Hello Folks
Well here we are at Hogmanay again. God knows where the time goes to. With 2 wee ones our Hogmanay will be a quiet one, at home, couple of beers, watch the (repeated) Still Game, avoid the now turgid Only an Excuse and to bed by 1am.
I know it's cliched to lament the death of this Scottish Tradition, but I'm going to anyway. Gone are the days of first footing. As a kid I sat in my grandparent's house with an Advocaat or Snowball. As the Grieve of the farm, all the workers came to Granda's house for a dram. It was the only night of the year he drank (apart from the occasional Sweetheart Stout which I still have a fondness for) and a smile still comes to my face as I remember my Dad and Uncle helping him to his bed!
As I grew older I'd go into the village and go round the houses until the early morning. You knew everyone and were welcome everywhere.
Now New Year is organised, forced jollity. It's become a parody. I can't think of anything worse than standing in the centre of Edinburgh with a bunch of Tarquins and Cecilias dressed in tartan telling you how their great great uncle was "Scotch" and how they love our quaint traditions..........
As is also traditional, it threw it down with snow here last night, we had around 8 inches, so I've spent a good chunk of the day clearing snow. In our whole street I think three of us have done so. The rest are probably sitting writing letters to the Evening Express to complain about it.
Now I know the city council have been a disgrace and many older people are housebound because of the mess of the pavements, but I have to say we have had people clearing the pavements almost daily and the gritter was round the street today.
People need to take a bit of responsibility for their own lives. It took me a hour to clear the snow, gave me some exercise and it was a beautiful day to be out.
As our street is full of single mothers and single blokes in their 30s who have inexplicably been given pensioner's houses by the council (I dare say they have 'issues' which mean they just have to jump to the top of the council house queue), you would think they would get off their arses and do a bit of light manual labour and maybe do their pensioner neighbour's path while they are at it.
But nope, no sign of them. Society is dead right enough. However to be a 'local' here you have to have lived here since birth and be able to trace your family back 5 generations.
New Year's resolution - don't get so worked up about the insular inhabitants of the village I live in!!
Have a great Hogmanay and see you all in 2010.
Last music recommendation for this year is a classic Come Together by the Beatles.
Thursday, 31 December 2009
Thursday, 24 December 2009
Merry Xmas
Hello All!
Apologies for the distinct lack of blogs over the past week, but it's been all go for me. As most of you will know, this has been mainly for two reasons.
Firstly I have resigned from work and start back at my old workplace again in the new year! Sometimes you have to take it on the chin, admit you've made a mistake and rectify it. Luckily I've been asked back and am really looking forward to getting back into it in 2010.
We have also had real problems at MacBeth Towers, having been without heating for three days. Thanks to the local plumber our boiler has been fixed and all is well before Christmas. The joys of old houses, they have more character but problems like this occur frequently.
So I'm now away to try and scrape a 2 year old and 7 year old off the ceiling!
I may blog now and again over the holiday period, but for now have a fantastic Christmas.
And remember to listen to the classics by Slade "Merry Xmas Everybody", Wizzard "I wish it could be Xmas everyday" and Jonah Lewie "Stop the Cavalry".
Apologies for the distinct lack of blogs over the past week, but it's been all go for me. As most of you will know, this has been mainly for two reasons.
Firstly I have resigned from work and start back at my old workplace again in the new year! Sometimes you have to take it on the chin, admit you've made a mistake and rectify it. Luckily I've been asked back and am really looking forward to getting back into it in 2010.
We have also had real problems at MacBeth Towers, having been without heating for three days. Thanks to the local plumber our boiler has been fixed and all is well before Christmas. The joys of old houses, they have more character but problems like this occur frequently.
So I'm now away to try and scrape a 2 year old and 7 year old off the ceiling!
I may blog now and again over the holiday period, but for now have a fantastic Christmas.
And remember to listen to the classics by Slade "Merry Xmas Everybody", Wizzard "I wish it could be Xmas everyday" and Jonah Lewie "Stop the Cavalry".
Wednesday, 16 December 2009
Private Sector Monopoly
First Bus can be held up as a local Aberdeen based company who have expanded internationally and been a success story. It's a real pity that in the city where it all began for them (with a buy out of the old corporation bus company) their reputation is somewhere akin to Margaret Thatcher's in the Govan Working Man's Bowling Club.
Both the management and the unions have managed to make decisions over the past year that beggar belief. Firstly the Unions decided in their wisdom to hold a series of strikes in the middle of a recession. The management have now decided to cut services to the Bridge of Don, the largest private housing estate in Europe. You wonder what goes through these people's heads.
First have a monopoly in Aberdeen and it really is time some competition was introduced to gee them out of their arrogant complacency. Regardless of whether it's the private or public service a monopoly is an unhealthy state of affairs.
Thank goodness I have no requirement or wish to use public transport. I agree with Jeremy Clarkson on this - it should only be used by people with eye infections who cannot drive temporarily!
Up until Christmas I'll be recommending my favourite Xmas music. Tonight I go for one of my top three of all time, The Pogues with Kirsty MacColl, "Fairytale of New York". Their voices shouldn't complement each other, but they do. Listen to the lyrics, they are heartbreaking. Shane McGowan's finest hour.
Both the management and the unions have managed to make decisions over the past year that beggar belief. Firstly the Unions decided in their wisdom to hold a series of strikes in the middle of a recession. The management have now decided to cut services to the Bridge of Don, the largest private housing estate in Europe. You wonder what goes through these people's heads.
First have a monopoly in Aberdeen and it really is time some competition was introduced to gee them out of their arrogant complacency. Regardless of whether it's the private or public service a monopoly is an unhealthy state of affairs.
Thank goodness I have no requirement or wish to use public transport. I agree with Jeremy Clarkson on this - it should only be used by people with eye infections who cannot drive temporarily!
Up until Christmas I'll be recommending my favourite Xmas music. Tonight I go for one of my top three of all time, The Pogues with Kirsty MacColl, "Fairytale of New York". Their voices shouldn't complement each other, but they do. Listen to the lyrics, they are heartbreaking. Shane McGowan's finest hour.
Monday, 14 December 2009
Golden Oldies -v- Cowell's Puppets
Simon Cowell. Love him or hate him you have to admire him. He has taken over both the music industry and weekend television of this country completely. If it's not X Factor, it's Britain's Got Talent. He has a captive audience, parents with young children who no longer go out at the weekends. I am one of them. Week after week I watch. With his ruse this year to stagger the X Factor over Saturday and Sunday he has totally captured the audience he preys on.
I must admit I prefer the early part of the series when loads of wannabees are systematically dismantled. That old British tradition of eccentrics is alive and well and being nurtured by the Cowellmeister. Some say it's cruel, but I say these people know what they're getting into and they volunteer themselves to be put at his mercy. I do have a bit of an issue with the Susan Boyle character from Britain's Got Talent however as she does seem to be a little unstable. I'm not such a fan of this show, but that's more an issue of an intense dislike of Piers "Morgan" Moron.
So this Joe individual won this year's competition. He can sing, no doubt, but is such a personality vacuum he could easily be a piece of cardboard. Like the Leona Lewis person, you really cannot see them throwing TVs out of hotel windows, doing copious lines of coke and smashing guitars on stage. He will disappear without trace in 18 months max.
On the flip side, along with a regular reader of this blog I attended the Simple Minds and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark Concert in Aberdeen on Saturday night.
Simple Minds were disappointing it has to be said. The music was too loud and drowned out Jim Kerr's admittedly failing vocals. Age seems to be catching up with a man, who at his pomp 25 years ago was the front man of the biggest band on the planet. However the 2nd half improved as the backing music was turned down a notch and they stormed through their back catalogue from their early to mid 80s pomp. They must be the only band in the world who don't play their only number 1 single live. I guess Belfast Child and it's political overtures don't cut it 20 years on.
The absolute stars of the night however were OMD. Massively under-rated because of the immenseness of their electronic pioneering peers (Kraftwerk and Joy Division), they blasted through a back catalogue of such quality that they put modern bands to shame. If you do not have their best of album, but it tonight. 90% of it still sounds as fresh as a daisy. Andy McClusky absolutely loved being back in front of a big crowd. They were note perfect. Come back soon on your own guys. Just a pity they didn't play my own personal favourite, If You Leave. But I'll leave you with a recommendation to listen to Maid of Orleans and Enola Gay. As good as anything New Order have released. Fashions are a terrible thing.
I must admit I prefer the early part of the series when loads of wannabees are systematically dismantled. That old British tradition of eccentrics is alive and well and being nurtured by the Cowellmeister. Some say it's cruel, but I say these people know what they're getting into and they volunteer themselves to be put at his mercy. I do have a bit of an issue with the Susan Boyle character from Britain's Got Talent however as she does seem to be a little unstable. I'm not such a fan of this show, but that's more an issue of an intense dislike of Piers "Morgan" Moron.
So this Joe individual won this year's competition. He can sing, no doubt, but is such a personality vacuum he could easily be a piece of cardboard. Like the Leona Lewis person, you really cannot see them throwing TVs out of hotel windows, doing copious lines of coke and smashing guitars on stage. He will disappear without trace in 18 months max.
On the flip side, along with a regular reader of this blog I attended the Simple Minds and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark Concert in Aberdeen on Saturday night.
Simple Minds were disappointing it has to be said. The music was too loud and drowned out Jim Kerr's admittedly failing vocals. Age seems to be catching up with a man, who at his pomp 25 years ago was the front man of the biggest band on the planet. However the 2nd half improved as the backing music was turned down a notch and they stormed through their back catalogue from their early to mid 80s pomp. They must be the only band in the world who don't play their only number 1 single live. I guess Belfast Child and it's political overtures don't cut it 20 years on.
The absolute stars of the night however were OMD. Massively under-rated because of the immenseness of their electronic pioneering peers (Kraftwerk and Joy Division), they blasted through a back catalogue of such quality that they put modern bands to shame. If you do not have their best of album, but it tonight. 90% of it still sounds as fresh as a daisy. Andy McClusky absolutely loved being back in front of a big crowd. They were note perfect. Come back soon on your own guys. Just a pity they didn't play my own personal favourite, If You Leave. But I'll leave you with a recommendation to listen to Maid of Orleans and Enola Gay. As good as anything New Order have released. Fashions are a terrible thing.
Friday, 11 December 2009
Where will it End?
I keep coming back in this blog to the utter mess of the finances of the country. I know it may be boring, but it can't be underestimated. Our children and grandchildren will be paying for the complete and utter disaster. The numbers hurt your eyes. And still the bad news keeps coming and coming. As the title of this blog says, when will it all end. Here's just a few more snippets for you to ponder over your favourite malt this chilly December evening:
A regular Tragic Kingdom reader advises me that we're now in the Armageddon situation of the income tax from those in employment not even covering the benefit handouts to those who are "not economically active".
It's now being reported that, in the middle of a war which has all the hallmarks of becoming another Vietnam clusterfuck, massive defence cuts are on the way. This includes scaling back our presence in Cyprus, slashing the numbers of MoD Police and closing an air base in the UK. The two new aircraft carriers are in danger of being shelved too. Pound to a penny the air base to close will be Leuchers, Kinloss or Lossiemouth.
Brown has just spunked another £1.5 Billion at Copenhagen to sate his ego yet again purporting to be the man saving the world. This is far more than the Germans or French. Of course they have leaders who operate in the real world.
When will this mad man be stopped?
It really is time for Mandelson to take a glass of brandy and revolver to Brown's study for the good of the country.
Music tonight is a fantastic cover of the Neil Diamond song "Girl you'll be a Woman Soon" by Urge Overkill.
A regular Tragic Kingdom reader advises me that we're now in the Armageddon situation of the income tax from those in employment not even covering the benefit handouts to those who are "not economically active".
It's now being reported that, in the middle of a war which has all the hallmarks of becoming another Vietnam clusterfuck, massive defence cuts are on the way. This includes scaling back our presence in Cyprus, slashing the numbers of MoD Police and closing an air base in the UK. The two new aircraft carriers are in danger of being shelved too. Pound to a penny the air base to close will be Leuchers, Kinloss or Lossiemouth.
Brown has just spunked another £1.5 Billion at Copenhagen to sate his ego yet again purporting to be the man saving the world. This is far more than the Germans or French. Of course they have leaders who operate in the real world.
When will this mad man be stopped?
It really is time for Mandelson to take a glass of brandy and revolver to Brown's study for the good of the country.
Music tonight is a fantastic cover of the Neil Diamond song "Girl you'll be a Woman Soon" by Urge Overkill.
Thursday, 10 December 2009
England - World Cup Winners 2010
Well done to our Southern neighbours for winning the World Cup, with a display of open attacking football not seen since the Brazil team of 1970 (or the Hibs team of the mid naughties if you believe the Glasgow press)......oh hold on a minute it doesn't start for another 6 months.
As usual our friends in the south have gone into overdrive with the overblown arrogance and confidence before a ball's been kicked. Apparently the Sun (I feel dirty typing the name) had a headline the day after the draw:
England
Algeria
Slovenia
Yanks
See what they did there? It's the same every time. Already they've decided who they'll play right up to the Final. Do they EVER learn? WILL they ever learn?
The English media must be the most jingoistic, narrow minded, pig ignorant bunch of retarded monkeys this side of the Daily Record.
Every time I also promise myself I won't get wound up about it. But I can't help it. I think it's because we're a captive audience up here, getting the feeds from ITV, BBC and Sky which are naturally England biased when it comes to the World Cup. ITV and Sky can do what they like, but the BBC is publicly funded, so Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland should have their own studios with punditry to suit.
I'm not suggesting I hate England as a nation, I love a cheeky wee weekend in London as much as anyone, it's the jingoistic media nonsense that you have little chance of avoiding that gets on my tits. The thought of these bastards going on endlessly about a World Cup win is too much to bear - see Ashes win 1995 + Rugby World Cup win and multiply it by thousands. I didn't mind the Ashes overkill - the old hypocrite that I am, I support England in the cricket - but the egg chasing win was hard to bear - that Brian Moore bloke is an insufferable shit at the best of times. He should be made to change his name, it's an insult to the legendary commentator.
Motty, Lawro, Hansen, Wrighty, Lineker, Tyldesly, Green et all just do your head in with their shite. At least two of them are playing at being English which makes it even worse (3 if you include Lawro who played for the Republic of Ireland).
For what it's worth I think they'll do their usual by worrying me half to death by getting to the Quarters before going out in a hilarious fashion to the first half decent side they meet. Hopefully a missed penalty by one of the irritants - Stevie Me or Cashley Hole would do nicely.
If Radio Scotland are doing commentary, I might put the sound down on the telly and listen to that.
Yours in Sport, Mr Narrow Minded Chip on Shoulder Jocko.
Music tonight is Caledonia by Frankie Miller. How everyone should feel about their home country. Never fails to bring a lump to the throat, so God knows how it must be if you listen to it whilst away from Ecosse.
As usual our friends in the south have gone into overdrive with the overblown arrogance and confidence before a ball's been kicked. Apparently the Sun (I feel dirty typing the name) had a headline the day after the draw:
England
Algeria
Slovenia
Yanks
See what they did there? It's the same every time. Already they've decided who they'll play right up to the Final. Do they EVER learn? WILL they ever learn?
The English media must be the most jingoistic, narrow minded, pig ignorant bunch of retarded monkeys this side of the Daily Record.
Every time I also promise myself I won't get wound up about it. But I can't help it. I think it's because we're a captive audience up here, getting the feeds from ITV, BBC and Sky which are naturally England biased when it comes to the World Cup. ITV and Sky can do what they like, but the BBC is publicly funded, so Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland should have their own studios with punditry to suit.
I'm not suggesting I hate England as a nation, I love a cheeky wee weekend in London as much as anyone, it's the jingoistic media nonsense that you have little chance of avoiding that gets on my tits. The thought of these bastards going on endlessly about a World Cup win is too much to bear - see Ashes win 1995 + Rugby World Cup win and multiply it by thousands. I didn't mind the Ashes overkill - the old hypocrite that I am, I support England in the cricket - but the egg chasing win was hard to bear - that Brian Moore bloke is an insufferable shit at the best of times. He should be made to change his name, it's an insult to the legendary commentator.
Motty, Lawro, Hansen, Wrighty, Lineker, Tyldesly, Green et all just do your head in with their shite. At least two of them are playing at being English which makes it even worse (3 if you include Lawro who played for the Republic of Ireland).
For what it's worth I think they'll do their usual by worrying me half to death by getting to the Quarters before going out in a hilarious fashion to the first half decent side they meet. Hopefully a missed penalty by one of the irritants - Stevie Me or Cashley Hole would do nicely.
If Radio Scotland are doing commentary, I might put the sound down on the telly and listen to that.
Yours in Sport, Mr Narrow Minded Chip on Shoulder Jocko.
Music tonight is Caledonia by Frankie Miller. How everyone should feel about their home country. Never fails to bring a lump to the throat, so God knows how it must be if you listen to it whilst away from Ecosse.
Tuesday, 8 December 2009
Climate Change
The Copenhagen summit is upon us and Climate Change is again at the top of the agenda. We're being bombarded with propaganda, the latest being that this is the warmest decade on record. Government officials are queuing up to let it be known that anyone who has any reservations or a differing point of view about the fact the world is warming up are "flat earthers" and "deniers". The deniers tag is abhorrent with it's deliberate connotations with the holocaust.
