How did this man, Sepp Blatter, get the biggest job in Football Administration and, more importantly, keep it: in spite of professed and demonstrated ineptitude?
I have been told that if you go to FIFA headquarters you will find Blatter's relatives working there and you will find Blatter's neighbours from his tiny home village in Switzerland working there too.
His recent analysis of racism in football is one of his ineptitudes but someone keeps electing him back to the job.
Finally, I saw David Beckham on the television today and whilst I admire him as a footballer, his arms are just a pathetic mess with all of their tattoos: what on earth is he thinking?
DW
18.11.11
Technocrats and Lame Ducks
If another reporter says that the Italian and Greek political leaders are technocrats, I'll heave a boot at the telly. They are NOT the only leaders ever to have worked in the appropriate business or to be qualified appropriately for the job in hand. Except in the UK, of course, where Strictly Come Politics and the X Bodger seem to help us to recruit our politicians.
Let's run a competition: I think it's Presidential election time in the USA next year. When do you think the first stupid journalist will tag obama as a lame duck president. Four years ago it was in January or February 2009 ... very early in the campaign.
DW
Let's run a competition: I think it's Presidential election time in the USA next year. When do you think the first stupid journalist will tag obama as a lame duck president. Four years ago it was in January or February 2009 ... very early in the campaign.
DW
17.11.11
Reggie Perrin ...
I watched a couple of films on my flight over to Dubai and then sought to change the tempo a little bit by listening to some music and then watching a television programme.
No offence intended but the majority of the television programmes they have on Emirates' ICE system are American so I looked for something British. I found REGGIE PERRIN. I found it hard to believe that they would revive such an idiosyncratic programme albeit one that was iconic in its own way at the time it first went out.
It started ... it was MODERN! A revival! Martin Clunes appeared as Perrin. Interesting, I thought. Was it any good? The lads in the office were nowhere near as good as the likes of John Baron, the MD Then former MD.
I didn't spot any of the classic one liners like, I didn't get where you are today without ...
I think the flashbacks were not of the mother in law and they were not of a Hippopotamus!
Was it funny? Hmm! A bit.
I only saw one episode so I cannot really judge too harshly or be to effusive in my praise.
Was it worth reviving? I don't know how many episodes they have made and whether they started with the fall ...
DW
No offence intended but the majority of the television programmes they have on Emirates' ICE system are American so I looked for something British. I found REGGIE PERRIN. I found it hard to believe that they would revive such an idiosyncratic programme albeit one that was iconic in its own way at the time it first went out.
It started ... it was MODERN! A revival! Martin Clunes appeared as Perrin. Interesting, I thought. Was it any good? The lads in the office were nowhere near as good as the likes of John Baron, the MD Then former MD.
I didn't spot any of the classic one liners like, I didn't get where you are today without ...
I think the flashbacks were not of the mother in law and they were not of a Hippopotamus!
Was it funny? Hmm! A bit.
I only saw one episode so I cannot really judge too harshly or be to effusive in my praise.
Was it worth reviving? I don't know how many episodes they have made and whether they started with the fall ...
DW
Nice Story from Afghanistan
Please find time to read this article from The Times today.
There's some good to come out of the place from time to time.
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/life/article3227704.ece
DW
There's some good to come out of the place from time to time.
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/life/article3227704.ece
DW
16.11.11
Pudding and a Crossword!
Decided I would have a pud: fruit dumplings with Mango sauce.
Now relaxing with The Times crossword!
DW
Now relaxing with The Times crossword!
DW
15.11.11
Dubai Metro Ineptitude
I am finding it very difficult to buy tickets from the machines on the Dubai Metro. I am sure it's simple but in the last three days I have bought an illegal ticket, a single instead of a double and a two station ticket when I wanted an all zones ticket.
Luckily this is not London so I am not losing a King's ransom but I need help!!
DW
PS I am on the Metro again and after waiting ages for the couple in front of me to buy their two tickets, I impressed myself with my efficiency by knowing what to press and how to pay. I did it correctly.
However, after I had gone through the barrier I noticed the I had been given a ONE zone instead of an ALL zones ticket.
If you know the ticket machines here you will know that the one zone button and the all zones buttons are NOT next to each other and I could not have pressed one instead of all and I did not!
So, I lost another 50 pence or so!! All in a good cause.
DW
Luckily this is not London so I am not losing a King's ransom but I need help!!
DW
PS I am on the Metro again and after waiting ages for the couple in front of me to buy their two tickets, I impressed myself with my efficiency by knowing what to press and how to pay. I did it correctly.
