Logic!

 

I think I missed my true vocation as a 'Project Manager'.

We've had pipe-laying road works in the road behind the church since September (although it feels like much longer). I walk past here twice every day, so it's been a bit of a pain!

The men seem to work to a very bizarre pattern. They started at one end of the street, did some more at the bottom end, then fiddled about in the middle (where they are now), and they've been doing bits and pieces everywhere else in between. There has been no logic to their progression whatsoever, and no certainty about when (or if) they show-up. The photo below was taken at 9.30 am yesterday, and not a soul in sight.

Had I been in charge (and thank goodness for the men that I'm not), I would have made a logical progression from the top to bottom of the road.

Dig, lay pipe, back-fill, top with asphalt, roller. Then continue on to the end. Of course, by using my method the work would have been completed in a week, and they wouldn't have been able to claim all their 'time off' and triple-pay weekends. 

The other bizarre aspect to their work is that when they dig the metre-deep trenches, they take away all the detritus to dump somewhere, then refill with lorry loads of newly brought-in gravel. The old stuff they dug out was just as good as the new, but 'bureaucrats' don't think like that. They like to do things the 'official jobsworth way'. And 'The National Road Diggers and Fillers Union' (of which there must be a Union Steward on site) makes sure that everything is done the slowest and most expensive way possible.

I get on with the workmen quite well, and they all love Billy. I recently asked one of them if they'll be finished by the end of December, and he replied that he hoped so, as he was off to his villa in Tenerife for Christmas. It's a grand life!

Lost and Found.

 

I must be becoming absent minded. I recently lost a SECOND umbrella, in exactly the same way as with the first one.

A few years ago I lost a VERY EXPENSIVE umbrella in France. It had been on my shopping trolly, and I failed to retrieve it after putting my shopping in the back of the car. Someone had a very nice find.

Last Saturday I did exactly the same thing again, although it was in England, at Sainsbury's, and the umbrella was a cheap one! Even so, I was very annoyed with myself.

However, not everything is doom and gloom, I recently found a brand new fiver (£5), with King Charles's head on the front, and Churchill's on the back. The banknote was lying in full view on the ground outside our bijou home; I was very lucky to be the first to spot it!

In general I do seem to be more absent minded that before. I know it's a natural part of the ageing process, but it's a very annoying one.

One of my worst failings is thinking of something I need to put on my shopping list, then by the time I get to write it down, I've forgotten what it was. This happens quite often, so I now have a pen and pad by my side at all times, and write everything down in advance.

Does this mean that I no longer forget things? Does it hell!

p.s. I'm still struggling to think of what I'll spend my unexpected £5 on!

Fun in UK Politics.

 

There's a new political party in the UK, which for the moment is vying for 'The UK's silliest party' versus 'The Monster Raving Loony Party'. And I think the new one is winning!

They've just had a so-called 'conference', where they voted on the party's new name. It is to remain as 'Your Party'. A snappy name, I'm sure you agree!

The party has just two major players; it's founder Jeremy Corbyn, and his hated sidekick Zarah Sultana (both above). At the 'conference' they voted that Comrade Corbyn should not automatically become the leader of the party, but it should be run by some sort of interim Socialist worker's co-operative, until time comes to vote for a pukka figurehead.

Politically, they are Marxist-Leninist-Socialists with Communist leanings. At the 'conference', the fragrant Ms Sultana declared the new strict policies of the new party to be anti-semitism and anti-royalty. I presume they will also continue to support the politics of the IRA, Hamas, and the late great, and much-missed, Hugo Chavez.

People may consider The Monster Raving Loony Party to be eccentric and unelectable, but they ain't seen nuffin yet! Saying that Corbyn has all his marbles is like saying that Reeves is honest, and supports hard-workers.

And who said Politics wasn't FUN!

STOP PRESS: I know you've all been wondering what happened to Labour MP Tulip Siddiq (above left). 

Well, Sir Keith's ex-Anti Corruption Minister has just been found guilty of Corruption in Bangladesh, and sentenced to Two Years in Prison. 

Life isn't fair, is it. I'm sure the very appealing Ms Siddiq will appeal.

Here we go again! Man crowned 'Strongest Woman'.

The bloke holding aloft his trophy, having just won The World's Strongest Woman competition in Arlington Texas, is American Jammie Booker.

OK, Jammie might have had a few nips and tucks, taken bucket-loads of hormones, and wears women's clothes, but all that doesn't stop him being a biological MAN.

Now, I don't know about you, but to me a man competing in a woman's sport isn't really 'playing the game'.

In general, men can run faster, swim faster, jump higher, lift heavier weights, and are all-over stronger than women, so for a man to compete alongside women isn't really fair. To me there is nothing sexist in saying as much; it's simply 'nature'.

Why doesn't Jammie compete alongside fellow male 'Strongmen'? Well, it's probably because he knows he wouldn't stand a chance against men! Or it's because he knows he stands a better chance if he competes against women! It's either one or the other!

I think we all know the answer to that; as does he.

Thank goodness he's now been deprived of his win, and the real winner of this competition was the woman who came 'second'; the Brit' Andrea Thompson.

Well done Andrea.

 

Former lovers Meet for first time in over 20 years.

During my days living in London, I was a member of the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) when it was still in Dover Street (where it was an artists club), and before it moved to Pall Mall (where it became simply a huge gallery).

I was a member in the days of 'Happenings'; conceptual art-works that lasted for a short while only. I attended a lot of these events, including one where I cut most of Yoko Ono's clothes off in Red Lion Square. I think it was called 'Cut Piece'.

You may well have seen this event (above) before, which is nothing to do with the ICA, but it reminds me of those eventful days, and is very emotional.

After the ICA moved to Pall Mall the monthly member's magazine (below) was discontinued, and everything changed. I still have most of my old 'The ICA Bulletin' magazines, in France.

The ICA was a wonderful club, and I regretted its evolution. There had been a bar in Dover Street where you really never knew who you might meet. It was extraordinary. There was also a 'Library' where members showed work; including me on one occasion.

Enjoy the video!

I'm Like A Bird

Little Miss Blue Hair does a great job with this Nelly Furtado song. In the original, the 'singing' of the opening few lines is very annoying; this is a vast improvement.

It's a beautiful, emotional, song; a good strong tune, but with rather sad lyrics.

The band 'IMY2' are based in Nashville USA, and the excellent blue-haired singer is Annalise Mahanes.

If this doesn't send shivers down your spine, I don't know what would!

They grow-up so quickly.

This young man is now 18 (Happy Birthday Ollie). He happens to be one of my six grandsons.

Here he is, pretending to be a gourmet, but I'm not sure if the Spaghetti is going in or coming out. Anyway; he was obviously enjoying himself.

Needless to say, he is now a strapping young man, who probably eats his Spaghetti with more alure and finesse than in the photo.

His Papa has taken him off to Rome for a birthday prezzie weekend. More Spaghetti no doubt, and hopefully a better pair of shades!

Divertiti!