2009 — 18 April: Saturday

Again, just gone midnight. Follow me back to early 1975 for tonight's picture of Christa in High Wycombe:

John, me, Christa, Lis, John's two nephews, and my niece!

Right. Time for beddy-bye. G'night.

Irritatingly...

... the BBC Radio 2 website has been improved, and it seems they can no longer host a track listing for Brian Matthew's "Sounds of the 60s" until after transmission. Question is, was that the violinist Jean-Luc Ponty just before the 9 o'clock news? I thought I heard the name "King Kong" (which was certainly an album title of his) but I also thought it was the music of Frank Zappa — so what was a Paul Simon arrangement doing on there? I'd have to power up another system1 to check my MP3s from that album, and I'm in a bit of a time crunch just now (as I munch).

Exasperatingly...

... there's a hole in my fridge where my intended lump of lunchtime cheese used to be. And the giant mouse that snaffled it is, of course, back in town after visiting his country Pop. Still, at least he went for Waitrose's finest mild organic! Quick change of sandwich filling plan, and another item for the next shopping list. (Wonder what else has wandered.) It's 09:48 and nearly time to get going. It's not actually raining, but not exactly bright and (sun)shiny out there at the mo'.

Back, relatively un-bluebelled

It was pretty soggy underfoot, and the bluebells are not yet out in full force. But a pleasant 6.7 mile ramble in pleasant company and pleasant weather only nearly spoiled when an idiot driver pulled out of a lay-by in a manner that even caused Mike to swear on my behalf. "Expect the unexpected", heh? It's 16:39, and there's a lovely bit of jazz (Sun Ra) on Radio 3. I shall also be tuning in to the extended examination of Roy Wood at 21:00 tonight, too (on 6Music). Aah, the life2 of a leisured pensioner.

I'm doing OK, thanks, Aunty Ivy. I will send you an email soon.

Memorius

For as long as I can remember (!) I've been fascinated by the phenomenon of total recall. And, indeed, by the mechanism of human memory in general. So I lapped up this Wired article by Gary Marcus, even though it veered off into OCD territory. (Equally interesting, I suppose, in some ways.)

Mercy me, there's even a new John Sayles movie on BBC 2 tonight. Cool.

Incoming...

A few more tiny insights (of sorts) into some of my recent purchases, two of which were wedged into my Venetian blinds when I got home from the bluebell expotition:

  

Footnotes

1  Ironically, any of my other systems would do. Murphy's Law is thus safely upheld.
Update: the track listing is now here. It was indeed Jean-Luc Ponty. Odd that I'm currently listening to a programme about bootleg recordings...
2  I think my appreciation of Roy Wood has just gone up through the roof. Amazing programme.