The UK Royal Family and Ivory

From The Times yesterday: Charles Hides His Ivory (paywall)

Basically the gist is: Wildlife and campaigning charities are asking the royal family to destroy their antique ivory pieces; that is, ivory pieces that they collected and were given before the trade in ivory was declared illegal.
To me, this sounds insane. Destroying these items won't change how they were made, or the pain and death  inflicted on the elephants killed to make these items. But they were made at a different time, when we had different values. Destroying these items will mean they no longer exist, and therefore the pain and suffering of the creatures killed to make these items will have been in vain.
Surely it would be better to display these items and change the message to a 'never forget' kind of message? Reinforce the hideous way in which these items were obtained and impress on the public / kids looking at these displays that we've moved on and are not so barbaric any more?

The Saturday Times

Who says the Times is dumbing down? These five (four on show here) full pages of ads give me a breather before continuing with the important info contained in the 'Register' section.

Resetting a CNM 7" Android Tablet

So my daughter, the silly sausage, set a password on her CNM 7" tablet and promptly forgot what it was.
I googled a solution, but was unable to find anything that worked.
First suggestion was to try Google's password recovery service. Tried that, no luck.
Then, link the tablet to a PC using a USB lead, and find the Username in the Play Services downloads.
No dice, tablet didn't link to the PC.

I found one suggestion, that I should turn the tablet off entirely, and then hold the Power and Volume Down button in together for 12 secs, which (the advisor claimed) would put the tablet into reboot menu. As it was, the person seeking advice saw a table of options but in oriental (Chinese?) script.
The next bit of advice was to turn the tablet off, and then hold down the Power and the Volume Up buttons together. I did that and got into the necessary menu - and from there, chose the Factory Reset option.

So if you're looking, the solution is:
1. Power off completely.
2. Hold down the Power and Volume Up buttons at the same time for approx. 15 seconds
3. Choose the Factory Reset option.

This will reset the tablet though, and you will have to reapply any settings and preferences, as well as download again all apps, widgets and wallpapers you had installed. The reset will restore your device to 'factory fresh' condition.

As 2013 Comes to an End...

In 2013 I ran 91.1 miles and weighed 13st 7lbs (At one stage I did weigh over 14st) - that's 86kg.
If I can reach the end of 2014 weighing less, having run more, and feel in better shape, that would be an achievement.
I'll also have to cut down or cut out the alcohol, but that will be a tough ask.

It's a simple aim, I need to break it down in to weekly and monthly targets in order to achieve it... :-)

Wreaths all Year Round?

It struck me the other day that it would be nice to have wreaths on our doors all year round. They do make front doors look nicer. They would have to be non-festive; you couldn't have holly up all year around. But you could have seasonal wreaths, marking spring and summer.
I'm not sure if anyone's already thought of it; I don't think I've seen any, but maybe someone could design something nice which didn't immediately signify Christmas, and we could put up on a semi-permanent basis?

How Important is Facebook?

In the UK at the moment, there is a news item about a missing 17-year old, Jayden Parkinson. I don't want to talk about the case, or what's alleged; it must be dreadful for all involved.
What struck me as odd, though, about the reporting, is this: I was in the canteen, eating my customary bacon and cheese turnover, when the BBC reported what Jayden's mother had posted on Facebook. I thought that was odd, but looking on Google tonight I have found the same information in the Guardian and The Mirror.

When did Facebook posts become newsworthy? I don't understand; I think this is an invasion of privacy and an unnecessary intrusion into someone's personal tragedy. It doesn't 'add colour' to the story, which I suppose might be an argument. But do you really need to see what someone posts on Facebook to imagine what they are going through - if you have to imagine that sort of thing? Surely updates on social media sites are personal and not news? If this was just the BBC, I would shrug this off, but the fact that other news sources are reporting from Facebook as well strikes me as bizarre.

Having said that, maybe I'm just an old fuddy-duddy who isn't moving with the times.

S.A.D.

Very difficult to believe that currently the sun is going down before four p.m. at the moment. It seems that we're living at night, although that was always the case. By the end of this week, though, the days will start getting longer again. And then, next stop summer on the beach in balmy summer climes...

