September 30, 2010

More Ep 2 Pix + 'She's back'...(the object of our chocolate taste test envy;)


The she who's back is the TV chef RA has said he would like to kiss after she's eaten chocolate cake.  An announcement of her return to UK tv was posted on twitter today, along with the following description..
>Nigella's Kitchen Thursday 30 September

8:00pm - 8:30pm  - BBC2 - You Know It Makes Sense - 1/13, series 1
Only the lusciously lovely Nigella Lawson could get away with describing a cheesecake filling as possessing "just a hint of inner-thigh wibble". That Nigella, she's such a tease. She makes said cheesecake in her black silk dressing gown, then later shimmers into her gorgeous, fairy-light-garlanded kitchen from a drinks party with her fabulous friends, kicks off her leopard-print heels, cooks for a bit, still wearing a chic black raincoat, before confiding: "You know what, I need to disrobe." Yes, I bet an awful lot of male viewers will be wibbling at this point. She's such fun and so flirty, it's easy to forget that she's a pretty good cook, too. Once you get past the whole London lifestyle, Georgy Girl bits of the programme - there's Nigella at Sloane Square Tube station! There she is on Westminster Bridge! - you'll want to dash to the supermarket to buy the ingredients for her pasta and salami dish. And her "praise chicken" is a dream.Radio Times reviewer - Alison Graham<  

Would Richard be all over that(see chocolate nibbles) IF asked to guest on her show?...The question is begging to be asked in a poll...Here's chef Lawson bearing chocolate...RA looks rather non-committal, doesn't he?...

                                                                                                                 
Laura provided a link in the comment box to Jamie Oliver's Salmon & Couscous recipe.  Could not find it at his website, but one of Jamie's recipes found at the Food Network seems to be very similar...

Salmon and Couscous
This is a quick but impressive dish by Jamie Oliver.
8 ounces couscous (230g)
2 (7 ounce) salmon fillets, skin on, scaled and pinboned (each ca 7oz/200g)
olive oil
sea salt
fresh ground black pepper
16 asparagus spears
1 -2 red chile, deseeded and finely chopped
4 ripe tomatoes, roughly chopped
1 lemon,
juice of 2 small courgettes, sliced into batons (if puzzled..see below)
1/4 cup fresh coriander, roughly chopped
2 tablespoons sour cream
Directions:Prep Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
1 Put your couscous in a bowl, then pour over just enough water to cover it. 2 Set aside for 3 minutes to allow the couscous to soak up the water. 3 Slice the salmon widthways into finger-size or twofinger-size strips (I've made 3 out of each fillet), drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. 4 Heat a non-stick frying pan and add the courgettes, asparagus tips and chilli. The vegetables will need 2-5 minutes, depending on their size and on your taste. 5 Heat another non-stick frying pan and add the salmon strips (non-skin side first). They will need one minute on each side. 6 Mix the tomatoes, lemon juice, 4 tablespoons of the olive oil and the coriander into the couscous and season to taste. 7 Add the couscous to the veggies in the pan and mix. 8 Put the salmon strips on top of the couscous, place a lid on and put back on a high heat for a minute. 9 Serve:. 10 Slide everything on to plates and spoon over some sour cream. 
http://www.food.com/recipe/salmon-and-couscous-164328
For anyone else who like me said to themselves "what the devil are coquettish-sounding courgettes?" - here's the answer...       Wikipedia:  Zucchini / Courgette    -    Origin:  Italy, 19th century 

The zucchini (pronounced /zʊˈkiːni/, plural: zucchini or zucchinis) or courgette (/kʊǝˈʒɛt/ or [kɔːˈʒɛt], plural: courgettes) is a popularly cultivated summer squash which often grows to nearly a meter in length, but which are usually harvested at half that size or less. Along with some other squashes, it belongs to the species Cucurbita pepo. Zucchini is the more common name in North America, Australia, Germany and Italy (zucchina/e), while courgette is more commonly used in the United Kingdom, Greece, New Zealand, Ireland, France, the Netherlands, Portugal and South Africa. Zucchini can be dark or light green, and generally have a similar shape to a ridged cucumber.

