About Me

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41, (how the fuck did that happen?) Married to Bart two dogs Kira and Cooper (white German Shepard's) two brothers one sister 1 niece 2 nephews. Live in Milton Keynes.

Sunday 28 December 2008

Thank you Santa

I just wanted to say thank you to all my family for making this Christmas a very happy one. I love you all.

I received some fabulous gifts this year, so thanks to:

Mum and Dad for the Le Creuset cookware, very nice indeed, add to that a TomTom sat nav from my Dad. I must have been a very good boy indeed at some point this year but I can't think of when for the life of me .

Thanks to Sharon and Damien and the kids for a great day being Uncle Tony and having so many hugs I lost count, and for my Hugo, I never leave home without it.

Thanks to John for my Blu-ray copy of This is England. I can't wait to see it.

Most of all thanks to my hubby, he gave me a new sound system for my iPod, a cosy M&S bath robe, some jim jams and best of all he is going to record all of my old vinyl over to my laptop and my iPod. Thank you babe, I love you.

To everyone reading this I hope you had a great Christmas filled with all the things you wished for, and to a very happy, peaceful and prosperous new year. Here's to a great 2009 - Cheers!!

Thursday 25 December 2008

Thursday 18 December 2008

new trance for 2009

This track is Rob Richards - Dreamer.

It come from the stable of Robert Brown. He is friends with my very good friend Emma's younger brother Shaun. We all attended the same school and are friends through Stantonbury Campus Facebook group, so I thought I would give him some support. He has started his own record label (Inner City Records) based here in MK. Check out more here on YouTube.

Trance is not really my thing but I am more than happy to support a local artist. Good luck Rob.



Only 79 views so far be one of the first.

Sunday 14 December 2008

Northern Soul

I was bored this morning so I hooked up YouTube and off I went on one of those journeys that could take you anywhere.

Well I ended up here. Northern Soul, a particular musical movement from the 70's the main base was in the north of England. More particularly for this post anyway at the Wigan Casino, not a casino but a dance hall. The owners got an all night licence so that punters could dance all night. Well from 12.00 to 06.00 am. No alcohol could be served to keep within the licensing agreement, so these kids danced all night on a high, fueled by the music of black America the other dancers and maybe a little speed.

The first clip will give you an idea of what the scene was all about. The documentary from the 70's the middle clip gives a bit more background but I felt it was missing something I want to know more about the people, and what the music from a different place and time meant to them.

Apparently there is a movie in the making that documents the rise and fall of a particularly English party scene. So maybe I will get the answers that I need from that when it is released.

I am from the south and just a little to young to have been a part of this incredibly interesting scene, so I mainly missed out, though I was aware thanks to some northern friends at school (Marie B in particular).

Looking back it strikes me that there are some strong similarities between the Northern Soul scene of the 70's and the rave scene in the late 80's early 90's a scene that I spent so much of my time and sweaty energy following .

I too had a church to worship at each Friday and Saturday night (Labyrinth at the 3 aces club). Where too no drink was sold (apart from water) and everyone there was in it for the music the dance and the excitement of being directly involved in a form of expression that was truly ours and no one else's, at least at that time. It was also a time of strong friendships bonding myself and my fellow ravers. Imagine a train load of excited teenagers and early twenty somethings off to London to one of the most hardcore clubs in existence at that time. We were all paid up members and regular faces and we all reveled in those moments of realization of what we were doing. I don't remember this specifically but the Prodigy played their first live PA here and were regular members themselves, I must have been there as I was always there every Friday or Saturday without fail. It was as hard as it got. These clips bring back those same feelings. Memories as hard as they get and then some.

I am looking forward to the film next year, I will post more info when I have it. In the mean time enjoy some classic Northern Soul.





If you're out there Santa

KASRA : ALL SOUNDS ELECTRIC 2



CAUSE 4 CONCERN : DREAM KILLER

Lusciously dark like 80% chocolate.

Saturday 13 December 2008

Dump Road - Socal Bombing

What a feeling. I love this video 5.05 of pure bliss.



Once more with feeling.

Thursday 11 December 2008

Sign language taught to deaf dog


Todays ahhhh dog story.

Sign language taught to deaf dog

Zoe is gaining confidence as she masters more sign commands
A deaf dog has been taught sign language by an animal charity in order to help find her a new home.
Zoe, an 18-month-old Dalmation, is being cared for at the RSPCA's Little Valley Animal Shelter in Exeter.
Staff at the shelter were worried Zoe, who is almost completely deaf, might be overlooked by prospective adopters.
But they say she has taken to the new routine "like a duck to water" and has already learned seven sign commands, including "sit", "stay" and "lie down".
Gill Hodge, an animal behaviour assistant at the shelter, said: "When she came to us, Zoe was very timid and lacked confidence, and it soon became apparent she was deaf.
"Her deafness meant we could not train her with voice commands in the usual way, so we came up with the idea of sign language."
The RSPCA hopes the dog's new-found confidence will help her find a suitable home.

Tuesday 9 December 2008

Test reveals dogs' jealous side

Any of you out there with two or more dogs will know full well that they get jealous. For instance, Cooper will not allow Bart and I to kiss or hug in the kitchen without leaning against me so hard that we have to stop before I fall over. One dog can not be cuddled, stroked or brushed without the other being obviously put out. Hora it has been proven, dogs get jealous. Now we can all get on with our lives. Interesting story just the same.

The dog handshake is initially rewarded with food
Scientists in Austria say they have found a basic form of jealousy in dogs.
The Vienna-based researchers showed that dogs will stop doing a simple task when not rewarded if another dog, which continues to be rewarded, is present.
Writing in the journal PNAS, the scientists say this shows a sensitivity in dogs that was only previously found in primates.
The researchers now plan to extend their experiments to look at co-operative behaviour in wolves.
The experiment consisted of taking pairs of dogs and getting them to present a paw for a reward. On giving this "handshake" the dogs received a piece of food.
One of the dogs was then asked to shake hands, but received no food. The other dog continued to get the food when it was asked to perform the task.
Reward value
The dog without the reward quickly stopped doing the task, and showed signs of annoyance or stress when its partner was rewarded.
To make sure that the experiment was really showing the interaction between the dogs rather than just the frustration of not being rewarded, a similar experiment was conducted where the dogs performed the task without the partner. Here they continued to present the paw for much longer.

The dog sees its partner rewarded
Dr Frederike Range from the department of neurobiology and cognition research at the University of Vienna, says this shows that it was the presence of the rewarded partner which was the greater influence on their behaviour.
"The only difference is one gets food and the other doesn't, they are responding to being unequally rewarded." she said.
The researchers say this kind of behaviour, where one animal gets frustrated with what is happening with another, has only been observed in primates before.
Studies with various types of monkeys and chimpanzees show they react not only to seeing their partners receiving rewards when they are not, but also to the type of reward.
The dog study also looked at whether the type of reward made a difference. Dogs were given either bread or sausage, but seemed to react equally to either. Dr Range says this may be because they have been trained.
"It's through the fact they have to work for the reward, this confers it with a higher value," she said.
Evolution
The researchers say this behaviour, reacting to others receiving rewards, may represent an earlier stage in the evolution of co-operative behaviours seen in human and primates.
"I think it's a precursor, simpler than in humans, it's a selfish behaviour, they don't react to seeing others treated unfairly. With humans they react, say it's unfair, we can't see anything like that in the dogs," said Dr Range.

The dog soon refuses to raise a pawThe researchers say the type of behaviour exhibited in the experiment is probably due to the dog's close association with humans. Dr Range says other animals need to be studied to really show how animals naturally exhibit jealousies or cooperate.
"I'm sure that it's not something that evolved with the dogs, we will have to test it in wolves and other cooperating species," she said.
Dr Range is currently rearing wolf cubs in order to perform similar experiments. She says the wolves will be able to do the paw test, but that it is really the wrong experiment. She regards this as something unnatural, that dogs are taught by their owners.
"They can give the paw, but it's not the right test. We must take the human out of the equation, then we can compare directly wolves with dogs."

Cute

Sir Rupert, the Gay Knight

Monday 8 December 2008

Milton Keynes is on the up

We have been the butt of many jokes over the years. You can say what you like about my dear city, "it's just full concrete cows and roundabouts". True these things do exist here but there is much more than just these two things to Milton Keynes. Though they do seem to be the most common landmarks associated with the city from the outside. Here are a few facts to put that straight.





So tell me where else in the UK can you live in a city of close to 300,000 people and ride a bike to work from one side of the city to the other and not cross a main road? We have over 120 miles of redway (a cycle network that goes through city parks and estates but hardly cross any main roads). For most Journeys the redway network is faster than using the grid road system

There are supposedly 20 trees for each resident planted throughout the landscaped conurbation. This is great if you are a dog owner as I am or a parent as many residents are. Milton Keynes has one of the youngest populations in Europe. So much open space on your doorstep no matter where in the city you live.



We also have lakes for fishing as well as some set a side for more active water users. We have the wakeboard centre at Willen Lake for instance.



For the more cultural there is the Japanese Peace Pagoda the first in the UK. There is the art gallery in the theater district and the theater where Henry Winkler is just about to start playing in panto, Oh yes he is. To top all of this off we are only 45 minutes from central London by train.

Did I mention that we are also home of the WW2 code breakers and the birthplace of the modern computer at Bletchley Park.



I was reading something on MSN news today that listed the top 50 destinations in the UK for a day out. MK came near the top.

How about some indoor real-snow skiing and simulated skydiving to liven things up? According to research by VisitBritain, the Xscape entertainment complex in Milton Keynes was one of the nation’s most-visited attractions last year, drawing 6.9m people – that’s over three times as many as the Tower of London. A striking modern building, the second-tallest in Milton Keynes, Xscape contains a real-snow ski slope, a climbing wall and even a new wind tunnel that imitates the experience of freefall skydiving.

So if you fancy a great weekend out there are worse places to visit 6.9 million people cant be wrong can they? See you soon.

Russell Brand - Surprise Visit on Loose Women

Miss you!

Facts about England

I can confirm this is completely accurate.





Guess who was mostly on YouTube tonight.

Sunday 7 December 2008

Someone needs a Valium

Or maybe just a cuddle.

Tuesday 2 December 2008

Lowkey - In My Lifetime featuring Wretch32



In My Lifetime is the first official single off Lowkey's new LP Dear Listener and features Wretch 32 of The Movement.

"Lowkey's dope! Definately representing for the UK"
Ghostface Killah (Wu-Tang Clan)

"One of my favourite rappers right now"
DJ Semtex (BBC 1Xtra + Dizzee Rascal's DJ)


Thanks to Ian from 7Thirty Entertainment Management, Marketing and Consultancy. Who emailed this to me today and asked if I would put it up on the blog. There was no doubt that I would. A video is to follow but this is so hot off the press it hasn't been filmed yet. I will post it as soon as I can get my hands on it.

I am hoping to get tickets to a gig a bit closer to MK than Manchester where Mongrel are playing on Saturday. If you are one of the lucky ones please let me know how it went. So jealous!

Sunday 30 November 2008

Odd Box 27 Nov

Hay Fiona

Do you think rapping your history lectures could take off? And I love the use of Barney as a tool for discipline I can't imagine a worse punishment.

Odd Box 27 November.

