Call Girl of Cthulhu

Every now and then you come across a film which makes you appreciate others. This is one of them. I can forgive terrible special effects, I cannot forgive bad acting and atrocious direction. The plot of this film was best described as below average. I guess the high ratings that it had when I saw it were from those who made the film, or die hard Cthulhu fans. Watching this was a waste of time and I hope others do not waste time watching it. 

Lana Del Rey in concert and our drugs experiences

Yesterday was awesome for me.  I think that the kids liked it as well, not sure who liked it the most, I suspect my son I guess.

We went to an event in Hyde Park where Lana Del Rey was singing.  There were other acts during the day before and as I got us there late, we missed some of them.  

When we got there, we bumped into a friend of my son and her mother. Although the two of us did not recognise ourselves at first, her mother and I have worked together, albeit in a fleeting manner a few years ago. It made things easier having another adult there as we were able to keep a space while the other went somewhere. I bought the kids a T-shirt each, though by the time we went, the ones they wanted were not there. Still, I think that they were happy with what they got. Next time they might listen to me about getting merchandise earlier!  We initially set up behind a stand which meant that we had a great view of the screens, but none of the stage. The kids initially were happy with the location, even though Donna (the mother of Jess) and I asked the kids repeatedly, but later, once the better places were taken they changed their minds. We moved to a different area, only for them to talk about moving again a few hours later! 

The experience was affected by some people who collapsed, I presume after doing drugs. The smell of cannabis was ever present, one man behind us vomited and was taken away by paramedics, but later, while Lana Del Rey was singing, one girl literally was not able to stand. She was carried away by a bystander while her boyfriend walked behind her. Literally not being able to stand unaided, she had to be supported by the bystander. My daughter was freaked out as when helping her, he appeared to be possibly holding onto her breast. It was hard to judge, as she was not able to stand, but things would have been easier if her boyfriend helped. However, my daughter later wanted us to check up on them and we went to find a first aider who told us they had gone to the treatment tent. Later we found out others had been affected, I guess it was a bad batch if drugs. I just hope none of the reactions were fatal.

I would love to do something like this again, but if I do, I will insist we are closer to the stage from the start, and also take note of where the first-aiders are so that I can get help in the future. 

X

This was actually a good film. Better than the Scream films that I have watched, though I have yet to watch the ones with Jenna Ortega in them. For those who do not know, X is a horror film. I found it fun to watch, but not one I would watch again, or consider a classic. 

It has a decent plot, good characters with adequate acting and direction. I would consider this film to be average and worth watching. I would not go out of the way to watch it however, but if you are interested in the cast, then it is worth seeing.

Me not on a white horse

There is a scene at the end of Pretty Woman where Richard Gere rescues Julia Roberts on a white Limo rather than a white horse. We found out today I would screw that up. 

My wife went to a course today, she left yesterday and stayed over. I said that I should travel down to it today to get her, but she declined, but later today, when on a walk with Leia, she changed her mind.

My son was to go to his old school fete and my daughter was to go to see The Weekend in concert. So after doing my chores at home, I left. I got to the station by scooter, my first experience of using an electric one. I got the hang of it in the end. The journey down was quick on the train to Liverpool Street and I used the Elizabeth line to get to Heathrow. But I went to the wrong hotel. My wife picked me up and I still drove her back. It was just as well that I did with all the traffic, but I failed to rescue her. Oh well…

Wimbledon weather does not mean global warming is not taking place.

Global warming is a fact.  Some have claimed that every climate catastrophe warning in the past has been catastrophically wrong.  Some have told us Don't Look Up because it has rained now that Wimbledon has started.  

But average global temperature hit a new high on Monday, only to be beaten on Tuesday. Also, many are not aware that Exxon made ‘breathtakingly’ accurate climate predictions in 1970s and 80s only to publicly dismiss global heating. 

Basically, over millions of years, carbon dioxide has been removed from our atmosphere and has been stored in the crust in the form of fossil fuels.  The world was a lot hotter and more inhospitable then.  Putting that carbon dioxide back in the atmosphere is not a good thing.

NHS 75

It was the 75th birthday of the NHS.  Lots of those on the right have used the day to state that the NHS model is not working and reform is needed.

I agree, a reform of funding is needed.  During the years that Labour was in charge of the NHS, it improved with falling waiting lists, and that corresponded with increasing funding levels which have been, on average, greater than what the Conservative government have given the NHS.  During the time that the Conservatives were in charge, waiting lists rose.  

Remember that despite promising not to reform the NHS, David Cameron did once elected.  So when people on the right call for reform, it was reformed by the Conservatives and performance has fallen since.

"Social insurance would be better than the NHS"
"Why"
"Germany has more beds/doctors/nurses/capacity and they have social insurance"
"Why"
"Well their insurance system spends more"
"Have you considered it's literally just *more money* that's the solution then?" pic.twitter.com/FJ3Xx9PVVH

— Techpriest (@techpriest) December 31, 2022

Parliament yesterday

My daughter went to Parliament yesterday, taken by our MP Will Quince. She met the MP's for Harwich and Clacton as well, but did not get to meet Priti Patel.  If you watch this link, you will be able to see her depending on there the camera is as it focuses on the MP.  

While I am very jealous that she has been there, if I had to pick with a trip round CERN like my son had last year, or a trip to Parliament, I would have picked CERN.