tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-131605872012-02-10T12:12:10.051ZJP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.comBlogger7421100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-67168068944024500652012-02-07T15:05:00.001Z2012-02-07T15:06:24.985Z

For those of you who know me, or who have been long-term visitors to this Corner of the Blogosphere, you will probably know that I am a Christian.  You may also know that although I don’t care much for denominational division that I usually attend an Anglican church. There is lots which is good about the Anglican church.  Personally, I like the breadth of styles it encompasses, the structure of

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-89594735737047417192012-02-06T11:06:00.001Z2012-02-06T11:30:40.986Z

On Saturday afternoon, I travelled on a South West Trains service to London.  I put my headphones in, turned on my MP3 player (The Verve, if you are interested) and fell asleep.  I`d not been asleep long when I was tapped on the shoulder by the guard, who wanted to see my ticket.  Of course, I obliged, but as he disappeared down the train I was not happy that my sleep had been disturbed. At one

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-60790964704951834042012-02-02T10:06:00.001Z2012-02-02T13:58:50.170Z

There is an interesting article on the BBC News this morning about a family on benefits and how they will be worse off under the proposed benefits cap. At first glance, it is very easy to feel sorry for the family.  He is unable to find a job (and it is fair to assume that he has been trying to do so) and she is unable to work. But then I read some of the comments and looked at the breakdown of

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-91685066540781952182012-02-01T16:19:00.001Z2012-02-01T16:19:47.268Z

I have just read the leading paragraph of a BBC article on the new Bond film.  Apparently, the first official image from the film has been released and “actor Daniel Craig is shown wielding a gun and sporting stubble.” How is this any more news-worthy than the fact I brushed my teeth this morning?  Honestly, I’d almost be prepared to bet that more people have commented on my own facial hair in

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-67612803841859467572012-02-01T10:59:00.001Z2012-02-01T10:59:59.567Z

I am intrigued by the debacle over Fred Goodwin and his knighthood, or lack thereof.  There is an interesting article in The Telegraph which suggests that it is nothing but a political game and a “capitulation to mob rule.” I am equally intrigued by the farce over Stephen Hester and his bonus.  At one level, I don’t disagree that the bonus seemed a bit outrageous in this time of recession, but we

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-87482814460681215142012-01-27T12:12:00.001Z2012-01-27T12:12:28.693Z

We currently have an American guest in our house, which is always fun.  Amongst other things, I very much enjoyed the excuse to be a tourist in London at the weekend, and it is quite fun to mock her. One of the things which seems to have surprised her is the fact that most of our policemen are unarmed.  At one level, this makes me proud to be British, and I am proud of the fact that arming our

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-26507031851104123792012-01-24T15:15:00.001Z2012-01-24T15:15:25.221Z

I have been asked quite a bit recently about what I think of the plans for a new high-speed railway line between London and Birmingham, and so I thought that I would blog about it.  I appreciate that this may not be of interest to everyone, but then when is that ever the case with my contributions to the Blogosphere? As a Transport Researcher, I should probably know more about some of the hard

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-53253179322880787422012-01-18T11:49:00.001Z2012-01-18T11:56:56.061Z

According to the BBC, “Work-averse students, corner-cutting journalists and people who simply enjoy wasting time online are in for a testing day.” I’m sure that there have been times in the past when someone could have argued that I fitted all three categories, but let’s gloss over that.  I’ve not blogged in a while and you’re bored because Wikipedia is on strike, so let’s just try and make the

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-41216439486048156342011-12-22T14:37:00.001Z2011-12-22T20:42:37.546Z

I saw a condescending advert in the local paper the other day from one of the trade unions.  It was about Holly & Ivy and what they want for Christmas. Holly & Ivy, apparently, are public sector workers, who have worked hard this year.  For Christmas they want the pension and the recompense they’d been promised, as well as “some mutual respect.”  “Is that too much to ask?” the advert whined.

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-15863333165600323692011-12-20T15:24:00.001Z2011-12-20T15:24:04.621Z

There is a quote from a vicar in this Telegraph article which made me chuckle: “I went to look, and it was an absolutely huge stash of cannabis. I had to nip over to the rectory and grab a Tesco carrier bag, and there I was, at 10am, in a dog collar, spooning this stuff into the bag, trying to maintain my equilibrium.” I was going to say that I shouldn’t condone taking things out of context,

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-72827274294848945332011-12-02T10:56:00.001Z2011-12-02T10:58:06.720Z

In more ways than one at the moment I could be accused of losing the plot.  After my barrage of tweets yesterday about the BBC, the unions and Clarkson’s comments it’s probably time to chill out for a bit. I am still annoyed that I can’t watch the trains on the One Show, and don’t like living in a society where – as one commentator put it – folk call for those who advocate being taken out and

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-25170694656857909402011-12-01T10:19:00.001Z2011-12-01T10:19:22.442Z

This morning, I looked back at my Twitter feed for yesterday and decided that I’d quite like to watch The One Show on iPlayer with my breakfast.  Not, of course, for reasons you might think.  What I had seen on Twitter were references to a report on the ‘Megatrain’ and given that I am a ferroequinologist, I thought I might find it quite interesting.* Unfortunately, I discovered that yesterday’s

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-37893779940762480382011-11-09T10:24:00.001Z2011-11-09T10:24:33.454Z

As you may have read or heard about in the news, there is going to be another protest against tuition fees in London today.  I’m sure that some of the participants will have a genuine belief in their cause and a genuine concern for others, but the cynic in me says that many in the crowd will be there for the day out (especially if it means skipping lectures) and the buzz of being part of

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-60707207201193914712011-11-02T17:46:00.001Z2011-11-02T17:46:54.369Z

I’ve not blogged for a while, and probably shouldn’t be indulging in this pastime now because I have a deadline coming up.  But as we all know, deadlines are great at stimulating procrastination.  I shall therefore proceed to spout an anecdote I’ve been saving for a rainy day. A while back I was at a social event (a common occurrence, despite the fact that my job involves trains) when a friend

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-9390720613515374252011-10-21T11:22:00.001Z2011-10-21T11:22:37.411Z

I was reading this morning about the redevelopment of Reading Station (because I am cool like that), and I quite liked this helpful piece of advice: "Although most trains will be using the same platforms as they are now, albeit with new platform numbers, some train services will be using different platforms." So that’s crystal clear, then.

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-34224795626687513662011-10-14T12:06:00.001Z2011-10-14T12:06:58.993Z

Today I'm heading up to the Lakes with a friend. He was going to be driving his VW Golf-a car I recently saw described by a German on Facebook as "like a Bratwurst: practical, easy to handle, value for money and to almost everyone's taste." In the pub last night, however, I received the dreaded phone call. He'd broken down. This is never good news, but thankfully our weekend plans were not

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-18358013856034562662011-10-03T15:50:00.001Z2011-10-03T15:50:51.132Z

For those of you who don’t know me very well, the fact that I don’t drive and work in the area of transport and the environment may make you think that I am the sort of person who knits my own sandals and eats a lot of muesli.  You may think that I will disapprove of you for owning a car, especially if is anything that isn’t small and dull. Apart from the fact that I am actually partial to a bowl

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-90577473301091973842011-09-28T20:23:00.001Z2011-09-28T20:23:05.345Z

When a friend of mine announced he was considering buying a convertible Saab, I wholeheartedly approved. After all, "cheap" does not necessarily have to mean "Daewoo Matiz" (thankfully) and I always like it when people drive something a bit different.  Too many people choose not to take the opportunity when they have it, and before they know it their Fiesta has to be sold to make way for a

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-22921939321044076392011-09-23T09:06:00.001Z2011-09-23T09:07:18.858Z

  The person responsible for this sign, which appeared on the BBC News Page today, probably passed their English GCSE at Grade C or above.  They may even have a Key Skills qualification in IT (which really should have pointed out the existence of a spell-checker). Or maybe the council had to find someone to do the sign on the cheap because they couldn’t pay those who are qualified enough to

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-11651474320304544992011-09-15T12:44:00.001Z2011-09-15T12:44:33.238Z

  This is a photograph of the old US Airbase at Greenham Common, near Newbury, taken a couple of weeks ago.  The airbase was closed in 1993, and it has since been “returned to common land.”  Apparently.  Despite the hype which went with the campaign, you can see that it still bears more resemblance to an airbase than it does to anything else.  Meanwhile, nearby Thatcham and Coldash have swelled

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-1670599927015780462011-09-14T12:29:00.001Z2011-09-14T12:29:51.303Z

I’ve just had a cursory glance at the statistics for this corner of the Blogosphere.  Not only is it more exciting than returning from lunch to write a report, it is good for my ego as well. Today I learned that someone landed here after asking Google “what is lesbian tea.”  Apparently, one of my earlier posts was relevant.  Arguably, the photograph illustrated it quite well (although I prefer

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-42513481218367660892011-09-13T21:27:00.001Z2011-09-13T21:28:32.099Z

I’ve not been on a train today, and neither have I experienced any bad customer service.*  Fear not, however, the trade unions are making threats again, and  that is also usually enough to bring me running to this corner of the Blogosphere with a need to vent my spleen. From what I can see, the BBC article is outlining another classic tale of self-centred union politics.  As with all good strikes

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-4556626340735337022011-09-12T21:19:00.001Z2011-09-12T21:19:14.323Z

I won’t lie to you.  Even for the geeks and ferroequinologists amongst you, my last post was possibly one of the more monotonous I’ve written. Even though it wasn’t quite as dull as this blog, I am pleased to say that if trains aren’t your thing I have found something else to talk about. The BBC have produced an interesting article on the Chinese Church, and there is a radio programme which could

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-75892764673445568132011-09-12T20:07:00.001Z2011-09-12T20:07:24.994Z

I was on a train this morning (as you do), and despite the fact that it was running late, I was in a good mood.  Sadly, before some wisecrack makes a comment, this was nothing to do with a girl.  Alas. But please humour me and read the rest of my ramblings anyway. Of the things which did contribute to my good mood, the first was the fact that Danny at The Whistlestop Cafe at Barnham had still

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-82002820767346131582011-09-09T10:11:00.001Z2011-09-09T10:13:59.728Z

