hans and eva rausing, and the law being equal

So, Eva Rausing's husband has been charged with delaying her funeral, after her body was discovered in their Belgravia home, with police thinking she had been dead for a week (after he was stopped driving allegedly under the influence of drink or drugs). The death is being classed as 'unexplained', as a post mortem failed to find a formal cause.  The couple were multi millionaires who donated a lot of money to drug charities, and were obviously addicted to drugs themselves.  Their addiction  and downward spiral is tragic, but it annoys me that they look to have been treated differently by the law in the past (and possibly now) because of their wealth. In 2008 Miss Rausing 'allegedly' tried to smuggle 'small amounts' of crack cocaine and heroin into the American embassy in London. Crack, heroin and (get this bit) 52 grams of cocaine were subsequently found in their home.  Now l may be an old cynic, and extremely class conscious, but the couple were given a caution, and charges dropped. Trust me, if that had been myself and the FPO, charges would not have been dropped, and l would be re-acquainted  with my old cellmate 'Bronco' in Durham nick.  Don't get me wrong, l think people should be able to do what they want as long as they don't harm anyone else, and if this couple wanted to stock up on drugs and destroy their lives, that is up to them.  What l hate is one law for the rich, and one for us poor old working class scumbags. Maybe if they had been prosecuted and made to attend drug rehabilitation courses they would both still be alive now, but possibly not, because it is difficult for most people to give up crack, as it is certainly moorish (and yes, l speak from past experience). I'm waiting now to see what he gets for the driving offences, but l'm not expecting much.
Photographs are from The Daily Mirror.

One other thing. Don't believe everything you read. According to The Daily Mirror site, the Rausing's lived in a £16m home. According to The Telegraph, it's a £70m  fortress. Everyone's got an agenda.

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behind the scenes at a clockwork orange

As it says in the post title, behind the scenes shots from Stanley Kubrick's 'A Clockwork Orange'. What's not to like?
The last shot is my favourite. The shape and shadow of Alex looks menacing and disturbing even in profile.
If you haven't already seen the film - do so.
NOW!

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raising the flag on the reichstag, 1945

This iconic photograph of a Russian flag being raised over the Reichstag in Berlin was taken by Yevgeny Khaldei on May 2nd 1945.  If you look closely, it may be different from the ones that are normally seen, as the soldier at the bottom had one of his (what look like) two watches airbrushed out, as it was thought it looked as though he could have been looting. There's also controversy over which soldiers were used, and smoke was also added to the picture. War eh? You can't trust the governments, and shouldn't take the word of anyone as 100% accurate. Great photograph though.
Here's the Reichstag now, and in 1945.

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turf - jonathan ross and tommy lee edwards

Turf was originally a 5 issue run of comics (2010 - 2011), but it's the collected works in a graphic novel l have just had the pleasure of reading. Written by Jonathan Ross (yes, him off the telly from that there London), it's packed with plenty of dialogue, and the artwork by Tommy Lee Edwards is pretty cool as well. It's a tale of gangsters, prohibition,1920's New York, and with vampires and aliens thrown in for good measure. Not the best comic l have ever read, but a fine and promising start by Rossie (as l like to call him).
Now if he'd only bequeath me his comic collection.........

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victim (1961) - basil dearden

Starring Dirk Bogard and Sylvia Syms, Victim is a ground breaking film in that it portrayed the absurdity of a law that made homosexuality illegal, opening the way for blackmailers to exploit them, threatening them with exposure and probably prison sentences. Bogard plays Melville Farr, a closeted married barrister who decides to hunt down the blackmailers and prosecute them, even if it results his own exposure and downfall. This is due to a young man he had relations with committing suicide, as he was being blackmailed (and trying to protect Farr). When the film was made in 1961, Bogard himself would have been dubious about coming out, as he was a homosexual and could have been prosecuted under the law at the time (it wasn't changed until 1967). This film is often stated as one of the things that helped change public opinion, and should be essential viewing for all. I won't give it away, but there's also a neat twist in the plot, and that is always a bonus in any movie.

