GARAGELAND

2004-12-31T23:37:00.000+08:00

I've decided to stop updating this blog...

But I'll leave it here so the archives are still online. Have
a look through the past 10 months, there might be something that
tickles your fancy. Thanks for all who emailed & gave feedback.
Happy New year & best wishes to all. Peace.

I'll probably be back next week...

2004-12-24T23:52:00.000+08:00

Nightmare Before Christmas...

Nightmare Before Christmas original poem

'Twas the nightmare before Christmas, and all though the house,
Not a creature was peaceful, not even a mouse.
The stockings all hung by the chimney with care,
When opened that morning would cause quite a scare!
The children, all nestled so snug in their beds,
Would have nightmares of monsters and skeleton heads.
The moon that hung over the new-fallen snow
Cast an eerie pall over the city below,
And Santa Claus's laughter now sounded like groans,
And the jingling bells like chattering bones.
And what to their wondering eyes should appear,
But a coffin sleigh with skeleton deer.
And a skeletal driver so ugly and sick
They knew in a moment, this can't be St. Nick!
From house to house, with a true sense of joy,
Jack happily issued each present and toy.
From rooftop to rooftop he jumped and he skipped,
Leaving presents that seemed to be straight from a crypt!
Unaware that the world was in panic and fear,
Jack merrily spread his own brand of cheer.

Now that's better - ain't it...

2004-12-23T21:42:00.000+08:00

Linton Kwesi Johnson - Fite Dem Back...

Linton Kwesi Johnson

we gonna smash their brains in
cause they ain't got nofink in 'em
we gonna smash their brains in
cause they ain't got nofink in 'em

some a dem say dem a niggah haytah
an' some a dem say dem a black beatah
some a dem say dem a black stabbah
an' some a dem say dem a paki bashah

fashist an di attack
noh baddah worry 'bout dat
fashist an di attack
wi wi' fite dem back
fashist an di attack
den wi countah-attack
fashist an di attack
den wi drive dem back

we gonna smash their brains in
cause they ain't got nofink in 'em
we gonna smash their brains in
cause they ain't got nofink in 'em

Forces of Victory (1979)...

2004-12-22T23:23:00.000+08:00

Joe Strummer died two years ago today...

with him died a secret that only he could answer - maybe;
what the fuck does he say at the end of Complete Control?

$%&@@@**$$$!!!!!!!!!!!!! - and that means you - *&^%$#?...

2004-12-21T23:35:00.000+08:00

If your going to paint something on a wall...

Could stencils be the artful answer to graffiti?

Stencil Graffiti

do it in style...

2004-12-20T23:29:00.000+08:00

8mm was on TV tonight...

8mm

I caught it at the movies when it came out in 1999
and had forgotten how good it is. Excellent working
of an unusual subject. Nicholas Cage is brilliant as
the P.I. Tom Welles. Definitely worth watching again.

a snapshot from our sick society...

2004-12-19T23:56:00.000+08:00

Grimly fiendish nursery rhymes...

Edward Gorey Bibliography

and fractured Fairy tales...

2004-12-18T23:52:00.000+08:00

Paul Weller's Website...

Paul Weller

He just keeps on keepin' on...

2004-12-17T23:48:00.000+08:00

Sanity in the UK...

Pogue's Fairytale voted best Christmas song ever

See you in the drunk tank...

2004-12-16T16:24:00.000+08:00

YOU'RE ONLY FREE TO DODGE THE COPS, AN' BUNK THE TRAIN TO STARDOM...

The Prisoner (Strummer/Jones)

THE PRISONER MEETS THE MUPPET HI-FI
NORTH OF WATFORD JUNCTION
WE GET IN BUT WE DON'T HAVE FUN
AN' WE LEAVE BEFORE THE TRUNCHEONS
SO IT'S BACK TO WATCH THE DAY TO DAY
SAGA OF WORKING PEOPLE
HANGING OUT THE WASHING AND CLIPPING COUPONS
AND GENERALLY BEING DECENT

JOHNNY TOO BAD MEETS JOHNNY BE GOOD
IN THE CHARING CROSS ROAD
THAT'S THE ONLY THING THAT HAPPENED TODAY
SAYS THE WEST END JUNGLE CODE
AND ALL THE GERMANS AND ALL THE FRENCH
JAM THEMSELVES DOWN THE TUBE
AND RE-ENACT THE SECOND WORLD WAR
WHILE THE RUDE BOYS GET RUDE

AND I LOOK TO MY LEFT
AND I LOOK TO MY RIGHT
AND I'M LOOKING FOR A MAN
I'M LOOKING FOR A SIGN
I DON'T WANNA BE THE PRISONER
I DON'T WANNA BE THE PRISONER

THE PRISONER LIVES IN CAMDEN TOWN
SELLING REVOLUTION
THE PRISONER LOADS HIS TRACKING ARM UP
WITH SELF-DISILLUSION
YOUR MOTHER DOES THE WASHING UP
YOUR OLD MAN DIGS THE GARDEN
YOU'RE ONLY FREE TO DODGE THE COPS
AN' BUNK THE TRAIN TO STARDOM

In memory of Graham McPhee 1963 - 1980...

2004-12-14T23:38:00.000+08:00

Don't worry - I found it...

Britain's Top Sitcoms Top 11-100

Should've been in the top ten though...

2004-12-13T22:55:00.000+08:00

Was there ever any doubt?...

Britain's Best Sitcom

What! No Red Dwarf?...

2004-12-11T23:42:00.000+08:00

I love this time of the year...

Naw - not because of Christmas, because of the speculation
before the January transfer window opens. Even though the
Celtic board are saying they've less money than a Buddhist Monk,
I have no doubt Celtic will be linked with a couple of hundred
millions worth of players between now & january. I'm sure a few
new faces will come in - but usually none of the ones bandied
about by the press. Could be a few going out the other way too

I can't wait - honest...

2004-12-10T02:07:00.000+08:00

19 Million Pounds fir a cupboard?...

Cabinet Sold for Record Price

I hope it belonged to Dermot Desmond...

2004-12-10T01:36:00.000+08:00

And everyone thinks the Tims are paranoid...

Awright - now how dae ye say 'up to yer knee's in fenian blood?'

Rangers RST hire a lip reader

The Huns got a lip reader to work out what Neil Lennon said to the animals who were baiting him for 90 minutes as he left the pitch after the League game at Ibrox. Of the 3 words spoken by Lennon, the lip reader has said that two of the words were Orange bastards. This, of course, has offended the said Hun supporters & they are shocked & stunned at such an inference.

I guess they needed a lip reader as they couldn't hear what he said over the torrents of sectarian abuse that was directed at Lennon. In fact, after viewing a tape of the game, the lip reader's exact words were "The wee Fenian bollox jist said 'Orange bastards'"

Celtic have tried the same with Alex Rae but the lip reader couldn't see past the Buckfast bottle...

2004-12-07T16:38:00.000+08:00

Backstreet Boys by Patrik Fitzgerald...

They could be waiting round the corner
They're such a scarifying sight to see
They could be waiting for a straying loner
They could be waiting for you or me

The patter of footsteps through an alleyway
Impatient in the dark, they wait to pounce
hey don't look far when they want trouble
They know it at a glance

But, imagine you look like a boy
That they want after
There's a face on their file
And they don't care for why
And it's no good getting mouthy
Or you'll lose your teeth in their laughter
nd it's no use acting timid
No use coming on shy
With the backstreet boys

Hear them running wild and stoney
You know the sound of violence, it frightens me
But I just pray that they don't know me
I think it's better to hear then see
But then I think to myself
That maybe it's me that they're trailing.
They stop you, no questions asked,
No time to spare.
And your eyes, half asleep,
And your energy failing.
And it's time to disappear
But they're always around somewhere.
And you move and you show
And your fingers point and off they go.
And you breath and they know
And they hear you when you're tippy toe.
And there's a lot of them
And you're only one
And your nerves, at every shadow
Say to turn and run.
And they'd like you to turn
They'd like you to run

Would the backstreet boys
The backstreet boys
The backstreet boys
The backstreet boys

still magnificent; I wonder what happened to Patrik?...

