Advent calendar day 20

Jings, crivvens and help ma boab - it the 20th of December already. Another early rise - 6.30 in the a.m. - and another round of baking. Today it was a cherry chocolate cake for Vee as she doesn't like fruity Xmas cake and a stollen for Gee. I also dredged up my beauty school dropout skills to give Gee a haircut - I like him with long hair but he was getting to look like The Dude from "The Big Lebowski" and he is looking for paid work outside of the business. I don't think I did too bad a job, considering it's been 26 years since I was let lose with a pair of scissors.
Today's theme list as chosen by Google is supposed to be "Best of British" - I'm not sure what that means. When I was at the recording of Frank Skinner's show last week the topic came up as to whether we see ourselves as Scottish, British, European or what. As an anarchist, I see no countries and think that nationalism is divisive. But is it wrong to be patriotic? Billy Bragg has written an excellent book on the subject, "The Progressive Patriot" which I urge you to read where he argues for a reclamation of being "English" and being proud to say that you are and fly the St. George's Cross without being seen as a football hooligan or a fascist.I have written at length in this blog about how I feel being Scottish but as for British, I'm not sure. Certainly, I feel a lot of kinship for my friends and acquaintances who live in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, maybe more than I do my compatriots who live in the Highlands and islands and who speak Gaelic. But as for "British" - well I'm not sure I feel comfortable with that. Oh I have a British passport but only because it's the only one available to me. I feel that there are a lot of things wrong with "Britishness" - more than "Scottishness" I think there is a tragic "stiff-upper lip, chaps" attitude which means a lack of empathy and a tendency to buck up and be almost emotionless. That coupled with the bloody leeches who are the Royal Family - what a load of freeloading, in-bred tossers. I read the other day how this one was going off to Australia and this one was going off to the Caribbean on "state visits" and I thought what a fine example of how these cunts are so removed from the rest of us - swanning off at other people's expense while we all scrimp and save. And people grovel to them and act all medieval - sometimes I feel like challenging them to a one-on-one fight to the death, like the old days. I'm sure I could take on Liz and Chairley. If nothing else, I think we should sell them to all the people who come over from countries who aren't saddled with them. In slices.
Oh sure, there are some great things that are British - we have always been at the forefront of innovation, science, art , music, invention - but the investment is no longer there and any fantastic new discoveries are piecemeal. I think I can sum it up by saying "Britain's Got Talent" - which, instead of being a showcase for all of the exciting and excellent young (and older) folks we have who can sing, play instruments, dance, act and otherwise entertain, we have a sifting process that begins as the modern day equivalent of a freakshow or Bedlam where the delusional are paraded to the scorn and ridicule of the Hogarthian baying crowd then the "lucky few" are further manipulated by a bunch of self-appointed nobodies and creeps who are really just there for exposure and personal aggrandisement. The same goes for the other sideshows that are The X-Factor and Jeremy Kyle's show. I find it hard to believe sometimes that the same country which produces "Doctor Who" and "Sherlock" is the same one which happily sits down to watch publicity seeking has-beens and never-weres tripping the shite fantastic and eating kangaroo scat and pays for the privilege by the way of "phone-voting" - he biggest scam out. And the only way anything vaguely interesting or educational gets any exposure is if it's "sexed-up" and presented by some mop-haired Northerner. I think that the sooner we follow the example of the Golgafrinchans and fire the lot of them off into space the better. I don't want people to think Susan Boyle and Kate I'm Not Humble as being the pinnacle of what we can offer. I want them to see Gwen Cooper and Professor Susan Black - that's British (as well as Welsh and Scottish).
And just so you know, don't get me started on "The Young James Herriot" - THAT is a pile of shite. We. Scottish. People. Do. Not. Speak. Like. That.
Rant over, have some sounds. Today is the turn of Alex Winston, a young lass from Michigan who started out in opera but thankfully has decided that indie is the only way to go. Enjoy xxx
PS I apologise for the lack of piccies - Blogger is being a real twat about that recently, not letting me cut and paste them in as I used to. Buggeration.

