23 August 2009

Daily Chat 23/08/09

William Wallace was executed in 1305. Calvinists were granted rights in the Netherlands in 1555. Italian immigrants Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti were executed in Boston in 1927 after what is now considered one of the most controversial trials in American history. And in 1989, two million people from Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia stood alon the Vilnius-Tallinn road singing and holding hands. Not a single vaguely interesting famous person (to me, at least) is celebrating a birthday today. Maggie, Rick and Tami are celebrating birthdays today, but you don't know them. Keith Moon would be celebrating a birthday today if he hadn't died. And it's Flag Day in Ukraine. It feels funny not to type 'the' in front of Ukraine, but I don't think we're supposed to anymore. The picture is of Theddingworth, Leicestershire. It's got nothing to do with today's events, but it's more pleasant than any of the pictures I could find that did have something to do with today's events.

68 comments:

  1. Curious how the use of flags has evolved along the times. I remember when it was a crime of "lèse majesté", punished with death, anything untoward done to a country's flag. Even wars were won if the enemy's flag fell or was taken.

    Perhaps so much insistence about flags has led to the present, in many cases, ignorance of their significance, or shall I say immigration has had a hand in it?

    Whichever, it's true that flags have become little less than a symbol.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I don't know you Maggie, Rick or Tami but have a happy birthday anyway.

    If it is as much fun as mine often are you will have great day - and that's a fact.

    Jose - who knows perhaps one day we shall all meet under a red flag. I hope so.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Welcome Princesschipchops - this is fun place to post I'm sure you'll have as much joy as the rest of us who hang out here.

    You know Montana. Annetan42 is senior lady around here and it was her birthday a couple days ago. You don't need to know anything else - enjoy.

    I had the misfortune of coming across a country pub that was still open as I went in search of food for my dogs at this 12.12am I am thus not altogether together this Sunday am.

    Best W.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Annetan - I enjoyed your post on Hatt's article yesterday. It cheered me it was good. Sad that your author friend died young.

    deano.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Belated welcome to PrincessChipChops. Glad to see you’ve got your mojo working.

    I first heard of Sacco and Vanzetti when I saw the film of their story (I’m guessing now) on TV as part of a season of Morricone soundtracks. I remembered that it was directed by Sergio Leone, but in fact the director was Giuliano Montaldo.

    Here’s a trailer

    And here’s a link to a clip of a more recent documentary

    Keith Moon may not be around anymore, but we can still celebrate his birthday.

    My Generation

    ReplyDelete
  6. Happy Birthday Maggie, Rick and Tami!

    Like the pic of Theddingworth Montana. Am a grumpy old Scot but there is something about English villages that is so appealling.

    Wallace's execution: Braveheart has among its many fantasies Robert the Bruce in the audience grieving over Wallace's execution. What is true is that 15 later, Bruce meted out exactly the same punishment to four supporters of the Balliol line - the line that Wallace fought to preserve.

    ReplyDelete
  7. It's the beer Edwin.

    That's what makes English villages pleasant

    We don't speak of our ale in terms of /- (shillings worth) like you Scots.

    We speak of the hoppyness and whether or not it tastes as good on the way back up as it did it the way down.At least we do in the North of the land.

    Malt is the delight of Scotland but I find the beers too sweet. But the fired-water deserves it's World reputation. Just thinking about some of those I have enjoyed is making me giddy.

    Happy birthday to you - a couple of days late.

    ReplyDelete
  8. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anyone planning to follow the cricket but doing other stuff first on the basis that the first hour wouldn’t be that interesting might want to get on the case pretty quick...

    ReplyDelete
  10. I had seen you request Stoaty my friend and was just about to get down to a reply when I saw your reminder.

    But...

    Must take the dogs for a walk now I have - finally found them the food I set out for last midnight and - fed them.

    I will get back to you soon.

    deano.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Lest you be confused Stoaty - I did pick Hops in Kent for several years running as a young man.

    d

    ReplyDelete
  12. Northern Brewer is the finest Hop known to man - it finds it's way into Guinness inter alia

    d

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anon,
    Them were the days eh? running as a young man. Like me, you probably totter like an old one now.

    ReplyDelete
  14. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anybody see that piece complaining about the meercat's east European accent?

    ReplyDelete
  16. Stoaty


    My friend - I really must get me dogs for a walk.

    Last nights chance encounter on a pub still open after midnight was so severe that I have had to drink the best part of a botrtle of red to make sense of my surrounds.

    I think I'm not that far from passing to deep sleep.

    The secret of potatoes is in the nitrogen/potassimum ratio.

    Tats given too much nitro grow leaf at the expense of tuber - they need potash.

    I was glad to see you around here again.

    Oh feg me I am wqalking dreunk. I just cannot be arsaed to sort out me bad` spell..s any more.

    Tis at this point I wish I could find the chip in my machine and throw it in the field

    Best W

    Deano.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hello Deano et al and thanks for the welcome. Deano I would say it was incredible fortune to find an open pub whilst looking for dog food in the early hours.

    I saw the piece re the Meercat - didn't comment though. I mean everyone loves meercat's right? Personally I always thought they would speak with a strong Italian accent. In fact wasnt there an ad years ago with meercats with Newcastle accents talking about dancing? Cant believe that wasnt banned either.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Ps Growmore is too nitro rich.

    I'll get back when I is more4 sober

    ReplyDelete
  19. deano,
    Know how you feel mate, I found an open bottle of whiskey in the cupboard and am feeling a bit frail myself.

    ReplyDelete
  20. PCC,
    Yes you madam, The meercat ad is the best for ages, I am told that he is named after a Russian defector from the thirties.

    ReplyDelete
  21. colin: that thread is a classic, isn’t it?

