Strictly week 8 - Wembley special
Wow, what a big venue, the dance floor was huge. Best of British was the theme, Tess was dressed in royal blue with lovely bright red lipstick, the staging was amazing, the Strictly backstage crew must've worked their socks off. But it just seemed too big, too huge a dance floor.
Robbie & Ola kicked off proceedings doing a salsa to a Robbie Williams number: Let Me Entertain You. It was all a bit mad, lots of leaping about, didn't see much salsa but it was full of gusto with lots of lifts. And it did entertain me! (score 26)
Alex & James performed a tango to Frankie Goes to Hollywood's Relax (ironic, as it was banned by the BBC back in the day). Their routine was full of very good tango content. The judges loved it, rightly so. She's really improving every week. (score 35)
Holly & Artem (yes, he's back from injury!) did a quickstep to Valerie, with Holly in a beehive and a touch of a leopardskin as a nod to Amy Winehouse. I really enjoyed it, great content and lovely floor coverage. Best floor coverage of the lot, it being such a big floor to cover! (score 31)
Anita & Robin did a samba to the Dexy's Come On Eileen, it was good, full of energy, but a bit sloppy. I loved Anita's pink shoes. The judges were rather critical. (score 27)
Harry & Aliona performed a salsa to an Elton John number. Lots of spectacular lifts, lots of Aliona writhing about, it lacked a little something, maybe Harry's hip action? (score 34)
Russell & Flavia did a jive. Well, it was very entertaining as usual. Russell, the human cannonball, flying through the air to "Reach For The Sky" was just superb. (score 24)
Chelsee & Pasha also did a samba to Spice Up Your Life, lots of great samba action, really fantastic party atmosphere. Chelsee started off solo but otherwise they kept to the middle raised stage area, which I think was a good thing. Great costume, a Ginger Spice union jack dress but in pink. (score 35)
Jason & Kristina performed a jive to Wham's Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go. They played a weird 80s pre-dance VT but the jive was very good, excellent kicks 'n' flicks. He did miss a bit on the main floor, otherwise it was amazing. (score 34)
Leaderboard
Alex & James 35
Chelsee & Pasha 35
Harry & Aliona 34
Jason & Kristina 34
Holly & Artem 31
Anita & Robin 27
Robbie & Ola 26
Russell & Flavia 24
It was such a huge dance floor. I think the whole occasion overawed some of the celebrity dancers, there were a few mistakes and some sloppy footwork. I think I prefer the Blackpool specials that they've done in the past. Chelsee made a nice little comment in Tess's area, waiting for the scores...she said she felt like "a dot in the middle".
Russell & Flavia were the ones to go (awwww!), with Holly & Artem as the other bottom couple. Curse of the middle of the table again.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
Here's Friday again and it's been a busy week. I've been doing lots of gardening: mowed the lawn Tuesday; did the edges, moved some shrubs and tidied up a bit Wednesday; and yesterday Steve's son-in-law came round to help me clear a rather overgrown section of the garden. He did well, but lots of roots to clear out so he's coming back during his next rest days (rest!).
The bathroom is progressing slowly, but I shall be glad to get back to normal. In fact, I'm looking forward to cleaning! The hall, stairs & landing are covered with a thin layer of dust and it's getting me down. Houseproud?! Me?! Who knew! lol
A couple of unexpected dramas this week: on Wednesday night, after John the builder had gone home, I noticed water dripping from the ceiling in the utility room! It seemed to be just a water spill from his bucket of grouting tools leaking through from upstairs so I mopped it up and, fortunately, it stopped dripping. Mind you, it did throw me into a tizzy!
Then yesterday afternoon, there was a ring on the doorbell and a loud knocking. When I opened the door, there was a postman and flames from a fire by my front door! John the builder is a smoker and had tossed his dog-end into a rubble sack full of rubbish. The sack was was leaning up against the house next to my lavender in a pot. Behind the pot were some dry autumn leaves that had blown up against the house. And it was all burning furiously! Arrgh! I dashed indoors to grab a bowl of water, John came running downstairs (he'd smelt it through the open bathroom window but thought I was having a bonfire!), then he dashed back upstairs for more water. The bowl full made no impression, so I ran round the house to grab the garden hose and the postman grabbed the bowl and ran into the kitchen for more water. Of course, I'd undone the hose & moved it earlier in the day, to get the garden rubbish down the side passage to take to the tip. I jammed the hose on the tap, turned it on, it popped off again. Twice! So by the time I emerged through the back gate clutching the hose, the builder & the postman had managed to put out the fire. Phew. Poor Steve, the smoke alarm on the stairs was going, smoke was drifting into the back of the house, and I couldn't stop to tell him what was happening until the fire was out. Thank goodness that postman had been driving past, noticed the fire and stopped to bang on the door! I felt quite frazzled yesterday evening. Still, not as frazzled as my poor lavender!
