The Hapless Fool

The Diamond in the rough

2012-02-16T23:31:00.002-05:00

Although I'm certainly not a recruiter, this book was a fascinating read about what to look for when building a team, company, or star. Exceptional talent has to be cultivated, and in many cases great potential is overlooked because of a few rough edges and narrow qualifications.

It's an unstable time, when uncertainty and flux is the only thing you can be sure of. But it's also a time when a few people will use this time of turmoil to launch a new career, world, or maybe just a simple idea. A fantastic site 99% is a gold mine of information about what happens after the first one percent of inspiration.

The ninety-nine percent of perspiration that leads to great accomplishment.

B B C

2012-01-22T03:02:00.006-05:00

With America's present obsession with fairy tales (Grimm, Once Upon a Time, medical dramas (Bones, Greys etc...), Musicals (Smash) and Mad Men knock offs (Bomb girls, Pan Am), Hollywood has been scratching their heads at the sudden obsession with Brit exports such as Downton Abbey and Sherlock.

Coming into their own, Sherlock's sophomore season returned with a strong start. For those of you who are beginning to rash from all the waiting, the two stars will soon become household names after 2012 and be hard to miss. Benedict Cumberbatch (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, War Horse & the untitled Star Trek sequel) and Martin Freeman (Hobbit 1 & 2), can they go any bigger than that?

Similar to James McAvoy's launch from the excellent six part series State of Play, BBC has launched many careers into the Hollywood mainstream. Unlike most Hollywood folks, many thespians aren't afraid to occasionally play smaller, or roles on the small screen.

Helen Mirren (who has voiced interest to play the next Doctor Who)

Jonathan Rhys-Meyer (returned for the Tudors)

Sean Bean (Game of Thrones)

Cillian Murphy (The Silent City)

Kate Winslet & Guy Pierce (Mildred Pierce)

Alan Rickman (The boy in the Bubble/Seminar)

Just to name a few...

Not only does it showcase a level creative risk and humility, it proves that some actors.. no matter how high they rise... are willing to steer clear of Hollywood bullshit and keep their feet on the ground.

Cross your fingers that Sherlock will return for season 3...

The weight of choice

2011-12-16T00:32:00.003-05:00

Perhaps it's the overload of information on the web or the ease of communication. The upcoming generations' greatest challenge will be filtering the sheer mass of possibilities. Many will feel immobile, scared stiff of taking a step in the wrong direction, caught in a web of choices that each lead toward a promised prize.

I've had a number of conversations recently, with many who are unhappy with their choices in life. Wishing for greener pastures, assured that their life was the wrong one, their missed opportunities irrecoverably ruining their potential for something greater. What does one say? Left squirming in a precarious position a number of times, I now keep my mouth firmly shut.

Why?

Simple. Blame. There is an expiry date when children can blame their parents, when wives or husbands can point fingers at one another, when you can stomp and whine and generally be a pain in the ass to everyone around you.

The answer? Just try. Think. Plan. Attempt. The very worst you can do is fail, and so long as you did things in moderation, all that you've lost was a little bit of pride, time, and hopefully not too much money.

Wrap up

2011-12-05T01:06:00.005-05:00

The end of the year can be a terrible time. Seeing family you wish to avoid, summing up your mishaps and mistakes, emptiness, loneliness, and the deflated void you're left with, come January 2nd.

2012 promises to be quite an interesting year. For some, they believe it'll be the end of the earth itself, for those in the east, it's the lucky Chinese year of the dragon, but for most, it's just one more year that we have to worry about work, money, relationships, and health.

This April- May Michael Apted's acclaimed Up series documentary will return with 56 Up. An intriguing glimpse of varied English individuals, their struggles and triumphs as they age every seven years. It's a slow, almost surreal memory of a world that's been muffled by twitter, tabloids, new gadgets, media, advertising, and facebook.

If you ever feel old, and wish you were a decade younger, appreciate this... the freedom most of us experienced is rapidly vanishing for the next generation, and should not be taken lightly. Even if you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, nothing lasts forever... eventually your day in the sun will come.

What did Steve Jobs say? Stay hungry, stay foolish.

A Face lift

2011-10-24T20:43:00.000-04:00

Movies are dead. Words that no studio exec wants to hear. Is it true? Not sure.. all I hear around me is: "There's nothing worth seeing right now. I'd rather just watch a few re-runs at home." Sad isn't it?

