tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37530032024-03-13T12:22:08.643+00:00i am a donutmore opinionated ramblings and nonsensepetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119324196526145439noreply@blogger.comBlogger1211125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753003.post-23181128059475266742008-02-24T22:23:00.002+00:002008-02-24T22:49:42.257+00:00Play Up!<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamadonut/2289785270/" title="080224-carlingcup170 by iamadonut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3145/2289785270_876852e2df_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="080224-carlingcup170" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/finalfitforaking.html">Woodgate dispatches the Chavs.</a>petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119324196526145439noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753003.post-58443327958096844442008-02-03T22:42:00.001+00:002008-02-03T22:45:23.658+00:00Up the euro<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamadonut/2239755293/" title="DSCF0146 by iamadonut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2072/2239755293_4622c1dedf_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="DSCF0146" /></a><br />With euros you can buy beer just about anywhere in Europe, except Britain.<br /><br />Who cares about the economic effect, I want to buy beer in Europe!petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119324196526145439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753003.post-47995115032604246172008-01-24T22:34:00.000+00:002008-01-24T22:36:42.623+00:00There's a new blog in town<a href="http://allotment5andahalf.wordpress.com"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2342/2216123795_750a2cec60_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="071117-allotment020" /></a><br /><a href="http://allotment5andahalf.wordpress.com">Go west</a> young man!<br /><br />Life on the allotments.petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119324196526145439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753003.post-48536781228271973782008-01-23T10:13:00.000+00:002008-01-23T10:18:41.703+00:00Pure Genius<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H3C_sNYr2Ew/R5cUPiEy3BI/AAAAAAAAAB8/NuPPd_jtcyE/s1600-h/080122-jenas.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H3C_sNYr2Ew/R5cUPiEy3BI/AAAAAAAAAB8/NuPPd_jtcyE/s320/080122-jenas.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158614155253701650" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/matchreport220108.html">'Nuff said</a>petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119324196526145439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753003.post-62374537223529104462008-01-03T22:10:00.000+00:002008-01-03T22:12:33.696+00:00Annus Dumnoniorus<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamadonut/809354920/" title="070714-fete046 by iamadonut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1104/809354920_caa754055a_m.jpg" alt="070714-fete046" height="180" width="240" /></a><br /><br />Just over a year of living and working in Devon. Much has happened. Some of it good. Some of it not so good. Some of it wet.<br /><br /><ul><li><span style="font-size:78%;">Number of times arrived at work soaking wet after walking along the Taw in driving wind and squally showers: umpteen</span></li><li><span style="font-size:78%;">Number of cakes, donuts or cookies eaten in celebration of work colleague birthdays: 6</span></li><li><span style="font-size:78%;">Devon cream teas: one</span></li><li><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamadonut/sets/72157601238585087/">Walks on Exmoor</a>: 4</span></li><li><span style="font-size:78%;">Letters to the Journal about Devon CC crazy parking plans: two</span></li><li><span style="font-size:78%;">Hours wasted at work on the internet: REDACTED</span></li><li><span style="font-size:78%;">Mentions of the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/content/articles/2007/07/16/napoli_timeline_feature.shtml">MSC Napoli</a> on local TV news: zillions</span></li><li><span style="font-size:78%;">Jobs: 1</span></li><li><span style="font-size:78%;">Teams: 2</span></li><li><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamadonut/476824358/">Desks</a>: 5</span></li><li><span style="font-size:78%;">Other jobs applied for: 1</span></li><li><span style="font-size:78%;">Number of power failures: 1</span></li><li><span style="font-size:78%;">Times boiler broken down: twice</span></li><li><span style="font-size:78%;">Rooms painted: 6</span></li><li><span style="font-size:78%;">Money spent on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamadonut/sets/72157594553462863/">building works and decorating</a>: £6000</span></li><li><span style="font-size:78%;">Meals provided by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamadonut/sets/72157594552335622/">vegetable plot</a>: a dozen or so</span></li><li><span style="font-size:78%;">Letters in opposition of planning applications: 1</span></li><li><span style="font-size:78%;">Parish Council meetings attended: 