Rant number 152
I think one of the most popular rants I have yet published is the one about wasps. Quite possible because everyone hates the evil, yellow and black suited, shiny bastards. Today, i was reminded that - by no means is the wasp the only truly hateful insect.
I have been eaten alive this evening!
In preparing for tomorrows march contest, we spent the evening playing the march outside. It was in a quaint little tree lined clearing in the park - and could have been really quite nice.
Except for the bloody midges, a creature whose irritating factor is two-fold.
Firstly, the bastards like to bite you and take a small amount of blood.
Now everyones gotta eat: so part of me wouldn't mind too much if a tiny creature wanted to take some of my red vein goo. The thing is though that it leaves an itchy uncomfortable bump behind - which seems really bloody ungrateful!
Secondly, midges seem to have absolutely no sense of self preservation. This evening alone, the buggers wanted to fly directly into just about any part of my body. They seemed hard pressed to get into my ears, my nose, my mouth. Why would they bother?
Do they really think that there is something great in one of my bodily openings? All I can imagine they would find in there is an untimely death!
Stupid bloody midges!
Rant over.
Thursday, 31 May 2012
Wednesday, 30 May 2012
Rant 151 30/5/12 Subject: Slow driving time time-thieves
Rant number 151
I was all set to rant about something completely different today, until someone decided to pull out in front of me on the roundabout at Ainley top.
This alone didn't bother me, I did have to reduce my speed a little - but that I can accept in the spirit of being a friendly road user.
You'd think, that someone who was in that much of a rush would then accelerate to the speed limit.
Well you would wouldn't you?
But no.
The person then pottered along at 30 miles an hour in the 40 zone, then 25 in the 30 zone.
This got me thinking about all of the time that gets stolen from me day on day, week on week, month on month. The mind boggles.
If each and every day, it takes me an extra 5 minutes to traverse the two or three mile stretch along Halifax road I need to travel to get home, the figures are as follows:
Day time stolen: 5 minutes
Weekly time stolen: 25 minutes (that's nearly half an hour a bloody week)
Monthly time stolen: 100 minutes (An hour and a bloody half!)
Yearly time stolen: 1200 minutes (20 bloody hours)
That's nearly a full bloody day a year that I could loose a year, just because someone feels like tootling along home steady away, instead of traveling at the speed limit. And that's just one strip of road.
I just don't get it. Do people not have places that they want to be & love ones they want to get back to & things to do? I'm not suggesting that people need to speed, but holding me up for no apparent reason is just irritating.
The other thing that really annoys me about these people, is that they always choose a strip of road where overtaking is ill advised or impossible. I mean, do they not have rear view mirrors to feel shame at the ever growing queue behind them?
Bastard time thieving arseholes!
Rant over.
I was all set to rant about something completely different today, until someone decided to pull out in front of me on the roundabout at Ainley top.
This alone didn't bother me, I did have to reduce my speed a little - but that I can accept in the spirit of being a friendly road user.
You'd think, that someone who was in that much of a rush would then accelerate to the speed limit.
Well you would wouldn't you?
But no.
The person then pottered along at 30 miles an hour in the 40 zone, then 25 in the 30 zone.
This got me thinking about all of the time that gets stolen from me day on day, week on week, month on month. The mind boggles.
If each and every day, it takes me an extra 5 minutes to traverse the two or three mile stretch along Halifax road I need to travel to get home, the figures are as follows:
Day time stolen: 5 minutes
Weekly time stolen: 25 minutes (that's nearly half an hour a bloody week)
Monthly time stolen: 100 minutes (An hour and a bloody half!)
Yearly time stolen: 1200 minutes (20 bloody hours)
That's nearly a full bloody day a year that I could loose a year, just because someone feels like tootling along home steady away, instead of traveling at the speed limit. And that's just one strip of road.
I just don't get it. Do people not have places that they want to be & love ones they want to get back to & things to do? I'm not suggesting that people need to speed, but holding me up for no apparent reason is just irritating.
The other thing that really annoys me about these people, is that they always choose a strip of road where overtaking is ill advised or impossible. I mean, do they not have rear view mirrors to feel shame at the ever growing queue behind them?
Bastard time thieving arseholes!
Rant over.
Tuesday, 29 May 2012
Rant 150 29/5/12 Subject: Pain through clumsiness
Rant number 150
I thought I'd save the rest of the olympics bashing for later. There is a whole summer of this to go after all.
So whats bugging me?
This week at work, I'm covering for the mechanic who is having a well earned holiday. I don't do it often, but it's within my capabilities to do the repairs and checks that need to be done.
The only problem with doing it really, is that I am surrounded by sharp things, heavy things, scrapy things and hammery things - and I really am quite clumsy.
After two days so far this week, my hands seem to have half of their usual amount of skin, some very deep scrapes and some small cuts - I'm pretty sure that that's not a good thing.
Why do I have to be so bloody clumsy - in fact, why does anyone have to be? Is it bad luck, lack of concentration, lack of perception or something else that causes me to be clumsy?
In the office at work for instance, I knocked my knee into a desk that has been in the same place for several months. It's not moved, I know where it is - so why do I have to bang into it? It hurt, I didn't like it.
It's like all these cuts and scrapes. I think that I just don't notice them when I am concentrating on what I am doing. It's only later when I try and do something less complicated - like pick up a cup that I feel the pain
I really should work on paying more attention and avoiding some of this pain!
Stupid bloody clumsiness!
Rant over.
I thought I'd save the rest of the olympics bashing for later. There is a whole summer of this to go after all.
So whats bugging me?
This week at work, I'm covering for the mechanic who is having a well earned holiday. I don't do it often, but it's within my capabilities to do the repairs and checks that need to be done.
The only problem with doing it really, is that I am surrounded by sharp things, heavy things, scrapy things and hammery things - and I really am quite clumsy.
After two days so far this week, my hands seem to have half of their usual amount of skin, some very deep scrapes and some small cuts - I'm pretty sure that that's not a good thing.
Why do I have to be so bloody clumsy - in fact, why does anyone have to be? Is it bad luck, lack of concentration, lack of perception or something else that causes me to be clumsy?
In the office at work for instance, I knocked my knee into a desk that has been in the same place for several months. It's not moved, I know where it is - so why do I have to bang into it? It hurt, I didn't like it.
It's like all these cuts and scrapes. I think that I just don't notice them when I am concentrating on what I am doing. It's only later when I try and do something less complicated - like pick up a cup that I feel the pain
I really should work on paying more attention and avoiding some of this pain!
Stupid bloody clumsiness!
Rant over.
Monday, 28 May 2012
Rant 149 28/5/12 Subject: Olympic torch hysteria
Rant number 149
I've decided to make it a two day olympic bashing session. I'm sure I could even make it 3 if I really tried!
What really is the big deal with the torch. So much pomp and circumstance but really so little substance.
The flame has amazingly come all the way from Greece in a golden plane attached to David Beckham.
Big blood whoop! I've been to Athens and guess what - the fire there is just the same as it is here! Its not being paraded around, person to person torch to torch around the land.
Now don't get me wrong, I respect the people who are doing it, the Athletes, those who raise money for charity, the sportsman. Its great and all that.
I just don't get why it needs to be on the bloody news. I know that the torch is being dragged around the country because I have already been told. I know that it is coming near my house - because there are signs up to tell me. I don't need the news to tell me every day. I'd really rather hear about something else.
Is there really so little else going on? I mean really?
I'd only really consider it newsworthy if something out of the ordinary took place. If for instance someone accidentally dropped his torch into a wishing well - I might find that entertaining. If someone accidentally set Ant and Dec on fire with one of the torches before beating them to death with it: I really would like to be the first to know. If it's business as usual though - I think that I'm pretty happy to know that its happening without being reminded 4 times a bloody day.
My attention span isn't that oh look a Badger
Rant over.
I've decided to make it a two day olympic bashing session. I'm sure I could even make it 3 if I really tried!
What really is the big deal with the torch. So much pomp and circumstance but really so little substance.
The flame has amazingly come all the way from Greece in a golden plane attached to David Beckham.
Big blood whoop! I've been to Athens and guess what - the fire there is just the same as it is here! Its not being paraded around, person to person torch to torch around the land.
Now don't get me wrong, I respect the people who are doing it, the Athletes, those who raise money for charity, the sportsman. Its great and all that.
I just don't get why it needs to be on the bloody news. I know that the torch is being dragged around the country because I have already been told. I know that it is coming near my house - because there are signs up to tell me. I don't need the news to tell me every day. I'd really rather hear about something else.
Is there really so little else going on? I mean really?
I'd only really consider it newsworthy if something out of the ordinary took place. If for instance someone accidentally dropped his torch into a wishing well - I might find that entertaining. If someone accidentally set Ant and Dec on fire with one of the torches before beating them to death with it: I really would like to be the first to know. If it's business as usual though - I think that I'm pretty happy to know that its happening without being reminded 4 times a bloody day.
My attention span isn't that oh look a Badger
Rant over.
Sunday, 27 May 2012
Rant 148 27/5/12 Subject: Olympics tickets
Rant number 148
So anyone not hiding under a rock for the last year or two, will be aware that we are hosting the olympics. Lets face it, its been on the news in one way or another for pretty much forever - particularly the torch over the last couple of weeks.
Now, one thing that really does seem to have been a bit of a mess about it all is the tickets situation. The messy lottery of getting the tickets for the best events was dealt with with the expected amount of useless faff. Like many things, if you have enough money to buy the high end tickets - you can see what you want, if not - you get left with the scraps.
I am not a great one for sports at the best of times however, the olympics has got a certain amount of events that I'd like to see.
Unfortunately, the same ones that other people like to see.
The 100m sprinting finals for instance: An event that shows off the power of men trained to their physical peak.
Or the lady's beach volleyball: An event that its hard not to enjoy watching as a man.
The thing is though that these events were always the most expensive - with the fewest cheaper tickets: surprise surprise.
