The Bloggy of Johnny Blobby

Was it an accident? I'm guessing... Yes!

2007-10-05T11:53:07+02:00

So, to great expense to the public there is an inquest being held into the death of Diana and Dodi. There's been startling revelations so far. Firstly that Diana wasn't pregnant and secondly the CCTV pictures of their final loving moments that reveal absolutely nothing.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that they weren't bumped off by the government, mossad or royal family. But that they died in a tragic and unfortunate accident. I'm prepared to eat humble pie in the event of me being proved otherwise.

I don't understand why there always has to be an ulterior motive. Why can't what appears to be an accident just be exactly that. Despite heaven knows how many investigations by various bodies there is absolutely no evidence of any skullduggery at all.

So all in all it's going to be £12million of taxpayers money very well spent. Just to confirm that it was an accident. How about we drop it now, move on and let them rest in peace.

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Le Decemberists

2007-10-03T09:33:50+02:00

Last night myself and some of my friends went to see The Decemberists at the Royal Festival Hall. That's in London on the South Bank and has recently been refurbished.

I had managed to get tickets for seats in the 3rd row and hadn't wagered for quite how close to the action we'd be. Pretty much dead centre, looking Colin Meloy in the eye.

The set was an absolute triumph. Beginning bravely with The Tain the audience were soon under their spell. Then followed The Apology Song two gems that I hadn't expected to hear live ever.

Following that it was pretty much all from The Crane Wife and was enough to rekindle my love affair with the album. I loved it upon release but after listening quite heavily to their EPs, Castaways and Cutouts and Picaresque I stupidly came to the conclusion that their latest offering was over produced and too 'arty-farty'.

I couldn't have been any more wrong. I was mesmerised. They are a bunch of supremely talented musicians who put on a real show. They move from hauntingly beautiful to slapstick comedy in the blink of an eye. From accordians and pedal steels to mandolins and mouth organs. The perfect accompaniment to Colin Meloy's superb lyrical mastery.

The hour and a half they were on stage utterly flew by. There was nothing from Picaresque until the final song of the encore. What a triumphant end to the set it was too. Having seen them perform The Mariner's Revenge live once before I knew we were in for a real treat. And they didn't disappoint. A brilliant end to a fantastic show. One that cemented The Decemberists' place in my top 3 bands of all time. Ever.

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Do you have spare time on your hands?

2007-10-01T11:16:15+02:00

Why not set out on a human powered journey around the world. It ought to only take you 13 years or so. That's what Dorsetman Jason Lewis did aged 26 from Greenwich 13 years ago. He's almost home now. He's crossing the English Channel.

I'm all for travelling and seeing the world. It sounds like fun and something I'd do if I wasn't such a wuss when it comes to getting on an aeroplane. And if I had any spare money lying around. To actually do it under your own steam though just seems like unnecessary hard work.

On his journey, Jason broke both legs in the USA, chased by a crocodile in Australia, capsized in the Atlantic and was arrested in Egypt as a spy. I don't suppose that happens very often in rural Dorset.

The aim behind the trip was to promote environmental responsibility and encourage world citizenship. Since 1994 we have seen a huge growth in global terrorism, Serbia has had the shit bombed out of it, Iraq and Afghanistan are in a state of utter disarray, the US is on the look out for it's next show of military force - you can't help but think that he might as well have stayed at home.

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The Most Handsome Political Alliance Ever?

2007-09-28T10:44:35+02:00

Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is in Venezuala for talks with student cult hero and fellow US botherer Hugo Chavez. They're discussing expansion of joint projects and agreements and how to reduce the influence of the US.

Seeing a photo of the two leaders together got me thinking. Chavez was a handsome buck in his younger days and there is no doubt that Ahmadinejad is something of a heart throb. So is this the most handsome political alliance in recent history?

It's well known that no man was in the slightest bit handsome until 1935. Once 1935 dawned, the most handsome leader in the world was Haile Selassie of Abyssinia. Hitler, Mussolini, Mac Donald, Baldwin, Flandin, Bouisson, Laval, Roosevelt, Stalin, Hodza, Benes, DeValera (despite Alan Rickman's portrayal in Michael Collins) etc. Not an oil painting between them.

And since? Even with the special relationship between the US and UK there's never been a handsome partnership. With the exception of the Bushes, the British PMs have always let the side down. There's never been a handsome Russian leader so that lets down the Eastern bloc. In fact, the only handsome communists full stop come from Latin America. And even then there's only a handful.

So I was at a complete loss until I saw that photo of Chavez and Ahmadinejad. My faith restored, I hope we can go forward now and enjoy many years of political alliances built on looks rather than common policy.

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To Me To You

2007-09-26T10:45:39+02:00

This week sees the 20th anniversary of The Chuckle Brothers. The Morecambe and Wise (or Two Ronnies if you will) of the late 20th and early 21st Century. In fact, don't take my word for it, let the bbc do my bidding for me.

"Ask most children under the age of eight, and they will tell you: the Chuckle Brothers are hilarious. To them they are Eddie Izzard, Ricky Gervais and Russell Brand rolled into one."

Not just kids under 8. I laugh at them. I've never laughed at anything Russell Brand's ever said. There's no 'blue for the dads'. Just good old fashioned slapstick fare. I remember eating my dinner in front of the tele (pork chops and pasta) in front of them. They made me laugh. Ant and Dec take note. This is proper comedy.

So yeah, in short - long live Barry and Paul Chuckle.

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