2004-12-06T01:51:00.000+08:00

Normal service has been resumed...

It's just a pity it had more to do with Hibs bad luck & Caley Thistles endeavour than Celtic's will to get back to the top of the league. Harsh words? not after saturday's performance. Now that were back up there bhoys, let's make sure we stay there.

although BBJ had a bit of a hand in it...

2004-12-03T23:51:00.000+08:00

Loneliness by Katherine mansfield...

Now it is Loneliness who comes at night
Instead of Sleep, to sit beside my bed.
Like a tired child I lie and wait her tread,
I watch her softly blowing out the light.
Motionless sitting, neither left or right
She turns, and weary, weary droops her head.
She, too, is old; she, too, has fought the fight.
So, with the laurel she is garlanded.

Through the sad dark the slowly ebbing tide
Breaks on a barren shore, unsatisfied.
A strange wind flows... then silence. I am fain
To turn to Loneliness, to take her hand,
Cling to her, waiting, till the barren land
Fills with the dreadful monotone of rain

She was only 35 when she died from TB...

2004-12-02T20:48:00.000+08:00

The things you can find online never cease to amaze me...

Death Row Executions

Scott Langley

morbid fascination...

2004-11-30T17:37:00.000+08:00

Ah'm I Psychic or what?...

Read my post for November 26th & then click on the links below.

Juninho just wants to be one of the Bhoys

Camara wants bigger club

Camara acknowledges Vignal kick

Camara has had trouble written all over him since he joined Celtic - look at his acrimonious exit from Wolves. With Maloney back soon & Beattie hopefully fit, make his his worst nightmare come true, send him back to Wolves. Also, for the umteenth time - GIE JUNINHO A GEMME.

Hullo - can I speak to Mr O'Neill? - just tell him it's his unofficial advisor...

2004-11-26T23:51:00.000+08:00

How do you solve a problem like juninho...

I am absolutely gutted that Juninho is not getting a game with Celtic. I have NO DOUBT he is exactly what we need at Parkhead. So, I hear you ask, why is Martin O'Neill leaving the wee man on the bench? My take on it is this;

Our defence this season has been pure mince. With the exception of a resolute display - none the less nailbiting - in Barcelona, the defence has to be held responsible for the draws, the losses, the 10 goals against in the CL & the fact that our bitter rivals have made up an 8 point deficit & leap-frogged us in the SPL. It has looked shaky even in games we have won comfortably & some of the mistakes have had the look of a silent comedy routine - silent being the key word - NO COMMUNICATION.

This malaise is seeping into the very backbone of the team, generating a nervousness that, at times, is visible in all positions. What starts as a few mistakes & nervy displays can culminate in a loss of belief & in-fighting between the players. look at Hartson's body language on Saturday & his general disbelief at some of Henri Camara's penalty box antics - Tired? Yep, tired of scoring enough goals to win a match only to end up drawing or getting beat.

No more talk of bad patches, there is a problem with the celtic team & that is there is a vote of no confidence in the defence. Unless we strengthen up in January, this might not be our year.

So where does Juninho's fate lie in all of this? The flowing attacking football Celtic have played over the past few seasons would suit a player like Juninho & I have no doubt he would thrive in such an environment, remembering the rock solid foundation of last seasons team was the defence. Martin O'Neill cannot risk playing the wee Bhoy from Brazil, who is hardly defence minded, knowing that his defence is leaking like the Titanic. Hardly the wee man's fault.

We all know what he can do & would like to see him do it for Celtic but I fear all of that may be out of his hands. I am guessing he is, judging by the comments by the rest of the team, showing all his skill & ability in training so he must be wondering what it's going to take to get in the first XI. Unless he knows a couple of defenders he can persuade to join Celtic on a free in January, I don't think there's much he can do about the situation. I hope he keeps his head up & keeps trying as I'd rather have Juninho on his game than Camara, who will end up being trouble - you heard it here first. We play Hibs on Saturday at Paradise & the way things are going, we better score at least 5 to guarantee a win - or at least a draw.

Gie the wee man a go...

2004-11-25T23:17:00.000+08:00

Click on the link below & sign your name...

We Support Neil Lennon

We Shall Not Be Moved...

2004-11-23T15:18:00.000+08:00

The ability to speak the truth & criticise your own players...

From an interview with Martin O'Neill 22/11/04

"Henri has been booked in the first instance for retaliating to a swipe back at him from one of the Rangers players (Alex Rae). I thought it was foolish of him to react and, while it's sometimes understandable if passions run high in an atmosphere such as that, he has been very fortunate, particularly with the second incident."

"There's no doubt that he has been fouled twice in the run-up to it and that Vignal has left a foot in pretty deliberately, but I can't defend Henri retaliating in the way he did. I also don't have a problem with the review panel looking at that particular incident if we're wanting thing to be fair, although the linesman has appeared to see it, so I don't know what can and cannot be done in that instance."

"But the Novo stamp on Stephen Pearson, following on from his kick at Jackie in the first half, certainly warrants looking at. I can understand people missing these incidents and have no complaint with the referee or linesman in this respect. But if it has been picked up on camera, you have to accept the consequences. And there's no doubt both incidents reflect badly on Novo."

is something that is lost on Alex Mcleish...

2004-11-23T01:30:00.000+08:00

This just in...

Police probe Yorke 'racism' claim

they better get down to Govan with 40,000 sets of handcuffs & start making some arrests; I'm sure the Ibrox CCTV will provide them with enough evidence to charge the greater proportion of the Rangers support with Racism - and don't forget to check the boardroom.

Silly Me! - It doesn't count when it's directed at Neil Lennon, does it?...

2004-11-22T22:24:00.000+08:00

Am I a bigot?...

I would hope not, although the way I view anything in life
is indubitably coloured by my passions & beliefs. We all
have the capacity to be bigoted; When reason is overrun
by passion; when fairplay & humanity take second place to
what we believe in, we become bigoted. Misplaced beliefs,
jingoism & hatred are all facets of bigotry that seem to
thrive in the sporting arena & from a Scottish perspective,
thrive in the matches between Celtic & Rangers.

I am a passionate Celtic supporter. I have a healthy disdain
for Rangers & always will have. There is nothing unhealthy
in this; it is repeated by sets of supporters throughout the
land. It becomes ugly with the introduction of religion and
racial vilification. These are the foundations of bigotry &
sectarianism. I have no doubt that through the years both
teams & sets of fans have been guilty of bigotry, although
with Rangers, in my opinion, it seems to permeate into the
actual fabric of the club as opposed to being something
that is relegated to the terraces .

Several incidents in the last few years ranging from

Donald Findlay singing sectarian songs, Rangers

player Bob Malcolm signing an autograph with the

epithet 'FTP' - fuck the pope, the controversial

Orange away strip, Andy Goram provoking outrage

when he sported a black armband in the week that

loyalist terrorist Billy Wright was killed, Gascoigne

mimicking a loyalist flute player while warming up, etc.

I'm going on a bit but you get the idea. The Ibrox club
seems to be loath to criticise or suitably discipline the
offenders. In the enlightened PC world in which Celtic &
Rangers now operate, I would have thought the incident
with Bob Malcolm was serious enough for him to have his
contract torn up - anything less is nothing short of a pat on

the back - a fine that amounts to a fraction of his weekly

wage is not an acceptable punishment.

What has brought on this vitriolic attack on Rangers?

