I just pour boiling water on them from above, well it works two ways!
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Happy Halloween
Happy Halloween Folks, sick of trick or treaters yet? I think Mr Pumpkin below is !!!
I just pour boiling water on them from above, well it works two ways!
I just pour boiling water on them from above, well it works two ways!
Grow up
I was just watching BBC News 24 two minute update at erm… 5.50am, thanks to this damn cold I have keeping me awake. One headline that made me laugh out loud was that Tory leader David Cameron would support rewarding younger people with driving and going to the pub at an earlier age if they behave responsibly. He says there a confusing array of age ranges to be able to do things.
Well, how would he hope to determine who behaves responsibly and who doesn’t? Letting someone legally into a pub to drink 16 for instance and giving them several pints would soon change everything. Younger people behind the wheel of a car, that doesn’t make sense at all. If anything we need to raise the ages on things like drinking. Do us a favour David and grow up a bit yourself.
Well, how would he hope to determine who behaves responsibly and who doesn’t? Letting someone legally into a pub to drink 16 for instance and giving them several pints would soon change everything. Younger people behind the wheel of a car, that doesn’t make sense at all. If anything we need to raise the ages on things like drinking. Do us a favour David and grow up a bit yourself.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Hood
The new Robin Hood series (Saturdays BBC1, 7pm-ish) seems to have attracted much criticisms falling into the camps of love and hate.
I love anything to do with Robin Hood, after all, I live on the fringe of what was once sprawling Sherwood Forest. So, when this new series came along I watched with keen interest. My first impressions were sort of mixed, the music is rousing, I wasn’t immediately sure on the actors and the costumes were far from period authenticity, some characters were even over daubed in make up.
Criticisms from viewers and critics alike seem to target the actors; the fact filming was done abroad (Hungary) and the pantomime like costumes to name a few. I personally felt a bit narked that some of it wasn’t shot over here, for example in the first episode Robin remarks it will be good to see the river Trent again…. yet we never saw it.
So, a few episodes in.
The Actors have grown on me though; Jonas Armstrong plays a convincing unshaven Robin, with a little bit of cocky arrogance which makes a change from the usual clean shaven do-gooder. His side kick ‘Much’ played by Sam Troughton has more substance than the village idiot type Much from the 80’s Robin of Sherwood on ITV. Keith Allen is camp and very predictable as the evil Sherriff, though he is the more experienced actor of the cast to me he seems the weakest member. The rest of the merry men seem likeable enough and then there’s Lucy Griffiths as Marion (drool drool).
Addressing the criticisms and putting things into perspective.
Obviously it’s cheaper to film abroad and there are a lot of lovely locations in mainland Europe, also it’s away from the prying eyes of the British press. We could argue there’s plenty of great locations here in the UK but no Robin Hood to my knowledge has never been filmed in Nottinghamshire, mainly because there’s not much left of Sherwood forest and Nottingham castle isn’t really much of a castle at all (most was destroyed in the civil war). We do have the river Trent though which is magnificent!
The costumes are bad; Guy of Gisborne swaggers around in a long black leather trench coat, Little Johns jacket looks like it belongs in Star Wars and the Sheriffs men look way over the top. We have to take into account this is prime time Saturday Tv and not some Simon Schama history documentary though, so why not make the characters a bit more debonair?
Which brings me to the conclusion that the critics are perhaps being a bit harsh, this isn’t a stuffy classical production of Jane Eyre, this is Robin Hood on at 7pm Saturdays catering for the audience watching at prime time. Kids aren’t bothered about detailed period costumes, they want escapism and action. Back in the 70’s when I watched things like Space 1999 I didn’t snicker behind my hands at the cheesy costumes and dodgy sets, I thought wow!
On the whole the new Robin Hood isn’t bad, it’s not fantastic but the cast are promising, the music is good and there’s plenty of action to please the younger ones. If anything, it keeps the Legend alive in the minds of future generations.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Look at the lights
It was my friend Gerry that told me about Phoenix Nights, the comedy starring Peter Kay, as he described a scene to me in the pub I shrugged nonchalantly and said ‘I’d never heard of it’. Sometime later I caught an episode and keeled over on the sofa laughing as it dawned on me this must be the show Gerry had mentioned.For the uninitiated or American readers Phoenix Nights is a comedy first aired on BBC2 based around a social club in the Bolton/Chorley area of the North of England.
