Friday, 22 July 2011
Money, money money
I found a €20 note on the way into work this morning. It was just laying on the pavement beckoning...asking to be picked up. It would have been rude to refuse. So I did and sauntered on my way. Now what to do with it?
Wednesday, 20 July 2011
Kidadulthood
Yesterday The Boy went off with the school on a three and a half week rugby tour. He'll be in Sri Lanka, Singapore, Indonesia and Bantan island...exciting places, if not the world's leading rugby hot-spots. I dropped him off at school, and he jumped out without turning round; without a by your leave. If it had been his over-excitement and exuberance had got the better of him that would be fine. But in truth there had been a problem...an argument the night before, and a sound lecture from me in the morning during the car journey to the school. The Cat's Mother and I had planned and worked hard to avoid such an event, but there was a morbid and unnerving inevitability about it.
Teenage years are difficult ones - when you think you know everything, when you think the world revolves around you, when you don't have a moment's thought for anyone other than yourself, when you think adults are idiots. So that doesn't make adulthood a very easy place to be sometimes. Certainly not for the next three and a half weeks.
Teenage years are difficult ones - when you think you know everything, when you think the world revolves around you, when you don't have a moment's thought for anyone other than yourself, when you think adults are idiots. So that doesn't make adulthood a very easy place to be sometimes. Certainly not for the next three and a half weeks.
Monday, 18 July 2011
Heart stopping stuff
Would it be too rash to draw comparisons between the Japanese earthquake/tsunami/Fukushima, the 2011 Arab spring/summer and the News International 'scandal!' that is currently enveloping the country. There are certainly some parallels. In Japan, the natural disaster caused devastation across a widespread area, and whilst it has faded from the headlines, the problems at Fukushima may yet blow up in our faces. Across the Arab territories it all went off earlier this year, and now things are rumbling along, gradually the whole area is destabilising ready to blow up in our faces. And then the hacking by Murdoch's cronies which caused quite a kerfuffle some time ago, rumbled on until it has all blown up as it is now. There may be no value in drawing comparisons about such disparate events, but why not...it's Monday morning.
I'm occasionally prone to accepting free gifts in much the same way that the Metropolitan Police appear to accept cash in brown paper envelopes from News International staff. I don't do it too often...and frankly and bluntly the quality of items I'm offered rarely reflects the status to which I hope one day to be elevated. Please PRs pull your fingers out and give me something that glitters.
The best offer I've had recently is from Life Line Screening. It may not glitter, but it is a free health check. As I've hit a 'certain age', the thought of a health check up had crossed my mind on more than one occasion, so I scooped up the chance like a metropolitan police officer being given a brown envelope by someone from News International. Have I sued that before?
Life Line Screening set themselves up in various local venues...in my case it was at the club house of Wanstead Golf Course. When I arrived, they seemed very efficient, made me fill in the sort of form that I would expect. Over the next 45 minutes they stuck a needle in me, and attached me to various machines that went bleep and others that took the sort of pictures I've only seen when looking to see how baby is getting along. My results will be back in my sticky little fingers within 21 days, but as they said if there was anything that looks suspicious they would refer me to my doctor immediately. The one set of results I got straight away was the cholesterol from my blood test. They suggested I go and speak to my doctor and see what he says. That may be a hint...but they don't look too bad, I'm hoping Auntie Gwen will advise me on the urgent need or otherwise to write my will, and am pretty damn certain they are better than the rest of my family who have over the years extracted more than their fair share of NI payments for treatment for artery/coronary disease. So is it worth it? Should you do it? Well a quick Google will show you that this sort of thing is quite controversial, and Life Line Screening, being American, have quite an aggressive marketing strategy. But...and here's the BIG but....two weeks ago my brother had a couple of heart attacks, and last week had 'a funny turn' which had him back in hospital for a couple of days. He's just 52, and frankly and bluntly, I'd rather not lose my brother yet. So the issue of health is on my mind very much, and a check up has given me some peace of mind. Whether or not you want to stomp up the cost (I think my tests would have come to around £150) is up to you, but certainly I would suggest you check to see whether unbeknown to you your body is not going to let you, and your family, down.
