vivdunstan: Muppet eating a computer (computer)
Very belatedly watching the 1990 documentary “Hyperland” about hypertext, starring Douglas Adams (who wrote it) and Tom Baker. It originally aired on the BBC just as Martin and I were starting as undergraduate students at St Andrews.

And for the computer science folks, my St Andrews CS PhD which I had to drop out of in 1996 due to my progressive neurological disease (still not then diagnosed properly) was about creating a system to support hypercode, a hypertext like programming system built on underlying persistence technology.

vivdunstan: (tom baker)
Just got to Tom Baker appearing in our rewatch of “The Silver Chair” Narnia series from the BBC in 1990. And I’m constantly laughing at everything he says as Puddleglum. Brilliant character, perfectly cast.
vivdunstan: (fourth doctor)
Continuing our slow rewatch of the newly remastered BBC Narnia TV stories from 1988-1990. Newly starting “The Silver Chair”. Looking forward to seeing Tom Baker again as Puddleglum. And Camilla Power as Jill is a fine young actress.
vivdunstan: (fifth doctor)
Jotting down some thoughts about this. Mainly a note to self, but sharing here too in case it's of interest to others.

We have very little time to watch TV series things together. Often just one episode's worth a week, total, given how heavily sedated I am, including typically having to go back to sleep between dinner and supper. And that's after being asleep all day before then ... It really is phenomenally restricting.

However making plans! And as top priority I hope to rewatch the Fifth Doctor Peter Davison era of Doctor Who, now we have almost all the Fifth Doctor Blu-ray remastered season collections, and will get the last one in late March. I've seen very few of these episodes again since original broadcast back in the early 1980s. Martin has seen very few (he didn't have a TV at home when he grew up). So it will be fun to watch/rewatch. Plus watch some of the bonus extra features like documentaries etc on the new Blu-ray season boxes. I will also be referring throughout to the hardback copy of the latest Celestial Toyroom annual Martin got for me for Christmas, after I dropped an unsubtle/heavy hint. This year's annual looks back at the Fifth Doctor era, including writings about each story. The Lulu-printed hardback version of the annual is *gorgeous*.

Before then though we need to finish our watch of the BBC 1988-1990 Narnia TV series. We are almost through the first story, and will go on to the other two after (Prince Caspian! Tom Baker!). Martin has seen BBC's "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" before from a video copy we had long ago. But he has never seen the others. It is all a rewatch for me. There is also a very in-depth new documentary on the new BBC remastered Blu-ray Narnia box. Will watch that too.

Once that is out of the way we will be able to return to our once a week Babylon 5, as well as starting the Fifth Doctor stories. We are now in early Season 3 of Babylon 5, and approaching some big episodes. Very much looking forward to more. I constantly reassess my favourites, though often end up with the same results. It all feels comfortably familiar. I have lost count of how many times we have rewatched this series.

We also need to watch The Rings of Power season 2, preferably before season 3 airs! Although we will probably be slow getting to the latter. Still have to watch Sandman season 2, but me managing to get through episodes of that given how heavily sedated I am may be very tricky. And we will definitely prioritise watching the Good Omens final wrap up, when that airs.

Almost forgot: we still have to finish watching The War Between the Land and the Sea, which I haven't even managed to stick to an episode a week pace, even outside the Christmas period. Frankly it's very very talky, and often I don't feel up to watching more. But we will finish it. Hopefully soon. 2 episodes to go.

There are probably more things, but that's enough for us to be going on with for now.
vivdunstan: Some of my Doctor Who etc books (drwho)
I was just clearing out some more space around my computer/desk in the study, to help when we switch soon to fibre. Has to make it easier to physically access the router and swap to the new one!

In the process I found a whole bunch more of Jago & Litefoot audio boxsets that I have, a spin off series from Big Finish telling more stories with those memorable characters from Doctor Who's story The Talons of Weng-Chiang. I've enjoyed listening to the Jago & Litefoot stories on my iPad, using the Big Finish download option. But can now sell on the CDs. Most are still as new and sealed. Oxfam sell these well on their shop website.

I have sold some Jago & Litefoot boxes myself on eBay in the past, but in this case would rather donate them to charity. Oxfam sell them secondhand by mail order for more money than I would get (based on past experience, and their use of fixed price offers they can hold until sold), and given how ill I am now I really don't want to deal with these chunky packaging tasks.

I also have some more Doctor Who DVDs to donate to them, after getting more of the season-long "Collection" Blu-Ray boxes (I am getting all of the Tom Baker era ones through to Sylvester McCoy). And as always we keep having books to pass on. Oxfam recently sold a hardback copy of Emily Wilson's translation of The Odyssey that I donated for £19.99. That's grand.

In the clearing out I also rediscovered my boxset of The Sarah Jane Adventures audio stories. I need to prioritise listening to those! Definitely not selling on that box though.
vivdunstan: Some of my Doctor Who etc books (drwho)
Today's new Radio Times magazine has some marvellous Doctor Who interviews, celebrating the 60th anniversary. Lengthy chats with David Tennant and Tom Baker, as well as pair up chats of various companions (including the upcoming one) and a great chat with Russell T Davies and original 1963 director Waris Hussein. Recommended reading for any fans of the show.

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vivdunstan: Part of own photo taken in local university botanic gardens. Tree trunks rise atmospherically, throwing shadows from the sun on the ground. (Default)
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