The Written Podcast: Thinking Outside the Box

Last week, whilst at work, I made a mistake. Nothing damaging that led to my dismissal, but a mistake which resulted in a couple of stressful moments. I ordered the wrong tyres. It was an honest mistake, but did mean the customer had to wait longer for his car. This happened on a Thursday, which meant I could rectify that mistake by ordering in the right tyres for first delivery Friday morning. From the customer’s perspective, their car had failed its MOT, meaning they wouldn’t have been able to take the car home that evening, but instead had to wait until Friday afternoon at the latest before they could drive out of our retailer.

This mistake wasn’t noticed by anyone until the technician who came to collect the tyres from our department. At the time they came to collect, I was currently away in another department in the company, helping a customer with a problem they had. Fortunately, it was an easy problem which could be dealt with easily and that particular customer could leave happier than when they arrived. Upon returning to the department did the technician take me to the tyres and point out the problem.

When in an incredibly busy retailer, with technicians coming at you from every angle with their demands, front counter customers ringing the doorbell all day long, and the phones ringing either from internal queries or outside traders – mistakes will happen. From those affected, there are no excuses. They see it as a very black and white situation; you made the mistake, I don’t care why – how are you going to rectify it. I work in a very supportive environment – we help each other to alleviate some pressure of one section of the job. Unfortunately, even then one of us can take our eye of the ball. It does happen, we’re only human. For some mistakes, no matter how small, they can have a dramatic knock-on effect. If I customer is not happy they’ll make it known one way or another. The same goes for a technician, because if the wrong part was ordered, they’re efficiently decreases the longer they wait for the right part to come in. There will always be a series of ripples from the epicentre, even from the smallest of mistakes.

Whenever I make a mistake, it can hit hard. You’ve started a set of ripples which will now extend outward, affecting other areas of the pond. Some mistakes can be rectified immediately, meaning we can all carry on as normal as if it never happened. Others, it takes time to sort out, which is what this mistake entailed.

Fortunately, the customer was an extremely understanding person. They listened to what the service adviser had to say, and was grateful that we were sorting out the problem straight away. Of course, it did mean they couldn’t take their car home that evening, but they would tomorrow with four brand new tyres, so they’d left us to sort the situation out and come back tomorrow. They also didn’t live too far away from our retailer, allowing them the opportunity to walk from us to home and vice versa on Friday. Whenever you get such a nice customer as them, it does take the pressure off ever so slightly – it does help prevent another mistake from happening.

I phoned up one of two of our regular tyre companies and explained the situation and the particular tyre size we need. This is where things started to go downhill. The two specific sizes of tyres fitted to their car were rare. Our regular tyre company did not have any stock of what we needed for a next-day delivery. Those specific tyres would arrive next week. Problem. To add more fuel to the fire, the front tyres were rarer than the rear tyres. The rear tyres would definitely arrive next week on Tuesday, whereas the front tyres could arrive on Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on how quick the company could acquire those tyres. Did I mention this was just before the Bank Holiday Monday, so the customer would not be able to use their car for the entirety of the weekend. When I was told the tyres would not arrive any sooner than next week, the thought of crushing the customer’s plans instantly came into my mind. We could lend him a cutesy car for the trouble, but still, they’d have to come back to collect their car from us, and their plans could involve going a long drive away.

I had no choice but to accept that and go the two front tyres ordered as well as the two rear tyres ordered.

I then had a thought. We have two tyre companies. What if I phoned up them and see how quickly they could deliver the two front tyres by? They might be here quicker, or they might not be, but with four tyres the same size coming from two different companies, my logic was, if one had complications, the other company would deliver, and vice versa. That made sense.

So, I phoned up our other tyre company to see if they could get them here sooner, but they also explained the rarity of the tyres and also said they’d not be delivered until next week. They also said the tyres would be delivered either on Tuesday or Wednesday. Maybe one company would deliver sooner than the other – it was certainly worthy a shot. Once I put the phone down, I had to go and tell the service adviser the news.

I went down to the service advisers’ desk and sheepishly explained the situation. The service adviser didn’t say anything remotely disheartening, just excepted the situation and that they’ll phone the customer with the news – a rather unexpected answer if I do say so myself, but I still had that thought at the back of my mind, of the customer breaking the news that they’re going abroad next week or something which required their car, which is why they got its MOT done in good time.

But I heard nothing. Now news is good news? I later found out that the customer has accepted the situation, is understanding that the tyres were rare, and are happy to wait for them to arrive next week. I was a little dumbfounded by how nice the customer was, but a wave of relief washed over me, which meant I could wait for those tyres to arrive knowing I haven’t caused any major problems in that customer’s life.

Skipping ahead to the Tuesday, all four tyres turned up. The other company was nowhere to be seen. My plan had worked. The tyres could then be fitted to the car without waiting any longer, and when the other tyres landed, I could send them back. The other company delivered the other two front tyres the next day, on Wednesday. If I hadn’t ordered via the other company, the customer would’ve had to wait yet another day. When those tyres turned up, the customer had already collected their car.

This is where it got a little spooky. I mean, I was actually shocked. I struggled to believe the odds of this happening.

On Wednesday afternoon, a different service adviser came to the back counter, job car in hand, and asked to order some tyres. They weren’t a part of the previous job, but had heard of the problem, and they acknowledged said problem because the technician who was carrying out the MOT failed the car on the fact that the two front tyres were below the legal limit.

It turns out, the car in question, had the same front tyres as the car we’d had the problem with. Seriously. The service adviser who was aware of how rare these tyres were asked how quickly we would be able to get them here by. They certainly weren’t expecting me to say to them that we had them in stock. I certainly weren’t expecting another car to have the exact tyres I had ordered in as a back-up just in case one of our two tyre companies had complications.

I genuinely had to make a double take when I read the tyre size on the invoice, and then had to check the two tyres just to make sure what was on the invoice matched up, because I just couldn’t believe how synced it all was. I was genuinely speechless.

