On Monday July 21st I had a health screen designed to work out the risk of heart diseases in patients over sixty and advice on action to reduce the risk. As one hundred and ten thousand people die of heart disease each year it is something that one should take appropriate steps to avoid. I had been asked to undertaken a blood test between five and seven days beforehand but for various reasons this was taken very early on Friday morning but still the results were available for the assessment arranged for 9.45. My cholesterol reading which was below the concern level on the previous test was just above and was therefore something to be addressed. The culprits thought to be peanuts and ice cream so both will go after current supplies end. One ice cream and two packets of peanuts and then no more. The weight issue was not as worrying as I had suspected although there is need to start reducing however gradual and similarly the exercise needs to be maintained an increased a little. Blood pressure was normal as has always been and there is no indication of diabetes. Overall I have been doing the right things but not at the necessary level.
During the day or the radio and on one evening regional news programme the issue of breast cancer was discussed because of the presence of Kylie Minogue at the Metro Arena this week they interviewed a young women who discovered a lump in her early thirties while on holiday in a situation where her then boyfriend had lost his first wife through breast cancer only a few years before. The couple are now married having proposed on a trip to Paris and in the knowledge that although the treatment was being successful the fight for good health was on going. I wonder how many other people received bad news this morning, some presumable where the problem had been diagnosed too late.
The highlight of the day was unexpected. The music of Olivier Messiaen has not previously appealed to me. In this evening's promenade concert two pieces features of his work features in the first part of the programme. L'Ascenion is a piece for the organ used again after the opening night to show the restoration. My attention was caught by Et Exspecto Resurectionem Mortuorum. Asked to create a requiem for the dead of the two world wars he replied that he would create a work on resurrection titled "I await the resurrection of the dead" completed in 1964 and which has an extraordinary orchestration full of woodwind and brass and full percussion which eh hoped would be played in vast spaces. He created the work with images of Mexican step Pyramids, Egyptian statues and temples, Romanesque and Gothic Structures while working at his home in the Hautes-Alps. It is not uplifting music but goes to the depths of souls. The second half piece was the Organ Symphony by Saint-Saens, full of romantic melodies and harmonies with the organ dramatically overpowering the orchestra at times. The orchestra this evening was the Paris Radio France Neuvel Orchestra. I have been Radio France for an orchestral concert on a visit to Paris but I cannot be certain if it as their Orchestra or a visiting orchestra performing. I have the record nearby but the cabinet is locked and I am too lazy to get the key. The conductor for the past eight years is the form pianist Myung-Whun Chung who communicated a special feeling for the Proms, rewarding the audience with a spirited extract from the overture to Bizet's Carmen.
The programme was followed by a documentary about the life of someone who I listened to once a week for decade upon decade of my life Alistair Cooke, the author of Letter of America (2869 in total) Throughout his experience in the USA he used a moving camera bought when as part of his drama and criticism research fellowship to the USA he was required to buy second hand car and travel around the country. Amazing. I have his book America. I was unaware about his life or his love of jazz music where he once recorded for the BBC a jam session of famous musicians of the day on the top of New York building including Fats Waller and Sidney Bechet. He was also a friend of Lauren Bacall and Humphrey B, two of my favourite film people. It was a wonderful programme.
I watched one film, A touch of Fate, no original but very watchable. Two people, one returning home to see his dying mother and the other on a surprise weekend visit to her fiancé become acquainted after being involved with an accident where a local drunk is knocked down and killed. The story primarily concerns his estranged widow and son and a $200000 lottery win which will change their lives, but all three and the brother of the returning baseball player have a future destiny together. It was an enjoyable way to spend the afternoon.
I had intended to visit Durham Cricket again before the health test but it as I set off I realised it was going to be a rush and therefore I turned back, went to the supermarket then went back to the club after the check. I bought a ticket and handed the application and the assistant did not say we already have received more than the allocation.
The disappointment of the day is that although the builder attempted to refit the light there was a problem which required a fully qualified electrician. However having gained the momentum I will arrange this after as soon as I return from the mini trips.
