Jack, Red, Frank & Hannibal

Well where do I start?  I have to highly recommend four TV shows for you based simply on absolutely brilliant characters / scripts but also amazing actors.

Have you seen "Hannibal?"  It's a TV show and is the prequel to the Silence of the Lambs series of films.  The premise is that no-one yet knows that Hannibal Lecter is a psychotic serial killer, and in the series he is an eminent and well respected phsychologist.  He initially works with a damaged FBI profiler / psychologist, then works with the FBI.  Totally amazing.  The script is so clever and Hannibal is super intelligent but very, very sinister.  The conversations between him and his psychologist patient Will Graham are so clever and you need to concentrate.  Hannibal is played by Danish actor Mads Mikkelson.  Gillian Anderson has been fab as his psychologist and deserves special credit.

What about  "The Blacklist?"  About a naval officer turned super criminal who is one of America's most wanted.  He negotiates a deal with the authorities to give them insider information about some of the cleverest and most sought after criminals in return for intelligence once they are caught.  There's a bigger background story arc about why this super criminal is not just away enjoying his life, but I wont waste it.  James Spader plays Red (Raymond Reddington), with an amazing array of emotions, camp performances and a dark side.  Love it.  Must watch.  Gutted season one finished and it didn't answer any of my questions.

A Netflix exclusive, so if you haven't already got access you should - "House of Cards".  Totally immense political thriller has had two seasons now.  We watched each one over a weekend, it is that good.  The amazing Kevin Spacey is Frank Underwood.  He is an evil political genius who plays the long game.  And it works.  Worth the Netflix subscripton for this alone.

And Jack's back!  Jack Bauer who else?  Well who did you really think I was talking about?  Ha ha.  We are only three hours into the current worst day of his life.  That man has had some right bad luck, but we still love him.  Even if he tortures bad guys to save the rest of the world.  Well that should keep you all going for a wee bit.

Catch you later chickens x

Woofy and the Teddy Bear Dog Part 1

Well the two furry eejits (scottish word for idiots) got together again last week.  Only took an hour for them to settle down this time as opposed to the ususal two.  We went to Glasgow to Teddy Bear Dog's home turf for a walk and a coffee.

Teddy Bear Dog likes to jump up all over Woofy and it's amazing how patient Woofy can be considering he's only a year old himself.  They did that usual thing where I bring two of everything but they fight over the same one.  So this week it was chewable toothbrushes (yes I know it sounds mad!) from Pets at Home.  They are made of some obviously delicious, dog enticing stuff.   I bought four of them in four separate colours so I knew which belonged to who.  One immediately disappeared (to be found hours later languishing under a table).  The lost one belonged to Woofy who should never have lost it in the first place.  He then went straight for Teddy Bear Dog's chewy toothbrush and took it from his shocked wee mouth.  Then ran round the coffee table with it.  The mad grin and wide eyes were mandatory at this point.  They tell you to leave animals to get on with it and don't interfere.  I was gutted my gorgeous Woody Dog was not playing nice!

We had some lunch then decided to take them both out for a walk to distract them.  I won't even pretend we were trying to calm them down 'cos that's just not happening.  We walked along the street with Woofy stopping to sniff and snuffle every few feet, as he does.  TBD is actually usually very good at walking when he is on his own, but was easily distracted by the pest with his stopping and snuffling.  We walked across the park then along a busy main road.  They were both quite good and we kept them out of the way of normal people (pedestrians).  It's amazing how many hits TBD gets just walking along.  "Oohs" and "aahs" left right and centre.  He walks along like a Supermodel and apparently is  used to it.  Although Woofy did get a look in, with a few comments of, "Is he a wee Schnauzer?  I have one!"  All the Schnauzer people love him.

Woofy got all funny at one particular street though.  Appeared a bit spooked and had to be encouraged all the way along.  Was fine either side of it both there and back ... must smell of something.  Glasgow is very nice.  You can find "Dog Friendly" Cafes where you can have a civilised coffee or lunch and also take your dog in too.  We asked permission.  They said, "It's the same as with children, if they are well behaved they are welcome!"  Nice.  So we had coffees.  TBD was cool with this, of course, 'cos he is a Glasgow dog and used to sitting in a cafe.  For Woofy it was another story.  He jumped up on my knee (to protect me obviously) and took in everything.  The place smelt amazing to me, so must have been something else for him.  He was good though and the next time we go he should be a bit more familiar.

