It is the time of the year to make a serious effort to concentrate on getting everything in order.
As I devote so much of my life making notes to myself, parts of which are published on MySpace I begin the day with ensuring that the latest batch of 25 pieces of writing added to My Space 575-600 have been copies to disk, that one draft has been printed to become part of development and that the titles have been added to the Profile. I then decided to up date my computer list of MySpace Friends and contacts which just contains the name as it appears, not the web page and roughly when the page was added and then if it no longer exists.
I knew this activity would take the greater part of the day because I would want to take time with individual profiles as I remembered pieces of music or the visual extravaganza. The motivation for doing the review came in part from a radio interview with a fiction writer who is publishing his first non fiction work this week about making a list of things to do, over 1000, it may even have been 2000, and then seeing how many he could achieved in the course of year.
This is a good way to abdicate responsibility for the daily choice we all have to make. 1000 tasks in one year is three a day and 2000 six. Obviously it is possible to the things you feel like doing or want to do most first but this will only add pressure on you as the year progresses, similarly if you start with those of the least interest or the more challenging there is the likelihood you will find the greater part of the year over before you have progressed very far on this list and then find the list dominates the rest of the year. I felt like this faced with all those £9 rooms with Travel Lodge. On one hand it was a tremendous opportunity but it could result in trips dominating the year irrespective of the activities arising at the time or the ongoing work programme. It is a misnomer to say programme because although there is the original mapped project structure and the big component projects I give way to how I feel and what is happening in my life and the world around.
As the passing of years appears to escalate I less and less want my life to be predetermined. But if you make no lists or plans or think about the following day until it arrives what happens, as in my situation, I respond to the weather, how I feel, communications to me, and events of which I have no control the things one should be doing pile up. I should be approaching the half way point in my project whereas only a third has been completed with some major components neglected. What I should be doing, what I need to do, what I would like to do which requires planning and application is left for the morrow. This is said to be a Latin country temperament and if so then I may have inherited a large chunk of it, but the more I yield to nature and force, the greater discipline is needed to hold everything else together.
I do not enjoy the process of making lists but their creation helps me to understand the life I lead and its place in the world around me. I like to have lists of my books, my records, the holidays I have been on, the people with whom I have had contact and such like. Obviously if one is writing about the past it is good to have such information available for reference purposes. Sometimes it is to remind me of what I have although with the passage of time I do not remember what a book, or film, or piece of music is about. I sometimes embark on one more time I will listen to all my jazz records for example in case there is no opportunity again. I seriously consider going to jazz festivals or concerts in the hope of hearing players from the past, one more time or for the first time live. Ritchie Havens at the new Gateshead Concert Halls was one such experience but I missed a George Melly concert and the Humphrey Lyttleton with Helen Shapiro. This reminds that I had planned over the Christmas New Year period to check all the concerts and shows coming up January- February, especially those months as there are no trips planned for these months.
The second reason why I decided to concentrate on MySpace Friends is that I have added so many in the effort to bring the number up to the number of individual pieces of writing, in effect one writing for a friend. The problem with doing this, having the same number as the total writing published, is that I no longer remember who everyone is in my head. It also means that an individual is listed in the first forty if they suddenly leave without mentioning I may not know for some months. I started the list to make sure I remembered those where the profile reflects their work, the music or the visuals especially although one can now create sub groups, but I have only just got around to doing this.
According to MySpace I have 564 Friends, 36 short of the total to match the number of Blogs which was my target for the New Year. I have some requests pending, so with unsolicited approaches I should achieve the goal before my seventieth birthday which should have been half way in the work project. My intention once the balance has been achieved is to give time to or three contacts a day, listening to music, looking at photos and other visuals and drawing up a sub list of those to do this on a regular basis. Some profiles are treasure chests of sound and vision. About a third of friends are involved in music and I never tire of playing their music according to my mood and time of day. I admit to giving less attention to those whose work is visual as a photographic image of artwork, cannot communicate the reality of interacting with the artwork direct. However many contacts are professional or excellent amateur photographers as are many of those adding comment include some amazing photos, graphic creations and videos. I keep coming across items which I would love to include in one profile, a different one, as mine has to relate to my 101 project in some way.
