I’m looking for a shared house to move into, for various reasons including that it’ll be cheaper and will allow me to put what money I do earn to better use. Which is what The Chief Happiness Officer found when he decided to stay in a small flat rather than going bankrupt moving up in the world.
The Waltzer had been captured with the twin cities. Its entire crew now worked in a prison detail on the plains, despite generous offers to any who would defect. So it had laid unused until the call had gone out for practice targets the wings could sink. Its weaponry had been judged outdated for the Southern navy, but all useful components had been stripped and it sailed toward its resting place with a skeleton crew. For the trials it was to have been powered up to full stream and steered on a random course by a clockwork mechanism in the wheelhouse.
Now the crew were blessing the left behind propellant and shells for the two and a half span main gun- intended to produce more spectacular explosions for the newsreel. There were just enough of them to load and fire the one gun, with barely enough people left for the engine room and bridge. The clockwork steerer had been thrown aside and engineer Arron Null had suddenly become a captain in the Southern navy.
The main gun on the Waltzer was vastly oversize for the ship, and had a limited arc of fire to prevent the recoil capsizing the vessel. To bring the gun to bear the ship had to face the enemy. It was heeled over as hard as possible as it turned. The spotter shouted contact and Null began twirling the wheel back. By the time they straightened out they would be aligned as nearly as necessary for the first shot.
“Two combat vessels, making speed for us. Eight transports or merchant ships.” the spotter reported.
“I see aeroplanes from landward!” the second spotter announced.
“The wing.” offered the radioman, “and two other planes.”
They were lined up with the attacking ships now. “Range to the transport ships?”
The spotters read off bearings and the radio operator calculated the distance. “We shall be in range in two hundred counts. Extreme range.”
“Sir….”
There was an explosion to the left and the spotter was knocked off his feet by the water it threw up. “Sir. We are being fired upon.” It was a redundant comment, but he was still dazed. “We could return fire.”
“We could, but that ahead of us is an invasion fleet. We do more harm if we sink the supply ships than if we go for the glory shot.” There was another explosion, behind them. They might not get to do any harm if their range was found.
A giant silver crescent passed overhead, little higher than Waltzer’s lookout nest, and banked toward the attacking ships.
Heavensent 9.9
Heavensent 9.7
Heavensent 1.1
Technorati tag: Fiction, Heavensent
Well, eight treadmills, anyway. OK Go, or whoever thinks up their videos, are geniuses. Check out Million Ways, which seems to have started a craze.
via Blatant Optimism (who now has a new little optimist, congratulations!)
We’re having a meeting for Spinneyhead Presents next Tuesday. If you’d like to be involved in our project- to make zero budget serials for the internet- please come and join us. We’ll be in the Kro bar on Piccadilly from 7-ish. We’re not just planning the one serial, if everything works out there’ll be more, so if you can’t help out with this one but want to do something in the future come along and tell us.
Technorati tag: Spinneyhead, Spinneyhead Presents
There are so many things I want to do, and I’m never going to have the time to to do them. One idea I had was, tied into my Steam Geek blog, to find old appliances, like the gorgeous coffee grinder my sister gave me, refurbish them and sell them on. I thought of it as a garden shed business, do a few hours a week and sell them at markets. Sadly it remains a dream and likely will stay that way.
I was going to repair stuff built before planned obsolescence, keeping it out of landfill and removing the need for newer replacements. Matt Bremner started iRepair.ca to fix busted iPods and keep the fashion accessories from being thrown away.
listentomanchester.co.uk “is a home for new and unsigned Manchester bands, local gigs, mp3s, reviews and great writing. It’s all created and added by you – the people of the best music city in the world.”
I got a flyer for the site at Dpercussion, but only just dug it out of my wallet. I’m going to be writing them an article offering Spinneyhead Presents’ services in making music videos.
Technorati tag: Manchester, Music
Never say never. Spinneyhead hasn’t been home to cat blogging before, but with all the terror and horror in the news, I think we all need to take a moment out and go “Aawwwww!” over Heed, a Munchkin kitten that could be the world’s smallest cat.
