bluemeanybeany

David Tennant is on TV too much complains MP

2009-12-30T20:05:05Z

My new favourite article- oh boy will he be in trouble come the election. Dont mess with the Doctor he can bring down your government with just six words. And dont mess with the fangirls- they will eat you alive. Still, serves him right for being part of the Daily Mails campaign against the bbc.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1239280/How-Doctor-Who-little-help-Hamlet-took-BBC.html

75 apperances- must have missed most of them. I need to borrow their list.

Incidently here is the expense list of Mr Evans MP
Expenses (including 2nd home costs) £23,553
Office and staffing costs £87,483
Travel expenses £14,381
Extras (including spouse and family costs) £624
Overall £126,043.

I love Democracy

Merry Christmas Everybody and Meany Snow Pics

2009-12-24T16:51:30Z

Snow, snow, snow. Christmas Eve and snow yay! And Alastair Sim’s Scrooge on the telly- excellent.

There is snow everywhere except the Forbidden Marshes, which are looking...um...forbidding. When Shovewood went to take the piccie there were crows cawing so she hurried back.

TV Help or the Oh dear we appear to have seen everything affair

2009-09-20T14:39:20Z

We need help. We are looking for TV shows to watch this week and weve gone through all we can find and weve seen everything. We are looking for something to watch after work for an hour or two. We want it to be fun and vaguely happy though not too taxing. So no Cathy Come Home of Boys from the Blackstuff because thats too depressing and no West Wing type stuff because thats too wordy and complicated for me to follow when Im tired. Ideally it should be a series so we can look forward to watching more the next day and should probably have some scrummy actors we can squee over. It can be from any decade. We basically want a fun Man from Uncle\Robin of Sherwood\Doctor Who\Raffles type thing. We want the tv equivalent of a hot chocolate with cream and extra sprinkles. It doesnt even necessarily have to have David McCallum in, though obviously that would help.

Anything anyone remembers enjoying in the past four decades....

love some rather bored Meanies

10 hidden goldeny film nuggets of the shiny piratey kind.

2009-08-29T23:40:52Z

Here be buried treasure....

In fact there's an awful lot of buried treasure underneath the sands of youtube but I've decided to start small by digging out these ten;

1. Green for Danger (UK 1946)
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=EF82CE0F2B4E901F

My favourite childhood film. Alastair Sim and Trevor Howard in the same movie! What more can a girl want. It's all tremendous fun.

2. Brighton Rock (UK 1947)
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=E4AC84D044024830

Richard Attenborough in his juvenile delinquency period. If this film had been made a decade latter they'd have got baby McCallum for the lead.

3. Ice Cold in Alex (UK 1958)
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=8E377024C2734D98

John Mills in all his little adorableness braves the desert and nazis for a glass of beer, in the greatest advert for carlsberg the carlsberg marketing division could ever hope for.

4. Strangers on a Train (US 1951)
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=8C3E361AE79DF0C0

Probably my most favourite Hitchcock movie- probably.

unless it's this one...

5. The Lady Vanishes (UK 1938)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndj8u-McKKI

or this one...

6. The 39 Steps (UK 1935)
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=5FFFC235B84E8B21

I'm a fan of Hitchcock's train period.I can't believe this film was made in 1935- it's just so modern.

There is however this non train Hitchcock movie...

7. Rebecca (US 1940)
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=3EF33081816B1F64

Recommended by dear Mr McCallum (he does show good taste) this film features Leo G. Carrol and a young George Sanders (Emory Partridge)....oh and Laurence Olivier is in it too.

8. The Man Between (UK 1953)
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=D76FD0FD3A49BD1B

I love James Mason- he's the Johnny Depp of his day. This film is an early 'spy who came in from the cold' and also features Claire Bloom. There's some fascinating footage of 1950s post war Berlin.

9. Odd Man Out (Anglo-Irish 1947)
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=2993E53BF5B95F08

James Mason in full Johnny D mode staggering across Belfast.

10. The Dam Busters (UK 1955)
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=1BE9DAC38AA624D0

Surely everyone in Britain must have seen this movie, however it doesnt seem to get much play outside the UK. Its everything a war movie should be.

There... I'm going back with a shovel to see what other gems I can uncover.

The Republicans Need Me!

