Rant number 244
Year upon year at around this time, there is controversy about the GCSE exams.
The story, for quite a while has been the same.
Students are doing better in exams in general. It's been an upward curve for years.
There could be a variety of reasons for this. It could be nutrition, upbringing or various other economic factors that are causing this. The thing is though, that all of this stuff is rather hard to prove.
It's far easy to say that exams are not as hard as they used to be - and that things are getting easier every year.
Now, like most people, I've only taken my GCSE exams the once. As such, I can't really reflect on whether it would be easier to take them now. I can only go by the information provided by those 'in the know' after all.
In order to quell the critics then, the education authorities decided to move the gateposts. They decided to make one particular exam a little harder - the English exam.
Now, I have no reason to argue with that. They are the guys in charge of education after all. I don't know if its fair or not, so I won't comment upon that.
What I don't understand though, is why they decided to change things - half way through a school year.
They've created fucking chaos!
You see, they've used the same exams in January this year - and also in May. That's fine. The thing is, someone who would have got a low C in January - would have got a high D in May. That's a big difference to someone who has applied for college or for an apprenticeships.
Now, maybe the former is right and maybe the latter is. Either way however, it seems grossly unfair that within the same school year - the goalposts could be moved in such a way.
Why couldn't they have waited until the end of the school year? Surely, that would have made more bloody sense!
Rant over.
Friday, 31 August 2012
Thursday, 30 August 2012
Rant 243 30/8/12 Subject: Getting my days tangled up
Rant number 243
In many ways, I've lost count.
This is to say, I've lost track of the amount of times that I have lost track of the days of the months.
Time after time I've done it now, and not noticed on my rants for bloody days.
Now, I'm not sure if any of you lot have noticed this happening, but it does - and it really annoys me. Especially when I need to go back and fix it.
It's not like keeping track of the date is that bloody hard. I write it 50 or so times a day at work, so really you'd think it would be suitably embroiled with my brain. It bloody well isn't though.
How can I keep getting it wrong, causing myself more aggro in the long run. More importantly also: why don't I just check the calendar on my laptop before I write in the date for each rant.
It's because I'm using a method I suppose - and because I am easily distracted.
Each day, I copy the title of yesterdays rant, then edit the rant number, the date and finally the subject. It sounds simple doesn't it. Some would say 'idiot proof'.
Typically however, I have proved to be 'idiot proof - proof' - a most worrying concept. And I would like to think that by the fact that you are reading this, you do not consider me to be an idiot (although potentially you merely consider me to be an interesting idiot.)
It's surprising really, how much these little concentration based lapses annoy even me. They don't do any harm really. (If however, I should discover that on day 360 odd - I've got the wrong number at some point, I might be a little less sure about that!)
It does show however, that there is something most uncontrollable about our brains. Mine might be a lean mean ranting machine however, it occasionally forgets how old it is, the day of the week, the date and various other trivial but imperative facts.
Crossed fingers I can go another 122 days without screwing it up again. I wholeheartedly doubt it however.
Rant over.
In many ways, I've lost count.
This is to say, I've lost track of the amount of times that I have lost track of the days of the months.
Time after time I've done it now, and not noticed on my rants for bloody days.
Now, I'm not sure if any of you lot have noticed this happening, but it does - and it really annoys me. Especially when I need to go back and fix it.
It's not like keeping track of the date is that bloody hard. I write it 50 or so times a day at work, so really you'd think it would be suitably embroiled with my brain. It bloody well isn't though.
How can I keep getting it wrong, causing myself more aggro in the long run. More importantly also: why don't I just check the calendar on my laptop before I write in the date for each rant.
It's because I'm using a method I suppose - and because I am easily distracted.
Each day, I copy the title of yesterdays rant, then edit the rant number, the date and finally the subject. It sounds simple doesn't it. Some would say 'idiot proof'.
Typically however, I have proved to be 'idiot proof - proof' - a most worrying concept. And I would like to think that by the fact that you are reading this, you do not consider me to be an idiot (although potentially you merely consider me to be an interesting idiot.)
It's surprising really, how much these little concentration based lapses annoy even me. They don't do any harm really. (If however, I should discover that on day 360 odd - I've got the wrong number at some point, I might be a little less sure about that!)
It does show however, that there is something most uncontrollable about our brains. Mine might be a lean mean ranting machine however, it occasionally forgets how old it is, the day of the week, the date and various other trivial but imperative facts.
Crossed fingers I can go another 122 days without screwing it up again. I wholeheartedly doubt it however.
Rant over.
Wednesday, 29 August 2012
Rant 242 29/8/12 Subject: Nick Clegg strikes again
Rant number 242
Nick Clegg has done it again. He's said something genuinely sensible!
Unfortunately however, as he is nothing but David Cameron's bitch - and because he has more faces than there are days of the year, he has once again been laughed off.
So what is his idea this time? Simple really, he's asking those with more to share with everyone.
His toffish friends however, are not impressed with this idea - not surprisingly. They are perfectly happy with having more than everyone else, and they aren't about to start being 'fair' any time soon.
His suggestion was for the top rate tax earners to temporarily muck in a little bit more - in order to rake the country out of the shit. The annoying thing though, is that he also voted on the original rich persons tax cut - so he isn't really the guy to be saying it either way.
George Osborne (a man well embroiled in the 'old money' way of things) says it will force the rich overseas - and he may be right. He also said however that "I think most rich people are contributing far more in tax than other people.' which is bull of the most pure variety. Rich people are rich because they have learned to milk the system. You don't get to be wealthy by playing fair.
The way I see it is this:
If a man has a chicken and he has to give up a leg, his chicken is not going to last him very long. That's 20% of his meagre chicken gone.
All in all, these things are pipe dreams - no-one ever said life had to be fair - and for some a fair share will never be fair.
If a man has 50 chickens however, he can give up 10 and not go hungry. He could even give up 25 - and still be OK. That's what its like.
Still, Nick Clegg at least said something reasonable sensible for a change. Must have been something nasty he ate or something!
Rant over.
Nick Clegg has done it again. He's said something genuinely sensible!
Unfortunately however, as he is nothing but David Cameron's bitch - and because he has more faces than there are days of the year, he has once again been laughed off.
So what is his idea this time? Simple really, he's asking those with more to share with everyone.
His toffish friends however, are not impressed with this idea - not surprisingly. They are perfectly happy with having more than everyone else, and they aren't about to start being 'fair' any time soon.
His suggestion was for the top rate tax earners to temporarily muck in a little bit more - in order to rake the country out of the shit. The annoying thing though, is that he also voted on the original rich persons tax cut - so he isn't really the guy to be saying it either way.
George Osborne (a man well embroiled in the 'old money' way of things) says it will force the rich overseas - and he may be right. He also said however that "I think most rich people are contributing far more in tax than other people.' which is bull of the most pure variety. Rich people are rich because they have learned to milk the system. You don't get to be wealthy by playing fair.
The way I see it is this:
If a man has a chicken and he has to give up a leg, his chicken is not going to last him very long. That's 20% of his meagre chicken gone.
All in all, these things are pipe dreams - no-one ever said life had to be fair - and for some a fair share will never be fair.
If a man has 50 chickens however, he can give up 10 and not go hungry. He could even give up 25 - and still be OK. That's what its like.
Still, Nick Clegg at least said something reasonable sensible for a change. Must have been something nasty he ate or something!
Rant over.
Tuesday, 28 August 2012
Rant 241 28/8/12 Subject: The Essex Lion
Rant number 241
There is an old saying we've all heard which is to say 'seeing is believing.'
I dispute a time when that ever could have been true. Our eyes play tricks on us. A sign can look like a man, a tree can look like a monster and apparently - a cat can appear to be a lion.
In the modern world, there is many things for us to be fooled by. The TV puts tiny people on a screen for us to see. A man can pull a rabbit from a hat, walk on water or even levitate.
Then theres photoshop, which can give anyone the body of a god, the face of an angel or the overinflated genitals of an elephant.
Maybe all of this mistrustful vision is what causes people to loose all sense of scale and common sense.
A couple in Essex called in to the police - to report a lion! A lion in Essex...
Now, don't get me wrong, there are more unlikely things than a lion in Essex:
For instance, the moon really could be made of cheese, jam could actually be the secret to eternal youth or David Cameron could open his mouth - and the truth could come out.
As likelihood goes however, a lion in Essex is pretty low on the list.
Which is why the story is pretty gobsmacking. It's not about the people calling it in really. It's about the hype that has followed! Twitter has been buzzing like a bee hive, the news has alive with it. The whole thing is completely and utterly nuts.
Particularly as it wasn't a lion. It was a bloody cat!
And hilariously, these people really think that they were right and are sticking to their guns!
Surely they just need to give it up and admit that they've been a bit silly.
Maybe it really was a lion, being chased by the lock ness monster and bigfoot.
Or maybe I am the pope?
Rant over.
There is an old saying we've all heard which is to say 'seeing is believing.'
I dispute a time when that ever could have been true. Our eyes play tricks on us. A sign can look like a man, a tree can look like a monster and apparently - a cat can appear to be a lion.
In the modern world, there is many things for us to be fooled by. The TV puts tiny people on a screen for us to see. A man can pull a rabbit from a hat, walk on water or even levitate.
Then theres photoshop, which can give anyone the body of a god, the face of an angel or the overinflated genitals of an elephant.
Maybe all of this mistrustful vision is what causes people to loose all sense of scale and common sense.
A couple in Essex called in to the police - to report a lion! A lion in Essex...
Now, don't get me wrong, there are more unlikely things than a lion in Essex:
For instance, the moon really could be made of cheese, jam could actually be the secret to eternal youth or David Cameron could open his mouth - and the truth could come out.
As likelihood goes however, a lion in Essex is pretty low on the list.
Which is why the story is pretty gobsmacking. It's not about the people calling it in really. It's about the hype that has followed! Twitter has been buzzing like a bee hive, the news has alive with it. The whole thing is completely and utterly nuts.
Particularly as it wasn't a lion. It was a bloody cat!
And hilariously, these people really think that they were right and are sticking to their guns!
Surely they just need to give it up and admit that they've been a bit silly.
Maybe it really was a lion, being chased by the lock ness monster and bigfoot.
Or maybe I am the pope?
Rant over.
