Muffit of Tea

Lately, I've been craving the perfect cup of tea. Back in 1944, author and tea enthusiast George Orwell (serious, wasn't he?) wrote about the art of tea-making. (Full transcript here.) Updating this solemn document earlier this year, Englishman in America Christopher Hitchens regaled the readers of Slate with with the commandment How To Make a Cup of Tea. Though directed largely at Americans, British coffee shops could learn a thing or two from our eloquent tea aficionados.

Whilst languoring in search of the perfect brew in and across North-Western continents, I was contacted by CSN Stores, who offered me a voucher to review their goods. Spying their tasteful collection of tea-making accoutrements, I couldn't resist giving their beautiful Le Crueset stonewear classic teapot in blue and Sabichi Essential Taper Shape Whistling Kettle a whirl with an especially aromatic box of loose English Breakfast and my long-held hankering.

Le Crueset Teapot

Although, as Hitchens rightly points out, Assam has fallen out of fashion, the rules I was most keen to replicate were very hot, very strong tea, bringing the pot to the kettle and not the other way around. I primed the teapot to get it nice and warm and filled the kettle and placed it on the hob.

Sabichi Whistling Kettle in action

Having been a slave to a Tesco's-own fast-boil electric kettle for years, the amount of time it took this baby to whistle was a little disconcerting. However, great art takes time, and I have to say the piercing whistle of compressed water is music to the thirsty tea drinker's ears: far more rewarding than a violent click! Meanwhile, the cat popped by to say hello.

Sooty awaits his cup of tea

Using a little more than the recommended 5 teaspoons of tea, the teapot was brought to the kettle as it boiled, filled with still-boiling H₂O, and the timer was set for it to brew. (I even set the teapot on a stone mat that reflects heat to keep it piping hot!)

Teacups in waiting

Using a strainer, I poured the (hopefully perfect) tea into warm waiting cups - adding the milk afterwards, as Orwell stipulates, and keeping the sugar far from reach.

Cups o' Tea

While it's a bit of a palaver to get everything together, sometimes a girl's got to have the perfect cuppa. Thanks to Hitchens, CSN, Le Crueset, and Sabichi, it's a wee bit easier to have a nice hot muffit o' tea. Now, if only I could get my American man to get it right, I might be able to have one that's hot and perfectly brewed every day. One can only hope.

A massive thanks to CSN, who have unwittingly unleashed an obsession with sparkly kitchenware and new-found need for a good pair of oven mitts.

How do you make your perfect cup of tea?

B3DA #14: It's Only Thursday?!

Pleeeease can it be the weekend already?

Apologies for the momentary blip in the blogging schedule - it seems that I'm not the only one who has slipped up! If this carries on we may need to do some naming and shaming, BEDA ladies!

My excuse? I went straight from work to dinner to book club, and didn't get home til I was ready for my bed. We read (or semi-read, or didn't read - bad month!) Pride & Prejudice & Zombies. I know a few of you (looking at you, Christina) are big Pride & Prejudice fans... What do you make of the zombie rewrite? I found it mildly entertaining, if a little self-satisfied. Granted, I didn't make it much beyond about a tenth of the way through.

I've also been gearing up to batter into my Great Loves box set a.s.a.p!

In the meantime, why don't you take a stroll on over to Uncultured Critic, where I'm giving away 3 DVD copies of Blue Valentine? Go on, you know you want to!

Til tomorrow!
Nicola

B3DA #12: Baby

I enjoyed this.

Lovely day in the 'burgh today. Productive meeting, good food, and coffee with a burrah pal.

I have to apologise for the half-hearted blogging - my RSI has been pretty bad lately so I've been staying off the computer. I hope you enjoy Nunes' tunes!

'Til tomorrow!
Nicola

B3DA #11: Painfully Introspective

It's the 8th-12th days which are always the hardest, isn't it?

I'm absolutely pooped from this past weekend. It's been lovely to get some sunny weather and fresh company to break up the rain, but there's lots of planning and scheming to be done this week. Tomorrow I'm off to Edinburgh to get started at my new job back at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. I've grown a wee bit fond of Edinburgh over the last 18 months or so - I hope you will forgive me.

Other things what are good:

• Laura's amazing Etsy shop.
  
  
• Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up, but a comedy in long-shot.
  — Charlie Chaplin
  
  

'Til tomorrow!
Nicola

B3DA #8: Follow Friday

Happy Friday! Phew, one week down, four to go. How are all you BEDA-ers holding up?

