Who's New Companion?

No, that title is actually grammatically correct as it refers to the Doctor's new companion. We saw her in the show this evening, but playing a different character in Asylum of the Daleks.

I have to admit I was impressed by this lady, whose images have tended to be mainly of the glammed-up variety which I find off-putting, very tinseltown-ish. It did not seem to bode well.

However, Jenna-Louise Coleman is definitely a capable actress, and her presentation in this evening's episode – as well as in the BBC's publicity photos – mitigate against that kind of characterisation.

I am now looking forward to her 'proper' appearance on the programme, which will be coming to us very soon!

The Umpire Strikes Back

Okay, so there isn't an umpire as such in this particular game, but I imagine that you get the idea. Apparently even Snopes has certified that this is a true story and not an urban myth...

At a Tennessee Football Game---not a joke
Christianity is now the target of persecution...
THIS IS AS GOOD AS IT GETS!
GOD BLESS EVERYONE WHO READS THIS AND PASSES IT ON.

I FIND IT INTERESTING THAT A HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL CAN SEE THE PROBLEM, BUT OUR SOCIETY CANNOT.


Tennessee Football
This is a statement that was read over the PA system at the football game at Roane County High School , Kingston , Tennessee, by school principal, Jody McLeod.

"It has always been the custom at Roane County High School football games, to say a prayer and play the National Anthem, to honor God and Country."

Due to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court,
I am told that saying a Prayer is a violation of Federal Case Law. As I understand the law at this time, I can use this public facility to approve of sexual perversion and call it "an alternate life style,"
and, if someone is offended,
that's OK.

I can use it to condone sexual promiscuity, by dispensing condoms and calling it, "safe sex."
If someone is offended, that's OK.

I can even use this public facility to present the merits of killing an unborn baby as a "viable" means of birth control."
If someone is offended, no problem...

I can designate a school day as "Earth Day" and involve students in activities to worship religiously and praise the goddess, "Mother Earth", and call it "ecology.."

I can use literature, videos and presentations in the classroom
that depicts people with strong, traditional Christian convictions
as "simple minded" and "ignorant"
and call it "enlightenment.."

However, if anyone uses this facility to honor GOD and to ask HIM to bless this event with safety and good sportsmanship,
then Federal Case Law is violated.

This appears to be inconsistent at best, and at worst, diabolical.
Apparently, we are to be tolerant of everything and anyone, except GOD and HIS Commandments.

Nevertheless , as a school principal, I frequently ask staff and students to abide by rules with which they do not necessarily agree.
For me to do otherwise would be inconsistent at best, and at worst, hypocritical.
I suffer from that affliction enough unintentionally.
I certainly do not need to add an intentional transgression.

For this reason,
I shall "Render unto Caesar
that which is Caesar's,"
and refrain from praying
at this time.

" However, if you feel inspired to honor, praise and thank GOD
and ask HIM, in the name of JESUS, to bless this event,
please feel free to do so..

As far as I know,
that's not against the law--yet."


One by one,
the people in the stands bowed their heads, held hands with one another and began to pray.

They prayed in the stands.
They prayed in the team huddles.
They prayed at the concession stand
and they prayed
in the Announcer's Box!

The only place they didn't pray was in the Supreme Court of the United States of America-
the Seat of "Justice"
in the "one nation, under GOD."

Somehow, Kingston , Tennessee ,
remembered what so many have forgotten.
We are given
the Freedom OF Religion,
not the Freedom
FROM Religion

Praise GOD
that HIS remnant remains!

JESUS said,
"If you are ashamed of ME before men, then I will be ashamed of you before MY FATHER.."

Beam Me Up, Scotty!

...Or, at least, give me something memorable to quote. Okay, here's one, at number eleven in this list, though it's incomplete and incorrect so I've filled in the (two) gaps, and corrected the errors, from my own mental database...

""How much re-fit time, until we can take her out of here?" -- Kirk,

"Eight weeks. But you don't have eight weeks, so I'll do it for you in two." -- Scotty,

"Mr Scott: have you always multiplied your repair estimates by a factor of four?" -- Kirk,

"Certainly, Sir! How else can I keep my reputation as a miracle worker?" -- Scotty,

"Your reputation is secure, Scotty." -- Kirk, 

(from: Star Trek III: The Search For Spock)

 UPDATE: I've found a video clip of this bit, which has allowed me to get the wording precisely correct now...

Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony

This is a truly outstanding (and astounding!) work, not easy to play, especially by an under-sized orchestra – but here, the Sydney Youth Orchestra gives it a cracking good go, despite being somewhat short of players. I was certainly 'living it' (as you do) while listening to this live performance.

Tchaikovsky's fourth symphony is one of those rare pieces that have brought out the best and most creative work from a time of personal torment for the composer. It is very, very powerful stuff, evocative of so much, and at the same time entirely engrossing. Trust me on this!

I know it so well that I could conduct it myself, without even having the score in front of me. I memorised the entire work several decades ago, in fine detail, which is something I find (perhaps) surprisingly easy to do.

I have gone with this particular performance (a) because it has the whole work in one video rather than split into separate movements, which helps ensure the pacing is correct, and (b) as an encouraging indication that today's youth are just as capable of performing classical works – and as enthusiastically and well – as previous generations have done. It is a good sign...

I was so pleased that conductor Brian Buggy got every section to stand to be applauded and cheered separately, as well as all together – and especially pleased at the reception the audience gave the woodwind section, who performed brilliantly what is a somewhat intricate and fairly demanding work for them.

Overall, it is admittedly a flawed performance in some respects, though nothing at all serious, and it's still 'plenty bonzer', easily worth three-quarters of an hour of anyone's time!

Bean there (and he's done that)

Despite earlier sillies about such an event being put up on-line (which it obviously should, as something for the world to share in, permanently), it now seems that we have a persistent copy of the Mr Bean performance of the Chariots of Fire theme at the London Olympics opening ceremony some three weeks ago.

That said, it'll probably disappear at any moment, knowing my luck...