searching for a replacement stylus (grrrrr)

This has been driving me crazy. I've been trying to get a replacement stylus for my Sony XL150 turntable arm, but all the ones l've been sent (by different outlets) don't fit, despite looking the same as the old one - which still fits in with no problem. I've ordered a new turntable arm in case they fit onto that, but as l'm also pretty impatient with these sort of matters I've also ordered another turntable altogether, so the Sony one can bugger off to the spare room when that arrives. It knew the risks.

Here's the new one - a Rega Planar.

Toodle pip

Moon (and Frank) Zappa - Valley Girl

Stan Freberg - "Banana Boat (Day-O)"

Charlie Drake - Please Mr. Custer

anthony gomez's office looks cool

 Anthony Gomez was much better live when l saw him recently, and would defiantly go to see him again. he recently posted this photograph of his office, and l must say, it looks pretty damn cool. I should get off my arse and sort out my spare room and do the same*.

* This will take me years

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the unreliable weather forecast

 I've long been a believer that long range forecasts in the UK are pretty unreliable.  Here's the BBC forecast from the 4th, and as usual, the first three / four days forecast are fine, but then (as usual) it changes, thankfully for the better. One of the many things in life that drive me up the wall.

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John Prine - Lake Marie (Live)

John Prine - Angel From Montgomery - John Prine (Live)

Willie Dixon - You Need Love

Willie Dixon - You Shook Me

a million people starving in gaza cartoon

 

the local election results and labour / reform

It doesn't take a mathematical  genius to see that Reform have (as expected) done very well in these elections, but at the expense of The Conservatives, not Labour.  The Conservatives have been heading further right in the hope of not loosing voters to Reform, but you can never go far enough right to appease these people amongst all the headlines and rhetoric about 'illegals'. As Reform are just batshit crazy far right and have lots of money from their rich backers, plus the support of the right wing press (which is pretty much all of the press), of course Reform did well. I agree with Dan Ball (below). Labour shouldn't make the mistake of veering to the right or trying to attract Reform voters, it's the voters who have buggered off and voted Green or the Liberal Democrats they should be concerned about, as people voted Labour in for change, social change and a fairer distribution of wealth, plus taking care of the needy, so winter fuel cutbacks and changes to PIP obviously are not going down well and come across as petty austerity measures and Tory lite. Policy from Labour needs to become more left wing, to reclaim their base camp, and remind people why they gave Labour a landslide victory, but l've a nasty feeling they may make the wrong choice, and l speak as a Labour supporter. We'll see, and l hope l am proved wrong.

Didn't take the twat Farage to ape Donald Trump's agenda.

Meanwhile, in the dunces corner....

Toodle pip

The Velvet Underground - Oh! Sweet Nuthin' (Mono) (2015 Remaster Single)

pope trump degrades america even further

 It's fine to have a laugh after a death, even if it is The Pope who's died.  However, when you are the president of The United States, have just attended The Pope's funeral, and the nine days of mourning aren't up until tomorrow, this is crassness at it's highest level.  You always assume Donald Trump may not debase himself or the country any further, but as usual, he always finds a way. What a  twat.

Toodle pip

The Velvet Underground - I Found a Reason (2015 Remaster)

marc bolan - a rock and roll god in cream magazine

My devotion to Marc Bolan still holds, and now after seeing this Cream cover from 1972  l want to go and purchase the magazine, as it's so cool looking (and l like collecting stuff). What stars should look like - not like the normal person on the street. The glory years of Bolan didn't last long, but what wonderful years they were.

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harry mcguire - get in my beauty!!!

 Who knew he was a God like genius???  Not me.

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aliens live amongst us

Aliens live amongst us - Or in us more like.  A close up of a tapeworm.  Something to try and not give too much thought to as you try and go about your day. But it's difficult.

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P.P. Arnold & Primal Scream - Understanding (Small Faces Cover)

100 days of trump new yorker cover

 Another excellent cover by The New Yorker. Well played.

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the tortillas may be off

 Thought l'd have some tortillas for lunch. Then again - maybe not.

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enrico mazzanti and charles folkard's pinocchio illustrations

Cartoons / illustrations used to be so different many years ago. Check out this Pinocchio (written by Carlo Collodi) one from 1911 by Charles Folkard. 

 And here's the first illustration from 1883, by Enrico Mazzanti.  Certainly not the sort of images you'd find today.

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Shangri-La's - 'Give Him a Great Big Kiss'

music magazines - l think l've got a problem

Of course l have many problems, and collecting stuff is just one of the many. Here's a reminder of when l bought a bulk load of music magazines. You'd think by now l have enough, but more are expected this week (Rolling Stone issues from 1969-70). I really need to get a life, but on the other hand....Can't wait!!

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spider-man gay test

Well this made me laugh, despite the fact as a (very sad) collector of Spider-man comic books, l failed the test. 

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the nike scouse advert

 Although l am gutted to see Liverpool win the league, this advert by Nike is superb, and whoever thought of it deserves a pay rise. Captures the Scouse mentality spot on.

Toodle pip

The Style Council - You're The Best Thing (Official Video)

off out again but my outfit is ready

Off out soon for a few early drinks than onwards locally to see a mates band. Once again, l have prepared, and my outfit is sorted. Should be a good night.

Toodle pip

reform uk try to become richer

In news that will not surprise anyone that take the slightest interest in the shenanigans  of the Reform Party. Twats - Don't fall for their lies. They're getting money off the wealthy because the wealthy will benefit if Reform gain power.

From The Financial Times.

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Virginia Giuffre (Prince Andrew's accuser) dies by suicide

Another victim dies, the years roll on by, and the rich abusers are still walking free without being charged. I know Prince Andrew paid an out of court settlement to try and make it go away (with the Queens money), but even so...

 

Prince 'I don't sweat and l was out having a pizza' Andrew and the photograph with Virginia he had 'no recollection of' (at Epstein's place).

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cold war steve - the pope's funeral

Although Trumps suit was darker blue Of course he didn't wear black) and he left off his hat, this pretty much captures it. Well played - more please.

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trump shits his pants as he and zelenskyy talk at the pope's funeral (while milei is escorted out)

 "Any more attacks on my dress sense or lack of respect and l'll bite your fucking nose off".

"I'm sorry, it wasn't me it was JD - honest! Please don't hit me" (Proceeds to Shit pants).

And meanwhile. My pissed up uncle gets escorted out.  "Come on Sir - don't cause a scene. You've had one too many vinos and l must ask you to leave the premises or l'll call for backup"

Toodle pip

kangaroos - deer that went to prison

 Been posted before, but what a thought!

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the white shops at catterick garrison

Trust me, although the layout is mostly the same, White Shops does not look like this now.

 

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why does grandpa smell like shit?

I still think this could become a real book.

 

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Jimi Hendrix - The Wind Cries Mary

reform uk - a reminder that they are twats

Another reminder these rich piss taking populist fuckers certainly do not have the UK's best interests in their plans. They'll feather their own pockets, help their rich friends and donors, and shaft the poor deluded voters who thought they had their best interests at heart. But hey - control and retribution against immigrants, boat crossings and foreign grooming gangs are what a lot of their support will be voting for, even if they eventually personally suffer and pay for it. Just a nastier version of The Tories really. 

Toodle pip

Will you be my boyfreind forever? Abbey Sings for David | Love on the Spectrum: Season 3 | Netflix

Christ on a bike l must be getting oversentimental in my old age, as despite my hard drinking wisecracking scouser reputation l was crying watching this. Mind you, l'm always a sucker for proper emotion in a song, and despite the theatrical tone of it, this certainly has emotion by the bucketload.

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Eels - Susan's House

george takei's great donald trump resonse to trump says stop.

 Now that is what l call a great response. More please.

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lenient sentencing as headteacher attacks his deputy

I'm sorry, but if you attack someone with a wrench (which are very heavy) from behind like this, you should be getting charged with attempted murder, and l'm talking as a person who (as an adult) once went after someone else to cause them physical harm with a hockey stick (long story).  Just because the victim survived does not make it less of an offence, the same as kicking or stamping on someone's head when they are on the ground or unconscious. Judges generally do not give long sentences for violent offences because they live in a world which very rarely encounters violence, unlike the poor. He'd have probably  got a longer sentence if he he stolen statues from a country estate.

Story is from here.

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america - now at the arresting judges stage

This has since been taken down, but it didn't take long for Donald Trump and his corrupt cronies to start arresting Judges. A classic dictatorship move, but rather sadly, l think a lot more of this kind of boundary pushing law breaking will be happening in the near future. America, the judges, congress and the Republicans with a backbone need to get their act together to oppose this before it's too late.

Toodle pip

Sam Cooke - Bring It on Home to Me (Live at the Harlem Square Club 1963)

historians finally get their act together

At long last Historians are putting their educations and knowledge to good use.  This kind of detail and historical accuracy is important, but couldn't they reach a compromise and say he had a long shaft?

Toodle pip

more usa / trump related cartoons

Donald Trump's America - the gift that keeps on giving (but not in a good way).

 Toodle pip

some more stuff l've recently viewed