Advent calendar day 19

I was up stupid, stupid early with the rest of the tribe this morning and even took the dog out. The ice is melting so maybe we'll get out later to do some shopping. I'm taking the opportunity while Gee is out on a job to do this.
I'm still reeling from the news that the Krankies were (hopefully not still are, although I have nothing against elder unpleasantness - I just don't want to hear it) a right pair of swingers. I know they joked that they were probably the only couple who made a career out of their sexual roleplay but to find out that it wasn't that far from the truth in my opinion is Too Much Info. I'm always happy for people to celebrate their sexuality in all it's forms and diversity and certainly it's to be be congratulated that a couple, especially one in showbusiness, have managed to keep the fires burning for over 40 years. I mean, well done and props to you both for being so liberated but KEEP IT TO YOURSELVES.
If that wasn't enough, Kim Jong Il of North Korea has popped his clogs or at least, they have admitted he has shuffled off - I always believe that when tinpot dictators go of to join the choir invisible quietly, as opposed to being hanged publicly, shot in their own homes by Navy SEALs or ripped to bits by opposition forces, they have been stiffs for a wee while and it's only being announced now that they have some other cunt ready to step up. Those old enough to remember the old Soviet Russia and the rumours that Chernenko and Andropov were kept in freezers will get what I mean. I only hope that in a year that has seen the demise of Bin Laden, Gaddaffi and now Kim may mean that 2012 will continue to see that trend *cough* Margaret Thatcher *cough*. Hint hint.
Today's "best" list is an easy one for me - COMEDIANS. I haven't seen as much comedy as I would have liked this year - the Glasgow Comedy Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe continue largely to be far to expensive and even going to free or inexpensive gigs has been a challenge both monetary and physically. But having said that, here's a wee list for you -
1. Number One on my list is the powerhouse and juggernaut that is JANEY GODLEY. She is without a doubt the funniest person, man or woman, working in comedy today. If you haven't seen her, I strongly suggest that you do. She is bold, beautiful and highly inventive. She gigs all the time and also finds the space in her life to blog (http://janeygodley.blog.co.uk/) and to do one of the most hilarious podcasts out there once a week with her daughter, the equally magnificent Ashley Storrie (janeygodley.podomatic.com). Janey has a special place in my heart because she was really encouraging and supportive to me when I dipped my toes into the world of stand-up and even came along to my graduation gig. I have met up with her and she is just a fantastic and inspirational woman. Honestly, if you do nothing else in 2012, discover Janey's world.
2. Another Glaswegian, now based in Manchester, that you should try to catch is SCOTT AGNEW. Again, I know Scott from gigging in Glasgow and he is a very warm and generous human being as well as a riotously funny stand-up. I see big things for so Scott I suggest that you catch him soon before it's £25 a pop to see him, although he would be worth every penny.
3. Next up is an ensemble - the cast of MRS. BROWN'S BOYS. I had the privilege of seeing Brendan O'Carroll and his marvellous team at 2 recordings of their new series, which will be on TV soon. What is amazing and unique about this group is that they really are family - Brendan's wife Jennifer Gibney (who plays Agnes Brown's daughter - they alluded at the recording to a even racier love life than the Krankies
- imagine shagging your Mammy!), his son and daughter Fiona and Danny, his sister Eilish plus a host of friends and other relations. They remind me of what an Elizabethan troupe would have been like, travelling with their show (which they do - when not filming they are always touring). Catch them if you can on TV, DVD or on stage.
4. While I was at the Mrs. Brown recordings, I was delighted to come across their warm-up (I say "warm-up" - he was more like a ringmaster, keeping everything flowing and entertaining the audience between takes) man SMUG ROBERTS a.k.a. Andy Wilkinson, who also appears in the series. Smug has written a one-man show called "FLIP" which is touring and I hope to see it in Glasgow. Another gem that you must look out for.
5. A firm favourite already among my Twitter Twibe is the excellent JO CAULFIELD. She gigs regularly in Edinburgh and is also often on your TV and wireless. Bitingly witty and astutely acerbic, Jo is also another lovely and supportive comedian who deserves your attention.
As I say, I have been away from the stand-up scene for a while but I can't stress to you strongly enough that if you love comedy you really need to get out and support your local acts and the up-and-comers. Most larger towns and cities have comedy venues where for as little as £2 (if you like your comedy Red Raw go to the Stand in Glasgow on a Tuesday night or head up the road to the Halt Bar where you get in for free!) you will see some quality acts. It saddens me sometimes that when I talk about comedy with folks that they know of and are happy to pay big bucks to see the likes of John Bishop, Al Murray and Sarah Millican (who are all great in their own right). I'm definitely not slagging off comedians who are on TV but I feel that if you only get your comedy from the goggle box or at one or two big theatre gigs a year, you are missing out. make a resolution for 2012 that you will get out and see some new acts - you won't be sorry.
I'm not forgetting today's music, which is from another fantastic woman. I heard this song on Janice Forsyth's show on Radio Scotland and was amazed to hear this lovely voice - another cracking Glaswegian songstress, Angela McCluskey is better known outside of the UK but is well worth discovering. As ever, enjoy and keep warm xxx