The LINE UP of Fall 2011, 2012, 2013

Sandal flicks and the 300 look.

Immortals? Clash of the Titans? Prince of Persia? B-O-R-I-N-G! Heroes that are perfect, not funny.. I can't relate to them... at all. So why did 300 work? Well Gerald Butler doesn't look like them, he was married, was walking toward his death, and it was the FIRST of it's kind. Slow motion shots feel like a parody now. It's old.

Superheroes are dull

Unless they are drunk, cocky, brash, arrogant pricks. Which is why Iron man, Batman, and Thor are cool.

Aliens and Robots

Skyline, Battle L.A., Cowboys and Aliens, Rise of the Apes. Will I remember them later? Nope.

So what makes Avatar, and soon to be Prometheus and Robopocalypse buzz worthy? The director. Period.

Fairy dust

Hoping to sprinkle a little bit of magic dust from Alice and Wonderland, Hollywood is tapping into the huge vault of long dead writers of the past. Both versions of Snow White are a little obnoxious. Julia Roberts as the evil queen? Idiotic. The twilight girl battling horsemen? Stupid.

Right now I want to step back into history layered in reality. Which is why Anonymous, Tinker, Tailer, Soldier, Spy, and A Dangerous Method are on my list.

What would I like to see?

I must admit Noah's Ark could be interesting... Devil in the White City is fascinating.. a dark version of Atlantis? Arabian Nights from the view of the jaded pissed off genie? Whatever it is be different (ie no cheesy action slow mo shots), be personal, be worth $12.

Sherlock Returns

2011-10-22T20:13:00.004-04:00

Benedict Cumberbatch (Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy) and Martin Freeman (The Hobbit) will finally return to the small screen as our dear neurotic but undeniably brilliant Sherlock in early 2012 on BBC.

If you can't wait, you can always discover old gems such as "State of Play" (and I don't mean the Russel Crowe version) in 2003. Directed by David Yates starring familiar faces such as Bill Nighy, James McAvoy, and Kelly Macdonald. John Simm shines as Cal McCaffrey in this six part series.

There's also the spectacularly popular second season of "Downton Abbey", the original sci-fi series "Torchwood", Matthew Macfadyen (Pride and Prejudice) in "Spooks", or the cancelled two season romp, "Life" starring Damien Lewis.

Lately television has proven to be more original, interesting and imaginative than most multi-million dollar movies. Tired of vampires and zombies? Angels are the new Vampire. Immortal, beautiful and dangerous, what else? Look for biblical huge epics in the next few years. Noah's Ark, the teen Angel trilogy Mortal Instruments, and Milton's Paradise Lost are just a few upcoming stories to grace the big screen.

Listening Library Presents..

2011-10-14T20:45:00.004-04:00

Not many audiobooks have the depth and quality of a full cast and production, however a great reader truly does make the difference.

Lately I've been hunting through audible.com. It's a difficult hunt, a book that doesn't require 100% concentration to follow, that can capture your imagination without difficulty. Some may love the dry informative reads such as Outliers, Lost city of Z or Devil in the White City. I however avoid them like the plague. Action, drama, mixed with a good amount of comedy is essential for any listener, especially a novice.

So far? This is not necessarily a criticism of the writing nor the reader, but sometimes the stories just need to be read on paper. Often, light fluff makes for the best campfire stories...

5 stars

BBC Lord of the Rings

George Orwell, War of the Worlds

Harry Potter series

The Other Boleyn Girl

The Hunger Games

Neverwhere

Agatha Christie series with full cast and production value Radio 4 (Murder on the Orient Express, Death in the Clouds, Thirteen at Dinner)

Bridget Jones Diary

4 stars

The Night Circus

Tigana

The Ring of Solomon

Discovery of Witches

American Gods

City of Embers by

Gideon the Cutpurse

Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

The Spy Who came out from the Cold

3 stars

Robopocalypse: A Novel

Bartimeaus Trilogy

The Pale King

The Alchemyst

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell

Pride and Prejudice & Zombies

Neuromancer

Bossypants

Blood Meridian

Year of the Flood (best to read...)

