[75] Pandering to Northern stereotypes on TV February 19th, 2002 – 2:43pm Posted in Bad Things, Daft No comments

Recently there’ve been a lot of Northern presenters on TV, and I find them very patronising. Too many Geordies, for a start. It’s not that they’re Geordies that’s the problem, it’s why they’ve been put there in the first place. Like they’re supposed to sound like you so you’ll somehow connect with them better, or something. If it’s deliberately meant to appeal to Northerners, it doesn’t. It’s similar with ethnic minority presenters cropping up all over the place; Channel 4 is the worst culprit, shoving Jocko’s and Paddies in all over the show (I would say blacks too but that’s not OK racism, it’s just racism). When you begin to suspect they’re not there entirely on merit, it becomes patronising and a little embarassing seeing these caricatures of Northern life paraded around, their well-pronounced, enunciated Northern accents nothing like you’ve ever heard in real life.

[319] Can’t get the stink out February 16th, 2002 – 1:08pm Posted in Events No comments

As I write this I’ve been working for six weeks. In a row. I think this is a record for me because I can’t recall staying at one place longer than two weeks, previously. It’s not going too bad, I guess. Time goes quickly, and it’s not too hard… plus my overdraft is shrinking nicely, which is always a good thing. It’s just… work, though. It’s crap. I don’t know how I’m going to face working for the next forty-five years. It sends me mental. My nemesis turned up recently, too… Rachel. She’s the most fucked-up bitch I’ve ever had the misfortune to come across – a short-ass fucking midget who can’t stop saying “innit”, she’s a cocky lazy shit, plus we hate each other – but it’s not open hate, it’s that nasty kind of secret hate that simmers just beneath the surface but is actually a lot more …read more.

[142] African footballers in their 40s February 12th, 2002 – 5:33pm Posted in Daft, Good Things No comments

Is it Roger Milla who played in the World Cup when he was about 49? They’re fantastic. Nobody seems to know how old most of them are… some of them say they’re 37 when they’re obviously pushing 50. They kick ass, in fact. I want to be able to play football like I’m ten years younger when I’m that old. I love that Brazilian guy who plays for Deportivo; he looks about 55, must weigh about 25 stone, but he’s brilliant. Jurassic Park!