MONGREL - The Menace

Here are my new friends Lowkey MC and John Mcclure from Reverend and the Makers. In their new side project Mongrel. I thought it was really worth sharing. I think I'm starting to get a little obsessed.

Lowkey I'm still waiting for my CD where is it?

There is a full promo video on Youtube but I love this version in the raw.

Here is a bit more info on the band lifted from their facebook page.

Jon McClure - Reverend and The Makers
Low-key – Uk Hip Hop Artist
Andy Nicholson – Ex Arctic Monkeys Bassist
Matt Helders – Arctic Monkeys Drummer
Drew McConnell – Babyshambles Guitarist
Joe Moskow – Reverend and The Makers

Mongrel. A coalition of the willing. A force of nature based on musical artists who want to say something about the world they live in and be free of the merry go round of make record release make record release. Attached to the old fashioned notion that its cool to care about the world you live in made popular by the punks and the 60's counter culturalists before them we got together and made a record from our own pockets to make a stand and put our sword in the dirt. Bringing together people from different parts in the world of different musical styles, Mongrel merges the UK indie music scene with a hip hop community ignored for the large part by the wider media. Tackling themes shied away from by mainstream musicians, Mongrel was mixed and dubbed by Adrian Sherwood of ON-U-SOUND. Made in the backdrop of London at a time when the BNP were on the increase and a man who calls Black People "picaninnies", Mongrel is a celebration of everything that is good about Britain at the same time as pointing out its flaws. A coming together of different culture from common cause. We play Lebanon in August and the UK in October. Ma'salam




Friday 28 November 2008

Invaders Must Die

I am so excited. This is the new Prodigy single Invaders Must Die taken from the new album of the same name due out on April 02.09

Pre order the album here. This single is also available as a free download through the site until next Wednesday. I am hoping that I get one of the signed copy's being sent out at random.


Saturday 22 November 2008

Lowkey my new Facebook friend

I had a random friends request two days ago. I accepted, I'm nice like that or maybe just a little desperate for friends. I am so glad that I did this guy is a true UK talent.

He has just released a new album, Dear Listener released on November 10th. If you like this go buy it, I did. Check out more vids on his myspace page.



Tuesday 18 November 2008

Jehst

Interstellar chav the high planes drifter.

In my opinion some of the best UK Hip Hop out there.

This is from 2001 album Return of the drifter.



This has the fabulously crazy Davis Ike ranting about the end of the world. Genius.

Wednesday 12 November 2008

For Fiona

World Championship Conkers vs Doney Wackers

This is the most exciting video exploring the world of Conkers or should I say Doney Wackers that I could find. You have to love old (older) people.

Tuesday 11 November 2008

VW Camper Cookbook

You know that guy with the obsession, well this is what you buy him for Christmas. I'm just saying.


Sunday 9 November 2008

172 ft dive

This has to be one of the best things that I have seen on YouTube this year. Does this sport still exist? I just can't imagine.


Friday 7 November 2008

What an amazing story

For those of you who know me you will be well aware that I have some serious problems with my eye sight. So when I saw this story today it brought a lump to my throat.

Bart gets emotional when he sees a guide dog doing its work in the street. Who would believe that you could land a plain safely when you find yourself stricken with blindness at 15000 ft.

Hats off to all the RAF guys involved for a job well done, and a speedy recovery to the pilot Jim O'Neill.


Blind pilot guided to land by RAF

The pilot lost his sight as he flew this Cessna aircraft back from a holiday
A pilot who suddenly went blind while flying his plane at 15,000ft (4,572m) was guided in to land by an RAF plane.
A plane was scrambled from the RAF base at Linton-on-Ouse in North Yorkshire to help stricken pilot Jim O'Neill, 65.
He was flying a two-seater Cessna aircraft from Prestwick airport in Scotland to Colchester, Essex, when he suffered a stroke and lost his sight.
The RAF plane flew alongside Mr O'Neill and the pilot shepherded him to the base with instructions over the radio.
Mr O'Neill, who has 18 years' flying experience, was overhead at RAF Leeming in Northallerton when he encountered difficulty and sent a mayday alert last Friday.

Douglas O'Neill says his father saw the dials shining brightly before he lost his sight
Operations commanding officer at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, Wing Cdr Andy Hynd, said: "At first he believed he was being blinded by sunlight because he had difficulty seeing his instruments and so he declared an emergency.
"He was handed over to us from Leeming and when we spoke to him he said he was happy to continue flying.
"However, air traffic control noticed his aircraft was descending and turning and he was asked again whether he wanted to continue at which point he said no."
Despite air traffic controllers' efforts, Mr O'Neill was unable to land the plane at nearby Full Sutton Airfield near York and was directed to RAF Linton-on-Ouse.
Mr Hynd said: "He still couldn't see the runway here and he was starting to get distressed so we thought it was best to send a plane to him."

Radar controller Sgt Richard Eggleton helped guide Mr O'Neill to safety
Wing Cdr Paul Gerrard, chief flying instructor, flew his Tucano T1 about 50m next to the Cessna to bring Mr O'Neill safely down.
Mr Hynd said: "He used his voice to guide him [Mr O'Neill] down by telling him to turn left and right, to lower the plane and to do his pre-landing checks.
"At very short range he still couldn't see the runway and it was only at the last minute that he could. He landed about halfway down and came to a halt just at the end.
"The RAF routinely practises shepherding but we are usually shepherding lost aircraft, we are not used to shepherding blind pilots, which is what makes this amazing.
"It was a fantastic team effort from all those involved and we're proud that we could get him to the ground safely."
Mr O'Neill was checked over by RAF medics before being transferred to Queen's Hospital in Romford, Essex where he is believed to be seriously ill.

