another optical illusion that does my head in

These batteries are the same size. Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  My brain is going to explode. 

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margaret atwood knows what she's talking about

Couldn't agree with Margaret Atwood more, and if you haven't yet read 'The Handmaid's Tale' - do so.

Full article here

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The Rutles - Get Up and Go

just when you think you couldn't love eric cantona any more

 What a great guy. My admiration for King Eric is limitless.

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queen on the edge of turning crap

 I've got a mate who can't stand Queen, but l thought they were great and improved with each album, up to 'A Night at The Opera' when they started getting progressively worse, but they were still excellent to see at the time of this advert. The 'Hot Space' tour however, was when l finally cracked and lost interest.

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Fatboy Slim - Role Model (Official Video)

the simpsons worst day

Words of wisdom from The Simpsons.

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King Louie (Louis Prima) - I Wanna Be Like You (from The Jungle Book)

Phil Harris (Baloo the Bear) - The Bare Necessities (The Jungle Book)

todays mood - very chilled

The sun is shining and the weather is sweet.  Nice.

 

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donald trump and air traffic problems

Now that's what l call a reply!  More please!

 

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Townes Van Zandt - Waitin' around to die (Heartworn Highways)

The Only Ones - Another Girl, Another Planet (Video)

the uk / usa trade deal

From The Times newspaper 

alexa - show me an example of inbred knobheads

 

The Monkees PORPOISE SONG (THEME FROM HEAD) AUDIO REMASTER

The Monkees - Randy Scouse Git

manchester united - still unbeaten (in europe)

Manchester United are the only club still undefeated in all of the European competitions this season. Only the final to go now. Obviously, as a fan, I'm pessimistic, and l assume it will end in tears (but l sure hope not).

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the kosmos 482 spacecraft crashing into earth

Don't Panic!   It's only an old Russian spacecraft about to crash into the earth. Obviously the chances are that it will probably land in the sea, but no one knows at the moment until it starts to enter the atmosphere, probably from about the 10th May (give or take a couple of days). As India and Pakistan are also fighting each other at the moment, Trump's America is batshit crazy, Reform and right wing parties are on the rise, and the Ukraine war drags on, it's one hell of a time to be alive. Enjoy every sandwich.

More info here.

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"Nearer To Thee" Sam Cooke & The Soul Stirrers Live - Gospel Stars in Concert 1955

One of the greatest vocal performances ever, with a great crowd reaction.

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Sam Cooke - Bring It On Home To Me (Live at Harlem Square Club, 1963)

still haven't sorted out the kitchen

As you can see, the kitchen is still a mess with boxes of books, DVDs and CDs waiting to be moved and sorted properly. The trouble is, l can always find something else to do that takes precedent, even if it's just sitting on my arse reading or watching films (or heading the the local pub).

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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.

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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....

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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"

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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