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

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.

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.

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.

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.

VW Camper Cookbook

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

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.

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.

Funny animals and no cheesy voiceover

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

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 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.

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.

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.