When it comes to Western action movies, there’s only one man for me. Sure, I’ve enjoyed watching Sylvester Stallone, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Steven Seagal, Chuck Norris, The Rock, Vin Diesel, Dolph Lundgren, etc. but Arnold Schwarzenegger is my king of kick-butt.
Here are 13 movies starring the current Governor of California; which are your favourites? (more…)
1. The Flying Carpet pictured above, as described in Arabian Nights. Better than a convertible for feeling the wind in your hair.
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I love my testosterone-fueled action, but there’s something about a warrior-woman that’s really inspiring. Here are some of my faves. (more…)
As I’m going to Jamaica next week, I thought it might be fun to share some information with you about the land of my ancestors.
1. Jamaica is an island in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba. It is the third largest island in the Caribbean, and the most populous English-speaking island.
2. The name of the country derives from the name Xaymaca, meaning land of wood and water, given to it by the original Arawak or Taino people from South America, who settled there between 1000 - 4000 BC.
3. The island’s population is 2.7m. The ethnic groups living there are: Black 90.9%, East Indian 1.3%,, Chinese 0.2%, Mixed 7.3%, White 0.2%, Other 0.1%
4. The national motto of Jamaica is “Out of Many, One People.” Despite the racial diversity of its citizens, they are all Jamaicans.
5. Jamaica was claimed for Spain after Christopher Columbus first landed there in 1494. Columbus used it as his family’s private estate. England seized the island in 1655. Jamaica gained its independence in 1962 and is now a completely sovereign nation.
6. Jamaica’s Head of State is Queen Elizabeth II, who has visited the country six times and officially uses the title “Queen of Jamaica”.
7. Kingston has been the capital of Jamaica since 1872. Former Jamaican capitals include Spanish Town and Port Royal. It’s probably not the best place for tourists, being an excessively hot and dangerous place.
8. Jamaica is divided into 14 areas called parishes. My mum’s family are from St Ann, while my dad’s folks are from Kingston.
9. For such a small country, Jamaica has had a big influence in the world of music. Not only were the musical genres of reggae, ska, mento, rocksteady, dub, dancehall and ragga created there, but Jamaican music has also influenced the hip-hop and garage music created in America and the UK. Bob Marley was a world-famous Jamaican reggae artist.
10. The Jamaican flag was adopted on 6 August 1962, the original Independence Day. The colours of the flag symbolise the following: Black for the strength and creativity of the Jamaican people; Gold representing sunlight and the country’s natural wealth; Green representing hope for the future and agricultural richness.
11. The Rastafarian movement was founded in Jamaica. It is a religion and philosophy that accepts Haile Selassie I, the former Emperor of Ethiopia, as God incarnate, whom they call Jah.There are now estimated to be more than a million Rastafarians throughout the world.
Lenny Kravitz is not a Rasta as far as I know, but I do like this pic of him with dreads…
12. 95% of the Jamaican population has a mobile phone.
13. Famous Jamaicans include the political activist Marcus Garvey, musician Bob Marley, and the sprinter Linford Christie.
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged!
Disclaimer: the following items are detailed for reasons of amusement and education only. Don’t blame me if they don’t work for you, but please do report back on any which do!
1. Wild Asparagus, which also apparently gave “patience and strength to a women who had 100 husbands, who are more demanding and child-like than any child”…
2. Deer Antler, which while still attached to the beast can grow up to an inch a day…
3. Ginger, especially for women. It apparently stimulates blood flow to the groin.
4. Sarsaparilla. Didn’t cowboys drink this in westerns?
5. Irish Moss, a sea weed found in the Atlantic Ocean. It is popular in the Caribbean, and was recommended to a female journalist by Bob Marley.
6. Goji Berries, which are called the “happy fruit” in China.
7. Cordyceps fungus from Tibet is usually found growing on dead caterpillars, but it can be cultivated separately.
8. Honey. Ideal for licking off your lover.
9. Garlic, though the resulting bad breath might negate the effect!
10. Ginseng. In particular: Korean/Chinese - Panax ginseng, American - Panax quinquefolium or Vietnamese - Panax notoginseng.
11. Bananas. Maybe it’s the energy-fuelling potassium, or maybe it’s the phallic shape…
12. Nutmeg, used in Africa and Ancient China. However, in quantity, it can produce a hallucinogenic effect.
13. Chocolate. Naturally.
For more information on aphrodisiacs, recipes and general lustiness check out Aphrodite by Isabel Allende
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged!
As it’s my dad’s birthday today, I thought it would be nice to tell you all some interesting things about him.
1. His name is Ivanhoe Theodore.
2. He was born on 11 April 1950, so he’s 57 years old now.
3. He was born in Jamaica, and came to the UK in 1962.
4. On the day that my grandma went into labour with my dad, she saw a man getting hanged in public.
5. He has a younger brother called Keith.
6. His careers have included being an industrial paint sprayer (painting buildings) and a mini-cab driver.
7. He’s definitely a handy guy to have around - he’s good at DIY and maintaining cars.
8. He likes wearing vests that show off his biceps. Once when we were driving through London, a guy clipped the side of our car. The guy got out of his car to look at the damage. It was a hot day and my dad was wearing a vest. My dad got out of our car too. The other guy took one look at my dad and took off!
9. He likes watching westerns, old kung-fu movies, action movies, wildlife and technology documentaries and Coronation Street!
10. He is currently unemployed, and is taking classes to improve his literacy and numeracy.
11. He’s a quiet man, doesn’t drink or eat chocolate. He’s trying to quit smoking. My mum is the only person who can push his buttons!
12. He was a DJ when he met my mother. He has loads of LPs and occasionally blasts the neighbours with some old reggae songs.