2009-08-29T12:57:28Z

From:
team@crnc.org>
Date: August 28, 2009 5:30:06 PM EDT

Subject: Tell Us Your Health Care Horror Story
Dear

We as Americans are so used to living in a nation with the best health care in the world that some of us have trouble imagining anything else. That's why some believe that the health care "reform" Democrats are proposing will yield the same quality of care we receive now, only it will be "free." But the horror stories of government-run health care in countries like Britain and Canada may become our reality if the Democrats in Congress are able to pass their health care legislation.

Do you or someone you know have a health care horror story to tell?
Email us at HYPERLINK "mailto:team@crnc.org"team@crnc.org or comment on our blog HYPERLINK "http://38degrees.org.uk/page/m2/74c05e52/2d447ce5/58cc00f8/4674e2bc/1857756453/VEsD/"here.

There is one major problem with the concept that our quality of care will remain the same under the "free" health care system the Democrats are considering. Mainly, the quality of our health care will not remain the same - it will inevitably lead to horror-story situations that would today be considered unthinkable by many Americans.

In the UK, a Member of Parliament recently warned that 100 elderly people across the UK lose their sight needlessly each week because of the "lottery" system in place.

These stories may sound too bad to be true, but these are just two examples of what happens under government-run health care.

Do you have a health care horror story to share? Email us at HYPERLINK "mailto:team@crnc.org"team@crnc.org or comment on our blog HYPERLINK "http://38degrees.org.uk/page/m2/74c05e52/2d447ce5/58cc00f8/4674e2b8/1857756453/VEsP/"here.

Sincerely,

Zach Howell
National Chairman
College Republicans "Zach Howell, College Republicans" <

Contender for the funniest conspiracy theory surrounding Obama....

2009-08-18T17:46:23Z

.....excluding the lizard people and the greys obviously.

http://www.larouchepac.com/node/11417

http://www.larouchepac.com/node/11454

BaaaaaaHhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaa. Soooooo funny, I love it.

My Mr Darcy, what a big house you've got.

2009-08-14T01:31:44Z

Day Six (The Peak District)

Off to the second most popular national park in the world today. In order for you to compare, this is the most popular national park in the world- the Mount Fuji National Park in Japan.
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/fuji-hakone-izu-national-park-hakon.jpg

I'm prepared at this point to conceed victory to the Japanese. Well done them. In defense of the peaks of the Peak District however, they do have less chance of spewing molten lava on you.

First we have to go through our neighbouring city Sheffield, famous for.....
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/fullmonty4601.jpg

...and of which George Orwell wrote,

"Sheffield, I suppose, could justly claim to be called the ugliest town in the Old World.

I've always loved this shot from the tv series 'Threads' about post nuclear attack Sheffield. The explosion starts where Meany house is. We wouldn't have felt a thing.

http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/threads11.jpg

Anyway the point of the day is to drop in at Chatsworth House. Home in years past to Thomas Hobbes, Mary Queen of Scots, various Kennedys and Mr Darcy (probably)

I wonder what could possibly have changed Lizzie's mind about the grumpy Mr. Darcy?
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/chatsworth_house1.jpg

This is the home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. Including the 5th Duchess, Georgiana of Keira Knightley and 'The Duchess' fame. A film I have not seen but apparently everyone else has because I've never seen the place so busy.

The Dukes of Devonshire are so immensly wealthy that they bypass the standard levels of 'uber wealthy' and 'obscenely wealthy' and move straight onto the 'behemoth, gargantuan, mammoth-type scales' of godlike wealthiness.
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/DSC02420.jpg

They've been sooooo wealth for soooo long they've 'acquired' (as the helpful little tags tell you) a mansion full of random art from around the world. So you have a Rembrandt next to a ivory chess set from India, next to some modern vase, next to an Elizabethan dining set, next to an Ancient Egyptian statue next to a letter from the day of the storming of the Bastille.

I could just hear Steel in my head...
"all these old things out of time and place- together. They never learn do they Sapphire?"

This wasn't helped by the fact that the Dukes of Devonshires are the Cavendishes, so I just kept imagining Miles and Virginia Cavendish following me around.
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/sandsfittogether_0001001_0002.jpg

If I was a evil spot of time it's where I'd be hanging out.

Incidently the current Duchess is a Mitford Sister, and whilst technically not a nazi herself some of her sisters were most definitely fully fledged in evilness. (she did have tea with Adolf Hitler though, what do you talk about there?!) Georgie sent via red cross parcel 'Hitler's British Girl' about her sister Unity, who was not the nicest or sanest of persons. Hopefully she didn't have Hitlers secret love child who was then put up for adoption in Britain because that's just a terribly worrying thought. However I would feel more cheerful about the whole previous nazi connections if the Chatsworth pass stamp on my hand didn't look so much like a death eater mark.
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/DSC02479.jpg
I keep worrying it's going to start glowing.

