in September. Let’s hope the writing’s improved and the new additions to the cast will allow the show to bow out with a bang, not a whimper. Some things (and characters) should have a graceful, or at least meaningful, death.

After John Bateman and John Mitchell, REST IN PEACE John Porter.

wallpapers in the photobucket.

Couldn't be(at) Arse(d)

2011-08-13T20:47:00.000+02:00

So far so... okay. Scrappy 0-0 and not nearly as exciting as THAT 4-4 but a result I can certainly live with.
The derby next week though will demand more of all involved.. and nervous nailbiting in these here parts will be resumed mid-week at the latest.
Till then - bien joué les lads, merci, et à la prochaine.
Bon weekend à tous. I'm off to barbie (the smell wafting through the window.. delish.), and looking forward to Strike Back series 2 tonight.

Allez les lads!

2011-08-13T19:04:00.001+02:00

Summer’s almost gone and the circus is back in town. In a few hours the 2011/12 Premier League season kicks off for the rag-tag bunch that masquerades as NewcastleUNITED. I’m afraid they’re not.

As expexted, and feared, we have lost yet another fit and able member of the Old Guard and while I can’t blame Jose Enrique for wanting to try his luck at a club with a wee bit more ambition (binding Shola to the club for another two year?!? Your’re taking the Michael!!) and where he’s (if only slightly) more likely to win owt I curse, once more, the muppet regime who sold a vital part of our team without finding adequate cover in time. Who’ll fill that left-back berth today? Not that I’m all that familiar with our summer aquisions yet but I can’t seem to recall any of them being a roper full-back. I’m almost hoping that wee Shane ‘He’s not really ginger’ Ferguson will be (deemed) fit enough… As for El Toro – I would have preferred to see him go back to a Spanish or in fact any non-Premier League club but then, we all knew he’d be around to bite us in the derrière. A word which brings us back to the current squad and today’s season opener against Arse.

The football gods (and probably Alan Parsley/Parsnip/Parrot/Partridgeinapeartree) only know who’s gonna run out at 6.30 CET. Will Twittergate haveled to JB being benched? If he sits out the game (cut nose spite face) – what will be Pardon’s excuse? Oh, yeah.. he’s lined that one up already in one of his recent tosh-spouting interviews “I'm still optimistic Joey could play on Saturday. He must be 100% and he must be in the right frame of mind..” Who will team up with Bambi Ameobi and not score our goals? Who will provide cover for whichever keeper we put between the sticks? Will Arsene Winger send out his B-Team seeing that he’s got a Champions League qualifier coming up on Tuesday? Or are reports of injuries to some of his senior players just a smokescreen?

After a long football-free (non-)summer it seems as if ‘real life’ has finally caught up with us and the rollercoaster that is football in black and white and orange* is back on… fasten your seatbelts, break out the barf bags. Alan Partial has wasted no time to get his comments and excuses ready, sounding as if he expects defeats and wants to prepare the fans for the worst. Really? If you’ve followed this lot for what will be 20 years for me this season the direction this rollercoaster is headed should come as no surprise. That might sound pessimistic and I’m normally more the glass-half-full type but gut instict, the ability to read between the lines, and 2 decades of mainly masochism in black & white are not to be ignored.

*(!!! don’t get me started… not quite as ridiculous as THAT banana&custard one but please, what’s with the fruit basket? Did they actually pay a designer to come up with this eyesore of an away strip?!? Any six year old could have done better..)

Anyroad, mixed with this feeling of impending doom (what are the chances of another glorious 4-4.. or anything but a sound thrashing?) is the usual mid-summer excitement of having footie back on the ‘to-do’ list. Not just the Toon variety but the madhouse that is the English Premier League, and the 2. Bundesliga (I still keep checking third divison tables for Hansa ;) and then there’s cups and (ugly) mugs and afternoons and evenings filled with drink and despair, and cheering ad jeering. And hopefully the odd pleasant surprise. Wouldn’t mind if the first one came along tonight.

All that’s left for me to do is find a sports bar up here in the sticks that doesn’t show Bundesliga repeats all night and settle down with a large lager or two.

It’s back, it’s brutal, it’s the beautiful game. Bring it on!

And since this summer has added a decidedly gallic touch to the Toon – ALLEZ LES LADS!!!!

Oh, and I might need this one… had to dig in the archives, original from 2008.

Assorted August calendars

2011-08-06T21:11:00.001+02:00

Quick one, since the month has already 'lost' one week and I made them weeks ago but forgot to post... some of you might know some of them ;).. no 1280x1024 or larger versions of the Mitchell/Aidan ones at the mo, if you want/need - holler. ('calendarless' ones here)

Summer in the City

2011-08-06T20:53:00.000+02:00

Was actually going to call this ‘I can’t stand the rain’ but that’s not quite true… A long hoped for sunny spell is here and do be careful what you wish for..

water running down the walls...

After the relentless rain of the last 2 weeks (actually feels more like 2 months now, and probably was too) Berlin is enjoying a comparatively sunny weekend. Well, Saturday for a start. Almost forgot what that was like.. you think there’s something wrong when you wake up and the sound of raindrops hammering the canopy of leaves on the big plane tree is missing. Though it’s August now and all the leaves are green, and the sky is grey, I’ve been for a walk on a winter’s… oops..wrong season. Anyroad there is a decidedly autumnish (nah, that’s not a word really… fallish?) feeling in the air, almost as if we skipped a whole season (Premier League 2011/12, pretty please?) and Halloween is just around the corner. I’ve even seen the odd pumpkin in the shops and markets. Sun is a rare commodity that has to be treasured when spied. According to yesterday’s weather forecast summer is over again tomorrow..though tonight’s forecast may have a different prognosis. I’m never sure if the weather is so erratic or if the meteorologists – say that quickly five times – just can’t be bothered anymore. Standard equipment these days are both sunglasses and brolly…snorkel and flippers optional.

the next shower is just around the corner

The downside though of sunny days and warm nights – at least where I live - almost round the clock acoustic attacks from across the backyard and the yard next door. Nice big green area which at the first sign of summer turns into a barbeque place, playground, inflatable swimming pool corner replete with bleating bairns and rampous ‘rents. Domestic disputes are being settled (or not) at a decibel level that would shame a jumbo jet and when you drive your car into the yard to park it you have to absolutely make sure that you do it with the windows rolled down and the stereo blasting some techno beats all the way into next week. Musical taste has to be shared, at any cost, with the rest of the street, even if you only have 2 records or mp3s. Conversations (or the less civilised equivalent thereof) can easily be heard 4 blocks down.. This must be one of the noisiest corners in town. Not sure it’s the melting pot of Turks, Africans, Eastern Europeans, and German.. chavs.. (not judging or being condescending.. much) but summer always brings out the desire to move flat. Again. If only there wasn’t that old devil called .. procrastination. And the knowledge that the next rain is just around the corner.

The upside of rainy days, apart from serenity, is that most people stay indoors (and I have more teams on quiz night) and Berlin’s many parks are empty… I love heading out for long walks around town, with my little camera, without bumping into people… I’m having decidely ‘hermitty’ days these days… maybe it’s old age creeping up on me.. Anyroad, during one of those walks I happened upon a wee well-hidden rose garden at the fringe of a larger park. It had just stopped raining and the air smelled as if it had been freshly washed. Though only 2 minutes walk from one of Berlin’s busiest streets, the lush little paradise was surrounded by larg bushes and ivy-covered walls that keep the noise out. A large variety of roses and other more or less exotic flowers in full bloom looked as if they had been sprinkled with diamonds.. or pearls of water. Rain had created a mirror on the wooden railings in which silhouettes of the leaves above were swimming.

After taking tons of pictures (half of them here) I sat down on a bench, taking in the peace and beauty, and reading a few pages of The Hobbit (yep, everywhere I go).. The only other visitor was a seemingly waterproof old man who lives a few blocks away and – for lack of a patch of land to call his own – visits ‘his’ little garden almost daily. He assured me that on sunny days there was more of a crowd though apparently the spot is not all that well-known and frequented, and definitely no home to big barbecue parties..

Two hours later I headed home with soaked shoes (should have kept off the grass ;) and the knowledge to have found new sanctuary should the summer come back and the neighbours be at it again..

Bless the rain.

Bilbo

2011-08-01T21:00:00.001+02:00

finally. Things to be said for rainy weekends (well, you wouldn't want to hear the things I said last weekend). Still, here at last.

King under the Mountain

2011-07-25T21:34:00.001+02:00

Was kehrt mich mein Geschwätz von gestern...
After finding the final Dwarf pics (and now even the full hi-res pics of all 12.. and Thorin's head) I had to spend a few hours this past rainygreypoxy weekend to make the last (for now) wallpapers. Without much ado. here are.

And now I've found the screencaps from PeterGeniusJackson's third video and my, do they look so much better still in 'real'.. never mind, the glossy promo pics are cool but the costumes look smashing in their details and the real life versions are brilliant. If only the film was out already ;)

Smeggin' summer

2011-07-22T17:45:00.001+02:00

Really, what's with the weather?!?
Belonging to a nation of natural born moaners, I'd complain as soon as the temperatures climb above 26,75°C.. but when they stay below 20 I'd whinge just the same. Never right. It's been raining for two days now, with added gale-force winds today. THAT is NOT what I wanted, really.
Just like last week after a smashing quiz night, the voice is gone and the cold is back. Coughing, sneezing my head off and looking forward to a whole weekend indoors, with lots of tea, fruit, choccie (?) and re-watches of Red Dwarf, Being Human (the more I watch it the more I realise how brilliant Aidan Turner is.. and that's not even taking into account the hot exterior ;)
And since it's time a certain vampire featured more in my 'art' this is the last hobbity one (had to, now that the pic is out ;)

Wishing y'all a better weekend, wherever you are. Here's one of my favourite (summer) songs.. like the version though it's Hayley Westenra on my iPod.

There’s Klingons on the starboard bow.. or Dwarf Trekkin’ across all Middle Earth

2011-07-20T15:11:00.001+02:00

Welcome to Dwarf Trekkin’. To the casual reader it must seem as though I have developed yet another obsession … with vertically challenged people. 3 dwarf posts in a row?!? CrazeAlarm?!? Nah.

While it cannot be denied that I have been spending a bit of time and thought on all things hot, and cool, and short in the Shire, I am far from having another fit of fangurlitis. Lesson (still) learned. And as soon as the summer is over, or what passes for summer this year, the natural order of things will be restored. School holidays are only for another 4 weeks, and the begin of the new term (and yet more fun teaching…) coincides with the return of the Premier League season, and another year in the soccer circus that is Newcastle United (or NouveauChateau Uni, as it’ll soon be known).. and the longer the nights and colder the days grow the closer pub season draws. And with it the return of long, fun-filled and alcohol-fuelled quiz nights.. and all the work that goes with them. So, I’ll be enjoying my dalliance with dwarves for the last few weeks of silly season or ‘Saure-Gurken-Zeit’ as we call it here…(always makes me think of gherkins..and London…odd) Anyroad, before we head to Hobbiterritory, from weird German expressions to weird Germans in movies.

Yes, I will watch Captain America. Not because of Heinz Krüger though, ganz und gar nicht (gee, I hope Mr. A doesn’t do zis horrible German accent vat alvays makes me cringe).. The film had been on my list since I first read rumours of if being in the making, always quite liked the Avengers comics. And when the first pictures of the sets and costumes and THE CARS!! came out I put the film on my ‘must watch in the cinema’ list (which isn’t all too long these days I’m afraid). Anyroad, from tall Germans in America back to little people in Hobbitland and a few odd observations. Fantasy meets Sci-Fi.

Hobbit/Star Trek connection #1: To get him out of the way (and do try, he’s MASSIVE) – Thorin. He looks every bit as impressive as he should (and I thought he would and I’m sure Mr. A will lend him the necessary gravity and make him another unforgettable Tolkien character as devised by PeterGeniusJackson. Aidorable Kili will always be my favourite but once Thorin utters his first lines in what I am sure will be a thunderous voice there will be awe (THE VOICE does easily beat Aidan’s sweet brogue). On the visual front though I have to say – for an imperious leader of little people he is missing ca. 3 metres of long and intricately braided beard. Don’t get me wrong, he looks fierce but the King under the Mountain should be bombastically barbed. There are growing voices in the Tolkien community who complain about the lack of facial adornment in the majority of the dwarves but I like the variety (just look at Oin, and Gloin, and Nori… and Bombur – splendid beards!!). But while Kili the Kid (how old is a BabyDwarf, anyway?) might get away with only having to shave once a week (unlike Aidan methinks ;), Thorin should be a tad more hairy. My first reaction to the promo pic – put the Lonely Mountain onto his forehead and you’d have the perfect Klingon….

Seriously, Worf’s family would gladly adopt him. My trekkie days are long gone but I have a certain Klingon picture in my head.. methinks from DS9 or NextGen. Will find… Gee, even Orcrist bears a certain resemblance with a bat'leth .. Qapla!

And since this discovery I’ve been playing and singing (in my head mostly ;) this one

Hey, it’s not called silly season for nowt ;)… dwarf trekkin’ across the Middle Earth, on the search for treasuretroves with much mischief and mirth…

…and since Mr. Spock has a wee ‘speaking part’ in the song we slyly slink over to

Hobbit/Star Trek connection #2: When looking for songs to use in this week’s quiz (singing actors and other celebrities.. still trying to get Paris Hilton’s Stimmchen out of my head) I stumbled upon Leonard Nimoy’s “The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins”… totally forgot I had it and don’t think I ever listened to it properly. Till now. And what a delightful little summary of “The Hobbit” it is. Lend it your ear, it grows on you (the song, that is, not the ear ;)

The last connection is rather Hobbit/sci-fi comedy. Every time I scour my HD for hobbit/dwarf-related documents (or dwocuments, as I call them now) the search yields a considerable number of Red Dwarf files, both audio and video. Discovered some 10 years ago, I still love that show, so much siliness that makes me laugh on dark summer days, even though I’ve watched all the episodes countless times and know most of the dialogues by heart (obsessive nature, me? Naaah.) And since it’s silly season let’s close this shop with a silly song, one I can never resist singing/dancing along to. And that ends the weekly ramble… Tongue tied? Me? Not much.

BTW – I made it through 214 rounds of Star Trekkin’ last night while tinkering with Thorin, before I had to turn back to Bilbo. Now that one’s stuck loopingly my head. Bilbo, Bilbo Baggins, he’s only 3 feet tall….

Oh, and afore I forget - here's The King under the Mountain. Proper.

Long post-dweekend post

2011-07-18T20:01:00.002+02:00

Even though the mind today is half on Hansa (even though the first game left much to be desired) and the return of football to my life, I’m still not over MassiveMagnificentMidgets. Ever since I found the GINORMOUS pictures (thanks Ali, as always you’re a star ;) I’ve been ogling PeterGeniusJackson’s interpretation of Tolkien’s little people (would that we could get first ‘talkie’ footage ). Ever so often I run a search of my Hobbit copy (e-book makes for so much quicker research ;) for reference on appearance, settings, and character of the gang. And get drawn into reading whole chapters again, thinking that the wait for the first film must be the longest ever… The hi-res pics (quality even better than the promo pics of LOTR back then) show so much detail of the ornate costumes that I’m glad Tolkien was sketchy on details and PGJ has artistic licence to fashion them after his own creative mind. Which is brill (OMG the hair!! And James Nesbitt’s Bofur looks wicked. And the weapons… all agog to see more footage) .. I was wondering if these costumes were the ‘regular’ travel attire of the gang because when Mr. A hinted at ‘the armour of all armour’ I was expecting more splendour (again, the book does give only the vaguest description)… and I’m missing blue, tassled cloaks ;) and I don’t think they took that awesome an arsenal when they set out. Then again, PGJ’s version is totally fine by me, seeing that I’m not a die-hard Tolkien fan who finds fault wherever the director’s mind deviates  (lack of beards?!? ffs.)

As mentioned afore, the weekend was to supposed to be reserved for picknicks in the park with my ‘gang’, and watching footie (BTW - well done, Japan) but somehow I’ve managed to catch the first cold since winter, in what passes for midsummer in these here parts. And I get all sorts of dwarves when I’m sick… grumpy, sneezy, sleepy.. dopey. Nah, that’s a permanent state of mind. So no running around the park chasing frisbees, squirrels, and ~~cocks~~ shuttlecocks, instead (e-)books, loads of rabbit food, tea, and television (well, DVDs and video files ;)… The upside of staying in though – (day) time for photoshop. And JHC, shop I did. After playing some more with SexDwarf LOL (which was the fun part, o/c) I took on the tedious task of cleaning up the cousins, brothers, uncles,neighbours etc... Easy enough thanks to the HI-res photos (didn’t have BIG Balin & Dwalin at the time of writing, and of course still missing the MasterMidget and BRILLIANTBILBO (no internet at home atm).. can’t wait to get them, and elves, men, sorcerers, and SMAUG!!!) and the reward – clean dwarves who I can now take out for a spin at any time. (if you want the psd files give me a shout, no need for anyone to sit through that boring process again ;)

*apropos – with half a grin I noticed that apparently other graphspeops are prone to the odd sloppy moment ;) when looking closer at Kili (as you do ;) I found that he was supposed to have 7 fingers on his left hand ;)..oops.

Anyroad, having freed the wee ones from their drab grey surroundings, I took them for a group photograph and … a few hours later – first ‘proper’ dwallpapers*. Some are still missing but since I now have the layered files it’s easy to add the rest of the gang upon arrival. And it was fun to team up Gloin and his son Kili – certainly chip of the old block ;)

Anyroad, here’s what’s come to mind so far.. take and enjoy if you like (selfishly, I always start making 1280x800 versions for my own screen but I have 1280x1024 and even some 1600x1200 ones - give a shout if you want... might try and argue with photobucket again). More soon (even though I hope that cold goes and I have to use my nights again to ‘shop).. of course way more SexDwarf ones (with or without sizzling sibling), and OFCOURSE Thorin ones… watch this space.

*DWictionary:

Dweekend- 2 days spent with dishy dwarves

Dwarrior – a dwarven warrior (see Kili)

Dwallpaper – desktop decoration with one or more midgets

Dwun – fun with dwarves (e.g. ‘shopping Kili)

Dwogling – intensely staring at DishyDwarves (see Kili)

PS. have now found the MASSIVE Thorin pics and while I have to admit that he looks every bit as impressive as I had thought he would - Aidorable Kili beats him in the 'heartthrob' stakes any time.

The making(s) of a dishy dwarf

2011-07-15T17:37:00.003+02:00

Preamble: the following ramble was written yesterday, and I can't be arsed to update/make changes. In the meantime the last missing dwarves have arrived (except THE ONE.. and Bilbo o/c.. but then I knew they'd get a very special presentation) and BOLLOX!!!! I've finally found the MASSIVE pictures of KilinevermindFili (and the otherd dwarves) and realised that the night and day spent photoshopping Aidan into something resembling a dwarrior (yep, proper word, that) could have been spent finishing Monsieur Monet. And now I realise that this 'preramble' (yes, that IS definitely a word ;) doesn't make much sense.. then again, still residual alcohol from last night's brilliant quiz and party till 6.15am.... So - read if you have 10 minutes of your life to waste ;) and I'll post my AidorableKili anyway.

Original Post reads thus
"If you came here in search of Thorin… nope. Must disappoint… Peter‘Genius’Jackson and his highly creative gang have been regaling us lately with the long-awaited first pictures of assorted shorties.. and will probably save the best (?) for last. But I’ve finally had ‘my’ dwarf – and well worth the wait he was! HAVE YOU SEEN THAT WEE BUNDLE OF BEAUTY?!? I knew Aidan Turner would make a wonderful Kili but if the first pic is anything to go by – OMG!!!!

Oops – forgot. Caveat. This is a LENGTHY ramble (haven’t had any of them in ages) so if you’re easily bored or not interested in tales of dwarves and other mythical creatures and/or of nights making pretty pictures … off you go, find your amusement elsewhere. The rest of you… much more (incl. said pretty pictures) after the cut.

Right, where was I? OMG. Aidorable Kili. After Ori, Nori, Dori, Oin, and Gloin (who all look fantastic, costumes, weapons, NOSES, and – especially – hair… hats off to Peter Jackson and his designers for another briliant job) I was wondering what Kili would look like (never mind his brother ;). And the result – the sexiest dwarf ever, hands down. And that’s not gonna be topped, in my book. AA members will probably shake their heads in disagreement and stomp their feet impatiently in wait for Thorin, but while I’m sure that Mr. A is going to be a fearsome, regal, impressive leader of the gang (and probably a very handsome one too, if the teaser pic in EMPIRE mag is anything to go by), for me Aidan Turner easily wins it in the DwarfTotty stakes.

Tolkien didn’t provide us with too many details as to the appearance of the little people (unless I’ve skipped a page or two) but it’s the general understanding that dwarves are not exactly the hunks of Hobbitland (never mind the missing inches/centimetres – size does not always matter. I’ve recently been captured by Peter Dinklage’s Tyrion Lannister in ‘Games of Thrones’.. not your average heartthrob but very fascinating ...but that’s for another post). Anyroad, unless seen through dwarf girl eyes (in that case, ginger Gimli probably was a hunk), Elves or Men or even Hobbits with their hairy feet are more appealing than vertically challenged cave dwellers (yes, I know… noble race an’ all ). Ever since the first photos and videos appeared on the net, tons of Tolkien fans have voiced their opinion on the first 7 dwarves (time we get some more, I’m having frequent Snow White moments, singing ‘hi-ho, hi-ho…’ all day)and while some complain that the beards are too short, and the hair too fancy, and the costumes not at all what Tolkien made them (again, little info given so…?!?) most sound excited about the Company and the creative choices of PJ. Now, I would have taken big-nosed, long-bearded, short-legged Kili but whatchaknow? It looks as if Aidan Turner was allowed to keep his own beard (?) which he had so quickly grown (seriously, it probably just took him an afternoon… bit werewolfy for my taste ;), which was even trimmed neatly, and to make up for lack of facial follicles, he’s been given flowing raven locks. Delight. His costume (which might change later.. and I can’t wait for the armour ) makes him look less.... squat than some of his companions and with his massive sword (NOT a euphemism, I swear :) and bow (watch out ‘Leggie’!!!!) he makes one fierce fighting dwarf. So shallow me is over the moon and now has to check for updates every day (or two). Bugger.

And while so far I’ve been adding every new dwarf to the big picture of our merry gang, none of them has merited special treatment (I’ve always intended to make a Thorin pic before the official ones come out but never got past the ‘beard & hair collection’ stage.) Now though Kili begged to be ‘shopped. Alas, the KilinevermindFili promo pic was not the largest (yeah, right, BOLLOX!! *Friday amendment) so – with at least a reference to go by – I set out to make my own DishyDwarf. Throwing aside all the Monet projects I had been working on over the last few nights (sorry, Moni). And thanks to my ever-growing ‘library’ of reference and resource pics, the rough composition was done in little more than half an hour. Initial excitement though quickly grew into irritation since putting it all together and matching all components is a rather tedious process and I’ve never been one for details and patience. The main steps roughly looked like this.

Wedged inbetween, lots of painstaking little steps like cutting or adding hair (I’m not all that much into doing my own hair, let alone a dwarf’s long locks), shading, blending, layering, and other ‘necessary evil’ steps. This time at least I remembered to save changes and files.. would have gone postal had I lost a night’s work, losing sleep already ;)

Anyroad, one short night later – and the first result was rather satisfactory. When I woke up again a few hours later I looked at it with fresh eyes and – as usual – found lots of things that needed fixing. Always the case when the novelty wears off ;).. Since, however, today was my day off (never mind tonight’s quiz for which I’m still 4 rounds short  ) and the weather wouldn’t allow for another 3-hour walk around town (thank ****, still got blisters from yesterday’s ‘exercise’. Silly, really.) I decided to take a closer look and clean up the sloppy parts. And the second result was a bit better though still leaves room for improvement. Obfuscation, I’ve found, helps. Just chuck on a few textures, and run some filters, and the mangy bits won’t catch the eye anymore ;)

Only regret is the costume. Unfortunately Kili’s costumeaccordingtoPeterJackson would have to be made from scratch, a rather time-consuming task, and so I had to dress him in borrowed clothes (still trawling my own resources and the net for fitting armour...) All in all though I have to say, if you don’t know he’s only 4 feet tall, and ignore the massive ears – one sexy midget. He almost looks like Aragorn’s younger brother ;)… quite regal. Kili, King of the Dwarves. And to complete the set - a canny wallpaper.. with the gang as we know it.. so far. Bring on the next batch (though where I should fit them in is still a mystery). And not to forget the hairy-feeted one – I was re-watching ‘Sherlock’ the other day and realised once more what a brilliant Hobbit Martin Freeman will be. He really was the only choice…almost as if Tolkien had him in mind when he wrote the part….Bring on Bilbo, the one and only!!

I’m glad PJ agreed to those ‘summer breaks’ to let MF be Watson again .. would have hated to see the show end after only 3 episodes. And with all that time now..maybe Aidan could sneak back into BH? At least for a visit? Though it’d be harder to come back for ‘staked to ashes’ John Mitchell than it would be for John Bateman … then again, BH is supernatural so… Mitcheeeeeeeell?!??!?!?

Right, that’s me done for the week, got photoshopping out of my system for now…off to quiz night – another gang that’s finally coming together again. And then off into the weekend, with hopefully summerier (yes that is a word!!! )weather than lately. Have a good one, wherever you are.. and thanks for hanging in here so long…

What – you’re still here? And awake? Here's your 'reward' then :)


as far as I've had them at the time ;)

Friday postramble:

You really sat through all this?!?? Bravo. Just don't ask me for those 10 minutes back :)
I'm off to unite all the other midgets and leave space for THE ONE... not before much needed food and sleep though. And then get ready for the beautiful game because - unbeknownst to me - the football season (at least for Hansa Rostock) starts on Sunday. Huraah!!! Back to 'normality'...

Nights with Noyes

2011-07-10T20:39:00.001+02:00

For some reason I've been having trouble sleeping more than 3 hours a night lately... not sure if I 'shop because I can't sleep or the other way round. Anyroad, I've been going through old files, pictures and wallpapers I had planned to make over the years that never got past the 'idea' stage... and since it's not too late to get your house in order - here's the first of ~~many~~ some I plan to finish.
As probably posted before, Loreena McKennitt's (abridged) version of Alfred Noyes' 'Highwayman' is one of my all-time favourite songs.

Her beautifully haunting voice makes the whole story appear before my inner eye and ever since the discovery of a certain TDH actor I had meant to 'cast' him in the role of the tragic bandit... and he would be smashing.
I had never read the poem before and had to google Mr. Noyes but the story of the star-crossed lovers is darkly beautiful though short. BUT much to my delight I found out a while ago that there is a movie in the making, with a fleshed-out plot, due to be released in 2011. Can't wait...

For the time being though I shall be happy to listen to Loreena's voice while staring at my screen :)
Join me if you like it.. if not.. my way or the highway, man. (there are a score of other versions, big ones too. whistle if you want :)

Ooops...

2011-07-10T20:08:00.001+02:00

Satz mit X...
Just as I had feared/anticipated/foreseen... our girls went out in the quarter finals of the Women's Football World Cup. After more or less fighting/scrapping for 108 minutes, and against a strong Japanese team, but...we had rather hoped for a bit more...

For weeks I had seen these huge posters all over town...(the first one cheekily taunts '3rd place is for men' and the other one promises 'boys, we'll avenge you'.. I didn't know that Japanese, French, American or Canadian women were responsible for the weak show against Spain last summer ;) and while I thought they were rather funny, I couldn't help wondering if it hadn't been jinxing it just a tad. Bit like breaking out the party hats and cigars before kick-off against... WolvesWiganWestHam...

Now I'm curious to see if there will be a riposte of sorts from 'the lads', before next year's European Championships. Jinxing it, natch ;)

O Canada

2011-07-01T03:23:00.001+02:00

I can't thank you enough.. for dishy Mounties, Callum Keith Rennie, Flashpoint, The Border, maple syrup, holidays I've yet to plan...never mind Celine Dion or Pamela Anderson... and good friends who are most likely celebrating their heads off today. Oh, and letting us win at 'soccer' ;)
For those of you so inclined...whether you're canucks or not

Happy CanadRA Day :)

and even though I know someone else will post it... and I did before - take it away, Roger. (I'm still thinking 'Albany' :)

Warning: Eggstremely eggsplosive

2011-04-24T21:27:00.003+02:00

Actually just wanted to make a JP Easter card but the story 'wrote' itsel...basically bEGGed to be made... ;)

Hoppy Easter

2011-04-24T18:21:00.001+02:00

..almost forgot.. wanted to share a few funny Easter pics collected over the years. Yes, I do have a different kind of humour.

Don't want to post them all over again, they're here... enjoy ;)

May come.. early

2011-04-23T04:53:00.002+02:00

Because it's Easter.... and the pics have been intriguing me for a while.... and because it was the lazy way of making a quick calendar.. as opposed to actually having a creative idea...
Happy May.

and for those of you who - like yours truly - use 1280x800 widescreen :)

Ei gugge da

2011-04-23T00:30:00.000+02:00

If anyone tries to tell you that Easter eggs don't grow on trees - show him the finger. Or show him these pics. I happened upon this botanical beauty during my Good Friday photo safari around Berlin... right nex to the church in Pankow. I suppose these were made by local (Sunday) school kids and looking at some of them up close I wouldn't want to hazard a guess what with ;)
Anyroad, they brought back fond memories of my childhood when we would spend a good deal of Good Friday (or Karfreitag as it's know here..) blowing out and decorating chucky eggs, to be put up in assorted bushes and trees in the front garden. Quite liked the family time.. and the artistic challenge. Not to forget the huge plate of scrambled eggs ;)
Scrambled eggs I'll have for breakfast tomorrow, with lots of fresh ginger, chives, and some crispy bacon. And since watchwhatchaeat is suspended till Tuesday, I might chase the breakfast coffee with some lovely chili chocolate... you only live once. The rest of the weekend will be spent with friends, and hoping that the Toon can squeeze a victory out of the Tangerines to secure yet another year in the EPL, and certainly with my camera in search of Berlin's other photogenic (and quiet) spots.
Whatever Easter means to you, and however you plan to spend the long weekend - have a wonderful one. And allow yourself to get spoiled :)

Hoppy Easter to y'all.

Be prepared

2011-04-22T22:23:00.000+02:00

If you're making May desktop calendars (eh, Violet?!? LOL) - I got tired of the same old templates and threw together a few new ones... you can grab the PSD file here.. more might follow.

Summer in the city

2011-04-22T21:56:00.000+02:00

Well, actually it's only spring but the last few days it definitely felt like summer. Bright blue sky, glaring sun that necessitates the purchase of yet another pair of sunglasses, green leaves and blossoms of all shades and colours almost exploding, and the nights are still warm enough to enjoy a late drink outside, even at midnight. Then again, that might just be me. Being a northern girl, anything above 15°C is warm.
The downside - tourists. Now, we shouldn't complain as they bring money and Völkervielfalt into town but they also have the annoying habit of just being in the way. Especially when you're in a hurry to get somewhere quick, being handicapped by chaotic and crippled public transportation already. Not to speak of LOUD. I do get Lebensfreude, really I do, and I'm not exactly little Miss Reticent either but why does communication have to happen at a decibel level that would shame even a passin tram?
Fortunately Berlin is a big city and you can find, without much searching, quiet little corners where the travellers don't stray.

Hände weg vom Tacheles

2011-04-16T20:14:00.000+02:00

Spent half the day trying to help save the 'Tacheles'... by listening to rallying speeches, bass-driven music, and comments from tourists and locals. Drinking beer, smoking (and inhaling), reminiscing about 20 years of cult, culture, and 'real' places. Reliving memories. Taking pictures. Shouting. Looking defiantly at cops who were basically enjoying a nice afternoon out and some exotic food.
Mind's to swizzled at the moment to form coherent thoughts and make fingers type them out. and pictures need sifting and 'shopping. All that tomorrow.
For now.. a few links to one of the most interesting, exciting, weird, adored, hated, heatedly debated, and written off places in Berlin. And still it's alive (well, it was when I was leaving :).
Tacheles. Full of fun, food, music, art, memories, and history (and the odd illegal substance :). And no capitalist c*nts will ever change that.
We need all the support we can get.

Grüner wird's nicht

2011-03-16T22:18:00.003+01:00

(it won't get any greener)..is what we say when someone stands at the traffic lights, staring at the green light or just into space, forgetting to cross the road.
Tomorrow is the greenest day of the year, or so they say. St. Patrick's Day (I keep grinding my teeth when I read "Happy Patty's Day" cards.. always makes me think of peppermint and peanuts).
When the wall came down, little Eastie Beastie me who had grown up behind the Iron Curtain, thinking the Kelly family was a top Irish band, got the chance to explore the Emerald Isle and all things Irish (first and foremost Arthur's black gold). For years I used to - slavishly, obsessively, over-the-toppy - celebrate the Irish national holiday. With all my Irish friends, and like-minded Germans. First week of March I'd start chasing green things to wear - from mascara to shirts, skirts, and trousers in a colour that would clash with the rest of my wardrobe for the rest of the year, to silly hats and pot-grown shamrocks. Said clothing items would only be worn for that one day, and then given away (and I still wonder where all the money went ;). Because doing it all over again the following year was probably seen as fun back then (was not really though).
The custom back then was to take the 17th March off (and the 18th too, for obvious reasons) and start an extended pub crawl through Berlin's many Irish bars and Kneipen. By the time we ended up in our favourite watering hole I sometimes had drunk myself sober again.
It took me years (and gentle jibes by Irish friends) to realise that - being German - I had neither right nor reason to pretend to be Irish and celebrate someone else's holiday as if it were my own. Plastic Paddy, methinks, was one of the terms thrown at us.
Don't get me wrong - I still meet with friends each March 17, to sink a few, sing a few, listen to folk songs howled out by pretend Irish bands, and enjoy the general 'craic'. Heck, I even run a Paddy's Day Special Edition Quiz every year - mostly for non-Irish people.
The obsession with green though is gone (like many others). No more bright green garb, no more intricate face painting, or dying long red locks green. Now it's in and out of the big pubs before there's not even standing room any more, and off to somewhere quieter to enjoy the drinks and company. And that's the plan for tomorrow.
And while I won't be wearing green, I'll be eating some to start the day. Experimenting with the non-browni things I bought in the Turkish supermarket yesterday, I made some arugula pesto with roasted sunflower seeds, tahini, and sheep's cheese. Totally addictive, and quietschgrün. The shade they call 'Irish Green' over here. Alas no picture of it.. might post tomorrow along with recipe.
And since we have to have something green (lest I should get pinched) - here's this year's token Irishman.
To all of you who are Irish (or wish they were, as my friend Alex used to say) - happy Being Irish Day tomorrow.I'll think of you and sink a few for you.

Turkish Delight

2011-03-15T20:48:00.002+01:00

If that woman looks decidely and deliriously happy (and only slightly like Michael Jackson going native again)

it's because she's just consumed this.
Unpacked something like this

File under Evil Food.
After last night's calhorrific and alcoholised Quiky (I did resist the 3am kebab-on-the-way-home temptation though) I went to my friendly Turkish neighbourhood supermarket today to stock up on rabbit food, cheese, and legumes.. did buy lovely creamy Bulgarian sheep's cheese, arugula, sunflower seeds, butter beans, lettuce, baby garlic, broccoli and ...
TURKISH HAZELNUT BROWNI(e)!!
Evil people had put them in the way to the counter (as you do) and I thought something sweet might come in handy when sniffingly re-watching Mitchell's death (yep, he most definitely is.. more on that later).
I do know that the Turkish cuisine has a propensity to make desserts sweet with a capital S..ugar but this thing?!?!? Thick, dense, moist, not too sweet, incredibly chocolaty and rich, slightly sticky, and nutty.... despite best intentions to spread the 200g piece over the rest of the week... got WEAK. Unfortunately I wasn't able to take a picture of it because it was gone before I could grab another coffee. Fortunately the calories were listed in Turkish. And even more fortunately I don't think I'll have a choccie craving for at least another week or two.
Looks as if Oscar Wilde was right ... "The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it..." (careful with that one though, I got tempted into watching "Dorian Gray" last Sunday.. yielded, and .. am still trying to find out how and where I could claim back the 113 minutes of my life I lost to it.
More on that too.. shortly.)
Till then - nite nite and sweet dreams.

Northern nostalgia

2011-03-08T21:20:00.000+01:00

Was looking for something I don't remember anymore on my HD and happened upon tons of pics I took during last year's summer hols in my hometown. Must take time to sort and spruce them up a bit.
There is a whole 'series' I took at the old abandoned train station (I'm drawn to decay it seems).. and since most of the originals are a bit .. meh, I added some of the great textures generously provided by Caleb over at Lost & Taken and the result is .. acceptable.
OV

Texturised & filtered

Last one for March. Period

2011-03-03T20:55:00.000+01:00

Got the bloody period bug now (thanks Moni ;) .. still far from obsessed but since I'll have to look into TOby Stephens' work anyway I thought I might start with Jane Eyre. Remember liking the novel... and totally loved Ruth Wilson in 'Luther'.
Anyroad - here's the second and last March WP. (except for a bit of Ben maybe..)

Mr. March

2011-03-02T18:55:00.001+01:00

Time flies and yet another month 'demanded' its wallpaper... and here it is.
For a change not Mr. A or Mr. Aidan (though a Being Human one will follow shortly) but Toby Stephens. Enjoy.

Seen in Berlin

2011-02-26T20:24:00.001+01:00

Saving grace of the week - the weather has been rather delightful. At least during the day. Almost all week brilliant sunshine, at subzero temps, mind, and at long last I get my much needed walk-outs. And since the Hogfather (oh I can't possibly say how much I love Terry Pratchett's Death :) brought me a little camera (fool-cam, as my dad keeps saying.. or 'IdiotenKamera'.. allegedly even thick people like me can take pictures with it :) I've been wandering round KrautCapital for the last few days, taking stock. And pics. And since some of them were not to my liking .. or I was reminded of something else (Alex Proyas' Dark City).. I gave some of them a good spin in Photoshop.
Shall be adding more.

Grunge and a glimmer of hope

2011-02-25T19:09:00.004+01:00

Still no time for photoshop 'art' but between new job hunting and current jobs doing I'm trying to speedread up on Photoshop .. the way it's supposed to be used. Or 'basics steps you should make before running off and after wild ideas'. Quite interesting it is too.
Finally found out about making my own patterns, tileable ones too, and was quite chuffed to discover that I can now make my very own damask wallpapers from scratch. Instead of using other people's generously provided sources.
Started with this one

and then couldn't stop myself. Thinking of silver linings, lights at the ends of tunnels, and escapes. And spring hopefully being upon us any day now. other sizes WPs here

Oh, and before it's March... come on Jeff Bridges!!!! :P

3am grunge

2011-02-20T21:19:00.000+01:00

Lots of things on my mind these days (actors growing beards is NOT one of them) and while I try and find answers to more or less existential questions and ponder changes, the hand is automatically drawn to the mouse.
Playing with textures is very relaxing and doesn't involve too much thinking. Bit dark all but then...life's not just all sunshine.

Meh.

2011-02-09T00:06:00.003+01:00

That's about the extent of my thoughts and feelings at the moment. Partly due to slow-ish recovery from Saturday and Monday night (gee, I must be getting too old for that much fun, and excitement. And Guinness) and partly because nothing really goes the way I want it to.
Constant involvement with twuppets has stifled almost all creativity. Rarely an original thought anymore. Just going through the motions. Photoshop used to be a good way to relax, and find some quiet joy (as opposed to the roaring variety I experiencend on 4-4 Saturday) and fresh ideas but all I can bring myself to do at the moment (apart from the boring jobs that pay the rent) is playing with textures and filters, and by chance come up with something semi-acceptable.
Needed a background for another Mitchell pic, instead found a pic of Bergerac (the town, not the cop :) at French wiki,

and some brilliant textures at Jeff's place, and ended up with this slightly creepy one. Moon over Bourbon Street was playing in my head.

Also thought George the werewolf needed a safe place to transform at full moon.. and found a compromise between his cage and the woods.

And played some more with Mitchell. None of them exactly fine art.

Time I found a new job before the twuppets eat my brain completely.

To Win Just Once

2011-02-05T22:40:00.000+01:00

Was not even what I expected (or hoped for) this afternoon.. especially after being 4 down at half time. BUT - ye of little faith. Guilty as charged. Happiest bunny in the whole wide world after the bestest comeback since THAT Liverpool-Milan Champions League final.
The rest is hazy but happy memories, to be elaborated on tomorrow.
Maybe.
For now.. fuck yeah!!!!!!

Confection

2011-02-04T21:07:00.003+01:00

Forgive me friends (and passers-by) for I have sinned. It has been almost 1 month since my last post.
Honestly, there was the odd moment when I felt like publicly ranting or commenting on certain topics but before I could put fingers to keyboard that urge had passed. Or more like I couldn't be arsed ('maulfaul' is one of my new (rediscovered) favourite German words...) to write anything.
2011 has been an odd (no pun intended) year so far, lots of changes, most of them not exactly pleasant ones, and yet more coming. I've started job-hunting again (at my age, not exactly fun anymore) and while I have a bit more spare time at the moment, it's mostly filled with adjusting and making arrangements. And making do.
The few sunny bits (wouldn't go so far as to call them 'highlights') have mainly come from time spent with friends, Monday night pub quizzes (getting my old regular teams back is a wonderful trip down memory lane), watching Being Human, and reading Terry Pratchett. Finally finished 'Unseen Academicals' and started 'Going Postal' (and sometimes feel like doing just that).. and boy, can that man make me laugh. His books also add much to my vocabulary, and make me invent words of my own.
Twuppet - a cross between a tw@ and a muppet, just to not give Kermit & Co. a bad name anymore
Snain - what's been coming from Berlin skies for weeks now, a cross between snow and rain. Phil you old groundhog, you'd better be right about that early spring.
Another thing 2011 has already brought - new Photoshop tricks and tips. Memorised. And tested. Now to find ways to make all the new skills pay the rent :)
One thing that hasn't changed in 2011 - the madness that is Newcastle United. Just goes to show that you should never get your hopes up - they'll just get ripped down and trampled upon. After almost 20 years I certainly should know better. 'Jaded' is a not a new word in my vocabulary.
So - enough doom, and gloom, and hanging heads.. time to do a Münchhausen and pull myself out of the dumps.
Looking ahead to yet another Newcastle game on telly (with the defeat pretty much predictable and inevitable but at least suffered inthe company of friends, and with a FEW pints), another 257 pages of Terry Pratchett, new recipes to be tried, wicked quiz questions to write to entertain/frustrate people with, and Being Human S1+2 to re-re-re-watch before getting 3x01 on Monday. Lazy Sunday then, assuming that wetwinter is not going anywhere anytime soon. Still have a whole box of ginger toffee and a huge chunk of dark chocolate with roasted apple and sesame seeds to go through. Yum.
With that sweet thought it's off into the night, darkly dreaming of Mitchell (and fatasising about 1 point tomorrow.. or at least 1 goal). And for those of you who are similarly inclined - here's your treat. Have a fangtastic February.

(calendars and wallpapers for those who are into another adoRAble TDH actor - head over to Section D).

Hammered

2011-01-06T01:56:00.001+01:00

Well, not me - I only had 7 pints (4 of them celebratory ones, after being 3-0 up at half time) but if this is 2011 - long may it continue.
From what I glanced during the 'let's switch to the Emirates because something might happen there' German Sky coverage Hammers were 2nd best.
As opposed to Leon. Who was 2nd to none tonight.
No problem eating humble pie - washed down with lots of Arthur's finest - but I'll be best pleased if he follows that up with 3 more on Saturday.
All in all a VERY MEMORABLE MAGPIES MOMENT to round up day 5 of 2011.
If that's the new year - fuck yeah, bring it on!!!!!
:)
:)
:)

Das fängt ja gut an

2011-01-05T20:34:00.002+01:00

Slowly easing into the new year, and after initial moans and misgivings (I'm German, complaining is a national pastime :) about weather, public transport, excess pounds, fear of FatCa$hley selling our best players, moving pub with my quiz again - whatcha know?!?
Good news.
Newcastle signed wee Hatem for good (or at least 4 1/2 years.. or until the next transfer window). Officially slapped a NO SALE sign on Andrew 'He'sTall' Carroll.
Allegedely the S-Bahn trains are back to semi (or quarter-ish) normal service again. Like, one every 17 minutes instead of every 2. (never mind waiting 35 minutes for a bus and then getting 5 (!) in under 1 minute)
Sun and blue sky all day, snow and ice slowly melting. Can finally get some 30min brisk walking in without ending up on my derrière at every corner. Still flipping cold after sundown though.
Found a lovely new little bistro round the corner from the office. Lebanese or so.. had the most delightful halloumi & falafel pita sandwich. I'll be baaack.
Hashed out details for new quiz nights in the Kilkenny pub, starting 17th. Can't wait.
30 min till KO against West Ham. German Sky showing simulcast. Off to pub, 3 pints, and hopefully 3 points.
Slowly getting the hang of this picture puzzle thing :)

So - day 5 of 2011 and not too shabby for now. (I left out the mediocre and muppet parts of the week - too few too mention .. so far :)

Puzzled plans

2011-01-04T21:55:00.007+01:00

It's only day 4 of 2011 so not too late to wish y'all a happy, joyful, successful, fruitful, veggieful, .. well, fully fantastic 2011. May the worst day of it be better yet by miles than the best day of 2010.. (took me ages to get my head round this when first I heard it back then).
Anyroad - new year, new challenges, old muppets, old brains, new plans(ish).. NOooo resolutions.
And while I'm busy (not) making them it's already happening. Puzzling things.
Fauna puzzles. Birds falling out of the sky. As if it wasn't enough that the bees are disappearing (or so they say). Reminds me a bit of .. Flashsomething.. 2010 TV show I was intrigued by for 3 weeks and then it went .. meh.
Football puzzles. Well, transfer window silly season rumours for now but smoke, fire??? I mean WTF would Blackeye Rovers want with Becks and Ronny (I didn't know he was still playing..)? Why are we allegedly listening to offers for SupaSol? It'd be a bit like "If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it..".
And thanks Webbie, for that..song... thing. Not a puzzle really, but for the question why it was ever made. And how I can get it out of my head again.
Fotoshop puzzles ... things I'm playing with at 3am when I can't sleep. It'll be months until I've figured out the end product.

More ... vital puzzles - (how) does the BVG plan to resolve the TOTALFUCKUP that is public transport in Berlin? And who in the company had balls enough to suggest that raising ticket prices and reducing service to a bare minimum at the same time is a good way to start the new year?
Not quite puzzled but occasionally asking myself when this silly winter season is over. After a few days at balmy temperatures around zero, and melting snow and ice (revealing mountains of Silvester trash) I was lured into thinking that at least I could get the odd walk/run-out now that sidewalks were visible again. Until this morning, when more white stuff started falling. SRSLY, make up your mind Frau Holle?!?

So - slowly getting settled in 2011, and looking forward to the challenges, surprises, treats, and adventures it will bring too. Not necessarily in the following order.

Being Human series 3. Counting the days till 19/23 January.
Luther series 2 (I hope). Sherlock series 2 (can't wait).
Three Musketeers. Premiere in Berlin?
Newcastle being predictably unpredictable. MyCa$hley coming up with new ways to piss off the fans and get us relegated again.Andy Carroll and Joey Barto being sold to... Blackburn. Newcastle winning the FA Cup.
Less drinking apparently.. or more.
Finally figuring out Photoshop. Well, maybe 25%.
Travels. Never been to Spain. Bout time.
Finally learning Spanish properly. Preferably before the hols.
Seriously getting into photography. Once I get my proper camera.
Watching at least one home and one away game of both Newcastle and Hansa.
Starting over again (third time lucky?) with quiz nights in the Kilkenny Irish restaurant-never-mind-it-once-was-a-pub.
Reading all of Terry Pratchett's novels. Immensely enjoying 'Unseen Academicals' (warrants a longer, separate rant'n'review) - good thing he's been so prolific.
Learning at least 5 new English words or phrases per week. Reading Terry Pratchett will sort that one.
Spending more time with my mum. 90 minute train trips up north are more fun than using Berlin public transport anyway. Showing her how to send text messages and use me da's computer. She would sooo like t'internet.
Convincing Mr. T that London is not the place to be. Permanently... Finding a better one.
Trying baking. I've found so many mouthwatering recipes for delicious choccie cakes & cookies that I will have to tackle it eventually.
Taking up golf. Or at least Wii golf :)
Keeping my eyes peeled for new jobs. You can only suffer muppets for so long.

There, that should keep me out of trouble for a few weeks. No real 'plans' or resolutions but rather things that would have happened anyway...
Progress reports here.

Trying new fings.. (like) Bull. hahahaha. buena suerte to both of us :)

Winter Ponderland - pt 1

2010-12-29T19:44:00.003+01:00

Come along, Pond... is what the word 'ponder' always evokes in my head. Finally managed to watch this year's Dr. Who Christmas Special yesterday, and the hour-long 'Confidential' (I love those behind-the-scenes specials - this year's opened with Fairytale of New York and was narrated by Russel "Werewolf George" Tovey. Knew I'd recognise that voice:). Everytime I watch the 'Making of' extras I wish I could get even the tiniest job working on the set.. another childhood dream not come true).
Anyroad - got a few assorted thoughts in my head that want out, before the onslaught of 2011. Here's one last long ramble then.. or several shorter ones. And - thanks to Santa - have camera, will travel. And shoot.
Right then - winter.
I know lots of people have been going on about how much they'd love to have (had) a white Christmas, and a winter wonderland, and looking at the pictures I took up north on Boxing Day, it does have a certain appeal. When you're on holidays, with nowhere to go or having to be, and the option of just staying inside if you so choose. If though you're stuck in winter for more than 3 weeks, with barely a sunny day, more snow every night (and day), trains that don't run or are chocca, planes that are grounded, icey roads, and barely cleared sidewalks (no pleasant walks at a crisp pace...) and being sneezed at by your Mitmenschen at every opportunity.. let's just say you take a slightly frosty attitude towards the season.
Berlin today. (and that's a comparatively nice day)

Good thing Martha the pidgeon has wandered off to warmer climes.. or at least moved house.
If the woman on the train back from home was any good at predicting weather and other things we're stuck with this till March. Temporary migration sounds like an option.

Pick a pic

2010-12-28T00:54:00.004+01:00

Realised with horror that it's January in 5 days. How dare 2011 sneak up on me like that?!?
Anyroad, won't have much time before next week to make new calendRAr, so pick one of those 3 half-done ones to be finished.

Oh, yeah.. preferably before Friday :)

Home from the holidays

2010-12-27T22:23:00.005+01:00

Boy and have I got stories to tell :)
In a nutshell - had a great Christmas weekend, 'twas good to see (most of) the family again, relax, eat (??!???) and drink, and visit some of the old places. Getting there was slightly more complicated than usual, what with someone or other having asked for a White Christmas, and Winter Wonderland (a word of advice - next time, BE CAREFUL what you wish for, eh?!?!) but once you're up in the sticks, so serene it's borderline boredom, it grows on you before you can say 3 feet of snow.
Whenever I travel north towards the old place, this song is playing in me head and heart.

And these are but a first few assorted impressions of my hometown. Beautiful, peaceful (well, slightly dead :)) Malchow/Mecklenburg. Yep, Boxing Day was worth the trip :)

Deutsche Ordnung

Duck!

the path less taken

Back in the big city again, and once I've cleared the desk and sorted the last of 2010's work I'll go through the tons of pics I took and post some more. With comments.

Some things never change..

2010-12-25T20:33:00.000+01:00

gee, good thing Christmas is a 3-day affair. Almost forgot the footie fans.
It's not as if I'm super lazy (alreet, I am, a bit, but..) didn't have the time to make a new one and - wisely - decided not to drag the photoshoppable laptop through the wintery chaos that is north Germany... so this will have to do.
2 years back I was convinced that Santa is a Geordie.. and I still am. Especially if we take all 3 tomorrow. Which would be a massive positive shock to one of the Berlin Toon Army members since his birthday rarely gets crowned by one point. Let alone 3.
Happy black & white Christmas then pet, and happy birthday, and may we break your b'day duck.
And happy claret & blue, or red, or yellow, or pink, or even white Christmas to all you other lovers of the beautiful game. May your days be merry and bright.. and winners play in black & white :)

Santa Baby...

2010-12-22T20:28:00.000+01:00

can you please turn on the heating?!?!?
If not, turn up the heat.
Or just turn me on.

Ladies, check your chimneys.
And that's all she wrote.. off to belt out this one here.. along with Berlin's bestest - Acoustic Warrior!!!

more when I've reached the cold North...

".. so Happy Christmas, I love you baby, I can see a better time when all our dreams come true...."

Baby, it's cold outside

2010-12-22T01:37:00.007+01:00

Just googled the current weather and forecast for various parts of Germany/Europe for the next 6 days..
Newcastle. Just because I want to know the chances of the Boxing Day game going ahead... balmy -2°C - -5°C, NO SNOW (mind, that's wetter.de guessing what might be on Sunday)
Neubrandenburg. As close to my part of the sticks as you'd find on the map. Just because I'm heading north shortly and want to know how many layers I have to pack.
This is what I found.

SNOw, sNOw, sNOw, sNOOOOOw.. and minus f***ing freezing. Wednesday night -17°C, feels like -26°C.

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE JOKING!!!!!

After waiting for the bus last night for what seemed like hours but 'only' was 27 minutes (German punctuality, eh?!? A MYTH as soon as winter rides into town) I had the impression that my whole face was frozen. Not sure I would have been able to get a sentence out, had anybody attempted a conversation. Kept thinking that's what you must feel like after a Botox injection... scary.

Anyroad - best buy more fluffy socks tomorrow and hope the family has stocked up on Glühwein. Not so sure anymore I'll take the laptop. Poor baby doesn't deserve Siberia.
Neither do I, AAMOF.

Home for the holidays...

2010-12-21T21:13:00.004+01:00

Clock's ticking... only 38 hours till I hop on the train up north, to spend a few days with the family.. and the winter wonderland that is rural McPom. That is, if there's not too much snow on the tracks...(poor Mr. T though - if I had to count on planes making it to England in time for the holidays.. I'd probably be drunk by now) :)
Anyroad, still so much to do but never mind work, packing, wrapping, wrapping up 2010, posting favourite Christmas songs and pics, and having a few pre-crimbo drinks, belting out Fairytale of New York with Berlin's finest. Oh, and let off another almighty rant about fat men in the north who ruin Christmas.
At least I'm getting the important things done. After much fussing about what to wear or not, Senior Sergeant Porter is finally reporting for Christmas duty.

One (fine) shape, 3 sizes (alas, wrapping-paper size was not possible :P). Might add more, will pack laptop for hols (the thought of being stuck in the sticks for 5 days, with tons of snow, the choices of German television, and no night life to speak of, there's only so much eating, drinking, and enjoying family festivities you can do :)
Fully intend to post the less important topics here before Heilig Abend. If I don't get round to it though -
here's wishing you all a very Happy Christmas, Frohe Weihnachten, Joyeux Noël, God Jul, Nollaig Shona Duit, Feliz Navidad, and Buon Natale.

Crimbo cards recycling

2010-12-16T16:01:00.005+01:00

Went through my HD and discovered some of last year's spooky Xmas cards... funny how time flies (argh. not again that one!!!)

Anyways, funny as the were, there will be bigger, better, and 'newer' ones in time for this year's festivities.. for the time being - old stuff.

Time flies..

2010-12-14T23:04:00.000+01:00

like an arrow.
Fruit flies like .. a banana.

Dunno how that just jumped into my head.. must be the cold feckin' with the grey matter.
Anyroad, was gonna say watched kettle 'n all.. still soooo long till January and Being Human S3..
OTOH - time flies when you're supposed to be writing the mother of all quizzes .. and end up shopping vampires.. and then it's almost midnight again. Gah.
I just can't keep my hands off him. Some of you might understand :P

Snow Day

2010-12-13T18:41:00.002+01:00

Took one yesterday.. after the exertions of Saturday's precious victory body and brain needed a break. Enjoyed the warm flat, catching up on some sleep, cleaning, cooking, and 'shopping... and watching some more Chris Eccleston and Callum Keith Rennie.
Fantastic.
And there's nowt wrong with snow, as long as you can watch and contemplate it from the cozy safety of your room. Or on your screen.
Ben Sullivan (and Callum Keith Rennie) - you're amazing, and intriguing, and beautiful. And you look great amidst the flakes.

Also added a new December calendRAr.. cute and snowy. 4 versions in 2 sizes. Enjoy.

Happy Chris-Mas

2010-12-12T00:27:00.002+01:00

.. and happy birthday, Chris Hughton.
I'm too .. intoxicated (it was only 9 pints) to properly express what's been going through my head in the last 4 hours since the final whistle but I'm one HAPPY bunny. On a day when I had not expected anything and got everything.. I hope you watched, and I hope all 3 goal scorers dedicated the goals to you.... it was YOUR TEAM that went out to entertain (and frustrate) us and it was YOUR TEAM that beat Liverpool 3-1!!! Parsnip didn't even care. And let's not talk about F@Tw@ celebrating the goal like mad....

I still can't believe we pulled off one of those 'classic' 3-1 home victories.. when I would have settled for a point at half-time. However we did it (and I will have to take a closer look once I'm sober again tomorrow) it's up there with 5under1and and the Arse and Chelski games. This is your legacy, and we hope it will last for a long time, no matter what muppets get to pull the strings now.

Oh, and I still don't love Joey Barton but f*** am I glad we've got him back!!!!!
Off for a day now, to relax and regroup, and back when I've recovered.

PS: After taking in the post-match interview and comments, just this...
FUCK OFF PARSLEY. THIS IS CHRIS' TEAM, AND CHRIS' 3 POINTS. DON'T EVEN TRY TO CLAIM THIS ONE FOR YOURSELF.
You had nothing to do with it, it's not your first win, it's Chris' last victory (actually, I hope there will be many more, and all dedicated to the man.).
Beyond chuffed, and somehow still hoping it was all a bad dream I'll wake up from in the morning, and Parley's gone, an MyCa$hley's gone, and Chris is back, and we're still frustrating and entertaining... a dream except for the Newcastle 3 - Liverpool 1 part... have I mentioned BEYOND CHUFFED?!?!?!?
nite nite .. and.. FANTASTIC!!! :)

When Irish eyes are smiling

2010-12-09T22:56:00.003+01:00

...I could always forget the tragedy that is FatTwat's reign in Geordieland.
Since the very first moment I laid my eyes on Aidan Turner I knew I had found an antidote to most dark days. And thoughts.
He sure can act, and the rest of him is quite .. delectable too but it's this big smile that got me. When he turns it on the sun goes up. Seriously, even Mitchell the dark and haunted vampire shines. Just looking at the pictures makes me feel better, watching one of his interviews, all that Irish carefree charme and the infectious laugh... mmmmmmhm. Aaaaaawh.
This one's faaaaar from finished because the whole 'painting' is gonna be HUGE but I couldn't wait. New wallpaper. Bright light in dark hours.

On the fourth day of Chrisless MyCa$hley gave to me..

2010-12-09T17:46:00.003+01:00

a Parsnip and a pair of ski.
For the downhill race that'll be the rest of our season. Mark my words.

I'm too tired from lying awake, trying to make sense of this charade, and from whiplash-inducing head-shakes to comment any more. For now.

In two minds about Saturday's game. Actually, in more than two but those are confusing enough. On the one hand I'd love to see us get hammered (which is probably going to happen anyway) to expose the muppets. That though wouldn't be enough to get Parsnip the sack just yet (FIVE AND A HALF YEAR DEAL?!?!? WTF?!!?). (He himself admitted that he'd 'initially' have problems with the players.. how many will be leaving by end of the summer?) And it's an agonisingly long road till end of the season and relegation. Especially when we keep getting picked for televised games. If only to provide the nation with cheap laughs.
On the other hand, I want the lads go out there and play some 'Pool.. Not for Partridge, not for FatTwat, but for our club, and to prove that Chris raised them right.
Howay then, canny lads, be UNITED, show committment, passion, and some measure of skill (and will), and if you can't win, at least play your hearts out. For the fans, for the colours, and above all - for Chris. You are his legacy. Show us that he had it right!!!

PS Gee, I had to comment more... just read Parsley's first statement/comments.. and shaking my head some more at the fact that a) he's either clearly delusional or unable to do simple math (one of the top FIVE clubs in England?!?), b) he strives to replace Chris in the hearts and minds of fans and players (it's fecking cold at the mo but that'd be hell freezing over), c) FIVE AND A HALF YEARS?!?!!?, d) he got texts from other managers questioning his decision (like, 'what makes you think you can manage?').. but what really made me want to bring up yesterday's lunch: "I represent the fans.."
Not this one hear, Part-time, you don't. And never will.
You're FatTwat's poodle and it would take 5 years of Makem thrashing and several cabinets full of silverware to just begin to convince me otherwise.
So go and do your job. And try and keep your mouth shut until you've got something to show for.

Oh, and I'll continue with The Twelve Days of Chrisless. Feel free to chip in.

Sleepless in Berlin

2010-12-08T18:53:00.002+01:00

Lying awake last night, pondering Pardew, pest control, and poxy weather among other things, I figured it was as good or bad a time as any to finally watch The Pillars of the Earth. Which I then did. All 8 episodes. Back to back.
I had been saving the DVD for a rainy (or snowy) day and will wait for such to re-watch. Concentrating on all the details that most likely escaped me last night.
Only this for now.
ABSOF***INGLUTELY brilliant. Wonderful cast, excellent writing, fantastic photography, costumes, sets, music... totally captivating. What a feast. Not sure I could have handled the cliff-hangers had I watched it on telly over 8 weeks.
Forgot how magnificent Matthew MacFadyen is.. and how beautiful Rufus Sewell, and Tony Curran can't put me off himself if he tried (still love hin VanGogh best), and then there's the utterly despicable, evil, creepy, I'd-love-to-do-really-bad-things-to-him-able yet brilliant Ian McShane.
Wow. Worth not getting any sleep.
And since I've taken so many screencaps, and since some gurls out there love lovely Matthew - I made this first rough 'painting'.. bit more ..rustic than the recent ones but fitting for a medieval monk methinks. Big one in the gallery.

There will be more, so many great faces, and scenes, and ideas to play with.
If you haven't seen it - what are you waiting for?!?!?!

Season to be Jol-ly?

