Merry Festivities everyone! I hope today is treating you well. As has become traditional over the last few years Mrs Cheesecake and I have spent the day, just the two of us, in our little house. The wind may be blowing outside but inside all is cozy and very relaxing.
Later we have the twin delights of Dr Who and Downton but before the tv takes over my day entirely I thought I woud share details of all the fabulous presents I received.
A new wallet (I have to admit my old one was getting a little ragged looking around the edges)
A TARDIS iphone cover
A Kindle
Thermal socks (I'm wearing them now and can confirm they are very toasty)
A leatherman multi-tool
5 ebooks
Some cash toward Project Cthulu (I expect some genuine movement on this plan in the New Year, stay tuned)
Quite a haul eh? I know I am an extremely lucky Cheesecake. I hope everyone else got what they wanted. I certainly did.
Have a spectacular festive season. Be good, look ok for one another and read stuff.
Though we finished work last Friday today was our first proper official day off for Christmas. What did we do then?
First off a trip to the cinema in a very wet and miserable Nottingham. We decided to see the new Sherlock Holmes. My overall impression was extremely positive. The additions of Stephen Fry and Jared Harris to the cast were perfect. Harris makes a wonderful Moriarty (I kept catching glimpses of his father in his performance, all a bit spooky) and Fry is just as good as Mycroft. I going to go out on a limb here and suggest this is a better film than its predecessor. The scale is much larger than before and Downey Jr and Law have a rather marvellous chemistry/bromance going on that is very evident on screen. You never question the two performances for a second.
After the cinema a huge Chinese buffet beckoned (I am still full now hours later). We also did a bit of last minute shopping. Mostly for ourselves it has to be said. I got a Gruffalo pen and a new notepad. I dont need either of them but I did crave them.
No it's not a self portrait....cheeky.
Once we got home I decided to do about of online shopping. I have received a few Amazon vouchers so it was time to load up my new Kindle with some choice items. After a bit of browsing I have 5 new ebooks and a Leatherman multi-tool.
Finally to round off the afternoon I sat and watched Laputa - Castle in the Sky. I am a huge fan of Studio Ghibli and this is my favourite. I just adore it. If you haven't ever seen it I suggest you seek it out now. Go on, bugger off......Now, I mean it....
This morning I cracked open my review copy of Hell Train by Christopher Fowler. I've been looking forward to reading it but have managed to hold off starting it because I had other books to read first. Bottom of the first page I saw the following
Woot!
Mrs Cheesecake will tell you I came over all emotional (I am a big softie really). My little review website is on that page and just look at the other names on there. I was genuinely stunned (still am truth be told).
Here's a link to the original review I wrote of Roofworld.
Honestly I really do like writing a blog. I know that may seem like an out and out lie but it really is the truth. I have just been pretty busy of late and whenever that happens the first thing to suffer is my Mid Life Crisis. I promise I will try harder next time. Anyway on with the latest (long awaited?) update.
A Fat Man Busts a Gut in 2011
The finish line is clearly in sight, only 500 sit-ups to go. Another arse spankingly daft personal challenge very nearly complete. Side effects of this nonsense? weight has dropped from 17st 8lbs down to 15st 11lbs. The crazy thing. I plan on doing something just as fucking stupid next year. I want to lose another couple of stone. What epic foolishness have you got planned then? I hear very few of you cry. Ok I am going to run 500 kilometres. I shit you not. I have my gym induction booked for next week and everything. I might even by some new trainers. 10km a week for 50 weeks should do the trick. I even get 2 weeks off for good behaviour. I'll update this topic again next year when I am up and running (Oh suit yourself).
Tis The Season To Be Cheesecake
Christmas is just round the corner. I am looking forward to it. Two weeks off work and lots of tasty treats. I am a big fan of Christmas. My usual grumpy demeanour is slightly less grumpy than normal. I do hope there is snow (one of my earliest memories is of snow, always warms the old cockles). I have also have snagged a crackin gift for Mrs Cheesecake. I think she will like. Some nice lateral thought has gone into this one. My main gift is going to be a Kindle. Hmmm gadget-tastic. There is bound to be more swag on the day. I'll probably post about it.
Lets not forget though, Christmas isn't just about presents. There is some crackin TV to watch as well.
Only Scotland Could Do This
So it was a bit windy the other day back in the Auld country and needless to say the social networks were abuzz with all the action. What did the cheeky young scamps christen this weather related phenomena? #HurricaneBawbag. Yup, only Scotland could name a hurricane after slang for the scrotum. I salute the entire country for the best hashtag in the history of Twitter.
Till next time
Adios Amigos
Oh before I go. I forget to mention Brian Blessed is now on Twitter. Follow him, you know you want to.
Music is a huge part of my life. When I was young I had a bash and lets just say I didn't set the world alight with my efforts. Enthusiastic yes, talented less so. That said I still have a strong appreciation for good music done well. Irrespective of the genre, type, style as long as it is performed well it has the ability grab my attention and maintain it.
Let me try to give you an example. Earlier today I was sitting down to write a book review. I tend to chuck iTunes or Spotify on in the background as a bit of music tends to get my old brain working. Half way through I realised that I have stopped writing and instead I'm day dreaming about being a spy. Where had this thought come from? The book I was writing about had nothing to do with spies but some how Bond had managed to sneak in there.
Before I go any further I should clarify when I talk about Bond I mean this guy.
Sir James Bond
What do you mean 'Who is that?' Dude it's only David Niven as Sir James Bond from the 1967 version of Casino Royale. The closest thing you'll get to perfection my friend.
The music though is the key. If it is done well I am so easily distracted it is frightening. The track in question was this marvel.
This is a work of Burt-Bacharachien genius. Brashy and ballsy but also delicate. Jazzy and epic at the same time. I adore the multi-layered sound. I can't drive but this always makes me day dream about driving a sports car along a long stretch of winding road somewhere in the south of France. (I have no idea where this comes from either. It's good though isn't it).
The Return of The Curse of the Brown Trousers
A while back I wrote about my panic after buying a brown pair of trousers. After their arrival and I tried them all appeared to be well and I thought that chapter of my life was over. NOT SO. After a only a couple of weeks this happened.