…or not, as the case may be.  I know that I should be working but I’ve just briefly scanned the BBC News Page over coffee and feel the need to pass comment on one of the headlines, which reads “Gipsy Wedding star wins Brother.” This has given rise to a couple of questions.  - since when has “Big Brother” been acceptably abbreviated as “Brother?”  As I don’t watch it, I’m probably not in the

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-89381724578468101422011-09-08T11:50:00.001Z2011-09-08T12:00:07.525Z

For someone who doesn’t especially like The Guardian, least of all some of its self-righteous, self-opinionated, and generally fairly nauseating commentators (I’m looking at you, Miss Toynbee), I do refer to it an awful lot.  Maybe I’m in denial… Anyway, my attention was drawn to this article via Twitter earlier.  The link was preceded by “BBC religion producers forbidden to speak at [Greenbelt].

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-3527342802742314992011-09-06T09:30:00.001Z2011-09-06T09:47:45.515Z

I don’t play the drums, for the record.  But I did see a tweet this morning which amused me, and thought that I would quote it here for your general amusement and delectation.  After all, I’ve not had the chance to post much else here recently, and I’d hate for the place to become full of cobwebs again. “My neighbour knocked on my door at 2.30 this morning! 2.30am! Luckily for him, I was still

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-78132041668089921092011-08-30T20:50:00.001Z2011-08-30T20:50:17.025Z

I tweeted so prolifically yesterday that even the most inobservant of you probably know that I was on a train through Wales.  Some of you are probably already on the edge of your seat in anticipation of my latest train-related blog post. Please control your excitement, however.  I regret to inform you that there are no tales of romance.  There isn’t even much of a rant, having instead added my

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-73198728554935974602011-08-20T21:04:00.001Z2011-08-20T21:04:39.158Z

As I get older and wiser, I am realising that I cannot avoid the fact that I may come across as a bit of a geek.  This is probably not surprising (I am a ferroequinologist, after all), but it does mean that even folks with names like Mike Posner think that they’re cooler than me. I do try and make up for this by adding chic to my geek, although this doesn’t always go as planned.  My brother’s

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-51970968374336546772011-08-12T21:45:00.001Z2011-08-12T21:46:16.484Z

Shock horror.  Someone writing for The Guardian has written an article complaining about BBC’s Top Gear.  Whereas I wouldn’t usually bother giving such drivel any airtime, I have, on this occasion decided to throw my hat in to the ring.  The article in question is about an episode on electric cars, and as a researcher working in the field of Sustainable Transport I feel that I ought to be in a

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-46961905074421029762011-08-12T14:23:00.001Z2011-08-12T14:31:44.293Z

I am currently enjoying the letters page in today's Metro. It is awash with responses to a "party political" letter evidently recently written by one 'J Alan.' Evidently said letter blamed the Conservatives for the riots and I am delighted to see that many folk have written in, crying "ignorance" and reminding the readership about 13 years of a Labour government under which "anti social behaviour

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-16049810323232963892011-08-11T12:10:00.001Z2011-08-11T12:12:01.654Z

  One of the songs I really enjoy singing in church is ‘Blessed Be Your Name.’  It’s quite old now, but I find it really expressive.  It helps me to remember that we have a lot to thank God for (and that sometimes we need to see beyond current circumstances). I found myself thinking about this song when I was away last week.  It was quite appropriate because I was feeling very thankful and I

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-61368397759362130862011-08-08T19:26:00.001Z2011-08-08T19:26:06.452Z

This is a quick post for the more regular visitors amongst you; if this is the first time you've joined us in this part of the Blogosphere it may be a bit of a pointless exercise. The basic question is this. If you had to single out one of my blog posts as a particular favourite* which one would it be? Please dig through the archives and post the link to your selection as a comment. Thanks! *"

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-8724560045502253372011-08-06T13:32:00.001Z2011-08-06T13:32:42.445Z

It’s occurred to me that I’m probably not divulging particularly great clues about my location – my friend John, for example, who is normally quite good at this sort of thing, thinks that I am at RAF Northolt.  Which I am not. So let’s bring everyone up to speed. - on Wednesday, when I was at the Red Desk, my HTC thought I was in Hillingdon - if you follow me on Twitter you will also note that I

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-10685445978345836872011-08-05T19:19:00.001Z2011-08-05T19:19:52.064Z

Today’s post, for those of you tuning in for clues of my current whereabouts, is short, sweet, and possibly not a huge help. Tomorrow I shall be going on a bus, with my friend, to visit a capital city.  The bus journey is between 2 and 2 1/2 hours.

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-86050743984404469572011-08-04T19:04:00.001Z2011-08-04T19:04:11.109Z

Obviously if you’re playing the ‘Where’s JP?’ game, it’s a bit unfair of me to show you a couple of featureless corridors and expect you to home in on where I am.  So here are some shops I passed today… For the record, I didn’t go in to any of them.

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-82774566668795676772011-08-04T19:02:00.001Z2011-08-04T19:02:53.617Z

From the Red Desk I was sent to the Blue Desk.  And then I arrived here.  Where there is another corridor.

