Just got back from the premier of Oil City Confidential. This is Julian Temple's film about Dr Feelgood. If you like Rock and Roll and you like good music, this is something you really should see. Wilko was sitting three rows in front of us. The Feelgoods are a much overlooked band in Rock and Roll history. Hopefully this film will redress that. Here's a clip of them in action doing Route 66
Enjoy - and try and get out to see the film. You won't get the Q&A session with Julian Temple like we did, as it's not the premier, but you'll see a great film!
Saturday, 17 October 2009
Thursday, 15 October 2009
The Roundhouse
Of all the places in London to have a night out, my favourite is the Roundhouse in Chalk Farm. This may have something to do with the fact that the very first Punk Rock I ever saw happened there on 6th June 1977 (The Ramones, Talking Heads and The Saints). Then again maybe it doesn't. Tonight I was there to watch Echo and the Bunnymen. I thoroughly enjoyed the gig, they are a truly awesome band, but I kept turning over the question in my head "Why is an industrial shed built 150 years ago my favourite venue in the world". I put this question to my friend Derek who is an award winning designer. He said that he thought that maybe constraining designers was actually beneficial. I really don't know. All of the buildings I like most in London The Roundhouse, St Pancras, etc, blend old & new. The most successful venue in the world is the 02 (formerly the Dome). I don't actually believe it works as a venue. It's too big and you are too detached from the band.
Sadly the economics of music mean that the O2 dwarfs the Roundhouse in financial terms. That is why the top bands play there. I'm off later this month to see Smokey Robinson at the Roundhouse as part of the BBC electric proms. I doubt there'll be a more enjoyable gig at the O2 in the next 10 years.
Sadly the economics of music mean that the O2 dwarfs the Roundhouse in financial terms. That is why the top bands play there. I'm off later this month to see Smokey Robinson at the Roundhouse as part of the BBC electric proms. I doubt there'll be a more enjoyable gig at the O2 in the next 10 years.
First Capital Connect and the Oyster Pay as You Go daylight robbery scam
On Wednesday 30th September I posted this blog about the awful experience my daughter had at the hands of an aggressive bully of a ticket inspector at Mill Hill Broadway Station. She didn't realise that you can't use Pay as You Go Oyster Cards at Mill Hill and got a £20 penalty fare, even though she'd touched in at St Pancras, where there are no warning signs. As she couldn't touch out she was also deducted a fare higher than the one she should have paid.
I got quite a response from the story. People told me many tales of rude and surly inspectors. What I didn't expect was the email I got today. This was from someone who has used a Pay as You Go Oyster card at Mill Hill. This is an extract from his statement
22/09/09
21:28 Mill Hill Broadway Exit £1.70 £9.40
21:00 Farringdon Entry - £4.00 £7.70
He explained that on the 22/09/09, the Oyster PAYG readers at Mill Hill were working. he touched out with them and as his statement clearly shows, he was deducted the fare.
What does this mean. It means that all of those people like my daughter, who suffered abuse and humiliation have been scammed. The system is there, it works, they just don't want to use it.
Yesterday (Tuesday) I saw a team of inspectors again fining people for using PAYG Oyster cards. I'd suggest that anyone receiving a penalty fare from these people informs them that the system is working and that they are extorting money under false pretences. I don't know when the system became usable, but usable it is.Point this out to them.
YOU HAVE A TICKET, THEY HAVE A MACHINE THAT CAN READ IT, IF THEY CHOOSE TO NOT USE THAT MACHINE, THEY CANNOT JUSTIFY CHARGING YOU A PENALTY CHARGE.
I have proof that the system works, so there is no longer any justification for this scam and the humiliation of law abiding customers to continue. As before, urge Boris Johnson, James Cleverly and Brian Coleman to bang some heads together to stop this scam.
I got quite a response from the story. People told me many tales of rude and surly inspectors. What I didn't expect was the email I got today. This was from someone who has used a Pay as You Go Oyster card at Mill Hill. This is an extract from his statement
22/09/09
21:28 Mill Hill Broadway Exit £1.70 £9.40
21:00 Farringdon Entry - £4.00 £7.70
He explained that on the 22/09/09, the Oyster PAYG readers at Mill Hill were working. he touched out with them and as his statement clearly shows, he was deducted the fare.
