tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172569912011-12-15T03:03:29.067ZWhy can't they understand, but I've got a plan so take my hand, and sleep well tonight - GeneBloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.comBlogger491100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1157724101216499452006-09-08T13:55:00.000Z2006-09-08T14:01:41.416Z

Hello - while idly waiting for Alfa to answer the phone the other day I had a look at Wordpress, and created a blog there called 156leaks, which may or may not have been influenced by the fact that I was waiting to talk to Alfa about my wet car.Anyway, wordpress works much better with ecto that blogspot, and it lets you upload files, so I've gone over there.It'd be lovely to see you at http://

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1156376666897320752006-08-23T23:38:00.000Z2006-08-23T23:44:26.910Z

Places to lookA leaky Alfa from usenetAnother leaky Alfa from usenetYet another leaky Alfa on usenetA post on Alfa156.net about leaking AlfasAnother post on alfa156.net about leaking AlfasWhat have we here? A post about another leaking 156? It is you know.You've guessed haven't you? This is a post about a leaking 156Some info about thingummy. You know. Leaking Alfa 156's.

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1156376132575443672006-08-23T23:04:00.000Z2006-08-24T00:04:38.940Z

My car is leaking, and I'm a bit upset because frankly 'keeping water out' is one of my most basic expectations of any car, let alone a new-ish (2001) one that cost over £20,000.The water is coming into the passenger footwell through the heating system, somewhow. The folks over at alfa156.net are being very helpful, but as yet I haven't cured it.This photo shows the water coming in.I went to my

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1156267602395602462006-08-22T17:19:00.000Z2006-08-22T17:28:24.636Z

Publicity-shy show-biz types the Beckham's are in the papers again, this time because they are launching two new perfumes "Intimately Beckham for Him" and "Intimately Beckham for Her."Whilst 'for Him' sounds much like any other after shave, for her sounds unusual - it is "the essence of Victoria known only to the people closest to her'' apparently.Is she selling her farts?

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1151991239350263802006-07-04T05:28:00.000Z2006-07-04T05:33:59.403Z

I'm writing this lying in bed at the Cutler's Hotel in Sheffield. It isn't a bed that seems at all happy to bearing my weight to be honest, its disorganised protest of springs seem to be digging into every joint in my spine.The ceiling of our room is a particular joy, looking like the tobacco stained ceiling of a provincial book-keeper. It is how I imagine the ceilings in an office above a

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1144485251263273552006-04-08T08:32:00.000Z2006-04-08T08:34:11.366Z

This is an actual, genuine advert for lollies, and it is endorsed by USA Gymnastics, so it must be ok.It must be just me that thinks it is wrong, wrong, wrong.Thanks to b3ta for the link.

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1144422321844437932006-04-07T15:01:00.000Z2006-04-07T15:05:21.930Z

Letter from my MP Originally uploaded by Northern Soul. I haven't go time to type up the letter I mentioned before, but I have scanned it in for those who are interested.I have emailed back but as yet have had no reply.

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1144420489018212702006-04-07T14:34:00.001Z2006-04-07T14:34:49.073Z

fax spam Originally uploaded by Northern Soul. A friend of mine received this rather interesting bit of spam the other day - I'm sure it's nothing new, but as I rarely see any sort of fax these days it was new to me.I wonder how many people are influenced by this kind of thing?

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1144420474003782902006-04-07T14:34:00.000Z2006-04-07T14:34:34.100Z

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1144402561174722962006-04-07T09:34:00.000Z2006-04-07T09:36:41.826Z

It's like spreading marmite on chocolate - I mean you can, but why would you?My favorite comment so far is "all the value of mac hardware with the stability of Windows" - I'm in... :-/

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1144402167678979652006-04-07T09:27:00.000Z2006-04-07T15:08:41.666Z

I wrote to my MP the other week, using the excellent they work for you website.My email was prompted by a question my MP saw fit to ask in ministerial questions - a question that struck me as point scoring of the pettiest order, a complete waste of both parliamentary time and the opportunity to hold the government to account.His question was:To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what factors

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1142899000281898212006-03-20T23:49:00.000Z2006-03-20T23:56:40.326Z

If only there were points for style - City lost their FA Cup quater final with West Ham (who always used to be WHAM on the screen-corner caption, but now seem to be WHU) but scored by far the best goal. It was only a shame WHU scored two.The team looked good without looking threatening, and once Sun had got sent off for a stupid foul we had no chance. So, another year without a trophy, but it

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1141078879162051872006-02-27T22:16:00.000Z2006-02-27T22:22:59.236Z

I live in a small village, and get a rather charming village news letter every month. This month's is a classic, with lines such asAt the January meeting ... the speaker gave a very informative talk on a trip he had made with a party of disabled, he himself having lost a leg due to an accidentandClearly some people did not read the January issue ... judging by the amount of dog poo that still

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1141074825380216702006-02-27T21:07:00.000Z2006-02-27T21:13:45.386Z

I have no children, I want a new car - the Brera is coming, and I had completely forgotten...

