Neil's Slightly Random Wiblog

…December will be a month of lists and awards on my blog, but I need some ideas of what to list. There will be many film lists (best new film, best film on DVD, worst films) and music ones, and radio ones… but I need some more ideas! So what awards and lists can I have? You have a few days to help me out!

…Ok, so I have been busier this week than just spotting a few amusing signs (although I did see a Sudoku book in the window of the Read-and-Return bookshop…)

Last Friday we went up to the university to go to a public lecture given by Nik Gowing, a frontman on BBC World TV. The lecture was all about how the way news reporting is changing with modern technologies, people sending in video clips, texting, email, photophones and so on. News comes in much faster, the newsroom have to make quicker judgements about what source is authentic and useful, anyone with a phone has become a journalist. Ben Bradshaw MP was also there and made a few interesting comments from a government point of view too.

We also went to Darts Farm shopping village on Sunday, a really excellent selection of local produce, although was packed with people. I rememebr going there years ago and it was little more than a shed, now it is a supermarket with other local businesses in there as well. Got some Garlic sausages, cheese, olives (not local!) and a few other bits.

Also went to see Casino Royale last night, which was great fun. Daniel Craig (Or Paul Daniel Craig David Gray, as I like to call him) really is a Bond for our time. Shame on the parents who took their young children aged about 5 or 6. A 12a film does not mean it is suitable for any age, even though the cinema can’t refuse if they are with their parents. They were clearly bored in the middle anyway.

Also finally got around to watching Out of Africa on DVD, and rewatched Oldboy (great the seond time too!)

…Ivonne spotted that JJB Sports, in St Thomas in Exeter we advertising a confusing new section…

NEW OUTDOOR AREA, NOW INSTORE.

…Ok, at last some daytime pictures from my new bedroom window!

…Ivonne has another survey she needs us to fill out for her PhD, Click Here and she will tell you what it is all about!

… I am here, all moved. Was 3 Matiz loads full, plus one load to the tip (Old mattress and other broken things). The room is small but everything other than my books fits in here, as promised a veiw from the window, although it was already night by the time I unpacked my camera, so not a lot to see!

It is such a peaceful house, I really think I will be happy here for the time being.

Wish me luck! If I can get online later in the new house I will try and post a picture of the view from the window, it is spectacular!

…My room is full of boxes, my car is full of boxes, my life is full of boxes…

Had a very productive weekend, managed to get an essay done on Saturday morning, this is the first time I have had to actually write (with real ink and paper) more than a few words. Don’t think it os very good, but satisified that I actually got words on paper – It was the first hurdle to get over in this course!

Then packed more boxes and went to see Marie Antoinette, which I totally loved! Really slow paced film with hardly any direct dialogue at all, perhaps 10% or less, but the story was told beautifully and with feeling. Historically Accurate – not at all, Great Entertainment – Totally!!!

…it is good that the staff survey gives an option for all those Single Celled Organisms that work for the department.

…Had a good day yesterday meeting up with an American friend visting with some of his friends. Not sure he got to see a huge amount of the city, but we had a good time and some lively discussions and most importantly some local ales!

Also heard that early next year I will be able to move to a bigger room within the house I am shortly moving to. The size of the room was about the only bad thing about the house, so this is a relief to know that I can move into a room big enough for any cat swinging that I may need to partake in.