vivdunstan

More stratigraphy

2026-08-12T21:12:27Z

More clearing out another part of the study, filled with too many things as my progressive neurological illness worsened, alongside finishing a history PhD & being a research fellow. Digging down piles reminds me of stratigraphy in archaeology. Found books on witchcraft and werewolves. Keeping them!

A lot of other things are being disposed of including more CDs to go to charity. But some things are being moved elsewhere, such as an academic book history book with a chapter from me in it. That hasn't quite got to my proper bookshelves yet, but has more chance now it's been dug out of the depths!

A very careful consideration though is pile stability e.g. as I dig through one pile I must make sure that the next pile further in - still to be tackled - is stable and won't suddenly topple! It feels a bit like a never-ending process, especially with my illness. But I am getting somewhere with it.

And I just suggested Martin glance towards the newly largely dismantled pile. "Chasm!" was his response on seeing it.

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This week's oracle cards spread

2026-08-10T17:34:56Z

Been a while since I did one of these!

Today I'm using my Urban Crow oracle deck, which I love. Trying to free read it this time, just looking at the cards, and see which I relate to, without looking up suggested meanings. This is a pretty straightforward deck.

I've adapted my 4-card Tarot spread to use here, drawing four cards and arranging them, top to bottom in terms of how I connect with them. This is different from the 3-card past/present/future spread I've used before.

Today I put "Play" at the top. I'm trying - as much as my neurological illness allows - to have fun as I continue to be in the strange limbo of awaiting imminent major surgery, for possible cancer, but don't have a surgery date yet, and may get called in at very short notice. It is not easy to cope with, but I have a couple of weeks grace period, as the surgeon is on annual leave ...

Equally, though, I still feel very vulnerable and exposed, and not in control. So I placed the "Exposed" card at the next position. I'm trying not to dwell on things, and ignore the waiting, and the worry. But it isn't easy.

I'm not religious, but "Sacred Space" resonated with how I'm trying to find a moment of calm, and a quiet centre and focus, as I go through this very weird period, of unending scary limbo. It's a work in progress!

Finally "Abundance" didn't feel appropriate, not least because I'm trying to continue to lose more weight before surgery. Nearly 6kg down at my last weigh in (not far off a stone).

That was fun, and a different way of reading with this deck. Quick and easy, and helpful for me.

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Nogmania

2026-08-10T15:19:41Z

Enjoying 1977's "Nogmania" book by Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin full of Heath Robinson esque inventions in the Noggin the Nog world. Am always looking out for Nogbad the Bad usually lurking somewhere, as in this "Nogfeast" picture. I was lucky to recently buy the book at heavy discount.

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Berlioz in the 1980s

2026-08-10T02:38:02Z

Listening to last night's BBC4 Proms broadcast, to hear "March to the Scaffold" from the Symphonie Fantastique by Berlioz. I played violin for this in the 1980s for the Borders Schools Orchestra. According to the British Newspaper Archive we performed music by Berlioz and others in Wilton Parish Church in October 1985. So 41 years ago. I remember playing there, my local parish church.

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Resumed Babylon 5 rewatch

2026-08-09T20:16:28Z

Recently resumed our latest Babylon 5 rewatch, currently a third through season 3 but with some absolutely stonking episodes coming up in the next weeks. It will have to be paused when I have major surgery soon (and might be in hospital for a month after) but we can fit more episodes in before then.

I have lost count now of how many times we've rewatched this series right through ...

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Through Windows in Time: Madame de Pompadour 20 Years On

2026-08-07T21:15:58Z

Fascinating blog post about this Doctor Who painting:

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Psion genealogy program

2026-08-06T21:24:03Z

Digging further in my Psion memories, here's an Internet Archive copy of Martin's old website about the genealogy program we wrote for the Psion 3&Siena palmtop computers. Called Geni then GenMVD. Website has screenshots and lots of info.

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1997 Psion throwback

2026-08-06T20:41:41Z

Browsing a recently digitised collection of Psion palmtop magazines this 1997 issue looked extremely familiar. And checking inside on page 15 there's a letter from me, extolling the virtues of my Psion palmtop (3a or 3c - can't remember for sure which I had then). Crikey!

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Drool

2026-08-06T19:17:10Z

Angus strawberries under extra thick Scottish cream.

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Sieving for hobbits

2026-08-04T22:50:53Z

I’ve been slowly starting to read Ian Nathan’s book about Peter Jackson and the making of the Lord of the Rings films. It’s vastly over written and too waffly so I’m skimming big chunks (in my library’s Libby ebook version). But still enough gems to keep reading if I can find them.

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Wedding ring

2026-08-04T17:56:55Z

I've been agonising over whether to take off my wedding ring before surgery. Strictly speaking it's not necessary. But I could be spaced out and ill afterwards - especially if things go pear shaped and I'm in for a month - and I worry it might slip off over that prolonged time. Better safe at home.