This is the library. I thought I'd found the library before but that turned out to be the ante-library. Don't you just hate it when that happens.
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/DSC02428.jpg

Here is more uber wealthiness....
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/PaintedHall1.jpg
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/DSC02430.jpg
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/DSC02443.jpg

Painting of Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy anyone? You can buy them in the gift shop.
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/DSC02437.jpg

Here's a nice mug for Shovewood and her little escape committee.
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/DSC02438.jpg
She approves.

Gardens; very big. Very, very big.
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/DSC02446.jpg
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/DSC02463.jpg
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/DSC02475.jpg
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/DSC02477.jpg

Then a spot of afternoon tea.....yum, yum.
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/DSC02486.jpg

Then off for walking across more of the park.
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/DSC02507.jpg
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/DSC02488.jpg

Shovewood got to try some more close up photography.
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/butter.jpg
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/thistle.jpg

I come to the conclusion that everywhere is very green.
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/DSC02509.jpg
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/DSC02511.jpg

Next year we'll go to Mount Fuji.

Day Four: I must go down to the sea again, to the lonely sea and the sky....

2009-08-11T22:45:02Z

.....I left my socks and knickers there and I want to see if they're dry.

Ah another day, another charade of pretending to be on holiday.

All trains should be steam trains. I don't care if they're slower or less environmentally friendly.
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/P1010610.jpg

They're simply more exciting.

Here's RAF Fylingdales radar base. It's part of the US Ballistic Missile Early Warning System. The base motto is 'Vigilamus' (We are watching) They've most likely got nuclear weapons. It looks fairly creepy sitting all alone on the moors listening out over the north sea to Russia.
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/spy.jpg

Fylingdale would have known three minutes before the nuclear bombs hit. Can't help thinking that there wouldnt be a lot to be done except warn America- but then that's the point of the base really. I expect Sparky, Georgie and everyone else stateside to be constructing a shelter out of doors and stacking up on tinned peaches whilst remembering their valiant burnt-to-a-crisp british allies. Avenge our deaths.

Apparently now the cold war is over they've moved onto space surveillance and watching orbiting objects, I think they're still watching Russia.

We briefly drop into Whitby, home of Bram Stoker and the legions of the undead. But we can't find anywhere to park.

On to Robin Hood's Bay. Where it is sunny- yay
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/P1010620.jpg
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/P1010627.jpg
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/P1010626.jpg

It has a beach in the bleakest sense of the word.
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/P1010635.jpg

We venture out into the North Sea, which is cold but not as cold as I was expecting. I'd like to know why I'm glowing milk bottle white whilst my dad is golden brown- it's not fair I tell you.
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/P1010641.jpg

The North Sea and Shovewoods feet. Anyone for swimming in it
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/P1010644.jpg

We manage to acquire Georgie a present though.
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/P1010653.jpg

On to Scarborough, of 'Are you going to Scarborough Fair' fame.
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/P1010660.jpg
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/P1010659.jpg
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/P1010661.jpg

The castle on the hill belonged in the early 14th century to Piers Gaveston who was probably King Edward II lover. By probably I mean almost definitely, the king's actions don't make sense unless you view them through slash goggles, for a start he gave him the friggin castle....and also Cornwall. Happily my slash goggles are finely tuned.

There is also fish and chips. yum, yum.
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/P1010656.jpg

Jolly decent fish and chips actually and reasonably priced. We also managed to avoid being dived bombed by seagulls because they're off attacking the fishing boats as they line up to come back home.

Scarborough also had the very good sense to keep it's TARDIS......sorry, police public call box.
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/t.jpg

On the way home the cows attack.
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/P1010663.jpg
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/P1010664.jpg
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/P1010666.jpg

Having survived we declare tommorrow a rest day.

Day Three- There's no place like home

2009-08-10T19:26:06Z

We continue our exciting adventure around Britain. Ooooo today it's holidaying in the immediate 20 mile vincinty of home. Which means Sherwood Forest- home of Robin Hood and his merry meanies. Many a summer was spent firing arrows with suction pads at Shovewood. (ah happy times) I'm not allowed to buy a bow and arrow set today....nor a robin hood cap- they're only for children apparently. I'm going to try once again to ignore the fact that I've lived here for 20 years and pretend I'm on holiday. This pretence is somewhat ruined by repeatedly bumping into people I know.