I feel like telling you to follow fellow BEDA-ers would be a bit like preaching to the choir, so if you want to find them, you can do so here.

Otherwise, here are some links for awesome things what are on the internet! These are all things I've either liked and not closed, liked and never finished, or liked but haven't actually read/listened to yet. Enjoy!

• Stephen Fry visits my favourite radio personality, Jian Ghomeshi, on CBC Canada.
  
  
• Billy Wilder on The Art of Screenwriting where all great interviews live - The Paris Review.
  
  
• Stephanie Zacharek of Salon.com is my film writer of the moment (even though she quit about a year ago).
  
  
• From Flavorwire.com: Writers & their typewriters and 20 final lines in literature.
  
  
• Why We Travel from Paul Theroux of the New York Times.
  
  
• One of John Green's latest videos: Many Truths, 1 Lie
  
  

Got links to share? Send 'em my way!

'Til tomorrow!

Nicola

B3DA #3: A Bookish Interlude

Penguin has done it again. 

Excuse me for a minute while I indulge in a little literary squee, would you?

Though I ought to be sticking to my budget (fiscal and cultural), I was in Fopp yesterday when I  came across this new Penguin series: Great Loves. They're beautifully designed bookettes filled with short stories and novellas from 20 authors, including F. Scott Fitzgerald, Katherine Mansfield, Leo Tolstoy, and D.H. Lawrence. I picked up Anaïs Nin's Eros Unbound, which is filled with snapshot short-stories of love. Needless to say, I can't wait to get stuck in. At £5 a pop, they're quite expensive for what you get, but since they're only around £20 for the complete set from Amazon marketplace, I have to say I'm tempted to order the complete set.

To celebrate the wonderful Bette Davis' birthday on Tuesday, I also picked up David Thomson's Great Stars book about the leading lady, and a DVD of All About Eve. Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy night!

As you may have seen, I'm currently in the midst of a 52 Book Challenge. As well as getting cracking on Pride & Prejudice & Sea Monsters for book club, I'm re-reading John Green's Looking for Alaska. Did I mention that I have a massive deadline this Thursday? This is why I need an intellectual budget. Tomorrow, I'll tell you a little bit about the 3 films I watched at the cinema this week.

What are you reading at the moment? Are there any books or films you're currently crushing over?

Hello & Here Come the Reviews

Hello all - how are you doing this end-of-year? I've been plotting and planning to kick-start the blog in the new year, with a little help from CSN Stores. They have amazing online stores where you can find everything from great cookware to beautiful bedroom furniture to chic lighting pieces -- take a look!

Hope you're all enjoying your winter break, I'll be back shortly with loads of new content and reviews. You can also check out my Best of 2010 at my other blog, Uncultured Critic.

Nicola

Quotations, Quotations, Quotations

I have returned from the deep dark depths of the internet (aka my other blog, Uncultured Critic) to share with you some of my favourite quotes!

I've been loving this website, Quotables, which is a database of quotations. It is a fantastic resource and -- finally -- a place to keep all of my quotes in one place! Full disclosure: I'm interning on the project; but most certainly not for want of a better job. You should also check out the Quotables blog for lots of fun, themed quotations.

These are all my favourite quotes about inspiration, life, and overcoming adversity.

The world bursts at the seams with people ready to tell you you're not good enough. But do not do their work for them. Seek any job, ask anyone out; pursue any goal. Don't take it personally when they say "no" - they might not be smart enough to say "yes".
— Keith Olbermann

Enjoy what you can, and endure what you must.
— Goethe

Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat.
— F. Scott Fitzgerald

What do you want a meaning for? Life is a desire, not a meaning.
— Charlie Chaplin

If it is important enough to you, you will find a way. If it is not, you will find an excuse.
— Anonymous

What are your favourite quotes?

Expression

I’ve been thinking - perhaps due to my recent reading of Stephen Fry’s The Liar - about the crossing-over of words between languages. Words like schadenfreude (deriving pleasure from the misfortune of others) and zeitgeist (“the spirit of the times/age”). Words that perfectly encapsulate an idea or a feeling in such a way that they are irreplaceable; no translation necessary.

There are also a number of French words that cross over into English, German, and beyond. Phrases like c’est la vie, je ne sais quoi, and faux pas, and the Italian prima donna. Classics, clichés, and - on the whole - often misspelled. They are ubiquitous in speech yet avoided in type.