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his name is luka (he eats people on the second floor)

This young gentleman is called Luka Rocco Magnotta (aged 29). He looks nice enough, but is being charged in Canada with stabbing to death Lin Jun, a Chinese student. He is also being charged with dismembering the body, eating some of it, defiling it, posting the limbs to schools and government offices, dumping the torso behind his apartment, and posting a video of most of it online. Oh, I nearly forgot, the head was dumped elsewhere and found by a lake in Montreal.  He has previous form for posting videos of himself torturing animals. The good bit?  His lawyers had to decide if he should have a psychiatric evaluation. I'm no expert, but l would have considered that as a more than viable option as soon as the case was bought to court. I certainly wouldn't fancy sharing a cell with him.
On another note to do with the case, a Montreal teacher has been suspended for showing the video to students. Apparently the students asked to see it (I don't know their ages), but as a teacher, you would think  the requests would be ignored. Of course a team of psychologists are available in case the pupils are in shock (or to prevent the school getting sued).
It wasn't like this in my day - the tapioca pudding was the most scary think we had to face.


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led zeppelin on their private plane

This is the way l should be able to travel.  Loads of space, large beds, music, drink, drugs (not shown in the pictures) and groupies.  There's even a bleeding fireplace!  These photographs are of Led Zeppelin back in 1973 on their (rented) private plane 'The Starship'.  How the other half live.

I've always liked Led Zeppelin, and years ago (late 1970's) l had a denim jacket onto which l painstakingly added 'Led Zeppelin' on the back. The problem? I only went and missed out the 'e' and spelt it 'Led Zepplin', not realising until it was finished and too late to remedy or save. Thank God l didn't wear it to Knebworth in 1979, as l'd have been laughed out of the place. What an idiot. Lukkily l can spell now.

More info and pics about the plane here.

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the bleeding flu

I blame Ritchie, as he said he had a sore throat/headache etc the other day, but l have gone and got myself the flu, which is, quite literally, a pain. I got a phone call today to say old Joe was going to the pub for the first time in months, but l was aching and sneezing so much, l went and got a hot bath instead. I had already taken annual leave today as l didn't feel like going into work, and thought l'd be good and not go sick. Things are so bad, l nearly had an accident and crapped my pants, but managed to avoid it (for now). Once again - l blame God. I'm sure he/she has got it in for me.

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jon lord from deep purple has died

Damn! I've just found out that Jon Lord from Deep Purple has died. They were one of my favourite bands when l was a young whipper snapper, and l still love the classic albums from the early to mid 1970's. It's to my regret that l never saw them live when they were at their peak, but they have certainly given me plenty of enjoyment over the years.
Above is two fine examples of what made them so good.

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spike whining in jt's

Spike, the crazy Staffordshire Bull Terrier that belongs to Clancy, whining like a little girl in JT's bar yesterday.
What a pathetic racket for a supposedly hard dog.

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the rolling stones getting old

There's been a lot of fuss about The Rolling Stones celebrating the 50th anniversary since their first gig, with a new book in conjunction with The Daily Mirror featuring old photographs of the band. It's strange to think that they will no longer be around soon, as all of the old time greats are getting older and dying off. The trouble is, who the hell is going to replace them? X Factor and Brit school illuminati? I really don't think so.
Anyway, l digress. I really like this cover featuring Mick Jagger and Keith Richards as Chelsea pensioners. Rather sadly, this was done 17 years ago. They seemed really old when l saw them on the 1982 tour, but Keef was still only 39 at the time. I still have difficulty getting my head around that, and l don't like to dwell on how young The Beatles were when they split up (and what ages they were when they were conquering the world) . Time is certainly flying by.

