Most of the content on this site can be considered some kind of rant or update or just something that is happening in my life. It's a mix of all kinds of comment. At the start of 2004 I started a separate section to try to reduce the fact that most entries fell into this category. Thus, for recent entries, you'll seed to see Life Rants and Updates 2004.

At Home - [December 29, 2003]
A different time this year.

Road Queue Hell - [December 28, 2003]
I have driven down from the north of England today. The traffic was chaos for much of the journey - it really is quite alarming that one of the backbones of transportation in the UK - the M6 motorway -...

Here Comes Christmas - [December 23, 2003]
A little look around the site as I wait for Christmas.

Customer Service - [December 20, 2003]
Customer service is nearly always better in the US. Discuss!

Busy Busy Busy - [December 15, 2003]
I haven't written as much as I should.

Happy Thanksgiving - [November 27, 2003]
In some parts of the world, today is a holiday.

Bye Bye Bush Baby - [November 24, 2003]
Last week I didn't comment on George Bush's visit. Now he's gone, I will.

State Visit - [November 17, 2003]
I am always interested in Britsh tradition and heritage and where we get some of our customs from.

Remember, Remember (I'm A Bit Late) - [November 16, 2003]
Last Saturday, I went to Battersea Park in South London for the fireworks - and truly spectacular they were too.

More Time Shifts - [November 12, 2003]
The technology and the concepts are great but there are some things that this personalisation of the media experience will destroy and it won't all be for the better.

Shifted Media - [November 11, 2003]
Indeed, time-shifting has been an advantage to me - I watch much less dross now. But it also encourages me to record the worthy and adds to my feelings of frustration.

Weather Project - [November 09, 2003]
I visited one of my favourite areas of London earlier today, the Thames' South Bank where I went to see Olafur Eliasson's Weather Project at The Tate Modern

Another Rant on Phone and PDAs - [November 07, 2003]
The trouble started when I realised the Nokia and included basic pda functionality - calendar, phonebook etc. This saves me carrying my trusty Palm Vx everywhere and means I can make notes and check my diary. This is great in principal but in practice is sucks.

Brookside Closed - [November 05, 2003]
Well I watched the final Brookside and I think it is sad to see if leave our screens.

Bye Bye Brookside - [November 04, 2003]
Tonight sees the final episode of Channel Four's Brookside.

More PDA and Phone Nonsense - [November 04, 2003]
I can't get the Treo 600 out of my head.

Halloween - [October 31, 2003]
Trick or Treat?

Effect Xmas - [October 27, 2003]
I never knew I didn't know this.

Phones and PDAs - [October 26, 2003]
I have spent the last few days trying to decide if I should update my 'phone with Orange and today I have decided against.

Writer's Block? - [October 22, 2003]
I just can't seem to get it together to write the things I want to write. Is it writer's block?

Toady on the Underground - [October 21, 2003]
Conversations on the London Underground are not common.

Returning from Holidays - [October 13, 2003]
Time to play catch-up.

Another Year, Another Autumn - [October 02, 2003]
It's my favourite of seasons again. Autumn!

Good TV? - [September 30, 2003]
It's odd how TV tastes change. One of the most interesting shows of a year ago is now a formula driven police-show.

Silent For A Week - [September 29, 2003]
I seem to have been silent for a week. Back with stuff abut Graham Norton, the Absolut Hunk and keeping gays from holiday resorts.

Bush House, London - [September 21, 2003]
A visit to the home of the BBC World Service - Bush House - proved fascinating.

What Was I Doing One Year Ago? - [September 18, 2003]
A look back at this time last year.

Snap Out Of It - [September 17, 2003]
Been away and unable to get myself going. Back now!

Things I Want to be True (1) - [September 04, 2003]
I hope this is a true story from The Regsiter.

Now Reading - [September 01, 2003]
Is it just me or do TypePad users seem to have a lot of books on the go at any one time?

Summer Music - [August 24, 2003]
There has been nothing better this summer than enjoying sitting in the garden listening to the clear sounds of digital radio.

