Firstly, the second test at Lord's - what a great performance, especially by Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff. Five wickets in his final Test at Lord's getting his name on the Honours board. Leading 1-0 after the second test is an achievement in itself, even though the Australian team were predicting a 5-0 whitewash (although they did the same in 2005). Comprehensive victory -'nuff said.
Saw Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince at the weekend, was actually pleasantly surprised, heard so much about the focus on romance that I was surprised to find it wasn't that prominent. Was also surprised at the "intermission" haven't had an interval at a cinema since I was little. Only scene I disliked was the wheat field and destruction of The Burrow, totally unnecessary especially as it's not in the book , could have been better spent using a scene actually in the book like Voldemort/Riddle's application to work as a teacher (featured twice in the book not even once in the film) or any other memory mentioned in the book but not used in the film.
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
Monday, 13 July 2009
Cricket
What a great display by the England Team yesterday. First test ever played in Wales and therefore at this venue (ECB is actually the England and Wales Cricket Board).
Loving Ponting's criticism his comment "They can play whatever way they want to play. We have come to play by the rules and the spirit of the game and it is up to them to do what they want to do." is rich coming from a man whose team regularly used sledging to put off opposing batsmen.
Loving Ponting's criticism his comment "They can play whatever way they want to play. We have come to play by the rules and the spirit of the game and it is up to them to do what they want to do." is rich coming from a man whose team regularly used sledging to put off opposing batsmen.
Thursday, 11 June 2009
Tube strike
The tube strike currently in London is a complete joke.
Although I'm working from home today, yesterday I had to go in as I was presenting the finance figures to the Senior Management Team. I left home over two hours before I normally do. I then discovered the tube was running from my local station, although I couldn't take the final leg by tube, it still only took me 10 minutes longer then normal and consequently I was in work before 8 a.m. I am so thankful that I work flexitime.
A tube strike where over half the network is running is not "paralysing" London and obviously means that nearly all the ASLEF drivers are working (make up 40%) of all drivers and a number of RMT members are not striking.
The RMT's demands are frankly outrageous:
a. 5% pay rise
b. A reduction in hours without loss of pay
c. No compulsory redundancies
d. And reinstatement of a driver who flouted safety rules (allegedly a close friend of Bob Crow).
We are in the middle of a recession, inflation is in negative figures, a 5% pay rise is frankly unrealistic.
As for reinstating a driver who flouted safety rules, considering they've gone on strike over safety rules in the past, it is the height of hypocrisy.
Although I'm working from home today, yesterday I had to go in as I was presenting the finance figures to the Senior Management Team. I left home over two hours before I normally do. I then discovered the tube was running from my local station, although I couldn't take the final leg by tube, it still only took me 10 minutes longer then normal and consequently I was in work before 8 a.m. I am so thankful that I work flexitime.
A tube strike where over half the network is running is not "paralysing" London and obviously means that nearly all the ASLEF drivers are working (make up 40%) of all drivers and a number of RMT members are not striking.
The RMT's demands are frankly outrageous:
a. 5% pay rise
b. A reduction in hours without loss of pay
c. No compulsory redundancies
d. And reinstatement of a driver who flouted safety rules (allegedly a close friend of Bob Crow).
We are in the middle of a recession, inflation is in negative figures, a 5% pay rise is frankly unrealistic.
As for reinstating a driver who flouted safety rules, considering they've gone on strike over safety rules in the past, it is the height of hypocrisy.
Friday, 5 June 2009
Elections and the new Cabinet
Disaster for Labour, lost all the councils they held. I can't see it being that much better in the Euro elections.
However, what I really have a problem with is the fact that the Business Secretary (who's been given a "super-Department") and the Transport Secretary are both unelected officials. Surely all Cabinet Ministers (except obviously The Leader of the House of Lords) should be MPs not Peers. More to the point another two peers are being created (Lord Sugar and Baroness Kinnock). Surely Brown didn't have a problem finding MPs who are faithful to him to fill two of those positions - Transport Secretary and Europe Minister.
After these disastrous results and the refusal of Brown to admit any fault on his own part he is a "lame-duck" Prime Minister and the sooner he goes to the polls the better. He must know that in a General Election whether or not his is the Leader of the Party the Tories are going to win (probably by a Landslide).
