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Nov. 26th, 2007 09:26 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
llywelaThis month's paycheck included my annual increment, back-dated from April - £292. Very nice. Of course, the taxman snaffled half of it before I even got to see it, but it's still a very welcome lump sum just before Christmas!
The rampant Christmas shoppers in town are already driving me insane, and it isn't even December yet. The sales assistants aren't much better. I popped into Lush on Friday to get a birthday gift for my Nan. I knew exactly what I wanted (hand cream) and exactly where in the shop it was. En route, I was assailed by no less than six assistants, all anxious to ask if I was needed any help and to suggest I visit their brand new department upstairs. Six. And it isn't a big shop. Then when I finally broke free long enough to find what I wanted and take it to the till, there was nary a one in sight to actually take my money! Madness.
Had a nice afternoon at my Nan's on Saturday to celebrate her birthday: 76 years young. Went with the family and took the puppy with us. She is completely nuts, and, at 11 weeks old, has found her bark and now yips madly when she's excited. Very cute.
I was delighted to see Seth Green pop up in this week's Grey's Anatomy. I knew he had a two episode guest stint coming up, but hadn't realised when it was. Such a cute, sweet character he was playing. ♥ Too bad he looked such a goner at the end of the episode -maybe they'll pull off a miracle, maybe not. He really needs to find himself a regular spot on some show, preferably one I watch! ♥
Enjoyed the second episode of Cranford last night, although it was a bit darker and a lot sadder than last week. I even saw the listing in the TV paper saying there would be a shock tragedy, but still wasn't prepared for it. I liked Deborah! And poor little Walter! :(
I'm finding Doctor Harrison rather charming, which is a credit to the actor - he made such a loathesome Octavian in Rome!
One thing that really came across strongly in last night's episode was what an age of transition it is, set in 1842. The industrial revolution is starting to really kick into full effect, with communities like Cranford remaining almost isolated, rural backwaters unaffected by the enormous societal shifts going on around them. Therefore when change does start to rear its head it has an enormous impact. Thus we saw in this episode, with even the notion of the railroad coming nearby being seen as the deathknell of their tightknit little community by the majority - mostly female - while the more progressive elements in society see only good coming out of it.
But the issue was there right from the first episode, in more subtle ways - Lady Ludlow and Mr Carter perhaps symbolise it most, in that scene where Mr Carter had suggested a young girl as a possible new maid, but Lady L rejected her because she knew how to read and write. And it was there even more strongly last night, with Mr Carter's desire to help young Harry improve his prospects in life, but it has to be kept secret because so many would disapprove. The socio-economic factors, that fear of the 'lower orders' moving around and learning to better themselves is really well done.
Looking forward to the third installment next week. :)
The rampant Christmas shoppers in town are already driving me insane, and it isn't even December yet. The sales assistants aren't much better. I popped into Lush on Friday to get a birthday gift for my Nan. I knew exactly what I wanted (hand cream) and exactly where in the shop it was. En route, I was assailed by no less than six assistants, all anxious to ask if I was needed any help and to suggest I visit their brand new department upstairs. Six. And it isn't a big shop. Then when I finally broke free long enough to find what I wanted and take it to the till, there was nary a one in sight to actually take my money! Madness.
Had a nice afternoon at my Nan's on Saturday to celebrate her birthday: 76 years young. Went with the family and took the puppy with us. She is completely nuts, and, at 11 weeks old, has found her bark and now yips madly when she's excited. Very cute.
I was delighted to see Seth Green pop up in this week's Grey's Anatomy. I knew he had a two episode guest stint coming up, but hadn't realised when it was. Such a cute, sweet character he was playing. ♥ Too bad he looked such a goner at the end of the episode -maybe they'll pull off a miracle, maybe not. He really needs to find himself a regular spot on some show, preferably one I watch! ♥
Enjoyed the second episode of Cranford last night, although it was a bit darker and a lot sadder than last week. I even saw the listing in the TV paper saying there would be a shock tragedy, but still wasn't prepared for it. I liked Deborah! And poor little Walter! :(
I'm finding Doctor Harrison rather charming, which is a credit to the actor - he made such a loathesome Octavian in Rome!
One thing that really came across strongly in last night's episode was what an age of transition it is, set in 1842. The industrial revolution is starting to really kick into full effect, with communities like Cranford remaining almost isolated, rural backwaters unaffected by the enormous societal shifts going on around them. Therefore when change does start to rear its head it has an enormous impact. Thus we saw in this episode, with even the notion of the railroad coming nearby being seen as the deathknell of their tightknit little community by the majority - mostly female - while the more progressive elements in society see only good coming out of it.
But the issue was there right from the first episode, in more subtle ways - Lady Ludlow and Mr Carter perhaps symbolise it most, in that scene where Mr Carter had suggested a young girl as a possible new maid, but Lady L rejected her because she knew how to read and write. And it was there even more strongly last night, with Mr Carter's desire to help young Harry improve his prospects in life, but it has to be kept secret because so many would disapprove. The socio-economic factors, that fear of the 'lower orders' moving around and learning to better themselves is really well done.
Looking forward to the third installment next week. :)
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Date: 2007-11-26 10:14 am (UTC)What a fabulous show. I liked Deborah too and when she died and then the little boy did I bawled my eyes out.
It's fantastic. An excellent cast (hmmmmmm - Phil Glenister!) excellently acted. Perfect Sunday night viewing.
*Happy Birthday Jo's Nan!*
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Date: 2007-11-26 10:24 am (UTC)No one does costume dramas quite like the Beeb.
Cheers for the greetings :)
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Date: 2007-11-26 10:07 pm (UTC)Thanks for being on my wavelength!
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Date: 2007-11-27 09:19 am (UTC)Really? Interesting, 'cause I don't think I've ever linked 'em there. I do sometimes ask for a newsletter link, but don't always even do that. Nice to meet you :)
A wonderful snapshot of English country life during the 1840's. I've never bee a fan of the Victorian period (Dickens put me off at school)
Oh, isn't it gorgeous? I've never really read many Victorian novels - Dickens really not my thing, either. So very grim. I did study a fair bit about the Victorian era as part of my history degree, but mostly focused on the middle ages. So I'm loving this insight into the period.
I'm going to track down the books at this rate. I can't wait to develop the characters more - and explore the village much more slowly, in the rich language of the time.
Me too! Although my 'to read someday' list is already pretty lengthy.
Thanks for being on my wavelength!</i. You too :)