I didn't realise until it was mentioned on BBC Breakfast this morning that today was a Bank Holiday Monday. As the lockdown has continued, as I've mentioned before in these blog posts, each day seems to merge into one another and it's virtually impossible to know even which day of the week it is, let alone whether it's a public holiday. But, as I write, it's bright and sunny. Ironic, come to think of it, because of the fact we're supposed to stay at home and go nowhere. Under 'normal' circumstances it would probably be pouring with rain and we'd be sitting at home! As it is, I don't see this continuing much longer. I just feel really sorry for those businesses which rely on the weather to be pleasant so that the get customers, for example, beauty spots, National Trust and English Heritage properties which rely on visitors to survive.
Later. Really hot and sticky in the flat, even with the windows open.
Labour are real hypocrites regarding the Dominic Cummings affair because at least four of their MPs have disregarded the social distancing regulations, but we don't hear anything about that on the BBC or other mainstream media. Neither does the newly installed leader, Keir Starmer, make any comment about that or at least sack these shadow ministers. They include: Tahir Ali, MP for Birmingham Green who attended a funeral; Vaughan Gething, MP and shadow Health Minister; Stephen Kinnock, MP for County Durham and Kevan Jones, MP who attended a birthday party. Disgraceful. Dominic Cummings clearly made a mistake, but he is now being hounded mercilessly and they want his head on a block. So what's the difference? There is none. Now leave it alone and lets get on with getting through the pandemic and returning life as near as possible to normal.
Later. I am currently reading 'Treasure Island' by Robert Louis Stevenson. I may have mentioned that we were developing a piece of theatre based on this book as part of the drama workshop at Camphill. (which is where I would be today if it wasn't for the pandemic lockdown.) It's a terrific, old-fashioned boys adventure, but knowing about diversity and political correctness, I don't expect you're allowed to say that these days. As part of the development of the Camphill project, we first watched a rather ancient film version with Orson Welles at Long John Silver, and the idea was that we didn't create a direct adaptation of the novel, but the group would come up with their own ideas for the play (and including support staff, myself included.) and from that a script would be created. I have since watched the National Theatre production which was shown a few weeks ago as part of the 'The Show Must Go On' project, where this production was free to view on YouTube. I loved the set, which was spectacular and utilised the drum revolve which is in the stage of the Olivier Theatre. The over-all atmosphere created by the design of the set, costumes, music and the way it was presented was brilliant, but I'm not so over enthusiastic about the adaptation which seemed to take out any sense of conflict or danger. But they did manage to avoid all the cliches, such as Long John Silver, probably inspired by the 1950's Disney version which had Robert Newton in the iconic central role. It casts a long shadow over any later adaptation. The original novel is feisty and full of danger and has to be one of the best 'boy's adventure' novels ever written and has to be the blueprint for later novels, such as 'The Thirty-Nine Steps' and many other stories.
Wednesday. I've been intrigued to know what the silver, canister-style objects are which have been thrown all over the ground in the carpark right next to Oldbrook Green as I have been walking Alfie around during our daily outings. I put a message on Next-door and immediately got an answer. They are containers for nitrous oxide and actually used in catering equipment, such as cream charges, but the contents used by people who get a 'buzz' out of inhaling this substance, much the same as glue-sniffers, as they get a 'high' from it, a light-headedness. Empty, the containers are not dangerous, but it's the littering that's unnecessary. As I've said in earlier posts, the litter around the estate is getting worse and worse. I can't all be down to the effects on the lockdown. People are just lazy when there are adequate rubbish bins dotted around Oldbrook Green. Later I noticed that these silver objects (canisters for want of a better word) had disappeared so it would appear someone has taken notice of my mentioning them on Next-door.
Later. Really hot and sticky in the flat, even with the windows open.
Labour are real hypocrites regarding the Dominic Cummings affair because at least four of their MPs have disregarded the social distancing regulations, but we don't hear anything about that on the BBC or other mainstream media. Neither does the newly installed leader, Keir Starmer, make any comment about that or at least sack these shadow ministers. They include: Tahir Ali, MP for Birmingham Green who attended a funeral; Vaughan Gething, MP and shadow Health Minister; Stephen Kinnock, MP for County Durham and Kevan Jones, MP who attended a birthday party. Disgraceful. Dominic Cummings clearly made a mistake, but he is now being hounded mercilessly and they want his head on a block. So what's the difference? There is none. Now leave it alone and lets get on with getting through the pandemic and returning life as near as possible to normal.
Later. I am currently reading 'Treasure Island' by Robert Louis Stevenson. I may have mentioned that we were developing a piece of theatre based on this book as part of the drama workshop at Camphill. (which is where I would be today if it wasn't for the pandemic lockdown.) It's a terrific, old-fashioned boys adventure, but knowing about diversity and political correctness, I don't expect you're allowed to say that these days. As part of the development of the Camphill project, we first watched a rather ancient film version with Orson Welles at Long John Silver, and the idea was that we didn't create a direct adaptation of the novel, but the group would come up with their own ideas for the play (and including support staff, myself included.) and from that a script would be created. I have since watched the National Theatre production which was shown a few weeks ago as part of the 'The Show Must Go On' project, where this production was free to view on YouTube. I loved the set, which was spectacular and utilised the drum revolve which is in the stage of the Olivier Theatre. The over-all atmosphere created by the design of the set, costumes, music and the way it was presented was brilliant, but I'm not so over enthusiastic about the adaptation which seemed to take out any sense of conflict or danger. But they did manage to avoid all the cliches, such as Long John Silver, probably inspired by the 1950's Disney version which had Robert Newton in the iconic central role. It casts a long shadow over any later adaptation. The original novel is feisty and full of danger and has to be one of the best 'boy's adventure' novels ever written and has to be the blueprint for later novels, such as 'The Thirty-Nine Steps' and many other stories.
Wednesday. I've been intrigued to know what the silver, canister-style objects are which have been thrown all over the ground in the carpark right next to Oldbrook Green as I have been walking Alfie around during our daily outings. I put a message on Next-door and immediately got an answer. They are containers for nitrous oxide and actually used in catering equipment, such as cream charges, but the contents used by people who get a 'buzz' out of inhaling this substance, much the same as glue-sniffers, as they get a 'high' from it, a light-headedness. Empty, the containers are not dangerous, but it's the littering that's unnecessary. As I've said in earlier posts, the litter around the estate is getting worse and worse. I can't all be down to the effects on the lockdown. People are just lazy when there are adequate rubbish bins dotted around Oldbrook Green. Later I noticed that these silver objects (canisters for want of a better word) had disappeared so it would appear someone has taken notice of my mentioning them on Next-door.
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