All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace

Monday night, BBC2 at 9pm. New Adam Curtis series. Here's the trailer:

Time waster

In one of my earliest posts, on what was then the Diary of a Spiritual Junkie (don't ask), I might have mentioned that I used to be deeply impressed by 'magic-eye' pictures. I still am. Despite its message, I even like the one below, which arrived yesterday via twitter (from @andynyman). You may need to click on it to make it full size, and then do the usual 'staring through' the image for a while to see it.

Jedache

Oh dear. I just discovered that Saturday night will be Eurovision night. As if that wasn't enough of a shock to the system, I then discovered that Jedward will be representing Ireland! Meanwhile, The UK is to be represented by Blue. Oh, as I say, dear.

For some reason, Ireland have to compete first in a Semi-Final (tonight) while the UK is one of a handful of countries that seem to automatically qualify for the Final on Saturday. As you'll see from the video below (if you dare to click on it and subject yourself to the mind-numbing, but terrifyingly catchy, tune), the brothers are particularly talented in the way they move to the music. I would have used the word 'dance', but I fear that is too strong a word.

Drive Safely for Fun and Profit

Read me

I don't think I'd ever be able to write a novel, but if I were to have a go, I'd love to be able to knock out something like The Understudy by David Nicholls. Just finished it, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you Mr Nicholls. (And Rachel for buying it!)

For what it's worth, I can also highly recommend his other books, Starter for Ten and One Day.