America's Got Powers

I have just finished reading “America’s Got Powers” by Jonathan Ross and Bryan Hitch. A number of months after everybody else, I expect, but it was worth the wait.
Originally billed as a six-part series, eventually this ended up stretching to a seven-part series. Maybe that was why it took so long to come out; the first issue was dated April 2012 and the final issue was dated October 2013.
I had read Ross’ previous effort, “Turf”, and so was expecting big things of this new story. Reflecting on it now, I don’t think I was disappointed.
The story starts with the arrival of a large intergalactic crystal which glows brightly and gives nearby residents ‘powers’. Of course, the authorities investigate and end up separating those with powers in some kind of apartheid. And they also have some TV show in which those with powers have to combat challenges and each other in some vicious kind of ‘Gladiators’ game show with real consequences.
There is a kind of arms race developing, whereby those with powers want to be free of their ‘normal’ overlords, those without powers want to harness their capabilities for their own ends, and some people advocate pacifism.
It’s a thoughtfully-written story, as well as being exciting and entertaining; any more than that might result in spoilers, and it really has only just officially ended.

I see that Ross has a new series out in Jan called “Revenger” - based on this and “Turf”, I will be getting my grubby mitts on a copy. The one thing I can’t understand is why the full series #1 - #7 are available on eBay for pennies. I spent about £15 collecting that series, and you can, if you’re lucky, pick it up for less than £2 (not incl. P&P) from the online fleamarket. Not that I want to sell my set, I was just wondering how much other people valued this set at. Maybe it’s a slow burner?

Everyone Sin a While

Today I took the girls to Splashpoint while TW went Christmas shopping. She's already done most of it, there were just the last bits to do. And of course she couldn't take the girls with her.
Which was lucky, as TW was out until the wee early hours and when she got back she woke me up and even our eldest. So she probably needed some time to get her head straight, as she was certainly out of it last night.
So, anyway, Splashpoint. I was rather reluctant, as I had already ferried T and L to gymnastics, but they really enjoyed it; flitting between the slide, the diving board, and the inflatable, they played nicely together and enjoyed the variety. When we got to the hour, I told them they had ten minutes; T went off to swim lengths and the other two went back on the inflatable for a final two times. L was upset when I told her that time was up, but they were well-behaved and got dry and dressed in good humour.

I was really surprised by how empty Splashpoint was. Apparently it's been like that for a week or so. I reckon everyone is off shopping for Christmas. They'll probably be swamped again after Christmas, but it was nice, just once, to stroll in, walk straight up to the counter (rather than queue for 20 mins) and collect our bands. It may never happen again... :)

Thinking About My Eldest Daughter

So, here's a thing: I get frustrated *a lot* by my eldest daughter. Much more so than by my other daughters, even if they do the same things. So I got to thinking why that might be.

My eldest is quite mature for an eight-year old; that might sound strange, but all her friends are older than her, so even though she is the eldest of her sisters she has role models to emulate. And she is quite tall as well - taller than some twelve year olds in the street.

So I think it boils down to this:- I think my eldest daughter is older than she actually is. I need to remember that next time (and the time after that) she does something childish... She is actually a child. So it's to be expected, and these things happen and should be used as an opportunity to teach her how grown-ups handle situations.

Grant Shapps and the BBC

It seems Grant Shapps has misjudged the British public, so I question Grant Shapps:

Grant Shapps told the Sunday Telegraph the BBC must tackle a culture of secrecy and waste in the wake of recentscandals and rows over stars' salaries and pay-offs to senior executives.Would that be in the same way that MPs have 'tackled' the culture of secrecy and waste in the wake of the expenses scandal?

And he said there was a "question of credibility" for the BBC over whether it applied "fairness" to its reporting of politics. If the public were asked who was more credible, MPs or the BBC, who does Shapps think would be voted 'most credible'?

Shapps said the £145.50 annual fee would be "too much" if the BBC failed to reform. I'd be happier to pay more, if there was a chance of not receiving the BBC's output.

Shapps made clear Conservative frustrations with the BBC: "They have ended up working in this culture which is buried in the last century, which is 'we are the BBC, we do what we like, we don't have to be too accountable'," he told the paper. And which century do MPs operate in, with their weird customs and ways of doing things? Do MPs really think they are 'accountable'?

Shapps: "But they are raising £3.6bn through the licence fee, which is a tax, and, quite rightly, the public wants to have sight of how the money is spent. Things like the pay-offs have really caused concern, as have, obviously, things like Savile and Hall and the culture that goes around that. I think it is one of too much secrecy." MPs' salaries are a tax as well, and we get much more for the the money we pay to the BBC.

