Lovely-jubbly!

Film industry to follow the music biz down the tubes?

2010-11-01T09:02:00.000-07:00

We already know that the internet has delivered the music industry a mortal blow. The writing was on the wall for the accepted method of creating and distributing music the moment that the first mp3 was encoded. A whole generation of kids decided that it wasn't worth buying a CD when you can download it for free. This had a seismic effect on the industry, leading to file-sharing websites being shut down and high profile court cases such as Metallica v Napster. Click here to find out more about the difficulties the industry faces.

However, now it appears that the reaper is sharpening his scythe to take out the film industry. Adrian Hon in his Telegraph blog post believes that high quality TV, profit margins on popcorn and the internet will kill off Hollywood. Basically, the digital age has dispersed traditional audiences to the far corners of satellite TV, Freeview and the internet, making it much harder to reach them in large numbers. Now the film industry has to cough up huge financial investments to market any product and also ensure that it is dumbed down enough to get the widest possible reach...

Lounging about

2010-10-22T06:22:00.000-07:00

I have to be careful with sofas, as once I've sat down on a comfortable one it is somewhat hard for me to get up off of it! I'm hoping to move into a flat soon and I'm wondering what type of sofa I should buy, because as always there is a massive choice out there.

Do I go for a soft, comfortable fabric covered sofa or do I opt for the fashionable leather sofa? I'm not too keen on the leather myself as it screams premiership footballer or blinging rapper. How many times have you seen some dopey forward for Manchester Hotspur sat with his bleach blonde girlfriend on a white leather sofa on the front cover of Hello! magazine?

Actually, come to think of it, maybe I'll just get a second hand one off the back of a lorry. I'll just look for a bloke in cheap sportswear hanging around at a car boot sale. I'm sure he can help.

"Be lucky, mate."

In it for the long-haul!

2010-09-14T09:05:00.000-07:00

Manchester Airport have begun an advertising for their long haul flights, entitled 'So far, so near' in an attempt to drum up more custom. An approximate 1.5 million passengers from the airport's catchment area are supposed to use long haul services and it is these people the airport wants to win back.

According to Opodo Travel News:

"An outdoor advertising campaign has been introduced to promote destinations in America, the Far East and India that are easily accessible from north-west England.

Andrew Harrison, Manchester airport's new managing director, said: 'Just last year I said that 50% of travellers from the north wanting to fly to Dubai were driving to London rather than taking flights from Manchester. With two daily services and one of them being an A380, there's no need to do that anymore.' "

Wether they will be able to make Manchester THE place to take a long haul flight to the UK or not, remains to be seen. But with the airport offering flights to Singapore, the USA and popular middle east destinations such as Abu Dhabi, things could be on the up.

The Stig revealed!

2010-09-01T06:05:00.000-07:00

Due to the High Court refusing the BBC's request to grant an injunction on the identity of Top Gear's tame racing driver, it appears that The Stig has been at last unmasked. Without wondering if this is all a big PR exercise (which is what I think it is), it seems that The Stig is a professional racing driver and stunt man called Ben Collins.

It could be that Mr Collins is leaving the show and the Top Gear producers have set this up as a great wheeze to give Jeremy Clarkson & co more publicity. Rumours surrounding the Stig and who he is has become one of the features of Top Gear, with even Michael Schumacher assuming the identity of helmeted one in a show last year.

Get ready to see the current Stig 'killed off' and replaced with another similarly attired automaton later in the year. And carried off in a van.

Britain to face high inflation for longer than expected

2010-08-17T07:14:00.000-07:00

Prices are rising here in Britain, particularly food prices (up 10pc) and the cost of travel (up 7.8pc). However, the gloom is set to continue for the foreseeable future. High inflation will apparently be with us for a while yet to come. Not even the governor of the Bank of England expected this:

"Mervyn King, the Bank's Governor, voiced surprise that prices are higher than he had expected in a letter of explanation to the Chancellor George Osborne. While the overall consumer prices edged down to 3.1pc from 3.2pc in June, it remains above the Bank's own 2pc target, and the small decline will do little to ease the fear of some economists that a high cost of living will undermine Britain's fragile recovery.

Mr King must write to the Treasury each month that inflation exceeds 3pc, and he said he is likely to have to send several more letters. Inflation will probably not return to target until the end of 2011, he said.

"Food price inflation has moved up strongly ... and that's perhaps a trend that's going to continue over the next 12 months," said Philip Shaw, an economist at Investec.

Today's figures from the Office for National Statistics also showed that the Retail Price Index, a measure of inflation generally seen as the best gauge of the cost of living, was at 4.8pc last month. Again, though lower than June's 5pc, it's far outstripping any pay rises companies may be awarding.

