Read the Daily Telegraph today?
The front page! Brilliant combination of stories...all with a financial theme.
Higher tax payers paying up to £700 per year tax because the increase in the tax threshold was moved in line with general inflation not the rate of wage inflation which has risen faster. A very subtle stealth tax according to critics of Gordo and his boys and girls.
Inflationary pressure is leading to up to a million mortgage holders suffering and being put at jeopardy of losing their homes. Bet they could do with the additional £700 per year above if they were a higher tax payer.
And what does out taxes pay for? Part of it goes towards Gordo and the rest of the 600 plus elected members of the House of Commons. One of these members of parliament, Derek Conway, has been exposed as paying his two sons (one of whom wants to be 'Queen Sloane') and Mrs Conway some £260,000 as they are, apparently, part of his orifice... sorry office!
Henry 'Queen Sloane' Conway, his son and an undergraduate of the University of Cambridge, has never worked for his father according to his mates and received £10,000 per year. Used some of the dosh to throw a aprty with the title of 'Fuck Off I'm Rich'. Nice to know where our cash goes is it not?
Unbelievable...and the MP's are voting tomorrow whether to suspend him for ten days! Only ten???
Talking of politicians the Speaker of the House, The Right Honorable Michael Martin, spent £20,000 of taxpayers money over last summer issuing libel actions to protect his own personal reputation!
Unbelievable....
Gordo nicks the cash and the MP's get greedy! No chance that we being exploited is there? No wonder, Gordo chickened out of an election.
Great front page!
Wednesday, 30 January 2008
Bad move, rich lawyers?
Every Summer time my old school has a reunion. I think that I will go to the next one. I might get rich now that the High Court has made their latest ridiculous decision.
As I see the aged faces of my compatriots, I shall look over and see if they hold an American Excuse card or a Gold Basterdcard. If their wallets/purses are laden with such plastic, and I can make out a case that I suffered abuse at their hands, then I shall sue them! I can do this because of this ruling.
Mrs A was not the first person that was by that utter bastard who won £7 million on the Lotto. She may not be the last should our legal system allow him out on the streets again. Serial sexual predators like Hoare should be locked up forever and never let out. But the touts will always find a way to earn a crust by exploiting legalities to allow such scum to roam around again.
However, because the scumbag won the jackpot, Mrs A can now claim compensation. This is a dangerous move.
There will be a floodgate of claims and counter claims that will clam up the legal system only earning money for the touts.
When a judge sentences a criminal, the punishment is given out. Now, as the victim, you can further punish the individual over and above the legal system. There is now no limit.
So when is my next school reunion?
As I see the aged faces of my compatriots, I shall look over and see if they hold an American Excuse card or a Gold Basterdcard. If their wallets/purses are laden with such plastic, and I can make out a case that I suffered abuse at their hands, then I shall sue them! I can do this because of this ruling.
Mrs A was not the first person that was by that utter bastard who won £7 million on the Lotto. She may not be the last should our legal system allow him out on the streets again. Serial sexual predators like Hoare should be locked up forever and never let out. But the touts will always find a way to earn a crust by exploiting legalities to allow such scum to roam around again.
However, because the scumbag won the jackpot, Mrs A can now claim compensation. This is a dangerous move.
There will be a floodgate of claims and counter claims that will clam up the legal system only earning money for the touts.
When a judge sentences a criminal, the punishment is given out. Now, as the victim, you can further punish the individual over and above the legal system. There is now no limit.
So when is my next school reunion?
Sunday, 27 January 2008
Congestion in Cambridge 3
Just done the online questionnaire that Cambridge Council have put up.
Very badly put together this! Almost deliberate in it's way that it leads you....
You have to be careful here, the way that the questions are asked and the order that they are given is that it assumes that there is a high level of congestion and that you will want to reduce it. In fact, it is a very biased questionnaire and one that will give the council the answers that they want to hear.
If you only traveled in Cambridge at rush hour, you are led to believe and it is implied that the congestion is particularly bad here.
Also, with being online and with anyone in the world able to answer it, there is a major opportunity for the council to get people to answer the questions and so 'load' the results in their favor. What is to stop people completing the questionaire using an elderly neighbours name and address when they know that they will not have a computer in their home?
Not saying that this will happen but it is a distinct possibility.
Very badly put together this! Almost deliberate in it's way that it leads you....
You have to be careful here, the way that the questions are asked and the order that they are given is that it assumes that there is a high level of congestion and that you will want to reduce it. In fact, it is a very biased questionnaire and one that will give the council the answers that they want to hear.
If you only traveled in Cambridge at rush hour, you are led to believe and it is implied that the congestion is particularly bad here.
Also, with being online and with anyone in the world able to answer it, there is a major opportunity for the council to get people to answer the questions and so 'load' the results in their favor. What is to stop people completing the questionaire using an elderly neighbours name and address when they know that they will not have a computer in their home?
Not saying that this will happen but it is a distinct possibility.
Saturday, 26 January 2008
Congestion in Cambridge 2
Been looking at other blogs for views on the congestion charges that are currently beng considered for Cambridge.
Interesting reading...three blogs were of particular interest.
That Canadian Girls blog outlines an email that she recieved when asked about the consultation process. It seems that you either have to go online to register your comment (which of course disadvantages the vast amount of car drivers that do not access the net) or attend one of the roadshows staged at various venues across the county and in Suffolk. Interesting to note that these roadshows occur at a diverse set of venues including;
The Daily Maybe also comments on the charge and has some very interesting remarks about the polictical nature of all of this including comment regarding possible impropriety. There is also a reason given for not giving the residents of Cambridge the referendum that they should have, the comments made by the council about 'overbidding' the amount needed and the way that businesses will change their working days to avoid paying the charge. I just hope the reast of the country follows suit. As if...