Thursday 6 November 2008

Sunday 2 November 2008

What a massive over reaction

Sorry but I had to post the full BBC story.


It's not all over yet

By Torin Douglas
Media correspondent, BBC News

BBC director general Mark Thompson
Mark Thompson has promised a full investigation of the facts

So where do things stand at the end of a week of crisis for the BBC?

The controller of Radio 2, Lesley Douglas, has resigned.

Jonathan Ross has been suspended without pay for three months.

Russell Brand has resigned.

Tighter editorial controls are to be introduced for the BBC's radio networks, with "high risk" programmes to be dealt with as a matter of urgency.

The BBC Trust has ordered Radio 2 to broadcast an apology to listeners and licence-payers.

The director general Mark Thompson has been told to write a letter of apology to Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs and his grand-daughter.

Russell Brand
Russell Brand took off for LA on Friday where his film career is blossoming

A review of editorial guidelines planned for next year will now focus on the "importance of editorial boundaries for high-risk broadcast material" - those "edgy" programmes that broadly divide older audiences from younger ones.

But it's not quite over yet.

The BBC is still investigating just how the offending programme was approved for broadcast, including the role of the Radio 2 controller Lesley Douglas.

The director general of the BBC, Mark Thompson, revealed on Friday that she was aware of the contents of the controversial broadcast before it went to air, but had not heard it.

This may put things in a new perspective. Until now, it has been suggested that Ms Douglas resigned to protect more junior staff from being made scapegoats.

Presenters, politicians and broadcasting executives have spoken of their regret at her departure, saying licence fee payers would be poorer served without her.

Lesley Douglas
Former Radio 2 controller Douglas remains at the centre of the row

Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans said she was the best boss he had ever had. Fellow colleague Terry Wogan said he hoped her sacrifice would bring everything back down to earth and give a sense of proportion.

The former managing director of BBC Radio, Dame Liz Forgan, told Radio 5 Live: "Lesley Douglas is one of the outstanding broadcasters of her generation.

"She's probably brought more fun and happiness and pleasure to millions of licence payers than many people at the BBC, and I don't see how licence payers can possibly be served by her resignation.

"I think the BBC has lost its wits."

On Radio 2, the BBC director general said he had thought long and hard before accepting Douglas's resignation.

Questioned by Jeremy Vine, he said he had concluded it was the right thing to happen because she had been in overall charge of editorial compliance on the network and had known about the content of the programme.

Sir Terry Wogan
Wogan has expressed doubts as to whether Ross will return to the BBC

Vine said: "You've said already, yesterday, she didn't hear it. The producer obviously, actively involved, did hear it. Somewhere in between the two is another person - is there still a process going on?"

Thompson replied: "Yes. We're still looking in detail and talking to some of the people involved. But I think it's fair to say Lesley was aware of the key parts of the content of the programme."

Paul Gambaccini, who presents a weekly show on the network, said she'd stood by Russell Brand through thick and thin. He told Radio 5 Live he had warned Douglas about the dangers when she first hired Brand:

"In this profession, we never disparage a colleague - it's an unwritten rule. But when his hire was announced, I sent an email of protest to her, the only one I've ever sent in my entire career.

"I knew this would end in tears because it could only end in tears. When you pick up a time bomb one day it will explode, because that's what time bombs do."


There is a need for a clear understanding for where the boundaries lie

Sir Michael Lyons, BBC chairman

The part played by Douglas and other senior Radio 2 executives is crucial to an understanding of what happened, because it will clarify whether it was the BBC's procedures that were at fault or individuals' judgements - or a bit of both.

On Radio 4's Today, the BBC chairman Sir Michael Lyons said editorial control involved not just rules and guidelines but their interpretation: "There is a need for a clear understanding for where the boundaries lie, recognising that it's not a picket fence that we can all point to.

"Actually it is a matter of judgement - and if it weren't a matter of judgement, frankly we wouldn't need editors and controllers. That's their job to make those judgements."

The BBC Trust has asked Mr Thompson for a final report on how the programme came to be broadcast - and how to prevent such an incident happening again.

Wednesday 29 October 2008

Hype from my era

Hay Fiona

This is from 1992 when I used to go see hype along with 15 thousand other wide eyed ravers. He was and is a scratch master, this is still fast but not quite D&B yet.



I was at this rave it was at the Sanctuary in Bletchley next to Rollers. I even danced on stage at one point. Poor quality but there where no Mobile phone cameras in those days. You don't see me in this clip but I am on the full video if you can find it.

Feed me

Hype has been one of my favorite DJs since my Labyrinth days back in 1990. Food for an old ravers soul.

Check out the bad ass scratching.

dj hype drum & bass arena



Thursday 23 October 2008

Fonejacker

I'm sitting here watching Fonejacker on Channel 4 catchup while Bart is on the US news sites he loves so much. I thought I would share a couple of clips. For those of you that don't know Fonejacker it is a show based on crank calls made by one man Comedian Kayvan Novak. I love him just a little bit he is very versatile.








Wednesday 22 October 2008

Tuesday 21 October 2008

So how did my car die

Let me bore you with the crash details. There is a quote from the nice lady that hit me that made some of the girls at work laugh, you just have to read on for me to reveal it.

I left work early on Friday and went to get myself supplied with beer for the weekend. That is where things started to go down hill. I got to the counter with my beer and waited for my Switch card to be accepted, you know when it just takes too long and the threat of denial looms over you, and you can feel the queue behind you hushing to hear for the bad news. Well it was like that, eventually the girl said, 'the connection is down I think your card is fine,' sighs of relief from me and groans of disappointment from the queue. So being a solutions kind of guy I went over to the cash machine and made a withdrawal to payed for my precious.



