Week 4 - Birthday Week, the World's Food and Django

BELOW: Birthday Week, Film of the Week, Song of the Week, Quote of the Week and Overuse of the Week: of the Week.

25th Birthday Week - A World of Food

After last weekends Sushi special in Leeds I carried on with the theme of foods from different countries throughout my birthday week. I understand to most people this section (maybe the whole blog) will not be interesting if you don't like food but how I see it is, everyone should 'Open up their minds to a world of different foods' and everyone has to eat.

Monday - the mother cooked me a birthday Monday night English roast, which as always was amazing.

Tuesday - the family went out to a Turkish restaurant called Zeugma's (http://www.zeugmaiki.com/userrestaurants/preview). Unbelievable food, especially the filo pastry with feta cheese filling starter. A highlight of the night was the Turkish music which my dad (mildly racist) seemed to abuse out loud constantly throughout the meal at a high volume as he 'couldn't hear a bloody thing' and commented 'this music is shit'. Although, he did try Halloumi.

Wednesday - I went round to the sisters house to see the two nieces (secretly just wanted to play marriage time with Barbie and Ken), where the brother in law cooked a few Spanish Tapas dishes. Patatas Bravas, Garlic Bread, Mushrooms, Courgette and Spicy Chicken Skewers were on the menu. Very, very nice.

Thursday - went to Chiquito's for a Mexican feast involving Chicken, Pepper and Choritzo Kebabs and Nacho's for starters. Want to hear a joke - What did the Mexican policeman say to the cheese thief? THAT'S NACHO CHEESE! Brilliant eh! Thanks to Sian for that one. After the meal I went to see the film: DJANGO UNCHAINED (see below in film of the week).

Friday - the final meal of the week was at the local Indian restaurant called Bay of Bengal (http://www.bayofbengalsheffield.co.uk/). I would highly recommend anyone who likes Indian's to visit, it was delicious. I had the Muroogh Jalfrezi with Keema Rice and Nan. It was nice but I over-egged it with how much heat I can take, it was an eye watering experience. Then the snow came down which ruined the night out but this was a blessing in disguise as I had felt ill all day. This illness has carried on all weekend, with me leaving my bed for about 4 hours all weekend to fetch water and drugs (the medicinal type).

Film of the Week: Django Unchained by Quentin Tarantino

As you can see in the trailer above, its another classic by Tarantino. If you liked Pulp Fiction you will love this piece of genius which takes you back to a time when slave trade was common and so was the word 'N****r' which is widely used as you will see. It drags on at times and could cut about an hour out where Jamie Foxx is riding a horse but that adds to the dramatic side as it keeps you on your toes as to what will happen next. 

My highlight was the brilliant Samuel L Jackson who plays an interesting character who will have you in hysterics. He is in my top 3 actors for sure.

Song of the Week - Safe and Sound by Capital City

A song which was released in 2011 by a band I know little about. I found it via spotify which for anyone who enjoys music should download straight away and utilise the 'Play Artist Radio' which basically just sees that you like an artist and creates a random plalyist similar to Genius for Itunes but a lot lot better.

Quote of the Week

"I went to a karaoke bar last night that didn’t play any 70′s music…at first I was afraid, oh I was petrified." Stewart Francis 

Week 3 - Birthday Sushi, Call Lane and Snow

With the snow causing chaos, all 2cms of it, its been a quiet week until my birthday weekend this weekend. For the last three years I have done an Otley run, which for anyone who doesn't know is basically one long road with 18 bars on, it gets "completed" in fancy dress. Last year the theme was 'Pairs' (I went as a pair of tits), then the year before it was 'Half and Half' (I went as half Jacko white and half as black), controversial but most people enjoyed it. OAP's, Crayons, Trapeze artists are other fancy dress outfits I have worn on the Otley run.

Anyway, so even though it was freezing, the Little Tokyo restaurant was amazing. I had a mixed sushi box and had my first try of Sake, not to mention the best version of Japanese 'Happy Birthday' ever, in which bringing out a firework stuck in some cream was topped off by a guy shining a very bright flashlight at the group. Most surreal experience ever. Just to go back to Sake, it was warm, it was horrendous, if you have a choice make sure you 'Sake' it off if asked to try it. Standard night out, with the 80's tunes and classic one hit wonders in Jakes Bar, Leeds and rum on tap. Third night out running where I haven't had a hangover, maybe I am evolving so my body can now cope with alcohol? Doubt it but maybe there is hope for us all.

Box hangover (not for me) meal then head home to prepare for reality once again. I have the best mates, the council, as Martin named us.

Song of the Week

KING CHARLES - LOVE LUST

This band have gone under the radar for the last few years but having got their album, created in 2010, this week I had to share this song. Very mainstream Indie but catchy beats, riffs and an interesting set of lyrics. They also team up with one of my favourite bands (Mumford and Sons) to perform a song called 'The Brightest Lights'. Worth a listen as it incorporates Mumford's country spin and King Charles' pleasant tune making. Other songs: Love Blood and Bam Bam.

Quote of the Week: "You have big sheds, but nobody’s allowed in, and inside these big sheds are twenty-foot high chickens. Because of all the chemicals you put in them. And these chickens are scared. They don’t know why they’re so big. They go “oh why am I so massive?” And they’re looking down on all the other little chickens, and they think they’re in an aeroplane because all the other chickens are so small… do you deny that?" Alan Partridge

Week 2 - An Inability to do 3 Days Drinking and BASTILLE

Four For the Week

As promised I will do a small section on my 'Four For the Week', a good pun which basically is just four really good songs, obviously in my opinion but have a listen and see what you think.