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1141074431825452642006-02-27T21:04:00.000Z2006-02-27T21:08:03.473Z

Not that I am trawling the net for every bit of 159 info, but I've just found out from www.alfaromeo.co.uk that the nearest equivalent to my car weighs 1630kg compared to just under 1300kg for mine.

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1141072281052457852006-02-27T20:26:00.000Z2006-02-27T22:25:58.190Z

Driving back from the shops on Sunday I happened - by pure coincidence - to drive past an Alfa Romeo garage, and I couldn't help but notice the pristine red 159 sat outside. Of course I stopped to have a look, and ended up spending some time in the black showroom model.I have to admit that I was impressed - the car looks stunning and initial impressions in a stationary showroom model were that it

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1140879732676810792006-02-25T14:58:00.000Z2006-02-25T15:02:12.706Z

As has been widely reported, Ken Livingstone has been suspended from his job as Mayor of London for four weeks after a three-person panel found him guilty of bringing the position of mayor in disrepute.This all came about after he referred to a journalist as being like a concentration camp guard. The implication is that he is knowingly doing an unpleasant job for the financial rewards - there is

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1140876080719709582006-02-25T13:57:00.000Z2006-02-25T14:01:20.750Z

The best thing about the story that the Pete Doherty phenomenon is a scam is that it could conceivably be true.The story seems to be gaining momentum, it has already been mentioned on 6Music and no doubt elsewhere - regardless of it's verity, there is a least one successful scam going on.

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1140867985198688262006-02-25T11:43:00.000Z2006-02-27T20:35:21.046Z

A new car.I mean, I love the car I have in what might be deemed an unhealthy way - but her younger sister, despite pilling on the pounds a little is now firmly on my shopping list - I just need to wait two years while depreciation takes it's toll. (NB - Alfa depreciation is not that bad, contrary to myth, it is just that all cars represent fantastic value at two to three years old, and by then my

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1140867148167113382006-02-25T11:29:00.000Z2006-02-25T11:34:00.413Z

I have finally bought a new mobile phone. It is my first foray into the windows family for a few years, and I was a bit wary of it, but in the end I was swayed because t-mobile let me have if for £60 including satellite navigation.Ideally I would have had sat nav for my Palm, but I couldn't find it for a price anywhere near as low as £60, and besides, my old phone was beginning to fall apart.I

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1137348845914106882006-01-15T08:33:00.000Z2006-01-15T18:14:06.016Z

But that is largely academic as I am just setting off to London despite both mind and body protesting with every fibre of their being at me being up, showered and dressed before 9 on a Sunday.One of my new year's resolutions though is to be slightly more effective in all areas of life excluding lying about - I feel I have fully mastered that now and am looking for a new challenge. Today it is

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1137348782391345832006-01-15T00:25:00.000Z2006-01-15T18:13:02.400Z

Oh joy, I've renewed my car insurance - it is always a pleasure to jizz a few hundred quid on something you hope never to use.I am definitely of the opinion now that car insurers just make figures up - my renewal quote from my current insurer was for c.£650 - which sounds a lot even if you don't know that I have 9 years no claims and live in the middle of nowhere (aka 10 miles outside Leicester

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1137348851575676992006-01-14T00:13:00.000Z2006-01-15T18:14:11.576Z

City win, united lose, oh CityYou got me singing the bluesI went to the Manchester derby at the City of Manchester stadium today, and I would have been delighted if City had got a point out of it. The day didn't start well when I realised the game kicked off at 12:45, not 3pm as I had naively assumed. I managed to make it on time, although goodness knows what damage has been inflicted on my

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1136854317607666642006-01-10T00:51:00.000Z2006-01-10T00:51:57.650Z

and I'm loving it - half an hour a day of well narrated, high quality monkey footage. The shame is that is is only for a week.You can read all about the characters on the BBC website; probably a good place to start if you have missed the instalments so far.

