Saturday, June 09, 2012
Long time no see...
Wow, it has been over a year since I last posted on here - I would never have imagined it had been that long. I haven't been entirely idle in that time - I've been busy writing articles on Hubpages on a wide variety of topics. I've also written an ebook, along with my wife - 'Your Guide to Sports at the London 2012 Olympic Games' by Steve & Kate Haywood. However I've decided to ressurrect this blog for all those things that are too long for Twitter, and don't work as an article or ebook. I've got quite into writing again in the last few months, and having my own blog again is quite appealing. Whether any of this will be anything other than garbage I'm not sure, but I'm going to try and be honest on here, and document how my writing efforts are going, along with spouting the various random contents of my brain at times...
Monday, May 30, 2011
The King's Speech
I've just watched 'The King's Speech', the recent Oscar winning film starring Colin Firth as King George VI, and a whole host of other famous actors and actresses. Now I've heard off a number of people that it's a good film, but I never realised how good. This is one of those rare films that really makes me think 'wow, this is good', keeping me gripped to the TV screen and making me think and ponder long after the film has finished. I love most historical films, but this one really felt like it touched the pulse of history.
The story is about Bertie, younger son of George V, who reluctantly seeks help from a speech therapist because of his severe stammer that makes it all but impossible to speak in public. The film covers the death of George V, and the abdication of his brother Edward. What makes it all the more compelling and relevant, is that George VI's wife, one of the main characters, is the future Queen Mother, who only died a few years ago aged 101 and someone I remember well from her many public appearances broadcast on TV. The current Queen is also in the film as a young girl, 13 at the end of the film at the outbreak of the Second World War.
There's no real action in the film, it is mostly characterisation, dialogue and great atmosphere, but what it does it does really, really well. The host of famous people in it - Guy Pearce, Derek Jacobi, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Timothy Spall, Michael Gambon etc - make it all the more fun to watch.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Hubpages
I am on a new website now, http://www.hubpages.com. It is a great website, and just up my street because you can write articles on whatever you like, and you have the opportunity to make money from them via Google Adsense.
I intend from time to time to post links to my latest articles on here. Firstly, here is my profile:
Hubs of note I've written so far include:
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Budget cuts
Just been reading about budget cuts in the Times. Free school meals are going to be cut for 500,000 of the lowest paid. Ok so they haven't had free school meals yet but now are not going to. This will cost families earning less than £307 per week about £600 a year. What is galling is that families on benefits still get them. Even more of an incentive , for the low paid not to work and live on benefits instead. When will someone sort that out?
That said, I agree with government plans to question all government spending to determine whether it is needed, whether it is cost effective and whether the service would be better provided by the private sector. I always go back to America where private companies sponsor stretches of interstate, presumably paying for cleaning, maintenance etc. Why can't we do that here for starters?
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
That said, I agree with government plans to question all government spending to determine whether it is needed, whether it is cost effective and whether the service would be better provided by the private sector. I always go back to America where private companies sponsor stretches of interstate, presumably paying for cleaning, maintenance etc. Why can't we do that here for starters?
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Postcrossing
Have discovered a great new website, http://www.postcrossing.com where you send postcards to strangers round the world, and in return get postcards sent to you from other strangers round the world. Sound barmy? When you log on to the site and choose to send a postcard, the site randomly allocates you a name and address of another postcrossing member to send a postcard to. You are given a unique postcrossing Id number to put on the postcard for the recipient to input at the other end. Once they have received and logged your postcard, the site gives your details to another random member from somewhere in the world for them to send a postcard to you. The fun is not knowing when a postcard is going to drop through your letterbox and where it will be from.
I have sent 4 so far which means once they are received I should have 4 postcards from across the world heading for my doorstep. I can't wait!
I have sent 4 so far which means once they are received I should have 4 postcards from across the world heading for my doorstep. I can't wait!
Thursday, June 03, 2010
Busy times
It has been several weeks since I blogged - I would apologise but it would only really be to myself so what is the point?
Work has been busy and a bit stressful, though still enjoying... Rachel only seems to sleep all evening every other night and has been struggling with her teeth the last few days. We have also had Kate's parents up over the bank holiday weekend so not much time all round.
One thing I do think is that less is more at the moment. I enjoy the weekends most where we are not rushing round places but are mostly at home and can potter round, do a bit of gardening, cooking and relaxing.
This week, Rachel hasn't slept a lot but evenings have been quite nice. What have I done? Cooked tea, with nice fresh Greek salad. Made sandwiches for us each day. Watered plants. Not a lot else but that was nice. I wasn't trying to do lots which was important. I think in future I should have 5 minutes in garden before going to bed if warm. It is so nice and refreshing late in the evening.