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-31651206552578102682011-08-03T10:55:00.001Z2011-08-03T10:55:01.336Z

The red desk lies off this corridor. The person manning it is crucial to my travel plans. I'm praying for good news.

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-35294076049510577482011-08-02T14:10:00.001Z2011-08-02T14:10:10.962Z

  For my birthday, the people I live with gave me the Top Gear “Where’s Stig?” book.  It’s like the “Where’s Wally?” books but much cooler, and I find it entertaining. I have also found it quite entertaining to not tell people where I am going this weekend, other than the fact that I am off to visit a university friend.  Having kept it quiet (if nothing else because the plans have only really

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-19627529010777932832011-08-01T15:18:00.001Z2011-08-01T15:18:16.647Z

Along with Halfords, Vodafone is the second entry on my current blacklist. I can’t be bothered to give them airtime by boring you with all the details at the moment (I’ll save them for a rainy day) but I am now staggered at the levels of incompetence I have had the dubious pleasure of experiencing. In a nutshell, they have failed to bill me correctly.  None of their figures match what I agreed to

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-57371795267496002132011-08-01T10:48:00.001Z2011-08-01T10:53:36.626Z

It’s just gone 1130, which means that it’s time for me to kick back with a coffee.  And inject some thoughts in to the Blogosphere whilst I do so. I had a lovely day with friends in the New Forest yesterday, and for part of the journey there we were behind a Range Rover whose number plate just about read “Losers.”  Although this is something you’d expect Jeremy Clarkson to have, and has shades of

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-74730074664016650782011-08-01T09:04:00.001Z2011-08-01T09:04:34.920Z

There’s an interesting report about Private Sector Pension provision on the BBC News Page this morning.  There are some fair warnings about the need to save for retirement, but I’m not sure I like the tone of the article.  After all, it is left to a commentator at the bottom to point out that Gordon Brown made a fair crack of raiding the aforementioned pension schemes when he was Chancellor.  

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-5338648281335153572011-07-31T11:01:00.001Z2011-07-31T11:01:57.877Z

As I have my clear-out, I’m enjoying another voyage of discovery through my iTunes library.  I can’t believe that it is 12 years since Baz Luhrmann’s Sunscreen was all over the global radio waves, and I was on an exchange in a very sunny Waiblingen. Halcyon days… Equally, I can’t believe that 12 years later I still haven’t grasped the fact that “worry is about as effective as trying to solve an

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-15605737862694097272011-07-31T10:55:00.001Z2011-07-31T10:55:54.655Z

I am having a bit of a clear-out and I have found a menu for Chili’s Indian Restaurant in Newbury. I’ve never eaten there, but I remember picking up a menu as I walked past, and keeping it because I’d found something blogworthy about it. I’m not sure what that thing was though.  It could be just the name (let’s face it, Chili’s is a good name for a restaurant).  More likely, it was the fact that

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-84445750625580896282011-07-31T10:40:00.001Z2011-07-31T10:40:40.664Z

…especially when said picture has a thousand words in it. From xkcd.com

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-34930834212960143322011-07-30T15:48:00.001Z2011-07-30T16:57:11.518Z

Even though I really knew better than to buy a bike from Halfords, I’m ashamed to admit that I was taken in by their Cycle to Work Scheme offer with my previous company.  Sadly, although it turned out to be cheap(ish) it has not been a particularly cheerful experience. I am now on my third bike, having rejected the previous two under warranty and I was cycling along the other day when the

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-58429295908657929202011-07-28T11:26:00.001Z2011-07-28T11:26:58.183Z

I would have thought that if you have a Sixth Sense then you probably don’t need to be told where the meeting is.

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-89350689433727602552011-07-26T14:17:00.001Z2011-07-26T14:17:11.984Z

Ideally, I’d have time now to give you all the gory details about my latest encounter with Vodafone.  But because I wasted my afternoon in their shop yesterday I’ll have to spare you that for now. In an ideal world I’d also have time to rant about my frustrations with programming in VBA for Excel.  But as that is also wasting my time and not helping me meet my deadline I’ll spare you that for now

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-7290769809157086882011-07-23T18:51:00.001Z2011-07-23T18:51:02.832Z

Capital FM's current choice of tune is an appropriate accompaniment to the current activities of the idiots next door. You get the impression that they would if they could. I don't know whether it's the CRT monitor or the plastic jug which is providing us with some nice acrid smoke, but either way I'm not enamoured with the idea of having to shut the windows on what was a nice summer evening.