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1136553285902953892006-01-01T09:52:00.000Z2006-01-06T19:17:40.946Z

I wonder how many other blogs are getting anew post today after a period of inactivity?I'm writing this in a hotel in Bournemouth, where it is raining, having been at a wedding here last night.And I couldn't get the connection at the hotel to work, so I never posted it. The wedding was fun and the weather the next day was grim so i went straight home, but the smell and sound of the sea has made

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1135040174036767102005-12-20T00:56:00.000Z2005-12-20T00:56:14.066Z

Wok This Way Originally uploaded by Northern Soul. I love a good pun - a while ago I noticed a Chinese take away called 'Woks Cooking,' and thought it would never be beaten in the painful pun stakes. Then, on Sunday, a vision of a better name, and a camera with which to capture it.Ladies and gentlemen, I present "Wok this Way."

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1133218365488452002005-11-28T22:52:00.000Z2005-11-28T22:52:45.580Z

It looks like BT have started to implement my idea about mobile phones...

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1130625736208234142005-10-29T22:03:00.000Z2005-10-29T22:44:42.316Z

I'm now blogging in flock, but it looks like I'll have to do it a lot more if I am going to retire. My blog is worth $0.00.How much is your blog worth?

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1130595287962302052005-10-29T14:14:00.000Z2005-10-29T14:27:49.606Z

Well so far I haven't looked at flock. After a night of no sleep on Thursday that I suspect was brought on by listening to one of the Stanford lectures on stress - my body seemed to be demonstrating that it could show all the physical manifestations without me having anything to be stressed about - I had a manic Friday.First I got a phone call out of the blue from a friend I haven't seen since

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1130474061098739982005-10-28T04:33:00.000Z2005-10-28T04:34:21.103Z

Right, it appears to be 5:30am so I really ought to get to sleep, but before I do, just a quick link to Flock, which looks very interesting. More later.I have been having a bit of a play with it, so this will perhaps be my last ecto posting for a bit while I see what Flock has to offer.Goodnight.

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1130471529353452312005-10-28T03:49:00.000Z2005-10-28T03:52:09.380Z

I'm a little bit bored of podcasts after my first foray into them about a year ago. There are very few with good music because of the various legal complications, and not many of them are funny.The exception to this ennui are educational podcasts, from In Our Time to the surprisingly good Last Minute Book Reports from Disney (available via iTunes - apparently no link from Disney's own website)A

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1130446587290987542005-10-27T20:54:00.000Z2005-10-28T04:24:23.806Z

I know I know, I've plugged this before, and not even very long ago, and yes, I know it doesn't bode well for me to be repeating myself so soon but heck I do it in real life - why should I lie on the web?So get yourself down to Treasuremytext.com where you will find that other peoples texts are usually disturbing - especially when you consider that these are the ones they have chosen to keep -

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1130442242996147722005-10-27T19:40:00.000Z2005-10-27T19:44:04.540Z

Apparently some bloke who has been on the sauce since the seventies is ill.Who'd've thunk it?

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1130364672073957772005-10-26T22:09:00.000Z2005-10-26T22:11:12.076Z

I couldn't be naffed with reading all the RSS feeds in the end - after getting half way through I surmised that nothing much has happened whilst I have been out of the game. Do let me know if I missed anything.Meanwhile, the baby sitting is going well - if it weren't for the toys in the corner you'd be hard pressed to know a child lives here - she certainly hasn't made any noise despite the

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1130358228887705192005-10-26T20:23:00.000Z2005-10-26T23:50:13.190Z

Hello my loyal reader - sorry it's been so long. The power supply for my laptop packed up, and it has taken me a few days to get hold of another.Living without my computer was a little strange - I had to resort to taking a long bath and reading a book last night just to fill time.I'm baby-sitting tonight for some mates - hopefully the baby won't wake up because I have a lot of catching up to do -

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1129476700092858702005-10-16T16:31:00.000Z2005-10-16T15:31:40.096Z

I'd forgotten how much I like it.The OnionIntelligent Falling TheoryCity are beating West Ham 1-0 by the way.

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1129475437122248422005-10-16T15:22:00.000Z2005-10-16T15:10:37.136Z

Ah, this is the way to spend a Sunday - I have my feet and some coffee on my coffee table, the terribly English institution that is live snooker coverage on the tv, and nothing to do apart from listen to the commentary of Manchester City beating West Ham until I go and feed my friend's cat in a few hours.

