Missy the Cat

I thought I'd not blog today, so instead here's some pictures of Missy the new family cat, admittedly there are plenty more serious subjects to choose from locally and the greater world, stuff like Sainsbury's proposed new supermarket, which if it goes ahead will make traveling out of Margate a mission, as of course will the wretched plan to allow Tesco, to occupy an incongruous location for massive supermarket on the front of Margate seafront and of course not forgetting the equally out of place "occupy protest" outside the Turner Gallery 

Still its the weekend and for once I'm  not working, I hope to get down to see the elements and hope to be the first local blogger to resist the temptation of engaging with anti capitalist protesters, a tall order indeed, which thus far neither Michael Child, Luke Edwards, Simon Moores has resisted, perhaps Peter Checksfield could do a photo shoot for his blog, for myself I might fail to resist the urge to suggest they get a job (yes I accept that the protesters if not in full time employment are actively seeking work by seeking the downfull of the capitalist system).

Anyway this blogger shall mainly be concerned with occupying a comfortable armchair at Flaig Mansions enjoying the company of family, watchin telly, observing as the cat continues her education, dark thoughts of gready bankers, bent politicians can at least wait till Sunday.

Feudal Britian - Whats that for? Doing his job?

Twice a year we have the blunt reminder, that despite all that rhetoric from established politicians about democracy and equality(, often deployed to justify questionable foreign policy), that Briton is less of a democracy and more of feudal society than we are supposed to believe (yes we are talking about the "homours system" of establishment patronage).

"What's that for? Doing his job? (Mrs Me) is a sentiment that will have been replicated in many millions of households this morning applicable to many of the new year's honours , as once the bulk, again appear in the main to go to those on the public pay roll just doing the job for which in most cases, have attached to them generous pay and fat pensions that money can't buy (except with taxpayers money).

Locally comes the news that Roger Gale MP has been awarded a knighthood, and for those who find these things important, it will be necessary for prefix "Sir" when speaking of Thanet North MP.

Frankly it would be mean, to apply the sentiment referred to earlier, in the case of our esteemed representative in the House of Common's, despite the likelihood, that unkind critics, might point out that his constituency has and probably always will have, a big fat conservative majority or that apart from dealing efficiently with local constituency business, that Roger Gale MP has rarely come to national attention.

Still perhaps we should take comfort that Gale has been awarded a knighthood, I'd be surprised how many of us lower orders such as in my own industry has ever received any recognition, none I suspect. Despite my selfless commitment to highlighting some to the rights and wrong in our society mostly created by politicians, its unlikely Mrs Windsor will be tapping me on the shoulder with a sword anytime soon.

Previously I have awarded myself the GBE a self created honour (Grafter for the British Empire), which I suggest you award yourself and tag after your name on correspondence, since this is a self assessed award there are few criteria but I suggest, you should be taxpayer outside but funding the self serving public sector.

Since we at Bignews Margate believe in democracy, equality and don't happen to have any affiliations with free masonry or the Windsors, we are happy to allow you to bestow the GBE for whatever reason. 

Anyway have yourself a good New Year and lets hope it's a flipping better one than last year.

Tony Flaig GBE

IT'S CURTAINS FOR MR PUSS 1997-2011

Last night I was in reflective mood and was thinking I'll blog on the past year, its a cliche I know, still it is with some regret, that I announce the death of Mr Puss (the family cat),  and will reflect on a significant presence at Flaig Mansions.

Now I have to acknowledge, that it's easy being sentimental about a cat, certainly he is the only pet our family has had discounting Tom, Dick and Harry (goldfish), it had never been my intention to have a pet, but the cat sort of subtlety ingratiated himself, and despite already having a home, moved in, still he has never had any reservations in helping himself and has regularly invited himself to meals with neighbours for years.

Until this morning, he has always been reliable, turning up for meals on time, demanding a share of any open tin of tuna, when I'm on nights he's generally sort of greeted me by walking up to where I've managed to park.

Not being at the back door this morning, I whistled which generally gets him flying from the shed, next doors garden or from upstairs in the house.

Admittedly losing a pet is not the same as losing a person, but even so he will be missed.

Anyway I mention him on these pages perhaps for the last time although he has frequently featured and here is a sort of retrospective selection.


