Things I Like Week: Couscous

Things I Like Week: Couscous

I kind of hinted that I was going to drop you one of my legendary recipes this week but really I don't have that many of them so I'm going to give you half of one. To be honest it's not even really a recipe. I just want to say that I really kind of like couscous. You just put it in a bowl and then add boiling water and then put some clear foil over the top - it's that easy! Of course if you want a real kick then you can juice and then grate a Lemon over the top for a bit of a zing. What you don't want to do is just peel the lemon into very large strips and then dump them on top of the couscous. As much as I wanted this to be zesting it's not actually true. Also, if you are going to have couscous you probably want to have it accompany something as couscous alone might be considered kind of dull - unless you're Liam.

The first episode of Peep Show Series 7 is online on 4OD a week ahead of its air date. Head to the site to check it out now! Hopefully I'll have a peek tonight.

That is I'll watch it after I get back from Harry Potter. I'm one of the few who haven't read the books so I'm less sure of what to expect here. I'm basically hoping that even though it's part 1 of 2 the film will have a genuine ending. Not another Pirates of the Caribbean fiasco. The Potter films have been decent enough in general with this kind of thing so I live in hope. If anyone else is going to see it I'd like to suggest it might be quite funny to go up to anyone wearing glasses and say 'nice costume'. They really should have done special 3D Harry Potter glasses. Missed a trick.

Peace,

Steve

39 Jerseys Later...

So another Jersey Live has come and gone. Another weekend of music, cider and over-priced food. For the 7th year in a row I had an awesome time.

It's interesting how the Festival has evolved. From the first year where you could waltz to the front barrier during the performance for Razorlight to the change to a 2 day Festival and now the multiple stages with a variety of different acts. This year it seemed to be only a few minor tweaks but the toilets seemed better positioned and drinks lines only seemed to be a problem in the Cider tent. I can't comment on the queing issues as we had arrived earlyish both days but I have to say the full body searches on pretty much every person seemed a bit much. Especially when the security guards took Paul's chewing gum. Confusing. I have heard some people complain about waiting for food but again I didn't experience this myself. Maybe because I opted against buying food on the Sunday after a confusingly worded sign led to me spending £9 on a Burrito and Wedges at Amigos on Saturday. Having recommended this stall in the past I can now safely stear people away from these rude and obnoxious rip-off merchants.



The main thing about a Music Festival always has to be the music. As I mentioned in my brief Festival preview there wasn't actually a huge amount I was looking forward to. The exception to this was Biffy Clyro and as expected they absolutely rocked it and for me were by far the best band of the weekend. I also have to say Paul Weller was far better than I was expecting and had everyone going pretty crazy with 'A Town Called Malice'. Professor Green managed to put on a more than competent live performance which can often be difficult when you're performing songs with lots of samples and rapping. The video above is Darwin Deez who put on an incredible performance including a number of dance breaks inbetween songs (Including a crab dance!). I would like to see more bands doing this in future. Can you imagine Thom Yorke shouting dance break and Radiohead then busting some choreographed dance moves to an ABBA song on the mainstage at Glastonbury? I can. Away from the Main Stage the Jersey bands provided plenty of entertainment on the Wild West Tease Stage (Which also had a very accessible bar!). Shout outs to The Mulburys, Hold Your Fire! (Who are playing at the 02 Arena next month! Nice one), Brave Yesterday, Frankie Davies and Hiphoperation who I admired from a distance. In my mind Rhodri Hart is the perfect spokesperson for Pear Wine.

I must also congratulate Tinie Tempah on saying 'Jersey' a whopping 39 times during his less than 30 minute set that included a Taio Cruz song. Hold me closer Tinie Tempah.

All in all I quite enjoyed freedom from my usual single minded desperation to see a long list of bands. It was enjoyable to just wander around and experience the Festival, sit on the grass and drink St Helier Cider. In this respect the glorious weather certainly helped. I think my energy levels are now recovering and I look forward to next year. Hopefully I'll see you there.

Peace,

Steve

Go Go Free Ranger

Kinder Eggs are amazing. I love them. But just because I love something doesn't mean I won't try and improve it (Just ask my girlfriend... kidding.) Yes, I have come up with way to improve the Kinder Egg, a kind of Kinder Egg spin off. Get ready for this....

THE FREE RANGE KINDER EGG!

Oh yes, a Kinder Egg raised with the care and treated with respect. An ethical Kinder Egg larger than any you have ever seen. A Kinder Egg where you will definitely receive a cool toy. Never again will you open the capsule to find yet another porcelain gorilla. No my friend, you've just found a fucking Transformer!

Give me a call Kinder. You know where to find me.

In other news, I have been tweeting my dreams. Not my hopes and dreams (I keep them in my Dear Diary) but the ones I have when I sleep. Check the sidebar or Follow Me!

Peace

Steve

The New Nightmare

Pancake day is a big deal for Ramsey. This year we whacked up a big batch with lemon, sugar, polar bear ice cream and most importantly Barbie sprinkles. I didn't quite nail the flip first time but it was certainly a far superior job to last year. No one got scolded by burning hot oils this year so I think we can safely say it was an improvement. I have some videos and time permitting I might whack them together into some sort of narrative. That also requires me getting the hang of this I Movie thing.

Flour, Eggs, Water, Milk, Butter, Flip, Pancakes.

Peace

Steve

Lobster

How am I supposed to choose my own lobster when there are no lobsters to choose from? Nic and I spent Valentine's day scouting locations for horror films. The drive-in bbq has seen better days.

Peace

Steve

Note: I feel bad about my recent lack of blogging so I'm thinking of doing some photo blogging like this. More every day stuff to go in with the shameless self promotion and my upset over the new Skins.

