<![CDATA[ - BLOGS]]>Sat, 19 May 2012 06:07:30 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[Sport]]>Fri, 18 May 2012 22:21:47 -0800http://www.omnibusologist.com/8/post/2012/05/sport22.html
Vindictiveness isn't a characteristic with which I would normally wish to be associated. However, since he started it, I can't deny that I'm pleased that Sir Alex Ferguson has been "knocked off his perch". As I've indicated previously, although it's hard not to admire his achievements, I have found it very difficult to actually like the man. Signore Mancini, on the other hand, has demonstrated a cavalier attitude which I, for one, have found quite refreshing and it was nice to see the indigenous supporters within the city of Manchester enjoying their success.

Travelling westwards along the East Lancashire Road, however, apart from the delight of the blue side of the city to have bettered their neighbours in red, there have been few reasons to celebrate; in particular, the questionable manner in which The Boston Connection have reacted to a disappointing season in The Premier League is cause for concern.

In a world dominated by facts, figures, and statistics, it would be interesting to know where LFC would have been placed if the thirty or forty occasions when the woodwork was hit had resulted in goals instead. Indeed, if this analysis hasn't been carried out, why? Having said that, it's not beyond the realms of possibility that the results might suggest that Mr. John W. Henry and his Fenway Sports Group had a knee-jerk reaction to the situation and that - at the very least - they should have allowed Kenny another year to prove himself.

As the old saying goes, "Act in haste and repent at leisure".

]]><![CDATA[Thoughts]]>Mon, 14 May 2012 15:11:42 -0800http://www.omnibusologist.com/8/post/2012/05/miscellaneous117.html
Reality TV - or the sort of stuff Simon Cowell churns out - is not something I would normally waste my time watching. In fact, I rarely watch 'Entertainment' on television because news, sport, and documentaries are far more to my liking. That said, however, over the weekend, I was persuaded to watch a segment of something called Britain's Got Talent; and the reason for this is that a Welsh choir was performing.

After the choir had completed their song (an interesting adaption of a Welsh classic called Calon Lan) the usually-smug Mr. Cowell (seen adjusting his shirt to show off his hairy chest at 1.40 on this video)  remarked that he was intrigued to have been affected by something for which he hadn't understood a single word. Not surprisingly, this caused some amusement; not least to myself - because (somewhat uncharitably, I confess), it's my impression that many of the choir - called Only Boys Aloud, by the way, didn't understand what they were singing, either.

You see, coming from south Wales - as most of the choir do - English is their normal day-to-day language. However, in response to years of campaigning by activists, Welsh is now being taught throughout the principality and, as a by-product of this, a thriving 'industry' has been created to cash-in on the demand for Welsh-speakers within entertainment and the media.

Sadly, IMHO, too much of the material on the Welsh-language TV channel, S4C, is delivered to a standard which an amateur dramatic society in England might exhibit if attempting to perform a play in French. However, on a more positive note (no pun intended), programmes which are produced in north Wales are presented far more colloquially by the media. So, it's a mystery to me why S4C don't transfer to Bangor. After all - for different reasons, admittedly - the BBC have been able to move from London to Salford.

n.b.
Although born in Liverpool, my Welsh mother took me north Wales during WW2 and, although I didn't get around to learning how to read or write in Welsh, it was actually the first language I spoke.


]]><![CDATA[Miscellaneous]]>Mon, 30 Apr 2012 09:35:16 -0800http://www.omnibusologist.com/8/post/2012/04/miscellaneous116.html
I'm not the sort of person who's easily persuaded to buy something just because the one I've already got has 'gone out of fashion'. For example, although I don't play as often as once was the case, I still use the same golf clubs that I bought when I started taking the game seriously. Admittedly, the grips have been replaced, from time to time, and I've recently invested in new shafts; however, the policy, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." is one with which I'm happy to be associated.

In a similar vein, I've only changed cars twice in the past twenty years. Furthermore, I imagined the last one really would be the last. However, modern medical techniques seem geared towards ensuring everyone in the country receives a 100th. birthday telegram from The Monarch; so, who's to say I won't need another one before my time's over?

Less morbidly, after several years of resisting encouragement from various quarters to replace a rather ancient television with a new one, the old set chose the middle of the World Snooker finals to start showing signs of an imminent demise; and, towards the end of last week, the colour function decided to call it a day. The white and pink balls became indistinguishable from each other; as did the green and the blue and I was left with little alternative to accepting that the time had come to buy a new one.

And so it was, accompanied by son #2 (a younger person is absolute essential for someone of my generation in these circumstancesl) we set off to investigate what's on offer - and there are many. Quite frankly, there seem to be so many bells and whistles available, nowadays, that making the right choice is almost impossible. Suffice to say, I ended up spending significantly more than I paid for the first new car I ever bought; however, I can't deny that the quality of the picture is a great improvement when compared with the old set. However, although there don't seem to be too many sets without it, I've yet to be persuaded that I want (or need) 3D; but I might look into the HD option.

