MATLINKED@FREEZE.COM

WELL I can't quite believe it is Thursday once again, but here it is, along with a list of mind-blowing things I have learnt this week:

ONE] Matlock is very, very pretty: I definitely learnt that this weekend, having walked round eight miles of the
         place, dodging dogs, tractors and gigantic puddles of mud. We [obviously I didn't go alone; I don't like my
         own company that much] were however very lucky with the weather, waking up to a gloriously sunshiney
         day! But honestly, we could have been on an entirely different planet. Walking down quiet country lanes
         with nothing but some herbal tablets and a disposable camera, I felt totally relaxed and as though I had
         checked my lungs into the most expensive rehab mansion in LA. Don't get me wrong, Matlock has much
         more to offer than just trees and very fresh air [the John Smedley Mill shop being just one. Call me the
         'Discount Diva'. If you like.], but it is the thing I liked most. Living in the city really makes you forget that
         taxi lanes don't exist everywhere and that you might have to walk a mile to the nearest pub, but on the
         way you will meet a pony [not even joking] or stumble across a Christmas shop in the middle of a field. I
         therefore urge you all to 'get away' between now and the 1st January. Give your brain some down time and
         stand in some pony poo. It'll do you good!

This is basically what we did for the entire day. That and eat chips.

And here's our view of the entire day.

TWO] I don't understand Linkedin: I learnt this yesterday [I'm still learning this] after I decided to join yet another
         social network, but one that's not frowned upon at work, so I could in fact use it at work for work. As far as
          I can tell,as well as helping me with my job, it is a sort of online, compressed CV that allows you to
         'connect' [a more mature and less needy word than 'friend request'] to people who work in your industry and
         those who work at any prospective industries. Either way, it makes it a lot easier to find who the top people
         at most businesses are, also giving them an opportunity to realise just how amazing you in fact are and
         just how much they absolutely must have you working with them.
         Still, it can just also be yet another website you need to remember log-in details for and that keeps you
         checking on 'page views' and 'connections'. I 'connected' with my dad on Linkedin yesterday and even
         began a phone conversation with "Hello Linkedin friend!" [no need to judge me]. So, it's not all slog. If
         you're wandering whether to give it a go I definitely suggest that you do, if only to make you feel more
         'professional'. Maybe we could connect?

This man clearly 'gets' Linkedin but clearly does not 'get' fashion.

THREE] I don't own enough clothes fit for the impending arctic temperatures: This I find to be quite true
            considering temperatures are about to drop to MINUS TWENTY. Now forgive me if I seem presumptuous, 
            but If my family intended me to be exposed to such temperatures, surely they would have settled in the
            Arctic in the seventies? If this does happen, take note that I will spend it's entire reign:
                      a] wrapped up in a duvet. I don't care that it's white, it is coming with me to work.
                      b] unable to write. I refuse to remove my two pairs of woolly gloves at any point during this freeze.
                      c] gorging on really hot, comforting takeaways. If whales use a layer of blubber to keep them
                          warm then who's to say that I can't do the same?
           I'll probably end up looking like this by the end of it, just with a few more clothes on:

Actually minus the smile aswell. I probably won't be smiling.

This weekend will see me wrapping up Christmas presents in the usual style, watching Take Me Out and avoiding a six mile run in arctic conditions by pretending that I physically can't get out of bed.

Did I mention I met Poppy the kitten? 

I can't even begin to tell you how cute she is and how much I actually miss her, so I won't.

Lots of love

STANLEY

THANKSMAS

It is Thursday once again and I'm all of a rush so lets get down to it!

ONE] Today is the American holiday Thanksgiving: For all those Yanks reading this [probably minus 1], I wish
         you a day of pie-face-stuffing, merryment and songs round a fire, because that, my friends, is what I

         imagine it to be like. And whilst I [embarrassingly] don't know anything about this holiday as I'm too busy
         thinking about what to eat for dinner tonight to look on Wikipedia, I do know that the Americans have got it
         right. Why have one turkey-based holiday when you can have two?! Why indeed. I therefore suggest that
         we come up with a celebration that can be placed a month before Christmas; one that will bring families
         together, fill bellies and spread general joy minus the presents and the awful TV programs that keep people
         in one position for six hours. If, therefore, you have any ideas I'd very much like to hear about it. You have
         exactly a year to think about this unless of course you:

                   a] think that the world is going to end on 21st December and, 

                   b] you'd prefer to be at work

         You people can carry on. The rest - Step to it!

