Back in the days of VHS only, I had loads of tapes with movies and other things on and many had a spare 10 to 35 minutes or so that couldn't be used for much.
When Live Aid came along I thought I could fill up the tapes with something worth having.
What a fantastic day that was. I spent the entire day at home, barely leaving the living room watching.
I was so impressed with what I had at the end of all these tapes I ended up making my own compilation.
I've been looking at youtube and they probably have every single thing I had. Now if only I can find a program (I had one once) to save the clips I can do it all over again.
Wednesday, 30 September 2009
Tuesday, 29 September 2009
Typical bloody Guardian part 2
Actually, this should be typical Bloody Guardian Readers. And, mostly, they have a point.
There's a piece of research that found children of working mums are more likely to be unhealthy - eating sweets, junk food, slouching in front the TV, more likely to be overweight etc
My response was well what did they expect? What a pointless piece of research; kids at home on their own or round a mate's house are obviously more likely to do that because nobody is watching.
The following blog is dominated, quite rightly, with comments about why just mums, what about dads and how women can't win; either lazy stay at homes or blamed for their kids ill health.
But somebody comes along and spoils it, blaming the childcare providers. Maybe I'm wrong but isn't chidcare the preserve of the few? Those that can either afford it or those with the good fortune to have access to employee or other subsidised schemes?
I could be wrong but the way the comment was written just made me think of some middle class twat who thinks the advantages they had/have are the norm for everyone else.
There's a piece of research that found children of working mums are more likely to be unhealthy - eating sweets, junk food, slouching in front the TV, more likely to be overweight etc
My response was well what did they expect? What a pointless piece of research; kids at home on their own or round a mate's house are obviously more likely to do that because nobody is watching.
The following blog is dominated, quite rightly, with comments about why just mums, what about dads and how women can't win; either lazy stay at homes or blamed for their kids ill health.
But somebody comes along and spoils it, blaming the childcare providers. Maybe I'm wrong but isn't chidcare the preserve of the few? Those that can either afford it or those with the good fortune to have access to employee or other subsidised schemes?
I could be wrong but the way the comment was written just made me think of some middle class twat who thinks the advantages they had/have are the norm for everyone else.
Monday, 28 September 2009
Quick in and out
Out early to the hospital for a blood test. Woke with a lower than usual blood/sugar reading so was a bit concerned at taking insulin, walking over and having to wait while levels drop further.
So I delayed meds until after I got back. Was seen very quickly; in and out in about 5 minutes. Walk back was really tiring. It's only 5 minutes...or at least it was last year.
Had a bacon sarnie on return and now - over three hours later - blood/sugar is well into double figures. Crazy
Been to my wife's appointment as well and now feel like flu coming on. It's not, of course, it's just one of those days where I feel sluggish.
So I delayed meds until after I got back. Was seen very quickly; in and out in about 5 minutes. Walk back was really tiring. It's only 5 minutes...or at least it was last year.
Had a bacon sarnie on return and now - over three hours later - blood/sugar is well into double figures. Crazy
Been to my wife's appointment as well and now feel like flu coming on. It's not, of course, it's just one of those days where I feel sluggish.
Sunday, 27 September 2009
Flu shots
I was dreaming this morning that my front door had warped so badly that it wasn't closing. As usual when I dream about the house, it's actually my old house in Totterdown. There's always something structurally different about it too. And on this occasion the door was the one I had replaced about 5 years before I left.
Anyway, I was trying to sort out a new one and getting someone to fit it but there seemed to be many obstacles. Then I woke, relieved that it wasn't something to sort out after all.
Five minutes later one of my tenants called to say the hot water tank was leaking. Luckily, I hope, it's rented so the tenant will call the company. Hopefully they'll sort it. I could really do without more problems - especially the kind that involve money.
Got to start thinking about flu jabs now. Quebec has identified a possibility that having the seasonal flu shot might make one more likely to get the H1N1 variety. The UK and USA hasn't found a link. Quebec, Ontario and a couple of other provinces have already changed or delayed their plans, intending to do H1N1 jabs first. NB is sticking with Seasonal first.
The theory appears to be that older people and others with underlying health conditions (like me) are more susceptible to seasonal flu than H1N1 that is more likely to hit younger, healthier people. So it would seem to make sense to have the seasonal and, maybe the H1N1 after.
But then wouldn't that have occured to Ontario and Quebec too? With their population densities it's even more important to get it right. So one would think they'd know what they were doing.
My other reason for doubt is the statement from the NB Health minister or whatever he was. "We're not going to decide based on what Quebec and Ontario does." It sounds like he (NB) is just being beligerent and deliberately going the opposite way for the sake of it. And that worries me too.
I have already discovered just how backward NB is compared to other provinces. Is this another example?
Anyway, I was trying to sort out a new one and getting someone to fit it but there seemed to be many obstacles. Then I woke, relieved that it wasn't something to sort out after all.
Five minutes later one of my tenants called to say the hot water tank was leaking. Luckily, I hope, it's rented so the tenant will call the company. Hopefully they'll sort it. I could really do without more problems - especially the kind that involve money.
* * *
Got to start thinking about flu jabs now. Quebec has identified a possibility that having the seasonal flu shot might make one more likely to get the H1N1 variety. The UK and USA hasn't found a link. Quebec, Ontario and a couple of other provinces have already changed or delayed their plans, intending to do H1N1 jabs first. NB is sticking with Seasonal first.
The theory appears to be that older people and others with underlying health conditions (like me) are more susceptible to seasonal flu than H1N1 that is more likely to hit younger, healthier people. So it would seem to make sense to have the seasonal and, maybe the H1N1 after.
But then wouldn't that have occured to Ontario and Quebec too? With their population densities it's even more important to get it right. So one would think they'd know what they were doing.
My other reason for doubt is the statement from the NB Health minister or whatever he was. "We're not going to decide based on what Quebec and Ontario does." It sounds like he (NB) is just being beligerent and deliberately going the opposite way for the sake of it. And that worries me too.
I have already discovered just how backward NB is compared to other provinces. Is this another example?
Saturday, 26 September 2009
Seasonal change of underwear
Winter draws on.
We've had chilly evenings lately but yesterday was the first since last winter when it was cold during the day. Inside. I was actually shivering in the afternoon.
