White Wolf's Lair

Absolutely Fabulous Christmas 2012, 20 year anniversary and the Kardashians

2012-01-02T21:19:00.002Z

I cannot believe that Ab Fab has been away for so long. I watched it over Christmas and the amazing thing was it seemed so fresh and of course incredibly funny. My high light? When Patsy and Eddy ripped that dysfunctional American Kardashian family to shreds:
Referring to nobody's in magazines, Eddy said . . .
There is a new disease called the Kardashians darling
They sorta spread said Eddy, Like herpes and head lice said Patsy.
Look at this fat one at the end said Eddy pointing to the magazine, soon she will split like an amoeba and become two Kardashians.
Patsy points to the magazine and says, that looks like a boob but in fact it's another Kardashian.
Talk about take no prisoners . . . . I laughed so much the tears run down my legs.
What a brilliant piece of comedy . . we want more and soon!
I'm still laughing :o)

Apple Customer Service

2011-12-15T23:02:00.001Z

Do you want to know why you pay a bit more for an Apple computer?

One of my Macbook laptops is about four years old and the keyboard had become less sensitive and a little bit of the beading on the top had broken. There was not much to this, the laptop was still completely functional but I took it in to the Apple store in Exeter and without any fuss or bother they ordered a new top keyboard unit which came in three days and they fitted it while I waited and all free of charge.

And that's why you pay that little bit more for quality and the high level of customer service that comes with it. Thank you guys, you were fantastic!

Dream Theater

2011-12-15T21:28:00.000Z

Dream Theater's new album "A Dramatic Turn Of Events" is fabulous, but then I am a great fan of their music. The only missing ingredient is the absence of Mike Portnoy on drums which you can definitely feel. You can hear so many influences in DT's music, early Genesis, Emmerson Lake and Palmer and jam packed full of Gentle Giant. There is even an unashamed rip off of a dance rift aka Riverdance on one track. . pure genius.

When it comes to instrumental and vocal technical ability, there has never been a band which, in my opinion, could get anywhere close to the incredible Gentle Giant, particularly as Giant did not have the benefit of today's technology being a band of the 70s / 80's. I have to say though that Dream Theater, vocals apart, are very very close on the instrumental side.

Cost Of Living

2011-09-24T12:07:00.001+01:00

Is it me or is the cost of food now getting to the point where we will have to stop eating soon as we will be unable to afford to! To go to the supermarket nowadays you almost need a bank loan. Meat prices are extortionate (4 small lamb chops in my local supermarket over £8). It seems to me that price increases are being applied in a stealthy fashion and from a personal point of view I have changed my eating habits recently and started to eat more simply. No wonder there are more and more buy two get one free offers on the shelves as supermarkets must be feeling the pinch if the change in consumer habits falls in line with mine. I expect Tesco will be o.k. though with their iron like grip on the food market!

Menno Gootjes - Focus

2011-09-24T11:42:00.000+01:00

Last night I went to watch one of my all time favourite bands The Crazy World of Arthur Brown who were on the bill with Dutch prog rock band Focus. Arthur was as usual brilliant and his voice was spot on despite his advancing years. His energy seems undiminished too and he kept up with the stage presence of Czech keyboard player Lucie Rejchrtova who was dynamic and quite fantastic.

Yet, what really blew me away during the whole evening was the guitarist with Focus Menno Gootjes. He was awesome and his playing left me feeling pretty well stunned. Who is this guy? where did he come from?

As a band Focus were never one of my faves during the 70's but last night they delivered the prog rock goods. As for Menno . . . OMG bloody ding dong!

First Direct Bank - Rip Off Charges

2011-06-27T08:58:00.002+01:00

I know I have said it before but once again First Direct Bank are ripping off their customers big big time.

I have again stupidly gone overdrawn for a matter of hours over a weekend on two occasions in one month by the princely sums of £1.95 and £5.00 respectively. First Direct deducted £50.00 from my account (which is a second account) and at the same time made me overdrawn again so that . . guess what? Yep they can now cane me for another £25.00 charge !

Of course when you phone up you get a rather nice Scottish lady who explains when I accuse them of gross extortion that she has sympathy for me but they are unable to refund charges unless it is their mistake. Hmmmm, unlikely they will make mistakes with so many potential customer charges at stake !

Of course, they are not there to help me are they as I am only a customer after all and it was foolish of me to make such an error. However, I still maintain that charging £25.00 is not fair and this level of charging was considered by the banking Ombudsman to be a gross overcharge. £12.00 was considered to be a much more realistic figure. First Direct are obviously smug enough to stick a middle finger in the air to their customers but I am realistic enough to think "what goes around , comes around" and I eagerly look forward to that day.

Dominique Strauss Kahn

2011-05-19T08:08:00.002+01:00

I have been following the story of Dominique Strass Kahn's incarceration in America on the charge of rape.

There is one person who must be feeling a degree of sympathy with Strass Kahn's alleged charge and that is Julian Assange who is accused of a similar offence. No doubt the truth will come out in time but one cannot help thinking that France will be thrown into a political turmoil now that Nicolas Sarkozy's political rival has been basically seen off.

I have to say I feel slightly uncomfortable about the whole thing and cannot completely erase the thought of a plot from my mind.

Perhaps Wikileaks has something to offer us on this in the future. Now wouldn't that be a thing! I am sure we all wait with baited breath for this drama and political intrigue to unfold.

Stokes Croft Riots Bristol

2011-05-08T16:15:00.005+01:00

I blogged on 23rd April 2011 that the riots in Stokes Croft Bristol occurred because of a protest at the opening of a Tesco Express in the area. Wrong!

Since high lighting this in my blog it has come to my attention, particularly through Twitter, that the riots really had nothing to do with the Tesco protest at all but was used as an excuse by a large anarchist element in the city to cause public disorder. In other words, whilst the relatively peaceful and legitimate Tesco protest was high lighted at the very beginning, it was soon hi-jacked by the "anti everything" brigade just as the anti cuts march by Unite was in London on the 26th March 2011.

In the case of Stokes Croft, the police arrived in force based on a tip off that petrol bombs were being made in a squat near to Tesco's and they were there to evict the occupants. Before long the anarchist element around the city had been alerted (mobile communications no doubt being very effective) and very soon there were hundreds in the streets causing appalling damage to properties and the squatters hurling debris, scaffold poles and slabs from the roof of the squat onto the police below. As a result, a 17 year old has been held for attempted murder of a policeman who had concrete dropped on him from above and this same person was also seen hurling a scaffold pole like a javelin into the police crowd.

Yesterday they held an "anarchist book fair" in Stokes Croft and it was said that there were up to 300 people queuing in the rain to get in.

Having visited Bristol recently I can tell you that the City Council has done a mega job in turning Bristol into a very nice place to work and live with major redevelopment of the docks area, Temple Quay and around the new shopping area Cabot Circus.

In contrast, Stokes Croft which is quite close to the city center is pretty run down and is a magnet for those seeking a more alternative existence and who wish to build a more cultural community.

Judging from the instructions put out by the anarchist element on how to avoid arrest (for all to see on Twitter) if your face was caught on the CCTV footage held by Avon Somerset police , much of the trouble was pretty premeditated but of course it was largely blamed on the police for being "heavy handed".

I must say I found it quite unsettling when reading this stuff and viewing some peoples comments on Twitter. There were also very many people living near to and in Stokes Croft itself who were vehemently opposed to the stance taken by the Tesco protesters which showed an opposing view to the statement that 95% of Stokes Croft were against the Tesco store opening. In the end anyway, the riots turned out to be nothing to do with the Tesco issue just another excuse by the "anti everything" brigade to cause as much anti social behaviour against authority as they could.

As it is, I feel a bit sorry for the Tesco protesters who perhaps had a legitimate cause but of course that's probably gone by the by, now that it has been trampled on by all this bad publicity. Shame.

In The Wake Of Bin Laden's Death

2011-05-08T10:34:00.003+01:00

There is a lot of rhetoric now as to whether it was right or wrong for America to freeze the Pakistani authorities out when planning their raid on the compound near Islamabad which has housed Bin Laden, his family and protectors for at least the last five years.

I believe that the Americans had a difficult decision to make when weighing up the pros and cons of their projected actions, not least of which is the high level of corruption in Pakistan.

It is well known that everyone has a price in Pakistan, whether it is bribing a member of the police force to get off a traffic violation to Abdul Qadeer Khan, the father of the Pakistani bomb who acknowledged that he had secretly provided North Korea, Libya, and Iran with crucial technological and intellectual information for making nuclear weapons.

What would I have done in the same circumstances? Would I have given the Pakistani authorities vital information about the manoeuvre which was about to take place? Probably not under the circumstances given that Bin Laden was the worlds no. 1 most wanted man I wouldn't have risked it.

On the vexed question of whether or not Bin Laden should have been taken alive, again this was a difficult decision the Americans had to make. On balance one would only have to imagine that had they, there would no doubt have been a series of kidnappings around the world with hostages being paraded in front of cameras under the threat of beheading unless their leader was released.

No, on this occasion the Americans were right to deal with this swiftly and not give Bin Laden's followers a chance to draw breath.

Whichever way the Americans had played this one, there would always have been the threat of reprisals. Hopefully, world intelligence will be aware of the whereabouts of current prominent Al - Qaeda leaders and will be able to deal with them as swiftly as they did Bin Laden.

Rowan Williams - Archbishop of Canterbury

2011-05-05T20:46:00.002+01:00

So the very scruffy bit of an ass Rowan Williams feels very uncomfortable that Osama Bin Laden was unarmed when shot dead by American navy seals.

Tell that to the 3,000 odd people who died in the 9/11 atrocity and the countless thousands of others who have died as a direct result of Bin Ladens influence or his money support.

Nearer home, how can we forget the fate of the unarmed britain Kenneth Bigley who was videod having his head sawn off by the Islamist group led by Jordanian Abu Musab al-Zarqawi whilst he was still conscious and for the edification of Bin Laden.

Actually, I personally feel no discomfort whatsoever Archbishop and I suggest that you may just have distanced yourself still further from the ordinary decent people in this country who you are trying to encourage into your church. What a silly old duffer.

Osama Bin Laden

2011-05-03T08:09:00.003+01:00

Osama Bin Laden, the broker of so many major terrorist atrocities, including 9/11 . . . is dead.

He was holed up in a very comfortable residence in Abbottabad a garrison town 61km from Pakistan's capital Islamabad.

Questions will now be asked as to how he was allowed to live freely in such a public area without the knowledge of the Pakistani authorities. From news briefs, particularly Aljazeera, it is suggested by commentators that he could not have existed like this without some credible support system from within Pakistan.

No doubt the full story will unfold in the coming days / weeks and in the meantime most countries will be on full alert in case of reprisals from his fanatical followers in Al Qaeda. It is well reported that Bin Laden has not been "hands on" in Al Qaeda for at least the last decade so the question is . . how much difference will this make to global Al Qaeda? We all wait with baited breath.

UK Banking System versus Tesco Express

2011-04-23T09:06:00.004+01:00

It never ceases to amaze me nowadays at what greets me whenever I turn on the news or turn on my laptop.

The Middle East is ablaze, the people are uprising everywhere against their corrupt leaders and most of all innocent people are being slaughtered in Libya by a regime lead by a tyrant who will not let go of the reins and the free world stands by and watches when it comes to committing ground troops to protect them.

Closer to home, in Bristol City in the South West of England a small area called Stokescroft was involved in a riot on Thursday night when 160 police tried to evict some squatters who we are reliably informed were making petrol bombs. The graphic videos and TV coverage showed scenes very reminiscent of Egypt and Yemen (or so it seemed) as police battled to quell the mob with riot shields and batons. But there, the similarity with the Middle East ends!

What was the reason for this neighbourhood uprising? Was there a corrupt political regime in Bristol? Was there people disappearing off the streets and never being heard of again? Was there massive poverty and unemployment fuelling this bedrock of unrest?

Well actually no, it was all centred around the opening of a Tesco Express convenience store. Yep, you read correctly. All that violence and damage over the opening of a bloody Tesco Express.

We take to the streets over such a relatively minor issue as this when the whole population in the U.K. didn’t even raise as much as a whimper when the biggest raid on tax payers money occurred a couple years ago to prop up the corrupt and mismanaged banking system. They are still laughing at us as they raise their middle fingers and collect their bonuses this year supported by public donations which we had no say in.

Whilst I do not condone violence in any shape or form, it seems barmy to me that people take to the streets to oppose a mini supermarket on their little patch but basically the population as a whole chose to roll over and turn their backs on the biggest rip off this country has ever known.

Funny old world eh!!

Morrisons new South West Distribution Centre Bridgwater Somerset, blot on the rural landscape?

2011-04-09T18:42:00.003+01:00

Have you been down the M5 in Somerset recently and seen the monstrous new Morrisons Distribution Centre for the South West taking shape situated right alongside the M5 close to junction 23 . Well you can't miss it because it is a huge site and the main warehouse is the most appalling vision in green you have ever seen.

What a blot on the rural landscape of this beautiful part of the world and of course Bridgwater Council are crowing because of the number of jobs it will supposedly create. Neighbouring Taunton Deane are furious because they see the development as stealing a source of vital labour from Taunton.

Apart from the bickering I am more niggled at the way some of our rural land is being high jacked for commercial purposes in the name of job creation. Rumour has it that the owner of this piece of land got in excess of £30m for it. So, instead of breathing in and getting the smell from the cellophane factory as you drive past Bridgwater on the M5 you will now be met by this massive building as you make your way to Devon and Cornwall. As I said, you wont be able to miss it, it's just horrible. Shame on you Bridgwater Council.

Julian Assange

2011-02-25T23:29:00.005Z

So District Judge Howard Riddle has ruled that Julian Assange should be extradited from the UK to Sweden to face charges of sexual assault, however suspect or bogus the claims may be.

