(no subject)

[neverwhere]

Reason #1 Britain kicks America's arse:

British politicians don't treat the people like inbred sheep with the intellectual capacity of a toaster. They actually talk to them, instead of mouthing off what they think their people want to hear.

Okay sure, they rarely ever listen, but at least they have live televised debates in Parliament, and go on programmes like Question Time and get bombarded with uneasy questions they have to answer from the public. Prime Minister Tony Blair was on last night, tonight was the Mayor of London. When was the last time Mr 'Thief-In-Chief' Bush ever got a grilling from the public (that wasn't staged)? Does he ever go on Dateline, or even Regis and Kathy Lee? No, I don't think so. Do ANY American politicians actually talk to their constituents? I'm not saying the government is great -- far from it, believe me (you really don't want to get me started about how much I am hating Labour right now -- Liberal Democrats all the way baby!) -- but at least politicians here make themselves more accessible to the public, so they can be informed as to what is actually going on.
Plus parliamentary debates are so much fun! Have you ever seen one? It's better than Jerry Springer! Name calling, oh-so-deadly-but-terribly-polite insults, hair pulling -- all we need are some nekkid lesbians and we're good to go! *laughs* Can you even imagine the same sort of thing happening in Congress? Gods, that'd be hilarious. Pay-Per-View is really missing out on a goldmine here -- just think about something like Jesse Helms and Hilary Clinton having a verbal punch-up on live tv, and you'll see what I mean. Someone call HBO, I've found a replacement for Sex and the City! *lol*

Reason #1 America kicks Britain’s arse:

Kraft dinner.

Oh, I know what you're thinking. What exactly has Kraft Dinner to do with politics? Nothing really. It just kicks ass. Seriously. You people have no idea how good you have it with your Kraft Dinner. It represents all that is good and free and delicious about America. Britain is starved of good food that's quick and easy to prepare, and that doesn't taste like yak's milk soaked in brine. Don't berate the macaroni and cheese goodness! Have you tried British macaroni cheese? It's beyond bland -- whatever the 'cheese' in macaroni cheese is supposed to be, it certainly isn't one with any flavour. It's like eating squidgy cardboard. Bleaugh. But thanks to eyre_lasgalen I had the first Kraft Dinner I've had in years this afternoon, and it was like heaven. (Technically it was Canadian macaroni cheese, but the principle’s the same. ;-) This was the staple diet of my years at boarding school and university, eating this simple mac n' cheese was like eating happy memories. And it's just so yummy!
America is Kraft Dinner -- fast, easy, not exactly good for you, but oh so tasty!


Thus endeth the lesson. *grins*


Should I be worried that I couldn't stop crying (*sniffle* *wheeze*) watching the Buffy series 5 episode 'The Body' today? The absence of music and use of flashback just ripped me apart. I hadn't seen this one before (I stopped watching Buffy for a year because a) I hated Riley, b) Glory was the stupidest Big Bad ever and c) I really hate Riley) and I couldn't deal with Joyce's death. Admittedly I've been known to be hardly rational when it comes to Buffy characters -- when Buffy sent Angel to Hell in 'Becoming' I couldn't stop weeping, howling and mewing like a madwoman. I didn't even like Angel that much, but knowing that she had to sacrifice her love to save the world (again) was just heartbreaking. And that certainly isn't the only time, or the only show I get worked up about. (Gods, you should have seen me when Agent Pendrell was murdered on The X-files, I was utterly inconsolable.)
I really should stop getting so attached to fictional characters. *laughs* (NO! Fictional characters are my lifesblood, I love them and they love me! They're the only perfection in my imperfect world, I have to keep loving them...)


'Renee Zellweger felt like impostor on Chicago set'. HA! Damn skippy you felt like an impostor, you shouldn't have been there in the first place, you second rate hussy! Get off the stage and let the REAL musical theatre actors do a proper job!
Yes, I hate her. I'm sure most of you have encountered my venom for her before. She's a squinty eyed cow that should be banned from the screen. Godsforbid she ever decides to do theatre. UGH! I wish they had chosen ANYone but her for Roxie, but hey, I'm not a casting director, so the decision wasn't up to me. Good thing too, because if it was she'd be doing films that required her to be covered in prosthetics and completely silent, so we'd never have to see her face or hear her whiney voice ever again. Bwahahahaha. :)


And speaking of singing...I listened to two gorgeous songs tonight, sung by airemay and bluerhapsody. Whooot! My friends are so wonderfully talented. *beams with pride*
Leah honey, you're amazing. How many times do I need to tell you? :)


Ye gods, this is a long entry! Before I say goodnight, please welcome kmazzy, sylk and neverireven to the friends list! I know Kmazzy found me through mirabehn but I don't know the other two, so please speak up and say hello!


