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February, 2010

  1. Never a day to miss-was

    February 28, 2010 by Amy Hansford

    Benny Mills attacks Matt Lewis

    As many of you know, I am a big fan of silly and slapstick humour. I also treasure the old Saturday morning kids tv programmes, meaning I am still proud of my days on Dick and Dom In Da Bungalow and also explains why I am a moderator on the TiswasOnline forums.
    As part of this, not only am I the Phantom Flan Flinger* at the Tiswas theme nights, but on occasion the moderators all catch up for a bevvy round the corner from the now derelict ATV Centre where Tiswas was originally filmed. Yesterday’s was my first meetup with some of the mods, and also doubley special as surprise guests were in attendance. The original Phantom Flan Flinger, Benny Mills, and his daughter Karen who played the baby Flan Flinger were absolutely lovely. While the boys all got a pie from the Phantom at the end of the day, I got a cuddle which suits me just fine – technically, in flan flinging terms, he’s my grandad.
    So today’s somewhat long winded photo of the day reveals the Flan Flinger’s identity. While he attacks Matt.

    *Now you know my secret identity, you will have to be killed. The ninjas are on the way.


  2. Actual doom

    February 26, 2010 by Amy Hansford

    Actual doom

    Actual doom

    Remember the other day when I joked about cat + sparrow = impending doom?
    It happened.
    They even left it on the hearth like some sacrifice on an altar.

    There’s nowt convinces me to hoover faster than dessicated sparrow.

    Happy Friday!


  3. Ransom

    February 25, 2010 by Amy Hansford

    Very silly. One might even say batty*.As I think I Tweeted earlier this month, I kidnapped my boss’s toy bat**. No reason other than boredom in the office one afternoon. Following three ransom notes, one of which was an invoice for a pack of rich tea biscuits (not yet met, I hasten to add), this picture was left on his desk today as a threat as to the safety of said bat.

    *Sorry again.

    ** I know I typed ‘bet’ instead of ‘bat’. I was on an adrenaline rush.


  4. Spring is coming

    February 24, 2010 by Amy Hansford

    It could all end in catastrophe*

    Leaving my house today I spotted one of our cats preparing to quite literally spring into action.

    *Sorry.


  5. Costumes: Television

    February 22, 2010 by Amy Hansford

    One of the widest themes around – trust me! I will be starting small with this post and adding to it as we go, or rather, as I remember. Do add your own ideas! And remember, we already have the Kids TV section so no talk of Rainbow or Fraggle Rock here.

    Ashes to Ashes - Gene Hunt, Alex Drake
    Doctor Who
    – any of the Doctors, Ace, Rose, Martha, Cyberman, Dalek, Captain Jack
    Family GuyPeter, Lois, Chris, Meg, Stewie, Brian, Quagmire, Cleveland and all the rest
    FireflyCaptain Mal, Zoe, Wash, Inara, Jayne, Kaylee, Simon, River, Shepherd
    FuturamaFry, Leela, Bender, Hermes, Dr Zoidberg, the Professor, Amy, Zapp Branigan
    Life on Mars – Gene Hunt, Sam Tyler
    Red Dwarf - Lister, Arnold Rimmer, Ace Rimmer, Kryten, Cat, Dwayne Dibley, Kochanski, Mr Flibble, Holly
    The SimpsonsHomer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, Maggie, Flanders, Nelson and all the rest
    South Park – Cartman, Kenny, Kyle, Stan and the rest
    Top Gear – if you can go as all three (plus the Stig) you’re on to a winner *new*


  6. I sold it on Ebay

    February 21, 2010 by Amy Hansford

    In the wise words of Avenue Q, I keep selling my possessions on Ebay. I delight in writing the listing details. I mock the standard procedure and infiltrate it with comedy. In light of this I thought I would let you all in on such scrawlings. Of course, if you fancy a pair of sandals, do let me know.

    Black and cork wedge sandals size 4

    What?
    Size 4 wedge sandals with a buckle strap fastening.

    Have they been worn?
    A couple of times indoors, not outside. Served as a great reminder why I am rubbish at wearing heels. I walk like a camel.? As such they are in near perfect condition aside from a random slightly dark mark at the front of one of the shoes, presumably from cuddling up to another pair of equally unworn heels in my wardrobe. I only noticed it today when I was taking photos. Otherwise, the shoes have no wear or tear. For some reason I am unable to include additional photos in the listing, but I have pictures of every aspect of the shoes – just email me via the ‘ask a question’ function and they’re all yours.

    Why are you selling them?
    If the makers of this shoe could see how appaulingly I walk in them, they would surely have me assassinated.

    FAQ
    Q: Were you inspired to buy these through seeing them worn by that girl out of Kyle XY?
    A: Yes. Clearly, she is not me.

    Q: Will you ship overseas?
    A: Only if you ask nicely. The p&p cost will go up, so don’t pay straight away as I’ll only ask you for more money. Email me first, tell me your address, then I’l let you know how much it is.

    Q: Do you accept returns?
    A: No. I am as honest as possible on this thing, so you should be aware of what you’re buying in the first place. If you don’t want it, don’t bid! If you’re a reasonable human being with an ounce of common sense, I look forward to doing business with you.

    Q: Is your sofa from Ikea?
    A: Yes. Yes it is.

    If you have any other questions, ask me. I don’t bite. Except on Mondays.


  7. To dress or not to dress

    February 20, 2010 by Amy Hansford

    Cossies in front, civvies at back

    Strike a pose

    I’ve had a number of people* asking me about Rocky Horror lately, all of whom have pretty much started their query with ‘But you have to dress up though, don’t you?’.

    The short answer is ‘no, but you may get into it more if you do’.

    The long answer is this:
    The average audience for Rocky Horror (costume wise) is about 50/50. Of those dressed up, they go across the whole spectrum – die hards in show accurate costumes, gangs in basques and boas, to civvies with lippie. That’s all for the lads and the ladies.

    Speaking of which, chaps, you don’t have to wear make up. I know! Revelationary. There’s Brad, the Narrator and Eddie to choose from. Girls, you don’t have to walk around in a thong! There’s Janet’s lovely pink dress, a Phantom and Columbia to choose from.

    If you want to be a member of the plain clothes force, that’s okay too! You might want to bring something in a bag – sunglasses, a paper hat and a lipstick – in the case you find yourself the only one not dressed up and therefore feeling a bit left out. But I’ve seen the show a number of times in my normal gear. It’s really okay.

    Admittedly, I now have my heart set on creating a stage accurate Phantom costume for April, but until then I’m happy watching it in a corset and jeans for a bit. No need to get my bottom out unnecessarily, but great if everyone else wants to!

    *4 actually
    Lots of piccies in here care of the lovely Timewarp, the official Rocky Horror fan club


  8. Just a jump to the left

    February 17, 2010 by Amy Hansford

    Yes, one of these people is actually Brad

    After work yesterday I drove up to Leicester to meet with friends who were watching The Rocky Horror Show. I admit, I was anticipating to be a little bored by the show having seen it so many times. But once it got going, I remembered how beautifully it’s been restaged. The finale is so moving, the message now true having beaten the hen-night-mentality brought on by previous tours. And it may be the techie in me coming out, but the lighting in the last reprise especially was gorgeous.

    No pictures of me, but a pretty picture of my friend Nat instead. And no, we don’t dress up for absolutely every performance. Maybe just 9 out of 10.


  9. Swag

    February 15, 2010 by Amy Hansford

    The cats's secret hiding place

    Our washing machine ricochets itself out of it’s slot in the kitchen. Very occasionally we get around to putting it back in to where it belongs.

    Our cats often bring us gifts from the Big Wider World, varying from small offerings such as slithers of twigs up to grand sacrifices of worms.

    Two unrelated statements, you might think. But? when the two are combined, you discover the cats’s secret hiding place for EVERYTHING THEY HAVE EVER BROUGHT IN THE HOUSE. A pleasant surprise for a Monday night.


  10. Ug!

    February 14, 2010 by Amy Hansford

    I... man... have made... FIRE!

    Having had the pleasure of being Sam and Ilona’s guest this week, I found myself sitting in their glorious old armchair by their equally glorious and oft used fireplace. Upon returning back home, I stared at our never-used* fireplace and wondered how difficult it would really be to get a decent fire going.

    Alex is in a manliness phase at the moment – chopping things, home improvements etc, and so was happy to take on the task of fire-creator. And so, he made fire! With the logs remaining in there, the coal from the garage and a helpful hand from a Cracklelog he had it going a roaring treat. As I used to live in a house with no central heating, reliant on the living room fireplace for warmth, I know that a decent fire takes a lot of tending to. Alex happily took to this challenge, poking and feeding it as required.

    We’re now allowing the coals to give us what’s left of their heat, but the room certainly feels a little more toasty for it.

    *Not used by us – used by the previous owner.