This and that...

2019 LJ Book Bingo

hobbituk — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 16:29:37 GMT

I saw that eurydice72 is doing ljbookbingo in 2019, so I went to take a look and signed up for it this year. Now that I have joined the book club, I am a cert for 12 books (and hopefully I can fit them into a square!) but in any case I have a library membership now, so if not I can just pick a random book where needed. I have set a target at Goodreads of 50 books a year already. l have decided to link to the reviews of individual books that end up fulfilling squares here, so at the end of the year I will have a complete record, and then link back to this master post so I can keep track of when I get bingos.

This post will be unlocked, and I will state if I enjoyed or otherwise each book, but my review posts will be in my normal journal, so Friends Only. I will create a separate post for each book as I read them, and I will update this post with links to each book.

Let the games begin!

The List

Fantasy Sci Fi Paranormal- The Hero and the Crown, by Robin McKinley
This book is a prequel to The Blue Sword, and I love both stories. Possibly the Blue Sword more, but I always enjoy re reading this one too. The story of Aerin, awkward and "strange"daughter of the King's second, Witch from the North, wife, it's a classic quest/hero's journey tale but it also incorporates some unusual elements very effectively. I wasn't keen on the love triangle in this one - hence the preference for The Blue Sword - but it is a good book to read.

Mystery Crime/Thriller True Crime - Career of Evil, by Robert Galbraith
This book was a crime procedural by JK Rowling using her alter ego of Robert Galbraith about a Private Detective called Cormoran Strike. I liked it enough to read all the other books in the series...

Audiobook or Ebook - Touched, by AJ Aalto
This book was about vampires and their "day sitters" - I enjoyed it, but didn't love it enough to get the rest of the books in the series.

Nurmber or Colour in the Title - 206 Bones, by Kathy Reichs
This book was about Temperance Brennan... but it was a very different Brennan to the one portrayed in Bones the TV series, and I didn't like this one. I didn't enjoy this book very much. Sometimes the book is better than the film/tv series - and sometimes not.

Diverse Reads - Sofia Khan is not Obliged - by Aiysha Malik
Another Book Club book, which was in diary format, very similar to Bridget Jones, except that the main character was Muslim, and the tale was of muslim dating. It was good to read the perspective of a muslim character who was "normal" and not an extemist or terrorist. Just the day to day trials of life with prayers, a hijab and the Koran added to the mix.

Children's or Young Adult - Dr Who: The Good Doctor, by Juno Dawson
This book was a about the repercussions of the Doctor's interaction with an alien population - only found out on a return visit many years later with her companions, and how it was resolved.

Biography Autobiography Non fiction - The Astronaut Wives Club, by
I was asked to read this book by the Book Club I belong to. It was about the wives of the astronauts who were part of the Moon landing and other Apollo missions. There was a good story there, but this wasn't it. Confusing, referring to the wives by their first names and yet skimming the interesting parts. Not a favourite.

Historical (fiction or non fiction) Sharpe's Rifles, by Bernard Cornwall
The story of how Richard Sharpe led a recalcitrant band of soldiers through Spain. Loved it. And could hear Sean Bean in every line of dialogue...

Set in your State/Country or written by a local author - The Hanging Tree, by Ben Aaronovitch
A Police procedural with a difference - for a start, the "hero" Peter Grant is working for the Magic Branch... the police stuff was totally believable though, and as it is set in London, I recognised and knew all the places the action took place. Loved this one - I've now read all of the books in the series (the Author started his career writing for Dr Who!), but to get the most out of it, you should read them in order, starting with the Rivers of London.

Title Starts with the first letter of your name (I'm going to go with Hobbituk) - Heads you win, by Jeffrey Archer
Another Book club book...This is the first Jeffrey Archer book I have read. His writing style is easy to read, and it was quite well paced. I hadn’t expected the twist at the end – and yes, it was quite apt. However, I felt like the author had lost interest in writing it by the back end of the book and just wanted to get it done - which meant I felt the same.