September 29, 2010

Spooks Eps 3 & 4 + Interview Excerpts + Liverpool Echo's CA Photo Gallery


Spooks Ep 3/8 -  Monday 4 October  - 9.00-10.00pm BBC ONE

When word gets out that the Azakstan Freedom Front (AFF) is searching for a lethal outlawed nerve agent called Paroxocybin, Harry Pearce sends Lucas North to help the Russians stop them, as the tense spy drama continues.

Lucas and FSB officer Viktor Barenshik succeed in destroying the sample, but Lucas is shocked when the AFF members are mercilessly killed by the Russian agents. Back in London, Section D become aware of a member of the AFF, Aibek, who has got away; leading Harry to make the controversial decision to let him run.

Section D soon get intelligence that Aibek is on his way to London in search of a second sample of Paroxocybin held by British scientist Stephen Kirby. As Aibek arrives in the capital he is picked up by the team who realise that Harry's earlier decision could have terrifying consequences for national security. While trying to locate Aibek they are led to Kirkby's office, but it's too late; they find Kirby alone and beaten.

Lucas, Beth and Viktor follow Aibek's trail through London, desperate to get to him before he finds the Paroxocybin. Meanwhile, Viktor's behaviour exposes him as untrustworthy and it's soon clear that he has his own plans for the nerve gas.

With time running out, the team have to work quickly before London becomes victim to a biological weapon that has the potential to wipe out the entire city in hours.

Harry Pearce is played by Peter Firth, Lucas North by Richard Armitage,

Spooks Ep 4/8 - Monday 11 October  - 9.00-10.00pm BBC ONE

www.bbc.co.uk/spooks

When a Chinese snatch team arrive in London for a 48-hour visit, Section D's suspicion is aroused, as the tense spy thriller continues. This causes Beth Bailey to call on the services of Kai, a Chinese Security Services agent who she has been grooming to help infiltrate security.

Ruth Evershed goes undercover at QMK, a research facility, and discovers that the Chinese are looking for Jiang Lee, a scientist who has discovered a de-salinisation technique worth billions. Desperate to get hold of Lee, the Chinese will stop at nothing, but the UK cannot afford to lose an intellectual property of such value.

Meanwhile, a bomb is reported at QMK and Ruth quickly evacuates with Jiang Lee. However, it soon becomes clear that the bomb was merely a ruse to get Lee out in the open, and the team begin to believe that Kai might be a triple agent.

Later, there is suspicion from Section D on receiving a second bomb threat, but when they investigate they discover a bomb in central London. With minutes to spare they are under pressure to stop a catastrophic explosion and ensure Jiang Lee stays on British soil.

Amid the chaos, Lucas and Maya's relationship intensifies and he becomes increasingly distant from the team. Are Lucas's loyalties beginning to change as his past catches up with him?

Beth Bailey is played by Sophia Myles, Kai by Benedict Wong, Ruth Evershed by Nicola Walker, Jiang Lee by Daphne Cheung, Lucas North by Richard Armitage

A couple questions from a recent RA interview in Best TV.  Reporter asked "Lucas has been waterboarded & tried to hang himself.  Do you do your own stunts?"
The beginning of Richard's reply, to be perfectly honest, somewhat stunned me.  He said "It's TV, darling".  The BBC cannot afford doubles."

[hmmm,,,'darling' - hopefully it was said w/tongue in cheek:)  In the US, it's a stereotype that show biz personalities start their sentences with 'dahling' this and 'dahling' that.  A skit spoofing celebrities would definitely put that word in their mouths.  He was really joking with her...right?  Need a language  nuance expert here:]
UPDATE dahlings:
Comment consensus below is that Richard's dry sense of humor was on display w/his use of the 'D' word;)

He was also asked if Maya is more trustworthy than Lucas's last girlfriend, the double agent:)
RA's reply: "Yes, Maya is the love of his life.  Filming the love scenes with Laila was fun.  We did one on the kitchen table!  Once we'd done the first one it was easier, and you can see the chemistry between us."