I'm occasionally prone to accepting free gifts in much the same way that the Metropolitan Police appear to accept cash in brown paper envelopes from News International staff. I don't do it too often...and frankly and bluntly the quality of items I'm offered rarely reflects the status to which I hope one day to be elevated. Please PRs pull your fingers out and give me something that glitters.
The best offer I've had recently is from Life Line Screening. It may not glitter, but it is a free health check. As I've hit a 'certain age', the thought of a health check up had crossed my mind on more than one occasion, so I scooped up the chance like a metropolitan police officer being given a brown envelope by someone from News International. Have I sued that before?
Life Line Screening set themselves up in various local venues...in my case it was at the club house of Wanstead Golf Course. When I arrived, they seemed very efficient, made me fill in the sort of form that I would expect. Over the next 45 minutes they stuck a needle in me, and attached me to various machines that went bleep and others that took the sort of pictures I've only seen when looking to see how baby is getting along. My results will be back in my sticky little fingers within 21 days, but as they said if there was anything that looks suspicious they would refer me to my doctor immediately. The one set of results I got straight away was the cholesterol from my blood test. They suggested I go and speak to my doctor and see what he says. That may be a hint...but they don't look too bad, I'm hoping Auntie Gwen will advise me on the urgent need or otherwise to write my will, and am pretty damn certain they are better than the rest of my family who have over the years extracted more than their fair share of NI payments for treatment for artery/coronary disease. So is it worth it? Should you do it? Well a quick Google will show you that this sort of thing is quite controversial, and Life Line Screening, being American, have quite an aggressive marketing strategy. But...and here's the BIG but....two weeks ago my brother had a couple of heart attacks, and last week had 'a funny turn' which had him back in hospital for a couple of days. He's just 52, and frankly and bluntly, I'd rather not lose my brother yet. So the issue of health is on my mind very much, and a check up has given me some peace of mind. Whether or not you want to stomp up the cost (I think my tests would have come to around £150) is up to you, but certainly I would suggest you check to see whether unbeknown to you your body is not going to let you, and your family, down.
Thursday, 14 July 2011
Around and around and around
Is there a pillar of society tat is still standing on firm foundations now? We've had the banking crisis, we've had the MPs expenses scandal and we've had Rupert Murdoch single-handedly destroy the moral authority of the media. Naturally enough, the world moves forward, but when we see the framework of our society being shredded, it becomes time to ask is it time for root and branch reform of the way we live. Who would be brave enough? The sort of things that are tearing us apart these days would once upon a time have been enough to spark riots, even revolution. But these days we are comfortable on our sofas watching our HD Freeview TV. I'm as bad as the rest, but really we do need to change the country we live in before there's one more scandal.
Yesterday I got in to Dante's Sat Nav Inferno. Following the directions it gave me, I got within a few hundred yards of my destination before it told me to do a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me.
Some might suggest that this is how the Murdoch family is feeling today. Or perhaps David Cameron.
Yesterday I got in to Dante's Sat Nav Inferno. Following the directions it gave me, I got within a few hundred yards of my destination before it told me to do a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me. Loyally I did so, before it told me to take the road I had just been on. A few hundred yards from my destination it told me to make a u-turn and return to the roundabout behind me.
Some might suggest that this is how the Murdoch family is feeling today. Or perhaps David Cameron.
Wednesday, 13 July 2011
Play it again Sam
Do please take a moment to encourage this newbie here.
In amongst the furore, the financial crisis has been knocked off the front pages. Interesting given that really and truly Murdoch's escapades are a sideshow. Or a freak show. So you may have missed that the bastard credit agencies have degraded Ireland to junk status, and they've now set their sights on Italy. Spain is a forgone conclusion it seems...destined for a bailout. The market is in suicide mode, but not without a fair bit of death and destruction elsewhere too. It really is time that the global authorities...governments and international financial institutions act decisively to put the brakes on the markets and bring them into line to create stability and avoid a scenario which would make the Lehman Brothers failure a teddy bear's picnic.
It's fascinating when the old meets the new.
Earlier this year I hooked up my hi fi system again - it had been in storage whilst the flat was being refurbished.