This is Bawtry.
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/uhyiuug.jpg

King Aethelfrith met a sticky end here in 616 AD in some battle. On a more positive note this is the starting point of the Pilgrim Fathers. William Bradford, leader of the the pilgrims was born here. I think he pretty much invented Thanksgiving too....or that might just be an excuse for all the pubs here to have a thanksgiving menu. I'm sure the Puritans would be thrilled to know that their voyage to the new world is commemorated in the names of all the pubs e.g 'The Mayflower' 'The Pilgrim Fathers' etc. Most of the other pubs in the area are named after Robin Hood or characters from D.H. Lawerence novels. We don't go to the pub today, we opt for a cafe and have scones instead. Geoffrey Chaucer spent most of his childhood here, which I was never impressed with until Paul Bettany played him.

Rufford Abbey.
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/P1010594.jpg

Built in the 12 century.and one of the first to be destroyed by Henry VIII. People are usually fleeing to the Abbey in various Robin Hood stories. It's not the biggest ruin around but it has some nice cellar rooms and gardens.
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/P1010589.jpg

The gardens are geared towards children and are great to run around if youre six.

Here's me pretending to be a monk.
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/P1010587.jpg

What's also tremedous fun is watching the cars get stuck in the ford (the clue is in the Ruf- 'ford') as you can see the kids love it.
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/P1010596.jpg

If you're silly enough to chance driving through it you deserve what you get. Whats fun for the adults is to see the vans rush through and wet the children- all round good clean family entertainment.

Here's a creepy church in another part of the forest that I've never seen anyone go into.
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/P1010599.jpg

It's creepy.

And here's some Sherwood forest geese that you're not allowed to shoot arrows at- boo.
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/P1010603.jpg
I think they look very plump and tasty.

Tommorrow we're off to the beach. I wish I was going to Miami.

The Great Meany UK Adventure Affair Day One

2009-08-08T22:25:38Z

Due to some icky financial ickiness meany holiday this year shall be in Britain relying on the generous kindness (or maybe just tolerant politeness) of Meany Clan members and friends. I for one am sure that Britain will make a lovely holiday destination. I in no way want to go to Rome, Jamica or Rio to dance with lots of scantily clad men. I want to get perpetually rained on for a week.

Anyway we're beginning in the south (I'll count London as the starting point) heading north and seeing how far we get. Lots of tourists come to the UK. They can't all be wrong.

Let's start last night in London....

http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/Picture023.jpg

Yes it's the London Eye known to some as the control device of the Nestene Consciousness. That picture is taken from Rose and Nine's Bridge (known to non-believers as Westminster Bridge) I can confirm that at night pretending you're running across hand in hand with the Doctor does not get old. In the day time you can pretend to avoid the daleks or wander aimlessly in zombiefied 28 days later world.

On to Oxford. Ignoring the fact that I lived here for three years, it's time to do touristy things.

Oooo look punting!

http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/P1010437.jpg

And I say; cricket!

http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/P1010455.jpg

I couldn't help noticing it's sunny. That's a nice change. Oxford usually looks like a swamp. Here's a picture of Christchurch meadows looking pretty.

http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/P1010461.jpg

Here's the Rad Cam. It's not as impressive on the inside which is probably why they don't let tourists in.

http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/P1010462.jpg

Time to return to college, they give us food.

http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/P1010466.jpg

Here's the library from my friend's room. I come to the conclusion that I've not really seen Oxford in the daylight before- it's sort of shiny and crumbly at the same time.

http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/P1010507.jpg

Back then to Yorkshire. Elder meanies don't vid, they garden.

http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/P1010572.jpg

Which means Shovewood can take nice pictures.

http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/b2.jpg

http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww149/Shovewood/b5.jpg

So far so good. I've spent quite a bit of time eating and it's been sunny. Day Two is sleep day with a short walk to pub number four.

The Blogity, blogity blog affair

2009-08-01T15:16:39Z

Yay!

