Silent Be, it was the cat

Dear Friends & Fans,

[new blog readers, please note: Everything in a pinkish-purple-ish color below is a link that, when clicked, will expand upon what I've written about any given topic.]


For the first time since I began this blog, I'm afraid I shall let you down. My wide-ranging interests have strayed from English humor in television & film. I shall mention one or two of the best in each category.

And do read on to find the promised treat, a Cockney Rhyming Slang web site; the time you spend perusing that site will gratify your love of the World Wide Waste-of-Time-- Although since Cockney Rhyming Slang is a cultural treasure, code-words cunningly devised to avoid upper-class interference with Cockney lives, your time will not be wasted. [A few examples of same are given below.]


Television:



Keeping Up Appearances: One of my favorites, sometimes shown on American TV [PBS] & on BBC America.



Also: To the Manor Born, Are You Being Served?, and As Time Goes By [with Oscar-winning Judy Densch]



For more on each of these surf your way to http://www.imdb.com/


Films? My Beautiful Landrette, Prick Up Your Ears [Gary Oldman, Alfred Molina & Vanessa Redgrave] and We Think the World of You [with Alan Bates, Gary Oldman, it explores their relationship and their interactions a very special dog]. Go to the Internet Movie Data Base for lots of info on these as well as the television shows.



Cockney Rhyming Slang! [this is a link]

Click the link above for a real treat. Just a few examples:

Half inch = "pinch" as in: Seen 'is new telly? Bet he half inched it.

Trouble & strife = "wife"

Pork pie = "lie" as in: Who's been telling porkies then?

Tea leaf = "thief" as in Don't take your eyes off 'im--'e's a tea-leaf.

Friar Tuck = f--k. [I won't elaborate]

Enough said. Be sure to check it all out at your earliest opportunity!

BTW:

"Silent Be, it was the cat" is from Gilbert & Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore. See previous entry for more on Gilbert & Sullivan and by the way, the "cat" mentioned is not a cute little pussy-cat!

Finis:
I trust you've enjoyed this romp through English humor [today's entry & the previous entry]. Revisit my blog again soon as I continue to expand my boundaries--- and yours.l

Stitch in Time

Pauvre Mama!

She sliced her little finger on 12/06 & 2 stitches were taken.

As you may know, although I am the sole creative force behind the MercuryMurphy blog, Mama turns on the computer and sets me up on my chair. [For more about my creative process, including the recipe for innovation-inducing libations, see entry of November 25, 2006.]

Thus there will be a slight delay before my next posting.

In the meantime, feel free to review some of my earlier entries.

I suggest the series of mystery reviews [October 2006], musings on media interviews with Andy Lester [by Chris Matthews], Jerry Seinfeld, and Superman [September 2006], informative essays about global artifacts & pictures of me as a baby [August 2006], and specifics about a dog's life in the Roushanzamir family [July 2006; entry, July 28, a view of my loft].

For another pleasant read, click "view my complete profile" located at the end of "About Me" to the right of your screen.

Remember: blogs invite comments.

Click on "comments" at the end of each entry to record your own.

Til later, my good friends & fans,

Mercury Murphy Roushanzamir/M-squared

Post Script: Mama's suggestion: "go to BBC-America web site for days & times during the week when you can watch the Time Lords of Galifrey program Dr. Who; watch him travel through space & time in his Tardis [time and relative dimensions in space machine--see photos of outside & inside below]," she says.

Dog Gone

Perhaps you've missed my entries over the past week. Please excuse my lack of blog diligence & permit me to offer an explanation.

It was a cold & rainy week. Rain lashed at our rooftop and wind bent the trees. Water rushed down the incline of our driveway, dislodging rocks & damaging the delicate plants alongside.

Donning my oilskins, and with a courage untapped 'til now, I braved the elements to save or restore the landscaping heretofore lovingly maintained by Papa et Mama. As I collected sticks, tied up plants, and reconstructed cedar chip pathways, Papa et Mama watched from the screened porch.

Each day, as Papa left for work and Mama read interminable ebook mysteries I ventured outside to tackle the day's disarray. Plagued by neighborhood squirrels and chipmonks, mocked by birds, and teased by passing children, I remained committed to my war with raging nature.

Perhaps it was because of my efforts, which I don't for a minute regret, that the last two days I've spent in bed with a nasty cold. Nor have I been cheered with chicken soup, ice cream or hard candies. The effort was its own reward.

The important question: when will I return to regular blogging? I'll do my best not to disappoint you but I may still require a few more days recovery time. So til I'm back on my feet again, cheers to you & yours.