I was absolutely disgusted with the treatment dished
out to Neil Lennon in Saturdays Old Firm match. In a
week that has brought outrage at the racist displays
by the Spanish fans, would it not be in keeping with
this deserved outrage to remind everyone that being
Anti-Irish is also racist & equally abhorrent?

'Irish Bashing' is too readily accepted in Scotland
& has been for Centuries. Not a joke. The abuse that
Lennon takes is so out of proportion that anybody who
tries to apportion the blame on the player himself is,
unwittingly or otherwise, part of the malaise that has
been prevalent in Scottish culture for so long that the
perpetrators are amazed when such accusations are
levelled at them.

When the actions of Martin O'Neill are soundly comdemned
by the press & have the rest of the general populus reaching
for pen & paper or the nearest telephone, but the fact that

convicted bigot Malcolm in a moment of sectarian hatred

jumps up & gives the finger to the Celtic fans is trivialised as
'Silly Laddie' stuff, then I believe we have a problem. It
belies the idea that is firmly planted in the heads of the
Scottish people; anything Irish is subversive. As long as
Malcolm stays on the payroll at ibrox, the Rangers hierarchy
are not only condoning sectarianism - they are nurturing it.

In a week where racial villefication on the football field has
been headline news worldwide, maybe it's time for the SFA to
look seriously at the treatment Neil Lennon receives all over

Scotland - but don't hold your breath - just ask Bertie Vogts.

I can support my team in a non-sectarian manner - can you?...

2004-11-18T23:02:00.000+08:00

Absolutely unacceptable...

Fifa probes Spanish racist chants

The powers that be need to sort this out & take severe action against Spain; it was only a couple of weeks ago that the Spanish coach, Luis Aragones, was caught making racist remarks about Thierry Henry & tried to trivialise it as a joke. he should have been sacked. In any other walk of life he would have been - and possibly charged. The Spanish players themselves should try & do something about it - surely it is abhorrent to them? You can be charged at an Old Firm game for singing sectarian songs - and quite rightly so - but the national coach of Spain gives a half hearted apology & it's OK? Naw! With the publicity that this has been given, if the governing bodies of football do nothing about it, it will become de rigeur on the terraces throughout Europe.

Franco's legacy...

2004-11-15T23:41:00.000+08:00

Something for the Sunday School picnic...

Virgin Mary In Grilled Cheese

Monkey See - Monkey Do

Don't knock it - in 4 years it could be president...

2004-11-14T23:36:00.000+08:00

The Mother of the Monster...

Mary Shelley

I wonder how she would view her creation's fame?...

2004-11-11T16:48:00.000+08:00

Rangers beat Celtic - Shock Horror Probe...

Photo of Neil Lennon for all the Currant Buns

Ok - here we go. At the risk of being labelled a paranoid Tim - who? Moi? - and bearing in mind the game was played less than 24 hours ago - and, this is a big AND, I have yet to see the Daily Rangers reports - I cannot believe the reaction to the Rangers win in all online papers. You would think they had won the league. In fact, there has been more fuss made about this win there there was about the fact celtic had beat them in the last 7 meetings.

Rangers certainly played with determination & Celtic will soon be able to field 'The Royal Infirmary XI' but no excuses - Celtic have to lift their game. Why MON replaced Juninho after 60mins I don't know, but I guess that's why he's the manager of Celtic & I am but a disappointed fan. I think he will have to look more & more to the wee man as Camara might be exposed as a one dimensional player with pace. The defence on the left side is a joke - needs sorting out with new blood, hopefully in january. Marshall kept Celtic in the game again & again - neither of the goals seemed his fault.

Nuff said - C'mon the Hoops...

2004-11-09T22:36:00.000+08:00

Crazy Horse Joins Gods XI...

Obituary: Emlyn Hughes

What a fucking team that must be...

2004-11-03T22:45:00.000+08:00

Can't believe Bush won the US election...

I was listening to a British journalist, a foreign correspondent, being interviewed about the Bush victory on TV & he summed up how stupid Bush is by saying 'He (Bush) is only on nodding terms with the english language' - sad but true.

The 'anti Terrorist' stance that has kept the worlds most mediochre
politicians in power is the oldest ploy in existence - keep everybody shit scared & promise to protect them from the bogey men. Through the ages 'Bogey men' have been Fascists, Communists, foreigners, Muslims, pacifists, foreigners, dictators, Royalty, foreigners - get the drift? Time for the proles to pull out their long forgotten copies of 1984 and start reading. Pay particular attention to the 'wars' between Eastasia, Eurasia & Oceania.

Sound familiar? Hey - wait a minute...

2004-10-31T23:18:00.000+08:00

Sometimes the most ordinary things...

Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream
Make him the cutest that I've ever seen
Give him two lips like roses and clover
Then tell him that his lonesome nights are over.
Sandman, I'm so alone
Don't have nobody to call my own
Please turn on your magic beam
Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream.

Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream
Make him the cutest that I've ever seen
Give him the word that I'm not a rover
Then tell him that his lonesome nights are over.
Sandman, I'm so alone
Don't have nobody to call my own
Please turn on your magic beam
Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream.

Mr. Sandman bring us a dream
Give him a pair of eyes with a "come-hither" gleam
Give him a lonely heart like Pagliacci
And lots of wavy hair like Liberace
Mr Sandman, someone to hold (someone to hold)
Would be so peachy before we're too old
So please turn on your magic beam
Mr Sandman, bring us, please, please, please
Mr Sandman, bring us a dream.

can be so creepy...

2004-10-27T13:32:00.000+08:00

the only thing to listen to on the radio 1 was always...

John Peel

Obituary: John Peel

I was gutted to hear that John Peel had died. He was the ONLY DJ
in the 70's that played Punk/Alternative music & listening to his
show was the only way to hear the new sounds - they certainly weren't
available in the local record shops - & the Sessions are now legendary.
I used to tape the show; I wish I still had the tapes as the banter
was almost as good as the music. At the time I was amazed that the
show had this really cowboy-like bluesy intro & outro with all the
energy & austerity of Punk/Indie sandwiched in between. I remember
being gobsmacked when I saw JP for the first time & he was this
old guy with a beard, not a Johnny Rotten look alike. He was an
absolute legend & continued to help emerging bands right up to his
death. A great loss to the British music industry.

OK. Teenage Kicks - one more time...

2004-10-26T22:19:00.000+08:00

The riddle of the mystery soup flinger solved...

Soup thrown at Ferguson

It just had to be Sol CAMPBELL.

or perhaps it was Gabriele HEINZe...

2004-10-25T22:10:00.000+08:00

I bought this CD on eBay a couple of weeks ago...

and it arrived today. I had the LP when I was a kid & it still has
a few good tracks on it - an instant nostalgia trip when I played it.
I wasn't a big GAZ fan but I loved Are Friends Electric so I bought the
album. I'd say it has 5 good tracks, which isn't bad after all these
years - 25 years ago; Wow. I seen a recent photo of Gary Numan on the
net & he looks better now than he did then - it's the money y'know.

I always thought he was a bit of a Bowie rip-off at the time...

2004-10-24T23:14:00.000+08:00

Drinking Alone Under The Moon - Li Bai (701-761)...

Among the flowers from a pot of wine
I drink alone beneath the bright moonshine.
I raise my cup to invite the moon, who blends
Her light with my shadow and we're three friends.
The moon does not know how to drink her share;
In vain my shadow follows me here and there.
Together with them for the time I stay
And make merry before spring's spend away.
I sing the moon to linger with my song;
My shadow disperses as I dance along.
Sober, we three remain cheerful and gay;
Drunken, we part and each goes his way.
Our friendship will outshine all earthly love;
Next time we'll meet beyond the stars above.

Pished under the Moonlight - I know that one well...

2004-10-23T23:20:00.000+08:00

Shaping the Indie sound in 1976...

