It’s the centenary of the formation of the Royal Air Force
April 1st, 2018 by Roger Darlington
I suppose it was inevitable that I would grow up with a lifelong interest in the RAF and aircraft because my father was a fighter pilot in the service at the end of the Second World War although he was too young to see action.
Many years later, I married the daughter of a famous Czech night intruder pilot of the Second World War and wrote his biography entitled “Night Hawk”.
If you’re interested in the RAF and the Second World War, including the role of the Spitfire and the Hurricane, you might like to check out the aviation section of my web site.
Posted in History | Comments (0)
What proportion of Americans have a passport?
March 30th, 2018 by Roger Darlington
We know that it is low compared to most other developed countries – but how low? and is it still that low? I found myself asking these questions when, earlier this week, the actor and activist Sean Penn was interviewed by Trevor Noah on “The Daily Show”. He quoted a figure of 28% for the proportion of Americans with a passport.
I’ve now checked and actually Penn is way off. The current figure is 42%. Thirty years ago, the figure was a mere 3%, but it rose gradually so that, in 2007, it was 27%.
The pace of growth accelerated further in January 2007 when U.S. citizens travelling by air between the USA and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda were required to have a valid passport. Previously, it was possible for them to enter those countries without one, but the law was changed in the aftermath of 9/11.
At 42%, the US figure is still much lower than the UK which is 76%, but the USA is a huge landmass and Britain is a small island. At 42%, the proportion is still low – but it’s probably not as low as you thought and, in the next few years, a majority of Americans should have a passport. Now they need to travel abroad more often and more widely to gain some appreciation of the wider world and the States’ place in it.
More information and a graph here.
Posted in American current affairs | Comments (0)
What is it like to be the oldest man in Britain?
March 29th, 2018 by Roger Darlington
Bob Weighton is 11o today (as is Alf Smith) and he had given this interview to mark the occasion.
Happy birthday and long life, Bob (and Alf).
Posted in Miscellaneous | Comments (0)
A review of the delightful new film “Lady Bird”
March 27th, 2018 by Roger Darlington
It is such a rarity – but a delight – to see a maintstream movie both written and directed by a woman. As well as being a fine actress, Greta Gerwig has written before (notably “Frances Ha” and “Mistress America”) but this is her directorial début. Astonishingly (but deservedly), at the age of just 34 this made her only the fifth woman in history to be nominated for a Best Director Academy Award and the first to be so honoured for her directorial début (but she did not win).
It is also uncommon – but again a pleasure – to have a leading role in a film with a decent budget taken by a young actress. Here Irish Saoirse Ronan plays the eponymous 17 year old American senior year high school student in this coming-of-age story. We first saw Ronan in “Atonement” but she has since proved to be an outstanding talent in work such as “Hanna” and “Brooklyn”.
“Lady Bird” is clearly semi-autobiographical territory for Gerwig: the central character’s real name is Christine (the name of Gerwig’s mother); the narrative is set in the early 2000s when Gerwig herself was a teenager; and, like Christine, Gerwig went to a Catholic high school in Sacramento before studying at a liberal arts college in New York City.
But Gerwig does not romantise her central character who has acne and a poor hair dye and exhibits selfishness and anger as well as charm and humour in a narrative that is at turns poignant and funny but always engaging. Although the focus is on one girl in one year, the supporting characters – notably Lady Bird’s parents and four friends (two girls and two boys) – are well-cast with Laura Metcalf especially impressive as the hard-pressed mother. In short, a rare treat of a movie which, at just 93 minutes, never overstays its warm welcome.
Posted in Cultural issues | Comments (0)
While I remember, let me talk to you about dementia
March 23rd, 2018 by Roger Darlington
It’s over six months ago that I did a blog posting explaining that I have been invited to volunteer for a study examining the risk factors for dementia. For various reasons, it was only today that I had my first hospital visit connected with the study.
I spent almost four hours at the Imperial Research Hub at Charing Cross Hospital in London where I was subjected to a whole battery of physical and mental tests.
The physical tests included blood pressure, blood sample, urine sample, alcohol breath test, measurement of height, weight and waist, and all sorts of checks on chest, back, arms, hands, legs, feet.
The mental tests included repeating the detail of short stories, recalling lists of nouns and numbers, counting down from 100 in various steps, drawing a complex mixture of shapes, identifying a variety of angles, and transposing numbers into symbols and symbols into numbers.
Additionally I had to answer a very long questionnaire about my health, the health of my family, and my professional and personal activities and a short questionnaire about my use of smartphone, computer and e-reader.