We walked back home along the same streets and Woofy was spooked again but back to normal as soon as we left the offending area.  His head went up and he ran ahead, as usual snuffling.  They must have been some sight to passers by who saw them approaching.  We took them off their leads at the park on the way home and they had a good run around in circles.  Which was all very nice until it was time to get the leads on again.  Woofy was fab - he's used to it.  But TBD decided to taunt us.  He did that running us round in circles thing.  Can you imagine?  Two grown adults being laughed at by a tiny dog.  Beautiful Daughter finally caught him (treats, Woofy and chasing all failed) and I don't think she's too keen to let him off again any time soon.

Back at the house they decided to play tug of war over a wooly sock.  I just gave up at that point.  So when it was finally hometime (four hours after beginning the adventure), TDB crashed out to sleep at home and Woofy crashed out to sleep in the back of the car.  They refuse to sleep when together!  Anyway, we have round two later this week when TBD comes for an overnight, so watch this space.

Catch you later chickens x

Pearls of wisdom

Lovely husband is on form tonight.  Can I share with you?  So today at work, someone thanked him for helping and said "you're the man!"  Lovely Husband responded, "No, I'm the Grande Fromage!"  Then he got stuck in a huge traffic jam on the way home on the motorway.  At least he got some work done today.  He came home and started repairing his alloy wheels.  At 7.30pm at night.  Then he came in and demanded "Why did you let me start that?"  Because clearly you'll listen to anything I say - NOT.  Sit down on the couch and chill out madman.

We watched some TV.  So then he decided to start being rude about my Beautiful Kitten.  And you know how much I love my kitten.  Didn't go down well.  And all because she decided to have a wee lie down in Woofy's basket.  I was delighted cos it shows she is socialising - something she does rarely.  Woofy is just so happy all the time, he lay on the rug with his toys and watched her.  Isn't she pretty?

Remember I said that my Beautiful Kitten had an accident last year and ended up losing one back leg.  Well she has a bad habit of sitting under cars.  We suspect the original injury was a tyre running over her paw.  So clearly when our neighbour appears with his work's Monster Truck and parks out the back she decides to sit underneath it.  To be fair she can sit upright under this thing.  Well lovely Husband has called her variously a "car pancake" and "tread fodder".  That's just not nice you know.  I tell him daily that he's a horrible man.  He refers to me as the dwarf (I have height issues).  During all this Beautiful Daughter is texting me to say she had "lost" Teddy Bear dog - he was asleep under the bed!  See what I have to live with?

Catch you later chickens x

Sport with a twist

Well.  I love F1.  Really I do.  But it was a wee bit processional wasn't it?  Although we got a wee bit of excitement at the end with a few overtaking moves in the last 10 laps, so that's good.  Lewis got a bit sniffy with his engineer mid race cos he thought the strategy was going against him.  Settle down and drive your car.  Vettel did well to finish where he did considering he started 15th.  (Can you see I'm trying not to waste the result if you've not seen the race!)  And Lotus got their first points of the season.

And Aberdeen threw European football away by conceding an injury time goal to closest rival Motherwell, giving the Euro tour to their Lanarkshire rivals.  And Liverpool bottled it a few weeks ago and are currently watching Man City steal the title from under them.

But what's the main difference between F1 and football?  Answer, F1 is fab, and football - who cares? :) ha ha ha

Catch you later chickens x

Happy Birthday Woofy Dog

This is Woofy Dog.  Today is his First Birthday.  I was never an animal person you know.  I had never been brought up with any kind of creatures so was unfamiliar with their ways and how to act around them.  If you'd asked me I would have said I was afraid of dogs.

