Surreal TV

Last night had the most surreal things on TV.
Firstly watching the likes of Zinedine Zidane being tackled by Ben Shephard, who more used to asking questions of stars on the red carpet or the morning sofa and Jamie Theakston, who more at home behind the microphone, saving shots from Henrik Larsson. There again it was for a good cause for Soccer Aid and UNICEF. Only wish I could have been at Old Trafford to see it. Well done to all who took part and to Rupert Penry-Jones (get well soon).
Secondly watching the opening of the BAFTA Television awards and seeing Hollywood Director Tim Burton coming out of the TARDIS on the red carpet. I know he was there to support his wife Helena Bonham Carter, but it just looked odd. The ray of sunshine was when Richard Armitage was on stage to present an award. A shame that Spooks did not win in their category.
FOOTNOTE:
24 is over, thank you Jack Bauer for your long service.

Desert Island Discs Revisited

I made a mistake with my reading material. On reflection I would like to take the full works of Elizabeth Gaskell instead of the full works of Jane Austen.
The reasoning behind the change is based on a conversation with a friend I had a few days ago discussing the 200th anniversary of Elizabeth Gaskell this year.

For those in the UK there events around the Northwest and an exhibition at John Rylands Library in Manchester from July.

 Elizabeth Gaskell is a much forgotten Victorian novelist and biographer. Even though she was born in Chelsea, after the death of her mother she was sent to an uncle in Knutsford, Cheshire. This is where Cranford is based and the people who lived in around Knutsford feature heavily in her tales. This is the lightest of her writings and do not reflect the best of her work.
When she married and moved to Manchester she was more involved with the social aspects of the Industrial Revolution and this is reflected in her best works. Mary Barton and North & South. During these years she entertained the Brontes, Dickens and other high profile Victorians. Later she would write a biography of Charlotte Bronte.

My favourite novel is North & South. It is a mix of industrial, society and relations. We see both sides of industrial disputes. We see the contrast between the industrial north and the agricultural south. We also see the difference between trade and genteel society. The relations are depicted by thought and limited to the social conventions of the time. We see how the nouvelle riche are more worried about social mores than the lower classes and the established families. Over all John Thornton, mill owner, and Margaret Hale, vicars daughter, find common ground eventually. It does take time, but we see into a world that is long gone. It is a more diluted vision of industrial England but does have a lot to thank Friedrich Engels and Karl Marx and their writings about Manchester.

The BBC did a wonderful adaptation of the book in 2004. Richard Armitage was John Thornton and shows the understated and thoughtful side of the character well. Plus he looks devastating in a cravat and Victorian suit. Margaret Hale is played by Daniela Denby-Ashe who is understated and shows the confusion of supporting the workers as she did in the south and understanding the mill owners. The cinematography is also outstanding by Peter Greenhalgh (who in a previous life worked with my pops). If you have not seen it please search out a copy of the DVD and find 4 hours to sit back and enjoy. If you would prefer the book then I also recommend a few days of cups of tea and sitting in a quiet place and travel back in time.

Time to sleep

I have finally learnt the art of the afternoon nap. Simply find a good place to lie down, get comfortable with pillows, cushions and optional a covering (fleece throw my personal favourite). Put on a relaxing voice, music or simply gods orchestra. Close your eyes.
My one big tip, this is where I have been going wrong all these years, don't fight it. Just slowly let sleep be your friend. My next big tip when you wake up then get up, don't keep drifting in and out of sleep or try going back to sleep. Get up make a cup of tea, do a chore. Then do something that stimulates the brain.

Derset Island Discs

This is a Radio 4 programme which I have as a pod-cast. Not only do they have some very good people on you also get to hear some eclectic music choices.

I will have on my desert island, full works of Shakespeare and the Bible to that I would add the complete works of Jane Austen, I can then re-re-read my favourites and finally put the character of Emma to bed (several attempts have yet to see closure).

My one luxury is a tough one based on what is on the island already and what I can get away with. But I think a trunk, like those you would take on a cruise and it would be full of clothes, jewellery, make-up. A little bit of glamour does not go amiss.

My selection of songs is as eclectic as those I have heard over recent programmes.