Subway Sect

The pre-cursors of Joy Division, Echo & TBM, Fire Engines, Franz Ferdinand...

2004-10-22T22:00:00.000+08:00

Want to go to a wedding in Aberdeen?...

2 invitations to a wedding

I hope the bridemaids are better looking than the bride...

2004-10-21T23:55:00.000+08:00

What a Nightmare...

Listened to the Celtic V Donetsk game last night via the Celtic website. It costs me a fiver a month to subscribe; it's the only way for me to hear the live matches now that the BBC do not allow access to their live web casts outside of the UK. There was a problem with the sound/access & it kept dropping out. Imagine how frustrating it is to listen to a live match & as Celtic are in the opposing penalty area - the sound drops out. Happened for most of the match, but stopped after Donetsk scored. It must have been a boost in signal as thousands of Tims turned off their computers.

It was the worst I can remember Celtic being since the John Barnes era & if something isn't done soon, we will start to lose ground in the SPL as the players start to lose belief in themselves. So what's the problem? Obviously, the glaring defensive errors are costing us dearly; at no time this season & at any level - Europe or the SPL - have Celtic looked comfortable at the back. I think it's time for some new blood & if there is still an offer of 5/6 million kicking about for Bobo Balde, then I think it should be seriously considered. To buy in a couple of decent younger defenders with a bit of pace would see the cause furthered at every level - sorry Bobo but I've seen milk turn faster than you.

Although most of the current injuries have occured in Europe, I think that MON could employ a better squad rotation - as small as it may be - by playing the fringe dwellers & the young fella's in at least 50% of the SPL games - so that if they are called upon to play in the CL, they will be match fit & a lot sharper. I don't think it would lead to us dropping points in the SPL as ALL these players are able to compete at this level. It might even lead to a few of them beginning to shine; look how bright Beattie looked in pre-season... Also, GET RID OF THE DEAD WOOD that are collecting big wages for playing in the reserves.

I am loathe to criticise MON but if you are going to bring in someone with the potential of Juninho, then at least work out where you want him to play. I think he has struggled because he isn't comfortable playing so far out on the left. Stick him in the hole & let him do what he does best - annoy defenders. Camara has been looking better in the last few games but is still erratic when it comes to finishing.
Hartson has played well for 45 mins - all his fitness will allow. I would like to see him coming on fresh in the second half of a game - he seemed to relish coming off the bench with something to prove a few seasons back. Sutton's a great striker - give them a half each - Sutton could play the first 45 mins as striker & the remainder of the game in midfield.

Anyway, what do I know? I know this: Celtic MUST not only win against Donetsk at Parkhead, they must take them apart - for the sake of the UEFA cup & the pride of the players, fans & the club. It's not a big ask if you think about it - if we can't beat Donetsk at home - and CONVINCINGLY, we shouldn't be in Europe in the first place. We must not lose another game in Europe - a bigger task granted, but not impossible - it's time for a few players to earn their wages. The defender situation MUST be addressed in January, as it will not wait till the Summer. The loss of Henrik Larsson hurt Celtic in more ways than one; apart from being almost irreplaceable, there was so much attention paid to who could possibly replace him we forgot about the frailties of our defence. The only thing Henrik can to for Celtic now is to make sure Donetsk don't accrue any more points.

At the end of the day, a lot has been made of our paper thin defence but remember we didn't score last night, which has absolutely nothing to do with our defenders. Also, In my humble opinion, if Balde had remained injured & Sutton had played at centre half, we would still be in with a chance of CL fitba & guaranteed UEFA cup action. Last but not least, stop letting the Celtic board off the hook by buying into the EPL pipe dream - if it happens, I will be as delighted as anyone else but if we rely on it happening, it could be our downfall.

well that's cheered me right up...

2004-10-20T20:38:00.000+08:00

What ever happened to nastassja Kinski?...

Paris Texas

maybe she's still in Texas...

2004-10-19T23:48:00.000+08:00

Heinrich August Ossenfelder : Der Vampir - 1748...

My dear young maiden clingeth
Unbending. fast and firm
To all the long-held teaching
Of a mother ever true;
As in vampires unmortal
Folk on the Theyse's portal
Heyduck-like do believe.
But my Christine thou dost dally,
And wilt my loving parry
Till I myself avenging
To a vampire's health a-drinking
Him toast in pale tockay.

And as softly thou art sleeping
To thee shall I come creeping
And thy life's blood drain away.
And so shalt thou be trembling
For thus shall I be kissing
And death's threshold thou' it be crossing
With fear, in my cold arms.
And last shall I thee question
Compared to such instruction
What are a mother's charms?

The first poetic mention of the Vampire...

2004-10-18T23:58:00.000+08:00

Fancy a Bevvy?...

Absinthe Buyers Guide

Absinthe - the true father of Cubism?...

2004-10-17T22:18:00.000+08:00

The Wee man opens his account...

Juninho strike sees off Hearts

The first of many...

2004-10-16T21:06:00.000+08:00

They seek him here, they seek him there...

Lord Lucan case reopened on 30th anniversary

Official website of the Countess of Lucan

They still seek Lucky everywhere...

2004-10-14T23:43:00.000+08:00

I bought Les Vampires on Video...

Les Vampires

a few years back, but never got round to watching it - I started
the other night. It's a silent film & is surprisingly watchable -
It's not scary but beautiful to look at - with quite a few moments
of suspense, all highlighted by the soundtrack. It's over 7 hours
long so I am watching it in shifts. I'll let you know when it starts
getting on my nerves.

it was the inspiration for the Olivier Assayas film Irma Vep...

2004-10-13T23:07:00.000+08:00

Nothing left to rattle in the biscuit tin?...

Celtic reduce debts and losses

Surely not...

2004-10-12T23:18:00.000+08:00

Vote for your favourite Book...

My Favourite Book

I did...

2004-10-10T23:51:00.000+08:00

Frances keep your mouth shut dear...

Ugly Little Dreams by Everything but the Girl

Frances keep your mouth shut dear
We don't want the neighbors 'round
With their ugly little schemes
That make the pretty world go 'round
And there's a place in it for every one of us
I'll keep the home fires burning
Only don't make a fuss
And if you're not impressed
With the wares life has to show
You can take them or leave them
They choose their own fare who say no
There's some ugly little dreams
For pretty girls to buy
It's enough to make you mad
But it's safer just to break down and cry

It's a battlefield Frances
You fight or concede
Victory to the enemy
Who call your strength insanity
What chance for such girls
How can we compete?
In a world that likes its women
Stupid and sweet
I bet you rue the day
The angels gave you your share
Of bright cornflower blue eyes
And golden hair
And there's a lot of ugly little dreams
For pretty girls to buy
It's enough to make you mad
But it's safer just to break down and cry
It's safer just to break down and cry

We don't want the neighbors 'round...

2004-10-09T21:35:00.000+08:00

Under the Harvest Moon...

Under the harvest moon,
When the soft silver
Drips shimmering
Over garden nights,
Death, the gray mocker,
Comes and whispers to you
As a beautiful friend
Who remembers.

Under the summer roses
When the flagrant crimson
Lurks in the dusk
Of the wild red leaves,
Love, with little hands,
Comes and touches you
With a thousand memories,
And asks you
Beautiful, unanswerable questions.

by Carl Sandburg - (1878 - 1967)...

2004-10-08T23:52:00.000+08:00

Interesting Book review site...

London Review of Books

Excellent reading...

2004-10-07T22:17:00.000+08:00

David Bowie's illegitimate son? - perhaps not...