No doubt there will now be a round of appeals which will delay the dreaded day. After all, Julian Assange is surrounded by high profile celebrities and lawyers who see him as an innocent about to be indirectly shafted by the vindictive American Government who have made it plain that they have been highly embarrassed by the Wikileaks disclosures.

Whatever your viewpoint on the rights and wrongs of what Wikileaks does, espionage is not a charge that Julian Assange should face in America, which is where he will end up for sure if extradited to Sweden due to the connivance which no doubt is going on behind the scenes between the authorities in Sweden and America. The Oxford dictionary quotes espionage as: the practice of spying or of using spies, typically by governments to obtain political and military information.

This has been a very sad week for British justice and one can only hope that in the end good will triumph over the bad.

Mubarak's Resignation

2011-02-11T20:14:00.002Z

At last, Mubarak has resigned. It took a bit of a push but in the end people power won through.

Mind you, with the level of corruption in Egypt and the billions of dollars of assets accumulated and secreted away by the President, Government Ministers , their families and relatives it was no wonder he needed the breathing space before the final resignation in order to cover up their tracks before walking away.

There are many parallels I can draw between the Egyptian uprising and the EDSA Revolution in the Philippines in 1986 when the President Ferdinand Marcos and his wife Imelda were unceremoniously chased out of the country by the people. In the Philippines, the people marched on the Presidential Palace, whereas in Egypt Mubarak escaped that indignity, but only just judging by the mood of the Egyptian people who were stunned yesterday when Mubarak refused to step down immediately.

Congratulations to the Egyptian people and fingers crossed that you will finally get the democracy you deserve. People power works, if you don't like something and want it changed stand up and be counted.

Julian Assange - Wikileaks Founder

2010-12-14T17:13:00.003Z

They have released Julian Assange on bail today amid backing from some pretty influential British Celebrities.

I have to say that I felt my heart lift a bit when I heard the news. As a great believer in free speech I have no doubt that there are some dirty tricks going on in the background in order to gag Julian. At times the American Government Agencies are not very subtle when it comes to flexing their muscles to try and influence other governments around the world. In the case of Julian Assange, anyone with a degree of intelligence has to realise that this is indeed the case now.

If Julian Assange and his Wikileaks site uncovers the dark and murky underside of politics, then that's o.k. by me. Honesty and integrity are the bedrock of any civilised country and we should not accept anything less from our leaders.

In this respect, Julian Assange deserves all our support. In the end it may be up to us to make that absolutely plain to our leaders ! I hope it goes well for Julian Assange because without him we (globally) could still be being fed a load of garbage from those we have put in power to protect us . . . and what's worse, we could still be believing it !!

First Direct Bank - Rip Off Charges

2010-12-01T19:03:00.002Z

Just when you thought that Banks had got the message. Well they haven't , that is First Direct hasn't. Remember when there was all that controversy about overdraft charges and the realisation that the Bank's administrative charge for unauthorised overdraft charges was not realistic in respect of the work they have to do to deal with it. Do you remember that the realistic figure quoted was about £12.00.

Well let me tell you, I went overdrawn by mistake for £1.93 for only a matter of hours and they charged me £25.00. So where is the £12.00 charge then ? Rip Off? You better believe it. I feel so sorry for these poor banks, times must be so hard for them . . . Not !

Snouts and troughs comes to mind.

WikiLeaks

2010-11-21T01:02:00.002Z

So Sweden has issued an arrest warrant on Julian Assange for rape and sexual molestation. For those who have been living the life of a recluse over the past three months Assange and his whistle blower site WikiLeaks has been in the news over the release of detailed papers on Iraq. America has been particularly vociferous in condemning the WikiLeaks actions prompting a robust statement from Hilary Clinton.

A little bit of me says" Am I surprised " by the Swedish intervention ? Has everybody seen Spooks on TV ? I smell something fishy in the air and await further information on this alleged rape. I guess it's possible that if you can't shut someone up one way you will try another. Mind you, if that's true then this Swedish intervention is not very subtle is it.

Lord Young of Graffham

2010-11-20T20:25:00.003Z

Lord Young of Graffham really made a political gaff this week by saying people were better off during this recession. Of course David Cameron was aghast, it was not a politically correct statement to make, particularly in the current climate of massive Government cuts.

But was the noble Lord correct in what he said?

Well I think he was ...... in part. If you had a tracker mortgage for instance, you will definitely have had a significant increase in your disposable income with the drop in interest rates. A colleague of mine was able to buy a second home (apartment) in a modern dockside development and rent out his original home purely because of the drop in interest rates . From my own personal point of view, I have a fixed rate mortgage on my modest abode and for the past two years have had no benefit whatsoever from the drop in interest rates. Had I, then I would have around £400 - £500 a month extra in my pocket. Would this make me better off than I was before the recession? Would it have cushioned me against the recession? You bet it would, on both counts.

It was probably a bit unfortunate that the noble Lord tarred everybody with his statement, but he was not wrong in stating that some of us (not me unfortunately) are much better off and have benefited from the recession provided you have a repayment mortgage and have stayed in employment throughout the period.

Some people do not like the truth and the noble Lord has unfortunately been a victim of this.

Queer Eye For A Straight Guy

2010-11-17T21:09:00.003Z

I've just been watching the reruns on "Queer Eye" on Sky Diva TV cause I didn't see them the first time around about 4 or five years ago.

There is both an American and a UK version and having watched both I have gotta say that the American version wins hands down. Above is the UK team who lack the humour, class and pizzaz of the American crew (see below). Not one of the UK team could hold a candle to Carson Kressley, seen in the middle of the pic.

Mugabe and the White African

2010-11-03T22:40:00.006Z

I have just watched the film Mugabe and the White African on T.V. which tells the legal battle undertaken by Zimbabwean white farmer Mike Campbell and his family to stop that despot Robert Mugabe from snatching their paid for farm under the guise of Land Reform.

It was a shocking film not least of all for the violence dished out by Mugabe's henchmen to Mike Campbell, his wife and son in law Ben who suffered a fractured skull just because they had dared to go to an international court. Watch it if you want to get first hand knowledge of the true situation in Zimbabwe.

From a personal viewpoint, I find it really frustrating that Mugabe is still walking around in Zimbabwe due to a corrupt election which he lost, dishing out daily violence to those who oppose him and causing terrible suffering to the population through a bankrupt economy.

What is also evident is the Mugabe henchmen are still at it in virtual space. Almost every review or comment on this film you find on the web has a response from an apology for a Mugabe sidekick who goes under the pseudonym of "Christian Allard" who spouts on about colonialism, British Empire Captain Campbell, intimating Mike Campbell snatched the farm (which incidentally he paid for on a loan and gave work to 500 mainly black workers) and other inflammatory clap trap. Yawn ! On every posting he tries desperately to put up a defence for what is not defensible.

Watch the film and judge for yourself. One thing's for sure, racism is not the sole domain of white people! There seems a case here for some sort of International intervention as the black community in Africa , and in particular South Africa, seem powerless or disinclined to do anything.

Oh and by the way, once the international court found on behalf of Mike Campbell Mugabe had their farm set on fire and burned it to the ground. How unexpected was that then !

Agistri Island, Greece

2010-10-02T20:19:00.004+01:00

I've just had a great holiday on the beautiful little Greek Island Agistri. It lies in the Saronic Gulf just fifty minutes from Athens by Flying Dolphin catamaran.

Whilst there were many superb things I could tell you about this lovely island, it behoves me to mention something that really bugged me whilst I was there.

Everyday I made for the sandy beach in Skala which is the main town on the island. The water was crystal clear and like a warm bath, absolute heaven. But O.M.G. everyday I had to make my way through millions of cigarette ends in the sand to get to the water. It was quite disgusting as a non smoker and really put me off. No wonder so many people stayed by the hotel poolside everyday. It was noticeable that so many Greek women smoked and did not have any compulsion to put their cigarette ends out in the sand and bury them there. Yukk !!

Skala beach could be so lovely except for this blot on their landscape. Come on Agistri, do something about it. I spent a fabulous holiday in Skiathos a few years back and the man who hired out the loungers and parasoles went round with a small kids fishing type net every night after people had gone home and every mid morning and picked up the rubbish left behind. The beach was spotless and a treat to be on.

It wont stop me from going to Agistri again because I love it there, but I might be tempted to become a poolside resident to escape this horrible beach problem !

Lucinda Drayton

2010-08-17T22:57:00.002+01:00

Lucinda Drayton is one of those rare talents that pops up now and again from nowhere. Lucinda who? Yep, you will be forgiven if you do not recognise the name, unless of course you are into meditation and spiritual music.

We were browsing around in what friends call an "organic" shop, you know incense and essential oils. We love burning incense at home so we were keen to have a nose round. Whilst we were collecting our purchases there was this music playing in the background and the female vocalist had the voice of an angel, or so it seemed. We bought the album and since bringing it home we haven't stopped playing it. Now this might seem a bit weird from someone who is a bit of a rock nut but I can assure you that this lady has a voice that inspires you.

She lives in Cornwall and with her long term partner Andrew Blissett sings under the name of Bliss.

Listen to "One Hundred Thousand Angels" and I dare you not to be moved. Check Luce out on www.blissfulmusic.com and bring a bit of peace and tranquility into your life.

Pakistan Flood Disaster

2010-08-17T22:34:00.002+01:00

When you look at the devastation caused by the floods in Pakistan on the news it is difficult to comprehend the misery the people of Pakistan are in.

It is being said that the uptake from ordinary people as a result of numerous appeals is very slow and there is a great deal of speculation in the press as to why this is the case. Of course, I have no real idea why this is so. However, there is a little niggle way back in my mind which I find difficult to reconcile . . . Pakistan is a nuclear weapon state with the burden of cost that entails, yet it still does not have the resources, money or logistics wise, to help their people out of this disaster.

Is that not weird . . or is it just me !

General Practitioners - do they give patient satisfaction ?

2010-06-20T21:22:00.002+01:00

I have an issue at the moment with my local GP's. You see, I feel that they are not patient focused enough in that they work very cosy hours and do not take into account that most people do not work in the town where they live and cannot get to their surgery during 'shop hours'.

My local surgery opens 8.30 in the morning and closes at 6 p.m. They do not open on Saturday's even though the pharmacy next door does.

Unless you are one of the blue rinse, twin set and pearl brigade or live on social security, or are a drug addict or alcoholic it is very difficult to get to see your doctor during the day, if like me, you work 26 miles away and can at an hours notice be asked to go to London, Yorkshire or Scotland for a week at a time.

I have a need for regular medication to combat erratic blood pressure. I am only prescribed one months supply at a time and if I leave it till I have one weeks supply left before ordering my repeat I have to wait three days for the prescription to be issued by the surgery. If I am sent away at work for a week, you get the picture . . yep I run out of medication and my health becomes at risk.

Recently, because of a run of work which sent me over the country, I went to a well known pharmacy out of town because I had run out of medication and had my blood pressure checked. The pharmacist refused to let me leave the premises until they had sorted out my medication for the weekend with my doctors. She was brilliant, my doctor's was not. It was like pulling teeth with no anaesthetic it was that painful and only after having to drop everything and rush to the surgery from 40 miles away did I finally get the prescription despite the pharmacist trying to get the prescription for me and the doctors refusing them

Of course had they opened on a Saturday morning there would have been no problem.

The Pharmacist where I had my blood pressure checked said their local surgery in the town where she lived had surveyed their patients on the question of sociable hours for people working away from their town and as a result they opened at 7.30 a.m. and closed at 8p.m. two days a week. Bingo . . a progressive doctors practice . . hooray for them.

I had a great doctor where I lived before, they knew my case, were very flexible and opened on Saturday mornings but because I moved seven miles away I was forced, yes forced to move doctors. I was quite happy to stay with my then current doctor but rules is rules you know.

I sincerely hope that this coalition government now in power will look closely at the National Health system, and in particular general practitioners and make them more patient focused. These cosy working hours should be stopped and more regard for patients work patterns be taken into consideration. I was even told that my own doctor, who only works part time, had to catch a bus at 4 p.m. so could I make sure I got there on time !

It's ridiculous in this day and age that doctors, who are always happy to get their very generous salaries, do not work some unsociable hours like their hospital colleagues do. David Cameron get cracking on this a.s.a.p. please . . . it's our National Health Service not the General Practitioners who are paid by us to give a service . . so please get them to treat us with a bit more respect!

Bhopal - An American tragedy

2010-06-12T09:23:00.004+01:00

"REMEMBER BHOPAL"

Lest we forget, on December 2 - 3 1984 a subsidiary of an American company Union Carbide corporation caused 20,000 deaths (to date) and severely affected the health of a further 170,000 in India through a catalogue of cost cutting in order to make more profit.