The emails from the CRU suggesting that there's been deliberate omissions in data have been given little credence. Our State Broadcaster has announced the "science is settled" and has abandoned it's Charter to become a propaganda mouthpiece for the "warmists".
Maybe the world is hotting up. Maybe it's not. I don't know. Because I've never been given the evidence to make up my own mind. All I've seen and read is biased nonsense from both sides. No real raw evidence. Just Polar Bears on shrinking icebergs or parts of emails telling people to bury evidence that doesn't fit the agenda. The powers that be and scientists whose livelihoods depend on their being global warming have told us they have the evidence to hand and that's that.
If they can give me satisfactory answers to the following questions, I will take the inevitable crushing taxes that are coming my way in the name of 'saving the planet' with a stiff upper lip as I will then know I'm doing it to make sure my sons live in a sustainable world:
What has happened over the past 35 years which has changed the experts minds from predicting an impending ice age to rampant global warming? Something catastrophic must have occurred for such a sea change in their mindset.
How do you explain the warmth spikes over the centuries, including a time when you could grow grapes as far north as York, when there were no cars etc to increase the heat?
How is the current cooling of temperature within Antarctica explained?
Explain this and have a truly independent research centre, which does not have to work to a Government Agenda to receive its grants and I'll be satisfied. Some of us want data and answers. We are not all brain deads who will do as we are told just because Nanny tells us it's for our own good.
Music tonight from a classic Scottish band from the late 80s - Hipsway with Tinder - a slice of laid back pop. The whole album (eponymously named) is outstanding, no bad tracks and well worth a listen.
The emails from the CRU suggesting that there's been deliberate omissions in data have been given little credence. Our State Broadcaster has announced the "science is settled" and has abandoned it's Charter to become a propaganda mouthpiece for the "warmists".
Maybe the world is hotting up. Maybe it's not. I don't know. Because I've never been given the evidence to make up my own mind. All I've seen and read is biased nonsense from both sides. No real raw evidence. Just Polar Bears on shrinking icebergs or parts of emails telling people to bury evidence that doesn't fit the agenda. The powers that be and scientists whose livelihoods depend on their being global warming have told us they have the evidence to hand and that's that.
If they can give me satisfactory answers to the following questions, I will take the inevitable crushing taxes that are coming my way in the name of 'saving the planet' with a stiff upper lip as I will then know I'm doing it to make sure my sons live in a sustainable world:
What has happened over the past 35 years which has changed the experts minds from predicting an impending ice age to rampant global warming? Something catastrophic must have occurred for such a sea change in their mindset.
How do you explain the warmth spikes over the centuries, including a time when you could grow grapes as far north as York, when there were no cars etc to increase the heat?
How is the current cooling of temperature within Antarctica explained?
Explain this and have a truly independent research centre, which does not have to work to a Government Agenda to receive its grants and I'll be satisfied. Some of us want data and answers. We are not all brain deads who will do as we are told just because Nanny tells us it's for our own good.
Music tonight from a classic Scottish band from the late 80s - Hipsway with Tinder - a slice of laid back pop. The whole album (eponymously named) is outstanding, no bad tracks and well worth a listen.
Saturday, 5 December 2009
Inform the Cokeheads, Hammer the Social Drinker
So this weekend is Cocaine awareness weekend. Yes you did read that properly. The glorified county council in Edinburgh are wasting yet more of our money, highlighting to "revellers" the dangers of using cocaine.
Community Safety Minister Fergus Ewing (aka Principal Nanny) said: "Many young people are not aware of the risks involved in cocaine use and the Scottish government want to ensure they have all the facts by providing clear information in pubs, clubs and student unions."
Give the young the facts about cocaine use. Did I miss the meeting when coke was legalised?
Contrast this liberal, namby pamby, "understanding and getting down with the kids whilst they indulge in illegal activities" bullshit with the rhetoric they save for moderate alcohol drinkers. You know that (just about) legal drug. You have a couple of glasses of wine on a Friday night after a hard week at work and you're a binge drinking, anti-social pariah who should be shot at dawn.
Snort coke and you're a young, liberal free thinking citizen, exercising your right to participate in illegal activities - as long as you have the facts, which have been helpfully passed to you by the caring government.
What next - Government Ministers out and about checking it before the cokeheads snort it to see if it's 100% pure or if someone has chucked some bicarbonate of soda in it.
Coming soon - Alex Salmond in Soul Bar, nodding his head at a gang of neds saying, "that's good shit dudes"
What is this country coming to?
Simple recommendation today for the music - it has to be Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel - White Lines (Don't do it), which should be the message being given........
Community Safety Minister Fergus Ewing (aka Principal Nanny) said: "Many young people are not aware of the risks involved in cocaine use and the Scottish government want to ensure they have all the facts by providing clear information in pubs, clubs and student unions."
Give the young the facts about cocaine use. Did I miss the meeting when coke was legalised?
Contrast this liberal, namby pamby, "understanding and getting down with the kids whilst they indulge in illegal activities" bullshit with the rhetoric they save for moderate alcohol drinkers. You know that (just about) legal drug. You have a couple of glasses of wine on a Friday night after a hard week at work and you're a binge drinking, anti-social pariah who should be shot at dawn.
Snort coke and you're a young, liberal free thinking citizen, exercising your right to participate in illegal activities - as long as you have the facts, which have been helpfully passed to you by the caring government.
What next - Government Ministers out and about checking it before the cokeheads snort it to see if it's 100% pure or if someone has chucked some bicarbonate of soda in it.
Coming soon - Alex Salmond in Soul Bar, nodding his head at a gang of neds saying, "that's good shit dudes"
What is this country coming to?
Simple recommendation today for the music - it has to be Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel - White Lines (Don't do it), which should be the message being given........
Wednesday, 2 December 2009
More Grief from the Great Unwashed
Evening All. Well here's me sitting on my lonesome, Mrs MacBeth in bed suffering from the tonsillitis/bug that has laid our oldest son low and the youngest still not 100% either, so they are all in the isolation room (the eldest's bedroom!!).
Well chaps and chapesses I know how much you enjoy my real life stories and issues and I've another for you today. I was driving off to a Client meeting and as I approached a junction the quintessential neolithic man deliberately stepped off the pavement and walked at snail's pace across the road, making me brake heavily and wait for him to cross. You know the type, Benny from Crossroads hat, cheap nylon tracksuit, cheap trainers, protruding forehead and permanent scowl.
When he had finally crossed the road, I rolled down my window and inquired of him, "When did jaywalking become the pastime of choice for hard men?".
He replied, "F*** off, you four eyed C***".
To which I retorted, "Armando Iannucci, eat your heart out".
By the completely blank expression on his face, it was obvious he had no idea who the genius involved in the likes of I'm Alan Partridge and The Thick of It was.
I shook my head and drove off, with him standing there with his middle finger raised in a cheery goodbye.
This bone-from-the-neck-up prick deliberately provoked this confrontation. Yes I shouldn't have risen to the bait, but I'm sick to death of these absolute brain deads. The country is full to the brim with them. Scotland used to have an education system which was the envy of the world. Is it failing, or is it the case that we now have a generation of people who are impossible to educate regardless of how talented the teachers are?
Has the breakdown of what liberals would call the "old fashioned family unit" bred a generation of people with no values or interest in educating and bettering themselves? Or am I just a sad old git who doesn't understand the wants and needs of these challenged individuals with all their apparent 'issues'?
I'm off to watch the next episode of A History of Scotland I have on Sky+. Professor Neil Oliver wouldn't call me a four eyed c***
Music tonight "Bankrobber" by the Clash. Not as obvious as London Calling or I Fought the Law, but listen to Strummer's angry, aggressive vocals. Mr Jaywalker could learn a thing or two about aggression and intimidation from a man who channeled his anger in a creative manner.
Well chaps and chapesses I know how much you enjoy my real life stories and issues and I've another for you today. I was driving off to a Client meeting and as I approached a junction the quintessential neolithic man deliberately stepped off the pavement and walked at snail's pace across the road, making me brake heavily and wait for him to cross. You know the type, Benny from Crossroads hat, cheap nylon tracksuit, cheap trainers, protruding forehead and permanent scowl.
When he had finally crossed the road, I rolled down my window and inquired of him, "When did jaywalking become the pastime of choice for hard men?".
He replied, "F*** off, you four eyed C***".
To which I retorted, "Armando Iannucci, eat your heart out".
By the completely blank expression on his face, it was obvious he had no idea who the genius involved in the likes of I'm Alan Partridge and The Thick of It was.
I shook my head and drove off, with him standing there with his middle finger raised in a cheery goodbye.
This bone-from-the-neck-up prick deliberately provoked this confrontation. Yes I shouldn't have risen to the bait, but I'm sick to death of these absolute brain deads. The country is full to the brim with them. Scotland used to have an education system which was the envy of the world. Is it failing, or is it the case that we now have a generation of people who are impossible to educate regardless of how talented the teachers are?
Has the breakdown of what liberals would call the "old fashioned family unit" bred a generation of people with no values or interest in educating and bettering themselves? Or am I just a sad old git who doesn't understand the wants and needs of these challenged individuals with all their apparent 'issues'?
I'm off to watch the next episode of A History of Scotland I have on Sky+. Professor Neil Oliver wouldn't call me a four eyed c***
Music tonight "Bankrobber" by the Clash. Not as obvious as London Calling or I Fought the Law, but listen to Strummer's angry, aggressive vocals. Mr Jaywalker could learn a thing or two about aggression and intimidation from a man who channeled his anger in a creative manner.
Monday, 30 November 2009
Aberdeen City Centre Update and a lot of Digression
Happy St Andrew's day. Isn't it a disgrace that we seem to celebrate the patron Saint of Ireland more than our own? They've tried to steal our national sport and pass it off as their own (golf) and aided and abetted by the drinks trade have tried to brainwash a generation into thinking St Patrick is our Saint. But I digress.
Sorry I've not blogged a great deal lately, was under the weather last week and now the boys aren't great (heavy cold and tonsillitis respectively). But again this is not the thrust of this evening's blog.
Aberdeen City Centre is in the news a lot. If you believe the local media and the Police it's like Tombstone on Union Street of a weekend. Wasn't Val Kilmer superb in that film his finest hour I'd say - what happened to him?
Anyway when 5 people who read this blog and would not be too upset if I called them middle aged ventured into the Wild West this weekend I thought it was a good chance to judge for myself and I have to say I've come back with a confused picture.
The Police have been bigging up in the local radio today a build up of SS Stormtrooper proportions of Officers to Police the City Centre from the weekend just past until after the Festive Period (or should I call it Winterval so as not to upset my diverse, multi-cultural readership) to combat this anti-social behaviour. This instantly confuses me as this is the time of year when people who are not normally in Aberdeen go out for Christmas Parties, so it's not the usual "ned" element who are the main pub goers. Maybe the Police are very worried about gangs of middle aged Administration Assistants seducing said neds in Chicago Rock (if it's still open!?).
Anyway back to our night out in the Bronx. After a lovely tapas meal in Eljos (highly recommended) we went for a quick drink before we retired for the evening and sure enough outside the pub a young lad was cornered by 5 cops. Now we couldn't hear what was going on, but he didn't seem to have caused too much of a rumpus and it certainly appeared that being surrounded by so many Police wound him up a damed sight more than he had been before they arrived mob handed. A Police van then turned up and this made him struggle with them as he obviously knew the inevitable trip to Queen Street was about to happen - it all seemed very heavy handed.
We then walked half the length of Union Street passing various drunks and one loud and aggressive female who was certainly committing a breach of the peace, with no Police to be seen whatsoever - I guess they were all in the Maria with the solitary guy they'd picked up half an hour before.
I appreciate they cannot be everywhere, but for it to take 5 of them to lift one guy for a seemingly minor Breach of the Peace, whilst the rest of the main thoroughfare was bereft of uniforms seems madness.
I have to say though in certain pubs there is an undercurrent of menace. The place in which we were having "one for the road" was full of real undesirables. A large contingent of them had plunked themselves right in the centre of the pub and were not moving for anyone who tried to get past. You got the feeling this was deliberate and they were dying for someone to make an issue of it so they could turn nasty. Complete bell-ends.
Can't finish my first blog of this week without commenting on the big news of the weekend - Aberdeen 1 Rangers 0. Well done Dons you did us proud!
After this blog only one song recommendationcan be appropriate - Elton John's "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting."
Sorry I've not blogged a great deal lately, was under the weather last week and now the boys aren't great (heavy cold and tonsillitis respectively). But again this is not the thrust of this evening's blog.
Aberdeen City Centre is in the news a lot. If you believe the local media and the Police it's like Tombstone on Union Street of a weekend. Wasn't Val Kilmer superb in that film his finest hour I'd say - what happened to him?
Anyway when 5 people who read this blog and would not be too upset if I called them middle aged ventured into the Wild West this weekend I thought it was a good chance to judge for myself and I have to say I've come back with a confused picture.
The Police have been bigging up in the local radio today a build up of SS Stormtrooper proportions of Officers to Police the City Centre from the weekend just past until after the Festive Period (or should I call it Winterval so as not to upset my diverse, multi-cultural readership) to combat this anti-social behaviour. This instantly confuses me as this is the time of year when people who are not normally in Aberdeen go out for Christmas Parties, so it's not the usual "ned" element who are the main pub goers. Maybe the Police are very worried about gangs of middle aged Administration Assistants seducing said neds in Chicago Rock (if it's still open!?).
Anyway back to our night out in the Bronx. After a lovely tapas meal in Eljos (highly recommended) we went for a quick drink before we retired for the evening and sure enough outside the pub a young lad was cornered by 5 cops. Now we couldn't hear what was going on, but he didn't seem to have caused too much of a rumpus and it certainly appeared that being surrounded by so many Police wound him up a damed sight more than he had been before they arrived mob handed. A Police van then turned up and this made him struggle with them as he obviously knew the inevitable trip to Queen Street was about to happen - it all seemed very heavy handed.
We then walked half the length of Union Street passing various drunks and one loud and aggressive female who was certainly committing a breach of the peace, with no Police to be seen whatsoever - I guess they were all in the Maria with the solitary guy they'd picked up half an hour before.
I appreciate they cannot be everywhere, but for it to take 5 of them to lift one guy for a seemingly minor Breach of the Peace, whilst the rest of the main thoroughfare was bereft of uniforms seems madness.
I have to say though in certain pubs there is an undercurrent of menace. The place in which we were having "one for the road" was full of real undesirables. A large contingent of them had plunked themselves right in the centre of the pub and were not moving for anyone who tried to get past. You got the feeling this was deliberate and they were dying for someone to make an issue of it so they could turn nasty. Complete bell-ends.
Can't finish my first blog of this week without commenting on the big news of the weekend - Aberdeen 1 Rangers 0. Well done Dons you did us proud!
After this blog only one song recommendationcan be appropriate - Elton John's "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting."
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Recession is Almost Over - Who are they Kidding?
I see the BBC and our wretched Government are still peddling the myth that the recession is just about over. They were gutted when the economy contracted again last quarter, after constantly blowing smoke up our arse for weeks beforehand that it would grow.
So much for that bastard Brown's "best placed country to beat the recession" bullshit. We're now the only major Global Economy still in recession and yet the State Broadcaster hardly raises a peep in protest. Of course, the recession only hits one part of the population - the wealth creating, heavy tax paying private sector.
No wonder the BBC, Government and Public Sector think it hasn't been too bad out there. But you watch them squeal like piggies at the abattoir when they don't get their usual inflation busting pay rises next year. We'll have the power mad Union Barrons all over the airwaves demanding a 1970s "everyone out" scotched earth policy. I'm sure the rest of us will get by if the Romany Travellers Equality Diversity Yoghurt Knitting Breast Feeding Street Football Co-Ordinators go off on strike for a couple of days.
Back in the real world and working in recruitment I think I'm well positioned to judge, let me tell you the bad news. It's not getting any better. There's still a lot of people being made redundant. Every day we have desperate people phoning and emailing looking for work, applying for jobs they don't have any experience for, but I can understand why they do it. It's because they are desperate to work. Fancy that eh - people in this country with the ethics and dignity to want to work. They are becoming a minority that's for sure.
Just to keep the downbeat mood going, I can't see an improvement in the first half of next year. With a General Election on its way and up here the oil price still all over the shop, nothing will settle down till Q3 2010 at the earliest. If they don't get their own way Unison and their ilk will be out on the streets by then, especially if we have a Tory Government. What fun. By the way, anyone know when a Recession becomes a Depression?
Music tonight is from Indie Icons James - "Laid". Requested by an avid reader of the blog because of the "awesome drums". And I have to say I agree.
So much for that bastard Brown's "best placed country to beat the recession" bullshit. We're now the only major Global Economy still in recession and yet the State Broadcaster hardly raises a peep in protest. Of course, the recession only hits one part of the population - the wealth creating, heavy tax paying private sector.
