mockney piers

Shit a brick, had no idea Midlake were playing. May see if I an get a pass (and a ticket obviously). Weirdly I'm alright with Pavement, I mean it's very me music, but I like his solo/jicks stuff better, it's just a bit more playful.

The thing is the language of politics and the truths of politics are very different. Semantics are also key, progressive certainly implies that the journey is positive as that's also implied in the word progress. You progress towards a desired destination. The opposite of progress implies either stagnation or regression. What amazes me about conservatism is that for a long time it's managed to make a positive political dialogue out of essentially negative values, but now that language is SO key this is no longer sustainable for them and they've fallen into the trap of new labour that it's the impression that matters not the substance, and impressions are created by presentation and language. Of course the reality isnt necessarily, as you rightly point out, remotely related to this. The US is absolutely fascinating for studying the language of politics as that's entirely where the political battles are fought, whereas here we still retain some rational analysis, mainly thanks to a better media.(yes auntie Beeb, we can thank your existence for much of this, despite what the detractors say). I'd say in countries like France and Spain they are much much more rooted in reality than we are still. Anyway, one minor example in the US (who invented the Progressive movement, the capital P one) is that everything has to be framed in a positive aspect, noone can be against anything because negativity turns people off, hence you have pro-life, not anti-abortion. Have a look at the political dialogue over there on any subject and you'll see what I mean. The naming of some of the lobby groups is positively Orwellian!! I haven't really answered your question mind you, just some observations.

I've managed a bit of half life 2 today. He basically eats and sleeps. Having had my 13 month old nephew over today, that looks like much harder work!

Fortunately I'd never be caught committing any of the above infractions leave alone with any erudition. ;-) ... Doh!!! (Is hyperlinking overused and boring...ellipses certainly are...and I'm pretty sure doh is?)

Soooooooo, West Ham's new owners in 'ooh look at me, I've got money' pronouncements are designed to impress who exactly? Certainly not the fans who know just how much this sort of the behaviour has upset the dressing room in the past. That said a decent striker right now would be most welcome. I've always abhorred RVN as a player, I mean, he's sharp, he scores, there's no denying the ability, it's just he's a niggling whining cock, a diver and generally the worst sort of player. Not very west ham, I mean, he's won stuff for starters!!!

*sighs, thinking "we've had this discussion before"*

"Loved Sad Songs... and Alligator bur Boxer still hasn't grown on me." Funny you should say that, it's not Alligator territory is it, but I still liked it.

Good calls there. Joanna's always worth looking forward to. Aren't Modest Mouse also doing a proper full length soon? Fleet Foxes sophomore will be interesting, always tricky if they're not to be a one trick pony. Laura certainly showed promise, but she'll have to up her game if I'm going to stick with her. The National is probably the one I'm most excited about there. Radiohead could retire as far as I'm concerned; its not so much the music, more the gushing from the press, it's embarrassing frankly.

New Vampire Weekend. It's nice and fun like the last one. Also Penguin Cafe Orchestra is working wonders on the little one. Steeping him in good music from day one!

Ooh, and what Brum said ^ ^ Well said that man.

All the usual misapprehensions on display. Burkah has nowt to do with Islam, it's origin is culturally Arabian, not religious as such, Islam merely requests modesty of women which is hugely open to interpretation. Modern thinkers think it's merely about behaviour, most are happy enough with a nijab to cover the hair. My instinct is also to think it's repressive, but women often find it empowering, and many among the younger generation, growing up with lots of hostility and islamophobia around, and the likes of politicians (or even online commenters) telling them they can't, they positively embrace it even in modern islamic or secular families. Nothing like a good 'fuck you' from the young I reckon, so to that extent I can see where they're coming from. My favourite was definitely "Should a group of these ladies mug a person how would you pick out the assailent(sic)." Genius; a common problem these roving gangs of burkah clad muggers!! Like Ted and Izodia I don't like people telling other people what to do, so I'm against any sort of legislation. And what the hell does doing things like the British involve anyway, the moment someone defines it then I'll start listening to arguments about imposing it on anyone. No reason why you have to show your upper lips when keeping them stiff after all; I reckon the Victorians would probably have thoroughly approved. And yes many French are catholic (god knows they weren't very nice to their protestants...or cathars for that matter) but it's resolutely a secular country. I'm pretty sure all religious symbols are banned from schools, not just veils of various ilk. But ultimately Brendan has it...ban France ;-)

Moos, you've just made mocklett's mum and my mum go 'awwww' simultaneously. Thanks. Bob, there will be head wetting, probably next weekend, probably EDT. I know someone who's looking forard to having more than a small glass of wine in a week!! Allcomers welcome, will post further details.

Moos, you've just made mocklett's mum and my mum go 'awwww' simultaneously. Thanks. Bob, there will be head wetting, probably next weekend, probably EDT. Allcomers welcome, will post further details.

Nope the Huguenots have it. In a catholic baptism one of the godparents must be a practicising catholic over sixteen who has taken the Eucharist. I have the whole joy of 'the christening' conversation to come soon with the devout irish catholic ma in law. 'what do you mean you're not, he'll go to limbo* or whatever).' 'hmm, that kind of attitude was kind of a clincher for me you see' current catholic doctrine says that he might go to heaven, I like the ambiguity there, just to say, see we're not bad everything really is nice and fluffy really...probably, but you might burn in hell if you don't you sinners!!!!!

Thanks all, very much appreciated and all passed on to the exhausted one. Missus mockers and the mocklett are home and doing well. Mocklett is already about 2ft long. I reckon the new bobby Moore in the offing.

here he is, photo not taken by iphone!

Whew, snatched three hours sleep and am heading back. Big 9lb boy arrived last night. Interestingly i did have an app for monitoring contractions, but i got bored after the first 24 hours (missus mockers got bored of them after the first contraction frankly). Plus it was really buggy and the chart scales were really rubbish. Plus when you're being induced it's all controlled by drugs anyhow, so utterly pointless really. Anyway, geeky stuff apart ma and baby fine thanks chap(esse)s.

My car just detects that I've entered the car as long as I have Bluetooth on my iPhone on. I can even peruse the contacts via a thingy on the wheel. I'm sure someone must do a third party version of his. No cradle needed. Very cool. Yes sean, I have managed to leave the hospital for some fresh air.

Are you tying to tell us that they have White cliffs in a place called Dover in the States or that the song was commissioned from an American with a paucity of knowledge of the fauna in Blighty?

What's with your dual postings of late quids? And my last 100 was perfectly legitimate thank you very much, harrumph!!

:-D

Not offended, just being churlish. I think MM voicedmy thoughts far more diplomatically. I believe its called the law of diminishing returns, but economics really isn't a science ;-)

But it's snowing outside, how can the world be getting warmer. Honestly you just dont get it do you taper.

Very generous on the hammers there Matthew. Appreciated and all, and I'm sure you have your reasons as you are certainly very analytical, but really?

Would second Balvennie, Laphroaig is lovely but not to everyones taste. Knockando is another nice one. My aberdonian uncle swears by macallans, saying very little is sold outside of Scotland because scotch people know to keep it all for themselves. Don't knock the blends, theyre blended for a reason because people often find the distinctive peatiness, smokiness etc offputting and a good blender will attain a delicate balanc between those stronger elements. Dewar's very good, Lawson's I also recommend. In fact Bell's did surprisingly well at a blind tasting my brother (a wine buyer, but dabbles innother booze) attended much to the surprise of those present.