Mr Puss calls for calm in fat cats row

Mr Puss Hacked off by Media

Mr Puss Issues a Statement

Mr Puss Disappears in Snow - Feared eaten by Foxes

Kent's big Cat danger 

Cat trivia is the BBC dumbing down

Plain Speaking from local author jane

End of the road for Bignews Margate?

Still at the center of family life captured for the last time this Saturday morning with the youngest member of the family.

Time on my side

It's that time of year for me, a rare treat to be awake and at home at this time (00:50 Sunday), normally at the weekend if I`m up at this time it's because I've just started a 12hr shift on the railway, with all that entails.

However that's not the case this weekend, so its interesting to sometime step back a bit, one subject in the news of recent that still intrigues me is the slow way in which our society is dealing with the newspaper scandal centering on the defunct News of the World,  I have to say that recently listening to snippets of evidence given by former investigative NOTW journalist Mazher Mahmood to the leveson inquiry I just wonder, whether he was ever curious about his colleagues skills to delve deep into the lives of the rich and famous.

For a long time I've been skeptical about the ethics of our press and whether they're as er  honest as you and I might wish, in the past five and half years of blogging I've mentioned the murdoch press more than once, and find it amazing its taken the "establishment" to so long to question things.

Myself I just wonder when or if the handcuffs will be placed on the wrists of management?

You'll most likely be reading this Sunday and for some of you, myself included, you'll still be missing the News of the World, although I had long ago become bored witless by the affairs of celebrities and footballers I'd never heard of, I liked the inventiveness of journalists, sexing up or embellishing stories, and  I note that a previous posting (from last year) on this same subject has received a lot of hits, hence me dragging up this long running scandal.

Still if your stuck for a scandal fix, what with demise of the disgraceful News of the World, you could entertain yourself reading all about Britain's purveyors of  "news", this page on the Leveson Inquiry,  you'll find it a bit more sleazy than anything footballers, politicians or celebrities could come up with. 

Anyway I've a few days off for Christmas and although I've been reminded why I write a blog, because I don't trust the press, the lights are twinkling on the christmas tree so I shall get on with chilling, if I  cant be asked to blog again  before Christmas (unlikely) have a good one. Cheers

Don’t you just wish Christmas started later!

Is there anything more irritating than that first Christmas reference, the inappropriate advert in September, “seasonal merchandise” in shops in October and flipping mince pies in early November, or worse still cynical mentions by er…..;-) well anyway its out there I see Simon Moores, is worried that he might overlook someone, me (Billy no mates) I have no such concerns I just hope, I manage to navigate my way through Christmas and out the other side without offending more than usual although it’s a policy of mine, not to ingratiate myself with anyone just, my honest views, some get it some don’t.

Not being a christian, other than by birth, schooling and perhaps in a future deathbed, born again sort of scenario, I have to say that I don’t think you can beat mainstream Christianity for laying on a good excuse for the British population, to eat drink and lounge about for two weeks each winter, more exotic religions seem to have a contempt for fun and humanity in general.

So far, Christmas has yet to manifest itself here at Flaig Mansions, although no doubt any day now, Mrs Me will either be ordering me into the loft to retrieve tinsel tat, untangle lights, assemble Christmas Trees a particular favourite of mine, especially last years Marks & Sparks one, which after I checked the price, provoked a brisk conversation along the lines of how flippin much, creating an atmosphere almost as chilly as last years rather arctic blast.

Anyhow there should be no further upsets over trees, as apparently last years will last years, I’m semi convinced although the attic contains a forest of trees from the last thirty years or so.

Enjoy Christmas, it’s one of those defining things, that makes us British, I’m sure whether you’re a christian or not, the legacy of freedom, decency, justice, humanity and honesty is worth celebrating, certainly preferable those alternatives with dubious attitudes to women and humanity in general.

Still as glib as I might seem I always look forward to being able to listen to Kirsty Macoll and the Pogues, Fairytale of New York, and it’s one piece of music I mentioned before (2007), I hate being mucked about with as I think Tesco’s current TV ads have done, anyway enjoy Christmas.

****UPDATE FROM MRS ME *****

Mrs Me having just read this post would like me to correct “This load of B*ll*cks!” pointing out that last years Decs “have yet to reach the Flipping attic!” adding something like “is this the sort of Sh…………………………….” you write, Ouch! and er yes as it happens,

Before things turn too ugly I’m off to Tesco’s for veg!

