Lavatorial humour

This raised a laugh. A post about the “smugglers’ bog”, complete with excellent engineering diagrams.

Boston

Just got back from spending the weekend visiting a mate in Boston. Top trip. Flights courtesy of Virgin Atlantic, lobster courtesy of the Durgin Park.

California Superbike School

Did level III of the California Superbike School at the Stowe circuit inside the main GP circuit at Silverstone. It was good — got my confidence on the bike back up a bit after not using it much over the Winter. There are some pictures.

Interestingly, one of the five others doing level III on the day was Leon Camier, British Supersports racer, currently third in the championship. He’s a bit nippy round a track (pictures). Apparently, the school is also working with 125 GP rider Thomas Luthi. There must be something in the skills they teach if pro racers like these think that it’s worth attending.

Election IV

Well, after all that, George Galloway for the Respect party got in, many of his votes coming from Oona King, whose share of the vote was cut from 50%+ to low 30s. He always had a great shot at getting elected in this constituency, because he represents the views and interests of many of the constituents, fundamentally opposed to my own views and interests though these might be. Aint democracy great? My local community has spoken and their conclusion is that I clearly live in the wrong place. Maybe I should move.

Election III

…having said that, Michael Howard was quite good on BBC Breakfast this morning.

Last night on Newsnight they ran a feature where Salam Pax (the Baghdad Blogger) went around Bethnal Green and Bow talking to the candidates and the locals. This has reconfirmed my view that Oona King is the only option.

I somehow get the feeling that I am not regarded by many of the parties as being within one of the important target demographic sectors in my constituancy. Interestingly, the only party which has been bothered to canvass at my door has been Respect. “In touch with the concerns of the people” points deducted for calling during the Liverpool — Chelsea match. Respect was always going to be on a sticky wicket anyway, canvassing inside an apartment block where the cheapest one–bedroom apartment must be worth at least £250k on the basis that “we’re the party that stands for what the Labour Party used to stand for” — i.e. royally screwing anyone in receipt of an income sufficient to service the mortgage concomitant with owner–occupancy in such an apartment block.

Isn’t it funny how Labour are now the obvious choice for the conservative voter? Isn’t it funny that earning enough to buy a lousy one–bedroom flat in central London means that you are in serious danger of being among “the rich” in the Founding Declaration commitment: “Tax the rich to fund welfare and to close the growing gap between the poor and the wealthy few”.

Election II

Interesting piece on why the young don’t care about politics. I have never voted in previous elections, because most of the issues have not been likely to affect me. Many of Dan Snow’s points apply equally to why the youngish, unmarried urban professional doesn’t care about politics. The only difference is that I am now interested in the prudent management of the economy and public finances. I pay tax and so would not be too keen on big tax rises. I own a heavily mortgaged house so would not be too keen on either a house price crash or significant interest rate rise. I need a monthly pay–check to pay off my debts so would not be too keen on being made redundant due to economic decline. So I’ll be voting for the first time on 5 May 2005 and I’m afraid that Gordon Brown (by way of Oona King) looks like getting the vote on the “safe(er) pair of hands/ devil you know” principle. I can see absolutely no other remotely sensible option. I would also note that I don’t think that Tony Blair is anywhere near as bad as he has been portrayed and that in my view both Michael Howard and the Tory campaign generally have not come across at all well over the last few weeks.