Misfits Mid-Life Crisis Adventures in Northamptionshire, East and Central London, Hertfordshire (inc Elstree, Tesco Carpark) and Surrey (The NEXT Chapter).

Week 286 Saturday 7^th  until Friday 13^th December 2019.

Happy B’day this week to my lovely Sister-in-Law Sigrida.

Last weekend I visited a very new university campus, from what was said it’s only a year old and cost more money than many small countries.  I (and mum) accompanied one my sisters who is looking to study a short refresher course.

 “Wonder if they would miss that lovely clock”.

Dotted around were little groups of people who were interested in studying different subjects. A banner stating “Criminology”, I wonder if that’s an interesting subject to study.  When I was young I don’t remember that there was any opportunity for to go to Art College or study film and TV production.  During the visit, I spent time looking at an exhibition by students of the Uni.  This did make me think, how my life may have been completely different if I had gone to University!

 “Not sure everything on display is actually Art.  I didn’t touch just in case”.

As expected virtually all of the potential students were young.  Could an old, lardy slightly bitter person become a student?  The main problem is the cost, nothing is free these days. At the moment it’s just an idea, which I suspect will remain just stay an idea!

 “Such a peaceful location”.

Good luck to my sister with regards her application. I’ll keep you informed on her progress.

And Now For Something Completely Different……

I take pictures all the time; in fact I annoy friends and family constantly because I’m always pulling out one of three cameras that I usually carry. There are thousands of them stored on a drive, maybe one day I might be able to do something creative with at least one of them!

 “So many of my fave films were made in that studio”.

Earlier this week I got a chance to revisit Elstree film studios to meet a friend that works there. I love any excuse to be near a film set. Because I arrived early, I parked next door in the huge carpark of a massive supermarket. Even though I have multiple pics of the studio from that carpark I had to take more (it’s an addiction).

 “The offending picture”. 

As I took the above picture, a police car passed.  Due to it being a little chilly, I went into the superstore and found the coffee shop.  As I was about to enter the caffeine watering hole two Police officers appeared and stopped me.  These were the officers in the patrol car who had seen me taking this photo.  They had returned to the carpark, parked and hunted me down inside the shop.

 “I have no idea what was being filmed behind this wall.  That doesn’t stop me from taking a pic”.

The officers wanted to know why I had been taking a picture of a “sensitive area”.  If this had been a government or military building, I would have understood why the rozzers were so interested in what i had been doing.  But the snap, as you can see is mainly of a boundary wall.  To prove my story, I showed them my friend’s texts about my visit and my replies using the picture to illustrate I was early.  From the looks on their faces I disappointed them by the truth. I didn’t admit that the reason I took that particular picture is because in the background you can just make out “George Lucas Stage”.  If you have read this shiz before you will know I am a huge Star Wars fan, plus “Uncle George” (I still dream) and myself have the same surname.  If I had told them that, they might have called an ambulance resulting in me being dragged off in a straitjacket.

 “The Saint, taking on a previous visit”.

I suspect the truth of this “sensitive location” is because these officers were part of a crack “Strictly Come Dancing” (which is filmed in The Uncle George stage) squad.  I could have confirmed this if they had got there glittery truncheons out.

 “I needed this after the shock”.

My contact with the long arm of the law didn’t last long.  They left happy because they didn’t have to fill out a huge amount of paperwork.  Within minutes I happily guzzled a hot choc full of sugar and other additives.  One hour later I was within the gates of the studio complex and I took several of various brick walls!

 “The Saint”.

Oh, Something Topical And Political……

The morning of the election I was at the polling station at 8am to vote, it had been open for one hour.  As I put my “X” against the candidate and party of choice, I overheard the polling clerks talking (who are well paid to sit in a cold and drafty school/community hall drinking tea from a flask and homemade sandwiches until 10pm).  It appeared I was only the 20th person to cast my vote during that first hour.  For such an important election, in a busy part of London that’s a poor show (in my opinion).

 “A couple of prezzies for my sister”.

Update     

                           

We now know which numpty is in charge for the next few years.  Personally I think we have to pick ourselves up off the floor and get on with our lives.  This ends the political section of the blog!

 “Took mum and Hel to see some local Crimbum lights”.

And Finally……

A friend said “You licking my flap”.  I was licking an envelope to help them, honest.

 “I should have been writing this shiz,  but was completely distracted on way in to London”.

