Fast flies meanwhile the irreparable hour

Ben is sixteen today, and Rayburn's little girl was born last night.

Gosh.

Alexa

The Amazon Echo arrived yesterday. I have set it up at home, told it where it lives and given it access to my diary.

I've got it to play music and podcasts, tell me jokes, read me the news, and time things.

Just skimming the surface so far, but it is an amazing product.

The pedal hits the metal at http://alexa.amazon.co.uk/

the transferred epithet

At the moment, on the reading front, I am yomping through Ben Judah's This is London: Life and Death in the World City.

'Judah grabs hold of London and shakes out its secrets' The Economist

This is London in the eyes of its beggars, bankers, coppers, gangsters, carers, witch-doctors and sex workers.

This is London in the voices of Arabs, Afghans, Nigerians, Poles, Romanians and Russians.

This is London as you've never seen it before.

'An eye-opening investigation into the hidden immigrant life of the city' Sunday Times

'Full of nuggets of unexpected information about the lives of others . . . It recalls the journalism of Orwell' Financial Times.

Up to a point Lord Copper. He certainly never met an adjective he didn't like, yon Ben J. If I had got the chance to wield the blue pencil, this book would have been a lot, lot shorter.

What's On?

NEW: Tube staff have been told Northern line night tube will start Friday 18th November. Nothing official yet.

— Tom Edwards (@BBCTomEdwards) September 26, 2016

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Myself: "Cut your monthly TV subscription and enjoy FREE Movies, shows and live entertainment from all over the world including sports." It seems to good to be true.

Prodnose: It is too good strictly to be legal, that is for sure.

Myself: How about http://www.alphr.com/software/1001730/how-to-install-kodi-on-an-amazon-fire-stick-use-the-low-cost-dongle-to-stream-tv?

Prodnose: OK.

Eight Immortals of the Wine Cup

I nominate myslelf as the ninth.

League of Gentlemen

Here are the Old Ruts boys who played in today's South London win over North London in the Rugby League Origin Series U15s.

From left to right: Ben, Wesley, Saadiq and Billy.

Tries for Ben and Billy, and massive performances from Wes and 'diq. Congratulations all round. I will be buying the DVD and I haven't even got a player any more.

Collapse of stout party

The Sultan Beer Festival; just tonight for me, the whole weekend for the rest of the world. This evening I will mostly be drinking Papa Jangles Voodoo Stout and Fat Cat Porter.

poseur, moi?

Warm Tomato Tarts: A great way to showcase a perfect summer tomato. By MICHEL GUÉRARD

A Conversation About a Warm Tomato-and-Basil Tart: Corey Lee and Michel Guérard talk through how they crossed eras and oceans to recreate a dish.

In Its Place: Corey Lee's collection of masterpieces at In Situ.

It strikes me that I can get cracking on this tart with tomatoes and basil picked fresh from my own garden.

 "This is my happening and it freaks me out!"

Late on parade

Our auction system was featured on the Money Saving Expert weekly email again last night (see Icons passim).

It has already sent us 400,000 more page views than we would normally get.

That is why I have neglected you till so late in the day, dear reader.

OH! pleasant exercise of hope and joy!

U16 league 1 2016 - 2017

Print

• League Table

Rank	Teams	Wins	Lost	Draw	Points For	Points Against	PD	Bonus Points	Penalty Points	League Points
1	Old Rutlishians U16A	1	0	0	27	12	15	1	0	6
2	Old Caterhamians U16A	0	1	0	12	27	-15	0	0	1
3	London Irish Amateur U16A	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	Cobham U16A	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
5	Guildford Stags U16A	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
6	Richmond U16A	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
7	Reeds Weybridge U16A	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
8	KCS Old Boys U16A	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

It's neither here nor there that no-one else seems to have played, and that you can only see half without scrolling.  Old Ruts - cut and pasted from the Surrey website this morning - are on top of the first division.

16 candles

Jonnie was 16 yesterday. Ben will be following suit on September 30th. I'm not crying, I've just got something in my eye.

27-12

Normal service is resumed.

It is late. I have had a drink. I acknowledge this post is incomprehensible.

Hillarity ensues

Newly Redesigned HillaryClinton.com Allows Users To Fully Customize Issues Page To Suit Own Preferences

BROOKLYN, NY—Saying the new interface will help voters learn more about the candidate and her platform, campaign sources confirmed Wednesday that HillaryClinton.com, the official website of the Democratic presidential nominee, is now fully customizable, allowing visitors to change Clinton’s stance on any given issue so that it reflects their own political beliefs.

Top aides told reporters that the “Hillary Clinton on the Issues” section of the site has been revamped so that users can adjust the former secretary of state’s positions on the economy, climate change, taxes, national security, the minimum wage, gun violence, and dozens of other topics until her worldview perfectly aligns with theirs.

“Voters can simply go to the issues page, choose a subject area, and select Secretary Clinton’s personal conviction from a drop-down menu,” said campaign manager Robby Mook, who explained that in addition to selecting a specific belief from among numerous options, visitors could also use a slider tool to move the candidate’s stance on a particular issue further left or right. “Our updated site is really a great way for voters to get to know Hillary and her principles. For example, progressives will be happy to see that she strongly supports universal single-payer health care, while those who are more moderate will appreciate her steadfast belief in a free market–based approach to health care that gives citizens their choice of private insurers.”

out of water

I had a bit of a shock when I saw that, never mind not starting, Dan Fish wasn't even on the bench for tonight's Cardiff Blues versus Glasgow Warriors Pro12 game. It turns out that he hurt his ankle scoring the winning try last week, so he is out injured. Not for too long I hope.

