Tuesday 30 June 2009

Will soon be the second busiest day ever...

Aw, Hell.

Today I did 8 lessons and I'm tired, but I've now been given another 2 new pupils, so tomorrow I will be working 11 and a half hours.

I don't think I'll be posting tomorrow evening.

Busiest day ever!

Today (well yesterday now really) started by leaving the house at 7.00 am for a lesson at 7.30. I gave a 100 minute pre-test lesson to Sara, who managed to pass her test, despite the nerves.

From there straight on to Amy, who drove wonderfully for half an hour, then struggled for an hour and a half.

No rest for the wicked. I had to go straight to my next one, Heidi, who drove beautifully for an hour. Almost like a rest. Always good when they're not trying to stamp on the brake 10 yards short of a roundabout with a jugernaut full of suphuric acid beaming down on us.

Then a half hour break and a cup of coffee before going to get Arthur and taking him around a typical test route.

Then a double lesson with Sally, who got markedly better after a shaky start.

Then finally, a double lesson with Tom, who I met for the first time today. He's been taught by mum and dad and was on his best behaviour, which apparently meant not using his mirrors, and using millions of tiny hand movements to steer around corners.

Got home about 9.15 this evening. 3 hours to eat and relax then off to bed. To sleep, perchance to dream.

If I did this every day I'd be bringing home almost a grand a week, and y'know what? I don't want to.

I enjoy my job, but when I'm teaching, I'm driving all the time, whether I'm sat behind the wheel or not.

Imagine driving almost non stop for 14 hours every day.

Tomorrow I have just 8 lessons. I get a lie-in until 10am! Hurrah!

Monday 22 June 2009

Just a means to an end



a way of uploading this pic so that I can post a link to it elsewhere...

move on folks. nothing to see here.

Thursday 18 June 2009

Hillview Heights



Come in young man
Come in off the street
Get a warm by the fire and take the weight off your feet
This is where it happens -
The scene of the crazy nights
This is the real world, Johnny Boy
This is Hillview Heights

Have you scored before or is this your first time?
If you haven't, don't worry -
Just have some of mine
Just do it like this
and sample the delights
'cause this is the real world, Johnny Boy
This is Hillview Heights

Did you like it?
Was it good?
Are you right off your head?
You can have some more - maybe tomorrow
Did you hear what I said?
Turn up the sounds
and dim the lights
'cause this is the real world Johnny Boy
This is Hillview Heights

Six months later and beggars can't be choosers
You get what you're given
in the kingdom of the users
It's funny how things change when the addiction bites
'cause this is the real world, Johnny boy
This is Hillview Heights

Should have stayed how you were
just smoking the weed
'cause now you'll have to steal or deal
to feed the need
You have to weigh up the situation
Forget the wrongs and rights
'cause this is the real world Johnny Boy
This is Hillview Heights

Look at you now - shaking like a leaf
A youth in his prime
You're looking pretty bad Johnny lad
Are you playing for time?
Send in the priest to serve the last rights
This is the real world Johnny boy
Say goodbye to Hillview Heights

__________________________________

Jegsy Dodd is a poet from Birkenhead. He had a bit of fame and fortune a couple of years ago, topping the radio 1 festive 50 chart. The poem above was performed with his band, The Sons of Harry Cross and can be found on the album, Winebars and werewolves.

Back in the early 80's, Birkenhead and it's surrounds was pretty run down. Heroin became a big problem in some parts. Hillview heights is 3 tower blocks in Moreton, and it had a reputation for housing disadvantaged people. It's now been renamed and the situation round here is nowhere near as bad as it was, although it still has it's share of problems. When I worked as a meter reader a few years back, I had to do these blocks, and it was difficult to gain entry. A knock on the door is often bad news when you've got no money.

Here's the song.

Tuesday 16 June 2009

When Thatcher dies...

This...



Is Trafalgar Square, London.

When Margaret Thatcher kicks the bucket, a big party is planned and everyone is invited.

The Place: Trafalgar Square

The Date: The first Saturday after she dies

The Time: 6.00p.m.

Dress Code: Casual.

What to bring: Fireworks, Banners, Sound systems, disco lights, alcohol, streamers, drums, whistles, etc. Let's have a blast!

Be there or be square...

Monday 15 June 2009

Home





Not sure if this will still be available, as wikipedia reckon it will only be up on youtube until 14th June but I can hardly have a blog about the whole damn world without posting about how we're changing the face of it.

(Edit: It's still available late on the 15th by the way. just click on the pic to watch)

It's familiar stuff to me, bringing together facts and concepts I've read elsewhere in the books of Jared Diamond, Mark Lynas, George Monbiot and others. Beautifully photographed, although the style jarred a bit at first.

Friday 12 June 2009

If you're poor, you only get a pixel!

Further to my previous post...

The google earth map is almost a map of affluence.

Here's Mayfair. From about 1000 feet up.



And here's Burundi from a similar altitude.



Never mind life expectancy and child mortality. This is obscene. I demand Hi Res images for third world nations!