Before Phoenix Nights Peter Kay had some minor tv success with shows before hitting mainstream big time with Phoenix Nights and the parodoxical owner of the Phoenix Club – Brian Potter. Kay is what I call a typical observational comic, he often absorbs what he see’s around him in northern life and portrays it with convincing and appealing aplomb.
After Kay had rightfully earned success with Phoenix Nights I had a conversation with a friend I used to work with, I won’t mention his name (Pete) but he often has insightful views on things and we discussed Mr Kay and Phoenix Nights at length, in fact we were ardent fans. We discussed the fact that most comedies often stall after a second series and I think we had a valid point, though I do admit there are sometimes exceptions to the rule, American comedies such as Taxi and Cheers spring to mind, and things like Black Adder.
So when Peter Kay did the spin off to Phoenix Nights called ‘Max and Paddy’s Road to Nowhere’ I watched with interest – to me it was a disaster. It seemed like our theory proved right but not only that, Peter Kay was in self promoting overdrive. Past comedy series where re-released, dvd’s adorned the shelves of retail outlets, adverts with Mr Kay graced the tv screens and the Peter Kay merchandise juggernaut seemed unstoppable. Everyone seemed to love Peter Kay but looking deeper at his solo comedy routine the more discerning of the comedy scene and the critics began to see the flaws. Kay intrinsically relies on English Northern/family/situation humour, he comes across as affable but he doesn’t deliver anything new with his stand up routine, after all, mother in law jokes have all been done before, however much we laugh at them.
So, this really brings me to the conclusion, after Kay’s boom period the critics declared open season and after praising Phoenix Nights began to savage his stand up routines and later efforts such as Max and Paddy. Kay began openly express interest in other avenues and projects, asking if he could be scripted into parts in Coronation Street and Dr Who as well as the almost obligatory self promoting appearances on chat shows. And of course there was the cringe worthy cash in of jaded pop sensation Tony Christies ‘Road to Amarillo’. Oh and then there was the Max and Paddy exercise video! (groan)
In my mind I hoped Kay would come back with another storming series of Phoenix Nights but the excellent actors from there have moved on in their own rights, Dave Spikey and Neil Fitzmaurice to name two whilst of course Kay has concentrated on being a solo star and, the sad irony being without a good supporting cast he isn’t as good as he perceives himself to be.
So whilst I was in Blackpool at the beginning of this week I mentioned Phoenix Nights to my friend from there. She remarked that Peter Kay had offered to switch the Blackpool illuminations on, alas Blackpool council declined and picked……… Dale Winton instead. It reminded me of the first episode of Phoenix Nights when the club re-opened and Kay (as owner Brian Potter) said ‘Look at the lights’ but the club went on to eventually burn down, lets hope Kay can conjure up another Phoenix from the flames and rely more on his innate talent and less on the media merchandising machine.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Northern Vegas
When a voluptuous vixen invites a hobbit to Blackpool for a few days I’m hardly going to refuse am I? So preparations made and bag packed off I went on a journey up north to the Las Vegas of England.
The train journey over the Pennines yielded some good scenery and I was soon in Manchester, a city I’ve not visited that much. Piccadilly station in Manchester is a big modern station, easy to navigate and I was soon boarding my train to Blackpool, standing on the platform I did notice like with my visit to Leicester a while back that Manchester is being extensively re-developed too, lots of new buildings going up.
So, train boarded I headed north through the suburbs of Manchester, Bolton and into deeper Lancashire and through Preston and Leyland to name a few.