Just for reference and while I have got my rugby head on, the Bomber's school games and results this season should appear on http://www.schoolsrugby.co.uk/Team.aspx?ID=901&TID=454146

The next kingdom of speech

Amazon has finally brought its voice-controlled Echo speakers to the UK. The devices offer access to local services (including the Hive heating automation I already use) and feature a British-accented version of the Alexa virtual assistant; deep, deep joy.

As a Prime customer I have pre-ordered mine for £99. That is £50 off the usual price. If you want the deal you will have to follow suit by five o'clock tomorrow afternoon.

The Kingdom of Speech

 It is good to see Tom Wolfe is still banging stuff out well into his ninth decade (see Icons passim).

Fish bites, slippery Fish; insert your own pun

Here are the highlights of the Blues 24-23 win over Munster from Friday night. A strong run from Dan Fish right at the beginning then the winning try two minutes five seconds in to the video and about seventy into the game.

Pondering Munster, I would guess - though I'm not sure - that Cork and Waterford is where my Irish ancestors would have come from.

Hip Hop Grillz

I have cracked a porcelain tooth, so I am off to the dentist today to start the process of replacing it with gold.

Expect me to be signed by Young Money Entertainment soonest, with my freshly blinged gob.

Grillz, Gold or Silver Plated our Full row and Single Tooth Grillz are top of the line. ALL true players are wearing GRILLZ, don't let yourself get out played by a player! - We are always coming up with the latest and hottest styles of GRILLZ to keep pimping your mouth up. If you really want to be a Gangsta, a true player or the ultimate Pimp you just gotta get some Grillz!

I know. I know. It is so me.

Do Not Go Gentle.

I took Mum and Dad out for the tasting menu at Mint and Mustard last night. By the time we got home we were so confused we couldn't get in and had to summon my brother to unlock the door.

Driving back to London this morning I got a text saying Mum had lost her walking stick during our adventures.

I am a bad person.

Sadly Missed

There is a party in Colliers Wood today to celebrate the opening of a refurbished lane.

Fill your boots. I can't make it as I am in Cardiff.

The Munsters

Dan Fish starts for the Blues again with Matthew Morgan on the bench away in Ireland. BBC 2 Wales 7:30 tonight.

Food Festival

According to Vince, Mum fancies going to the St Fagan's Food Festival on Saturday.

Everything we need to know is on https://museum.wales/stfagans/whatson/8701/Food-Festival/

funeral blues

Off to say goodbye to Jack Bond, Dave's dad today.

paronomasia

Myself: They think it's Moldova! It is now, it's four!

Prodnose (sullenly): Ho ho.

Myself: Sneer as much as you like mate. Wales, 4-0 winners, are top of their World Cup qualifying group and I am banging out world class puns. It is all good.

Peter Winterbottom

Wikipedia

Peter James Winterbottom (born 31 May 1960 in Otley, West Yorkshire), is a former England rugby union footballer who played as an openside flanker. He was England's most-capped openside (with 58 caps) until being overtaken by Neil Back in 2003. He made his England debut on 2 January 1982 against Australia, and his final appearance on 20 March 1993 against Ireland.

Winterbottom was known for his work rate, durability, hard tackling and courage. He was selected on two British and Irish Lions tours in 1983 and 1993, both to New Zealand, where he impressed the locals with his fine play, albeit on losing sides. He was the second England player to reach 50 caps, after Rory Underwood, and was inducted onto the Twickenham "Wall of Fame" in November 2005.

Winterbottom played club rugby for Headingley, Harlequins and also for Hawkes Bay in New Zealand and Transvaal in South Africa.

He can now add helping out with training the Old Ruts U16s yesterday to that illustrious CV. You may think that you are surprised and impressed, but you aren't as surprised and impressed as I was.

League 1 U16 fixtures for the diary

Round 1:
18-09-2016
Old Caterhamians U16A v Old Rutlishians U16A at Old Caterhamians Club Park Avenue

Round 2:
25-09-2016
Old Rutlishians U16A v KCS Old Boys at Old Rutlishians - Poplar Rd

Round 5:
18-12-2016
Old Rutlishians U16A v Guildford Stags U16A at Old Rutlishians - Poplar Rd

Round 6:
15-01-2017
Richmond U16A v Old Rutlishians U16A at Richmond - The Athletic Ground

Round 7:
12-02-2017
Old Rutlishians U16A v London Irish Amateur U16A at Old Rutlishians - Poplar Rd Details

Round 8:
05-03-2017
Reeds Weybridge U16A v Old Rutlishians U16A at Reeds Weybridge - Whiteley Village

Round 9:
09-04-2017
Old Rutlishians U16A v Cobham U16A at Old Rutlishians - Poplar Rd

Nothing at all in October and November.

thicker than water

Dan Fish starts at full back tonight for the Blues against Edinburgh with Matthew Morgan and Gareth Anscombe on the bench. That's a welcome precedent. Long may it continue

Must Dash

That'll be the one for me then

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One Step Beyond

House of Common festival review: Madness and co. show why there is still love for the old school

A balmy day in London’s Clapham Common was matched by the hot fire on stage offered up by the likes of David Rodigan MBE and Toots & The Maytals.

.... and I was there.