I hadn't really thought about the history of it all.
On the right hand side is my first CD player...I was a late comer and this one lets me play five in one go...well one after another really...hours of pure unadultered music pleasure. I suspect I got it in the mid-90s. Above it is a cassette deck - I had this when I was at boarding school! I'm sure it would still work if I had any tapes left. When I left the school, the headmasetr's wife said they would miss my music blasting across the quad. I think she was being nice. Above that is a new acquisition. It's not new. It was a gift to The Cat's Mother's ex. He left it behind, and it sat gathering dust in the corner, so it's good to get it spinning again. On the turntable is David Bowie's greatest hits...a K-Tel record. If you know K-Tel you are older than you admit.
On the left hand side and starting at the bottom is another cassette deck - a Nakamichi....and at the time, the finest you could buy. Above it is a tuner which I'm sure once picked up Radio 1 in the days of Tony Blackburn. And finally, on top, is a valve amplifier. A modern amplifier. It's beautiful in a bleak sort of way and was bought with some of the proceeds when I sold a flat to buy this one. Valves are not the most stable of things, and I've been known to rush across the room from where I've been seated comfortably to pull the plug on it before it explodes as one of the valves turns white hot.
The Boy is fascinated, particularly with the records (of course, vinyl to him). He couldn't wait to put one on...and then asked how you selected the next track....it was a skill to lower he needle into he shiny groove. He's spent ages on line now just seeing what of his favourite groups he can get on vinyl!
We spent the evening playing albums of groups that were mostly half-forgotten...crackle, crackle, crunch before a track we barely recognised played out. Absolutely brilliant!
In amongst the furore, the financial crisis has been knocked off the front pages. Interesting given that really and truly Murdoch's escapades are a sideshow. Or a freak show. So you may have missed that the bastard credit agencies have degraded Ireland to junk status, and they've now set their sights on Italy. Spain is a forgone conclusion it seems...destined for a bailout. The market is in suicide mode, but not without a fair bit of death and destruction elsewhere too. It really is time that the global authorities...governments and international financial institutions act decisively to put the brakes on the markets and bring them into line to create stability and avoid a scenario which would make the Lehman Brothers failure a teddy bear's picnic.
It's fascinating when the old meets the new.
Earlier this year I hooked up my hi fi system again - it had been in storage whilst the flat was being refurbished.
I hadn't really thought about the history of it all.
On the right hand side is my first CD player...I was a late comer and this one lets me play five in one go...well one after another really...hours of pure unadultered music pleasure. I suspect I got it in the mid-90s. Above it is a cassette deck - I had this when I was at boarding school! I'm sure it would still work if I had any tapes left. When I left the school, the headmasetr's wife said they would miss my music blasting across the quad. I think she was being nice. Above that is a new acquisition. It's not new. It was a gift to The Cat's Mother's ex. He left it behind, and it sat gathering dust in the corner, so it's good to get it spinning again. On the turntable is David Bowie's greatest hits...a K-Tel record. If you know K-Tel you are older than you admit.
On the left hand side and starting at the bottom is another cassette deck - a Nakamichi....and at the time, the finest you could buy. Above it is a tuner which I'm sure once picked up Radio 1 in the days of Tony Blackburn. And finally, on top, is a valve amplifier. A modern amplifier. It's beautiful in a bleak sort of way and was bought with some of the proceeds when I sold a flat to buy this one. Valves are not the most stable of things, and I've been known to rush across the room from where I've been seated comfortably to pull the plug on it before it explodes as one of the valves turns white hot.
The Boy is fascinated, particularly with the records (of course, vinyl to him). He couldn't wait to put one on...and then asked how you selected the next track....it was a skill to lower he needle into he shiny groove. He's spent ages on line now just seeing what of his favourite groups he can get on vinyl!
We spent the evening playing albums of groups that were mostly half-forgotten...crackle, crackle, crunch before a track we barely recognised played out. Absolutely brilliant!
