*mmpphhff*

I need to go to the gym. I feel like such a pie. =(

...AND I've just watched "Day 5: 9:00PM - 10:00PM" Episode #515 of 24, and I CANT TAKE IT ANY MORE!!!!! The stress is killing me =/ The last few episodes have been the most shocking (to my system anyways) EVER! And now THIS as a cliffhanger?!? Just what are they trying to do to me?!!!!?

Baaaaahhhh!!!!! I need to lie down!! =/

It's a Jungle Out There!

Did you know that the official name for my phobia of moths is 'Mottephobia'?

That I also have 'Kakorrhaphiophobia' and 'Mycophobia'?

That Matt has 'Spheksophobia' and 'Sitophobia' (in particular 'Lachanophobia')?

Or that 'Alektorophobia' is in fact a fear of chickens?

Well, neither did I until I had a nosey around the official Monk site (...which is also where I discovered that Lieutenant Randy Disher has a band *ahem*)

*happy sigh*

I heart Monk. It makes lunch worth eating and brightens up my day just that little bit extra =)

...Oh, and incidentally, my favourite phobia name ever is 'Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia'.
It means 'A fear of long words' =D

....Right! I'm off before the old Logizomechanophobia kicks in!

Jo xx

An Evening Of Alan Rickmanaka: The AR Squeefest

So last Saturday we had our 80's movie extravaganza. Maaan, reminiscing flashbacks and squeeing galore!

We watched:

• A Fish Called Wanda
• K-9
• Short Circuit
• Flight Of The Navagator (...which I had forgotten about when I did the list, but we found in a box set with Short Circuit)
• and Groundhog Day

...we had meant to end the night with a screening of Die Hard as the evenings main feature, but unfortunately time just got the better of us.

This, however, wasn't a bad thing; as it then led on to chatting about 'the original action hero' ...then 'the original movie villan' ...then a discussion about it being AR's first movie ...then a recollection of other great AR movies ...then Raj declaring he was besotted with er, wanted to be Col Brandon from Sense & Sensibility. Sarah then managed to shock us once more, with the revelation that she hadn't seen this either! We both looked at her like she had 6 heads.

Hadn't seen Sense & Sensibility? Hadn't seen Die Hard? ...further investagation uncovered she hadn't seen Love Actually either. Just then her oddity spawned an idea; We were to have 'An Evening Of Alan Rickman', later to become better known as 'The AR Squeefest'.

So last night we gathered on the big comfy sofas in Shinys sunroom, floor strewn with snacks, dips and drinks, and settled down to watch the first of our AR movies, Sense & Sensability. Much giggling ensued as Matt once again tried to emulate the voice. It wasn't working lol! =) You know, it's funny; I must have seen this movie a million times, but it never gets old. And as much as I adore it, I'm still convinced the majority of squeeing came from Raj!

By the time the ending credits rolled, it became apparent our late start had meant that once again we were gonna have to cut a movie from the evening's list. An overwhelming consensus decided we would watch Die Hard; Love Actually would just have to be sneaked in during the second part of our 80's movie fest this coming Saturday.

I hadn't quite realised, but I probably hadn't watched Die Hard in full for about 10 years. I had started to watch it in bed a few weeks ago, but it was late and a fell asleep about 20mins into it.

The other major thing that came to light was how much of the movie ITV aways cut out. There was so much of it I had forgotten due to their incessant editing. It was fantastic to see it all there in it's original un-cut glory. All the little things that I didn't quite remember making me giggle: like the FBI guy pricking himself on a hedge outside, or Hans humming Beethovan's Ode To Joy to himself in the lift; a piece which was cleverly reprised throughout the rest of the movie.

*happy sigh*

Matt had bought the 2 disk special edition DVD especially for this occasion, so even though it was almost half past midnight, we somehow managed to force ourselves to squeeze in watching the outtakes from disk 2 for a final giggle before we all went our separate ways.

=) Here's looking forward to Saturday!

Jo xx

Die Hard Trivia

Happy Bathday!

So, today I gave Tyson a bath...

...and on a completely separate note -

Stuff 'n' Shiny Things is 1 year old today! =)

The Hallway Session

¡Hola! ¿Buenas días?

...yes, yes, I know I've been bad and I'm way behind with my updates. But hopefully, you should see my Edinburgh travelogue and Awards Dinner posts popping up very shortly...just as soon as I get a chance to finish them!

For now tho, I thought I'd share some of my latest photies.

I've been very aware lately that my portrait folio has been a little lacking of late. It's been a while since anything's been added, so yesterday I did a bit of an impromptu shoot with Matt.







(click thumbnail for full image)

Happy St. Paddy's Day Everyone! =)

Belfast Giants Awards Dinner

"Todd Kelman is NOT a sellout!"

Those were the words that rang out across the function room of the La Mon Hotel as Belfast Giants defenseman Todd 'The Killer' Kelman took a swig from his 'refreshingly light, cool & crisp' Coors beer bottle which was kindly handed to him from the general manager of Charles Hurst Used Direct, 'the best used motors in town'. But Todd Kelman is NOT a sellout. So he says anyway...