No wonder the BBC, Government and Public Sector think it hasn't been too bad out there. But you watch them squeal like piggies at the abattoir when they don't get their usual inflation busting pay rises next year. We'll have the power mad Union Barrons all over the airwaves demanding a 1970s "everyone out" scotched earth policy. I'm sure the rest of us will get by if the Romany Travellers Equality Diversity Yoghurt Knitting Breast Feeding Street Football Co-Ordinators go off on strike for a couple of days.
Back in the real world and working in recruitment I think I'm well positioned to judge, let me tell you the bad news. It's not getting any better. There's still a lot of people being made redundant. Every day we have desperate people phoning and emailing looking for work, applying for jobs they don't have any experience for, but I can understand why they do it. It's because they are desperate to work. Fancy that eh - people in this country with the ethics and dignity to want to work. They are becoming a minority that's for sure.
Just to keep the downbeat mood going, I can't see an improvement in the first half of next year. With a General Election on its way and up here the oil price still all over the shop, nothing will settle down till Q3 2010 at the earliest. If they don't get their own way Unison and their ilk will be out on the streets by then, especially if we have a Tory Government. What fun. By the way, anyone know when a Recession becomes a Depression?
Music tonight is from Indie Icons James - "Laid". Requested by an avid reader of the blog because of the "awesome drums". And I have to say I agree.
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
Local "Journalism" - Monkeys with Typewriters
Now this post may end up seeming extremely hypocritical, because if you think my purple prose tonight (and every other night for that matter) is utter pants, then it'll feel like the pot calling the kettle black.
But the fact of the matter is that the quality of "journalism" in the Press & Journal (Depressing Journal) and Evening Express (Evening Depress), the local Aberdeen papers is appalling. This essentially dates back to a vicious industrial dispute many years ago when many top notch journos left and were replaced by anyone with a word processor.
The Evening Express relies on the latest gypsy encampment, oops I mean ethnic traveling fraternity base camp to be set up so they can stir up the locals, the breathtaking incompetence of the City Council and the Trump Resort pantomime to fill their pages.
The Press and Journal is obsessed with anything Sir Ian Wood does, even if it is concreting the only green space in the city centre to sate his ego, erm I mean create a lasting legacy.
Both have a complete and utter determination to run down the City's football club and in particular it's supporters. I can't think of any other local papers who would continuously criticise their captive audience the way this shower do. It was the AGM of Aberdeen Football Club last night and the rag took the opportunity to have a go at the fans who turned up because they didn't have a go at the board, alluding to an old myth about Don's fans being so quiet you can hear sweet papers being rustled. Hilarious.
Aberdeen fans are targeted from all sides. The Central Belt "newspapers" (the Sun and Record) attack us at every opportunity, printing complete lies about "vile" songs we've never sung, missiles we've never thrown and attacks on ex-Rangers players that never happened. In a normal City the local paper would be the organ in which you could depend to fight back on these issues. Up here, they fall in line with their backward, retarded cousins from the West Coast, who are only interested in deflecting any potential problems the Old Firm get themselves into with their obsession with a battle in Ireland over 300 years ago.
Most of these fuckwits who call themselves journalists can barely string a sentence together. Thank god for the interweb, where various blogs and chat rooms, stir lively debate. Of course there are still plenty zoomers about, but sifting through you can find intelligent individuals asking the pertinent questions without any agenda.
A quick shout out at this point to one of my loyal readers who has a weekly column in a local Aberdeenshire town paper, whose prose is positively Burns like compared to the kind of drivel you'll find in the sports pages of the City papers.
Music tonight, back to the 80s again with a cracking one hit wonder for you - "Let My People Go" by the Rainmakers. Vocals are an acquired taste, infectious shouty chorus.
But the fact of the matter is that the quality of "journalism" in the Press & Journal (Depressing Journal) and Evening Express (Evening Depress), the local Aberdeen papers is appalling. This essentially dates back to a vicious industrial dispute many years ago when many top notch journos left and were replaced by anyone with a word processor.
The Evening Express relies on the latest gypsy encampment, oops I mean ethnic traveling fraternity base camp to be set up so they can stir up the locals, the breathtaking incompetence of the City Council and the Trump Resort pantomime to fill their pages.
The Press and Journal is obsessed with anything Sir Ian Wood does, even if it is concreting the only green space in the city centre to sate his ego, erm I mean create a lasting legacy.
Both have a complete and utter determination to run down the City's football club and in particular it's supporters. I can't think of any other local papers who would continuously criticise their captive audience the way this shower do. It was the AGM of Aberdeen Football Club last night and the rag took the opportunity to have a go at the fans who turned up because they didn't have a go at the board, alluding to an old myth about Don's fans being so quiet you can hear sweet papers being rustled. Hilarious.
Aberdeen fans are targeted from all sides. The Central Belt "newspapers" (the Sun and Record) attack us at every opportunity, printing complete lies about "vile" songs we've never sung, missiles we've never thrown and attacks on ex-Rangers players that never happened. In a normal City the local paper would be the organ in which you could depend to fight back on these issues. Up here, they fall in line with their backward, retarded cousins from the West Coast, who are only interested in deflecting any potential problems the Old Firm get themselves into with their obsession with a battle in Ireland over 300 years ago.
Most of these fuckwits who call themselves journalists can barely string a sentence together. Thank god for the interweb, where various blogs and chat rooms, stir lively debate. Of course there are still plenty zoomers about, but sifting through you can find intelligent individuals asking the pertinent questions without any agenda.
A quick shout out at this point to one of my loyal readers who has a weekly column in a local Aberdeenshire town paper, whose prose is positively Burns like compared to the kind of drivel you'll find in the sports pages of the City papers.
Music tonight, back to the 80s again with a cracking one hit wonder for you - "Let My People Go" by the Rainmakers. Vocals are an acquired taste, infectious shouty chorus.
Monday, 23 November 2009
More Problems with Pensioners
Evening All! Apologies for a lack of blogging over the weekend, was feeling under the weather was a vicious headache and sore throat. Thought it was the old Swine Flu, but plenty of sleep and some industrial strength ibuprofen seems to have done the trick.
Anyway, thought I'd regale you with another run in with a Senior Citizen. As you know the oldest of the Macbeth children seems to have caught the thespian bug and his theatre group meet on a Saturday Morning at the impressive Ferryhill Church. They have a coffee shop there and I while away the 90 minutes by sitting catching up on my emails on my Crackberry and having a coffee and a bacon roll.
Smallest Macbeth was with me this Saturday and he is a energetic wee soul who didn't want to sit on his backside so we had a walk to Duthie Park, and had a look round the Winter Gardens. We then went back to get his big brother. There's a side entrance to the church, we went there, rang the bell, but there was no answer. So I went round to the main entrance and entered the church via the coffee shop.
I'm struggling with the doors to get wee Macbeth's buggy through them and I'm instantly confronted by an old curmudgeon. He is not one of the usual helpers at the coffee shop, who are all pensioners and very friendly.
This arsehole screams at me "are you here for the theatre group", I said yes and he went ballistic. "Should use the side door"; "can't come in this way". I protested that I had tried but I couldn't get an answer, to which he waved his hand at me in a "don't care" manner. All this in front of a mesmerised full coffee shop and a little lad in his buggy confused as to why his dad is being shouted at by a pish stained, foaming at the mouth madman.
I wasn't feeling that well and after my last run in I just walked away. I couldn't believe it. What the hell is it with me and mentalist old fogeys? I bet the old bastard was at Church yesterday giving it the whole pious Christian thing too. Hypocrite.
Needless to say they will not be getting my custom again. I'll head to the coffee shop at the Duthie Park instead. I probably spend a couple of hundred quid a year in there, but no more.
My faith in anyone in this country is beginning to dive towards zero. What has happened to this once great country?
So I need a tonic. A good tune perhaps? Why not. May I guide you towards the new single from the Stereophonics - "Innocent". Mrs Macbeth has always been a fan of these Welsh rockers and this song has converted me.
Anyway, thought I'd regale you with another run in with a Senior Citizen. As you know the oldest of the Macbeth children seems to have caught the thespian bug and his theatre group meet on a Saturday Morning at the impressive Ferryhill Church. They have a coffee shop there and I while away the 90 minutes by sitting catching up on my emails on my Crackberry and having a coffee and a bacon roll.
Smallest Macbeth was with me this Saturday and he is a energetic wee soul who didn't want to sit on his backside so we had a walk to Duthie Park, and had a look round the Winter Gardens. We then went back to get his big brother. There's a side entrance to the church, we went there, rang the bell, but there was no answer. So I went round to the main entrance and entered the church via the coffee shop.
I'm struggling with the doors to get wee Macbeth's buggy through them and I'm instantly confronted by an old curmudgeon. He is not one of the usual helpers at the coffee shop, who are all pensioners and very friendly.
This arsehole screams at me "are you here for the theatre group", I said yes and he went ballistic. "Should use the side door"; "can't come in this way". I protested that I had tried but I couldn't get an answer, to which he waved his hand at me in a "don't care" manner. All this in front of a mesmerised full coffee shop and a little lad in his buggy confused as to why his dad is being shouted at by a pish stained, foaming at the mouth madman.
I wasn't feeling that well and after my last run in I just walked away. I couldn't believe it. What the hell is it with me and mentalist old fogeys? I bet the old bastard was at Church yesterday giving it the whole pious Christian thing too. Hypocrite.
Needless to say they will not be getting my custom again. I'll head to the coffee shop at the Duthie Park instead. I probably spend a couple of hundred quid a year in there, but no more.
My faith in anyone in this country is beginning to dive towards zero. What has happened to this once great country?
So I need a tonic. A good tune perhaps? Why not. May I guide you towards the new single from the Stereophonics - "Innocent". Mrs Macbeth has always been a fan of these Welsh rockers and this song has converted me.
Thursday, 19 November 2009
The Lottery turns 15 - Who Cares?
So it's happy birthday to the National Lottery which is 15 years old today. Millions of pounds have been passed on to good (and not so good) causes in this time and lots of millionaires have been created. And I can't stand the whole concept.
The Lottery is tacky beyond belief. I have hardly ever done it and there's so many games now I've no bloody idea what's what. There's midweek as well as weekend games, and now also Euromillions, where the whole of Europe can get caught up in it - Brits won about £90 million recently.
The whole thing has turned the UK into one big glorified bingo hall, with thousands of people who can't really afford to be spending their dosh on the likes of the lottery sitting at home waiting to call "house".
Is it only me who gets wound up and finds it distasteful standing in the local shop of a Saturday night behind somebody buying copious amounts of "lines" and a scratchcard or seven thrown in for good measure? Normally he's got some cans of Special Brew and a 20 of fags to buy at the same time.
Minority sports like cycling have undoubtedly benefited from the cash, but shouldn't the Government or the various sporting associations be granting this money or raising it by themselves? Even ultra-capitalist Thatcher couldn't bring herself to allow a Lottery when she was in power. If you want to give to 'good causes', set up a direct debit to one of your choice and use the money you piss down the drain every week for the lottery to fund it.
All in all I'd say the bloody thing is yet another tax - however this one is targeted at the thick, poor and hopelessly optimistic. I can assure you this post is in no-way spiteful or jealousy fuelled at the thought of individuals sitting £40 million+ better off this week.
More 80s music for you tonight and let's head to one of the iconic Albums of the Decade - the Lexicon of Love by ABC and the sublime single "The Look of Love".
The whole thing has turned the UK into one big glorified bingo hall, with thousands of people who can't really afford to be spending their dosh on the likes of the lottery sitting at home waiting to call "house".
Is it only me who gets wound up and finds it distasteful standing in the local shop of a Saturday night behind somebody buying copious amounts of "lines" and a scratchcard or seven thrown in for good measure? Normally he's got some cans of Special Brew and a 20 of fags to buy at the same time.
Minority sports like cycling have undoubtedly benefited from the cash, but shouldn't the Government or the various sporting associations be granting this money or raising it by themselves? Even ultra-capitalist Thatcher couldn't bring herself to allow a Lottery when she was in power. If you want to give to 'good causes', set up a direct debit to one of your choice and use the money you piss down the drain every week for the lottery to fund it.
All in all I'd say the bloody thing is yet another tax - however this one is targeted at the thick, poor and hopelessly optimistic. I can assure you this post is in no-way spiteful or jealousy fuelled at the thought of individuals sitting £40 million+ better off this week.
More 80s music for you tonight and let's head to one of the iconic Albums of the Decade - the Lexicon of Love by ABC and the sublime single "The Look of Love".
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Could it Happen?
I can't believe I'm about to write this but here goes -I'm beginning to think Labour might win the General Election, or at least hang on for a hung parliament. Brown has had his best couple of weeks in a long time, with Glasgow North East being held comfortably and the Sun's attack on him with regards his letter to the soldier's mother actually backfiring.
Now you can dismiss these two things as the ridiculous habit of the public for feeling sorry for a character who reaps what he sows and that in areas like Glasgow NE you could shave a chimp, stick a red rosette on its arse and they'd still vote for it, but I'm getting a little 1992 feeling here, when John Major upset the odds and beat Kinnock (who probably lost it with his excruciating rally in Birmingham - do you remember "well all right" - Jesus. And of course the Sun's front page "will the last person leaving Britain put the lights out if this man becomes Prime Minister).
It's bizarre, but Brown, who has no mandate from the people to be in the position he holds and who has systematically destroyed the financial structure of this country, is hanging on between 10 and 14 per cent behind in the polls. That's manageable and the party of government always has a late rally. With the constituency boundaries/first past the post system very much now in Labour's favour, for an outright win Call Me Dave needs about 15% more of the vote than Mr "I saved the world, it started in America". He's not there yet and outwith the South East of England he's struggling.
It defies belief. A big problem is people who have no clue about politics voting. A perfect example is at the last General Election a work colleague of mine was asked who she voted for. "Labour of course" she said. "Oh why?"
"Because I like Tony Blair's smile."
When you go to the polling station you should be handed a questionnaire. 5 questions, nothing too strenuous - who's the Chancellor, the Leader of the Opposition, Leader of the Lib Dems, that sort of thing. If you get 3 or more right, you know enough to make an informed decision in the voting booth. If not, you can't come in, because you'll vote for the shaved chimp or the nice smiley man or the nice man with the duck house and moat.
The fuckwits will know who's in "I'm a Celebrity" though.................
Back to the 80s tonight for the music slot and the teen idols who were Wham! "Freedom" may not have been their most famous track, but it actually sold more than the likes of "Wake me up before you go-go", was a huge number one and a fantastic pop song.
Now you can dismiss these two things as the ridiculous habit of the public for feeling sorry for a character who reaps what he sows and that in areas like Glasgow NE you could shave a chimp, stick a red rosette on its arse and they'd still vote for it, but I'm getting a little 1992 feeling here, when John Major upset the odds and beat Kinnock (who probably lost it with his excruciating rally in Birmingham - do you remember "well all right" - Jesus. And of course the Sun's front page "will the last person leaving Britain put the lights out if this man becomes Prime Minister).
It's bizarre, but Brown, who has no mandate from the people to be in the position he holds and who has systematically destroyed the financial structure of this country, is hanging on between 10 and 14 per cent behind in the polls. That's manageable and the party of government always has a late rally. With the constituency boundaries/first past the post system very much now in Labour's favour, for an outright win Call Me Dave needs about 15% more of the vote than Mr "I saved the world, it started in America". He's not there yet and outwith the South East of England he's struggling.
It defies belief. A big problem is people who have no clue about politics voting. A perfect example is at the last General Election a work colleague of mine was asked who she voted for. "Labour of course" she said. "Oh why?"
"Because I like Tony Blair's smile."
When you go to the polling station you should be handed a questionnaire. 5 questions, nothing too strenuous - who's the Chancellor, the Leader of the Opposition, Leader of the Lib Dems, that sort of thing. If you get 3 or more right, you know enough to make an informed decision in the voting booth. If not, you can't come in, because you'll vote for the shaved chimp or the nice smiley man or the nice man with the duck house and moat.
The fuckwits will know who's in "I'm a Celebrity" though.................
Back to the 80s tonight for the music slot and the teen idols who were Wham! "Freedom" may not have been their most famous track, but it actually sold more than the likes of "Wake me up before you go-go", was a huge number one and a fantastic pop song.
Monday, 16 November 2009
Burley Out, Who's In
So the inevitable has happened and Gorgeous George Burley has been given the boot by Scotland. 3 wins in 14 games is a dismal record and his failure to get us to even the play offs in a relatively easy group was risible. Yes he had problems with the Rangers element (who doesn't), but he should still have managed to cobble together a team who could get the runners up spot in our group. His obsession with low standard Championship players and Celtic cloggers (McManus, Caldwell and the fantastic Mr Fox for goodness sake) ultimately did for him.
As an ex-Hearts Manager you would think he would have had his finger on the pulse of the Scottish game but his omission of the likes of Wallace, Mulgrew, Conway, Stevenson and O'Brien, good young players surely worth a chance, is baffling. There are murmurs that he was biased against his old charges, hence Wallace's omission, along with Berra not getting a game ahead of Celtic's gruesome twosome. The thought his wee run at Hearts was a flash in the pan crosses my mind, maybe Romanov really was picking the team! He did get Ipswich promoted and into the UEFA cup, but that went pear-shaped pretty quickly too.
