October 1st

I missed the feast of Cosmas and Damien, the twin brother 2nd century physicians, who specialised in the free treatment of patients; the were martyred for their faith, of course. I am encountering many health care professionals who may never have heard of CnD but carry on their tradition of healing. Currently, hot money is now on some kind of pneumonia which will keep me here for some time.

I have stopped direct clinical work as it seems wrong to keep patients waiting then restarting then stopping again. Perhaps I will do some indirect work like supervision, consultations and teaching.

My current interest is The Pentateuch, Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew bible as I work my way through how they have been constructed over the millennia. Fascinating and suitably distant from psychotherapy.

Now the caravan of media hype has left Liverpool and Labour it goes to Manchester to look at the Tories. That should be entertaining if I have the strength.

disruption

I am currently unwell and will resume blogging when I am able.

11th September 2011

The tenth anniversary of the death of almost 3000 people in the USA seems often to be reported as a stand-alone event. The deaths of many more in the years since in Afghanistan and Iraq - and elsewhere - seems not to be mentioned by the politicians and commentators.

Last night of the proms

The arrival of the last night of the BBC proms seems to mark the start of autumn. This season's highlight for me was Elijah with the Missa Solemnis a close second. Antonio De Vecchi was there last night, and at many other proms as well, and sends his photographic impressions:

With thanks to Antonio and hopes for next season.

Paris by moonlight

with thanks to JL.

Disruption at the Proms

It was entirely predictable that the appearance of the Israel Philharmonic at the Proms would be met with disruption (the BBC's word). Notwithstanding "security" I understand from inside the RAH many Israeli and Palestinian flags were being waved. Once the soloist came on the shouting started and the BBC soon cut the link and played the same piece on CD. Similarly, after the interval the same thing seemed to happen and the link was replaced with recordings of the pieces.

God only knows what will happen at next year's Olympics in London.

Personal Note: I first heard Zubin Mehta conduct the RLPO in Rochdale in 1958. He had just become their  assistant conductor, aged 22. I was 13 and thought he was an old man. They played Tchaikovsky's 6th. It devastated me emotionally. I have never been the same since. Totally infatuated with the music as only an early teenager can be (except the word had not been coined in 1958.)

Church Times on marriage

The current CT has a review by John Saxbee, former bishop of Lincoln, of Adrian Thatcher's latest book on marriage. Eye-opening.