TOMORROW is Blue Monday.
No it’s not New Order’s single, but the worst day of the year – according to experts.
It was Dr Cliff Arnall who came up with a mathematical formula claiming that tomorrow (Monday, January 17) is the most depressive day of the year.
Factors which have been highlighted are: terrible weather, the arrival of credit card bills post Christmas, and the fact that many people have gone back to work.
A number of suggestions have been put forward to help combat the January blues, these are: starting a new hobby, having fun and doing an activity you have been putting off for years.
It is a way of diverting your mind away from the negative thoughts.
Meanwhile it was standing room only at the Vue Cinema on Saturday for their screenings of The King’s Speech. You even had to queue before you went into the film.
I think work of mouth must be an important factor in the success of this film. People are going because their friends have seen the film, and recommended it.
The film shows how George VI was able to combat his stammer with the help of Lionel Logue, a speech therapist.
Geoffrey Rush and Colin Firth portray the interaction between George VI and Lionel Logue very well.
It would be very surprising, if one or both of these actors did not win an Oscar.
Sunday, 16 January 2011
Sunday, 9 January 2011
Kindle is a success
I AM yet to be persuaded of the point to the Kindle, which has become the most popular product for Amazon.
As the more device becomes more and more successful, less and less books will be printed.
This new gadget allows people to download digital copies of books and newspapers and it similar to the ipod, where people download music.
There are points in its favour and these are: it is portable, it allows you to keep all your books on one device, it saves using paper and it saves space.
But we have had books for many years and I prefer looking at a book to read, as opposed to staring at a computer screen. Critics of the Kindle have said a real book never runs out of battery.
Though the device is catching on and Amazon sold eight million of them in Britain and the US last year.
Already you can buy 500,000 digital books on Amazon.
Stieg Larsson’s novels The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets’ Nest, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and The Girl Who Played With Fire also featured on the top ten best sellers on amazon.co.uk in 2010.
Meanwhile I was glad England’s cricket team won the final test in Sydney to take the series 3-1.
If they had lost the match and drawn the series, it would have taken some of the shine of their performances.
It is an amazing effort to win the Ashes in Australia for the first time since 1987.
As the more device becomes more and more successful, less and less books will be printed.
This new gadget allows people to download digital copies of books and newspapers and it similar to the ipod, where people download music.
There are points in its favour and these are: it is portable, it allows you to keep all your books on one device, it saves using paper and it saves space.
But we have had books for many years and I prefer looking at a book to read, as opposed to staring at a computer screen. Critics of the Kindle have said a real book never runs out of battery.
Though the device is catching on and Amazon sold eight million of them in Britain and the US last year.
Already you can buy 500,000 digital books on Amazon.
Stieg Larsson’s novels The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets’ Nest, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and The Girl Who Played With Fire also featured on the top ten best sellers on amazon.co.uk in 2010.
Meanwhile I was glad England’s cricket team won the final test in Sydney to take the series 3-1.
If they had lost the match and drawn the series, it would have taken some of the shine of their performances.
It is an amazing effort to win the Ashes in Australia for the first time since 1987.
Monday, 6 December 2010
The boys beat the girls
WHEN the girls revealed they had picked up ten items out of ten in last week’s episode of The Apprentice, you automatically presumed they had won the task.
They had spent a number of hours at the beginning of the day preparing and planning where they were going to make their purchases.
While the boys went into the buying head-on and seemed to be running around like headless chickens. They ended up with only seven items, and Jamie spent hours trying to find a kitchen worktop.
However when the result came, and the boys were fined for every item they did not buy, it was the boys who had won. There was shock on the faces of the girls.
Last week was one of my favourite episodes for some time. Though why do the candidates have to be chauffeur driven everywhere? Surely it would be more realistic to have them travel on the tube or bus.
There is no favourite yet, though Liz might be in with a chance. Stuart is providing the comedy.
Meanwhile it is good to see England having the upper hand, so far, in this year’s Ashes in Australia.
Four years ago was an embarrassment when they lost the series 5-0.
Fortunately, they can’t lose by the same margin this time.
When they were all out in the first innings at Brisbane for 260, I thought England were going to lose the test, but their fight-back was amazing and they drew.
They have, so far, carried the momentum into the Adelaide test and Cook has been terrific.
They had spent a number of hours at the beginning of the day preparing and planning where they were going to make their purchases.
While the boys went into the buying head-on and seemed to be running around like headless chickens. They ended up with only seven items, and Jamie spent hours trying to find a kitchen worktop.
However when the result came, and the boys were fined for every item they did not buy, it was the boys who had won. There was shock on the faces of the girls.
Last week was one of my favourite episodes for some time. Though why do the candidates have to be chauffeur driven everywhere? Surely it would be more realistic to have them travel on the tube or bus.
There is no favourite yet, though Liz might be in with a chance. Stuart is providing the comedy.
