ArchivesBy Author: Phil
Rant: Exxon and Shell – taking greed to a new level
Not content with the already obscene level of profit made in recent years, oil Leviathans Shell and Exxon have both reported record profits – Shell’s profits setting a new all-time corporate profit record in the UK and Exxons in the WORLD!
And all this in a week where scientists around the world have issued a Stark warning about climate change and NASA notes that 2005 was the hottest year on record for our warming planet.
+29Rant: Dumb and Dubya
Dubya’s state of the union address this year was pretty much as expected and enough to make most of us roll our eyes skyward at least once…
His description of a country that “is being held hostage by a small elite that is isolating and repressing it’s people” seemed at last like an admission of the failings of his administration…until we realised he was talking about Iran. I’m no advocate of Iran as a nuclear power, but after the whole Iraq fiasco, it must be clear to the governments of other middle eastern countries that the best way to avoid a US-led invasion is to point a couple of warheads down the most likely invasion route!
+21Resolutions…
Thing to do this year:-
- Have more fun (and do less work)
- Laugh more (and grumble less)
- Relax more (and worry less)
- Be more happy (and less angry)
- Be more patient (and less critical)
- Strive for new goals
- Accept limitations
- Learn more
- Love deeper
- Be happy
+14A small pause for thought
15 years ago yesterday, I stepped out of a taxi in Basingstoke and walked through the doors of Barclays Mercantile to begin my first day as a shift operator.
15 years later – to the day, I watched the launch of the new Centrex Website. This website represents the culmination of many months of hard work for the all folks involved – including me. I’ve worked around 50-60 hours a week for over 6 months to make this website a reality.
Where does the time go…?
+13R.I.P Ronnie
Sad news this week about the passing of Ronnie Barker, who was a much loved figure in millions of homes all over the world.
As a kid growing up in the 70′s I remember “The Two Ronnies“, “Porridge” and “Open all hours” as particular favourites, but there were of course many others; the one thing you could be certain of, is if Ronnie B was on the screen, you would have a laugh!
Ronnie was also the first to recognise the talents of David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst and it could be said that he helped plant and nurture the seeds that would grow into the much-loved Peckham partnership of Del-boy and Rodney. He was also a prolific writer, an excellent actor and from all accounts a very nice bloke to boot!
So long Ronnie and thanks for the memories!
+17“God’s” President?
In an interesting story on the BBC website, the White House have claimed that Dubya did NOT invade Iraq after being told to, by God.
Well that’s a relief! I’m sure the 350,000+ civilian dead will be as pleased as I am to know that the White House has not started addressing Dick Cheney as “God” (at least not yet).
I wonder why “God” doesn’t tell Dubya to invade countries without massive oil reserves? 
Anyone else know why…? 
+23Report on Going Ape
Finally got down to Moors Valley Country Park – for the long-awaited high-wire adventure with Go Ape.
A full account is available on the Bandanna Club website and includes a photo gallery.
Cheers to Nick for organising a grand day out!
+16