The two blazers at the SFA Smith and Peat, should take a long hard look at themselves too. Smith was very critical of the regime as a pundit but as soon as he put the blazer on he went native. Peat is a poor man's Jim Farry or Ernie Walker. Not a compliment.
So who to replace him. It's a bit of a poisoned chalice really. You need someone who will bore us to death but will get results - probably playing 4-5-1 and matching up to the bigger teams and scratching a 1-0 win against the likes of the Faroes. Craig Brown, Walter Smith and to a lesser extent Alex McLeish managed this.
Smith has been mentioned again, but I think he's burned his bridges following his defection back to the Govan horrors. Craig Levein is as usual mentioned. This guy is a media darling (as is the team he manages, the second most successful team from Dundee) and I can't fathom the attraction. Long ball anti-football with 9 physical players, one tricky winger and a diving midget as his usual first 11, he's won nothing wherever he's managed.
So back to my original point about the qualities for Scotch manager. Bore fans to death with a 4-5-1 formation. Match up to teams regardless of who they are. Be able to raise the team for one off games. Be a media darling in spite of doing nothing of much note. Add in unemployed meantime, hence cheap.
Only one candidate - Sir James of Calderwood, the cuprinol coated buffoon recently released from his duties at Aberdeen. I've already got £10 on him at 14/1 - and the odds are tumbling fast. You heard it here first folks.
Music tonight, my 80s theme has been hijacked by this breaking football news, so two for the price of one tonight, choose from "Ally's Tartan Army" by Andy Cameron or "I have a dream" by BA Robertson.
As an ex-Hearts Manager you would think he would have had his finger on the pulse of the Scottish game but his omission of the likes of Wallace, Mulgrew, Conway, Stevenson and O'Brien, good young players surely worth a chance, is baffling. There are murmurs that he was biased against his old charges, hence Wallace's omission, along with Berra not getting a game ahead of Celtic's gruesome twosome. The thought his wee run at Hearts was a flash in the pan crosses my mind, maybe Romanov really was picking the team! He did get Ipswich promoted and into the UEFA cup, but that went pear-shaped pretty quickly too.
The two blazers at the SFA Smith and Peat, should take a long hard look at themselves too. Smith was very critical of the regime as a pundit but as soon as he put the blazer on he went native. Peat is a poor man's Jim Farry or Ernie Walker. Not a compliment.
So who to replace him. It's a bit of a poisoned chalice really. You need someone who will bore us to death but will get results - probably playing 4-5-1 and matching up to the bigger teams and scratching a 1-0 win against the likes of the Faroes. Craig Brown, Walter Smith and to a lesser extent Alex McLeish managed this.
Smith has been mentioned again, but I think he's burned his bridges following his defection back to the Govan horrors. Craig Levein is as usual mentioned. This guy is a media darling (as is the team he manages, the second most successful team from Dundee) and I can't fathom the attraction. Long ball anti-football with 9 physical players, one tricky winger and a diving midget as his usual first 11, he's won nothing wherever he's managed.
So back to my original point about the qualities for Scotch manager. Bore fans to death with a 4-5-1 formation. Match up to teams regardless of who they are. Be able to raise the team for one off games. Be a media darling in spite of doing nothing of much note. Add in unemployed meantime, hence cheap.
Only one candidate - Sir James of Calderwood, the cuprinol coated buffoon recently released from his duties at Aberdeen. I've already got £10 on him at 14/1 - and the odds are tumbling fast. You heard it here first folks.
Music tonight, my 80s theme has been hijacked by this breaking football news, so two for the price of one tonight, choose from "Ally's Tartan Army" by Andy Cameron or "I have a dream" by BA Robertson.
Sunday, 15 November 2009
My Faith in Human Nature was Coming Back Then..........
Well it's been a busy week here at MacBeth Towers. The first half of the week was taken up with Senior Son's stage debut in his Theatre Group's Panto at the Arts Centre in Aberdeen. The wee man did brilliantly. Being the youngest and smallest cast member by some distance everyone was a little concerned he'd freeze when the curtain opened and he was confronted by an audience of about 300. But he rose to the occasion. The cast of 20 kids aged from 7 to 15 staged a brilliant show, with two teenagers in particular giving amazing performances as Ugly Sisters. The amount of work put into this show (the two women who run the Theatre Group wrote and directed the show) was incredible and no-one fluffed a cue or line all night. I was there for the performance the night after as a chaperone for the kids and again the show went down incredibly well.
A couple of weeks previous, I went with my dad, sister and brother in law to see my nephew play football. He is captain of his team and plays sweeper. They expected a tough game against a side who are signing up talent from all over the North East. It didn't help them - they were destroyed 8-1. My nephew has a real chance to play at a higher level, he strolled through the game and has excellent timing of a tackle. The tall centre forward for this side scored 6 goals and I was struck by the teamwork and togetherness of their team, whilst the other mob, thrown together as individuals and with no camaraderie, simply fell apart when the going got tough.
These occasions have really shown me for every "hoody hooligans terrorise neighbourhood" story, there are kids out there with genuine interests doing great things and making their communities proud.
And that was going to be the end of an upbeat blog tonight. But I have to give special mention to the boys in blue who decided to park up in the car park in our village centre tonight in order to stare menacingly at any passing motorists/pedestrians. Is our village viewed by Grampian Police as a notorious 'hood' which requires this kind of policing? Or maybe it's a nice cushy place to sit and while a couple of hours away waiting for the end of your shift.
It's a real shame their car is obviously soundproofed as this is the only reason I can think of for them missing the maniac in a Subaru driving down the main road of the village at around 50 miles per hour with the obligatory huge exhaust howling as he went.
Surely our wonderful Police service wouldn't take the easy option and turn a blind eye to this prat and instead wait patiently for the first poor sod to drive past with a rear light out.....would they............
It's 1980s pop week here on Tragic Kingdom and let's kick off with Duran Duran and Rio. Over the top video, expensive clothes, great chorus, oh it's all so vulgar and all the more wonderful for it.
A couple of weeks previous, I went with my dad, sister and brother in law to see my nephew play football. He is captain of his team and plays sweeper. They expected a tough game against a side who are signing up talent from all over the North East. It didn't help them - they were destroyed 8-1. My nephew has a real chance to play at a higher level, he strolled through the game and has excellent timing of a tackle. The tall centre forward for this side scored 6 goals and I was struck by the teamwork and togetherness of their team, whilst the other mob, thrown together as individuals and with no camaraderie, simply fell apart when the going got tough.
These occasions have really shown me for every "hoody hooligans terrorise neighbourhood" story, there are kids out there with genuine interests doing great things and making their communities proud.
And that was going to be the end of an upbeat blog tonight. But I have to give special mention to the boys in blue who decided to park up in the car park in our village centre tonight in order to stare menacingly at any passing motorists/pedestrians. Is our village viewed by Grampian Police as a notorious 'hood' which requires this kind of policing? Or maybe it's a nice cushy place to sit and while a couple of hours away waiting for the end of your shift.
It's a real shame their car is obviously soundproofed as this is the only reason I can think of for them missing the maniac in a Subaru driving down the main road of the village at around 50 miles per hour with the obligatory huge exhaust howling as he went.
Surely our wonderful Police service wouldn't take the easy option and turn a blind eye to this prat and instead wait patiently for the first poor sod to drive past with a rear light out.....would they............
It's 1980s pop week here on Tragic Kingdom and let's kick off with Duran Duran and Rio. Over the top video, expensive clothes, great chorus, oh it's all so vulgar and all the more wonderful for it.
Saturday, 14 November 2009
(Glasgow) Kiss Glencraft, Kate
So 160 years of Glencraft in Aberdeen are over. Designing and manufacturing mattresses and beds, this noble institution has been a employment lifeline for the blind and disabled. So many people have been put out of work in the "best placed country to beat the recession", but even in the avalanche of job losses this one stands out. The people who have been made redundant at Glencraft will struggle more than most to find alternative employment. Many have worked there all their working lives. Their jobs gave them independence and a source of pride and respect. These people are the real vulnerable in society and deserve as much assistance as possible to help them through this difficult time.
I see Salmond turned up with a "Task Force" for the media's consumption this week. How much that will help remains to be seen, but hey our esteemed First Minister got a photo opportunity and that's all that matters...............
Hearing the interviews with trustees of the firm and employees alike, you can feel the passion and loyalty this organisation instills in its workforce. They were genuinely devastated. Of course there has been mistakes made. The outside consultant who came with a six figure salary apparently, was obviously gutted in his interview with the media, but I wonder how good a job he did. Did you ever see or hear any advertisements for the company? Any incentives to go up to their factory for a look at their stock, any discounts which would make you choose them over the Bed Shed? No, me neither. Thanks to Mrs M for pointing this out by the way, credit where it's due!
But as is the norm nowadays, Aberdeen City Council need to take a long, hard look at themselves. They piss money up the wall giving themselves a shiny new headquarters but can't give an employer of blind and disabled people one last chance.
The interview with Kate Dean on the radio sickened me. This woman, binned from her job as Leader of the City Council because she'd overseen a financial meltdown which made it the laughing stock basket case of Scotland, was arrogant, dismissive and insensitive. "We've done all we can" was the line she spewed. No sympathy for the workers was forthcoming. It must be great to be useless at your job, get thrown out of it and land up in another cushy number (planning I believe). And of course there's that lovely gold plated pension to look forward to as well. This despicable smug PUBLIC SERVANT is the epitome of the Public Service's "I'm all right jack" attitude.
So good luck to the employees of Glencraft and here's hoping they get new jobs soon.
Music recommendation tonight is again bang up to date - the Noisettes, Every Now and Then. Lavish strings and a key change - you'll know by now I'm a sucker for both!
I see Salmond turned up with a "Task Force" for the media's consumption this week. How much that will help remains to be seen, but hey our esteemed First Minister got a photo opportunity and that's all that matters...............
Hearing the interviews with trustees of the firm and employees alike, you can feel the passion and loyalty this organisation instills in its workforce. They were genuinely devastated. Of course there has been mistakes made. The outside consultant who came with a six figure salary apparently, was obviously gutted in his interview with the media, but I wonder how good a job he did. Did you ever see or hear any advertisements for the company? Any incentives to go up to their factory for a look at their stock, any discounts which would make you choose them over the Bed Shed? No, me neither. Thanks to Mrs M for pointing this out by the way, credit where it's due!
But as is the norm nowadays, Aberdeen City Council need to take a long, hard look at themselves. They piss money up the wall giving themselves a shiny new headquarters but can't give an employer of blind and disabled people one last chance.
The interview with Kate Dean on the radio sickened me. This woman, binned from her job as Leader of the City Council because she'd overseen a financial meltdown which made it the laughing stock basket case of Scotland, was arrogant, dismissive and insensitive. "We've done all we can" was the line she spewed. No sympathy for the workers was forthcoming. It must be great to be useless at your job, get thrown out of it and land up in another cushy number (planning I believe). And of course there's that lovely gold plated pension to look forward to as well. This despicable smug PUBLIC SERVANT is the epitome of the Public Service's "I'm all right jack" attitude.
So good luck to the employees of Glencraft and here's hoping they get new jobs soon.
Music recommendation tonight is again bang up to date - the Noisettes, Every Now and Then. Lavish strings and a key change - you'll know by now I'm a sucker for both!
Thursday, 12 November 2009
Slaughtering a Sacred Cow
Hi all. Apologies for the lack of posts this week, I've been very busy with oldest son and his first foray into the thespian world. I shall blog about that and other heartwarming stuff at the weekend, but tonight after a week of dress rehearsals, performances and chaperoning, I am tired and grumpy, so am taking the opportunity to get wired into a sacred cow.
The NHS cannot be criticised by any politician or media outlet. If anyone throws a modicum of criticism in its direction, the flak they take is incredible.
Over the years I've thankfully not had much interaction with the largest public sector employee in Europe. However I am in the system at the moment. I buggered my knee playing football (I know at my age I should have known better) and had to admit defeat and go and see my GP.
He reckons the cartilage has gone in my right knee and referred me to a specialist. After about a month I received a letter to say I was on the waiting list and they would contact me again within 16 weeks............
So imagine my excitement today when another letter dropped through the letter box informing me that.............I was now off that waiting list and had to call them to arrange an appointment, which will be goodness knows when.
The 16 weeks was actually the waiting list to get to the point of phoning to get an appointment, not the timeframe to get an actual appointment. So I will call them tomorrow to see when I will actually be seen. If it is soon, I will gladly update this blog with an apology. I won't hold my breath. This reeks of a scam to allow the Nationalist "government" to cut their waiting times/lists.
As ever, you end up running around after these people trying to organise things, usually in work time, wasting your day trying to get someone to actually answer a damned phone.
They even have the cheek on the letter to tell you that they're extremely busy between 0900 and 1100 so best not to call then. I think I might append a similar note on my emails and voicemail, I'm sure my clients will understand................
Go Private you shout. And I would. But my Health Insurance through work has just come through and this is classed as a 'historical injury' so is not covered.
I'm pretty sick of paying through the nose and not getting anything like the service we deserve. The NHS is full of Managers and non-job 9 to 5ers, whilst the front line is cut to the bone. The waste in our hospitals is frightening and it needs people of substance and backbone to clear the decks. It will never happen as it's always turned into a political football and we'll go on pissing money down this black hole for evermore.
Tonight's music is from REM. From back in the days when they were a cult indie rock band from backwater USA listen to "Don't go back to Rockville". A country tinged gem, totally out of kilter with most of their early work, a little like the wonderful Pixies "Here comes you man" is so out of place of "Doolittle". Two for the price of one for you tonight, enjoy.
The NHS cannot be criticised by any politician or media outlet. If anyone throws a modicum of criticism in its direction, the flak they take is incredible.
Over the years I've thankfully not had much interaction with the largest public sector employee in Europe. However I am in the system at the moment. I buggered my knee playing football (I know at my age I should have known better) and had to admit defeat and go and see my GP.
He reckons the cartilage has gone in my right knee and referred me to a specialist. After about a month I received a letter to say I was on the waiting list and they would contact me again within 16 weeks............
So imagine my excitement today when another letter dropped through the letter box informing me that.............I was now off that waiting list and had to call them to arrange an appointment, which will be goodness knows when.
The 16 weeks was actually the waiting list to get to the point of phoning to get an appointment, not the timeframe to get an actual appointment. So I will call them tomorrow to see when I will actually be seen. If it is soon, I will gladly update this blog with an apology. I won't hold my breath. This reeks of a scam to allow the Nationalist "government" to cut their waiting times/lists.
As ever, you end up running around after these people trying to organise things, usually in work time, wasting your day trying to get someone to actually answer a damned phone.
They even have the cheek on the letter to tell you that they're extremely busy between 0900 and 1100 so best not to call then. I think I might append a similar note on my emails and voicemail, I'm sure my clients will understand................
Go Private you shout. And I would. But my Health Insurance through work has just come through and this is classed as a 'historical injury' so is not covered.
I'm pretty sick of paying through the nose and not getting anything like the service we deserve. The NHS is full of Managers and non-job 9 to 5ers, whilst the front line is cut to the bone. The waste in our hospitals is frightening and it needs people of substance and backbone to clear the decks. It will never happen as it's always turned into a political football and we'll go on pissing money down this black hole for evermore.
Tonight's music is from REM. From back in the days when they were a cult indie rock band from backwater USA listen to "Don't go back to Rockville". A country tinged gem, totally out of kilter with most of their early work, a little like the wonderful Pixies "Here comes you man" is so out of place of "Doolittle". Two for the price of one for you tonight, enjoy.
Sunday, 8 November 2009
Rememberance Sunday
Health and Safety tubes have ensured that it's difficult to keep your poppy on your jacket nowadays, the plastic stems just bend and the stick on ones lose the stickiness very quickly.
The anti-war sentiment in this country is running high at the moment and I have to admit to a real unease at our troops being out in Afghanistan. But Remembrance Sunday is sacrosanct. Surely not even the most rabid white poppy wearing pacifist begrudges a minute of silent respect for the millions who have fallen to allow us to air our views in peace.
I see Manchester United (and Liverpool apparently) are not wearing poppies on their strips. Manchester United have given a weasel excuse of "never done it before". A more feasible reason is not to offend supporters of their 'global brand' in areas of the world where war remembrance may not go down well. What an absolute disgrace. As they applaud the Chelsea Pensioners onto the pitch this afternoon they should be ashamed of themselves.
You would think Liverpool and Manchester United, who have histories of disasters and are rightly extremely vocal if these memories are desecrated in any way, would have a little more respect.
Speaking of respect, I see those despicable elements in the Celtic support decided to sing Irish Republican songs through the silence before the game against Falkirk today. Celtic always seem to get off lightly with their bigoted behaviour, but this confirms what most Scottish football fans already knew - they are as disgusting as their partners in crime.
As with Rangers, the media in this country will throw the deflectors up and back them (already they are claiming it was only people outside the ground who were singing and it's been mentioned on Aberdeen fan's chat sites that Sky may have cut the volume during the silence to block out their disrespect). These low life vermin make me sick.
Song recommendation today is that familiar lament to fallen heroes, "Flowers of the Forest". Check out the version by the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and feel the tingle run down your spine.
