Wednesday 31 March 2010

Watched yesterday

Countdown: 30th March
Dan Brusca - 81
Dave Wilkinson - 80
Anna Woodward - 63
Points from RABBLES, LOOPING, ANODES, RESHAPED, WAISTED, RATIOS, RECOUNT, JOINER and the conundrum, COMMOTION.

Law & Order: Poison Ivy - 3/5

24: Day 8, 3am-5am - 4/5

Cougar Town: Pilot - 2/5

House: Moving The Chains - 4/5

Undergrowth



Today's random photo is undergrowth near Breaston, Derbyshire, in December 2004.

Click the photo for a 1600x1200 version.

Tuesday 30 March 2010

Watched yesterday

Countdown: 29th March
Dan Brusca - 73
Dave Wilkinson - 63
James Bradbury - 57
Points from MEANDER, UNTOLD, TARDIEST, ELECT, HOOFED, DESPAIR, GARISH, MOUNT and SICKER.

In Treatment: Jake & Amy, Week 7 - 4/5

Ask The Chancellors - 4/5
Vince Cable won this hands down, but neither Darling or Osborne did anything to damage themselves of their parties.

Lost: Recon - 3/5
I really have no idea what's going on this season.

USS Midway



Today's random photo is of the USS Midway in San Diego, 8th October 2009.

Click the photo for a 1600x1200 version.

Monday 29 March 2010

Watched yesterday

The Wire: A New Day - 4/5

Shameless - 4/5
Last week's E4 episode.

Sons Of Anarchy: Better Half - 5/5

Hung: This America of Fifty Bucks - 4/5

What Katie Did Next - 4/5

Beluga dolphin



Today's random photo is a beluga dolphin at SeaWorld San Diego, 12th October 2009.

Click the photo for a 1600x1200 version.

Sunday 28 March 2010

Watched yesterday

Funniest Ever You've Been Framed! - 4/5

Sons of Anarchy: Hell Followed - 5/5

Hung: The Rita FLower or The Indelible Stench - 3/5

In Treatment: Sophie, Week 7 - 4/5

The Good Wife: Threesome - 4/5

Hung: Thith Ith A Prothetic or You Came Just Right - 3/5

From Kinder Scout



Today's random photo is the view, looking east along the northern edge of Kinder Scout, Derbyshire, in May 2008.

Click the photo for a 1600x1200 version.

Saturday 27 March 2010

Watched yesterday

Countdown: 25th March
Dan Brusca - 102
Dave Wilkinson - 54
Anne Evans - 36
Points from MURDERED, QUOTES, LIONESS, EXEUNT, STONING, MIGRATE, BIPOLAR, CRICKET, DEFILES and the conundrum, WHEEDLING.

Countdown: 26th March
Dave Wilkinson - 64
Dan Brusca - 49
Charlotte Godwyn - 48
The 5,000th edition of the show. Points from HOODIES, JOINED, RADIATES, TRAINED, VOLTAIC, SINCERE and SLICING.

Howards' Way: Episode 1.1 - 3/5

That Mitchell & Webb Look: Episode 1.1 - 3/5

Spire



Today's random photo was taken from my window at home in Breaston, Derbyshire, in January 2005.

Click the photo for a 1600x1200 version.

Friday 26 March 2010

A night at the Schachters'

I was down in London yesterday for an Old Vic-related supper party at the home of art dealer and collector Kenny Schachter.

I got to my hotel, the Park Plaza County Hall, about 2.30 to discover that they had given me a free upgrade to a penthouse suite, which was an epic win. The suite, on the 14th and top floor, had a spectacular view of the London Eye, the Palace of Westminster and beyond, as well as a nice big balcony to enjoy it all from. I guess I should at least give them a plug...

http://www.parkplaza.com/countyhall_london






I took a wander out to bank a cheque and pick up a new riding crop then headed back to the hotel for a nice, long, hot bath before my friend arrived. We had a drink in the hotel bar then got a cab over to the Schachters' in South Kensington.

