Sunday 30 December 2007

Happy Fluffy Fun Blog

This Christmas i was given a copy of John Simpson's latest book, Not Quite World's End: A Traveller's Tales . Although i am only at the begining of the book, it has already made quite an impression on me and as i sit at work at twenty to two in the morning surfing the various news sources i have at my disposal Simpsons words grow in virtue.

In the opening chapter of his book Simpson states he thinks the greatest threat to the world are Super Bugs. Having read todays newspapers, and listened to countless programs about the dangers of fanaticalism I would have previously supposed , like most people, Terrorism or Climate Change is the biggest enemy to our world. We are obsessed with developments in Iraq and Afghanistan and the amount of rain which falls each year, however bugs are widely ignored.Simpson's words however, smacked me in the face this morning.

He argues plagues have always decimated societies throughout history and our society will fall fowl of one sooner or later. He reasons the amount we travel and the size and concentration of the worlds population means there are more people open to infection and we can spread the disease further. All it will take, he reasons, is for a virus like the common flu to pick up a nasty sidekick for us all to be in trouble.

As i was considering this point when this APF wire dropped.

URGENT Bird flu kills four-year-old boy in VietnamHANOI, Dec 27, 2007 (AFP) - A four-year-old boy in Vietnam has died of bird flu, becoming the country's fifth reported victim of the H5N1 strain of the virus this year, a health ministry official said Thursday.

I know it's not an epidemic and this particular strand of bird flu may not bring with it thousands of casualties, but I think the fact we are now educated in the dangers of bird flu and people are dying from it means Simpson may well be onto something.
During Fabio Capello's first press conference after being announced as the next England manager he was asked - the Premier League is a fast paced league in which strength and workrate and are most important, how does he aim to convert the way the English approach to football into the more savy International style?

Capello answered this question by saying - good question, i don't know. My question is, does he need to change the pace England play?

Although it pains me to say it- the Premiership is the best league in the world, at the moment. Many top international players currently ply their trade in England and the Premiership was the most represented league at the 2006 World Cup. I suggest the English hustle and bustle approach to football may have seeped into these imports alot quicker than any previous attempts to tame Wayne Rooney.

I argue ENgland should play to there strengths and not worry about what pace they play at and Capello should worry more about having a variation on there 4-4-2 tactic such as a 4-5-1 or 4-3-3 rather than worrying about how he could slow down players who clearly operate best at a high tempo. Russia's manager, Guus Hiddink, said it best after the draw of the 2008 qualifying groups "we fear Macedonia more than England because we don't know how they play".

I draw my arguement to a close by pointing out Greece and Italy as two examples of teams who have won recent international competitions without any Premier League players. Except the majestic Nikos Dabizas. Perhaps there lack of English footballing experience meant there players had not been put through the great leveller that is the Premiership.

Just a thought.

Wednesday 26 December 2007

Happy Fun Fluffy Blog

This Christmas i was given a copy of John Simpson's latest book, Not Quite World's End: A Traveller's Tales . Although i am only at the begining of the book, it has already made quite an impression on me and as i sit at work at twenty to two in the morning surfing the various news sources i have at my disposal Simpsons words grow in virtue.

In the opening chapter of his book Simpson states he thinks the greatest threat to the world are Super Bugs. Having read todays newspapers, and listened to countless programs about the dangers of fanaticalism I would have previously supposed , like most people, Terrorism or Climate Change is the biggest enemy to our world. We are obsessed with developments in Iraq and Afghanistan and the amount of rain which falls each year, however bugs are widely ignored.

Simpson's words however, smacked me in the face this morning. He argues plagues have always decimated societies throughout history and our society will fall fowl of one sooner or later. He reasons the amount we travel and the size and concentration of the worlds population means there are more people open to infection and we can spread the disease further. All it will take, he reasons, is for a virus like the common flu to pick up a nasty sidekick for us all to be in trouble.

As i was considering this point when this APF wire dropped.

URGENT Bird flu kills four-year-old boy in Vietnam
HANOI, Dec 27, 2007 (AFP) - A four-year-old boy in Vietnam has died of bird flu, becoming the country's fifth reported victim of the H5N1 strain of the virus this year, a health ministry official said Thursday.


I know it's not an epidemic and this particular strand of bird flu may not bring with it thousands of casualties, but I think the fact we are now educated in the dangers of bird flu and people are dying from it means Simpson may well be onto something.

Thursday 20 December 2007

Too Vulgar?

The headline on Todays Sun 'Three Man U Stars Roasted Girl No 2' did make me laugh. However, one has to question whether if the term 'Roasted' should appear on the front page of a national newspaper.

I'd be lying if i denied i didn't admire the guts the editors at The Sun showed in choosing such a colourful headline, but is it too much?

I can see why they did it, it's graphic, eye catching, informal, and shocking all things The Sun is reknowned for and has intrigued me enough to write about it. However my thoughts are about the kids who catch a glimpse of the headline and wonder, what is a roasting?

Is the term is too vulgar? Any thoughts?

Thursday 13 December 2007

I'm the Unenthusiastic looking one

It has been brought to my attention i have not filed my Snt Trinians film review. I apologise for this i went to the premiere and did the whole interviewing and piece to camera stuff but as i was suffering from a bad cold i did not watch the film itself. Sorry, i will have to up my game.

Meanwhile here is a funny little thing i found on the net the other day. http://uk.youtube.com/results?search_query=the+who+premiere
For those of you who know me take a look. If you have stubbled across this blog by chance i'm the very bored looking cameraman wearing a fetching purple hat. I wasn't bored as it so happens, it was a good evening, however at the time i was deep in thought (a rare occurance, so i'm glad somebody caught it on film).

Monday 10 December 2007

Chicargo

I haven't blogged for a while, internet issues, so here is a quick one just to get me back on track.

On Wednesday I attended the 10th Birthday celebrations for Chicargo the West End theatre production.

Having already seen the play once i was concerned i would not get the same enjoyment watching the show a second time around. Boy was i wrong!

It was fantastic, i remind you again at this point, i'm not one for musicals generally. Give me a Kebab, a whiskey and a game of football or hard news story and i'm your man but musicals i can take or leave.

This Chicargo production was abit special, not only did almost all the former cast play some role in the production, in a kind of rolling substitutions of the main characters, but they all competed with each other once they were on stage. For instance, at times there were two Roxy's on the stage balling their lungs out to try and snatch the applause.

In addition, each actor also brought a completely new meaning to each scene and they always went for maximum effect.

This meant the show had a best of feeling to it and completely lacked the professionalism of a normal show, which i liked.

Tonight i will be attending the Saint Trinians premiere, so if i can get on the internet tomorrow i will post a review. Deal?