ARIZONA........DON'T GO THERE

I read in the Times this week, that the Arizona state legislature are about to pass what they call some 'common sense laws' regarding gun control. It may soon be legal to walk into a bar with unconcealed weapons a la Billy the Kid. Now, correct me if I am wrong, but is this not the state where Boothill Cemetary is and where the OK Corral took place (always found that a bit odd, as it it strikes me that not too many people felt OK about that particular Corral)? Is this not also the country that has had three mass murders in the past few months? Twice as many people have been killed on American soil by guns than soldiers serving overseas in the last five years. It strikes me that alchohol and 'peacemakers' probably don't belong in the same building, or am I just being a bit too British.......or a bit too sane. I cannot help feeling that perhaps the time has come to maybe re-write the beloved constitution, you mentalists!!!
PS. Can you imagine if you were permitted to carry guns into a nightclub in Manchester, it would make the Ok Corral look like the National Cotton Bud Flinging Championship

POINTLESS CHELTENHAM FACT No 1

I had absolutely no idea that at 45ft from top to bottom, this is the worlds tallest mechanical clock. Shame it resides in a rather bland shopping centre. It deserves a better home don't you think?

DAMAGES.....YOU HAVE TO BE JOKING!

I have no idea how many people saw the story last week, but when I did it made me spit feathers. A man who had tried to kill himself has won £90,000 pounds from the National Health Service. Mr Dexter was rushed to hospital after taking a massive overdose. Once at hospital he had to be given a large dose of something intravenously to counteract the drugs he had taken himself. This left him with a damaged left arm. As a thank you to the staff and hospital concerned for saving his life, he sued them for the above sum. His comments were that it 'was not about the money, it was about the way I was treated'. Okay then matey, having got the reward and made what you think is a valid point, why don't you give it all away to Red Nose Day. Do you think he will..................because I don't. I don't just blame Mr Dexter. I also blame the ambulance chasing personal injury lawyers who no doubt made a nice little sum from the settlement. Litigiousness is something the Americans have raised to an art form, do we really want to walk the same road?

IT HAS TO BE SAID

Those of you that know me will know that the last few weeks have been something of a personal disaster. However, the reason for this post is more to do with the after effects of recent events. When I first came to Cheltenham about 9 years ago, I was not a huge fan. I did not settle very well and often thought that this was not a place where I could see myself staying. However, over the last 4 years, since I joined Trinity, I have made some of the best friends a person could ask for. Those friendships have developed over time and in the last few weeks have been nothing short of critical to me. I have received so much help, both practical and emotional, that any man would feel humbled to be so fortunate. So I wanted to say to all of you, that if a man can be judged by his friends, then I am a wealthy man indeed. Thank you, you have no idea how important you have all been to me.

MY FAVOURITE WORD

BLUNDERBUSS

Personal Secrets No1

I LOVE jigsaws, especially 'Where is Wally' type ones.

HARVARD!!!!!!!!!!

I read a fantastic article in 'The Times' this week regarding the Harvard Business School. In their welcome pack for new students, it states that you should 'Leave the guitar at home and do not bring your English Literature and History books. Do bring the diverse you'. I do not know about you, but the diverse me includes reading and playing the guitar very badly. To be told that you should only bring business related books seems to somewhat fly in the face of the educational experience. Nearly every picture of Harvard is so bucolic that it looks as though George Washington should be stood by the gun (bike shed did not feel relevant) shed grabbing a quick fag! It just really grates against me when venerable institutions get just a bit too venerable for their own good. 94% of Harvard Alumni walk straight into Wall Street institutions, so they must be good at what they do I suppose. Over here, you can get a first at Oxford and still end up asking someone if they want 'fries with that'.