Solar Panels

Here is a quick thing that has pissed me off.

I just saw this story on the TV about something to do with financial incentives to install solar panels. I could go back and read it properly, but I doubt I will. While watching, I think, "great, there is a scheme to encourage people to get solar panels, and consequently save energy [and the environment]". But the story quickly turns out to be about how some people are worried about the future of the [solar panel installing] industry. Oh no, some people might loose their jobs! *gasp* Surely they are missing the bigger picture? All those suits they were interviewing should be putting saving the planet as their highest priority and not making money.

Look, here is a house with some solar panels on the roof.

In other news, my exciting TV schedule seems to be winding down. Congratulations to Ash Mair on winning Masterchef: The Professionals. Of course the real winner is the food (or Michel's beard). Greg makes some hilarious noises and Michel makes some hilarious expressions; it really is entertaining viewing. Also congratulations to Harry Judd and his professional partner Aliona Vilani. I would have liked to see Jason Donovan win, but Harry was probably the better dancer.

There has been some sort of comedy show on Saturday evenings. In between Brucie's stand-up slots they play music. There may be some dancing or something going on, but I don't pay that much attention.

This means I have more time for other things. Like being bored. Or maybe, just maybe, working on my blog. I an idea for a series (two) of posts. We will have to see...

What's on TV

Filling the hole left by Thomasina Miers is a new cookery show on Channel 5. The "Real Food Family Cook Off" features well known foodies Matt Dawson, Lisa Faulkner and Anton du Beke. (Fair enough it does have Ainsley Harriot).

Celebrity slapper Matt Dawson MBE had a successful rugby career but has spent the subsequent years faffing around trying to keep his face on TV. He tried dancing and cooking, and now he is trying hosting a food show. If A Question of Sport was Shooting Stars, then Matt Dawson would be Jack Dee.

Anton du Beke is quoted as saying that he can turn anybody into a great dancer. He was also in another cooking show, "Step up to the Plate" with Lloyd Grossman.

Lisa Faulkner used to be a model or some shit. They say don't trust skinny chefs, I guess that might extend to commentary on cookery shows by skeletor.

However, this latest competition based show pales into insignificance next to Monday's "gripping" final of Antiques Master. Unfortunately, I was rooting for the lady specializing in antique tiles, who didn't make it to the final.

Celebrity lesbian Sandi Toksvig was an obvious choice to host  Antiques Master

High pressure

Just been watching The Great British Weather on the BBC and felt I really should express the rage it caused me in the most public way I know how. (Hence this post...)

They seemed to assume that because I was British I wanted it to be hot and sunny. And then proceeded to tell me about all the places in the world where it is uncomfortably hot and how the sun is dangerous. I already knew that, which why I don't want it to be hot and sunny.

I already knew that it used to be fashionable to be pale, but that changed when the working classes moved from the fields to the factories. They failed to explain why so many people find it desirable to be tanned. I did learn that 59% of people in Liverpool use fake tan 5 times a year (or was it a month, I forget).

I really don't understand the appeal of heat. It just makes it difficult or uncomfortable to do simple tasks, like get where you are going, or cut the grass, or sleep. And I don't understand people's desire for tanned skin. I once knew a perfectly normal woman who was worrying about getting some fake tan before she went on holiday, with the justification,

"I can't possibly go sunbathing if I am all pale."

In other news, I had a productive day on Sunday. I did some gardening, and did all the usual things like make meals. I had a potter round the park with the family where I got to watch a few overs of cricket. Not only that, but I baked scones. The circle ones are regular scones with sultanas. The triangle ones are cheese. A jot of mustard makes them extra special.

More Cookery Show Based Obvservations

It's the end of an era. Or maybe the BBC are just having a short break in their evening cookery show slot. Great British Menu has reached it's climax with a street party in London (where else?)  Through the course of the series they have really gone to town on their food based puns. Some were so contrived as to be unrepeatable. Some were so good they went completely unnoticed by mere mortals. Here are a selection of middle-of-the-road ones that I managed to jot down.

• Turning up the heat
• Upping the steaks
• More seasoned opponents
• Who has reeled in top marks? [In the fish course no less.]
• Made a hash of the corned beef
• Chickened out [with her chicken dish]
• Bitten off more than he can chew

The food puns were the most entertaining, but once I had started looking, I noticed them overusing these metaphors as well.

• Step up a gear
• Pull out all the stops
• Keep him in check
• Keep his head above water

In other news, I have a new favourite person. Or at least I did for the first 20 minutes of Portal 2. Now his character is really grating on my nerves. Here is a picture...

Stephen Merchant