Monday, 27 August 2012
Rant 240 27/8/12 Subject: Paralympics missing hype
Rant number 240
I got thoroughly enthused about the olympics in the end. Despite the fact that I tried not to. I liked watching some of the events, if not all of the them. The coverage was also not great, but at least I got to a see a little of what I wanted to.
After it was all done, it was a bit strange. There was a void left over, where constant coverage had previously been.
As such, I've been quite looking forward to the Paralympics. A same but different kind of olympics, where the strongest people of all - those who've had to fight hard against adversity - compete for their own accolades.
I felt like we might be looking at a similarly big buildup as such.
But it's been missing.
As far as I'm concerned, the Paralympics should definitely get the same respect as the standard olympics however, all facets of it seem to be a little bit down toned - which is simply not fair in my opinion.
The BBC for instance - won't be covering the Paralympics and are making way for Channel 4, who admit they can't really match the beeb for coverage. Then there is the torch relay, a somewhat muted affair that has had little in the way of coverage so far.
I want the athletes involved to feel every bit as privileged and special as those in the standard olympics - and part of that is getting seen on the TV and not being treated as second class. These people have had to fight against so much to get where they are. Arguably more than the able bodied.
It's a shame its almost been treated like an afterthought. Hopefully soon it'll take off and I will eat my words.
I don't think so though.
Rant over.
I got thoroughly enthused about the olympics in the end. Despite the fact that I tried not to. I liked watching some of the events, if not all of the them. The coverage was also not great, but at least I got to a see a little of what I wanted to.
After it was all done, it was a bit strange. There was a void left over, where constant coverage had previously been.
As such, I've been quite looking forward to the Paralympics. A same but different kind of olympics, where the strongest people of all - those who've had to fight hard against adversity - compete for their own accolades.
I felt like we might be looking at a similarly big buildup as such.
But it's been missing.
As far as I'm concerned, the Paralympics should definitely get the same respect as the standard olympics however, all facets of it seem to be a little bit down toned - which is simply not fair in my opinion.
The BBC for instance - won't be covering the Paralympics and are making way for Channel 4, who admit they can't really match the beeb for coverage. Then there is the torch relay, a somewhat muted affair that has had little in the way of coverage so far.
I want the athletes involved to feel every bit as privileged and special as those in the standard olympics - and part of that is getting seen on the TV and not being treated as second class. These people have had to fight against so much to get where they are. Arguably more than the able bodied.
It's a shame its almost been treated like an afterthought. Hopefully soon it'll take off and I will eat my words.
I don't think so though.
Rant over.
Sunday, 26 August 2012
Rant 239 26/8/12 Subject: Tv signal
Rant number 239
Back when I was a kid, there were 4 channels. The chances as such, that something you wanted to see was on were pretty slim. None the less, at the right times I could glue my childish nose to the curved glass.
Back then however, there was always a problem with signal. It was fuzzy, it jumped, it bled into noise etc. None the less, it was generally possible to watch it like this, because everyone was used to it and because we knew no better
Then someone came up with digital broadcasting, which made the signal crystal clear - most of the time.
The problem is now however, that the signal is either on or off (the very definition of digital after all!)
As such, something like the weather can break up the signal into square blocks. It can also make the TV signal stutter, leave ghost trails and other oddments.
It really does get on your nerves when you are trying to watch something and the signal is degraded by some kind of outside interference. Traffic, rain, wind and fog can all mess with the signal and there really is bugger all to do about it!
Other than getting cable, which I can't - and I probably wouldn't if I could, because I don't really watch enough TV!
None the less, when I do pop something on to watch, I don't want it to be breaking up in the middle of what I'm watching.
Last week, I watched Raiders of the Lost Ark with added screen breaks and skips and dialogue break up. Needless to say, it did not add to my enjoyment of Indy's fantastic adventures (and misadventures.) It almost ruined it in fact.
I even tried moving the aerial, then tried moving it again, then again. Then eventually after that failed, it just sorted itself out!
How irritating!
Rant over.
Back when I was a kid, there were 4 channels. The chances as such, that something you wanted to see was on were pretty slim. None the less, at the right times I could glue my childish nose to the curved glass.
Back then however, there was always a problem with signal. It was fuzzy, it jumped, it bled into noise etc. None the less, it was generally possible to watch it like this, because everyone was used to it and because we knew no better
Then someone came up with digital broadcasting, which made the signal crystal clear - most of the time.
The problem is now however, that the signal is either on or off (the very definition of digital after all!)
As such, something like the weather can break up the signal into square blocks. It can also make the TV signal stutter, leave ghost trails and other oddments.
It really does get on your nerves when you are trying to watch something and the signal is degraded by some kind of outside interference. Traffic, rain, wind and fog can all mess with the signal and there really is bugger all to do about it!
Other than getting cable, which I can't - and I probably wouldn't if I could, because I don't really watch enough TV!
None the less, when I do pop something on to watch, I don't want it to be breaking up in the middle of what I'm watching.
Last week, I watched Raiders of the Lost Ark with added screen breaks and skips and dialogue break up. Needless to say, it did not add to my enjoyment of Indy's fantastic adventures (and misadventures.) It almost ruined it in fact.
I even tried moving the aerial, then tried moving it again, then again. Then eventually after that failed, it just sorted itself out!
How irritating!
Rant over.
Saturday, 25 August 2012
Rant 238 25/8/12 Subject: The double punch
Rant number 238
It's not secret that I've had a shitty few weeks with the car and whatnot. With the help of my wife however we got back up and running.
And now like the proverbial fire following the frying pan, my keys have gone missing.
It really is one of those bloody situations that really could push me over the grumpy edge.
Being able to deal with problems is part of being a grown up, but sometimes these things can feel bloody relentless. I've spent my day wet and cold and walking up and down the hill I walked this morning in the hope of spotting my keys.
There should be some kind of amnesty that means that you get at least a couple of clear weeks between problems.
Crossed fingers the keys will appear, but that kind of relies on someone handing them in, as they just don't seem to be on the route!
What a bloody day!
Rant over.
It's not secret that I've had a shitty few weeks with the car and whatnot. With the help of my wife however we got back up and running.
And now like the proverbial fire following the frying pan, my keys have gone missing.
It really is one of those bloody situations that really could push me over the grumpy edge.
Being able to deal with problems is part of being a grown up, but sometimes these things can feel bloody relentless. I've spent my day wet and cold and walking up and down the hill I walked this morning in the hope of spotting my keys.
There should be some kind of amnesty that means that you get at least a couple of clear weeks between problems.
Crossed fingers the keys will appear, but that kind of relies on someone handing them in, as they just don't seem to be on the route!
What a bloody day!
Rant over.
Friday, 24 August 2012
Rant 237 24/8/12 Subject: How do you solve a problem like a silly Ginger Prince
Rant number 237
Being a Prince is a pretty good deal. You've got money, endless privilege, no particular need to work (except a job in one of the armed forces, far away from any real danger) and pretty much anything else you want.
There's also for the eldest, the proposition of being King one day - which is a bit like being a Prince, but with more waving and a funky headpiece.
Being a younger a prince however, is a bit like being offered a blind date with a supermodel; arriving and finding out she's 80 years old. You'll always be a Prince, but never a King (always the bridesmaid and never a bride!)
This must mess with you a bit for a while. Realising that you are going to have to be in your brothers shadow for just about forever.
I'm guessing this is why Harry keeps behaving like a bit of a pillock. It's either that or he just doesn't give a shit.
Harry has been a bit of disappointment to the royal family. He's dressed as a nazi, got caught out smoking pot, used vulgar racist language - and now whipped his 'Crown Jewels' out for the world to see.
We are all entitled to behave like dicks. It's a human privilege, it really is. We can all get too drunk, say something stupid or fall over our own feet.
This applies to everyone, including the royals.
The thing is though, that no-one gives a shit if I act like a dick whereas, a hundred people are there to watch someone like the royal family sneeze - just incase they wipe it on their pants or something.
And that is why, it's probably not cool to do these ridiculous things Harry.
You shouldn't not do stupid stuff because you are 'better' than anyone. You aren't more important as far as I'm concerned. If you really are better, prove it with your actions.
And keep your ginger pubes to yourself lad. No-one wants to see it!
Rant over.
Being a Prince is a pretty good deal. You've got money, endless privilege, no particular need to work (except a job in one of the armed forces, far away from any real danger) and pretty much anything else you want.
There's also for the eldest, the proposition of being King one day - which is a bit like being a Prince, but with more waving and a funky headpiece.
Being a younger a prince however, is a bit like being offered a blind date with a supermodel; arriving and finding out she's 80 years old. You'll always be a Prince, but never a King (always the bridesmaid and never a bride!)
This must mess with you a bit for a while. Realising that you are going to have to be in your brothers shadow for just about forever.
I'm guessing this is why Harry keeps behaving like a bit of a pillock. It's either that or he just doesn't give a shit.
Harry has been a bit of disappointment to the royal family. He's dressed as a nazi, got caught out smoking pot, used vulgar racist language - and now whipped his 'Crown Jewels' out for the world to see.
We are all entitled to behave like dicks. It's a human privilege, it really is. We can all get too drunk, say something stupid or fall over our own feet.
This applies to everyone, including the royals.
The thing is though, that no-one gives a shit if I act like a dick whereas, a hundred people are there to watch someone like the royal family sneeze - just incase they wipe it on their pants or something.
And that is why, it's probably not cool to do these ridiculous things Harry.
You shouldn't not do stupid stuff because you are 'better' than anyone. You aren't more important as far as I'm concerned. If you really are better, prove it with your actions.
And keep your ginger pubes to yourself lad. No-one wants to see it!
Rant over.
Thursday, 23 August 2012
Rant 236 23/8/12 Subject: Poetry
Rant number 236
Today, after what seems like an endless and agonising wait, I finally got to see 'The Dark Knight Rises'
I'm not talking about that today, because it's bloody fantastic.
So much so in fact, that I felt the need to write a haiku review about it after leaving. It goes as follows:
A wonderous film
It was exciting as hell
Watch it again soon!
It's short, to the point and, on reflection a little bit crap really.
The reasons are as follows for this:
A) It is a haiku (A form of poem whereby the first sentence must contain 5 syllables, the second 7 & the third 5 again.)