5</span></li><li><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="http://bucklandbrewergarden.org.uk/">Gardeners' Club</a> meetings: 10</span></li><li><span style="font-size:78%;">Pints from the <a href="http://www.countrylifebrewery.com/">Country Life Brewery</a>: 20</span></li></ul><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamadonut/2164095914/" title="071214-sunset016 by iamadonut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2100/2164095914_e7842cfba8_m.jpg" alt="071214-sunset016" height="180" width="240" /></a><br /><br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-size:78%;">Bloody pictures of the bloody Taw Bridge at bloody sunset: too many</span></li></ul><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-size:78%;">Times wished back in London: zero</span></li></ul>petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119324196526145439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753003.post-82664415544148207432007-12-10T21:49:00.000+00:002007-12-10T21:51:27.419+00:00Newest Member of the Web Development Team<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamadonut/2101123613/" title="071210-xmas001 by iamadonut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2387/2101123613_e0bbf6dc34_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="071210-xmas001" /></a><br /><br />Some say he's a blow hard.petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119324196526145439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753003.post-12794938080215864292007-12-10T14:49:00.000+00:002007-12-10T14:57:00.815+00:00What might have happened to those HMRC CDs?What might have happened to <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7128851.stm">those HMRC CDs</a>?<br /><br />An e-mail to staff here...<br /><br />===<br /><br />Dear All,<br /> <br />Please can you check if there is a brown A4 envelope addressed to [REDACTED] in your post bag? It was spotted by [REDACTED] on Friday last week but has not yet turned up at the post room. If you have seen it, please let me know - [REDACTED].<br /> <br />[REDACTED]<br /> <br />[REDACTED]<br />[REDACTED]<br />Human Resources<br />[REDACTED]<br /> <br />Tel: [REDACTED]<br />Fax: [REDACTED]<br /><br />===<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nonstandard/2065703773/">Another place</a> the CDs might found.petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119324196526145439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753003.post-38551826249717959232007-11-13T21:18:00.000+00:002007-11-13T22:33:46.550+00:00Small Fuzzy Thing in the Night SkyThat would be <a href="http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/home/10862521.html">Comet Holmes</a>. Elementary.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamadonut/2006536129/" title="051202-tram007 by iamadonut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2079/2006536129_cdd2cd79d7_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="051202-tram007" /></a><br />Belgium still up <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,2209988,00.html">Merde Creek</a> without a paddle. (This might be a no.94 tram.)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">iPod-alotry</span><br />"Slow Country" - Gorillaz<br />"The Bends" - Radiohead<br />"Serenade" - Arab Strap<br />"So Long, Lonesome" - Explosions in the Sky<br />"Axis '67, Pt.2" - Bobby Conn<br />"Organum" - Max Richter<br />"Marathon" - Vic Chesnutt<br />"Car" - Built to Spill<br />"A Good Friend is Always Around" - The American Analog Set<br />"Starcleaner" - The Brian Jonestown Massacre<br />"Motorbus" - Fridge<br />"Swastika Eyes (Chemical Brothers Mix" - Primal Scream<br />"First Hits" - Don Caballero<br />"Mr President" - Clinton<br />"Mr Lucky" - John Lee Hooker<br />"Revenge of the Black Regent" - Add N to (X)petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119324196526145439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753003.post-47787077023849548852007-11-11T11:11:00.001+00:002007-11-11T11:11:47.311+00:00Eleventh<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamadonut/295514112/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/99/295514112_3b7ae35660_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="061109-remember005" /></a>petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119324196526145439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753003.post-58071423832314113122007-11-07T20:46:00.000+00:002007-11-07T22:14:12.887+00:00Olympian Effort<span style="font-weight:bold;">Defended the corporate line</span>: yeauch!<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Overslept</span>: but still feel knackered.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Creative</span>: used artistic endeavours to brighten up the workplace.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/45186/story.htm">Get your chocolate fix and save the environment</a>. <a href="http://www.greenandblacks.com/">Green & Black's</a> anyone?<br /><br /><a href="http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/art/2007/11/_art_blog_by_jonathan.html">Olympic Legacy</a>: a 25,000 seat athletics stadium that no one needs (and without a "anchor" tenant); a crumbling Crystal Palace "National" Stadium; a shocking lack of swimming facilities in London; a hardcore of displaced people; a huge debt for London taxpayers (possibly). But, the opening ceremony will be breathtaking no doubt including "entertainment" luminaries such as Sting, Suggs and the Spice Girls and Seb Coe will flash his boyish smile.<br /><br />"Ebb's Folly" - Will Oldham and Jim O'Rourke<br />"Piano" - Tricky<br />"E-Pro" - Beck<br />"Graine De Beaute" - Monade<br />"This is Why You Love Me" - The Brian Jonestown Massacre<br />"7:25" - Mogwai<br />"Renaissance Man" - Sebadoh<br />"Loaded" - Primal Scream<br />"Sell Me Back My Soul" - King of Woolworths<br />"Slip Inside This House" - Primal Scream<br />"Paro Fadeout" - Microstoria<br />"Easy Money" - King Crimson<br />"Anamorphose" - Stereolab<br />"Ruin It, Ruin Them, Ruin Yrself Than Ruin Me" - Kid 606<br />"End of a Century" - Blur<br />The Girl I Love She Got Long Black Wavy hair - Led Zeppelinpetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119324196526145439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753003.post-73379878431062731402007-11-06T22:14:00.000+00:002007-11-06T22:46:29.095+00:00Isn't Nature Wonderful<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamadonut/1893504859/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2314/1893504859_a306177125_m.jpg" alt="071103-buckland002" height="180" width="240" /></a><br />Horse hanging out in the neighbourhood.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamadonut/1893590351/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2017/1893590351_a2e3883f30_m.jpg" alt="071103-buckland006" height="180" width="240" /></a><br />Cow having a pee.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamadonut/1893501771/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2242/1893501771_f135fb0753_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="071106-mushroom003" /></a><br />Big ol' mushroom.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Watched</span>: <a href="http://www.channel4.com/4homes/ontv/property-ladder/Property-Ladder-Edgware-Croydon.html">greedy middle class people taking advice from a women with an ample bosom and a penchant for tight clothes</a>.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Ate</span>: <a href="http://www.bramleyapples.co.uk/">Apple</a> Crumble<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Boredom at Work</span>: half-day workshop (sic)<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Irritation of the Day</span>: alleged professionals breaking the brand<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">iPod-alotry</span><br />"Come on You Slags - Aphex Twin<br />"The End and the Beginning" - The Devics<br />Tenskwatawa" - Songs: Ohia<br />"Little Eyes" - Yo La Tengo<br />"When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You" - Jeff Parker<br />"Off To Mars" - Mike Ladd<br />"Part 2" from The Three Cornered Hat - Manuel De Falla<br />"The Incredible He Woman" - Stereolab<br />"Stratum" - Rod Cooper<br />"Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" - The Beatles<br />"My Heart Might Stop" - Black Heart Procession<br />Brandenburg Concerto No.4 - J.S. Bach<br />"Annabelle" - Gillian Welch<br />"Mickey's Mother" - Arnold<br />"Russian Orthodox" - Delgados<br />"Schon Sehr Viel Telefuniert" - To Rococo Rotpetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119324196526145439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753003.post-4824847231314004162007-11-02T23:20:00.000+00:002007-11-02T23:35:39.630+00:00I'll Have the Herring<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamadonut/1833446340/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2330/1833446340_ace5a20df9_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="071031-gull009" /></a><br /><br />...with New Potatoes and Salad...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=45127&newsdate=02-Nov-2007">World Toilet Summit</a>: "An estimated 2.6 billion people, or about one-third of global population, do not have access to a proper toilet..."<br /><br /><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/treadlightly">Standby</a>: "Wasted energy from appliances left on standby...accounts for 4m tonnes of excess CO2 each year."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Orchid Watch</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamadonut/1678757116/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2327/1678757116_2a69735e10_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="071019-orchid039" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">iPod-alotry</span><br />"You You You You You" - The 6ths<br />"Glasgow Mega-Snake" - Mogwai<br />"The Apartment Song" - Do Make Say Think<br />"Assassination on X-Mas Eve" - Archers of Loaf<br />"Mirror Ball - Buffalo Daughter<br />"Ode to Louis Hardin" - Tele:Funken<br />"For a Moment" - To Rococo Rot/I-Sound<br />"Larks' Tongue in Aspic, Part IV" - King Crimson<br />"Plays John Cassavetes" - Ekehard Ehlers<br />"Love is No Big Truth" - Kings of Convenience<br />"Hassle" - Sebadoh<br />"23kid" - 65 Days of Static<br />"Decoration Day" - John Lee Hooker<br />""The Streets Where All I Saw" - Dakota Suitepetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119324196526145439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753003.post-32919087842075585002007-10-20T17:48:00.000+00:002007-10-20T18:12:22.501+00:00C'mon England<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H3C_sNYr2Ew/RxpE-uxiUFI/AAAAAAAAAB0/l4ow1xPIl4E/s1600-h/flag.