I have won 500 games at second level chess although a series of silly lapses of concentration means that the best run has been of 62. I have learnt how to win more games of Hearts than has been the situation pushing the percentage to 24% and with the prospects of significant more improvement. The football season is underway with the warm games before the big money purchases are made. Guess what England were defeated and humiliated, surprise surprise. That will teach them to drop Harmison and Collingwood from the team as well as Mustard earlier. Their loss is Durham's gain. All three will be playing tomorrow with Shaun Pollock and Chandrapaul.
During the day or the radio and on one evening regional news programme the issue of breast cancer was discussed because of the presence of Kylie Minogue at the Metro Arena this week they interviewed a young women who discovered a lump in her early thirties while on holiday in a situation where her then boyfriend had lost his first wife through breast cancer only a few years before. The couple are now married having proposed on a trip to Paris and in the knowledge that although the treatment was being successful the fight for good health was on going. I wonder how many other people received bad news this morning, some presumable where the problem had been diagnosed too late.
The highlight of the day was unexpected. The music of Olivier Messiaen has not previously appealed to me. In this evening's promenade concert two pieces features of his work features in the first part of the programme. L'Ascenion is a piece for the organ used again after the opening night to show the restoration. My attention was caught by Et Exspecto Resurectionem Mortuorum. Asked to create a requiem for the dead of the two world wars he replied that he would create a work on resurrection titled "I await the resurrection of the dead" completed in 1964 and which has an extraordinary orchestration full of woodwind and brass and full percussion which eh hoped would be played in vast spaces. He created the work with images of Mexican step Pyramids, Egyptian statues and temples, Romanesque and Gothic Structures while working at his home in the Hautes-Alps. It is not uplifting music but goes to the depths of souls. The second half piece was the Organ Symphony by Saint-Saens, full of romantic melodies and harmonies with the organ dramatically overpowering the orchestra at times. The orchestra this evening was the Paris Radio France Neuvel Orchestra. I have been Radio France for an orchestral concert on a visit to Paris but I cannot be certain if it as their Orchestra or a visiting orchestra performing. I have the record nearby but the cabinet is locked and I am too lazy to get the key. The conductor for the past eight years is the form pianist Myung-Whun Chung who communicated a special feeling for the Proms, rewarding the audience with a spirited extract from the overture to Bizet's Carmen.
The programme was followed by a documentary about the life of someone who I listened to once a week for decade upon decade of my life Alistair Cooke, the author of Letter of America (2869 in total) Throughout his experience in the USA he used a moving camera bought when as part of his drama and criticism research fellowship to the USA he was required to buy second hand car and travel around the country. Amazing. I have his book America. I was unaware about his life or his love of jazz music where he once recorded for the BBC a jam session of famous musicians of the day on the top of New York building including Fats Waller and Sidney Bechet. He was also a friend of Lauren Bacall and Humphrey B, two of my favourite film people. It was a wonderful programme.
I watched one film, A touch of Fate, no original but very watchable. Two people, one returning home to see his dying mother and the other on a surprise weekend visit to her fiancé become acquainted after being involved with an accident where a local drunk is knocked down and killed. The story primarily concerns his estranged widow and son and a $200000 lottery win which will change their lives, but all three and the brother of the returning baseball player have a future destiny together. It was an enjoyable way to spend the afternoon.
I had intended to visit Durham Cricket again before the health test but it as I set off I realised it was going to be a rush and therefore I turned back, went to the supermarket then went back to the club after the check. I bought a ticket and handed the application and the assistant did not say we already have received more than the allocation.
The disappointment of the day is that although the builder attempted to refit the light there was a problem which required a fully qualified electrician. However having gained the momentum I will arrange this after as soon as I return from the mini trips.
I have won 500 games at second level chess although a series of silly lapses of concentration means that the best run has been of 62. I have learnt how to win more games of Hearts than has been the situation pushing the percentage to 24% and with the prospects of significant more improvement. The football season is underway with the warm games before the big money purchases are made. Guess what England were defeated and humiliated, surprise surprise. That will teach them to drop Harmison and Collingwood from the team as well as Mustard earlier. Their loss is Durham's gain. All three will be playing tomorrow with Shaun Pollock and Chandrapaul.
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