Lost Series 3

I suppose there was a danger of Lost going the same way as Sliders and the X-Files, superb programmes that ran out of ideas and got too tangled up in their own mythologies. If Episode 3 of the 3rd series (just seen the repeat on Sky) are anything to go by, then definitely not!! Absoutely superb. No idea what on earth is going on but that's what I want to feel!

Best jingle ever

On Planet Rock:

Have we got all the rock?
Is a sand crab's ar$e watertight?

Torchwood

Really got into its stride with the countryside murders episode... Genuinely scary stuff. Very nice.

Lost

The thrd series certainly started off with some very interesting episodes. Just as long as it doesn't end up like the X-Files, then I'm happy. This could be good!

Ashes

Just an hour to go. For the first time in ages, I'll be less unhappy if Rafferty is up in the middle of the night. He might just watch Sky with me.

Rafferty

He has now learnt about the Sky remote control. He presses buttons and immediatley looks at the television. He managed to get as far as the QVC home shopping interactive service but luckily we're not connected to the phone line, and I don't think he has my credit card number yet...

Saddam

Has a suspended sentence...

(c) Have I Got News For You, last weekend.

Poppy sellers and Health and Safety

More poor interpretation of principles of Health and Safety and more evidence that we live in a culture that is afraid of being sued, even though that is far from reality.

In some cases (and sepcifically to Dan), poppy sellers up to Remembrance Sunday were not giving out pins with poppies, on H&S grounds.  This is actually against the instructions given to them - they only couldn't pin them on to people in case they stabbed people, but supplying pins was part of normal policy and service.  It does beg the questions of why they had pins on their trays if they were not allowed to give them out!

Even so, it still remains vaguely ridiculous - there is vanishingly little chance of anyone being taken to court over injury from a pin from a poppy, at least in a successful case.  Even in the US, which is generally seen to be a more litigious society, it is unlikely that such a case would succeed.

Sensible Health and Safety.  One day the general populace and especially the media will actually get the point.

Fireworks

What bloody day is it today? Is it close to 5th November? I don't think so. One bang goes off and the dog is in a state. One household out of 3000 on Ladygrove estate being inconsiderate and I'm picking up dog crap from the kitchen floor and the dog is reducing hs life expectancy through stress, sheer panic and anxiety. There's a limit to the amount of drugs we can realistically force down him.

And I don't want him climbing into the bay window in the middle of the night because he's scared and cr@pping there. Must look mighty strange from the outside.

England vs Argentina

Now obviously I took no little joy in the stunning 25-18 victory by Argentina over England at Twickenham on Saturday.  However, what annoyed me the most was the attitude of the media and the English afterwards.  In all the interviews, post-match comment and reports, virtually no mention was made about Argentina - it was all about the English mistakes, lack of preparation, management and specifically Andy Robinson.

This is exactly why England are perceived in rugby circles to be arrogant.  If they are winning, then calls are made to scrap the VI Nations and join the southern hemisphere sides.  If they are losing, then it is immediately all to do with England and nothing to do with the skill of the opposition.  Now I appreciate that it was an under-strength Argentina side, but they still contributed massively to the game, both in forcing and punishing the English mistakes, and in the importance of the result for their own history and future.

When Wales in the recent past have been regularly losing to the likes of Argentina, Italy and Samoa, then there has been a media storm but we have always acknowledged the prowess and acievement of the opposition.  And I say that after a poor second half against a rapidly improving Pacific Islands team.

 

ESPN Classic (3)

Wales vs Australia from 1973 last night. England vs New Zealand from 1967 tonight.

Absolutely superb....