I’d already seen most of the first two series. I’ve been watching one an evening since October, and it’s been great viewing. I’m just getting to the end of series 4.

The Wire is a powerful stuff. It’s overpowering when you watch all 60 episodes end-to-end. And depressing, the US looks completely dysfunctional. Perhaps the fact that TV shows like The Wire are being produced is reason for optimism.

I love the theme tune. I hadn’t realised that there’s a different version for each series until I watched them back-to-back.

Here’s Tom Waits with a live version. I think it was him on series two.

Which reminds me, It’s about time I went down The Blues at the Red.

let them eat cake

It’s my birthday today. I celebrated a little at the weekend, and was shocked to find out how much a night pubbing and clubbing now costs. It’s time to stop celebrating birthdays.

On Sunday I visited my parents. The rest of my family was there, which was nice. We still mark everyone’s birthday with a cake and singing “Happy Birthday”. It’s for the kids. Honestly it is.

I was given smelly stuff, some sports tops and The Wire box set. All five series. I have only seen the first series all the way through. So I am looking forward to watching one episode an evening for the next few months.

As it was my birthday, I got to pick the meal. I went for a Chinese takeaway. This was always a treat when I was a kid. I rarely eat takeaway these days. It is my birthday treat to myself.

As I was cutting my cake, my mother said something strange. My parents had given me a card which said on the outside:

“As another year goes by, remember that while GROWING OLDER may be mandatory”

Then when opened:

“… GROWING UP is optional.”

My mother asked if I knew what ‘mandatory’ meant. An unusual question to ask of a political journalist.

Sometimes I am sure I am missing something.