I did get quite distressed recently when I had to take it off before my CT scan. I'd had a dozen or more MRI and X-ray scans over decades without having to take it off. I was very glad to get it back on again soon after! But I think this time leaving it safe at home will be the best thing to do.

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Foldable keyboard

2026-08-04T17:28:27Z

Getting something else to help with my upcoming post surgery hospital stay - which will be for at least 5 days and could be up to a month. Ordered a foldable keyboard + stand to use with my iPod touch (like iPhone without the phoning). Would rather not take tablet or laptop in, but this should help.

To be fair I'm likely to be far too ill to be thinking about doing typing for much of the time. Especially if things end up with the month's stay. But I'd like to have something with me to help, if I'm able to. I should have an overbed table. Plan also to be taking in my Kindle for reading ebooks.

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Two books in, three books out

2026-07-31T18:01:26Z

Shelved today's newly arrived signed books (Tom Baker bio and Douglas Adams H2G2) and moving out three smaller books to donate to charity to make space. I'm trying to clear out a huge backlog of books, so if I get more in it's important that I don't have too big a net gain! Happy with that.

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Signed books

2026-07-31T12:20:57Z

Just arrived from Cold Tonnage Books two signed books. Both books by Tom Baker and Douglas Adams are in my list of favourite books by year - one book nominated for each year of my life, and had to be published in that year.

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Current reading, late July 2026 edition

2026-07-29T21:09:03Z

Current main reading, on my Kindle, with gargantuan font. A mix of fiction and non fiction. Trying to finish The Spellshop ASAP before getting deeply into Theodora's Tea Shop. Non fiction books include a couple of Venice ones, in my ongoing Venice virtual tour.

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A surprise local cider

2026-07-29T18:53:41Z

Extremely impressed by Lost Orchards low alcohol cider. It’s not got the full scrumpy-like whoomph of Sheppys low alcohol from Somerset. But it’s got a good sharpness, and smells like proper cider, albeit quite apple-y. Vastly better for us than Thatchers Zero, which we both disliked viscerally. And better than Sainsbury’s low alcohol which was the second best in my extensive taste test of low alcohol cider options. Best of all, it’s made in Dundee, or at least on the city edge.

We cleared the shelf this morning in Longparke Farm Shop very near our home, buying all the bottles. We’d just enjoyed a cooked breakfast in the cafe there as a treat. I had modest expectations re the cider, but am wowed, not least after trying a large number of other low alcohol ones months ago, with mixed success.

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Bagpuss and friends

2026-07-28T18:41:39Z

A large collection of artworks and studio models from Peter Firmin are shortly to be auctioned. The creator of Bagpuss, Noggin the Nog, Ivor the Engine, the Clangers and more. https://www.thecanterburyauctiongalleries.com/home

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Books finished in 2026, late July edition

2026-07-28T14:05:12Z

Crikey I'm behind with updating this list! Lots more finished since my last post.

( earlier books )

Dante's Inferno graphic novel by Hunt Emerson
The Christmas Book Hunt by Jenny Colgan
The Casebook of Stamford Hawksmoor graphic novel by Bryan Talbot
The Incandescent by Emily Tesh
A Beachcomber's Journal by Seonaid McGurk
Restoration London: Everyday Life in the 1660s by Liza Picard

In terms of the new books, the Dante's Inferno graphic novel was a chance spot by Martin in our local public library. As he rightly guessed I might like that! It's a very funny adaptation, with interest-filled visuals and lots to see.

Jenny Colgan's The Christmas Book Hunt was a short read, but fine enough. Including a very unexpected appearance by my "other" home town in the Scottish Borders.

I loved Bryan Talbot's Grandville prequel about detective Stamford Hawksmoor, but with my memory problems struggled to keep up with the complex plot as I'd put the book down one day and pick it up another. The artwork is divine though, and the world building of course. Highly recommended, though it helps if you have a better memory than me.

Emily Tesh's The Incandescent was what I would describe as a school procedural with magic. It's written from the perspective of a teacher in a magic school, and overall I found it frustrating, albeit good in places. It breaks the general tips about how to handle the emotional beats in a novel, but not in a good way. As a result the pacing was often off. And I found the ending extremely unsatisfying. But glad I read.

Seonaid McGurk's beachcombing book is about her finds here in Monifieth and surrounding beaches. Thought provoking. Another Monifieth library borrow.

And, finally, Liza Picard's Restoration London was a reread, nearly three decades after I first read it in print. A good read, with insightful assessment of the historical evidence and a snappy presentation. But some problematic framing aspects, and far too in-depth a later section about law at the time (the author was a qualified lawyer).

