some japanese manhole covers

Japan - such a cool place. These are some of the souvenirs l will be bringing back when l eventually go to Japan. They will look cool in my garden (although carrying them back may prove to be a bit of an obstacle).

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taxidermy gone wrong (again)

This was done for The King Of Sweden (King Frederick 1) in 1731. Oh deary deary me.

In case you can't guess, it is meant to be a lion. A lion l would quite happily take on in a bar room fight (but probably still lose).

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benjamin zephaniah - 3 books - face - refugee boy - teacher's dead

I picked these up the other day for £1 each at the local charity shop, thinking l would give them a go, as l like some of Benjamin Zephaniah's poetry (on the odd occasion l have heard it). I did not realise at the time that the books were aimed at children/teenagers or whatever (with messages contained within), so l managed to get through all of them in one day. The verdicts were....

This one was good for highlighting the fact that people or events cannot always be judged at face value. What seems to be obvious, is sometimes a lot more complicated, so it is best to know as many facts as possible before leaping to a conclusion that could turn out to be wrong. A teacher is stabbed and killed, two boys admit it and plead guilty (and there were a lot of witnesses), and everyone thinks they are just evil scum. But of course there is more to it than that...

This one deals with a refugee coming to the UK with his father, and trying to gain a visa to stay in the country. Sounds a bit boring, but this is the one that nearly made me cry. Mind you, l was tired (and emotional) after slaving away at work, not sleeping enough, and then reading it at 6am when l couldn't sleep. Therefore, l have my excuses for being a big girls blouse (Lord knows l need them).

Some friends get involved with some bad lads, have a crash in a stolen car, one gets burnt, and everyone has to deal with the changes in their group dynamics. The worst one out of the three (in my humble opinion). Yawn.

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buried (2010) - rodrigo cortez

This was a recommendation from the FPO, as she had received it from her film club, and thought l might enjoy it. I therefore perused it at work last night, and l must admit, it was pretty impressively done. Ryan Reynolds is the only actor shown, as he is the eponymous person in the box. I have enjoyed similar films in the past such as Lifeboat and Phone Booth, where the action is limited to one place, but this film took it to another level. He wakes up in the box, tries to phone for help and/or negotiate with his captors, and the USA try to save him before his air runs out, or the box fills with sand. That's it. Well worth watching (and a good ending).

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the misfits (1961) - john huston

Some parts of this film l quiet enjoyed (the underlining tension and changes between the Old West and the new ways), and l do think there should be an up to date remake of it. On the over hand, Marilyn Monroe's acting got on my nerves, as it just seemed like a caricature of what she was meant to be like in real life (unhinged in lots of ways). This may well be true, as her husband at the time, (Arthur Miller) wrote it as their marriage was falling apart, but it was still annoying. She was also meant to be really stunning, but it was evident that by the time it was filmed, she was starting to look older and had lost some of her beauty (which of course, is wasted on the young). This was obvious to a silly degree in some scenes when she was shot in super extra special and noticeable soft focus, such as when she was talking to Clark Gable in the house. I did like Montgomery Clift in it, but Eli Wallach was bugging me as l couldn't remember what other films l had seen him in, until l clicked and remembered The Good The Bad And The Ugly (a classic). I also hope no horses were injured making the film, and if Clark Gable really did do a lot of the stunts himself, no wonder he died shortly afterwards (after having a heart attack 2 days after shooting finished).

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the yardbirds and humble pie on the beat club

I was checking this out to see Jimmy Page playing with The Yardbirds (before he became a rock God with Led Zeppelin), but this is great. The drummer decides to show off and throws a drumstick away. A short while later it comes flying back at him and hits his drum kit (below). Those crazy Germans!

The Beat Club could be hit or miss (like the drumstick), but had some really good performances over the years, a favourite being Humble Pie (above).

It certainly passes the time in our house (when the FPO is out).