Strictly update week 7:
The pre-dance VTs were better this week, more training based rather than the strange staged "funny" ones they've been doing - Alex & James in a playground, Russell & Flavia playing rugby. Training room ones are much better especially for those that don't bother with the daily It Takes Two fanzine programme.
Alex & James did a jive to River Deep, Mountain High. A high energy, cheerleader-type routine, she did well but the kicks & flicks could have been sharper. (score 31)
Robbie & Ola did an American Smooth to Sway (I love that song!). He had great arms & hands, much improved. (score 31)
Audley & Natalie did a chacha, he has good rhythm but his arms looked odd, not his best dance. (score 20)
Harry & Aliona did an Argentine Tango to a proper tango tune. It looked superb, very precise. Len didn't like it, he thought it lacked passion. He had a bit of a handbag moment with Craig, calling him a "silly sod", because he disagreed with him. Both Alesha & Bruno gave the routine a "10". (score 37)
Jason & Kristina did a Viennese Waltz - lovely & sway-y! And he did a proper fleckerl, but his arms & hands are still a bit strange sometimes. Much better than last week though. (score 35)
Chelsee & Pasha did a Foxtrot. It was beautiful & very elegant although she was hopping a bit on one of the turns. Alesha gave it a "10". (score 36)
Anita & Robin also did an Argentine Tango, it was superb, great intensity, great chemistry and a great performance! I was mesmerised. Her legs could have been a bit stronger & straighter in the lifts but.....hey, I'm being picky!
(score 33)
Holly & Brendan (stepping in for Artem who has a back injury) did a Rumba and beautiful it was too. Must've been difficult to suddenly change partners but Holly took it all in her stride, she's so cool & laid-back. That's what I like about her but it does mean she doesn't give away much emotion. (score 34)
Russell & Flavia did an American Smooth to I Am What I Am. It was glorious! With a costume change! And star jumps! Superb! But always plenty of dance content which he does really well. (score 26)
Harry and Aliona – 37
Chelsee and Pasha – 36
Jason and Kristina – 35
Holly and Brendan – 34
Anita and Robin – 33
Alex and James – 31
Robbie and Ola – 31
Russell and Flavia – 26
Audley and Natalie – 20
Audley & Natalie were in the bottom two along with Anita & Robin! Shock! I was dreading another Lulu moment but Audley & Natalie were the ones to go. Well, it's been coming, four times they've been in the bottom two.
Oh, Robin & Kristina did a wonderful rumba whilst Sunday's guest singer was performing, just wonderful.
The bathroom is progressing slowly, but I shall be glad to get back to normal. In fact, I'm looking forward to cleaning! The hall, stairs & landing are covered with a thin layer of dust and it's getting me down. Houseproud?! Me?! Who knew! lol
A couple of unexpected dramas this week: on Wednesday night, after John the builder had gone home, I noticed water dripping from the ceiling in the utility room! It seemed to be just a water spill from his bucket of grouting tools leaking through from upstairs so I mopped it up and, fortunately, it stopped dripping. Mind you, it did throw me into a tizzy!
