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?

Keys - Lost Forever!?!

As we reach the end of 2008 I thought I'd share with you all a dreadful 10 minute experience that I suffered back in the summer. The following series of events took place at the wonderful Farmer Palmer's Farm Park in Dorset. There's a lesson to be learnt here…

After going on their tractor trailer ride (new tractor since our last visit - price has doubled to a pound - hard times!) we got off for me to discover to my horror that I no longer had my keys in my pocket. The feeling of initial amusement quickly changed to sheer terror and dread as I began to think "how the hell am I going to do, well, anything!".

So, my 2 year old daughter and wife went off to stroke some Guinea Pigs and I went running back to the tractor. I inspect the tractor - no keys - dread changes to panic. I go off on a quest around the whole of the tractor "course" with my eyes peeled. Panic changes to depression as I see all the massive muddy puddles about 2 feet deep and think to myself, "Why? Why? Why was I so lazy? Why didn't I put them all in my wife's bag? Why do I carry all my keys around with me - even the one for the garden shed at home?".

I arrive back at the tractor sans keys. My shoes are wet through. My new jeans are covered in mud. My face is long. I go back to the tractor for one last hopeful inspection - fingers crossed. And then, what do I see. I see a glint from a dark corner of the trailer as the sun rebounds off a metallic object (not quite true - there was no sun!). I approach with hope but pessimism and as I get closer it becomes clear that they ARE keys. They're really close and I begin to think, "What if there some other idiot's?". I finally get to them and inspect them. They are mine. Depression turns to relief and then to euphoria.

I walk back to meet my wife but I am greeted by a woman with an ice cream. She says, "Bet your relieved dear?". She's been watching all along. "Thanks for the help!" I think but I'm not that bothered I'm buzzing with too much adrenalin to be bothered. I agree with the lady and walk back to meet my wife, daughter and a furry animal.

So what lesson can we all learn from this kiddies?

Amazon Packaging

Why oh why Amazon did you decide to send me a Tomy Aqua Draw Deluxe in such an unecessarily oversized box?


Normally, you're so good. Must've been a minor glitch in the matrix. I hope.

Duck Obesity - Here it Comes!

I have just returned from my regular weekend walk around to the village pond with family to feed the ducks. It is normally a pleasant experience. We have two village ponds and plenty of ducks. However, today was a bit of an exception.

Whilst we were happily there throwing our carefully torn off bits of bread into pond #2 (the nicer one) we were witness to what I can only describe as a drive-by feeding incident.

A car pulled up by the pond and out stepped a woman with bag containing a whole loaf of sliced bread. In less than a minute she had thrown the entire contents of the bag into and around the pond. Great! 20 whole slices of bread for ducks to fight over. Within 2 minutes the car and woman were gone.

Doesn't this take all the fun out of the experience that is feeding the ducks? Not to mention the damage it does. I believe any bread not eaten by the ducks will sink to the bottom of the pond and form a polluting sludge.

Whinge over.