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H3C_sNYr2Ew/RxpE-uxiUFI/AAAAAAAAAB0/l4ow1xPIl4E/s200/flag.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5123483370585739346" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.itv.com/Sport/rugbyworldcup/Features/Matchpreviews/Articles/England_H_---South-Africa_A_3.html">Almost</a> <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7053034.stm">impossible</a> <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;jsessionid=CHVOPADJ4FJ3VQFIQMGSFGGAVCBQWIV0?xml=/news/2007/10/20/nrugby1220.xml">to</a> <a href="http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/rugby_union/article365824.ece">miss</a> <a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topstories/2007/10/20/england-stand-on-world-cup-threshold-89520-19981029/">the</a> <a href="http://www.rfu.com/2007/follow-england/story_17942.html">hype</a>.<br /><br />All we can say here is that at least England can't lose on penalties to Germany.petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119324196526145439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753003.post-88488307387617676212007-10-17T20:24:00.000+00:002007-10-17T21:41:32.024+00:00"If a Cow* Can't Eat It...<img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H3C_sNYr2Ew/RxZ14-xiUEI/AAAAAAAAABs/EtjpK1QPFsw/s200/071017-boo.jpg" alt="photo - baseball player Richie Allen scrawls boo on dirt" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122411247964409922" border="0" /><br />...I won't play on it," as Dick Allen, anti-establishment baseball star, famously said about artificial turf.<br /><br />Although the press tried to <a href="http://football.guardian.co.uk/news/matchreport/0,,2192917,00.html">pre-cook an excuse for English failure</a> - the artificial turf in Moscow - it was instead was if you believe England "coach", Steve "Steve" McLaren, the usual scapegoat. The referee.<blockquote>"The penalty was a disgrace, it was outside the box, the linesman didn't give it, it was the referee and he was very far away."</blockquote><!-- br--><p>Sorry "Steve". That just about balanced England's offside goal.<br /><br />The hapless grinner went on to add: "...I can't fault the players."<br /><br />Well, if that's not the case, one might assume it's the coach's fault.<br /><br />Dick Allen also earned infamy by scrawling messages in the infield dirt (see above) and commenting on the "boo birds" of Philly: "I can play anywhere; First, Third, Left field, anywhere but Philadelphia."<br /><br />Looks like England should start scrawling help messages.<br /><br />As for "Steve" McLaren, he can coach anywhere: Man United (as No.2), Middlesbrough, er Oxford, Derby, anywhere but [for] England.<br /><br />To quote Allen: "Boo!"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">iPod-alotry</span><br />"Snow is Falling" - Movietone<br />"Absolutely Sweet Marie" - Bob Dylan<br />"Drink DJs" - Alog<br />"Oh How I Miss You" - Broadcast<br />"Hub 100" - King of Woolworths<br />"Bones of Her Hands" - Archers of Loaf<br />"Sunday Morning Traffic" - Pullman<br />"Call of the Wild" - Jimi Tenor<br />"Foaming Love" - Bedhead<br />"Remember" - Experimental Pop Band<br />"Spiral" - John Coltrane<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">* - some sources say Allen said horse instead of cow.</span></p>petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119324196526145439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753003.post-3596315946616758652007-10-10T20:35:00.000+00:002007-10-10T22:10:11.147+00:00Civic Duty<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamadonut/1535629721/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2001/1535629721_bc58c2ef7c_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="071010-butchersrow005" /></a><br />Civic planting in Barnstaple.<br /><br />On <a href="http://www.tbo.com/news/metro/MGBSFSMSJ7F.html">this evidence</a>, the police in Tampa might not make it on to CSI.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/content/articles/2007/10/09/southwest_postoffices_s12_4_feature.shtml">Our local village shop on TV</a>. Click on "Latest Edition" and scroll to 19:10. Lack of local customers hurts, but <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6176929.stm">closure of the Post Office</a> will kill it.<br /><br />Got your <a href="http://www.inrainbows.com/">free Radiohead</a> yet? How much did you pay?<br /><br />iPod-alotry<br />"I Shall Be Free" - Bob Dylan<br />"Bittersweet Me" - R.E.M.