The Wind That Shakes the Barley

So I am going to Southern Ireland in a few days time and as normal I have done all my research I know when and where I am going how much it will cost etc etc
I will hopefully give you the full lowdown on my adventure at a later date
However I have also been doing the usual watch programs / films related to Ireland
so today I watched this deep and emotional stirring film set in the 1920's
showing some of the persecutions the Irish have endured for nearly a 1000 years

I have a few more films I want to watch before we set sail across the Irish sea
but this one was a bit special I had to share.


See:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0460989/

Facebook Folk ..

WE ALL HAVE ONE OF THESE:
1) The “Lurker” – Never posts anything or comments on your post, but reads everything, and might make reference to your status if they see you in public.
2) The “Hyena” – Doesn’t ever really say anything, just LOLs and LMAOs at everything …
3) “Mr/Ms Popular” – Has 4367 friends for no reason.
4) The “Gamer” – Plays Words With Friends, Mafia Wars, Bakes virtual… …………cakes and shit, etc., ALL DAY.
5)The “Prophet” – Every post makes reference to God or Jesus.
6) The “Thief” – Steals status updates…and will probably steal this one.
7) The “Cynic” – Hates their life, and everything in it, as evidenced by the somber tone in ALL of their status updates.
The “Collector” – Never posts anything either, but joins every group, and becomes fans of the most random shit.
9) The “Promoter” – Always sends event invitations to things that you ultimately delete or ignore.
10) The “Liker” – Never actually says anything, buy always clicks the “like” button.
11) The “Hatee” – Every post revolves around someone hating on them, and they swear people are trying to ruin their life.
12) The “Anti-Proofreader” – This person would benefit greatly from Spellcheck, and sometimes you feel bad for them because you don’t know if they were typing fast, or really cant spell.
13) The “Drama Queen/King” – This person always posts stuff like “I can’t believe this!”, or “They gonna make me snap today!”, in the hopes that you will ask what happened, or what’s wrong…but then they never finish telling the story.
14) The “Womp Womp” – This person consistently tries to be funny…but never is.
15) The “News” – Always updates you on what they are doing and who they are doing it with, no matter how arbitrary
And lastly…
16) The “Rooster” – Feels that it is their job to tell Facebook “Good Morning”

Visiting Rome

So it was no fluke that I watched 22 hours of Rome, along with 'Roman holiday' and 'Eat Pray Love'
3 nights and 4 days booked on the cheap with flights booked at £150, B&B at £150 plus 40 euros spending money
I thought I would share some tips

Use Terravision - cheapest deal
http://www.terravision.eu/

If you have a disabled blue badge you can get into most museums and attractions for free, this includes a friend.

The cheapest place to get a great cup of coffee cheaply is McDonalds!

Remember if you sit down for a drink or food you will pay up to four times more.

The Metro cost 1 euro and is extremely easy to use.

Theft and pick pockets is bad, Travel light and be on guard all the time.


For Films See:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046250/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0879870/

Rome Series by HBO

Having watched the series when it was first aired I have decided to watch the first and second series again back to back 2 or 3 every night
I have to say yet again I have really enjoyed it, however as it's set in Roman times and the romans where obcessed with sex there is a lot of sex and voilence in every episode,bewarned!




Rome is a historical drama series first aired in 2005 and then 2007 for the second series. Rome is set in the 1st century BC, during Ancient Rome's transition from Republic to Empire. The series begins with Julius Caesar's conquest of Gaul, and the first season concludes with the assassination of Caesar followed by the rise of the first Emperor Augustus.

The plots focus on two soldiers, Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo, who find their lives intertwined with key historical events. It's quality of filming and acting was honored with numerous awards. Having been filmed in various locations but mostly in the Cinecittà studios in Italy.

See:
http://www.unrv.com/hbo-rome-series.php

X-Factor 2011

I don't much care for these reality programs like strictly or big brother but I have for some time followed X-Factor
However these last couple of years it's become a bit of a joke program and I am rapidly losing interest..
This year we have frankie - who fucks anything moving or not!, Kitty who is just totally of her head, Janet devlin who's been made into Cousin It!

I have to say my heart goes out to Johnny, who I guess is a really lovely person but louie is turning him into a laughing stock and Sammi from North Wales who is honest and hardworking but clearly out of her depth.

Third Star Film

This week I watched an amazingly deep film called 'Third Star' set in South Wales.
and mostly Barafundle Bay.