1. Lark Ascending by Ralph Vaughan Williams - because it helps me meditate and also I can picture the Gloucestershire countryside through every bar of the music.
2. Enigma Variations by Sir Edward Elgar - I could have chosen any number of Elgar pieces but this has everything. Also my pops did a programme on it and they dramatised the different pieces of music so I can visualise that when listening to it.
3. It Had To Be You by Harry Connick Jr - this was played at my wedding and I had loved it before and love it still. I am a fan of Harry Connick as a musician and an actor. I have seen him several times in concert and would love to see him again.
4. Suite for Cello by J S Bach - another piece of classical music that just lets me float. I could have chosen a number of other Bach pieces but this one also produces very vivid pictures for me.
5. Empty Chairs At Empty Tables by Michael Ball from Les Miserables - one of my favourite musicals and this just gets to the heart of the story for me.
6. Tainted Love (12" mix) by Soft Cell - takes me back to every disco and nightclub I went to in the 80's, the soundtrack to my youth. I could again choose many other tracks but this is an iconic song.
7. Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy by The Andrew Sisters - I also like the Bette Midler version but I want the feeling of the war, just remember what so many did for freedom.
8. Well, Did You Ever by Crosby and Sinatra from High Society - the transfer from old school to the Rat Pack. Again it just has some lovely word pictures.

Now I have to have one piece that would save over the others and that would be the Lark Ascending.

Not funny

I am now not laughing. Everyone says that I am so brave, can I be very honest. I am not brave!! I am scared. I am sore. I am uncomfortable. I am tired. I am just plain fed up.
Please don't write back and make some comment about this. The fact is I have off days and yesterday was a real off day. I want to moan. I want to scream. I want to cry. I want to sleep. With all the comments people have made I feel that I cannot do any of these things as I would be letting the side down.
Well here I go, to bed to feel very sorry for myself on my own. I don't want to let the side down so I will be doing it in private.
Normal service will resume when I am feeling human. This could be a day or more, but I assure you I will be back, hopefully better than ever.
Written at 21:37 2nd June 2010

Poetry corner

I am not a poet but I like to have a go.
I asked a friend to give me a theme and some words to put in a poem. Here is one of my attempts.

A GIRLS NIGHT OUT

What to wear on a girls night out
Kitten, stiletto or wedge heel
What to wear on a girls night out
Handbags of glittering teal

In the bars and clubs
Groups of girls gather
In the bars and clubs
With glitz and glamour

In a cloud of laughter
They dance, chat and drink
In a cloud of laughter
They gossip, flirt and wink

The secret of a girls night out
Heels, glitter and dressing up
The secret of a girls night out
Dancing, drinking and chatting up

Treatment number four

Well the back has been broken, I am now officially on the other side of the treatment treadmill and on the way down.
Today I saw my Oncologist. OMG (oh my God - for those not used to text speak) I am doctors pet. He was really pleased with my progress, the fact that the side effects are not as bad as they could be and those that were the worse were aggravated by the anti-sickness drugs. He talked me through phase two and the change of drug, not forgetting the change in side effects. He was optimistic about the chances that it will be more of the same. No major problems other than from the anti-sickness drugs. There would be some side effects not felt from the previous drugs and this could include joint pain.
After my meeting we met up with the Macmillan Nurse to give her an update and organise my fitting for the prosthetic.
Then went to the CANtreat centre and waited to be called. The centre is a wonderful place. A hospital but not. We have the usual panic buttons and some hospital beds in the corner, the big difference is the comfortable chairs for the patient and a side chair for visitors, we have a table to place drinks &c on. The nurses have some wheeled chairs so they can move from patient to patient. There is always animated chatter between the nursing staff, patients and visitors alike. While we are there volunteers come round with newspapers, magazines, teas, coffees and biscuits. If you are still there at lunch time we even get a selection of sandwiches (that should be just for the patients!).
Change of drug. So in with the saline solution, add to it the anti-sickness drug, follow by new drug and then flush with saline solution. Total time nearly one and half hours in the chair.
Discussion with the nurse about arranging for the District Nurse to come and administer an injection for the next day. Also the nurses checks on how things are going and if there is anything else that is required. She also goes through all the drugs that I have take home and when to take them. As you can imagine this can take some time with at least three sets of anti-sickness drugs.
Once I have finished it is a quick trip to the reception to make an appointment for my next treatment.
Side effects?!
Thankfully all the tummy side effects have not kicked in,YET!? However, the joint pain and discomfort is impossible. I have spent most of the night tossing and turning as I can not get comfortable. Then when I do I have odd sound effects in my ears, something akin to sleeping underwater. I now it is only passing but it really is annoying.