["ONE on the kitchen table"...hooray! there's more than one. ]
Does the above pic remind anyone else a little of Lucas peeking through in this collage?
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Review of Ep 2 at Unpopcult...
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Anniversary is here & hubby will receive the following sentiment, along with all the other loving observances of our special day.  Will make it a double dedication here - **First to the best sweetheart a woman could have in life**
..and Second...to the best actor in the world...(watch the male dancers...that's what I do;)

Is Heinz currently filming in Liverpool?  Perhaps we could send Lucas North to flesh out the facts for us;)  If anyone manages to snap a pic of herr Kruger, we'll most likely find it in the Echo newspaper's CA gallery..

September 28, 2010

Richard Armitage Pix

Whiplash Emotions
Whoahhh..we need to see this black t-shirt more often, don't we;)

hehehe...obviously she really likes my new black t-shirt

Captain America + Spooks

You can vote for the Marvel movie you find most interesting at link below..

Scroll to see  >Captain America: The First Avenger is directed by Joe Johnston, and stars Chris Evans as Steve Rogers/Captain America, Sebastian Stan as sidekick Bucky Barnes, Hugo Weaving as villain The Red Skull, Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter, Tommy Lee Jones as General Chester Phillips, Stanley Tucci as Dr. Abraham Erskine, Neal McDonough as Dum Dum Dugan, Toby Jones as Arnim Zola, and Richard Armitage as Heinz Kruger.<
http://www.marvelmovienews.co.uk/2010/09/captain-america-more-filming-dates-and-locations-revealed/
Scroll to: Which of these Marvel movies are you most excited about?
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Ep 3 review:
http://lifeofwylie.com/2010/09/28/spooks-an-honourable-man/
                    How long before we're treated  again to another "all about love"??
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Important US election in a few wks and comicbook editors decide it's time for the Archie Comic to make a comeback.  The 2010 topic will no longer be teen girls flirting w/Archie & friends.  Sign of the times.

It would be a huge surprise if the comic editors treat this farce in a politically unbiased fashion.  It's almost a given they'll have the character with the 'O' symbol knockout Sarah at a politically strategic moment.  He's trying to stir up his most fervent voters - they've been lethargic since 2008.

Her political beliefs represent average Americans - his voting base includes those who consider themselves to be so brilliant that they should be the ruling class.  The latter lead the largest portion of his voter base around by the nose.  Basically..that's the struggle for the majority of votes from the US electorate.
Staying with the comicbook theme - hubby told me that, as a boy, his fav comic character was Wonder Woman....wonder why? ;)
                                                                                            

September 27, 2010

Richard Armitage: Ep 2, Spooks 9 + Ep 3 Promo uploaded by bccmee





                                                         Is it a Dancing w/t Stars tryout?

In the running for new Christmas greeting - simply add a wreath ;)
Ep 3 promo uploaded by bccmee..

Interesting Article in New Yorker Mag - Men & Reading

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/books/2010/09/what-we-talk-about-when-we-talk-about-men-not-reading.html

September 26, 2010

Heinz Kluger Getaway: Closer Vantage Point + 'Dead Zone' by JulietD001



Dedicated to OML;)...setting the table,,,err...mood for Ep 2...a reflective moment..

Scorching New Vid: A Retrospective of Sorts;) Will Tonight's ep 2, Spooks Make it Seem Tame? + Laila Rouass Interview - Quote: "I Love Him"

                          Two of my favorite things in the whole world in one pic...Nice!;)

Tweet at >RAnetdotcom

Laila Rouass interview in the Mirror & her character's relationship with Lucas in Spooks (spoilers): http://bit.ly/aijK3t about 8 hours ago via web Retweeted by you<

Laila Rouass excerpt:

>“She’s the love of his life and he’s the love of hers. Their relationship is dynamic and explosive and it makes them both question certain things – he has to make some serious decisions.”

