My bank account also provides me with travel insurance as part of its benefits and this has been fine up to now. I decided it might be wise to acquaint them of my heart attack and triple bypass procedure as a courtesy and in case anything went wrong.
They assured me that for all other events unconnected with my condition, such as cancellation, loss of luggage, etc, I was still fully covered. However, if I needed cover for my condition, presuming I had a recurrence while I was on holiday, I would have to undergo a three minute medical screening over the phone before I could be quoted an additional premium. Casually I asked what sort of ball park figure would we be discussing. The answer was £300 - £500! Now I intend getting in as many trips as possible during term time over the next couple of years (we are visiting some friends in France in June, we are camping in northern France in July and we are spending 10 days in Andalucia - travelling by train- in September) but I would have to go some in order to make £300 - £500 worthwhile. My research online did yield the finding that the cost of an air ambulance from Spain would cost £12000.
I decided to do some shopping around online. After a lot of research, visiting sites and filling in endless healthcheck applications (myocardial infarction, triple coronary heart bypass graft, angina) I came across a range of policies from £20 - £70. Normally when buying wine I go for mid range, not the cheapest nor the dearest (as I figure my undeveloped palate won't appreciate fully the more expensive wine). However yesterday I plumbed for the £20 policy to cover my condition and my bank account insurance to cover anything else untoward that happens. My three planned trips will therefore cost me £60 additional premium for the cover, which seems much more reasonable, and thanks to diet and exercise I am feeling fitter. My cholesterol level is 4.72 compared to my brother's 3.9. Everything else is fine except my weight has crept up to 17 stone 1.
Yesterday was also spent deciding on eight plays to be recommended for the Bench Supernova 4 festival of new one act plays. A panel of three judges, including myself, have spent several weeks reading them and met last night to draw up a list for recommendation from fifteen entries. Generally the standard of writing seems to me to have improved greatly from previous play writing competitions held by the Bench. I am not referring to the Supernova festivals as I have not previously been involved in the selection of plays. We were impressed by the quality on offer and as always the difficulty in separating the plays at the bottom of the list being recommended and the top of what would become the reject pile. I look forward to seeing the rest of the process through to final performances in September.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Reading
Saw a couple of examples of this idea recently and it made me smile.
Mother had read so much about the truly terrible effects of alcohol and chocolate that she decided to give up reading.
Sylvain Distin and Mulley Suntari have signed for Pompey which in my opinion is a good thing. Pompey is after Titus Shambles from Newcastle and Mark Viduka from 'Boro - these I do not understand! Admittedly my top choice of Dean Ashton from West Ham is unlikely now that they have avoided relegation. However other names such as Defoe have been mentioned and that is more like it. Another defender from Lyon and a striker from Rennes are also being discussed. I can't comment on these because I have no idea of the French leagues or players but still prefer Premiership experience. Although still think David Nugent is worth a transfer from Preston. Sulky Anelka and Blaster Bellamy wouldn't be shown the door if they turned up either.
Mother had read so much about the truly terrible effects of alcohol and chocolate that she decided to give up reading.
Sylvain Distin and Mulley Suntari have signed for Pompey which in my opinion is a good thing. Pompey is after Titus Shambles from Newcastle and Mark Viduka from 'Boro - these I do not understand! Admittedly my top choice of Dean Ashton from West Ham is unlikely now that they have avoided relegation. However other names such as Defoe have been mentioned and that is more like it. Another defender from Lyon and a striker from Rennes are also being discussed. I can't comment on these because I have no idea of the French leagues or players but still prefer Premiership experience. Although still think David Nugent is worth a transfer from Preston. Sulky Anelka and Blaster Bellamy wouldn't be shown the door if they turned up either.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Meditation
When I was working, "Thought for the Day" as part of the Radio 4 "Today" programme was part of my daily morning schedule. We still listen to Radio 4 in the mornings but not as avidly.
By chance we heard this morning's contribution while still abed. It dealt with contemplation or meditation. Its premise is that upon meeting someone the British tend to ask as their first question, "What is that you do?" Our Protestant work ethic makes us measure people by their occupation rather than what kind of person they are. Activity and being busy is an essential part of our mind set. In more enlightened cultures, the lack of activity is seen as the opportunity to contemplate or meditate. The speaker went on to say that this deep mental activity was not designed to solve the problems of the world, which in itself would make it a kind of activity. However the meditation allowed the thinker time to make sense of the world and to begin to understand it. The talk made me feel less guilty about my present state and begin to appreciate the opportunity given to reflect, contemplate and yes even meditate (sometimes even with my eyes closed). I do my exercises daily now on the patio (weather permitting) and though they are not very strenuous I love doing them out of doors and I love when the sun breaks through as it did this morning. I thought again this morning as I have on many mornings I would love to try yoga or Tai Chi in the salutation to the sun.