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1129405733355429342005-10-15T19:48:00.000Z2005-10-15T19:48:53.360Z

Huge Beach, Northern Scotland Originally uploaded by Northern Soul. It's a Saturday night, and I'm in on my own. Being on my own isn't that surprising, given that I live on my own, but being in on a Saturday is reasonably unusual even though I normally go out on a Thursday - for reasons lost in the midst of time, but something to do with being old and wanting a seat I think.It seems like

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1129380035939139442005-10-15T13:40:00.000Z2005-10-15T12:40:35.963Z

and could I have used the word 'complex' instead?I want a new mobile phone contract I think. Well, to be honest I want a new mobile phone because mine doesn't get anywhere near the level of gadget-chic I require of it. For the past few years I've just upgraded on my current t-mobile contract because I have their employee discount on it (I've never worked for them - it's a short story, but a dull

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1129070577491969972005-10-11T23:42:00.000Z2005-10-11T22:42:57.516Z

More and more countries seem to be banning smoking in public, which is bad news for smokers I would imagine - I can't say i've ever asked them to be honest.In an attempt to help the poor nicotine addicts who can no longer light up whilst drinking, a German company has come up with a beer containing nicotine.All you can do is admire the ingenuity of it all really, and realise that it is subversive

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1128985577986329732005-10-10T23:52:00.000Z2005-10-10T23:06:17.996Z

I've not written anything for a few days, as possibly only I have noticed. Still, it is enough to annoy all of my readers because when I started what is my third blog I promised myself that I would actually write stuff in this one. I suppose then that it is odd that I've never seen the point of blogging despite it occasionally getting a mention in the media as something that may be culturally

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1128550030440321752005-10-05T23:06:00.000Z2005-10-05T22:07:10.456Z

One of the rules of NaNoWriMo is that you mustn't start writing your novel before November, but you can begin planning it.Seized with the idea that writing a novel that was properly planned must surely be easier than writing it from scratch in much the same way as it was easier to get from London to here once the Romans build their roads I started looking for software to help me plan.There are

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1128519162420132912005-10-05T14:32:00.000Z2005-10-05T13:32:42.430Z

Like most people I seem to meet these days I have long fancied the idea of writing a book, but like everyone I know bar one, I have never got around to it. I don't know if this says something significant about society - that we all want to be authors but can't be bothered - or just the sort of people I am friends with.Any road up - I might even get around to writing something next month if I take

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1128429924164939562005-10-04T13:44:00.000Z2005-10-04T12:45:24.173Z

It is with some sadness that I report the death of Ronnie Barker, comedy stalwart of my youth. Whether on The Two Ronnies, Open All Hours or Porridge, he was always a pleasure to watch.Goodnight Ron.

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1128281662299062182005-10-03T00:11:00.000Z2005-10-02T21:17:16.196Z

In the old days before iTunes I used to go to a place known as a 'record shop' - although even then there were few records to be bought being as it was full of CDs.Anyway, if you bought certain CDs from HMV, you used to get a Playlist CD of new music through which I have discovered the likes of Budapest, My Computer and Kathryn Williams.I ripped the Playlist CDs I have into iTunes a few months

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1128082765384359952005-09-30T16:16:00.000Z2005-09-30T12:21:54.893Z

I love a good boffin story.Scientists at the University of Southern California claim to have found that the brains of pathological liars are different from everyone else's in that they have less grey matter and more white matter. Given that grey matter makes you feel guilty and white matter allows you to think more quickly, having more of one and less of the other must make you a lying

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1128031906585311982005-09-29T22:11:00.000Z2005-09-29T22:16:46.336Z

I love the idea of this site, even if I can't imagine for the life of me why one would want to share text messages with the world.Basically you can send your texts to the site and it saves them for you (hint: get a Mac and Bluephone Elite - it is much more elegant) but it also lets the world view them.It seems to garble a few of them, presumably to protect the innocent. Either that or I really

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1128030583467875042005-09-29T20:48:00.000Z2005-09-29T21:51:13.580Z

This story from The Guardian is a tad worrying - it would appear that a load of armed dolphins are on the loose. Thirty-six of them. All trained to attack people in wetsuits, which must be slightly concerning for anyone wearing one in the Gulf of Mexico.

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17256991.post-1127995229902301102005-09-29T17:58:00.000Z2005-09-29T21:53:39.023Z

Some lucky diggers have found 60 barrels of treasure on Robinson Crusoe island, which is in the Pacific apparently.I don't know how big the barrels are, but apparently the loot is worth the thick end of £6 billion - which at £100 million per barrel must make them reasonably big, even if they are full of gold and jewels.The robot they used to find it sounds pretty impressive too.The Guardian

Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10626362308031538782noreply@blogger.com0