The intention was to continue to write about the implications of the News of World scandal, police, media and corruption and the nature of the News Corporation media empire in the form of a series of open letters.
Then an event occurred which should destroy extreme right fanaticism in Western Europe and elsewhere, but I fear will not. A man of Nordic appearance aged 32 years much beloved by Hitler and his ilk said to have had the means to acquire a farm only a few years ago, amassed sufficient fertilizer (six metric tons) and knowledge to create a huge bomb which he detonated close to a government building on Friday where the Prime Minister was meeting with his Cabinet. Fortunately because of the time of year and day and the location in an area of offices and no shops or entertainment facilities the fatal casualties have been put at seven but the extent of destruction is considerable.
While the apparatus of the state to deal with such an eventuality was put into effect, including the possibility of a coordinated attack on the capital by international forces, the alleged perpetrator of the bomb explosion is thought to have made his way to a small idyllic island -Utoya in a large lake, a 50 minute bus ride from the capital and here the same maniac dressed in the uniform of a policeman called as many of the young people present to him and then commenced to systematically kill them. Hunting down those who tried to escape into the water or to hide on the small island. As at least five young people remain unaccounted the total killed is approximately 90 with other injured by bullet wounds and from falls. The estimated injured from both actions is said to match the number of the dead.
There have been no incidents of such a nature in Norway since World War II and the number of deaths is only second to those murdered by the bombing in Spain. The maniac surrendered as soon as the police arrived amazingly some two hours after the killing commenced raising a number of questions about their effectiveness and position although there is no evidence as yet of accomplices, instigators or sympathisers. It is known that a 1500 page statement of explanation said to have been written by the individual has already appeared on the Internet which suggests a well planned and organised attempt by the European fascists to create a martyr and a violence movement. There is also a short video.
I do not for a moment believe that these are the actions of one individual maniac although as is often the situation where the right wing organisations are involved those who fund and direct do not usually get involved in such a way until the taking of political and social power becomes possible. But I suspend judgement until the facts become established.
What I hope is that the name of the assassin will not become recognised or celebrated and the international media, official and social can exercise voluntary restraint. Similarly there will be restraint in relation to what he says in court and through his already published writings and the video.
The approach of the Norwegian Government and several of the young people directly involved in the massacre indicates the best response to such a challenge. This is to keep as far as practical the open nature of the society and its policies. Today Sunday I have shared in the grief at the national service in the capital’s cathedral although the visible suffering became unbearable.
For decades the island has been used as holiday camp for the wide Labour movement in Norway with holiday enjoyment foremost mixed with political discussion and training.
The annual summer camp was due to last from Wednesday 20 to Sunday 24th July and cost 1000 kroner (under £120) to include accommodation in tents and food under with just £17 for a day ticket. There is no alcohol consumption and persons between 13 years and 30 were eligible with the average age 16 years. The reason why they were targeted is that the camp was the opportunity for those who wanted to work as adults in the labour movement could come together, learn and make life long relationships. The present Labour Prime Minister first went to a summer camp as a young man and continued throughout his political life.
In a large geographical country of under 5 million people there are only 31 individuals per square mile compared to 661 in the UK. Norway is also one of the richest and self contained countries in the world with extensive resources of oil and gas, lumber, fresh water and sea foods and with a per capita income over twice that in the UK. It is also a place of relative peace and harmony. It has become world wide known for unspeakable horror.