Advent calendar day 18

Sorry peeps - been playing at being the Domestic Godless today, what with making our Xmas cake, cooking up a korma, soaking fruit in rum for making stollen tomorrow, mending Vee's schoolbag (as part of the economy drive, so we don't have to get her a new one for next term) and generally being festive. We had planned today to go and do our Xmas food shop after me corralling the tribe yesterday and making them come up with 2 meal ideas each. For the next week and a bit our menu looks like this -
Monday - Pasta a la Siracusana
Tuesday - Welsh Rarebit on Baked Potatoes
Wednesday - Solstice Nut Roast and Roasted Veg
Thursday - Savoury Pancakes
Friday - Lentil Shepherd's Pie
Xmas Eve - Pea and Lentil Soup
Xmas Day - Broccoli & Gorgonzola Pie with Mash & Veg
Boxing Day - Mini Calzone
Tuesday - Potatoes Nicoise
- plus all the drinkies and nibbles. However the pavements round these here parts look like tryouts for Prancing On Ice so we stayed home. I almost fainted when Gee started hoovering unbidden "so that it doesn't get all messy like before"!
My "Beast of..." list today says that today I should be recommending my favourite books of the past year. As ever, i feel like I have read so many and yet so few. I have a personal mantra that says "life is too short for crappy books and crappy movies" so I'm afraid that there were quite a few started and soon discarded. But from those I did finish, here are a few I particularly enjoyed.
I do like me a vampire novel. I have read all of the Sookie Stackhouse books by Charlaine Harris (the basis for the "True Blood" series including the latest one "Dead Reckoning") and I liked the early Anita Blake ones before it got to be all about the shagging and less about the staking. I'm also a huge fan of Buffy but I despair of the sparkly residents of Forks (I have actually read the whole Twilight series because a younger Vee wanted to and I must say, they are a damn sight better than the awful films but still too wimpy). So I was pleased to come across the Chicagoland Vampires series by Chloe Neill. Similar to the House of Night books by PC and Kristin Cast in that the vampires live in "houses" and although living openly follow strict codes, "Some Girls Bite" tells of of a student called Merit who is attacked by a rogue bloodsucker and saved but turned by another. It's certainly more adult and also quite sexy. I have read the next one "Friday Night Bites" and am waiting for the next ones to be available from the library.
I'm quite well known in our library - if you have one locally, use it. I can order books from libraries all across the city as well as CDs and DVDs. Use them or lose them and I guarantee, you'll miss them.
I came across "The Mistress Of The Art Of Death" by accident - but what a happy accident. Written under the pseudonym Ariana Franklin by Diana Norman (wife of Barry Norman the film critic), these medieval/ forensic mysteries tell of a woman from Italy who has been trained as a doctor is sent to England to assist Henry I in avoiding more uproar after the death of Thomas Beckett. The world Diana created and the character of Adelia and all those she comes across are rich and un-put-downable. I read all of the sequels in quick succession only to discover that sadly Diana died thsi year and there is only one left to read.
I re-read "War Horse" by Michael Morpurgo. I am dying to see the movie that is coming out next month and would kill to see the staged version. however, I would urge you to read the book - it's only a slim novel and can be read in a day but if it doesn't have you finding some tears in your eyes, you have a heart of stone.
I was pleasantly surprised that I liked "How To Be A Woman" by Caitlin Moran. It was fresh, funny and feisty while still being at its core staunchly feminist. A true book for the modern woman. Read it, even more so if you are a man.
I also enjoyed "The Elephant To Hollywood" by Michael Caine. I seldom read autobiographies of famous peeps - the only others one I ever enjoyed was Kathleen Turner's "Send Yourself Roses" and Janey Godley's "Handstands In The Dark", both of which I highly recommend - but I loved this tale as much as I loved his movies. That was right up to the last chapter, which was a wee bit name-droppy but apart from that, it was fab.
I can't say I enjoyed "Where There Is Evil" by Sandra Brown but if Peter Mullan tells you to read a book, you read it! It was really powerful but a hard read as Sandra tells of how she searched and researched to find out whether the truth about her father was as awful as she imagined.
Another tale of a strong woman, "Theodora - Actress, Empress, Whore" by Stella Duffy is the well-crafted tale of how the daughter of a circus man in Byzantium rises to unimaginable (for her) heights. Not a period of history I am familiar with but earthy and modern as well as being deeply researched and therefore a richly layered world, I can't wait for the sequel which Stella herself promised for next year.
Lastly, "The Good, The Bad And The Multiplex" is an excellent and well put argument by the good doctor Mark Kermode (my "go to" man for the best movie recommendations) against not only the movie studios' obsession with doing everything now in 3D (and making us pay for it) but also the stranglehold of the crappy Hollywood blockbusters, sequels and pointless remakes of good foreign languages films for the US market and the decline of the independent cinema and the skilled projectionist.
That's your lot - if you find something of interest there, all well and good but whatever you do - KEEP READING!
Onto today's song, which I think I chose because the band's name makes me think of the mandarin oranges you used to get in the foot of your Xmas stocking even though it's Mandolin Orange. Enjoy and remember, one week and it'll all be over - Xmas, not my lists xxx