The anti-war sentiment in this country is running high at the moment and I have to admit to a real unease at our troops being out in Afghanistan. But Remembrance Sunday is sacrosanct. Surely not even the most rabid white poppy wearing pacifist begrudges a minute of silent respect for the millions who have fallen to allow us to air our views in peace.
I see Manchester United (and Liverpool apparently) are not wearing poppies on their strips. Manchester United have given a weasel excuse of "never done it before". A more feasible reason is not to offend supporters of their 'global brand' in areas of the world where war remembrance may not go down well. What an absolute disgrace. As they applaud the Chelsea Pensioners onto the pitch this afternoon they should be ashamed of themselves.
You would think Liverpool and Manchester United, who have histories of disasters and are rightly extremely vocal if these memories are desecrated in any way, would have a little more respect.
Speaking of respect, I see those despicable elements in the Celtic support decided to sing Irish Republican songs through the silence before the game against Falkirk today. Celtic always seem to get off lightly with their bigoted behaviour, but this confirms what most Scottish football fans already knew - they are as disgusting as their partners in crime.
As with Rangers, the media in this country will throw the deflectors up and back them (already they are claiming it was only people outside the ground who were singing and it's been mentioned on Aberdeen fan's chat sites that Sky may have cut the volume during the silence to block out their disrespect). These low life vermin make me sick.
Song recommendation today is that familiar lament to fallen heroes, "Flowers of the Forest". Check out the version by the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and feel the tingle run down your spine.
Thursday, 5 November 2009
Only Tax Paying Mugs Require AA Membership
So I'm sitting in the office tonight at 5pm. Been there since the back of 7am and could stay another 3 hours and still not have caught up. So I decide I'll head home to see the family instead and get back in early tomorrow and get into it again.
Go out and the car has a puncture. Being an impractical sod, this causes issues. So I phone Mrs MacBeth and shout at her for a while. Then try and change it. Get it jacked up. And can't get the bloody wheel off. Put on by one of those air machine things (told you I was an expert at this), I can't budge it. So I give up, swallow my pride and phone the AA. We spend enough cash on membership.
They'll be with you in 45 minutes says the nice lady. An hour later they haven't turned up so I phone again. To be told they're busy. And it won't be the AA, but someone else who they've contracted my problem out to. And it'll be another half an hour. The dude who does turn up is a good lad, his big rigger boots and an industrial sized wrench and we're sorted. And unlike many of these kind of guys, he doesn't make me feel like a prick for requiring assistance.
On my way home the original AA call centre galoot calls to say the alternative to the AA will be with me shortly. You really just can't make this shit up can you. Why are these large organisations so bloody incompetent?
So the old motor is patched up for the third time in a month. With both me and Mrs MacBeth working just to keep our heads above water, we cannot afford a new car for me at the moment, so here's hoping the old Fiat Punto can last through the winter.
The amount of tax we pay is crippling. No doubt these bloody politicians will start about 'hard working families' again soon, it's only 6 months till an election. New cars, kitchens and bathrooms will have to wait for this hard working family. Probably for two generations as we pay off Gorgon McDoom's astronomical debt for him.
Oh how I wish I was like a female in our street. She drives a nice shiny red Audi A3. I like them, would love one. Won't be seeing one outside our door in a hurry.
Miss Audi A3 doesn't work.
Sometimes at 6am when I'm looking at myself in the mirror contemplating another 12 hour day away from home I think, "you fecking mug".
Music tonight The Carpenters "Top of the World". My sister loved this song when she was a kid. Very easy listening, middle of the road stuff, but Karen's voice is incredible, a life cut too short.
Go out and the car has a puncture. Being an impractical sod, this causes issues. So I phone Mrs MacBeth and shout at her for a while. Then try and change it. Get it jacked up. And can't get the bloody wheel off. Put on by one of those air machine things (told you I was an expert at this), I can't budge it. So I give up, swallow my pride and phone the AA. We spend enough cash on membership.
They'll be with you in 45 minutes says the nice lady. An hour later they haven't turned up so I phone again. To be told they're busy. And it won't be the AA, but someone else who they've contracted my problem out to. And it'll be another half an hour. The dude who does turn up is a good lad, his big rigger boots and an industrial sized wrench and we're sorted. And unlike many of these kind of guys, he doesn't make me feel like a prick for requiring assistance.
On my way home the original AA call centre galoot calls to say the alternative to the AA will be with me shortly. You really just can't make this shit up can you. Why are these large organisations so bloody incompetent?
So the old motor is patched up for the third time in a month. With both me and Mrs MacBeth working just to keep our heads above water, we cannot afford a new car for me at the moment, so here's hoping the old Fiat Punto can last through the winter.
The amount of tax we pay is crippling. No doubt these bloody politicians will start about 'hard working families' again soon, it's only 6 months till an election. New cars, kitchens and bathrooms will have to wait for this hard working family. Probably for two generations as we pay off Gorgon McDoom's astronomical debt for him.
Oh how I wish I was like a female in our street. She drives a nice shiny red Audi A3. I like them, would love one. Won't be seeing one outside our door in a hurry.
Miss Audi A3 doesn't work.
Sometimes at 6am when I'm looking at myself in the mirror contemplating another 12 hour day away from home I think, "you fecking mug".
Music tonight The Carpenters "Top of the World". My sister loved this song when she was a kid. Very easy listening, middle of the road stuff, but Karen's voice is incredible, a life cut too short.
Wednesday, 4 November 2009
Football But Not as We Know It
Watching the Champion's League at the moment, flicking between three of my least favourite football teams on the planet, Liverpool, Arsenal and Rangers. Unfortunately all are winning.
I hate the Champion's League. Along with the Premier League in England, it stands for all that's wrong with the game. It has whored itself out to the highest bidders on the corporate side and the so-called big clubs have turned it into a cartel where the chances of a club like Aberdeen ever winning a European Trophy again are zero. They hoard the money for themselves, excluding everyone else in the process.
The Leagues I mentioned have, along with Sky, attracted the most insufferable of supporters, who have no feeling for the history of the game, glory hunt around the most successful clubs and call football "footy". These fans, or bastards as I prefer to call them, know nothing about the game outwith the EPL and Champion's League. Ask them who the oldest club in the world are, or who are the only Scottish Club to win two European trophies they won't have a clue.
Look at the adverts in between the Champion's League games or Sky's "Super Sunday". Smiling goons kicking footballs around car parks loving "the beautiful game." It's crass, vacuous stuff that drives me up the wall.
Of course I am a complete hypocrite and have Sky and watch the matches. But unlike the johnny come lately's I do not think football was invented in 1992.
Football is a game you need to feel in your soul. To me that involves the tribal instincts of supporting your local club. Not driving from Buckie to Celtic Park every week, putting on a Glaswegian accent as you pass Cumbernauld and pretending you've "always been a Celticmanbyrawaybut".
Anyone for a prawn sandwich?
Tonight's music. The European Song by the Aberdeen Football Club 1983 European Cup Winner's Cup winning team. From the days when teams won trophies on talent and merit, not on who has the most money.
PS Answers to the football matches are either Notts County or Sheffield FC for the oldest club in world depending on how you define it and no doubt about the answer to the 2nd question - the mighty Aberdeen!
I hate the Champion's League. Along with the Premier League in England, it stands for all that's wrong with the game. It has whored itself out to the highest bidders on the corporate side and the so-called big clubs have turned it into a cartel where the chances of a club like Aberdeen ever winning a European Trophy again are zero. They hoard the money for themselves, excluding everyone else in the process.
The Leagues I mentioned have, along with Sky, attracted the most insufferable of supporters, who have no feeling for the history of the game, glory hunt around the most successful clubs and call football "footy". These fans, or bastards as I prefer to call them, know nothing about the game outwith the EPL and Champion's League. Ask them who the oldest club in the world are, or who are the only Scottish Club to win two European trophies they won't have a clue.
Look at the adverts in between the Champion's League games or Sky's "Super Sunday". Smiling goons kicking footballs around car parks loving "the beautiful game." It's crass, vacuous stuff that drives me up the wall.
Of course I am a complete hypocrite and have Sky and watch the matches. But unlike the johnny come lately's I do not think football was invented in 1992.
Football is a game you need to feel in your soul. To me that involves the tribal instincts of supporting your local club. Not driving from Buckie to Celtic Park every week, putting on a Glaswegian accent as you pass Cumbernauld and pretending you've "always been a Celticmanbyrawaybut".
Anyone for a prawn sandwich?
Tonight's music. The European Song by the Aberdeen Football Club 1983 European Cup Winner's Cup winning team. From the days when teams won trophies on talent and merit, not on who has the most money.
PS Answers to the football matches are either Notts County or Sheffield FC for the oldest club in world depending on how you define it and no doubt about the answer to the 2nd question - the mighty Aberdeen!
Monday, 2 November 2009
Where Did They Come From?
So, Aberdeen's new temple to retail therapy opened last Thursday. Union Square boasts over 60 shops and restaurants, a multiscreen cinema and a hotel and at least spruces up the previously horrific bus station and grubby train station.
Reading through the names of the shops that are there, a vast majority of them were in Aberdeen anyway, so the guess is that they are moving from the other centres or from Union Street.
I would think this will kill Union Street off altogether. It's already become a dingy place, full of boarded up buildings with To Let signs on every 2nd window. The granite, beautiful when cleaned (as you'll see in the buildings up on Queen's Road, Rubislaw and Albyn) look terrible when dirty as most of Union Street is. The jewel in the crown has been abandoned on the altar of vast shopping centres, left to it's own devices with only a few pubs keeping it alive. With the Scottish County Council, erm I mean Government determined to stop people having a drink, how long before the pubs start to close too?
The other shopping centres, The Bon Accord, St Nicholas and Trinity will undoubtedly suffer too. How long before they are half empty?
Is it really a wise time to be opening such a place? We are in the pits of a recession/depression (we were best placed to fight the recession of any country were we Gordon? What a prat).
I guess many people like me do all their shopping on the internet nowadays. However almost 60,000 people flowed through the place on it's first day. So I guess there must still be a pressing requirement in Aberdeen for another Starbucks.
But the biggest question I have about all this is - how did around 25% of the population of Aberdeen manage to be in a shopping centre on a bog standard Thursday afternoon when it was not in the school holidays or a public holiday of any sort.
As someone who was working and who has no interest in going to a bloody shopping centre, I guess I'm in a minority on both fronts.
I hope tonight's music is to your taste. An avid reader of the blog has insisted I have the musical taste of Peter Powell from early 80's Radio 1. So from that era an absolute classic, Atomic by Blondie. As fresh today as it was when Peter, Mike, the Hairy Cornflake and Noel were spinning the decks - let's rock!!!
Reading through the names of the shops that are there, a vast majority of them were in Aberdeen anyway, so the guess is that they are moving from the other centres or from Union Street.
I would think this will kill Union Street off altogether. It's already become a dingy place, full of boarded up buildings with To Let signs on every 2nd window. The granite, beautiful when cleaned (as you'll see in the buildings up on Queen's Road, Rubislaw and Albyn) look terrible when dirty as most of Union Street is. The jewel in the crown has been abandoned on the altar of vast shopping centres, left to it's own devices with only a few pubs keeping it alive. With the Scottish County Council, erm I mean Government determined to stop people having a drink, how long before the pubs start to close too?
The other shopping centres, The Bon Accord, St Nicholas and Trinity will undoubtedly suffer too. How long before they are half empty?
Is it really a wise time to be opening such a place? We are in the pits of a recession/depression (we were best placed to fight the recession of any country were we Gordon? What a prat).
I guess many people like me do all their shopping on the internet nowadays. However almost 60,000 people flowed through the place on it's first day. So I guess there must still be a pressing requirement in Aberdeen for another Starbucks.
But the biggest question I have about all this is - how did around 25% of the population of Aberdeen manage to be in a shopping centre on a bog standard Thursday afternoon when it was not in the school holidays or a public holiday of any sort.
As someone who was working and who has no interest in going to a bloody shopping centre, I guess I'm in a minority on both fronts.
I hope tonight's music is to your taste. An avid reader of the blog has insisted I have the musical taste of Peter Powell from early 80's Radio 1. So from that era an absolute classic, Atomic by Blondie. As fresh today as it was when Peter, Mike, the Hairy Cornflake and Noel were spinning the decks - let's rock!!!
Thursday, 29 October 2009
Who's Wrong - You Decide
I had a busy day at work today (no sniggering at the back). So against my better judgement I nipped out to a back street sandwich shop a couple of minutes away from the office to purchase some luncheon. This place has had bad reviews from my work colleagues but needs must. Walked in and there was three or four people in front of me. 5 minutes later I'm still waiting in the same spot. The Three Musketeers behind the counter are excruciatingly slow at making low standard sandwiches and they suck their teeth when people hand over £10 as they've "nae change ken". Imagine thinking a catering establishment might have change of a tenner, down that road lies madness.
As I'm waiting I sense someone acting in a pretty impatient and irritated manner behind me. I have a quick glance behind and there's a woman, obviously of pension age, agitated and moving from side to side like a winger trying to lose his full back. I now know how Danny McGrain must have felt when he was marking Peter Weir (apologies if you have no idea who these people are!). As I finally get to the counter, Mrs Miggins shoots in front of me like Alan Wells lunging for the tape in the 100 metres final in Moscow in 1980 and asks for a tuna sandwich or some other such delicacy that won't stick to her bloody false teeth.
I am a bit taken aback, this is not the kind of behaviour you're used to from senior citizens, but in my state of shock I manage to blurt out "erm excuse me, are you having a laugh, there is a queue and I was before you". She makes a face like Blanche from Coronation Street and then studiously ignores me. The brains trust behind the counter as one look at me in disgust.
Miggins' mate, who was standing nearby now gets involved, stating to me (and the rest of the shop) in a loud and screechy voice, "for goodness sake that's pathetic." Dander well and truly up now, I ask her if she would have thought the same had a teenager barged in front of her in a queue or would she have instead started into a tirade about the "youth of today".
She refuted this saying she had "better things to do". I guess these things would include standing in aisles at supermarkets blocking them with a strategically positioned trolley, writing to the Evening Express complaining about Donald Trump, watching soap operas, spending her pension on Bingo and smelling of piss, but I digress.
I just shook my head and ordered my stovies. The Mensa members counter side were overtly rude to me and made it quite clear they thought I was an arse. The stovies were anaemic, the beetroot had black bits on it and the oat cakes were soggy by the way.
So dear readers, what do you think. Was I an arse? Or was I within my rights and is this just another example of this country going to hell in a hand cart. When Molly Sugden decides it's time to stop the age old British custom of queueing and just barge to the front, I personally think we're totally screwed.
Tonight's music is Same Old Scene by Roxy Music. I urge you all to get some Bryan Ferry and Roxy Music into your life and this is a cracker to get you started - not as obvious as the likes of Jealous Guy, Dance Away or Do The Strand but a forgotten gem.
As I'm waiting I sense someone acting in a pretty impatient and irritated manner behind me. I have a quick glance behind and there's a woman, obviously of pension age, agitated and moving from side to side like a winger trying to lose his full back. I now know how Danny McGrain must have felt when he was marking Peter Weir (apologies if you have no idea who these people are!). As I finally get to the counter, Mrs Miggins shoots in front of me like Alan Wells lunging for the tape in the 100 metres final in Moscow in 1980 and asks for a tuna sandwich or some other such delicacy that won't stick to her bloody false teeth.
I am a bit taken aback, this is not the kind of behaviour you're used to from senior citizens, but in my state of shock I manage to blurt out "erm excuse me, are you having a laugh, there is a queue and I was before you". She makes a face like Blanche from Coronation Street and then studiously ignores me. The brains trust behind the counter as one look at me in disgust.
Miggins' mate, who was standing nearby now gets involved, stating to me (and the rest of the shop) in a loud and screechy voice, "for goodness sake that's pathetic." Dander well and truly up now, I ask her if she would have thought the same had a teenager barged in front of her in a queue or would she have instead started into a tirade about the "youth of today".
She refuted this saying she had "better things to do". I guess these things would include standing in aisles at supermarkets blocking them with a strategically positioned trolley, writing to the Evening Express complaining about Donald Trump, watching soap operas, spending her pension on Bingo and smelling of piss, but I digress.
I just shook my head and ordered my stovies. The Mensa members counter side were overtly rude to me and made it quite clear they thought I was an arse. The stovies were anaemic, the beetroot had black bits on it and the oat cakes were soggy by the way.
So dear readers, what do you think. Was I an arse? Or was I within my rights and is this just another example of this country going to hell in a hand cart. When Molly Sugden decides it's time to stop the age old British custom of queueing and just barge to the front, I personally think we're totally screwed.
Tonight's music is Same Old Scene by Roxy Music. I urge you all to get some Bryan Ferry and Roxy Music into your life and this is a cracker to get you started - not as obvious as the likes of Jealous Guy, Dance Away or Do The Strand but a forgotten gem.
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
We are now at War with Eurasia
When I started this blog, I made a vow to myself that I wouldn't get bogged down in a long list of blogs which could come under the banner of "you couldn't make it up" or "it's political correctness gone maaaaaaaaaaaad".