Female Author - The Widow, by Fiona Barton
Another one for the Book Club. This is very relevant to today, about paedophiles and child abduction, but I didn't enjoy it.

One word Title - Kim, by Rudyard KIpling
Another Book Club title, this one a classic. It was quite possibly the forerunner of all the spy novels we have today, and while reading it I became aware just how short my attention span has become! I struggled to get into it a bit, but the descriptions of the India Kipling loved was worth it.

Free Space Head over heels, by Jill Mansell

Movie tie in/ Made into a movie - The Hobbit, by JRR Tolkien
With my user name, it's pretty natural that I re read this periodically. The story of the original Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins and his trip there and back again. Reading it again I am struck all over again at the liberties taken by the film makers in adding all those extra female characters... and Legolas! Much as I love him, HE WASN'T THERE!

Title at least 6 words long - The Proof is in the Pudding, by Joanna Sheen and Julia Wherrell
This was a murder/mystery lightweight romance story by a lady who most in the craft world know as a crafter and her friend. It reminded me very much of early Mills and Boon stories - definitely no raunchy stuff! A nice lightweight read - just what I used to pick to read on the train, back in my commuting days!

Published this year - The President is Missing, by Bill Clinton and James Patterson
Well, if anyone knows how the White House operates, it's Bill Clinton! And he has very sensibly opted to co write this with an experienced Author in James Patterson. I don't understand American politics, and have no affiliations to either side, so I probably enjoyed it more than someone who loathes the Clintons...

~~Horror~~ Category change - Romance The Print Petticoat, by Lucilla Andrews
This was a book on my shelf - I've had it for years. It's a long time since I read it last and what struck me was how old fashioned it is now. Basically, the story of a nurse in long term relationship with doctor, nurse is dumped by doctor, nurse meets another doctor who has loved her from afar but doesn't really see him as more than a friend, nurse gets TB, nurse comes to appreciate and love doctor who loves her and stands by her... I do like Lucilla Andrews' nurse stories though.

Chosen based on the cover - What would Mary Berry do? by Claire Sandy
I picked this book from the local library and had no idea what to expect, but it was lovely! A tale of two marriages, teenage children and first love, wise beyond their years twin girls, and discovering the joys of baking... what's not to love? I've even noted the author's name so I can read more of her books if there are any.

A banned Book Lady Chatterley's Lover by DH Lawrence
So yes, I can see why it was banned. Have to say though, I'd rather watch Sean Bean in the film...

A New to you Author Last Kashmiri Rose, by Barbara Cleverley
One of the ladies from my Colouring Group recommended this one to me. It's a murder/mystery set in the days of the British Raj, just before Mahatma Gandhi stirred it all up, when the stiff upper lipped Brits and their Memsahibs were strutting around India. This was the first story of the author's main character Joe Sandilands (Scottish, ex army, and now police officer seconded to the force in Bombay for a time). I really enjoyed it - so much so I have sought out the next few books in the sequence too. 4 down, 8 or so to go...

~~Comic or graphic novel~~ Category change - 100k+ word fanfic Charms of the Clarion, by eurydice72
This was one of my first ever forays into the world of fanfic - and I couldn't have chosen a better one. I regularly re read this and in fact have it saved to a hard drive on my pc AND a usb so that if the internet explodes I can still read it. I'm pondering printing it out.... The story is about a mission to Scotland and is an ensemble piece. But there is no character bashing (even Riley is treated fairly) and it has a happy ending. Love the characterisation in this one and this Spike and Buffy is one of my favourite incarnations of the characters.

A book that is part of a series (4+ books) - Moon over Soho, by Ben Aaronovitch
Ah, the Rivers of London books. I love these! A friend gave me the very first one (Rivers of London) some time ago, and it was in my TBR pile for ages. Then, for some reason (probably a cold rainy afternoon when I had nothing else to do) I picked it up and was smitten. This is the 2nd in the series and continues with the story begun in the first book. I wholeheartedly recommend them.