Fucking Annoying
I bent over and bloody things only ripped on the arse. Weird thing is I dont even have that big an arse. If anything my arse is somewhat lacking. The good news is that fortunately Mrs Cheesecake is a dab hand with a needle and thread and she swooped in and fixed them. I'm pleased to report they haven't ripped since.
Coffee
I have a love/hate relationship with coffee. If I drink to much it gives me a headache and makes me a a bit narky. So much so that I made a decision about a year ago to stop drinking it. I have over the last couple of weeks I have start to dabble again but on a much smaller scale. Why? Because it is time to get myself down to Starbucks and get myself a redcup. The Eggnog Latte will be mine. Oh yes it will.
And Finally
I got these in the mail this week and I had to share.
Awesomeness in book form
The only question.Where to begin?
Enough of this light hearted procrastination.....onwards!
It's not very often that Mrs Cheesecake and I get the opportunity to head of to the big city but yesterday we had a perfect excuse. Mrs Cheesecake is a rather huge fan of Michael Sheen (don't believe me? check out www.michael-sheen.co.uk, all her own work don't cha know). Anywho, we had scored some tickets to go and see Himself (that's what he is known as in our house) as Hamlet at The Young Vic.
As the show wasn't on until 7pm we decided we would check out a bit of the city we hadn't experienced before. I should state for the record I was also jonesin for a Starbucks Eggnog latte and figured I could cater for coffee habit along the way.
So prior to the show - Borough Market. Awww man this place is food porn of the highest order. Every direction you turn there are loads and loads of specialist vendors hawking their wares. It is a blissful assault on the senses. Within the first 100ft we had walked past someone making grilled garlic king prawns, someone else selling hot mulled wine and another selling pates, relishes and many varieties of salami. Best part, without a doubt, LOADS of free samples. I just didn't know where to start.
Eventually, after much umming and ahhing, we ended up joining a queue for a stall called Roast to Go. The queue was pretty long but I took this to be a good sign, turns out it was totally worth it. I got a salt beef, mustard and pickle sandwich while Mrs Cheesecake had turkey and cranberry. It may have been the best sandwich I have ever eaten (and I really do mean EVER!)
More wandering about and I got to try some splendid cheese, an exceptional terrine and a great wild mustard relish. I think that if we had the time, the cash and the inclination we could have spent the entire day at there.
The evening found us at The Young Vic and we had pretty epic fucking seats, 4th row ain't at all shabby. We've seen a good modern take of Hamlet before, starring the Tenth Doctor and Jean-Luc Picard, but this interpretation was a different class. The performances were all mesmerising but Sheen was exceptional. Nothing better than a bit of live theatre.
I reckon that'll do for now. Much as I enjoyed visting that there London. It is nice to be back in our little house, fussing the cat on the sofa. I have some serious mooching about scheduled so best be off to do it.
Laters Taters
Ohh by the way, before I forget, after such a hectic day it may not be a massive surprise to discover that I completely forgot about, and didn't manage to get, the coffee I was hoping for. Perhaps next week.
This week a bring you a random assortment of the stuff that has happened in our house
The Seven Day Sandwich
Mrs Cheesecake and I enjoy watching Man vs Food. I you haven't ever seen it I strongly advise you check it out, it fucking rocks. Anyway it got us to thinking about all the strange a delicious looking foods that our American cousins have access. How easy would it be to replicate this sort of culinary adventure in the UK? We decided we would give it a go. We set our sights on creating a Reubens. The primary ingredient is salt beef. Just to make things interesting we thought we would have bash a preparing our own salt beef. Turns out this takes the minimum of seven days. The beef has to be soaked in water that contains various herbs. Was it successful? We will find out tomorrow. I am hoping for something along these lines.
Paging Dr Cheesecake
A few months ago I entered a competition to appear in a book by the publisher Abaddon. Bugger me if I didn't go ahead and win. The prize was to have an academic named in one of the appendices in the novel Savage Knight by Paul Lewis. I decided the nominate Mrs Cheesecake instead and today the book arrived. I had a rummage and low in behold on page 279 the following....
This may be the coolest fucking thing ever. I'm sort of jealous I gave the prize away now. She'll be in print forever. Immortality achieved at last.
2011 Challenge Update
We are well and truly in the final stretch. After nearly 10 months I have managed over 16000 sit ups. Less than 4000 to go. Happy days. Actually that is not entirely accurate. I have to think of what I am going to do in 2012. I've done the huge cycle trek (500km in 2010) so I am looking for suggestions for next year. No not chin ups I am to tall for that. Perhaps I should come up with some sort of weight training program? I'm sure I can come with something. Hey you never know one day I may not be fat anymore. Stranger things have happened. Admittedly I'm unsure what these stranger things are but you get the gist.
Ohh before I forget, if you feel the urge you can still donate to my just giving page. Well I say mine. It is one that I share with my amigo @Seabrie. Together we are Two Fat Men. Impressive non?
Sunday Night Whimsy
I am a creature of habit. After a long hard week I enjoy putting my feet up and giving my self over to the Lords of Whimsy. What, you may ask, is this? I have this theory that someone, somewhere invented a rule that every Sunday night there has to be a lavish looking TV show on. Disagree? I submit the following as evidence. Hamish Macbeth, Monarch of the Glen, Lark Rise to Candleford (known as Lark Rise to Bumble Fuck in our house - I don't know why either), Spooks, Downton Abbey. Now don't get me wrong. These shows ain't Shakespeare but but sure as hell are entertaining.
Oh well enough of this jibber jabber
Stuff to do
Laters Taters,Adios
Mr C
UPDATE
Just realised this my 150th post. Can't let this go by without a Fuck Yeah! I can also pretty much guarantee that there will be 150 more. I mean where the hell else am I going to waxy lyrical.
Does tech enhance our lives and make things easier or does it just make us big old amorphous lazy blobs? I've been thinking about it and after much pondering I think I'll go with the second conclusion.
Why would you come to that staggering conclusion Pablo?
Well, basically because I am lying in bed writing this post on my iPhone. Fuck - even for me that is lazy. I mean seriously I'm in bed writing a blog post on a phone. It's not even difficult.
On second thought perhaps this is a good thing? Maybe horizontal blogging is the future? If it catches on remember you heard about it here first!
Tonights post is brought to you by ten random things that have occurred this week in my life.