However, I am afraid that the depths to which this country plumbs on a daily basis makes it almost impossible for me not to come back time and again to these kind of stories and today I've found another cracker for your edification and enlightenment.
Pauline Howe, who is 67 years old, wrote a letter to Norwich Council objecting to a local gay pride march. She used the word “sodomites” and objected to “perverted sexual practices” amongst other phrases about homosexuality, mostly coming from her own religious viewpoint.
The Council requested she be visited by the Police and Plod duly obliged, with two Officers turning up at her door and lectured her about having committed a potential "hate crime".
Yes you read that right dear reader. Accused of Hate Speech. George Orwell got it bang on the money didn't he. The fact that two wooden tops turned up at her door suggests to me they were considering charging her with a crime, hate or otherwise.
Now Ms Howe's views are a little on the 1950s side. Some of the stuff she spouted in her letter is naive and broad brush in the extreme. However it has to be taken into consideration she is a 67 year old grandmother who has a strong Christian religious faith, with the resultant naivety and conservative (with a small c) views she will hold. For the Council and Police to waste taxpayer's money on this charade is quite simply astonishing. Even Stonewall has suggested the actions were heavy handed. The saddest thing is I'm not surprised by any of this anymore.
I do wonder had Ms Howe and the rest of her congregation been planning a Christian Pride march and the Council had received a letter of complaint from a third party calling them "God botherers", stating "there is no God" and that the bible was a "fantasy", would the Old Bill have turned up at their doors?
Tonight's music comes from Erasure, with the 80s classic "Sometimes". Andy's soaring vocals compliment Vince's sublime synth and made the song a number 2 hit here in the UK and top 5 Stateside. They went on to have 20 top 30 hits in the UK with their signature synth dance/pop.
However, I am afraid that the depths to which this country plumbs on a daily basis makes it almost impossible for me not to come back time and again to these kind of stories and today I've found another cracker for your edification and enlightenment.
Pauline Howe, who is 67 years old, wrote a letter to Norwich Council objecting to a local gay pride march. She used the word “sodomites” and objected to “perverted sexual practices” amongst other phrases about homosexuality, mostly coming from her own religious viewpoint.
The Council requested she be visited by the Police and Plod duly obliged, with two Officers turning up at her door and lectured her about having committed a potential "hate crime".
Yes you read that right dear reader. Accused of Hate Speech. George Orwell got it bang on the money didn't he. The fact that two wooden tops turned up at her door suggests to me they were considering charging her with a crime, hate or otherwise.
Now Ms Howe's views are a little on the 1950s side. Some of the stuff she spouted in her letter is naive and broad brush in the extreme. However it has to be taken into consideration she is a 67 year old grandmother who has a strong Christian religious faith, with the resultant naivety and conservative (with a small c) views she will hold. For the Council and Police to waste taxpayer's money on this charade is quite simply astonishing. Even Stonewall has suggested the actions were heavy handed. The saddest thing is I'm not surprised by any of this anymore.
I do wonder had Ms Howe and the rest of her congregation been planning a Christian Pride march and the Council had received a letter of complaint from a third party calling them "God botherers", stating "there is no God" and that the bible was a "fantasy", would the Old Bill have turned up at their doors?
Tonight's music comes from Erasure, with the 80s classic "Sometimes". Andy's soaring vocals compliment Vince's sublime synth and made the song a number 2 hit here in the UK and top 5 Stateside. They went on to have 20 top 30 hits in the UK with their signature synth dance/pop.
Monday, 26 October 2009
Get Well Soon Morrissey
Morrissey collapsed on stage at a gig in Swindon on Saturday night. I was sitting having a beer catching up on the news on Sky when the news came out. I felt a little shiver down my spine. Now I am not Avid Merrion. I despise the celebrity culture and all these talentless nonentities who go on some shit programme and are suddenly on the pages of all those bloody magazines.
However, over the years you do become fond of certain people in the public eye, mainly people who you have grown up/old with and are generally in the music, sport or entertainment industries which I have interest in. Some of these people have been on the box in the corner of the room for as long as I can remember watching it. When they head for the far side banks of Jordan, it will feel strange for them not to be there anymore.
Now don't think I am going all Princess Diana hysteria on you here. I will feel a little sad, have a wee think about some of the memories I have of them and move on. That's the British way. You do NOT collapse into a blubbering mass of tears and hyperventilation about someone who you did not personally know.
I'm thinking here about people like Bruce Forsyth. I remember Brucie in the 70s on the Generation Game with Anthea Redfearn. Sir Alex of Ferguson, for making my childhood football memories so amazing. Clint Eastwood, I sat and watched the spaghetti westerns and Dirty Harry movies with my dad. Ditto Sean Connery for the Bond Movies.
I could be here all night really. But you get the gist of what I'm saying. The individuals above did not have to go into the jungle or get their tits out to become 'famous'. Amen for that.
Music tonight has of course to come from Morrissey. A solo single as opposed to his Smith's output. Suedehead was his first solo single and still one of the best. If you get the chance to see the video it's awesome too, a bit of a homage to James Dean.
However, over the years you do become fond of certain people in the public eye, mainly people who you have grown up/old with and are generally in the music, sport or entertainment industries which I have interest in. Some of these people have been on the box in the corner of the room for as long as I can remember watching it. When they head for the far side banks of Jordan, it will feel strange for them not to be there anymore.
Now don't think I am going all Princess Diana hysteria on you here. I will feel a little sad, have a wee think about some of the memories I have of them and move on. That's the British way. You do NOT collapse into a blubbering mass of tears and hyperventilation about someone who you did not personally know.
I'm thinking here about people like Bruce Forsyth. I remember Brucie in the 70s on the Generation Game with Anthea Redfearn. Sir Alex of Ferguson, for making my childhood football memories so amazing. Clint Eastwood, I sat and watched the spaghetti westerns and Dirty Harry movies with my dad. Ditto Sean Connery for the Bond Movies.
I could be here all night really. But you get the gist of what I'm saying. The individuals above did not have to go into the jungle or get their tits out to become 'famous'. Amen for that.
Music tonight has of course to come from Morrissey. A solo single as opposed to his Smith's output. Suedehead was his first solo single and still one of the best. If you get the chance to see the video it's awesome too, a bit of a homage to James Dean.
Sunday, 25 October 2009
Sports Fans = Neanderathals
Donal Og Cusack, the goalkeeper of the Cork hurling team has "came out" in the Irish Media today and it has sparked fierce debate in the Emerald Isle. Reporting about it on the BBC website, BBC Ireland correspondent Mark Simpson ends his screed with the following:
"Apart from some homophobic text messages sent to radio stations, the overwhelming reaction to Cusack's announcement has been positive.
However, in some ways, the biggest test could be the opposition crowd's reaction the next time he runs out on the pitch for Cork.
In most sports across the world, rival fans are not renowned for their open-mindedness. "
This really reinforced a discussion I had at the Aberdeen match yesterday with two of the followers to this blog. At Scottish Football matches you are bombarded with messages on bigotry, racism, homophobia, in fact an "ism" or "phobia" you can think of.
The media and administrator's label for sports fans and in particular football fans, is they are all narrow minded brain dead scum who require to be battered into submission by "on message" information to show them how thick and bigoted they are.
The people who "run" football in our country have a simple maxim for the average football fan: "you are stupid and gullible, we will treat you with utter contempt, now give us your money and keep quiet."
In these people's minds sport's fans read the Sun and Sport, watch "celebrity Jordan and Peter Big Brother can't cook on ice" and go out and batter pensioners and ethnic minorities of a weekend, whilst "binge drinking"..........
It really is an insult to the vast majority of football fans. Of course there are people who watch football who you can label as above, but it's the same for all sectors of society.
Here's hoping the fans of one of the oldest sports in the world confound the media's perceptions and give Donal a rousing reception when he minds the net again for Cork, give him a ribbing if he makes a mistake and then have a pint of the black stuff at the end of the game with him and discuss the merits of Joyce, Shaw and Beckett. Mark Simpson might be aghast to know this thick as pig shit football fan has read Ulysses - didn't understand a word of it........... :o)
Music tonight is You're the Devil in Disguise by Elvis. A less well known track, it's one of the few 7" singles my mum and dad had from the King. I played it to death as a kid. Still love it now. Listen to the drums in the backing track to the chorus, sublime.
"Apart from some homophobic text messages sent to radio stations, the overwhelming reaction to Cusack's announcement has been positive.
However, in some ways, the biggest test could be the opposition crowd's reaction the next time he runs out on the pitch for Cork.
In most sports across the world, rival fans are not renowned for their open-mindedness. "
This really reinforced a discussion I had at the Aberdeen match yesterday with two of the followers to this blog. At Scottish Football matches you are bombarded with messages on bigotry, racism, homophobia, in fact an "ism" or "phobia" you can think of.
The media and administrator's label for sports fans and in particular football fans, is they are all narrow minded brain dead scum who require to be battered into submission by "on message" information to show them how thick and bigoted they are.
The people who "run" football in our country have a simple maxim for the average football fan: "you are stupid and gullible, we will treat you with utter contempt, now give us your money and keep quiet."
In these people's minds sport's fans read the Sun and Sport, watch "celebrity Jordan and Peter Big Brother can't cook on ice" and go out and batter pensioners and ethnic minorities of a weekend, whilst "binge drinking"..........
It really is an insult to the vast majority of football fans. Of course there are people who watch football who you can label as above, but it's the same for all sectors of society.
Here's hoping the fans of one of the oldest sports in the world confound the media's perceptions and give Donal a rousing reception when he minds the net again for Cork, give him a ribbing if he makes a mistake and then have a pint of the black stuff at the end of the game with him and discuss the merits of Joyce, Shaw and Beckett. Mark Simpson might be aghast to know this thick as pig shit football fan has read Ulysses - didn't understand a word of it........... :o)
Music tonight is You're the Devil in Disguise by Elvis. A less well known track, it's one of the few 7" singles my mum and dad had from the King. I played it to death as a kid. Still love it now. Listen to the drums in the backing track to the chorus, sublime.
Friday, 23 October 2009
Playing into the Hands of the BNP
So, did you watch Question Time last night? Predictably, the "mainstream" parties (and the 'neutral' chairman of the panel Dimbleby) walked straight into the BNP's hands by attacking Griffin in the style of a lynch mob.
Griffin is an unsavoury character. In amongst the platitudes of 'moderating' his party last night there was a nod towards Holocaust denial. He is a politician all right.
So the way to neutralise him and his party is to engage them in a debate about their policies. Last night was the perfect chance to do so. Instead the BBC loaded their panel and audience with people whose hatred for the BNP clouded their judgement and ability to debate. Instead it became an all out attack on Griffin. He wasn't allowed to talk without interruption, so in effect got away scot-free.
Many viewers will have had sympathy for him because of the "performance" of the other panellists and therefore his reputation was wrongly enhanced. Jack Straw in particular was a disgrace, waffling and pontificating at every turn.
The liberal elite in this country of all political hues really do not have a clue. They sit in their ivory towers and multi-million pound houses in Notting Hill, pontificating over a Grande Latte about the disgrace the "extreme right wing" are.
Meanwhile in many working class areas (especially in England) there are genuine concerns over where this country is heading. Many of these people aged 50 and above have seen such fundamental change in the demographic of the country it is understandable they are worried. However if any of them try and speak about their concerns they are pilloried as "racists".
The BNP prey on this and the way the "establishment" act over immigration and multiculturalism only exacerbates the situation. And then they wonder why almost a million people voted for the BNP at the Euro Elections - many of whom I have no doubt do not know exactly what the party stands for.
It's hard to believe I know but we've seen the BNP in action here in rural Deeside! There was a local council election not long ago and I had the misfortune to be walking down to the local shop for the Sunday paper. A clapped out Transit van was sitting in the car park with a BNP sticker on the window. 4 or 5 middle aged denim clad men (jean suits are soooooooo 80s) were standing outside the van. I have to admit they intimidated me, so goodness knows how it would be for a pensioner answering their door to them.
This is the side of the BNP you don't see. But if the mainstream parties don't get a grip and tackle the BNP about their POLICIES, instead of writing them off as racist loonies, the foothold they've already got will become an irreversible base camp.
My song choice today embraces multicultural Britain as this band were suggested to me by my American follower! She is working in this country until at least the end of the year and it's nice to see us giving the colonials some work experience!! The band are called Wilco and they do a darned good blend of country/rock. Check out I Must be High and then Impossible Germany and you'll see these guys are no one trick ponies though. Cheers Terri!
Griffin is an unsavoury character. In amongst the platitudes of 'moderating' his party last night there was a nod towards Holocaust denial. He is a politician all right.
So the way to neutralise him and his party is to engage them in a debate about their policies. Last night was the perfect chance to do so. Instead the BBC loaded their panel and audience with people whose hatred for the BNP clouded their judgement and ability to debate. Instead it became an all out attack on Griffin. He wasn't allowed to talk without interruption, so in effect got away scot-free.
Many viewers will have had sympathy for him because of the "performance" of the other panellists and therefore his reputation was wrongly enhanced. Jack Straw in particular was a disgrace, waffling and pontificating at every turn.
The liberal elite in this country of all political hues really do not have a clue. They sit in their ivory towers and multi-million pound houses in Notting Hill, pontificating over a Grande Latte about the disgrace the "extreme right wing" are.
Meanwhile in many working class areas (especially in England) there are genuine concerns over where this country is heading. Many of these people aged 50 and above have seen such fundamental change in the demographic of the country it is understandable they are worried. However if any of them try and speak about their concerns they are pilloried as "racists".
The BNP prey on this and the way the "establishment" act over immigration and multiculturalism only exacerbates the situation. And then they wonder why almost a million people voted for the BNP at the Euro Elections - many of whom I have no doubt do not know exactly what the party stands for.
It's hard to believe I know but we've seen the BNP in action here in rural Deeside! There was a local council election not long ago and I had the misfortune to be walking down to the local shop for the Sunday paper. A clapped out Transit van was sitting in the car park with a BNP sticker on the window. 4 or 5 middle aged denim clad men (jean suits are soooooooo 80s) were standing outside the van. I have to admit they intimidated me, so goodness knows how it would be for a pensioner answering their door to them.
This is the side of the BNP you don't see. But if the mainstream parties don't get a grip and tackle the BNP about their POLICIES, instead of writing them off as racist loonies, the foothold they've already got will become an irreversible base camp.
My song choice today embraces multicultural Britain as this band were suggested to me by my American follower! She is working in this country until at least the end of the year and it's nice to see us giving the colonials some work experience!! The band are called Wilco and they do a darned good blend of country/rock. Check out I Must be High and then Impossible Germany and you'll see these guys are no one trick ponies though. Cheers Terri!
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
Driven to Distraction
The quality of driving in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire is quite frankly appalling. You have to wonder which lucky dip some of these tubes found their driving licences in. I could be here all night with examples but in general here's my biggest bugbears:
Lack of indicators. Are these things optional extras in the car showrooms of the North East? Roundabouts are negotiated at break neck speed with no indication to fellow road users which exit they are about to use. Junctions are negotiated in the same manner. Frustrating and dangerous in equal parts.
Driving on "B" and Unclassified roads. There are two types of clown on these roads. The first is the 10 miles an hour crawler. They will have a line of traffic behind them like the safety car in a Formula 1 race, but they will not under any circumstances pull over and let them past. The other is Mr Arrogant. Mr Arrogant is usually driving a 4x4, BMW or Audi. He is normally morbidly obese. He drives at 60mph on single track roads, on the wrong side of the road, and will not move over for anyone else. He will tailgate anyone who is travelling at a "normal" speed for these types of road. If anyone gets in his way he will sound his horn, flash his headlights and swear at them. The only good thing is you can see his blood pressure rising - it will not be long before he drops down with a heart attack.
The 10 miles an hour crawler can also to be seen on "scenic" routes like the North and South Deeside Roads. The people who go for a "wee run" on these roads sit at 20mph and seem oblivious to the fact that some people actually live out in these parts and might actually have things to do. These people drive me to distraction - they have nowhere to go and all day to go there.
There just does not seem to be a happy medium with speed. It's either people driving so slow that cyclists are overtaking them or absolute nutters overtaking on blind corners at 80mph. What is wrong with sitting at 50-60mph? What's the problem with driving as you were taught, Mirror, SIGNAL, manoeuvre? Some people's brains seem to go into neutral when they get behind the wheel.
Today's music is from the Cars - "Drive". What else really after this post? Pompous 80s Rock Balladry at it's finest!
Lack of indicators. Are these things optional extras in the car showrooms of the North East? Roundabouts are negotiated at break neck speed with no indication to fellow road users which exit they are about to use. Junctions are negotiated in the same manner. Frustrating and dangerous in equal parts.
Driving on "B" and Unclassified roads. There are two types of clown on these roads. The first is the 10 miles an hour crawler. They will have a line of traffic behind them like the safety car in a Formula 1 race, but they will not under any circumstances pull over and let them past. The other is Mr Arrogant. Mr Arrogant is usually driving a 4x4, BMW or Audi. He is normally morbidly obese. He drives at 60mph on single track roads, on the wrong side of the road, and will not move over for anyone else. He will tailgate anyone who is travelling at a "normal" speed for these types of road. If anyone gets in his way he will sound his horn, flash his headlights and swear at them. The only good thing is you can see his blood pressure rising - it will not be long before he drops down with a heart attack.