The Essential Suede

Trash

Oh maybe maybe it's the clothes we wear,
The tasteless bracelets and the dye in our hair,
Maybe it's our kookiness,
Oh maybe maybe it's our nowhere towns,
Our nothing places and our cellophane sounds,
Maybe it's our cheapness

We're trash, you and me
We're the litter on the breeze,
We're the lovers on the streets,
Just trash, me and you,
It's in everything we do, it's in everything we do

Or maybe maybe it's the things we said,
The words we heard and the music we play,
Maybe it's our sweetness,
Oh maybe maybe it's the times we've had,
The lazy days and the crazes and the fads,
Maybe it's our cheapness

But we're trash, you and me,
We're the litter on the breeze,
We're the lovers on the streets,
Just trash, me and you,
It's in everything we do,
It's in everything we do

but certainly Ziggy Stardust & Cockney rebel's lovechild...

2004-10-06T22:51:00.000+08:00

A voice of reason...

Jews for justice for Palestinians

in a sea of troubles...

2004-10-05T22:25:00.000+08:00

I was half watching TV in the early morning...

The Brandon Teena Story

When a movie called Boys don't cry came on. It's a fascinating story
of a female transexual who ends up being brutally murdered in small-town
America. It prompted me to do a bit of research into the main character
as the film is based on a true story.

Teena Brandon, Born 1972 - Brandon Teena, Died 1993...

2004-10-02T23:50:00.000+08:00

The Kid from the Gorbals...

Benny Lynch

Scotland's World Champion - died in poverty at the age of 33...

2004-10-01T23:52:00.000+08:00

Yama Yama Yama - Yama Yama Yama...

X-Ray Spex

The Day The World Turned Dayglo

I clambered over mounds and mounds
Of polystyrene foam
Then fell into a swimming pool
Filled with fairy snow

And watched the world turn
Day-glo you know you know
The world turned day-glo you know

I wrenched the nylon curtains back
As far as they would go
Then peered through perspex window panes
At the acrylic road

I drove my polypropolene car
On wheels of sponge
Then pulled into a wimpy bar
To have a rubber bun

The x-rays were penetrating
Through the latex breeze
Synthetic fibre see-thru leaves
Fell from the rayon trees

Boredom, Boredom, Boring Boredom...

2004-09-30T21:26:00.000+08:00

A bit of humour to ease the pain...

Taken from the Glasgow herald 30/09/04

Picture, if you will, this fantastic scene in Milan the other night.
The Celtic fans, having much taken to the great gothic pile of a
cathedral known as Il Duomo, are gathered beneath the
transepts and figurines of the vast 12th century homage to Christ.

The troops are playing football, bevvying themselves up, and leering
longingly at Milanese women who walk past, many of them upon
legs like stilts. By the side of Il Duomo one of those Euro-trash pop
acts is happily belting out hit after hit. Why, this is all marvellous, the
Celtic troops are saying, playing football at the cathedral doors,
guzzling jars of beer and, to the band's utter amazement, warmly
applauding each song.

Alas, this unique celebration of Christianity, football and lager is
suddenly brought to a shuddering halt. The band duly break into
Tina Turner's Simply The Best and are stunned to find their erstwhile
appreciative audience suddenly showering them with abuse.

"Get tae f***!" shouts one Celtic supporter, not quite in the idiom of
St Augustine, who once walked this piazza. Simply The Best, of course,
has been commandeered by Rangers as their unofficial anthem at Ibrox.
The poor popsters were maybe 15 seconds into their rendition before
realising that, for whatever unfathomable reason, it was a song which
wasn't going down well.

You just can't get the researchers for street-acts these days...

2004-09-29T23:31:00.000+08:00

Good Luck to the Bhoys later tonight...

ignore the hype - get stuck in...

2004-09-28T23:34:00.000+08:00

I've been losing my head - I've been losing my way...

I've been trying to listen to CD's I haven't heard in a while. I have so many and seem to listen to the same ones over & over. I was listening to The Psychomodo by Cockney Rebel. The album is 30 years old and is still more innovative than most of the shit that's about today. I was actually lucky enough to see Cockney Rebel when I was a kid at The Leith Town Hall. I don't remember too much other than the acoustics were terrible & there was a bout of squealing feedback like you would expect from an MC at a miner's social club.

It's funny, I must have been at 100's of gigs and I don't really remember much about any of them unless someone fell off the stage or there was fight or something absolutely non related to the music. I mean when you watch a movie you retain the plot and a percentage of the imagery, but I can't remember much at all. I used to have a pair of Steve Harley sunglasses when I was at school. Really cool yellow ones. I used to wear them all the time & they ended up being confiscated by an English teacher because I was wearing them in his class. What a guy eh? a rebel without a clue.

I bought Cockney Rebel's first album The Human Menagerie when I was 13. I had read an article about them in NME or Sounds. Actually it might have been the Record Mirror as I seem to remember colour photo's accompanying the article. It was raving about how they were the next big thing and Harley had that Clockwork Orange look with the mascara and a bowler hat. It seemed to me a natural progression from T-Rex, Bowie and Roxy Music. I played the album constantly.

It reminds me of the time I was expelled from High School and no other school would take me on. For 3 months I was at home with no school and I used to listen to records all day. What a punishment. Anyway, Human Menagerie ended up getting scratched and it used to stick on a track called Mirror Freak. It would stick and repeat a small segment of the song a couple of times and then continue playing as normal. The funny thing is when I listen to that track now on cd, I anticipate the part that sticks and it sounds strange when it plays right through.

Back to The Psychomodo. My favourite song on the album is Ritz which is a haunting melodic acoustic number with typical Harley lyrics full of abstract mystery and smacking of the 18th & 19th Centuries; Voltaire, Dickens, aristocracy, poverty and poetry. I read somewhere that Harley is touring the UK doing acoustic sets with Rebel guitarist Jim Cregan. It's ironic that punk seemed to finish Harley's success in the 70's, yet most of the punks I knew loved cockney Rebel. I remember The Scars used to cover Psychomodo - a good version too.

RITZ

Hark to Roualt's white insanity
Clowns in drag concealing vanity
This is hardly Paradise
We're still in search of petty scorn
Images so dead in mourning
Clap and cheer the man performing
This is hardly Paradise
We're still in search of petty scorn
Couch my disease in chintz-covered kisses
Glazed calico cloth, my costume this is
Come to Pablo Fanque's in indigo
We'll show you pastel shades of rhyme
It's ok to laugh in harmony
See the white-faced Auguste's army
Come to Pablo Fanque's in indigo
We'll show you pastel shades of rhyme
Take a letter, Ophelia, write
"Sorry Desdemona" bright
Peeking through the nimbus covers
We see the twisted tale of Man
Catch us in the cornfield hiding
Me, Maryse and Moonbeams gliding
Peeking through the nimbus covers
We see the twisted tale of Man
Careless, caress, curl up beside me
Visit, sleep and smile, and drown me
March together, slay like Nero
Now we have something you understand

Oh! the clown, his stare is eyeless
Shall he make you laugh or cry, yes
March together, slay like Nero
We'll show you something you understand
It is time to hide my body
Shall we start to speak of Holly
I don't wanna be that superhero
'Til you have something we understand
Heard they're moving Pisces into June
Shall we put together a platoon
I don't wanna be that superhero
'Til you have something we understand.

Been losing my braincells at a million a day...

2004-09-27T22:57:00.000+08:00

Lou Reed at his best - with the Velvet's...

I'll be your mirror

I'll be your mirror - reflect what you are
In case you don't know
I'll be the wind, the rain and the sunset
The light on your door to show that your home

When you think the night has seen your mind
that inside your twisted and unkind
Let me stand to show that you are blind
Please put down your hands - 'Cause I see you

I find it hard to believe you don't know
The beauty you are
But if you don't, let me be your eyes
A hand to your darkness so you won't be afraid

I'm surprised he let Nico sing this one...

2004-09-26T23:44:00.000+08:00

I like Stephen Conroy's Etchings...

Head Study

Stephen Conroy

they have a real Sickert like darkness...