Betty Williams MP writes for Save our Scenery newsletter
August 9th 2006
I welcome this opportunity to comment on the npower renewables’ construction consent application for wind turbines at Gwynt y Mor.
The Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) view is that Wales should concentrate on renewable energy and, in particular, wind energy. WAG is also of the opinion that nuclear energy should not feature in Wales’ future energy production.
The Welsh Affairs Committee of the Westminster Parliament held an inquiry into Energy in Wales. Its report was published on 20th July 2006. The Wind Energy chapter provides some history and a balanced view of evidence both for and against wind energy for Wales, onshore and offshore.
Significantly the Welsh Affairs Committee reached no firm conclusion about wind energy. The Committee did however express concern about the Renewable Obligation scheme whereby licensed electricity suppliers are required to deliver a specified amount of electricity from eligible renewable sources. Witnesses indicated that the scheme encourages wind energy and not other renewable energy sources (Paras 22 and 26).
I agree entirely with the Committee’s view that “Government at all levels will need to improve upon their communications strategy to explain both the benefits and limitations of wind power” (Para 195). The Committee added “wind energy cannot be a complete substitute for nuclear power” (Para 196).
Representations to me from constituents, for and against the proposal, were passed to the Secretary of State and acknowledged by the Minister for Energy, Mr Malcolm Wicks MP. He confirmed he will consider all points made by constituents “and will balance the need to meet the Government’s targets for renewable energy generation, and thereby reduce carbon emissions, against any potential local impacts.” The Minister is well placed to do this as he led the review of UK energy policy at the request of the Prime Minister.
Potential local impacts have concerned most constituents opposed to the proposal. Flooding, a tsunami, business ruin, noise pollution, scale of the project, visual impact, disturbance to marine habitat and life, lowering of home prices and, in general, a reduced quality of life, are merely some points made.
I met npower representatives and they subsequently provided me with responses which I passed to constituents by letter.
Constituents who support the proposals tended to reject many concerns of objectors and pointed to the advantages of renewable energy including reduced carbon emissions.
By the beginning of this year it was clear to me that if the Government does not reject the application then there should be a full public enquiry. This would enable public opinion, both objectors and supporters, to be fully considered alongside the technical aspects of the proposal.
In January 2006 I made a request for a public enquiry to the Secretary of State. The Minister responded on the 8th February 2006 that “I can confirm that when I consider this application in due course I will have to decide whether to approve consent, refer it to a public enquiry or reject it”.
I now await the Minister’s decision.
MP COMPLAINS ABOUT RETURN OF THE GREAT STINK
7 August 2006
Erith & Thamesmead’s MP, John Austin, who lives in Lower Belvedere, is regretting not taking his holidays in August! He said “After a busy week, I was looking forward to relaxing in my garden at the weekend but was forced to retreat indoors and eventually close the windows on both Saturday and Sunday because of the smell emanating from Thames Water’s sewerage works. I have since received complaints from neighbours and have also been informed that during the week, the smell was experienced as far away as Upper Belvedere”.
John Austin has made representations to Thames Water about the problem. He added “They promised us a virtually odour-free summer. I know that there will be smells from time to time from a sewerage works but this has been persistent over several days”.
John Austin has also referred the matter to Bexley Council, which last year won a court case against Thames Water over the issue of odour release.
Co-op Climate Change Commandos at Brighton Pride
7 August 2006
David Lepper, Labour and Co-operative MP for Brighton Pavilion, joined the Co-operative Group’s Climate Change Commandos at this year’s Brighton Pride in Preston Park, Brighton, on Saturday 5 August to help spread the message about fighting climate change.
Brighton Pride, the largest free gay pride event in the UK, attracts tens of thousands of people to Brighton in August each year for the spectacular parade and carnival in Preston Park.
David Lepper said:
“Pride is one of the high points of the summer season for the city, not only bringing visitors from all over the world but also providing a great day out for local people.
“This is the second year running the Co-op Group has been present at Pride and I was glad of the chance to help spread the message about the Co-op’s campaign on climate change. Co-op MPs have played an important part in backing Mark Lazarowicz MP’s Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill in Parliament which, among other things, will ensure more support for micro-generation schemes.
“The Co-operative Group can be proud of its record in backing renewable energy through schemes such as the 7,000 photo-voltaic panels on the Co-operative Financial Services CIS building in Manchester.
“July 6 saw the launch of the Coldham Wind Farm in Cambridgeshire – a joint venture between the Co-operative Group and Scottish Power – a £17m eight-turbine wind farm to produce energy for 9000 homes, saving 36,000tonnes of CO2 per year.”
Technorati tag: MP, Green, Press Release
I was just listening to a vox pops piece on Radio 4 when some idiot came out with that dumb old line in relation to the Muslim community. My immediate response was “What, kill Christians and sleep with their sisters?”
They’ll have to move to Norfolk for that second part.
Technorati tag: Rome
Norfolk is Britain’s Appalachians, according to Dr Ian Gibson MP. He told a Radio Norfolk interviewer that genes affecting diabetes could be more prevalent in the county because of an excess of “inter-family relationships”.
“There may be some degree of familiarity, family relationships, in terms of brothers and other families with the same name and so on,” he said.
And how would this plot have wrought destruction on an “unimaginable scale”? Take the number of planes targetted and multiply by the number of passengers. Entirely calculable and imaginable numbers, probably lower than a year’s worth of road deaths.
Technorati tag: Terrorism, Snakes on a Plane
“Do we have any information from the RADIF?”
“They say there are aeroplanes on a bearing of two- six- five.”
“How many?”
“A lot. They could not say more. The rockets have started landing.”
“Torpedoes will be little use against aircraft no matter how few or how many.” Karn commented.
“There must be some ships to follow that many aeroplanes. Try the spotter plane channels.”
The wing continued toward the approaching air fleet, on a pointless intercept. The Corkscrews flanked the plane, holding back until they knew what the plan was.
“Sir, I have the target ship. They have spotted a convoy of landing ships.”
“Can we get to them without having to go through the planes?”
There was a brief conference between the radio operator and navigator. “Two- three- Oh. Though that may take us through the edge of the air fleet.”
“We will need to be on the deck for the torpedoes anyway.” Karn pointed out.
“We will. Radio, tell the Corkscrews what we are planning. They can come with us or carry on.” Harren began banking and descending before the message was even sent. The Corkscrews followed at height to provide cover.
Heavensent 9.8
Heavensent 9.6
Heavensent 1.1
Technorati tag: Fiction, Heavensent
Technorati tag: Dpercussion, Manchester
Photos from Daz and Emily’s wedding last Friday.
I’m working my way through writing all the scripts for Spinneyhead Presents’ first six part serial. There’s one key scene that takes place in a relatively high tech office. Does anyone have a workplace that might suit. I promise filming will only take a couple of hours and you’ll get a mention for your help in the credits.
Technorati tag: Spinneyhead
Spinneyhead Presents needed some direction and a manifesto. So I put one together. Read the Spinneyhead Presents manifesto and please leave comments if there is anything you’d like to add.
Technorati tag: Spinneyhead
The remaining Pigs were running late, the water in the washes had hampered them more than anticipated. Still, half their charges had been planted and now they were heading for the relative safety of the middle of the lake.
They didn’t look back, or they would have seen several of their target ships getting ready to sail. One of the fast corvettes, designated to assist the patrol boats, had cast off when the charge beneath its keel exploded. It leapt into the air, splitting in two when it hit the water.
Up and down one section of the dock, explosions rocked and shattered ships. Secondary charges ignited fuel from a ruptured tanker. A number of unmined ships were trapped behind sinking and burning hulks, but some managed to escape. Running from the incoming rockets, they too headed for the middle of the lake.
Heavensent 9.7
Heavensent 9.5
Heavensent 1.1
Technorati tag: Fiction, Heavensent
I can’t believe every blogger in Manchester has stepped away from their keyboard. I know I haven’t.
However, the Manchester bloggers aggregator hasn’t updated since Sunday.I haven’t bookmarked the sites or feeds of more than two or three of the other blogs on the list, so I’m missing keeping up with them all.
Technorati tag: blogbound, Manchester
It’s easy, but a little risky, to moan about your boss on your blog. But there’s always the possibility they might find it. So why not go to bossbitching.com and complain there.
Technorati tag: Bosses