Today is much warmer but it was still nice sitting down to watch the footie with hands cupped around a mug of coffee. It is, after all, a winter game and a hot drink fits. Having said that, I always enjoyed a nice glass of ale watching the rugby natches in late winter in England.
I miss watching the rugger games on TV. If I worked out what I'd be willing to pay for all the live footie and rugby I'd like to see and then subtracted what I actually do pay I'd be left with more than enough for the PPV charges and still be quids in. Bucks in or dollars in doesn't have the same ring to it. Yet when it comes down to it, I still can't bring myself to fork out the $28 - although I did once. Weird that.
Or not so weird when you realise that you get 30 or more top flight Games involving English clubs every month for little more than half the cost of one PPV game. Then PPV seems expensive, especially when a decent stream for free is likely. Or paying maybe $10 for one. I've done that too.
We've had chilly evenings lately but yesterday was the first since last winter when it was cold during the day. Inside. I was actually shivering in the afternoon.
Today is much warmer but it was still nice sitting down to watch the footie with hands cupped around a mug of coffee. It is, after all, a winter game and a hot drink fits. Having said that, I always enjoyed a nice glass of ale watching the rugby natches in late winter in England.
I miss watching the rugger games on TV. If I worked out what I'd be willing to pay for all the live footie and rugby I'd like to see and then subtracted what I actually do pay I'd be left with more than enough for the PPV charges and still be quids in. Bucks in or dollars in doesn't have the same ring to it. Yet when it comes down to it, I still can't bring myself to fork out the $28 - although I did once. Weird that.
Or not so weird when you realise that you get 30 or more top flight Games involving English clubs every month for little more than half the cost of one PPV game. Then PPV seems expensive, especially when a decent stream for free is likely. Or paying maybe $10 for one. I've done that too.
Friday, 25 September 2009
Typical bloody Guardian
Today they have their top ten coffeehouses. Not cafes or coffee shops, mind you. And where are they? Mostly London, Brighton and Edinburgh. Of course. How very trendy.
Those few that aren't include a place where narrow boats are "bobbing nearby" and the gentrified "Victoria Quarter" Leeds. Since when did an English city have a quarter? It seems to be an upper class shopping centre and, of course, the coffee shop name goes hand in hand with the University.
I'm surprised they couldn't find one in Bath.
Naturally there couldn't be one in the likes of Newcastle, Bristol or Birmingham.
Those few that aren't include a place where narrow boats are "bobbing nearby" and the gentrified "Victoria Quarter" Leeds. Since when did an English city have a quarter? It seems to be an upper class shopping centre and, of course, the coffee shop name goes hand in hand with the University.
I'm surprised they couldn't find one in Bath.
Naturally there couldn't be one in the likes of Newcastle, Bristol or Birmingham.
Thursday, 24 September 2009
What does average mean, mean average?
From The Guardian today - A comprehensive analysis last year found that two-thirds of the population pulled in less than the national average of £24,907.
At last. It's about time something was available to show just how meaningless this term "average wage" really is. I remember from school how there were three averages. All parts added and divided by the number of parts - that was the 'mean' average which is what this one is. There was the 'median' average which was the halfway point between the lowest and highest - an equally meaningless way of looking at an average wage. Lastly, and the best one, was the 'mode' average; The most common one. In other words, in this context, what most people actually earn.
It's nice to see something official that shows most people earn less than an average figure grossly inflated by higher pay levels.
Someone very kindly posted this. I'm relying on their accuracy. The minimum wage is less than £12,000 a year if 80 people are on that it takes 1 million pound earner to be added to make the average wage over £24,000. For every 6 people on minimum wage it takes 1 person earning £100,000 to be added for the average to be over £24,000.
At last. It's about time something was available to show just how meaningless this term "average wage" really is. I remember from school how there were three averages. All parts added and divided by the number of parts - that was the 'mean' average which is what this one is. There was the 'median' average which was the halfway point between the lowest and highest - an equally meaningless way of looking at an average wage. Lastly, and the best one, was the 'mode' average; The most common one. In other words, in this context, what most people actually earn.
It's nice to see something official that shows most people earn less than an average figure grossly inflated by higher pay levels.
Someone very kindly posted this. I'm relying on their accuracy. The minimum wage is less than £12,000 a year if 80 people are on that it takes 1 million pound earner to be added to make the average wage over £24,000. For every 6 people on minimum wage it takes 1 person earning £100,000 to be added for the average to be over £24,000.
Wednesday, 23 September 2009
comfort food
Pissed off and frustrated today over prescription costs and all the obstacles put in our way. Doctor says the government will likely want to be satisfied that other drugs like "these ones" will have been tried for a couple of months before they step in and pay. Nothing wrong in that but if he'd told us that before, we could have started "these ones" two months ago and gone to the expensive one immediately and due to the weird way the province works, all the drugs would have been paid for.
So now we're faced with still paying for the next two months and that's nearly another two grand on top of everything else.
So to feel less pissed off we're having comfort food. Chinese for the womenfolk and KFC for me and him.
So now we're faced with still paying for the next two months and that's nearly another two grand on top of everything else.
So to feel less pissed off we're having comfort food. Chinese for the womenfolk and KFC for me and him.
Death week
Just reading in the Guardian about an increase in deaths coinciding with the intake of new junior doctors. The report says it happens on the day they start. Apparently nurses call it death week. Hohoho.
An obvious thought. Why not stagger their starting days? Sports teams don't give debuts to three or four youngsters in one go do they? Not in an important game anyway.
An obvious thought. Why not stagger their starting days? Sports teams don't give debuts to three or four youngsters in one go do they? Not in an important game anyway.
Tuesday, 22 September 2009
B&E
Just found out my mum had another break-in at home. That's the third one now and there was also an attempt once. Her car's been nicked/broken into a few times too; once in the driveway.
I was with her when we discovered one of the break-ins. I was first in and wondered why the door to the video cabinet was open and I knew something looked different. It was the absence of the VCR in that cabinet.
The mess left by SOCO after they did their dusting for prints didn't help.
I was with her when we discovered one of the break-ins. I was first in and wondered why the door to the video cabinet was open and I knew something looked different. It was the absence of the VCR in that cabinet.
The mess left by SOCO after they did their dusting for prints didn't help.