Yesterday morning I diverted myself with the profiles and comments of Gee Gee and Onyx who are under the numerical opening category before the alphabeticals. I could not resist looking and enjoying and then writing to congratulating those providing such pleasure. Such was my pleasure that I left going to the kitchen for some breakfast for a good hour. While I undertake the first review of this writing into the early hours of what is today, I am listen to the music of some of the latest friends which is often original and requires full attention unlike much of what I listened to during the rest of the day. A good example of this is Australian jazz/rock/fusion guitarist Nigel Date, whose profile includes six numbers with a combined total play of only 1500, including one new addition when I appear to be the first. There are three videos and the information that he plays with a dozen groups. I discovered Nigel from another new friend, from another friend of a friend, which underlines the importance of MySpace and the wonder of the internet, a subject I shall return to in a different context later. The second of the latest new friends to be featured is the extraordinary Stephanie Valentine from France. She is a professional jazz/gypsy,/eastern violinist who also paints and makes sculptures. There are six recordings in the music box plus videos and artwork. There are 26 music videos with a direct lead to You Tube. Being young and attractive she has fans from all over the world who adore her as well as her music. The third new addition is someone who already has worldwide popularity in a addition to her American following - Aimee Mann from California now on tour with her Christmas show and special guests. There are over million plays of her five songs, including Freeway and there is a British edition of one of her albums available through the site.
Completed the revised listing of the first 100, had some porridge and a banana and a cup of coffee and decided to listen rather than watch the BBC programme on New Year’s Eve from HMS Belfast on the Thames. Commenced with the Choir who won Last Choir Standing. This changed when I realised the nature of the programme. There used by a lengthy round up of the previous year on this night or in the days preceding. This time there was the brief array of positive visual images with no references to international conflicts or the Credit Crunch. I assume these are left to 24 hour 7/7 newsround. The only political references was to the election of Senator Barrack Obama as the next USA President and Boris Johnson as the new London Mayor. There was much reference to sport with Nadal, Lewis Hamilton and the Olympics including Simmonds, Adlington and Hoy, and then to entertainment shows, especially those of a competitive nature with Alexander Burke, George Samson Have we got Talent, Nancy in Oliver Twist, Strictly Come dancing and John Sargeant, the Apprentice, Ant and Dec and Dr Who.
Being the BBC there was the national News which introduced reality into the revels with more bombs, rockets at deaths in the Middle East, and the National lottery draws with a top prize of £3 million, followed by Alicia Dixon who in addition to being a show girl won Strictly Come Dancing last year and which was the subject of the Entertainment Review of the year. This covered the Euro song contest, Mama Mia‘s success, Paul McCartney at Liverpool’s. Year as City of European Culture, the success of Duffy and Mercy, again, the Party in the Mall, continuing success of Girl‘s Aloud, the X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent. There was an interview with Rebecca Adlington and her mum and sisters, the whole family being invited in advance of the announcement that she had been awarded an OBE. Simply Red performed one of their hits and the latest addition to EastEnders was given her moment. Before this the winner of the competition to sing Nancy in the latest production of Oliver sang Nine to Five which seemed an odd choice. Then came the fireworks where the theme was rhythmic sound and light cresting a huge white lights at the end rather than cascades of bright colours. It was more creative than wow and I I kept thinking of the cost, and the number of people dreading a night out on what was a bitterly cold night. The BBC presenters were wearing boots, tights and other protectives under their otherwise smart outfits.
There has been an improvement in the BBC and ITV presentation this year faced with the superiority of the Jools Holland Hootenanny. The BCC 1 build up used to be the poorest on everyone switching over for the fireworks.. Their attempt to create a party atmosphere comes over as the more manufactured because I suspect they try and appeal to every section of the British public where as Jools and this year Elton John was aimed at sectional music loving interests. The BBC relies on the fireworks for the WOW factor. This year the fireworks were accompanied by a more inane commentary than usual which appears to assume that most of the audience are morons.