Phil Smith's blog is a little more extreme and cynical in its view though nothing would surprose me here. He may be on the wrong track (sic) but I can see that maybe he is not. You never know in this world.
Incidentally, if you do want to go and complete Cambridge City Council's online questionaire, then please go here.
Interesting reading...three blogs were of particular interest.
That Canadian Girls blog outlines an email that she recieved when asked about the consultation process. It seems that you either have to go online to register your comment (which of course disadvantages the vast amount of car drivers that do not access the net) or attend one of the roadshows staged at various venues across the county and in Suffolk. Interesting to note that these roadshows occur at a diverse set of venues including;
- Park and Ride places (you would expect those that use P'n'R to be more on favor, would you not?)
- Towns such as St Ives and Ely whose residents may or nay not frequent Cambridge and hence be considerably less concerned about the charge.
- Towns that are further away such as Haverhill and Newmarket which are in Suffolk. Does the fate of the congestion charge lie on their hands?
The Daily Maybe also comments on the charge and has some very interesting remarks about the polictical nature of all of this including comment regarding possible impropriety. There is also a reason given for not giving the residents of Cambridge the referendum that they should have, the comments made by the council about 'overbidding' the amount needed and the way that businesses will change their working days to avoid paying the charge. I just hope the reast of the country follows suit. As if...
Phil Smith's blog is a little more extreme and cynical in its view though nothing would surprose me here. He may be on the wrong track (sic) but I can see that maybe he is not. You never know in this world.
Incidentally, if you do want to go and complete Cambridge City Council's online questionaire, then please go here.
Congestion in Cambridge
If you travel around the conservative city of Cambridge in the morning, you ill experience congestion. In my experience, no greater than that of Manchester, Sheffield, Blackburn and Norwich. All cities that I have been to in the recent weeks and months.
The council say that that is a problem and that they want to do something about it. They want to increase bus usage, increase people riding on bicycles and getting people within the city to walk more. Admiral aims, I am sure that regular readers will agree.
However, one of the most controversial parts of the scheme is to introduce a congestion charge so that every car/vehicle/van that moves between the hours of 7.30 to 9.30 pays a charge of £3-£5 per day. This means that anyone in a moving car will pay around £600-£1000 per year just to travel. In addition to car tax. On top of fuel tax. It appears that there will be 37 fixed camera positions as well as mobile cameras out at this time. If you move a car ten yards, you will be liable. Approximately 90% plus of all journeys will be captured and charged. This would raise about £35 million pounds per annum it seems. He stressed that the congestion charge was the last action that would be last thing to happen.
The figures above come from a conversation that I had with one of the councils transport guru's that manned a stand in a local shopping center today. Incidentally, it appears that £10 million of the £35 million wold go on administration charges. Thats a whopping 28%! No plans had been made what to do with the £25million left over it seems.
I am wondering how many people will decide to look for work elsewhere because the council would now employ an effective tax simply to arrive for work?
The view of the guy that I spoke with was that there was a problem (no more so than most of the cities that I visit) and that it needed to be solved. One way (the only way?) would be to use a grant from Gordon Brown and his boys and girls. This would be used to increase bus usage through dedicated bus lanes, more cycle paths and to provide more park and ride locations.
I discussed at length the proposal and came to understand that in order to alleviate the 'problem' the labour government would give £500 million to solve the issue. One condition of this government grant was that the council then had to impose the congestion charge. There appears no other way to 'solve' the financial aspects and hence the congestion charge will become a reality.
Worryingly, the method of consultation seems to consist of selective questionnaires to chosen groups of Cambridge people and these roadshows. The council also refuses to hold a referendum on the matter believing that their will be a 60% anti congestion vote.
More worryingly and when asked the question, "Can you assure me that none of the council will benefit directly or indirectly on a personal level?" the answer was that no assurance could be given.
Conclusions
1. The Cambridge congestion charge will become a reality. Once here, what odds will I get that it wont also happen in Manchester, Sheffield, Blackburn, Norwich and other cities? Cambridge will be setting a model for other cities to follow and that will mean more additional taxation for the already hard up ad much put upon motorist.
2. Applying 28% to £500 million equals £140 million. Will that be the administration charges? Thats an awful lot of jobs within the council!
3. Up to £1000 pounds per year is a lot of additional money to find just to work in the city. Will that lead to businesses not being able to function? Will smaller businesses be able to meet the additional rise in pay demands? Will teachers, teaching assistants and nurses be able to afford this additional tax?
4. Once we are all riding on buses and have congestion charge, we now have the council able to increase these charges at will. As the guy at the shopping centre stated, there needs to be a change in the way people act and the council had a duty to impose this changes for the greater good.
5. We do not want the congestion charge and yet we are going to have it. Period. We are going to have to get used to it. There is NO alternative to it from the councils point of view.
6. The council is being very dictatorial in this process and claiming that proper consultation is taking place. Roadshows are NOT proper consultations and the refusal to have a referendum within the city is NOT right. Come on, lets have a council that has some balls (apologies to any female members of the council but you know what I mean here)
I call on Cambridge City council to listen to the residents, to forget any congestion charge and to make it clear that if the roads of the city do become congested then we will make our own choices on our travel options.
If there are factual errors in the above or any named member of the council wishes to comment on any of the above, I shall be happy to add their comments.
The council say that that is a problem and that they want to do something about it. They want to increase bus usage, increase people riding on bicycles and getting people within the city to walk more. Admiral aims, I am sure that regular readers will agree.
However, one of the most controversial parts of the scheme is to introduce a congestion charge so that every car/vehicle/van that moves between the hours of 7.30 to 9.30 pays a charge of £3-£5 per day. This means that anyone in a moving car will pay around £600-£1000 per year just to travel. In addition to car tax. On top of fuel tax. It appears that there will be 37 fixed camera positions as well as mobile cameras out at this time. If you move a car ten yards, you will be liable. Approximately 90% plus of all journeys will be captured and charged. This would raise about £35 million pounds per annum it seems. He stressed that the congestion charge was the last action that would be last thing to happen.