TV tie in / Turned into a tv story - A Discovery of Witches, by Deborah Harkness
This book is the first and the beginning of a series of (very long) books. I actually struggled to watch the tv series having read the book first - I found the lead actor a bit jarring at first. It's the story of a Vampire and a very special Witch, and includes time travel as well as the normal magical battles... Loved it.

~~Fairy Tale or Fairy Tale retelling~~ Wildcard - The Rome Affair, by Karen Swan
The story of 2 women, both with secrets, divided by time but brought together by fate. Ultimately, both secrets are revealed, with many turns along the way. I enjoyed this one - and didn't see the twist at the end until the ultimate reveal.

Cookbook or Food memoir - SW Sp Sensations

This is the first recipe I tried from this book - Lamb with Aubergine (Eggplant) and Chickpeas. It was yummy!

Friends only

hobbituk — Sun, 16 Sep 2018 19:27:32 GMT

Please leave a comment on this post if you want to be added as a friend - but be warned it isn't very exciting here - I don't write fic, and my life is just not that interesting. But you are welcome to comment anyway... Don't be offended if I take time to add you back, though - I will want to read your LJ for a bit first.

Initial Comments on this post are screened for privacy.

I like the question every day to help me post - if I have nothing else to say, I can at least answer one of those! These questions have been provided by kazzy_cee

January
1.    The first day of the new year – do you have anything special to look forward to this coming year?
2.    Day two of the new year - have you eaten all the goodies you bought for the Christmas/holiday festivities yet?
3.    The Danish/American comedian and pianist, Victor Borge was born on this day in 1909. Are you familiar with his comedy style?
4.    Dry January is a campaign where people choose to abstain from alcohol for the entire month of January (the campaign was started in 2013 by Alcohol Change UK, a UK charity). Are you joining in with dry January?
5.    In the UK, tonight is the 12th night after Christmas and the date the Christmas decorations are taken down (or bad luck will enter your home!). If you have decorated for the holiday period, when do you pack them away again?
6.    When was the last time you cleaned/polished your shoes?
7.    It’s Nick Cage’s birthday (b. 1964) – have you seen any of his movies?
8.    Do you tend to text people or phone them and chat?
9.    On this day in 1969, the first trial flight of Concorde, the supersonic jetliner, took place in Bristol, England. Have you, or anyone you know, been on Concorde?
10.    Has anything recently made you laugh out loud?
11.    How good are you at creating routines for housework? Do you have specific days for doing household tasks?
12.    In 1966 Adam West debuted in TV’s Batman. Do you have a favourite actor who has taken on the Batman role on TV or in film?
13.    What’s the weather like where you live today? Is it typical for your area at this time of year?
14. Ironing – yes or no..?
15. On this day in 2009 Chesley Sullenberger, known as "Sully," successfully landed US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River. Have you seen the Tom Hanks film Sully?
16. How often do you eat out at restaurants or cafés?
17. In Somerset (England), it is traditional on this day to enter the orchards and toast the trees with cider to encourage a fruitful season. Have you ever had alcoholic Somerset cider or Scrumpy?
18. Cary Grant was born today in 1904 (in Bristol England). Have you a favourite Cary Grant film?
19. How many pairs of socks do you own?
20. How do you keep your photographs? As physical copies or virtual copies on a device? Do you sort them into real/virtual albums?
21. Have you ever made pastry from scratch?
22. Are you a cat person or a dog person?
23. On this day in 1842 Charles Dickens arrived in Boston, Massachusetts, to start a tour of the US (he wrote about it in a travelogue: American Notes for General Circulation). Have you a favourite Dickens novel?
24. It’s the International Day of Education – what was your favourite class in school?
25. Are you making a conscious effort to keep fit this year? What activities are you doing?
26. Where is your favourite place in your home?
27. Have you ever been boating?
28. Most countries have at least one example of a long-running soap on TV. Do you watch soaps (have you in the past)?
29. It is thought that William Shakespeare's play "Romeo and Juliet" was first performed in 1595. Have you ever seen a Shakespeare play on the stage?
30. Do you have houseplants?
31. The end of January – does it seem to have flown past? Have you enjoyed this month?

