Last night I stumbled upon something very precious, "The White Diamond", a documentary film by Werner Herzog from 2004. A big thankyou to BBC4 for bringing this gem into our living room. In many ways it was a typical Herzog production, the South American rainforest and a quest to overcome obstacles.
Overall, it proved a most uplifting experience in which one shared the "still floating" experience of a jungle airship designer, and diamond miner Yhap, ecstatically laid-back was just a treat and, it was his insight that saw the Airship as a white diamond above the jungle canopy. The dizzying flight of the myriad swifts around the falls was totally mesmerising.
The airship designer's recollections of his friend, Dieter Plage, killed whilst participating in a similar project 11 years earlier, were incredibly haunting. It really is quite rare to get the feeling that one is actually a participant in the events unfolding on screen!
This gem only serves to confirm the high regard in which I already held Herzog as a film-maker.
- living and frequently struggling with moderate M.E. -
where (bad) health, faith, politics and the joys and troubles of daily life collide.
ME
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Further reflections on the ntl upgrade
I've just been checking up further about the ntl speed upgrade. Apparently, the only penalty for hitting your usage limit in any month is a reduction in speed for the remainder of the month. If that is indeed the case, why should their website offer the opportunity (advanced notice required) to remain at the slower speed? To me, it seems as if this option assumes a disadvantage in the speed upgrade.
Anyway, my beloved and I are now assuming that the situation is all gain! We're also contemplating an eventual upgrade to 2Mb.
Anyway, my beloved and I are now assuming that the situation is all gain! We're also contemplating an eventual upgrade to 2Mb.
Thinking aloud about NTL
Decided to uninstall AntiVir Classic from my laptop and, in it's place download and install ntlNetguard (only available to ntl cable broadband customers). This performs all the functions of AntiVir Personal Edition Premium (which is installed on my PC and Helen's laptop) plus pop-up and ad-blockers, as well as a Privacy manager and Form Filler/Password Manager. In common with AntiVir Premium, it has automatic updates and, scans e-mail. AntiVir Classic doesn't scan e-mails.
If I'm satisfied with it, I'll possibly change to Netguard on the two other machines when the AV Premium comes up for renewal. Why, because Netguard is free and, can be installed on up to three machines whereas, AV Premium costs 20 Euros per machine!
It's good to find ISP's starting to take some responsibility for security.
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Further on the ntl front, they're currently upgrading all 300K connections to 1 Mb but, unfortunately they're capping it at 3Gb per month. Evidently, if one goes above that limit you'll have the option of upgrading (2Mb is capped at 30Gb and costs an extra £7 pm) or reverting to a slower speed. I'm not quite sure whether that slower speed will only be for the remainder of the month, starting the next month with a clean slate. The cap is what prevented me upgrading my connection at an earlier opportunity.
I'm not really sure how one calculates the usage!
If I'm satisfied with it, I'll possibly change to Netguard on the two other machines when the AV Premium comes up for renewal. Why, because Netguard is free and, can be installed on up to three machines whereas, AV Premium costs 20 Euros per machine!
It's good to find ISP's starting to take some responsibility for security.
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Further on the ntl front, they're currently upgrading all 300K connections to 1 Mb but, unfortunately they're capping it at 3Gb per month. Evidently, if one goes above that limit you'll have the option of upgrading (2Mb is capped at 30Gb and costs an extra £7 pm) or reverting to a slower speed. I'm not quite sure whether that slower speed will only be for the remainder of the month, starting the next month with a clean slate. The cap is what prevented me upgrading my connection at an earlier opportunity.
I'm not really sure how one calculates the usage!
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Just the two of us ...
Apart from one or two minor glitches, today has been a really good day. Truth be told, any day I spend considerable time with my beloved is a good day; at heart I’m an incurable *sentimental romantic (* though those who know me well may suggest fully-mental!).
Apart from downloading Zone Alarm upgrades, for a PC and two laptops, I’ve had a totally lazy evening … in fact the download and installation is part of the lazy evening. In the early part of the evening, I completed a DVD recording, which already contained performances by Ella Fitzgerald, from both 1965 and 1974, with a 1982 performance by Betty Carter. It’s a useful exercise checking through old VHS recordings as, I’d forgotten ever having captured some of the programmes.
