The Written Podcast: Keeping My Mind Active

There are two things I'll never get bored of doing, and they're writing and editing. Of course, editing what I've written is something completely different and does occasionally test my patience. The main reason for why I love editing videos is because of the chaos within the sequences - the crazy patterns (this one looks like a spaceship, if I do say so myself) that develop which appear to be nonsense, but once rendered plays back the idea you've envisioned, and that's awesome.

During lockdown I took the opportunity to build up my editing skills. Since lockdown began, I've edited 14 different videos, 13 of them specifically to introduce a new method of editing and incorporate it into the video, and the 14th was editing commentary from me and three of my friends, something I hadn't done for a while and thought it'll be good to familiarise myself with that style as well.

The above picture focuses on Nests (a timeline within a timeline). Instead of littering the main timeline with countless layers, combine a few of them into one nest, then within that nest, animate the text or video however you wish, and the main timeline will play out what you've done. For example, the nest called, Fictional Stats, has 19 layers within, whereas on the main timeline it only takes up one layer. I have a total of 7 original nests, with one that's copied. The main timeline has 11 layers in total, but if I were to take into account all the layers within each nest, the official total would be, 58. Imagine all of them on one timeline and that's why I used nests to make that video.

The above picture appears more complicated than it actually is. The placement of all the sound effects and music is what makes this timeline appear complex, but overall the final video was relatively easy. If I do say so myself, this timeline looks like a cruise ship floating on water. I didn't intend it to look like that, it just evolved as the video went along.

Timelnes are like clouds in the sky... that sounds way to poetic for this article, doesn't it? But like clouds, you can spot what they appear to be like. Such as the one below, looking like a heavy duty spaceship designed to carry cargo but also packs a punch against other ships when required.

I won't share all 14 timelines with you, but 90% of them can be associated with spaceships, but you do get the occasional one that looks different.

Thanks for reading

Antony Hudson

(TonyHadNouns)

TV Show of the Week: Upload

This was a nice surprise when it popped up in my Amazon Prime recommendations list after I binged watched the entirety of The Office, another show created by Upload's creator, Greg Daniels. In two days I finished all 10 episodes. I was hooked since the first episode, because of two reasons. The first being the incredible amount of world building and the concept as a whole. It's clear a lot of care and attention went into every detail.

I didn't have to look at the reviews to know this was a popular show, so when it came to writing this review I thought I'd be safe with revealing some spoilers, but I second guess myself. It may be popular, but the audience can still grow, and this is a show that should definitely be enjoyed when going in blind. All I had was the synopsis and the creator's name before I clicked on the first episode.

What I will talk about stems from the synopsis and the conclusion my friend came to upon reading it. It didn't necessarily put him off, but instead put it on his ever increasing list of things to watch in the future, which can be synonymous to never watching it in a month of Sundays. Upon reading the synopsis given by Amazon Prime, he thought about the inevitable love story that will be developed over the course of the series, and how it's always a love story. I can see where he's coming from, because you do see a lot of new concepts having a love story in the centre, even forbidden loves are extremely common, which is what this deals with. A living person cannot have a relationship any more mature than being just a helper to an "Upload" - a person who has died but their consciousness has been uploaded to a virtual network so they can continue interacting with the living.

Whilst the forbidden love story is featured throughout the series, it's not actually the most prominent factor - the idea is. The love story only comes in when necessary, otherwise the rest of each episode just focuses on the afterlife of Nathan (played by Robbie Amell). The first episode may have incredible amount of world building, but in actual fact the whole series is spend building the world, exploring how each section works, whilst also satirising technology, whilst also exploring the mystery behind Nathan's death, whilst also exploring how people close to Nathan are dealing with him being in a virtual afterlife. It's easy to state that there being a love story is cliched, but there are so many more concepts in that world to focus on as well.

Upload needs a second season, not only because it ended on a cliffhanger, but it's obvious that there's more in that world which can be utilised, and because it ended on a belta of a cliffhanger.

Mum's Monday: The House by the Lake by Thomas Harding

This book is about a real-life house in Berlin Germany and the five families that live there over one hundred years.

Prologue, first it is sad to read that the ‘Berlin wall’ was built between house and lake. Now when the Grandson of the last owner was exploring the house the description reminded me of a ‘Before’ scenario in the BBC television program ‘Homes Under the Hammer’ with Martin Roberts. There have been some rundown properties before they then get renovated. However, in this case I hope the house can be saved. In the program all we see is the immediate state ‘Before and after’. We very rarely hear of any history connected with the properties. This book is like the equivalent of reading the history of one of those houses. I am already fascinated.

Part one, Chapter one, 1890, they commonly say that ‘You learn something new every day’, today is no exception, it turns out that in Germany and other European countries, the lime tree is considered sacred and it protected against bad luck. This is interesting to read.