The Schachters' house, spread over five floors, is part family home and part art gallery. The walls are crammed full of paintings and photographs and there sculptures and conceptual models all over the place. At the end of the garden there's another building, containing Kenny Schachter's car collection and a large, high-ceilinged basement which is also full of artworks.

Most of the party guests congregated around the huge kitchen - that's where the champagne was, so it's understandable! We chatted for a while to an American woman called Lynn. She was a Wall Street trader who moved to London in September 2008. Ouch! I then introduced her and my friend to Kevin Spacey. We actually had a good long chat with him. He told us about his recent filming in China and his subsequent personal travels around Asia and the Middle East that followed on from it. He also talked about The Social Network, the movie he's making about Facebook.



Kevin gave a very witty speech later and premiered his Morgan Freeman impression, which in time will no doubt become as famous as his Christopher Walken one!

We chatted with various other people throughout the evening, including fellow Old Vic supporters and the lovely Jessica Hynes, who is keen for as many people as possible to go to iPlayer and watch Lizzie & Sarah. My friend left about 11 and I hung around a little longer to chat to a few more people. Kenny Schachter showed me a painting he owns by Gerhard Richter, one of my favourite artists and which he estimated as being worth about $1 million. He also showed me a Warhol of Mao Tse Tung valued at about $3 million. Pretty expensive home decor...

As the evening drew to a close I chatted to actor Ian Redford and a guy called Stanley F. Buchtal, who mainly produces documentaries, but whose first film was John Waters' Hairspray. Finally, I met Obi Abili, star of Six Degrees Of Separation at the Old Vic and ended up sharing a cab with him back to the hotel. Really nice guy. He even gave me his email address!

Overall, a great evening!

From the Monsal viaduct



Today's random photo was taken from the Monsal Viaduct in Derbyshire's Wye Valley in November 2008. The viaduct is on the long-since abndoned London-Midland Railway between Bakewell and Buxton.

Click the photo for a 1600x1200 version.

Thursday 25 March 2010

Watched yesterday

Countdown: 24th March
Dan Brusca - 70
Dave Wilkinson - 67
Paul Archard - 24
Points from PIRATES, MOWING, HOUSE, PIRATE, FIELDERS, NOTATES, GRADATE and DOGFACE.

What Katie Did Next - 4/5

Shameless - 2/5
Last week's E4 episode.

Hung: Doris Is Dead or Are We Rich Or Are We Poor? - 4/5

Transamerica Pyramid



Today's random photo is of the Transamerica Pyramid, San Francisco, taken 18th October 2009.

Click the photo for a 1200x1600 version.

Wednesday 24 March 2010

Watched yesterday

Countdown: 23rd March
Dave Wilkinson - 78
Dan Brusca - 73
Charles Bockett-Pugh - 67
Points from TOUTERS, MARDIER, NESTLED, FUCKED, SALIVA, STOOGE, FOISTED and the conundrum, SCHOOLBOY.

Friday Night Lights: Wind Sprints - 4/5

In Treatment: Alex, Week 7 - 4/5

The Delicious Miss Dahl: Selfish - 3/5

Fringe: What Lies Below - 3/5

Border collie



Today's random photo is my border collie, taken in March 2005.

Click the photo for a 1600x1200 version.

Tuesday 23 March 2010

Watched yesterday

Countdown: 22nd March
Dan Brusca - 77
Dave Wilkinson - 65
Kevin Davis - 60
I'm glad Davis lost. I'm sure he's a perfectly nice guy but something about him made my skin crawl. Anyway, my points came from WAIVERS, FOOTED, HEAVENS, ACACIA, TIMINGS, DREAMED, GONDOLA and the conundrum, MULTIPACK.

The Shield: Grave - 4/5

In Treatment: Laura, Week 7 - 3/5
I'm not really interested in the kids, thanks.

Wonders Of The Solar System: Order Out Of Chaos - 3/5
A little disappointed by this. The content is interesting, but it feels stretched over an hour. Prof Brian Cox seemingly took forever to explain anything.

