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Screen time distractions, festive period, 2025 edition:
- Call the Midwife, Holiday Special (linear television). A two hour episode, trimmed to approximately 110 minutes. That's much better than the 90 minutes PBS usually chops the episode down to.
- Goodrich (linear television). My Dad joked that this was Mr Mom part 2.
- Agatha and the Curse of Ishtar (linear television)
- Man vs. Bee (Netflix). Watched this one second, even though it aired first.
- Man vs. Baby (Netflix). Rowan Atkinson's slapstick in this (and the prequel) really made this a fun watch.
- Shetland, S10E1 (Britbox). Great adaptation of the Ann Cleves series
- Inspector Lynley Mysteries (both linear television and Britbox). Another British mystery series watched with Mum (we watched the first series)
- Lynley (Britbox). Remake of the Inspector Lynley Mysteries above.
- Shaun the Sheep movie. I don't remember what service or channel we watched this one on. Aardman film.
- The Seventies (HBO Max). Unlike The Eighties, watched at Thanksgiving, much of this was foreign as I wasn't living in the US during the 70s.
- Wake Up Dead Man (Netflix), third in the Knives Out series. I didn't like this one nearly as much as Glass Onion (the second in the series)
- Top Secret!. I think we saw this on linear television. Zucker Abrahams Zucker film. Spiritual sequel to Airplane!. Val Kilmer starred. Still can't quite believe he's gone.
far have I traveled and much have I seen
Nov. 29th, 2025 05:46 pmvisual entertainment, Turkey Day 2025 edition:
- The Gold, series 1. Aired on PBS Masterpiece, watched on PBS Passport. I knew of the Brinks Mat robbery, but not any of the details. I avoided all spoilers and enjoyed the show. There's a second series that has already aired in the UK. Hopefully it will make its way state-side.
- The Diplomat, series 3, Netflix. Mum and I watched this (nobody else was interested). We had seen the first and second series. It had more twists and turns than a bowl of spaghetti.
- This is Going to Hurt, Netflix. British medical comedy-drama. Five episodes in (out of seven). Really enjoying this.
- Live Aid, when Rock & Roll Took On the World, CNN on-demand. A windy documentary from Band Aid to USA for Africa to Live Aid and then Live Eight. I remember all of it.
- The Eighties, HBO Max. More of my childhood. We didn't make our way through the whole series yet.
- Lilly, a Netflix telemovie about Lilly Ledbetter.
- Emma (2009 version). I'm trying to remember what network/service it was on. PBS I think.
- PBS Newshour. Exactly what it says on the tin.
screen diversions - winter break
Jan. 2nd, 2025 09:37 amOn my winter break, I watched the following:
I didn't get to see the Bob Dylan film (was looking forward to it). There wasn't enough time!
- Call the Midwife - linear television. I do like this show (and it was a double episode, so twice the fun!), but once again, I remain frustrated that PBS chops the episodes down. The double episode should have lasted 120 minutes, but only went about 90-95 minutes. That's a quarter of the story GONE!
- Three Days of the Condor - linear television. My Dad had recorded this one and we watched it. I'd never seen it before. It definitely had a "Day of the Jackal" feel about it. (and by that I mean the classic Jackal, not the remake, which I haven't seen)
- Six Triple Eight - Netflix. Docudrama about the 6888 division that sorted mail during the second world war
- Queer Eye - Netflix - a nice distraction during some of the boredom
- Sherwood, season 2 (watched season 1 in November) - Britbox. Fantastic British thriller
- It's All Over - The Kiss That Changed Spanish Football. Netflix. Only about a quarter of the way through this one
- Slow Horses - Apple TV. Watched a couple of episodes, would have watched more, but not enough time!
- Lessons in Chemistry - Apple TV. Enjoyed this series very much
I didn't get to see the Bob Dylan film (was looking forward to it). There wasn't enough time!
screen time roundup
Dec. 26th, 2023 09:41 amPart way through my Christmas break (with thanks to work for closing between December 22 & January 2), I present to you my visual entertainment list.
And scheduled to see Boys in the Boat later this week. It's so popular that that's the earliest we could get tickets for (it opened on Christmas Day).
