Forever And Ever

i have just spent what feels like the 17th consecutive weekend day re-painting the cast iron gates to Burwood Towers. Actually it's the 7th, which is long enough. Days 1 to 4 were spent stripping the bloody things of accumulated paint and exposed rust, days 5 & 6 applying two coats of rust repellent zinc undercoat, and today was coat one of two of black Hammerite. If anybody else suggests I should have sent them to be sand-blasted and dipped I will shout obscenities at the moon...when it's up.

Mind you, compared to my mate Geoff that was nothing. He's had to put up with four months of having his house turned upside down after blocked drains in his street caused some foul smelling flooding to six houses. As it was an insurance claim, and as is the way with these things, the job was characterised by delay and buck passing, with so many firms sub-contracting it sounds like Carry On Bob The Builder to me. No doubt the initial flood was caused by some cretins shoving all kinds of inappropriate waste down their loos, and no doubt these numpties are the ones who are complaining the loudest.
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Are you enjoying the collapse of the economies of the Western World? You are? Then you need your noggin replaced, especially if you are one the unfortunate millions who do not enjoy the largesse of a Government pension. I've just seen eighteen months of small gains on my measly private pension, that brought it almost back to the level it was at the start of 2008, wiped out in the last two days of last week. And it ain't over yet.

Aside from that, when the world's biggest economy loses its AAA credit rating for the first time ever, we should all be seriously worried. The higher interest rates this entails will eventually be borne by those at the bottom of the economic pile, ie, you and me people. So anyone who takes delight in the downfall of the USA should be very careful what they wish for, or put their brain in gear before a gloatfest, or preferably move to China.
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TV - it's all a bit shite isn't it?
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Man City 2 - Man Utd 3...The most loathed club in the land get narrowly beaten by the most envied...I'll bet some misguided souls didn't know who to boo! It made me laugh though. Scarf Man really has got no idea has he? Oh, hang on, didn't I tip Citeh for the title (again).....ho-hum
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Anybody want to know about the beginnings of Prog Rock in the UK? No? Well sod you then ;). If you did, it's here
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You remember Bag Lady? Well the environmental health people have been in touch with her (no, it wasn't me) and as if by magic her 703 dogs have shut up. Doesn't stop Bag Lady from letting one of them crap on the pavement though. If I catch the blameless mutt at it, a charming mobile phone video will be made for future leverage.
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Right, the paint has been scraped of my gnarled mitts and now I'm off to cook a no doubt wonderful sweet'n'sour.

Scrummy!