San Diego



Today's random photo is San Diego as seen from my room at the Holiday Inn San Diego Downtown on 8th October 2009.

Click the photo for a 1600x1200 version.

Monday 22 March 2010

Watched yesterday

QIXL: Gardens and Groceries - 4/5

Kings: First Night - 4/5

The Peter Serafinowicz Show: Episode 1 - 4/5

24: Day 8, 2am-3am - 4/5

Lizzie and Sarah: Pilot - 5/5
Go watch this on iPlayer, it's a prime example of boundary-pushing British comedy and deserves a full series.

Glenn Martin, DDS: Save The Tooth - 3/5

House: Remorse - 5/5
The psychopathic woman was really, REALLY, sexy.

On Kinder Scout



Today's random photo was taken on Kinder Scout, Derbyshire, in January 2008. It was a bit foggy...

Click the photo for a 1024x768 verison.

Sunday 21 March 2010

Watched yesterday

The Good Wife: Unprepared - 4/5

You've Been Framed! - 4/5

Lost: Dr Linus - 4/5

Harry Hill's TV Burp - 5/5
Philnut!

House: The Down Low - 4/5

Golden Gate helicopter



Today's random photo was taken on the Golden Gate bridge, San Francisco, on 16th October 2009.

Click the photo for a 1200x1600 version.

Saturday 20 March 2010

Watched yesterday

The Armstrong & Miller Show: Episode 1.2 - 3/5

Sons Of Anarchy: The Pull - 5/5

Secret Diary Of A Call Girl: Episode 3.8 - 3/5

Hung: Do It, Monkey! - 4/5

Chimney



Today's random photo was taken in Manchester in June 2005.

Click the photo for a 1200x1600 version.

Friday 19 March 2010

Watched yesterday

Inside John Lewis: Episode 1 - 4/5

Criminal Minds: The Aftermath - 4/5

Mad Men: Souvenir - 5/5

Nip/Tuck: Wesley Clovis - 4/5

Hung: The Pickle Jar - 4/5

Question Time - 3/5

St Pancras



Today's random photo was taken at St Pancras station, London, in December 2007.

Click the photo for a 1200x1600 version.

Thursday 18 March 2010

Watched yesterday

Oz: Escape From Oz - 4/5
And so ends season 2.

Fringe: Johari Window - 3/5

On Hampstead Heath



Today's random photo was taken on Hampstead Heath, London, in May 2008.

Click the photo for a 1200x1600 version.

Wednesday 17 March 2010

Watched yesterday

Las Vegas: Lyle & Substance - 3/5

In Treatment: Gina, Week 6 - 5/5

Trauma: All Fine - 2/5
Got about a third of the way throught this second episode and decided to call it a day. Despite the pleasure of spotting places I visited in San Francisco last year, this is pretty dull fare with an uncharismatic, unlikeable cast of characters.

Wonders Of The Solar System: Empire Of The Sun - 4/5

You've Been Framed! - 4/5

Horizon: Is Everything We Know About The Universe Wrong? - 4/5

Surfin' USA



Today's random photo was taken at SeaWorld San Diego on 12th October 2009.

Click the photo for a 1600x1200 version.

Tuesday 16 March 2010

Watched yesterday

Countdown: 15th March
Kirk Bevins - 81
Chris Davies - 70
Dan Brusca - 37
A lame score, but I have a good excuse. This was a special one-off head-to-head between the last two Countdown champions, so the standard was going to be high. It didn't help that Rachel changed the large numbers in the numbers round, so I had to contend with 12 and 37 (the other two numbers didn't appear). As it turned out, I actually beat both Bevins and Davies on the second numbers game thanks to my superior knowledge of the 37-times-table. My words: VISTAS, DEEMING, PEDALOS and LOANERS.

United States of Tara: Aftermath - 4/5
Oooh, I do like Alice.

