the caring tories

A couple of good pieces in the Observer at the weekend re the Tories being all caring and their 'we're all in it togther' rhetoric. Bastards.

don't get me wrong, Labour should have done a lot more with their huge majority (ooeer) when they first got into power, but they still do help the less well off members of our society a lot more than the Tories ever will. Some would say they help the less well off too much, which l don't agree with, but even if it was true, l would still rather poorer people were assisted rather than increasing the wealth of the rich (which l know has happened as well).

Now the Tories want to 'help' claimants on long term sick by re-assessing them and 'trying' to help them back to work.

Let's face it, claimants would have tougher testing, then a load of them would have their benefits reduced, probably unless they took a crappy job with little pay. During this process, a lot of people with genuine problems that may not show up on tests would suffer.

A few years ago, l injured my back while playing football. I had only shifted in preparation of making a tackle, nothing too strenuous, and yet l could not move, as it was agony. l was off work for four weeks (there's always a good side!), but the doctor found nothing wrong with me, (although he did sign me off, as l was clearly in a lot of pain). Sometimes things do not always show up, even though people can be genuinely ill.

My own view is it should be like the justice system. Accused people have to be proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt, even if this results in some guilty people being freed. This is because the rights of the innocent party is all important, and the saying is something like "It is better for 20 guilty people to be freed, rather than jailing an innocent man".

The benefits system should also work like that. If a person is going to have their claim questioned and reduced, evidence beyond reasonable doubt should be produced to show that the claimant is faking, such as film of them playing football while off with a bad back. Otherwise, leave the poor buggers alone, to protect the genuine claimants who may suffer the stress and hardship of having their claim investigated and reduced.

Bastard Tories.

Nearly forgot, they also want to raise the inheritance tax to one million pounds. Who is that going to benefit l wonder?

toodle pip

elvis and bolan

Elvis died in August 1977 and the same as now with Michael Jackson, people went out and bought Elvis albums and put them back in the charts, even though Elvis had been a joke just before his death.

The above is from a Sept 10th 1977 (my birthday!) copy of Record Mirror. Just look at those charts. Punk was just catching on, but there was a lot of Elvis because he had just died, and elsewhere, a load of crap. Christ, times were hard back in the day.

There is also Marc Bolan's thoughts on his death, from his weekly column in the same paper. Sadly, Bolan would die six days later, hitting that bastard tree in Barnes on 16th Sept (just before his 30th birthday).

Although The Marc Bolan show on TV at the time was embarrassing as far as Bolan's versions of his songs went, he had some great guests and and was looking good again, so at least he left a pretty corpse (if you ignore the damage from the crash).

The last show went out the week after his death, and the very last song was a duet with his old mucker David Bowie. Sadly, Bolan fell off the stage as they started and they could not do another take as the technicians were on a work to rule/strike at the time. The show also highlighted Bolan and Bowies different standings at the time. Bowie had come over and did a version of his new single 'Heroes' which he sang live and was fantastic. Bolan's stuff on the show was nowhere near as good. Plus when Bolan played his old songs, they were crappy versions of them. He had assembled a band that was full of great session players like Herbie Flowers, but they dressed really badly, looked like session players, and it lacked any soul or emotion. About the only decent thing they did was 'Soul of my Suit' which had extra emotional attachment to it once Bolan had died (lyrics include "l'm not such a bad boy").

In a way though, l am glad Bolan went when he was young, as he would probably have ended up like Quentin Crisp (although thinking about it, that's not too bad). Maybe l will end up like dear old Quentin myself, l'm halfway there already.

toodle pip

memento

Finally got around to watching this for the first time today (it was released in 2000) and it was pretty good l must say. Really clever storyline with good acting and twists in the movie.
It still left some questions at the end regarding flashbacks that were shown, but l don't mind that in a movie. l would rather it was challenging rather than just glossy crap.
Looks like l may have to purchase or borrow the DVD of it and watch it again, in reverse order, and try to work out some more of the stuff from it. l did learn not to trust women though!
It will probably take a few years before l get round to getting a copy, but it will be done eventually (like everything else).
toodle pip

what a fine day to go to work

I picked a fine day to go to work yesterday (meaning Saturday, as in my world l still consider this to be Sunday night). Louise and Dazzer and Ken and Ann all called round in the morning and we decide to go for lunch at The Friars Head, picking up debbie on the way. Had a couple of pints (shandy! Damn!) and a baked potato with lots of cheese and butter (no salad please), what a surprise that was (being ironic about the choice of food, not everyone coming round.