The figures above come from a conversation that I had with one of the councils transport guru's that manned a stand in a local shopping center today. Incidentally, it appears that £10 million of the £35 million wold go on administration charges. Thats a whopping 28%! No plans had been made what to do with the £25million left over it seems.
I am wondering how many people will decide to look for work elsewhere because the council would now employ an effective tax simply to arrive for work?
The view of the guy that I spoke with was that there was a problem (no more so than most of the cities that I visit) and that it needed to be solved. One way (the only way?) would be to use a grant from Gordon Brown and his boys and girls. This would be used to increase bus usage through dedicated bus lanes, more cycle paths and to provide more park and ride locations.
I discussed at length the proposal and came to understand that in order to alleviate the 'problem' the labour government would give £500 million to solve the issue. One condition of this government grant was that the council then had to impose the congestion charge. There appears no other way to 'solve' the financial aspects and hence the congestion charge will become a reality.
Worryingly, the method of consultation seems to consist of selective questionnaires to chosen groups of Cambridge people and these roadshows. The council also refuses to hold a referendum on the matter believing that their will be a 60% anti congestion vote.
More worryingly and when asked the question, "Can you assure me that none of the council will benefit directly or indirectly on a personal level?" the answer was that no assurance could be given.
Conclusions
1. The Cambridge congestion charge will become a reality. Once here, what odds will I get that it wont also happen in Manchester, Sheffield, Blackburn, Norwich and other cities? Cambridge will be setting a model for other cities to follow and that will mean more additional taxation for the already hard up ad much put upon motorist.
2. Applying 28% to £500 million equals £140 million. Will that be the administration charges? Thats an awful lot of jobs within the council!
3. Up to £1000 pounds per year is a lot of additional money to find just to work in the city. Will that lead to businesses not being able to function? Will smaller businesses be able to meet the additional rise in pay demands? Will teachers, teaching assistants and nurses be able to afford this additional tax?
4. Once we are all riding on buses and have congestion charge, we now have the council able to increase these charges at will. As the guy at the shopping centre stated, there needs to be a change in the way people act and the council had a duty to impose this changes for the greater good.
5. We do not want the congestion charge and yet we are going to have it. Period. We are going to have to get used to it. There is NO alternative to it from the councils point of view.
6. The council is being very dictatorial in this process and claiming that proper consultation is taking place. Roadshows are NOT proper consultations and the refusal to have a referendum within the city is NOT right. Come on, lets have a council that has some balls (apologies to any female members of the council but you know what I mean here)
I call on Cambridge City council to listen to the residents, to forget any congestion charge and to make it clear that if the roads of the city do become congested then we will make our own choices on our travel options.
If there are factual errors in the above or any named member of the council wishes to comment on any of the above, I shall be happy to add their comments.
Sunday, 20 January 2008
Parenthood
'Dad, please can I have some money to go down the shop to get some milk as we have run out?
If your offspring asks you that question around the age of thirteen then you know that you are getting it right with the kids.
'Dad, fancy a pint? I'm buying'
If your offspring asks you that question at the age of eighteen then you have definitely got it right!
If your offspring asks you that question around the age of thirteen then you know that you are getting it right with the kids.
'Dad, fancy a pint? I'm buying'
If your offspring asks you that question at the age of eighteen then you have definitely got it right!
Lessons in Life 2
You're out at the shops with your beloved.
She has dragged you into her favourite clothes shop, buying a skirt/jeans/dress. She comes out of the changing room and and the one question all blokes fear...
'Does my bum look big in this?'
There is no correct answer to this question at all for us blokes..
If we say 'No of course your bum does not look big' we will be accused of lying...
If we say 'Yes, your derrière looks large' we will get accused of thinking that she is getting fat...
It's a no win situation...
She has dragged you into her favourite clothes shop, buying a skirt/jeans/dress. She comes out of the changing room and and the one question all blokes fear...
'Does my bum look big in this?'
There is no correct answer to this question at all for us blokes..
If we say 'No of course your bum does not look big' we will be accused of lying...
If we say 'Yes, your derrière looks large' we will get accused of thinking that she is getting fat...
It's a no win situation...
Thursday, 17 January 2008
Geographers Beware
In the news today, comes evidence that Geography is not having enough takers due to Health and Safety Regulations.
Also Geography has become 'boring' and boring pupils!
The government are trying to get involved to rectify the matter.
I used to be a teacher of Science, (readers, I can assure you that I have been cured), and witnessed the whole destruction of the teaching subject due to H&S issues imposed from above over many many years.
Actually it became very very boring and Science today is about simple ideas that used to be covered in one year at school. For instance the government of the day chose to take the Geology out of Geography and put it in Chemistry. Isn't that now ironic!
Look at the Science for the Twenty First Century Syllabus to see what I mean!
So, this is a call for all Geographers to revolt, become revolting (sic) and stand up for your rights to keep the subject interesting. Do not let the bureaucrats get their way. It's your duty to do so!
Otherwise Geography will be based upon the floor plan of your school and what you can see from your window. No field trips, no walkabout's, no substance....
Also Geography has become 'boring' and boring pupils!
The government are trying to get involved to rectify the matter.
I used to be a teacher of Science, (readers, I can assure you that I have been cured), and witnessed the whole destruction of the teaching subject due to H&S issues imposed from above over many many years.
Actually it became very very boring and Science today is about simple ideas that used to be covered in one year at school. For instance the government of the day chose to take the Geology out of Geography and put it in Chemistry. Isn't that now ironic!
Look at the Science for the Twenty First Century Syllabus to see what I mean!
