30 Sep 2008
Posted in News at 8:27 pm by alby
Well the industrialised bit of it anyway.
I’ve not done a lot of stuff about world news in recent months. This is mainly because it’s all a bit samey.
The US believes it can do what it wants and so has a go and wastes billions of dollars whilst killing untold numbers of civilians and plenty of their own soldiers for no good reason.
Russia believes that waving its wang around will convince everyone that it’s to be respected. This is the same version of respect that spacky gangster wannabees hanker after. Note: that’s not respect, not by a long way.
The militant muslims still think that they’re right despite all available evidence. They still keep killing people during Ramadan despite them whinging that when the US bomb muslims during Ramadan it shows “no respect for Islam”.
The UK population still feel that it’s the government’s role to help us through difficulties despite voting against this sort of government for just about every election since 1946.
Etc etc etc. Basically the world’s full of shit because people are paranoid, stupid, greedy. Nothing changes apart from our ability to destroy and cause problems gets ever greater.
But this news of the US financial crisis is most entertaining.
The president puts up a plan; it’s debated and then his own party stick the boot in and defeat it for him He must be very proud. Well actually I suppose he’s not clever enough to realise what’s actually happening so he’s happy whatever.
The main problem seems to be that the bankers make fortunes during good times but the tax payer is being asked to help them out of a hole during this bad time.
So a perfect opportunity to get something in place that pays us during the good times. Sure give the greedy money grubbers some of our cash but insist that they actually do something in return.
Get them to offer a service again at the very least. In recent years the banks have become simple sales businesses. That’s not right.
Or go further and nationalise a few of them. But then run them as banks, don’t wind them down and sack everyone. That would just do no good.
Imagine the picture if private banks had to compete with government backed banks - plenty of good deals I would expect.
Or even better. Chase the greedy bastards who made so much from us over the years. Make them pay the bloody billions they’ve leached from us. Chop nads off those who won’t pay. Scum.
But is this really going to affect us that much?
It seems so. Today 10% of available mortgage deals were taken off the shelves. A 75% mortgage last year is probably now nearer 90% and so will be more expensive to remortgage.
I’m so pleased I’ve got a good job; one that I can carry on for ages. The english teaching might come in useful one day too.
I’m told it will be a bumpy ride. Have fun.
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29 Sep 2008
Posted in Blog at 9:08 pm by alby
Well a really dull month this one. Very few terms of any invention or humour. Pah.
- moscow circus vouchers discount half price leicester
- honeystreet memorial
- duct apes
- art garfunkel jehova
- ooh bjc
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27 Sep 2008
Posted in Games at 6:30 pm by alby
At bloomin last! I can now cross another game off me list of completeds.
I finally got the last star on Mario Galaxy. Spent ages trying one thing then had a brainwave and tried something a little different. Managed it first go after that point.
120 Stars! Got and done.
Hurrah.
Now to get them all again with Luigi.
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Posted in People at 6:28 pm by alby
The load of us went out for curry last night. My guests had never had one before so it looked like it could be fun.
We ended up at The Curry Pot - last visited on my 36th birthday. It wasn’t a good evening then but I had hopes for a good one last night.
They brought us an huge selection of starters, most of which were really nice. And then the mains.
We’d persuaded the guests not to have a korma but to try something a little more spicy and bless them for trying.
Other events included discovering that D has wrecked his tastebuds with too much spicy food over the years. He had the lamb version of the dish that I had with chicken. I was sweating and my mouth was very pleasantly numb and tingly afterwards. D was whinging that his had no heat and he was disappointed. Pfft.
Benny and Marco did seem to enjoy theirs and we were going to troop back to mine to enjoy chocolate and beer but at this point the very people who snigger at me for being old were backing out citing “needing to go to bed” as an excuse. At 10pm on a Friday. Pathetic wasters the lot of them.
Mind you my guests did want to be up and out the house at around 6am this morning so an early night was a good idea for them.
Nyom for the curry.
Have fun.
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25 Sep 2008
Posted in People, Work at 9:39 pm by alby
I like my colleagues. Today we had a staff do after work. Being go-getting types we tend to go for “doing” something rather than simply eating or drinking.
Charlie had us do a basic rock climbing intro session thingy.
Was fun. The old bloke who taught us knew his stuff and was v helpful. The team was supportive at the right moments and sarcastic when it was time.
My left shoulder is a little sore as my lack of arm strength told (again).
And we got some pics. Nowt special in quality but that’s quite hard to do with a complex camera and it being passed round from one to another. But they’re good enough as a record of the silliness.
You can see them here if you wish to.
Have fun.
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Posted in Life at 4:49 pm by alby
and
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24 Sep 2008
Posted in People at 11:18 pm by alby
I have 2 new guests. Benny and Marco from near Antwerp. They’re here to see some motorcross thing on at Donnington over the next few days. Lovely folk brought me the hugest basket of chocolate I’ve seen in years as well as a swish selection of Belgian beers. Top stuff.
Quick question: Who fancies curry with curry novices on Friday night?
I might go with them to the races on Saturday/Sunday too if anyone’s up for it.
Have fun.
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23 Sep 2008
Posted in Comedy, Music at 10:37 pm by alby
Getting a band together? New album finished?
Well no longer do you need to come up with a band name by using inspiration alone.
Try this:
* 1: Go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
The first random Wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.
* 2: Go to Random quotations:
The last four words (more or less if it makes sense) of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album.
