[CARTOON] Gulf Coast Oil Spill

"...4 out of 5 Killer Robots surveyed say Oil Spills are not a bad thing."

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World Number one out again early

The World Number one waving to the crowd after the first round. (AP)

The World Number two serving at the game. (Getty)

Is it shocking or expected for the World Number one to exit early again at key tournaments this time at the Rome Masters? Usually it was posts and reports on how many points Roger Federer won over his opponent but lately, this time at Romes it was Gulbis who won 2-6, 6-1, 7-5 over Roger Federer.

His sluggish performance has made many wonder, thinking whether he has lost his steam in playing tennis. Most of the times you will never get to see the World Number one exit so early at the games. Some said it is sometimes natural after winning so many games consecutively, he should be tired and need some rest waiting for the big tournament ahead.

The World Number two instead has been performing pretty solid maintaining his title for some time. He started off some sluggish at Romes but got back in shape to proceed on to the next game. He is still in the race for the title. For those who probably think Roger Federer is out of the World Number one soon, probably it is too early to say, as once before he was commented after losing his title, he came back up right from everywhere to win every game even at courts not as his best to claim his title back again. That's the World Number one spirit sometimes.

Inspirational Idea!

I am loving this fun wall mixed with an amazing array of pretty patterned tiles. How cute and refreshing is this look? So easy to adopt, just mix and match your favourite designs......Dare enough to try it?

The EDL are not wanted in Aylesbury

England's Defenders?

Aylesbury last Saturday was its usual relaxed weekend self enjoying a sunny day enlivened by St. George’s day celebrations on a subdued scale. In Kingsbury Square the cafes and pubs had plenty of tables outside as people enjoyed the weather with their children and had a drink or snack whilst enjoying the Morris Dancing. There was also a Dragon roaming around attracting the kids and a little street train with a loco called “George” bringing the kids around the pedestrianised centre of the town. In the Market Square, overlooked by the statue of the local MP John Hampden whose refusal to pay the “ship tax” (Buckinghamshire is not on the coast!) to Charles I precipitated the English Civil War, the market traders jostled for custom from their colourful stalls as they have done for over four hundred years in this the County Town of Buckinghamshire. In the courtyard of the King’s Head, an ancient coaching inn owned by the National Trust, locals and visitors were enjoying the live music and the traditional ale from the Chiltern Brewery.


Market Square, Aylesbury

But what a difference a week will make in this town of 70,000 people. There is a sizable minority of Muslims in Aylesbury who are mostly from Pakistan controlled Kashmir where they have fled from conflict and work hard to provide a better future for themselves and their children. We have a Mosque and some of the best schools in the UK and by and large everybody rubs along quiet well. There is, as in any large town, a lumpen proletariat and there have been in the past some racist incidents whose reports generally include the words “skinheads” and “drink” but we pride ourselves on community relations and have had a Muslim Mayor.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2001/may/28/race.world

Aylesbury has a mixture of London commuters and busy local employment and is set in the attractive and rich farming area of the Vale of Aylesbury close by the Chiltern Escarpment and the area of Outstanding Natural Beauty known as the Chiltern Hills. It is a good and improving place with a good quality of life which is appreciated by the inhabitants who include sturdy yeomen of Buckinghamshire and many who have moved here from elsewhere including a large Italian and Irish community and more recently Polish. It is an inclusive place and we are particularly protective of disabled people who are very visible in the Town Centre on a normal Saturday as Stoke Mandeville Hospital with the National Spinal Injuries Centre is nearby. That was last Saturday. Next Saturday will be different, very different.


