Charity Appeal

This years appeal is for the 'Save My Alarm Clock' charity.
Every hour of every day, somewhere in the world an alarm clock is suffering abuse. While being dutiful and faithful servants they find themselves in the most appalling circumstances. Daily they are subjected to verbal and physical abuse. They are yelled at, sworn at, smacked, thumped and thrown across bedrooms.
This abuse must stop!
By supporting SMAC you can make a real difference. You can save alarm clocks from all corners of the planet.
Give what you can and we will spend the donations on specially designed alarm clock ear defenders and body armour.
Please be generous.
Thank you.

Doctor Me

I woke up this morning with a cold.
It's not very nice but rather than whine about it I'm going to try and enjoy it. Here's how.
Firstly I like the smell of my Vicks inhaler. Secondly I don't mind taking pain killers because I do it all the time for my migraines. Thirdly I get to go to bed very early and that means I can read a few chapters of Archangel by Robert Harris and that's a bonus. Fourthly I get to self medicate with the bottle of Grant's Scotch that I picked up from Asda tonight care of some free shopping vouchers, win win.
So there you have it. Far from complaining I am rather going to enjoy this cold.
Chin chin.

Weather Report

I suppose my blog year wouldn't be complete without some kind of adverse weather report.
I only write these posts because I spend a lot of time using the road system. This means that I get to see the best and worst bits and experience them too sometimes. On the whole this year is no better or worse than any other year in the Midlands. There are picture postcard vistas in the fields and villages and slushy roads and impatient drivers risking all for a few seconds thoughtlessness in the cities.
I'm not here to give advice or berate. That can be done much better by other people. I'm here to write a blog post that says nothing has changed. I'll be back next year to do the same. In the meantime I'll laugh at anyone who dares say we've never had it so bad.
And they will.

Hope You're Happy Now

I wonder if Nick Clegg considered telling DMU Leicester students that they'd be paying for the new facilities when he visited the university this year on his campaign trail.
I wonder if he considered telling the students that the hard up universities had building contracts stretching into the new year, and that they'd be paying for those too.
I wonder if he told them that there is no such thing as a full time lecturer contract these days because the universities are so hard up.
He didn't tell students any of these things but he did tell them he'd vote against any tuition fee increases.
He lied.
Like anyone in power he justifies his actions by blaming the previous government. Its easy to do. They're an easy scapegoat for everything and certainly a convenient bail out when one gets caught out.
Enjoy the power trip Nick. I doubt you'll be taken seriously ever again.

MikiStrange Internet Radio

I've been think about getting MSIR back on the air.
It's been years since I last broadcast. The shows were on a Sunday afternoon and I had a great time producing a few hours of tunes and chat. There was a one off show a few years ago for an event but that was it.
The thing is that I don't really have the time anymore. Sunday is out unless I pre-record some bits. That is an option because I was thinking about a monthly show.
If I can work out a decent format I'll go ahead and get MSIR back on the air next year.
I hope it happens.

ipadio: Broken Down Truck

First Class

The first 'Disturbing Postcard' has been sent.
It was sent to my best mate and was one of an old collection of Coventry views. As promised the content was fiction and both a bit twisted and humorous. I imagine I'll find out soon how it went down.
I enjoyed writing and sending the postcard. If you want to be on the receiving end of a meatspace post please see the previous post.
I send worldwide.

Peaks & Troughs

Today I listened to a mix tape that I made about seventeen years ago.
I was surprised at how much my musical tastes have changed and what my choice of music said about me at that time.
Side A is the cheerful side of the tape. It's full of upbeat, danceable tracks. It has cheerful songs that one can sing along to. It's very much an optimistic pre-pub/club soundtrack and no doubt at some point it was played before a night out.
Side B is slower and more sentimental. This gives me a better idea about what was going on in my head at the time.
Needless to say that I'd make a completely different mix tape today. Everything has moved on.
Including me.