The "Brit a Day" series

What does a months-long parade of attractive British men have to do with fiction, you might well ask? These gentlemen have inspired some lovely scenes, part of the life I live in my head. Over time, some of these scenes reach out to one another and begin to form a story. For the present, each one of these pictures provides a writing prompt for me, a way to keep me writing with a sense of passion and narrative, even when the stories are not yet fully formed.



Thursday, August 18, 2011

A Brit a Day [#534]


For Friday.

Both of Art Brut, that's Eddie Argos on the right, who--though born a Brit, may now technically be a Berliner, and drummer Mikey B. on the left, who--though born a German, may now technically be a Londoner.

And the picture is a propos of this: I'm taking off for a couple of weeks to visit family on the other coast. See you in September!

A Brit a Day [#533]


A couple of nice caps of Ian Cusick as Agent Stoller, my favorite character on "24." Actually, the only episodes of "24" I've ever watched are the ones with Ian in them.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

A Brit a Day [#532]


"Have you been drinking son, you don't look old enough to me"
"I'm sorry officer is there a certain age you're supposed to be?.. nobody told me"

Up rolled the riot van
And these lads just wind the coppers up
Ask why they don't catch proper crooks
Get their address and their name's took
But they couldn't care less

He got thrown in the riot van
And all the coppers kicked him in
And there was no way he could win
Just had to take it on the chin

--Alex Turner

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

A Brit a Day [#531]




This is my favorite age of Daniel Radcliffe [around 2004]. But since he's only 22, I have a feeling the best is yet to come.

Monday, August 15, 2011

A Brit a Day [#530]


Another look at James Blunt playing to the crowd at JFK airport. Did anyone get a video of this? Apparently Leo from Argentina did!

Sunday, August 14, 2011

A Brit a Day [#529]

Alan Rickman captured in 'An Awfully Big Adventure.' I think. It's one of my favorites of his work.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

A Brit a Day [#528]

Today's post celebrates Brit comedian Eddy Izzard. He recently did a star turn before the kiddy set as the voice of Sir Miles Axelrod in the movie 'Cars 2.' Surprised? He's also done Mamet in the West End.

Friday, August 12, 2011

A Brit a Day [#527]


I've met your parents
And I know it sounds rough
But I'm gonna be out,
When they come for your stuff
So cheer up now, it's not all doom and gloom
They never got around to redecorating your room

--Eddie Argos


Thursday, August 11, 2011

A Brit a Day [#526]

Henry Ian Cusick looking mighty fine in a casual shirt with pintuck styling while in Rome in 2006.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

A Brit a Day [#525]

Temptation greets you like your naughty mate,
One that made you steal and set things on fire,
But one you haven't seen of late.

--Alex Turner

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

A Brit a Day [#524]






It was a pleasant surprise to find The Goblet of Fire on television the other night.

Monday, August 8, 2011

A Brit a Day [#523]


He says times like these I don't want to be a superstar
Cause reality tv killed them all in america
Oh the sun always shines in a magazine
Tonight can we be free to be who we really are

--James Blunt, pictured above in Zurich

Sunday, August 7, 2011

A Brit a Day [#522]

"I'll show you mine if you show me yours."

Brits almost too numerous to name in this screen cap. My kids were watching HP4 on TV last night, so I couldn't resist.

OK, here goes. Left to right, David Tennant, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon, Daniel Radcliffe. I love every last one of their shaggy heads.

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Friday, August 5, 2011

A Brit a Day [#520]

An early picture from the band Art Brut. Eddie owned, and perhaps occasionally played, a keytar, and Freddy had been drafted into the band because the boys needed a bass player. When she started, she had never played the bass before.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

A Brit a Day [#519]

Fans of Henry Ian Cusick love him not only for his acting talents but for the way he seems to truly engage people. Here he is on the set of Scandal, and his smile is so genuine, I can't tell if he's acting in a scene or enjoying a moment between takes with the rest of the cast.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

A Brit a Day [#518]


That's not a skirt, girl, that's a sawn-off shotgun
And I can only hope you've got it aimed at me

--Alex Turner

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

A Brit a Day [#517]

A favorite picture of Dan Radcliffe from summer 2004. [Ooooo, that's like a third-of-his-life ago...] He turned 22 on July 23rd.

Monday, August 1, 2011

A Brit a Day [#516]

It's hot today, and a pool with a view of the mountains would be a lovely thing to have. And James Blunt and company are welcome to stay as long as the champagne is cold and they've brought enough to share.