Then on Saturday afternoon it was announced that the singer Amy Winehouse, aged 27 years, was found dead at her London home. While she has appeared set on a pathway to early self destruction and the death remain as yet officially unexplained, the anticipation is a finding of a drug or drug and drink overdose, the coincidence of the proximity of the two events may not have been a coincidence. Between 2004 and 2007 her personality changed, in part under the influence of husband she descended into a personal nightmare of drink, drugs and cigarette smoking, unable to cope with the adoration of her fans and the awareness of her own talent as a song writer and singer able to communicate the internal conflicts of the dark aspects of the human condition. I have her album Back to Back which one five music awards, Grammy’s in the United States: Rehab; You know I’m no good, Me and Mr Jones; Just friends; Back to Back; Love is a losing Game; Tears dry on their own; Wake Up Alone, Some unholy War; He can only hold her; and Addicted
The sun shines now and I am still debating to go down the hill later to the park go hear Joe McElderry in the free concert which I anticipate will draw several thousand folk if not more. I held off doing so to first watch the end of the German Grand Prix which was won by Lewis Hamilton with Sebastian Vettel 4th. Jensen Button had to withdraw because of a hydraulic failure. Lewis is now within five points of overtaking second place Mark Webber in the Championship table but only a miracle will prevent Sebastian Vettel from getting the championship for the second year in succession given his lead of 77 points over his team mate.
When I commenced to write England were in a good place in first Test against India at Lords with a lead of 242 and nine wickets and two days left. It is likely they will aim to score another 200 plus runs before considering a declaration and an attempt to bowl India out once more. In order to replace India as the number one Test Team in the World England need to win the series by two clear wins so a good result in this first game is essential. By lunch time of three lamb chops with crunchy roast potatoes there had been a mini collapse with 5 wickets down for 65. It was then that Broad under fire until his excellent first innings bowling joined wicket keeper Matt Pryor and the two added 180 runs, 74 and 103 respectively. This meant that the side were able to declare 269 for 6 leaving the visitors to get 450 runs as I suggested was the target in just under four sessions. At the close the Indians had started well with the total 80 for 1.
In contrast Durham had a disastrous day against Somerset yesterday who had reached the grand total of 480 after another blistering century from Marcus Trescothick who achieved 163 runs before his dismissal. Durham started well with 84 before the first wicket and was 156 for two before the collapsed commenced losing 8 wickets for 70 runs. Durham then started well again with Smith who made 74 in the first innings getting 114 in the second while Di Venuto who has not been on good form over recent weeks made 46 and 91 to give Durham a great start of 200 for not wicket. Mitchell Claydon came in as night watchman and is still there having made a creditable 38. It was Gordon Muchall who failed again so that Durham is 280 for 3 only 20 runs ahead at present. The rest of the side will need to do better if they are to avoid a defeat on this 4th day. Alas another collapse followed and Somerset was able to get the 109 runs required with the loss of only one wicket.
Before the result e first division county table showed how close the situation has become with all three top sides having played 10 games with Durham 169 points, Lancashire 168 and Warwickshire 160 Durham therefore only gained 4 bonus points from this game with Somerset moving into fourth position. Lancashire play present title holders Nottinghamshire at Southport next week while Durham entertain the Sri Lanka A touring team on Wednesday so we need a Nottingham win as much as they do to remain ahead. The following week Lancashire take on Warwickshire at Liverpool and Durham Nottinghamshire so any team playing at their best should take the table lead in what can be described as the Home straight. Warwickshire have to play Yorkshire at home and away and after their fighting performance against Lancs I am optimistic that they will win both games or at least gain a win and a draw to remove the Midland challenge, assuming of course that Durham recover from Taunton.
As the end of various TV series approach I thought this week’s episode of Chicago Code was poor in comparison with those preceding. It was a holding story and the same could be said for the Sopranos and House Arrest. Tony is advised by his lawyer, as he returns to collect the cash he had given for Carmela and his children that he should spend time at his legitimate business which includes a garbage collection route. This is still a racket when one customer finds a truckload of rubbish dumped on his carpark because he complained about the service. Part of the problem is that Uncle Junior has organised a money making drug business with Ritchie Aprile using one of the trucks to deliver cocaine. Tony leans on Ritche thus alienating him and Junior further.