The main activity of this week is a "Specialised Annual Check" run by my GP. This involves 12 hour fasting before a blood test on Tuesday. I hope this will reveal the present level of my cholesterol as the only current reading I have is from 2003 - an odd state of affairs in the circumstances. I am also determined to make Leak and Potato Soup and Onion soup after last week's diet talk from the cardiac nurse - making your own avoids some of the salt traps inherent in commercially produced products.
The other activity is reading 15 plays for the Bench's Supernova 4 festival. The idea is to select 8 plays I consider suitable for production before settling on a final set of 8 after discussion with my two fellow judges/readers on May 24th. I love reading plays but it does require discipline, of which I don't have a great deal. I was also asked to think about a brief presentation at Thursday's Club Night of plays I think could be produced by the Bench: From the West End to East Street. I have a couple I would like to mention already and a new one hopefully arriving tomorrow. I hope not expected to produce excerpts for playreading as I now lack access to photocopying facilities.
Thoroughly enjoyed auditions for Measure for Measure yesterday. This is a set text production being produced and directed by Damon Wakelin for November. It will entail Sunday rehearsals but daytime as well as evening performances. We hope to know parts cast at end of week.
Collected photos from photographer yesterday in order to send off to one or two film extra agencies.
Mustn't get too busy otherwise no time left for contemplation or meditation, with or without eyes closed.
By chance we heard this morning's contribution while still abed. It dealt with contemplation or meditation. Its premise is that upon meeting someone the British tend to ask as their first question, "What is that you do?" Our Protestant work ethic makes us measure people by their occupation rather than what kind of person they are. Activity and being busy is an essential part of our mind set. In more enlightened cultures, the lack of activity is seen as the opportunity to contemplate or meditate. The speaker went on to say that this deep mental activity was not designed to solve the problems of the world, which in itself would make it a kind of activity. However the meditation allowed the thinker time to make sense of the world and to begin to understand it. The talk made me feel less guilty about my present state and begin to appreciate the opportunity given to reflect, contemplate and yes even meditate (sometimes even with my eyes closed). I do my exercises daily now on the patio (weather permitting) and though they are not very strenuous I love doing them out of doors and I love when the sun breaks through as it did this morning. I thought again this morning as I have on many mornings I would love to try yoga or Tai Chi in the salutation to the sun.
The main activity of this week is a "Specialised Annual Check" run by my GP. This involves 12 hour fasting before a blood test on Tuesday. I hope this will reveal the present level of my cholesterol as the only current reading I have is from 2003 - an odd state of affairs in the circumstances. I am also determined to make Leak and Potato Soup and Onion soup after last week's diet talk from the cardiac nurse - making your own avoids some of the salt traps inherent in commercially produced products.
The other activity is reading 15 plays for the Bench's Supernova 4 festival. The idea is to select 8 plays I consider suitable for production before settling on a final set of 8 after discussion with my two fellow judges/readers on May 24th. I love reading plays but it does require discipline, of which I don't have a great deal. I was also asked to think about a brief presentation at Thursday's Club Night of plays I think could be produced by the Bench: From the West End to East Street. I have a couple I would like to mention already and a new one hopefully arriving tomorrow. I hope not expected to produce excerpts for playreading as I now lack access to photocopying facilities.
Thoroughly enjoyed auditions for Measure for Measure yesterday. This is a set text production being produced and directed by Damon Wakelin for November. It will entail Sunday rehearsals but daytime as well as evening performances. We hope to know parts cast at end of week.
Collected photos from photographer yesterday in order to send off to one or two film extra agencies.
Mustn't get too busy otherwise no time left for contemplation or meditation, with or without eyes closed.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Pensions
I read daily with great interest the blogs of my family and friends. Archimedes and his two co-habitees are especially entertaining covering a wide range of subjects.
Recently Robin wrote one about pensions. I am of that generation that have done well out of pensions. Retiring as a primary school teacher in December I received an annuity and a regular teacher's pension monthly. This will enable me to be independent in my retirement as long as I am not too ambitious. I haven't really yet managed to explore the benefits fully. I have started to audit household finances and use price comparison websites to find ways of cutting expenses. I have a Senior Railcard which I had intended to use for regular but occasional trips up to London for theatre matinees on Thursdays (later will expand to Wednesday matinees once Cardiac rehab programme completed) but haven't had an opportunity to employ yet. I like senior cinema tickets - saw "Last King of Scotland" with a free cup of tea and a biscuit at 1100 on Tuesday at Port Solent for £3. In other words I feel a little guilty when I see how the youngsters of today are going to have to struggle if they want any pension at all.