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the spanish super cup final (barcelona 5 real madrid 4)

Football is definitely back! I have just finished watching a recording of the Spanish Super Cup second leg between Barcelona and Real Madrid. As usual, there was some great football, it then got niggly, players were booked and sent off, Jose tried to wind everyone up, there was a scrap at the end, and Messi scored another couple of goals to win the game 3-2 (5-4 on aggregate).

Welcome back you lovely lovely football!

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face in the cloud

This looks pretty impressive at about 1.30m in. No wonder our ancestors got freaked out by the weather in the past.

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in the electric mist (2009) - bertrand tavernier

I enjoyed this, but had to switch on the subtitles due to the southern dialect getting on my nerves, as l kept missing words. Maybe it's because l am so old, deaf, and simple minded, but whatever the case, at least the subtitles made it easier to follow. Probably because it is not so straightforward, it has never been released theatrically in the USA, only on DVD. Tommy Lee Jones plays a copper who is investigating a case concerning a murdered girl, which turns into a few murdered girls, and also the death of a negro many years before. He had witnessed the negro's death when he was a small boy, and he also started seeing (and having conversations with) General John Bell Wood, from the American Civil War. Another whodunnit, but a lot more up to date. Based on the book 'In The Electric Mist With Confederate Dead' by James Lee Burke.

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the killers (1946) - robert siodmak

This was a pretty damn fine whodunnit in the best way possible way, working backwards from an ex boxer (The Swede, played by Burt Lancaster) being killed, to an insurance man (played by Edmond O'Brien) trying to find out the story behind the shooting. It is a classic film noir and has some good twists along the way, especially the ending. The book was written by Ernest Hemingway, and old Burtie boy looks pretty cool throughout, although he also plays a sap to Ava Gardners Kitty Collins (The big girls blouse). Altogether now "Kitty is innocent, Kitty is innocent".

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a baby mole rat

Cute, yet also disgusting and alien like.

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training a cat to use the toilet the charles mingus way

A great article here by Charles Mingus on how to train a cat to use the toilet. I think l may have to try this with Tubbs, the idiot rabbit, as he is still not house trained (but sure knows how to crap).

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watchmen (2009) - zack snider and pop will eat itself - def con one

After slaving away in the garden today, cutting the grass and digging up bushes, l had a soak and sleep in the bath, then this evening, myself and the FPO finally got round to watching Watchmen, as we have had it on DVD for ages, but always ended up taking in something else. l thought it was a really good adaptation, and as everyone should know, it is based on the comics by the great man himself, Alan Moore (who knows the score, as PWEI sang), Dave Gibbons, and colourist John Higgins. There was loads of gory violence, it was dark, and it stayed pretty true to the comics. There was too much romantic stuff for my liking, and if they had cut some of that out, the film would have been a more manageable length (it was about 155 minutes). Films, unless they are really special (and so few are) should be about 90 minutes long, as that is my attention span for most of them nowadays. Still pleased l had parted with my hard earned dosh for the DVD (£3 in Tescos!), pity there is still a pile of other ones l have to get round to, as well as re-reading all of the comics (of course l have them all - l'm very very sad).

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indiana state fair disaster

Just been reading about the Indiana State fair disaster this morning and saw the video above. It's amazing how lives can be changed so rapidly, sometimes when you are least expecting it.

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breaking in the new local in tunstall

Been out this afternoon with the brother in law (Dazzer) in the local pub (The Bay Horse) up the road where he now lives (Tunstall). The last time l drank in there was about 20 years (or more) ago when l proceeded to walk home, tried to ride a horse bareback (the joys of the countryside) and got tossed off (fffnnnnaaarrr).

Anyway, the locals that were in there today l obviously won over, then ingrained Dazzer into their affections, and then went back to his place (eventually - good job l asked him to tape it) to watch Manchester United win their first game of the premiership this year (2-1 away at West Brom) and have an Indian (food) with the ladies.

A good afternoons entertainment if it wasn't for his idiotic wife trying to bet me £50 and sprouting rubbish about music.