The poem in general then, is not something I really care for. I like nearly all forms of writing: stories both long and short, fiction and non fiction, reviews, critiques and many other forms.
Poetry though, is not something I make room for in my collection.
I just don't understand it.
Poems are flowery as hell and no word can actually mean what its meant to (and that's if they don't just make a word up.)
Then there is the fact that they can never be about what they are apparently about. For instance - if someone writes a poem called 'The Black Rose' (a suitably ponsy and poetic name I'm sure you would agree) it will probably be about a struggling sausage maker in denmark.
Finally, and this is my biggest beef of all about poetry. Poems are fucking pretentious.
People who write poems are generally people with too much time on their hands. People who know 30 different ways of saying mud.
They're the kind of people who would corner you at a party and talk you into a coma via the means of an epic poem about the plight of a Mongolian Nose-flute Artist (actually a potent metaphor for the plight of a Russia Donkey salesman, counterpointed against 9/11 with a bit of religion in there for good measure.)
About the only type of poetry I can manage to put up with is limericks, particularly the dirty ones about ladies from Kentuckit.
As for the type of poems that are like puzzles where you have to use a specific rhyme scheme or the specific amount of syllables, Don't get me started.
In summary, if you should catch me writing poetry again - you have my permission to tell me to stop!
Rant over.
Today, after what seems like an endless and agonising wait, I finally got to see 'The Dark Knight Rises'
I'm not talking about that today, because it's bloody fantastic.
So much so in fact, that I felt the need to write a haiku review about it after leaving. It goes as follows:
A wonderous film
It was exciting as hell
Watch it again soon!
It's short, to the point and, on reflection a little bit crap really.
The reasons are as follows for this:
A) It is a haiku (A form of poem whereby the first sentence must contain 5 syllables, the second 7 & the third 5 again.)
B) It is a poem.
The poem in general then, is not something I really care for. I like nearly all forms of writing: stories both long and short, fiction and non fiction, reviews, critiques and many other forms.
Poetry though, is not something I make room for in my collection.
I just don't understand it.
Poems are flowery as hell and no word can actually mean what its meant to (and that's if they don't just make a word up.)
Then there is the fact that they can never be about what they are apparently about. For instance - if someone writes a poem called 'The Black Rose' (a suitably ponsy and poetic name I'm sure you would agree) it will probably be about a struggling sausage maker in denmark.
Finally, and this is my biggest beef of all about poetry. Poems are fucking pretentious.
People who write poems are generally people with too much time on their hands. People who know 30 different ways of saying mud.
They're the kind of people who would corner you at a party and talk you into a coma via the means of an epic poem about the plight of a Mongolian Nose-flute Artist (actually a potent metaphor for the plight of a Russia Donkey salesman, counterpointed against 9/11 with a bit of religion in there for good measure.)
About the only type of poetry I can manage to put up with is limericks, particularly the dirty ones about ladies from Kentuckit.
As for the type of poems that are like puzzles where you have to use a specific rhyme scheme or the specific amount of syllables, Don't get me started.
In summary, if you should catch me writing poetry again - you have my permission to tell me to stop!
Rant over.
Wednesday, 22 August 2012
Rant 235 22/8/12 Subject: Ringing phones
Rant number 235
My life, your life, and the lives of everyone around the world are tied in to each other.
You can't avoid it, it's just a fact of life.
I am of course referring to 'communication.'
It's one of the things that sets us apart from many (but not all) of the animals. If I hurt - I can tell you where it hurts, if I am hungry - I can ask you for food, if I have just stubbed my toe - I can communicate in four letter expletives. In that respect, communication is good.
One thing that sets us apart from even more of the animals though, is our ability to communicate over long distances. We invented smoke signals, semaphore, telegraph tours, radio, morse code and of course 'the telephone.'
People like to say 'it's good to talk,' and really it is - mostly. It's better to talk in person though, you can use body language, tone of voice and a hundred other cues that are not portrayed by a low quality phone signal.
That's not even my big beef though with phones. No, it's the ringing part that gets me hot under the collar.
When a phone rings, its like an impatient child shouting at you saying
It's so rude really!
When I'm at work, I'm constantly being phoned - and that's exactly what it can feel like. A relentless little pixie jumping up and down and shouting at me and stopping me from from doing what I was doing.
Bloody phones!
Rant over.
My life, your life, and the lives of everyone around the world are tied in to each other.
You can't avoid it, it's just a fact of life.
I am of course referring to 'communication.'
It's one of the things that sets us apart from many (but not all) of the animals. If I hurt - I can tell you where it hurts, if I am hungry - I can ask you for food, if I have just stubbed my toe - I can communicate in four letter expletives. In that respect, communication is good.
One thing that sets us apart from even more of the animals though, is our ability to communicate over long distances. We invented smoke signals, semaphore, telegraph tours, radio, morse code and of course 'the telephone.'
People like to say 'it's good to talk,' and really it is - mostly. It's better to talk in person though, you can use body language, tone of voice and a hundred other cues that are not portrayed by a low quality phone signal.
That's not even my big beef though with phones. No, it's the ringing part that gets me hot under the collar.
When a phone rings, its like an impatient child shouting at you saying
'answer the phone, answer it, go on, answer it, come on, answer it, answer the phone, answer it, come on, answer it, come on come on, the phone is ringing, come on get on with it and answer the phone, go on, answer it, awww, you missed it'
It's so rude really!
When I'm at work, I'm constantly being phoned - and that's exactly what it can feel like. A relentless little pixie jumping up and down and shouting at me and stopping me from from doing what I was doing.
Bloody phones!
Rant over.
Tuesday, 21 August 2012
Rant 234 21/8/12 Subject: Stress
Rant number 234
For the first time this evening, I feel like I've taken a breath - figuratively speaking that is.
Several weeks ago, as I'm sure you are all aware, I broke my car - and a sheep. All in all, that was not a very nice evening.
The proceeding weeks have passed in a stressful haze of hard work, a rather large car component scavenger hunt - and what feels like a constant bus journey. Not to mention my fucking bunged up ear! Which still hasn't gone away.
Today however, the garage fitted all the parts I'd accumulated, I started a couple of days holiday and I was finally able to release forth a sigh of relief.
Stress hangs on in the background, affecting how you feel, affecting your emotions, shortening your tempter and impairing your judgement.
I've had some bloody awful days over the last few weeks. Partly due to the days in question being bloody unpleasant of their own right (for do not problems follow problems as a universal & most fucking awful truth) - but also because my reactions to those days were less tempered than they may have normally been.
Don't get me wrong by the above by the way. I've not gone soft on you here. I'm still a miserable bastard and that shall not change. The point I am making however, is that I have been more likely to be a miserable c*** than usual.
Stress is a poison in that way. It sits on your back, like a miniature rain cloud - feeding on your negativity and that of those around you. Each mole hill becomes Everest - and Everest becomes insurmountably and unimaginably high. It want's you to stay trapped in a dark place and finds portents of doom in the simplest of places.
That's why something like my car being fixed was needed to push that monkey off my back, and kick it in its shrunken and prune like genitals.
Now, if I could just get my ear to work again - I'd be back to my 'normal' level of stress and annoyance.
Rant over.
For the first time this evening, I feel like I've taken a breath - figuratively speaking that is.
Several weeks ago, as I'm sure you are all aware, I broke my car - and a sheep. All in all, that was not a very nice evening.
The proceeding weeks have passed in a stressful haze of hard work, a rather large car component scavenger hunt - and what feels like a constant bus journey. Not to mention my fucking bunged up ear! Which still hasn't gone away.
Today however, the garage fitted all the parts I'd accumulated, I started a couple of days holiday and I was finally able to release forth a sigh of relief.
Stress hangs on in the background, affecting how you feel, affecting your emotions, shortening your tempter and impairing your judgement.
I've had some bloody awful days over the last few weeks. Partly due to the days in question being bloody unpleasant of their own right (for do not problems follow problems as a universal & most fucking awful truth) - but also because my reactions to those days were less tempered than they may have normally been.
Don't get me wrong by the above by the way. I've not gone soft on you here. I'm still a miserable bastard and that shall not change. The point I am making however, is that I have been more likely to be a miserable c*** than usual.
Stress is a poison in that way. It sits on your back, like a miniature rain cloud - feeding on your negativity and that of those around you. Each mole hill becomes Everest - and Everest becomes insurmountably and unimaginably high. It want's you to stay trapped in a dark place and finds portents of doom in the simplest of places.
That's why something like my car being fixed was needed to push that monkey off my back, and kick it in its shrunken and prune like genitals.
Now, if I could just get my ear to work again - I'd be back to my 'normal' level of stress and annoyance.
Rant over.
Monday, 20 August 2012
Rant 233 20/8/12 Subject: Pointless records
Rant number 233
The inspiration for my rants can come from a variety of a sources. Sometimes its the radio, people around me, the newspapers. Even billboards can be the source.
Today however, is inspired by TV, a good source if ever there were.
So whats annoyed me today?
For a bit of a light entertainment (and because todays Mythbusters is one I've already seen, and because my ear still feels shitty!) I've put on 'Bonkers World Records.'
The thing I don't get though, is why there are so many ridiculous world records of this way.
Do we really need to salute mediocrity and oddness in such a way? I mean really.
Tonights show for instance, features a man hanging from a rice bowl suctioned to his stomach.
A: How did he discover he could do that?
B: Why did he try to discover that he could do that?
C: Why does he do that?
Then there is the monkish fellow who bounced up some steps on his head.
A: Why?
B: See point A?
C: ?
World records should be surely about natural anomalies - such as the tallest, the shortest, they strongest, the hairiest - that sort of thing. Or they should be a about impressive sporting prowess - the fastest, the one who can jump furthest - or highest.
It really doesn't need to be about the one who can protrude their eyes the most - or the person who can fit the most cocktail sticks in their beard, or the most cloths pegs not their scrotum.
Do people really need to come up with unique (pointless) skills, just to get their name in the book. Half these idiots beat their own records, because no bastard else is stupid enough to want to do these things anyway!
I think that we should definitely have a cull of stupid records! At the very least, there should be two people vying for the record - otherwise it shouldn't be allowed!
Rant over.
