Presence Of Malice
The BBC has apologised for posting the lyrics of homophobic (in some cases violently so) songs on the Radio 1 website as part of the promotion for BBC TWO's History of Reggae series. I know it's an old parallel to draw, but if a lyric advocated beating up or setting fire to women, or black people, or Jews I'd dead certain there would never has been an instant's consideration of publishing it. Why on earth is anti-gay violence just somehow accepted as a legitimate part of reggae and rap culture?
Almost Done, But Not Yet Dusted
Chris has this unusually long overlap in which he's moved into his new home, but still has the old one, which on the one hand seemed very useful, because it meant he didn't have to move the stuff that he was definitely moving, sort though the stuff that might go or might get junked, and clean the old place all in a day or so. And it has been useful, but I think we're both at the point now where we just want to be able to lock up the old place and not worry about it any more. We ditched a skipload of stuff today, and we're not done yet....
The Work/Play Balance
Every now and then, I really love my job. How many other people get to read useful, cogent emails from their colleagues that close:
"Anyway, I'll get back to making Barnaby's balls move."?
The Straw Poll
You can imagine the scene at the Blairgowrie ladies coffee morning: "Hello, I'm Jack Straw ... I'm now convinced that provided we can create a subsidiarity watchdog and curb the EU's agricultural protectionism then we should vote yes in the euro referendum, don't you agree?"
Jackie Ashley, in yesterday's Guardian, follows up on Jack Straw's recent (apparent) conversion to the cause of the Euro. Could it be, at last, that we're finally going to be allowed to have The Debate? Lord, I hope so.
The Work/Life Balance
Twice as many employees would apparently work fewer hours than win the lottery, according to a survey carried out by the DTI's Work-Life Balance Campaign, and the number of people working more than sixty hours a week has increased to one in six. I've just seen Ruth Lea of the Institute of Directors being extremely disingenuous about this on the BBC Breakfast News programme, making the entirely unconnected point that flexible working opportunities in the UK are greater than elsewhere in the EU. Biggest shock to me in all this? I didn't even know there was a DTI Work-Life Balance Campaign
Get Your War On
A mixed bag of links:
Hugo Young in The Guardian looks at the American attitude to the possible assault on Iraq, and notes that critics have finally broken cover in the US, and to general astonishment - they're Republicans.
The US wants to learn why it's unpopular. Apparently.
"Convince me. Publish the dossier. If I am going to have dead kids on my conscience, I have to know the alternative was worse." And in The Independent, David Aaronovich writes about being willing to support a war, if it's once demonstrated that there's a real threat to be dealt with.
And in a completely different, horrifying, vein - ITV1 is currently showing a programme called The Campest Men in Britain.
Woefully domestic
Well, having said how busy I seem to have been lately earlier on, this evening I almost feel like I've been back living my own life again. Since I got in I've eaten, put some washing on, brushed the cat, done my weekly posting elsewhere, caught a bit of TV, upgraded the drivers on my DSL modem, cut my hair, had a bath, and am now relaxing and relaxed and ready for bed. This isn't natural.
A hint of Old Media in among the new (because I was an Old Media Tart well before I was a New Media one) - listeners to Radio Four's I'm Sorry, I Haven't A Clue will be familiar with the game called Mornington Crescent, which has been both staple and highlight of the programme for many years. I've certainly enjoyed it with for ages, but I had no idea how huge it is. Try the Google search, or just start here and marvel.
And yes, I am indeed embarking upon one of my occasional flirtations with posting titles. Well spotted.
Insert clever ‘headless chicken’ allusion here
The last few days have seemed really busy, both at home and especially at work. I've been up to my eyes in documents of one kind or another, those I've been creating, those I've been receiving from clients, those I've been checking on behalf of other people, plus I've had last minute requests for input on projects clients are running with other suppliers, and not-untypical changes requested by other clients, plus lots of lovely end-of-the-month admin. I feel like my head will explode if I have to look at one more document.
So I think I'm off on a run for afternoon teas.
The stuff you find when you clear out an attic....
I've seen more photos from various points in my past than I had any desire to see.
I'd already uncovered books, videos and CDs that I'd forgotten I ever owned, and now I've found more.
I'm seriously thinking of posting a list of stuff up here and saying "Anyone want?" I'll have to do something - I don't have room for it all. I guess that's what charity shops are for.
Elsewhere, I forgot to mention that I had a long conversation with an old schoolfriend last night, another courtesy of Friends Reunited and the first with this particular person in about seventeen years. Andrea, for it is she, used to sit next to me in A Level English, and enlivened those times no end. We've exchanged a few emails in the last few months, and I finally thought to give her my number. So we're going to meet for lunchin a couple of weeks time.
In the interests of fair play, I should point out that, admittedly the better part of two months later, my MP has finally responded to the message I sent him via FaxYourMP regarding the proposed extension to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act. Beneath a hand-written apology for the delay in replying was a sensible, thoughtful reply that actually addressed the points I raised, rather than just a load of generic platitudes.
So, better late than never, thank you Mr MP, and thank you, too, MP's minion who actually wrote the letter.