The Steeple Times

Tag: phrase

  • Daniel Rosenfeldt: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    Daniel Rosenfeldt: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    The Steeple Times asks the magician and musician Daniel Rosenfeldt: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

     

    The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom.” What’s your guiding force?

    Stephen Fry.

     

    “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

    Madonna has a great one: “Don’t cheat”. You can do what you like in life but you have to put in the work.

     

    Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2012?

    The fighting happening in the Middle East. People in this day and age killing each other over religious beliefs. How thick do you have to be to kill another person because they choose to believe in something different to you? It blows my mind.

     

    Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

    Tony Blair being Prime Minister… Not. ”Me?” Nothing at all. I’m rocking a fairy tale. Great childhood, great friends and family, I live in Copenhagen and I play guitar and perform magic for a living. What’s to miss?

     

    What might you swap all your wealth for?

    Peace of mind is priceless stuff.

     

    Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank.” What’s your view on the banking crisis?

    If this is the case, then the Greeks would be laughing, but they don’t look so happy to me so maybe Donald got it wrong. And it wouldn’t be the first time: he also backed Romney.

     

    What phrase or word do you most loathe?

    When people say: “To be honest”. It implies that they lie most other times.

     

    In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home.” What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

    I think we should help where we can. I perform magic in hospitals and for charity events. Everyone loves magic. Please look on my website to book me for this. I do it for free and it’s a big part of the reason I do what I do. I’m planning a tour through the hospitals in Copenhagen which starts in February.

     

    The judge in “Law Abiding Citizen” states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?

    That judge had it coming. Anyone against Gerard Butler is toast! Have you seen 300?

     

    If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

    The entire cast of QI, Rune Klan and his dog Balthazar, Benjamin Earl, Klaus Mulbjerg and Roland Rudd who would naturally start the speeches.

     

    Daniel Rosenfeldt

    If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

    Steak béarnaise at home with my parents and brothers.

     

    What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

    I put beer in pancake batter and it’s never too early for pancakes 🙂

     

    A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

    An ice cold beer, please.

     

    Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

    I like the ones that sneak up on you, you’re busy having fun and then all of a sudden Dario is dancing on the couch with a sheepskin and a lampshade on his head, air drumming.

     

    What’s your most guilty pleasure?

    I don’t feel guilty about things that please me. Except maybe Dario dancing on the couch with a sheep skin and a lamp shade on his head…

     

    If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

    Dario dancing on the couch… Nah!

     

    Who is the most positive person you know?

    Rune Klan.

     

    If you were a car, what marque would you be?

    I would like to imagine myself as a vintage Rolls but I think I’m more of a husky drawn sledge.

     

    Cilla Black presented “Surprise, Surprise.” Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

    I’m constantly surprised that I surprise people for a living. My parents are even more surprised!

     

    What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

    I look forward to having my own mantelpiece.

     

     

    Daniel Rosenfeldt is a magician and musician. His website can be viewed at: http://www.danielrosenfeldt.com Follow him on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/danielrrosenfeldt?ref=ts&fref=ts

     

    Watch a YouTube video of Daniel Roesenfeldt’s “A Christmas in South Africa” at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxvK7ZYn69I and an example of his magical talents at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUydpcbb_lo

     

  • Jax Martin: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    Jax Martin: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    The Steeple Times asks the financier turned fashion designer Jax Martin: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

     

    The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom.” What’s your guiding force?

    Love.

     

    “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

    “If the glove don’t fit, you must acquit.”

     

    Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2012?

    Reality TV personalities are unacceptable in any year (but to be clear Kerry Katona is still unacceptable).

     

    Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

    Sleep.

     

    What might you swap all your wealth for?

    High quality education for all children.

     

    Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank.” What’s your view on the banking crisis?

    Bankers who created complex financial instruments should not receive the brunt of the blame. Let us not forget the inept regulators who permitted these activities to flourish, causing the crisis to become much worse than it might have been.

     

    What phrase or word do you most loathe?

    “Reaching out.”

     

    In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home.” What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

    Good actions give strength to ourselves and inspire good actions in others.” Plato. I anonymously support several charitable causes related to: education, medical research, the arts and women’s and children’s issues.

     

    The judge in “Law Abiding Citizen” states: “I can pretty do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?

    You can’t live with them and you can’t live without them. But, I have no interest in listening to other people’s loud conversations on their mobiles.

     

    If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

    Oscar de La Renta, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Mao Tse Tung, Madonna and Ronald McDonald.

     

    Fashion designer Jax Martin

    If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

    I LOVE to eat; I would have a very large meal comprised of chateaubriand with shallot sauce, Cajun chicken and fries from Le Bilboquet and a bacon cheeseburger with grilled onions from Corner Bistro. All of the aforementioned would be served with a bottle of Gevrey-Chambertin. For dessert, I would have a slice of mille-feuille with fresh cut strawberries on the side. If I were allowed to dine outside of death row, I would have the meal served in either Trancoso in Bahia, Brazil or José Ignacio in Punta del Este, Uruguay.

     

    What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

    This question makes the assumption that somehow one has stopped partying from the previous evening.

     

    A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

    A martini.

     

    Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

    It doesn’t matter who throws the party, it’s the company you carry that makes the party.

     

    Who is the most positive person you know?

    Lucy.

     

    What’s your most guilty pleasure?

    Can’t say.

     

    If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

    A phoenix.

     

    If you were a car, what marque would you be?

    A Koenigsegg Agera R.

     

    Cilla Black presented “Surprise, Surprise.” Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

    While I was in engineering school, I was also a professional dancer.

     

    What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

    An antique Buddha, candles and a couple of black and white family photographs.