So, this is a call for all Geographers to revolt, become revolting (sic) and stand up for your rights to keep the subject interesting. Do not let the bureaucrats get their way. It's your duty to do so!
Otherwise Geography will be based upon the floor plan of your school and what you can see from your window. No field trips, no walkabout's, no substance....
It's Like Putting a Gun to your Head
Regular readers may like to read my first ever published poem. Those of you that actually know me in person may like to comment on the irony of the subject matter.I will things at that! LOL
Scientific investigation
Says that
Regular inhalation
Of tobacco smoke
Could slowly choke your lungs
Of vital, life-giving
Air .
A morning puff,
An evening drag
It all poisons you.
Cigarettes are drugs,
But can be stopped .
Would you like
Your lungs to become ineffective masses of tissue
Because of cancer?
Or big horrible ulcers to appear
In your stomach?
This can result
If
"Just one more"
Becomes
"Just one too many" .
An average smoker
Knocks five years
Off his life
Think about it .
C.Martin 1974
I was in the Fourth Form (Year 10 to the youngsters!)
Scientific investigation
Says that
Regular inhalation
Of tobacco smoke
Could slowly choke your lungs
Of vital, life-giving
Air .
A morning puff,
An evening drag
It all poisons you.
Cigarettes are drugs,
But can be stopped .
Would you like
Your lungs to become ineffective masses of tissue
Because of cancer?
Or big horrible ulcers to appear
In your stomach?
This can result
If
"Just one more"
Becomes
"Just one too many" .
An average smoker
Knocks five years
Off his life
Think about it .
C.Martin 1974
I was in the Fourth Form (Year 10 to the youngsters!)
Wednesday, 16 January 2008
I’ll Be Satisfied
Don’t let me fall for the first woman I see.
Don’t leave me alone, suspended and free.
Don’t send me an angel lent from heaven above.
Don’t want a gold-digger needing wallets of love.
Don’t want any anger, definitely no lies.
Give me someone to love,
And I’ll be satisfied.
Don’t leave me alone, suspended and free.
Don’t send me an angel lent from heaven above.
Don’t want a gold-digger needing wallets of love.
Don’t want any anger, definitely no lies.
Give me someone to love,
And I’ll be satisfied.
Hey Lord, it’s simple what I am asking.
Do me a favour, a simple little thing.
Hey Lord listen to me, it’s simple, realise.
Give me someone to love.
And I’ll be satisfied.
Hey, Lord just listen to me, keep this man sane.
Give me the power to love again.
And I’ll be satisfied.
And I’ll be satisfied.
Don’t want tight skirts and high ideals.
Don’t want her to stumble in stiletto heels.
Don’t want long legs and a ladder to heaven.
Don’t want a harlot twenty-four seven
Don’t want a history of emotional ties.
Give me someone to love,
And I’ll be satisfied.
Hey Lord, it’s simple what I am asking.
Do me a favour, a simple little thing.
Hey, Lord just a moment, look me in the eye.
Give me someone to love,
And I’ll be satisfied.
Hey, Lord just listen to me, keep this man sane.
Give me the power to love again.
And I’ll be satisfied.
And I’ll be satisfied.
Don’t want Buffy or any vampire slayer.
Don’t want trouble from an Internet player.
Don’t want long blonde hair in a Lotus car.
Don’t want a siliconed television star.
Don’t want a make-up queen that needs a disguise.
Give me someone to love,
And I’ll be satisfied.
Hey Lord, it’s simple what I am asking.
Do me a favour, a simple little thing.
Hey, Lord can you give me a second try.
Give me someone to love,
And I’ll be satisfied.
Hey, Lord just listen to me, keep this man sane.
Give me the power to love again.
And I’ll be satisfied.
And I’ll be satisfied.
I want an angel I can never own.
I want a party girl that can party at home.
I want commitment everyone can see.
I want holding hands, her and me.
I want someone that knows mind.
I want someone who says ‘hands off, your mine’.
I want someone with beauty behind her eyes.
Give me someone to love,
And I’ll be satisfied.
Hey Lord, it’s simple what I am asking.
Do me a favour, a simple little thing.
Hey, Lord I’m praying you be on my side.
Give me someone to love,
And I’ll be satisfied.
Hey, Lord just listen to me, keep this man sane.
Give me the power to love again,
And I’ll be satisfied.
And I’ll be satisfied.
Give me someone to love,
And I’ll be satisfied.
And I’ll be satisfied.
© CTM 2/2/03
Sunday, 13 January 2008
Thought for the Day
We've really got to hand it to the Venetians when they invented Venetian Blinds.
Let's face it if it wasn't for them it'd be curtains for everybody.
Let's face it if it wasn't for them it'd be curtains for everybody.
Saturday, 12 January 2008
Lessons in Life 1
In the film 'The Outlaw Josey Wales' (1976), the character player by John Vernon ('Fletcher') says a line...
"Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining"
Every since I first heard it, in 1976, it has become one of life's mantras.
"Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining"
Every since I first heard it, in 1976, it has become one of life's mantras.
Surveys
There never seems a day that goes by without some survey or other being published. BBC news on the radio seems particularly fond of them. I usually ignore them.
Over the years, I have been through the following cycle.
I digress.
Today there is a survey published that says those born under the astrological sign of Cancer are most likely to have a secret affair.
The complete list is...
Cancer 11.54%
Aries 9.53%
Gemini 8.99%
Leo 8.56%
Aquarius 8.56%
Libra 8.27%
Pisces 8.03%
Sagittarius 7.86%
Scorpio 7.84%
Capricorn 7.82%
Taurus 7.72%
Virgo 5.27%
This list was made up from a dating site.
Three points.
I am a Cancerian. Supposedly home loving and homemaking. I have never had an affair at all as I believe that you should stay committed to the other person. Unlike one or two or maybe more ex's that DID have an affair. How can you be home loving and a Lothario?
