Sunday, October 04, 2020
nick: Still still locked down
This is a field I cycle past, which has a tree in it, and the tree has a bench all the way round. It's not on a path or anything so far as I can tell
- 8:26 pm
Comments:
Steve: Has that been cropped from landscape?...
BTW should we cancel the tickets, Percy Jones has left Brand X.
Maybe they will cancel the tour.
nick: It is cropped, but from a larger portrait pic.
I don't think the BrandX concert at the Southampton venue has yet been rescheduled. The last I heard was in March when they said
Due to the current Coronavirus outbreak BRAND X
at The 1865, Southampton on 03/05/2020 has been postponed.
The event organisers are looking into potential rearranged dates.
As soon as these are confirmed we will notify you via email of the next steps.
TBH I can't imagine it ever actually happening, although I feel a bit conflicted about asking for the money back when the arts industry is in such a bad state. Maybe we should get a refund and donate to some out of work musicians
Tim: If it ever actually happens I'd go, better than staying in, even if I've never heard of any of the band. But not crucial.
Tim: Reading his statement, he doesn't actually say what's happened. Has he left the band or disbanded it?
Steve: D just joined a 9:30 scrum at the charity shop to donate as they just start accepting again.
She had to transfer into their bin bags which are of course useless for books.
One guy had a vanful! We had a bootful. Another person dropped before they were open and ran for it.
She called a couple of other shops who would only make appointments in November.
I have been inches away from putting the lot in the dustbins.
nick: Counting issues in UK coronavirus tests was due to an Excel spreadsheet having too many columns
nick: "Errors from the spreadsheet software have even changed the very foundations of human genetics. The names of 27 genes have been changed over the past year by the Human Gene Nomenclature Committee, after Microsoft’s program continually misformatted them. The genes SEPT1 and MARCH1, for instance, have been changed to SEPTIN1 and MARCHF1 after they were repeatedly turned into dates, while symbols that were common words have been altered so that grammar tools didn’t autocorrect them: WARS is now WARS1, for instance." - Guardian article
nick: Rows, not columns, probly. yes I wondered about that. You should be getting in there Tim, bet you could sort it out
Steve: So I can imagine you get started with a spreadsheet, but we are 8 months into the pandemic and they still use one???
Steve: Currently got your LP of 3 Sides Live on Tim, great recording. 4th side of course. Might be the first time I've heard it, I never bought it.
nick: Bill Bruford is getting rid of a load of drums and they're being auctioned. He talks about them here
Tim: Can't say I remember 3 sides live much. I think it just fell into the category of Not As Good As Seconds Out.
Steve: Well a tiny bit more Bruford on it, although that track is not as good-sounding.
The standard double-drumming without Bruford sounds pretty amazing.
Yes I had seen the continuance of the Bruford retirement process.
Tim: Just watched the Bruford thing, he mentioned collaborating with Michiel Borstlap, either of you heard any of that?
Tim: And I just looked up Graham Russell Drums, "the UK's Largest Drum Store", and it's in Waltham Chase, well almost: Fareham???
Steve: I have one of the Borstlap albums which hasn't made much impression. I'll give it another go.
Steve: OK it's a live one and too jazzy for me.
I was getting it mixed up with Bruford with Towner and Gomez which is more listenable.
Tim: Not really sure why I'm still looking around at this, but I see that Bruford Live at the Venue, previously part of that Bruford box set, is now available separately (well, along with the 4th Album rehearsals).
Steve: Yes I have been thinking about it. But their 3rd album was a bit odd, and bits of a 4th hmmm.
Someone just pointed me to an interview with Jakko Jakszyk where he says he used to go around AH's house to learn guitar and generally faff about in the Soft Machine days!
nick: The album Tony was playing in the car was Garden Shed by England. It does sound very Yes/Genesis-y and I'm surprised I didn't know about it at the time it came out
Tim: Sounds familiar. Steve, check my vinyl. Only joking... Have you mentioned it already Nick or am I mixing it up with some other classic prog from the 70s we totally missed?
nick: Have you mentioned it already Nick I think we were talking about it on Tuesday (the fact that Tony had played us a 70s LP which sounded like a Genesis knock-off) but maybe it was before you joined the zoom? Probably in the context of Tony's own music - he's up to four tracks now and only needs one or two more before he makes an album. I told him I liked being able to see him playing more of the instruments so he did that in his most recent one, "The Ram"
Tim: By "Tony was playing in the car" do you mean back in July? If so I'm hoping you mentioned it then, otherwise I'm having bad deja-vu.
nick: It must have been some time before lockdown, when Steve and Tony and I were all in the car (don't know if Tim was there) and presumably we were going to a gig. The time I can think of was September 2018 when we went to see Tristan at the Brook - based on blog entries, we went in Tony's car to that
Tim: We three got to that one early for the PieMinister disappointment (2018 but it still hurts), but anyway it seems quite plausible then that I've looked England up on discogs before.
nick: I did say he'd probably got almost enough for a 40 minute album and he said he was aiming for an hour and has ideas/sketches for two more tracks. Then he's going to get other musicians to record it (I think probably he only would do keyboards himself, maybe bass) in a studio
nick: Hope you had a nice break Steve! We were in Brighton on Sun/Mon and it was pretty good: not too busy and nice to walk along the seafront. There are *tons* of places to eat there, I didn't realise it was quite so big a place. On the Monday we went to a vegan pizza restaurant. You could have absolutely anything off the menu! And it was some of the best pizza I think I've ever had.
I can do a zoom tomorrow (Thu) if people are up for it.
Came across this ticket in my coat pocket at the weekend. I couldn't believe at first that this was something that had happened this year.
Tim: February does seem a long time ago. TD was March, apparently.
I seem to be available tonight.
Cheers for the Ted Chiang link but I've already got a copy in the backlog. But you prompted me to start the first story (I'm going to read them individually in between other books), the one that's Arabian Nights with Time Travel. I didn't finish it in one go so there's a bit left.
Steve: I think we are busy thanks, carry on without doing the anagrams?
I made a start on Tony's music. The music part of it is excellent, I'm just not sure about trying to make songs about things like the Titanic.
That one had a Camel Harbour of Tears feel to it.
nick: I made a start on Tony's music. The music part of it is excellent, I'm just not sure about trying to make songs about things like the Titanic.
That one had a Camel Harbour of Tears feel to it.
Yes I thought of "Harbour of Tears" too.
I sort of know what you mean but I quite liked the themes. I thought "The Ram" was quite moving (it's about the place where he grew up). Maybe he didn't feel like writing love songs or swords-and-sorcery type stuff.
nick: He did get a "professional" singer to record one of the tracks and sent it to me, and you could tell it was a proper singer, but I wasn't sure I liked it as much as his own vocals! I think it might all sound quite different though when it's recorded by a set of musicians and he's not doing everything himself
Tim: The only one I've played so far is Sunderland, and that's instrumental. As it should be. I quite like the video too, which is mostly clips of some random aeroplane flying over Sunderland I presume ;-)
Anyway, it's not bad at all.
Steve: Excitement at the age of 57?
Although cycling in the Lakes District is pretty epic.
I was a bit excited to see Percy Jones - oh wait...
nick: Wear a mask. Right for my demographic - I saw this film quite a few times with Ella. Might not ring a bell with Tim
nick: They said on the radio that the guy who invented the term "earworm" died on Saturday night at the movies
nick: I'm around Thursday evening and I think Tim is too. So I can do a zoom/crossword if Steve/Deborah are up for it, else Tim and I could give We Were Here another go.
Saw some recommendations for Among Us as another multiplayer game which needs at least 4 players, and is cooperative except for one player who is being a baddie. Sounds like it might be fun?
Steve: D fancies some anagrams if that's OK?
You two can probably fit in another games session.
Got my new wheels but the weather is terrible so not today.
Steve: I know we get bombarded with recommendations, but I listened to this and bought it and it's still good. Seems to capture the magic of KS drifting randomness without sounding like a rip-off: Leftovers by Subsonic Experience
Not bad for being literally leftovers!
Wheels arrived and fitted which was NOT easy.
Apparently rims have changed to accommodate tubeless tyres which seems to make getting any tyres seated harder.
And the rim is wider - not affecting you disk boys of course.
I had to slacken the brakes which was a bit of a surprise.
Tim: Top tip, cheers. While you're at it can you listen to all those live recordings and let me know if any of them are any good? Thanks.
nick: Will give Leftovers a try in between meetings today.
I am not convinced that tubeless tyres are worth it (rather than just a tweak to encourage people to upgrade their stuff). They are meant to be more puncture proof but I hardly ever have punctures with my marathons. I suppose at least the rims you have don't force you to abandon inner tubes?