What does this mean. It means that all of those people like my daughter, who suffered abuse and humiliation have been scammed. The system is there, it works, they just don't want to use it.
Yesterday (Tuesday) I saw a team of inspectors again fining people for using PAYG Oyster cards. I'd suggest that anyone receiving a penalty fare from these people informs them that the system is working and that they are extorting money under false pretences. I don't know when the system became usable, but usable it is.Point this out to them.
YOU HAVE A TICKET, THEY HAVE A MACHINE THAT CAN READ IT, IF THEY CHOOSE TO NOT USE THAT MACHINE, THEY CANNOT JUSTIFY CHARGING YOU A PENALTY CHARGE.
I have proof that the system works, so there is no longer any justification for this scam and the humiliation of law abiding customers to continue. As before, urge Boris Johnson, James Cleverly and Brian Coleman to bang some heads together to stop this scam.
Wednesday, 14 October 2009
More classic stupidity from Richard Barnbrook, London's BNP Numpty no 1
London faces many major problems and issues at the moment. Families struggle to make ends meet, commuters struggle to get to work through traffic chaos, Boris Johnson struggles to balance his budget. Today was the day when the members of the GLA had an opportunity to grill our Mayor and get him to answer the important questions which matter to London. You may wonder what the best question Richard Barnbrook, the GLA's only BNP member could come up with would be - well here it is.
Just how stupid is Richard Barnbrook. Does he really think eating Christmas pudding would help people to understand Christianity? Does he think that one mouthful of figgy pudding leads to enlightenment, if accompanied by a bit of Silent night?
Generally I don't do religious lectures on the Barnet Eye, but as Richard Barnbrook seeks to lecture Muslims about Christmas (Jesus is recognised in Islam as a major prophet so they probably don't need a lecture), I thought I'd remind Mr Barnbrook of a few facts about Jesus, as stated in the Holy Bible.
Jesus was a Jewish Rabbi. Had he decided to have staged his second coming in Germany in 1944, Mr Barnbrook's political allies, The Nazi's would have gassed him under the racial purity laws.
Jesus was an asylum seeker (as were his parents, Mary and Joseph). They emigrated to Nazareth to escape persecution. We all know what the BNP thinks of Asylum seekers.
Jesus liked foreigners. He even had three wise men turn up from the Orient baring gifts at his birth. The BNP are not so welcoming.
Jesus was a pacifist. He advised his followers to "turn the other cheek" when confronted with violence. Sadly we've seen quite the opposite from the BNP and their bedfellows "The English Defence League".
Jesus was welcoming of foreigners. He told the parable of "The Good Samaratan" to expose the attitudes of his fellow countrymen to Samaritans (who were disliked). The point of the story was that "foreigners can be as good as anyone else" its how they behave, not where they are from. Let's just remind ourselves of the BNP's attitude to Johnson Beharry, a VC winner in the British Army, who the BNP say cannot be British because he was black.
Which brings us nicely on to what colour was the skin of Jesus. Given where he was living and that he was of pure Jewish ancestry (his birthline to Adam and Eve is listed in the new testament), he was quite clearly not blond hair and blue eye'd. He was probably olive skinned or black. He most certainly looked and dressed more like a Mullah than Richard Barnbrook or anyone else in the BNP. Most representations are of a swarthy looking man with a beard and long hair. Now for all any of us know, he may have looked like Arnie Shwarzennegar, but it seems to be pretty unlikely.
Finally lets remind us what Jesus used to tell his followers "Love Your Neighbour". He didn't qualify that with "Unless they are ******* (complete as appropriate)".
When I see people like Richard Barnbrook, I fail miserably to love my neighbour. That's why generally I don't go around giving religious lectures. The good Lord loves to see a sinner repenteth. I hope Barnbrook reads this, realises he's a twat and repents. I hope he dedicates the rest of his life to making up for the mistakes he's made and the misery he's caused.