The Road

2 stars

George R. R. Martin series Song of Ice and Fire: DON'T BOTHER, his books are a great READ, but the dense storyline and vast group of characters can easily lose any attentive listener.

Falling into old habits

2011-09-17T20:18:00.005-04:00

24 hours just isn't enough. I often fall into the whole "work, life, balance" water cooler conversation. Why? Because it's bullshit. 12 hours a day, 60 hours a week and I still go home feeling guilty that I'm not a "team player", working the weekend like all the other keener newbies in the office.

Fortunately the fall season has begun and I'm about to deluge my brain with television, weird indie dramas, and rush seats to random plays or exhibits. Continuing my boycott on all gyms, which only serve to make me feel like I'm either a) wasting money for not going b)shitty for my old sweats and dirty sneakers and c) irritated when some ***hole is taking too long on the machines in front of me. Eat less and cut out sugar. Gave me the same result after years of running like a hamster on the treadmill.

Great finds...

11 Flowers (above): One of the best films to debut at TIFF, made by the celebrated filmmaker Wang Xiaoshuai (Beijing Bicycle). A personal, quality film that reminded me of Stand by Me (although very different). An 11 year old boy becomes entangled in a local crime during the Chinese Cultural Revolution.

We Need to Talk about Kevin: Tilda Swinton's oscar calibre role in Lionel Shriver's raw, haunting tale of a mother's love for her murderous son.

Drive: Ryan Gosling continues his winning streak with this moody action flick.

Most anticipated flick of the year? Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.. only annoy aspect of the film is the name.

TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) has turned into a bit of an over-bloated greedy pig ($22 for a BLOODY TICKET??? WTF is that?) with the line ups, hiked prices for flicks that come out in theatres in a few weeks, and annoying fans. The best part? The foreign selection that most never get access to and energetic vibrant hum of the audience.

The kindness of evasion

2011-06-23T17:57:00.003-04:00

I find it odd and rather insensitive when I watch others get interrogated with intrusive questions during events. Every crowd has one or two individuals who constantly aim for the soft spot. "Have you gained a few pounds?" "Any children, when are you going to have children?" "Dating anyone yet?" "Married yet?" "What do you do?" "Grandkids?" "How old are you?" "How much money do you make?" "Did you find a job yet?" The list goes on and on. A friend of mine detests the question "What do you do?" the most.

Every question is a loaded one. All of it applies to societal pressures and living inside the box.

Judgement. What everyone does, but shouldn't do. Because in the end, we don't know what the next day will bring, and it's nobody's business but their own.

Silence is golden.

Scavenger hunts for adults

2011-06-18T21:57:00.003-04:00

A group of overheated teammates pounding the concrete through the scorching hot midday sun passed us by today. With matching t-shirts and large numbers plastered on their backside, I almost thought I was watching the Amazing Race. The Great Urban Race was passing through and next week it'll cross over to Madison.

It's a great way to really test a relationship as you navigate through the urban jungle hunting for random clues.

Click on the website to see if it's heading toward you.

Return of the Prodigal

2011-06-16T13:13:00.004-04:00

Netflix has struck gold.. well.. they'll be shelling out the gold but they will likely see it pouring back... and hopefully with a profit. Rumour has it that Dave Chappelle is working on another comedy show. One season .. two seasons... whatever.. I'll take what I can get.

Dave Chappelle's New Show: Comedian Working On Subscription Network Show, Report Says

Dave Chappell's sell out San Fran performance

lame

2011-06-16T10:34:00.004-04:00

Well Vancouver lost Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals, boo-hoo. I was pretty impressed they made it to the end in the first place, most Canadians wish the Leafs, Habs or Oilers could get so far.

It's a weird town, I've seen photos from so many onlookers, posting images of cars burning and horrifyingly... a few people getting beaten to a pulp. Toronto Star posted a live viral of a good samaritan protecting a shop front. First I thought, who was this ass**** filming it rather than helping the guy when the lynch mob struck him, and second, what the hell?

Over a game? Destroying a city when Japan survived a horrific earthquake with quiet dignity, and Syria riots for their freedom? Some blame it on only a select few, but from the scores of photos and now... videos posted, it's apparent that a few thousand of Vancouver Canuck fans are nothing more than playground bullies. Goading on others with their chanting and watching others get hurt in the process.

