Silas Marner by George Eliot
March 3rd, 2010 davidw Posted in Death List | 2 Comments »
No sooner had I complained about there being a lack of death, than Michael Foot promptly dies. I always thought he was a good sort.
Again he was not leadership material but a man of great intellect, honesty and integrity with deep Labour roots. He’s one of the few people on my list that I respect(ed).
Tags: Death List
March 2nd, 2010 davidw Posted in Death List, Rants | No Comments »
After two full months, not a single person on my death list has snuffed it. I mean what the fuck are they waiting for?
Basically there’s two categories for membership, age or illness, with the ideal candidate being a sick oldie. One of those categories will get you 100% of the time.
Consider these oldies:
Olivia De Havilland born in 1916!
Norman Wisdon born in 1915!
Nelson Mandela born in 1918!
Michael Foot born in 1913!
Vo Nguyen Giap, born in 1911!
Then there’s those who are unwell.
Phyllis Diller – 92 – heart attacks, falls, broken back!
That Bitch Thatcher – strokes, low blood-pressure and dementia.
Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi – terminal cancer.
Ariel Sharon – 82 – 82 stone, stroke, persistent vegetative state.
Eli Wallach – 94 – stroke induced blindness.
Nothing!
I suppose I should say nothing yet…
Tags: Death List, Rants
March 2nd, 2010 davidw Posted in Humour, Rants | No Comments »
I have just passed a gallery and fine arts shop named, presumably after the proprietor, “Anthony Woodd.”
That’s not a typo. His surname is Woodd. However in one sense it’s not. For, whenever he tells anyone his name he will undoubtedly say, “That’s Wood with two ds.”
Clearly the affectation of having a silent d is worth the ceaseless explanations.
February 26th, 2010 davidw Posted in Humour, Thoughts, Watches | No Comments »
I may not know everything there is to know about watches, but my two years studying Ancient Greek helps with the tricky question of how to pronounce “Omega.”
Here’s what I pass on to my watch loving forum associates.
The ancient Greek alphabet was derived from the Phoenician, with Omega (the long O sound) being a Greek, specifically an Ionic, addition. Omega was used as a long open “o” in Ionic and Attic, such as in “beau” in French.
It is written as “Ωμέγα” with an emphasis or stress on the epsilon (e) and so the most accurate English pronunciation is:
Ohm-ee-ga
At last, my classical education has been put to use.
Tags: Humour, Thoughts, Watches
February 24th, 2010 davidw Posted in Politics, Rants | No Comments »
I’m sure most people have a list of “wanky” names. These are names which you would rather rip off your own left nut (or ovary) than have in your own name or use as even the middle name of one of your children. The list is populated over time as you met and dislike people bearing those names. My list includes the following, if your name is there, you have my sympathy but not my apologies; Kevin, Derrick, Simon, Trevor, Giles, possibly Colin but definitely Nigel.
However, after this rant from Nigel Farage (hmmm Farage, that sounds French doesn’t it) from UKIP at the European “President,” Herman van Rompuy (rumpey-pumpey anyone?)I will never consider anyone called Nigel a wanker again.
Absolutely brilliant stuff and 100% correct. Who the fuck is Rumpy-Pumpy? Did you vote for him? Of course you didn’t!
“Our” President – a raggy bank clerk.
February 24th, 2010 davidw Posted in Rants, Religion | 2 Comments »
When at school, a very short, very round history teacher warned us eager, and not so eager. schoolboys to avoid ascribing national characteristics to historical trends and personae. I think this was his half hearted way of saying “don’t be racist,” at least when considering history, since he was of a generation which habitually referred to different races in terms which would garner automatic censure these days.
I’d like to know what he would make of this chart. It shows how many and what percentage of responders considered a statement to be true, false or whether they were not sure.
As you can see Britain did quite well, being up there with the Scandawegian countries and Japan. The one out of sync in terms of wealth, industrial power, world influence etc. would seem to be the USA which is sandwiched between Cyprus and Turkey at the foot of the table.
So what was the question to which only 40% of Americans asked thought was a true statement? “Man evolved from lower species of apes?”
God bless America!
February 24th, 2010 davidw Posted in Birds, Tech Stuff | 2 Comments »
No not the wrong time of the month, but my new favourite app for the iPod Touch / iPhone. This has simply compelling gameplay and is highly addictive. It’s the best 59p I’ve ever spend. If you have an iPod Touch or iPhone do yourself a favour and get it.
The premise is you are the birds and you have to avenge the green pigs who stole your eggs. You do this by launching yourself kamikaze style at houses containing the pigs. There are loads of levels and once you have worked through them you can revisit them trying to score perfect points and be awarded three stars.
I’m addicted at this perfect mix of mindful destruction and puzzle solving.
Tags: Birds, Tech Stuff
February 24th, 2010 davidw Posted in Watches | No Comments »
At last, I now have a replacement Omega Speedmaster.
It’s taken an age. My view is that Omega is the main cause of the delay as they had my first watch from October to Mid-December and repaired a mechanical fault but refused to replace the bezel. Their argument was presumably that either I or the AD damaged it. Well all I can say is that I didn’t. I’ve written to them to ask what their take on it is.
Anyway, I’m happy! Although I now need to buy a safe in which to keep the Rolex or Omega when I’m not wearing it.
As is traditional in watch circles, here’s the unpacking shot.
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