He said the BBC director-general, Lord Hall, should consider publishing all expenditure over £500 – including stars' salaries – and opening up to freedom of information requests. Can I opt out of paying MP salaries? Agreed, transparency is a good thing.

Shapps: "If they do that they can make sure they win back public trust. If they don't, they are in danger of frittering away Auntie's public trust that has been built over a long time." In my opinion, the BBC have never lost the public's trust.

Shapps: "I would also say that £145.50 is quite a lot to pay for everyone in the country who has a TV. It is too much if we don't see the kind of reforms [we expect]" Like Grant Shapps cares about the level of the licence fee. Is he going to suggest some of that is shared with Sky?

A BBC spokesman said: "Mr Shapps is right that transparency is key to the future of the BBC. So is its freedom from political pressure.

When I read this sort of crap from people like Shapps I think perhaps Russell Brand is right - we need a revolution to get wrong-thinking people like Shapps away from power and out of situations where he could harm perfectly decent public institutions.
If people weren't happy paying the licence fee, there would be more cases of non-payment.
Shapps should reconsider his ideas on this occasion, IMHO.

Deportation by SMS - WTF?

So here is the story: text messages (SMS) are being sent to people advising them that they are not at liberty to stay in the UK and they should leave.

Link to Guardian article
Link to Indepenent article

When I first heard this story, in the Independent, my brain could not compute.
Firstly, why would anyone choose to communicate regarding such a delicate subject using such an impersonal method?
If you send an SMS message, you can't guarantee it's been read. I have friends I text about possible nights out, and they never respond - it's so frustrating!

But still the SMS comes. So you assume it's been sent to the right person.
I get a load of texts from O2. That's only right; they supply my phone and airtime, and I can't be bothered to go online and update my preferences so that I don't receive these text messages. There is no follow-up; O2 don't ring me up and ask if I received their SMS. My learning? There are no consequences to ignoring SMS.

So, people don't respond to SMS, and ignore SMS which are not from people they know.
Surely a better option would be to have someone visit the intended 'target' - that would be more effective.

What's the point of sending these, and why be so impersonal?

I'm a floating voter. I think the Tories are doing better on the economy, but Labour are more considerate.
When I hear about initiatives like this, though, it makes me wonder if there aren't more important things in this life, like manners and compassion. And then I start thinking about Michael Gove and other less 'nice' Tories, and it makes me think that possibly it might be worth having a Labour government again. Sod fiscal discipline, at least if we're all nice to each other we can go to hell in a handcart all together and smile about it.

Eco Day at School (TAB First)

Saturday morning and we go to school regardless. For today is "ECO DAY" and our our presence is required.
In truth, Eco Day is just a bit of gardening, but on an industrial scale. By turning up to help, we are probably doing about a term's work in a day for the school. We move soil, weed flower beds, and generally titivate areas so that the school looks nice and attracts 'mini-beasts' (insects to you and me) at the right time of year.
The day was supposed to go on until three pm, but it was raining and a bit miserable, so we called it a day at about one pm. Then went home and had a bath to warm our chilly bones.

Ralph Miliband and the Daily Mail

The whole affair has affirmed my view that the Daily Mail is not a pleasant paper to read.
Why bother dragging up and insulting the memory of a dead man?

Others have said that Cameron's and Osborne's upbringing has similarly been questioned.
But I don't think that's right.
Someone said they've been accused of being 'posh boys' - that was actually an accusation levelled at them by Nadine Dorries, a tory. And in my opinion, the front bench on either side of the House is equally posh. So that doesn't wash.

The fact that Cameron's and Osborne's status has been questioned, I agree with. People have said they are products of Eton and they don't know how people on benefits live, that the laws they pass benefit people like them. I agree with that as well.
But I don't know Cameron's father's name, or his views, nor do I know Osborne's father's name, or views. I know he ran a paint company and became fabulously wealthy.
I don't believe any journalists have completed a widely-published hatchet-job on Cameron's or Osborne's father.

On the other hand, I don't think I'll ever forget Ralph Miliband's name, or the diary entry he wrote when he was 17.
Nor will I forget that Ralph Miliband served in the Royal Navy for three years while Rothermere sucked up to Hitler.
Nor will I forget that the Mail's attempt to smear Ralph Miliband, and Ed by association, backfired spectacularly and kept news from the Tory conference off the front pages.

