mockney piers

Regards the drunk Japanese businessmen, I believe that's because their livers aren't very good at metabolising alcohol. In the East they've boiled their water and added infusions to prevent dirty water issues. Round this part of the world we've traditionally fermented our water to prevent infections/impurities. Our livers evolved to cope with this, whereas your oriental liver never got enough practice in.

"we no longer have the freedom to do what we want with regards to drinking etc, without someone somewhere preaching to us and condemning our actions" Very few proscriptions about our ability to consume drink should we so wish to be fair. And I think you'll find society was much more judgemental regards, what they would doubtlessly have called in 1929 'intemperance', compared to now. In fact if anything drinking has been seen as pretty cool for the last 15-20 years; witness the flourishing of wine bars and cocktail bars, even on our own fair lane. It's the happy hour mentality, knock as much back as quickly as possible, that is being attacked, and I don't see that as a bad thing at all. If Brits could learn how to drink responsibly* then there wouldn't be any need for these campaigns. *and by responsibly, I don't necessarily mean small amounts. I've witnessed the likes of Jah or Keef put enough away to sink a small naval vessel and remain gentlemen to the last...that's what I mean!! The last bit of this cracked me up http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/international/huge-dome-to-be-placed-over-middle-east-20080521966/

I don't think it's the sensible Mediterranean style drinkers being targetted here MadWorld (mind you, if you've ever witnessed a botellon you might think otherwise of younger Spaniards). It's the half to one bottle a night types that are damaging themselves much more than they think, and of course the binge culture types that are a plague on the nation. I'm prone to having too many beers myself, but to echo CamberwellOz, I'm unlikely to end up passed out in a gutter or feeling the need to punch or trash anyone/anything. As in all things a bit of sense and moderation is fine. Enjoy a drink, once or twice a week enjoy a few at the weekend, but give your organs some recovery time every now and then. Same with Burgers, nothing wrong with a MaccyD's (well, apart from flavour etc) as long as it's not your staple diet. This government is more nannyish than necessary, but I think in terms of booze the message isn't getting through and things are getting worse (liver disease up huge amounts), so it's right to try and warn people. Though as someone pointed out, the campaign with the frothy 3 on the side of a beer glass just makes you want a beer!!

Agree with you on most of those points Nero. What I really want to do is cut out forthesakeofitbooze. Like draught lager 90% of which is shit. (a good bottle of truly nice crisp (usually Asian) beer on a hot day however = marvellous), house wine in a pub etc But a decent drink in a good place is something to marvel at. If you like G&T go to Bedford & Strand and get them to make you one, I prefer them pretty dry, but they made a wet one with very good quality gin and tonic, and it was soooooo good. And yes, that first drink on a friday does help iron out the creases of a bad week. There are, I'm sure, better ways to do it, but I lack the imagination.

Yes, mildly dependent for getting on for 2 decades now. Have occasionally managed a few weeks off, and am trying (largely unsuccessfully) to cut mid week alcohol out completely. Agree that booze is culturally ingrained in this country, meeting people - pubs, pubs - drink. special occasion - drink etc. Have entertained serious thoughts about knocking it on the head for a year, just to see if I can, but so many special occasions....

"Left to itself it would still argue for slavery." and indeed has literally millions trapped in indentured labour, much of it effectively slavery, lets not kid ourselves. On a side note I'm entitled to a St Kitt's & Nevis passport, may have to check property prices there; and isn't devilling details what the labour party does to questionable intelligence? ;-P

You're right, it's all about the music, which is why the Czech Republic has gone for tone deaf Tereza Kerndlov? When are we going to learn, stop selecting dreadful power ballads and either enter Philippa Forrester (ooh, there's a thought to send a man weak at the knees) or a troupe of acrobatic dwarves dressed in caveman outfits?

was quite partial to those Czech 'singers'.

Indeed it is "we have built a treehouse..." Always up for some BPB

or Sandi Toksvig. Cheers for the clarification sandperson, mine was from a half remembered interview after he joined west ham.

Yep, it's a scar from when he was severely scalded, sround 12ish? I think. He said it made him as a man and meant he could let go of any sort of vanity (not that he's a looker to start with). But seems to be borne out by his character, genuine, polite, unselfish, nay generous as a chap and a footballer. What he's doing at man utd is anyone's guess?!?!