Mr King has insisted that the price pressures are driven by temporary influences such as the price of oil. "

Look out for your savings account!

Thinking of dipping your toe in the property market?

2010-08-04T07:12:00.001-07:00

More people than ever are on the search for sound mortgage advice.New data has shown an increase of over 25 percent for those seeking out advice concerning their mortgage in the first half of 2010, most of all from first time buyers.The data from Unbiased.co.uk is cause for relief; it had received 45,000 enquiries relating to home loans between January and June, up from 36,000 last year.

Those who are struggling with their financial obligations or trying to keep their current accounts above the red or who are just unsure about their financial future are being ever more cautious before taking that first big step into the property market. Over the past years the mortgage market has remained consistent, with many favouring paying extra for the more simple and straightforward style of financing.

However the financial crisis, recession, and property downturns has created a consumer confidence issue in which more and more turn to professional agencies or advice for how to squeeze the most value for money out of their mortgage. The consumers aren’t the only ones looking to tighten their finances, as lenders worry about house prices in Britain falling in July creating continuing uncertainty about the economy. The criterion for acceptance has increased and there are even fewer providers of mortgage schemes as there were just a few years ago.

At the same time, many feel that it’s a good time to be aggressive, and soon the competition will return in force, producing keener pricing and a return to the positive.

Pakistan floods

2010-08-02T07:18:00.000-07:00

1,100 people are thought to have died and 27,000 people are still unaccounted for, as Pakistan suffer their worst flooding for 80 years. Entire communities have been destroyed by this disaster and it is estimated that 1.5 million people need help.

Emergency agencies such as Oxfam fear that Cholera and Diarrhoea will spread rapidly amongst the homeless. There is more information on the Pakistan floods here.

Luvvies, darlings and the NHS

2010-07-26T07:42:00.000-07:00

I often wonder that if you're well off and living in an exclusive part of London whether your grip on reality is greatly reduced. You read these fools opinions all the time in newspapers as varied as the Guardian and even the Sun. Today, I saw a piece in the Telegraph quite rightly condemning film maker Mike Leigh's assertion that abolishing the UK Film Council was similar to 'abolishing the NHS'.

As Harry Mount rightly says in his column:

No, the two aren’t comparable – even though there are very good arguments for wholesale reform, if not abolition, of the NHS. A relatively well-off country like Britain has the duty to look after its sickest and poorest; it has no duty to provide them with films, particularly the sort of bad films that subsidy can lead to. And, in fact, surely even Mike Leigh has spotted that Britain isn’t really very well-off any more. There’s no money left. Film directors are going to have to think about making popular films again, the poor lambs.

Maybe some of these rich luvvies could make a financial investment and pay for their own films...

Chair oddity

2010-07-13T06:25:00.000-07:00

Well, I thought I'd seen it all... But it appears that I haven't. I'm sure that someone somewhere in London is over the moon about this lingerie chair. He's probably tweeting about it right now.

OBR in trouble already?

2010-07-12T02:47:00.000-07:00

According to the Telegraph, there is a fair amount of controversy over how independent the Office for Budget Responsibility is. Some areas of the media believe that it is too close to the treasury and therefore cannot provide impartial reports. The office has been accused of toeing the government line and manipulating data. According to the Guardian:

Treasury sources confirmed that the OBR had made "methodological changes" to its forecasts in the 10 days leading up to the chancellor's emergency package of measures which led to a far smaller reduction in public sector employment over the next five years.
The OBR said last week that 499,000 jobs would be lost in the public sector as a result of the deepest cuts in government spending since the second world war, but reduced the total by 175,000 after making assumptions about pensions and pay.

The Office's interim figurehead, Sir Alan Budd has stepped down, leading to various accusations in the press. Why has he stepped down already? What has he done etc? He was always going to step down, but hey, the story would be dull without political intrigue, eh?

It does also appear that the Guardianista's have sort of missed the point of the OBR. From the other end of the political spectrum, the Telegraph finance blog outlines the relationship between the government and the OBR:

Just how independent is the OBR? Part of the problem is that it was never set up to be wholly independent, for it has to have some kind of a relationship with the Chancellor and the Treasury. Everything the Chancellor decides to do is first vetted by the OBR to verify its costs and wider effects on the economy. The relationship is thus a symbiotic one, in that the Chancellor may decide not to do it if he thinks it is going to have particularly adverse consequences for the OBR forecasts. And anyway, the OBR will always rely heavily on Treasury officials and modelling in producing its forecasts.

