astronomy photographer of the year 2012

The results are out for the Astronomy Photographer Of The Year 2012 by the Royal Museums Greenwich, and they're not too bad at all. The names and more information can be found here, as l can't be bothered typing them all out.

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romanzo criminale is back!

What joy!  Romanzo Criminale season 2 has started, and it's already great.  One of the best TV programmes ever, and it makes me laugh out loud when l compare the acting on this to that of The Bill.  If you haven't seen it before, do so (or buy the box sets).  It's superb.

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jacks gone missing and the rabbits arse is clean

Well. there's a big mystery at the moment, as our cat Jack seems to have disappeared.  She is 22 and is on her last legs, deaf and half blind (it's an old photograph above), but she appears to have buggered off somewhere to die.  This took us by surprise as she has not gone out of the cat flap for about six months, and was her usual self (batty and wobbly) last night, but we can't find her anywhere in the house or around the garden.  The FPO has been out leafleting, but we don't hold out much in the way of success. I just hope it was quick.

On a related note, we spent ages cleaning the crap from the idiots rabbits arse last night, and even gave him a bath to clean him up.  He was chuntering away, clean as a whistle in the living room afterwards, but we're cutting his nails on Sunday (after the football).  That will please him.

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nick cave at home

Nick Cave at home back in the day.  Scuffy bastard.   l thought our place was untidy but he is taking the piss.

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the men (1950) - fred zinnermann

Marlon Brando's film debut, and a starling performance it is.  He plays a young soldier who is shot at, wounded, and turned into a paraplegic, which he is not happy about at all (in fact he's pretty bitter).  He eventually tries to accept his fate and re-unites with his old girlfriend (and even gets married), but still has major issues (as is to be expected).  the film used some real life paraplegics (The Men) and Brando worked with them beforehand to try and inhabit his role and do the justice. Some dated acting is present and correct, but  Brando and the other injured soldiers are great, and it's well worth a viewing, even if the ending is sudden and sentimental.

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jane fonda by dennis hopper

So this is how the other half used to (and probably still do) live.  Swanning around in bikinis shooting bows and arrows in the sunshine.  This is Jane Fonda in 1965, and the photograph was taken by Dennis Hopper.  I bet drugs were taken before or after the shot.

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inside hitler's germany - mathew hughes and chris mann

As it says on the front, 'Inside Hitler's Germany' tells of the events leading up to the Second World War and the aftermath of the First World War, and how the populous was treated, educated, encouraged to obey, tow the line, and to hate.  Adolf Hitler and his Nazi party get progressively stronger as depression takes hold, as he promises a better future for the country, and most are prepared to believe him, as there is little else for them that is working.  It obviously all goes wrong and lots of people suffer and die (including the German people), but it's interesting to read of how society can be manipulated and encouraged to discriminate against others, such as, in the German case, Jews, Gypsies, Homosexuals and those with physical or mental ailments, until the final conclusion of the death/extermination camps and Germany's defeat.  This can easily be repeated, so don't forget your history brothers and sisters, or you'll be like a vegetable in this society (Misty in Roots).

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the admirable critchen (1957) - lewis gilbert

The Admirable Crichton (known as 'Paradise Lagoon' in the States) stars Kenneth More playing his usual easy going and charming role as the eponymous butler, who, when the family he serves gets shipwrecked on a deserted island for two years, becomes the 'Guv' of the island, with his former betters and masters following his instructions.  He is also about to be married on the island to one of the ladies, until a ship is spotted and they return to England, where the social order is once again established.  It's about equality, class, romance, and the notion that some men are meant to rule (or lead), and it is an old school family film with charm and some humour.  It is based on the J.M Barrie 1902 play, and also on the real life 'Admirable Crichton' (James Crichton - a right clever git and sportsman who l would have hated).  The FPO also pointed out that he is the bases for the butler in Red Dwarf called Kryten, which never occured to me.  Damn!  I hate it if she spots something l hadn't noticed or been aware of!  Divorce!!!!

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three guns and roses books

I read these three books by the members of Guns and Roses one after another, and even though it is only recent history, there are disagreements about some of the things that happened to them, which makes you doubt the validity of some history books or oral records.  Obviously this is not helped by the fact there were copious amounts of drinks and drugs consumed, and l wonder how much of the actual events are 'artistically enhanced' by the co-authors, as l'm sure they couldn't be recalled coherently by the band members. The books were as expected, lots of drink, drugs, trying to make it, untold wealth, bitter fallings out, and trying to deal with Axl Rose and his tardiness and mood swings, before them all getting (or trying to get) straight.  Duff McKagan seems to have got his act together completely, and is now also into health and studying.  Steven Adler is trying, but is a long way from conquering his demons.  Slash seems to have settled down a bit and stopped the smack, but he was the most annoying out of all three, wrecking brand new hire vans, smashing things up, and abusing hospitality and favours, but in a total 'complete arse' kind of way, not in an any kind of cool 'rock and roll' way.  It also annoyed the hell out of me that there were glaring mistakes in the books that had obviously not been checked, proof read, or edited properly.  The Clash did not sing about Hammersmith Odeon, it was the Hammersmith Palais, which is even in the title of the song (White man in Hammersmith Palais) and Donington Festival (which is, after all, pretty well known) is not spelt 'Donnington'.  Axl came across as a sweet and loving friend in times of need, but a complete egotistical tyrant and pain in the arse otherwise, who people were afraid to confront, in case it made him worse (so of course he got away with his bad behaviour and got worse anyway). There were tales of struggle in the early days, living in squats, practise spaces and on couches, but all of them could go home if they wished to recharge their batteries, get some food etc, although Steven certainly had some bad experiences while out on the streets. I always say, it's not easy being rock and roll, and you have to put the hours in and suffer sometimes, and these boys certainly did. Just a shame it disintegrated so quickly.

