http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/Because I don't want to stop at just this town!en-UKMokoFeed10http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/http://data5.blog.de/design/preview/da/88324bf23cb940340902dc6d4c5249_160x200.jpghttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/11/08/alcohol-a-core-lesson-in-the-learning-establishment-that-is-growing-up-7332840/tag:random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk,2009-11-08:/2009/11/08/alcohol-a-core-lesson-in-the-learning-establishment-that-is-growing-up-7332840/Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:28:32 +0100 <p>All this talk of a company <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/nov/08/philip-laing-carnage-binge-drinking">organising drinking nights for undergrads</a> is news to me - never heard of them while I was studying. But then at my uni the students didn't need help from outside influences, they were capable of getting bladdered all by themselves (especially the rugby team).</p> <p>Carnage would have only been used to describe the scene on Wednesday nights in the bar. Or the sports teams after a few go's with that funnel thing.</p> <p>Anyway, this news of an undergraduate who relieved himself on a war memorial (tasteful, really. Not) during one of these events has bought out moralists calling for this company to be banned from organising these binges.</p> <p>Fair enough, they've got to accept social responsibility. Not sure it will stop young students going out on drinking binges and pissing in places they shouldn't be pissing in. I knew two people at uni who, after getting alkie-numbed, decided to go to the toilet by the side wall of the local mosque (very respectful, not!). That was without a company organising their binge!</p> <p>So what can they do? This behaviour will still go on without the presence of Carnage or any other company. </p> <p>Getting rid of cheap drinks and promotions will only punish the responsible - the one's who want to binge will find more expensive ways to do so.</p> <p>Lecturing young people by saying "don't do this, it's bad for you" won't stop anyone. They're young and they still have plenty of mistakes to make - getting so drunk that they forget what a public toilet looks like is generally regarded as a mistake. And you know what the wonderful thing about mistakes is? They are experiences you learn from.</p> <p>Like, the room spinning is not a nice experience.</p> <p>Tequila after wine, cava and vodka is probably going to make you ill.</p> <p>Doing stupid things when we are young is an important part of growing up. If we all did exactly what we were told, and were always very sensible then we'd be very dull grown ups with no stories to tell.</p> <p>These are people who have just reached adulthood and are finding their way in the world. Okay, they're bumping around a fair bit but how else do you find your way? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/11/08/alcohol-a-core-lesson-in-the-learning-establishment-that-is-growing-up-7332840/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>best-lesson-is-alcohol-mistakesand-here-is-the-spewshttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/11/08/alcohol-a-core-lesson-in-the-learning-establishment-that-is-growing-up-7332840/#commentshttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/11/06/deadlife-killing-the-world-painfully-with-this-song-7322986/tag:random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk,2009-11-06:/2009/11/06/deadlife-killing-the-world-painfully-with-this-song-7322986/Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:25:30 +0100 <p>Yeah, I know taking the p*ss out of a Westlife song is too easy, but I'm ill and my brain can't think of anything else to say.</p> <p>Westlife release another cliche-filled ballad. Zzzzz! Sorry, this virus is really draining my energy.</p> <p>What about now?<br> <em>What about staying in whatever obscurity you've been living in for the past however many years?</em></p> <blockquote><p>Shadows fill an empty heart</p></blockquote> <p><em>Start as you mean to go on - with a cliche</em></p> <blockquote><p>As love is fading,</p></blockquote> <p><em>Love is far more patient than our attention. That faded about 10 years ago</em></p> <blockquote><p>From all the things that we are<br> But are not saying</p></blockquote> <p><em>Read. Re-read. Could you ask your management what this means?</em></p> <blockquote><p>Can we see beyond the scars<br> And make it to the dawn?</p></blockquote> <p><em>You're really not trying to make sense? How does your 10 year old fan base know what that means?</em></p> <blockquote><p>Change the colours of the sky</p></blockquote> <p><em>Look if you can't find lyrics that make sense, how can you expect to play God with the sky?!</em></p> <blockquote><p>And open up to<br> The ways you made me feel alive,</p></blockquote> <p><em>If you feel alive why are you killing us painfully with this song?</em></p> <blockquote><p>The ways I loved you<br> For all the things that never died,</p></blockquote> <p><em>Those "things" won't include the poor listener!</em></p> <blockquote><p>To make it through the night,<br> Love will find you</p></blockquote> <p><em>If you're singing, I probably won't make it through the night!</em></p> <blockquote><p>What about now?<br> What about today?</p></blockquote> <p><em>What about retirement? What about getting out of our hair?</em></p> <blockquote><p>What if you’re making me all that I was meant to be?</p></blockquote> <p><em>If you were meant to be whatever it was, then you wouldn't need other person and wouldn't need to inflict this song on us.</em></p> <blockquote><p>What if our love never went away?</p></blockquote> <p><em>You're driving love away with this sh*te.</em></p> <blockquote><p>What if it’s lost behind words we could never find?</p></blockquote> <p><em>Or lost behind words with no meaning - like this song!</em></p> <blockquote><p>Baby, before it’s too late,<br> What about now?</p></blockquote> <p><em>Because you've killed us. Anything from here onwards will be necrophilia!