It's a filthy day

Raining here - streams of water running down the side of the road and it's windy too, big change from last week.

- Posted using Mobypicture.com

Images online

The previous post, Misty morning, was a test of posting to Mobypicture. This is a service that hosts images which can be uploaded by email and thus from a range of mobile devices as well as larger PCs. It feeds other services and, for now at least, it's set to feed this blog and my Twitter account.

You might also have noticed that I'm using Twitpics - it feeds a little widget down the side there. Twitpic provides a very similar service to that offered by Mobypicture but of late it's been unreliable. I thought I'd give them both a spin.

I'll use Mobypicture for images that I want to blog and Twitpic for images that won't have oodles of text.

Does that help explain why it's all gone photos-a-gogo on this blog?

I think it's worth reflecting - yet again - on how quickly all this has arrived. Not long ago a digital camera was far too expensive for many people to own. The cost of storage meant that most companies could only store a few images and they'd usually be on a central server rather than on local PCs. Connection speeds were too poor to reliably host images online and web designers were very careful about using images because users with slow connections wouldn't hang around while the pictures download.

Fast moving world.

Misty morning

Took this the other day - uploading to Moby as a test


- Posted using Mobypicture.com

Google street view

Many folk are very exercised about Google Street View so I decided to give it a go. I found some truly beautiful pictures on it and it's fantastic for showing how close together some sites of special interest are located.

(Click images for better view)
Look at this for example. First I navigated to The Pev on Great Bridgewater Street and then went towards the Bridgewater Hall to The Briton's Protection!

I'm sure that many - spurred on by the BBC - are looking for images of people throwing up or engaged in something naughty but as far as I can see capturing images of beautiful pubs is wonderful.

More power to Google!

The pharm goes phacebook

Facebook | Open University M206 The Phrog Pharm via kwout

This will mean something to a very small number of people :-)

Art!

This striking piece is called "Letraset for Dyslexics" and it's stencilled on one of the walls in the coffee area at LCC. It's the work of Jon Adams. Jon is currently a Research Fellow at the University of Portsmouth school of Architecture. He's a geologist and spent 25 years working as a book illustrator.

His work reflects his own early life as an unrecognized dyslexic and he works with Dada South and others to promote the work of disabled artists.

I've distilled the text from the information on site and I loved this and other pieces on display. Check out Jon's website for more information and to see work.

I love this advert!

more about "Berocca", posted with vodpod

More government madness

Plans for a minimum price for alcohol

The government's top medical adviser has drawn up plans for a minimum price for alcohol which would double the cost of some drinks in England. Under the proposal from Sir Liam Donaldson, it has been reported that no drinks could be sold for less than 50 pence per unit of alcohol they contain. It would mean most bottles of wine could not be sold for less than £4.50.

BBC News 15/03

Of course, as was discussed this morning on the broadcast media, this won't have an enormous impact on those with a steady income and a controlled alcohol habit. The groups which will be hardest hit are those people who are addicted to booze and those with a low or no income. These groups tend to overlap.

Of course there are some major flaws in the logic here. If I travel for about an hour from here I can be in a Calais Hypermarket stocking up on as much booze as the car will carry. Increasing the differential between UK prices and those on the mainland of Europe is a great was of helping the ferry services and the French economy. As with other drugs those who have a real addiction will turn to illegal means to acquire the means with which to buy their drug of choice - is there any reason to believe that alcohol is any different in this regard?

One of the declared target groups are younger people who binge drink but many of these people have the highest disposable income;first job, living with parents, no mortgage, etc. One of the target groups not explicitly declared is made up of those homeless people who drink cheap cider - they are price-sensitive but without additional support to deal with a wide-range of problems, sometimes including mental health issues, simply hiking the price of White Lightening isn't sorting anything out at all.

Another worrying strand is that this isn't a tax. The government are considering instructing private companies on their charging policies but the government will not get any of the money raised by this policy should it be introduced. This really is the nanny state gone mad.

