My heart bleeds

An article in The Guardian today about how 'low' benefit rates in the UK are.

Not.

The writer missed the point that the rate mentioned is not intended for those living permanently on it; it's to tide people over between jobs.

There's often little difference between the whole benefits 'package' - including rent allowances, free dental treatment, free prescriptions, no work related expenses etc - and working for minimum wage, while for others rates can actually be generous.

That bloke who's not able to work but is otherwise capable is getting at least £200 a week. Add another £40 for a moderate disability - perhaps he walks with the aid of a stick.

That perfectly healthy person who is 60 and has a decent flat - probably on £240 a week.

That lone parent of one child living in a two bedroom flat - she'll be on £250 rising by almost £60 for each additional child.

And she can get an extra £25 with a p/t job.

These are the people making up the majority of those permanently on benefits and they all get more than someone on Minimum Wage who has expenses they don't.


It's obviously not ideal living on benefits but I hate this comparison to "average" wage levels when the vast majority of people don't even get close to so called average wage levels.

Only in America

Another one of those shocking stories in the paper today about incidents that could only happen in America.

This one was in China.

Perhaps not corrupt, but...

More tales of politicians feathering their beds have hit the news this week.

A few years ago, the Province's MLAs introduced lump sum payments for members not qualifying for pensions because they hadn't 'served' 8 years. It was to tide them over while they looked for alternative employment.

It's not a bad idea, although the idea behind it clearly need not apply where they do get another job or they have planned a change anyway. It's obviously intended for those losing an election and being thrust into a 'job seeking' situation unexpectedly.

But a couple of years ago* they extended it to include those who will get generous pensions. They also increased it and, at the same time, replaced some non pensionable allowances with an increase in salary which is pensionable.

It meant that pensions increased by 85% and they got the lump sum on top.

It reminds me of the UK when incompetent "captains of industry" got massive pay rises and a huge cut in income tax as well from Thatcher.


*The media has reported as if they were being crafty, sneaking it through. But how come the media either didn't see it or said nothing at the time? These things are not done in secret.

Three

A new list comes out of the world's top 50 restaurants and the report says bad news for London as it only has 3 of the 50.

Maybe that's fewer than previously but considering all the big cities in the world, 3 in just one sounds quite good.

One assumes the recession makes a difference...fewer people eating out so restaurants and chefs moving somewhere else etc.

I'm the bloody Queen, mate

It's been a little confusing watching the latest series of Doctor Who.

Space Channel is showing them two weeks after they've been on in England but, big kid that I am, I can't wait and I've been watching on BBC's iPlayer soon after the live broadcast and then watching that episode again with the wife and kids two weeks on.

Saturday night was the episode containing that great line that titles this post and it reminded me of that magnificent line from last week's episode - to be shown here next week - where the Dalek asks "Would you care for some tea?"

I'm probably the only person on Planet Earth that remembers the 'dizzy' Dalek.

* * *

Perhaps not. I found the dizzy, 'disrespectful', Daleks on youtube.

Hahahahahaha

From The Guardian:

The Foreign Office was last night forced to issue a public apology after an official document suggested Britain should mark the Pope's visit this year by asking him to open an abortion clinic, bless a gay marriage and launch a range of Benedict-branded condoms.

Almost too late

Woke early today and went back to sleep. On waking again I just about had enough time to test, shoot, make bacon sarnies and settle down for ManU beating Spurs.

Arsenal looked a spent force. Probably just down in the dumps.

Rumours - not Fleetwood Mac

Rumours flying around of yet another scandal involving a prominent England footballer and legal gagging action.

Is it true?
Yes.
It's really true?
It's true there's a rumour, yes.

Yeah, right.

Back when the BA cabin crew strikes were taking place, The Guardian ran blogs that featured several posts by the same few names that were churning out BA 'propaganda' almost word for word, seemingly as if they were doing it solely for that purpose and in a targeted way.

When challenged they said they were simply concerned with matters of air travel and airlines. Yeah, right.

So, today, there's a blog about problems for airlines caused by the ash cloud following the volcanic eruption in Iceland which has seen airport closures and flight cancellations.

They don't seem interested enough to comment this time. Funny that.

A puzzle

I wrote a few times about the deal that was to 'sell off' parts of NB Power to Quebec that was to freeze electricity rates for five years while no sell off meant rate increases of at least 3% each year.

