Deadly Nightstick and the Pips:

Watching the Watchmen: One telling thing surrounding the death of Ian Tomlinson is that looking at the pictures in the press the copper who hit him (unlike those around him) has removed his shoulder ID pips (along with covering his face). This is an old, immoral and illegal Police tactic.

I know the Police have a hard, sometimes thankless and at times crappy job to do but this sort of things needs transparently investigating and clearing up.

It seems they’ve found the guy involved the irony being if the roles had been reversed (and a PC injured or worse) “the brave hero bobby” would have been starring out of the Evening Standard in hours.

Wash day Blues

Maundy Thursday: It's all about washing feet, being beholden to one another, daring to give away power or prestige to remember that the answer to am I my Brother's keeper is yes.

It's why the queen gives away little bags of money today, which seems like a big deal but imagine if she washed a few of her subjects feet every year! Maybe we should take the example of that dirty trot Jesus and throw over a few money lenders tables that and be more thoughtful to a few more people.

Why not do something for Oxfam or pester your MP to press for change in whatever concerns you.

Anyway consider these tunes virtual foot spas for your soul (soles). Is the Air france tune the most niche holiday song ever?

I should check out the whole Lp it's sort of summery with a feel like cumbrian Hip hoppers Aim it's rather good.




Maundy thursday : Air France

Edwyn Collins Vinyl/Heron interface!

You may have missed Edwyn in the Observer on Sunday(sorry for the patchy scan) EC has a suitably vibrant music room pleasingly full of stuff.

Sounds like he's working on some tunes which is good even if it just helps him get better. There's some more of my EC scans etc here

48 hour party people

On with the dance! Let joy be unconfined; No sleep till morn, when Youth and Pleasure meet to chase the glowing hours with flying feet.

George Gordon Byron

If you will permit me one more gush of solipsism (apart from the rest of my endless virtual ramblings that is)
I’d just like to record the last few days in brief.

Being a spring baby I’m sure my mood improves even more when the clocks go forward and Friday was such a lovely day; after a little light shopping drinking the odd beaker in the sunshine with BLBW was a simple joy followed by Damned United and some more beakers all rather marvellous. On the train home I even got a song and a “alcopoppy” kiss from 2 other birthday girls on their way back panda eyed but happy to Kent, happy birthday ladies.

No party is any fun unless seasoned with folly.
Desiderius Erasmus

The only down note for the whole weekend was TFL closing the DLR seeming without notice which was annoying but “work roundable”.

Like other parties of the kind, it was first silent, then talky, then argumentative, then disputatious, then unintelligible, then altogether, then inarticulate, and then drunk. When we had reached the last step of this glorious ladder, it was difficult to get down again without stumbling.

George Gordon Byron

Some thank yous: Thanks to everyone who came especially anyone who battled with the M1 (and then the DLR) or the National Express (on either tires or steel wheels!)
Thanks to everyone for just coming but also for being laden with good things I am guiltily happy and grateful.
Extra special thanks to A and L for cakes.

I am thankful for the mess to clean after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends. Nancie J. Carmody

Can I also make a plug for the Duke in Roger St. The term “gastro pub” is a much bandied around and frankly has become so devalued it may not be worth using but the food at the Duke is really good; perfectly cooked, decently portioned and not overly gussied up. If you just want a drink the beer’s good too (sorry there’s no black sheep left!) I’m told they also sell wine (never drink the stuff myself made in France don’t cha you know, nothing good will come of it). The Duke is a little 30’s gem in a quiet bit of town that’s well worth a (art) deco!

So anyway thanks & much love to everyone

“Life is partly what we make it, and partly what it is made by the friends we choose.”
Tennessee Williams

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday- Altered Images
Originally uploaded by bltphoto

So there you go, it's my Birthday today and I think this is my 800th post which is a nice coincidence.
Anyway love to you all, take care.

I'm off to see some Russian spiky paintings at the TATE and see if Cloughie still wins the European cup on the years Bob Paisley didn't and probably have pint or two of pride.
If you want something fun to do today why no see how many great tunes you can play but only on coloured vinyl.
Managed 4 already.
squeeze, the undertones, spritualized, madness.
And to show willing (even though I've never understood why it's the way round it is) consider the following my virtual cakes in the office thing! I suppose if it was cake in would be faintly biblical in flavour something made with almonds and honey and perhaps a hint of Saffron. Sorry if it's a bit obvious but sometimes the best things are right under your noes.

Turn! Turn! Turn!: The Byrds

Noon update:the ever generous Mr Mondo sends proof that the 70's weren't brown or even black with this top vivid vinyl as always Pm good work fella. nice turntable mate makes my rega look a bit plain.

Headline of the day:

Motown Chartbusters Vol. 3
Originally uploaded by bltphoto

In one of the weekly red top women’s mag (seen over someone's shoulder)

“I’ve got a PMT playlist”

At last a subject on which I have very little to say!

G20 Day 1. "Alan Shearer vs Luther Blisset"

God loves us all?
Originally uploaded by bltphoto

Say what you like about the anarchist at least they got the trains to run on time...

The G20 protestor have had there first victory, I got a seat on the train this morning (due to the thinned numbers of commuters out off by the fear of ravening hordes) hurrah!
At Cannon Street the forces of reaction were out in force checking tickets presumably because Austrian anarchist aren’t organised enough to buy an oyster!

He’s not the messiah he’s a slightly charmless former goal scorer.
Going down Ludgate hill there was a crocodile of Geordie teenagers (how do you think I know there were members of Toon army!?) presumably off to St Pauls to give thanks for the appearance of the true Messiah. Having worshipped many false prophets in the past the "real" chosen one has appeared in time for Easter presumably to try and turn some day old stotties cakes and a little fishy on a little dishy into enough points not to get relegated.

La Lucha really does Continua!