What are you eating/drinking right now?

[LitNetIsGreat]

Sorry Neely,

The bottle of Cotes du Rhone is empty and I'm about to hit the hay big time.

:lol: There's no point in shaving some parmesan over the salad then?

Look out for the Brooklyn lager it's worth a go.

I'm just finishing my Duvel, putting off the moment when I have to surrender another day.

[Emil Miller]

Just had a couple of biscuits and a jasmine tea to relax after a nasty incident when my neighbour's cat walked in with a large gash in the side of its neck.
The neighbour wasn't in so I took it to the vet to get it cleaned up and given an antibiotic injection. A cup of tea is always welcome after something like that.
Anyway, I have just googled Brooklyn lager and it has quite an interesting background, so If I decide to go to the supermarket today, I'll try to get hold of a bottle.

[Helga]

coffee at my local cafe, the idiot me just found out that I can connect to the internet there.

[Emil Miller]

I am eating pastrami flavoured Bagel Chips and drinking Theakston's Old Peculiar. This will be followed by a bottle of Duvel and also one of Brooklyn lager.

[LitNetIsGreat]

I am eating pastrami flavoured Bagel Chips and drinking Theakston's Old Peculiar. This will be followed by a bottle of Duvel and also one of Brooklyn lager.

Oh super, you managed to get a Brooklyn lager then? I'm somewhat jealous I think it is a fine little drink and I am hoping to get hold of one or two tomorrow. You must report back.

I'm going with the Leffe Blonde tonight, just two or three bottles because I have a full-on day tomorrow, work followed by uni, so must be semi-fresh I suppose. Work and all of that is such a bore. Instead I'm thinking of making money by playing quiz machines and selling bananas.

[Emil Miller]

Oh super, you managed to get a Brooklyn lager then? I'm somewhat jealous I think it is a fine little drink and I am hoping to get hold of one or two tomorrow. You must report back.

I'm going with the Leffe Blonde tonight, just two or three bottles because I have a full-on day tomorrow, work followed by uni, so must be semi-fresh I suppose. Work and all of that is such a bore. Instead I'm thinking of making money by playing quiz machines and selling bananas.

I was surprised to see that Sainsbury's stocked Old Peculiar as it's not available in Waitrose where I normally shop; neither is Brooklyn although they do stock Fursty Ferret. I wouldn't recommend Old Peculiar as it is a dark beer and only for those of catholic tastes. The Brooklyn was quite strong and had a good body: unlike those French and Italian lagers such as Peroni which, for the most part, seem to be made for women and children; the words weak and insipid spring to mind. Brooklyn is described on the bottle as a pre-prohibition beer which I think must be a different recipe and post-dates the original brew that, ironically, was started by two men who made it secretly for themselves when working in Saudi Arabia, which doesn't allow alcohol at all.
The work front is something I no longer have to put up with thank God. It wasn't so much the work as the getting there with all those glum (none glummer than mine) faces on public transport five days a week. Some of the work was quite interesting but you will never beat doing your own thing and the nine to five ritual runs contrary to human nature in my view. It's the ritualistic nature of work that's most disturbing and nothing makes a person feel only a number than being part of the rush hour where human beings are literally swept along in a great mass of people whose individuality has been totally submerged in pursuit of the bare necessities. Obviously this is the price we pay for living in a structured society as opposed to one of dissolution which has all kinds of other horrors but, providing they don't resort to criminality and live off everyone else, I do admire those people who turn their back on the whole issue and are able to live according to their lights rather than simply exist. That's one reason why The Moon and Sixpence is my favourite novel.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Yes Old Peculiar is a beer that you can usually get hold of without too much difficulty. I was going to say that I probably wouldn’t have drunk it before the Duval personally, because of the contrasts in taste and style, but no major harm.

I agree lager beers like the Peroni/San Miguel are light fizz in comparison and not worth bothering with at all. That Brooklyn lager is a whole different thing and it makes me want to try more of the specialist American brews, probably only available in more specialist pubs like my own Devonshire Cat. Here they have an extensive range 20+ American beers probably more so, or equal to, the Belgian varieties – prices have rocketed this year though, some as much as 50-100% in the last 12 months.

I more than agree with your points about work. It disenfranchises individuality, but as you say it is the price we have to pay, seemingly.

Right now I am drinking water from a cooler machine but thinking of Brooklyn…

[prendrelemick]

a cup of tea.

[DocHeart]

http://www.whiskybrands.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Haiggold.jpg

[Emil Miller]

I am enjoying an egg salad with prawns, which rather rules out red wine, so I have got a Domaine Louis Moreau 2008 Chablis to go with it; a bit pricey but a very nice wine that compliments the meal admirably.

[LitNetIsGreat]

After a 15+ hour day I feel I am well within my rights to quickly down a Brooklyn beer and then an Organic Westons.

[Emil Miller]

After a 15+ hour day I feel I am well within my rights to quickly down a Brooklyn beer and then an Organic Westons.

!5+ hour day! No wonder you reached for the booze. I am at the keyboard eating some 'steak and ale pie' crisps would you believe, and they are being washed down with Fullers 1845 Ale which is very flavoursome indeed.
Next in line is a Ruddles county ale which I used to drink regularly before it became something of a rarity in pub draught beers. I also have a Brooklyn lined up as I went to the supermarket again today, ostensibly because my cat was getting low on Go Cat. My neighbour knocked to say thanks for taking care of his injured cat yesterday and insisted on buying me a bottle of wine as recompense. I said as long as it was red and from Europe anything would be OK: this in the wake of a news broadcast about large amounts of fake Blossom Hill Australian wine being discovered because the fraudsters had misspelled Australia on the label. You couldn't make it up.:D

[LitNetIsGreat]

:lol: It does raise the question though if the fake stuff actually tasted better than the real thing in the case of Blossom Hill. I say 15+ hour day, this is true with work and uni (not getting in while 10.50pm!) but it did include a pub lunch in-between, naturally, where's the expenses account when you need it? A 13/14 hour day today; a lazy one, an Easter break now though and just three sessions after that and I'm done with all that nonsense.

I'm glad the trip to purchase Go Cat resulted in some quality beer. I have not had the Fullers 1845, I've had other Fuller brews but not that one I think, I'll keep an eye open. I'm not a fan of the Ruddles County, too much of a standard session beer, but it might be better in bottles, they can be totally different brews, take for example the pretty good ale Black Sheep, it's a standard session ale (4.2%) on tap, but about 5% and a whole better drink from the bottle. Glad next door neighbours cat is well.

Currently, I've just had a Leffe (which went down well) and now I've just cracked open a Brooklyn.

[Emil Miller]

:lol: It does raise the question though if the fake stuff actually tasted better than the real thing in the case of Blossom Hill. I say 15+ hour day, this is true with work and uni (not getting in while 10.50pm!) but it did include a pub lunch in-between, naturally, where's the expenses account when you need it? A 13/14 hour day today; a lazy one, an Easter break now though and just three sessions after that and I'm done with all that nonsense.

I'm glad the trip to purchase Go Cat resulted in some quality beer. I have not had the Fullers 1845, I've had other Fuller brews but not that one I think, I'll keep an eye open. I'm not a fan of the Ruddles County, too much of a standard session beer, but it might be better in bottles, they can be totally different brews, take for example the pretty good ale Black Sheep, it's a standard session ale (4.2%) on tap, but about 5% and a whole better drink from the bottle. Glad next door neighbours cat is well.

Currently, I've just had a Leffe (which went down well) and now I've just cracked open a Brooklyn.

I should apologise for misreporting that Blossom Hill was the wine involved when it was actually Jacobs Creek. As this is an American website, some might take offence that one of the best selling Californian wines was mentioned in error. Nevertheless I think Blossom Hill is a rather twee name for a wine, it's obviously aimed at the distaff side of the market; the wife of a friend drinks it but only at mealtimes.
I think that Ruddles fell out of favour down here because its countrified persona was at odds with the cosmopolitanism of London where lager rules the roost, except for those who really know their beer. A plethora of spotty youths means that any beer that hasn't been implanted in their shallow mindset by mass advertising is beyond their ken and, consequently, Fosters, which is the equivalent of the Sun in journalistic terms, sells more than most decent beer sales added together.
There is a criticism of your last post in the serious discussions thread that touches on this subject but perhaps you have already seen it.

[LitNetIsGreat]

I'm about to sink a Titanic Iceburg. I hope it goes down well.

I'm also thinking about the Pickled Partridge I have safely stuffed away in the fridge, that and the Dark Lord and the blonde, and the...and the...

I also have a top tip for you all in the National tomorrow. V-neck. Apparently it's an excellent jumper.

(I texted that one to my brother earlier and this was his reply: "OK, thanks I've not looked at the horses yet I'll keep that in mind. Do you fancy a drink tomorrow?")

[Emil Miller]

I'm about to sink a Titanic Iceburg. I hope it goes down well.

I'm also thinking about the Pickled Partridge I have safely stuffed away in the fridge, that and the Dark Lord and the blonde, and the...and the...

I also have a top tip for you all in the National tomorrow. V-neck. Apparently it's an excellent jumper.

(I texted that one to my brother earlier and this was his reply: "OK, thanks I've not looked at the horses yet I'll keep that in mind. Do you fancy a drink tomorrow?")

Titanic used to be sold on draught in London but I haven't seen it around for a couple of years. I must say that whatever the name of the horse, if I were to back the animal it would come in last. I never bet on anything other than certanties, which means I don't bet at all. Nothing ventured, nothing lost
would seem to be the best option.
"Do you fancy a drink tomorrow?" must be the most rhetorical question known to man.

I'm back on the white wine for this evening, a simple Soave 2010 from the reliable vintners Pasqua of Verona.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Oh yes, backing winners in the National is neigh on impossible.

[Pensive]

Lays French Cheese

[Emil Miller]

A Gouda cheese sandwich and a mug of Green tea.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Oh yes, backing winners in the National is neigh on impossible.

However, Neely did it, to the grand old sum of £1ew at about 20/1! Beer money!

I've just had a light pasta and spinach salad (my own spinach) and washed it down with Copella apple juice - the best apple juice in town!

[Emil Miller]

However, Neely did it, to the grand old sum of £1ew at about 20/1! Beer money!

I've just had a light pasta and spinach salad (my own spinach) and washed it down with Copella apple juice - the best apple juice in town!

Does that mean you grew your own Spinach?

I have dined on salad and Beaujolais-Villages 2009 from the celebrated vineyard of Louis Jadot, which was reduced by a couple of pounds and very fulsome and fruity it is: Burgundy to suit any but the most refined of palates, and I'm hoping it guaranties a good night's sleep after watching the Masters golf championship at Augusta.

[papayahed]

Black beans and rice and a nice refreshing glass of cherry limeade.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Does that mean you grew your own Spinach?

I have dined on salad and Beaujolais-Villages 2009 from the celebrated vineyard of Louis Jadot, which was reduced by a couple of pounds and very fulsome and fruity it is: Burgundy to suit any but the most refined of palates, and I'm hoping it guaranties a good night's sleep after watching the Masters golf championship at Augusta.

Yes I have a row of Spinach on the front. I like flowers and all of that business (have some nice tulips) but you can't eat them. I like my garden to at least give me something back aside from visual enjoyment. I have on the go: tubs of carrots starting, three large potato barrels, some lettuce, beetroot, strawberry plants, some leeks in the borders, various herbs, some inch high tomato plants and two chili plants.

I would have thought that the wine was not needed to send you to sleep after watching golf. I'm pretty sure I've had that wine before. It's a little light for my taste in red wine. I think that's because I like the more heavy body reds. When I have red wine it is always drank with heavy food though, red meats, spicy stuff, pizza etc.

(Oh, I also have garlic and three onions.)

[papayahed]

Oatmeal raisen crisp with almond milk

[The Comedian]

Nuts.

[MystyrMystyry]

Raisin' Hell with Creamy Buttered Raisin Toast - then on to the Pears and Neapolitan Icecream (Chocolate, Vanilla, and Pink), a Hot Cuffee (Moccha Chocolate and STRONG Coofee from Amaraikakka Ammayaa Beans - rrrrrreallly Gooodd fr ththe nnnnnnnnerrrrvessss!)))

[LitNetIsGreat]

Mmmm, nice tea. I've just had a massive steak (well done) cooked in garlic and onions, boiled potatoes (well done until they are almost crumbled with lots of butter), a bit of spinach and chives for a salad. I washed this down with a large glass of Canti Italian red.

For dessert I had a large portion of Tesco value triffle.

Off to the opera in a bit, Mozart's Tito!

[The Comedian]

cup of tap water.

[LitNetIsGreat]

I've just finished the rest of that average sort of red after greatly enjoying the opera tonight. I love the ETO - great organisation.

[Emil Miller]

I am just finishing an Italian salad and drinking a wine from Fronton in the South West of France, it's Chateau Bouissel 2008 and organically produced.
It won a gold medal from the French ministry of agriculture in 2010 and is a super little red. Lighter than a Burgundy and very flavoursome.

[LitNetIsGreat]

I am just finishing an Italian salad and drinking a wine from Fronton in the South West of France, it's Chateau Bouissel 2008 and organically produced.
It won a gold medal from the French ministry of agriculture in 2010 and is a super little red. Lighter than a Burgundy and very flavoursome.

That sounds pretty good actually, though I prefer a bit of body on my wines like my...oh, never mind.

I have myself just finished off a bottle of red, but not a very good one - why can't I get hold of decent wine? Something called Frontera, from Chile, it couldn't have been any good at £4+ but there were really nothing much else to go with, only Australians and cheap US wines (despite having a "choice" of about 20/30 wines) no French, no Italian etc - never mind, it wasn't particularly bad, just nothing special.

I think that I have had the taste for red wine because of the excellent opera last night (where you pay £3.80 for a wee glass, and it wasn't up to the mark!?! - a whole mm off). I always drink wine at the opera and it has followed into today.

I might go one extra and finish off the day with a Leffe, I don't have to get up in the morning anyway - I've even took the bin out. Oh the joy.

What are those Paul Mason thingy funny top wines like?

[Emil Miller]

I agree that, as a food person, you should drink appropriately well-bodied wines with your meals and French for preference. As for Paul Masson, as with American wine in general, don't go there. Here is an extract from a website that tells you all that you need to know:

The Paul Masson brand is best remembered for its 1970s marketing association with Orson Welles, who promised for Masson: "We will sell no wine before its time." An infamous outtake for one commercial from the Orson Welles campaign features Welles attempting to deliver his lines while very severely inebriated. Despite a lucrative contract which included a clause allowing for generous quantities of free wine, Welles was subsequently sacked from the Paul Masson commercials in the early 1980s after admitting on a US talk show that he never drank Paul Masson wine.

This is understandable considering that Welles was a worldly personage who had probably wined and dined in the best restaurants in Europe and had drunk the most exquisite wines such as the US had never known.
In the words of P.T.Barnum: "There's a sucker born every minute," and the enormous scale of American advertising clearly demonstrates the veracity of his statement.

[LitNetIsGreat]

I agree that, as a food person, you should drink appropriately well-bodied wines with your meals and French for preference. As for Paul Masson, as with American wine in general, don't go there. Here is an extract from a website that tells you all that you need to know:

The Paul Masson brand is best remembered for its 1970s marketing association with Orson Welles, who promised for Masson: "We will sell no wine before its time." An infamous outtake for one commercial from the Orson Welles campaign features Welles attempting to deliver his lines while very severely inebriated. Despite a lucrative contract which included a clause allowing for generous quantities of free wine, Welles was subsequently sacked from the Paul Masson commercials in the early 1980s after admitting on a US talk show that he never drank Paul Masson wine.

This is understandable considering that Welles was a worldly personage who had probably wined and dined in the best restaurants in Europe and had drunk the most exquisite wines such as the US had never known.
In the words of P.T.Barnum: "There's a sucker born every minute," and the enormous scale of American advertising clearly demonstrates the veracity of his statement.

Interesting, I didn't know it had so much history and connection to Orson Welles! I'm not surprised that it's a poor wine though. Is it me though or is ther a definite increase in the amount of US/Aus/SA/ wine over tradititional Frence/Italian fair? Whatever, I don't seem to be able to pick up a decent red wine to suit my tastes - only in bars at cost.

[Emil Miller]

Interesting, I didn't know it had so much history and connection to Orson Welles! I'm not surprised that it's a poor wine though. Is it me though or is ther a definite increase in the amount of US/Aus/SA/ wine over tradititional Frence/Italian fair? Whatever, I don't seem to be able to pick up a decent red wine to suit my tastes - only in bars at cost.

I'm surprised that you are unable to get a decent red wine. Surely there's a good range of wines in most supermarkets nowadays. They even stock high quality wines in a special rack. My neighbour bought me a bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape yesterday for taking care of his cat and although it's about £16 per bottle it's an excellent wine that goes very well with cooked meats and is available in most stores. It's a long time since I last drank it but I remember how good it was. The Oddbin chain of shops has gone into liquidation due to losing trade to the supermarkets, so there's another outlet that was always good for interesting wines that will shortly be missing from the high street.
The trouble with New World wines is that they lack the class of their European counterparts. They are either too sweet, as in the case of American wines, or they are rather insipid and lacking in body. I haven't had one that I really liked and some have been awful. It's true that they are taking over the market but it's because most people don't know anything about wine and go for the cheapest and most heavily advertised brands. As you know, it's exactly the same story with beer although, if you are prepared to pay the price, there are some good bottled beers available.

[qimissung]

Peppermint tea and an apple fritter. Yum.

[Emil Miller]

I have just finished drinking a (dare I say it ) Fursty Ferret ale accompanied by pastrami flavoured Bagel Chips. Sitting atop the lazer printer is a bottle of Blandford Fly, not to be confused with Spanish Fly which is another thing entirely.

[LitNetIsGreat]

I have just finished drinking a (dare I say it ) Fursty Ferret ale accompanied by pastrami flavoured Bagel Chips. Sitting atop the lazer printer is a bottle of Blandford Fly, not to be confused with Spanish Fly which is another thing entirely.

Hey, hey Fursty Ferret (though I think I have gone off it now). Had the Blandford Fly too, that's not bad.

Just had a Duvel and I'm off to the fridge to get another - magnificent. After that, I'm down to stealing Mrs Neely's fizzy cider because there's nothing else left. Don't worry whe doesn't drink anyway. I had a day off drinking last night because I overdid it the night before.

[Emil Miller]

Hey, hey Fursty Ferret (though I think I have gone off it now). Had the Blandford Fly too, that's not bad.

Just had a Duvel and I'm off to the fridge to get another - magnificent. After that, I'm down to stealing Mrs Neely's fizzy cider because there's nothing else left. Don't worry whe doesn't drink anyway. I had a day off drinking last night because I overdid it the night before.

The Fursty Ferret was quite good but the Blandford Fly is absolutely disgusting. It literally tastes like that stuff that kills 99% of household germs.
It will have to be thrown away but I think that, by and large, it is better to stick to lager beers. I should have bought the duvel instead. I also had a night off yesterday because I overdid it with two red wines on consecutive nights ,which really told on me yesterday and I was reduced to drinking pepsicola.

[LitNetIsGreat]

The Fursty Ferret was quite good but the Blandford Fly is absolutely disgusting. It literally tastes like that stuff that kills 99% of household germs.
It will have to be thrown away but I think that, by and large, it is better to stick to lager beers. I should have bought the duvel instead. I also had a night off yesterday because I overdid it with two red wines on consecutive nights ,which really told on me yesterday and I was reduced to drinking pepsicola.

Ha, ha. I might be mixing up the Blandford Fly with something else. If it is the one with ginger in it, I ended up pouring it down the sink. If not, I don't think I minded it, can't remember now.

Yes I have the Duvel but only two and then I'll all out - should have gone up to the Tesco and got some today, but I've not left the house in three joyful days. I'm off to the pub I think tomorrow though, and maybe the library if have to.

Yesterday I was reduced to drinking Jamaica hot Ginger Beer.

[faithosaurus]

Caesar salad, fruit and water.

[Emil Miller]

Ha, ha. I might be mixing up the Blandford Fly with something else. If it is the one with ginger in it, I ended up pouring it down the sink. If not, I don't think I minded it, can't remember now.

Yes, that's the one. I simply don't know how they are allowed to market the stuff; it doesn't taste anything like ginger. I have just had a look at the bottle and, incredibly, it contains sulphur in the way that most French wines do. It's the first time that I've seen a beer with sulphur in it and there is actually a message that says 'Beware the Blandford Fly' on the label. Apparently, ginger was added as a remedy to the Fly's bite but I would rather be bitten by the fly and dispense with the remedy.
I have googled an independent review of the beer and this one sums it up perfectly.

'By the second or third mouthful, I am beginning to feel nauseated, after half the glass I am feeling distinctly off colour. This is one bottle I was unable to finish.'

[LitNetIsGreat]

Yes, that's the one. I simply don't know how they are allowed to market the stuff; it doesn't taste anything like ginger. I have just had a look at the bottle and, incredibly, it contains sulphur in the way that most French wines do. It's the first time that I've seen a beer with sulphur in it and there is actually a message that says 'Beware the Blandford Fly' on the label. Apparently, ginger was added as a remedy to the Fly's bite but I would rather be bitten by the fly and dispense with the remedy.
I have googled an independent review of the beer and this one sums it up perfectly.

'By the second or third mouthful, I am beginning to feel nauseated, after half the glass I am feeling distinctly off colour. This is one bottle I was unable to finish.'

:puke: Oh, so it is that one!! Yes I had to pour that down the sink after about drinking half of it, truly awful I agree with the review completely. The only other beer I think I have put down the sink in my life is that non-alcoholic Bavarian lager, undrinkable.

Right, that's enough sweat in the library, I'm off for a pub lunch. :smilewinkgrin:

[Emil Miller]

I have just partaken of an excellent Italian salad and have opted for a Languedoc red wine to accompany it. The wine is fruity and light enough to ensure ( I hope) that I will sleep soundly. But to ensure that I do, I am going into YouTube (the greatest invention since sliced bread) to watch a MidSommer murders edition which will surely be the final soporific required for a good night's sleep.

[LitNetIsGreat]

I have just partaken of an excellent Italian salad and have opted for a Languedoc red wine to accompany it. The wine is fruity and light enough to ensure ( I hope) that I will sleep soundly. But to ensure that I do, I am going into YouTube (the greatest invention since sliced bread) to watch a MidSommer murders edition which will surely be the final soporific required for a good night's sleep.

Oh goodness me, yes you will be sleeping soundly. That poor village, so many murders.

Just a couple of ciders for me - Weston's Vintage. Tomorrow I'm drinking champagne though (25% off all champagne at Sainsbury's) because Mrs Neely is off out so I thought I would take advange and treat myself. A bit of peace celebration, nag free heaven.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Oh, I must say that I am overwhelmed by these Yeo-Valley yogurts, just had two, a honey one and a strawberry one. So creamy and delicious, incredible and made from organic milk and produced on a sustainable farm powered by wind energy. This is yogurt heaven - too good to be true. Highly recommended.

[papayahed]

Fire roasted veggie soup and a veggie potato.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Now that Mrs Neely is out with her mother at some dreadful musical, I'm going to get my bottle of Defontaine Champagne (reduced from £17 to £11) out of the bottom of the fridge and crack it open. I'm also going to have one of those heavenly yogurts, you bet. Going to read for a bit (The Talented Mr Ripley, Patricia Highsmith) and then stick a Woody Allen on - A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy.

Ah, listen to that........tick.........tick.........no nagging, no TV, no rustlings of papers, just peace.

(I did have the shock of my life earlier though when she left me with the pots to do, the rabbit to clean out, the hoovering to do in the living room and the kids to sort - women!!!)

[jemiesranova]

Now that Mrs Neely is out with her mother at some dreadful musical, I'm going to get my bottle of Defontaine Champagne (reduced from £17 to £11) out of the bottom of the fridge and crack it open. I'm also going to have one of those heavenly yogurts, you bet. Going to read for a bit (The Talented Mr Ripley, Patricia Highsmith) and then stick a Woody Allen on - A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy.

Ah, listen to that........tick.........tick.........no nagging, no TV, no rustlings of papers, just peace.

(I did have the shock of my life earlier though when she left me with the pots to do, the rabbit to clean out, the hoovering to do in the living room and the kids to sort - women!!!)

I like it your post...http://freeimagestocks.com/content/14/grey.png..:thumbsup:

[LitNetIsGreat]

I like it your post...http://freeimagestocks.com/content/14/grey.png..:thumbsup:

Ha, ha thanks, I like yours. :smilewinkgrin:

That's it, laptop down I'm off to the fridge...

[Emil Miller]

Now that Mrs Neely is out with her mother at some dreadful musical, I'm going to get my bottle of Defontaine Champagne (reduced from £17 to £11) out of the bottom of the fridge and crack it open. I'm also going to have one of those heavenly yogurts, you bet. Going to read for a bit (The Talented Mr Ripley, Patricia Highsmith) and then stick a Woody Allen on - A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy.

Ah, listen to that........tick.........tick.........no nagging, no TV, no rustlings of papers, just peace.

(I did have the shock of my life earlier though when she left me with the pots to do, the rabbit to clean out, the hoovering to do in the living room and the kids to sort - women!!!)

I'm drinking Duvel, after my ghastly encounter with Blandford Fly, and eating some Indonesian crackers.
Not difficult to imagine the dreadful musical. In fact, the words dreadful and musical have been synonymous for some years. The Defontaine champagne sounds somewhat suspect, I saw Pol Roger reduced to £19 in Waitrose today which sounds like a better deal as I have never heard of Defontaine champers.
I must say this Duvel goes down a treat. I actually thought a 750 ml bottle wouldn't be enough, so I supplemented it with a bottle of Summer Lightning which I will probably have some time tomorrow.
Today I got two favourable reports with some constructive criticism on my most recent book A Tangled Web from a couple of friends I sent copies to.
As for Woody Allen and a Midsummer Sex Comedy..... Oh dear.

[LitNetIsGreat]

I'm drinking Duvel, after my ghastly encounter with Blandford Fly, and eating some Indonesian crackers.
Not difficult to imagine the dreadful musical. In fact, the words dreadful and musical have been synonymous for some years. The Defontaine champagne sounds somewhat suspect, I saw Pol Roger reduced to £19 in Waitrose today which sounds like a better deal as I have never heard of Defontaine champers.
I must say this Duvel goes down a treat. I actually thought a 750 ml bottle wouldn't be enough, so I supplemented it with a bottle of Summer Lightning which I will probably have some time tomorrow.
Today I got two favourable reports with some constructive criticism on my most recent book A Tangled Web from a couple of friends I sent copies to.
As for Woody Allen and a Midsummer Sex Comedy..... Oh dear.

Ha, ha, wonderful. The Summer Lighting is a sound little beer, I can say - good choice and duval is just about my favourite Belgian at the moment, no the favourite I would say - I have found joy in chilling it passed the recommended chill level too.

I am far from an expert on wine and champagne but at £11 reduced it is about the best I can get away with without feeling guilty. I am prepared to starve the kids for quality champs but maybe Mrs Neely would have words to say to that? (Though she has no idea of the price of things.) It's not bad, especially the first glass, but after that it feels a little so/so, but better than Aussie stuff - stiill for a change it is drinkable and I am good at pretending it is better - I like that Mum stuff and am going to drink that for breakfast at my graduation in July!

I am glad you are getting positive feedback on your new book - where can you get it from? I ordered your other one a few days ago - the Pro Bono one, so perhaps the Amazon fairies will bring it me shortly? It sounds interesting and now that I am nearly free, can once again look forward to reading what the hell I want and not having the damn essays at the back of my mind. I'm never studying again.

Oh, you are too harsh on Woody Allen. Annie Hall and Manhattan are top class films and most of his other stuff is above average. Today I ordered Brief Encounter as I've not seen that, (Amazon constantly bombard me with stuff, they force me to purchase) I feel that is more your thing, maybe?

[Emil Miller]

Ha, ha, wonderful. The Summer Lighting is a sound little beer, I can say - good choice and duval is just about my favourite Belgian at the moment, no the favourite I would say - I have found joy in chilling it passed the recommended chill level too.

I am far from an expert on wine and champagne but at £11 reduced it is about the best I can get away with without feeling guilty. I am prepared to starve the kids for quality champs but maybe Mrs Neely would have words to say to that? (Though she has no idea of the price of things.) It's not bad, especially the first glass, but after that it feels a little so/so, but better than Aussie stuff - stiill for a change it is drinkable and I am good at pretending it is better - I like that Mum stuff and am going to drink that for breakfast at my graduation in July!

I am glad you are getting positive feedback on your new book - where can you get it from? I ordered your other one a few days ago - the Pro Bono one, so perhaps the Amazon fairies will bring it me shortly? It sounds interesting and now that I am nearly free, can once again look forward to reading what the hell I want and not having the damn essays at the back of my mind. I'm never studying again.