Helsinki Re-Visited - [August 19, 2003]
Back in Helsinki on business which is quite pleasant really.

Monday Is Back To Work - [August 18, 2003]
I travelled to Poole in Dorset on business today.

Stag - [August 17, 2003]
I went on a stag weekend to Great Yarmouth and survived.

Disappointing Frustrating - [August 15, 2003]
Why is it that it's always the small stuff in life that is the most infuriating?

Silly Pop Stars - [August 13, 2003]
Blue's Lee Ryan has been charged with drink-driving. I should file this under silly popstars, shouldn't I?

Oh Canada II - [August 12, 2003]
To be honest, Eric isn't the only one thinking of moving to Canada.

Wonderful Weekend - [August 11, 2003]
London is hot and sunny and I love it.

No More Clasue 28 - [August 07, 2003]
Apparently, Section 28 was more-or-less abolished in July.

Things To Say - [August 06, 2003]
Not always enough time to say what I want. Still, this is a reminder of the topics I need to talk about.

Five Live and Weblogs - [August 06, 2003]
John Pienaar talks weblogs on Five Live

Ciao Is The New Hi - [August 05, 2003]
According to a new survey, lanugage is changing. What a shock!

Business Like Apples - [July 29, 2003]
I am always impressed by the loyalty of the Mac user. How have they built such a great brand?

We Love Pizza - [July 28, 2003]
Apparently, eating Pizza can be good for you. What great news.

Another Russian Birthday - [July 27, 2003]
Another year has passed and it's my Dad's birthday again. Last year he was somewhere in Russia - actually he's in Astana which I know isn't Russia - and I was asking if anybody knew Happy Birthday in Russian. Well,... [1 comments]

Home again - [July 24, 2003]
Back form a few days away and there are things to catch up on.

A 4 Minute Warning - [July 15, 2003]
I was delighted to see the recent increase in activity on the ex-Take That member and Celebrity Big Brother winner Mark Owen's page over at the Man of the Moment section. And it's all because he has a new single out!

1789 And All That - [July 14, 2003]
A post to say Happy Bastille Day to my French readers - quite simple really

Wind Power - [July 14, 2003]
A big expansion in the amount of electricity generated from offshore wind power has been announced by the UK Government

Summertime in Paris - [July 11, 2003]
Off to Paris for the weekend ...

Mark or Dermot? - [July 10, 2003]
Looking at who gets the most visits, I see Mark Owen's page is catching up on Dermot O'Leary

Well Thank Goodness - [July 07, 2003]
Apparently, road and rail targets are not being met by this government

He Know Where They Are - [July 01, 2003]
It seems that - at this very moment - Tony Blair is unable to show where Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction are

Call God Now - [June 30, 2003]
How to reach God? Call this number ...

Turn Off That Alarm - [June 24, 2003]
Car alarms keep me awake at night.

US to extradite whoever they want, for any reason. - [June 23, 2003]
Britain's has a new one-way extradition treaty with the US. What happened to our rights as UK citizens?

Formula One 2003 Race Calendar - [June 19, 2003]
Import the 2003 Formula One Calendar into Outlook

Employment Law: Update - [June 12, 2003]
Update on the employment law committe report

Cabin Boy - [June 10, 2003]
I thought it was all a lie about cute cabin crew boyz until tonight

We all love Dermot - [June 05, 2003]
More pictures of Dermot O'Leary

Just In Time - [June 05, 2003]
The European award for well-managed beaches has been given to 105 beaches this year - almost twice as many as in 2000

Last Night - [June 05, 2003]
So, this is what I did last night.

The Government Could Learn Much From Big Brother - [June 03, 2003]
Interesting article in The Guardian discussing how the British Government could learn a thing or two about electronic communications from BBC et al.

Workings of Parliament - [June 03, 2003]
Peers will challenge the new employment legislation that allows religious employers to sack gay and lesbian staff

Dermot is Back. - [June 02, 2003]
Dermot O'Leary is back on our screens. Summer is here.