The Serenaar and Assorted Meanies with assorted drinkies and snacks movie watching sleepover has now started! If anyone would like to join us, you will need:

Films:
- Some Like it Hot
- Robin Hood ( the errol flynn version)
- The Magnificent Seven
- The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Drinks:
- Blossum Hill ( red- chilled)- from San Fransico
- Jacobs Creek ( white)
- Chardonney
- Diet Coke
- Coffee
- Tea ( with sugar)

Snackies:
- All butter cheese twists
- Sweet chilli crisps
- Walkers Bacon and chedder crisps
- Butter popcorn ( 4 bags)

- Local Domino's pizza number on standby

:)

Tully, 10% and sacrificing the innocents

2009-07-09T21:28:14Z

We of the Meany clan have been mightly enjoying the nightly Torchwooding. It's not Doctor Who by any means but it's a nice quick fix. It's got vaguely Quatermass/Sapphire and Steelish for this week.

(note spoiler here now for non brit cousins. Though I imagine Georgie will have seen it by hacking in live to bbc transmissions or whatever it is she does.)

We're fairly sure Sapphire and Steel would have sacrificed the 12 children in 1965. (feel free to argue with that) Would they give up 10% of the child population to the aliens though. Do Steel and Sapphire have a line? And is it further out there than Captain Jack's, or the Doctor's?

The Piccadilly Vaughn Affair

2009-03-01T20:11:03Z

The Piccadilly Vaughn Affair

The Adventures of Shovewood and Serenaar going to meet Mr Robert Vaughn in Waterstones, Piccadilly London (26th February 2009) I annoyingily couldn't go due to work dammit. So there is a very miffed and meany me at the beginning looking.. well...miffed. I would like to complain that Shovewood and Serenaar look irritatingly gleeful and bouncy throughout- particularly Shovewood; its not fair I tell you! However I did get a signed copy, footage to edit up and pizza so I am in some way placated.

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=993b2421e5c164630dec85adfe0a530ae04e75f6e8ebb871

(click the Piccadilly Vaughn Affair obviously- though if anyone wishes to pilfer good copies of the youtube videos feel free)

There is also a brief cameo from the Arundel people of Uncle mini con UK who I am informed were lovely and happened to be standing in front of them in the queue and who they went for dinner with afterwards. They also had a communicator pen for the girlies to play with (cost £110- I think we'll just spray a fountain pen silver)

There's also some touristy shot for everybody to enjoy as they arrived at waterstones at 9:20 (the signing wasnt til 12:30- as they didnt want to be late) So they went for a little walk to Buckingham Palace. Afterwards they went to Westminster, The London Eye, The Tate, The Globe and St Pauls. So they're in there too.

Takes around 30 minutes to central London on the train from New Meanyville, unfortunately it goes into London Waterloo....which has influnced the music choice. I'm so, so sorry

love bluemeany

As you read this....the Meanies are moving....

2009-02-14T08:25:59Z

...Unfortunately BT aren't connecting our phone line and internet until next Friday...so leave a message after the beep and we'll get back to you later....

....beep.

Happy Birthday to azcpa for Monday :)

Feed A Meany (no souffles)

2009-02-11T18:39:10Z

Feed A Meany (no souffles)

Hello everybody this is Shovewood. Just getting the meal plan ready for New Meanyville (we're moving into our first flat yay!) Your mission if you choose to accept it is to feed and generally keep alive Biggyblue and me for £35 a week.(around $50) Though if we can get cheaper than this it would be great. I wish to cook a decent tea for the hardworking employed Biggyblue everynight if possible and also to make up something resembling a packed lunch each day for her to take into the office. (ideas other than sandwiches needed) Regrettably you may remember the Souffle Affair, so will understand when I say my cooking experience is not great. However as IK tells us "inexperience is not necessarily inability" so Im prepared to give some meals a go. Basically I need cheap, healthy filling meals, these are the requirements;

1. Must be healthy- Im trying to include five fruit or veg a day so if a meal can include one or two that would be great.

2. No Oysters, Mussels or mushy peas. We don't like them- anything else we'll wolf down happily. (sadly many members of the Meany family seem to have survived the 1970s solely by eating Mussels found on beaches, we really dont think we could do this- we're not near the sea anyway)

3. No Cheese. We meanies love it too much and we feel we've eaten twice our quota for a lifetime anyway. We're going to try and cut it out completely. (cue nasty cheese withdrawal symptoms)

I've already found this website- Frugal Living in the UK

http://www.frugal.org.uk/recipes.html

Serenaar I think we're gonna try the nettle soup when you come down- you can help me pick them- so bring good gloves.

