Sunday Summary Bank Holiday Monday Missive | Don't you ever say I just walked away ...

Dear FOQ

Hope you're all enjoying the long weekend! Last bank holiday 'til Christmas! Now that's a thoroughly cheery thought, said nobody ever. Egads.

Me, I've spent my time wisely. Dusting stuff. Sorting stuff. Shopping for house-dusting-and-sorting stuff.

Sweating a lot.

Nice.

Whoever said the single life is one to be coveted with all its excitement and shenanigans never spent a weekend with moi ... Earlier I popped to Sainsbury's and had to demand to be allowed to stay in a queue that led to an Actual Person rather than a Self-Service machine, such was my craving for human interaction.

I bonded with the cashier over a shared love of Yorkies.

True story.

That said ...

{Sucks to be me.}

---

This fortnight, I have mostly been ...

Reading

Wowza.

Quick summary: Bored, neglected teenager gets caught up in a cult.

The structure of the story itself is slightly flawed (too much given away too soon in flashback), but – with the exception of the repetition of a few key expressions (she does like a 'phantom [insert interchangeable noun here]', I will say) – I cannot fault Cline's storytelling ability and her tricksy use of language. She, and Megan Abbott, just get the awkwardness of teenage life.

I'm deliciously uncomfortable reading this one.

Finishing

at last, after starting it, what, three years ago?!

However,

While I love Fitzgerald, and The Great Gatsby, I never want to read another Pat Hobby short story.

{Just for you, Norgstar – your ol' pal!}

FSF, you really plumbed the depths there. You little sell-out.

Watching

OITNB, always ...

Let's just have a moment for adorable little Lorna Morello and her abundance of tact:

Taggart, from The Nineties (because I'm Hella Old):

Ep: 'Double Exposure'. Featuring Meera Syal, and Jason Isaacs. Who apparently was in Harry Potter. I wouldn't know; I just report what IMDB tells me ...

Blue Water High

Because 30-degree heat during the day calls for ... DVDs of Australian kids' dramas about surfing in the evening.

Natch.

Also, if there's someone from Flying Doctors in anything, you'll bet I'll still watch it. #backwardsteenforlife

Scream

... because in the 1990s the Scream series was the pinnacle of franchised horror.

(And it got Courteney and David together and that was cute for a while.)

Now it's just ... a horror. Bad acting. Cringe-worthy self-consciousness and self-referential... ness.

{Oh, it so is ...}

Oh, that hilarious joke based on a girl in the video shop looking for the horror movie that starred E.T.'s mum ... when Drew Barrymore was the first victim of the film. Hilarious, I tell thee.

Or, not.

Less Scream. More Yawn.

Channelling my inner 20-something

... by socialising with this lovely lot, my work posse (plus workmate Chloe's boyfriend).

{For the uninitiated: l–r, Dan, Chloe, Holly, Emily & Megan}

We started off at The Barn, where we were easily enticed by cocktails and Curly Fry Friday (show that you've checked in at The Barn on Facebook or Twitter, and get a free bowl of curly fries – can I get a whoop whoop?!); then, when the desire need for harder carbs became too great, off we pootled tottered to the Opera House. (Or,  yes, Wetherspoons, not to give it too many airs or graces.)

I'm still trying not to fixate on the fact that had I Got Busy when I was 16 (instead of, y'know, binge-watching my Flying Doctors videos, listening to this righteous dude, and wishing I were just a little bit more like Rizzo or Marty from Grease):

I could technically have a child the same age as Emily and Holly.

But then when I was their age, this was my work-social life:

{Tequila slammers. Ohhhhh, the memories. Which I've lost because, tequila.
I'm in the middle there in pink, in an Ali and Adam slammer sandwich.
... Wait, that sounds all wrong.}

so ... I'm still twenty-something in spirit.

Channelling my inner Beyoncé

... with mixed results.

Less this Beyoncé:

more this ...

with ropey vocals that would entice absolutely nobody to Liiiiisten ...

The context? A lil' impromptu Song Club last Saturday night, a chez Jocelyne, with Jos (of course), Ferny, Steve, Paul, Finn, Amber and Keira (oh and possibly a Pikachu) in residence.

It'd been too long and that microphone fit far too easily into my hand after much, much Bucks Fizz (oopsy). But it was lovely to see this contingent of Lovelies again, and thank you, Jos, for allowing me to work out some train-related frustration with all the (c)rap:

and all the bad, bad song choices I could think of.

*cough* Wrecking Ball *cough*

It's a very hard song to sing, I'll have you know.

Pretty sure my Kelis was on point though, with this little love song to an institution I like to call ... Southern Rail:

(And no, Jos, don't worry, I'm not really that angry, I'm grrrrr-y. In a good way. ;-))

Boot Sale Trawling

On Sunday morning (when I know I probably should have been ... elsewhere), I took myself over to Dorking for a mooch around the renowned weekly boot sale. Not sure what I was looking for but in all honesty, it was a little bit disappointing. Last time I went, with Norgstar some years back, I came away with some brilliant prints, and an iconic Polaroid Land camera. Which didn't work but makes a very nice shelf knickknack.