Oh, you are too harsh on Woody Allen. Annie Hall and Manhattan are top class films and most of his other stuff is above average. Today I ordered Brief Encounter as I've not seen that, (Amazon constantly bombard me with stuff, they force me to purchase) I feel that is more your thing, maybe?

Quite a lot to say on this Neely but I have just downed the Summer Lightning and, what with the large Duvel, I'm too tired to answer, except to say that I will reply tomorrow.

Good night.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Quite a lot to say on this Neely but I have just downed the Summer Lightning and, what with the large Duvel, I'm too tired to answer, except to say that I will reply tomorrow.

Good night.

No worries, thanks. Personally, I would have had the Summer Lighting first and saved the Belgian till last. It is always difficult appreciating an English beer after a Belgian, because those wonderful Belgians are so damn superior, even if the Summer Lightening is good, and it is. (Also, I am Jealous because I have not come across a 750ml bottle of Duvel.)

One of the reasons I don't drink wine more often, not only because I prefer beer and then cider, is that a 750ml bottle is just no good. It is always just slightly too short. Here I am finishing the champagne and thinking of stealing another of Mrs Neely's Magners Pear ciders. Oh well she won't know, no work tomorrow too, such joy - I'm never going back...

[Emil Miller]

Ha, ha, wonderful. The Summer Lighting is a sound little beer, I can say - good choice and duval is just about my favourite Belgian at the moment, no the favourite I would say - I have found joy in chilling it passed the recommended chill level too.

I am far from an expert on wine and champagne but at £11 reduced it is about the best I can get away with without feeling guilty. I am prepared to starve the kids for quality champs but maybe Mrs Neely would have words to say to that? (Though she has no idea of the price of things.) It's not bad, especially the first glass, but after that it feels a little so/so, but better than Aussie stuff - stiill for a change it is drinkable and I am good at pretending it is better - I like that Mum stuff and am going to drink that for breakfast at my graduation in July!

I am glad you are getting positive feedback on your new book - where can you get it from? I ordered your other one a few days ago - the Pro Bono one, so perhaps the Amazon fairies will bring it me shortly? It sounds interesting and now that I am nearly free, can once again look forward to reading what the hell I want and not having the damn essays at the back of my mind. I'm never studying again.

Oh, you are too harsh on Woody Allen. Annie Hall and Manhattan are top class films and most of his other stuff is above average. Today I ordered Brief Encounter as I've not seen that, (Amazon constantly bombard me with stuff, they force me to purchase) I feel that is more your thing, maybe?

Mumm champagne certainly has one of the best pedigrees for that particular wine. I was speaking to someone who did a tour of their cellars and he said they had a million bottles stored there. Just the stuff for celebrating the big day.
Brief encounter is my second favourite film and is an amazing time capsule of England before the proverbial hit the fan in 1945. If you watch it with the wife, have a large box of tissues to hand as it's one of the saddest films ever made; in short, a women's story turned into a masterpiece of film making by a collection of very talented people such as, David Lean, Robert Krasker, Noel Coward, Trevor Howard, Celia Johnson and an amazing cast of supporting players all at the top of their form.
I'm glad you have ordered Pro Bono Publico as, coincidentally, it traces the evolution of the UK from 1945 -1979 and the impact of the political and social changes on the characters in the story. You may not like what you read but you can take my word for it that it is all true, except for those literary devices that are necessary to the fictional side of the story. I shall certainly be interested in your verdict on the book, regarding the storyline and the actual events portrayed therein.
As for A Tangled Web, I had it printed privately for anyone who might be interested. It's nothing like Pro Bono Publico but is from an idea that came to me as a member of this forum. It's about writing and writers but the underlying theme is human gullibility which is a personal fascination of mine.
Although basically tragic, the story has quite a lot of comic moments and sends up the pop music racket in no small measure. I had great fun in writing it and went through hell proofreading it but it was worth it.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Mumm champagne certainly has one of the best pedigrees for that particular wine. I was speaking to someone who did a tour of their cellars and he said they had a million bottles stored there. Just the stuff for celebrating the big day.
Brief encounter is my second favourite film and is an amazing time capsule of England before the proverbial hit the fan in 1945. If you watch it with the wife, have a large box of tissues to hand as it's one of the saddest films ever made; in short, a women's story turned into a masterpiece of film making by a collection of very talented people such as, David Lean, Robert Krasker, Noel Coward, Trevor Howard, Celia Johnson and an amazing cast of supporting players all at the top of their form.
I'm glad you have ordered Pro Bono Publico as, coincidentally, it traces the evolution of the UK from 1945 -1979 and the impact of the political and social changes on the characters in the story. You may not like what you read but you can take my word for it that it is all true, except for those literary devices that are necessary to the fictional side of the story. I shall certainly be interested in your verdict on the book, regarding the storyline and the actual events portrayed therein.
As for A Tangled Web, I had it printed privately for anyone who might be interested. It's nothing like Pro Bono Publico but is from an idea that came to me as a member of this forum. It's about writing and writers but the underlying theme is human gullibility which is a personal fascination of mine.
Although basically tragic, the story has quite a lot of comic moments and sends up the pop music racket in no small measure. I had great fun in writing it and went through hell proofreading it but it was worth it.

Mumm it's going to be then if I have got any money left by July! I remember having it before at a posh dinner party and that it was superb.

Yes the film sounds good (it is also on TV next week apparently). I've done quite a lot of film watching recently, flitting between classics and Woody Allen’s - sometimes at the same time in regards to Manhattan and Annie Hall! Obvious question: if Close Encounter is your second best film what's your first?

The novels sound great, especially Pro Bono Publico which covers a subject that I'm interested in, I hope it comes tomorrow because I have 'ran out' of things to read. Yes I'd be interested in your latest one The Tangled Web that sounds interesting as well, let me know how I can get hold of it.

Tonight I am facing the truly horrendous prospect of a family meal with Aunts and people like that, it is not going to be fun I can tell you, but at least the food is going to be good because it is a top Indian restaurant I go to regularly. I am somewhat dreading the prospect and have been all day, but I'm just going to have to share with pain with my brother who's going as well. Oh Lord, a stiff drink is required shortly, very shortly. Relations are horrible.

[kiki1982]

Condolences, my friend... The only possibility is to emigrate. That way, you have an excuse to never come to family gatherings like that. Or in your case, it's possibly also alright to just move way up north or south... Anything that is too far for an aternoon drive should do the trick...

Please also give Moët et Chandon a thought if you want champagne. It's got a wonderful smoked wood aroma. And if you do not have any money, do not spend it on cheap real champagne, but go for Bohemian Sekt or fizzy wine. Much of it is better than cheap champagne and sometimes even comes cheaper than the cheapest from Champagne.

[Emil Miller]

Mumm it's going to be then if I have got any money left by July! I remember having it before at a posh dinner party and that it was superb.

Yes the film sounds good (it is also on TV next week apparently). I've done quite a lot of film watching recently, flitting between classics and Woody Allen’s - sometimes at the same time in regards to Manhattan and Annie Hall! Obvious question: if Close Encounter is your second best film what's your first?

The novels sound great, especially Pro Bono Publico which covers a subject that I'm interested in, I hope it comes tomorrow because I have 'ran out' of things to read. Yes I'd be interested in your latest one The Tangled Web that sounds interesting as well, let me know how I can get hold of it.

Tonight I am facing the truly horrendous prospect of a family meal with Aunts and people like that, it is not going to be fun I can tell you, but at least the food is going to be good because it is a top Indian restaurant I go to regularly. I am somewhat dreading the prospect and have been all day, but I'm just going to have to share with pain with my brother who's going as well. Oh Lord, a stiff drink is required shortly, very shortly. Relations are horrible.

Back on the egg and potato salad and Cotes du Rhone, so pretty standard fare. I don't envy you the family gathering, I think I would go into a cataleptic trance in a similar situation.
My favourite film is Citizen Kane and, after more years than I care to remember, nothing has replaced it at the top of my list.
Incidentally, Close Encounter isn't Brief Encounter. I think the first is about aliens invading Earth (Yawn) and certainly the kind of film I would give the heave-ho to.
As regards Pro Bono Publico, I should stress that it is told as narrative and contains reported speech rather than dialogue. This is because the factual content of the novel takes precedent over the fictional element. The writing of 'Faction' forces this kind of decision on the writer. In retrospect, I could have written it as fiction first and fact second but, given the nature of the novel as polemic, the facts must transcend the fiction.
A Tangled Web is currently under consideration for reprinting and I suggest you read Pro Bono Publico and then we can perhaps see about the very different 'A Tangled Web' that is a straightforward satire on human manipulation. '

[LitNetIsGreat]

Condolences, my friend... The only possibility is to emigrate. That way, you have an excuse to never come to family gatherings like that. Or in your case, it's possibly also alright to just move way up north or south... Anything that is too far for an aternoon drive should do the trick...

Please also give Moët et Chandon a thought if you want champagne. It's got a wonderful smoked wood aroma. And if you do not have any money, do not spend it on cheap real champagne, but go for Bohemian Sekt or fizzy wine. Much of it is better than cheap champagne and sometimes even comes cheaper than the cheapest from Champagne.

Thank you for the sound advice on both counts. You are quite correct again. Moet is another obvious choice and you are right about the cheap champagne of course and the emigration, I will avoid the first and attempt the latter.


Back on the egg and potato salad and Cotes du Rhone, so pretty standard fare. I don't envy you the family gathering, I think I would go into a cataleptic trance in a similar situation.
My favourite film is Citizen Kane and, after more years than I care to remember, nothing has replaced it at the top of my list.
Incidentally, Close Encounter isn't Brief Encounter. I think the first is about aliens invading Earth (Yawn) and certainly the kind of film I would give the heave-ho to.
As regards Pro Bono Publico, I should stress that it is told as narrative and contains reported speech rather than dialogue. This is because the factual content of the novel takes precedent over the fictional element. The writing of 'Faction' forces this kind of decision on the writer. In retrospect, I could have written it as fiction first and fact second but, given the nature of the novel as polemic, the facts must transcend the fiction.
A Tangled Web is currently under consideration for reprinting and I suggest you read Pro Bono Publico and then we can perhaps see about the very different 'A Tangled Web' that is a straightforward satire on human manipulation. '

The family gathering was OK, but, and I kid you not, there is evil amongst them. It is like an Agatha Christie dinner party - seriously I am not joking here for once, if I said possible attempted murder I would not be exaggerating by much. Even without that, family meals are usually horrendous - at least the food was great as predicted.

Yes, yes my mistake, I meant Brief Encounter, not Close Encounter, it was an obvious Freudian moment for my own close encounter tonight!

Oh sure, no worry with the other book, if you reprint it or it is available via Amazon or something let me know. Really, I should be concentrating on my last ever essay but I just can't be bothered with it, bad I know, but I have had enough of it all, seven years and all...

Currently drinking another of "Mrs Neely's" Pear Ciders, quite, quite average but at least it is cold and it goes someway to taking the pain away. Jesus.

Edit: I feel that I am drifting more towards Westons again, must get some Westons cider in.

[Tournesol]

I just finished eating an orange popsicle.

Darn, those things are hard to manouvre around a keyboard!

It's a good thing I didn't drop any on my brand-new laptop...I would've never forgiven myself!

[Emil Miller]

Thank you for the sound advice on both counts. You are quite correct again. Moet is another obvious choice and you are right about the cheap champagne of course and the emigration, I will avoid the first and attempt the latter.



The family gathering was OK, but, and I kid you not, there is evil amongst them. It is like an Agatha Christie dinner party - seriously I am not joking here for once, if I said possible attempted murder I would not be exaggerating by much. Even without that, family meals are usually horrendous - at least the food was great as predicted.

Yes, yes my mistake, I meant Brief Encounter, not Close Encounter, it was an obvious Freudian moment for my own close encounter tonight!

Oh sure, no worry with the other book, if you reprint it or it is available via Amazon or something let me know. Really, I should be concentrating on my last ever essay but I just can't be bothered with it, bad I know, but I have had enough of it all, seven years and all...

Currently drinking another of "Mrs Neely's" Pear Ciders, quite, quite average but at least it is cold and it goes someway to taking the pain away. Jesus.

Edit: I feel that I am drifting more towards Westons again, must get some Westons cider in.

Publishing/printing books is too complicated a subject to go into here, but I will try to get a copy of A Tangled Web to you as soon as current problems are ironed out. Something much more important than literature is Madame Neely's drinking of Pear Cider when, formerly, she was simply a diet coke drinker. Does this mean that your bibulous habits are beginning to bear fruit in the Neely household? I could tell you something about cider that might alter your opinion of it but perhaps it is better to let sleeping dogs lie.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Publishing/printing books is too complicated a subject to go into here, but I will try to get a copy of A Tangled Web to you as soon as current problems are ironed out. Something much more important than literature is Madame Neely's drinking of Pear Cider when, formerly, she was simply a diet coke drinker. Does this mean that your bibulous habits are beginning to bear fruit in the Neely household? I could tell you something about cider that might alter your opinion of it but perhaps it is better to let sleeping dogs lie.

Oh no worries with the book, thanks - still no sign of Pro Bono, might come tomorrow, I've started re-reading Down and Out in Paris and London, that's great fun. Well, I say Mrs Neely's Pear Cider, currently she drinks about half a glass a week so yes she is indeed a Diet Coke drinker which is surely worse? Once a month she berates me for not having any pear cider in (old fashioned perry of course, jazzed up and marketed to mug punters) so I get some in for reserve. Anyway, no, what's the secret with the cider? Are you about to tell me that it is bad for you or something? Rot gut my grandfather used to call it.

[Emil Miller]

Oh no worries with the book, thanks - still no sign of Pro Bono, might come tomorrow, I've started re-reading Down and Out in Paris and London, that's great fun. Well, I say Mrs Neely's Pear Cider, currently she drinks about half a glass a week so yes she is indeed a Diet Coke drinker which is surely worse? Once a month she berates me for not having any pear cider in (old fashioned perry of course, jazzed up and marketed to mug punters) so I get some in for reserve. Anyway, no, what's the secret with the cider? Are you about to tell me that it is bad for you or something? Rot gut my grandfather used to call it.