2004-09-25T23:54:00.000+08:00

I was a child and she was a child, In this kingdom by the sea...

The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe

But we loved with a love that was more than love - I and my Annabel Lee...

2004-09-24T23:29:00.000+08:00

Punk was...

Apocalyptic glamour
it was anything you wanted it to be
nuclear 50's with PVC & chrome
leather if you could get it
but Bin bags would do
young Presley sired by Marx
born in North London
cloned by Doctor Frankenstein
and released in packs nationwide
night of the living dead
where the living terrorize the zombies
fuck this and fuck that
No. 6 fags and warm lager
underdressed in winter
overdressed in summer
nicking collars from dogs
purloined op shop trousers
hidden under op shop jackets
sweaty smoke filled venues
shagging in the toilets
sneaking in the back door
getting on the guest list
starting a band & then learning to play
knowing everyone at a gig
the realm of the under 20's
reggae reggae reggae reggae
decadence V's Nilhism
dead by 1978

like all things of pure passion, originality and beauty - ephemeral...

2004-09-23T23:43:00.000+08:00

In the city, in the disco - think you're pretty, and the beat goes...

Project Elasticated

it's a shit-hole - you're a hero, you're a freak-oh...

2004-09-22T16:59:00.000+08:00

Assorted scraps of Celtic related craic...

First-team wannabes do the trick for Celtic

NAE WONDER FITBA FANS ARE AYE SKINT

Celtic clinch record £25m kit deal with Nike

Petrov Urges Celtic Shape-up

Sad side of Clough's Parkhead legacy

all good reading...

2004-09-21T23:28:00.000+08:00

Whaur's the Burds?...

Face to face: Frank McAvennie

a recent interview with ex Celt Frank McAvennie by John Gibson of the
Newcastle Evening Chronicle, worth a read for some of Frankie Boy's
Patter. His thoughts on Prison life particularly enlightening:

"It was horrible inside. I hated it. There were some right villains in
there and I was determined never to go back. That month inside brought
me to my senses. It was the kick up the backside I needed."

Ye don't say Frankie Boy, ye don't say...

2004-09-20T22:38:00.000+08:00

Football legend Brian Clough dead at 69...

Brian Clough Obituary

Love him or hate him - his record speaks for itself...

2004-09-18T22:28:00.000+08:00

Aeon Flux - I've just got to keep telling myself...

Aeon Flux

She's only a cartoon, She's only a cartoon...

2004-09-17T22:41:00.000+08:00

Jackie is a punk, Judy is a runt...

Johnny Ramone, 1948-2004

Oh, I don't know why, Perhaps they'll die...

2004-09-16T23:32:00.000+08:00

Don't want to be an American idiot...

American Idiot by Green Day

Don't want to be an American idiot.
Don't want a nation that under the new media.
And can you hear the sound of hysteria?
The subliminal mindfuck America.

Welcome to a new kind of tension.
All across the alien nation.
Everything isn't meant to be okay.
Television dreams of tomorrow.
We're not the ones who're meant to follow.
Well that's enough to argue.

Well maybe I'm the faggot America.
I'm not a part of a redneck agenda.
Now everybody do the propaganda.
And sing along in the age of paranoia.

Welcome to a new kind of tension.
All across the alien nation.
Everything isn't meant to be okay.
Television dreams of tomorrow.
We're not the ones who're meant to follow.
Well that's enough to argue.

Don't want to be an American idiot.
One nation controlled by the media.
Information age of hysteria.
It's going out to idiot America.

Welcome to a new kind of tension.
All across the alien nation.
Everything isn't meant to be okay.
Television dreams of tomorrow.
We're not the ones who're meant to follow.
Well that's enough to argue.

One nation controlled by the media...

2004-09-15T23:38:00.000+08:00

The Celtic v Barcelona game was on the TV this morning...

Celtic were absolutely terrible in the first half - Barcelona are by far the
better team, but it was more than that. Celtic looked nervous & nothing they
tried seemed to work. They sat off Barca & gave them the opportunity to play,
Big mistake. It was looking very much like a mis-match & I must admit, as much
as I love The Hoops - it was embarrassing. Deco scored in the 20th minute & by
half time Celtic were lucky not to be 3-4 goals down.

The second half was a different story. Juninho hadn't really been in the game and
Martin O'Neill changed him for Chris Sutton. The impact was immediate. The Bhoys
started to get a hold on the game only to concede a penalty when Jackie McNamara
fell on top of Guily; when Ronaldinho stepped up to take the kick the game looked
to be very much over as a contest - but David Marshall guessed the right side & made
a superb one handed save to keep Celtic in the game. Constant pressure paid off and
on 59 minutes Chris Sutton acrobatically stretched beyond a barca defender to slam
the ball into the onion bag. A 20 minute period of pressure seen Petrov come close &
Celtic were unnerving the Spanish side who looked like they might settle for a draw.

To break the continuity of the Celtic pressure, Frank Rijkaard played his trump card &
introduced Henrik Larsson. There were a few boo's but the resounding response to the
introduction of Larsson was for the Parkhead crowd to break into a deafening rendition
of The Celtic Song - For it's a grand old team to play for...

For me, it was one of the highlights of the match. Larsson, as might be expected, looked
less than comfortable but still managed to set up Guily for Barca's second goal - which
took a cruel deflection off jackie McNamara. McNamara's studs caught the turf & it
looked as though he had broken his ankle - turned out to be ligament damage, but he will
still be out for 4-6 weeks. A weak headed backpass from Alan Thompson was snatched
up by Larsson, who rounded Marshall & scored Barca's third. No celebration from HL
which was a nice show of respect to his ex clubmates & the Parkhead faithful. Although
it's sickening to see HL score against The Hoops, it's a situation that neither will relish &
what were the odds of meeting Barcelona in the CL? Anyway, put away the
'King of Kings' banners & get behind the current players.

From a pessimistic point of view - Celtic looked outclassed, under staffed & at times
bereft of any idea's. Lack of concentration led to 3 fairly soft goals. The sense of
occasion seemed to get the better of them & they looked like the away team
rather than the home side.

On a positive note - they conceded only the one goal in the first half & rode 45 minutes
of constant Barcelona pressure. Big improvement in the second half, Marshall saving the
penalty, Sutton's equaliser & for 20 minutes or so they looked like they might even nick
a win - with a draw looking likely.

Tuesday nights game is now history. Lessons must surely be learned & addressed by the
time The Hoops visit The San Siro. In the meantime, lets get the goals flowing when we
visit the Leith San Siro on Sunday.

Man of the match - The Parkhead Faithful for the singing lesson...

2004-09-14T23:39:00.000+08:00

As camp as a row of tents...

My Old Man - god rest him - was forever taking the pish out of my
musical tastes & constantly rubbished all the punk bands I liked &
'That Poof' David Bowie. His idea of 'Good modern music' was Queen.
Not exactly a favourite of mine, but everybody kind of likes queen -
yeah? My father used to watch them & bandied about phrases like 'now
that's playing the fuckin guitar' & 'the boy can sing', etc. All this
however came to an abrupt end after watching the 'I want to break free'
video on top of the pops. Absolutely disgusted, he never mentioned Queen
again - his only comment being 'that's what happens when they get famous,
the drugs get a hold of them' Poor old Freddie.

How come it's funny when Les Dawson used to drag up?...

2004-09-13T21:21:00.000+08:00

I wonder what happened to Lisa Stansfield...

Lisa Stansfield

Found her website - now I know...

2004-09-12T23:46:00.000+08:00

What do Blackpool Landladies and Glasgow Rangers have in common? ...

both their seasons finish in September...

2004-09-10T21:03:00.000+08:00

This guy is unbelievable...

Woosoccer.com

great skills - but can he tackle? ...

2004-09-09T17:24:00.000+08:00

AMELIE was on the TV the other night...