What actually makes someone have an affair is that they can get away with it, they believe that what they are getting outside of the relationship is better than within it and that they had given up trying within their current relationship. It's NOTHING to do about your date of birth.
Thirdly, do my (few) readers know that 84.3238745% of all statistics are quoted inaccurately?
Over the years, I have been through the following cycle.
- 'eat margerine cos it's healthy and full of unsaturated fats'
- 'do not eat margerine cos it's not healthy and full of chemicals'
- 'dont eat butter cos its full of saturated fats'
- 'eat butter cos its natural'
I digress.
Today there is a survey published that says those born under the astrological sign of Cancer are most likely to have a secret affair.
The complete list is...
Cancer 11.54%
Aries 9.53%
Gemini 8.99%
Leo 8.56%
Aquarius 8.56%
Libra 8.27%
Pisces 8.03%
Sagittarius 7.86%
Scorpio 7.84%
Capricorn 7.82%
Taurus 7.72%
Virgo 5.27%
This list was made up from a dating site.
Three points.
I am a Cancerian. Supposedly home loving and homemaking. I have never had an affair at all as I believe that you should stay committed to the other person. Unlike one or two or maybe more ex's that DID have an affair. How can you be home loving and a Lothario?
What actually makes someone have an affair is that they can get away with it, they believe that what they are getting outside of the relationship is better than within it and that they had given up trying within their current relationship. It's NOTHING to do about your date of birth.
Thirdly, do my (few) readers know that 84.3238745% of all statistics are quoted inaccurately?
How many more in the same position?
I offer my readers this. I think that it truly shows the position that this country is presently in.
Every Brit should inwardly digest the comments made by Lucy and the Sun Columnist
Every Brit should inwardly digest the comments made by Lucy and the Sun Columnist
Monday, 7 January 2008
Best Cracker Joke Ever?
Q. What do you call a chicken in a shell suit?
A. An egg!
If you can beat this then please add a comment.
A. An egg!
If you can beat this then please add a comment.
Hollywood got it wrong... again!
Years ago, in a land where the Nissan Hut was king and Saturday nights were about being confined to campus, my school put on films. Not videos or DVDs but real films through a cranky projector that was amongst the audience. When Reel One ended, the room remained dark and you could hear the projectionists curse audibly but silently as they fumbled to change the reels as quickly as possible.
In the back half of the long Nissan hut, much snogging took place and a quick fumble betwixt girl and boy whilst those at the front waited for Reel Two.
We watched Doomwatch and others, the choice having been make by the teacher in charge of the Film Society months before. Most of the time he got it right though sometimes there was the odd turkey, about one per term!
One film that grabbed me was 'The Omega Man' starring Charlton Heston. Loved it. Great film and, for me, along with 'Soylent Green' one of the films that I could watch again and again.
OK call me a nerd, I do not care.
Therefore, I eagerly awaited the remake of 'The Omega Man' starring Will Smith which is, as you know, is called 'I Am Legend'. I went to see it. The providence was good. Great actor whom I admire and great story whose premise is unreal but believable as if it could happen. What could go wrong?
Having paid my £7.10, I sat with the Maltesers and the Fanta (which cost me almost as much as the film itself) I reposed in the cinema for my amusement and entertainment.
Well everything! It was crap! At one point you are expected to believe that the antagonist is rescued by a young slight woman and her son in the middle of the night by the 'undead' who are are deadly as pride of lions. You see roaming deer killed by rogue lions (presumably escaped from New York Zoo) and then the threat of these wild animals never appear again. You see Mr Smith's character live on the ground floor where he lives undetected until he comes back in the dark. It's too unreal with no human element. In 'The Omega Man' there was a dialog between the survivor (Heston) and the 'undead' which made the film more real.
Forget that, made the film real!
Will Smith is a great actor but he cant hold a movie on his own which this movie script essentially asks him to do. He needs a repartee between him and others to make him believable. Indeed, his dog Samantha is more convincing as an actor.
Disappointed? I sure was. Now I must look for 'The Omega Man' on DVD. Anyone got it?
In the back half of the long Nissan hut, much snogging took place and a quick fumble betwixt girl and boy whilst those at the front waited for Reel Two.
We watched Doomwatch and others, the choice having been make by the teacher in charge of the Film Society months before. Most of the time he got it right though sometimes there was the odd turkey, about one per term!
One film that grabbed me was 'The Omega Man' starring Charlton Heston. Loved it. Great film and, for me, along with 'Soylent Green' one of the films that I could watch again and again.
OK call me a nerd, I do not care.
Therefore, I eagerly awaited the remake of 'The Omega Man' starring Will Smith which is, as you know, is called 'I Am Legend'. I went to see it. The providence was good. Great actor whom I admire and great story whose premise is unreal but believable as if it could happen. What could go wrong?
Having paid my £7.10, I sat with the Maltesers and the Fanta (which cost me almost as much as the film itself) I reposed in the cinema for my amusement and entertainment.
Well everything! It was crap! At one point you are expected to believe that the antagonist is rescued by a young slight woman and her son in the middle of the night by the 'undead' who are are deadly as pride of lions. You see roaming deer killed by rogue lions (presumably escaped from New York Zoo) and then the threat of these wild animals never appear again. You see Mr Smith's character live on the ground floor where he lives undetected until he comes back in the dark. It's too unreal with no human element. In 'The Omega Man' there was a dialog between the survivor (Heston) and the 'undead' which made the film more real.
Forget that, made the film real!
Will Smith is a great actor but he cant hold a movie on his own which this movie script essentially asks him to do. He needs a repartee between him and others to make him believable. Indeed, his dog Samantha is more convincing as an actor.
Disappointed? I sure was. Now I must look for 'The Omega Man' on DVD. Anyone got it?