To sum up what had happened: I ordered in the wrong tyres – the correct tyres were rarer than most other tyres and wouldn’t be delivered until next week, after the Bank Holiday Monday – I ordered the two front tyres from both companies as they both stated the tyres would land either on the Tuesday or Wednesday; my out-of-the-box thinking led me to believe one company would turn up before the other, and that’s exactly what happened (one company turned up on the Tuesday, and the other on Wednesday – and on Wednesday, another car had failed its MOT for its two front tyres being below the legal limit, and they so happen to be the rare tyres I had ordered two of from both companies. Which meant, the technician could take the tyres, fit them to the completely different car, so the completely different customer could take their car home that day. What are the chances of that happening?

That’s the very first time I could genuinely say I took control of hindsight. How many times have we experienced a situation where we realise we should have done something to prevent whatever problem has happened as a result of not doing that thing? If I had not ordered those tyres from the other company, it would have been another couple of days before the tyres were delivered, maybe even longer for all we knew at the time, since the tyres were rarer than most others. I could have dismissed the idea of ordering from the other company, and entrusted the one I had ordered all four to come from to deliver at the same time, but I didn’t, and instead thought outside of the box.

That made my day, especially considering the previous customer who had to wait so long for their car didn’t complain once about the situation, but was just a genuinely nice person who accepted that mistakes happen, and that some tyres were rarer than others. Overall, everyone came out on top. There actually weren’t any escalating problems, but instead everyone benefited from the outcome.

I very much doubt a situation like that will happen again for quite some time to come. But when it does, I’ll relish in that moment. I may even wright another blog post about it.

Thanks for reading

Antony Hudson

(TonyHadNouns)

Film of the Week: John Wick: Parabellum

In this film, we see what John Wick (played by Keanu Reeves) is truly capable. The first two films showed John trying to resist his old life, but having no choice but to go back either out of revenge, or his past life is catching up with him all over again. The entire character arc for John over all three films sees John wanting to have a normal life, but in this film, he’s come to accept that the only way out is to go back through. At the end, before the final showdown between him and the Head Table’s henchmen, we see him embracing his old life once more, returning to full strength. People were scared of him before, but now they should be shaking in their boots. John Wick is back, and literally no one can stop him.

I’m confident you can list 5 franchises where the quality has declined by the time it’s reached its third film. It’s difficult having to add more to a story that had technically wrapped up at the end of the first film. Some franchises prepare for a sequel, others just come out of nowhere for reasons most related to money. John Wick is an original idea, so the creators can have fun with the story, the lore of the world.

John Wick: Parabellum is just as entertaining as the other two, with no decline in quality whatsoever. The filmmakers have kept things fresh, and even managed to increase the level of action – not just for purposes of making the audience sit on the edge of their seat, wondering if John will survive, but instead to make us watch John absolutely destroy his opponents.

One trait I’ve noticed more in this film than in the first two, his just how strong his will power truly is. After a particularly difficult fight, one in which he’s been battered left, right and centre, thrown around the room numerous times; when John knows he’s won and is no longer required to fight, he collapses to the floor with exhaustion. He’s pushed himself to keep going further than anyone else would have gone, so when it’s time to stop, his body naturally needs to rest. But, when he’s required to get back on his feet, fight another opponent, he always does, without fail. Before we saw John in action in the first film, we were given a brief character rundown on who he is as a person, someone who shows more will power than anyone else, “the man you send to kill the bogyman”. Parabellum demonstrates John’s true capabilities.

As with most successful franchises, the studio wants to keep making more. For some franchises, another film shouldn’t happen, others we want to see more. The John Wick Franchise is certainly one I want to see more of, especially when they teased a battle between him and the head table. The action can only get better, or at least remain on the same level as it’s always been.

Thanks for reading

Antony Hudson

(TonyHadNouns)

Mum's Monday: Ghosts "BBC One"

In the first episode inheriting a was a bit of a shock, this was well written and funny to watch, realistic as well as you would, I would think, hang up if you thought it was a nuisance call. The ghosts are amusing to watch as well, you gradually get the stories of how they died, like a subtle, seeing an arrow through the scout leader’s Pat (Jim Howick) neck example and falling from a window. The arguments are fantastically done between the ghosts, who are from all eras and walks of life and still having to live, well stay together anyway. Yes ‘What is hotel?’ and yes ‘Try haunting’ this is hilarious to watch. There is nothing like an induced coma to help you see some ghosts. So let the renovations begin.

In the second episode, well if there is one thing to be said it is the ghosts are persistent. Unfortunately going to the doctors doesn’t help, well I say ‘It doesn’t help’ but when you want to ‘See’ a doctor, Alison (Charlotte Ritchie) can ‘See’ the doctor. Now acceptance is good and nice to see much to Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe) confusion. And very funny, liar, there are more than two of them.

In the third episode, the builders have arrived. With so many cast members and where some are not meant to be seen, the script and the coordination of the characters are very well done. In amongst all this it is Pat’s death day, a love poem is being written, tea is being thrown and with everything else this shows with a wide range of characters there is never a dull moment, and a plot has been devised to get rid of them. Not before a heart-warming, also when you think of it, stressing about who is there with you is well, stressful to accept it and it is good to see Mike is now not scared.

In the fourth episode, when looking for somewhere to film a period drama the house turns out to be the sadly, not so perfect location. The whole episode had me on edge as renovations are not yet complete. The money would be useful but I don’t know if gambling is the long term solution. This episode is still an amusing one seeing the ghosts wandering around inside and outside, looking for a radio in the state of undress as they had left the living world is funny.

In the fifth episode, this is a really good episode, it turns out there is a wrong and a right time to open a bottle of Champagne. It is good to see that this episode bought dogs into the house, as animals have been known to react to the paranormal. This doesn’t disappoint in bringing in all aspects of interaction. Now that Alison and Mike have met their neighbour, and only so much information has been corrected, this is so funny to hear or in this case what is not heard. A dinner party has been arranged, but sadly, this coincides with the caveman Robin’s (Laurence Rickard) moon ritual. This episode highlights you should never put a ghost in charge of the cooking or to help with a game of poker. It is funny to see the ghosts react to a modern day TV program and copy it. Also the MP (Member of Parliament) Julian (Simon Farnaby) has some very important information that ultimately proves to be very useful. It is heart-warming to see the sentimentality towards the moon, one of the ghosts, yes, ‘Has been there a very long time.’  

