Tales of consumption

Tonight,for the first time in many years, I watched 'Taggart'[ITV1]. I could never bring myself to watch it after Taggart was written out of it (I believe that was when the actor playing the eponymous character died), unable to imagine the programme in a language I could understand. Having said that, tonight's story was really quite gripping, with some wonderful human touches in the environs of three murders.

Before that started, we watched the beginning of 'Talking Bob Dylan Blues'[BBC4], a concert recorded at The Barbican featuring Odetta, Billy Bragg, K T Tunstall and many others. I've recorded the full two hours of that concert for future consumption.

Talking of consumption; whilst watching the TV shows aforementioned we enjoyed a wonderful Vino da Tavola 'Monticello Rosso' ... I must remember not to be put off by the simple VdT designation.

From acupuncture to system massage

The physio called this morning to go through the "history" of my illness and, is going to be providing a course of acupuncture, in the hope that this will alleviate some of the pain problems. Admittedly, in recent weeks pain hasn't been as much of a problem as fatigue and, Helen (the physio who shares the name of my beloved) seemed to be pleased with the efforts I had been making with regard to 'pacing', diet and vitamin/mineral supplements.

Too often in the past, Helen had been aware that the recommended graduated exercise approach recommended for some of her clients had proved detrimental. As someone who has suffered with ME herself, she is now much more cautious and, clearly understands the difference between depression and other causes of "tiredness". Anyway, I look forward to starting the acupuncture with only the mildest possible degree of trepidation!

*****************************

On the computing front, I decided this afternoon to install the AntiVir PE Premium on my laptop and, replaced that programme with ntl Netguard on my PC. At least it gives me a minor sense of achievement and, it has once again shown the usefulness of the new Flash Drive ... it saves a little on 'download' usage!

A limitation of 'Netguard'

A problem just occurred to me last night regarding ‘ntl Netguard’! As it’s installed on my laptop and, a laptop is by definition portable, would Netguard protect me if the wireless connection came from a router on another ISP’s network?

The simple answer is no! [The following statement comes from the NTL website: “Netguard will not work while you are connected on another ISP’s network. It will start to work again once you reconnect to ntl’s network.]

Moral: do not rely on Netguard for a portable computer!

Just wondering, would it be possible to transfer AntiVir PE Premium from my PC to my laptop. Maybe I should pursue this idea!

Dark Nights and a Warm Heart(h)

After a day which held the promise of rain and, brought the odd light rain shower, as dusk approached so did a darker heavier shower, the sort that makes one think the gods are vengeful! It really is good to have the curtains drawn, as the temperature has taken a distinctly wintry turn, to shut out the blustery darkness.

Dvd and video recorders are both set up for more of the mini Dylan season and, we’re all set to watch “CSI: Miami” and a repeat “CSI: New York”, both on Channel 5.

***********************
Friendship has broken out between the minnows in the aquarium; it could well be a sense of gratitude that they don’t have to face the autumnal changes that the pond fish are experiencing.

***********************
I just give thanks that we are fortunate enough to have food in our belly and, a roof over our head.

Televisual Treats

Just caught the end of the Dylan profile, though we've recorded it all on Dvd, and now I'm just watching a follow up programme, "Dylan's Legends" (BBC4) at the moment about Woody Guthrie and featuring Pete Seeger (one of the heroes of my youth) ... we're currently recording this on VHS. It's always good to have one or two recordings to look back at and, look forward to!

Watched the final episode of "Rose & Maloney"(ITV1), which co-incided (time-wise) with the first hour and a half of the Scorsese Dylan profile. The electronic media is a wonderful thing; it's so easy to champion it when it presents programmes that suit one's own interests!

A bottle of 'Stafford Lodge', Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, 2003 enhanced our appreciation of these televisual treats.

From blood-letting to libations

Today, it was time to visit the blood-letters once more, although only one phial was required to carry out a liver-function test. It was really good to walk straight in, no queues, just yours truly. Helen, my beloved chauffeuse, didn’t even have time to read one page of her book in the waiting area; it was all over and done with so quickly! On my next visit they’ll require several phials of the red fluid but, that only adds seconds to the process. The important thing is to remember the quiet periods!

