Saw Michael Howard sloping around Shaftesbury Avenue this afternoon. Last time I saw him there were about 100 cameramen and photographers and 20 or so self-important CCO staffers herding everyone around. Today there was one camera, no assistants and a comedy Chinese waiter chasing after him with a camera phone.
A year is a long time in politics - this time last year his every moved was shadowed by cameras, journalists and bright young things, now he is virtually ignored on the streets. I wonder which he prefers. It would seem obvious that your life would be better without that fuss, but I think all politicians at that level must quite like the attention. I don't think I would, but then, I'm not a politician.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Monday, February 27, 2006
Conservative Future
Attended the tail end of the ConservativeFuture Conference in Reigate on Saturday. Thank God I'm 30. I can't believe that when I was a YC my friends and I were such tossers. (although the Reigate CF crowd are the exception to the rule).
There was one particularly bloke (who I think is on the CF Executive) who was very loudly braying that he went to the NUS conference and wound everyone up by going on about hanging and flogging. Arse.
He didn't believe I was serious when I threatened to slam on the car brakes to throw him through the windscreen. I was. That's how we deal with irritating young tory boys in Glasgow.
There was one particularly bloke (who I think is on the CF Executive) who was very loudly braying that he went to the NUS conference and wound everyone up by going on about hanging and flogging. Arse.
He didn't believe I was serious when I threatened to slam on the car brakes to throw him through the windscreen. I was. That's how we deal with irritating young tory boys in Glasgow.
Violin Lesson
Had my first violin lesson at the weekend after finally finding a teacher who could squeeze me in for half an hour a week. Was very nervous but enjoyed it a lot. Am now very enthusiastic - ready for my debut at the Albert Hall.
There's no particular reason for learning other than it's something I fancied doing. And D got me a violin for Christmas to force me into it. Much less pressure than when I was learning percussion instruments at school. The cool kids at our school all hung around the music department and I desperately wanted to be in that gang. But no pressures, no-one to impress other than myself now. And I think that makes it easier.
There was a kid about 10 just finishing his lesson before me, his music looked terrifying - all squiggles and dots and so on. The teacher was impressing onto him not to let anyone rush him or hurry him. The more I thought about it, the more it made me sad. I'm 30, have a responsible job, some money concerns and family issues, but there is a 10 year old kid with more stress than me in some minor shared aspect of our lives. I felt very old, and very sorry for him.
Still, must keep practising.
There's no particular reason for learning other than it's something I fancied doing. And D got me a violin for Christmas to force me into it. Much less pressure than when I was learning percussion instruments at school. The cool kids at our school all hung around the music department and I desperately wanted to be in that gang. But no pressures, no-one to impress other than myself now. And I think that makes it easier.
There was a kid about 10 just finishing his lesson before me, his music looked terrifying - all squiggles and dots and so on. The teacher was impressing onto him not to let anyone rush him or hurry him. The more I thought about it, the more it made me sad. I'm 30, have a responsible job, some money concerns and family issues, but there is a 10 year old kid with more stress than me in some minor shared aspect of our lives. I felt very old, and very sorry for him.
Still, must keep practising.
Friday, February 17, 2006
Cheney Story Rumbles On
When I first heard about Dick Cheney shooting someone on the hunting trip I laughed - I mean, how much sympathy can you have for a Republican lawyer? But at the end of the day I saw it as an accident and mostly ignored it for a couple of days. The American press have gone psycho on it though. Poor Scott McLellan (and who would ever thought I would say that?!) has been bitch-slapped something chronic about this. Just because the press didn't know immediately.
In Britain we're used to a lively press, but not ones who would get so wound up by not knowing about something like that for 18 hours. Even if they were pissed off, I doubt it would rumble on for a week. Our glorious Deputy PM punched someone during a General Election campaign and the story died within a couple of days.
The transcripts are great though. Have a look.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/briefings/
In Britain we're used to a lively press, but not ones who would get so wound up by not knowing about something like that for 18 hours. Even if they were pissed off, I doubt it would rumble on for a week. Our glorious Deputy PM punched someone during a General Election campaign and the story died within a couple of days.
The transcripts are great though. Have a look.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/briefings/
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Top Ten Dick Cheney Excuses
10. "Heart palpitation caused trigger finger to spasm"
9. "Wanted to get the Iraq mess off the front page"
8. "Not enough Jim Beam"
7. "Trying to stop the spread of bird flu"
6. "I love to shoot people"
5. "Guy was making cracks about my lesbian daughter"
4. "I thought the guy was trying to go 'gay cowboy' on me"
3. "Excuse? I hit him, didn't I?"
2. "Until Democrats approve medicare reform, we have to make some tough choices for the elderly"
1. "Thought he saw Michael Moore on the other side of tree line"
hat-tip: Iain Dale www.iaindale.blogspot.com
9. "Wanted to get the Iraq mess off the front page"
8. "Not enough Jim Beam"
7. "Trying to stop the spread of bird flu"
6. "I love to shoot people"
5. "Guy was making cracks about my lesbian daughter"
4. "I thought the guy was trying to go 'gay cowboy' on me"
3. "Excuse? I hit him, didn't I?"
2. "Until Democrats approve medicare reform, we have to make some tough choices for the elderly"
1. "Thought he saw Michael Moore on the other side of tree line"
hat-tip: Iain Dale www.iaindale.blogspot.com
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Never Ask for Feedback
I am currently writing an introduction page for the charity's new website. I spent several hours writing what I think is a fairly good page. I asked for some feedback which, thankfully, has all been generally positive.
Except....
One person wants it slightly shorter to be more of a general introduction and another wants an extra section added. Both points of view are correct but it's a total bugger trying to do it. I have a fairly short writing style as it is so editing down is quite hard.
So far, even with the extra section, I am 40 words shorter than yesterday. Here's counting....
Except....
One person wants it slightly shorter to be more of a general introduction and another wants an extra section added. Both points of view are correct but it's a total bugger trying to do it. I have a fairly short writing style as it is so editing down is quite hard.
So far, even with the extra section, I am 40 words shorter than yesterday. Here's counting....
Friday, February 10, 2006
A-Z of Me
Got this from Mrs Aginoth's site.
A-Z of me
Age - 30
Booze - All the girly things - vodka, peach schnapps. D's cocktails!
Career - Once in politics, but now working in community liaison for a national charity in London
Dad's name - John
Essential Item to Bring to a Party - Not a huge party animal, but a bottle.
Favorite Song(s)/Music - Anything from the musicals. One Day More from Les Miserables. Scenes From An Italian Restaurant by Billy Joel.
Goof Off Thing To Do - read, watch films, trawl the internet.
Hometown - Glasgow
Instrument You Play: At school I was a percussionist. Now I have a violin which I can't play and no violin teacher.
Jam You Like: Strawberry, only strawberry.
Kids - None and have no intentions.
Living Arrangement - Married 2 years
Mum's Name - Ann
Name of Best Friend - Don't know. David probably
Overnight Hospital Stays - 10 days in Yeovil hospital in 2004 for a gallbladder removal.
Phobias - Flying. Crocodiles/Alligators - they don't belong in this millenium, they should have gone with the dinosaurs.
Quote You Like - I always like quotes when I hear them, but never remember them.
Relationship That Lasted the Longest - My husband - 5 years so far
Siblings - None
True love, ever had? - Yes, with my husband. And a couple of unrequited loves too.
Unique Trait - I have no idea. I am an amazing ranter.
Vegetable You Love - Carrots or leeks fried in butter.
Worst Trait - I jump to some fairly spectacular conclusions at times. And I can be a bit selfish.
X-rays you've had - Dental, when I was having gall-bladder, once on my leg. Never broken any bones.
Yummy Food You Make - Did a nice lamb once. And a damn good risotto.
Zodiac Sign - Capricorn.
A-Z of me
Age - 30
Booze - All the girly things - vodka, peach schnapps. D's cocktails!
Career - Once in politics, but now working in community liaison for a national charity in London
Dad's name - John
Essential Item to Bring to a Party - Not a huge party animal, but a bottle.
Favorite Song(s)/Music - Anything from the musicals. One Day More from Les Miserables. Scenes From An Italian Restaurant by Billy Joel.
Goof Off Thing To Do - read, watch films, trawl the internet.
Hometown - Glasgow
Instrument You Play: At school I was a percussionist. Now I have a violin which I can't play and no violin teacher.
Jam You Like: Strawberry, only strawberry.
Kids - None and have no intentions.
Living Arrangement - Married 2 years
Mum's Name - Ann
Name of Best Friend - Don't know. David probably
Overnight Hospital Stays - 10 days in Yeovil hospital in 2004 for a gallbladder removal.
Phobias - Flying. Crocodiles/Alligators - they don't belong in this millenium, they should have gone with the dinosaurs.
Quote You Like - I always like quotes when I hear them, but never remember them.
Relationship That Lasted the Longest - My husband - 5 years so far
Siblings - None
True love, ever had? - Yes, with my husband. And a couple of unrequited loves too.
Unique Trait - I have no idea. I am an amazing ranter.
Vegetable You Love - Carrots or leeks fried in butter.
Worst Trait - I jump to some fairly spectacular conclusions at times. And I can be a bit selfish.
X-rays you've had - Dental, when I was having gall-bladder, once on my leg. Never broken any bones.
Yummy Food You Make - Did a nice lamb once. And a damn good risotto.
Zodiac Sign - Capricorn.
Bloody Lib Dems
I'm not sure how they manage it, but the Lib Dems won the by-election in Dunfermline and West Fife last night. They always sneak up and win these things without you ever quite realising what they are up to. Their below-the-radar campaigning is superb - I've lost count of the number of times I've been convinced that they aren't campaining in an election and they've wiped the floor with everyone else.
The thing that really sticks though is that despite the fact that they are going through absolute hell with all their leadership hassles and it doesn't matter a damn.
Bitter - bloody right I am. What can be done to stop them?
The thing that really sticks though is that despite the fact that they are going through absolute hell with all their leadership hassles and it doesn't matter a damn.
Bitter - bloody right I am. What can be done to stop them?
Thursday, February 09, 2006
First Post
I know the title is rubbish, but honestly couldn't think of anything else.
I read so many different kinds of blogs, political, medical, entertainment, just ordinary stuff that I've decided to start my own. It's a bit weird. Does everyone feel like this on their first go? It's a bit like losing your virginity.
I work for a charity in London and used to be really involved with politics. D, my husband, still is.
Hopefully someone out there will read me and like what I have to say.
x
I read so many different kinds of blogs, political, medical, entertainment, just ordinary stuff that I've decided to start my own. It's a bit weird. Does everyone feel like this on their first go? It's a bit like losing your virginity.
I work for a charity in London and used to be really involved with politics. D, my husband, still is.
Hopefully someone out there will read me and like what I have to say.
x
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)