It must have been about 20 to 8 when we pulled up outside the hotel and made the mad 'nooo I just washed my hair' dash through the rain into the foyer. The place was already buzzing with movement. Players, fans, sponsors and team staff - all dressed to impressed; the girls carefully scrutinizing every aspect of their adversarys peers outfit, whilst the guys spread the word that the bar was open. Sarah and I waited in the hallway until Matt parked the car.

The main room was already packed when we made our way to table 34.

Number 34 is Goalie, Mike 'Mini' Minard's shirt number, and indeed tonight, his table number.He arrived in just after us with his wife, Christine. It was so nice to finally meet her properly. Already seated around our table were Wrighty & Elizabeth, and the Cardwells: Nigel, Kathy & Raj. It was so nice to see everyone all dressed up...for once not in hockey jerseys!

The evening began with a great meal...but that was just for starters. The main course was to be served up by our regular MC, Mr Todd Kelman. Every year he manages to top his last performance as awards night host...and every year his stage entrance somehow seems to top itself.

The Lights go down, the doors swing open, and in growls a 50cc hog scooter with Todd in the saddle dressed as a porn star...er...Hells Angel; Monteith Bowl stuffed in a leather satchel slung over one shoulder. Yes, he dropped (and dented) it again, and no, I have no idea what was goin on in the mustache department, but both he and the Bowl sure were a sight to behold!

He was a fantastic host, and this seasons award winners were:

Players' Player of the Year - Mike Minard (*squees* go Mini!)
Best Forward - George Awada (dance George, dance!)
Best Defenceman - Todd Kelman (...and he even stood in the way of his OWN video!)
Best British Player - Colin Shields (...but...but...who stole that lovely Scottish accent and made him look like David Spade? huh?)
Kids' MVP - Mike Minard (I hear he plays a dynamite Santa)
Unsung Hero - Jason "Taff" Ellery, team Equipment Manager (...and all round squishy guy! awww he was so embarrassed *squee!*)
Favourite Non-Giant - Tony "Toe Knee" Hand (last years coach)
Puck Bunny Award - Todd Kelman (who else? will his reign of terror never cease?!)
Coach's Player of the Year - George Awada & Mike Minard (at this point, obviously drunk from excitement *cough* Mini literally swept George off his feet and carried him up on stage...possibly a little too comfortably...)
MVP - Theo Fleury (like it could have been anyone else!)

...but the highlight of the evening, without a doubt had to be Killer's poem*.

*disclaimer - This transcript is just a rough guess at what might have been said by a smart arsed Giant / porn star / Hell's Angel, or someone posing as a smart arsed Giant / porn star / Hell's Angel, if he or she had made a speech to the leagues 'unsuccessful challengers' that evening, and there is no hard, clear evidence to support this nasty rumour whatsoever...

*cough*

*smirk* ...Maaan, I love that totally randomly suggested poem that never actually really even existed, and certainly wasn't written by a Giant. *happy sigh* =)

Movie Night!

So we're planning an 'all day movie extravaganza' up at Shiny's house on St. Paddy’s day. There may well be green beer, shamrocks and shillelaghs...but...umm...yeh, it'll be mostly movies.

Anyways, as Little Miss Shiny is just about to turn 18, there are many many great movies that were before her time. Films which left unseen would leave a whopping great hole in anyone’s life...

...well...a possible exaggeration, but still. Must-see movies.

Matt and myself spent about an hour compiling a list, which ended up, like, 3 pages long, so we had to restrict ourselves to just 80's must see movies...um, which ever so slightly turned into 80's/very early 90's must see movies...but still, it's a much much much shorter list.

What your job as a reader is, to choose your 'top 5' and your 'secondary 5' from the list and add any suggestions that I might have forgotten (1980 - 1994 only please). Each of your 'top 5' will get 2 points, and your 'secondary 5' will get 1 point. I will mark votes beside each of the movies as they come in. We will then watch the overall top 5 movies chosen during our St. Paddy's Day movie extravaganza.

Now I'm aware that Sarah will have more than likely already seen a few of these, especially the 90's era ones, so if she wishes, she can let me know and they will be eliminated from the final list.

Here goes:

1980	1982
The Blues Brothers 6 Private Benjamin Caddyshack The Shining	ET 2 Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid 3 Tootsie 2
1983	1984
Trading Places 7 The Man with Two Brains 4 National Lampoons Vacation	Ghost Busters 1 Splash The Terminator Gremlins 1 Indiana Jones & the Temple of Doom 3 Beverly Hills Cop Police Academy
1985	1986
Back to the Future Teen Wolf 1 Brewsters Millions Cocoon 1 Spies Like Us Santa Claus The Movie Brazil 2	Short Circuit 8 Labyrinth 4 Jumpin' Jack Flash 5 Platoon 1 ¡Three Amigos! 2 The Money Pit Wildcats Ferris Bueller's Day Off 1 Aliens 2 Ruthless People The Golden Child The Fly Crocodile Dundee
1987	1988
The Secret of My Succe$s Planes, Trains & Automobiles Dragnet 5 Roxanne 3 Dirty Dancing The Lost Boys 1 Mannequin Throw Momma From The Train Spaceballs 4 Predator 1 Batteries Not Included 1 Lethal Weapon	Big 6 Die Hard 10 Dirty Rotten Scoundrels 6 Child's Play A Fish Called Wanda 8 Scrooged Twins Big Business Coming to America The Naked Gun 1
1989	1990
The `burbs K-9 8 Parenthood 1 Uncle Buck See No Evil, Hear No Evil 1 Turner & Hooch Troop Beverly Hills Bill & Ted 1 The Abyss Beetlejuice 4 The Dream Team Fletch Lives	Ghost Taking Care of Business Bird On A Wire Mr. Destiny 1 Navy Seals Flatliners Kindergarten Cop 1 Tremors
1991	1992
The Hard Way Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves 4 Point Break 1 Curly Sue Doc Hollywood	The Hand That Rocks The Cradle HouseSitter
1993	1994
Coneheads 3 Groundhog Day 6	Serial Mom Airheads 1 Speed True Lies Trapped in Paradise

Right! Get to it! Go vote! =)

If you would like more info on any of the movies listed, type the name into the IMDB search box below and hit 'go':

Treacle's Tale

Ok, it's after midnight and I should have been in bed an hour ago, but instead I'm covered in cat hair and dyin' to tell you a story...

About 3 years ago I was adopted by a gorgeous little female cat who we later found out had been thrown out of her home across the street from us when her owners discovered she was pregnant. We named her Kitty, a la Monsters Inc.

She settled in our landing, on a nice warm radiator bed by the window, and then gradually entrusted us with the care of her two kittens, who we named Toffee & Treacle - for pretty obvious coulouring reasons!



Kitty was a sweetheart. A real house-cat, and although she regularly sneaked into the livingroom to stare out my cockatiel, she never once mounted an attack. Much to the relief of my bird!

Her kittens however, being that they were born feral, weren't so sure about the whole being indoors thing.

Toffee soon adjusted, and started to enjoy both the heat and the attention. But Treacle remained very wary and prefered to sleep outside in the kennel.

We lost Kitty to some idiot joyrider speeding down our street about 2 years ago. Then Toffee vanished the following December without trace. I still believe he found himself a good home elsewhere.

By this time Sylvestor had appeared on the scene and had taken over the house and the puppy babysitting duties. (I wont go into her story again as it's still kinda raw, but you can read the previous post here if you wish.) Treacle, as always, was still freaking out at even the thought of the backdoor closing him inside.

Four days after Syl was lost, our 16 year old dog, Sam, passed away. We were devistated, and our little puppy, Tyson, was distrought. He was all alone for the first night of his life. His best friend Syl and his uncle Sam had left him. He just lay beside his bed and cried.

I couldn't sleep, so I was periodically going downstairs to check on him. He was still crying each time.

At about 3am I noticed Treacle was sitting on our backdoor step. I opened the door to let him in from the cold for a while. It was freezing outside, but as always I left the door open so he wouldnt feel trapped and bolt straight out again. I left the two of them in the kitchen for a couple of minutes while I went to find some warmer clothes, and when I returned found the two of them snuggled up on Tysons blanket, sleeping.

I quietly closed the backdoor, and that was the first night Treacle ever spent inside.

That was December. He has spent every night since then, inside...and most days too! You would never believe that the cat we have snoozing in the conservatory, and running riot chasing Tyson from room to room is the same feral cat that only a few months back was afraid to eat his dinner indoors without an escape hatch and emergency exit route planned well in advance.



And tonight, for the first time, ever...he purred.

He purred! I almost cried. I guess he never really had anything to purr about before. But tonight as I was about to go upstairs to bed, he padded in and started rubbing himself all over me. As I started to scratch him he got closer and closer, even started rolling on the floor beside me to have his belly tickled! He was almost sitting on my knee at one point...almost - but I guess that'll be the next step for him!

I was just amazed. He has changed so much in such a small space of time. Now he's just a big fluffy lump of a spoiled cat...who has finally found his reason to purr =)


*click for full image*

Treacle vs The Toy Mouse:

Get out the Mr Sheen people...

Monty's comin home!!!

He couldn't do it for us as the Giant's coach last year, but with the Edinburgh Capitals beating the Newcastle Vipers 5-2 at home tonight, this years Cap's coach Toe Knee Hand finally got his wish of winning the league title for Belfast!

Cheers Tony!!!

Baaahhhhhh!!!!!!! We won the league! We won the League!! *dances* =D *woot*



*sings loudly* cause weeeeeeee are the champions my frieeennnnd.....and weeeeee'll keep on fiiiighting tillll theeee eeeend....cause weeee are the chaaampions....weeeeee are the chaaampions....

*sings* ...some people stand in the darkness...

So last night I was flicking tv channels (bare in mind I was upstairs and only had 4 to choose from) when I landed on some bizzare sci-fi movie starring David Hasselhoff. Further research this morning shows the film to be "Nick Fury: Agent of SHIELD" *ahem*

Due to the fact he was wearing an eye patch I felt compelled to watch it.

It was...erm...like a car crash.