I'm obsessing about sandwiches again. This time something called a Reubens. Mrs Cheesecake has bought into the lunacy and we are going to prepare our own salt beef brisket. Takes about a week to do so don't be surprised if there us another update re: this in about seven days time.
So iOS5 landed this week. Based on what I have read on the interweb I have had a hassle free update. Some others have had some issues. I guess I have been lucky.
Fantasycon is going back to Brighton in 2012. The same team that were responsible for this year's con are going to be running the show again. Same hotel as well. I am pretty keen to attend I think. This year was a great deal of fun. Lots of real nice folks there this time out so I don't see why it shouldn't be the same again next year.
This years annual challenge is still going strong. To recap 20000 sit-ups in 2011. This week I have hit 15700. Possibility of completing challenge remains highly likely.
Werewolves continue to usurp my reading list. Poetry as well. Truly a eclectic mix.
I bought a body warmer. This must herald the return of the 1980s. I look forward to the return of day glo socks. They were fucking great.
I have admit defeat and concede that the pumpkins have not performed as well as I would have hoped. I think again the great British weather is entirely to blame. Next year there will be greenhouse and hopeful slightly more successful crops. The parsnips will get picked this weekend. My hopes for them are sightly higher.
No movement on Project Cthulu yet. Perhaps in the New Year If I'm lucky.
Tomorrow my brother in law is coming to visit and we are off to see The Three Musketeers. I have a great love for Frenchie styled movies. I love the numerous versions of The Count of Monte Cristo and also The Three Musketeers so this should be fun.
Messing about with my phone earlier I captured Freya up to mischief - No I don't know what she is doing either. I'm sure she is up to something though.
Cat in a bag
Nighty night,
Sleep Tight,
Don't panic there aren't any bedbugs that'll bite....
Damn you real life. Damn your black heart for getting in the way. *shakes angry fist at the sky* It has been ages since I have last written anything here. I've been busy. What with holidays, work, book reviews and everything else it life get quite cluttered. I've had a flurry of new followers on the Twitters and Facebook so I thought I might do a little introductory post/ Q&A thingee.
Who the Hell are you? Around most of Interweb I go by the name Pablo Cheesecake. You may be stunned to discover that this isn't my real name (I know I was). You can call me Paul if you like. I live in a little house with my significant other, the redoubtable MadNad as well as two cats (Odin & Freya) and a tarantula called Athena. When I'm not here or at work I run a book review website called The Eloquent Page. Gives me the chance to read a lot which can only be a good thing no?
What can you expect from A Mid-Life Crisis? Well, to put it in a nutshell, basically this is my on-going experiment trying to upload my consciousness on the internet. I like the idea of opening my brain giving it a shake and seeing what falls out. To give you a rough idea of the sort of thing you'll witness. In the past I've blogged about my quest for the perfect fish finger sandwich, my obsession with crappy movies and in one memorable instance I ranted while drunk about Tesco's plastic bags.
How often will I post? Your guess is as good as mine chief. This is the nature of random. Could be tomorrow cold be next week. I have no idea.
Will there be swearing? Fuck yeah. Probably lots if I'm honest. If it is in my head then it will eventually find its way onto the blog.
So I think that covers just about everything for now. Are we all strapped in and ready for lift off? Good show, lets see where we end up shall we.
Till next time
Please remember to tip your waiters and waitresses
This morning Mrs Cheesecake and I went to the cinema and we saw the latest found footage movie, Trollhunter. I demand you go and see this film immediately. This Norwegian epic is such good fun. The scenery is breathtaking. The story was highly enjoyable and the trolls themselves are a sight to behold.
I enjoyed this so much I felt compelled to ask Mrs Cheesecake to help me recreate a scene from the film. If you have been lucky enough to see the film then I think you can agree that the result is spookily accurate.
Pablo Cheesecake - Troll Hunter
I would particularly like to draw your attention to the fact I am wearing my nice bright green socks (perhaps not obvious as the photo is quite small, click on the photo to em-biggen). My feet were freezing when we got to Norway this afternoon. Also worth pointing out my hair goes the same colour as the trolls when it needs to get re-dyed (sad but true).
I am slightly concerned that there is going to be an English language remake of this. That would be a damn shame. The Norwegian cast were pitch perfect and I really cant imagine this story working anywhere else in the world.
The New 52
I also dipped my toes back into the world of comics this week. After much pondering I decided to I pick up Swamp Thing and Animal Man from the new DC range. Both were rather good. It has been a long time (years) since I bought any comic and I have to admit I was sceptical but turns out I was wrong. I think I may have to pick up Green Lantern next week. How long will this rekindled love affair last? Only time will tell.
Cakeageddon
Mrs Cheesecake has found her own bliss this week. Today after we got back from town she made a huge rustic loaf of bread, an apple and blackberry pie, a red velvet cake? and roast lemon and herb chicken. Check out the Twitters for evidence of this epic feat. I am being totally spoiled by all this homemade cookery. It is epic. Even as I type now she is pottering around in the kitchen making a cream cheese frosting for the cake. I think my waistline may explode. At least I will die happy :)
Not long to go now till a two week holiday topped of with a visit to Fantasycon 2011 in Brighton. This will be our third FCon but I've never been to Brighton before so I'm looking forward to visiting somewhere new. There are a number of book launches that sound exactly great. Roll on our long weekend at the seaside. Hopefully I'll meet some of you there? I'll be the one with the bright red hair. More on that nearer the time I think.
The Curse of the Brown Trousers
(Before reading this update it would be well worth your while to check out my last post to understand the ins and outs of my trouser trauma. Hmmm trouser trauma sounds rude. Please note this is not erection related in any way. Just in case you were worried.)
They have finally arrived and I'm wearing them right now as I type. They seem to be very comfortable. Will this change my entire wardrobe? I dont think so. I'm still reticent to move into the realms of corduroy for example. At the very least I have a new choice I suppose. Like I've said before I'm not a fashionista so change is always a bit traumatic. Baby steps eh people?
Walking Music
This morning I had some errands to attend to and I decided I would do them on foot. Nice to get a bit of exercise and all that. I also decided it would be a good idea to take along my iPhone so I could listen to some sounds along the way.
My musical tastes are at best described as eclectic but I have a confession to make. Most of the time when I walk along the street this is what is playing in my head anyway.
or this
I fear I may have revealed to much. Oops. Oh well, never mind.