The next stages – over the coming few weeks – are to have a brain MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and a PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scan. The MRI will check if there are any existing mental problems. The PET will measure the concentration of beta-amyloid in my brain.
The project requires 500 volunteers, 250 with a higher than designated level of amyloid and 250 with a lower level. The main purpose of the project is to see whether the level of amyloid is a risk factor in the likely development of dementia.
If I’m accepted for the study – which will depend on the level of amyloid in my brain – then I will have checks every three months for the next three and half years. I will have study partner – in my case, my sister – to observe any changes in my behaviour that might indicate the onset of dementia.
All part of the fun of growing old … but I’m happy to contribute to medical science and possibly assist in the development of measures that can lessen the incidence of dementia or at least improve its treatment.
Posted in My life & thoughts | Comments (6)
It’s World Water Day
March 22nd, 2018 by Roger Darlington
I spent five years as Chair of the Customer Challenge Group at South East Water and this experience underlined my view that water plays an absolutely crucial role in life and all our lives. So, what is the United Nations World Water Day?
“World Water Day, on 22 March every year, is about focusing attention on the importance of water. The theme for World Water Day 2018 is ‘Nature for Water’ – exploring nature-based solutions to the water challenges we face in the 21st century.
Damaged ecosystems affect the quantity and quality of water available for human consumption. Today, 2.1 billion people live without safe drinking water at home; affecting their health, education and livelihoods.
Sustainable Development Goal 6 commits the world to ensuring that everyone has access to safe water by 2030, and includes targets on protecting the natural environment and reducing pollution.
Posted in Environment | Comments (0)
How consumers can obtain a voice in the regulatory system
March 21st, 2018 by Roger Darlington
This week, I gave a presentation to a course on “Economic Regulation Of Utilities” for regulators from five countries: Bulgaria, Botswana, Malaysia, Singapore and Afghanistan.
My presentation was entitled “How consumers can obtain a voice in the regulatory system“. After discussing the purpose of regulation, I looked at different models for an institutional consumer voice and different methodologies to discover consumer views.
If you would be interested in having a copy of the presentation, e-mail me.
Posted in Consumer matters | Comments (0)
A review of the new movie “Tomb Raider”
March 20th, 2018 by Roger Darlington
I’m not sure that the world needed another Tomb Raider movie, following the Angelina Jolie outings of 2001 and 2003, but I suppose that there are too few films with women in leading action roles and I’m a big fan of Swedish actress Alicia Vikander who has now taken over the Lara Croft role and took four months to beef up her abs for the part.
Vikander is a fine actress and gives a more serious and sensitive version of the video game heroine than Jolie, but plot and script do not serve her well. This re-boot of the franchise is a origins story with Croft sporting bow and arrows like a kind of Katniss Everdeen and it would appear from the conclusion that the next movie will bring on the guns.
Meanwhile we have a lame story about an ancient Japanese Queen Himiko who seemingly threatens the world and an unconvincing villain who meets a predictable end.
Posted in Cultural issues | Comments (0)
Congratulations to Andria Zafirakou, the best teacher in the world
March 19th, 2018 by Roger Darlington
I am delighted by the news that Andria Zafirakou has become the first British winner of the Global Teacher Prize, beating teachers nominated from more than 170 countries.
The prize of $1million (£720,000), launched in 2015 by an education charity, the Varkey Foundation, was created to give more status to the teaching profession, with an Oscars-style awards ceremony in Dubai.
Mrs Zafirakou is a teacher not just from my country (United Kingdom), not just from my city (London), not just from my borough (Brent), but at a school in Alperton which is literally just down the road from where I live. Her success will be a huge inspiration to all teachers and pupils in my locality.
Posted in World current affairs | Comments (0)
It’s been a long time since I went to the ballet …
March 18th, 2018 by Roger Darlington
… but this weekend I had the opportunity to spend an evening at the Royal Opera House in London’s Covent Garden viewing three short modern ballets. I found the experience magical and mesmerising.
Each dance was performed by the Royal Ballet and set to a piece of music by the American composer Leonard Bertsein and the whole event is a celebration of the centenary of his birth.
The three pieces – choreographed very differently indeed – are called respectively “Yugen”, “The Age Of Anxiety” and “Corybantic Games” (my favourite).
I have never come across the word “corybantic” before. Having looked it up, I find that it has nothing to do with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn – it means “frenzied”.
I write book reviews and films review, but I can’t do theatre reviews so, if you’d like to know more, please read this review from the “Guardian”.
Posted in Cultural issues | Comments (0)