Out of the gloom

I wonder if I’m the only person, who isn’t feeling that the world is about to end under an avalanche of worthless euro’s. Never the most thoughtful after a long nightshift, I couldn’t help noticing that after several hundreds of years, people are still building in London, despite all the gloom of lefty media types, the fantastic shard development, still under construction inspired the following thought.

Yes the economy is being rejigged, its only natural when more than half the population are either employed by the state, or bleeding it dry, an illusion that cannot continue, however  the Shard emerging out of the early morning mist is no illusion, capitalism works, the state just drains you.

Well that’s my thought for the day, and now I shall get some sleep,

Thanet Crematorium to be Solar Powered

Please look away now if your a sensitive soul who has "conservative" views on the pomp and circumstance surrounding the tricky etiquette of death, for myself I have a view that the whole business of leaving this world and entering the next, is all a bit fussy and flippin expensive.

Myself I'd be quite happy to be collected up on bin day and carted off with the rest of the household waste, then recycled by the council, however they see fit, still that's not going to happen, and when viewing the subject from the point of view of a grieving relative or friend, such a send off would be inadequate in the case of anyone else.

I see Thanet Council's Cabinet meeting tonight will be consdering sticking solar panals discretely at the back of the Crematorium in Margate, I assume that the actual process of cremation, will not be solar powered and the panels will be feeding the conveyor belt, curtains, lighting etc and pressumably the national grid.

Still it makes me think that, during the old incineration process there must be a lot of energy waste, I just wonder if maybe we couldn't have a regional crematorium, perhaps one in East and West Kent and recover some energy,  generate a bit of electricity, maybe power those street lights which the county council are turning off, perhaps saving death and injury.

Also on the agenda tonight is the subject of expansion of the Crematorium, which has for some reason, they never adequately explain been labelled as "eyes only" restricted to jobsworth "officers" and our talented councillors ( who will not doubt disclose the details at some future point down the pub) meaning that the public and press are turfed out, unusually a welcome relief, assuming the security guard hasn't wandered off, again leaving the door locked for no good reason.

The Queens Visit and some housekeeping

Excitement is clearly mounting as the Queen's visit approaches and for me a bit of disappointment as I have commitments elsewhere. Still life goes on, and I'm sure that I'll be able to catch up on the BBC's news programme tomorrow night, aswell as the magic of radio or in my case 3g connectivity on the old smart phone.

I understand BBC Radio Kent's, Julia George's 9am phone in programme, will be discussing the Queens visit to Margate, at nine o'clock and I assume that the earlier breakfast programme will have information on the visit including traffic and all that malarkey.

Details have of course have been, understandably limited to this point however Thanet Council now have this posting  on their website, prior to this my knowledge was limited to that which Mrs Me gave me, returning from the hair dressers (routine maintenance on barnet), announcing that the Queen would be visiting the area, arriving by Royal train, around eleven ish and taking a butchers around the old town of Margate and then a gander at the Turner Contemporary Gallery.

Still more reliably according to Thanet council, the Queen will be strolling around the old town @11:15 AM meeting with local people and volunteers and the I might guess a sprinkling of top knobs, still as a republican even though challenged by the thought, that nobody could do a better job than the Queen, as head of state, I'm a put out that I wont be able to witness, what is an honour for Margate, which I don't mean in a sycophantic way.

A quick point on TDC's press release, it seems a little strange that since the visit is to Margate, that the Mayor of Margate Cllr Iris Johnson or indeed the chair of the council Cllr Douglas Clark is not thought worthy of a quote and that Cllr Bob Bayford is.

Right housekeeping I probably wont be blogging again today, but I as much as I take my news and politics seriously its not the be all and end all, but I enjoy talking bollix about this and that, however believe it or not, there are more far important things in my life, and bigger issues, clearly these are of little interest outside of family and friends, such as the youngest member of the family taking her first steps ( a few weeks ago), since I dare say that my nearest and dearest are likely to cringe at mere mention of the "blog" I avoid mentioning them except for the above,

Also work is a no go area except for the broadest comments, I was asked once to point out by a workmate that the assertion by some self appointed group of busy bodies moaning about litter around railway stations ignored the difficulty in accessing the track, for reasons the public might not appreciate. Recently a few comments have been made about safety in my industry , I've only been on the railway for a few years, but I can only say, I can't think of many jobs that start with a safety briefing every day, explaining the job, risks and safe system of work. So don't be surprised if I don't respond to exaggerated comments criticising my industry, because most of us work hard, and are reminded daily of the safety culture within the industry, and lets face it an anonymous comment hardly has any weight, does it.

