Oh Dearie-Me

Sorry, Pogo, couldn’t resist the title. As the observant may have noticed, I’ve taken Dearie-Me off the Blogroll, because some cunt called Max Cady has hijacked a decent blog in order to host his own sack of shit. No links, because he doesn’t deserve them.

Hopefully, Pogo’ll have a new address as soon as poss, and can work from there. The link will be on here when he does.

It’s a Question of Tact

Hard as it may be to believe from d4d™’s appearance sometimes, but as most people know, I do a fair amount of website work, databases and the like. Yesterday, one of my clients forwarded an email from a “website designer” who had written to them on spec.

This dweeb is creating sites that don’t work on half the browsers, can’t even do simple tasks like remembering background colours for the page, aren’t standards compliant, and – frankly – look shit. For these, he’s charging £450.

His own homepage, supposedly an advert for how great he is, consists of exactly one page, with in-page links to different sections. It’s bollocks in it’s purest form – and as yet I haven’t decided whether I should put the link here, because people would only ridicule pity him – although in that context (along with piss-poor english) it’s quite funny.

Now, the question is this : Do I reply to his email, and offer to design his site for him so that it at least works? Or should I stay quiet, and simply up my rates? *Grin*

Sack of Shite

For currently unknown reasons, Blogger’s been an absolute cunt today. Hopefully we’re now back to situation “normal”. But come January, when (*please GOD*) things are slightly calmer and less socially intense chez Lyle then I’m going to be cursing installing MT.

Spearhead – Manchester Academy 2

I didn’t really know what to expect from the Spearhead concert, to be honest. I’ve been a fan of Michael Franti’s for years, right back to the Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, and then also when he formed Spearhead. Most of their music is very political and intelligent rap/hiphop, so that was kind of what I was expecting, if I could be said to have any real expectations at all.

First semi-surprise comes when it turns out that a good 99% of the audience is white – OK, we’re in a Student Union Environment, but considering their material, it still came as a small surprise. Noticeable, if nothing else.

The support act was a very strange – and incredibly talented – single performer. Initially I wasn’t that impressed, but – like herpes – he grem on me. I’m hoping that Peter from Sapientum can remember the bugger’s name, because I can’t. Something like Kelley Williams, but that’s not bringing up any valid results on Google.

Spearhead themselves were obviously determined to have a good time. Bouncing all round the stage, bringing a true party feel to the crowd. Franti himself towered above the audience – helped by the stage, obviously, but he’s no shorty anyway – and quite obviously just loves being on stage, and performing his music. Well – his own music, and also Soft Cell’s Tainted Love, the Clash’s Guns of Brixton, and even Harry Belafonte’s Banana Boat Song (Hey Mr Tally Man). The supporting voice of Radio Activ, the “beatbox” was stunning – some of his solo performances were nothing short of stunning.

In conclusion, Spearhead managed to get all their political points across in a pectacular fashion that managed the clever trick of not sounding like preaching – it was a party with meaning.

The imperfect cards

Blah. Last night was the first particular brand of festering season business I had to get through. The much-loathed writing of cards. After all, once you’ve got to the thirtieth, what the hell do you write? It gets boring as fuck writing the same thing (albeit with minor variations) in each one, but writing something new for every card is a strain on the creativity. Many have a comment about “the joys of the festering season” – there’s no way people would know they’re not from me.

Am I horrendously early in getting them out and sent? Maybe. But considering here in Manchester I’m still waiting for the postman to deliver an item to me that was sent last Wednesday, I think it’s not unreasonable either. Also I ahd to get one of them off to a friend in Gibraltar, and keff only knows what the last posting date for BFPO addresses is, so better early than late.

Anyway, it’s all sorted now, and all the cards are in the indelicate and scabrous grip of Royal Snail. Now I just need to figure the few presents I’m buying. *sigh*

The perfect card

via Wherever You Are, the truly wonderful Lance Arthur has been busy designing some Christmas cards. And I think I’ve decided on this one as my card of choice.

All of them are pretty good – and match up to my feelings on the Festering Season™ without too much hassle. It’s always good to know I’m not the only one…

Parting

Regardless of whether he’s on your normal “daily read” lists, go and see Troubled Diva today. A notice of departure – and all the best to Mike on the next phase of the voyage.