After the VHS to DVD transfers, it was time to settle down to watch some TV (the joys of couch-potato-dom!).Having just watched an episode of CSI: Miami, a repeat of a CSI: New York is currently showing so I’d better get back to Helen’s side, to jog her into a state of alertness!
Apart from downloading Zone Alarm upgrades, for a PC and two laptops, I’ve had a totally lazy evening … in fact the download and installation is part of the lazy evening. In the early part of the evening, I completed a DVD recording, which already contained performances by Ella Fitzgerald, from both 1965 and 1974, with a 1982 performance by Betty Carter. It’s a useful exercise checking through old VHS recordings as, I’d forgotten ever having captured some of the programmes.
After the VHS to DVD transfers, it was time to settle down to watch some TV (the joys of couch-potato-dom!).Having just watched an episode of CSI: Miami, a repeat of a CSI: New York is currently showing so I’d better get back to Helen’s side, to jog her into a state of alertness!
It's just not cricket!
Radio 2's obsession with cricket has carried over into today. It gets a mention in the religious slot, the news (with reference to the victory parade of the England team), and on the Jeremy Vine show a discussion on the scandal of TV coverage of future Test matches going over to pay TV. The strange argument was presented that, somehow ball-by-ball coverage on terrestrial TV would lead to more interest in the game.
It's my suspicion that the one-eyed monster is to a large extent responsible for the lack of interest, as it seems more focussed on the 'video-bite' rather than any protracted active viewing that cricket would seem to require. When I was growing up, lots of children and adults would participate in the game at local level yet, very few of these participants had any access to TV! Nowadays that's a very rare sight.
Anyway that's enough moaning about cricket mania, no doubt it will be short-lived. The England players have become today's "celebrities" and, we all know how long celebrity lasts!
Suddenly, on my return from a hospital visit, switched on my laptop only to find I couldn't access Internet Explorer ... Runtime Error and all that jazz ... "This application has requested the Runtime to terminate in an unusual way .... blah! blah! blah!" Never had thiss problem on my old PC so, it's something new to try and troubleshoot. At least I've got Firefox in the meantime.
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It's my suspicion that the one-eyed monster is to a large extent responsible for the lack of interest, as it seems more focussed on the 'video-bite' rather than any protracted active viewing that cricket would seem to require. When I was growing up, lots of children and adults would participate in the game at local level yet, very few of these participants had any access to TV! Nowadays that's a very rare sight.
Anyway that's enough moaning about cricket mania, no doubt it will be short-lived. The England players have become today's "celebrities" and, we all know how long celebrity lasts!
Suddenly, on my return from a hospital visit, switched on my laptop only to find I couldn't access Internet Explorer ... Runtime Error and all that jazz ... "This application has requested the Runtime to terminate in an unusual way .... blah! blah! blah!" Never had thiss problem on my old PC so, it's something new to try and troubleshoot. At least I've got Firefox in the meantime.
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P.S. 5.35pm Grateful thanks to HP pavilion notebook e-mail support. Runtime error issue has now been resolved, simply by removing the 'Google' toolbar although, they did give quite comprehensive instructions for re-installing IE and it's Service Pack should this action not have provided a solution! Thankyou HP.
Monday, September 12, 2005
The Joys of Achievement
It's quite amazing how a little (weather-assisted) acheivement, by a reasonably good England cricket team, can be made to sound like a matter of vital national importance. ITV News took the trouble to speak to Sir Michael Jagger in New York for his middle-England response. Being sickened by this excessive gloating, decide to switch on Mark Radcliffe (Radio 2) and guess what that git chose to keep talking about ... this amazing cricketing achievement! Strange, I'd enjoyed his programme until now! Anyway, I'm currently enjoying Radio 3 ... hope I'm not soon going to be in for a fall!
News bulletins talk of England rejoicing/celebrating; I'm not, it's a game for god's sake. [For once I wish I was Australian; at least they won't want to talk about it!] I can remember times when the game hardly got a mention; let's hope those days soon return.
