Author Archives: Joe

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-12-05

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  • Off to Church – beautiful, but icy, morning in Sheffield #
  • Beautiful cold, crisp, sunny morning in Walkley! #
  • RT @simonprideny: Anywhere you have chemistry and an energy gradient, you're going to find life. Here, Titan, Jupiter: it's going to happen. #
  • RT @Kitsonian: Well said Graham Taylor: "Fifa is an organisation that doesn't have to answer to anyone. What did we expect?" #
  • RT @glenoglaza: IF Panorama and Sunday Times are being blamed, I know who's side I am on. Let's really blow the lid off disgusting FIFA … #
  • RT @DCPlod: FIFA awarding #WorldCup to Qatar is a big fuck you to gay sportsmen. How can we make it easier for them to come out now? #
  • Re. Qatar 2022 – climate, political stability, homophobia, alcohol-free fans. Just what WERE the decision making criteria? #fb #
  • RT @5tevenw: Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self esteem, first make sure you are not just surrounded by assholes. #
  • World Cup 2018 Dreams – I dream we won't get it… 😉 #
  • Interesting alternative view on #wikileaks – http://is.gd/i3821 – agree with quite a lot of it, I'm afraid. #
  • RT @yorkhannah: Request on Radio Sheff for a lift from Gleadless Common to Charnock to help a mother who needs dialysis get to her machine. #
  • RT @PennyRed: http://bit.ly/gSKzIE RT: videos of a copper repeatedly punching a protester at yesterday's demo. #
  • Differentiating between a SnowZombie and a normal Zombie – Zombies say 'Braaaaiiiiinnnnnssss', SnowZombies say 'Breeeaaaaaadddddd'…. #
  • It's not a conspiracy – it's a plot! (Think about it…) @StarSparkle_UK @DCPlod: RT @BBCWorld: Lee Harvey Oswald's coffin up for sale #
  • Errr…shouldn't LHO be in it? RT @DCPlod: RT @BBCWorld: Lee Harvey Oswald's coffin up for sale http://bbc.in/f5ITAh #
  • RT @gistwire: RT @NHS_Sheffield: For Sheffield school updates follow @SCCPressOffice , for travel updates follow @TravelSYorks #
  • Quick! Phone the cops and report them as a student demo! RT @robkelsall: "David Beckham, David Cameron and Price William walk into a bar…" #
  • A punch or two needed…RT @RadShef: Ugh, fuck off entitled idiots on the SF wanting refunds on bus passes. At least you're home. Wankers. #
  • Neither does chocolate! RT @Ednakrabappe: RT @carolvorders: I believe crumpets have no calories when it's snowing x #
  • My God…12" here in Walkley and still coming…. #
  • #wikileaks – ..diplomats feared Pakistan nuclear material could get to terrorists – FFS – most thinking folks have had that worry for years! #
  • Hmmm…I think this is the most snow I've seen on my street in 25 years of living here! #
  • Hmmm… If #wikileaks release stuff that is detrimental to Putin and the Russian Government, I would not like to be Julian Assange… #
  • RT @DCPlod: ..left needs reminding that not all national security measures are military-industrial scams http://bit.ly/fyjHfF #p2 #wikileaks #
  • RT @StarSparkle_UK:RT @PennyRed:PLSE RT: this was an entirely peaceful protest. I saw not one thing broken, no violence or vandalism at all. #
  • RT @CllrBenCurran: Police ban students from protesting outside Nick Clegg's office http://goo.gl/uoQJY #
  • RT @NewHumanist: Why are there not more ppl saying "If having a free press stops you hosting the World Cup, then I don't want the World Cup" #
  • RT @StarSparkle_UK: Good one! "@BorowitzReport: US Calls WikiLeaks "Worst Invasion of Privacy Since Facebook"" #
  • Maybe for future reference a set of hashtags – like #schoolclosed #roadclosed – @SCCPressOffice in reply to SCCPressOffice #
  • Watching folks wander down our road towards the bus stop. Like Napoleon's retreat from Moscow… @liencam in reply to liencam #
  • Fucked up world? RT @mashable: Google May Acquire Groupon for $6 Billion, and It Would Be Worth Every Penny – http://on.mash.to/fMjFCh #
  • RT @Alvin691 This entire Wikileaks event seems "odd" . The message is too controlled. The response is too controlled. Gut feeling #
  • RT @billt: What will we do when the next #wikileaks hoard is every Twitter DM or Facebook chat transcript? Whose friendships would survive? #
  • RT @tscholesfogg: Phoned Lib Dem Head Office and asked for copy of manifesto. They said they'd sold out. I said "I know, but can I have .. #
  • SO depressing that the Banks are looking for contractors to develop trading systems…more fuckups coming soon? #
  • Snow and slow broadband – looks like "I picked the wrong day to give up sniffing glue!" #
  • RT @Erica_Jane_MP: Know any good Sheffield bands/singer songwriters that tweet & wld want to get involved w/ a #jokesontrial benefit gig? #
  • Bugger. Leslie Nielsen dies at 84. Thanks for the laughs – "Just think; next time I shoot someone, I could be arrested." So long, Frank! #fb #
  • RT @DCPlod: RT @seanpaulkelley:If @wikileaks believes in this radical openness agenda, they'll release their internal deliberations as well #
  • #wikileaks ddos – pointless if Guardian has docs, and simply draws attention to the docs. So…DDOS or inadequate bandwidth at wikileaks? #