The article published last week, and still causing bad feeling, shows more clearly than ever that British newspapers are merely the mouthpieces of their owners / editors, a way to promulgate bilge (in the case of the Mail).

You can love a country and question where it is going at the same time. You can question the necessity of the institutions and direction of political travel. That's because we live in a democracy.

The reason Ralph Miliband is so despised by the Daily Mail/Dacre, is because he questioned things.
The Daily Mail doesn't want you to question things.
It wants to tell you what's wrong with this country, and have you accept it wholesale.
It wants you to follow blindly its worldview.
You can't stop to think about this.
If you stop to think, you might notice the little man behind the curtain, telling you that this country is going to hell in a handcart.
What? No, there's no man there, don't look over there, look here, look at how Labour will screw up the country.
Look at how the country is falling apart because women don't stay at home to look after the children any more.
Look over here, and see how immigration is bringing this country to its knees...
Just don't look over there - there's nothing to see.

It's almost enough to make you vote for Ed Miliband, just to prove to Paul Dacre and the rest in charge at the Mail that this sort of crap won't wash.
If you deal in dishing dirt for long enough, you'll end up smelling of shit.

Banshee

Catching up on Banshee, the new U.S. drama somehow related to True Blood. I believe the same creative team are behind both. However, whereas True Blood is fantastical and a tale of good vs. bad, Banshee is a grim ultra-violent tale of bad vs. worse.
It's grim. Did I say that already? The episode with the albino in prison is especially memorable / repugnant. There is a liking for stretching out the violence too far in this show, so where other shows might have the fight last two or three minutes, Banshee pulls it out to seven or eight. And then pounds the unconscious skull with a hundredweight.
I will always remember 'are we good?' with a shudder.
I'm sure in years to come, it will take on the same horrific meaning as 'is it safe?' in Marathon Man. Not that I've seen MM in full, and I'm not sure that I want to; it is more a case of having to. Banshee could turn out and if to be a turning point in TV.
Where The Sopranos was psychological, and True Blood was sexy, and The Wire was involved, and Battlestar Galactica reinvented the space odyssey, Banshee has pushed ultra-violence that bit further and made it integral to the plot.
The story of the ex-con taking on the role of the Sheriff and then defending his position by all means necessary is a good plot device - you start rooting for him, but then as events occur, you start questioning exactly what is going on, and who you should support.
The scene in the prison with the albino is particularly intense, or at least it was for me. I believe I'm on now ep09 of 10, and that still pings around in my head when I'm at a loose end. It's quite an intense scene.

Anyways, I guess I'm saying that Banshee is compulsive viewing, and I'd recommend it.

Syria - What's the Endgame?

So, I've been following the news about Syria. I'm quite concerned that we might go in and attack. I don't understand what the endgame is. What are we hoping to achieve by this?
Until someone can explain that to me, I suggest we leave well enough alone.

Test

Test

Test IFTTT

So I've set up a couple of IFTTT 'recipes' which will do some cross-posting for me. Let's check whether my Tumblr and WordPress blogs pick this up.

Mad Domestic Skillz

So yesterday I spent the day with Daughter #1 while TW took Daughters #2 & #3 to Petworth House. We went on a bike ride to see M&P, as they wanted to install Skype and needed some reassurance from me. Dad also sorted out my bike tyres. Then we cycled to Sea Lane Cafe and had an overpriced slice of banoffee pie and some Millionaire Shortbread for the heiress.
TW took an age at Petworth, so I popped to the Co-Op and bought dinner. I cooked sausage and mash for the girls and chilli con carne for the adults.

I wouldn't make a song and dance about it, but we live a very traditional lifestyle; TW does the cooking and I earn the cash. So for me to cook two meals in one evening is a bit of a special occasion. And of course I tidied as I went, so the place was tidy at the end as well - result!
And then TW went to work this morning, so I've cooked breakfast, fried egg and bacon sandwiches, and washed up too.

Now all I need to do is put on a load of washing, and I will be King of the Domestic Chores...

TTFN.

Illness and Frailty

Child No. 2 was sick this week. And by 'sick' I mean we awoke to the sound of vomiting on Monday morning. Her little six-year old body was wracked with vomiting 10 times in three and a half hours. And then, as quickly as it came, it went. We'll never know what caused it. And I got to work from home on Tuesday because the school insists on a 48 hour quarantine.
In other news, I banjaxed my neck on Friday morning and have been suffering since. It's on the mend now, but I'm taking it as a sign that need to get running again.