Orange and Tiscali

09/01/2009 by admin.

For my money, hot on the heels of the Carphone Whorehouse and Phones 4 U must be Messrs Orange and Tiscali. Surely, if these companies were involved in anything other than telecommunications, they would have been closed down for misrepresentation long ago?

A friend of mine was persuaded to take out a new 18 month contract with Orange just under a year ago. Not the dreaded Nokia N95? Oh, yes. Within a couple of weeks, the damned thing began to go wrong and has never been right since. It has been in to Orange twice, to the Carphone Whorehouse in Cannon Street three times and to Nokia once. It still only manages four hours between charges and the best excuse so far has been, “Well, you have got it connected to 3G….” It’s a bloody 3G phone, you moron! It’s been one pathetic excuse after another.

As for Tiscali, they have managed to collect money under false pretences for a broadband service they don’t provide, yet keep reminding their clients that they are under contract for twelve months! Doh! Breach of contract? And who breached that first?

It’s time to take to the streets….

Posted in Daily Blog | Print | No Comments »

Get Out The John Bull Printing Set

09/01/2009 by admin.

At first sight, the alleged decision to print our way out of this mess would appear a somewhat foolhardy one. However, as I was pondering the report this morning, it occurred to me that perhaps for once our esteemed Chancellor may have got it right.

Some time later, having given the matter more than the usual cursory once over, it began to seem like a rather good wheeze. After all, printing money brings inflation which would in turn fuel price rises in the housing market. Just what Middle England needs to kick start the dinner party chit chat?

If I am right, you should all be able to pay off your mortgages with a month’s salary within a few months. Now there’s a thought!

Posted in Daily Blog | Print | No Comments »

David Ross - “Tip Of The Iceberg…”

09/12/2008 by admin.

It seems that matters have come home to roost for the once exalted David Ross of Carphone Warehouse fame. There will be much to read over the coming weeks in the press and trade papers, yet how much will be revealed concerning the Directors of that plc company and their persistent high-level involvement in MTIC or “Carousel Fraud”? Both Ross and his co-director Charles Dunstone, along with an unnamed senior sales executive have been questioned under caution at police stations in London several times between 2000 and the present day. Dunstone makes passing reference to this in interviews, attempting to lessen the blow, yet there is evidence in the public domain to show that between 2002 and 2003, Carphone Warehouse turned over in excess of £1 billion in the “wholesale trade of mobile phones”. What is not revealed is that the traders with whom they worked were anything but respectable and that their suppliers told them who to sell on to! All of this activity was approved at board level, with Carphone’s Financial Director approving multi-million pound transactions every day for a period of years.Along with John Caudwell of Phones4U, Dunstone and Ross made huge personal fortunes on the back of their involvement in VAT fraud, yet whilst Caudwell was instructed to sell his stake in Phones4U by the Blair government to avoid prosecution, Ross and Dunstone continued unabated. It seems that now Ross has besmirched his name in public, the truth may finally come out about the way so many high-level fraudsters have been allowed to get away with millions whilst a few minor players have been thrown to the wolves.This correspondent has ample evidence to show who the real perpetrators are, yet who is prepared to listen? 

Posted in Daily Blog | Print | No Comments »

Engagement Party

08/12/2008 by admin.

Having spent the week with my version of ‘man-’flu’, I was delighted to be able to give 100% to our engagement party held on Saturday night at The Wine Press, London. Seven wonderful hours passed in a flash and to be able to celebrate with friends both old and new lifted me to new heights.  Both Lynfa and I were overwhelmed by all your generosity, your messages of support and confidence in our future together. I was particularly touched by those of you who helped to bolster my resolve after what had been a dreadful start to the week in Northampton. I take great comfort in what you said and realise now that it will not be long before the truth is finally uncovered and those who have been deliberately misleading the Court will be brought to book at last. Corruption of this magnitude cannot be allowed to reign unchecked.At this, the start of another week, I look out over Essex and realise how fortunate I am to have the unstinting support of so many people. Most of all, I would like to thank Eve, my mum, David, my son and my wife to be, Lynfa, without whom none of this would ever have been possible. You are my world and always will be…. 

Posted in Daily Blog | Print | No Comments »

Sometimes

07/11/2008 by admin.

Sometimes when I look at you

I wish that we had said I do

Before the chance so fleeting hid

In future now we’ll say we did

                                    ~

The best laid plans of mice and men

Sadly to four winds cast again

But this time when they’ve had their fun

Finally we’ll be as one

                                    ~

The way you tantalise, enthral

Motivation to walk tall

No man has ever been desired

In ways so utterly inspired

                                    ~

Your natural unaffected sense

Of how to make this man immense

To make him finally believe

In what he thought he could achieve

                                    ~

Leave others standing, floundering

Just what it is you’re wondering

You know what deep dark thoughts I crave

Of how on earth you should behave

                                    ~

The finest hidden details shared

By just us two, my soul I’ve bared

Let you in where no-one’s been

Such dark desires lie unseen

                                    ~

You have the power now, my minx

To give me force, perhaps to jinx

But how beautifully we’ve exposed

Innermost secrets juxtaposed

                                    ~

To trust each other above all

Heightens passion, mating call

To give yourself so totally

Obeying unequivocally

                                    ~

 Will ensure lifelong happiness

Fulfilled, obsessive loving bliss

I am yours and yours alone

With passion still not fully grown

                                    ~

Obsession gives us inner depth

Unbending, exquisite, gentle strength

Our love’s protected, seminal

Our tenderness most sensual

                                    ~

Your private wantonness excites

Urges me to greater heights

Pure carnal exclusivity

Shamelessness in secrecy

                                    ~

Love’s sweet surrender long ago

When you promised never to say no

Empowered me to greater need

To pleasure you, always succeed

                                    ~

To own each other is perfection

Now we’ve made our life selection

We surround our love with warm elation

And cross the path to adoration

                                    ~

We’ve made our rules, of what’s allowed

Unto each other we’ve avowed

To worship, idolise, adore

To please the other for evermore

                                    ~

When day dawns finally to wed

And dusk will take us to our bed

Before our married life uncover

Be my wife, but stay my lover

                                   

Posted in Daily Blog | Print | No Comments »

Neither beautiful nor practical…

07/11/2008 by admin.