Le Fabuleux destin d'Amelie Poulain

I must have missed this over the last couple of years - I go to the
cinema less & less as I get older - but what a wonderful film. You've
got to hand it to the French when it comes to beautiful, uplifting films.
Great story & well acted by all involved - Audrey Tautou is adorable.

The photo booth connection reminded me that when I was in my teens, the
done thing to do with your photo booth photo's was to try and slide them
behind the glass of the bus time table at the bus stop. There was a gallery
of various youths making faces & giving the vickys to the bus queue. It was
advisable to do it as far away from your home as possible, cause if yer ma
seen you behind the glass... say no more.

just brilliant...

2004-09-08T16:01:00.000+08:00

Some Saucy Sirens of Sci-Fi...

Rainfall Posters

I'm not a great fan of reproductions but these 40's & 50's Sci-Fi images are
pretty cool - taken from the covers of old comic books.

gave schoolboys of old more than just spaceships to fantasise about...

2004-09-07T23:39:00.000+08:00

Currant Buns are fruity...

What Celtic fans know: supporting Rangers is bad for mental health

I couldn't help myself - please excuse TDR style headline...

2004-09-06T22:55:00.000+08:00

Halcyon Days...

It never ceases to amaze me what you can find at auctions. I buy a lot at auctions - it's sort of what I do - among other things. The word that drives the auction going fraternity into a frenzy is... ESTATE. Rifling through the treasures of the recently deceased is a rarified treat for the hardened auction goer & such auctions always draw the biggest crowds. Having worked in the industry for 10 years, I have a bit of an understanding why this happens; The average estate contains the contents of a family home that has been put together over a lifetime. So a dealer can buy a piece of furniture that has been 'out of the marketplace' for 50, 60 or even 70 years. Now, considering that the family in question may have inherited some of the items in the first place, an antique dealer could pick up a rare piece of furniture or art that has been out of the marketplace for over 100 years. A kind of timewarp situation.

Of course, there are other reasons. Most of us are curious, a few are just naturally driven nosey bastards. A chance to take a strangers life & for a few hours look at it under a microscope, warts & all, is just too appealling to pass up. Indeed, a lot of people ONLY attend estate sales - and usually buy very little, if anything, but spend hours meticulously sorting through the auction lots. Usually seniors & they tend to travel in packs - 'Deceased Estate on tuesday, you bring the sannie's & I'll bring a flask.' Now don't get me wrong, I'm in their with the rest of the bunch trying to find a treasure, but I will attend many auctions every week & am indiscriminate as to where the goods came from & the health status of the vendor.

It used to be that any personal belongings - letters, photo's, etc - were put to one side... and disposed of if no existing family member claimed them. Nowadays these items are put up for sale. Boxes of ephemera & suitcases full of old photo's are usually incorporated in with other lots as they are deemed to have no commercial value - NCV. I have always been fascinated with ephemera & buy related items when they come up at auction. I have found some unusual & entertaining things in among these box lots; A hand written note from a 19th Century Clergyman that was wrapped around a treasured fragment of the original stained glass windows of York Cathedral, C. 1300. A missionary in Africa & Asia, he carried this in his pocket as he went about his business.

Also, a collection of South African Laywers papers from the turn of the century. It included the correspondence between the firm & a family who's estate affairs they handled. The main letter writers were the father & the eldest son. The father was requesting his own allowance from the estate as his circumstances had forced him to live with his son & the son's family. According to his letters, he was being grossly mistreated & forced to sleep with the horses. The son's letters tell of his father's fondness for the bottle, how he had taken to walking around naked & how he refused to wash himself with anything but wine. He goes on to say he & his wife are at the end of their tether & can't put up with this behaviour much longer - unless they are granted an extra three guinea's a month... Charming.

The items that usually invoke some form of sadness or melancholy are photos. Take the photo above; once the initial amusement at the subject matter subsides, one can't help but wonder how such an extraordinary image ends up discarded with other paperwork & photos. Perhaps the end of the family dynasty? Surely any surviving relation would have loved such a photo? Now that the photographer, the child - I am assuming the photo would still be in their possession if they were still alive - & even the dog are no longer with us, the pedal car & tricycle have been consigned to the scrap heap - or restored beyond recognition & perhaps even the house itself has been bulldozed in the name of progress, the story behind this fragment from life will have to be imagined by the viewer. The cast & creator must remain anonymous but the imagery will surely still entertain as it did all those years ago.

maybe they're off to join the circus...

2004-09-04T22:59:00.000+08:00

Great Printmakers site in Edinburgh...

Hugh Buchanan - St Stephens Church

Edinburgh Printmakers

Good selection for sale & courses available...

2004-09-03T23:23:00.000+08:00

I think even Martin O'Neill is entitled to the odd mistake...

HOOPS FANS CAN BREATHE SIGH OF RELIEF AS O'NEILL'S SHOPPING TRIP FAILS

Remembering, of course, that MON only wanted them on a 1 year contract

But this guy's certainly got a point...

2004-09-02T21:25:00.000+08:00

I used to walk around Leith in the rain...

Friday Night

Alone I walk through Friday night
Rain falls in sheets, it's purpose clear
To rid the streets of all that moves
Shrug off the night; pull morning near

Past tenements and breweries
The air alive with malt and grain
The remnants of a passing age
Romanticised 'neath pouring rain

Through cobbled lanes and empty wynds
Still miles to go, I persevere
Ahead a Kirk with towering spire
Where saintly bells toll passing years

By mounds of dead, long buried deep
The plague bell ringing in their ears
Now shadows in the winter night
Their story kindles childhood fears

The sound of surf comes through the squall
Abruptly, now the journey ends
A soft grey light tints eastern skies
As morning comes around again.

Late at night & into the early morning...

2004-09-01T23:41:00.000+08:00

I found a couple of articles about Henri Camara...

They were on Senagalese websites & using Google's language tools I
translated the articles. If you have ever used an online translator
you will know how hard it is to make sense of the English translation
as it is all back to front - in English but still structured as French
would be. Anyway, the first one reports that Camara has been sent back
to Wolves because Celtic are so disappointed with his performance so far.
The other is a bit kinder but still focuses on Camara's shortcomings.

So Senegal has the eqivilent of TDR - and the journalists have the same
attitude towards the truth; don't let it get in the way of a crowd pleaser.

This just in: In a pole conducted by the IC Newcastle website to choose Bobby
Robson's replacement, Martin O'Neill was the preferred choice of 56.56% of
the voters. Steve Bruce & Gordon Strachan were joint second at 7.93%!!

Dream on Bonny Lads...

2004-08-30T22:55:00.000+08:00

Watched the Auld Firm gemme last night...

Celtic looked slick, knocking the ball about beautifully, but
lacked a bit of their usual deftness upfront; this could have
been due to the fact Chris Sutton wasn't playing or that Rangers
had 11 men in their own half for a lot of the game. To be fair
Rangers came into the game a bit more in the second half & had
a few chances, courtesy of some dodgy marking in the Celtic penalty
area. Thompson's goal was a peach - world class. Hugh Dallas looked
like he might have been on the Rangers books at times - alex rae
getting away with murder.

Juninho was magnificent; It might be the wee laddie in me but,
it's a real treat to watch him running at players & scaring the
shit out of the Rangers defence. Camara looked keen but has yet
to gel with the other players. The rest of the team played well
with Lennon in particular marshalling the midfield with his usual
aplomb. A few training sessions & a few more games and we might
see just how good this Celtic team can be.

looking forward to the rest of the season...

2004-08-29T16:54:00.000+08:00

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night

Dylan Thomas

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

From a man who lived by his words...

2004-08-28T19:38:00.000+08:00

More on Doris Clare Zinkeisen...

