Saturday 18 May 2024

Spiced Roast Aubergines

A vegetarian dish this time, as found in Rukmini Iyer’s The Roasting Tin. Spiced Roast Aubergines and Potatoes with Coconut Basmati Rice, Yoghurt and Coriander was a simple enough dish with good vegetarian ingredients. (I’m not veggie, but am trying to eat more of them.) 

I seemed to have already eaten one of the potatoes I’d bought, so threw a sweet potato in as a substitute, which worked well. The whole recipe seemed to take me 5 minutes less than the suggested time. Not sure how that happened. Perhaps a little longer in the oven might have crisped things up a bit. The coconut milk needed for the rice I knew I already had, but I hadn’t realised the BBE date was September ‘23. It was a sealed tin, though, so you can generally make your own judgement on it. I’ve been fine.

Monday 13 May 2024

Fury v Usyk Saturday

UK’s Tyson Fury, current and Lineal WBC Heavyweight champ, takes on the Ukrainian Oleksander Usyk for the Undisputed Heavyweight Title on Saturday. Where to watch? I still haven’t decided. Who to watch with? Again, no clue. Who’ll win? I’m useless at predictions, but a stopped clock etc. etc., so I’m saying Fury on points. 

Later that night, UK’s Lerone Murphy takes on Brazilian Edson Barbosa in the UFC Fight Night. Again, I need a location. 

I also have a recipe blog post to go up. 

Separately, British actor Reece Dinsdale of I.D. fame quote-tweeted my response. It was political. Have a look.

Saturday 11 May 2024

Comic Con Fit

Next up in the events calendar: Monopoly Events return to Harrogate for Comic Con Yorkshire. 22nd June sees the second of this town’s event, after the success of the first outing last year

In the line-up this time: Paul McGann from Dr Who, Alien 3 and Withnail & I, Christopher Eccleston, again a titular Dr Who, and also from 28 Days Later, Colin Baker, the 6th Dr Who, and Britain’s loudest actor and star of Flash Gordon, Brian Blessed

The main attraction as far as I’m concerned is Giancarlo Esposito, Gustavo Fring from Breaking Bad / Better Call Saul, and Jack Baer in The Usual Suspects. He’s also Moff Gideon in the Star Wars spin-off The Mandalorian, Stanley Johnson in The Gentlemen and Stan Edgar in The Boys. 

I’m planning on getting photos with Esposito and McGann, and want to be in the best shape possible for it. I know I need to be 72kg to get into my suit trousers. This morning I was 76.8 at the start of a gym session and 75.9 at the end of it. The plan? Porridge for breakfast, soup for lunch and tea. Copious amounts of it. Aldi offer a Super 6 deal, featuring a selection of cut-price veg. Whatever that is, I’ll bung it in. 

6 weeks to lose 4 kilos. Easily done. 

Connection to psychology: Now it’s time to fight the cravings, eat well, sleep properly and not get distracted by the smartphone. At the gym and at home, I’ll work cardio and bodyweight exercises. See if I can beat further PBs.

Monday 6 May 2024

Movie Stars in Liverpool, Porn Stars in Manchester, Dance Music Stars in Ashton

What a week last week. 

Comic Con Liverpool was superb. I’m working on a blog post for that featuring some great movie stars and cosplayers. 

This weekend competitor event Horror Con UK takes place in Sheffield, featuring cast from American Werewolf in London and Friday the 13th. 

I’m skipping this one and waiting for For the Love of Horror in October, when some Evil Dead cast will be attending along with stars of The Thing, Saw and Halloween (1978 original). 

Porn star Sophia Locke is visiting the UK this week, and will be in Manchester Weds-Fri, she says. I might try and grab a selfie. 

Friday night sees 90s chillout group 808 State (MC Tunes, specifically) playing in Ashton’s Chute bar.

 

This is probably their most well-known track: