Twenty20 is over. What a final, what a tournament! Whether you are a Cricket traditionalist or not (and I am well on the fence- loving all forms of the game) this World Cup had everything. The needle in the middle, the amazing crowds (contrast with the One Day World Cup), loads of entertainment and a spectacle for a finish.
The Rugby World Cup, although throwing up few surprises, is also entertaining. The crowds cheer on the underdog- who are in several cases playing better than the favourites (someone let Argentina into the Tri-Nations)- and there is some great Rugby being played- although not by the Northern Hemisphere.
The only real downer to each of the above is the cast iron certainty of boredom and bewilderment whenever England take the field. Take the T20 against India. Freddie stepped across the wicket every ball- and got it wrong every ball! When we were in trouble, we put Snape in. I have nothing against Snape, but he is not a hitter and hadnt played thus far. Why not Mascarenhas or even Broad?
As for the Rugby, someone tell me why we left Flood and Geraghty at home! And why is our pack still half-full of cart-horses like Corry. Basically, the attitude of the Six Nations Teams seems to be that forwards are for trying to bash walls down with and backs are there to make up the numbers. New Zealand weren't that pretty against Scotland, but what a dynamic pack, what strength in the backs and what quality on the bench.
Apart from a big Yeehah!!! that the Gooners are up where they belong- sporting rant over
Monday 24 September 2007
Tuesday 4 September 2007
Who' d have thunk it?
It seems that Terrorism and union activity have done what no Government campaign could achieve- a potentially healthier London!
After 7/7 (a stupid DJ-ish soundbite for a distinctly nasty and profound event), bicycle use in London went up something like 400%.
Today the tubes are mainly closed, due to industrial action by Metronet maintenance staff. The upshot is that the buses can't cope with the numbers and the parks and pavements are full of people walking. Several of them look unhappy- probably the same people that think Ken should cancel the Congestion Charge and let people park wherever they want on such days (cos that will really get you home quicker- idiots). Many, however, look quite serene and are chatting away with people they would usually ignore on the Tube. They are ambling along, taking the air in the parks (which, admittedly, makes it harder for all the post- terrorism cyclists, but you cant have everything) and enjoying it. So what if the dinner is an hour late and you miss some mind-numbing TV - GOOD!
I wonder how many of them will take a look at themselves and think,'Actually, I like this walking lark- think I'll do it more often'.
So, how do we do those other things that Government campaigns fail to deliver? Such as Healthy Eating. How about all the people who work in Fast food restaurants(?) and ready-meals factories going on strike, forcing us to buy fresh produce. Brilliant- Go on, guys!
(Metronet is a prime example of the worst of PFI, where my own Central Line was closed for many weekends for essential engineering work which never actually took place. Metronet have now gone into administration because they were crap. I have a lot of sympathy for the workers but none for the company itself, and I rejoice in the hope that Londoners may now get something better.)
After 7/7 (a stupid DJ-ish soundbite for a distinctly nasty and profound event), bicycle use in London went up something like 400%.
Today the tubes are mainly closed, due to industrial action by Metronet maintenance staff. The upshot is that the buses can't cope with the numbers and the parks and pavements are full of people walking. Several of them look unhappy- probably the same people that think Ken should cancel the Congestion Charge and let people park wherever they want on such days (cos that will really get you home quicker- idiots). Many, however, look quite serene and are chatting away with people they would usually ignore on the Tube. They are ambling along, taking the air in the parks (which, admittedly, makes it harder for all the post- terrorism cyclists, but you cant have everything) and enjoying it. So what if the dinner is an hour late and you miss some mind-numbing TV - GOOD!
I wonder how many of them will take a look at themselves and think,'Actually, I like this walking lark- think I'll do it more often'.
So, how do we do those other things that Government campaigns fail to deliver? Such as Healthy Eating. How about all the people who work in Fast food restaurants(?) and ready-meals factories going on strike, forcing us to buy fresh produce. Brilliant- Go on, guys!
(Metronet is a prime example of the worst of PFI, where my own Central Line was closed for many weekends for essential engineering work which never actually took place. Metronet have now gone into administration because they were crap. I have a lot of sympathy for the workers but none for the company itself, and I rejoice in the hope that Londoners may now get something better.)
Saturday 25 August 2007
How to be made to feel small
I had to laugh. We went to see Prince at what used to be the Dome last night. I always thought the Dome was an amazing place, its scale and the feeling you get inside it were quite awe-inspiring.
Now, however, it looks like an American High Street. There are lots of food joints (and you know which ones they were as well) in a narrow street with fake trees; insipid, pushover architecture and restrictions to views that make you wonder why you are there.
I wonder what more cultured visitors would think. We appear to design like this because it is a low common denominator, easy to do and not insulting to anyone.
Well, I'm insulted. Where is our aspiration to high culture? Good design? Celebration of space? Ambitions to go beyond the bland?
You cant smoke in the dome, you cant take your plastic pint outside, you cant take cameras into the auditorium- but you can take in your phone (which is a better camera, but they 'trust you' not to use it!). If you buy a bottle of water they remove the plastic lid, presumably so you cant throw it( but you can do what you want with an empty plastic bottle!) . When I went to get my camera back, the lady handed it to the person next to me!
