BGT

Had a great afternoon yesterday with friends who came round to watch the FA Cup, eat a BBQ and watch the BGT final ...

Surprised by how much I enjoyed Britain's Got Talent, having only watched little bits in the lead up. I think the right people won, and I really enjoyed some of the acts. Diversity were outstanding, and the act they did was incredibly imaginative ... That girl who cried the night before sang a song that was far too old for her, and deserved to lose ... According to Dan, Susan Boyle looks like the Groke from the Moomins. I couldn't remember that character, but having done some research, I reckon he was right ...

Phew ...

I just undertook this test at http://www.euprofiler.eu/page/1 ... The aim is to show you where you fit into the European political landscape. I'm relieved to say that in UK terms I'm closest to the Labour party ... My closest European party is the Finnish Social Democrats where I have an 89.9% match apparently (the Labour party is just 77%) ...


It's quite an in depth questionnaire compared with some of the others, and I reckon it's worth a look if you're that way inclined!!

MP Expenses ...

I've resisted writing down what I think about MP's expenses up to now, because I wanted to really consider what I thought and not write them down in a fit of anger.

Every day at the moment there seems to be a report about some MP or other (from any party) who appears not to have followed the system fairly or to have abused the system for self gain. I'm not defending any of these MPs, and I have been really upset and disillusioned by the whole thing. I think that all MPs need to claim some responsibility - whether they abused the system or not is irrelevant. The fact is they all supported the system - and again, I include all MPs in this. Some MPs are trying to claim a moral high ground, but I'm not convinced they can do that.

A week ago, I was dangerously close to giving up my party membership. I am a member of the Labour party and having reflected, I'm happy to remain a member. Why? Simply, what I know is this. The Labour party is made of many more people than the MPs in Westminster. The Labour party is made up of good people who largely represent the same values that I do. It's our job to ensure that the Labour party's message gets out.

What I am REALLY worried about is that people will use these upcoming elections as a protest against the establishment - I was tempted to be honest, but by doing this my worry is that it will allow the BNP in ... While it may pain people, I really think it's important to vote mainstream in these elections - it doesn't matter which party!! I'm voting Labour (like Eddie Izzard), but I'd really urge people to consider the impact that not voting for one of the major parties could have.

Grumpy Graeme

I had a bit of stress yesterday. I took my car to Archie Moss in Loughborough as the speedometer is not working. Something incidentally that is not illegal (which surprised me)!!

The garage put it down to two things - a speed sensor or wiring. They said they had to replace the sensor in order to test the wiring. So if it was the wiring, they'd have to do both jobs. Costing in the region of £500 altogether. So, I asked if there was a way they could just check the wiring - they said no (it's the cheaper part of the job) ... So, I then said if it turned out it was the wiring, could they put the old sensor back (as it wouldn't be broken). They said no again! So, I got a bit stroppy and decided to take the car to my normal garage.

Lo and behold - my normal garage (Duke Street Motors) are going to do some diagnosis and attempt to fit the wires first if needed ... amazing!

That wasn't the only thing that made me grumpy yesterday, but it was a contributory factor!! I did have a nice lunch with Alison, and was most amused by her new found obsession with Revels. I also enjoyed watching the cricket for the first time in a long time - England totally dominant, but the West Indies lack of drive or ambition ended it as a contest. Chanderpaul was chasing 329 at a strike rate of 50% for his runs - not good enough ...

Off out in a bit to watch an inspection of an estate in my ward, then going for a run and the Champion's League later! I shall be wearing my Barcelona shirt :)

It's just not cricket ...

I like cricket ... I didn't used to, but I do now. I got suckered in by the 20-20 competition back in 2003 or 4, and then got completely hooked by the Ashes series in 2005. I even know where field placings are!!

What annoys me though, is the commentary ... are cricket commentators MEANT to be so miserable? Maybe it's being holed up in a box for a whole day that makes them so cynical and critical? I don't know what the reason is, but I do wish they'd just enjoy the game and stop all the nit-picking and grumpiness.

None of the above applies to David Lloyd however - he's a legend ...

Angels and Demons, Scotland Yard

So I went to see Angels and Demons last night. Big fan of the Dan Brown books, and while the Da Vinci code seemed to me to stretch credibility a little far, Angels and Demons is a little more 'real.'

It was well performed, fast moving and pretty loyal to the book. Tom Hanks played Robert Langdon with a smug swagger that I very much enjoyed, and Ewan McGregor was great as the Camerlengo. I liked that fact that the film did not make a point of mocking faith, but did highlight some of the imperfections of tradition and ceremony! It also highlighted that faith is made of imperfect people. I'd really recommend it if you're that way inclined.

Then went to Tim's and played Scotland Yard with him and Nick. I'm a big fan of this game having played it loads when I was a kid. I was Mr X. However, I have to say Tim and Nick took the game a little too seriously and debated each move for about 30 hours - actually 30 hours!! I enjoyed it, but was irritated by my not noticing Tim on an Underground station near the end. I really should have won!!

81 minutes ...

The main reason I've been setting up all these blogs, twitters etc. is that I've been sitting at home watching the Championship playoff games, and messing around on the laptop.

It's now 81 minutes gone, and Burnley are winning 1-0. I'm really pleased they are winning, and hope they hang on. I've not been a fan of Sheffield United ever since Neil Warnock made some unnecessary comments about my team Leicester City. However, I can't be alone in thinking it would be brilliant to see fixtures like Burnley vs Liverpool on the fixture sheet. Owen Coyle seems to me to have worked wonders for Burnley - like everyone supported Hull this year, I imagine everyone will support Burnley next year ...

And who knows, maybe Leicester City will join them the season after?

Blogging ...

I've tried blogging before, and I've failed. However, as a teacher of ICT who extols the virtue of new technology, I really ought to do a little bit better! So, this is my newest attempt. I'm going to try and write about my life - the fun bits, the not so fun bits. I might even drop in one or two of my views on things in the world. If anyone knows me, they'll know that I certainly have opinions on things!!