I am always right, and if l am proved wrong, l change my opinion so l am right again.

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nellie bly - 10 days in a madhouse

This was kind of interesting, but because l have worked in so called 'madhouses' in the past, and also read about workhouses etc in the late eighteen hundreds it also wasn't a surprise to hear about the atrocious conditions and treatment that was received by Nellie in this book.

Nellie was the pseudonym of Elizabeth Cochran, who volunteered to go undercover in a 'lunatic asylum' to expose the harsh treatment that was being administered at the time.

The book resulted in a change of funding for asylums and made her famous.

The asylum was on Roosevelt Island (at the time called Blackwells, later Welfare) and l wish l had known about it years ago, as l have been to the lsland, wandered around, and seen the remains of the old building (but was not aware what it was at the time).

The conditions were as l expected (very bad) and the administration process was also rubbish, as she easily fooled the 'professionals' that she was insane.

The only thing that surprised me was the fact there were no sexual advances towards her, as she was young and also not acting too crazily. The offhand and harsh treatment was no surprise at all.

One of the worst things you take away after reading the book was the fact that she got out after her 10 days, whereas she says she spoke to other women inside the 'madhouse' who she also considered sane, but were destined never to be released ( a bit like the Asylums in the UK until recently).

A classy woman ahead of her times, who also repeated the Phileas Fogg 'Around The World In 80 Days' exploits, and she was a pioneer as far as woman's rights and respect went, but..... the only that l feel uneasy about is she married a millionaire when she was 31 (and he was 40 years older).

It reminds me of the Mrs Merton sketch when she asks Debbie McGee 'What interested you in the multi millionaire Paul Daniels?

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the word magazine amy winehouse cover

The Word is my favourite magazine, and has been for a while.

I have loved the magazine since the first issue, and always look forward to the start of a new month, and the magazine plopping through my letter box (that sounds disgusting).

Although there are sometimes drops in standards, it is always well worth the money, and there is always a free CD with it, containing tracks l have never heard before.

This is the new edition that plopped through earlier in the week (as l am a subscriber), and whatever your views on Amy Winehouse, this is a great photograph and layout.

The issues for sale in the shops will have extra writing on the cover, plus a CD stuck to it, which is a shame, as the work that has gone into this will not be on open display for all to admire.

So....

The solution is.....

Get a subscription here.

(and no, l don't get anything from recommending the mag)

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the daily mail and the frail old woman who wants to overstay her visa

Somebody had The Daily Mail with them at work this week, so naturally, l had a glance through after they had finished with it. Once l got past the pages (and pages) about the riots, this article caught my eye. A 96 year old woman from the UK has gone to Australia to visit family on a 12 month visa. She now wants to stay longer, so she can be with her family as her health deteriorates, which means using the Australian Health Service. Because she will be classed as a burden to the state, she is to be deported back to the UK. The Mail is supporting her and saying how unjust this verdict is.

Now...........

Imagine if somebody came to the UK on a visa to visit their family, let's say a 96 year old woman from somewhere in Africa. They then wanted to overstay and use the NHS for treatment, as they were also frail and wanted to be with their family. The Mail would be in uproar, ranting about how the system is being abused and can't afford to treat all the foreigners coming over (deliberately, as l'm sure they would say) for treatment, so send them back.

Sometimes it's too easy to take the piss out of the Mail, racist and right wing bastards they are.

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barry stevens - don't push the river

This is a book l read as l was interested in Gestalt therapy, as it certainly did wonders for the likes of Van Morrison, who recorded Veedon Fleece after reading the book (including the song 'You Don't Pull No Punches, But You Don't Push The River') There were some interesting statements and observations, especially about how the (described in the book as) Indians (USA) look at (and approach things) in a different way to westerners. Sadly though, l found most of it to be a load of old hippy tosh and it was hard going to finish it. I certainly won't be in a rush to read any more of Barry Steven's books again, although maybe Gestalt is good, her telling of it is not. Bloody hippies.