Pleased with myself off I set for home and my comfy chair and an ice cold beer. I got to the junction where I turn right and had to stop to wait for the oncoming traffic to pass. I had my break lights on and I was indicating correctly. Suddenly I see a blue flash in my rear view mirror and think to myself this is going to hurt and - bang. A witness who helpfully stopped estimated her speed at 60 mph. There were no skid marks, so she didn't even break. There was quite a big jolt and I came to rest on the same side of the road thankfully. I did a quick check and all my bits seemed to be functioning so I pulled the car up on to the grass verge and got out to see who had hit me and to see if they were OK. She was a small blond, around 30, and was initially sure that the whole thing was my fault. Our witness put a sharp end to that, and she soon admitted that she didn't even see me in the road until she was millimeters from my bumper.



We sat around at the road side for a while as insurance details were swapped; all this done I walked home to fetch Bart as I didn't have my phone on me. When we returned to the car the nice lady was still there waiting for the AA to pick up her car and take her home. As I approached her from the car she started to cry. Obviously, the kind hearted people person that I am, I went to comfort her (remember this was all her fault). As I got close enough for her to whisper she said, "I have just had a boob job and they don't feel right" she was holding her chest as she spoke. I was a little unsure as to how I should respond to this so I just said I'm sure they will be fine and patted her on the shoulder. I was tempted but I thought better of it.

So I have asked around at work and no one so far has been able to beat this as a post crash quote. I'm fine by the way, but the car is dead.

Palin the Post Turtle

While suturing a cut on the hand of a 75 year old rancherwhose hand was caught in the gate while working cattle, the doctor struck up a conversation with the old man. Eventually the topic got around to Palin and her bid.
The old rancher said, "Well, ya know, Palin is a 'Post Turtle.'"
Not being familiar with the term, the doctor asked him what a 'post turtle' was.
The old rancher said, "When you're driving down a country road you come across a fence post with a turtle balanced on top, that's a 'post turtle.'
"The old rancher saw the puzzled look on the doctor's face so he continued to explain. "You know she didn't get up there by herself, she doesn't belong up there, and she doesn't know what to do while she's up there, and you just wonder what kind of dumb ass her up there to begin with."

Sunday 19 October 2008

Sick Sick Sick

I guess: 8,559,689 views can't be wrong.



Scab

Taken from YouTube short films from around the world. I like this a lot.

For Andrew

I found it, get ready for Moped the official Scooter tribute band.

Click Here

And here

And this one is for me, Fiona and Charles.

Go to the website here

Saturday 18 October 2008

Wednesday 8 October 2008

OK Bart I know you will like this one

Sorry you missed it babe.

Tuesday 7 October 2008

For Bart

This made me think of you in the car today, I know that you like them. So I thought I would share.



Simon is just about my favorite person on TV it's just a shame he doesn't do T4 on Sunday mornings anymore. This is what he did with the Kooks. Enjoy!!

Thursday 2 October 2008

The bright side of the credit crunch

I know that people are hurting out there and I genuinely feel for them. Bart wrote about it in a way that I wish I could have on his blog. For Bart and I this credit crunch thing may have a silver lining. House prices in MK have always been high due partly to our close proximity (just 45 minutes by train) to London, and the great range of leisure and business opportunities within the city.

We have lived in the same house close to ten years now and we are both getting itchy feet, but we do not have the purchasing power to move up the housing ladder. Maybe now things are moving in our direction. Over the past couple of months we have seen houses that a year ago would have been close to the £300,000 (or $600,000 at the exchange rates of the time) mark are now much more realistically priced - almost affordable, assuming that you are able to get a new mortgage. I understand that this is a nightmare if you bought at the top of the market, but it's good news for people like us who have stayed put for some time and are not in negative equity (only just), and have reasonably safe employment.

The story below gives a view on how the housing market is being affected here today.


UK house prices 'continue fall'

The fall echoed the monthly drop in August
UK house prices have fallen for an 11th consecutive month, dropping by 1.7% in September, according to the Nationwide.

The lender recorded a 12.4% annual drop in prices, pushing the cost of the average UK home down to £161,797, more than £20,000 less than a year ago.

Nationwide said the pace of house price falls had stabilised, but warned the next year or two would be "difficult".

House prices were down year-on-year across the UK, with southern England suffering worse than the north.

The rate of fall, which was the same as in August, has remained relatively unchanged in the past three months.

"Casting back one year, there have been some astonishing and unpredictable developments in the housing and financial markets," said Fionnuala Earley, Nationwide's chief economist.

But she added that in the long-term there was no reason why house prices would not continue to grow in real terms even though there was a "sharp correction" now.

How long the correction lasts and how deep the fall in prices is depends largely on sentiment, as well as an end to the turmoil in the financial markets, she says.

Her analysis comes shortly after the Council of Mortgage Lenders suggested that predicting the short term course of house prices was "futile".

Regional breakdown

The Nationwide has also released figures showing prices during the third quarter of the year in different areas of the UK.

Ms Earley said that a distinctive feature of the July to September period was the accelerating fall in house prices in the south of England compared with the north.

Four of the six regions registering double-digit price declines were in the South, with East Anglia and the South West showing the biggest annual drops - both 11.4%.

Northern Ireland showed the steepest decline in house prices across the UK, which are now 29.8% lower than a year ago.

So when you next come to visit we may have taken advantage of this situation and be in a new home.

Tuesday 30 September 2008

Gurkhas win right to stay in UK




This is great news for common sense. I have the utmost respect for the Gurkha regiment and the brave soldiers that serve in it.

