I was amused to read that the
columnist David Aaronovitch has a daughter whose hobby is to go down
to Trafalgar Square in London and edge herself onto the family snaps
of tourists whilst gurning. Sadly, she never gets to see how
successful she is. It's called photobombing, it seems.
Despite the government relentlessly
blaring that Spain has not only emerged from recession but is also
poised to take off, only 1% percent of the population thinks the
economic situation is "good". With 26% of the population
still unemployed, who can blame them? And then there's the lack of
credence given to anything said by a political class best known for
its arrogance and corruption, rather than its competence.
On cue . . . The EU is investigating
the disappearance of more than €200m of its money down in
Andalucía. The money was supposed to be spent by the regional
government on labour policies and on reduction of workplace accidents
but apparently wasn't. I guess it'll be a while before we know whose bank accounts it ended up in
Regular readers will appreciate I was
less than shocked to read that the EU regards Spain's ADSL services
as 'slow and clunky'. This slight deficiency, though, hasn't held
back Telefónica from charging the 2nd highest prices in Europe.
Friends at court, is the usual assumption at times like this. As with
the electricity companies, whose prices are the 3rd highest in
Europe, having doubled since 2008. They apparently haven't heard of
La Crisis that has hit everyone's pockets. Or just don't care.
As you may know: 1. The King of
Spain is immune from prosecution; he can do what he likes (including
murder) with impunity; and 2. His daughter Cristina is facing a
corruption investigation, as she isn't immune. Neither is the Queen
nor the Crown Prince and his consort, the lovely Letizia. But, hang
on. They, too, are now to be granted special rights of exemption from
future criminal charges. Princess Cristina, though, is being left out
in the judicial cold. As well as from family fotos.
The battle against The Demon Grain
continues. Starbucks' blueberry muffins have been shown to have 7.5
and 8 spoonfuls of sugar in them. And it's the 'skinny' one with the
8 and the 'classic' one with only 7.5.
I mentioned my malfunctioning sat-nav
yesterday. There was a pertinent letter in yesterday's Times:
"What characterises all digital systems, including sat-navs, is
their bland indifference to what they are unaware of".
Finally . . . I've found - with the
help of an old friend - a foto of my grandparents' pub in Birkenhead
- long since demolished and replaced by the Land Registry.
The 2
bay-windowed rooms on the ground floor were both bars but only the
left one was ever open. Above it is the dining room of my
grandparents' living quarters and the window on the far left is the
one under which I sat learning the words of Abdul Abulbul Amir. Happy
days.
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