Nobody doubts that alcohol is a dangerous drug and the damage caused by misusing it can be devastating but this isn't the correct way of dealing with the issues. No personal agenda here - I earn a reasonable whack and if I want a drink I might grumble about the price but I can afford the money. If I decided to binge drink I could still afford it (In fact since I stopped smoking I have a good deal more disposable income). I suppose this also points to the stupidity of this plan - it'll just be the middle-class who can afford to go on getting wrecked but they will keep on drinking regardless of what Liam thinks happens behind the net curtains.

From MCVITA

I'm copying this from MCIVTA ("Manchester City information via the Alps"), an email fanzine, with the permission of the editor. I think it's a nice story which demonstrates yet again that people are generally nice despite the prevailing stories in the red tops.

---

Though for thousands of fans the UEFA Cup victory against Schalke will be remembered as City's best away win of the season, for one fan the trip to Gelsenkirchen had tragic consequences. As regular readers will know, Carl Ramsbottom, life long City fan, made the trip to Germany to watch his beloved blues and fell down a flight of stairs at a train station, suffering severe head injuries. Carl has been hospitalized in Germany ever since the event and the doctors alongside his family have been working hard in order to help Carl recover. From the dark however there is always a glimmer of light and this has come in the form of wonderful acts of charity from opposition fans. Only last month Schalke supporter Markus Rehse presented Carl and his family with a cheque for 2,500 euros which will go towards caring for Carl whilst he remains in Germany. Hughes told of the club's appreciation for the contribution: "It was fantastic to see how City and Schalke supporters stood together for Carl and I think this will forge a lasting bond between our two clubs. I would like to thank everyone so much for supporting the collection." Even before the contribution from the German side, a club a little closer to home got involved.

Ahead of the Boxing Day match between City and Hull, a Tiger's travelling fan took a look at the official City website in order to confirm travel details to CoMS. Whilst on the website, the Hull City fan known only as 'Tigger' read about Carl's situation and led a collection on the Hull City coaches in aid of Carl. The travelling fans donated more than £150.

From MCIVTA 1514, 12/03/09

BBC NEWS | England | Dream job? Beer taster wanted

More about "BBC NEWS | England | Dream job? Beer ...", posted with vodpod

Job as a beer taster available - it's in Lincolnshire but the end of the queue is currently just outside Cardiff :-)

Forgot to say....

"Consultation Evening" last night. First appointment was at 16:00 and the teacher arrived at 16:05 (people who know me know I hate being late for anything and I don't do waiting when others are late). Teacher arrived, sat us down and did the spiel. Had to borrow one of his red pens to correct his crib sheet because he'd spelt my son's name incorrectly! I was not very impressed at all.

Know your meme

Faversham Guild Hall

Faversham Guild Hall
Originally uploaded by nogbad the bad

Cal and I have had a busy weekend! As well as having a drive around the Isle of Sheppey today we also had a walk in Faversham and had a quick shopping stop in Maidstone. If you don't know Faversham I can heartily recommend it - lovely buildings in the centre.

Sunset

Sunset

Bishopsbourne

Remember I used to live there? Well the church was featured on the local news last night. A grant they need to carry our repairs is threatened in these cash-strapped times. This link goes to the video and if you want to see the snippet about St Mary's starts at 42 seconds.

Cory Doctorow

Those not familiar with the name won't be aware that Cory is one of those terribly smart guys who spans a range of pursuits with scary efficiency. He's a blogger (co edits BoingBoing and his own site), journalist, sci fi author and general all round activist. He gave a talk at the OU last week and it was jolly good indeed! Start at Platform for an interview and from there hit the link to video of his talk (look for "Computing Research Centre Distinguished Lecture") it's well worth watching a few times! You should also check out Rebecca's visualization of the back channel in action during Cory's talk.

Who said librarians are boring?

It's all kicking off at CILIP (the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals). Their Chief Exec keeps a blog - rather pompously entitled "From the Chief Executive's Desk" - and he's shared with the world his view on Twitter. More importantly he's given his considered opinion on whether CILIP (remember the "Information Professionals" bit) should have a Twitter presence.

The simple answer, of course, is no. In terms of "official" activity, cyber life is just like real like - if it happens in a CILIP-sanctioned space, it's
official; if it happens down the pub or in someone else's space, it isn't.
Bob McKee - "From the Chief Executive's Desk", 18/02/09

How that is "a simple answer" is beyond me but I'm more exercised by this idea of hypothecating spaces. I'm writing this on blogspot while working for the University of the Arts, London but I'm also thinking about some work I'm doing for the Open University. This blogging space is neutral (not managed by any of the organizations I work for) so how credible is it?

Phil Bradley - a pukka member of CILIP (notice that the Cheif Exec's blog only accepts comments from paid up members of CILIP!) has written a wonderful response to the original posting.

This is proper web 2.0 stuff - and I think that this is the point that Bob has missed. "The space" is no longer contested - it's out there wherever people chose to write or speak. The idea that anyone will get that genii back in the bottle is laughable and those who aren't engaging with these technologies are the ones who are being left behind. Treat yourself to reading all the comments - the last one, it's from Bob, talks of printing off all the comments so that he can read them on the train and consider his response........

Thanks to Clari for tweeting this in the first place - the futility of Bob's position will be evidenced by the spike in reads that post will have simply because it's been passed around on Twitter.

Final score

Canterbury 27 - Bridgewater 11

Good open game with some thundering tackles and great running play. Canterbury fell behind to a penalty in the first few minutes and it looked like it might be a tough afternoon but three tries in the first half saw of the visitors.

Wonder if I can get a job writing match reviews?

Line out

Line out

After 3rd try

After 3rd try

English

On "Overheard by blog" Robert Fraser is asking people what they consider to be the most beautiful line in English literature. Most people probably know that I know little of English literature so picking a line isn't easy. I think the opening line of "Earthly Powers" is awesome and grips the reader. "It is a far, far better thing that I do now" is stirring and resonates with selflessness while "And so, dear reader, I married him" is a wonderful finish. But what do I know? But I do know a few passages and poems which make the hairs on the back of my neck tingle. "Do not go gentle into that good night", a son pleading with his father not to die but to fight death, is so poignant. Also about death and grieving - Auden's "Stop all the clocks" is beautifully simple.

But for power and majesty and to see a master using the tools of his trade I think it's back to Bill.

From The Scottish Play

Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.

Or how about.........

This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle,
This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,
This other Eden, demi-paradise,
This fortress built by Nature for herself
Against infection and the hand of war,
This happy breed of men, this little world,
This precious stone set in the silver sea,
Which serves it in the office of a wall
Or as a moat defensive to a house,
Against the envy of less happier lands,—
This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England.

From Richard II.

Dive over to Robert's blog and give it a go!

Where in the world

Where in the world

Typical

Manchester City twice surrendered the lead as they drew with FC Copenhagen in their last-32 Uefa Cup first-leg tie. (BBC Sport)

It was televised which meant I had a chance to watch the might of Sparky's Brazilian Army.

Oh dear.

Great going forward but still lacking a finish - the first goal was a classic of the "Comedy Goal" genre.

The wonderful thing is that despite moving to a new stadium, changing the strip, millions of pounds worth of investment in the playing staff, despite all of this - my dad would still recognise our beloved Manchester City.

It's half term!

So I get to spend some time with children. Not the bigger, female ones of course - they are far too busy to hang around with dad. But Cal and I watched Stargate and this morning started with Thomas the Tank Engine (but I still prefer the news).

I've got some work to finish off today but I think we'll be playing out - I've got to collect my glasses and then we might slide off to the coast. Love half-term!

Until death do us part... and beyond...

Kinda Learning Stuff: Until death do us part... and beyond...

Sarah's posting about the new Facebook Ts & Cs is well worth reading.

I know I'm a day late but..........