</em></p> <blockquote><p>The sun is breaking in your eyes<br> To start a new day</p></blockquote> <p><em>Oh crap. Another verse! The sun rising inside someone's eyes has got to be a miracle of nature (another one for the pop cliche tin)</em></p> <blockquote><p>This broken heart can still survive<br> With a touch of your grace</p></blockquote> <p><em>We can't survive, so you will have to sing the rest of this song to Grace - whoever she is!</em></p> <blockquote><p>Shadows fade into the light</p></blockquote> <p><em>Shadows don't fade into light - if we didn't have light, we would have shadows.</em></p> <blockquote><p>I am by your side,<br> Where love will find you</p></blockquote> <p><em>(Looking round and jumping away from wherever you are) Love's going to find me when it's right next to me, is it? Funny that!</em></p> <blockquote><p>What about now?<br> What about today?</p></blockquote> <p><em>What about putting down your mikes and tidying away your stools?</em></p> <p>[Chorus bit again. Not going to repeat the cliches.]</p> <blockquote><p>Now that we’re here,</p></blockquote> <p><em>I can show you where to go away again. There's the door!</em></p> <blockquote><p>Now that we’ve come this far,</p></blockquote> <p><em>Come this far and still singing dross</em></p> <blockquote><p>Just hold on<br> There is nothing to fear,</p></blockquote> <p><em>Yeah, it's nearly over. Shame it had to go on for so long!</em></p> <blockquote><p>For I am right beside you.</p></blockquote> <p><em>I thought I made it clear - I don't like you standing near me!</em></p> <blockquote><p>For all my life,<br> I am yours.</p></blockquote> <p><em>That's it, I'm getting a restraining order against you!</em></p> <p>[Fade out with the cliche/chorus]</p> <p>Dear World,</p> <p>On behalf of Irish people and people of Irish descent everywhere, I'd like to offer an apology for the homeland unleashing this evil on you. Neither this lot, or Bono, are representative of Irish people or music. </p> <p>Please accept my apologies, and let me suggest listening to The Pogues, The Wolf Tones or Sinead O'Connor. </p> <p>Sincerely,</p> <p>RIThompson </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/11/06/deadlife-killing-the-world-painfully-with-this-song-7322986/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>sorry-from-the-irishdeadlife-killing-us-painfullyhttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/11/06/deadlife-killing-the-world-painfully-with-this-song-7322986/#commentshttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/11/06/suddenly-i-don-t-feel-so-bad-7321387/tag:random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk,2009-11-06:/2009/11/06/suddenly-i-don-t-feel-so-bad-7321387/Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:16:52 +0100 <p>However long it took me to pass my theory test. (Four, then I had to retake it two years later)</p> <p>It may have taken <a href="http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2006/03/17/yes~652087/">seven attempts</a> to pass my practical test.</p> <p>But it looks like no time at all when you consider how long <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8347164.stm">this woman has taken</a> just to pass the theory!</p> <p>Is it wrong to laugh? <img src="/img/smilies/icon_twisted.gif" alt=":>" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/11/06/suddenly-i-don-t-feel-so-bad-7321387/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>my-passes-were-single-figuresdrivingand-here-is-the-spewshttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/11/06/suddenly-i-don-t-feel-so-bad-7321387/#commentshttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/11/06/autumnal-or-fall-themed-friday-five-7318307/tag:random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk,2009-11-06:/2009/11/06/autumnal-or-fall-themed-friday-five-7318307/Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:18:38 +0100 <p><strong>1. Do you have a favourite part of autumn?</strong><br> The beautiful yellow/orange/red leaves that haven't jumped of the trees yet.</p> <p><strong>2. "It's too cold to snow!" Do you think it ever is?</strong><br> Too cold?! So cold that the clouds have frozen over? I don't think so.</p> <p><strong>3. Do you feel there is still a place for British Summer Time or should we just stop changing the clocks?</strong><br> Yes. It messes up my body clock every six months. Also difficult to remember when exactly we should change them.</p> <p><strong>4. Are there certain meals you only eat in certain seasons (salad in summer, stew in winter)?</strong><br> Yes. Mince pies at Christmas, and only at Christmas.</p> <p><strong>5. Autumn is...?</strong><br> That annoying season between summer and winter which can't decide whether to bathe you in glorious sunshine, or freeze you with cold rain. The positive side is that the trees look pretty! <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/11/06/autumnal-or-fall-themed-friday-five-7318307/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>five-on-friday-in-autumnthat-was-five-words-bcukhttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/11/06/autumnal-or-fall-themed-friday-five-7318307/#commentshttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/11/05/p-is-for-propaganda-s-is-for-sesame-street-7314188/tag:random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk,2009-11-05:/2009/11/05/p-is-for-propaganda-s-is-for-sesame-street-7314188/Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:11:06 +0100 <p>It's Sesame Street's 40th birthday today (not that Google is in anyway paying attention, with the Cookie Monster logo). </p> <p>Anyway, <a href="http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/05/how-to-get-to-sesame-street-hang-a-left-says-one-blogger/">one crazy conservative blogger</a> is complaining that Sesame Street is far left propaganda. Whaaaaat? Why? Because dustbin dweller Oscar the Grouch performed a skit <em>two years ago</em> that described Fox News (or Pox in his skit) as "trashy".</p> <p>What? This is shocking to these people!? The Simpsons have been implying Fox is trashy for years, without the outcry or changing the name. (Although, it might be difficult to complain about their own show)</p> <p>Anyway, even if people view Fox as trashy, it does not mean that they have a left wing bias. It probably means that they have a brain and eyes! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/11/05/p-is-for-propaganda-s-is-for-sesame-street-7314188/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>p-is-for-propagandaand-here-is-the-spewshttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/11/05/p-is-for-propaganda-s-is-for-sesame-street-7314188/#commentshttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/11/02/don-t-shoot-us-we-only-work-here-7295176/tag:random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk,2009-11-02:/2009/11/02/don-t-shoot-us-we-only-work-here-7295176/Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:25:39 +0100 <p>Why, oh why, are you <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8339201.stm">complaining about the agency staff</a> who are there to <em>help</em> you with the backlog? </p> <p>A strikebreaker crosses a picket line on a strike day.</p> <p>A casual worker helps deliver the post on non-strike days.</p> <p>See the difference?</p> <p>Now, run along and focus your energies on the real villains in this saga - Senior Management and all the useless hierarchy! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/11/02/don-t-shoot-us-we-only-work-here-7295176/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/11/02/don-t-shoot-us-we-only-work-here-7295176/#commentshttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/11/01/facebook-s-making-us-sh-te-communicators-7286646/tag:random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk,2009-11-01:/2009/11/01/facebook-s-making-us-sh-te-communicators-7286646/Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:54:31 +0100 <p>What's the first thing I do after <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/nov/01/email-facebook">reading an article on how modern technology is overwhelming us</a>? Blog about it. Then remind myself to write a handwritten letter to my Grandma (as opposed to the usual boring email).</p> <p>Now, technology isn't all bad. For example, if we use it for writing thoughtful blogposts and comments then it's clearly a positive force. (And if the blog is on BCUK, then you have a loyal pair of readers as well)</p> <p>According to this article, technology is replacing talking to someone in person and letter-writing with short, sweet and temporary instant messenger chats. So that means we're all becoming Internet ADH- Hey, something shiny!</p> <p>But, it's not technology's fault - it's the lazy human being sitting at their computer repeatedly poking friends on facebook that has the problem with communication. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/11/01/facebook-s-making-us-sh-te-communicators-7286646/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/11/01/facebook-s-making-us-sh-te-communicators-7286646/#commentshttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/10/28/curry-and-drink-are-good-for-you-say-possibly-dubious-sources-7263394/tag:random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk,2009-10-28:/2009/10/28/curry-and-drink-are-good-for-you-say-possibly-dubious-sources-7263394/Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:19:48 +0100 <p>Browsing the internet before making dinner, I find this <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8328377.stm">interesting story</a> about how important it is that everyone enjoys a good curry.</p> <p>Actually, it's about how turmeric in curry powder kills cancerous cells, or some such crap. Now, I'm suspicious of anything that tells us that something causes/cures cancer. I am hoping that the Hate Mail and Express in all there sensationalist glory publish it on the front page, and encourage all their readers to embrace this product of multiculturalism. </p> <p>Meanwhile an Irish TD is busy cementing ethnic stereotypes, by <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/oct/27/mattie-mcgrath-drink-drivers-ireland">claiming a drink before driving</a> helps relax before driving. </p> <p>Now, naturally there are some people who are a little shocked by this - Ireland is a country where, on driving into a new county, one is told how many deaths there were on the counties roads the previous year. However, I think the real cause of accidents in Ireland might have more to do with the nation's motorists driving like <em>complete, blinking eejits</em> rather than how much alcohol they've consumed. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/10/28/curry-and-drink-are-good-for-you-say-possibly-dubious-sources-7263394/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>curry-is-good-for-youirishman-embarrassed-by-drinkand-here-is-the-spewshttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/10/28/curry-and-drink-are-good-for-you-say-possibly-dubious-sources-7263394/#commentshttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/10/27/too-many-faces-you-ll-want-to-punch-in-here-7256458/tag:random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk,2009-10-27:/2009/10/27/too-many-faces-you-ll-want-to-punch-in-here-7256458/Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:19:10 +0100 <p>...But senior management make me that angry anyway.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/10/27/too-many-faces-you-ll-want-to-punch-in-here-7256458/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/10/27/too-many-faces-you-ll-want-to-punch-in-here-7256458/#commentshttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/10/22/tonight-may-be-the-night-that-the-bnp-gets-kicked-7223508/tag:random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk,2009-10-22:/2009/10/22/tonight-may-be-the-night-that-the-bnp-gets-kicked-7223508/Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:05:36 +0200 <p>All the news sites are building up to Thuggo Griffin's appearance on Question Time like it's the FA Cup final. (Maybe Griffin's the ball!)</p> <p>The Indy has a list of <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/10-things-you-should-know-about-the-bnp-when-you-watch-question-time-tonight-1806874.html">things we may like to know about The BNP</a> - something for the other panellists to look at. </p> <p>There's the Graunaid's <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/blog/2009/oct/22/bnp-question-time-live-buildup">Live Text Feed</a> - telling us about the protests against the Fat One's appearance. That'll feed his "Martyr Complex"!