Meanwhile it is good to see England having the upper hand, so far, in this year’s Ashes in Australia.
Four years ago was an embarrassment when they lost the series 5-0.
Fortunately, they can’t lose by the same margin this time.
When they were all out in the first innings at Brisbane for 260, I thought England were going to lose the test, but their fight-back was amazing and they drew.
They have, so far, carried the momentum into the Adelaide test and Cook has been terrific.
Saturday, 20 November 2010
Bring Downton back soon
TV bosses should not wait long to bring back Downton Abbey.
It was one of the best costume dramas on television for years.
There was a great mix of characters in the programme from the scheming lady’s maid Sarah O'Brien to the beautiful Cora Crawley.
Julian Fellowes, the writer of Downton Abbey, also introduced some good plot lines. One of my favourite was Isobel Crawley arguing with the Dowager Countess of Grantham for progress at the local hospital.
I also like it when Downton Abbey received its first telephone. The butler – Carson – did not know how to use the device, which is now seen as an everyday item in a household. He was shown practicing how to answer the phone.
The series was very well set and Downton Abbey was actually Highclere Castle in Berkshire, the home of the 8th Earl of Carnarvon. It was an earlier Carnarvon who funded Howard Carter’s expedition to find the tomb of Tutankhamun.
These dramas are also always filmed on perfect Spring days.
Nearly 11 million people were reported to have watched the last episode and the next series is due to appear on our screens next autumn.
Meanwhile, I could not believe someone would pay £56m for a vase.
This was a remarkable story and it was amazing that the vase, which had been used as a bookend, was worth so much money.
It was one of the best costume dramas on television for years.
There was a great mix of characters in the programme from the scheming lady’s maid Sarah O'Brien to the beautiful Cora Crawley.
Julian Fellowes, the writer of Downton Abbey, also introduced some good plot lines. One of my favourite was Isobel Crawley arguing with the Dowager Countess of Grantham for progress at the local hospital.
I also like it when Downton Abbey received its first telephone. The butler – Carson – did not know how to use the device, which is now seen as an everyday item in a household. He was shown practicing how to answer the phone.
The series was very well set and Downton Abbey was actually Highclere Castle in Berkshire, the home of the 8th Earl of Carnarvon. It was an earlier Carnarvon who funded Howard Carter’s expedition to find the tomb of Tutankhamun.
These dramas are also always filmed on perfect Spring days.
Nearly 11 million people were reported to have watched the last episode and the next series is due to appear on our screens next autumn.
Meanwhile, I could not believe someone would pay £56m for a vase.
This was a remarkable story and it was amazing that the vase, which had been used as a bookend, was worth so much money.
Monday, 8 November 2010
Thoughts on November 5
IS it me or were there less fireworks going off this year?
A few years ago on November 5 you could hear fireworks going off throughout the night at different displays.
But this year I only heard the occasional bang of a firework.
Could it be that health and safety regulations are putting people off having displays?
I have fond memories of going to firework displays as a child. Let’s hope youngsters do not miss out on this experience because of too much red tape.
It was brilliant to see the passion of Steven Gerrard on Thursday night.
He obviously did not like the experience of being on the substitute’s bench in the first half of Liverpool’s game against Napoli.
Liverpool were 1-0 down and the team lacked spark.
This was all to change in the second half and the sight of Gerrard warming up lifted the crowd.
As soon as he came on Liverpool’s tempo improved, you knew a goal was not far away.
He spoke after the game about his desire, and I think it was this that turned the game round.
Gerrard knew Liverpool should not have been losing the game, and he had the skill to make the difference.
Now the team need more players like him.
A few years ago on November 5 you could hear fireworks going off throughout the night at different displays.
But this year I only heard the occasional bang of a firework.
Could it be that health and safety regulations are putting people off having displays?
I have fond memories of going to firework displays as a child. Let’s hope youngsters do not miss out on this experience because of too much red tape.
It was brilliant to see the passion of Steven Gerrard on Thursday night.
He obviously did not like the experience of being on the substitute’s bench in the first half of Liverpool’s game against Napoli.
Liverpool were 1-0 down and the team lacked spark.
This was all to change in the second half and the sight of Gerrard warming up lifted the crowd.
As soon as he came on Liverpool’s tempo improved, you knew a goal was not far away.
He spoke after the game about his desire, and I think it was this that turned the game round.
Gerrard knew Liverpool should not have been losing the game, and he had the skill to make the difference.
Now the team need more players like him.
Sunday, 24 October 2010
The Apprentice is back
THE latest series of The Apprentice has been as addictive as other years.
The programme, which is normally shown in the Spring, returned to our screens a few weeks ago.
In the first three programmes the team leader of the losing side has been the one to be fired. So you know if you put yourself forward to be a team leader, you are taking a huge gamble.
