Three Symphonies

This Thursday just gone, the BBC Proms concert (No 46 of the season) featured the middle three of Vaughan Williams' nine symphonies. The first three were all named – Sea Symphony, A London Symphony, Pastoral – but these next three are unnamed.

They are powerful works, though the middle one (the Fifth) is gentler than the other two; and as I have mentioned previously, the first movement of the Sixth features the Family At War television series' theme at its end.

Although this playing of that particular excerpt isn't the best, it is good enough, and starts at 8 min 20 sec in on this radio-iPlayer page (just five days or so remaining as I write this, so act quickly) lasting 90 seconds.

It's also a bit quiet, so you'll probably want to crank the volume control up somewhat – not to make it loud (it won't) but to bring it up to the correct level.

The rest/whole of the concert can be re-listened to at this page.

The Marvel Of The Age

Well, it was then, back in 1960. I wonder how many visitors here are old enough to even remember this? Not many by now, I'd guess: it was over half a century ago!

There are a few episodes up on YouTube; and if you'd like to watch them, it's best to start with the very first story Rescue.

This video is in effect a guide to Gerry Anderson and Reg Hill's Supercar's controls. It's worth pausing the video when the labelled control panel comes up (at 2 mins 18 secs in) and taking your time looking around it before going on to the detailed close-ups of the various controls...

LolliBop 2012

This year's Lollibop is on again at Regent's Park, though in a different part this time.

There will be Waybuloo (Yogo and story-telling), ZingZillas, Mister Maker and many others there, including the Gruffalo (which will please four-year-old Maxwell, whom I met recently), all compèred by CBeebies presenters – plus of course loads of youngsters and their parents or guardians.

I suspect it's going to be noisy and somewhat chaotic too!

There was a time when I'd have enjoyed going along myself, if I'd been in charge of one or more children so that there was a valid reason to be there (apart from my being just a 'big kid' at heart, which doesn't really quite make the grade), but this year I think I can safely claim to have turned the corner on all that. After all, I've seen a Pipling and Rosie up close, and there is no need to do anything more than that.

For the little ones, though, it will undoubtedly be great. It's the third such event, which in itself demonstrates how successful they are (it's not easy or cheap to put and run this sort of thing, especially over three days) and I wish it well!

Parish Notice (Updated)

My pill collection. I take ten per day...

As a few people are aware (including the couple I met at Halling last Sunday) the high-dosage medicines I am now having to take daily are having greater side-effects for the time being. No doubt it'll settle down as I adapt; but in the meantime I have noticed some unhealthy consequences, especially to my temperament and (occasionally) writing.

It can come out in a way that wasn't what was intended – okay, we all do that to some degree, and sometimes spot things afterward that can be embarrassing, funny or perhaps something else when re-read.

I find this is largely a consequence of the vagaries of the English language and its ever-increasing range of slang expressions) and a simple correction/clarification fixes that. I, though, have recently been losing focus as a direct result of my medication changes, and that gives me pause.

The bottom line is that, for health reasons, it is wise for me to take a break from the political side of blogging, as it's making me too upset and angry for my own good. There might be an odd post here and there, but for now I intend to concentrate on the other topics I cover here. It just isn't worth risking making myself unwell.

Incidentally, the effect on me does not extend to the various Green party bods who are sufficiently worried that their pseudo-science fakery is being exposed here that they are bringing in reinforcements to attack me from outside my own area. They are trying all the usual double-speak stuff and emotional blackmail techniques, which in itself is a warning alarm to anyone who is aware of what they are trying on. No, all of that just produces mirth in me...

Meanwhile, this video deals far better with what made me angry yesterday than I am currently able to do myself (though do excuse the poor sound), read this useful article (but beware the comments are somewhat mixed and need to be read with a little caution – though it's fairly obvious what each commenter's political stance is, which helps) and also note this tweet...

Always Look On The Bright Side

The bright side of life, that is. I needed something entertaining after something upset me earlier today, so I thought I'd share the Eric Idle bit from the London Olympics closing ceremony. He makes his (real) appearance at 2 mins 40 sec; which I mention in case you prefer to miss out what came before...