A Taste of Britain

So I'm done school for the semester and I think it's the first time in my life that I'm actually sad to say good-bye to school for the Christmas holidays. That's how awesome this program is. I miss everyone already.

Anyways, today I did the last of my Christmas shopping and, since it is a Monday, the mall wasn't too busy. It was bustlier (Webster take note of that one) than a Monday in, say... February, but it was still relatively normal. As I walked into that little store called "A Taste of Britain" an overwhelming instinct came over me and I couldn't stop myself from using my British accent. While my British accent is actually not too bad, it was very strange to me that I couldn't control my use of it. When I went to make my purchase, the lady behind the counter (who wasn't British by-the-way) grinned at me and nodded as if with some twisted kind of approval that I was "British" and I had bestowed upon her the greatest honour of shopping in her little store. Just imagine her little old face if she ever found out that I was an imposter. She would be crushed! Funny, yet slightly sad at the same time.

Aside from that, it's an adorable little store. I love everything in there (save for one or two things) and it just has a great feeling about it. It just makes me want to move to Britain (specific place as yet undecided) all the more. However, I did run into something that I think should never exist even in it's original form, let alone a "canned" version. As if someone can't bear to spend all that time making it from scratch (which is really where the charm of it lies, am I right?) but they need it not only immediately, but they need to be able to store it indefinitely for emergency uses. Behold, readers, canned Scottish Haggis:



As you can see, it is traditional haggis made with the finest ingredients. In case you are unfamiliar with this succulent dish, the recipe includes a sheep's heart, liver, and lungs cooked inside the sheep's stomach (or the bladder if you prefer, because haggis isn't gross enough already). It's skinless as well, which makes no sense unless evolution has somehow given sheep the ability to grow skin on their lungs.

Luckily, I soon after found the shortbread and English toffee, and the urge to hurl all over the Manchester United pennants quickly subsided.

I really think I was born in the wrong country. God save the Queen and all that.



That was Rowan Atkinson, obviously. Pride of England.

Oh yeah, Christmas is in five days. That's pretty sweet. I'm doing my Christmas baking over the next few days. That should be fun. I'm surprised every year when I actually take on the task of Christmas baking because throughout the rest of the year, I'm quite possible the most horrendous cook you will ever... read the blog of... Right. Well, let's just call it Christmas magic that I haven't killed anyone yet.

Pip pip.

M'Colleague

I would like to share something with everyone. I would like to introduce you to someone who you should already know but I won't judge you too harshly if you don't. I would like you to come to know the incredible awesomeness of the wonderful and fine and darling and beautifully vulgar and fluffy and silly and elloquent and intelligent and marvelously British... Stephen Fry.



Now, you may know of Stephen Fry either through your own wonderful discovery or through my enthusiasm of his best friend in the whole wide world, Hugh Laurie. Or maybe you don't, and you will now let me educate you. OK, I'm not going to be doing The Biography Channel presents Stephen Fry here, so you can look up the gritty details on your own, and you will want to.

Here's a good documentary on the history of Fry & Laurie. It's all about their friendship (or as I like to call the ultimate bromance) and their history as a comedy team. Here.

So, I would just like to share some videos of the genius that is Stephen Fry (and a bit of Hugh Laurie) with you.

I'll start by sharing a clip from "A Bit of Fry and Laurie". Stephen is well-known for his complete mastery of the English language and often spoofs his image as a pretentious Brit (which he absolutely isn't). Here he is in a sketch with Hugh making fun of language:



Hugh and Stephen are also famous for their blatant use of sexual innuendo in their sketches in order to get around the censors. While most of their sketches use it in some way, here's the epitome of double entendre sketches:



Stephen and Hugh are also known for their sketches being some of the most random, yet completely hilarious, in British sketch-comedy history. Here is one that I think is one of Stephen's funniest, and most random, sketches:



After they finished "A Bit of Fry and Laurie" and moved on to bigger things, Stephen made Wilde which remains his most famous and acclaimed film role. He plays Oscar Wilde in the biopic and is fabulous. Stephen doesn't really do many films (other than supporting roles) any more, which is a shame. Here's Wilde:



Recently, Stephen does more documentary series' for the BBC than anything else (that and being one of the most prominent Twitter personalities, voicing audiobook versions of works like Harry Potter, and being on top of everything to do with technology). One of the ones I haven't seen but want to is Stephen Fry in America. Here's a clip:



Stephen is a vocal proponent of censorship, particularly of swearing. Here's his brilliant explanation:



Lately, like I said, his major motion picture presence is mostly cameos and supporting roles (as he is a supremely busy man). One of his most recent was in Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland superbly voicing the Cheshire Cat:



He is also a very proud and passionate defender of his beliefs. Here he is supporting the negative side of a debate about whether the Catholic church is a force for good in the world. He is a brilliant orator, a truly magnificent mind, and possesses a gift for reason and rational thinking. I know this video is long, but you would be doing yourself a great disservice if you don't watch it.


The Intelligence² Debate - Stephen Fry (Unedited)


Well, I think he's just marvelous. Some of his other credits that I didn't include but could have included his hilarious role as General/Lord Melchett (among others) in "Blackadder", his recurring role on the TV series "Bones" and numerous other films.

Here's something to look forward to! He will be playing Sherlock's older brother Mycroft Holmes in the sequel to Sherlock Holmes opposite Robert Downey Jr. which they are currently filming! You can imagine just how elated I am!

Love live Stephen Fry and his lovable Fry-ness.

Baaaah!