I was forced today to reciprocate the kindness of our isom ladies by providing dinner for them. I rose to the occasion! Managed to get Ali to drive me to ASDA, where I spent a long time considering my options. Jessy had made it clear that I could cook anything as long as it was chicken. So I got some prime cuts of beef…Nah, jus’ kiddin’. I got some pieces of chicken breast, a sachet of Chargrilled Chicken and one of Bombay Potatoes. Bought some ASDA ‘stimulating drink’ to wash it down with. So the dishes of the day were Pasta Conchiglie con Chargrilled Chicky, i Patata a la Bombay. Yummax! Managed to cook it in record time as well, especially considering how hungover I was in t’morning. (Neat link into a description of last night’s shenanigans) Rayk & I went to the Cornerhouse for a movie reckoned to be one of the “great mind-fuck movies”. With accolades like that, it was irresistable. We managed to smuggle in a 4 pack of Grolsch (although it’s not exactly Fort Knox in there) and proceded to merry the time away. The movie, ‘Primer’ was absolutley amazing, have to see it atleast twice. I have to take back all my snide comments about American cinema now. We then decided to sink a few sweet ones in the Grand Central. After another couple, Rayk was ready for home, but he hadn’t counted on my persuasive charm. Revolution it was then, and when Ali joined us to head for Ponana, Rayk hardly put up any resistance at all. All in all, we were on to getting well blathered! Um.. then we caught a cab, no no, there was this cow, no, it was a kebab,… Anyway, lights out.
All posts in category World
interesting stuff from my adopted planet
I’m BACK!
Ah, let me kiss this sweet Mancunian earth. As I was waiting for my luggage, I commented on how I’d never experienced any of the hilarious incidents of missing luggage, stolen stuff etc. on all my travels. Lo! I find my rucksack split open, and phone missing 😦 As well as my headphones. So I’m temporarily out of contact with all the hordes who wish to welcome me back home.
(Later on in Naz’s day)
I bought some top qwality headphones, £3.99 for both ears. I finished reading Harry Potter’s (yes, I know he didn’t write it, he’s only a kid) Order of Phoenix this morn, apparently it’s either him or Lord Volvofort that has to be killed. Surprised me, I’ll say! Also, all the teachers know that some kids are bad ‘uns, so why keep teaching them Dark Arts? So they’ll grow up and the good ‘uns will have somebody to fight? Why not screen the students? As for the magic fights, if I was a wizard confronted by a snotty-nosed, self-centred brat like Potter n Co, I’d jinx him good and proper! Cruciatus Maximus Screamus! Rowling seems to confuse magic with Star Wars sometimes, what with all the dodging of red light and green light going on.
Posted by naz on 1 September, 2005
https://nazmania.co.uk/2005/09/01/im-back/
Den Haag
Ok, Amsterdam was getting a tad tiresome, so we upped sticks and offed to The Hague. Saw the International Justice building, where a lone guy was standing outside protesting for the release of some guy called Gun Falan or something. I remember reading about him, but I really can’t be bothered bringing up google now to find out the whole story just so I can put it here and seem knowledgable. Saw the prison where Nobel Peace Prize candidate Mr Milosovic was holed up. Also hit the North Sea, great beaches (maybe you’ll see the pics someday) with topless sunbathers all candidates for Miss Blackpool atleast. Back in the Dam managed to fit in some canal trips before settling down at a posh Italian place where I wasn’t supposed to put my elbows on the table, and you get huge plates with no food. But I did love the Ravioli ricotta i spinaci. With butter and sage sauce. Yummax!
(addendum)
it’s Falun Gong, a religious movement in PRC that’s being persecuted by the govt. Surprise me!
Posted by naz on 30 August, 2005
https://nazmania.co.uk/2005/08/30/den-haag/
Dutch Masters
There’s only one Rijk’s Museum, and it was host to me! A warm sunny day ’twas today, so I slapped a ton of sunblock on my visage and headed off to spend the day indoors amongst crowds of strangers and smelling of Nivea 45 xg or summat. Unlike yesterday when I was lain on the roof of the NEMO building until cooked to a Naz Thermidor. Saw Rembrandt, Vermeer, Witte, amongst others. They said hi 😛 Delft plates and plaques, magnificant doll houses etc. A great big model of a Dutch galleon ( Oh, and they battered the British at sea, apparently) Busy day for Mr. Kodak Easy Share C340. I believe a new talent is going to burst onto the Manchester scene soon, with techniques honed in Amsterdam by studying the Dutch Masters. I’ve heard of United’s thrashing of Newcastle, and England’s humiliation of Ponting’s tourists.
Posted by naz on 30 August, 2005
https://nazmania.co.uk/2005/08/30/dutch-masters/
Birds in the news
I’ve been hearing reports over here about the severe threats posed by Asian birds. Apparently Asian Birds flew. So what, weren’t they flying before?