I remember seeing a documentary on TV when I was a kid that was focused on the Gurkha regiment and its history. I remember being moved at how these young men from across the world would (Gurkha, also spelled as "Gorkha" are people from Nepal, who take their name from the eighth century warrior-saint "Guru Gorakhnath" fight (literally) for the right to serve in the British army. I can't think that young men and women here would put themselves through the very rigorous selection process. Not only do they fight bravely but the Gurkhas are always right up there on the front line. Fighting for a country that they have probably never seen in the flesh.

I feel ashamed that these brave old solderers have had to fight us to gain the right to live here if they so wish. Surely this should be the absolute least that we can do for them. I Wonder if the fight for equal pension payments will have the same happy outcome, lets hope so.



A group of retired Gurkhas fighting for the right to settle in Britain have won their immigration test case at London's High Court.

They were challenging immigration rules which said that those who retired from the British Army before 1997 did not have an automatic right to stay.

Prominent supporter actress Joanna Lumley said it was a "chance to right a great wrong".

The government said it would now review all Gurkhas' cases.

'Debt of honour'

The regiment moved its main base from Hong Kong to the UK in 1997 and the government had argued that Gurkhas discharged before that date were unlikely to have strong residential ties with the UK.

That meant those who wanted to settle in the UK had to apply for British residence and could be refused and deported.

The judgement could affect some 2,000 former Gurkhas who retired before 1997.

The judge, Mr Justice Blake, said the Gurkhas' long service, conspicuous acts of bravery and loyalty to the Crown all pointed to a "moral debt of honour" and gratitude felt by British people.

He ruled that instructions given by the Home Office to immigration officials were unlawful and needed urgent revision.

Lawyer Martin Howe said: "Today we have seen a tremendous and historic victory for the gallant Gurkha veterans of Nepal.

"This is a victory that restores honour and dignity to deserving soldiers who faithfully served in Her Majesty's armed forces.

"It is a victory for common sense; a victory for fairness; and a victory for the British sense of what is right."

Gurkhas win right to stay in UK

The five ex-Gurkhas involved in the test case were L/Cpl Gyanendra Rai, Deo Prakash Limbu, Cpl Chakra Limbu, L/Cpl Birendra Shrestha and Bhim Gurung. Gita Mukhiya also took part on behalf her deceased husband.

Gurkhas have been part of the British Army for almost 200 years and are hand picked from a fiercely contested recruitment contest in Nepal to win the right to join.

They have seen combat all over the world, with 200,000 fighting in the two world wars.

'Wonderful vindication'

Lumley, whose father served with the Gurkhas, was one of those leading the campaign.


Victoria Cross winners Lachhiman Gurungi and Tul Bahadour Pun


How the Gurkhas are celebrating

Outside court, she said: "This day is more important than I can tell you because it gives our country the chance to right a great wrong and to wipe out a national shame that has stained us all."

Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said it was a "wonderful vindication" for those who had campaigned for a change in the law.

"I've always felt that if someone is prepared to die for this country, then they should have the right to live in this country," he said.

"The key thing now is to look at the ruling in detail and to make sure that the government now translates that into action and doesn't try and squirm out of it."

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said in a statement that the Home Office would revise its guidance surrounding the 1997 cut-off date.

"I have always been clear that where there is a compelling case, soldiers and their families should be considered for settlement," she said.

"We will honour our commitment to the Gurkhas by reviewing all cases by the end of the year."

Monday 29 September 2008

An Oirish Story.

An Irishman goes to the Doctor with botty problems....

'Dactor, it's me ahrse. I'd loik ya ta teyhk a look, if ya woot'.
So the doctor gets him to drop his pants and takes a look.
'Incredible'he says, 'there is a £20 note lodged up here.'
Tentatively he eases the twenty out of the man's bottom, and then a £10
pound note appears.
'This is amazing!'exclaims the Doctor. ''What do you want me to do?'
'Well fur gadness sake teyhk it out, man! 'shrieks the patient.
The doctor pulls out the tenner and another twenty appears, and another and
another and another, etc.....
Finally the last note comes out and no more appear.
'Ah Dactor, tank ya koindly, dat's moch batter. Just out of interest, how
moch was in dare den?'
The Doctor counts the pile of cash and says '£1,990 exactly.'
'Ah, dat'd be roit,'' says the Irishman
(Wait for it...........scroll down.)









'I knew I wasn't feeling two grand..'

Is this really racism?

English family attacked by stones

The family were on a caravan holiday in the area.
A family cut short their holiday in Gwynedd after being attacked by a rock-throwing youth, a court has been told.
Dolgellau Youth Court heard the 16-year-old also abused the family from Bolton because they were English.
The youth admitted racially aggravated threatening behaviour at Blaenau Ffestiniog.
He also admitted common assault and disorderly conduct in an incident in Barmouth. He was warned he faced jail. The case was adjourned until 6 October.
The court heard the family missed their trip back to Porthmadog on the Ffestiniog Railway, on 28 August ,because they had accompanied the mother to Ysbyty Gwynedd hospital in Bangor, where she was treated for an arm injury.
'Shocked and upset'
Ian Evans, prosecuting, said the family had cut short their holiday in the area following the attack.
They were shocked and upset by what had happened, he added.
Mr Evans said some of the rocks thrown had landed on passing and parked cars.
The youth was alleged to have shouted racist abuse at the family because they were from England.
The father, a 32-year-old plumber, telephoned the police and then tried to take a photograph of the youth near Blaenau Ffestiniog train station.
'Hoody'
The witness gave the police a description of the youth, and said he could not take a proper photograph of him because he had pulled his hood over his head.
The court heard the youth had a list of previous convictions and had been on supervision since 2005.
In a separate incident outside a nightclub in Barmouth on 31 August the youth hit out at his ex-girlfriend after being refused admission.
He pleaded guilty to racially aggravated threatening behaviour at Blaenau Ffestiniog and common assault and disorderly conduct in Barmouth.
John Parsons, defending, said magistrates probably wanted pre-sentence reports.
"I have told my client the difficulties he finds himself in," said Mr Parsons.
Court chairman Gwilym Evans said the magistrates felt the custody threshold had been passed.
Sentence was adjourned until 6 October for reports to be prepared.
The youth was granted unconditional bail.

