20th Century
2,4,6,8 Motorway
Back when motoring was fun…. Tom Robinson was singing this song about our road network to us back in the Seventies, when he wasn’t sharing his anthemic “Sing if you’re glad to be gay”. That [more…]
Blog
21st Century
Colonialist Le Grand Fromage, Part One
Le Grand Fromage Lands Although elected under the banner of the Socialist Party (which obviously holds pro “European” views), Hollande attempted to govern in the interest of the “Colonial Party known as French Colonial Union”. [more…]
Culture
A View From The Greenhouse; The Ubiquitous Mission Statement!
I’ve mentioned “Old Jack” and his abandoned (now becoming ramshackle) old house before, on more than one occasion. If it were just about anywhere else in the UK which isn’t a tiny rural hamlet, I’m [more…]
Computing
Early Impressions of Artificial Intelligence
As a regular reader, you’ll know I’ve taken on a pupil, Mr AI Bot. A useful chap, undoubtedly artificial but every inch the novice when it comes to the realm of intelligence. The vacancy attracted [more…]
Arts
The Parallax View (1974)
“Love, mother, father, home, enemy, me”. These are the words burned onto the eyeballs of our protagonist Joe Frady, played by Warren Beatty, as he sits motionless, watching a montage of images flash across the [more…]
19th Century
The Big Shift: The decline of Western politics
The big shift Of course, this is the Left, but also the Right, of the good old days. The days of gentlemanly conduct and of real sportsmanship during a debate. These were the days when cultivated, curious [more…]
Animals
Larry’s Diary – Week Two Hundred and Two
Monday Good morning everyone from an extremely quiet London on this bank holiday Monday. I can normally hear lots of traffic noise and this morning there is hardly any. There is only a skeleton staff [more…]
20th Century
Thirsty Birmingham
The Elan Valley is a picturesque haven for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. Nestled within the Cambrian Mountains region, this area is often referred to as the last wilderness in Wales due to its unspoilt [more…]
Biography
Tales From The Alarm Industry, Part Two
Stories from my time spent working for an alarm company. Part One is here This time: Fire damage, I meet the Geezer and being on call. Following the call from Melanie to head to a [more…]