Price really shouldn't come into it in the way it has. If the government wants to endear us into feeling national spirit over the games - they really shouldn't price us out of them. Not to mention that - to watch an event - I would need to buy the ticket, and pay for transport & accommodation. It sounds trite - but to me it would just feel like another tax.
I'm settle for watching the events I can on TV, at home or down the pub - beer in hand - just like I would if it was another country.
Oh well...
Rant over.
So anyone not hiding under a rock for the last year or two, will be aware that we are hosting the olympics. Lets face it, its been on the news in one way or another for pretty much forever - particularly the torch over the last couple of weeks.
Now, one thing that really does seem to have been a bit of a mess about it all is the tickets situation. The messy lottery of getting the tickets for the best events was dealt with with the expected amount of useless faff. Like many things, if you have enough money to buy the high end tickets - you can see what you want, if not - you get left with the scraps.
I am not a great one for sports at the best of times however, the olympics has got a certain amount of events that I'd like to see.
Unfortunately, the same ones that other people like to see.
The 100m sprinting finals for instance: An event that shows off the power of men trained to their physical peak.
Or the lady's beach volleyball: An event that its hard not to enjoy watching as a man.
The thing is though that these events were always the most expensive - with the fewest cheaper tickets: surprise surprise.
Price really shouldn't come into it in the way it has. If the government wants to endear us into feeling national spirit over the games - they really shouldn't price us out of them. Not to mention that - to watch an event - I would need to buy the ticket, and pay for transport & accommodation. It sounds trite - but to me it would just feel like another tax.
I'm settle for watching the events I can on TV, at home or down the pub - beer in hand - just like I would if it was another country.
Oh well...
Rant over.
Saturday, 26 May 2012
Rant 147 26/5/12 Subject: Eurovision
Hopefully you can't tell, but I have a guest blogger...
Eurovision, an annual contest which some take nice and seriously and others just think what the hell, and go for something really random.
This year most entries are about old loves, some about new love and the Russian Grannies have just gone for the pity vote of 'come and dance'. I must admit though, this entry started simply awfully and then got quite amusing.
Italy entered a happy tune and it was sung very well. It has no quirky, or frankly, stupid costumes (like Lithuania singing blindfolded) and unlike most of the other entries I can actually remember the song even after hearing the other entries.
What I don't understand is why the uk throws so much money at it and still can't put forward a mind blowing entry that will excite everyone. The Hump made a good effort and he does have international following but I'm not sure how much of an impression he will have made. and Ireland yet again went for Jedward who are only held together with hair spray.
Then there is the reason Terry Wogan stopped doing his inebriated commentary and we now have to listen to Graham Norton prattle on. Tactical voting. The eastern block all vote for each other and so the rest all compete for the scraps.
Finally the smarmy presenters. I appreciate that they are having to speak English - some do it rather well. It's when they start talking to the acts that it falls apart as some of those poor people have started to have a drink and enjoy themselves and struggle with speaking English. However this year the results are in English, French, and Azerbijanish. So it will take longer for the most interesting part of the night. Especially as the spokespersons all like to milk who receives the amazing twelve points. And of course due to tactical voting, good old Graham can tell us who will get 12 points,
So why watch if it just irritates me? Because it's a sort of tradition and it's something to talk about at work, and follow on twitter. Not that I will this year as Town have just been promoted to the championship so that'll be the hot topic!
At this moment in time the Russian Grannies are second and The Hump is somewhere near the bottom.
Yet again talent falls to the wayside and we've just wasted a hell of a lot of money and time voting for grannies who can't really sing and the women wearing the least amount of clothing possible while still being suitable for a family show.
Oh and my reason for a guest blogger? I have a horrific migraine and who could step up to the plate and bring you your daily annoyance? My lovely lovely wife ;-)
Rant over.
Eurovision, an annual contest which some take nice and seriously and others just think what the hell, and go for something really random.
This year most entries are about old loves, some about new love and the Russian Grannies have just gone for the pity vote of 'come and dance'. I must admit though, this entry started simply awfully and then got quite amusing.
Italy entered a happy tune and it was sung very well. It has no quirky, or frankly, stupid costumes (like Lithuania singing blindfolded) and unlike most of the other entries I can actually remember the song even after hearing the other entries.
What I don't understand is why the uk throws so much money at it and still can't put forward a mind blowing entry that will excite everyone. The Hump made a good effort and he does have international following but I'm not sure how much of an impression he will have made. and Ireland yet again went for Jedward who are only held together with hair spray.
Then there is the reason Terry Wogan stopped doing his inebriated commentary and we now have to listen to Graham Norton prattle on. Tactical voting. The eastern block all vote for each other and so the rest all compete for the scraps.
Finally the smarmy presenters. I appreciate that they are having to speak English - some do it rather well. It's when they start talking to the acts that it falls apart as some of those poor people have started to have a drink and enjoy themselves and struggle with speaking English. However this year the results are in English, French, and Azerbijanish. So it will take longer for the most interesting part of the night. Especially as the spokespersons all like to milk who receives the amazing twelve points. And of course due to tactical voting, good old Graham can tell us who will get 12 points,
So why watch if it just irritates me? Because it's a sort of tradition and it's something to talk about at work, and follow on twitter. Not that I will this year as Town have just been promoted to the championship so that'll be the hot topic!
At this moment in time the Russian Grannies are second and The Hump is somewhere near the bottom.
Yet again talent falls to the wayside and we've just wasted a hell of a lot of money and time voting for grannies who can't really sing and the women wearing the least amount of clothing possible while still being suitable for a family show.
Oh and my reason for a guest blogger? I have a horrific migraine and who could step up to the plate and bring you your daily annoyance? My lovely lovely wife ;-)
Rant over.
Friday, 25 May 2012
Rant 146 25/5/12 Subject: Packaging
Rant number 146
Today, a long awaited item arrived which is brilliant. I am installing the enclosed software as we speak - now that I have finally got the wrapper off of it.
It gets me thinking about the amount of packing that crosses through my hands in a week. The jiffy bags, the food wrappers. Is it really all that necessary?
I'm sure in days past, they did without all of this wrapping, but these days its preposterous.
If I get an item from eBay, its often: an item within moulded plastic packaging, held in place by several cable ties, within an outer box (complete with cellophane window) within a jiffy bag.
And where prey does all of that excess packaging go?
Straight in the bin, that's where.
I understand that items need to feature branding and need to travel a long distance safely - but I'm sure that they could cut it down really. I'm sure that I wouldn't be bothered. I don't want the packaging, just the item after all.
Things are surprisingly crude if you think about it. We have to package items against the world in varying ways - but there must be some technology beyond what we are doing. Something lightweight, strong, but easy to reuse or biodegrade. Or an incentive for returning packaging for reuse - I don't know.
Food packaging too is ridiculous. We make nothing locally - and so items need to last for ever, cans, jars, foil packs, vacuum packs - it all takes it toll.
Even the laptop I rant on, came in carefully moulded polystyrene, an anti static pouch, a box, another box and finally another outer box.
We really should think of something better than all of this waste!
Rant over.
Thursday, 24 May 2012
Rant 145 24/5/12 Subject: Heatwave
Rant number 145
There really is, no pleasing some people.
There is in fact, no pleasing many people.
There is in fact, no pleasing nearly everyone. Me included.
For weeks and weeks I, along with most of the population, have been whining about the inclement weather.
The constant rain, the overcast sky's, the clouds. It's been thoroughly bloody miserable.
Until this week that is - when it's all changed. The sky's have cleared, the clouds have dissipated and the sun has made a most overdue appearance.
For the first half a day it was wonderful, but by the end of that day it had become a little oppressive and sticky. Now, a few short days later I can think of little except for how hot I feel.
The temperature within my office today was incredibly oppressive. I felt that melting would be on the cards. Imagine a pile of clothes, topped by a gently bubbling Trum shaped puddle? That's what I felt like was going to happen at Any moment.
Even the electric fan I had running all day did nothing but blow warm air into the back of my head.
Getting in my car even to go home - usually something that brings a leap of joy to my heart - meant sitting in uncomfortable heat.
In summary then, I'd really like it to be a little cooler - and I really am impossible to please
Rant over.
There really is, no pleasing some people.
There is in fact, no pleasing many people.
There is in fact, no pleasing nearly everyone. Me included.
For weeks and weeks I, along with most of the population, have been whining about the inclement weather.
The constant rain, the overcast sky's, the clouds. It's been thoroughly bloody miserable.
Until this week that is - when it's all changed. The sky's have cleared, the clouds have dissipated and the sun has made a most overdue appearance.
For the first half a day it was wonderful, but by the end of that day it had become a little oppressive and sticky. Now, a few short days later I can think of little except for how hot I feel.
The temperature within my office today was incredibly oppressive. I felt that melting would be on the cards. Imagine a pile of clothes, topped by a gently bubbling Trum shaped puddle? That's what I felt like was going to happen at Any moment.
Even the electric fan I had running all day did nothing but blow warm air into the back of my head.
Getting in my car even to go home - usually something that brings a leap of joy to my heart - meant sitting in uncomfortable heat.
In summary then, I'd really like it to be a little cooler - and I really am impossible to please
Rant over.
Wednesday, 23 May 2012
Rant 144 22/5/12 Subject: Parliament hooligans
Rant number 144
Sorry guys, a little bit political again today, but after seeing David Cameron's smug (and infinitely punchable (really - I'm pretty sure I wouldn't ever get tired of just smacking that smug upper class doesn't give a shit grin) face there was no other choice.
We put our trust in the government because there is no other choice. These men are meant to be our elite - the best educated and most reasoned individuals. That's the tradition of government after all.
Maybe, around the world that's what they have. People who talk with reason, impartially discussing the peoples best interests (or their own lets face it.) That's what we have.
But we don't.
We get a set of hooligans, muttering and jeering at each other over a valley of benches.
Have you ever seen a business run like they run the government? It just wouldn't work. How anything ever gets done at all is a complete mystery to me.