24: Day 8, 1am-2am - 3/5

In Treatment: Jake & Amy, Week 6 - 3/5

I forgot to mention last week that I watched some of the Eurovision show on BBC One last Friday. I didn't see the two acts that were eliminated initially, but if the pisspoor standard of the final three is anything to go by they must have been truly woeful. The song is very much Stock and Waterman (Aitken, wisely, didn't participate), which may have been OK for the late 80s and early 90s, but it's hopelessly out of date for today's Eurovision. Peter Waterman was on 5 Live last week saying that when we heard the song, we wouldn't be able to get it out of our heads. Unfortunately for him I came away with last year's winning song in my head, which was performed just before the winner was announced. Expect us to crash and burn in Oslo.

Giant tortoises



Today's random photo is of two giant tortoises squaring up at San Diego Zoo on 9th October 2009.

Click the photo for a 1600x1200 version.

Monday 15 March 2010

Watched yesterday

British Transport Films: The Diesel Train Driver - 4/5

In Treatment: Sophie, Week 6 - 5/5

Film 2335
The Lure Of Las Vegas: A Kick In The Head - 3/5

You've Been Framed! - 4/5

Film 2336
Requiem For Detroit? - 3/5

Behind ewe



OK, lame joke. For all I know they're not even ewes. This photo was taken in January 2008 near Upper Booth, Derbyshire (at the foot of Kinder Scout).

Click the photo for a 1024x768 version.

Sunday 14 March 2010

Watched yesterday

QIXL: Greeks and Gods - 4/5

Star Trek: The Next Generation: Birthright, Part 2
Conclusion of a dull Worf-centric two-parter, no doubt one of those episodes where they cut the budget to fund better episodes at other times.

Harry Hill's TV Burp - 4/5
I love this, but if you turn the sound down it looks for all the world like the kind of Italian TV show that Clive James would mock on his shows of the 1980s and 90s.

Film 2334
Antichrist - 4/5
Undoubtedly heavy-going, but I'm glad to live in a country where such an explicit work can be show on TV without cuts. Charlotte Gainsbourg gives a tremendous performance, rightly recognised at Cannes, but which makes a mockery of Sandra Bullock winning the Oscar last weekend.

What Katie Did Next - 3/5
Katie, I love you an all, but half an episode (no, really) talking about the alarm on your sunbed is perhaps a little much!

Roses



Today's random photo is of roses in Regent's Park, London, in June 2007.

Click the photo for a 1600x1200 version.

Saturday 13 March 2010

Watched yesterday

Countdown: 13th March
Kevin Davis - 80
Stuart Inglis - 73
Dan Brusca - 32
Gosh, one my most woeful performances. My paltry score came courtesy of AVOWED, FASTEN, RESUME, VARLETS and RODENTS.

The Office: Halloween - 4/5

In Treatment: Alex, Week 6 - 4/5

Hung: Strange Friends or The Truth Is You're Sexy - 4/5

Lost: Sundown - 4/5

Building



Today's random photo is of a building in Manchester taken in June 2005.

Click the photo for a 1600x1200 version.

Friday 12 March 2010

Watched yesterday

Countdown: 11th March
Dan Brusca - 80
Kevin Davis - 76
Darryl Hall - 50
My points came from MOUTH, REFINED, FROTHIER, WARTIER, SPASMED, BATTLED, GLORIOUS, CAUSE and MOURNS. There's a poem there...

"Mouth refined,
Frothier, wartier, spasmed!
Battled glorious cause!
...mourns."


Look Around You: Module 1, Maths - 4/5

In Treatment: Laura, Week 6 - 4/5

Nip/Tuck: Benny Anderson - 4/5

Hung: Great Sausage or Can I Call You Dick? - 3/5

The Good Wife: Unorthodox - 4/5

Railway



Today's random photo is a stretch of railway near Breaston in Derbyshire, December 2004.

Clcik the photo for a 1600x1200 version.

Thursday 11 March 2010

Watched yesterday

Countdown: 10th March
Dan Brusca - 83
Kevin Davis - 73
Sam Denniss - 37
Points from GROATS, BARTERED, PALATE, UNLEASH, EMBROIL, VETOES, SOURING and ROCKET.