I had a mail from the bike shop saying he'd found my note describing what needed doing and he understood it. So I'm hopeful it might be done by the weekend. I have been riding the fixie this week which I guess is making my legs strong but it's nowhere near as comfortable as the Felt (which is not as comfortable as the Whyte) so I am quite excited about getting back on a bike that has gears and is the right size.
Steve: I've never got tubeless myself. Reading Cycling UK they seem more suited to off-road lower pressures. Weight-saving and rolling resistance? You need that sealing gunk so seems a right faff.
Marathons are stupidly heavy, but no punctures is well worth it.
And yes I can still use them, just fitting is even more of a pain.
I might put the new wheels on the Mercian as the freewheel is quieter but swapping tyres again...
nick: Can do a zoom tonight, either crossword or Tim freezing in the snow, let me know
Been riding the fixie for the last week; no updates about my Whyte lately. I wondered if I need a new fixed wheel bike that has a bigger frame and came across mango bikes which are relatively cheap and you customise the colours completely
Steve: I just don't get the idea of fixed bikes and don't think I ever will.
Maybe if I lived somewhere flat.
And I have officially given up with Don Quixote with over 900 pages to go.
What was I thinking?
nick: There is something quite nice about just pedalling all the time with no decisions about gears/freewheeling: you just have to keep going. And I think it's making my legs stronger (at least, to start with I was having achy legs in the evenings from pushing back to slow down; after a couple of weeks on Paul's fixie they aren't hurting any more).
Oh dear Roger will be disappointed you gave up on Don Quixote, maybe I'll not tell him. What will you read next?
Tim: Coincidentally I just took delivery of 1001 Nights, vols 2 and 3. I've had vol 1 for years, and first time round got to about page 700 of 950. *Obviously* the best move would be to start again, but this time with the full 2650 pages cued up.
nick: My first selfish though on hearing of the lockdown was "but what about getting my bike back?" My second selfish thought was "but bikes shops stayed open last time so maybe I'll be alright"
I had some correspondence with the bike shop - he says he's just waiting for a part for rear brake which should arrive Tue/Wed. So I'm hoping I'll get the bike back imminently. Assuming he's not got to close.
Steve: If you can do takeaway food I can't see why you can't do a takeway bike.
We re-watched the Polanski Macbeth last night to get shot of another DVD.
The first time was GCSE time over 10 years ago, so I did not remember very much.
Could not tell who was who or what they were going on about.
You find yourself marvelling at an amazing sentence and missing the next 10.
The RSC web site notes were very helpful along with the pause button, but it's official, I'm not up to Shakespeare.
nick: Guardian likes theatrical production of "What a Carve Up!" which is a novel I have a lot of time for so I think I may pay to watch an online stream of it (it's on for the rest of this month)
Making the most of pre-lockdown, Lesley's niece is visiting tonight to see Spencer so I'm not around for zoom
I posted an update to my cycling WhatsApp group at the weekend saying I'd met my mileage target (after we'd discussed it earlier). One of them replied That's amazing! You are the kindest cyclist I have ever met. Well done.
I was flattered but not quite sure how to respond to that. Yesterday he posted:
Haha, I just read my last message. I meant to say you are the keenest cyclist rather than kindest. Although you're kind as well.
nick: I'm around this evening for a crossword/game/whatever - if anyone's up for it I'll set up a zoom meeting
No news from the bike shop but official govt guidance for Lockdown 2.0 says cycle shops can stay open so I'm not stressed about it. Quite stressed about the US election though.
nick: Got off the zoom with Tim and checked my mail:
Just finished your bike, the shop is closed until Wednesday but I will be at the shop tomorrow morning if you can collect it then?
I have the day off tomorrow so I've said I'll pick it up at 10am tomorrow. So of my three "wants" discussed with Tim, that's one down and two to go (the others being: 1. I finish writing up my appraisals, and 2. Trump gets defeated)
nick: I enter data in the COVID study app every day and it's nearly always "I've not had a test"/"I feel normal". But the last couple of days I had a bit of a headache in the morning (which went away after I went out on the bike) so had filled that data in. Today I had a mail from them asking me to apply for a test (they said I don't have to, and they don't let govt know they're asking me), so I've done that and have been told they're sending me one in the post.
I don't have any of the symptoms they ask about (cough/fever/smell) so hopefully I'll be able to add to the cohort of data saying that headaches don't necessarily presage COVID (or, alternatively, that cough/fever/smell aren't necessary symptoms).
Not fantastically looking forward to doing the test though
nick: Have you got a new bike then?
Yes I got my bike back and it went for a ride yesterday evening. It is a new frame but the same forks, so it's not completely been replaced since I bought it (saddle, handlebars and brake/gear shifters are also original, but I think everything else has been replaced at least once). He put new cables on and fixed the rear hydraulic brake so I still have my spare mechanical one.
The logo on the new frame is the same colour as the original. So I don't know if that means I've got a 2013 frame that's been sitting in their warehouse for seven years, or just that they had a newer one and have put 2013 stickers on it. I've not looked closely to see if I could tell the structure is different.
I did ask if I could have the old frame but he said that Whyte wanted him to cut it up and send evidence of that back to them.
It is very odd after two weeks on the fixie - very big to start with, and I didn't remember to change gear until I got to Dummer. I had to make a conscious effort to freewheel, which felt like there was something wrong with the pedals to start with. It is a lot more comfortable (mainly posture, but also saddle) than the fixie, and quite a bit faster when you do remember to change gear. No creaky noises when I'm pedalling! In fact it feels a bit too easy. So I probably will carry on doing occasional fixie rides if I can bear it.
No group ride this morning because of lockdown restrictions but I'll go out this afternoon (forecast is 14 degrees!) and aim to get some appraisal writing done this morning.
nick: What were you going to do with the old frame?
I thought I might just cut a bit out of it and frame it. I've spent a lot of time and seen a lot of places on that bike and it feels like it's due a bit of honour
nick: Got my test kit this morning. Watched the youtube "how to" video, washed my hands, blew my nose, got the kit all laid our ready, went through the online registration, which asks you to find out where your nearest priority postbox is - check, and then it tells you to do the test an hour before the post is collected. Which means tomorrow afternoon. So I've got to keep my hands clean until then!
Tim: Eventually I remembered that H&R v O was the same fixture as a couple of years ago when H&R reached this round. In 2018 they lost 1-2 (apparently), and that's the half-time score today.
nick: Well, a reasonably successful weekend: 2.5/3 : I got my bike, Biden won, and I've done half my appraisal write-ups. I think I'm in a bit of a groove now so should be able to knock the rest off in the next couple of days.
nick: Every time I watch this I can't help laughing: reaction to Trump booking a garden centre for a press conference by mistake
Steve: How do you even book a garden centre???
BTW if you like The Trip you will like Staged on iPlayer. Nice short episodes that are laugh-out-loud funny.
nick: I'll try "Staged" once I've finished these dratted appraisals and have time to veg a bit. Although I see it's got David Tennant in, and
I 'm not always keen on him
I started listening to a playlist "songs that I've never played" on random order. So far have had some Steely Dan, a piece of orchestral Yes, and about 9 Scarlatti sonatas.
nick: one appraisal left to write up now, seven done: the end is in sight. And just saw another good news article in the paper UK to ban all online junk food advertising to tackle obesity assuming that's accurate that seems pretty positive
Tim: Somewhat related, and getting in quick before the ban: I saw that youknowwho are starting a McPlant range next year, which sounds like progress (but I've got no idea whether they sell any v at the moment to be honest.)
nick: getting in quick before the ban?
Had my COVID test result through via text and email: "Your coronavirus test result is negative. You did not have the virus when the test was done."
I feel surprisingly relieved. Also finished my appraisals last night. Things seem to be going suspiciously well
Steve: You will love this. Fresh from the trauma of failing to finish DQ, I go through my 1000 Books book and download a Paul Auster. Completely mad so far and... the main character's initials are DQ and the author who is in the book has written a paper on DQ and they discuss it. Flipping heck, what are the chances?
At least I knew what they were talking about.
Interesting Guardian article on Wendy Carlos today. Did not realise she is still alive (80).
nick: Yes that was a good article about Wendy Carlos - when I first came across it I assumed it must be an obituary.
At least I knew what they were talking about. Yes that is an advantage of reading "classic" books - you start to pick up references in other places that make sense.
I wrote to my MP saying I thought the junk food advertising ban was a good idea. He responded saying it's only in consultation at the moment, but there is a web page you can use to provide feedback, which I will do.
Can do a zoom tonight if anyone's up for it?
Steve: Yes we're up for it thanks.
Gambling advertising kills me.
Difficult to decide what is junk food?
Let's see a tax on the bad basic ingredients of sugar and meat (and dairy?).
Did you see the story about the UK company that had HTML in the name?
Despite being valid characters in the naming rules, Companies House made them change it to prevent security breaches.