What inspired me to write this was David Cameron's childish behaviour today, when he called Ed Balls (the Shadow chancellor) an idiot. Don't get me wrong - I think he is an Idiot also, but I think that David Cameron is one too.
You'd think that David Cameron would know by now that you don't announce it in a public forum (particularly not with TV cameras around) if you think someone is an idiot - or you are going to look like a bit of a wanker.
This isn't a unique happening though. It seems too common that 'respected' MP's chant and whoop like children in the schoolyard - taking sides over a playground scuffle.
We deserve better than this! I want my decisions made by sensible people - not jeering idiots!
It drives me mad.
Rant over.
Sorry guys, a little bit political again today, but after seeing David Cameron's smug (and infinitely punchable (really - I'm pretty sure I wouldn't ever get tired of just smacking that smug upper class doesn't give a shit grin) face there was no other choice.
We put our trust in the government because there is no other choice. These men are meant to be our elite - the best educated and most reasoned individuals. That's the tradition of government after all.
Maybe, around the world that's what they have. People who talk with reason, impartially discussing the peoples best interests (or their own lets face it.) That's what we have.
But we don't.
We get a set of hooligans, muttering and jeering at each other over a valley of benches.
Have you ever seen a business run like they run the government? It just wouldn't work. How anything ever gets done at all is a complete mystery to me.
What inspired me to write this was David Cameron's childish behaviour today, when he called Ed Balls (the Shadow chancellor) an idiot. Don't get me wrong - I think he is an Idiot also, but I think that David Cameron is one too.
You'd think that David Cameron would know by now that you don't announce it in a public forum (particularly not with TV cameras around) if you think someone is an idiot - or you are going to look like a bit of a wanker.
This isn't a unique happening though. It seems too common that 'respected' MP's chant and whoop like children in the schoolyard - taking sides over a playground scuffle.
We deserve better than this! I want my decisions made by sensible people - not jeering idiots!
It drives me mad.
Rant over.
Tuesday, 22 May 2012
Rant 143 22/5/12 Subject: The terminally unoriginal
Rant number 143
Back before the motorway was always 50 bloody miles an hour, I used to get home at around 6pm if I left work in time. It seems however that those lazy hazy days are gone, because now I get home at about 6.15 consistantly.
Beyond this rather annoying stolen one hour & 15 minutes per week (just think how much time that makes over a year. I could do so many things more useful than wishing painful death upon the idiots who made the motorway 50 miles an hour) there is another side effect that has recently developed.
You see, at around 6pm each day, radio one has a '10 minute takeover' whereby members of the public can text in their favourite songs to hear them on the radio. Harmless fun indeed.
Now, I personally don't know why someone who isn't in the middle of driving would bother either texting in or listening. I have CD's & MP3s with my favourite songs on them and really don't need them to come on in lesser quality on the radio for me to enjoy them. None the less, the idea is a bit of fun.
Each day, three peoples text messages are chosen - and those three songs are played on the radio for all and sundry to listen to. I get that - to some this is all about showing who you are and what you like - through the medium of someone else's music.
If that is the case however, what I don't understand is why text in the songs they do. Who knew people were so bloody boring. Day after day, the songs that are texted in are recent - and are the kind of stuff that is normally on the radio anyway. Its crazy.
Is your favourite song really something that came out last year by some boring group that everyone has already forgotten about - are you really that dull? Why aren't people a bit more eclectic?
What about something like 'Welcome to the House of Fun' by Madness or 'Golden Brown' by the Stranglers or something that isn't just out of the charts from the mid 00's - show you actually have tastes other than what you are told is the in thing.
It's like the last meal scenario. You can ask for anything: glutton yourself up good on pickled ostrich toes, fillet of pigmy hippo, badger burgers or anything else you can think of. They have to make it happen for you before they hook you up to old sparky or whatever.
But what do they all ask for? A burger and fries, a coke. Why make things so easy for your wood be executors!
I wish people would branch out a bit in all things!
Rant over.
Back before the motorway was always 50 bloody miles an hour, I used to get home at around 6pm if I left work in time. It seems however that those lazy hazy days are gone, because now I get home at about 6.15 consistantly.
Beyond this rather annoying stolen one hour & 15 minutes per week (just think how much time that makes over a year. I could do so many things more useful than wishing painful death upon the idiots who made the motorway 50 miles an hour) there is another side effect that has recently developed.
You see, at around 6pm each day, radio one has a '10 minute takeover' whereby members of the public can text in their favourite songs to hear them on the radio. Harmless fun indeed.
Now, I personally don't know why someone who isn't in the middle of driving would bother either texting in or listening. I have CD's & MP3s with my favourite songs on them and really don't need them to come on in lesser quality on the radio for me to enjoy them. None the less, the idea is a bit of fun.
Each day, three peoples text messages are chosen - and those three songs are played on the radio for all and sundry to listen to. I get that - to some this is all about showing who you are and what you like - through the medium of someone else's music.
If that is the case however, what I don't understand is why text in the songs they do. Who knew people were so bloody boring. Day after day, the songs that are texted in are recent - and are the kind of stuff that is normally on the radio anyway. Its crazy.
Is your favourite song really something that came out last year by some boring group that everyone has already forgotten about - are you really that dull? Why aren't people a bit more eclectic?
What about something like 'Welcome to the House of Fun' by Madness or 'Golden Brown' by the Stranglers or something that isn't just out of the charts from the mid 00's - show you actually have tastes other than what you are told is the in thing.
It's like the last meal scenario. You can ask for anything: glutton yourself up good on pickled ostrich toes, fillet of pigmy hippo, badger burgers or anything else you can think of. They have to make it happen for you before they hook you up to old sparky or whatever.
But what do they all ask for? A burger and fries, a coke. Why make things so easy for your wood be executors!
I wish people would branch out a bit in all things!
Rant over.
Monday, 21 May 2012
Rant 142 21/5/12 Subject: The consequences of bad decisions
Rant number 142
Back when I was a naive, bright eyed, bushy tailed youth at college. The government decided to back up the Americans and go to war.
Most of us really didn't want them to, but George bush said it was a good idea - so Tony Blair said that this was what we should do.
Its now been nearly 11 years since it began, lots of people have died - very little has really been accomplished and finally there is talk of putting our tails between our legs and getting out of there.
As far as I'm concerned, its about bloody time. The Americans we followed in have already called it a day and are getting out of their in order to avoid any further embarrassment.
The thing is though, that we aren't just pulling troops out. We can't admit you see that we were an occupying and unwanted force - that would be uncouth. We have to be 'a peace keeping force' and try our hardest to fix all of the problems before we go.
That they didn't want us to fix their problems is nothing to do with it. That our solution is mainly to shoot people isn't either. We are a piece keeping force - and it doesn't matter how many of our men we have to sacrifice. We must save face.
So instead of pulling troops out, we need an 'exit strategy;' which is a pretty way of saying we can stretch it out until 2014. Saving face along the way.
But it gets better.
David Cameron is now announced that we will be donating 90 million pounds following this to help the government in place. Aren't we fucking generous?
Personally, I would really prefer that money to go to the NHS, to the Police, to the pension deficit. Fuck it - I'd prefer it to go anywhere except somewhere we've spent the last 11 years wasting money on.
We didn't win the war, we don't have to feel guilty. We've tried to make things better for them - we've failed. Lets cut our losses hey?
How can we condone this kind of waste of time, of money and most of all of life. If David Cameron wants to look good in front of the world leaders and is willing to sacrifice young lives for the purpose - he's even worse a human being than I consider him to be. His life is worth nothing compared to those willing to fight for what they believe in - because he believes in nothing - except for greed, and power and his own pathetic neck.
We should just cut our losses and let them get on with it. We definitely shouldn't be propping them up!
We have won nothing and lost so much. Brave men and women to you and me, but dots and numbers to people like him. It makes me sick.
Rant over.
Back when I was a naive, bright eyed, bushy tailed youth at college. The government decided to back up the Americans and go to war.
Most of us really didn't want them to, but George bush said it was a good idea - so Tony Blair said that this was what we should do.
Its now been nearly 11 years since it began, lots of people have died - very little has really been accomplished and finally there is talk of putting our tails between our legs and getting out of there.
As far as I'm concerned, its about bloody time. The Americans we followed in have already called it a day and are getting out of their in order to avoid any further embarrassment.
The thing is though, that we aren't just pulling troops out. We can't admit you see that we were an occupying and unwanted force - that would be uncouth. We have to be 'a peace keeping force' and try our hardest to fix all of the problems before we go.
That they didn't want us to fix their problems is nothing to do with it. That our solution is mainly to shoot people isn't either. We are a piece keeping force - and it doesn't matter how many of our men we have to sacrifice. We must save face.
So instead of pulling troops out, we need an 'exit strategy;' which is a pretty way of saying we can stretch it out until 2014. Saving face along the way.
But it gets better.
David Cameron is now announced that we will be donating 90 million pounds following this to help the government in place. Aren't we fucking generous?
Personally, I would really prefer that money to go to the NHS, to the Police, to the pension deficit. Fuck it - I'd prefer it to go anywhere except somewhere we've spent the last 11 years wasting money on.
We didn't win the war, we don't have to feel guilty. We've tried to make things better for them - we've failed. Lets cut our losses hey?
How can we condone this kind of waste of time, of money and most of all of life. If David Cameron wants to look good in front of the world leaders and is willing to sacrifice young lives for the purpose - he's even worse a human being than I consider him to be. His life is worth nothing compared to those willing to fight for what they believe in - because he believes in nothing - except for greed, and power and his own pathetic neck.
We should just cut our losses and let them get on with it. We definitely shouldn't be propping them up!
We have won nothing and lost so much. Brave men and women to you and me, but dots and numbers to people like him. It makes me sick.
Rant over.
Sunday, 20 May 2012
Rant 141 20/5/12 Subject: Stupid fashion fads
Rant number 141
Yesterday, I popped into town for a couple of bits and pieces. I've already talked about how much I hate going into town on a Saturday. It seems that Saturday town folk have no sense of personal space, or of even basic common sense.