Tuesday, 12 July 2011
Not very MI5
I rather like my nom de plume. It says a lot in few words, and the initials are the same as my own. For the last couple of years I've led a life of subterfuge protecting my own identity whilst dropping hints for the unwary. I have been practically schizophrenic with my real identity and my on line life. But all is undone by my own greed.
For reasons which I little understand now, I have managed to create four blogs. Three are Blogger, and two of them I ignore. And one is wordpress which I started as a work blog. At the same time I have three twitter accounts...of which I ignore one and juggle the other two...one is related to this blog, and one is for work. I couldn't tell you how many e-mails I have. I am indeed confused about my identity. I've tried to keep my work stuff separate from my personal life as I don't want colleagues and business partners to share my personal life, and some of my personal views might not be the same as theirs. But in among all these different identities, it's become impossible to juggle carefully enough, and I find myself leaving comments in my real name because the computer has kept me logged in with my wordpress identity and I've tweeted the odd tweet in my blog name when I should have been working. Sigh. I don't think I'll be replacing James Bond any time soon.
At the weekend we were in Brighton seeing the very excellent Dylan Moran. The fact that I fell asleep was nothing to do with his talents, and more to do with my scoffing far too much at the restaurant before hand. Sorry. Last week we went to see David Tenant (yes Auntie Gwen I saw him in the flesh) in the much lauded Much Ado about Nothing. The fact that I fell asleep was nothing to do with David Tenant's performance, and more to do with us being in the 'Grand Circle' which was so high that I could almost touch the moon. As I suffer from a touch of vertigo these days, I thought I would solve the problem by closing my eyes. Which sent me to the land of nod. Oh dear. Two great performances and I missed them both.
For reasons which I little understand now, I have managed to create four blogs. Three are Blogger, and two of them I ignore. And one is wordpress which I started as a work blog. At the same time I have three twitter accounts...of which I ignore one and juggle the other two...one is related to this blog, and one is for work. I couldn't tell you how many e-mails I have. I am indeed confused about my identity. I've tried to keep my work stuff separate from my personal life as I don't want colleagues and business partners to share my personal life, and some of my personal views might not be the same as theirs. But in among all these different identities, it's become impossible to juggle carefully enough, and I find myself leaving comments in my real name because the computer has kept me logged in with my wordpress identity and I've tweeted the odd tweet in my blog name when I should have been working. Sigh. I don't think I'll be replacing James Bond any time soon.
At the weekend we were in Brighton seeing the very excellent Dylan Moran. The fact that I fell asleep was nothing to do with his talents, and more to do with my scoffing far too much at the restaurant before hand. Sorry. Last week we went to see David Tenant (yes Auntie Gwen I saw him in the flesh) in the much lauded Much Ado about Nothing. The fact that I fell asleep was nothing to do with David Tenant's performance, and more to do with us being in the 'Grand Circle' which was so high that I could almost touch the moon. As I suffer from a touch of vertigo these days, I thought I would solve the problem by closing my eyes. Which sent me to the land of nod. Oh dear. Two great performances and I missed them both.
Wednesday, 6 July 2011
Gotcha!
It's with no hint of irony that The Times, Sky and The Sun are reporting the very distasteful revelations about phone hacking. The Sun is in particular quite circumspect, which is not surprising given that it is the daily version of the News of the World, and has taken to generalising that it is a media problem rather than a News International problem. Personally I think it's a reflection of the naked greed and ambition that permeates all too much of business today...anything goes if it adds a sale, or boosts the profit margin. In any case, it would be extraordinary if Rupert Murdoch's bid to take control of BSkyB is allowed to go through now...I suspect it might even bring the Government down. If you want to help stop the Murdochs, please sign up at Avaaz here
I was so pleased, I nearly jumped over the moon when I read that the European Commission was criticising the ratings agencies at long last. In case you missed it last night, they once again downgraded Portugal...and potentially that has a major impact on us all as it creates yet further instability in the European economic region. Whether or not you like being part of the EU, there's no getting away from our economic dependence on it so anything that undermines stability there damages UK plc.
German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble has said that he wants to "break the oligopoly of the ratings agencies" and limit their influence. Here here. They have got away with murder considering their role in the collapse of the financial sector, and it's about time these shysters are given their come uppance.
On more serious matters, last night it was the fifth form prom; the teens looked delicious, and the whole event went off without incident. in fact it seemed to go off without anything much happening at all. Shame.
I was so pleased, I nearly jumped over the moon when I read that the European Commission was criticising the ratings agencies at long last. In case you missed it last night, they once again downgraded Portugal...and potentially that has a major impact on us all as it creates yet further instability in the European economic region. Whether or not you like being part of the EU, there's no getting away from our economic dependence on it so anything that undermines stability there damages UK plc.
German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble has said that he wants to "break the oligopoly of the ratings agencies" and limit their influence. Here here. They have got away with murder considering their role in the collapse of the financial sector, and it's about time these shysters are given their come uppance.
On more serious matters, last night it was the fifth form prom; the teens looked delicious, and the whole event went off without incident. in fact it seemed to go off without anything much happening at all. Shame.
Monday, 4 July 2011
Monday montage
There was a definite bird theme going on with my birthday...a robin on my card from The Cat's Mother, an 'Angry Bird' soft toy (supposedly I'm addicted), a squirrel table (it's supposed to be a bird table, but only the squirrels have worked out how to use it) and finally a pair of Roa birds. If you follow my postings you'll know I've eulogised over Roa, the street artist whose work I adore, so you can believe my joy at receiving two of his pictures as a present...as he's a street artist you won't be surprised to be told that these are drawn on old hanging files...we're working out how to frame them!
I missed First Friday photos simply because I didn't have the energy, but I'm pleased with a lot of the pictures I've taken this month, so here's a selection:
Us
Me and him
Olympic stadium
Outside Bridget Jones' flat
Fish!
Mushrooms!
Evening shadows in Brighton
The wobbly bridge
Us at Elton John
The West Pier
Brighton Lanes
Sunset in the flat
The West Pier
The West Pier
Regency splendor
Appealing...appalling
Street art
Street art
Street art
A shop dedicated to Alice in Wonderland
Brick Lane
Not how I remember Sesame Street
Inter-faith love
Words are everything
Superheroes
Street art
Street art
Street art
Street art
Roa!
Did I post this before?
It's a Banksy
Eine
Street art
Derelict London
Look closely...
It's a bridge...
By the canal
On the canal
Messerschmitt
I missed First Friday photos simply because I didn't have the energy, but I'm pleased with a lot of the pictures I've taken this month, so here's a selection:
Us
Me and him
Olympic stadium
Outside Bridget Jones' flat
Fish!
Mushrooms!
Evening shadows in Brighton
The wobbly bridge
Us at Elton John
The West Pier
Brighton Lanes
Sunset in the flat
The West Pier
The West Pier
Regency splendor
Appealing...appalling
Street art
Street art
Street art
A shop dedicated to Alice in Wonderland
Brick Lane
Not how I remember Sesame Street
Inter-faith love
Words are everything
Superheroes
Street art
Street art
Street art
Street art
Roa!
Did I post this before?
It's a Banksy
Eine
Street art
Derelict London
Look closely...
It's a bridge...
By the canal
On the canal
Messerschmitt
Sunday, 3 July 2011
Birthday bash
It doesn't come as a great surprise that the first hint of corruption at the Olympics comes out of its involvement with football. there are all sorts of allegations flying around about the West Ham bid for the stadium, and all I will say is that it is most peculiar that someone at the organisation with responsibility for disposing of the stadium appears to have accepted payments from the business that has won the bid. Conflict of interest are the words that spring to mind.
My last picture for June is somewhat belated...but then I always knew that on the 30th we would be pretty busy, as would the days afterwards. Over the moth I've taken over 300 pictures...which I'm quite pleased with, as there are a lot of things I find interesting around me. On Thursday we took a trip on the DLR to Greenwhich through the east end of London, which affords some fascinating views, and from there we took a the boat along the Thames to London Bridge...the river is really the best way to see the metropolis. We walked down to Borough Market browsing amongst the colours, the smells and the noise of the best market I know before stopping for some oysters. From there we strolled along the riverside to Tate Modern, being further refreshed in the members room (which has spectacular views across the Thames to St Pauls). From there we crossed the wobbly bridge and went up to Bond Street to look in a couple of galleries. Finally we took a cab to my favourite restaurant - Formans - where we had a small gathering of friends.
