Blog Posts

Thoughts:

5/5/2017

Some time ago, during an ITV Xtra Factor show, one of the presenters, Rylan Clark-Neal (the one with the teeth) mentioned that he "loves a front door"; prompting Simon Cowell to remark with a snigger, "I thought you liked a back door." Now many would think that was an extremely offensive, homophobic, comment which, had it been made in private, would have been deplorable; but, to have been made on LIVE television, I think most would agree that Mr. Cowell should (at least) have been severely reprimanded. However, so far as I can tell, no action was taken; and, later, Mr. Clark Neal said that it was just "banter between friends". Well, as Mandy Rice Davies once famously said, "He would do; wouldn't he?" which, in this case is understandable because the sainted Mr. Cowell was his boss.

Now, the point I'm trying to make is that the aforementioned rather unfortunate incident hardly received any response from the mainstream press and media; which (IMHO) is a remarkable example of double standards when one considers the hullabalo which has occurred in response to what anyone familiar with Scottish humour and culture was a light-hearted comment (made off camera) by the Sunderland manager, David Moyes.

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January 23rd, 2017

23/1/2017

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Ireland, 2016.

23/9/2016

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It is often said that pictures speak louder than words; so, let's see if these photos do justice to our recent visit to the magical Emerald Isle...........
Photos can be identified and enlarged by "clicking" on them.

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Thoughts:

10/7/2016

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I suspect that anyone who has chanced upon these blogs over recent years couldn't help but notice that, even though I admit to admiring many of the tenets upon which The Labour Party is based, I'm of the opinion that the greatest problem with socialism is socialists; and, in particular, the manner in which so many of them turn their back on their working-class principles once they have sampled the trappings associated with power. Think John Prescott; remember him? He's the one who spent a lifetime campaigning against The House of Lords and then accepted a peerage to appease his wife when she found out that he had been servicing his diary secretary.

Tony Blair, however, could never have been accused of being a socialist (IMHO). Influenced, to a large extent, by his working-class wife; and, also, by the subtle realisation that his privileged background and education would give him a distinct advantage over many of his colleagues if he chose to become a Labour MP - as opposed to a Tory - he soon found a place in the shadow cabinet in the early eighties.

As it happened, Neil Kinnock wasn't the only person who had been impressed with Mr. Blair's presentation skills. Film and theatre director Richard Eyre opined that "Blair had a very considerable skill as a performer"; and, it is with that point of view in mind that I turn my attention to yesterday's Chilcot Report; and, in particular, the vitriol which is being directed towards Mr. Blair.

In my view, those who criticise Mr. Blair seem to have lost sight of the fact that he is, arguably, the UK's finest actor since Laurence Olivier and the skill with which he presented the case in his own defence was a master-class which should become required study-matter for all would-be thespians of this generation and those to come. No wonder those silky skills have earned him a king's ransom; especially on the other side of the pond - according to the recent TV documentary, "The Blair Rich Project".

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Thoughts:

25/6/2016

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I've just caught a fleeting glimpse of a headline saying (something like), "The old and the uneducated won the vote to leave the EU"; and, it's probably right. So, since it could be said that I belong to both of those categories, I feel entitled to suggest to the young and the educated bourgeoisie of this nation that it serves them right for ignoring (and, to some extent) disrespecting the opinions of those they probably consider to be beneath themselves. In fact, they would do well to realise that the reason the likes of Nigel Farage and Donald Trump are so popular, these days, is that they have had the sense to take on board (and, some would say, take advantage of) what a large part of the population are thinking - but what the the so-called intelligentsia are unable, or unwilling, to face up to because of their infatuation with political correctness.

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Thoughts:

25/6/2016

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Whether it will make any difference to the outcome is unlikely; and I'm sure there may be some whose opinions I respect who might question my judgement. However, as the clock ticks down to what some say will be the most important decision this county will make in recent times, I can reveal that I will be joining those who are voting to leave The European Union in a few hours time (as I write).

No doubt, some will say that, at my time of life (I'm 77), I don't really care what effect my vote will have on future generations and, like many (if not most) of my own generation, my motives are based on sentiments rooted in the past. However, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, I don't recall ever paying quite so much attention to any issue as I have to this one; and I, certainly, didn't pay this much attention last time around in 1975.

I suppose (if I really needed to), I could go into some detail to explain my reasoning. However, to cut a long story short, I have been influenced by three main factors......

(1) The Remain campaign has relied heavily on the opinions of so-called experts and academics; whereas the Leave campaign have been supported by some very successful businessmen, entrepreneurs, and industrialists; and, basically, I am more inclined to believe (and trust) those who have experienced living in the real world than those who have not.

(2) It is ludicrous to imagine that European manufacturers are going to refuse to sell their goods to us if we leave the union; and, insofar as punitive and spiteful tariffs being imposed on our products is concerned, we should be able to compensate for whatever losses may occur by being free to sell to all those other nations in the world which EU regulations prevent us from doing so at the moment.