Unfortunately There Are Effectively No Funds Available To Pay The Salaries - [May 30, 2003]
Employees at The Accident Group, which in the past has been accused of aggressive selling methods, were told of their fate by a text message with a number to ring at head office

Here We Go Again - [May 24, 2003]
I wonder how many blogs will mention Big Brother this year? Davina McCall continues to be the undisputed queen of handling a live show while jumping about in an excitable manner. Even while pregnant. [Source: BBC News: Big Brother's not-so-dirty...

An identity crisis - [May 24, 2003]
A surprising take on identity cards over at The Telegraph

End of The Week - [May 23, 2003]
I'm glad it's Friday.

Gone Fishing - [May 21, 2003]
Of course the rest of the world has been moving forward while I've been away.

Here Come The Euro? - [May 09, 2003]
At the beginning of June The Chancellor of the Exchequer has to determine if our economy has passed the five test that would allow the UK to adopt the Euro.

A Bit Ratty - [May 08, 2003]
This is my call to all journalists about to write about the BBC. Forget the dratted rat. He was irritating but he probably wasn't aimed at you. Please stop mentioning him

Entertainment At The Start of May - [May 03, 2003]
Reality TV is back, Madonna is on Television and a man take's his clothes off in the BBC Rush Hour promo.

Cough Cough - [April 22, 2003]
Sky Plus is a fantastic device

Good Friday - [April 18, 2003]
I want to write but can't find the words.

Football - [April 06, 2003]
AFC Wimbledon is a fascinating place for the club is, more-or-less, run by the fans for the fans

Summer Lunch - [April 04, 2003]
Lunch in Green Park on a sunny day

The Store for Ladies Who Lunch - [April 04, 2003]
I visited Fortnum and Mason in my lunch hour - a store that takes you back in time

There is other news - [April 03, 2003]
News you can use. Some of the stoires that may have made todays television headlines if we had not been at war

Deborah Orr on the Oscars - [March 31, 2003]
I came across an interesting gem of an article in the Independent

A New World Order - [March 25, 2003]
America is the only real super-power with the economic and military force to pretty much try and do what they like around the world

Geneva, 12 August 1949 - [March 24, 2003]
Obviously, war is an unpleasant business. Depending on your viewpoint, being a prisoner of war could be better or worse than being on the front line dodging bullets

To Be A Politician - [March 18, 2003]
On Iraq, I believe that the prevailing mood of the British people is sound. They do not doubt that Saddam is a brutal dictator, but they are not persuaded that he is a clear and present danger to Britain.

Fries and Fredom - [March 12, 2003]
The renaming of French Fries to Freedom Fries and the denial of a human rights are relayed. Honestly.

Freddie, Will and George - [March 08, 2003]
Will Young, Freddie Ljungberg and George Michael in the news

And The Years Pass - [March 08, 2003]
Remembering ten years ago

Your Time Is Up - [March 07, 2003]
How much was she paid?

A Quieter Life - [March 04, 2003]
It's time for my friends to give me a quick injection of reality.

Ben Affleck In Tight Leather - [March 01, 2003]
Ben Affleck in tight leather - why are you looking for those pictures?

January Snow? A Surprise to Transport Chiefs - [January 31, 2003]
Why is it that weather treats commuters so badly?

Selfish Commuters - [January 27, 2003]
What is it that makes people behave this way and, more importantly, why do I find it so frustrating to witness?

Tube Train Crashes - [January 26, 2003]
I haven't spoken to anybody else about this, but I wonder what Londoners think of tube safety?

23 Mile Traffic Snake - [January 24, 2003]
It's hard to write about the state of transportation in the UK. I live in London and, like many people in large cities across the world, suffer horrendous congestion which, perhaps, distorts my view of the daily travel. Like many,...

Starbucks - [January 24, 2003]
While I sat in a coffee shop in Clapham, three somewhat-unconnected things struck me for which I have no real answers.

