Banditry » Twitter roundups

What I’ve been up to, week ending 2010-07-25

John B — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 22:50:00 +0000

"the one genuine example of 'political correctness' is the one that stops us from saying 'racist' to describe racism" http://bit.ly/dnL8mD #
Yet another entry in the LONG 'reasons to loathe and despise #Singapore' file: http://bit.ly/aORW6Z #
Metrics on Times paywall experiment: http://bit.ly/blw5gi – in short, web paywall FAIL, iPad paid app WIN. Or "the Guardian was right" #
Crystal-ball-extrapolating: written news articles & blog content to remain free; ever-swishier paid apps to be created… #
Great piece from Gary Younge on #torycuts. Irrespective of your ideology, it's simply correct: http://bit.ly/a0GrvG #
You can legitimately say "I want less redistribution of wealth and a smaller state", but not "we have to shrink the state", cos it's a lie #
Oh, and that one was via @chickyog (bloody 140 limits, etc) #
#EDL are the racist ones and #EDF are the nucular ones #mentalnotes #
Motorola gives up: http://bit.ly/97e19R #
It's weird, normally it's British co's that invent a thing, don't do anything with it, and then other people win at it… #
OK, tweeters – anyone (even People With Very Real Concerns About Migration) want to make the case for this? http://dlvr.it/2nRqc #
A good Lord these days is hard to find: http://bit.ly/9xUkVv (via @copyrightgirl) #
Insane Europhobic myths' Tom Lehrer moment: http://bit.ly/a34ju1 @nosemonkey @jonworth #
RT @simontkey: A man is looking for the word that's in between contemporary & context in the dictionary. I have nothing but contempt for him #
When my brane isn't busted w/financial advisor and health food data (freelance grr), I'll write a real article on online media economics #
I'm #proudofthebbc because, really, FFS – it's aces, and anyone who's ever spent time outside of the UK couldn't fail to notice this #
Odd article: http://bit.ly/cHhTBU – apparently BP should compensate people for loss of earnings *whilst also paying their wages* – eh? #
I wish people wouldn't eat parmesan-based foodstuffs in the office #smellslikepuke #
American tech writers still really don't have a clue about cellular wireless communications, do they? – http://bit.ly/c5Nyu9 #
phil_q I reckon 15 smaller than AU, rest bigger (haven't looked it up, but only ones I'm not sure are CA and NL – *think* they're smaller) #
A whale of fhale? Is there something noteworthy occurring? Surely everyone in the populated, Anglophone world's still in bed…? #
I absolutely 100% salute @cardiffairport's decision to ban sproglets under 10 from their lounge, much as it upset Mrs @alandavies1 #
If there was an airline that banned young kids, I'd fly with them every bloody time. Constant screaming = not something of which I'm a fan. #
It ought to be illegal *not* to point out that #Scientology is an evil, sinister, stupid, fraudulent cult: http://bit.ly/cLJbK5 #disgrace #
One day, we'll all fall over midgets. http://twitpic.com/26y0eg #
Advert on my bus says "you can beat alcohol". This is lies: you can't beat alcohol… #
On the bus. Not at the trivia. This makes me a grumpy John. #
OK, so irony just won: a license to print money isn't, in fact, a license to print money: http://bit.ly/bDvebZ #
Dear Mark Thompson: can you fix it so that for only gbp146 a year, foreign residents can get all BBC channels on t'Internet? #proudofthebbc #
As a leftie but also an economist: Ireland's debt's been downgraded because rating agencies are concerned about the breakup of the euro #
…due to previously not (as) expected Spanish and Greek fails. Not due to the Irish budget cuts. #
The UK budget cuts are stoopid, but anyone who cites bond ratings or yields as a reason for or against them is an eejit. #
IKEA just won the "wine glass propelled off 1m high desk to floor without smashing" game. IKEA is better than any expensive suppliers… #
Bed. Enjoy everything, everyone. Don't say I didn't tell you so. #
Good piece from @felixsalmon on wine-snobbery vs wine fun: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE66J12X20100720 #
His aside on the way US culture means kids grow up without ever tasting wine, & implications for later life, is particularly interesting. #
Goldman Sachs reporting EBITDAF, where 'F' is fines – http://bit.ly/aid6y6 – maybe BP should do the same… #
RT @squeakaz HAHAHAHAHA my neighbour has locked himself out. silly old man! This has made me lol for first time is 3 days! #
RT @mpesce Have locked myself out of my flat. This is what happens when I rush. :( #
Coincidence, or something a little more sinister? #
I wonder who's lying here, and why? http://bit.ly/aWhApQ – this sort of thing literally does not happen, at least not in the way described #
My best guess is that the posh walkers got some verbal abuse from the chavs and rather daftly had a go back at them, but ICBW. #
OK, she's clever & they're a young company, but I don't think Facebook were wise to hire an 8-year-old as their lawyer: http://bit.ly/99H9og #
This is bloody good -> RT @TheFirmOnline Editor's blog. The art of distraction over the Pan Am 103 fiasco- http://tinyurl.com/37e8l7m #
Wow, babybarista's dad is officially excellent RT @babybarista: Lovely letter in Indy from my Dad Rob the Rubbish! http://bit.ly/dCa5aa #
Grad tax advocates: why should a rich lawyer who went to uni pay more tax forever (once fees paid off) than a rich salesman? I don't get it. #
Note to Americans: the Megrahi decision was entirely down to the Scotch, and the Dutch courage (gag ruthlessly stolen from elsewhere) #
Alternative to grad tax: send fliers to all 6th forms saying "student loan isn't debt, as you don't have to pay it back unless you're rich" #
Teenage kicks right through the knight: http://bit.ly/9lulcm #obvious #shouldabeenpeel #
Fuck, apparently Peter Andre is British (UK born and passport, just grew up in Aus). Yet another thing we can't shift the blame for… #
Good piece; can be shortened to "no, of course not, duh" RT @Heresy_Corner Was it wrong to release Megrahi? http://bit.ly/cy59W3 #
Cillit Bang and French's buy Durex: http://bit.ly/9scCbg (via @annieauerbach @DrPetra, but the French's connection has been neglected) #
Thank fuck for that: http://bit.ly/bNYTYG #reallystupidideas #
You just haven't earned it yet, baby #weddingdisco #
I Write Sins Not Tragedies #weddingdisco http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vc6vs-l5dkc #
I've mentioned Nurofen twice on Twitter in the last 30 mins, despite not having a headache. Well, 3x now. Take that, text analysis bots! #
I keep reading refs to this http://yhoo.it/a4qill as "cancelled lesbian pr0n" #shouldprobablyseekhelp @greygirlbeast @adamfishpoet #
"[relative I've never met] is on vaginal speculum countdown" – yes, thank you Mr Zuckerberg for bringing that to my life. #fb #fml #
Depressing thing: although this is awful and wrong – http://bit.ly/c9n9rV the UK does it already. #yestryingtobecomecitizenofsomewherebetter #
Australians: on citizenship revocation, any idea re "it would be contrary to the public interest for you to remain an Australian citizen"? #
Not personal deportation concerns, just wondering whether it's a stupid catch-all as in the UK, or whether people's rights are protected… #
Been ignoring this one all day because *triggers*, but surely nobody who isn't mad can support the court here? http://tinyurl.com/3xay2zg #
I like @CheerfulSheep. At this point, @chrissiem may make jokes about my heritage. That's OK, I've got a new white sweater for her to wear. #
Interesting: unless specific politicians or hashtags are mentioned, there's no way to tell between #ukpolitics and #auspolitics in my feed #
#deficit #infrastructure #cuts #railfail #refugees "there's no such thing as an 'unelected PM' you ignorant tit" "the Coalition are wankers" #
You can see why I struggle, right? #alsothenextPMwillbebornintheUKwhoevertheyare #
To the tune of Laid by James, please -> RT @emessen220: The club is alive with the sound of alcohol induced vomiting and bar fights. #
OMFG geeklives converge. Everything today features geeklife convergence. #
Haha, Mother Ted win: http://twitpic.com/4nsh1 (via @cheerfulsheep) #
Peter Hartcher has missed the third element in population growth: deaths. Logically, JG must be planning to kill us all http://bit.ly/alDzdl #
Either you believe in open borders, or you're a racist dickhead #harshfacts #
Drinking pale ale. Almost wish it was off so I could tweet #palealefale #
Amanda Fucking Palmer for the win (musically speaking): http://music.amandapalmer.net #
On a Western Line city train. Nothing boganic has occurred so far. Sleeping Indian man behind me remains unbeaten. What gives, people? #
RT @ArmyofDave: RT @davegentle: @ArmyofDave how much do cockneys pay for shampoo? pantenne #
Still not in fucking Parramatta #stillnotinfuckingparramatta #
Best "man goes to a Victorian brothel" sketch ever, from @realdmitchell: http://bit.ly/aopDct #
In Melbourne with @chrissiem. Woo! Well, strictly speaking in a bus surrounded by fields somewhere not especially near Geelong. Yay Jetstar! #
RT @missellabell: I absolutely just saw one black sheep on its own in a field of white ones. THE OUTCAST. #
Rainfuckw #replacebowithfuck #
Have utterly failed to see @stephenfry, despite ticket offers for Syd & Mel – sadly we're in the opposite cities from him at all times. :( #
RT @5ChinCrack: This winter, I'm going snowfuckarding #replaceBowithfuck #
Google image search (safe mode) for 'surprise buttsecks'. Is teh funny. #
RT @thetearooms: Saying 'duff' for 'dough' and 'row' for 'rough.' Making Saturday exciting. #

What I’ve been up to, week ending 2010-07-18

John B — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 22:50:00 +0000

These guys reckon Australia is top per capita at CO2 emissions: http://bit.ly/6YSl0V @ozcjr #
And always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom… RT @JuliaGillard We [are] shaping a better future, going forward not back. #
Great piece on the illiberal stupidity of banning the veil: http://nyti.ms/b62QYG (via @sunnysingh_sw6) #
Haha, Fresher's Week-tastic: http://bit.ly/cDsZj9 – yay representative democracy. #
Starbucks is moving into wine cafes, French-style: http://bit.ly/9KXb36 – interesting, but I wonder if American puritanism will tolerate it? #
Alan Johnson in "even more of a prick than Theresa May" shock: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk/10592123.stm #
In "googling at work with the filter off" news, I have just discovered that Teresa May != Theresa May. #
Re Jackie O pregnancy, getting knocked up at the age of 81 when you've been dead for 16 years is something of a medical first @fictillius #
"I'm not motivated by the money" says emerging recording artist Coco Sumner: http://bit.ly/9xXBNe #perhapstheycouldhavepickedabetterexample #
If all Tory cuts involved axeing pointless quangos like the FSA, then I'd be 100% in favour: http://gu.com/p/2tahv/ip #
Convo from FB: "What're the chances of anyone being at work in Spain today? Fuck all I'd have thought…" "So it's a normal Monday then?" #
It seems odd that people are citing the BSE scandal as a reason not to axe the Food Standards Agency. #
After all, the most notable thing about the BSE scandal is that *we didn't all die, because it all turned out to be nonsense*… #
…not that this stops the daft buggers in the Australian Red Cross from *still* banning Brits from giving blood, though. #
"If the Daily Mail's against it, I'm for it" remains a good rule of thumb: http://bit.ly/9fo1w1 #
Sensible comment on CiF on the FSA's abolition: http://bit.ly/aFsxQ2 #
NEWSFLASH: if you're fat it's because you're greedy and/or lazy: the only thing that causes obesity is consuming more calories than you use. #
You may have a medical condition that makes you greedy (e.g. Prader-Willi) and/or lazy (e.g. depression), but that's a second-order point. #
So far, Iran seems to be doing better than Texas as "not executing probably innocent people following outrageously unfair show trials". #
Therefore, we should invade Texas and install a liberal regime #canwe #pleasecanwe #
Re Polanski: the people to blame are the US officials who failed to file the paperwork, not the Swiss judges who followed the law. #
I know that under the UK's agreement with the US, paperwork's unnecessary, but the Swiss have higher standards… #
Loving the Barefoot Bandit. The world needs more hilarious, exciting, *fun* criminality… #
CROWDSOURCE: bag of sweets & ride in my car to whoever finds someone saying McKinnon verdict is EVIL while also slating Polanski verdict… #
EPIC FAIL: RT @j_freedland I stand corrected on my observation re non-singing of national anthem by Spain team: no words to it since 1978. #
This is a great post, with a great title: http://bit.ly/d7rX6p #evilplanninglaws #evilericpickles #
This is dead dead good: http://icio.us/yj2hlj #ww2 #satire, reminiscent of http://bit.ly/GkrEq #
I recognise this isn't really news, but Christ, Janet Street-Porter is an idiot. It's nice to be 17,000km from her: http://bit.ly/cDcE1z #
If I was accused of a serious crime I hadn't done, and was instead offered a plea bargain that kept me out of jail, I'd probably take it. #
And if the judge then said "actually, sod the plea bargain, I'm going to send you to jail after all", I'd feel justifiably pissed off. #
I'm not, incidentally, defending Polanski-the-man, and I have nothing but contempt for people who think his art exempts him from punishment. #
(I also have nothing but contempt for people who think his personal vices devalue his art, of course…) #
However, I don't think protection of law should apply any less to people accused of sex offences than to people accused of other offences. #
Finally on Polanski, it also riles me that testimony that was never tested by the court is unquestioningly accepted as FACT. No, it ain't. #
NOTE TO IDIOTS: in neither England nor California is "statutory rape" a concept. Unless you shag a stone icon of Mrs Thatcher, which [etc] #
US in 'seriously pathetic' shock & awe: http://www.tumblr.com/xrkdc8igt (via @johnhalton) – yes, of course we underage-drank, but THE CHILDRENS!!! #
Worst understanding of sexual offences law EVAH -> RT @coxar @johnb78 sex with a minor is by definition non-consensual. Do you disagree? #
Good rule to remember: "The pursuit of balance can create imbalance because sometimes something is true" #
Latest tweet from @BPGlobalPR (lame satire) rather gives the lie to "BP anger isn't just Americans being racist fucktards", doesn't it? #
Wow, I'm following @SarahPalinUSA. I must have been bloody drunk when I clicked that one… #
Incidentally, the fact that Twitter allows followees to DM followers without the ability to reply to the DM is an EPIC FAIL. #
If the French senate approves the ban on the burqa, anyone up for a mass burqa-wearing holiday to Paris? (via @beatniksalad) #
I did not know that residents of Phoenix, AZ, were referred to as Phoenicians. That's really rather cool. http://bit.ly/9gvoZ5 #
Apologies @bpglobalpr. I still think they're wrong about Megrahi, but not that they're mindless Brit-bashers. #
If you don't think Lockerbie was Iran's (evil) revenge for the US (evilly) murdering a plane of Iranian civilians, you're a silly person. #
Anyone who still has any belief in Megrahi's guilt should read this: http://www.lrb.co.uk/v31/n18/gareth-peirce/the-framing-of-al-megrahi #
Fuck Tony Blair. Fuck him to death: http://ht.ly/2b810 (via @thabet1979) #
Ok, so the new UK government is just as petty and evil as the last one: http://bit.ly/aKiZpN – I'm retracting @chickyog's point-win… #
Best money-saving political suggestion EVAH: http://bit.ly/adNbK4 #crowdsourcingpolicyisareallystupididea #whodvethunkit #
In other news, don't copy and paste from Wiki, you cretins: http://bit.ly/bNeGhB (via @naomimc) #
Via Jamie, who's sadly only on web 1.0, this is aces: http://www.ctbto.org/specials/1945-1998-by-isao-hashimoto/ #
DAMN YOU, @fictillius!!! #
This is on the money, but terribly subbed. Almost like cost pressures compromised quality: http://bit.ly/9fHUp4 #yesIusedtoworkforMikeDanson #
Obvious, but needs saying: if you sympathise *at all in any way* with Raoul Moat, you are a worthless scumbag. #
I'm a fan of the word "c(ons)u(lta)nt". #
Who does more harm, woo-merchants or MI6? Not convinced the answer is necessarily the latter… @chickyog @dnotice #
The excellent @realdmitchell is right, of course: http://bit.ly/9ueufJ #pubs #
Either @sun has decided to destroy the world in fiery inferno form, or it's getting its temperature measures rather wrong at the moment… #
Wow, dressing as a sparkly-white version of Mrs T and quoting Kang and Kodos is, apparently, the way to win elections #ausvotes #twirling #
Inspiration for the PM's outfit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=840B27zYfOk #ausvotes #
One Last Knob Song #changelovetoknobsongs #
I haz messed up. Not entirely sure how I haz messed up, but pretty certain that I haz messed up. #