(3) I harbour an increasing suspicion (or, perhaps an inevitable acceptance of the fact) that politicians are far too often economical with the truth. However, although it would serve no purpose at this stage in the process to name individuals, on balance - and IMHO, the Remain politicians have been significantly more disingenuous that their opponents and I reserve the right to express my reaction at the ballot box.

...........and finally, as an afterthought, I lived north of the border for the best part of ten years and I know how much the English are despised by many there; so, it doesn't surprise me that it is supposed that the Scottish vote will be significantly in favour of remaining in the EU. However, the possibility that their vote might outweigh that of the rest of the country is disturbing.

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Thoughts.

2/5/2016

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In recent times, something which has repeatedly passed through my mind is the memory of our family doctor administering a morphine injection to me in my bedroom at around three-o-clock in the morning (some time in the sixties) after my wife had telephoned him in desperation as I experienced my first kidney stone. I seem to recall this may not have been the only time he carried out this procedure; and all of them without the slightest suggestion that this may have been beyond his call of duty.

I also remember my father telling me how, on another occasion, he happened to be attending the same doctor's morning surgery and proudly announcing that, in the early hours of that same morning, his daughter-in-law (my wife) had caused him to become grandfather for the first time. To which the doctor responded, without a hint of irony, ".....and who do you suppose delivered the child?"

So, as I watch the Junior Doctors' dispute escalate, I find myself wondering what our old doctor would have made of the way the issue has developed; and whether he would think the action is in the true spirit of the BMA founding father's wish (according to the BMA web-site) for a 'friendly and scientific’ forum where doctors could advance and exchange medical knowledge - instead of the trade union action which it seems to have become. Come to think of it, the behaviour of some Junior Doctors (megaphones, placards, chanting) is more akin to those of militant trade unionists than responsible professionals (IMHO).

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Sport:

24/4/2016

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Contrary to what some might think, the main reason my wife and I spend much of our time in different rooms of our little bungalow is that I can't stand soap operas and she can't stand sport. Which, on (or around) the 25th. anniversary of the introduction of Sky Sports, it's somewhat paradoxical because she and my younger son used sport as a bargaining tool to persuade me to subscribe to satellite television. Interestingly, thinking back to that occasion, I have often marvelled at how they managed to appear to be giving it to me as a birthday present; notwithstanding the fact that it would be me who would end up paying for the damned thing.

But, I digress.

What I wanted to say is that, speaking of televised sport, I have always admired Eurosport for the straightforward, no nonsense, manner in which they present their programmes. After all, who wants to be listening to professional television presenters and so-called professional pundits wasting valuable time sitting in fancy studios when most of those watching are only interested in the actual sport? Accordingly, I'm very disappointed that, for the Snooker World Championships from Sheffield, this year, they have engaged one of the aforementioned professional television presenters; and, to make matters worse, it is an extremely irritating motor-mouth from Northern Ireland whose name escapes me.

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Miscellaneous:

23/4/2016

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Putting aside the fact that I believe they are an absolute death-trap (as a driver, I believe it is sometimes almost impossible to see them because they are so close to the ground), I have some sympathy for the paraplegic cyclist who had his cycle stolen from outside his house (as reported on BBC London News). However, I have to confess that I struggled to conceal a giggle when the poor chap commented that the thief had to be (quote) "pretty low".

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Sport:

17/4/2016

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Once again, the annual How Often Can I See Myself In The Big Screen Above The Snooker Table World Championships, at The Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, are upon us; and, already, I can see that the contestants are starting to form themselves into groups; or, you could say, categories. There are, for example, the quite easily identifiable novices (bless them) who sometimes almost fall backwards in their efforts to gaze up at the screen; and, at the other end of the spectrum, there are the slightly less obvious (that's how they like it) more experienced contestants who seem to understand exactly when to make subtle, often sideways, glances at the screen; usually followed by the merest hint of a smirk if they have been successful.

The championships have been going on for years; and I'm beginning to wonder whether some form of handicapping should be introduced - if not this year, perhaps, at some time in the future. You see, rather like horse racing, those with the most money - or, at any rate, those who spend the most - seem to have a distinct advantage; and, in particular on the issue of seating. At least one contestant seems to spend the entire fortnight in the theatre; and, to achieve that, presumably has spent a king's ransom buying the best seats in the house - not to mention investing in eye-catching shirts to increase their chances of seeing themselves (and being seen by others). So, in those circumstances, what chance does the enthusiastic amateur have; even when they work in pairs - nudging each other when they're on camera?

So, come on Barry Hearn, let's make it a level playing field. After all, an enormous amount of effort is put towards providing a level snooker table; so, why not do the same for the Look At Me Brigade? The least they deserve is some recognition; isn't it? (snigger).

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January 23rd, 2017

Ireland, 2016.

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