Pizza, a show and doctors

31 July 2012

Did you by any chance see Panorama or Despatches last night?  If not I would encourage you to do so on catch-up TV!  Both programmes were about the Work Assessment Test being run by a French company called Atos for the DWP.  The idea is to get as many people off benefits, in this case Incapacity Benefit and into work.  Anyone who is scamming the system has to be found and action taken against them. 

However, the testers are marking many people who are clearly not fit to work as fit to work.  Like the man waiting for major heart surgery; or the mentally ill man who was sectioned under the Mental Health Act, admitted to hospital and was then marked as being fit for work while he was still catatonic in hospital; or the man with prostate cancer who was marked as fit for work even though the assessor had real doubts about doing so.  The rules and the tight criteria meant that she was unable to do anything other than do as she did.  Even one of the trainers of doctors for the doing the scheme said it was a "... toxic test ...". 

Government figures state that 30% of all appeals against the decisions are over turned.  Even so claimants are being called back for assessment two or three weeks after the appeal, and winning yet again.  These appeals are costing £45 million to run.  Yet the government still will not admit the assessment system is floured.  I can't blame for the Tories for this entirely seeing that the whole thing was started by the last Labour government.  But I can blame the Tories for not seeing the unfairness of the system.   

Oh yes, it's costing UK Tax payers £100 million to run the scheme, and that is on top of the £45 million for the appeals!

Dorktown News this morning is a bit thin on content today so I wonder if that is why they ran the same story twice.  It helped fill the pages I suppose.   

Sometime ago we were told in the News that Poundland was in discussions over taking on the old Woollies building on Queens Road.  There was a big outcry over that idea so they are now looking at taking on the old Marks & Sparks building.  At least they have submitted a planning application to change the sign on the front of the store.  There's no word as to what will happen to their current site though, nor as to what will happen to the old Woollies site.  Maybe the indoor market might come back then, or perhaps a supermarket even.

I'm travelling to the Wirral for today's photo ... 

We had a drive over there one Sunday while we were living in Atherton and to be honest, we rather liked it there in New Brighton.  There was the Wirral show on that day and the crowds were quite large.  We still had a good day there though.

A short funny today ...

Two teenagers are arrested. The police sergeant tells them they are entitled to one phone call. Sometime later a man enters the station and asks for them.
"I suppose you're their solicitor," says the sergeant.
"Nope," the man replies. "I'm here to deliver the pizza."         

A bag of crisps, candid viewing and life's meaning

30 July 2012

So it's Monday again, how quickly the time flies by.  At least the Dorktown News has been delivered today.  Front page on there is another story about the Hussy Hospital.  This time the PTB are proposing that to help improve the health of everyone using the site all junk food should be banned from the premises and be replaced by healthy options.  OK, but there is a WH Smiths in site.  Will they have to stop selling crisps and chocolate and so on?  That could well impact on profitability in that branch and could lead to its closure.  It's a popular outlet, well, actually they have a captive market really seeing as it's situated where it is.  I'm not too worried about Smiths losing an outlet as such but I would be concerned that by banning all junk foods customer choice will be extremely limited.  Let them try telling a 5 year old that he can't have a bar of chocolate because the managers say it isn't good for them!

This morning we sat and watched some of the rowing heats in the Olympics.  Team GB qualified for the finals in both events we saw.  I said before that I'm not really into sports in a big way but I do like to watch some of them, and rowing is one of them.  However, there is a letter in the News today about how much coverage of the Games and the amount of hype there has been over it.  To some extent I agree with him.  But if he doesn't want to watch it he can always watch one of the other four main channels or sky or cable.  However, I wonder if how he feels when the footy World Cup is on?  Does he feel the same then?  If he did then I would fully support him.

Our council leader is challenging the two Muppets to vote against the party line in regards to the disbanding of the 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers.  I agree with him on that, not as a political argument but because I think it a great mistake to disband the 11 major units that is currently planned.  It will leave the UK not able to defend itself or its dependant territories properly.  The continuing rows over Gibraltar and the Falklands are two such instances.  In addition we still have commitments to both NATO and the UN which need to be met.  Cutting so deeply into our defence system will lead to a huge problem later on, I'm sure of that!

Snapping snappers when I'm out with my camera is one of my favourite photo subjects, candid photography is its proper name, or even street portraits for some people.  Whatever here's one I got last week when we went over to Brum for a few hours ...

Funny time ...

