It’s the weekend open thread!
Ah, the weekend open thread. Exactly the sort of place to kick your shoes off, flop back in your chair and relax after a hard week of passionate debate on the political issues of the day. Very much the blogging equivalent of a trendy-but-not-too-trendy bar with gentle lighting, big squashy sofas, soft music and tall, cool, delicious waiters cocktails.
Actually the weekend open thread is considerably better than a trendy-but-not-too-trendy bar because here there are more than enough big squashy sofas to go round, whereas unless you get to the trendy-but-not-too-trendy bar at about 4pm you have no chance of bagging a sofa, so you end up spending the entire evening standing very close to the squashy sofa area, glowering at the people who have been lying all over them snogging ostentatiously but ineptly since you arrived and showing no signs of leaving whatsoever, and going, “Huh? Oh, yeah” every time one of your friends says something to you because you are too consumed with fury at your sofalessness to even pretend that you are interested in what they are talking about.
And then there is that thing where you have, say, three sofas arranged in an open square round a table, and although there are a couple of bags and coats on them there are only two people, huddled in the far corner of one of them. So you snap out of your apathy and shout to your friends, “Look! Look! There’s a sofa free!” and you hurl yourself wildly through the bar flinging people out of your way willy-nilly. But when you try to sit down, the aforementioned two people give you one of those little half-smiles with no teeth and say, “Sorry, these are taken”. And then you have to spend the entire night staring fixedly at that group of sofas, which remain tantalisingly unoccupied until the end of the night when six people suddenly appear and start putting their coats on, and your friends have to firmly remove you because they can see that you are about to grab them by the throat and scream “THERE IS A CLOAKROOM YOU KNOW” very loudly indeed.
And the drinks are free on the weekend open thread.
Perhaps the weekend open thread really isn’t very much like a trendy-but-not-too-trendy bar after all.
Anyway, what’s everyone up to this weekend? Anyone want to talk about something non-political? Who’s got a really stinking hangover? I am all ears*.
*not literally
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I’ve got a half-stinking hangover. Someone please listen to me
*quickly grabs a sofa and lies down*
thank god for the weekend thread. Hello Katy
As usual i’m early to the party. So I’ll just sit here and talk to myself shall I.
Safari Park, Pakistani style!
Link 1
Link 2
Bloody crazy Pakistanis!
Nice! I was trekking in the Himalayas once, about 4 years ago, and planned to go to the ‘Valley of Flowers’, which is near some big religious shrines. As I’m going there, I see a bunch of Singhs sitting around. “Wassup brothers?” I ask. They don’t want to go any further because they think they saw a cheetah somewhere.
I eventually persuade them to keep walking with me, but they still bottle out half way and run back. Sheesh. Who said Singhs did not get scared?
That was my “Sunny is a brave man” story of the day
More Pakistani lion related idiocy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvnBImJX_hQ&search=Pakistan
The only thing missing was the owner in the background mumbling, “He’s just a big softy really…”
Whoa! That’s the last time I stroke a lion
Faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaccckkkkk! That’s what I call rage! But then what you expect from a fricking lion?
Anyway, as a part-time catholic I have a couple of confessions to make.
I too have just got over a thumping hangy, which means I was crap dad this morning and slept a terrible sleep while my super-human wife went jogging, made the kids’ breakfast, took my son footy, and took my youngest to a birthday party. I blame it on that trendy bar with the squashy sofas in Clerkenwell where I met my ex-colleague last night “just for a quick one.” Shameful. Luckily for me, my missus is cool.
I would also like to confess to getting off a packed Jubilee Line train during the morning rush hour on Friday because I didn’t like the look of a pock-marked, sweaty and tall Asian guy standing next to me with pin-striped trousers, white shirt, and a rolled up Daily Telegraph. I think it was the latter detail that most put me off. Oh, did I mention that he had a large, well-filled rucksack as well as a briefcase. Silly, I know. Sorry.
Unfortunately my hangover does not excuse me from having to do the lawn again
Sunny, either you have several lawns or your lawn grows really quickly.
Or perhaps my lawn could be mowed more often than it is, i.e. once about two months ago.
el cid
that tall Asian was me. i’ve never been so insulted in my life.