Well, let me relate to you a little tale that concerns a country walk that I used to do a long time ago in Kent which has a large number of commercial orchards. While passing through an orchard, I stopped to watch a vehicle spraying insecticide on the apples. It went along a row of trees and then back and then forth and then back... you get the idea. When I looked at the apples, they were sopping wet with insecticide. It was overkill big time. Now, apples have a porous skin, which means that the chemical spray must have penetrated well into the flesh of the fruit. It is on this account that I don't drink cider or eat apples.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Well, let me relate to you a little tale that concerns a country walk that I used to do a long time ago in Kent which has a large number of commercial orchards. While passing through an orchard, I stopped to watch a vehicle spraying insecticide on the apples. It went along a row of trees and then back and then forth and then back... you get the idea. When I looked at the apples, they were sopping wet with insecticide. It was overkill big time. Now, apples have a porous skin, which means that the chemical spray must have penetrated well into the flesh of the fruit. It is on this account that I don't drink cider or eat apples.

It applies to more than just apples though, which why I try to get hold of as much organic stuff as I can. Better yet is food from local suppliers or stuff that you can grow yourself, though in my case the quantities are small, at least I can knock up a few fresh light salads from my own garden. Surely much better than shipping things 4000+ miles? The only thing I have at the moment is lettuce, spinach and a variety of herbs though, but carrots, potatoes are not too far away, followed by tomatoes and strawberries.

Currently: waiting for my blueberry muffins to come out of the oven. My brother is coming over and I have promised him some; they are quite delightful. To take the mick, we're going to wash them down (well after the coffee) with a Cobra beer or two because he got a hangover from drinking Cobra beer the other night and I just thought I'd rub it in. I've also got several beers to choose from, but I'm going to save them till tonight - I'm not really one for afternooning drinking, just the odd pint here and there.

[Emil Miller]

It applies to more than just apples though, which why I try to get hold of as much organic stuff as I can. Better yet is food from local suppliers or stuff that you can grow yourself, though in my case the quantities are small, at least I can knock up a few fresh light salads from my own garden. Surely much better than shipping things 4000+ miles? The only thing I have at the moment is lettuce, spinach and a variety of herbs though, but carrots, potatoes are not too far away, followed by tomatoes and strawberries.

Currently: waiting for my blueberry muffins to come out of the oven. My brother is coming over and I have promised him some; they are quite delightful. To take the mick, we're going to wash them down (well after the coffee) with a Cobra beer or two because he got a hangover from drinking Cobra beer the other night and I just thought I'd rub it in. I've also got several beers to choose from, but I'm going to save them till tonight - I'm not really one for afternooning drinking, just the odd pint here and there.

I have just returned fom watching the divine Sarah Chang play the Max Bruch violin concerto, the most romantic in the repertoire, and am therefore on something of a high, eating my salad and drinking Macon-Lugny 2009 white Burgundy.
I have just googled Cobra beer and it has had a chequered financial history
which is perhaps not surprising for an Indian company. I have not drunk it but it is mainly sold in Indian restaurants and supermarkets. It is obviously quite drinkable but I tend to avoid beers from the sub-continent and the Far East unless there is no alternative.

[Scheherazade]

A cup of tea and a KitKat.

[JuniperWoolf]

Vanilla coffee.

[Emil Miller]

After a sumptuous repast of beans on toast, I have retired to the computer and am finishing a bottle of Languedoc 2009 red wine. It is a nice soft wine from one of the, in UK terms, lesser known regions but, for the folk who live in that Southwest corner of La Belle France, I'm willing to bet that they are content with what they have.

[Bluehound]

Some rather cheaply made sangria....hitting the spot :)

[LitNetIsGreat]

Just fresh from the bath and drinking the rather drab but drinkable Frascati. I'm now off downstairs to kick Mrs Neely off of the comfy spot on the sofa and I'm going to finish the bottle with Annie Hall! I might also make light work of the rest of the French bread with a little butter and gorgonzola cheese too.

I can certainly get used to doing nothing much more than reading in the day and drinking at night - a novel a day is back to the old form when I used to be able to do just that and have fun - roll on the six weeks holidays and the end of horrid school teaching stuff and rotten university essays forever...ish.

Edit: Oh Brian, Pro Bono has not arrived yet but I am assured it will be here by Tuesday.


Some rather cheaply made sangria....hitting the spot

Even better if you drinking that with some nice Spanish lass...

[papayahed]

Frozen grapes

[Scheherazade]

A cup of recent home brew (tea) and 3 weeks old KitKat bar.

[Tournesol]

about to start sipping a cup of green jasmine tea

[iamnobody]

French roast coffee, creamer and sweetener. Mmmmm.

[Emil Miller]

Just fresh from the bath and drinking the rather drab but drinkable Frascati. I'm now off downstairs to kick Mrs Neely off of the comfy spot on the sofa and I'm going to finish the bottle with Annie Hall! I might also make light work of the rest of the French bread with a little butter and gorgonzola cheese too.

I can certainly get used to doing nothing much more than reading in the day and drinking at night - a novel a day is back to the old form when I used to be able to do just that and have fun - roll on the six weeks holidays and the end of horrid school teaching stuff and rotten university essays forever...ish.

Edit: Oh Brian, Pro Bono has not arrived yet but I am assured it will be here by Tuesday.


If you are a novel a day man, it shouldn't take you long to read Pro Bono Publico. I don't remember how many pages the paperback runs to but my hard cover copy has 201, so it should be more or less the same. If you think it's worth doing, perhaps you could do a write up on it in the review a book thread. It might stir up a bit of a hornets nest even though the events described ended in 1979 (I can see the Mods reaching for that padlock now) but one of the reasons I wrote it was as an attack on complacency.
Anyhow, I shall be very interested in what you think of the merger of fact and fiction in the novel.

[LitNetIsGreat]

If you are a novel a day man, it shouldn't take you long to read Pro Bono Publico. I don't remember how many pages the paperback runs to but my hard cover copy has 201, so it should be more or less the same. If you think it's worth doing, perhaps you could do a write up on it in the review a book thread. It might stir up a bit of a hornets nest even though the events described ended in 1979 (I can see the Mods reaching for that padlock now) but one of the reasons I wrote it was as an attack on complacency.
Anyhow, I shall be very interested in what you think of the merger of fact and fiction in the novel.

Yes OK I'll do that. I'll be reading a lot slower next though because the nonsense stuff (work) starts up again, but I do have the extra days either side of the weekend.

Currently waiting for some bread to come out of the oven, going to have bread and butter with a light salad for tea.

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

Fresh ground "Jablum" Jamaican coffee that we brought back from our trip.
One Taquito and the remaining bits of frozen Oreida french fries.

I'm saving room for the Easter meal at my Brother in Law's, that should prove to be more wholesome and filling.

.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Fresh ground "Jablum" Jamaican coffee that we brought back from our trip.
One Taquito and the remaining bits of frozen Oreida french fries.

I'm saving room for the Easter meal at my Brother in Law's, that should prove to be more wholesome and filling.

.

I'm jealous about the coffee; I'm still hunting for decent coffee, considering some independent online suppliers.

I'm off out for another family meal today (not the mad ones) and I'm going to wash it down with a few pints of beer. I'm quite thristy for seeing as I haven't had any for two/three days. Going to enjoy it as it is the last supper before the return to nonsense land. Going to savour every bite and sip.

[The Comedian]

Matzoh, sunflower seeds, a slice of cheese.

[Tournesol]

just finished off a Nature Valley oats n' honey granola bar, and a glass of orange juice

[Emil Miller]

Eating a bag of McCoys Thai Sweet Chicken crisps and drinking a Carlsberg Special Brew Lager.

[Pensive]

candy: soft-mint

[JuniperWoolf]

Vanilla coffee

[Bluehound]

Far too many of the Milk Tray chocolates a customer gave us, could I convince the office staff that we have had a confectionery related robbery?

[english_rose]

I'm drinking an Iced Caramel Macchiato that I got from Starbucks this morning on the way to school. Apparently, I am now immune to caffeine. Still yawning.

[LitNetIsGreat]

I've just cracked open a well earned bottle of Badger's Golden Glory (the toils of work...) - although I do fancy a wine but dare not have it for fear of not being able to follow the dictates of my alarm clock in the morning. I'm taking it into the bath with the newly arrived Pro Bono Publico...I promise I won't drop it in the water. :smilewinkgrin:

[Emil Miller]

I've just cracked open a well earned bottle of Badger's Golden Glory (the toils of work...) - although I do fancy a wine but dare not have it for fear of not being able to follow the dictates of my alarm clock in the morning. I'm taking it into the bath with the newly arrived Pro Bono Publico...I promise I won't drop it in the water. :smilewinkgrin:

Isn't living by the alarm clock absolute hell on earth? Just keep buying those lottery tickets and hoping.
Even if you were to drop Pro Bono Publico Bono into the water, it still wouldn't be as wet as some of the politicos and media pundits mentioned therein.
At the moment, I'm finishing a bottle of Chianti following spaghetti on cheese and toast; ever the Epicurean.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Isn't living by the alarm clock absolute hell on earth? Just keep buying those lottery tickets and hoping.
Even if you were to drop Pro Bono Publico Bono into the water, it still wouldn't be as wet as some of the politicos and media pundits mentioned therein.
At the moment, I'm finishing a bottle of Chianti following spaghetti on cheese and toast; ever the Epicurean.

Yep it's a pain, but I make my small protests, including refusing to get to work on time everyday - I'm a model employee. Though I could never be as good as Wilde when he was editor of Woman's World magazine when he used to stumble in at the earliest time of about 11am everyday and be gone by about 1-2pm at the latest. What a man.

Currently, my eyes have given up (I can barely see this) and I'm getting tired so I'm doing the sensible thing of putting a Woody Allen on and cracking open a couple more beers; another Badger beer and the Erdinger which I've just found under the Chablis. Bonus!

[prendrelemick]

Just got in for breakfast after the morning rounds. Had Porridge, bacon, egg, mushroom, tomato and toast, with a pot of tea.

Bread, cheese and a jar of olives for my pack-up today, I think.

[Scheherazade]

Salmon and broccoli melt.

[Brock]

Salmon and broccoli melt.

What's a broccoli melt? Sounds interesting!

I'm currently eating a fruit pie wit icecream. Yum E.

[Brock]

a jar of olives for my pack-up today, I think.

I literally cannot think of a better decision than to eat a jar of olives. Kalimata, of course. With a glass of fine red wine. And some brie cheese on peppered crackers and...

[LitNetIsGreat]

I'm making my way through a second bottle of Weston's Stowford Press Cider, lovely stuff, and watching the excellent, excellent Annie Hall again.

[Emil Miller]

I decided to dispence with a meal this evening as I cannot stand cooking.
So I have been enjoying bagel chips with a large bottle of Duvel beer and a 500 ml bottle of Fuller's Bengal Lancer pale ale. It seems as though it's doing the trick and I should soon be asleep.To close one's eyes and float away is about as goods as it gets.

[LitNetIsGreat]

I decided to dispence with a meal this evening as I cannot stand cooking.
So I have been enjoying bagel chips with a large bottle of Duvel beer and a 500 ml bottle of Fuller's Bengal Lancer pale ale. It seems as though it's doing the trick and I should soon be asleep.To close one's eyes and float away is about as goods as it gets.

When I can't be bothered to cook, which is actually more than you might think, I always opt for a cheese and crisp sandwich, which is marginally better than just crisps and a lot more satisfying.

Oh, the Duvel large again, got to be a good thing. I'm not come across the Bengal. I have to agree with the sleep thing. I like to be exhausted, barely able to keep my eyes open before I hit the sack, which is why I go to bed around 1.30am when not at work; I like the deep sleep.

On sleep: last night I dreamt of riots in Sheffield, petrol bombs and being slashed by a razor blade, nasty stuff. I woke up and went to work. Metaphorically speaking it all came true. I was even attacked by a water bomb on the way home. It's nice to be appreciated...

[lobanw]

You mean the keyword ISN'T the kitchen table??? :) Right now I am consuming some freshly baked chocolate chip cookies and drinking a nice, cold glass of tea! Surprisingly, the tea really compliments the chocolate chip cookie in a way that I honestly thought would be disgusting. Haha don't feel bad I am sure over half the population consumes a meal or two at the keyword :)

[jmnixon95]

Just ate some spaghetti, and I am about to get some water. Really thirsty.

[Emil Miller]

On sleep: last night I dreamt of riots in Sheffield,
Not quite as evocative as Daphne du Maurier's 'Rebecca' but it could be as a result of reading 'Pro Bono Publico' which mentions the post war riots in the UK that broke out over uncontrolled immigration.
I have just noticed a typing error in my previous post which should have read 'dispense'. That's what comes of trying to type on Duvel and English ale.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Softmints.



Not quite as evocative as Daphne du Maurier's 'Rebecca' but it could be as a result of reading 'Pro Bono Publico' which mentions the post war riots in the UK that broke out over uncontrolled immigration.
I have just noticed a typing error in my previous post which should have read 'dispense'. That's what comes of trying to type on Duvel and English ale.

Ha, yes it doesn't have the same ring to it does it? Sort of like a council estate version of Manderley!

Yes, I'm just touching upon the start of that in Pro Bono, though I haven't been able to progress with it as much as I would have liked because of work and after school tuition (and an essay). Hopefully though, if I can pull my finger out over tomorrow, I can have that nonsense out of the way and can read and relax over the weekend.

[Emil Miller]

After an Italian salad a la Waitrose ready meals, I have availed myself of a Minervois Grande Reserve 2009 red wine. Once again, a minor region provides a wine of exceptional value.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Sounds nice, the wine I mean, you seem to have a better way with wine than me - which reminds me I need some more wine glasses.

After my bath, I'm considering what to do next: that bottle of Chablis, a beer, orange juice and an easier night? To film or not to film? If film, which film, for I can't read or write because my eyes have packed in and my brain ceased for the day? Hmmm...

Edit: well, I started with Another Woman, but now I think I am going to go to bed, a little too tired for all of that.

[Scheherazade]

Tea and dates.

[MystyrMystyry]

Three billion year old blocks of granite and a river of bubbling molten lava

[L€lä RËmØ MÅðçÂ]

Lol! I am drinking my spit right now. Duh. Eww.

[Scheherazade]

three billion year old blocks of granite and a river of bubbling molten lava:p


__________________

[LitNetIsGreat]

I've not long back finished off a homemade pizza, nicked a bit of the kids Easter Egg and now I'm drinking a Chablis 2009 - having laboured all day at my last ever essay. As I watch Brief Encounter safe in the knowledge that I will never again write an academic essay (I think anyway) and with the understanding that tomorrow I'm going to get very, very drunk - I'm feeling quite pleased with myself and even somewhat happy!

[Delta40]

vegemite toast and earl grey tea.

