Wednesday March 23, 2005

TV's in pubs

About eighteen months ago I stopped doing something that had become a regular part of my week. A visit to the local pub. Local means the centre of my village about 3/4 of a mile away. Not long after we moved to Twyford I took to wandering down the pub on a Sunday night, Sunday Times under my arm and had a read and a pint or two.

When the pub changed hands I got to know the new landlord and landlady better than the previous ones. So instead of just reading the paper I would also have a chat with them. I also got to know a few of the locals too. I always felt it was a nice way to end the weekend. Often I would pop into the local chip shop and have a bag of chips to soak up the beer on the way home.

So what happened to make me stop ? Well two things really. The first was the death of my mother in law. Naturally my wife was very upset so I took to staying around to be with her. When it was time to reconsider going back I thought about it. I liked going but a few things put me off returning.

Coming back smelling like an ashtray.

The recently installed TV on the wall.

I think the TV did it. I don't know what it is about TV's in pubs. It sounds a nice idea, watch a bit of footie or rugby with your mates and a pint. I have no problem with this. But in a lot of pubs now the tv is on all the time. Instead of talking people watch it. It is strange but if a tv is on in a room you cannot help but look at it. I think back to '1984' by George Orwell and the screens people had in their houses. Forty years on perhaps we are getting closer to that book than we realise...

The Beatles jigsaw takes shape

This is the current state of play of my mosaic jigsaw at work. I am now forcing myself to spend at least half an hour on this away from my desk at lunchtime instead of working through lunch. I feel better for it too. As can be seen Paul Mccartney's blue jacket is complete (which is where I had got too when work was suspended). I am now working on their hair which are dark coloured pieces. The way I do it is mind boggling. You pick up a piece, find it on the puzzle box picture and place it on the board. Eventually you get two pieces that fit into each other and as can be seen reasonable progress is being made on the hair area. I had already separated the dark pieces from the rest of the bits. I do not know what area I will work on next but the solid black area at the bottom of the puzzle will be a challenge to say the least. I'l put up a picture on this blog when I am done. The guys in the office reckon I'll have it done in two years at my current rate of progress.

Of course one of my students tells me the Beatles words in the black bit at the bottom of the puzzle are not where it should be (too far to the left) . I don't think I will be doing that bit so I think I will cut it off...