Finally, one thing which did rather surprise me was how busy the two retails parks we visited seemed to be. I thought we were supposed to in a recession.

]]><![CDATA[Miscellaneous]]>Sun, 29 Apr 2012 11:43:29 -0800http://www.omnibusologist.com/8/post/2012/04/miscellaneous115.html
After reading this article in last week's Sunday Telegraph, I wrote to the paper to explain that there are, in fact, two Christmas Islands and that the nuclear tests to which the writer alluded did not take place (as he claimed) at the one in The Indian Ocean - but, in the South Pacific. I also contacted the assistant editor who wrote it.

Sadly, however, putting aside the fact that the writer reacted (IMHO) rather sarcastically to my advice, neither he nor the paper seem to have made any effort to apologise for the error in this week's paper. As a subscriber, I find that disappointing from a, so-called, quality publication.

]]><![CDATA[Miscallaneous]]>Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:06:54 -0800http://www.omnibusologist.com/8/post/2012/04/miscallaneous.html
When I was introduced to Twitter, Stephen Fry was the first person I 'followed'. He's an interesting character and an ideal example of what Twitter is all about. In other words, he's a celebrity who lives an exciting life which is interesting to his many fans; unlike, for example, an ordinary Joe Bloggs who has delusions that the world and his wife are gagging to know his every move - including seeing photos of each meal. Pathetic!

Anyway, returning to the sainted Mr. Fry, there are times when he could be accused of using his fame in a manner which might be considered open to question. For instance, there have been occasions when he tweeted about goods which failed to come up to his expectations - knowing full well, IMHO, that he will be offered free replacements. This, almost certainly, wouldn't happen to Joe Bloggs; however, bearing in mind Mr. Fry already makes a pretty penny (and several freebies, I dare say) from endorsing various products on TV, I find this behaviour distasteful.

Now, having got that off my chest, the real purpose of this blog is to make my own, rather more humble, effort to endorse a company who have shown me exceptionally good customer service, recently. I refer to Wahl - a company who were very helpful in replacing an insignificant (but important to me) attachment for a beard-trimmer I've used over the past ten - or so - years. It was such a pleasant change from the usual, "Oh, you'll have to buy a complete new razor" nonsense I've encountered in the past.

]]><![CDATA[Thoughts]]>Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:56:42 -0800http://www.omnibusologist.com/8/post/2012/04/thoughts22.html
A recent newspaper article about the missing little girl, Madeleine McCann, has reminded me how easy it can be to form opinions on the basis of what might be entirely inappropriate assumptions founded on preconceived - and, often biased - notions.

Certainly, from my own point of view, and I'm not especially proud to say this, I was guilty of acting as judge and jury almost as soon as she disappeared. Equally - or, perhaps, more alarmingly - my opinions changed from time to time based on the reports being put about at the time.

For example, when the news broke, even though I was born in the city, the fact that the parents (or, at least, one of them) was from Liverpool created an opinion which was somewhat less than complimentary. Furthermore, when it became known that they had left all three of their children alone in their apartment whilst they were out wining and dining only added to a sense of despair. Paradoxically, however, when it transpired that both parents were doctors, for reasons I would be hard-pressed to explain (or justify) the feeling of disgust mysteriously diminished.

Subsequently, as the years have passed, I've been unable to form a definite opinion of what may have happened. It's only a personal impression and I may be in a minority, but I find it difficult to be fully sympathetic towards the parents because I can't ignore a nagging suspicion that they know more than they're prepared to admit. Furthermore, the curmudgeon in me makes it almost impossible to understand why caring parents would allow a child as young as Madeleine was, at the time, to wear what appears to be eye shadow.


]]><![CDATA[Miscellaneous]]>Fri, 06 Apr 2012 07:36:47 -0800http://www.omnibusologist.com/8/post/2012/04/miscellaneous114.html
Following my wife's recent decision to let me to ride her mobility scooter, my neighbour (who is responsible for looking after the best part of forty acres of grounds) asked if I would be interested in doing some mowing for him during the coming spring/summer months (see below).......
Picture
Mower magic

More observant readers may have noticed that the mower has no steering wheel and, from my own point of view, it took me down Memory Lane because it uses hand-levers to steer - rather like the amphibious tracked vehicles I was trained on before going to Christmas Island in 1958 (below left).
There was, however, a significant difference between the military vehicle and the lawn mower because - unlike the 'tank' - the mower had no conventional foot pedals. In fact, the hand-levers are the only controls. When separated (above right - 'click' to enlarge) the machine is in 'neutral; however, when drawn together (uppermost photo), the drive mechanism is engaged and pushing both levers forward causes the mower to move forward. Thereafter, pulling either lever backwards introduces the steering mechanism; i.e. pull the right lever towards the driver's body to turn right and so on. Pulling both levers as far back as they can go engages the reverse gear. Pulling one lever whilst pushing the other causes the machine to turn on a sixpence.