- Call the Midwife Christmas special (linear television). I HATE that PBS chops it down.
- Borgen (Netflix). Seven episodes through the first season. Fun political drama. Unfortunately the English dub and English subtitles don't match, which can be disconcerting.
- The Crown (Netflix). Watched part 1 of season 6 over Thanksgiving, and finished the rest of Season 6 at Christmas. I didn't like it nearly as much as earlier seasons. It just couldn't seem to find its way.
- Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget (Netflix). With the family. Fun Aardman flick.
- Vera (Britbox). Watched episode 5 of the latest season. There's a Christmas special scheduled to air in the UK today (Boxing Day), so I'll be checking Britbox later to see if it's dropped.
- State of Play (Netflix). The film, not the Paul Abbott TV programme. Watched this on the plane. First time I've seen it since it was out in the cinema in 2009. Won't be watching it again.
- The Interpreter (Netflix). Part way through this one. I've seen it before but don't remember how it ends
- Bank of Dave(Netflix). Fun, feel-good British film.
And scheduled to see Boys in the Boat later this week. It's so popular that that's the earliest we could get tickets for (it opened on Christmas Day).
Quiet (part 2)
Dec. 28th, 2020 09:43 amOn an extended break from work. They decreed that the three days between Christmas and New Year would be holidays. I finished work on the 23rd and am not due back until Monday January 4. That’s not quite true. I had to deal with an escalation on Christmas Eve, so I worked for a few hours that day. Aside from that, I’m planning on lots of yoga and watching Netflix (and similar streaming services). I watched Trial 4 (which even though is set in Boston I only vaguely remember), The Ripper (lived in England during part of it, but I was only a child and knew nothing). Not on Netflix but on my watch list was the Call the Midwife Christmas special (each Christmas special seems to be further and further from reality. I did enjoy it, but a circus in London at Christmas?).
ETA: in browsing Netflix late this week, I came across the Australian programme “Secret City”. A political thriller in the vein of the BBC programme “State of Play”. I am absolutely hooked!
Also to while away the time, I used an Audible credit and got Pride and Prejudice. Obviously I know how it ends but it’s still fun!
ETA: in browsing Netflix late this week, I came across the Australian programme “Secret City”. A political thriller in the vein of the BBC programme “State of Play”. I am absolutely hooked!
Also to while away the time, I used an Audible credit and got Pride and Prejudice. Obviously I know how it ends but it’s still fun!
Due to COVID, Thanksgiving will be much quieter than usual. I saved up Series 4 of The Crown (Netflix). While I waxed lyrical of the first series (“almost perfectly historically accurate”), the fourth series has more challenges (and I don’t just mean the portrayal of Diana’s bulimia, which I haven’t watched yet but am not looking forward to). The bits with Thatcher are difficult to watch. What she sowed (dismantling of nationalised industries, especially in the north) laid the foundations for the economic disparities that led to the disastrous Brexit outcome.
Hoping to do an online yoga class later....as long as I don’t get virtual social phobia that is! And catch up on my rest.
Hoping to do an online yoga class later....as long as I don’t get virtual social phobia that is! And catch up on my rest.
oh thank heavens
Nov. 7th, 2020 08:16 pmI know the inevitable court challenges will happen, but for right now I’m just happy with today’s news.
Short post
May. 17th, 2020 09:19 pmJust a note of remembrance that this year, due to COVID-19, there was a time when I didn’t sleep with socks on but still had to use hand moisturizer. Normally I can stop moisturizing at approximately the same time when it’s warm enough that I don’t need to wear socks anymore. Of course this year due to a colder than usual spring, I’ve been wearing socks longer. But it’s the repetitive hand washing that has mostly kept me needing to moisturize, especially given that I’m (mostly) staying at home.
Heading into week five? Or six? Of lockdown. Lost track!
Weeks are pretty manic and I’m working more than I used to. The time I used to spend commuting is now spent working. In addition, I find myself answering questions early mornings or late in the evenings. And occasionally weekends too.
