telboy2 – Page 32 – A Few Quirkes

Proming

EQ is visiting and so she came with me to the Royal Albert Hall for our first visit to the Proms in 2019.

Prom 39: Elgar, Errollyn Wallen, Mendelssohn & Mussorgsky19:00 Thu 15 Aug 2019 Royal Albert HallThe sea rolls through both Mendelssohn’s overture The Hebrides and Elgar’s sumptuous orchestral song-cycle Sea Pictures. Mussorgsky’s colourful Pictures at an Exhibition and a world premiere by Errollyn Wallen complete the programme.

We were up in the gods and as a result quite warm. We managed to arrive with minutes to spare. The seats were not he best as we were adjacent to the stage and as a result the signing in particular was not well heard as I think the sound was projected forward and upwards both naturally and with the speakers rather than to the side.

As a result the Elgar pieces did not do it for me. The new piece was was a little wacky, different but not great. I found the Mussorgsky really good, worth another listen. Similar responses from EQ.

The hall was packed. Clearly the Proms remains popular.

Sunday Times

Not quite making history

Ireland cricketers do not quite keep up the momentum

Due a 50% refund for the low number of overs seen -15.4 for Ireland innings amp I think 1 ball for end of England innings.

I was at Lord’s today to watch Ireland play England in the first test match between the two countries. Today day was day 3 of a possible 4 though the action was over quickly.

There was anticipation at the beginning of the day as Ireland needed one more wicket to take and then bat for an historic and unpacked win.

They took the last wicket with the first ball and then had a target of 188 to win. They had shocked and embarrassed England by getting them out for 85 in the first innings. Not exactly the warm-up England were looking for before the start of the Ashes.

Unfortunately it did not go anywhere near to plan with the quick and then sustained tumble of wickets under cloudy conditions and with Woakes and Broad dangerous in the conditions. Ireland were all out for 38. Sad.

A disappointing end and a very quick exposure for my £50 on the day ticket. Though I will receive 50% back for the shortened period of entertainment. I was supporting Ireland as I watched the irritating play of England. They were expected to win easily from the outset but screwed up and played badly at the beginning. It was all high fives and jumping about. I thought this was over the top in the circumstances.

Back to being an England supporter next week when they play Australia. Not currently optimistic.

The shit show arrives

Johnson became PM today. More of that in another post.

A John Crace special on hand over day as May has her last PMQs. Great quote:

Earlier in the day May had taken her last prime minister’s questions. Almost a greatest hits show. Yes, it really was that unmemorable other than for Tory MPs, led by Jacob Rees-Mogg, who had spent much of the last year trying to get rid of her, praising her sense of public service. The insincerity was shameless. On days like this, Westminster can resemble a sewer.

Future leader

The procession continues for BJ.

He is incompetent and continues to lie and say all things to all people. Anything for a vote.

His victory is expected. Hunt has tried to emulate him by appearing more right wing, and intolerant but just looks like he is just bending in the wind.

To quote Fraser in Dad’s Army-We’re all doomed!

Potential domestic violence

Clearly who reports it is the most important thing and their political leanings, and certainly, the political leanings of the media outlet.

Down to the finalists-the views

The cartoon view

Conservative Party battle

Theresa May resigned as leader of he party a few weeks ago. So the contest has already started to replace her. She remains PM until the next leader is decided.

Today was round 2 with one of the Brexit- ultras being eliminated- Dominic Raab. He is the one who suggested who would prorogue parliament in order to ensure a ‘no deal’ Brexit. Democracy eh?

Johnson remains in the lead and is the hot favourite to win though his quietness and absence from the ‘hustings’ has been notable. Accusations of avoidance have been multiple. He has been given an easy ride by the right wing fanboy press.

And now as I write there is a tv ‘debate’ on. Stewart is the outsider but has some traction as he is the only one who is not spouting Brexit dreams and unicorns. It says much that Jeremy Hunt is regarded as the sensible middle ground. God protect us!