In News - [January 16, 2003]
Here is the news: Tom cruise wins lawsuit and the Tory party pledge free vote on section 28.

To Play Or Not To Play? - [January 14, 2003]
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) today reaffirmed its decision that England will play their World Cup fixture against Zimbabwe in Harare on February 13th. It seems nobody likes the human rights abuses in Zimbabwe but money comes first.

Entitlement Cards - [January 12, 2003]
The consultation period for comments on the intrioduction of ID cards in the UK is coming to and end

You Spin Me Round - [January 10, 2003]
Do you still have an affection for the vinyl? I know I have my entire vinyl record collection stored away with more-or-less no means to listen to them.

Poison Find - [January 07, 2003]
Scotland Yard have found traces of lethal toxin Ricin, an agent used in biological weapons, in material gathered from a house in Wood Green, North London.

The Grand Old Duke - [January 04, 2003]
I decided to go on the backstage tour at The Duke of York's Theatre

Year in Review - [December 31, 2002]
It's been a really happy year. Not an outstanding or revolutionary one, but a very good one

Market Day - [December 26, 2002]
But mainly I am disconcerted by the food. Forget the olives and the smoked meats which look so very tempting. It's the regular fruit and vegetable stall that amazes me.

Happy Christmas - [December 25, 2002]
I am in Javea on Spain's Costa Blanca for Christmas

Rip Away - [December 23, 2002]
I think it's about time the music industry realised what a great idea this is!

Wedding - [December 22, 2002]
I haven't been to a wedding in a while, and I have never been to a black-tie wedding but I thoroughly enjoyed myself yesterday I my friend Suzanne's wedding.

Christmas Shopping - [December 14, 2002]
All this despite the fact I've ordered nearly all my presents online this year

Christmas Comes But Once A Year - [December 01, 2002]
Can you believe it's December? Is Christmas a joyful time, or not? Over at Tis The Season, the sisters help you throught your seasonal worries.

I Want A Career (And I Want It Now) - [November 20, 2002]
Celebrity Big Brother is back on Channel 4 and, I guess, I am adding to the spin around it by making this comment.

Donnie Darko - [November 02, 2002]
The Guardian said, Is it a horror film? A black comic parable of Generation X angst? A teen drama with a psycho edge? If not, what the hell is it?

The Ultimate Boy Band CD (2) Aka The I Am Shallow Project - [November 01, 2002]
Another take at the Ultimate Boy Band CD

New Look - [October 23, 2002]
A new look for my site

Hey, Gay Boy ... - [October 18, 2002]
I want to highlight this story, partly to remind myself that I am in a lucky position here in the UK: BBC NEWS | UK | 'Homophobes stabbed and slashed me'...

Hotels Like To Have A Touch Of Class - [October 18, 2002]
It may be a day or so old now, but I feel compelled to bring you an update on yesterday's coat hager theif story. "A lot of businessmen would never go home if they had the chance. So when they...

Hotels Like To Have A Touch Of Class - [October 18, 2002]
A lot of businessmen would never go home if they had the chance. So when they get home they like to recreate the hotel experience in their own house

Why did you steal 40,000 hotel coat hangers? - [October 17, 2002]
A most extraordinary trial is going on in the High Court at the moment in which a man named Chrysler is accused of stealing more than 40,000 coat hangers from hotels round the world: IndependentI think this is the most...

Red Hair Hurts - [October 16, 2002]
There is often a story to be found in New Scientist that makes me smile - often for no obvious reason.

America's Fault - [October 16, 2002]
"Before last weekend, liberal Australia felt the US had brought September 11 upon itself. But, says Clive James, the bombing in Bali has smashed that argument - and thrown his country in to the war against terror." An interesting and...

Why did you steal 40,000 hotel coat hangers? - [October 07, 2002]
A most extraordinary trial is going on in the High Court at the moment in which a man named Chrysler is accused of stealing more than 40,000 coat hangers from hotels round the world.

