A touch of frost
We’re now in autumn and around the corner is the bleak midwinter that comes with living in northern Europe. The temperature has dropped considerably over the past week or so. It’s now in single figures, even during the day.
The tube no longer feels hot and stuffy. Instead, it has that warm, soporofic feel that isn’t altogether unpleasant on a cold day.
The frost arrived this morning. The first of the season.
Because I’m worth it
I may have gained 14 lbs in the past year. But I no longer have any spots. A good thing for someone in their early 30s. They had bugged me on and off for two decades.
My skin is better than it’s ever been. I’ve been using products from the Men Expert range by L’Oreal daily for the last 1+ year. Not sure if it’s because of that – or because I’ve finally grown out of it.
It may sound vain – but I couldn’t imagine not using moisturising products in the morning now. My skin would feel totally exposed to the ravages of this big, polluted city.
Priscilla
Great evening at the theatre seeing Priscilla: Queen of the Desert.
Really good fun. One of the best things I’ve seen at the theatre in a long time. I love the film too, which probably helps.
We were two rows from the front which is perhaps the closest I’ve ever sat at the theatre – was brilliant being able to see everything in such close up detail!
Jason Donovan was on a night off so his under-study played Tick (“Mitzi”) but he was great, as were the actors playing Adam (“Felicia”) and also Bernadette. Tony Sheldon, who played Bernadette – stole the show. He really was very close to the Terrence Stamp character who plays Bernadette in the film.
I was there with Sheridan’s LGB soc. I’m not much of a ‘gay community’ type of person so this was quite rare for me. But I really enjoyed it. Great atmosphere. Such a strange thing to say – but it was nice being out with a group of gay guys; with your own kind. Usually I’m the token gay guy as I’m not, generally, a big fan of gay-only nights out. But it was great. I enjoyed the solidarity, the warmth, the laughter and the camaraderie.
And if you’re in the mood for eye-candy – wow! The cast / dancers are seriously fit. Really made me want to start going to the gym again.
More reviews of the production on the BBC.
Silver cities rise
I’ve been at my company a year. The anniversary was the end of last week. I wrote a long post at the weekend. Which I didn’t post. Not sure why. It was too long to be honest. And I was on a bit of a downer at the time.
It’s not ‘utopia’ but it’s probably one of the best places I’ve ever worked at. Lots to like. Lots to frustrate me, too. No point in going into the detail. Too lengthy to convey.
It’s been up and down, especially the last couple of months. I’m earning more than I’ve ever earned. But I’m working harder than I’ve ever hard to work. Still unsure whether I’m comfortable with the trade-off.
There are times when I think that my company is The Firm. As in – John Grisham’s firm. That mafia-like organisation that expects you to give 110%. And then some. In return, you’re part of the family; looked after; protected; cared for. It’s very paternalistic.
Not sure how I feel about that, even a year in.
I have more responsibility than I’ve ever had. A bigger budget. A global remit. But I still get frustrated. I’m still not sure. Still not convinced that the private sector is where I want to be, long-term. Professional services – even the very high-end and interesting subset that I’m in – is still professional services. Remember – I wanted to be a fighter pilot. Or to be in the navy. Or to work for an NGO. I need meaning. This is congruent with my personality type and the profile below rings 101% true:
ENFPs have an unusually broad range of skills and talents. They are good at most things which interest them. Project-oriented, they may go through several different careers during their lifetime. To onlookers, the ENFP may seem directionless and without purpose, but ENFPs are actually quite consistent, in that they have a strong sense of values which they live with throughout their lives. Everything that they do must be in line with their values. An ENFP needs to feel that they are living their lives as their true Self, walking in step with what they believe is right. They see meaning in everything, and are on a continuous quest to adapt their lives and values to achieve inner peace. They’re constantly aware and somewhat fearful of losing touch with themselves. Since emotional excitement is usually an important part of the ENFP’s life, and because they are focused on keeping “centered”, the ENFP is usually an intense individual, with highly evolved values.
Source.
Like so much in my life – I crave meaning and authenticity. I’m still trying to find myself. But this job will do for now. And I’m OK with that.
It’s coming: Spooks Series 8
The brand new 8th series premiers this Wednesday at 9pm GMT on BBC1. It’s fair to say that Spooks is one of my most favourite TV series and certainly one of the very best things that the BBC airs each year.
From the BBC press office:
Award-winning drama Spooks is back in production, for a fantastic, high octane eighth series and is set to return to BBC One this autumn.
Following the dramatic climax of series seven, viewers will be on the edge of their seats, eagerly waiting to find out which of the country’s finest spies will return to their screens in the Kudos Film and Television production.
The critically-acclaimed last series saw the appointment of ice cold Ros Myers (Hermione Norris) to Head of Section D and the release of Lucas North (Richard Armitage) after eight years in a Russian prison.
Harry Pearce’s (Peter Firth) elite team of spies were forced to quickly adapt to their new dynamic following the death of Adam Carter, but there was no time to mourn their colleague as the Russians descended on London and a mole within Section D was discovered.
In the explosive finale of the series, old school spy Connie James was exposed as the Russian’s insider and, in a race to save London from a nuclear explosion, she paid the ultimate price for betrayal, sacrificing herself to save Ros and Lucas.
