Unwell

Hi,

I am off work today as I feel like I have a hangover. The awful part is that I haven't had a drink since Friday, so that means I am unwell.

Symptoms? Well tiredness, headache, waves of nausea (though no vomiting as yet) and lack of appetite. For anything.

I hate being unwell. The only thing I dislike more is when those around me are unwell, as my spouse and the-fruit-of-my-loins have been for the last couple of days.

So as I have nothing better to do, some observations:

American political campaigns are NASTY!! trying to question the patriotism of someone who might lead the country n is something I have never seen in British or Kiwi politics. I wonder if the Obama camp will try to make out that McCain was just lazing around doing no work whilst he spent 7 years in that POW camp. Oh and Myk, I hope that its more civil at the local level.

We all love lists. Whenever I an cruising Digg, I inevitably end up on a list of the best or worst of something. Even if it is something I don't care about. But I am weird.

Dr Who ROCKS!! My son is hooked and now has to have our cat in his room at night to protect him against the Vashta Narada.

Am I a bad Dad for letting him watch something that gives him nightmares, even though he LOVES it? I don't think so. Fear is part of life, and you have to have a fear to conquer it.

Still, spring is on the way,and before we turn around it will be high summer, and Christmas.

I still haven't got used to warm Christmases.

Oh Well, be good

Let's Talk About Evolution!

Hi,

If you read Digg.com, them every now and again you will come across articles that try to predict the way that we as a species are headed. Ecology, economic and scientific articles I read with interest, but they don't get me annoyed. The articles that piss me off are the ones about Evolution.

That there is evolution happening is not seriously in doubt, and that it has always happened is again a as near to a fact as can be. Those who disagree are Creationists, and therefore not open to debate.

Evolutionary theory is based on the premise that when an individual animal develops a trait which makes it more successful at passing its genetic characteristics on to the next generation, then over time this will lead to a change in the species as a whole as its genes spread.

Now, the characteristic must make the animal more likely to pass its genes on. It must make him or her a more successful mating and parenting unit. Her is where I get annoyed.

You will find some morons saying things like "As we evolve, we will become better able to use computers and multitask with technology and stuff" or ""Because we are all using PS3 controllers, our thumbs will evolve to make us better gamers, they will be bigger and more mobile"

Now, Genetic material in an individual (as far as we know) is fixed. People don't evolve, species do. So if you get good at playing video games, your skill will not be passed on to your offspring as a genetic trait. Sorry. Secondly, and without being offensive, your trait must make you attractive to the opposite sex and more likely for them to be a sexual partner over and above others of the same species. I.T. and gaming skills don't score high on the list of desirable traits for a lover. "I can configure your home network" .."Oh you stud, take me!, TAKE ME!" Not feasible eh?

In theory, the only genetic mutation which will be passed on by natural selection is one which makes the person with the trait more successful at mating, and producing children. Smallpox resilience is an obvious trait which gives you a mating advantage (you cant mate if you are dead).

I struggle to see how most of the stresses of modern life can be easily turned to a stimulus for genetic advantage.

From experience, it appears the inability to have any moral qualms about sexual fidelity, and not caring about being a father to you children, are two traits which allow more rapid and indiscriminate spreading of your genetic material.

So next time you are on a council sink estate, or an inner city project, look around and see the future of humanity.

The meak won't inherit the Earth, it will be the Chavs.

Be Good

Capitalism (we are all SCREWED MAN!!!)

Hi,

Economic climate is a bit crap eh? It seems whenever you turn on the TV, or open a newspaper (well, one without breasts on page 3) it will tell you tales of some company or other which is going down the tubes. This is A Bad Thing, people loose jobs, their savings, their homes and before you know it you have 'buddy, spare a dime?'

But there is an upside, some of us are insulated from the woes and pain, our money secure, our homes safe and employment just around the corner. These people are the bosses. The fund managers, the chief execs and chairmen. The people whose fast and loose accounting and business practices have landed the other 99.99% of us in the shit.

When Robert Maxwell died, and the full horror of what he and his board (ie his sons) had done, the courts were hard. They froze the assets of the family, and would only allow 'reasonable expenses'. These expenses amounted to £5000 a week, on top of living expenses, which included 1st class air travel. Because that's what he was used to. Never mind that he was only able to afford to live in that lifestyle because he had stolen the pensions funds of his workers, who might earn £1000 per month. Oh No.

Hanover Finance is in difficulties, this means that many of the people who invested in this company will not get their cash back. The guy who owns the company? He is fine, its 'limited' see? No comebacks. He is protected by 'regulations'. It makes me smile when free marketeers ignore the free labour market (i.e.unions) and people who hate 'red tape' but cling to it, if it is whats stopping them going to the poor house.

If you run a deregulated economy, you turn businesses into protection rackets and businessmen into crooks and loan sharks. If you really want to deregulate, you have to remove the regulations which protect the businessman as well as the investor, so if they screw up, they loose everything first. That might make them think twice before they make unacceptable risks with our money.

Capitalism is the least-worst way to run an economy, but that doesn't mean we cant make it better. You need regulations, because it has been shown time and again that you can't trust people not to be greedy.

Be Good

Politics For Eeejits

Politics. Fucked if I know what all the fuss is about personally. We have an election in NZ, there is one in the USA at some point and the Brits join the party at some point. So as a public service I have decided to do a quick Politics for Dummies.

Liberals

Bizarrely enough for the Americans amongst us, the Liberal tradition includes both the Conservatives (Republicans/Tories) and the Democrats(Labour/Social Democrats).

Whats the difference? The Conservatives tend to believe that the individuals if left alone will better themselves if left alone, and the Left believe that the disadvantaged need the help of the State (everyone who is better off) to not be poor and stuff. Both believe in Democracy, the rule of law and the rights of the individual against the wishes of the majority. The difference is in emphasis not philosophy.

Communitarian

This lot believe that the majorities wishes take precedence, that society as whole is better placed to tell people what is right for us all. Therefore the most famous communitarian party had "Socialist" in its title, The National Socialist Party of Germany (Nazi). Every time someone tells you that you behaviours is wrong because it offends societies norms, that is a Fascist or Nazi statement.

Socialist/Communist

This lot believe that all wealth should be held in common, for the good of all. It's position that anyone who turns a profit at someone else expense is basically a slave owner sounded good to the poor and rootless. Everyone is equal, no one is the boss of you. It had one drawback, It was bullshit. It took nearly 100 years to figure that in this system, people were just as fucked as if they were in a Nazi dictatorship.

Anarchist

Everyone is the boss, no government, little committees make all the decisions at local level. Hmmm. That one didn't work either.

Dictatorships

One guy in charge, with a loy of guys backing him up, they have guns, you don't. Even if you do, their guns are bigger. Basically keep you head down and you might see your kids grow up. Nice

Libertarians

Leave us alone, like anarchy but without all that touchy feely concern for you neighbours. Sounds good, but read Hobbes and he hits the nail on the head. Give it a bit of time and your Libertarians will end up living in a dictatorship. Why? Biggest Dog is the Boss, and it is a fair bet that you are not the biggest dog. Most of these guys live in Montana, and think being White makes them superior and some such shite. Wankers.

There has never been a popular revolution against a Democracy. Another observation, belief in the power of the unfettered individual and the belief that Governments should keep out of your private stuff does not make you a baby eating Fascist, and concern for the underprivileged don't make you a communist bleeding heart evil America hating pot smoking scumbag.

So please, during the political season, lay off the insults.

Be Good

Back In The UK-The Final Chapter

Hi,

So after the brilliance of Bruce we had 10 days to go until the plane back home, and we spent it doing what we actually went back to the UK for, seeing Family, Friends and people that we love.

So there is little to talk about really.

My mates Gary, Leighton and their Families are as great as they ever were. My own Family are lovely (Even when they argue) my old mates at The Princess of Wales Hospital are awesome and the UK is not the best place for any of them. Its in NZ, Napier to be exact. They agree with me, but they don't seem to be here so they can't agree with me that much. Oh well, never mind eh?