The 10 miles an hour crawler can also to be seen on "scenic" routes like the North and South Deeside Roads. The people who go for a "wee run" on these roads sit at 20mph and seem oblivious to the fact that some people actually live out in these parts and might actually have things to do. These people drive me to distraction - they have nowhere to go and all day to go there.
There just does not seem to be a happy medium with speed. It's either people driving so slow that cyclists are overtaking them or absolute nutters overtaking on blind corners at 80mph. What is wrong with sitting at 50-60mph? What's the problem with driving as you were taught, Mirror, SIGNAL, manoeuvre? Some people's brains seem to go into neutral when they get behind the wheel.
Today's music is from the Cars - "Drive". What else really after this post? Pompous 80s Rock Balladry at it's finest!
Monday, 19 October 2009
Scottish Football - A Template for Change
Hi folks. Apologies, but Blogs will be infrequent this week as we are on holiday - great weather as ever for the tattie holidays!
After Aberdeen were robbed of a deserved three points on Saturday by the maroon hammer throwers from Edinburgh I was thinking of how Scottish football could be improved.
A poster on Aberdeen Mad had a great idea which was basically for the rest of the teams in the SPL to resign and re-enter the SFL, meaning the Old Firm were left high and dry. This is an excellent idea. After this happens (!) I would suggest the following:
Reconstruct the leagues - have two leagues of 16; 32 teams in total. We are a tenth of the size of England with around a third of the teams so something has to give. I think 32 is still too much but it's a start. Play each other home and away, 30 games a season.
Promotion and relegation from Division 2. 2 teams go down to be replaced by two non-league sides. These would be the champions of a reconstructed regional non-league - North and South.
Promotion and relegation from Division 1. 2 teams relegated. Top two from Division two promoted. Third bottom on Division one, plays off against team which is third in Division two at Hampden, winner takes all.
League cup back to being a short and sweet competition at the start of the season. Straight knockout, no seeding. Final by the end of October.
Ask Fifa if we can experiment with a new points system. 4 points for an away win. 3 points for a home win. 2 points for a scoring away draw. 1 point for a home scoring draw. 1 point each for a no score draw. Extra point for a team if they score 3 or more goals, that includes in a defeat.
This should ensure more attacking football as there are plenty of incentives to score goals.
This is obviously a simple rough plan but I think there's merit in it. I remember the hoo ha when 3 points for a win came to pass, now you can't remember what it was like before it was implemented. It needs bravery from all - and that's why it will never happen.
Music tonight comes from Elton John - Tiny Dancer. It's got a pedal steel guitar in it - that's good enough for me!
After Aberdeen were robbed of a deserved three points on Saturday by the maroon hammer throwers from Edinburgh I was thinking of how Scottish football could be improved.
A poster on Aberdeen Mad had a great idea which was basically for the rest of the teams in the SPL to resign and re-enter the SFL, meaning the Old Firm were left high and dry. This is an excellent idea. After this happens (!) I would suggest the following:
Reconstruct the leagues - have two leagues of 16; 32 teams in total. We are a tenth of the size of England with around a third of the teams so something has to give. I think 32 is still too much but it's a start. Play each other home and away, 30 games a season.
Promotion and relegation from Division 2. 2 teams go down to be replaced by two non-league sides. These would be the champions of a reconstructed regional non-league - North and South.
Promotion and relegation from Division 1. 2 teams relegated. Top two from Division two promoted. Third bottom on Division one, plays off against team which is third in Division two at Hampden, winner takes all.
League cup back to being a short and sweet competition at the start of the season. Straight knockout, no seeding. Final by the end of October.
Ask Fifa if we can experiment with a new points system. 4 points for an away win. 3 points for a home win. 2 points for a scoring away draw. 1 point for a home scoring draw. 1 point each for a no score draw. Extra point for a team if they score 3 or more goals, that includes in a defeat.
This should ensure more attacking football as there are plenty of incentives to score goals.
This is obviously a simple rough plan but I think there's merit in it. I remember the hoo ha when 3 points for a win came to pass, now you can't remember what it was like before it was implemented. It needs bravery from all - and that's why it will never happen.
Music tonight comes from Elton John - Tiny Dancer. It's got a pedal steel guitar in it - that's good enough for me!
Friday, 16 October 2009
Sport for All; Family Thoughts
Evening All. Apologies for missed blog yesterday, I bet you were all devastated about it! I was out last night to the Premier League Snooker, my dad's birthday present. A good night and great to get out with dad for the evening - it's only as you get older you appreciate your parents properly. It's scary how much I'm like him, appearance and personality wise. You really do morph into your parents eventually! I remember travelling all over Scotland in his lorry with him, praying he'd change the radio from Radio 2 to Radio 1........now guess who listens to Radio 2, along with Radio Scotland and Radio 4........oh god........!
The AECC in Aberdeen was full for this event. Sky come up here every year for their Premier League Snooker and Darts. Every time any decent sized national sporting event is brought to Aberdeen it's a great success. The Aberdeen public is generally starved of top notch sport so we lap it up when it comes here. The Seniors Open Golf at Royal Aberdeen is another example. As is every time the Scotland National Football team plays at Pittodrie. And that's at any age group. Take the Under 21s to Aberdeen you'll get 10,000+. Play it in Glasgow you'll get about 2,000 there.
So thanks Sky, keep coming up the road with the Darts and Snooker. There's no chance the SFA will follow suit with the football, they think Scotland ends at Cumbernauld. But there's surely room for a PGA European Tour golf event (Trump International perhaps, just to piss off Tilda Swinton, whoever she is), some more one day international cricket at Mannofield, a higher profile for the 10k run at Balmoral or even an Aberdeen Marathon. I can but hope.
Music tonight, I'm coming right up to date with a NEW RELEASE.....it's ok it's not as radical as you think, it's by everyone's favourite Hibs fans, the Proclaimers! Check out their new single, Three More Days, it's got everything you want from Auchterarder's 2nd biggest exports (after Jimmy Shand), unique harmonies, a key change, acoustic/electric guitars, and almost naive lyrics sung from the heart. One of Scotland's most underrated bands.
The AECC in Aberdeen was full for this event. Sky come up here every year for their Premier League Snooker and Darts. Every time any decent sized national sporting event is brought to Aberdeen it's a great success. The Aberdeen public is generally starved of top notch sport so we lap it up when it comes here. The Seniors Open Golf at Royal Aberdeen is another example. As is every time the Scotland National Football team plays at Pittodrie. And that's at any age group. Take the Under 21s to Aberdeen you'll get 10,000+. Play it in Glasgow you'll get about 2,000 there.
So thanks Sky, keep coming up the road with the Darts and Snooker. There's no chance the SFA will follow suit with the football, they think Scotland ends at Cumbernauld. But there's surely room for a PGA European Tour golf event (Trump International perhaps, just to piss off Tilda Swinton, whoever she is), some more one day international cricket at Mannofield, a higher profile for the 10k run at Balmoral or even an Aberdeen Marathon. I can but hope.
Music tonight, I'm coming right up to date with a NEW RELEASE.....it's ok it's not as radical as you think, it's by everyone's favourite Hibs fans, the Proclaimers! Check out their new single, Three More Days, it's got everything you want from Auchterarder's 2nd biggest exports (after Jimmy Shand), unique harmonies, a key change, acoustic/electric guitars, and almost naive lyrics sung from the heart. One of Scotland's most underrated bands.
Wednesday, 14 October 2009
Rejoice! Only 90,000 More Unemployed!
Reading the BBC website today you might be forgiven for thinking we are living in a land of milk and honey.
In accounting the first adage you're told is "every debit must have a credit".....the BBC have used that very well today, with the following quotes:
"Unemployment figure has risen once again, but the rate of increase has slowed" (my emphasis on the but)
"The rise in the number of unemployed was the lowest since July 2008"
"While the number of people claiming benefit is now the highest since 1997, the rise compared with the previous month was the least since May 2008"
So that's all right then. Now I could let them off with this kind of "reporting" if the jobless figure went up 800. 8,000 even. But 88,000! That's around the population of Hartlepool (Peter "Fighter not a Quitter" Mandleson's old constituency).
To try and paint a picture that almost 90,000 people losing their job is some sort of positive news is an absolute disgrace. It is a shocking statistic which should have Government talking heads being taken to task by the State Broadcaster.
However you get the feeling that the BBC is very much a mouthpiece for the incumbent government. I think they fear a Conservative Government and what they might do to try and change the BBC. To be honest I don't think they should worry unduly, I can't see the Tories changing anything much, they seem a pretty spineless bunch.
But the Beeb can't take any chances and I think the next few months will see them becoming more and more like Pravda.
We'll be hearing the good news about increased tractor production in Siberia and hourly speeches from the Dear Leader before the year is out.
Music tonight comes from a left wing firebrand which Auntie Beeb would thoroughly approve of - Between the Wars by Billy Bragg.
In accounting the first adage you're told is "every debit must have a credit".....the BBC have used that very well today, with the following quotes:
"Unemployment figure has risen once again, but the rate of increase has slowed" (my emphasis on the but)
"The rise in the number of unemployed was the lowest since July 2008"
"While the number of people claiming benefit is now the highest since 1997, the rise compared with the previous month was the least since May 2008"
So that's all right then. Now I could let them off with this kind of "reporting" if the jobless figure went up 800. 8,000 even. But 88,000! That's around the population of Hartlepool (Peter "Fighter not a Quitter" Mandleson's old constituency).
To try and paint a picture that almost 90,000 people losing their job is some sort of positive news is an absolute disgrace. It is a shocking statistic which should have Government talking heads being taken to task by the State Broadcaster.
However you get the feeling that the BBC is very much a mouthpiece for the incumbent government. I think they fear a Conservative Government and what they might do to try and change the BBC. To be honest I don't think they should worry unduly, I can't see the Tories changing anything much, they seem a pretty spineless bunch.
But the Beeb can't take any chances and I think the next few months will see them becoming more and more like Pravda.
We'll be hearing the good news about increased tractor production in Siberia and hourly speeches from the Dear Leader before the year is out.
Music tonight comes from a left wing firebrand which Auntie Beeb would thoroughly approve of - Between the Wars by Billy Bragg.
Tuesday, 13 October 2009
Breaking My Rules over Politicians
When I started this blog just over a week ago I made a promise to myself - I wouldn't blog about the same subject on consecutive days. As usual with the double standards you'll no doubt see me employ a lot as time goes on, I'm going to break it already and blog again today about MPs expenses.
Why? Because I'm hot under the collar about it. Apparently backbench MPs are up in arms about what they perceive as the "changing of the goalposts" by Sir Thomas Legg as he requests they pay back expenses. We claimed, they whine, within the rules at the time. Well the rules, which they made up themselves, stank to high heaven.
These people are our representatives. How can they be so ostrich like and have no idea whatsoever as to how the likes of expense claims work in the real world. Do you really expect to be reimbursed for the likes of gardening and decorating when it is of no consequence to the job you are employed in?
I have worked for a few small to medium sized businesses. I have alway been entitled to mileage as I have had to travel 3 or 4 times a week to meet Clients and candidates. Very rarely will I claim for this.
Same with meeting people for coffee or lunch, which due the nature of my job I have to do frequently and would be quite entitled to claim on expenses. Again, I rarely do it. Every penny is a prisoner in the private sector and I get paid a decent salary for what I do. I'd feel like I was taking the piss if I claimed a couple of quid every time I took someone to Starbucks. I know people who do claim every last penny and they are generally viewed dimly by their peers.
But these brass necked parasites in the House of Commons feel they are "entitled" to claim for duck houses, light bulbs, grass cutting and tree pruning. They need to work for a small business who are being crippled by the punitive tax regime for a few weeks to see what the real world looks like. Let's see where they're told to stick their receipt for grass cutting outwith their Ivory Tower.
Totally different music tonight. Traditional North East of Scotland folk music. Bothy Ballads. Listen to the Barnyards of Delgaty, Charlie Allan or Willie Clark have fantastic versions. If you can't understand it, let me know, I'll translate! Now that's me loused till the morn's nicht!
Why? Because I'm hot under the collar about it. Apparently backbench MPs are up in arms about what they perceive as the "changing of the goalposts" by Sir Thomas Legg as he requests they pay back expenses. We claimed, they whine, within the rules at the time. Well the rules, which they made up themselves, stank to high heaven.
These people are our representatives. How can they be so ostrich like and have no idea whatsoever as to how the likes of expense claims work in the real world. Do you really expect to be reimbursed for the likes of gardening and decorating when it is of no consequence to the job you are employed in?
I have worked for a few small to medium sized businesses. I have alway been entitled to mileage as I have had to travel 3 or 4 times a week to meet Clients and candidates. Very rarely will I claim for this.
Same with meeting people for coffee or lunch, which due the nature of my job I have to do frequently and would be quite entitled to claim on expenses. Again, I rarely do it. Every penny is a prisoner in the private sector and I get paid a decent salary for what I do. I'd feel like I was taking the piss if I claimed a couple of quid every time I took someone to Starbucks. I know people who do claim every last penny and they are generally viewed dimly by their peers.
But these brass necked parasites in the House of Commons feel they are "entitled" to claim for duck houses, light bulbs, grass cutting and tree pruning. They need to work for a small business who are being crippled by the punitive tax regime for a few weeks to see what the real world looks like. Let's see where they're told to stick their receipt for grass cutting outwith their Ivory Tower.
Totally different music tonight. Traditional North East of Scotland folk music. Bothy Ballads. Listen to the Barnyards of Delgaty, Charlie Allan or Willie Clark have fantastic versions. If you can't understand it, let me know, I'll translate! Now that's me loused till the morn's nicht!
Monday, 12 October 2009
Another Great Day in the UK
Well what have we today. Another normal day in the "mother of paliaments". Our esteemed Prime Minister has to repay almost £12.5k he claimed for cleaning and gardening. That's 12 thousand pounds. A lot of people in this country hardly earn that in wages a year. Clegg (you may not know this nonentity, he is the 'leader' of the Lib Dems) has to pay back almost a grand for the same. Cameron is being asked for clarification on mortgage payments he claimed for.
Then the ex-home Secretary Jacqui Smith "apologises" to the House of Commons for a little local difficulty with her expenses. She designated her sister's house in London, which she shares, as her main home and then claimed second home allowances on her family home. And there was the fun with her hubby's porn film. No repayment of the money, and the apology seemed more like a child shouting "It's not fair".......with a rubbish little ditty about not being able to work for her constituents because of it all. She won't have to worry about that after May next year.
And finally they wish to sell off the last of the family silver (including the Tote, Dartford Crossing and the Channel Rail Link) for raise £16 billion. That sounds impressive doesn't it. Unfortunately that will pay off about one month of our debts.
And these clowns wonder why the public don't trust them. They are a disgrace.
Tonight's music is Sabotage by the Beastie Boys. A far cry from their early stuff and all the better for it.
Then the ex-home Secretary Jacqui Smith "apologises" to the House of Commons for a little local difficulty with her expenses. She designated her sister's house in London, which she shares, as her main home and then claimed second home allowances on her family home. And there was the fun with her hubby's porn film. No repayment of the money, and the apology seemed more like a child shouting "It's not fair".......with a rubbish little ditty about not being able to work for her constituents because of it all. She won't have to worry about that after May next year.
And finally they wish to sell off the last of the family silver (including the Tote, Dartford Crossing and the Channel Rail Link) for raise £16 billion. That sounds impressive doesn't it. Unfortunately that will pay off about one month of our debts.
And these clowns wonder why the public don't trust them. They are a disgrace.
Tonight's music is Sabotage by the Beastie Boys. A far cry from their early stuff and all the better for it.
Sunday, 11 October 2009
Go Now Bigots
We've had another week of the bigot brothers from the West Coast telling the rest of Scottish Football how we hold them back and they need to move to the English Leagues to "fulfil their potential". Their mates in the (mainly) Glasgow press have enthusiastically backed them up.
Well I think I speak for the vast majority of fans of other teams in the SPL when I say, just go. Now. Leave us all in peace. We will survive very well without you. The league would be very competitive, with Aberdeen, the Dundee and Edinburgh teams all fighting for the title every season. The likes of Motherwell and Killie would also have a great chance of getting in on the act. You'd never know who was going to win the Cups, it would be wide open.
The crowds would be like the Leagues in Ireland and Wales the Glasgow press advise us. Nonsense. With a chance of winning the title the clubs I've mentioned above would get healthy crowds. Aberdeen games against Hearts and Dundee United have a healthy needle already and that's with only a European place up for grabs. Imagine if it were to win the title.
The TV money wouldn't be enough. Celtic and Rangers hoard 80% of it already. I'd be confident the SPL could negotiate a deal worth more than the 20% the other teams get just now.
We'd also get rid of the disgusting sectarian bile Celtic and Rangers specialise in. Every now and again UEFA make noises about sorting this out. The SFA do nothing. So they continue to sing their songs of hate.
My worry is that the English won't want them. And who can blame them. They saw how the Old Firm behave when Rangers "fans" trashed Manchester at the UEFA Cup Final. They won't stand for the sectarian tosh in London.
