Eeww

[altivo]

Well, I caught Gary's cold or whatever it is. Went to work feeling normal, but by 9:30 started coughing. Came home after clearing my desk because eyes and nose were running so badly I was afraid I would be unable to see to drive.

This thing progresses fast. Cough is declining, but throat swollen and I've lost my voice. Still able to breath more or less normally, very slight fever. Gary is feeling much better today, so that was under 72 hours for him. Hope I can match it.

Was amused today to learn that the first sample text used in the manual/tutorial for MicroEMACS is a description of Fang Rock lighthouse, an old Dr Who episode featuring Tom Baker.

Two busy weekends ahead, gotta get over this thing. Off to bed shortly.

Comments

[avon_deer]

I remember so little early Dr Who, which is a shame as what I DO remember knocks the spots of modern scripts.

[altivo]

The Horror of Fang Rock is a classic. See if you can't scare up a DVD, I know it's available that way. I agree that the original series was far better than these new stories they are airing now. These guys just don't hold a candle to Troughton, Pertwee, or Tom Baker.

[avon_deer]

I remember Davison (vaguely) Tom Baker (quite well) and McCoy (VERY well). too young to remember the others though. I don't really blame the Dr Who script writers for dumbing down. It sort of reflects the dumbing down of the world in general. I just wish they'd be honest with us that it HAS been dumbed down.

[altivo]

Like films and literature, yes. They've made it all depend on explosions, special effects, crude humor, and an "action" plotline that never pauses to ponder anything. "Hey don't think about it, just come along for the carnival ride."

The old scripts by people like Douglas Adams or Terry Nation were often thought provoking and subtle. The new stuff is just, well, meh.

I've seen Troughton and Pertwee because American stations aired the old episodes again and again, something that I gather seldom happens over there. I particularly like Jon Pertwee, the elegant Dr, always dressed in evening wear and who drove an old flivver called Bessie. Tom Baker's ad lib witticisms helped to make some of the most brilliant scripts even brighter. "Let's hope that many hands make the lights work" in The Dodecahedron was classic.

Davison was interesting sometimes, but didn't stay in the role long enough to really develop a character. Colin Baker turned the Dr into a sort of selfish prat who seemed not to care about anyone else unless it served his purpose. And by the time Sylvester McCoy arrived on the scene, the scripts were already turning to "action films" instead of the subtleties of the earlier writing.

[avon_deer]

In fairness Colin Baker's interpretation of the Doctor was in the 80s. I felt that selfish and flippant mirrored the decade quite effectively. Which reminds me I have sent you something via email you may or may not like to read.

[altivo]

Ah yes, that article contained no surprises other than the fact that it failed to credit Reagan and Thatcher with the economic developments we are facing today. Deregulation and tax cuts for the rich are what created this situation.

[schnee]

Ah, get better again soon.

[altivo]

Fortunately, Gary is pretty much over it, so we know it only lasts about 72 hours. Small consolation at the moment, though.