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

A handfull of pecans and dried apricots washed down with a glass of Stoli vodka on the rocks.

.

[Shalot]

liquor and beer and everything's clear

[LitNetIsGreat]

My blueberry muffins are about to come out of the oven. Muffins for breakfast!!

[MystyrMystyry]

Smoked alien tongue - eat them before they eat us I reckon - quite delicious and tender - though it does feel a bit strange being aware that it may be tasting me back...

A beverage for leverage: Dr Miracle's Magickal Elixir ['The Blind Shall Walk Again! The Deaf Shall See!'] (might be snake-oil)

[Three Sparrows]

Smoked alien tongue - eat them before they eat us I reckon - quite delicious and tender - though it does feel a bit strange being aware that it may be tasting me back...

A beverage for leverage: Dr Miracle's Magickal Elixir ['The Blind Shall Walk Again! The Deaf Shall See!'] (might be snake-oil)


^:lol:

Omelet and water.

[LitNetIsGreat]

I have just been out munching with my brother and dad to a decent restaurant/pub. I had a chicken dish which was OK. The fresh garlic bread was the best part of it though. I washed it down with two pints of Doom Bar and a Leffe. I'm now going to drink a coffee as today I have got my hands on some potentially good coffee - Santos, Brazil and then I think I'll have a glass or two of Riverview red - it's the best I could get my hands on at the time. I've got The Sting today, so I'm going to put that on as tonight's viewing! I've never seen it.

[Emil Miller]

I have just been out munching with my brother and dad to a decent restaurant/pub. I had a chicken dish which was OK. The fresh garlic bread was the best part of it though. I washed it down with two pints of Doom Bar and a Leffe. I'm now going to drink a coffee as today I have got my hands on some potentially good coffee - Santos, Brazil and then I think I'll have a glass or two of Riverview red - it's the best I could get my hands on at the time. I've got The Sting today, so I'm going to put that on as tonight's viewing! I've never seen it.

Riverview Red eh? I just checked it out and it comes from Hungary, so it should be OK.
I was very off colour yesterday and drank only water and no food. Better today but I think it's advisable to avoid alcohol for another day. You will need to suspend belief for 'The Sting' but that's been par for the course in Hollywood for years.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Riverview Red eh? I just checked it out and it comes from Hungary, so it should be OK.
I was very off colour yesterday and drank only water and no food. Better today but I think it's advisable to avoid alcohol for another day. You will need to suspend belief for 'The Sting' but that's been par for the course in Hollywood for years.

It is quite nice and I have only just remembered where I have seen it before - they serve it at the Crucible/Lyceum theatres in Sheffield as the standard red wine - £3.80 a small glass mind, whereas I have the whole bottle for under a fiver! It's very fruity and easy drinking, but nice and dry as I like it.

Speaking of that, I was in the Botanical Gardens this afternoon nosing about behind John Parrot and Stephen Henry, you must have seen me, the good looking one with the shades and grey t-shirt? (No, I wasn't on the TV actually I don't think, but I was nosing around.)

Glad you are feeling better. There's nothing worse than being ill, but at least you appreciate the food and drink all the more when you are better.

I have managed to steal a couple more chapters of Pro Bono in today and I am very much enjoying it, you have a good style, like a fine Chablis 2009! Tomorrow, after taking the kids to the park, I have an appointment with my deckchair in the back garden and I'll be able to read some more. I can't believe I am about free; no more damn essays!

I've ended up watching Dirty Harry. :rolleyes: I'll watch The Sting another day. Missing Woody Allen though, need the pent up anxiety and talk of analysts and biting humour, tomorrow maybe?

[Delta40]

porridge. lol. You guys make me feel like I'm on prison rations....:puke:

[Scheherazade]

Watermelon and tea.

[Emil Miller]

It is quite nice and I have only just remembered where I have seen it before - they serve it at the Crucible/Lyceum theatres in Sheffield as the standard red wine - £3.80 a small glass mind, whereas I have the whole bottle for under a fiver! It's very fruity and easy drinking, but nice and dry as I like it.

Speaking of that, I was in the Botanical Gardens this afternoon nosing about behind John Parrot and Stephen Henry, you must have seen me, the good looking one with the shades and grey t-shirt? (No, I wasn't on the TV actually I don't think, but I was nosing around.)

Glad you are feeling better. There's nothing worse than being ill, but at least you appreciate the food and drink all the more when you are better.

I have managed to steal a couple more chapters of Pro Bono in today and I am very much enjoying it, you have a good style, like a fine Chablis 2009! Tomorrow, after taking the kids to the park, I have an appointment with my deckchair in the back garden and I'll be able to read some more. I can't believe I am about free; no more damn essays!

I've ended up watching Dirty Harry. :rolleyes: I'll watch The Sting another day. Missing Woody Allen though, need the pent up anxiety and talk of analysts and biting humour, tomorrow maybe?

I hope you continue to enjoy the book, I was also re reading it in the garden today. By chance I discovered that the BBC is showing (tomorrow evening?) the titanic match between Steve Davis and Denis Taylor. It must rank as one of the most exciting snooker matches ever.
Apparently, 18 million viewers tuned in at the time and I reckon there were probably as many nervous wrecks when it was over. Spellbinding stuff.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Oh wow, I'll try to catch that thanks, I didn't know so many watched it - 18 million is incredible. It has to be one of the classic games of all time.

The wine is quite good indeed and the coffee is the best I've had since Pollards...not a bad day again, touching wood.


porridge. lol. You guys make me feel like I'm on prison rations....

Porridge is a good morning starter, and if I was sensible enough to have breakfast, I would go with that (sometimes I do). However, if it is night in sock land, I would need to know where the beer/wine/cider is coming from. :smilewinkgrin:

[Emil Miller]

Oh wow, I'll try to catch that thanks, I didn't know so many watched it - 18 million is incredible. It has to be one of the classic games of all time.

The wine is quite good indeed and the coffee is the best I've had since Pollards...not a bad day again, touching wood.

Well it turned out to be an interesting programme about people who were involved in the match, apart from the players, although it did show important moments in the contest. It was quite moving in its way and it highlighted the reason why snooker players are worth their money because, unlike in team sports, there is no margin for error and the pressure is intensely personal.
It was amazing how Davis kept his composure, albeit with obvious difficulty, when, after such a marathon struggle, Taylor finally potted the black.
Getting back to the thread's raison d'etre, I have just had salad and prawns with Soave as a gentle demi-sec wine to compliment the food.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Having had another busy day, just getting in at 10/11pm over the last couple of days, I'm going to have a bath and then drink a cold Stowford Press Cider.

[Emil Miller]

Too late to cook so I have just kicked into a 750ml bottle of Leffe with some Bagel Chips and there's a bottle of Thornbridge Kipling South Pacific Pale Ale to follow.

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

Arby's roast beef sandwich with a glass of Stoli and club soda.

[qimissung]

Dickey's chopped bar-b-que beef. Yummy!

[LitNetIsGreat]

For tea I have had fine quality, local pork and Jalapeno sausages in a French roll with salad. I bought these today from the new deli shop in Lower Bradfield along with some speciality cheddar, mild but with a long and tangy finish to it. Yum all round. Going to polish off a couple of Badgers later.


Too late to cook so I have just kicked into a 750ml bottle of Leffe with some Bagel Chips and there's a bottle of Thornbridge Kipling South Pacific Pale Ale to follow.

I've not had that one I don't think but if you come across Thronbridge's Jaipur it is an absolute must. It's a multi award winning beer full of character and strength.

[Emil Miller]

For tea I have had fine quality, local pork and Jalapeno sausages in a French roll with salad. I bought these today from the new deli shop in Lower Bradfield along with some speciality cheddar, mild but with a long and tangy finish to it. Yum all round. Going to polish off a couple of Badgers later.



I've not had that one I don't think but if you come across Thronbridge's Jaipur it is an absolute must. It's a multi award winning beer full of character and strength.

I'll definitely look out for it. Right now I'm drinking Domaine du Clos du Chapitre Julienas 2009, following an Italian salad and already the arms of Morpheus are calling.

[Emil Miller]

I'm just about to start on the Brakespeare and the others will follow accompanied by some Japanese Wasabi flavour peanuts and a packet of cheese and onion crisps.


http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/3060/dsc0518vo.jpg

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

...some Japanese Wasabi flavour peanuts and a packet of cheese and onion crisps.


I would really love to see some pics of these "packets" you refer to.
"...packet of cheese and onion crisps" sounds like a glorified way of describing "Funyuns", but I seriously doubt your sophistacted buds would tolerate them.

You and Neely inspired me to pick up a bottle of St. Bernardus Prior 8 and a bottle of Maredsous last weekend. (I inspired myself to throw in a bottle of Stoli Vodka as well)

I am currently nursing the Maredsous.

.

[LitNetIsGreat]

There's some good beer floating around. I am currently very fond of Badger's Golden Champion and had three bottles last night. Today I am off with the evil one for a spot of lunch somewhere...I'm taking my book with me.

[Emil Miller]

I would really love to see some pics of these "packets" you refer to.
"...packet of cheese and onion crisps" sounds like a glorified way of describing "Funyuns", but I seriously doubt your sophistacted buds would tolerate them.

You and Neely inspired me to pick up a bottle of St. Bernardus Prior 8 and a bottle of Maredsous last weekend. (I inspired myself to throw in a bottle of Stoli Vodka as well)

I am currently nursing the Maredsous.

.

Here are a few of the potato chips and nuts that accompany drinks in the UK.

http://img813.imageshack.us/img813/5175/lkwalkerfrenchfriespack.jpg


http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/3185/44217011h.jpg


http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/1081/mccoyscrisps.jpg


http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/7894/61hvew3qq1l.jpg

[faithosaurus]

Organic oatmeal (Apple and Cinnamon). Mmmmm.

[Emil Miller]

I had spaghetti earlier and am now drinking Chianti Colli Senesi 2009 with Waitrose mixed nuts and raisins.

[LitNetIsGreat]

I had spaghetti earlier and am now drinking Chianti Colli Senesi 2009 with Waitrose mixed nuts and raisins.

I've not had spaghetti for ages; tomorrow I'm going to have spaghetti!

I have been pretty much hungover and off task today, but I've decided to opt for another bottle of that Riverview red, but it doesn't seem as good as when I had it first last week. I am not looking forward to next week - all work and little play> :nonod:

[Emil Miller]

I've not had spaghetti for ages; tomorrow I'm going to have spaghetti!

I have been pretty much hungover and off task today, but I've decided to opt for another bottle of that Riverview red, but it doesn't seem as good as when I had it first last week. I am not looking forward to next week - all work and little play> :nonod:

If you decide on spaghetti, ensure that you have an Italian red to go with it. Not necessarily Chianti but maybe Valpolicella or a Sicilian red.
I agree that the dreaded Monday is totally crushing from my recollection of it but I doubt that you feel the horror of it that I used to experience before I said goodbye to all that.

[The Comedian]

Tacos, Pabst, carrots & celery

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

Here are a few of the potato chips and nuts that accompany drinks in the UK.


I am familiar with the Planters, but not the Walkers and the Real McCoys (other than the American TV show).
Thanks for the product images.


Tacos, Pabst, carrots & celery

That's an interesting combination!

-------

Starting off the morning with more of the fresh ground Jamaican coffee I mentioned in the past.


.

[Brock]

Those Planters look tidy!

[LitNetIsGreat]

Having had a few days off of alcohol I'm about to crack open an Organic Westons - I'm mini-celebrating my best ever essay score! I'm also treating myself to Manhattan for the fourth or fifth time, what a film. Oh, before that I've got a mini bottle of Black Tower (sorry Emil, it was that or nothing...)

Edit: should have been nothing.

[Emil Miller]

Having had a few days off of alcohol I'm about to crack open an Organic Westons - I'm mini-celebrating my best ever essay score! I'm also treating myself to Manhattan for the fourth or fifth time, what a film. Oh, before that I've got a mini bottle of Black Tower (sorry Emil, it was that or nothing...)

Edit: should have been nothing.

Well, whatever turns you on but, setting Woody Allen aside, there can be little excuse for Black Tower even in a mini bottle. Yesterday, I had the medicos tut tutting about my alchohol intake, so maybe I also will be reduced to drinking Black Tower in due course.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Well, whatever turns you on but, setting Woody Allen aside, there can be little excuse for Black Tower even in a mini bottle. Yesterday, I had the medicos tut tutting about my alchohol intake, so maybe I also will be reduced to drinking Black Tower in due course.

You are correct (but not about the Woody Allen - did I tell you my brother bought be a Woody Allen T-shirt for my birthday?). It all happened in slow motion. There I was buying my Organic Weston in the shop on West Street just having come back from class and, with a queue behind, my eye caught a mini bottle of white, Black Tower - the only mini (and I only had limited cash before I could get to the cash machine as Mrs Neely took it off me earlier) so I made the purchase in haste - a mistake I deeply regret. :blush5: However, the Westons is good and the film outstanding!

Oh, the medicos. I once was asked by my doctor (I rarely go to doctors) how many units I had a week. Well, I couldn't remember the units so I just plucked "36" out of thin air to please her but she wasn't impressed with that at all? Still haven't a clue about the numbers and I intend it to stay that way.

[L€lä RËmØ MÅðçÂ]

Um rice and water?

[Emil Miller]

- did I tell you my brother bought be a Woody Allen T-shirt for my birthday?).


:smilielol5:

I am eating a Waitrose Classic Fruit Salad. Small pieces of fruit ideal for people who won't be bothered with peeling, cutting etc.
It is a little too sweet for my taste as I don't like sweet things generally but there are always exceptions of course:

http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/4215/1ca33ld8xcacjctkwcar98l.jpg

[country doctor]

the doc's enjoying a pot of tea...w/ lemon...

ROAR!

[Themis]

Eating something apparently unknown to English speaking people, but it looks like this:http://www.diekreatur.at/palm-cms/upload_img/hintergrundbilder/dieisopp/salzstangerl.jpg.
Drinking skimmed milk.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Eating something apparently unknown to English speaking people, but it looks like this:http://www.diekreatur.at/palm-cms/upload_img/hintergrundbilder/dieisopp/salzstangerl.jpg.
Drinking skimmed milk.

ohh, that looks nice, like a giant croissant.

[Themis]

Except, it's salted. And the dough is ... different. (I wonder if there's a cookery dictionary. It would certainly come in handy now and again.)