Monday, 21 September 2009
Lunacy
The kids have gone to work and school. All's quiet. The blogs look active but the computer is slow as the weekly scan is running. Time for breakfast and the paper until the scan's done.
* * *
In the local news today. Disabled guy on $600 a month income plus a disability supplement of $1000 paid annually. Monthly income goes up and he's now $1.76 higher than the 'cut-off' point and, naturally, he loses his grand. Looks like this is something peculiar to this province.
Reverse the situation. Imagine he's been on $601.76 a month and it drops to $600 and because of that loss of $21 a year they pay him an extra $1000.
Absolute stupidity. Where's the common sense?
* * *
Done some more research. It doesn't seem to be a "cut-off" at all. It seems that disabled recipients of Social Assistance qualify for an extra $1000 a year and his income is now above SA levels. Obviously the supplement should be built into SA calculations so existing income can be topped up to the usual level plus the $1000.
* * *
In the local news today. Disabled guy on $600 a month income plus a disability supplement of $1000 paid annually. Monthly income goes up and he's now $1.76 higher than the 'cut-off' point and, naturally, he loses his grand. Looks like this is something peculiar to this province.
Reverse the situation. Imagine he's been on $601.76 a month and it drops to $600 and because of that loss of $21 a year they pay him an extra $1000.
Absolute stupidity. Where's the common sense?
* * *
Done some more research. It doesn't seem to be a "cut-off" at all. It seems that disabled recipients of Social Assistance qualify for an extra $1000 a year and his income is now above SA levels. Obviously the supplement should be built into SA calculations so existing income can be topped up to the usual level plus the $1000.
Sunday, 20 September 2009
Huh
Some people.
I was reading about a guy looking for a "standard 4 bedroom home for around $400k" in Nova Scotia. Having heard that would hardly be standard and that not only were good homes much less, they'd have the lower running costs he was looking for, he got a bit defensive and said
I was reading about a guy looking for a "standard 4 bedroom home for around $400k" in Nova Scotia. Having heard that would hardly be standard and that not only were good homes much less, they'd have the lower running costs he was looking for, he got a bit defensive and said
"I wouldn't call this a mansion."It's five bedrooms, 3 and a half bathrooms, a grand staircase, a circular drive, landscaping, front terrace and rear deck.
Sounds like a mansion to me.
Wind ups
The Manchester derby today. In 20 minutes time, in fact. It seemsSir Alex has been winding up the other team for the last few days. It's an odd tactic if it makes them more determined, but then they ought to be well up for the game anyway and it shouldn't make a difference. We'll see.
What a cracking game that was. Couldn't really have scripted it better. Hope Chelsea-Spurs will be as good.
* * *
What a cracking game that was. Couldn't really have scripted it better. Hope Chelsea-Spurs will be as good.
Saturday, 19 September 2009
Common sense and compassion take a hike
It does indeed appear that it will be assumed our step daughter's wages are available for our medical costs. What a terrible thing for a government to do to a 19 year old stepping out into adulthood. "Sorry, you can't keep any of your wages; you have to pay for your parents' medications but you can leave home and keep your wages." Dispicable.
However, it might all be a little academic. A treatment is lined up that is amazingly expensive and once account is taken of that cost we will have the shortfall that we would have but for the NB government's inhuman policy. What's really odd is that they seem to have an all or nothing policy in that we'll qualify for these extra costs and the existing ones. They're effectivley saying we can afford the $10k a year at the moment but that if the costs rise, they'll pay the new costs and the original ones.
But I'm not holding my breath on this. I'll believe it when I see it.
This was something funny from a forum I frequent. The first post is from a new member who gives no indication of where in Canada he lives or will be living. The responder also has no location listed.
Thread Title - 5 a side football
New Member "Does anyone know where I can join a 5 a side football team to play mid week ? Cheers"
Senior Member "There is a good place just a few miles from me." New Member "Where abouts is that ? Do you know any teams ?"
Senior Member "They're on the other side of the park. Dave is the captain of one and I believe Steve runs the other one."
New member This message has been deleted by the moderator. Reason: Personal abuse will NOT be tolerated
Senior member This message has been deleted by a moderator. Reason: Personal abuse will NOT be tolerated
New member This message has been deleted by a moderator. Reason: Personal abuse will NOT be tolerated
A moderator "Perhaps it might be vaguely helpful if you told us whereabouts you live? At least narrow it down to a province, Canada's a pretty big place..............!!! And try not to respond like an aggressive 12 year old this time."
The first response by Senior member was funny...the second one was a true coffee-keyboard moment. Luckily I wasn't drinking.
However, it might all be a little academic. A treatment is lined up that is amazingly expensive and once account is taken of that cost we will have the shortfall that we would have but for the NB government's inhuman policy. What's really odd is that they seem to have an all or nothing policy in that we'll qualify for these extra costs and the existing ones. They're effectivley saying we can afford the $10k a year at the moment but that if the costs rise, they'll pay the new costs and the original ones.
But I'm not holding my breath on this. I'll believe it when I see it.
* * *
This was something funny from a forum I frequent. The first post is from a new member who gives no indication of where in Canada he lives or will be living. The responder also has no location listed.
Thread Title - 5 a side football
New Member "Does anyone know where I can join a 5 a side football team to play mid week ? Cheers"
Senior Member "There is a good place just a few miles from me." New Member "Where abouts is that ? Do you know any teams ?"
Senior Member "They're on the other side of the park. Dave is the captain of one and I believe Steve runs the other one."
New member This message has been deleted by the moderator. Reason: Personal abuse will NOT be tolerated
Senior member This message has been deleted by a moderator. Reason: Personal abuse will NOT be tolerated
New member This message has been deleted by a moderator. Reason: Personal abuse will NOT be tolerated
A moderator "Perhaps it might be vaguely helpful if you told us whereabouts you live? At least narrow it down to a province, Canada's a pretty big place..............!!! And try not to respond like an aggressive 12 year old this time."
The first response by Senior member was funny...the second one was a true coffee-keyboard moment. Luckily I wasn't drinking.
Friday, 18 September 2009
Bike problem
I'm useless when it comes to DIY and mechanical/technical/fiddly stuff.
Since I started cycling again in 1994 I never mended punctures on the bike. Too fiddly and the next puncture may not be far away through having a weakened tube. Or I might not do it well. With the tubes only costing three or four quid I just put a new one on.