The inspiration for my rants can come from a variety of a sources. Sometimes its the radio, people around me, the newspapers. Even billboards can be the source.
Today however, is inspired by TV, a good source if ever there were.
So whats annoyed me today?
For a bit of a light entertainment (and because todays Mythbusters is one I've already seen, and because my ear still feels shitty!) I've put on 'Bonkers World Records.'
The thing I don't get though, is why there are so many ridiculous world records of this way.
Do we really need to salute mediocrity and oddness in such a way? I mean really.
Tonights show for instance, features a man hanging from a rice bowl suctioned to his stomach.
A: How did he discover he could do that?
B: Why did he try to discover that he could do that?
C: Why does he do that?
Then there is the monkish fellow who bounced up some steps on his head.
A: Why?
B: See point A?
C: ?
World records should be surely about natural anomalies - such as the tallest, the shortest, they strongest, the hairiest - that sort of thing. Or they should be a about impressive sporting prowess - the fastest, the one who can jump furthest - or highest.
It really doesn't need to be about the one who can protrude their eyes the most - or the person who can fit the most cocktail sticks in their beard, or the most cloths pegs not their scrotum.
Do people really need to come up with unique (pointless) skills, just to get their name in the book. Half these idiots beat their own records, because no bastard else is stupid enough to want to do these things anyway!
I think that we should definitely have a cull of stupid records! At the very least, there should be two people vying for the record - otherwise it shouldn't be allowed!
Rant over.
Sunday, 19 August 2012
Rant 232 19/8/12 Subject: The watchers
Rant number 232
I'm watching a documentary, and I'm enjoying it. It's about a Mongolian family struggling to survive being joined by an 'everyman' from the UK. It's a tried and tested formula this and the documentary makers love to show the 'other side' of the world.
Always, they show 'the other side,' tell you how bad things are. That on it's own is something. Suffering should not be hidden and should be told to the world.
What I always wonder is though, are they just reporting or they hoping to affect some change?
I get it that they can't help everyone. No-one can do that. What I do always hope though is that they try and change the lives of those in front of them at the very least.
I bloody well hope so.
It's always niggled at me, and its question that it's probably not possible to answer.
We've seen harrowing images on TV, in magazines, on posters and online of harrowing images. Starving children dying of hunger or thirst or decease.
They may feel that they are helping most by sharing the plight, but part of me just wishes that they would feed, water or cure that child.
I really hope that this is the first thing they try and do as soon as they put down the camera.
If they don't - they have no hearts at all.
I really hope that these documentaries and photos are a way out for those who are suffering.
That's how things should be!
Rant over.
I'm watching a documentary, and I'm enjoying it. It's about a Mongolian family struggling to survive being joined by an 'everyman' from the UK. It's a tried and tested formula this and the documentary makers love to show the 'other side' of the world.
Always, they show 'the other side,' tell you how bad things are. That on it's own is something. Suffering should not be hidden and should be told to the world.
What I always wonder is though, are they just reporting or they hoping to affect some change?
I get it that they can't help everyone. No-one can do that. What I do always hope though is that they try and change the lives of those in front of them at the very least.
I bloody well hope so.
It's always niggled at me, and its question that it's probably not possible to answer.
We've seen harrowing images on TV, in magazines, on posters and online of harrowing images. Starving children dying of hunger or thirst or decease.
They may feel that they are helping most by sharing the plight, but part of me just wishes that they would feed, water or cure that child.
I really hope that this is the first thing they try and do as soon as they put down the camera.
If they don't - they have no hearts at all.
I really hope that these documentaries and photos are a way out for those who are suffering.
That's how things should be!
Rant over.
Saturday, 18 August 2012
Rant 231 18/8/12 Subject: Timetables
Rant number 231
Time has many tables. It has a bit of a penchant for them in fact. Pine and softwood and hardwood and even acrylic. He even likes to make them himself, hewing the wood with a practiced hand...
Sorry, bullshit gene took over. I am Of course, not referring to those kind of tables. I am more referring to the blocks and timetables we cut our lives up into.
I've been at a wedding today for one of my wife's relatives. This is the kind of day then, that you would imagine that strict timetables wouldn't be necessary.
You would however, be wrong.
I got up at 8am - timetable number 1. After all, humans make every day a timetable of 24 hourly segments.
Then we got the bus at around 7 minutes past 9 - following the (woefully inaccurate) bus timetable - number 2 after only being up for around an hour.
Number 3 came when I got the train at 26 minutes past 9.
And we met up with the family at 20 past 10.
Need I go on? No, I don't think so either- lest we all loose our will to live.
It's scary how much our lives revolve around timetables. Each day we count hours and minutes and seconds with no regard for how precious they really are.
When you are waiting for the train, you do it impatiently and wish the time past don't you? Its a waste and a shame - but we are all guilty.
Try to fill your time and sod the timetables. We're all living a big one of 30, 70, 90 or 100 years - try not to waste any!
Rant over.
Time has many tables. It has a bit of a penchant for them in fact. Pine and softwood and hardwood and even acrylic. He even likes to make them himself, hewing the wood with a practiced hand...
Sorry, bullshit gene took over. I am Of course, not referring to those kind of tables. I am more referring to the blocks and timetables we cut our lives up into.
I've been at a wedding today for one of my wife's relatives. This is the kind of day then, that you would imagine that strict timetables wouldn't be necessary.
You would however, be wrong.
I got up at 8am - timetable number 1. After all, humans make every day a timetable of 24 hourly segments.
Then we got the bus at around 7 minutes past 9 - following the (woefully inaccurate) bus timetable - number 2 after only being up for around an hour.
Number 3 came when I got the train at 26 minutes past 9.
And we met up with the family at 20 past 10.
Need I go on? No, I don't think so either- lest we all loose our will to live.
It's scary how much our lives revolve around timetables. Each day we count hours and minutes and seconds with no regard for how precious they really are.
When you are waiting for the train, you do it impatiently and wish the time past don't you? Its a waste and a shame - but we are all guilty.
Try to fill your time and sod the timetables. We're all living a big one of 30, 70, 90 or 100 years - try not to waste any!
Rant over.
Friday, 17 August 2012
Rant 230 17/8/12 Subject: Fast down Slow up
Rant number 230
Time can be a bit of a bitch really. Sometimes it plods along, sometimes it flies by. Our perceptions shift, time shifts too. It's a bit of a bitch really.
People always say that time is a healer you know - and its true. As well as being a healer though - it can hurt you, it can ruin you and it can eventually kill you.
What I'm really referring to is the deficit between misfortunes happening and the resulting mess being cleaned up.
My car for example. It took seconds from me seeing that sheep in the road, to me booting my brakes, to my car striking the poor animal. It's taken weeks however to accumulate parts, get them to my address and get them fitted (it looks like it could finally be done on Tuesday.)
Then there are things like broken bones. You brake a bone in a fraction of a second but have to heal it over months. It's really not on you know!
It's like falling from the road to a pot-hole far below. You slide down quick - hoping not to get too badly hurt when you finally reach the bottom, then you've got to claw your way out, step by agonising step. Time can be a bitch like that.
I'd just love things to be the opposite. Why can't problems be repaired quickly. Made better quickly. Why can things not be resolved nicely?
It's most exasperating.
Rant over.
Time can be a bit of a bitch really. Sometimes it plods along, sometimes it flies by. Our perceptions shift, time shifts too. It's a bit of a bitch really.
People always say that time is a healer you know - and its true. As well as being a healer though - it can hurt you, it can ruin you and it can eventually kill you.
What I'm really referring to is the deficit between misfortunes happening and the resulting mess being cleaned up.
My car for example. It took seconds from me seeing that sheep in the road, to me booting my brakes, to my car striking the poor animal. It's taken weeks however to accumulate parts, get them to my address and get them fitted (it looks like it could finally be done on Tuesday.)
Then there are things like broken bones. You brake a bone in a fraction of a second but have to heal it over months. It's really not on you know!
It's like falling from the road to a pot-hole far below. You slide down quick - hoping not to get too badly hurt when you finally reach the bottom, then you've got to claw your way out, step by agonising step. Time can be a bitch like that.
I'd just love things to be the opposite. Why can't problems be repaired quickly. Made better quickly. Why can things not be resolved nicely?
It's most exasperating.
Rant over.
Thursday, 16 August 2012
Rant 229 16/8/12 Subject: Bunged up ear
Rant number 230
Yesterday, I had a nice warm bath. That's not something terribly unusual or something I shall ever complain about. I really quite like my baths me.
Yesterday however, seems to have come with a bit of an unpleasant side effect.
You see, I appear to have melted some wax or something in my right ear and its been niggling me all bloody day.
I really hate it me! It's a horrible, niggling, unpleasant feeling - like all the pressure has got stuck in the back of my head.
And the really irritating thing about it is that I cannot do anything at all about it. You shouldn't poke things in your ear (and even if you do, it's only temporary.) I've tried warming the area (using my mug of tea!) pulling my ear, pushing my ear, poking my ear, pushing the area behind my ear and just about anything else you can think of.
It's maddening, it really is!
I've just sat through band, hearing my trombone reverberating in my bloody ear. It even squeaked in some of the loud passages! In the end, I had to block it up with tissue to avoid the worst of this. It makes you feel pretty grim after a while though!
All in all, I really hope that this thing goes away soon!
Rant over.
Yesterday, I had a nice warm bath. That's not something terribly unusual or something I shall ever complain about. I really quite like my baths me.
Yesterday however, seems to have come with a bit of an unpleasant side effect.
You see, I appear to have melted some wax or something in my right ear and its been niggling me all bloody day.
I really hate it me! It's a horrible, niggling, unpleasant feeling - like all the pressure has got stuck in the back of my head.
And the really irritating thing about it is that I cannot do anything at all about it. You shouldn't poke things in your ear (and even if you do, it's only temporary.) I've tried warming the area (using my mug of tea!) pulling my ear, pushing my ear, poking my ear, pushing the area behind my ear and just about anything else you can think of.
It's maddening, it really is!
I've just sat through band, hearing my trombone reverberating in my bloody ear. It even squeaked in some of the loud passages! In the end, I had to block it up with tissue to avoid the worst of this. It makes you feel pretty grim after a while though!
All in all, I really hope that this thing goes away soon!
Rant over.