In the midst of migrating a pile of clients from Exchange on premises to Office 365 in the cloud. Support for that effort is challenging at the best of times (iOS devices are the most complicated to handle as they require a full reconfiguration, although experience has taught me that removing and re-adding the account is easier). Since we can’t provide on-site support, we have been offering help via WebEx or Zoom. Last week we migrated the School of Engineering, which was several hundred clients. Lotta damn work.
Have been venturing to the grocery store (my local Whole Foods) once a week. Always arrive 30 minutes before the under 60s can go in, and inevitably it’s just about perfect (meaning I’m waiting outside for about half an hour). Luckily I haven’t had to deal with rain on those mornings, but I’ll have to try and be flexible. Whole Foods has still been struggling to keep things in stock (I’m looking at you, frozen peas and carrots), but everybody is generally in good spirits. I’ve tried multiple times to get a delivery spot (which would negate my need to go out), but so far no luck.
Keep meaning to blog more so I can remember what this odd time was like, but I’ve been too busy! There are rumblings that our Boston and Grafton campuses will slowly begin reopening in mid-May, but we will have to see.
Weeks are pretty manic and I’m working more than I used to. The time I used to spend commuting is now spent working. In addition, I find myself answering questions early mornings or late in the evenings. And occasionally weekends too.
In the midst of migrating a pile of clients from Exchange on premises to Office 365 in the cloud. Support for that effort is challenging at the best of times (iOS devices are the most complicated to handle as they require a full reconfiguration, although experience has taught me that removing and re-adding the account is easier). Since we can’t provide on-site support, we have been offering help via WebEx or Zoom. Last week we migrated the School of Engineering, which was several hundred clients. Lotta damn work.
Have been venturing to the grocery store (my local Whole Foods) once a week. Always arrive 30 minutes before the under 60s can go in, and inevitably it’s just about perfect (meaning I’m waiting outside for about half an hour). Luckily I haven’t had to deal with rain on those mornings, but I’ll have to try and be flexible. Whole Foods has still been struggling to keep things in stock (I’m looking at you, frozen peas and carrots), but everybody is generally in good spirits. I’ve tried multiple times to get a delivery spot (which would negate my need to go out), but so far no luck.
Keep meaning to blog more so I can remember what this odd time was like, but I’ve been too busy! There are rumblings that our Boston and Grafton campuses will slowly begin reopening in mid-May, but we will have to see.
so much water moving underneath the bridge
Apr. 5th, 2020 12:21 pmI’ve completed two weeks worth of working remotely (a/k/a working from home), and I’m absolutely exhausted. Unfortunately my desire to do everything means I’m working 12 hour days, which is just not sustainable. I begin work before 6, have various responsibilities (meetings, staff who need help), and aside from 15 minutes for lunch, I never stop. This past Friday I put my computer on mute during lunch which helped (it means I don’t hear Jabber messages going off). It worked well and I need to get in the habit of doing that more regularly.
Today was the first day I went out in a week, and even then it was only to mail something and pick up groceries. Washed hands several times. Of course I would have washed several times even if there wasn’t a pandemic on. OCD FTW!
Facing at least another four weeks of this, and it could well be more. I’m not low risk due to asthma, but I also rely on public transit, unlike most others on my staff (only the Boston staff use public transit. Grafton and Medford are car dependent). That all means I won’t be quick to want to start commuting again.
Want to try and start blogging more regularly, just so I have some memories of what this lockdown, er, extended period of social distancing was like.
Today was the first day I went out in a week, and even then it was only to mail something and pick up groceries. Washed hands several times. Of course I would have washed several times even if there wasn’t a pandemic on. OCD FTW!
Facing at least another four weeks of this, and it could well be more. I’m not low risk due to asthma, but I also rely on public transit, unlike most others on my staff (only the Boston staff use public transit. Grafton and Medford are car dependent). That all means I won’t be quick to want to start commuting again.
Want to try and start blogging more regularly, just so I have some memories of what this lockdown, er, extended period of social distancing was like.
I’m back tomorrow anyway
Mar. 15th, 2020 10:36 amLate (8:30?) Thursday night I got an email from my boss that was sent not just to me but to half a dozen others. The topic? We had to set up an emergency communications center on Friday morning. Did I mention we had to be on campus by 5 am? Good times!