You never see it coming, the one that’s meant for you

But old wives tales and sayings? ‘Bout nothing much ado!

It’s all part of life’s rich pattern, worse things happen at sea

But I was caught quite unawares with my epiphany

                                                      ~

For no apparent reason, of nothing apropos

A little thought was triggered from the archives down below

We were sitting at the table one freezing winter morn

I minding my own business whilst still stifling a yawn

                                                      ~

She looked across the Cheerios and sort of eaten toast

And in between the questions about bills and Sunday roast

She said, “Have you seen this article they’ve written recently?

It’s the modern noughties woman’s guide to minimal feng shui.”

                                                      ~

I tried to feign indifference, of hearty breakfast make the most

And dream of vestal virgins long since headed for the coast

But she wasn’t having any and persisted with her theme

Allowing no flirtation with Gary Brooker’s shaded dream

                                                      ~

“It says these days our houses are overburdened now with stuff

Ephemera, knick-knacks, mementos and carpets full of fluff

To move on to the future, why, there cannot be a doubt

If it’s neither beautiful nor practical we should simply throw it out.”

                                                      ~

In amongst the hectoring, something struck a chord

Mere raising of an eyebrow but inside the lion roared

Are there any limits? To exactly what extent?

Is it just confined, my dear, to inanimate content?

                                                      ~

And then, by God, it started; the flicker became a flame

Before long an inferno, a passion none could tame

What on earth am I doing, going along with this?

Endless witty put downs and subtle taking of piss.

                                                      ~

The human soul is powerful, a fortress seldom breached

And man is like an island, we’ve often heard it preached

But man is also helpless and open to abuse    

His head rests on your pillow rather better than in your noose

                                                      ~

His strength comes from togetherness, not confidence undermined

Life’s not a competition, wife! To complement, we’re designed

But it would have fallen on deaf ears, this flogging of dead horse

And just for now I’ll be the one who’ll exhibit true remorse

                                                      ~

Repent at leisure, a dish served cold and other hackneyed verse

Empty advice from so-called friends will often make it worse

There’s nothing new to be acquired from satellite above

The answer, old friend, was blowing in the wind; it’s just respect and love

                                                      ~

How apposite were Cheerios, I should have looked them up

In dictionary or book of words, or leaves in old tea cup

When lovin’s gone bad, there’s no goin’ back to what you had before

We had good times, it’s true, my dear, before we went to war

                                                      ~

Before we lose the will to live, I’ll knock this on the head

But don’t be bitter, sad, or regret I’m no more in her bed

To stay together at all costs should be declared a crime

Just thank God I had the sense to leave you in your prime.

 

Posted in Daily Blog | Print | No Comments »

Rossy and Brandy

30/10/2008 by admin.

Maybe this could be the last word on the subject?

Why is it that certain people have to resign and others seem to breeze through life? Why not sack the editor who broadcast the piece? This was not a live show but a recording. Did they really think that the BBC would actually broadcast it?

It would appear that Michael Jackson is not welcome by 57% of the people of Essex …because of what he’s been accused of in the past…

Well, we’d better get rid of ‘Mortgage Mandelson’, ‘Cash For Questions Blair’ and while we’re at it, ‘Carphone VAThouse Charles Dunstone and David Ross’ not to mention ‘Fraud 4 You John Caudwell’. Yes, it’s one law for one and one for another…

Posted in Daily Blog | Print | No Comments »

The Delights of Snow

28/10/2008 by admin.

   Nostalgia makes you feel all warm inside yet today’s outpouring from the gloomy Essex skies reminded me of how fractious our climate can be. Was it just a few weeks ago that I was lying in the garden, glass of chilled rose in one hand, lover in the other? Ah, yes, it was. Now the skylight is obscured by fallen hail, not melting, not drowning. I am lifted by the knowledge that old friends are in touch, new friends call and life is on the up.  However bad these times make you feel, just spare a thought for snowballs, shiny faces and frozen ponds.  Let the child out now and again. It was you then and it’s still you now…

Posted in Daily Blog | Print | No Comments »

On this beautiful day…

27/10/2008 by admin.

…it is time to consider European harmonisation. Why, oh why do we have to endure this ludicrous hour’s difference? Now we have an hour less in the evening to appreciate the beauty of the day, as opposed to doing it through bleary eyed hangovers a.m. Today I am working on the sequel to Gr££d; a book which I expect to complete some time after Christmas.  

Posted in Daily Blog | Print | No Comments »

Novel extracts published

17/10/2008 by admin.

It gave me great pleasure to upload some chapters from Gr££d, The Chimera and Right to Live today. I welcome comment from readers on this bright and sunny autumn day and wish you all a good weekend.

Posted in Daily Blog | Print | No Comments »