Scottish Independence debate

This could be one of the nastiest cans of worms opened this decade. I don’t see how there is a happy ending one way or another whichever route is taken.

As an Englishman living in Edinburgh, Scotland, I’m not too concerned whether Scotland becomes independent from England except from the fact I don’t wish for Scotland to become worse off from the split. Personally a free Scotland makes no odds, just don’t want my life being more of a struggle than some age-old pride war.

It is certainly going to be interesting what choices they put on the poll. A straight Yes or No, or Yes, No, Yes but with some caveats to help both countries. I’d hope for the Yes, No, Don’t give a Fuck option.

Then comes the question of who gets to vote. Will it only be Scottish people living in Scotland, anyone living in Scotland wherever they are from, Scottish people in Scotland and Scots all over the World. It wouldn’t be fair to allow only Scots in Scotland to vote, because I have every right as does every Pole, Canadian, American who reside in Scotland.

Going to be an interesting couple of years for sure :D

My top 10 news stories of 2011

Whilst there is always going to be some debate as to which stories actually are the top 10, based either on it being news, earth-shattering news, bad news, good news or not really that much of a story, here’s my top 10.

1. The Royal Wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton. The proudest day of the year to be British by a long way. Celebrations were held up and down the country to commerate the special day, and what a day it was. We can pull off a spectacle watched and adored worldwide so well, it brings hope that we can do well with the Olympics as well. A day that will live long in the memory.

2. Arab Spring. In the early months of the year people in the countries of Egypt and Tunisia rallied and protested as one to shake the dictatorship leaders of their countries and it worked. The leaders had no answer to the passion of freedom that the people wanted. A monumentous series of days.

3. The downfall of evil. With 3 of the worst men on the planet dying, it will be remembered for a year when good fought back against evil and gained some revenge for the attrocities they’d brought upon the world. Firstly it was Bin Laden who died at the beginning of May, followed by Gaddafi as Libya followed the example of Egypt and Tunisia to rise against their leader, and finally the leader of North Korea Kim Jong-Il.

4. The Japan Tsunami. March 11th, I remember it clearly as I was down in Bournemouth at College, standing in the reception area and watching the TV in disbelief as walls of water engulfed the islands of Japan. Watching little planes being washed away, cars, buildings, people. A truly horrific event and one that will hopefully not occur again for a long long time.

5. The English Riots. A series of events that will scar England for a long time. It started off with the police shooting, and the mindless, idiotic and violent mob used that as an excuse to bring terror upon London, Birmingham and Manchester. It was the excuse they needed, not the reason for the violence. With shops being burnt down, vehicles torched, stores broken into and looted it was the polar opposite of the royal wedding, a day not to be proud of being British. However, yet again goodness showed afterwards when a group of volunteers entered the streets with rubber gloves, bin bags, shovels, brushes, dustbins and began cleaning the mess of the mindless much to the sheer disbelief yet joy of those affected. Never in a million years did they expect good people to come and do that. Showed that there is still community spirit :)

6. Norway Terror attacks. The world watched on in horror and shock as the capital Oslo was targetted by 2 bomb blasts, and then in the remoters islands, a meeting of youngsters was ripped apart with bullets and a massacre ensued. Horrible scenes and again something that will live long in that country’s memory.

7. 10th Anniversary of 9/11. Is it really 10 years already since the day that changed the world forever? Where has that time gone? Doesn’t seem like yesterday as I ran home from school to sit open-mouthed, crying and shaking in front of the TV. Thankfully the man responsible was brought to death last year but that won’t heal the scar of the 3000 plus people that died. New York has recovered brilliantly and can’t do anything but admire that bullish ” is that all you got?” attitude the inhabitants have. Fantastic to see that the replacements towers are getting under way. Aptly New York is a pillar of light for the world.

8. Death of Steve Jobs. One of the most influencial men in the world and one that has changed the way we all go about our daily lives. Apple’s most prized asset, bringing us iPods, iPhones, iPads, lots of iThings. His ideas and technologies has affected and improved a lot of lives. I for one can’t be without my iPod or iPhone.

9. Last NASA Space Shuttle. I think this major event got somewhat overshadowed by the tragedies in Norway the day after. But it should be remembered as the dream of space travel has kept many a kid awake at night, and the chance to watch a launch in person has been something I’ve always wanted to do, guess that just got a bit harder.

10. M5 crash. Granted it isn’t as earth-shattering, worldwide news as some of the previous 9, but this awful crash on November 4th was one of the worst moments in the UK’s year. With 7 people dying on the road in Somerset and the utter carnage that ensued after it, it is a minor miracle the number was so low because by the wreckages left after the blaze, it could have been far higher.

Well, there’s the top 10 news stories that I recall for 2011, and I’m sure 2012 will give way to some equally amazing, shocking stories. Hopefully there will be more good ones than bad ones.

2012 here already!

Well unlike my normal punctual-self I’ve missed the start of the year blogging wise and begin this new year a few days late. That isn’t gonna stop me though from continuing to lay into assholes who deserve some public mention and denigration, supplying many humourous things, applying my quirky humour to everyday life and putting something out there. Before I carry on though…may 2012 eclipse 2011 and be a superb year for my random readers!

2012 is going to have a tough time surpassing 2011 personally. 2011 I gained an Audi TT, passed a course, made new friends, saw a friend I hadn’t seen in 8 years, met a good friend for the first time, and met old friends from Tallinn. So 2012, what are you going to give me. Already booked and sorted is a trip to Las Vegas at the end of February. That’ll be amazing so long as I don’t come back married. Then hopefully tie up my Approach Validation some time in the year and whatever else comes my way, bring it on :D

2011 was a year that contained a ridiculous amount of news stories that shook the world over and over again, some times literally in the face of earthquakes ravaging Japan, New Zealand and Turkey. My next post will be my top 10 moments of 2011 and I’m kinda spolit for choice. All that’s left to say today is a belated Happy New Year :)