2010 — 21 August: Saturday

The score remains at just two bookcases assembled, but at least Mr Staples replied a few hours ago regarding the return and replacement of however many of the remaining unopened packages are damaged. Of course, that means I now have to unpack and inspect the other five sets, a task that I shall happily leave until daylight.

Meanwhile, as usual, when I overdose on West Wing1 after a time (between three and four episodes in one gulp, as it were) a certain amount of cognitive dissonance starts to set in as I can't help contrasting the antics in this fictional White House with either and/or both the real one and/or Downing Street and Whitehall.

One doesn't want too much of a good thing. So, at a few minutes "after midnight" (to misquote JJ Cale), I'm calling it a day. G'night.

And another day...

... so time (08:13) for some more "Sounds of the 60s" and another couple of bookcases. And a cuppa, of course. It's not quite raining, but is pretty damp and unpretty out there.

The film buff's film buff

David Thomson has produced a list of "unknown classics". I've heard of two, and seen only one. But I shall be ordering Deep End as soon as it's available on DVD. I've never forgotten it, or the stunning performances by Jane Asher and John Moulder-Brown.

Good grief! The BBC chap who just (13:04) gave the BBC Radio 4 subset of the nation a few soundbites about the Iran Bushehr nuclear facility seems to be a student of the unlamented Dubya. He pronounced it "new-kew-ler" three times when (to be honest) I'd much prefer to hear "new-clear". Wonder if he got one of the recent batch of A* grades?

Then we come to this little gem:

NHS

Parkinson's Law applies, it seems. There's also something a bit ironic about scientific misconduct on the part of a researcher into cognition and morality. (Source.)

Late lunch

A ham salad and microwave chips has just been considerably enhanced by the small sample of "Old Winchester Extra Mature" award-winning cheese (or rocket fuel) from these guys that Roger left with me yesterday. Yum.

Bookcases?

I've now inspected the remaining packs. In total, three of the sixteen long side panels are cracked. But, thanks to Murphy's Law, I've only been able to assemble five of the eight bookcases. This is because the side panels of these bookcases are mirror images, and all three damaged side panels happen to be right hand side units.

Bookcase

The only minor complication is that one of these side panels ideally needs to be light maple, and the other two both need to be beech finish. Yes! Two of the eight bookcases were light maple. The other six were all beech. Go figure, as they say.

Definitely tea time — I'm just back from dumping all the packaging at the tip.

History of ideas

A topic that Jonathan Miller (a man I greatly admire) asserts it's impossible to get on to British TV. I fear he's right. And TV is the poorer for it. (A completely fascinating programme, by the way.)

  

Footnote

1  My second favourite TV drug of choice. Useful in earlier times when off work with one of Peter's hell viruses. Useful now as a distraction from too much dwelling on the current plight of dear Mama in her care-home.