Chapter two, 1913, despite the date in the title of this chapter, the chapter quickly goes into 1914 and beyond into the First World War and after.

Chapter three, 1927, it is interesting to read of the construction of the house, it sounds lovely and yet modest. I am glad there is a picture, it is nice to put an image to the description.

Chapter four, 1928, it is lovely to read about how the family spent their days at the house. Also, now as Berlin is prospering. I can see why the family is spending more time at the house/haven. Again, it is nice to see photos in this chapter.

Chapter five, 1929, the chapter starts with a tragic accident. This chapter is not nice to read with the outcome of the Will reading and the consequence of the ‘Wall street crash’ in New York for Germany.

Chapter six, 1930, at first I thought Elsie was a bit ‘Self-centred’ but then it became clear she just missed her family and was acting like a typical sister as in going to miss her sister but wished her well. I like that Elsie followed her own heart and swapped being a doctor for journalism. This did put her in the position of being in the centre of the events of the day. Because of this it does, it seems, make it easier for the author to interweave what was happening into the history of the families at the house.

Chapter seven, 1934, a commonly known term is ‘As one door closes, another door open’s’. In this case some of the land around the lake has been sold off to make way for Germany’s Luftwaffe, and it is sad that the family that was living there has now moved away. It is an ‘End of an era’ as they also say.

Chapter eight, 1934, It is sad to read that the family have now moved to London, leaving the ‘Lake house’ for good under the circumstances of the time.

Part two, August 2013, I like that this book includes the research, however, tragic it is in it. Although this book doesn’t need the proof it is interesting to read it as the proof is there and it has been very thoroughly carried out.

Chapter nine, 1937, after a length of time in which the house was empty there is about to be another family take up the lease. It is nice to see that the house is going to be lived in again. It turns out the house makes for a perfect, relaxed weekend retreat for an exhausted, successful film actress, her successful husband who writes music for films and their son.

Chapter ten, 1937, I can see the reasoning of the security and freedom of owning the ‘Lake house’. It is sad, however, that one family had to lose it and the Second World War was going on around it at the same time.

Chapter eleven, 1942, it is lovely to read that a song was written about the house. What is sad to read though is that almost all the previous catalogue was destroyed in the war bombing. After this and the theatre also bombed and that one and all others closed, it is sadly, enough for the family to leave Germany and hand the keys over to another family to look after the house.

Chapter twelve, 1944, I can see why the lake house and the surrounding village could be seen as a ‘Safe haven’ but sadly nowhere could escape the war.

Chapter thirteen, 1945, at the start of this chapter it is so nice mentioning that the telephones were still connected and the radio broadcasts could still be listened to but by the end of this chapter it is not at all nice to read as the Soviet soldiers have arrived in the village.

Chapter fourteen, 1945, during this chapter, although I have also noticed this being mentioned in previous chapters that quite a few of the things that happened during the Second world war and after it is followed by how far it is from the lake house. This keeps the house very much connected so, I feel, for the purpose that we don’t lose sight of as the focus of this book. Sadly, the house has now been abandoned again and it is sad to read that the family missed out on buying the security of the land with the house they wanted. It is a mixture of happy and sad news of what happened to the Alexander family.

Chapter fifteen, 1946, there is good news in this chapter, the house and the land now belong to a family. I am pleased and happy to read this part after all the awful things that was written previously. It seems the house is still of interest having been part of a ‘Denazification’ trial. This is a good example of things/events coming back to haunt a person, luckily the outcome was a good one. It is a shame the same cannot be said for Germany/Berlin or the lake house with the ‘Blockade’.

Chapter sixteen, 1948, it seems the house was situated right next door to an air field that was used during the ‘Berlin airlift’ this supplying much needed food and supplies to the deprived people and places. There is more history to this house than just the families that lived there. The house was certainly well placed to be in the centre of things back then. It is annoying though to read that the ‘Denazification’, I can only describe it as ‘Red tape’, didn’t go through.

Chapter seventeen, 1949, I don’t want to comment really about this chapter, although it is written in this book, it is still not at all, let’s just say, correct what is happening. Something that is good news that is almost lost in this chapter is that Will Meisel receives and frames his Business licence.  

Part three. December 2013, again this part is notes on the research on the house. I am both surprised but understandably not surprised by most of the reactions the author is receiving whilst requesting information. It shows that a house can just be a house but it is the living families that tells the living heart of it as a home.

Chapter eighteen, 1952, from this book I can learn a lot of the history of how Germany/Berlin was divided up in the time leading up to the construction of the Berlin wall. Sadly, the house by the lake is looking its age. It is good that it is occupied, if only by a ‘Caretaker’ family that is, I am glad, following the rules of the owner regarding his belongings.