Ahhh, there's nothing like beautiful Irish music to make one feel calm and lovely inside. :)

Comments

[airemay.livejournal.com]

Awwwww. You're too kind. :D

Yeah for sobbing over Becoming. I have never cried so much over a TV show since. It was just heartbreaking. Especially when Angel came back at the LAST minute.

[escadevotion.livejournal.com]

heeee~ Yes, we are the nation of microwavable meals. Fear our lack of time and culinary skills. One time when I was at Wendy's I turned to my mother and said, "The best thing about the food in the states is the fake orange stuff. The food that glows radioactive orange is surprisingly good." I was discussing Wendy's cheese that goes over their baked potatoes= bliss.

And yes, our president is an idiot. One of my friends said he should be given a Rubik's cube and asked to solve it before he should make any more decisions for our country. I say it's a good idea. I added to her though that he should be surviellanced because he can always cheat and pull the little squares off.

Cheers,
Em

[angelislington.livejournal.com]

*laughs*

I absolutely love the radioactive orange stuff on the potatoes at Carl's Jr. I'm so depraved. *lol*
But I won't touch with a 50 foot pole that 'cheez inna can' stuff. That is just wrong, on so many levels. *shudders*

The 'President' should be given a primary school grammar quiz, before even thinking about going as far as the Rubik's cube, just so he can prove he knows how to spell his own damn name (without a White House aid whispering the answer into his ear). Let's face it, the impostor that sits in the oval office couldn't even tie his own shoelaces without daddy's help, and is going to try and prove he's a big boy (he can wear big kid pants too!) by bombing the hell out of Iraq. Yeeehaaaaaaa.

Re:

[escadevotion.livejournal.com]

hahahaha oh it's so sad but true.

*shudders* I hope to gods that we don't go to war. If that happens I'm leaving the country. Can I move to the UK and live with you? hahahaha. You can stuff me in a box and feed me through small punctured holes in the sides, and I'll smuggle Kraft dinners over. XD

*laughs*

[angelislington.livejournal.com]

Bring Kraft Dinner and peanut butter cups and you got yourself a deal. *grins*

Re: *laughs*

[escadevotion.livejournal.com]

yay!!!!

[laizeohbeets.livejournal.com]

hey! cheese in a can is GREAT. pure americanism at its best.

[sunnysky.livejournal.com]

so i completely just added you to my friends page if for no other reason than you have schmendrick the magician as one of your favorite boys.

wow. i love you already!!

[angelislington.livejournal.com]

YAYYY!

I've had a crush on Schmendrick since I was four years old. Go me! :D

And I of course know who the (in)famous Forgotten Faerie is. *grins* ;-)

*wanders off to add you to friends list*

[angelislington.livejournal.com]

BTW who is cheeseman and why do you want to bash him? *giggles*

Re:

[sunnysky.livejournal.com]

haha...well, its a story, let me tell you...

i go to osu, and i'm in the hockey pep band. we don't exactly show sportmanship (i mean, c'mon, thats for hs!! this is big ten!!), and we usually pick a player and keep yelling his name. like... coooooperrrrrr SUCKS!! its really fun.

well, we played lake superior state university last year, and they had a player named cheeseman. he was really bad. the game was over quickly, they were that bad.

so then, at another game that was lasting forever, someone said "ya know, if cheeseman were here, this game would be over"

then someone else said "yeah. if cheeseman were here, he would just destroy the rink and the game would be over."

it went on from there.

so then we decided that he's the ultimate evil in the universe. there are lots of weird inside jokes that go along with it, but i won't go into that. its just...weird.

but, that's cheeseman bashing in a nutshell!!

[angelislington.livejournal.com]

*laughs*

Aww, what a cute story. :)

[kmazzy.livejournal.com]

*waves*

see you tomorrow!

[ashfae.livejournal.com]

The Body is the best TV episode I have ever seen of anything. My god. We were all in tears, even the boy who showed up every week to watch with his girlfriends and swore he didn't like the show. Definitely no shame there. Augh, Joyce! We miss you, Joyce!

Kraft macaroni and cheese! I would be lost without it! *adds this to list of nifty things to send you* How about Hershey's chocolate syrup? Does it exist out there? That's what Melf was always begging for when she moved to Japan...

Regarding British vs. American politics, in fairness, Britain is a lot smaller and has many fewer people to deal with than America, so it's easier to talk to them. Which is not much of an argument, as I agree with you and fully intend to punch Dubya in the nose if I ever get a chance.