Generally I don't do religious lectures on the Barnet Eye, but as Richard Barnbrook seeks to lecture Muslims about Christmas (Jesus is recognised in Islam as a major prophet so they probably don't need a lecture), I thought I'd remind Mr Barnbrook of a few facts about Jesus, as stated in the Holy Bible.
Jesus was a Jewish Rabbi. Had he decided to have staged his second coming in Germany in 1944, Mr Barnbrook's political allies, The Nazi's would have gassed him under the racial purity laws.
Jesus was an asylum seeker (as were his parents, Mary and Joseph). They emigrated to Nazareth to escape persecution. We all know what the BNP thinks of Asylum seekers.
Jesus liked foreigners. He even had three wise men turn up from the Orient baring gifts at his birth. The BNP are not so welcoming.
Jesus was a pacifist. He advised his followers to "turn the other cheek" when confronted with violence. Sadly we've seen quite the opposite from the BNP and their bedfellows "The English Defence League".
Jesus was welcoming of foreigners. He told the parable of "The Good Samaratan" to expose the attitudes of his fellow countrymen to Samaritans (who were disliked). The point of the story was that "foreigners can be as good as anyone else" its how they behave, not where they are from. Let's just remind ourselves of the BNP's attitude to Johnson Beharry, a VC winner in the British Army, who the BNP say cannot be British because he was black.
Which brings us nicely on to what colour was the skin of Jesus. Given where he was living and that he was of pure Jewish ancestry (his birthline to Adam and Eve is listed in the new testament), he was quite clearly not blond hair and blue eye'd. He was probably olive skinned or black. He most certainly looked and dressed more like a Mullah than Richard Barnbrook or anyone else in the BNP. Most representations are of a swarthy looking man with a beard and long hair. Now for all any of us know, he may have looked like Arnie Shwarzennegar, but it seems to be pretty unlikely.
Finally lets remind us what Jesus used to tell his followers "Love Your Neighbour". He didn't qualify that with "Unless they are ******* (complete as appropriate)".
When I see people like Richard Barnbrook, I fail miserably to love my neighbour. That's why generally I don't go around giving religious lectures. The good Lord loves to see a sinner repenteth. I hope Barnbrook reads this, realises he's a twat and repents. I hope he dedicates the rest of his life to making up for the mistakes he's made and the misery he's caused.
Tuesday, 13 October 2009
Why is Anti Semitism rising in Britain?
Why is Anti Semitism rising in Britain? There is a blog from one of my favourite (ex) Barnet Council numpties, Richard Weider of this title. Richard Weider used to be a councillor in Barnet, before upping sticks and moving to Israel. Now given that Mr Weider clearly passionately cares about the subject, I expected an informative, sensible and dispassionate blog from someone who could view the situation with detachment and cast some new insight into the problem. Unfortunately, for a blog with such a promising title, I was left none the wiser.
It seems that Mr Weider thinks that because David Milliband criticised the Conservative Party for getting into bed with a bunch of Uber Rightists in the European Parliament, people up and down the country will now be joining the BNP. I can't quite see how he arrived at this conclusion, maybe he's enjoying the good life a bit too much.
I suspect that of all the reasons I've heard for the rise of anti Semitism, this is one of the least likely. Statistically, I'd guess that the majority of the rise is probably due to the changing demographics of Great Britain and Barnet. Many immigrants to the UK arrive from places where there is acceptance if not open support at governmental level of anti-semitism. These attitudes can take generations to dissipate. I'm not aware of any initiatives either in Barnet or nationally to address the prejudices we may be importing.
Is anti-semitism on the rise amongst the indigenous population? I would suspect that in areas where the BNP is organising effectively, there would be some degree of growth, but often this is offset by an equally strong growth in anti-fascist activity. Whilst there have been some appalling cases of anti-semitic activity in the Borough, I personally believe that these are more isolated incidents of mindless vandalism, than evidence of coordinated activity. Barnet has a large Jewish population and I think it's fair to say that this is overwhelmingly perceived as a positive feature of the Borough. Most people who have lived for any length of time in the Borough will have mixed with people of all colours and creeds and I'd say we're a pretty tolerant lot.
