Roger Darlington reminds me of a curious tradition in Germany. Whilst I worked in Duesseldorf, I was often asked “Do you like Dinner for one?“.
My puzzled expression and negative answer would be universally be received with a look of abject shock and horror. What, a Brit, who doesn’t know about “Dinner for one”!!??. It’s so much a part of New Years Eve celebrations in Germany, but so completely and utterly unknown in the country in which it was made. It’s an amusing fact, and it’d be nice perhaps if it was shown in this country, so we can find out what all the fuss is about.
So, I’ve still not seen it, but Germany is not unique in it’s special traditions. I confess I’m puzzled by the dropping ball shown in New York, and the idea of standing outside in Trafalgar Square where you can’t even hear the ring of Big Ben – well, once is enough for me. In Scotland, Chewin’ the fat has a regular Hogmanay special (and it’s a crying shame this comedy show isn’t shown more in the rest of the UK), but standing outside on the streets of Edinburgh on a chilly December evening? Not for me.
A snug house with friends and family, and plenty of beer is what does it for me. Cheers!
No Comments »
If the honours system in this country needed any more reason to demonstrate it’s perverseness, this is it: Big Gates is getting a knighthood (also reported in The Guardian and BBC).
Whilst his charitable work is excellent, it’s frustrating that he’s being portrayed as some sort of faultless ‘global business leader’, when the reality is not as clear cut as politicians might like to think. Just last week it’s reported that Newham council were in price negotiations with MS, and were in a tight spot when it came to moving to cheaper Open Source products, because of the licensing restrictions Microsoft placed on them. With Microsoft also seeking to patent XML file formats, to further their stranglehold on office productivity tools, this knighthood is a bitter pill for a British ’subject’ such as myself.
Bill and Melinda Gates do some excellent work with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and deserves recognition for that. But, as he’s an American citizen and supposed to dispense with such titles, I’m always a little puzzled when “KBE” is awarded. Where there’s a will there’s a way, so to speak. It’s too much to ask for, but Gates might like to consider returning his award after the effect, to draw more attention to the bizarre – indeed, corrupt – honours system we have in this country.
No Comments »
A couple of fun items courtesy of Jon and Matt. Firstly, a Headless Movie quiz (Requires Excel; Answers in comments below (second set). A superbly compiled quiz, in which the faces of 60 movie stars have been removed… You have to guess the movies. Download it here
Secondly, A matrix parody: Fart within the matrix that, whilst rather gross, is strangely apt.
13 Comments »
Despair, Inc offers an alternate take on office calendars. Particular favourites include Change, Discovery, and Motivation.
Note, this company has copyrighted the “frowny” emoticon, so beware.
No Comments »
It’s been a little while since I put up facts from Prospect Magazine. I’ve just received the December issue, and highlights include:
Just four bouquets of flowers were left outside Kensington Palace this year on the sixth anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. [The Independent, 9th November, 2003].
In the 1951 British General Election, more than 200 MP’s were elected by over 50 per cent of their electorate. In 2001, none were. [The point of departure, by Robin Cook, Simon and Schuster]
Men are four times as likely to be struck by lightening as women. [Canadian Geographic, January 2000]
In Britain, five times as much money is taken from motorists in taxes as is spent on transport. In the US the figures are equal. [BBC Online]
44 per cent of California’s Budget is devoted to expenditures mandated by “initiatives” – voter-instigated referendums. [New Perspectives Quarterly, Fall 2003]
In the second world war, every Italian soldier in north Africa carried his own personal espresso machine. [Essential Militaria by Nicholas Hobbes, Atlantic]
No Comments »
No, not George Bush and his entourage – although I’ll be happy to see the back of him (Click here for help!).
No, send back your MP3’s.
Because it’s right, and there are pictures of happy people on the website.
Yay. Good idea.
No Comments »
The news that the Aurora has docked after it’s fateful trip around the Mediterranean is one thing.
It’s a by-line at the end of the story really, but it’s about to head off on a three day cruise to the channel islands. The passengers? IT Execs and Senior techies on the annual City-IT Jolly.
Apparently it’s all been made squeeky clean in preparation for the conference. Here’s hoping they won’t suffer too much, these jollys are hard enough as it is… bless.
No Comments »
Decimate: To select by lot and kill one in every ten of.
Usage Note: Decimate originally referred to the killing of every tenth person, a punishment used in the Roman army for mutinous legions. Today this meaning is commonly extended to include the killing of any large proportion of a group.
No Comments »
Entries (RSS)