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Post by Latecomer on May 8, 2022 15:41:51 GMT
I agree that Rylance still impressive in main role (how has he not aged?) and Crook is splendid as Ginger…I savoured each line he delivered as a fine wine, such was his timing and finesse. And to listen to Rylance deliver his tall tails, even knowing the punch lines, is such a joy. In itself it reminds us of the whole history of storytelling and fables and myths, and how we love to gather round and listen until we fall under a spell.
I hesitate to be critical, as it always seems unfair to the actors that are replacing originals, but my heart was with the first cast for the smaller parts - probably my fault!
I thought play still relevant. Some have criticised the racism and sexism (and poorly written parts for women) but it’s still all around us. Brexit just shone a bit of a light on it, is all.
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Post by Latecomer on Jan 3, 2022 17:51:48 GMT
Mum tested negative on lateral flow tests yesterday and today, after catching Covid just before Christmas. Relax and breathe again! So a good day! Back to work tomorrow….those library books won’t send themselves out!  |
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Post by Latecomer on Jan 1, 2022 12:54:14 GMT
I'm afraid that I feel far more hopeless about covid now than I did this time last year. This time last year, when vaccination had just begun, I hoped that once everyone had been vaccinated covid might be almost eliminiated. A year later, most of us have been triple-jabbed & yet covid is having a whale of a time with a record number of cases today. Yes for the general population you're less likely to die of covid but vulnerable people are still vulnerable & with my mother having had a slew of major health problems in the last year she's far more vulnerable now than she was this time last year. As covid now looks unlikely to be eliminated I'll be spending the rest of her life living in fear of getting covid & then giving it to her. I'll never be able to sit in a theatre relaxed & enjoying myself, there will always be fear accompanying me to the theatre. So sorry Dawnstar. I can only say that we are in a better place than we were this time last year and perhaps we need to recalibrate a bit longer term. The problem, in some ways, is that we are hyper sensitive to Covid risk, in a way we weren’t to things like flu, that always killed lots of vulnerable people in the winter. I know this does not seem like much comfort, as then one just goes “yes, now I know about flu I have to worry about that too”. I think maybe we need to accept that there will always be risk in life, and while your mother’s risk is higher we cannot stop living life (and it is not necessarily very effective anyway). When my very frail mother was living with me, after my dad died, I ended up with an ambulance being called when she answered 111 questions vaguely (they thought she was having a heart attack when she had strained her back). At that point I realised you cannot keep someone with health needs isolated and safe from all infections. So I suggest you try really hard to work out what you are worried about. It seems sensible to me to be worried that there will not be healthcare individuals to help when NHS is overwhelmed. So take extra precautions if you think hospitals may be struggling. Otherwise we have to have faith that the vaccinations will help keep covid mild. I realise this might not be enough to stop your mum being ill, but it is all we can do. So, when hospitals are NOT overwhelmed and things calm down a bit I suggest trying not to think too hard about all scary scenarios. She has you to alert authorities if ill and there are now antivirals etc. So your “job” becomes not stay inside all the time and have no risk, it becomes live life aware of how to signpost to help if needed. Which was always the case with flu etc. I speak from experience….it is not easy to be constantly bombarded by numbers and danger at every turn, but sometimes we just have to roll the dice and control the things we can! If it helps my mum, very frail and in care home, has only got very mild symptoms so far (like a cold). Vaccines are brilliant! And sending a big hug to anyone struggling with all this “danger/no danger” flip we all have to do all the time! Last but not least Happy New Year! |
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Post by Latecomer on Jan 1, 2022 12:37:59 GMT
My boss (who is frankly a bit of an idiot and very incompetent) told me the ending of this…..and cheerfully added “but i don’t suppose you want to see it” !!!!!!