Actually, there's an impressive "Folk"programme on Radio 3 at the moment. Didn't know such a programme existed so, I suppose I should be grateful to the cricket twaddle on the Mark Radcliffe programme.
News bulletins talk of England rejoicing/celebrating; I'm not, it's a game for god's sake. [For once I wish I was Australian; at least they won't want to talk about it!] I can remember times when the game hardly got a mention; let's hope those days soon return.
Actually, there's an impressive "Folk"programme on Radio 3 at the moment. Didn't know such a programme existed so, I suppose I should be grateful to the cricket twaddle on the Mark Radcliffe programme.
My Lost Years
This morning, two health related pieces of mail fell on the doormat. Opened the first one, from my GP's practice, headed INFLUENZA IMMUNIZATIONS: AUTUMN 2005, which invited me to receive the immunisation this autumn. The letter continued by stating that "it is now recommended each year for everyone aged 65 years or older". A quick bit of mental arithmetic disclosed that I was only 61 years of age so, had I slept longer than I suspected last night?
An accompanying page soon clarified the issue, it could be that my immune system isn't as effective as it should be ... that seems to be the primary contender for this honour, alongside throat problems.
The other health related epistle came from the Senior Physio (Mental Health) who will be calling to see me to assess "the fatigue and physical symptoms you are experiencing". Strange thing is, some of the physical symptoms have not beens as much in evidence since I came off the anti-depressants although, I'm not sure that there's any correlation between these two factors.
I've got to admit though, it was a relief to realize that I hadn't suddenly aged by four years. That's one less ailment to deal with!
An accompanying page soon clarified the issue, it could be that my immune system isn't as effective as it should be ... that seems to be the primary contender for this honour, alongside throat problems.
The other health related epistle came from the Senior Physio (Mental Health) who will be calling to see me to assess "the fatigue and physical symptoms you are experiencing". Strange thing is, some of the physical symptoms have not beens as much in evidence since I came off the anti-depressants although, I'm not sure that there's any correlation between these two factors.
I've got to admit though, it was a relief to realize that I hadn't suddenly aged by four years. That's one less ailment to deal with!
Sunday, September 11, 2005
From pain to praise
Been trying, since this morning, to post a comment on an AOL blog but, each time, after inputting screen name & password, I receive the message that the service is "temporarily unavailable". Over a space of a couple of hours it’s understandable but, you’d expect them to get their finger out beyond that time. By now, it’s becoming a real pain.
I shouldn’t moan as, I at least have a life to be getting on with in the meantime. After rain this morning, the sun eventually found it’s way through the clouds and, I managed a brief brisk walk with Helen and Graham. Although exercise doesn’t come easily it’s good to get a little fresh air and a stretch of the lower limbs.
The Balti, which I prepared last evening, proved satisfying to all consumers; once more my cheffish brilliance has been exposed!
“Songs of Praise” from Caithness proved a quite worshipful experience, even the contribution of HRH Charlie Boy, whose advertised presence nearly prevented my viewing of the programme, was surprisingly good! A bit of ‘wee-frees’ Gaelic Psalm singing was a revelation and, “Will your anchor hold” carried me back to those dim-distant Boys Brigade services. The folksy presentation of “I heard the voice of Jesus say” and “When I survey”, conveyed a sincerity so often lacking in more contemporary worship songs.
I shouldn’t moan as, I at least have a life to be getting on with in the meantime. After rain this morning, the sun eventually found it’s way through the clouds and, I managed a brief brisk walk with Helen and Graham. Although exercise doesn’t come easily it’s good to get a little fresh air and a stretch of the lower limbs.
The Balti, which I prepared last evening, proved satisfying to all consumers; once more my cheffish brilliance has been exposed!
“Songs of Praise” from Caithness proved a quite worshipful experience, even the contribution of HRH Charlie Boy, whose advertised presence nearly prevented my viewing of the programme, was surprisingly good! A bit of ‘wee-frees’ Gaelic Psalm singing was a revelation and, “Will your anchor hold” carried me back to those dim-distant Boys Brigade services. The folksy presentation of “I heard the voice of Jesus say” and “When I survey”, conveyed a sincerity so often lacking in more contemporary worship songs.