Chapter nineteen, 1958, it seems the lake hose is going to be full of people as two families now are living there. It is nice that once again the house is recognised as ‘A better place’ similar and in keeping with the previous description of the term ‘Haven’. The house is evolving as building work and alterations have been carried out on it. It makes me feel cold to even think about having to wash/bath outside during the winter. Although it is a little sad to read the bigger picture of being ‘Better’ must be thought of, so the family is happy in the long run then that’s fine.

Chapter twenty, 1959, in a previous chapter it was mentioned that the house sewage went into the lake, this is ok as a temporary home. In this chapter with the house being now full time occupied, the inevitable happened and sadly, the lake suffered because of being overwhelmed by full time sewage.

Chapter twenty-one, 1961, it was a shock to read that, to wake up one morning and find a wall being built. Also, it was sad to read, although the piano was stored away the music and clothes were either thrown away or given away. And yes, what good is a ‘Lake house’ with no access to the said lake? Not good.

Chapter twenty-two, 1962, it is nice to read that the alterations to the house makes it more spacious for the now one family that lives there.

Part four, January 2014, again the research continues. I like reading about where some of the past residents of the house ‘A where are they now, what are they doing’ scenario, even though sadly, there is medical issues for one previous resident. I like how the cousins have shown enthusiasm for the house showing a disconnect from the history of it makes for a connection to want to see it preserved and an interest to learn about it.

Chapter twenty-three, 1965, in this chapter we read of a ‘Royal visit’ which is exciting for the west. Also despite the border guards ‘Kids will still be kids’ although dangerous and certainly not good/right this is weirdly amusing to read.

Chapter twenty-four, 1970, it is nice to see the family fall into a routine at the house. They still had to be careful with the border guards despite a friendly camaraderie built up. it is sad that as once the house was referred to as ‘The house by the lake’ it is now referred to as ‘The home by the wall’.

Chapter twenty-five, 1975, at the start of this chapter I thought I would eventually be writing about a successful athlete living at the house, but sadly, an accident changed everything. This was skipped over quickly, but I suppose what is done/has happened, has happened, so there is not really much more to say. This chapter however, by the end there is good news as in a wedding and a baby.

Chapter twenty-six, 1986, after turbulent times at the house a new marriage could be seen as good news. I love that there is a picture of the tiles in the house. The description is good, but a picture is still better.

Chapter twenty-seven, 1989, all I can say about this chapter is the Berlin wall is coming down. Overall it was a nice chapter to read.

Chapter twenty-eight, 1990, despite the wall coming down there is still, you could say conflict, as who owns the house by the lake and what land was theirs and what the land was made into, what can only be described as a ‘Public footpath’.

Chapter twenty-nine, 1993, it is lovely to read that a previous resident was able to visit the house, even though this was sadly, after some tragic loses in her personal life. Even so a bit of nostalgia can be good sometimes overall.

Chapter thirty, 1999, I like that the house is still lived in, but how, with the parties, is questionable. The two young lads had their fun but, and I guessed it couldn’t last long. It seems the house has had a mixed history from respectable holiday home, through equally respectable full time tenants to a bachelor pad. As fun as the latter sounds for the two lads as in best things it comes to an end and the house is now empty again.

Part five, February 2014, the research continues. I would like to have known more about Roland the last resident of the house, about what he is doing now and so on, but at least he provided some information. It is sad to read of the first initial ruling but hopefully after a ‘Clean-up day’ the pretty little house will look better for it and convince a change of heart.

Chapter thirty-one, 2003, this chapter is really not nice to read, squatters have basically, ‘Trashed’ the house. This is so sad to even think about let alone read.

Chapter thirty-two, 2004, I can see why the family next door used the lake house garden also I can see why the other neighbour objected to that. Now it seems a race against time to save the house. Not exactly ‘Edge of your seat’ scenario, but I would like to know how it would be saved.

Chapter thirty-three, 2014, it is lovely to see ‘’Clean-up day’ such a success. I loved reading about the response and the sense of community.

Epilogue, it is lovely to see the house saved and to read the recap of the story.

Postscript, yes, here’s to the next ‘Hundred years’’.

Film of the Week: Stargirl

I will admit, I only came across this film when I was checking to see when the first episode of the DC show on the CW with the same name was going to air its first episode with consideration in these unprecedented times, and considering we don’t get many feel-good musicals compared to other genres, I gave it a watch.

The film is an adaptation of Jerry Spinelli’s novel of the same name, and the first thing I made a mental note about was how I could instantly see why Disney picked up the film rights, because it is quintessentially Disney. The second thing I noticed was the lack of it being a musical, until it showed me the unique way it was including the musical numbers and then I understood why it was labelled so.

In pretty much every musical ever made, and parodies of musicals in various ways also, there’s no discernible source for the music, it just pops up out of nowhere, the characters start singing and dancing, and all is right in the world. In this film, it provides a source for the music and reason for dancing. This reduces the number of musical numbers by a considerable amount when compared to many other musicals. Whereas the others would have a song at the beginning to introduce the audience to the characters, Stargirl waits until twenty-minutes into the film before having a song, and it’s incorporated within the halftime show of a school’s football game. In total, Stargirl has only 4 songs; 5 if you include the short and sweet happy birthday Stargirl (played by Grace VanderWaal) sings to the main character, Leo (played by Graham Verchere); 6 if you count the song sung during the end credit scene. To put that in comparison, Anna and the Apocalypse – a film of the same length – has 13 songs, and even the Phineas and Ferb episode, Rollercoaster the Musical had 12 songs and that was only half-an-hour long; so you can see why I first thought Stargirl was mislabelled as a musical.

This was Grace VanderWaal’s feature film debut, and there were times when the role she was required to play seemed a little too advanced for her first time acting. Her character has the entire film on her shoulders, and at times it was evident Grace felt the strain. But she shined when it came to the musical numbers. In short, the story keeps the mysteriousness of Stargirl’s character strong, but Grace doesn’t always capture what the story needs. Not much complexity was needed when it came to Leo’s character – Graham had to basically nail sympathy and curiosity and that was it, which he does well, and there’s no point in talking about his friends because the film barely includes them.

But there is a big but coming. This is a Disney film, created as a light-hearted family-friendly adventure but mainly aimed at the kids. Whilst it’s easy for me to sit here and state what I feel about the film, none of that matters because I can see the appeal it will have on the children. It has a strong morale interwoven between the story – and rather cleverly, if you look at it from their perspective, the kids won’t focus on Graham’s friends so why should the film do so, too. Just have him interact with them when needed but keep the main focus on the two characters that ultimately drive what the main lesson forward. 

In conclusion, this film isn’t my cup of tea. It falls short a bit, and I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone my age and over, but I can certainly see the appeal it will have to the demographic it’s designed for. It’s a quintessential light-hearted family-friendly Disney musical film, enough said. 

Thanks for reading

Antony Hudson

(TonyHadNouns)

Mum's Monday: The Darkest Hour

This film is based on true events of Winston Churchill (Gary Oldman) during World War Two. The atmospheric nature is cleverly done, giving depth to the era this film is set in.

There is a well-known phrase ‘That behind every great man, there is a great woman’. In this film this is very much high-lighted in the well-acted portrayal of Winston’s wife Clemmie (Kristin Scott Thomas).

A part that could be deemed as inaccurate is when Churchill goes to the king (Ben Mendelsohn) to become the Prime Minister. Winston talks, in the words ‘Your Majesty’ to the king first. Now I always thought the protocol was that no one spoke until after the king or queen had spoken first.

This is not so much a war film just a film set during the war. This is cleverly done and shows that a film about the war doesn’t have to have many, if any actual fighting scenes. The script describes events without visual representation. Also it is strange to see a war film without hardly any action scenes.

Not only am I glad that Miss Layton (Lily James) was given another chance it is heart-warming to see the connection between her and Winston.

This film also high-lights even more the importance of ‘Dunkirk’ and rescuing the troops from the beaches. This is all done by script, which is really clever and extremely well done.

There are some amusing parts one is when they lose the Prime Minister to the London Underground. Also I absolutely love the reference to the modern day saying that ‘All babies look like Winston Churchill’ this is so amusing, light-hearted and on topic. I love how in this film Winston asked some public/people how they felt and what they would do.

Overall this film does and history has shown that yes, Winston Churchill can get the job done, even in Britain’s Darkest Hour.

The Written Podcast: A Call From Another World?

We've heard and read many stories from all over the internet or strangers you've met on holidays, about what many automatically disbelief as fiction and mere stories passed down from person to person. Known by many on the internet as Creepypastas, a genre of stories centred around the darker aspects of fiction, written in the vernacular as if it actually happened to the person writing the story, even providing "proof" to add to the reader's experience. These stories are considered fiction, but what we don't know is how many of them are actually real, and the writer is putting it out there to get it off their chest, to tell those who are willing to read and be apart of the story.

Ghost stories, alien stories, time travelling stories, and even parallel universe hopping stories, everyone has had a weird enough experience that they simply cannot be explained, even if the reason behind what happened is totally rational and not at all what our minds jump to. Sometimes an experience can be so weird, it must be true. Fact can truly be stranger than fiction.

