“My father Sydney was a watchmaker from Nottingham, and my mother Verity was – well, she was a nurse, actually.” — John Smith/The Doctor, in the episode Human Nature, 2007. For all you did, thank you, Verity.
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Category: Culture
TV, movies, music, that kind of thing
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Blast from the past
If you haven’t seen it yet, here’s the short Doctor Who charity scene just released… You can also watch it and find out more detail at the BBC’s web site. And don’t forget to donate here to Children In Need. My response (after you’ve watched it — spoilers!)
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Blog display problems
I’m told some people are having trouble reading this web site. Some text goes under the right hand navigation. It seems to be a problem with Internet Explorer 6. Not sure why it’s happening more right now than usual. Until I get it fixed, those affected can try this workaround: Select all text (eg Ctrl-A) ... [More]
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Ramadan is over
I was quite fascinated to listen to the start of The Conversation Hour on 774 Melbourne last Friday (MP3 available). Co-host Waleed Aly is very witty, and has a gift of being able to explain his Muslim beliefs and practices in terms that even the most ocker Aussies can understand. (01:15) Jon Faine: Is it ... [More]
For his birthday, Andrew asked for a few bloggers to post something on a topic of his choosing. He asked me for: The time you had such a bad experience on public transport that you rang the minister or one of his minions, or similar. I had a think about this, and I don’t think ... [More]
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The Greatest Team Of All
When they wrote the footy club songs, they got together an old familiar tune and lyrics which are generally way over-the-top for most circumstances, basically proclaiming the team is invincible. If only it were true. The Geelong Football Club song is called We Are Geelong, sung to the tune of Toreador from Bizet’s Carmen, a ... [More]
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DVD Fireplace
Most bizarre thing seen in the shops recently: DVD Fireplace, $19.99. Clive James used to show this kind of thing on his TV show. Video fish tanks, fireplaces, washing machines… does anybody really buy this stuff?
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Doctor Who 2007
So there we go, the series has ended. Some great episodes. The Runaway Bride: Enjoyable enough. Loved the highway chase scene — and the way it captured the excitement of the TV audience in the little kids in the other car. One day the ABC programming people will learn to programme Christmas specials at Christmas, ... [More]
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Finding Pixar
Had a day off yesterday. Took the kids on a couple of errands, and went through Fed Square to visit ACMI. I never fail to be impressed with ACMI, especially since I discovered their Games Lab. Last time I was there they had old Commodore 64 games. This time they were highlighting some of the ... [More]
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Why I like O Brother
I’ve got today off, to enjoy the sunshine, enjoy the first day proper of the school holidays, and generally enjoy not having to do any work (touch wood). I’ve seen O Brother Where Art Thou twice in the last month, and I still like it a lot. Recently the kids watched it for the first ... [More]
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One thing to say
The weekend’s here, the crowds are gathering around the MCG, and though I won’t be attending, I have only one thing to say: Go Cats!
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Funniest book I’ve read in ages
Bill Bryson: Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid — I’ve finally read it now it’s out in paperback. I know I was never going to be disappointed, but it was a great book. Hilarious in parts, poignant in others. Mostly hilarious though. The description of the Dick and Jane books and the characters’ robotic ... [More]