Are there any strip searches?
It gets hotter. There’s one scene where we get together in the kitchen and the director was like, ‘Come on, let’s be honest, you haven’t seen each other for years, you’re not going to get all romantic, you’re going to shag her on the table,’ and I must have looked a bit nervous because Richard whisperered, ‘Don’t worry, I’m not really going to shag you on the table, you’ll be fine’.

[**It appears whoever typed the article got a bit unnerved upon reading it...or is whispered incorrect?;]

Would you like to have him under surveillance?
Well, of course I fancy him. Everyone fancies Richard. All my friends love him. He’s adorable. I met him a few years ago in LA when we went up for the same audition and we’d got down to the last two. When I heard his accent I grabbed him and was like, ‘You’ve got to stay with me, I haven’t met any English people for months’. We went to lunch and he calmed me down. I love him.<
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New Vid: 'Never Gonna Give You Up'(Barry White) by Miss Marian825

September 25, 2010

Another RA Pic from Hobbsy

Interesting recent tweet by RAdotNet:
>"Richard Armitage Hero or Villain?" article in the Daily Mail Weekend magazine today: http://bit.ly/aj6zyx
about 1 hour ago via web
Retweeted by you and 2 others<

Reference to 'ruthless John Thornton'...hmmm...interesting assessment of the man.  IMHO, he was not ruthless - rather he demonstrated the practical sense necessary to keep a business viable and therefore capable of providing jobs for workers.  hehe...same controversial topic it was in the 1860s...is it not?  Not quite so simple as assigning the character assassination word 'ruthless' to the business owner.
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Interesting pics of CA's stunt double on top of a yellow cab in Liverpool...
http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/joshw24/news/?a=23019

LATEST: Many details for CA including the scenes to be shot in Liverpool..
http://dailyblam.com/news/2010/09/24/could-namor-submariner-play-part-currently-filming-captain-america-movie-scene

RA is mentioned by CA fans 
http://forums.superherohype.com/showthread.php?p=18950589

T-Shirts

O.K....time to check out t-shirts (besides the one above) for a very casual event....let's see...what's available...





FINALLY...perfect...

September 24, 2010

CA is Undeniably Cute BUT...

If you check one of the CA links in an earlier post, it will lead you to photos of actor Chris Evans in Manchester - he's Captain America.  Looked at them for awhile, he is rather easy on the eyes:) and then made a 'best specimen' comparison study...someone had to do it! ;)
Yum!...but not as yum as the following...in fact, considering that I married a man w/coal black hair(now salt & pepper)...the following is definitely my preference... Snug T-shirt comparison is very favorable for Heinz as well..haha

So much for torsos...now for intense analysis of face & other assorted categories...
Yes, he's certainly a nice-looking man...well, almost man..hehe..Chris looks about 17yrs old here..we really don't want to need to burp our crushes, now do we? teehee..  Marks deducted for Chris due to his barely visible stubble (*see sexy sample below)  Can't see his eyes but I'd wager they cannot compete with these...
More yummy below...and it's not even a snug tshirt...
In conclusion, my heart still belongs to da....err, RA...  Not a small thing, considering also the fact Chris Evans is an American and I'm a very patriotic woman...American men rarely come in second in my mind. That might have something to do w/the nationality of my father & bros. Therefore, the previous in-depth study is totally unbiased.  None of the evidence was suppressed or destroyed...hehe
End of Comparison Study###### ;)

Footnote:... Additional evidence gathered after close of study...biceps..no comparison...the best specimen is...

...(speaking of feet - why do Capt America's look so strange in the pics above?..might that be a 'ticklish' topic since everything is hush, hush, top secret for the film) Shhhh...you didn't hear it here;)
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Is it Richard on the passenger side of the car - firing the pistol?  Head shape looks the same...too bad there's not more profile & there would be no doubt..
(Just dawned on me - he's a German spy in NYC during WWII...hmmm..where's the CIA, FBI??...what the he&l are we paying taxes for anyway...hehe..it's almost bedtime..that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it;)