</p> <p>I'm more amused that The World, His Missus, pet dog and cat feel obliged to comment. Found a copy of The Sun lying around in the work canteen this morning - according to the hypersexual Russell Brand, it's good that the BNP will be appearing on QT so the public can see that "the BNP peddle rhubarb".</p> <p>Rhubarb is evil then, and hopefully one of the other panellists will preparing a grilling as I type. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/10/22/tonight-may-be-the-night-that-the-bnp-gets-kicked-7223508/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/10/22/tonight-may-be-the-night-that-the-bnp-gets-kicked-7223508/#commentshttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/10/21/all-i-can-say-is-7215816/tag:random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk,2009-10-21:/2009/10/21/all-i-can-say-is-7215816/Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:18:46 +0200 <p>Thank goodness it's a strike day on Friday - I could do with a break from these 6am alarms. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/10/21/all-i-can-say-is-7215816/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>damn-up-early-again-tomorrowhttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/10/21/all-i-can-say-is-7215816/#commentshttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/10/16/this-is-going-to-be-hard-the-bloggers-pledge-7181867/tag:random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk,2009-10-16:/2009/10/16/this-is-going-to-be-hard-the-bloggers-pledge-7181867/Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:58:10 +0200 <p>From Malakeas' <a href="http://rainbowsnbutterflies.blog.co.uk/2009/10/15/the-blogger-s-pledge-7178168/">idea</a>.</p> <p>My name is RIThompson and I will no longer tolerate online stalkers.</p> <p>I will not feed their fire by responding to their comments or posts except in three ways:</p> <p>1. I will choose to delete their offending comment if I can<br> 2. I will ignore their comments/posts on another blog<br> 3. And then, I will move on.</p> <p>I will not give them blogging space or another thought for there are many other people here that deserve my energy and attention.</p> <p>May this blogging community regain its blogging spirit and take back this community from stalkers and claim it as their own.</p> <p>If you believe this as well, then copy and post this on your blog with your user name.</p> <p>That is all. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/10/16/this-is-going-to-be-hard-the-bloggers-pledge-7181867/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/10/16/this-is-going-to-be-hard-the-bloggers-pledge-7181867/#commentshttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/10/11/morrisons-assistant-is-over-zealous-bureaucrat-of-the-week-7146204/tag:random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk,2009-10-11:/2009/10/11/morrisons-assistant-is-over-zealous-bureaucrat-of-the-week-7146204/Sun, 11 Oct 2009 15:28:37 +0200 <p>The Over Zealous Bureaucrat of the Week award has got to go the Morrisons store that couldn't sell <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/oct/11/morrisons-wine-ban-mother">a woman a bottle of wine</a>, in case her 17 year old daughter drunk it.</p> <p>A few points come into my mind (and don't get lost in there),<br> 1. She's 17! Legally, if she's in a restaurant with her family, she can have a drink.<br> 2. It was her mother buying the drink, not her. If she has a drink at home it's perfectly legal - it's not like her kid is a 3 year old.<br> 3. The French (and the rest of Europe) are probably laughing at our prohibition attitude to drink.<br> 4. Finally, any teenager shopping with her mother is probably not the sort to hang around outside Sainsburys/Morrisons/the offy with a bottle of White Lightening. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/10/11/morrisons-assistant-is-over-zealous-bureaucrat-of-the-week-7146204/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>from-the-observerhttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/10/11/morrisons-assistant-is-over-zealous-bureaucrat-of-the-week-7146204/#commentshttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/10/09/yes-there-s-champagne-and-wine-but-it-probably-came-from-a-cheap-supermarket-7132813/tag:random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk,2009-10-09:/2009/10/09/yes-there-s-champagne-and-wine-but-it-probably-came-from-a-cheap-supermarket-7132813/Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:06:57 +0200 <p>The Graunaid asks today, <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/oct/09/students-finance-luxury-lifestyle">"are students living a champagne lifestyle?</a></p> <p>Yes. But the champagne is cheap sparkling wine from Tesco.</p> <p>Some professor at Queen Mary's university (clearly his research was done within the confines of his faculty) thinks that students live in estate agents dream homes and eat fine foods from posh supermarkets.</p> <p>Ha. Really? Doesn't sound like my uni days to me!</p> <p><u>Friends, or Young Ones?</u><br> (Yes, I'm aware that Young Ones was set in a different era but try to imagine them studying now!)</p> <p><strong>Accommodation:</strong> My friends rented a house from a landlord who didn't care that the place was falling to bits - as long as he got his rent money every month.<br> Verdict: Young Ones.</p> <p><strong>Eating:</strong> None of us bought our lunch from Waitrose or M&S. Okay, we bought wine, sushi and other goodies, but they were the Tesco cheap version. Our food came from either Tesco, Greggs, or one of the many fake KFCs that dominated the high street of Sh*tehole 3.<br> Verdict: Young Ones</p> <p><strong>Technology:</strong> We had desktops - at home and in the university library. That was our main method of typing essays/looking for library books/checking facebook/blogging. As for mobiles, we live in a time when it's necessary for life and work to have one. Usually cheap and on pay as you go.<br> Verdict: Young Ones.</p> <p>So, I don't know what planet this professor did his research - I'm guessing it wasn't the same one that my former polytechnic university inhabited. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/10/09/yes-there-s-champagne-and-wine-but-it-probably-came-from-a-cheap-supermarket-7132813/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/10/09/yes-there-s-champagne-and-wine-but-it-probably-came-from-a-cheap-supermarket-7132813/#commentshttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/10/05/that-meme-everyone-else-has-already-done-and-i-stole-in-from-mattk-7104728/tag:random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk,2009-10-05:/2009/10/05/that-meme-everyone-else-has-already-done-and-i-stole-in-from-mattk-7104728/Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:39:41 +0200 <p>1. Is there anybody you just wish would fall off the planet?<br> Not exactly fall off the Earth, just get out of my face and stop annoying me!</p> <p>2. How do you flush the toilet in public?<br> I don't. I flush it in private</p> <p>3. Do you wear your seatbelt in the car?<br> All the time (except when parking)</p> <p>4. Do you have a crush on someone?<br> Surprisingly, not at the moment.</p> <p>5. Name one thing you worry about running out of.<br> Marbles.</p> <p>6. What famous person do you (or other people) think you resemble?<br> No one. </p> <p>7. What is your favourite pizza topping?<br> Cheese.</p> <p>8. Do you crack your knuckles?<br> no</p> <p>9. What song do you hate the most?<br> Ooh...hold on while I find my list. Oh, probably any Aqua song.</p> <p>10. Did just mentioning that song make it get stuck in your head?<br> No.</p> <p>11.What are your super powers?<br> Unlocking doors with my fingertips. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>12 Peppermint or spearmint?<br> spearmint</p> <p>13.Where are your car keys?<br> On my bed.</p> <p>14. Last song you listened to?<br> Hurt by Johnny Cash</p> <p>15. What's your most annoying habit?<br> Like Matt, I interrupt far too much - I blame my short attention span and the fact that I'm short so people talk over the top of my head.</p> <p>16 Where did you last go on vacation?<br> Vacation, not family functions. Bath in January.</p> <p>17. What is your best physical feature?<br> There's two of them. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>18. What CD is closest to you right now?<br> A CD rack full of them. </p> <p>19.What 3 things can always be found in your refrigerator?<br> Milk. Bread. Butter.</p> <p>20 What superstition do you believe/practice?<br> Don't really have superstitions, only morning rituals.</p> <p>21. What colour are your bed sheets?<br> The current ones? Blue.</p> <p>22. Would you rather be a fish or a bird?<br> A bird. In one sense, I'm a bird already. </p> <p>23. Last thing you broke?<br> A knife handle - only one corner of it.</p> <p>24 What are you having to eat tonight?<br> Probably a chicken curry.</p> <p>25. What colour shirt are you wearing?<br> Yellow (not pink)</p> <p>26. If you could be doing anything else today, what would you rather be doing?<br> Whatever it is I'm doing now, just not here with the view of wet north London.</p> <p>27. Do security cameras make you nervous?<br> Not really.</p> <p>28. If you wrote a book about your life, what would the title be?<br> "Why am I here again?"</p> <p>29. Last time you went to a cemetery?<br> The day after my Granny was buried.</p> <p>30. Last concert you went to?<br> Leonard Cohen in London</p> <p>31. Favourite musician(s)/bands you've seen in concert?<br> See answer to last question. I haven't been to see many concerts.</p> <p>32. Next concert you're planning to attend?<br> Planning? I haven't planned any concert trips!</p> <p>33. Do you talk to yourself?<br> Yes. Started whenever it was that I first went mad.</p> <p>34. Have you ever adopted or purchased a pet?<br> A goldfish which lasted about 3 years until I accidentally boiled it.</p> <p>35. Have you ever been present when an animal is being born?<br> No, not yet anyway. Still time though. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/10/05/that-meme-everyone-else-has-already-done-and-i-stole-in-from-mattk-7104728/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/10/05/that-meme-everyone-else-has-already-done-and-i-stole-in-from-mattk-7104728/#commentshttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/10/02/my-favourite-penny-lane-7086542/tag:random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk,2009-10-02:/2009/10/02/my-favourite-penny-lane-7086542/Fri, 02 Oct 2009 19:19:50 +0200 <p>Happy Friday everyone. Hope none of you are working this weekend, like me! <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/10/02/my-favourite-penny-lane-7086542/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/10/02/my-favourite-penny-lane-7086542/#commentshttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/09/30/we-don-t-trust-you-with-those-scissors-7070051/tag:random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk,2009-09-30:/2009/09/30/we-don-t-trust-you-with-those-scissors-7070051/Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:09:21 +0200 <p>Looking through the BBC website, I found <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8276243.stm">this item</a> of the weekend's news.</p> <p>Really, when did we stop trusting that most people actually behave like adults?</p> <p>1. Why not just give out paper scissors? They just about manage to cut paper, and are generally useless for anything tougher.<br> 2. There might be some confusion over what a guillotine does! It is nothing like the execution method used by the French for two centuries, and so cannot be used to cut your head off! And as for beating you over the head with that - how paranoid are you?! If you're terrified of the public beating you up, don't bloody work in a public place!</p> <p>Got that, because I really don't want to explain it again! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/09/30/we-don-t-trust-you-with-those-scissors-7070051/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>and-here-is-the-spewshttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/09/30/we-don-t-trust-you-with-those-scissors-7070051/#commentshttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/09/26/too-many-chiefs-open-letter-to-recruiters-7045585/tag:random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk,2009-09-26:/2009/09/26/too-many-chiefs-open-letter-to-recruiters-7045585/Sat, 26 Sep 2009 20:47:12 +0200 <p>Dear Employers, recruiters and HR managers,</p> <p>Following on from scanning yet another disheartening job page, I have a question to ask you.