I have also been thinking about people who are able to express things in ways that I could never imagine. People with brilliant ideas which they articulate with style. For example...

i live here: SF
A photography project with the aim to, “share the spirit and fascinating layers of this city through the words and faces of those who live here”. It’s like iheartstrangers, but the stories are written by the subject and share their love for the city that calls itself The City. The creator, Julie Michelle, also runs this fantastic personal blog.

Raptitude
David Cain's project for "getting better at being human" is an endless stream of questions. Questions you've asked and never had answered. Questions you ask yourself on a day-to-day basis, but never explore or resolve. Questions you've never even thought of before. Raptitude baffles me daily, often in ways that make me want to close my browser and forget I ever read his words for fear that I will someday have to come face-to-face with my own thoughts. It's pretty invigorating, and a worthwhile challenge.

Keegan Gibbs
A simple photoblog that captures life in a way that I have always wished I could.

The Art of Non-Conformity
Chris Guillebeau is a man who grabs life by the balls. His tenacity knows no bounds, and he doles out advice and encouragement to help others join him in blazing their own trails. It's difficult not to listen to the man who is building an empire, running a marathon each year, and is well on his way to visiting every country in the world before his 35th birthday.

What words are most expressive to you? Is there someone whose creativity you admire?

'Til next time,
Nicola x

[Photo by Julie Michelle.]

BEDA #29(!): Things I Love Thursday

This week has been kind of a rerun of last, replete with 30 Rock, late nights doing nothing in particular, writing at the library, and drinking ridiculous amounts of chai tea.

The Best: Chai teas (again & again); NPR; Tumblr; Sprinkle of Ginger; Twitter chats; being too distracted to blog; tracking the Google searches throughout one dinner conversation (Barry Zito & pink satin pillows, scallops, & Van Morrison); looking forward to going home, seeing friends, hugging my mum & dad, & smooshing the cat's face; new developments; big(ish) decisions; BEDA & reading BEDA Buddies' blogs; In-n-Out Double Doubles & shakes; waiting til the last minute to pack; Jeopardy; upcoming plans; & Evan.

What made you smile this week?

'Til Tomorrow (a.k.a The Last BEDA)!
Nicola x

BEDA #28: Favourites

So here is a quick list I threw together. Most of it is off the top of my head so please don't hold poor choices against me in 10 years(!)

Novel: The Book Thief
Book (Non-Fiction): The Demon-Haunted World - Carl Sagan
Author: Haruki Murakami
Writer: Dave Eggers, Augusten Burroughs
Play (Seen): National Anthems by Dennis McIntyre (at the Old Vic w/Kevin Spacey & Mary Stuart Masterson)
Play (Read): The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
Musical: Little Shop of Horrors

Band (Currently): Vampire Weekend
Band (All-Time): Belle & Sebastian
Artist (Currently): Regina Spektor & Ben Folds
Artist (All-Time): Andrew Bird, Jeff Buckley
Song (Current): Brandy Alexander by Feist
Song (All-Time): Van Morrison's cover of Bob Dylan's Just Like a Woman & Wild Mountain Thyme


Film: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Director: Michel Gondry, Cameron Crowe, Chaplin, Keaton
Screenwriter: Charlie Kaufman
Actor: Kevin Spacey, Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio
Actress: Kate Winslet, Emma Thompson
Animation: Wall-E
TV Show: 30 Rock
Late-Night Host: TV's Craig Ferguson
Comedian: Mitch Hedberg

Website: Google (Mail, Reader, the gateway to the universe.)
Blog: In the interest of not repeating myself, The Art of Non-Conformity by Chris Guillebeau Blogger: NTKOG
Tumblr: 52 Books, oldfilmsflicker
YouTube Video: Hank Being Weird in the Airport cracks me up every time.
Magazine: Empire
Food: Nutella on toast
Hot Drink: English Breakfast Tea
Cold Drink: Iced Chai Latte
Alcoholic Drink: Gin & Tonic, lots of lime.

Twitter User: Changes week-to-week. @jianghomeshi tends to be interesting.

Feel free to put yours in the comments or blog it & link it! What are your favourite favourites?

'Til Tomorrow!
Nicola x

BEDA #27: Addictions

A List Addict's List of Addictions II
I did something similar to this last year. Most of these aren't so much "addictions" as "things I do a lot". Either way, they vary depending on where I am. Let's break this down.

Current addictions:

• 30 Rock - Surely this doesn't require much explanation. It's fun to watch, it has great characters, an amazing ensemble cast, and clever writing. It has to be the most hilarious show I've ever watched. We actually finished Season 3 last night and, to be honest, I'm getting a little burnt out. The plan is to save Season 4 until it airs on UK television.