So it seems that (as always) the story is more complicated than it first seems. The office needs distance in order to do it's job, but it still requires to be part of the government to gain valid info and to vet the Treasuries movements. What would the other option be? Call in the 'consultants' at heavy taxpayer expense? That's an investment that the cash strapped government would not want to entertain.

Middle East airlines expand

2010-06-09T02:08:00.001-07:00

Aviation in the Middle East appears to be expanding and thriving according to this article in the Economist. Airlines such as Emirates and Etihad are now competing in such a way that is making the established big boys start to worry.

It's not just the planes and the prices; it's the airports too:

Across the way is Dubai Airport’s Terminal 3, which opened without a hitch six months after the botched start-up of Terminal 5 at Heathrow, London’s biggest airport. Both terminals can handle about the same number of passengers—a little under 30m a year—and both were designed and built for the exclusive use of their incumbent flag carriers. But there the similarities end.
Whereas T5 was shoehorned into a cramped site, T3 covers three times as much space. And whereas the Heathrow terminal will never get any bigger, T3 will soon be the largest building in the world by floor space, thanks to a new concourse dedicated to Emirates’ growing fleet of Airbus A380s. When that opens in 2012, the terminal will be able to accommodate 23 of the leviathan aircraft on stand at the same time and handle 43m passengers.

The reason for the popularity of Dubai and the Middle East as an aviation hub is also down to the location:

Location underpins Emirates’ business model. As Aviation Strategy, an industry newsletter, says, the region is a natural “pinch point” between westward and eastward routes. Sheikh Ahmed describes it as being in the middle of the “new silk road”. Nearly 2 billion people live within four hours’ flying time of the Gulf and twice as many within seven hours. Since the arrival of ultra-long-range airliners in the mid-1990s in the shape of the Boeing 777 (for which Emirates is the biggest customer), any two big cities on Earth can be linked via Dubai with no other stops.

So, it looks like we'll all be taking flights to Dubai in the future.

Savers let down by regulators?

2010-06-08T04:01:00.000-07:00

An article in the Telegraph yesterday illustrated how savers have been let down by auditors, Insurers and government regulators following the collapse of Equitable Life ten years ago. A fine given to their auditors Ernst & Young by the regulators of £500,000 is seen by some as simply not enough, considering that many people's financial investments were decimated by the collapse.

The damage done to more than hundreds of thousands of people’s pension savings remains unchanged. The JDC reckons that more than £4.7bn was invested in Equitable during the final two years before it was forced to close its doors to new business. It is hard to believe many savers would have chosen Equitable if they had been given a fair and accurate statement of just how precarious the insurer’s finances were by then.

The final two years were particularly significant because they followed the first court ruling against Equitable’s plainly inequitable attempts to discriminate against policyholders who insisted it should honour guarantees it had sold them.

The Equitable Members Action Group feel that the fine given to Ernst & Young is 'a slap in the face'. They are banking something coming of the new coalition government's promise:

“We will implement the Parliamentary and Health Ombudsman’s recommendation to make fair and transparent payments to Equitable Life policy holders, through an independent payment scheme, for their relative loss as a consequence of regulatory failure.”

Let's hope the policy holders get justice.

Welcome to Miami

2010-05-25T07:01:00.000-07:00

I've been looking for a place to go for my summer holidays and I think I've found it. Miami is one of Florida’s most popular tourist destinations. Situated on the south-eastern coast of the Sunshine State, it’s a vast city, with many different areas to explore. Car hire in Florida is probably a good idea with so much ground to cover.

One of the best known areas is South Beach, where you can swim, sunbathe and see the famous Art Deco architecture. In Downtown Miami, you’ll find restaurants, shopping malls, theatres, and museums and galleries, such as the Miami Children’s Museums and the Miami Art Museum. The picturesque Coconut Grove area of the city is home to attractions such as The Barnacle State Historic Park and the Kampong (a tropical garden), whilst the Wynwood Art District contains more than 70 galleries.

Miami is also a hub for travellers – the Port of Miami is often referred to as the “Cruise Capital of the World” and many people use Miami as a stopover before driving to the Florida Keys.

Stupid surveys or stupid people?

2010-05-24T06:12:00.000-07:00

A survey published recently seems to say more about the people taking part, rather than the issues involved. Apparently more people are concerned about potholes in the road and slow broadband, than job losses and hospital waiting lists. Well, that sounds about right. I think I'd prefer to spot a pot hole on the way to work in my car, than be jobless and have them all filled in.

