House of Cards — Series 5: Episodes 11, 12 & 13 — Chapters 63, 64 and 65

18th October, 2017.

There’s something of an old … 

No, there’s something of a new slogan doing the rounds: over the past few years.

An advertising slogan, so you know.

“You should’ve gone to Specsavers.”

Britain’s budget optician are very reasonable, on price.

But charged me £7·50, the last time I needed a repair.

An arm dropped off my regular glasses.

That’s another few quid going their way.

Once I get paid!

~≈Â≈~

Not that it’s completely irrelevant to what I’m doing.

Ish!

Frankly, I’ve managed to buy an album: by Karlheinz Stockhausen, consisting of parts one and two of Kontakte, and a previous electronic work of his, called Gesang der Jünglinge.

I bought it on a whim, to be honest.

I’ve taken a vague — very vague — interest in eleoctronic music: having grown up on the theme tune to Dr Who, And the likes of Gary Numan, OMD and Hot Butter’s Popcorn.

The whim itself?

Got provoked by seeing today’s Google Doodle: marking the studio where a lot of Stockhausen’s electronic stuff was recorded.

Hmmm … 

It’s an album worth hearing, I think: especially if the soundtrack to Forbidden Planet is up your street.

~≈Â≈~

House of Cards — Series 5: Episodes 9 & 10— Chapters 61 & 62

17th October, 2017.

Hmmm … 

There’s something I’m aware of: in the (vague) smog we’ve been facing, just recently.

That TV shows come in, thick: and fast.

That new and interesting ones crop up: when old ones seem to die off.

Perennial favourite, Dr Who is still on the go.

However?   Gotham, now on it’s fourth season in the US?

Seems to be not getting an airing on its former UK home, Channel Five.

Indeed, Netflix seemingly took over, half through season three.

Frankly?   I don’t actually have a Netflix subscription, but, should they start airing Gotham series four?

I’m sure I could change my mind.

At ANY rate, tonight was a night off.

Tonight … ?

I was happily sat in with two episode of series five … of House of Cards … 

~≈Ÿ≈~

House of Cards — Series 5: Episode 7 & 8 — Chapters 59 & 60

12th October, 2017.

This is going to sound like one of those daft confessions — hell, it is on of those daft confessions — that you possibly only get at night.

After staring at a screen, all day.

No, I’ve not been at work.

I’ve bee at home, house keeping: and making more videos for some up-coming teasers.

But, just for the usual change of scene?

I felt I owed my self a … TV show!

Yep: more episodes of series five of House of Cards.

Well, you HAVE to: it’s on better form than Lights Out

~≈◊≈~

House of Cards — Series 5: Episodes 5 and 6 — Chapter 57 & 58

8th October, 2017.

Hmmm … 

I’ve got to confess to being mildly worried … ish.

I think … 

I bumped onto one of the neighbours today.

Who — purely in a spirit of neighbourly concern — mentioned she felt I was putting on just a little too much weight.

She’s got a point, I think.

Although, unfortunately?

It sort of comes with the job.

Sitting at a desk, all day, doesn’t exactly get you a lot of exercise, or healthy eating.

I do try and get myself up Warley Hill, though: at least once a day.

Not something I’m finding easy.   The heavier I get, the harder it is to walk up the hill: and the heavier I get as a result.

Very discouraging.

Discouraging … 

And something I’ll have to have a word with my GP about, I think: as and when the appointment comes around.

In November!

I think the National Health Service is a national treasure.   But it CAN take a while!

About the only possible upside?

Was that I that I’d just — literally — come back from Brentwood High Street, after doing some shopping.

I’d had something vaguely resembling healthy exercise.

That went well with an evening slobbing out in front of the TV: watching more episodes of … 

House of Cards … !

~≈Ÿ≈~

House of Cards — Series 5: Episodes 3 & 4 — Chapters 55 & 56.

4th October, 2017

Hmmm … I have to admit, I’m … 

Undecided … 

Yes: undecided seems to be the phrase.

Frankly?

Going on the trailers, Wonder Woman, with Gal Gadot in the title role?

Looks good.

Although it’s not available to rent on iTunes, just yet.

And, at £13·99 to buy?   Seems a little too expensive.

There’s always another time.

Tonight?

Well, to hell with it: a man has to watch something with Robin Wright in it.

That … ?

Means more of series five of House of Card … 

~≈Á≈~

House of Cards — Series 5: Episodes 1 & 2 (Chapters 53 and 54.)