I thought a bit mediocre compared to the recent ones. But nice enough for a bit of Christmas Day fluff
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Post by Latecomer on Dec 30, 2021 22:15:02 GMT
Let's have some fun then - we can probably device a OMG/hair-on-fire/catastrophe themed drinking game. Put up a media link talking about "temporary structures in NHS car parks"? I don’t understand this. Perhaps it’s an attempt at humour. That’s me gone from the conversation. Enjoy being an offensive idiot. |
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Post by Latecomer on Dec 30, 2021 21:39:16 GMT
Call me daft but it doesn’t really make me very confident when hospitals are talking about building temporary structures in their car parks to house people (the ones who could be discharged but can’t be because there is no care package in place or place at a care home etc etc) …..just in case. This does not seem to me to be the behaviour of people who are not worried.
I also find the lack of official government guidance/press releases annoying. Please could the government communicate with the people on this one? Leadership anyone?
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Post by Latecomer on Dec 30, 2021 12:15:04 GMT
We are monitoring and do not see any reason to introduce further controls at the moment, by the way we are dusting off the Nightingale Hospitals in preparation for…….. Data does look as if this wave can be contained without a lockdown but the opening of the Nightingales is counter intuitive and the problem remains as the last time, who is going to staff them. Opening the Nightingales would indicate there is an expectation of hospitalisation to increase but maybe not the deaths as treatments have improved along with the new treatments that came on line this month. It is that balance, maybe high hospitalisations with low deaths is the trade off to keep the economy ticking along. The only weakness in this strategy is many people have gone into voluntary lockdown, the hospitality and service sectors have seen business decimated over the last few weeks, without support and reduced footfall many businesses and the economy is in for a tough beginning to 2022. Could be the lose/lose scenario for the economy, surging infection rates leading to a reduced workforce and consumers, maybe the Government are being pragmatic, highly infectious, critical mass in the population surpassed, no money to support businesses, this is the end game and just has to be weathered. The only positive is that the mortality rate is not rising, still a frightening number for ‘normal’ times but is it the ‘new‘ normal, we used to accept thousands of deaths from flu and now we may have to do the same for COVID. Tough decisions and if this is the strategy why not publicise, may be the wrong course but in reality is it the only one? I agree with this but the Government should bring back the support for jobs and businesses as it really won’t help if you plunge people into poverty, homelessness etc just for the want of, what, 2 months support? It was logical to support at the beginning of the pandemic and, in my view also the uplift in universal credit should never have been removed as the poorest amongst us don’t squirrel money away, they can’t, so they spend it. Also, if the pandemic has taught us ANYTHING it is not to believe the notion that….the budget of a country is like a household budget and we all have to cut back and economise to balance the books…..it is not that simple. So if they don’t provide business support, people lose their jobs, have to claim benefits, and gov pays anyway. Be proactive. Plan. Execute plan. There are not enough army for all this support mooted. They are already driving ambulances and helping with vaccinations and lorries? Let’s hope flu season doesn’t take off. And yes, I wish they would treat us like grown ups and explain their logic, instead of this “keep vigilant” nonsense! |
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Post by Latecomer on Dec 28, 2021 21:35:29 GMT
I think that is almost in place, I know two people who got an email recently saying they will have a PCR test to keep at home and send off as soon as they have any kind of symptoms and then they would get the antivirals. However I don't think either of them have their PCR test yet and I think the scheme wasn't going to start until possibly the 30th, I was told but have forgotten. It has already started. My PCR test was delivered by Royal Mail on Boxing Day (Sunday) morning. I developed a cough last night but an LFT was negative. This morning I woke up feeling absolutely awful, like I have a very nasty bout of 'flu. Coughing, sore throat and aching all over. An LFT was positive so have posted off my PCR test which tracking shows is already at the sorting office. The Royal Mail web site shows you where there are post boxes with special 3pm collections for test samples. I have found the whole system superbly efficient - so far. Results are supposed to take 1-3 days. And in answer to those misguided souls who bleat on to the effect that being triple vaccinated means the illness will only be mild so why cannot they go out to play. I am triple vaccinated and if this is mild I would hate to think how a severe illness would feel. Looks like I won't be able to use my tickets for the NT on Wednesday next week! Hope you feel better soon and they give you antivirals quickly to help… |
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Post by Latecomer on Dec 28, 2021 15:38:53 GMT
I think sometimes it is a useful tool for a government to make something mandated as it gives you an excuse to do what you already know is sensible. I have heard of a number of elderly relatives who refuse to do lateral flow tests when meeting family members who would be harmed by catching Covid….but they would do this if the government said to do so! [There are always some who won’t no matter what!] In my limited experience the youngsters have been very good at this….but the older generation really hate being told what to do by their children!!!!