A somewhat more muted 50th celebration than some that I've been to...marquees in gardens, theatre events...but it suited me. I've never been one to make a big fuss about these things.
Choosing a photo is difficult, but really could it be anything other than the three people who matter most to me?
My last picture for June is somewhat belated...but then I always knew that on the 30th we would be pretty busy, as would the days afterwards. Over the moth I've taken over 300 pictures...which I'm quite pleased with, as there are a lot of things I find interesting around me. On Thursday we took a trip on the DLR to Greenwhich through the east end of London, which affords some fascinating views, and from there we took a the boat along the Thames to London Bridge...the river is really the best way to see the metropolis. We walked down to Borough Market browsing amongst the colours, the smells and the noise of the best market I know before stopping for some oysters. From there we strolled along the riverside to Tate Modern, being further refreshed in the members room (which has spectacular views across the Thames to St Pauls). From there we crossed the wobbly bridge and went up to Bond Street to look in a couple of galleries. Finally we took a cab to my favourite restaurant - Formans - where we had a small gathering of friends.
A somewhat more muted 50th celebration than some that I've been to...marquees in gardens, theatre events...but it suited me. I've never been one to make a big fuss about these things.
Choosing a photo is difficult, but really could it be anything other than the three people who matter most to me?
Friday, 1 July 2011
gathering storm clouds
I had an unexpected trip back to the office on Wednesday evening when i forgot to set the phone system, but that afforded me the opportunity of riding my motorbike in a more relaxed way than usual and it was great...really feeling the freedom of the road. I took a slight detour through Canary Wharf just as the sun was setting and seized the chance to take this picture. Of course, the towering blocks of the banks' offices say a lot about their wealth and power. It's a constant theme of mine that they should be stripped of both as I can't help but feel that they give immense wealth to their shareholders and staff at the rest of society...and that may be Government reforms of the banking system should look more at how they should contribute to the greater well-being of society, rather than simple regulatory and fiscal matters. I love the way the clouds are gathering behind the skyscrapers...let's hope this is a harbinger of change.
Wednesday, 29 June 2011
Sweet sixteen
There's nothing like the gentle sound of your sixteen year old son wretching violently into the toilet at half past one in the morning to make you realise that time has indeed marched on since you were changing nappies in the middle of the night. The bodily function may have changed, and the end that needs attention may be different, but the need to be a diligent parent has remained. I stayed in bed whilst The Cat and The Cat's Mother tended to his needs. Not that I was uncaring, it's just that I thought my role was best as amused father the following morning. I may yet be proved right.
We had been to the 18th birthday party of the daughter of a friend whose son is the boy's best friend. It took place in the sort of bar that appeals to eighteen year olds, but for the grown ups it was a moment to think, "I'm so glad I don't have to do this anymore" It was alternately red velour, black walls and shiny mirrors, in places dark in other places bright and sparkly. Lovely. The Cat's Mother and I thought we should stay for an hour, which was both polite and enough time to catch up with the other oldies we know. It wasn't long enough to embarrass the offspring with our presence. We left as The Boy downed a(nother) beer and The Cat finished her first gin and tonic. At some time nearing one in the morning they crashed through the front door. And forty five minutes later The Boy made his presence felt in the bathroom.
For no obvious reason, our alarm clock decided that it had missed out on the action and some time around four in the morning it decided to turn itself on. It took me several minutes to work out what the time was...have you ever looked at your watch sure in the knowledge it must be a quarter to seven when the hands are definitely telling you it is five past four. As was the digital clock nest to it. It's like drinking a cup of coffee when you think you've been handed a cup of tea.