Now this is what i'm talking about. [table and Turkish rug not included]

..and on the theme of Holidays...

TWO] Tinsel isn't so bad: Have I gone absolutely doolally? Probably, but this morning saw me almost fall into
          the most Christmas-sy street-sweeper's bin I have seen and will probably ever encounter in the rest of my
          lifetime. There was silver tinsel and purple tinsel and red tinsel and an actual Santa toy dangling from the
          front of the bin to liven up [and give false hope to] the rubbish before it was plunged to its sad demise.

          I'm straying from my point, which is that if mismatched tinsel sprawled over a bin can make me smile at
          quarter past eight in the morning, think what it could do in a large, warm, colour co-ordinated room! Either
          way, rather than being annoyed at all the early hints of Christmas, embrace it with all your might until your
          brain becomes a sparkly, fluffy mush and then [and only then] will you be at one with Christmas.

HOW EXCITED DOES THIS MAKE YOU FEEL?!

[it did however take me ten whole minutes to find a decent photo of tinsel]

..and because I'm unavoidably on the subject..

THREE] The Birmingham 'Frankfurt Christmas Marke't has arrived: Don't all rush at once [no really don't. There's
             no room], but this is probably the second thing that brings in Christmas for me [the first being the buying
             of a real tree]. With its wafting smells of chocolate covered fruit, doughnuts, various baked German

             goodies [pastry and potato on one stall], beer by the gallon and hot fruity wine, this place
             oozes festivities. And just in case you don't know where it is, the lights added to this area can probably

             be seen from space so a quick googlemaps should do it. Don't believe me? Go and see [drink] for

             yourself! The largest outdoor market in the country runs from 10am to 9pm until 22nd December. If
             you're really lovely [lazy] you can buy all your Christmas presents whilst you're drinking in one giant
             swoop as there are hundreds [less than that] of stalls selling gifts! N.B Don't let this confuse you but
             you won't hear anyone calling it the 'Frankfurt Christmas Market' unless you:

                         a] are hanging around with people who are actually from Frankfurt or, 

                         b] you have no Brummie friends.

            So go and see the GERMAN Market and come back with lots of gifts for me and my belly.

You probably won't see anything more festive than this unless you come across the
Coca-Cola Christmas Truck at the same time. OH WAIT. It's in Birmingham's Centenary Square

 on Saturday 15th December
and in Covent Garden [London] on Thursday 13th December.

I'm not even joking.

FOUR] My Chili Plants are dying: NO FAINTING PLEASE. I could rectify this very quickly, except for the fact

           that the amazing odds and sods store I buy it from has become less amazing by selling soil no longer. If

           you know of a place [not to far from Angel - soil is heavy] that sells soily composty stuff for plants, please

           let me know. There isn't really anything in it for you though.

In the absence of a photo of my depressed plants, here's one of a thriving chili plant that

i'll probably never get to see up close.

Once again my weekend begins in twenty minutes.

See you on the other side.

Love

STANLEY

SHANGHAI KITT-AY

My my it is Thursday once again, heralding the beginning [in my eyes] to another weekend of knowledge-finding.
This week however has taught me three things:

ONE] Kittens are always cute with no exception: This Tuesday saw my mom and dad actually welcome a tiny
         kitten into their home and, not only that, 'play with her all day' aswell apparently. I'll have to see this before
         I believe it, but what I have seen is hundreds of photographs and videos [as requested] of Poppy [name of
         choice] doing various kitten things such as eating, stretching and playing with her mouse-on-a-stick.

GOOCHY GUCCI GOOO

        Fair enough, she poses like a proper Myspace kitty,

but who wouldn't with a face like that? I can not wait

        to see her. That photo was taken by my sister who loves animals and fluffy things.

This photo was taken by my mom, who is scared of kittens. 

      And whilst I am not there to witness the cuteness [that doesn't work], I have been reassured that Poppy has
      settled right in to her new home, pooing like a trooper and stretching over everything possible. Welcome
      home little kitty!

