Saturday, December 18, 2010
Sunday, December 05, 2010
Ashes 2010/11 Brief Thought I
Just watched Nick Knight try to explain how Cook has done so well. I've been saying Cook should be dropped. But his earlier movement in response to the bowler has changed the whole shooting match. Well done to the selectors for continuing to include him in the team and not bow to pressure from twats like me. Apologies to Ali !
*Full disclosure - I have a bet on England to win this Ashes series outright, and I am not a professional cricketer, therefore any of my views should be treated as the diarrhetic outpourings of an eternal optimist.
TTFN.
*Full disclosure - I have a bet on England to win this Ashes series outright, and I am not a professional cricketer, therefore any of my views should be treated as the diarrhetic outpourings of an eternal optimist.
TTFN.
Saturday, December 04, 2010
Ashes 2010/11 Post #1
Ah, the Ashes is back. Hurrah. Sky Sports reinstalled. Late nights and early mornings beckon, as the contest is taking place on the other side of the world, in Australia, where they do everything vice versa.
Imagine having your day during night-time, or summer during winter. Imagine celebrating Christmas D with a barbecue on the beach in glorious sunshine. Imagine having the water go around the plughole the wrong way as it drains away.
Okay - that last one not so mind-bending.
D'you know what, I can't stay up late and get up early and function normally any more. It's now almost the start of Day 3 of Test #2, and I'm seriously contemplating going to bed. I was 39 on Wednesday. And I've got the girls to look after all day tomorrow - although we are going to M&P's for Pa's birthday lunch.
Besides, England seem to do better when I'm not watching. And I've got a bet on England to win. So, I might leave them to it. But well done for keeping the English end up to this point! Betting on an England win has now shortened from 13-8 to 11-10. And if the bookies are changing their minds, England are on to a good thing.
TTFN.
Imagine having your day during night-time, or summer during winter. Imagine celebrating Christmas D with a barbecue on the beach in glorious sunshine. Imagine having the water go around the plughole the wrong way as it drains away.
Okay - that last one not so mind-bending.
D'you know what, I can't stay up late and get up early and function normally any more. It's now almost the start of Day 3 of Test #2, and I'm seriously contemplating going to bed. I was 39 on Wednesday. And I've got the girls to look after all day tomorrow - although we are going to M&P's for Pa's birthday lunch.
Besides, England seem to do better when I'm not watching. And I've got a bet on England to win. So, I might leave them to it. But well done for keeping the English end up to this point! Betting on an England win has now shortened from 13-8 to 11-10. And if the bookies are changing their minds, England are on to a good thing.
TTFN.
Thursday, December 02, 2010
Who's The Birthday Boy?
That'll be me, then...!
39 today, for the first time. I may be 39 again next year, depending on how this year goes. I received some funny cards, and a Dr Who card as well, which was 'cool'.
I was given a beard-trimming kit, which was nice, some vouchers for Uncanny Comics and Next, as well as some old school CDs (Pixies and Run DMC). Had a big fried breakfast, incl. black pudding, sausage, bacon, tomato and egg. Then spent the rest of the day traipsing around Worthing. Lovely. Might go to the 7-11 for wine in a bit.
TTFN.
39 today, for the first time. I may be 39 again next year, depending on how this year goes. I received some funny cards, and a Dr Who card as well, which was 'cool'.
I was given a beard-trimming kit, which was nice, some vouchers for Uncanny Comics and Next, as well as some old school CDs (Pixies and Run DMC). Had a big fried breakfast, incl. black pudding, sausage, bacon, tomato and egg. Then spent the rest of the day traipsing around Worthing. Lovely. Might go to the 7-11 for wine in a bit.
TTFN.
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Winning The Lottery
What would you do if you won the Lottery?
That's a question TW often asks, and it's probably one of her family'sfavourite topics of conversation. She'd probably be a very good Lotto winner, spending lavishly but sensibly, not frittering it away.
We could always do with more cash - it would be nice not to worry about how much is left in the bank from the 5th of the month onwards - but it seems to me we're in a constant state of anticipation, waiting for The Next Big Thing.
I'm probably more guilty of this than most; I'm an unashamed neophile. I love The New. At work we are moving from Lotus Notes to Outlook, and I can't wait. A New Toy to play with! What amazing new opportunities will it provide? I'm also applying for a six month secondment as a Project Manager - that'll be another New Thing, if I'm successful. I'll be working in a New team, with New people, on New issues. How delightful! And then, after six months, I can take my Newly-learnt skills back to my old role and look at it anew - I'm trembling with anticipation!
TTFN.
That's a question TW often asks, and it's probably one of her family'sfavourite topics of conversation. She'd probably be a very good Lotto winner, spending lavishly but sensibly, not frittering it away.
We could always do with more cash - it would be nice not to worry about how much is left in the bank from the 5th of the month onwards - but it seems to me we're in a constant state of anticipation, waiting for The Next Big Thing.
I'm probably more guilty of this than most; I'm an unashamed neophile. I love The New. At work we are moving from Lotus Notes to Outlook, and I can't wait. A New Toy to play with! What amazing new opportunities will it provide? I'm also applying for a six month secondment as a Project Manager - that'll be another New Thing, if I'm successful. I'll be working in a New team, with New people, on New issues. How delightful! And then, after six months, I can take my Newly-learnt skills back to my old role and look at it anew - I'm trembling with anticipation!
TTFN.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
Brainbloodvolume
So, I bought Ned's Atomic Dustbin's third album from Amazon Marketplace, for close to £2.50, including P+P.
It's very noisy.
I've not listened to the whole thing yet, but maybe this was a purchase too far for me...
TTFN.
It's very noisy.
I've not listened to the whole thing yet, but maybe this was a purchase too far for me...
TTFN.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Saturday, October 09, 2010
Mudhoney
You probably know by now, I managed to check out Mudhoney at Concorde II in Brighton, on Tues 5th October 2010. When I checked the Concorde website and saw tickets were still available, I knew I had to go.
They rocked.
Seriously, from the first strum of the guitars, from the first beat of the drums, they were on the money. They tapped in to a visceral, raw groove which got my attention. They had a take on rock n' roll which pulled me in, even though they were playing tunes I don't think I'd heard before. Of course I recognised "Touch Me I'm Sick", and I identified "Sweet Young Thing (Ain't Sweet No More)" as the lyrics were pretty clear. The rest was a joyous rock noise which I loved.
I probably had one or two beers too many, and the McDonalds meal probably didn't help, but I was feeling a bit dicky by the end. I was glad to get home. Maybe I'm getting too old for this...
I can still track down some Mudhoney back-catalogue, though, and enjoy it in the comfortable surroundings of the dining room, or more likely my Sennheisers on the way to work (!).
TTFN.
They rocked.
Seriously, from the first strum of the guitars, from the first beat of the drums, they were on the money. They tapped in to a visceral, raw groove which got my attention. They had a take on rock n' roll which pulled me in, even though they were playing tunes I don't think I'd heard before. Of course I recognised "Touch Me I'm Sick", and I identified "Sweet Young Thing (Ain't Sweet No More)" as the lyrics were pretty clear. The rest was a joyous rock noise which I loved.
I probably had one or two beers too many, and the McDonalds meal probably didn't help, but I was feeling a bit dicky by the end. I was glad to get home. Maybe I'm getting too old for this...
I can still track down some Mudhoney back-catalogue, though, and enjoy it in the comfortable surroundings of the dining room, or more likely my Sennheisers on the way to work (!).
TTFN.
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
Loss of Child Benefit
Its not such a big deal, in my view. True, it doesn't impact me - I'd have to earn a bit more than I do now - but I support TW and three children on my wage. TW has a couple of pounds coming in from her Phoenix and Micro-Scooter sales, but it's not enough to worry the taxman.
If I earned enough to pay the higher rate of income tax, we'd be rock steady. Currently we rely on the child benefit, but that's because I spend a lot on booze and TW spends a lot on food. We could trim our sails if required (and I am trying to do that...!). It'd be nice to be in the position a lot of my friends find themselves:
"Child benefit? We bank it for his future", so it's not used for its intended purpose.