Self Portrait - 1929

Doris Clare Zinkeisen (1898-1991)

Superb Art Deco painting - captures the zeitgeist of the 1920's.
Doris Zinkeisen and her sister Anna were professional artists and
fashionable figures in London society. Both exhibited regularly at
the Royal Academy. Doris also designed for the London stage, and
later for Hollywood films. This is a self-portrait exhibited at the
Royal Academy under the title of Zinkeisen's married name. In the
theatrical spirit of the age, Zinkeisen poses as if about to
go on stage herself.

Born in Kilcreggan, Scotland...

2004-08-27T17:31:00.000+08:00

GROUP F - The Group of Death...

After studying the teams drawn in the 8 groups of The Champions League,
I have to agree with Martin O'Neill - I would have preferred any group
other than the one Celtic ended up in. Nevermind. After the last couple
of sojourns in TCL when Celtic were very unlucky not to have advanced
to the last 16, maybe their luck will change - as this time all but the
faithful will certainly write off their chances of progression.

The upside being the return of Henrik Larsson & a chance for the Celtic
support to take a reality check & move on. Time to let go & establish the
fact that CELTIC are a team, not one player - yes, EVEN Juninho!

Let's give Camara the chance he has dreamed of & see if he can prove himself
in The Champions League. I'm sure Juninho will relish the chance to shine in
Europe. Look & the squad and the stats for Celtic & there will be no team in
Group F that will be particularly happy in having to face The Hoops.

Underdogs in Europe? What's New? - Bring it on...

2004-08-26T23:43:00.000+08:00

Found a Superb portrait of Elsa Lanchester...

Elsa Lanchester

Painted in 1925 by Doris Clare Zinkeisen (1898-1991), Painter and stage designer.
With her sister Anna, Doris Zinkeisen was a familiar figure on the artistic scene from the 1920s. Best known for society portraits, horse paintings and murals of regency scenes, she was also an official war artist for the St John Ambulance Brigade and her drawings of Belsen are held in the Imperial War Museum.

The Beautiful Bride of Frankenstein...

2004-08-25T23:34:00.000+08:00

The Magnificent Seven - Revisited...

Juninho takes Henrik shirt

Bring on the Brazilian Bhoy...

2004-08-24T14:16:00.000+08:00

Gentlemen - choose your weapons...

After 'Banjo' was sent aff in Sunday's gemme, the vast majority of
the sporting press want Neil Lennon tied to a post & burned for heresy.
Of course, this crusade is being led by The Daily Rangers, that totally
unbiased Scottish tabloid - aye, right! Talk of video evidence & bans
were the hot topic at TDR until the SFA burst their bubble. Never seen
the incident but it sounded like handbags tae me - 'Banjo' probably
a wee bit unlucky to be sent aff - although the campaign by a few of the
ICT players to try & maim Lennon afterwards might have seen another dismissal.

Not only that, but Lennon had to suffer the Boo Boys for the remainder of the
match. Now, think about it; do you really think a few Sheep Shaggers booing are
going to put him off his game, after all he's been through - c'maan.

Talking of Bans, alex rae - who tried to kick Serghei Dadu's brain out through
his ear, has been lauded by TDR & the staff at ~~Mordor~~ ibrox as -wait for it -
the kind of player rangers need - someone who's playing for the shirt. For Fucks
sake, he tried to kill the Russian - and I did see this one, it would have
been attempted murder if he'd done it in the street. I see he has been banned
for 5 European games - d'you think he'll still be playing for rangers in 2007?
So while the press harangue Lennon like a priest during the reformation,
TDR continue to treat alex rae like an Egyptian boxer at the Olympics.

Some things never change.

I bags(sic) the one wi the yella butterfly...

2004-08-04T23:49:00.000+08:00

I think I've only seen Gloria Swanson in Sunset Blvd...

Gloria Swanson

But she was Beautiful as a young woman or a fading star...

2004-08-03T23:31:00.000+08:00

The Whole point of no Return...

The lords and ladies pass a ruling
That sons and girls go hand in land
From good stock and the best breeding
Paid for by the servile class
Who have been told all lie in state
To bow down forth and face their fate
It's so easy.
So, so easy

All righteousness did build thy arrow
To shoot it straight into their lies
Who would expect the mighty sparrow
Could rid our world of all their kind?

Rising up and taking back
The property of every man
Oh it's easy.
So, so easy

Rising up to break this thing
From family trees the dukes do swing
Just one blow to scratch the itch
The law's made for and by the rich
It would be easy.
So, so easy.

Mr Weller at his post Jam best...

2004-08-01T23:54:00.000+08:00

Sir William Russell Flint 1880-1969...

WRF Official Site

Born in Edinburgh you know...

2004-07-31T23:42:00.000+08:00

You've got to hand it to Auntie...

Rewind

A great new programme that looks at Australian myths, legends, characters
& stories from a different perspective. Very interesting & unbiased.

She does make very good TV shows...

2004-07-30T23:29:00.000+08:00

Now THIS is a Zombie movie...

I Walked with a Zombie (1943)

A Val Lewton Classic - they just don't make them like this anymore.

I might just sleep with the light on tonight...

2004-07-28T00:01:00.000+08:00

Celtic fans are screaming for quality strikers...

Chelsea 4 Celtic 2

Liverpool 5 Celtic 1

We need a quality striker or two to replace HL & to further our European campaign
but - what about a couple of defenders, a quality midfielder & a goalie?

Just a suggestion...

2004-07-25T23:23:00.000+08:00

And by that glare, my love will see...

To a Jilted Lover

Cold on my narrow cot
I lie and in sorrow look
through my window-square of black:

figured in the midnight sky,
a mosaic of stars
diagrams the falling years,

while from the moon, my lover's eye
chills me to death
with radiance of his frozen faith.

Once I wounded him with so
small a thorn
I never thought his flesh would burn

or that the heat within would grow
until he stood
incandescent as a god;

now there is nowhere I can go
to hide from him:
moon and sun reflect his flame.

In the morning all shall be
the same again:
stars pale before the angry dawn;

the gilded cock will turn for me
the rack of time
until the peak of noon has come

and by that glare, my love will see
how I am still
blazing in my golden hell.

How I am still blazing in my golden hell...

2004-07-22T23:54:00.000+08:00

Final Whistle for Legendary Bhoy...

N.I. & Celtic Great Bertie Peacock Dies

R.I.P.

2004-07-21T23:04:00.000+08:00

With some of the crap that Roxy Music produced in the late 80's...

Beauty Queen

Valerie please believe
It never could work out
The time to make plans
Has passed, faded away
Oooh the way you look
Makes my starry eyes shiver
Then I look away
Too much for one day
One thing we share
Is an ideal of beauty
Treasure so rare
That even devils might care
Your swimming-pool eyes
In sea breezes they flutter
The coconut tears
Heavy-lidded they shed
Swaying palms at your feet
You're the pride of your street
While you worship the sun
Summer lover of fun
Gold number with neighbours
Who said that you'll go far
Maybe someday be a star
A fast mover like you
And your dreams will all come true
All of my hope, and my inspiration
I drew from you
Our life's pattern's drawn in sand
But the winds could not erase
The memory of your face
Deep in the night
Plying very strange cargo
Our soul-ships pass by
Solo trips to the stars - in the sky
Gliding so far
That the eye cannot follow
Where do they go
We'll never know

It's easy to forget how good they really were...

2004-07-19T22:42:00.000+08:00

Hold Tight - now were on our own...

The Rezillos

Everybody's on Top of the Pops...

2004-07-18T23:24:00.000+08:00

A great psychological horror movie from Korea...

Whispering Corridors

I must have taped this off the telly a while back & forgot to watch it.
An eerie horror movie which avoids using unlimited violence, blood
& special effects in favour of an unknown supernatural presence.

Chilling & suspense filled to the very end...