Friday, September 30, 2016

Fast flies meanwhile the irreparable hour

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

Gosh.

Thursday, September 29, 2016

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/

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

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.

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

What's On?

Monday, September 26, 2016

Fully Loaded

Android TV Box KODI Fully Loaded 4K Ultra HD Android Box TV Box Tonbux® T11 Amlogic S905 Quad Core Streaming Media Player DDR3 1GB Memory and 8GB Storage Android 5.1 WiFi Kodi Box

by Tonbux



RRP:£169.99
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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.

Saturday, September 24, 2016

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.

Friday, September 23, 2016

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.

Thursday, September 22, 2016

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!"

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

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.

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

OH! pleasant exercise of hope and joy!


U16 league 1 2016 - 2017

Print
RankTeamsWinsLostDrawPoints ForPoints AgainstPDBonus PointsPenalty PointsLeague Points
1 100271215106
2 0101227-15001
3 000000000
4 000000000
5 000000000
6 000000000
7 000000000
8 000000000

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.

Monday, September 19, 2016

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.

Sunday, September 18, 2016

27-12

Normal service is resumed.

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

Saturday, September 17, 2016

Hillarity ensues


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.”

Friday, September 16, 2016

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

Thursday, September 15, 2016

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.

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

The Kingdom of Speech


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

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

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.

Monday, September 12, 2016

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.

Sunday, September 11, 2016

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.

Saturday, September 10, 2016

Friday, September 09, 2016

The Munsters


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

Thursday, September 08, 2016

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/

Wednesday, September 07, 2016

funeral blues

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

Tuesday, September 06, 2016

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.

Monday, September 05, 2016

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.

Sunday, September 04, 2016

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.

Saturday, September 03, 2016

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

Friday, September 02, 2016

Must Dash

That'll be the one for me then
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Thursday, September 01, 2016

One Step Beyond


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.