New Blogger
Looks like Blogger has a had a bit of an update. I am liking some of the new features. Certainly this first attempt at using it has been stress free.
When it comes to fashion I am a bit of a one trick pony. I like black jeans or black combats, if I am feeling whimsical khaki green at a push. Last weekend, in a fit of pique, I decided I was going to break with tradition and try something new. In a moment of craziness I purchased a pair of brown trousers. They haven't arrived yet but I have been fretting about them ever since. What possessed me into this random act of fashion rebellion? For years I have been comfortable with my style (or indeed lack there of). I am still genuinely unsure if I will be able to where these when they do show up. The last time a tried something different, a pair of beige combats as I recall, my young nephew threw up on me and them. (Pureed sweet potato if your curious. Turns out bright orange is not a great accent colour in this case). More on this as the story develops.
The Great Tattoo of the Deep
Last week Mrs Cheesecake got some new ink. She is now the proud owner of a wolf paw print on the back of her neck. Jolly good it looks to. I am once again jealous. She has a number of other ideas and I look forward to them appearing over the fullness of time. In all honesty my tattoos are a bit lame and I am going through a phase of being slightly embarrassed by their crapiness. This did make me think about remedying the situation and so I started looking for ideas. I want to really go for it. Something striking and memorable. Something that I will be proud to be seen with for the rest of my life. After much research I have come to the following conclusion. I want something similar to this.
Isn't it stunning. I really, REALLY like this. Now we come to the problem. I was talking to the tattooist about getting a sleeve done and it takes quite a long time (well I suppose that is fair enough. I mean you'd want a good job wouldn't you) but it also costs quite a bit. Hmmm I'm not the best at saving my pennies. Roughly we are talking about 20hrs work at around £70 an hour. Do the math. Not exactly cheap is it. Would anyone like a kidney? Can I interest you in a slightly used spleen? If an eccentric billionaire happens upon this post I wouldn't say no to accepting your charity. I won't do anything kinky in return though. Well not too kinky anyway.
A Cheesecake The Goes Bump in The Night
Over the last couple of years I have developed a rather strange habit. If I sit an watch a horror film before I go to bed I will almost always have a bad dream. This in turn leads to me waking up in a blind panic. For example when I watched the Japanese version of The Ring I woke up later that night screaming. As I am sure you can no doubt appreciate Mrs Cheesecake poor nerves were somewhat frayed by this experience. On another occasion I have woken up, confidently explained there is either (a) someone in the house or (b) at the window. After which I immediately fall back to sleep. Mrs Cheesecake is not a massive fan of that either. Probably the weirdest one of all was the night I shouted "HOOTERS!!!" in my sleep. In that particular instance I do still maintain I was having a dream about clowns. Sleep and the sub-concious mind are a real enigma and I am constantly perplexed by the whole thing. The outcome of this new habit - no horror before bedtime. Damn shame as part of me really enjoys a good horror movie.
I'm an avid movie-goer. I love the experience of viewing entertainment on a screen so huge that it fills my entire field of vision. For me cinema is all about escapism. Tell me a story, entertain me, take me me away from trails and tribulations of real life for a short while. I was think about it earlier today and it seems that this summer all the big blockbusters are all essentially about exactly the same thing.
Please don't keep us in suspense Pablo - tell us dammit .
Ok seeing as you asked so politely, and there was no swearing, I shall. This year's crop of summer blockbusters are all about…….drum roll please…….. how fucking great America is.
Now I should stress before I go any further that I am a fan of the US of States and this is merely an cinematic observation on my part. That said everything your read here is true....probably.
Exhibit A - Captain America
Ok. I admit this was an obvious first choice. I also have to admit that in all honesty I can't give this one too much of a hard time. It was wonderfully done and by the final credits I was ready to join The Howling Comandos myself. There is no doubt this was all about the flag waving rampant patriotism but it was done extremely well. Fuck it...bring on The Avengers!
Captain America yesterday
Exhibit B - Super 8
Another example of Americana done terribly well. Who better than J.J. Abrahams and Steven Spielberg to provide a big old slice of late 70s nostalgia. Everything is wonderfully observed and the performances from the young leads were pitch perfect. Every scene offers a glimpse of the American suburbs at their best. I don't doubt this will become a bit of a classic.
Exhibit C - Cowboys and Aliens
Oh for fuck sake....Cowboys...... Do I have to spell it out to you?
and finally..... Transformers 3: Dark Side of the Moon
This is the one that really sent me a bit insane.
Michael Bay and his American tough guys chums, oh and Shia LeBeouf, kick the living crap out of giant robots with the assistance of other giant robots. It felt sort of like a two and half hour ad for signing up to the military. I can imagine Mr Bay sitting about in his Hollywood mansion pondering ideas and thinking 'well we've had every branch of the US Forces in the first two films. How are we going to top that? I've got it. Lets throw fucking astronauts into the mix!'
I swear to God at one point, toward the end of the film, when everyone was wistfully looking around at all the devastation that had been caused to the streets of Chicago I thought that this was going to happen*
*I also have to admit a certain amount of disappointment when it didn't.
Transformers 3 is firmly at number one on my list of the least subtle films of all time. On the plus side though all the explosions were all awfully pretty.
This afternoon Mrs Cheesecake and I were tidying out a room and I happened across an old box full of random comics. In amongst all of the regular Marvel and DC fare there were a number of independent titles that I had forgot I owned. Check these out
What can I say - I went through a phase when I was a younger that the weirder something was the more I was interested in it. The results I believe speak for themselves. There are others as well but things just get weirder and weirder so perhaps I'll leave those for another time.
Captain America Fuck Yeah!
It would appear that there is a distinctly comic book related theme to this post. Tomorrow Mrs C and I are going to go and check out the latest Marvel movie offering. The trailer looked pretty cool. Chris Evans appears to be a good choice for the Cap. I have a sneaking suspicion that I will be jonesin for The Avengers at movie's end. Lets see shall we.
I am The Law*
Last week I received Marshal Law: Fear and Loathing , as a late birthday gift. If you haven't read this you should. This is a classic. Seek it out immediately. I demand you do this NOW!
Seriously though this fucking rocks. It is well worth your time.
* Never mind Dredd this is the future policeman you should be worried about. Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill really do know their stuff.