However, what I really have a problem with is the fact that the Business Secretary (who's been given a "super-Department") and the Transport Secretary are both unelected officials. Surely all Cabinet Ministers (except obviously The Leader of the House of Lords) should be MPs not Peers. More to the point another two peers are being created (Lord Sugar and Baroness Kinnock). Surely Brown didn't have a problem finding MPs who are faithful to him to fill two of those positions - Transport Secretary and Europe Minister.
After these disastrous results and the refusal of Brown to admit any fault on his own part he is a "lame-duck" Prime Minister and the sooner he goes to the polls the better. He must know that in a General Election whether or not his is the Leader of the Party the Tories are going to win (probably by a Landslide).
Friday, 29 May 2009
Nick Clegg and MPs "parachute" payments
Any MP who loses or resigns their seat at the General election is entitled to a "resettlement Grant" of up to £64,000- tax-free!
If an MP loses their seat to a rival party - fair enough.
If they step down - no way! This is even more crucial if they are stepping down due to expenses revelations. Whilst I don't normally vote Lib Dem, Nick Clegg has it totally correct these MPs should leave Parliament with no pay-off.
If an MP loses their seat to a rival party - fair enough.
If they step down - no way! This is even more crucial if they are stepping down due to expenses revelations. Whilst I don't normally vote Lib Dem, Nick Clegg has it totally correct these MPs should leave Parliament with no pay-off.
Wednesday, 27 May 2009
Football
Overjoyed that Barcelona beat Manchester United. They've not managed to make history and were outplayed. So they've won two major trophies the League Cup and the League. Not counting Mickey Mouse cups like the Community Shield, Super Cup and the Club World Cup (Two matches does not constitute a tournament).
Tuesday, 5 May 2009
Weekend away
Just spent the weekend in Yorkshire. Was staying near Driffield, but not in the centre. Spent Friday night at a concert of the Tribute band The Cavern Beatles at The Spa in Bridlington.
Spent Saturday at Burton Agnes Hall
All photos from the weekend available here.
Spent Saturday at Burton Agnes Hall
and on the North Beach in Bridlington.
Must admit, that they've found another novel use for a retired routemaster - An art Gallery!
Spent Sunday in Scarborough including an hour in a boat on the water
Before catching the train back from Leeds on Monday, spent a few hours in York on Monday morning including a bus tour.
All photos from the weekend available here.
Wednesday, 29 April 2009
Hearing
Those of you who know will know that I'm slightly deaf in both ears and today I finally received my second hearing aid (so I now have one for each ear). It does make a difference although I've only had it for a few hours, things are clearer and I can actually hear what people are saying next to me. :-)
I've also just been given a Blackberry for work. I used to have a PDA but these are no longer used as anything un-encrypted is not allowed in Government Departments thanks to the MoD and Home Office leaving documents and laptops on trains/ in taxis etc. All our laptops are now encrypted with the passwords being an unintelligible string of letters and numbers. Blackberrys are similar. Don't know what the protocol is for encrypted USB drives.
Today is also the re-opening of our staff restaurant. We've just had a choir of kids from local schools entertaining us along with a couple of adult singers. The Permanent Secretary, David Bell and the Secretary-of-State have just given speeches and the restaurant starts formally retrading tomorrow. I know all this because I can see the Lower Ground floor from my desk.
Comments are always welcome.
I've also just been given a Blackberry for work. I used to have a PDA but these are no longer used as anything un-encrypted is not allowed in Government Departments thanks to the MoD and Home Office leaving documents and laptops on trains/ in taxis etc. All our laptops are now encrypted with the passwords being an unintelligible string of letters and numbers. Blackberrys are similar. Don't know what the protocol is for encrypted USB drives.
Today is also the re-opening of our staff restaurant. We've just had a choir of kids from local schools entertaining us along with a couple of adult singers. The Permanent Secretary, David Bell and the Secretary-of-State have just given speeches and the restaurant starts formally retrading tomorrow. I know all this because I can see the Lower Ground floor from my desk.
Comments are always welcome.
Wednesday, 18 March 2009
Broadband suppliers
Recently decided to change Broadband suppliers when BT sent me an e-mail saying that I hadn't used dial-up for 90 days and even I didn't dial in they'd discontinue my account. I haven't used dial up for over three years. They seemed incapable of changing my account on their system.
One of the reasons I stayed with them so long is that I didn't want to lose my e-mail address which I use on a nearly daily basis and all my contacts have, but now for a small monthly charge you can keep your e-mail address. So I've changed.
The limitations of BT are quite ludicrous - monthly limit on amount downloaded. This may have started to infringe on my work as I'm working home at least one day a week and quite often this can extend to two or three days.