On my return home, decided to do a bit of work in the garden (details of which are recorded by Heterocon). Both Helen and myself are looking forward to the first part of Scorsese’s “No Direction Home – Bob Dylan” (BBC2) this evening. An event to be recorded! Perhaps I ought to raid the wine cellar to find an appropriate libation.

With threatening skies outside, it will be wonderful to just cosy-up with my beloved!

To Love One's Enemy

To love one's enemies is the most difficult directive of Jesus, even loving one's neighbour is fraught with difficulty, especially when we realize how broad a definition of 'neighbour' is given by Jesus in the parable of the Good Samaritan. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could live without prejudice?

I hate prejudice and yet, my own life is so full of it! I'm just watching "Frost" (ITV1), a programme I always enjoy but, I find almost from the off my prejudices come to the fore. I almost cringe at the 'piety' of the victim's brother in law; a former lover of the victim I instantly sympathize with, recognizing his all too human frailty. Of course, in this case a forensic pathologist is called in and, she's frightfully middle-class, I take an instant dislike. The priest in the picture acts very guiltily and, I think that must be par for the job!

My bets are on the pious brother-in-law ... not that I've got any evidence but, he's pious isn't he? In a situation like this, loving one's enemy is certainly hard but, it's almost equally difficult to know who's the real friend!

*********************************
PS (10.19 pm) : I can't stand "know-alls" but, I was right!

Idling Around and finding a bargain

After a very lazy start to the day, it has been a really good day. No sudden relief from my regulation tiredness but, I’ve enjoyed the day. Having found a bargain 512Mb Usb2 Flash Drive online, Helen drove me down to collect it from PC World … the assistant in the store seemed quite bemused that an item on the shelves for £50 could be collected and bought for £20 if ordered on-line.

After the visit to PC World, we drove into town to collect a book that Helen had ordered. Immediately on return, I set to preparation of the turkey steaks, that I’d marinated earlier, ready for Sunday lunch. The reason for this promptness was, the (not unreasonable) expectation that fatigue may have set in if I left the task any later. As it happens … fatigue hasn’t occurred yet! A fluctuation of body temperature, from over-heated to very cold, within an extremely short time-span has recurred this evening … perhaps that’s the bodies reaction in lieu of fatigue!

Once again, this evening we’ve been entertained by the ‘X-Factor’ auditions and, I’ve remembered to set up the DVD recorder, for the repeat showing (BBC4) of the two Loudon Wainwright III programmes we so enjoyed last night.

***********************************

It was good to see that The Fox had re-entered the blogosphere last-night and, here’s hoping that normality is soon restored to his domicile after the recent re-wiring.

A Little Light Music

Hilarious, poignant, gently cynical, that’s Loudon Wainwright III currently providing some exhilaration to lift me from my humdrum routine. First we have one hour of a special concert, interspersed with interviews, courtesy of BBC4, to be followed on the same channel with some archive footage for a further hour. Fortunately, both programmes will be re-shown from midnight on Saturday so, I’ll remember (hopefully) to set up the DVD recorder. Thanks Loudon, thank-you BBC.

It’s truly amazing how he’s resurrected this fatigued soul! Tiredness had, once more, been the keynote of the day, exacerbated in no small way by an afternoon brief brisk walk. That relapse was overcome by a little kitchen creativity, a new variant on my celebrated Salmon Savoury Rice.

Afraid Mr Wainwright is distracting me from the serious matter of blogging so, I bid y’all a fond farewell!

Food For Thought

Although I got up reasonably early this morning, I've not yet felt ready to have any breakfast. Sure, I know all the arguments about the importance of this first food input of the day but, quite honestly, I'm just not hungry!

As I've been surfing the web, I came across this powerful and well presented PDF - Hunger In A World of Plenty: Facts Have Faces - and, once more it hit home just what a privileged life I lead! Whereas I can skip a meal, simply because I don't feel like it, there are millions who would love to have that luxury.

I am totally convinced that, if only we in the developed world had the political will, hunger could be abolished. An accompanying scandal is the degree of poverty prevalent in the most affluent nations.

Strange, how suddenly I begin to feel both hungry and, not a little, guilty!