update on the old ticker - operation coming up!

The FPO had a check up at Northallerton Friarage hospital yesterday, and as l was going along with her, l thought l'd ask how to record off my loop recorder, as l had forgotten.  They decided to rig and wire me up for a quick check up, and discovered a new record. My heart has been stopping for 20 - 24 seconds, (when my previous best was 18), and had also stopped 77 times since September last year.  I asked if the gaps were a long time, and was informed that 10 seconds is usually the most without it having any affect, so they were impressed with me, as l hadn't noticed anything.  The consultant was summoned, and he told me that he was going to get me in straight away, and would be going up to Middlesbrough that afternoon to arrange a slot, so l will probably be operated on within a week or so.  I do have to stay in hospital at least overnight, and that is the bit l am cursing, as l don't want to be sharing any kind of ward with a bunch of old bastards who have pacemakers (although the FPO wasted no time in informing me that l am one of them).  I can be sedated if l want, as the consultant reckoned it would hurt more that getting the loop recorder fitted, although l will also have pain killers.  I'm curious enough to want to be awake during the operation, but l am also a cowardly individual who doesn't like to be in pain, so it's 50/50 at the moment. If l do get sedated, l expect a recreation of the scene above when l come round.  I can't drive until l am incident free afterwards, but l should be off work for a couple of weeks resting.  I won't be able to lift my left arm up or use it much for a while, so it's a good job l am right handed.  Bring it on - I'm indestructible!!!!

Oh, by the way - the FPO was fine.

toodle pip

tommy tucker the squirrel in life magazine

Back in the day (the 1940's), a young squirrel was taken in and cared for by Mrs Mark Bullis of Washington DC.  She named it Tommy Tucker and dressed it in miniature clothing (the crazy old bat).  Life magazine did a feature on it, and there are more photographs at their site here.  I know you shouldn't treat animals like that, but you have to admit he looks pretty cute asleep on his little chair.  I want to get one now.

toodle pip

richmond in 1927 and today

I live on the outskirts of Richmond, North Yorkshire, and came across these two photographs of the castle and town centre from 1927.  The place is still pretty much the same, apart from some old buildings that were knocked down (that were in front of the obelisk in the town centre).  You get used to the quaintness of it when you live nearby, so take the old buildings, cobbled streets, River Swale, abbey and castle (and castle walks) for granted, but it's always full of tourists in the summer time, and it must be amazing for them if they are seeing it for the first time.  Sadly my first viewing was rather sullied by the fact l crashed my bike heading into the place, so l arrived cursing and sore.  I also lived there for a while, and myself and the FPO nearly bought  a home there, but decided on our current location instead (Sunny Catterick). Good job as well, or l would have been out and about all day playing pool.

toodle pip

the batman film shootings

After the shooting (and subsequent news coverage) at 'The Dark Night Rises' (the new Batman film) in Aurora, Colorado, l was reminded of this.  Charlie Brooker's Screenwipe about the shooting in Germany a few years ago.  Rather sadly, nothing has changed in the meantime.  It's pretty obvious that individuals shouldn't be able to go out and buy assault rifles, guns and loads of ammunition, but some of the defenders of this gun loving and right to bear arms situation state that if the people in the cinema were armed as well, they would have shot him.  In a crowded cinema?  With people screaming and running around?  With the film also providing noise and (possibly) gunshots?  That's right, they would calmly identify the shooter, take aim, and take him out.  I don't think so.  What if others in the cinema had guns?  Surely they would be confused and panicky, and start shooting at the (now two) shooters.  This could soon escalate into lots of people shooting at each other by mistake, and even more carnage. Change the constitution and ban the guns, unless they are properly itemised, regulated, handed back in or locked up, and with proper limitations and checks. Or ban them outright.  Either way, this will not be happening in the near future, or at anytime in the distant future l can envisage.   Therefore, these sort of massacres will continue, so don't be too surprised when they do (and don't blame the comics, films, music, TV or games).

toodle pip

wake wood (david keating - 2011) and the woman in black (james whatkins - 2012)

HAMMER TIME!!
I don't usually watch that much horror, although l used to be a big fan when l was a nipper, buying Monster magazine, making models of Dracula etc and trying to catch all the Hammer House of Horror movies (with varying results).  The old films were great, lots of over the top and sometimes camp acting, and with copious amounts of blood and gore (plus bare boobs).  These two films are both recent Hammer efforts, and both of them had their moments, but to me at least, The Woman In Black was much superior (even without the boobs).

