Finally the British Summer has arrived and we have been blessed with some good weather.
June and July came last year and with hardly a sunny day to remember. It seemed to rain non-stop for months.
People connect a number of sounds with being in the sun, such as: waves lapping on the shore; pigeons making cooing noises; the sound of seagulls; and the roar of the engine of a speedboat.
For me the Summer is about enjoying the outside, be it playing sport or sunbathing.
It is my favourite time of the year as there is long hours of daylight and warmer weather.
Before we know it though, it is the end of August. That was the time of the year my stomach used to drop, as I knew that school was just around the corner.
The one bad thing about the Summer is the Summer TV schedule. We have to wait to the autumn for the big shows to start.
Big Brother used to be a novel programme to follow during the Summer. Here was a new idea that allowed the viewer to have a bird’s eye view of people’s lives.
The highlight for me was Big Brother 5 and fight night.
You could feel the tension building in the house before the confrontations began.
In recent years I have not followed the show and I have yet to catch up with what’s going on in Big Brother 2008.
Tuesday, 29 July 2008
Wednesday, 2 July 2008
Ex-smokers earn money
DOCTORS in the poorest areas of Dundee have come up with a novel way of helping smokers give up.
They are offering reformed smokers taking part in a three month scheme £12.50, a week, if a carbon monoxide test proves they have not smoked.
The money will not be given in cash, but will be placed on a card, and won’t be able to be used for cigarettes and alcohol.
It is hoped that handing over credit to smokers will give them an incentive to give up.
This sounds like a good idea, and I think it will save the NHS money in the long run, because it would probably mean the hospitals would have to treat less smoking related illnesses.
Some people, who gave up last year, have criticised the idea and have said they should be entitled to money too.
I think it would be impossible to backdate the money though, and where do you start.
If the scheme is successful, it could be started across the country. It will be interesting to see what happens.
Meanwhile, I had a go at Dragon boat racing recently at the Marine Lake.
We were the first race on, and despite the strong winds, which caused a big wash on the Lake, our race took place.
It was good fun, although I ended up getting soaked.
Unfortunately the event had to be cancelled soon after our trial and will now take place again in August.
They are offering reformed smokers taking part in a three month scheme £12.50, a week, if a carbon monoxide test proves they have not smoked.
The money will not be given in cash, but will be placed on a card, and won’t be able to be used for cigarettes and alcohol.
It is hoped that handing over credit to smokers will give them an incentive to give up.
This sounds like a good idea, and I think it will save the NHS money in the long run, because it would probably mean the hospitals would have to treat less smoking related illnesses.
Some people, who gave up last year, have criticised the idea and have said they should be entitled to money too.
I think it would be impossible to backdate the money though, and where do you start.
If the scheme is successful, it could be started across the country. It will be interesting to see what happens.
Meanwhile, I had a go at Dragon boat racing recently at the Marine Lake.
We were the first race on, and despite the strong winds, which caused a big wash on the Lake, our race took place.
It was good fun, although I ended up getting soaked.
Unfortunately the event had to be cancelled soon after our trial and will now take place again in August.
Thursday, 19 June 2008
That's what I am talking about
I WAS surprised when Sir Alan Sugar voted Lee McQueen as his Apprentice.
Throughout the series Lee was probably one of the best salesman, along with Alex, although you would have to question if he merited a £100,000 salary.
It seemed, from the way Wednesday’s programme was being slanted, that Claire was going to win. But as usual Sir Alan kept the audience guessing until the very last minute.
The fact Lee had lied on his CV to get on the programme seemed to be conveniently brushed under the carpet, a fact that was spotted in the penultimate programme. Not only that he had also submitted an application littered with spelling mistakes.
Perhaps viewers should have guessed Lee was to be picked when, at the start of the show, he told Sir Alan he was a Tottenham Hotspur fan.
The result may have been a shock, however the programme was again compulsive viewing.
It was interesting to see how the contestants reacted under pressure. There was some noticeable friction between Helene and Alex, while Lee and Claire seemed to gel.
I didn’t get the concept put forward by Helene and Alex, but thought Claire and Lee’s idea good, although it did glamorise gambling.
Both groups were helped by contestants, who had been voted off. I’m not sure I would be too willing to help if Sir Alan had got rid of me.
Anyway The Apprentice is over for another year, I will have to think of something else to watch on a Wednesday night now.
Throughout the series Lee was probably one of the best salesman, along with Alex, although you would have to question if he merited a £100,000 salary.
It seemed, from the way Wednesday’s programme was being slanted, that Claire was going to win. But as usual Sir Alan kept the audience guessing until the very last minute.
The fact Lee had lied on his CV to get on the programme seemed to be conveniently brushed under the carpet, a fact that was spotted in the penultimate programme. Not only that he had also submitted an application littered with spelling mistakes.