I could just about do it though...except I could never work out how to get the wheel past the brakes when removing it and I just used force. For my current bike you just have to squeeze two parts together and it slips apart. It's then easy to slip it back in.
Normally.
Yesterday I was showing the lad how it's done and bloody typical! The brake pad goes permanently against the wheel rim. I fiddle around but have no idea what to do. I unscrew something and the break pad moves. I screw it back but it's firmly against the wheel.
I try again. It seems to do the trick but the moment I apply the brake it remains pressed against the wheel. It's now loosened to the point that pedalling will allow me to ride and that applying the brake might not work too well, if at all. I'll see what happens. Luckily most of where I ride is flat, I'm rarely not pedalling and maybe the front brake is enough. A bike expert would fix it in about 30 seconds. I might need to get it to one. Or maybe one of my stepson's friends.
Since I started cycling again in 1994 I never mended punctures on the bike. Too fiddly and the next puncture may not be far away through having a weakened tube. Or I might not do it well. With the tubes only costing three or four quid I just put a new one on.
I could just about do it though...except I could never work out how to get the wheel past the brakes when removing it and I just used force. For my current bike you just have to squeeze two parts together and it slips apart. It's then easy to slip it back in.
Normally.
Yesterday I was showing the lad how it's done and bloody typical! The brake pad goes permanently against the wheel rim. I fiddle around but have no idea what to do. I unscrew something and the break pad moves. I screw it back but it's firmly against the wheel.
I try again. It seems to do the trick but the moment I apply the brake it remains pressed against the wheel. It's now loosened to the point that pedalling will allow me to ride and that applying the brake might not work too well, if at all. I'll see what happens. Luckily most of where I ride is flat, I'm rarely not pedalling and maybe the front brake is enough. A bike expert would fix it in about 30 seconds. I might need to get it to one. Or maybe one of my stepson's friends.
Thursday, 17 September 2009
Moved goalposts
Really pissed off right now. Been trying to get some help with ludicrously high prescription costs since last year when we were faced with running out of rainy day money. Earlier this year we cancelled a move to one of the many other provinces that don't leave citizens to fend for themselves as we were led to believe we'd qualify here but then they told us we had too much money in the bank. It seemed sensible in the long run to wait it out and re-apply later and I'm now doing that.
Now it appears that they may still refuse us on the basis our 19 year old daughter's wage may be treated as being fully available towards our costs. This would mean we'd have to take at least 70% of her pay as 'housekeeping' just to break even. She'd be better off renting somewhere privately; she'd have more money left after her living expenses than she'd have staying in our home and that's just wrong.
I always knew the government of NB was outdated in this respect and took some account of this sort of thing but I never had the impression they would treat something like this as if it was our income. I thought they might say a particular percentage would be considered as available and that our drugs costs were so high that it wouldn't disqualify us. I'm trying to get clarification and hoping they are getting it wrong.
But I fear that moving away may be back on the agenda again.
Now it appears that they may still refuse us on the basis our 19 year old daughter's wage may be treated as being fully available towards our costs. This would mean we'd have to take at least 70% of her pay as 'housekeeping' just to break even. She'd be better off renting somewhere privately; she'd have more money left after her living expenses than she'd have staying in our home and that's just wrong.
I always knew the government of NB was outdated in this respect and took some account of this sort of thing but I never had the impression they would treat something like this as if it was our income. I thought they might say a particular percentage would be considered as available and that our drugs costs were so high that it wouldn't disqualify us. I'm trying to get clarification and hoping they are getting it wrong.
But I fear that moving away may be back on the agenda again.
Wednesday, 16 September 2009
Firsts
I have my first Canadian puncture. Not bad for 4 years use of my bike. It seems to be a slow puncture; the tire was fine Friday, then Saturday it was completely flat. I pumped it up and it was okay for a quick trip to the drugstore and back but then flat Monday. It was probably flat Sunday too but I didn't check. This will be a good opportunity to show my stepson how to change a tire. Then he can do it for me in future. ;) Funny how we call it having a flat tire when it's the tube that's flat.
Another 'first' this morning. Or, more accurately, a biggest. The biggest spider I've seen in Canada. It was still titchy compared to UK house spiders; only an inch across toe to toe. :)
Another 'first' this morning. Or, more accurately, a biggest. The biggest spider I've seen in Canada. It was still titchy compared to UK house spiders; only an inch across toe to toe. :)
Tuesday, 15 September 2009
Nobody is immune
I've always believed that celebs benefit from their wealth in ways other than just having lavish lifestyles. They usually look young for their age or in good shape physically - look how a near 80 year old Clint Eastwood can still chase the bad guy. ;)
They can afford the healthy lifestyle, the doctors, the plastic surgery, avoid the stresses etc. Possibly, with regular health checks of the sort that only the well off get they can even find something and have it treated successfully before it has become too serious. Celebs usually die of old age, AIDS or shot by a stalker.
But with the death of Patrick Swayze from cancer it shows nobody is completely immune.
They can afford the healthy lifestyle, the doctors, the plastic surgery, avoid the stresses etc. Possibly, with regular health checks of the sort that only the well off get they can even find something and have it treated successfully before it has become too serious. Celebs usually die of old age, AIDS or shot by a stalker.
But with the death of Patrick Swayze from cancer it shows nobody is completely immune.
Monday, 14 September 2009
DIY disasters
Canada's worst handyman on TV. Nice to see it's not just me who can botch things. I can't do caulking around the bath to save my life and these guys remind me of when I was nailing down the floorboards in the bathroom at my old home. Well I didn't know where the pipes were did I?
Hearing a mini Niagara Falls down in the kitchen alerted me!
I did a pretty good job on the laminate flooring though, once my brother had got me started.
* * *
Despite the recession and highest unemployment in decades, UK Directors still managed to have 10% rises in pay over the last year. According to The Guardian, many of their companies were imposing pay freezes on staff and starting huge redundancy programmes to slash costs. And these are people usually encouraging worker 'restraint' when it comes to pay negotiations. No pricing themselves out of a job for them it appears.
Hearing a mini Niagara Falls down in the kitchen alerted me!
I did a pretty good job on the laminate flooring though, once my brother had got me started.