TWO] Skyfall was actually a great film: I'd heard very mixed reviews about it so did not at all know what
          to expect. From the 'best Bond film ever' to a film that's 'more action than Bond', each critique came with
          a strong view, suggesting that actually there was something to feel remotely passionate about. Whilst you
          can see where the film is almost cut in half due to a giant lack in monetary funds [from the glitz of
          Shanghai casino parties to the thick mist of bonnie Scotland], the true Bond themes are well

          encapsulated within the stony walls of the Skyfall mansion, its secret tunnels and random helpful friends.
          Not to mention the return of some old [customised] gadgets [cars]. In fear of giving too much away, I will
          just say that whilst it is probably not the 'best Bond film ever', it is one that you'll probably want to watch
         again pretty soon, preferably at an imax.

In the meantime, i'd like to go to a NYE party like this, just with less deaths.

THREE] Some things you just don't forget how to do: After having not written a single bit of music for a fair few
             months, just walking past my guitar and keyboard on my way out of my room, I honestly thought i'd

             'forgotten' how to write something that even remotely resembles a song; and whilst I don't admit to

             having written a masterpiece [i'm no Girls Aloud] I'm just relieved that it seems to be something that you

             can't just 'forget', a bit like riding your bike or picking your nose. 

             And on that lovely little thought, here's a shameless, shameless plug. I'm already completely surprised
             by the amount of listens it has had, unless of course its my mom and dad on a repeat frenzy.

             http://soundcloud.com/stavrinikoumi/show-me-how

This weekend sees me trying to get over this cold that's made my head practically as stuffy as a

taxidermist's prized fox, Christmas prezzie shopping and watching Romain Grosjean crash into another two cars at the beginning of the race on Sunday. I'm sure i'll learn something.

Love

STANLEY

OBAMA BIN GINGER

It is Thursday again and what an eventful week of learning I have had. Let no more time be wasted blabbering!:

ONE] Obamarama has swept over the world once again: Yes, Obama successfully gained over 270 seats to
         complete a second term as president of one of the most powerful and disliked countries in the world.
         I for one wished that the elections were on earlier so I could have joined in the suspense, entertainment
         and general party thrown by the USA on Tuesday, because lets be honest, they do know how to make
         a party out of pretty much anything. One thing I do know is that these 'Barak bin Laden' conspiracy
         theories are as ridiculous as giving your blonde dog a pink dip-dye [something I actually saw on the

         Piccadilly line a few days ago]. How can they possibly be the same person? The only explanation I can
         muster is that the conspiracy theorists stumbled across this statement on account of the leaders' names
         rhyming. How silly? If this was true then i'm secretly trying to hide the fact that I am also a bottle of
         Lambrini.

                                           <-- Stavrini                                                       Labrini --> 

         Now, if that doesn't put everything into perspective I don't know what will. Oh, perhaps one of Barak's

         cool friends can help? Take it away J Zizzle:

TWO] My sister isn't getting frogs for her birthday: A sad fact, yes, however these slimey, green, ribbety beings

          are being replaced by a KITTEN. I may not be living at home, but I visit, and now these visits are going to

          be made fluffier by Poppy [the kitten has been named but not exactly chosen yet]. Anyone who knows my

          parents knows that this is a big deal as they normally admire pets from a distance and not 'in the house'.

          They have reached the point of no return though as a bed, scratching post, toys [plural] and a litter tray

          have already been bought.This and the fact that I am going to a cat sanctuary with my sister tomorrow

          means that there will be an actual kitten in the house within the next month. Nothing else will really tell

          you how excited I am except a photo I stole from google:

IT DOESN'T REALLY NEED WORDS.

THREE] People actually read my blog: This may come as a surprise, but you are not the only one who reads
             this; and how do I know? I know because Holly, my lovely senior at work, was amazed at the fact
             she had never heard of a Starbucks white hot chocolate with gingerbread syrup until she read last

             week's post. She then proceeded to march straight to the nearest Starbucks and buy the Christmas-
             in-a-drink drink.

I'd love one of these for Christmas please.

           So what's the verdict? "Really good. I'm going to try it with the Hazlenut syrup next though. It does
           remind me of Christmas." Not as enthusiastic as I would have hoped, but that's probably because I

           normally have three spoonfulls of sugar with mine an end up bouncing off the walls. All in all a successful
           mission. What next I wonder? Will people start uploading pictures of themselves as alcoholic drinks?
           Will the world become full of Kittens?

I'll let you know next week.
Did I mention my weekend starts today?