Backing the wrong horse

This is Invicta, the white horse of Kent. As a symbol it dates back to the Jutish kings of Kent in the 6th century. The armies of Hengist and Horsa are believed to have carried this on their banner when they landed on these shores in 450. It lives on in the logo of the county council and in numerous images and statues around the county. As an exiled Mancunian I'm fond of Invicta, it means "Undefeated", because it's a proud symbol of a particular area and it has a long and distiguished history. After the success of the Angel of the North it was decided that Kent should have a sculpture to symbolise the county and welcome those passing through. Like the Angel it'll be near a major through-route and visible for many miles. It's going to be at Ebbsfleet (near the International Station which is not near anything except the railway track) and is being organised by the Ebbsfleet Landmark Project company. This week they picked the winning design and it's a horse - here it is.

This isn't "our" horse. Our white horse is proud and defiant. This beautiful animal is redolent of Aintree and Newmarket and Kempton Park and the Arabian stallions which sired it. In Kent we had a hill carving done in 2003 above channel tunnel, and it welcomes visitors from Europe. It's active and dynamic while this thoroughbred is passive and docile; neither are terms should be used to describe this county which has been at forefront of English history since time began. The Angles and Saxons and Jutes and Danes and Normans and Romans all came through Kent; most landed in Kent on their first trip to these Sceptred Isles. After the battle of Hastings William the Conqueror headed to London only after taking Dover and Canterbury. The Battle of Britain was fought over the hop fields of Kent.

There is nothing wrong with this design, it's wonderful, but it's the wrong horse!

Flooding in Darent valley (edited)

Flooding in Darent valley - taken from the train

The OU Song

The Boss

Tony Benn Vs the BBC

Tony Benn discussing the BBC's decision not to show the DEC Gaza appeal. Well worth seeing - a wonderful example of Benn in his pomp.

Isn't this nice? - edited

Isn't this nice? (Edited to revolve image)

Gif Vs JPG

Done during third year group to show how to save a screenshot as a GIF and a JPG and upload to a blog. Also shows the differences in quality

Not waving

Heading home I heard that the motorway was closed so I decided to come back through the country lanes - lovely drive and 10 miles shorter but not quicker.

After Tunbridge Wells and past Paddock Wood I double back to cut through to Yalding. Onto Lees Road I was following a couple of cars and as we went round a bend the road was under water - not too much but more than a puddle. No big problems and we were all still fine. Further round the bend the water was higher but the end was in sight when a car went past, at speed, in the other direction - his bow wave splashed water high up the side of my car and the engine spluttered and died. In the middle of the road with water lapping against the bottom of the car. The engine simply wouldn't start so I put on the hazard lights and called for assistance. For nearly an hour I sat in the dark ,with water in the rear footwell, getting colder. Cars and a couple of council vans went by but only one stopped to check I was okay.

Finally the pick-up truck arrived and towed me to dry land where we tried to jump start the car - no joy so the front was hitched up and I was in the cab with the driver. Round the next bend the road was underwater and the police had blocked it. A number of cars were abandoned and the police were trying to get them moved.

Not the best trip home and the end of a hectic week - I'm due to be working tomorrow but unless the car has dried out and starts I can't see me getting there. Grrrr!

This one

I read Memex 1.1 most days and often share the posts to Facebook and my RSS feeds. This one, however, screams to be given (even) more attention. I agree with John from every corner of my being and, I promise, my language is far more colourful than that of John's mother. It's outwith our control but don't let that get in the way of giving it some consideration.

Mike Wesch - Machine is us

Told ya!

Much as I predicted the Kaka deal was a diversion so that City could grab Bellamy!

Diet tips

Everyone knows that a large Cornish pasty from Ginsters contains all but two of the important food groups - the missing two are alcohol and chocolate.

But, I hear you say, what about those who don't eat meat? Clearly my first response is that you really should try - it's terribly good for you and generally tastes nice. If you still can't muster the energy to masticate a Burger King or a nice steak then this posting is for you.

Toblerone - product of a country known the world over for its fine cuisine, efficiency and the cuckoo clock. A whole Toblerone (the small size) contains fruit, nuts, honey and chocolate - all very healthy. The triangular shape is also very healthy and used for pyramids and tepees amongst other things. Don't skimp on all the goodness in a Toblerone - eat a whole one!