I didn't get to see Leeds play, due to an unfortunate mess up on the last week, so it was with mixed emotions that I got on the 27 hour flight to come home. My time in the UK told me that, whatever advantages we have in a big country like Britain (no sniggering at the back Americans) the downside is too steep for me to countenance returning.

The downside is that apart from my mates, and cheap electronics, and Bruce once every 4 years there is nothing there for me. Sad really.

So what did we gain? My Son is now an avid Dr Who fan, and he has seen the wonder of on demand free TV (BBCi player, which we can't get in NZ! Damn you BBC!) I got cool stuff for my Birthday, and a £5 haircut from David's in Neath. Plus 2 pairs of glasses for £100 sweet! Ieuan got lots of Games for the X-Box, and Jacqui has had a reminder that 4 Adults into 1, 2 bedroom house doesn't go.

I have always felt like a foreigner, so I suppose I am happier being foreign in a land that is foreign to me than feeling foreign in a land where I am supposed to be at home. Weird eh? but so am I. So that's OK then I suppose.

Back to pontificating about stuff I can't change soon, until then be good

Back in the UK (Bruce)

Hi,
I like Bruce Springsteen. I was introduced to "Tha Boss" by my mate Gary, who is a massive Springsteen fan, and has been forever. I like him because he is just one of the greatest lyricists and songwriters there has ever been. So when Gary got me a ticket to see him in Cardiff for my 40th, I was like a dog with 2 cocks.

My enthusiasm was tempered by the knowledge that Gary was ill. Not dying ill, but in a shed load of pain continuously kind of ill. He promised me that he wouldn't miss the Boss for the world, and that Gary Me and Andy (good bloke) would be together screaming ourselves hoarse like 2 teenage girls.

It didn't work out like that. Gary was unable to be the third man here. All I can say is that he must be in a lot of pain.

So we roped my Brother-In -Law in tow and off we went.
I am not going to give a blow by blow here. Needless to say the experience bordered on the religious. Only spoiled slightly by drunk people talking during the show.

Surprisingly, it wasn't like the ear bleedingly load shows I have seen in the past (Metallica and Iron Maiden where really loud) but it was the best musically.

The guy is a star, and a one off.

Gary furnished me with the entire back catalogue, and I have been driving everyone nuts by playing it in work and the car. Do I care? Not really.

In parting, if you get the chance to see Bruce Springsteen in concert, just do it. You might surprise yourself

Be Good

Back In the UK (Part 2)

Hi,
The first week of my sojourn back to the UK was taken up with seeing friends and family. It is amazing how much time is taken up by visits when you have 4 years to catch up on, and how quickly that you are back on the terms you left on. It was as if I hadn't been away, which made it feel kind of other worldly, as if I was dreaming the entire episode.

On the first Friday we took a trip up to Glastonbury with Jamie, by brother in law, to see his girlfriend and spend a day at hippie central, which was superb. THis is us at the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey. THe monks were slaughtered by Henry VIII, they disagreed with his opinion that he was head of the Church of England

This is in the grounds of Wells Cathedral. Ieuan found a friendly cat to hassle.

Jamie managed to get us back home in time to be picked up by Susan for an overnighter at my mate Leighton's house. His 4 kids we always very close to Ieuan, and nothing had changed there. A real great night.

We stayed over on the Saturday at my parents. My Father had a run in with Prostate Cancer last year, so it was great to have a social occasion with myself, the family and some close childhood friends. Half way through the night we had a phone call, that my Mother in Law had slipped whilst playing Cricket on the beach, and had broken her leg.

THe next day we went up to see my brother Des and his new wife for a BBQ. Ieuan liked Des' dogs, a pair of Mastiffs by the names of Molly and Bailey. Here is Molly with Ieuan, myself and Des are in the background.