</p> <p>Why do you think that managers and executives are of more use in a recession than administrators and other underlings?</p> <p>It seems that all these new managers that are being recruited are not going to have any one to manage! (But they won't be managing people, because they'll all their time in stupid meetings)</p> <p>And another thing - why not help out a poor agency worker (me) by offering them a contract for a few months/years. There must be thousands of people in my position who are searching for proper work and only see jobs for management. Please consider all of us - make up a few jobs, make them ongoing temp/permanent roles and hire me. I don't ask for much. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>Yours very hopefully,</p> <p>Ros of Pink Blog </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/09/26/too-many-chiefs-open-letter-to-recruiters-7045585/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>find-me-a-jobhttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/09/26/too-many-chiefs-open-letter-to-recruiters-7045585/#commentshttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/09/25/ros-random-library-7039190/tag:random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk,2009-09-25:/2009/09/25/ros-random-library-7039190/Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:48:43 +0200 <p>Of course books are for showing off on bookshelves! What an <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8264572.stm">obvious piece of writing</a>, BBC!</p> <p>Actually, they are asking what our bookshelves say about us and why we display them in a certain manner.</p> <p>Okay, so let's examine my bookshelves</p> <p>On the most obvious shelf I have,<br> 1. "Snow" by Orhan Pamuk. To impress people with my knowledge of another culture. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" class="middle" border="0"><br> 2. A few dystopian novels (Fahrenheit 451 & Nineteen Eighty Four are my current favourites), which might suggest paranoia or an understanding of what happens when you take away the right to think differently. See also "The Chrysalids" by John Wyndham.<br> 3. Several Philip K Dick books which is an indication of either paranoia or insanity. Could also mean that I like insane storylines.<br> 4. Some Harry Potter's to show I'm up with the times, and down with the kids. Ahem.<br> 5. Discworld. Because I like Terry Pratchett's imagination.<br> 6. Some novels set in Russia, including War and Peace complete with bookmark where I last opened it. This shows I do try with the so called classics, and occasionally fail.</p> <p>On other bookshelves;<br> 1. Some groovy looking political books (John Pilger, Naomi Klein & trendy followers) which I intend to read.<br> 2. Biography, travel & books I'm not too bothered about displaying. These aren't actually on a bookshelf, more like a shelf above the door. Have the purpose of also blocking a bit of noise from my sister's television.<br> 3. The "Must Read Books" pile. Books I have bought and will read soon, in no particular order.<br> 4. Short stories and some more favourites on display next to a couple of box/drawer things, because I've run out of shelf space.<br> 5. History & football books. These are either books I purchased while at Uni for the purpose of research, or books I have bought since and wish I'd used in essays whilst studying.</p> <p>Finally, there is the row of dictionaries, phrase books and thesaurus here next to me. Useful for looking up the meanings of big words whilst blogging. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>What does all this say about me? I have a library in a box-room! <img src="/img/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/09/25/ros-random-library-7039190/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/09/25/ros-random-library-7039190/#commentshttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/09/23/embarrassingly-bad-advert-gates-empire-7027887/tag:random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk,2009-09-23:/2009/09/23/embarrassingly-bad-advert-gates-empire-7027887/Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:26:34 +0200 <p>I can only assume Microsoft have made too much money, and want to put off as many potential customers as possible. That's the only way I can understand <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2009/sep/23/windows-7-party">their latest ad campaign</a> to promote "Windows 7". </p> <p>(A new operating system already? Vista's not long out, and isn't anywhere near as good as XP)</p> <p>If you can stomach the video, you'll see four bad actors talking about the Windows 7 launch parties they hosted. What?! Who hosts a launch party - that is, one with a real setting, real people and real food - for a piece of computer software? Maybe the most brand-loyal Microsoft workers, but other than that I can't think of any group or person. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/09/23/embarrassingly-bad-advert-gates-empire-7027887/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>microsofts-embarrassing-adloyal-workers-partyhttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/09/23/embarrassingly-bad-advert-gates-empire-7027887/#commentshttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/09/22/bloggi-ettiquette-7019493/tag:random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk,2009-09-22:/2009/09/22/bloggi-ettiquette-7019493/Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:04:23 +0200 <p>A word of advice, or a couple of words, or even 10. Oh, start again! At least 10 words of advice, divided up into bullet points;</p> <p>1. I don't care how new you are to blogging, don't ever comment on a post for the sole purpose of promoting your own.<br> 2. When commenting at least make a vague attempt to comment <em>on</em> the post. Don't make requests for help or ask for people to visit your blog. That is called spam, and is the best way to lose friends and alienate people online.