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dexys at the sage

A splendid time guaranteed fior all at The Sage in Newcastle last night, where myself and the FPO, plus Robbo and Kerry, went to see Dexys (formally Midnight Runners).  We all stayed at the Premier inn, so had food and drink there first, before heading into town and then across to Gateshead. As it was also my birthday celebration, l also nabbed presents (comics and a graphic novel) and bubbly was quaffed.  Dexys played their new lp first (One day l'm going to soar), then a few reworked oldies.  It was the first time l've been to The Sage, and l must admit, it was pretty impressive, and pretty space age from the outside.  More drinks and food afterwards, then a late night and early morning, as the girls wanted to be up for breakfast.  Too early for my liking, and l felt terrible, but perked up after kipping for an hour on our return home.  No 'Geno' but splendid nonetheless.

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the pacemaker is up and running

I had to go for my check up at Northallerton Friarage Hospital yesterday morning to see if my pacemaker has been fitted OK and is working properly.  I'm glad to say it is, and it is currently kicking in and rebooting my heart about 4 hours or so a day, due to my hearts laziness and it slowing down.  This sounds a lot worse than it is, as the pacemaker is set to activate and take over in if my heart drops below 60 beats a minute, and as mine is a pretty lazy son of a bitch (like it's owner), that is pretty often.  The battery charge  was lowered to make it last longer, but apart from that, lt will be another check in six months, then yearly.  I am now officially bionic. Hurrah!

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me alice - alice cooper

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35 years ago today - marc bolan

Marc Bolan and T.Rex were my first musical love, and it was 35 years ago today that he died after being in a car crash.  I loved that man (for a while), and still love the early T.Rex stuff.  He was full of bullshit, vain, egotistical, desperate for stardom and followed a formula once the hits arrived, but he was also a classic otherworldly pop star who knocked out some great tunes.

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tom jones and janis joplin

Tom Jones and Janis Joplin together.  What's not to like?  A great performance.

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toy story 3 (2010) - lars unkrich

Watched Toy Story 3 just before going away, as we had an extra day to spare due to a mix up (more of that at a later date), and wasn't that bothered about watching it at first, but it soon sprung into action and it was well worth it,  with the story alternating (once again) between pathos and comedy.  The toys accidentally end up in Sunnyside day care, but soon realise it is not as much fun as they expected, so try to escape and return to Andy's home, before he goes to college.  It's funny, it's moving, the animation is improving all the time, and some tears were shed at the end of it (I may have got something in my eye). Great stuff.

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aspirations for your child

Talk about showing what little faith you have in your youngster getting a decent education, let alone planting those subconscious aspirations for when the little princess has grown up and is looking for employment later in life.  Why not just get her started early and let her practise cleaning real toilets around the home, or even better, hire her out to clean your neighbours toilets for a bit of extra pocket money.  Kids have to learn early on that life can be hard.

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little angus young

I know rock stars are usually a lot smaller than you think, but this picture amazed me.  It's Angus Young of AC/DC  signing autographs in Perth, and there is no way l would have visualised him being so small.  The worst thing is, l've even been to see AC/DC a few times back in the day, and although l knew he wasn't tall by any stretch of the imagination (or his backbone), l didn't expect this (or The Spanish Inquisition).
My brain hurts (again).

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x factor humiliation

Now that l have returned home, l have been tidying up, washing clothes, and catching up with the TV (while drinking wine).  Rather sadly, The X Factor was one of the shows l usually tape and flick through (not in that way) in case there is anyone good on it.  This performance above, and the reactions to it by the crowd, the panelists, and more importantly the children, have made me uneasy about watching the programme again.  Alison Brunton is obviously deluded that she can sing, and thinks she has a chance of getting into the charts.  She is mocked and then applauded, but the crowd are laughing at her, not with her.  This sort of thing often occurs on the programme, but they are dealing with real people here, and the two poor kids that are filmed cringing with embarrassment will have to put up with all the ridicule and humiliation due to it.  Brunton is an adult (although maybe barmy), and has a right to make  a fool of herself if she so wishes, but the children should not have been filmed and exploited, no matter how they try to dress it up as concern, a laugh, or 'they should be proud'.  What next?  Laughing at the (apparently) educationally or emotionally sub normal or retarded as they delude themselves they have the magical 'X' Factor?  Oh, l forgot, they do that as well.  It's my own fault for adding to the exploitation by watching it in the past, but count me out from now on.