Wednesday 24 September 2008

Comedian Ricky Gervais on 8 Things That Annoy Him

I have just stolen this directly from MSN news. It made me laugh I hope it does the same for you.


Eight things that annoy the British comedian.

Winston Churchill once said, "If you find a job you like, you'll never work again." I realized from an early age that there is no point in living for a holiday or living for a weekend. But as I get older, I'm realizing that all my comedy—all the things I've ever done—is about getting stuff off my chest. In my new film, "Ghost Town," I play a misanthropic guy who hates the world.
He closed his heart years ago and nothing gets through. He likes being a dentist because he can shove things in people's mouths and they can't talk to him. But then dead people start to bother him, and that's even worse. I think I'm slowly turning into that guy. It's gotten to where the slightest thing can ruin my day. For instance:

Unnecessary noise. Let's say there's a construction worker sanding down a door. OK, that's a bit annoying, but fair enough, it's his job. But why does he then add whistling to that? Don't add whistling. It doesn't cancel it out. It's not like mixing an alkaline with an acid. It makes it twice as annoying. Sanding the door—you need to do that. An ambulance siren—you need that. But whistling? It's not like you're whistling Brahms. It's like a cat walking on a piano.

Gossip magazines. The worst is the "spotted" section. "Spotted! Johnny Depp on the set of his new movie." Brilliant. What a surprise, him being there. "You'll never guess what I read: someone spotted Johnny Depp!" "Oh, yeah? Where?" "Miles away, different country, doesn't matter."

Lateness. Drives me mad. Can't stand it. Because I'm always 20 minutes early. So if you're 10 minutes late, well, in my mind, that's half an hour late. Also, I don't want to be alone, so if I'm meeting a friend at the pub, I won't go inside. I'll walk round and round the block because I don't want to be seen sitting there by myself. And besides, how could anyone not want to rush to meet me? I'm famous—I should be the one who turns up late.

People who use the line"I say what I think." No, you're rude, and you're just trying to make it a virtue. People are always going on about how "I'm not two-faced." No, but you are a nasty, fascist, racist piece of dirt. That outweighs two-faced. Next time, be two-faced.

People who think they're "eccentric." What does that mean? You wear lots of different hats? You ride a funny-colored bike? That makes you eccentric? A friend of mine moved out to the country, and the woman next door came round; she was sort of hippie-ish, very long hair, back to nature, all that stuff. And she says, "I've made you a rice pudding, and I've made it with breast milk, because, you know, waste not, want not!" So my friend took it, threw it away, washed the dish and gave it back. He said to her, "Thanks, that was great!" I couldn't believe it. I told him that he should've said, "No, there is no way I'm eating that. Definitely not. Do not bring me any other bodily-function puddings."

People trying too hard to be funny. Like clowns. They put on a big pair of trousers and a big red nose and they fall over. The only way that would be funny is if he was forced to dress up and he was watching his family being tortured, and then he fell over.
Now that's funny.

Conspiracy theories. They were annoying enough when it was just people talking bollocks in pubs. But now with the Internet, there are forums. These people can find each other. There was one great conspiracy theory about the end of our HBO series, "Extras." In the last episode we had a scene with my partner on the show, Stephen Merchant, and Robert De Niro—and the conspiracy theory was that De Niro was not actually in the room with Stephen. "You can see that it's a split screen," they claimed. Right. We got De Niro, but the hard bit was getting Stephen in the same room. That makes sense. It's just people who think they're clever. No, you don't know anything. You live with your mum, you're on the computer all day. You've got three friends, and you've never actually met any of them.

Lazy journalism. I've actually had good luck with the media, because early on I established that I only talk about work. I don't invite magazines around my home. So I've had a great ride. But one of the first times I went out to an award show, this journalist on the red carpet asked me, "What advice would you give to someone who wants to be famous like you?" Like that was my aim—getting famous. So I said, "I don't know. Kill a prostitute?"

Thanks Ricky that made my afternoon.

Sunday 21 September 2008

It's a Sunday thing

This OJ is a good vintage

Follow me my child

On Sundays my family meet up at the Wolverton House Hotel for lunch and a chance to catch up with my incredibly scrumptious niece and nephew Em-Jay and Freddie.

This venue has various benefits over the old one (my parents' house) as it has a carvery for those of us who choose to eat, a bar for those of us who choose to drink and a great play ground for all of us because no matter what mood you are in the kids always get us to chase them around the climbing frame and the slides.




Bart and I don't always make it but we did today, and what a great day it was the sun came out and we almost had a full hose only my brother Mick couldn't make it today (Get well soon Mick) so there was plenty to catch up on.

There will be no get together next weekend as the kids are off to Majorca in the morning for some sun and sand. I hope Sharon and Damien get some time to relax.

Her are some pictures of a typical Kelly Sunday.

Em-Jay helps Mum and Granddad to figure how to get from the air port to the hotel tomorrow using the sat nav.





See you all in two weeks time.

Saturday 20 September 2008

Here's one for the mums

Has this happened to any of you guys?

Tuesday 16 September 2008

And back to the norm

Puppy attacks door stopper.

Brean Sands


We are now back to our normal routine after our last beach holiday of the year. We spent a relaxing but wet week in our caravan at Brean sands in Somerset.

The last time I holidayed in Brean I looked like this and it was 1990 -91 I think.