3rd October, 2017.

Hmmm … 

Can I make something of a confession, here?

I’ve had my hours cut, at work.

Which basically means?

That I’m … if not house bound, per se: then definitely not getting out as much as I’d like to.

Even if it IS just for a stroll.

The situation’s discouraging, let’s put it that way.

It is, after all, a blow — however minor — to the confidence.   One not helped by the interview I had last week.

Oh, granted, that’s a good thing to have done.

But — as anyone who’s seriously out of work will tell you — waiting to hear back from a job?

Is very … very … discouraging.

~≈Ê≈~

House of Cards — Series 4: Episodes 11, 12 & 13 (Chapters 50, 51 and 52)

Recently?

Recently, you’ll have realised I’m back to job-hunting.

So there’s thing’s I’m going to be economising on.

Hopefully?

I won’t have to lose net access: what with BT’s prices changing over the years.

Although I stress hopefully, there.

One thing I do know may — depending on circumstances — will suffer?

Is my viewing habits.

As you MAY realise, I’ve been able to buy and watch the odd box-set: and write about them here.

Given the job situation?   That may slow down, if not stop.   But we’ll have to see, won’t we?

~≈ß≈~

Right at the moment?

I’m aware of a few things.

I’m aware I’ve got enough iTunes credit to rent a few movies, and possibly catch up with one or two box-sets.

Should I be able to balance the budget.

After all, I’ve still not seen season three of Penny Dreadful, nor of The Strain: something I’d like to do.

But?

As I got the box set, before the job situation came crashing down around my ears, the one thing I was able to do, was see the last three episodes of season four of House of Cards.

And yes … 

I THINK the series is a good investment … 

~≈ß≈~

House of Cards — Series 4: Episodes 9 and 10 (Chapters 48 and 49)

You know … 

You KNOW you’ve had a bad day at work … 

When you hand out half a dozen CVs in the space of several hours.

No, trust me … 

I’m thinking, right now?   That’s there’s several things I could be doing, or saying.

Several places I’d rather be: and several places I’d rather not be.

Any of them that involved a secure financial future?   One with money, stability, and the prospect of being out of work?   AND the thought of not heading for my local Citizen’s Advice Bureau?

Would be welcome.

Still … 

I’ve made a decision: to leave work.

After what I fell is fairly unreasonable behaviour on the part od others.

Which is possibly saying more than I should.

But it should at least clarify a few things for you.

• I’m in a godawful mood.
• Have a busy day ahead of me, setting up benefits.
• Have hard work finding employment ahead of me.

And seriously need something to do: AND some cheering up.

Frankly?   I chose to spend my time … in front of my TV.

Right now?

I AM wondering how long I can afford to pay for an internet connection, AND the associated router: that let’s me watch stuff on an Apple TV.

Frankly?

My mood seemed to call for one thing.

Two episodes of series four House of Cards.

Worrying about someone else’s problems?

Seemed the thing.

~≈Â≈~

House of Cards — Series 4: Episodes 6, 7 and 8. (Chapters 45, 46 and 47)

Oh, you are kidding me, surely?

As you may or may not be ware, I managed to replace a BT HomeHub 3, this week.

Where the old one would — seemingly at random — reset itself.

Basically switch off, and then back on again.

The new one turned up, on Saturday, I got it set up on Monday night, and the OLD one sent back off, this morning: via BT’s free returns service.

I sat down, tonight, to watch more episodes of the rather good fourth series of House of Cards.

Only to have this new shiny router/hub … 

Reset itself … !

Ye GODS, BT, what HAVE you fobbed me and many other customers off with?

~≈É≈~

At ANY rate … ?

At any rate, And all annoyance aside, tonight’s a free evening: one I wanted to spent, happily … 

In front of the TV set.

With more episodes of House of Cards fourth series.

Yep … 

I’m binge watching a good one.

You can tell, can’t you … ?

~≈É≈~

House of Cards — Series 4: Episodes 4 and 5 (Chapters 43 and 44)

Oh, that’s horrible, when that happens.

I’ve had to take off another day at work: with a dicky stomach.

I hate that.   The loss of money is one thing: along with the feeling I’ve let the side down.

I am going to HAVE to make sure I take in enough of my medication to deal with tomorrow’s very long shift.

~≈É≈~

At ANY rate … ?

At any rate, I’ve had the night to myself.

A night with nothing on TV, except what I choose to put there.

Just recently?