Gravelands by The King (an Elvis Presley impersonator who does Elvis covers of only dead musicians. Weird I know but it's very cool. If you are familiar with Dread Zepplin then you will get the idea.)
Finally a laptop sleeve from the good people at Burgerplex
Bit mad eh?
Anywho time for cake
Later People
Mr P Cheesecake
37yrs Old
It was inevitable really. After years of moaning about everything else it was only a matter of time before I turned my attention to the worst offender of them all. The King of the Hill, El Numero Uno, The Big Kahuna, the Grand Fromage.........me.
What could possibly cause all this full on self-loathing? Hmm...how best to put it....Since I turned thirty my body has been failing me on, what seems like, a regular basis.
The most recent trauma is a recurrence of my thyroid issues. Now for those blissfully ignorant of this particular gland the thyroid helps to regulate energy levels in your body. Mine, putting it as succinctly as possible, is fucked. I have been using medication for a few years now to help manage the problem. A while back my doctor suggested a reduction in my meds. Initially everything seemed fine and, as is the way with these things, I promptly forgot all about it.
Cut to last week. In the space of one day I feel asleep at my desk at work, then on the bus on the way home and for a third time at around 8pm. As soon as I sit down and I am not focusing on anything I start to drift off and then fall asleep.
The worst part, without doubt, is that this is causing problems with my reading. I am sure most of you are aware that I run The Eloquent Page. I like to keep it ticking over and try to post a couple of reviews a week. For me a couple of books of week is an easily achievable goal. Unfortunately my thyroid is causing me no end of grief. No matter how much I am glued to the latest novel I am reading if I get too comfortable and relax and then I start to fall asleep. It is making things difficult to keep to a regular posting schedule. I am going to try to keep going and hopefully the boffins can sort me out. I just feel terribly disappointed. Literally at the point where things are starting to pick up with the site and I am failing myself.
Sorry. I apologise. Please excuse the self-pity. I just needed to vent a bit. its just so fucking annoying. I feel fine but can't stay awake. There are many people in the world that are way worse off than I am so I don't really have any right to complain.
The Linear Nature of Time
Days and months zip by and on a much more upbeat note, it is my birthday this weekend. Has it really been a whole year? I'm looking forward to spending a nice day with Mrs Cheesecake. She has promised a slap up lunch, always a bonus, and I know she has a couple of surprise gifts hidden somewhere. When it comes to birthdays and Christmas I am still a big kid. I love opening gifts and enjoy the festiveness of it all. If I think about it I dont really care what age I am. Every year seems to bring new challenges but also new joys. I'm just aiming to be happy in my own skin. Not the loftiest of goals but a good one I think.
Of Hobbits and Caped Crusaders
The latest production diary for The Hobbit surfaced this morning. Once again I find myself swept up in all the excitement. Peter Jackson is entirely the right man for the job, as he has proved already with Bad Taste and Braindead. (If you haven't seen either then seek them out immediately dammit! ) I think he did direct some other stuff but I am not sure what they are about.
Meanwhile Batman Live has finally started it's tour. Mrs Cheesecake and I have tickets for when it arrives in Nottingham. If it is as good as Doctor Who Live was we should be in for a real treat. Nothing better than a public entertainment is there? I have high hopes. I'm also looking forward to the forthcoming DC reboot. I just need to decided what titles to spend my hard earned on.
The Woes of a Gadget Whore
I was complaining a while back that I had owned my shiny new iPhone 4 for a while and was yet to receive a phone call on it. Now don't panic I'm not looking for your pity. I don't get a great deal of phone calls full stop but that's cool I contact my peoples via the social media and what not. I just wanted to relate the tale of what happened when I finally did get my first call.
Mrs Cheesecake rang to let me know she would be late. The phone started to vibrate (like the conscientious sod I am I tend to put it on silent. Which in itself is a shame as I have cracking ring-tone but I digress *see below*) Any way, I answered the phone with a flourishing swipe of my finger on the touchscreen.
"Hello" says I
....Not a peep in response
"Hello" again nothing.
Finally after about 30 seconds I remember that my headphones are plugged in to the phone but I am wearing them round my neck not on my ears. Turns out that once again, though I love my technology, I am the very definition of 'a tool'.
* Here, for anyone that has gotten this far, is my current ring-tone*
Normal Service will now be resumed.... again.....probably....
I haven't posted anything new for ages. I noticed earlier in the week that I had only written one post for the whole of June. I not sure what is going on. Maybe my sub-conscious has actively taken a dislike to my blog? I'm not sure why. Perhaps I have just not felt the need to divulge any of my goings on? Weird non? I'm pretty sure that I did stuff during the month of June, Alt.Fiction springs to mind, but I just didn't feel the need to write about it here.
(For those new to my Mid-Life Crisis. This blog is my stream of consciousness where I will talk about everything, well everything except books :) You can go to The Eloquent Page for that. Here you will find everything from drunken rants about Tesco carrier bags to the hunt for the perfect fish finger sandwich and not forgetting my epic quest for the world's greatest condiment. Essentially it is a big old rambling cathartic mess. Anyway back to the action. Sorry about the interruption. You should probably note I can't promise that it won't happen again.)
Pablo Cheesecake - How does your garden grow?
That's a bloody good question. The vegetable garden continues to provided mixed results. Admittedly the wildly erratic British weather has a lot to do with it. I have discovered that I like to potter around in the garden. Turns out that growing stuff is a rather marvelous thing. I've gotten into the habit of checking every day just to see what has changed. Recently, for example, the potatoes have taken over while the sweetcorn shows a certain degree of tenacity. The good news is that I can confirm there is garlic! In fairness the vast majority of the credit lies squarely on the shoulders of Mrs Cheesecake. She is the green fingered one. I just like to enjoy the various comings and goings as the seasons change.
Hugh Grant and Phone Hacking
I watched Question Time last on Thursday, that in itself is a bit of a rarity, and was as impressed by Hugh Grant as I was distressed by the politicians that where on the panel with him. Its not often that I get drawn into politics but the current situation that is occurring the in UK makes my blood boil. First that it took place at all and secondly that all the botched cover ups and so called investigations that have happened afterwards. That and the fact the the ring leaders appear to be getting away with it Scot free is a damned outrage. They are a shower of teflon coated oily fuckers, all of them.