Factors leading to the gas leak in the chemical plant which manufactured pesticides were:

The use of hazardous chemicals (MIC) instead of less dangerous ones
Storing these chemicals in large tanks instead of over 200 steel drums.
Possible corroding material in pipelines
Poor maintenance after the plant ceased production in the early 1980s
Failure of several safety systems (due to poor maintenance and regulations).
Safety systems being switched off to save money—including the MIC tank refrigeration system which alone would have prevented the disaster.
This month seven ex-employees, including the former chairman of UCIL, were convicted in Bhopal of causing death by negligence and sentenced to two years imprisonment and a fine of about $2,000 each, the maximum punishment allowed by law. They were also granted bail. Ironically, on December 7th 1984, the former Chairman and CEO of Union Carbide Warren Anderson, was arrested, granted bail on $2,100 dollars and later absconded by being flown out of India on an American Government plane. He still remains an absconder to this day. Also noted is that there was no representative from Union Carbide (now owned by Dow Chemicals) at the recent trial, in other words, we don't give a toss mate.
Now, in respect of the recent BP oil leak disaster in America, I have to say I am gutted when I think about the environmental impact on the Florida coastline, to wildlife and the livelihoods of people who live there.
Barack Obama's rhetoric on the issue is currently very forthright and strong, demanding compensation, demanding CEO's to attend a White House hearing, in fact demanding heads to roll.
When I listen to this attack on BP and then reflect on Bhopal I cannot help think that the President of the United States Of America is being a bit hypocritical. It was an American corporation after all which caused the deaths of 20,000 people and it was an American government plane which aided Warren Anderson's escape but where was the American presence at the recent trial which took 25 years to hold. Of course, they were nowhere to be found. Shame on you.
Unfortunately, when the Bhopal plant was abandoned the company still left behind hundreds of tons of hazardous chemicals which are leeching into the water system used by local people and is affecting them to this day.
When it comes to clean ups, who is interested in Bhopal Mr President?

Scorpions - Sting In The Tail

2010-05-20T21:30:00.005+01:00

I am a great fan of the Scorpions. They consistently deliver classy classic rock time after time, with the exception of a blip here and there along the way (Winds Of Change) !

This latest album of theirs is exceptional and goes back to their early work such as Lovedrive and Animal Magnetism. Of course it has some power ballads and why not, after all they invented them (Still Loving You for instance). This band is so brim full of talent but one of them stands out for consistently producing mega work both live and on album.

Step up and take a bow . . . Rudolph Schenker . . . arguably the best rythmn guitarist in rock music today. Listen to his work on this album. Pure genius.

Medhi Hassan

2010-05-13T23:20:00.003+01:00

I have just been watching Question Time on BBC tonight and have had to listen to the rantings of Medhi Hassan. He is such an obnoxious pillock, god save us from Political bigots like him . . Yuk!!

Pope Ratzinger - hypocrite !!

2010-03-31T20:36:00.010+01:00

Everyone must by now be aware that his holiness Pope Ratzinger is in deep crap over the current pedophile catholic priest scandal. In April 2006 I wrote about Ratzinger and his homophobic rantings a section of which I reprise here:

Pope Benedict XVI called for the "filth" that surrounds society to be cleansed and said the world is in the grip of "a diabolical pride aimed at eliminating the family". Lord, we have lost our sense of sin," he said. "Today a slick campaign of propaganda is spreading an inane apologia of evil, a senseless cult of Satan, a mindless desire for transgression, a dishonest and frivolous freedom, exalting impulsiveness, immorality and selfishness as if they were new heights of sophistication.

The following outlines the cover up by Ratzinger in relation to the current furore over these depraved pedophile catholic priests:

Pedophile priests scandal: ( Article April 2005)

Ratzinger's office was responsible for handling the ongoing sex scandal, involving hundreds of priests who molested children under the cover of their clerical collars. So what did Ratzinger do?

In 2001, as the decades-long pattern of priests' abuse first started to be reported, he wrote a letter to bishops reminding them that church policy since 1962 mandated that the church itself would investigate, bypassing worldly police authorities, and required victims of priestly abuse to take an oath of secrecy.In effect, Ratzinger ordered a cover-up.

According to an article in Britain's Observer, the letter, signed by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, "asserted the church's right to hold its inquiries behind closed doors and keep the evidence confidential for up to 10 years after the victims reached adulthood." What the hell would you call that, if not a plain and obvious obstruction of justice?

In 2002, Ratzinger publicly stated that "less than 1% of priests are guilty of acts of this type," which sounds curiously dismissive of the problem. More reliable sources indicate that about 4% of U.S. priests have been accused, but even that statistic begs the question of how many more cases might have been reported if the church had been cooperative in such investigations, instead of defensive.

He described American news coverage of the sex scandal had been "exaggerated," as "a campaign against the church" -- which, to my mind, is a remarkably obvious and quite uncaring way to somehow make the Catholic Church the victim in the pedophile priests scandal. In our opinion, apparently disputed by Pope Ratzinger, the victims were the children, and the perpetrators were the priests -- with the support of the church hierarchy all the way to the Vatican, which knew what was happening and did all they could do to cover it up.

Thanks to http://www.unknownnews.org for this .

Now, taking into account the above article, if that is not the pot calling the kettle black I don't know what is ! To reiterate, Ratzinger said . . .

"Lord, we have lost our sense of sin"

"Spreading an inane apologia of evil"

"A senseless cult of Satan"

"Immorality and selfishness"

In the immortal words of Omid Djalili in the moneysupermarket.com advert

You're Having a laugh !!

Bryan Griffiths - Hunt Saboteur

2010-03-27T19:50:00.005Z

Bryan Griffiths gyrocopter pilot and hunt saboteur was incredibly this week found not guilty of killing Trevor Morse hunt supporter when Trevor was basically decapitated by one of the gyrocopters blades. He didn't stand a chance as Bryan Griffiths manoeuvred his flying machine towards him as he stood blocking the machine's take off. You see the so called " hunt monitor" had been causing a nuisance to the hunt for a long time and had been the subject of numerous complaints to the police over safety concerns for both riders and their horses.

Of course, Griffiths knew exactly what he was doing as he arrogantly refused to stop and give way one inch to Trevor Morse. His lame excuse was that he thought he was going to be attacked by a mob of hunt supporters. Hmmmm. Griffiths passenger was John Curtin a convicted animal rights activist who spent two years in jail for planning to dig up the remains of the 10th Duke of Beaufort and send the head to the Princess Royal. Nice man that, bit of a nutter I would say !

Now I do not hunt, nor am I a hunt supporter, neither do I have any connection with the hunt in question. However, I do believe in the sanctity of human life and I have to say that I am at odds with people who put the life of animals before their fellow man.

There is no doubt that Griffiths was guilty of reckless behaviour which lead to the death of Trevor Morse. He should have brought his machine to a halt and switched off, had he done this Trevor Morse would still be alive. Maybe there was a slight risk to Bryan Griffiths but in the scheme of things I think the potential for a few cuts and bruises is far less tragic than the loss of human life. I am not sure what the jury had in mind when they returned a "not guilty" verdict but I hope they will bow their heads in shame for treating the loss of Trevor Morse's life with such contempt. This was a sad day for British justice.

Patisserie Valerie - Cribbs Causeway, Bristol

2010-01-03T20:55:00.004Z

I just had the most expensive scrambled eggs on toast ever, in the food hall at Cribbs Causeway, Bristol served up by Patisserie Valerie.

What actually topped it was the addition of mushrooms and a tomato, each serving costing £1.50. Couple spoonfuls of button mushrooms, probably out of a tin and one medium sized tomato cut in half and grilled. Yup, £1.50 for a medium sized grilled tomato !!!

Yes, I know Patisserie sounds a bit swanky but it was only a "freacking" food hall in a Mall after all. It came to just over £15 for the two of us, six slices granary bread, six pats butter, some scrambled egg (about three eggs) couple spoonfuls of button mushrooms, one grilled tomato and two coffee's.

Now, it may not sound so grand but by heck, if your in a Mall Food Hall then MacDonald's and KFC are much better value that's for sure.

I still cannot get over one grilled tomato being £1.50, absolutely unbelievable.

Eloy - are back !

2009-12-13T12:13:00.004Z

For lovers of Progressive Rock they are back ! Yes the German purveyors of superb classic prog. rock have returned due to fan pressure, and why not ! Good music never goes away even when bands split, it still embeds itself in your mind and no matter how many new bands hit the scene, those old classics still find their way to the top of your pile of CD's.

Eloy is definitely one of those bands and for me their return is very welcome indeed. To make that point, I was at a Porcupine Tree gig a couple months back in the U.K. and during the break there were two guys in front of us talking with such enthusiasm about Eloy. My mate and I looked at each other and smiled as it was, to steal a pun, music to our ears.

Welcome back Frank and the boys . . . just one thing, when you gig make sure you come to the U.K., you will never believe how massive your fan base is among Prog. Rockers here ! Good Luck to you and everyone go out and buy the new album Visionary, it's brilliant.

Police Cameras on PSV Vehicles

2009-12-10T22:07:00.003Z

Guess what's around the corner then! Police are negotiating with PSV operators to get them to fit their cameras to the front of vehicles i.e. buses so that they can capture other road users on disc who may or may not in their view be driving dangerously.

Do you smell another bout of revenue creation under the guise of safety?

Perhaps you all thought as I do that speed cameras are bad enough but we are wrong. Welcome to the most blatant example of "big brother is watching you" yet.

Whatever can we expect next . . . . cameras on waste bins? Hmmmm, nothing surprises me anymore. Where will it all end ?

Madeleine McCann is still missing

2009-11-03T18:52:00.006Z

Gerry and Kate McCann were on Breakfast T.V. this morning launching a new campaign to find their little angel Madeleine who was abducted in Portugal in May 2007.

The grief is still etched on Kate McCann's face for all the world to see. Her husband Gerry was supporting her when she faltered with her words, they are a broken family. Not only have they lost their beautiful daughter but they have also suffered untold pain when they were accused of murdering her by an inept and flawed Portuguese legal system, something all of us must find unimaginable.

Someone out there knows what happened to Madeleine, someone out there is shielding the perpetrator of this heinous crime . . . . You know who you are and it's not too late to pick up that phone and call the police.

I implore you to do it . . . . NOW . . and make the McCann's a complete family once more. It's not too late.

Please everyone look at this link and take in the artist impressions of how Madeleine may look now and if you think you may know of her whereabouts pick up the phone please.

I repeat to the person or persons who are shielding Madeleine's abductor . . please do it now, pick up the phone and clear your conscience. THANK YOU.

Arjen Lucassen

2009-10-29T21:03:00.004Z

Arjen Lucassen the dutch born multi instrumentalist is a freaking genius. He is well known for his work under the name of Ayreon and he has used a multitude of guest singers and instrumentalists on his "rock operas" such as:

Barry Hay - Golden Earring

Bruce Dickinson - Iron Maiden

Damian Wilson - Threshold

Devin Townsend - Strapping Young Lad

James LaBrie - Dream Theater

Lenny Wolf - Kingdom Come

Mikael Akerfeldt - Opeth

And so many more too numerous to mention.

Now Arjen has released a side project called Guilt Machine and an album titled "On This Perfect Day" and I gotta tell you that this is one helluva album and unlike other masterpieces, instead of using a multitude of singers he has used just one, a young relatively unknown Belgian guy called Jasper Steverlinck and the result is amazing. At times you can hear shades of Queens Freddy Mercury and at others Ian Astbury (The Cult).

This young guy can really sing and is not your archetypal heavy rock singer, his vocals are soft and exceptionally powerful and perhaps that's why it works so so very well.

Have a listen, go and buy it and all you prog rockers be prepared to be blown away by this latest Arjen Lucassen project.

Alice In Chains

2009-10-18T21:14:00.003+01:00

Look up the new fantastic album from Alice In Chains " Black Gives Way to Blue". It's amazing and well worth a listen. It's £7.99 from ITunes.

Warrior Soul

2009-10-18T20:58:00.003+01:00

In 2006 I wrote about Warrior Soul, one of the most significant rock bands of the nineties. I said they were no longer on the scene, but imagine my sickening frustration when I learned they actually played a gig near me in July and I was not aware ! Maybe the only remaining original member is Kory Klarke their enigmatic front man but still . . . bum, damn and blast !!

ebay - Nigerian Scammers

2009-09-05T11:58:00.006+01:00

Although I have had problems in the past with ebay, I have given it a long while before having another go with them. We have a couple items to sell in order to fund the purchase of a new iPhone 3Gs both of which sold to buyers from the U.K. with no problems.

Because of this success we decided to put one of our digital cameras on ebay too as we had started to collect them ! This time we were targeted by Nigerian scammers and if you read the message boards and blogs you will understand that these low lifes are endemic on ebay. Fortunately I smelled a rat immediately and before they could deregister (they register and deregister on the same day as the auction ends normally) I tracked the address they used which happened to be a bonafide one for a Plumbing company in California.

They bombarded me with fake e-mails , including fake PayPal headings etc. One big clue is the spelling and grammar in the mails, particularly the one supposedly from PayPal. It was so diabolical we just sat and laughed.

Actually, it's not a laugh really because some naive person could be fooled by it. After a few days of completely ignoring their mails and holding our stomachs from too much laughing they seem to have finally given up sending me these mails.

What also is not funny is that ebay and PayPal (which ebay owns) seems to be doing jack all to stop it. I guess after the inconvenience this causes people some may decide not to use ebay again. So if I was you ebay and PayPal I would get up from your comfortable arses and do something about it for the sake of your customers and your future business!

Finally, to anyone who is looking to use ebay for the first time I would urge you to type into a search engine "ebay Nigerian Scammers" and read all the entries about it before you make a move to post your item on ebay and for gods sake take the advice given or else someone could be sitting in Nigeria laughing their socks off clutching your "camera" and the money you expected for it !

Arthur Brown's Kingdom Come

2009-07-20T20:10:00.004+01:00

Everyone talks about Hendrix's Electric Ladyland album being 10 years ahead of it's time, and for sure it was a genius album.

I would like to offer up another album which I think deserves a mention and was also ten years ahead of it's time, Arthur Brown's Kingdom Come. . the 1972 "Journey" album. I can remember seeing A.B.'s Kingdom Come in the early seventies, completely off the wall theatrics, eat your heart out Alice Cooper and Peter Gabriel !

I still listen to this album regularly and still get completely blown away by the likes of "Time Captives" and Superficial Roadblocks. If you want to know who the godfather of electric music was grab a listen to the "Journey" album . . . it's amazing for it's time.

