The Strain Series 2: Episodes 9 and 10 — The Battle for Red Hook and The Assassin

I have a confession to make, right now … 

Right now … ?

Right now, as I THINK I managed to mentioned, I’ve had a serious lack of sleep.

Something I know at least one regular reader has spotted.

At any rate, I put this down to one relatively simple thing.

A lack of sleep.   I had something of an early start, this morning …

Combined with a late night, last night.

Watching a couple more episodes of series two of The Strain.

I think that’s sort of the nature of The confession, though.

It’s not about the lack of sleep.

Nope!

It’s about fact the series is getting just a touch … you know …

Moreish … !

If that’s the right word for seeing two more episodes, tonight …

~≈®≈~

The Strain Series 2: Episodes 7 and 8 — The Born and Intruders

You know, I have a confession to make.

When I write?   When I write — or, at least, type — I like to listen to music.

I find it less distracting than having the TV on: or, sometimes, the radio.

Frankly, that dates back to my childhood.

My school insisted I practise hand writing, and suggested listening to music whilst doing so.

I got pretty sick of The Blue Danube, I know that.

The reason I mention this?

Is simply that I’ve got New Muzik’s From A to B on in the background: 

I have to add, it was one of the first albums I ever bought: I think I’ve still got the cassette, somewhere.

And frankly?

Well, frankly, it still sounds damn good: even after thirty-six years … 

~≈É≈~

At any rate … ?

At any rate, recommending an album is not necessarily what I wanted to do.   Even though I might ALSO suggest you go and listen to some OMD.   Architecture and Morality was and is one heck of a good LP.

Even given the always morbid thought Souvenir is the one song I’d want played at my funeral.

At any rate, I’ wanted you to know one thing.

Yes … 

I’ve been watching more of The Strain.

And, yes: episodes seven and eight are starting to shape up … 

~≈É≈~

The Strain Series 2: Episodes 5 and 6 — Quick and Painless and Identity

You know … 

I have to admit, I’m getting into a habit, recently.

No, really.

I’ve gotten into the habit, every-so-often, of watching TV!

Well, yeah, I hear you say: a lot of people do!

Yes, I know.

But, over the past few months, I’ve managed to catch up with a few box-sets: mostly?   Mostly Penny Dreadful, and House of Cards.

Oh, and something else … 

The Strain.

Blimey, this show’s addictive!

~≈√≈~

The Strain Series 2: Episodes 3 and 4 — Fort Defiance and The Silver Angel

Well … those seemed to go well enough … 

Did I tell you I had a GP’s appointment, today?

Following up on the blood tests from a few weeks back, and the ultrasound, yesterday?

Sounds like I’ve got the (relative) all clear on both.

Or, at least, nothing’s there that my doctor and I weren’t expecting!

Bar IBS!

~≈Â≈~

On top of that … ?

I’ve had some eye tests, today: for new spectacles.

Those should be ready to go, on Monday: although I’ll need to have them fitted.

Worryingly, though?

It seems I have very early stage cataracts.

Although they’re not affecting my vision, as yet, my optician tells me it’s something they want to keep an eye on.

So to speak.

Right now … ?

I’m glad we don’t need to operate.

The operation sounds damn scary!

~≈Â≈~

At any rate … ?

At any rate, I had an evening free.

An evening I wanted to spend, deliberately not worrying about my health: and living in the now.

You’re right.

In front of the TV, again.

With series 2 of The Strain.

Well, I had the next two episodes at the head of the playlist.

~≈Â≈~

The Strain Series 2: Episodes 1 and 2 — BK, NY and By Any Means …

Well … 

The hospital visit seemed to go well … 

I’ve had today booked off, so you know.

Mostly?   Well, mostly because I had a hospital appointment, today: in Basildon.

Nothing too drastic, I should add.

Basically checking on my kidney function.

At any rate … ?

With this much time off?

With this much time off, I have to admit, I really fancied binge-watching a TV show.

Having finished with series three of House of Cards, not yet having a copy of Penny Dreadful, and being nowhere near the new series of Dr Who?

The only other option was something that’s been sitting on my hard drive for a few months, now.

You may have guessed from the image … 

Yes: that’s right.

Series two of The Strain: at least the first two episodes … 

Handy it was there, wasn’t it … ?

~≈†≈~

The Strain Series 1 — Episodes 11, 12 & 13: Third Rail, Last Rites and The Master …

You know, I’ve got into an awfully bad habit.