<br />"Time to Find Me (Afx Fast Mix)" - Seefeed<br />"Chronology" - Ornette Coleman<br />"Djed (Bruise Blood Mix)" - Tortoise<br />"Song Meat" - Subtle<br />"Simple Halo" - Shipping News<br />"Chorale" - Spring Heel Jack<br />"Saint Stephen" - Grateful Dead<br />"Wren's Nest" - Vic Chesnutt<br />"Rockstar" - Sebadoh<br />"Love is Like Jazz" - The Magnetic Fields<br />"For Lack of Better Words" - Orsopetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119324196526145439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753003.post-22480906391655827672007-10-04T21:42:00.000+00:002007-10-04T22:39:23.673+00:00Autumn leaves<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamadonut/1486055540/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1403/1486055540_2fbb551f3b_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="071004-taw003" /></a><br /><br />Autumn kicks in along the River Taw.<br /><br /><a href="http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/10/02/the_joy_of_six_the_greatest_ev.html">Great football kits of our time</a>.<br /><br />Great football quotes of our time:<br /><br />"...[<a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/7004279.stm">Avram Grant</a>] is in a no-win situation, unless he wins..." - <a href="http://www.dangerhere.com/hallofguff/graham_taylor.php">Graham Taylor</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">iPod-olatry</span><br />"Rain King" - Sonic Youth<br />"Tak" - Kim Hiorthoy<br />"Lewis" - Yo La Tengo<br />"Viðrar Vel Til Loftárása" - Sigur Rós<br />"New Adventures" - Meanwhile, Back in Communist Russia<br />"Love Detective" - Arab Strap<br />"That's the Way" - Led Zeppelin<br />"Big Boss Man" - Grateful Dead<br />"Solitaire" - The Notwist<br />"Tjed" - Tortoise<br />"De Gal Komt in mijn Mond" - Silvester Anfang<br />"You Set Off My Brain" - Simian<br />"Afterwards" - Arab Strappetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119324196526145439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753003.post-9169020860924606452007-10-02T21:24:00.000+00:002007-10-02T21:42:13.446+00:00Stuff HappensContrary to rumours, we've not travelled so far west as to fall off the edge of the earth. But, there has been a brief hiatus whilst the writer, editor and proprietor had another drink. Regular stuff (but not margaritas) will return sometime.<br /><br />Meanwhile, <a href="http://spurs.co.uk/news/articles/matchreport011007.html">Younes Kaboul lost his shirt, but saved Tottenham's blushes</a> on the night the famous North London side celebrated 125 years of glory (tm).<br /><br />Is it <a href="http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2181719,00.html">enough to save beleagured coach Martin Jol</a>?<br /><br />On the one hand, Jol has led the club to it's best ever Premier League finishes, to a UEFA Cup quarter-final, cup semi-finals and has the confidence of the players and most of the fans. On the other, Tottenham spent £40m to improve the squad over the summer yet sit 18th, which seems unlikely to dramatically improve in October as the club face Liverpool and Newcastle (both away) in their next two matches, Jol has lost the confidence of the board and the defence is a joke.<br /><br />Replacing Jol seems a no-brainer (to the board) if a suitable candidate is available. But with Ramos of Valencia and Mourinho apparently uninterested, there is no immediate candidate. So, Jol will probably survive another few weeks.<br /><br />Jol:<br /><blockquote>"...But my family are all in the Marines and a commander never leaves his troops. If he does that he's lost. I kept my head cool."<br /></blockquote><p>Late result, FA Cup 2nd round replay: Hitchin Town 5, Haverhill Rovers 0. Up the Canaries!petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119324196526145439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753003.post-80343565636941858092007-09-27T21:38:00.000+00:002007-09-27T21:38:04.487+00:00Running on Empty<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamadonut/1449765338/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1045/1449765338_9c9a409204_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="070927-empty001" /></a><br />Nearly came a cropper: just about wheezed into the filling station this morning on fumes of ethanol.<br /><br />Ahoy there! Today is/was <a href="http://www.worldmaritimeday.com/">World Maritime Day</a>. Support your local <a href="http://www.itfglobal.org/flags-convenience/index.cfm">Flag of Convenience</a>.<br /><br />Whither <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/markmardell/">Belgium</a>? The centre of international co-operation is also the home to a dysfunctional domestic federation.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Axis of Evil Updates</span><br />"You arrogant renegade, your accusation against <a href="http://www.nk-news.net/extras/insult_generator.php">the DPRK</a> is no more than barking at the moon!"<br /><br />(Ironic) Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/julianborger/story/0,,2177545,00.html">is an unintentional comedian</a>:<br /><blockquote>An Iranian-American journalist asked him to clarify his extraordinary claim on Monday that there were no gay people in Iran, pointing out, "I know a few myself."