On Wednesday we had an interesting talk about diet, cholestrol and alcohol from my cardiac nurse. This was enlightening and we have certainly started to look at the food we eat more closely. I enjoy cooking I have discovered and am into making soups, stock and sauces myself rather than buying them in. The nurse said my cholestrol level would have been ascertained during my stay in hospital but in fact it wasn't. The last cholestrol level reading I have was 2003! Fortunately my GP has organised a specialised annual check clinic for next Tuesday in my case and one of the things being looked at is cholestrol level. My reason for such detail is missionary - not enough people check up on such factors as blood pressure and cholestrol - you should know your own. GPs offer services which enable people to find out and even the simpler ones at pharmacies would indicate if you have a problem. Please find out for yourself and don't assume everything is fine!
Recently Robin wrote one about pensions. I am of that generation that have done well out of pensions. Retiring as a primary school teacher in December I received an annuity and a regular teacher's pension monthly. This will enable me to be independent in my retirement as long as I am not too ambitious. I haven't really yet managed to explore the benefits fully. I have started to audit household finances and use price comparison websites to find ways of cutting expenses. I have a Senior Railcard which I had intended to use for regular but occasional trips up to London for theatre matinees on Thursdays (later will expand to Wednesday matinees once Cardiac rehab programme completed) but haven't had an opportunity to employ yet. I like senior cinema tickets - saw "Last King of Scotland" with a free cup of tea and a biscuit at 1100 on Tuesday at Port Solent for £3. In other words I feel a little guilty when I see how the youngsters of today are going to have to struggle if they want any pension at all.
On Wednesday we had an interesting talk about diet, cholestrol and alcohol from my cardiac nurse. This was enlightening and we have certainly started to look at the food we eat more closely. I enjoy cooking I have discovered and am into making soups, stock and sauces myself rather than buying them in. The nurse said my cholestrol level would have been ascertained during my stay in hospital but in fact it wasn't. The last cholestrol level reading I have was 2003! Fortunately my GP has organised a specialised annual check clinic for next Tuesday in my case and one of the things being looked at is cholestrol level. My reason for such detail is missionary - not enough people check up on such factors as blood pressure and cholestrol - you should know your own. GPs offer services which enable people to find out and even the simpler ones at pharmacies would indicate if you have a problem. Please find out for yourself and don't assume everything is fine!
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Parental Birthdays
On the day of my mate, David's birthday (Happy Birthday Pal!) I thought I would just quietly commemorate the birthdays of my parents, who both died around the time of my wedding some thirty odd years ago now.
Perhaps the recent past has made me aware of the fragility of our existence and how much our memory relies on those left behind. I am grateful to my brother, the family tree historian, for the information.
Big James Patrick Corrigan was born the 23rd December 1909 or 98 years ago. My father's middle name was that of the family saint and all the male Corrigans bear that name except one. Dad was from Irish Catholic descent.
Nelly Corrigan, nee Frost, was born on the 6th April 1917 or 90 years ago. Mum came from good Yorkshire Protestant stock and apparently was incredibly self willed. Her firstborn, Michael Patrick, died at the age of six months from pneumonia. I would have died at six months from pneumonia if my mother hadn't insisted on taking me to hospital despite GP advice. If she had been another 24 hours I would not have survived but she had practical experience which made her go against medical opinion. When it came to my christening, she refused to name me after a saint who couldn't look after her children and so I was given the name John having been born in the parish of St John.
God bless them both!
Perhaps the recent past has made me aware of the fragility of our existence and how much our memory relies on those left behind. I am grateful to my brother, the family tree historian, for the information.
Big James Patrick Corrigan was born the 23rd December 1909 or 98 years ago. My father's middle name was that of the family saint and all the male Corrigans bear that name except one. Dad was from Irish Catholic descent.
Nelly Corrigan, nee Frost, was born on the 6th April 1917 or 90 years ago. Mum came from good Yorkshire Protestant stock and apparently was incredibly self willed. Her firstborn, Michael Patrick, died at the age of six months from pneumonia. I would have died at six months from pneumonia if my mother hadn't insisted on taking me to hospital despite GP advice. If she had been another 24 hours I would not have survived but she had practical experience which made her go against medical opinion. When it came to my christening, she refused to name me after a saint who couldn't look after her children and so I was given the name John having been born in the parish of St John.