One point made on the radio last night was that if a household had a higher tax rate payer and a stay-at-home Mum, they would be impacted, but the next-door DITKYs (Double Income Two Kids) both paying lower rate tax would be unaffected.
The interviewee responded that maybe the DITKYs should, as a unit, be paying some higher rate tax on their income. At the moment tax is an individual affair, and so the marker was set as it was. There will be winners and losers at the margin, as there always is with tax changes.
So let's not make it a universal benefit, let's target it at those who need it most - which is still me, for the time being. Phew!
TTFN.
If I earned enough to pay the higher rate of income tax, we'd be rock steady. Currently we rely on the child benefit, but that's because I spend a lot on booze and TW spends a lot on food. We could trim our sails if required (and I am trying to do that...!). It'd be nice to be in the position a lot of my friends find themselves:
"Child benefit? We bank it for his future", so it's not used for its intended purpose.
One point made on the radio last night was that if a household had a higher tax rate payer and a stay-at-home Mum, they would be impacted, but the next-door DITKYs (Double Income Two Kids) both paying lower rate tax would be unaffected.
The interviewee responded that maybe the DITKYs should, as a unit, be paying some higher rate tax on their income. At the moment tax is an individual affair, and so the marker was set as it was. There will be winners and losers at the margin, as there always is with tax changes.
So let's not make it a universal benefit, let's target it at those who need it most - which is still me, for the time being. Phew!
TTFN.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
So, then: Ed Miliband - eh?
What a bizarre choice. I'm not sure what else to say.
Surely, when choosing a political leader and a potential national premier, you want someone who's not likely to get carded buying Hooch or Thunderbird at Sainsburys? Of course, he'd get his older brother to buy it, but that's beside the point.
As a floating voter (I'd still class myself thus), Ed Miliband is not going to attract me to the Labour Party as the solution to all our ills.
I watched him on the Andrew Marr show this morning and he came across at times like a VIth Form debating contestant - petulant, querulous, unsure. I may be reflecting back incorrectly, and I realise that AM's questioning - "What would *YOU* do?" was a bit unfair after only 24hrs in post. However, since he put Labour's policies together, he should have an idea. It's not like he doesn't know what was left in the kitty.
So it could be oblivion for Labour. We'll see. TTFN.
Surely, when choosing a political leader and a potential national premier, you want someone who's not likely to get carded buying Hooch or Thunderbird at Sainsburys? Of course, he'd get his older brother to buy it, but that's beside the point.
As a floating voter (I'd still class myself thus), Ed Miliband is not going to attract me to the Labour Party as the solution to all our ills.
I watched him on the Andrew Marr show this morning and he came across at times like a VIth Form debating contestant - petulant, querulous, unsure. I may be reflecting back incorrectly, and I realise that AM's questioning - "What would *YOU* do?" was a bit unfair after only 24hrs in post. However, since he put Labour's policies together, he should have an idea. It's not like he doesn't know what was left in the kitty.
So it could be oblivion for Labour. We'll see. TTFN.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Bye Bye Sky Sports
Just cancelled Sky Sports, and they made no attempt to keep me - no half-price offers, no free three months, what's going on? Maybe they're all hungover...?
TTFN.
TTFN.
Sunday, September 05, 2010
Aah, the Weekend...
So, here we are then. TW still in bed, me in my PJs downstairs with the girls, watching Tiny Pop. We were watching Grease but the disc is cocked and keeps skipping - a trip to Amazon for a replacement might be in order. £3 with free postage? Bargainous.
I know what'll happen - TW will wake up, burst into life and dictate the pace of the day. We're off to a christening, or a 'naming ceremony' later today. That might be fun - I shall drive and so not drink. Probably for the best...
Looking forward to bacon sandwiches though - it's getting to be a Sunday tradition. Nice.
TTFN.
I know what'll happen - TW will wake up, burst into life and dictate the pace of the day. We're off to a christening, or a 'naming ceremony' later today. That might be fun - I shall drive and so not drink. Probably for the best...
Looking forward to bacon sandwiches though - it's getting to be a Sunday tradition. Nice.
TTFN.
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