In the sixth episode, after weeks of trying to get rid of Alison and Mike, it looks likely the ghosts will get their wish, but it is nice to see that deep down the ghosts actually want Alison and Mike to stay. The house hunting is amusing to watch although not for Alison. It is heart-warming, but ultimately disappointing when Lady Button (Martha Howe-Douglas) tries to help with the finances. It is nice to see Alison and Mike will be keeping the house for now.

This series has been really fun and very cleverly edited overall.

The Written Podcast: “Should I Go First?” – Group Activities with Strangers

We’ve all been there. Group activities. They make some of us shudder by the mere thought of attending them. The necessity to step up in front of a group of strangers and talk, what can possibly be worse?

The dreaded ice-breakers. Is it too much to ask to attend these sessions, do the work, and then go home? Do we really have to introduce ourselves to complete strangers? Surely everyone cares about why they’re attending these sessions than who are attending? Unless of course the reason why they’re attending is to be more confident when in a group session, a self-fulfilling paradox, one might say.

There are two big questions when having to introduce yourself, and that’s whether it’s better to go first or to go last. We all rather not go at all, but since we normally don’t have a choice in the matter, dare I say, it’s better to go first. Get it over and done with. Just do it. The sooner you stand up and declare who you are the sooner you can sit back down. Once firmly back in your seat, you may not have the need to get up again until the end of class. Except, going first is easier said than done.

Have you ever heard the silence when the tutor asks who’s going first and everyone awkwardly looks around the room, wondering who is going to stand up, and since no one is, if they should just bite the bullet and be first, getting it over and done with as quickly as possible? That particular silent moment is deafening, purely because your heart is beating tenfold, your breaths are louder than ever you’re surprised no one is homing in on you, and you’re wondering if there really is the power of invisibility lying dormant inside you all along and it takes this moment to finally be awakened.

Then you hear the dreaded words. Every tutor says them in their own way, but the message is plain and simple. “One of you have to be first.” Translating those words states this session will not continue until everyone has introduced themselves, which only ramps up the awkwardness even further.

I’ve been first before, through choice or by being chosen, and I’ve been last before for the same reasons. I can tell you going last is definitely worse. The looming inevitability of having to step up in front of the class and talk grows ever closer with each person finishing their introductions. It’s during watching these people feel relief that they’ve finished do you realise you should have gone first – because you really want to feel relief. You really want to be in that position where you can say you never have to do that again. If only you plucked up the courage to go first… but why didn’t you? A question that doesn’t have an answer.

The worst possible situation when having to stand up and talk to the class happened to me during high school. We were all required to create a small presentation about something we like, whether it be a hobby, an object, a pet, a family member in history – the choice was totally ours. I went for our recently adopted pet cat, Annie, who sadly passed away a couple of years ago due to attracting cancer in the mouth. I constructed the presentation with the knowledge that we’d have to actually present it to the class. That dreaded moment only but grew in strength from when the teacher informed us of what we need to do. We had an entire week to make our presentations on the computer.

D-day came. We were required to stand up and show our presentations. The teacher did not ask who wanted to go first, but instead followed the register. I was several names down that register, and knew who exactly I’d have to follow. I wasn’t going to be last, nor first, but my goodness did the inevitability loomed over me then. I never felt anything like that before. If I thought it was strong during group sessions with strangers, it has never come close to rivalling that of being in a classroom filled with people you do know.

Our presentations were required to be about 10 – 15 minutes long, but as this was a few years ago, technical difficulties were stronger to defeat than today, mainly because we didn’t know what the heck we were doing, especially our teacher, who of course, will remain nameless.

During waiting for my turn, time became meaningless to me. It wasn’t about when in time I’d be required to present, but when in a list – but for some strange reason everyone’s presentation felt as if they were only 2 minutes long but they were still praised and passed… not sure how that worked, but hey, I was young and ignorant. The person before me on the list stood up and strangely immediately sat back down again. Did they even do their presentation. They literally walked to the front of the class and then walked back to their seat. Was that their entire presentation? Because if it was, that was a hack I should have thought of. But that wasn’t important, because it was no my time.

“Unfortunately we’re not out of time, we’ll have to resume tomorrow. Antony, you’ll be first.” I’ve never heard such horrific words in my entire life. I was about to get my presentation over and done with. I had spent the entire lesson attempting to ready myself for the inevitability of everyone’s eyes fixated on me, watching me, waiting for me to make a mistake, laugh at me and spread the story of the boy who messed up during his presentation. My heart was aching with beating so fast for an entire hour. Non-stop stress building up in my head. Only to be denied of doing it; denied of getting it over and done with; denied with the happiness of it all being over for good. Only to have to go home and wait for tomorrow’s lesson, where I’d be first up. What the hell had I done to deserve such punishment?

I spent that evening equally angry and nervous. The next day did eventually roll around and the lesson finally started, and it was now my turn to talk in front of the class. I survived. I managed to make it through without problems. I was a bit monotone throughout, with very little gestures or smiles, but I made it from one end of the presentation to the other, and by the time I was allowed to sit back down at my desk, a tsunami of relief practically knocked me over. The rest of the lesson went on with me watching other people stumble through their presentations.

I wish not to go through that experience again. At least with every group session I’ve had to attend, my turn was not delayed, whether it was by choice or not. So, despite the awkwardness that are the group sessions, I’m safe with the knowledge of not having to go through that ever again.

Thanks for reading

Antony Hudson

(TonyHadNouns)

Film of the Week: Aquaman

Warner Brothers, during their own cinematic universe have released 5 films. 2 of which have been decent: Wonder Woman, and Aquaman. Both are good, standalone superhero movies, with a strong plot, and characters. They’re both visually pleasing, but Aquaman towers above Wonder Woman simply because of how absolutely stunningly beautiful every underwater scene is. Whilst the CG was noticeable and their process for de-aging Willem Defoe seemed to be a little rough around the edges, compared to Marvel’s attempt with Samuel L Jackson, and Robert Downey Jr. in Captain America: Civil War. However, I can push those complaints to one side as the overall film was definitely an unexpected hit.

