Gremlin’s Fireside Chat

I have finally shaken what is commonly referred to as “the post holiday blues” and back in the harness of research and development. The memory of days baked in sunshine amongst fantastic mountain views are now but fond memories – although I am far from missing the swarm of mosquito’s who took me as a nice source of food.

Maeve progress has been sustained and steady. New words she understands are coming out thick and fast – yesterday it was “night, night” when she went to bed; and “mine”, “no way” and “go away” are in everyday use. Maeve is an independently spirited girl who loves to do things for herself. For example its almost impossible to put her in her travel seat and strap her in. You have to let her climb into the car and into the seat before she will allow you to strap her in.

Maeve tantrums have increased as expected – especially if she does not get her way.. hopefully the terrible twos won’t last for long. Things have improved somewhat by ensuring that she maintains her old routine by getting to bed by 9pm so she can get a good nights sleep before she awakes at 6am.

My Daughter of 16 months is a Robbie Williams fan … nothing wrong with that. But to keep her amused I try to find music from various artists, periods and styles to keep her amused and this is where youtube is daned useful. I like swing/jazz stuff like Frank Senatra and the other Rat-Pack members and was playing this tribute piece from Robbie Williams  where Robbie was asking fans to “click your fingers” along with the tune and showed them how it was to be done…. only to be followed by my 16 month old daughter trying (to no avail) to mimic her idol

We had this recipe from this restaurant (Schiffergesellschaft) and chef (Holger Grätz) when visiting Lubeck  a couple of years ago – well recommended, as is the restaurant in a find old house where you eat on 16th-century banquet tables and benches in the candlelit great hall of the historic Shipmasters’ Society. Its a popular Lübeck institution that’s always busy, and funny enough whilst I was hanging around outside for my wife I was mistaken for the bouncer by a flower seller – but thats another story.

I came across the recipe from a webcast and the ingredients consist of for 2 people:

1. 500 g Corned Beef
2. 250 g Red Beets
3. 250 g sour pickles (Gerkins)
4. 1/2 peeled Onion
5. garlic
6. cloves,
7. bay leaves,
8. salt,
9. pepper,
10. sugar 1/2 tbsp.
11. Mustard 1 tbsp.
12. salt
13. 2 Eggs
14. 1 young Herrings
15. 1 Tomato Pumpkin cubes
16. 1/2 kg Potatoes

Watch the video for the instructions.

Another birthday surprise by my lovely Wife “The Red Head” she got a couple of tickets to see the new James Bond Movie “The Quantum of Solace” – both of us being James Bond fans. The movie has not had on the whole good reviews from the press, and I can understand why. The gadgets and Q branch are missing, on the story line alone the leading lady is not needed at all – there is usually some important function the leading lady does that allows James to hammer the bad-guys. That said there are loads of fight scenes, car chases and all the things you normally associate with James Bond.

Overall the film is not as good as the last film “Casino Royale” for a number of reason – dialog and plot are two; the main thing I can find with the Quantum of Solace is that its a meld between “James Bond” and “Jason Bourne” which is probably down to the fact that the 2nd Unit Director Dan Bradley worked on that movie too.  Jason Bourne, like James Bond is a fantastic character and film series but they have two totally different styles. In the Quantum of Solace James Bond fights like Jason Bourne, Drives like Jason Bourne, Does roof-top chases like Jason Bourne etc. In short I see more Jason Bourne than James Bond in this movie, and that is what’s wrong with it.

It was a nice couple of hours spent, and we enjoyed the movie – lets hope that the next James Bond movie is better.

Just went to see Iron Man the movie at the local cinema with my wife and baby Maeve – and we really enjoyed it. Iron man has always been my favourite super-hero. Unlike spiderman, the fantastic four, or the Hulk, Tony Stark has no “super powers” granted by genetics or some experimental accident; Tony Stark only becomes a Super-Hero when he don’s the armoured suit an becomes Iron-Man; An Armoured suit I may hasten to add that is the product of his genius and whose design evolves over time.

One thing I like about Iron Man is the thought (however improbable) that “I could be Iron Man” – if I was a genius and a multi-billionaire that is. Tony Stark in comic history was revolutionary in its time in showing the “downside” or human nature of hero’s – for example Tony Stark is an Alcoholic, an affliction shared by many millions of people on earth.

I won’t spoil your enjoyment of the movie except we thoroughly enjoyed it, and I will be going to see it again next monday. One thing to mention though, if you go to the movie please stay to after the credits since there is another scene.