Advent calendar day 17

Well day 2 of the workhouse continues. Yesterday Gee and I put our debit cards in the cashbox with the proviso that we don't use them to pay for anything, only to take out cash for shopping and purchases. When that runs out, we have agreed NOT to dip in to the money til the next week. We are giving ourselves a food budget of £40 a week. That will be starting in the new year of course because of Xmas and Hogmany where we will allow ourselves some treats. But the plan is to budget for things we need to pay for like the dog's injections and Vari's drama classes while hopefully putting some money away to pay of the loan early. We are keeping a cash book of everything we spend and keeping receipts and petty cash slips. It's funny, but we used to keep track of our cashflow better but in these days of BACs payments, debit cards and internet banking, we lost sight of things, like a lot of people I am sure and in a way, it's nice to get back to watching the pennies. Of course, finding some other income would be nice so that will be a priority as well. Enough of the money talk - I'm starting to sound like the news with all the financial reporting.
Today is day 2 in the countdown of the best things of 2011. To cheer myself up basically I am calling this "The Best Totty".
First up is my main obsession. Early on this year my mate Ant lent us a DVD boxset that he had picked up in a charity shop. Not only did "The Wire" become one of my favourite things to watch (more on that another time) but, despite my determination not to like "the English bloke playing the American" I found myself going all weak-at-the-knees and giggling every time Dominic West came on as Jimmy McNulty. I feel like a class traitor in fancying an Eton educated posh fella and if I am honest, despite forcing my family to watch "Centurion", "300" and "The Hour" and watching "Appropriate Adult" (a fine performance) and looking forward to "John Carter" and "The Awakening" I think that if pushed I would have to say it is that boozebag liar and utter manwhore McNulty I like just a wee bit more than Dominic, although I'd love to have seen his Iago *wink*.
Second is another man I tried so hard to dislike - a wee bit of a trend going on here. I really enjoyed "Doctor Who" when it came back in 2005 - I am partial to Christopher Eccleston and enjoyed David Tennant until it started to go in my opinion a bit loopy after Donna Noble left. When I saw who was to play the 11th Doctor I laughed and recoiled. Who was this floppy-haired, big faced boy? I completely avoided the first season he was in. Then, after chatting to friends, I had a wee look. And then another. Then I watched all of season 5 pretty much in one go and I was smitten. I really like Matt Smith's take on the Doctor - funny, erratic and clumsy but also with a mean streak - but I also like him. Again a bit more posh than I'd go for but he's also sweet and funny and yes, 29 and there's more meat on a butcher's pencil. And also, as of recently, single.
When I need a unicorn chaser of sorts to purge myself of this new fascination for toffs and feel the need for a working man with dirt under his nails and grit in his eye, I return to Christian Kane. Currently in his 4th season on "Leverage" as hard-man enforcer Eliot Spencer he has a way of looking into the camera with those baby blues that just melts me away. You might remember him from "Angel" where he played Lindsey McDonald and he also sings rather well with an album out this year.
Strangely, for an atheist, I do like my Christians. I'm looking forward to "The Dark Knight Rises" not only for Christian Bale (although I do feel a bit pervy when I think back to him in "Empire Of The Sun") but also because it will have Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Tom Hardy in it, neither of whom I would kick out of bed for farting.
Honorable mentions go to Alexander Skarsgard, who continues to delight in "True Blood" and Jake Gyllenhaal who has kind of grown on me.
And I'm not forgetting the women too. As avowedly into men as I am, I can appreciate a good-looking woman too and they don't come much better than the gorgeous Alex Kingston, who I have loved since "Moll Flanders" and now is just brilliant as River Song. I want to be her when I grow up but fear it's a bit too late as, dammit, she only a few years older than I am.
To continue with the music, here's an old-ish favourite from a band that I love and a song i feel appropriate certainly for Glasgow as the snow clings to the grass and the black ice melts. Have a wonderful Saturday with my love xxx