So the deal collapsed because so many people were in favour of keeping NB Power (not that control was to be lost) and, thus, facing the inevitable annual increases.

So now the first 3% increase is announced and people (step forward the Conservative so prominent in the opposition to the deal) are wondering why the need for it.

Moronic or what?

Hardship?

Many flights are cancelled this week due to the ash cloud floating around following the volcanic eruption in Iceland.

A couple of football teams have to make what has been described as arduous travel.

Barcelona will travel by their luxury coach to France where they will stay overnight before traveling on to Milan, before their game over 24 hours later. Tough eh?

Liverpool will travel to London and then Eurostar to Paris where they will stay overnight. They'll take the train the next day before a short flight to Madrid where they play, also more than 24 hours later.

Of course none of the players have to bother about the travel arrangements or carry baggage etc. It's all done for them.

Now I admit it's not the sort of thing they are used to but it really doesn't compare with a four hour midnight bus ride to the airport arriving hours before you need to but it's the only option and then getting to your apartment 12 hours after the journey began and 30 hours after you got up and still another 10 hours to bedtime

or

The journey to the South of France that begins at 4.00 am and gets you to your mobile home after a 30 hour coach ride including overnight travel in standard seats, arriving early afternoon and 50 hours after your last night's sleep.

Rain

What a miserable day, weather wise.

It would be lovely, normally, just gazing out at it and not having to go to work or anything.

But there are a couple of errands I need to do and I'll put them off for now. Maybe tomorrow. Or Wednesday.

What a comeback

Arsenal, the team I love to hate were 2-0 up in the game I was watching this morning and in control.

SS was at a loose end so I gave up the rest of the game so he could watch the TV.

At my computer I noticed that Wigan scored to make it 1-2 with 10 minutes left.

They scored twice more in the last minute to beat Arsenal 3-2...and I missed it.

Never mind...all the big results over the last week have gone exactly as I wanted them to.

Amazing but true

ManU really needing to win showing little urgency and Rooney playing when clearly he shouldn't. 0-0 and seconds left when up pops Scholes with the winner.

Now it's down to Spurs-Chelsea. Can Spurs follow their great win over Arsenal in midweek?

* * *

Yes they can...and did.

Trials and tribulations

Been advertising and trying to get a replacement tenant this week.

I thought one party was just asking good questions but it became a tactic to get me to offer a reduced rent. And I was already bending over backwards to help the guy out. Bloody cheek.

Had an enquiry from out of town. Last time I tried to accommodate that I had a real stressful time from a professional complainer, so I was reluctant but she talked me into considering her; her dad would give the place the once over just to confirm her impression.

An hour after the appointment was made a potential tenant from the day before who originally wanted to think on it for a day or two decided she wanted it. I wanted to honour the arrangements made based on the original response.

So I did...and the suggested quick decision and deposit is still not forthcoming.

I could lose a definite tenant through wanting to play fair.

Dating sites

I was reading today about some people's experiences with dating sites and it reminded me of my own.

There was one woman who I'd exchanged a few emails with and all seemed quite promising. Then I happened to mention I'd recently got an MBE and she appeared to take that to mean I was some monarchist loving twit and she dismissed me.

Another one seemed to have some pre-arranged "emergency" giving her an escape route if she wanted it when the phone call came. Nothing wrong with that...except by then I realised I would have taken second place to several ferrets that she was very keen to talk about but had not mentioned as an interest previously.

Winston Smith

Reading about a blogger who takes his name from 1984 and what he's written. A really fascinating read about kids in care.

The (mis)behaviours described and the resoponses to them I completely recognise. Many of his 'clients' were also mine.

No personal responsibility and everything about rights and a sense of entitlement.

Cows: A Study

Apparently, the longer a cow has been lying down, the more likely it is to get up.

Conversely, the longer it has been standing is no guide to when it will lie down.

Fascinating.

Not.

Recipe of the day & Murphy's Law

Croissant split into two, lightly toasted, a little Mayo.

Fried egg - yolk broken - over easy. Thin slice of cheese dropped onto the egg when flipped over.

Add egg and cheese to croissant with a slice of ham to form a sandwich.

One isn't enough, two makes you feel a little queasy.


My wife likes several variations on this broken yolk theme. What's funny - or mildly irritating - is that the egg never breaks accidentally when she wants it that way. It only breaks when you want it unbroken.

March winds in April

Windy out today. Well it wouldn't be windy in.

Reminded me of a bike ride where on one particular road I was propelled along without pedalling. Not unusual if downhill or there's a wind, but there was no wind. It's a mystery to this day.

I was reminded because I slowed as I arrived at my stop, but a little too soon. Just as I was about to make another push on the pedal, a gust of wind did it for me.

Ooops

Completely wrong footed today. The absence of the usual early game has thrown me and I forgot to wake SD for work. Luckily she managed to rouse herself; as she should, of course.

Down with colds

And I am down with one. Just as the weather got warmer.

Murphy's Law

Murphy's law struck ManU.

Rooney played but it was so obvious mobility was restricted. It was a gamble and it paid off as he played his part in achieving a 2 goal cushion. But certain challenges on him aggravated matters and everything kept breaking down and needless pressure was faced.

Then the encouraging goal just before half time and still no change.

Half time, still no change. Then came the red card that made the outcome inevitable.

I'm sure Bayern could have nosed in front without the red card anyway, but an eleven man ManU would be more likely to have fought back.

At least there's less chance of injuries for the England players now with no extra games.

Arsenal tanked

Happy Birthday to me
Happy Birthday to me
Happy Birthday.........

So Arsenal got stuffed by one man team Barcelona.

Hopes rest on ManU now.

Voting

The UK election has been called.

I have lived in Canada for over five years. I am a permanent resident of Canada. I cannot vote.

I have lived permanently outside the UK for over five years. I am still eligible to vote there (in person, proxy or postal) for almost another ten years.

It doesn't seem right for me to vote in a country I no longer live in.
It doesn't seem right for me to be unable to vote in the country I live and pay taxes in - especially as a member of a Canadian family (my wife and kids).

I could go for Citizenship of Canada - not that it implies anything more permanent - but the voting options here hardly make it worth the bother.

Annoyed. Really annoyed

Sometimes I feel I live with idiots.

We are supposed to bag up our garbage as wet and dry. I tell the others to think of it as mucky and not mucky. But they still want to put dry card and plastic in the bin for the wet stuff.

I have a bin for most of the dry sruff and an overflow container. This is for larger things like cereal boxes. They are to be flattened and put in the overflow so as not to fill up the sack in the main (dry) bin.

But somebody insists on putting little bits of cardboard and small bits of plastic in the overflow bin, so when it comes to emptying to put the garbage out, guess who is having to reach right down into the overflow container to pick up all the fucking little pieces.

SS is the worst offender. The number of times I say to remove the lid from the ice cream and marge containers telling him that it's a waste of space to have a two litre container taking up room when there's plenty of rubbish that could actually go inside.

So what do I find there just now? A large biscuit tin from Christmas. You know, one of those nice big ones that will hold documents, trinkets, photos, xmas decorations etc and help to keep things in order.

I can't believe smeone wanted to throw it out. If it really wasn't needed (as if there isn't stuff that could be tidied into it) why not put some other trash into it? Of course it had the fucking lid on didn't it.

Fish fingers and custard

The new Doctor made his debut yesterday. I wasn't able to watch live but I did see it about 4 hours later rather than wait two weeks.

The plot was good and maybe there was a tiny problem with special FX at one point but it was highly enjoyable.

It seems likely we'll be in danger from Daleks and Cybermen but the world is in safe hands.

ManU v Chelsea

Good games lined up today. Just time to make my bacon sarnies and settle.

A repeat

You are reading an "encore presentation" of a previous post.

Sounds daft. But that's what they call it do on the radio. Weekends and holidays consist of reruns of entire 'shows' from the previous week.

At 8.00 this morning they were re-running something from last Friday afternoon.

Technology being what it is these days it really is disappointing they can't do better.

Spoof

One of my favourite days of the year. I always enjoy the spoof news stories.

The ones I especially like are those that are fairly obvious from the headline or opening paragraph but they are so well done they are still funny. Also good are those you're not sure about but then something clicks.

Some are just silly right from the start...but then there are some pretty silly news stories around anyway. If you really can't tell whether it's a spoof or real item I think it lessens the appeal.