Update

I've not posted for a while, though oddly, I've had a lot to say.

Firstly the County Council by election result is available here but the short version is that Ann Naylor of the Tories won comfortably. I now have a vested interest in the result as the wife and I are moving to Ingatestone (hopefully) in the not too distant future.

Secondly, sadly the West Wing is no more. Janet Daley had an excellent article about it in the Telegraph on Monday which is well worth reading. I will admit I'll miss it, though I think my wife will be pleased thats one less thing I'm watching (though as a Big Brother addict....).

She's not the only one in the house watching BB though - I have also been watching this year. I've never really bothered with BB much before - I can name a handful of former housemates, Anna Nolan and Brian Dowling from the early series as being Irish and popular meant it was impossible to hide from them if you were living in Dublin. Jade Goody of course has made a career out of well.... being thick? And Makosi and Derek from the last series simply because the issue came up on Question Time when Derek was on (he is also mentioned in Alan Clark's diaries, though with a different spelling of his surname). I really, really, really hope that Nikki disappears back into obscurity - the idea that her tantrums could be an inspiration to young girls as to what to be when they grow up bothers me immensely.

By election

In local news, there is to be a by election in the Brentwood Rural Division for Essex County Council. More details here. In case you live in the relevant division, I'd urge you to vote on Thursday.

Pots and kettles

Chelsea are complaining about an illegal approach to Arjen Robben by Real Madrid.

Perhaps when they've removed the planks from their eyes they'd care to send them to me so I can make a new shed.

7/7 one year on....

We're now approaching the first anniversary of the 7/7 bombings, and my mind goes back to this time last year. It was the Thursday of my first week back after the wedding, and as I reached Stratford I heard an announcement that the tubes at Liverpool Street were delayed "due to an explosion in the tunnel". On arrival at work twenty minutes later, I was told that Stratford Station had also been closed. Since then I've moved jobs, and very occassionally (when it's pouring rain) take the train from Liverpool Street to Aldgate along the very part of the track where the bomb went off. Am I concerned? Yes. Do I still make the trip? Only if it's raining - otherwise in general, it's not worth the £1.50 it costs to take the train.

The Brentwood Gazette today has a front page story about the father of one of the victims expressing his concern that it will happen again. Interestingly, he doesn't blame the government nor does it change his view on supporting the Iraq War. This must be a very tough time for him and his family and I hope that on Friday he can remember all the happy times he had with his daughter. He will certainly be in my thoughts and prayers.

More on ID cards

It's always nice to get comments on your blog (shows someone out there is actually reading it who isn't my wife).

The comment is on my last posting about ID cards suggesting that the Australians are also pushing ID cards.

Am I the only one who finds it ironic that the US alone within the alliance in Iraq appears to also be the only country not pushing ID cards. That's right - George W Bush is the leader who isn't pushing for ID cards.

Authoritarian Labour

An excellent article in the Independent today about the rather authoritarian nature of the current government. Perhaps there's hope yet on ID cards not getting through before the next election - surely between the Conservatives, the Liberals and the Labour rebels it should be possible to defeat this proposal.

Another big man dies in Ireland

Where as Charles Haughey was controversial, so was Monsignour Denis Faul who died today. I was always aware of him as a man who never shied from speaking his mind, and who was willing to condemn unequivocally the violence on both sides of the Northern Irish divide.

Requiem Eternam dona eis Domine, et lux perpertua luceat eis.

By the way, the Hutton and Shenfield Choral Society will be performing Mozart's Requiem and some Bruckner Motets on July 8th in Chelmsford Cathedral. Come along and support the arts.