     

     

    British designer Jax Martin is a former financier and professional dancer. A graduate of Columbia University, Martin also has an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and began her career in the hedge fund business. She now creates “chic clothing for today’s woman” and states: “I live to make women feel great and look fabulous”.

     

    For more information about Jax Martin, go to: http://jaxmartin.co.uk

  • Michael Collins: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    Michael Collins: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

    The Steeple Times asks molecular cuisine guru and managing director of Bubble Food Michael Collins: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”

     

    The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom.” What’s your guiding force?

    Passion and creativity.

                                                                                           

    “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

    “Never put all your eggs in one basket.”

     

    Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2012?

    Bad hair.

     

    Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

    My mum’s home cooking.

     

    What might you swap all your wealth for?

    More money.

     

    Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank.” What’s your view on the banking crisis?

    The bubble had to burst at some point. I’m lucky as sticking to my motto meant that it didn’t affect me too much.

     

    What phrase or word do you most loathe?

    There is not really a phrase or word I loathe but I hate it when people give excuses.

     

    In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home.” What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

    I support various good causes, both personally and through my company. I get very fed up with the street fundraisers with their clipboards who try to stop you every three paces to sign up to their charity.

     

    The judge in “Law Abiding Citizen” states: “I can pretty do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?

    I’m terrible. I couldn’t live without my phone.

     

    If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

    My lovely Bubble team. We would have lots of fun and do some teambuilding at the same time.

     

    Bubble Food’s Michael Collins

    If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

    I would go to The Ivy and have their amazing chicken korma.

     

    What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

    11am: “gin and it” for elevenses.

     

    A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

    A martini. We do a great “Pink Peppercorn Martini” at Bubble and for Christmas our head mixologist has created a “Snowing Black Forest Martini” complete with white chocolate snow. It’s delicious.

     

    Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

    My own because they’re full of all my favourite people and Bubble does the food and drinks. As a result, the guests seem to always be happy.

     

    Who is the most positive person you know?

    Betty White of Golden Girls fame. I love her.

     

    What’s your most guilty pleasure?

    Bubble’s head chef makes the most divine dessert. It’s a chocolate bubble containing salt toffee mousse, pomegranate and popping candy. Hot yoghurt sauce is poured over the bubble and it kind of implodes. Amazing.  I’ve been told it’s very low in calories though.

     

    If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

    An eagle: It’d be serene and soaring high with prey in its talons.

     

    If you were a car, what marque would you be?

    A Lamborghini.

     

    Cilla Black presented “Surprise, Surprise.” Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

    Although I’ve been in the events and hospitality sector for over 15 years, I originally studied construction and trained as a chartered surveyor.

     

    What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

    A nude picture of myself from when I first came to live in London.

     

     

    Michael Collins is the managing director of Bubble Food, one of London’s leading food design and events companies. The company specialises in molecular cuisine and their clients number Helena Bonham-Carter, Bella Freud and Jemima Khan.

     

    For more information about Bubble Food telephone +44 (0) 20 7703 2653 or go to: http://www.bubblefood.com

  • Hugh Bonneville

    Hugh Bonneville

    In his role as Downton Abbey’s Lord Grantham, this actor warned that “scandals” always have a habit of coming out. He graduated in Theology at Cambridge but, according to Adam Helliker of the Daily Express, Bonneville wasn’t especially keen to show Christian compassion towards Lord Archer at a party at The Cadogan Hotel when it was requested that the pair be photographed together.

  • Do you “chitter-chatter”?

    Do you “chitter-chatter”?

    The phrase “chit-chat”

     

    This morning, as I walked through the streets of Chelsea, I heard a lady blabbering into her mobile telephone about how she’d had a “chit-chat” with her friend. I cringed. I don’t know why, but I do truly hate this phrase.

     

    To “chit-chat” or “not to chit-chat”: that is the question

    My first encounter with “chit-chat” was in the early 2000s when I knew a certain rival of the especially lowbrow glamour model Jordan (AKA Katie Price). This individual, since married off to an equally esteemed chap from Essex, used to call me and say: “ ‘Allo, I’m just giving ya a tinkle-tankle for a bit of a chit-chat.” Her words stuck in my mind and now every time I hear those words, I sadly think of her.

     

    A Google search on the origins of “chit-chat” produces two separate citations from 1710. The first comes in Samuel Palmer’s Moral essays on some of the most curious English, Scotch, and foreign proverbs:

    “ ‘Tis the custom of foolish people … in their chit chat to be always biting people’s reputation behind their back.”

     

    A second mention comes in a piece by Sir Richard Steele in edition 197 of The Tatler:

     

    “If Ralph had Learning added to the common Chit-Chat of the Town.”

     

    Is this a phrase to embrace or one that should be consigned to the dustbin of history? I think you know my view.

  • “Enjoy”: an overused word

    “Enjoy”: an overused word

    It’s just not “enjoyable”

     

    In a five star hotel last week, a waitress followed the delivery of every course with the phrase: “Please enjoy.” My guest and I commented on it each time and today, on a show named Come Dine With Me, I noticed that a hostess included the word “enjoy” anytime she did anything. I felt like throwing something at the television every time she uttered a word to which she really did not attach any genuine meaning to.

     

    Saatchi & Saatchi’s “Enjoy Responsibly.” advert for Renault

    Coca Cola base their marketing primarily around the use of the word “enjoy” also and an advertising campaign for Renault by Saatchi & Saatchi focuses on responsible enjoyment. Frankly, though, it’s reached a point where this word has simply been used too often and too insincerely.

     

    Of course we all wish to “enjoy” what we are doing, but please could the overuse of this word just cease? Everyone will find any experience vastly more enjoyable as a result.

     

    Enjoy!