Ultimate Boy Band CD (1) - [October 02, 2002]
I am trying to compile the ultimate boy band CD and I am unsure where to start

Our Country Friends - [September 24, 2002]
How many of us who live amidst an urban sprawl would rather be living in the countryside? I suspect it's a conversation that keeps the wine bars of large parts of London alive. The quest for a quieter, simpler life...

Individual Portions - [September 23, 2002]
Rachel makes individual pots of her organic yogurts. This is news to me and I am, at this very moment, delighting in the bio-live wholemilk raspberry varierty. This has, right now, made me feel a lot better. The power of...

An American in London - [September 16, 2002]
For several years, I have worked for American companies. Working for a satellite office of a US company is difficult for all concerned (including the US parent). A ex-colleague (and now good friend) of mine used to say the worst...

One Year On - [September 11, 2002]
How readers of BBC News think we should remember September 11 2001. This is how the web looked last year....

Around The World - [September 10, 2002]
Two contrasting stories from around the world.

Weather, Weather - [September 09, 2002]
Without power on a wet afternoon.

Confusing, Image-Saturated Culture - [September 05, 2002]
When did you learn about the birds and the bees? I have to be honest and say that I really don't recall any parental talk and I am not sure how I would have felt about it - especially since...

The Joy of September - [September 01, 2002]
September is great because it signals Autumn and that's my favorite season.

Time - [August 31, 2002]
This is the last day of August. Why is it that time seems to go by much more quickly as you get older? Is this just an age thing? Clearly, time passes at the same rate - although I probably...

Time - [August 31, 2002]
This is the last day of August. Why is it that time seems to go by much more quickly as you get older?

Blast Into Orbit - [August 28, 2002]
I have been fascinated by the weather since childhood. This is not your typical British interest in the weather - which is a necessity if you live in England's green and pleasant lands. No, I really want to understand forecasting,...

Fast Lane on Foot - [August 27, 2002]
I haven't spoken of London's traffic problems for a while now. This is because it's a bad story and I am trying to be positive. I have not be overly delayed for sometime (although every taxi I take tries to...

Celebrities in Space - [August 26, 2002]
Ah, ITV (Britain's original commercial televison network). From their website: This channel – which has done more than most to build the cult of celebrity – has taken its first step toward atonement by placing a group of celebs (the...

Fast Food Fact Frenzy (1) - [August 21, 2002]
I don't want to play food facts today ... The typical American now consumes approximately three hamburgers and four orders of french fries every week. McDonald's operates more playgrounds that any other private entity in the United States Should we...

The **** Of All Snacks - [August 19, 2002]
Remember the slag of all snacks?

In Short, Things Are Grim - [August 17, 2002]
Sometimes, I find the web addictive. I should be doing something else. I want to talk about this but I'll let Metafilter do the job. Saves me typing on a Saturday (for those who don't want to click: The World...

Don't Call Me Stupid - [August 12, 2002]
If you believe the old-timers then the nation is becoming stupid. Perhaps not actually the nation but then a good proportion of the people are less intelligent than their counterparts in previous generations. Every media is dumbing down because we...

State Of The Town - [August 11, 2002]
Jonathan Fenby wrote an excellent piece in today's Observer (which thankfully I have found online and can link to) about the state of the British capital? I admit that I hoped Ken would help sort some of the mess this...

To Some People Enola Gay is Just a Pop Song - [August 06, 2002]
Did you know that today is Hiroshima Day? It seems to have missed me. I think this is something we should all be thinking about at this time.

What's A Boy To Think? - [July 31, 2002]
What does the world think of homosexuality then? It's a crazy mixed-up place. Earlier this week, we had a sitting Conservative MP tell the world that he is gay. This, on top of the fact that the Tories also seem...

Nearly The End of July - [July 30, 2002]
Imagine having your termination notice posted on a web site!