Wednesday, 15 August 2012
Rant 228 15/8/12 Subject: Comfort withdrawal
Rant number 228
I really really don't need to talk about how much I miss my car. I hate buses and their crap timetables and the waiting around and the getting rained on and all the rest of it. I'm also really starting to realise just how many comforts being a driver allows you.
Temperature for instance, is something that it easy to take for granted. In my car, there is fair enough - no air conditioning however, I can open a window, put on a fan or turn up the heat. The bus on the other hand, has a temperature controlled by the bus driver and by other people. This then, is why this week alone, I have spent one whole journey almost freezing cold - and one journey boiling hot.
Then there is the radio - a much underrated device. I can listen to a CD (if my radio actually decides to work,) or flick the stations or use my iPod. On the bus, I'd have to use my earphones for this - and I just don't like doing that early in the morning (in fact, I generally don't like earbuds very much - but you cannot wear proper headphones in public without looking like a douche!)
I also like to listen to the news on the way home for work - a practice that has inspired more than one rant.
Then there is having to listen to rude people and their inane conversations. I'm sure they find me just as irritating of course, but at least my conversations raise eyebrows.
Still, car coming soon - I really hope. Please. God please!
Rant over.
I really really don't need to talk about how much I miss my car. I hate buses and their crap timetables and the waiting around and the getting rained on and all the rest of it. I'm also really starting to realise just how many comforts being a driver allows you.
Temperature for instance, is something that it easy to take for granted. In my car, there is fair enough - no air conditioning however, I can open a window, put on a fan or turn up the heat. The bus on the other hand, has a temperature controlled by the bus driver and by other people. This then, is why this week alone, I have spent one whole journey almost freezing cold - and one journey boiling hot.
Then there is the radio - a much underrated device. I can listen to a CD (if my radio actually decides to work,) or flick the stations or use my iPod. On the bus, I'd have to use my earphones for this - and I just don't like doing that early in the morning (in fact, I generally don't like earbuds very much - but you cannot wear proper headphones in public without looking like a douche!)
I also like to listen to the news on the way home for work - a practice that has inspired more than one rant.
Then there is having to listen to rude people and their inane conversations. I'm sure they find me just as irritating of course, but at least my conversations raise eyebrows.
Still, car coming soon - I really hope. Please. God please!
Rant over.
Tuesday, 14 August 2012
Rant 227 14/8/12 Subject: Allowances for idiots
Rant number 228
There are far too many allowances that are being made for idiots these days and I really think it needs to stop.
In the past, everyone was left to their own devices - and those with sense survived and those without didn't.
Maybe we should just bring back 'the common sense factor'
I am specifically of course, referring to warning labels of various sorts - which are evidently there only to account for complete numpties.
For instance: A pack of peanuts does not need to bear the warning label: warning, may contain nuts. That's kind of obvious surely? If it didn't and it say contained - a small czechoslovakian fruit seller called Umberto, that would be quite disappointing and rather misleading.
And before anyone decides to correct me on the above because the peanut is actually a legume rather than a true nut - I already know that smarty pants. None the less - it comes under the same allergy, so your point is moot!
An Iron, a toaster or hair straighteners - all items that are meant to heat up, do not need labels that read 'warning, do not touch hot surface.' People who choose to touch these things are so stupid that they deserve the burns and blisters!
Then there are myriad products that suggest you keep plastic bags, knives and various other products away from small children.
If you need telling to keep these products away from your precious children, you probably don't deserve to have any!
The world does not owe you life and works at its own grown up pace. We shouldn't have to cater for those with no common sense surely - or is it just me?
Hell, I say let people get on with it. When you fancy putting your tongue into an electric fan, or putting ball bearings in your shoes or whatever - just go for it. You'll learn the hard way!
Rant over.
There are far too many allowances that are being made for idiots these days and I really think it needs to stop.
In the past, everyone was left to their own devices - and those with sense survived and those without didn't.
Maybe we should just bring back 'the common sense factor'
I am specifically of course, referring to warning labels of various sorts - which are evidently there only to account for complete numpties.
For instance: A pack of peanuts does not need to bear the warning label: warning, may contain nuts. That's kind of obvious surely? If it didn't and it say contained - a small czechoslovakian fruit seller called Umberto, that would be quite disappointing and rather misleading.
And before anyone decides to correct me on the above because the peanut is actually a legume rather than a true nut - I already know that smarty pants. None the less - it comes under the same allergy, so your point is moot!
An Iron, a toaster or hair straighteners - all items that are meant to heat up, do not need labels that read 'warning, do not touch hot surface.' People who choose to touch these things are so stupid that they deserve the burns and blisters!
Then there are myriad products that suggest you keep plastic bags, knives and various other products away from small children.
If you need telling to keep these products away from your precious children, you probably don't deserve to have any!
The world does not owe you life and works at its own grown up pace. We shouldn't have to cater for those with no common sense surely - or is it just me?
Hell, I say let people get on with it. When you fancy putting your tongue into an electric fan, or putting ball bearings in your shoes or whatever - just go for it. You'll learn the hard way!
Rant over.
Monday, 13 August 2012
Rant 226 13/8/12 Subject: Variations on a theme
Rant number 226
My wife has a penchant for CSI. She really likes it.
The whole grizzly death, husky voice, working out the impossibly complex murder method - it's cool you know. And in liking it, my wife is far from alone.
CSI is popular. Its glitzy, glamourous and people love it!
And when something becomes popular, it makes a lot of money for the people who make it.
And when a lot of money is being made by something, theres only one thing to do: duplicate the success.
Which is where all of the bloody copy cats have come from. The iterations i can think of off the top of my head are:
CSI (Las Vegas)
CSI Miami
CSI New York
NCIS
Law and Order
Law and Order Special Victims Unit
Law and Order Criminal Intent
Is there really any need for all of that? I'm not so sure.
I just don't understand the need for so many shows that are so similar. Why not have one show with all the best story lines and characters, instead of spreading things out so thinly?
The whole thing just removes from the integrity of the main program - allowing it to get a little bit 'soapy' (not in terms of cleansing soap bubbles but in terms of shitty soap operas.)
It's not just about CSI of course, theres loads of programs with clones. Look at how many grizzled detective shows there are! These super high tech crime scene investigation shows are definitely the worst though!
Just for the record, the only one worth watching is the one with Grissom.
Rant over.
My wife has a penchant for CSI. She really likes it.
The whole grizzly death, husky voice, working out the impossibly complex murder method - it's cool you know. And in liking it, my wife is far from alone.
CSI is popular. Its glitzy, glamourous and people love it!
And when something becomes popular, it makes a lot of money for the people who make it.
And when a lot of money is being made by something, theres only one thing to do: duplicate the success.
Which is where all of the bloody copy cats have come from. The iterations i can think of off the top of my head are:
CSI (Las Vegas)
CSI Miami
CSI New York
NCIS
Law and Order
Law and Order Special Victims Unit
Law and Order Criminal Intent
Is there really any need for all of that? I'm not so sure.
I just don't understand the need for so many shows that are so similar. Why not have one show with all the best story lines and characters, instead of spreading things out so thinly?
The whole thing just removes from the integrity of the main program - allowing it to get a little bit 'soapy' (not in terms of cleansing soap bubbles but in terms of shitty soap operas.)
It's not just about CSI of course, theres loads of programs with clones. Look at how many grizzled detective shows there are! These super high tech crime scene investigation shows are definitely the worst though!
Just for the record, the only one worth watching is the one with Grissom.
Rant over.
Sunday, 12 August 2012
Rant 225 12/8/12 Subject: Passwords
Rant number 225
Information is key. Information is king. Information is power. It's a possession that everyone has, no matter whether they are the lowliest peasant, or the wealthiest king in his ivory tower.
And whether or not you believe, understand or concede it, your information is worth something to someone else other than yourself.
This means you must protect what is yours with all the tools at your disposal.
Now, if you wanted to protect something precious, the first thing you would probably do would be to lock it away somewhere safe and secure, behind a complicated lock, then post guards with very big guns in front of it and then put it in a high tower - behind a moat for good measure.
Or at the least - you know, put it in a bank or something.
This is a natural reaction to something precious - but we don't protect our information in the same way.
Which brings me onto passwords.
I have quite a few things to protect by password:
My Hotmail e-mails
Ebay
Facebook
Twitter
Amazon
Play
Paypal
This blog
The website I look after
You get the idea.
This means that I have at least 11 passwords to remember at one time, which is quite a lot you will agree.
As such, for convenience and because of my appalling memory - I have no choice but to reuse some of the passwords more than once - and the thing is, I shouldn't.
It's too easy to get blasé attitude about something so precious and it really is something we should all think about more. Keeping your info safe should be the same as locking your doors and checking the windows before you go out.
As well as identifying our own problems however, maybe it's time that we came up with an alternative to passwords.
Something more full proof would be better. A computer algorithm or an injected chip or something. It just strikes me as a better way of doing things.
And not just a half hearted finger print system like I have seen recently - which merely inputs the same kind of passwords automatically at the touch of a finger.
That just doesn't solve any problems, it just creates more.
Anyway, preaching done.
Rant over.
Information is key. Information is king. Information is power. It's a possession that everyone has, no matter whether they are the lowliest peasant, or the wealthiest king in his ivory tower.
And whether or not you believe, understand or concede it, your information is worth something to someone else other than yourself.
This means you must protect what is yours with all the tools at your disposal.
Now, if you wanted to protect something precious, the first thing you would probably do would be to lock it away somewhere safe and secure, behind a complicated lock, then post guards with very big guns in front of it and then put it in a high tower - behind a moat for good measure.
Or at the least - you know, put it in a bank or something.
This is a natural reaction to something precious - but we don't protect our information in the same way.
Which brings me onto passwords.
I have quite a few things to protect by password:
My Hotmail e-mails
Ebay
Amazon
Play
Paypal
This blog
The website I look after
You get the idea.
This means that I have at least 11 passwords to remember at one time, which is quite a lot you will agree.
As such, for convenience and because of my appalling memory - I have no choice but to reuse some of the passwords more than once - and the thing is, I shouldn't.
It's too easy to get blasé attitude about something so precious and it really is something we should all think about more. Keeping your info safe should be the same as locking your doors and checking the windows before you go out.