* 3: Cover art for the album sleeve - Go to flickrs ‘last seven days‘ section:
Pick the fourth picture.
So for my first band/album:
Band name: 8837 London
Album name: Intimidations of the Prophets
Album cover: Here
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Posted in Comedy at 9:47 pm by alby
Just listened to Armando Iannucci’s Charm Offensive and heard the best bit of fumbling around I’ve heard in ages.
Here’s the bit. Well done Miranda Hart.
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22 Sep 2008
Posted in Bulgaria, Travel at 7:57 pm by alby
So then. First Bg trip since me and K were no more.
The plan was to sort house stuff and that was it.
The flight was fine but I have now definitely decided that I don’t enjoy flying. Not particularly phased by it but the whole process is just unpleasant. The mental pushing to get on, the hanging around, the morons standing up and getting their stuff whilst being yelled at by the stewards to bloody sit down as the plane hasn’t stopped yet, the moronic football fans, the stewards coming to sell you stuff. Just nasty.
We had a late flight so ended up in Sofia at 2am. The next bus was at 6am. So a lovely 4 hours on a hard chair at Sofia bus station. There are SO many places to sit that would be far more enjoyable and comfortable.
But eventually to VT and I actually managed to sleep on the coach which reduced a tedious 3 hour journey to a couple of moments of waking up at random towns on the way. Marvellous.
Straight to the village and arrived sort of midday Wednesday. Slept for a bit and then to work.
To the house to meet with the guys doing the work. Things are coming on and the main work completed is a central heating system and improved fireplace bit downstairs. Still bathroom stuff to do and some decor and a kitchen. But things are looking alright.
Round to the neighbours (who originally sold us the place) for food and chat. And then to a new couple in the village’s house. I was tired and not keen but this was an English couple just moved in. Met them and sat inside for a bit and got beer so they seemed friendly enough.
Later we had food with them and Maiko and chatted. A nice end to a long couple of days.
The rest of the time passed in a blur of doing nothing, playing with animals, eating out and shopping. Oh and I bumped into a 4 club juggler in the city park in VT. Sadly he wasn’t a passer but he was most impressed to meet someone who could at least have a good crack at 4 clubs. First club juggler I’ve met in Bg (and on possibly my last regular trip there. Ah well. Shit isn’t it?)
We picked stuff for house, not much else to do now.
The other place I saw was K’s new flat. She has a garage in the city which someone has built a 1 bed flat on top of. And it’s now hers. Not quite finished but looking good. Bachelor pad in the city for some young bloke I’m sure. Tiny but perfectly good enough for a young ‘un.
One night we had the regulars over for music and food. As fun as usual. A good evening.
Coming home was rather interesting. It was a late night bus to Sofia and my first bus trip journey to Sofia on my own. K asked a bloke looking like he was off to the airport whether he’d sort me a taxi (I’m sure I could have anyway) and he spoke good English so we chatted a bit on the bus. Nice chap.
As we were just about to set off a brit a few seats along was getting hassle off the “conductor”. Apparently his ticket was for the following day. My new friend went to translate and it went sort of
-”But the seat is paid for.”
“No I can’t let you on.”
-”How about I buy a new ticket then?”
“I can’t sell you a ticket. You need to buy one at the office. It’s over there.”
-”It’s closed now.”
“I can’t sell you a ticket.”
-”What does this situation need?” (with hand going to wallet in pocket).
“I can’t sell you a ticket”.
-”I’ll miss my bus.”
“I can’t sell you a ticket.”
And that was that. Bulgarian customer service in all its glory. Guy had to get off and the only way he was getting to Sofia was by getting a taxi. Poor sod.
Then my new pal started getting really ill and threw up on the bus.
Finally to Sofia. Taxi driver was a mental. 90mph up the backside of a huge 4×4 that you couldn’t see past was the least of his indiscretions. New pal threw up on the pavement when the cab finally pulled up at the airport. I was in what can only be described as minor shock/terror as well. My word!
Anyway once in the airport we met the guy who’d been thrown off the bus. He’d commandeered a taxi and made it there before us and came over to say “ta” to the Bg guy for trying and helping back in VT.
I ended up sat next to this bloke on the plane and it turned out he’s moved near to VT with his wife and lives in Derby (well nearish anyway). So we ended up on the same train.
His travel day was shocking. Starting in VT he’d been thrown off the bus and had to get a cab. Back in the UK we got on our first train an hour before the one I was expecting to meet, so that was ok. But that was only to Bedford. Once in Bedford (at 8.30) we discovered that Midland trains only ran from 9.50. So a cool hour and a half to wait, in Bedford. The coffee place was expensive, the cash machine was broken so we couldn’t have had food or coffee (or whatever) anyway, the loos were closed due to vandalism. The train also appeared not to go to Derby. He went to find out whether he was allowed to go to Nottingham as he could get a bus from there. Answer “no” but also “there are no trains to Derby today, engineering work”. So he had to go to Beeston. But then another hope! His sister lives in Beeston so he’d stop there for a bit and then ask them to give him a lift. Hurrah!
5 minutes later “Bugger!” What? “My sister’s on holiday. Doesn’t come back for a week.”
Ah well.
And the train we got on was called “The Pride of Derby”. Lovely timing.
Home now.
Photos good. House good. Glad to be back. Glad house is sorting.
Perhaps I can concentrate more on life again now.
We’ll see.
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