Misfits Mid-Life Crisis Adventures In East, West and Central London & Essex.
During the last seven days I wished friends who celebrated the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Eid Mubarak.
This week I want to talk a little about the wonder of the eclipse that 30 plus million Americans enjoyed with their own eyes this week. While I and millions around the world were gripped to the internet enjoying it vicariously.
Because I watched on NASA TV, I technically saw the eclipse 10 times (it would have been 11 but Niagara Falls was clouded over) because they were broadcasting from various sites along the path of totality. The time we live in is such a special one, because the moon is 400 times smaller than the sun, and our star is 400 times the distance from the moon is why we see this phenomenon of the moon fully blocking out the sun. In the past the moon orbited closer to the Earth, so anyone looking up wouldn’t have seen an eclipse. Our celestial companion is moving away from the earth roughly 3 to 4 centimetres a year, this means that in the future when the moon is too far out to completely cover the disc of the Sun so who/whatever inhabits the earth won’t see what millions enjoyed this week.
I have only had a couple of real-world experiences, in 1999 there was a total eclipse visible from London, but of course the weather didn’t behave. Then a couple of years ago I did successfully view a partial while on holiday in Suffolk. Of course, I packed my certified solar specs to see the eclipse safely. Fingers crossed medical science can keep me alive so that I can witness the next UK total eclipse on 23rd September 2090 when I would be a spritely 121 years old. Science is making amazing leaps and advances all the time; it could be possible that I might be around. Seriously I will have to travel abroad to witness a total eclipse with my own eyes, it would be a shame not to, after all I have the glasses packed away.
NASA TV’s programme really was very good, at each location they had a very excitable presenter with a guest to talk about what they’re seeing and experiencing. I felt for them because during the event they couldn’t just be silent and amazed at the natural phenomenon above them, they had to keep talking. Sadly, most of the commentary consisted of, “Oh my god” and “Wow”. I am not blaming them as I wouldn’t really know what to say. Even though I loved the coverage I could have done without the screaming and screeching from each commentator. But it is a once in a decade/generation experience it must be tough to remain composed and professional while the sky around darkened.
The star (no pun intended) of the production must be the telescope operators in the various locations, all were credited on screen, some even got a verbal thanks from the presenter in a few of the locations. The views really were captivating. I did disturb my friend occasionally sat next to me excitedly pointing at the screen, don’t worry I never uttered an O.M.G or Wow once. She was one of the few people on the planet not impressed with what was happening. The coverage really was excellent, it does make me wonder what this type of broadcast will look like in 2090. By then it will probably be projected straight into a person’s brain, which would be good because I don’t want to be fighting other care home residents trying to get them to lower the sound of an episode of The Chase they have seen 300 times before. Future broadcast technology will make a presentation like this even more spectacular.
And Now For Something Completely Different……
At one point this week I had to crake open a bottle of my favourite brand of Factor 50. Yes, sun cream season has officially started. Between now and September exposed skin will be smeared and greasy to the touch.
I am a lover of the Sun as an astronomical body, but not of how it makes my skin feel. Over the coming weeks I will need to do a stock take of what cream I have left from last year and make sure that I have supplies for this summer. Hello, my name is Dana, and I am a sun cream addict.
And Finally……
After stepping on to a Bus, I heard the following exchange between two women directly behind me.
Women 1:, (angrily), “You were determined to get on first”.
Women 2: “Well I was here first”.
Women 1: (sarcastically), “What on this planet?”.
Women 2: (making a point), “At this bus stop”.
People really have lost the ability to queue these days in the capital.
P.s, my thoughts are with ML during this difficult time.
My Mid-Life Crisis Conts……
This Week I Watched……
“10 Lives”, (2024). “Angel”, (S2, 21 &ep 22)(S3, ep 1 to ep 6). “Beyond Paradise”, (S2, ep 3). “Britain’s Biggest Dig”, (S1, ep 1, TX: 09/04/24)(ep 2, TX: 10/04/24). “Buffy The Vampire Slayer”, (S5, ep 22)(S6, ep 1 to ep 6). “Click”, (TX: 06/04/24). “Hypnotic”, (2023). “Landing of MS-24 (NASA TV Live)(TX: 06/04/24). “Murder, They Hope”, (S1, ep 3)(S2, ep 1). “Oppenheimer”, (2023). “Renegade Nell”, (S1, ep 3). “Scoop”, (2024). “Spies In Disguise”, (2019). “Taskmaster”, (S17 (S8 on C4) ep 2, TX: 04/04/24). “The 7th Voyage Of Sinbad”, (1958). “The Apprentice”, (S18, “Week Eleven”, TX: 11/04/24). “The Apprentice: You’re Fired”, (S18, ep 11, TX: 11/04/24). “The Assembly”, (TX: 05/04/24). “The Dropout”, (S1, ep 2 to ep 5). “The Final Delta IV Heavy: ULA Launch”, (NSF/YouTube)(TX: 09/04/24). “The Great Celebrity Bake Off For S2UC”, (S7, ep 4, TX: 07/04/24). “The Huntsman: Winter’s War”, (2016). “The Land That Time Forgot”, (1974). “The Little Rascals – Shiver My Timbers”, (1931). “The Sky At Night”, (TX: 08/04/24). “Total Eclipse Over USA: 2024”, (NASA TV)(TX: 008/04/24). “Travel Man: 48 Hours In…”, (S12, ep 4 , “Lanzarote”, TX: 12/04/24).