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back from holiday

Damn!  I am now back from holiday, so normal service shall be resumed in the next day or so.


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gina rinehart tells the poor how to get rich

This sort of story is priceless for an old Socialist like myself.  Gina Rinehart, an Australian mining tycoon (of Hancock Prospecting), who is the worlds richest woman, has told the poor that they should stop smoking, drinking and socialising so much, stop being jealous of the rich, and spend more time working. "There is no monopoly on becoming a millionaire"  according to her, and the poor should stop complaining.   This is from a woman who is for lower minimum wages and less tax.  How did she become rich?  She might have worked hard and invested well, but it helps if daddy leaves you $75 million, which coincidentally, is what happened to her (and she has definitely been sitting around eating and drinking a lot).

Perhaps if the poor in Australia got together, went on strike, and refused to work for crappy wages (including in her mines) they would improve their status and monetary gain immediately (as long as they stuck together).  How about them taking over the mines and getting rid of her, and then running them as collectives, so everybody gets a share in the profits?  That would certainly help the poor and redistribute the wealth.  I would not advocate killing her or violence of any sort to remove her from her no doubt enormous homes and leadership job, but l wouldn't lose any sleep if that happened.  In fact l would rejoice - like Nazareth themselves (Loud and Proud).

Time for an uprising - once again the rich are taking the piss.

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wartime bombing and the munich bomb

 Dresden

 Nuremberg

Burning bodies in Dresden

Cologne

The above photographs are from 1945, and show some of the aftermath of bombing raids over Germany during the war.  Nowadays, you can't imagine what it must have been like to have bombs dropped on you on a regular basis, and it's also amazing that the flattened cities were rebuilt so quickly, when you think of all of the work that must have been involved.  It must have taken ages just moving all of the rubble and demolishing unsafe buildings.  This also applies to English cities as well, and l remember lots of bombed out places when l was a kid in Liverpool. 

To give an idea of what it must have been like, a war time bomb was discovered in Munich this week, and the safest way to get rid of it was to detonate it.  The video demonstrates how powerful just one bomb could be, let alone a whole bombing raid.

We have got it soooooo easy.

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lee marvin falling down drunk

This is something l never tire of seeing.  It's Lee Marvin in 'Paint Your Wagon', falling down drunk into the river.  He does it completely straight backed, and by the look of it, that river is not very deep.  Even if it was, it would still hurt, dropping down face first like that.  Luckily for Lee, he was meant to be drinking heavily throughout most of the shoot, so he might not have felt the pain at the time.

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the book of drugs - mike doughty (2012)

Mike Doughty used to be the singer in the USA band 'Soul Coughing', and is now a solo artist.' The Book Of Drugs' is his memoir that deals with his army based childhood, time forming and being in the band, having some success, being mates with Jeff Buckley, going solo, drug taking, travel and groupie type sex.  However, it is not your usual account, as he is pretty fucked up (in all ways) most of the time (he has since been classed as bi-polar), he hates being in his own band, he hates his own voice (and questions if he is even a musician),  he gets seriously addicted to the drugs, he has trouble with going straight and dealing with real emotion, and his lucky number is 27.  Wow, l can relate to most of what he is saying, but he has had more of a rock star life and can articulate it in a thoughtful (and spitefully honest) way. Highly recommended, even if you don't know his music (which l didn't), as it pinpoints how unhappy someone can be, even if they are being (to all intents and purposes) successful.  I'll admit a lot of the drug stuff (and travel tales) made me jealous, as l have indulged with both in the past, but for now,  l'll settle for checking out his music.  At least it keeps me occupied and out of trouble.

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countess dracula (1971) - peter sasdy

Countess Dracula is based on the real life exploits of Countess Elizabeth Bathory, and stars Ingrid Pitt as a woman who tries to remain young by bathing in murdered young girls blood.  She then discovers they have to be virgins, and is helped in her gruesome task until it all goes wrong at her wedding.
Was it made by Hammer?  Check
Are there buxom wenches?  Check
Are there scared peasants?  Check
Dramatic castle?  Check
Horse drawn carriages?  Check
Are there topless scenes? Check
Are there killings?  Check
True (ish) story?  Check
Dramatic acting?  Check
Any good?
Nope - not at all, even if Ingrid does go topless, it's not worth watching.  Certainly not one of the better Hammer films, and she's not even a vampire. Just skip through to the saucy bits if you are that bothered, but you'd have to be desperate, like when l was 14 or 15. Not because of what Ingrid looks like - she was always proud about showing off her body.
Hence this publicity shot from The Vampire Lovers - a much better film (if you are 14 or 15)

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psy - gangnam style

They do things differently in South Korea, that's for sure.  This is the full on, funny and energetic PSY - Gangnam Style, and l'd love to hear it in a club while on drugs (but of course, those days are gone).  Altogether now - do the dance and sing    "HEEEEEY  SEXY LAYDEEE"

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different sin

What a great statement and another mind bending slogan that would look great on a t shirt.

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albums listened to yesterday

What a hard life l'm having (part 3456)


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