This time, it was like somebody had picked up the grotty parts of a local street market (discounted biscuits and washing up liquid), and dumped them there.

Disappointing.

That said, I still managed to come away with a decent haul from two of the stalls.

Look upon, and marvel over, these additions to my record collection and my book shelves (I'm collecting vintage Ladybirds ...):

All for the total princely sum of ... £6.20. Bargain.

Pinterest Pins of the Fortnight

One verbal ♦ one visual

{via here}

{source | Cat & Rabbit on Flickr}

Fortnightly Web Finds

Serious

•  ...ly awesome: This nine-year-old girl, playing the piano at Canary Wharf! | on YouTube | via Jill W

Silly

• How to use the London Underground | @TechnicallyRon on Like to Discover | via Overheard at Waitrose on FB

{via here}

• Lousy book covers | via here | In case you've ever wondered why I'm so snobbish about self-publishing ... this is one such reason:

{Double shame whammy for using ...
COMIC SANS}

• Thanks again to Jill for sharing this; it's brilliant. Tiny bit creepy, but brilliant:

• Love this too: Miranda Hart's Love Letter to Team GB | on the BBC | via Debbie G
• GIANT CHICKEN! REPEAT, GIANT FRICKIN' CHICKEN! | on Vine | via Twitter

(And no, I did not self-defecate laughing; honestly, internet caption lunatics, have some decorum.)

• Finally, Suzelle DIY on How to Know if your Batteries are Dead or Alive | Well, this just blew my tiny mind! No licking of batteries necessary either. | on YouTube

MASSIVE WARNING/DISCLAIMER THING:

I don't know how safe, if at all, the tin foil trick is, though – don't try that at home, kids!

Until the next missive ... shake it off, Taylor-stylee.

qb xx

Sunday Summary | half empty like a pessimist's wine glass

Dearest FOQ

I begin this post as requested by Alun:

with a tribute to the crooner whose work we are lovingly embracing at Voicerox at present. I give you thiiiiis:

and, even more topically given that whole Force Awakens malarkey, thiiiiiiiiis!

And now for Evie upon request ... thiiiiiiis:

{There's plenty more where that came from.}

This week I have mostly been ...

... well, actually, not been doing much at all, truth be told. Which is OK. The pre-Christmas period was, as I like to say, nuts on toast (which makes no sense, which is the point) so to have a little post-Chrimbo down-time (in which to get my affairs in order and to enjoy the new electric undersheet I've just purchased #middleage) is bliss. It's an introvert thing.

I have however been ...

Back to work

And that's all I'll say on the matter. Apart from, I miss Christmas and the abyss of nothingness. I miss Bucks Fizz [the drink, not the 80s pop combo] being acceptable at breakfast time, and the biscuit window of opportunity.

... When's it Easter weekend?

Reading

I've genuinely lost sight of the "all about me" quotient of this book; it is actually superb. I love Strayed's writing style and her honesty, and her occasional potty-mouth, and the fact she can genuinely write from her experience.

Elizabeth Gilbert next up, I think. I'm in a real non-fiction groove at the moment.

because, hey,

{"A life lived in fear is a life half-lived"}

Watching

30 Rock

because after a quick potential-jump-the-shark period where it lost direction it is still snorfle-rousingly funny*. Especially after wine. And there is always much Liz Lemon-identification to be gleaned.

29 Reasons Why You Are Liz Lemon | Number 15. True story.

*That said, the Season 5 'live' show was dismal. Huge BLURG to that. Word to the wise: enforced laughter immediately negates actual humour. Fact.

Also,

Taggart {'Flesh and Bone'}

{photo via here}

Because a bit of gritty 90s McCrime is the perfect entertainment for a Saturday night, amiright?

All together now: there's been a muddddderrrr!

...

This was then chased up with The Fall. Because of the fabulosity (and ever so slight creepiness) of Gillian Anderson.

Cooking

Yes.

You read that correctly.

For the first time in many many of the months I managed to construct something "edible" with my own two hands that did not limit itself to squeezing ketchup onto pre-constructed macaroni cheese, and I managed not to maim myself. [All right so the chicken was mildly underdone but I didn't eat the bits that were still pink or still clucking so, props to me.]

I win at life!

BEHOLD (unless you're a vegetarian in which case, SCROLL!)

Above is my fairly accurate representation (made weirdly pale in Photoshop) of this dish:

from the Guardian for Meals for One (aka Scoff for Singletons) -- I give you Grilled chicken thighs with bulgur pilaf. Not as poncey as it sounds, actually.