* * *
Despite the recession and highest unemployment in decades, UK Directors still managed to have 10% rises in pay over the last year. According to The Guardian, many of their companies were imposing pay freezes on staff and starting huge redundancy programmes to slash costs. And these are people usually encouraging worker 'restraint' when it comes to pay negotiations. No pricing themselves out of a job for them it appears.
Sunday, 13 September 2009
About turn
News that the UK gov is considering the wisdom of continuing with universal benefits - perhaps looking at Child Benefit, winter fuel payments and even tax credits for the already wealthy.
An argument for universal child benefit was that it was almost a guarantee that the child would actually benefit from the money; going as it aways did to the mother. With so many households where both parents work, that is no longer the advantage it was. Perhaps it's also lost some of its value to those families - £20 a week for the first child and just £13 a week thereafter.
I remember it was always considered not worth the admin costs of a means tested scheme.
In Canada it varies according to province but higher incomes do reduce the amount payable. But separate claims are not actually needed; the payments resulting from the processing of tax returns.
Of course, everyone has to do a tax return every year and that's a bit of a pain. But with child benefits worth at least $300 a month per child it's a big reward.
Back to the UK. I was very surprised when winter fuel payments became the norm a few years ago as, for quite some time, it had become accepted that many pensioners were actually quite well off. It seemed folly to make such payments to all pensioners following recognition that so many were doing fine, thank you very much.
To pay a few hundred quid each year to already wealthy people was a waste but there were thousands of people (residents of care homes, those living in others' households etc) who didn't even incur heating costs at all, let alone increased costs and they receive these funds.
Still, it was electorally popular. Presumably it would be unpopular now?
An argument for universal child benefit was that it was almost a guarantee that the child would actually benefit from the money; going as it aways did to the mother. With so many households where both parents work, that is no longer the advantage it was. Perhaps it's also lost some of its value to those families - £20 a week for the first child and just £13 a week thereafter.
I remember it was always considered not worth the admin costs of a means tested scheme.
In Canada it varies according to province but higher incomes do reduce the amount payable. But separate claims are not actually needed; the payments resulting from the processing of tax returns.
Of course, everyone has to do a tax return every year and that's a bit of a pain. But with child benefits worth at least $300 a month per child it's a big reward.
Back to the UK. I was very surprised when winter fuel payments became the norm a few years ago as, for quite some time, it had become accepted that many pensioners were actually quite well off. It seemed folly to make such payments to all pensioners following recognition that so many were doing fine, thank you very much.
To pay a few hundred quid each year to already wealthy people was a waste but there were thousands of people (residents of care homes, those living in others' households etc) who didn't even incur heating costs at all, let alone increased costs and they receive these funds.
Still, it was electorally popular. Presumably it would be unpopular now?
Saturday, 12 September 2009
Anniversaries
Three anniversaries in a row. The obvious one yesterday and it was 5 years ago today that I came to Canada. That means Thursday was the fifth anniversary of packing work in.
Time has flown by. Surprising really since it was only ever work that made the time pass quickly. Well, I say only ever work but that's not quite accurate. Once upon a time the working week dragged and weekends raced by. In more recent years Monday to Friday sped up, while weekends slowed.a little.
Now it's just winter that passes slowly.
Time has flown by. Surprising really since it was only ever work that made the time pass quickly. Well, I say only ever work but that's not quite accurate. Once upon a time the working week dragged and weekends raced by. In more recent years Monday to Friday sped up, while weekends slowed.a little.
Now it's just winter that passes slowly.
* * *
In the last week the Moncton newspaper has printed a black and white photo with a caption informing its readers who was wearing brown and who wore blue; printed another photo with a caption identifying two people who were not in the photo - nobody was in the photo at all - and printed a headline to say that young people consumed 25% of the cigarettes they smoked. They meant to say that illegal cigarettes made up 25% of cigarettes they smoked. I found myself wondering if they consumed 25% what did they do with the 75%?
Friday, 11 September 2009
Where were you?
I was in the pub with my friend Sue having lunch, We were 4 hours ahead. I got back to work and nobody knew anything had happened.
Throughout the whole afternoon nobody passed any information to us. We even had a TV on in the waiting area, but no messages found their way through. That was really strange because when the TV presenter Jill Dando was shot I was in the same office and someone had told us within minutes of it being announced.
The first I knew about the Towers was when I got home and put the TV on. Eight hours after it happened.
Thursday, 10 September 2009
Half a tennis ball
Article on school supplies in the paper today. This was something that surprised me about Canada. In England you pretty much supplied only your own pens and pencils. There were compasses for tech drawing but you got your own set if you wanted something decent.
Here you have to get scissors, correcting fluid/tape, staplers, folders etc....even the paper the kids write on instead of having exercise books provided.
We even needed to supply tennis balls once. Not for playing tennis. They cut them in half and stick them on the chair legs to reduce the scraping sound of the legs on the floor. Apparently you can now buy them pre-cut.
Here you have to get scissors, correcting fluid/tape, staplers, folders etc....even the paper the kids write on instead of having exercise books provided.
We even needed to supply tennis balls once. Not for playing tennis. They cut them in half and stick them on the chair legs to reduce the scraping sound of the legs on the floor. Apparently you can now buy them pre-cut.
At peace
It's terrible when the England football team fails to qualify for a tournament. It's a lovely feeling when we do qualify and it's even better to be back on track after a failure. I feel at peace. We made it with something to spare so people can be wrapped up in cotton wool and other things can be tried.
Nice to see Argentina still struggling. Well, Maradona rather than Argentina; I have nothing against them, just him. They've now lost 6 games and they will still qualify. It's so easy to make it to a world cup for South American teams if you're any good.
Nice to see Argentina still struggling. Well, Maradona rather than Argentina; I have nothing against them, just him. They've now lost 6 games and they will still qualify. It's so easy to make it to a world cup for South American teams if you're any good.
Wednesday, 9 September 2009
My wife has talent
This strip from the Guardian today reminded me of when a manager was leaving the office I used to work in. Nobody liked her; she was quite unpleasant.
I wanted to put somethig on her leaving card that was insulting but not obviously so. My wife suggested something along the lines of "Good luck in your new pastures."
Brilliant. She was a bit of a cow after all.
Tuesday, 8 September 2009
Autumn viewing
The new TV schedules start soon. The difference between summer and the rest of the time is atonishing with almost nothing to interest me in summer.