The Poet Laureate and Auntie Gwen hauled me up for my comments about public sector pensions, so let me just say this...it's not that I think people don't deserve to have a living income when they retire. I do, absolutely. But there is a real problem...it has been apparent for a decade or two that the pensions offered simply cannot be afforded...they will bankrupt the country. The private sector is offering much worse pensions than it used to because of the affordability issue. There are two factors at play...one is the ageing population...people are living longer so pensions need tobe paid out for longer, and secondly, by far and a long way the greatest growth in employment over the last decade has been public sector employment. So there is/will be more pensions to be paid for a longer time. Whether it is the current rabble in No 10 or the descendents of Tony Blair, the decisions would ultimately have to be the same. It's harsh. I know that, but at the end of the day it is horribly inevitable that change has had to come. The promise is, though, that public sector pensions will remain the best available. Personally I think we should all move to Greece where (I'm told) if you're in the armed forces you can retire at 45 and then your children get to inherit your pension when you pop your clogs.
And quickly backj to my photo a day...this is Monday night's...a panorma of the quad at The Boy's school. I realise these don't work so well on the blog...the best thing to do is simply to right click and download it...you can then enlarge it in your normal photo viewer so you get the effect. Or don't...it's up to you!
We had been to the 18th birthday party of the daughter of a friend whose son is the boy's best friend. It took place in the sort of bar that appeals to eighteen year olds, but for the grown ups it was a moment to think, "I'm so glad I don't have to do this anymore" It was alternately red velour, black walls and shiny mirrors, in places dark in other places bright and sparkly. Lovely. The Cat's Mother and I thought we should stay for an hour, which was both polite and enough time to catch up with the other oldies we know. It wasn't long enough to embarrass the offspring with our presence. We left as The Boy downed a(nother) beer and The Cat finished her first gin and tonic. At some time nearing one in the morning they crashed through the front door. And forty five minutes later The Boy made his presence felt in the bathroom.
For no obvious reason, our alarm clock decided that it had missed out on the action and some time around four in the morning it decided to turn itself on. It took me several minutes to work out what the time was...have you ever looked at your watch sure in the knowledge it must be a quarter to seven when the hands are definitely telling you it is five past four. As was the digital clock nest to it. It's like drinking a cup of coffee when you think you've been handed a cup of tea.
The Poet Laureate and Auntie Gwen hauled me up for my comments about public sector pensions, so let me just say this...it's not that I think people don't deserve to have a living income when they retire. I do, absolutely. But there is a real problem...it has been apparent for a decade or two that the pensions offered simply cannot be afforded...they will bankrupt the country. The private sector is offering much worse pensions than it used to because of the affordability issue. There are two factors at play...one is the ageing population...people are living longer so pensions need tobe paid out for longer, and secondly, by far and a long way the greatest growth in employment over the last decade has been public sector employment. So there is/will be more pensions to be paid for a longer time. Whether it is the current rabble in No 10 or the descendents of Tony Blair, the decisions would ultimately have to be the same. It's harsh. I know that, but at the end of the day it is horribly inevitable that change has had to come. The promise is, though, that public sector pensions will remain the best available. Personally I think we should all move to Greece where (I'm told) if you're in the armed forces you can retire at 45 and then your children get to inherit your pension when you pop your clogs.
And quickly backj to my photo a day...this is Monday night's...a panorma of the quad at The Boy's school. I realise these don't work so well on the blog...the best thing to do is simply to right click and download it...you can then enlarge it in your normal photo viewer so you get the effect. Or don't...it's up to you!
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
Tormenting kids (2)
I'm trying to catch up...and I've only two days to do it.....uuuurgh! At the moment the rain is pouring down, the thunder and lightning are banging and flashing, and Noah is about ready to launch his Ark. In the real world, the ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Gadaffi for butchering his own citizens, which seems strange as I thought that was part of the basic job description for a tyrant. Life can be so unfair.
I'm delighted to see that in honour of my birthday, some 750,000 public sector employees are taking the day off. I admire their chutzpah, especially because my own celebrations are going to be quite modest. I hear they they are going to be marching and waving banners. I'm deeply honoured, and as far as I know from studying 'This Day In History' this will be the most significant event ever on June 30th. Some, of course, are a little embarrassed by their support for me, so will be claiming that it's all about their protecting wildly extravagant pensions which will bankrupt us all before we know it. But I know the truth and am touched. I mention my birthday only in passing, and don't feel obliged to send me birthday greetings on Thursday. Between 9 and 12.