February:
1. Would you rather watch a sport or play a sport?
2. It’s American author and TV cooking show host Ina Garten’s birthday (TV’s Barefoot Contessa), do you own many cookbooks?
3. Have you changed your hairstyle much over the years? Have you ever had a disastrous hairstyle?
4. It’s Alice Cooper’s birthday – are you familiar with his music?
5. Have you ever seen a film/movie at the cinema more than once because you loved it so much?
6. If there was a way to instantly learn a new skill, what would you pick to learn?
7. The Portland Vase, thought to date to the 1st century BC was shattered into more than 80 pieces by a drunken visitor to the British Museum in 1845 (oops!). What was the last thing you accidentally dropped?
8. Have you ever been sailing?
9. What’s the last film you saw (on TV/streaming/at the cinema)?
10. It’s World Pulses Day – do you have a favourite way to eat pulses such as beans, peas, lentils etc?
11. What was your very first job (perhaps when you were still in school?).
12. Have you ever crossed the equator?
13. Do you remember The Monkees TV show?
14. It’s Saint Valentine’s Day – when did you last drink champagne?
15. Do you like to watch reality TV shows?
16. National TimTam Day is today. This day is all about celebrating one of Australia’s most loved snacks, the TimTam biscuit, which first hit the shelves in 1964. Have you ever had a TimTam?
17. What are you wearing on your feet today?
18. Enzo Ferrari was born on this day in 1898. Have you ever driven or ridden in a Ferrari sports car?
19. What is your favourite flavour of chocolate (for example, with mint, salted caramel, with nuts or something else?). Is there a chocolate flavour combination you dislike?
20. Have you a good sense of direction, or do you rely on maps/online navigation? When was the last time you got lost?
21. Are you worried about climate change? Have there been noticeable changes to the weather where you live over recent years?
22. It’s International Sword Swallower Day! Have you ever seen someone swallow a sword?
23. What was your favourite toy when you were growing up?
24. Have you ever been skiing?
25. The Venice Carnival runs from February 22nd to March 4th. Wearing a fancy mask is a feature of the carnival – when was the last time you wore a mask?
26. Are you a fan of opera?
27. Do you regularly snack? What’s your snack of choice? With a hot beverage, or just on its own?
28. Have you ever eaten a soufflé? Do you know how to make one?

Yup. That's a beagle for you....

hobbituk — Sat, 11 Jan 2014 12:09:53 GMT

Battle Ships - Jack/Ianto fans needed for sudden death round

hobbituk — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 20:50:15 GMT

Having lulled everyone into a state of security, they have set up a sudden death at Hypable Battle Ships.

Jack/Ianto are currently losing to Zoe/Wash, so if anyone feels strongly about it they can go vote here: www.hypable.com/2013/03/11/hypables-battleships-classic-tv-sudden-death-firefly-torchwood/

Hypable's BattleShips

hobbituk — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 22:15:36 GMT

I am beyond frustrated... Hypable have started a new Battle Ships, and Buffy/Spike should be coming up next. Except they aren't!! I swear if I miss voting for my wooby I will be extremely cross.

Look... www.hypable.com/category/site-news/battleships/ Seems like Jack/Ianto broke it.

Holly needs us!!

hobbituk — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 21:31:24 GMT

About a month ago, hollydb submitted a short story to All Romance Ebooks for their "Just One Bite" contest. The grand prize is $1000, and second place is an iPOD touch. Holly was selected as one of the 32 finalists. There are rounds of voting in pairs, and the author with the greatest number of votes goes forward to the next round. Now, certainly the Buffy fandom knows what an incredible writer Holly is, but the wider world may not be so enlightened. She's in the second round, but is behind in the vote at the moment. :(

So please, go vote for "Falling" by Rosalie Stanton at this link: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/contest.html and help a terrific writer move towards winning the prize. Holly has entertained us all for years with wonderful fic, and she really, really wants to win this.