Aquaman has been the butt of many jokes throughout the year for various reasons, but Jason Momoa’s performance squelched those jokes underneath his feet as he battles his way to being king of Atlantis, ending with a rather epic climatic battle sequence which a lot of attention was given to, which unfortunately, is a rarity when it comes to Warner Brothers DC films.

Whilst there are a few elements which can be attributed to being clichéd, James Wan’s direction overshadowed those few moments. I’m a fan of James Wan’s horror work, and I was intrigued how he’ll handle something completely different, but he absolutely nails the task, even slipping a few vague references of common horror tropes, which I found rather fascinating how he worked that into a non-horror, superhero film. Those clichéd story details with James Wan’s unique talent made them feel fresh, and therefore enjoyable. Instead of attempting to come up with something different, embrace what has already be done and put your spin on it, keeping it interesting, enjoyable, memorable, and easy to watch in a rather colourful environment and action packed scenes. A rather brilliant idea.

I do not consider Aquaman and Wonder Woman as a part of the DCEU, because their brilliance shouldn’t be side by side the atrocity of trying to hide a moustache, or using Batman as comedic effect, or eradicating the entire development of Lois Lane’s character only one film later, or having only five minutes showing what your film is called, Batman Vs Superman, only to finish as quickly as it started by Batman uncharacteristically crumbling at the mere mention of his mother’s name, which if he was represented as a master detective has his comic book counterpart is, Superman’s mother should be easily accessible knowledge, shouldn’t it?

There are many more superheroes Warner Brothers can make films with, so there shouldn’t be an excuse for their being another bad DC movie. Robert Patterson is going to be playing Batman in a future film. I have to admit, I’m a little surprised, but hey, we all though Heath Ledger was going to give us a bad performance as the Joker, and now we can’t think of anyone else who can play the Joker as well as he did, so we should give Robert at least some benefit of the doubt. If Wonder Woman can be good when we though Gal Gadot wouldn’t do a good job, and given Aquaman’s notorious reputation throughout the years – we need to start giving DC some chances – it’s just a shame Warner Brothers forced them to ruin a lot of what we really wanted to see on the big screen, such as Batman versing Superman.

Thanks for reading

Antony Hudson

(TonyHadNouns)

Mum's Monday: Don’t Forget the Driver (BBC Two)

The first episode, this is a brilliant idea for a series, high-lighting that when we happily book our coach day trip or holiday, we embark and go off and have fun/adventures, in this episode Dunkirk. I will personally now, just from this one/first episode not just look at the driver as just the driver/tour guide. If this was their intention, it has worked from the off. There is a life lesson that we shouls appreciate anyone in a job.

The second episode, this one first high-lights the mistakes that can be made when ordering from the internet. This is however, very funny to see. In this episode they are going to a ‘Donkey Sanctuary’. On the face of it, it is just going to a Donkey Sanctuary, but with using the link with a donkey and the Bible and the appeal that donkeys have to children this made for a clever mix of people on the coach. The singing was clever and well thought-out and as we see, something else the long suffering bus driver has to deal with. It all links together perfectly. It is good that this series shows there is more to being a bus driver than driving a bus, the things the driver has to deal with, all sorts.

The third episode, in this episode it shows that a bus driver has an eclectic mix of trips on his rota. In this one he is taking a group swimming. It is heart-warming to see that after Pete (Toby Jones) the bus driver keeps getting called by Pete’s twin brother’s name Barry (Also played by Toby Jones) by their mum, that Pete is recognised as Pete and is called by who he actually is, Pete.

The fourth episode, after a lovely day out at ‘Hampton Court Palace’ for a group of Japanese tourists, things take an unexpected turn of events. I don’t know how realistic this could be but they do say, and I have heard that fact/ real life can be stranger than fiction. This shows when you are the driver you can drive/ arrive almost anywhere.

The fifth episode, now that Barry has arrived in the UK from Australia. Pete takes the family on his coach trip to the model village in Babbacombe in Devon. This is not only an amusing, eventful but laid back episode the man with the camcorder gives the episode more depth.

In the sixth and last episode of the series, after a slow start but making the most of the ‘Bognor Beach Webcam’. It is heart-warming to see Pete’s car has been fixed. Pete is doing a school trip and yes it is portrayed as your normal stereotypical journey with a bunch of hyper school kids. In amongst that ‘Life is too short’ Rita (Luwam Teklizgi) is reunited with her brother and a romance, I hope is working out for Pete. This episode has a different feel to it than the others and taking the kids to the funeral was a nice idea. Also it is nice to see things going, I hope, right for Pete for a change, even if it does mean the tables have turned for the more thought off/ everything goes right for Barry.

The Written Podcast: Sleeping in a Different Bed

I've stayed in many hotels in my life - ranging from 1 star to 4 stars, with varying degree of perception on what those stars actually mean. I've stayed in hotels where the quality was incredible, and then there's the complete opposite where you wonder how the hotel is still going.

But, no matter where you stay, what level of excellence the hotel can provide or terribleness on some occasions, there is always one constant thing throughout; you're not sleeping in your bed.

Sleeping in a any other bed from yours may be an uncomfortable experience, especially if you're not familiar with the mattress. Whilst this as been automatically, instantly sorted into the extreme category by many people, but not having the right mattress can keep you from getting the decent night's sleep you need to function properly the next day - and there is nothing worse than having to force yourself to stay awake when someone is talking. Although, you may get away with it of the person in question who's talking to you is incredibly boring and sleeping is an out for you. On the other hand though, if you need to concentrate profusely throughout the day, then you're going to need to put tooth picks between your eyelids - may scare your fellows in the room; you have been warned.

It may not be the bed that's keeping you from getting your much needed rest, it may just be because you are in a different location. 

