Year: 2012

February 11, 2012
Have just finished this book, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

I picked up the book as a result of reading about the film made of the same name by Cameron Crowe, starring Matt Damon. This was on my list of films to watch, but I suspect I will find it annoying, having read the book. It wasn’t until I started reading the book, that I realised I had come across the same story before – when Benjamin Mee took over the running of Dartmoor Zoological Park, the BBC made a 4 part fly-on-the-wall series of it, called Ben’s Zoo.

The film claims to be “Based on a true story”. Like many films with this claim, the story is frequently changed and twisted to suit the studio’s/director’s/star’s view of what the story should be. One wonders why they go to the trouble of buying the rights of a true story, if they are going to change it out of all recognition.

Spoilers follow.

February 6, 2012
I have a Casio AP60R electric piano. It isn’t the best electric piano in the world (although it ain’t bad), and it is getting on a bit, but I like it.

A couple of weeks ago, I was moving a heavy object, and it slipped out of my hand, down onto the keyboard. Thankfully, only one key was broken, but it was pretty thoroughly smashed.

February 2, 2012
An update on how things are going. The last week, I haven’t been getting on with the machine at all, to the point that for two nights I unplugged the thing and slept without CPAP at all.

In the meantime while I have been waiting for a response from Papworth to my calls, I have been googling, and have discovered a UK company who can supply machines, masks and other accessories.

January 29, 2012
January 28, 2012
Is anyone else watching Eternal Law on ITV?

The premise – two angels sent to earth to help humanity, in the guise of lawyers – made me cringe when I heard it, but it really isn’t bad at all. Although it sounds like a typical American series, it is actually UK made, and set in York, and stars the excellent Samuel West. Apparently, it is made by the same team who brought us Life on Mars (which I loved) and Ashes to Ashes (which I hated).

January 27, 2012
A few days ago, I commented on livejournal that I had been feeling sleepy lately, and wondered if my CPAP needed adjusting.

Today I had an appointment at Papworth hospital respiratory sleep centre. It was my annual appointment, where they check me out, and my machine, but I thought I could raise my issues and get them addressed.

January 15, 2012
Met up with some folk yesterday for an (early) birthday meal at Barbecoa, a BBQ restaurant owned by Jamie Oliver and Adam Perry Lang.

I met with my friend S at Peterborough, and we travelled down to London by train. We arrived at 1 New Change early, which gave us time to look around the shops, and then have a wander on the roof terrace. There we met and and two other old friends – a chum from University and his wife. The final two members of our party – again, a uni friend and her husband – were waiting for us at the bar, and we were soon seated.

January 11, 2012
As some of you know, I watch quite a bit of TV, too much in fact; and I have a minor interest in adverts. Some ads make me laugh, some I just consider pure art, but some really get me irritated.

The one that is currently doing my head in is the one for Flora Cuisine, a emulsified cooking oil substitute. The advert shows celebrity Vernon Kay being cooked for by his mum (and it *is* his real mum). As mum starts a stir-fry with a good dash of what appears to be liquid margerine, Vernon turns his nose up, and asks “What’s that?”. His is told (as are we) that it is Flora Cuisine, which has “45% less saturated fat than olive oil”. Wow says Vernon (and all of us), it must really be good and healthy then.

January 9, 2012
January 8, 2012
The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

A short while ago, I had cause to mention this book in conversation – I had come across it a year or so before, but hadn’t ever read it. Anyway, the conversation prompted me to look up the book, and download it to my kindle – I’ve just finished it, and can recommend it.

January 2, 2012
When I saw the laughable Doctor Who Christmas Special, one of my first thoughts was “oh well, Moffat must be spending his time on the new series of Sherlock.

However, having just caught the first episode of series 2 – “A Scandal In Belgravia” – on iPlayer, this is apparently not the case.

[Spoilers follow]