Stephen's Notebook

Wonderful BBC Proms concert on TV tonight. Public Service Broadcasting and the BBC Symphony Orchestra performed their tribute to the BBC centenary. The ending was powerful. A moving reminder that nothing lasts forever but also a symbol of what we’d lose if the BBC disappeared. 🎵

I’ve been trying to clear out a lot of old paper stuff and I just found these old Apple coupons. You needed them to get an upgrade to OS X 10.1. I converted to Mac just as OS 9 was switching over to the new OS X so things were confusing. These seem like historical documents now.

Finished reading: Rotherweird by Andrew Caldecott 📚Loved this one. It seems to divide people according to reviews I’ve read but I came to it with zero expectations and was enthralled. Looking forward to the next two parts.

Watched on Monday August 8, 2022.

Watched on Monday August 8, 2022.

Currently reading: Rotherweird by Andrew Caldecott 📚 I knew nothing about this book but at 99p for the Kindle version I decided to take a chance. I’m very glad I did.

I’m a fan of Wes Anderson’s films but, gosh, The French Dispatch is hard work. The premise is interesting but the execution is very dull. It looks beautiful but I cared nothing for what’s happening or any of the characters. I need to watch Rushmore again. 🎥

I never expect much from these things but this one had quite an emotional punch in the last third. Maybe it’s just my current state of mine but I was quite moved.

I found an old notebook. There’s a page in it that has a list of old software license codes. Virtually none of the apps still exist. Does anyone remember ecto? iView?

I’ve read lots of good things about the Pilot iroshizuku inks. I could have bought more ink in a full bottle for less than the cost of this little set but I wanted to try a few different colours. The tsuki-yo is my favourite so far. 🖋

Film log - watched Spider-Man: No Way Home. I never expect much from these things but this one had quite an emotional punch in the last third. Maybe it’s just my current state of mind but I was made teary-eyed by a Spider-Man movie. 🎥

Finished reading: The Sound of Being Human by Jude Rogers 📚

Currently reading: Sound Within Sound by Kate Molleson 📚🎵

I haven’t been able to concentrate on any reading over the last few weeks due to the major stuff going on in my life but I seem to be settling down a bit now. I have a pile of music-related books to get through.

Trying to make the best of the first decent summer day here. A heatwave is heading for the UK according to the forecasts but, as the old joke goes, “that’s except for viewers of BBC Scotland”.

Tough week. It was my dad’s funeral on Monday. I find myself almost getting back into a “normal” routine and then I remember something and everything comes flooding back. I suppose this is the new “normal” for me now.

Another uninvited guest.

Nice clue in today’s Guardian cryptic crossword. Solving it will require knowing a bit of British slang.

“Initially looked in toilet for online journal (4)”.

Watched on Sunday May 29, 2022.

Watched on Sunday May 29, 2022.

I started watching Better Call Saul but then my brother said I’d need to finish Breaking Bad for it all to make any sense. So I’m back watching Breaking Bad and thinking that watching TV can be hard work these days.