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apuleius - the golden ass and donkey from shrek

This book was great. Interesting from the start, and the amount of (and content) of tales in it were remarkable. It was originally called 'The Metamorphosis of Apuleius' and influenced other classics such as Voltaire's 'Candide' and Franz Kafta's 'Metamorphosis'. I couldn't help thinking about Donkey from Shrek when he was describing his experiences after being turned into an Ass, but that just made some of the tales even funnier. Not too keen on the religious ending, but l would still recommend this to anyone (even with the rude bits).

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the changing face of trophies

This is the golfer Cristie Kerr with her trophy

This as the Arsenal team with their trophies (when they still won them)

How times have changed.

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an owl coming in to land (in slow motion)

What's not to like?

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macaque monkey self portrait

This macaque monkey grabbed a camera and took a photo of himself, with hillarious results. Full story is here.

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bloody riots - they've got it easy - try bootle years ago

This is the sort of deprivation l was used to in Bootle when l was a nipper. Tin baths, outside toilets, prating about in the cinema car park and catching pigeons in the back yard, it never did me any harm.

There is a ridiculous article about the riots and the supposed causes here (from the Daily Telegraph), but to show not all Tories have outrageous views, there is a more reasoned one by a Tory here.

My own view is no matter what original grievance the rioters had, they are now just having a laugh, causing destruction, being excited about being on the TV and part of what is going on, and looking upon it as a way to act tough and nick some goodies. Rather sadly, they also wreck their own communities and local stores, rather than heading somewhere like Harrods or Harvey Nichols. Although the news will throw up instances of Teachers assistants or students being arrested, the majority will be poor and working class. I bet there will be no one from Eton/Cambridge/Oxford University caught looting JJB sports or the local mobile phone shop (especially now that the likes of Charlie Gilmore has been dealt with). This is not students and toffs/anarchists protesting about student fees, it's (mostly) young males with hardly any aspirations and very poor role models, such as drug dealers. It does not help that most magazines aimed at youth highlight the 'bling' culture and aspirational consumptionism (watches, mobiles, TV's, trainers, designer clothes etc).

I am reading The Golden Ass by Apuleius at the moment (Ooh - get him!), and during it, he talks about a bandit wanting to recruit lads to join a gang for looting and pillaging. His reasons for them joining are :

"Some might have to be impressed and kept loyal by a sense of fear, some would be attracted by the prospect of loot, and come forward as volunteers, others would be only too pleased to escape a life of drudgery for membership of a company which exerted an almost sovereign power"

I would say nothing much has changed since the Second Century AD when the book was written. That would still be the reasoning behind most lads joining a gang of drug dealers or looters. Power and a sense of worth.

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the usa air force stop the 'jesus loves nukes' training

The USA Air Force have decided to stop their 'Jesus loves Nukes' training. This is the kind of stuff that you just couldn't make up. It's a funny old World out there (if you look hard enough).

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injured boy robbed in the london riots

I hope they catch the gits that did this. It's one thing robbing a shop (yes yes, l know that is wrong as well), but this is pretty damn low.

There's an excellent piece about the riots here.

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shrek forever after (2010)

Shrek Forever After is meant to be the final Shrek film, and l am pleased that they are stopping, as the films are getting progressively worse as they go on. Antonio Banderas as an overweight Puss in Boots was hilarious, but l didn't enjoy a lot of it, and it would be best to remember the films as they were, which was great. I also didn't know anything about Rumplestltskin, although l have since read about him, as l had heard the name before, but was not aware of who he was. Hadn't missed much.

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hedgehog and the bear

I have just been putting the bins out for tomorrow morning, when l saw some movement in the front garden. It turned out to be a hedgehog, which eventually trotted off and went underneath my car for protection. It looked a bit like this beauty (a bean bag bear), but with spikes. The countryside on the doorstep.