The borrowed iconography of the EDL including Constantine the Great's motto " In this sign I will conquer"

On Saturday 1st May our town is being high jacked by a self appointed Rent-a-Mob called the English Defence League or EDL. The effect is palpable. Aylesbury Bus Station will be closed, many small shops are closing at 12, they gave been advised by the Police to not have chairs and tables outside, keep shutters down and consider if they want to really open. The fear is well founded as the video taken by a neutral outsider at a recent EDL “Rally” in Stoke on Trent where 17 people were arrested shows. So next Saturday May the 1st these strangers are going to use our town to contrive conflict where none exists. So next Saturday in Aylesbury Town Centre there will be no buses, no old people, no children, no disabled people and no shoppers. There will also be no pubs open in the town. Here are the details from these Brave English Defenders own website;

“Initially, point 'A' was chosen as a muster area due to it having a small cluster of pubs that would serve as a meet point for our supporters to socialise in before the demonstration. However, the local licensing authority has visited these pubs and as an upshot of that, they have decided to close on the day. We would like to point out that at every single EDL demonstration; no pub has ever received any damage whatsoever. A business that could take three weeks worth of business in the space of a couple of hours deciding to close? I don't know what was said to them, but it sure must have been scary.”

Some Brave Army the EDL marching on its accelerated alcohol consumption?


Kingsbury Square, Aylesbury where all the pubs and cafes will close next Saturday

Some England, some defence? And who are the EDL? Well they have no discernible policy, have not been elected or stood in any democratic process and their web site consists of one long sneer against Muslim people quoting liberally from extremist and unrepresentative Muslim preachers to justify their obsessive fixation with “defending” the English against Islam?

The national leader of the English Defence League has warned that Saturday's demonstration in Aylesbury could be the first of many after a bitter row erupted with police and council bosses. Officers were hoping to keep EDL members on the outskirts of town before a rally in Market Square, to prevent skirmishes with counter demonstrators. But yesterday Tommy Robinson – not his real name – said EDL protestors are now planning to evade police and instead gather in Vale Park – where an anti-EDL demonstration is due to be held.


King's Head Aylesbury

He said: "If our demonstration doesn't go how we want it to go, we'll come back in six weeks. No other place has tried to block us like this one has." The EDL fell foul of police and council chiefs after trying to put up a stage and use loudspeakers – which they need a licence for. At a tense meeting on Monday, they were also told that they were not allowed to carry wooden framed banners. Coach loads of EDL members would have been met by police and escorted to Market Square, where they would have been contained inside solid barriers. Robinson said ominously: "We don't think they're doing well if they want it to go peacefully."

Here is a thoughtful article in the Guardian about this entirely bogus “protest” which is hijacking our town next Saturday by local resident and Labour Parliamentary Candidate in the forthcoming General Election, Kathryn White.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/mar/09/english-defence-league-aylesbury

So in Aylesbury next Saturday let us keep our nerve with these unwanted and unwelcome visitors. As Communities Minister John Denham pointed out, “The tactic of trying to provoke a response in the hope of causing wider violence and mayhem is long established on the far-right and among extremist groups.” Let us remind ourselves of the EDL’s origins which highlights the ambiguous position that the BNP holds in regards to this new combination of football hooligan gangs and street racists. The BNP, and the NF before it, used to openly embrace football hooligans as useful muscle with a fierce nationalist pride. However, demonstrations and punch ups no longer fit with the image that the BNP tries to project, and so the EDL has filled a gap in far right politics that the BNP voluntarily vacated in its pursuit of votes.


The flower of England?

So does England need these “Defenders?” Well, England has defended itself fairly well in the past and I presume will do so very well in the future and the EDL membership will make no contribution either way. Like the ludicrous Nick Griffin, the convicted racist who leads the BNP, who surrounds himself in photo ops with make believe soldiers in battle fatigues the EDL will seek to use the last refuge of a scoundrel and these shower of aggressive, unemployed yobs will wrap themselves in false patriotism, a patriotism which probably doesn’t include not being dole scroungers? You have to wonder about the mentality of people whose idea of a good day out on a Bank Holiday weekend is to hold a market town and its diverse inhabitants to ransom. There is no point in me telling them not to come to Aylesbury for their tribal cow stomping because, lets face it, these yobs didn’t get where they are today by listening to others. There is also the practical point that if they were to get themselves tanked up, fight the other side in a macho male tribal display and then go home and watch their yobbery on TV after a footie match it would cost them a lot more than these members of the underachieving Master Race can afford.

Preserve us from such sham defenders; preserve us from such sham patriots.

[CARTOON] Batman on Strike!

"Batman. With special guest... Catman.."