Junior is fed up with being tagged and housebound and meets up with a former school girl friend now a widow who continues to have a crush on him. After rejecting her offer of company he comes to enjoy talking about the old day and her cooking. His restlessness is part of the main theme of the episode
Tony questions his continuing attendance with Dr Melfi who is finding their sessions more difficult to bear drinking large glasses of Vodka and becoming addicted to alcohol. She confesses to her mentor that she has become addicted to the situation with Tony although she knows how harmful to her it has become. She explains to Tony that people with anti social tendencies experience alexithymiatic tendencies- the need to be fully engaged in activity because otherwise they tend to “crash” when they have time to confront their ways and the suffering they have brought others. In the final scene Tony and his cronies, including Christopher have returned to the Pork Store and meet up with a couple of FBI agents who call on them and the group underline their need to keep active. The lull before the second season storms to an end.
There was dramatic action as Spartacus comes to a close. Having dealt with the Magistrate for his failure to grant political office he arranges for Spartacus to end the life of the rival trader in the arena who is blamed for the Magistrate’s death. Before he decapitates he brings a smile to the man when he says that Batiatus will soon be joining him. Batiatus then pins his hopes on the Roman Commander Glabber whose wife murders the high born wife who laughed because she had been taken by Spartacus under the impression it was Crixus. The general is dismissive of Batiatus when he arrives so the Gladiator school owner is forced to reveal the remains of the murdered wife which buys him the status he craves while instead of taking his wife to Rome Glabber insists she stays at the school.
The next development is that the wife of Batiatus finds that she is pregnant (by Crixus) and then turns on him when she finds that he has been having a relationship with her persona slave. She arranges for her husband to give the slave to the man who has organised the death of the wife of Spartacus, the Magistrate and the rival Gladiator merchant and trainer. The situation is building up for Spartacus to take his revenge joined by others from the school.
There is also a building up of tension and plot development in Camelot as Morgan in the form of Igraine, Arthur’s true mother begins to cause havoc letting Guinevere, husband know of her relationship with Arthur. Meanwhile as Igraine she goes to bed with Merlin who appears to work she is not who she seems. Igraine manages to escape from her imprisonment after bribing her guard but runs into Morgan in her likeness as she arrives home, Whoops.
I watched Ricky Gervais in the Comedy film The Invention of Lying and was surprised to find it intelligently funny. The film is set in a parallel universe in which everyone tells the truth including what they are thinking to each other day and night, on dates, in phone calls and at work. Gervais works at a film company which only creates films in the form of accurate and truthful lectures and given his allocated period, the 13 century and the Black Death his work is too depressing and he is given the sack.
Having lost his job he cannot pay the rent and is evicted and goes to the bank to draw his remaining funds to arrange for a van to collect his belongings only to find that the system is down so when the assistant asks how much he has he makes up the sum and even though the system comes back on line, she accepts his lie, because no one lies and gives him the funds which enables him to keep the apartment. He then makes up a story which convinces his employers to make a film which becomes an all time box office hit. He cheats at the Casino and makes a fortune. He visits his mother as she is dying and afraid and he makes a story of a man in sky and an after life in the land of reality without religion and then using two pizza cartons creates two tablets of ten truths, thus becoming the religious prophet and saviour.
Before all this happens he goes on a date with someone beautiful sophisticated and good family out of his league and who’s dominating mother want her to marry a rival played by The West Wing Bob Lowe and who works at the same film production business as Ricky. The couple appear ideal on paper having the right genetic background and social experience to produce the best possible children. This is where the film becomes like all others as in the end the bride leaves Rob at the altar to marry Ricky who live happily ever after with a son and another child on the way. It was good funny given the events of the past two weeks.