Perhaps viewers should have guessed Lee was to be picked when, at the start of the show, he told Sir Alan he was a Tottenham Hotspur fan.
The result may have been a shock, however the programme was again compulsive viewing.
It was interesting to see how the contestants reacted under pressure. There was some noticeable friction between Helene and Alex, while Lee and Claire seemed to gel.
I didn’t get the concept put forward by Helene and Alex, but thought Claire and Lee’s idea good, although it did glamorise gambling.
Both groups were helped by contestants, who had been voted off. I’m not sure I would be too willing to help if Sir Alan had got rid of me.
Anyway The Apprentice is over for another year, I will have to think of something else to watch on a Wednesday night now.
Friday, 6 June 2008
The mint with the hole
DID you know that the Polo mint is celebrating its 60th birthday this year?
Polo mints were introduced to the British public in 1948 and were made by Rowntree.
The mint was a novelty in the 40s and was a unique shape for confectionary.
Nestle now own the product and it is the fastest-selling mint. This country is supposed to eat five million of them, or 150 a second.
I quite like Polo mints, but the problem is when I buy a packet I tend to eat one after the other.
There used to be fruit Polo mints too, although I am not sure if theses are still made?
Meanwhile, it was the Monaco Grand Prix recently. This is the one race in the F1 GP season that catches my attention. And I try and catch some of it on television.
It is something to do with Monaco itself. There is nowhere else quite like this place, which is on the Mediterranean Coast.
The event also always attracts the rich and famous. It is held at the same time as the Cannes Film Festival, so many of the film stars make the short journey from Cannes to Monaco to be seen at the race.
Many people criticise the GP and say it is a procession, because there is no overtaking.
But the fact it is held on a street circuit makes it harder for the drivers, as there is less margin for error, so I think it is more exciting to watch. This is the one race I would like to go to.
Polo mints were introduced to the British public in 1948 and were made by Rowntree.
The mint was a novelty in the 40s and was a unique shape for confectionary.
Nestle now own the product and it is the fastest-selling mint. This country is supposed to eat five million of them, or 150 a second.
I quite like Polo mints, but the problem is when I buy a packet I tend to eat one after the other.
There used to be fruit Polo mints too, although I am not sure if theses are still made?
Meanwhile, it was the Monaco Grand Prix recently. This is the one race in the F1 GP season that catches my attention. And I try and catch some of it on television.
It is something to do with Monaco itself. There is nowhere else quite like this place, which is on the Mediterranean Coast.
The event also always attracts the rich and famous. It is held at the same time as the Cannes Film Festival, so many of the film stars make the short journey from Cannes to Monaco to be seen at the race.
Many people criticise the GP and say it is a procession, because there is no overtaking.
But the fact it is held on a street circuit makes it harder for the drivers, as there is less margin for error, so I think it is more exciting to watch. This is the one race I would like to go to.
Monday, 2 June 2008
Britain really has got talent
I THINK it was Simon Cowell who said that after the disappointing result of Great Britain at Eurovision it was Britain’s Got Talent that showed that this country has skilled performers. I agree.
Many people in the UK don’t take Eurovision seriously, so when we came last the majority of people weren’t surprised.
I’ve forgotten who sang the song, and what the tune was called.
But I enjoyed the final of Britain’s Go Talent on Saturday night. Here were acts – some of which were quirky - who could engage the audience.
My favourites were Signature and Gin the performing dog. However I wasn’t as impressed with Escala or Andrew Muir.
Escala, who judges said were original, reminded me of Bond.
I was surprised at the winner though. George Sampson’s act was good, but I thought voters would have gone for classical singer Andrew Johnston, who looked gutted to come third.
It was equally surprising to see Jodie being chosen as Nancy in the new West End production of Oliver!
I thought Samantha or Jessie would have taken the role.
Meanwhile an interesting study has shown that playing golf helps you live longer.
The study looked at 300,000 golfers and showed 40% were less likely to die at any given age than those who did not play.
I would also have to agree with this. Many golf clubs have members who play well into their late 80s. I remember one man, who used to have a round of golf into his 90s.
Many people in the UK don’t take Eurovision seriously, so when we came last the majority of people weren’t surprised.
I’ve forgotten who sang the song, and what the tune was called.
But I enjoyed the final of Britain’s Go Talent on Saturday night. Here were acts – some of which were quirky - who could engage the audience.
My favourites were Signature and Gin the performing dog. However I wasn’t as impressed with Escala or Andrew Muir.
Escala, who judges said were original, reminded me of Bond.
I was surprised at the winner though. George Sampson’s act was good, but I thought voters would have gone for classical singer Andrew Johnston, who looked gutted to come third.