God bless them both!
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
The Last Confession
The Roman Catholic Church fascinates me since for the first five years of my life I was a Catholic. Nuns ran my first primary school and I remember the dispensation of milk and biscuits at break time as both ceremonious and physically fulfilling.
In Roger Crane’s new play, the cardinals reserve their most vitriol for “Communists” and one reference to the “Lutheran”. The former don’t share the belief in God and the latter don’t share the same approach to God. There has been enormous debate through the centuries as to how “the greatest revolutionary of them all” ended up being represented by the Roman Catholic Church, the Vatican, Papacy and Vicar of Christ. An explanation I paraphrase for my own benefit is that when the Emperor Constantine adapted Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire – a move inspired by pragmatism and politics rather than a conversion – he found he had a pragmatic and political problem to solve. The Roman Empire already had a highly structured official religion and his decision threatened a loss of dedicated architecture throughout the Empire and widespread unemployment. Therefore he decreed that this structure be used to dispense Christianity hence the introduction of priests and a hierarchy that is imposed rather than truly organic. This conflict between the perceived will of God and the running of a church of 800 million souls is at the heart of “The Last Confession”.
During the course of the play we meet three Popes and Cardinal Benelli, the Italian Pope maker (played by David Suchet). We watch the manoeuvring of men of power in their struggles for supremacy at the head of the vast Church. We learn about the legacy of Pope John, a radical, whose successor, Paul, goes to his grave convinced he is a failure because after 15 years he feels he has been unable to accomplish anything. In the election for a Pope that follows, and here Crane is quite graphic about the blocs and alliances within the cardinals that shift and flow, more reminiscent of an American presidential election, than an exercise of the will of God, Cardinal Benelli is instrumental in securing the installation of Luciani , Cardinal of Venice, as Pope John Paul I. Luciani is a simple soul( lovely performance by Richard O’Callaghan, who reminded us of our own lovely, Jasper Utley) who takes on the bastions of power surrounding him. He wants to send them home, release them from their burdens of authority and responsibility. Pope John Paul I dies after 33 days in power in somewhat mysterious suspicions. Cardinal Benelli attempts to investigate.
David Suchet is a marvellous actor full of nuance. He dominates the stage when he is on but is subtle. He portrays a cardinal beset by ambition but who believes “he has been brushed by the hand of God”. He makes us care for a very complex character quickly and thoroughly. He does not take the easy road of relying on his star status but works hard at making us aware of the humanity within, and this isn’t always edifying or pleasant.
The production has a terrific set by William Dudley, which captures the scale and grandeur of the Vatican but also implies the whispering intrigue that stalks its corridors. David Jones, the director, keeps the clarity of what could be a complicated plot through to the very end. There are lovely touches of ceremony. I particularly enjoyed the coronation of Pope John Paul I. I don’t feel any more sympathetic towards the machinations of the Vatican though I can concede what a mammoth task awaits any incumbent of the seat of St. Peter.
Jonathan Church and Alan Finch are to be congratulated on opening the new season in the main theatre with a world premiere of a fascinating new play.
In Roger Crane’s new play, the cardinals reserve their most vitriol for “Communists” and one reference to the “Lutheran”. The former don’t share the belief in God and the latter don’t share the same approach to God. There has been enormous debate through the centuries as to how “the greatest revolutionary of them all” ended up being represented by the Roman Catholic Church, the Vatican, Papacy and Vicar of Christ. An explanation I paraphrase for my own benefit is that when the Emperor Constantine adapted Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire – a move inspired by pragmatism and politics rather than a conversion – he found he had a pragmatic and political problem to solve. The Roman Empire already had a highly structured official religion and his decision threatened a loss of dedicated architecture throughout the Empire and widespread unemployment. Therefore he decreed that this structure be used to dispense Christianity hence the introduction of priests and a hierarchy that is imposed rather than truly organic. This conflict between the perceived will of God and the running of a church of 800 million souls is at the heart of “The Last Confession”.
During the course of the play we meet three Popes and Cardinal Benelli, the Italian Pope maker (played by David Suchet). We watch the manoeuvring of men of power in their struggles for supremacy at the head of the vast Church. We learn about the legacy of Pope John, a radical, whose successor, Paul, goes to his grave convinced he is a failure because after 15 years he feels he has been unable to accomplish anything. In the election for a Pope that follows, and here Crane is quite graphic about the blocs and alliances within the cardinals that shift and flow, more reminiscent of an American presidential election, than an exercise of the will of God, Cardinal Benelli is instrumental in securing the installation of Luciani , Cardinal of Venice, as Pope John Paul I. Luciani is a simple soul( lovely performance by Richard O’Callaghan, who reminded us of our own lovely, Jasper Utley) who takes on the bastions of power surrounding him. He wants to send them home, release them from their burdens of authority and responsibility. Pope John Paul I dies after 33 days in power in somewhat mysterious suspicions. Cardinal Benelli attempts to investigate.
