Colonel Irrelevant

GTP has closed down, so I’ve been working on setting up a wide-ranging sports/ current affairs/ stuff forum to replacesome parts of it. Towards the end, there was a split between those who wanted a pure Sports board and one that was comfortable covering life.

So, the lightning lounge is here, and growing.

If you like sport it could be a place to check out. There’s room for all (including Geordie Mackems) so drop by and see what you think!

Unfortunately trying to get this up and running has led to a drop in posting here, but I hope to get back to more regular posting from today!

Isn’t it good to get outside and work in the garden?

This year seems to have been great for big growth. The only downside is the effort needed to keep on top of the growth.

But at least the compost heap keeps growing ready for the autumn.

He’s now got a cuppa!!!

I’ve never seen anyone shovel food like this bloke!

Meat, fruit, cake, snacks, nibbles, wine, beer, water by the plate and glass in 20 minutes.

I think he’s stopped now, but I could be wrong.

GTP, or Glorify the Past, the best damn Chargers site ever, has closed down. After years of effort and good times, Scott has closed the doors and turned out the lights.

So, two sites have emerged from the ashes - www.boltbunker.com and www.thelightninglounge.com

The first is a pure Sport site, with room for fun. The second is broader in scope, hoping to take some of the latter-day political unrest away from those who aren’t interested. Anyway, have a look and join in.

Moan all you like, but China isn’t the problem. The problem lies with people living in places that are too hot or too cold and then making them attractive with heating or air conditioning. Add in flashing lights, water falls and fountains in the desert, drinls served ice cold, Malls that are kept at a constant freezing temperature and it all becomes clear where the problem lies.

Germany is reducing energy consumption as quickly as it can. The US seems to be building more in less hospitable places than ever before.

It won’t stop because it is business. But until it does I suggest that the rest of the world carries on with doing the right thing because I doubt that the US will do the right thing anytime soon.

Where do you start?

Big, brash, horrible climate. No values, lots of availibility.

Gambling, boredom, no taste. Cheap yet expensive, noisy.

Like Blackpool on steroids. Lots of adult entertainment based upon imagination, excess and an ‘anything goes’ ethos. And then strange bits of class that feel out of place.

Amazing, hideous and incredible all at once. I won’t rush back …

I’ve just been to the USA for a conference. Flew to LA, then drove to San Diego, then on to Las Vegas for the conference. Back to LA and flew home via Frankfurt.

Several things struck me as it has been a couple of years since I was in the US.

1) The price of stuff is cheap but quality is often poor
2) The economy is struggling
3) Houses are still too big
3) Cars are getting smaller
4) Gas prices are higher
5) The rental car agreement is not understandable
6) Everything is upgrdeable in the rental car world
7) Distances are still too long
Few small towns in desert communities are worth visiting
9) Vegas is …

I get the impression that the main aim of the media is to scare us into submission.

16 knife murders in London is horrific, but it is scarcely a threat to Civilisation. There are, what, 7 million people in London and 16 teenagers killed? I bet there are nearly that many per day in LA or New York but the media present the story as if we are all about to be knifed.

Then on Sunday, The Observer, ran a piece on the 99 British Servicemen killed in Afghanistan. Tragic, again, but when you read the stories, one was murdered and then the killer committed suicide. Hardly an indictment of military ineptitude. And then 100 killed pales into some comparison when you consider the other news story of a mass grave from WWI being excavated and that contains the probable remains of 400 or so troops killed in a single day.

The best thing we can do is live life to the full, aware of the risks we face but delighting in life and possibility rather than fearing death and limiting ourselves and our experiences.

Living without fear is living, living with fear is like dying.

Me, I’m living …

Derby County had a thoroughly miserable season last year. A disaster from start to finish, punctuated by poor signings, managerial change, ownership transfer, defeat, humiliation and a front page story about the new gaffer’s ‘home movie’ skills.

So, things have to change - and it seems that things are finally starting to shift.

Out go five players so far, in come another five. Another signing is due on Monday, with another departure just confirmed (Earnshaw to Florist).

So it’s all change and maybe the new shoots of hope are appearing ….