I suspect that probably the thing most likely to stir up trouble is people such as Richard Weider using anti-semitism as a tool for other purposes. His blog was really just an excuse to try and turn a few Jewish voters against the Labour party. When such an important issue is seen as being deployed to attack people such as David Milliband, who clearly are not anti semitic, it undermines credibility of people fighting real examples of the prejudice. Richard Weider is like the little girl who cried wolf. Let us hope that Mr Weider sees sense and in future writes blogs which are a bit more sensible, interesting and informative.
It seems that Mr Weider thinks that because David Milliband criticised the Conservative Party for getting into bed with a bunch of Uber Rightists in the European Parliament, people up and down the country will now be joining the BNP. I can't quite see how he arrived at this conclusion, maybe he's enjoying the good life a bit too much.
I suspect that of all the reasons I've heard for the rise of anti Semitism, this is one of the least likely. Statistically, I'd guess that the majority of the rise is probably due to the changing demographics of Great Britain and Barnet. Many immigrants to the UK arrive from places where there is acceptance if not open support at governmental level of anti-semitism. These attitudes can take generations to dissipate. I'm not aware of any initiatives either in Barnet or nationally to address the prejudices we may be importing.
Is anti-semitism on the rise amongst the indigenous population? I would suspect that in areas where the BNP is organising effectively, there would be some degree of growth, but often this is offset by an equally strong growth in anti-fascist activity. Whilst there have been some appalling cases of anti-semitic activity in the Borough, I personally believe that these are more isolated incidents of mindless vandalism, than evidence of coordinated activity. Barnet has a large Jewish population and I think it's fair to say that this is overwhelmingly perceived as a positive feature of the Borough. Most people who have lived for any length of time in the Borough will have mixed with people of all colours and creeds and I'd say we're a pretty tolerant lot.
I suspect that probably the thing most likely to stir up trouble is people such as Richard Weider using anti-semitism as a tool for other purposes. His blog was really just an excuse to try and turn a few Jewish voters against the Labour party. When such an important issue is seen as being deployed to attack people such as David Milliband, who clearly are not anti semitic, it undermines credibility of people fighting real examples of the prejudice. Richard Weider is like the little girl who cried wolf. Let us hope that Mr Weider sees sense and in future writes blogs which are a bit more sensible, interesting and informative.
Monday, 12 October 2009
Springtime for Boris at County Hall
Bonkers schemes such as bendy bus replacements have been leapt into with no thought for the consequences or cost. The western congestion charge is being abolished, with no clue as to where the shortfall came from. How could the Tories inflict this walking disaster on us? What has David Cameron got against London. I was looking through my film library today and I came across my favourite film "The Producers" starring Zero Mostel. I slipped it into the slot, sat back and suddenly I realised the horrible truth. There is an uncanny likeness between David Cameron and Zero Mostel (see piccies).
Then I started to think about the plot of the film. Mostel plays a dodgy film producer who has been making a good living producing flops and fiddling the books in the process. Gene Wilder plays his accountant, who points out that if he'd produced a really big flop, attracting loads of investment from doddery old ladies, he could clean up. If it shut on the first night he could keep all the cash. Mostel realises that this is his big chance. He looks for the worst play, the worst actors and asks the wrong critics. The result - A spectacular success. Mostel realises he's finished as he can never pay back the investors so he blows up the Theatre.
Which takes us back to Cameron. Word on the street is that he's never rated Boris. He sacked him from the shadow cabinet at the first available opportunity. I believe that the last thing Cameron wanted was for the Tories to win the London Mayoralty. Boris would be mid term in the election year and Cameron new that there was a good chance that things would be unravelling, causing much damage to the many marginal targets where the Tories hope to win. Just suppose he could solve the Boris problem for once and for all, ensure London stayed under nasty bogeyman Ken and keep all of those marginals tipping towards the Tories.
Looking at Boris's appointments, he clearly got the worst team. As his policies unravel, it's clear that he had the worst policies and as to the critics, well the Evening Standard aside, we all knew what would happen. Anyway, Dave Cameron clearly hasn't watched "The Producers" or he would have known what would happen. London loved Boris in spite of everything. You see they see Boris as Boris, but they blame the Tories for what is going wrong. It is clear that Boris is a buffoon who needs constant minding. He should have a team to catch his foot every time he tries to put it in his mouth.
