Conclave

 If you want to see an intelligent, tense and enjoyable thriller go and see Edward Berger’s Vatican based drama Conclave.

It’s a great ride.

Conclave is the claustrophobic Sistine Chapel based event where some 160 cardinals vote in the next Pope, often over a much protracted period of time .Ralph Fiennes plays Cardinal Lawrence a loyal and principled manager of the Conclave. Although eligible to be Pope himself , he oversees the run for promotion with diligence and fairness only questioning all of the top delegates when troubling information alights some of it from the dead Pope himself. 

This “ whodunnit” features some cracking scene stealing characters. The African Cardinal Adeyemi (Lucian Msamati) confident in his continent’s support, the fiercely ambitious liberal Cardinal Bellini (Stanley Tucci), the flamboyantly traditional Italian Cardinal Tedesco ( Sergio Castellitto ) who steals one scene by puffing on a vape! and the obsequious American Cardinal Trembray ( John Lithgow) all want the Papal position but each are thwarted by the twists and turns of a plot which is satisfyingly advocated and superbly played by Fiennes’ Cardinal Lawrence. 

It’s a wonderful performance , one of Fiennes’ very best in fact and the whole film is beautifully choreographed and shot by Stéphane Fontaine , who makes the most of the Papal uniforms and wonderful Vatican City backdrop.

I loved it. 

Bunlove

 

Last night Bun did the cottage proud 

As I was watching I’m a celebrity .Mary slowly walked in front of fire to warm her old bones 

And Bun walked with her, her paw swatting Mary’s tail as it dragged on the floor.

Mary drew her teeth, for a moment then Bun let go conceding defeat 

And the sisters sat together for a while, side by side

Quietly and gently 

Assisted Dying

 I’ve been asked several times now about my thoughts of the assisted dying bill which was debated so eloquently in the commons recently 

I am clear in my response to it

I am against it

And I will tell you for why

Dying is a normal progress, but it can illicit difficult symptoms which can be a challenge to live with. 

Good and proper palliative care can rectify most if not all of these symptoms, but this care is at best patchy and at worst non existent so it a lottery for many that they receive prudent end of life care.

The government needs to fund hospice care properly for this to start to happen.

Everyone should have access to the hospices’ ability to control pain, and breathlessness, delirium and agitation and fear and anxiety 

And that has to be done before we enter into the minefield of giving end of life patients medication they have to take themselves

The paralysed, the Motor neurone, the CVA patients , who it could be argued all need this bill passing more than anyone else , will at the moment never “ benefit” from it so let’s bench mark care to a good standard universally before we set a standard for those who’ve had enough

Chasing The Day

 

Jane and I went to see The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Lyceum which proved to be a night of pure energy. Jason Donovan played Dr Frank ‘n Furter ( with a surprisingly good voice) and The Head Of Steam pub was nose to nipple with Yorkshire brutes dressed as transvestites before kick off time. 

The energy was electric , great fun ,and a panacea for Jane as things for her has been somewhat rough recently.

The Lyceum , wisely , let the audience rule the evening, and although I would have been happy with just one half of the musical, it was worth the visit for the real fans’ reactions.

Today I met my old neighbour and friend John for breakfast and a gossip in the Hillsborough Coach house cafe ( v v impressed) then had a full roast dinner in Banner Cross’s Turnip and Thyme with Mike, Bev and daughter Maisie, which was Warm and normal and funny and comfortable 

There’s nothing like meeting old friends, and I even coped with zigzagging across Sheffield in Bluebell , braving the congested roads and remembering with some nostalgia , a city I knew well.

These guys have kept me afloat , for years

We finished our long lunch around 3 pm and after big hugs, I was on my way home through Broomhill , chasing the day westward as the light faded into evening

It’s all very Bridget Jones

 

I’m meeting Jane in All Bar One around 6 pm, it’s five now and the place is heaving

I had forgotten just how Saturday afternoons used to go here in Sheffield 

Too many drinks in the afternoon, 

Cheesy chips on the way home 

Sleeping it off on the huge couch at Wynyard Road in front of Pop Idol

I’d planned to meet Mike for early door drinks but he’s quite rightly carry out Christmas Tree duties with the family, all of whom I’m meeting tomorrow for lunch. So before the theatre with Jane later, I’m soaking up the All Bar One Christmas early night drinking vibe.

The music is louder than I remember it

The lighting more subdued 

Office workers cram the tables, shouting over the din of the Christmas party goers

Everywhere there are fairly lights and it’s dark outside

All very 1990s Bridget Jones

Decs

 The night shift was so so.

I was tired coming home but still noticed the bag , sat near to the back door.

A bag full of goodies.

Someone, I have no idea who,has just left me a bagful of Christmas decorations

How bloody lovely is that? 

Thanksgiving

It’s still just Thanksgiving

I’m on the cusp.

I like the sentiment of the American Holiday

Lets be grateful 

Let’s celebrate thanks .

So what Am I grateful for? 

My sense of humour and my emotional intelligence which have dragged me sometimes through work, life and balancing Uni with some sort of alacrity.

My home, St Trinian kittens , thick Roger and old Mary. I feel I have a home to come home to every day, even though invariably it looks like a bombs hit it.

My family and friends and my villagers, the people that keep me going

Work that tires me but which still stimulates me , and gives me the money to have a life beyond the cottage

My colleagues,

Those small oasis of quality cinema seats 

Bluebell

For my sister’s gardening skills

Talia Groupo ( the marvellous lisping Choir of Madrid) 

The blog and your support, I may look like I take you all for granted but I’m grateful for your care and thankful for you following me 

Ps scotch eggs, Russell Crowe’s manly persona, the Sagrada Familia 

Not Enough Time

 Flying visit to Sheffield on Saturday . 

A trip to the theatre is my Christmas gift to Jane

And Sunday lunch with Mike and Bev is a long overdue gift with my old urban family.

I’m working tonight and need to sort another poster presentation by Monday

I have clients most of this afternoon

Hey ho lots to do

Last month I treated myself to a Lego Statue of Liberty

It’s still sat on the kitchen top in its box

My radio in the car has been turned to radio four for days now , it’s the constant blaring of xmas songs already being played that’s doing my head in.

Of course I make an exception for the lisping choir who lisp their best through the English parts of this song….its wonderful