Congrats to all the winners, to all the nominees and to everyone else who feels they deserve a goodwill gesture from me. Fortunately one of the people I was hoping for won an award; Tamsin Greig for Best Actress in a Play. I am sure Daniel Evans was a worthy winner of the Best Actor in a Musical award, even though that unfortunately meant Philip Quast did not receive his fourth Olivier. It will come, though, one day, I'm sure.

I big hug to the SOLT for bringing us very live coverage and a big raspberry and a fart in the general direction of the Beeb for announcing the winners half an hour before the ceremony had ended. Bad show, people!

Tonight's episode of Waking the Dead was the best one in the series (but then the latest series has been a bit too potty for my taste, to be honest, not even a bearded Trevor Eve with his sexy laptop (because I have the same) (laptop, not beard) could quite save this round)--hopefully it won't fall apart again in tomorrow's conclusive episode, which is also the last in the series. My prediction is still that it will be the last episode ever. Time to move on, but only as long as Trevor (Mc)Eve gets another high profile part in a drama. Or spends the next eight months on stage in London, that would be nice. And expensive, for me.

Going to bed now; hoping everyone had a nice week and that the coming week will be even better!

Labels: award shows, philip quast, tamsin greig, theatre, trevor eve, TV

I must apologise for updating this thing so infrequently. I think about my dear blog every day, but seldom actually go to the extent as to writing anything in it.

So what am I doing these days? The usual. Working, watching telly, reading a bit, playing computer games, going to the occasional performance.

And this week was a very nice one when it comes to stage performances. The long awaited Follies in Concert charity gala took place at the London Palladium. I had nightmares about my inferior clothing the night before, but as people seemed to go in whatever outfit they had lying around five minutes before leaving home (I am generalising heavily here; actually most people looked quite nice), this proved to be an unfounded worry. The people on stage looked more glamourous than most of the audience. Of course, it could also be the fact that many of the lookers-on were there for the same reason I was (well, that is doubtful, but still...) and couldn't actually afford more than the ticket and thus no new clothes.

OR it could be that people just don't give a toss anymore. People wearing jeans to the theatre annoy me. I am indeed turning into an old bag.

The audience's clothing aside, we were all having a good time and we enjoyed showing our appreciation to the cast and crew, even though not all of us gave any extra money to the charities of the night, the Starlight Children's Foundation and the Kingston Hospital Cancer Unit Appeal.

I must admit (I have a lot to learn, but please bear in mind that I only fully discovered theatre in 2001) that I didn't quite realise how great a cast it would be, what kind of a treat I was going to get. I had been focused on a few select names I recognised, the rest did not mean anything to me. However, when the show started, I began to see the light. There were the immense voices of Kim Criswell and Dame Josephine Barstow, the well-known faces of Imelda Staunton, Meg Johnson and Angela Rippon, the perfect casting of Liz Robertson and Tim Flavin and of course the reason for why I was there (three guesses, everyone, no prize to be won), Philip Quast and Maria Friedman.

There were a few others there, too. Like Sir Trevor McDonald, the reason for why everyone named Trevor now automatically becomes Trevor Mc... in our home. Thus, the much talked about Trevor Eve of course becomes Trevor McEve. Go figure. And speaking of Mr. Eve, I am glad Waking the Dead is back, but I have a peculiar feeling that the next episode, in two weeks' time, will be the last.

Back to the Follies, it had a lot of typical Sondheim numbers, but for me the pinnacle was when Maria Friedman performed Losing My Mind. Not because of the song itself, but the fact that at the end of every chorus I had this thought of the Pet Shop Boys in my mind. And when I got back home I discovered why I thought the song should have had a quicker tempo; I am of course used to hearing the song in synth-pop form and performed by the previously mentioned PSB.

As London Underground did their usual weekend "engineering works", the non-stop route from the theatre to my own place was non-existent and I had to take the train back home. On the upside, the train took me all the way to my door (nearly), so that I wouldn't have to go through the local slums the slightly fishy neighbourhood in the late evening.

Then, yesterday, I went to see Evita for the last time. As I had officially forgotten how many times I have seen it (five or six), I told myself "enough is enough". Plus, Philip Q is leaving soon and I cannot stand Mark "Houlihan" Heenehan in that part (I even sneered at him involuntarily yesterday, the poor chap), so what is the point? And so, naturally, midway through the second act I had to admit to myself that I needed to see it once more.

I would like to apologise to anyone sitting next to or behind me at any musical I know, as I cannot sit still and just watch the thing--I have to drum the beat (and sometimes the chords) with my fingers. Preferably somewhere on my face. People on the tube are probably getting used to it, but it's different at the theatre (even though people wear jeans).

Ooh, by the way, there was a new Che yesterday. At first I thought he was rather good, but he didn't last the course and halfway through the first act I found myself missing Matt Rawle.

And yesterday's audience was the worst I have been part of for a long time. They were ok, but somehow I just felt very uninspired. I couldn't feel the love. Sort of. Luckily, the cast were very professional and either 1) didn't bother, 2) didn't pick up on it, or 3) weren't as paranoid as I was. As opposed to certain other casts I have been unfortunate enough to experience. I did spot one of them starting to laugh during one of the more sombre scenes, though, which was fun (I am so cruel I enjoy it when people fuck up on stage...or rather, I find it very funny and rather laugh with them than at them). Besides, I really doubt no one else noticed. When you have seen the show a few times, you may take the liberty to start watching the other actors, not just the ones currently singing.

Before signing off, I would like to recommend the brand new album by MIKA - Life in Cartoon Motion. It's a really poppety-pop album and very uplifting.

Labels: dreams, evita, music, musicals, personal, philip quast, theatre, tim morgan, trevor eve, TV

I have been drawn into this season's Celebrity Big Brother, simply because I must see how long Jermaine Jackson will stay. Two contestants have already bowed out (because of Jade Goody, haha, isn't that just perfect) and it's only been four days!

My favourite quote so far; Jermaine is discussing his many children with Jade and tells her one of them is called Jermajesty. "I ran out of names." I spat pizza. I mean, you have eight kids, already run out of names and of all the words out there, you make up such a silly one?

Thank God Waking the Dead is back, though. It is getting sillier also, but as long as the chemistry between Trevor Eve and Sue Johnston is such a good one, I don't mind.

Other than that, I have seen a couple of films lately; Deja Vu was ok, but I wouldn't really recommend it until it's on telly for free, and Flushed Away was quite funny. Bill Nighy stole the show again. How does that man do it?

Labels: bill nighy, film, trevor eve, TV

I am currently shedding dry skin off of my nose. Dandruff, anyone?

So, and this has nothing to do with dandruff (I think) - I got the next two series of Waiting for God for Christmas, plus a few books, a couple of CDs, some soup (this may sound odd, but it was actually one of the most appreciated gifts I had all Christmas), a new brolly (a small one), another calendar (but this one I'm actually going to use, as opposed to the several calendars we've got from various local fast food restaurants for our patronage (oops) - even though one of them does show both English and Chinese bank holidays), some gift certificates and some other bits and bobs. Since I was alone I decided to spread the gift unwrapping a little bit across the day and opened the last one just before I started preparing for lunch.

Lunch lasted for just about all of The Snowman and the plates and bowls had been removed by the time the Queen popped up on the screen. So much for overeating. Didn't even finish one portion. And the desserts were so rich I felt like a millionaire after eating a few mouthfuls.

And I almost made my way through Christmas without watching Love Actually, but then I suddenly got this urge to see Bill Nighy, Alan Rickman and Colin Firth, and what better way than to watch the one film that puts them all together, eh? By the way, to those who have been wondering what Rickers is saying to Emma after the school play, you're not alone. Listen to the commentaries on the DVD.

Speaking of commentaries, I would really recommend the commentaries to This is Spinal Tap. It brings a new dimension to this already fantastic film, as the three actors Guest, McKean and Shearer stay in character as their alter egos/stage personas throughout the whole thing. It's quite brilliant.

And if I haven't said this already...you must see Best in Show. Seriously. In fact, anything with these guys (Waiting for Guffman, A Mighty Wind and the brand new For Your Consideration). Or else you will simply have to be spanked. And not in a good way, either.

Woke up this morning to the most wonderful trail on BBC...apparently the long-awaited umpteenth series of Waking the Dead will be back "soon". Yum. And speaking of trails...they have started showing the trail for Perfume on telly. Slightly desperate for another film with Rickers by now.

I think I am going to vote for the inauguration of Midsomer Murders: Ghosts of Christmas Past as the traditional murder mystery for Christmas. I think ITV may be ahead of me, though, as they have been showing it three years in a row now. It's just that you can never have enough Quastiness, and this is the best showcase for that quality. Well, if not the best at least certainly good enough! Awaiting the arrival of Javert - Misunderstood Copper, a drama series of 52 episodes where Quast is contractually obliged to appear in every single scene.

OK, maybe that would be a tad too much even for me.

Every other scene, then. But then we'd need 60+ episodes. And lots of plot.

Good luck to the writers.

Labels: Alan Rickman, bill nighy, Christmas, colin firth, comedy, daniel hill, film, illness, Javert, philip quast, trevor eve, TV

The 5th of May always has a very special ring to me.

Happy Birthday to Michael Palin, the ultimate reason for why I live in London, who is 63 today! Yay! Other things have happened in the interim and Mr. Palin is no longer the only reason for my moving here, but he will still be The One That Sparked the Interest. Of course, driving past the BBC Television Centre every day truly re-sparks the interest. Sigh.

Work is going well, I'm not a complete failure and hopefully I will stay here for a long while longer. I'm actually looking forward to going to work. I haven't felt like that since...ever, I think. Of course, it could have something to do with my co-workers. It could definitely have something to do with my previous co-workers.

Yesterday saw the True Start of Summer, as we had what the Evening Standard called 'a heatwave'. It was 28 degrees outside and I noticed that my pace was not as quick as usual. The tube was not exactly a joyful place to stand, dressed for early spring and with a non-existing personal space for 45 minutes. Still, I did survive and treated myself with some 'Chunky Monkey' when I got home. And no, that's not a sexual innuendo.

It's an ice cream.

Stop sniggering.

Deep breath.

And we're back.

So the weekend will land in a few hours and I'm already looking forward to going back to work. How sad is that. I mean, it would have been fine if it were The Job, you know, the dream job I've always wanted, but it's not even anywhere near it! I must be in love or something. Or just very, very happy there are money coming into my account at last.

And they're showing repeats of Waking the Dead, why wouldn't I be happy?

Current track: Nada.

Labels: michael palin, personal, trevor eve, TV

Sorry about not posting for quite a while, but you will not believe how busy I've been these past few weeks.

Last week I went to a one-day-long interview with a twatty company in central London. They were of course twatty because they wasted both their own and my time in that they kept me on for the whole day, checked my references and then didn't just not want me, but also posted the job as being available again the day after I'd met with them. What a loser, I thought, but then Lady Luck came over for a visit and granted me a much better opportunity. So I am at present working for a company outside of London, as per usual, this time in Hertfordshire. Hopefully we'll all like each other and get along well enough for me to stay on.

In addition to that, I have been going a bit overboard on the translation front and signed up for a few more projects than I could handle when I suddenly found myself in a new job. I have nevertheless done my bit (except for one project) and feel quite pleased with myself. If only they would pay me!

Two great things have happened in Telly World since last I posted, namely both Trevor Eve and Green Wing being back on the screen. OK, so the latter hasn't premiered yet, but I've been waiting since before the end of the first series, so this is pretty important to me.

I have done other things too, of course: Waiting for Oblivion to arrive I played GTA: SA again (started afresh). Took me about 20 minutes to accumulate 34 million dollars once I had 4000 to start with. Without cheating! Let's just say I quickly stopped mugging people for spare change and started working out at the gym instead. Anyway, Oblivion turned out to be even better than expected (even though it requires a rather massive computer compared to what's average for a gamer these days (and yes, I will laugh at that comment in about five years' time)), and I turn out to be much better at combat in Oblivion than I was playing its predecessor, Morrowind. Perhaps I'll even get past the few opening missions this time!

Right now all I have to worry about is getting enough sleep before the alarm rings.

Current track: Nothing.

Labels: comedy, gaming, linguistics, personal, tamsin greig, time wasting, trevor eve

Having trawled around my blog archives to find last year's list of favourite this and that, I have decided to use that as a template and add (or possibly even (gasp!) retract) categories as I go along. So, here is...(cue fanfare)...

My Top This and That of 2005!

Coolest Villain of the year
Ralph Fiennes, strangely enough for both Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit!

Norwegian Album of the year
Surferosa: The Force

Indie Album of the year
Gorillaz: Demon Days

Album of the year
KT Tunstall: Eye to the Telescope

Funniest New Series
Man Stroke Woman, BBC (UK)

Funniest New Spoof Series
Broken News, BBC (UK)

Craziest 19th-century Character of the year
Phil Davis in Bleak House, BBC (UK)

Most Disappointing Comedy Series of the year
Extras, BBC (UK) (there, the cat's out of the bag)

Most Annoying I-knew-this-would-happen-so-why-did-I-bother-starting-watching-it-in-the-first-place Moment of the year
The last ten minutes of Love Soup, BBC (UK)

Favourite Comedy Series Character of the year
(Much like last year:) Anne from Little Britain, BBC (UK)