The trouble is that Cameron does not have the Zero Mostel option. He can't blow up London, he just has to hope London doesn't blow up his chances. Whilst Zero Mostel in the Producers is my favourite film of all time, I'm afraid that I won't be singing along to this little ditty
Springtime For Boris at County Hall
London was having trouble
What a sad, sad story
Needed a new leader to restore
Its former glory
Where, oh, where was he?
Where could that man be?
We looked around and then we found
The man for you and me
ANDREW GILLIGAN:
And now it's...
Springtime for Boris and County Hall
London is happy and gay!
We're marching to a faster pace
Look out, here comes the plastered race!
Springtime for Boris and County Hall
London's a fine land once more!
Springtime for Boris and County Hall
Watch out, Europe
We're going on tour!
Springtime for Boris and County Hall...
CHORUS:
Look, it's springtime
Gilligan:
Winter for Labour and Ken
CHORUS AND Tenor:
Springtime for Boris and County Hall!
BLUE RINSE CHORUS:
Springtime! Springtime!
Springtime! Springtime!
Springtime! Springtime!
Springtime! Springtime!
ANDREW GILLIGAN :
Come on, Tory's
Go into your dance!
BRIAN COLEMAN:
I was born in Barnet Lane and that is why I'm such a Pain.
VERONICA WADLEY:
Don't be stupid, be a smarty, come and join the Tory party!
What a sad, sad story
Needed a new leader to restore
Its former glory
Where, oh, where was he?
Where could that man be?
We looked around and then we found
The man for you and me
ANDREW GILLIGAN:
And now it's...
Springtime for Boris and County Hall
London is happy and gay!
We're marching to a faster pace
Look out, here comes the plastered race!
Springtime for Boris and County Hall
London's a fine land once more!
Springtime for Boris and County Hall
Watch out, Europe
We're going on tour!
Springtime for Boris and County Hall...
CHORUS:
Look, it's springtime
Gilligan:
Winter for Labour and Ken
CHORUS AND Tenor:
Springtime for Boris and County Hall!
BLUE RINSE CHORUS:
Springtime! Springtime!
Springtime! Springtime!
Springtime! Springtime!
Springtime! Springtime!
ANDREW GILLIGAN :
Come on, Tory's
Go into your dance!
BRIAN COLEMAN:
I was born in Barnet Lane and that is why I'm such a Pain.
VERONICA WADLEY:
Don't be stupid, be a smarty, come and join the Tory party!
I guess you get the idea. I only wonder why it took me so long to see it, I guess it's too bleeding obvious. I just hope David Cameron feels guilty for lumbering us with the useless lummocks.
Villiers gets it wrong again !
What is it with Tories in the London Borough of Barnet. If you want someone to get something wrong, put a Barnet Tory in charge. Shadow Transport Minister, Theresa Villiers has come up with a masterstroke of stupidity. She's planning to Cut the number of speed cameras on our roads. Can I think of a more stupid, dangerous or wreckless suggestion. The AA have come out against her plans, which do nothing to address the issue. If she follows through her plans to cut the cash, what will happen? In my experience there are two types of speed cameras. One's sensibly placed at blind junctions, accident blackspots and known speeding hotspots. These are generally popular with locals and often follow campaigns. No sane person would want to remove these. The trouble is that once people know of these, they slow down and the revenue raised is minimal. As such, when the cash is squeezed, they will be the first to go.
Then there are the second sort. These are the sort everyone objects to. These are the ones I call "earners". These are the ones that are put on bus lanes, just before left hand turnings, which deliberately catch people out. They are strategically placed, not to save lives but to raise cash and everyone knows it. Villiers plan will cause even more of these to pop up, as council's seek to replace the lost revenue.
My solution is far more simple. I'd only allow speed cameras where there is a proven risk to public safety. If there is no history of accidents or no known major risk factor, then put in a Villiers style warning sign instead. There's an old saying "Cheap headlines make bad law". Yet again Barnet's Tories show that they are more interested in the cheap headlines than our safety. Shameful really.
There is a hidden cost benefit to road safety that Villiers, Coleman and the rest never mention. Every single person crippled in a road accident will cost the taxpayer an average of £3 Million pounds over the course of their life. How many traffic safety measures will each on of these buy? I doubt Villiers even knows that statistic.
Then there are the second sort. These are the sort everyone objects to. These are the ones I call "earners". These are the ones that are put on bus lanes, just before left hand turnings, which deliberately catch people out. They are strategically placed, not to save lives but to raise cash and everyone knows it. Villiers plan will cause even more of these to pop up, as council's seek to replace the lost revenue.
My solution is far more simple. I'd only allow speed cameras where there is a proven risk to public safety. If there is no history of accidents or no known major risk factor, then put in a Villiers style warning sign instead. There's an old saying "Cheap headlines make bad law". Yet again Barnet's Tories show that they are more interested in the cheap headlines than our safety. Shameful really.
There is a hidden cost benefit to road safety that Villiers, Coleman and the rest never mention. Every single person crippled in a road accident will cost the taxpayer an average of £3 Million pounds over the course of their life. How many traffic safety measures will each on of these buy? I doubt Villiers even knows that statistic.
Sunday, 11 October 2009
Looking up to the heavens
In the not too distant future, the planning committee of Barnet Council will make a major decision on the scheme for the regeneration of Brent Cross and Cricklewood.
Will we get something that will make us proud, which people will come from around the world to admire. Which will be a pleasure to live in and work in. Will it be the first place in London that people will want to come and see when they visit the city. Will it have a pleasant environment that is easy and relaxed. Will children who grow up there think they were lucky to have been born in such a nice part of town. There are not too many things I agree with Brian Coleman about, but we both think that the current plans will create a monstrosity.
Councillor Maureen Braun is the chair of the Hendon and District planning committee. Her boss, council leader Mike Freer is speaking in favour of the development, which is, shall we say unusual for a planning hearing. Mike Freer is trying to become the MP for Finchley and Golders Green. As the North Circular grinds to gridlock with the 9-27,000 new cars (depending on who you believe), existing residents lives will be made a misery. They will live on the edge of one of Europe's biggest building sites for many years. What is in this scheme for the average Council Tax payer of Barnet? I believe that there is nothing very nice. The residents of this high density scheme will mostly come from out of borough, putting even more strain on our schools, roads and hospitals.
In the late 1960's and early 1970's, Barnet saw new, high density scheme's such as Grahame Park appear. These schemes won awards for their "innovative design". Council's of various shades and colours have spent the past 30 years trying to mend all of the serious design issues. Do they never learn?
Breaking News : Brian Coleman eaten by crocodiles at Sheepwash pond !
Time for the Barnet Eye round up of weekly news. Firstly to the big story of the week. Actually, I'm pleased to say that, Brian Coleman hasn't been eaten by crocodiles at Sheepwash pond. But I found out something about him that's even more unlikely. If I'd have put it as the headline, you'd have thought I was winding you up or telling porkies, so I thought I'd write something a bit more believable. In the course of my investigations regarding Mayor Coleman's outrageous statements about bringing in "Chinese style" censorship of bloggers on the net, I happened to talk to someone who is very friendly with Brian Coleman about his opposition to the Cricklewood regeneration project. I knew he opposed the scheme, but I didn't know why. His opposition is a matter of public record, but I've been unable to find out what exactly he didn't like. Well now I know and I thought I'd share it with you. I'd urge everyone opposed to the scheme to email councillor Coleman and urge him to speak at the planning meeting. Council Leader Mike Freer is, so I see no reason why the Mayor shouldn't, especially as for once he's spot on. One thing rather puzzles me. Why is it that when Coleman spouts nonsense, it's plastered all over everywhere, yet when he campaigns on a sensible issue and says reasonable things they don't print it? Anyway why has Coleman gone against his leader on Cricklewood? The reason is because he believes that in a Borough such as Barnet, low rise, low density housing is far more suitable than big tower blocks. He also believes that children need gardens. He believes that the Cricklewood scheme will be a huge step towards the destruction of Barnet as a pleasant place to live. Well Mayor Coleman, for once I totally agree with you. If your views aren't being covered elsewhere, drop me an email and you can do a guest blog here.