A poor woman reported that as she was trying to get to her car an angry fan jumped on her roof smashing it down. She was quickly engulfed into the crowd when she tried to pull him off.

Surprised? If you've lived in Vancouver, you wouldn't be. Vancouver has a large downtown area that closely resembles "Children of Men" ... is a city with a large prostitution ring (especially considering the small size of the city), and has such an overinflated housing market (jacked up prices by the non-resident wealthy foreign money), that locals can't afford a decent home. The Olympics may have created a beautiful veil of serene calm, but in reality the city is no better (or worse) than any other North American town.

Think small, become small.

Gone but not forgotten

2011-06-14T18:10:00.007-04:00

A friend has been blathering on about the cancelled LIFE series starring the talented Damian Lewis, and indeed, it was worth the time. The first few years can make or break great quality material, and in many cases, at no fault toward the creators, it doesn't survive.

Here are a few gems in the rough.

Arrested Development

Despite Fox's bad rep, they have a pretty impressive record for quality shows (Firefly, Wonderfalls, Undeclared), unfortunately couch potato America didn't think so.

Firefly

What more can I say? It's worth every dime.

Dead like me

I didn't even hear much about this until it was already off the air. Pity.

Twin Peaks

Why do people even care about Lara Flynn Boyle? This is why... David Lynch's masterpiece.

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

Before the Social Network, Aaron Sorkin's biting dialogue walked the perfect line between humour and drama.

Pushing Daisies

I don't know if it was the writers strike that gave the final blow to this artistic endeavor, however it will be sorely missed.

My So Called Life

For all those angst ridden young teens that detest the Twilight crowd, this show will provide a much needed change of scenery.

Bigger and better

2011-06-13T21:00:00.006-04:00

As much as I enjoyed X-men First Class, or quietly waiting in anticipation for David Fincher's remake of Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, their success will continue the trend of franchise material. With a great deal of bandwagon jumpers joining the buzz surrounding HBO's Game of Thrones or AMC's Danish remade series: The Killing, my interest has slowly ebbed and I've been sniffing the air for something new.

It's a dangerous road attempting a well loved classic, most remakes flourish when the original's shadow has long faded. There will be another Wizard of Oz, a few Snow White interpretations, numerous Vampire spinoffs, and invariably a flood of zombie pictures (Walking Dead, World War Z, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies...). The more that people feel out of control, the greater the need for a way to escape.

If Hollywood wanted to attempt a comic/anime translation, why not veer toward the lesser known? Darker than Black, Mushi-shi, Baccano!, Fullmetal Alchemist, or Samurai Champloo all have in-depth story lines (Not to mention some of them do not feature Japanese protagonists). Taking a cue from the break out success of Game of Thrones there is the impeccable twin novel epic adventure by Guy Gavriel Kay, The Sarantine Mosaic. Or perhaps the lesser Disney spun tales such as Rumpelstiltskin or even Robert Munsch's Paper Bag Princess? For now, we'll have to be content with board games ... wholly original storyline and famous in name only.

Quirks of art

2011-05-22T00:41:00.008-04:00

In many ways.. you can create an impressive collection of just about anything. With the right display cases and thorough research for the strange and extraordinary, anything can be of value.

There are many alternative travel guides across America or Europe, for those who cringe at the sight of galleries or museums there's certainly something for all walks of life...

Here are a few odd ones...

Antique Medical Equipment

Perhaps it doesn't sound strange when it's only medicine bottles, syringes and vials... but when one sees the saws, bone chisels etc... your imagination can't help but runaway with you. (More info on museum of quackery... I'd also say the Museum of antique handcuffs run under this strange peccadillo)

Air Sickness bags

A few years ago Virgin Airlines hosted the "Design for Chunks" design competition that showcased 20 winners who had their artwork appear on sickbags on Virgin Atlantic flights throughout the world.

Ship beer bottles: Who would've thought all those things you toss out in the dumpster would be treasured art?

In Europe...