Tim: Hmm, doesn't really count as a name, in any real sense, does it?
As usual I'm far too busy to make a zoom tonight, typical. Got an Enland game to watch, and also I need to keep an eye on progress at Hungary v Iceland which is pivotal for my purely hypothetical trip to Budapest next year.
nick: I think I've posted this before but it's a good one
I'll send a zoom invite. Surely you can just record the game and watch it later Tim?
Tim: It's a friendly, so "record it and watch later" likely means watch never, probably a good idea to be honest.
Steve: Whenever I watch MotD (about 10min a week while eating breakfast) I love the handball and offside rulings.
Feel free to move it to Friday or whenever.
nick: Feel free to move it to Friday or whenever.
sure- can do tomorrow instead if everyone's up for it?
Steve: The full Dominion Concert is on Youtube. It must be from the performance we didn't see as it's significantly different in places. And no thank you for being patient.
So would they release this separately as it sounds a bit essential.
The first box is only E70 at www.jpc.de BTW.
nick: Is this performance on youtube the one you mean?
There's a comment there:
A bit of TD trivia - back then the rumour was that the cover for logos was not in fact taken at the Dominion - as that was a larger stage. Just for fun - does anyone know where the cover of Logos was actually shot? For now 'keep it synth'. Take care.
and one of the replies says I believe the picture was taken at the Birmingham Theatre as this was the night I saw TD for the first time live.
Surely not. Unless Tim went to all the concerts on the tour?
nick: Hmm well that claims to be 6-November-1982, which is the date we saw them. One of the comments on the other videos talked about matinees: could it be possible they did two concerts on that day?
Tim: I never really bought into the theory that that was me (/us) on the cover. At the time I pointed out that the big-hair was sat one seat along from where I would have been, which seemed to rule it out. I never really worked out what the photo *was* though, maybe from the earlier performance, but as often the case with TD things aren't how they are presented.
Other things being equal, it makes a lot more sense if "The Dominion Theatre Concert" comes from the matinee, because Logos is also included in the box and would pretty much just be a duplicate.
No doubt it will be released separately one day, but presumably for now its role is to get the box sold. I don't think anything new has been released from In Search of Hades yet, except the traditional albums (with bonuses).
And I don't think I got round to mentioning before (?) that Logos comprised most of the "unreleased" tracks that they performed on that tour. But several of the other parts were from "The Keep" soundtrack, that never really got released properly and is also in the box.
Tim: Not a lot clearer at this point.
Basically it was a case of: here's the new IT dept structure which will be much more effective due to [buzzwords].
Today(ish) we should all get emails saying whether we qualify to automatically get plonked in one of the new posts (Application Development Officer, I assume, although there are others possible) or have to apply. There are a number of new teams I could be on, with the same post titles, I don't know at what point that is getting decided. What the individual teams are for is unclear based on their names. Job descriptions aren't available yet. Etc.
Voluntary redundancy is possible, subject to approval. The process for deciding that will be fairly quick (by 15 Dec) but an actual exit date would be anyone's guess.
nick: Someone in a newspaper article mis-quoted an Art of Noise song, and I thought "aha-they should credit AoN for that". But then later on in the article they acknowledged this poem. And I thought AoN was being original (silly of me really, when so much of the music is sampled etc.).
Tim: Just had a follow-up team meeting with a lower manager who doesn't know anything and therefore couldn't answer any questions, pretty normal really.
nick: Just had a follow-up team meeting with a lower manager who doesn't know anything and therefore couldn't answer any questions, pretty normal really. :-)
maybe the mail you get today will be more informative
Tim: Well done, yes I like it - played it quite a bit. Might give it another spin this morning now you mention it.
Steve: I finally got Waiting for Cousteau for a couple of quid.
Some horrific music at the start that sounds like a steel band, but I really wanted the ambient track which has some lovely sounds on it. A worthwhile addition.
Very badly scratched copy from Magpie but somehow ripped without error.
Tim: Well I just played The Way Up and it turns out I'd forgotten a bit just how good it is.
Last time I was doing Jarre I was trying to fill a few gaps in the collection but mostly didn't quite find the right bargains so well done.
The new pair of Autechre albums Sign and Plus seem pretty good so far. £22 from bleep for a bundle including downloads and shipping isn't too bad.
Steve: Hmm the last Autechre I got I could not listen to as it was so bleepy and angular.
I'm thinking Exai.
While I was trawling around I was interested/amused to see a Philip Glass Buddha machine. Something I had never heard of, and from his recent label.
Tim: I got a letter from the boss, I've been identified as a "natural successor" to a certain post. That could mean I get slotted in, or if there are others in contention then there will be a ring-fenced contest, don't know at this point. And it's in the "Enabling Systems" team, no real idea what that is.
All sorted then.
Tim: Yeah, Exai was a bit tricky. But since then it's all been on a massive scale (elseq = 5 download-only albums, AE_LIVE = downloads of 28 concerts, NTS Sessions = 8CDs, AE_LIVE 2016/2018 = 7 more concerts). These two are suddenly back to normal and sounding listenable, bit of a relief.
nick: This is the game I mentioned that has Escher-ish puzzles; in the video in this review you see a bit of what it's like when you "revolve" bits of the structure to make staircases join up in odd ways. I thought it was better than "The Room"
Steve: Are you jumping onboard with PS5 at all?
No new games launching so as a layman, what would it give you?
My two don't seem to be in a hurry.
nick: Are you jumping onboard with PS5 at all?
Tempted, but purely from the point of view of it being a shiny new thing. (A bit like I'm tempted to get a new "apple silicon" mac).
I don't think it currently gives you much at all - I'm not sure if there are any PS5-exclusive games (apart from a demo one that comes with the system) - I think they're all available in e.g. PS4 versions. It has SSD instead of hard drive so is quicker to load games. Supposedly it's quieter (people say PS4 makes a lot of fan noise although I've never noticed; maybe I just don't use it enough). You can use it as a netflix/iplayer/etc. system but that's true of PS4 as well.
I don't use my PS4 that much, and there are tons of PS4 games available that have got cheap now (~£20) - PS5 games are £50 and up.
Probably would think about getting one when there are some exclusive games for it and the console has got cheaper.
Tim: I've submitted my VR request.
Also, and this is quite exciting without necessarily counting for anything, I've found that the new exit payment cap regs have an exemption: Where the obligation to make that payment arises as a result of the application of TUPE. You never know...
nick: It hasn't played for a while because I'm still on my "music not yet played" playlist.
I've played it 3 times (can tell, because it counts plays I've done). Got it on now (makes a change from Scarlatti) - it's nice production and pleasant enough to listen to (not sure I'm keen on the trumpeter who might be doing a bit of sucking as well as blowing) and I do recognise it now that I'm listening again, but it's not caught my attention like the stuff he did in 80s/90s
nick: The Ultimate Melody was the short story whose name/author I'd forgotten but was reminded of by the newspaper article. It's Arthur C Clarke, not Heinlein. I've often thought of that story over the years, I bet it'll be a disappointment to read it again though
Tim: Aha, well done. Yes, it's definitely toned down, I think it's a bit of a grower though. I suppose if you're composing a 70-minute piece you might want it to be a bit more consistent than an album of assorted tracks, and therefore less in the way of obvious highlights, maybe.
Steve: Hmm I think we looked at that last night, we have the top half bar one.
Another of those where clues have a link that is missing.
Tim: Goddamit I've got the top half and about 1/3 of the bottom. I think that accounts for 7/10 linked clues, but even knowing the link isn't helping me spot the others.
I've tried every kind of cheating I can think of.
So if you've got any of these I'll gladly nick them:
A 23 27 28 29 31
D 14 24 25
A couple of those I have had guesses typed in but can't convince myself (and/or they contradict, gah).
nick: I had a quick look and I see Hebrew Judges being mentioned again so my guesses for that are SAMSON or GIDEON.
Listened to a two-part podcast interview with Brian Eno over the weekend Part One and Part Two which were pretty good: not a fantastic amount about his music but he generally just sounds quite an interesting and down to earth guy. Adam Buxton's podcast is similar to Richard Herring in that he's doing interviews of people you quite likely will have heard of, but he seems much more focused and better prepared and doesn't swear so much. And he gets better interviewees.
Steve: Did not make any more progress with it.
Had the annual calendar task to complete - why does it take so long???
Steve: This was that Glass Madrigal thing I referred to.
Rave reviews on Amazon, a pretty poor one of the CD from Classic site.
Random find on Music Magpie sorting by price :)
Finally got Glassworks on CD as well, although the LP sounds better, and I did not pay more for the extended version which has another 20 mins of stuff.
Tim: Back in the day I bought the Dancepieces cd, which consists of those 20 minutes and a measly similar amount of other odds. As I recall it's OK but dispensable.