I’m sure the grass grows extra quickly just to spite me. Nature is against me
Before I know it the garden looks like a jungle and I hear growling and monkey noises from the back. Or maybe that’s just the area I live in. Or my mates playing tricks. Bastards. It’s all a conspiracy.
omg, Sid reads the Daily Telegraph! Blasphemy.
Sunny
Just tell everyone you are starting a wild life garden and look all pained when next door fires up the mower.
Making up names for individual weeds and explaining that they are crucial to the life cycle of the Crested Agape Newt also helps. Well, worked for me.
It’s been perfect growing season this year.
My plants have gone radio rental. The flowers on my Hydrangea have the circumference of dinner plates, the neighbours’ fig trees are 20ft high and even my decrepit jasmine is flowering.
Still, all it takes is a bit of determined pruning by Mac the Secateur every six weeks or so and the lure of a fiver for El Cid Jnr’s fortnightly mow, and bob’s your uncle.
El Cid – I wish had the kids to kick around and starve if they didn’t do the lawnmowering. But I don’t. It is only at these times when I think there’s advantages in having kids.
Oh and the times when you’re watching a game on TV and want someone to bring you another beer. Kids have uses.
I think I might try Don’s suggestions.
Just chillin out tis week. The waters have receded here and people are busy trying to pin the blame on each other for the floods last weekend. Was down at Marine Lines checkin some chciks
… and listening to the incredible compositions “Bhainchud sutta na mila” and GMD (Gand Mein Danda) by Pakistani band The Zeest.
http://www.thezeest.tk/
ffs Indian fags are waay stronger… B&H missin u already
Vikrant’s turned into brother from another planet.
??
raz download all songs by Zeest off Limewire (don worry they are for free anyways) highly recommeded
Who said Singhs did not get scared?
Oye Hundal… doncha go berating Singhs over here…
Yep, this summer I’ve gone for the Sumatran mangrove deep forest look for the garden as well.
Hi Viks
Are you blogging your India trip? Should do.
Hmm.. well i’d planned a series of articles abt Marathi/non-Marathi tensions in Bombay. But given the lousy procratinator that I am, dont expect anything
Good fer meh i live up in a flat. No freakin mum bossing you around to mow the lawn.
My son is asking for a tenner now!
“No way. A fiver is the going rate.
Anyway, I’ve got too much money, what do I need it for?
Really? Um, Ok. What about you father’s gratitude?
Nah. I don’t care about that.
!!
Ha ha.
Ok, if you do the lawn tomorrow, I might do a BBQ.
Might?
OK, I will.
Now you’re talking. Ok, deal. Will you still give me the 5 pounds though….”
Battered by an 8-year old.
(That’s my boy)
Bhainchud sutta na mila,
Bhainchud sutta na mila,
Bhainchud sutta na mila.
16 smoking free days!
ok i lied
1
6smoking free day.El Cid – haha! Kids are getting clever these days, which is what worries me. There’s nothing worse than having your ego deflated by an eight year old who out-talks you.
And there’s no point relying on Vikrant for articles. He does them once a year only. :p
My little brother recently mowed our lawn, but didn’t have any lawn trimmers, so although the lawn is mown the edges are about two feet tall. It is like when men are going bald but growing the hair around their bald patch.
Katy,
In the event of drought you can just water the edges and go for a lawn comb-over.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/950000/images/_953693_charlton300.jpg
Haha! I run the big-ass lawnmower brutally over the edges too. There’s no need for finesse and careful work. I’m like an angry Indian barber at work who has just been told his cat got strangled by the neighbour.
And there’s no point relying on Vikrant for articles. He does them once a year only. :p
Sunny you’ve fired me on….
Vikrant fumbles for his pen and starts wiritng
15 seconds later…
Vikrant:Aww crap who gives a damn.
throws the paper and goes back to his porn movie
Yippie witnessed my first riot up close (well a view from 20th storey can be called up-close).. Stupid Shiv Sena…
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1739666,000900040001.htm
I implore you to check out this website:
http://www.riseofkhalsa.com/index.asp
Talk about upping the ante on religious education! This appears at first glance to be very Hollywood me thinks, although I can’t really judge seeing as I haven’t had seen it.
As an aside, I’ve recently taken up dhol lessons. Are there any recommended forums/sites that I should be savvy about?
Vik,
Your first sectarian riot? Ah, a precious moment in a young man’s life.
There’ll be plenty more.
Nindy – I quite liked Banda Singh Bahadur. Though he was known to kill a bit viciously later on in life. Am downloading the trailer now.