In a nutshell what I do for a living and other considerations has little relevance to this blog, irrespective of career and personal life I have opinions which are what they are take it or leave it.

I hope the Queen has a pleasant day along with the Duke of Edinburgh who will I believe travel with her, perhaps the duke will treat us to one of his famous, honest but awkward comments anyhow much respect to both of them still working well past retirement age, marvelous!


Other Royal Stories
Smelly seaweed removed to spare the Royal nostrils
Margate gears up for royal visit by Queen

Upcoming Royal visit to Margate creates a buzz in the town

Iphone has eaten my blog posts

I frequently post using my phone, however for whatever reason the app I use conflicts with the new Iphone operating system and has eaten my posts!

The picture is of the family cat, Mr Puss who has made it his mission in life to partake in Sunday lunch, often lunging toward the roast when least expected, swine! but unlike Apple I can forgive him, so far he has yet to succeed with the big prize, although he is not above begging as above.

iOS 5 “bull…..”

No doubt the new Iphone, is blimin marvellous but I have to say for a company firmly placed in the quality end of the market, their new operating system is not as it should be.

They claim to have taken the iphone/pad operating system to a new level, which in my case has proved to be the basement, a long winded process to install, while irritating is not unexpected, however unlike the seamless transfer of information from my original 3gs to 4, this “upgrade” didn’t transfer my apps and added a half hour to the process as I trawled around for a solution.

Asking another user, what their experience was the work “bull….” summed up the experience losing not just music from their phone, they claimed it had also exited the computer. Not sure that they’ve resolved the issue as a friend was going to nose around their PC for the missing files.

Admittedly I’ve not had much time to play with the hyped improvements, but my first impression is that there not all that. One example the camera from the locked screen, was not accessible until in my case I had asked someone, who told me you have to click the home button twice for it to show, trivial until you want to use the camera quickly.

Apple enthusiasts will of course think I’m a miserable old git (guilty), and feel that apple are doing us a favour, however apple are looking to grab a fair bit of business by persuading us to store information in the icloud, although you get some space free, no surprise there are options to buy more space to store photo’s etc.

If you haven’t already upgraded you Iphone, I would wait a day or two unless you’ve got nothing spoiling for an hour or so, until such time as online support groups have more answers.

PS The new notification doobry firkin, seems to have no wish update me other than with weather info, so much for the hub updating me on the latest tweets, facebook, email and texts, still I suppose that might well have more to do with my “Billy no mates” status.

Marvellous Japan

I read in my paper today, that the Japanese Tourism Agency are looking to select 10,000 people to offer free plane tickets to, according to the i, the agency said this "We are hoping to get highly influential blogger-types and others who can who can spread the word that Japan is a safe place to visit. "

So as one the leading members of Thanet's Bloggerati I'm expecting my ticket probably business class for a blogger of my calibre to arrive pdq.

If it speeds up the selection process I'm happy to state here and now how marvellous Japan is, and would also be happy to big up the Japanese consumer electronics industry if they could throw in some photographic gear and one if those mega screen tellys to show my holiday snaps, on my return from a wonderful holiday.

PS In support I would draw attention to positive posting on a recent holiday to Spain, for which I had to dig deep into Mrs Me's pockets.

Well that should do it!

Points - Labour and the Press New Standards in Hypocrisy

A couple of things have riled me this week one is the rather school boyish comments surrounding Liam Fox and his friend, yes undoubtedly a error of judgement has been made, but is it necessary for the media to have hinted at or implied Liam Fox’s sexuality as appears to have been the case. Gay or Straight who cares? its none of our business, listening to the radio on way home I hear a couple of obnoxious newspaper editors bleating about press freedom, after all the crime their industry has been involved in, the government now wants proper regulation and replace the useless Press Council who have clearly failed to police the crooks.

How caring and worried, the Labour Party, seem over the unemployment figures, the only problem I have, is that these are the same people, who with no public consultation, no thought to the consequences allowed around 5 million migrants to enter the country during their period in office. As a result many schools struggle because children cannot speak English, there is not enough housing, the health system is under strain, and all the Labour party can do is snipe at the coalition, who not surprisingly cannot wave a magic wand. But hey don’t worry, because those responsible are still working, Tony Blair (UN Middle East peace envoy despite being involved in the Iraq war), and Gordon Brown drawing his MP’s salary.

Random points

Another free weekend, somewhat of a rarity for me, and rather irrationally I feel I should put finger to keyboard and bang out some torturous posting about what…….

A scan of the papers has produced little to get my goat, Sunday Times has big bribes scandal in Saudi Arabian business deal, I think so what, it’s generally that way in a country that routinely abuses women ruled by some royal elite.

The Liam Fox thing, seems overblown set against world crisis and I wonder if there is a   as little bit more to this as does the man himself quoted in the Telegraph “I think there are underlying issues behind these claims and the motivation is deeply suspect.

This weekend’s Kent on Sunday has a less than exciting story about schools being encouraged to become academy's.

A couple of blogging related points, one goggles hit counter seems to get more optimistic by the day, I note one blog has tripled it’s audience in a month?, however others counters remain fairly restrained and what happened to Michael Child’s embargo on council press releases, did the council back down, I know when I last spoke to their legal boffin, things hadn’t changed. Is Michael getting preferential treatment?

Still if nothing else, I’ve had another pleasant weekend, vegging out mainly, this afternoon watching “The man who would be King” followed with a Sky Arts showing  Cream reunion (2005) at the Albert Hall, well that’s all, I shall continue my veg out with Channel 4 showing the classic Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, not sure about the story but great pixels.

Post Office Travel Money Card Plus–How inconvenient can it get?

I recently returned from a holiday, now for me being cautious, the problem always arises, of how to take your money with you, in a safe and convenient form.

Till this last trip I’ve always taken a bit of cash, cards and travellers cheques, as I was getting cash for my trip, from the post office, I decided rather than use travellers cheques I’d get a “travel money card plus” this looked a lot less fussy, more 21st Centaury and perhaps more secure than the old American Express travels cheques.

Below are the main bullet points stressing the convenience and benefits the Post Offices website.

• You can conveniently and safely carry your spending money overseas on one handy card.
• Easily load money on to a card online, SMS or in a participating Post Office® branch.
• Use the Travel Money Card Plus like a debit card in millions of shops, bars and restaurants around the world.

Now with hindsight here are the main drawbacks as I see it

• You cannot easily redeem money left on the card
• Assuming your call to their number is answered, the advice seemed to me unhelpful, apparently for some arcane reason, this card which when travelling appears to carry your money electronically, doesn’t should you be stupid enough to wish to redeem the damn thing at the post office.
• Instead you have to wait for a redemption letter which cannot possibly be produced in (dependant on who you speak to) under 5-7 days also what with posting out, up to 15 days is the time to your expected to wait.
• Mildly concerned for the whereabouts of my money, I rang to check progress a week after, mentioning that it would have been easier if I could have had it paid back into my bank account, I was told this could be arranged, the post office bod either told me or implied that they would ring to confirm, they didn’t but I assumed sometime this last week, my account would be credited, it wasn’t
• In defence of the laggardly approach of the Post Office, to returning my money, I was asked if I had read all the terms and conditions, clearly I hadn’t and who would in a sane world.

My overall impression is that the Post Office in this instance, is they haven’t moved on during my lifetime, the “didn't you read the terms” malarkey is reminiscent of customer services in the 1970’s. (Also I have to admit I didn’t read the conditions on my holiday flight ticket, nor the manual for the Airbus A320 which failed to take me on holiday as arranged) my shame I know.

Like most people I'll read the main details and in my view reclaiming your money after a holiday is a not insignificant detail, the Post Office ought to make clear that getting your money back, might well be a flippin mission and could as in my case, take more than the rather optimistic 15 days quoted.

Finally the reason the PO give for not instantly redeeming the card is that transactions may take up to seven days to come through, but since they claim the money is loaded on to your card electronically, how is it possible, that you could spend somemoney and its not recorded on the card? surely if that were the case you could spend more money than you’d loaded, a dream for fraudsters.