[papayahed]

Orange Airhead

[Emil Miller]

I ate earlier to get it out if the way and now have some Osaka Geisha Mix rice snacks, some Deep Ridged Taste Cheese and Onion crisps and some Spicey Cashew nuts. The wine is Pasquiers Shiraz from the Pays D'Oc region of France: unpretentious but soft and fruity with a good body. Rather like a lady of my acquaintance who must perforce remain anonymous. :D

[LitNetIsGreat]

I ate earlier to get it out if the way and now have some Osaka Geisha Mix rice snacks, some Deep Ridged Taste Cheese and Onion crisps and some Spicey Cashew nuts. The wine is Pasquiers Shiraz from the Pays D'Oc region of France: unpretentious but soft and fruity with a good body. Rather like a lady of my acquaintance who must perforce remain anonymous. :D

Ah, tut, tut that's no way to approach food, it's supposed to accompany the wine not be a chore.

I'm not drinking tonight, partially because I had enough last night and partially because I have just had to rejig my last essay (as I'm hoping for a first overall and have to at least give it my best, probably not make it, but try). Tomorrow though I have a range of wine and beer that was kindly bought for me as a result of some tuition I do, very kind, going to have some of that with a Woody Allen film - choice of two films!!

Ha, speaking of woman, I'm still swooning over that blond haired delight you posted in the classical one - oh, if only Mrs Neely looked like that!!

[Emil Miller]

:D
Ah, tut, tut that's no way to approach food, it's supposed to accompany the wine not be a chore.

I'm not drinking tonight, partially because I had enough last night and partially because I have just had to rejig my last essay (as I'm hoping for a first overall and have to at least give it my best, probably not make it, but try). Tomorrow though I have a range of wine and beer that was kindly bought for me as a result of some tuition I do, very kind, going to have some of that with a Woody Allen film - choice of two films!!

Ha, speaking of woman, I'm still swooning over that blond haired delight you posted in the classical one - oh, if only Mrs Neely looked like that!!

Good luck with the essay. Woody Allen appears to have realised that there is a world beyond New York, as I noticed a full page advert in Le Figaro for a film he has just made about Paris and it was also mentioned that he is thinking of making a film about Rome.

Glad you liked the blonde, it would seem that you are not giving Mrs Neely her due; why not post a picture of her for comparison? :D

[papayahed]

guacamole and tortilla chips

[LitNetIsGreat]

No, perhaps I was a little hard on her. Here she is gently telling me off about some socks I've left on the floor:

http://mychinaconnection.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/fat-lady-sings.jpg

Chicken and pasta for tea.

[Emil Miller]

No, perhaps I was a little hard on her. Here she is gently telling me off about some socks I've left on the floor:

http://mychinaconnection.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/fat-lady-sings.jpg

Chicken and pasta for tea.

I seem to recall reading that you and Mrs Neely were not on speaking terms for a while over some socks. I was a little mystified at the time but if you are in the habit of leaving them on the floor, I do think she has a point. If she's anything like the picture, I'd say you're living dangerously.

I'm eating an Italian salad with Soave and there are a few snacks to follow.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Oh, no, no - I'm a reformed character regarding socks these days - more or less.

In a short while I'm going to open one of the wines kindly bought for me, the bottle of Chablis to be exact. Also of course the Woody Allen, Hannah and Her Sisters:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qtgw38Yq2Qs

I think I'm going to like this one.

[L€lä RËmØ MÅðçÂ]

Lol. Im trying not to stay on the top of everything but cani keep posting?

Kudos bAr

[Emil Miller]

Oh, no, no - I'm a reformed character regarding socks these days - more or less.

In a short while I'm going to open one of the wines kindly bought for me, the bottle of Chablis to be exact. Also of course the Woody Allen, Hannah and Her Sisters:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qtgw38Yq2Qs

I think I'm going to like this one.

Was that Michael Caine in there, the world's worst actor? Time for bed I think.
Got to agree about the Chablis though.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Was that Michael Caine in there, the world's worst actor? Time for bed I think.
Got to agree about the Chablis though.

Yes that's him, more wood than Woody, but it's a good one nevertheless. Well, I'm enjoying it anyway and yes, the wine is indeed fine.

I'm more and more for the white wine, ever since that meal with Mrs N, the white has been slowly creeping in. This film is so musical too (as many are) jazz, piano, opera, Bach - it's all in there as well as the usual stuff. Woody plays himself again of course, with the added dash of hypochondriac and an extra bit of musing on life/death.

Funnily enough, the character played by Caine is the most interesting aside from Woody's. Go buy!!!

[Emil Miller]

Yes that's him, more wood than Woody, but it's a good one nevertheless. Well, I'm enjoying it anyway and yes, the wine is indeed fine.

I'm more and more for the white wine, ever since that meal with Mrs N, the white has been slowly creeping in. This film is so musical too (as many are) jazz, piano, opera, Bach - it's all in there as well as the usual stuff. Woody plays himself again of course, with the added dash of hypochondriac and an extra bit of musing on life/death.

Funnily enough, the character played by Caine is the most interesting aside from Woody's. Go buy!!!

At the moment I'm drinking a cup of black coffee with a couple of biscuits.
I think many people go through a white wine phase but eventually return to the red.
I could never bring myself to watch either Woody Allen or Michael Caine as they are both products of the 1960s which automatically puts them beyond the pale. Allen's first venture into film land was 'What's New Pussycat': need I say more? Michael messed around in B films for a while before landing the lead in 'Alfie', about an irresponsible yob who sees the light. Unfortunately, the myriad irresponsible yobs that proliferated in the UK, and still do, have yet to experience a similar Damascene conversion, but it made a lot of money from those who could readily identify with the film's anti-hero without them realizing that it had been made with that very purpose in mind.
Incidentally, it seems that Carla Bruni, the French President's wife, is going to star in Woody's latest film . That should just about sink Nicolas' chance of getting a second term in office next year.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Oh that's interesting Carla Bruni I mean. I'll off to lurk around IMDB to find out more in a bit. It would be good to have one set in Paris instead of New York all the time, though I like the fact that Woody's films all of the same biographical features, it means you can play Woody Allen bingo as you watch it (or don't as in your case). If you change your mind and do decide to watch one watch Manhattan.

I like red wine but often have to drink this with food.

Just had coffee and pancakes for dinner.

Edit: ah, here it is:

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi853581081/

[Emil Miller]

Oh that's interesting Carla Bruni I mean. I'll off to lurk around IMDB to find out more in a bit. It would be good to have one set in Paris instead of New York all the time, though I like the fact that Woody's films all of the same biographical features, it means you can play Woody Allen bingo as you watch it (or don't as in your case). If you change your mind and do decide to watch one watch Manhattan.

I like red wine but often have to drink this with food.

Just had coffee and pancakes for dinner.

Edit: ah, here it is:

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi853581081/

I'm drinking some Chinese tea with some pâté on toast.

Very nice shots of Paris but the people don't look very interesting. I agree with the comment that Paris is an amazing place and although I have an open invitation to stay with friends in New York, I would rather go to Paris anytime.
I was reading in the French press recently that a check on the long range weather forecast taken at various worldwide meteorological centres, shows a hot and sunny summer in Europe this year. Just the weather for getting away from it all and partaking of the juice of the grape. Let's hope it's true.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Yes I thought the photography looked good on that one too, will have to keep my eyes open on the cinema listings but I rarely go.

Let's hope the weather does look up this summer then, but yes I would be happy walking around Paris for sure. No offence to anybody, but I've never felt the urge to visit America, however I have to admit to warming to New York quite a bit now after watching all that Woody Allen. France, Italy etc are still well at the top of my list though.

Ginger beer in the freezer.

[deguonis]

Water, the best drink & the best medicine.

[The Comedian]

Nuts & coffee

[Emil Miller]

Now here's something incredibly interesting. I have just eaten a cheese sandwich.

[Emil Miller]

I am now eating my main meal of the day and it's salad with prawns and egg with a few pickled onions thrown in for good measure. The wine is an unusual White Beaujolais 2009 and it's very good. To finish, I will be having some Bagel Chips.

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

Two koláče, one apricot and the other is cherry, purchased from one of my favorite Czech bakeries in West; a small Czech enclave south of Dallas / Ft. Worth. The koláče is accompanied by a cup of fresh ground coffee and a splash of milk.

.

[qimissung]

Oh, I love kolache's, Gilliatte, and people are always saying, "What are those?"

To which I now reply, "Terrific!"

[Helga]

I am drinking black ruby coffee and eating a Darth Vader cake I made for my sons birthday

[TheChilly]

Tazo Awake Tea with a dash of honey.

[papayahed]

Chips and Salsa

[Emil Miller]

OK, having cut the grass and de-iced the refrigerator, I decided that I was in need of a couple of beers, so I did just that. This made me too tired to contemplate cooking and so I have just eaten a cheese sandwich and am drinking another bottle of red wine with some roasted and salted cashew nuts. I don't know if I can stand being in the fast lane for much longer.

[LitNetIsGreat]

OK, having cut the grass and de-iced the refrigerator, I decided that I was in need of a couple of beers, so I did just that. This made me too tired to contemplate cooking and so I have just eaten a cheese sandwich and am drinking another bottle of red wine with some roasted and salted cashew nuts. I don't know if I can stand being in the fast lane for much longer.

Well after such labours you deserve a drink or two, also there is nothing wrong with cheese sandwiches; I have about 15 a week - "another" bottle of red wine though...

I have had about 3/4 of a bottle of Ogio Frizzante - it is pretty poor. It has been in the fridge about a week and I don't know why I ever bought it, except that at £9.00+ a bottle (though it was half price) I thought it must be better than it looked. I was wrong. Tastes like up-market Lambrini!

Mumm is on offer at £25 a bottle, might have to swoop for that graduation tipple though.

[tonywalt]

California sushi and ice water.

[Emil Miller]

I have had about 3/4 of a bottle of Ogio Frizzante - it is pretty poor. It has been in the fridge about a week and I don't know why I ever bought it, except that at £9.00+ a bottle (though it was half price) I thought it must be better than it looked. I was wrong. Tastes like up-market Lambrini!

Mumm is on offer at £25 a bottle, might have to swoop for that graduation tipple though.

Never trust anything with the word Frizzante attached, as it means sparkling and is a good indication that it is a very poor imitation Champagne. I find it hard to believe that it was £9.00+ half-price. They are selling Barolo for £18 in my local store and that's one of the best Italian wines on the market.
When it comes to Champagne, there is no cutting corners, only French will suffice and that applies to the brand also. Mumm, Veuve Cliquote, Bolinger etc, are de riguer for that type of wine. Otherwise, people will say how nice it is while mentally consigning you to a box marked cheapskate :lol:
Actually, I have only had Champagne on a few occasions but the last time I opened a bottle, the cork shot up and hit the ceiling, so keep you face well away when opening.
Have you already received advance info on your graduation, or does everyone automatically go through these days?

[LitNetIsGreat]

Never trust anything with the word Frizzante attached, as it means sparkling and is a good indication that it is a very poor imitation Champagne. I find it hard to believe that it was £9.00+ half-price. They are selling Barolo for £18 in my local store and that's one of the best Italian wines on the market.
When it comes to Champagne, there is no cutting corners, only French will suffice and that applies to the brand also. Mumm, Veuve Cliquote, Bolinger etc, are de riguer for that type of wine. Otherwise, people will say how nice it is while mentally consigning you to a box marked cheapskate :lol:
Actually, I have only had Champagne on a few occasions but the last time I opened a bottle, the cork shot up and hit the ceiling, so keep you face well away when opening.
Have you already received advance info on your graduation, or does everyone automatically go through these days?

Yes thanks for that. I'm learning the hard way. I meant that it was £9+ originally. Rubbish stuff.

What do you mean about the graduation? I know when the date is, but not my final grade as yet. I'll find that out sometime in July.

[Scheherazade]

Cherry tomatoes...

I think I am addicted to them.

[Themis]

Toasted bread with radish, tomato and cheddar.

[LitNetIsGreat]

I've just ate too much and I can't get off the sofa. Normally I would have been at one of my politics classes getting a headful, instead I'm now stuffing my face...better be careful....I've had two pork and bacon sandwiches followed by lemon cheesecake and cream - two portions. :(

As Mrs Neely is off out soon I'm going to treat myself to another Woody Allen later and some nice wine that Emil would probably be proud of - a nice white Burgandy!

Actually, I am beginning to have some serious panic attacks regarding Woody Allen as I am nearly through all of his main works. I feel sick. I don't know if this is thinking of that or the cheesecake. Probably both.

[Emil Miller]

What do you mean about the graduation? I know when the date is, but not my final grade as yet. I'll find that out sometime in July.

I didn't know that you graduated and only got to know the grade later.



I've just ate too much and I can't get off the sofa. Normally I would have been at one of my politics classes getting a headful, instead I'm now stuffing my face...better be careful....I've had two pork and bacon sandwiches followed by lemon cheesecake and cream - two portions. :(

As Mrs Neely is off out soon I'm going to treat myself to another Woody Allen later and some nice wine that Emil would probably be proud of - a nice white Burgandy!



Actually, I am beginning to have some serious panic attacks regarding Woody Allen as I am nearly through all of his main works. I feel sick. I don't know if this is thinking of that or the cheesecake. Probably both.

It's beyond me how anyone is able to eat so much, I agree that White Burgundy is an excellent wine but will it blend with such a large food intake?

As for running out of Woody Allen films.....What would Woody do?

[deguonis]

a glass of transparent water.

[LitNetIsGreat]

I didn't know that you graduated and only got to know the grade later.
NO, no, I graduate on the 22 July, but I find out the grade about two weeks before I think, something like that. (I have had multiple celebrations though: last essay, last class etc, etc, excuses.)


It's beyond me how anyone is able to eat so much, I agree that White Burgundy is an excellent wine but will it blend with such a large food intake?

As for running out of Woody Allen films.....What would Woody do?

:lol:Well I can be very greedy at times true, but I balance everything out overall - besides the cheesecake needed eating. I didn't drink the wine with all that, I'm having it in a bit with Woody Allen!

[Emil Miller]

NO, no, I graduate on the 22 July, but I find out the grade about two weeks before I think, something like that. (I have had multiple celebrations though: last essay, last class etc, etc, excuses.)



:lol:Well I can be very greedy at times true, but I balance everything out overall - besides the cheesecake needed eating. I didn't drink the wine with all that, I'm having it in a bit with Woody Allen!

Alright, I didn't know the routine for graduates and now it has been explained I thank you. Getting back to what the whole world wants to know, I have just finished an egg salad with a bottle of Vendages Nocturnes 2010 made by a young vintner Laurent Miquel in Languedoc in the south of France, I am at peace with the world until tomorrow morning.