    I haven’t bothered to comment, because there’s really nothing I could say that hasn’t already been said.

    It’s hotly tipped to win the Cif Worst Article of the Year Award, apparently.

    Deano: interesting to read what you say about the Nitro/Potash balance for potatoes. Normally I just dig in plenty of manure, but maybe next year I’ll try experimenting with your suggestion.

    Any advice for leeks or chard, anyone? I’m off to plant mine out later...

    ReplyDelete
  22. andy,
    I find it interesting that on some threads the mods actually sit in to protect the writer but this pillock was just thrown to the wolves.

    ReplyDelete
  23. hi Princesscc - welcome to the asylum.

    ReplyDelete
  24. PCC

    I am already in luv wi you. You abuse the languge so beutifully - you is plainly educated.

    As the day passeth I shall be more ill.

    But - the day after I shall vey much enjoy your civil company.

    ps Stoaty is a wanker but a very civilkised one.

    d

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi Sheffpixie,

    I am off to walk my dogs now but all this talk of booze has made me want a pint.

    The Meercat article was mind boggling it has to be said. I will read the thread later - might be good sport.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Sheff

    Note I is a bloke of distinction - I did not offer the comelately tart a place in the boat.

    I adore you.

    d.

    ReplyDelete
  27. colin: you’re right, and I hadn’t particularly thought of that.

    The author is a debutant; wonder if he’ll want to come back after his reception.

    The mods have also been pretty hands off on the MacShane thread too. The comment I flagged up yesterday morning, suggesting it would soon be gone, is still there.

    Maybe they’re all engrossed in the cricket.

    ReplyDelete
  28. PCC,
    Yes welcome, this site can do with a bit of class. There are some rough old birds on here.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Andy - where the feg are you getting 'manure' from in N london?

    deano

    ReplyDelete
  30. stoaty

    There are some rough old birds on here.

    Oh stoaty, don't give me away - how did you know?

    ReplyDelete
  31. Sheff,
    Just a guess, based on geography really. (smiley face)

    ReplyDelete
  32. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  33. deano,
    You is welcome you hilliterate bum. I seen Corrie and know what they are like up there.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Stoaty - a little less of the old if you please! I mean I'm not 70 yet! ;)

    That Meerkat thread is amazing I love Alexander the ad is so silly! It makes such a pleasant change from 'because you're worth it' (euccccccccccchhhhhhhhhhhhh).

    BTW Have you seen the website?

    ReplyDelete
  35. Thanks for that anne, brilliant.
    70 is the new 40 btw.

    ReplyDelete
  36. I shall be driving through Kent on my way to France next Sunday stoaty - so watch your irrascible old back...

    ReplyDelete
  37. Sheff,
    Surprised to see you pet, I thought by this time you would be passed out under a bush. (many smiley faces!)

    ReplyDelete
  38. Sheff - bring me back some of that clever blu cheese. I will meet you in central Sheffield and give you twice or thrice its price.

    I don't tell fibs.

    deano

    ReplyDelete
  39. She aint going to fall for that one squire.

    ReplyDelete
  40. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  41. What a pair you are

    Stoaty...still sober although probably won't be later. Have been listening to the cricket - am getting a bit worried now.

    Deano...will see what I can do about the cheese..

    ReplyDelete
  42. deano,
    You stand no chance cully. I has a spiderman suit with a modified gusset. Freakin' irrisistable dude.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Err Mr. Stoat. Much as I love being called a classy bird and much as I hate to disabuse you of your notion of my being one... I was born in Barnsley and now reside in Sheffield. Now I think Barnsley is very classy but not many agree.

    On the bright side though I do know a song about flat caps, bailiffs and coal cellars the chorus of which is: 'You cant put your muck in our dustbin, our dustbin, our dustbin (repeat ad nauseum) 'cause our dustbins full!'

    ReplyDelete
  44. pcc,
    You can't fool me, 'reside' is a very classy word.
    Hope you enjoy the site but try to avoid deano, he's a wrong un.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Princesscc

    Both MsC and I also live in Sheffield. I should warn you both stoaty and deano are world class flirts.

    ReplyDelete
  46. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  47. No chance pops, you is a scruff.

    ReplyDelete
  48. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  49. It (scruff) gives a purpose to life for many ladies.

    ReplyDelete
  50. deano,
    I am able to feign interest in what they are saying, bet you can't do that, scruffbag.

    ReplyDelete
  51. There is nothing finer for a lady to find in her pants than a disheveled gentle man.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Oh shit - forgot me promise not be anon. Anon+anon2 = d

    ReplyDelete
  53. deano,
    You is a oaf sir. One can only suppose that 'slippin her a feel' is what constitutes courtship for one such as yourself.

    ReplyDelete
  54. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  55. deano,
    Very ancient slang think: mush, squire, pal,dude, buddy etc. Slightly perjorative but not very.

    ReplyDelete
  56. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  57. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  58. 'cully' features occasionally in the Patrick O'Brian novels and (I think) in the Flashman series as well.

    Have always assumed it means what Colin says - a 19th-century version of 'a bit of a lad'.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Sheffpixie - I see what you mean about Deano and Mr. Stoat they is naughy lads they is - and one of em knows his the's and tha's.

    Don't know who MsC is, I probably do but wine has addled me, can you remind me...sorry.

    What area of the 'greenest city in England' are you from?

    ReplyDelete
  60. Princesscc

    I'm in Burngreave. where you?

    ReplyDelete
  61. Sheffpixie

    I am in Walkley. Hillsborough way.

    ReplyDelete
  62. The mods have started working through the Meercat thread. Pathetic bastards.

    ReplyDelete
  63. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete