Friday, 7 March 2025

He Can't Find Love?! *


Wheeee!

Yessss! Another weekend's in sight, and it's a blessed relief, indeed.

Let's get the party started - with a bit of Turkish Delight [and birthday boy - he's 45 years old today!] worth breaking your Lenten/Ramadan fast for, dear reader!

As I said the first time I featured him: "Mr Boz is evidently Turkey's answer to Ricky Martin. Like 'Our Favourite Latino' I imagine he probably takes it up the pooper, too."

I'm still imagining that. A lot.

Thank Disco Turkey It's Friday!

Have a great weekend, dear reader!

[*"Aşkı Bulamam Ben" = "I Can't Find Love" in Turkish]

Thursday, 6 March 2025

World Book Day

The adaptation is on your TV screens as we speak.

Wednesday, 5 March 2025

Tiddy oggy! *

Happy Saint Piran's Day, dear reader! "Saint Who?", I hear you ask...

Patron Saint of Pasties Cornwall - land of legends such as King Arthur and his court (supposed occupants of Tintagel Castle), "Jack the Giant Killer", piskies, mermaids, Tristan and Isolde, pirates and ghost ships - Piran was allegedly responsible for several miracles. Not only did he supposedly survive being tied to a millstone by the Irish and cast into the sea, but also "discovered tin" [the county's greatest export during the boom years of the Industrial Revolution], when a stone on his fire leaked a white liquid in the shape of a cross. Of course.

Leaving all that stuff aside, among Cornwall's "great and good", including Richard Trevithick (inventor of the world's first working railway steam locomotive), Daphne du Maurier (author of the books behind films such as Rebecca, Jamaica Inn, The Birds and Don't Look Now), Susan Penhaligon, Rory McGrath, Winston Graham (author of Poldark), Kristin Scott Thomas, Humphry Davy (inventor of the mining safety "Davy Lamp") and Richard D James (aka Aphex Twin)...

... there is (surprisingly) one Michael John Kells "Mick" Fleetwood - co-founder of Fleetwood Mac! By way of a celebration, of all that legendary band's repertoire [I like a lot of their stuff, needless to say, but they have never been top of my list, to be honest - I must be just about the only person of a certain generation who has never had Rumours in their collection], this is my ultimate fave:

St Piran's day on Wikipedia

[" tiddy oggy" = a type of pasty from Cornwall]

Tuesday, 4 March 2025

Of butlers, cucumbers, pies, Oscars and Dame Shirl


RIP, Jack Vettriano, prints of whose works, incuding "The Singing Butler" [above], are some of the best-selling in British history.

Another snippets post today, dear reader:

  • Weirdest carnival ever? In La Paz, Bolivia, there is an annual cucumber parade (Farándula de los Pepinos) in the carnival season leading up to Mardi Gras (which is today). I wouldn't want that with my pancakes!
  • Thick as a plank news: An 18-year-old woman in Florida was arrested after vandalising the car of her ex-boyfriend's neighbour, rather than his. And Americans wonder why we sneer at their education system?
  • Happy British Pie Week! Yes, unbelievably, the beloved comfort food of varying quality meat encased in pastry does indeed have its own "awareness week". Who am I to argue? Yum, yum.
  • And finally: Happy 80th birthday today to Dieter Meier, brainchild behind the Swiss oddball synth pioneers Yello! By way of a tribute, these masterpieces...

...and one of my all-time favourite songs, ever!

Utter perfection.

And the weather? Spring, Spring, Spring!!

Monday, 3 March 2025

Oh, don't throw your past away, you might need it some rainy day

The Spring sun, low in the sky, is indeed startling on the eyes. However, the joy it brings is somewhat marred by the prospect that another week of drudgery in the office has begun.

Hey ho. On this Tacky Music Monday, for no other reason whatosever than it/he's a joy to watch, how about a bit of Hugh Jackman to warm the cockles?

Imagine...

Oh, how I wish we'd ever had the chance to see this show!

Have a good week, dear reader.

Sunday, 2 March 2025

Weekenders on our own, it's such fun


Crocus explosion!

Another glorious sunny day in the garden, and things are looking better all the time. Madam Arcati was up far earlier than I and sorted out the pile of old pots that we had plonked under one of the benches, and swept up the clag that had accumulated at that end of the garden. I got some more repotting and pruning done, a task that's always satisfying. Four bin bags filled with old compost, leaves, weeds and crud later, and we're pleased with the results!

Incidentally, today would have been the birthday of the marvellous Lou Reed, so I think this one is most appropriate for our "Sunday Music" today, don't you?

Fuck! That faboo ensemble version is 28 years old!
[I see dead people...]

Saturday, 1 March 2025

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus!


Our daffs have been glowing in the sunshine today!

Happy Saint David's Day, dear reader!

It's been a beautiful day for the celebration of all things Welsh - and floral - and I have spent it fruitfully in the extensive gardens here at Dolores Delargo Towers. I've dug out and repotted a big Thalictrum and two hardy geraniums, pruned back a few more ferns, and redone the window box that had been ripped out and scattered everywhere by a bastard fox, pottering and tidying as I went along. Now I'm aching - but happy.

Speaking of things to cheer one's spirits - how about a bit [and I know which bit I'd have liked when he still looked like that!] of Sir Tom Jones, Tom Jones? Os gwelwch yn dda!

Fab-las!

Speaking of all things Welsh - "What's occurring?"

Well lush.