This weirdness didn't happen to me, but I was in the room with someone who experienced a something weird with the normal landline. It was mid-morning and my dad was at work. My mum and I were keeping ourselves entertained at home by watching TV and playing games on the computer. On occasion my dad phones our home to update on what's going on with his work, or simply to check up on how we are. We've had problems with the landline before, as many people who have them do, such as the phone itself wearing out, the connection disconnecting suddenly, but no incident quite like what happened to my mum when my dad phoned up as he have done so many times before.

The phone rang and my mum picked it up, instantly recognising the number. When she answered it, his voice was not who came over the speaker. It was a woman's voice, who was stating she had recently acquired a new phone and trying it out. Now, people accidentally phoning the wrong number happens all the time - all you have to do is get two digits the wrong way round and you connect to someone completely different to who you were intended to phone. When the embarrassment eventually subsides, you end the call and try redialling but this time with the right number. But this wasn't the case of the wrong number, but instead it was the right number phoned by the wrong person, and my mum even stated that she believes the stranger has her husband's number, but the woman simply repeated her statement, that she had recently acquired a new phone and was trying it out. Not only was this a strange call, but the connection was terrible as well, and not wanting to sound rude, mum tried to get the other person to hear her voice by speaking louder, but for the third time the woman stated that she had recently acquired a new phone and she was trying it out.

Knowing that she wasn't going to get through, instead of trying over and over, mum had no choice but to end the call. The stranger on the other end didn't surprise her, it was that the number which appeared on the screen was my dad's number. Sometimes, when you get a bad connection, the best cure is to end the call and phone straight back, so that's why mum does; she phones dad's number straight back. This time around, dad picks up, which once again surprised mum, because only moments ago there was a woman on the other end using his number.

Dad conveyed his surprise because he was about to reveal the strangest part about the whole experience. When mum answered the phone, his end connected perfectly and could hear her clearly. So, just to recap, my dad phoned the home number and it connected to our phone as normal, but when mum picked it up and answered as normal, dad's voice was not who came over the speaker, as if someone had intercepted the call. When mum stated that the stranger has her husband's number, he returned by saying that he was her husband, proving that the call had connected perfectly on his end.

That incident never happened before, nor has it happened since. Makes you wonder how often that happens to other people, if at all. Reading this article, of course it's hard to believe that someone from another world could have accidentally connected to our world via signals, and I'm sure there is someone out there who could provide a rational explanation as to what happened. But I cannot, and whilst it didn't happen directly to me, it is a story I can tell to those passing by or develop it as a creepypasta. Or maybe it truly was a call from another world.

Thanks for reading

Antony Hudson

(TonyHadNouns)

TV Show of the Week: Jeopardy

With lockdown easing for many, there are still plenty who are still at home and whilst creativity have never been higher to vanquish boredom, sometimes we all need to take a chunk of time and relax in front of the TV, whether that be watching our favourite films and TV shows. I’ve been keeping myself busy over the past six weeks, and with the looming phone call to tell me I can return to work just around the corner, I just need to hang in there for the next couple of days. I believe I’ve found what can keep my mind active whilst I wait and that’s in the form of a TV show from my childhood… I know, I wasn’t expecting to write that either.

Jeopardy (not to be confused by the popular gameshow Jeopardy) was a live-action kids show that aired on CBBC, and even though it was labelled as a kids show, it certainly was the most adult kids show I watched as a kid, because of the intelligence, the scare factor, and the incredible story over the course of 3-seasons. Running from 2002 to 2004 (when I was between the ages of 8-10, at 4PM, after school every day, this show came on and me and my mum sat down and watched it together, both hooked on each episode.

Jeopardy follows the story of 8 secondary-school students and their teacher, who travel to Australian bush in search for UFOs. What was unique about this show was the homage to the found-footage genre, when the characters were given camcorders to record every day and any potential sightings. This gives the sense of realism and has been compared to the style of the Blair Witch Project, something that I did agree to the older I got and was man enough to handle the Blair Witch Project. Of course, those 8 students manage to capture more than just a sighting and end up in the middle of conspiracies and mysteries alike.

You might be thinking – why am I talking about watching a show from my childhood when I’m 26-years old, I must be truly getting desperate and bored with staying home. Well, what makes this show unique among all the others I watched as a child, is it held prominence over the years, because unlike other shows where I watched for the sake of watching because my mum allowed me time with the TV, this show was the first show with which I actually cared about the story and followed it tentatively. And, unfortunately, due to reasons I cannot remember, I never found out how it ended. I never found out the fate of those 8 characters. I’ve always sought out closure.

You might now be thinking that, why don’t I just google the Wikipedia article and read what happens, but I counterargue by stating that wouldn’t not be the same. Reading a synopsis on what happens is nowhere near the same to watching the show, following the details, and having complete closure on what happens. Until now. I have managed to track down all three seasons of the show, from episode 1 to the very end, and I would be lying if the child in me wasn’t excited about finally getting that long-awaited resolution.

