Trent Valley Quiz League.

So its back to action in the Quiz League' tonight after a 'Festive' break. I have had to give up so many hobbies because of my health problems. But I manage (or struggle) to attend a Fortnightly Sunday quiz with One group of friends, and I am also a member of a different team from a different pub in the 'Quiz League', which runs from 'November to April' on Monday nights.
I first became involved in 2004, when the 4 man 'Park Gate' team needed a 'Super Sub' if anybody was going to be on holiday or could'nt make it for whatever reason. The league has been running for years, but the 'Park Gate' entered in 2002. In 2004. The league consisted of 11 teams. Each play each other home and away, and also in a 'Knockout' trophy. The 'Clifford Arms' always win it, and have completed the League and Cup 'double' every year except One. 'The 'Sports and Social' 'Bank house A' and ' Saracens' are usually in the mix for 'Second', with the rest of the teams being pretty even.
The 'Park Gate' only needed me for 3 games in 2004/5, and finished 5th. This was similar the following season, but now with only 10 teams involved. I was called upon a lot more in 2006/7, and it is the most succesful season to date. Now down to 9 teams. The league campaign saw us finish 3rd, and we had our best cup run as well. Because of the odd number of teams. A 'Preliminary' round had to be drawn, and we were in it. After winning that, and a 'Quarter Final', the scene was set for a home 'Semi Final' against the mighty 'Sports and Social'. Always consistent, they even have a team member who has been on 'Mastermind'. When the match was drawing nearer. It was revealed that 3 regular members would be absent for this encounter. Because of this, I was obviously called into the team, and a couple of 'Rookie' super subs were also drafted. We lost 64-63 in an epic match with an understrength line up, but we were so close to 'cup glory'.
The last 3 seasons. We have finished 5th each year, and I have been a full member for the last 2. This season we have seen the league reduced to 8 teams, and after 5 matches, you've guessed it, we are 5th. If my health deteriorates further. I might have to give up, as the travelling to away matches although only 10 miles away, gets slightly more painful each time.

'BBC' and the 'Zen' of 'Darts'.

So here we go with the 'World Darts' final on 'BBC2', which is won again by 'Martin Adams'. Then I decide to watch 'Zen' on 'BBC1'. I missed last weeks, but decided to give it a chance. It is based on a famous character from a series of 'Italian' novels, so although spoken in 'English' is actually set in 'Rome'. I suppose 'Wallander' is similar but of course is 'Swedish'. At first I thought the site of all the 'Italian' characters uttering in glorious 'English' would put me off, but you get used to it quickly. The title sequence and incedental music are excellent, and are almost a throwback to old action series of the past. 'Zen' is a cool character who enjoys 'Espresso' and 'fags'. The plot about a secret society, echoes 'Da Vinci Code' but in a less fantastic and more low key way. Not the greatest 'detective' series ever, but because of the nice locations in 'Rome', and some good characters. It is better than many others.

2010. A TV Odyssey.

With another 20 odd average outings of 'Shameless' being the only highlight at the beginning of last year. Other offerings were a little thin on the ground. 'Dr Who' came and went without much 'gusto'. Very average with no great episodes to drool over. The 'World Cup'  took over .......well the world, for ages, and the 'Whitechapel' sequel was a tad dissappointing. Most of my viewing was Films, both on 'TV' and 'DVD', to which I will scribe about in another chapter.

Bloody Sport.

I know Saturday is a traditional 'sports' day, but it does'nt mean you want to watch it 'ad infinitum'. Watched the last bit of 'Arsenal v Leeds' on 'ITV' in the 'FA Cup'. This once great competition is now seen as Third best behind the 'Champions League' and the 'Premiership', so some of the so called 'Shock' results dont have the same meaning as in past times. This is because the bigger clubs play 'fringe' players, so one of the shocks should have said 'Southampton 2 Blackpool reserves 0' for example. I also see that the caption in the left hand corner of live games sees the abbreviation of 'Arsenal' as 'Asl' where it used to read 'Ars' in the past. The latter probobly offended some 'Old Farts Knitting Circle' so it has been altered.
Watched most of the 'Darts' semi finals. That 'Dean Winstanley' looks a bit older than 29, but should give 'Adams' a good run in the final.
Watched 'Iron Man' on 'Channel 4'. This must be the 5th time I have seen it, but there was'nt much on other channels. Also saw the last 30 mins of ' The Secret Life of Bob Monkhouse' on 'BBC 4'. Looked like an interesting piece. I shall look out on 'I Player' or a repeat.

Unhappy New Year.

With my continuing health concerns taking over my entire life at the moment. It is difficult to be optomistic about anything, especially on the viewing front.
It was round to the 'Mother in Laws' for tea on 'New Years Day'. She has just got a 'Freeview HD' TV, so I was playing with that in the afternoon before the other guests arrived. I noticed a few things about this format, that shows it is not flawless. Whilst watching 'Downton Abbey' on 'ITV HD', the first thing you notice is that the picture clarity is good.(Remember these TV's upscale ordinary broadcasts to 1080p so picture all round is pretty fine on standard channels). In 'HD' however. The broadcast standard is1080i, and is only 50hz, where the TV is 100hz. This seems to make the lovely 'HD' pictures look like they are running a frame a second faster so in some scenes the characters walk like an old 'Chaplin' film.
The rest of the week has been taken up with 'Darts'. This is the proper 'BDO' championship on 'BBC', and not the 'Sky' funded 'PDC'. I have One major gripe about this sport, and that is the 'experts' always say the same cliched mumblings 'If he turns up',' he is in form but this is a big tournament, 'a nice lad but'.
The only other things I have watched this week are:
The Incredible Hulk  (2008) film on 'ITV'
'Channel 4s' 'Awfully good TV'. It is a shame that the nearly all of the clips had been seen on similar shows in the past.
I managed to watch a 'DVD' of 'The Bank Job' starring 'Jason Statham'. I was amazed that he could be in a whole film, and only be involved in One punch up.

The Second Week.

Followed the rest of 'Upstairs Downstairs' to the end. The middle episode was very downbeat, almost depressing even. Then the Third and final instalment saved the series by tying up a few loose ends, and having a reasonably happy ending. All in All. A really nice effort, but it was no 'Downton Abbey'. 'Top Gear special' was OK, and ' This is Paul Burling' although being a dated format, was good.
I missed most of the other stuff I wanted to watch due to going early to bed, and as yet having no recording facility. I am sure 'Rock and Chips' and 'Toast' will be repeated, or will still be on 'I Player'.
This has'nt been the best Christmas for all sorts of reasons, and the TV companies hav'nt really helped lift the gloom. Any small TV gems were few this time, and what should have been the Jewel (Doctor Who), was the biggest load of crap ever to grace a TV screen for many a year.

The Big Three.

Christmas Eve.
Saw a bit of the films 'Cars' and 'Prince Caspian', follwed by half watching 'My Family'.

Christmas Day.
After watching the First 25 mins of 'The Polar Express' on 'ITV' and the last 45 mins of 'Shrek the Third' on 'BBC 1. The scene was set for the highlight of the whole Christmas schedule 'Dr Who'. What a pile of tosh. A silly Fantasy story in what is in reality a 'Science Fiction' show. If I had been woken from 'Cryogenic freeze', and saw 'Flying Fish', the men in White coats would section me. At least 'The Royle Family' saved the day with yet another great episode.

Boxing Day.
The eagerly awaited remake of 'Upstairs Downstairs', was the only thing I really watched today. Not a bad effort for the First episode, but  it lacks the humour of say 'Downton Abbey', so was rather droll in parts.