Someone to Watch over Me also contains a story of a man out of his depth with a beautiful and sophisticated out of his league woman but here the similarity ends. Tom Berenger is a police detective married to a former policewoman with a young son. The interest is that his wife is played by Lorraine Bracco who went onto achieve stardom as Dr Melfi in the Sopranos. Berenger is assigned to be one of three detectives allocated a round the clock watch on wealthy socialite Claire Gregory played by Mimi Roger after she is the witness to a horrific murder at a club where she has been taken by her socialite boyfriend. Berenger is allocated the evening night shift from eight pm until 4 am and of the three detectives he is the one who is most fascinated by the lifestyle and who Claire finds the most interesting after some initial standoffishness,
Berenger is taken out by Claire to a social function buying him a new tie on the way where he is a hit among the society ladies. However Claire is accosted in the powder room by the murderer who warns her not to pick him out of the line out. However she does this only find that the man is released on bail because of a technicality when he is arrested at the social function. Claire is terrified after this and Berenger stays the night with her regretting as soon as he returns to his wife who detects the relationship and gives him an ultimatum to leave and to return only if he wants her. The villain then kidnaps the wife and son, who because of her police training manages to shoot and kill him. Berenger returns to his family while Claire breaks off with her boyfriend and decides to travel in Europe to recover and get over the relationship with the detective. The film did not do well at the Box Office.
I decided to go a seen Joe McElderry in the show park arriving just a few minutes before the performance commenced walking through the parks to do so. The show was billed to start at 12.30 so I was not surprised to find the streets filled with cars as those arriving like me for the main act struggled to find a space. It was the largest crowd I have seen todate at least 20000 although when I stopped to speak to the Mayoress as she collected money for her charities she said that there had been more for the appearance of Tom Jones which was before my time.
Joe performed many of the well known songs from his X Factor performances and album and included a performance of Nessun Dorma from his second winning series from Popstar to Opera Star. He commenced with Dance with my father a tribute to his father and continued with a number of favourites such as Sorry seems the hardest word, Don’t let the sun go down and the Climb, the winners song which failed to become the Christmas number one because of an orchestrated campaign against Simon Cowell’s domination of successive winners although he gained the top spot a week later. His contract with Cowell’s company has not been renewed but he has been signed by another and is working on an album which will combine his pop work with the more serious using the skills from the operatic training. In my judgement his future is the West End Musical. I was impressed with the 90 minute performance although the sound should have been up several notches for the size of the crowd.
Earlier in the day I received an email from East Coast Trains announcing tickets for the Olympic Games including. I was able to book a return journey for £38. Including postage travelling 31st of July and returning August 5th. I only hope it will be possible get inexpensive accommodation! I suspect I will have to wait more than a week to get access to bookings.
Then an event occurred which should destroy extreme right fanaticism in Western Europe and elsewhere, but I fear will not. A man of Nordic appearance aged 32 years much beloved by Hitler and his ilk said to have had the means to acquire a farm only a few years ago, amassed sufficient fertilizer (six metric tons) and knowledge to create a huge bomb which he detonated close to a government building on Friday where the Prime Minister was meeting with his Cabinet. Fortunately because of the time of year and day and the location in an area of offices and no shops or entertainment facilities the fatal casualties have been put at seven but the extent of destruction is considerable.
While the apparatus of the state to deal with such an eventuality was put into effect, including the possibility of a coordinated attack on the capital by international forces, the alleged perpetrator of the bomb explosion is thought to have made his way to a small idyllic island -Utoya in a large lake, a 50 minute bus ride from the capital and here the same maniac dressed in the uniform of a policeman called as many of the young people present to him and then commenced to systematically kill them. Hunting down those who tried to escape into the water or to hide on the small island. As at least five young people remain unaccounted the total killed is approximately 90 with other injured by bullet wounds and from falls. The estimated injured from both actions is said to match the number of the dead.
There have been no incidents of such a nature in Norway since World War II and the number of deaths is only second to those murdered by the bombing in Spain. The maniac surrendered as soon as the police arrived amazingly some two hours after the killing commenced raising a number of questions about their effectiveness and position although there is no evidence as yet of accomplices, instigators or sympathisers. It is known that a 1500 page statement of explanation said to have been written by the individual has already appeared on the Internet which suggests a well planned and organised attempt by the European fascists to create a martyr and a violence movement. There is also a short video.
I do not for a moment believe that these are the actions of one individual maniac although as is often the situation where the right wing organisations are involved those who fund and direct do not usually get involved in such a way until the taking of political and social power becomes possible. But I suspend judgement until the facts become established.