But then again, this is the age of the idiot. Stupidity is the new intelligence. We don't look or feel any further than our own noses anymore. People only voted in the general election this year because they had politics spoon-fed to them on the television in the form of live debates.

For example, I read the other week that some people now consider internet access a human right. I don't know about you, but give me food and water any day...

It's a golden opportunity

2010-05-13T09:01:00.000-07:00

Next time you take a flight to Abu Dhabi for your holiday, you may want to check into this hotel. They dispense gold at their ATM! Whatever next?

Countdown to the Election

2010-05-04T03:41:00.000-07:00

In a couple of days we will know for sure if Gordon has lost his job. His election campaign has not gone all that well. It seems that he can't stop himself from stepping on the mousetraps. On the other hand, David Cameron is desperately trying to appear as everything to everyone and Nick Clegg is enjoying his five minutes of political fame. The field appears open and rumours abound of a hung parliament.
One of the issues that the main parties have been very reluctant to talk about is the cuts that will have to made in order for our economy to recover. It seems that the public sector will be slashed in size, taxes raised and god knows what else. Hold on to your financial investments, savings accounts and bonds...

Grab a gran!

2010-04-30T02:44:00.000-07:00

Ooo, it's Cougar time everyone! Forget fancying the 24 year old secretary and go for her mum instead. According the Daily Mail, it's all the rage now thanks to Sex and the City apparently. Women in their 40's and 50's are slipping on the negligees and lingerie to impress their younger boyfriends. They're older, more experienced in life, they are probably successful...blah, blah.

I'd still go for the 24 year old secretary.

Greek crisis spreads...

2010-04-28T06:55:00.000-07:00

It does appear that Greece was borrowing money like a person who thought their credit card gave them free money. It has been flagged as a serious problem by economists for months now and the turmoil in the Asian stock market is a result of the Greek troubles. It is thought that there will be deep cuts made by Ireland, Spain and Portugal, as well as Greece. I'm reminded of a line of dominoes which fall down one by one and our domino maybe next. Hold on to your financial investments...

Seeing the US by road

2010-04-09T08:44:00.000-07:00

An interesting way to see a country is by getting a car and travelling across it. I found this site and it's articles whetted my appetite. Not sure about the CB radio though! The radio is not the most important thing you need on your trek, however. Transport of a comfortable kind, is probably your priority and that means car hire. USA, here we come!

London calling

2010-03-19T08:24:00.000-07:00

Many US travellers are expected to take flights to London this year, due to the beneficial exchange rate which sees the US holidaymaker get more bang for the buck. To list the places and attractions that the capital has to offer on this page would be impossible, so head over to Lonely Planet. Don't forget your tube socks and zoom lens...

What's going on there then?

2010-02-26T01:53:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you can be surfing the net and come across an article or film that makes you think, "What on earth is going on here?" Well, this clip is definitely one of those. No rhyme or reason. Except to promote joys of lingerie around the world. Despite the wonders of the female form in all it's glory, I'm still none the wiser...

Kit van?

2010-02-23T02:41:00.000-08:00

I saw this today and wondered whether van kits are for sale? Must be a good idea surely!

The draw of the Premiership

2010-02-19T02:36:00.000-08:00

The English Premier league is the most popular football league on the planet, right now. Manchester United is the most popular team. People in Thailand consider the Lancashire side to be 'their' home team, such is the extend of the league's reach. People from around the world take flights to Manchester just to see their gods in action.

However, many of them are in trouble now (and I'm not talking about footballers indiscretions). The spectator has a very interesting article on their slide into insolvency here.

Run, rabbit, run!

2010-02-11T07:17:00.000-08:00

I've just noticed that people are running the London marathon to raise funds for Oxfam. If you are feeling sporty and want to know more information click on the link above.

Language, Timothy!

2010-02-09T07:34:00.001-08:00

I can speak French and German to a basic level. I'm also learning Dutch, a language that seems half tongue twister and half drunk English (or 'Engels'). I tend to learn the basics then pick up bits afterwards, watching clips on Youtube or sport with foreign commentary.
I'm considering what other languages I should have a go at next. I think Italian (to charm the ladies), Spanish (Spain's lingo is the second most popular language in the world) and Japanese (I like the symbols they use!). Of course other would say "Why bother? You are already fluent in the most used language in the world", however, I don't want to be totally ignorant!

Win a trip to Oz!

2010-02-05T04:03:00.000-08:00

The Independent is running a competition to win a flight to Australia. The fares will allow you to take in several cities, with flights to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. It's a bit of a chance of a lifetime if you're a bit skint, so why not have a go?

She loves me, she loves me not...

