Where have I been?

The computer has taken a back seat in the last month, hence my lack of blog posts and email contact – both of which in general require a lengthy session – although I have managed to pop up on the odd forum here and there.

That time of year has arrived again. Yes, it is time to resume my strange addiction to Strictly Come Dancing. I LOVE this programme. This is not normally my kind of show; I’ve never watched Pop Idol or X Factor or anything like that. I am not the sort of person who plans my time around the TV (good job as with only the five network channels there is often little to bother with), so tend to watch programmes that can be seen in isolation, like documentaries or things like Grand Designs (How cool? To design and build your own house? But how stressful!).

What do I love about SCD? Of course, there is the connection with Dirty Dancing, all-time favourite girlie movie, reminiscent of teenage years and one-time crush on Patrick Swayze. The fact that I can’t dance and am usually too shy to try makes me in absolute awe of the celebrities who put themselves under that pressure and scrutiny in the name of charity, and even greater awe of the professionals who make it look so perfect and effortless, just like I was blown away by Cynthia Rhodes’ dancing in DD. I avidly watch both the show itself and the fanzine It Takes Two, having to video them as they coincide with the girls’ bedtime..

Last year, I felt the winners of Strictly, Jill and Darren, were head and shoulders above the others. This year, there are a lot of good couples. I think my current favourites are Patsy and Anton, as I like their dancing and also think they both come across as humorous, down to earth people. I wish people didn’t have to get voted out (although this is how they make the money for charity) so you could see how everyone progressed over the time period. I also feel sorry for them when they have put in so much time and effort.

I think there are still five weeks to go, so still plenty for me to look forward to. My increased TV viewing (as well as a return by the amusing Mitchell brothers) has brought my nine month abstinence from Eastenders to an end. Arghhhhhhhhh! Have also got back into Holby City, after trying to break that cycle.

To make things worse, 31st October saw the release on DVD of Star Wars Episode III, Revenge of the Sith. We tried to fit in a viewing of the other five beforehand but only got through Episodes IV and V. Despite our best intentions, we missed out on seeing Episode III at the cinema so this had been eagerly awaited. I think Star Wars is like Marmite, you either love it or hate it, and being firmly in the former category (part of my assimilation into Sci-Fi by Andy), I really enjoyed it, and thought it a good completion of the saga. Personally, I am incredibly impressed by this whole, detailed, concept that George Lucas has created, and I disagree with critics who say that this or that should have been done some other way. It is the way it is, and I love it!

I have also been taking on some more work in the evenings the last couple of weeks, so, excuses over, I solemnly promise to deliver in the next week:

1) A blog post with news!
2) Emails to people who may be wondering why they haven’t heard from me.

Off now to put all the blasted links in this post, and to watch video from earlier of SCD It Takes Two, Eastenders and Holby City. I think my life may lack excitement…..