It was equally surprising to see Jodie being chosen as Nancy in the new West End production of Oliver!
I thought Samantha or Jessie would have taken the role.
Meanwhile an interesting study has shown that playing golf helps you live longer.
The study looked at 300,000 golfers and showed 40% were less likely to die at any given age than those who did not play.
I would also have to agree with this. Many golf clubs have members who play well into their late 80s. I remember one man, who used to have a round of golf into his 90s.
Tuesday, 27 May 2008
Indiana Jones is back
FROM the opening theme music an Indiana Jones movie always offers plenty of excitement.
The fourth Indiana Jones movie, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, was released on Thursday and comes almost 20 years after The Last Crusade. The film also showed at this year’s Cannes film festival.
It was the second film Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom that I watched in the cinema as a youngster. I remember being mesmerised by the movie and recall my friend, who I took with me, could not watch the scene in the vaults of the Temple.
I watched Raiders of the Last Ark and Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade on television and think they are as good, if not better.
Some critics have questioned the decision to bring back the franchise, arguing that Harrison Ford, who is 64, is now too old, but I would have to disagree. These are the films that a younger audience deserves to see at the cinema. They are blockbuster movies, which should be seen on the big screen.
So what can audiences expect in the new Indiana Jones movie? Unfortunately very little information was released about the plot before its release and director, Steven Spielberg, and producer George Lucas kept tight-lipped.
But what is known is that the action is set in 1957, and the bad guys are Russian and the quest is a crystal skull.
Will Lucas and Spielberg be able to recreate the magic?
The fourth Indiana Jones movie, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, was released on Thursday and comes almost 20 years after The Last Crusade. The film also showed at this year’s Cannes film festival.
It was the second film Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom that I watched in the cinema as a youngster. I remember being mesmerised by the movie and recall my friend, who I took with me, could not watch the scene in the vaults of the Temple.
I watched Raiders of the Last Ark and Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade on television and think they are as good, if not better.
Some critics have questioned the decision to bring back the franchise, arguing that Harrison Ford, who is 64, is now too old, but I would have to disagree. These are the films that a younger audience deserves to see at the cinema. They are blockbuster movies, which should be seen on the big screen.
So what can audiences expect in the new Indiana Jones movie? Unfortunately very little information was released about the plot before its release and director, Steven Spielberg, and producer George Lucas kept tight-lipped.
But what is known is that the action is set in 1957, and the bad guys are Russian and the quest is a crystal skull.
Will Lucas and Spielberg be able to recreate the magic?
Thursday, 15 May 2008
Helene is favourite
A TYNESIDE comprehensive is to teach all GCSE subjects in eight-minute sessions.
The mini-lessons will be held at Monkseaton comprehensive high school and will be broken up for sport.
It is thought that the technique will help the memory develop and is based on neuroscience research.
A pilot scheme at the school had improved results by an average of half a grade for science pupils.
Critics have rubbished the idea saying it is nothing more than a “fad”. But it seems like a good idea to me, who can forget having to sit through double lessons for school.
A lesson would last for 40 minutes, and a double 120 minutes.
Forty minutes would be about bearable, however I can remember sitting through a a class for well over an hour, without a break, and can recall my mind used to wander.
I would think about what I was doing that evening, what was on telly etc.
It is almost impossible to keep your concentration for that amount of time.
I remember it was worse in the Summer, when the classroom got warm.
So I agree with the principal of what this school is doing, although I think eight minutes is too short.
Perhaps 20 minutes would be sufficient, that would be enough time to teach a number of points and would be a sufficient amount of time to keep children’s attention.
Meanwhile, I have been gripped, as always, to the Apprentice. This week will be the eighth episode, and I think Helene looks like one of the favourites.
The mini-lessons will be held at Monkseaton comprehensive high school and will be broken up for sport.
It is thought that the technique will help the memory develop and is based on neuroscience research.
A pilot scheme at the school had improved results by an average of half a grade for science pupils.
Critics have rubbished the idea saying it is nothing more than a “fad”. But it seems like a good idea to me, who can forget having to sit through double lessons for school.
A lesson would last for 40 minutes, and a double 120 minutes.
Forty minutes would be about bearable, however I can remember sitting through a a class for well over an hour, without a break, and can recall my mind used to wander.
I would think about what I was doing that evening, what was on telly etc.
It is almost impossible to keep your concentration for that amount of time.
I remember it was worse in the Summer, when the classroom got warm.
So I agree with the principal of what this school is doing, although I think eight minutes is too short.
Perhaps 20 minutes would be sufficient, that would be enough time to teach a number of points and would be a sufficient amount of time to keep children’s attention.
Meanwhile, I have been gripped, as always, to the Apprentice. This week will be the eighth episode, and I think Helene looks like one of the favourites.
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