That isn't my annoyance at this point however.
No, what got to me yesterday was the stupid things that people were wearing. What on earth has happened to peoples brains.
First of all, I saw a boy in parachute pants.
Yes, you did read that right: a boy (male human) was wearing parachute pants.
Now last time I checked we have not been in the 80s for around 22 years - and even then the fad was stupid.
I really do despair of people who insist on looking so daft. Unless you are MC Hammer- you just can't pull it off!
Then there are the girls who walk around the streets wearing see-thru clothes out in the open in the middle of the day. I might sound like a bit of a granddad here - but I really don't think its terribly appropriate for some 14 year old tart to be showing herself off in this way. Why not just cut out the middle man and get 'slut' tattooed on your forehead?
Your parents must be very proud.
Then there are the fads that simply perplex me such as crocs and ugg boots. I think these both just look awful - and the latter cost a fortune. I think that some evil fashion based organisation out there somewhere is having a proper laugh at the excuse of the people who buy this stuff!
Parents: you need to stop letting your kids dress themselves!
Rant over.
Yesterday, I popped into town for a couple of bits and pieces. I've already talked about how much I hate going into town on a Saturday. It seems that Saturday town folk have no sense of personal space, or of even basic common sense.
That isn't my annoyance at this point however.
No, what got to me yesterday was the stupid things that people were wearing. What on earth has happened to peoples brains.
First of all, I saw a boy in parachute pants.
Yes, you did read that right: a boy (male human) was wearing parachute pants.
Now last time I checked we have not been in the 80s for around 22 years - and even then the fad was stupid.
I really do despair of people who insist on looking so daft. Unless you are MC Hammer- you just can't pull it off!
Then there are the girls who walk around the streets wearing see-thru clothes out in the open in the middle of the day. I might sound like a bit of a granddad here - but I really don't think its terribly appropriate for some 14 year old tart to be showing herself off in this way. Why not just cut out the middle man and get 'slut' tattooed on your forehead?
Your parents must be very proud.
Then there are the fads that simply perplex me such as crocs and ugg boots. I think these both just look awful - and the latter cost a fortune. I think that some evil fashion based organisation out there somewhere is having a proper laugh at the excuse of the people who buy this stuff!
Parents: you need to stop letting your kids dress themselves!
Rant over.
Saturday, 19 May 2012
Rant 140 19/5/12 Subject: Playing with demand
Rant number 140
The tricks that people play in the high street really do grind my gears. I think though though that the worse one of all is playing with demand.
I was going to buy a game today from a shop in town - only to find that they have all sold out - alongside all of the other retail outlets.
I mean, did they not expect people to want to buy the product?
Of course they did, but they are playing games with demand.
This kind of trick gets played all of the time by people who release their new products - trying to increase demand and keep it high by holding back stock.
Now that would work well for me, except - I'm not really that impatient. I'll just hang on until I can get it - or my enthusiasm to purchase it runs out.
You can't tell me though, that the companies who manufacture popular products like games cannot produce enough to satisfy demand: that's just bull.
Games are sold on DVD's - which are one of the cheapest commodities in the Western world, there is no shortage of these available now are there? Even we as the general public are able to buy blank DVD's for pence these days.
No - the reason they do it, is to try and keep the price up and to create a 'hype,' so that people will purchase through their expensive online store. They did the same thing with the Nintendo Wii - and milked the marketing strategy for bloody ages - like years. This served a double purpose of increasing demand and of helping to mask the shortcomings in the game lineups and hardware.
Its really not that bloody hard to ascertain that you need to make more of a product that is popular and use the chuff loads of money you have made to make more, but they won't until they feel that the strategy is at the end of its run.
I hate being played for a mug by anyone, and just think these silly games are stupid. I have no plans to stop attending the high street - but this kind of thing is just more likely to send me towards using online services exclusively.
Then there is the fact that it panders into the hands of the unscrupulous bastards on eBay, the fraudsters and those who break copy protection. Short sighted strategies do damage in the long run every time.
It really annoys me.
Rant over.
The tricks that people play in the high street really do grind my gears. I think though though that the worse one of all is playing with demand.
I was going to buy a game today from a shop in town - only to find that they have all sold out - alongside all of the other retail outlets.
I mean, did they not expect people to want to buy the product?
Of course they did, but they are playing games with demand.
This kind of trick gets played all of the time by people who release their new products - trying to increase demand and keep it high by holding back stock.
Now that would work well for me, except - I'm not really that impatient. I'll just hang on until I can get it - or my enthusiasm to purchase it runs out.
You can't tell me though, that the companies who manufacture popular products like games cannot produce enough to satisfy demand: that's just bull.
Games are sold on DVD's - which are one of the cheapest commodities in the Western world, there is no shortage of these available now are there? Even we as the general public are able to buy blank DVD's for pence these days.
No - the reason they do it, is to try and keep the price up and to create a 'hype,' so that people will purchase through their expensive online store. They did the same thing with the Nintendo Wii - and milked the marketing strategy for bloody ages - like years. This served a double purpose of increasing demand and of helping to mask the shortcomings in the game lineups and hardware.
Its really not that bloody hard to ascertain that you need to make more of a product that is popular and use the chuff loads of money you have made to make more, but they won't until they feel that the strategy is at the end of its run.
I hate being played for a mug by anyone, and just think these silly games are stupid. I have no plans to stop attending the high street - but this kind of thing is just more likely to send me towards using online services exclusively.
Then there is the fact that it panders into the hands of the unscrupulous bastards on eBay, the fraudsters and those who break copy protection. Short sighted strategies do damage in the long run every time.
It really annoys me.
Rant over.
Friday, 18 May 2012
Rant 139 18/5/12 Subject: Conscienceless thieving bastards
Rant number 139
As the recession beats its relentless march ever forwards, making life all the more difficult for us trying to make an honest living - those without scruples dig ever deeper into the mire of easy and often dirty money.
I can't blame the recession alone for this - people are after all quite capable of being gits under any circumstances. It seems though that many people have become more and more selfish, narcissistic and self serving - to the detriment of the rest of us.
Today is a prime example of this: of a line crossed and a sacrament of sorts shattered.
19 years ago, the day before mothers day, some cowardly IRA terrorists exploded a bomb in Warrington town centre, killing 2 young boys and shaking the community. Horrible and barbaric.
To commemorate those who died a plaque was erected. Not a valuable plaque in a monetary sense - but one that had great a value in terms of community.
A couple of days ago someone stole it.
Words practically escape me...
What kind of person steals a plaque of remembrance? Someone who has no respect for anything. Who brings these people up? Whoever they are, they did a crap job of it.
I hope that they are caught and they are bloody ashamed. Put them in the stocks and let the people throw whatever they want.
I really do despair.
Rant over.
As the recession beats its relentless march ever forwards, making life all the more difficult for us trying to make an honest living - those without scruples dig ever deeper into the mire of easy and often dirty money.
I can't blame the recession alone for this - people are after all quite capable of being gits under any circumstances. It seems though that many people have become more and more selfish, narcissistic and self serving - to the detriment of the rest of us.
Today is a prime example of this: of a line crossed and a sacrament of sorts shattered.
19 years ago, the day before mothers day, some cowardly IRA terrorists exploded a bomb in Warrington town centre, killing 2 young boys and shaking the community. Horrible and barbaric.
To commemorate those who died a plaque was erected. Not a valuable plaque in a monetary sense - but one that had great a value in terms of community.
A couple of days ago someone stole it.
Words practically escape me...
What kind of person steals a plaque of remembrance? Someone who has no respect for anything. Who brings these people up? Whoever they are, they did a crap job of it.
I hope that they are caught and they are bloody ashamed. Put them in the stocks and let the people throw whatever they want.
I really do despair.
Rant over.
Thursday, 17 May 2012
Rant 138 17/5/12 Subject: Bizarre programming
Rant number 138
Today, at around 7 O'clock I decided to watch an episode or two of Futurama which was on. I like Futurama despite the fact that I have already seen pretty much all of the episodes. Its been long enough that I can watch it again and still enjoy it now.
Now, according to Wikipedia (not always a reliable source I'll grant, but fine in these kind of matters) there have been around 114 episodes to date, give or take some feature length ones.
That presents roughly 60 hours of futuristic cartoon fun to be chosen from.
Why oh why then, was one of todays episodes a Christmas special?
I don't get it. Its spring time: the snow has mostly gone, the birds are chirping in the trees and yet, I am presented with Christmas TV. Why do they think that makes sense?
I've never understood these kind of anomolies in the TV schedules. Are they not allowed to use their brains?
Christmas episodes, Easter specials, Halloween spectaculars. These can all be shown at any time - its madness.
Particularly, as they never put them on at the time that is appropriate. At Christmas, they just show normal episodes, the same applying at all other times. It really bugs me.
Halloween for instance. I like Halloween, not because of any attachment to spiritualism - but because I like horror stories and films.
Each and every year, I think to myself 'they'll put on some horror films on halloween. It's just the right day for it.'
Every year I think that, and every year I am disappointed.
If nothing else, you'd think that they could put on John Carpenters conveniently titled 'Halloween.' First of all, its a fabulous movie and secondly - it just makes sense.
These people show so little imagination, it's bloody bizarre and damned irritating.
Rant over.
Today, at around 7 O'clock I decided to watch an episode or two of Futurama which was on. I like Futurama despite the fact that I have already seen pretty much all of the episodes. Its been long enough that I can watch it again and still enjoy it now.
Now, according to Wikipedia (not always a reliable source I'll grant, but fine in these kind of matters) there have been around 114 episodes to date, give or take some feature length ones.
That presents roughly 60 hours of futuristic cartoon fun to be chosen from.
Why oh why then, was one of todays episodes a Christmas special?
I don't get it. Its spring time: the snow has mostly gone, the birds are chirping in the trees and yet, I am presented with Christmas TV. Why do they think that makes sense?
I've never understood these kind of anomolies in the TV schedules. Are they not allowed to use their brains?
