Author Archives: platinumal

Questions #5: Sandwich Fillings

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We’re getting peckish once again at Platinum Al’s Virtual Hot Tub.  Time for a snack.  How about a sandwich, filled with whatever you like?

Here’s the proposition.  The Virtual Hot Tub snack bar will create any sandwich you like, with up to three fillings.  You can have whatever bread you want, and as much salad as you can cram in there – a bit like Subway.

Except grated carrot.  Why would anyone want carrot on a sandwich???

Anyway, just pick three items to fill your sandwich with.  The Virtual Hot Tub sandwich makers will put it together for you, whatever you like.

Q: Which three items would you pick for your ideal sandwich filler?

Jayne

  1. Chicken
  2. Bacon
  3. Cheese

Jack

  1. Pepperoni
  2. Cheese
  3. Bacon

Si

  1. Meatballs
  2. Onion
  3. Cheese

Terry

  1. Ham
  2. Cheese
  3. Bacon

Dan

  1. Chicken
  2. Bacon
  3. Cheese

Ash

  1. Sausage
  2. Bacon
  3. Cheese

Joe

  1. Beef
  2. Ham
  3. Cheese

Natasha

  1. Cottage pie
  2. Sausage & mash

Stu

  1. Sausage
  2. Fried egg
  3. Hash brown

Ben

  1. Chicken tikka
  2. Glastonbury mature cheddar cheese
  3. Nachos

Jon

  1. Smoked salmon
  2. Cream cheese & chive
  3. Rocket lettuce

Mike

  1. Turkey
  2. Cranberry
  3. Stuffing

Sam

  1. Fishfinger sandwich

Me

  1. Chorizo
  2. Cheese
  3. Chicken

There you go.  What three would you choose?  Please leave a reply below and let us know.

Random Bike Ride Playlist #6

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This was a fun one.  Lots of uphill.  Going fast downhill.  Got chased by a dog.  13.36 miles, iPod on shuffle:

  1. The Misfits – “Crimson Ghost”
  2. Muse – “Screenager”
  3. Dio – “Straight Through the Heart (Live)”
  4. Jimi Hendrix Experience – “Foxy Lady”
  5. Angel Witch – “Dr. Phibes”
  6. Johnny Cash – “Cocaine Blues”
  7. Los Olvidados – “Going Down”
  8. Soundgarden – “Somewhere”
  9. Devo – “Girl U Want”
  10. Dio – “Mystery”
  11. Matt Monro – “Hey”
  12. Dusty Springfield – “I’m Coming Home Again”
  13. The Cult – “The Witch”
  14. Howlin’ Wolf – “Sittin’ On Top of the World”
  15. Mudhoney – “In the Winner’s Circle”
  16. Melvins – “Missing”
  17. Rocket From The Crypt – “Poison Eye”
  18. Weezer – “Troublemaker”
  19. Bob Dylan – “Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat”
  20. Sham 69 – “They Don’t Understand (Live at the BBC)”
  21. Van Halen – “Mean Street”
  22. John Lee Hooker – “I’m Going Upstairs”
  23. Hard-Ons – “Breakfast Caramel”
  24. Stereophonics – “Check My Eyelids for Holes”
  25. Black Flag – “Annihilate This Week”
  26. Mudhoney – “Magnolia Caboose Babyshit”
  27. Lit – “Lovely Day”
  28. Rob Zombie – “Return of the Phantom Stranger (Tuesday Night at the Chop Shop Mix)”
  29. SNFU – “Bobbitt”

Double Melvins, double Mudhoney, double Dio!

Tat Trek Update #3: Elvis Beach Towel

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It’s been a while since I last updated the Virtual Hot Tub.  And a while longer since we had a Tat Update.  This one’s a stormer.

Item: “Elvisly Yours” Beach Towel

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Elvis beach towel on location

Description: a standard beach towel bearing the image of the King himself, Elvis Presley – in the full on white jumpsuit.

Cost = approx £5.

Bought at: Rhyl, of course.

Reason for buying: I wanted a beach towel, and this one’s got Elvis on it.

In the temple of tat, there are two kings: the big Mr J Christ and our other good buddy, the one and only King of Rock’n’Roll – Elvis Presley.  Any item with the image of Elvis on automatically attains cool status, as far as I’m concerned.

This piece is both fun and functional – I used it on my recent summer holiday to Greece.  And yes, I am a fan of the King (though I prefer Johnny Cash if I had to choose).  I just can’t help believin’ that this is a great item for the Tat collection.

What do you think of this item? Don’t be cruel – leave a comment and let me know!

Questions #4: Wrestler Intro Music

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You’re a famous WWF wrestler.  Tonight is a big match as you face your greatest nemesis.  The crowds roar and the lights blaze.  Dry ice clouds the air.

Back stage you are almost ready to go on – to take the long walk down to the ring.  But what would your intro song of choice be?