Suggestions would be most welcome. Ooo if anyone can suggest cheap meals and puddings I can make for when we have guests that would be helpful and I'm sure honoured guest #1 Serenaar would be most grateful.

love Shovewood :)

bluemeanybeany @ 2009-02-05T22:03:00

2009-02-05T22:04:29Z

The free iPersonic Personality Test

stolen from georgiesmith

thebigbluemeany is a Laid-back Doer; go me! (dark yellow) Shovewood is a Spontaneous Idealist. (light yellow) We approve of any personality test where we get different results (except for the Colour personality test cause that says Shovewood is a sensitive, loving warm person and claims I am a selfish, egocentric, paranoid quick to offend individualist, (the cheek- it's got it in for me) so we ignore that one.

Laid-back Doers
are friendly, happy persons. They enjoy being together with other people. Smart, eloquent, witty and charming, they like to be the centre of attraction. They do not like to be alone. Their zest for life ensures that others feel well in their company and that they quickly get to know people. Laid-back Doers get the best out of every moment - many people of this type have a gift for making their whole life one big party. Boredom is unknown in their presence because they are very good at carrying others away with their enthusiasm, their good mood and their optimism.

Abstract thinking and profound philosophising about the meaning of life appeal less to Laid-back Doers. They are pragmatic, realistic and live completely in the here and now. At work too, they prefer it when it’s all go and they can act out their purposeful manner to the full. They have no problem handling several tasks at once and they blossom out in crisis situations! A varied field of activity with a lot of social contacts is just the right thing for them. One will also seldom find them inactive in their spare time; due to their open, curious nature, they mostly have many hobbies and interests. They are not afraid of the unknown: as they are flexible and creative, they quickly adjust to new situations and make the best of them. They sometimes come into conflict with strict rules or hierarchies by which they quickly feel constrained and against which they rebel.

As friends, Laid-back Doers are generous, helpful persons who attach great importance to harmonious relationships and a good atmosphere. Their sociable manner means that they have a large circle of friends and they love having the house full of many different types of guests. They are happy to give in to their spontaneous moods and fancies in the just one or two important things. This makes them appear somewhat unpredictable to those with a quieter nature. When it really matters, you can rely on them one hundred percent. As partners, they are creative, impetuous and imaginative - as long as their partner knows how to fascinate them. They can hardly stand boredom or routine in a relationship. They do not like conflicts at all; if a relationship becomes too strenuous or involves too much effort, they tend to withdraw from the partnership and start to look for a new partner. However, if one manages to keep their curiosity alive in the long term and surprise them again and again, one has a loyal and loving partner.

bluemeanybeany @ 2009-01-23T01:59:00

2009-01-23T02:09:57Z

Stolen from </a>georgiesmith

Empire Magazine has revealed its list of the 50 Greatest TV Shows Ever.

LJ has a TV meme:
1. Bold the shows you watch
2. Italic the shows you've seen at least one episode of.
3. Post your answers.

# means obsessive unhealthy geekiness surrounding it was reached (felt that extra criteria was needed)

50. Quantum Leap #
49. Prison Break
48. Veronica Mars
47. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
46. Sex & The City
45. Farscape
44. Cracker #
43. Star Trek
42. Only Fools and Horses
41. Band of Brothers
40. Life on Mars
39. Monty Python's Flying Circus #
38. Curb Your Enthusiasm
37. Star Trek: The Next Generation (in childhood probably saw them all)
36. Father Ted #
35. Alias
34. Frasier
33. CSI: Las Vegas
32. Babylon 5
31. Deadwood
30. Dexter
29. ER
28. Fawlty Towers #
27. Six Feet Under
26. Red Dwarf #
25. Futurama
24. Twin Peaks
23. The Office
22. The Shield
21. Angel
20. Blackadder #
19. Scrubs
18. Arrested Development
17. South Park
16. Doctor Who # (oh most definately #)
15. Heroes
14. Firefly #
13. Batlestar Galactica
12. Family Guy
11. Seinfeld
10. Spaced
09. The X-Files
08. The Wire
07. Friends
06. 24
05. Lost
04. The West Wing #
03. The Sopranos
02. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
01. The Simpsons

The Illya Therapy Dungeon

2009-01-13T00:09:06Z

Time for Illya Therapy again

I've had it. Bloody January, bloody 2009, bloody everything... I'm going out to catch me a certain blue eyed Russian. If anybody wants to join me I shall be in the dungeon torturing him. Be back shortly with one blond, very annoyed secret agent

love bluemeany :)

(Yes I know its unfair he suffers because of my bad mood but then life isnt fair is it?)