<br /> <br />"Seriously? I don't know any," the president replied, in apparent surprise. "Give me some addresses so we're able to go to visit them and learn about them."<br /> <br />Given that sodomy is a crime punishable by death in Iran, it was a particular chilling offer.</blockquote><p><span style="font-weight:bold;">iPod-olatry</span><br />"The Bereaved" - Experimental Pop Band<br />"Have You Passed Through This Night" - Explosions in the Sky<br />"1983 (A Merman I Should Turn to be)" - The Jimi Hendrix Experience<br />"Nailing Honey to the Bee" - Brian Jonestown Massacre<br />"Harold Budd" - Rothko<br />"Neon Golden" - The Notwist<br />"Personal Stereo" - Appliance<br />"Nixon in China: Act II, Scene II, Tropical Storm" - John Adams<br />"Zebra" - The Magnetic Fieldspetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119324196526145439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753003.post-12478609784629414272007-09-26T20:53:00.000+00:002007-09-26T20:53:47.352+00:00OffsideOn the radio <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/7008022.stm">the first Tottenham goal</a> looked onside to me.<br /><br />What is the top item that you think <a href="http://lghm.typepad.com/msatrivia/">Motorway Service Areas</a> should try to improve? Show your <a href="http://msatrivia.co.uk/dinner.htm">MSA dinner</a>, too! But, where's <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamadonut/1379031223/in/set-72157602001547396/">Taunton Dean(e)</a>?<br /><br /><a href="http://arts.guardian.co.uk/art/photography/story/0,,2177150,00.html">Bog Roll</a>: artistic use of the humble toilet paper.<br /> <br /><a href="http://quotation-marks.blogspot.com/">"Best" blog</a> on the web.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.spitz.co.uk/venue.htm">Last night at the Spitz</a>: get there if you can and support the cause.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">iPod-olatry</span><br />"King of Nothing Never" - Lambchop<br />"Pushkin" - Bonnie "Prince" Billy<br />"Trumpcard" - Jimi Tenor<br />"The Swarm" - Simian<br />"I Ain't Crazy" - Brute<br />"Darkest Dreaming" - David Sylvian<br />"Bittersweet Me" - R.E.M.<br />"Brandenburg Concerto No.6 (J.S. Bach)" - Muenchener Bach Orchester<br />"Plays John Cassavetes" - Ekkehard Ehlers<br />"One Chance" - Modest Mouse<br />"Bill's Mom Likes to Fuck" - A Minor Forest<br />"It's All Around You" - Tortoise<br />"Roman Candle" - Bedhead<br />"Tired Hippo" - Yo La Tengo<br />"Lyasnya" - Pullmanpetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119324196526145439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753003.post-35884771566777694692007-09-25T21:33:00.000+00:002007-09-25T21:33:06.955+00:00Pay Day<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamadonut/1438841811/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1066/1438841811_cdb74008c6_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="070925-playground001" /></a><br />£500,000 (or about 105,000 dozen donuts) for a new playground. Hope the kids enjoy it.<br /><br />Times are hard. At the end of the pay month, there was enough money in the account to buy about three-and-a-half dozen donuts.<br /><br />Radiohead <a href="http://music.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,2176295,00.html">playing games with fans</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://baseball.about.com/b/a/000092.htm">50 years ago</a> (yesterday): dem bums play the last game at <a href="http://www.ballparks.com/baseball/national/ebbets.htm">Ebbets Field</a>. By the time I turned up on Long Island, Ebbets Field and the Polo Grounds (home of the New York baseball Giants) were memories, though much fresher than now.<br /><br />I saw all my baseball games at <a href="http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=61224">the Big Shea</a> (including a "home" game for the briefly itinerant, hated Yankees). Dodger and Giant series were the big tickets given that both teams had only just left the area. Add to that, there were a couple of favourites from the 50s, like Wille Mays and Don Drysdale, still playing for those clubs.<br /><br />My first game at Shea was to see the Dodgers on <a href="http://www.loge13.com/2007/08/memories_of_shea_batting_helme.php">a hot Sunday afternoon in June 1968</a>. We got held up in traffic and missed the first few innings. Sat in the upper deck, which was so high we could touch the sun. Or to be precise, the sun touched us with a severe burn. I did not have <a href="http://img55.imageshack.us/my.php?image=beerba9.jpg">a beer</a> (being slightly under age at the time).<br /><blockquote>My beer is Rheingold, the dry beer<br />Think Rheingold whenever you buy beer<br /></blockquote><p>That plastic batting helmet was still around in my parents house in the 80s.