everyone was young once (part 845) - bruce lee

Who on earth could this 1958 Crown Colony Cha Cha champion be?
Only the charismatic and hard as nails Bruce Lee, that's who.
I pity the fool that tries to make fun of his dancing, or tries to nick his girl.

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ding dong the wicked witch is dead

Heading up the itunes chart at this very moment.
Ding Dong The Wicked Witch is Dead (come on -  join in everybody!)

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elvis costello - tramp the dirt down

I'm not that keen on this actual song, but as far as the sentiment and lyrics go (it's about Margaret Thatcher dying), Elvis Costello's 'Tramp The Dirt Down' does it for me, and echoes my thoughts on the matter.

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margaret thatcher is dead - hurrah!

I have just heard on the BBC news that the ex Conservative prime minister, Margaret Thatcher has died.
Hurrah! And about bloody time!
It is a sad day for her family, but not for me. Far from it.
I despised the woman, her policies, her disregard for the working classes and society in general, her privatisation of the countries assets, the destruction of communities, and her lionisation by the blue haired, twin set, pearl wearing Tory hard line and right wing support.
No doubt there will be countless tributes stating how wonderful she was, but don't come here looking for any praise, and never mind 'don't speak ill of the dead'.
l'll happily celebrate her passing, and I will be raising a glass to the grim reaper this evening, that's for sure.
Thanxs to the rather wonderful 'Is Thatcher Dead Yet?' blog, there's a spotify playlist for any street parties.  Enjoy the moment.
Photo artwork by Dylan Jeavons

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john simm's hanging scene

There was much hilarity in our household this evening, and l assume in many others up and down the country.  We were idly flicking around the TV channels when we stumbled upon the BBC series 'The Village'.
I was just commenting to the FPO that it was all so depressing looking, with the washed out colours and  'it's all so grim' outlook, that the John Simm character was probably going to hang himself with the rope that he was carrying.  Lo and behold, a couple of minutes later, there he was, strung up from a tree, trying to kill himself, as (I assume) the grimness must have got to him.
How unfortunate and sad you may think, but no, quite the opposite in fact.
The look on Simm's face as he was choking was hilarious, cross eyed, with tongue flapping in the breeze.
How we laughed and laughed, pausing the TV, rolling around on the floor gasping for breath (a bit like Simm, but without the cross eyed look), rewinding it back numerous times, and then eventually taking the picture above for posterities sake.
Life doesn't get much better - My ribs and sides are still aching.

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the grand national bet

I hardly ever bet, but putting some money on The Grand National makes it that little bit more entertaining, and gives me some interest in it.
I was going to head to the pub for it, but l had been working overnight, was falling asleep at home,and the FPO came back from Tesco's with bottles of wine, so we stayed in for the race, then sat on the doorstep in the sunshine with Tubbs (the idiot rabbit), drinking wine (Tubbs abstained), like a middle class Andy Capp and Flo.
As for my bet, l know bugger all about horses, so l just chose some at random. People said l was a madman to pick such outsiders to win, and of course l wasn't successful,  but the eventual winner (Auroras Encore) was priced at 66-1, so maybe l should have been more daring with my £2 to win bets.
As usual, close, but no cigar.

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james earl ray forgotten footage

This is pretty amazing footage that has just been unearthed after 45 years.  Not for the quality of the film, but for the historical significance.
It shows the killer of Martin Luther King, James Earl Ray, being taken into custody, and strip searched.  Potential jurors are also filmed, but these turned out not be be needed, due to Earl Ray pleading guilty.
It would have been better if this had been posted yesterday, as it was the anniversary of Dr King's death, but it's still a fascinating document of America's not so distant (and racist) past.
I still think George Wallace, the right wing politician and racist politician should take a lot of responsibility for what he had been preaching, as this encourages fanatics and idiots, but l suppose he got shot and paralyzed in a 1972 assassination attempt, so it's all Yin and Yang, cause and effect etc, even if he later renounced his views.
In related news, l been past The Lorraine Motel (now known as The National Civil rights Museum), where Dr King was shot, and witnessed and support what Jacqueline Smith is protesting about outside.  That is, the gentrification of the area, which resulted in pricing out the locals, and the wrong use of the motel as a museum, rather than as a clinic or college.  She used to live in the motel, and was the last person the leave it,
and has been protesting outside for the last 20 years or so, and good luck to her (although the money always talks, so l think she is on to a lost cause).

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foreign beatles 'yellow submarine' posters

More things l would like to own.  Foreign film posters for The Beatles 'Yellow Submarine' film.  The bottom one is my favourite.  I can't say l love the film (I'm not a madman), but some of the songs and the artwork for the posters are still great.
Pass the drugs and album, it's time to trip out and open the old doors of perception (if they can still creak open).
All together now....



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living by the countryside (part 583)

This is the view a mere 5 minutes or less from my bedroom, and by car, not jet pack or aeroplane.
I like being able to get to the A1 within 5 to 10 minutes, and therefore head out to Leeds, Newcastle, York or Middlesbrough within the hour (which l can), but the countryside and it's lack of other people is still handy to have nearby.

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a new elliot erwitt book

Elliot Erwitt, one of the greatest photographers of the 20th century,  has a new book out (Snaps), and l will use that as an excuse to stick up some examples of his work, which is always worth checking out, even if he did become a bit focused (see what l did there?) on dogs later on.
It sounds by the above as though he is dead, but he is still alive and kicking.
There's an interesting article about Elliot in the Guardian (by Sean O'Hagan) here, which also contains a link to buy the book from them.
If l only had more time, money, and spare space, the coffee table would be bulging (rather like my wasteline).

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the solar system to scale

A superb representation of the solar system's planets and sun - to scale.
It all makes us look so insignificant, and that's just in our tiny little part of space.
From here.

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good news for ralph the rabbit

It's good news for Ralph the Rabbit, as he has regained his crown of being the heaviest rabbit in the UK, after weighing in at nearly 4 stone (3 stone 8lb). He eats nearly £50 worth of food a week, and is cared for by the Sussex Horse Rescue Trust.
He makes our similar looking, tubby, idiotic prat of a rabbit appear anorexic.
The full story was in the Tory supporting 'The Daily Express' and can be found here.

Plus any excuse for a bit of John Cooper Clarke!



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victoria coren's touching up (fnaaar!)

Once again, call me cynical, but in the top picture, Victoria Coren is either really holding in her stomach, while pushing her boobs forward (not a bad look for anyone, but preferably on a woman), or she has been touched up a lot (not in that sense).
I know where l would place my money (stop it!)

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paul o'grady - at my mothers knee

I picked up this book cheap and second hand (like me), as l had enjoyed Paul O'Grady's follow up book 'The Devil Rides Out - The Second Coming', last year, but must admit, much as l like his media persona, and what little l know of him, the book was disappointing for me.
I'm sure a lot of it must have been interesting (and hard work) for him to write, dealing as it does with a lot of his family background, but l just wasn't that enthralled by his relatives and family tree.
I did enjoy it more towards the end, when he starts coming out, going to the gay bars, and moving to that there London for work (and his subsequent police record).
The last part of the book however, was really moving.  An honest and thoughtful account of his mother and fathers heart attacks, and his reaction to them.  A really moving piece of writing, and with a surprise at the end, which would have been enough by itself to make me want to read the second volume (if l hadn't already done so).
I will however, be looking out for the third one 'The Savage Years', and hope that his own heart doesn't give up in the near future, as he has had some past trouble with that.

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the daily mail blames childrens deaths on the welfare state (suprise!)

Once again, The Daily Mail has managed to get in there quick, and use the unfortunate deaths of six children as an excuse to blame the 'Welfare UK' culture of scrounging, workshy spongers, who exploit the system.
I would never argue that some people on benefits abuse the system, and it appears that the family involved in the story may well have done.
However, the 'abusers' are in a small minority, and no matter how much they may abuse the system, it does not turn them into the 'product' of it and into heartless killers.
Blaming the system for these deaths is ridiculous   Others have killed in the past, and have had decent jobs and paid their taxes (Harold Shipman for one), but this is all part of their drip down news and political agenda of stigmatising the poor, whether they are unemployed, ill, live in too large houses, or have too many children.
The killers were bad people, but compare the front page of The Independent, which rightly condemns the father, while highlighting the real tragedy of the children's deaths.
Much as l think Polly Toynbee talks a load  of rubbish sometimes, there was a splendid piece by her a few days ago, highlighting some of this governments agendas, and it's not pretty. Check here if you are interested.
The current government couldn't care less about the poor and disadvantaged, as has been shown by their welfare cuts, bedroom tax, offensive and inflammatory language ('strivers not skivers' etc), and their tax cuts and help to the rich, both individuals and mega rich companies (and that's without their cuts to legal aid).
They have always looked after their own, but this is heading towards the dark days before benefits, the NHS, and decent schooling for all.
Why would they do that?
Call me cynical, but maybe a cheap to employ workforce with hardly any rights?
Bring back means testing, workhouses, flogging and hanging - it's what they want.
Otherwise vote Labour (and l'm meaning old school Labour).