However, after I had gone through the barrier I noticed the I had been given a ONE zone instead of an ALL zones ticket.
If you know the ticket machines here you will know that the one zone button and the all zones buttons are NOT next to each other and I could not have pressed one instead of all and I did not!
So, I lost another 50 pence or so!! All in a good cause.
DW
Incredible but True
Just saw three Russian women going into a fashion shop and they set off the alarm going IN!
Scary
DW
Scary
DW
Emporio Armani Caffe: Mall of the Emirates
I spotted this caffe last night but only after I had already eaten, so I returned this evening!
I have just ordered minestrone soup and some pasta I have never heard of, beginning with M! There will be porcini mushrooms and black truffle with the pasta.
Because I am not in a wifi zone, this message will contain my thoughts on the food as well as this anticipatory note!
The Verdict
The soup was a little heavy and more potato than minestrone. Earlier in the day it could be good.
The pasta was excellent: the pasta beginning with M was a kind of lasagne but much thinner. The mushroom flavour was strong, just as I like it and I would have that again at any time.
Tea time now: Armani black tea with ylang ylang and orange flowers! Very nice it is too. I have been given a small pot so let's see how good the second cup is. In terms of colour, the second cup is much darker than the first one. The orange is more pronounced in the second cup and there is a hint, just a hint, of bitterness behind it too. A nice cuppa!
The caffe was not crowded but there were enough customers to make life a little interesting!
DW
I have just ordered minestrone soup and some pasta I have never heard of, beginning with M! There will be porcini mushrooms and black truffle with the pasta.
Because I am not in a wifi zone, this message will contain my thoughts on the food as well as this anticipatory note!
The Verdict
The soup was a little heavy and more potato than minestrone. Earlier in the day it could be good.
The pasta was excellent: the pasta beginning with M was a kind of lasagne but much thinner. The mushroom flavour was strong, just as I like it and I would have that again at any time.
Tea time now: Armani black tea with ylang ylang and orange flowers! Very nice it is too. I have been given a small pot so let's see how good the second cup is. In terms of colour, the second cup is much darker than the first one. The orange is more pronounced in the second cup and there is a hint, just a hint, of bitterness behind it too. A nice cuppa!
The caffe was not crowded but there were enough customers to make life a little interesting!
DW
14.11.11
You Could not do that in X
There I was on the metro, minding my own business when a man in a black shirt came and stood near me. So far so good. Then he asked me if only women could get off the train through this exit ... motions towards the door nearest to us.
I say, it's fine and when he said he'd been barred from entering another carriage I pointed out the women and children only privilege.
At that point my reaction on hearing about that privilege was to accept and understand that I am somewhere different from home.
This chap said, "Whoa! In X the liberals would have a field day with that one."
I wished that Lisbeth Salander had been with me to deal with this man!
We got off at the same station and he introduced himself with a look that said, "Hey, buddy ..." An error on my part got me out of a fix. I used the ticket machine at the station for the first time and made a right Horlicks of it. It cost me what turned out to be an AED8.5 fine and another AED4.5 for the return trip on top of the AED8 I innocently but wrongly paid for what I thought was the correct fare.
My new buddy left me to it!
What put me off this chap, apart from his silly remark on segregated carriages, was that as we were talking he showed no interest in my responses (I know, who does?!) AND half way through a sentence he started talking to someone else.
There you are! I dined alone as I had intended to do all along!
DW
I say, it's fine and when he said he'd been barred from entering another carriage I pointed out the women and children only privilege.
At that point my reaction on hearing about that privilege was to accept and understand that I am somewhere different from home.
This chap said, "Whoa! In X the liberals would have a field day with that one."
I wished that Lisbeth Salander had been with me to deal with this man!
We got off at the same station and he introduced himself with a look that said, "Hey, buddy ..." An error on my part got me out of a fix. I used the ticket machine at the station for the first time and made a right Horlicks of it. It cost me what turned out to be an AED8.5 fine and another AED4.5 for the return trip on top of the AED8 I innocently but wrongly paid for what I thought was the correct fare.
My new buddy left me to it!
What put me off this chap, apart from his silly remark on segregated carriages, was that as we were talking he showed no interest in my responses (I know, who does?!) AND half way through a sentence he started talking to someone else.
There you are! I dined alone as I had intended to do all along!
DW
13.11.11
Watch The Guard
If you like Irish humour and police/detective stories then watch the film The Guard.