There’s been a few films: and?   Well, having worked out I can us Netflix on my Apple TV, that’s something I may wish to look at subscribing too.

iTunes rentals seem … to have less of a choice, right now, than other outlets: although that could well just be me.

At any rate, it’s something I’m mulling over … as I’m rather impressed by the overall quality of one thing.

That’s right … 

Netflix series, House of Cards.

You can possibly guess I sat down with a couple more episodes, tonight: can’t you … ?

~≈É≈~

House of Cards — Series 4: Episode 1, 2 and 3, (Chaptsrs 40, 41 and 42)

24th August.

You know … 

There’s possibly one thing I’d not have called myself, over the years.

Actually, there’s several things I’d’ve called myself, over the years.

One of the things I don’t call myself is a video gamer: at least, not a hardcore one.

No, I TEND to play casual video games: the likes of Tetris, and Pacman.

Beyond that … ?   Beyond THAT, I tend to spend my spare time with a film or two.

Or a book: the current bedtime reading?   Is Wells’ The Time Machine: still an utter dribbling classic.

Or I’ll watch a TV series.

You’d’ve worked that out, over the years.

That I’ll happily sit down with Dr Who, with Merlin, The Fades.

And, for a change of pace?

House of Cards.

I’ve started watching series four, tonight.

Yep … It’s back … !

~≈Ç≈~

House of Cards — Series 3: Episodes 12 and 13 (Chapters 38 and 39)

Right … 

It’s a Wednesday: just in case you hadn’t guessed.

And frankly, one where I’ve had little do: beyond house-keeping, a little light writing, and some shopping.

And … ?

AND watching some TV.

Now, given you know I like several series — Dr Who, certainly, plus Merlin, Torchwood and Penny Dreadful — you’d be correct in assuming it’s one of the few I’ve happily withered on about.

You‘d be right.

In this case, though?

It’s House of Cards.

The last two episodes of series three, in fact.

Wowsa … 

~≈Í≈~

House of Cards — Series 3: Episode 11 (Chapter 37)

You know, I really have to work around stuff!

Or possibly not!

No, thinking about it, I’m right.

Today … ?

I’ve been frantically writing more teasers: AND  the appropriate video.

Whilst heading out, shopping.

And frankly?   Washing my socks!

As I couldn’t do all of THAT lot, tomorrow: as I’m on a long shift!

You know, if it wasn’t for the collection of TV box-sets I’ve got, sitting around?

I’d be bored, stiff!

~≈Ê≈~

Thankfully, though … ?

Thankfully, I’ve got enough TV shows banked up: to watch as and when.

Right now … ?

I’m sitting at my desk, with OMD’s Dazzle Ships playing in the background … 

Having caught another episode of House of Cards third season.

And, yes: it’s looking good.

~≈Ê≈~

House of Cards — Series 3: Episodes 9 and 10 (Chapters 35 and 36)

Hmmm … 

I’m quietly satisfied, there.

Today is one of my days off: and not one where I’d had anything planned, per se.

But I DID bump into an old friend: in Brentwood Library.

One who was looking to buy a laptop, from the Brentwood branch of CeX.

And who — flatteringly — wanted my advice on which one would be a good buy.

Well, yes, obviously, I told her to get a Mac!

But as she felt that was out of her price bracket?   Went for a HP laptop.   I’ve just installed Ubuntu onto it for her, and been able get a rough idea of the machine’s individual foibles.

Hopefully?

The lady concerned will be pleased.

~≈∑≈~

At ANY rate?

At any rate, I know the one thing I DID have planned was catching up with some TV.

Given that there was nothing on terrestrial TV I wanted to catch?

I did what so many of us are doing, these days.

Streamed a series.

In this case … ?

Episodes nine and ten, of series three of House of Cards.

And yes, it IS going down very well.

~≈∑≈~

House of Cards — Series 3: Episode 8 (Chapter 34)

You know, I’ve JUST … 

No, scrub that.

I was going to tell you I’d just got home.

But that’s not strictly the case.

I actually got home, just before seven.   Grabbed something to eat … and had a shower.

And only THEN decided that, as I had the evening to myself, I should really be taking a little time to just sit in Front of the TV, and watch something.

As I was feeling clean, after a hard days work!

Clean and fed, I think I can safely say … I wanted to catch up.

Very specifically catch up with House of Cards …

~≈®≈~

House of Cards — Series 3: Episode 7 (Chapter 33)

Ye, gods, I am dog-tired.

Seriously dog-tired.