You already know that I adore my beautiful kitten.  We've had her for nearly eight years.  That made me realise that I've always been an animal person, I just didn't know it before.  So when I decided a couple of years ago that I needed a lifestyle change I thought a dog would get me up off the couch and walk at least once a day.  It still took about 18 months for the time to be right and due to a series of co-incidental events, we were put in touch with a local breeder in April 2013.

This is Woofy at one week old!  We went to see the litter of five boys and one girl.  We wanted a boy.  Woofy's mum and litter were all chilling quietly but he weaved his way across the pen with his eyes still shut (as puppies do at one week old!) straight to Lovely Husband.  It was pretty much a done deal after that.  All the boys were pure black except for Woofy.  He had a tiny patch of white hair on his chest and another on his chin.  He still has them.  it was the only way to tell him apart from his brothers.

Lovely husband grew up with dogs, mostly Poodles, so he was keen that whatever dog we got had to be some kind of Oodle.  Preferably a toy or miniature as we have limited space what with the two humans and a cat already living here.  The breeder had a litter.  Mum is a Miniature Poodle and dad a miniature Schnauzer.  So technically Schnoodles, but Lovely husband can't bring  himself to say that name, so we just call Woofy a Schnauzer Poodle cross.

We had to wait another seven weeks before we were allowed to bring him home and it was really hard.  Now that he had picked us I was dying for him to come home.  This is Woofy at eight weeks old just as we got him home.  And today is his first birthday!  And we've not broken him!  Now I know I've not told you a lot about his madness and carry on, but we have plenty of time for that.  I  just wanted to introduce him on his first birthday.  My handsome Woofy boy.  Currently he is running in mad circles around the living room chasing a red laser light shone by Lovely Husband.  His tail is straight up and wagging like a furry madman.

Anyway, catch you later chickens x

Spanish Grand Prix Quali 2014

Well.  I told  you to run and hide when I started ranting about F1 didn't I?  Spanish GP qualifying was today.  I can't really say that I support one team or driver.  I just love the whole thing, most teams, drivers and staff.  There's the odd character whom I think is either a bit overrated, immature or payed to get there, but I dont want to be negative.

Two red flags during the first and third quali sessions due to a crash and a gearbox failure.  But Mercedes got front row of the grid and good to see that the Ferraris are both strong.  Interesting to see who can take the fight to Mercedes.  We'll know that tomorrow, it's a long race.

Catch you later chickens x

Hoop Hoop

I first clapped eyes on an original Powerhoop at my wonderful crazy friend’s house in June 2012.  There was wine involved.  It was messy.  

In January 2013 we went to a fitness class so we could both get in shape for our holidays later in the year.  My BMI is just in the overweight zone, but then again Lovely Husband does refer to me as the dwarf.

Crazy friend then informed me I would be joining her at a  ladies day at the gym, and we would be taking part in an attempt to break the Guinness  World Record for the largest Powerhoop exercise class ever!  Aye right!!  “But I’ve never hooped properly  … I don’t know how to do it … and I hate exercise …  and you want me to give up a Saturday for this????”

Loved it!  I was totally rubbish!!  I spent the next 45 minutes laughing and picking up my hoop! At some points they told us to move things like our arms or legs!! Ha ha ha.  Again, aye right!! 

And suddenly I realised I had done a 45 minute workout and was bathed in sweat and had laughed 90% of the time (except for the arm track!!)

I promptly bought my demo hoop and went home.  Lovely Husband was watching for me as I got out the car with this crazed grin on my face, wearing a Powerhoop T-shirt and a Powerhoop over my shoulder!

It's important that you know that I wasn't really a big fan of exercise.  So to find something that I enjoyed was a revelation.  So I can't just go to a class, can I - eejit.  I have to go the whole hog and become and instructor!

I spent the summer studying the first course, then attended the Powerhoop Instructor Training Day in October 2013.  I came home and again Lovely Husband was watching for me as I got out the car with this crazed grin on my face (shaking his head this time), wearing a Powerhoop Instructor T-shirt and a Powerhoop over my shoulder! 

I lost 5 and a half inches from my waist in 9 months.  Slim your waist, strengthen your core, exercise and giggle at the same time.  If you've not tried it you definitely should.  Will give you more gossip when classes restart in the summer.

Catch you later chickens x