While the email was sent to managers, we were invited to send a delegate in our places. Nobody did! As such a bunch of us gathered on campus at 5:00. I was lucky in that I just happened to have a bunch of machines that had yet to be deployed that I could redirect. I was also lucky in that it wasn’t raining when Ioaded the van with 10 desktops, 10 monitors, 10 keyboards, and 10 mice.
All of the machines were set up by 7:30. Telecom was there with VoIP phones. Teldata was there to convert traditional phone jacks to data jacks. I stuck around until about 10:00 handling any number of IT questions.
Man it was fun. Tons of work, but fun! I was hoping to be able to leave work early since I arrived on campus at 5am, but I didn’t manage to leave the office until after 6pm. Too much going on. I had staff in the office over the weekend, and while I had planned to go to yoga, I ended up sleeping through class. Was exhausted!
While the email was sent to managers, we were invited to send a delegate in our places. Nobody did! As such a bunch of us gathered on campus at 5:00. I was lucky in that I just happened to have a bunch of machines that had yet to be deployed that I could redirect. I was also lucky in that it wasn’t raining when Ioaded the van with 10 desktops, 10 monitors, 10 keyboards, and 10 mice.
All of the machines were set up by 7:30. Telecom was there with VoIP phones. Teldata was there to convert traditional phone jacks to data jacks. I stuck around until about 10:00 handling any number of IT questions.
Man it was fun. Tons of work, but fun! I was hoping to be able to leave work early since I arrived on campus at 5am, but I didn’t manage to leave the office until after 6pm. Too much going on. I had staff in the office over the weekend, and while I had planned to go to yoga, I ended up sleeping through class. Was exhausted!
you should know I’ve changed my mind
Feb. 19th, 2020 07:38 pmHad been living with an iPhone 7 from the second half of 2016. A family member got an iPhone 11 Pro for Christmas, but I was bound and determined to wait until the second half of this year for the hopes of getting a proper 5G phone.
The best laid plans!
I was away over Presidents’ Day and my phone would not hold a charge. It would drop from 96% to 62% in a matter of minutes. My decision to pull the trigger on a replacement was helped by the fact that I was able to source a wallet/folio case. Two items purchased. Cha ching!
First impression of the phone? Wireless data transfer is SO COOL. No need to backup and restore (in two locations), just direct data transfer. It even remembered all of my podcasts including exactly where I’d stopped playing them. The only exceptions were Audible (I have to re download all of my audio books), and???? Maybe it’s just that one exception?
And don’t get me started on Face ID. I thought I would hate it, but it’s so seamless. Put the phone up, it scans my face, and swipe to open the phone up.
For the record, I got the 256 gigabyte midnight green model. As if the colour is any surprise to those of you who know me (256 gig because I’m using over 128 gigabytes but don’t see myself needing 512 gigabytes any time soon).
The best laid plans!
I was away over Presidents’ Day and my phone would not hold a charge. It would drop from 96% to 62% in a matter of minutes. My decision to pull the trigger on a replacement was helped by the fact that I was able to source a wallet/folio case. Two items purchased. Cha ching!
First impression of the phone? Wireless data transfer is SO COOL. No need to backup and restore (in two locations), just direct data transfer. It even remembered all of my podcasts including exactly where I’d stopped playing them. The only exceptions were Audible (I have to re download all of my audio books), and???? Maybe it’s just that one exception?
And don’t get me started on Face ID. I thought I would hate it, but it’s so seamless. Put the phone up, it scans my face, and swipe to open the phone up.
For the record, I got the 256 gigabyte midnight green model. As if the colour is any surprise to those of you who know me (256 gig because I’m using over 128 gigabytes but don’t see myself needing 512 gigabytes any time soon).
Seasonal entertainment
Jan. 5th, 2020 11:01 amOver the past 4-6 weeks I have galloped through a great amount of entertainment, including:
* The Crown, Season 3 (Netflix)
* Endeavour, series 6 (PBS)
* Call the Midwife, Christmas special (PBS)
* Ford vs Ferrari (film)
* Little Women (film)
* Star Wars: the Rise of Skywalker (film)
* Bombshell (film)
* Paranoid (Netflix)
Plus several older episodes of Vera (PBS)
None of what I watched was “bad”. The weakest was Bombshell, and I will admit my feelings about it were coloured by my discomfort with the material. Star Wars was fantastic (no spoilers!). I tried and tried to see Marci’s daughter in Little Women but I couldn’t spot her.