Mine also refused to get a cleaner, have any help when they needed it, and continued to drive when the only way my dad could park was by “touch parking”…..
But they are quite good at following government rules!
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Post by Latecomer on Dec 28, 2021 11:45:23 GMT
The severity of the illness is almost a moot point now. If there is so much f it around that all the staff catch it and have to stay off….and if it is less severe but maybe enough to floor people so they need oxygen for a day or two (and there are a lot of unvaccinated around that it will seep into if everyone has it!) then we are still heading for trouble.
My mum is ok so far but the care home now has 5 cases and staffing is precarious…..of course it is. They all have to stay in rooms.
Not sure what the answer is, but am fairly sure it doesn’t involve mass partying in enclosed spaces or people crowding into pubs/sales over the next few days.
Oh and what of the antivirals for the vulnerable? Delivered to your door if you show symptoms? Have we sorted that out yet?
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Post by Latecomer on Dec 26, 2021 16:15:21 GMT
Mum’s care home locked down lunchtime on Christmas Day. So has started spreading there now (Oxfordshire). All double vaccinated and boosted, as are all the staff. So far so good, mum tested positive on lateral flow test but symptoms of a bad cold and no more. No cough yet, sneezing a lot. Poor carers in visors masks etc having to look after everyone in their rooms and presumably not come into work when they have it…that is what makes this soooo hard as so easy to catch. I would emphasise this home had no previous outbreaks and procedures very rigorous (they even took part in research trial where they had on site lab to do own pcr testing). Fingers crossed
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Post by Latecomer on Dec 22, 2021 17:40:51 GMT
Couldn’t have put it better than Dan 213 …..2/3 reduction is good….but if it’s 2/3 reduction of a HUGE number then it will still be overwhelming. That’s why we have to try and keep cases as low as possible…so that it doesn’t get to the vulnerable and unvaccinated. And don’t tell me they can just not take part in society. We all know it doesn’t work like that. And don’t tell me “it’s their own fault for not getting vaccinated” I don’t care…I’d quite like there to be a free bed if I become ill, and I would also quite like the NHS staff not to be completely overwhelmed.
And when the latest wave is over I would like the government to sit down and make a plan for the NHS to increase capacity in a sensible way. Extra beds with no staff doesn’t work.