Doctor Who Watched This Week……
“Ascension Of The Cybermen”, (S12 (S38 Since 1963) ep 9, TX: 23/02/20). “The Timeless Child”, (S12 (S38 Since 1963) ep 10, TX: 01/03/20). “Revolution Of The Daleks”, (TX: 01/01/21). “Flux: Chapter One – The Halloween Apocalypse”, (S13 (S39 Since 1963) ep 1, TX: 31/10/21). “Flux: Chapter Two – War Of The Sontarans”, (S13 (S39 Since 1963) ep 2, TX: 07/11/21). “Flux: Chapter Three – Once, Upon Time”, (S13 (S39 Since 1963) ep 3, TX: 14/11/21). “Flux: Chapter Four – Village Of The Angels”, (S13 (S39 Since 1963) ep 4, TX: 21/11/21).
Tony Hancock Appreciation Society Live Recording Of Very Nearly Am Armful & Showing Of Colour Version Of The Blood Donor (“Hancock”, S7, ep 5 , TX: 23/06/61)”(Riverside Cinema 06/04/24).
This Week I Saw Live……
This Week I Listened To……
“Angel On Top”, (ep 1.08, “I Will Remember You”, 03/10/18). “Broadcasting House (With Paddy O’Connell)”, (BBC Radio 4/Sounds)(07/04/24). “Buffering: A Rewatch Adventure”, (ep 1.09, “The Puppet Show”, (16/11/16)(ep 0.02, “Intv With Armin Shimerman”, 19/11/16). “Clinton Baptiste’s All-New Paranormal Podcast”, (“Spooky Stories Archive”, ep 016, 12/04/24). “Doctor Who Target Book Club”, (ep 16, “The Chase”, 26/08/17). “Doctor Who – Toby Hadoke’s Time Travels – Happy Times And Places”, (78.1, “The Celestial Toymaker”, (08/04/24)(78.2, 12/04/24). “Exocast”, (ep 47-c, 13/12/20). “Hard Boiled Eggs And Nuts A Laurel And Hardy Podcast”, (ep 43, “The Battle Of The Century (1927)”, 30/06/18). “Liza Tarbuck”, (BBC Radio 2/Sounds)(06/04/24). “Nick Abbot Whole Show”, (LBC)(06/04/24)(07/04/24)(12/04/24). “Pale Blue Pod”, (08/04/24). “Radio Astronomy (Sky At Night Magazine) Star Diary”, (“8th To 14th Apr”, 07/04/24). “Random Movie Generator With David Earl And David Edward’s”, (S3, ep 15, 10/04/24). “Random Trek”, – (VOY),”11. 59″, (The Incomparable)(31/07/24). “Sicker Sadder World: Rewatching Daria”, (S1, d 7, “The Lab Brat”, 18/04/17). “Space And Things Podcast”, (STP189, 11/04/24). “Space Rocket History Podcast”, (ep 193, 18/01/17)(ep 194, 25/01/17)(ep 195, 01/02/17)(ep 196, 08/02/17)(ep 197, 15/02/17). “Star Trek Universe Podcast”, (TOS, S1, ep 28, “Errand Of Mercy”, 08/04/24). “The James Bond A to Z Podcast”, (“Barbara Broccoli”, 04/03/21). “The Mystery Hour With James O’Brien”, (LBC)(12/04/24). “The Nick Abbot Habit”, (LBC)(08/04/24). “The Power Of Music Requests And Music Memories With Annabelle (Speaking To Dave Giles)“, (Cotswold Radio)(06/04/24). “The Rewatcher: Buffy The Vampire Slayer”, (ep 9, “The Puppet Show”, 21/11/22). “The Supermassive Podcast”, (ep 51, “Bonus”, 10/04/24). “Two Watch Who ”, (S23, Story 2, “Trial Of A Timelord – Mindwarp”,08/04/24). “Universe today Podcast “, (05/04/24)(08/04/24). “What’s Your Problem With Nick Abbot And Carol Mcgiffin”, (LBC)(08/04/24).
This Week I Enjoyed Music By……
“Morrissey”, “ABBA”, “ABC”, “Altered Images”, “Bran Van 3000”, “Buffalo Springfield”, “Culture Beat”, “Dave Giles”, “David Bowie”, “Enya”, “Fleetwood Mac”, “KT Tunstall”, “LCD Soundsystem”, “Lana Del Rey”, “Len”, “Manic Street Preachers”, “Men Without Hats”, “Oasis”, “Percy Faith”, “Soho”, “Sparklehorse”, “Suede”, “The Bay City Rollers”, “The Chemical Brothers”, “The Seekers”, “The Wambats”, “Yeah Yeah Yeahs”.
MisFits Mid-Life Crisis.... 