Advent calendar day 16...and a wee bit more

First of all, I'd like to raise a toast in fond memory of one of my comedy heroes, the much missed Mr. William Melville Hicks, who would have been 50 today. He taught me that "Watching television is like taking black spray paint to your third eye" among many other things. Here's to ya, Bill xxx

Second, maybe you may remember back to Tuesday's blog when I asked for comments here on Twitter in compiling a "best of..." list to round off the year? Well, if you did then you're the only one apart from me as NOBODY else did. So, I have decided to round off the year by making my own list, basically chosen from the first workable batch of links that came up when I Googled "The Best". Leaving aside Tina Turner and Georgie, I came up with enough I think to keep me blogging til Hogmany. The first one that came up was "best songs" which I feel is being covered already so next was "best blogs". What? Apart from this one? If you look down to the right, you'll see a list of blogs that I follow. These are mostly by people as personal ones and I recommend them all. What I'll do is give you a few to check out a few subject specific ones -

The Mary Sue - A Guide to Girl Geek Culture www.themarysue.com - this is where I get most of my news about Dr Who, comics etc. from. Not just for the girls.

The Daily What - this is great for news, funnies, movie trailers and videos of wickle nanimals www.thedailywh.at and its sister site Set Phasers to LOL www.scifi.icanhascheezburger.com which is where my inner geek also hangs.

For music I always check out www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/laurenlaverne and www.largeheartedboy.com- good sources for free and legal mp3 downloads too.

The only man you can trust for honest opinion of the filmic nature is Dr. Mark Kermode and you'll find him at www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markkermode

(I do apologise for not having the proper linky thing but Blogger isn't playing - sorry)

I'm sure I'll think of more but when I'm not blogging or Tweeting, that's where you'll find me, as opposed to over a rainbow. Where they weigh a pie, apparently.

If you've hung on this long, you must be here for the music so to thank you for your patience, here's a band that I only got into last year but who have remained firm favourites since. And they have the lovely Christopher Eccleston in their videos too which is always a bonus . xxx

Advent calendar day 15

I must apologise again for the short and (not so) sweet blog posts. My mind has been elsewhere the past few days since I received a call from my bank manager - which still sounds frightfully grown-up and alien to me. I treated it as if I had been called to the headmaster's office and got into a major grump about it. Suffice to say that we are now minus an overdraft but plus a loan and for the first time in 10 months our account is in credit! We are going to have to really scrimp and watch every penny until Gee gets a job, as the business seems to have died a death. Thankfully we haven't made any big plans but it's it looks like 2012 is going to be a poorer year than this one.
I should also say that exactly 10 years ago today, we moved from our beetle-ridden concrete multi-storey flat on the 19th floor to our wee house in Tollcross.
Still, it's not all gloom and doom - just mostly. I went to see a recording of Frank Skinner's show "Opinionated" at the BBC in Glasgow. His guests were the always excellent Reginald D. Hunter and Sarah Millican and it was a good laugh. If you are reading this on the 15th, it's on tonight on BBC2 at 10pm and iPlayer for a few days after.
It's still prelims fever here - there was a major upset yesterday when the invigilator for Vee's History exam started it late then chucked them out half an hour early despite their protests - including Vee who was on her last question which was worth 5 marks. I spoke to her teacher today who is obviously not a happy man - not only because he expressly told the person overseeing the exam that his exam was running longer but that he now has to set up exam conditions in his own class time. Vee got a 1 in her practical music (which was on her singing "Secret Love"), a 1 and a 2 for physics and a 2 in art (1 being the highest mark).

Today's little melody comes from my favourite female singer. Hafdis Huld is from Iceland and if you haven't encountered her before, I would urge you to check out her music. Last Xmas she gave away mp3s of her singing carols and she does free streamed live shows from her kitchen. This is one of my favourites and I know you will love it xxx

Advent calendar day 14

I'm feeling a bit under the weather today, not sick just blue. I'm hoping a trip to see a recording of Frank Skinner's show tonight will cheer me up.

Anyway, here's another song for you xxx