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Times they are a changing?

Image via Flickr

Reading The Times as I often do (print edition as opposed to online), I happened across various unrelated articles today which presented me with a common theme for the subject of this post. Despite the fact I generally glean most of my news from the internet these days, I still find something strangely comforting about sitting in the sun with a beer browsing through a newspaper.

At this point I have to warn and advise any Sun readers; you are unlikely to find anything of interest in the remainder of this post… I don’t have an Agony Aunt who can tell you what to do with your problem, there is no exclusive behind the scenes gossip from The X-Factor and most importantly, I don’t give a stuff about the footballer who is shagging a wannabe celebrity. Oh yes, and you won’t find a Page Three in this blog!

Keeping abreast of what is actually happening in the world (no pun intended), tends to develop a less insular outlook on life. If you can manage to do that with a reasonable level of intellect and understanding, so much the better. The problem however remains; even those who read the less insatiable journals often display high levels of self-importance or ambivalence towards the remainder of society. However, there are always things we should be thinking about, even when we’re unable to contribute to (or change) the issue personally.

Reading a newspaper is something I’ve always done since my school common room days although at that time, the beer was absent of course. It’s also a habit that I probably inherited from my father (which is where the beer came in) but unlike him, my enjoyment was always inhibited and curtailed somewhat by my lack of dexterity. I generally found difficulty in effectively controlling the broadsheet periodicals. Newspapers which arguably, where and still are the only ones actually worth reading. Being unable to lay the newspaper out flat in front of me, or the onset of even a light breeze, usually meant that particular issue was destined for little more than chip wrappers. I have to admit; the tabloid versions of the more intellectual rags have been something of a godsend to me.

Today I learned a lot about social issues and matters of scientific importance to our society… What did you learn, if anything?

Cheers to the Beer Writers! (thebeerauthority.com)
There is More to Beer than Drinking (friendseat.com)

Posted in Business Babble, Education System, Media Watch, Our Society, Technology

Budget billet-doux results in Osborne Night!

Mar 24

Posted by Dave Hasney

Chancellor George Osborne outside No.11 Downin...

Image by HM Treasury

Yesterday I spoke of the bitter taste left by the budget but realistically, how much better or worse off will I be in the coming year after George Osborne‘s missive yesterday? I decided to find out…

The BBC Budget calculator, developed by accounting firm KPMG LLP (UK), was produced to help us all understand how the measures being brought in next month will affect us financially.

BBC Budget Calculator basics:

The tax system is complex, and the model used below gives only an indication of the Budget’s impact
Your personal information is safe – all calculations are carried out on your computer
The calculator includes measures announced in previous budgets that come into effect in April this year

So I filled in the details and hey presto… Result: “The indications are that you will be £130.03 better off.”

I know the calculator only provides an ‘indication’ and, I suppose it’s only a relatively small amount of money. It’s also money that I’m not likely to realise until well into the next financial year but what the hell? There’s enough for me and the wife to have a night out on the strength of it I’m sure… And, in the best traditions of embracing diversity, tomorrow is a trip to the Indian Restaurant for Curry and Bangla Beer (or two), hence forth this night shall be refered to as our ‘Osborne Night’