Anyway, given the impending world cup today, what are your predictions folks!
My money is on France to win 2-1! Hopefully.
Your first sectarian riot? Ah, a precious moment in a young man’s life.
Strictly speakin it wasnt a sectarian riot. It was Shiv Sainiks slugging it out with police over “desecration” of a bust depicting “the Godfather”. Funny for such a trivial reason the facist chumps have brought the entire city to standstill. Yesterday it was Muslims and police fighting out in Bhiwandi (a town near Bombay) over construction of a police checkpost near a mosque. Atlast Shiv Sena and Muslims may have found a common cause!
Anyway, given the impending world cup today, what are your predictions folks!
I’m torn between the two about whom to support. Do i hate the froggies for well… being froggies or do i hate Italians for giving us Sonia Gandhi…. i think i’ll support the froggies. 1-0
I’m breaking the habit of a lifetime. I’m “supporting” Italy. They’ve played the best football while France have 4-5-1′d it.
Prolly kiss of death for da azzuri
43 comments on my first ever open thread!
I am sufficiently pleased to ignore the ever increasing footballing theme.
Krrish the movie.
I cant beleive it! Its been full house every show so far!
This time Ive booked it. Anyone seen it yet?
Werty, does Hrithik Roshan look believable in that ridiculous costume?
Katy, I’m afraid the footy theme will have to continue. Only one more hour to go… c’mon you French!
France 2-1 , Zidane with winning goal extra time.
Heh, nice prediction Refresh, how ironic though. I’m so disappointed Zidane lost his cool at the end
Nahahaaha!! I don’t care about footy, and I know England wasn’t even in the match but….France lost!!!! Yippppeeee!!!!
One thing I did this weekend was pop over to Ally Pally to see who was going to the Taqiyya-Fest they call Islam Expo.
Here’s what I found.
Such a shame.
Nearly got it right – except for the bar.
VIVA
L’ITALIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well done….
Krrish
couldnt answer you before sunny but now that Ive seen the film all I can say is he looks much better then Superman with his pants on the outside.
I think hes also done better then ‘Superman’ in India.
The FX are fantastic and there is no copying of other superheroes. Storyline is fab, little long. Priynaka suits the role well.
Its primarily for children but anyone whos into comic books or were into them will really enjoy this movie.
Dont bother going if you dont like this type of movies.
But history is in the making (1st real superhero other then that invisible Mr India) and for that reason alone you should go.
Please don’t bring Mr India into this. That’s almost blasphemy! I used to dream of being like Anil Kapoor when I was young. Hrithik Roshan cannot even hope to enter that category
VIVA
L’ITALIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Were you drunk Desi when you wrote this? Talk about mixing Spanish, French and Italian. Maybe you should change you moniker to Desi Desi
“Were you drunk Desi when you wrote this? Talk about mixing Spanish, French and Italian”
Pues hombre, pero tú no hablas Italiano. “Viva L’Italia” me parece correcto.
El Cid, heh. The French were denied a victory when it should have been their’s
El Cid:
“Were you drunk Desi when you wrote this? Talk about mixing Spanish, French and Italian. Maybe you should change you moniker to Desi Desi”
Honey, “Viva L’Italia” is correct in Italian
I’m fluent in it, I used to do translations from Italian to English for universities, organizations, and think tanks 
“think tanks”
I used to translate for progressive think tanks, just to clarify (as opposed to non-progressive).
“The French were denied a victory when it should have been their’s “
I think Italy and Germany were the better teams in the tournment in my opinion, and probably their match in the semi-final should have been the final. I must say that part of my pleasure for France defeat was Raymond Domenech (the French coach). He is an arrogant bastard and a sore loser.
And you got to admit that Italian women are very good-looking.
as are french women..
…when they shave their armpits.
Italian women have a plus: they know how to pamper a man. That’s why Italian men are so spoiled.
Desi,
Oh well, still sounds odd to me. Prefer “Viva Italia” — so there (*sticks tongue out*). “Viva L’Italia” bit Frenchie, prolly more Turin than Napoli I would venture. We also taught them how to make coffee when we ruled the south, and so it’s no wonder they say “viva” too (*clutches straw*).