It was left to the artists appearing with Jools Holland and Elton John to admit that they usually go to bed with a coca than organise to go to a party, unless they are playing which is what they like to do. The only programme where there was any sense of a real party was Jools Holland although even he struggled to make entertaining conversations with the hangers on at the show. This is the only one of the three shows which I will listen again, probably several times during the remaining 28 days it is available on line. I used to make a video but those previously made now gather dust while waiting to viewed again or are repeated on a digital channel.
ITV which has struggled to compete with Jools and the Fireworks decided it could not rely on a live Elton concert and brought in former X Factor host Kate Thornton and the most successful British selling artist and first Pop Idol winner Will Young, and the latest winner likely to eclipse them all Alexandra Burke. The show was very colourful, with balloons streamers and some taking their drinks including bottle of bubbly into the 20000 seated arena. The atmosphere at football matches is usually better though
The post arrived with ink cartridges ordered to take advantage of the half prices. I will complete the next 100 friends review, have lunch and then brave the cold but have become undecided about the football tomorrow even though the cost of the ticket is only £5.
I had defrosted some prawns overnight and made a lunch from these with lettuce, chopped cucumber and the remaining turkey, followed by a bowl of cereal, I became very tired and went to sleep watching TV from the desk for at least twenty minutes may be half an hour, so decided I need the cold air to revive after completing the second review of MySpace friends and contacts 100-200. I decided to wrap up with two layers but this posed a problem
One pair of trousers has been consigned to the bin after discovering fraying at the bottom, wondering how long they had been like that! The second pair was not big enough to go over track suit bottoms so I found a more summery pair which did the trick, together with scarf and Astrakhan hat completing the motley picture, but who cares I was warm and need to prevent cold reaching the chest. First call was B and Q who replaced the lamp which had worked once immediately after purchasing and then failed when I needed. I checked that the only other available was working before leaving but no paper work was involved. Next visit was to Staple son the outskirts of Sunderland. To see if the was a sale of card and for some transparent pockets which have risen in price again from 93 pence to £1.53 in a year. There was an offer of 3 for 2 of 50 packs at 97 pence which in reality was £1.94 for 150 £ 3.88 for 300 1.29 for 100. There were only 9 sets available for the offer. I also bought some black folders and given the new price of the pockets I will need to work out the comparison between making up folders for 3 sets compared to buying ready made with 40 pockets. It was not as cold as led to believe so decided to get a ticket for the match as for £5 I could always change my mind. I was not surprised that there was a two lane queue with some at the door although six may be seven of the counter positions were staffed. I only had to wait about five to ten minutes such was the speed of processing. I have a East side stand ticked towards the back out of the wind and any rain spillage, although it will mean a stairs climb and having to leave early to avoid being held back a the end such is the crush. I must remember to take a flask of soup and ensure I get a place in the favoured parking area to reduce walking distance in the cold..
On return the plan was continue with the Friends review but on putting on the TV I discovered the singer of the year, Duffy in a video session with all her hits Lipstick, Mercy, Warwick Avenue, Stepping Stone, Rain on Your Parade, Very enjoyable. There was also a T on the Beach Repeat on a day when there was sunshine at Western Super Mare. Sam Sparrow sang Black on Gold and surprise surprise Duffy sang Mercy and another number on the recording. I missed the Ting Tings.
I bought the two week BBC TV and Radio Times and realised I had missed the fist four Royal Institute of Science Christmas lectures on computer technology. There may be just time to see these before the last tonight at 7.15pm. There is celebrity Big Brother live launch also at 9 so will watch that. I ought to have known better given the problems of launching the Channel Four player. I guess I will need another plug in. I wonder if each channel tries to stop viewers being able to automatically view other channels? After anchovy on crackers with olives I went back to plan A and worked on the MySpace Friends list. It was 11 pm before I completed the task. The result was a good one because I identified 566. Friends whereas the official tally is 563. I have checked through and will do so again over the weekend as I have just recovered from a long period of dozing and of sleep. Usually the tally is the other way with a higher number than those on my list because of departures. There were only a couple of departures since the last reckoning. The position is such that I should reach the Blogs published friends listed balance before my 70th birthday. I will need to await several weeks before making new searches because of the number of requests outstanding and the expectation of receiving a dozen or two of unsolicited requests over the next two months. I said most of this before but I have just woken up.