That Madrigal thing is a strange find. Let us know how you get on with it.
nick: If you've not already watched Steve, then The Queen's Gambit is worth a try. I'm about half-way through and it's pretty decent - partly because of the unusual subject for a story but also the production is lovely: it's set in the '50s/'60s and the hairstyles, sets, costumes and cars etc. are really convincing (I keep thinking "how on earth did they manage to film that without any modern bits of machinery/architecture intruding?" - I guess there must be some CGI but it's not obvious)
Steve: Yes Paul recommended it and this got his friend into chess. Who then got too obsessed with playing it and had to stop!
I watched with Paul a guy on Youtube analysing one of the games in the program which was good.
I do mean to watch a BBC doc about the only plane hijacking that succeeded - the guy disappeared with the money. Trying to do more reading/music listening.
Tim: I just finished the Guardian Genius crossword (202) that I started in May. No surprise of course that someone on 15squared finished it on the day it was published.
Steve: Hmm I think we are busy.
BTW D knew what you meant Tim, beaver moon is one I had not heard of.
No other news.
Steve: Terrible Patrick Moraz CD from me should already have arrived.
I recently got a remastered version for the hell of it.
Over the years I have played it tons, there is just one duff track.
Not bad for apparently being The Story of I leftovers.
Tim: Inspired by Steve, I just took delivery of a Jarre CD, en attendant Cousteau. As I mentioned to Nick the other day I've ended up "having to" buy French-titled Jarre albums. Mainly that's because Les Chants Magnetiques is a nice title before translation. The only other one I'm aware of is Les Concerts In Chine, which I've got, so I think I'm off the hook now.
Steve: Joy, a customer no-show on a catch-up meeting...
Yes I think bagpipes would round off the steel band sound nicely.
I hope you are keeping all those jiffy bags - I ran out when I was selling my unwanted CDs the other week!
It is almost worth buying a crap Magpie CD to get one to use.
In the end I made one by cutting a bigger bag in half. Well if they're only spending a couple of quid what do they expect?
And you did go in for the German PG albums I seem to remember Tim.
I just found some Andreas Vollenweider tacked on to the end of a multi-album 2CD I recently got.
I can't stop playing the extra bit, but the fact that it is excerpts from his first album is killing me. LPs seem cheap but CDs not so.
He has this amazing electro-harp sound which gets categorised as New Age (remember that?), but I play his stuff a lot so it can't be :)
Got my first ever flu jab tomorrow so a visit to what's left of the Arndale should be fun.
nick: ISTR the German PG albums had him singing in German, what's the French Zoolook sound like?
I've got a flu jab on Saturday. And only a year to go now until I get free prescriptions! Doesn't appear I get any free dentist treatment though. I had a filling break off last week leaving a jagged but not (so far) painful gap. I called the surgery and they said to get a temporary filling kit from the chemist. Have tried that three times now and it just keeps falling out.
Tim: Good news about the cheap Vollenweider LPs, with you being a vinyl fan.
German lyrics is at least a bit defensible, I've got some Kraftwerk like that so that I can't understand them.
It's always good when a CD arrives in reused packaging. That usually means it's too wrecked to have to keep for further reuse, which is a relief.
Tim: Sorry Nick, missed your post, I got interrupted by work while I was replying, that's not on is it. But, er, not sure where the French Zoolook thing came from but presumably it would sound the same as any other, or am I missing something?
Spoke to my brother the other day, he had a bit of tooth fall out, he phoned the dentist, they said you can get this temporary filling stuff.
nick: I was guessing maybe the Zoolook we're familiar with has such odd words because they're bad translations from the original. So maybe hearing the French version would mean we'd find out what "fried vegetables" and "moomintroll" started off as.
Anyone fancy a zoom this evening?
nick: I've been inspired to listen to Zoolook. I see it came out in 1984. 1984! that's 36 years ago. And I thought it was a "new" album
Steve: Zoolook was a risky foray into sampling which could have been terrible.
Good old Bruford was careful with his use of electronic drums to try to prevent a dated sound.
Yes to Zoom thanks.
I was convinced free prescriptions is when you retire, but I was getting mixed up with bus passes.
Thinking about tax and pensions currently, and what to do between stopping and the state kicking in. I reckon I could take the tax free sum then start taking a few years of taxable drawdown, I wouldn't be earning anything so the first £12K is tax-free as well?
It feels like dodging tax, but it's every man for themselves!
Tim: Yep to zoom, 8:15?
On now: Steve's Zoolook (légumes frits remix).
And, if that's all your income is it's all your income is.
Steve: I've only just twigged why you are referring to it as mine - was a cheap used copy as I have the LP already.
I now have the mental equivalent of an ear-worm.
Last night I watched Netflix's documentary film The Social Dilemma about the terrible state that social media companies leaves us in.
A computer scientist likened what's happening to everyone getting served up different versions of Wikipedia tailored to their history and preferences. It will become impossible to get to the truth. And I thought climate change was the big threat...
Tim: So, it did sound a bit less familiar when I got to side 2. No idea if that's because it's different to the original, or just because side 1 was always best and in the good old days you could excusably listen to half an album.
nick: I was convinced free prescriptions is when you retire, but I was getting mixed up with bus passes.
We have to wait until 67 for them! and we only get two buses a week anyway. If you're in London you get a free travel card (bus AND tube) at 60! Good old GLC or whoever it is
Thinking about tax and pensions currently, and what to do between stopping and the state kicking in. I reckon I could take the tax free sum then start taking a few years of taxable drawdown, I wouldn't be earning anything so the first £12K is tax-free as well?
It feels like dodging tax, but it's every man for themselves!
Yes we have a similar thing in that Lesley can take one of her pensions now and doesn't pay any tax on it: so for every £100 she gets, I could put £100 of my takehome into my pension and have it tax-relief'd up to £165. Feels wrong but what's the point of not doing it?
nick: cupcakes being delivered, hampers mostly delivered, food vouchers done.
Trying now to get everyone able to play Among Us. The idea was that they'd mostly do it via Steam.
First option: send them steam credits to buy the game. But I can't send steam credits to someone on steam unless they've been my "friend" for three days. And none of them has.
Second option: buy the game as a gift for them. But you can't do that for accounts that haven't yet bought anything themselves (presumably to limit issues with spoof accounts). Most people in the team have just created a steam account in the last day or so and not bought anything
Needless to say it's not obvious why you're prevented from doing the first two things when you try it, you just get told "you can't do that" and so have to hunt around the help system to find why.
So I think people will just have to buy the game themselves and take the hit. It's only £3.19.
nick: I'm now getting multiple emails from DPD saying "your cupcakes order has been delivered" with photographs of people's front doors with a parcel outside. They don't say what address they delivered to though!
Tim: I hate to do this but :-)
I spotted another word in the intro to Zoolook.
Pfizer Pfizer. Jarre is like Nostradamus.
Steve: BTW I keep getting a weird file corruption issue using WinSCP to download files from my RasPi to USB disk.
All the files look fine but some of them play random bits of other tracks. Usually the Windows info is missing artist etc and sometimes it is for another track completely. But not always. Size is perfect.
Re-copying usually works.
Or I take the disk and stick it on my other laptop that did the original ripping (has the files locally) and copy that way.
Steve: Yes a few seconds of one thing, then sometimes the rest of the correct track.
Sometimes can't be opened at all as media.
I think today, bits of different tracks.
Tim: That sounds hideous. Is it the source that's the problem (I'm assuming SD card but might be barking up the wrong tree)?
nick: All the files look fine but some of them play random bits of other tracks.
Weird. Is it always the same random bits of the same other tracks?
Was meant to be doing a Christmas curry with Tony and Geoff this Thursday (booked a few weeks ago) but talking to Tim on Sunday made me realise we can't have a meal due to tier 2 restrictions. So that's been cancelled.
I'll send a zoom invite for tonight, crossword or "We Were Here Too"
nick: email with zoom invite to tim's gmail account bounced. Maybe google still having problems. Let me know if you want to join tim and I'll send the invite again
Steve: So I rip on laptop A, SFTP to Volumio - all fine.
I pull using SFTP from Volumio to work laptop B USB disk and it sometimes goes wrong.
Could be anti-virus maybe.
Crossword yes please.
Steve: No joy on the crossword. I spent some time researching "cyanite" or "syanite" from a lyric in Greg Lake's Christmas song.
Turns out "they sold me a silent night" grrr.
It's really miserable for a Christmas song, but the Prokofiev carries it through.
Tim: I'm getting nowhere either. About all I've got is:
27A pores is also a verb, any help? (Could be the definition.)
That's good enough for the fifteen-to-one page.
nick: I wouldn't have known that - I wonder if "stool pigeon" is related.
This moves things along a bit: 16D must be trivial now we know it starts with G-L
Tim: No cheating this time, so I haven't got the answer.