Christmas episodes, Easter specials, Halloween spectaculars. These can all be shown at any time - its madness.
Particularly, as they never put them on at the time that is appropriate. At Christmas, they just show normal episodes, the same applying at all other times. It really bugs me.
Halloween for instance. I like Halloween, not because of any attachment to spiritualism - but because I like horror stories and films.
Each and every year, I think to myself 'they'll put on some horror films on halloween. It's just the right day for it.'
Every year I think that, and every year I am disappointed.
If nothing else, you'd think that they could put on John Carpenters conveniently titled 'Halloween.' First of all, its a fabulous movie and secondly - it just makes sense.
These people show so little imagination, it's bloody bizarre and damned irritating.
Rant over.
Wednesday, 16 May 2012
Rant 137 16/5/12 Subject: Surveys and statistics
Rant number 137
Watch the news, listen to the radio or pick up a newspaper and sooner rather than later, you will be presented with some kind of statistics.
The inspiration for today's rant was one such statistic on today's Radio 1 Newsbeat:
What an oddly specific amount. Its certainly easily digestible isn't it?
What bollucks.
I hate these rounded up/rounded down, over-neat and made up statistics. It really makes me doubt the truth and integrity of what they say. You cannot tell me that exactly one in five young people is out of work. There are too many people to pin things down that easily - surely. If the answer is that approximately 223 kids in a thousand are out of work - this would be much more realistic.
Then there is the fact that there is no definition to what they say. If 1 in 5 kids is out of work, but this also includes those in education - are these on the working or non working side of the scale? Education is not being out of work but it doesn't pay you, so it isn't work.
I understand that I am being a bit persnickety (isn't persnickety a fantastic word!) here, but I think my point is quite valid. Don't put up such generalised statistics without defining your terms - or simply don't use them at all.
Because, in my opinion: most statistics are made up.
You can produce them to prove any point you want - and hide behind the numbers.
How many times have you heard a statement like
and thought, who bloody asked me? I've never been involved in any of these so called 'national surveys.
If however, there is ever a survey that says something like:
Watch the news, listen to the radio or pick up a newspaper and sooner rather than later, you will be presented with some kind of statistics.
The inspiration for today's rant was one such statistic on today's Radio 1 Newsbeat:
'Despite improvements in youth unemployment, still 1 in 5 young persons are out of work.'
What bollucks.
I hate these rounded up/rounded down, over-neat and made up statistics. It really makes me doubt the truth and integrity of what they say. You cannot tell me that exactly one in five young people is out of work. There are too many people to pin things down that easily - surely. If the answer is that approximately 223 kids in a thousand are out of work - this would be much more realistic.
Then there is the fact that there is no definition to what they say. If 1 in 5 kids is out of work, but this also includes those in education - are these on the working or non working side of the scale? Education is not being out of work but it doesn't pay you, so it isn't work.
I understand that I am being a bit persnickety (isn't persnickety a fantastic word!) here, but I think my point is quite valid. Don't put up such generalised statistics without defining your terms - or simply don't use them at all.
Because, in my opinion: most statistics are made up.
You can produce them to prove any point you want - and hide behind the numbers.
How many times have you heard a statement like
'25% of the Uk's population think that Ant and Deck are national treasures'
If however, there is ever a survey that says something like:
'100% of the UK population think that Ant and Deck need to be fed into a wood chipper'
You will know that I am involved - because it will be with the clipboard, faking the statistics - just in case some stupid vapid bastard says something to the contrary!
64.6% of all statistics are made up however, only 57.33% of the general population are aware of this.
You can believe me.. I did a survey.
Rant over.
Tuesday, 15 May 2012
Rant 136 15/5/12 Subject: Repair costs (and their tendancy to breed)
Rant number 136
Routine maintenance is an occupational hazard of owning a car. There is no avoiding it.
From new, cars begin to gradually eat bits of themselves until they fall to bits. All you can do is stem the ever increasing tide of this, by building a dam...
Out of money
Handy people, who know cars have this sorted. They can get the parts they need and fit them themselves. I really wish I was once of those people - but I'm not.
I can fix your computer, your bike, your jewellery & various other things. I know how an internal combustion engine works even. But can I do anything more advanced that filling up my oil and changing a tyre?
Can I bollucks.
This means that I have to take it to a garage and ask them nicely to sort my problems out.
This time, my brake pads needed replacing at the front of my car. In truth they have been low since I got my car (looking at service history etc, they had not been changed from new in her 70,000 miles) so it was well overdue.
I work next to a small garage who have done bits and bobs for me in the past and who I trust - so I booked in with them to have the front pads done for a very reasonable £45.
The big day came, and I handed over the keys to them to get the brakes sorted.
I'm sure you can see whats coming can't you?
The door went and the guy was there, not with my keys but with a slip of paper in his hand. A good sign this was not.
To cut a story short, not only my pads needed doing but also my discs needed replacing. Then to add insult to injury, it was identified that there was a fault with one of my brake callipers too.
From £45, to £171 in a few hours. Bloody fabulous.
That's some serious bloody increase. Still - the cars far better for it for now, crossed fingers that will be it for a while.
Rant over.
Routine maintenance is an occupational hazard of owning a car. There is no avoiding it.
From new, cars begin to gradually eat bits of themselves until they fall to bits. All you can do is stem the ever increasing tide of this, by building a dam...
Out of money
Handy people, who know cars have this sorted. They can get the parts they need and fit them themselves. I really wish I was once of those people - but I'm not.
I can fix your computer, your bike, your jewellery & various other things. I know how an internal combustion engine works even. But can I do anything more advanced that filling up my oil and changing a tyre?
Can I bollucks.
This means that I have to take it to a garage and ask them nicely to sort my problems out.
This time, my brake pads needed replacing at the front of my car. In truth they have been low since I got my car (looking at service history etc, they had not been changed from new in her 70,000 miles) so it was well overdue.
I work next to a small garage who have done bits and bobs for me in the past and who I trust - so I booked in with them to have the front pads done for a very reasonable £45.
The big day came, and I handed over the keys to them to get the brakes sorted.
I'm sure you can see whats coming can't you?
The door went and the guy was there, not with my keys but with a slip of paper in his hand. A good sign this was not.
To cut a story short, not only my pads needed doing but also my discs needed replacing. Then to add insult to injury, it was identified that there was a fault with one of my brake callipers too.
From £45, to £171 in a few hours. Bloody fabulous.
That's some serious bloody increase. Still - the cars far better for it for now, crossed fingers that will be it for a while.
Rant over.
Monday, 14 May 2012
Rant 135 14/5/12 Subject: Returning to reality
Rant number 135
This time last week, despite the bank holiday I was at band rehearsal. I was also at band rehearsal on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, for a change I was at band rehearsal then, to clear the air from all that, I went on Thursday.
Finally, to top off the week - I headed to band rehearsal on Friday - and off to the contest on Saturday.
To say that last week was a little manic would be an understatement.
It made for an enjoyable week albeit a tiring one, and one which had little in the way of let up. When I wasn't at work or band, I was trying to grab a bite to eat or sleep.
To summarise, it was a bit of a rush!
Now its all over for a while and its just great to be able to sit back, breath a sigh of relief, enjoy some time with my lovely wife and do a little bit of nothing.
Except, at the moment it still feels a little bit odd.
For a week straight I have been a bundle of nervous energy, and its not yet dissipated. I feel like I should be somewhere in a room full of people, making noise and watching an Australian with a stick in her hand.
But I'm not: I'm sitting on my sofa, writing a rant at leisure and watching my wife snoozing.
My brain can't quite handle it at the moment. I almost feel a little restless and fidgity.
Still, I can't really complain at the moment, I really should unwind - while I still can...
Rant over.
This time last week, despite the bank holiday I was at band rehearsal. I was also at band rehearsal on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, for a change I was at band rehearsal then, to clear the air from all that, I went on Thursday.
Finally, to top off the week - I headed to band rehearsal on Friday - and off to the contest on Saturday.
To say that last week was a little manic would be an understatement.
It made for an enjoyable week albeit a tiring one, and one which had little in the way of let up. When I wasn't at work or band, I was trying to grab a bite to eat or sleep.
To summarise, it was a bit of a rush!
Now its all over for a while and its just great to be able to sit back, breath a sigh of relief, enjoy some time with my lovely wife and do a little bit of nothing.
Except, at the moment it still feels a little bit odd.
For a week straight I have been a bundle of nervous energy, and its not yet dissipated. I feel like I should be somewhere in a room full of people, making noise and watching an Australian with a stick in her hand.
But I'm not: I'm sitting on my sofa, writing a rant at leisure and watching my wife snoozing.
My brain can't quite handle it at the moment. I almost feel a little restless and fidgity.
Still, I can't really complain at the moment, I really should unwind - while I still can...
Rant over.
Sunday, 13 May 2012
Rant 134 13/5/12 Subject: Compounding errors
Rant number 134
You may or may not have heard the phrase 'a stitch in time saves 9.' Either way, its trite but very true.
It's often easy to fix any problem soon after it arrises, just as long as you notice it. The problem is though that it doesn't always happen that way. Today I spent 20 minutes going through a rather awkward and laborious process, just to repair something I didn't notice weeks ago.
Quite a few rants ago, I wasn't able to copy to the title properly and changed the wording a little. I know that this is a petty, anally retentive, pedantic thing to care about - but I am petty, anally retentive and pedantic - so I care!
As such, I had to go through about 30 rants, changing the wording so that all 134 to date match up properly.
Was it worth it? Yes.
Was it a pain in the ass to do? Yes.
Would it be easier if I'd just fixed the problem after a few minutes/hours/days? Definitely yes.
What a pain!
Had I noticed then, it would have taken maybe a couple of minutes to fix. To fix the issue once would involve around 10 key strokes & equally as many movements of the mouse.
This increases exponentially when you've got to fix 30 issues to potentially 300 or more movements. What a pain.
This applies to everything. At work sometimes, a problem is left unfixed for a while and lies dormant. Sometimes its unavoidable, and the likelihood is that the problem will never be fixed. If its unimportant, it's not problem. Just one of those things.