I watched the last of the Royal Institution for the Advancement of Science Christmas series of lectures. These are aimed at young people 10-16 who are bright enough to be interest and I usually find that subject which I have had difficult in understanding are made clear. I worked out how get the earlier shows using AOL and Windows Explorer as there is a problem with Fire Fox. I then watched the fourth in the series and decided to start with one and work through again and write about when this has been accomplished.
I wanted to watch the opening of Celebrity Bix Brother for three reasons. The last series caused a great row involving a coarse nonentity called Jane Goody who won a previous Big Brother show and then was taken up by the media. She and the Channel 4 were rightly pilloried for their excess and it looked as if the pressure might be to kill these money making audience grabbing shows which make the Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross scandal appear to be a bit of fluff in comparison. Jonathan has been doing the annual film review but not this time, Last year Channel four changed the format and brought into the House a group of young, successful people including the chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament. This time the Channel reverted to celebrity celebrities and there was much talk of who might be in. Unfortunately I was so tired that I slept through most and had to look up whose who on the internet afterwards. The biggest name is LaToya Jackson now aged 52. Urika Jonsson 41 is perhaps the well known of those from the UK; There is the Hollywood actor Verne Troyer from the Austin Powers, Men in Black and Harry Potter films; 46 year old Actress Tine Malone appeared in Shameless as her most well know activity; Michelle Heaton of undisclosed age was a member of the Girl’s group Liberty X. Former Scottish Politician Tommy Sheriden continues a trend to include controversial serious politicians making fools of themselves. I like Terry Christian, the broadcaster from the 80 and 90’s, Mutya Bueno is only 23 and was with the Sugar Babes; Lucy Pinder is famed for her mummeries aged 25 and for nothing else and calls herself a model. Ben Adams is a 27 year male singer formerly of a group called A!. Never heard of him of them but guess I am showing my age. Coolio from the across the pond is a 45 year old rapper who will appeal to those who inhabit a different planet, or at least believe they are, I may dip in over the next couple of weeks to see how they interact but apart from La Toya none of the others are A list. It was 4 am when I went to bed.
As I devote so much of my life making notes to myself, parts of which are published on MySpace I begin the day with ensuring that the latest batch of 25 pieces of writing added to My Space 575-600 have been copies to disk, that one draft has been printed to become part of development and that the titles have been added to the Profile. I then decided to up date my computer list of MySpace Friends and contacts which just contains the name as it appears, not the web page and roughly when the page was added and then if it no longer exists.
I knew this activity would take the greater part of the day because I would want to take time with individual profiles as I remembered pieces of music or the visual extravaganza. The motivation for doing the review came in part from a radio interview with a fiction writer who is publishing his first non fiction work this week about making a list of things to do, over 1000, it may even have been 2000, and then seeing how many he could achieved in the course of year.
This is a good way to abdicate responsibility for the daily choice we all have to make. 1000 tasks in one year is three a day and 2000 six. Obviously it is possible to the things you feel like doing or want to do most first but this will only add pressure on you as the year progresses, similarly if you start with those of the least interest or the more challenging there is the likelihood you will find the greater part of the year over before you have progressed very far on this list and then find the list dominates the rest of the year. I felt like this faced with all those £9 rooms with Travel Lodge. On one hand it was a tremendous opportunity but it could result in trips dominating the year irrespective of the activities arising at the time or the ongoing work programme. It is a misnomer to say programme because although there is the original mapped project structure and the big component projects I give way to how I feel and what is happening in my life and the world around.
As the passing of years appears to escalate I less and less want my life to be predetermined. But if you make no lists or plans or think about the following day until it arrives what happens, as in my situation, I respond to the weather, how I feel, communications to me, and events of which I have no control the things one should be doing pile up. I should be approaching the half way point in my project whereas only a third has been completed with some major components neglected. What I should be doing, what I need to do, what I would like to do which requires planning and application is left for the morrow. This is said to be a Latin country temperament and if so then I may have inherited a large chunk of it, but the more I yield to nature and force, the greater discipline is needed to hold everything else together.
