What sort of people do we want in the UK?

Doctors? Engineers? Refugees from torture? No, the consensus is apparently that the people we most want are third-world mercenaries. Not quite sure why 'being a mercenary who signed up in the full knowledge they'd get a giant sack of money and no British passport' ought to put one to the top of the 'British passport' … Continue reading What sort of people do we want in the UK?

Top words

In an example of 'embarrassing lack of imagination', I'm going to post the top words that my phone believes I want to type when presented with a given letter. Maybe this could be a new meme, if people are really that bored. NB I use my phone to blog, Twitter and send work emails, as … Continue reading Top words

In Australia, it means ‘food poisoning’

People appear to actually be slightly surprised, shocked, and even upset that Gordon Ramsay's gastropubs use pre-made food. People are silly. Absolutely everyone in foodservice, outside of the very top end (which gastropubs charging £15 for a main course are, obviously, not) uses pre-made, bought-in dishes. Indeed, Ramsay is a step higher than most: at … Continue reading In Australia, it means ‘food poisoning’

Did you forget to take your medication?

I recognise that reading the comments on CiF is a surefire route to apoplexy and insanity. However, this is an excellent bullet-pointed list of Mad Things That Angry Right Wing People Believe, and hence worth reproducing: In response to your puzzling question, what specific 'freedoms' have we lost? And please be specific. Although it was … Continue reading Did you forget to take your medication?

Da do ron ron ron da do ron ron

On reading of Phil Spector's murder conviction last night, and the suggestion that it might devalue his (indisputably great) achievements, my first thought was 'anyone who thinks that is a tit'. That starting point got me thinking about historical figures who, despite providing unequivocal net good to society, were despicable bastards in their private lives. … Continue reading Da do ron ron ron da do ron ron

Top 5 Things That Have Made Me Happy Today

Still mblogging, so can't face messing about with links. If anything intrigues and confuses you, google is your friend. 1) Stephen Frears's High Fidelity. Best geeky boy film ever, one of best love stories ever, terrifyingly accurate insight into my past relationships ever, etc. I know Nick Hornby also relevant but I've boycotted praising him … Continue reading Top 5 Things That Have Made Me Happy Today

They call me Black Stacey

As you may have noticed, I haven't updated for a while, as I've been in the poorest country outside of Africa (*) with only a mobile phone for connectivity. And while my mobile phone is more of a mini-laptop, it's not really conducive to full-on blogging. And while I haven't checked rates, I'm fairly sure … Continue reading They call me Black Stacey