Ministry of Truth - [July 29, 2002]
I keep hearing that tension is mounting and we're heading for some kind of war with Iraq. The West, apparently, wants rid of Saddam. The thing that concerns me most is that I have not heard or seen any evidence...

Back To A Normal Life - [July 26, 2002]
As if you didn't know: Kate won Big Brother 3. Johnny was second, Alex third and Jade forth. Once again this year I started off with very little interest but, as time went on, it became more interesting. For the...

City Hall - [July 24, 2002]
I am pleased to see that, in this age of taller, squarer buildings, we (occasionally) still strive to build something that is visually stunning.

Oh Canada - [July 23, 2002]
Don't you just love Canada? I do. "Canada took a major step toward legally recognizing same-sex marriage on Friday when an Ontario court ruled that to do otherwise is unconstitutional". I believe that this is a positive step forward. [other...

We just want to stop being ripped off - [July 22, 2002]
I am pro-Euro. I think it would be a good thing for the UK to use the single currency and that's why I applaud the "blonde babes and cross-dressing comedians" who today protested in The Gap about the differences in...

Fool If You Think It's Over - [July 21, 2002]
This morning, I get up and watch F1. This at least relaxes me and, although I am not a Michael Schumacher fan, I do enjoy the fact he's made history today. Then I go for the first of my training...

A Cool Forty Million - [July 20, 2002]
Apparently we need £40 million to cope with our rising fridge problem. £40 million! It amazes me how much we need to spend to recycle. Wow. And I can't get the council to deliver my recycling bags. [recycling link]...

A Non-Existent Dream - [July 19, 2002]
After last night's little rant on the state of the London Underground system, I heard about this morning's nonsense from the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) to start charging commuters more to sit on over-crowded, dirty, late-running trains. I guess the...

London Life Underground - [July 18, 2002]
The great struggle to and from work in London is over as another strike by London Underground staff finishes and the tube returns to its normal, over-crowded, hot, sticky self. I don't think there can be a person in this...

50 things - [July 18, 2002]
Overyourhead is London-based blogger bloke. He has this list [official site]from Birmingham's Thinktank. Thinktank is the city's new museum of science and technology and looks fantastic. I will certainly pay it a visit on my next voyage to Birmingham. The...

Spending Money At Last - [July 15, 2002]
Today the Government announced £511 billion worth of spending.

Ask Homer (and remember HotWired) - [July 14, 2002]
I have been reading .Net magazine since Issue 1. They are now 100 issues old. Happy Birthday .Net! Anyway, this month they have published 100 Sites That Changed The Web. Included in that list, was HotWired - which I haven't...

497 - [July 11, 2002]
497 Billionaires in the World's Billionnaires list 13 are from the UK. And I am not there! Still it doesn't contain the same UK people that The Times Rich List 2002 does. I wonder how they compile these lists? Well,...

The Race - [July 10, 2002]
I wish I'd been at the Formula One Grand Prix on Sunday. The year I went, the atmosphere at Silverstone was fantastic (it's all smell and noise) and, if Bernie Ecclestone gets his way we might not have too many...

Congestion Protest - [July 08, 2002]
The people of Kennington have decided to protest against Mayor Ken's congestion charges. I wish I knew how I felt about this. Somebody has to do something about the cronic chaos that is London's transport system but I am not...

Cows & Clothes - [July 05, 2002]
It happens to me every day: A cow ended up in a garden swimming pool after bolting while being taken to new pastures[Ananova]. Go on, you know you want to. Google It! And if that wasn't enough, you've got to...

Did They Make It Up? - [July 04, 2002]
I swear some news is made up.

Joy and pain - [June 21, 2002]
This morning's joy: now if only I was Danny Mills in this photo. This morning's pain: but you did get compensation....

Not Great - [June 21, 2002]
Shit. Holy shit....

Royal Outrage & People Power - [June 13, 2002]
Well, this looked like it was going to be a big story today. Apparently, some minor Royals are living in London Palaces at rents significantly less than you or I would be paying for something much smaller. But then it...

You can find more in the archives.