The arrogance of some of the contestants is unbelievable and some of their comments, such as, “my first word wasn’t money it was money” are laughable. It is often the case that the one’s that talk themselves up the most are the most incompetent, for example Melissa.
Melissa put herself forward to be a team leader because she said her experience was perfect for the task. However she was unable to work out costs, or make a decision. Luckily for her, her team just won and beat Shibby’s.
The behaviour of Shibby, a surgeon was scary. You would have thought he would have been good under pressure, but as soon as a situation became tough he went into a sulk. He was also very argumentative with potential customers.
It is interesting when a team fails and the internal arguments start. No one wants to accept the blame and the finger pointing begins.
Keeping an eye over the tasks again is Nick Hewer, and he is joined this year by Karren Brady, who brings some glamour to the programme. Nick doesn’t say much, but he doesn’t need to, as his facial expressions normally tell the whole story.
Finally it is too early to predict an overall winner.
The programme, which is normally shown in the Spring, returned to our screens a few weeks ago.
In the first three programmes the team leader of the losing side has been the one to be fired. So you know if you put yourself forward to be a team leader, you are taking a huge gamble.
The arrogance of some of the contestants is unbelievable and some of their comments, such as, “my first word wasn’t money it was money” are laughable. It is often the case that the one’s that talk themselves up the most are the most incompetent, for example Melissa.
Melissa put herself forward to be a team leader because she said her experience was perfect for the task. However she was unable to work out costs, or make a decision. Luckily for her, her team just won and beat Shibby’s.
The behaviour of Shibby, a surgeon was scary. You would have thought he would have been good under pressure, but as soon as a situation became tough he went into a sulk. He was also very argumentative with potential customers.
It is interesting when a team fails and the internal arguments start. No one wants to accept the blame and the finger pointing begins.
Keeping an eye over the tasks again is Nick Hewer, and he is joined this year by Karren Brady, who brings some glamour to the programme. Nick doesn’t say much, but he doesn’t need to, as his facial expressions normally tell the whole story.
Finally it is too early to predict an overall winner.
Saturday, 16 October 2010
Montgomerie's men take Ryder Cup
WHAT a great win for Montgomerie’s European Ryder Cup team in this year’s match at Celtic Manor in Wales.
Who’d have thought during the downpours and play suspensions on the Friday that they would have ever finished the event.
Europe took the contest in dramatic fashion, and it was one of the most memorable Ryder Cups in recent times.
Montgomerie proved to be a good captain and the team never looked back after his pep-talk, when the air was said to have turned blue.
He had told his team they lacked passion, but that was certainly there on the Monday during the singles matches.
And you could feel the tension as the contest went down to the final match between Graeme McDowell and Hunter Mahan.
It was amazing to read in a new study that nearly nine million adults can’t ride a bike, and five million can’t tie their shoelaces or swim.
The study has been published by www.one-poll.com, who used 3,000 people to get their findings.
People said they did not learn when they were younger to ride a bike and thought it was too late to start learning now.
A One Poll spokesman, said: “These stats are absolutely startling.”
Meanwhile, I’ll drink to another study that says that three cups a day can prevent heart problems.
The review could be found in the journal of the Molecular Aspects of Medicine.
According to the study tea reduces plaque in the arteries.
A total of 80% of this country drinks tea.
Dr Catherine Hood from the Tea Advisory Panel, said: “Evidence is growing that three to four cups of black tea each day is good not only for general health, but also for cardiovascular health.”
Firstly after Europe’s success in the Ryder Cup, let’s hope England can follow suit and retain The Ashes in Australia.
The first test is next month.
Who’d have thought during the downpours and play suspensions on the Friday that they would have ever finished the event.
Europe took the contest in dramatic fashion, and it was one of the most memorable Ryder Cups in recent times.
Montgomerie proved to be a good captain and the team never looked back after his pep-talk, when the air was said to have turned blue.
He had told his team they lacked passion, but that was certainly there on the Monday during the singles matches.
And you could feel the tension as the contest went down to the final match between Graeme McDowell and Hunter Mahan.
It was amazing to read in a new study that nearly nine million adults can’t ride a bike, and five million can’t tie their shoelaces or swim.
The study has been published by www.one-poll.com, who used 3,000 people to get their findings.
People said they did not learn when they were younger to ride a bike and thought it was too late to start learning now.
A One Poll spokesman, said: “These stats are absolutely startling.”
Meanwhile, I’ll drink to another study that says that three cups a day can prevent heart problems.
The review could be found in the journal of the Molecular Aspects of Medicine.
According to the study tea reduces plaque in the arteries.
A total of 80% of this country drinks tea.
Dr Catherine Hood from the Tea Advisory Panel, said: “Evidence is growing that three to four cups of black tea each day is good not only for general health, but also for cardiovascular health.”
Firstly after Europe’s success in the Ryder Cup, let’s hope England can follow suit and retain The Ashes in Australia.
The first test is next month.
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