What I’ve been up to, week ending 2010-07-11

John B — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 22:50:00 +0000

Great Jim Henley piece on 'high road' vs 'low road' policies (eg diplomacy vs war, or investigation vs torture): http://bit.ly/cokCqu #
Weird to watch people commenting on the Megrahi case as if he were the Lockerbie bomber. While, as a Libyan intelligence officer, he's… #
…doubtless a nasty piece of work, his (and, indeed, Libya's) lack of involvement in Lockerbie are both now almost certain. #
*Please* can we start a campaign to encourage the Daily Mail to go paywall-only? (concept via @gimpyblog…) #
Australia-press-wise, I'd be delighted if the News titles went paywall and the Fairfax ones stayed free. a) vile b) mediocre with good bits #
.@marshallw where's my fucking hoverboard? #
Fuck the WHAT? RT @sunny_hundal: The government is increasing the threshold required to dissolve Parliament from 55% to 2/3rds of all MPs #
Of course they're all straight; straight as a line. Joe Jackson FTW, Youtube him #ebz http://fallenlondon.com/c/141153 #
It's depressing that the UK'll have a referendum on 'completely uncontroversial ways of not being mad' that may still fail. #alternativevote #
Agree; worth preserving RT @sunny_hundal If Labour oppose AV now they'll just end up splitting their own base and looking very unprincipled. #
Reminded of this by a FB friend: Australia's finest son – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TN002ejgC6I #
For the Coalition. LD supporters count as the $50: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcdtVD8X1-A #
Thanks to @mudlarklives for reminding me of Mr Lehrer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frAEmhqdLFs is still the best piece of Cold War media ever #
Me-from-1995 likes the fact that in the future, I get to recommend satirical videos to @martincarr. That almost makes up for hoverboards. #
FIFA = morons. What possible commercial benefit do they gain from banning goal clips (ie 'more eyeballs for their sponsors') from YouTube? #
Struggling to work out whether this chocolate ad is awesome or a bit racially dodgy: http://mumbrella.com.au/hello-chocolate-lovers-29373 #
Today, like most Coalition days, is one of those days when I'm glad I live in Australia. Sorry, UK, you fucked up. #
Confused by @AdamBienkov here. The fact that you don't find nonce jokes funny doesn't stop them from being jokes: http://bit.ly/bQ4D71 #
Remembering 7/7 – very good Grauniad editorial: http://bit.ly/dbkxFd #
Wow, the "world's most complete and utter miserable dickhead" award has a strong new nominee: http://bit.ly/bJK6iS (via @dnotice) #
The Economist's former Charlemagne, now Bagehot, off to an excellent start on the BBC: http://bit.ly/9FMyAc #
Enjoying my brief status as minor Twitter celebrity. Not enjoying NSW's rugby form… #
Damn, this is good – an old dsquared post, grabbed from the memory archives by @stabprin: http://bit.ly/9WAKeD #
#ebz is less fun since I completed it, but that still won't stop me playing, dammit… http://fallenlondon.com/c/143763 #
Things I like about Australia, #1: @netbank aren't incompetent thieving bastards, unlike all UK banks. #
Things I like about Australia, #2: ordering my morning coffee with four adjectives. #
Random unexpected things I like about Australia, #1: @netbank aren't incompetent thieving bastards, unlike all UK banks. #
Random unexpected things I like about Australia, #2: ordering my morning coffee with four adjectives. #
Another US journalist sacked for not cravenly supporting Israel: http://yhoo.it/9Csr4f #freespeech #wossatthen? #
He might've turned out less of a dick, though -> RT @ebertchicago Rush Limbaugh wouldn't be where he is today if he hadn't been born white. #
Stock image FAIL: http://bit.ly/ck4HRe (wrong builder, wrong operator, wrong state, built 20 years apart, anything else wrong…?) #
Outrageous homophobic discrimination in Surry Hills ;-) – http://twitpic.com/23dlm9 #
Friday, woo. Four hours impending of boring and frustrating cut and paste, boo. #
Wow, Everton's away kit is impressive. #
One person here has a vuvuleza. Every time he blows it, 1000 fans boo him… #

What I’ve been up to, week ending 2010-07-04

John B — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 22:50:00 +0000

Martin Amis & Shed #swapwordinfilmwithshed #swapwordinfilmwithmartinamis #
The Unbearable Shed of Martin Amis #swapwordinfilmwithshed #swapwordinfilmwithmartinamis #
RT @anattendantlord Bring Me The Shed of Martin Amis #swapwordinfilmwithshed #swapwordinfilmwithmartinamis #
"Tottenham Hotspurtable"? – http://bit.ly/9Ws52e – #typosthatsoundfilthy #
"equivalent of defecating on the steps of the Vatican" – no, defecating on steps of Vatican would be a *good thing*: http://bit.ly/a9DLJK #
Ooops, I did just kill SPSS #toomanydatas #
Shorter Oborne: 'buy tinned food, shotguns; move to mountains. PS I AM NOT MAD": http://diigo.com/0bk0y (via @mrpower) #
The ironically named James Cleverly: http://bit.ly/bcFIDN #transportfail #
Eep, I've finished #ebz – they'd better add some new content soon… http://fallenlondon.com/c/133374 #
$8.99 is GBP5.20. That's 97p a bottle… http://twitpic.com/20ppgd #
Martin Amis #rappersbetterthansouljaboy #
Martin Amis, Thongs & Perfect Snogging #swapawordinafilmformartinamis #eww #
This fits pretty well with my existing stereotypes about neighbours who make noise complaints: http://bit.ly/bNMesi #
Throw Martin Amis From The Train #swapawordinafilmforMartinAmis #yesIknowIneedtostopnow #
Anyone know how to find out who first used a particular hashtag & when? #
100 elderly Japanese men in sailor suits #sightsfrommylunchbreak #
A teenage marching band from Mississippi #sightsfrommylunchbreak #
A busload of Chinese people in bright green anoraks #sightsfrommylunchbreak #
A gridlock of confused out-of-towner coach drivers, carrying signs in various non-Latin-script languages #sightsfrommylunchbreak #
Several elderly moustachioed clipboard-wielding Sydneysiders, trying to bring order to the chaos #sightsfrommylunchbreak #
Lady on Castlereagh St says she was sent by Jehovah to talk to the sinners. #
I know He works in mysterious ways, but I'd've considered sending someone soberer and more continent. Nice Jewish boy maybe? #
Can't see how someone can say socialism's a worthless ideology that's never done any good, and yet still claim to be centre-left @jachartuk #
Great piece from Peter Singer on cheating in football: http://bit.ly/c3oQEw – why were Neuer's actions any different from a drug cheat's? #
SPSS really is made of FAIL. More crashes than Air France… #
The New Yorker's profile of David Mitchell was briefly perplexing: http://bit.ly/bz7qOZ #
Blimey, I'm in the Grauniad: http://bit.ly/abysIH – eggs and euromyths, obviously… #
If the awful song from the AAMI advert doesn't leave my brain shortly, I may be forced to remove it through the means of amateur surgery… #
I don't get the point of free public wifi in urban areas given 3G, but Railcorp apparently disagrees: http://bit.ly/9XyQgA (via @squeakaz) #
Public wifi was a fudge by USA-ans to get round their woeful 3G rollout. It's of no use in countries with functional 3G (ie anywhere else) #
AU's 25 daftest ad complaints: http://bit.ly/9MlfTH – I've long believed that ppl who complain to ASB/ASA shld automatically be certified… #
Copyright theft doesn't exist: the word is 'infringement'. Theft requires intention to deprive; copying doesn't deprive anyone of anything. #
After a brief absence, #ebz http://fallenlondon.com/c/136775 #
"You can tell by the way I use my walk…", etc, only gender-reversed: http://dlvr.it/2CwWH (via @bengoldacre) #
Shorter Alan Kohler: "Westminster system? Wossat? Also, the govt should be banned from doing things I don't like": http://bit.ly/bzh9OV #
Haha, this is made entirely of truth: http://bit.ly/aId4Vy <- The Freelancer Lunch Game. #
Sheer genius – Diageo pays off its pension fund deficit in whisky: http://bit.ly/djHTDo – someone tell the government! #
RT @PlugInShowbiz: Dear Confused Teen Girls: someone who sparkles and won't have sex with you isn't a vampire; it's a gay guy. #
#ebz off to Brisbane, but first… http://fallenlondon.com/c/138598 #
The 400 bus takes a remarkably long time to not go very far. It is, however, free, which makes it better than cab/train to airport… #
Perplexed Ryanair's in the news again with the same bullshit, illegal nonsense it PR'ed last year. Lazy journalists are lazy. #
As usual, Nick Cohen talks ignorant crap: http://www.private-eye.co.uk/sections.php?section_link=columnists&issue=1265 #

What I’ve been up to, week ending 2010-06-27

John B — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 22:50:00 +0000

Snaptu is much uglier than Nokia Communities, but has the massive advantage that, erm, it works. #nokiafail #
Blimey. The Penrith result doesn't look good for the whole 'avoiding PM Abbott' thing. *prepares to be deported as undesirable alien* #
Half-relatedly, only realised today that Tony's originally a Pom. Sorry about that, guys. #
Even by XKCD standards, today's is exceptionally good: http://xkcd.com/756/ #
Wow, the US version of Inbetweeners will surely be terrible… http://bit.ly/d8JHg3 #
Make Your Own Cuts! – http://www.noshockdoctrine.org.uk/?page_id=185 #
RT @MrKimHambley WORLD CUP BREAKING NEWS England have been appointed a new coach.. it arrives Thursday to bring them home (via @lesanto) #
Brilliant. LGW's new owners are going to drop 'London' and adopt a new logo that looks like a low-rent hotel: http://bit.ly/b8YWU2 #
Tomorrow is my first day at work, so #ebz and bed is definitely a better call than footy. We'll see. http://fallenlondon.com/c/124748 #
In general, this is good advice for Yoofs – but I'm sceptical of 9.iv http://bit.ly/brFPaW #
Rep Ed Markey in "is prick" shock – 'worst internal estimate' != 'what you tell the press': http://tinyurl.com/24nhkxz #
Fucking hell. Outrageous fail. Pls can FIFA sack all refs, and hire some blind lunatics to randomly scatter cards about like confetti? #
Srsly, does anyone think that the World Cup would be worse, rather than better, if the refs were told to halve the number of cards awarded? #
Fuck, I get annoyed by people who think that Gary McKinnon did any harm (as opposed to 'breaking the law', which he certainly did do). #
He exposed that US military IT security was run by assclowns, and briefly interrupted some of said assclowns' timewasting. That is all. #
It's disappointing to see @libcon republishing shitty pro-US propaganda on the McKinnon case: http://bit.ly/bsxs88 #
I get irate when people slate airports for being big malls with runways. YES, OF COURSE THEY ARE. This makes a 5-hour connection bearable. #
3rd world airports (except the newish Indian PFI ones) on the other hand, are not big malls with runways. This makes them utterly shit. #
Best thing ever: http://i.imgur.com/17Kkt.jpg – well, if you like MUDs. #
After last big Gulf of Mex oil spill, all rapidly went back to normal apart from a few angry hippies: http://bit.ly/dBJanL (via @thabet1979) #
Sad about Frank Sidebottom – his recent public statements seemed to imply he wasn't about to cark it. But he has :-( http://bit.ly/bQ3Tts #
First day of real work in six months. To my surprise, am still alive. #
Tickets booked to Melbourne and Brisbane – next up, Isle of Man and Manchester. Carbon footprinty woo. #
RT @unslugged: #budget update: Tax on Burberry increased to 85%, tweed reduced to 2%. #
Bedtime. #ebz http://fallenlondon.com/c/126117 #
Cocaine mixed with PCP and LSD #linesthatgetmemad #
Shame; I preferred it when he was floating -> RT @MrDavidOcelot Just trying out Gravity #
My football predictions so far have been disastrous, but tipping ENG 2 – SVN 1 (I've got my winnings from ALG game on SVN win or draw, tho') #
Christ. My friend's dad has just been remanded in prison for arson, after setting fire to the local courthouse. Fail, indeed. #
I'm running out of appendages to cross. C'mon England, don't fuck it up. #
Thank fuck for that. #
End of USA-ALG game is kinda sad – would've been aces to see ALG holding on, and sending off the captain was academic-but-unfair. #
W00t – my ISP has just doubled my quota gratis. Thanks, iiNet! #
Dispelling footy adrenaline with a spot of #ebz. Next, BED. http://fallenlondon.com/c/127667 #
NL, UK, Australia have best health systems; US worst. People who aren't mouth-breathing right-wing nutters unsurprised: http://bit.ly/bnUn4d #
So the next Federal election will be between two Poms for PM, then? Maybe I'll stand next time round… #
"Australians are disturbed when they see boats come to our shore unannounced" – senior citizens who live north of the Brisbane Line, maybe? #
Haha, this is aces: http://www.b3ta.com/board/10097448 #socialmediaexperts #
Overheard bloke "…is 6 times the speed of sound". American girl: "wow, that's almost the speed of light!" *fetches cluebat* #
Quick #ebz before going out… http://fallenlondon.com/c/130814 #
#ebz We can't get enough gas down here, see. So you know what we burn for heat? … sinners. http://fallenlondon.com/c/131982 #
Bemused by opposition to English tests for immigrants. We should let in everyone who speaks English – but nobody who can't be bothered to. #
Dear the next person to post a bit.ly-ed Times link without warning that clicking it is useless: you're a cunt. #
#Worldcup prediction: #eng 1-0 #ger #
When the ref gets death threats from England fans, he'll fucking deserve them. #
Craig Foster: "before you call for video ref, how about a 2nd ref who can see?" <- yes, or you could not allow blind people to be refs. #
To 'could've been 3-0 types' – yes, *if James hadn't saved a goal and Lampard scored one*. But they did. Ref fail is different from ENG fail #
FAIL. Oh well. Go #ENG. More realistically, go #MEX so I don't have to support Germany in the next game… #
I think we can all agree, a well-deserved 4-2 victory to Germany. #
Also, that was a sodding good game, one of the best in the tournament so far. Unlike the #bra-#por dullfest. #
Go #mex. #asif #itdbenicethoughwouldntit #
#ger played very well; #eng played far better than #usa or #gha. But for utter #alg fail, we'd be in last eight. And then out, I'll grant. #
RT @timjana: Let's challenge the Germans in Cricket then! #