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-10038205053192404772011-07-23T15:24:00.001Z2011-07-23T15:24:14.299Z

There’s been a lot of phone chat in this Corner of the Blogosphere recently, which has probably been quite boring for most of you.  But one of the upshots of the recent phone-drama is that I have a shiny new HTC, which I am delighted with. For once, let’s not dwell too much on the phone itself though – I don’t want to risk getting any closer to claiming the title of Dullest Blog In The World. I

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-41221760559445703172011-07-22T16:11:00.001Z2011-07-22T16:11:30.988Z

I am not in the market for an expensive white watch.  Neither am I convinced that the sales pitch for it is anything other than a clever ploy to attract attention.  But, as evidenced by the fact that I was drawn to it via Twitter, this eBay Auction has certainly grabbed the limelight. Genuine or otherwise, it’s brilliant…

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-27772618274934651002011-07-20T20:27:00.001Z2011-07-20T20:27:25.696Z

When it comes to music, I am a fan of The Killers. “Hot Fuss” is one of the very few albums I’ve bought on a whim and loved. This evening, I pointed iTunes to “Sam’s Town” (another of their albums) for the first time in ages and caught myself paying attention to the lyrics of “Bones.” It all starts off so well, with references to going to look at the stars and holding hands in the ocean.  If you

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-80896221143962165332011-07-20T12:32:00.001Z2011-07-20T12:33:00.357Z

Those of you who have been compiling a list of “JP Facts” will know that I generally like flying with British Airways.  Amongst other things, I enjoy the fact that the “all inclusive” nature of the service reduces the hassle of booking a ticket and flying somewhere.  I like the fact that rather than having to take out a small mortgage to be able to afford a “cool refreshing J2O” I can order a G&T

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-14187552181597141962011-07-19T11:31:00.001Z2011-07-19T11:31:20.096Z

There is a definite correlation between the amount of grey hair I have and the number of tracks in my iTunes library which could now be classed as ‘retro.’  Like grey hair, however, retro is not necessarily bad, and some classics have definitely found their way out of the woodwork as I sit working this morning. Now 34 seems to be a particularly good source of gems, including “What if God was one

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-61422438000328957612011-07-18T20:58:00.001Z2011-07-18T20:58:12.010Z

I feel that I ought to say thank you to Chris from O2 for taking the time to read and comment on my last post.  It was a more thorough response than I got from Vodafone via Twitter and makes for interesting reading. Of course, some of the extra touches are nice, but the price differential was just too great for me not to move.  After all, if Vodafone’s deal is just for new customers only I’ve

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-14549974234790926692011-07-12T14:16:00.001Z2011-07-12T14:19:04.419Z

Those of you who follow me on Twitter or haven’t blocked me on your Facebook Newsfeed because I talk too much will know that I recently decided to transfer my phone back from O2 to Vodafone. The main reason is that my O2 Sim-Only contract conveniently came to an end two days after my phone died, and when I got in touch with them to discuss an upgrade they were completely uncompetitive.  I pointed

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-63458723178306863542011-07-11T17:49:00.001Z2011-07-11T17:49:38.834Z

Technically, I should have entitled this post “the lack-of-mobile-telephone experiment” because the good old landline has been quite a feature of the last few days.  To say that I have been completely incommunicado would be a bit melodramatic, even for me. Anyway, how am I getting on? In no particular order: I have had to learn the landline number for the house I live in… …but I still don’t know

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-23857330179466707742011-07-10T11:57:00.001Z2011-07-10T20:12:20.532Z

Seasoned visitors to this Corner of the Blogosphere will know that I generally think that you can tell a lot about someone by the car they drive.  It is also common knowledge that if you ask a girl what car she drives, a typical response would be “a blue one” or “a green one.”  In some situations, therefore, this poses something of a dilemma.  Assuming that her response isn’t “a pink one,” or in

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-23342584674039632852011-07-09T11:47:00.001Z2011-07-09T11:47:34.091Z

This morning, I found myself reading an interview in The Guardian with Rowan Williams.  It was an interesting read, I have to admit. Although I’d recommend the whole article, I particularly like his views on the Atheist vs Theist debate. “Argument has the role of damage limitation. The number of people who acquire faith by argument is actually rather small. But if people are saying stupid things

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-28576932729450708342011-07-06T10:24:00.001Z2011-07-06T10:24:00.262Z

If you read my last couple of posts, you will know that I am currently without a working mobile telephone.  It could be two weeks before mine is repaired and unless the battery on the old phone I keep for emergencies suddenly comes to life, or someone is kind enough to lend me an O2 compatible handset then I am going to have to get used to it. In some ways I am actually looking forward to it and

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-55107460253818913842011-07-06T09:52:00.001Z2011-07-06T09:52:36.110Z

They say that you learn something new every day, and yesterday I learned at least two things. Firstly, I learnt that more people are likely to offer help with coding in VBA than with problems with a Nokia E5 (I had a better response to my last cry for help than I did this time). Secondly, I learnt that although Nokia’s software leaves a bit to be desired, their customer service can be pretty good

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-50814214803355073102011-07-05T11:30:00.001Z2011-07-05T11:30:07.076Z

When I promised some non-political rants, I envisaged writing something more interesting than asking for help with my telephone.  But it is my blog, and needs must. As you may have gathered from the title, I have a Nokia E5.  Don’t ask why – since their PC Software (Ovi Suite) has become so temperamental, I have no good reason to have stayed loyal to Nokia.  But we are where we are. So what’s the

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-68099547844908843882011-07-05T09:33:00.001Z2011-07-05T09:33:49.906Z

I know that you’re probably fed up with me chattering about the bin strikes in Southampton, but hang on in there.  If rubbish strikes and political rants aren’t your thing I will have something for you soon. In the meantime, however, I am pleased to announce that the bin men were on duty today and have taken not just the overflowing recycling bin, but also the boxes and bags of recycling which