Wake Wood has a young girl being attacked by a dog and dying from her injuries. The parents move to a small village, and then discover a way to bring her back from the dead for three days only, so they can 'say their goodbyes', as long as she hasn't been dead for longer than a year.  Go on - you know what's going to happen don't you?  Of course they lie because her death occured just over a year before, so there are naturally consequences because of this.  It had homages to 'Death in Venice', and some decent moments, but it wasn't scary in the least.

However......

The Woman In Black featured Harry Potter himself (Daniel Radcliffe) as Arthur Kipps, heading to another small village in search of documents regarding an old estate and will.  He is made to feel not welcome, but carries on with his job, heading to the remote house on a deserted island.  Children have been dying in mysterious circumstances, and he starts to hear (and investigate) strange noises, sightings, and general disturbances in and out of the home.  There are some good jumpy moments, and although the film had many classic horror moments, meaning you (OK, me) could forecast some of the shocks and plot developments, it was still done in a good way and, especially when contrasted with Wake Wood, was one of the better recent horror movies l have seen.  Screenplay was by Jane Goldman (Jonathan Ross' wife), and much as l am against nepotism and jobs for boys (or girls) due to fame and connections (a pop column at 16 for example), she must be praised for doing a sterling job.  As for Radcliffe, he was mostly silent and looking scared (yet brave), and it was difficult to tell what kind of performance l was witness to, but overall, l would say adequate, but nothing special.

toodle pip

led zep and james brown mash up

What's not to like? James Brown mashed up with Led Zeppelin?  Class.

toodle pip

the doors photographed by yale joel 1968

Some brilliant pictures of The Doors, taken by Yale Joel for Life Magazine in 1968.  The black and white ones are atmospheric, but l prefer the colour one at the top with the light show behind Jim Morrison (or Jimbo as l call him).  It's also astounding to see the lack of security present at the concert (The Fillmore East).  Bloody hippies.

toodle pip

richmond racecourse and grandstand

Top of the world ma!

Well, not really, but after finishing work this afternoon, l was harassed straight out of the house by the FPO to go and visit her family at the caravan park outside Richmond.  After putting in my shift there, we drove to the top of Richmond, and had a walk up to see the old Richmond racecourse and grandstand, as, although l have lived in the area since 1975, l had never been up there.  I was told last week that the views were spectacular, which is the reason l wanted to go, but l was also curious about what shape the old grandstand was in (very poor).  I did have a quick go at climbing on top of it, but l only had shorts on and there were stinging nettles everywhere, so after the first few stings, l gave up to fight another day. It must have been pretty impressive when it was up and running (so to speak), and it's funny to think that it was still going about the time Everton football club was formed (amongst others).  The only trouble with the place is that on the way back to the car, my eyes started itching like mad, and l started sneezing, as it really bought on my hay fever, which l haven't really had for ages.  Maybe it's  because l was also tired after work (I had hardly any sleep the night before), was still getting over my flu, and more importantly, l am a big girls blouse.  I even had to put a cold flannel over my (really red and itching) eyes when we got back, and have a lie down for half an hour.  You know who l blame?  A mixture of God (for creating the hay fever) and my parents (for giving me the genetic malfunction that makes me suffer from it).  Good job l'm pretty much indestructible, as this would have killed off a lesser man.  Long trousers and dark glasses will be essential for my next visit, maybe topped off with a peg on my nose (if l bring the FPO again).


toodle pip

the word has ceased to be

The Word staff

 Richard Hawley in his local

 Seasick Steve in his mobile

 Marco Pirroni at home

Nick Cave emoting

The Word magazine, my favourite of them all, has ceased to be.  The magazine's last edition was the August one (which l managed to drop in the bath), and the website is no more. It was also the only magazine l have ever subscribed to.   Luckily the 'Massive' who frequented the website have started an alternate one, which is splendid, so l can now get me fix there.  I've changed the 'Word' link  (on the right hand side) to 'The Afterword' link, but if it doesn't work, try here.
The above photos are all by Muir Vidler, and are of the Word team, plus some shots he took for the Word itself (and his site has some interesting stuff).
Adios old chums, it's been a blast.