What I’ve been up to, week ending 2010-06-20

John B — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 22:50:00 +0000

Off to the Belgian Beer Cafe. Belgian beer FTW. #
No Belgian beer available, so drank Australian beer as well. Which is nearly as good. Now #ebz o'clock http://fallenlondon.com/c/115119 #
RT @feral_pigeon peck at rob green's humble pie #
Amusing spammers are OK by me: RT @diamondauction But for my lawyer, I’d still be in prison. It went a lot faster with two people digging. #
Part of why I quit > RT @adambanksdotcom Dear media. When you advertise for an "experienced intern", you are now taking the piss @karasimsek #
Did anyone really think 'dumb Yanks' at 'USA wins 1-1'? Background v/@qwghlm is interesting http://bit.ly/aCKblg but joke is obvious anyway #
Cross about Tim Cahill's completely undeserved red card, having realised he'll miss #gha and so #aus will probably lose group. #hangtheref #
Most interesting match to watch so far, and the only one where the two teams abbreviate to palindromes #ned #den #
Punchline follows: RT @amyvernon How do you measure the ROI with geolocation. #twtrconure #
RT @johnb78 @AmyVernon with geolocation from 51.43ºN to 55.38ºN north-south, and 6.01°W to 10.27°W east-west. Hope this helps… #
If we're applying transitivity, and excluding hari-kiri, then based on #eng-#Jpn friendly and #jpn-#cmr fail, #eng have no chance. #
See also, my last tweet about Japan's insipid play. Maybe #eng have a chance > RT @thejimsmith Well, that'll show *me*, won't it? #worldcup #
Have any other transport geeks ever accidentally inspired pub confusion by asking for a pint of Bom-Bar-Di-Eh? #
"Honda and Matsui need to dominate". Luckily, Kawasaki and Sony are happy to play second fiddle. #worldcup #
The Japanese did win. According to my voodoo science, that implies England will get to the quarter-finals. #
So Google Calendar is broken in Chrome – I've had to fire up Safari to use it. #epicgooglefail #
RT @mpesce Apparently teh Fail Whale is one of the official logos of teh Whurled Cup… #
This is a masterpiece of the 'shorter' genre – Melanie Phillips' latest book, digested: http://is.gd/cPl7h (via @dnotice) #
Android sales now level with iPhone: http://bit.ly/9W68qi – also analysts *still* saying 'mcommerce works in Japan so will work elsewhere'. #
Coincidentally, this is exactly what they were saying when I worked in technology news in 2000-2002… #
RT @wallaceme: Ironically, people complaining about Vuvuzelas has now become an endless drone in the background. (via @mrpower) #
I don't want to be a neo-colonial dick, but why does every country apart from Ivory Coast say its name in either local or English? #
I mean, if the residents of said venue were to call it by its African name, then fair play, but why on earth do they insist on #civ? #
People are bastards and life is shit #sixwordnovels #thomashardy #
People are bastards and life is shit #sixwordnovels #charlesdickens #
People are bastards and life is shit #sixwordnovels #kingleyamis #
People are bastards and life is shit #sixwordnovels #martinamis #
People are bastards and life is shit #sixwordnovels #everyRussianauthor #
People are bastards and life is shit #sixwordnovels #everyIrishauthor #exceptFlannOBrienwhosgreatfun #
People are bastards and life is shit #sixwordnovels #ohandsamuelbeckett #not #
#allnightfreeboozefail – and other seven word Twitter taglines. #
Nearly bed, but #ebz first, obviously. http://fallenlondon.com/c/116869 #
Ignorant Brit alert: I'm actually shocked that it's only now we've admitted that #bloodysunday was a horrific, sick massacre of civilians #
Is news basically like Premiership football and professionally valuable information, or is it basically not? #isrupertmurdochanidiot #
Hehe: http://www.mcsweeneys.net/links/monologues/15comicsans.html #
Best Student Activity Ever: http://bit.ly/dlROCH (via @iamtef) #
Enjoying the #Tooheys adverts. "Changing a lightbulb for your nan, while she's in the bath, with her boyfriend", indeed… #
So today I didn't play any #ebz until 3pm, how restrained of me… http://fallenlondon.com/c/119501 #
My hopes for tonight: #ger (for #aus's sake), #svk (both generally, and for #eng's sake), and #eng (duh). #
If #ger can beat #srb 5-0 or more, that'd be particularly good. #
You misspelt 'funniest' -> RT @jgrindal http://imdb.to/aB7D1 – Saddest IMDB page ever (via @BigGibb) #
I've got a friend whose only listed IMDB role is as a dead child; sadly their character had a name so the entry doesn't work quite so well. #
I hope they upgrade #ebz soon, I've almost reached the level cap… http://fallenlondon.com/c/120933 #
Just put a bet on for #alg win or draw tonight – so either #eng win, or I get a wodge of cash to drown my sorrows… #
I should also point out that the bet in question is from a bookies' "One Free Bet On World Cup!" email, rather than my own cash money… #
I'm anti-death-penalty, but if people are going to have it, firing squads are both relatively painless and appropriately savage. #
Lethal injection's a cop-out – you're pretending that ending someone's life is a medical procedure, not a brutal-but-necessary (IYO) act. #
Anyone ever notice that you can't spell 'crucifiction' without 'fiction'? Well, as long as you spell the first word a bit incorrectly. #
This is a good, obvious, & *shouldn't be necessary*, & *one cries that it is in 2010* piece from Laurie re abortion – http://bit.ly/d3Q3m0 #
Specifically, you forget as middle-class educated grownup that whilst abortion is available on demand for you, that isn't what the law says. #
So my mum killed herself from post-natal depression: http://bit.ly/drtGlv – and even she would have given this lady a kick in the fanny. #
Bigoted moron of the week: http://is.gd/cUO41 (via @anattendantlord) #
Anyone know why #usa are listed above #eng in Group C, even though we've the same points and the same goal difference? #
Halfway up the mountains. No hillbilly action as yet… #
Thanks to @mudlarklives @mjturner1975 @griefoftwats @jonniemarbles for alleviating my footy ignorance. Although @pchallinor made me laugh. #
RT @siwhite0: England team visit orphanage in Soweto. "It's good to put a smile on the faces of people with no hope" said Mbutto aged 6. #
Loving the idiots abusing @dianainheaven. Do follow. #
Horne & Corden #horrorsketchshows #
A delightful weekend in the country. Now, RSS catchup and #ebz http://fallenlondon.com/c/123571 #
This is some fun, semi-pointful number-crunching: http://bit.ly/d7g5SR #
GO #NZL! Aces. Yes, I know it won't last, etc. #
This is brilliant – BP and the Axis of Evil http://ht.ly/20QCB (saw on RSS, reminded to Tweet by @thabet1979) #
Unsurprising but disappointing equaliser. #nzl 2-1 would be lovely but unlikely; do prove me wrong, the All-Whites… #
1x offside goal, 1x dodgy penalty. I hope #nzl at least hold #ita to a draw, since that's what's deserved so far… #
Helen Keller -> RT @manipillai Who is the ref in this game? #nzl #ITA #
While England may be very very tenuously gripping to the off-chance of qualifying, nonetheless haha France hahahahahaha! #lagreve #
Oh fuck. I was following @sarahpalinusa as a @dianainheaven jolly parody. Clicked link, and realised was her verified account. #theendtimes #
Just found out Dermot O'Leary is on Twitter. For 2 seconds, I thought "yay, D O'L is on Twitter". Then I thought, "oh wait, D O'L is a dick" #
OK, so nearly everyone non-Maori in NZ is of British descent, right? So we could hire their keeper…? #
CLUE: don't. RT @LDN How to queue for Wimbledon tickets http://bit.ly/cdTPFR #
GO NZ! Absolutely best result of the World Cup so far. #
On #eng: @herring1967's point "the team were all playing like they'd all found out they were fucking each other's wives" has some relevance #
OK, so 'Toby Young is a dick' aside (TRUE), is there any difference between ConDem 'Free Schools' and Labour's 'Academies'? #