No, wait, scrub that: I’ve HAD some awfully bad habits.

Most of which I’m really not going to talk about, here!

But one … bad … ?

One habit I’ve fallen into, recently, is something a lot of us are doing.

Yes … 

I’ve started to binge watch TV box sets.   As if you hadn’t noticed.

And, if you’ve been following on for a while … ?

You’ll know I’d’ve lined up not one, not two, but three — the last three — episodes of series one of … The Strain.

I’m easily impressed by good genre TV: and series 1 … 

~≈Â≈~

The Strain Series 1 — Episodes 9 & 10: The Disappeared and Loved Ones

Did I mention, last night, that I occasionally like music, when writing?

True.

Currently?

I’m listening to OMD’s Dazzle Ships: something of a favourite, and one I’ve not played for a while.

I may JUST move on to Architecture and Morality: whilst simultaneously avoiding Junk Culture.

Not that the latter’s a bad collection of songs.

It’s just a touch … you know … 

Poppy … !

And poppy isn’t necessarily what I’m wanting to listen to, right now.

No.

Not when I’m going to tell I’ve just watched two more epodes of … The Strain … !

~≈‡≈~

The Strain Series 1 — Episodes 7 & 8: For Services Rendered and Creatures of the Night

You know, I’ve got to admit, I do like an LP, at times.

No, really.

I don’t think I could honestly say I’m a huge music fan.

But … ?

I DO have an iTunes library.

Stuffed full of albums I’ve ripped from CDs, and stuff bought from the iTunes store, itself.

Including Born to Laugh at Tornadoes, the Was (Not Was) album I’ve currently got playing at the moment.

I don’t know about you, I like music when I’m writing, and it seemed to fit my mood.

~≈Â≈~

The reason I’m writing … ?

The reason I’m writing is relatively simple.

You see, I’ve caught up — between frantically working and Teasing — with a TV series I’ve been binge-watching over the past couple of weeks.

Yes, you’re right.

I’ve finally caught up with more episodes of series 1 of … 

The Strain … !

~≈Â≈~

The Strain Series 1 — Episodes 5 & 6: Runaways and Occultation.

You know, SOMEWHERE out there … ?

Is a universe where I get to bed sensibly early, the night before I’m due to go into work.

Oh, to hell with it.

I’ve done dafter things: trust me on that!

I DO know one thing, though.

That tonight is a night I had free.

Tonight is ALSO a night where broadcast TV had nothing appealing on.

You’ve possibly worked out — by now — that means I’ve hit the streaming media, again.

You’d be right.

I’ve caught episodes five and six, of the first series of The Strain.

And yes … it’s still watchable … 

~≈Â≈~

The Strain Series 1 — Episodes 3 & 4: Gone Smooth and It’s Not for Everyone.

You know, I’m glad that stopped.

The snow, before you ask.

We’ve just had a brief smattering of it, if you’re wondering.

Which hasn’t settled, thankfully.

Although, frankly?   I’m very aware my five year old nephew, Jude, will be sorry he missed it.

~≈Ê≈~

At any rate … you’re probably wondering what on EARTH I’m doing on Saint Valentine’s night?

Frankly … ?   I’m happily single.

And, despite the best efforts of the Brentwood Gazette — no, don’t ask! — I’m ALSO not doing anything, tonight.

Having been perfectly happy with dinner with my family.

And having got back home … ?

Catching a couple of episodes of a box set I bought on iTunes.

You’re right … 

Two more episodes of series one of … The Strain … 

~≈Ê≈~

The Strain Series 1 — Episodes 1 & 2: Night Zero and The Box

You know, I’ve got to admit: being off ill is not fun.

I’ve had stomach cramps, so you know.

And had to take the day off, as I’ve not exactly felt stunning.

Saying that?

These thing never last beyond a day.

So, by the morning … ?

I should be fine, and ready to go back to work: as per normal.

In the mean time … ?   Figuring out what to do with my time … ?

Well, I got bored.   And am short of cash.

And didn’t really fancy heading out.

So … ?

I had enough iTunes credit to buy or rent a film.   Or an app … or a TV show.

I went for a TV show.

Actually … ?

As iTunes were doing the first series for a reasonable £4·99, I went for a whole series: of something that had caught my eye a while ago.

The FX series, The Strain.

Going on the first two episodes?   I think that’s a fiver well spent.

~≈Â≈~