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Showing posts from October, 2019

TV - RIP TBBT

About this time of year, for the past twelve years, the US sit-com, The Big Bang Theory (TBBT), would be a couple of episodes into a new season - and I'd be looking forward to watching each episode (with a short break over Christmas and New Year) until about the end of May. Not, sadly, this year as Jim Parson decided to pull the plug on playing Sheldon Cooper throughout the programme's long run - and no-one involved, writers, producers or the other actors, wanted to even attempt to continue without Parson on board. Much as I enjoyed the six years I'd been watching (I was a late convert), and much as I will miss it, it was the correct decision to bring the show to a close. It had started off as a sit-com but, especially over the past five seasons, it had gradually morphed into a soap-opera. It had started with a fairly even mix of science stuff, nerdy/geeky stuff and relationship stuff - but by the end, although the science and neerdy stuff was still there, most of each epi

Politics - the Corbyn/Swinton puzzle

I have to say that I'm puzzled by the stance both Jeremy Corbyn and Jo Swinton are taking over who should be interim PM if Johnson was to face, and lose, a vote of no confidence. Both claim to be desperate to avoid the UK crashing out of the EU without a deal - but, at the same time, both seem to be more interested in their ego and personal achievement. I am surprised about Corbyn's stance as a principled socialist desperate to avoid economic disaster for the country. If that was the case he should be willing to stand aside if that was the only way to avoid the no deal situation he claims must be avoided at all costs. At the same time he is the leader of the main opposition and in the event of Johnston losing a vote of no confidence then it should fall to him to lead any interim government. As for Jo Swinton, and the Tory rebels, what can they lose by backing Corbyn in this - apart from just not wanting to see a leftie in charge - even for a few weeks? The plan, as I unders

Scottish football woes

If you are a fan of Scottish football then the past few years (about twenty) have been most depressing (apart from the woman's team who have done well). I'm talking here about the international side (although that is tied to how domestic football has progressed, or not, over this period). But it's not all bad news. I figure we have an acceptable bunch of midfielders and forwards. They are not good enough to win a major tournament but most of them are good enough not to cause embarrassment. The problem is that, over recent years, we have lacked good defenders, and I would argue that any success must stem from having a good, solid defence - one that can at least stand up to teams ranked below us or about the same ranking (holding out against the likes of Belgium will take really good defenders and that, at the moment, is not on the horizon). Andy Robertson at left back is fine. I don't see him as being outstanding, defensively, as he's sometimes rated - but he is go