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Lots of Love. Labour's not lost.

Lots of Love. Labour’s not lost.

I spent two hours phoning voters on Saturday afternoon, on behalf of the Labour party. From a personal perspective, it's an activity I loathe. After all, who wants to be disturbed by an activist (of any persuasion) on a glorious sunny Saturday afternoon? I'd rather give them my mobile number so ... Read more »
Latin is not in the Dictionary

Latin is not in the Dictionary

According to the new Scrabble game on Facebook, Latin is not in the dictionary. Shurely shome ... Read more »
In Praise of Window Cleaners

In Praise of Window Cleaners

Eyes down, look in. As I sat watching paint dry, I wondered whether this was just too dull, too pointless or too trivial to blog. But no, I decided I would make my dullest blog post ever. My windows before and after cleaning, as seen from my desk. Enjoy. Amended to add this, at Lynne's ... Read more »
The Brighton Trunk Murders: A Very Modern Tale.

The Brighton Trunk Murders: A Very Modern Tale.

The Brighton Trunk Murders are the stuff of legend. In Brighton, people still talk about the unrelated murders of two women whose remains were left in trunks in 1934. The crime involving the pregnant decapitated torso with 'pretty feet' was never solved. In the other case, Tony Mancini was ... Read more »
Recently I have...

Recently I have…

... Visited Chicago. A beautiful, relaxed and entertaining city. The weakness of the dollar made things so pleasingly affordable. ... Seen Kaki King and, also, The Tigerlillies. She was a bit dull, if worthy. They were hysterically anarchic and rude. Guess which one I preferred. ... Travelled ... Read more »
Recently I Have...

Recently I Have…

... become an enthusiastic, if not expert, gardener. The sweet peas, rocket, herbs, tomatoes, spinach and lettuces are coming along. The petunias, lupins and marigolds have been savaged by cats and snails. Grr. ... Enjoyed Vampire Weekend in Camden (but not at the Great Escape in Brighton). ... Read more »
Great Escape Festival Diary: 17/v/08

Great Escape Festival Diary: 17/v/08

Esser braves the Saturday afternoon rain at Jubilee Square, but I miss it. I'm girding my loins for a struggle to see Santogold and a possible 2am gig if we miss her at Digital earlier in the evening. But all bets are off when she cancels both gigs. So we head for the nearest venue: Komedia for the ... Read more »
Great Escape Festival Diary: 16/v/08

Great Escape Festival Diary: 16/v/08

We go in search of afternoon entertainment. Soweto Kinch and Mr Hudson play an impromptu pretty fun mini-set on the Theatre Royal Balcony. Energetic and entertaining, it gets the juices flowing. And I see another band (I don't catch the name) at the Water Margin. It's probably just as well that I ... Read more »
Great Escape Festival Diary: 15/v/08

Great Escape Festival Diary: 15/v/08

I'm down at the Great Escape Festival in Brighton and, so far, not an auspicious start. Team attempt to see the majestic Vampire Weekend fell at the first hurdle with the impossibly huge queue snaking out of Concorde 2 and although some of our merry band persisted and watched 'em though a side ... Read more »
Doctor Who, Series 4. Discuss.

Doctor Who, Series 4. Discuss.

Ever since Rose Tyler left Doctor Who at the end of Series 2, Saturday night's highlight show had lost a bit of its sheen. Freema was pretty good. Blink was superb. Paul Cornell's episodes were a tour de force. But The Shakespeare Code was terrible, the Daleks in Manhatten disappointed and 42 was ... Read more »
Wilson on the Web: 12/v/2008

Wilson on the Web: 12/v/2008

Here are some other places I've been contributing online, of late: vzaar: Why negative feedback + bad sellers = unhappy buyers On the vzaar blog, the case for abolishing the right for sellers to leave negative feedback on eBay. Based on a personal experience. Auctionbytes: Why is QXL ... Read more »
Pro-forma Apology Sheet for Boris Johnson

Pro-forma Apology Sheet for Boris Johnson

In the hope of saving a bit of time the next time Boris Johnson, the new Mayor of London, opens his mouth to change feet, I have taken the liberty of preparing him a ready-made apology sheet. 'Comments I made on my recent visit to a mosque/temple/old peoples' home/school for the blind/gay ... Read more »
Dan Wilson Links* 20/04/08

Dan Wilson Links* 20/04/08

Here's some stuff I've been looking at online recently. Vanity first. I was interviewed by Ina Steiner of Auctionbytes about vzaar, eBay and the like. Tamebay reviewed the updated version of Make Serious Money on eBay UK which is now available in all good bookshops, and WH Smiths. I also ... Read more »
Travelling Underground with iTube

Travelling Underground with iTube

Inspire is a strong word, but Duffy's song Warwick Avenue set me off down a train of thought. Quite literally: underground to a tube train of thought. What other songs are named after London Underground stations or, more precisely, have the names of tube stops in the title? Yes, you're right; it's ... Read more »