He invites his three closest friends to join him on a camping trip to his favourite place in the world. The undertaking, however, is fraught with practical difficulties, surreal encounters and emotionally ravaging revelations. For his best friend Miles (JJ Feild), the trip means wrestling with the gloomy reality that the ones he loves tend to die. For Davy (Tom Burke) it’s about being there and holding the effort together – while for Bill (Adam Robertson) it’s about running away from the mistakes he’s made and the comfortable trap that is his life. Each step of the journey is one step further from the past and to a brave new world about courage, dignity and the beauty that lies in the friendship between these four young men

See:

http://thirdstarfilm.com/

Support Local Artist!

I know it is just early October, but it is never too early. This year, why not consider a fine piece of hand made, creative work by a local artist, sculptor or craftsperson as one or more of your Christmas gifts. You will not only be lending a hand to those of us who are struggling to keep going in these hard times, but you will be giving something that has more than simple intrinsic value; an item that will represent a singular moment in time and the creative endeavor and spirit of the maker, an item that will have long lasting appeal. Or, why not consider commissioning a work that would be something very special for a very special friend or family member?

Places to look for art under £25...

Ebay :-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Artists-Self-Representing-/60435/i.html?LH_ItemCondition=11&LH_Price=..25%40c&_nkw=art&_catref=1&_fln=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m282

Online Art Gallery :-

http://www.artgallery.co.uk/search/default.aspx

' Keeping Mum ' A film that I missed!

I am a avid movie watcher, it's like one of my hobbies but in 2005 a superstar of a movie was made and it totally passed me by, How?
With a all star cast of Rowan Atkinson as Walter, Kristin Scott Thomas as Walters wife Gloria the brilliant Maggie Smith ( I love her) as ex convict 'Grace Hawkins' the sleezy Patrick Swayze as Gloria's golf instructor Lance and the funny all English Liz Smith



I feel that British comedy is the very best in the world and when it's done right it's legendary, this was top draw, silver service, utter brilliance!

I could easily watch it again, five stars from me!
However I wonder how did I miss this film when it was first released? I had not even heard of it before it was aired on more4!



See:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0444653/

"The Camomile Lawn"

I have just watched for the first time the Camomile Lawn 5 part drama
Filmed in 1992 follows the lives of a family in 1939 during the out break of
world war two - I am lead to believe that it follows the book by Mary Wesley
Closely but I can't help feeling that I wish I had read the book first.


However as drama's goes it was very enjoyable even with the nudity, swearing and sex scenes! This must have been a big thing to have screen on terrestial television back in the day!

We have the Musician 'Max' who has a country wife and a town mistress but insists on having affairs with all the cousins even taking Sophie's Virginity.
Sophie spends the hot summer days wearing no knickers and flaunting it, Polly devastated about losing her cousin who she was intimate with. Starts a relationship during the war with twin brothers even has children with them although doesn't know which is the father.
Uncle Richard who is a bit of a family joke admits to liking and touching young girls, while calypso only married for money.
I totally recommend either watching or reading this drama, I am sure you enjoy!



I watched this on 4OD
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-camomile-lawn

but you can also buy the DVD set
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103381/

Gleision Mining Tragedy

In the week that followed the death of these four miners at Gleision Colliery, South Wales. The effect it has had on the South Wales valley's is immense.
Within 24 hours an Appeal fund was started, the first day saw 10K raised the second day saw 20K raised and Prince Charles becoming Patron. Day 3 they hit 50K
and now theres a fundraising evening being held on the 7th Of October sets to be a massive night.

However, the thing that holds my awe the most, is how the social network of Facebook brought together people all over the uk holding nightly candle lit tributes, called 'A Candle burns Bright'
I will post the link although I am not sure how long it will be there for
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=247651865278134


If you would like to donate to the appeal
www.minersappealfund.org

Most Boring Read Ever!

I have just finished reading Brother & Sister by Joanna Trollope

After reading the first quarter I thought oh dear this is so boring I should discard it but I thought no, it's bound to get better. It never did!
Wasted hour of precious reading hours.
The book is about Nathalie and David Adopted children who have been caring children to their parents, who found they couldn't’t have children themselves And up until now it’s never mattered but now grown-up with their own families, they are still close to one another.
Nathalie discovers a deep need to trace her birth parents and is insisting that David makes the same journey. And through this, both learn one of the hardest lessons of all, that sometimes, the answers to who we are and where we come from can be more difficult than the questions

Zzzzzzzzzzzz I think the proof readers got bored reading it too as I kept finding spelling and grammar mistakes.