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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-11-28

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  • Maybe time to register Zuckerpunch and Facepunch? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11837939 #
  • that serves the People, not special interests. The US Coffee Party Movement. 3/3 #
  • Therefore, we must refuse to submit to this Machiavellian tactic. If we really want change, we must unite to demand a government… 2/3 #
  • Change begins the recognition that our current state of division is the result of a deliberate strategy to divide and rule us…. 1/3 #
  • Checking Old Joe's Book of Wisdom…ah…here it is…Don't Eat The Yellow Snow! #
  • RT @davidallengreen: General theory of Libs in govt? Coalition/partnership followed by 20-40 years in wilderness. #
  • RT @Conski: RT @VizTopTips: INFORM friends about the cold weather on social networking sites, as they might not be aware. /via @paulfoneill #
  • Naturally, you can Upgrade your Sky TV package online, but have to phone them to downgrade. 🙂 #
  • RT @robkelsall: When someone told me that Bernard Matthews had bought the farm, I just thought it was another business venture! 🙁 #
  • RT @lisaansell: RT @davelength: Can you believe that Bernard Matthews died on Thanksgiving? Turkey revenge. #
  • RT @Hills_Forum: Social tonight, please join us at the New Barrack Tavern, Penistone Road from 7.30pm – free buffet. #
  • Sky really bigging up Stuxnet – I love it when the media gets hold of something that's been fucking obvious to some of us for years…. #
  • #happinessindex Cam-Il-Sung and Clegg-Il-Sung lead the happy workers in song… #
  • RT @CateySmith: Try and get Officer U2128 trending. Kicking an unarmed 15 year old girl. #
  • RT @em3978: Wondering why people are so surprised about snow in november. Its winter! It happens! Every year!! #
  • If I've broken my foot again I shall be VERY unhappy! #

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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-11-21

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  • Hmmmm…so….ITunes are going to broadcast the Royal Wedding to Beatles music? Or have I missed something? #royalwedding #itunes #
  • So…Apple's Big News…iTunes gets to sell albums from a 50 year old rock band. Fanbois – please tell me why this is such a big deal?? #
  • And the fact that the cheap tat for the #royalwedding will be made in China…won't even help the economy! #
  • The thing that will piss me off most about #royalwedding is the bloody awful tat that will be cluttering shops up for the next year….. #
  • RT @CllrBenCurran: Walkley Community Centre has launched a fantastic new website. Check it out at http://www.firstreet.org.uk @7afirstreet #

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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-11-14

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  • On my way to church #
  • RT @VizTopTips: TERRORISTS: Do NOT blow up Robin Hood Airport today. You'll ruin the joke and then everyone will hate you. via @mattwhatsit #
  • Is there a river near Robin Hood Airport? My Sharks with Head Mounted Lasers will need water access to be effective… #iamspartacus #
  • Listening to my god-daughter coax Beach Boy style harmonies from a toy musical instrument – brilliant! #fb #

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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-11-07