2010-01-22T07:28:00.000-08:00

Now lads, get your act sorted as it's Valentines Day next month and your girlfriends/wives will be expecting to be treated like princesses. So in order avoid painful retribution due to wilful neglect, get chocolates, flowers and book that trip to Paris. Or else.

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, you know. The last thing you want is a hormonally crazed harpy that vaguely resembles your girlfriend, baring down on you with talons bared, ready for the kill. On the other hand, if you want to ditch her, sit back and do nothing. Just remember to wear an hard hat, just in case.

Fancy somewhere different?

2010-01-15T08:03:00.000-08:00

Dubai appears to have grown right out of the sand. Take a look at this video to see how much the place has grown since 1991. When Michael Palin visited Dubai on his round the world trip in 1988, it was sand. If you fancy seeing this developments there, check out flights to Dubai.

Is it me..

2010-01-12T08:50:00.000-08:00

..or are women of a certain age attached to their mobile phones? Held in by contracts or simply pay as you go phones, it seems that the modern lady cannot go ten minutes without tapping out a text or chatting to Candice about her new shoes. Perhaps they should be just sewn into their arms..

Still time to go

2010-01-05T07:29:00.000-08:00

Ok, you stayed for Xmas after all, but you can still get on a plane and book car hire with a provider. The world is your Oyster (if you like them of course) and there are many destinations: Miami, New York, Austria, Malaga, Alicante, Tenerife are just some of the places you could go to. Me, I'll be happy with a weekend in Margate.

Cracking up for the holidays?

2009-12-22T01:51:00.000-08:00

Want to escape the mother-in-law and your sisters kids? Want to feel the warmth of the sun on your face? If so, leave cold blighty behind and jet off to somewhere warmer. EasyCar are doing a car hire USA deal, allowing you to get around your destination with ease. Click on the link to find out more.
Remember, on holiday, no one can hear your Mother-in-law scream...

Copenhagen climate talks

2009-12-14T09:07:00.000-08:00

If you've not heard of these talks, then you've been either living under a rock or in a caravan on the Norfolk broads. The point of the climate change Copenhagen talks are to discuss the cutting of carbon emissions from the worlds countries. Whether anything productive comes of this, we shall see. However, this is a step in the right direction for more responsible industrial behaviour.

Shameless

2009-12-10T09:14:00.000-08:00

Look at the lovely mobile broadband stuff you can get these days. Beats dial-up!

Grabbing the first rung of the ladder...

2009-12-09T06:17:00.000-08:00

House prices have risen for the fifth month in a row, according to the Halifax in this report. Does this mean that the elusive first rung of the ladder is fading out of view for all but the wealthy? The average price of a house is now around £167,000, well out of my price range and probably yours.

So where does this leave those looking for a first time buyer mortgage? The experts say that it is all up to the way that the economy develops over the next few years. Mortgage approvals have risen in comparison with last year, but demand is still down, despite more property coming on to the market. Put it this way, I'm not expecting any miracles happening soon.

Explore a new world?

2009-11-17T01:44:00.000-08:00

Yes, as we have seen with many sporting events (F1 etc) reaching out to the far east, there is a whole new world opening up out there (no, not Peter and Jordan). Civilisations seem to be rising up out of the sand in this film. Will another wonder of the world sprout out of the ground? If you're curious, book flights to Dubai.

Going mobile...

2009-11-13T09:14:00.000-08:00

Skype has done it again. Take a look at Skype Mobile!

I want to go to...Romania!!

2009-11-12T07:57:00.000-08:00

I've just been on their tourism site, where was impressed by the beautiful Moldovian landscapes and cheap beer (I hope). There appears to be a lot to see, not just hanging about in Bucharest. Castles, Fortresses, The Black Sea, The Danube, stunning national parks and several world heritage sites are all waiting to be found.
So there's a lot to do and some distance to travel; looks like a job for car hire. Romania here I come!

Making the move...

2009-11-10T08:58:00.000-08:00

I've been in my current place for about a year now and I think it's time I got a place of my own. However, thanks to the times we live in, I can't afford it and will probably have to spend at least another year in my hole. Great.

All I want is a small flat in an area where cars aren't thrown on bonfires. I'd love to pack up, phone the van rental company and throw it all in the back of a transit. Then drive off to a home of my own. I should be so lucky.

Giving a helping hand

2009-10-09T02:00:00.000-07:00

The Indonesia Earthquake has caused devastation and ruined many peoples lives. Oxfam is determined to do something about it. Click on the link to see if you can help.