CSI Crime Scene Investigation: XX - 4/5

Fringe: Unearthed - 3/5

Shameless - 3/5

Mad Men: Seven Twenty-Three - 4/5

Sky



Today's random photo is the sky over Breaston, Derbyshire, one day in August 2005.

Clcik the photo for a 1600x1200 version.

Wednesday 10 March 2010

Up on the roof

A screenshot from Sky News on Sunday, a random rooftop in Los Angeles:



A photo I took on 20th October last year when visiting a friend:



What are the chances?!

Watched yesterday

Countdown: 9th March
Kevin Davis - 90
Dan Brusca - 58
Stevan Ryan - 41
Points from HOISTED, POUTIER, MASSAGE, RACIST, MERITED and SANDIER.

Bad Girls: Curtain Call - 4/5

In Treatment: Gina, Week 5 - 4/5

Weeds



Today's random photo was taken in a field near Breaston, Derbyshire, in August 2005. Reminds me of a Pollock painting...

Click the photo of a 1600x1200 version.

Tuesday 9 March 2010

Watched yesterday

Countdown: 8th March
Kevin Davis - 93
Jamie Ellwood - 68
Dan Brusca - 58
Fail. Points from WAITED, BOATING, REPLAYS, COUNTED, BEATNIK, LOONIES and AERIALS.

The Inbetweeners: Work Experience - 4/5

In Treatment: Jake & Amy, Week 5 - 3/5

24: Day 8, 12pm-1am - 4/5

Trauma: Pilot - 2/5
I'll watch another episode, but so far this seems surprisingly boring for a show with a high action quota and the characters seems largely unlikeable.

Stiles



Today's random photo is of a couple os tiles in breaston, Derbyshire, February 2009.

Click the photo for a 1200x1600 version.

Monday 8 March 2010

Watched yesterday

Film 2333
Crazy Heart - 4/5
It gets a bit loose in the final third, but overall this is a well-crafted and performed drama and nobody could possibly begrudge Jeff Bridges his Oscar win.

Las Vegas: Coyote Ugly - 3/5

In Treatment: Sophie, Week 5 - 4/5

Nip/Tuck: Lola Wlodkowski - 4/5

The Good Wife: Conjugal - 4/5

Hung: Pilot - 4/5

Lost: Lighthouse - 3/5

Trees



Today's random photo is of trees, seen from the disused Miller's Dale railway station, Derbyshire, in June 2009.

Click the photo for a 1200x1600 version.

Sunday 7 March 2010

Watched yesterday

Big Love: Easter - 4/5

Secret Diary Of A Call Girl: Episode 3.6 - 3/5

Secret Diary Of A Call Girl: Episode 3.7 - 2/5

Sons Of Anarchy: Old Bones - 4/5

Harry Hill's TV Burp - 4/5

Film 2332
The Hurt Locker - 4/5
Going head-to-head with Avatar in tonight's Oscars, The Hurt Locker is clearly the superior film. It's not as 'nerve-shreddingly tense' as I had been led to believe and it has no storyline, but the lengthy set-piece scenes are utterly compelling.

Dan Brusca



Today's random photo is a self-portrait taken in December 2004.

Click the photo for a 1600x1200 version, though I can't think why you would want one.

Saturday 6 March 2010

Watched yesterday

Countdown: 5th March
Dan Brusca - 100
Raheel Mirza - 58
Jamie Ellwood - 57
Good game, good game! Points from REMAINS, FORAGING, BLOUSE, ADROIT, TRAINED, CAROUSEL, CLOISTER, MIASMA, LIGHTER and DONATES.

CSI Crime Scene Investigation: Getting Off - 4/5

Survivors: Episode 2.6 - 3/5

In Treatment: Alex, Week 5 - 5/5

Friday Night Lights: Eyes Wide Open - 5/5

Mad Men: Guy Walks Into An Advertising Agency - 5/5

In the Wye valley



Today's random photo is a rock face in the Wye valley, Derbyshire, November 2008. The river often floods at this point and unless you want to a diversion away from the river you just have to accept yo're going to get your feet wet!