But … ?

There’s a reason for that.

I has to admit to heading to work early for a meeting.

Frankly, I’d rather you didn’t ask: it’s enough to say I had to go.

At ANY rate, that, and working for six hours … 

Well, hopefully, I’m sounding coherent.

Although I’m VERY aware I’m going to have to double check on the meaning of the word, ‘debatable.’

~≈®≈~

Debatably, or otherwise?

Debatably, or otherwise, I really wasn’t in the mood for heading out: especially as I’ve spent my extraneous money for the week.

Yes, that’s right: I’ve bought a book.   A collected edition of the first four of Ursula K. LeGuin’s Earthsea quartet.

Although, to be frank … ?

I didn’t fancy starting the book.   JUST yet.   At least, until AFTER I’ve finished Press Play to Start.

AND after I’d caught up with another episode of — you’ve guessed it — House of Cards.

You could tell, couldn’t you … ?

~≈®≈~

House of Cards — Series 3: Episode 6 (Chapter 32)

You know, my guts, right at the mo … ?

Are starting to twinge, just a little.

Right now?

I’m hoping to be able to pop some of the medication I’ve been prescribed for it, in order to deal with things.

Or, at least, help my innards settle down!

Frankly … ?

I like work.  I like the job, the co-workers, the pay … !

I like the fact I’m actually managing to save up cash: even on my limited wages.

Still … 

The fact I’ve had a day off, today, means I’ve been at home.

At home … 

And able to catch up with my current ‘must-see’ TV series.

If’s you HADN’T worked out I’m on series three of House of Cards?

That’s sort of why I’m writing these things.

I like telling people about this stuff!

~≈Ê≈~

House of Cards — Series 3: Episodes 4 and 5 (Chapters 30 and 31)

You know, there’s times I think to myself that fish and chips would be nice.

Really.

Except that, unfortunately, my local chippy’s product?

And usually FINE product?

Was possibly a touch … 

TOO much … !

Despite the fact the fact I’m sure I ordered small portions.

I’m not getting any younger.

Along with that?

I’m pretty sure my stomach’s shrivelling up with age.

At any rate … ?

At any rate, a more sensible person would possibly have not had the dinner I had, tonight.

But, hell … 

I never claimed to be sensible … !

~≈†≈~

Except, of course, when it comes done to one or two things.

Computers: although my preference for the Mac platform could be seen as odd, I personally think the fact there’s less security issues is sensible!

There’d possibly a lot of other things I could add, as well.

But what I MEANT to say … ?

Is that I’ve been using my time off to try and catch up with some TV.

With series three of House of Cards, if you must know … 

~≈†≈~

House of Cards — Series 3: Episode 3 (Chapter 29)

You know, I like having time off … 

Really.

I’m actually going through some, right now.

Yes … I’ve got until Saturday off, and am back to work on Sunday.

In  theory … ?   That gives me plenty of time — in theory — to relax!

Which, two days in, hasn’t actually started … 

Regardless of that … ?

Regardless of that, I’ve managed to prepare tomorrow’s Teaser video.

AND catch some much wanted TV.

Yes … 

You’re right … 

I’ve caught another episode of House of Cards, series 3.

And I think they’ve just given us a really MEATY character … 

~≈fl≈~

House of Cards — Series 3: Episode 2

You know, I have a confession to make.

I WAS due to go to work, today.

But … ?

Frankly, my guts where killing me.

Seriously killing me.

Stupidly — and what I think DIDN’T help — was the fact I walked into work: to ask for time off.

In the thinking that the walk up Warley Hill, to Brentwood High Street, would help relieve the stomach pains.

Nope.

And I have to give credit to my boss, for letting me have the day off.

I was able to book up an emergency appointment — via the UK’s 111 service — with my doctor’s Practise nurse.

And get a prescription for a dose of Buscopan.

Which, as it turns out, is very good at dealing with stomach cramps … and irritable bowel syndrome.

Remind me to have a word with my GP about that, when I see her, next week … !

~≈Ÿ≈~

That took until four o’clock to sort out.

And it was only from about five — when the medication kicked in — that I felt any kind of pain relief.

Which meant a few things.

Granted, I would be getting paid for the loss of a day’s work.   I can live with that, if I can work out WHY my stomach behaves so badly.

And secondly … ?

I was able to catch up with an episode of a favourite TV show.   Episode two, of the third season of House of Cards.

I’ve been meaning to do for a while … 

~≈Ÿ≈~