X-Factor

Sent my application off today. I need to wait and see if I get an audition slot now. Then of course I have to decide what I'm going to sing and hope and pray that I get to meet The Captain. Ha, I can't believe I've even done it!

Noel Gallagher

I crossed my gig item off the list in spectacular style last night. Noel Gallagher at the SECC. I know the venue gets slated for being appalling, but I have to say I thought it was great. I was practically on the barrier, right enough. The only downside of course is (as usual for the SECC or many venues in Glasgow for that matter) was drunken arseholes thinking it's alright to push people around. It's not, it never is. Why would anyone think it could be? Pricks. But anyway, Whatever, Little By Little, Supersonic, Everybody's On The Run, If I Had A Gun. All of them absolutely outstanding. Noel can work a crowd by doing absolutely nothing. He doesn't need to do the whole prancing about, making a big show of himself thing. Never has and it wouldn't suit him if he did. The only downside for me is that it felt like it was over in no time at all. If I hadn't been getting a bit squashed, I'd have gladly stood there until next week while he played I'm A Little Teapot and loved every second.

It was, of course, helped by the fact I got to spend a day out on the sauce with some great company. What a day. What a liiiiiiiiiiii-ife. Love it.

Fannies an' that.

I sat down today and decided to cross another item off my list, so I completed an online unit. I picked cervical screening. I know all about minges now. Lucky me.

Basil

Saw a growing basil pot at a reduced price in Tesco. Bought it, cut away the dead bits, watered it. Growing basil done.

Made banana bread today for the first time. I'm not sure why I'm posting this. It wasn't to keep up with my recipe for the month because I've done two already. I didn't think I'd even like it (it's ok, as it happens, but that's by the by). I only made it because I bought bananas at the weekend and they were looking a little on the soft side today, so I thought I'd better do something with them. God bless Nigella for once again, it's one of her recipes. So, er. Yeah. That's about it really. Banana bread.

Four!

Watched The Usual Suspects this evening. I know I'm miles behind the rest of civilisation and that is why I already knew the big secret behind the film, which did detract a fair bit from my enjoyment of it. That doesn't mean, however, that I didn't enjoy it, because I did. The impact might have been lost, but the way it was revealed was clever and fascinating. Like Ed Norton, I've yet to see Kevin Spacey in a role I didn't like (I'm not saying he's only ever done superb films, but his role in them is always great). And also like Ed Norton, there always seems to be narration in the films that I have seen. Odd that, but I must like it.

So, that's 4 items crossed off.  I'm running through ideas in my head just now about how I can get rid of a few more when the weather starts warming up, and of course trying to double them up so that I can do a few at the same time. For example, I can take a train to Edinburgh, do a bus tour and visit the dungeon and knock out three in a day, if you'll pardon the expression.  Combining is definitely the way forward for this. 4 in just over a month is way off the pace!

February's Cooking

I've made two new recipes this month, so I'm well ahead on this item.

Yesterday, I made my own pizza. Dough and everything. From scratch. Oh, aye. Topped it with cheddar, mozzarella and bacon. I can't believe I forgot the onions though. I've just realised that while typing this. Oh well, it was flipping lovely anyway.

Today it was Snickerdoodles. Yeah, when I first heard of them I thought "what the flaming feck is that?" too. Well, they're quite a thick biscuit made with nutmeg and vanilla, with a texture a little like a rock cake and they're rolled in sugar and cinnamon before they're baked. Absolutely gorgeous and very easy to make. I made 22 of the things half an hour ago, I've got 14 left and they're not going to last the evening. De-bloody-licious.

Was meant to watch Unusual Suspects with the husband last night, but he went to the pub "for an hour" around 7.45 and got home around 10, so that didn't happen. The steaming great arsehole. Still, he fell asleep on the couch, I got to sleep in the starfish position for a bit and listen to him babble shite in his sleep. I've also got a film to watch tonight, so it's not all bad.