What I’ve been up to, week ending 2010-06-13

John B — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 22:50:00 +0000

A bit of #ebz? Yes, a bit of #ebz. It'll be sunny tomorrow, perhaps I'll leave the house. http://fallenlondon.com/c/103864 #
Hehe. This is possibly the most excellent thing Gordon Brown ever did: http://bit.ly/cwBq6P #
I can't quite believe a) how expensive Camper shoes are, b) thatI bought some anyway. They're bloody nice though. #
Enjoyed sun. Won trivia. Missed @chrissiem. Was mostly a good day. Yay! #ebz http://fallenlondon.com/c/106110 #
Shorter NYT: "we all know US courts are crooked and vindictive towards foreigners, so best BP sells up to Exxon now" – http://nyti.ms/aXAduj #
Tasmania Coal Clusterfuck RT @mattwhatsit: Disaster name: last hols destination + hated fuel + favourite verb. Mine is Spanish Gas Wank. #
Just got emails from my UK and AU banks. UK bank excited about 2.8% savings rate; AU bank just reminding me about 5% savings rate. AU WIN. #
Spoiler: chap from Gorky's, not AFX or dead Manic: RT @Martin_Carr New Richard James video – http://bit.ly/9czKr8 #
Damn, this is a good article: http://bit.ly/an80UV #
Surely this breaches the ECHR? http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/europe/10269055.stm #poland #noncebashing #
This piece is good, putting some carbon myths into perspective (especially plastic bags and seafreight food miles): http://bit.ly/dd5QUi #
Good piece from oil veteran Tim Newman on future of #BP – http://bit.ly/ae7iH4 – he may be wrong about PetroChina, tho' (see my comment) #
Angry Paul Krugman Is All Like, "Yeah, Whatever, THAT'S Cool" – The Awl http://bit.ly/aIStAQ #
For readers of @sontek's popular-but-wrong tweet – $1bn is total Limewire settlement. BP's costs from oil spill are forecast at c.$20-30bn #
Surprised to discover that Charlie Brooker's a poly drop-out – always assumed he was redbrick. Good work on landing Ms Huq, anyway… #
Time article on #Bhopal that fails to mention Union Carbide India was 49% owned by Indian gov't: http://bit.ly/akXre4 #hmmm (via#@tianran) #
(I'm not suggesting the US company escapes all responsibility – just, that fact is quite important in explaining India govt's behaviour…) #
Govt will still ignore advice, but a step up RT @gimpyblog Scientific advisors now allowed to disagree with Government http://bit.ly/cjZGdj #
Australia narrowly beats USA in much coveted 'least stupid applicants for UK nationality' stakes: http://bit.ly/dvOk0l #
Just got 100% on the online practice Australia citizenship test. Shame that's not the only qualification, really… ;-) #
Aus citizen test -> RT @hungbunny Question 1: You like sport, mate? A. Yeah. B. Fuck, yeah. C. Let's watch sport and crack open a tinnie. #
Coalition metric policy in 'fucking moronic' shock, assuming by 'shock' you mean 'predictable right-wing stupidity': http://bit.ly/cT2Tm0 #
#ebz Twitter seems to be down, so Christ know whether this'll work http://fallenlondon.com/c/108041 #
Apparently, Christ both knew and punished me with a typo. #
I'm not totally sold on this, but I like it nonetheless: http://don-paskini.blogspot.com/2010/06/i-agree-with-diane.html #
To Westfield, to buy lightbulbs and a sandwich #myglamorouslifeasafreelancer #
Haha, aces! RT @enderFP: Now BP has done it! They've killed FailWhale! http://yfrog.com/5oys1g (via @beaugiles) #kitchyinjokes #
Fine trollery with a serious point behind it – "My once-in-a-generation cut? The armed forces. All of them": http://bit.ly/bo9beL #
From the comments: 'replace all regular troops with special forces & assassinate any leader who tries to invade' – http://bit.ly/dqzcTh #
Yes, it's yet another salvo in the US government's efforts to steal UK pensions over nothing: http://bit.ly/bZ0PSj #supportBP #
If you're having trouble understanding what's going on in Thailand (redshirts, yellowshirts), this is a good summary: http://bit.ly/d2AmxD #
Bloody Boris again – just when you've started hating him for his actual London policies, he does something awesome: http://ind.pn/c4IzRV #
Today's installment of "wow, Tories really are just evil for fun": http://bit.ly/ceA2Nl (via @jamiepotter) #
Via @sunnysingh_sw6, we need a 'Maggie Thatcher, milk snatcher' style tag for Michael Gove & free school meals. 'Michael Gove, utter scum'? #
Great line from Diane Abbott: ‘Trident is a huge amount of money to spend defending us from the Tory press’ http://bit.ly/alpmx0 #
Good piece from Tim Newman on how the #BP response shows the US gov't behaving more like Russia: http://www.desertsun.co.uk/blog/?p=621 #
Disappointingly, this is not a #britpop cash-in computer game: http://games.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/2245/Blur/ #blur #notthatblur #
Obama bashes "British Petroleum". That's not BP plc's name. The only reason to say that is to stir up anti-British feeling (@mudlarklives) #
It'd be like a UK politician criticising HSBC plc by calling it "The Hong Kong And Shanghai Bank". #
Top story from #7News – Selma Hayek got scared by a snake. Yay keeping the populace informed. #
RT @infobunny: b/f has bought a suitcase that is so big I could fit in it. Oh. #
RT @mudlarklives BP should've stayed as BP Amoco: then we'd have "British Petroleum American Oil Co" and a big circle of finger-pointing. #
Just in case anyone's feeling happy, Peter Singer and David Benatar review life. Their verdict: 1*, wld not recommend: http://bit.ly/dxs5YB #
#ebz fix. Oh yes. Suffering from the whole 'sun' / 'work' dilemma, and picking the worst option… http://fallenlondon.com/c/110499 #
RT @mjturner1975 not keen on arguments 'it hurts your pension'. If one is to oppose US attacks on BP I'd rather look at impact on real GDP. #
Got a letter telling me to register to vote. I declined, as am filthy foreigner. Curious to see what would've happened if I'd said OK, tho'. #
I've never seen quite so many black guys doing the Time Warp. It's like Heaven all over again #thegaybarnotthemythicalafterlife #wc10 #
That was an amazing jump #wc10 #
It's weird – having previously only watched South Africans in London or playing rugby and cricket, I'd assumed they were white #wc10 #
Fucking go RSA! #
This isn't even funny, it's just aces: http://www.richardherring.com/warmingup/warmingup.php?id=2779 #
Hungover. Bleh. Football matches at midnight, friends in different time zones, & 2-litre boxes of red wine don't make for a good next day. #
#ebz Everything's alive there, or so the story goes. Coal burns with a long low moan, steel is forged … http://fallenlondon.com/c/112296 #
…and I tweeted today's EBZ update unedited, deliberately, because it was awesome and disturbing. #
Obvious England-USA soccer joke: "YOU'RE NOT SWIMMING, YOU'RE NOT SWIMMING, YOU'RE NOT SWIMMING ANYMORE" #
I think it's *entirely* possible to hold down both a job and an #ebz habit… http://fallenlondon.com/c/113612 #
Yes, I like this one > RT @tianran Whimsical but timely piece on the well worn theme: Is Pakistan like Israel? http://bit.ly/dgJMZg #
Aces! RT @Stefing Venn diagram of the day: http://thedailywh.at/post/687392543/venn-diagram-of-the-day-mathematical-reddit #
If #SVN were in any other group, I'd be hoping to see them through on 'plucky underdog' grounds. However, I'm not. #worldcup #
I do, however, hope that #SVN beats #ALG #worldcup #
I just managed to accidentally poke myself in the eye with a sock. This is perhaps my greatest unco WIN ever… #
RT @Glinner Lovely to see the British press rallying round a goal-keeper who must be feeling very nervous at the moment. #worldcup #
Agree w/@herring1967 that #alg and #svn both playing *way* worse than #eng or #usa yesterday – if we can't beat them, we deserve sent home. #
Clear-cut unAustralian RT @ChrissieM Is it wrong that I wouldn't be completely displeased if #GER beats #AUS tonight?@superopinion #
So with 1 game down for all, #svn leads group C, #usa/#eng 2=, #alg 4th. If this were to continue, I'd be amused, as long as #eng gets 2nd #
"In its first World Cup outing since gaining independence, Serbia" – hmm, that's one way to put it… #
RT @tomscott The Red Arrows give the Queen a very special birthday surprise: http://tomscott.com/queen/ (via @ianvisits) #
RT @chickyog Thatcher/Palin summit in full – Thatcher: 'Where am I? Who am I? Who are you?' Palin: 'Where am I? Who am I? Who are you?' #
Fuck me, Hewitt just beat Federer. #notfootball #nobodycares #
Yes, likewise: RT @anattendantlord "watching" football indoors while "working". well, not doing too well at either, to be honest #
Effective pension fund ownership as % of total company value for the FTSE100: http://bit.ly/9zNGYv #interestingifyoulikethatsortofthing #