Saturday, September 10, 2005
From Balti's to Jerusalem
A lazy but enjoyable day and, this despite a predominance of rain. Afraid I didn't get out for a bbw at all, somehow the timetable went all awry; breakfast after 11.00am, a pizza for lunch sometime after 2.00pm and, tea at around 7.00pm. Late afternoon I got around to preparing a Balti for Sunday lunch.
Everything these days starts in the griddle pan; a generous sprinkling of turmeric, coriander, cumin, garlic granules, ginger and assorted herbs are first heated to release the aroma and then a dash of oil. Next I threw in the chopped onion and, by the time it has 'sweated', throw in assorted sliced peppers and a bit of broccoli. Finally, add the minced lean beef; sorry, that's not quite final, once the meat has started browning add a few sliced mushrooms, a tin of plum tomatoes with lashings of coarsely ground black pepper, and a bit of care and affection. At this point I tend to add a bit of crushed garlic and some very lazy chillies and, then the cheating bit.
Add a jar of Balti sauce and, transfer the concoction to a casserole dish (or two) to which I the add a small quantity of gravy. Everything is then ready for putting in the oven for a short while.
If the description/ recipe sounds a little vague, that's because I largely play it by 'nose' (an olfactory form of playing by ear).
This evening, we enjoyed Proms in the Park from Glasgow (BBC4) and the second part of the prom from the Albert Hall (BBC1) before enjoying Glasgow's grand finale (back to BBC4). After that, we recorded "Jerusalem: An Anthem for England" (BBC4) having been very impressed when we watched it a couple of night's back.
Everything these days starts in the griddle pan; a generous sprinkling of turmeric, coriander, cumin, garlic granules, ginger and assorted herbs are first heated to release the aroma and then a dash of oil. Next I threw in the chopped onion and, by the time it has 'sweated', throw in assorted sliced peppers and a bit of broccoli. Finally, add the minced lean beef; sorry, that's not quite final, once the meat has started browning add a few sliced mushrooms, a tin of plum tomatoes with lashings of coarsely ground black pepper, and a bit of care and affection. At this point I tend to add a bit of crushed garlic and some very lazy chillies and, then the cheating bit.
Add a jar of Balti sauce and, transfer the concoction to a casserole dish (or two) to which I the add a small quantity of gravy. Everything is then ready for putting in the oven for a short while.
If the description/ recipe sounds a little vague, that's because I largely play it by 'nose' (an olfactory form of playing by ear).
This evening, we enjoyed Proms in the Park from Glasgow (BBC4) and the second part of the prom from the Albert Hall (BBC1) before enjoying Glasgow's grand finale (back to BBC4). After that, we recorded "Jerusalem: An Anthem for England" (BBC4) having been very impressed when we watched it a couple of night's back.
Problems and Decisions
Still can't get used to the erratic/intermittent connectivity of my main PC (and indeed Helen's laptop) to the internet, ever since we got the new router. It's all rather puzzling how the new wireless laptop shares none of these problems but, the ethernet-wired Pc and Helen's machine, whether wirelessly or ethernet linked, both have a problem.
Helen's laptop has to be wired-up at the moment as, the new wireless card has blown. I sometimes think it's a wonder that anyone bothers with these darned machines. It's great when they're working though.
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Having done the recent Elvis VHS to DVD transfers, the beloved thought it would be good to get hold of a copy of "King Creole" on DVD.
It sure pays to shop around; I came across the following prices (for the same edition) - Tesco.com £11.99, Sendit.com £9.99 and Play.com £5.99 (the latter two both postage paid). You can't start to imagine how difficult it was to decide which supplier to use!
Helen's laptop has to be wired-up at the moment as, the new wireless card has blown. I sometimes think it's a wonder that anyone bothers with these darned machines. It's great when they're working though.
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Having done the recent Elvis VHS to DVD transfers, the beloved thought it would be good to get hold of a copy of "King Creole" on DVD.
It sure pays to shop around; I came across the following prices (for the same edition) - Tesco.com £11.99, Sendit.com £9.99 and Play.com £5.99 (the latter two both postage paid). You can't start to imagine how difficult it was to decide which supplier to use!
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