A lugubrious main character is the worldly wise Sergeant Boyle. He takes on all comers: a sidekick who has a secret but who meets a grisly fate; and an FBI agent who is taken for a ride by the locals.
Many priceless moments but one of the best us when a ne'er do well taken in for questioning asks if a murder victim corpse has made a complaint against him!! Seeing's believing.
Good one!
DW
A lugubrious main character is the worldly wise Sergeant Boyle. He takes on all comers: a sidekick who has a secret but who meets a grisly fate; and an FBI agent who is taken for a ride by the locals.
Many priceless moments but one of the best us when a ne'er do well taken in for questioning asks if a murder victim corpse has made a complaint against him!! Seeing's believing.
Good one!
DW
10.11.11
Better to Remember it this way!
The tree below looked so beautiful on 30th October 2011. I drove past it today and it is almost entirely devoid of leaves now: I did not take a photo of it today!
DW
Ready for a Fiesta?
I have just planted an apple tree in my garden: Fiesta variety.
All I need now is for the tree to grow and for lots of bees to pollinate the thing.
We had several fruit trees in our garden in Oxfordshire and we got some wonderful produce: apples and plums especially.
Here is the tree today:
All I need now is for the tree to grow and for lots of bees to pollinate the thing.
We had several fruit trees in our garden in Oxfordshire and we got some wonderful produce: apples and plums especially.
Here is the tree today:
I AM a number!
If you go to the BBC web site you will find out where in the 7 billion people list of humanity you are and where in the list of people who have ever lived you are.
My results are:
When I was born, I was the 2,643,427,345th person alive on Earth
I was the 75,917,780,258th person to have lived since history began
Go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-15391515
All figures are estimates of course but I’m glad to know that
DW
9.11.11
Another Mushroom Winner
I love mushrooms and hope this will become a favourite if yours too. All quantities are flexible!
Tablespoon of oil and a knob of butter
Half a medium sized onion finely chopped
Half a medium green pepper finely sliced
Six medium sized shiitake mushrooms sliced as thick as you like
Three or four tablespoons of sour cream
Tablespoon finely chopped coriander leaves
Seasoning to taste
Heat the oil and butter over a medium heat in a small, lidded saucepan
Sweat the onions in the oil and butter
Add the green pepper and cook for a minute
Add the mushrooms, stir thoroughly then close the pan lid
Cook on a medium heat for 3 - 4 minutes, stirring once or twice, by which times the mushrooms should be cooked
Add sour cream, stir and heat through
Add chopped coriander leaves and stir through
Ta daa! Done!
Eat on its own, as a side dish or eat with a fresh and crusty baguette ...
DW
Tablespoon of oil and a knob of butter
Half a medium sized onion finely chopped
Half a medium green pepper finely sliced
Six medium sized shiitake mushrooms sliced as thick as you like
Three or four tablespoons of sour cream
Tablespoon finely chopped coriander leaves
Seasoning to taste
Heat the oil and butter over a medium heat in a small, lidded saucepan
Sweat the onions in the oil and butter
Add the green pepper and cook for a minute
Add the mushrooms, stir thoroughly then close the pan lid
Cook on a medium heat for 3 - 4 minutes, stirring once or twice, by which times the mushrooms should be cooked
Add sour cream, stir and heat through
Add chopped coriander leaves and stir through
Ta daa! Done!
Eat on its own, as a side dish or eat with a fresh and crusty baguette ...
DW
7.11.11
Strictly not Watching
I got back to my hotel room fairly early on Saturday evening and settled down in front of the telly.
I faced a dilemma ... Strictly Come Dancing was about to start: watch or not watch?
I have seen this programme before and unlike that oaf Ed Balls MP who claims to love it, I was NOT enraptured by it at all.
In seconds I decided that the sight of the old has been Russell Grant wobbling across my screen was far too much for me. As for the rest, I think I had not heard of any of them, Minogue excepted.
No contest: I turned over to watch BBC Two and an excellent arts programme. I stayed with BBC Two all evening.
DW
I faced a dilemma ... Strictly Come Dancing was about to start: watch or not watch?
I have seen this programme before and unlike that oaf Ed Balls MP who claims to love it, I was NOT enraptured by it at all.
In seconds I decided that the sight of the old has been Russell Grant wobbling across my screen was far too much for me. As for the rest, I think I had not heard of any of them, Minogue excepted.
No contest: I turned over to watch BBC Two and an excellent arts programme. I stayed with BBC Two all evening.