What I’ve been up to, week ending 2010-06-06

John B — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 22:50:00 +0000

#ebz The Stolen River that flows into the Unterzee – the one they used to call the Thames – passes thr… http://fallenlondon.com/c/98148 #
I wonder how many of the people fulminating about Laws are aware that if he'd come out and claimed for sharing with partner, he'd've been… #
…entitled to *more* money than he actually got. In other words, if you think the incident involves nicking taxpayer money, you're a tool. #
Good piece from @caronmlindsay on David Laws' resignation: http://ht.ly/1RXwu #
Meanwhile, Danny Alexander is getting shit for not only not doing anything morally wrong, but not even breaking any rules…! #
In Hell Freezing Over news, Iain Dale is right about something http://bit.ly/90Ht6N (via @mattwardman) #
Today's Word Of The Day is 'knoblolly': http://www.google.com.au/search?q=knoblolly (via @echobazaar) #
This piece from @flying_rodent is scarygood: http://tinyurl.com/33ntmrd #
The #mining #supertax advert is annoying. If Rio Tinto and BHP's shares are hit because $ paid to govt, the losers will be in London not AU #
(for non-AU readers: the govt wants to impose mining royalties, which would be a Good Thing; mining MNCs pulling out all the PR stops…) #
Via @daveraybould this is interesting, if not necessarily accurate – the IDF's version of the #freedomflotilla raids: http://alturl.com/6tyn #
SABMiller in "desperate World Cup cash-in press release" shock: http://bit.ly/ayPjlZ #theyvebeenplanningitfor6yearsFFS #
It'd be annoying to be @Martin_Carr. When I go out with former workmates I'm still friends with, nobody says "PWC REUNION ON THE CARDS?" #
Land-of-the-free-tastic fact of the day: it's illegal for an American to boycott Israel http://bit.ly/bXhGYq (via @sunny_hundal) #
We've now got @flying_rodent's excellent Israel's Biggest Enemy Is Itself piece republished on LibCon: http://bit.ly/coEqmA #
Fact of the day: the #freedomflotilla was originally going to be called the French Flotilla, but Americans objected. #
WW3 FTW! RT @LeonJaeger Turkey says more ships will be sent to Gaza, escorted by its Navy: http://bit.ly/92mpYm #flotilla #
Aaagh, I knew I shouldn't've read Mad Mel's take on #flotilla before bed. THE STUPID, IT BURNS… http://bit.ly/aRWfwL (via @CathElliott) #
Excellent piece on the parallels between Israel and North Korea: http://bit.ly/b5QKvQ #flotilla #
9 News cameraman provokes "angry Muslim" footage by racially abusing member of the public: http://bit.ly/cBYOuJ #mediafail via @sunny_hundal #
Israel/North Korea update: rightblogger Mr Eugenides's defence of Israel is "Ah, but NK is worse". Srsly: http://bit.ly/bxCK8Z #flotilla #
I'm being followed by @LunaParkSydney. I find the concept of being followed by a funfair a bit disturbing. #
Aagh, #ebz have erased 2 days' progress due to a server disaster. SAME AGAIN! http://fallenlondon.com/c/96236 #
Ooops – Chinese World Cup promotional campaign is not made of win: http://bit.ly/9gQHiM #
Gonna be about 45 mins late to meet @chrissiem. Oops. And it's entirely my fault, *and* I know she doesn't have a working phone. Am bad man. #
Salon.com having a mobile edition is good. But redirecting mobile users who click regular article links to the mobile homepage is STUPID. #
Forgiven for lateness. Hurrah! Now home and #ebz-ing, of course. http://fallenlondon.com/c/97628 #
Dear Nokia: if I've got someone's mobile and home numbers stored in my phone, *which one do you bloody think* I want to send an SMS to? #
Number of mass gun rampages under Thatcher, Major & Cameron: 1 each. Number under Blair & Brown: 0 #justsaying #
I wonder if all the people blaming BP for the Gulf spill are going to sell their cars and ride bikes, or if they're just hypocrites? #
(I'm assuming here the spill is an inherent risk of deep-sea extraction rather than illegal behaviour by BP based on available evidence) #
If you oppose deep-sea extraction, that's just fine – as long as you're clear that the oil *will* run out rather soon without it. #
Damn, the bloke drinking an espresso on the Citi (AUS) "in my world" advert looks like a smug prat. Note to self: do not be in his world… #
We are stronger than Guido: http://bit.ly/b7tbd8 (yay). MENSA, Miller, Mailer, Plath and Pinter were sadly left out of the methodology. #
#ebz meh. http://fallenlondon.com/c/99058 #
Re London's mayor, I've been deliberately avoiding saying intemperate things like 'fuck Boris' up to now. Fuck Boris: http://bit.ly/bqXKB4 #
Yes. Awesome: RT @howespaul: A fantastic and very funny ad on the Resources Super Profits Tax – pass it on http://youtu.be/H4PcQfz0MfU #
I was distressed by the news that the # of temporary AUS visas was going to be cut by 50% – until I realised they meant visa *classes*! #
Daily Mail "are you posh" test: http://bit.ly/bYw51X – surely q11-13 are just "not being ignorant", though? (via @sarabedford) #
Pleased to discover that the Palace Hotel in Coogee is c.50x better than the Coogee Bay Hotel. #escalatorwin #
Can someone send me an email explaining what the fuck FourSquare does/is for? #confused #
This will be fun. Looking forward to the fireworks -> RT @libcon Peter Tatchell to present Pope documentary http://bit.ly/9TTi3J #
YES! This: http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2791 #
Saturday night in with #ebz – oh yeah, I rock. http://fallenlondon.com/c/101611 #
BEST THING EVER: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5qtoecVIo0 #
Worst article in ages: http://www.forward.com/articles/4184 – summary: "if you don't like Israel murdering people, you're an antisemite" #