On the first day God created the dog. God said, "Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. I will give you a life span of twenty years."
The dog said, "That's too long to be barking. Give me ten years and I'll give you back the other ten." So God agreed.
On the second day God created the monkey. God said, "Entertain people, do monkey tricks, make them laugh. I'll give you a twenty-year life span."
The monkey said, "How boring. Monkey tricks for twenty years? I don't think so. Dog gave you back ten, so that's what I'll do too, okay?" And God agreed.
On the third day God created the cow. God said, "You must go to the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer. I will give you a life span of sixty years."
The cow said, "That's kind of a tough life you want me to live for sixty years. Let me have twenty and I'll give back the other forty." And God agreed again.
On the fourth day God created man. God said, "Eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy your life. I'll give you twenty years."
Man said, "What? Only twenty years?! Tell you what, I'll take my twenty, and the forty the cow gave back and the ten the monkey gave back and the ten the dog gave back...that makes eighty, okay?"
"Okay", said God, "You've got a deal."
So that is why the first twenty years we eat, sleep, play, and enjoy ourselves; for the next forty years we slave in the sun to support our family; for the next ten years we do monkey tricks to entertain the grandchildren; and for the last ten years we sit on the front porch and bark at everyone.
Life has now been explained to you.                 

Two days for the price of one!

29 July 2012 

At long last our internet connection is working.  We tend to go to bed fairly early because we like to have a couple of hours read in bed before we settle.  So when I looked at the modem just after 9pm it still wasn't working.  This morning however, the first words Jan said as she entered the living room were, "Oh great, the internet is working today."  Top and bottom of it is that you get yesterday's as well as today's posting in one go.

Did you watch the opening show on Friday?  We did; for the first time in a very long time we sat up and watched it all the way through.  Thank heaven for the Virgin box which allowed us to pause it when one of us went to the loo!  It was a terrific event and we really did enjoy it.  However, there were two things that got me a tad angry, no, not angry, just annoyed really.  The first was the number of empty seats, something that is being investigated over yesterdays swimming event as well.  The second item which really annoyed me was Liz 2!  She didn't smile at all, not once when the camera turned on her was she smiling.  All we got was her Miss Piggy face.  Why?  She smiled all the way through her jubilee bits.  Now something like the Olympics and she turns on her Miss Piggy act.  Could it be that happened because wasn't the centre of attention that night?  Whatever the reason it gives me just one more reason to want she her and her hangers on being dumped in favour of a President!     

So it seems that Team GB has come down to earth with bump!  The men's cycle road race ended in disaster for the team.  Then a swimmer came in 5th and wasn't placed.  That was one of the dangers I think; the expectation was (and still is), that in some events we would 'walk' to gold.  Hopefully though they will pick themselves up and go on to greater heights.

Of course the Olympics are taking over most of the news right now.  Even the ongoing civil war in Syria is well down on the schedule.  It makes me wonder just what has to happen for the Games to be knocked off the top spot.    

I can see another pub closing here in Dorktown.  The Anker Inn is just around the corner from where we now live.  We've been there a few times in the past before we moved over here and it's always been a busy but nice and friendly pub.  Sadly however, when we moved here we went in and the choice of beers was very low.  The manager was due to leave and wasn't happy to end up giving away whatever stock he left behind when he did go.  Strange that; my sister in law runs a pub called The Railway Hotel in Ringwood, Hampshire.  When her and Keith took it on they had to buy the stock in the pub at the time.  So why the guy in the Anker (named for the River Anker that runs through Dorktown), couldn't sell the stock at that time I don't know.  But there again, it closed two weeks ago.  The longer is remains closed the longer the locals will find and use other pubs in the area.  Getting them back again will then be hard work.  It might not actually be a thriving pub again.  At that it will close for good - and that will be a great shame.

So now for a photo ... 

Today I have gone for a foreign bird, a blue jay.  It's not one of mine sadly and I can't remember where I got it from, but it's a nice shot anyway.

And a funny ...

A little old lady had always wanted to join a local biker club. One day she goes up and knocks on the door. A big, hairy, bearded biker with tattoos all over his arms answers. She proclaims, "I want to join your club."
The guy was amused, but says she needs to meet certain biker requirements in order to join. The biker asks, "Do you have a motorcycle?" The little old lady replies, "Yep... my bike's parked over there", and points to a Harley in the driveway.
The biker asks, "Do you drink?" The little old lady replies, "Yep...drink like a fish. I'll drink any man in your club under the table."
The biker asks, "Do you smoke?" The little old lady replies, "Yep...smoke like a chimney. At least 4 packs of cigarettes a day and a couple of cigars in the evening, while I'm shooting pool."
The biker is very impressed and asks, "Last question, have you ever been picked up by the fuzz?" The little old lady thinks for a minute and says, "Nope ... but I've been swung around by the nipples a few times ...

And yes ... I've added one for yesterday too!           

28 July 2012

Well, did you sit up and watch it?  We did and we really enjoyed it.  It was a great show of Britain and its real culture, not the mindless, drunken, fighting seen in town centres all over the UK.  A very big well done to everyone involved.  The only small niggle I had was that there seemed to be quite a lot of empty seats.  I think I'll let them off with that though ;-)))

Our internet service is down at the moment at 0915hrs so I'm not sure when this will get posted, hopefully not too long.  But there again, we are going into town soon for an hour or two so it might not actually be all that important really.  Whatever, I shall prattle on as normal for now.