Northern Rock Building Society - Mortgage Payment Holiday

2009-07-15T21:26:00.004+01:00

I have a mortgage with Northern Rock Building Society, you know, the one which British Taxpayers bailed out at the start of this current recession.

When I took out the mortgage some four years ago one of the benefits trumpeted by "The Rock" was your ability to take a "payment holiday", which along with most people I assumed meant you could have a break in your payments and it would be added to the end of the mortgage. An attractive benefit you would think.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, I have a young horse which needs an operation which is going to cost about £1,000 so I thought ah . . I will see about taking a payment holiday on my mortgage to cover the cost.

Imagine my astonishment when I phoned up Northern Rock and was told that they would charge me interest on the one months payment . . which was spread over the remaining period of my mortgage on compound interest, which means that the £1,000 (one missed payment) will cost me a further £1,000 in interest.

So folks for "payment holiday" read loan, cause that is in effect what is being offered to you.

Even though my mortgage has been running for four years now without one missed payment, I was told if I wanted to take up the offer I had to provide details of outgoings, salary slips, details from bank statements etc. I was gobsmacked so I asked why and the reply was. . in case you have been made redundant.! As if I would be phoning for a payment holiday if I had been made redundant, when in reality I would be selling my property.

So there you have it! They are still at it, Napoleon (chief pig in Animal Farm) and the rest of them still have their snouts in the trough but this time they are ripping off their own stakeholders.

Make sure your friends know about this and deter them from arranging their mortgage through Northern Rock. It's bad enough that taxpayers money was used to bail them out without ever asking us whether we agreed to it or not. Will this age of deception never end ?

This is our night - Sakis Rouvas Eurovision 2009

2009-05-25T11:35:00.005+01:00

I would just like to start by saying that I am not a Eurovision fan ! Mostly, the best song does not win and the voting is definitely suspect now that there are around 40 countries in the contest. 40 !! I didn't know there were forty countries in Europe. Seems barmy to me anyway.

This year, I have to say I did get a whiff of Eurovision from the radio as I travelled from London to the South West on the Saturday night it was broadcast. It actually kept me from falling asleep as I was tuned in to LBC and the two DJ's following the voting were hilarious.

Anyway, back to the issue in hand ! The winning song from Norway was really naff. Of course the young guy singing was cute but he didn't have a world class voice, the song was ordinary and his only saving grace was he played passable violin.

Britain's song "My Time" sung by Jade Ewen was a world class song sung by a world class singer who will no doubt now have a very good career in theatre and music. She will be remembered but will Norway's entry ? I doubt whether he will be remembered in six months time let alone six or so years ! "My Time" was unfortunately, not a real Eurovision song . . it was much too classy for the fickle voting public and biased judges.

But finally, the most done down person in the whole contest had to be Greece's Sakis Rouvas singing "This Is Our Night". This performance should have won. . the song was upbeat, fabulously performed and definitely in the spirit of Eurovision. Sakis may have come 7th but it was a travesty ! Sakis . . you did not bomb out so don't feel bad about it, it's just that you deserved better. I don't think I will ever understand Eurovision. Letting the Eastern Bloc countries in has certainly changed the whole aspect of it.

Listen to Sakis on this link and see what I mean.

Good luck Sakis . . you were great !

The Forgotten "Fixed Interest Rater's"

2009-03-04T21:48:00.004Z

I am getting really fed up with those economists who regularly pontificate about the current recession and keep saying that with the reduction in interest rates on mortgages people are more well off with loads more to spend which should help to kick start the economy.

Oh yeah ! Are we forgetting something ? There are loads and loads of us on fixed rate mortgages who are still paying our original payments and have zilch extra to spend !

Personally, I am about £500 per month worse off than someone else with the same mortgage arrangement but who is on a tracker mortgage for instance.

Oh, and are my friends who have sufficient funds going out and spending the extra ? Of course not . . . most are increasing their mortgage payments to decrease the number of years on their mortgage.

Yep, we are the forgotten "fixed rater's". I wonder how many of the increased number of repossessions are on a fixed rate mortgage. It would be an interesting statistic to know.

A J Rafael

2009-03-02T22:41:00.003Z

It never ceases to amaze me that you can find so much talent on YouTube. Step up to the mike then . . A J Rafael ...a cool young and ever so nice Filipino guy with a lot of talent.

Check this link out . . a rendition of Eric Clapton's Tears In Heaven. This young man deserves a break.

Charice

2009-02-21T15:21:00.003Z

Early last year I told you about the phenomenal talent and potential of Charice Pempengco. Well, she has made it . . from her front room Karaoke to Maddison Square Gardens ! True talent will out and she is now under the wing of the enigmatic David Foster. The world is her oyster and I expect she will now become the Philippines true International star. From humble beginnings . . . you heard it here first. http://www.charicepempengco.com

Judas Priest

2009-02-19T20:25:00.005Z

Judas Priest are undoubtedly one of the best heavy metal bands in the world. I first saw them at Hemel Hempstead Pavilion in the early seventies and was knocked out by numbers like Genocide and The Ripper from the "Sad Wings Of Destiny" album.

Since then I have seen them on a number of occasions and found them to be brilliant but on Saturday last at Birmingham LG Arena . . Oh dear! Yes , they were brilliant in the way they delivered their outstanding set but the sound from where I was sitting was diabolical and so loud it made your ears hurt when Rob Halford, arguably the most outstanding heavy metal rock vocalist of the last thirty years, hit those high notes. It was so disappointing, high expectations from an outstanding set, but it was not to be realised. I should have gone home elated but instead I kept saying "what a shame".

I hope next time the sound engineers get it right cause despite the experience I still rate "The Priest" as one of the best live heavy metal bands there is.

Carol Thatcher and the BBC Sphincter Police

2009-02-05T21:44:00.003Z

I like Carol Thatcher, she is full of life, humorous and yes a bit eccentric. She was born in an era like me where "political correctness" was not even a word in our vocabulary. I can remember as a child collecting my Robertson Jam labels and my mother sending off for my "golliwog badge". I knew loads of children with golliwog soft toys. One of my best friends was West Indian and we never thought it offensive to use the name golliwog nor did he. However, time does move on and what was acceptable then may not be acceptable today.
I am sure that Carol Thatcher made the comment in innocence but that apart, for the BBC to act so holier than though by not taking on board the difference between the Jonathan Ross / Russell Brand affair which was broadcast to millions of people and Carol Thatcher's comment made behind closed doors in the presence of a handful of people is to say the least breathtaking arrogance.
I listened to the pretty pathetic explanation on Radio 4's Today programme by the simpering Jay Hunt BBC 1 Controller (I could almost imagine her cargo pants and Doc Martins) and wondered how she could have the front to say that Jonathan Ross was o.k. because he admitted he was wrong to phone Andrew Sachs and scream obscenities at him in front of millions people but Carol Thatcher was not OK because her apology did not go far enough. If I was earning £6m per annum off the Beeb I think I would be rushing to apologise too, well wouldn't you.
I also understand that Adrian Chiles and comedienne Jo Brand were involved at the centre of this storm but both deny leaking the story to the press. Hmmmm !! I always thought Adrian Chiles was a football loving wanker at the best of times and even though occasionally The One Show just about passed as entertainment I for one wont be switching to it in future.
If the BBC handed out a rebuke to Carol I could understand it but to display such massive double standards is in my mind totally offensive.
Maybe the BBC should apologise to Carol Thatcher under the circumstances.

Depressed by the Press !!

2009-01-26T22:13:00.002Z

We have decided in our household that we will cease switching on the TV or radio when we get up in the morning as we have become so depressed by the news.

Every morning we are being told how bad things are, how many people have been made redundant, how many businesses are going into receivership, how many major companies are forecasting losses this coming year.

Even before we have set one foot out of the front door we are so down in the dumps and our motivation is almost nil.

Instead we have decided to wake up to a favourite CD . . in my case probably Opeth or maybe George Lynch, something with a bit of get up and go rather than get up and woe !

We are not going to switch on the news all day long if we can help it and that way we will keep our spirits up.

The press and media certainly have a lot to answer for in this current climate !

Mama Mia - the movie

2009-01-26T22:00:00.003Z

I have just seen Mama Mia the movie and despite the constant hype being dished up . . . am I alone in thinking that it was utter drivel and much worse, was not very funny !

What a squandering of Julie Walters talents, one our finest character actresses and a very funny comedienne. As for poor old Pierce Brosnan's singing. . well say no more !

If it was not for the unforgettable ABBA songs it would most certainly be lost in the annals of time and filed under "biggest flop of 2008"

Prince Harry A Racist ?

2009-01-12T22:49:00.005Z

I have seen the footage that The News Of The World is making such a fuss of and perhaps it's me but I cannot see that Prince Harry is deliberately setting out to make racist remarks.

Now as I have said in my past blog entries, I have friends who are Pakistani and Indian and yes I too have been racially abused on several occasions by Asian guys when out on the town with them. Cars have driven past us for instance and with windows wound down Asian guys have shouted out to my friends "Hey, what are you doing with that "Pinky". Was I offended ? Well I may have been slightly but hey, life is short and you have to get on with it.

What is true though is the term Paki is used by them in certain circumstances to address each other and I have even heard Indian guys ask my friends "are you Indian or Paki ?" So in reality it seems o.k. to use the term among Pakistani's or Indians but it is not acceptable if it is used by a white person.

Now going back to Prince Harry . . It is a fact that being in a unit in the army is slightly different to being in civi street. After all everyone is living in very close proximity to each other and the banter between the men is pretty fruity at times. It is true to say that the four S's apply . they sleep together (metaphorically speaking), shit together, shave together and shower together and lets not forget that they also die together ! That's pretty close wouldn't you say.

I was astonished to see some twat from the News of The World on Breakfast T.V. this morning trying to justify their decision to publish on the basis they dislike any sort of "ism" . . racism, sexism . . I wonder if that includes "two faced ' ism". Of course their only motivation had to be one of circulation figures and revenue.

I have to say that the only winner in this saga is young Ahmed the centre of this story, who was not offended by his comrade Prince Harry's remarks. The loser is Ahmeds father who demands more than an apology, which in my mind was not really warranted anyway, and who after years in this country has still not learned to get a life and move on like this particular "pinky" has.

So is Prince Harry a racist ? Have a look at the following picture and judge for yourself.

Cyndi Lauper / Jessie / Ane Brun

2008-10-12T16:36:00.001+01:00

There have been three things I have discovered in the past 24 hrs which has blown my socks off !

1) I saw Cyndi Lauper playing at the Guildhall, Southampton last night (see pic) and she was an absolute knock out , such a star ! Her songs were brilliant right from real rockers to the beauty of the amazing "True Colours". If you get a chance go and see Cyndi . . a true legend.

2) I discovered for the first time a truly amazing young woman who was supporting Cyndi . Jessie ! OMG the voice on her ! Catch this link . . http://www.myspace.com/musicjessieJ. Live she was sensational . . Go catch her somewhere, you will not be disappointed !

3) Have you all been wondering who it was singing "True Colours" on the new Sky HD advert ? Well here comes the gen. . . Her name is Ane Brun , Norwegian born and what a beautiful singer, atmospheric songs is not in it, so many influences . . hints of Bjork everywhere but not so quirky if you know what I mean. Check her out she is sensational. http://www.myspace.com/anebrun

In the immortal words of Celine Dion " All three women are "Ossum".

Kate Walsh - Grey's Anatomy

2008-08-14T22:45:00.002+01:00

I am a great Greys Anatomy fan . . . it's compelling watching and the acting is superb.

Kate Walsh (Dr Addison Montgomery) is a beautiful sexy woman with a shock of auburn hair but what is so extraordinary is the resemblance Kate has to another beautiful actress Catherine Deneuve.

Can you spot the difference ?

Well for those who can't . . Kate Walsh is on the left and the one above is a young Catherine Deneuve. It is amazing isn't it.

The Apprentice - the fifteen gobshites !

2008-06-11T22:05:00.001+01:00

So they were down to four . . Alex, Lee, Helene and Claire.

Alex is a real snake in the grass. . he showed this in the boardroom when he dobbed in Lucinda.

Lee is a liar and found it necessary to embellish his C.V. to cover up his perceived inadequacies with his average education.

Claire is a motormouth and you just cannot escape the image of a holiday rep.

Then there is Helene who at the interview stage rolled out her deprived childhood and then said she was not used to be surrounded by fifteen gobshites ! OMG She then proceeded to hug and congratulate the other finalists ! It was breathtaking ! Yep, it certainly gives the impression you have to lie, cheat and be a bully to succeed in business.

There is now a winner . . . it's Lee McQueen . . so in the end the Liar wins. Honesty R.I.P. How can this be ? He is thick ! During his fragrance gig (Roulette) he called it a "roulette reel". Mind boggling. Sir Alan Sugar you deserve him !!

The Apprentice

2008-05-28T22:25:00.001+01:00

I have resisted blogging "The Apprentice" because it is yet another reality show and I don't want to keep harping on about them and giving them more publicity than they deserve.

However, this show at times really plumbs the depths of nastiness. Yes, I know it's only T.V. and its manufactured to get audience ratings up. . . or is it ?

Take a look at the guy above . . Lee McQueen, a really nice piece of work. The pic does wonders for him as in reality his face looks as though he has had an argument with the flymo when he was mowing his lawn last weekend.

He is as common as shit and is so full of himself it makes you want to vomit. In the last test his team undertook. . . selling prestigious cars, he literally sidelined the female member of the trio Lucinda Ledgerwood in such a calculated and nasty way it took your breath away.

Lee McQueen states in his bio on the BBC website for the show . . quote " The 30 year-old describes himself as very passionate, believing he can win The Apprentice by developing excellent working relationships with his fellow competitors. Oh really Lee ! I think not!

Michael Sophocles was fired this week and justifiably so. He has in the past told lie after lie in the Boardroom, but still.. there is something very likable about him unlike Lee McQueen.