Saturday, 5 January 2008
The Bank Account of Jeremy Clarkson
Some say he is the man that takes the pulse of nations pubs and pro actively pontificates on the thoughts of the persons found propping up the public bar.
Some say that he eats pizza ... uncooked
All we know is he's called Jeremy Clarkson!
When the government lost all the bank details of all parents in the UK some weeks ago, this well known wit, Top Gear presenter and occasional motoring journalist gave his bank details out in his column in The Sun Newspaper.
This was to show that, actually, the details were irrelevant and that we should not be ......(typical JC pause) ....worried.
Had to laugh when in his column today, he announced that someone had set up a direct debit to take £500 from his account to the ..... (another JC pause) ... British Diabetic Association.
And, apparently, the culprit(s) cannot be found out due to the Data Protection Act. The DPA is all about the keeping of details about people on computers private. Ironic or what?
However, he did apologize that perhaps he had been a little hasty in his comments.... before.
Amazes me how he did notice that £500 had been taken from his account and waited until his statement arrived. Us mere mortals know when 5p is removed from our accounts.
Secondly it seems that if someone simply knows the sort code, bank account number and name then they can steal from you and the banks have to aid the criminal by not revealing who did it! A government law that prevents the police from finding out stuff due to the government agency's incompetence!
There is something very wrong here!
Not surprisingly and nonetheless, I like what he has to say almost all of the...time.
Some say that he eats pizza ... uncooked
All we know is he's called Jeremy Clarkson!
When the government lost all the bank details of all parents in the UK some weeks ago, this well known wit, Top Gear presenter and occasional motoring journalist gave his bank details out in his column in The Sun Newspaper.
This was to show that, actually, the details were irrelevant and that we should not be ......(typical JC pause) ....worried.
Had to laugh when in his column today, he announced that someone had set up a direct debit to take £500 from his account to the ..... (another JC pause) ... British Diabetic Association.
And, apparently, the culprit(s) cannot be found out due to the Data Protection Act. The DPA is all about the keeping of details about people on computers private. Ironic or what?
However, he did apologize that perhaps he had been a little hasty in his comments.... before.
Amazes me how he did notice that £500 had been taken from his account and waited until his statement arrived. Us mere mortals know when 5p is removed from our accounts.
Secondly it seems that if someone simply knows the sort code, bank account number and name then they can steal from you and the banks have to aid the criminal by not revealing who did it! A government law that prevents the police from finding out stuff due to the government agency's incompetence!
There is something very wrong here!
Not surprisingly and nonetheless, I like what he has to say almost all of the...time.
Friday, 4 January 2008
Migrants
The News of the World reported that Eastern European beggars are now forcing the true blue British beggars onto less profitable places. They also reported that these EC beggars are muscling in on food kitchens stopping out beggars getting their fill.
In Cambridgeshire, we have an increase of Drink Driving offences from our EC immigrants. Seems like after the magnificent effort that the Police have made over the years to tell the residents of the UK the dangers of drink driving are now blown.
Link is here.
Is this what being in Europe really means?
So...
...we as a generous peoples;
1. Can house the beggars of Europe and allow them to roam the streets,
2. And allow them to top up their 'dole' (paid for out of our taxes) from our highly taxed incomes,
3. They then buy a car with ll of our dosh,
4. So that they kill us on our streets because they drink driving.
This is madness!
In Cambridgeshire, we have an increase of Drink Driving offences from our EC immigrants. Seems like after the magnificent effort that the Police have made over the years to tell the residents of the UK the dangers of drink driving are now blown.
Link is here.
Is this what being in Europe really means?
So...
...we as a generous peoples;
1. Can house the beggars of Europe and allow them to roam the streets,
2. And allow them to top up their 'dole' (paid for out of our taxes) from our highly taxed incomes,
3. They then buy a car with ll of our dosh,
4. So that they kill us on our streets because they drink driving.
This is madness!
Thursday, 3 January 2008
Economic Models explained with Cows - 2008 update
SOCIALISM
You have 2 cows. You give one to your neighbour.
COMMUNISM
You have 2 cows. The State takes both and gives you some milk.
FASCISM
You have 2 cows. The State takes both and sells you some milk.
NAZISM
You have 2 cows. The State takes both and shoots you.
BUREAUCRATISM
You have 2 cows. The State takes both, shoots one, milks the other, and then throws the milk away...
TRADITIONAL CAPITALISM
You have two cows. You sell one and buy a bull. Your herd multiplies, and the economy grows. You sell them and retire on the income.
SURREALISM
You have two giraffes. The government requires you to take harmonica lessons
AN AMERICAN CORPORATION
You have two cows. You sell one, and force the other to produce the milk of four cows. Later, you hire a consultant to analyse why the cow has dropped dead.
A FRENCH CORPORATION
You have two cows. You go on strike, organise a riot, and block the roads, because you want three cows.
A JAPANESE CORPORATION
You have two cows. You redesign them so they are one-tenth the size of an ordinary cow and produce twenty times the milk. You then create a clever cow cartoon image called 'Cowkimon' and market it worldwide.
A GERMAN CORPORATION
You have two cows. You re-engineer them so they live for 100 years, eat once a month, and milk themselves.
AN ITALIAN CORPORATION
You have two cows, but you don't know where they are. You decide to have lunch.
A RUSSIAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You count them and learn you have five cows.
You count them again and learn you have 42 cows.
You count them again and learn you have 2 cows.
You stop counting cows and open another bottle of vodka.
A SWISS CORPORATION
You have 5000 cows. None of them belong to you. You charge the owners for storing them.
A CHINESE CORPORATION
You have two cows. You have 300 people milking them. You claim that you have full employment, and high bovine productivity. You arrest the newsman who reported the real situation.
AN INDIAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You worship them.
A BRITISH CORPORATION
You have two cows. Both are mad.