I do not enjoy the process of making lists but their creation helps me to understand the life I lead and its place in the world around me. I like to have lists of my books, my records, the holidays I have been on, the people with whom I have had contact and such like. Obviously if one is writing about the past it is good to have such information available for reference purposes. Sometimes it is to remind me of what I have although with the passage of time I do not remember what a book, or film, or piece of music is about. I sometimes embark on one more time I will listen to all my jazz records for example in case there is no opportunity again. I seriously consider going to jazz festivals or concerts in the hope of hearing players from the past, one more time or for the first time live. Ritchie Havens at the new Gateshead Concert Halls was one such experience but I missed a George Melly concert and the Humphrey Lyttleton with Helen Shapiro. This reminds that I had planned over the Christmas New Year period to check all the concerts and shows coming up January- February, especially those months as there are no trips planned for these months.
The second reason why I decided to concentrate on MySpace Friends is that I have added so many in the effort to bring the number up to the number of individual pieces of writing, in effect one writing for a friend. The problem with doing this, having the same number as the total writing published, is that I no longer remember who everyone is in my head. It also means that an individual is listed in the first forty if they suddenly leave without mentioning I may not know for some months. I started the list to make sure I remembered those where the profile reflects their work, the music or the visuals especially although one can now create sub groups, but I have only just got around to doing this.
According to MySpace I have 564 Friends, 36 short of the total to match the number of Blogs which was my target for the New Year. I have some requests pending, so with unsolicited approaches I should achieve the goal before my seventieth birthday which should have been half way in the work project. My intention once the balance has been achieved is to give time to or three contacts a day, listening to music, looking at photos and other visuals and drawing up a sub list of those to do this on a regular basis. Some profiles are treasure chests of sound and vision. About a third of friends are involved in music and I never tire of playing their music according to my mood and time of day. I admit to giving less attention to those whose work is visual as a photographic image of artwork, cannot communicate the reality of interacting with the artwork direct. However many contacts are professional or excellent amateur photographers as are many of those adding comment include some amazing photos, graphic creations and videos. I keep coming across items which I would love to include in one profile, a different one, as mine has to relate to my 101 project in some way.
Yesterday morning I diverted myself with the profiles and comments of Gee Gee and Onyx who are under the numerical opening category before the alphabeticals. I could not resist looking and enjoying and then writing to congratulating those providing such pleasure. Such was my pleasure that I left going to the kitchen for some breakfast for a good hour. While I undertake the first review of this writing into the early hours of what is today, I am listen to the music of some of the latest friends which is often original and requires full attention unlike much of what I listened to during the rest of the day. A good example of this is Australian jazz/rock/fusion guitarist Nigel Date, whose profile includes six numbers with a combined total play of only 1500, including one new addition when I appear to be the first. There are three videos and the information that he plays with a dozen groups. I discovered Nigel from another new friend, from another friend of a friend, which underlines the importance of MySpace and the wonder of the internet, a subject I shall return to in a different context later. The second of the latest new friends to be featured is the extraordinary Stephanie Valentine from France. She is a professional jazz/gypsy,/eastern violinist who also paints and makes sculptures. There are six recordings in the music box plus videos and artwork. There are 26 music videos with a direct lead to You Tube. Being young and attractive she has fans from all over the world who adore her as well as her music. The third new addition is someone who already has worldwide popularity in a addition to her American following - Aimee Mann from California now on tour with her Christmas show and special guests. There are over million plays of her five songs, including Freeway and there is a British edition of one of her albums available through the site.
Completed the revised listing of the first 100, had some porridge and a banana and a cup of coffee and decided to listen rather than watch the BBC programme on New Year’s Eve from HMS Belfast on the Thames. Commenced with the Choir who won Last Choir Standing. This changed when I realised the nature of the programme. There used by a lengthy round up of the previous year on this night or in the days preceding. This time there was the brief array of positive visual images with no references to international conflicts or the Credit Crunch. I assume these are left to 24 hour 7/7 newsround. The only political references was to the election of Senator Barrack Obama as the next USA President and Boris Johnson as the new London Mayor. There was much reference to sport with Nadal, Lewis Hamilton and the Olympics including Simmonds, Adlington and Hoy, and then to entertainment shows, especially those of a competitive nature with Alexander Burke, George Samson Have we got Talent, Nancy in Oliver Twist, Strictly Come dancing and John Sargeant, the Apprentice, Ant and Dec and Dr Who.