Here are the answers I got to that question:

Q: If you were a wrestler, what would your intro song be?

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El Taco Grande

Alix: “Gabriel’s Oboe” – Ennio Morricone

Joe: “Enter Sandman” – Metallica

Mike: “Crawling in the Dark” – Hoobastank

Wolfie: “Sail” – Awolnation

Terry: “Here I Go Again” – Whitesnake

Jamie: “Walk This Way” – Aerosmith

Gareth: “Song 2” – Blur

Sam: “Danger Zone” – Kenny Loggins

Ben: “Jungle Boogie” – Kool and the Gang

Jon: “Don’t You Want Me” – Human League

Me: “Highway to Hell” – AC/DC

We’ll leave discussions about names, outfits and signature moves for another time…

 

Random Bike Ride Playlist #5

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A mission up the river.  No chopper cover.  Just the mission, the river, the bike and me.  This was my soundtrack.

Again some interesting choices from Ipodicus, covering several different genres.  I particularly enjoyed the Finale from Return of the Jedi – nearly brought a tear to my eye!

If you’re not a fan of these random lists, click away now – this is the longest yet.  22.5 miles.

  1. Free Beer – “We Are Free Beer (We Got the Beer)”
  2. Tom Jones – “Delilah”
  3. Groove Armada – “At the River”
  4. Shania Twain – “From This Moment On”
  5. The Who – “Pictures of Lily”
  6. Pantera – “Walk”
  7. Cypress Hill – “Hits from the Bong”
  8. System of a Down – “Aerials”
  9. John Williams – “Victory Celebration/End Title” (from Return of the Jedi!)
  10. Steve Jones – “Leave Your Shoes On”
  11. Eminem – “Under the Influence”
  12. Fun Lovin’ Criminals – “Friday Night”
  13. Imelda May – “Tainted Love”
  14. Fishbone – “Those Days Are Gone”
  15. Ramones – “Have You Ever Seen the Rain”
  16. Dusty Springfield – “Some of Your Lovin'”
  17. Hayseed Dixie – “Whole Lotta Rosie”
  18. Suicidal Tendencies – “Pledge Your Allegiance”
  19. Beach Boys – “Let Him Run Wild”
  20. Orange Goblin – “Hot Magic, Red Planet”
  21. Ramones – “Wart Hog”
  22. Toto – “Africa”
  23. Ween – “Happy Colored Marbles”
  24. L7 – “Me, Myself and I”
  25. The Yardbirds – “For Your Love”
  26. Tom Waits – “Jersey Girl”
  27. Motorhead – “Crazy Like a Fox”
  28. Beck – “Derelict”
  29. Fishbone – “Sunless Saturday”
  30. Sound of Guns – “Antarctica”
  31. Joe Walsh – “Time Out”
  32. Danzig – “Black Acid Devil”
  33. Manic Street Preachers – “Nat West – Barclays – Midlands – Lloyds”

Cheeky Vimto

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It’s time for a tipple at Platinum Al’s Virtual Hot Tub.  This one’s an old classic – I’m sure you’ve tried it, if not – enjoy!

Cheeky Vimto

  • 1 measure ruby port
  • Blue WKD
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Cheeky Vimto

Really simple to make: pour one measure of port into a large tumbler.  Top up with WKD of the blue variety.

You will create a drink that looks, smells and tastes just like a fizzy Vimto – but with a hidden punch.

Play around with the amount of WKD you add – but the colour should be a dark purple, not translucent at all.

It’s been a long while since I was introduced to the Cheeky Vimto, and it became a favourite for a while.  It was the Vodka/Redbull of it’s day.  I have fond memories of introducing this drink to several weary travellers when we got home from Amsterdam on Baz Coppack’s stag do.

Well worth re-discovering.

Soundtrack: Stereophonics

By the way, I say “W-K-D” (the initials) not “Wicked”.  I hate the word “wicked” when used in that way.  You do not sound cool if you say, “Hey, that’s wicked!”.  You sound like a pretend cockney who thinks they’re a “geezer”.

Say “rad” or “killer” instead and avoid looking like a chimp.

Random Bike Ride Playlist #4

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Some interesting choices from Ipodicus, Greek god of digital music.  11.75 miles.