I've decided to go with O2 as they offer a £4 discount if you have your mobile with them so my normal monthly amount will be approximately half of what I was paying BT (including the charge to keep my e-mail address). I have also have unlimited downloads, within a fair usage policy. I was talking to a guy at the call centre and he said the only guy who had been penalised under that had manged to download 0.5 Tb in three weeks! doubt I've downloaded that much in the 9 years I've been online - that's more than the total hard drive capacity of my computer.
One of the reasons I stayed with them so long is that I didn't want to lose my e-mail address which I use on a nearly daily basis and all my contacts have, but now for a small monthly charge you can keep your e-mail address. So I've changed.
The limitations of BT are quite ludicrous - monthly limit on amount downloaded. This may have started to infringe on my work as I'm working home at least one day a week and quite often this can extend to two or three days.
I've decided to go with O2 as they offer a £4 discount if you have your mobile with them so my normal monthly amount will be approximately half of what I was paying BT (including the charge to keep my e-mail address). I have also have unlimited downloads, within a fair usage policy. I was talking to a guy at the call centre and he said the only guy who had been penalised under that had manged to download 0.5 Tb in three weeks! doubt I've downloaded that much in the 9 years I've been online - that's more than the total hard drive capacity of my computer.
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
Birthday and Amateur Transplants
Had a good weekend, it was my birthday on Sunday and went out for breakfast with my sister and then went shopping for essentials, took it easy.
Last night me and a mate went to the Amateur Transplants gig in Balham. They've got some new stuff and laughed outrageously most of the time.
Last night me and a mate went to the Amateur Transplants gig in Balham. They've got some new stuff and laughed outrageously most of the time.
Friday, 13 February 2009
Cricket
This is laughable. The first day's play at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium was abandoned after 10 balls because of a dangerous outfield. This is a new record if no further play takes place (the previous record was 10.1 overs, thsi was 1.4).
The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) must be at fault for this debacle, apparently the ground has never been tested fully. They have to relocate the match immediately until they can sort out the problems. If they don't relocate than the match should be forfeited to England as the WICB are at fault (I was at a test once at Edgbaston and despite heavy rain once it had stopped and there was a slight delay the match went ahead without any problems).
The WICB have to make sure in future that their venues are up to scratch.
The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) must be at fault for this debacle, apparently the ground has never been tested fully. They have to relocate the match immediately until they can sort out the problems. If they don't relocate than the match should be forfeited to England as the WICB are at fault (I was at a test once at Edgbaston and despite heavy rain once it had stopped and there was a slight delay the match went ahead without any problems).
The WICB have to make sure in future that their venues are up to scratch.
Thursday, 12 February 2009
The late night nutter
Had fun and games last night.
About 1 a.m. this morning someone rang on my doorbell not once but FOUR times! I answered it but didn't say anything but could hear him pressing other flat's buttons. I thought nobody would be stupid enough to let him in - wishful thinking.
Anyway, I'd got back into bed when I heard someone trying my front door. Anyway by this time I was getting pretty scared I warned him to stop before I called the police. Anyway he stopped but went to the flat opposite (spyholes are sometimes useful). He then tried my flat door again, anyway I didn't hesitate and called 999. Where I was reassured that squad car was on it's way.
Meanwhile I had my door tried again and then the man settled in the opposite doorway for a snooze (no, my mind is not running riot) the police turned up and obviously I wasn't the only one who had called as they managed to get into the building without ringing my bell (nearly impossible to get in without an electronic key or being buzzed in). They either moved him on or arrested him.
I was so disturbed by this that I couldn't get to sleep for a couple of hours and ended up getting maybe three/four hours of uninterrupted sleep and maybe five hours in total. Consequently I'm extremely tired and not looking forward to the three hour training session later.
Got gym tonight so maybe half killing myself on a rowing machine will wake me up.
About 1 a.m. this morning someone rang on my doorbell not once but FOUR times! I answered it but didn't say anything but could hear him pressing other flat's buttons. I thought nobody would be stupid enough to let him in - wishful thinking.
Anyway, I'd got back into bed when I heard someone trying my front door. Anyway by this time I was getting pretty scared I warned him to stop before I called the police. Anyway he stopped but went to the flat opposite (spyholes are sometimes useful). He then tried my flat door again, anyway I didn't hesitate and called 999. Where I was reassured that squad car was on it's way.
