Toy and Laughter.
Hello.
Hopefully I’ll actually finish this and post it this time. So many times recently I’ve begun to write something and then been distracted or simply lost heart in it, hence the longish silence. Writing-wise I’ve always been the same; unless I can do it in one go it won’t work for me, it seems to go “cold” if that makes sense. As a child and teenager I used to write all the time, both stories and terrible poetry, and I tended to be obsessive about it, not allowing much to interrupt my flow. Then, of course, I had more free time to do the writing, which meant that it was a lot easier to do. Well, the physical aspect of writing was easier, the inspiration was not often something that came freely. I don’t write fiction now, although I have constantly got ideas rattling around in my head, I write mostly emails and blogs, but as I say with the more frequent demands of adult life it can be a difficult exercise.
Anyway, life has been full of late with Drew and I having days out to Bury St. Edmunds, Norwich and spending the first weekend of October in Southwold with the rest of the my family. I’ve taken loads of photographs so hopefully I’ll get round to posting some of them sooner or later.
In the meantime here is my new toy.
It’s a Tranciva, made by Binatone and I love it. Originally I wanted a portable DAB radio because I have come to appreciate the clarity of DAB reception over FM, particularly at work where the computer equipment from our shop and the fact that we’re in the town centre plays havoc with FM. We’ve also got a DAB equipped CD/tape player in the bedroom, providing access to BBC 7 which has become a favourite channel of mine as the BBC use it to broadcast some of their classics from the archive as well as things like the new, original stories written for Paul McGann’s 8th Doctor (from Doctor Who.)
However I took an interest in the fact that Channel 4 television has decided not to launch its digital radio channels in the spring as planned, despite the fact that plans to do so were nearly complete, because they can’t afford it at the moment (which is a very simplistic way of putting it, but sums up the situation nevertheless.) There have been rumours that all is not well in the world of DAB broadcasting with several stations closing down. It seems that without the BBC’s dedication to it there would be no point in anyone else carrying on. I then listened to the Guardian’s Media podcast which was dedicated to Channel 4’s decision and in doing so learnt that many see the future of broadcasting after analogue services are turned off, not for another decade admittedly, to be via the internet rather than DAB. And so I turned my attention to radios that would carry all three services: FM, DAB and internet services and have an input for my iPod.
Of all the radios available (not many) the Tranciva offered the best services for the most reasonable price, although I wavered over some other DAB/FM-only radios when Drew and I went shopping because they were on offer and so great looking (yes, I’m shallow enough to be swayed by appearance.) But I stuck with my decision and came home with my cute little set which will eventually go in the kitchen. It’s not portable in that it doesn’t take batteries, but we can used it round the house wherever there are plugs and take it on holiday with us.
The internet access (it works via our home internet radio network) is amazing and provides me with the chance to listen to stuff from around the globe. The signal, too, is crystal clear in comparison even to DAB so I’ve been listening to the BBC via the net as well. I emailed my sister for information about the stations she and her family listen to in Melbourne and have tracked down all but one of them so I can hear what she’s hearing. So if any of you, dear readers, have any suggestions I’d love to hear them.
In other news Drew and I went to see comedian Russell Howard at the Corn Exchange here in Ipswich on Sunday the 12th of October. We’ve long found him funny on the BBC’s “Mock The Week” (plus his cuteness doesn’t hurt, either) but had heard that his colleague, fiercely funny Frankie Boyle had disappointed members of his audience at a recent gig by using material that was extremely familiar from the programme. Drew recognised just one segment of Russell’s show and I didn’t find any of it familiar at all. He was very, very funny and handled the friendly heckling very well. The only part that didn’t work wasn’t down to him because it just never, ever works in Ipswich (not for Mitchell and Webb, not for Jo Brand and not for Ross Noble) and that’s when he addressed the audience directly, in this case to see if anyone had any questions. It seems the locals are willing to laugh but are too shy to respond out loud. His support act, Steve Hall, was great, too. It was money well spent, and when you’ve not been feeling too great it seems laughter really is a tonic.
Well, that’s it for now, I’m off to play with my radio before bed!
Adios.
Hopefully I’ll actually finish this and post it this time. So many times recently I’ve begun to write something and then been distracted or simply lost heart in it, hence the longish silence. Writing-wise I’ve always been the same; unless I can do it in one go it won’t work for me, it seems to go “cold” if that makes sense. As a child and teenager I used to write all the time, both stories and terrible poetry, and I tended to be obsessive about it, not allowing much to interrupt my flow. Then, of course, I had more free time to do the writing, which meant that it was a lot easier to do. Well, the physical aspect of writing was easier, the inspiration was not often something that came freely. I don’t write fiction now, although I have constantly got ideas rattling around in my head, I write mostly emails and blogs, but as I say with the more frequent demands of adult life it can be a difficult exercise.
Anyway, life has been full of late with Drew and I having days out to Bury St. Edmunds, Norwich and spending the first weekend of October in Southwold with the rest of the my family. I’ve taken loads of photographs so hopefully I’ll get round to posting some of them sooner or later.
In the meantime here is my new toy.
It’s a Tranciva, made by Binatone and I love it. Originally I wanted a portable DAB radio because I have come to appreciate the clarity of DAB reception over FM, particularly at work where the computer equipment from our shop and the fact that we’re in the town centre plays havoc with FM. We’ve also got a DAB equipped CD/tape player in the bedroom, providing access to BBC 7 which has become a favourite channel of mine as the BBC use it to broadcast some of their classics from the archive as well as things like the new, original stories written for Paul McGann’s 8th Doctor (from Doctor Who.)
However I took an interest in the fact that Channel 4 television has decided not to launch its digital radio channels in the spring as planned, despite the fact that plans to do so were nearly complete, because they can’t afford it at the moment (which is a very simplistic way of putting it, but sums up the situation nevertheless.) There have been rumours that all is not well in the world of DAB broadcasting with several stations closing down. It seems that without the BBC’s dedication to it there would be no point in anyone else carrying on. I then listened to the Guardian’s Media podcast which was dedicated to Channel 4’s decision and in doing so learnt that many see the future of broadcasting after analogue services are turned off, not for another decade admittedly, to be via the internet rather than DAB. And so I turned my attention to radios that would carry all three services: FM, DAB and internet services and have an input for my iPod.
Of all the radios available (not many) the Tranciva offered the best services for the most reasonable price, although I wavered over some other DAB/FM-only radios when Drew and I went shopping because they were on offer and so great looking (yes, I’m shallow enough to be swayed by appearance.) But I stuck with my decision and came home with my cute little set which will eventually go in the kitchen. It’s not portable in that it doesn’t take batteries, but we can used it round the house wherever there are plugs and take it on holiday with us.
The internet access (it works via our home internet radio network) is amazing and provides me with the chance to listen to stuff from around the globe. The signal, too, is crystal clear in comparison even to DAB so I’ve been listening to the BBC via the net as well. I emailed my sister for information about the stations she and her family listen to in Melbourne and have tracked down all but one of them so I can hear what she’s hearing. So if any of you, dear readers, have any suggestions I’d love to hear them.
In other news Drew and I went to see comedian Russell Howard at the Corn Exchange here in Ipswich on Sunday the 12th of October. We’ve long found him funny on the BBC’s “Mock The Week” (plus his cuteness doesn’t hurt, either) but had heard that his colleague, fiercely funny Frankie Boyle had disappointed members of his audience at a recent gig by using material that was extremely familiar from the programme. Drew recognised just one segment of Russell’s show and I didn’t find any of it familiar at all. He was very, very funny and handled the friendly heckling very well. The only part that didn’t work wasn’t down to him because it just never, ever works in Ipswich (not for Mitchell and Webb, not for Jo Brand and not for Ross Noble) and that’s when he addressed the audience directly, in this case to see if anyone had any questions. It seems the locals are willing to laugh but are too shy to respond out loud. His support act, Steve Hall, was great, too. It was money well spent, and when you’ve not been feeling too great it seems laughter really is a tonic.
Well, that’s it for now, I’m off to play with my radio before bed!
Adios.