The BBC has published a cute mini-Eleven Plus that gives a taste of the test that determined the futures of British children for three decades. An Eleven Plus pass sent you to Grammar School and fail meant the tech or secondary modern. Of course, I should pass the Eleven Plus. I have two decades on […]
I passed my Eleven Plus Read More »
I have a niggling suspicion that Health and Safety legislation is being used, especially by lily-livered deskbound, risk-averse managers at large companies, as a smokescreen to ban things they just don’t like. Take the above sign from Shepherd Neame‘s Prince of Wales in Cleaver Square, London. It would be exceptionally surprising if this were actually
No Dogs Health & Safety Nonsense Read More »
The Telegraph provided a great example last weekend of how a community host, whilst never really in charge, does have a critical role in setting the tone of the discussion. It’s fair to point out that The Telegraph (surprisingly to some) is doing a good job of managing ‘the conversation’. In terms of moderation and
Community hosts set the tone Read More »
Change isn’t always progress. New isn’t necessarily better than old. See Example 1 below: Euston Station. A beautiful neo-classical building was replaced with the brutalist terminus we see today. They saved St. Pancras but the Euston Arch is at the bottom of a canal in East London. Planners and progress did more damage than the
The Old Euston Station Read More »
Last December, according to the IMRG, 24 million parcels were not delivered first time round. For online buyers, especially those like me who have tiny, tiny letterboxes, this represents a major annoyance and a schlep down to the sorting office. That’s why the Royal Mail is to be commended for additional arrangements they’re making this
Royal Mail Christmas Arrangements Read More »
The House of Commons has turned into the highest internet chatroom in the land. The economy is in real trouble, there are numerous national and international issues that our elected representatives should be turning their collective wisdom to and what are they obsessing about? Moderation. Look at any chatroom worthy of its name and every
The Chatroom of Commons Read More »
A man hears about a new BBC sitcom about a clone. He fires up the iPlayer. There are three episodes available. But which one is first? There are only clues not episode numbers.
BBC iPlayer Annoyance #2 Read More »
A man goes out for the evening. He has a few drinks. This isn’t unusual. He gets home at about midnight. He doesn’t have a telly, but he does have a TV Licence. He fires up the iPlayer hoping to watch Question Time from Newry in Northern Ireland. It finished 40 minutes before. This Week
BBC iPlayer Annoyance Read More »
I love this Vampire Weekend cover of Fleetwood Mac’s classic, ‘Everywhere’. I heard them play it in London last week and it was a bit of a highlight of the gig. I was reminded of it by The Independent. (Yes, not a video as such but def the best audio quality I can find.) Enjoy.
Vampire Weekend play Fleetwood Mac Read More »
eBay’s level-playing field was one of the features that marked it aside from the competition and set it on course for phenomenal success. The level-playing field promised equality of opportunity rather than equality of outcome and the same fees and rules for all. If there were benefits or incentives, they were transparent and obtainable on
eBay: Can ‘diamonds’ be forever? Read More »
So. First of all. I’m sorry. Dear Noah and the Whale. I slagged yous and I was wrong. Sorry. Best, dw. For everyone else: Noah and the Whale are a pleasing young and new band from Britain’s Surrey. Back in May, I saw them at the Great Escape Festival. I was probably just annoyed about
Noah and the Whale: I was Wrong. Read More »
Two men overheard on the London Bridge train as it waited to depart: – How was xx and xy’s wedding? – Not bad. But we had to buy our own booze. – Thought it was no expense spared? – Got fed. And a glass of champagne for the toast. – The way xy was talking,
Brighton Scenes #4* Read More »
A conversation in my local pub reminded me of the fundamental absurdity of some of the arguments promoting increased taxes and regulation on the good old British boozer. The aim is to limit binge-drinking and tackle excess alcohol consumption in general. I was supping a nourishing and refreshing pint of Becks Vier. Said pint cost
Raise a pint to common sense Read More »
NanoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month, ended on Sunday at midnigh with the arrival of December. It would be better called WoNaWriMo (wo = world) but it’s been a worthwhile endeavour. I’ve fallen well short of the 50k target and don’t have an accurate final count owing to handwriting most of my efforts. But I think
Nanowrimo. (Ends.) Read More »