What's John watching?

Jamie's School Dinners: This was the dinner ladies training camp episode; not sure where it fits in the series, as this was my first look at the show.

What an eye-opener! If this is the state of British school cafeterias, I weep for the students on this side of the pond. That pediatricians see many kids who are so backed up that they're vomiting half-formed feces is just beyond belief. Apparently, that's what a diet of "fizzy" drinks, chips (i.e., fries) and chicken fingers will do to your body; the saturated fat builds up around the colon to the point where nothing can pass. Can you believe that?

Overall, though, it was an inspiring show: that Oliver persevered despite the many obstacles is a level of public service that you don't often see or hear about these days. And that his cause is so important - in my opinion, and, clearly, his, anyway - is all the better. ¶ 11:45:00 a.m. (0) comments

Hockey Night in Canada: the Edmonton Oilers at the Carolina Hurricanes - Game 1: It was all about the goalies: Ward stood on his head, making those two fantastic glove saves amongst others, and Roloson's out for the series. I just knew the game was over when Conklin had to come out with five minutes left in the third, and him with no playoff experience.

So, who do the Oilers go with now? Conklin or Markkanen? ¶ 9:51:00 p.m. (0) comments

Cirque du Soleil's Quidam: Extraordinary! While I'd seen many aspects of the show as part of La Nouba, this was still a treat: first, we were so close to the stage! And the beautiful costumes... At one point, this cowled figure slowly arced across the dome of the tent with what must've been a 20-foot cloak hanging down below him or her; it was so eerie and ethereal.

And then there was the couple in that balancing act: so graceful, and such impossible poses. I don't know that I've ever seen a better example of how beautiful the human body is.

I've seen four of these shows now, and each one has been worth every penny (and they've all cost lots of pennies). What surprised me was how well a show can travel: the other three shows I saw were permanent, on stages built specifically for them. All this one had was a metal frame that arced across the tent, and yet, they were able to do such amazing things.

Now, if only I could get my new diabolo working... Those girls made it look so easy. ;-) ¶ 7:33:00 p.m. (0) comments

Titanic's Final Moments: Missing Pieces: A very interesting show: based on an expedition conducted last summer to the wreck of the Titanic, it documented the discovery of two consecutive pieces of the ship's double hull some distance from the main site.

I especially enjoyed the revised "breakup" theory that incorporated these relatively undamaged pieces with the shredded steel in the upper portions of the ship around the break. Basically, the story told by all that steel isn't consistent with the - albeit, dramatic - raising of the stern 30 degrees in the air prior to the break. The revised theory - and, of course, it's just a theory at this point - tells of a much swifter sinking, once the upper decks started to split.

Fascinating, and freshly horrifying. ¶ 11:08:00 a.m. (0) comments