1) BASTILLE - OF THE NIGHT - get the bass turned up for this remix of a classic, if it doesn't make your foot tap then I can't help you, musically or generally in life. This tune is part of Bastille's free mix tapes which you can get from their website (www.bastillebastille.com), which involve other classics such as 'No Scrubs' all mixed in an alternative way. Have a listen, see what you think. Other decent tunes: Flaws, Overjoyed, Bad Blood.

2) FOALS - INHALER - this is the newest tune of the eagerly anticipated new album. The song is in a totally different direction to their previous albums, with a high pitched vocal, catchy bass line and all round tune (really in depth analysis I know). Greg James on Radio One has also followed my lead and made it his record of the week. Other decent tunes: Cassius, Blue Blood, Spanish Sahara.

3) EVERYTHING EVERYTHING - KEMOSABE - different. That's how I would expertly summarise this song and this band in general. Eclectic beats and an indistinguishable vocal performance in which making out the words is fairly impossible but adds to the pleasure of the song. Other decent tunes: Cough Cough, Schoolin, Photoshop Handsome.

4) PEACE - BLOODSHAKE - retro style, baggy clothing, long hair and these lazy tones makes Peace a band who resemble similarities between themselves and 'Swim Deep'. An Indie-Retro pop tune which will get you boogying (I need to work on my analysing skills). Other decent tunes: Wraith.

Nearing a Milestone

"Spontaneous behaviour is what makes people individuals". A quote by ones self. As I near the big two five, I headed into the weekend with zero plans apart from continuing to play football with a knee not to similar to Ledley King's. 

However, I decided to meet up with and old friend and have a spontaneous weekend involving Leeds, Leadmill, Wagamama's, alcohol. Not going to lie, it's been amazing, took me back to Uni days with no work worries and meeting up with 'the council'. Although, we failed to do 3 days in a row of drinking due to sleep deprivation. Tomorrow, back to reality......woop there goes gravity (god knows if these are the words). 

Anyone wishing to cry at the cinema, then go and see 'The Impossible'. A great film but shockingly graphic and touching, worth a watch though. Take tissues.

Quote of the week: "When going in for a hug as a witty remark I am going to start saying out loud 'Going for the Hugular'" - Myself (I was thinking about hugging not killing at the time).

Week 1 - Reminiscing and Lucky

New Year 

Best New Year in a while but also pretty emotional as after 21 years it was the last one in the Majchrzak Main Road house. Had many years of fun, arguments but mainly great times from the pea food fight to 'Mum's been spiked' gate. This year was special though as everyone seemed up for a laugh, mix this with my speciality Coca Cola Gammon, a four year olds music cd and a bottle of 6 year out of date Polish vodka plus these:

New Years Day normally means I enjoy my bed more than usual but not this one. Up without a hangover and off to celebrate my nieces 4th birthday at Hollywood Bowl. Came 2nd overall, to my dad only, jammy get. Then off out to the best burger place in Sheffield, Uncle Sams for Si's 25th. Standard quarter pounder with cheese and chips. WINNER!

Are You Serious Knobhead?

After 6 and a half years I finally got chance to meet up with my old boss/friend/condo stalker:

I went to Canada once, lived there for ten months, loved it and this guy made it an amazing experience by giving me a job up Grouse Mountain. Still miss it to this day, this is why:

So, Pat lives in Notts with his girlfriend. A few of us went to see him which involved a 'Lucky' Chinese meal, lots of Jager Bombs or Waaaaiiiiiyouuuuu's and riding the bus. Then a very empty drunk Nottingham and lots of dirty, dirty food. I love reminiscing more than cucumber. Just going for a blog down the mountain.

Quotes of the Week: Will Payling - 'A profits a profit'

                                  Will Payling - 'She's not even looking' (talking about a blind woman crossing the road). 

NEXT WEEK: More on music......

2012 - The End of the World

Hello all/very few/probably just my mum. This is my first attempt at making a blog. As bad and geeky as it sounds, I have always wanted to do a blog as I enjoy writing (special, I know). It is also a way for me to be able to look back at my achievements and often non-achievements as I take a wander into the depths of my 'often uneventful' life.

If I could sum up 2012 in three words, I probably couldn't. There you go, 3 words. Anyone who says you can sum a whole year up in 3 words is mildly dillusional. I choose mildly as it probably, if not definetly can be done. I digress....2012 was a great year [enter long winded paragraph about the best sporting year in history], personally I had my ups and downs. Massive downer was leaving Leeds and finally waving goodbye, after clinging on like a Z-list celeb to a crumb of fame, to University life. You have to move on, although it pains me to say it, me + 3 nights of alcohol in a row would now = 2 day severe, 3 day mild hangovers.

My highlight of 2012 - becoming an Uncle for the second time. To top it off, being asked to become a Godparent to Lily Thorne. Probably the proudest moment of my life to date which involved a Cheshire Cat Smile (Milburn classic). I will add links and other irrevelant drivvle next time I post, if I post again, what with such an interesting, funny start to my blogging life. Maybe if I incorporate the word blog into more everyday scenarios I can give subliminal messages to everyone making them read my blog, ie:

"Pass me the blog roll"
"Fancy a blog round the block old chap"
"In a race men against women, the woman would be a massive underblog"

To Finish, a quote from a distinguished individual, who has inspired a nation. Sir Alan Partridge:

"Woh! Woh! Woh! Thats English for stop a horse"