So These Are The Fittest To Have Survived

Nice Christmas? Good. I got these...

...so I'm happy.

I sure dug this...

And this. (I missed it first time it was on.)

Oh and the Ghosts Christmas special 2021.

And the brilliant BBC Quentin Blake doc...

I liked Alec Guinness's "My Name Escapes Me". 

Now reading this...

All good dog owners know to bag it and bin it. The other day, despite the rain, I took Sita The Romanian Rescue for an afternoon walk in a nearby park, headphones in tow to listen to some music. Knowing next to nothing about him I went with Liszt. Spotify introduced me to his Six Consolations, specifically No. 3 in D-Flat performed by Daniel Barenboim. As it unfolded I felt like I was in a film, albeit one where we inhabit the POV of a central character foraging in long, wet grass for dog poo. (Sorry, Franz.)

Alan Bennett reading his 2021 Diary is here.

Don't Look Up felt worryingly relevant...

I enjoyed working on the music for this. Series 2 coming early next year.

I can vouch for Gino D'Acampo's recipe for tiramisu. (I've never met actually met a tiramisu I didn't like.)

Oh well. I have promises to keep... Happy New Year when it comes.

Mike Nesmith, Sandi Toskvig And Me

If you haven't seen Talent - I can recommend it. 

Fun, sweet and warm-hearted. Hooray for director Hannah Currie.

In other news. I love late period Beatles.

Peter Jackson's Get Back is one of the best things I've seen. Too many highlights to mention, although we should pause and give special mention to the Scottish rendition of Two Us ("...on our way back hame..."). John & Paul could give Scotty from Star Trek a run for his money in The Official Who On Earth In Scotland Has That Accent? Awards....

...But I digress. Three cheers for The Beatles and thank you, Peter Jackson. I enjoyed this piece of writing about it.

Farewell, Mike Nesmith. A great singer and a great songwriter. 

...sharing a good laugh in Glasgow...

...as painted by Harry Pye...

I've enjoyed composing some festive music for Sandi Toksvig & Co...

I finally saw this and thought it was great:

I liked the soundtrack. It figures: Gabriel Yared was involved.

Girding my loins for Succession - Season 3. I hear it's not as fan-dabby-dozy as previously. Well I'll be the judge of that.

I'm giving this a go.

Chernobyl Prayer was a great but grim read. I needed a change of tone and the late Alec Guinness is obliging...

And now....from the expensive fountain pen of the man who brought you What Is Stanley Kowalsi's Favourite Belgian Pilsner?...a new joke....

Q: What's Bobby Helms' favourite chocolate filling?

A: "Praline, pra-a-li-ine..."

OK. That's it. Tinkety-tonk, old fruit....