Love

STANLEY

       

GINGERBREAD GOODNESS

It may only be Monday [and a rather loud, colourful one at that], but I have learnt something quite important:

ONE] Starbucks' red cups are back: Starbucks have announced Christmas with the arrival of their red cups
         which means two things:
              a] I can now have my annual white hot chocolate with gingerbread syrup, and
              b] I need to get my Christmas present skates on
         I must add that I know this because I was sent photographic evidence by my mom with this caption:

This is to get you into the festive spirit and also to add in your blog...
Starbucks red cups! x

        This lady knows me too well.

        Saturday will therefore involve scarves, shopping and a Starbucks treat.

        They should probably pay me for this post.

'Til Thursday!

LOVE

STANLEY

POTTER BAKER POTTER

It is once again that time of the week where I plug my laptop into work's internet, my laptop throws a tantrum and I end up returning to my desk and promising that I won't bring my laptop in next week even though I know i'll probably forget and bring it. Now the kerfuffle is over, here's a few things I learnt:

ONE] Moms are cool: I knew this already, as momma Koumz is widely known to most as being pretty ace,
         but really, moms are cool . As a birthday treat to my 23 year old sister my mom decided to book us all
         tickets to The Making of Harry Potter. When asked on the day 'Have you read the books?' and 'Do you like
         the films?' her answers were 'No' and 'They're not really my thing'. When also asked how excited she was
         about our Harry Potter extravaganza the response was more of a jump and a squeal. Momma
         Koumz is very good at organising 'fun things', so whilst I am not an avid HP [glasses, not the sauce] fan
         either, I had absolutely no doubt that the trip would be a great one. I was right to trust and we all had a
         wonderful day of 'oohs' and 'aahs', chocolate insect eating and broom stick riding. You did in fact read that
         correctly. See below for proof:

Here is mom flying above some cliffs.

       Mom flew over other things, like a train track and a lake. She was actually very good. Too good some might
       say. If you do happen to know some Harry Potter fans out there, definitely hop on a train to Watford Junction
       and take them to this HP fest. We saw some young girls hyperventilating in front of us as the doors opened

       up to the Great Hall. In summary, mothers are cool. We should probably let them know more

       often.

TWO] Bread is in the news: The Daily Mail has won my heart once again by filling a whole web page
         with an article on how the smell of bread makes people kinder. If you are standing near a bakery [or inside

         Asda] you are statistically more likely to assist someone and generally be in a better mood. I could
         have saved the scientists an entire experiment, but at least there is some explanation for my addiction.
         The smell of freshly-made bread clearly makes me:

                   a] happy

                   b] a nicer person, which I obviously like

                   c] a fatty [I don't like this]

        Does this make me feel a little less guilty about my bread addiction? Why not. Which brings me to my
        next bit of news. A few Mondays ago I decided to cut out bread at work [not dinner, I couldn't do that],
        which would bring my bread-eating down by half. Has it lasted? YES. To my complete and utter surprise, I
        have seen three bread-less lunchtime weeks, with Monday being the start of the fourth. I think I speak for
        everyone when I offer myself congratulations. Thank goodness I have a giant version of one of these at home

        for a post-walk-home treat:

What I actually have is twice the size of this and tastes suspiciously like a croissant.

THREE] Christmas parties are looming: As of today, they are looming. Today I was informed of
             two Christmas parties. That's two nights of Christmassy indulgence in the space of a week. As you
             can probably tell, I am not one for moaning of Christmassy feelings pre-December. In fact, since

             it always feels abruptly cut short after Boxing Day, I say why not prolong the feeling as long as we

             can?! This, along with the fact that one of these parties looks like a full-blown wedding, has switched on
             on my jingles [not a euphemism]. So here's my top tips for smooth work Christmas Party Sailing:

                          a] Do not think that December = sparkles. You must not turn into a cropped 1980s American
                              prom dress that looks like its been dipped in fairy's vomit.

                          b] Pre-dinner cocktails may seem friendly, but they're the Judas of the party world. Under no
                              circumstances must you have more than two because 'they seem to be multiplying on the
                              table' and you can't remember if you've had any.

                          c] It is never OK to dance to Slade's 'Merry Xmas Everybody'. It is even more not OK to dance

                              to Slade's 'Merry Xmas Everybody' with your boss.

This is what your party shouldn't [but probably will] look like

This weekend sees me reunited with my synth and watching fireworks Hammersmith.

Add some bread in there and this could be the best weekend of my life.

Love

STANLEY