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">iPod-olatry</span><br />"Niger" - Mali Music<br />"Brandenburg Concerto No.1 (J.S. Bach)" - Muenchener Bach-Orchester<br />"Shadow Pugilist" - June of 44<br />"Run! Christian, Run!" - Super Furry Animals<br />"Vent" - Tricky<br />"Bird in the Hand" - Sebadoh<br />"The Girls Want to Be With the Girls" - Talking Heads<br />"intercourse" - Techno Animal<br />"Our Way to Fall" - Yo La Tengo<br />"Trick Bag (Shoppin' for My Tombstone)" - John Lee Hooker<br />"Falling" - Julee Cruise<br />"Man Research (Clapper)" - Gorillaz<br />"Inside Elevation" - Pan American<br />"Send a Message to Her" - Beck<br />"Shoes" - Atmosphere<br />"Leaning Against the Wall" - Kings of Convenience<br />"Mr. F" - The Sea and Cake<br />""Peace - a Theme" - King Crimsonpetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119324196526145439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753003.post-76924020361965552962007-09-24T21:08:00.000+00:002007-09-24T21:08:06.759+00:00Yawn, It's MondayCamp Nou or is it Nou Camp? To be <a href="http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2175695,00.html">turned into a urinal</a> or <a href="http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/english/noticies/club/temporada07-08/09/n070924101120.html">tread worn tire</a>.<br /> <br />"Samples of earth taken by Russians who planted a flag on the seabed below the North Pole last month show beyond doubt <a href="http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/44440/story.htm">the Arctic is Russian</a>, its natural resources ministry said..." Might as well go further and annex Alaska on the basis that Siberia was once linked to it.<br /><br />Baseball news: Washington Nationals play last game at RFK. Check back in April in case the building schedule on the new digs slips. Meanwhile, <a href="http://www.nationalsenquirer.com/2007/09/farewell-rfk.html">the cynics weigh in</a> against the club's hitherto parsimony. <a href="http://www.misschatter.com/janf/index.php/2007/09/24/bang-zoom-went-the-fireworks-often/#more-1135">Misschatter was serving mojitos</a>.<br /><br /><p><span style="font-weight:bold;">iPod-olatry</span><br />"Driftwood" - Sickoakes<br />"It's Not My Cross to Bear" - The Allman Brothers' Band<br />"Untitled" - HIM<br />"Exit Right" - Eleventh Dream Day<br />"The Long Narrow Road" - John Surman<br />"You Were Right" - Built to Spill<br />"Side Netting" - Telstar Ponies<br />"Lachrymae Antiquae" (John Dowland) - Kronos Quartet<br />"Improv - Some Pussyfooting" - King Crimson<br />"Polynomial C" - Aphex Twin<br />"Down by the River" - Low/Dirty Three<br />"I Get My Kicks for You" - June of 44<br />"Pipeline/Kill Time" - Sonic Youth<br />"Nomanisisland" - Subtlepetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119324196526145439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753003.post-20000519458509513812007-09-23T21:05:00.000+00:002007-09-23T21:07:52.350+00:00Five Years of Sprinkles<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamadonut/1428997773/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1216/1428997773_b5cade8022_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="070923-spider009" /></a><br />We've been on the web for 5 years, give or take a few days.<br /><br />Have another donut...petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119324196526145439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753003.post-73057519192898219642007-09-23T21:00:00.000+00:002007-09-23T21:05:14.200+00:00Olympic Death Pit<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamadonut/1428995539/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1257/1428995539_dcf6dab41b_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="070923-gandt013" /></a><br />Life sucks. Have another drink.<br /><br />Oh dear what can the matter be/Gwyneth Coles is <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/north_yorkshire/7004943.stm">stuck in the lavatory</a><br /><blockquote>The fence cut the bridge in half: on the west side of the canal, there was the usual grimy bustle of Hackney's remaining factories, all wheezing forklifts and tight Victorian yards; on the 2012 side, silence. I looked through an unusually large gap in the fence. There was a street of intact and handsome old industrial buildings, a billboard advertising the new Lexus, and roads and pavements eerily populated only by traffic cones, like a scene from a post-apocalyptic film.<br /></blockquote><p>Do I want the Olympics in London? Yes. Do I want the Olympics in London to bankrupt the city/country? Hell no. Do I want the Olympics to be an opportunity to kick start East London? Yes. Do I want the London Olympics to be an excuse to <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/olympics2012/story/0,,2173956,00.html">lay waste to East London</a> and put nothing into the community? Hell no. <br /><br />Missed a <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7009034.stm">London cycle event</a>. Ken had <a href="http://www.londonfreewheel.com/">a ride</a>. Now deliver some cycle paths rather than cycle routes (a waste of paint and a danger to cyclists, motorists and pedestrians).<br /><br />Weekend Cyclist. Two rides. 50km. No falls.