DW
Autumn Leaves
I don't know who or what you have to be if you cannot swoon at the sight of Autumn leaves falling from their trees and lying as golden carpets beneath.
Like this ... St James' Park, Limehouse, London ...
DW
Like this ... St James' Park, Limehouse, London ...
DW
5.11.11
Non Wired!
I am having a pot of tea in M&S Marble Arch. The lady at the table next to mine has a basket full of things including one that says 'Non Wired' on the side of its box.
Wireless mouse? Bluetooth keyboard? Mobile phone headset?
No! Back to the good old days: it's a bra!!!
DW
Wireless mouse? Bluetooth keyboard? Mobile phone headset?
No! Back to the good old days: it's a bra!!!
DW
Tent City at St Paul's
I took a stroll down to St Paul's Cathedral today to see the erstwhile tent city ... putative anti capitalist statement. I didn't go round to Paternoster Square to see if there were any more tents there. There are not that many tents, ugly as the ones I saw are. I saw one archetypal tie dye/dreadlock type, the sort of person often to be found swanning around the Far East with no objective in mind except sloth and hiding from reality.
I went to see and to take photos: I did both.
My reaction is that we are just too soft on these people by leaving them there. On the other hand some of what they say is right: not Mr Tie Dye, however!
When I was prevented from flying to Bangkok from Singapore because of the Red Shirt sit in there three years ago, I asked a taxi driver in Singapore what he thought about that sit: he replied, we would find them work.
These squatters would say that's the point, there is no work ... but listen carefully, the taxi driver said WORK not a job.
On the other hand, I believe these people are in the wrong place. They've been bought off by a donation from Barclays. Lots of city types have donated small sums of cash to the squatters too. Go and squat where the capitalists work or live, not outside a church. I understand your marketing strategy of course!
Where is the anger over torture of Afghans by Afghans? Why are they not squatting outside the Zimbabwe Embassy over the crimes against humanity perpetrated there? How about finding their way to helping the flooded of Thailand Mr Tie Dye?
Go and squat in Shar E Naw and argue with the Taliban and try to give hope to Afghanistan.
What about the tens of thousands of pensioners in Georgia who had half of their pensions stolen month after month? They needed your help too.
As my Maths teacher used to say: RAWW: right answer, wrong workings!!
DW
I went to see and to take photos: I did both.
My reaction is that we are just too soft on these people by leaving them there. On the other hand some of what they say is right: not Mr Tie Dye, however!
When I was prevented from flying to Bangkok from Singapore because of the Red Shirt sit in there three years ago, I asked a taxi driver in Singapore what he thought about that sit: he replied, we would find them work.
These squatters would say that's the point, there is no work ... but listen carefully, the taxi driver said WORK not a job.
On the other hand, I believe these people are in the wrong place. They've been bought off by a donation from Barclays. Lots of city types have donated small sums of cash to the squatters too. Go and squat where the capitalists work or live, not outside a church. I understand your marketing strategy of course!
Where is the anger over torture of Afghans by Afghans? Why are they not squatting outside the Zimbabwe Embassy over the crimes against humanity perpetrated there? How about finding their way to helping the flooded of Thailand Mr Tie Dye?
Go and squat in Shar E Naw and argue with the Taliban and try to give hope to Afghanistan.
What about the tens of thousands of pensioners in Georgia who had half of their pensions stolen month after month? They needed your help too.
As my Maths teacher used to say: RAWW: right answer, wrong workings!!
DW
2.11.11
Middle Age Creaks!
I found that suddenly I had a persistent pain just above my left elbow a couple of weeks ago. It took me a while realise it was mobile phone elbow.
That is, holding my arm in a fixed position for extended periods as I read and responded to emails and texts ... and too old not to suffer without having limbered up first!
I realised the problem and set about getting rid of it: job done!
The older we get the more we need to think about moving, not moving ... we DO suffer such creaks!
The other night I woke with terrible chest pains: middle the night, dying time! I realised I was sleeping on TWO pillows. I NEVER sleep on two pillows and my body was adjusting to something new!
Get ready old dears!
DW
That is, holding my arm in a fixed position for extended periods as I read and responded to emails and texts ... and too old not to suffer without having limbered up first!
I realised the problem and set about getting rid of it: job done!
The older we get the more we need to think about moving, not moving ... we DO suffer such creaks!
The other night I woke with terrible chest pains: middle the night, dying time! I realised I was sleeping on TWO pillows. I NEVER sleep on two pillows and my body was adjusting to something new!
Get ready old dears!
DW
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