Another Year Older
I'll be thirty seven years old in a couple of weeks. Have I matured any in the last twelve months? Thinking about it the quick answer is probably not. I continue to wander through life in a slightly befuddled and bemused fashion. Perhaps one day I will figure it all out. No doubt to be hit by a bus shortly thereafter. On a positive note at least I have passed the half way stage on my sit up challenge. 10600 situps done so far this year. 9400 left to got. No applause necessary. Tis but a trifle.
Blessed are the Cheese-Straw Makers
Today, while I wax lyrical on the interweb, Mrs Cheesecake has got her baking head on. So far she has made cheese straws, mini rosemary focaccia and a tomato, onion and thyme tart. We are of to a BBQ later and all these goodies are going with us. Fortunately I have had the opportunity to sample everything first. It's all good.
and finally.....There and Back again
I just watched the second video blog from the filming of The Hobbit. Again there was a spike in my excitement levels for this project. Everything just looks so right. The days really can't pass quick enough.
This week I have been on holiday. I've been incredibly lazy but only because I've been in dire need for some down time. In my attempts to create a never ending stream of consciousness I have discovered some stuff that I never knew before. Without any further folderol I give you.....
Things I have learned this week
Bakewell pudding is not the same as Bakewell tart. Both however taste great.
X-Men First Class was
I am exceptionally good at giving directions that sound correct but are, in actual fact, shit.
Weather forecasting is a mugs game.
Lausanne is on my to-do list
So is Bruges
Great joy can be had from watching a garden grow (Sounds soft I know, but its true).
Ikea may be versed in the black arts. They make me desire objects I don't need.
Hand cut chips can be a thing of rare beauty.
Managed to get to nearly 37 without ever seeing bees having sex and then stumbled upon it in the garden. That was truly un-expected.
I saw On Stranger Tides today. It was…..hmmm……alright. It didn’t set my world alight but it was also by no means terrible. Mr Depp is consistently watchable but the film left me feeling a little underwhelmed. The set pieces were all enjoyable – the chase in London and the mermaid capture – but overall I was a bit meh about it all. I guess it suffers a bit from the law of diminishing returns. That said I do still want to be a pirate though.
The bookshop Beckons
After the cinema we wandered down to our local Waterstones. I purchased Anno Dracula by Kim Newman, Horns by Joe Hill and some George R R Martin for Mrs Cheesecake. The store still has it’s ‘lovely’ Erotica section next to the Sci-Fi and Fantasy. I have to admit I was I little intrigued by this…
I’ve checked and it has a five star review on Amazon you know. Also it has nothing to do with a sport called Ultimate Spanking – Just in case you thought it did.
Yet More Shops
After the visit to the bookshop/Spank-o-torium™ we had some lunch. Ostrich was on the menu and I have to say I was quite impressed. I admit I always expect something that resembles giant chicken and not lean beef. Any way lets just say it was tasty and leave it at that.
To round off our trip to town a swift visit to the sweetshop. Mrs Cheesecake had a hankering for a Sherbert Dib-Dab - who can blame her? I got a packet of Refreshers which I am going to go and munch right now.
Our attempts to live 'The Good Life' took another step forward this morning with use finally completing the third raised bed. The potatoes, carrots and onions are doing quite well. The strawberries and rhubarb have exploded. I am still most excited about the sweetcorn and pumpkins. They are inside at the moment, but hopefully in a couple of weeks they can go outside as well.
Our garden this morning....fuck yeah!
If the sweetcorn works I am totally going to make my own popcorn from scratch.
I have uncovered a new taste sensation in the local supermarket. Ladies and gentlemen *drum roll* I give you the Port Royal Salt Fish Patty.
These rock! They are the best thing in the world ever. Hot and spicy, slightly smoked fish and chillies wrapped in pastry. They are Jamaican in origin and are epically moreish. Mrs Cheesecake is horrified by their smell and doesn’t like spicy foods so they are best described as a ‘solitary pursuit’. The humble Greggs sausage roll better watch its fucking back, that’s all I’m saying.
the bells, the bells
Yesterday afternoon while gardening I found a cat collar with a little bell on it. I figured it had come of one of nextdoor’s moggies so I popped it in my pocket with thoughts of returning it later. Needless to say within seconds I had gone back to what I was doing and forgotten entirely about the collar. Later, and for the rest of the day, I kept hearing a tinkling sound and every time I turned I expected to see a cat. By the end of the day I was beginning to question my sanity. You may not be surprised to discover that the collar is no longer in my pocket.
this is the end?
I have noticed a worrying trend of late. When I go to the cinema with Mrs Cheesecake I like to sit down with a medium diet coke and packet of Tooty Frooties.
Around 2hrs later, more often than not, I feel entertained and the diet coke has worked its magic so that my bladder is ready to explode. A swift exit is the thing most pressing on my mind. Why then must I sit an wait through ten minutes of credits just so I can get an extra two minutes of movie action? This happened during both films I saw on Saturday. Are you listening Hollywood! You shower of bastards! Stop with the extra scenes after the chuffing credits. Enough already. I demand that you cease and desist with all this foolishness. My bladder and I will be most grateful. This is not a cocking competition you know. Not every film has to have these little Easter Eggs for the intrepid few who manage to hold out.
With that in mind I have decided to add in extra content after the end of this post in order to keep people sat in front of their PCs for far longer than is necessary.
Till a time that is further in the future than now
Bye
Mr C
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Ta da! Extra content. Woo it really was worth the wait wasn’t it? No I didn’t think so either. I should stress the eyebrows aren’t real. Unfortunately everything else is.
Today in the UK was the Royal Weeding of Kate Middleton and Prince William. I wish them all the best in the world but had fuck, and indeed, all interest in watching the televised nuptials. Mrs Cheesecake was of a similar mind so we decided that we could escape all the wedding-i-ness in the local cinema. Two films in one day? Hell yeah!
thor
Have you heard? Dear, dear Kenny Branagh has directed a Marvel superhero movie. Good news peoples - it is a lot of fun. Chris Hemsworth plays the titular Norse thunder-worrier with just the right amount of arrogance and swagger. He struts about hitting various bad guys with his mighty hammer, #notaeuphemism, and it looks like he is having a ball. I have to admit that when I saw him sans t-shirt he made me feel truly insignificant. He is utterly ripped while I am nowt but a humble wok smuggler!
