My main problem at the moment is that I’m missing my usual noodle. Yes, noodle. My main-problem is noodle-based, and I do realise a) how fortunate that is, and b) how many other billion things there must be in the world to write about. I’ll get to them later.
Noodles are for me, as for many, the ideal ‘I’m too fucking tired to think about food’ food. I love cooking, and I love much more complex food things, but - mainly in depressive states, but in tired states and all other states too, I love noodle.
And I love a specific type of noodle, which is the one you get in seemingly every corner shop in North London. Also in Glasgow’s West End. Koka. God bless them. I’m a Koka-fiend. And am lucky that every place I’ve lived is noodle-replete, Kokally speaking.
But not, it seems, in Brighton, EVEN THOUGH there are lots of bastard styoodents living here.
Unable to get my hands on a reliable Koka-dealer, I visited my very local noodle-emporium/supermarket-type place. I now have 9 different brands of ramen noodles in my cupboard, which I will be slowly noodling through as the week goes on. I will let you know the result. Lucky you, clearly.
In the meantime, if you want to hear a rare recording of ‘Corporate Anna’ - this year’s new sell-out doll (ha!) - you can pull my string and hear me here. Yes, I know it’s about football. No, you don’t have to listen to the whole thing, just the first thirty seconds. Yes, I know I sound silly.
Thing is, there’s a problem with noodles. It’s the same as the problem with spaghetti. i.e. Quick and easy to make, but afterwards you have to go and change your clothes and put the old ones in the washing machine. Tasty food. But messy. Very messy.
Comment by Miss Nomer — 13 June, 2006 12:23 pm
noodles = yummy.
9p tesco noodles = VEH VEH yummy.
i have my noodles drenched in blue dragon sweet chilli sauce. Nectar of life it is.
Comment by marycub — 13 June, 2006 12:41 pm
I have heard tell of these mythical 9pnoodles.
I don’t know whether I believe it as yet, or whether there is a big enough tesco nearby.
Or whether I prefer to kid myself that I am *not* eating like a fucking styoodent, but rather like a cosmipolitan-type by eating snack-food with foriegn writing on.
Comment by anna — 13 June, 2006 12:47 pm
Noodles are deelish, but why do they always taste better when someone else makes them? Thai, chinese, japanese - doesn’t matter. I think they need that fat coating that only a commercial kitchen can dispense.
Comment by Emily — 13 June, 2006 12:51 pm
Oh crap I just put my earphone into the microphone socket again. Much hilarity ensued….
MMM noodles noodles noodles…
How are you finding Brighton? I love it there, but when I visited a couple of weeks ago, some bum student shouted “you’re old” as a friend and I walked down the road towards Kemptown after a night out. We’re 25.
Comment by Amy — 13 June, 2006 1:08 pm
OK Amy, They may have shouted that you’re old (in which case I’m sodding ancient), but consider this: If they think that 25 is old, then they’ll be old that much quicker than somebody rational.
Of course, being students, they probably didn’t shout ‘you’re old’, they probably shouted ‘youre old’.
Comment by two left feet — 13 June, 2006 1:36 pm
Maybe there aren’t any Koka noodles in Brighton because the students ate them all before you got there. Now that you are there the stock-control computers at the supermarkets will register a surplus of noodles in Islington and a shortage in Brighton, shift a few boxes south and you’ll be fine. You just have to wait for the world to catch up with you.
Comment by Damian — 13 June, 2006 1:37 pm
Have you tried Taj (opposite waitrose). Good noodle dispensery.
Comment by chillicheese — 13 June, 2006 2:16 pm
I don’t know where Waitrose is, CC.
I don’t know where Anything is.
*little sad face*
Comment by anna — 13 June, 2006 2:20 pm
Thank you two left feet. I feel much better.
And hungry now but there’s only a snack machine here to feed me. I shall feast on cheddars on a bed of niknaks served with jus d’toffee crisp. All washed down with Coca Cola (early 2006 vintage).
Just read your guardian blog about Charles and Camillas wedding (I’m a bit sloooooowwwwww). So so funny!!!
Comment by Amy — 13 June, 2006 2:31 pm
Very impressive Voiceover spot!
It takes a special talent to talk that fast and clearly, but still keep that dramatic edge of authority and character (which qualities call for talking slowly I’d think)
I read an article about radio voices that explained the successful media voice all depends on how many frequencies a particular voice generates. Gosh only knows many a fortune has been made on having the right voice.