Best Cliffhanger of the year
The series finale of Waking the Dead

Most Anticipated Film of the year
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Most Anticipated Game of the year
The Movies

Best Game of the year
Civilization IV

British Film of the year
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Best Play or Musical of the year
Talking to Terrorists, Royal Court Theatre

Would Have Most Wanted to See
Dennis Storhøi in Death of a Salesman, Oslo Nye Teater

Most Hilarious Roman Outfit of the year
Ciaràn Hinds's in Rome (HBO/BBC)

Most Anticipated Book of the year
JK Rowling: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Most Annoying Yet Strangely Catchy Song of the year
The Pussycat Dolls: Doncha

Worst Idea of the year
Producing Ben Elton's new autobiographical and very boring "comedy" series Blessed, BBC (UK)

Worst Idea That Led to a Very Funny Incident of the year
Inviting Gérard Depardieu to Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, BBC (UK)

Scariest Moment of the year
21 July, the second terrorist attack on London

Best London Moment of the year
6 July, when we beat the French and got the 2012 Olympics

Best Moment of the year
1 June, when we moved to London

Seems like the Beeb are responsible for both the ups and downs of the telly year!

Current track: Nothing

Labels: ciàran hinds, comedy, current affairs, dennis storhøi, film, gaming, lists, literature, music, personal, tamsin greig, theatre, trevor eve, TV

That would be me, actually, after seeing tonight's episode of Waking the Dead. Bloody nuisance, those cliffhangers. Now, if they don't return for a sixth series I may have to stare at someone quite sternly. Grr.

We're going to the theatre tomorrow evening. I had a nightmare the other night where we were the only people in the audience and that the actors kept focusing on us and the whole thing was very embarrassing, especially when we fell asleep. Ahem. It's a comedy and one of the actors has been a true favourite of mine for 13 1/2 years (I could probably find the exact time down to the nearest hour, too), so I seriously doubt I'd fall asleep - but it has happened before (albeit due to jet lag, but highly embarrassing nevertheless), so you never know.

We cleared the dining table for the first time in many months today, in order to play Scotland Yard, a game I already have somewhere in my parents' house but which I've wanted to play again for years - so what else is there than ordering it online? This game is perfect for a Londoner or anyone wanting to visit London as it teaches you a lot about the layout of Central London. Three thumbs up!

Current track: Georg Friedrich Händel - Wassermusik (Luft)

Labels: david bamber, dreams, online shopping, personal, theatre, trevor eve, TV

That's my life at the moment - I have a very stupid routine of waking up at nine, watching the news while in bed, getting up for a shower (and a wee, but not at the same time, because that would be...ew), checking my e-mail, watching This Morning while looking for work etc., picking up the post (more about this later), writing, doing the dishes, staring out of the window, writing a bit more, feeling stuck, making breakfast and lunch (if I can be bothered), watching Peak Practice, playing games or shopping or summat, watching The Paul O'Grady Show and then the news (usually on BBC1, unless I couldn't be arsed to switch channels and sit through the London news on ITV1), all the while surfing the net or playing games or other silly things, then the evening TV schedule takes off at around eight or nine, and it's time for supper. In bed before one o'clock but never asleep until two or three.

In other words, very boring.

So that could be why such a simple sentence as "A new series is planned" at the end of the Waking the Dead description in the Radio Times for next week cheered me up immensely.

About the post, or rather the postman: I met him last week when he rang our bell downstairs and told me there was a parcel waiting for me. I rushed downstairs and thanked him for being so kind as to actually letting us have the chance to pick up the parcel instead of having to ring them and arrange a different date (which they've done on several occasions before). He's rung our doorbell every day since and every day I get to know a little more about him. At first I didn't give it much thought, but it was getting a bit creepy yesterday when he rang the doorbell and said there was a parcel for me and then ended the sentence by using my first name. I honestly think he's just a social person and probably a bit bored and lonely on his route, but since my weirdo stalker back in Norway I'm rather cautious. And of course every person I don't know is a potential rapist and serial killer...you learn these things just from being of the female persuasion. Guys don't (think they) have to consider these things, but the way things are I'm pretty sure most girls have this thought stuck in their subconscience, especially when wandering the streets alone in the evenings. Wow, that was a train of thought our postman didn't deserve, I think. I apologise.