For tea yesterday we had corned beef and tatie hash, that's mashed spuds and corned beef mixed together.  We both really enjoyed it too.  The amount was spot on for both of us but I did feel that if I had done more of it I would have eaten it all again - see what I mean about greed ;-)))  But the thing is, without taties we couldn't have had it could we?  And where did the taties come from?  Well, we bought them from Asda of course but I don't know where they got them from.  The humble potato was brought to England by from Columbia by Sir Thomas Harriott.  It was on this day in 1586 that he arrived in Plymouth with the humble spud.  I wonder if he realized just how important an import it would to become?  I doubt it but many thanks Sir Tom, without him we might all be eating pasta or rice - not that I would be complaining about that either ;-)))

I had hoped to give you a photo of Dorktown that I got yesterday.  It was a scene I hadn't noticed before so I snatched it while I had the chance.  Guess what?  I saved it somewhere and haven't been able to find it since.  Now I shall have to go through them all again to see if I can find it to post later.  So I'm afraid you will have to make do with this one for now ... 

it's one I got yesterday too but this one I got down by the communal bum washer in the town centre.

As for a funny, well, sorry, no internet means no funny - not funny at all is it! But here's one anyway... 

 A couple decide to go for a meal on their anniversary and after some deliberation decide on their local Chinese restaurant.  They peruse the menu and finally agree to share the chef's special chicken surprise.
The waiter brings over the meal, served in a lidded cast iron pot. Just as the wife is about to start in on the meal, the lid of the pot rises a tiny amount and she briefly sees two beady little eyes looking around before the lid slams back down.
'Jesus, did you see that?' she asks her husband. He hasn't so she asks him to look in the pot. He reaches for it and again the lid rises, and again he sees two beady little eyes looking around before it firmly slams back down.
Rather perturbed he calls the waiter over, explains what is happening and demands an explanation.
'Well sir', says the waiter, 'What did you order?'
'We both chose the same', he replies, 'the chicken surprise'
'Oh I do apologise, this is my fault' says the waiter.....
'I've brought you the Peking duck'   

Blondes, Olympics and cameras

27 July 2012

At long last we have finished at the house.  A charity arrived and collect the last few bits of furniture left in there, the keys were hand over to the estate agent and the council have been informed that the house is now empty.  Now we can relax a bit, take our time and finish unpacking.  And best of all - I can get some writing done!

While we were in the council I watched as two young women came in, both with  babies and pushing a second one in a pushchair.  Nothing strange about that as  such but you should have seen the size of those two women.  They were both taller than me but they were both well over 20st in weight.  I wonder how much of a chance the kids will have with mums that large?  I'm obese, yes I know that.  But in my case it was being greedy and being a heavy drinker years ago as well as being a lazy sod who didn't do a lot of exercise.  Now at the age of 64 I'm paying the price for it.  I worry about so many of the 20-30 year olds and how large they are.  They won't see 64 if they continue as they are!

I popped into Jessops while I was in town today.  The sensor in my Alpha 350 needs cleaning and I want to know how much a cleaning kit would cost.  I was surprised to find that it was only £15; I shall have one of those tomorrow.  While I was there I had a play with Nikon D7000 DSLR.  I've been tossing as to have one of those or new Sony Alpha 77.  Now I know!  The Nikon doesn't have an articulated rear screen, the Sony does.  Because of me using a scooter so often I really do need that articulated back screen.  So sorry Nikon, Sony wins this one.  The added benefit of course is that I have all the lenses for the Sony system apart from a macro lens.  The overall cost shouldn't be anywhere near as much as a new Nikon.

Mind you, I do like the new Olympus OM - D ... ... ...

So the big day is here at last.  The Olympic Games officially open this evening.  We will be sitting up to watch the ceremony and have even bought some booze to have while it's on.  I do make a big think of not liking sport but in reality it's the silly football, tennis and cricket that drives me up the wall.  It's more to do with the so called fans really.  They get so wound up over it don't they, they cry if their team loses the silly prats!  Come on, get real, it a game not a national emergency for God's sake!  Anyway we will probably watch the swimming and the cycling and maybe the rowing and sailing, we'll see.

Now where is my damned Nikon Coolpix?  Ah, got it, after hunting all over the flat for it I finally found hiding behind my lappy screen ;-)))  

A couple of busker in the town centre - not very good ones either!

And so a funny ...

The complaint letter from Judi:
We blonds at the ofise are tired of all the the dum stoopid jokes about us. We think this is hairassment. It causes us grate stress and makes our roots turn dark. We have hired a loyer and he is talking to the loyers at Clairol. We will take this all the way to the supream cort if we have two. Juj Thomas knos all about hairassment and he will be on are side.
We have also talked to the govner to make a new law to stop this pursicushun.
We want a law that makes peepol tell brewnet jokes as much as blond jokes and every so often a red head joke. If we don't get our way we will not date anybody that ain't blond and we will make up jokes about you and we will laff.
Sined by the blonds at the ofise (sine with a penseel so you can erace it if you make a mistake)