Hard of Understanding

Alcohol Protects men's hearts

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:32:59 +0100

READ THIS! (it's the news story relating to this btw)

I'm gonna live forever!

erm, anyone got a spare liver?

Who wants to complain about M&S?

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:29:14 +0100

About their prices?
About the sheer middle class snobbery that drives it?
About past practices inolving unethical labour?

Nope.

About their new Christmas ad! The "Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without......" one.

The Advertising Standards (ASA) have received a number of complaints branding the advert "sexist" for including DCI Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister) who as part of his character said, "that girl prancing about in her underwear."

I though it was pretty funny, but then again I got the humour. About a dozen others didn't!

I sincerely hope this gets kicked swiftly into touch by the ASA, if not then there'll be no more Gene Hunt!

Comments

London Underground become censors

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:15:23 +0100

We've all heard about Calendar Girls. The story based on the WI (i think) who made risqué calendars to help keep their branch afloat.

Some of you may know it as a film. Well it's become a play in the West End as well. With Kelly Brook being the face of the show in the posters advertising it.

At least she was until the people who run trains under London's streets decided to censor them. See here for story

"Leaves too little for the imagination." was the charge levelled at the producers. Not exactly objective to begin with then. I mean, how exactly do you decide on how much of her breasts are on view say, compared with a shower gel or bikini advert?

In that context does that then mean that there's too much on show?

Er, gimme a few more minutes whilst I examine it!

Comments

Happy Mistakes

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:10:33 +0100

The People's Republic (China, not the Isle of Wight) have eased a drought in Beijing in a way that they hadn't expected.

Concerned about the lack of rain affecting a wheat crop, they sent out chemists to "seed" clouds with silver iodide to induce precipitation.

Which it did.

Unfortunately a cold weather front came along and swiftly turned this precipitation into snow which caused havoc with transport etc. I'd be over the moon if it snowed though (I'm a kid at heart.)

I just hope with all the good intentions that the snow hasn't damaged the wheat crop as it could conversely have more negative effects for those on the bread line (I'm sorry I couldn't think of a better phrase!)

Comments

When Drug advisors turn bad

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:40:18 +0100

So, Prof. Nutt, the guy who spoke out about how drugs should be classified, has been sacked.

Do I agree? Not sure. Whilst on one hand I can see why he said what he said, I can also understand the Home Secretary's response. Put it this way, if you employed a mechanic to fix your car and they messed with your insurance cover you'd quickly get rid.

Whilst the good professor's intentions may well have been honourable, we still elect our representatives to make such decisions as those that he has been attempting to influence through popular media.

If he were just a professor (I'm not getting into the details here) his comments would not have been received in the same way that they have as "advisor to the government." Fact. So, he has crossed a line and used his position (intentionally or not) to influence the debate.

What's got me though is the way that other members of the committee have reacted. It has taken nearly a full weekend AFTER his sacking for one resign, and then nearly a day later another has decided to resign. There are still more "considering their positions."

Aw bless, the science guys are making a stand! Right, enough of the patronising and onto the bollocking. And this is for the other advisors.

You've spent so long faffing trying to decide your allegiance and where you stand that your resignations, IF they come, are now far too late and limp wristed. If you wanted an "all out" then Friday afternoon was the time (as a union man I know this), and that boat has now sailed.

The apathy that you have shown in the meantime speaks volumes to me and many thousands of others. And as you are supposed to advise the government on drugs policy, surely that cannot be a positive thing?

So, if you are still agonising over where you stand, then do us all a favour and disappear. In a role like your's we need people with the courage of their convictions to stand up and speak out sooner rather than later about the facts to hand. In UK drugs policy there is no middle ground or room for faffing.

Comments

Which bank is hosting the BNP?

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 12:22:42 +0200

They're supposed to (although we've already seen just how capable the BNP are of sticking to political party laws) all political parties need a bank account.

I want to know which bank it is so that I can make sure that none of my money also heads in that direction.

Who said democracy begins at the ballot box?

Comments

A day to bury bad news

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:11:10 +0200

Right now, if I were a public sector worker I'd be a little paranoid about just how long I could expect to keep my job.

And if I were an employee of the Land Registry, then I'd be convinced that my employers not only had it in for me, but that they were trying to get rid of me on the quiet.

As you know, there is a minor tiff (!) at Royal Mail - R.I.P. btw - which looks to be 6 of one and half a dozen of the other, with the common or garden postie most likely to get shafted hardest whatever the outcome.

So can you imagine my surprise (and sarcasm) that the Land Registry has chosen today to announce that up to 1000 jobs face the axe.

If you are planning to play with people's livelihoods then you don't try to do it when you think that nobody will notice.

Unethical, unprofessional, out of order!

Comments

UK postal strike is to go ahead

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:00:44 +0200

As a union man (different industry, different union) I have only this to say.

R.I.P. Royal Mail

nb. that dick in charge of the union has just played straight into management's hands. If I were a postie, I'd be wanting his head on a pointy stick.

Comments

Younger Bodies

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:18:15 +0200

According to the paper, scientists are working on stopping the aging process so that there could technically be 100 year olds with the body of someone half their age.

Now I'm going to leave the ethical arguments out of this here and go straight for the bleeding obvious.

Does that then mean that there'll be MILFS with the body of teens as well?

Comments

If you have nothing encouraging or constructive to say............

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:46:42 +0200

I've just been mooching around the internet - like you do - and come across the "Landscape Photographer of the Year" awards site. And I was breathtaken by what I saw. Stunning views, great angles, vibrant colours etc etc. Basically great works by people who had a lot of time and patience to wait for those "just right" shots to show off to the rest of us.

And those who took away awards for them were truly deserving of them.

So, from the article showcasing these works, were the comments those of hearty congratulations? HA, you wish!

These images look more like Hollywood computer graphics than anything you would see on this planet. A+ for using photoshop, but F for actually making and inspiring image of the natural world.

and

HDR or not, they're all (with the possible exception of the fell runners) a bit rubbish. There should be more to landscape photography than a pretty hill and a sunrise.

For those who don't know (and are maybe curious) this is HDR.

To be fair, there were complimentary comments, some direct, some gloved but in general I was appalled at the attitudes of these Armchair Experts who had plenty to say and very little to back it up with.

I'm now heading fast into dangerous territory as I'm not exactly known for holding my tongue, but my approach to matters is:

Could I do it better?
Have I properly researched it?
Is there a point, or is it a plain rant?
Would I actually say it face to face with those who I'm upsetting?

If the answer is "no" to any of the above, then I'm keeping schtum, ESPECIALLY point 4!

On occasion I'm wrong, or should have thought harder before I started typing (and always acknowledge when pulled up for it) but in general work by the principle that unless you can back up what you're saying, or at very least be constructive then what the hell have you put your boot in for?

Many (not all) of these comments following articles are the work of a bitter, ignorant, self-righteous band of cowards hiding behind their keyboards using anonymity as their shield. They spread their poison then move on to the next article like a virus.

So, a quick shout out to the sub-species determined to bring down another person's achievement. Unless you actually know something about the comments you are making and would have the guts to stand up in front of the rest of the world, identity stripped bare wiiling to be humiliated if incorrect, then keep the bile and vitriol to yourself.

You're just drowning out the comments that really mean something. Y'know, like "Well Done."

Comments

Selling public assets

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:07:44 +0200

A wise businessman (I'm guessing that they are wise as they're still in business) told me that the best tine to pick up a bargain - such as a new company - is during a recession as the value plummets.

Right now I bet they're wetting themselves with delight as our Prime Minister has today announced that he intends to sell £16,000 million of public assets to raise short term capital.

During the biggest global downturn in living memory. Brilliant.

Well, it's official, as a country we are the chavs that appear on Ocean Finance ads when they've got too far out of their depth and start pawning the family silver.

I'm not usually a huge fan of my local authority, especially when it comes to selling off land / buildings that are surplus to requirements as they simply get the highest price possible, citing "Value for Money." which usually means that land which could be better served as a park will become a car park. But in this case, if our central govt. are insistent on selling off public assets, they had better bloody get the best possible price!

Just one request. If this is his idea of financial management when in charge, would it be too much to ask an auditor go in and assess what he must have been upto when he had control of the country's bank balance?

Comments

Can internet news be free?

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 19:12:19 +0200

Can there be such a thing as open-source current affairs?

My gut is telling me on quality and accuracy the answer is no (but please feel free to correct me.) Currently, journalists go through a lot of training and education (at great expense) and then once they've qualified and begun work they still need folding stuff to be able to live.

We talk about "citizen reporting," non-qualified reporters with rudimentary pictures from camera phones, video pieces from camera phones and articles in locations such as, well, here. And the Five's "Gadget Show" even devoted a section to equipment suitable for such reporting. But what faith and reliance can we put in it in a world of demand for facts and reliability? And could the Press Complaints Commission, the gatekeepers of decency in our media police the non-professionals in the same way that it does the established media institutions?

And are we at risk of a two tier information society where there are those who pay for professional news articles, and those who have to rely on citizen reporting? With our society turning more to television on demand and even away from the television altogether, the internet is becoming the primary source of information of a generation.

There is a reason behind my mentality of this entry - one R. Murdoch.

At the World Media Summit in China he's turned his focus from the BBC to rattling the sabre at the likes of Google and Yahoo who re-publish news articles currently for free. He wants them to start paying for it, just like he wants everyone who accesses news sites directly to begin paying.

And a spokesman from AP (of whom I should imagine Murdoch is a very good customer) we had this little soundbite: We will no longer tolerate the disconnect between people who devote themselves - at great human and economic cost - to gathering news of public interest and those who profit from it without supporting it

Seems reasonable, but every cynical bone in my body is telling me that the timing - halfway through a recession with newspaper sales dwindling - is a little convenient. Also, it should be pointed out that if the article is accessed on a search engines "news" section then the provider can't put their ads up so there is potentially lost revenue there as well.

If you believe that open source news can work then please put your ideas here I'd love to hear them.

In the mean time, a warning to the media outlets.

The music industry completely underestimated the effect that the internet would have on sales and copyright. You need to make sure that whatever you do to carry on generating revenue that - it is accepted - you need to carry on news gathering, it needs to be properly thought out and implement otherwise it will fail and simply make matters worse.

10 years on the music industry still hasn't figured out the internet, don't become another casualty of it.

Comments

Civil Service under fire

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:52:36 +0200

So, the Tories, Lib-Dems and - more mutedly - the incumbent government are now aware that cost savings need to be be made and first in the cross-hairs is the Civil Service.

Well lambasted by popular media for being a drain on national resources and for diverting funds away from other "more needed" (verification needed) areas.

And the braver of the parties are announcing exactly how many civil service roles will disappear with privatisation of sections being top of the Tories' wish list.

This may help with reducing the GDP deficit in the short to medium term in that either less will be spent on various departments or funds stay the same simply moving to another area.

But, and this is a BIG but, what happens with the workers "displaced." For displaced see "made redundant", put out of work. Unemployed.

Anyone got an answer for that, or will the funds simply transfer to the DWP?

Big gestures are all good and well. But following up these announcements with an actual plan that can be examined may be a little more appropriate when you are threatening people's careers for a few votes, no?

Comments

NHS to start using "No Win, No Fee"

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:04:44 +0200

So, the staunch critic of the "No Win, No Fee" culture that has cost the NHS millions over the last few years has reached a deal with a firm to start using the practice to recoup money lost to fraud.

Patient groups have accused the institution of "Double standards."

I'm actually impressed by the decision. No really, very impressed.

As a taxpayer with a vested interest in my public services delivering value for money, I'm acutely aware of just how much our health service costs every year. So to hear that (and this is pretty rare) the NHS has embraced a system that will potentially save millions in litigation costs AND get back money lost to fraud, I'm over the moon.

It's only a pity that the same patient groups who've been strong advocates (indeed many members will have taken advantage of the system of NWNF) have only found something else to whinge about in it instead of thinking about what can be done with the saved money.

So, there we go; impressed by the NHS, disappointed in narrow minded patient groups.

Comments

Today's Top Money Tip

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:44:01 +0200

Are you a business person who has a long commute to work everyday by rail? Do you spend at least £400 on your rail travel per week?

Then why not look at the "All lines rover" that is available?

For 7 days it costs (see details here):

STANDARD CLASS £430

FIRST CLASS £650

For 14 days it costs (see details here):

STANDARD CLASS £650

FIRST CLASS £990

(concessions are also available for travellers with a Disabled Person Railcard or Senior Railcard)

There are VERY few restrictions to this ticket, in fact there are NO time (peak / off peak) restrictions and can be used on more operators than you may expect. Here's National Rail's list (please be sure to fully read any T&C's of tickets bought though, this is just a guide),

The All Line Rail Rover ticket allows unlimited travel on most National Rail services at any time for 14 consecutive days.

It does not include the charge for seat reservations, where payable.

It is valid for travel on the Caledonian Sleeper seater coach (reservations compulsory) or in a berth with payment of the appropriate supplement.

It is also valid on the Ffestiniog Railway.

The all lines rover is NOT valid for travel on Eurostar, Heathrow Express, TfL underground, Docklands Light Railway and Croydon Tramlink, private railways (except Ffestiniog Railway) or on any shipping service.

Additionally it is also not available for travel on Heathrow Connect services between Hayes & Harlington and Heathrow

National Rail Website

So there we go, any train, any time for 7 days or 14 days. It should be noted that many Staycationers like this rover as they have the freedom to mooch around the country for a fixed price.

Sometimes, just sometimes, the railway has a good offer!

Comments

Do you believe that Journalists have a soul?

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 11:03:06 +0200

Or a conscience?

I mean, take your average newspaper reporter.......... they operate using the barebones of a story and then have to spin it to suit the mood of the owner of that same newspaper.

Photographers, when taking a picture of a victim, take several in different poses to achieve the most forlorn (or disgusted).

Pic library bods when looking for images of a figure of hate look for the most unflattering images to influence the story.

And editors are interested in 2 simple things: "Will it sell?" and, "Will the owner approve?"

And yet they have the audacity to criticise others for how they live their lives?

You have to wonder if they can even see themselves in a mirror?

Comments

Tory Party Conference TravelPasses

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 09:47:15 +0200

So, Manchester is home to the Conservative Party Conference. Makes a change from it being home to the Labour Party Conferences, although the leader of the Labour led Manchester City Council probably isn't that chuffed.

What I love most about it is how the delgates are arriving........ free travel passes.

It would seem that Greater Manchester TravelCards Ltd (GMTL) are issuing free travel passes for the entire Greater Manchester network to all delegates.

On the one hand I should be upset that taxpayers are contributing to the travel needs of political afficionados when I stil need to pay my bloody bus fare and live here!

On the other hand at least this completely removes the step of putting them on expenses! Every cloud.........

Comments

Best Complaint letter EVER

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 08:58:21 +0200

I rant on about things, and it doesn't take a lot to wind me up.

A complaint becomes part of everyday life when I'm not satisfied with something (which I'm usually paying a lot of money for.) But I dont think that I will ever be able to top the spite, vitriol and sheer frustration that has motivated the following letter to - the now defunct - NTL

It is a pleasure and delight to read!!!

Dear Cretins,
I have been an NTL customer since 9th July 2001, when I signed up for your 3-in-one deal for cable TV, cable modem, and telephone. During this three-month period I have encountered inadequacy of service which I had not previously considered possible, as well as ignorance and stupidity of monolithic proportions. Please allow me to provide specific details, so that you can either pursue your professional perogative, and seek to rectify these difficulties - or more likely (I suspect) so that you can have some entertaining reading material as you while away the working day smoking B&H and drinking vendor-coffee on the bog in your office:

My initial installation was cancelled without warning, resulting in my spending an entire Saturday sitting on my fat arse waiting for your technician to arrive. When he did not arrive, I spent a further 57 minutes listening to your infuriating hold music, and the even more annoying Scottish robot woman telling me to look at your helpful website....HOW?

I alleviated the boredom by playing with my testicles for a few minutes - an activity at which you are no-doubt both familiar and highly adept. The rescheduled installation then took place some two weeks later, although the technician did forget to bring a number of vital tools - such as a drill-bit, and his cerebrum. Two weeks later, my cable modem had still not arrived. After 15 telephone calls over 4 weeks my modem arrived... six weeks after I had requested it, and begun to pay for it.

I estimate your internet server's downtime is roughly 35%... hours between about 6pm -midnight, Mon-Fri, and most of the weekend. I am still waiting for my telephone connection. I have made 9 calls on my mobile to your no-help line, and have been unhelpfully transferred to a variety of disinterested individuals, who are it seems also highly skilled bollock jugglers.

I have been informed that a telephone line is available (and someone will call me back); that no telephone line is available (and someone will call me back); that I will be transferred to someone who knows whether or not a telephone line is available (and then been cut off); that I will be transferred to someone (and then been redirected to an answer machine informing me that your office is closed); that I will be transferred to someone and then been redirected to the irritating Scottish robot woman...and several other variations on this theme.

Doubtless you are no longer reading this letter, as you have at least a thousand other dissatisfied customers to ignore, and also another one of those crucially important testicle-moments to attend to. Frankly I don't care, it's far more satisfying as a customer to voice my frustration's in print than to shout them at your unending hold music. Forgive me, therefore, if I continue.

I thought BT were shit, that they had attained the holy piss-pot of godawful customer relations, that no-one, anywhere, ever, could be more disinterested, less helpful or more obstructive to delivering service to their customers. That's why I chose NTL, and because, well, there isn't anyone else is there? How surprised I therefore was, when I discovered to my considerable dissatisfaction and disappointment what a useless shower of bastards you truly are.You are sputum-filled pieces of distended rectum incompetents of the highest order.

British Telecom - wankers though they are - shine like brilliant beacons of success, in the filthy puss-filled mire of your seemingly limitless inadequacy. Suffice to say that I have now given up on my futile and foolhardy quest to receive any kind of service from you. I suggest that you cease any potential future attempts to extort payment from me for
the services which you have so pointedly and catastrophically failed to deliver - any such activity will be greeted initially with hilarity and disbelief quickly be replaced by derision, and even perhaps bemused rage. I enclose two small deposits, selected with great care from my cats litter tray, as an expression of my utter and complete contempt for both you and your pointless company. I sincerely hope that they have not become desiccated during transit - they were satisfyingly moist at the time of posting, and I would feel considerable disappointment if you did not experience both their rich aroma and delicate texture.

Consider them the very embodiment of my feelings towards NTL, and its worthless employees. Have a nice day - may it be the last in you miserable short life, you irritatingly incompetent and infuriatingly unhelpful bunch of twats.

John

Comments

Justin Lee-Collins calls for Forsyth to resign

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:06:48 +0200

Ah, so the King of backwater, 3rd rate, digital only chat shows has called for the King of British light entertainment to resign.

Listen, sunbeam; IF you were a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry then someone may take seriously your claim.

But as the sidekick to the buck toothed, effeminate stand up comedian who has achieved the dubious honour of being one of the only people to get slammed by critics who thought that your chat show on one of ITV's off shoot channels was even worse than everyone expected, (you managed to make Horne and Corden shining beacons of comedy,) your words and gestures carry all the impact of a fart in a hurricane.

Now trot back off to obscurity.

Comments

Credit where credit's due

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:23:54 +0200

I'm not known for holding back when I get "on one" about something, somehting that any company that supplies me with a service knows full well (in particular nPower and BT.)

So, when my internet kept failing on Saturday night I got that immediate sinking feeling, especially when I checked the phoneline and could only hear crackling.

So, phonecall to the faultline and the first surprise was actually getting through to a person, I thought it would be an automated service....... or closed for the weekend.

The operative understood the problem straight away, though it would have been difficult for him not to as we could barely hear each other for the interference(!) and rang me back on my mobile so that he could check the line,

"There's no fault on our equipment into the premises, though it is coming up that there appears to be a fault on the master socket in your house."

"Right, can I fix that?"

"Er, no. It requires an engineer's visit."

Great, an engineer. A three week wait and even then he probably won't turn up,

"Are you available on Monday morning?" was his next question without missing a beat.

"Mond..... what, THIS Monday?"

"Yes sir, this Monday."

"Actually, no sorry I'm not. The best I can offer is Thursday." Great, so now I'm letting THEM down!

"Great, I'll put you down for the first appointment of the day."

"Right, er thanks!"

So there we have it, evidence that my telecoms provider CAN provide a first class service when it comes to fixing a fault without tears and scrapping. Well done BT (I never thought I'd hear myself uttering those words!)

Comments

A Railway Company's Sense of Humour

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:02:02 +0200

As many of us already know, Richard Branson has a sense of humour.

This was confirmed to me the other day when I saw on of his trains pulling out Manchester station.

Now, you may also know that many trains carry names. This one was no exception, and being Virgin Trains the prefix was, "Virgin."

And the full name of the train?

Virgin Invader

Priceless!

Comments

BAe advert in The Times

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:29:56 +0200

Generally there are a few things in the paper (my paper of choice is The Times) that stick in mind throughout the day. Today was a weird one though.

First up, Keith Floyd and may he rest in peace.

But the thing that's stuck in my mind most today and really niggling me is this,

It is an advert that BAe Systems put fairly close to the front (it was still the Home News section I think) and has left me wondering what its motivation was to do so.

I mean, it isn't directly selling anything, it simply looks to be telling us what its contribution to the UK economy is, and let's face it if Tesco put an advert out telling us that then no one would actually care (except for the Taxman and Treasury.)

So, it is a message........ a polite if you will. But who for? And let's not forget that this comes 24 hours after some pretty big news stories relating to both Defence and BAe.

The government who are beginning to wobble on defence expenditure, the tories who are threatening HUGE defence cuts or us the public so that we don't badmouth them over yesterday's announcement of 1600 job losses.

Who knows?

UPDATE: 01/10/2009 13:43 BST

Well, certainly found what they were up to and it is brilliant - see here

Comments

Obama wades into the Lockerbie debate

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:39:18 +0200

So, Prez Obama has been quizzing embattled PM Brown about the release of Adelbaset Ali al-Megrahi and voicing his discontent at the release.

I mean, of course it is to be expected that he's going to not agree to the release of terminally ill Megrahi so that he can die in a hospital, that's not the American way.

Oh, and as you want to make such a high profile gesture, how's the Healthcare Reforms coming on, have you got what you wanted?????

If not, might I humbly suggest that you stick to the more pressing matters that will actually make a difference rather than pandering to the trigger happy, ignorant majority?

Is it just me or everytime you hear the Americans going on about the "American Dream" flashbacks to Thatcher's Britain come straight to the front of mind?

Comments

Wispa Gold

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:40:07 +0200

Which lunatic sadist has put caramel in Wispas?

And then announced that they are available for a limited period only!

This sort of cruelty ought to be illegal!

Comments

Do you trust Kraft Foods?

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 12:10:23 +0200

So, Kraft have made an offer to buy Cadbury. And to sweeten the offer - pardon the pun - to us all as consumers (as well as the stakeholders and shareholders) they have said that if they are successful in buying the firm then they wouldn't close a factory in Bristol that Cadbury has earmarked for closure as part of a rationalisation project.

But can these words be taken seriously?

It all sounds fantastic and to the workers in Bristol this potential action by the American firm (founded in 1904 as a cheese wholesaler and bought by Philip Morris in the '80s) sounds like the lifeline that they need right now.

But, let's look to another of the Kraft brands and to one of our Northern cities, York. I am, of course, talking about Terry's Chocolate Orange. Produced in that Roman city for many many years only to have the factory closed recently and all production moved to Poland, to cut costs.

So, Kraft would invest in Bournville and keep the Bristol factory open? Maybe. But what would they do to offset this investment?

Comments

Two Things Parents MUST give to teenagers

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 22:29:29 +0200

You know had people go through periods of showing their age? You know what I mean, when statements like, "If I'd had this when I was younger then........."

Well, it's my turn. And I'm going to share with you two things that I REALLY should have had when I was a teenager.

These things aren't the latest technological advance or socio-political situations. The 2 things that I have recently seen and really wish I'd had when I was growing up are actually pieces of advice. Not the stuff your dad says after a couple of pints, we aren't talking "tap room philosophy" I mean simple, impartial, USEFUL advice.

First up (and I've briefly touched on this a while back) is the Haynes Manual of Sex. This is something I bought out of sheer curiosity a couple of years ago and was absolutely astounded by just how good it is.

It is laid out almost in the way that any other Haynes Manual is, and answers pretty much all of the questions that I had as a teeneager but; a) Was in NO WAY going to ask my parents and b) [quite rightly] would not trust a single one of my peer group to know themselves (even though there was always that one or two who insisted that THEY knew and spouted absolute rubbish.)

As a sex ed guide, with the embarrassing chats with your parents and the usual giggling through the school's attempt, this book is quite simply essential reading for any teenager. I'll be keeping my copy ready for when my offspring hit that awkward age and cannot tell you how much YOU will appreciate having it for yours!

Secondly is the off shoot of a television project. Many of you may have heard of Martin Lewis from MoneySavingExpert.com, which is a site which has saved me a HUGE amount of money and is surely up there on the list of "essential in your bookmarks" list.

He was asked by Tonight (the watered down World in Action) to turn a class of kids into "junior Money Saving Experts" So he put together a teaching pack and did his bit for the nation's entertainment.

After the lesson was televised they went back to see how they were getting on at home, and found that the 12 kids had saved their families over £5000 by implementing some of the lessons.

And, this session has been made available for anyone online to use for either teaching kids about money, or even themselves.

Seriously, don't take my word for it............. Actually, DO take my word for it, but also see for yourself. If you have teenagers then these guides are indispensible,. If you don't have teenagers????? These guides are still indispensible!

Simple, yet simply brilliant............... that's how everything should be!!!!

Comments

GMPTE server location

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:57:05 +0200

Out of idle curiosity I tried to get onto Metrolink's site to see how easy my wife would be able to get to Salford Quays tonight.

It redirected me to a "404" page for GMG (Guardian Media Group) Regional Media. Thinking it may be a fault with my browser I tried again using a different browser. Also failed.

So, I tried to get onto gmpte.com, and IT also redirected to a GMG 404 page.

If it transpires that the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority's websites are being hosted on Manchester's dominant commercial media agency's servers (gratis or otherwise) then I'll become a little more than concerned about impartiality on the part of both GMPTE in reporting its news and GMG in how it presents it.

Comments

Little things (pt1)

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 15:43:50 +0200

Why is it that you can easily unpack a brand new camera (or anything else electronic) but there's no way on this planet that you can get it back in its box again?

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Murdoch attack on 'dominant' BBC

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 14:47:41 +0200

So, another day, another attack on our publicly funded, unique broadcasting institution, the BBC.

And unsurprisingly it has come from one of the Murdochs (rather than the owners of the Express, GMG or any other commercial media institution.)

This time time the claim is that the BBC is too dominant and threatening the independence of journalism in the UK.

Does he have a point? Maybe.

Will I take him seriously? Nope. And here's why.

With he exception of their "The Times" which they insist has a board to keep the content independent and "The Independent" which is about to go bust, there is no independent media outlet in the UK. They almost ALL have political affiliations.

A quick read of the the Telegraph, Express and Mail will give you a blue perspective.

The Mirror and Guardian gives you a socialist perspective.

The Sun swings whichever way the elder Murdoch feels (something he has pointed out on several occasions with, "great relish" to quote Murdoch the Younger.)

And, as I said, The Independent is a little too much in the red to consider giving it a long term future. Now would this be down to their journalistic quality or the fact that without a known backer they simply cannot hope to have the circulation? This then questions what future the "Independence of Journalism" has if a staunchly independent publication is on the ropes?

As many independent politicians (the ones who don't sign up to a party's principles and tow a line for anyone other than their constituents) will tell you, independence is an expensive game with little to gain and plenty to lose. So, this then brings us straight back to the BBC.

Funded by most sections of society, forbidden from holding a political view, controlled by a Trust who have to ensure independence.

Are they perfect? Nope, just like anything/anyone else there is a human element that can result in cock ups, although some media outlets are keen to focus on others mistakes to take the heat off their own, which has lead some circles to question whether the BBC has become an easy target by its rivals.

So, is the BBC a threat to the independence of journalism?

No, quite the opposite in fact. As long as there is an institution like the BBC around it will continue to keep the commercial operators in check and help keep a sense of perspective in our current affairs.

It could do a hell of a lot more to help its cause (by that I'm talking about the sort of system that the production team of "World in Action" had back in the day.)

But for now, the BBC is actually keeping the independence of journalism alive in the face of like Murdoch.

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Bad trains

Sat, 15 Aug 2009 16:15:28 +0200

I've decided.

Trains built using bus parts are a BAD idea.

That's all

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