toodle pip

status quo - coles advert in australia

The mighty Status Quo have just done an advert for Coles supermarkets in Australia (extended version of Down Down above).  I have long since given up on them being anything like 'cool' again, so the advert was no surprise (unlike the new haircuts).  What did please me, was that it sounds like the Status Quo sound of many years ago, not the crappy sound they went for after their classic run of albums (Dog of two head, Piledriver, Hello, Quo, One the level, Blue for you).  The sound changed on 'Rocking all over the world' and got worse as the years went by.
I'm still not looking forward to the film they are making.  More embarrassment ahoy.

And here's an extra from the shoot.



toodle pip

george orwell on waiters

From Down and out in Paris and London

A controversial view of waiters attitudes by the usually reliable George Orwell.  I can't say l agree with his sentiments myself, as the waiters l come into contact with despise me and look at me like l am an overfed lout.  It shows that have got brains at least, because l would do the same in their shoes.  Maybe times have changed (or l am just especially obnoxious).

toodle pip

the original jamie

Although it is spelt in a different way, this is where my name came from.  It's hard to believe now, but when l was younger l was really fit, playing football and running all the time, (with some tennis thrown into the mix for good measure).  After a kick around one night, l wanted to continue playing, but the other (soft) lads were too knackered, whereupon one of them said  "It's alright for you- you're bionic".  Another one (Big Scall) said ''Yeah - Jaime Sommers, Bionic Woman" as l had long hair (and looked like a pretty girl).  As everyone around these parts has nicknames, l was happy to adapt to being called Jamie, but wanted it spelling the way l just did.  Most people think it is my real name now, and if people see my original first name on a bank card or something, l just say Jamie is my middle name and l prefer that.  It's strange, as l now feel that Jamie is my real name, and my first one sounds weird to me.  Mind you, this changing of the name was a long, long time ago, but l did used to have some blue overalls when l worked in a garage (and they were made to measure by the garage). Stylish even then.

toodle pip

escape from the planet of the apes (1971) - don taylor

I'm a sucker for the old 'Planet of the Apes' series of films, and 'Escape from the Planet of the Apes' is one of the best.  Three apes travel back in time (don't ask) and return to Earth, whereupon Cornelius (Roddy McDowall) and  Zira (Kim Hunter) survive to be quizzed by the government and press, feted by everyone, and then feared because they have foretold of the time when the apes will take over, and the Earth will be destroyed.  When it is discovered Zira is pregnant, the apes have to flee to protect the baby, while being hunted by the president's science advisor, Dr Otto Hasslein.  It doesn't end well for anyone.  Great make up and acting (ape wise) and it's certainly very '1970's', in clothes, colour, attitude and script. It  also raises valid points about the treatment of animals, plus what is right for science and the law, so there's plenty to be mulling over afterwards if you have the inclination. A proper blast from the past.

toodle pip

a happy sandwich

A happy looking cheese and tomato sandwich l made earlier today.  The smile didn't last long.

toodle pip

blackout bbc 1 series

I love Christopher Eccleston, and will watch him in just about anything (even Dr Who), so when 'Blackout', a three part series from the BBC was announced, l thought it would be right up my street.  Sadly, l was wrong. There were some good performances, and Eccleston (Daniel Demoys, a corrupt council officer) was his usual excellent self, but the storyline was unbelievable. Demoys is an alcoholic who kills a man but has only limited memory of it, due to blacking out. He then feels remorse and hate, looks for redemption, saves his sister from a shooting, and becomes mayor, due to the public 'believing' in him. Will his secret come out? Will he be corrupted as he tries to do good? Will he go back onto the sauce that he has had to quit? After the second episode, l couldn't care less, as l could not relate the story to any kind of reality l am aware of. Demoys  drives around in his big black car, parking all over the place, meeting strange people (including an ex prostitute he was seeing), but no-one really recognises or follows him, there are no press hanging about taking pictures, he's always dropping things to chase after phone calls, and no one sells a story about him. I watched the last episode with the FPO because we had been watching them together, but it was a huge disappointment script wise. If that was meant to be gritty, life like and realistic, I'm a banana.
(c) Private Eye.

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