Update 31
Among the many columns I make a habit of reading regularly is that by former Tory MP Matthew Parris in The Times. On Wednesday he recalled how much he enjoyed and triumphed in his study of Maths to O-Level. He understood Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry Trigonometry and the rest, so naturally he opted for a move up into the world of A-Level Mathematics. What then stumped us both was the emergence of something called Calculus. It floored me. I had not a single grain of comprehension. My teacher tried to explain that it was all about measuring the area under an arc. From that moment on my interest in the study of either Pure or Applied Maths ceased to be. My focus switched totally to the activities of the Debating Society, the Drama Society, General Studies, the local Youth Club and yes, girls - for most weeks just one in particular.
With fellow sixth formers Tom Keenlyside and Nevin Ward our team got into the final of the Northumberland County Public Speaking competition and I seem to recall our coming second.The topic was the ‘The Future of the Cinema’ and I still retain the postcard containing my outline notes. As Chairman, Tom did the introduction whilst Nevin proposed the vote of thanks. I suspect that the soundest bit of advice my Dad ever gave me was “Practise speaking in public, if you can master that then you’ll be able to open doors that will remain closed to others”. Thanks Dad.
Since I issued that extra update on Monday I’ve updated Palliative care Michelle and agreed to 2mg steroids for the rest of this week to be reviewed on Thursday/Friday. Following Dr Silva’s request for another MRI scan “with contrast” I’ve been offered an appointment on Tuesday (24th) at the Cobalt charity which from its bases in Birmingham and here in Cheltenham provides the very latest scanning equipment for MRI, CT. PET/CT.
With friends Igor and Ellen we’re scheduled to have a week in Bampton (Cotswolds) from the 20th. Tuesday’s appointment will mean coming home for Monday night so we can get to Cobalt for a 1000 start. I’m a bit pathetic about scans - I feel very claustrophobic as I slide into that tunnel, but since I’ve always come out ok, I know I just need to take a better grip on my nerves. On the 30th I have an appointment to review the scan result.
You’ll recall that I sent my iPad Pro to a company who claimed to be able to fix it for much less than Apple were asking. Well their first report says that even tho’ the device is only six months old, they don’t have the necessary replacement part but will try to source it - let’s see what happens next! If something looks too good to be true then sometimes one has to accept that it is.
Having set out to destroy its own political party, the ERG seems to have lost its initial spark and gone quiet. One of its members Andrew Bridgen has tried to keep his personal barrage of antivax nonsense flowing - but unfortunately for him it’s simply resulted in his suspension once again from the Conservative whip. Having failed to make the ERG effective, the rebels are having another go but this time with a new gang of banditos - the Conservative Democratic Organisation. Whether as they seem to wish, they can throw the Conservative Party completely off the rails, remains to be seen.
The first two from our ‘Christmas in Australia’ part of the family are safely back in the UK with the others due to land later this (Saturday) morning.
My favourite film critic (and of several other media) is Paul Gambaccini. He says that his top pick from the 2022 releases just has to be ‘Tar’. It is, he says: “so mature and modern, it is thrilling”. We have booked seats for a showing in our local Tivoli on Monday afternoon.