I am thinking of doing some drawing or painting again, not sure what yet though.
Next time: garden update, holiday plans and some old fashioned blogs unearthed!
Work has been busy and a bit stressful, though still enjoying... Rachel only seems to sleep all evening every other night and has been struggling with her teeth the last few days. We have also had Kate's parents up over the bank holiday weekend so not much time all round.
One thing I do think is that less is more at the moment. I enjoy the weekends most where we are not rushing round places but are mostly at home and can potter round, do a bit of gardening, cooking and relaxing.
This week, Rachel hasn't slept a lot but evenings have been quite nice. What have I done? Cooked tea, with nice fresh Greek salad. Made sandwiches for us each day. Watered plants. Not a lot else but that was nice. I wasn't trying to do lots which was important. I think in future I should have 5 minutes in garden before going to bed if warm. It is so nice and refreshing late in the evening.
I am thinking of doing some drawing or painting again, not sure what yet though.
Next time: garden update, holiday plans and some old fashioned blogs unearthed!
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Post-election thoughts
I didn't end up posting about the election anywhere near as much as I had wanted to, too many other things on. Now it's all over, finally. So what is there to say?
In the election I started off being quite enthused by Nick Clegg and his refreshing message about doing something different. Then later, I veered back towards Labour, as the only alternative that could keep the Conservatives out, realistically. In reality though I was hoping for a hung parliament to really shake things up.
In the end I voted for Labour. It was quite a marginal Labour / Conservative seat in my area, I wanted to keep the Conservatives out and I thought far too many people were picking on Gordon Brown, or voting for the opposition because they didn't like Gordon Brown personally (he doesn't come across very well). I think Brown has consistently been a hard working politician, doing what he thinks is right for the country and just getting on with his job. In the last couple of years, the people that have really got on my wick have been those who say something like 'I agree Labour has really made a positive difference in the NHS, they've got class sizes down, made the country and safe place etc but I just don't like Gordon Brown so am voting Tory...'
There's something quite empowering about turning up to vote at your local polling station, a feeling that you are doing your bit, making a difference, standing up for what you believe in. That's the reason I wouldn't want to vote by post, it just wouldn't be the same. Election night, despite not having been well the previous couple of days I was determined to stay up and watch at least some of it. The exit polls came in, predicted a hung parliament but almost a Conservative majority. I prayed it wasn't so.
At this point I should probably try and elucidate why I don't like the Conservatives so much. I think it's my upbringing, in a very pro-Labour household. I grew up believing the Conservatives weren't much interested in helping the little guy, the man on the street. They were pro big business, for the rich. A lot of this was Margaret Thatcher, stamping on the miners, telling everyone to look out for themselves and no-one else. I don't know how true this is anymore, and I certainly agree with certain aspects of the Conservatives, like trying to get lazy people off benefits etc.
It was obvious as election night progressed that there was going to be no quick resolution, and how very true that turned out to be. The next day it turned out that the exit poll had been virtually spot on. The Conservatives were the largest party, but 20 short of an overall majority. The Lib Dems did badly, and actually lost several seats, rather than the large gains they had been predicted. They suddenly held the balance of power however and there was three way negotiations as both Labour and Conservatives tried to form an alliance with them. In the end, they went with the Conservatives, forming a coalition government. I think this was the right thing to happen, as the Conservatives got over a million more votes that Labour. It seems the Lib Dems negotiated themselves a good deal, including a referendum on voting reform, and working towards increasing personal allowance towards £10,000. I think the Lib Dems will end up softening a lot of the Conservatives harsher policies, so the combination may be the best one for the country right now, in a time of economic difficulty when we need to get the deficit down. Plus Labour are now the only real opposition. The government are going to have to make unpopular decisions, and when the next election happens, Labour will (with a new leader) be in a strong position to defeat Conservatives and Lib Dems.
It is worth briefly mentioning the new governments plans for fixed 5 year parliaments (a good thing probably), and needing 55% in a vote of no confidence to force a general election before then (funny, that means Conservatives don't need anyone else to support them to stay in power, hmmm) which I don't think is very good. If 51% disagree with you, you will never get any laws passed, so why stick around like a lame duck? As Andrew Marr pointed out today. 51% could vote to repeal the new legislation, then call a vote of no confidence and pass it with 51% so what is the point?
The next thing to look forward to is the emergency budget within 50 days. As a tax advisor this should keep me busy, and it will be interesting to see what they do. We are teetering on a knife edge trying to escape recession, so I just hope the Conservatives don't wreck it with all their cuts. Only time will tell.