As lockdown slowly eases and I’m waiting for that phone call, I think it’s the right time to binge-watch the entire show from start to finish, follow the stories of those 8 students 1 last time with the relief that I can finally find out what happens next.

Thanks for reading

Antony Hudson

(TonyHadNouns)

Mum’s Monday: What’s in a date?

Every single day has some significance to someone all over the world. Every single date is up for debate, mainly on which calendar to follow, be it the Gregorian Calendar or the Judicial Calendar. And there’s even different formats when displaying a date, which has caused many a debate over the years between English and American date format. Here in England, our date’s format is: 04/05/2020 – which when said aloud rolls off the tongue like so; the fourth of May, twenty-twenty. In America, their date’s format is: 05/04/2020 – which rolls of the tongue like so; May, the fourth, twenty-twenty, with the historical rationale that the month is the least important part, thus put second.

I chose the date 04/05/2020, not because of the cultural celebration of “may the fourth be with you,” a pun on the common phrase said in the Star Wars franchise, “may the force be with you”, but instead because it’s the date I’m writing this article on. However, to commemorate the date, whilst it’s difficult to find an official source of first use, an early use of the phrase was back in 1979 and was printed in the London Evening News. The Conservative party took out a full-page ad with the title, “May the Fourth Be With You”, celebrating that the then Prime Minister, Maggie Thatcher would be first elected. Of course, fans of the Star Wars franchise have taken on that phrase and used it to annoy those who have a birthday on that day.

Speaking of birthdays, every single date in the year has someone celebrating their birthday on it or recognising an historical birth or death on that day. Today, there’s approximately 17.7million people across the world celebrating their birthday. I will be among that average on 07/09/2020. Whilst it’s safe to say that it may not be the actual date itself, but the recognisable factor of it being the day you are born, but people do make that particular day special in some way, whether it be just a break from work and lounge about the house, go out to dinner, or have a massive party; it only comes round once a year (unless you’re the Queen).

Here in England, we have a selection of days known as Bank Holidays, which are a single day where business shut down. Known as a national holiday, traditionally started off as being purely for the banks, hence the name, the holiday has since become a country wide affair, except if you’re in the retail sector then there is no such thing as a bank holiday. In fact, there’s no such thing as a Boxing Day, either.

Although retail outlets and various other businesses remain in operation on some national holidays, there’s one which has much more of an impact, such as Christmas day, which is on the 25^th of December, every year. The world has been celebrating Christmas day on 25^th December every year since 336AD to correspond with the Roman Calendar, which was, at the time, Julian Calendar before we flipped over to the Gregorian Calendar. For 1,684 years, that date has always been Christmas, no matter what. The ideology of keeping the same date for Christmas when transitioning over hasn’t been for everyone. Although recognised by most countries, some Eastern Churches have kept the date exactly as it would appear in the Julian Calendar, meaning they celebrate Christmas on January 7^th. Same celebration, different date. This brings forward an example of fluidity when it comes to what’s associated with a single date of any given year. Taking my birthday into account, if I were to celebrate it according to the Julian Calendar, it’ll be on 17/09/2020 – a Thursday – a difference of 11 days. When England adopted the Gregorian Calendar in 1745, Wednesday 2^nd September was followed by Thursday, 14^th September. And with it being a leap year, it included that extra day in February, totalling the number of days in that year to 355.

Leap years happen every four years, and it always occurs on February 29^th. The reason why we do this is to synchronise our calendars with the solar calendar – the time it takes for our planet to orbit the sun. What we’ve done is rounded to the nearest day, when it actually takes 365¼ days to fully orbit the sun, hence why the leap year occurs every 4 years. If we never inserted the leap year since the beginning of the Gregorian Calendar, today’s date would not be 04/05/2020, but instead 17/08/2020, which is a 105-day difference.

Staying with calendars, this world is full of them – past and present, each one displaying their own timeframe. One of the most famous in recent history is the Mayan calendar, which caused quite a phenomenon across the world. The Mayan calendar dates back to the 5^th century BCE, but some documents state that it wasn’t the Mayans who invented it, but the same system was used in pre-Columbia Central America, which notably predated the Maya. However, the Mayan’s adopted it, made it their own, and used it to calculate dates long into the future. As time went on and many calendars passed, changing the date to this and that, the day that was calculated for the Mayan calendar to end changed, too. It was calculated to end on 21/12/2012, 11:11AM, which inspired many to believe that was when the world would end. There have been many doomsday predictions throughout history, but none have had a film about it. Called “2012”, it’s about the end of the world. 21/12/2012 caused the world to be in hysterics; total panic, even seeing people build shelters to protect themselves from the “inevitable” end.