</p> <p>Before I make final point, I must put on my Grammar Nazi hat. Give me a moment [adjusts hat] Okay, ready now.</p> <p>3. Please learn to spell before commenting. Also, learn to use punctuation, capital letters and where apostrophes are appropriate. Trying to understand your bad grammar and spelling makes my poor little head hurt.</p> <p>Right. Hope that's clear with you! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/09/22/bloggi-ettiquette-7019493/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/09/22/bloggi-ettiquette-7019493/#commentshttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/09/21/trains-trains-and-faster-cheaper-automobiles-7012416/tag:random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk,2009-09-21:/2009/09/21/trains-trains-and-faster-cheaper-automobiles-7012416/Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:59:28 +0200 <p>Apparently tube usage is down, <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8266362.stm">in these difficult economic times</a>. They don't say it, but it might just have something to do with the fact that tube fares are more expensive than buses, or the cost of filling up a small car (over the course of a month).</p> <p>Still, at least you can get some reading done on a train.</p> <p>And your train may (not) be <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/8266431.stm">named after a British Olympic Gold Medallist</a>.</p> <p>And this train talk reminded me of a previous blogpost. So here's a <a href="http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2007/02/26/trains_signals_and_the_day_from_hell~1806446/">trip down Memory Lane and into Dark Recesses of Mind Close</a>, to remind us that the train can also be several hours late. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/09/21/trains-trains-and-faster-cheaper-automobiles-7012416/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>and-here-is-the-spewstrains-and-old-blogpostshttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/09/21/trains-trains-and-faster-cheaper-automobiles-7012416/#commentshttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/09/14/that-s-no-way-to-treat-a-kid-6962157/tag:random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk,2009-09-14:/2009/09/14/that-s-no-way-to-treat-a-kid-6962157/Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:02:18 +0200 <p>Kanye West, I bet you are feeling like a right <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8253909.stm">twat</a> this morning. Beyonce, good on you for inviting Taylor Swift on stage to make her speech as you accepted your award. Show Kanye what a bit of humility looks like! <img src="/img/smilies/grayyes.gif" alt=":yes:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>If you thought someone else should have won, don't interrupt the winner's speech. Save your own thoughts to later! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/09/14/that-s-no-way-to-treat-a-kid-6962157/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>and-here-is-the-spewshttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/09/14/that-s-no-way-to-treat-a-kid-6962157/#commentshttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/09/10/no-brian-it-s-called-accountability-6936955/tag:random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk,2009-09-10:/2009/09/10/no-brian-it-s-called-accountability-6936955/Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:15:34 +0200 <p>Local councillor and all-round arrogant git Brian Coleman (despised by many in the London Borough of Barnet) is in trouble for <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/sep/07/boris-ally-censure-blogger-poisonous">comments made to a blogger</a> who dared to criticise the bunch of muppets that run Barnet Council! Shocking!</p> <p>What's the <a href="http://barneteye.blogspot.com/">blogger</a> done wrong?! Nothing, except hold our elected councillors accountable - especially when they make stupid comments, or spend stupid amounts of money, or hike our council tax up again. Yes, with morons like these occupying the town hall, we have every right to criticise and hold them accountable.</p> <p>So let's hope that Brian Coleman is held responsible not just for this incident, but every other time he has abused expenses or developed NIMBYism. Not just for one blogger, but also for the sake of democracy. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/09/10/no-brian-it-s-called-accountability-6936955/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>bloggers-and-arrogant-councillorshttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/09/10/no-brian-it-s-called-accountability-6936955/#commentshttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/09/07/scrolling-through-more-hys-madness-6913467/tag:random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk,2009-09-07:/2009/09/07/scrolling-through-more-hys-madness-6913467/Mon, 07 Sep 2009 17:44:49 +0200 <p><small>..And some commenters are as insane as ever!</small></p> <p>Anyway, the topic in question is the BBC's <a href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=6967&edition=1&ttl=20090907170932">decision to invite the BNP leader, Thuggo Griffin on Question Time</a>.</p> <p>Personally I think allow him on, and time how long it takes for him to make himself look a racist twat. I give him five minutes, maximum.</p> <p>Anyway, very few people disagreeing with my viewpoint - which is bloody annoying. Oh, well, lets find the comments left by the certifiably insane!</p> <p>First up, someone not really addressing the topic;</p> <blockquote><p>how many of you actually watch the programme anyway?<br> <strong>Paul Tapner, Poole, United Kingdom</strong></p></blockquote> <p>Not sure if he has an opinion. Guessing he doesn't and he's covering it up with an only slightly relevant question.</p> <blockquote><p>The BNP is using the weakness in the current Race legislation to abuse Islam, this is unacceptable as it offends 1.4 biilion Muslims. The BBC must weight this up before allowing thugs like the BNP to participate in Q time. They are simply racists organistion with a veneer of respectability due to some votes from equally racists people. Yes, there is a white underclass in this country due to neglect from the main parties. They need to wake up or we will have race riots again in this country.<br> <strong>Z, London</strong></p></blockquote> <p>Finally, a disagreeing comment! Very confused though, and poor spelling (sorry for the Grammar Nazi bit). Yeah, the BNP are racists - but get a microphone in front of them and expose them as racists to the whole country. I think most English people are tolerant and smart enough to realise what a bunch of racists look like. Put the BNP on telly, and I'm guessing they'll lose that "veneer of respectability" soon after opening their mouths. (Think George W Bush, and remember how many of us respected him after all his gaffes!)</p> <p>Many comments follow the lines of;<br> 1. "Denying them a place on televised debates only makes them more popular."<br> 2. "The BBC are an impartial broadcaster."<br> 3. There's one from a leftie who insists that all political views should be given airtime - not just the cuddly moderates, but the religious and political extremists as well.<br> 4. Very few actually disagreeing with me. Damn, picked the wrong HYS thread! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/09/07/scrolling-through-more-hys-madness-6913467/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>more-hys-madnesshttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/09/07/scrolling-through-more-hys-madness-6913467/#commentshttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/08/30/my-life-according-to-dixie-chicks-6856221/tag:random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk,2009-08-30:/2009/08/30/my-life-according-to-dixie-chicks-6856221/Sun, 30 Aug 2009 20:36:33 +0200 <p>Pinched from Landers blog <a href="http://landersuk.blog.co.uk/2009/08/30/my-life-according-to-erasure-6856016/#comments">here</a>.</p> <p>(Have to use Wikipedia here, as I really don't keep up with bands music)</p> <p> Pick your Artist:
 Dixie Chicks</p> <p>Are you a male or female?</p> <p>Describe yourself:
<br> Taking the Long Way</p> <p>How do you feel?<br> Top of the Word</p> <p>Describe where you currently live:
<br> A Home</p> <p>If you could go anywhere, where would you go?<br> Wide Open Spaces</p> <p>Your favorite form of transportation:<br> Sin Wagon</p> <p>Your best friend is:
<br> The Neighbor</p> <p>What's the weather like?<br> Cold Day in July</p> <p>Favourite time of day:<br> Tonight (the heartache's on me)</p> <p>If your life was a TV show, what would it be called?
<br> Heartbreak Town</p> <p>What is life to you?
<br> Ready to Run</p> <p>Your fear:<br> Landslide </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/08/30/my-life-according-to-dixie-chicks-6856221/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/08/30/my-life-according-to-dixie-chicks-6856221/#commentshttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/08/28/ryanair-council-6844382/tag:random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk,2009-08-28:/2009/08/28/ryanair-council-6844382/Fri, 28 Aug 2009 22:12:32 +0200 <p>I had thought Barnet Council had <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8227660.stm">been a "No Frills" Council</a> for most of the last ten years.</p> <p>Looks like they're making it official now.</p> <blockquote><p>"They (residents) are going to have to take far more responsibility. We cannot carry on providing the level of services that we do at the moment." <em>[Some Tory Twat, Barnet Council]</em></p></blockquote> <p>Look, if we have "to take responsibility", you can bloody well give us back some of that two grand a year council tax we give you! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/08/28/ryanair-council-6844382/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/08/28/ryanair-council-6844382/#commentshttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/08/26/no-your-utopia-would-not-be-very-interesting-6826977/tag:random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk,2009-08-26:/2009/08/26/no-your-utopia-would-not-be-very-interesting-6826977/Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:37:48 +0200 <p>Oh, dear Guardian! Don't you realise that <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/aug/26/childrens-books-happy-endings">if everyone in literature did exactly what they were supposed to</a>, the stories would be the most unread, unsellable and boring examples of writing ever!</p> <p>In a good book,<br> 1. Normality is interrupted by an event/person.<br> 2. Characters have to be willing to do something illegal.<br> 3. Sometimes a character has to be a complete fascist.</p> <p>End of today's lesson. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/08/26/no-your-utopia-would-not-be-very-interesting-6826977/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>readinghow-to-ruin-a-storyhttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/08/26/no-your-utopia-would-not-be-very-interesting-6826977/#commentshttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/08/24/i-m-just-going-remember-being-6811795/tag:random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk,2009-08-24:/2009/08/24/i-m-just-going-remember-being-6811795/Mon, 24 Aug 2009 21:11:16 +0200 <p> <small> <a href="http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/08/24/i-m-just-going-remember-being-6811795/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>some-nineties-musichttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/08/24/i-m-just-going-remember-being-6811795/#commentshttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/08/24/how-to-destroy-clippy-6810181/tag:random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk,2009-08-24:/2009/08/24/how-to-destroy-clippy-6810181/Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:03:22 +0200 <p>Don't be giving me any ideas <a href="http://www.cracked.com/blog/clippy-finally-messes-with-the-wrong-word-doc/">Cracked.com</a>!</p> <p>Or my advice on how to get rid of him when he asks 'looks like you're typing a letter. Need any help?' just click NO! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/08/24/how-to-destroy-clippy-6810181/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>cracked-kill-the-microsoft-papercliphttp://random-veryrandom.blog.co.uk/2009/08/24/how-to-destroy-clippy-6810181/#comments