Between BBC, ITV and C4 there was always plenty to interest me in the UK and then came satellite TV which I eventually got via cable. What with the football and the movie channels, I found I watched very little 'traditional' TV, but I'm not sure that was just due to the availability of footie and movies; I think there was an element of TV just not being that good then.
I don't know. Maybe it was a bit of the old "it was better in my day" thing or maybe the TV companies lost their way a bit. By all accounts the fare served up seems to be back to old standards now.
It's probably good that I got out of the habit of watching TV programs before I moved here, so that there wasn't too much of a comedown for me. The CSIs, Criminal Minds, some Law & Orders etc are quite good but they're all cop shows. CBC (Canada's BBC) produces some excellent stuff but it's like they're only allowed to produce one good drama series every couple of years. Maybe it takes their whole drama budget; they really ought to be able to do more but maybe their hands are tied.
Anyway, summer seems to be full of so called Reality TV. Next Top Model, Hell's Kitchen (Chef contest), Idol, Dance.....
They are really talent shows, so why can't we just call them that?
Come Autumn anything new that's good seldom gets retained. You just get into something that's a bit more original than a run of the mill cop show and suddenly it disappears from the schedules because the American audience doesn't have the patience, concentration or understanding necessary and it's dropped.
Strangely, although the newspaper is full of previews and news of the new schedules, they don't cover anything else about TV. There's no review of "last night's TV", hardly any detail in the listings and when a show has been pulled you only discover it from internet searches done to find out what happened. It's all very strange.
We do get the Miss Marple mysteries and I enjoy those. Also the UK version of Law and Order. I probably wouldn't watch it in England or at least not avidly. But it has been on in the summer and it's been like an oasis for me.
Between BBC, ITV and C4 there was always plenty to interest me in the UK and then came satellite TV which I eventually got via cable. What with the football and the movie channels, I found I watched very little 'traditional' TV, but I'm not sure that was just due to the availability of footie and movies; I think there was an element of TV just not being that good then.
I don't know. Maybe it was a bit of the old "it was better in my day" thing or maybe the TV companies lost their way a bit. By all accounts the fare served up seems to be back to old standards now.
It's probably good that I got out of the habit of watching TV programs before I moved here, so that there wasn't too much of a comedown for me. The CSIs, Criminal Minds, some Law & Orders etc are quite good but they're all cop shows. CBC (Canada's BBC) produces some excellent stuff but it's like they're only allowed to produce one good drama series every couple of years. Maybe it takes their whole drama budget; they really ought to be able to do more but maybe their hands are tied.
Anyway, summer seems to be full of so called Reality TV. Next Top Model, Hell's Kitchen (Chef contest), Idol, Dance.....
They are really talent shows, so why can't we just call them that?
Come Autumn anything new that's good seldom gets retained. You just get into something that's a bit more original than a run of the mill cop show and suddenly it disappears from the schedules because the American audience doesn't have the patience, concentration or understanding necessary and it's dropped.
Strangely, although the newspaper is full of previews and news of the new schedules, they don't cover anything else about TV. There's no review of "last night's TV", hardly any detail in the listings and when a show has been pulled you only discover it from internet searches done to find out what happened. It's all very strange.
We do get the Miss Marple mysteries and I enjoy those. Also the UK version of Law and Order. I probably wouldn't watch it in England or at least not avidly. But it has been on in the summer and it's been like an oasis for me.
Monday, 7 September 2009
Bank Holiday Monday
Last Monday was a Bank Holiday in England. Today is Labour Day in Canada.
From Wiki: Labour Day or Labor Day is an annual holiday celebrated all over the world that resulted from the labour union movement, to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers. The majority of countries celebrate Labour Day on May 1, and it is popularly known as May Day and "International Workers' Day", while some celebrate on the first Monday of September.
It's always been a puzzle to me that a right wing country like the USA has Labor Day while the UK, with a far greater tradition of a labour union movement, has a Bank Holiday instead.
There's the USA where employers routinely sack employees for joining a union and where Ronald Reagan had air traffic control staff taken away in chains for going on strike and they're observing this 'union' day. Bizarre.
From Wiki: Labour Day or Labor Day is an annual holiday celebrated all over the world that resulted from the labour union movement, to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers. The majority of countries celebrate Labour Day on May 1, and it is popularly known as May Day and "International Workers' Day", while some celebrate on the first Monday of September.
It's always been a puzzle to me that a right wing country like the USA has Labor Day while the UK, with a far greater tradition of a labour union movement, has a Bank Holiday instead.
There's the USA where employers routinely sack employees for joining a union and where Ronald Reagan had air traffic control staff taken away in chains for going on strike and they're observing this 'union' day. Bizarre.
Sunday, 6 September 2009
Ha bloody ha
It was a great pleasure to see the look on Maradona's face as Brazil were beating Argentina at home, late Saturday night.
Saturday, 5 September 2009
Brite nurly
Out to the shops early today. The local (huge) Drugstore was having one of its one day sales. Many of the groceries and household things they sell are similar or cheaper to supermarket prices, but today there was a shedload of stuff for between a third and two-thirds of it's normal price.
They actually do it on a much smaller scale (but the same great deals) every month but for two days. When it's a big one and just one day, you need to be there fairly early or it's all gone. I was there an hour after opening and half of some of the stuff had sold already.
What's annoying is that on some things they limit how many you can have. I actually think that's fair. What's wrong is that they simply allow the customer to buy too many and the cashier puts it through as two transactions.
I probably feel more strongly about this as I can't do that as I'm limited to what I can carry by bike or even on foot, while the rest of the population loads up their cars.
There are a few elderly or disabled people who are restricted in what they can carry too. They struggle with their 'walker' and basket, hoping to get their fair share of cheap butter, eggs, cheese, salmon, cookies etc and then they can't because some thoughtless people have taken a lot more than their share. The old story I suppose.
They actually do it on a much smaller scale (but the same great deals) every month but for two days. When it's a big one and just one day, you need to be there fairly early or it's all gone. I was there an hour after opening and half of some of the stuff had sold already.
What's annoying is that on some things they limit how many you can have. I actually think that's fair. What's wrong is that they simply allow the customer to buy too many and the cashier puts it through as two transactions.
I probably feel more strongly about this as I can't do that as I'm limited to what I can carry by bike or even on foot, while the rest of the population loads up their cars.