On either side of the driver's seat there are some smaller levers which engage and adjust the height of the cutting blades (below the seat). There is also a hand-brake. It's a really clever system and, once mastered, provides very precise control (see video).

]]><![CDATA[Memory Lane]]>Thu, 05 Apr 2012 06:19:27 -0800http://www.omnibusologist.com/8/post/2012/04/memory-lane21.html
This was, originally, posted on facebook; however, it occurred to me that it was an appropriate candidate for the Memory Lane blog:

After reading this article, I recalled that when I first started to receive pocket-money, after the end of WW2, my father devised what was, in effect, a Weekly Work Sheet which listed and valued various household chores. Washing-up or drying-up, for example, earned me one (old) penny and going to the shops was worth tuppence - and so on. My mother was required to initial each task I had completed and, on an average week, I might earn around a shilling. However, if I fancied buying a new Dinky toy, I would set the table for every meal each day and clean just about every pair of shoes in the house and, as a consequenece, end up with as much as half-a-crown. I believe it was a very good system for installing some sort of work ethic at a very early age and I don't think it did me any harm.
 
]]><![CDATA[Memory Lane]]>Tue, 03 Apr 2012 16:49:32 -0800http://www.omnibusologist.com/8/post/2012/04/memory-lane20.html
Facebook are trying to encourage subscribers to convert to something called Time Line and, although I don't suppose I'll contribute towards it because this web-site contains all that's relevant to me, there was an invitation to introduce an appropriate photograph as a background to the new set-up. This is the one I chose.........
Picture

It's a particular favourite lake of mine because it's quite close to the part of north Wales where I was raised during WW2 and just upstream from another one reputed to be associated with the legend of King Arthur and assorted Welsh princes. Mount Snowdon is situated just behind the hill on the left.

]]><![CDATA[Thoughts]]>Sun, 01 Apr 2012 14:06:46 -0800http://www.omnibusologist.com/8/post/2012/04/miscellaneous113.html
I suspect I may have been one of the first to become qualified to be known in the UK as a Silver Surfer (#1 in this dictionary, NOT #2, BTW). Certainly, my involvement with social networking, for example, started quite early - when, in 2006, it was pointed out that I could to listen to music my elder grandson had composed on Myspace. Not long afterwards, I discovered You Tube and, a year or so later, I was introduced to Skype.

In those days, my involvement was restricted to an occasional communication with immediate family members across the pond. However, when Myspace seemed to fall out of fashion, I signed-up with facebook and, although it introduced me to more distant relations - and, in time, "Friends" and friends of friends - it seemed to me that it was better suited to the needs of younger people.

Some time later, a newspaper article alerted me to Twitter - which seemed to appeal to those of a more mature disposition. However, whilst I understand it might be ideal for those in 'the public eye', I found it difficult to understand why ordinary Joe Blogs could imagine that their own (often mundane) day-to-day activities should be of the slightest interest to anyone else. Furthermore, an insidious ambition to increase the number of people they could bore the pants off seemed ludicrous (IMHO) - especially since, so far as I can tell, most people who follow each other on Twitter hardly know each other.

By the way, when asked to describe the difference between facebook and Twitter, I suggest that the former is where contributors can be quite rude to those they know - whilst the latter is where people seem to be rather nice to people they've never met.

Anyway, perhaps unusually for someone of my own generation, I had some experience of 'networking' through the medium of this web-site. Originally, a 'diary' of my work as a PSV delivery driver, it developed into a history of some my own and my family's experiences over the years and, rather than use the more 'public' aforementioned social networking sites, I have tended to use this blog to communicate 'personal' information.

Speaking of 'personal' issues, in recent times, the expressions trolls and cyberstalking have become topics for concern on the internet and elsewhere. Now, I don't suppose that many ordinary member of the public are troubled by trolls; however, stalking is a different matter. For example, instances of it have ranged from unwelcome attention to actions as extreme as murder - not something, by the way, with which I'm familiar.

Now, believe it or not, an element of unwelcome attention is something with which I have become familiar recently - which brings me to the point of this particular blog - and that is to confess that, for the first time ever, I have "Unfriended" someone on facebook.

Most who visit this web-site may know that my elder son is a reasonably well-known musician. What many might not know is that some of his fans seem inordinately fascinated by anything connected with him. So, although I'm sure most people know of someone on the internet who seems determined to contribute to absolutely everything, from a purely personal point of view, I found having almost every comment I made responded to in an inappropriately over-familiar manner by someone I've never met extremely disconcerting; in much the same way, I wouldn't be surprised, that someone actually being stalked might feel threatened.

So, to conclude, whilst what I've done is non-negotiable, it is not my intention to cause offence. However, it seemed to be the only way I could send out the message that the boundaries most fans recognise (and for which I'm extremely grateful, BTW) should not be over-stepped.

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