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  • Off to Church! #
  • Trying an iPad – seems slow on my wifi network – any settings I should know about? #ipad #
  • RT @jasonfried: "A word you have to hunt for in a thesaurus is the wrong word. There are no exceptions to this rule" Stephen King #gistwrite #
  • RT @NaomiAKlein What Obama refuses to get: There is no escape from furious enemies. The only protection is passionate and motivated friends #
  • Does butter easily come out of 40-something male hair? #fb #
  • Hmmmm…my pocket contains cat food, a half eaten biscuit and a wet wipe with…something… On it. Babysitting is an adventure! #fb #
  • Any iPad developers around? A project I'm involved with will need an iPad App to talk to a back end web service. #ipaddevelopment #
  • #gistwrite – first 1000 words of my first short story for the GIST Write project. http://is.gd/gCNJq #fb #
  • Re. the increased checks on flying – simples. Just refuse to fly. We miss holidays and meetings, airlines lose money. #
  • RT @russellcavanagh: DO NOT DISSENT! – New unaccountable "no-fly list" for UK http://bit.ly/bHQ2qY State terror is now official #nwo #
  • #gistwrite – I'll be doing a 'work in progress' blog for the next month at least – here's the first post. http://is.gd/gC2gJ #fb #
  • Any iPad developers around? A project I'm involved with will need an iPad App to talk to a back end web service. #
  • I guess giving criminals the vote to keep people with near criminal policies in power makes some sort of sense…. 😉 #
  • Hmmmm…the opportunity to work for one of the country's largest law firms. I think I'd rather chew my arm off…. #fb #
  • RT @StarSparkle_UK: I think this Jean-Jacques Rousseau quote is VERY apt today: “I prefer liberty with danger than peace with slavery”. #
  • Any iPad developers around? A project I'm involved with will need an iPad App to talk to a back end web service. #

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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-10-10

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  • The VMWare installer is the greediest installer I've ever seen…EVERYTHING stalls for it! #
  • Heisenbugs – bugs that only manifest when a client is using the system…. #
  • Woohoo! Flying Pigs! RT @SupplyGov: Banks set up venture capital fund for small businesses http://bit.ly/9tEVfr #
  • RT @Iconic88: “To a brave man, good and bad luck are like his left and right hand. He uses both.” – St Catherine of Siena #
  • Damn Avenue-Q – can't stop humming 'The Internet is for Porn' this morning…I need to get out more! #
  • I's Monday – BIG few weeks ahead for me, personally and professionally – I may not be around as much online! #fb #

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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-10-03

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  • Excellent news – teachers given protection from false allegations, change in 'no touch' rules. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-11458137 #
  • #basecamp – is basecamp broken or is it just me? Can't add items. #
  • A busy but successful day – now School Governors meeting and then more work later…busy, busy, busy! #
  • RT @CSLewisDaily: Don't think of God in terms of forms, because forms are limited and God is unlimited-C.S.Lewis #
  • Apart from @davidallengreen is anyone else commenting on Labour's civil liberties policies? Does anyone think they've changed? #lab10 #
  • 'Monsters' – interesting looking film… http://is.gd/fzeJG #
  • I tell you this…EM uses…. I tell you this…quite frequently! 🙂 #lab10 #
  • Miliband speech – not bad, ticked the boxes, woolly on some areas, but promising. 7/10. #lab10 #
  • Miliband talking about liberty – has he turned his back on ID cards? #lab10 #
  • Hmmmm…when was Labour EVER the part of small business and entrpreneurship? #lab10 #
  • Miniband making the right noises to each section of the party – sort of 'Labour Conference Bingo' #lab10 #
  • A remake of one of my favourites, 'True Grit', from teh Cohen Brothers – looks good. http://is.gd/fx1gr #
  • Man finds mouse in loaf – http://bbc.in/a6c6ZN – and was most upset when it was pointed out that mouse had no tail…. #
  • Ah well, better hit the keyboard typing and get some work done! #
  • Reginald D Hunter on HIGNFY repeat on Gold – an American who gets irony. 🙂 #
  • Too true. RT @KeithWildman: Very sad to hear about Terry Newton. Too many young blokes taking that option. Really needs to be addressed. #
  • RT @twitterapi: Malicious Links on Twitter – A malicious link is making the rounds that will post to your account… http://t.co/R6O9y0e #

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Last tango in Sheffield…

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It’s safe to say that I do not have a body built for dance – well, unless you count the thing they do in Lederhosen that involves bumping bottoms and slapping thighs and faces as dancing. 

I have slightly flat feet, dodgy knees and no sense of coordination.  I don’t dance like my dad – it’s way worse than that!  If I were a horse I’d have been led out behind the barn and turned into ‘Fido’s Juicy Morsels’ years ago.

But….I like tango music!  I think that if I were ever granted a wish to be able to dance ONE formal dance well, it would be the Tango. 