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Still waiting ...

2026-07-26T21:17:26Z

... to hear a surgery date, but the waiting list secretary says I could hear any day now, with just a week or two's notice of surgery. So in a strange limbo, but getting ready, including preparing a big bag for hospital. I will be in hospital for at least 5 days, but it could be a month. It's a long stay. We may also have to rearrange upcoming things when I get that call. But soon, hopefully. Way over the cancer waiting list treatment/surgery target time scale. But hey, not two years as many other women are waiting for gynaecological surgery from NHS Tayside.

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The Riker Maneuver

2026-07-26T20:43:31Z

Now that I've seen this video I can't ever not notice again how Riker sits down - or stands up from a seat! - in Star Trek TNG.

The real life reason was a severe back injury actor Jonathan Frakes had sustained before appearing in Star Trek TNG.

But honestly, how did I not notice this as a *thing* before? I was a fan from original UK TV broadcast.

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Signed book

2026-07-24T15:19:26Z

Delighted that Martin could pick up for me a preordered signed debut novel from a favourite YouTuber / writing vlogger that I've followed for many years. Picked up from the Broughty Ferry bookshop, our local independent bookshop. The book is officially out on Tuesday, but some copies are getting out early. I plan to mainly read it with gargantuan font on my Kindle, from Tuesday release day. But will make a start on the physical book tonight.

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TARDIS Commonwealth Games appearance

2026-07-23T21:53:57Z

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St Andrews visit

2026-07-22T18:43:57Z

Lovely visit to St Andrews to see the Mary Queen of Scots exhibition at the university’s Wardlaw Museum, buy too many books in Toppings, and unexpectedly get my hair cut at Dynamic Hair, where the staff remembered this long time customer after many years. Then fish and chips by the seaside in Monifieth.

St Andrews is a bit of a nightmare in the height of summer, with so many cars (I know we were adding to this) and many pedestrians oblivious to traffic dangers. But we managed what we hoped to do. Because I was struggling so much with walking we had to pogo stick the car around, always getting as near to the next place as we could. But it worked out. My Blue Badge was heavily used today. And the haircut was a surprise bonus - my first trim in 8 months! Should mean I'm much more comfortable for my prolonged stay in hospital after surgery.

I'll probably be really felled tomorrow, but that's ok. This afternoon was great.

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DNF-ing original Orlando novel, switching to new graphic novel version instead

2026-07-20T01:03:36Z

I was supposed to be reading (well rereading - I last read it 30+ years ago) Orlando by Virginia Woolf for book club. But I'm not getting on well with it. I think my patience this time as I go through a medical crisis is especially stretched. But the book's *so* waffly, and not getting to the point quickly. I'm tired of wading through page after page looking for plot. The film version I saw in 1993 is very faithful, but zippier. I'm abandoning the book, part way through chapter two.

However I do have a new graphic novel version in hand, which looks a lot more appealing. Great artwork, much more compact storytelling, and getting on with things in a page turning way. So I'm switching to that, to keep in touch with book club, but in a way that's more palatable for me.

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Rewatching Doctor Who: Kinda

2026-07-19T19:44:36Z

Continuing our Peter Davison era rewatch, and next this one. Which I hadn't remembered fondly, but honestly enjoyed much more than I remembered.

It's an interesting story of a base under siege from within, due to a character going mad. Then on the outside there's a mysterious supposedly primitive society. All on a strange jungle-like planet.

The first two episodes were stronger for me than the last two. A big problem in the last two for me was the acting of Adrian Mills as Aris. Though his character also wasn't particularly well written.

I much preferred the base scenes, with a tiny cast, including, amazingly, Richard Todd, but also Nerys Hughes who, like many watching, I wish had stayed on as a TARDIS companion after this.

The inside Tegan's mind (or not) scenes were incredibly trippy, but also riveting, with some great guest acting from "Reg" actor Jeff Stewart from The Bill. I was also pleased to see Mary Morris, who I especially remember as one of the Number Two actors in 1960s The Prisoner.

But it did get rather painful to watch later, though still interesting. I like what they tried, but the script needed quite a bit more work. Though I'm less annoyed by the original giant snake effect than some. By the way we are watching the Peter Davison stories with all original SFX, not new.

The making of documentary was interesting, but felt a lot like multiple people apportioning blame onto others. For example I think the scriptwriter could have written the script in a more accessible way, and he shouldn't have needed this to be pointed out, though nor should the others have let the script go through in this form. I'm really not sure how much use the script editor was.

Depending on when I hear my date for cancer surgery we may have a wait before we watch the next story. We're watching the 4-parters over a couple of Sunday evenings. And may run out of time to watch the next one fully before surgery, if I'm contacted soon, with fairly short notice.

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