Customer Service

I have just had some building work done by one of those major national companies that advertise on TV. Now in the grand scheme of things I guess my money doesn't amount to much of a cheque for them but for me it was a considerable investment. The teams of workmen who were on site all commented on what a big job it was. Having handed over this cheque I would have thought that there would be some comment or some token of thanks. When I bought my new car the company gave me half a dozen bottles of wine, the sums involved are similar. I just think that it would be a decent gesture. It wouldn't cost much and would make me more happy to sing the companies praises.

Zimbabwe

We sit here with our troops at risk in Afghanistan, Iraq and goodness knows where else. The reason we supposedly went into Iraq was because Saddam had clearly identified WMD ready within 45 minutes. We all now know that this was an absolute load of tosh, the reason we went in was to effect a regime change, so that Bush Jnr could finish daddy's handiwork, so that Haliburton could get all these contracts and make vast sums of money. If we went into Iraq on the basis of a regime change then why aren't we doing the same in Zimbabwe where you have a country that could be the granary of South Central Africa, a tourist paradise but is in fact a basket case with inflation running at 7000%, an oppressive regime that sees torture and murder as adjuncts to the way it runs the country. This year World Food Programme will have to import and feed the starving populace. WFP will probably have to use vehicles that are provided by Mugabe and his thugs who will charge a fortune and also control who the food gets distributed to. Thus food will become political currency. There is a forthcoming summit in Lisbon and despite there being sanctions against Zimbabwe and it's corrupt rulers, no doubt some way will be found and Mugabe and his cronies will turn up in Lisbon. Why do these governments that throw our troops into harms way in such a cavalier fashion ignore Zimbabwe. Surely it cannot be linked to the lack of oil!

Speeding

It seems our politicians who preach at us all about creating a better society and zero tolerance are having difficulty in practicing. Our Solictor General Harriet Harman has just been caught speeding again. Back 2003 she was caught doing 99mph on the M4 and this time she has been nabbed speeding in Suffolk. Surely the Solicitor General should set the example for the rest of us to follow. Clearly the law, whilst being imposed in these cases is merely seen as an inconvenience by her. If she can't comply then a) how can you expect the rest of the slime bags in the Labour Party to do so, b) how can they and the all the other politicians in all their oleaginous splendour pontificate at the the general populace about zero tolerance and tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime! The last lot were no better with their return to Victorian values, what a joke that was.

Crusade

Following England's lacklustre performance last night in France I am sure that there will be an out cry demanding that Brian Ashton be immediately sacked. There are 30 players who haven't really coalesced into a team. Last night the one player who seemed to playing with pride in his shirt, the Red Rose and the expectations of the country was Jason Robinson. I am sure that each player that came off that pitch felt he had given his all but it didn't look like it from the side line. England have a huge mountain to climb, I hope that all the players and staff take a look at the strip they wear, think about what it means to themselves and think about the expectations of the supporters and play for the pride that it should instill. Play for the team, play for the supporters and play for the joy of the game.Look at how Portugal and Georgia played today and play with the passion that they showed, for 80 minutes Portugal gave with every fibre of their being. Watching Georgia against Ireland they showed why the format should be retained and the minnows should be given a chance to play the against the world's leading nations.

Pondering

I was pondering the old adage that BJ's end with the final peal of the wedding bells. Is there any truth in the tale? It would be an interesting survey to carry out. I would advance the fact that they are definitely like baby pandas, seldom seen! With a courtesan this and indeed many other activities that the average male would never mention to his partner can be indulged in and indeed celebrated. I imagine that there is also the anonymity element with a courtesan in that you can indulge and then there need never be the awkward pauses/glances when you have tried something out. Also she will never come back with the line "you want to try what?" because in most cases all activities will have been pre-arranged.

Malt Whisky

Just read a fellow bloggers comment about the joys of the simple things in life. Felt like sitting and writing about this. There is so much negative press about binge drinking, the ill effects of alcohol and the damage to society. The good that it does is so hard to quantify. There must be millions of people, who like myself enjoy sitting and saviouring a glass(or two) of a favourite tipple. It's been one of those days, you get home, deal with all the problems and pleasures of home life. That moment when you sit down holding the glass, sip and savour the taste of the elixir, it often causes a loud exhalation, a clearing of all the pent up frustrations of the day. I love a malt whisky(no brand mentioned but it's a peaty, smokey Islay delight), I always have it in a particular tumbler when I am at home. The ritual of preparation getting the glass out, taking the bottle off the shelf and out of the tubular storage box and pouring a splash, a scoosh, a modicum, a suitable measure and the first notes rise like an old friend greeting me, welcoming me back. Add a splash of water sometimes an ice cube and sip. I rarely have more than one because if I did it would detract from the exclusivity of the pleasure. I wonder if this falls under the heading of simple pleasure, it does for me. That, at the end of the day(pun intended)is the criteria that it has to meet for me.

Milestones

A few months ago we passed a momentous annual milestone! What is the milestone you may ask? Tax Freedom day, this is the day when each citizen finally finishes paying tax and starts earning money for themselves. This day has gradually crept up under Chancellor, now Prime Minister Brown by about 6 days. Sadly we haven't seen any commensurate improvement in the services that we expect to be funded from these taxes. Our health service hasn't improved, the staff certainly haven't been either looked after or paid better. Our roads and infrastructure have worsened in spite of not only these taxes but also the considerable revenue from the "safety cameras", there are fewer Police actually on the street dealing with crime, we have Community Safety Officers who laudable that they are do not have the powers or training of the police. We have an education system that is not only failing the youth but also failing to provide for the needs of the country today and certainly will not service our needs in the future. Universities are having to re-screen students and retrain them in basic English and mathematics. Is this a rant against the Labour Party and Government, in part yes but mainly it is a rant against the nature of our politicians. They are committed to lining their own nests at the expense of the ordinary citizen, the worst of these are the MEP's in Europe. This is typified by the ex member of the UKIP who was recently found guilty of fraud, sentenced to 9 months in gaol and can still keep his seat and more importantly his £60000pa salary. He can also apparently claim most of the allowances and employ members of his own family as secretarial support etc. Poor lamb, he won't be able to claim his attendance allowance or travel costs because he is topping up his striped sun tan. The question is Why? How many politicians currently sitting in Parliament have ever held a proper job? I don't mean as a barrister, union representative or any other non-job, how many have actually grafted away and earned a wage and had to live on that wage? I venture to suggest that there won't be many.

The thrill

I am sure that part of the reason for men's proclivities in pursuit of the opposite sex is the thrill of the chase. The chase includes the chatting up in a bar/club to the knock on the door of you chosen courtesan, or indeed waiting for her knock on your room in the hotel. The actual event is as exciting but in a completely different way. In the case of someone with a partner it is often enhanced by the potential of discovery. It has to be better than any of these extreme sports that people indulge in. It is definitely better than jumping of some bridge with an elastic band round your ankles.