I suppose I should blame Tom Lehrer….I think my interest started from hearing Mr Lehrer’s excellent Masochism Tango.   I mean – how can one resist a song with lyrics like:

At your command before you here I stand
My heart is in my hand – yecch 

that was written in the 1950s, pre-dating the Goth kids by four decades…. 

I think the next time I came across the Tango was performed by Gomez and Morticia Addams in ‘Addams Family Values’.  Again – excellent!

There’s a line in ‘Scent of a Woman’ (see below) where Gabrielle Anwar’s character says that she wanted to learn the dance but that her boyfriend thought that the Tango was ‘hysterical’.  I think I see where he was coming from – it is so mannered and passionate that to some people it may appear as overly emotional – hysterical – or quite amusing. 

Which brings me to my next exhibit…

I think the thing that finally got me ‘hooked’ on the music was the scene in the movie ‘Scent of a Woman’ where Al Pacino, playing a blind, retired military officer dances a tango with Gabrielle Anwar.  It’s a great scene for all sorts of reasons – take a look at it here and enjoy – and there’s a couple of good quotes in there, especially ‘Some people live a lifetime in a minute’.

The dance is a great affirmation of life and passion; a few minutes searching on YouTube will reveal quite a few videos of excellent dancing, and a similar period of time searching Spotify or any other online music resource will reveal a large amount of music, both traditional Tango and modern combinations of Tango and Electronica, like that produced by ‘The Gotan Project’.

For the purists, the Tango referred to above is the ‘Argentine Tango’ which is less formalised and structured than the ‘Ballroom Tango’.  I may not be able to dance it, but I can enjoy it!  Funnily enough, within a few days of me starting to write this piece I came across two of my friends who were expressing an interest in learning the Tango, and heard that a bar in Sheffield might be running lessons. 

Maybe I should go along to watch…

Liberals and ‘acceptable’ bigotry

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Vatican FlagThe last visit from a Pope to the UK before the most recent one was back in 1982 – I’m old enough to remember that one.  I was just finishing university at the time, and I remember doing some revision while the visit was on TV in the background.

But it was not a state affair – that is, the Pope was not invited by the Queen and was not given treatment accorded to a head of state. This time around, he is.  The visit has cost the taxpayer £12 million, and has upset a vocal minority in the UK who’re objecting to the papal visit with regard to:

  • The Holy See doesn’t meet the rqeuirements for a state under the Montevideo Protocols
  • The Catholic Church’s  beliefs on homosexual rights
  • The Catholic Church’s failure to deal adequately with paedophilia within the priesthood
  • The Church’s rejection of condoms causing the spread of AIDS
  • The Church’s support for segregated education
  • The refusal of the Vatican to sign various international human rights treaties, and instead form concordats with other countries, that have negative effects on human rights issues for people within those countries.

The full list is here.   And the list is totally accurate – the Catholic Church does need to get it;s house in order on a lot of issues, and at the same time the Vatican needs to review it’s links to other countries in the world.  As an Anglican I don’t have to believe in Papal infallibility; the Catholic Church and the Vatican must get their act together. 

However, it’s likely that very few world leaders could happily jump through all the hoops here.  I assume therefore that we’ll eventually see:

  • Protests against President Obama for continuing human rights problems at home and abroad.
  • Protests against President Sarkozy for his treatment of the Roma population.
  • Protests against the Dalai  Lama (who regards homosexual sex as ‘sexual misconduct’)

Will we see protests against these leaders? It may happen….who knows…but I doubt they would have the same amount of vehemence from corners of the liberal establishment  and press that this Papal visit has seen.  In size, the number of protesters has been quite small compared to the numbers obviously supporting the visit, but the media attention given to the protesters seems to have been disproportionately large compared to the amount of  support the protests have garnered.

What has really upset me, though, is the bigotry and sheer offensiveness that I’ve seen from people that I know personally; indeed, some folks have now been given a permanent leave of absence from my Facebook and Twitter accounts; it’s not that I disagree with their beliefs, it’s just the way those beliefs were expressed.  Indeed, I’ve heard comments that must come pretty close to inciting religious hatred from some so-called liberals and ‘progressives’, and whilst I can understand they’re angry about the attitudes expressed by the Pope and the Vatican, it’s worth them remembering the simple rule of thumb that ‘Two wrongs do not make a right’.

It’s been an eye-opener, to be honest; I have to say that seeing 18th Century expressions of ‘anti-popery’ made by people who surely regard themselves as civilised people living in the 21st Century was quite something.  Maybe teh liberal veneer on soem people is a lot thinner than they’d like to think.