Nice to see the return of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the cameo from Hawkeye. I am sure that The Avengers will rock. Asgard looked suitably shiny for my liking. Mrs Cheesecake was looking for something a bit more ancient Norse. Would have been nice to have a bit more screen time for, Cheesecake Family Favourite™ , Ray Stevenson but alas it was not to be. Perhaps another time? We think he fucking rocks.
Tom Hiddleston makes for a splendid Loki and I suspect we will see more of him in the future. If we can’t have Blessed then I guess Hopkins will do as a suitable replacement as Odin. He could have been a bit shoutier though.
Overall a solid addition to the Marvel Studio line I think
fast five
After a suitably gut busting lunch. Don’t act so surprised. I told you I was a wok smuggler already! We settled down to another guilty pleasure of ours. The latest in the Fast & Furious franchise, Fast Five.
The action was adrenalin fuelled. The car chases spectacularly stupid and the combination of The Rock and Vin Diesel on screen made Mrs Cheesecake come over all unnecessary. I swear at one point there was some much testosterone on screen I heard her ovaries pop.
All in all it was a lot of fun. Rio is an amazing looking place. To have such poverty next to such glamour. It’s all a bit of a headfuck really.
I’ve looked at all the reviews on IMDB and some loved it, some hated it. I thought it was daft as a bag of hammers so obviously worthy of my utter undying adoration. Nobody appears to mention the Star Wars sight gag though?
We are quite lucky that our back garden is of a reasonable size. The front is tiny, but the back - she is quite big. Last year Mrs Cheesecake decided she was keen to develop a green finger so had a bash at planting some carrots, onions, potatoes and strawberries. The results were positive for the most part with the exception of the carrots which could best be described as "a bit mutated". Apart from that bizarreness it was a success. For reference we also inherited a pear tree and an apple tree so there was lots of fruit and veg available. This year Mrs C has decided to up the stakes a little. She is attempting the following:
Potatoes
Onions
Carrots (purple - see below)
Carrots (orange - in case the purple ones are just too damn weird)
Strawberries
Apples
Blackcurrants
Redcurrants
Plums
Pumpkins
Tomatoes
Blueberries
Pears
Rhubarb
Peas
Various herbs and garlic
Now we are not going all Good Life but I'll give her this much - Mrs Cheesecake aims big! If I could just convince her to purchase a sheep so I didn't have to mow the lawn I would be quids in. How much does a sheep cost?
I apologise in advance for some of the content in this evenings post. Things get a bit heavy near the beginning. Ahh fuck it. I'll be honest it's the closest you'll every get to deep and meaningful from me so you best enjoy it will you can.
Am I Really Me?
Here is the head scratcher that I sometimes ponder in the wee small hours of the night. Before I get to the gist of this particular rambling I have to give you a bit of personal history by way of an explanation. When I was four and a half years old I was involved in a serious road accident. I was in the back of a car that was hit by an articulated lorry. The net result being that I was crushed between the front passenger seat and the seat that I was sat on. The back of my skull shattered into my brain and I was in coma for a number of weeks. Brain surgery fucking rocks btw! When I woke I had effectively rebooted. I had lost my memory, was unable to walk or talk. You may find it hard to believe but I was incredibly lucky. When I had first arrived at hospital I was only given hours. The fact that I am still here thirty two years later proves that I must be at least a little bit lucky?
Anyway back to my original point.
The thought that I keep coming back to is this - if the accident had never happened would I be the same person I am now? After the accident I was essentially Pablo Cheesecake 2.0. I had to re-learn everything. I wonder if I would have grown up to be different or the same as I am now. I often think about it. Have I replaced myself? Am I a totally different person from who I was before? Told you it was a mind-bender.
My Latest Brain Worm
For reasons I can't even begin the fathom the Katy Perry song 'Firework' is stuck on my head. Can't think why? I'm not what you would call a fan of her work. I'm sure she is fabulous, if you like that kind of thing. Phew we're back on shallow ground again, that's a relief. Katy Perry - Is she the one married to Brand?
The Hobbit
I watched the first production diary today and it filled me with warm and fuzzy feelings. Genuinely raised a smile. Later on I saw a tweet from Duncan Jones (director of Moon, Source Code) saying that this video reminded him of why he wanted to be a involved with movies in the first place. How cool is that?
Once again Mrs Cheesecake is out in the fresh air attacking the garden with an admirable vigour. I, meanwhile, am hiding out in the spare room pondering the universe. This week I have mostly been obsessing about all the little things.
Pablo Cheesecake – Stat Whore
A negative I’ve noticed about running The Eloquent Page is that I have started to obsess about the number of hits the site receives on a daily basis. It’s ridiculous really. I get caught up with numbers, always have if I’m honest. I set myself a target and once I reach that I always have to try and go one better. If for any reason I get less than the day before I am thrown into a blind panic and start to question my entire existence.
This behaviour has to stop. I need to remember the reason I created the site in the first place. For those playing along at home the correct answer is - To get back into reading and to connect with others who love a good read.
In an effort to curb the madness and reclaim my sanity I am only going to post once this week, on Friday.
A game of cheesecake
This week I’m also attempting to take on my Moby Dick of reading, my great white literary whale, A Game of Thrones. I thought I should read before the TV show starts. I’ve mentioned in the past that I have never managed to read this book and I am more determined than ever to break the back of this beast. Unfortunately I am not off to a flying start, only 30 pages in *sadface*. Hell I should probably be reading it right now but instead I am waxing lyrical on the interweb.
green lantern
I saw the new footage of the Green Lantern on the internet yesterday. I was impressed and then I was panicked. Is it too good to be true? Have we been subjected to the best 4 minutes already and the movie as a whole will not the what I hoped it could be? Am I obsessing again about things that I have absolutely no control over whatsoever? I remain fearfully optimistic.
feel the Burn
I reached a milestone with the old situps at the beginning of the week. I have now sailed past 5000 and I am bang on track to achieve 20000 in 2011. Now that I have settled into a routine I am starting to panic that it is getting too easy and I wont reap any benefits. I’m worried that if there is less pain there will be less gain. I’ll be honest the KFC probably isn’t helping either.