The Labyrinth of Buda Castle, Budapest, Hungary

The Leprosy Museum, Bergen, Norway

Cern Abbas Giant, England

Frog Museum, The Hague, Netherlands

Museum of the Souls of the Dead, Rome, Italy

The Absinthe Museum, Paris, France

Museum of Miniatures, Andorra, Ordino

Doors Open

2011-05-22T00:02:00.003-04:00

Toronto's Doors Open event will be returning this May 28 and 29! About 150 buildings of architectural, historic, cultural or social significance open their doors to the public for free! From Black Creek Pioneer Village, High Park Club... to the famed Gooderham "Flatiron Building", visitors can step into a world normally restricted to members only.

Buildings of note:

Casa Loma

Citytv & OMNI Television Rogers Studios

Design Exchange

Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre

Gladstone Hotel

Mackenzie House

Native Child and Family Services Toronto

Old City Hall

Shaken not stirred

2011-05-19T09:58:00.003-04:00

NBC, the once juggernaut powerhouse of the small screen has been slowly driven into the ditch for the past few years, but if the 10 newly released trailers are any sign, the shake up from the top could be the beginning of a new era. Showtime's previous head Robert Greenblatt has shed quite a few old (maybe a bit moldy) peacock feathers and the next few years will prove whether NBC will see another sunrise.

The great part is when you hit dirt bottom there's nowhere to go but up.

Split down the middle

2011-05-03T00:56:00.003-04:00

Canada has voted and our right wing Conservatives have won the majority long sought after. Half right, half left, and nothing left in the middle. If things continue, we'll have a two tier medical system, a non-regulated banking system, and repeat the housing disaster of 2008.

Why am I surprised, most Canucks were more preoccupied with what Kate Middleton was wearing at the wedding. Oh... and now we're expected to foot the bill when they come and visit? You must be kidding me.

I'll just crawl back in my hole and read a book.

Count down

2011-04-25T20:20:00.002-04:00

Low and behold. George R. R. Martin has completed his next book to the epic series Song of Ice and Fire. A Dance with Dragons, and the published date is REAL. July 12, 2011.

Who will be in it? To be honest I've forgotten a great deal of the subplots, and have given my copies away to the Library... (not an insult.. I always give away all popular books to the library as a donation.. Harry Potter, Neil Gaiman... ) Share and share alike.

If I recall rightly, Arya, Jaime, Cersei, and Samwell were the main POVs in A Feast for Crows... we have yet to hear from Tyrion and Daenerys. I'm not certain if the author really did slice this segment of the story in half, one hopes not. It would be painful to wait another few years to hear from Arya's world again.

Fortunately the HBO series seems to be getting better, but as always, film can rarely match the written word.

Déjà vu

2011-04-25T13:09:00.000-04:00

According to Deadline Hollywood Jeremy Renner will take the reigns of the Bourne Saga for Universal (he's also rumoured to be the next MI:4 agent) ... as well as a main role for the upcoming Avengers. A great pity. Overexposure is poison for any actor, and frankly it looks as though Mr. Renner will be the next Natalie Portman if these films are released far too close to one another.

For the next few years we have Green Lantern, Avengers, Thor, Captain America, Spiderman whatever number it is, Superman, and ... Batman ... THREE. Not to mention Cars 2, Transformers 3, Fast Five, Die Hard 5, Mission Impossible 4, Fantastic 4 Reborn, X-men: First Class, Wolverine 2, and Avatar 2 & 3.

If it isn't a superhero, there's the remake group. Total Recall, Godzilla, Cleopatra, My Fair Lady, Great Gatsby, and the Three Musketeers. Not to mention the Americanization (or bastardization) of three Japanese classics, Akira, Death Note, and Ghost in the Shell.

It's all business, it's simple math, it's a sure thing... or is it?

For now.. I'm boycotting most of these factory spun films with little thought, and even less artistic merit. Fortunately there are still a few pictures to look forward to: War Horse, Life of Pi, World War Z, Forever War, Monopoly, A Brave New World, Legend of Cain, Cowboys and Aliens, heck even Hunger Games offers something original.

Winter is coming...

2011-04-19T08:54:00.006-04:00

After seeing the much hyped HBO debut of Game of Thrones, I must say it was .. okay. The sets, costumes, and superb cast saved what could have been a very disappointing opening.

Am I asking for too much? A great deal of the episode was shot high and static, with little camera experimentation and rather over-lit lighting. I expected slicker editing, pushed saturation on the final render, and especially... especially more humour entwined into the writing. If I were a newbie, I would have been lost in the first five minutes. Most fantasy sagas always begin with a voice over to explain the world that you are about to enter. With Lord of the Rings it was Galadriel's monologue, with Star Wars it was the written words disappearing into space, and even with Harry Potter, Hagrid's choppy explanation of the magical world hidden from everyday "muggles".