Often though, its important that things are resolved, and a dormant problem becomes a massive one. Time heals often and this applies to problems too. This means you need to scrape off the layer of new growth to access the rot below.
It takes forever to find all the information, memories fade, information becomes ambiguous - its preposterous how much longer it takes to fix a problem that has been put off.
Anyway, I have fixed the formatting for now - so I feel that much better.
Rant over.
You may or may not have heard the phrase 'a stitch in time saves 9.' Either way, its trite but very true.
It's often easy to fix any problem soon after it arrises, just as long as you notice it. The problem is though that it doesn't always happen that way. Today I spent 20 minutes going through a rather awkward and laborious process, just to repair something I didn't notice weeks ago.
Quite a few rants ago, I wasn't able to copy to the title properly and changed the wording a little. I know that this is a petty, anally retentive, pedantic thing to care about - but I am petty, anally retentive and pedantic - so I care!
As such, I had to go through about 30 rants, changing the wording so that all 134 to date match up properly.
Was it worth it? Yes.
Was it a pain in the ass to do? Yes.
Would it be easier if I'd just fixed the problem after a few minutes/hours/days? Definitely yes.
What a pain!
Had I noticed then, it would have taken maybe a couple of minutes to fix. To fix the issue once would involve around 10 key strokes & equally as many movements of the mouse.
This increases exponentially when you've got to fix 30 issues to potentially 300 or more movements. What a pain.
This applies to everything. At work sometimes, a problem is left unfixed for a while and lies dormant. Sometimes its unavoidable, and the likelihood is that the problem will never be fixed. If its unimportant, it's not problem. Just one of those things.
Often though, its important that things are resolved, and a dormant problem becomes a massive one. Time heals often and this applies to problems too. This means you need to scrape off the layer of new growth to access the rot below.
It takes forever to find all the information, memories fade, information becomes ambiguous - its preposterous how much longer it takes to fix a problem that has been put off.
Anyway, I have fixed the formatting for now - so I feel that much better.
Rant over.
Friday, 11 May 2012
Rant 133 12/5/12 Subject: Early morning inaction
Rant number 133
It's early in the morning and I am trying to rant. The earliest rant so far I think you will find!
The thing is though, that I don't feel like ranting one bit. No I want to be in bed or at least a variant of (though not a hammock, I am neither a native of some country lacking in social graces, nor a bit of a tit)
This applies to everything, it really does. Nothing is quite as good when you have to get up early. Driving in the morning is a chore, everyone pisses you off around you. Rush hour traffic makes you want to throttle everyone around you. It's crap.
Anything you need to do which involves more than a quarter of your brain becomes almost preternaturally difficult and your people skills dissolve into toffee.
Even playing trombone, as I will be doing today, becomes really hard - as my lips just don't want to know.
Doing things in the morning is daft, bring on more sensible times.
Rant over.
It's early in the morning and I am trying to rant. The earliest rant so far I think you will find!
The thing is though, that I don't feel like ranting one bit. No I want to be in bed or at least a variant of (though not a hammock, I am neither a native of some country lacking in social graces, nor a bit of a tit)
This applies to everything, it really does. Nothing is quite as good when you have to get up early. Driving in the morning is a chore, everyone pisses you off around you. Rush hour traffic makes you want to throttle everyone around you. It's crap.
Anything you need to do which involves more than a quarter of your brain becomes almost preternaturally difficult and your people skills dissolve into toffee.
Even playing trombone, as I will be doing today, becomes really hard - as my lips just don't want to know.
Doing things in the morning is daft, bring on more sensible times.
Rant over.
Rant 132 11/5/12 Subject: The left behind feeling
Rant number 132
Tomorrow is a big day for me. It's a contest that I have been involved in weeks of preperation for. I have also been rehearsing for it every night this week. To me and to quite a few other folk - its a big deal.
Part of this is making sure that you remember everything. You've gotta have your uniform (all components of,) you've gotta have your music, you've gotta have your instrument, you've gotta have your mutes.
Really it's actually not a lot to remember. At most I need maybe 20 items in full.
None the less, I am haunted by a feeling right now that I have forgotten something/will forget something really important!
It's the same feeling that haunts you when you are going on holiday, that 'did I turn off the gas'/'did I remember my toothbrush'/'did I remember to cancel the milkman'/'have I got on the right plane' type feeling.
Maybe its something wrong with me, but whenever something is important I feel that I'm going to do something stupid like end up in Blackpool minus my trombone, my music, my mute or my underwear...
I have an internal checklist working on it, to try and ensure that nothing goes arry, and I should be able to trust my brain - its been with me for a fair while, and its usually pretty trustworthy...
None the less, I'm still not so sure!
I really must go anyway. I need to check the list again...
Rant over.
Tomorrow is a big day for me. It's a contest that I have been involved in weeks of preperation for. I have also been rehearsing for it every night this week. To me and to quite a few other folk - its a big deal.
Part of this is making sure that you remember everything. You've gotta have your uniform (all components of,) you've gotta have your music, you've gotta have your instrument, you've gotta have your mutes.
Really it's actually not a lot to remember. At most I need maybe 20 items in full.
None the less, I am haunted by a feeling right now that I have forgotten something/will forget something really important!
It's the same feeling that haunts you when you are going on holiday, that 'did I turn off the gas'/'did I remember my toothbrush'/'did I remember to cancel the milkman'/'have I got on the right plane' type feeling.
Maybe its something wrong with me, but whenever something is important I feel that I'm going to do something stupid like end up in Blackpool minus my trombone, my music, my mute or my underwear...
I have an internal checklist working on it, to try and ensure that nothing goes arry, and I should be able to trust my brain - its been with me for a fair while, and its usually pretty trustworthy...
None the less, I'm still not so sure!
I really must go anyway. I need to check the list again...
Rant over.
Thursday, 10 May 2012
Rant 131 10/5/12 Subject: Over engineering
Rant number 131
Why oh why are so many things so over engineered. What on earth happened to the quickest and simplest solution being the best.
I know I've specifically talked about iTunes in the past being a pain in the ass (and this is once again my inspiration.) iTunes however is not the only example of this plague.
Everything around me seems to be getting too many features - getting too complicated. Its not a lack of being able to deal with it (before anyone accuses me of this) its just me not getting the why!
Things need to be simple to work well. That makes sense to everyone - surely?
Another example is Microsoft office (and windows in general) who seem determined to do away with the humble drop down menu - replacing them with tabs of buttons and pictograms.
I can read, and would imagine anyone who uses office could too. Why then do away with simple drop down readable menus. Why play with it. Why make it so a monkey could work it - why!?
Even Facebook gets more and more complex each and every time to work. Its going to take a Mensa membership to update your status at this rate!
People think they are being smart with this endless tinkering - but really, don't fix it if its not broken!
Rant over.
Why oh why are so many things so over engineered. What on earth happened to the quickest and simplest solution being the best.
I know I've specifically talked about iTunes in the past being a pain in the ass (and this is once again my inspiration.) iTunes however is not the only example of this plague.
Everything around me seems to be getting too many features - getting too complicated. Its not a lack of being able to deal with it (before anyone accuses me of this) its just me not getting the why!
Things need to be simple to work well. That makes sense to everyone - surely?
Another example is Microsoft office (and windows in general) who seem determined to do away with the humble drop down menu - replacing them with tabs of buttons and pictograms.
I can read, and would imagine anyone who uses office could too. Why then do away with simple drop down readable menus. Why play with it. Why make it so a monkey could work it - why!?
Even Facebook gets more and more complex each and every time to work. Its going to take a Mensa membership to update your status at this rate!
People think they are being smart with this endless tinkering - but really, don't fix it if its not broken!
Rant over.
Wednesday, 9 May 2012
Rant 130 9/5/12 Subject: Post bank holiday hysteria
Rant number 130
For those of you not aware, Monday was a bank holiday. It was lovely - it really was. A free (paid!) day off is always welcome.
The thing is though, that work is generally a constant. There is rarely a day when there will be less work to do. As such, the week that follows a bank holiday often is a bit of a pig.
The reason is simple - you need to squeeze in the extra work across the week: playing catchup if you will.
I hate playing catch up, but I can live with it for my day off.
The issue though, is that the general public just don't understand that things are put back a day by the bank holiday - and go into a panic about things.
I've already talked about it in the past I'm sure - but I think everyone deserves a break around the bank holidays. If it means waiting a little longer for things - so be it!
We get little in the way of free time off from the government, but its a right we all fairly deserve to enjoy. I can take a small delay to things around it - because I'm not bloody selfish. If I deserve a day off, so does the person I'm potentially buying from.
Its an extension of the selfishness that seems to be spreading across the world. People are so disgustingly narcissistic!
Just be patient, enjoy your time off and stop bloody whinging.
Rant over.
For those of you not aware, Monday was a bank holiday. It was lovely - it really was. A free (paid!) day off is always welcome.
The thing is though, that work is generally a constant. There is rarely a day when there will be less work to do. As such, the week that follows a bank holiday often is a bit of a pig.
The reason is simple - you need to squeeze in the extra work across the week: playing catchup if you will.
I hate playing catch up, but I can live with it for my day off.
The issue though, is that the general public just don't understand that things are put back a day by the bank holiday - and go into a panic about things.
I've already talked about it in the past I'm sure - but I think everyone deserves a break around the bank holidays. If it means waiting a little longer for things - so be it!
We get little in the way of free time off from the government, but its a right we all fairly deserve to enjoy. I can take a small delay to things around it - because I'm not bloody selfish. If I deserve a day off, so does the person I'm potentially buying from.
Its an extension of the selfishness that seems to be spreading across the world. People are so disgustingly narcissistic!
Just be patient, enjoy your time off and stop bloody whinging.
Rant over.
Tuesday, 8 May 2012
Rant 129 8/5/12 Subject: Rhetorical questions
Rant number 129
Whats the deal with Rhetorical questions?