So endeth my season of entertainment bingeing.
* The Crown, Season 3 (Netflix)
* Endeavour, series 6 (PBS)
* Call the Midwife, Christmas special (PBS)
* Ford vs Ferrari (film)
* Little Women (film)
* Star Wars: the Rise of Skywalker (film)
* Bombshell (film)
* Paranoid (Netflix)
Plus several older episodes of Vera (PBS)
None of what I watched was “bad”. The weakest was Bombshell, and I will admit my feelings about it were coloured by my discomfort with the material. Star Wars was fantastic (no spoilers!). I tried and tried to see Marci’s daughter in Little Women but I couldn’t spot her.
So endeth my season of entertainment bingeing.
posted too soon
Oct. 14th, 2019 12:49 pmNo sooner than I posted about watching The West Wing, I started watching Press on PBS Masterpiece. Oddly, I don’t remember hearing about this show on BBC Woman’s Hour (where I tend to hear about lots of things I’d like to watch), but saw it advertised on Facebook. I’m two episodes in, and still haven’t figured out where the story is going yet (and I’m not looking at spoilers).
Just like when I saw Bodyguard previously, it really brought home to me how much more diverse the average U.K. television productions are. Men and women of all ages and abilities, people of various ethnic backgrounds. Nobody is what one would call “conventionally good looking”, which is a breath of fresh air compared to American productions.
In other news, I’m rather behind on podcasts. Not sure how that happened, but I still have three episodes of (the aforementioned) Woman’s Hour, not to mention Sport, plus the BBC Any Questions/Any Answers (the latter of which I skipped the week before last due to Nigel Farage being a guest. I refused to let him pollute my ears).
Just like when I saw Bodyguard previously, it really brought home to me how much more diverse the average U.K. television productions are. Men and women of all ages and abilities, people of various ethnic backgrounds. Nobody is what one would call “conventionally good looking”, which is a breath of fresh air compared to American productions.
In other news, I’m rather behind on podcasts. Not sure how that happened, but I still have three episodes of (the aforementioned) Woman’s Hour, not to mention Sport, plus the BBC Any Questions/Any Answers (the latter of which I skipped the week before last due to Nigel Farage being a guest. I refused to let him pollute my ears).
Screen nostalgia
Oct. 13th, 2019 07:41 pmI’ve been watching The West Wing on Netflix (I also have the DVD set), and find it so so nostalgic.
The first four seasons are just about perfect, but when Aaron Sorkin got the sack after the end of season 4, the show quality took a nose dive. Perhaps it’s more realistic in showing the contentious relationships between the two main parties. And I will admit that I need an escape from the politics in both the USA and U.K.
In terms of the U.K., I read that Spitting Image is coming back. Can’t wait to see what they do with Boris Johnson.
The first four seasons are just about perfect, but when Aaron Sorkin got the sack after the end of season 4, the show quality took a nose dive. Perhaps it’s more realistic in showing the contentious relationships between the two main parties. And I will admit that I need an escape from the politics in both the USA and U.K.
In terms of the U.K., I read that Spitting Image is coming back. Can’t wait to see what they do with Boris Johnson.
demonstration
Jun. 29th, 2019 12:26 pmAt yoga this weekend, for the first time in this class, I demonstrated a pose for other class members.
Background: my teacher asked does anybody know what Ustrasana is?, to which I responded camel pose. She then said great, you can demonstrate!.
Now I typically hide away in my dark corner and pray nobody looks at me. No chance to do that when my teacher invited everyone to come over and watch me.
In the end it wasn't so bad! My teacher was right there, adjusting and instructing me. Afterwards, other class members said just how well I'd done the pose.
Will I volunteer again to demonstrate? I don't know if I'll go that far. But it's something to consider, in any case.
Background: my teacher asked does anybody know what Ustrasana is?, to which I responded camel pose. She then said great, you can demonstrate!.