In the election I started off being quite enthused by Nick Clegg and his refreshing message about doing something different. Then later, I veered back towards Labour, as the only alternative that could keep the Conservatives out, realistically. In reality though I was hoping for a hung parliament to really shake things up.
In the end I voted for Labour. It was quite a marginal Labour / Conservative seat in my area, I wanted to keep the Conservatives out and I thought far too many people were picking on Gordon Brown, or voting for the opposition because they didn't like Gordon Brown personally (he doesn't come across very well). I think Brown has consistently been a hard working politician, doing what he thinks is right for the country and just getting on with his job. In the last couple of years, the people that have really got on my wick have been those who say something like 'I agree Labour has really made a positive difference in the NHS, they've got class sizes down, made the country and safe place etc but I just don't like Gordon Brown so am voting Tory...'
There's something quite empowering about turning up to vote at your local polling station, a feeling that you are doing your bit, making a difference, standing up for what you believe in. That's the reason I wouldn't want to vote by post, it just wouldn't be the same. Election night, despite not having been well the previous couple of days I was determined to stay up and watch at least some of it. The exit polls came in, predicted a hung parliament but almost a Conservative majority. I prayed it wasn't so.
At this point I should probably try and elucidate why I don't like the Conservatives so much. I think it's my upbringing, in a very pro-Labour household. I grew up believing the Conservatives weren't much interested in helping the little guy, the man on the street. They were pro big business, for the rich. A lot of this was Margaret Thatcher, stamping on the miners, telling everyone to look out for themselves and no-one else. I don't know how true this is anymore, and I certainly agree with certain aspects of the Conservatives, like trying to get lazy people off benefits etc.
It was obvious as election night progressed that there was going to be no quick resolution, and how very true that turned out to be. The next day it turned out that the exit poll had been virtually spot on. The Conservatives were the largest party, but 20 short of an overall majority. The Lib Dems did badly, and actually lost several seats, rather than the large gains they had been predicted. They suddenly held the balance of power however and there was three way negotiations as both Labour and Conservatives tried to form an alliance with them. In the end, they went with the Conservatives, forming a coalition government. I think this was the right thing to happen, as the Conservatives got over a million more votes that Labour. It seems the Lib Dems negotiated themselves a good deal, including a referendum on voting reform, and working towards increasing personal allowance towards £10,000. I think the Lib Dems will end up softening a lot of the Conservatives harsher policies, so the combination may be the best one for the country right now, in a time of economic difficulty when we need to get the deficit down. Plus Labour are now the only real opposition. The government are going to have to make unpopular decisions, and when the next election happens, Labour will (with a new leader) be in a strong position to defeat Conservatives and Lib Dems.
It is worth briefly mentioning the new governments plans for fixed 5 year parliaments (a good thing probably), and needing 55% in a vote of no confidence to force a general election before then (funny, that means Conservatives don't need anyone else to support them to stay in power, hmmm) which I don't think is very good. If 51% disagree with you, you will never get any laws passed, so why stick around like a lame duck? As Andrew Marr pointed out today. 51% could vote to repeal the new legislation, then call a vote of no confidence and pass it with 51% so what is the point?
The next thing to look forward to is the emergency budget within 50 days. As a tax advisor this should keep me busy, and it will be interesting to see what they do. We are teetering on a knife edge trying to escape recession, so I just hope the Conservatives don't wreck it with all their cuts. Only time will tell.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Election 2010
I watched the third and final election debate last night. David Cameron and Gordon Brown were back to arguing with each other, Nick Clegg in the middle shaking his head and trying to look above it all. Basically Cameron's message was big society, small government, start cutting spending and waste now, it is time for change. Labour is don't rock the boat and risk the recovery, we can't cut spending this year. The Conservatives claim backing from big business, Labour the backing of nearly all countries round the world for their recovery plan. The Lib Dems are all about fairness and working together with the other parties to solve the countries problems.
My problem is I think they all have some good ideas, if you pool them all together we might get somewhere. So really I want a hung parliament, I want voting reform pushed through and I want the parties to talk to each other and work together.
Unfortunately none of this has particularly helped me decide who to vote for. I like the Lib Dems fresh, co-operative approach and I like many of their policies. Alas I live in a Labour / Conservative marginal so is a vote for Lib Dems a wasted vote? Still some thinking to do methinks.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
My problem is I think they all have some good ideas, if you pool them all together we might get somewhere. So really I want a hung parliament, I want voting reform pushed through and I want the parties to talk to each other and work together.
Unfortunately none of this has particularly helped me decide who to vote for. I like the Lib Dems fresh, co-operative approach and I like many of their policies. Alas I live in a Labour / Conservative marginal so is a vote for Lib Dems a wasted vote? Still some thinking to do methinks.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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