I know the header of this blog reads Bignews Margate, with a commitment to offend politicians etc and this is somewhat trivial, but I’m sure if you read my terms and conditions, when I’ve finished writing them, it will be allowed under the section, its my blog,

Incidentally the sum involved is probably not enough to buy lunch for the Chief Executive but its my money and would pay this quarter’s blimin electric bill if I ever see my money again.

I’ll email the PO media department see whether they’d like to comment or correct me, if my version is wide of the mark I shall fess up.

New look dilemma - Should I stay or should I go

This is a bit of self indulgence, you know the whole business of blogging, who am I to pontificate, I’m not god….

Sometimes delusional as to my position in the Big Society, I feel I do my bit to represent an underclass of middle aged nonentities, and have a mission to inflict views which are unrepresented in the mainstream, probably for good reasons.

Once in a while, I like to think, I’ve put things in the public domain which would otherwise be dismissed by proper media.

Excuse the pompous, prelude to the meat, of this posting, the thing is Google Blogger have launched a new template (framework) called Dynamic View, which presents a much better overall view of the content.

I’d change the format immediately but for the lack of customisation possibilities, admittedly Bignews Margate is cluttered will all sorts on nonsense like the gadgets in the sidebar (Dog woof, and the fish) and links to other blogs which is essential in my mind.

Anyhow not to worry, from a reader perspective if you click here you can have the future, today, as blogger have made available a preview, there are seven different “dynamic “ views, the one I prefer is timeline. however at the top on the left you have several choices, maybe you could, give an opinion.

Assuming that Google add customisation such as gadgets, header, etc I will abandon the present layout at the earliest opportunity but for the moment will stay. Thanks to Google who allow people like me a soapbox and a world wide audience.

If you like, you can view other  “blogger” blogs in the new format by adding /view/timeslide etc and if nothing else enjoy the clash.

A couple of other local blogs in the new format

Opulence and Public Service

Driving down London's, Euston Road en route to or from work, for a while now I've been curious as to what rich probably uncaring entity, could afford to occupy a rather striking, opulent, brightly lit building between Euston and St Pancras

Due to the traffic congestion, I eventually spotted the signage for Unison (public sector union) and wonder how this brash glass and concrete building fits into the role representing Unison as the embodiment of hard done by, selfless, caring, public sector workers.

I know I'm cynical of those whose jobs are funded by the taxpayer, and frankly take the view that the majority in the public sector don't know half of what goes on in the commercial world, I'm only too aware that in the wider economy, workers have few if any rights, and ignoring rights is rife in the commercial world.

In the last week or so there have been a couple of examples of extreme abuse both concerning slave labour admittedly rare, although exploitation of migrant labour is commonplace, just where Unisons heart is in relation to such matters, I don't know, but do know where their home is and its one of the more expensive parts of London.

Doctor Crossing the Line

Following a complaint to the GMC that Dr Scott from the Bethesda Medical Centre,  Margate, bought Jesus into the conversation during a consultation has been interpreted as “crossing the line”.

Exactly what that line might be is beyond me, in these days of multiculturalism, we/us have to celebrate/respect/endure all kinds of belief/culture systems, myself I believe in equality/fairness/honesty and (irrationally) Santa.

I can imagine, how disconcerting it must be for a patient, to have a doctor who is able to depart from the normal brusque conversation, of the average medic, and to expand into theological areas but so what, just nod and say nothing keep calm (it will be alright).

As a cynic I can get by, without some deity giving me the heads up on morality, right and wrong and all that malarkey (no diss to Jesus or the others) . I suppose it’s possible, that a patient could be so in awe of their medic, that they could make an irrational choice of belief system, as a result of advice from the doctor.

I find the thought of a doctor spouting on religion an irritant, but so long as it doesn’t conflict with clinical judgement, does it matter.  I’d rather doctors had a personality and that the GMC, lobby for patients to have greater choice of who their doctor is, so next time one converse’s on a touchy subject the patient can just say “next please” and choose a doc more too their liking.

I made my choice or rational decision, not to believe in god, many years ago as a child, watching documentaries on the “Great War”  or the Holocaust in which millions died prematurely, since then war and atrocities' have come and gone, Pol Pot in Cambodia or “Srebrenica” and “9/11” and still people have faith, I don’t understand, nor do I wish too, its what makes us human.

Still I think the Bethesda, is one of the few remaining practices that doesn’t use an 0844 phone number, saving patients who use mobile phones inflated call charges, unlike mine, maybe the GMC are being a tad trivial, still I’m not god.