Anyhows, went to work afterwards and had bugger all to do as most people were out. Good news as l could go on the computer and catch up with some paperwork. Turned out we were having a take-away in the evening as well (hurrah!), and as l wanted to go to Tesco to get a new sim card, l took someone up there and picked up a Chinese (food, not person) on the way. Watched England getting beat by Ukraine then off to bed. Splendid!

Only drawback was l did not notice that the Chinese take-away now does Singapore style food (damn again!). If l had known that in advance l would have got some, instead of my king prawn foo yung (another surprising order, l don't think). Still a fine day though.

toodle pip

fun at the wine bar

I found this the over day when looking for something. It's from the wine bar (local Pub) a couple of years ago. It was in the men's toilets and l nicked it. Don't know if it was original ideas (l doubt it) but l thought it was pretty funny at the time so it obviously went missing and joined my collection of crap that l have accumulated over the years. l have thought about putting it back where l found it, just to confuse them, but l want to keep it as a memento of my sad life.
It has just occurred to me while writing this, to copy it and then put the copy back and confuse them. Excellent idea. Now all l have to do is get off my lazy fat arse and do it. Damn!!
toodle pip

happy families

While l was looking for some leads for the mobile phone yesterday, l found this photo booth picture from Kenya taken in about 1962. I am the blonde one in the middle and the other two are my parents. It all seems so alien to me, they both look so young and my mother even looks attractive (steady on!!). They are also both together and close in a photo (even though my father is doing his best to look cool), and l look happy and carefree. I think this is the only photo I have of them together with either me or one of my brothers or sisters.

They had loads of years ahead of them, had more kids to come and had more traveling to do.

Then it all got fucked up

spider-man

Sadly l do not own an original mint copy of Amazing Fantasy no.15 (probably about £200,00 now l guess), but have just re-read a reprint, with all the stories, including the Bell Ringer, Hiding from the Martians and Hiding with help from a Mummy (whoopee!).

All very well and good, but it got me to thinking (although l shouldn't really, it hurts my brain), about how l prefer the old style of drawing and colouring. Steve Ditko is a genius, but check out Spidey's eyes in the early strip. This is missing from later re-prints, even though it only appears on the one panel.

I also don't like the way the later colouring makes it look too sleek, the older version just looks rougher and better to me.

Why do things have to change? Why am l so sad? Why does any of this matter?

I need to get a life and get out more

toodle pip

tombstone

Another glorious day off work, lazing around, reading and watching films. Watched Tombstone today which was OK, some parts were good and stuck to the facts, while other parts of the story simply were not true. It bugs me when films do that, why not tell the proper story and be accurate. It's one thing to have a love interest etc (sickening as that is) and incorporate that into the story, but if the story involves historical events which do not require embellishing, what's the point? Surely it would be better to have an accurate film and market it as such. Stupid little points that no-one else would be bothered about really annoy me (there's a surprise). One example is it shows the Wyatt brothers being injured and assassinated on the same (stormy) night. This did not happen. Also no-one really thinks the Doc really killed Johnny Ringo. If the story is to be told, do it right!

I did enjoy Val Kilmer's version of Doc Holliday though, camp, educated yet menacing, wish l could be like that (without the consumption). At least l have a mild form of asthma and can tick off at least one of the three listed above.

Toodle pip

atomised

I started this book while on holiday and have just finished it off today. There was a lot more sex than l was expecting and also a lot of scientific talk about genes, but it was well worth reading.

I especially agreed with the passage above re pleasure, pain and suicide. l have always thought that it's the only way to go if you are fortunate enough to be given a choice and have been saying that passage more or less word for word for years. Good to know that others out there share the same viewpoint. l am planning on jumping off a tall building (or cliffs), or a heroin overdose. l will decide nearer the time. May seem depressing to some but l am all for it. Don't want to go just yet though, even though l am an old git with various aches and pains (pass the ointment and give me a rub down). Anyway, l still want more holidays and to see Manchester United win the European Cup again

toodle pip

Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter 1969

And here's the Stones on top of their game on a top of the pops video

Rolling Stones - 2000 Light Years From Home

Ultra rare vid of the Stones - not seen this for ages

most of the garden work is done (for now)