Alan Sugar acts like a petulant lout in the Boardroom which I suspect is not play acting given his barrow boy image.

This show promotes the wrong picture to young people i.e. the only way to get on in life is to lie, cheat and bully your way to the top. On this basis I wonder who will win. I shall keep you posted.

David Archuleta American Idol 2008

2008-05-01T20:46:00.003+01:00

I watched American Idol 2008 tonight, nothing else on the box.

Gotta say though, David Archuleta should not win this season of American Idol . His wheezy voice (so irritating) just hasn't got the range of David Cook for instance, who can sing punchy rock to stunning low register unplugged songs.

David Archulleta would be comfortable singing in Los Vegas among the blue rinse brigade but another Josh Groban, for instance . . . . I think not ! not a cat in hells chance.

Sorry Jeff Archuleta . . . I think you have well and truly bollocksed it for your son.

Madonna Decena

2008-04-26T20:25:00.000+01:00

Did you watch Madonna Decena on "Britains Got Talent". What a fabulous performance and yes, she has got talent.

But you would not believe the nasty, insulting comments from viewers on the Youtube site just because she said in her interview that she was a single mum with two kids back in the Philippines and she became overwhelmed with tears. Yes, she was accused of putting this on but. . . let me tell you it was not.

How could anyone not be moved by the plight of many many thousands of Filipino mothers and fathers who leave their third world country to work abroad in order to pay for their kids education and as the breadwinner, feed their families.

They sacrifice seeing their children / grandchildren grow up, sometimes being only able to go home for a holiday once every two years. Imagine that ! Of course we in the west cannot imagine for one moment that we could possibly do such a thing but then we do not have to in order to survive on the basics that we readily accept as being a normal part of our lives.

So, all you childish, ungrateful , uneducated , unctuous (look it up as it is over three letters) shameful scum who should know better . . please crawl back into your hole and leave decent people alone

I have linked to the Youtube site so you can judge for yourself. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnXyKf0rRtU

Lots of the comments are in Tagalog (Filipino tongue) so Madonna has supporters from her own country too. I wish her every success for the future, you deserve it.

Charice Pempengco

2008-04-20T20:49:00.000+01:00

Just below in my American Idol blog I mentioned that phenomenal 15 year old Filipino singer Charice Pempengco.

Well, the little thing with the massive voice turned up last week on U.K. T.V. singing on the Paul O'Grady show. Everyone was blown away, to such an extent that Paul O said basically "If your watching Mr Cowell, top that on X Factor, I don't think so". See link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1P6VaXV9Mk

My exact sentiments but I would even go as far as to say this extraordinary talent would be in with a chance of winning American Idol with a couple more years tucked under her belt.

Eat your heart out Jeff Archuletta (David Archuletta's stage father from hell !!)

Abu Izzadeen (Aka Trevor Brookes)

2008-04-20T19:52:00.002+01:00

Trev . . . you're well and truly nicked !!!

I wrote about our Trev some time ago after that disgusting interview with John Humphreys on Radio 4's "Today" programme where he ranted and raved about killing all us "Kuffir" unbelievers (who incidentally pay him and his family benefits) and the installation of a sharia state in this country.

I wondered then how the authorities in this country could let this maniac loose among us. Hooray, at last though, they have come to their senses and jailed this loonatic for four and half years.

Good riddance, but then thinking about it, I bet you and I are still paying out of our pockets to keep his family whilst he is away. Is there a case for throwing away the key to his cell ?

On behalf of the rational, law abiding citizens of this country justice is at last seen to be done

Speed Choice

2008-04-10T21:20:00.006+01:00

I must admit I have been a naughty boy and got caught by a gatzo doing 37 mph in a 30 mph area along a main road where the speed limit changes around four times in about 1 mile.
Yes, I was distracted by my passengers and ignored my road angel and bingo. . flash flash we've nabbed another loada dosh boys.
Now as I was only doing 37 mph I have been given the option of attending a speeding workshop for three hours instead of having three points on my licence. Funny really cause guess what the cost of the course is ? Would you believe £60.00 the same as the fixed penalty but this time described as an "administrative charge". Say no more.
The option letter was pretty threatening from Avon and Somerset Police . . you know the usual trying to make you out to be a criminal etc .but what struck me was the way they implied that if you don't take it seriously during the workshop we will withdraw the offer of not having three points and slap the fixed penalty on you. Oh , by the way, they keep the £60 administrative charge which is "not refundable".
Anyway, I sent off the form requesting a "workshop" instead of three points. They said on the instructions that I had up to 120 days after the offence to attend a workshop which I thought was reasonable seeing as most of us workers have busy schedules in our diaries. I was also told not to send the £60 administrative charge as they will contact me.
Imagine my surprise to get a reply back in less than a week giving me a workshop date approximately two weeks after the notification. As I have said, most of us have full diaries a month ahead at least so when I checked mine it was almost inevitable that I had appointments I could not change i.e. in my case I had two training courses to facilitate that day which had been fixed in accordance with my employers launch of a new high profile policy.
Ah, I thought, I have 120 days so I can change it to another day. Imagine my surprise that the course fee now increases to £90 with an additional £30 administrative charge added.
£30 administrative charge . . is that realistic ? According to the judiciary the Banks £30 administrative / overdraft fees have been grossly exaggerated and they have been forced to reduce them and pay back millions to fleeced customers. Of course £30 is not realistic.
In the case of Speed Choice it would not be beyond the whit of any organisation given that Speed Choice's targeted market are mostly busy businessmen and women could, given they supposedly have 120 days to play with, arrange dates to suit their diaries but . . . that is unless it is all a deliberate ploy to increase revenue. Revenue collection ? Do I really think that is the case ? Am I being really naive ?
What do you think ? Isn't it all a bit Hitler'esque. Have a look at the scanned document.

I feel like saying stuff you, I'll take the three points and pay you the £60 just to stick my middle finger up at you and say fuck off you parasites.

American Idol - 2008 . . . David Archuletta / Ramiele Malubay

2008-04-01T22:28:00.005+01:00

My other half is an avid American Idol fan. I am not, although occasionally I sneak a peek when I am tapping away on my laptop.

Something intriguing is happening in Idol among the contestants. Front runner is David Archuletta, a fresh faced talented 17 year old with a manufactured constant smile. Every mother would like to scoop him up in their arms and hug him !

His draw back is that he has a "theatrical father from hell" Jeff Archuletta who manipulates David's every move during every second of his waking day. He influences Davids song choice and brings his son to tears when he doesn't perform according to his fathers expectations. . . whata guy! whata moron!

I hope it wont happen, but eventually this behaviour could put paid to his sons chances of winning because according to many blog sites people are being turned off by the thought of the fathers manic activities.

Another front runner is Ramiele Malubay a charming Filipino girl with an obvious powerful voice but as yet has not shown us what she is really capable of. Her idol is Regine Valasquez an amazing Filipino International singer. . . and my other half a big Regine fan is praying that Ramiele will choose a Regine song to show what she is really made of.

Ramiele sung Heart's "Alone" (a classic rock ballad) when she was ill and never really nailed it. By chance we trolled You Tube and found two versions of "Alone" by other Filipino Singers, one amateur and one a 14 year old known in the Philippines and America through the Ellen Degeneres Show. Here are the links . . go listen and be amazed by talent which if harnessed and trained would give American Idol contestants a real run for their money. www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPWxY-2bgPA, www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eKxQO9CtQY. Also be amazed that Charice can deliver and nail the song even with the distraction of her family laying the dinner table around her as she sings ha ha . . and Marielle . . no mic !

Anyway I still cannot watch Simon Cowell destroy people in front of an audience in such a moronic fashion . I Hate it.. so will never be a real avid fan of this programme and it's predictable format. Enjoy the vids though.

Bogus Family Allowance Claims by Polish Immigrants

2008-02-24T20:29:00.000Z

I was chatting to a guy the other day who works for a National Company who employs a lot of Eastern European workers.

I was astonished to learn from him that there were quite a few little scams going on like doctors certificates being sent from Poland when workers were going home for a short holiday and supposedly becoming sick. However, the mother of them all is the family allowance scam.

Polish workers are bringing their family, wife and kids, over for a short period, long enough to sign on for family allowance say 4 - 6 weeks and then the family return to Poland and the worker collects the family allowance and sends it home with part of his wages as normal.

This is happening up and down the country and is a known scam. It takes so long for our system to suss this out that they could get away with it for a year.

I just want to know how this is being allowed to happen ? No wonder the French holding centre at Sangatte was overflowing. I wondered why these so called refugees crossed through other EU countries such as Germany, Italy, France etc but had no desire to stop off there. It is now clear to me..... Welcome to the Land of Milk and Honey my darlings.

Archbishop of Canterbury - Rowen Williams

2008-02-09T12:06:00.000Z

OMG ! What is that scruffy oik with the irritating voice Rowen Williams up to now insinuating that we should make some provision in our legal system for Sharia law ! This must have sent a cold shiver down the spine of every liberated Muslim woman in this country who is desperately trying to throw off the shackles of institutionalised discrimination, cruelty and oppression in the name of Islam.

It is reported that this naive leader of the Anglican Church has been widely misquoted and this may well be the case but one thing is for sure , no one but no one should be allowed to live in this country outside of the established laws of the land. If you want to live here you abide by our rules as we have to when we go to other countries.

Misquoted maybe, but stupid remarks and assertions like those of Rowen Williams can only add credence to the rantings and ravings of the likes of Abu Izadeen aka Trevor Brooks that well know hater of the British Way of life and the British people who cannot wait to install Sharia Law in this country and dispose of all unbelievers.

We are a tolerant country as can be demonstrated by the fact that said Abu Izadeen is still living in this country he hates so much and surviving on state handouts.

What a stupid man you are Rowen Williams.. do the correct thing and resign immediately.

TODAY Radio 4 - American Presidential Election

2008-02-06T21:25:00.000Z

I am an avid TODAY listener. I wake up to it and go to work on it. I find it helps me to keep abreast of whats going on in this country.

But then, am I alone in being bored bored and again totally bored by the forensic analysis of what's going on in the American presidential elections. Are we a bit interested ? Well, actually no and I expect that goes for the majority of the TODAY listeners who would rather get to know what's going on in our own backyard.

Who gives a fuck about Super Tuesday ( what a crass name) and someone with a surreal name like Barack !

I am finding that on my way to work I am stacking up with a new collection of CD's and as soon as I hear the word Primary I switch off the radio and bang on some heavy metal.

I found I was doing this at the height of Browns reign as Chancellor when the words Boom and Bust and Fiscal were irritating me just as much.

Anyway, why are we giving so much coverage to America when they didin't give a stuff about our election and just about gave it two paragraphs in their press.

Wake up TODAY and give us something more homegrown to go to work on.

MBNA

2008-02-06T21:09:00.000Z

I have just been written to by MBNA to advise me that they have increased their interest charges by an outrageous amount. I have checked their website but there does not seem to be any real reason.

They still say their typical APR is 15.9% but they have increased mine to a massive 27.9%.

I expect it is all above board and legal even if it's really outrageous. So to anyone out there who is thinking of applying for a new credit card or to transfer a balance, think again about MBNA and give them a wide berth. There are others out there who can give you a much better deal and I will be looking to transfer to a more consumer friendly bank as soon as I can.

Heath Ledger

2008-01-23T21:42:00.000Z

I was shocked when I heard that Heath Ledger had been found dead at home.

I have already said in a previous blog how I had been profoundly affected by the film Broke Back Mountain in which 28 year old Heath had starred with Jake Gyllenhaal. Heath turned in a brilliant performance, he had talent, charisma, star quality and above all he had a very rosy future.

How sad it is then that he will never realise his undoubted potential, a bright shining star extinguished before his time. Rest in peace.

Chief Constable Meredydd Hughes... You're Nicked !!

2007-12-05T18:46:00.000Z

I just heard the news that smug faced, arrogant , holier than though Meredydd Hughes has been banned for driving at 90 m.p.h. on the A.5 in North Wales.

Laugh...I laughed so much the tears ran down my legs !!

This disingenuous little man obviously was not as passionate about safety as he made out he was. He couldn't even heed his own advice.

This episode brings into question the validity of the information spouted by the pro speed camera brigade, of which Meredydd Hughes was a leading exponent.

For those of us who know that speed cameras are only revenue creating machines this is justice indeed, if only to see that sickly, smug smile wiped right off his face.

What goes around comes around.... the best laugh I have had for years.

John Barrowman

2007-12-01T15:22:00.000Z

Last Sunday morning I was watching BBC1 tele as you do because Andrew Marr's slot is always informative and entertaining. I look forward to Carol Thatcher reviewing the papers cause she is an absolute scream, blunt and to the point. Bit like her mother really.

After Andrew Marr at 10.00 is a discussion programme centred round religion "The Big Question" chaired by Nicky Campbell and last week there was an audience of well respected people with strong religious views debating moral and religious issues. Among those present were the ever waffling Lord Carey ex Archbishop of Canterbury, Ann Widdecombe MP with her splendid 60's style "flick Ups" hair do, Libby Purves, Professor Richard Dawkins and John Barrowman.

John Barrowman impressed me greatly for his honest and candid response to him being gay. He said, in so many words, that he does not accept under any circumstances that because he is gay he is an evil and wicked person because he is not. He said he was a good person and did good things for people through his carreer and in his private life.

He looked at the audience of so called dignatories and bigots and said, "you may at your services have parents who have gay and lesbian children, imagine how they feel when you tell them that their children are evil and despicable.