Conference season

2009-10-08T09:23:00.000-07:00

Well, the conference season has wound to a close with probably only the Monster raving looney party yet to proclaim their right to rule to the nation. It's perhaps indicative of the times we live in when one of M&S's grey polka-dot dresses became on of the main focuses of the Tory party conference. Forget the national debt, immigration, crime and other major issues, fashion takes centre stage, darling.

The fact that Mrs Cameron chose to wear that dress, means that the Tories are looking to be seen to back British trade and commerce in a subtle way.

Scented bliss

2009-10-02T06:49:00.000-07:00

Are you in trouble with your wife? Afraid that she's going to find out about the train set you installed in the loft? Buy her some flowers and smile sincerely. Tell her she's the one for you, her bum doesn't look big what she's wearing and...duck!

Where can I?

2009-09-29T06:20:00.000-07:00

Where can I get a van? Is there a vans for sale site?

Fixed (No, not the race)!

2009-09-28T06:45:00.000-07:00

Well, I got it sorted. No more using my mates mobile broadband as I've got mine fixed. Now I can read other peoples daft opinions on everything from the proper use of English ("ur great, m8"), to some GMTV. But somehow, I don't think Tim Berners-Lee envisioned the zoo of morons and con-artists that the internet has become...

Touring the country?

2009-09-24T07:44:00.000-07:00

My friend has the right idea, van hire, long life food and a set of songs. Hit the road on tour!

Internets!!

2009-09-22T02:57:00.000-07:00

Damn internet connection is down again. What a joke. I've had to use my friends mobile broadband to post this. I know what you're thinking...a waste of electricity.

Holiday season over?

2009-09-17T07:18:00.001-07:00

I thought it was, but the special offers are still coming in. Take car hire USA, for a start.

Radio Friendly Unit Shifter

2009-09-15T01:44:00.000-07:00

When songwriters craft a new tune, they are often faced by a familiar dilemma: do they express themselves artistically, pushing the boundaries of pitch, tone and meter? Or do they create the catchiest, cheesiest tune they can muster to sell as many units are possible?

Just think of your most commercial songs as investments in the future.

Feeling hot, hot, hot...

2009-09-10T06:28:00.000-07:00

Well, not here in England but there are plenty of other places where the sun is not so reticent. For instance, the Formula One world championship visits some warm countries these days. Brazil, Bahrain, Turkey and this year sees the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix taking place at the Yas Marina circuit.

As you can guess the circuit is built around a marina and it will be interesting to see how it will look and if the drivers like it. It will also be the first day-night race for Formula One.

Travel?

2009-06-22T09:31:00.001-07:00

Travel, travel, travel. It's that time of year and even now people are jetting off to get skin cancer on the beaches of the Costa Brava. I prefer to stay closer to home at the moment as I'm skint and I don't know any Spanish. Shouting English slowly at Spaniards will not endear you to them. Plus arranging some nice airport car hire is always a chore.

So stay at home, save money and watch the rain outside. Isn't the recession wonderful.

June?

2009-06-12T06:37:00.000-07:00

It's supposed to be summertime, but I can't see it myself. In fact it's chucking it down with rain most of the time at the moment. Maybe Britain is exempt from global warming? Whilst the rest of the world heats up, it'll still be cold, damp and dreary here? Oh well, I'm used to it!

British summertime

2009-06-08T07:47:00.000-07:00

Is it here? Or has it gone already? The British summertime is something that is a bit hard to pin down. The unpredictability of the weather in the British Isles means that we could be in for three months of hot weather or one continuous downpour. Some of us may high tail it for hotter climes, but what with the pound being as about as valuable as a fake rolex watch, who knows how much food, accommodation and car hire in Spain will cost? Maybe it is better to stay at home and get the mackintosh's out just in case. Oh, and the hankie to go on your head if the sun comes out to play...

Breakfast TV: The unthinkable for the unthinking

2009-05-27T09:27:00.000-07:00

Every time I switch on the TV in the morning, I often wonder why I did so. When I was a kid, TV was banned in the mornings because my brother and I couldn't pull our eyes away from the goggle box, making it difficult for Mum to get us off to school. Now I'm a big boy, I often indulge in those previously forbidden delights with a bit of pre-work TV.

All I can say is Mum was probably right. I wasn't missing anything. In fact, she probably preserved my IQ and sanity by doing so. I'd like to single out GMTV for the main brunt of my criticism, but unfortunately the esteemed BBC is just as damned awful. It seems that in order to stomach breakfast television, you need to have had a lobotomy.

Everything appears to be dumbed down to the lowest common denominator with news stories skimmed over, blatant advertising, condescending presenters and an over-reliance on 'user generated content'. You're more likely to see Cheryl Cole flogging handbags on there than any actual news.