Blackpool was overcast when I arrived. After being picked up from the station we did some food shopping, freshened up and went out for a walk down the north end of Blackpool promenade, heading past casino’s and hotels all surrounded by the seasonal neon fest of illuminations. The trams were packed, it was very crowded and that old holiday feeling from when I was a kid came back to wrap me in a warm nostalgia to fend off the sea breeze. Despite the big hotels and new casino’s Blackpool remains a working class resort, where families flock to lap up the many attractions and be rapidly parted from their money. As the brightly lit Blackpool tower looms over head the crowds of holiday makers move zombie fashion down the sea front, a myriad of different British accents chattering away. Blackpool is a place where jaded comedians and television stars of yesteryear go to die, a kind of limbo where they are still recognised by name but no longer big enough to make it onto the silver screens. In Blackpool they are kings of their pier end theatre shows that entertain holiday makers every night, it’s their Vegas.
Heading onto the less congested back streets the holiday allure fades a little and the salubrious night life becomes more evident, there’s a vibrant gay scene with many colourful and entertaining bars amongst the more generic pub chain bars. Blackpool has a unique feel of its own, several visages that combine to give it that Sin City feel with a sprinkle of tacky but I can’t argue with its popularity to all walks of life. It is still the UK’s stag or hen weekend destination of choice, though evidently has suffered with the advent of cheap flights abroad. Whilst the sea front and nearby areas cater for the family unit, the back streets are clearly for those seeking more subversive pleasures – I imagine Las Vegas is the same behind the veneer of neon lights too.
That night we had a rather unimpressive Indian meal and did a couple of colourful bars before heading home on one of the many trams shuttling the sea front parade, known as the golden mile.
The next day I had a long standing appointment with central pier to keep. The reason being simple, as a kid my mum took me to Blackpool for many years, she loved the place and it holds many happy memories for me. Now mum isn’t here anymore I felt it a fitting idea to throw some flowers into the sea for her memory, no better place than central pier in the heart of Blackpool. Clutching a spray of roses I said a few words for mum before giving them to the sea, the wind carrying them underneath the pier, my friend was there to give me a big warm hug, as the seagulls glided overhead we turned out backs to the north wind and the sea, I felt emotional but good inside.
That night we had a lovely Thai meal and later quaffed drinks in a quiet Irish bar, my short break was coming to an end. It has been a lovely couple of days, the sea air is always invigorating and the company was excellent.
Heading back the next day as the train crawled into rainy Manchester I noticed that parallel to our track ran an old vintage steam train, and looking down I could see some lovely old barges gracing the canals, there was even a tramp snoozing on a mattress under a viaduct, seemingly oblivious to the world around him – I said to myself, I really must see a bit more of Manchester.
Lastly, thanks go to the lovely person that I spent a fab couple of days with – you know who you are !
The train journey over the Pennines yielded some good scenery and I was soon in Manchester, a city I’ve not visited that much. Piccadilly station in Manchester is a big modern station, easy to navigate and I was soon boarding my train to Blackpool, standing on the platform I did notice like with my visit to Leicester a while back that Manchester is being extensively re-developed too, lots of new buildings going up.
So, train boarded I headed north through the suburbs of Manchester, Bolton and into deeper Lancashire and through Preston and Leyland to name a few.
Blackpool was overcast when I arrived. After being picked up from the station we did some food shopping, freshened up and went out for a walk down the north end of Blackpool promenade, heading past casino’s and hotels all surrounded by the seasonal neon fest of illuminations. The trams were packed, it was very crowded and that old holiday feeling from when I was a kid came back to wrap me in a warm nostalgia to fend off the sea breeze. Despite the big hotels and new casino’s Blackpool remains a working class resort, where families flock to lap up the many attractions and be rapidly parted from their money. As the brightly lit Blackpool tower looms over head the crowds of holiday makers move zombie fashion down the sea front, a myriad of different British accents chattering away. Blackpool is a place where jaded comedians and television stars of yesteryear go to die, a kind of limbo where they are still recognised by name but no longer big enough to make it onto the silver screens. In Blackpool they are kings of their pier end theatre shows that entertain holiday makers every night, it’s their Vegas.
Heading onto the less congested back streets the holiday allure fades a little and the salubrious night life becomes more evident, there’s a vibrant gay scene with many colourful and entertaining bars amongst the more generic pub chain bars. Blackpool has a unique feel of its own, several visages that combine to give it that Sin City feel with a sprinkle of tacky but I can’t argue with its popularity to all walks of life. It is still the UK’s stag or hen weekend destination of choice, though evidently has suffered with the advent of cheap flights abroad. Whilst the sea front and nearby areas cater for the family unit, the back streets are clearly for those seeking more subversive pleasures – I imagine Las Vegas is the same behind the veneer of neon lights too.
That night we had a rather unimpressive Indian meal and did a couple of colourful bars before heading home on one of the many trams shuttling the sea front parade, known as the golden mile.
The next day I had a long standing appointment with central pier to keep. The reason being simple, as a kid my mum took me to Blackpool for many years, she loved the place and it holds many happy memories for me. Now mum isn’t here anymore I felt it a fitting idea to throw some flowers into the sea for her memory, no better place than central pier in the heart of Blackpool. Clutching a spray of roses I said a few words for mum before giving them to the sea, the wind carrying them underneath the pier, my friend was there to give me a big warm hug, as the seagulls glided overhead we turned out backs to the north wind and the sea, I felt emotional but good inside.
That night we had a lovely Thai meal and later quaffed drinks in a quiet Irish bar, my short break was coming to an end. It has been a lovely couple of days, the sea air is always invigorating and the company was excellent.
Heading back the next day as the train crawled into rainy Manchester I noticed that parallel to our track ran an old vintage steam train, and looking down I could see some lovely old barges gracing the canals, there was even a tramp snoozing on a mattress under a viaduct, seemingly oblivious to the world around him – I said to myself, I really must see a bit more of Manchester.
Lastly, thanks go to the lovely person that I spent a fab couple of days with – you know who you are !
Here are some photos I took, a little cropped to fit in better as blogger doesn't like big files!
View from central Pier
A tram
The Golden Mile
Sharks !
Friday, October 20, 2006
Eastern credit
I was in the bank the other day, I prefer the speed bank machines inside and of course the chance to see the female employees in their crisp smart uniforms saunter about!
As I passed the main counter an east European guy was enthusing about getting a credit card and then a thought struck me. It's obvious that many of our new immigrant friends will apply for a card, run up loads of debt and then go home with lots of booty. Now, as many know from previous posts I'm not happy about the new influx of immigrants but the thought of them ripping greedy in your face credit card companies such as 'Capital One' who are persistant pests with junk mail, tv ads and pc pop ups does make me grin. I just hope they realise when its too late.
As I passed the main counter an east European guy was enthusing about getting a credit card and then a thought struck me. It's obvious that many of our new immigrant friends will apply for a card, run up loads of debt and then go home with lots of booty. Now, as many know from previous posts I'm not happy about the new influx of immigrants but the thought of them ripping greedy in your face credit card companies such as 'Capital One' who are persistant pests with junk mail, tv ads and pc pop ups does make me grin. I just hope they realise when its too late.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
The Chauffeur
HHhhmm it seems to be video week on the Hobbit’s Journal and seemingly black and white videos too!
Back in the early 80’s I was a mere hobbit teen who used to love his music and buy Smash Hits magazine every week for the gaudy coloured flexi disk and tacky centre page poster. I did have a stereo but it was archaic and my folks used to screech at me from downstairs if I played it too loud. I did have an escape for music though. I used the single deck cassette player I had for my first computer, the rubber keyed Sinclair ZX Spectrum. Dad converted the box room into a sort of study for me and as the room perched over the stairwell of the house the sounds emanating from it didn’t attract too much attention. So, when a game was loaded into the Spectrum (or Speccy as I called it) then a music tape would go on.
You see, back then there wasn’t cd’s, it was vinyl or tape, and taping music was usually done from the Bbc’s radio’s top 40 countdown on a Sunday evening. There wasn’t cheap stereo’s like you got these days either, no Argos or Comet back then, so you made do with what you had, and I loved that little black cassette deck I had. For hours I would sit and listen to either radio tapes, things taped from vinyl or tapes that friends would do for you. One song that sticks in my mind from that angst ridden acne faced teenage era is ‘The Chauffer’ by Duran Duran. The song is so spooky with a definite edge - it still makes me tingle even now. I guess for many it’s largely an unknown track of theirs but for the fans it still remains very popular. When I saw them 2 years ago at Wembley they played it and I had this sudden rush of nostalgia.
Ironically a few other Duran Duran songs that bring back memories too.
So here’s ‘The Chauffer’ in its uncensored glory.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Let's dance little stranger, show me secret sins
I found this on YouTube today, from Nouvelle Vague's - Bande A Parte. A classy little vid to the track 'Dance with me' from their latest album. I love the song, love the words, love the video! The song is a cover version of the Lords of the New Church track from the 80's, Nouvelle Vague covering mainly 80's stuff in their albums.
Monday, October 16, 2006
Limited Edition
To commemorate and celebrate the 'A Hobbit's Journal' reaching 10,000 web counters hit 'Pravda-Mint' in association with this blog have released a strictly limited edition Hobbit's Journal figurine.
This extravogant hand painted hobbit figure carved out of purest oak from Sherwood Forest is being offered to readers at the special price of £99 per month over 6 months, surely an unmissable offer that one will cherish in years to come. Order yours today!
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Quote of the Week
Blanche from Coronation Street watching Jamie and Danny Baldwin have a punching match said;
'Southerners'
(I was eating my tea, I don't avidly watch the programme!!!)
'Southerners'
(I was eating my tea, I don't avidly watch the programme!!!)
Birthday Greets
Two friends have their birthdays today, so I thought I'd dedicate this video to them, I'm sure they appreciate it! The Song is called Happy Birthday by The Birthday Massacre.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
10,000
So, I’ve eventually reached 10,000 hits, quite amazing as I only put my web counter on a month or so ago! (cough-cough).
It’s fair to say my blog is an important thing in my life though its not written daily, it is a more ‘as and when’ I feel I have something to say blog.
As always, a big thank you to my friend Pat who got me into blogging and of course for giving me some of his offbeat cynicism too. Thanks also to the other people out there for dropping by my little corner of the web with their comments and support.
It’s fair to say my blog is an important thing in my life though its not written daily, it is a more ‘as and when’ I feel I have something to say blog.
As always, a big thank you to my friend Pat who got me into blogging and of course for giving me some of his offbeat cynicism too. Thanks also to the other people out there for dropping by my little corner of the web with their comments and support.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Emotional Rain
It had been a shit day, a hospital check up over in Nottingham and a day that didn’t know whether to rain or shine as autumn argued with winter over what to do. My body was racked in pain; ironically I was going to the hospital for something other than my recent medical bane.
Usually I enjoy Nottingham, yesterday I felt detached, happy in my own private solitude. I sat and lunched, watching the world go by, often pondering about the passing people as the food didn’t hold my attention.
The rest of the day passed without event, almost in a haze, I even forgot to ask the doctor a question I was planning too, and cursed myself for it on the train back.
Then as the train announced its arrival at my stop and lurched to a halt I stood looking over a young passengers shoulder. I would say he was about 18 with neatly cropped hair, normal clothes etc. As my eyes roved in that commuter like idle fashion, when you pretend not to look but really you are, I noticed the guy was holding a sheet of paper angled towards me, albeit unknowingly. I noticed his spidery writing stretching across the page and the first line said
Usually I enjoy Nottingham, yesterday I felt detached, happy in my own private solitude. I sat and lunched, watching the world go by, often pondering about the passing people as the food didn’t hold my attention.
The rest of the day passed without event, almost in a haze, I even forgot to ask the doctor a question I was planning too, and cursed myself for it on the train back.
Then as the train announced its arrival at my stop and lurched to a halt I stood looking over a young passengers shoulder. I would say he was about 18 with neatly cropped hair, normal clothes etc. As my eyes roved in that commuter like idle fashion, when you pretend not to look but really you are, I noticed the guy was holding a sheet of paper angled towards me, albeit unknowingly. I noticed his spidery writing stretching across the page and the first line said
‘Is it over between us? Why don’t you love me anymore?’
The train rudely halted and the rush hour passengers moved off, that glimpse of the page was all I saw but my heart went out to the guy.
As I walked off I replayed the scene in my head, it had me turning to the young guy and departing with some paternal patronising sage advice or anecdotes for breaking up (you all know the sort!)
Then I realised, there is no easy way of breaking up, not when you truly love someone.
I walked on and it began to rain, it had been a shit day, but not just for me, I felt humbled knowing my pain was physical and would pass; emotional pain can often seem endless.
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Quote of the week
Watched the Johnathon Ross chat show earlier and nearly choked on my earl grey tea as he said quite satirically and with some meaning 'I've just had my house decorated by some workers from the London borough of Poland'
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Oncoming Tide
It took recent visits to London and Leicester to convince myself I wasn’t becoming racist in any degree. Since my last blog there had been this gnawing seed of thought in my mind that perhaps I may have started having racist feelings. I’ve always liked London and I found Leicester to have a lovely multicultural vibe to it. At one point in Leicester I bumped accidentally into an Asian guy whilst leaving a shop, on apologising I was greeted with a warm smile and even a forgiving quick hug. It is instances like that that truly reaffirm my pro multicultural feelings.
But I don’t want to come across as all ‘welcome everybody into Britain’ because that’s not the case. My current bones of contention are the government and how it’s handled immigration and with East European immigrants, mainly the Polish and also the Polish attitude.
The Government
Not long after my last blog on immigration the press began to cover it extensively, especially since the UK population now tops 60 million. Back in 2004 the government estimated that by 2006 they expected around 26,000 to have entered the UK but the real figures of immigrants that came here was around a million, a large contingent of these being east european. Obviously the government choose to mask the real figures and my guess is they don’t really even know the exact amount, now we have government ministers making alarming noises about what is really happening.
Recently former home office member John Denham wrote a memo to Tony Blair with grave concerns about immigration warning that workers in Southampton were starting to get paid 50% less than average. Everyday there are new Polish arrivals making a 30 odd hour bus journey from Warsaw to Southampton. The city council now estimates the Polish population to be 20,000, in a city of 200,000 that is one in ten.
Communities minister Ruth Kelly has called for ‘honest debate’ and practical solutions to solve the growing racial tensions. Kelly openly admits that Britons do not feel comfortable with the change as they see things like shops and restaurants in towns and cities changing. She added that a sense of resentment and grievance develops and that multiculturalism may be causing divisions in many towns. Lastly this sentence from Ruth Kelly strikes a chord with me she said ‘In our attempt to avoid imposing a single British identity and culture we have ended up with some communities living in isolation of each other with no common bonds’. Well, in my view Ms Kelly is just stating a few obvious facts that many people already know, with so many diverse cultures and widely contrasting religions it’s not hard to see why some cities are becoming insular inside.
Work place tensions
I read an interesting example of how inner city tensions are beginning to rise on a new site recently where a Muslim was talking about job pressures he said "A white Polish person has a better chance than a dark-skinned Muslim at landing a job," he added "The Eastern Europeans are 100 percent threatening for Muslims. Being Muslim means it's harder to get work. If your name is Mohammad and you speak English, or Richard and you don't, employers will pick Richard."
The main problem is that immigrant workers are jostling for the ‘bottom rung on the ladder jobs’ and this is where the friction is beginning in our cities, even Muslims that are born here are feeling threatened by the new influx of East European immigrants.
British tradesmen are also feeling the effect too, I was reading the other day about a group of bricklayers who have been laid off in favour of cheaper Polish workers. One man and his son had felt the double effect as the father had lost his job and his son the apprenticeship he’d long wanted.
Polish people are also starting their own business’s and employing Polish only workers, this can only add to further discontent for our workers, whilst there’s no denying Polish work hard there seems to be a trend of them looking out for themselves.
So whilst employers are rubbing their hands, landlords are rejoicing at a new wave of tenants they can over charge and the government is turning a blind eye it’s the good old British workforce who are starting to feel aggrieved.
But I don’t want to come across as all ‘welcome everybody into Britain’ because that’s not the case. My current bones of contention are the government and how it’s handled immigration and with East European immigrants, mainly the Polish and also the Polish attitude.
The Government
Not long after my last blog on immigration the press began to cover it extensively, especially since the UK population now tops 60 million. Back in 2004 the government estimated that by 2006 they expected around 26,000 to have entered the UK but the real figures of immigrants that came here was around a million, a large contingent of these being east european. Obviously the government choose to mask the real figures and my guess is they don’t really even know the exact amount, now we have government ministers making alarming noises about what is really happening.
Recently former home office member John Denham wrote a memo to Tony Blair with grave concerns about immigration warning that workers in Southampton were starting to get paid 50% less than average. Everyday there are new Polish arrivals making a 30 odd hour bus journey from Warsaw to Southampton. The city council now estimates the Polish population to be 20,000, in a city of 200,000 that is one in ten.
Communities minister Ruth Kelly has called for ‘honest debate’ and practical solutions to solve the growing racial tensions. Kelly openly admits that Britons do not feel comfortable with the change as they see things like shops and restaurants in towns and cities changing. She added that a sense of resentment and grievance develops and that multiculturalism may be causing divisions in many towns. Lastly this sentence from Ruth Kelly strikes a chord with me she said ‘In our attempt to avoid imposing a single British identity and culture we have ended up with some communities living in isolation of each other with no common bonds’. Well, in my view Ms Kelly is just stating a few obvious facts that many people already know, with so many diverse cultures and widely contrasting religions it’s not hard to see why some cities are becoming insular inside.
Work place tensions
I read an interesting example of how inner city tensions are beginning to rise on a new site recently where a Muslim was talking about job pressures he said "A white Polish person has a better chance than a dark-skinned Muslim at landing a job," he added "The Eastern Europeans are 100 percent threatening for Muslims. Being Muslim means it's harder to get work. If your name is Mohammad and you speak English, or Richard and you don't, employers will pick Richard."
The main problem is that immigrant workers are jostling for the ‘bottom rung on the ladder jobs’ and this is where the friction is beginning in our cities, even Muslims that are born here are feeling threatened by the new influx of East European immigrants.
British tradesmen are also feeling the effect too, I was reading the other day about a group of bricklayers who have been laid off in favour of cheaper Polish workers. One man and his son had felt the double effect as the father had lost his job and his son the apprenticeship he’d long wanted.
Polish people are also starting their own business’s and employing Polish only workers, this can only add to further discontent for our workers, whilst there’s no denying Polish work hard there seems to be a trend of them looking out for themselves.
So whilst employers are rubbing their hands, landlords are rejoicing at a new wave of tenants they can over charge and the government is turning a blind eye it’s the good old British workforce who are starting to feel aggrieved.
The over riding fact why Polish people are coming here is money, not to integrate but to earn money and send it back home in a lot of cases. A polish worker that had originally came here illegally years ago told a BBC reporter that the reason why he was here "The reason why? I am sure why all Polish people come to England. They are looking for a better life, for work ... and money. First thing, I think, is the money."
I can empathise with them to a degree, unemployment being high back home and the average wage being 4k but I’m sure they’d feel pissed off if we all went over there and started taking their jobs if the roles were reversed. Britain is already a country with a lot of racial tensions in many parts and we don’t need to add to it.
In my opinion its mass exploitation that is starting to rip the heart out of the British working class. Employers are exploiting cheap East European labour and they in turn are taking advantage our system and benefit infrastructure.
Some people are claiming that in fact our East European visitors are heralding a boom era but with unemployment on the rise how can this be so?
Robert Rowthorn, professor of economics at Cambridge, wrote recently that "the Government's claim about the economic benefits of immigration is false... all the research suggests that the benefits for the existing population as a whole are either close to zero, or negative".
We have reached a turning point. The public has finally seen through the Government's falsehoods about "managed migration" and its supposed benefits. People are deeply concerned that the numbers are out of control and are having a huge impact on our society.
The reason is that immigrants also create additional demand: to argue from vacancies is to argue for an endless cycle of immigration. Perhaps this is the real intention. I guess being a professor he must know what he’s on about. Reading associated articles I would add that there are obviously areas that don’t yet have immigrant workers (it won’t be long) and don’t need them.
Speaking to friends of mine who are now working alongside Polish workers its evident there are already mounting tensions. The first reason is the Polish don’t really want to interact and I could quote many examples of this. Secondly the Polish must feel that they are largely in the ‘underclass’ of workers as they take the seemingly worst jobs, this causes resentment, division and friction in the workplace especially as they rightly so see themselves as equal human beings which brings me onto my next topic nicely.