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django unchained (2013) - quentin tarantino

Myself and the FPO went to Teesside Park to see Django Unchained last month, as we wanted to view it on a large screen with surround sound, thinking that it would look and sound so much better than on an (albeit large) TV, and we could immerse ourselves in the story more.
We were glad we had made the effort, as it was just the type of movie we were hoping for from Quentin Tarantino, overblown, violent, and funny, but with a serious tale to tell relating to the slaves and their treatment.
Some critics have argued about the constant references to 'niggers', but if this film was to portray an in any way realistic view of the old wild west, with all the old prejudices intact and in your face, the language used had to reflect that era, otherwise it could come across as old westerns did, with plenty of shooting, fighting and killing, but with no blood or swear words (and rapid recovery from fights!).  There's a place for those type of films as well, and l am also a big fan of them, but it's sometimes a good thing to bear witness to a representation of how brutal and unflinching those times were.
The screenplay and casting was excellent and believable, with some standout performances from Samuel L Jackson and Leonardo DiCaprico, but for me, Christoph Waltz stole the movie.  Softly spoken, and full of mischief and unexpected surprises, he has rightly been awarded the plaudits for doing so.
With plenty of dialogue and shootings (from Tarantino!!?), and with a romantic quest thrown into the mix, it's a film l will be revisiting again in the years to come. The original 'Django' (Franco Nero) even makes an appearance  and was well spotted by the FPO.
The soundtrack album is also worth checking out, despite the fact it does not contain Richie Havens' version of 'High Flyin' Bird' (which is in the movie).  Sacrilege!



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oxo drinking

I sometimes drink Oxo cubes in hot water, and love them. I am also from Liverpool, so this question on Yahoo made me laugh, as the 'He's from Liverpool' bit seemed to imply he was mad and explained everything (and it probably does).

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jessie j at scotton social club

We've had a flier through the door (thankfully they used the letter box) to inform us that Jessie J is going to be appearing at Scotton Social Club, Catterick, this weekend, for only 5 of your English pounds (for non members - of which l am one - or not - damn! I'm confused!).
Looks like l'll have to dig out the old dancing shoes and get on down there for a funky night of mayhem with the FPO.
I don't know who Donna is, maybe she is promoting it, and good luck to her.

Hold on a minute....................................................................................Damn Again!!
The dust shall remain on the dancing shoes after all.

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some cows - today

Some cows we saw while out and about today.  The joy of living by the countryside (although l've still got cow spittle on my hands after letting them lick me).

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more of danny's artwork

More of Danny's artwork.
He doesn't want to sell his originals  but I'd be selling limited edition signed prints of them if l was him.  There must be some money in it somewhere, and it must be better than real work.
If only l was artistic....(instead of autistic)

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out in the boro (again!) - and mink

As it was Good Friday and it was a holiday for most, l went through to Middlesbrough for a lads night out with Robbo, Danny and Matt.  We drank copious amounts of ale,  talked a load of crap, and chilled out, all happy to have a break from work.  We hit some of our usual pubs around the Linthorpe road area, but ended up going to the Mink bar, by which time, everyone was pretty drunk (except me of course).  It was the first time l had been in there, and it was my kind of bar. Dark, plenty of people, live music, and a handy tattoo parlour if the hankering for an immediate tattoo strikes you (and it has me in the past). By then,we were also on the double Jack Daniels, Matty disappeared completely, Danny was told by the bouncers he was going to be thrown out and was refused any more alcohol, and he also disappeared as soon as he went outside. This left me and Robbo as the last men standing (bloody amateurs).  Afterwards, us two got a taxi back to Robbo and Kerry's, which we then had to stop so Robbo could get out of it to throw up, so only one of the hardy crew remained in one piece after the rock and roll madness - me.  l was rather amazingly, up pretty early (7am!) to get some coffee down before heading home, as l have work today and Sunday.  I had also been entrusted with the front door key by Kerry, as she didn't want Robbo losing the key and waking up her, Gill, Cairan or Chloe on our return, which was a success, but l ended up coming back to Catterick with it, as l left it in the back pocket of my jeans afterwards (oops). The girls are going out tonight (sounds like a Take That song), but I'm not sure if the FPO is going through or not, as we have a lot on this weekend.  Mink will certainly be visited again in the future, but l think there may be less Jack Daniels consumed next time.  Oh - Chloe has also taken a bit of a shine to me.  I'm a natural when it comes to youngsters.

Me and Robbo in the taxi home - like a pissed up old married couple (in this case, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton)

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cutting my head open

One of the more stupid things l have done recently, was cutting my head open, by standing up in the kitchen and catching it on an open cupboard door (with a sharp metal corner). This resulted in the above hole in my skull, which l quickly cleaned up (see towel above) and held together while a work colleague sprayed some glue on it to hold it in place.  The scab has now gone, but l have another scar to add to my collection.
And yes.....it hurt like hell.

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