<center><br /><a href="http://pastexpiry.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4sEVDOk9I2X_bkSPfGWx2Wf1VzHl5T0f71EP5l1JQOb9RZyqBY8pqBeLgUJPxf6UPl6VhAhyqb2OoAZ96jc851MWxztQKJFb1TNNBV-d6TRBSlwpbv-Bxt8XvTGR6qF77RTDFuIcHYb-/s320/toon979+batman+batsignal.jpg" title="[CARTOON] Batman on Strike!. images, pictures, cartoon, superhero, crime, law, spoof, work, " border="0"></a><br><br />Courtesy of <a href="http://pastexpiry.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Past Expiry Cartoon</a></center><br />
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Funny LG Logo (pacman)

if LG logo ever gets drunk????.......

Real Facebook

This is what I mean by FACE BOOK......

East London Line reopens.

The long awaited reopening of the new East London Line takes place at 12.15 today, becoming part of the London Overground network. A service of eight trains an hour will run between New Cross Gate and Dalston Junction, between 0700 BST and 2000 BST, Monday to Friday. Full evening and weekend services will begin on Saturday 23 May, when 12 trains will run an hour. Until then this is a “soft service” so it can be withdrawn or amended at any time as the line, signals and rolling stock are tested in “live” service.

Trains will travel through Whitechapel station and Shoreditch High Street, a flagship Zone 1 station. London Mayor Boris Johnson, who officially opened the route, said: "This new railway will bring jobs and opportunities to communities up and down the line, massively improving access for hundreds of thousands of people.

"This type of investment is essential if London, throwing off the shackles of recession, is to emerge with the ability to grow, prosper, and secure its position at the summit of world cities, to the benefit of all Londoners. This type of investment is essential if London, throwing off the shackles of recession, is to emerge with the ability to grow, prosper, and secure its position at the summit of world cities, to the benefit of all Londoners."


Platform view at Shoreditch High Street

Oyster cards work on the new trains which have no doors separating the carriages, meaning passengers are able to walk the length of the train. The opening is the first phase of the £1bn extension. Engineering works are continuing to extend the East London Line to Highbury and Islington by the spring of 2011. An extension of the line to Clapham Junction, in south-west London, is planned by 2012.

London's transport commissioner Peter Hendy said: "Not since the (Underground's) Jubilee line was extended over 10 years ago have we seen such a transformational transport project delivered in London.”The new East London route has been eagerly awaited by people who live in, work in and visit the areas it serves. It delivers four new London Overground stations and a huge increase in the number of travel possibilities to residents and travellers in a single day. It is also an important part of the 2012 (Olympic) transport network and has been delivered ahead of schedule and on budget."


Inside the carriages which are open the full length of the stock

Liberal Democrat London Assembly transport spokeswoman Caroline Pidgeon said: "Right in the middle of a General Election campaign, the mayor is desperate to claim credit for something he didn't initiate.”The East London Line opening will be welcomed by many Londoners, but must not be used as a political football. The fact that two 'official openings' have already been postponed on technical grounds clearly demonstrates that political convenience has been the key factor driving the date of the official opening. Transport for London would do everyone a favour if they stayed well clear of political stunts relating to the opening of the East London Line."

The line will form part of a planned wider London Overground orbital network, which will allow passengers to travel around London on the line without having to enter central areas of the city. With the completion of the new station and interim terminus at Dalston Junction residents of this area can look forward to the benefits of new transport links rather than the near permanent traffic jams the construction of the station has caused. Wherever possible the Line has reused existing rail routes.


A driver's cab view of Haggerston station, like much of the East London Extension the track here follows existing railway lines


For the full story of London’s newest “Old” railway see;

http://daithaic.blogspot.com/2010/04/east-london-line-goes-overground.html

For a history of this Line prior to closure and rebuilding and Marc Brunel’s famous tunnel where modern tunnelling was invented see;

http://daithaic.blogspot.com/2007/12/east-london-line.html


The way we were - Metropolitan Line "A" Stock on the line before refurbishment near New Cross

Some Fresh Air...

The Conran Shop's new outdoor living collection, 'The Fresh Air range' is such a summery delight! It is full of beautiful hand crafted designs, where many pieces are sourced from South African artisans. 

Here are just a few pieces of some of the exquisite accessories to add to your homes!

Organic Sand' stoneware pieces. Soup bowl and side plate, £11.95 each; dinner plate, £19.95. Also available in a dark blue.

Fish salad plate, £5.50

Fish platter, £17.95

Venus not participating at the Grand Porsche Tennis

Venus Williams suffering from Knee Injury at Miami thus not able to participate in the next tournament

Caroline Wozniacki will be top seeded player.

Venus Williams will be dropping out from Grand Porsche Tennis Tournament as her injury has not recovered yet since Miami. Caroline who is the young and current World Number 2 player also had an injury but she will be leading the line at the Grand Porsche Tennis Tournament being the top seeded followed by last year's winner Safina. Although Venus is out other players including Ana Ivanovic, Jelena Jankovic and Samantha Stosur will be joining in this tournament.

[CARTOON] Difference between Iceland and USA

"Technically, if she ate a lot of beans, she could blow...."

<center><br /><a href="http://pastexpiry.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4xQIfxR7JcEJPSwB1jiJk_3pQA2Pzw6U_7-pFmbjHz6pTCKjYaR1a4Dj0zHoM-ECopRggMf20cNC6Er_24sqcmzTgB-zAM7FQR74Am3NcM-C2uviAGHeRLAVFIVkoNaeLqWPNb-3xWNm/s320/toon978+iceland+volcanic+ash.jpg" title="[CARTOON] Difference between Iceland and USA. images, pictures, cartoon, diet, food, diarrhea, health, illness, men, women, US, " border="0"></a><br><br />Courtesy of <a href="http://pastexpiry.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Past Expiry Cartoon</a></center><br />
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Go Green

It's April, the sun is shinning and it really does feel like spring. Lets also not forget that today is Earth Day so make sure you do your bit for the environment. Green is definitely this months colour so here is a colour scheme which I have picked out my favourite items which I think will look great!

Bright is right on trend at the moment, therefore this month I have no choice but to Go Green.

(Click on image to enlarge!)

Clockwise from top left:
'Lime Juice' Rug, Deidre Dyson. Pantop Pendant Lights, £235 each, Verner Panton at Verpan. Garden City, Spring Tiles, £14.95 each, Fired Earth. Union Jack Cushion, £50, Art for Urban Spaces. 'Kaleido' Crystal Vase, £1,699 each, Val Saint Lambert. Jean Armchair, B&B Italia. Cement Tiles, Spring Collection 2009, Emeryetcie.

Surface Delight!

I am extremely excited that Corian has added 22 new colours to their range. This includes a range of cool pastel colours and also two ranges which contain recycled materials, the Eco-Terrazzo and Frammenti collection. Just perfect for kitchen worktops, splashbacks and sinks. This has just made choosing a durable worktop so much more fun!  

Here is a selection of just a few of the new colours that Corian has to offer.

 Clockwise from top left: 'Spring Green', 'Cinnabar', 'Sweet Violet', 'Arctic Ice'. All from £300 per linear m.

[CARTOON] Volcano Ash Cloud

Icelandic Ash Cloud Spreads, Snarls European Air Travel. You would think it was the end of the world with the news coverage. I hope some celebrities get together and raise funds for Iceland so they can rename their volcanoes to something people can pronounce. Can you pronounce Eyjafjallajökull ?

[Chorus]
We are the world
We are the children
Icelandic volcanoes make a darker day
So let's start renamin'

<center><br /><a href="http://pastexpiry.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgagwZChZFbSKbcM8D3RwpfzUSNtQFwUe62-C3WUEvMOGpyL9Xmk-TfY6T2IWv0o4yWHPrq1oVpxgLhUv5e3mbevTLa-nLp2Awj_O0w1VOneIkmpKYz9qy2N5SMwiabKo11h2MRXny9X6Cw/s320/toon977+volcanic+ash+cloud.jpg" title="[CARTOON] Volcano Ash Cloud. images, pictures, cartoon, environment, plane, pun" border="0"></a><br><br />Courtesy of <a href="http://pastexpiry.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Past Expiry Cartoon</a></center><br />
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