So, to sum up: Waking the Dead may have been recommissioned for a sixth series, I really should stop ordering things online, and my life is rather dull. If you would like to give me a job or just send me some money so that I can write full-time (which is a great investment, of course, since I will be sure to give you my special thanks when picking up both the Booker award and the Nobel prize), that would be greatly appreciated, especially by my nerves. *winks*

Current track: Sam Cooke - (Ain't That) Good News

Labels: gaming, personal, simon shepherd, trevor eve, TV, writing

I haven't gone back to the bank since that fateful day, because...well, I don't know if I have enough patience for annoying people. I shall have to soon, though.

Last Friday (a week ago) we went to see "Second from Last in the Sack Race" which the Woodhouse Players were performing in Leytonstone (just a short busride away...well, not as short as we would like it to be, perhaps, especially not when scruffy-looking people smoking something with the distinct smell of "herbs" enter and try to poison the whole wagon). It was rather good and we quite enjoyed ourselves.

Then on Sunday I discovered that my favourite TV detective nowadays uses the exact same laptop that I have. They showed it for about a second, but I have a keen eye for detail (when I feel like it, ahem) and recognised it straight away. Of course, since I can't help myself and tape every episode (yeah, so arrest me), frame by frame search helped to confirm my suspicion. And for those who wonder what the hell I'm talking about, you clearly haven't read my blog closely these past few weeks. Click here.

(Skip this following paragraph if you don't know Victor Hugo's Les Misérables, as it contains a spoiler in the form of a song title) On Wednesday we had dinner at four while watching the Liam Neeson/Geoffrey Rush film version of Les Misérables before hurrying down to the tube station. By the time we arrived we realised we'd left home much too late and took the tube only halfway before hopping onto a cab. You see, thanks to Red Ken's "Everyone's London" campaign, we'd bought tickets to see Les Mis at a reduced price. My flatmate didn't know the story well enough (even though I've run it by her several times while forcing her to listen to one of the (many) recordings I have of the musical) so that's why we watched the film first. The cabbie laughed at us when we asked if he could get us to the theatre on time. As you may know, theatres are NOT like cinemas and tend to close their doors and actually start the show on time. I know, it's preposterous, isn't it! Anyway, the cabbie was a very nice man and wouldn't stop talking (which was fine by us), but we quickly understood there was no way in hell we'd arrive on time. Luckily we're Scandinavian-looking girls and were let in anyway, fifteen minutes into the performance. I would like to apologise to the person sitting next to me as I nearly fell over her when I sat down. Well, it's been a little over a year since I last saw the musical and the cast had unfortunately changed. Not that that was a really bad thing, since I actually discovered one of the best Valjeans I've heard (no wonder, John Owen-Jones knows how to sing, having performed in numerous musicals, including an enormous amount of performances as the Phantom) as well as Enjolras (Shaun Escoffery) and was quite impressed with the Javert-of-the-day (Jeff Nicholson). I am, as you may have realised by now, quite evil and despite the fact that I thought he did a very good job, I couldn't help but grin when he didn't receive any applause when singing "Javert's Suicide". Being an avid fan of a couple of other Javerts (Quast & McCarthy) I may be biased, but they always receive(d) much applause after this song. Of course, not applauding means I was part of a lousy audience. Well, at least they got a standing ovation at the end and they're celebrating their 20th anniversary tomorrow/today (the eighth). Fantastic!

Then someone provided me with tapes of a few TV programmes from back home, and gasp! Why didn't anyone tell me the King of Standup (and I don't care who you may prefer, for me there is only one) - Eddie Izzard - had appeared on a talk show there? Good thing I got to see it, so thank you.

And why on earth - I'm sure this is out of spite, because it's just unbelievable - why did they start showing Waking the Dead again in Norway; the series I still haven't seen; just a few weeks after I moved across the pond? That's just not fair. Meanwhile, we are eagerly, nay - desperately awaiting the rest of the series to be released on DVD, but the Beeb only released the first series last month, and there are another four to go before we're up to date. This'll take years!

Now I'm cross.

Current track: Philip Quast - Stars

Labels: comedy, geoffrey rush, Javert, Michael McCarthy, musicals, personal, philip quast, theatre, trevor eve, TV

...for they have opened an HMV branch at our local shopping centre. I noticed it today as I went to buy a phone and wireless network card. I had a minor heart attack and then sprinted the whole fifty feet into the store. Aah. Fresh air. It's not the cheapest store around (the cheapest are online) but it's a good place to start if you just want to browse.