A date can be significant in lots of ways, whether for novelty reasons such as your wedding anniversary, sharing your first kiss, and/or from the perspective of an expectant mother a date can be when your baby is due, and whilst the first two are fixed and have some powerful connection (the third is technically a guess made by professionals because it is common for babies to be late, setting a new due date, subsequently a new birthday for the baby).

On the milder side of the spectrum, a date can be concrete because it’s the day your boss has set to have that incredibly important meeting. You’re expected to follow the Gregorian Calendar when planning for that meeting – you can’t state the reason for why you never showed because you’re following the Julian Calendar before leap years, setting the date of your boss’s meeting 105 days later. A date can be set for a feature film to release either in the cinema or on DVD, and the fans are stating they simply cannot wait for that date to come around. The same can be said about a booked holiday – once it’s booked, you’re counting down the days until you can run out of work and jump on that plane.

Sticking with the novelty, there are certain patterns that have been observed over the years, one in particular which has no ended and we won’t be seeing again in our lifetime. When we hit the 2001s, 01/01/01 – which would also be a bank holiday as it’s celebrated as New Year’s Day – has just enough uniqueness about it which those who are born on that day, or something else special happened, it feels different. My son, Antony, was born 05/05/1994. That meant on his 11^th birthday, it was 05/05/05, something I know he would be happy about, as it’s a truly unique birthday. Sure, it was celebrated by many millions more as well, but being a part of that crowd should be recognised for what it was. This pattern lasted until 12/12/12, which was the very day my son passed his driving test, and another example of a novelty date. He has said he’ll never forget when he passed his test, because of that pattern. His world changed around him on that day, signifying that date to be something special to him as well.

Sadly, most of us would be seeing when the pattern begins anew, with 01/01/2101. However, those who are born today would be 81 years old, so more than likely can acknowledge it. That pattern would continue until ending with 12/12/2112, until restarting once again with 01/01/2201, and you get the idea. That is if we don’t switch over to another style of calendar beforehand, which is probably highly unlikely considering this Gregorian Calendar does work and have been working for hundreds of years.

So, to answer this article’s title question; what’s in a date? Well, first we must decide which calendar to use before we start putting some meaning on top of them, but since a good chunk of the world uses the Gregorian Calendar, it’s safe to say the following: there are some fixed meanings and some fluid meanings, but technically speaking a date can contain whatever we want, and certainly are more than just numbers.

Film of the Week: Grown Ups 1 and 2

This week is going to be something different. Not only am I going to be covering 2 films, but I’m going to defend them as well. I think they’re OK and a good watch. Both co-written by Adam Sandler, neither film has seen a good review by critics, but I’m going disagree with all of them.

Adam Sandler is an article all on his own. He is a machine when it comes to working hard. He writes, directs, stars, and produces – he has had some decent hits such as “50 First Dates”, “The Wedding Planner,” and he has had some not so decent hits, such as “Pixels”, and “The Ridiculous 6”, which was given the rare 0% on Rotten Tomatoes, a rating it still has as of writing this article, but has a 33% audience score, so there’s that. Grown Ups has 10% on the Tomatometer, with an audience score of 62% - over half the people who submitted the review liked it enough to bump up the score. It’s sequel, Grown Ups 2, has 7% on the Tomatometer, with an audience score of 53% - so less than the first one, but still over half the reviews are positive enough to create a vast gap between both scores. I am one of those people who like both films.

It should be stated that I don’t think either film are the best films ever made – but they are decent in their own ways. The first reason being the strong chemistry the cast have with each other, creating a solid atmosphere of feel-good vibes. The first film sees the main characters get together, along with their families, to pay respects to their basketball coach. As kids, they were good friends but since leaving high school they drifted apart until now. Each has their own life, and the majority have their own family, but the one thing they do together is a strong friendship, which has held strong enough to make it feel as if it was only the day before since they saw each other. Even for the audience watching, there’s the sense that you’re apart of the team, and upon watching it again after a couple months break, it feels like only yesterday since you did so. The majority of the film takes place at a lake house, where the kids are ushered to play outside instead of constantly using technology such as playing video games or on their phones. Over the course of the film, secrets are revealed, bonds grow stronger, and a heck of a lot of fun is had.

The second film takes place 3 years after the first, and sees Adam Sandler’s character along with his family move back to the town in which he grew up in, and hangs on with his friends from the last film around town on the last day of term before summer break… and that’s it. That’s the entire plot of the film, and everyone has a heck of a lot of fun doing just that. The strong dynamic between the main characters seems even stronger than the first film, and once again there’s that feel-good factor throughout.

The main criticism is that both films have very little plot. I counterargue that statement by confusingly agree to disagree with them, because having little plot is all need with a group of good friends hanging out with each other, creating an easy watch for the audience. The cast members are genuine friends, so them playing friends in the film came easy, and therefore made their antics and banter and everything else that happens across the two films, entertaining.