*laughs evilly* Mmmhhahahaaaaaa

...now where did I put the really big net.

p.s. thanks to Georgiesmith for the illya therapy icons- they are very squeeful

......rejoice I return! Fool he fell for the drugged jaffa cakes again (will he never learn)
Now how to tie him up...... with ropes?

http://www.framecaplib.com/mfulib/html/episodes/images/tigers/tiger100.htm

http://www.framecaplib.com/mfulib/html/episodes/images/foreign/forgn126.htm

...or with chains...

http://www.framecaplib.com/mfulib/html/episodes/images/virtue/virtu231.htm

http://www.framecaplib.com/annual/mfulib/no13.htm

yep I think I'll go with the chains.

The Chefs from U.N.C.L.E: Cooking with Illya Kuryakin and Napoleon Brandy

2009-01-10T14:13:18Z

The Chefs from UNCLE: Cooking with Illya Kuryakin and Napoleon Brandy....

Certain Meanies have been promising/ threatening to follow Illya's example in the Suburbia Affair for quite some time now, and Shovewood ( the one in the fetching grey pajamas)

and Bluemeany ( the one not in the fetching grey pajamas, and I might add, most frequently the voice of reason) finally got around to it this week.

Following a recipe of Delia Smith ( American exchange rate = Julia Child, but slightly cheaper) it turned out as what may generously be called a disaster.

We've cut it up into a little video, its a bit hodge-podged together, but as it turned out that matched the souffle nicely.

The Meanies make a souffle! Yay!

It's largely filled with our bickering and cooking incompetence and should probably be retitled the Meanies demonstrate how not to make a souffle.

Waring: brief swearing in a yorkshire accent (sorry about that)

part one: http://www.mediafire.com/?loe2xzj2jnp

part two: http://www.mediafire.com/?yz7mnewdmdd

Contagious! In Isolation! Flee you fools!

2009-01-07T15:51:28Z

The Bluemeanies have contracted a virus over their internet system. It's a spamming one and we apparently send 11,000 emails on Monday. BT have cut us off until the nasty nastiness goes away. Honestly it wasnt us- we are in no way evil technological masterminds. We are still trying to convince BT of this. It clearly is a dastadly plot of Thrush. Hopefully normal service will be resumed shortly
love the bluemeanies

Merry Christmas (Yay and Squee!)

2008-12-24T20:22:56Z

Merry Christmas *hugs everybody and offers roast chestnuts around *
*cough and clears throat*
"Merry Christmas movie house! Merry Christmas Mr Potter! Merry Christmas you old building and loan!"
There, got that out of my system

Here are some Christmas cards to you all. (we are very sorry about the terrible photoshopping)

and another....

and another....

Yes photoshopping is not a meany strong point. Here are some nice christmassy photos to make up for it.......

This is Big Ben on Sunday evening all lit up with its nice christmas tree.

and this is the path to our local pub last christmas eve when there was snow (unlike this year- boo)...

We're currently using Norad to track Father Christmas (for the benefit of the visiting younger meanies you understand :)
Merry Christmas
love the Bluemeanies x

'The Dr. Kuryakin or how I learnt to stop worrying and love Illya Affair'

2008-11-21T03:37:59Z

Hello everybody- this is dreamybluemeany's latest offering; " The Dr. Kuryakin or how I learnt to stop worrying and love Illya Affair".... Whheeeeee.....

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Es4SwdJklDM

Dreamyblue says....

"One key part of MFU is escapism and this video is about that. Another key part is, of course, the boys looking fab... which this video also addresses.... ( not strictly slash, although, by all means, assume away... :-) )

The song is 'Illya Kuryakin looked at me' by the Jennifers. Yes if I could sing I would sing about Illya too. She adapted the title from a good Victoria M fanfic. The quality isnt actually that bad on youtube if you click the 'view in high quality' button but in case you want to see Mr McCallum in all his defined glory here's the download

https://www.yousendit.com/download/TTZrUGhhUENVbTgwTVE9PQ

love bluemeany :)

More Muncle Muncle Muncling Reels

2008-11-11T00:47:02Z

Here's five more reels of uncle fix. I decided to put these up in the order I made them because they are now quite hysterically funny to the bluemeanies and probably provide a valuable lesson to us all. They go from the moment thebigbluemeany broke up with her boyfriend (which was her own decision and one she thought she took very well) except for the fact that she somewhat seems to have projected onto her muncle editing. (you have been warned!) They are now of course a source of hilarity to all.