Great Scott! I’m a gibbering wreck of a human being. Please feel free to return to your normal Sunday afternoon viewing while I go and rock slowly in the corner muttering expletives to myself.
Ahhh Spring and a young (ahem) man’s thoughts turn to blogging. It seems this week that winter is finally receding and the weather is taking a turn for the better. On Tuesday I went to work without a jacket and last night I purchased a short sleeved shirt. Thinking about it this will probably encourage rain. Feel free to blame me I don’t care.
As I type Mrs Cheesecake is out pottering around in the garden. (I should point out that I was helping as well but once all the heavy lifting is done I tend to become superfluous to requirements. I don’t really excel when it come to the delicate stuff.)
game of thrones
We creep ever closer to April 18th and the UK debut of Game of Thrones. I remain steadfastly optimistic but I still haven’t got around to reading the first book. I should probably do that? I am sure it would make the whole televisual experience that much more exciting. In an even worse admission - I own a copy I’ve just never opened it. I know, I know. I should be taken out back a flayed to within an inch of my existence.
tech obsessive
I just cant help myself. I get a gadget and immediately I have a desire to replace it with the next new shiny that appears on the market. I think part of the problem is that I don’t research things enough. I got a new phone eighteen months ago and thought I was onto a good deal. Turns out I was just buying into the marketing hype. It truly is a massive steaming turd of a thing. I need to learn to take a step back and then breathe before I make a fucking decision. Still only one hundred and twenty three days and then I can get the phone I actually want.
ninjas
I recently said on The Eloquent Page that any book is enhanced by the addition on zombies. (I stick to that conclusion by the way). This got me thinking about films. Is there a cinematic equivalent? After much searching I believe the answer may be YES. I firmly believe that the addition of ninjas into any film can only be a good thing. Check this out insanity out!
Ninjas–Fuck Yeah!
I have to admit that I do enjoy a film when it is distinctly cheese-laden and this looks like it may fit the bill.
5000 and counting
I reached the first major milestone in this years exercise related buffoonery. 5000 out of 20000 situps are now done. I am bang on my schedule and I think I am starting to feel the benefits of this regime. Next big target is the half way point which, all things remaining equal, I should hit around the end of June. Remember if you are that ways inclined I do have a Just Giving page, in conjunction with the ever steadfast Gibbiot, where you can show your support.
This afternoon Mrs Cheesecake and I went to the cinema but rather than see a film we saw a play. The National Theatre are using the wonder of modern technology to present digital screenings of their version of Frankenstein through out the UK at select cinemas. What an absolute treat it was.
Directed by Danny Boyle and starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller this production of Shelly’s classic novel is viewed very much from the monsters perspective.
In an interesting casting decision Cumberbatch and Miller alternate the roles of the Doctor Frankenstein and the Monster each performance. (We saw a performance with Cumberbatch as the monster.)
Both leads were exceptional though for sheer physical presence Cumberbatch may have nudged slightly ahead. That said I am sure if we had seen Lee Miller as the monster I would have felt that way about him. As I said the show is all about the monster.
The supporting cast were great. Karl Johnson stood out as an old blind man who befriends the beast.
The sets though quite minimal were very effective. Some imaginative lighting added to this.
The two hours flew by and I was completely engrossed in the story. If I had the opportunity I would be keen to see another performance with Lee Miller as the Monster for comparison's sake.
If you get the chance I strongly advise you check this out!
Yesterday I went to the cinema with Mrs Cheesecake, as is our want on a typical Saturday afternoon. Actually if you have ever read my blog before then this fact will come as very little surprise.
We saw the new James Purejoy flick, Ironclad. (I should stress I didn’t come up with the nickname Purejoy that was Mrs Cheesecake and her interweb chums.)
I enjoyed the film immensely you should check it out, but that is an aside.
I spotted Jason Flemyng playing a character called Beckett. Think medieval mercenary type and you’ll be on the right lines. *SPOILER* He dies *END SPOILER* After the film a thought popped into my brain, I freely admit this doesn’t happen often. Jason Flemyng seems to die in everything he appears in. Now I admit I haven’t seen his entire back catalogue but it appears just about everything I have watched, that he is in, he bites the bullet.
Behold the evidence
Deep Rising – Tentacled to death
Stardust – Taken out by ambitious sibling.
Solomon Kane – Dispatched by “The Purejoy”. It’s nice to see they made up in Ironclad.
Clash of the Titans – Removed from existence by “The Worthington” and he gets his hand chopped off and mutated beyond all recognition before that. Poor bastard.
Ironclad – Oh go and see the film for goodness sake!
Who else, I thought, suffers such cinematic bad luck? After sitting around for a bit scratching my head I remembered. Poor old Michelle Rodriguez.
Resident Evil – Milla Jovovich is the main female lead. Michelle didn’t stand a chance.
Bloodrayne – I’ve seen this but as it is a Uwe Boll film I am required by law to never speak of it again.
Fast & Furious – Well she lasted till the fourth film of the franchise. That’s not bad.
Lost – They are all already dead anyway so I’m not sure if this counts. (oh sorry *SPOILERS*)
Avatar- Even working with James Cameron can’t save you Michelle!
I reckon it’s about time Jason and Michelle were given a fair shake of the stick. Lets make a film where they get to cut about and dispatch the bad guys and neither of them die?
Its been a while since I gave my brain a shake to see what would fall out. Not that I need a reason or anything but seeing as it's a Thursday and Mrs Cheesecake is involved in some hardcore gaming activity I thought I would type some of the letter keys on my keyboard and see where I ended up.
Politics...Fuck Yeah!
I got a letter today from a Mr Ed Milliband. Apperently he thinks we are friends. He wants to have a chat. I have been musing about my response for a couple of hours and I have come to the conclusion I would rather have my knackers trapped in a vice and hit repeatedly with a cricket bat. After the spectacular horror that was the last General Election I think politics and I need time away from one another. We'll still talk and try remaining civil, if only for the children's sake, but for the most part we need to go our separate ways.
Book Overload
This week for reasons I still don't fully understand I decided to read four books rather than the usual two. I won't be attempting that again in a hurry. My brain was completely frazzled by the end of the fourth book. All my free time was taken up with reading. I think I'll chock this one up as an experiment. I have learned my limits if nothing else.