AN IRAQI CORPORATION
Everyone thinks you have lots of cows. You tell them that you have none. No-one believes you, so they bomb the out of you and invade your country. You still have no cows, but at least now you are part of a Democracy....
A NEW ZEALAND CORPORATION
You have two cows. The one on the left looks very attractive.
AN AUSTRALIAN CORPORATION
You have two cows. Business seems pretty good. You close the office and go for a few beers to celebrate.
You have 2 cows. You give one to your neighbour.
COMMUNISM
You have 2 cows. The State takes both and gives you some milk.
FASCISM
You have 2 cows. The State takes both and sells you some milk.
NAZISM
You have 2 cows. The State takes both and shoots you.
BUREAUCRATISM
You have 2 cows. The State takes both, shoots one, milks the other, and then throws the milk away...
TRADITIONAL CAPITALISM
You have two cows. You sell one and buy a bull. Your herd multiplies, and the economy grows. You sell them and retire on the income.
SURREALISM
You have two giraffes. The government requires you to take harmonica lessons
AN AMERICAN CORPORATION
You have two cows. You sell one, and force the other to produce the milk of four cows. Later, you hire a consultant to analyse why the cow has dropped dead.
A FRENCH CORPORATION
You have two cows. You go on strike, organise a riot, and block the roads, because you want three cows.
A JAPANESE CORPORATION
You have two cows. You redesign them so they are one-tenth the size of an ordinary cow and produce twenty times the milk. You then create a clever cow cartoon image called 'Cowkimon' and market it worldwide.
A GERMAN CORPORATION
You have two cows. You re-engineer them so they live for 100 years, eat once a month, and milk themselves.
AN ITALIAN CORPORATION
You have two cows, but you don't know where they are. You decide to have lunch.
A RUSSIAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You count them and learn you have five cows.
You count them again and learn you have 42 cows.
You count them again and learn you have 2 cows.
You stop counting cows and open another bottle of vodka.
A SWISS CORPORATION
You have 5000 cows. None of them belong to you. You charge the owners for storing them.
A CHINESE CORPORATION
You have two cows. You have 300 people milking them. You claim that you have full employment, and high bovine productivity. You arrest the newsman who reported the real situation.
AN INDIAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You worship them.
A BRITISH CORPORATION
You have two cows. Both are mad.
AN IRAQI CORPORATION
Everyone thinks you have lots of cows. You tell them that you have none. No-one believes you, so they bomb the out of you and invade your country. You still have no cows, but at least now you are part of a Democracy....
A NEW ZEALAND CORPORATION
You have two cows. The one on the left looks very attractive.
AN AUSTRALIAN CORPORATION
You have two cows. Business seems pretty good. You close the office and go for a few beers to celebrate.
Tuesday, 1 January 2008
The 'Last Email' Post
If someone berates and insults you and you roll over then you are being bullied and they are the bully.
If someone berates and insults you and you dare to comment back putting your side then it's called a frank exchange of views.
If someone berates and insults you aggressively and you fight back putting your side then it's called a frank exchange of views and you are not responsible for the others feelings no matter what they say.
Why is it that when some woman that berates and insults you and you have a frank exchange of views they feel entitled to play the 'you hurt my feelings' card?
Bugger the fact that I have feelings too and bugger the fact that I can be hurt!
A good example, after the frank exchange of (email) views with DTWNAD, I get the email that says in part;
You're entitled to your opinions of course but to be so personal and nastily vitriolic in them as to leave someone feeling threatened and in tears for most of the day is not the way any decent guy who respects women behaves.
Clearly this comment is about the authors 'me,me,me' complex and is crudely designed to gather sympathy and an apology. I take the view that I am not responsible for the interpretation that someone puts on my words. If you are confused, ask the question so that you understand. So no apology will be forthcoming, for if you write aggressively, dispassionately and rudely about me then I will comment back. End of!
If someone berates and insults you and you dare to comment back putting your side then it's called a frank exchange of views.
If someone berates and insults you aggressively and you fight back putting your side then it's called a frank exchange of views and you are not responsible for the others feelings no matter what they say.
Why is it that when some woman that berates and insults you and you have a frank exchange of views they feel entitled to play the 'you hurt my feelings' card?
Bugger the fact that I have feelings too and bugger the fact that I can be hurt!
A good example, after the frank exchange of (email) views with DTWNAD, I get the email that says in part;
You're entitled to your opinions of course but to be so personal and nastily vitriolic in them as to leave someone feeling threatened and in tears for most of the day is not the way any decent guy who respects women behaves.
Clearly this comment is about the authors 'me,me,me' complex and is crudely designed to gather sympathy and an apology. I take the view that I am not responsible for the interpretation that someone puts on my words. If you are confused, ask the question so that you understand. So no apology will be forthcoming, for if you write aggressively, dispassionately and rudely about me then I will comment back. End of!
Internet Dating
The good and bad of the last few days of left me to think. I have been a serial dater off the Internet for some eight/nine years and believe that it is the best way to meet other single people, and the safest particularly for women.
I have had dating experiences where it was obvious that all the date wanted was sex, and others where a LTR was the desired outcome. The profile of the 'date that was not a date' seemed to indicate that she wanted the later and hence I went into both dates (sorry, 'meetings') with that starting point. In retrospect, it all happened too fast. she messaged me on the dating site, we agreed to meet the next day which ended up to be a drunken chat in the cold outside. That was a good time as I have mentioned before. New Years Eve proved to be a disaster.
Why? In short, it was because we did not chat long enough beforehand on line to discover sufficient about each other an to see whether there was enough groundwork for the possibility of progress towards a relationship. I am always happiest on a first meeting when I have shared jokes and comment about everyday life before hand so that I may know what is to be expected. Perhaps it is me and my many layers that finds comfort behind the keyboard. I don't know for sure but I have learned that the way forward is not to be too hasty. That was the downfall here.