Nicky Campbell also questioned John on his latest album titled "John Barrowman Another Side" and was asked how he chose the songs. One of those songs is the Cyndie Lauper Classic "Time After Time" and John told a little story about a friend in America who had plucked up courage to tell his parents that he was Gay, which is never easy as your heart tells you rightly or wrongly that rejection is a distinct possibility. Not only this but at the same time he also had to tell them he was HIV positive. He told them and was not rejected, but a couple days later a parcel was delivered to his home with a letter from his dad which basically said, I was never very good at putting into words how I feel but the enclosed CD of Cyndi Lauper's song "Time After Time" says it all, so play it. The words in the song ....if you're lost you can look--and you will find me time after time if you fall I will catch you--I'll be waiting time after time .

John said, this was the measure of unrequited love of a parent for their child.

The foregoing is not verbatim but is certainly the gist.

I hope every bigoted, pious, holier than though backside on those seats in the audience was uncomfortably squirming. Good on you John !

Go and buy Johns latest album, it's full of very nice songs sung by a very nice person.

www.No1soldoutevents.com

2007-12-01T11:48:00.000Z

People, be aware of this lot if your looking for last minute tickets for a concert.

A colleague of mine has just gone through a most harrowing experience and it's not over yet !

You see, she is a great, and I mean great with a capital G, Take That fan, along with her three friends who as a group of girls have been to a concert on every Take That tour there has ever been.
As everyone knows, this latest tour was sold out so quickly you didn't have time to draw breath before the shutters were down! In desperation, the girls hunted the web and came across the glitzy web site http://www.no1soldoutevents.com/ and applied for tickets last February and handed over their credit card payment to the tune of £760.12. Yes, you have got it ...almost £200 per ticket. I think you get the picture now that these girls are well and truly fans and have counted the days to the November concert for the past nine months.

No tickets arrived and in desperation my colleague phoned and e-mailed them and didn't get a reply. 2 days before the concert No1soldoutevents contacted my colleague and said tickets were not available and they would credit her VISA card.

Yes, you read correctly, this mob have sat on the girls money earning interest for nine months and flippantly say sorry there are no tickets. Were there ever any tickets you may ask yourself? Even after saying there were no tickets they were still advertising them for sale on their web site...oh yeah !!

To add insult to injury they said four days after the bombshell that they could no longer credit the credit card and needed my colleagues bank account details to credit her account. Well, would you do that ?

Now it's a cheque in the post and at the time of writing this has still not been received.

Does this smack of a breathtaking scam... what do you think ? Imagine how much money can be extorted from vulnerable people, leave it in a bank account earning interest and then say, goods not available here's you money back and we will just pocket the interest..thanks and goodbye you mugs.

Trading standards need to look at this methinks. Oh, the website has dramatically changed in the past week and it has been jazzed up and contains testimonials from satisfied clients now saying how wonderful their service is. Oh what a surprise but then anyone can write those can't they.

To leave you on a high note, after all the crying and gnashing of teeth, out of desperation my colleague the day before the concert telephoned the NEC and she was offered restricted viewing tickets and you cannot imagine the screams and crying of delight from the girls, I heard some of it on the speaker phone. It was brilliant. They went and even with restricted viewing they had such a wonderful night, saw more than enough of the Take That guys, heard every song perfectly and drank in the incredible atmosphere and all for the price of....£28.00 each. Yes, you heard correctly £28.00.

There is a lesson for all of us in this and that is, no matter how desperate you are there is always someway out. Have a look at this No1soldoutevents website, remember it well and whatever you do steer clear of them if you want to keep your money and avoid disappointment.

Riverside

2007-12-01T11:22:00.000Z

Last night I went to Camden Underworld in London to see Polish band Riverside play their first U.K. London gig. As I have said before their recordings are quite brilliant and innovative.

Predictably the small venue was packed with Polish fans or the inquisitive (not too sure) but there were quite a few British as well !! As an aside, I have to say that some of the punters appeared to need a good wash and to learn where the deodorant shelf is at Boots ! OMG the whiff from some pushing their way through the crowd took your breath away !

Anyway, the gig. It was mediocre, the sound was less than good and the venue did nothing to facilitate shorter persons, in other words if you were 6 foot or more tall you pushed your way to the front and obscured everyone else's vision. It always makes me laugh that tall people don't have the gumption or manners to realise that short at the front, tall at the back means everyone gets a look in. Oh well.

We drove 300 miles to get a glimpse of this band who have massive potential, were bitterly disappointed and left halfway through to go and have a drink in Old Compton Street, Soho where there was a lot of colourful people and there was a true buzz about the place, which was more than can be said about Camden Underworld.

Just a word for the band...choose a better venue for London next time... The Mean Fiddler for instance or even a Carling Academy somewhere...they are made to give the punter an enjoyable listening experience.

Wessex Water - Fat Cat Money Grabbers

2007-11-16T09:10:00.000Z

I moved about two months ago and almost immediately received a bill from Wessex Water for water and sewerage charges, which I thought was a bit weird cause at that stage I had only used a minute amount of water and gone to the loo a dozen or so times.

I put the bill in with my other papers relating to the move etc and forgot about it. I started to receive really threatening mail, you know, the usual dumb shit like "you may receive a County Court Judgement", "We will be sending round the Debt Collectors". Pretty scary stuff if your an aged person with not much whit about you.

Of course I have instructed my Bank to pay the outstanding bill to avoid having the Spanish Inquisition, Pol Pots Khmer Rouge or such like turning up on my doorstep wanting to gouge my eyes out or behead me in public.

But hang on ! I am being threatened for goods I have not received yet. I have not used six months worth of water or gone to the loo and created six months worth of sewerage...yet! Is there any justification for these very heavy handed scare tactics when I haven't received the goods and services I am paying for ?

It makes my blood boil anyway that this Government has allowed our precious natural resources to be sold off to Foreign Investors. We are now being screwed left right and centre in order to make profits for shareholders and the recent case of Southern Water's blatant lies to gain price increases in order to boost share holders pockets should be a great cause of concern to us all.

The picture on this blog says it all... what a load of sewerage you lot are.

Have we given our country away ?

2007-10-15T22:35:00.000+01:00

A colleague of mine from work has just returned from a holiday in France. She enjoyed it so much, the food, the countryside and the people.

She was talking about how much she and her husband would like to move there but of course the issue of work availability came up. During this conversation something strange and thought provoking was said. In a nutshell, it was stated to her by the French locals that they couldn't understand why we (the British) had given our country away, now that it is heaving at the seams with Eastern European immigrants.

It was stated that in France, if a job, say, for a teacher was advertised and there were six applicants, five well qualified from overseas and one lesser qualified from France, the one from France would get the job.

Very thought provoking don't you think ? Ask yourself, were the french locals right ? have we really given our country away. Time will indeed tell.

For sure there is one big winner, the Catholic Church who now have standing room only at Sunday services.

Made In China

2007-09-09T16:41:00.000+01:00

Can anyone tell me please "what is NOT made in China?" Everything I seem to buy lately is made in China, designer clothes, electrical goods, self assembly furniture. I recently bought a brand new Hewlett Packard computer only to find when I got it home the drive unit did not work. That is, it did not break down but didn't work from the time I plugged it in. I found out later from the box it was made in China. (surprise surprise) Needless to say, I took it back and got another unit which did work but what infuriates me is the unit must have been faulty when it was packed as it showed a fatal breakdown in hardware/components not damage to the casing or anything like that.

So what happened to the quality control then? Was it a case of meeting delivery quotas and therefore packed anyway regardless of it being duff. Personally, knowing the deviousness of the Chinese I suspect this was the case.

This unhealthy push towards manufacturing in China can only mean that we are sacrificing quality for cost. Look at the Mattel situation as confirmation of this. I now always ask the salesman at any store what the country of origin is for the goods I propose to buy. They often look at me as if I am from another planet, as if to say "why does that matter". Of course it matters, I don't want cheapness in exchange for quality.

I think there should be a campaign among blue chip Manufacturers and they should be proud enough to state " This product was NOT made in China!". After all, for the sake of the environment we moan about shipping food half way round the world yet we are doing that with just about everything else we consume.

Greek Embassy London - Are they anti tourism in Greece

2007-09-07T20:01:00.000+01:00

My partner and I are just recovering from a traumatic experience at the Greek Embassy visa department in Holland Park London. I say traumatic because although there was no physical damage, mentally we were left exhausted by our experience.

In order to take my partner for a holiday to Greece to celebrate our year together as Civil Partners , we had to apply for an entry visa because he is Filipino.

We left a gap of seven weeks before our departure date but we were forced to wait one month or just over for an appointment at the Embassy so we had little leeway. Those who regularly visit Greece will know that by the end of September the weather becomes more unpredictable and rain can set in. We were, therefore at the extreme end of the season as we were to return on the 27 th September.

Our appointment was 9.30 and as we live on the Somerset/Devon borders we had a 250 mile trip which involved driving to Woking and getting three trains. We met road works on our way and were delayed so at 9.27 we were running out of Holland Park Station and sweating arrived at the Embassy with one minute to spare to be confronted by a queue outside. Once we got inside we asked others what there appointment time was and they all were 9.30. We had just completed a most stressful last leg of our journey and at 10.15 we were still sitting waiting.

There were two Greek women behind the counter, one who obviously didn't know fully what she was doing and one who had all the knowledge and kept chipping in but was not serving anyone until us, that is.

The latter woman, who I can describe as a dead spit for one of the women in Robert Palmer's "Addicted to Love" music video, was rude, unfriendly, had a very aggressive demeanour and lacked the social skills to promote excellent customer service.

When it was our turn, the first woman picked over the evidence carefully and the questions she asked, such as why is my partners wage slip just a piece of typed paper, was so pathetic to be unreal. I wanted to scream out, because that is what they do in some local government departments. For gods sake check the monthly amount with the bank statement and you will see it agrees.

Finally, the second "Palmer" woman look a like had to get involved and opened up a second position at the counter to deal with us.

At one stage, I had to leave the hall and go outside when she queried the travel insurance we had purchased from Tesco because it didn't have his name on it although there was a receipt with the start and end dates on it and the date of purchase. How do I know when it is for, she said or should I say growled. Pathetic indeed.

As it turns out, they could not guarantee the visa in six working days. They said we can collect it on the Friday before the Monday if we phoned up and confirmed it had been issued and then come and collect it. Now this was pathetic as we had just told her we had driven 250 miles and it had taken four hours, so given this information could we possibly phone, drive all the way to London and collect the visa during the one hour window 12.00 - 13.00 hrs which they allocate for visa collection. Work it out yourself.

As it is, if we do not get the visa by Friday of next week we have to cancel one day of our holiday, change the flight to the following day (cost £60.00), inform our accommodation in Greece and because my partner has an interview for promotion on the Monday morning, collect the visa on the Tuesday from London the day we fly out to Athens. In other words, drive 250 miles to Woking, get three trains, collect the visa, travel back to Woking pick up the car and go straight to Heathrow to pick up our flight.

We are staying on a small island in Greece just 2 hours ferry time from Athens, population 1,000. They are solely dependent on tourism on that island and we are going to spend our hard earned cash there and I am sure they are grateful for that.

I wonder how they would feel if they knew that their UK Embassy was doing nothing but hinder tourism for their country.

I have relayed the story to some workmates and their reply was.."Why on earth are you going to Greece...go somewhere else" . They are right of course, but you know I have spent some fabulous holidays in Greece and all I wanted to do was show my partner what all the fuss about the country was. Am I wrong about Greece after all ?

As, a footnote, when we pressed this "charming (sic) woman to help us and get the visa earlier, she made my partner sign a piece of paper to acknowledge that the visa was at risk if we tried to get it earlier. Now how about that then !

Oh, by the way. When I needed to renew my passport in an emergency once, I drove to Newport in South Wales and only had to wait two hours for a completely new passport.

In Greek terms, they cannot do it in even seven working days. Say no more eh. Next year, Spain here we come !

If anyone else has had a similar experience , let me know and I will publish some.

Iraq and the forgotten wounded

2007-09-07T19:33:00.000+01:00

Something is bugging me. What has happened to the wounded when we report casualties in the Iraq war zone? We always hear about the dead (horrific enough) but we never hear how many are massively wounded and maimed. Why is that ? Is this a political move to prevent us, the general public, from understanding the reality of what is truely going on in Iraq and Afghanistan for that matter.

For every fatality in a mortar attack there are generally dozens more wounded, some severely with life threatening injuries and many who loose limbs. They are there lying in Birmingham and thereafter if they recover, lying in Headley trying to come to terms with the loss of their arms and legs and trying to come to terms with the terrific trauma of the incident they were involved in. They are being brilliantly looked after by their masters in the Forces, of that there is no doubt but that is after all, after the event.

Strong stuff you might say, but it is reality and many of these young men and women are barely in their twenties or often younger. If you heard the true cost of these wars in suffering to our troops , our children and parents, you might ask why are we there and put massive pressure to bear on this Government for a withdrawal date. Our Sons, daughters, fathers and mothers are no longer peace keepers, they are actively involved in a war situation in countries where the sole aim of the occupants is to kill them. Don't be in any doubt about that fact.

Politics is sometimes a sinister business, so I guess we can only assume that the forgotten wounded are just that, in media, spin and publicity terms. . . forgotten. What a shameful situation for us to be in.