Oh dear...

hobbituk — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 18:06:48 GMT

Just made a total prat of myself in the garage while trying to fill hobbitmum's tyres with air...

It wasn't my usual garage, where the machine starts up when you put your money in. This one was free, but I couldn't get it to work. I had reduced the air in one tyre down to 10 before I gave in and asked a man to help with the machine. He pushed the button that switched it on...

*blushes furiously* I am going to be THAT woman, now, aren't I?

I'm living in the Amityville horror house...

hobbituk — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 21:45:41 GMT

For the last three days, I have come home in the evening to anything between 13 and 25 dead houseflies in my kitchen. There are no houseflies around anywhere now - so where are they coming from??? I've scrubbed everywhere with bleach and have looked everywhere but have no clue where they are coming from. I know it is a sign of how I am mentally at the moment butI feel persecuted. *pouts*

Happy Birthday to lilachigh

hobbituk — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 21:29:26 GMT

I hope you had a lovely birthday...

Another mouse encounter...

hobbituk — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 22:18:03 GMT

I don't know if it was THE mouse, but yesterday morning there was another encounter...

I keep some bird food (seed, peanuts etc) in a plastic dustbin in my utility room. I don't feed as much in the summer, but I do like to supplement with a few peanuts etc in one feeder. Anyhow, yesterday morning I went to the bin to get some peanuts and noticed some flakes of grey plastic on top of the bag. How odd, thought I, and inspected the bin lid in more detail. There was a small hole. Not right the way through, but there. Deeply suspicious about the fact the hole was in the inside and not the outside of the lid, I dragged said bin out into the garden and began to remove the bags etc inside. And there, right in the bottom was a small mouse. It looked the same...

Now I am a reasonably tolerant woman, but I did NOT want this mouse in my utility room. So I tipped the dustbin up and ushered the mouse out in the direction of the flower bed. Did it exit stage left into the greenery never to be seen again? Hell no. It turned right, and ran straight into my small natural pond. So now I was faced with a potentially drowning mouse! Of course, I couldn't watch that so rushed over to the pond with garden trowel in hand thinking I'd have to get the damn thing out of the water. But, in a kinda cute way, he was sitting on a lily pad. We stared at one another for a brief minute and then he sort of ran across the pond weed, up and out and into the plants on the other side of the pond.

I really, really hope that is the last I see of him/her!!

Oh no!!! Spike is losing....

hobbituk — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:49:45 GMT

Go vote here!!

sueworld2003

Gacked from my fl....

http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/07/27/terminator-buffy-lost-harry-potter-underworld-wolverine-watchmen/

You know you want to...!

And apparently, I'm a Vulcan.

hobbituk — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 22:11:55 GMT

See? (stolen from everyone)

Your result for The Which Star Trek Species Would You Be? Test...

Vulcan

The logical and loyal. Congrats, my favourite species!

Congrats, you're a Vulcan! You tend to be the more logical person. Whenever a difficult task comes up, you are the one with the answer. You analyse everything, and make sure you have the right answer before saying anything. You tend to be a more peaceful person, preferring not to act in violence. You are extremely loyal to your friends. However, many people tend to see you as emotionless. This is not true. You tend to hide your emotions from others, rather than let them show through. You are very good at giving advice and saving the humans when they make reckless mistakes.

Well-known Vulcans include: The icon of Trek, Spock; Sarek, fathe of Spock; Tuvok of Voyager; and T'Pol of Enterprise.