Bastard Bastard Bastard - l have been slaving away all day in the farmers field sawing the branches that got blown of the tree in the gales and throwing them over my fence for the bonfire on 7th November (l am away on the 5th). Sweating like a pig - l have never worked so hard in years. l don't do manual work, (much) and with good reason, it's knackering. l didn't realise till l got over the fence that three large branches had snapped off during the gales. Bastard trees and wind. It took fucking ages and l was cursing more and more as the time dragged on. Only just got cleaned up and out of the bath, going to demolish some red wine l got earlier to make up for it. It's going to be one hell of a bonfire!

toodle pip

garden work needs doing

Took these on the wrong setting - maybe l am drunker than l thought!

There were some pretty strong winds last night and this morning, so strong in fact, that a large branch belonging to one of the trees in the back garden has been snapped off, and is currently laying across our back fence. It's too heavy to lift so l will have to cut it up and add it to the bonfire. Damn! l hate manual work!
Also, the rats have come back and are going into the outside cage and bugging Tubbs (l assume). Going to put some rat poison down for them, but in the meantime, Tubbs is getting fed in the evening and then shut in his cage so the rats can't get to him or his food (little bastards that they are). About four ran out of his cage last night, so that can't go on. Had the same trouble with them last year, so l guess this is a new lot, as the others were all killed off. l should throw them on the bonfire as well, but l don't think that would go down very well.
The joys of living next to farmers fields.

toodle pip

Bulgaria trip

Oh yes - I'm back again.

One of these days l will get a decent laptop l can use while l am away, as l sure do miss being on the computer, not doing this in particular, just surfing for stuff and catching up on news.

Don't really fancy going into internet cafes, not really my scene (man).

Anyhow, had a good time while away, weather was scorching and the sea was really good for swimming in. l now officially swim like a fish (albeit one that has been caught and left to rot for a few days). The people were friendly, the fake designer gear was really cheap and it was quiet.

The hotel (Royal Beach Barcelo on Sunny Beach) was pretty flash (5 star) and all inclusive but as it was the end of their season, there was nothing in the hotel to do. The hotel hardly had anyone staying there and it was closing for the season at the end of this week. You also had to put on trousers etc for meals unless you wanted food by the outside pool, and that only served food from 2pm till about 4pm. Would have been a better idea to go self catering. A KFC was on the corner, so l could have eaten there. The bar was open all day and that was free, so it was bearable, plus they had a great indoor pool which was hardly used, so l was in there a lot.

A letter of complaint will be winging itself through to the company to try a get a refund of partof the money, as it was not as advertised on the all inclusive brochure.

Also went to a place called Khan's Tent, which is where you have a meal while hey lay on entertainment Las Vegas style, dancing girls, acrobatics, comedy etc. I must admit some of it was pretty good and it was good to see some of the acts very close up. Some of them had some really cheesy smiles, with mad sincere eyes. Proper entertainers l would say.

l would go there again, but l think it might be Romania next year, as it will be very similar, but a lot less touristy and cheaper. Try and get in there before everyone else. Bring on the Gypsies and Transylvania l say!

I am now really brown but sadly back to work today - damn!

Toodle pip

Silver Moon Shadows

When all the drunks have gone home, that’s when we get in our boat.
Drift through the silence of night, far from the harbour’s sight.
And with a mystical air, we know what we’re searching for:
For silver moon ladders.
Next day, at the jobs we do, no one else has a sense or a clue.
We climbed to the moon last night, sat and looked back at the earth’s blue light.
Such a beautiful sight from silver moon ladders.

Merz
Toodle pip

away for the week at sunny beach

As Bob Dylan would say - l'm not there - but l will be for the rest of the week.

gardening (not by night)

Before l went off to work yesterday, Dazzer and Louise turned up and said they wanted to help sort out the garden with Mandy (mad fools). l managed to avoid most of the work as l had things to do on the computer (as l am off to Bulgaria tomorrow) and went off to work, but still managed to hurt my back by putting bin bags full of crap into my car to dump (l mean take to the tip). It does look a lot better though.

Suppose they will have to come round for a bonfire night celebration/piss up now.