The resort had changed beyond all recognition I only realized that it was the same place when I had a conversation with a beach patrol guy who confirmed that this was the same beach that my brothers Mick and John had driven my VW camper on all those years ago. The entrance is now in a new place and the huge holiday park opposite was relatively new and the field that we camped on in the 90's was (probably) the same one that we where on last week.

On the first day I got up at 6am after an all-night rainstorm to find a couple of hundred pounds of water gathered in the roof of the awning. I was amazed that it was still standing. I didn't have the foresight to take a picture. The week continued in the same vein. We did have some good days and we did get some good shots of the dogs and the beach and the menacing skies.

See if you can spot the promised kite surfer. Click to enlarge. Enjoy.










Monday 8 September 2008

Gone West



We are off on holiday today, as soon as we get all our crap together anyway. We are heading West once more, to Brean Sands just outside Western Super-Mare where the pier recently burned down.

I will have my kite with me so hopefully some of those promised photos will finally appear on my blog. Brean is becoming famous for its power kiting the beach is huge seven miles of golden sands so it has become destination of choice for all those buggy and landboard boys. So if there is no footage of me, there should at least be some of the professionals!

See you all next week.

Friday 5 September 2008

For Fiona

You know how there are people in the public eye that you shouldn't find attractive but you do.

Well I don't! Her are Armstrong and Miller.

Smart thinking



After talking about the Smart car winning the Cannonball 3000 a couple of posts ago, I got to thinking about the fun that I have had on the Smart London to Brighton rally. A select group of close friends and I went on the first five of these annual events but regrettably we have missed the last couple. As I work for MBUK we have always been lucky enough to be given some of the best cars to use on the day. One year in particular I was given the opportunity of driving the first leg in a Crossblade (see above picture). As you can see this model is a little different, it has no roof, no windscreen and no doors. There is just a cross bar keeping you in, a bit like a roller coaster mechanism but on the side rather than the front so snowboarding goggles and a crash helmet are recommended. It is not the fastest car I have ever driven but it is without doubt one of the most fun. We had people waving at us from bridges en route, and drivers flashing lights and waving all the way to Brighton.


The second Smart London to Brighton run will take place on Saturday September 27.

Smart move: the Smart London to Brighton rally 2002


The run starts at Kempton Park in south London and finishes at Black Rock Car Park in Brighton. Prizes will be awarded for the best modified Smart and the most unusual and creative car.

The rally follows on from the success of last year's inaugural event, jointly organised by Thesmartclub and DaimlerChrysler, in which more than 800 Smart owners took part.


Sarah, the friend I talked about in the 'Small but mighty' post gave me a birthday gift the year after the Crossblade event. The gift was a book titled Smart thinking, it records the history so far of the Smart car and the people who love them.

I thought that this was a really nice gift and thanked her. Sarah then opened the book at page 199 chapter 14 (smart & fans) somewhere near the middle and guess who was looking back at me from the full page picture. That's right it was me, in full glory in the Crossblade on Brighton beach. My glamorous co driver is Sarah herself but you can't really tell as she had just opened the door (bar) and covered her face. You just have to trust me she is gorgeous.

Here are some pictures taken on various London to Brighton runs. As you can see fun and laughter are guaranteed.



Obviously this is not me but it's a good picture of the car. I will add my pictures as soon as I can figure out where they are.

Tuesday 2 September 2008

Saturday 30 August 2008

Art and politics today






Banksy's secret costs Labour dear




Banksy's Essex Road piece" vspace="0" width="226" border="0" height="282" hspace="0">
A sketch which ended up as this piece in north London was auctioned

Graffiti star Banksy's secret identity caused some problems for Labour's accountants, after he donated a piece of art to raise funds for the party.

The piece, Sketch for Essex Road, was the star lot at a private fundraising auction at a gallery, raising £195,000.

But the party could not accept the full sum as there was no way of checking Banksy was a "permissible lender".

The party gave £75,000, the original valuation of the piece, to the gallery and accepted the remaining £120,000.

There are various rules governing who can donate sums of more than £200 to UK political parties - for example individuals must be on a UK electoral register.

Tesco salute

But Banksy, whose stencilled artwork appears in public places around the world, has never confirmed his identity - despite newspaper reports claiming to have unmasked him.

When the Aquarium Gallery, which held its own artbid4Ken fundraising auction for Ken Livingstone's unsuccessful London mayoral campaign, handed over the money raised, the Labour Party could not accept it in full.

We sought guidance from the Electoral Commission on this issue and we are fully satisfied that this donation complies with the rules
Labour Party spokesman

After discussions with the Electoral Commission, the party decided to accept a cheque from Steve Lazarides, a gallery owner who deals in Banksy works, for £121,600 of the £195,000 he paid for the piece.

The reasoning was that by not accepting the £75,000 the piece had been valued at, they were effectively writing off the value of Banksy's donation, which they could not accept.

Sketch for Essex Road is a canvas depicting two children pledging allegiance to a Tesco carrier bag hoisted on a flagpole.

Another version of the image was eventually painted on the side of a pharmacy in Islington, north London.

A Labour spokesman said the party was satisfied all donations fully complied with the law.

He added: "We sought guidance from the Electoral Commission on this issue and we are fully satisfied that this donation complies with the rules.

"Obviously we carry out diligent checks on all donations and take care that we are fully compliant with the law. "

The Labour Party faced embarrassment last November, when it emerged one of its biggest donors, businessman David Abrahams, had given it more than £600,000 over four years - using other people's names.

According to Electoral Commission figures out this week, Labour's debt stands at £17.9m, the Conservatives' at £12.1m and the Lib Dems' at £1.1m. Steve Lazarides was listed among Labour's donors.


Copied from BBC News.