I guess that sylk might've found you through me. =) She's awesome, make her feel welcome.

[angelislington.livejournal.com]

It's good to know I'll always have you to support me with insane fangirlishness. *giggles*

No Hersey's anything here! I don't mind not having regular hersey's chocolate as it's nothing in comparison to Cadbury's, but I'd certainly like some proper chocolate milk! I bought some Nesquick to make chocolate milk with, but it isn't the same.

Britian is a dinky lil' country, but I'm sure even if it were bigger they'd still have those terrfic parliamentary catfights. *grins* (Oh, how I wish we could see one in the Senate! People might actually be interested in politics then.)

Oooh I bet she did. I shall have to give her an extra special hug for being so wise to have you as a friend. :)

[laizeohbeets.livejournal.com]

oh yes, you must be provided for, in pure kroger chocolate milk. it's my favorite, even if it's nothing fancy schmancy.

hershey's? bah. reese's, yes. hershey's no. nothing in comparison to ghiradelli.

[grenadier.livejournal.com]

*chokes on his cocoa*

"British politicians don't treat the people like inbred sheep with the intellectual capacity of a toaster. They actually talk to them, instead of mouthing off what they think their people want to hear."

o'course, some Politicians have the IQ of a toaster ^.^
And others have the personality of the afore mentioned kitchen appliance (In Deep S... I mean... Iain Duncan Smith)


Thankyou for a really good laugh this morning :)

[colours.livejournal.com]

Go Lib Dems :oD

and I *still* cry over repeats of Becoming. I keep studying all this stuff about television making you totally unsensitive to things, but damn - if a programme can affect me like that, it can't be all bad.

haven't watched the body in a while. may well do now, although watching s6 and s7 at the same time is confusion enough :oD

[angelislington.livejournal.com]

I think tv makes me more sensitive -- the other day I felt weepy over that Cancer UK advert, the one where the woman sings 'Fields of Gold' and all the people in mirrors disappear...I was actually sniffling! GAH! I'm such a sap. *laughs*

[marvo.livejournal.com]

Wow. Mega entry. Thank you :)

programmes like Question Time and get bombarded with uneasy questions they have to answer from the public

I agree with what your saying comparing Uk Politics to US.
But sorry to tell you, but Question Time IS set up. All the questions are known well in advance and 'chosen' by the panel.

I know this because I good friend of mine got to ask one once.

And he's a Lib-Dem Councillor now (Go Lib Dems) :)

macaroni cheese

The mere THOUGHT of macaroni cheese, Uk or US makes my stomach churn! I SO hate cheese!

Buffy series 5 episode 'The Body'

An excellent episode. I still think "Hush" Is the best they have done. But The Body is the most moving. (And "Once more with Feeling" the most entertaining)

cheese

[kmazzy.livejournal.com]

you hate cheese?

how can that be?

*is bemused*

[angelislington.livejournal.com]

You hate cheese? Are you human?? :-P

Yayyy for your friend! Lib Dems rule!

And yes, I'm sure all the questions are chosen in advance -- what I meant was the panel are sometimes asked extremely uncomfortable questions that would NEVER be allowed in an American forum, where the polititan has to always come out smelling of roses. Y'know what I mean?

Hush is truly an astounding piece of work. Definately one of the best. OMWF is just so delightful though, it's edging it's way into Numero Uno status for me. *G*

[akira114.livejournal.com]

I like Question Time, it's worth a good larf. You never see The Hill engaged in anything like that, it's great. In American politics, if they had a trial run of question time they would be so incompetent, and so not getting the point.

*hugs*

Akira

[shortypenguin.livejournal.com]

AHAH. Mmm...Kraft dinner. Y'know, that's what canadians call them. ^^

And Ooo...Frodo sho...pretty...

[angelislington.livejournal.com]

Hehehe yeah, I know. My gift pack of Kraft dinner was sent from Canada, plus I think it just sounds cute. *G*

Frodo? There's no Frodo on my jour...oh, wait, there he is. *laughs*

Wouldn't you rather drool over KURT instead? ;-)

[etoilepb.livejournal.com]

I'm certainly not going to argue with you about the politics. I think Bush is chief runner for the "moron most likely to start world war three" award. Plus, C-Span, Most Boring Channel On Earth, runs feed from the British Parliament late at night, and it's an absolute riot to watch. I'm sick to death of American politics. Unfortunately, as a poor 22-year-old, I don't stand much chance of changing it.