You may not experience it much when travelling by car, but going to an entirely new timezone can throw your body clock out the window. Most commonly associated with plane journeys, having that feeling it's 5 O'clock in the afternoon when actually it's 1 O'clock can be difficult to handle, for various reasons, most acknowledged when attempting to sleep.

Some people can drop into a coma-like state the moment their head hits the pillow and don't wake up until many hours later, other people unfortunately have the issue of tossing and turning every five minutes because they can't find that sweet spot in the mattress. With your bed, no matter what time of day it is, taking into account any other factors getting in the way, you can sleep no matter what. You can lie down in the correct position every single time, close your eyes and nod off.

What also can upset your schedule is, when in a different timezone, and it gets light when your body is used to it still being pitch black, than can screw your system up for the whole day, making it seem as if you might as well have not even bothered going to bed, just stayed up all night instead.

If you're staying in a hotel only for one night, your room's bed is highly noticeably different to if you are staying for a week or more. Whilst obviously it takes years of sleeping to mould your mattress to the perfect condition for instant sleeping, a week won't come anywhere close, but you have to sleep - it's human nature and cannot be avoided without some serious consequences. Unless you ship your bed to every hotel you stay at in the future, which goes without saying the hoteliers are not going to be happy with, you have no choice but to tolerate the different mattress for a few days.

But after a week, things start changing, and you don't even know they had until it happens. On the final day, there is a chance that you wouldn't want to get up out of bed, because you are just too comfortable, relaxed, lazy. The bed has won the battle you did not even know you were losing the moment you cambered under the covers on the first sleepless night.

Now what do you do? Do what you do back at home? Begrudgingly drag yourself from the bed, peel the covers from your warm body and let the cold air around you make you wish to climb back under?

If feel as if this article has gotten rather unintentionally, unnecessary dramatic. I'll end this here.

Thanks for reading

Antony Hudson

(TonyHadNouns)

Film of the Week: Mary Poppins Returns

This is a difficult one. It shouldn’t be, but it is. Mary Poppins Returns is noticeably different from the first film. Aside from the main change, and most obvious is now Emily Blunt plays the character. Julie Andrews doesn’t even make a cameo as she felt that her appearance would overshadow Emily’s. A quick glimpse of someone who once played probably one of the most iconic characters in many people’s childhood, would undoubtedly make the same people talk about that cameo. Articles would be written detailing trying to dissect what her cameo “actually meant” when in actuality it was just a simple cameo not meant as anything other than that – so I do understand why Julie decided to step aside and let Emily take the show forward.

Emily has confirmed she dived deep into P.L. Travers books and discovered the character in the original was nothing like the character in the film, which explains the authors strong hesitation to not let Disney take the rights, a subject which the film, Saving Mr. Banks detailed. Emily Blunt based her performance on the character as an homage to the real character in the book. There is a hint of coldness in her personality, a strong sense of will, but never truly embracing what the character really is, because people would pick up on that immediately. Emily’s portrayal of the character was a mix of the two – the Mary we saw in the original, and the Mary in the books.

But, does it work? That’s the big question. Well (and this is coming from someone who has seen the original multiple times, and has since learnt the truth about Disney’s relationship with P.L. Travers), it works only if you haven’t seen the original. This isn’t me being a cynical old person, if I had to choose between the original and this one, I would choose the original. If asked why, I wouldn’t necessarily have an answer ready, just say something along the lines of, “I just do, it’s what I grew up with.” That’s why I opened this article stating this one will be difficult; I’m naturally going to make comparisons.

If I were as young as I was when I first watched Mary Poppins, sitting down to watch Mary Poppins Returns, I would enjoy it. It has the right level of quirkiness, the right level of magic and emotion between each character – it has the morals, and it has plenty of homages to the original for us who know of the original. Parents can sit down with the children and enjoy seeing the sailor who blows his cannon on the hour every hour, making the Bank’s house shake, the chimney sweepers coming out to dance, the hand drawn animation – which the director, Rob Marshall fought valiantly and with passion to make happen. Disney was adamant to continue with the computer animation they’ve ditched hand drawn animation for. They had to pull animators out of retirement to make that sequence happen, and I’m happy Disney relented and gave into Rob’s insistence.

The film is drenched with nostalgia, and the future. For children, there’s no nostalgia, and there is no future, they see the film for what it is, a film about a magic nanny coming down and having fun with those who need to re-learn what fun truly is. And that’s why the original overpowers the sequel for me at least.

Seeing the sailor atop the building, firing his cannon, seeing the chimney sweepers dancing, seeing the animation sequence, hearing the songs the characters sing – unfortunately, as much as I did enjoy this film, afterward, all I felt like doing is going back and reliving the original again. You can’t recreate a classic song the chimney sweepers sing in the original, so they cleverly don’t, but then they include them riding on bikes and doing tricks alongside them dancing with their sweepers – it didn’t need tweaking. None of the songs unfortunately stood out as much as some of the original’s did, the only one I remember from Mary Poppins Returns is sung by the chimney sweeper, about the London’s sky, but that’s only because he sings sections of it throughout the film, of course I’m going to remember it.

It was an absolute joy to see Dick Van Dyke back dancing again, and hearing how he did all his own dancing at the incredible age of 92 just blows my mind – but seeing him dance in that movie made me want to go and see him dance in the original movie.

So, in conclusion – we have a constant rotatory state of confliction. We have the parents sitting down to watch Mary Poppins Returns with their child, and it not clicking as well as they were probably hoping it would (you could argue that they unintentionally hyped themselves up too much, which is understandable), but when they sit down and watch the original with their child, who probably haven’t seen it before, the mood switches and the parents are liking it more than the child. From the child’s eyes, the original looks old and less crisp, because the sequel was the first they saw first, then the original older version is not going to click with them either.

As I said, this article was a difficult one to write. I didn’t want to sound as if I was complaining about how they were making a sequel to something that didn’t need a sequel, or an old person who wishes they stopped trying to get rid of the old classics. I wanted to justify why, in my humble opinion, the original clicked with me more than the sequel.