But 16D looks like a bird, could be GOLDFINCH or GOLDCREST or something else where the last 5 letters mean clock.
Steve: So could be FAIRWAY then!
I peeked at one of the comments on the site and they struggled and did not understand Pigeon so some fun to be had.
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Steve: Has that been cropped from landscape?...BTW should we cancel the tickets, Percy Jones has left Brand X.
Maybe they will cancel the tour.
nick: It is cropped, but from a larger portrait pic.
I don't think the BrandX concert at the Southampton venue has yet been rescheduled. The last I heard was in March when they said
Due to the current Coronavirus outbreak BRAND X
at The 1865, Southampton on 03/05/2020 has been postponed.
The event organisers are looking into potential rearranged dates.
As soon as these are confirmed we will notify you via email of the next steps.
TBH I can't imagine it ever actually happening, although I feel a bit conflicted about asking for the money back when the arts industry is in such a bad state. Maybe we should get a refund and donate to some out of work musicians
Tim: If it ever actually happens I'd go, better than staying in, even if I've never heard of any of the band. But not crucial. Tim: Reading his statement, he doesn't actually say what's happened. Has he left the band or disbanded it? Steve: D just joined a 9:30 scrum at the charity shop to donate as they just start accepting again.She had to transfer into their bin bags which are of course useless for books.
One guy had a vanful! We had a bootful. Another person dropped before they were open and ran for it.
She called a couple of other shops who would only make appointments in November.
I have been inches away from putting the lot in the dustbins.
nick: Counting issues in UK coronavirus tests was due to an Excel spreadsheet having too many columns nick: "Errors from the spreadsheet software have even changed the very foundations of human genetics. The names of 27 genes have been changed over the past year by the Human Gene Nomenclature Committee, after Microsoft’s program continually misformatted them. The genes SEPT1 and MARCH1, for instance, have been changed to SEPTIN1 and MARCHF1 after they were repeatedly turned into dates, while symbols that were common words have been altered so that grammar tools didn’t autocorrect them: WARS is now WARS1, for instance." - Guardian article nick: Rows, not columns, probly. yes I wondered about that. You should be getting in there Tim, bet you could sort it out Steve: So I can imagine you get started with a spreadsheet, but we are 8 months into the pandemic and they still use one??? Steve: Currently got your LP of 3 Sides Live on Tim, great recording. 4th side of course. Might be the first time I've heard it, I never bought it. nick: Bill Bruford is getting rid of a load of drums and they're being auctioned. He talks about them here Tim: Can't say I remember 3 sides live much. I think it just fell into the category of Not As Good As Seconds Out. Steve: Well a tiny bit more Bruford on it, although that track is not as good-sounding.The standard double-drumming without Bruford sounds pretty amazing.
Yes I had seen the continuance of the Bruford retirement process.
Tim: Just watched the Bruford thing, he mentioned collaborating with Michiel Borstlap, either of you heard any of that? Tim: And I just looked up Graham Russell Drums, "the UK's Largest Drum Store", and it's in Waltham Chase, well almost: Fareham??? Steve: I have one of the Borstlap albums which hasn't made much impression. I'll give it another go. Steve: OK it's a live one and too jazzy for me.I was getting it mixed up with Bruford with Towner and Gomez which is more listenable.
Tim: Not really sure why I'm still looking around at this, but I see that Bruford Live at the Venue, previously part of that Bruford box set, is now available separately (well, along with the 4th Album rehearsals). Steve: Yes I have been thinking about it. But their 3rd album was a bit odd, and bits of a 4th hmmm.Someone just pointed me to an interview with Jakko Jakszyk where he says he used to go around AH's house to learn guitar and generally faff about in the Soft Machine days!
nick: The album Tony was playing in the car was Garden Shed by England. It does sound very Yes/Genesis-y and I'm surprised I didn't know about it at the time it came out Tim: Sounds familiar. Steve, check my vinyl. Only joking... Have you mentioned it already Nick or am I mixing it up with some other classic prog from the 70s we totally missed? nick: Have you mentioned it already Nick I think we were talking about it on Tuesday (the fact that Tony had played us a 70s LP which sounded like a Genesis knock-off) but maybe it was before you joined the zoom? Probably in the context of Tony's own music - he's up to four tracks now and only needs one or two more before he makes an album. I told him I liked being able to see him playing more of the instruments so he did that in his most recent one, "The Ram" Tim: By "Tony was playing in the car" do you mean back in July? If so I'm hoping you mentioned it then, otherwise I'm having bad deja-vu. nick: It must have been some time before lockdown, when Steve and Tony and I were all in the car (don't know if Tim was there) and presumably we were going to a gig. The time I can think of was September 2018 when we went to see Tristan at the Brook - based on blog entries, we went in Tony's car to that Tim: We three got to that one early for the PieMinister disappointment (2018 but it still hurts), but anyway it seems quite plausible then that I've looked England up on discogs before. nick: I did say he'd probably got almost enough for a 40 minute album and he said he was aiming for an hour and has ideas/sketches for two more tracks. Then he's going to get other musicians to record it (I think probably he only would do keyboards himself, maybe bass) in a studio nick: Hope you had a nice break Steve! We were in Brighton on Sun/Mon and it was pretty good: not too busy and nice to walk along the seafront. There are *tons* of places to eat there, I didn't realise it was quite so big a place. On the Monday we went to a vegan pizza restaurant. You could have absolutely anything off the menu! And it was some of the best pizza I think I've ever had.I can do a zoom tomorrow (Thu) if people are up for it.
Came across this ticket in my coat pocket at the weekend. I couldn't believe at first that this was something that had happened this year.
Tim: February does seem a long time ago. TD was March, apparently.I seem to be available tonight.
Cheers for the Ted Chiang link but I've already got a copy in the backlog. But you prompted me to start the first story (I'm going to read them individually in between other books), the one that's Arabian Nights with Time Travel. I didn't finish it in one go so there's a bit left.
Steve: I think we are busy thanks, carry on without doing the anagrams?I made a start on Tony's music. The music part of it is excellent, I'm just not sure about trying to make songs about things like the Titanic.
That one had a Camel Harbour of Tears feel to it.
nick: I made a start on Tony's music. The music part of it is excellent, I'm just not sure about trying to make songs about things like the Titanic.That one had a Camel Harbour of Tears feel to it.
Yes I thought of "Harbour of Tears" too.
I sort of know what you mean but I quite liked the themes. I thought "The Ram" was quite moving (it's about the place where he grew up). Maybe he didn't feel like writing love songs or swords-and-sorcery type stuff.
nick: He did get a "professional" singer to record one of the tracks and sent it to me, and you could tell it was a proper singer, but I wasn't sure I liked it as much as his own vocals! I think it might all sound quite different though when it's recorded by a set of musicians and he's not doing everything himself Tim: The only one I've played so far is Sunderland, and that's instrumental. As it should be. I quite like the video too, which is mostly clips of some random aeroplane flying over Sunderland I presume ;-)Anyway, it's not bad at all.
Steve: Excitement at the age of 57?Although cycling in the Lakes District is pretty epic.
I was a bit excited to see Percy Jones - oh wait...
nick: Wear a mask. Right for my demographic - I saw this film quite a few times with Ella. Might not ring a bell with Tim nick: They said on the radio that the guy who invented the term "earworm" died on Saturday night at the movies nick: I'm around Thursday evening and I think Tim is too. So I can do a zoom/crossword if Steve/Deborah are up for it, else Tim and I could give We Were Here another go.Saw some recommendations for Among Us as another multiplayer game which needs at least 4 players, and is cooperative except for one player who is being a baddie. Sounds like it might be fun?
Steve: D fancies some anagrams if that's OK?You two can probably fit in another games session.
Got my new wheels but the weather is terrible so not today.
Steve: I know we get bombarded with recommendations, but I listened to this and bought it and it's still good. Seems to capture the magic of KS drifting randomness without sounding like a rip-off: Leftovers by Subsonic ExperienceNot bad for being literally leftovers!
Wheels arrived and fitted which was NOT easy.
Apparently rims have changed to accommodate tubeless tyres which seems to make getting any tyres seated harder.
And the rim is wider - not affecting you disk boys of course.
I had to slacken the brakes which was a bit of a surprise.
Tim: Top tip, cheers. While you're at it can you listen to all those live recordings and let me know if any of them are any good? Thanks. nick: Will give Leftovers a try in between meetings today.I am not convinced that tubeless tyres are worth it (rather than just a tweak to encourage people to upgrade their stuff). They are meant to be more puncture proof but I hardly ever have punctures with my marathons. I suppose at least the rims you have don't force you to abandon inner tubes?
I had a mail from the bike shop saying he'd found my note describing what needed doing and he understood it. So I'm hopeful it might be done by the weekend. I have been riding the fixie this week which I guess is making my legs strong but it's nowhere near as comfortable as the Felt (which is not as comfortable as the Whyte) so I am quite excited about getting back on a bike that has gears and is the right size.