Bluemeany would like it noting that this course of what she calls 'illya therapy' helped no end- she felt rather good by the end of it- youll see as it goes on that she comes back to her senses and settles back down to her usual jolly self. (we suggest watching in order for maximum impact)

ah yes little Illya seems to have born the brunt of the 'projecting' poor thing

Tainted (aka the 'Im sorry, Im so so sorry everybody" video)

https://www.yousendit.com/download/Y2o5MFhzNnlsUjgwTVE9PQ

And here too actually he doesnt come off well either. This is the reel sent to Pavlowsdog to assist in the creation of her beautiful and fantastic Tom Lehrer video

https://www.yousendit.com/download/Y2o5MFh1d0FuSlJFQlE9PQ

Ah, well bluemeany was clearly feeling a little better here because shes gone back to actual episodes- though which one has she picked to do?- oh its the 'Thrush Roulette Affair'- not at all emo then

https://www.yousendit.com/download/Y2o5MFhnTXZRR2Z2Wmc9PQ

She still not back to her usual chirpy self in this one- bit too much angst still

https://www.yousendit.com/download/Y2o5MFhpTk1sUi92Wmc9PQ

Ah, this is the J for Judas Affair- I think the Illya therapy might nearly be complete- shes seems much better in this one

https://www.yousendit.com/download/Y2o5MFhwY3lFd2RjR0E9PQ

Muncle, muncle, muncleing...

2008-11-03T19:54:38Z

These are clip reels of Man from UNCLE, which dreamybluemeany and I have made so as to not have to sit through eighty-odd episodes everytime we want to make a video.

They are episode by episode and fairly comprehensive in terms of slashy/interesting shots, although we've probably missed some if we got up to go get a biccy or something. Each one has the slashy/funny lines, followed by all the nice shots set to a song we were trying out to see if it worked... they are very rough, but still should speed the whole process up.

Muncle is a fandom that shares ( sometimes too much, if the content of fanfics is anything to go by...) so although these are specifically for Serenaar :) , anyone else who wants them are more than welcome. The more UNCLE fanvids the better I think we all agree...

1. take me to your leader reel https://www.yousendit.com/download/Y2o5R0lkNmNlaFJFQlE9PQ
2. come with me to the casba https://www.yousendit.com/download/Y2o5R0lUQ0NsamZ2Wmc9PQ
3. the galattea affair
https://www.yousendit.com/download/Y2o5R0lZYXlCTWswTVE9PQ
4. my friend the gorilla
https://www.yousendit.com/download/Y2o5R0lUb0JCTW52Wmc9PQ
5.the thor affair
https://www.yousendit.com/download/Y2o5R0lRT01iV3hjR0E9PQ
6. the apple a day
https://www.yousendit.com/download/Y2o5R0lhbEpwcFZjR0E9PQ
7. the firey angel https://www.yousendit.com/download/Y2ovbUplZDVqY3F4dnc9PQ
8. the maze affair
https://www.yousendit.com/download/Y2ovbUpmcGtUWUR2Wmc9PQ
9. the deadly quest
https://www.yousendit.com/download/Y2ovbUpTZ2dwaFEwTVE9PQ
10. the re-collectors
https://www.yousendit.com/download/Y2ovbUpUMGNveE5FQlE9PQ
11.the deadly goddess
https://www.yousendit.com/download/Y2ovbUpWT01oMlZFQlE9PQ
12.the virtue affair
https://www.yousendit.com/download/Y2ovbUpaYUkzeUpFQlE9PQ

I'll stop there for now, I have reels for ( I think) all the episodes, so if someone wants a specific one, ask and I'll be more than happy to upload it. These twelve are not necessarily the best ones shots wise, but they are a mix of my favourites, ones I think Serenaar might not have ( based on watching 'Glances' and ' Russian Angel') and also episodes I think might be tedious to sit through (yes, I'm thinking about the gorilla one).

Hope this helps.
Bluemeany.x.

Imminent Internet Meltdown

2008-10-29T21:45:58Z

I just thought I'd say goodbye before the imminent internet meltdown. It might not be that bad, merely localised to the UK....

We were meant to be going out tonight, but Dreamybluemeany has flu ( that in itself is not that unusual), so we're staying in; I've made some toasty bagels and crummy pudding and we're enjoying the cataclysm.
If any non-brits are interested in experiencing it, this is as close to bonfire night as the internet can recreate. Thousands of fangirls and guys spontaneously exploding across Britain.

ooooo.... the colours.....oooooo....

P.S If your confused you might want to read this: http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/s4/news/latest/081029_news_04