Nick Gibbins

An afternoon without the

For a while we’ve been promising ourselves that, when the is in the nursery five days a week, we’d take some leave and go and do grown-up things without him. We finally got around to doing yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon, since ‘s sister was visiting. First off, the cinema. If any of you haven’t yet seen Zodiac, and if you still have the chance, do so. It’s a true-crime police procedural/investigative journalism cross, and owes a certain amount to All the President’s Men. Good performances, and excellent art direction (even if the Volkswagen Golf never seems to get dirty). Very effective… Read More »An afternoon without the

You can’t spell ‘Twitter’ without ‘twit’

has given what I consider to be the last word on the matter of micro-blogging here: I like LJ because it promotes a certain degree of literacy and style. Twitter is going to be people saying “GOING TO LOO NOW HEHE” “I DONE A BIG POO” “COR UR BUM IS SMELY” etc. etc. Compare that sentiment with a look at the latest posts on LJ, and you’ll realise just how bad it can be.

Destroy All Undergraduates! [1]

Dear undergraduates on the U1A bus to Wessex Lane, I couldn’t help but overhear your braying conversation at the bus stop and on the bus. Thank you for subjecting me to it. Lest you continue to behave like over-privileged, slack-witted Sloanes, may I offer the following observations: I’m glad that you found common ground in the fact that you both live in London near Victoria Line stations. It’s such a coincidence that one of you lives near Highbury and Islington, and the other lives near Walthamstow – there can be only 400,000 other people that could say the same. Alfred… Read More »Destroy All Undergraduates! [1]

The Opium of the Masses

It seems that Jerry Falwell shuffled off this mortal coil earlier today. While I generally feel that it’s morally questionable to express satisfaction in the death of another person, I can’t help but feel that humanity is enriched by his absence, albeit until the next reactionary right-wing loon steps into his shoes. I also feel it’s a shame that, being dead, he won’t get to find out that there is neither heaven nor hell after this life. On a related topic, I’m surprised at the complete silence from my friends list regarding last night’s Panorama on those wacky Scientologists (almost… Read More »The Opium of the Masses

Today we are mostly being very, very tired.

Generally busy weekend – Eurovision party on Saturday night, which involved a great deal of tidying. Gark Villa survived the attack of experimental subjects L and T rather better than last time, mostly thanks to the oilcloth on the table. The seemed to enjoy the attention from them, even when he was being flattened by their boundless enthusiasm.

On the topic of the , two important milestones were passed this weekend. Firstly, he cut his first tooth. Secondly, he ate (or at least gummed) his first solid food, being a carrot grabbed from ‘s plate. I present the following two images as proof:

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Swaythling Ward Results

Diana Jane ODGERS Conservative Party 1215 Andrew Michael WILSON Labour Party 504 Anne Mary Patricia WORK Liberal Democrats 711 Christopher Francis BLUEMEL Green Party 256 Rejected Ballot Papers 8 Electorate 9466 Turnout 28.5% This represents a loss for the Libdems and a gain for the Tories; the returns at the last election for this ward were otherwise quite similar (Lib 975, Con 681, Lab 457, Green 260). The city council is No Overall Control. The Tory campaign was distinguished by being largely anonymous (a series of flyers for meetings of concerned residents) and focussed on a NIMBYish opposition to a… Read More »Swaythling Ward Results