13. Here’s a pic I took of his hand for my Photography course.
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged!
I don’t know why, but I thought it might be fun to check out some other recluse blogs. Here’s some that I found. Show them some love.
1. Attempted Recluse
Description: Because trying to be just like everyone else is spectactularly un-ambitious.
Last post: today.
2. The Eccentric Recluse
Description: …mouthin’ off to nobody in particular…
Last post: 29 March 2007.
3. WALK ON THE WATER: THE JOURNAL OF A BORED RECLUSE
Description: DISCLAIMER: THE CHARACTERS AND EVENTS MENTIONED IN THIS BLOG MAY OR MAY NOT BE FICTIONAL. HOWEVER THE VIEWS EXPRESSED HERE ARE SOLELY MY OWN AND DEVOID OF ANY ALLEGIANCE TO ANY INSTITUTION, WHICH IN TURN RELIEVES ME OF ANY ACCOUNTABILITY OF ANY SORT.
Last post: yesterday
4. Private Ponderings
Description: The “Not So Private” Thoughts of a Midwestern Recluse
Last post: 11 March 2007
5. The Reluctant Recluse
Description: Digital Designs by Rina
Last post: 24 March 2007
6. CaRoL: Charming Real Life Social Recluse
Last post: 25 February 2007
7. Recluse
Description: Let me dream if only for tonight, that we leave together in the first morning light.
Last post: 6 January 2007
8. The Daily Recluse
Description: I stay in so you don’t have to.
Last post: 17 February 2007
9. How do I do this? Life… @ http://craig.wordpress.com (site now closed)
Description: Life. Is there a right way? Welcome to The Recluse, live: melbourne, australia
Last post: 25 August 2006
10. Recluseman
Description: Step to Step in soul recluse
Last post: 13 March 2007
11. jane doe: professional recluse
Last post: 19 February 2007
12. Recluse @ http://www.deathsex.org/tawny (site now closed)
Description: Tawny. Seventeen. Taken since 031306. Resides in Southern California. Middle child. Asian. Scorpio. Perfectionist. Friendly. Shy. Emotional. Loves reading. Good at heart. Music junkie. Easily amused. Adores photography, art and music.
Last post: 2 April 2007
13. The Blonde Recluse
Last post: 1 April 2007
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged!
Here’s some random monkey and chimp trivia. I know that monkeys and chimps are different species but I thought it would be fun to include examples of both.
1.I was born in the Chinese Year of the Monkey (years include 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004).
According to my friend’s astrology website:
“Sexual and naughty, these cheeky imps have a witty response for everything. With one of the fastest minds on the circuit, you have intelligence and skills other people cannot match and being a bit of a show off, you let them know it. Aggressive and unpredictable, you can be tough opponents in any game which is just as well because you’re extremely competitive. Your sense of humour is what makes you so popular and you make a brilliant impersonator. Monkeys have such versatile talent they can succeed in any career especially in: writing, comedy performance, sports, art, design, education, PR, science, generally, something that keeps them interested.”
Famous Monkeys include Jerry Hall, Lucy Lawless, Michael Douglas, Michael Schumacher, Roseanne Barr, Will Smith, Brendan Fraser, Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake, Kim Catrall, Lord Byron, Charles Dickens, Julius Caesar, Elizabeth Taylor, Leonardo da Vinci, Mick Jagger, Bette Davis, Celine Dion.
2. I grew up watching the hilarious series Monkey (or Monkey Magic as it was also known in the UK) in the early 80s. Do any of you remember it?
The series follows the journey of a young buddist priest, Tripitaka, as he makes his way from China to India to retrieve Buddist scriptures. He is escorted on his quest by three companions: Monkey (the mischievous monkey king), Pigsy (a pig monster with an eye for pretty ladies) and Sandy (a miserable water monster), who help to ward off the many demons and monsters that turn up on the way. The series is based on the classic 16th century Chinese epic ‘Hsi Yu Chi’ (’Journey to the West’). Strangely the buddhist priest is played by a beautiful girl.
3. The Black Eyed Peas fourth album was called Monkey Business.
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They also released a funky bonus track called Shake your Monkey on one of the singles from that album.
4. Michael Jackson had a chimp called Bubbles…
5. Ross from Friends had a monkey called Marcel. Marcel was cool for a while, until he matured into his horny stage and started humping anything he could. Phoebe took a tranquilizer dart in the butt for him, and he was eventually sent to live in a nice zoo.
6. Of course I must mention MoJoJoJo, the PowerPuff Girls’ nemesis. He was featured in my cartoon villians post a few weeks ago.
7. There’s a Spanish band called Monkeydo. They sound pretty good to me.
8. There was a period of my childhood when my Saturday mornings would not have been complete without seeing an episode of The Monkees. A cute 60s pop band messing about, what joy!
9. During my day trip to Nikko (Japan) I visited the Nikk? T?sh?-g? Shinto shrine which features carvings of The Three Wise Monkeys. They embody the proverb “see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil”.
10. PG Tips a UK Tea company, have used chimps in their ad campaigns for several decades. Recently they have recruited the ex ITV digital monkey for their ads, but I prefer the old school ads. Here’s one I found online:
11. For a more comprehensive list of famous monkeys, check out Mr Monkey’s Index of Famous Monkeys
12. Some wise old Monkey-related Jamaican proverbs. (I picked up a book on them today, and was surprised that there were quite so many. (N.B. I’ve altered them slightly to make them easier for non-Jamaicans to read.)
13. And here’s a couple of delightful pics, just for fun.
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged!
I am the happiest on my own…food and tv and peace………R 30;…au revoir
Ello, I am pretty much a recluse so my horrible girlfriend keeps telling me. She thinks it is pretty...