• Chai tea: Thanks to Steven, who recommended it when I met up with him in Santa Barbara about a month ago. I still haven't been able to make it the way I like with a tea bag, but hot and iced versions from the coffee shop are tasty and extremely addictive.

• Nutella Sandwiches - Partly a symptom of being skint, and partly because I don't have to ask my mum to buy it and suffer her judgemental stare when she notes that it's the 3rd new jar in 4 weeks.

• Blogging - Can you tell? I've actually found BEDA to be surprisingly easy this year. With only 4 days left (including today), I have to say I think I will actually miss it. Uncultured Critic has suffered a little in the process, but there have only been a few days where I really didn't feel like blogging. Great success!

• California - I was meant to be here for 4 weeks, now it's going on 7. Sincere thanks to Eyjafjallajökull, the Icelandic volcano responsible for keeping me here. Seeing palm trees, sunshine, and my boyfriend every day makes me happy.

At-home addictions:

• Tea - A home-made mug of classic English Breakfast tea with a splash of milk. Deeelish.

• Cinema-going - I can't wait to get home to my Unlimited card and friends who want to see all of the films that are currently out! There are a few out at home that I missed here, and a few releases in the coming weeks that I want to catch.

• Coffee Dates - My friends are making a mass emigration into the city centre and west end, so I think the number of these can only increase once I return home. There's nothing I enjoy more than sipping a tea or coffee and having a blether, and accompanied with a wander around town and the bookshop complement these outings perfectly. I have loads of people to catch up with so hopefully there will be lots of these to come.

Other little things: Twitter; Google Reader; watching Gilmore Girls re-runs; Glee; baseball (for now); taking the train; In-n-Out burger; comedy shows; pub quizes with friends.

What are your addictions?

'Til Tomorrow!
Nicola x

BEDA #26: Quotations

For years, I've been a collector of quotations for years. I used to sit up late scouring quotedb.com looking for gems, and one of my favourite books is my Bartlett's. These are a few favourites that I've scribbled in my notebook. Enjoy.

Life:

"Good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life."
— Mark Twain

"A day without laughter is a day wasted."
— Charlie Chaplin 

"Laughter is not at all a bad beginning for a friendship, and it is by far the best ending for one."
— Oscar Wilde

"Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd."
— Voltaire

"Wisdom begins in wonder."
— Socrates

"Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counsellors, and the most patient of teachers."
— Charles W. Eliot

"Obstacles are those frightening things you see when you take your eyes off your goal."
— Henry Ford

"The world bursts at the seams with people ready to tell you you're not good enough. But do not do their work for them. Seek any job, ask anyone out; pursue any goal. Don't take it personally when they say "no" -- they may not be smart enough to say "yes"."
— Keith Olbermann

Literary:

How happy is the blameless vestal's lot!
The world forgetting, by the world forgot.
Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind!
Each pray'r accepted, and each wish resign'd.
— Alexander Pope; Eloisa to Alebard 

Half the night I waste in sighs,
Half in dreams I sorrow after
The delight of early skies;
In a wakeful doze I sorrow

For the hand, the lips, the eyes,
For the meeting of the morrow,
The delight of happy laughter,
The delight of low replies.
— Lord Alfred Tennyson; Maud: A Monodrama (Part II) 

A pain stabbed my heart as it did every time I saw a girl I loved who was going the opposite direction in this too-big world.
— Jack Kerouac; On The Road

Film:
 
I was one of the insatiables. The ones you’d always find sitting closest to the screen. Why do we sit so close? Maybe it was because we wanted to receive the images first. When they were still new, still fresh. Before they cleared the hurdles of the rows behind us. Before they’d been relayed back from row to row, spectator to spectator; until worn out, second-hand, the size of a postage stamp, it returned to the projectionist’s cabin. Maybe, too, the screen was really a screen. It screened us… from the world.— The Dreamers

What are your favourite quotations?

'Til Tomorrow!
Nicola x

BEDA #24: Favourite Childhood Books

 

I was a pretty voracious reader as a kid. From picking out big shiny picture books at the library to holding my battered paperbacks up to the window to catch rogue rays of streetlight after bedtime, I was always reading. Even if it was the same thing over and over. I was oddly picky - reading only Chapter 20: The Vixen in the Animals of Farthing Wood, or preferring The Giraffe & The Pelly & Me a fourth time over to the newest Goosebumps. Some stick out in my memory more than others. These are some of my all-time favourites.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
This is one of those books that has all sorts of pull-out sections and folding parts to enhance the story. It has had a recent surge of popularity in recent years and seems to be re-appearing at a lot of bookshops. There are new versions, but I like to think that mine was the original and best (despite the fact that it was first published in 1969). It still gets quoted in my house, "but he was stiiiiill hungry!"