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">iPod-dolatry</span> <br />"Hair Dude, You're Stepping On My Mystique" - Out Hud<br />"This Bum's Paid" - Out Hud<br />"Dad, There's A Little Phrase Called Too Much Information" - Out Hud<br />"Story Of The Whole Thing" - Out Hud<br />"Abillera" - The Necks<br />"Listening In Depth" - Labradford<br />"Dead Dogs Two" -cLOUDDEAD<br />"If I Was Santa Claus" - Atmosphere<br />"Powder" - Bedheadpetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119324196526145439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753003.post-71355614521651936482007-09-19T20:21:00.000+00:002007-09-19T20:21:54.009+00:00Silent But Deadly<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamadonut/1409191658/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1026/1409191658_aa9ed39938_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="070919-fair001" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.devon.gov.uk/localstudies/100419/1.html">Barn'aple Fair</a>.<br /><blockquote>Then sing of Barum, merry town and Barum's merry mayor too<br />I know no place in a'l the world old Barum to compare to.<br /></blockquote><p>Apparently, this is fun: spinning through the North Devon evening after scarfing hot dogs, chips, candy floss, chocolate, fizzy drinks and possibly a nip or two of something stronger. Still, no worse than visiting McDonald's.<br /><br />By burning waste from McDonald's "restaurants" around Sheffield, the company claims it is <a href="http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/society/environment/mcdonalds+makes+its+rubbish+powerful/819847">making a green contribution</a>. Power for just 50 homes (according to green groups; McD's says 130 "buildings") from a menu of products that already has <a href="http://www.mcspotlight.org/issues/environment/index.html">a staggering environmental impact</a> as well as superfluous packaging. Each McD's produces 100 tonnes of waste a year: tackle the unnecessary waste first.<br /><br />Vegetarian Society <a href="http://media.guardian.co.uk/advertising/story/0,,2171251,00.html">launches</a> its <a href="http://www.vegsoc.org/press/2007/silent.html">"Silent But Deadly" campaign</a> - i.e. what comes out of the bottoms of cows ain't good. "Farmed animals produce more greenhouse gas emissions (18%) than the world's entire transport system (13.5%)." Green fields: pretty, but not so green.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.vegsoc.org/environment/index.html"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H3C_sNYr2Ew/RvF-timp2zI/AAAAAAAAABk/G-NFoV-1crE/s320/environment-postcard.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5112006372890368818" /></a><br /><br />Yeuch. I'm not loving it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">iPod-dolatry</span><br />"While My Guitar Gently Weeps" - The Beatles<br />"New Broadway" - The High Llamas<br />"Immune" - Low<br />"Wrinkled Ghost" - Robert Pollard<br />"Kesson Dalef" - Aphex Twin<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Untitled</span> from The Eventual Bow - Sonna<br />"Tharoman" - Threnody Ensemble<br />"Dead Flowers" - The Rolling Stones<br />"Dazed and Confused" - Led Zeppelin<br />"Spiderwebbed" - Tortoisepetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119324196526145439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3753003.post-48927018618280752162007-09-18T22:12:00.000+00:002007-09-18T22:12:30.016+00:00Rainbow<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamadonut/1403368275/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1248/1403368275_77cf02f26a_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="070918-rainbow001" /></a><br /><br />"Red sky at night/sailor's delight/Red sky in the morning/sailor take warning"<br /><br />Can't remember the rhyme for rainbow. Maybe it was this:<blockquote><br />Up above the streets and houses,<br />Rainbow climbing high,<br />Everyone can see it smiling<br />Over the sky.<br />Paint the whole world with a <a href="http://www.rainbow-forever.co.uk/">rainbow</a>.</blockquote><p>Or maybe it was: "pete gets soaked walking to work"<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.dod.mil/ddre/prize/topic_wearpwr_forum.html#1">US Defense Department</a> is to hold a Q and A session on a $1 million contest to build a lightweight, wearable <a href="http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/44354/story.htm">battery power system</a> for US forces. Wage war and save the environment. Cool.<br /> <br />Make cities mobile: <a href="http://www.euractiv.com/en/transport/severing-car-dependency-eu-cities-realistic/article-166731">Severing car dependency</a><br /> <br />More silly environmental news: <a href="http://politics.guardian.co.uk/green/story/0,,2171399,00.html">Surfers fear smaller swell</a> as Atlantic wave farm approved. Tough.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">iPod-dolatry</span><br />"The Waterfront" - John Lee Hooker<br />Mystery Bretheren Vironment - Mice Parade<br />"Charlotte's Mouth" - Seefeel<br />"I Couldn't Sleep, Either" - Montgolfier Brothers<br />"Lewis" - Yo La Tengo<br />"This Year's Girl" - Elvis Costello<br />"Most Likely You Go Your Way and I'll Go Mine" - Bob Dylan<br />"Bonde" - Ali Farka Toure with Ry Cooder<br />"Excavation" - Haruna Ito<br />"Emperor Tomato Ketchup" - Stereolabpetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119324196526145439noreply@blogger.com0