Now I typically hide away in my dark corner and pray nobody looks at me. No chance to do that when my teacher invited everyone to come over and watch me.
In the end it wasn't so bad! My teacher was right there, adjusting and instructing me. Afterwards, other class members said just how well I'd done the pose.
Will I volunteer again to demonstrate? I don't know if I'll go that far. But it's something to consider, in any case.
I heard a song reminded me of long ago
May. 5th, 2019 12:51 pmI was sitting up the other night, scrolling through YouTube (as you do). Now my iPhone and laptop have totally different lists of recommended videos. I'm signed into my Gmail account on my laptop, but not on my iPhone, so there's no cross-pollination.
For some reason (?), my iPhone offered me Eddie Money's I Wanna Go Back. Of course I listened to it/watched it, looked up the song on Wikipedia, and found it was originally recorded by a group I've never heard of (Billy Satellite).
Eddie Money's version was recorded in 1986 and hit the charts in early 1987. I have vivid memories of listening to the song in high school, thinking (at the time), that the best times of my life were behind me. More than thirty years later, and I can't help but think how naive I was.
For some reason (?), my iPhone offered me Eddie Money's I Wanna Go Back. Of course I listened to it/watched it, looked up the song on Wikipedia, and found it was originally recorded by a group I've never heard of (Billy Satellite).
Eddie Money's version was recorded in 1986 and hit the charts in early 1987. I have vivid memories of listening to the song in high school, thinking (at the time), that the best times of my life were behind me. More than thirty years later, and I can't help but think how naive I was.
listen to the tide slowly turning
Apr. 11th, 2019 01:24 pmMy visual media intake is currently split between two methods: fast and slow.
For "fast", I've been romping my way through Kavanagh QC on Amazon Prime. I have the first three series on DVD (region 2), but have never watched series 4 or 5. However, I decided to start from the beginning. Because it's been so long since I've watched the episodes, they (almost) feel "new" to me. Now typically when I'm watching them I can "recall" plot pieces (or deduce them?), so perhaps it's not really a new feeling. Regardless, I'm enjoying revisiting this wonderful little show.
And for "slow", I'll first define what I mean by slow. When I watch shows on Amazon Prime or Netflix, I can consume them as fast as I can (or have time for). With shows that are broadcast, I am restricted to once a week viewing.
First, there's the old favourite Call the Midwife. I've already seen the first seven series, and the eighth series started this past weekend. I watched it live (VERY unusual for me, I don't tend to watch much "live" TV, with the exception of Sport). I'm avoiding all spoilers, as I want to let the series develop naturally.
Next, there's the third series of Unforgotten with Spooks alum Nicola Walker and Wittertainment stand-in Sanjeev Bhaskar. I really enjoyed the first two series and have watched the first episode of the third series. And again, not looking at spoilers.
Good for a giggle: a Red Nose Day "alternate ending" for Bodyguard, available on YouTube.
For "fast", I've been romping my way through Kavanagh QC on Amazon Prime. I have the first three series on DVD (region 2), but have never watched series 4 or 5. However, I decided to start from the beginning. Because it's been so long since I've watched the episodes, they (almost) feel "new" to me. Now typically when I'm watching them I can "recall" plot pieces (or deduce them?), so perhaps it's not really a new feeling. Regardless, I'm enjoying revisiting this wonderful little show.
And for "slow", I'll first define what I mean by slow. When I watch shows on Amazon Prime or Netflix, I can consume them as fast as I can (or have time for). With shows that are broadcast, I am restricted to once a week viewing.
First, there's the old favourite Call the Midwife. I've already seen the first seven series, and the eighth series started this past weekend. I watched it live (VERY unusual for me, I don't tend to watch much "live" TV, with the exception of Sport). I'm avoiding all spoilers, as I want to let the series develop naturally.
Next, there's the third series of Unforgotten with Spooks alum Nicola Walker and Wittertainment stand-in Sanjeev Bhaskar. I really enjoyed the first two series and have watched the first episode of the third series. And again, not looking at spoilers.
Good for a giggle: a Red Nose Day "alternate ending" for Bodyguard, available on YouTube.