I made the mistake of presuming that I could make up for the lack of Internet chat on the first date, sorry meeting and she, from my point of view, did not realize that dating does not simply happen. You need to do your groundwork (which I did not) and come to the meeting prepared (and knowing) what your outcome should be.
Anyway, I shall move on and date again. When and where is the question but it wont be tomorrow!
I have had dating experiences where it was obvious that all the date wanted was sex, and others where a LTR was the desired outcome. The profile of the 'date that was not a date' seemed to indicate that she wanted the later and hence I went into both dates (sorry, 'meetings') with that starting point. In retrospect, it all happened too fast. she messaged me on the dating site, we agreed to meet the next day which ended up to be a drunken chat in the cold outside. That was a good time as I have mentioned before. New Years Eve proved to be a disaster.
Why? In short, it was because we did not chat long enough beforehand on line to discover sufficient about each other an to see whether there was enough groundwork for the possibility of progress towards a relationship. I am always happiest on a first meeting when I have shared jokes and comment about everyday life before hand so that I may know what is to be expected. Perhaps it is me and my many layers that finds comfort behind the keyboard. I don't know for sure but I have learned that the way forward is not to be too hasty. That was the downfall here.
I made the mistake of presuming that I could make up for the lack of Internet chat on the first date, sorry meeting and she, from my point of view, did not realize that dating does not simply happen. You need to do your groundwork (which I did not) and come to the meeting prepared (and knowing) what your outcome should be.
Anyway, I shall move on and date again. When and where is the question but it wont be tomorrow!
The 'Date That Was not a Date' II
New Years Eve always has had that feeling of expectancy, the feeling that a new dawn is upon us and a hope that the new year will be better than the last even if the last year was fantastic.
It was in this mood that I accepted the invitation to escort the 'date that was not a date' and have a lunchtime drink with her. Whereas the previous date was fun and laughter, this one was terse and unpleasant. There became a mood that underpinned an attitude that revealed the true direction that she wanted to go in any future relationship.
As equals? No at all.
As differing people that were symbiotic in the coupling? Hell, no!
Rather, I came to the conclusion that she needed to be in control and effectively manage all aspects of any relationship she was in. Now I am not adverse to people that exist in that kind of relationship but before her assumption, I would have thought that she would have needed to find out for herself where I stood.
She emailed me today with venom saying that she did not want to continue. Instead of a LTR that I was looking for, she stated that she wanted to go on plenty of dates and have fun. Fair enough, but there was no need to be so harsh about it. All that needed to be said was that 'the chemistry was not right' or similar. However, there was much (unnecessary and ungrounded) criticism of me and petty digs based upon the odd word or misheard phrase that I was supposed to have said on the 'date that was not a date II'. The emails even went so far as to offer personal advice on issues. All this after two meetings!
I replied, of course, and it became clear that she needed to state things in a way that gave to her psyche apparent control. Therefore she felt free to comment aggressively about me but did not like it when the reverse occurred. The culmination was when I pointed out how I felt about her gold digger status...
1. You did not pay for a drink at <>. Whilst you bought your rounds at <>, you made future intentions clear that once hooked, you wanted to continue on a basis that you were pampered.
2. You pushed for a restaurant that you wanted and never mentioned how it was to to be paid for. Clearly, you were trying to get me to pay for the 'date'. From what you said, it was clear that a 'date' means that the bloke pays.
3. You walked ahead of me for most of the time when we walked to and from the hotel and pub which indicates that you feel that you feel that you should lead a relationship.
4. Your eyes, when we were talking looked to my side which indicates that you were not quite telling the truth. Doing such a thing indicates that you are thinking about being on control and want to exploit the situation.
5. Your suggestion of a first date on the <> website indicates an extravagance that is beyond a first date. You actually do not want a date, more a vehicle to allow you do things you would not normally afford. It's not a simple meet for a coffee or beer but a trip out.....
I will not be contacting her again.
It was in this mood that I accepted the invitation to escort the 'date that was not a date' and have a lunchtime drink with her. Whereas the previous date was fun and laughter, this one was terse and unpleasant. There became a mood that underpinned an attitude that revealed the true direction that she wanted to go in any future relationship.
As equals? No at all.
As differing people that were symbiotic in the coupling? Hell, no!
Rather, I came to the conclusion that she needed to be in control and effectively manage all aspects of any relationship she was in. Now I am not adverse to people that exist in that kind of relationship but before her assumption, I would have thought that she would have needed to find out for herself where I stood.
She emailed me today with venom saying that she did not want to continue. Instead of a LTR that I was looking for, she stated that she wanted to go on plenty of dates and have fun. Fair enough, but there was no need to be so harsh about it. All that needed to be said was that 'the chemistry was not right' or similar. However, there was much (unnecessary and ungrounded) criticism of me and petty digs based upon the odd word or misheard phrase that I was supposed to have said on the 'date that was not a date II'. The emails even went so far as to offer personal advice on issues. All this after two meetings!
I replied, of course, and it became clear that she needed to state things in a way that gave to her psyche apparent control. Therefore she felt free to comment aggressively about me but did not like it when the reverse occurred. The culmination was when I pointed out how I felt about her gold digger status...
1. You did not pay for a drink at <
2. You pushed for a restaurant that you wanted and never mentioned how it was to to be paid for. Clearly, you were trying to get me to pay for the 'date'. From what you said, it was clear that a 'date' means that the bloke pays.
3. You walked ahead of me for most of the time when we walked to and from the hotel and pub which indicates that you feel that you feel that you should lead a relationship.
4. Your eyes, when we were talking looked to my side which indicates that you were not quite telling the truth. Doing such a thing indicates that you are thinking about being on control and want to exploit the situation.
5. Your suggestion of a first date on the <
I will not be contacting her again.
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