Youth comes to Margate, Turner Contemporary and I go to Vue

Marvellous, joyous and er … well no doubt a few more superlatives could be thrown in the direction of Turner Contemporary with their second Exhibition “Nothing in the World But YOUTH”

Unlike the “Revealed” show this one has more than one contribution from an artist, I, in my somewhat sheltered life have heard of. Turner again was represented, with some oil painting, and 4 watercolours/sketches anyway being the latest Thanet blogger to comment I’d go to Michael Child for an expert opinion, Luke Edwards mentions one of his faves (Dexter Dalwood) being exhibited on his Thanet Waves blog well I mentioned Banksy and will probably remain disappointed for the foreseeable future.

Well for myself I was pleased to see a youthful contribution from Andy Warhol, I’m guessing before he got the job designing soup cans, anyhow it was pleasing to see how busy the place was, even more so now that much of the moaning has ceased, in the local press. The TC has had over 230,000 visitors since opening and more than 3,500 this weekend, well done.

Still I suppose we will see a spike in “Turner what a load of rubbish, blah, blah,” type letters in the local press, from middle aged gits like me. My favourite was a few weeks ago from some senior Bat residing in Birchington, “ I live in Birchington, all my friends had told me how dreadful Turner Contemporary was, I always suspected it would be rubbish, last week I visited, it was as I believed rubbish” , I felt like writing to the Gazette or whatever paper and giving a youthful reply along the lines “why the F*** did you bother going or indeed compounding your misery by writing to the local paper?”

I have to say that maybe YOUTH as depicted, did lean a bit on the angst side of things so maybe the old Bat from Birchington, will be more comfortable with this show.

Still I felt it lacked a bit of the uplifting innocence of youth or rawer yoof type preoccupations, which fortunately were more than represented in my choice of viewing this weekend (no work) Friday I dug out a DVD “Amelie” and on Saturday went to Vue at Westwood to catch the ” Inbetweeners” movie,coarse, bad taste, brilliant a laugh from start to finish.

PS Why did Vue, make me sit through 25 minutes of adverts for condoms, beer and more booze, next time the yoof at the counter says “senior” I shall say yes please, and save myself some money. I recon pro rata Vue had about £4 out of me to watch bloody adverts, if only I was younger

Thank you for reading

Its not often I ask you for anything, today is an exception, I post this stuff and some of you indulge me, with comments etc, of course, some just click through to see how rude or critical I may have been, in the last week or so.

As you get this gratis, maybe you could do something, this month Macmillan hold the “WORLD’S BIGGEST COFFEE MORNING” on Friday September 30th perhaps you could go along to one of their events, or if not donate some wonger here.

I doubt that anyone reading, will have been untouched by cancer in some way, for me although some time ago the death of my eldest sister, is as raw as ever when I’m reminded.

I know I've mentioned this before but it was a  Macmillan nurse, who had the ability to explain the severity of my eldest sister's illness, herself a nurse/midwife, simple enough, I suppose but not something her doctor could manage despite, my sister having only a hours to live, anyway Macmillan allowed my sister, to make the most of her remaining time . 

Without that intervention, my sister might not have had the chance to spend a final few hours with family. Macmillan are expert in cancer care and practical advice and go beyond what is possible for the NHS.

I always bung in a fiver whenever I see a collection tin, etc,  something you might consider, hopefully you’ll never need Macmillan but perhaps one day you’ll find yourself needing advice and support to cope with cancer.

I hope this wont result in extradition?

Crikey! I hope the comments (re Alex Salmond) in my previous posting don’t result in an international arrest warrant, courtesy of the Scottish Parliament, too late to backtrack.

Sometimes in an idle moment I trawl through, details from “sitemeter” which give details of vistor numbers, page visits and all that malarkey. Also attached to the detail are search word terms used to arrive via google etc, assuming its not one of my regulars.(incidentally this does not give information that would identify someone but does occasionally identify large organisations like BBC, News International etc.)

Anyhoo it seems that someone in Scottish Parliament, has found it necessary to look up references to the First Minister, I just wonder if Salmond demands a summary of what if anything has been written about him in the press when he gets into the office.I just think it is sad, that the SNP are committed to the break up of the Union and full independence, just imagine how insignificant both England, Scotland, Wales and NI will be in Europe let alone the World.