So my vegetarian friends - if you can summon the energy a Toblerone might just give you the strength to dial an Indian takeaway and get a Lamb Buhna or a Chicken Tikka.

More dietary tips to follow.

Test

Year two now, here at the sunny LCC

Year 2

Year 2

Jason

Jason

This is a test from the LCC

Here we are doing the year three thang with the LCC posse

Philosophical question

Only a swift thought. I'm sitting here flicking through the channels available on Freeview. A number are the main channel offset by an hour; Channel 4 + 1, for example. So here's the thing. At different times through the day both the main "now" channel and the offset channel advertise a reality programme live - currently Big Brother. But it's not is it? The offset channel is reshowing the main channel's output one hour later so how can it be advertising the programme as live?

Never too soon.............

............to post another of these - I still love 'em

Snow at Tring station

Snow at Tring station

Happy New Year!

However you spend it and wherever you are and whoever you are with I'd like to wish you a wonderful New Year and a peaceful, prosperous and happy 2009. Slainté!

Good news!

The day before Christmas Eve I took big child and her brother shopping. We did Waitrose at Paddock Wood and then Sainsburys at RTW. While pulling into the car park there the car started making a most unholy noise from the front bit - technically I understand this is referred to as the "engine".

Rather than camp out in a barren car park for the festivities we collected some delectibles and headed for home. The racket from the front was so loud it was difficult to drown out with the radio; that must give some indication of how bad things were, but the engine wasn't showing any degredation in performance. Arriving home we noticed some smoke from the front bit so unpacked PDQ and locked the car up.

My limited technical knowledge suggested two things. Firstly that this wasn't going to heal itself and also that it might be terminal. Eeeek! No good time to have to replace the car but this is probably the worst given the lack of spendables and the weather and lack of opportunity to get round a range of places to get some tyres kicked.

Anyways - blokey came and took a look yesterday and it's not as bad as it could have been. He's going to get some parts and sprinkle magic "fixing dust" and I need not get a different car just yet! All should be well in a few days - just waiting in some form of sprocket (or rocket or docket or some such which).

I've not been out of the house since the car died though so I'm using Jam Cab to hit a supermarket so that I can restock on carbohydrates - going stir crazy here!!!

Soooooooooooooooooo

Kid Rock - "Singing Sweet Home Alabama all summer long" ripped Zevon's "Werewolf of London" - no brainer

Zevon is worth the time - the other thing is bobbins

Season's greetings

All the very best to everyone. Whether you celebrate Christmas, something else or nothing at all at this time of year I wish you all you wish yourself.

Norad tracks Santa

I post about this somewhere every year and now they have a video of highlights for those who've yet to check it out.

Wagamama

Wagamama

Oyster Morris in Canterbury

Oyster Morris in Canterbury

Ruined!

My life is ruined. A heartless unthinking decision by an unelected government employee has blighted my life and probably that of my children and possibly even their, as yet unborn, children. In fact the whole country will probably be laid barren and birds will never sing again. Crops will fail and grapes will wither on the vine. Darkness and pestilence will stalk the land and the long shadow of death will touch us all as was foretold. The cause of all this? The appalling state of Strictly Come Dancing and the latest voting disaster.

Of course I might be overstating the effects - I've never watched the programme so I didn't witness the terrible act - but my conclusions are based on the news coverage today. If the BBC had been playing martial music between news broadcasts I'd have thought the Queen had died.

I only hope we can all pull together, the old Dunkirk spirit, and maybe we'll get through this.

Postgate dies

Oliver Postgate has died. Postgate, working with Peter Firmin, created Noggin the Nog - the real hero was, of course, Nogbad the Bad. For those who don't know about these things check out this page about Noggin and listen to the first sound file. That's Oliver Postgate reading the intro. It's worth having a look round that site, it's lovely and includes a copy of a letter from Postgate giving approval for the site to be created on the understanding that he and Firmin could veto any parts they felt weren't accurate or in keeping with "the Noggin atmosphere". Check the disclaimer for the letter.

Rejoice! Glory is ours!

John Connell is a man for whom I have the utmost respect but he will keep dissing prog rock!