Went to Fopp (Hurrah!!!!) and grabbed a selection of ?3-5 oddities. ULLAdubULLA II - War of the Worlds Remixy stuff, real guilty pleasure this one Do it Again - Tribute to Pet Sounds by the likes of Mazarin, Architecture in Helsinki, The Wedding Present, Daniel Johnston and others Tokyo Police Club - great but WHY so short?!?! Ooh, and full price for Breeders' new album, lovely. (I was taught English (the discipline, not the language) by Josephine Wiggs' mum)

I think it was a pretty evenly balanced game. Utd should have put it beyond Chelsea in the first half as they dominated and missed good chances, but get this....they didn't. Chelsea should have scored their chances in the second half which they by and large dominated, but nor did they. First half of extra time was man utd's but still no winner, and it went to penalties. What Keef said re Ronaldo...the tit; hopefully he'll belt it like normal people in future. If he wants a master class in alternative penalty taking he needs to watch some Di Canio footage. Good game, entertaining, and Terry made an almighty captaincy error there, too focussed on the historic glory to realise Kalou would have won it for Chelsea. He has some of sympathy, as I would anyone who went through that, but it was his own fault, so it's pretty limited sympathy to be honest. Good stuff all told and a better match than I was expecting. Well done man utd frankly, I have no love for you, but best (prem) team of the season without question.

The news page has some very dodgy rendering issues in in Firefox and Safari, riiiiiight down the bottom of the page...tut tut.

see also overly officious PCSOs telling man with camera to stop taking photos "because of terrorism". As I often say, 90% of everything is shit, this is particularly true of people, especially when given a uniform and a leeeetle bit of power. I say let's get all of East Dulwich down to the Imperial War Museum and have a 'playing in the tanks and planes' flash mob to really give that guard something to get irate about.

Respectively Cliff (not M at all), Andrew, James and Matthew

"I'm not sure a muff can be akimbo Mockney" I'm sure during Brendan's cultural learnings in Eastern Europe he witnessed some darn good attempts at it.

"what a lovely photo.....how i wish london streets looked calm and safe like that again." You do realise the man with the cart is shouting "BRING OUUUUUUUT YOUR DEAAAAAAAD"!!! and that lad is a lookout while his mates are nicking a brand new zoetrope out of the house.

"It was good fun wasn?t it, even if I did go out to a bad decision made by a clearly bias umpire. " Agreed, pretty iffy decision that. I reckon if the bails land within 20 yards of your stumps (juuuuust) it shouldn't be out.

Had a bit of a mess around to bring out a bit more detail

Cheers for a good game Raj, and great gesture for Keef, I didn't realise you'd done that. Blue top was David Carnell, and I think he had 2 spells. Not sure of James' surname, perhaps James Absentminded? ;-)

Oh, and another mention to Floating Onion, having never wickeed before, he was the only one to step forward. He had a bit of a struggle at times, but absolutely sterling effort!!!

The missus is going with Croatia, after our delightful holiday in Dubrovnik, where she fell for the friendliness of the locals; plus one of my very good friends is a Cro.

Well, 9 made it (eventually), but the opposition were happy to lend us one of their spectators who happened to have played for Surrey under 16s, and jolly useful he was too. It was a tight game, played out in good spirit. We chalked up a total of 153 all out in 36 overs; special mention to Martin (Brendan's pal) who joined us last minute and retired on a classy half century. The SLP (or KRCSC) looked to be cruising to a relatively comfortable victory whnn our Keef changed the complexion of the game with two wickets in two balls and a stab at the hattrick, meaning the match headed to a tense, exciting finish. Despite Dems' best and terrifying fast-bowling efforts, the opposition went on to enjoy a 3 wicket victory. On a personal note I think I may have aggravated my sciatica when launching myself in a futile attempt to prevent a boundary, and am limping and groaning like an old man today. Al worth it though, and a good, fun day had by all. Still, looks like there'll be a home rematch in july/August, so perhaps the proximity will allow a full team to make it next time.

interesting review on AMG, he doesn't go for it, but he really wants to. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:wvfexzujldse