2010-12-06T22:25:00.001+01:00

Forgive the bad pun but life's writing the jokes these days...
Just read that 'Martin' Jol has chucked it in at Ajax. Like, 10 minutes ago. Like, 5 hours after the wobbly chair in the Toon got vacant.
Coincidence?
Yeah. Right.
Anyone else paranoid enough to think that MyCa$hley had given him aheads-up?!?
I mean, we could do worse... and that's not even thinking about JFK.
Just this thought .. IF he were to come because FT had been secretly negotiating, he'd want A LOT of money. Where would that come from (rhethorical question :P). And why couldn't Chris Hughton get any of it for staff and players? How long has FT been planning to sack him? How long wold Maarten have stuck it out with the 2nd-placed Eredivisie team?
Surely today's two events are totally unrelated. Pure coincidence.
And Santa Claus exists.

Nikolaustag

2010-12-06T22:10:00.000+01:00

Thought I should leave something sweet in the boot after all.
Have a nice St. Nicholas Day (and check your mail) ;)

You fucking fat twat.

2010-12-06T18:29:00.006+01:00

Not you, Santa.
The one that occasionally dons a black & white scarf and pretends to care about OUR club.
I'm still shocked and disgusted beyond words. Just when we though we had achieved some measure of stabiltiy (not necessarily in our game, mind) and things were going .. acceptably well. Fat MyCa$hley goes and sacks one of the last honest and decent men in football. I can't begin to digest this blow. Unlike Spooks S9 and John Bateman, this is something I can't just ignore and pretend it never happend. This is Real Life.
Apparently the stupidity of FatTwat knows no limits. To sack the only man who had defended him (for what reason we'll probably never know), the one who had accepted the job any sane manager would not have touched with a bargepole, the one who had formed a united squad, taken us back to the top flight (where, if yesterday's performance is anything to go by, we don't belong, and won't be in long) and given us an entertaining year in the Championship, the one who had the respect of his players (or did he?), the one who had earned the respect of almost every Newcastle fan on the planet by now. He sure is no messiah but a decent man who got thrown in at the deep end, and while still learning his trade, gave us hope, and some pride back. WhatTF did FatTwat expect him to achieve in such a short time, and with no resources to speak of?!?!
Christ! Hughton, I really, really want to know what you have done to deserve this!? Just because some apparently still overpaid muppets misinterpreted restraint and manners as softness and maybe needed a good kicking instead of gentle persuasion, and just because we threw games we were supposed to win and are 'only' 11th at the moment...
I'm dying to know what really went on behind closed doors. There's NO reason I can see to sack him not even half through the season. With no back-up plan (as if FT ever had one). Especially not now. If there ever was a time when we needed to stand United, it's now.
What follows is yet another frantic attempt to sign the 'perfect' manager.. and they're all gonna come crawling out of the woodwork again (I've head whisperings of 'JokeInEar'). For now - confusion, a leaderless team, and a fucked-up Christmas. Thanks to the Cockney Mafia (before you start, I know they're not...)
All that's left to say for now - Chris Hughton - Thank You. You will always have my respect, and my admiration, and a spot in my football heart, as one of the few honest men in this business. I wish you all the best wherever fate takes you next (and there will be no shortage of offers) and I'm sure you will always get a warm welcome at SJP. Here's hoping you'll find the respect, recognition, and backing you deserve with your next club.
As for the soccercircus that is Newcastle United - all aboard the rollercoaster, and fasten your seat belts. Here we go again.
I'm off for a pint or two, must wash the foul taste out of my mouth.
.
.
.
3 pints and some SkySports News pics later.. and I still can't make sense of it. Probably because there is none. Footage of recent games we lost, and o/c of the legendary 5under1land game. For that alone, we'll always love you, Chris.
Alan Pardew allegedly is favourite with the bookies.WTF?!?!
Anyone else looking forward to the Saturday game and Beardo's post-match interview?
Incapable of coherent thought at the mo. Must trawl net for all the rumours of the last few weeks .. and read between the lines in the hope that there is some explanation. Not that it helps for the future.
Lost.
.
.
.
Belatedly realised that today is Nikolaustag.
St. Nicholas Day, or Eve, is celebrated on December 6. This is the favorite holiday of all children - it's a gift-giving day. When evening comes, St. Nicholas, a reverend gray-haired figure with flowing beard, wearing gorgeous bishop's garments, gold embroidered cope, mitre and pastoral staff, knocks on doors and enquires about the behavior of the children. The custom of examining the children, where they will cite a verse, sing, or otherwise show their skills, is still widespread in German-speaking countries. Each little one gets a gift for his performance. The most famous tradition on St. Nicholas Day is that kids put a polished shoe or boot outside the door or window, and at night St. Nicholas fills them with little gifts.
Fat men who come at night, for a performance review. Just that this one has no beard (has a Beardo though) and wears a black & white replica shirt.
Chris should have expected the boot.

One for the birds

2010-12-05T21:41:00.000+01:00

Actually, all 3 for the birds. Throstles, to be exact.
I won't even attempt to comment on this afternoon's non-show for fear of running out of expletives. The few I've got left post-mauling.
To think that I left the house today for this..... shower. Braving the snow (balmy -5°C though) and unpredictable Berlin public transport, diligently trotting across town to witness.. whatTF exactly?
There's no way we could have looked any less interested. Which pisses me off WAY more than the inability to pass/cross a ball. Or defend. Or.. awh, WTF!?!
That one goes into the dark corner in the attic of my mind.. along with Spooks series 9. To never be revisited.
Another chance of redemption against 'Pool on Saturday (large parts of the media for some strange reason still count them amongst the 'Big Four'..) and 6 days to find Joey Barton.
As for this one - Bah. Humbug.

Slip-sliding howay

2010-12-03T23:02:00.000+01:00

The football gods must be laughing their little divine arses off. First QatarWTF?!?! (I've always thought of it not as a place to play world football but an inflammation of the mucous membranes) and now (as predicted by yours truly and the little built-in crystal ball) ToonOnTelly in the potential 'giant'-beating' cup fixture. The 'proper' cup. Away. To the mighty League Two Stevenage (no disrespect!!!).
So, what could possibly go wrong?!?

Let it sNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO....

2010-12-02T16:24:00.004+01:00

I have to admit that the 5+ inch of more or less freshly fallen snow out there look somewhat .. idyllic. Shrouding the dirt of wintery Berlin, if only for a day or two.. until the snow turns dirt and slush itself. Bit dischuffed with the timing though.. another day and I would have embraced it, gone out for a snowball fight, and even enjoyed a slip-sliding-away walk...
Alas there's not much to like about almost complete chaos in traffic and public transportation, treacherously slippery ground, and trains and busses packed with disgruntled Mitbürger. Especially when you have to travel around town all day...Only small parts of the sidewalks are cleared, and even those are quickly snowed under again because the white stuff keeps falling...
Ever since I stepped outside this morning I've had this song in my head.

Oh Christy, if you knew, a heads up would have been nice, no?! :)
Afraid all that winter wonderland will have turned into Matsch by Saturday, when I'd have had the chance to .. look at it with more forgiving eyes.
I'll try and keep one of my all time favourite Monet paintings in my mind, should lighten the mood a bit. And that's not just the Newcastle connection :) (big one here BTW)

Oh, and I might not make good on my promise to strangle the first person who sings 'Let it Snow' but if I have to listen to Wham!'s 'Last christmas' one more time I won't be held accountable for my actions. That includes the distinctly dodgy Russian version... Go away.
Or better, play the bestest crimbo song EVER.

Same old, some new

2010-11-30T19:30:00.008+01:00

Back to the salt mine and all that entails.. and already planning the next escape.
Brilliant as the weekend was - one thing I missed. My photohop. And flugs I had to play a bit today, just to see if I had verlernt anything. Tried new tricks, got hooked. Digital 'painting'...imagining oil colours and proper brushes (funny, I always preferred pastels) - that's gonna be fun for weeks and months.. Need to get one of those nifty graphics tablets though...
Waaaay unfinished, as usual, but up close it already looks .. exciting. It's gonna be big, and up in the gallery by weekend.

alreet - still not finished but presentable. Section D. Go ogle!

F***, this is addictive. Not to speak of fun. Next up - George & Anni. And a certain Mr. Barnes :P

Without fail...

2010-11-28T20:17:00.001+01:00

I got the one prezzie money can't buy. I guess shared points was fair enough (eh, Shola?!?) but another year without defeat in a 'birthday fixture'... I love positive jinxes. Long may they continue.
So far this weekend has had it all. And there's another day and a half to go.
:) :) :)

Horch was kommt von draußen rein...

2010-11-26T00:45:00.009+01:00

No way avoiding the ever-spreading pre-crimbo frenzy .. gahh. And Bah! Humbug. The next one who plays Wham's Last Christmas or asks me if I've got all the prezzies yet gets.. ignored.

Nevertheless - impending snow, sub-zero temperatures, and ubiquitous Glühwein-Stände everywhere make me realise that it's at least winter. And almost December. And since I didn't know if I'd get round to it in time I made two quick December calendars and dropped them in the bucket/Section D. The big one's not as it should have been but for now you'll have to take it or leave it.. (BTW - thanks MG for the inspiration - the background is Caspar David Friedrich :)

There will be more, festive ones.. and Phylly, I will keep my Friday (night, CET) deadline...and Avalon - before the month is over. I swear :) :)
Off now into a long anticipated, and well deserved, SUPAweekend, 4 days filled with fun, food, friends, footie, and most likely way too much drink. And dare I hope for the unexpected gift from the boys in black & white?! (nope, I'm not holding my breath :)..
Back here in December... oh, and Happy Thanksgiving to my non-Canadian American friends. Have a great one.
Oh, and Heppi Börsday nochmal, Moni :)

Home discomforts

2010-11-11T16:33:00.002+01:00

If I were talking to myself (yeah - as if you're not..ha!) I would say 'told you so!'.
As feared/expected we did the thing that's become a frustrating habit this season.. follow up a great game (or two) with a no-show and loss against some bottom feeders (who at least seem to have the desire to win) AT HOME!!!
Srsly lads, WTF is wrong with you?! Complacency setting in? Air getting a bit thin up in 5th? Granted, there wasn't much time for R&R between ArseNil and Blackbook Robbers but you're highly-paid professionals. Do your job FFS!!!
Don't get me wrong, I wasn't shocked aboot the result - I had somehow expected us to fold. Disappointed nonetheless... and we're only just still up there because the other results went our way (and the occasional winning by more than 4 goals helps the GD, for some breathing space).
What riles me most though is not the wasted points, the attitude, and not even the fact that JailBait, after the recent blinders he played, is resorting to his olden ways (was only a matter of time anyway.. and provoked or not, he should know better by now). What annoyed me no end was the fact that the defeat came against a BIGFATSAM side. The thought of that bumbling idiot gloating all night and probably all the way into next week reallyreallyreallyreally ruined my day.
Let's hope we bounce back on Saturday. Apart from needing to take all the points we can get now (how many surprise away smash&grabs can you pull off?) we need to start making SJP a fortress again. (I'm beginning to think that the SD@ thingie is jinxing us..)
Howay then.