Then yesterday afternoon, there was a ring on the doorbell and a loud knocking. When I opened the door, there was a postman and flames from a fire by my front door! John the builder is a smoker and had tossed his dog-end into a rubble sack full of rubbish. The sack was was leaning up against the house next to my lavender in a pot. Behind the pot were some dry autumn leaves that had blown up against the house. And it was all burning furiously! Arrgh! I dashed indoors to grab a bowl of water, John came running downstairs (he'd smelt it through the open bathroom window but thought I was having a bonfire!), then he dashed back upstairs for more water. The bowl full made no impression, so I ran round the house to grab the garden hose and the postman grabbed the bowl and ran into the kitchen for more water. Of course, I'd undone the hose & moved it earlier in the day, to get the garden rubbish down the side passage to take to the tip. I jammed the hose on the tap, turned it on, it popped off again. Twice! So by the time I emerged through the back gate clutching the hose, the builder & the postman had managed to put out the fire. Phew. Poor Steve, the smoke alarm on the stairs was going, smoke was drifting into the back of the house, and I couldn't stop to tell him what was happening until the fire was out. Thank goodness that postman had been driving past, noticed the fire and stopped to bang on the door! I felt quite frazzled yesterday evening. Still, not as frazzled as my poor lavender!
Strictly update week 7:
The pre-dance VTs were better this week, more training based rather than the strange staged "funny" ones they've been doing - Alex & James in a playground, Russell & Flavia playing rugby. Training room ones are much better especially for those that don't bother with the daily It Takes Two fanzine programme.
Alex & James did a jive to River Deep, Mountain High. A high energy, cheerleader-type routine, she did well but the kicks & flicks could have been sharper. (score 31)
Robbie & Ola did an American Smooth to Sway (I love that song!). He had great arms & hands, much improved. (score 31)
Audley & Natalie did a chacha, he has good rhythm but his arms looked odd, not his best dance. (score 20)
Harry & Aliona did an Argentine Tango to a proper tango tune. It looked superb, very precise. Len didn't like it, he thought it lacked passion. He had a bit of a handbag moment with Craig, calling him a "silly sod", because he disagreed with him. Both Alesha & Bruno gave the routine a "10". (score 37)
Jason & Kristina did a Viennese Waltz - lovely & sway-y! And he did a proper fleckerl, but his arms & hands are still a bit strange sometimes. Much better than last week though. (score 35)
Chelsee & Pasha did a Foxtrot. It was beautiful & very elegant although she was hopping a bit on one of the turns. Alesha gave it a "10". (score 36)
Anita & Robin also did an Argentine Tango, it was superb, great intensity, great chemistry and a great performance! I was mesmerised. Her legs could have been a bit stronger & straighter in the lifts but.....hey, I'm being picky!
(score 33)
Holly & Brendan (stepping in for Artem who has a back injury) did a Rumba and beautiful it was too. Must've been difficult to suddenly change partners but Holly took it all in her stride, she's so cool & laid-back. That's what I like about her but it does mean she doesn't give away much emotion. (score 34)
Russell & Flavia did an American Smooth to I Am What I Am. It was glorious! With a costume change! And star jumps! Superb! But always plenty of dance content which he does really well. (score 26)
Harry and Aliona – 37
Chelsee and Pasha – 36
Jason and Kristina – 35
Holly and Brendan – 34
Anita and Robin – 33
Alex and James – 31
Robbie and Ola – 31
Russell and Flavia – 26
Audley and Natalie – 20
Audley & Natalie were in the bottom two along with Anita & Robin! Shock! I was dreading another Lulu moment but Audley & Natalie were the ones to go. Well, it's been coming, four times they've been in the bottom two.
Oh, Robin & Kristina did a wonderful rumba whilst Sunday's guest singer was performing, just wonderful.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
We rang half-muffled bells for Remembrance Service this morning. I particularly like the sound, the note and the echo. Anyhoo, I'm just having a surf on the net, reading about Armistice Day and poppies and how the tradition was started and I came across this poem. I knew about the poem but had never read it the whole way through...so here it is.
In Flanders Fields by John McCrae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Work is progressing upstairs in the bathroom, By the end of day two, the electrics were done and plasterboard fitted...
By the end of day three, the plaster is drying (lovely smooth ceiling instead of the old woodchip) and the tiles are waiting.
Thank goodness we have downstairs loo with basin, just a small basin so fine for washing self but useless for washing hair!
By the end of day three, the plaster is drying (lovely smooth ceiling instead of the old woodchip) and the tiles are waiting.
Thank goodness we have downstairs loo with basin, just a small basin so fine for washing self but useless for washing hair!