Anyway, moving on, you may wonder why I brought Sheepwash pond into the occasion. A supposedly feel good story is doing the rounds. A Capabaya, the worlds largest rodent, has been spotted at Darlands lake. Now you may not know this, but Brian Coleman is the chairman of the Darlands lake management committee. That's not why I mention it though. The press think this is a good news story, I think it's appalling. It is the result of people buying exotic pets, then dumping them. A similar problem happened a few years ago at Sheepwash pond. Terrapins were released and took over the pond, killing many fish and ducklings. Red squirrels have nearly been driven to extinction by the non native grey's. Whilst we may like seeing exotic species, it has the potential to destroy the ecosystem. This is under enough pressure as it is without idiots releasing all sorts of flora and fauna across the country. Millions are spent treating Japanese knotweed infesttations. The problem is one that has huge costs. If crocodiles had been released into Sheepwash pond and they had eaten Mayor Coleman, maybe people would take this seriously. Why does the situation have to get that bad?
Music news - I just thought I'd let you know that I've got tickets for four gigs lined up. First off, we're off to see Smokey Robinson at the BBC Electric proms at the Roundhouse on the 24th October. Next up is the Pogues at Brixton Academy on 18th December. Following hot on the heels of that it's Public Image on 21st, again at Brixton Academy. Lastly it's Iggy and the Stooges in May next year at Hammersmith Apollo. However if any of you want a real treat, you can see my band playing at the Claddagh Ring in Hendon on Friday 13th November for Barnet Unison. We're called the False Dots and we've got Connie, our fabulous singer guesting with us. There will be a few other bands, including an Irish band. Full details to follow.
Anyway, moving on, you may wonder why I brought Sheepwash pond into the occasion. A supposedly feel good story is doing the rounds. A Capabaya, the worlds largest rodent, has been spotted at Darlands lake. Now you may not know this, but Brian Coleman is the chairman of the Darlands lake management committee. That's not why I mention it though. The press think this is a good news story, I think it's appalling. It is the result of people buying exotic pets, then dumping them. A similar problem happened a few years ago at Sheepwash pond. Terrapins were released and took over the pond, killing many fish and ducklings. Red squirrels have nearly been driven to extinction by the non native grey's. Whilst we may like seeing exotic species, it has the potential to destroy the ecosystem. This is under enough pressure as it is without idiots releasing all sorts of flora and fauna across the country. Millions are spent treating Japanese knotweed infesttations. The problem is one that has huge costs. If crocodiles had been released into Sheepwash pond and they had eaten Mayor Coleman, maybe people would take this seriously. Why does the situation have to get that bad?
Music news - I just thought I'd let you know that I've got tickets for four gigs lined up. First off, we're off to see Smokey Robinson at the BBC Electric proms at the Roundhouse on the 24th October. Next up is the Pogues at Brixton Academy on 18th December. Following hot on the heels of that it's Public Image on 21st, again at Brixton Academy. Lastly it's Iggy and the Stooges in May next year at Hammersmith Apollo. However if any of you want a real treat, you can see my band playing at the Claddagh Ring in Hendon on Friday 13th November for Barnet Unison. We're called the False Dots and we've got Connie, our fabulous singer guesting with us. There will be a few other bands, including an Irish band. Full details to follow.
Saturday, 10 October 2009
The funniest story I've read all week.
Check this story out. It certainly made me laugh. The video clip is also a cracker.
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20091007/tuk-yobs-floored-by-cage-fighters-in-dra-45dbed5.html
It certainly seems to me to be a far more effective method of dealing with these sort of twats than this
http://www.edgware-today.co.uk/tn/News.cfm?id=39358&headline=Officer%20pledges%20strong%20ties%20to%20gay%20and%20lesbian%20community
But hey, what do I know about anything
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20091007/tuk-yobs-floored-by-cage-fighters-in-dra-45dbed5.html
It certainly seems to me to be a far more effective method of dealing with these sort of twats than this
http://www.edgware-today.co.uk/tn/News.cfm?id=39358&headline=Officer%20pledges%20strong%20ties%20to%20gay%20and%20lesbian%20community
But hey, what do I know about anything
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