As well as identifying our own problems however, maybe it's time that we came up with an alternative to passwords.
Something more full proof would be better. A computer algorithm or an injected chip or something. It just strikes me as a better way of doing things.
And not just a half hearted finger print system like I have seen recently - which merely inputs the same kind of passwords automatically at the touch of a finger.
That just doesn't solve any problems, it just creates more.
Anyway, preaching done.
Rant over.
Saturday, 11 August 2012
Rant 224 11/8/12 Subject: Dragging it out
Rant number 224
JRR Tolkien was a pretty groovy guy. He was super clever, super imaginative and created his own world 'Middle' Earth, full of his own mythology.
He wrote a few books in total, but of course famously he wrote The Lord of the Rings & the Hobbit.
Which is kind of what the topic is about today.
Great stories that are well known and well loved are lucrative ground for the Hollywood types. Even the ones from New Zealand.
I am of course referring to Peter Jackson. Slightly short, heavily bearded, he created a very respectable film adaptation of the Lord of the Rings, changing the way that films are released for ever.
In the past you see, films were released as one 'picture'. Rarely of course did they stretch more than around 3 hours, but anything more than that became a sequel. The Godfather for example, is a long film - that had two sequels. It was the status quo then, but it's not the same now.
You see, the Lord of the Rings was released as one story - stretched across 3, 3 hour plus films. Now I know thats how the books are also presented however, as a film goes - its a bit cheeky.
You see, watching even one film these days is expensive. Watching 3 of them in place of one, makes things rather pricy indeed!
The same can be said of the Harry Potter films (although personally, I couldn't care less.) The latter couple were split into 2, doubling revenue without doubling the costs of making the movie.
Good business, but not really fair!
So now, getting back to my previous statement, the crux of things. They've announced that the upcoming move of the Hobbit will be dragged across not just two, but three films. Now, I love the book- but it's not exactly that long a story really. It probably really comes in at around half the length of one of the 6 books that makes up The Lord of the Rings. Is there any need to drag it out as long as all that?
I don't mind if they are doing it to keep the integrity of the story in tact of course, but if it means Peter Jackson is going to be meddling again. I don't fancy paying for 3 movies worth!
Do it properly, don't just make it long!
Rant over.
JRR Tolkien was a pretty groovy guy. He was super clever, super imaginative and created his own world 'Middle' Earth, full of his own mythology.
He wrote a few books in total, but of course famously he wrote The Lord of the Rings & the Hobbit.
Which is kind of what the topic is about today.
Great stories that are well known and well loved are lucrative ground for the Hollywood types. Even the ones from New Zealand.
I am of course referring to Peter Jackson. Slightly short, heavily bearded, he created a very respectable film adaptation of the Lord of the Rings, changing the way that films are released for ever.
In the past you see, films were released as one 'picture'. Rarely of course did they stretch more than around 3 hours, but anything more than that became a sequel. The Godfather for example, is a long film - that had two sequels. It was the status quo then, but it's not the same now.
You see, the Lord of the Rings was released as one story - stretched across 3, 3 hour plus films. Now I know thats how the books are also presented however, as a film goes - its a bit cheeky.
You see, watching even one film these days is expensive. Watching 3 of them in place of one, makes things rather pricy indeed!
The same can be said of the Harry Potter films (although personally, I couldn't care less.) The latter couple were split into 2, doubling revenue without doubling the costs of making the movie.
Good business, but not really fair!
So now, getting back to my previous statement, the crux of things. They've announced that the upcoming move of the Hobbit will be dragged across not just two, but three films. Now, I love the book- but it's not exactly that long a story really. It probably really comes in at around half the length of one of the 6 books that makes up The Lord of the Rings. Is there any need to drag it out as long as all that?
I don't mind if they are doing it to keep the integrity of the story in tact of course, but if it means Peter Jackson is going to be meddling again. I don't fancy paying for 3 movies worth!
Do it properly, don't just make it long!
Rant over.
Friday, 10 August 2012
Rant 223 10/8/12 Subject: Stupid dress sense
Rant number 223
There is a food festival going on at the moment in huddersfield. Food and drinks abound.
Things you wouldn't usually eat (or drink) are now on the menu for a few days - its brilliant!
Not surprisingly, this kind of thing draws quite a crowd.
Now, me and the wife decided to have our tea (very pleasant curry pitta bread combo!) and a couple of beers (intact, cherry perry + a pint of stout, very nice indeed!) and soak up some atmosphere.
It's whilst we were enjoying our tea and beverages that we were able to observe those around us, which is when things got a little bit alarming.
What the hell do people wear!
Par examplé:
There is a food festival going on at the moment in huddersfield. Food and drinks abound.
Things you wouldn't usually eat (or drink) are now on the menu for a few days - its brilliant!
Not surprisingly, this kind of thing draws quite a crowd.
Now, me and the wife decided to have our tea (very pleasant curry pitta bread combo!) and a couple of beers (intact, cherry perry + a pint of stout, very nice indeed!) and soak up some atmosphere.
It's whilst we were enjoying our tea and beverages that we were able to observe those around us, which is when things got a little bit alarming.
What the hell do people wear!
Par examplé:
- Women who wear see through clothing and show off their bras and pants
- Women who wear the shortest of short shorts, providing an illusion of wearing no shorts at all
- Women who wear capes....?
- Men who wear baseball caps and sleeve tops - who are in their 30s
- Men who wear 3 quarter length jeans.
I just don't get it. Were these people not dressed by their parents for long enough? Do they dress in the dark? Are they blind?
The answers are surely, Yes, Yes & I don't know!
I don't understand why fashions suggest that people look like idiots. It's really quite irritating to be surrounded by people who look like they have no idea on how to dress themselves.
Either wearing clothes inappropriate, unsuited, or simply ridiculous is not acceptable. Bloody idiots.
Rant over.
Thursday, 9 August 2012
Rant 222 9/8/12 Subject: Willpower
Rant number 222
I've decided that maybe, it's time to shift some of my flub. Now, I'm not exactly giving Jabba that Hutt a run for his money, but its time to loose some before I get that way!
As such, I'm trying to change my diet, change my behaviour - and keep an eye on my calorie intake.
What I am not doing however, is going on a diet. I've done that in the past - and it doesn't work! Either I don't loose it, or I put it straight back on - as soon as it's done.
I'm going to see how it goes anyway, and so far - things are going well.
Now, I've been keeping an eye on things for about a week now, and I'm doing pretty well. I'm not, not eating the things I'm want. I'm just eating less, and more sensibly.
There is however, one big enemy to any of these things, and that is Willpower.
Willpower is something that we all struggle with sometimes.
Disciplining your self to do something that isn't easy, or that isn't what you completely want, or that is the long route to what you want isn't easy.
Which is where the little dissenting voice in you says 'is this what you really want, lets just give in.'
It's the thing that stops you doing what you believe in, that stops people giving up smoking, that keeps us from being thin and trim, that stops us from all making ourselves a little better.
It's a loud loud voice at times - the negative one, and our willpowers can be a little voice, very far away.
And do you know what we sometimes need to do:
Give our willpower a megaphone - bring him closer, help him onto his soap box and help him proudly say 'FUCK YOU' to that dissenting voice.
Lets do just that!
Rant over.
I've decided that maybe, it's time to shift some of my flub. Now, I'm not exactly giving Jabba that Hutt a run for his money, but its time to loose some before I get that way!
As such, I'm trying to change my diet, change my behaviour - and keep an eye on my calorie intake.
What I am not doing however, is going on a diet. I've done that in the past - and it doesn't work! Either I don't loose it, or I put it straight back on - as soon as it's done.
I'm going to see how it goes anyway, and so far - things are going well.
Now, I've been keeping an eye on things for about a week now, and I'm doing pretty well. I'm not, not eating the things I'm want. I'm just eating less, and more sensibly.
There is however, one big enemy to any of these things, and that is Willpower.
Willpower is something that we all struggle with sometimes.
Disciplining your self to do something that isn't easy, or that isn't what you completely want, or that is the long route to what you want isn't easy.
Which is where the little dissenting voice in you says 'is this what you really want, lets just give in.'
It's the thing that stops you doing what you believe in, that stops people giving up smoking, that keeps us from being thin and trim, that stops us from all making ourselves a little better.
It's a loud loud voice at times - the negative one, and our willpowers can be a little voice, very far away.
And do you know what we sometimes need to do:
Give our willpower a megaphone - bring him closer, help him onto his soap box and help him proudly say 'FUCK YOU' to that dissenting voice.
Lets do just that!
Rant over.
Wednesday, 8 August 2012
Rant 221 8/8/12 Subject: Endless Memes
Rant number 221
Facebook is a fine thing in some ways. It's great to be able to communicate with many of your friends. It's also a great way to communicate things to people who are merely your acquaintances of sorts. It's even a way to communicate with people you can't stand but have still found their way onto your contact list.
It's pretty clear then, that talk has got far cheaper than ever before.
Now, we all have things we want to say. To articulate if you will - and some of us, though rather grumpy - are pretty good at just that.
Others however, seem to need some outside help - to get their messages across.
Which is where I presume all the bloody memes have come from.
Don't get me wrong here. I quite like a good and funny meme. I like a clever one - I really do. But quality, as with many things is always paramount to quantity.
So many people are just desperate it seems to spread any old shit - which pops up on my wall, simultaneously irritating me and raising my blood pressure.
For instance, someone decided to post a picture of an olympic shot-putter pulling what can only be described as a poo face.
Alone, that quite amused me however, I don't really see the need to add to it.
Which is why the caption 'Ermahgerd, Shert Pert!!!' perplexed me.
Point 1: I do not understand why: Oh my god, shirt pert!!! is meant to be funny. Even with the silly photo
Point 2: Misspelling anything does not make it funny. It just makes it childish.
I FUCKING HATE 'COMIC' MISSPELLING ON MEMES!
There has also been many recent trends such as the:
<Picture of something from the 80'> with the caption 'like if you remember this'
Or
<grumpy looking cat> with matching (ALWAYS FUCKING MISSPELT) caption.
Lets just think about it before we share it hey guys? Stop filling your wall with bullshit!
That is all.
Rant over.
Facebook is a fine thing in some ways. It's great to be able to communicate with many of your friends. It's also a great way to communicate things to people who are merely your acquaintances of sorts. It's even a way to communicate with people you can't stand but have still found their way onto your contact list.
