Shadow equalities minister Kate Green has complained about a beer called "Top Totty" which was being sold in the Commons bar

Story here

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/9056914/Top-Tott...

It seems she was concerned about the picture of "a nearly naked woman on the tap" and called for a debate on dignity at work in Parliament. The near naked woman in question was a cartoonish rendition of a bikini clad waitress complete with bunny ears.

Is this a just a sense of humour failure or am I totally out of sync on what is acceptable in society any more? I discussed this with my 23 and 21 year old daughters and they just laughed (but that could have been just at me).

I would fully understand if it was topless pictures or calendars adorning the walls of the bar but a small drawing which could not be more that an inch high?

As shadow equalities minister isn't there more important issues to debate? Or am I just a sexist misogynist dinosaur?

Turning to the vast intellect that is the Massive, I am looking at setting up either a web site or Blog based around the history of bands who have played in my hometown, Warrington, over the years.
Initially I suspect it will consist of a list of dates, venues and bands but I hope to extend this, adding further comment, pictures, a forum etc.
Any suggestions on which would be more suitable, Website or blog?
Many thanks in advance...

So has people power prevailed?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/blog/2011/jul/07/news-of-the-world-phone...

But kidnap and murder??

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/8576623/Joss-Stone-two-men-...

this is a great series with some truly brilliant performances but I can't get enough of this....

I just wanted to share with the like minded brethren of the Massive a rather enjoyable experience I had yesterday.

The GLW bought me a record player for Xmas, nothing too spectacular but it plays and converts to mp3. It has given me an opportunity to reconnect with some long lost and neglected friends which have been stored in the garage for far too long. Re-listening to these albums and songs has made me realise that I have been just consuming rather than engaging the music I have, in particular the stuff I have downloaded. This was brought into sharp focus yesterday when I visited a record shop and bought my first vinyl in over 15 years. I was like a kid in a candy store browsing the racks, weighing up what to buy, making mental notes of what to pick up on my next visit and trying to ensure I didn’t spend the equivalent of the mortgage payment in one visit!!

The whole experience was nothing but pleasure and I savoured every moment, from talking to the guy who owned the store, debating my purchases, to sitting down, sleeve in hand and letting the warming sounds envelop me taking me back to feelings and experiences I haven’t felt in many a day.

My purchases (if you are interested) for a grand total of £20.00.

Can’t buy a thrill – Steely Dan
Aladdin Sane – David Bowie
Old Ways – Neil Young
Moondance – Van Morrison
Lexicon of love – ABC.

Thanks for listening.

A fellow Warringtonian. Rest in peace Pete

George Osborne and the creepy guy from Lost Highway.

Never seen in the same room together

My daughter has left the nest for University and has had the whole experience sullied by the, I would say incompetence but I think it’s more than that, of the Student Loan company.

Being an organised and determined sort she began the application in February this year and badgered me and the GLW to ensure all the financial information they required was sent in a timely fashion (which, I might add was more than the information that I had to give when applying for a mortgage). For the past 5 weeks she ahs been ringing almost daily (I said she was determined) enquiring on the progress of her application, to be constantly told everything was fine and would be complete in a matter of days. Last week her first rent payment was due, and she went to Student Welfare who rang Student loans on her behalf to be told that the processing was complete and would be with her by Friday.

Sunday she was on the phone for over and hour as, you guessed it, she had received nothing and she was told that nothing was now holding the application up and everything would be ok. Yesterday she rang again, as she doubted that what she had been told was true to be informed that a particular piece of information I had sent, needed to be signed by my wife and not me. On receipt of this amended document they could complete the application and she would receive her loan in 4-6 weeks.

Clearly upset at this point, it was time for me to step up and take charge of the situation. At first they would not even speak to me about my daughters account, but after demanding to speak to a manager several times, she confirmed that the new signed letter form my wife was required. I pointed out that the last document I sent was in May, and I or my wife had received no communication, to which I was told that my daughter had been e-mailed. So 2 questions were asked, if the documents related to me why had my daughter been emailed and I then asked did they have a copy of said e-mail to my daughter on her file (all letters are available online). Suffice to say no mail was available and it was advised that it was an error on their part that I was not sent anything. At this point I was asked to get my daughter to call back as her application status had changed (they could not tell me as they did not have written consent from her to discuss her account). She has now received a letter confirming the processing is complete and should expect payment soon.

Sorry to harp on but I was led to believe that after some major errors last year the Student Loan company had cleaned up it’s act, suffice to say this looks highly unlikely. Out of several students my daughter has discussed this with only one has any payment and this was incorrect. So finally to my point, I commiserate with anyone who is starting Uni and having to deal with this third rate excuse of a company. At a time when leaving home and starting studying in new environments should be filled with excitement and wonder I have no doubt for the majority it is tinged with anxiety and worry over missing and incorrect payments, unpaid rent and tapping up the parents for a sub.

Why is it that most mortgages and loans can be completed in a matter of weeks (obviously this was when they actually gave mortgages out!!) yet a company dedicated to doing just that seems incapable of performing the basics. Or am I just being naïve?

To all freshers, keep your chin up and keep on their backs. Perseverance is the key!!! What is it about the British Govt. and finances???

Don't know if this site has been mentioned before but here is a link to Wolfgangs Vault. One quick sign up and access to 100's of concerts and interviews streamed direct to your pc. Currently listening to The Band (Boston Gardens 1974)

Enjoy.

http://concerts.wolfgangsvault.com/