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Bathroom update! Lots of destruction going on all day yesterday, rather alarming, made me quite twitchy hearing my house being destroyed! Apparently, when they took the old tiles and wallpaper off, the plaster underneath wasn't so good so they hacked it all off, back to the brickwork. Hence all the worrying noises up there! Here's what it looked like last night...
 |
| Arrgh! My lovely bathroom! Gone! |
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Is it daft to get emotional over a bathroom? Had my last shower in my old bathroom earlier this morning, there's a chap up there at the moment chipping tiles off. He's already dismantled my shower...<sigh>. Yes, work has started to make our bathroom more disabled-friendly...
It has (had) a champagne coloured suite (very 80s), lovely peachy-pink cushionflor flooring, and a peach mosiac shower curtain. It's going to be white, white suite, white tiles - with a blue & aqua mosaic splashback & border. Still dithering over the colour of the floor, I prefer the aqua but Steve likes the darker blue (see previous post).
It'll make life much easier for Steve when it's finished, worth the upheaval. Can't wait for it to be finished!
It has (had) a champagne coloured suite (very 80s), lovely peachy-pink cushionflor flooring, and a peach mosiac shower curtain. It's going to be white, white suite, white tiles - with a blue & aqua mosaic splashback & border. Still dithering over the colour of the floor, I prefer the aqua but Steve likes the darker blue (see previous post).
It'll make life much easier for Steve when it's finished, worth the upheaval. Can't wait for it to be finished!
Monday, November 7, 2011
More Strictly! You must think I have a sad life, a tv programme being the highlight of my week! lol
Actually, it is. So I must have. Huh.
We haven't been out & about much lately, I'm still getting over this cold/bronchitis. If I'd still been at work, after a week's self-cert sick leave, I'd have had to go to the doc and he'd have given me antibiotics (and a sick note). So getting rid of it naturally may take longer but it's probably better for me. We did go to the flix in the week, to see the Tin Tin movie. And we've friends from Paris staying over at the moment, so we went out for a meal yesterday.
Anyhoo, back to Strictly, guess who got voted out last week? Nancy Doolally... sorry Dell'Olio... and Anton. About time too really. She had improved from week 1 but most of the time she didn't so much dance as fling herself about.
So what happened this weekend?
Lulu & Brendan did a tango to Prince's Kiss. It started off very well, lots of tango content. But Lulu seemed to lose it halfway through, her frame went and she started singing along instead of concentrating on the dancing. Not as good as last week. (score 27)
Audley & Natalie did a Viennese Waltz, he did very well, lovely footwork, quite light & delicate for a big bloke but you could see him concentrating, bless him! (score 27)
Harry & Aliona did a samba to a Stevie Wonder number. He had a good bounce action but the whole thing was a strange mix of sexy and awkward. Good effort though. (score 33)
Anita & Robin did a brilliant charleston, just brilliant, she's such a good performer and didn't put a foot wrong. Loved her flapper outfit. (score 31)
Jason & Kristina did a rumba, the first male celebrity to do that particular dance. A difficult dance for a bloke. The tune was Roberta Flack's Killing Me Softly. Jason made a good effort but it was a bit contrived and lacked chemistry. (score 28)
Alex & James did a great quickstep to a great tune - It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing. She did really well, apparently even had her heel caught in her dress for most of the dance, I didn't notice, she was doing so well. (score 31)
Robbie & Ola did a waltz to Love Don't Live Here Anymore. I thought it was very romantic and well-acted but the judges didn't think so. At the end of it, Robbie looked quite tearful sitting on the steps there, though I suppose we viewers have the advantage of camera close-ups. They needed an assistant referee on the touchline! (score 29)
Russell & Flavia did a paso, weeellll, he started off on a bucking broncho wearing these round pebble specs looking more like Billy Bunter than a matador. However, once he got off and on to the dance floor, he was really good, loads of great paso arm placements and flamenco hands. Craig called it "astounding"! (score 24)
Chelsee & Pasha did a great charleston, very good, completely in synch, "boo boo bee doo". She'd make a great Betty Boop. (score 36)
Holly & Artem did a superb jive to a Bruno Mars track, a really cool routine, dressed in matching suits. Lots of energy too - she's usually so laid-back! (Loved her comment to Tess "I need a lie down!"). Didn't realise until the end that Artem had a back injury, he did really well to dance through it. (score 34)
Leaderboard:
Chelsee and Pasha – 36
Holly and Artem – 34
Harry and Aliona – 33
Alex and James – 31
Anita and Robin – 31
Robbie and Ola – 29
Jason and Kristina – 28
Lulu and Brendan – 27
Audley and Natalie – 27
Russell and Flavia – 24
Oh, I forgot to say earlier, no Len this week so they drafted in Jennifer Gray, the actress who starred with Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing 25 years ago. She recently won the US version of Strictly. Don't know why they didn't have Karen Hardy or Ian Waite instead. Someone that knows something about dancing rather than just another celeb. Hurumph.
