tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177225541748552284.comments2023-10-07T13:11:49.538+01:00The State Of The Nation UKStephen Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05856125636247364096noreply@blogger.comBlogger2842125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177225541748552284.post-58969010690921209792013-01-12T11:27:01.961+00:002013-01-12T11:27:01.961+00:00Hi wow 1,000 posts well done! I think I'm on 4...Hi wow 1,000 posts well done! I think I'm on 400 and somet. I do blog often, but not as often as you it seems. Looking forward to continuing to read on the new blog.<br /><br />Ha ha love that film...soo long...soo long and thanks for all the fish.<br /><br />Antony Antonyhttp://www.antonysimpson.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177225541748552284.post-49428018046236021422013-01-09T15:02:12.508+00:002013-01-09T15:02:12.508+00:00Oodles of good luck on your new blog. See you ther...Oodles of good luck on your new blog. See you there!Raybeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424095016313843883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177225541748552284.post-50896283347288239322013-01-07T17:21:22.810+00:002013-01-07T17:21:22.810+00:00Are you bringing back 5 on the fifth?Are you bringing back 5 on the fifth?Nik_TheGreekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00986723570093229435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177225541748552284.post-18286751856778070092013-01-07T15:59:53.487+00:002013-01-07T15:59:53.487+00:00Now I've come over all apprehensive-like feari...Now I've come over all apprehensive-like fearing that tomorrow your going to tell us that, having reached this milestone, you're closing down you're blog. But I just KNOW you wouldn't do that to us, would you?<br /><br />Yes, it's odd looking at the stats of visitors to one's blogs. In my case my pussy blogs are all popular but, strangely, the one that is ahead by a very long way (nearly 3 times as many views as the runner-up) is one I did a year ago about a little ginger cat (who's since moved in) sitting outside on the window ledge while my other two were inside watching him. Why this particular article caught people's imaginations I can't fathom, though it is gratifying to see it. <br />And WHY do people refer back months, or even years, to look at one's historical postings (my second-most popular is 4 years old!) when even I don't myself? (I see that your own Mondrian post is over 2 years old). Not that I mind - it's still nice to see.<br />Also, knowing the countries of one's blog viewers are interesting. I get regulars from Russia and even China, which is nice.<br /> <br />So, till tomorrow's revelatory announcement, then.Raybeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424095016313843883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177225541748552284.post-57744015305134418062013-01-06T15:36:33.932+00:002013-01-06T15:36:33.932+00:00Yes, I can imagine that the training takes a great...Yes, I can imagine that the training takes a great deal of patience, and the temptation to take out one's frustration on the poor little thing must be strong. It's really tragic that so many owners just can't control THEMSELVES after they realise that the animal they bought was not the 'toy' that they envisaged they'd be getting. <br />Never had a dog for myself, but when a lot younger the family had one for about 12 years. But even then I was the only one who could be bothered to take her for her daily walk which itself, being just once daily, was hardly adequate. <br /><br />Thanks for the update. He's had my heart since you first showed him to us. I only hope he does quickly learn what he really must.Raybeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424095016313843883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177225541748552284.post-36206485915927015612013-01-06T15:24:54.466+00:002013-01-06T15:24:54.466+00:00Unbelieveable! - or, at least, it SHOULD be!Unbelieveable! - or, at least, it SHOULD be!Raybeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424095016313843883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177225541748552284.post-55531259821805508722013-01-02T11:33:23.386+00:002013-01-02T11:33:23.386+00:00When religious people demand respect for their vie...When religious people demand respect for their views, often what they want is a certain kind of *deference* instead: we must not criticise their views, though they may well not be backward in criticising ours; their views must be given *extra* weight because, after all, 'this is a Christian country'; if a gay hotelier were to turn away a religious person, that would be shocking persecution, but for a Christian hotelier to turn away a gay couple is (mis)represented by them as mere obedience to conscience and expression of Christian love. They suggest that only they have genuine consciences, genuine morality; the rest of us have only whims and current opinion, so naturally our views take second place. (They, of course, rely on what are, by the same token, God's whims.) They believe they have a guarantee of correctness in a way that the rest of us don't, so they must prevail.<br /><br />You're not a bad person. They've just got you thinking you are because you don't give them, the deference they look for.Paul Brownseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00764726326208869989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177225541748552284.post-47218076770849766362013-01-02T08:32:21.015+00:002013-01-02T08:32:21.015+00:00A rich topic for discussion, Stephen.