Thinking of Manchester

Thinking about Manchester and this is one of the things that springs to mind.

That blog again

I've mentioned Anne Stott's wonderful blog before but it's time to shout about it again.

I had a look today because I'd mentioned it to a prospective student who expressed an interest in A207. Reading the recent postings, particularly about Cowper, Newton and Mary Unwin (you'll have to read it now!) almost made me sign up for the course. I'm still puzzled about why knitting socks might be controversial or make for an unconventional relationship but what would I know of the world of Arts?

I've shamelessly taken this lovely picture of John Newton from there.

Treat yourself, visit the blog and bathe in Anne's eloquence - you know it makes sense!

D'oh! It's iSimpsons

The Simpsons take on (M)Apple! Read more about it here

Webcam

I love webcams, they are one of the real joys of the web and Naughton uses a description of an early webcam - showing the Golden Gate Bridge - as an example of what the Internet means. This opportunity to do something which wouldn't otherwise be possible, i.e. whenever you, as the "viewer", chose to you can look at something somewhere across the world. You don't need to wait for an editor and film crew to be there - the feed is simply available to us.

Anyway - here is a webcam in Ottobeuren in Bavaria. The wonderful thing is that it updates frequently enough to watch people walk across the square - as I write this a couple of people are having a snowball fight! Thanks to George for sending this - it's one of his local towns.

For the LCC posse

Just done this quickly to show what Xtranormal can do

Testing...........

Lest we forget

At eight o'clock every evening a team of buglers play "The Last Post". It is played as part of a ceremony at The Menin Gate memorial in Ypres, Belgium. They've done this since 1928 with a short break during the German occupation from 1940 to 1944. On the evening that Polish troops liberated the town the ceremony was restarted to the sound of heavy fighting still going on in parts of the town. An incredibly moving way to remember the men and women killed during the Great War, the war to end all wars.

Looking good!

Event Details - Canterbury Christ Church University via kwout

The Sidney Cooper Gallery is in Canterbury, on the High Street towards Westgate. Thanks to Lisa for highlighting it

Spooky!

Halloween and I'm sitting in the dark at a deserted railway station.....

---- 
Sent using a Sony Ericsson mobile phone

Welsh

According to the BBC site the Welsh translation doesn't agree with the English text - check out the news story.

60th Anniversary of the UDHR

New video with folk like Jeremy Irons celebrating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Has to be worth a few minutes of your time doesn't it?

Huh?

Paula Radcliffe has just been on the local news because she won the Great South Run. Well done her but how fair was it? From what I could see she was wearing running kit but most of the people she beat were dressed as fairies or hippopotamuses or they were pushing carts or prams. Some were wearing wigs and carrying umbrellas while others were dressed as leeks.

If she wants to be taken seriously she should compete properly and that means wearing the same as everyone else.

Doing the Berrill Dash

From here to the OU campus in Milton Keynes is just over 100 miles, most of them on motorways. That sounds great until one considers that the main motorway involved is the M25.

I set off this morning at 06:45 after a light breakfast of fruit and PG Tips. An accident between J28 and J27 meant a long, slow crawl round the top section - more hold-ups between 22 and 21 and then slow traffic on the M1.

At 10:05 I pulled into my reserved space and was under starter's orders for The Berrill Dash. The route starts on a gentle uphill slope to the first of three glass sliding doors - one is operated by a push-pad while the other two are automagic, none can be rushed. Then through reception and and a short flat section heading for the stairs. Careful here as it's downhill and there can sometimes be people heading up them and we're on the flat again in the Berrill Cafe. Timing is key here - arrive at a bad time and the people filtering away from the servery with skinny lattés form a mobile slalom and then it's hard right to the door. Through there at pace and hard right and the finish line - the urinals.

No idea how long it takes but sometimes my vision is compromised and the footwork isn't good as everything is clenched but I'm sure I can't be the only person who speeds past the receiptionist with a resolute grimace.

And if you haven't seen this you should...

http://www.palinaspresident.us/ - Try clicking things, try clicking things more than once.

Language

I am not one of those who hoists out a soapbox as soon as someone uses "new English". I know the differences and reasons for the differences between US English and the stuff we use here. I don't gasp in shock when someone uses an expletive on TV or radio. I am, I think, reasonable and reasonably balanced. So why do my hackles rise when I hear "myself" when the correct word is "me"? When did "yourself" take over from "you"? Technically it's called hyper-correction and usually indicates the speech of someone who isn't confident of the correct form so they use the longer version thinking it sounds "posh" but it's crept into everyday usage on the BBC (swoon!). It's wrong, plain and bloody simply wrong. Stop it or our ourselves will pop round to yourselves and explain it with some percussive maintenance.

On an allied subject - Chicken Kiev is a dish where chicken breast is stuffed with garlic butter, panéd in breadcrumbs and fried or - in these health aware days - baked in the oven. Chicken Cordon Blu is the same with ham and cheese instead of the garlic butter. Why does every breaded chicken dish with some form of stuffing masquerade as Chicken Kiev when found on the shelves of supermarkets? I know I should make it from fresh but sometimes these things are easier bought ready-prepared but we're raising a generation of people who can't tell the difference between a veloute, a bechemal and a jus lié and it's just not good enough.

Do not go gently........

In Germany, they came first for the Communists, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist;
And then they came for the trade unionists, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist;
And then they came for the Jews, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew;
And then . . . they came for me . . . And by that time there was no one left to speak up.

Niemöller's poem was written in a Nazi Germany where secret police encouraged neighbours to spy on each other and to inform on those who might have "anti state" views. This continued under communist oppressors in Eastern Europe until the fall of the Berlin wall and the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Despite our knowledge and understanding of this terrible history we're again seeing civil liberties being threatened by a government obsessed with collecting and storing information about the behaviour of its citizens.

The UK government is planning to create a database to store details of every telephone call, email and Internet visit in the UK. They plan to do this in our name and hide behind claims that it's for our safety.

Careers advice

Awesome - check out this story on the BBC page. Can only hope that he gets some careers advice because it seems he's not cut out for this job.

Third years

--

Julian Bream

DSC00242

DSC00243

DSC00241

Gurkhas win!

Breaking news that five Gurkhas have won a test case about their right to settle in the UK after serving with the British Army. Hopefully this will bring to an end an appalling injustice.

The future is here!

Can't believe that I forgot to post this! In keeping with the earlier Dan Dare stuff here is a real Pilot of the Future! Check out the video on the BBC page. This guy crossed the channel on a jet wing - isn't this what Raymond Baxter and "Tomorrow's World" promised us all those years ago? Now he's done this I don't think we're too far from everyone having one to get to work or home from the pub.

Today

Today is the anniversary of one of the defining moments in the history of England and English and thus, by extension, all the English speaking countries - and also America.

On 28th September we remember the battle of Senlac Hill, without it we would all speak very differently.

You know it makes sense....

Given the US record on electing comedians and clowns this looks like a sensible solution. And he's a hockey mom (whatever one of those might be)!

Today!

Avast there me hearties, yer scurvy sons (and no doubt daughters) of a salty sea-dog (or saucy hot-dog?). Today (19/09) is "Talk like a Pirate Day"

For there's
prizes to be taken
And glory to be found
Cut free the chains
Make fast your souls
We are Eldorado bound
I will take you
For always,forever, together
Until Hell calls our names

Who'll drink a toast with me
To the devil and the deep blue sea
Gold drives a man to dream

No prizes fer finding what I've quoted yer lilly-livered doxies!

Messy

Messy
Originally uploaded by nogbad the bad

I have to admit that I wasn't really a Dan Dare fan but today I learnt some more about him. In fact I learnt that we have something in common. Both born in Manchester but, and here's the kicker, he's ten years younger than me! Yup - he's only 20. Before anyone gets really tense I'm basing that on his fictional date of birth rather than when the comic was released.

Digby (smaller chap wearing yellow) is a pie-eater and the chap with the large green head is The Mekon, leader of The Treens. Some might remember being caught like a Treen on a disabled spaceship........