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-13457814226073157692011-07-04T11:50:00.001Z2011-07-04T11:50:57.494Z

There are some things in life of which I am slightly proud, even though I really shouldn’t be.  Being asked if my tan is fake is one (though it most certainly isn’t).*  Another thing I can now add to that list is receiving my first abuse on Twitter.  If you already follow me, or have been reading the torrent of tweets in the sidebar you will know that @shawgreen kindly tweeted that I am

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-78489607900514728412011-06-23T22:21:00.001Z2011-06-23T22:21:14.527Z

I have enjoyed the spike in readership recently arising from my comments on the rubbish strikes and the fact that lots of people seem to be searching for “Southampton” “Bin Strikes” and the like.  It’s probably been better for my ego than it should have been. Anyway, if you were one of those folk who have come searching, I feel as though I should help provide answers. The current situation seems

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-54153994686839458652011-06-20T21:30:00.001Z2011-06-20T21:30:48.326Z

One of the good things about having a camera built in to my telephone is that I invariably have it with me should I see something I’d like to snap.  My photo collection is full of all sorts of weird and wonderful observations, many of which I really should share with you at some point. Look at this one, for example.  I think I took it at Bristol Parkway station.  What sort of person needs

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-55700679949186192002011-06-18T16:28:00.001Z2011-06-18T16:29:14.340Z

If you are a resident of Southampton, you will know that the bin-men have been on strike for the last couple of weeks and that some of us could be without a collection for more than a month in total (in fact, for recycling, the gap between collections is likely to top six weeks).  So it’s like Naples, but less trendy because we can’t actually blame the Mafia.  And it’s not as hot.  And the food

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-19364722028167788782011-06-15T13:52:00.001Z2011-06-15T13:52:04.650Z

So it seems as though the activity today in this Corner of the Blogosphere is like buses.  You wait ages for a post and three come along at once. This is one of my more serious reflections (there’s only so much wit a man can offer in one day) but I thought that I’d share it with you anyway.  One of the many great traditions I enjoyed as an Oxford student is the fact that the preprandial grace is

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-25829165794668630542011-06-15T13:07:00.001Z2011-06-15T13:10:20.772Z

I have learned a new word today – “sodcasting.”  Even if you don’t know what it is, you just know that it is anti-social.  Well, you do, because you’re an upstanding member of society.  According to the BBC, however, there are some members of society who would disagree. One of two profound questions asked on the BBC News Page this morning is "why do people play music in public through a phone?"

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-63850998023078564272011-06-15T11:05:00.001Z2011-06-15T11:05:31.585Z

So read the subject line of an email I received this morning.  Attached to the email was a photograph of a bookshop in Hong Kong (more on that in a minute) and the guy wrote that it “must be photoshopped, I thought. However, if it is, so is the Hong Kong telephone book...” Indeed, said bookshop is listed as an approved OUP Retailer.  I know that this is generally a family blog for family people,

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-38046651128709597622011-06-04T10:53:00.001Z2011-06-04T11:16:29.331Z

Normally, when it comes to deodorant, I’m a Lynx man.  If you’re a fan of JP Trivia, that one’s for you.* The other day, however, I was in the Men’s section of the Toiletries aisle in Waitrose and, out of the corner of my eye, I spied an offer; two for one on ‘Right Guard 3-D.’  I like a bargain, and decided that I could manage without the Lynx Effect for a while.  After all, I was sporting some

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-53356907675381891562011-06-03T11:26:00.001Z2011-06-03T13:06:18.718Z

For those of you who have been returning every few minutes desperate for news about what happened in my fight with easyJet, the wait is now over.  I apologise for the inconvenience, but it is not my policy to offer compensation.  If this blog had Terms and Conditions it would state that work takes precedence over broadcasting to the Blogosphere and I have actually had a productive few days (yes,

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-44058092463643054252011-06-03T10:42:00.001Z2011-06-03T10:49:21.302Z

So it seems that there is some controversy surrounding the use of the word 'chav.’  Unsurprisingly, Polly Toynbee has found something to whinge about, suggesting that “chav is acceptable class abuse by people asserting superiority over those they despise." This is quite ironic really, given that when it comes to asserting a sickly tone of superiority, Miss Toynbee is better* at it than most.   *

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-45982293971009511472011-05-31T13:06:00.001Z2011-05-31T13:08:55.521Z

The list of folk who view me as “one of those people” is growing and probably now includes Bernice in easyJet’s Customer Care Department. I used to enjoy flying with easyJet, but as those of you who keep a keen eye on Twitter will know, my most recent flight with them caused me to tweet prolifically. In fact, things didn’t get off to the best of starts when I was charged £8 just for the privilege

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-22034551320707428232011-05-31T09:32:00.001Z2011-05-31T09:32:21.557Z

The phone at my desk rang this morning.  This rarely happens, and so it was a brief moment of excitement.  In case you were worried, however, this is not the dullest blog in the world and so there is more to the story than that.  I answered the phone, for a start. The conversation went something like this: Me: “Hello?” Woman at other end: “Have I got the wrong number?” Me: “I don’t know, that