Steve: I've never got tubeless myself. Reading Cycling UK they seem more suited to off-road lower pressures. Weight-saving and rolling resistance? You need that sealing gunk so seems a right faff.Marathons are stupidly heavy, but no punctures is well worth it.
And yes I can still use them, just fitting is even more of a pain.
I might put the new wheels on the Mercian as the freewheel is quieter but swapping tyres again...
nick: Can do a zoom tonight, either crossword or Tim freezing in the snow, let me knowBeen riding the fixie for the last week; no updates about my Whyte lately. I wondered if I need a new fixed wheel bike that has a bigger frame and came across mango bikes which are relatively cheap and you customise the colours completely
Steve: I just don't get the idea of fixed bikes and don't think I ever will.Maybe if I lived somewhere flat.
And I have officially given up with Don Quixote with over 900 pages to go.
What was I thinking?
nick: There is something quite nice about just pedalling all the time with no decisions about gears/freewheeling: you just have to keep going. And I think it's making my legs stronger (at least, to start with I was having achy legs in the evenings from pushing back to slow down; after a couple of weeks on Paul's fixie they aren't hurting any more).Oh dear Roger will be disappointed you gave up on Don Quixote, maybe I'll not tell him. What will you read next?
Tim: Coincidentally I just took delivery of 1001 Nights, vols 2 and 3. I've had vol 1 for years, and first time round got to about page 700 of 950. *Obviously* the best move would be to start again, but this time with the full 2650 pages cued up. nick: My first selfish though on hearing of the lockdown was "but what about getting my bike back?" My second selfish thought was "but bikes shops stayed open last time so maybe I'll be alright"I had some correspondence with the bike shop - he says he's just waiting for a part for rear brake which should arrive Tue/Wed. So I'm hoping I'll get the bike back imminently. Assuming he's not got to close.
Steve: If you can do takeaway food I can't see why you can't do a takeway bike.We re-watched the Polanski Macbeth last night to get shot of another DVD.
The first time was GCSE time over 10 years ago, so I did not remember very much.
Could not tell who was who or what they were going on about.
You find yourself marvelling at an amazing sentence and missing the next 10.
The RSC web site notes were very helpful along with the pause button, but it's official, I'm not up to Shakespeare.
nick: Guardian likes theatrical production of "What a Carve Up!" which is a novel I have a lot of time for so I think I may pay to watch an online stream of it (it's on for the rest of this month)Making the most of pre-lockdown, Lesley's niece is visiting tonight to see Spencer so I'm not around for zoom
I posted an update to my cycling WhatsApp group at the weekend saying I'd met my mileage target (after we'd discussed it earlier). One of them replied That's amazing! You are the kindest cyclist I have ever met. Well done.
I was flattered but not quite sure how to respond to that. Yesterday he posted:
Haha, I just read my last message. I meant to say you are the keenest cyclist rather than kindest. Although you're kind as well.
nick: I'm around this evening for a crossword/game/whatever - if anyone's up for it I'll set up a zoom meetingNo news from the bike shop but official govt guidance for Lockdown 2.0 says cycle shops can stay open so I'm not stressed about it. Quite stressed about the US election though.
nick: Got off the zoom with Tim and checked my mail:Just finished your bike, the shop is closed until Wednesday but I will be at the shop tomorrow morning if you can collect it then?
I have the day off tomorrow so I've said I'll pick it up at 10am tomorrow. So of my three "wants" discussed with Tim, that's one down and two to go (the others being: 1. I finish writing up my appraisals, and 2. Trump gets defeated)
nick: I enter data in the COVID study app every day and it's nearly always "I've not had a test"/"I feel normal". But the last couple of days I had a bit of a headache in the morning (which went away after I went out on the bike) so had filled that data in. Today I had a mail from them asking me to apply for a test (they said I don't have to, and they don't let govt know they're asking me), so I've done that and have been told they're sending me one in the post.I don't have any of the symptoms they ask about (cough/fever/smell) so hopefully I'll be able to add to the cohort of data saying that headaches don't necessarily presage COVID (or, alternatively, that cough/fever/smell aren't necessary symptoms).
Not fantastically looking forward to doing the test though
nick: Have you got a new bike then?Yes I got my bike back and it went for a ride yesterday evening. It is a new frame but the same forks, so it's not completely been replaced since I bought it (saddle, handlebars and brake/gear shifters are also original, but I think everything else has been replaced at least once). He put new cables on and fixed the rear hydraulic brake so I still have my spare mechanical one.
The logo on the new frame is the same colour as the original. So I don't know if that means I've got a 2013 frame that's been sitting in their warehouse for seven years, or just that they had a newer one and have put 2013 stickers on it. I've not looked closely to see if I could tell the structure is different.
I did ask if I could have the old frame but he said that Whyte wanted him to cut it up and send evidence of that back to them.
It is very odd after two weeks on the fixie - very big to start with, and I didn't remember to change gear until I got to Dummer. I had to make a conscious effort to freewheel, which felt like there was something wrong with the pedals to start with. It is a lot more comfortable (mainly posture, but also saddle) than the fixie, and quite a bit faster when you do remember to change gear. No creaky noises when I'm pedalling! In fact it feels a bit too easy. So I probably will carry on doing occasional fixie rides if I can bear it.
No group ride this morning because of lockdown restrictions but I'll go out this afternoon (forecast is 14 degrees!) and aim to get some appraisal writing done this morning.
nick: What were you going to do with the old frame?I thought I might just cut a bit out of it and frame it. I've spent a lot of time and seen a lot of places on that bike and it feels like it's due a bit of honour
nick: Got my test kit this morning. Watched the youtube "how to" video, washed my hands, blew my nose, got the kit all laid our ready, went through the online registration, which asks you to find out where your nearest priority postbox is - check, and then it tells you to do the test an hour before the post is collected. Which means tomorrow afternoon. So I've got to keep my hands clean until then! Tim: Eventually I remembered that H&R v O was the same fixture as a couple of years ago when H&R reached this round. In 2018 they lost 1-2 (apparently), and that's the half-time score today. nick: Well, a reasonably successful weekend: 2.5/3 : I got my bike, Biden won, and I've done half my appraisal write-ups. I think I'm in a bit of a groove now so should be able to knock the rest off in the next couple of days. nick: Every time I watch this I can't help laughing: reaction to Trump booking a garden centre for a press conference by mistake Steve: How do you even book a garden centre???BTW if you like The Trip you will like Staged on iPlayer. Nice short episodes that are laugh-out-loud funny.
nick: I'll try "Staged" once I've finished these dratted appraisals and have time to veg a bit. Although I see it's got David Tennant in, andI 'm not always keen on him
I started listening to a playlist "songs that I've never played" on random order. So far have had some Steely Dan, a piece of orchestral Yes, and about 9 Scarlatti sonatas.
nick: one appraisal left to write up now, seven done: the end is in sight. And just saw another good news article in the paper UK to ban all online junk food advertising to tackle obesity assuming that's accurate that seems pretty positive Tim: Somewhat related, and getting in quick before the ban: I saw that youknowwho are starting a McPlant range next year, which sounds like progress (but I've got no idea whether they sell any v at the moment to be honest.) nick: getting in quick before the ban?Had my COVID test result through via text and email: "Your coronavirus test result is negative. You did not have the virus when the test was done."
I feel surprisingly relieved. Also finished my appraisals last night. Things seem to be going suspiciously well
Steve: You will love this. Fresh from the trauma of failing to finish DQ, I go through my 1000 Books book and download a Paul Auster. Completely mad so far and... the main character's initials are DQ and the author who is in the book has written a paper on DQ and they discuss it. Flipping heck, what are the chances?At least I knew what they were talking about.
Interesting Guardian article on Wendy Carlos today. Did not realise she is still alive (80).
nick: Yes that was a good article about Wendy Carlos - when I first came across it I assumed it must be an obituary.At least I knew what they were talking about. Yes that is an advantage of reading "classic" books - you start to pick up references in other places that make sense.
I wrote to my MP saying I thought the junk food advertising ban was a good idea. He responded saying it's only in consultation at the moment, but there is a web page you can use to provide feedback, which I will do.
Can do a zoom tonight if anyone's up for it?
Steve: Yes we're up for it thanks.Gambling advertising kills me.
Difficult to decide what is junk food?
Let's see a tax on the bad basic ingredients of sugar and meat (and dairy?).
Did you see the story about the UK company that had HTML in the name?
Despite being valid characters in the naming rules, Companies House made them change it to prevent security breaches.