Integration
I notice that over in Newark that the local council and business have made a real effort to accommodate Polish people. Provisions have been made to teach them better English (if they are interested) and local pubs are now having Polish Karaoke nights and serving Polish spirits and beers. In my personal experiences and research it seems that the Polish though don’t really want to mix unless they have too.
Here’s what a Polish woman had to say about Britain on a recent forum site;
‘You basically eat Indian food and Yorkshire pudding – ONLY’, yet your houses are dumps, there are no good services like repairs easily accessible etc. I thought I was coming to developed country but I was wrong. The problem is you do not know it, cause you do not travel to much to compare anything to others. You very centred to yourself as well and do not try anything what's coming from other countries and what could actually be good for you too to make progress’
I’ve seen shop assistants being really friendly to Polish people, only to be given the cold shoulder, not a word of thanks. On a recent visit to London I was unsure of the next train on the underground (as there were 2 types) and on asking the first 3 people I spoke to were of European origin who didn’t want to give me the time of day. I was recently asked directions to a factory by a Polish guy and when I politely couldn’t help him I was scowled and grunted at. The simple reality is they are here in a mercenary capacity and very few have intentions of integrating unless situations demand it. I do accept there is a minority that do want to integrate but I will add firmly, they are in the minority.
When you look at British ex pats abroad you see that they take their British Identity with them but they also integrate into their new society, learn the language and adopt facets of that culture.
Impact
Well most of us are now waking up to the impact of it all, even when the government doesn’t seem to be, this of course is going to cost the government dearly when the next elections comes around. I’ve seen my dad change from being staunch labour to wanting to vote Tory or BNP but it doesn’t end there, its not just him – its thousands upon thousands that feel they are being ignored or repeatedly let down by the government.
I was chatting to a friend that works at East Midlands Airport and he said at least 3 plane loads of Polish arrive daily. Another article I read recently claimed that 2000 arrive daily at Victoria Bus Station in London. Above I mentioned bus loads arriving in Southampton but we have to ask ourselves in how many other cities and towns is this happening? It’s a scary thought.
As I mentioned in my last blog, what if the economy takes a sudden nose dive, what then? That’s when the real tensions will start.
The Polish are on a mission, they are even distributing flyers, setting up recruitment fairs and encouraging others over here to work, when their own embassy is advising against it unless they have jobs and support here. Rented and council housing is being snaffled up by them, schools are being overcrowded by them and there’s extra pressure on the NHS. As more come here it’s not going to get any better and why should British people jostle for housing or services they have paid into for years?
Whilst places like London have been used to dealing with immigrants for years many places around the country are struggling to cope with the sudden new influx. The situation is obviously going to get worse before it gets better, if indeed it will get any better. My argument isn’t really with the Polish people that have useful professions that want to integrate, it’s with the majority that remain arrogant and mercenary, that doesn’t really like us and don’t want to be here at all – apart from the money. That of course could be said for British or other nationalities working abroad but I believe that as a nation we are warm and accepting and this generally travels with us when we go abroad.
Oh and the bad news is the Bulgaria and Romania have been accepted into the European Union, so expect some of their guys here soon too, courtesy of the Labour government of course.
useful links and further reading.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Cats
Contrary to my previous post on dogs, I want to announce that I do like cats!
Cats are far better than dogs in my eyes, softer to stroke and they seem to have more personality traits than dogs in my view, they can be affectionate or sometimes aloof and distant. They are also much easier to keep, put them out at night and they’ll be there the next morning, where dogs are much more likely to wander off in search of some bitch action or a fight with the local head honcho dog.
They also don’t shit all over the place, they have the sense to bury it!
So, although I am not fanatical about cats I generally like them much more than dogs.
Cats are far better than dogs in my eyes, softer to stroke and they seem to have more personality traits than dogs in my view, they can be affectionate or sometimes aloof and distant. They are also much easier to keep, put them out at night and they’ll be there the next morning, where dogs are much more likely to wander off in search of some bitch action or a fight with the local head honcho dog.
They also don’t shit all over the place, they have the sense to bury it!
So, although I am not fanatical about cats I generally like them much more than dogs.
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