Back in history, on Sunday we went off to see Elton John. A five minute walk from the flat to the Sussex County Cricket ground. We awoke to a sea fog which enveloped the city, lifted, then enveloped it again, before burning off to allow us to sit in the scorching sun getting bronzed (red). Reg played a cracking set of two and a half hours seemingly enjoying himself immensely, as did The Cat's Mother and I. The offspring, however, realising this was not in fact a Bo Burnham gig didn't have much fun at all. It may have been that they were determined not to enjoy him, which was odd as they had duetted with 'Your Song' at UP's birthday bash in the early new year. At the end we followed the Yellow Brick Road home as we watched The Sun Go Down on me.
I'm delighted to see that in honour of my birthday, some 750,000 public sector employees are taking the day off. I admire their chutzpah, especially because my own celebrations are going to be quite modest. I hear they they are going to be marching and waving banners. I'm deeply honoured, and as far as I know from studying 'This Day In History' this will be the most significant event ever on June 30th. Some, of course, are a little embarrassed by their support for me, so will be claiming that it's all about their protecting wildly extravagant pensions which will bankrupt us all before we know it. But I know the truth and am touched. I mention my birthday only in passing, and don't feel obliged to send me birthday greetings on Thursday. Between 9 and 12.
Back in history, on Sunday we went off to see Elton John. A five minute walk from the flat to the Sussex County Cricket ground. We awoke to a sea fog which enveloped the city, lifted, then enveloped it again, before burning off to allow us to sit in the scorching sun getting bronzed (red). Reg played a cracking set of two and a half hours seemingly enjoying himself immensely, as did The Cat's Mother and I. The offspring, however, realising this was not in fact a Bo Burnham gig didn't have much fun at all. It may have been that they were determined not to enjoy him, which was odd as they had duetted with 'Your Song' at UP's birthday bash in the early new year. At the end we followed the Yellow Brick Road home as we watched The Sun Go Down on me.
Tormenting kids (1)
I guess when one says, "I feel like I've been violated" and the other says "That's the worst thing that's ever happened to me", it would be wrong to judge it an all time success?
The Cat's Mother and I, on the other hand thoroughly enjoyed our feet being nibbled by garruda fish at a spa in Brighton at the weekend. It sure as hell tickles like crazy to start with, but then gets very relaxing.
The Cat's Mother and I, on the other hand thoroughly enjoyed our feet being nibbled by garruda fish at a spa in Brighton at the weekend. It sure as hell tickles like crazy to start with, but then gets very relaxing.
Monday, 27 June 2011
If graffiti changed anything it would be illegal*
Well I always knew that I wouldn't be able to manage a post on Saturday...we were traveling down to and enjoying the Brighton sea air, and we were busy enough that I couldn't get near a computer. Sometimes it's good to be free of the tyranny of the key board.
Friday night we did a guided tour with some friends of East London's Street Art. This was different to my previous attempt which largely involved me going "Phwoar...look at that...it's brilliant", as it involved a paid for guide. Who knew his stuff. So we learnt many things including the difference between tagging, graffiti and street art. That there are interesting rivalries, and that Banksy may be the public's favourite street artist, but not necessarily the street art community's. We had about three hours looking up walls and down gutters to see the best of Britain's new talent, and even got to hold a mushroom made by Cristiaan Nagel. Most of this was in the rain, and we still came away transfixed and fascinated and completely enthused....
You can find out more from these two web sites here and here
*thanks Banksy...
Friday night we did a guided tour with some friends of East London's Street Art. This was different to my previous attempt which largely involved me going "Phwoar...look at that...it's brilliant", as it involved a paid for guide. Who knew his stuff. So we learnt many things including the difference between tagging, graffiti and street art. That there are interesting rivalries, and that Banksy may be the public's favourite street artist, but not necessarily the street art community's. We had about three hours looking up walls and down gutters to see the best of Britain's new talent, and even got to hold a mushroom made by Cristiaan Nagel. Most of this was in the rain, and we still came away transfixed and fascinated and completely enthused....
You can find out more from these two web sites here and here
*thanks Banksy...
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