The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr

I'm not sure I ever actually owned this book - maybe I loaned it from the library a lot. I love tigers and I love tea, so perhaps this book shaped me in more ways than I will ever truly know. The artwork is absolutely beautiful, and I love the simplicity of the story despite the inherent implications in inter-species dining. This book is currently on sale at Fopp; I've been meaning to pick it up. For old times' sake.


Everything by Roald Dahl
My favourites, in rough order: Danny, The Champion of the World; The Giraffe &; the Pelly &; Me; James &; the Giant Peach; Charlie & the Chocolate Factory; Fantastic Mr Fox; The BFG; Matilda; George's Marvellous Medicine; The Twits. There are only 3 of his children's books that I haven't read. I've been meaning to revisit his autobiographies, which I didn't understand growing up: Boy - Tales of Childhood and Going Solo. I don't have to tell you why Roald Dahl was amazing.

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
I've read this book tens of times and never tired of it. I must have started young, because I remember feeling much younger than Fern's 8 years, and thinking back on it when I read it again (and again and again) when I was 9 or 10. It's an undisputed classic and I have some great memories of reading this book. I still have the same old battered copy, of which I tried and failed to find a representative picture. This is one of the film posters, but it's modelled on the cover I own. What a great book.

Anything by Jacqueline Wilson
The Illustrated Mum; The Bed &; Breakfast Star; Double Act; Girls...; The Suitcase Kid… the list goes on. Pretty much anything published by ol' Jacquie up until the third "Girls" book, when I graduated on to Louise Rennison's classic Confessions of Georgia Nicholson series -- which I count as being too old to be considered children's books. The best thing about Jacqueline Wilson books was that they were often published with two novels in one physical book. Result!

Also, you should check out this fantastic new children's book blog called Book Scout by Andrea, a former librarian children's bookseller.

What were your favourite books growing up?

'Til Tomorrow!
Nicola x

[Images from weheartit, Wikipedia & here.]

BEDA #22: Things I Love Thursday

Rainy day walks; coffee-fuelled blogging sessions at the bookshop; reading new magazines I normally wouldn't purchase; rewatching & quoting In The Loop; Peter Capaldi (ifb); dinner & drinks with Evan, Callie, & Erin; forthcoming visit of the wee brother; contemplating the re-instatement of his childhood nickname, "The Monkey (Boy)" without warning; chai teas; anticipating sunshine & clear skies; In-n-Out; 30 Rock in general, classic Jack McBrayer moments in particular; attempting impressions of Will Arnett, "I'm gonna make your heart explode!"; inventing horrendous puns; The Habit; turning stubborn Amurrcans into habitual tea-drinkers; nutella sandwiches; the questionable feeling of accomplishment that comes with finishing a book that you weren't particularly enjoying; refusing to unpack; burritos; re-heated burrito leftovers when tipsy; "You'll all have chins!"; Skyping with mi madre; "Coffee mit sexy!"; smiles; and laughing.

BEDA #16: Collections

Hello, all!

Okay, this is late, and I apologise. I meant to post before going out tonight, but blatantly forgot. It's now 13 minutes past midnight so... I guess in Hawaii it's on time. Right?!

I had originally planned the Collections theme for today because I thought I would be home and would be able to photograph some of my collections. Unfortunately that is no longer the case, but I will share as best I can.

The main things I collect are cinema ticket stubs and tickets for plays, events, visits, some trains and planes, and anything else memorable. I also "collect" Moleskines (mainly because I use so many of them and have no reason to throw them away); make-up brushes (useful!); magazines (lest I decide to catch up on something a few months late); books, and - to an extent - DVDs.

This is a photobooth picture that I took quite awhile ago to show someone my movie ticket collection. It's over a year old so as you can imagine it has increased in size since then. One of my pet hates is those paper tickets you get nowadays at cinemas -- what a jip! If I'm paying £7 or $11 to see a film, I expect a real ticket, damnit!

Other than that, I don't have any special collections. If you ask nicely, though, I may take some new pictures of my movie stub collection and some other tickets once I return home.

Have a great weekend!

'Til Tomorrow (techincally later today)!
Nicola x

BEDA #16: Things I Love Thursday

Happy Thursday!