I find myself dumbfounded. I'm not a Tory, or an anarchist. I believe in a mixture of rules imposed for the common good and self-imposed restraints for the same reason. Stupid rules annoy me and whenever I fall foul to one, I always ask 'Why?' (usually loudly). We should all do this.
All in all, Prince was great and the arena is brilliant- big, yet cosy with well raked seats and brilliant views.
The chance to turn the fortunes of the Dome around has, however, been squandered by a lack of imagination and the desire to make as much money as possible.
Now, however, it looks like an American High Street. There are lots of food joints (and you know which ones they were as well) in a narrow street with fake trees; insipid, pushover architecture and restrictions to views that make you wonder why you are there.
I wonder what more cultured visitors would think. We appear to design like this because it is a low common denominator, easy to do and not insulting to anyone.
Well, I'm insulted. Where is our aspiration to high culture? Good design? Celebration of space? Ambitions to go beyond the bland?
You cant smoke in the dome, you cant take your plastic pint outside, you cant take cameras into the auditorium- but you can take in your phone (which is a better camera, but they 'trust you' not to use it!). If you buy a bottle of water they remove the plastic lid, presumably so you cant throw it( but you can do what you want with an empty plastic bottle!) . When I went to get my camera back, the lady handed it to the person next to me!
I find myself dumbfounded. I'm not a Tory, or an anarchist. I believe in a mixture of rules imposed for the common good and self-imposed restraints for the same reason. Stupid rules annoy me and whenever I fall foul to one, I always ask 'Why?' (usually loudly). We should all do this.
All in all, Prince was great and the arena is brilliant- big, yet cosy with well raked seats and brilliant views.
The chance to turn the fortunes of the Dome around has, however, been squandered by a lack of imagination and the desire to make as much money as possible.
Thursday 23 August 2007
The YHA and the Cappuccino crowd
Having recently stayed at the Capel y ffin Youth Hostel in the Black Mountains of Wales, on a 'Lads Camp' walking weekend, I have to reflect on the changing nature of even the most philanthropic of our institutions.
This particular YH is the oldest in Wales and consists of several small stone buildings of various low ceilinged, head- smashing propensity and took us all back to rustic YH visits of our childhood and youth. It is cute and cosy and provides the only affordable, heated indoor shelter in the heart of this rugged area.
But it is about to close. The YHA lost a lot of money during the Foot and Mouth Crisis a few years ago and its ultimate, and undeniably modern, response is to close around 30 of the older, less frequented, in need of investment, hostels around the country. This is a sad reflection of modern life, the sacred cow of profit and the demise of those institutions which were set up to achieve a more altruistic, social good that the market could (or would) not provide.
The city hostels are receiving investment as they tempt the younger crowd of backpackers and party -people who wish to dance and drink. There is nothing wrong with this in itself, but the facilities in the countryside will suffer as a result. Capel YH was £11 a night and well worth it. Cardiff YH has an offer on of £13 a night, which includes breakfast. I haven't been to Cardiff YH, but I reckon its a much more modern set-up.
Shouldn't the YHA use the urban hostels, which can reasonably charge more than those in remote areas, to help subsidise the upkeep of the less profitable, but no less necessary, facilities?
Once these buildings are gone, they are gone for good, that should not be doubted, but for the sake of modernity and coolness, the YHA feels it needs to enter the 21st Century. Sadly, the work of the 19th and 20th centuries is not finished yet, and more young people than ever are detached from their rural heritage. Giving them a coffee machine and proximity to a nightclub will not alter that. (God , I sound old!)
The YHA seems to have forgotten its original charitable aim of providing access for 'all, especially young people of limited means, to a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside.....'
This particular YH is the oldest in Wales and consists of several small stone buildings of various low ceilinged, head- smashing propensity and took us all back to rustic YH visits of our childhood and youth. It is cute and cosy and provides the only affordable, heated indoor shelter in the heart of this rugged area.
But it is about to close. The YHA lost a lot of money during the Foot and Mouth Crisis a few years ago and its ultimate, and undeniably modern, response is to close around 30 of the older, less frequented, in need of investment, hostels around the country. This is a sad reflection of modern life, the sacred cow of profit and the demise of those institutions which were set up to achieve a more altruistic, social good that the market could (or would) not provide.
The city hostels are receiving investment as they tempt the younger crowd of backpackers and party -people who wish to dance and drink. There is nothing wrong with this in itself, but the facilities in the countryside will suffer as a result. Capel YH was £11 a night and well worth it. Cardiff YH has an offer on of £13 a night, which includes breakfast. I haven't been to Cardiff YH, but I reckon its a much more modern set-up.
Shouldn't the YHA use the urban hostels, which can reasonably charge more than those in remote areas, to help subsidise the upkeep of the less profitable, but no less necessary, facilities?
Once these buildings are gone, they are gone for good, that should not be doubted, but for the sake of modernity and coolness, the YHA feels it needs to enter the 21st Century. Sadly, the work of the 19th and 20th centuries is not finished yet, and more young people than ever are detached from their rural heritage. Giving them a coffee machine and proximity to a nightclub will not alter that. (God , I sound old!)
The YHA seems to have forgotten its original charitable aim of providing access for 'all, especially young people of limited means, to a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside.....'
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