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ron english poor sticker

Funny, yet true. By Ron English

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gateshead, newcastle and stormin norman whiteside

I went up here for a piss - very relaxing

The site of my meeting

The entrance to Chinatown in Newcastle - Rosie's bar is in the middle

The view from Rosie's to The Tynside Irish Centre

Stormin' Norman Whiteside

The ARC, with Norman in the background

One of my many Manchester United t shirts - featuring Norman

I had a meeting to do with work in Gateshead on Friday (which was much better than l anticipated), so afterwards, l decided to have a bit of a mooch around Newcastle, as it was finished by midday. I parked by Chinatown and went for a pint in Rosie's bar, an old favourite from years ago from the time l hung around with a predominantly gay/cross dressing crowd in Newcastle (ahh...they were the days..). While l was in there, l decided to give The Tyneside Irish Centre a go, as l had never been in there before, and thought they might have a decent pool table, seeing as they are few and far between in Newcastle. As it turned out, they didn't have one, but l had a decent (crazy) chat with a couple of the old Irish guys in there (naturally, called Paddy). I say old guys, they turned out to be my age, which was good for me, as l got a load of compliments for how well l looked (I said it was thanks to the copious amounts of drink and drugs). Actually, l probably only looked younger because they acted and dressed like old men, and you could easily imagine them being 60 or 70, and just the same. In fact they probably dressed and acted the same when they were teenagers.  A good day out for all the family, even if, yet again, l got another parking ticket. Bastards! 

On my return to Catterick, l called in at Old Joes, popped home briefly to get changed (well, a different shirt), and then the FPO dropped me off at The ARC for the 'gentlemans' evening Hammy had arranged, featuring the great (Stormin') Norman Whiteside, ex of Manchester United, Everton, and Northern Ireland (who was excellent). He spoke for a while and answered questions, and was also happy to sign stuff and have his photograph taken (which l can't work out how to get off my phone and onto the computer!).  There was also a comedian, but once Norman had finished, we buggered off to The Wine Bar and then home, tired but happy (and minus my phone, which l left in The ARC, realising just after getting in the taxi to White shops).  I telephoned Kung Fu Bez and told him it was by him, and he picked it up and took care of it for me, so at least l knew it was safe (and is now back with daddy).

I demand more days like this (but without the parking ticket).

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camille seaman storm photos

Camille Seaman has been taking photographs of storms in the USA, and they make the weather here in the UK look pathetic (but still miserable). More of these photographs, plus her series of iceberg ones, are on her site here.

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the banking / libor scandal

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monty python out-takes

If these Monty Python out-takes have made an appearance, there must be plenty more out there waiting to see the light of day. They should get them out there on DVD before they are all over the tinternet for free.

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zig and zag with robin williams

I used to love Zig and Zag when they were on 'The Big Breakfast', and before that, on Irish TV. In fact I have framed newspaper front pages with them on to the left of my computer as l am typing this. I was sorting through crap in the spare room a couple of days ago (still trying to clean it up a bit) when l found a load of old Zig and Zag DVD's that were transferred from video back in the day (amongst loads of old music ones). Because l used to be a sad bastard (OK l'll admit it - l still am), l accumulated loads of appearances of theirs from about 1988 (or1989) until about 1994 or so. I was thinking of putting them up on a separate blog, or on a specific You Tube channel, but l see there are some already up by fellow nerds like myself. I will check them out to see how much is up, and decide if l can be bothered doing it myself, as the main reason for putting them up would be to preserve them on the net somewhere. In the meantime, here they are with Robin Williams, in a clip that was already up.

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the sun is back out!

Hurrah! The sun made a welcome re-appearance this afternoon, so let's hope it decides to hang around a bit all weekend, as, apart from a meeting in Gateshead tomorrow morning, l am now off work until Tuesday afternoon.
Hurrah again!!

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adam buxton - summertime blues video

Watching the new series 'Bug' by Adam Buxton (from Adam and Joe) this evening, myself and the FPO had tears of laughter streaming down our faces watching this video. Something about it (the idiot march/dance? The violence? The music and explosions?) certainly tickled our fancy (OOEER!).
As for 'Bug' itself, it started off slow, but got funnier as it went on. The You Tube comments were revealed at just the right speed, and there are catchphrases already in evidence if you can be bothered to take them up. Already looking forward to the next instalment, but it's a shame Adam and Joe don't do their radio show any more. Then again (as Echo and The Bunnymen sang) Nothing ever lasts forever. Adam's blog is here.



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