In fact the only shining light in this pile of old tosh is Bill Turnbull, a man who seems fully aware of the naffness of his job. You only have to watch the eye rolling, plus the looks shot at bumbling co-presenters and guests to feel his pain!

Fear and loathing in Men's clothing.

2009-05-22T02:00:00.000-07:00

Skinny jeans. Now that is an item of fashion I simply can't wear. In fact with the exception of two male friends of mine, I think most men look daft in them anyway. Clothes designed by camp men in designer glasses and black turtle necks probably aren't thinking of the average chap in the street when they put pencil to paper. In fact, most men's fashion at the moment seems to mainly consist of kids clothes I wore as a child, tacky 80's garishness and Pete Docherty's chuck-offs.

So what is a man to do? Spend loads on expensive Paul Smith clobber? Or hit Matalan for your gear? Well, I think I'll just get something that suits me rather than some stupid flavour of the month stuff that makes me look daft.

Escaping the cold and wet!

2009-02-24T07:26:00.000-08:00

If I had any money, I'd like to jet off to somewhere warmer and maybe more interesting. I really fancy going to Barcelona, as there seems to be so much to see and do there, plus the weather ain't too chilly either. In fact, I nearly ended up there I few years ago when I went to watch the Spanish Grand Prix.
The race is held on the Circuito De Catalunya track on the outskirts, but in the 60's and 70's it was held in the Montjuich area of the city. We were looking for a cheap car hire firm to rent a wagon from to go into the Barcelona to drive (slowly) around it. Alas, we didn't have to money to go, so I'm afraid it is something that will remain on my travelling 'to do' list for the time being.

I suppose there's always Bognor...

Shop til you drop!

2008-12-15T03:45:00.000-08:00

Ah, the wonders of Christmas shopping. There seems to be basically two types of Xmas shoppers, Those who are careful and pick up presents here and there in the run-up to the festivities, or who grab their handbags and leg it down the high street on Xmas Eve.

As for myself, I'm quite pleased to say that I'm one of the former. I've got most of mine already so you can probably feel the warmth of my smug glow radiating off the screen. Getting things done early means that I can spend more time having a good time with friends and family.

Motor-racing anyone?

2008-12-05T03:00:00.000-08:00

I've been to see several Grand Prix's and races for several other formula, including German Touring Cars. Their annual round at Brands Hatch is an excellent day out for anyone interested in car racing. You can sometimes see some ex-F1 stars racing there too.

Then there is the paddock, walking around all the stalls, seeing the cars being transported to and from the pits. I even picked up some free Audi accessories (a T-shirt and cap). I then fell asleep on the bank by Clearways in between practice sessions in the warm sunshine.

However I had trouble eating my breakfast at the Kentagon the next day, thanks to the night out I had in Caterham the previous evening...

Mistletoe and Wine

2008-11-24T06:52:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's Cliff Richards time again! Whilst I may not be wired for sound this year, I still have to get presents. DIY tools, food hampers or toys, they all need to be bought. Start now and you won't be in a rush come Christmas Eve!

Where are you going next year?

2008-11-07T03:49:00.000-08:00

I'm hoping to get out of the country next year, I'm thinking of visiting Italy, so now is time to plan it. How am I going to get there and how am I going to get around? What's the public transport like, or is it better to get a hire car? Also, What am I going to do and see when I get there?

I'm also wondering which part is the best to go to? Milan and Rome are obviously the main ones but I'm also considering Trieste. All these questions and more will be answered in the next exciting installment....

Look after the pennies...

2008-08-27T02:11:00.000-07:00

...and the pounds look after themselves, my father always says. Don't sew your money in the mattress, let a reputable bank take care of your money. Open a savings account and pile it all in there for a rainy day.
Over time it will mount up and give you a sizeable sum. What will you do with it? Buy a new car? Get a facelift? Have garage built? I'd personally get a shed and hide from the wife.

Label obsession?

2008-07-31T04:54:00.000-07:00

So what is the fascination with labelled clothes in this country? It used to be because labelled clothes signified quality and style, the preserve of those who have the money to wear it and the knowledge of how to wear it. However I think this has become somewhat diluted in recent years, due to labels creating cheaper lines and certain clothing being appropriated by certain sub-cultures in society. For example, you are more than likely to see a track-suited gentleman on the lower end of the pay-scale wearing a Paul Smith sweater and a Burberry cap, than a well heeled businessman or a member of the landed gentry!

