Bizarre Dream About National Trust Property Visit

Last night I had a very odd and vivid dream about a visit to a National Trust property. I'm not sure if the National Trust property in the dream actually exists (I suspect not) but here's how the dream unfolded.

The National Trust property in question was a small cottage like place. Very nice quaint kitchen garden (a bit like Greys Court's). On leaving the property we then saw in the distant a massive monument which was probably about 30 times bigger than, ummmmm, Buckingham Palace. The whole structure was made of marble and it was raining!

Anyway our group set out to climb to the top which after a few near fatal falls we all managed to do. We were sensible enough to leave the children at the bottom in the play area. The views were amazing from the top but it was a little bit slippy - scary!

Anyway, the best bit was that at the top we discovered the monument had a slide all the way down to the bottom. We peered down the slide and because it was mirrored we could see and talk to the children at the bottom in their play area. We were warned by my daughter that the bottom of the slide was very wet so we slid down on our coats. This was very wise as we had to swim out of the bottom bit.

Then my dream ended abruptly (like they normally do).

Was I dreaming about a real National Trust property (I guess not) or do I just need help? Perhaps I'm just suffering withdrawal symptoms as I haven't used my membership for a good few weeks now.

How Derren Brown "Predicted" The Lottery Results - My Guess (Updated)

Well, for the record this is how I think Derren Brown "predicted" the lottery results last night...

Identical sets and a body double?

I think there were 3 identical studio sets. The first section of the show was filmed on set one with Derren and was live. The middle point (where Derren moves to the right of the screen) was a quick cut (very smartly done) to a body double on set 2 watching the results. This gives the real Derren enough time to record the end section of the show on set 3. This end section is then cut to (again very cleverly). I think this last cut happens some time around when the TV is turned off but I'm not sure.

In fact I'm not sure about any of this but it's my best guess.

UPDATE: After thinking on this some more I realise that it's probably feasible to do this with just 2 identical sets as at the first switch the first set could be re-used. Also wondering whether this method could be achieved with mirrors and multiple sets instead of a camera cut.

Comedy Letter from Scottish Power

I thought I'd share this letter I received from Scottish Power today.

I've recently decided to switch from Scottish Power to EDF Energy (to save a little money). Today I received the letter below to tell me that the switch could not proceed until my outstanding balance had been cleared. Fair enough? Well, yes you'd think so, but take a look at the letter in detail (click on the image for a large version) and you'll see where the issue lies.


So, what do you think I should do?

1. Nothing.
2. Call them and try to pay them £0.00 via my debit card. That could be a fun conversation.
3. Send a cheque for the value of £0.00. I prefer the idea of trying to get a postal order for £0.00. Do people still use those?
4. Go to a PayPoint location / Post Office and insist that I want to pay them £0.00.

One of those 4 options is the sensible option and the other 3 could be quite fun for somebody with time on their hands. Any volunteers?

Who Do You Think You Are? Nobody? Don't Care Then!

I was flicking through our BT Vision V-box™ with my wife the other day looking for something previously recorded to watch (like there's nothing else to do). I was struck by the reaction I got when I suggested we watch Kim Katrell's episode of Who Do You Think You Are?

"I don't know who she is so I'm not really interested in watching that one."

Now, is this not a slightly odd response considering the programme has nothing really to do with what the "celebrity" in question actually does/represents? Why should one be more compelled to watch an hour on the family history of somebody famous instead of say Bob from down the road? Very curious human behaviour. There's absolutely no reason why a famous person's family history sould be more interesting. Is there?

Perhaps I should start a campaign to get the BBC to run the next series on "nobodies" but the problem with that is it would probably become a series on "wannabees".

Hmmm, is this blog becoming a Spice Girls song? Sorry, better stop.

Duplo WALL-E

Duplo WALL-E
Originally uploaded by MCEC Productions

Just thought I'd share with the world me and my daughter's little attempt at making a WALL-E out of Duplo. We're quite proud but should we be?