Big Brotherly X-Factory

Well the nights are getting shorter , like the attention span of most of the population , and nights are going to be filled with the pre packed eye and ear fodder , presedided over by Take That's Gary Barlow  (who really doesn't need this gig)  , and I don't think he will last as he's far too decent a person to be involved with this organised bully fest.

At the same time Channell Five have revived that dead duck "Celebrity Big Brother" . What a misnomer that is , but I might do it for the 150 grand the contestants are getting each!!

Enjoy your Saturday nights!!

Birmingham and Luton Tonight!! - Snuffin in a Babylon!!

Just amazed at the blatant looting that has gone on for absolutely no reason apart from they can. I'm sure the government and police will be targetting more money and resources at congestion charges , more yellow lines and traffic wardens and clampers as we speak. It is funny how in all the times I've experienced violence , thieving and the like the police have done nothing , yet they can always come down on you for speeding , parking and the like.

Personally I dont think that they should use water cannon , batons etc on these animals , they should be given real live bullets . The reason why this looting is taking place is that , the animals are totally unconcerned with any potential reprisals , if they thought they might get really hurt or killed they wouldnt do it.

The Bob Marley song above is appropiate about what is happening but not the reasons. Most of Briatain's rioters and looters are not deprived or oppressed. Well not yet but this will be an excuse for governments to bring in new laws to control the rest of us.

By the way I'm left wing in my politics , but I know how fragile society is , and these scum should be put down . Full stop. A simplistic solution I know , but it makes me sick , and to think that if dispensed justice to to a looter I'd probably be the one that the police would prosecute!!

First Londaon , then Birmingham , Manchester , Leicester , Wolverhampton , Nottingham , scary

Sorry for the randomness of this post , but It's just a load of thoughts that came to me

The Sopranos - Selling Music

I 'm quite amazed and the number of artists who have benefitted from the exposure of having their music featured in an episode of The Sopranos. Obviously you have the Alabama 3 theme tunes "Woke Up This Mornin'" from Exile on Coldharhour Lane , though apparently someone else absconded with the profits.




Then the final episode featured Journey's Karaoke favourite "Don't Stop Believin'" , though in a disturbing sign of the times I've seen this song credited to Glee!!



Then I  was at an Al Stewart concert and he mentioned that his bank balance and benefited from the use of his song "Time Passages" in an episode.



The latest I've heard is John Cooper Clarke's "Evidently Chickentown" featuring . I's amazing tgat the series can be so influential , though it is totally brilliant!!

The Monetary Value of Music

Around 1975  I was out of school , on the dole , and my job seekers allowance was £3.25 a week , and I had to get into town to sign on , so that a week later I'd get my cheque or whatever. Around this time Pink Floyd issued "Wish You Were Here" . This was just after the petrol / vinyl shortage that had caused album to rocket from around £2 to over £3 , and petrol to hit £1 a gallon!! Hard times indeed.

Anyway I got to thinking , today petrol clocks in at £1.30 a litre if you're lucky , that about £7.50 a gallon (worked that out in my head so apologies if it's wildly out) , Job Seeekers Allowance is around £60 I believe , so if music had kept pace with these items we should be paying around £50 for an album , but we're not . Amazon have 100 classic albums at £3 to download , and the Pink Floyd album you will pick up for around a tenner (however the new "Immersion" release will set you back £90)

So really music just give you great value for money , and it amazes that people still think it's fine to steal . Amazon have plenty of free downloads so you can get free music , but really are you telling me you can't afford a tenner for a new CD?

Football In Hock To Legalised Loan Sharks?

Last night I caught a bit of the seasons curtain lifter , Hull City vs Blackpool (though according the media with therir three page spreads on Manchester United and Chelsea and that team from Manchester the season hasnt started yet) , and was slightly worried by their shirt sponsors.

Blackpool are still sponsored by Wonga and Hull City by Cash Converters. To the left you see Gary Taylor -Fletcher in his sponsored shirt and the one to the right is from the Hull City web site!!



Worrying times indeed for football , sponsored by people who routinely charge 2000% interest to people who can't afford it , but can't get money from banks because they're paid pittance wages . Admittedly there will be some druggie scum in there but surely football should not be effectively endorsing these brands!!

The Road To TV Dinners

You know I'm bored if I'm writing about food . I have no time for TV Celebrity Chefs bar Heston Blumenthal . But I tend to make stuff from tins , and fresh / wrapped product . There's no TV dinners in the fridge as basically they taste rubbish and are full of anything but food.



Hate buying fresh stuff from supermmarkets as they bully farmers into accepting low prices and penalise farmers if stuff doesnt sell. I use the Grainger Market in Newcastle when I can and small local shops , which Tesco and Sainsburys are doing their best to extinguish with the influx of Tesco Extra , Tesco Express and Sainsbury Local shops. Hell there's even one in Central Station in Newcastle.



 I detest when you see a street that consists of a Greggs , Subway , Tesco , Sainsburys  , that is such a downer .

Anyway the point of this was that I was using a supermarket yesterday (Morrisons) and was gonna get some cheese to grate . 400g of  cheese was £2.15 , but 2 x 200g  of grated Cheese was only £2. So I bought the ready grated stuff. How long before I buty a ready meal ??

Having said that I still dont have a microwave!!

Three Score years And Ten

Not long ago that was a man's expiry date on this earth , with ladies getting a few years more. It doesn't seem two minutes since I was watchi Roger Daltrey sing "I hope I die before I get old" on Top of The Pops , I was about seven at the time a tenth of the way there!!. Also remember at that time think how old my uncle was when he started his first job at sixteen!!!

I think Datltrey's sentiment still applies , but the context has altered subtly. There's nothing we can do about physical ageing , but we should look after ourself and keep aftive and stimulated , so we can effectively stay younger longer. I know people in their nineties who live full and active lives , and I see people in their teens who have reach "old" decades before they should have.

This week Buddy Holly would have been 75 , Paul Simon at 70 is touring his new album , Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones and what's left of the Who are still performing , the Stones to ever increasing crowds in places like Rio De Janeiro.

Eventually we've all got to go , but we can have a hell of a time while we're here , and it doesnt matter what Richard Dawkins or the Pope tell you there no one on this Earth knows what happens when we shuffle of this mortal coil . So enjoy the party while you can , it can be fun!!