Thanks for reading

Antony Hudson

(TonyHadNouns)

Mum's Monday: Sick Building (Doctor Who) by Paul Magrs

At the start of this book it is clever to write it from the point of view of a creature in the woods. It is not clear of what type of animal, but her babies are referred to as ‘Cubs’.

Chapter one, it turns out if I had read the paragraph on the back of this book and waited until I had read this chapter, I would have found out that the creature was a ‘Sabre-toothed tiger in the woods, wanting to protect her cubs. This chapter high-lights the importance of focusing and checking outside before venturing out onto a strange planet. Although this could be forgiven as the said planet known as ‘Tiermann’s world’ is about to be eaten within about ‘Thirty-six hours’. There is nothing like a short/tight deadline to ramp up the suspense.

Chapter two, it is interesting that the Doctor can talk to the animals, in this case the sabre-toothed tiger. I also feel a mix of, it is lovely to read that a family is living in luxury with staff, but yet I feel sad for their son Solin, in that he hasn’t had the adventures some people get to have.

Chapter three, it is amusing to read of a ‘Lawnmower’ and a ‘Water cooler’ robots coming across the lawn towards the Doctor, Martha and Solin. They are not the only robots that serve the Tiermann family that live in the ‘Dream house’ under the dome. I feel this chapter has taken a dark turn in that how Mr Tiermann feels about his robots, this is sad to read.

Chapter four, as dinner parties go, the one in this book is a strange and awkward one. you really get the sense of urgency, in the way this book is written, to the situation going on outside the dome. However, by the end of this chapter the Doctor could be in danger inside the dome in the short term.

Chapter five, just what the family and Martha needs on top of everything else, is the robots going ‘Haywire’ and the Craw is getting closer.

Chapter six, in this chapter I am reading about my two favourite characters in this book, Barbara the Vending machine and Toaster the sunbed. Both it is nice to see are friends. It is also nice that Barbara helped the Doctor. It is also lovely to see the Doctor in turn help Toaster. It is amusing yet I have to say, sad, that the kitchen gadgets are ‘Malfunctioning’ and now the shield is down and there is an animal from the outside world to contend with. It is all action and so far I don’t know how everything can be ok as the Doctor has been banished.

Chapter seven, just what they all wanted, to be left behind, it is sad to read, although the upside, if the house isn’t happy with the family then it will surely help the Doctor, Martha and the Doctor’s new friends. Under normal circumstances the thought of a ‘Dishwasher’ going into a fight with an animal would be amusing to read, but sadly, it doesn’t end well. I like the term ‘Soft body’ meaning a human, well not a robot.

Chapter eight, well that was clever not, upsetting the one thing controlling the house. The green flamed computer only wants to protect all by locking everyone in the house.  I don’t want to put this book down.

Chapter nine, by the end of this chapter, it seems the house computer only wants to look after everyone. That would be nice if one, the outside circumstances were different and two, the technique to achieving this wasn’t bad.

Chapter ten, the Doctor and everyone else must get to level twenty. I like how Barbara tried to help Amanda. However, Barbara was helpless against the vacuum cleaners. Sadly, now Barbara’s eyes are turning red, this part wasn’t nice to read.        

Chapter eleven, it is lovely to see the connection between the Doctor and Barbara and yes, I am proud of Barbara too.

Chapter twelve, I don’t like how Ernest assumes that the Doctors hasn’t experienced loss. I do like how Amanda is thinking stronger opinionated thoughts of her own.

Chapter thirteen, the house is back and so are the Tiermann family, I didn’t think they would get away.

Chapter fourteen, it just goes to show ‘Do not upset a woman, dead or alive, especially a wife. A computer might just use that to its advantage. The description is so well done that the image it flashes up is horrific yet pitiful at the same time.

Chapter fifteen, now after everything everyone has been through there are ‘Bat Babies’ to contend with, luckily Toaster the hero is there to help. Intended or not the connectivity in this story is clever.

Chapter sixteen, I knew they would find the Tardis but it was a relief to read that they had and that there were no more obstacles in their way. However now that they are in the Tardis sadly, the computer action has started up again.

Chapter seventeen, I like that the Doctor went back to the ‘Dream house’ sadly, there isn’t much left of it. I can also picture the impending doom as the description is however, simple but effective as I can picture the house then a break away scene to where the Craw is eating.

Chapter eighteen, this book high-lights that you should be careful what or who you create it/they could turn against you. Sadly, this ended in tragedy.

Chapter nineteen, it becomes clear as to why the Doctor’s plan worked and why he got the group to do what they did.

There is a happy ending, as happy as it can be with some loss, but ultimately the world is nice and safe for the sabre-toothed tiger and her cubs again.