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Post by Latecomer on Dec 22, 2021 13:06:24 GMT
Plus I saw a lovely book….The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein ….about a tree that gives its all…..has anyone else read it? I've never read this book, but I feel I know more about it than I do about some of the books I have read because so many Americans seem to keep throwing references to it into everything. It’s very simple, with lovely line illustrations, about the passage of time, and in the end the tree has been chopped down (with its consent to use the wood) and the boy who loves the tree is now an old man….and it is all ok as actually all he wants then is somewhere to rest, so he can sit on the tree stump. So very few words but touching. Our stack is full of treasures! I also sent out “Beyer, Peacock, locomotive builders to the world” Also a lovely book! |
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Post by Latecomer on Dec 21, 2021 21:20:09 GMT
I had a nice day, in amongst all the madness that is life at the moment. I work at library headquarters and there aren’t many of us in the office, with all the windows open, heating on and big jumpers. I miss the other people but old books in the stack are surprisingly good company ….my first job of the day is always to find books that readers have requested, and today was lots of Arthur Ransome books that were the same age as those my mother read me when I was small! After sending out all the requested old books I unpack and receipt all the new books for our 40+ libraries and satisfyingly print out any requests and send out to imaginary readers (they are real people!) who have asked for them! Add in some fulfilling of random stationery orders from libraries (punched pockets anyone?) and putting sets of reading groups back in the stack (sets of 12 books that we loan out to our over 150 reading groups in the county for free) and you have a pretty prefect day. Radio on…..there were even Christmas chocolates to be had, left by the boss! I have worries, like everyone else, and I’m sure it won’t always be so perfect, but today it was lovely! Plus I saw a lovely book….The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein ….about a tree that gives its all…..has anyone else read it?  |
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Post by Latecomer on Dec 20, 2021 16:20:52 GMT
Times says 2 week from Dec 28th Though again, either its too late or its too much. We've got most of the over 60s and vulnerable triple jabbed. I dont see the point in any restrictions going forward. It’s the usual problem….if you have loads of cases the unvaccinated catch it (you can’t isolate completely, no matter how clever you are!) and then they need oxygen for a few days and the hospitals are full….and people with heart attacks/broken limbs etc can’t get a bed. And if lots of Covid then staff get ill too…..and no nurses/doctors etc. It’s not good enough to have “most of over 60s” protected with a bug that hits the old hard. The only way we could now improve the situation is more jabs of unvaccinated, and a proper plan for when cases of flu and covid surge each winter. This would involve more beds, more oxygen and MORE PROPERLY PAID TRAINED STAFF! If I was in charge I would also set up a national vaccination hub in each major city/town, staff it all year round, get them doing flu jabs and covid jabs and in the “off peak” they could update their records, work on their plans and go into schools to do the jabs they do there…..use it for shingles too…..and maybe sexual health stuff. Just invest for the inevitable “next time” and plan….like proper managers! |
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Post by Latecomer on Dec 19, 2021 18:12:23 GMT
Daughter’s boyfriend has Covid in London. So do all his friends round London and most of her friends who now live in London. They are all being responsible and not going home for Christmas (even those who are contacts and who could). Daughter is staying in Leeds rather than “bring possible covid home” as she knows we visit her Grandma in care home. I have been amazed during the last 2 years just how responsible, in general, the young have been….contrast with those annoying people in Asda who wear masks round their chins and moan about the young!
Case numbers reported probably low compared to reality of the situation as several youngsters just doing lateral flow tests, assume they have covid when positive and self isolating for 10 days (and letting friends know!). Oh and they queued for boosters but generally only just got them, as with the first wave, so a few days too late…..
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Post by Latecomer on Dec 17, 2021 15:40:41 GMT
For anyone with Eurosport Andy Murray is playing Nadal at this very moment. Exhibition sort of tournament from Abu Dhabi but still….this may not happen every again in competition!