David Suchet is a marvellous actor full of nuance. He dominates the stage when he is on but is subtle. He portrays a cardinal beset by ambition but who believes “he has been brushed by the hand of God”. He makes us care for a very complex character quickly and thoroughly. He does not take the easy road of relying on his star status but works hard at making us aware of the humanity within, and this isn’t always edifying or pleasant.
The production has a terrific set by William Dudley, which captures the scale and grandeur of the Vatican but also implies the whispering intrigue that stalks its corridors. David Jones, the director, keeps the clarity of what could be a complicated plot through to the very end. There are lovely touches of ceremony. I particularly enjoyed the coronation of Pope John Paul I. I don’t feel any more sympathetic towards the machinations of the Vatican though I can concede what a mammoth task awaits any incumbent of the seat of St. Peter.
Jonathan Church and Alan Finch are to be congratulated on opening the new season in the main theatre with a world premiere of a fascinating new play.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Publication
My Pompey Stadium (see previous post) was published in the Bank Holiday Monday edition of the Portsmouth News yesterday. Hurrah!
The ramshackle open house event held annually on the early Bank Holiday Monday took place under the groaning gazebo, which threatened to part with its moorings on several occasions thanks to the strength and direction of the wind. The rain held off (having tipped it down during the night) and the oldies like me sat outside while the youngsters sat indoors. I hadn't anticipated twenty people but there was a good buzz. Two of the guests actually moved our huge three piece settee to a better position in the lounge! I was disgraceful as usual and drank too much wine and ate the wrong kinds of food. In the end I had to go to bed at 8.30 p.m. and was fast asleep within seconds only to be woken at half past midnight when best beloved came to bed having cleared up downstairs. I tossed and turned for the rest of the night, perhaps guilt at not doing my fair share of the clearing up, but more likely dehydration from the alcohol and barbecued food.
I did have a twinge that my son in law and my best friend who work at Havant College did have to share the event with some of their own students. I hope it didn't spoil their day off work too much!
Best beloved has gone off to school this morning to help with a school trip to the Iron Age farm on Butser that she had arranged with her successor as Year 3 class teacher.
I am off to Port Solent to see The Last King of Scotland in a 11.00 a.m. showing for us oldies. Last Tuesday afternoon I saw Blades of Glory and Fracture at the Gunwharf Vue. The first was a screening for me and two others and the last was for me and three others.
Tonight we are off to the Chichester Festival Theatre to see the Press Night of The Last Confession, a new play starring David Suchet about the machinations of the Vatican on the unexpected death of a Pope.
Hi ho for the life of a retiree!
The ramshackle open house event held annually on the early Bank Holiday Monday took place under the groaning gazebo, which threatened to part with its moorings on several occasions thanks to the strength and direction of the wind. The rain held off (having tipped it down during the night) and the oldies like me sat outside while the youngsters sat indoors. I hadn't anticipated twenty people but there was a good buzz. Two of the guests actually moved our huge three piece settee to a better position in the lounge! I was disgraceful as usual and drank too much wine and ate the wrong kinds of food. In the end I had to go to bed at 8.30 p.m. and was fast asleep within seconds only to be woken at half past midnight when best beloved came to bed having cleared up downstairs. I tossed and turned for the rest of the night, perhaps guilt at not doing my fair share of the clearing up, but more likely dehydration from the alcohol and barbecued food.
I did have a twinge that my son in law and my best friend who work at Havant College did have to share the event with some of their own students. I hope it didn't spoil their day off work too much!
Best beloved has gone off to school this morning to help with a school trip to the Iron Age farm on Butser that she had arranged with her successor as Year 3 class teacher.
I am off to Port Solent to see The Last King of Scotland in a 11.00 a.m. showing for us oldies. Last Tuesday afternoon I saw Blades of Glory and Fracture at the Gunwharf Vue. The first was a screening for me and two others and the last was for me and three others.
Tonight we are off to the Chichester Festival Theatre to see the Press Night of The Last Confession, a new play starring David Suchet about the machinations of the Vatican on the unexpected death of a Pope.
Hi ho for the life of a retiree!
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