What I’ve been up to, week ending 2010-05-30

John B — Sun, 30 May 2010 22:50:00 +0000

Haha, enjoying @BPGlobalPR – this is why having a real social media presence of your own is important… (via @Rooney83) #
I'm officially bored of factors driving premium product consumption. And it's bloody 9PM, and I'm not done for today yet… #
"The war may be staged, but the murder is real" #classicHoratioquotes #CSIMiami #
Boo! But g'luck. RT @jackschofield "after 25 years, I'm leaving the Guardian at the end of this month. I'll continue to write for Ask Jack." #
Watching a Kiwi doco about police – took about 5 mins to work out whether it was Aussie, UK or *other*. This describes NZ accurately… #
Some #ebz, then up early, then more work. Woo deadline week. http://fallenlondon.com/c/89488 #
If even half the Awl's take on Lost is right, I'm glad I gave up watching after a few episodes of season 1. Utter toss: http://bit.ly/cyKVjJ #
If true, I'm beyond comment. Tories are utter cnuts. RT @SamuelCoates Gary Newlove's widow, Helen Newlove, is being made a Conservative peer #
I don't support hanging, but I'd fully endorse it for the sadistic bastards in the CPS who brought this case to court: http://bit.ly/cBfgXN #
They're kids; they're playing a silly game; if you think that warrants a record as a sex offender, you are inhuman. (via @heresy_corner) #
RT @BBCLauraK Long term parly sq protester Brian Haw has been arrested <- @chickyog do I get points for this one? #
In other news, police confirm unicorns don't exist -> RT @libcon: Police finally deny England shirts were ever banned http://bit.ly/cJ4Z5g #
The Daily Mash is seriously on form re: the insane "kids playing doctors and nurses" show trial: http://bit.ly/aF6l6Y #
RT @intruth I had to quit my job manipulating the reproductive parts of flowers. I couldn't handle the stigma (via @msgracefh) #
RT @jtopper: I had no idea .jobs was a TLD. Research In Motion use it for their careers pages. http://rim.jobs/ Fnar. (via @dnotice) #
Work kinda done (for today). It's kinda late. Need an early night. #ebz and then that's it, as they say. http://fallenlondon.com/c/90931 #
Re anonymity for people accused of rape: worth noting that if LDs, Labour, PC, SNP and SDLP voted 'no' then it'd fail. #
Since Labour, PC, SNP and SDLP are likely to support 'no', it's worth lobbying your LD MP on this one… #
Speaking of insane laws, if you live in London it's probably worth reporting this to the Met to see what happens: http://bit.ly/c6V1wh #
This is aces: right-wing conservative Americans hate Muslims so much they've endorsed Sex & The City to annoy them: http://bit.ly/cGHDVh #
Really good explanation here of debt vs deficit vs cuts -> RT @jamesrbuk When chartporn goes wrong. http://is.gd/cpcrU (via @mudlarklives) #
WIN -> RT @ArmyofDave: Working on a book version of "The Human Centipede" in the style of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar". Sleep well, kids. #
Report editing proceeding like a steam train, oh yeah. #ebz then bed, then more tomorrow, woo! http://fallenlondon.com/c/92465 #
Jesus. The crow outside my window is the biggest I've seen. It's the size of a cat. And it's ripping tree bark off with its beak #thebirds #
Just set the smoke alarm off, having forgotten about my toasts. Oh noes! #breakfastfail #
I blame the crow. #
What the hell? "Foster’s has not flourished in the wine business" – well, apart from Wolf Blass, Penfolds and Rosemount http://bit.ly/aDUomm #
#Fosters demerger makes sense – wine would sit better in global spirits group, beer with global brewer. But who'll buy at current A$ rates? #
Enjoying editing someone else's report about alcohol marketing. The "health claims" section is particularly fun. #
I have not laughed this much at a film review in quite some time: http://bit.ly/aEWDha #satc2 #
The Apple Store in Bondi Jn still has no roof. The 9AM opening tomorrow will involve a serious night's work. I mean, *really* serious… #
Vodafact of the day: a friend worked on voda.au's roll-out as an IT contractor – job was so hideous he quit not only Voda but IT contracting #
Now he fixes mates' computers for petty cash – but as he says, he doesn't want to kill them or himself, so it's a step up. #
Feel rubbish. Have work to do. If I was employed, I'd call in sick #freelancewoes #middleclassdisasters #
I think I might be in love with two women at once: my excellent girlfriend, and also DCI Tennison. Hope this is OK. #reawakenedkidcrushes #
I thoroughly intend to rely on this in court RT @Helzbels Have few pints and the speed limit's 95mph. Excellent. #
Erm, yeh. "Nobody in the UK is poor because of the dole, so let's abolish it" -> RT @Old Holborn: Unchaining the poor http://bit.ly/9nqUv7” #
This man *is* a real journalist: http://bit.ly/c7qRrf – respect. #
RT @sadbearhandbook: I completely misjudged what waterboarding in Guantanamo Bay meant. I wonder if I can get my deposit back. #
In case you were worried, just to confirm the Tories *are* unspeakable bastards: http://bit.ly/aazD5n #
Feel like grim death. Consoling myself with #ebz http://fallenlondon.com/c/94437 #
My weekend is made primartily of ILL and SLEEP. This is irritating. although hopefully implies a week ahead of WELL. #
If you think there's anything wrong with what David Laws has done, you're a massive prat. http://bit.ly/bpwuBq #teacup #
Also, the Telegraph are massive bastards for releasing the evidence now, not to mention raving homophobes. Fuck them. Go Laws! #
RT @rockeye It amuses me that there's always more Eurovision commentary in my Australian stream than there is in my UK stream… #
Post-weekend, post sick-bed #ebz catch-up time, yay. http://fallenlondon.com/c/96982 #
CROWDSOURCING: has anyone paid using their own (ie not work, and not self-employed tax-deducted) money for a FT/WSJ subscription? #
Based on Twitter replies re FT/WSJ, the Times model *may* be a bit less shafted than I thought. I'm still tipping "shafted", though. #
Shit! Red Bull bosses will not be impressed. Good news for Button and Hamilton though… #gp #
RT at my dad's txt: Not sure what is F1 equiv of Alex Fergie's famous "hairdrier" bollocking, but Vettel & Webber will shortly find out #f1 #
This is good -> Chris Dillow @libcon The David Laws paradox explains why I'm on the left http://bit.ly/czUVLZ #

What I’ve been up to, week ending 2010-05-23

John B — Sun, 23 May 2010 22:50:00 +0000

Wow, I managed to confine drunken lunacy to Skype last night – no visible online traces. #
Not another bloody ash cloud? Thor will, clearly, have his revenge. Hope they're gone by August… #
If you think teaching The Wire in university seminars is 'dumbing down', you're officially the dumb one http://bit.ly/a6j8rp #
#ebz The Starveling Cat! The Starveling Cat! Sits on your chest when you're sleeping flat! http://fallenlondon.com/c/81591 #
This is good: http://www.newscientist.com/special/living-in-denial #
Amused to see Lord Triesman forced to resign for saying things which *everyone knows to be true*. #
My gf has pointed out that I should contribute to #bandfoodpuns, but I can't actually think of any. Today is not a good day for me… #
Haha, #abbottfail – of course he's right, but *sheesh that was daft*… #
.@DMiliband @tugsandtost Forward not backward! And always twirling, twirling to victory. Sheesh, could you get any cheesier? #
Seriously, I've been out of the UK for a while; is this some kind of wind-up? http://bit.ly/a3hVMu – if not (probably anyway) I'm staying #
Quick blast of #ebz then bed, as I need to get up early tomorrow. Yes, me, sensible. Shocking! http://fallenlondon.com/c/82830 #
Because it isn't getting airplay on commercial radio #thatswhyyoursingle #isntsellingverywell #
I've never had to go to town in a hooded raincoat *and* sunnies before. Well, except when I auditioned for the Matrix #sydneyweather #
On the one hand, I'm sure the illumination of night CityRail trains deters crime and general badness. On the other hand, GRR TOO BRIGHT! #
Tea, #ebz and then bed. A good night. http://fallenlondon.com/c/84034 #
Comedy legal ruling of the day: http://www.workerscompensation.com/compnewsnetwork/blogwire/7887.html #
This is properly insane (via @bengoldacre) – really does make one feel slightly Littlejohn-ish http://bit.ly/9rVZJe http://dlvr.it/15ddb #
RT @chickyog Con-Dems to stop deportation of LGBT asylum seekers when 'at proven risk of imprisonment, torture or execution'. Bloody lefties #
Likewise. On reflection, DOH. RT @mePadraigReidy No one would have sex with me as a teenager cos it never occurred to me to ask them #
No. I literally can't. CITE? RT @juliebindel Can you believe the coalition intends to introduce anonymity for men accused of rape? #
See also RT @randomrightwingnutter Can you believe the coalition intends to give every terrorist a council house and gbp50k in benefits? #
Apologies @juliebindel – yes, they do. That's shitty. Links are brilliant, why not try them? p24 http://bit.ly/9xkg03 (link via @steff631) #
I think he misspelt "demonise" RT @libcon How to democratise Oxbridge http://bit.ly/bHolgX #
The Hitchhiker's Guide To Milton Keynes #lesserbooks #
The Reasonably Bearable Lightness Of Being #lesserbooks #
The Not Really Holy, More Just A Collection Of Old Laws, Stories And Proverbs Bible #lesserbooks #
For The Term Of Six Months, With Time Off For Good Behaviour #lesserbooks #
The Kandy-Kolored Tangerine-Flake Streamline Embryo #lesserbooks #
Brief #ebz break http://fallenlondon.com/c/85846 #
The Diamond As Big As Quite A Big Diamond #lesserbooks #
The Rock Of Crack As Big As Quite A Big Rock Of Crack #lesserbooks #
Lib-left qn: why the fuck does the otherwise sane Dsquared have such a hard-on for the US federal justice system? http://bit.ly/cK5svw #
enjoying revolving restaurant japery with assorted sydney tweeps. Hurrah! #
A lovely weekend with @ChrissieM and crazy Sydney tweeps. Now a bit of #ebz before INFINITE WORK MONDAY http://fallenlondon.com/c/88214 #
Londoners are sunbathing. We've got the heater on. Them's the breaks, I guess. #
ACES! RT@catdonn "I was born, lucky me. In the land that I love. Though I’m poor, I am free" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4VdcMXVO_g #
ACES! RT @catdonn "I was born, lucky me. In the land that I love. Though I’m poor, I am free" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4VdcMXVO_g #
My blog is buggered, FYI – have asked the host about why: looks like their DB server is down, but I may have been spam-attacked again… #
Blog now fixed, within an hour of notifying the fault, on a Sunday. Mythic Beasts are ace hosts. #
"enormous social damage caused by computer misuse not recognized" > because it doesn't exist. Idiot. http://www.socialistunity.com/?p=4930 #
.@jackofkent PR campaigns that favour liberal outcomes are to be encouraged, surely? – PR's a tool for good or bad, not the enemy itself #