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Post by Latecomer on Dec 14, 2021 22:06:52 GMT
I've got one booked for there in a couple of days time but I planned it to work with work times, do you think from your experience yesterday with waiting 5 hours I might be there for ages? Were people with appointment times in a different queue? I definitely can't be there for anywhere near as long as you were. I think (hope) the day I went was an exception due to the centre having had a large number of bookings (most of whom seemed to have turned up between 11am and 2pm). The bookings queue very reasonably had priority and went much faster, surely not more than 1h delay even when the queue was the longest, and with much shorter waiting times earlier on. Surely after Monday's turnout they will have adjusted to try and cut waiting times. I am feeling quite stupid for having stayed there for that long as a walk-in, but wanted to secure my jab (and the last 3h or so were spent not that far from the door to the centre so that seemed within reach...), was uncertain about when I could have booked a booster, and had the day off, so in the end I guess it was still fine for me. Not stupid at all …..to be honest I queued longer for tickets to Jerusalem (set off from Oxford at 3am and tickets were allocated at 10am with no guarantee I would get one as queue was so long). On this board some of us have quite high level queuing skills!!!!! |
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Post by Latecomer on Dec 13, 2021 12:11:48 GMT
Not only can I not book my booster, lateral flow tests are not available anywhere. None on the Gov website, none in local pharmacy. Is that perhaps something they should have checked before his announcement last night? Perhaps try your local library? In Oxfordshire you can pick up lateral flow tests from there. And yes, can’t help feeling some clearer instructions in the televised address might have helped. |
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Post by Latecomer on Dec 9, 2021 19:55:56 GMT
Totally connected with the actual theatre performance but would like to share a very strange fact. I recently realised that my Great Uncle was at Merton, Oxford at the same time as T.S Eliot! He was the first from his school in Sheffield to go to Oxford (they gave everyone a day off to celebrate his success) and was from an uneducated family (his father was a cabinet maker). He got a double first in Greats in 1915 before becoming a pilot in Royal Flying Core in WWI…..where he died near the end of the war. I realised T.S. Eliot was at Oxford briefly in 1914 (he wasn’t a great fan of Oxford and soon decamped to London)…..Eliot did speak in a debate in the common room when there was a motion complaining about how many Americans there were at the college!!!!
I wonder what they would have made of each other if they met…..my great Uncle, northern, never been out of the country, bullied when he was at Oxford by the toffs and Eliot….rather exotic and well travelled….there is a play in there somewhere!!!!
My grandfather also became a pilot, never going to university as he was younger, so the war timing prevented it, and survived the war….and the rest as they say, is history.
Apologies for the diversion but I couldn't resist!
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Post by Latecomer on Nov 11, 2021 18:12:45 GMT
Booked. Had forgotten I booked before…..but my decision making process was much the same. Like the playwright and the lead actor. I went for the same seats as mkb |
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Post by Latecomer on Oct 27, 2021 20:52:32 GMT
Tried the Live Stream, managed half an hour but close ups didn't work with slow pace and use of the full stage and glass screens and just couldn’t hold my attention. I should really have remembered I’m not good with live streams but I think the way they did it and probably the production itself didn't help the format either. Never mind, Almeida got a bit of my money until I get back again sometime!
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Post by Latecomer on Oct 27, 2021 20:48:35 GMT
To be fair I usually walk from Marylebone…..through Regents Park to the canal and then all the way along until you can walk no further (you literally reach a tunnel where there is no tow path) and then it’s a short threadle through a few streets and you come out at the back of the Almeida theatre. Very pretty walk and beats the tube any day.
H & I definitely closer tube station of the two. Plus I get to walk past the town hall where my daughter got married!
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Post by Latecomer on Jun 14, 2020 9:50:18 GMT
I am not victim blaming.
I am sorry if it sounded like that, it wasn’t meant to.
i think we should be in a world where the loos are not used as a “safe space” by people....any people.
I meant go back and work out WHY people are so enraged at the idea of not just having “Toilets for everyone” and redesign it all. Talk to pupils, work out solutions. Make bullying of all kinds and sexual assaults unacceptable. Involve them in solutions. If I was a school head I would just do it (and yes, I have been a secondary school teacher at a comprehensive school) !
And yes, try and respect everyone. We are all people.
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Post by Latecomer on Jun 14, 2020 8:10:05 GMT
When I was at school, and the boys grabbed or slapped my backside in the corridor, I used to run into the girls’ loo to get away from them and cry. I didn’t want them to see how much they’d upset me, so I needed some space to cry a bit and then clean myself back up before I had o face them again. What about if a girl grabbed or slapped your bottom? This argument doesn’t work for me. Plus it’s a sexual assault and needs reporting.....not covering up like this. Zero tolerance, don’t make the victim be the one who thinks it’s “their fault” and they need to be strong. And I know, it’s hard to make change. But start with the actual problem. |
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