Being the BBC there was the national News which introduced reality into the revels with more bombs, rockets at deaths in the Middle East, and the National lottery draws with a top prize of £3 million, followed by Alicia Dixon who in addition to being a show girl won Strictly Come Dancing last year and which was the subject of the Entertainment Review of the year. This covered the Euro song contest, Mama Mia‘s success, Paul McCartney at Liverpool’s. Year as City of European Culture, the success of Duffy and Mercy, again, the Party in the Mall, continuing success of Girl‘s Aloud, the X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent. There was an interview with Rebecca Adlington and her mum and sisters, the whole family being invited in advance of the announcement that she had been awarded an OBE. Simply Red performed one of their hits and the latest addition to EastEnders was given her moment. Before this the winner of the competition to sing Nancy in the latest production of Oliver sang Nine to Five which seemed an odd choice. Then came the fireworks where the theme was rhythmic sound and light cresting a huge white lights at the end rather than cascades of bright colours. It was more creative than wow and I I kept thinking of the cost, and the number of people dreading a night out on what was a bitterly cold night. The BBC presenters were wearing boots, tights and other protectives under their otherwise smart outfits.
There has been an improvement in the BBC and ITV presentation this year faced with the superiority of the Jools Holland Hootenanny. The BCC 1 build up used to be the poorest on everyone switching over for the fireworks.. Their attempt to create a party atmosphere comes over as the more manufactured because I suspect they try and appeal to every section of the British public where as Jools and this year Elton John was aimed at sectional music loving interests. The BBC relies on the fireworks for the WOW factor. This year the fireworks were accompanied by a more inane commentary than usual which appears to assume that most of the audience are morons.
It was left to the artists appearing with Jools Holland and Elton John to admit that they usually go to bed with a coca than organise to go to a party, unless they are playing which is what they like to do. The only programme where there was any sense of a real party was Jools Holland although even he struggled to make entertaining conversations with the hangers on at the show. This is the only one of the three shows which I will listen again, probably several times during the remaining 28 days it is available on line. I used to make a video but those previously made now gather dust while waiting to viewed again or are repeated on a digital channel.
ITV which has struggled to compete with Jools and the Fireworks decided it could not rely on a live Elton concert and brought in former X Factor host Kate Thornton and the most successful British selling artist and first Pop Idol winner Will Young, and the latest winner likely to eclipse them all Alexandra Burke. The show was very colourful, with balloons streamers and some taking their drinks including bottle of bubbly into the 20000 seated arena. The atmosphere at football matches is usually better though
The post arrived with ink cartridges ordered to take advantage of the half prices. I will complete the next 100 friends review, have lunch and then brave the cold but have become undecided about the football tomorrow even though the cost of the ticket is only £5.
I had defrosted some prawns overnight and made a lunch from these with lettuce, chopped cucumber and the remaining turkey, followed by a bowl of cereal, I became very tired and went to sleep watching TV from the desk for at least twenty minutes may be half an hour, so decided I need the cold air to revive after completing the second review of MySpace friends and contacts 100-200. I decided to wrap up with two layers but this posed a problem
One pair of trousers has been consigned to the bin after discovering fraying at the bottom, wondering how long they had been like that! The second pair was not big enough to go over track suit bottoms so I found a more summery pair which did the trick, together with scarf and Astrakhan hat completing the motley picture, but who cares I was warm and need to prevent cold reaching the chest. First call was B and Q who replaced the lamp which had worked once immediately after purchasing and then failed when I needed. I checked that the only other available was working before leaving but no paper work was involved. Next visit was to Staple son the outskirts of Sunderland. To see if the was a sale of card and for some transparent pockets which have risen in price again from 93 pence to £1.53 in a year. There was an offer of 3 for 2 of 50 packs at 97 pence which in reality was £1.94 for 150 £ 3.88 for 300 1.29 for 100. There were only 9 sets available for the offer. I also bought some black folders and given the new price of the pockets I will need to work out the comparison between making up folders for 3 sets compared to buying ready made with 40 pockets. It was not as cold as led to believe so decided to get a ticket for the match as for £5 I could always change my mind. I was not surprised that there was a two lane queue with some at the door although six may be seven of the counter positions were staffed. I only had to wait about five to ten minutes such was the speed of processing. I have a East side stand ticked towards the back out of the wind and any rain spillage, although it will mean a stairs climb and having to leave early to avoid being held back a the end such is the crush. I must remember to take a flask of soup and ensure I get a place in the favoured parking area to reduce walking distance in the cold..