Comment by jon — 13 June, 2006 3:16 pm
A fortune, you say?! Where? WHERE?!
Comment by anna — 13 June, 2006 3:21 pm
Despite being of the dreaded “styoodent” type, I had to admit generally trying to avoid noodles of any description on the grounds that once after eating noodles I had nightmares. About noodles. In said nightmare the only thing left to eat in the world was noodles and this lack of choice left me waking up in a cold sweat, vowing to not eat noodles again.
Comment by Hannah — 13 June, 2006 5:29 pm
I had an actor friend who used to do occasional voiceover work.
I suppose it’s all in landing the right long term gig… to become a spokesperson for a particular media product.
Of course the term fortune is all relative. Or maybe it’s just an illusion on my part. Most likely that’s it.
I used to have illusions about publishing and fortunes too. I suppose the whole problem in making a living in any creative endeavor is that there exists that small group at the tip of the food chain who serve to provide the illusion for everyone else to follow. Or something like that.
Not sure where Noodles figure into the food chain… someplace amusing no doubt.
But still, adding ‘Corporate Voiceover Dominatrix’ to one’s resume seems impressive.
:0)
j
Comment by jon — 13 June, 2006 5:36 pm
Dammn Packard, you know you sound surprisingly hot. Youv’e really got that BBC sexy news thig going on.
No offence.
Comment by Patrick — 13 June, 2006 7:18 pm
Dominatrix? Hmmm.
Comment by Em³ — 13 June, 2006 8:32 pm
Great voice and lead in. Someone should totally remix you.
Comment by Adrian — 13 June, 2006 10:26 pm
I took out my contact lenses, then read the comments. somehow misread 14, mixed ‘voiceover work’ with bits of ‘long term gig’ to read it as ‘legover work.’ Nice if you can get it, I suppose.
Splendid voiceover, said as if you really meant it too.
Nice noodle bar round the corner from my daughter in Islington. Can’t get Koka in my corner of Norfolk though, I don’t think.
Comment by z — 13 June, 2006 11:16 pm
Dang, missed out on the dominatrix as Day 5 had been posted over the top of your intro to Day 4 before I got there!
Comment by Richard — 14 June, 2006 8:13 am
Sorry, meant to add:
Waitrose
130-134 Western Road
Brighton
East Sussex
BN1 2LA
Comment by Richard — 14 June, 2006 8:15 am
Phew, that explains a lot. (i.e.comment 19)
Comment by AndyB — 14 June, 2006 9:10 am
i’d buy the tesco 9p noodles even if i wasn’t a stoodent. Oh wait i’m not anymore i finished a week ago hurray! i’ve found the 9p noodle to taste better than the other standard noodles in tesco. And it makes great chicken noodle soup!
Mmmm
Comment by marycub — 14 June, 2006 10:35 am
did the football guy *really* say “yes indoodey”?
Taking Rooney-mania to the Ned Flanders extreme!
Comment by chris — 15 June, 2006 9:03 am
Sorba noodles. With sesame seeds, stir fried veggies. mmmm.
Comment by guyana-gyal — 15 June, 2006 1:21 pm
Once you’ve found Waitrose you may need further guidance so I’ve put a quick guide to Brighton on my blog. and in wide-screen here.
Comment by chillicheese — 15 June, 2006 3:29 pm
sometimes people (americans, i think) talk about noodles when in fact they mean pasta. this confuses me.
Comment by Emma Micski — 15 June, 2006 4:33 pm
Oh nononono, that’s just wrong. Wrong. Noodle is noodle.
Pasta is pasta. Although, of course, sometimes Italian people call pasta ‘noodle’. And then I get Very confused.
Comment by anna — 15 June, 2006 4:35 pm
Noodles are made out of worms.
That means you eat worms, and that means you’re a wierdo.
Comment by Glen — 15 June, 2006 5:36 pm
I know someone in Glasgow. I know someone in Glasgow who can get boxes of stuff shipped to .. ohh.. Brighton.
If you ask him nicely that is (and he doesn’t charge much either…)
Comment by Gordon — 15 June, 2006 11:33 pm
Take: 1 pack Koka Noodles. Add to simmering water. Stir. Crack in one egg. Cook for 5, stirring like a mo’fo’. Put in bowl, add toasted sesame seeds.
Scrumdiddly.
Comment by Matt — 23 June, 2006 8:47 pm
i thought this would be about me. ;)
wiggly noodle regards…
Comment by hotoynoodle — 2 July, 2006 5:22 pm