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-60621704200471972942011-05-27T14:39:00.001Z2011-05-27T14:39:27.234Z

In response to yesterday’s post, I have just been sent a link to an image which was posted with the title “I don’t think my university knows how the braille system works…”

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-66257478016772681022011-05-26T11:44:00.001Z2011-05-26T11:46:06.540Z

Now I am back at my computer, I am able to enjoy looking through the photographs from my recent trip.  As I am quite ‘snap happy,’ there are lots of them. Although I could find some nice scenery for you, I am going to start with a photo I didn’t even take in Shetland.  In fact, I took it ‘in the facilities’ on a train.  But as is so often the case, I have no rhyme nor reason beyond ‘not being

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-13027239924970375582011-05-26T11:26:00.001Z2011-05-26T11:26:51.613Z

Last time I checked in to this corner of the Blogosphere I was back in an empty airport terminal having just been for a wander to a nice beach.  Having done the maths, I was actually starting to look forward to another night in the northern isles.  I was envisaging a nice evening meal, and perhaps the chance to see some more puffins. Alas, it wasn’t to be, as there were a number of ‘no shows’

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-86129485082618264682011-05-24T15:00:00.001Z2011-05-24T15:00:55.260Z

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0Sumburgh Airport, Sumburgh (N-bound), United Kingdom59.87777 -1.2888tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-50392128412548635042011-05-24T13:34:00.001Z2011-05-24T13:44:53.524Z

Those of you who have been through my archives from July 2006 will know that I blogged about my experiences of being stuck in Sumburgh airport.  When I arrived at lunch time today, things were looking quite good. Unlike last time, we could see the runway as we drove across it. I didn't get thrown out of the terminal for trying to go in before the airport was open. Flights are actually operating..

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0Sumburgh Airport, Sumburgh (N-bound), United Kingdom59.87777 -1.2888tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-29227066873445498122011-05-22T21:05:00.001Z2011-05-22T21:05:17.632Z

I know, I know, I'm not meant to be rambling. I should be kicking back with my cuppa and my book. But I need to share the fact that my brother has turned the TV on and is watching some people giving birth on More4.  All I'll say is that I am very thankful that my housemate declined the offer of being filmed.

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0Mid Yell, Mid Yell (N-bound), United Kingdom60.59774 -1.06583tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-57416042168568755422011-05-22T20:56:00.001Z2011-05-22T21:01:59.553Z

Shetland is an interesting place, for many reasons which I shall doubtless bore you with at some point. But one observation I shall make now is that along with bus shelters and 'public conveniences,' free wifi is fairly ubiquitous in this part of the world. Mobile phone reception, however, isn't. Even compared to O2's usual standards. So in this Remote Part, I can watch iPlayer, renew my library

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0Mid Yell, Mid Yell (N-bound), United Kingdom60.59774 -1.06583tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-36699194505518962692011-05-22T20:46:00.001Z2011-05-22T20:46:57.458Z

Despite the severe weather warnings, I'm pleased to announce that I made it to the Northern most point in the British Isles earlier today. And not only that, but I enjoyed some blue sky and sunshine in the process. So it would seem that some prayers have been answered. This post comes to you courtesy of my Motorola Xoom, which I adore. However, it is not ideal for typing copious amounts. So if

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0Mid Yell, Mid Yell (N-bound), United Kingdom60.59774 -1.06583tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-36444862833544351502011-05-20T22:14:00.001Z2011-05-20T22:28:14.801Z

As some of you know, I have been struggling to control my excitement about the fact that tomorrow I am setting off to visit the Shetland Isles again. For those of you who are new to these parts of the Blogosphere, you can go back almost five (five!) years in the archive to when I announced my first visit to Shetland, in a post entitled Naked Women (and other things).* You can then make up for the

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-68435045855802795912011-05-20T21:31:00.001Z2011-05-20T21:31:53.434Z

This photographic clip is from the BBC News In Pictures covering the Queen’s four-day visit to Ireland (see http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-13452328).  I couldn’t resist, what with my juvenile sense of humour and all.

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-11059802311569348512011-05-19T10:27:00.001Z2011-05-19T10:27:16.162Z

I’ve often said that ‘Citroen’ should have an ‘h’ in it somewhere… http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13447395

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-90352851118348455802011-05-17T15:26:00.001Z2011-05-17T15:26:10.079Z

This post is probably not going to appeal to many of you, but it’s my blog and I shall do what I want with it.  And what I want right now is some help with programming in VBA.  Someone out there must know the answer… So, I have a spreadsheet which looks like this: I would like to write code which selects the data set, like this: But as I don’t always know the size of the data set, I cannot use

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-32431209185363695372011-05-11T16:36:00.000Z2011-05-13T20:21:44.595Z

I don’t get much post, so it’s been an exciting week because I’ve not only had something from Virgin Trains (see below) but I have also had something from Vanquis Bank.  Whoever they are. Actually, it’s not that exciting at all, because the post from Vanquis Bank is unsolicited junk.  Like most civilised people, I don’t do junk mail.  And this particular piece of junk mail is worse than most,