What I hope is that the name of the assassin will not become recognised or celebrated and the international media, official and social can exercise voluntary restraint. Similarly there will be restraint in relation to what he says in court and through his already published writings and the video.
The approach of the Norwegian Government and several of the young people directly involved in the massacre indicates the best response to such a challenge. This is to keep as far as practical the open nature of the society and its policies. Today Sunday I have shared in the grief at the national service in the capital’s cathedral although the visible suffering became unbearable.
For decades the island has been used as holiday camp for the wide Labour movement in Norway with holiday enjoyment foremost mixed with political discussion and training.
The annual summer camp was due to last from Wednesday 20 to Sunday 24th July and cost 1000 kroner (under £120) to include accommodation in tents and food under with just £17 for a day ticket. There is no alcohol consumption and persons between 13 years and 30 were eligible with the average age 16 years. The reason why they were targeted is that the camp was the opportunity for those who wanted to work as adults in the labour movement could come together, learn and make life long relationships. The present Labour Prime Minister first went to a summer camp as a young man and continued throughout his political life.
In a large geographical country of under 5 million people there are only 31 individuals per square mile compared to 661 in the UK. Norway is also one of the richest and self contained countries in the world with extensive resources of oil and gas, lumber, fresh water and sea foods and with a per capita income over twice that in the UK. It is also a place of relative peace and harmony. It has become world wide known for unspeakable horror.
Then on Saturday afternoon it was announced that the singer Amy Winehouse, aged 27 years, was found dead at her London home. While she has appeared set on a pathway to early self destruction and the death remain as yet officially unexplained, the anticipation is a finding of a drug or drug and drink overdose, the coincidence of the proximity of the two events may not have been a coincidence. Between 2004 and 2007 her personality changed, in part under the influence of husband she descended into a personal nightmare of drink, drugs and cigarette smoking, unable to cope with the adoration of her fans and the awareness of her own talent as a song writer and singer able to communicate the internal conflicts of the dark aspects of the human condition. I have her album Back to Back which one five music awards, Grammy’s in the United States: Rehab; You know I’m no good, Me and Mr Jones; Just friends; Back to Back; Love is a losing Game; Tears dry on their own; Wake Up Alone, Some unholy War; He can only hold her; and Addicted
The sun shines now and I am still debating to go down the hill later to the park go hear Joe McElderry in the free concert which I anticipate will draw several thousand folk if not more. I held off doing so to first watch the end of the German Grand Prix which was won by Lewis Hamilton with Sebastian Vettel 4th. Jensen Button had to withdraw because of a hydraulic failure. Lewis is now within five points of overtaking second place Mark Webber in the Championship table but only a miracle will prevent Sebastian Vettel from getting the championship for the second year in succession given his lead of 77 points over his team mate.
When I commenced to write England were in a good place in first Test against India at Lords with a lead of 242 and nine wickets and two days left. It is likely they will aim to score another 200 plus runs before considering a declaration and an attempt to bowl India out once more. In order to replace India as the number one Test Team in the World England need to win the series by two clear wins so a good result in this first game is essential. By lunch time of three lamb chops with crunchy roast potatoes there had been a mini collapse with 5 wickets down for 65. It was then that Broad under fire until his excellent first innings bowling joined wicket keeper Matt Pryor and the two added 180 runs, 74 and 103 respectively. This meant that the side were able to declare 269 for 6 leaving the visitors to get 450 runs as I suggested was the target in just under four sessions. At the close the Indians had started well with the total 80 for 1.
In contrast Durham had a disastrous day against Somerset yesterday who had reached the grand total of 480 after another blistering century from Marcus Trescothick who achieved 163 runs before his dismissal. Durham started well with 84 before the first wicket and was 156 for two before the collapsed commenced losing 8 wickets for 70 runs. Durham then started well again with Smith who made 74 in the first innings getting 114 in the second while Di Venuto who has not been on good form over recent weeks made 46 and 91 to give Durham a great start of 200 for not wicket. Mitchell Claydon came in as night watchman and is still there having made a creditable 38. It was Gordon Muchall who failed again so that Durham is 280 for 3 only 20 runs ahead at present. The rest of the side will need to do better if they are to avoid a defeat on this 4th day. Alas another collapse followed and Somerset was able to get the 109 runs required with the loss of only one wicket.
