Rubik's magic

Apparently the Rubik’s Cube is back in fashion.

And with Christmas coming up, it could be a popular gift for nieces and nephews, or sons and daughters.

Do you remember the Rubik’s Cube, it was the toy where you had to manipulate the puzzle, so all the sides were the same colour.

I had one when I was younger, and remember it used to drive me mad as I twisted and turned the block to try and solve the puzzle.

Some people used to cheat by switching the stickers, or dismantling the pieces.

While other kids used to solve it within minutes.

When I was younger, I also had the Rubik’s Clock and Rubik’s Rings.

With the Rubik’s Clock, you had to try and make all the clocks match and tell the same time. It was almost impossible and again sent me crazy.

The Rubik’s Rings required you to complete the shapes.

These toys may not be as exciting as computer games but provided hours of fun. They were also less expensive.

Meanwhile the X-Factor final is next week. Diana Vickers was booted out on Saturday.

Competing for this year’s prize will be JLS, Alexandra Burke and Eoghan.

All the judges apart from Dannii Minogue have an act in the final.
My money is still on Alexandra.

25% off in the sale

THE English love a bargain don't they?

I was in Southport town centre at the weekend and noticed that one clothes shop, which was selling most items at 25% off, was packed, while a similar store nearby was empty.

The tills were ringing in the shop with 25% off and there was a queue of people waiting to buy items.

It looked like shoppers were purchasing the clothes because they were reduced, not because they needed them.

Another busy day for shops is Boxing Day. Folk haven't finished off the Turkey and they are already rushing to the nearest shop to search for the latest bargain.

Meanwhile how is it that some types of meals or desserts make you feel ill? I like almost all foods, but can't eat lemon meringue pie, or cheese and onion pie without feeling slightly queasy.

I think it must be because I had a bad experience of eating the two dishes at school, and it has put me off them for life.

I can't even stand the smell of cheese and onion pie.

Liverpool will again be recognised when the BBC's Sports Personalty of the Year Awards are held at the city's Arena.

The city has already just held the MTV Europe Music awards. My bet for first prize is F1 driver Lewis Hamilton.

Switch-on time

IT’S that time of year again – the run up to December 25.

With only a matter of weeks till Christmas, people’s thoughts are already turning to the festive period, and what they will be doing over the holiday break.

Many shops have already got Christmas trees in their windows and Christmas lights are being switched on, or are about to be turned on in towns across the country.

And soon the panto season will start with Cinderella on at both The Southport Theatre and Liverpool Empire. Pantos are as much a part of Christmas as Turkey or crackers.

The run-up to Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year.

Meanwhile, council chiefs have said they want roadside cafes to replace their greasy spoon image with healthier alternatives.

This seems to be another example of the nanny state trying to organise our lives.

Surely it is up to us to choose what we want to eat. If we want a bacon butty and a cup of tea, then it is our choice.

The roadside café is supplying a demand, and if they were to only sell salads they would surely lose trade.

Now roadside cafes who continue to serve unhealthy options could face seeing their licence cancelled.

Council bosses want to see “healthy food”, which includes low-fat grilled sausage with wholemeal bread, muesli and fruit yoghurt. I know what I would rather have. Give me a bacon sandwich and a cup of tea in the morning any day.

"Fairly unique" blog

Oxford researchers have compiled a list of the most irritating clichés.

At the top of this is “at the end of the day” - most people have said it, and the phrase is often used by footballers when they are interviewed after a game.

Next to follow is “at this moment in time,” which uses six words to say “now.”

Other clichés on the list are: “fairly unique”, “at this moment in time”, “with all due respect”, “absolutely”, “it's a nightmare”, “24/7”, “it's not rocket science”, and “shouldn't of.”

One phrase is out of favour with employees at a local council though.

Staff at Salisbury District Council are not allowed to say the phrase “singing from the same hymn sheet,” because it might offend atheists.

Meanwhile The X-Factor is providing a few surprises and one of these is that Daniel has not yet been voted off.

I think Daniel is the weakest link out of the people still in the show, but the British public are voting for him as they are for John Sergeant in Strictly Come Dancing.

Cheryl Cole seemed shocked to see Laura White leave on Saturday night.

Laura sang Somewhere Over The Rainbow in the sing-off and was joined by Ruth Lorenzo, but lost out.

So far I think Alexandra is the best performer.

Custard is back

Many people will be going to firework parties this week to mark Bonfire Night.

Each year we brace the cold and stand around bonfire to remember Guy Fawkes and The Gunpowder Plot.

Here is the story of The Gunpowder Plot.
Over 400 years ago in April 1604 a group of conspirators met to think of what they could do to stop the persecution of fellow Catholics in England.

They included Robert Catesby, Thomas Percy, John Wright, Thomas Winter and Guy Fawkes.
Catesby's plan was to blow up the Lords' Chamber on November 5, which was the day Parliament opened. On that day King James I and all of Parliament would be in the room.

But Guy Fawkes was caught on November 4, with gunpowder in a vault under the Lords' Chamber.

On January 27, 1606, Guy Fawkes and seven conspirators were sentenced to death.

That same month Parliament passed a law saying November 5 should be a day of public thanksgiving.

Meanwhile did you know that custard is making a comeback. I never knew that it had gone out of fashion.

Annual sales of custard – which the French call crème anglaise – is now more than £80 million.
Custard made well can spice up many puddings. Lumpy custard, which many people have suffered at school, is to be avoided though.

Race to the White House

AMERICA will go to the polls next Tuesday (November 4) for the 56th United States presidential election.

Standing for the Republican Party will be John McCain and for the Democratic Party is Barack Obama.

It proves to be an historic result whoever wins. If Obama triumphs, then he will become the first black US president and if John McCain succeeds, his vice president, Sarah Palin, will be the first woman to achieve that office.

Barack Obama, who is favourite to win, has been accusing John McCain of negative campaigning.

It is said that McCain’s strategy of attacking his opponent has had an adverse effect and has turned voters off him.

A key issue is the race to the White House state of the economy, with another being Iraq. Obama opposes the war in Iraq and, if he takes office, wants to see all US troops out of the country within 16 months.

McCain had wanted US troops to remain in Iraq, but now says if he becomes president US troops would be withdrawn by 2013.

Last week Obama took two days out to look after his dying grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, and John McCain has being trying to fight back. While Sarah Palin has been attempting to shake off bad publicity about her wardrobe. It had been said she has spent over £100,000 on new clothes, as a way of improving her style.

Millions will vote on Tuesday and a result will be expected within 12 hours.

The new president won’t be in office until January 20 next year though.

No more ketchup

I COULDN’T believe that tomato ketchup had been banned from school canteens.

It has been banned because of its “high level of salt.”

But it seems to me to be another example of the nanny state.

A primary in Wales is among the schools to not allow their children to eat ketchup on their premises. Apparently they are following guidelines set out by the Welsh Assembly Government.

If they ban ketchup because of its salt content, then surely crisps should be next, and then chocolate and coke could follow, because of their potential health risks.

Ketchup may have too much salt in it, but a little of it with a meal often helps to improve the taste of the food.

Meanwhile Tess of the D’Urbervilles reached its gloomy conclusion last week.

I knew the ending, but still watched on regardless and was just as annoyed at the ending.

I enjoyed the drama, although why did we have to be put through it on a Sunday night.

It was such a sad story to end the week with and there was no upbeat programme to follow.

The next classic drama to be serialised will be Little Dorrit. Look forward to more misery on a Sunday night.

Isn’t there a classic drama they can serialise that is more upbeat? No more Hardy or Dickens for now please!