“Watch toys re-enact dramatic events from history” (BBC Bitesize)
The syllabus as taught by Adam and Joe?
Never In My Life
Bitesize
When filling knowledge gaps using BBC Bitesize, choosing your Key Stage is a measure of one’s own estimations.
Charity
I read this “Money Moral Dilemna”:
“I’ve emailed friends and family asking them to sponsor me for a very worthwhile charity. Some have replied and sponsored me but some haven’t replied or just said they can’t afford it. I know they have good jobs and spend on luxuries so I don’t believe them.”
This is one of my problems with the concept of charities: People don’t give according to their means. If all worthwhile causes were state funded out of taxes (why are medical research and help for the elderly and sheltering the homeless and feeding the starving paid for out of voluntary donations but other human needs – and non-needs – are funded by taxes?) they could get the appropriate funding paid for by everyone according to their ability instead of one-off donations of variable sizes whenever somebody goes for a run or sits in a tub of beans or the BBC newsreaders sing an ABBA medley on the TV. It would also reduce overheads that go into advertising including those bleeders on the high street being paid to get a direct debit out of you. (Of course this also relies on the competency and purity of the government to spend the money well and without waste, which is usually the problem, but why not sort out THAT part if we have an imperfect system either way?)
Spam
It’s probably not worth reading on when an email begins “Dear Email Owner” is it?
Kung Fu Academy
Got a flyer through the door for “Kung Fu Academy” today. My mind did race for a second.
Coachella
Strong lineup but I’m not really interested in going to America to see a load of British bands at a big festival.
Ballon D’Or
Ballon D’Or: a bit more bally than Carte D’Or.
ITV
ITV is like the kid at school no one liked but you had to endure because he brought the football in. That was his victory hour.
New year fitness supplements
In The Guardian: “Think yourself fit”
In the Mail On Sunday: “Get a bottom like Pippa Middleton’s”
Says it all.
Pardon?
Ohter half: “We were at school together but she was in the French half of the year.”
Me: “Sorry?! Was your school on the Franco-Prussian border?!”
Christmas Trees
I’ve never had a real Christmas tree. If I did I wouldn’t know how to dispose of it. I’m surprised you don’t see them fly tipped everywhere.
Bob Holness
That’s Blockbusters. Don’t do the dance.
Devin – You’re Mine
First track onto my 2012 playlist: Devin – You’re Mine www.rollingstone.com/music/news/free-download-devins-upbeat-rock-track-youre-mine-20111108 (free mp3 download)
Twitter recommends
Every time I open Twitter it recommends I follow one or all of Little Mix. I’m thinking of reactivating cookies to get better targetted ads.
Louise Mensch
Louise Mensch complains that female MPs are judged on looks
Louise Mensch: “What am I doing wrong?” Oh just go YouTube clips of whatever she says being put down. e.g. www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WvAkhW-XNI
Daniel Callan (@loneoutlaw7)“You looked so beautiful in that photo shoot you just did. Cameron is a idiot for not giving you a top spot.”
Hmm, don’t think Louise Mensch meant she wanted positive discrimination when she complained about trivialisation of women politicians…
Louise Mensch (@LouiseMensch) “thank you but it’s all the photographer and make-up artist I’m afraid.”
Best of 2011
Songs of 2011:
1. Who’s In Control – British Sea Power
2. Barnes’ Yard – The Rural Alberta Advantage
3. Get Away – Yuck
That’s Where You’re Wrong – Arctic Monkeys
Under Cover of Darkness – The Strokes
I Want You – Summer Camp
Girlfriend – Tribes
Blondie – The View
Maybe I Know – Alessi’s Ark
Money – The Drums
Gigs of 2011:
Special Needs – Proud Camden (15th February)
Dead Confederate/The Whigs – The Jericho Tavern, Oxford (22nd February)
Electric Soft Parade – Prince Albert, Brighton (23rd March)
The Rural Alberta Advantage/Secret Rivals – The Jericho Tavern, Oxford (19th May)
Johnny Flynn – Truck Festival (22nd July)
Edwyn Collins – Truck Festival (23rd July)
Pulp – Brixton Academy (1st September)
Turin Brakes – O2 Academy, Oxford (8th November)
Shed Seven/Chris Helme – York Barbican (22nd December)
Also seen this year: The Bootleg Beatles, Warpaint, The Cribs, Frankie & The Heartstrings, Tellison, Stornoway, Mazes, Chapel Club, Tribes, Girls, Summer Camp, The Vaccines, Howler
Please Mr. Postman
Somewhere, I have stamps. If the posty is reading, would you kindly take my word for it?
Idea for a TV show
Idea for a TV show: ChuckleFission. The Chuckle Brothers attempt to split the atom with hilarious mishaps along the way.
King of Lights
“King of Lights” on Ch4 is extraordinary. “A lot of people forget the traditional side” said the man with this display:
