[638] Us and them September 25th, 2008 – 4:56pm Posted in Thoughts No comments

American banks going a bit wonky this week have had the interesting effect of illustrating one of the problems of society on a mass scale. I’ve been thinking about this “mass” thing a lot, recently, as the simple issue of numbers seems to have a fundamental effect on how humans operate together. This banking problem casts light on the old “us and them” thing, or tribalism if you like. It’s inherent in all of us to some degree or less and it’s funny how America, a true mass society, has shown how “us and them” needn’t just apply to one group versus another but, when a group is sufficiently large enough, it begins to apply within the group itself.

Take a look at this article about the somewhat dubious plan to solve the crisis. Putting aside the fact it’s the most shameless con I can remember or even conceive of, …read more.

[635] Understand or you’re a lost cause September 15th, 2008 – 11:56pm Posted in Thoughts 1 comment

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oI5EY5kqiBU

[633] A Night with David Speedie and Sue Cook September 13th, 2008 – 12:11am Posted in Events No comments

Sue Cook’s just pulled out, but David’s still a goer. Anyone fancy coming too? It’s a fiver at the Hordens on Tuesday 16th – details here. Speedie defines that part of Rovers rise when it was 50-50 right to the line whether we’d make it to the top or drift away forever… all it took him was a tumble near the line and we made it all the way.

[631] My brain breaks down when tiredness >= 30% September 12th, 2008 – 11:27pm Posted in Daft No comments

[23:21] Finnvitka: my tattoo artist decided to put the Smiths on when I was getting my back done
[23:21] Finnvitka: I nearly killed him
[23:21] Keera: nooo
[23:21] OwenP: what did you get done on your back?
[23:21] Finnvitka: I have two ravens spanning my entire upper back
[23:21] Keera: wow!
[23:21] Keera: thats awesome
[23:21] Finnvitka: seven hours and it’s not even done yet
[23:22] Richard45: where do the smiths fit into that?!
[23:22] Richard45: morrissey riding a raven?!
[23:22] Finnvitka: my artist put them on :p
[23:22] Keera: her tattoo artist was listening to The SMiths
[23:22] Richard45: aaaaaaah
[23:22] OwenP: you thought you were getting two ravens but you actually got the cover art to the queen is dead

[627] Fruitless endeavours September 11th, 2008 – 5:25pm Posted in Events, Thoughts No comments

The brief but brilliant demise of Fleetwood pier this week was a very fitting illustration of the English condition. We are the only nation on the planet who have persisted over centuries in constructing lengthy wooden structures out to sea and then gasping in shock as they erupt into flames out of our control. At least four generations now have sobbed at the just-noticed irony of a wooden structure going up in flames in an ocean, not to count the endless noble seafarers before them who took a good few years to get over the irony of wooden boats not being put out by the sea!

Watching local news reports of craggy-faced northern pensioners tutting at the sadness of it all has, then, started to wear a bit thin, just like the English condition. Many of us are held back at a very basic level – not to just reject …read more.