Meanwhile I have had a neat idea for a book, I in fact dreamt it..

Set during the second world war

This young couple meet at a ball it was love at first sight both very young finding the ball full of adults boring, she suggests the go to the Attic so she can show him where she likes to go the most, it's a magical world up there with old bits of discarded furniture / clothes and family history.
Over the time they spend up there they fall in love and kiss - The kiss which is spell binding and totally innocent locks there love forever.

The next day the boy is sent a way and before he knows it drafted out and killed in action.
her and the family are forced to leave there country estate on the suburbs of London and move more into the west country
She never finds out what happens to the boy but thinks of him every day as she grows older, getting married having children and then watching the grandchildren come into the world - It's at the age of 86 she inherits the house from her unmarried brother and moves back in she takes a visiting granddaughter into the loft which she hasn't been in since that night only to find the ghost of the young man waiting for her still...
After a night of dancing / talking and embracing there love she slips away with him to the other side there love bonding them in eternity

Awww Sweet mush!

Amy Winehouse

Everyone feeling sorry for Amy Winehouse but I am more concerned about the killings in Norway.
However I do love some of Amy's songs and in her own way she was a individual and should be celebrated for that.
However think about this, She and others buy heroin, most of the heroin on the UK streets comes from Afghanistan the money from the drugs goes to the Taliban, Which pays for bomb parts and bullets that are aimed for a British soldier, the British soldier gets killed and leaves a wife / kids behind. That soldier never got a mention in the u.k press he was 'Corporal Mark Anthony Palin from 1st Battalion The Rifles'

Amy had everything apart from happiness and I feel we all deserve happiness.

No More Harry Potter Movies...

So this week taking advantage of the Orange two for one deal, the other half and I went to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two - The end of the line for JK Rowlings books about the boy who survived.

I was very reluctant to go because if I watched it there would be no more 'Harry Potter' I have at home all the DVD's a part from the last 2 because I am sure they will come out in box set.
I have to say the film didn't disappoint but what did ruin it for me was 3D! - I was a 3D virgin till this summer watching Transformers 3 on 3d, which I did enjoy and appreciate the special effect's
However Harry potter was so dark and blurry It not only hurt my eyes but I kept rubbing them thinking that It was I that was at fault.
I really hope that more films won't come out in 3D there's no need!
Interesting bit came when Mrs Weasley kill's bellatrix the audience started clapping and whooping but for me the most touching bit was when Harry finds the ghost of his parents and family in the woods and talks to them, Yep' my eyes filled up and I was ready to blup until I got a grip!

I have read all the 'Harry Potter' Books and watched the movies repeatedly - I think the book's where brilliantly written and knowing how hard it is to write a book I take my hat of to her!

I did notice the first movie was very much aimed at kid's of course harry him self was only a child but as they have grown the movies have become more graphic to the point where I would say they are for at lease a 14 /1 6 year old. Except I saw children as young as 10 /11 going in there, really why do parents allow that?

Blue Eyed Boy by Joanne Harris

I have just finished reading this book it was given to me by my mother in law, who said she didn't like it because it was difficult to read and work through.
I picked it up, was gripped from the first page and enjoyed every single page after that!
I think the problem is that I am in my 30's and have grown up in the computer age where as the MIL is retired ex school mistress.
This book is a modern twist on a classic murder story and very cleverly written too.
I take my hat of to Joanne, I have read some off her other books and I feel she has surpassed her self on this one!

Find out more about this book here:
http://www.joanne-harris.co.uk/v3site/books/blueeyedboy/index.html

Second Post

Okay so the first post was a bit of joke, I write a journal at home in a book beside my bed. Every thought every adventure is logged in this book that bares my soul scrawlled on the pages.
Curse of constantly writing on one's laptop the hand writing gets worse!

So I have a blog which I expect no one will read, Why because I think there are a tonne of blogs out there which are interesting!
Question is what am I going to write about? Cooking, Life, Sex.. The answer is I don't really know maybe a bit of everything!

I have just had supper I am trying to lose weight at the moment, so I have cut meat out of my diet I don't really miss it but tonight we had macaroni cheese - Oh my gawd it was gross - Pasta mush blah
Tomorrow I think I want some chicken!!

First Post

As with all Blogs there has to be the first Post. So here it is!