Thanks for reading

Antony Hudson

(TonyHadNouns)

Mum's Monday: 11.22.63 by Stephen King

WARNING SPOILERS

This book is set to the John F. Kennedy (JFK) assassination, which is brilliant because before I even started to read this book, it made me question ‘Yes what would have happened had JFK lived?’ Hopefully this example will give a good little insight into answering my initial question.

At the very start of this book before chapter one contains a shock revelation. A lesson for a teacher, not the other way round, where a teacher teaches their class. What’s starts off as an innocent brief for a paper/written essay, results in finding out about some murders that have taken place. Teachers should be careful what they ask for from their students.

Part One:

The intrigue in Chapter one keeps you reading. In such a long book as in over seven hundred pages, I just hope I remember what was mentioned about Gloria, if she is referred to again. If she isn’t there has been enough mentioned to see that Jake should have gone and seen her before he left the school. As I was reading this chapter I had the sense that it was like a BBC sitcom called ‘Goodnight Sweetheart’ with Nicholas Lyndhurst. However, this story is still unique in its own way.

In chapter two the in-depth description of the past is really well done, even to include how a kid was standing outside a shop. I love how it is written that Al has to pass on a secret before ‘The cancer shuts his lips forever’ this is a very clever way of describing a secret shared from a person’s death bed before they pass.

In chapter three it shows that this story has been extensively researched to the point of making me wanting to look up some information on what Lee Harvey Oswald attempted to do before he shot JFK. The chapter also mentions the conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination. It seems nothing has been overlooked, plus more. We do find out more information further on in this chapter. The timing is written perfectly, it is not rushed just explained in a clear and concise way, that to me as the reader I can fully understand what is being asked of Jake.

It is mentioned throughout the first three chapters that after time travelling back to the past, however, long you are there for you have only been gone two minutes from the future. It has also been mentioned that Jake could stay in the past forever. This makes me question ‘What happens to the future, does it carry on and if Jake does or doesn’t come back, snaps back to two minutes after he left?’ As fascinating as time travel is and as simple as you can make it, it still seems, it can never be truly uncomplicated.

In chapter four I can see that the idea Jake has had is a brilliant one.to test the theory out potentially save lives is a lovely thought.

Part Two:

In chapter five the descriptive nature of this book is so in-depth that I can picture in my mind what the scenes look like. The research has been done really well, as to what it was like and how things were back in 1958 America. this chapter also high-lights mistakes you can make in the past, like mobile phones don’t belong and coins dated after 1958. It is a relief to see Jake get away with putting it in a pay phone, as luckily ‘It didn’t get stuck’. It is good to see that many aspects of time travel have been covered in this book. The pitfalls as well as the benefits/good parts.

In chapter six the lead up continues to the actual title of this book. It is extremely long, but very interesting as well. There is a cross over with another of Stephen King book (Now a film) IT. This is cleverly done and enhances this story.

In chapter seven we are reminded that what Jake also now known as ‘Mr George Amberson’ is up to, a fact finding mission making this book extremely thorough in what the aim of this story is about. In such a long book this story has to keep you reading and this has the right amount of intrigue to do just that. At the end of chapter seven, I am surprised that Jake/George doesn’t go and see exactly whose graves the flowers are being put on. It is good to see a question mark after ‘Parents’ in Jake/George notes. This chapter also leaves me wanting to know more in the way that, what information had Jake/George wanted and had now acquired?

In chapter eight it looks like the past doesn’t want to be changed. Although the likes of this has been mentioned before in this book, things looked to be going well for Jake/George, only for illness to strike. The reason I am mentioning it this time is because this part high-lights another issue of time travel, in that if you need a remedy and you go and ask for it, you have to be hopeful that it has been invented in the year you need it. This part is also described in a way I wish it wasn’t, as it isn’t pleasant to read. As chapter eight continues I wander how it is all going to turn out. This book is one where if you have to put it down, I am reluctant to, as I want to find out what happens next. An intriguing and amusing part is what Jake/George leaves at the crime scene. It does make you think what the police would make of it, when they find a bag with a diarrhoea remedy and adult diapers in it? Not your usual evidence found by the police when a crime has been committed. This is amusing to read.

Part Three

In chapter nine, there is a big shock, sadly, if you change the past however, well intentioned the grass isn’t always greener in the future after the change. This chapter leads me to think that the past shouldn’t have been messed with. That would mean that there would still have been a tragedy but what was meant to be was meant to be and it is better than giving a young child a false sense of security, in the long run. Although the flip side the two professions that two of the Dunning family went into are marginally better, than a school janitor’s job, but looking at the bigger picture Jake knew Harry. This book makes it difficult to weigh up the pros and cons in changing the past.

In chapter ten although there is a repeat in the story it is written in such a way that there is enough of a difference to make a new description in the story and you don’t read all the same of what happened before again. This is clever as it could have just as easily been very much the same. this part is written quickly this time which also gets you closer to reading the goal of the book. It is a shame that you don’t find out how the dancers did from before, but that just makes this book somewhat realistic as we sometimes overlook things and don’t know or find out everything. I see why George/Jake bought the same remedy for what he had before, but this story shows that something else can make you unwell. It is clever of George/Jake to put other plans in place. Although it isn’t clear what he said, Randy Baker from the garage was on hand to help. This proves you can plan for somethings but other things can catch you unawares. Although I don’t condone violence what George/Jake did saved lives. It was done as simply as possible. It is insightful of George/Jake to realise not to go near the Dunning house, sadly, however much he wanted to, as in unusual person/activity would have drawn attention to himself. It is heart-warming to see George/Jake leave a note to try and save another life for as long as possible.

Chapter eleven and the start of chapter twelve, life for George/Jake is going well, but first I feel he maybe got over confident placing his bet and second getting the job at the school teaching again was good to read, as he has to keep himself occupied between reading up on his mission and writing his manuscripts. It is worth mentioning that education, degrees and teaching were very different in 1959/1960. The research done for this book seems to be done extremely well. Chapter twelve high-lights that not everyone is cut out for city living. I do wander if the author is playing with the reader, only time will tell if another large bet was a risk or not. This book has some really good parts that keep the reader intrigued, then again with the length of this book it has to somehow keep you reading.