Now this was a pain for her, sure, but for us it was almost as irritating. We were all going to go to London for a 4 day trip on the Monday, so I had to cancel her and my Father in Law's rooms. As it was, there was no drama, and we went u[p anyway. The trip was done on the cheap, staying at a travelodge in the City of London (about $160 a night USD) and going to the Museums of Natural History, Science the V&A and the Imperial War Museum, Lambeth.

Each one of these museums you could skim in a day, but to really enjoy the first 3 would take a couple of days each. The Imperial War Museum is on 4 sites in London, so each one would take a good half day each I think. Need less to say we had a great time, if very tiring. Best of all, it was all free! I am a skinflint.

The Natural History Museum itself is one of the most beautiful and impressive bits of Victorian neo-gothic architecture in existence. It was designed as a Cathedral to Nature, and it is awesome. There is so much within it which is both awesome and beautiful, I cant express how wonderful a place it is. This is the Diplodocus that stands in the Great Hall, with myself and Ieuan beneath it.

The Science Museum is a place where a nerd like me can be lost for days. There is a hall of space which contains the actual Apollo 10 capsule, plus a Saturn 5 motor and a load of other cool stuff.

The hall of aviation has a Vickers Vimy WW1 bomber, plus a Hurricane and Spitfire, and a Bf 109 Messerscmidt.

The Victoria & Albert Museum contains basically the best examples of stuff humans have made, be that fine art (there are numerous pieces by Rodain, Turner, Constable and Rembrandt) or wrought ironwork. THere are hall dedicated to Chinese, Islamic, African artifacts (plus many, many more) and it has within it some of the most beautiful examples of just how awesome humans can be when they put their minds to it. I found it quite overwhelming.

Ieuan found that his feet were falling off, so this is him in the central courtyard of the V&A

The Imperial War Museum brings you back to earth with a resounding thud. I have always found it ironic that some of the most ingenious and beautiful things humans have ever made are designed to murder people. The displays of WW1 and 2 are sobering, and the display on the Holocaust and crimes against humanity were enough to chill the soul of any man with an ounce of fellow feeling in him.

THis is Ieuan with a "Tommy Cooker" (That's what the Germans nicknamed the Sherman, because it caught fire a lot, and was hard to get out of), and in the cockpit of a Lancaster heavy bomber, where my cousin Des served as a navigator in WW2

We arrived back on the Thursday, tired but happy. I received a call from my mate Gary telling me that he wasn't well enough to attend the Bruce Springsteen concert on Saturday, which was a bit of bad news. But more of that next time

Be Good

Back in the UK, part 1

Hi,
Well we have been back in NZ for 2 whole days, and I am jet lagged to hell, which is why I am writing this at 5am.

First, the flight. I got on in Auckland, and was immediately impressed by the aircraft, (an Airbus A340-500, for the plane nerds out there), and the airline (Emirates, fly them if you get the chance). I was less impressed by the whining kid that kept me awake, but there you go. You cannot get bored, at your fingertips are over 400 albums, 100 movies and numerous TV shows, all on demand. Stunning.

We stopped off at Dubai, and I have to say Dubai International is the most impressive airport I have ever been in, O'Hare was good, but the terminal looks like it was designed by an Arab Xzibit. BLING CENTRAL!

We then flew (Boeing 777, nice) to Birmingham, UK. I had a very nice Arab family sitting next to me, who had 5 kids, all impeccably behaved, when they weren't being unbelievably cute. The 2nd youngest took a shine to me, which he expressed by painting my arm with tomato sauce.

I drove from the airport to my home, which was scary, I had forgotten how crowded and fast the roads in the UK were. We arrived safe and sound.The first week was taken up by seeing the family and friends I had so missed, and it was beautiful. My nieces and my friends kids are growing so fast it is daft. I had a lovely welcome from my mates.

We were staying at my Father in laws house, and I was using his car. He has a van for his works, so it wasn't too onerous for him, but thanks all the same. My son discovered that you can view TV on demand in the UK using the BBCi player, and Dr Who, so in the 4 weeks we were there he watched every episode we could.

Well that enough for now. I will write about London, broken legs and beer next time.

Be Good