Take The Which Star Trek Species Would You Be? Test at OkCupid

Oh....

hobbituk — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 21:48:16 GMT

I checked the joule thing today for the first time in months. I'd forgotten I had the link to be honest, but it gave me quite a turn to see I'd been unfriended by allthatjazmyne. I guess it has to do with making her journal a memorial, but it did make me feel a bit weird. Also, I heard about two impending funerals, as well. My remaining uncle died last weekend, as did an ex work colleague. I feel a bit depressed...

It's probably because I am not sleeping well. I went to bed early last night and ended up semi awake from 3.30 am to 5.30 am. Then of course I went fully asleep and was totally groggy at 7am when the alarm went off. Hobbitmum reckons it's hormones. I reckon it's a bloody nuisance!

In which I am a party pooper... and nearly missed calturner's birthday...

hobbituk — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 21:57:30 GMT

First things first - many good wishes to cal_turner for a very happy birthday.

And now... Some of you may know that I have experienced problems with cats using my front garden as their own, large litter tray. You may also know that I have recently replaced the small lawn with a patio circle. This has meant that there is more actual garden than there used to be -nice fresh, newly dug, earth.

So last night I was still hot and had all the windows open, and was lying there wide awake in the dark at half past midnight,when I heard the unmistakeable sound of a bell on a cat's collar. Enraged, convinced I could hear the perpetrator of all the poo in my garden I leapt out of bed and peered out of the window. And yes, there was a cat. But it wasn't pooing in my garden, it was playing with a mouse in the middle of the road. Every time the mouse ran, the cat pounced and blocked its way.

I watched for a few minutes and then couldn't stand it anymore, so I put my dressing gown on and went downstairs and into the street. I shooed the cat away, and allowed the mouse to (eventually - stupid mouse!!) vanish into the long grass between the garages. The cat came back a few minutes later and looked most put out to find the mouse had gone. In fact, I was half expecting to find poo in the flower bed as a punishment this morning! And as I made my way back into the house, conscious that I was actually standing in public in an indecently short nightie, covered only by a thin dressing gown, I noticed I was being watched by a fox - sitting casually on the pavement outside my house with head tilted in puzzlement. Not my foxy lady though - this was a boy, by the size of him.

Fortuitously, there was no actual humans around. I hope...

And the octopus got it right again...

hobbituk — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 22:19:37 GMT

So the psychic octopus correctly predicted the winner of the World Cup. Apparently, the octopus has been right every time he was asked to choose.

Now if only we had an Octopus to let us know the outcome of all the budget cuts and economy doom and gloom... I think I'd feel better if I knew all the pain was actually going to work!

Movie star meme...

hobbituk — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 22:14:52 GMT

If you want to play then leave a comment and I'll give you 10 actors and 10 actresses (or 5 and 5, if you prefer) and in your own journal, post the movies you enjoy most with those actors. No pressure, do it if you want to and don't if you don't.

The list given me by gwendraith is behind the cut
Actors

1. Leonardo DiCaprio
I didn't like Titanic - the first film I remember Leonardo DiCaprio being in was "What's eating Gilbert Grape?" in which he played a mentally disabled boy amazingly well. Johnny Depp wasn't bad, either...!

2. Cary Grant
Mr Suave! I can't think of a film that Cary Grant was in that I hated. And of course he was in "An affair to remember" which leads me neatly onto...

3. Tom Hanks
Aww, Sleepless in Seattle! I've gone off of Meg Ryan in recent years, but Tom Hanks won my heart in this film and has had it ever since. Even though *whispers* I don't think he's aging very well...

4. John Travolta
I've not liked many of his later films, but Saturday Night Fever brings back memories of my own youth (it came out when I was 16) and Grease, well, who hates Grease? Although I think I was more obsessed with just how Olivia Newton John fitted into THOSE black trousers!

5. Samuel L Jackson
This is another fine actor who makes a habit of giving excellent performances in films I haven't seen, but have heard about. My dislike of violence and suspense doesn't really help me out here...

6. Alec Guinness
Help me Obi -Wan, you're my only hope! All the many films this fine actor was in, and the role I remember was a small part in a scifi film! It was a great sci fi film though....