Tim: Hmm, doesn't really count as a name, in any real sense, does it?As usual I'm far too busy to make a zoom tonight, typical. Got an Enland game to watch, and also I need to keep an eye on progress at Hungary v Iceland which is pivotal for my purely hypothetical trip to Budapest next year.
nick: I think I've posted this before but it's a good oneI'll send a zoom invite. Surely you can just record the game and watch it later Tim?
Tim: It's a friendly, so "record it and watch later" likely means watch never, probably a good idea to be honest. Steve: Whenever I watch MotD (about 10min a week while eating breakfast) I love the handball and offside rulings.Feel free to move it to Friday or whenever.
nick: Feel free to move it to Friday or whenever.sure- can do tomorrow instead if everyone's up for it?
Steve: The full Dominion Concert is on Youtube. It must be from the performance we didn't see as it's significantly different in places. And no thank you for being patient.So would they release this separately as it sounds a bit essential.
The first box is only E70 at www.jpc.de BTW.
nick: Is this performance on youtube the one you mean?There's a comment there:
A bit of TD trivia - back then the rumour was that the cover for logos was not in fact taken at the Dominion - as that was a larger stage. Just for fun - does anyone know where the cover of Logos was actually shot? For now 'keep it synth'. Take care.
and one of the replies says I believe the picture was taken at the Birmingham Theatre as this was the night I saw TD for the first time live.
Surely not. Unless Tim went to all the concerts on the tour?
nick: Hmm well that claims to be 6-November-1982, which is the date we saw them. One of the comments on the other videos talked about matinees: could it be possible they did two concerts on that day? Tim: I never really bought into the theory that that was me (/us) on the cover. At the time I pointed out that the big-hair was sat one seat along from where I would have been, which seemed to rule it out. I never really worked out what the photo *was* though, maybe from the earlier performance, but as often the case with TD things aren't how they are presented.Other things being equal, it makes a lot more sense if "The Dominion Theatre Concert" comes from the matinee, because Logos is also included in the box and would pretty much just be a duplicate.
No doubt it will be released separately one day, but presumably for now its role is to get the box sold. I don't think anything new has been released from In Search of Hades yet, except the traditional albums (with bonuses).
And I don't think I got round to mentioning before (?) that Logos comprised most of the "unreleased" tracks that they performed on that tour. But several of the other parts were from "The Keep" soundtrack, that never really got released properly and is also in the box.
Tim: Not a lot clearer at this point.Basically it was a case of: here's the new IT dept structure which will be much more effective due to [buzzwords].
Today(ish) we should all get emails saying whether we qualify to automatically get plonked in one of the new posts (Application Development Officer, I assume, although there are others possible) or have to apply. There are a number of new teams I could be on, with the same post titles, I don't know at what point that is getting decided. What the individual teams are for is unclear based on their names. Job descriptions aren't available yet. Etc.
Voluntary redundancy is possible, subject to approval. The process for deciding that will be fairly quick (by 15 Dec) but an actual exit date would be anyone's guess.
nick: Someone in a newspaper article mis-quoted an Art of Noise song, and I thought "aha-they should credit AoN for that". But then later on in the article they acknowledged this poem. And I thought AoN was being original (silly of me really, when so much of the music is sampled etc.). Tim: Just had a follow-up team meeting with a lower manager who doesn't know anything and therefore couldn't answer any questions, pretty normal really. nick: Just had a follow-up team meeting with a lower manager who doesn't know anything and therefore couldn't answer any questions, pretty normal really. :-)maybe the mail you get today will be more informative
Tim: Well done, yes I like it - played it quite a bit. Might give it another spin this morning now you mention it. Steve: I finally got Waiting for Cousteau for a couple of quid.Some horrific music at the start that sounds like a steel band, but I really wanted the ambient track which has some lovely sounds on it. A worthwhile addition.
Very badly scratched copy from Magpie but somehow ripped without error.
Tim: Well I just played The Way Up and it turns out I'd forgotten a bit just how good it is.Last time I was doing Jarre I was trying to fill a few gaps in the collection but mostly didn't quite find the right bargains so well done.
The new pair of Autechre albums Sign and Plus seem pretty good so far. £22 from bleep for a bundle including downloads and shipping isn't too bad.
Steve: Hmm the last Autechre I got I could not listen to as it was so bleepy and angular.I'm thinking Exai.
While I was trawling around I was interested/amused to see a Philip Glass Buddha machine. Something I had never heard of, and from his recent label.
Tim: I got a letter from the boss, I've been identified as a "natural successor" to a certain post. That could mean I get slotted in, or if there are others in contention then there will be a ring-fenced contest, don't know at this point. And it's in the "Enabling Systems" team, no real idea what that is.All sorted then.
Tim: Yeah, Exai was a bit tricky. But since then it's all been on a massive scale (elseq = 5 download-only albums, AE_LIVE = downloads of 28 concerts, NTS Sessions = 8CDs, AE_LIVE 2016/2018 = 7 more concerts). These two are suddenly back to normal and sounding listenable, bit of a relief. nick: This is the game I mentioned that has Escher-ish puzzles; in the video in this review you see a bit of what it's like when you "revolve" bits of the structure to make staircases join up in odd ways. I thought it was better than "The Room" Steve: Are you jumping onboard with PS5 at all?No new games launching so as a layman, what would it give you?
My two don't seem to be in a hurry.
nick: Are you jumping onboard with PS5 at all?Tempted, but purely from the point of view of it being a shiny new thing. (A bit like I'm tempted to get a new "apple silicon" mac).
I don't think it currently gives you much at all - I'm not sure if there are any PS5-exclusive games (apart from a demo one that comes with the system) - I think they're all available in e.g. PS4 versions. It has SSD instead of hard drive so is quicker to load games. Supposedly it's quieter (people say PS4 makes a lot of fan noise although I've never noticed; maybe I just don't use it enough). You can use it as a netflix/iplayer/etc. system but that's true of PS4 as well.
I don't use my PS4 that much, and there are tons of PS4 games available that have got cheap now (~£20) - PS5 games are £50 and up.
Probably would think about getting one when there are some exclusive games for it and the console has got cheaper.
Tim: I've submitted my VR request.Also, and this is quite exciting without necessarily counting for anything, I've found that the new exit payment cap regs have an exemption: Where the obligation to make that payment arises as a result of the application of TUPE. You never know...
nick: It hasn't played for a while because I'm still on my "music not yet played" playlist. I've played it 3 times (can tell, because it counts plays I've done). Got it on now (makes a change from Scarlatti) - it's nice production and pleasant enough to listen to (not sure I'm keen on the trumpeter who might be doing a bit of sucking as well as blowing) and I do recognise it now that I'm listening again, but it's not caught my attention like the stuff he did in 80s/90s
nick: The Ultimate Melody was the short story whose name/author I'd forgotten but was reminded of by the newspaper article. It's Arthur C Clarke, not Heinlein. I've often thought of that story over the years, I bet it'll be a disappointment to read it again though Tim: Aha, well done. Yes, it's definitely toned down, I think it's a bit of a grower though. I suppose if you're composing a 70-minute piece you might want it to be a bit more consistent than an album of assorted tracks, and therefore less in the way of obvious highlights, maybe. Steve: Hmm I think we looked at that last night, we have the top half bar one.Another of those where clues have a link that is missing.
Tim: Goddamit I've got the top half and about 1/3 of the bottom. I think that accounts for 7/10 linked clues, but even knowing the link isn't helping me spot the others.I've tried every kind of cheating I can think of.
So if you've got any of these I'll gladly nick them:
A 23 27 28 29 31
D 14 24 25
A couple of those I have had guesses typed in but can't convince myself (and/or they contradict, gah).
nick: I had a quick look and I see Hebrew Judges being mentioned again so my guesses for that are SAMSON or GIDEON.Listened to a two-part podcast interview with Brian Eno over the weekend Part One and Part Two which were pretty good: not a fantastic amount about his music but he generally just sounds quite an interesting and down to earth guy. Adam Buxton's podcast is similar to Richard Herring in that he's doing interviews of people you quite likely will have heard of, but he seems much more focused and better prepared and doesn't swear so much. And he gets better interviewees.
Steve: Did not make any more progress with it.Had the annual calendar task to complete - why does it take so long???
Steve: This was that Glass Madrigal thing I referred to.Rave reviews on Amazon, a pretty poor one of the CD from Classic site.
Random find on Music Magpie sorting by price :)
Finally got Glassworks on CD as well, although the LP sounds better, and I did not pay more for the extended version which has another 20 mins of stuff.
