About time. I hope the Libyans can now get the peace and prosperity they have been denied for 42 years.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-15389550

Has anyone else watched the BBC coverage of Pulp at Reading?

It's reminded me just how great a band they were/are. I wasn't exactly in my youth when they were at the height of their popularity, but seeing them on the telly last night brought back fond memories of the late 90s (!!!) - never thought that would be possible.

The highlight of the set for me was 'Sunrise' - I'd forgotten how uplifting and epic that sounded.

Jarvis, as ever, was the consumate front man with the common touch - never condescending, just talking to the audience and carrying them along with his view of the world. I just hope there is a future for this band, I've missed having them around.

The BBC reports:

Austrian driver's religious headgear strains credulity

An Austrian atheist has won the right to be shown on his driving-licence photo wearing a pasta strainer as "religious headgear".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14135523?ref=nf

I'm pleased to say that my wife has just secured tickets to see Othello at the Crucible in Sheffield starring none other than Dominic West as Iago and Clark Peters as Othello. Should be good! It's on between mid Sept and mid October if you are interested.

Quite rightly, the people of Sheffield are more than a little offended by Mr Letwin's remarks. Perhaps he should be given a two match ban like Rooney?

Anyone else got any views on what seems to be a typically condescending Tory view of the good people of the north?

PS - Couldn't help but chuckle after watching ITV's Calendar News just now. The programme is sponsored by Jet2 advertising cheap flights!

Well, at least according to the headline in the Daily Star.

Made me think, if I was on the run would I take 40 virgins? Might not be practical, really, because:
(a)They might not remain virgins for long! (39 virgins, 38 virgins...)
(b) If you are on the run, having 40 virgins with you could be a bit cumbersome and a bit of a distraction.

Any ideas as to what or who you might take with you if you were on the run?

The news organisations seem to have picked up on this song which has gone viral on Youtube - over 21 million views so far.

It is pretty awful; utter dross in fact, but calling it the worst song ever is way over the top - I can't really distinguish it from any of the other crap that might be played on any number of music stations these days.

Do you have any other nominations for your "worst ever" song?

...check this out!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/9418641.stm

Did any of the massive participate in World Book Night, either as a giver or receiver of the million free books that were handed out? If so, what did you give or receive? Where were you and how did it happen?

For my part, I was at a pub gig - the Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican if you must know! - at Stanton-in-the-Peak. The pub is called the Flying Childers.

At the end of the evening, a book was still lying on a table - no one had taken it, so my wife picked it up. It's 'Stuart - a life backwards' by Alexander Masters, which is a biography of a homeless man. I'm looking forward to reading it. When we're done with it, we'll pass it on.

A nice session that was broadcast on KCRW a few days ago...

http://www.kcrw.com/media-player/mediaPlayer2.html?type=video&id=mb11021...

asks the BBC Today Programme website, heavily quoting The Word.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_9373000/9373158.stm

I think there may be a point so far as the recent crop of pop stars is concerned, but does it matter?

Is pop smug and middle class and has it lost its rebellious streak?

A friend sent me this link to a video of a powder hound skiing down Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh. How cool is that?

I managed a walk through snow-covered country lanes and a session in the Horns Inn yesterday afternoon, but nothing like this guy.

Has anyone else got up to anything exciting during the big freeze?

Just wondering what the massive think of "Dr" Gillian McKeith's antics on I'm a Celebrity - the live on TV faint being the latest.

Remember, this woman is a fake - she has the same PhD as Ben Goldacre's dead cat.

Quite why she even bothered to go on the show when she's a vegan, is a big question.

The fact she bottled the digger trial without even trying and then lied to her her camp mates about it speaks volumes about her personality.

But then again...why the hell am I even writing this, it's only a bit of crap TV!

I went to the library after work this week and borrowed 4 CDs. Keith Jarrett/Charlie Haden (Jasmine), Noah & The Whale (The First Days of Spring), Karen Elston (The Ghost Who Walks) and.... Rolo Tomassi (Cosmology).

The first three are fine, but Rolo Tomassi...oh dearie me! It is THE WORST thing I have ever heard - a complete assault on the senses. Now at the age of 48, I finally know what hardcore is! I only borrowed it because I quite liked the artwork....

Try this for size and see what you think... http://open.spotify.com/track/4eChsSswmnnxXdS8z7Xa2g

Has anyone else discovered some 'music' they wish they hadn't recently?