My Mid Life Crisis Conts……

This week I have mainly been watching:  

“Ad Vitam”, (S1, ep 4).  “Annabelle Comes Home”, (2019).  “Big Jet TV: Live (Heathrow)”, (YouTube)(TX: 07/12/19).  “Blakes 7”, (SC, ep 8 to ep 10).  “CBeebies Bedtime Story: Jodie Whitaker”, (ep 678, TX: 31/12/18).  “Cheers”, (S3, ep 21 to ep 25)(S4, ep 1 to 7).  “Click”, (TX: 07/12/19).  “Have I Got News For You”, (S58, ep 9, TX: 13/12/19).  “His Dark Materials”, (S1, ep 6).  “Living With Yourself”, (S1, ep 6).  “Michael McIntyre’s Big Show”, (S5, ep 3, TX: 07/12/19).  “Space 1999”, (S1, ep 4).  “Star Trek”, (Pilot: The Cage)(S1, ep 1).  “Star Wars: The Mandalorian”, (S1, ep 5).  “The Americas With Simon Reeves”, (S1, ep 5, TX: 10/11/19).  “The Apprentice: The Final Five”, (S15, ep 11, TX: 10/12/19).  “The Apprentice”, (S15, ep 12, TX 11/12/19).  “The Apprentice: Honest Subtitles”, (S5, ep 11, TX: 11/12/19).  “The Apprentice: You’re Fired”, (S14, ep 11, TX: 11/12/19).  “The Graham Norton Show”, (S26, ep 10, TX: 06/12/19).  “The Kapil Sharma Show”, (S2, ep 93, TX: 23/11/19).  “The One Show”, (TX: 10/12/19).  “The Sky At Night: Review Of The Year 2019”, (TX: 08/12/19).  “Timeless”, (S1, ep 5 & ep 9).  “Top Gear”, (S16, ep 6, TX: 01/03/11).  “Upstart Crow: A Crow Cimbum Special”, (25/12/18).  “V War”, (S1, ep 1).      

Doctor Who watched this week:

“The Sensorites”, (S1, Prod Code G)(ep 4, Race Against Time, 18/07/64)(ep 5, Kidnap, 25/07/64)(ep 6, A Desperate Venture, 01/07/64).     

 “The Reign Of Terror”, (S1, Prod Code H)( Loose Cannon Intro & Outro: Carol Ann Ford, Sept 2000) )(Loose Cannon John Peel Interview)(ep 1, A Land Of Fear, TX: 08/08/64)(ep 2, Guests Of Madame Guillotine, TX: 15/08/64)(ep 3, A Change Of Identity, TX: 22/08/64)(ep 4, The Tyrant Of France, TX: 29/08/64)(ep 5, A Bargain Of Necessity (Loose Cannon Recon)(Sept 2000)(ep 6, Prisoners Of Conciergerie (Loose Cannon Recon)(Sept 2000

“Planet Of Giants”, (S2, Prod Code J)(ep 1, Plant Of Giants, TX: 31/10/64)(ep 2, Dangerous Journey, TX: 07/11/64)(ep 3, Crisis, TX: 14/11/64).

This week I have mainly been listening to:  

 “Blood On The Tracks”, (Trailer: 26/03/18)(Trailer: Welcome Back To Blood On The Tracks: 19/11/18)(S1, ep 1, 27/03/18)(ep 2, 03/04/18).  “Clinton Baptiste Paranormal Podcast: Crimbum Special”, (13/12/19).  “Daddy Look At Me”, (S2, ep 9, 12/12/19).  “Griefcast (Now That’s What I Call Griefcast Part 3)”, (ep 108, 11/12/19).  “Iain Lee (Highlight)”, (06/12, 09/12, 10/12, 11/12/19).  “LBC Podcast: Mystery Hour”, (05/12/19).  “LBC Podcast: Nick Abbot (Whole Show)”, (07/12, 13/12/19).  “NASA: Gravity Assist”, (10/12/19).  “NASA: Houston We Have A Podcast”, (ep 122, 13/12/19).  “RHLSTP”, (ep 215, 12/06/19).  “Soundtracking With Edith Bowman”, (ep 171, 06/12/19).  “Space Boffins”, (13/12/19).  “Space Rocket History Archive”, (ep 47 & ep 48, 06/02/18)(ep 49, 06/03/18)(ep 50 & ep 51, 16/03/18).  “Sue Perkins: Best of Series 1”, (07/12/19).  “The Adam Buxton Podcast”, (ep 113, 08/12/19).  “The Nick Abbot Habit”, (09/12/19).  “The Old Doctor Who Show”, (ep 20, 10/02/16)(ep 21, 02/03/16)(ep 22, 23/03/16)(ep 23, 13/04/16)(ep 24, 04/05/16)(ep 25, 25/05/16)(ep 26, 15/06/16)(ep  27, 06/07/16).  “Treasure Quest”, (BBC Three Counties Radio)(07/12/19).  “Walking The Dog With Emily Dean”, (ep 6, 05/05/17).  “Morrissey”,  “ELO”,  “The White Stripes”,  “Edwin Collins”,  “Madonna”,  “Roxette”, “U2”,  “East 17”,  “The Charlatans”,  “ Inspiral Carpets”,  “Toploader”,   “The Bluetones”, “Skunk Anansie”, “Blur”, “Yeah Yeah Yeahs”, “John Lennon/Yoko Ono And The Plastic Ono Band”.