Lulu & Brendan were the shock evictees, Audley & Natalie being the other bottom couple (again). Two wardrobe malfunctions this week, Alex's aforementioned heel in hem, and Holly's braces came undone and nearly had her eye out!
Actually, it is. So I must have. Huh.
We haven't been out & about much lately, I'm still getting over this cold/bronchitis. If I'd still been at work, after a week's self-cert sick leave, I'd have had to go to the doc and he'd have given me antibiotics (and a sick note). So getting rid of it naturally may take longer but it's probably better for me. We did go to the flix in the week, to see the Tin Tin movie. And we've friends from Paris staying over at the moment, so we went out for a meal yesterday.
Anyhoo, back to Strictly, guess who got voted out last week? Nancy Doolally... sorry Dell'Olio... and Anton. About time too really. She had improved from week 1 but most of the time she didn't so much dance as fling herself about.
So what happened this weekend?
Lulu & Brendan did a tango to Prince's Kiss. It started off very well, lots of tango content. But Lulu seemed to lose it halfway through, her frame went and she started singing along instead of concentrating on the dancing. Not as good as last week. (score 27)
Audley & Natalie did a Viennese Waltz, he did very well, lovely footwork, quite light & delicate for a big bloke but you could see him concentrating, bless him! (score 27)
Harry & Aliona did a samba to a Stevie Wonder number. He had a good bounce action but the whole thing was a strange mix of sexy and awkward. Good effort though. (score 33)
Anita & Robin did a brilliant charleston, just brilliant, she's such a good performer and didn't put a foot wrong. Loved her flapper outfit. (score 31)
Jason & Kristina did a rumba, the first male celebrity to do that particular dance. A difficult dance for a bloke. The tune was Roberta Flack's Killing Me Softly. Jason made a good effort but it was a bit contrived and lacked chemistry. (score 28)
Alex & James did a great quickstep to a great tune - It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing. She did really well, apparently even had her heel caught in her dress for most of the dance, I didn't notice, she was doing so well. (score 31)
Robbie & Ola did a waltz to Love Don't Live Here Anymore. I thought it was very romantic and well-acted but the judges didn't think so. At the end of it, Robbie looked quite tearful sitting on the steps there, though I suppose we viewers have the advantage of camera close-ups. They needed an assistant referee on the touchline! (score 29)
Russell & Flavia did a paso, weeellll, he started off on a bucking broncho wearing these round pebble specs looking more like Billy Bunter than a matador. However, once he got off and on to the dance floor, he was really good, loads of great paso arm placements and flamenco hands. Craig called it "astounding"! (score 24)
Chelsee & Pasha did a great charleston, very good, completely in synch, "boo boo bee doo". She'd make a great Betty Boop. (score 36)
Holly & Artem did a superb jive to a Bruno Mars track, a really cool routine, dressed in matching suits. Lots of energy too - she's usually so laid-back! (Loved her comment to Tess "I need a lie down!"). Didn't realise until the end that Artem had a back injury, he did really well to dance through it. (score 34)
Leaderboard:
Chelsee and Pasha – 36
Holly and Artem – 34
Harry and Aliona – 33
Alex and James – 31
Anita and Robin – 31
Robbie and Ola – 29
Jason and Kristina – 28
Lulu and Brendan – 27
Audley and Natalie – 27
Russell and Flavia – 24
Oh, I forgot to say earlier, no Len this week so they drafted in Jennifer Gray, the actress who starred with Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing 25 years ago. She recently won the US version of Strictly. Don't know why they didn't have Karen Hardy or Ian Waite instead. Someone that knows something about dancing rather than just another celeb. Hurumph.
Lulu & Brendan were the shock evictees, Audley & Natalie being the other bottom couple (again). Two wardrobe malfunctions this week, Alex's aforementioned heel in hem, and Holly's braces came undone and nearly had her eye out!
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