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.
Tuesday, 25 November 2008
Wednesday, 12 November 2008
"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.
Wednesday, 5 November 2008
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.
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.
Tuesday, 28 October 2008
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.
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.
Tuesday, 14 October 2008
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!
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!
Wednesday, 8 October 2008
007 returns
James Bond is back later this month.
The publicity machine has already started rolling for the latest film Quantum of Solace, which will be out on October 31.
It will be Daniel Craig's second time playing Bond and his first outing as the secret agent in Casino Royale, was the most successful Bond movie of all.
Quantum of Solace is a sequel to Casino Royale. This time 007 is seeking revenge for the death of his lover Vesper Lynd in the last film.
The makers have copied a scene from Goldfinger in the new movie where Goldfinger's accomplice is killed by being covered in gold paint, after sleeping with James Bond. In the new movie the scene is similar but this time Gemma Arterton, who has been appearing in Tess of The D’Urbervilles, drowns in crude oil.
Quantum of Solace promises to have all the ingredients of a James Bond film: beautiful girls, plenty of action, fast cars and exotic locations.
What I didn’t like about the last film though was the lack of humour, it seemed to be too dark. In earlier Bond films the jokes provided some lighter moments. Roger Moore was the best at comedy.
In my opinion the stories are not as strong as they used to be either. The best Bond movies were those taken from Ian Fleming books such as: Goldfinger and Dr No.
But the latest release is something to look forward to as the nights draw in.
The publicity machine has already started rolling for the latest film Quantum of Solace, which will be out on October 31.
It will be Daniel Craig's second time playing Bond and his first outing as the secret agent in Casino Royale, was the most successful Bond movie of all.
Quantum of Solace is a sequel to Casino Royale. This time 007 is seeking revenge for the death of his lover Vesper Lynd in the last film.
The makers have copied a scene from Goldfinger in the new movie where Goldfinger's accomplice is killed by being covered in gold paint, after sleeping with James Bond. In the new movie the scene is similar but this time Gemma Arterton, who has been appearing in Tess of The D’Urbervilles, drowns in crude oil.
Quantum of Solace promises to have all the ingredients of a James Bond film: beautiful girls, plenty of action, fast cars and exotic locations.
What I didn’t like about the last film though was the lack of humour, it seemed to be too dark. In earlier Bond films the jokes provided some lighter moments. Roger Moore was the best at comedy.
In my opinion the stories are not as strong as they used to be either. The best Bond movies were those taken from Ian Fleming books such as: Goldfinger and Dr No.
But the latest release is something to look forward to as the nights draw in.
Wednesday, 1 October 2008
Fantastic flight
ONE story lifted the spirits last week.
It was the tale of Yves Rossy, aka Fusionman, who became the first human jet to fly the channel.
Fusionman took ten minutes to fly from Calais to Dover with the jet-propelled wing on his back.
The Swiss adventurer had very few instruments to help him and had no flight controls, just his body. To move the wing Mr Rossy had to move his head and limbs slightly.
The wing was built by Rossy in his garage.
It took me by surprise watching his flight across the channel on the TV last week.
Will his jet wing catch-on? It would be useful in a traffic jam.
Meanwhile two weeks ago America got their hands on the Ryder Cup for the first time this century.
Nick Faldo should shoulder the majority of the blame.
It looked like he was unable to generate the team spirit, which had played a major factor in Europe’s last three wins.
He also should have spread his best players out in the final singles. America gained momentum on the final day and this was to be crucial in their win.
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