[deguonis]

:)
A banana with french fries.
:)

[Emil Miller]

McCoy's Ridge Cut Salt and Malt Vinegar crisps with Carlsberg lager beer.

[LitNetIsGreat]

McCoy's Ridge Cut Salt and Malt Vinegar crisps with Carlsberg lager beer.

Oh dear, how the mighy have fallen. From Chablis to Carlsberg!

Class report: must do better.;)

It's Mrs Neely's birthday today (happy birthday to her) so I am just about to share some of her annual wine - a Zinfandel someone bought her (she's had a glass and had enough so I'll come in for the rescue). I have also had the Co-ops own real cider Tillington Hills which is not bad.

[Emil Miller]

Oh dear, how the mighy have fallen. From Chablis to Carlsberg!

Class report: must do better.;)

It's Mrs Neely's birthday today (happy birthday to her) so I am just about to share some of her annual wine - a Zinfandel someone bought her (she's had a glass and had enough so I'll come in for the rescue). I have also had the Co-ops own real cider Tillington Hills which is not bad.

Well, I spent yesterday walking in the countryside. where I stopped to drink a lager at one pub and two pints of Doom Bar at another, so it seemed logical to stay with beer for the rest of the day.
Interesting to note that Mrs Neely had enough of Zinfandel after one glass, which normally refers to a Californian wine whose pedigree is inferior to that of my cat.
Tonight, I am drinking what is rapidly becoming one of my all-time favourite drinks i.e Pasquiers -Shiraz - Vin de Pays D'oc 2007.

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

...Interesting to note that Mrs Neely had enough of Zinfandel after one glass, which normally refers to a Californian wine whose pedigree is inferior to that of my cat...

Very funny!...I nearly spit out my Chianti, but I wouldn't dare waste a drop!

Tonight it is a bottle of Chianti and that is the entire bottle mind you, along with a bag of pistachios and some dried apricots.
Life is good right now...yes? ha!


.

[The Comedian]

Popcorn

[Shalot]

old charter and sprite zero. :thumbsup:

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

old charter and sprite zero. :thumbsup:

Fantastic!!
In the words of Hank Hill; "Got dang, that brings a tear to my eye"

[Delta40]

sweet potato crisps and a skinny latte

[LitNetIsGreat]

Got a Brooklyn lager on standby.

[papayahed]

Cheeseburger

[Emil Miller]

Back on the beer and crisps and enjoying the experience as I usually do.

[Hurricane]

Iced coffee and a sandwich. Delicious!

[faithosaurus]

Iced coffee and a sandwich. Delicious!

Oh my goodness, iced coffee sounds so good.

Bananas and peanut butter. Seriously, it's like God in food form.

[MystyrMystyry]

Cold Pizza calabrese, hot coffee with choc icecream instead of milk, freshly squished orange juice

Breakfast!

[LitNetIsGreat]

I think I might open the batting with pancakes this morning.

[KatnissEverdeen]

Grilled cheese and cuban coffee.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Organic Westons on standby for after my bath.

Had an interesting day today, seven sets of tennis with my brother, won 6-1. First time I've played tennis in ten year. Found something I can beat him at...

[Emil Miller]

I have just eaten spaghetti with the proverbial Chianti: in this case Chianti Colli Senesi 2009 from Panezio of San Gimignano in Siena. Yesterday, an Italian woman of my acquaintance bought me a bottle of Bordeaux wine which I don't usually drink on account of its after effects for those who eat little meat. This, coupled with the Chateauneuf du Pape from neighbours for taking care of their cat, means that I shall be partaking of Quorn pseudo meat dishes in the near future. Stay tuned to this thread.

[LitNetIsGreat]

I have just eaten spaghetti with the proverbial Chianti: in this case Chianti Colli Senesi 2009 from Panezio of San Gimignano in Siena. Yesterday, an Italian woman of my acquaintance bought me a bottle of Bordeaux wine which I don't usually drink on account of its after effects for those who eat little meat. This, coupled with the Chateauneuf du Pape from neighbours for taking care of their cat, means that I shall be partaking of Quorn pseudo meat dishes in the near future. Stay tuned to this thread.

You have me fancing red wine now, there is nothing better than Italian food, I'm off to have a good Italian meal out this week sometime (half-term is pure joy).

After a couple of ciders I'm going to open a bottle of wine and have a couple of glasses. It's a Riverview white, decent for the price I believe and on goes another Woody - Cassandra's Dream, a recent one that looks good but has average reviews.

What do you mean the after effects for those who eat little meat? Does Bordeaux wine have that effect, surely not?

Edit: the wine is good, the film is not so good.

[Emil Miller]

You have me fancing red wine now, there is nothing better than Italian food, I'm off to have a good Italian meal out this week sometime (half-term is pure joy).

After a couple of ciders I'm going to open a bottle of wine and have a couple of glasses. It's a Riverview white, decent for the price I believe and on goes another Woody - Cassandra's Dream, a recent one that looks good but has average reviews.

What do you mean the after effects for those who eat little meat? Does Bordeaux wine have that effect, surely not?

Edit: the wine is good, the film is not so good.

Yes, I'm afraid that a wine that was specifically produced for meat eaters is too heavy when eating small non-meat meals. When I was a relatively enthusiastic meat eater, I drank many a bottle of Bordeaux red. Now that I am a non foodie, I find that Burgundy is just about all that I am able to handle apart from the Italian reds. However, thanks to the introduction of Quorn, I shall be drinking Bordeaux again in the near future.

Both Woody Allen and wine are not to be trusted unless you are automatically sceptical of the one and informed of the other. All wines that have names associated with scenic localities ie. Riverview, Blossom Hill etc., unless it concerns the area in which it is grown, should be avoided by the scrupulous wine drinker.

Tonight I had beer, but tomorrow I have to go to the supermarket and hope to pick up a suitable wine for my evening meal.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Yes, I'm afraid that a wine that was specifically produced for meat eaters is too heavy when eating small non-meat meals. When I was a relatively enthusiastic meat eater, I drank many a bottle of Bordeaux red. Now that I am a non foodie, I find that Burgundy is just about all that I am able to handle apart from the Italian reds. However, thanks to the introduction of Quorn, I shall be drinking Bordeaux again in the near future.

Both Woody Allen and wine are not to be trusted unless you are automatically sceptical of the one and informed of the other. All wines that have names associated with scenic localities ie. Riverview, Blossom Hill etc., unless it concerns the area in which it is grown, should be avoided by the scrupulous wine drinker.

Tonight I had beer, but tomorrow I have to go to the supermarket and hope to pick up a suitable wine for my evening meal.

Yes I see regarding the wine.

The Woody Allen film was not his best, but the wine was pretty good - Hungarian! They are no Chablis but for under a fiver they are decent red and white wines, they are also incidentally, the house wines served at the Crucible and Lyceum theatres in town and once again what I am currently drinking - the white. I would generally agree with the names though, sounds fair game.

I am coming to the end of Woody's catalogue of films just about, one in the post and a few not available on DVD. I have now seen the vast majority of them (all but about 4/5) and enjoyed the ride and will continually dip into them. My brother has stopped receiving them from me as he says that when you have seen 50, you have seen them all. I don't know what he means.

I am thinking about looking into French cinema a bit again (as well as taking advantage of the Igmar Bergman festival that's coming to the showroom in a bit). I have ordered the Jean De Florette and Manon Des Sources double which has excellent ratings (bought because I got sucked into my daily Amazon spam) and a storyline which sounds interesting. Who knows, maybe I'll try and pick up a little French and fail again as well? The last time I could nearly order a sandwich.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000BRB9ZM/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&seller=

[Emil Miller]

Well here I am, having just finished a salad and some snacks with a bottle of white wine that should strictly have been reserved for fish; namely Muscadet 2009. Waitrose have put up some interesting new wines but they are 2010 vintage, which is too early for even white wine to be displayed. Am I being finicky? No, because long experience has shown me that even with wine of a relatively humble origin, it needs to be aged in the bottle before being sold in order to get the best of it.

Yes I'm sure that you will enjoy the films you have mentioned as they are based on the writings of Marcel Pagnol who wrote about the area of southern France where he lived and is revered in France as one of its great modern writers. Ingmar Bergman's films are something else, being the opposite of sunny France and more about the subtle greys of northern Europe. I think that Wild Strawberries may be his best film but he is principally noted or the Seventh Seal among others.

[qimissung]

Manon of the Spring is one of my favorite movies, Neely. I haven't seen Jean de Florrette-too sad!

For dinner: fish fillets (yes, frozen), potatoes au gratin (boxed) and strawberry shortcake (yum).

[LitNetIsGreat]

Well here I am, having just finished a salad and some snacks with a bottle of white wine that should strictly have been reserved for fish; namely Muscadet 2009. Waitrose have put up some interesting new wines but they are 2010 vintage, which is too early for even white wine to be displayed. Am I being finicky? No, because long experience has shown me that even with wine of a relatively humble origin, it needs to be aged in the bottle before being sold in order to get the best of it.

Yes I'm sure that you will enjoy the films you have mentioned as they are based on the writings of Marcel Pagnol who wrote about the area of southern France where he lived and is revered in France as one of its great modern writers. Ingmar Bergman's films are something else, being the opposite of sunny France and more about the subtle greys of northern Europe. I think that Wild Strawberries may be his best film but he is principally noted or the Seventh Seal among others.


Manon of the Spring is one of my favorite movies, Neely. I haven't seen Jean de Florrette-too sad!

For dinner: fish fillets (yes, frozen), potatoes au gratin (boxed) and strawberry shortcake (yum).

Excellent, it has great reviews so I am looking forward to it.

Yes I'm not sure about Bergman, I have Hour of the Wolf and it wasn't really my sort of thing but I have to take advantage of screenings while they are being shown.

So 2010 vintages are too early, I'll keep that in mind, I wouldn't have guessed that, that they need two years in the bottle.

Just finished drop scones with bananas and strawberries (Elsantas of course).

Edit: I'm about to go on the back with three/four books and a large raspberry and pear cordial with loads of ice and floating raspberries. This is what life is about.

[Emil Miller]

Excellent, it has great reviews so I am looking forward to it.

Yes I'm not sure about Bergman, I have Hour of the Wolf and it wasn't really my sort of thing but I have to take advantage of screenings while they are being shown.

So 2010 vintages are too early, I'll keep that in mind, I wouldn't have guessed that, that they need two years in the bottle.

Just finished drop scones with bananas and strawberries (Elsantas of course).

Edit: I'm about to go on the back with three/four books and a large raspberry and pear cordial with loads of ice and floating raspberries. This is what life is about.

Just had beans on toast and am drinking Bitburger beer imported from Germany.
If you want to drink 2010 wines, they will pass muster but they are better drunk later but not more than a couple of years. Only expensive wines will improve in the bottle over many years.
I was checking out some YouTube videos of Bergman today and discovered the famous dream sequence from Wild Strawberries, here it is.

http://youtu.be/A3n4TxNeaPg

[LitNetIsGreat]

Just had beans on toast and am drinking Bitburger beer imported from Germany.
If you want to drink 2010 wines, they will pass muster but they are better drunk later but not more than a couple of years. Only expensive wines will improve in the bottle over many years.
I was checking out some YouTube videos of Bergman today and discovered the famous dream sequence from Wild Strawberries, here it is.

http://youtu.be/A3n4TxNeaPg

Yes that's quite an interesting and disturbing little sketch, there was a moment in the Wolf one where a man kills his own son, drowns him, needless to say that was also disturbing viewing, pretty bleak, give me the French countryside.

Yes I've had the bitburger before it's not bad as I remember. I expect that the 2010 rule doesn't apply to my favourite Hungarian wines then?

I'm currently drinking the Tillington Hills cider again, it's just above average. I can't go on with this mediocrity!

[Emil Miller]

Yes that's quite an interesting and disturbing little sketch, there was a moment in the Wolf one where a man kills his own son, drowns him, needless to say that was also disturbing viewing, pretty bleak, give me the French countryside.

Yes I've had the bitburger before it's not bad as I remember. I expect that the 2010 rule doesn't apply to my favourite Hungarian wines then?

I'm currently drinking the Tillington Hills cider again, it's just above average. I can't go on with this mediocrity!

I don't know who directed the Marcel Pagnol stories as I haven't seen them, but it is unlikely that they will match Bergman in serious cinematic consideration even though they will be more popular generally.
The Bitburger was, to say the least, a disappointment in that it belongs to that genre of beers which are very sharp and dry with a crispness that doesn't go well with a palate accustomed to something more mellow.
Today, I travelled to the South coast to take advantage of the warm weather and had the local beer which was soupy and best avoided; on returning, I have been drinking vino reddo with salad ( currently the subject of an EU-wide e.coli scare) so if you don't hear from me again, it will be because I've fallen from my perch.

[LitNetIsGreat]

I don't know who directed the Marcel Pagnol stories as I haven't seen them, but it is unlikely that they will match Bergman in serious cinematic consideration even though they will be more popular generally.
The Bitburger was, to say the least, a disappointment in that it belongs to that genre of beers which are very sharp and dry with a crispness that doesn't go well with a palate accustomed to something more mellow.
Today, I travelled to the South coast to take advantage of the warm weather and had the local beer which was soupy and best avoided; on returning, I have been drinking vino reddo with salad ( currently the subject of an EU-wide e.coli scare) so if you don't hear from me again, it will be because I've fallen from my perch.

Oh dear, I hope the e.coli brew doesn't bite. I hope you got a discount...

I have had a "smashing" day today, playing tennis in the park and then having a pub lunch with Bitburger on tap (I have to disagree I really enjoyed it, but then again, after 9 sets of tennis anything cold would do - though perhaps it is just a question of palate and not taste). We then went for a bit of a bike ride and then played more tennis and finished in the pub again. Spot on, nice tan and I also won.

Currently, I am am raiding Mrs Neely's "pear" ciders again because there is nothing else apart from a stray beer. I'm about to put what is going to be probably last unseen Woody Allen, Broadway Danny Rose, apart from the latest ones coming out of course, Midnight in Paris which I want to see, though I keep returning to them.

South coast sounds good, top day for it.

More days like these please.

Edit: I have found a couple of cans of Scrumpy Jack at the back of the fridge, might have a couple of those; need to replace lost fluids. Going out for a meal tomorrow and Saturday - making the most of the half-term see?

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

Kipper herring, stuffed olives and a couple bottles of Spaten Optimator.

.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Cantaloupe melon for breakfast.