Perhaps a drunken minstrel singing a short history of their world? Or Eddard Stark telling Arya or Bran a story of his days when he helped Robert Baratheon capture the throne from the dragon loving Targaryens? All of this would have helped, a short, sweet, yet vital explanation of who is who and what is what.

For television, I was most surprised with the lack of occasional tight framing and the omission of low angles. I expected a POV from Bran, Jon, or Arya's perspective when the King's guard first entered Winterfell, adding a much needed feeling of unease. A few scenes of Arya's close relationship with Jon, a meaningful glance between Eddard's bastard son Jon and himself when they found the direwolves pups. All the loyalty, pain, and ties that are essential to establish for future episodes.

There was none of it.

It's probably too early to judge, most shows take a while to warm up, here's hoping...

Lazy days

2011-04-16T23:11:00.004-04:00

As HBO's Game of Thrones cuts through the competition tomorrow, I've turned back to young adult literature for the time being. After Cormac McCarthy's The Road and Ian McEwan's Atonement, sometimes I need a light escape.

Newest find? Alan Bradley's The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. Ten pages in, the promising start gives me hope that it won't repeat my disappointment after reading The Discovery of Witches. A rather nauseating tale of a beautiful (oblivious to her allure... of course), intelligent, talented, heroine and her vampire lover. I have officially OD'd on vampires. The only thing I've "discovered" is that a perfect protagonist produces little empathy and even less charm. Another reason for George R.R. Martin's appeal to the masses, imperfection is human nature.

Last Call

2011-04-12T09:49:00.001-04:00

Great news! The final season (13) of Poirot has been ordered for 2011! According to UK Express, the resurgence of interest in period fare has ignited after the huge success of ITV 1's Downton Abbey.

The final six stories? Off the top of my head: Elephants Can Remember, Dead Man's Folly, The Big Four (a very early story), Black Coffee, Curtain... and ??? Hopefully we will see the old gang back, his ever faithful Captain Arthur Hastings (Hugh Frasier), Miss Lemon (Pauline Moran), Chief Inspector Japp (Philip Jackson), George (David Yelland), and Ariadne Oliver (Zoe Wanamaker) in Dead Man's Folly.

Look for the air dates later this fall.

Bloody Sunday

2011-04-10T21:14:00.004-04:00

I first stumbled on this notorious family when I was reading up on the Devil in the White City's infamous serial killer Dr. H.H. Holmes. Similar to the powerful Medici family of the Renaissance, The Borgias (also known as the Borjas or Bourghesse), mirror our modern day dramas, with their rumoured tales of intrigue and corruption as they rose to power.

Showtimes The Borgias is fortunately available online.. here (for now.. it's still up and running...)

Spring cleaning

2011-04-01T13:37:00.007-04:00

According to collector friends, Church sales are the ultimate goldmine for finding valuable wonders. If you have the patience, and moreover the knowledge, the possibilities are endless. With the elderly individuals downsizing to condos, estate sales, or just plain carelessness; collectors have managed to get their hands on items for fraction of the value.

Every spring I try to donate anything that I haven't used for a few years. From electronics to clothing, it's always amazing to discover how easily things pile up. I've joined the ranks of the online shopper. Checking at the store, noting sizes, and then going home to see if there are cheaper options for my purchase. It's all about mulling things over... do you REALLY need it? Penny pinching goes a long way.

For Canucks, even though our loonie is above par to the buck, we're still paying an extra 20% markup from the days that our dollar was at 66 cents to the US dollar. On books, clothing, computers, software... the list goes on and on. If you buy from the US, I always check WHO is shipping. Fedex is great, but UPS will slap all Canucks with the biggest awful bill at the end, keeping your package in limbo until you pay the extra duty. Thinking green requires holding off on buying a new cellphone, ipad, laptop and generally reducing any compulsion to keep up with the neighbour. Reduce, reuse and mostly.. rethink.

I guess the Antique Roadshow will be next on my to do list.

On another side note: BBC's Radio 4 has a few excellent Afternoon crime plays.