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-52732824209637647662011-05-11T16:30:00.000Z2011-05-13T20:21:44.487Z

I recently filled in a Virgin Trains Customer Comment Form (no surprises there - I am, after all, one of those people).  I have since received a letter thanking me for my correspondence and informing me that it was received safely.  This is all very polite, but it does beg a question.  Do I respond to them to assure them that their letter arrived safely?  How long does this sort of thing go on

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-78542449802964998482011-05-11T11:05:00.001Z2011-05-11T11:15:57.512Z

As you may have seen, there is some discussion going on about on the spot fines for careless drivers.  In principle, I think that this is a good thing.  After all, we can probably all recall seeing someone driving and wondering how on earth they passed their test.  The caveat, I guess, is that it doesn’t become a money making scheme, like those speed cameras which get you for doing 31mph on a

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-59595704375201765312011-05-09T09:57:00.001Z2011-05-09T10:05:21.334Z

If you are a Londoner you will probably not be too enamoured with the news that the Underground workers are going on strike.  If you are ignorant you will probably unfairly blame Boris, whilst the word in the industry is that the strike is because a pay deal offered “falls well short of RMT’s claim for a substantial, above-inflation, pay rise in a one-year deal.”  It’s difficult to know if this

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-52702904219152759082011-05-06T12:58:00.001Z2011-05-06T12:58:45.454Z

Regular readers will not be surprised to learn that if I kept a list of people I don’t like, Alex Salmond would be on it.  Still, I do agree with the commentator on this article  who said: “Bring on our [Scottish] independence,i know some people might not think we would manage on our own but i say its our right to try,if we make a mess of it then its our fault not yours” Fair enough, in

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-12001563234457651902011-05-06T12:51:00.001Z2011-05-06T13:21:01.781Z

So, polls have closed, and what’s done is done.  We will find out later whether the UK will be adopting the AV system or not. Whilst we all wait with baited breath, I thought I would pass comment on this “Yes to AV” poster I encountered yesterday.  I’d already voted by this point, but suffice to say it didn’t sway my decision. At first glance, the logic of this poster may seem sound.  If there

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-72081928591714392832011-05-04T21:51:00.001Z2011-05-04T21:51:40.339Z

So tomorrow is voting day.  AV or not to AV, that is the question… It may not surprise some of you to learn that I shall be voting ‘no.’  But it may surprise you to learn that I have actually thought about it properly, and I’m not being conservative just for the sake of it. I’m not a huge fan of the sensationalism and the mud-slinging, but I do think that the ‘No’ campaign makes some good points.

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-78961282657404815272011-05-03T13:49:00.001Z2011-05-03T13:49:15.069Z

As has been well documented, I’m not generally the world’s biggest fan of The Guardian.  But this snippet is worth taking note of. It doesn’t actually do much more than state the obvious, but the notion that emissions reductions are cancelled out by important goods should wipe the smug smile off your face if you’ve just imported a Prius and are basking in its apparent eco-friendly glow.

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-62482444425572743232011-04-30T21:15:00.001Z2011-04-30T21:16:25.970Z

  So, yesterday some guy married some girl he met at university and the whole world dropped everything and took note.  As you would expect from a quality blog, I am able to report from the perspective of someone who was there, in the thick of the action, at Buckingham Palace. Of course, most of the action in question was flag waving, and I was only at, rather than in, the Palace – so if you

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-38195503983737366962011-04-23T20:29:00.001Z2011-04-23T20:30:37.828Z

I’ve just booked a flight with easyJet, and was staggered to be fleeced of £8 just for the privilege of paying.  With a debit card! £8! Still, it could have been worse. Flybe would have charged me £9. And their more-dishonest-than-RyanAir website would have fleeced me further for ‘choosing my seat’ had I not wondered why the costs were going up and scrolled down to the tiny print below the

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-18757666089865242972011-04-22T18:31:00.001Z2011-04-22T18:31:45.890Z

I’ve been to quite a few cities in my life (let’s face it, I’m getting old enough to be “well travelled”) and it’s never occurred to me that the traffic might flow better if someone stood in the middle of the street and waved their arms around.  In almost every city, from Bergen to Bristol or from Shanghai to St David’s. it seems to me that drivers are perfectly capable of dealing with a

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-63805165294129264322011-04-21T18:14:00.001Z2011-04-21T18:14:44.810Z

I have just kicked off a Facebook conversation in Italian (I started with “buono sera” in case you were wondering) which was going swimmingly (in that I got a response) until I realised that I’d forgotten how to respond to the question “come sta?” (“how are you?”). Thankfully, Google is my friend, and I found this site.  Having continued my conversation I then scrolled down and saw the list of ‘

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13160587.post-22971988040246167142011-04-20T11:17:00.001Z2011-04-20T11:17:18.859Z

I’m sure I’ve rambled about this before, but I feel the need to question the environmental credentials of Air Passenger Duty (APD), which is much higher in Britain than anywhere else in the world. It is billed as an ‘environmental tax’ to discourage flying.  It is therefore ‘green’ and cuddly, and a reason for the unthinking yet trendy populous to love the government. Unfortunately, the actual

JP...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00951577183105761317noreply@blogger.com0