Our borough is among the lousiest in London when it comes to recycling. No wonder. When we tried to get anything useful out of our lettings agency and among other things asked them if there were any recycling skips etc. around, their answer was "nah, I shouldn't think so". WHAT??? Mind you, I come from a utopian country, apparently Norway and have been used to extensive recycling possibilities for about fifteen years. It hurts to throw away bottles (they don't have any return facilities here when it comes to plastic bottles, and I've been used to Tomra since before birth) and especially paper, when I know how incredibly stupid it is. Our waste disposal has quadrupled since we moved here and we both feel very ashamed. But there really is no recycling centre or even a bottle bank around here. Where I lived in Oslo there were six paper recycling skips and three bottle banks on my way to wok, which was a twenty-minute-walk away. I've said it before and somehow I don't think it'll be the last time: This place is an awfully backward one.

Still, they do make amazing TV. Personal favourite Rik Mayall is back on the screen next week and I can hardly contain myself. Rik in a fairly straight role - genius. That's how I first became a fan of his, you see. Fancy that; of all the things he's done I had to find a drama in order to be a fan of his. I had already been in love with Bottom for quite a while, but it was Remember Me? that did it for me. I'm also head over heels in love with Waking the Dead these days and am watching telly all day (well, it's on, anyway) just in case there's another trail for the programme. I will get over it (a few weeks after the last episode, I reckon) but right now I have nothing better to do. Speaking of which - we are planning on going downtown tomorrow; see a film (Asylum, please) and then go to a bar we were told about by one of the people from the AmDram group. Will tell you more about it tomorrow.

Right now I'm counting down to Wossy being back on the screen - I believe Catherine Tate will be there tonight and she has a really wicked sense of humour. Last week Gerard Depardieu went slightly overboard when he swore at the Beeb and lit a fag, but he's French, after all...

And yes, a little bird told me about Dennis being interviewed in Dagbladet this week, just in case you were wondering. I try to keep myself updated.

Current track: The BBC News theme. Hmm...

Labels: comedy, dennis storhøi, film, personal, rik mayall, trevor eve, TV

...and it feels good! Means I've actually done something useful for a change. We went to help out at the local AmDram group on Saturday and I was tired afterwards. Strange, since we hadn't been doing that much, but still...an honest day's work and all that.

Paul O'Grady (love him) was slagging Norway on his show on Friday, but when Ant and Dec tried and seemed to enjoy eating "farikal" and drinking "glogg" and even did some hallingkast on live telly, I didn't feel the least bit miffed. Paul had worked in some club or other, presumably in the north of Norway, since he was talking about the bloody sun which was up all night and you don't get that beneath the Arctic circle. They were all back on live telly tonight (uhmm...Sunday night, as I see the clock has struck midnight three quarters of an hour ago); Paul as hilarious as ever and the two Geordie lads in awe of their plaque on the brand new Avenue of the Stars, which inauguration was celebrated on that very ITV show. We thought it was fun to see the fireworks simultaneously on telly and from our sitting room.

And then...drum roll, please...the new episode of Waking the Dead! Yay! I have been looking forward to that for weeks now, and this last week I've been mostly going around in a bit of a daze because of my anticipation for the new series. I was not disappointed, of course. What a brilliant drama that is. I am so amazed. And I simply love all the scenes with just Sue Johnston and Trevor Eve in them because they seem to have this great chemistry between them and it's just thrilling to watch. When I read they were mostly improvising the lines in those scenes I almost knelt and started worshipping their Radio Times photo. Almost. Because, contrary to popular belief, I am not entirely mad.

Lots of joy to the world also because we discovered a "new" chicken wings take-away yesterday; it is both closer and better than our usual one, so we quite swiftly swapped "regulars". It's a shame we don't go up to Leytonstone more often, because it's certainly livelier there and there are lots more local shops of all kinds. And Wossy grew up there, so what more can you want?

Current track: I have this weird conga tune spinning around in my head.

Labels: Norway, personal, theatre, trevor eve, TV

That's "the Phillip with TWO L's", not Philip "I know how to sing your brains out" Quast, frequently mentioned on this blog (gee, I wonder why...). No, Fern and Phillip are the presenters of This Morning on ITV. Since I am currently...uhmm...self-employed (full-time jobseeker, not living off the state), I usually turn on the telly when I've woken up and "washed me bits" (that's such a disgusting expression, but when the rather high-up-on-the-eww-scale Peter Thompson off BBC3's The Week the Women Went said it, we rolled around laughing and eww-ing as if it were a contest between us). This Morning tends to appear shortly afterwards, and I just love those two. They're often mentioned in all the blunder programmes because they both like to laugh a lot and have a rather cheeky sense of humour. Turns out you don't have to watch any blunder show just to see them stray from the script, because they do this every day and always end up laughing. The chemistry between them is such a great one and when Fern starts laughing, it doesn't take long before Phillip starts and then we're all off.