[Emil Miller]

Edit: I have found a couple of cans of Scrumpy Jack at the back of the fridge, might have a couple of those; need to replace lost fluids. Going out for a meal tomorrow and Saturday - making the most of the half-term see?

And why not? Every day free from the tyranny of work is to be savoured. Today I arose at 10.00 am and fed my cat before grilling a piece of fish and eating it al fresco in the garden. I spent the next hour and a half reading the newspaper and talking to my cat. Then I did some housework and discovered that cleaning the toilet is best done to the music of Mozart's 23rd symphony by courtesy of radio 3. Now I am drinking Berthold Keller Belgian super strength beer 9%, and jolly good beer it is although I have only seen it in tins so far; a few crisps to accompany make it a very satisfying end to the day.

[qimissung]

Scrambled eggs and an English muffin.

[Emil Miller]

I've just eaten spaghetti and am drinking the usual Chianti accompaniment, in other words, another bottle for the recycled rubbish bin.

[Emil Miller]

I am drinking, against my better judgement, a Bordeaux red, Chateau du Gazin 2008 Canon-Fronsac which won a gold medal at the Concours Medoc in 2010.
I bought it because it had been reduced from £11+ to £7+, and also because Macon was the region from which I bought my very first bottle of wine in England decades ago. It is, as was to be expected, rich and heavily fruited in accordance with Bordeaux in general and does not presage an easy awakening tomorrow but, C'est la vie.

[LitNetIsGreat]

I am drinking, against my better judgement, a Bordeaux red, Chateau du Gazin 2008 Canon-Fronsac which won a gold medal at the Concours Medoc in 2010.
I bought it because it had been reduced from £11+ to £7+, and also because Macon was the region from which I bought my very first bottle of wine in England decades ago. It is, as was to be expected, rich and heavily fruited in accordance with Bordeaux in general and does not presage an easy awakening tomorrow but, C'est la vie.

Well it sounds pretty fine to me - and what the hell give yourself an extra hour in bed!

I've just had a couple of steady drinks along with Manon des Sources, a Black Sheep and a couple of Duvels.

[KatnissEverdeen]

chocolate cake.. :drool5:

[qimissung]

fritos

[Emil Miller]

I have partaken of spaghetti on melted cheese and, because my local drink store was out of Chianti, I am drinking Valpolicella. Earlier today, while working in the garden, I enjoyed a couple of Burg Keller lagers @9% proof alcohol. Life looks pretty rosy just now, but let's wait until the morning to judge the wisdom of the tendency to imbibe above the recommended requirement of 1/2 pint of beer and 1 glass of wine per day.

[papayahed]

Laffy Taffy

[MystyrMystyry]

Sucking blocks of Cadbury Old Gold Chocolate and Almonds, AND Old Jamaica

And coffee

[Emil Miller]

Back on Berthold Keller's strong lager, following some Thai ribbon noodles and tofu, and now eating some, wait for it, .... Sizzling King Prawn Crisps .
Another of Berthold's lagers should see me happily on my way to bed.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Back on Berthold Keller's strong lager, following some Thai ribbon noodles and tofu, and now eating some, wait for it, .... Sizzling King Prawn Crisps .
Another of Berthold's lagers should see me happily on my way to bed.

I'm not familiar with the Berthold's lager I must say, though anything that takes the pain away can't be too bad.

I've just come back from a 10 hour joint beer and tennis session, on and off, on and off etc, etc, which as pretty good. Now though I am settling for cold ginger beer with ice - quite refreshing.

Unbelievably, until tody I have gone a whole seven days without alcohol of any order. Quite amazing. I intend to make up for that in the coming days though.

[Emil Miller]

I'm not familiar with the Berthold's lager I must say, though anything that takes the pain away can't be too bad.

I've just come back from a 10 hour joint beer and tennis session, on and off, on and off etc, etc, which as pretty good. Now though I am settling for cold ginger beer with ice - quite refreshing.

Unbelievably, until tody I have gone a whole seven days without alcohol of any order. Quite amazing. I intend to make up for that in the coming days though.

Well tennis and booze don't exactly go together, but if I had to choose between one or the other think it's fairly obvious what mine would be.
Berthold's lager is brewed in Belgium by an expatriate German and is sold very cheaply in my local store. Unfortunately, at 99p a throw, it is quickly bought by the local nesbits.

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

...it is quickly bought by the local nesbits.

"Nesbits"...another fine entry that will be logged into my Emil Miller vocabulary list.

Right now, I am snacking on some "Cheex-it" crackers along with fresh ground coffee mixed with a shot of Drambuie.

.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Ah, "Nesbits" is a term used extensively by my brother.

Today I have been on a mountain bike trail from Bakewell to Buxton with regular pub stops of course. This includes lunch outside the Buxton opera house in the sun. Not bad at all.

[Emil Miller]

"Nesbits"...another fine entry that will be logged into my Emil Miller vocabulary list.

Right now, I am snacking on some "Cheex-it" crackers along with fresh ground coffee mixed with a shot of Drambuie.

.

Nesbits is a name that I came across via Neely. It refers to Rab C. Nesbit, a character in a UK comedy television series about a grotesque drunken character in Scotland. Unfortunately, they are equally prevalent in England and infest establishments where the beer is cheaper than elsewhere.

[prendrelemick]

All I've had today is two Imodium+ tablets:(

[LitNetIsGreat]

Some Nesbit examples for Gilliatt, be warned...

The Original Nesbitt:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k7VoFiagfs

Modern Day Nesbit's on TV:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4YhHjayTU4&feature=related

The Nesbit Night Out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXYd7a9iSVQ&feature=related

That's enough of that!

Just sitting off my pasta and double helping of cherry pie and ice cream. Currently sipping a cheap French bottled lager; BiereSpeciale - it is anything but. Got a Leffe in the fridge for later though.

[Emil Miller]

Some Nesbit examples for Gilliatt, be warned...

The Original Nesbitt:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k7VoFiagfs

Modern Day Nesbit's on TV:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4YhHjayTU4&feature=related

The Nesbit Night Out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXYd7a9iSVQ&feature=related

That's enough of that!

Just sitting off my pasta and double helping of cherry pie and ice cream. Currently sipping a cheap French bottled lager; BiereSpeciale - it is anything but. Got a Leffe in the fridge for later though.

Yes, the whole liberal democratic trash heap in one session. With its self-imposed nemesis about to to make itself felt, the most worthwhile thing is to watch it come down. Apart from that, enjoy the Leffe.

[Idril]

Rye Triscuits with caraway seeds topped with dill humus...and a coke.

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

Some Nesbit examples for Gilliatt, be warned...

The Original Nesbitt:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k7VoFiagfs

Modern Day Nesbit's on TV:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4YhHjayTU4&feature=related

The Nesbit Night Out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXYd7a9iSVQ&feature=related

That's enough of that!

Just sitting off my pasta and double helping of cherry pie and ice cream. Currently sipping a cheap French bottled lager; BiereSpeciale - it is anything but. Got a Leffe in the fridge for later though.

Thank you Neely!
Now I understand.
Tonight, a pot of golden hominy with faux butter, a hunk of French bread and a bottle of Beck's

.

[Emil Miller]

My neighbour, a very attractive young blond from Poland, made me a superb strawberry and cream cake and asked me to take care of her cat when she visits her relatives in Poland at the end of the month. Now although I don't normally go for sweet foodstuffs, I do go for sweet women and, despite the obvious weight gain, I have already eaten three slices of the cake. The last time she baked me a cake I finished it in record time and suggested to her fiancee ( yes they still do the decent thing in Poland apparently) that were she to produce another, it would not go amiss with me.
However, the reason for this homily is that the cake has left me with little inclination for cooking and I have, after a suitable interval, settled for some Carlsberg Special Brew and crisps.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Oh dear, and it all started so well too - attractive blondes, strawberry cakes and then, bang, Special Brew. You have to be careful drinking that stuff that you don't end up like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KcO0Qa7ZTo&feature=fvst
(Please note this video is disgusting and some viewers may be offended)

I've been busy this weekend having gone out for a Mexican/Italian Friday and an Indian yesterday and to a BBQ this afternoon. I've ate too much, drank too much and spent too much, so next week will have to be a lot calmer.

[papayahed]

Red Licorice

[Emil Miller]

Oh dear, and it all started so well too - attractive blondes, strawberry cakes and then, bang, Special Brew. You have to be careful drinking that stuff that you don't end up like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KcO0Qa7ZTo&feature=fvst
(Please note this video is disgusting and some viewers may be offended)

I've been busy this weekend having gone out for a Mexican/Italian Friday and an Indian yesterday and to a BBQ this afternoon. I've ate too much, drank too much and spent too much, so next week will have to be a lot calmer.

Proof that little boys shouldn't be allowed to drink strong beer. :biggrin5:
Now this over indulgence in food really ought to be curbed if you don't want to end up like this.

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/5483/fatmangettingreadyfor.jpg

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

My neighbour, a very attractive young blond from Poland, made me a superb strawberry and cream cake...

Is her name Corina?
Emil's mind begins to wander after a few of those brews.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qv09QKB9FrI



....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KcO0Qa7ZTo&feature=fvst
(Please note this video is disgusting and some viewers may be offended)

I've been busy this weekend having gone out for a Mexican/Italian Friday and an Indian yesterday and to a BBQ this afternoon. I've ate too much, drank too much and spent too much, so next week will have to be a lot calmer.

Yes, that was disgusting but it may be a foreshadowing of what is to become of Neely following his medley of international cuisine. Don't count on next week being calm, at least not in your gut.


Proof that little boys shouldn't be allowed to drink strong beer. :biggrin5:
Now this over indulgence in food really ought to be curbed if you don't want to end up like this...


I suddenly lost my appetite, therefore coffee is all that I am consuming at the moment.


.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Now this over indulgence in food really ought to be curbed if you don't want to end up like this.

No not at all, I'm in perfect shape, super fit and still good looking with no sign of flab. Someone described me as like a cross between Brad Pitt and Rafael Nadal yesterday. True, that person was me, but it is more or less accurate nevertheless, ish, in a way.


Yes, that was disgusting but it may be a foreshadowing of what is to become of Neely following his medley of international cuisine. Don't count on next week being calm, at least not in your gut.

No, no been fairly light eating and drinking today, though I am currently thinking about going to get a box of beers from the shop.


Is her name Corina?
Emil's mind begins to wander after a few of those brews.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qv09QKB9FrI

:drool5: Wow. You have to have some money to get one of those.

[Emil Miller]

Is her name Corina?
Emil's mind begins to wander after a few of those brews........

No, her name is Agnieszka, and if I can persuade her to let me take her photo, I will post it on LitNet.

[LitNetIsGreat]

No, her name is Agnieszka, and if I can persuade her to let me take her photo, I will post it on LitNet.

Nice one. :cheers2:

[Emil Miller]

Tonight I dined on Quorn vegetarian steak and mushrooms, with a bottle of Chateau Les Graves Lacoste 2009 from my local store. This, in itself, isn't very interesting ( is it ever?) but a notice has gone up in the window of the pub next door, to the effect that they are now offering massages for those suffering from stress. Now, as walking down any main road in London is likely to induce stress in the most docile person, I was wondering whether I should commit myself to the tender administrations of Amanda, who has years of experience, according to the notice, or investigate the matter further.

[Dinosaurrr]

Cheese sandwich and an apple. Its lunchtime here. :D

[LitNetIsGreat]

Cheese sandwich and an apple. Its lunchtime here. :D

A cheese sandwich is the best sandwich in the world.


Tonight I dined on Quorn vegetarian steak and mushrooms, with a bottle of Chateau Les Graves Lacoste 2009 from my local store. This, in itself, isn't very interesting ( is it ever?) but a notice has gone up in the window of the pub next door, to the effect that they are now offering massages for those suffering from stress. Now, as walking down any main road in London is likely to induce stress in the most docile person, I was wondering whether I should commit myself to the tender administrations of Amanda, who has years of experience, according to the notice, or investigate the matter further.

:lol: This is amazing. I know that many pubs are suffering but I've never thought about the possibility of them offering massages to improve the situation. Sounds like a good idea to me as stress is all very common these days. Amanda sounds a charming creature indeed.

I was once in a pub that had a carpet sale, that was strange at the time too.

I have been once again enjoying top quality German lager - it is currently on the top of my drinking lists.

[Emil Miller]

:lol: This is amazing. I know that many pubs are suffering but I've never thought about the possibility of them offering massages to improve the situation. Sounds like a good idea to me as stress is all very common these days. Amanda sounds a charming creature indeed.

I was once in a pub that had a carpet sale, that was strange at the time too.

I have been once again enjoying top quality German lager - it is currently on the top of my drinking lists.

Yes, this particular pub has tried everything from Sky TV to poker nights, karaoke nights and visiting entertainers such as Wee Willie Harris and even a black Elvis, but massaging must be the last throw of the dice. The English pub is dying out with more and more closures each day and because Wetherspoons is opening more of them, the whole pub scene will eventually be left to the Nesbits. I popped in one for a quick pint whilst shopping yesterday and there was a foul mouthed Nesbit talking the usual rubbish so that everyone could hear it. They are the inevitable consequence of liberal democracy.

Just now, I'm eating Cheese and Onion crisps and drinking the Carlsberg Special Brew which, as you know, is 'probably the best lager in the world'.

[TinCan]

Cleaned my laptop for the first time in weeks. Didn't stop me from sipping my iced tea near it, been a long day..

[papayahed]

Dr. Pepper

[Niamh]

Peanuts and Orange juice... probably not the best combo....

[Emil Miller]

Just back from a great Thai restaurant with excellent service and marvellous food in the small portions that I prefer. Very pretty waitresses in traditional dress and a civilised clientele.
Having spent some time in conversation I only had a bottled beer but am now making up for it with a bottle of Languedoc red and some snacks.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Just back from a great Thai restaurant with excellent service and marvellous food in the small portions that I prefer. Very pretty waitresses in traditional dress and a civilised clientele.
Having spent some time in conversation I only had a bottled beer but am now making up for it with a bottle of Languedoc red and some snacks.

Sounds great, I can imagine that you'd be too distracted by the waitresses to drink much, not the conversation.

Having a night off after two fairly heavy days with the German beers. Just having a three or four of those little french lager/beers that don't count for anything. Back with the German beers tomorrow night though. Tennis tomorrow morning.

Oh yesterday I had a little surprise to see David Blunkett down the pub, in one of my real ale haunts - some little thing going off. There was a buffet set up but for the life of me I couldn't get my brother to "borrow" some of the food.