In chapter thirteen, we have what I personally could describe as a diversion to the story. George/Jake is putting on a school play. This bulks out the story and gives more depth to George/Jake keeping himself occupied before November 1963. Continuing on with this chapter it is important to note the lesson that an author could learn. ‘If you want to change a place where your story is set it isn’t just a case of only changing the name throughout the manuscript, there are other things to consider, an example town layout. This chapter also high-lights that what you say and what is witnessed, your story of where you come from can fall apart if you are not careful. It is good and eventful to see George/Jake’s life moving forward. Although he can never lose sight as to the reason he is where he is, it is all written in a clever way to interweave what is happening to Lee Harvey Oswald before November 1963. Although now it is sad to see tragedy strike, it is sadly inevitable. There just weren’t the same treatments back in the 50s and 60s as there is in modern times. The end of chapter thirteen is confusing, it could just be coincidental, but it is very strange and intriguing none the less.

Part Four:

In chapter fourteen things for George/Jake are progressing in more ways than one. sometimes as I read I lost track of how close to the important date the story had progressed. In the meantime, back at the school, there is a dance and as I read the images of the dance scenes from the popular film ‘Grease’ with John Travolta and Olivia Newton John springs to mind, as I can picture some of the dance moves described in this book. George/Jake has come to a decision, but this only makes me think, ‘How does that work for the future?’ with the ‘You are only gone for just two minutes, however long you are in the past’ but never going back could disrupt that. It is ok for the author to come up with that idea, but it does make me wander at the repercussions of the scenario. It is a good job George/Jake knew how to dance to the songs in the past, or else it could have been awkward instead of fun for him and Sadie.

In chapter fifteen it is both nice and sad that George/Jake and Sadie have got together as George/Jake cannot tell Sadie the truth.  As again another tragedy strikes in this chapter George/Jake is concerned he could be to blame. This is interesting because as I read, before I read his concerns I thought pretty much the same, how much of an effect had George/Jake had, if any, causing the tragedy by changing things through his time travelling. Another complication is if you are trying to cover your tracks, having something to hide, it doesn’t help if you talk in your sleep. Somethings are out of a person’s control. As I read to the end of chapter fifteen I suddenly realised that there has been a recurring phrase/name throughout what I have already read ‘Jimla’ why this is, is unclear, but it gives me something else to think about as to what this means/signifies in the story.

Chapter sixteen starts of ok, even heart-warming after a fun pie fight but as with keeping a secret it can mean singing could be a dangerous mistake, even the type of language you use as well. It is very clever to incorporate certain phrases that no one else in the early 1960s used but would come naturally to someone from 2011. It is sad reading the end of this chapter, but George/Jake can now hopefully focus on his reason for being in the past. This book is very good at high-lighting the precarious nature of time travel.

Chapter seventeen does as I thought from reading the end of chapter sixteen. It focuses on George/Jake’s mission. This is however, cleverly written to incorporate a trip back to Jodie and ultimately come across some more useful equipment, well something the George/Jake may find useful only time and reading on will tell. This book is as I can see, I hope, so well done that the intrigue continues. And I already feel I will miss the characters when I get to the end of this long story. Just as I think ‘I will never get through this book’ I find that I am over half way through. This is a testament to how easily this book is to read. There is a big build up to the date in November 1963, but none of it seems, at the moment wasted. It all looks relevant and slots in the task to come.

In chapter eighteen there is only so much that George/Jake needs to know about the Oswald family, even though he is spying on them from his new home across the street, I feel he should, as mostly portrayed, respect the Oswald family’s privacy. It did come as a surprise when it seemed he was encroaching but the information he picked up had a link to the meeting up of someone that would lead to Lee Harvey Oswald coming in the presence of JFK. In this chapter it focuses more on the mission George/Jake is there to carry out. It is good to see this happen as it reminds the reader ‘Not to lose sight of what George/Jake is there to possibly change history’.

In chapter nineteen it gets technical as to what happens with Cuba and Russia. This is so well written that me as the reader, I am learning of what went on. A clever way of giving a history lesson.

In chapter twenty George/Jake’s past or future continues to catch up with him. With a school’s red tape, things can be discovered or not as in this case. It is good to see school employment and the welfare of Sadie, who is in a relationship with George/Jake, being thoroughly thought-out.

In chapter twenty-one the suspense of events possibly to come one way or another is ramping up. the story gave me the sense of excitement yet nervous intrigued as to how the future in the past would play out. What I do know so far is, it is getting close to the main event.

In chapter twenty-two George/Jake has another task to carry out. This could be seen, and makes me think of being ‘Thrown a curve ball’. The story has certainly taken off in another direction very quickly, but seeing as the title of this book is the date of the assassination. I have just realised that the story has to include it and take the story to the wire/brink.

Part Five:

In chapter twenty-three George/Jake is concentrating mostly on Sadie. This is a good thing to read. However, it is sad that Sadie doesn’t have the chances she would have had had she lived in 2011 and not in the early 1960s.

In chapter twenty-four, this chapter is an eye-opener for Sadie. Her reactions in the book is to me seems a bit of an anti-climax but no one can judge how a person would react with being told such big news, as there has, to my knowledge, not been any example to judge against. Also if you love someone and you already suspect something is not quite localised the information is less of a surprise I suppose.

In chapter twenty- five it shows that the way of life was very different back in the early 1960s. living in sin was frowned upon, but having a child out of wedlock/ teenage pregnancy was even more frowned upon back then than it is now. There is a life lesson in this chapter, if you have information about a couple that you disapprove of, make sure your past is squeaky clean so there is no come back.

In chapter twenty-six, the last thing you would want when you have travelled back in time to carry out a very important job is to lose your memory. It seems the past doesn’t want to be changed and fighting against it. However, it is good to see it is only temporary. It is clever how George/Jake finds little clues from signs and piecing all these together, he may be able to carry out his task after all.