As for "Kraft dinner," for the last six months I've had cravings for the orange stuff myself. It was on sale 2/$1 a few weeks ago, so my roommates and I stocked up. The ones I really like, though, are Annie's macaroni and cheese. Not because it's the all-natural stuff--I bgan to eat it while I was babysitting for a family that did all its' shopping at Bread & Circus--but because it's really very good. You should get your hands on a box and try it, if you haven't already.

The downside of that, of course, is that those of us who can actually cook--from ingredients, and not from a cellophane prepack--are becoming rarer and rarer. Shame, really. Cooking's fun.

[angelislington.livejournal.com]

Hee! Everyone loves Kraft dinner! :D

I think I remember Annie's Macaroni, but they don't sell it here. I don't think they make any kind of organic macaroni cheese, but even if they did, I'm sure it'd still be the same bland, tasteless rubbish in the regular box. Phooo.
That's why I must rely on North Americans to send me delicious goodies! YES! :D

I wish I could cook. Then maybe a) I wouldn't spend so much money on microwave meals and things in tins, and b) whenever I do try to make something I wouldn't leave my kitchen looking like a bomb hit it. *laughs*

[trukkle.livejournal.com]

Kraft dinner, i get a strange mental image of you putting a Kraft cheese slice in a pan of water and it turning into macaroni an' cheese :)

Your arguements hold out well, our polititions are still (nearly) human and Americans have nice food. Well, there's still Nevvie and "Pie 'n' chips", I'm happy

+++ENTERING BLATANT LIE MODE+++
You big softie, nothing i saw on TV or in a book ever brought a tear to my eye, especially not a Buffy episode
+++END BLATANT LIE MODE+++

"Ahhh, there's nothing like beautiful Irish music"

How true :P
Well, ok, some of it is nice and catchy. Even calming. Just not the irritating type that loops after 3 seconds and never ends, ever.... at all

[angelislington.livejournal.com]

*laughs*

Kraft dinner is scrumptious! If I have the willpower I'll save a packet for you. Don't count on it though. ;-)

Hehehehe you fool me not with Blatant Lie Mode! I know you weep at the drop of a hat. Especially if it's a very nice hat. *giggles*

Hey, do you think I listen to irritating music? Don't insult me! :-P

*squish!*

[eyre-lasgalen.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you liked the KD, though it technically wasn't KD, it was Easy Mac. Which I actually prefer to KD. I like the taste better, it's quicker, and you can more easily control your portion. With KD, you only get one big box, and one box is too much for one person, but not enough for 2 people. You see the dilemma here. They really should have put a little more thought into that.

In other happy news, I'm going to be sending you another, much smaller package. It'll have the awesome pressie I got for you from EBay (so cute I considered keeping it!), a couple of toys and some more KD. Would you be interested in a pair of light purple Hello Kitty earmuffs? I think they're cute, but I don't think I can pull them off. I think you could pull them off, though, especially with your cute curly hair. Of course, if you're not interested in a pair of earmuffs, then that's fine too. I'll keep them.

I think that's everything that I have to say. See ya!

[angelislington.livejournal.com]

More KD! Must have moooooooooooooore! :D

I've been trying to be so good with the goodies you sent, rationing my chocolates and saving my KD...but now they're nearly gone! I just stuffed my face with Sweet Marie (mmmm) and Wunderbar (MMMMM) and now all I have left are Reeses Pieces, two Reeses bars, and three packets of Easy Mac. Oh, and the Egg Nog. I'm saving that for a special occasion. :)

I would love Hello Kitty earmuffs! My ears always get so cold in winter, but regular earmuffs make me look like a freak -- if I have something cute on them, I'll look even sillier, but at least I'll be intentionally freaky! Bring it on! *laughs*

[laizeohbeets.livejournal.com]

only two reese's bars? YOU ARE DEPRIVED. hey, didn't you know reese's was owned by hershey's? lol.

*prances around with easy mac and reese's*

now you've made me want processed cheese.

Yes, actually...

[condign.livejournal.com]

When was the last time Mr 'Thief-In-Chief' Bush ever got a grilling from the public (that wasn't staged)? Does he ever go on Dateline, or even Regis and Kathy Lee?

Yeah, they're called town-hall meetings. However, they're generally not televised.

As for Dateline or Regis, there's a longstanding tradition that Presidents address the country only directly, as far as TV goes. But turn on the TV on any Sunday morning, and you'll get your fill of politicos, particularly Senators and administration officials, talking to your heart's content.

To be honest, having lived in the UK for about 10 years now, you're dead wrong--US political discourse is far better. The British stuff has better popcorn value, but it's usually about nothing.

Re: Yes, actually...

[angelislington.livejournal.com]

Well hello there random person that I don't know.

You're welcome to stop by, and have your own opinions of course, but I would appreciate it if you actually say 'hello' if you're going to mini-flame me. :)

And anyway I meant 'popcorn value' as you call it, because that seems to be the only way to get people interested in ANYthing these days. I'm sure the Osbournes will be running for some political office soon, and I'm sure they'd win.

Re: Yes, actually...

[condign.livejournal.com]

Hello. You're on a friend's friends list. Hence the dropping by.

Sorry--I'm just getting annoyed at folks dragging down the US. It gets you down, living over here. Thankfully I won't be for long.

I used to think the same as you, actually, which is probably why you interpreted that as a 'flame.' There is no convert quite like an apostate, as they say.

Basically the 'popcorn value' of the debate covers a very sick and anemic level of political discourse. Yes, it's all very pretty, but not much thought goes into it. With very rare exceptions, the shows you mention aren't near as good as This Week or even Firing Line. The questions are phrased a lot better, but generally in a snide, self-satisfied way that is an attack, not a question.

Case in point: This morning on 'Hard Talk' the idiot host is trying to rattle an old Clinton-era North Korea hand. (Because these guys are oh so relevant.) He asks, "So, wouldn't you say that the North Koreans are just doing what you Americans taught them? Breaking international agreements, like you have been the last few years?" And the Clintonesque fellow demured, when the proper response was, "Look, you smarmy little self-important worm, wipe that ridiculous sneer off your face, get rid of the bloody comb-over, and get a clue. You can't abrogate a treaty that's not been ratified--you can just withdraw from it. That's not what North Korea did, and if you think it's the same thing, go back to A-level politics before you host a nationwide TV show."

What I've found is that the level of fact known in European political discourse is dreadfully low. :(

Oh, and the other thing is that I hate Kraft Cheese Dinner. Now Taco Bell, on the other hand, is a reason to be proud to be an American!

[sylk.livejournal.com]

Yep, I found you through Ashfae. You just seemed entirely too interesting. ^_^

I want to watch British politics, but not if it means giving up my macaroni and cheese. Can't I get the best of both worlds?

[angelislington.livejournal.com]

You just seemed entirely too interesting.

*blush!*

Thank you kindly! *curtsies* It is, of course, true. ;-)

[terratheelf.livejournal.com]

The whole thing about Kraft Dinner is very true. It does kick butt. And for the record, the only difference between canadian kraft dinner and american kraft dinner is canadians are lazy and call it KD most of the time. Taste wise, they are the same.

And very correct assessment of the American government and its puppet of a leader. I applaude you for it Nevvie. Wish I use the puppet excuse to explain why the Canadian government sucks the way it does. Sadly I cannot, our leader is just a moron in general.

[angelislington.livejournal.com]

Cretien...cretin. Need I ssy more? ;-)

At least Canada has never provoked anyone into war. Everybody loves Canada! *giggles*

[eyre-lasgalen.livejournal.com]

I agree with you both. We've never induced anyone into war. We've never so mistreated other countries to the point where they feel that terrorist actions are their only option. But, yes, our leader is a moron. Though not as big a moron as Bush. And Cretien (spelling?) is mostly harmless.

And I don't think Canadians call Kraft Dinner "KD" because we are lazy. Afterall, we spell words propperly, and leave in the u's (colour, honour, etc) and we've never shortened words from "night" to "nite" or "through" to "thru". LOL

Re:

[terratheelf.livejournal.com]

Very true. LOL
Maybe we just call it KD so we are different. Afterall, Canada has enough things that we do the same as Americans. And though its not a bad thing, its not a good thing either. We are gonna eventually lose our identity if we don't keep some things different. Like being a seperate country for instance. *hates the people who wanna merge Canada with the United States so they can legally take our resources*

[queeniefox.livejournal.com]

I still have no idea what a Kraft Dinner is. kraft cheese to me means synthetic cheese slices. How can this make a dinner?

[angelislington.livejournal.com]

Kraft Dinner is the brand name for a kind of macaroni cheese. It's soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo good. Mmmmm. :)

[ladynemo.livejournal.com]

*snerk*
That made me feel so much better. Thanks! *glomp*

Re:

[angelislington.livejournal.com]

Yayyyy!

I live to serve. *squishes*

Well, no actually. I would rather like other people to serve me, especially if they were Hobbity boys wearing kilts....mmmmmmmmm kilt....*stares off into space*

*giggles* :)