7. Liam Neeson
Schindler's List. I don't normally watch this type of film as I like to be uplifted at the end of a movie, but in a weird way this film WAS uplifting. You had to get past the trauma and angst, but the end was definitely positive. I thought Liam Neeson was great in this role.

8. Peter O'Toole
Well, he's Lawrence of Arabia, isn't he? I know he did other films but the imagery from that iconic film has embedded itself in my brain so much that when I hear his name, I always hear THAT music, and see THAT image of the desert...

9. Russell Crowe
I never got the Russell Crowe bug - in fact, I don't think I have seen any of his films the whole way through. And I didn't even get past the first bout in Gladiator...!

10. Denzel Washington
Another fine actor who makes a habit of appearing in films I am unlikely to watch. I thought he worked really well with Tom Hanks in Philadelphia, though.

Actress

1. Kim Basinger
I didn't get why they raved about her. I can't even think of a film she was in... all I do remember about her is a very acrimonious divorce from Alec Baldwin. And that their daughter has an unusual name - is it Ireland?

2. Kate Winslet
Again, I wasn't struck on Titanic, which was her big launch vehicle. She did one of the voices in an animated film (title forgotten) and sang one of the songs from it "what if" which was ( I think) custom made for a spuffy vid. Just look at the words!! Nobody ever made one, though...

3. Carrie Fisher
Oh, Princess Leia. Who didn't want to be her??? Even with the earphones hairdo. Plucky, brave, Han Solo for a boyfriend and a Princess to boot! I don't think she was a natural actress though - and is probably much happier as an author.

4. Liv Tyler
Another princess, this time an Elven one. Arwen... you know, I can't think of a single thing else she has done. *blushes*

5. Rachel Weisz
My brain went blank when this name came up. I knew it, obviously, but had no clue what she had been in. So I googled her - and it would appear not much I have actually seen. So no comments for her, I'm afraid!

6. Nicole Kidman
Another actress who underwhelms me. I thought she was alright in the Golden Compass, but most other parts sort of skipped my mind. Actually, in the put a name to the face meme that went around recently, hers was one of the two people I got wrong (mainly because I couldn't remember her name). Her current other half is better than the first one, though.

7. Audrey Hepburn
She looked stunning, and had memorable performances in My Fair Lady (would be one of my absolute favourite films if it wasn't for the appalling cockney accent...) and Breakfast at Tiffanys. I think I admire her more for her work with Unicef, though.

8. Susan Sarandon
I loved her in Bull Durham. Which is where she met Tim Robbins. And in which Kevin Costner looked really, really good... But I think my favourite performance was the interaction with Julia Roberts in Stepmom. Which never fails to make me cry, big time.

9. Faye Dunaway
I know I have watched films with her appearing in them, but you know what? I can't remember her part. Maybe that says more about me than her.

10. Sophia Loren
Last, but not least. I don't know if you could say she was a brilliant actress, but she is a woman totally comfortable with her own body and at 75 still looks great. Yay for Sophia...!

Woo hoo!! It's idahoswede 's birthday!!!

hobbituk — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 21:05:38 GMT

I hope you had an excellent day, m'dear. And many more happy days to come....

Happy 4th July...

hobbituk — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 21:44:18 GMT

To those who celebrate Independence - and those who wonder what all the fuss is about. Hope you had a lovely day!

One for the twitchers...

hobbituk — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 22:52:47 GMT

I have had a couple of birds in my garden I don't recognise.

See?

Does anyone have any idea what it is?

Warning.... Picture heavy!

hobbituk — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 22:50:01 GMT

Just for curiouswombat, a selection of my "garden Art". Otherwise known as the many little ornaments and things I have dotted around the plants.

First, my latest acquisition - bought for me by hobbitumum for my birthday. Meercats! A cute little family

Next, an older resident. I found this tortoise in a shop and thought he'd be much less trouble than a real one. Unfortunately, his paint has started to come off because he is an outdoor tortoise...