There are a few elderly or disabled people who are restricted in what they can carry too. They struggle with their 'walker' and basket, hoping to get their fair share of cheap butter, eggs, cheese, salmon, cookies etc and then they can't because some thoughtless people have taken a lot more than their share. The old story I suppose.
* * *
International weekend today. England play a friendly with the main qualifier next week. But there are some attractive games I can watch on TV. Denmark-Portugal is one I can definitely watch. I'll be booing Portugal of course. Spain and Belgium I might see. It's on a channel I don't get but the free preview still seems to be on.
Might go and cheer on Macedonia against Scotland in a mo.
Oh....Argentina V Brazil later. Might be able to get that too.
Might go and cheer on Macedonia against Scotland in a mo.
Oh....Argentina V Brazil later. Might be able to get that too.
Friday, 4 September 2009
Tea or coffee
I still come across this thing about Brits being tea drinkers. I rarely drink it, much preferring coffee. On my trips to Canada and America, most people I met were tea drinkers, while most people I knew in the UK were coffee drinkers.
My wife and step daughter (Canadian) both prefer tea.
My wife and step daughter (Canadian) both prefer tea.
* * *
Does anyone believe they have 'Clarence' looking out for them?
(It's a Wonderful Life reference there for anyone wondering who Clarence is
)
When I first started work (1973) I used to pass this guy in a fairly grubby gabardine raincoat walking home and back at lunchtimes. He was always going in the opposite direction to me. Nothing unusual about that; he would have been on a different lunch break to me.
But then I changed offices and my new route took me in another direction and by car; getting a lift from my dad. I'd see the same man in the mornings going in the opposite direction. Again, nothing odd; he would have been walking to where we both previously worked.
Then my dad moved to a new workplace and I had to get the bus. The bus didn't go by the same route and I still had a 15 minute walk when I got off. Now I was passing him on that walk.
Now, he could have been walking to the same workplace as before. Except that it would have been a long walk and he'd be very late. But maybe he had moved home or was working somewhere else.
Then I moved to the other side of the city and my route to work was North to South instead of South to North. And guess what?
Some mornings I'd see this guy in the same grubby gabardine raincoat. I'd still be passing him so he'd still be going in the opposite direction. So, now, he couldn't possibly be going to the same workplace...although he could be travelling from the same place. But that would mean a completely different shift (and there were no shifts there) and a very very long walk.
After 18 months I moved back to my parents' home so I was now back on the first bus route I mentioned. And again, I'd pass him as previously.
Next, I changed workplaces again. I still got the same bus but I stayed on it longer and got off close to the office. That didn't really leave much room to see him.
But if I left work early for a dental appointment I'd see him then. Always going in the other direction. Always in that grubby raincoat.
Now I'll cut out the detail but suffice to say that once in a while I'd pass him no matter what home/office route, if I was coming home early or going in late and bizarrely one time when I'd gone in a completely different route because of a doctor's appointment. It left me getting a different bus at a different time of day in a totally different direction...and I still passed him.
Once I even saw him when I'd taken the morning off for a job interview and it was mid-morning when I passed him.
By now I had long since made comments to people about him being my Guardian Angel - or was I his?
I even saw him walking along a street near my last home. Unless visiting or living there there would be no reason for that route. He looked the worse for wear. He had the same grubby coat. This must have been 25 years after I first saw him.
I did see him again since and he looked better.
I've lived in Canada since 2004. And guess who I saw yesterday.........
Just kidding.
(It's a Wonderful Life reference there for anyone wondering who Clarence is
)When I first started work (1973) I used to pass this guy in a fairly grubby gabardine raincoat walking home and back at lunchtimes. He was always going in the opposite direction to me. Nothing unusual about that; he would have been on a different lunch break to me.
But then I changed offices and my new route took me in another direction and by car; getting a lift from my dad. I'd see the same man in the mornings going in the opposite direction. Again, nothing odd; he would have been walking to where we both previously worked.
Then my dad moved to a new workplace and I had to get the bus. The bus didn't go by the same route and I still had a 15 minute walk when I got off. Now I was passing him on that walk.
Now, he could have been walking to the same workplace as before. Except that it would have been a long walk and he'd be very late. But maybe he had moved home or was working somewhere else.
Then I moved to the other side of the city and my route to work was North to South instead of South to North. And guess what?
Some mornings I'd see this guy in the same grubby gabardine raincoat. I'd still be passing him so he'd still be going in the opposite direction. So, now, he couldn't possibly be going to the same workplace...although he could be travelling from the same place. But that would mean a completely different shift (and there were no shifts there) and a very very long walk.
After 18 months I moved back to my parents' home so I was now back on the first bus route I mentioned. And again, I'd pass him as previously.
Next, I changed workplaces again. I still got the same bus but I stayed on it longer and got off close to the office. That didn't really leave much room to see him.
But if I left work early for a dental appointment I'd see him then. Always going in the other direction. Always in that grubby raincoat.
Now I'll cut out the detail but suffice to say that once in a while I'd pass him no matter what home/office route, if I was coming home early or going in late and bizarrely one time when I'd gone in a completely different route because of a doctor's appointment. It left me getting a different bus at a different time of day in a totally different direction...and I still passed him.
Once I even saw him when I'd taken the morning off for a job interview and it was mid-morning when I passed him.
By now I had long since made comments to people about him being my Guardian Angel - or was I his?
I even saw him walking along a street near my last home. Unless visiting or living there there would be no reason for that route. He looked the worse for wear. He had the same grubby coat. This must have been 25 years after I first saw him.
I did see him again since and he looked better.
I've lived in Canada since 2004. And guess who I saw yesterday.........
Just kidding.
Thursday, 3 September 2009
Shades of grey
The Internet is a wonderful invention but why are there so many idiots on it? So many people think in extremes and opposites; there never seems to be any middle ground for them.
Say something isn't white and they come back with "So you think it's black then" as if there were no other colours or even shades of Grey.
Even The Guardian Newspaper has readers one would expect more of but they can be just as bad as can be seen on the newspaper's blogs.
Giving stick to opposition players/managers in Sport is a long standing tradition. Some things go too far and calling a guy a paedophile is clearly one of them. Those guilty have lost perspective. It's only a game after all.
But when people appear more indignant about such immature name calling than when fans mock the deaths of over 100 victims of two disasters (including 96 who died just 20 years ago) along with the hundreds of people who lost friends and loved ones....well they are missing perspective too.
And when people suggest that maybe some perspective is called for, given the nature of some other examples of 'stick' going too far, they suggest you're, at best, excusing it or, at worst, somehow saying it's okay. Twats.
And I wasn't even involved.
Say something isn't white and they come back with "So you think it's black then" as if there were no other colours or even shades of Grey.
Even The Guardian Newspaper has readers one would expect more of but they can be just as bad as can be seen on the newspaper's blogs.
Giving stick to opposition players/managers in Sport is a long standing tradition. Some things go too far and calling a guy a paedophile is clearly one of them. Those guilty have lost perspective. It's only a game after all.
But when people appear more indignant about such immature name calling than when fans mock the deaths of over 100 victims of two disasters (including 96 who died just 20 years ago) along with the hundreds of people who lost friends and loved ones....well they are missing perspective too.
And when people suggest that maybe some perspective is called for, given the nature of some other examples of 'stick' going too far, they suggest you're, at best, excusing it or, at worst, somehow saying it's okay. Twats.
And I wasn't even involved.
* * *
After a few cooler days, the aircon is back on today. Another Tropical Storm is due next week. More rain.
Wednesday, 2 September 2009
Lousy Radio
Radio here is lousy at night. The station my bedside radio was tuned to was a 'classic rock' thing but there was no DJ at night. It was also the same old stuff every few days. Good to go to sleep to but that's about it. Useful in the mornings if the schools are closed for snow, but then all the local ones do that.
Surely they can have some aspiring DJ from somewhere who can take the role through the night in the hope of getting picked up?
Now I'm tuned to a news/talk station but, again, nothing through the night to listen to if I wake and can't sleep. At night they used to switch to Fox Sports Radio and now, it seems, they switch to ESPN Radio. These North American sports do nothing for me.
Why can't they do what they do on other days and re-broadcast a discussion/phone-in? Or better still take Radio 5Live from the BBC.
Surely they can have some aspiring DJ from somewhere who can take the role through the night in the hope of getting picked up?
Now I'm tuned to a news/talk station but, again, nothing through the night to listen to if I wake and can't sleep. At night they used to switch to Fox Sports Radio and now, it seems, they switch to ESPN Radio. These North American sports do nothing for me.
Why can't they do what they do on other days and re-broadcast a discussion/phone-in? Or better still take Radio 5Live from the BBC.
* * *
For a couple of hours on a Sunday morning there is a "show" where the presenter chats to doctors who recommend various products. They promise all kinds of benefits...lower cholesterol, lower blood/sugar, lower blood pressure, better skin etc etc....many of them from the supposedly same product. And they all come from the same company (Purity Products) offering a free sample.
The first time I heard it I began listening after it already started and I was interested. But the more I heard, the more it sounded like advertising.
The second time I heard it there were a couple of disclaimers. "Not approved (or recommended) by the FDA." That's the US organisation, not Canada's. "Not a treatment or a cure" was another...and this was surprising since it most definitely was put across as tests proving it works.
My doctor prescribes meds for me that lowers and/or control levels. That's obviously a treatment. So if these products do the same then why the disclaimer it's not a treatment?
Once I heard the same "show" as the first time. The presenter keeps describing it as a show.
Clearly the whole thing is misleading the listener into thinking there is some sort of independence to it when it's nothing more than advertising.
It may well be the product does work. But I find it quite disturbing that advertising is done in this way. I'd happily try something if this deviousness didn't put me off.
It runs for two or three hours, has weather reports, other ads and news reports during the broadcast and they do keep calling it "today's show" and say things like "we'll be back." It's clearly pre-recorded. You can turn on and hear 30 minutes or more before even becoming suspicious about it.
It does sound like a typical mid morning radio chat show. Devious.
The first time I heard it I began listening after it already started and I was interested. But the more I heard, the more it sounded like advertising.
The second time I heard it there were a couple of disclaimers. "Not approved (or recommended) by the FDA." That's the US organisation, not Canada's. "Not a treatment or a cure" was another...and this was surprising since it most definitely was put across as tests proving it works.
My doctor prescribes meds for me that lowers and/or control levels. That's obviously a treatment. So if these products do the same then why the disclaimer it's not a treatment?
Once I heard the same "show" as the first time. The presenter keeps describing it as a show.
Clearly the whole thing is misleading the listener into thinking there is some sort of independence to it when it's nothing more than advertising.
It may well be the product does work. But I find it quite disturbing that advertising is done in this way. I'd happily try something if this deviousness didn't put me off.
It runs for two or three hours, has weather reports, other ads and news reports during the broadcast and they do keep calling it "today's show" and say things like "we'll be back." It's clearly pre-recorded. You can turn on and hear 30 minutes or more before even becoming suspicious about it.
It does sound like a typical mid morning radio chat show. Devious.
Tuesday, 1 September 2009
Car Crash TV
The womenfolk are watching some car crash TV. Of course, they're bleeping out all the swear words and there are, to be honest, so many that I would find it frustrating to watch. You can't really hear what's being said.
Out of curiosity I wondered what they did for subtitles if the mute was brought into play. But there weren't any. The program's not live so why no subtitles? Don't hearing impaired people watch this stuff?
Out of curiosity I wondered what they did for subtitles if the mute was brought into play. But there weren't any. The program's not live so why no subtitles? Don't hearing impaired people watch this stuff?
School Uniforms
Just read this in the Bristol Evening Post
Here they wear seemingly any old thing and I have to say the kids look pretty scruffy. Funny thing...nicknames for teachers don't seem to be the norm here. Is it because it's a different country or because it was so long ago that I was in school?
Hundreds of Bristol youngsters will have to learn how to fasten a tie over the next few days as their schools return to formal uniforms. The popularity of shirts and ties and, often, blazers has increased in the last few years and several more schools are adopting the look this September.
I didn't know there had been a reduction in uniform wearing. Comments after the report suggest kids had been wearing polo style shirts...smart casual. Sounds like a good compromise.Here they wear seemingly any old thing and I have to say the kids look pretty scruffy. Funny thing...nicknames for teachers don't seem to be the norm here. Is it because it's a different country or because it was so long ago that I was in school?
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