America Blog 4: Ballderdash

It's always better when you can get a good look at an animal in the flesh before you eat it. The Elk steak was good. I didn't see any Buffalos but I did enjoy some battered buffalo testicle... Rocky Mountain Oysters my ass. To be fair they were actually pretty tasty.

In other news I have discovered baby cans of Coors Light. 8 ounces to anyone living outside the metric system. It makes me feel really manly as I speed through them.

Peace

Steve

America Blog 1: Upon Our Arrival In These Strange and Distant Lands

Happy Easter!
Pimp That Snack!

Yes, that's right. Blogging from America. I am up early to watch the Liverpool gamecast (Dissent?!?) whilst Laura and Dan are still asleep.

After what seems like days of travelling it's good to arrive in Snowy Colorado (oh yes). The journey was reasonably good although I did end up watching Alvin and The Chipmunks and thinking about it in a far too critical manner. In a world where singing chipmunks doing a psuedo Hip Hop version of The Witchdoctor (Remember 'The Cartoons'? Ooh eeh ooh ah ah) can top the charts I don't think the rules of logic can be applied. Still I was gutted the theme tune never made an appearance.

Anyway, like you give a fuck about that. America! Sensory overload began during our stopover in Texas. The drive to gluttony is certainly underway as the two meals we have had so far have just been giant Pizza slices. Sorry Italians (Adam) but I definitely think this is the way forward. So far we have just hung about the campus and partied down a little something something. Laura is so American it's unreal. We're going to need some good old fashioned My Fair Lady style elocution lessons when she returns from the colonies. Everyone we've met so far has seemed really nice and word of advice... If you're trying to get drunk, altitude is your friend!

Peace

Steve

Rice Rice Baby

I just had a bowl of Ricicles and it has got me thinking. Why do people ever buy Rice Krispies instead of Ricicles. What is the point? Maybe if they had a better toy but more often than not they have the same toy. Rice Krispies are just a boring and less tasty Ricicles. Also they have three weird dwarves on the box instead of a kick ass space ranger action hero. The only reason I can think of for buying Rice Krispies ahead of Ricicles is if someone has no taste buds and buys cereal on the basis of how it sounds. But then why not listen to a Chris De Burgh CD whilst having breakfast?

Next time you see me I might have less hair.

Whatever happened to OPM? You remember 'Heaven is a Halfpipe' and if your anything like me 'El Capitan'. Looking at their Wikipedia entry I don't think they're going to back in the mainstream any time soon. How sad.

Peace

Steve

Dog Day

Craig from Hollyoaks has really been doing his utmost to distract people's attention from Jermain Pennant's absence with some of the worst acting that the program (with its distinguised history of terrible terrible acting) has ever seen. The sit up and stare after his man tangle was just masterful. The angry snarly bit after that was also mighty impressive, he was going for angry, I know it. Also this week Claire has gone abortion crazy. Her sheer enthusiasm with Louise has to make you wonder why she didn't get the coat hanger out herself.

I am really starting to enjoy living in the library. The Lusu shop is nearby to provide ice cream sustenance, I get to write sentences that make me feel real smart and I'm guaranteed to see Adam Hargreaves on his daily library constitutional.

Today has been a day for Taco related failure. I thought I had Tacos in the cupboard but they were just Nachos. I went to Spar to try and get some Tacos, I came back with Fajitas. The fajitas were good though.

The gypsys are leaving. Goodbye you blood sucking fiends.

In light of Jose Mourinho's arrest we have been dogafying footballer's names. Didier Dogba and John Terrier. To a lesser extent Steve Puppy (You remember Steve Guppy right!?) You got any better?

Peace

Steve

PS - If the photo is not the greatest thing you have ever seen then you have lived a far richer life than I.

Jermaine has gone to Dorset

Yesterday was Free Comic Book Day. It was awesome. At my local comic shop (aka the stall in the market) Andy Diggle was talking and signing and not only did I get my hands on a copy of pretty much every official free comic book day comic I also got a number of copies of his Adam Strange and The Losers (FOR FREE!). So thank you Andy Diggle and a Happy belated Free Comic Book Day to all.

I am kind of a big deal. Well not really. But for some reason BBC Radio Jersey wanted to ask my opinions on Liberation Day. I talked about freedom and sacrifice and the importance of continuing to celebrate the day with BBQs and other fun things. At one point I was asked what I was up to at the moment, I replied sunbathing. She was asking about university. Anyway, I havn't actually heard the interview but if anyone did, what did you think? My grandparents liked it but then again they like Arsene Wenger so I'm not sure how much their opinion counts.

Lancaster Fried Chicken has arrived... and it's a hell of a lot better than Morecambe Fried Chicken. I sampled the delights last night and I would recommend you pay them a visit. That is unless your a vegetarian. Vegetarians are not allowed to eat fried chicken, so don't even try.

Several of the headline acts for Jersey Live have been announced... The Fratellis, DJ Format, Kasabian, The Enemy, The Rakes and The Alter Kicks included. Much more to come, get a ticket, get involved. Speaking of music my brother has turned me onto an incredible band called Birds of Wales. Download 'The Fine Art of Ballet Dancing' if the lyrics don't make you smile then you don't have a soul.

An exciting week has finished on Hollyoaks. Crazy Will getting his comeuppance, Jermaine Pennant getting laid and Darren agreeing to finance a space rocket. Coming up this week... Gilly develops psychic powers with wacky results, Calvin starts a sanctuary for stray cats and Darren wears some truly ridiculous hats. I'm excited, are you?

Peace

Steve