Next is my sunbathing fairy. She lives on top of my waterfall.

And then there is the watermill. We broke this one when we were building the new waterfall, so now it lives away from the water slightly, but looks just as good.

This little plaque speaks for itself.

This little guy sits in my bird bath. He stops the magpies having their way with all the water, leaving some there for the smaller birds.

I love my wee mole. Especially now the planting has grown up around him.

Next to my natural pond sits a little stone frog, to make the real life ones who make it their home feel comfy.

And a bigger frog who lives next to the fish pond with tortoise. (If you look carefully, you can see the white where tortoises paint is coming off)

Albert the gnome sits under a shrub, keeping an eye on everyone. He was here when I moved in, but I painted over the garish Reds and Blues that he was coloured and made him a natural stone one. I don't do bright and colourful artworks, really...

And lastly, my stone hedgehogs. I'd love real ones, but perhaps the ponds are too dangerous and it's just as well I don't have one.

The scent of a summer's night...

hobbituk — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 21:52:11 GMT

Hobbitmum has a lot of scented plants in her garden. Philadelphus, honeysuckle... And tonight, as it was warm, the scent was amazing. I really wish I could capture and transmit that wonderful aroma to everyone, because it was stunning.

Of course, she can't go out there, because the heavy scent sets her hay fever off, but hey! I liked it...!

It's been doing the rounds...

hobbituk — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 21:21:58 GMT

*pouts*

I'm not keen on Rose Tyler...

Rose Tyler
Take Which Doctor Who companion are you? (girls) today!
Created with Rum and Monkey's Personality Test Generator.</p>

You're Rose Tyler!

You are spunky, determined, and as religiously devoted to your Doctor as you are to chips. (He's the only one who doesn't know how sweet you are on him, too.) You never stay put when you're told to stay put, but just when everyone expects you to get roasted by the monster of the week, you turn right around and figure out the mystery. You're sharp as a tack, but also sensitive, knowing when the Doctor needs someone to back him up or when he just needs a hand to hold. He seems to think he can get rid of you... you're quick to show him he's wrong!

Wildlife Aid open day

hobbituk — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 21:59:11 GMT

Hobbitmum and I went to visit the Wildlife Aid open day today. It was very busy, even though the weather was very overcast and actually quite chilly this morning. This is a Good Thing, because it costs £1000 each week to run the centre, and it is all by fundraising and donations - there is no government funding for it. Which is just as well, because it would probably be cut!

They had a small marquee with stalls, a very talented face painter, and Morris Dancers. See...

All in all, a good day.

A quick flyby...

hobbituk — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 22:13:44 GMT

I had to come home from work lunchtime yesterday because I was so tired I could barely sit up. I have no idea why I was quite so tired, but I do know that I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow at 1.15 pm and I didn't wake again until 5.45 pm! And then I slept from 11.30 pm until 6am this morning.

So I have promised myself I won't stay up later than 11.15 pm any night this week to catch up on sleep. So if I am not posting or commenting, that's why.

Night all!

Best night...

hobbituk — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 23:35:06 GMT

I've just had a great night out. We went to see Dreamboats and Petticoats at the Playhouse Theatre in Northumberland Avenue. It was two hours twenty minutes of solid singing - all the old hits from 1961, with dialogue written by Lawrence Marks and Maurice Gran (they wrote Birds of a Feather). It was a reasonably lightweight plot - young boy fancies the sassy popular good time girl, she fancies the older rocker, and the boy's best friend's younger sister fancies him... It is the story of a songwriting contest and a trip to Southend, but furnished by songs of the time (all performed live on stage - both songs and instruments) by a talented group of young actors.

At the end, for the finale, the audience were all encouraged to get up and dance a bit and plenty of people did just that. It was a real feel good night - just the thing if you are feeling a bit blue. I thoroughly recommend anyone to go and see the show.