Joh... Mitchell!!!!!!!!!!

2010-11-10T01:27:00.000+01:00

So dark. So angry. So lost. So torn. So much potential. Sooo hot.
Can't wait for the new series.

Just wondering..

2010-11-09T23:09:00.000+01:00

what's with the invasion?!? What d'yis people all expect to find here?!?
Not you, or you, and not you either - I know you have a weird taste and actually read these rants .. but the rest of yis?!? Srsly, there's nowt to see here.. and no freebies to grab either (unless you're a Toon fan - in that case, take all you can, you're welcome), and no eloquence, but lots of foul language instead, and no meaningful insights.. and especially if you've been misled here thinking this is a RA fan blog.. NOPE. Now even less.
No point lurking around then, you're most likely wasting your time :)
Just saying...
Bitte weitergehen...

John is dead. Long live John!!!

2010-11-09T19:28:00.004+01:00

Well, the new one is a vampire so he'll be around for a bit..
Haven't watched Spooks 9.8 yet.. probably will eventually though am in no particular haste. After skimming some reviews I have to say - I was right with my low expectations!!! There was no redemption, and apparently the plot was.. average. And the ***** ****s killed off a perfectly fine (?) character FOR FUCKING NOTHING!!! MAYA?!? LOVE?!?! Gimme a break.
Even if there had been a chance of L/.. JOHN returning in S10 (which I'm not sure I'm gonna bother with now) I wouldn't have wanted him back. For someone who starts out a dark knight in scratched armour who had so much potential, to turn into a 200% rotten egg.. with no justification... no kudos, Kudos.
Ever since the announcement of the Hobbit cast I've started looking into (and at :P) Aidan Turner and discovered 'Being Human'. And every time I watch (John) Mitchell I discover so many parallels (and differences) between the 2 Johns...
This John (or rather Mitchell, as everyone calls him - thankyouverymuchI'vehadenoughofJohns) has a dark side too (well, he would have, he's a feckin' vampire..). He now and then goes around killing people in the most brutal ways (is what vampires do, innit?!?). The difference - he doesn't have a choice!!! He's a vampire FFS!! And yet he keeps trying to get away from it all, from what he IS - not what he CHOSE to be.. Founding VA (Vampires Anonymous) to even 'save' his kind (and human kind).. that's when he's not too busy cleaning hospitals, and sharing a flat with a ghost and a werewolf, equally set on becoming card-carrying members of human society. He works hard on being human (though it doesn't take John Bateman to prove that's not necessarily a good thing). He is betrayed by the very humans he tries to emulate (and by the woman he loves, in particular).... So I can understand (and partially forgive) his occasional bouts of bad-assitude.
That other John - killing innocent people (still ignoring CyberBarbie) for no other reason than greed and.. I still haven't figured out what else made him tick.. I can only despise and wish I had never laid eyes on.
I'm not sure when/if I can watch any episode with L/J in it again... all he ever was to me is destroyed by.. stupid writing.
Call it what you want - turning a 'hero' into a villain could have been an inspired idea if handled with more care and for the right reasons - I still call it an own goal.
Series 10? Can't be arsed atm.
Moving on - from the monster that is John Bateman to the vampire John Mitchell. Who'll be back in January for yet another attempt at being human.

BTW - glad to see that at least Taggart avoided 'killing off' another of my favourite TV characters (with a slightly dodgy plot too :). Robbie's gonna be back to solve yet another murrrdurr.

Rant over..for now.

And BTW - sleeping vampire. Is he not the cutest creature?!?!

I like Mike

2010-11-08T23:42:00.004+01:00

No, not a new actor ..fad. Nor is it Fat MyCa$hley.. but today's birthday boy Mike Williamson. A mere 27. In his prime, then.
And because it's been long due, and because I've liked him from the very first moment I saw him play in black & white, in his understated, no-nonsense let's-get-the-job-done-and-not-talk-about-it style.. he finally gets his first wallpaper.
Nowt too fancy yet (had to rush it because his birthday was not in Mike Alendar (sorry for that one :P)) but a wee way of saying thanks for great service and long may it continue. More to follow.

Happy Birthday Big Willy, the Berlin Toon Army loves ya :)

This is the end, my friend

2010-11-07T23:48:00.005+01:00

I think Doors are quite fitting for what (most likely) awaits us tomorrow night. And even though I STILL haven't been able to bring myself to re-watch 9.7 and even though I WILL livewatch 9.8 tomorrow night... I really couldn't give one atm.
Right now I'm a) too dead chuffed about Newcastle's achievements and b) too NOTSOBERATALL ('only' 9 pints today.. and nope, I'm not an alcoholic.. yet.) to coherently explain what's been going through my head since last Monday. At least the Spooks-related part.
So - just this before I forget to pre-watch rant tomorrow.
As Phylly said - it's a feeling of personal betrayal. Bit like finding out that you've lived with a man for 3 years (or had a really close friend for ages) and all of a sudden you find out he cheated on you and is soooooo not who you thought he was. I'm not sure if it's denial really.. I've accepted the fact that Lucas North is dead (and TRLN has been for 15+ years:) and that there's NO FUCKING WAY that John character can redeem himself. Let's face it, Mr. A is moving on (GOODONYALAD!!!!) and the chances of his returnign for S10 are slim to none (there are even rumours that he's got out of Strike Back S2). Would I want him to return in S10?!? NO FUCKING WAY!!! ('scuse the language but 9 pints.. I speak my mind)
That John character is one of the most despicable TV people I remember in recent years. No excuse in my book for what he did back then. and for what he continues to do in order to get what he wants...(still not wailing over CyberBarbie's death - she was getting on my ***s).. During THAT brilliant warehouse scene I kept hoping that he'd somehow 'just' got drawn into the whole mess, and I could have accepted his '8 years reading sabbatical' penance sort of reasoning.. but when he wittingly and willingly set off that bomb - AND killed TRLN.. all for personal gain.. THAT WAS THE END my friend.
I loved S7 Lucas. Dark, tortured, mysterious, haunted, beautiful, promising, intriguing, full of potential.... only for him to turn into a bit of an Action Muppet in S8.. but still. Now I can't even imagine re-watching any S7-S9 episode because it makes me question every move, every sentence, every sentiment.... the 8.8 scene with Nancy Drew in the hospital.. 'you're a liar.. a murderer.. a self-serving traitor.... you disgust me'?!?!? Pot.Kettle.Black?!? Same here John.
So many things that don't make sense for me. And I will need time to digest them properly..
As for how S9 ends.. I've watched spoilers (don't really care much anymore) and PURRRLEASE?!?! who would mistake that .. dude running away getting shot by Dimmy for L/J?!?!? gah!
And since I don't think that either Dimmy or Beth (whom I love!!!) have what it takes to lead the line in S10, and I've never really given one about H/R (especially in S9 .. will they, won't they?!?!) and FHS can only entertain me so much.. and Tariq.. I'll eventually tire of facial recog...
I'm rather indifferent when it comes to the GRANDE FINALE. I'll be watching it alright tomorrow but won't bother to take notes no one reads anyway, and won't get too emotionally involved.. and once I've got my last recording I'll file them all away under 'to be re-visited.. much later'.
I've moved on... to my one true passion Newcastle United (not that I've ever neglected them), and new favourite shows ('Shattered' - you Canadians are sooo lucky!!! 'Being Human' (MUCH MORE ON THAT HERE SOON...and 'The Walking Dead'.. zombies always make me laugh and Andrew Lincoln is soooo much better than in Strike Back)...
Life goes on... and while I will mourn Lucas for a while and maybe on day be able to separate him from John and then write my own little head-canon about what I think might/should have been.... Spooks scored an own goal and - brilliant twist as it was - pretty much made me wish that this was the end, my friend.

Drunkrant over.. wont' even bother to spell-check.. Off to bed and a hopefully dreamless sleep.
Eventually.

SUPASUNDAY!!!!

2010-11-07T22:05:00.001+01:00

Again.
Nowt but a good ARSEnil to take my mind off Spooks (not that it had been on it much since 9.7).
I'm still ingnoring it (will livewatch tomorrow though my heart won't be really in it...more on that tomorrow) but fortunately life offers plenty of distractions. Finished watching my new fave show Being Human (Oh how much do I love you Aidan Turner!!!), great weekend with Mr. T (who even volunteered... sort of.. to do the dishes while I went to the pub for the match :)), brilliant result for the Toon (despite ****** people trying to pee on my chips by saying we didn't deserve it.. go and eat your sour grapes, apes!!!!), lovely weather (though bit nippy for southern wussies) and all-round happiness for me.
They really don't get much better than that.
Been working on new AndyCarroll wallpapers (and Kev, and Spidey, and 5under1and ones) but being ever so slightly obsessed with Being Human (and Mr. Aidan) atm, I only managed 2 quick (JOHN!!!) Mitchell/Aidan Turner ones... just drabbles. There will be more soon.... that vampire has stolen my heart (you need new favourite TV characters when your old ones get.. murrrrdurrred). And I'm even ignoring that possibility that DI Robbie Ross gets the chop tonight...aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh)

Back with (maybe) some assorted thoughts on Spooks 9.8 but definitely back with assorted thoughts on Jekyll/Hyde, dark secrets, redemption, betrayal, and trust.. and that's just "Being Human"... And then there's The Walking Dead!!! Life (and death) has so much more to offer...

Remember, remember...

2010-11-04T17:15:00.001+01:00

it's already November.
As mentioned before, I'm still off Spooks. And Lucas. And particularly John. (WTF is it with that name?!? Just had to find out that my favourite, drifting between good and evil, TDH vampire is called 'John' too.. more on that tomorrow)
Anyroad, we need a calendar and as expected, cute Claude's lopsided smile, silly little beard, and general passionate, sunny disposition did the trick. I put him in one of 'his own' pics, needed warm colours to drive the chill from my mind, heart, and soul. Up in Section D/Impressionists. Not much more than a quick-fix autum impression but then, it's Monet. Suitable for the month of Monember.

Black & White Fright Night

2010-11-04T16:38:00.003+01:00

Just had to post the first two pics of HowayFive-OhWhoGivesAShitTheyScoredOne day...
Nope, I wasn't sober.
Nope, I didn't care I wasn't.
Yes, I did have TONS of fun.
Yes I am aware of the fact that it was 5:1 and not the other way round but you try and figure out mirror writing after 12 pints of Guinness.. I was surprised I could still draw (more or less) straight lines.

The bestest Halloween costume I've ever worn.

Rest follows.