  1. Eminem – “Kill You”
  2. Gang Green – “I’m Still Young”
  3. Roni Size – “Share the Fall”
  4. Air – “Lucky and Unhappy”
  5. Tom Jones – “Kiss”
  6. Lil’ Kim – “Queen Bitch”
  7. John Lee Hooker – “I’m a Boogie Man”
  8. Beastie Boys – “Sneakin’ Out the Hospital”
  9. The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – “Mean Heart”
  10. The Damned – “Disguise”
  11. Fu Manchu – “Time to Fly”
  12. Reverend Horton Heat – “Holy Roller”
  13. SNFU – “Spaceghost, the Twins & Blip”
  14. The Clash – “Brand New Cadillac”
  15. House of Pain – “Jump Around”
  16. Roxy Music – “Same Old Scene”
  17. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – “When I First Came to Town”
  18. The Beach Boys – “Aren’t You Glad”
  19. Red Hot Chili Peppers – “Punk Rock Classic”
  20. David Guetta ft Kelly Rowland – “When Love Takes Over”
  21. Black Flag – “Drinking and Driving”
  22. Hanna-Barbera – “Yakky Doodle (Syndicated Titles with Sub-Main Title)”
  23. Janis Joplin – “Move Over”

 

Skateboard Museum: Variflex Joker

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After the red plastic skateboard, I “graduated” to what was commonly known as a Turbo Two. These were larger, wider boards in the contemporary style, but cheap Far East versions. It was another step up, but I soon learned that the board wasn’t going to last long.

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Variflex Joker. Camera strap in view AGAIN.

My next skateboard was a slight step up again – a Variflex Joker. This was a complete board sold with higher grade components. Aluminium trucks, polyurethane wheels and the deck itself had a much nicer shape and feel.

The graphics were also a really good job and very much in the style of the time. A skull wearing a jester’s hat, with a playing card design. Not exactly Powell Peralta but still very cool. It actually looked like someone at Variflex had taken a sneak peak at VCJ’s sketchbook and stolen the idea. Powell must have been mad.

However Variflex were not in the best shape in the late 80’s – they’d fallen to being a purveyor of intro level complete boards and were not in the same league as Powell, Santa Cruz or Vision. A nice board for a starter, the Joker would also be superseded by a higher quality deck.

I kept the trucks and wheels though for a while, and put them on my next set up. This was a Zorlac deck which I rode for a while with the Variflex under carriage, until I was able to afford Indy’s and Santa Cruz wheels.

I don’t remember what happened to my original Variflex Joker. Around 2006 I found a website selling new Variflex skateboards – apparently old stock rather than re-issues – and picked this sample up for a very reasonable price. It was in perfect condition and came complete with all the plastics, everything. I’ve only ever ridden it a couple of times as this skateboard is really just a memento. It’s a great item to have in my Skateboard Museum.

Technical Specifications:

  • Length: 30.5″
  • Width: 10.25″
  • Wheelbase: 15.75″
  • Wooden deck with concave and kicktail (complete with griptape)
  • Metal Variflex trucks
  • Variflex Street Rage II wheels (polyurethane, estimated 90a)
  • Plastic rails, nose saver, tail saver, copers and lapper

Purchased from Skate Pool

Soundtrack: Metallica, Anthrax, The Stupids

 

Pasta Sauce recipe

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Here’s a recipe for pasta sauce. I would recommend this sauce to be served with meatballs (and pasta of your choice).

Now I’m not one for bragging, but my pasta sauce is gaining quite a reputation as a fine example of the art. And what’s the key ingredient?

AUDACITY.

Do not be afraid, be bold – and this sauce will create itself. The more daring you are the better the results will be.

Pasta Sauce 

  • Onion
  • Green or red pepper
  • Chopped tomatoes (tin of)
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Garlic paste
  • Tomato puree
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Tabasco sauce
  • Tomato sauce
  • Chilli powder
  • Olive oil
  • Mixed herbs (including Oregano)
  • Sugar
  • Optional: Salsa sauce

Heat some oil in a large pan. When the oil is hot, chop the onion and pepper and put in the pan. Stir and cook the onion and pepper, add some salt and pepper to season.

Add the tin of tomatoes and simmer. After a few minutes, add the tomato puree. Then add Tabasco and Worcestershire sauce – as much as you dare. You will need to add the garlic paste (about half a teaspoon) next, not forgetting to flow the salt and pepper too.

Now is the time to add the rest of the ingredients as you like. Be liberal with your chilli powder – if you dare – and add more Tabasco and Worcestershire sauce. If you have some salsa sauce (try Lidl) or dip, throw a bit of that in. I also like to add a squirt of tomato sauce. Some folks like to add a teaspoon full of sugar, to counter act the acidity of the tomatoes – this is up to you. This is a very simple recipe, I’m sharing it as the message is to play around and see what works. You will notice that I’ve not stated any measurements above as this is the fun part – experiment and see what you can add.

Finally, don’t forget to add the mixed herbs. A generous amount of Oregano will develop an authentic Italian aroma.

Simmer the sauce for a good ten minutes. You will have cooked your meatballs in the oven by now, add them to the sauce when ready.

Prepare the pasta of your choice, and serve together with the meatballs and sauce when ready. Finally, finish with some parmesan cheese.

I hope you enjoy the pasta sauce. Do not be constrained by exact quantities with this recipe – fly free like the brave eagle over the plains, and the joys of exquisite pasta sauce shall be delivered to you.