Why do we need them?
Who on earth is going to answer the questions?
No one that's who!
Why do we need questions that don't have answers. When did it become the done thing to use them?
Rhetorical questions occupy a no mans land between dry irony and bleak sarcasm, neither of which tend to endear me.
So why do we have them? Who thought of using them?
What's the point of a question that cannot be answered?
None
Often people use them for obvious answers, in which case - just don't.
Otherwise they just throw out opening questions which require no/have no answers. It's bloody annoying.
Can people please stop using rhetorical questions?
Rant over
Whats the deal with Rhetorical questions?
Why do we need them?
Who on earth is going to answer the questions?
No one that's who!
Why do we need questions that don't have answers. When did it become the done thing to use them?
Rhetorical questions occupy a no mans land between dry irony and bleak sarcasm, neither of which tend to endear me.
So why do we have them? Who thought of using them?
What's the point of a question that cannot be answered?
None
Often people use them for obvious answers, in which case - just don't.
Otherwise they just throw out opening questions which require no/have no answers. It's bloody annoying.
Can people please stop using rhetorical questions?
Rant over
Monday, 7 May 2012
Rant 128 7/5/12 Subject: Prequels
Rant number 128
Yesterday, for my pains - I watched 'The Thing,' which is a prequel to 'John Carpenters: The Thing.'
The lack of originality in naming the film really should have been an early warning sign. Like a lamb to the proverbial slaughter however, I waded in with both feet and wasted two hours watching this turkey.
This rant is not strictly about how disappointing the movie is, its more about the almost unending let downs that are offered by prequels.
Think about it? Have you ever seen one that made you think 'wow, what a fabulous film of its own right?' No me neither.
The whole thing is an extension of the running low on ideas that Hollywood is suffering with - like the endless reboots (but thats a rant for another day!)
Some films actually have brilliant sequels that take a story forward and keep it going. Alien (up until resurrection - anything after that is shit) for instance has some great movies. I cannot however think of any prequels that have ever even matched the originals they are pre-ing.
Each time however, I manage to get my hopes up only for them to be dashed on the rocks of disappointment.
Until proven otherwise, I think they just need to stop making prequels!
Rant over.
Yesterday, for my pains - I watched 'The Thing,' which is a prequel to 'John Carpenters: The Thing.'
The lack of originality in naming the film really should have been an early warning sign. Like a lamb to the proverbial slaughter however, I waded in with both feet and wasted two hours watching this turkey.
This rant is not strictly about how disappointing the movie is, its more about the almost unending let downs that are offered by prequels.
Think about it? Have you ever seen one that made you think 'wow, what a fabulous film of its own right?' No me neither.
The whole thing is an extension of the running low on ideas that Hollywood is suffering with - like the endless reboots (but thats a rant for another day!)
Some films actually have brilliant sequels that take a story forward and keep it going. Alien (up until resurrection - anything after that is shit) for instance has some great movies. I cannot however think of any prequels that have ever even matched the originals they are pre-ing.
Each time however, I manage to get my hopes up only for them to be dashed on the rocks of disappointment.
Until proven otherwise, I think they just need to stop making prequels!
Rant over.
Sunday, 6 May 2012
Rant 127 6/5/12 Subject: One way systems
Rant number 127
Sometimes, hell like all places has a slow day. The kind of day where all the customers are satisfied (in this case tortured horribly,) the paperwork has all been filed, the office has been tidied and the staff (demons) have time to twiddle their thumbs a bit.
Satan - like all bosses, really hates to see his workers down tools and put their feet up. So on these days he tells them to go and work on their own projects. Their very own little bit of evil you know?
It was on one of these days I reckon, that some evil imp, incubus, gorgon, goblin or assorted other came up with a minor but diabolical evil.
The one way system.
It doesn't matter how clever you are, how good your sense of direction is or how good a driver you are. You will still get caught out by a one way system every time, and always to your bloody detriment.
One way systems are something used by town planners to make up for poor initial planning.
I understand the ones where roads are just too narrow to fit two cars between the buildings, but often its not as simple as that.
Sometimes you come to a junction where you need to turn left. You've planned to go that way - that way lies your destination. Can you though? Can you arse.
No - you need to turn right: the opposite direction. How bloody irritating and pointless is that?
I mean, surely people want to go that way sometimes? Why make it more difficult?
Some places are an absolute web of these bloody systems. Manchester for instance often involves going an almost insurmountable distance out of your way - just because.
I just think its bloody daft!
Rant over.
Sometimes, hell like all places has a slow day. The kind of day where all the customers are satisfied (in this case tortured horribly,) the paperwork has all been filed, the office has been tidied and the staff (demons) have time to twiddle their thumbs a bit.
Satan - like all bosses, really hates to see his workers down tools and put their feet up. So on these days he tells them to go and work on their own projects. Their very own little bit of evil you know?
It was on one of these days I reckon, that some evil imp, incubus, gorgon, goblin or assorted other came up with a minor but diabolical evil.
The one way system.
It doesn't matter how clever you are, how good your sense of direction is or how good a driver you are. You will still get caught out by a one way system every time, and always to your bloody detriment.
One way systems are something used by town planners to make up for poor initial planning.
I understand the ones where roads are just too narrow to fit two cars between the buildings, but often its not as simple as that.
Sometimes you come to a junction where you need to turn left. You've planned to go that way - that way lies your destination. Can you though? Can you arse.
No - you need to turn right: the opposite direction. How bloody irritating and pointless is that?
I mean, surely people want to go that way sometimes? Why make it more difficult?
Some places are an absolute web of these bloody systems. Manchester for instance often involves going an almost insurmountable distance out of your way - just because.
I just think its bloody daft!
Rant over.
Saturday, 5 May 2012
Rant 126 5/5/12 Subject: Autocorrect
Rant number 126
I recently acquired an iPhone. It took me a while to get one, but now I've got one I love it. It does so many things, has great flexibility. Hell - it even talks to me.
There is one niggle though which really gets on my nerves. The autocorrect function.
I get it that its just trying to help me make sense - but it doesn't half the time. What it does is quite the opposite.
The idea of the thing is sound. If for instance I was to write teh instead of the, it will change it for me. This is ok.
The thing is though that our language is diverse and ever changing - which is where things fall down.
It changes words round sometimes with almost reckless abandon. I had to type the word changes 3 times for instance - because it would prefer to put changed!
And the worst thing of all is that you don't always notice the changes have happened until the text has gone. We've all seen the hilarious and yet distressing results of erroneous changes.
Why doesn't it beep or something or just underline the misspelling (which it just tried to change to miss pleasing - which is rather worrying) instead of being sneaky about it.
It rarely hits op my nerds!
Rant over.
I recently acquired an iPhone. It took me a while to get one, but now I've got one I love it. It does so many things, has great flexibility. Hell - it even talks to me.
There is one niggle though which really gets on my nerves. The autocorrect function.
I get it that its just trying to help me make sense - but it doesn't half the time. What it does is quite the opposite.
The idea of the thing is sound. If for instance I was to write teh instead of the, it will change it for me. This is ok.
The thing is though that our language is diverse and ever changing - which is where things fall down.
It changes words round sometimes with almost reckless abandon. I had to type the word changes 3 times for instance - because it would prefer to put changed!
And the worst thing of all is that you don't always notice the changes have happened until the text has gone. We've all seen the hilarious and yet distressing results of erroneous changes.
Why doesn't it beep or something or just underline the misspelling (which it just tried to change to miss pleasing - which is rather worrying) instead of being sneaky about it.
It rarely hits op my nerds!
Rant over.
Friday, 4 May 2012
Rant 125 4/5/12 Subject: Short memories
Rant number 125
Sorry its a politics one again people - but after yesterdays mess thats all the radio has been buzzing with all day. And whats the big news? (For those of you who don't know)
Well, put simply: The popularity of the fuckers who are doing their best to screw us over is right down and the popularity of those who formally screwed us over is right up. And oh are they ever crowing about it - the wankers.
The thing is, not long ago the masses voted for those in power now because they couldn't stand the bastards who were in charge: Labour .
Now however, they don't like what the current guys are doing, so they are looking back with rose tinted eyes - voting for them again.
Will people ever learn!?
The funny thing is that Labour think that this is because they doing so bloody brilliantly - when they are just as inept as ever. Lets face it too - its harder to fuck up when you are actually in the firing line. Labour just have to point at everything that the Condems are doing now and say 'we would have done it better' and the votes from the idiot masses flood in.
Why oh why can't people just think about things sensibly and remember that these people haven't ever spoken the truth in their lives.
Just because they say they care about you - it doesn't mean they do.
just because they say they could do better - it doesn't mean they could.
Just because they smile wider - it doesn't mean they aren't thinking about making art out of your entrails....
And so on and so forth.
People need to think about facts - not just vote for the people who aren't pissing you off at the particular moment because they aren't in power.
I promise to try and not talk about politics tomorrow! Unless they find a whole new way to piss me off! (Not outside of the realms of possibility.
Rant over.
Sorry its a politics one again people - but after yesterdays mess thats all the radio has been buzzing with all day. And whats the big news? (For those of you who don't know)
Well, put simply: The popularity of the fuckers who are doing their best to screw us over is right down and the popularity of those who formally screwed us over is right up. And oh are they ever crowing about it - the wankers.
The thing is, not long ago the masses voted for those in power now because they couldn't stand the bastards who were in charge: Labour .
Now however, they don't like what the current guys are doing, so they are looking back with rose tinted eyes - voting for them again.
Will people ever learn!?
The funny thing is that Labour think that this is because they doing so bloody brilliantly - when they are just as inept as ever. Lets face it too - its harder to fuck up when you are actually in the firing line. Labour just have to point at everything that the Condems are doing now and say 'we would have done it better' and the votes from the idiot masses flood in.
Why oh why can't people just think about things sensibly and remember that these people haven't ever spoken the truth in their lives.
Just because they say they care about you - it doesn't mean they do.
just because they say they could do better - it doesn't mean they could.