I just wanted to mention that, before going back to my extremely busy schedule (continuing watching "This Morning", then having breakfast while watching Watching the Dead and probably ending up playing The Sims 2, since I received the new expansion pack, Nightlife, in the post yesterday (not by DHL, mind).

Current track: Nothing.

Labels: gaming, philip quast, trevor eve, TV

Finally, after five days without the 'Net, I'm back for a short visit. Hopefully by this time next week my internet connection will be permanent once again, after almost four months without. Yes, that has been very scary.

On Saturday there was heavy rainfall outside as well as indoors - we were lucky compared to our next-door and upstairs neighbours, whose flats were flooded. Some of it came into our flat as well, but we only needed about ten towels and a bucket and by then the rain had stopped. Who knows what our place would have looked like if we hadn't been at home, though. I think I realise now why the wacky Brits put their electrical sockets halfway up the wall.

It didn't destroy my glee as the fourth series of Spooks started on Monday, though, and in only three days the fifth series of Waking the Dead begins. I am warming up by watching the first series on DVD. Quote from the Radio Times: "Det Supt Boyd (Trevor Eve) and his fantastic beard tackle another gory case". I almost laughed my head off. RT's editor Alison Graham obviously is very fascinated by his beard, not that I blame her.

Anyway. We got our "sorry asses" (thought I should use that expression, since Prince Harry did the very same today, in his first formal interview) off the couch/sofa/settee (all depending on to which class you think you belong) and became involved with a local AmDram group yesterday; my flatmate wants to be on stage all the time while I would like to be as far away from the limelight as humanly possible. Did I hear you shout "set design"? Thought so.

My imported DVD of Evilenko came from Italy via City Airport the other day and was delivered through DHL. Now, that is sad. Made me an even bigger fan of Marton Csokas's, though, which is a good thing (I think).

And finally, as I was looking for facts to support my theory that there are in fact countries out there that don't have any national debt (I protested loudly to this utterance by some previous financial something or other for the British government (it's a bit sad, really, that I didn't catch his name, as that would have made this story much better), as we were watching How to Start Your Own Country (Danny Wallace (or "King Danny", if you're a citizen of Lovely) has to be one of the best new presenters out there, I'm sure - he's so good at what he does that he seems invincible)) - I found this little article from the Telegraph back in 2004 (which would be "last year"). It's about Norway and its relations to the EU. As a firm believer in the EU as well as a fervent pro-EU campaigner back in 1994 (what the hell was I thinking) - even though I wasn't old enough to actually vote - I found this article to be highly interesting (if not just a wee bit too one-sided, but then again hardly any journalism is non-biased these days). A patriot like me wallows in a report like this, but it may also seem like we're awfully selfish. My point of view is that being outside of the EU makes our nation better, our economy flourishes and that way we can contribute much more to the common good of the world than if we were a member. Knowing my luck, this time we'll probably become a member.

I totally forgot about the Norwegian election on Monday, as this country strangely enough was much more interested in the fresh win over the Aussies in the last test of the Ashes; and you're right, I have no idea about cricket. As they were talking about the standing at lunch (I have recently learnt that a cricket match often has two breaks: Lunch and tea. Oh my.) the guy on the news said that the score was 193-5 or something, which meant that things could go either way. In any other sport this would have been a remarkable score, but those cricket maniacs have to show off with their public school code, don't they? I decided I should just wait for the final score and take it from there. Nevertheless, during the weekend I was reminded of the general election back in the old country, and was rather happy about the result. At least the dangerous parties didn't win enough seats to make a majority coalition, which is very good news indeed. Those so-called Christian Democrats and Progress Party (i.e. VERY right wing) people scare me, quite frankly, with all that hate and exclusion they preach. What I find to be ridiculous is how they fail to see that their two agendas can be made into one quite easily. The Christian Democrats don't want to be associated with the rather racist Progress Party, and yet they believe more or less the same things. At least the Progress Party isn't that hypocritical.

Now to some good news. For those of you who actually read the comments on this blog, you may have read Aug's comments about Death of a Salesman (the Oslo version). I finally got to read the reviews today and just as I thought, they seem to think that Dennis Storhøi is too young for the part. I thought the same thing when I heard about it, but then again I'm not a director and should probably keep my mouth shut (even though I don't). Still, good reviews all around...and we do read and heed the reviews when they're on our side, don't we? Ahem. Anyone going to see the play (uhmm...Aug?) had better send my regards to the cast as well as my regrets for not being able to give them most of my money this year, haha! But I'm stuck here for a while, and today I read that Philip Quast will be extending his stay down under until next year. That's just my luck, isn't it.

