Lazy, Bored, - Damn Summertime...

Well, been a bit indolent here recently, so a wee update for you all!

The Wife is away (since Sunday) at this G8 conference, working in the nerve centre in Glenrothes as part of the S-PICC team. She's expecting to be a bit busy over the weekend! She even got her fizzog on the telly on Tuesday - they were doing a news piece about the S-PICC and there she was, bending over a table with some coppers!

Unfortunately, I'd recorded it on VHS, but hadn't checked to see if the VCR was connected properly since the house-flitting, and ended up with a recording of a black screen instead. Bloody technology!

As soon as she went off on Sunday, I was straight onto Crucial.com to order a RAM upgrade for my PC. Good thing she left her credit card behind!

Two days later, package arrives and I'm digging in the back of the computer installing the new RAM. Now the PC is running like a dream, fast as f...er,...a fast thing indeed! It's like getting a new PC (but for just £35). Should've done it ages ago!

Wednesday was my fortnightly trip on the bone-rattler through to Wick for to sign-on. Uneventful as usual, except for the journey back. A couple of tourists (husband and wife I presume) sat behind me on the bus and he was giving her a running commentary all the way, just spouting random rubbish about the countryside. I'll give you a wee rundown of some of the pish he was talking:-

1 - "It's quite gentle scenery up here, lots of rolling hills and fresh pastures, isn't it darling?", to which she replies "Yes, dear.."

Aye, that's 'cos the wind has flattened everything in its path.

2 - "The cows and the sheep seem quite happy to share pastures with each other, don't they?" - "Yes, dear..."

What, like you'd expect them to be fighting for territory?

3 - "There's Georgemas Junction over there, I wonder how it got its name? It's like Christmas, but with George instead..." - "Yes, dear..."

Dear God, what next?

4 - "And now we're going to Halkirk, it's like Falkirk, but with an 'H'.." - "Yes, dear.."

And now I am physically laughing out loud!

All in all, a worthwhile journey!

Wimbles of Wombleton...

Well, I thought of commenting on the disastrous (their words, not mine) exit yesterday of the mighty Timmy from Wimbledon.

But then I came across Birdy's chirp on the same subject, and as I couldn't possibly do better, I've decided to link to it instead.

Click here to read it!

I Spk Txt Lk A Ntve...

Struggling for 'blog-content recently, so should apologise for this. Sorry. I'm sure that both of you will forgive me a wee rest.

However, BBC News brings THIS to my attention! (Professor, don't click the link! It'll make you angry!)

It's true that in today's world, with the worldwide wundaweb and the popularity of mobile 'phones set to rise exponentially, we are becoming more and more acceptant of the basdardisation of the English language, by people who are basically ignorant of its basic rules. (I include myself in there somewhere too, before the cry goes up! I know I use too many "..."s!)

When reading most of the many message boards, forums and websites that I visit, I am continually amazed at what I class as other people's stupidity.

How can someone not know how to spell "definately", or how another can "loose the game", or "go too the cinema"?

How many times must I read "LOL", "AFAIK" or "IIRC" and all the rest of the wonderful Txt Spk?
(My favourite is "ROTFLMFAO"! Let's face it, no one really is rolling on the floor, laughing their fucking arse off, are they? Are they???)

But, what can we do? How can the ordinary bloke in the street encourage the ignorant and the lazy to punctuate properly, or to spell correctly? Simple answer is, we can't.

So, we'd better get used to the idea that the English language is going to change beyond all recognition. I for one am not too happy about it...

UEFA In A Fankle...

The NEWS that UEFA have acceded to overwhelming pressure and allowed Liverpool to enter next season's Champions League (albeit at the 3rd Qualifying Round) has gone down like a lead balloon here at View From The Bar...

It's not that Liverpool don't deserve to defend their trophy - they undoubtedly do - but more the fact that as England now have 5 representatives, the English UEFA Co-Efficient (which affects the next 5 years worth of seedings) will now be unfairly advantaged.

I can imagine that the Spanish FA are particulary beelan' at this decision after Zaragoza were forced out of the Champions League a few seasons ago.

Interesting to note that Liverpool could easily come up against another English team in the final Qualifying Round, thus leaving only 4 English teams in the league section proper.
(Presuming they all qualify!)

What are the odds of that happening?

Pay As You Go...?

So, Alastair Darling announces plans to charge drivers £1.34 per mile to use our motorways?

Who on earth ever thought this would be a good idea? Was this put to a referendum, so we could voice our concerns? Nope. Nada. Nicht.

Whatever happened to Democracy?

The only saving grace (for me) is that roads up here in the Highlands of Sunny Scotland are liable to be rated at about 2 pence per mile. Not that it bothers me as I don't drive (but The Wife does...)

The more I think about it, the more I reckon it's all a con by the Government.

1. Tell everyone that it'll cost £1.34 per mile.

2. After everyone uniformally complains, Mr Darling then announces "Major Reform" of his PaYG plan, and changes the prices to 40 pence a mile.

3. Everyone breathes a collective sigh of relief - "Whew, we showed them there, didn't we" - meanwhile, the Transport Secretary is laughing up his sleeve at getting his evil, nefarious plan through the statute books.


It's so not right that I would even consider saying that it's wrong....