Before the result e first division county table showed how close the situation has become with all three top sides having played 10 games with Durham 169 points, Lancashire 168 and Warwickshire 160 Durham therefore only gained 4 bonus points from this game with Somerset moving into fourth position. Lancashire play present title holders Nottinghamshire at Southport next week while Durham entertain the Sri Lanka A touring team on Wednesday so we need a Nottingham win as much as they do to remain ahead. The following week Lancashire take on Warwickshire at Liverpool and Durham Nottinghamshire so any team playing at their best should take the table lead in what can be described as the Home straight. Warwickshire have to play Yorkshire at home and away and after their fighting performance against Lancs I am optimistic that they will win both games or at least gain a win and a draw to remove the Midland challenge, assuming of course that Durham recover from Taunton.
As the end of various TV series approach I thought this week’s episode of Chicago Code was poor in comparison with those preceding. It was a holding story and the same could be said for the Sopranos and House Arrest. Tony is advised by his lawyer, as he returns to collect the cash he had given for Carmela and his children that he should spend time at his legitimate business which includes a garbage collection route. This is still a racket when one customer finds a truckload of rubbish dumped on his carpark because he complained about the service. Part of the problem is that Uncle Junior has organised a money making drug business with Ritchie Aprile using one of the trucks to deliver cocaine. Tony leans on Ritche thus alienating him and Junior further.
Junior is fed up with being tagged and housebound and meets up with a former school girl friend now a widow who continues to have a crush on him. After rejecting her offer of company he comes to enjoy talking about the old day and her cooking. His restlessness is part of the main theme of the episode
Tony questions his continuing attendance with Dr Melfi who is finding their sessions more difficult to bear drinking large glasses of Vodka and becoming addicted to alcohol. She confesses to her mentor that she has become addicted to the situation with Tony although she knows how harmful to her it has become. She explains to Tony that people with anti social tendencies experience alexithymiatic tendencies- the need to be fully engaged in activity because otherwise they tend to “crash” when they have time to confront their ways and the suffering they have brought others. In the final scene Tony and his cronies, including Christopher have returned to the Pork Store and meet up with a couple of FBI agents who call on them and the group underline their need to keep active. The lull before the second season storms to an end.
There was dramatic action as Spartacus comes to a close. Having dealt with the Magistrate for his failure to grant political office he arranges for Spartacus to end the life of the rival trader in the arena who is blamed for the Magistrate’s death. Before he decapitates he brings a smile to the man when he says that Batiatus will soon be joining him. Batiatus then pins his hopes on the Roman Commander Glabber whose wife murders the high born wife who laughed because she had been taken by Spartacus under the impression it was Crixus. The general is dismissive of Batiatus when he arrives so the Gladiator school owner is forced to reveal the remains of the murdered wife which buys him the status he craves while instead of taking his wife to Rome Glabber insists she stays at the school.
The next development is that the wife of Batiatus finds that she is pregnant (by Crixus) and then turns on him when she finds that he has been having a relationship with her persona slave. She arranges for her husband to give the slave to the man who has organised the death of the wife of Spartacus, the Magistrate and the rival Gladiator merchant and trainer. The situation is building up for Spartacus to take his revenge joined by others from the school.
There is also a building up of tension and plot development in Camelot as Morgan in the form of Igraine, Arthur’s true mother begins to cause havoc letting Guinevere, husband know of her relationship with Arthur. Meanwhile as Igraine she goes to bed with Merlin who appears to work she is not who she seems. Igraine manages to escape from her imprisonment after bribing her guard but runs into Morgan in her likeness as she arrives home, Whoops.
I watched Ricky Gervais in the Comedy film The Invention of Lying and was surprised to find it intelligently funny. The film is set in a parallel universe in which everyone tells the truth including what they are thinking to each other day and night, on dates, in phone calls and at work. Gervais works at a film company which only creates films in the form of accurate and truthful lectures and given his allocated period, the 13 century and the Black Death his work is too depressing and he is given the sack.
Having lost his job he cannot pay the rent and is evicted and goes to the bank to draw his remaining funds to arrange for a van to collect his belongings only to find that the system is down so when the assistant asks how much he has he makes up the sum and even though the system comes back on line, she accepts his lie, because no one lies and gives him the funds which enables him to keep the apartment. He then makes up a story which convinces his employers to make a film which becomes an all time box office hit. He cheats at the Casino and makes a fortune. He visits his mother as she is dying and afraid and he makes a story of a man in sky and an after life in the land of reality without religion and then using two pizza cartons creates two tablets of ten truths, thus becoming the religious prophet and saviour.
Before all this happens he goes on a date with someone beautiful sophisticated and good family out of his league and who’s dominating mother want her to marry a rival played by The West Wing Bob Lowe and who works at the same film production business as Ricky. The couple appear ideal on paper having the right genetic background and social experience to produce the best possible children. This is where the film becomes like all others as in the end the bride leaves Rob at the altar to marry Ricky who live happily ever after with a son and another child on the way. It was good funny given the events of the past two weeks.
Someone to Watch over Me also contains a story of a man out of his depth with a beautiful and sophisticated out of his league woman but here the similarity ends. Tom Berenger is a police detective married to a former policewoman with a young son. The interest is that his wife is played by Lorraine Bracco who went onto achieve stardom as Dr Melfi in the Sopranos. Berenger is assigned to be one of three detectives allocated a round the clock watch on wealthy socialite Claire Gregory played by Mimi Roger after she is the witness to a horrific murder at a club where she has been taken by her socialite boyfriend. Berenger is allocated the evening night shift from eight pm until 4 am and of the three detectives he is the one who is most fascinated by the lifestyle and who Claire finds the most interesting after some initial standoffishness,
Berenger is taken out by Claire to a social function buying him a new tie on the way where he is a hit among the society ladies. However Claire is accosted in the powder room by the murderer who warns her not to pick him out of the line out. However she does this only find that the man is released on bail because of a technicality when he is arrested at the social function. Claire is terrified after this and Berenger stays the night with her regretting as soon as he returns to his wife who detects the relationship and gives him an ultimatum to leave and to return only if he wants her. The villain then kidnaps the wife and son, who because of her police training manages to shoot and kill him. Berenger returns to his family while Claire breaks off with her boyfriend and decides to travel in Europe to recover and get over the relationship with the detective. The film did not do well at the Box Office.
I decided to go a seen Joe McElderry in the show park arriving just a few minutes before the performance commenced walking through the parks to do so. The show was billed to start at 12.30 so I was not surprised to find the streets filled with cars as those arriving like me for the main act struggled to find a space. It was the largest crowd I have seen todate at least 20000 although when I stopped to speak to the Mayoress as she collected money for her charities she said that there had been more for the appearance of Tom Jones which was before my time.
Joe performed many of the well known songs from his X Factor performances and album and included a performance of Nessun Dorma from his second winning series from Popstar to Opera Star. He commenced with Dance with my father a tribute to his father and continued with a number of favourites such as Sorry seems the hardest word, Don’t let the sun go down and the Climb, the winners song which failed to become the Christmas number one because of an orchestrated campaign against Simon Cowell’s domination of successive winners although he gained the top spot a week later. His contract with Cowell’s company has not been renewed but he has been signed by another and is working on an album which will combine his pop work with the more serious using the skills from the operatic training. In my judgement his future is the West End Musical. I was impressed with the 90 minute performance although the sound should have been up several notches for the size of the crowd.
Earlier in the day I received an email from East Coast Trains announcing tickets for the Olympic Games including. I was able to book a return journey for £38. Including postage travelling 31st of July and returning August 5th. I only hope it will be possible get inexpensive accommodation! I suspect I will have to wait more than a week to get access to bookings.
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