Although London was saved from disaster, it’s not over for Section D as Harry is missing in action following a meet with the Russian intelligence services, the FSB, and was last seen being bundled into the boot of a car…
Source: BBC
Preview from Radio Times:
British television isn’t much cop at straight-down-the-line thrillers; writers and producers get bogged down in characterisation and delivering right-on messages and lose sight of the fact that thrillers should be – yes – thrilling. Which brings us to Spooks. Those in the know are sniffy about it, claiming it’s nothing like MI5. I should hope not; it’s torrid, preposterous and frequently ridiculously overheated. And I love it to pieces, because Spooks is a rarity: a genuinely exciting, madly engaging drama that grabs you by the wrists and simply won’t let go. At the end of the last series it looked as if the game was up for spy boss Harry (the splendid Peter Firth) after he was kidnapped by a rogue band of utter rotters. As we start a new series, things still look bleak – and they get bleaker still when a familiar face arrives back on the Grid and lives are in danger. I’m being deliberately coy here, but there are simply too many surprises. It’s best just to buckle up and prepare yourselves for a trademark dizzying Spooks funfair ride as stern people in black stride down corridors and no one trusts anyone else. Part two is on BBC3 at 9:00pm on Friday.
Source: Radio Times
They danced all night
I’ve been really enjoying the BBC4 documentary series Golden Age of Glamour which has been airing over the past couple of weeks. It’s my favourite kind of TV. Well researched, very interesting, high quality documentaries and drama on a period that I’m really interested in.
I’ve always loved the 1920s-30s. I love everything about the period: the Art Deco styles, the fashion, the golden age of travel – cruise liners such as the White Star Line and Cunard. And this was the age when air travel got going, too. There have been some great documentaries as part of the series on both the ships and planes of the period.
The Handley Page H.P.42 and H.P.45 were British four-engine long-range biplane airliners designed to a 1928 Imperial Airways specification by Handley Page of Radlett in Hertfordshire. The H.P.42/45 were the land-based airliners of Imperial Airways and along with the airline’s later flying boats are well remembered. Eight aircraft were built, four of each type; all were named, with names beginning with the letter “H”. One was destroyed in an airship hangar fire in 1937 but the remainder survived to be impressed into Royal Air Force service at the outbreak of the Second World War. No lives were lost in civilian service (a record thought to be unique for contemporary aircraft) but by 1940 all had been destroyed. More info.
The documentary on aviation – How Britain Took to the Air - was great. Amy Johnson was the UK’s ‘aviatrix’ of the age:
Amy Johnson was the first female pilot to fly alone from Britain to Australia, which she achieved at the age of 26. Her flying career began in 1928 and other triumphs included becoming the first female ground engineer licensed by the Air Ministry, and being awarded the C.B.E. for her flying achievements. Source.
Hallowe’en
(Mae West, 1934)
I’ve having a quiet weekend following a horrendously busy week.
Morning was productive. Barber, Wine Shop, supermarket, Italian deli. Have cooked this afternoon. Going to spend the weekend catching up on TV and possibly some reading.
Anyway, enjoy Hallowe’en! Much as I like it, I do prefer Guy Fawkes (bonfire night) which those of us in the Commonwealth will be enjoying next week, on the 5th of November.
The lone piper
A lone piper was playing at the station this evening, on my way home. I find bagpipe music haunting. I’m guessing it’s in connection with Remembrance Sunday which is imminent. We wear poppies to remember those who fell in the two Great Wars and all other conflict.
I never hid my desire to join the armed forces when I was younger. But back then – unlike now – homosexuality was banned in the armed services. You’d get thrown out. So I ultimately thought better of it.
I guess I’d had the kind of upbringing (strict, formal, protestant, provincial, English) that predisposed me to want to serve.
These days I love military fly-on-the-wall docs. I also read militaria. Not what you expect from someone who is, technically, as queer as a $3 bill, eh? Hah! I guess that shows that generalisations are unreliable at the best of times. But I’ve never defined myself by my sexuality.
Mine wasn’t just an old-fashioned schooling. It was the type of schooling. Sent away aged 11 with a big metal trunk. To a boarding school. Living with other boys 24/7. Highs and lows (and these were in equal measure). Discipline. Routine. Hierarchy. Pride. Camaraderie. I got used to it; I grew to like it, even. These were the formative years of my life.
You can’t change your past and you don’t choose your upbringing – but ultimately they do define you.
Open leg rocker
Pilates can be up and down. Some weeks I find it really hard and I long for the end. Other times I get a kick out of it.
Tonight wasn’t too bad. I seemed a bit more supple than usual and had more stamina. I’m also – as you’d rather hope after almost a year of going – noticeably better than when I started. The moves do get more streamlined over time.
Take, for example, open leg rocker (pictured above). I found this really difficult when I first started nearly a year ago. You sit upright on the mat, legs up and out – straight in a high V shape, holding your ankles / shins. You rock back doing a semi-backward roll – then get yourself back into upright in a smooth action. I can do it quite smoothly now and hold form without wobbling or toppling.
My goal is still to supplement pilates (which we get free at work) by re-joining a gym. I want to get back on track by running and doing other cardio and free weights again. Hopefully soon.
Sobriety test
Sobriety test, Los Angeles, 1950s
Funny how they used to do such things.
I had a work party on Friday night and got v.tipsy. Started on Peroni beer, then moved to ‘gin & lemonade’ (heretical, I know!). Caught the last train, getting me home sometime after midnight. Then moved on to pastis (rather stupidly).
Regrettably, I felt pretty rough for the first half of Saturday. Am in dire need of going to the barber but didn’t go as couldn’t quite get out of bed.
Felt OK by the afternoon, but even so. Bit of a write-off. Went to S’s for dinner and stuck to water. Will do similar today. Having a quiet Sunday, though need to do housework *shudder*.