It's pretty clear then, that talk has got far cheaper than ever before.
Now, we all have things we want to say. To articulate if you will - and some of us, though rather grumpy - are pretty good at just that.
Others however, seem to need some outside help - to get their messages across.
Which is where I presume all the bloody memes have come from.
Don't get me wrong here. I quite like a good and funny meme. I like a clever one - I really do. But quality, as with many things is always paramount to quantity.
So many people are just desperate it seems to spread any old shit - which pops up on my wall, simultaneously irritating me and raising my blood pressure.
For instance, someone decided to post a picture of an olympic shot-putter pulling what can only be described as a poo face.
Alone, that quite amused me however, I don't really see the need to add to it.
Which is why the caption 'Ermahgerd, Shert Pert!!!' perplexed me.
Point 1: I do not understand why: Oh my god, shirt pert!!! is meant to be funny. Even with the silly photo
Point 2: Misspelling anything does not make it funny. It just makes it childish.
I FUCKING HATE 'COMIC' MISSPELLING ON MEMES!
There has also been many recent trends such as the:
<Picture of something from the 80'> with the caption 'like if you remember this'
Or
<grumpy looking cat> with matching (ALWAYS FUCKING MISSPELT) caption.
Lets just think about it before we share it hey guys? Stop filling your wall with bullshit!
That is all.
Rant over.
Tuesday, 7 August 2012
Rant 220 7/8/12 Subject: Units and measures
Rant number 220
If there is one thing about alcohol, it is that it can be a bit confusing. How much is enough? How much is too much? The fact is, its all a bit ambiguous.
Units for instance. What is a unit of alcohol - and just how many can I have?
Who bloody knows.
We're all told to take a certain amount of units a day, but it all gets a bit complicated.
A man can have more than woman, but then a large woman could probably have more than a man.
It's mad.
It's hard to have a hard and fast rule for what is appropriate really.
Beer varies in strength quite a lot for instance, so half a pint of one thing is no where near the same units as another.
It's hard to tell then, whether I should be operating machinery (probably not,) driving (certainly not,) getting a tattoo (a really bad idea) or joining the navy (very really really bad idea.)
Maybe they should fit breathalysing machines in pubs and the like, to make it easy to know how over you really are. The only issue however, is the British drinking culture - which would probably result in lads competing to get the highest blood alcohol level.
That couldn't end well now could it?
Probably not. Though it could get rid of the surplus of bloody idiots out there.
Rant over.
If there is one thing about alcohol, it is that it can be a bit confusing. How much is enough? How much is too much? The fact is, its all a bit ambiguous.
Units for instance. What is a unit of alcohol - and just how many can I have?
Who bloody knows.
We're all told to take a certain amount of units a day, but it all gets a bit complicated.
A man can have more than woman, but then a large woman could probably have more than a man.
It's mad.
It's hard to have a hard and fast rule for what is appropriate really.
Beer varies in strength quite a lot for instance, so half a pint of one thing is no where near the same units as another.
It's hard to tell then, whether I should be operating machinery (probably not,) driving (certainly not,) getting a tattoo (a really bad idea) or joining the navy (very really really bad idea.)
Maybe they should fit breathalysing machines in pubs and the like, to make it easy to know how over you really are. The only issue however, is the British drinking culture - which would probably result in lads competing to get the highest blood alcohol level.
That couldn't end well now could it?
Probably not. Though it could get rid of the surplus of bloody idiots out there.
One way or another, they should make things clear and easy to work out, its the ambiguity that makes things awkward!
Rant over.
Monday, 6 August 2012
Rant 219 6/8/12 Subject: Loss of signal based annoyance
Rant number 219
We live in a pretty connected world now.
At any moment, be it through TV, radio, computers, phones, tablets etc etc, you can find out an awful lot of information about just about anything.
My phone particularly, can tell me many many things about the world. It can tell me news both national and international. It can tell me gossip. Tell me what to eat. What to drink.
To do any of this though, it needs to be connected to the internet, which needs internet signal.
Now, there are several ways to access the internet these days:
Wired Lan - which is bulletproof but rather irritatingly involves wires going everywhere.
Wireless Lan - which beams the internet around you within a localised area.
3G - which beams the internet around you out and about.
For the most part, my annoyance falls with 3G. Its around in many places, but its not consistent. This means that you have to jump around like a nutter to get hold of the precious internets- floating in the area like pollen.
The connections always drop of course, when you are in the middle of things. My internet for instance dropped in the middle of this rant, causing procrastination while I tinkered to fix the issue!
Bloody internets. Sooner or later they will come up with a new way of beaming it around - probably involving lasers (I hope so, I like lasers!)
Rant over.
We live in a pretty connected world now.
At any moment, be it through TV, radio, computers, phones, tablets etc etc, you can find out an awful lot of information about just about anything.
My phone particularly, can tell me many many things about the world. It can tell me news both national and international. It can tell me gossip. Tell me what to eat. What to drink.
To do any of this though, it needs to be connected to the internet, which needs internet signal.
Now, there are several ways to access the internet these days:
Wired Lan - which is bulletproof but rather irritatingly involves wires going everywhere.
Wireless Lan - which beams the internet around you within a localised area.
3G - which beams the internet around you out and about.
For the most part, my annoyance falls with 3G. Its around in many places, but its not consistent. This means that you have to jump around like a nutter to get hold of the precious internets- floating in the area like pollen.
The connections always drop of course, when you are in the middle of things. My internet for instance dropped in the middle of this rant, causing procrastination while I tinkered to fix the issue!
Bloody internets. Sooner or later they will come up with a new way of beaming it around - probably involving lasers (I hope so, I like lasers!)
Rant over.
Sunday, 5 August 2012
Rant 218 5/8/12 Subject: Stories that leave you confused
Rant number 218
I'm a huge fan of what the derogatory describe as 'genre fiction.' This is to say books and films about horror, thriller, fantasy and crime. Particularly I love horror stories. I have always loved a story that can really get under my skin and scare me.
As well as having my own favourites in this genre - Brian Lumley, HP Lovecraft and Clive Barker for example. I also like to pick up anthologies of these stories. Particularly 'The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror' - which comes out every year. I think I own around 15! And these contain around 20-25 stories each.
Now, one of the only downsides of these kind of stories is that some authors never explain the questions that they answer, and that really gets on my nerves.
I understand with short stories that you have a very limited amount of word count to get through your story. I also understand that - by going on for any longer than this word count, you end up with a novel - not a short story.
Really though, that isn't an excuse, for trying to pull the wool over your eyes and leaving you perplexed.
H.P Lovecraft, wrote a hell of a lot of stories. Even if you haven't heard of him, I can assure you that he has probably inspired someone whose writing you admire.
Hundreds and Hundreds of them. Many of the stories explore some really complex ideas. Parallel universes, alternative mythologies (for instance, the Cthulhu mythos,) mysteries and intrigues all abound. He never makes you feel cheated though. Each story ends when it needs too (some stretch to a couple of pages only, some are forty or fifty pages long.)
If he can do that, why can't the others that follow in his footsteps?
Thomas Ligitti for instance, is a fantastic author, who has some brilliant stories to offer except, many leave you unfulfilled. I remember a particular one 'The Medusa,' which I think was intended to come across as complex and mysterious - but really read as rushed and undefined.
What's got me onto the subject again is the film I've just watched. The visually stunning, but somewhat perplexing Manga 'Paprika.'
I wouldn't put you off watching it at all. The visuals really are bloody fantastic! None of the little shortcuts that Manga usually is guilty of seem to be obviously used, and some of the scenes look too good to be drawn. The premise also is good and has great potential (think inception, but stranger with a pretty Manga chick.) It never quite grows legs though, and the set pieces can't make up for the slight empty feeling of:
'wha?'
As the credits roll.
When I engage in a story, I want them to tell me the story. I don't want to have to puzzle out the bits they didn't want to tell me. I want to read their head goo, not poke mine at the subject!
Rant over.
I'm a huge fan of what the derogatory describe as 'genre fiction.' This is to say books and films about horror, thriller, fantasy and crime. Particularly I love horror stories. I have always loved a story that can really get under my skin and scare me.
As well as having my own favourites in this genre - Brian Lumley, HP Lovecraft and Clive Barker for example. I also like to pick up anthologies of these stories. Particularly 'The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror' - which comes out every year. I think I own around 15! And these contain around 20-25 stories each.
Now, one of the only downsides of these kind of stories is that some authors never explain the questions that they answer, and that really gets on my nerves.
I understand with short stories that you have a very limited amount of word count to get through your story. I also understand that - by going on for any longer than this word count, you end up with a novel - not a short story.
Really though, that isn't an excuse, for trying to pull the wool over your eyes and leaving you perplexed.
H.P Lovecraft, wrote a hell of a lot of stories. Even if you haven't heard of him, I can assure you that he has probably inspired someone whose writing you admire.
Hundreds and Hundreds of them. Many of the stories explore some really complex ideas. Parallel universes, alternative mythologies (for instance, the Cthulhu mythos,) mysteries and intrigues all abound. He never makes you feel cheated though. Each story ends when it needs too (some stretch to a couple of pages only, some are forty or fifty pages long.)
If he can do that, why can't the others that follow in his footsteps?
Thomas Ligitti for instance, is a fantastic author, who has some brilliant stories to offer except, many leave you unfulfilled. I remember a particular one 'The Medusa,' which I think was intended to come across as complex and mysterious - but really read as rushed and undefined.
What's got me onto the subject again is the film I've just watched. The visually stunning, but somewhat perplexing Manga 'Paprika.'
I wouldn't put you off watching it at all. The visuals really are bloody fantastic! None of the little shortcuts that Manga usually is guilty of seem to be obviously used, and some of the scenes look too good to be drawn. The premise also is good and has great potential (think inception, but stranger with a pretty Manga chick.) It never quite grows legs though, and the set pieces can't make up for the slight empty feeling of:
'wha?'
As the credits roll.
When I engage in a story, I want them to tell me the story. I don't want to have to puzzle out the bits they didn't want to tell me. I want to read their head goo, not poke mine at the subject!
Rant over.
Saturday, 4 August 2012
Rant 217 4/8/12 Subject: Hard Months
Rant number 217
Today I very much wanted to change the subject a little bit, lest you think I am some kind of Olympic basher.
I more wanted to talk about July now its gone. In the space of one short month, several things took place - such as my car being destroyed by a sheep (although luckily things are looking to be getting better in that respect) and my poor rat being very poorly.
Some months just seem to relentlessly want to test your resolve and beat you down. To remind you how vulnerable you are, that you aren't as grown up as you sometimes let yourself feel you are. To mess with you!
July was just such a month, and it was until the close of it that things got better.
I just don't understand why life needs to be like that. I wasn't alone in having a hard month I'm sure, in fact - I know of some others who had a pretty awful time too. I'm not saying that my problems were worse than any one else's, I'm not being selfish or narcissistic. I'm just saying that July - a month that is meant to be sunny and joyful - was a bit of a bitch!
Once again of course, I'm not blaming July in particular. A month is not a person either malignant or benign. It's just a collection of days - and days aren't people either.
It just feels like sometimes though, a Month really needs to end for things to get better and feel better - and July was just that month this year.
Who knows, next year July might be great? Hard to tell really.
Anyway, lets just hope August carries on being better.
Rant over
Today I very much wanted to change the subject a little bit, lest you think I am some kind of Olympic basher.
I more wanted to talk about July now its gone. In the space of one short month, several things took place - such as my car being destroyed by a sheep (although luckily things are looking to be getting better in that respect) and my poor rat being very poorly.
Some months just seem to relentlessly want to test your resolve and beat you down. To remind you how vulnerable you are, that you aren't as grown up as you sometimes let yourself feel you are. To mess with you!
July was just such a month, and it was until the close of it that things got better.
I just don't understand why life needs to be like that. I wasn't alone in having a hard month I'm sure, in fact - I know of some others who had a pretty awful time too. I'm not saying that my problems were worse than any one else's, I'm not being selfish or narcissistic. I'm just saying that July - a month that is meant to be sunny and joyful - was a bit of a bitch!
Once again of course, I'm not blaming July in particular. A month is not a person either malignant or benign. It's just a collection of days - and days aren't people either.
It just feels like sometimes though, a Month really needs to end for things to get better and feel better - and July was just that month this year.
Who knows, next year July might be great? Hard to tell really.
Anyway, lets just hope August carries on being better.
Rant over
Friday, 3 August 2012
Rant 216 3/8/12 Subject: Olympic coverage
Rant number 216
I promise to try and find something else to talk about tomorrow! At the moment though, it's hard not to cover the subject of the olympics, one way or another.
My big beef today isn't anything about how anyone has behaved. It's not about the athletes or anything.
It's just about the endless waffle that goes with it.
There is sport going on, almost non stop - from first thing in the morning until last thing at night. You'd think that this would give them something to cover wouldn't you?
Other than endless chattering on.
I mean, sport is exciting to watch - but people constantly talking about it kinda cheeses me off.
Then there is the many channels that the BBC are showing only on Sky. How is that fair? I have to pay for the BBC but I don't have to pay for sky. Why does the TV license money get to go to those who pay for TV? That's stupid
And then there is the iPlayer coverage.
I wanted to watch the shooting and the archery this evening, and promptly I put these into the search box on iPlayer.
This brought up some coverage of these events, which is great. The problem is though, that it doesn't bring up just the coverage of this event. No it brings up about a 3hour long program and doesn't tell you when what you want to see is on!
This is where the waffle aforementioned becomes really annoying, because iPlayer is fast and clunky to fast forward. Making finding what you want a nightmare.
I just want to see people blow clay pigeons into clouds of pink dust!
Rant over.
I promise to try and find something else to talk about tomorrow! At the moment though, it's hard not to cover the subject of the olympics, one way or another.
My big beef today isn't anything about how anyone has behaved. It's not about the athletes or anything.
It's just about the endless waffle that goes with it.
There is sport going on, almost non stop - from first thing in the morning until last thing at night. You'd think that this would give them something to cover wouldn't you?
Other than endless chattering on.
I mean, sport is exciting to watch - but people constantly talking about it kinda cheeses me off.
Then there is the many channels that the BBC are showing only on Sky. How is that fair? I have to pay for the BBC but I don't have to pay for sky. Why does the TV license money get to go to those who pay for TV? That's stupid
And then there is the iPlayer coverage.
I wanted to watch the shooting and the archery this evening, and promptly I put these into the search box on iPlayer.
This brought up some coverage of these events, which is great. The problem is though, that it doesn't bring up just the coverage of this event. No it brings up about a 3hour long program and doesn't tell you when what you want to see is on!
This is where the waffle aforementioned becomes really annoying, because iPlayer is fast and clunky to fast forward. Making finding what you want a nightmare.
I just want to see people blow clay pigeons into clouds of pink dust!
Rant over.
Thursday, 2 August 2012
Rant 215 2/8/12 Subject: Cheating Badminton players
Rant number 215
I stand by my rant from yesterday. The Japanese must have known that they fucked up that dismount (massively. He bloody fell!) but it wasn't a deliberate thing.
Which makes them at a least a cut above the 8 who have been disqualified from the Badminton.
For most olympians, the Olympics is the pinnacle of their career. Nothing surely comes close. You need to be the leanest, meanest, best of the best!
Surely as a result, you must swell with pride. Never more than at the olympics, taking part is surely far more important than winning.
Which is why what took place really disgusts me.
Eight badminton players have been disqualified from the olympics for throwing matches. They were so blatant about it too!
Professional players knocking the shuttlecock repeatedly into the net is going to be noticed by even the least conscientious of viewers. The fact that they were doing it in front of thousands in the audience and around the world on TV so blatantly just shows a lack of respect for the game that they pertain to love.
Why would you do that? It's what you are passionate about?
Trying to play with the results to make your countries chances better just isn't acceptable.
We're apparently meant to be feeling sorry for them though - don't you know?
Yu Yang said, amongst some other rubbish 'You have heartlessly shattered our dreams. It's that simple, not complicated at all. But this is unforgivable.'
My heart bleeds, you cheating bitch. She's going to quit the sport now, before she gets banned no doubt. Why should you get away with stacking the deck when others are playing things fair? It's just rubbish.
Cheating is cheating, whatever you call it. When you've been caught out, maybe you should just put your hands up and take it like a man (yes I know she's a woman. But that's the expression!)
That the Koreans joined in, does not excuse them either!
I really do hope this is the end of my rants about the olympics. It should be a source for good, not a source for bad.
For audiences to boo you while you throw a match - and you not to respond is so shameful. I hope that they stop trying to explain themselves and take a good long look in the mirror.
Rant over.
Wednesday, 1 August 2012
Rant 214 1/8/12 Subject: Cheating Japanese Gymnasts
Rant number 214
An olympic rant then. Bound to happen sooner or later wasn't it?
For anyone hidden under a rock not watching the Olympics, they've been pretty good so far. The brits have won a respectable amount of medals and have far from disgraced themselves.
Particularly, our Gymnasts did well, winning themselves a bronze medal and breaking a hundred years slump in this discipline. My heartiest congratulations go to them. They fought hard and won well.
Except, they won a silver medal, not a bronze.
Then the Japanese protested - and got given the silver medal.
Now, lets put things in context:
I don't have a great deal of expertise in gymnastics, or in most sports. We in fact discussed last week at work - how you could mark something this subjective.
What I saw however, from the Japanese Gymnast was a dismount that looked as crap as one I could have done! If it's obvious to me that its crap, surely there is no protest that can be made?
But the stupid bloody officials took it lying down, and the British Gymnasts were too proud to counter-protest.
If the Japanese had any shame, they should be falling on their fucking swords!
If you don't believe me, go to: http://gymnasticscoaching.com/new/2012/07/uchimuras-pommel-dismount
and watch the bugger fall in a most ungraceful and certainly unintentional way.
Now tell me I'm just being biased because its our gymnasts that have lost out?
What a disgusting way to cheat your way to their silver medals. I hope that their pride comes before a fall. Preferably from a great height.
Yes, our team took it well, but inside they must be gutted. After all that work - to be cheated. It makes me bloody sick!
And as for the officials who let it happen. Don't even get me started.
If nothing else, the Olympics should be about honour. An honour to be involved, an honour to win a medal. The Japanese have shat all over that with their disgusting cheating ways.
I hope they feel ashamed of themselves. If they had any balls or scruples, they should give those medals back!
I really hope they don't think they are in the right and that they can't sleep at night. They deserve no less!
Rant over.
An olympic rant then. Bound to happen sooner or later wasn't it?
For anyone hidden under a rock not watching the Olympics, they've been pretty good so far. The brits have won a respectable amount of medals and have far from disgraced themselves.
Particularly, our Gymnasts did well, winning themselves a bronze medal and breaking a hundred years slump in this discipline. My heartiest congratulations go to them. They fought hard and won well.
Except, they won a silver medal, not a bronze.
Then the Japanese protested - and got given the silver medal.
Now, lets put things in context:
I don't have a great deal of expertise in gymnastics, or in most sports. We in fact discussed last week at work - how you could mark something this subjective.
What I saw however, from the Japanese Gymnast was a dismount that looked as crap as one I could have done! If it's obvious to me that its crap, surely there is no protest that can be made?
But the stupid bloody officials took it lying down, and the British Gymnasts were too proud to counter-protest.
If the Japanese had any shame, they should be falling on their fucking swords!
If you don't believe me, go to: http://gymnasticscoaching.com/new/2012/07/uchimuras-pommel-dismount
and watch the bugger fall in a most ungraceful and certainly unintentional way.
Now tell me I'm just being biased because its our gymnasts that have lost out?
What a disgusting way to cheat your way to their silver medals. I hope that their pride comes before a fall. Preferably from a great height.
Yes, our team took it well, but inside they must be gutted. After all that work - to be cheated. It makes me bloody sick!
And as for the officials who let it happen. Don't even get me started.
If nothing else, the Olympics should be about honour. An honour to be involved, an honour to win a medal. The Japanese have shat all over that with their disgusting cheating ways.
I hope they feel ashamed of themselves. If they had any balls or scruples, they should give those medals back!
I really hope they don't think they are in the right and that they can't sleep at night. They deserve no less!
Rant over.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)