Just because they smile wider - it doesn't mean they aren't thinking about making art out of your entrails....
And so on and so forth.
People need to think about facts - not just vote for the people who aren't pissing you off at the particular moment because they aren't in power.
I promise to try and not talk about politics tomorrow! Unless they find a whole new way to piss me off! (Not outside of the realms of possibility.
Rant over.
Thursday, 3 May 2012
Rant 124 3/5/12 Subject: Voting
Rant number 124
Today I went round the corner to vote. To be honest - as the polling station is a literal stones throw from my house (despite this, they still struggled to find it - planks) this did not involve extensive effort on my part.
If it had however, I would still have gone to vote. People fought long and hard to get the right to vote for everyone equally (except for children, but who cares what they think anyway?) People died for this fundamental right and it would be a horrible and disgusting mark of disrespect to forgo my right to vote.
The thing is though that our democracy has come off of the rails, veered off of the side of the aqueduct and landed in a stagnant swamp.
The swamp I am referring to of course is the 3 parties:
Conservatives) Self serving upper class twits, out of touch. Couldn't give a flying fuck about you, your family, or anyone outside of their circle.
New Labour) Also self serving upper class twits, even more out of touch. Couldn't give a flying fuck about you either, but better at pretending.
The Liberal Democrats) The ginger haired step child of the top 3. Handed a bone by the Conservatives last election. Would sell their own grandmother to cannibals for half a sniff at a bit of power (they proved this already.) Couldn't really give a shit about you either, but would happily give you a hug while they pick your pocket.
This choice then, is no fucking choice at all.
I voted Lib Dems last election - because I really thought they couldn't make things any worse than Labour or the Conservatives already had. I thought it was time to give them a chance - a bite at the apple. They then stuck two fingers up at me, and climbed into bed with the blues - it will be a chilly day in hell before I vote for them fuckers again.
Getting back to the choices then, there were these three, and the green party.
The Greens are one of those parties which are all about a principal - that's what they will never win - politics and principals don't mix! I agree with a lot of what they stand for, but I'm a realist. The power never lies with people who try and save the world. The money men would never allow it.
None the less, my vote went that way - where else could it go?
At least they stand for something - a thing that politics is all too lacking these days.
Rant over.
Today I went round the corner to vote. To be honest - as the polling station is a literal stones throw from my house (despite this, they still struggled to find it - planks) this did not involve extensive effort on my part.
If it had however, I would still have gone to vote. People fought long and hard to get the right to vote for everyone equally (except for children, but who cares what they think anyway?) People died for this fundamental right and it would be a horrible and disgusting mark of disrespect to forgo my right to vote.
The thing is though that our democracy has come off of the rails, veered off of the side of the aqueduct and landed in a stagnant swamp.
The swamp I am referring to of course is the 3 parties:
Conservatives) Self serving upper class twits, out of touch. Couldn't give a flying fuck about you, your family, or anyone outside of their circle.
New Labour) Also self serving upper class twits, even more out of touch. Couldn't give a flying fuck about you either, but better at pretending.
The Liberal Democrats) The ginger haired step child of the top 3. Handed a bone by the Conservatives last election. Would sell their own grandmother to cannibals for half a sniff at a bit of power (they proved this already.) Couldn't really give a shit about you either, but would happily give you a hug while they pick your pocket.
This choice then, is no fucking choice at all.
I voted Lib Dems last election - because I really thought they couldn't make things any worse than Labour or the Conservatives already had. I thought it was time to give them a chance - a bite at the apple. They then stuck two fingers up at me, and climbed into bed with the blues - it will be a chilly day in hell before I vote for them fuckers again.
Getting back to the choices then, there were these three, and the green party.
The Greens are one of those parties which are all about a principal - that's what they will never win - politics and principals don't mix! I agree with a lot of what they stand for, but I'm a realist. The power never lies with people who try and save the world. The money men would never allow it.
None the less, my vote went that way - where else could it go?
At least they stand for something - a thing that politics is all too lacking these days.
Rant over.
Wednesday, 2 May 2012
Rant 123 2/5/12 Subject: Pointless updates
Rant number 123
I have been a member of Blogger, the blogging site that you are reading this upon (original name that isn't it, a blogging site called blogger... I wonder where the ger bit comes from though) for exactly 123 days. I know this, because today is just past the 1/3 marker of my mission.
Much to my surprise, blogger a couple of days ago decided to move me from their classic interface (the one in used to) to the new interface.
To the best of my knowledge, there is nothing particularly new to the new interface. It just looks well, different.
So why bother? why bother at all?
The answer I presume that Blogger would give me is that it adds functionality in areas that I don't use.
That's fine I suppose, but that being in mind - can I not stick to what I like for now until one of those features I want present themselves? Surely that is not a problem?
Facebook is a prime example of this - in fact far more so than Blogger (who are currently still allowing me to use the interface... for now.)
Since I started using Facebook, it's gone through multiple iterations. First they tinker with one part, then another one, then another (and so on ad nauseum.)
Each time people complain and complain and protest, but to no avail.
Why do it? i hear you cry... Who knows, not this man certainly.
Now, to be fair to the Facebook pixies, it's a free service - so they can do whatever they want. I must admit though it's lost on me.
Fundamentally, the question lies:
Have they made Facebook better.
The answer is: no
Why fix it if its not broken?
Rant over
I have been a member of Blogger, the blogging site that you are reading this upon (original name that isn't it, a blogging site called blogger... I wonder where the ger bit comes from though) for exactly 123 days. I know this, because today is just past the 1/3 marker of my mission.
Much to my surprise, blogger a couple of days ago decided to move me from their classic interface (the one in used to) to the new interface.
To the best of my knowledge, there is nothing particularly new to the new interface. It just looks well, different.
So why bother? why bother at all?
The answer I presume that Blogger would give me is that it adds functionality in areas that I don't use.
That's fine I suppose, but that being in mind - can I not stick to what I like for now until one of those features I want present themselves? Surely that is not a problem?
Facebook is a prime example of this - in fact far more so than Blogger (who are currently still allowing me to use the interface... for now.)
Since I started using Facebook, it's gone through multiple iterations. First they tinker with one part, then another one, then another (and so on ad nauseum.)
Each time people complain and complain and protest, but to no avail.
Why do it? i hear you cry... Who knows, not this man certainly.
Now, to be fair to the Facebook pixies, it's a free service - so they can do whatever they want. I must admit though it's lost on me.
Fundamentally, the question lies:
Have they made Facebook better.
The answer is: no
Why fix it if its not broken?
Rant over
Tuesday, 1 May 2012
Reactions!
There is a new feature thanks to the nice folks at blogger
(thank you blogger programming pixie people)
You get a chance to put some feedback on the rants you like. Tick a box at the bottom according to what you think. Oh - and any suggestions for anything missing, just let me know and I can add another button (or two)
(thank you blogger programming pixie people)
You get a chance to put some feedback on the rants you like. Tick a box at the bottom according to what you think. Oh - and any suggestions for anything missing, just let me know and I can add another button (or two)
Rant 122 1/5/12 Subject: Celebrity witch hunts
Rant number 122
Today on the news, there was much talk about the Murdochs and the aftermath of the contentious 'Phone hacking' scandal.
I have no great love of either James or Rupert Murdoch - nor the papers that they are in charge of.
I think that it is deplorable that they have almost definately profited from some really inhuman actions by some really self serving and unscrupulous people.
I think that they are blasé about a really unpleasant issue, I think that they are terrible human beings.
For all of that though, I think that the current witch hunt that's going on involving them is not going to help anyone, and it really needs to stop.
People like the Murdochs have already got it, money, power and reputation (although the latter is arguably in tatters at the moment. If you push them away, they'll just take their money elsewhere and start all over again. You can't hurt them.
The thing is though, that thousands of people rely on their newspaper for their livelihood. Not only those within the papers internally but those who print them, distribute them, sell them etc.
People like a bad guy to point at and say 'boo and hiss' and the Murdochs fit the bill pretty well. They've got everything and have no remorse to show for the situation. That doesn't mean that they are necessarily guilty though.
No-one has owned up for phone hacking truly, but it wouldn't be the Murdochs would it. They are not the kind of people who get the stories, or even read them. They're the kind of people who sit at the top and watch the money roll in. Does that make them bad people? yes. Does that make them guilty? no
It annoys me also that the politicians are sticking their oar in now - the hypocritical arse-holes. Just because someone has been caught out being a shit-head it doesn't mean your behaviour is any better.
Why don't we drop the witch hunts and get back to the things that actually matter?
Rant over.
Today on the news, there was much talk about the Murdochs and the aftermath of the contentious 'Phone hacking' scandal.
I have no great love of either James or Rupert Murdoch - nor the papers that they are in charge of.
I think that it is deplorable that they have almost definately profited from some really inhuman actions by some really self serving and unscrupulous people.
I think that they are blasé about a really unpleasant issue, I think that they are terrible human beings.
For all of that though, I think that the current witch hunt that's going on involving them is not going to help anyone, and it really needs to stop.
People like the Murdochs have already got it, money, power and reputation (although the latter is arguably in tatters at the moment. If you push them away, they'll just take their money elsewhere and start all over again. You can't hurt them.
The thing is though, that thousands of people rely on their newspaper for their livelihood. Not only those within the papers internally but those who print them, distribute them, sell them etc.
People like a bad guy to point at and say 'boo and hiss' and the Murdochs fit the bill pretty well. They've got everything and have no remorse to show for the situation. That doesn't mean that they are necessarily guilty though.
No-one has owned up for phone hacking truly, but it wouldn't be the Murdochs would it. They are not the kind of people who get the stories, or even read them. They're the kind of people who sit at the top and watch the money roll in. Does that make them bad people? yes. Does that make them guilty? no
It annoys me also that the politicians are sticking their oar in now - the hypocritical arse-holes. Just because someone has been caught out being a shit-head it doesn't mean your behaviour is any better.
Why don't we drop the witch hunts and get back to the things that actually matter?
Rant over.
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