Meanwhile I had my door tried again and then the man settled in the opposite doorway for a snooze (no, my mind is not running riot) the police turned up and obviously I wasn't the only one who had called as they managed to get into the building without ringing my bell (nearly impossible to get in without an electronic key or being buzzed in). They either moved him on or arrested him.
I was so disturbed by this that I couldn't get to sleep for a couple of hours and ended up getting maybe three/four hours of uninterrupted sleep and maybe five hours in total. Consequently I'm extremely tired and not looking forward to the three hour training session later.
Got gym tonight so maybe half killing myself on a rowing machine will wake me up.
Saturday, 7 February 2009
Can't believe that the snow still hasn't melted
Out near my flat the snow still hasn't melted. Of course we had an additional snowfall during the night on Wednesday night/Thursday morning but it wasn't heavy and there's still a good inch of snow directly in the front of my block. Worse is that more snow is predicted. Whilst I like the snow generally, it's getting to be a bother more than anything else.
On the gym front. I went twice this week and intend to go twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays possibly adding Friday when the clocks go forward.
On the gym front. I went twice this week and intend to go twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays possibly adding Friday when the clocks go forward.
Wednesday, 4 February 2009
Still freezing
After working at home for a day I decided to try and make it into work. The actual tube journey wasn't too bad it was the walk from Westminster station that was a killer. Very little Ice/snow had been cleared and it was still very, very slippery. I managed to stay upright but come on, Westminster is one of the most popular areas with tourists, surely it would be too hard to put a little salt on the pavements (like in front of the Houses of Parliament and the side/main entrance of Westminster Abbey).
Left work late last night due to going to the Gym for my induction last night. Yes, don't laugh, I've decided to join the Gym at work and try and lose weight.
Getting in today was a lot easier, the pavements have been cleared, ice and snow was swept into the gutter, of course as I'm just about to leave most of the snow has melted with just ice remaining.
Left work late last night due to going to the Gym for my induction last night. Yes, don't laugh, I've decided to join the Gym at work and try and lose weight.
Getting in today was a lot easier, the pavements have been cleared, ice and snow was swept into the gutter, of course as I'm just about to leave most of the snow has melted with just ice remaining.
Monday, 2 February 2009
Snow again and a party
Yet again the Capital has been paralysed by a heavy snowfall, as I type it's still snowing heavily and I'm working from home as it is actually not possible for me to get into work, all buses are suspended as is my local tube line (at least on the section that I live on). Many schools are closed and I'm not even going to attempt to get to Brigade tonight.
Last night was great and I was once again reminded by Jason and Rob that I was not posting regularly. It was Jeff and Emma's engagement party and I don't think I've seen so many Brigade people outside a Brigade event (although it was to be expected).
I'd especially like to thank Neil for the lift home as I would have risked hypothermia waiting for a bus. I didn't find your driving bad as I'd been warned by Jo.
A big Mazel Tov to Emma and Jeff.
Last night was great and I was once again reminded by Jason and Rob that I was not posting regularly. It was Jeff and Emma's engagement party and I don't think I've seen so many Brigade people outside a Brigade event (although it was to be expected).
I'd especially like to thank Neil for the lift home as I would have risked hypothermia waiting for a bus. I didn't find your driving bad as I'd been warned by Jo.
A big Mazel Tov to Emma and Jeff.
Saturday, 3 January 2009
Home at last
Got back on Thursday from Camp, slept for about 15/16 hours an still felt drained. However, on the plus side I didn't throw up on camp (which I have for the past two years) and the only illness I had was a cold but taking into account incubation times I think I picked up before I was on camp.
I also didn't have a major allergic reaction, thanks need to go to Jeff and Jo for that and for Gill for being quick when I thought I had the start of an allergic reaction which avoided me even leaving the dining area.
All in all it was one of the best camps I've ever attended if not the best.
I'd like to especially thank Ian and Linda. And a big thank you to my platoon staff - Lizzy, Simon, Laura, Suzie and Sam. And lastly I'd like to thank my sergeants and of course the members.
My photos from Camp are available here.
I also didn't have a major allergic reaction, thanks need to go to Jeff and Jo for that and for Gill for being quick when I thought I had the start of an allergic reaction which avoided me even leaving the dining area.
All in all it was one of the best camps I've ever attended if not the best.
I'd like to especially thank Ian and Linda. And a big thank you to my platoon staff - Lizzy, Simon, Laura, Suzie and Sam. And lastly I'd like to thank my sergeants and of course the members.
My photos from Camp are available here.
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