Tim: Back in the day I bought the Dancepieces cd, which consists of those 20 minutes and a measly similar amount of other odds. As I recall it's OK but dispensable.That Madrigal thing is a strange find. Let us know how you get on with it.
nick: If you've not already watched Steve, then The Queen's Gambit is worth a try. I'm about half-way through and it's pretty decent - partly because of the unusual subject for a story but also the production is lovely: it's set in the '50s/'60s and the hairstyles, sets, costumes and cars etc. are really convincing (I keep thinking "how on earth did they manage to film that without any modern bits of machinery/architecture intruding?" - I guess there must be some CGI but it's not obvious) Steve: Yes Paul recommended it and this got his friend into chess. Who then got too obsessed with playing it and had to stop!I watched with Paul a guy on Youtube analysing one of the games in the program which was good.
I do mean to watch a BBC doc about the only plane hijacking that succeeded - the guy disappeared with the money. Trying to do more reading/music listening.
Tim: I just finished the Guardian Genius crossword (202) that I started in May. No surprise of course that someone on 15squared finished it on the day it was published. Steve: Hmm I think we are busy.BTW D knew what you meant Tim, beaver moon is one I had not heard of.
No other news.
Steve: Terrible Patrick Moraz CD from me should already have arrived.I recently got a remastered version for the hell of it.
Over the years I have played it tons, there is just one duff track.
Not bad for apparently being The Story of I leftovers.
Tim: Inspired by Steve, I just took delivery of a Jarre CD, en attendant Cousteau. As I mentioned to Nick the other day I've ended up "having to" buy French-titled Jarre albums. Mainly that's because Les Chants Magnetiques is a nice title before translation. The only other one I'm aware of is Les Concerts In Chine, which I've got, so I think I'm off the hook now. Steve: Joy, a customer no-show on a catch-up meeting...Yes I think bagpipes would round off the steel band sound nicely.
I hope you are keeping all those jiffy bags - I ran out when I was selling my unwanted CDs the other week!
It is almost worth buying a crap Magpie CD to get one to use.
In the end I made one by cutting a bigger bag in half. Well if they're only spending a couple of quid what do they expect?
And you did go in for the German PG albums I seem to remember Tim.
I just found some Andreas Vollenweider tacked on to the end of a multi-album 2CD I recently got.
I can't stop playing the extra bit, but the fact that it is excerpts from his first album is killing me. LPs seem cheap but CDs not so.
He has this amazing electro-harp sound which gets categorised as New Age (remember that?), but I play his stuff a lot so it can't be :)
Got my first ever flu jab tomorrow so a visit to what's left of the Arndale should be fun.
nick: ISTR the German PG albums had him singing in German, what's the French Zoolook sound like?I've got a flu jab on Saturday. And only a year to go now until I get free prescriptions! Doesn't appear I get any free dentist treatment though. I had a filling break off last week leaving a jagged but not (so far) painful gap. I called the surgery and they said to get a temporary filling kit from the chemist. Have tried that three times now and it just keeps falling out.
Tim: Good news about the cheap Vollenweider LPs, with you being a vinyl fan.German lyrics is at least a bit defensible, I've got some Kraftwerk like that so that I can't understand them.
It's always good when a CD arrives in reused packaging. That usually means it's too wrecked to have to keep for further reuse, which is a relief.
Tim: Sorry Nick, missed your post, I got interrupted by work while I was replying, that's not on is it. But, er, not sure where the French Zoolook thing came from but presumably it would sound the same as any other, or am I missing something?Spoke to my brother the other day, he had a bit of tooth fall out, he phoned the dentist, they said you can get this temporary filling stuff.
nick: I was guessing maybe the Zoolook we're familiar with has such odd words because they're bad translations from the original. So maybe hearing the French version would mean we'd find out what "fried vegetables" and "moomintroll" started off as.Anyone fancy a zoom this evening?
nick: I've been inspired to listen to Zoolook. I see it came out in 1984. 1984! that's 36 years ago. And I thought it was a "new" album Steve: Zoolook was a risky foray into sampling which could have been terrible.Good old Bruford was careful with his use of electronic drums to try to prevent a dated sound.
Yes to Zoom thanks.
I was convinced free prescriptions is when you retire, but I was getting mixed up with bus passes.
Thinking about tax and pensions currently, and what to do between stopping and the state kicking in. I reckon I could take the tax free sum then start taking a few years of taxable drawdown, I wouldn't be earning anything so the first £12K is tax-free as well?
It feels like dodging tax, but it's every man for themselves!
Tim: Yep to zoom, 8:15?On now: Steve's Zoolook (légumes frits remix).
And, if that's all your income is it's all your income is.
Steve: I've only just twigged why you are referring to it as mine - was a cheap used copy as I have the LP already.I now have the mental equivalent of an ear-worm.
Last night I watched Netflix's documentary film The Social Dilemma about the terrible state that social media companies leaves us in.
A computer scientist likened what's happening to everyone getting served up different versions of Wikipedia tailored to their history and preferences. It will become impossible to get to the truth. And I thought climate change was the big threat...
Tim: So, it did sound a bit less familiar when I got to side 2. No idea if that's because it's different to the original, or just because side 1 was always best and in the good old days you could excusably listen to half an album. nick: I was convinced free prescriptions is when you retire, but I was getting mixed up with bus passes.We have to wait until 67 for them! and we only get two buses a week anyway. If you're in London you get a free travel card (bus AND tube) at 60! Good old GLC or whoever it is
Thinking about tax and pensions currently, and what to do between stopping and the state kicking in. I reckon I could take the tax free sum then start taking a few years of taxable drawdown, I wouldn't be earning anything so the first £12K is tax-free as well?
It feels like dodging tax, but it's every man for themselves!
Yes we have a similar thing in that Lesley can take one of her pensions now and doesn't pay any tax on it: so for every £100 she gets, I could put £100 of my takehome into my pension and have it tax-relief'd up to £165. Feels wrong but what's the point of not doing it?
nick: cupcakes being delivered, hampers mostly delivered, food vouchers done.Trying now to get everyone able to play Among Us. The idea was that they'd mostly do it via Steam.
First option: send them steam credits to buy the game. But I can't send steam credits to someone on steam unless they've been my "friend" for three days. And none of them has.
Second option: buy the game as a gift for them. But you can't do that for accounts that haven't yet bought anything themselves (presumably to limit issues with spoof accounts). Most people in the team have just created a steam account in the last day or so and not bought anything
Needless to say it's not obvious why you're prevented from doing the first two things when you try it, you just get told "you can't do that" and so have to hunt around the help system to find why.
So I think people will just have to buy the game themselves and take the hit. It's only £3.19.
nick: I'm now getting multiple emails from DPD saying "your cupcakes order has been delivered" with photographs of people's front doors with a parcel outside. They don't say what address they delivered to though! Tim: I hate to do this but :-)I spotted another word in the intro to Zoolook.
Pfizer Pfizer. Jarre is like Nostradamus.
Steve: BTW I keep getting a weird file corruption issue using WinSCP to download files from my RasPi to USB disk.All the files look fine but some of them play random bits of other tracks. Usually the Windows info is missing artist etc and sometimes it is for another track completely. But not always. Size is perfect.
Re-copying usually works.
Or I take the disk and stick it on my other laptop that did the original ripping (has the files locally) and copy that way.
Steve: Yes a few seconds of one thing, then sometimes the rest of the correct track.Sometimes can't be opened at all as media.
I think today, bits of different tracks.
Tim: That sounds hideous. Is it the source that's the problem (I'm assuming SD card but might be barking up the wrong tree)? nick: All the files look fine but some of them play random bits of other tracks. Weird. Is it always the same random bits of the same other tracks?
Was meant to be doing a Christmas curry with Tony and Geoff this Thursday (booked a few weeks ago) but talking to Tim on Sunday made me realise we can't have a meal due to tier 2 restrictions. So that's been cancelled.
I'll send a zoom invite for tonight, crossword or "We Were Here Too"
nick: email with zoom invite to tim's gmail account bounced. Maybe google still having problems. Let me know if you want to join tim and I'll send the invite again Steve: So I rip on laptop A, SFTP to Volumio - all fine.I pull using SFTP from Volumio to work laptop B USB disk and it sometimes goes wrong.
Could be anti-virus maybe.
Crossword yes please.
Steve: No joy on the crossword. I spent some time researching "cyanite" or "syanite" from a lyric in Greg Lake's Christmas song.Turns out "they sold me a silent night" grrr.
It's really miserable for a Christmas song, but the Prokofiev carries it through.
Tim: I'm getting nowhere either. About all I've got is:27A pores is also a verb, any help? (Could be the definition.)
That's good enough for the fifteen-to-one page.
nick: I wouldn't have known that - I wonder if "stool pigeon" is related.This moves things along a bit: 16D must be trivial now we know it starts with G-L
Tim: No cheating this time, so I haven't got the answer.But 16D looks like a bird, could be GOLDFINCH or GOLDCREST or something else where the last 5 letters mean clock.
Steve: So could be FAIRWAY then!I peeked at one of the comments on the site and they struggled and did not understand Pigeon so some fun to be had.
ELDERLY (borong mtgs here)
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