Now that exclusive labels are now falling off the back of a lorry in the less hospitable areas of the country, what do their former customers buy? Is it back to Mark & Spencers for clothes, shoes and a food hamper? I'm with them on this one, their underpants last for ever!

Bargains?

2008-07-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

Carrying on from my previous post, consumer gloom appears to have surrounded us in some kind of cash strapped fog. Through all of this we will have to take a deep breath and do what we do in times of financial constraint: hunt for bargains! Or at least some stuff that's had some money knocked off.

Looking for presents for loved ones? How about a luxury gift to bring a smile to their face? Looking to impress a lady? A beauty gift will go down a treat. Or if you just want some food, try digging around in the bins at the back of Tesco's...

UK Retail sales down!

2008-07-24T03:19:00.000-07:00

So we've stopped shopping, how did they account for that? Well, retail sales fell by 3.9% in June, in line with the current gloomy forecasts for the rest of the economy. What makes it even more desperate looking is that this drop has followed the May surge of 3.6%. Analysts have been expecting this drop due to increased utility and food bills.

I might go on a beer and toast diet to save money.

Bye to Ibiza!

2008-07-16T07:35:00.000-07:00

After my blog yesterday on whether there was actually a care home for the overworked and overstressed, I saw a news report on Britain tightening it's belt. No more foreign holidays, people are staying here in good old blighty apparently. Which got me thinking. Where are they going to go instead?

I think the most popular destinations will be:

Newquay: For Chavs to get drunk and fight.
Torquay: For families to have Great British fun...and fight.
Bognor Regis: For the elderly.

I need a holiday!

2008-07-15T08:37:00.000-07:00

All work and no play makes a very dull boy indeed. I think that I should take some time off and relax. Is there a care home for the overworked and stressed out? If there is, I'm there!

Sad pursuits

2008-07-10T02:12:00.000-07:00

Is knitting a bit sad? Is a means to clothe yourself a bad thing? Why should we turn our noses up at hobbies that don't involve reading Heat magazine? My friend has knitted for his wife, sister and children, yet he is a young man who does not reside in a care home. My Nan taught me to knit, however I haven't put those skills to use since 1991.

I also enjoy model making. Yes, model making. I loved it as a child and now I'm really getting back into it. Painting the pieces, filing stuff down, sticking it together and seeing the thing come together bit by bit is really enjoyable. A bit of a stress reliever really.

How sad, eh?

Finding music is easy

2008-07-08T07:24:00.000-07:00

When I was a teenager back in the 90's, finding music other than Boyzone was considerably harder than it is now. You'd read about cool rock bands in various magazines and leg it to HMV only to find that the album is unavailable as it's not been released in this country yet, or they don't stock much of the back catalogue. You may have even had to order it and wait weeks. Plus when you actually tracked it down, it was £16! Sod that!

Now thanks to the wonders of broadband internet, it seems almost as if you can find a new album even before it's even been made. You can download as much music as you want (legally, of course). You can also buy obscure albums on various websites for low prices.

However, if things become easy to obtain, they get devalued. People don't seem to enjoy albums now, they are just shuffled tracks on their iPod. I've heard one person say to another 'I've got three thousand songs on my ipod'. Impressive, eh? Does he listen to all of them? Could he tell you the names of the albums? Of course he can't! What a waste!

Eat my cash!

2008-07-07T03:41:00.000-07:00

Going to open a new account today. I wonder if any other bank will face a kicking like Northern rock?

Doctor Who! We love you!

2008-07-07T02:28:00.000-07:00

I'm a grown man, but I love Doctor Who as much as the kids do. Great writing (the odd duff episode, but the odd duff episode is better than a lot of other stuff out there), a super charismatic turn from David Tennant and the old blue Police box has made tuning in on a Saturday a real treat again. Oh, and Freema Argyeman is rather nice from a single gentleman's point of view (good actress though, and Martha is a good character to boot) .

Mr T Davies has taken the original series and incorporated new aspects that, although at first made you wonder if they'd work, make it better. The old series did have a habit of dragging things out over an unnecessary six or more episodes (there are only so many times you can visit the spaceship, get captured, get split up from the other characters, have the Master laugh maniacally at you and assign you to an easily escapable death etc), whereas one 45 minute episode or a two parter will do. The new series also has recurring themes which crop up time and time again, often leading to the season finale. This is a good thing, as it helps give cohesive feel to the series, plus the 'Oh yeah, I remember! How clever!' factor.

Now the Doctor has tied up all his loose ends (Rose has his clone, Donna is blissfully unaware of having travelled with him and of course, the universe is safe), what will he do next? Find Gallifrey again? Work more closely with UNIT? We'll have to wait until Xmas...