Smoke Free England

2007-07-22T11:45:00.000+01:00

On July 1st England , on the grounds of safety and health, became a smoke free zone in enclosed public premises. For us non smokers it is a "breath of fresh air" (excuse the pun) to be able to go home from a night out in a club or pub without having to strip completely and hang our clothes in the bathroom cause they reek of stale smoke and not having to suffer for two days after with a sore foul tasting throat.
I sympathise with smokers who have a right to do what they want with their own health, but frankly guys, you have no right to tamper with mine o.k. Nuff said.
However, now we have to suffer a spin off from this new Legislation ...Crowds standing on the pavements outside of drinking/eating places blocking the way for pedestrians, blowing their smoke over all who try and squeeze by and littering the pavement with cigarette ends. It's pretty disgusting actually.
Progressive pubs with small outside back areas have already made provision for smoking areas, some undercover and some with the proper receptacles for cigarette ends. Sadly, the likes of Yates Wine Bar and Wetherspoons which are mainly on high streets, do not appear to have made any such arrangements whatsoever, or in fact cannot because of outside space restrictions.
So folks, there you have it. One problem tackled and another one created as a result. Sometimes problem solving is not thought right through to the end. If you happen to be involved in an incident which damages your safety and health as a result of crowds of smokers spilling onto the pavement from drinking houses I would personally sue the pants off the landlord, particularly if it's a national chain ( you stand more chance of a pay out from a Plc than an individual) and then I would go for the local Council who is responsible for the pavement.

Town and Country Planning

2007-07-15T10:27:00.000+01:00

I have just received a notification from the local council concerning a planning application to develop a run down pub nearby. You know the usual blurb...about your right to make comments and observations which of course will not be taken into consideration in the end !

Now I am not really against the development as the pub is an eyesore and it will help raise the profile of the area but .....

What amazes me is the intellect of these planning officials. There are twelve dwellings and the comment from one lady committee member to the Planning Officer was "I will be looking for a 35% for affordable housing as there is a substantial need in this area" (exact grammar). 35%...err.. derr 4.2 dwellings !! Would it not have been easier and more appropriate to say 1/3 rd ?

Beware these "intelligent" (sic) people who are making important decisions that may affect your life !! Brain transplants are not yet available on the NHS.

Withdrawing From A House Purchase

2007-07-07T18:56:00.000+01:00

I have just been through a horrendous experience when trying to sell my property and buy another.

I found the perfect place and all the boxes were ticked. I couldn't believe my luck. My buyer was enthusiastic, came round three times, brought the parents and measured up. I even received mail in their name but on the day I was signing contracts and four days before moving they pulled out ! Their explanation was... it took too long. Yeah, pull the other one.. four days from them moving in ! Too late !!!

It turned out after digging that there was another personal reason.. but why lie?

As they had not exchanged contracts they could just walk away and nothing legally can be done about the £1,300 I was out of pocket. To add injury to my losses was the perfect property I had found was returned to the market place and sold again at full asking price within three days.. I was well and truly gutted.

All in all, other than find out where the buyer who jacked it in lived and sending the boys round I was left with nothing.

I have had to put my property back on the market, find another and pay out once again to my Solicitor and the Building Society for fees and surveys. My losses now are around £2,000 and the property I am buying just does not have the wow factor of the original but I have to be satisfied in order to move on.

I think it's time the law was changed on this business...and how many times have I been told..."This wouldn't happen in Scotland !!!"

At the very least, it should be mandatory that anyone committing to buying a property should lay down an "administrative" deposit of say £750 which would be forfeited to the vendor to cover towards out of pocket expenses if the buyer reneges on their agreement.

I think that's fair enough, don't you? If anyone out their from HM Government is reading this, I think it's about time you got off your butts and did something about this outrageous situation sooner rather than later.

Ambushed at Sainsbury's

2007-07-03T08:20:00.000+01:00

Are you like me..just sick and tired of being ambushed at the entrance to supermarkets by a myriad of charity collectors !!

They place themselves in such a position that you have no choice but to squeeze past them and their held out begging bucket.

They even hover at the end of the check outs to pack your shopping and you feel obliged to give them your hard earned cash even though you have been duped into having your shopping shoved into a carrier bag.

Now don't get me wrong ..I am not a tight fisted person, in fact I am pretty generous when it comes to giving for good causes. However, I like to give when I feel it appropriate and to the charities I believe in and not those that make me feel uncomfortable when I pass by and don't drop a few coins into their bucket.

I want to enjoy my shopping experience not made to feel uncomfortable for gods sake !

So to all you supermarkets out there...please stop this practice or you may loose your customers. We all have to work hard nowadays to earn our little bit of cash and most of us don't have much spare to give away. So at least give us the courtesy of choosing who we give it to without these emotional hi -jacking tactics you are condoning.

Fields Of The Nephilim

2007-05-26T12:56:00.000+01:00

I went to see The Nephilim last Thursday at the London Astoria. Of course it was a complete sell out as this was the first gig they have played since the mid nineties, although their music lived on after that through their enigmatic frontman Carl McCoy and a series of mind blowing albums.

I love the music of "The Neph's", uncompromising, innovative and very black. I saw one of their final gigs at the Brixton Academy back in the nineties and I was blown away by the power of it all.

So here I was , back in "their" presence in the L.A. which was so hot upstairs that your denims stuck to you and the security guards at the front downstairs were ferrying never ending glasses of water to the crowd in a bid to prevent them from dehydrating. Well, was all the hype worth it.

From my point of view, the magic lived on in their music. Upstairs in "the circle" the sound was far from great as there was a distorting vibration from the bass so bad that it hurt your ears and made any chance of hearing McCoy's vocals almost impossible. If you can imagine your hi - fi speakers with a dodgy cone on the bass one. Their second guitarist looked as though he was a throw back to the sixties as he was emulating Pete Townsend's leg movements which seemed pretty out of place at a "Neph's" gig. As for the poor old drummer, I never saw him as he was enveloped in dry ice most of the time so whether he was the original band member I can't say.

Was it a mighty gig? Not totally, but for me I am glad I went as the music at times was awesome despite the poor sound quality. Put them in a bigger place and sort the sound out and then you have something mega to look forward to.

McCoy's stage presence is still magical and I guess you have to say .. he is "the Nephilim". If they play any more gigs I will definitely be booking my ticket.

Porcupine Tree

2007-04-28T19:15:00.000+01:00

I went to see a Porcupine Tree gig last week and have to say as usual they were pretty stunning. Their front man Steven Wilson (well, it's his band really) is a genius songwriter and although he looks like the guy on the beach you would kick sand over, what he lacks in physical stature he more than makes up for with breathtaking musical muscle. Go and buy their latest album "Fear Of A Blank Planet" which is only just released, it's hard hitting social comment to music. Steven Wilson writes music about everyday life and some of it is uncomfortable, but you cannot escape his musical genius no matter what. If your interested in pure progressive musicianship go and buy their albums and find out if they are playing somewhere near you. The only thing I am curious about is seeing as Steven is a Hemel Hempstead boy, why hasn't he penned a song called "Radioactive Buncefield " ?

Can You Trust This Government To Keep Your Personal Records Private ?

2007-04-28T12:09:00.000+01:00

Frankly, the answer has to be a big resounding No. The recent revelation that junior doctors records have been available on the internet for all to see should worry us all. There may have been tons of spin from those who are supposedly guardians of our freedom and liberty telling us that access was limited and that it was only for a short time but the whole point is that the personal information was not fully protected.

We are being told that if we have our private medical records on a central data base it will help us to receive better and quicker responsive treatment which will save our lives. Hmmm, maybe in theory this is true but if we cannot rely on those keeping the information to ensure it's security then we might as well take the risk on our health and keep our personal information well and truly private by not allowing it to be kept on a central data base anywhere.

You can reject this scheme, it's your individual right so I suggest everyone who is uneasy about this current security lapse, and you should be, writes to their doctor and tell them you don't want your records put on any central data base.

As for identity information on central data bases ...... be afraid, very afraid.

Within Temptation

2007-04-14T20:16:00.000+01:00

I have just seen Within Temptation on their current tour and have to say that this Dutch band are a class act. Their music is inspiring and the audience were hanging on every note and singing the words along with the band. The audience ages ranged from about 15 to 60 which was amazing, but then why should good rock music be the sole domain of the young. I expect the older guys there have seen them all come and go from Hendrix through to today but on this night there was no doubt that good music is good music no matter how old you are !

Sharon den Adel has an amazing voice so go and catch them if you can but not this time cause if you haven't already got a ticket your out of luck. The UK leg of the tour is sold out !! Can't wait to see them again next time they're here though. It was a fantastic night.

Any Dream Will Do

2007-04-08T18:03:00.000+01:00

Well, we watched it last night and our two hopefuls didn't make it through ! Then what do we know ? It was tough to watch the emotion amongst the guys. Zoe was at it again, comforting the distraught and Denise was shedding buckets of tears as one by one they broke down and pleaded for a chance.

This was T.V. in the raw and supercharged at that !! Don't mistake this for another reality T.V. show cause it aint no Big Brother by any stretch of the imagination. No contest Channel 4, pick up your cesspit and move on !!

If I am to make a comment about the ones who got through it is to say we did not warm to Seamus, who had a side to him but couldn't put our finger right on it. Personality wise... hmmmm! If an unknown quantity is to get the part then Rob deserves it, he was a nice bloke. If another outsider should be in there it's Johndeep who despite the prejudices and cultural constraints on him from his origins gave it his all. Oh, and Chris is a good bet cause he has brilliant teeth. Well, wouldn't you have if your dad was a dentist.

We will keep watching.

Any Dream Will Do

2007-04-07T10:41:00.000+01:00

I cannot believe I am once again viewing another reality T.V. progrmme, but then again we are living in a funny old world.

Last time I was a bit voiciferous about the search for "Maria" so what is different this time ? Well the panel for a start has four judges and my old friend Zoe Tyler pops up once again as vocal coach. During the Maria thingy I warmed to Zoe over the weeks, mainly because I read a bit about her background and found that the hard line T.V. personna she projected was in part T.V. posturing and not at all like her offstage image.

I retracted my comments in my blog toward the end of the Maria series and I hope you read them Zoe.

This first episode in the search for Joseph was dramatic and very good viewing. There are two or three very good potential Josephs in the finalists. Excuse please the names escape me but the guy from the Gospel choir that ALW went to visit and the young guy who was brought up by his nan and grandad are two we think have what it takes.

To end, we were also very moved by the scene of Zoe comforting one candidate who never made it through. Did I feel awful about "Maria".... you bet I did.

It was good to see Bill Kenwright and Denise Van Outen on the panel..... we will be watching tonight.

RAMMSTEIN

2007-04-07T10:10:00.000+01:00

For you lovers of really powerful industrial rock music check out the new RAMMSTEIN live album/DVD "VOLKERBALL". For £12.99 delivered from www.Play.com this amazing album/DVD features the very best of "smack you in the gob" heavy metal plus the pyrotechnics which overtook and surpassed KISS.

Don't be put off by the fact that the vocals are only in German, they really do add another dimension to the music. I love them, they are eccentric, they make me laugh and they make me want to jump up and play air guitar. Long may they play.... RAMMSTEIN I salute you guys !!

15 British Hostages returned from Iran

2007-04-06T13:23:00.000+01:00

I am very pleased for the 15 military personnel and their families that they have been returned to the UK safe and sound.

There are a lot of questions to be answered over this escapade not least how they were allowed to be captured in the first place with all the high tech assistance that was undoubtedly surrounding them. We should never loose sight of the fact that we are dealing with a very unstable Iranian Government with a warped sense of justice and they only just have one toe in the waters of the civilised world. Iran's behaviour was at the very least outrageous and appalling.

However, it reminds me of the time just over a year ago when I was waiting in Bahrain airport for a flight to London and there waiting also to board the same plane was the Iranian Junior Karate team with their trainers/minders. They were so happy (loud and noisy) just like any other group of teenagers, clad in their official team tracksuits. I thought to myself then, on one hand there was Iran posturing to the world and taking delight in ignoring concerns over their nuclear aspirations, threatening death to British and Western people and on the other there was us welcoming their sportsmen with open arms to take part in competition in the country that was reviled so much.

I was confused, but I came to the conclusion that the majority of normal decent civilised Iranians do not go along with the harsh rhetoric and mad posturing of the hard liners in their country mainly fuelled by the division between Islam and the West.

When I saw the recent pictures on T.V. of the mobs in Iran baying for the blood of the 15 British military personnel my mind went back to those happy, charming kids who were on my flight to London one year previous. Was I right about the majority or is the left wing minority of hardliners just a myth ? Maybe it's time for the majority of normal decent people in Iran to make a move and send the rest of their "teams" out into the western world and embrace the waiting human race.

Somerset Levels

2007-04-06T11:44:00.000+01:00

I don't know about you but there is something very peaceful and beautiful about the Somerset countryside. This time of the year everything is in a stage of renewal against the flatness of the levels, the wildlife, the willows and the riens which criss cross the landscape.

I was driving from Taunton to Wells and what struck me as I went through Burrowbridge toward Street was the absolute mess of the farms on either side of the road in this area of "outstanding natural beauty". They made the township of Soweto in South Africa look positively upmarket, with their array of corrugated tin buildings which were falling down, paddocks / fields strewn with ancient broken down farm machinery left to rot where it lay, animals grazing amongst the rubbish left from unfinished bales of haylage with its polythene covers flapping in the wind.

It was an eyesore and totally spoilt this beautiful area. Come on Somerset County Council, you can do better than this, get something done about it and promote the area as an area of "beauty" not a Council tip.

Sleasy Jet

2007-03-23T19:14:00.000Z

I have just been to pick up some friends from a provincial airport and whilst I was waiting for their flight to arrive I had a butchers round.

What struck me was the ghastly colour orange of the Easy Jet uniform.. it was very cheap looking and where staff had washed those beautiful (sic) orange quilted jackets they had faded and looked very council house'ish which went well with the majority of staff who were the equivalent of Poundstretcher in terms of store heirarchy. Marks and Spencer or House of Fraser they were most certainly not.

Now after travelling a lot from major airports and coming into contact with the likes of British Airways, Lufthansa and Virgin whose ground staff and flight crews always look immaculately turned out, the shabby looking Easy Jet mob were an eye opener. Even the attempt to design a uniform that was more up to date i.e. trousers that looked like jeans and matching shirt looked a disaster with so many fat little backsides walking around fighting to get out of them !!