Last year we had the police around telling us to stop setting off rockets as it was not bonfire night. Got threatened with fine etc, but ignored them and heard no more. They will probably be around this year as well, as we are not doing it till the 7th Nov, seeing as l am away on a cruise and do not get back until about midnight on the 6th. Bring it on l say. Breaking the law, breaking the law.

toodle pip

lovely michael owen

What fucking fantastic game that was (Utd beating Ciddy 4-3). Christ my poor little booze riddled heart.

The first half was just fine and dandy, apart from Tevez nearly putting City ahead, but the second half was one of the best games of football l have ever seen.

l really thought Utd had blown it when Bellamy equalised to make it 3-3, and was sick (as a parrot, so to speak) as Utd were all over City and should have scored more.

Plus it was a stupid fucking attempt at a lob by Rio that caused it. l could have done that lob no problem, but Rio does not possess my natural ability, so why try it especially so late in the game. l also thought Foster in goal should have done better, and he was at fault for City's first goal, also trying to be too clever, so no Christmas cards from me this year.

The four minutes of injury time passed and l truly thought it was all over again, have to settle for a draw etc, but up pops little Michael Owen, the new hero of the Stretford End, to clinch the winner after about five and a half minute of injury time.

The referee is going to be slated tomorrow, and probably on Match of the Day 2 later on (which of course l am going to watch, to see the match again), but the win is oh so sweet. l haven't cried with joy at a goal so much since the 1999 European Cup Final (in old money). Magic, fucking magic!!

toodle pip

flick books (no not that sort)

Christ, l can't believe how much crap l have got. I have just been looking at some old Manchester United stuff and came across these, old Daily Mirror flick books from 1972/73. Before DVD and Video, these were the only way of replaying those classic moments from matches, mainly George Best going round the keeper in the 1968 European Cup Final to make the score 2-1. Magical at the time and they bring back so many happy memories, but the kids today would never entertain the idea of using them now. They don't know what they are missing.

OK, I admit it. l would rather be a kid today. Unlimited free stuff on the computer, state of the art computer games and the means to tape TV (and pause it), Manchester United winning loads, plus all the porn you can watch. I wouldn't be so skillful at football though, as l would have stayed in a lot more. You can guess what l would be doing.

Toodle pip

last turkey photo

How gay can two blokes be without actually being gay?

little jamie

Earlier on today l was looking at some information about Singapore, as l lived there from about 1966 to 1968. Trouble is, my dad died a while ago and my mum died last year. Therefore l have no-one to get information from about where we lived, what school l went to etc. l did try asking my mum a while ago but she couldn't remember anything herself (silly old bat).

l am curious about the facts as l would like to go back there for a holiday sometime and look at where we used to live (if it still exists). Although l was pretty young, l do have good memories of the place. Main memories are being really into American TV programmes such as Lost in Space, The Time Tunnel, The Addams family, The Munsters and The Man From Uncle. Also it is the first place l started buying American comics from, as there was a stall at the end of our road (wherever that was) that sold sweets etc plus comics. l was into the Green Lantern at the time, prefer Spider-Man now.

Some of the stuff on the sites seem familiar, such as Serangoon Market (where l might have bought my toy soldiers) and Hua Guan Av (where we might have lived). Don't know if l am just fooling myself with these but they sound about right. More investigation needed.

l did however, find the photo above on the website, which l am sure features me at the front, far left with the blonde hair. Tengah school 1968, just before coming back to Liverpool in time to catch the 1968 European Cup Final. Result!

more turkey scans

scanner up and running! Turkey stuff

Well, it's only taken about two or three years to rig up our scanner, but it is now up and running.

I can't believe l have left it so long, then again, sure l can - l am a lazy bastard.

Now that it is on and l have scanned some stuff, l may as well put them up, so here's a start with some menus etc from our recent trip to Turkey.

Think l wil just scan stuff at random in the future and put up a brief description to go with the scan. Only a matter of time till l scan my arse.

Toodle pip

return from turkey

Back again from the holiday in Turkey. Had a great time there, managed to relax a lot and also visit the odd place in our hire car. We stayed at a villa in the hills outside Dalyan, which had some great views, plus it helped that it was sunny every day apart from the day we were leaving, when we had a lot of thunder and lightning. This made taking off in the airoplane exciting, even though it was delayed because of the storms.

Anyway, it was hot hot hot. Just look at those photos!

Sadly l am back to work tomorrow, so l am making the most of my time off now (by doing bugger all). Never mind, l am off to Bulgaria next week - hurrah!!

toodle pip