-Confused 😛
Posted by naz on 29 August, 2005
https://nazmania.co.uk/2005/08/29/birds-in-the-news/
I AMsterdam
It’s flippin’ four o’clock here, can’t sleep at all. The flight was great, Amsterdam’s as great as ever. Early start tomorrow, cycling tour and whatnot. There’s a special display of Van Gogh’s sketches in the VG Museum. I’m nicking someone’s wireless internet connection 🙂 Back to pollinating blogs, and listening to music online. Oh, and I had spring chicken in Tarragon sauce (I’d never heard of tarragon before!) and it was flippin’ mind-blowing! And they had a real buttery taters mash with veggies in it. And I et it all! And I’m hungry now. The waitress brought us beer in little 250 ml glasses, so we (I) asked for bigger ones, and she said “Do you want pint glasses?” So the English have been here as well! We’re at the Arena hotel, great place! Free Internet and all 🙂 Should get some shut-eye.
Posted by naz on 28 August, 2005
https://nazmania.co.uk/2005/08/28/i-amsterdam/
Angels or apes?
“Would we see ourselves as fallen angels rather than upright apes?”
New Scientist, of which you all know I’m a big fan, has a few articles compiled under “What if?” If Darwin didn’t go on that trip on The Beagle, if Einstein’s work wasn’t published, etc. Wonderful stuff, although a few hints of tech determinism creep in here and there.
Posted by naz on 24 August, 2005
https://nazmania.co.uk/2005/08/24/angels-or-apes/
Swimming via Liverpool FC to Placid Lake
Yes, swimming alright! It’s pouring down in Manchester, so I guess we’ll all just get in our shorts and suits and stand outside! Also muscle ache is catching up with some of my WEAKER, WIMPIER comrades! I rushed home yesterday in order to fix myself a meal before settling down to watch Liverpool play CSKA Sofia. The scousers had a 3-1 lead from the first leg in Bulgaria, so they didn’t have to play much. And you bet they didn’t play much! BOOOORIIING! Long balls everywhere, strikers absolutley useless (Commentator goes “Morientes looks like he’s going to explode some time” – To which I say “Yes, but not in this life mate”) Riise looked sharp as usual, but he always has. Garcia on in half-time made a difference, but the fact remains that without Gerrard Liverpool is hopeless. Then I watched a cracker of a film. Described as a horror comedy, ‘Lake Placid’ was neither. A 30+ foot crocodile, 150 years old, living in a lake in Maine. How does it get there, an observant reader might ask. It swam the sea from “another continent”! Now the only salt-water croc I know of is the Australian mugger. So I think it must’ve flown Qantas. Oh, and the lakes in Maine do FREEZE in winter! Here’s a bunch of ‘facts’ I learnt about crocs from this informative movie.
‘Fact 1’ – Crocodiles can’t see very well underwater. ‘Scientific explanation’ of ‘fact’ – They have a nictating membrane that covers the eye. I says – So all those hours watching Discovery where crocs are gobbling up fish willy-nilly underwater were staged? Attenborough’s nasty secret?
‘Fact 2’ – If a croc’s coming at you, dive underwater. ‘Scientific explanation’ of ‘fact’ – Look at ‘Fact 1’. I says – That might be the last thing you’ll ever do then, my friend.
What crap acting as well! Jeeeez! The ingredients used were standard fare.
Actor 1 – Pretty blonde, clever, not afraid of trying although she’s a girl
Actor 2 – Outdoor, woodsy man, “Oh what the heck, let’s DO it!”
Actor 3 – Eccentric rich ‘specialist’ scientist who explains things (like croc behaviour) to everyone (and to us stupid audience)
Actor 4 – Fat sheriff (always value for money)
Actor 5, 6, 7 – To get eaten
As for the plot. Opening scene, people out unaware, sudden tragedy, clue = lots of thrashing in the water. Then progressively we see more and more of the croc monster, (presumably the Special Effects people are getting steadily better) until a final showdown. Interspersed with a few private moments between all the ‘action’ so we can get to know the ‘characters’ better.
Posted by naz on 24 August, 2005
https://nazmania.co.uk/2005/08/24/swimming-placid-lake/
Today’s treat for you
Today’s treat for you my little ones, is Sinosplice, a page of interesting links to blogs written by foreigners in China, Chinese people in China, and a few Chinese living abroad. As you might have guessed by now, the common theme is China 😛 I’ll be reviewing a few of the interesting ones soon, but I can already see quite a few really special ones. Some of the blogs have been blocked in China (they’re the ones with the beige background instead of white).
Posted by naz on 23 August, 2005
https://nazmania.co.uk/2005/08/23/todays-treat-for-you/
Virtual crime
Now I’ve heard it all!! Apparently a guy in Japan was arrested because he played a virtual game with software bots instead of real human beings, which therefore made him unbeatable. He used his bots to mug other players of their virtual possessions, which he then sold to other players for real money!! A lot of games allow you to make real money if you play well, opening up the way for crime, because where there is money, there are people looking for an easy buck. More info on New Scientist here.
Posted by naz on 18 August, 2005
https://nazmania.co.uk/2005/08/18/virtual-crime/
The Nazmanian Devil 