If there was a English Premier League 2 and the Old Firm had to start there, how long would it take them to get promoted into the top division? The Championship is a notoriously difficult league to get promoted from. I can't see EPL2 being any easier. A couple of seasons without promotion, no trophies and no Europe and the glory hunters would disappear like snow off a dyke. I remember the early 80's when the attendances at Ibrox hovered around 10,000.
So goodbye and good riddance Old Firm. Don't let the door hit your arse on the way out.
Music today Walk on By by the Stranglers. What a cover should be - a totally different take on the original.
Well I think I speak for the vast majority of fans of other teams in the SPL when I say, just go. Now. Leave us all in peace. We will survive very well without you. The league would be very competitive, with Aberdeen, the Dundee and Edinburgh teams all fighting for the title every season. The likes of Motherwell and Killie would also have a great chance of getting in on the act. You'd never know who was going to win the Cups, it would be wide open.
The crowds would be like the Leagues in Ireland and Wales the Glasgow press advise us. Nonsense. With a chance of winning the title the clubs I've mentioned above would get healthy crowds. Aberdeen games against Hearts and Dundee United have a healthy needle already and that's with only a European place up for grabs. Imagine if it were to win the title.
The TV money wouldn't be enough. Celtic and Rangers hoard 80% of it already. I'd be confident the SPL could negotiate a deal worth more than the 20% the other teams get just now.
We'd also get rid of the disgusting sectarian bile Celtic and Rangers specialise in. Every now and again UEFA make noises about sorting this out. The SFA do nothing. So they continue to sing their songs of hate.
My worry is that the English won't want them. And who can blame them. They saw how the Old Firm behave when Rangers "fans" trashed Manchester at the UEFA Cup Final. They won't stand for the sectarian tosh in London.
If there was a English Premier League 2 and the Old Firm had to start there, how long would it take them to get promoted into the top division? The Championship is a notoriously difficult league to get promoted from. I can't see EPL2 being any easier. A couple of seasons without promotion, no trophies and no Europe and the glory hunters would disappear like snow off a dyke. I remember the early 80's when the attendances at Ibrox hovered around 10,000.
So goodbye and good riddance Old Firm. Don't let the door hit your arse on the way out.
Music today Walk on By by the Stranglers. What a cover should be - a totally different take on the original.
Saturday, 10 October 2009
Back to the Future
The north east of Scotland is a beautiful place to live. Out here in Deeside the scenery is fantastic, it's generally low in crime and a great place to bring up your family. The weather can be dire, but if you've grown up here you're used to it. But it doesn't come without it's drawbacks, mainly in the sphere of transport.
Beeching decimated the railway system. Here in Lumphanan you can see the old Deeside railway line clearly and it annoys me that I can't jump on a train to work every day. The bus is over £8 SINGLE into Aberdeen. And it takes 90 minutes to get there, in the car you'll be there in less than half that time. There are about 3 buses a day, all of which are at times to suit the bus company, not the public. And they wonder why no-one uses public transport.
There is no chance of the railway being re-opened. It would cost too much and much of the old line has been built over. The bus company isn't going to reduce their prices, speed up or increase their service any time soon.
That's why every time a politician whines about getting us out of our cars and onto public transport, my eyes glaze over and my blood pressure heads up a little more. Surely once in a while these clowns can get into the real world and see how we live - they could do it in their annual leave, which seems to be a little more generous that the 28 days per annum most of us in the revenue generating sector of the population receive.
Music for today - try Happy Hour by the Housemartins. Cutting satire about the 9 to 5 in a killer feel good melody.
Beeching decimated the railway system. Here in Lumphanan you can see the old Deeside railway line clearly and it annoys me that I can't jump on a train to work every day. The bus is over £8 SINGLE into Aberdeen. And it takes 90 minutes to get there, in the car you'll be there in less than half that time. There are about 3 buses a day, all of which are at times to suit the bus company, not the public. And they wonder why no-one uses public transport.
There is no chance of the railway being re-opened. It would cost too much and much of the old line has been built over. The bus company isn't going to reduce their prices, speed up or increase their service any time soon.
That's why every time a politician whines about getting us out of our cars and onto public transport, my eyes glaze over and my blood pressure heads up a little more. Surely once in a while these clowns can get into the real world and see how we live - they could do it in their annual leave, which seems to be a little more generous that the 28 days per annum most of us in the revenue generating sector of the population receive.
Music for today - try Happy Hour by the Housemartins. Cutting satire about the 9 to 5 in a killer feel good melody.
Friday, 9 October 2009
Bingeing on the Nanny State
Friday night. The kids are settled and The Dark Knight is taped ready to watch. Down to the local shop for 4 cans of Guinness to relax and watch the film.
Go down there and it's adorned with signs everywhere - "drink aware", "know your limits", "no-one under 25 served alcohol". A young woman, obviously in her 20's is being refused the purchase of a bottle of wine. Embarrased, she walks out. The guy behind the counter, also embarrassed, is only doing his job. As I skulk out with my cans of Guinness, I feel like a criminal. Is this how it is for a junkie when they head into the daylight from a crack den?
Once I've drunk 2 or 3 of these cans, I'll be a 'binge drinker'. I haven't had a drink for a couple of weeks. This is a pretty normal state of affairs. I never drink on a 'school night', but if I go out of a weekend I'll drink more than the government "recommends". Sometimes a lot more. If I'm at home I'll maybe do what I'm doing tonight. This makes me some sort of evil, anti-social citizen according to the SNP "government" (more like a glorified regional council).
If you can't have a couple of beers at the weekend after a hard week at work without being castigated by these nannying busybodies at Hollyrood, god help us all. Now I think I'll go and find that nice bottle of Tomatin Malt and have a whisky chaser with this Guinness.
As a hard working, tax paying, adult, the recommended units of alcohol per day is any amount I damn well like.
Musical interlude tonight is an absolute classic - the Joy Division, Love will Tear us Apart. Ian Curtis' tragic life encapsulated in one heart tearing anthem. Listen to the words and if you're not moved you haven't got a soul.
Go down there and it's adorned with signs everywhere - "drink aware", "know your limits", "no-one under 25 served alcohol". A young woman, obviously in her 20's is being refused the purchase of a bottle of wine. Embarrased, she walks out. The guy behind the counter, also embarrassed, is only doing his job. As I skulk out with my cans of Guinness, I feel like a criminal. Is this how it is for a junkie when they head into the daylight from a crack den?
Once I've drunk 2 or 3 of these cans, I'll be a 'binge drinker'. I haven't had a drink for a couple of weeks. This is a pretty normal state of affairs. I never drink on a 'school night', but if I go out of a weekend I'll drink more than the government "recommends". Sometimes a lot more. If I'm at home I'll maybe do what I'm doing tonight. This makes me some sort of evil, anti-social citizen according to the SNP "government" (more like a glorified regional council).
If you can't have a couple of beers at the weekend after a hard week at work without being castigated by these nannying busybodies at Hollyrood, god help us all. Now I think I'll go and find that nice bottle of Tomatin Malt and have a whisky chaser with this Guinness.
As a hard working, tax paying, adult, the recommended units of alcohol per day is any amount I damn well like.
Musical interlude tonight is an absolute classic - the Joy Division, Love will Tear us Apart. Ian Curtis' tragic life encapsulated in one heart tearing anthem. Listen to the words and if you're not moved you haven't got a soul.
Thursday, 8 October 2009
Kids
It's been a long day. Already after 8pm and my two little darlings are still not in bed. They are sitting here with me watching Rainbow. Man this takes me back, George, Zippy and Bungle. And they seem to be as mesmerising to this generation as they were to me.
The wee one has had a bit of an infection so has been off nursery. Hence, the good lady has had to go to work this evening, leaving dad in charge. That's why the TV is on, they won't go to bed and we've had an eventful evening.
The 2 year old is potty training, but decided tonight to use the hall as his potty and has wee'd all over the shop. The pillows are strewn all over our bedroom again. Their toys, neatly put away in the box by mum earlier, are all over the living room floor (oldest looking for his DS, youngest wanting to use the box as a car).
I'm shattered. I haven't got near the report I took home to finish from work this evening and there's little chance of even getting it started before 10pm. If I get the boys to go to bed before 9pm tonight it will be a miracle. Then I'll have to tidy up.
But I wouldn't change the wee rascals for the world!
My muscial recommendation tonight is The Rain by the Cult. Not as well known as the likes of She Shells Sanctuary, it's still a great slice of goth rock from the mid-80s. Can't help thinking they since here comes lorraine though!!
Friday tomorrow, hurrah!
The wee one has had a bit of an infection so has been off nursery. Hence, the good lady has had to go to work this evening, leaving dad in charge. That's why the TV is on, they won't go to bed and we've had an eventful evening.
The 2 year old is potty training, but decided tonight to use the hall as his potty and has wee'd all over the shop. The pillows are strewn all over our bedroom again. Their toys, neatly put away in the box by mum earlier, are all over the living room floor (oldest looking for his DS, youngest wanting to use the box as a car).
I'm shattered. I haven't got near the report I took home to finish from work this evening and there's little chance of even getting it started before 10pm. If I get the boys to go to bed before 9pm tonight it will be a miracle. Then I'll have to tidy up.
But I wouldn't change the wee rascals for the world!
My muscial recommendation tonight is The Rain by the Cult. Not as well known as the likes of She Shells Sanctuary, it's still a great slice of goth rock from the mid-80s. Can't help thinking they since here comes lorraine though!!
Friday tomorrow, hurrah!
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
Tartan Barmy
In case you're not aware, I'm a football fan. Not footy, soccer or the beautiful game, but a fitba fan. I've been going to Pittodrie to watch Aberdeen since the mid 1970's. The game's generally been ruined by the johnny come latelys who believe Sky invented footy (I hate that bloody word) in 1992. I'll blog about that another day, tonight's all about international football.
I find internationals a bloody nuisance. You're just getting into the domestic season and an international turns up and breaks the pattern. I have little or no interest in the Scotland international team for several reasons.
Nowadays very few Dons players get into the international side (although Miller and Langfield are with them this time, because the Old Firm players have picked up "injuries" again. Pound to a penny they are all back playing for the bigot brothers next weekend though). I really can't be arsed watching a team full of Rangers and Celtic reserves, plus some guys who play in the English lower leagues but who our esteemed Manager thinks are good players because there's loads of dosh sloshing about in what is Divisions 3 and 4 in old money.
On top of that you've got the Tartan Army themselves. Now I know guys who follow the National Team and good luck to them. But I can't get excited about wandering the world dressed like I've just jumped off the front of a shortbread tin or arrived from Brigadoon singing Doh a Deer or We'll be coming down the road. Each to their own. I'm a parochial sod and will continue to be an Aberdeenshire loon first and foremost thanks.
But the biggest reason I've little interest in international football is Ally MacLeod. Ally was Aberdeen manager when I started going to the football. Ally won the League Cup in 1976 with the Dons. The picture adorning this blog is of Drew Jarvie and Davie "the Brush" Robb celebrating said win. Ally left the Dons and became Scotland Manager. And told us we'd win the World Cup. I was 9 years old. I believed him. Along with everyone else at school we got the 1978 World Cup tops (HUGE badges thereon). My sis and I had Ally's Tartan Army t-shirts. We sat at home eagerly awaiting the first game against Peru. We lost 3-1. Iran......1-1........Holland (THAT Archie Gemmill goal) win 3-2 but we're out. That wasn't supposed to happen. It's a big deal for a 9 year old for a hero to lie to them.
And so it went on.........1982, Alan Hansen gets in the road of Willie Miller, Russia send us out. 1986, we can't beat a team who were down to 10 men after a couple of minutes.............1990 we get beat by Costa Rica..............
It's too much to bear. I can handle Aberdeen being rubbish. It's my calling in life to support my local team through thick and thin, over the past 15 years mostly very thin. But I can't double up and do the same with the international side anymore. I admire those who can. It's just not for me nowadays.
But I can't be mad with Ally anymore, rest his soul, he was an optimist, something this country doesn't have many of. He also had a personality, which, again, is a rare commodity.
So excuse me if I don't watch Scotland draw with Japan this weekend, but to those of you who do....."We'll be coming, we'll be coming, we'll be coming down the road"..................
Tonight's musical recommendation is from The Smiths. How Soon is Now? Listen to Johnny Marr's guitar on this and wonder, how in the world did he do that. The man is a genuis.
I find internationals a bloody nuisance. You're just getting into the domestic season and an international turns up and breaks the pattern. I have little or no interest in the Scotland international team for several reasons.
Nowadays very few Dons players get into the international side (although Miller and Langfield are with them this time, because the Old Firm players have picked up "injuries" again. Pound to a penny they are all back playing for the bigot brothers next weekend though). I really can't be arsed watching a team full of Rangers and Celtic reserves, plus some guys who play in the English lower leagues but who our esteemed Manager thinks are good players because there's loads of dosh sloshing about in what is Divisions 3 and 4 in old money.
On top of that you've got the Tartan Army themselves. Now I know guys who follow the National Team and good luck to them. But I can't get excited about wandering the world dressed like I've just jumped off the front of a shortbread tin or arrived from Brigadoon singing Doh a Deer or We'll be coming down the road. Each to their own. I'm a parochial sod and will continue to be an Aberdeenshire loon first and foremost thanks.
But the biggest reason I've little interest in international football is Ally MacLeod. Ally was Aberdeen manager when I started going to the football. Ally won the League Cup in 1976 with the Dons. The picture adorning this blog is of Drew Jarvie and Davie "the Brush" Robb celebrating said win. Ally left the Dons and became Scotland Manager. And told us we'd win the World Cup. I was 9 years old. I believed him. Along with everyone else at school we got the 1978 World Cup tops (HUGE badges thereon). My sis and I had Ally's Tartan Army t-shirts. We sat at home eagerly awaiting the first game against Peru. We lost 3-1. Iran......1-1........Holland (THAT Archie Gemmill goal) win 3-2 but we're out. That wasn't supposed to happen. It's a big deal for a 9 year old for a hero to lie to them.
And so it went on.........1982, Alan Hansen gets in the road of Willie Miller, Russia send us out. 1986, we can't beat a team who were down to 10 men after a couple of minutes.............1990 we get beat by Costa Rica..............
It's too much to bear. I can handle Aberdeen being rubbish. It's my calling in life to support my local team through thick and thin, over the past 15 years mostly very thin. But I can't double up and do the same with the international side anymore. I admire those who can. It's just not for me nowadays.
But I can't be mad with Ally anymore, rest his soul, he was an optimist, something this country doesn't have many of. He also had a personality, which, again, is a rare commodity.
So excuse me if I don't watch Scotland draw with Japan this weekend, but to those of you who do....."We'll be coming, we'll be coming, we'll be coming down the road"..................
Tonight's musical recommendation is from The Smiths. How Soon is Now? Listen to Johnny Marr's guitar on this and wonder, how in the world did he do that. The man is a genuis.
Tuesday, 6 October 2009
Blog Number One
I've read other blogs for quite some time now. I always said I'd get round to starting one of my own and tonight's the night. There's two reasons for this (apologies to Rod Stewart for nicking a song title from him in sentence 2. Start as you mean to go on my man):
- Number one son's parent's night went well. He needs to improve the layout of his writing, can dad help? Yes he can, he'll blog and show him how to present a page (or not as the case may be). See mum I was listening to you as you regaled me with the story of the parent's night. I stayed at home with son number two before you start having a pop about me not being there!
- The Conservative Party's announcement today about the increase in the Pension age to 66.
Now this blog will be a place where a guy who has just turned 40 vents his spleen a bit. And it'll be pretty eclectic, whatever takes my fancy on a certain day will be written about, but politics will feature a fair amount. So as good a place to start as any, especially with us being in the conference season.
New Labour have done my head in. Slippery, disingenuous, incompetent, arrogant and sleazy, you just can't imagine things could be any worse.
And then "Boy" George and Call Me Dave turn up and casually advise me "sorry old boy, country in a bit of a mess, you'll have to work another year". And you can bet your life it'll have gone up again by the time I think about spending my days on the golf course.
You end up with the idea that these Labour and Tory clowns are basically two cheeks of the same backside. It appears they've decided the people who do actually work will be made to do so until they drop down dead.
You know who you are - the "hard working families" they patronise once every 5 years when they want your vote. Then they squeeze every single penny they can out of you for the next 4 years, before giving you a few quid back as another bribe in the budget preceding the next General Election.
A cynic would suggest this latest bright idea is a ploy to make sure they don't have to pay any state pension to us at all, as we'll all have worked ourselves to death before we get to pension age. Either that or it's like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. You get to 66, sorry it's now 67 until you get your dosh, 67th birthday arrives, sorry mate 68 now and so on..............
Never mind, our private pension pots are teeming with cash........oh hold on, Gordon stole all the cash out of there too..........
On a brighter note (I will try to end on a positive note when at all possible!!), every post will end with a recommendation of a song I think you should listen to/download. You'll find as we go along how much I love music, probably taken from my Dad who was a drummer in a band for many years.
Recommendation 1 - I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better by the Byrds. Listen to the vocal harmonies, awesome.
Well hope you've enjoyed Post 1. I think I'm going to enjoy this!!
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