At least our building may have been on telly last night. That's something, I guess. I'm off to have my usual fish and chips and watch 49Up and all the other quality Thursday viewing. I'm even going to watch The Bill next week, simply because it's going out live.

Current track: Well, I seem to have "Yes Sir, I Can Boogie" on my mind.

Labels: comedy, dennis storhøi, film, marton csokas, nicola walker, Norway, personal, peter firth, philip quast, Spooks, sport, theatre, trevor eve, TV

Haha, no, I haven't gone mad all of a sudden. I was just sitting here thinking about tonight's episode of House, starring Hugh Laurie, who emulates an American accent in the most brilliant way and who's been voted one of telly's sexiest men. If you haven't seen the series, you should. I really want Dr. House to be my GP, basically because he's so hopelessly blunt with people, and he has the most wicked sense of humour.

And then I found myself visiting "Mr. Storhoi's" website (part of my daily ritual, together with this page, EZBoard, VG Nett (tabloid news from home), IMDb (because there's always a film or actor I have to look up) and the Philip Quast message board) and realised today (or tomorrow, all depending on how you look at it) is the opening night of Death of a Salesman in Oslo, and I am almost as nervous as I would have been if I were part of it. But I'm not, which annoys me but doesn't surprise me. Here's to good reviews (which means Mona Levin should back off, as her reviews are very crudely written - and yes, she's one of the few individuals whose work I don't mind slagging online) and many happy performances for the cast, crew and audience.

Am I going a bit too far when I order a DVD from an Italian site when I don't know any Italian and end up paying about as much as the DVD is worth just in postage? The interesting bit was that I understood much more Italian than I first thought...although finding United Kingdom on their list of countries was a bit of a drag, haha! The sad part is that the film I bought is supposed to be rather dull. Perhaps I need a hobby.

Ooh, and for some reason I have started watching Arrested Development. I thought it was "just another one of those American sitcoms", but it isn't. This one is actually hilarious (according to myself), and even though I skipped the whole first series I got into the story very quickly.

Now, how to survive the return of both Waking the Dead and Spooks within the scope of a few weeks? I may have a seizure of some sort. Or, I could just find myself a new hobby and realise that the telly is not my friend.

Current track: I think I have "Suddenly I See" with KT Tunstall on my mind right now.

Labels: comedy, dennis storhøi, nicola walker, online shopping, peter firth, philip quast, Spooks, theatre, trevor eve, TV

I hate it, I hate it, I hate it. What's the point in earning any money when all of it disappears during its first week in your possession anyway? Hmph. At least I've paid the TV license fee and that means I can watch telly with a clear conscience for another six months. Now, I quite like NRK, our state channel, but at the same time I'm well aware of the fact that the BBC, which I not only like but rather love dearly, demands a license fee of about half of what NRK wants. Hmph. And how about the hostage situation in Russia? I know no words to describe what I think of them. Hmph.

Began watching Dead Like Me today and loved it. Thought I'd hate it, so that was a very pleasant surprise indeed. Speaking of following a series; I'd been watching no less than 19 episodes of American Dreams when I spotted the name Joseph Lawrence at the beginning of the episode. I thought "hey, that'll be interesting, to see what he looks like now!" (I sometimes watched Blossom after school) - but by the end of the episode I still hadn't seen him...until suddenly I realised that he's been part of the show since the very beginning. How stupid am I? I've seen him in almost every single episode and yet I just haven't recognised him until now. I repeat: 19 episodes...

Oh, and WHY did I need all of this summer to realise that Waking the Dead was more than "just another crime series"? *rolls her eyes* The next time anyone interesting comes along, I'd like for someone to slap me so I'll wake up and smell the coffee. Hmm...I'm sure I've got that 1999 version of David Copperfield somewhere...

Need to watch the rest of Normal before going to bed. It's a brilliant film, Tom Wilkinson is his usual, amazingly talented self. Three and a half thumbs up!

I should probably be going to the cinema a lot these next few months; lots of new, Norwegian films that actually look good - and then there are five plays or shows that I'd like to see this autumn AND I'm going to London to see a couple of shows in a few weeks - I don't see how I'll find the time to go to work! *winks*

Current track: Nothing. Listening to the news.

Labels: current affairs, film, Norway, personal, tom wilkinson, trevor eve, TV