• Sunny California - Again, and always. There was a storm and a fair bit of rain earlier in the week, but it brightened up and is now back  to its former 23C glory. When i get home next week, it's probably going to be about 12C and raining, so I'm enjoying this as much as I can, while I can. It's making me wish I could stay longer. Next time I'm here it'll be in the region of 35C, smoggy, and dry.

• Baseball - The Giants are playing well, and it has been a lot of fun to watch. We change it up between watching at home and going to Evan's dad's house to watch it with his family. The current record is 7-2 (wins-losses) so it has been a great early season so far! We're not accustomed to the Giants winning so much. The local AAA league team, the Fresno Grizzlies, is the Giants' little brother team, and their season starts tomorrow. A couple of the Giants' rising stars are playing, including Buster Posey and Madison Bumgarner (some names, huh!),  so we're going to the opening game. I can't wait to watch the setting sun, eat hot dogs and watch my last live game for a few months.

• Bookshop Cafés - I've been stealing away to Barnes & Noble to focus, sip tea, and write. To my astonishment I've been getting a lot done. It should be a given, but it still surprises me how much I can get done before my netbook battery dies when I'd usually be distracted, checking Twitter and emails and looking up every insignificant detail of which I'm unsure. It made me think, too. If you're a freelance writer or graphic designer or whatever and only need a computer to work but have trouble knucking down at home; is the bi-hourly purchase of coffee comparable to paying rent on an office? I wonder.

Little loves: Iced vanilla lattes in the sunshine; sitting on the back porch at night with Evan and his sister; catching up on 30 Rock; long lies; walking ; Glee (I know); Netflix live stream; the usual suspects!

What's brightening up your Thursday?

[Photo by Richard Herrmann - It's a Mola Mola, the largest fish in the world.]

BEDA #11: Weekly Wrap-Up

This week I have been mostly...

Writing blog posts and coverage, sleeping, watching TV and movies on Netflix. Spending far too much time on the computer, hanging out with Evan and his family and friends. Scribbling and playing Bejewelled. Eating far too much chocolate, going to the cinema, and plotting for the week ahead.

Watching: College, Jerry Maguire, Moon, How to Train Your Dragon, Gilmore Girls, 30 Rock, and Baseball (Go Giants!), SNL, and YouTube.

Reading: Will Grayson Will Grayson, Blogs, and just about anything I find lying around.

Listening to: WonderCon recordings, Evan singing The Strokes, NPR on the radio, and everything on shuffle.




It has been a long-short week. Lots of writing, not much reading, and on-and-off watching habits have ensued. Highlights include bylines, sushi, cinema-going (always, always), hanging out with Callie, barbecuing, and rainy days interspersed with sunny ones.

What did you get up to this week?

BEDA #9: Not Even Trying

Let me be straight with you guys. I lazed around all day, and I didn't blog.

I'm actually kinda drunk right now.

So, to make up for it... here you are.



This video pretty much says it all.

'Til Tomorrow!
Nicola x

BEDA #8: Things I Love Thursday

Welcome to the official day of weekly glee! Since it has been awhile since I mentioned her, Gala Darling is the pioneer of Things I Love Thursdays, bringing a dose of happiness to your week, every week, for over 2 years.

WonderCon2010

• I do go on, but I had such a blast this weekend with all the Disney & Pixar-induced fun, reporting, and sublime geekery that goes on at these conventions.

California

• California, I love you. you are so sunny and filled with my favourite things: blue skies, sunshine, palm trees, and mountain views.

Chai Tea

• Okay, so I'm a little late to the party. I was never sure what to expect form chai, but after a heartfelt recommendation I decided to try it and now I'm addicted. How do you prepare yours? It's great from the coffee shop (despite being some kind of syrupy elixir) but my kitchen experimentations have yet to yield the perfect cup!

Buster Keaton

• We finally got the instant queue set up on the X-Box, and OMGitisthebestthingever. Finally, a pool of silent comedies without having to wait months for the DVDs! I've been watching upwards of 3 films per day, and a whole bunch of 30 Rock. I'm going to be pretty sad when I go back to LoveFilm (UK Netflix)!

The little things…

• Scrabble outrage; extending my trip; new books; home-made iced green tea with honey; scribbling notes on hotel stationery; chips & salsa; watching film after film after film; chai tea, again; hot dogs at the ballgame; BA phone staff; Moon/Sam Rockwell/Kevin Spacey; obsessive list-making; more tea; updating Uncultured Critic; bylines; shoutouts from @radicalaxis, and Will Grayson Will Grayson anticipation.