What is poncey, however, is having a microstrop in Sainsbury's:

#firstworldproblems #thestruggleisreal

And now for another musical interlude, in tribute to both Barry and Gary:

neatly balanced out with:

{C'mon, is that not an accurate representation of how we
all felt on Monday morning?}

And if you're feeling bad about breaking those resolutions you made this time last week, don't -- this song will make you feel so much better (thanks to Nats for this one):

{Meghan Trainor and James Corden}

As will this slightly less pastel little article by Oliver Burkeman in The Guardian: New year, new you? Forget it 

Encouraging, no?

I can issue no promises that next week's Summary will be more exciting or structured than this week's but hey.

When in doubt, sloth it out.

{Sloth it out?! I don't even know what I mean any more. But look! The cuteness!}

In the meantime, this week's arbitrary, honorary mentions go to Charlie, Jos, Fern, Natalie, Georgina, Glenda, Jess (even though she posted those scary-as-heck Public Information Films on her Facebook and now I need therapy!), and to Alun and Evie for their suggestions for content when I was plumbing the depths a bit.

Pinterest Pin of the Week

Weekly Web Finds

• You can now get your face printed on a LEGO head | But why would you? *shudder* | on DSCVRD/discovery.com
• Will blogs survive 2016? | on Decor8 | You bet your sweet backside that this one will.
• The NYPL [New York Public Library | home from home] has released thousands of free digitised images of the city | on NYPL | via MotherJones | via the Literary Gift Company

I love this one:

{Stages in the design for the Chrysler Building | from the New York Public Library}

• Stephen Fry introduces UK etiquette to tourists coming into Heathrow | on YouTube | via ITV London | via Jo W (thank you for sharing this!)

• The sunken treasures of a Paris canal | on The Guardian | via Nigel L
• German machine vends books in exchange for unwanted presents | on The Bookseller
• Name that book: emoji special | on The Bookseller {The answers are available now but no peeking till you've had a go!}
• Emma Watson to start a 'feminist book club' | on The Bookseller | She is a little gem, isn't she.

And, in case you had any doubts as to the allure of a bibliophile:

• The sexiness of bookish people | on YouTube | via Susan Cain and The School of Life

Well, the optician did say my eyesight was deteriorating fractionally with age ... *puts on specs, instantly becomes a loveable, viable marriageable prospect*

Until next week ... stay warm, amigos!

qb xx

Sunday Summary

Happy Sunday, you lovely people, and may I say a big thank you to all of you who've commented on previous posts over the last week. Oh, what the heck, in fact over the last year. Thank you for reading!

Big awkward Sheldon-Penny hugs to you all.

This week, I have mostly been...

Spring-cleaning (well, sort of)

A new year requires a new look an' all that, so to that end, I've streamlined the blog a little bit.

There's now a Pinterest widget to your right, so if you're into that sort of thing you can browse the boards and pins at will, rather than scroll through ten near-identical images of flapper dresses, camels or motivational quotes by someone we've probably never heard of. (Confession: I do like a motivational quote.)

{Permission to be quirky? Thank you,
Mandy Hale. Whoever you are.}

And up to your left, you'll spy a Goodreads widget, although I will still be dropping into conversation the book/s I'm currently reading. Fear ye not, bibliophiles.

Oh and there will also always be plenty o' gifs.

Rewatching | The Fault in Our Stars

So... many... feels... (and yes, I am 36 not 16 but nevertheless...)

and a choice episode of 1990s Mark McManus-era Taggart featuring my crush of, oh, let's say 26 years, Peter O'Brien

with a delightfully 1990s curtain hairdo...

{It's on YouTube? What?! No!}

both on DVD and both Christmas gifts. And finally...

Reviewing the Year Wot Woz

I've eschewed (bless you) the Facebook Review of 2014, and instead created my own little mini slideshow of my Photos of the Day.

You can tell the days on which I'd had zero inspiration (the bed, or my socks, or a magazine, usually features), but with the exception of one day on which I just clean forgotted and another day on which my phone died, taking its Photo of the Day (of friends Fiona and Bianka) with it, I took a photo every day last year.

It's clear to see the prevalent themes (the Voicerox lovelies, the work tribe, the morning view from Imperial Wharf, coffee, wine, cake, legs, skies, churches, swim-selfies...).

   

Weekly Weblinks

Literary Linkage

• Slightly out of season now (!) but worth a mention | Raymond Briggs: How I made Father Christmas
• The Art of Book Cover Design from Radio 4's Front Row

Non-literary Linkage

• You can't detox your body | it's all common sense, really, isn't it, this diet malarkey..?
• New Year's Resolutions that might be worth making (though you don't have to, of course, no pressure)
• Signs being graceful isn't your forté | yep, I'm relating over here
• Forget FOMO*, embrace JOMO** | (backlist) article by Oliver Burkeman in Guardian Weekend

*Fear Of Missing Out  | **Joy Of Missing Out

Have good weeks, good people. First day back on the coalface tomorrow. This will be moi:

And good luck to Evie who starts her new role tomorrow. We will miss you but you will rock! Here's a motivational penguin just for you:

qb xx