No wonder the major airlines are fighting to keep low cost airlines out of major airports, it would definitely be a retrograde step in the elegance stakes.

Go to Heathrow and have a look at the staff uniforms of say Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Gulf Air and compare, there is no contest.

Most people say "well yeah, you get what you pay for, after all". Yes and that is I expect an airline that fits in well with the droves of boozed up girls going for a short Hen break abroad and making a fool of themselves. Give me a more expensive flight (well not that much more expensive - check it out sometime) with a major airline any day.

Being Bullied At Work by e-mail

2007-03-11T15:50:00.000Z

I don't enjoy commenting on this one bit because it irks me considerably but. . . . is it me or are we getting bullied more and more at work.
From a personal point of view, I seem to be getting a considerable number of e-mails now which are threatening and bullying in tone. Obviously, the sender in most cases does not fully research their facts before sending the mail and invariably the receiver ends up being totally outraged.
Most of the senders would not have the guts to talk to you in the same manner face to face because they are mainly small minded people hiding behind their own insecurity. However, it is very unpleasant and demotivating to receive these unwarranted mails and most of all it creates an aggression which should not be in the workplace.
Don't you just want to go and punch these small minded unctuous cretins on the nose !

Ah, the evil of e-mails . . . let's get back to using the telephone more for gods sake !

Armed Forces In Iraq

2007-03-11T13:12:00.000Z

I have mentioned before that I have a colleague who's son is in the armed forces and he has served terms in Iraq. On that occasion my gripe was about telephone calls home but this time it's about kit and I am just gobsmacked.

I am told that the son is imminently due for another term in Iraq but this time some of their kit has not arrived because an officer forgot to order it. My colleague and his wife have just gone out shopping and spent £500 of their personal money to get these things (obviously not weapons ha ha) for their son to take with him.

He is going out to Iraq to possibly fight for a cause we have no direct interest in and this Government cannot even see that he has all the things he needs ! Disgraceful I call it ! Bloody disgraceful !!

Police Brutality ?

2007-03-11T12:07:00.000Z

20 year old Toni Comer is taking out a civil action against the police for using unacceptable force when she was being subdued during an incident where it is stated she was under the influence of alcohol.

Any civilised person among us who watched the video footage could not help to be shocked at the scene before us. Shami Chakrabarti director of Liberty, who I have a lot of time for, called it stomach turning. Was she right ? I guess so, for whatever the excuses the police give, every picture tells a story.

In any event, we have to take into account the very fact that some police officers love their job, love the power that goes with it and the very fact that they can bully and verbally abuse the general public almost at will. How many of you watch the programme Road Wars on Sky One ? It's pretty compelling viewing I have to say and some of the public who are the stars of the series are some of societies worst detritus.

However, what is also apparent from the police who operate in the Slough, Windsor, Reading areas is that they just love their jobs. They are so happy when they get into a situation where they can prove their macho image. Their language at times is very provocative, particularly with those under the influence of drink, and you could almost say that they coerse their victims into aggressive behaviour by way of their not so customer friendly language and their swaggering body language. This invariably creates a situation which allows them to maximise their posturing in front of the camera.

There is one officer who just loves to refer to the public they stop in their cars as "fella". OMG, if someone referred to me as fella instead of sir (remember that they are public servants) I would pretty well want to raise my game with him too! It's outrageously patronising and extremely ill mannered !!

Also, whenever the police do use too much force in a situation the commentator in the background invariably makes a comment to excuse this by bringing in an element of possible risk, which normally is not there anyway. I personally think the police in this series come over as very arrogant and love posturing in front of the camera but that's not to say that the people they deal with daily are not the dregs of society.

Getting back to Ms Comer, I don't think that the situation she found herself in was racially motivated but certainly there is a question mark over whether or not the officer who rained blows on her was acting within the bounds of acceptable force. We should all be a bit worried about this, and not hide behind the assertion that "they do a difficult job".

Big Brother - Jade Goody

2007-01-18T20:29:00.000Z

Now Big Brother is NOT a T.V. programme I would ever want to watch..not ever. Not only is it boring shite but I reckon with all the strife going on in the world, kids being abused, mass starvation in third world countries and our troops being shot and killed in a country we have no connection with whatsoever, peoples time might be better spent on real world issues.

So how is it that this banal Television programme is now invading my space through the media no matter where I turn ? I have viewed the clips on the news and seen the blatantly racist remarks and horrendous bullying being dished out to Shilpa Shetty by that archetypical Essex girl Jade Goody. I found it extremely shocking ! When the media spokespersons remark that it is not racist then what the hell is " and she doesn't even speak proper English ".

To hear Goody ranting at the top of her voice "you may think you are a princess in your never never land but here your just a normal housemate " plus loads of expletives really does the image of true Essex girls a great injustice.

Goody's mother was apparently interviewed by Davina Mcall and she kept on referring to Shilpa as "the Indian" and "Princess". It sounds like daughter is a chip off old mum's block doesn't it.

But then , hold on !! Let's think about this a little more. I looked at Shilpa and at one end of the scale I saw a beautiful, self assured obviously educated woman with a lot of class but when I looked at Goody I saw at the extreme other end of the scale an uneducated half wit who was put on "back order" when it came to beauty So there you have it folks, the answer is blatantly obvious...... the whole issue is one of green eyed envy.

So all you straight guys out there ask yourself...which one of them would you be proud to take home and meet your mum. Yes indeedy...no contest whatsoever !

To those of you who enjoy seeing a beautiful woman verbally beaten up and abused I say your sick. To those of you with an ounce of decency I say..switch it off !!

To coin a pun "Goody riddance" !!!

LimeWire

2006-12-26T13:20:00.000Z

Just a bit of a warning really. I have been using a free version of LimeWire to download the odd music track when I have received a recommendation about a band from a friend. It's basically just so I can hear what they are like.

Anyhow, recently I have had no end of trouble as no matter what I type in I get loads of junk popping up with an attached Trojan virus. You may think it's actually what you are searching for as it states Track 1, Track 2, Track 3 etc etc. or Wicked Re-Mix and so on. It can also attach the name of the band you are searching for to the end of the track number i.e. Track 1 (band name).

So this is a warning, stay clear of LimeWire, it's a mess and if you are not properly protected with a virus checker and firewall you will end up in a mess too. Leave well alone, and remember, nothing is for free without some problem attached to it !!

Hosepipe ban in London

2006-12-24T19:59:00.000Z

There we were walking down Ladbrooke Grove Rd Notting Hill yesterday and there in front of our eyes was water gushing out of the pavement and in the centre of the road. It was running down the road like a river.. but did we see a water company van with assorted personnel trying to stem the loss of this scarce and valuable resource. Nahh, not at all.. but it looked fun as cars sped through the torrent trying to splash pedestrians walking nearby. I expect we will hear the crap soon from the Water Company about the necessity for increased water charges to cover the cost of the very successful pipework replacement programme etc etc.

You lot make me laugh, hosepipe ban ? You hypocrites must be joking !! You're having a big laugh at our expense. Whatever we say though, it's like water off a ducks back..and the pun was intended !!!

Davina Whiteman

2006-12-24T19:58:00.000Z

So Davina Whiteman (seen on the left in the picture) has been re-elected as Chairman of Ponies UK. At last some sense has prevailed in the P UK debacle ! Well done Davina.

Jon Phillips has resigned from the board in a fit of pique and in the immortal words of Catherine Tate " Face bovered, bovered face ... am I bovered ?"

Davina said very graciously in Horse and Hound this week she was "disappointed" by Jon Phillips's decision to step down after three years with P(UK), but was "very excited" about the four new board members who joined the organisation at the AGM on 19 November. Very nicely put Davina when reading between the lines you must have really meant "good riddance" !!

On reflection then, perhaps it is time that Ponies UK did move on and if in the process they dump their real unwanted baggage, then so be it.

I wish good luck to you and your fellow Board members Davina. Perhaps Ponies UK can really move on now and continue to flourish for the benefit of all horse and pony lovers throughout the U.K. A challenge ahead ? No doubt, but one that I am sure your enthusiasm and dedication can cope with.

The Shame Of Srebrenica

2006-12-14T21:31:00.000Z

Hey Guys, it looks like I have lost some of my previous blog on the subject of the Dutch MOD handing out medals to the brave Dutchbat unit who were supposed to be guarding the UN enclave of Srebrenica. It is shameful and quite disgusting for them to do this in view of the fact that these soldiers stood by and watched 8,000 men and boys be taken away and massacred just around the corner from their barracks. It was even rumoured that some of the Dutchbat unit helped in the round up.

Jasmin, herself a bosnian, has replied to my blog and thanked me for making these comments. This has made me feel very humble because they, the Bosnian people, have to stand by and watch this humiliation knowing and seeing first hand what happened. How wretched and angry they must feel and quite rightly so.

As a mark of respect to Jasmin I am linking to the web site she guided me to. Please judge for yourselves whether the issuing of medals is justified.

As an added insult to the people of Srebrenica we, the supposed civilised members of the western world , still allow the barbarians Mladic and Karadic to roam free.

The Shame Of Srebrenica

2006-12-10T17:03:00.000Z

I may be a little behind on this one because I have been away from my desk but I cannot let this go without some sort of comment.

I was amazed to learn that the Dutch Government were going to hand out service medals to the battalion which was put in charge of guarding

Help the Salvation Army this Christmas

2006-12-10T16:08:00.000Z

Christmas is nearly here and the streets will soon be buzzing with numerous organisations shaking their collecting tins. The competition will be fierce to get some of your loose change but I would ask you to spare a special thought for the brilliant work done by the "Salvos".

Think of all those homeless individuals who will be thankful for the smile and the meal they will get from the multitude of volunteers working for the Salvation Army. Think of the battered and abused women who are fleeing their homes with their children to escape the violence they are subjected to on a daily basis and will be grateful for the refuge that will bring some peace into their horrendous lives. Yep, there will be stiff competition out there but just remember when you reach into your deep pocket.. the Salvation Army are at it 24/7.. 365 days of the year so PLEASE give generously to them this Christmas. You will at least be certain where your hard earned money will go. Thank you very much.

Macca's wife says "I'm No Gold Digger"

2006-11-19T10:30:00.000Z

So Heather McCartney Mills says she did it all for love and that she has a lot of public support. Oh yeah, pull the other one !

Where is this public support? Everyone and that is 100% of the myriad of people I have discussed this with over the past six months or so believe the opposite, so taking that as a good representative poll I would say she is still occupying that fantasy land she was searching for when she hooked Sir Paul.

They say that your eyes are the window to your soul...so next time you get the opportunity have a deep look onto HMM's and see what picture you get.

So she fell in love for the right reasons...Is that a wessex saddleback overhead ?

Intrum Justitia.. or is it Justa Load of Scum Bags ?

2006-10-31T19:08:00.000Z

I am being plagued by the above credit collection company who are used by e-bay. Their web site says that they are the biggest Credit Management company in Europe but they are classy enough to send correspondence to you on scrappy photocopied bits of cheap paper and no signature either !! Very upmarket !!

You see I was remiss in paying an e-bay bill for just under £10.00, I hold up my hands to this, it just slipped my mind until I received a letter from "Justa Load of Scumbags" which said I owed just over £20.00 along with the usual threats such as we have been instructed by our clients etc. and you may get a CCJ etc. etc.

I paid the full amount to e-bay that same night , got a printed receipt of thanks but lo and behold another letter arrived from "Justa Load of Scumbags".

I telephoned them and told this young man that I had paid the account. He told me I can't do that. I said, but I have and I owe nothing to e-bay now. He told me again, you can't do that because you're too late. Too late?I exploded then, what is too late? It is paid and I owe nothing. I was told he would come back to me. He didn't needless to say.

I received another letter from "Justa Load of Scumbags" saying I owed them just under £10.00 and I mustn't deal with e-bay anymore and if they (e-bay) ask me for any more money I have to contact them (Justa Load of Scumbags) so that they can warn e-bay off.

I phoned them again and spoke to a young lady, which if she had a trace of a bit of a brain would have been dangerous, and told her I owed nothing, I have a receipt and not to send me anymore letters. She insisted I owed JLoS the money which I again told her I didn't as I have a receipt. In the end I had to say rather forcefully that I will contact my solicitor if they continue to try to extort money from me which I do not owe and with threats. Her reply was breathtaking.. "see you would go to the expense of paying a solicitor which will cost you more than the money we are asking you for ". I will not elaborate on my reply as it is not past the 9 p.m. watershed !!

OMG, how can I get the message through to these dumb people.. "I do not owe you any money and I don't intend in paying for what I do not owe" and yes, in order to give JLoS a metaphoric smack in the gob I would be prepared to pay more money and see them in court.

In the end I put the phone down it was hopeless talking to an automaton who was probably reading from a script and earning minimum wage.

I am not alone in this... have a look at this link. To any prospective clients who wish to use "Justa Load of Scumbags" I would say, think again, there must be others out there with more acumen and civility you can use. To e-bay I say, if you wish to squander your customer goodwill, carry on using them by all means.

As for me, a lesson well learned and goodbye e-bay, you will not be missed.

Indian Summer

2006-10-29T14:39:00.000Z

I was out this morning at a local livery yard and the sun was streaming through the stable barn. Horses out in the fields were wearing their rugs and they were sweating cobs (no pun intended)!! They were also up to their knees (metaphorically speaking) in lush green grass.

So here we are, almost in November and the weather continues to be beautiful. It's been a fabulous summer and I definitely think we should be rejoicing in it rather than moaning about how bad it is for us. I don't know about you but when I feel that lovely sunshine on my face I think to myself, "yeh, it is good to be alive".