‘Italian women have a plus: they know how to pamper a man.’
but when it’s your mum …
El Cid:
“Oh well, still sounds odd to me”
Too bad, but that is what they say in Italian
So get used to it
(PS. I don’t know about you guys, but when I see my posts will all the smiley faces plastered everywhere, I feel kind of cheesy. But it’s one of the only ways to indicate that I am kidding).
Desi,
I don’t speak Italian and my French is embarassing, but is it possible that the French for ‘Your mother is a terrorist whore’ sounds a lot like the Italian for, ‘By the way, best wishes on your retirement.’?
Don,
“is it possible that the French for ‘Your mother is a terrorist whore’ sounds a lot like the Italian for, ‘By the way, best wishes on your retirement.’?”
Ha, you’re referring to the game. Regarding your question above, no. In Italian, “son of a whore” is “figlio di puttana”. “Son of a TERRORIST whore” would be, “figlio di una puttana terrorista”; or “Your mother is a terrorist whore”= “tua mamma/madre e una puttana terrorista”… but I’ve never heard this and kind of think that someone wouldn’t really say that…I mean, it sounds awkward and it doesn’t roll off the tongue quite easily….not that this means Matterazzi couldn’t have said that.
I wonder if there is a transcription of the phrases in Italian. Apparently, Zidane understands Italian.
#67/68 Irony alert, Desi.
“#67/68 Irony alert, Desi.”
Which is….?
Did I miss something here?
Don was not expecting a serious answer Desi.
It is oft claimed that an american irony deficit is the reason why brit humour doesn’t always succeed over the pond.
“Don was not expecting a serious answer Desi.
It is oft claimed that an american irony deficit is the reason why brit humour doesn’t always succeed over the pond.”
Oh….ok. Explains why Benny Hill didn’t go over well here in the States
Thanks for the clarification.
Er..no. Benny Hill is an *entirely* different matter desi. Will leave you to learn for yourself
Benny Hill LOL
Desi Italiana, did you grow up in Italy?
Mirax,
I think irony alert on the Benny Hill. This could get wierd.
I’ve got nowhere else to express my deep sorrow and misery that the only man I’ve ever called a hero, other than monsieur Bowie, Syd Barrett is dead. My tribute to the great man, if you ill:
It’s an idea, someday
in my tears, my dreams
don’t you want to see her proof?
Life that comes of no harm
you and I, you and I and dominoes, the day goes by…
You and I in place
wasting time on dominoes
a day so dark, so warm
life that comes of no harm
you and I and dominoes, time goes by…
Fireworks and heat, someday
hold a shell, a stick or play
overheard a lark today
losing when my mind’s astray
don’t you want to know with your pretty hair
stretch your hand, glad feel,
in an echo for your way.
It’s an idea, someday…
It’s an idea, someday
in my tears, my dreams
don’t you want to see her proof?
Life that comes of no harm
you and I, you and I and dominoes, the day goes by
© Syd
An old hippy blesses you, Kismet.
Re: Benny Hill:
I think it was around the early 90’s that this show was broadcasted in America. One evening, we decided to watch the show because we had heard that he was one funny guy in the UK. So we turned it on.
All I remember is a flabby, old, pasty fart chasing and lunging at late teen blonde bunnies in frilly and lacy panties, coyly trying to escape him. If I remember correctly, there was pre-recorded audience laughter through out the entire program. We just looked on in silence. We surmised that this was British humor. Then, we put in a video of the movie “The Gremlins, Part II” for real laughs and a rollicking evening full of fun.
Ravi Naik:
“Desi Italiana, did you grow up in Italy?”
No, I didn’t. I just lived there for 4 years. I was born and raised in the US, and both of my parents are from Gujarat. So technically, I am “Indian American”
Where do i get my free drink =o
“We surmised that this was British humor. “
I am not sure how to classify Benny Hill. My favorite all-time British comedies are Faulty Towers and the Blackadder series. If you have not seen them, please do!
“No, I didn’t. I just lived there for 4 years. I was born and raised in the US, and both of my parents are from Gujarat. So technically, I am “Indian American”
Did you learn Italian during those 4 years? Where did you live in Italy?
Ravi Naik:
“I am not sure how to classify Benny Hill.”
Neither do I.
“Did you learn Italian during those 4 years? Where did you live in Italy?”
I hope I did! Given the fact that I was doing translations as a side job, and most of my friends were Italian speakers, I think I did learn Italian
Lived in north central Italy.