Get smart

This morning, I checked the all-time box office figures at imdb.com to
see what progress "The Dark Knight" had made. Say what you will, I
think it has a chance of knocking "Titanic" off its perch.
I was amazed to discover that, although only taking $128m so far in
the US, "Get smart" has already passed the key billion dollar mark
worldwide.
How can this be? We're talking here about a movie I have never
knowingly heard of or seen any billboard or cinema ads for, and it's
third in the world behind just T and LOTR? Have I been asleep or has
this caught everyone off guard?
Is it any good? What's it about? Should I invest my filthy lucre in
going to see this de facto epic myself?
Answers on a virtual postcard, please.

Syndicated 2008-09-04 07:47:49 from C'est dur de mourir au printemps tu sais

St Giles Day, not far from Sheldon

I'm really not sure I quite recovered from the fire evacuation on
Wednesday morning. The rest of the week progressed much as weeks do. I
have some sort of routine most weeks, but it was slightly disrupted by
the short week. On the other hand, Tuesday night still had its
Toastmasters meeting, while the lunchtime meetings on Wednesday and
Thursday continued as usual too.
On Friday it looked as if I might have been able to leave early, but a
few things happened on Friday evening to delay me, so that I didn't
get out till about twenty past five.
Despite someone at Liverpool Street walking, nay, dawdling, down the
middle of a staircase to the Metro Line, I still just managed to catch
the 17.45 to Lime Street by a whisker. Viv and I went out for a quick
meal after that, and a late night ensued.
Matthew had no birthday party this year, so he wanted one this
weekend. We weren't happy at the thought, being exhausted and all, so
we agreed subject to some conditions: only about twenty people,
everyone out by half past eleven. It wasn't too bad. David and
Christopher stayed in the dining room playing games on the new
computer; Viv and I hid in the bedroom, emerging to keep an eye on
proceedings and to make coffee or get more milk to add to the Tia
Maria.
Just before half past eleven, just about everyone left! Most were in
private cars, some in taxis, some on foot towards the station.
Unfortunately, Matthew's best mate, let's call him F, stayed behind to
look after the girl with him, who'll be called B, who was tired and
emotional in the extreme. By the time she had stopped being overcome
and was fit for a taxi, it was well after one o'clock. In one sense,
we might as well not have bothered with a curfew for the event, as it
was still far too late. F was evidently very embarrassed by the whole
thing, and I don't think that B can look forward to being upgraded
from "someone I'm seeing" to "girlfriend" any time soon.
Less debris in the house and on the road than after his last party.
Did you know that slugs that climb into beer cans and drink themselves
to death swell up and turn orange? Never mind...
Sunday morning: Bible Society Sunday. I must say I had never realised
fully that they do not do any translation work: they publish and
distribute the finished product.
Lunch at Betty's; a combination of a few late nights and a big glass
of wine meant that I may have nodded off for a moment or two. Unlike
B, I was not comatose and didn't pollute my environment.
Sunday night: another winner from +Colin. Disappointing music.
Tea and chat afterwards as usual. I think Viv is going off for tea
tonight with somebody, but I'm more looking forward to going off for a
curry or similar with mike2sheds tomorrow night.
An early start this morning to catch trains to Chester and Crewe. Then
the express to London again takes the long route via Coventry. On the
other hand, this takes us very close to St Giles Church in Sheldon,
where I went to church when I lived in Sheldon, and where I was first
licenced as a Reader. And today is St Giles Day, their patronal
festival.
In years gone by, we climbed the tower over the festival weekend,
taking in the views around. You could see the place I worked, nearly
see where I lived and notice how close the airport was. Why did they
build the church so close to the airport and the A45?
I remember September 1989, when we took David, two months, up the
tower. Later, we saw one of our church leaders, Lydia, who was very
pleased to tell us she'd been up the tower. We said we had been too,
with David. Yes, but Lydia told us she was older than all of us put
together.
And now, on a bright St Giles morning, I'm just south of Bletchley,
looking to another week in the big City, working for the Bank. Without
Network Rail's line closures ("disruptive possessions" as NR call
them) I'd be nearly there by now.

Syndicated 2008-09-01 08:56:02 from C'est dur de mourir au printemps tu sais

Just what I needed

A fire alarm and subsequent evacuation of the hotel at half past two
in the morning.
Thankfully, we weren't out for long: I think I was back in bed a
couple of minutes after three.
As I walked determinedly to the fire exit, a lady wandering along the
corridor asked me "should we go?" and without stopping I replied "of
course!"
There were no casualties. And this time, not even nutters who had
stopped to pack and were dragging large and heavy suitcases down the
stairs with them. What could you possibly have with you worth enough
to risk that?

Syndicated 2008-08-27 07:16:24 from C'est dur de mourir au printemps tu sais

Live fron *Manchester Airport*

Network Rail have once again driven me away from the station to the
airport. I hope they are very proud of themselves.
For a Friday night before a holiday, the journey home wasn't bad. I
got a space in Coach G from Rugby and Viv met me at Chester. Blood on
the Tracks supplied the soundtrack for the journey.
A quiet Saturday, except for some tidying up and some forms for David,
now returned from Canada but preparing for the exciting world of
Chemical Physics at Sheffield University.
Sunday, a service I was leading in the morning. Then lunch, a relaxed
afternoon, an evening service and a relaxed evening.
Monday: the man from Virgin came and replaced our cable box. Thank
goodness we didn't want to watch anything over the last couple of
weeks. Such as the Olympics.
Then off to Alder Hey. Nobody is sure why a blood test for Christopher
was scheduled for a public holiday, but we got there and he had it.
The rest of Monday was quiet. Perhaps we did do what the public
advisers had warned about: nothing. But I think it was what we needed.
And now, thanks to Network Rail, I'm waiting for my flight to be
called. That is all.

Syndicated 2008-08-26 07:14:48 from C'est dur de mourir au printemps tu sais

Last thoughts from a small island

All together on a beach almost completely covered in seaweed. The
clip-clopping of the horse-tram in the distance, but getting closer.
It has been a reasonably good break for the most part. The sky is
bluish with only a few clouds. Soon, it will be lunchtime, though we
have already been to the Sea Terminal for hot chocolate and to
Thornton's for ice-cream. Mmmmm. Ice-cream. Now, where was I? Oh yes,
on the beach. Coming soon: the flight home.

Syndicated 2008-08-21 03:59:38 from C'est dur de mourir au printemps tu sais