Some people have such great names. (updated from 30/08/2006)

Watching BBC1 over the last week, I've noticed a new bloke doing the weather forecasts at certain times of the day. His skills at forecasting the weather are of an excellent standard. But what I noticed the most was his name.

His name is... Tomasz Schafernaker.

Isn't that just the coolest name for a weatherman ever? Forget John Kettley or Michael Fish, Tomasz Schafernaker is a name that nobody will forget in a hurry. How can they, it's such a fantastic name!

This made me laugh!

Browsing blogthings again, I thought I would find out what my German name was.

Your German Name is:

Jutta Leonie

What's Your German Name?

"Guten Tag! Ich heisse Jutta. Wie geht's?"*


*Translation: "Hello. My name's Jutta. How are you?"

Keane to see him clean.

I wanted to put an entry about this the moment I first heard it, but I've been having a few problems with my Internet connection of late. Which is typical, as it has been burning up inside me the last few days, crying out to be written.

The news a few days ago that Tom Chaplin had gone into rehab was a real shock to me, as I'm sure it was to a lot of people. No doubt Tom and his bandmates would agree that out of all the possible candidates for a spell in the Priory, his name would be well down the list, if on there at all. Seeing it mentioned on Sky News the first time saddened me- I knew he'd got problems, but drink and drugs? Never saw that one coming. For the rest of the day, whenever it was mentioned on the news, the net or in the papers, I was thinking "poor lad", although there was another part of me that was thinking "you stupid idiot", as well.

I don’t know Tom personally, but I know enough about him from interviews, TV appearances and their DVDs to know that he, like Tim and Richard, is a down to earth, decent, all round good bloke. If there's one thing I hate, it's seeing a good person, famous or not, going through such a shit time and I know I'm not the only one. Anyone who takes pleasure in seeing someone like him in that kind of situation is a complete moron in desperate need of a reality check.

If there's one thing that's been learned from all this; it's that even the most ordinary, level headed individual can lose their way at times. Where I work, I regularly come into contact with alcoholics, drug addicts and people with mental illnesses. The vast majority of these people are not mad, potty mouthed, screwed up deadlegs but normal, decent people. To his credit, Tom has admitted that he has a problem and has sought treatment for it now, rather than put it off and make things worse for himself. It takes a lot of guts to admit you have one, even more to go and do something about it. While it has meant that the band have had to cancel a few gigs, the majority of fans recognise that the health and well being of Tom and the band as a whole is paramount.

In the meantime, I, like many others, hope that Tom gets well soon and that he returns to the stage fit, healthy and happy.

A rant about the Manc media.

BBC Radio Manchester is fast turning into "Terry Christian FM." He seems to be on practically every day. It was bad enough when he took over the breakfast show; now he's even cropping up on the Saturday afternoon sports programme! What do the BBC think is so special about him? He's a smug little twerp with an excruciatingly nasal whine of a voice. He, together with Tony Wilson and the Gallagher brothers, are the most annoying Mancunians that have ever walked this earth-all arrogant sods.

In my opinion, the media in Manchester seems to be going downhill of late. While Radio Manchester gives the bulk of its airtime to loudmouthed idiots, the Manchester Evening News has become a carbon copy of the Guardian (the fact that the company that owns the MEN is the same one that owns the Guardian is probably a factor). They may have put the sport back on the back page, but the layout is dire and the standard of reporting is worse. If they want to get back the readers they've allegedly lost, they're going the wrong way about it.

As for radio, the only local radio station I regularly listen to is Key 103. The rest of the time it's one of Radio 1, Virgin, Core, Q radio, 6 Music or, at a push, Radio 2. I used to prefer local radio to national radio, partly because it was headed by local people, featured mostly local presenters and was broadcast from the city. Now, apart from the aforementioned Key 1o3, the majority of local commercial stations have shows presented by DJs based outside Manchester; the stations themselves are part of a franchise that broadcasts in a number of cities nationwide. You might as well listen to national radio.

Then again, the fact that I'm getting sick of the Manchester papers and radio stations is a sign that I'm beginning to outgrow this place. Maybe it's time I should consider getting out of this town.

Holiday time.

It was the first day of my holiday today. What a crap day it was. When I woke up in the morning, I was so happy. No work for a week and a half, no having to deal with annoying people. I had plans to go somewhere, to do stuff. I ended up staying indoors for a good proportion of the day as the weather was shit. It was especially bad in the afternoon, when a little rain shower suddenly metamorphosed into a full blown thunderstorm.

If that wasn't bad enough, I later got beaten up by my two year old nephew when we all went round to my sister's. He's been doing it a lot lately, especially to me and he seems to be hitting me harder and harder every time. I know what you're thinking, "he's only 2!" Yes, but he's a 2 year old with a powerful right hook. Mum says he does it because he loves me and wants to play with me. I love him and love playing with him, I just don't like the bites and bruises I get left with. He'll grow out of it, I suppose.

The thing that really put the tin lid on it was when I heard that Keane have had to cancel the secret gig they were due to play in Dublin that I entered the competition to win tickets for, as well as a few other of their gigs because singer Tom's got exhaustion. I suppose I shouldn't be too disappointed, as I never win anything anyway, but still, it would've been nice to actually get to see a band I like live and in the flesh for once. I suppose I still have a chance to, as Franz Ferdinand are coming in their place and my entry is still valid for them. Still, I hope Tom gets better soon.

How do you know I'm telling the truth?

Another quiz I did on blogthings. OK, so I've put a few of these on here of late. I can't help it, there's something about them I just like. I dare you to try this quiz and answer 100% honestly and truthfully. Go on, try it!

You Are Very Honest

You tell it like it is, no matter what. Even if the truth hurts, you'll dish it out. And while some may get hurt by your honesty... At least everyone knows where you stand!

How Honest Are You?

Another entry about the great British Summer...

Typical isn't it? Just as soon as people had stopped moaning about the unbelievably hot weather we had last month, the same people are moaning about the miserable weather we've had so far this month! One minute "It's too hot", the next, "It's too cold". How exactly do you want it then? Make up your mind, for God's sake!

I hope you can see this! (Part 2)

Richard Hughes, IS THAT SUPPOSED TO BE ON FIRE?

I put a link to this on an earlier post, but since I found out how to put YouTube vids on here I thought that I might as well put it on here! See the post titled "Something I found on YouTube" for what I had to say about this, plus the original link to this video- I'll leave it on here for a bit longer until I can be bothered to remove it!

I hope you can see this!

OK Go - Here It Goes Again

I've just found out (rather late, I must admit) that you can post videos from YouTube onto your blog. So I'm trying it out with this gem, the latest video from the band OK Go. You might find it a hilarious work of genius, or maybe not. But whatever you think of it, you've got to admire their technique! The song's great too, btw.

WARNING: do not try this at your local gym. These guys are trained professionals (well, they're trained somethings, anyway!)

Another plot foiled...

The news that a terrorist plot to blow up transatlantic flights from UK airports in mid air has been foiled is a sign that the police and intelligence services are working hard to protect us. However, what they've unearthed is a sign that those who wish to do us harm will go to any lengths to achieve their sick objectives. What would've happened if these terrorists succeeded in carrying out their plot doesn't bear thinking about.

I've entered a competition to win a trip to Dublin. All expenses are paid, including the flight there. I've never been on a plane before and I was already a little bit nervous at the prospect of flying should I be a winner even before this story happened. Sure it would only be a short flight, but it would be still daunting for me regardless of how long it took. My mum flies out to Majorca in September and while she's ok on planes I am a little worried about her going.

I bet all those caught up in the delays at airports who were going on a plane for the first time were nervous enough before the event. I wouldn't be surprised if some had been put off for good. Still, nice to know that for all the stick the government are getting on the immigration issue, they're doing their best to keep us all safe. For now, at least.








t

I'd say this is about 75% true...

How You Life Your Life

You seem to be straight forward, but you keep a lot inside. You tend to avoid confrontation and stay away from sticky situations. You prefer a variety of friends and tend to change friends quickly. You have one big dream in your life, and you never lose sight of it.

How Do You Live Your Life?

Here's a question...

While having another bored moment while surfing, I had a go on this website for a laugh. Of all the questions I answered, this one caught my eye in particular. What do you think the answer is? (you may be surprised!). Click on the link below to have a go...


blufr.com: There are more cell phones in the UK than people....

A Letter from Tony.

I really wanted to post this on the day I got it last week. However, I was running after my little nephew for a good part of last week, which stopped me from doing anything blog-wise. Not that I complain, you understand.

Anyway, what was this great thing that I wanted to share with you, I hear you ask? Well, around last Wednesday, I received a letter in the post. Nothing unusual in that, you might think. However, this was no ordinary letter. This was a letter from the Prime Minister himself. And he got his pals Gordon and Hilary to sign it too!







So why would the leader of our fair country be writing to some ordinary person like me? Last year, I was one of the many thousands of people who wore the white band and signed the petition in support of the Make Poverty History campaign. As a result of this, Tony and co thought it would be a good idea to write to all the campaigners (or rather get one of their flunkies to write it and they'd just sign it) to tell them what they've been up to one year on since Live 8 and the G8 summit at Gleneagles.

There wasn't much in the letter about what had been achieved that hadn't already been mentioned in the media (increased aid, the progress made in cancelling the debts of the world's poorest countries). But at least they reveal what hasn't yet been achieved as well as make a big deal about what they have. The letter ends with them urging us to keep on putting pressure on them and the other G8 nations to end poverty.

Indeed we will, Tony. But an end to poverty isn't all we want from you. How about also bringing our troops home from Iraq, standing up to Bush and telling him that we want no part in his little war games anymore? And what about the numerous other problems affecting our country at the moment? You've listened to us on one issue, now listen to everything else we have to say.



And one last thing; is it just me or is Gordon Brown's signature the only one out of his, Tony Blair's and Hilary Benn's that doesn't look photocopied?