I know tha...A rich topic for discussion, Stephen.<br /> <br />I know that when you say in para 3 that your non-belief "makes me a "bad person" you are only quoting what a significant number of 'believers' would think of you. And it's true that they would think that of you - and of many like us.<br /><br /><br />Just two of many things on this topic that irk me are:-<br /><br />1)[You actually touch on this yourself above] Why are many non-believers so forward in professing 'DEEP RESPECT' for the opinions of Christians, Muslims etc, when I've yet to hear of any similar 'respect' being aimed in the other direction. I may respect a particular individual for being a human being, as I might any other person, but why respect someone for being a member of the BNP, or even the Conservative Party - or ANY other political party? I see no difference. They are both only opinions.<br /><br />2) Why do so many theists arrogantly talk as though we ALL believe (or ought to believe) in THEIR notion of a Supreme Being, that is if we believe in one at all? A couple of years ago we had one of the Anglican Church's more evangelically-inclined bishops calling on "all homosexuals to repent!" <br />And then a few years ago we had 'The Holy Father' himself urging scientists "not to seek to get too close to the mind of God'" (whatever that means!) - I think a recent survey in America showed that over 90% of scientists in that country were avowed atheists! What a nerve these religious figureheads have! <br /><br />Anyway, having got that off my chest - and there's such a lot still down there - let's just say that you and I agree. As you say at the end of your posting, do strive to be broadminded yourself. Nothing wrong with that. But as for being respectful, well, sometimes it's easy to overdo it and ignore the fact that there's none coming the other way.Raybeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424095016313843883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177225541748552284.post-37363700829604249342013-01-01T08:40:51.436+00:002013-01-01T08:40:51.436+00:00Yes, thanks for your good wishes, Stephen - and I ...Yes, thanks for your good wishes, Stephen - and I hope that some of your own major aspirations are achieved in 2013. But, more than anything else, good health to you.Raybeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424095016313843883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177225541748552284.post-48513642790986185062012-12-31T22:50:51.340+00:002012-12-31T22:50:51.340+00:00Happy New Year!Happy New Year!Ubisoftyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00747582200797686202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177225541748552284.post-83466531820826807862012-12-28T06:42:11.691+00:002012-12-28T06:42:11.691+00:00A good, interesting post, Stephen. Reminds me of ...A good, interesting post, Stephen. Reminds me of at least a couple of gems I missed out on (particularly your first-mentioned film) though also taking heart in the fact that we agree about a handful of them.Raybeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424095016313843883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177225541748552284.post-7208902521694906912012-12-25T08:40:36.614+00:002012-12-25T08:40:36.614+00:00Quite! - :-)
A very happy Christmas to you and yo...Quite! - :-)<br /><br />A very happy Christmas to you and yours, Stephen - including, of course, handsome little Zac.<br /><br />Raybeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424095016313843883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177225541748552284.post-21067414549601667682012-12-24T16:36:52.151+00:002012-12-24T16:36:52.151+00:00Just watched 'Flame' (at last!). Certainly...Just watched 'Flame' (at last!). Certainly a film with more weight than the usual yawners with pop stars in lead roles (fair comparison with the David Essex films, I suppose).<br />When Slade used to appear regularly on TOTP all my attention used to be on Noddy and the toothy one, without realising what a good-looker Jim Lea was.<br /><br />Also in this film was Alan Lake, husband of Diana Dors whom I saw a couple of years before her death, in a small gay club where she was giving an interview (and who saw me sitting at the front and gave me a wink and a smile!) Alan Lake, very sadly, was so cut up by her death from cancer that he committed suicide a few months later. <br /><br />Anyway, 'Flame' now seen and I reckon that I'd also give it a '6'.<br />Thanks, Stephen.Raybeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424095016313843883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177225541748552284.post-59510008856603805152012-12-24T08:37:27.816+00:002012-12-24T08:37:27.816+00:00Yes, Stephen. I've just checked and it IS ther...Yes, Stephen. I've just checked and it IS there and available to be played. I'll give it a shot. Thanks very much.Raybeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424095016313843883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177225541748552284.post-21965543827184722702012-12-23T20:23:56.400+00:002012-12-23T20:23:56.400+00:00Nik - I'm no expert on dogs and we are probabl...Nik - I'm no expert on dogs and we are probably breaking lots of training rules. I's been hard work though, but rewarding too.Stephen Chapmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05856125636247364096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177225541748552284.post-16544099058922567272012-12-23T20:20:30.489+00:002012-12-23T20:20:30.489+00:00Ray - The Slade film was on BBC4 on Friday night. ...Ray - The Slade film was on BBC4 on Friday night. Might still be on iplayer???<br />Stephen Chapmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05856125636247364096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177225541748552284.post-5514750532288701962012-12-23T19:35:22.728+00:002012-12-23T19:35:22.728+00:00Wow. I don't think I've seen any of these....Wow. I don't think I've seen any of these. Apart from the beginning of Magic Mike on a plane, but I couldn't follow through. It was that bad... Nik_TheGreekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00986723570093229435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177225541748552284.post-44139229629473507132012-12-23T19:06:04.729+00:002012-12-23T19:06:04.729+00:00When the time comes I'll be asking advice on r...When the time comes I'll be asking advice on raising pups...<br />Which breed is he?Nik_TheGreekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00986723570093229435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177225541748552284.post-26705956173677803122012-12-23T11:41:41.947+00:002012-12-23T11:41:41.947+00:00Only seen two of these, 'Magic Mike' and &...Only seen two of these, 'Magic Mike' and 'Marigold Hotel' - and would agree with your ratings for both.<br /><br />Been watching out for 'Flame' for years, but, if it's ever been on TV it must have been on at some unearthly hour. Still want to catch it, though. Mark Kermode thinks highly of it, which, coming from someone who thinks 'The Exorcist' is the greatest film ever made, is hardly the deciding factor for me, but it does help to make it more intriguing. Raybeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424095016313843883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177225541748552284.post-34517219604289907162012-12-22T15:18:52.778+00:002012-12-22T15:18:52.778+00:00The cuddly Zac here looks just like that giant whi...The cuddly Zac here looks just like that giant white dog in 'The Never Ending Story' (at least I THINK it was in that film).<br />I hope your mum is another Victoria Stilwell, who can manage to train dogs to behave without even once giving them the slightest tap - unlike that Cesar Milan.<br /><br />Looks like you've already started to have your Xmas fun - and I trust it'll continue long until the time when you feel you've got to start burning off those extra pounds gained - if any!Raybeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424095016313843883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177225541748552284.post-72793127085988195802012-12-18T20:54:41.319+00:002012-12-18T20:54:41.319+00:00Two faced... very cleverTwo faced... very cleverStephen Chapmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05856125636247364096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177225541748552284.post-4375320289523244282012-12-18T08:19:25.250+00:002012-12-18T08:19:25.250+00:00Every one of these is hypnotically stunning. Hard ...Every one of these is hypnotically stunning. Hard to pick out a winner, but for me I suppose 'Two-faced' gets it (just) - by a nose!Raybeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424095016313843883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177225541748552284.post-82080046092469155202012-12-14T13:43:00.738+00:002012-12-14T13:43:00.738+00:00Chris Evans, Graham Norton - are you guys on a mis...Chris Evans, Graham Norton - are you guys on a mission to collect mentions from all the Radio 2 DJs?...<br /><br />oneexwidowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06574357521257043728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177225541748552284.post-11038096763588596242012-12-13T06:44:16.357+00:002012-12-13T06:44:16.357+00:00It's tough at the moment - they learn quickly ...It's tough at the moment - they learn quickly and that means that he learning bad habits as well as some good ones!Stephen Chapmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05856125636247364096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177225541748552284.post-71609385441102037382012-12-11T19:49:08.683+00:002012-12-11T19:49:08.683+00:00I never had a dog, but we are thinking of getting ...I never had a dog, but we are thinking of getting one in the future. JJ had dogs in the past and is more confident about it, when I'm a bit more worried. <br />Can you let me/us know about how the transition is going? Nik_TheGreekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00986723570093229435noreply@blogger.com