In chapter twenty-seven luckily George/Jake memories are continuing to coming back. I am glad George/Jake has been reunited with the contents of his safe deposit box. I didn’t like that he had put them in one, so now reading he has got them back I am relieved. As I read this chapter I just want to finish the book and find out what happens. As the event date approaches the suspense in ramping up more and more.

In chapter twenty-eight we read what happens and that is it, we still have to read as to what the exact outcome will be for the president. For Sadie we all know history however, much it doesn’t want to be, it can be changed, I hope.

Part Six:

In chapter twenty-nine, someone is very grateful but is sad for George/Jake’s loss. However, however amusing it was to read it is still a cliché that if the police had of been called the tragedy would have been prevented and we know the police were called.

In chapter thirty it high-lights the consequences of time travel. George/Jake is learning a lot including who ‘Jimla’ is and has to go back to 2011 to see the outcome of changing the past.

In chapter thirty-one when the future has been changed as much as it has there is only one thing to do, go back and change the past again.

This book makes me wonder what really would have happened had this story/book been factual/real. An intriguing read overall.

The Written Podcast: Avengers Endgame – A Spoiler Filled Ride

With Avengers Endgame now officially the second highest grossing film of all time, with high expectations of it surpassing Avatar, I’d like to believe I’m save from giving spoilers without a warning, but it’s also understood that the majority of the ever growing figure is due to a vast number of the audience re-watching it to truly soak all its glory. If I had the opportunity to go and see it twice, I most definitely would because there are scenes I absolutely want to watch again, and there are scenes that I have to watch on the basis of being so star-struck with epic intensity, they were practically blurs in front of my eyes.

I’ve mentioned this in my non-spoiler review – Avengers Endgame is extremely satisfying. What I’m going to do in this article is explain why and hence the spoiler warning. The first highly satisfying moment comes during the monumental battle between everyone and Thanos when Captain America held Mjolnir for the first time. It was heavily teased in Age of Ultron, and Thor from that moment on believed Stave Rogers was worthy. In Endgame we finally see Captain America wield the mighty hammer. It was a moment we all wanted to see actually happen ever since he nudged it in Age of Ultron, and to finally get that glorious scene where he fights Thanos made my jar finally hit the floor after dangling numbly for the entirety of the film.

Pepper Potts finally becoming her alter ego, Rescue and teaming up with Tony – that was also heavily teased throughout the MCU, and we were all wondering if that would happen. You may have already noticed a pattern evolving with these satisfying moments. The climactic battle between Thanos saw Pepper and Tony finally fight side by side. When I eventually get round to re-watching the film, that’s one moment I absolutely want to watch again purely because I was in such a state of awe I couldn’t remember how much we actually got to see Pepper as Rescue – I’m sure it’s a lot of screen time, it couldn’t be only but a couple of seconds, could it?

Focusing back on Captain America, right at the very end of the film we see Steve getting the much promised dance way back in Captain America: The First Avenger. His arc in the future saw him slowly accepting being out of time, in a strange world, never getting to spend his life with the love of his life, Peggy Carter. Endgame proved to Steve there was a way to return, and he took that opportunity immediately. A perfect ending for Steve, and a much deserving one after suffering through so much.

“Avengers assemble.” If you believe the gigantic battle between the Avengers and Thanos wasn’t big enough, you’re lying or slept through the entire battle only to wake as the credits started to roll. The battle was glorious, with everyone throughout the MCU teaming up to take on the Mad Titan’s army. Before the two armies clashed or even started to run at each other across the battlefield, it was instantly satisfying by the audience hearing the words we so nearly neared way back during Age Of Ultron.

What could have been extremely satisfying was when Tony Stark took control of the Infinity Stones, he used them on his left hand instead of his right. Sounds like a nit-pick, I know, but once I’ve explained why they missed a great opportunity there, you’ll notice yourself. Way back when the MCU first started in Iron Man 1, during Tony’s first run out as the hero saving the town from the terrorists, he gets hit by a tank’s shell in his left arm. Throughout the MCU, we’ve seen visible evidence of Tony suffering from that injury, with him actually mentioning it being numb in Captain America: Civil War, and holding it with his right in Spider-Man Homecoming. It was a subtle but strong piece of continuity, so when Tony snapped his fingers and defeated Thanos, ultimately sacrificing himself in the process, he didn’t use his left hand. The arm that’s been injured throughout his run as Iron Man, being the arm of which held the gauntlet to wipe out Thanos for good, would have been a nice endpoint for that piece of continuity. Unfortunately, he used his right side. Nevertheless, the scene where Tony uses the infinity stones to dust Thanos away was extremely satisfying. Sure, it would have been made even more so if he had used his left hand, but the fact that Tony began the MCU and subsequently ended that massive storyline, giving the MCU to continue and flourish, certainly outweighs a small nit-pick.

There are so many satisfying moments throughout the film, and also shocking ones. Of all the deaths we all predicted, I don’t think anyone was expecting Natasha to go, but it made sense as to why she had to. Clint had a family, she was making the sacrifice to keep not only his family intact, but also hers. She grew up with nothing, and so to die with the chance of bringing back everything she had ever wanted, a family, “whatever it takes” is a line we weren’t expecting to be her final farewell to the team.

There was a lot of debating as to who out of Tony any Steve would pass away, but no one mentioned them both bowing out with victory and grace. Tony passing away from saving the universe, Steve retiring from having spent his much wanted life with Peggy, the MCU continues without Tony Stark or Steve Rogers anymore, and that’s sad to think about. But, the world (the universe) will forever be grateful, even if they have no idea who Tony Stark is. His legacy is forever implemented in the MCU from now on, no matter what. Captain America is still very much within the MCU, but not helmed by Steve, but his good friend Sam Wilson takes the mantle.

Alright, I think I’ve covered a few hard hitting spoilers, so I’ll stop there. This article could have literally been two words long – Avengers Endgame, but I thought I’d point out a few moments that I cannot wait to see again.

Thanks for reading

Antony Hudson

(TonyHadNouns)