Click the photo for a 1200x1600 version.

Friday 5 March 2010

Watched yesterday

Countdown: 4th March
Raheel Mirza - 75
Dan Brusca - 59
Shakeel Aamer - 38
Not such a good day... points from BAP, ENAMELS, OUTLIER, ACTIONS, STARRED and HUNKIEST.

Star Trek TNG: Birthright, Part 1 - 4/5

In Treatment: Gina, Week 4 - 4/5

What Katie Did Next - 5/5

In Treatment: Laura, Week 5 - 5/5

Question Time - 4/5
Will Self won this by a country mile. Carol Vorderman was embarassing though. She was clearly going for the populist vote but failed to construct any coherent arguments to support her views.

Vale of Edale



Today's random photo is of a gloomy day across the Vale of Edale, Derbyshire, October 2006.

Click the photo for a 1600x1200 version.

Thursday 4 March 2010

Watched yesterday

Countdown: 3rd March
Dan Brusca - 83
Raheel Mirza - 73
Colin Davis - 41
My points came from DEFILES, PAUSES, NEMATODE, STONING, BRAINS, MALTIER, DECREPIT and TEXTING. TEXTING isn't actually in the Oxford Dictionary of English - the official Countdown dictionary - but Susie Dent allowed it, so I'll take the points.

Kings: Prosperity - 4/5

Shameless - 4/5, 3/5

In Treatment: Jake & Amy,, Week 4 - 4/5

Killer whales



Today's random photo is a couple of killler whales just before the 'Shamu Story' show at SeaWorld San Diego, 12th october 2009.

Click the photo for a 1600x1200 version, though it's a bit blurry.

Wednesday 3 March 2010

Watched yesterday

24: Day 8, 11pm-12pm - 4/5

The Great Offices of State: The Secret Treasury - 4/5

Countdown: 2nd March
Dan Brusca - 95
Raheel Mirza - 68
Phil Peart - 32
Yeah baby! Points from OUTSIDE, DIAPER, NOVATES, DOILIES, CARAMEL, RETURNER, AMBIT, GRAFTS, TRAPEZE and WOMEN.

Archer: Mole - 3/5

B-39



Today's random photo is the conning tower of former Soviet submarine B-39 in San Diego, 12th October 2009. Seeing this photo I realised that I didn't go up into the tower, thus missing an opportunity to re-create the pre-opening titles scene of The Hunt For Red October. For shame...

Click the pgoto for a 1600x1200 version.

Tuesday 2 March 2010

Watched yesterday

Countdown: 1st March
Dan Brusca - 74
Raheel Mirza - 65
Sarah Wilkinson - 48
Sarah was an Old Vic fan! My points courtesy of LOOKERS, CASTED, ROOMIES, CLEARED, PLOSIVES, MORTAR, IMPOSE and SAUNTER.

Peep Show: The Commission - 4/5

In Treatment: Sophie, Week 4 - 4/5

Lost: The Substitute - 4/5

QIXL: Gothic - 4/5

Nurse Jackie: Health Care and Cinema - 4/5

Watched yesterday



Today's random photo is an unidentified fish at SeaWorld San Diego, 12th October 2009.

Click the photo for a 1600x1200 version.

Monday 1 March 2010

Watched yesterday

Film 2331
Micmacs - 4/5

United States of Tara: Pilot - 3/5

In Treatment: Alex, Week 4 - 4/5

The Great Offices of State: Palace of Dreams - 4/5

The Good Wife: Crash - 3/5

Harry Hill's TV Burp - 4/5

From Kinder Scout



Today's random photo is the view along the northern edge of Kinder Scout, Derbyshire. Also visible are Ashop Clough and Black Ashop Moor. Photo taken May 2008.

Click the photo for a 1600x1200 version.