On return the plan was continue with the Friends review but on putting on the TV I discovered the singer of the year, Duffy in a video session with all her hits Lipstick, Mercy, Warwick Avenue, Stepping Stone, Rain on Your Parade, Very enjoyable. There was also a T on the Beach Repeat on a day when there was sunshine at Western Super Mare. Sam Sparrow sang Black on Gold and surprise surprise Duffy sang Mercy and another number on the recording. I missed the Ting Tings.
I bought the two week BBC TV and Radio Times and realised I had missed the fist four Royal Institute of Science Christmas lectures on computer technology. There may be just time to see these before the last tonight at 7.15pm. There is celebrity Big Brother live launch also at 9 so will watch that. I ought to have known better given the problems of launching the Channel Four player. I guess I will need another plug in. I wonder if each channel tries to stop viewers being able to automatically view other channels? After anchovy on crackers with olives I went back to plan A and worked on the MySpace Friends list. It was 11 pm before I completed the task. The result was a good one because I identified 566. Friends whereas the official tally is 563. I have checked through and will do so again over the weekend as I have just recovered from a long period of dozing and of sleep. Usually the tally is the other way with a higher number than those on my list because of departures. There were only a couple of departures since the last reckoning. The position is such that I should reach the Blogs published friends listed balance before my 70th birthday. I will need to await several weeks before making new searches because of the number of requests outstanding and the expectation of receiving a dozen or two of unsolicited requests over the next two months. I said most of this before but I have just woken up.
I watched the last of the Royal Institution for the Advancement of Science Christmas series of lectures. These are aimed at young people 10-16 who are bright enough to be interest and I usually find that subject which I have had difficult in understanding are made clear. I worked out how get the earlier shows using AOL and Windows Explorer as there is a problem with Fire Fox. I then watched the fourth in the series and decided to start with one and work through again and write about when this has been accomplished.
I wanted to watch the opening of Celebrity Bix Brother for three reasons. The last series caused a great row involving a coarse nonentity called Jane Goody who won a previous Big Brother show and then was taken up by the media. She and the Channel 4 were rightly pilloried for their excess and it looked as if the pressure might be to kill these money making audience grabbing shows which make the Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross scandal appear to be a bit of fluff in comparison. Jonathan has been doing the annual film review but not this time, Last year Channel four changed the format and brought into the House a group of young, successful people including the chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament. This time the Channel reverted to celebrity celebrities and there was much talk of who might be in. Unfortunately I was so tired that I slept through most and had to look up whose who on the internet afterwards. The biggest name is LaToya Jackson now aged 52. Urika Jonsson 41 is perhaps the well known of those from the UK; There is the Hollywood actor Verne Troyer from the Austin Powers, Men in Black and Harry Potter films; 46 year old Actress Tine Malone appeared in Shameless as her most well know activity; Michelle Heaton of undisclosed age was a member of the Girl’s group Liberty X. Former Scottish Politician Tommy Sheriden continues a trend to include controversial serious politicians making fools of themselves. I like Terry Christian, the broadcaster from the 80 and 90’s, Mutya Bueno is only 23 and was with the Sugar Babes; Lucy Pinder is famed for her mummeries aged 25 and for nothing else and calls herself a model. Ben Adams is a 27 year male singer formerly of a group called A!. Never heard of him of them but guess I am showing my age. Coolio from the across the pond is a 45 year old rapper who will appeal to those who inhabit a different planet, or at least believe they are, I may dip in over the next couple of weeks to see how they interact but apart from La Toya none of the others are A list. It was 4 am when I went to bed.
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