Chris Lamb’s Hideaway

Just watched some of the closing ceremony in Beijing.

I have to admit - it was good seeing Boris handed the flag and thinking in 4 years time the UK will be dominated briefly with the same spirit as we witnessed the past two weeks.

Only have 4 years of preparation ahead which will no doubt be micro-criticised and berated by the newspapers, incessantly. It is what they do.

I don’t think their mumping and moaning will have much of a dampening effect - people will celebrate it - I am sure of that.

They have arrived - I watched them yesterday evening, swooping around my head en masse, as I walked the doggie!

All is well!

Saturday 10th May was an important day for me.

It was sunny and warm. I enjoyed a long walk with the doggie. I had the first BBQ of the year.

The most important first, however, was the first sighting of Swifts (apus apus) in the sky above my garden. Three of them - screaming in that distinctive way and cheering me up no-end! Hopefully some Swallows will appear soon, too.

Read about: Oregon’s healthcare lottery

What a strange, strange world. A country which is prepared to lose 4,000 soldiers lives (so far) in order to preserve their status. The same country spends - if not trillions - hair-raising mega-billions on it. Yet it balks at providing health care for it’s citizens.

How bizarre.

The words of the NUT this week. [National Union of Teachers]

Out on strike, comrades!
Out of our schools - stop army recruitment! The “oppressive, fascist tool” of the West.
Out of their box!

Do they sit and watch episodes of “On the Buses” and “’til Death us do part” in the bar outside of their conference hall? I have not heard this kind of comedy since the 1970’s!

The news items lead by describing them as “Britains Largest Teaching Union”. Soon to be “Britains Most Irrelevant Union”. They obviously have far too much time to think about how down-trodden they are. Was there a motion for them to forego their numerous holidays to work for the cooperatives in Cuba?

I consider myself socialist by persuasion - not a dinosaur. These people used to be dug up fossilised by the Dinosaurs.

And the beards, the beards!! Every man and woman comrade sported one.

Earlier today someone said to me - in a knowing tone:

“It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish.”

This was said as though it was an absolute, unquestionable truth. And you know - the words and the damned tune associated with it have always irritated me.

I realise now this is an old blokes rant - but I need to say it! I do not simply disagree with the sentiment - I utterly disagree with it. It is not start points and end points - those are fleeting and used as markers. It is the journey and the experience along the way. A journey is not simply the lost time between leaving and arriving.

There - I got it off my chest!

GIven the track record, this appointment is utterly incredible to me:

Arms control role for Wolfowitz

Excuse the pun but the wolf truly is in charge of the chicken coop. Remarkable.

Cheney and Wolfowitz allowed to work on arms control boards. One a warmonger with a very tainted history of decision making the other on the the worlds rich list for selling arms. Unbelieveable.

Satish Kumar was recently the subject of a BBC television programme about “Gaia”, Mother Nature or however you may personally consider to describe the balance of the natural World. He is an ecologist and economic thinker - focussed on looking after the Earth,

Quote from wikipedia:

Defending criticism that his goals are unrealistic, he has said, “Look at what realists have done for us. They have led us to war and climate change, poverty on an unimaginable scale, and wholesale ecological destruction. Half of humanity goes to bed hungry because of all the realistic leaders in the world. I tell people who call me ‘unrealistic’ to show me what their realism has done. Realism is an outdated, overplayed and wholly exaggerated concept.”

All the best in 2008!

Mind - January is a rotten month! No money, no daylight, no energy and cold, wet, windy weather!

I saw the New Year in on Coll - a small island on the fringes of the Inner Hebrides alongside Tiree (made famous by weather forecasts). It was a good place to visit with nice walks, friendly folks, a funny panto and fireworks. Kudos to Kevin for a fantastic display of Fireworks - great display and great Hotel. I also tried my hand at clay-pigeon shooting. It was a load of fun!

My particular thanks must go to Julian and Pauline - lovely folks at the First Port of Coll. A really great place with great food and good people. Poor Julian broke his arm the night before Hogmanay - I hope he is not in too much discomfort. Get well soon!

One good thought - the days are going to get longer and lighter and Springtime is approaching. There is always that to look forward to!

Once again, Happy New Year!

This is why YouTube exists!

Silver Lady by David Soul.

I cannot remember what link I followed to get to this page - but I immediately had a grin!

I know I should be appalled at the amount of cheese - but I still think David Soul managed to carry a tune OK! Better than so many others! William Shatner - ha ha!

Most folk now will not know who William Shatner is!

I love this song by Estelle:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0ODOYNAuGM

In a strange “I am not black” and “it sounds worse for her” way - it reminds me so much of my mums house and friends in Greendykes - bad old days. Sometimes, though, the good-old days. There was something about all being in the same boat. And that picture of Craig with Scoogle

Nostalgia, I believe it is called.

Bye Craig, miss you.

Interesting article for Project Managers and IT folks:

What happened to our £25bn?