Who should I vote for?

Your expected outcome:
Liberal Democrat

Your actual outcome:

	Labour 26
Conservative -51
	Liberal Democrat 70
UK Independence Party -24
	Green 29

The LibDems take a strong stand against tax cuts and a strong one in favour of public services: they would make long-term residential care for the elderly free across the UK, and scrap university tuition fees. They are in favour of a ban on smoking in public places, but would relax laws on cannabis. They propose to change vehicle taxation to be based on usage rather than ownership.

Take the test at Who Should You Vote For

Posted by Alex at 2:14 PM| Permalink | Comments (0)

The pope is dead

BBC NEWS | World | Europe | Pope John Paul II dies in Vatican

So, he's dead at last, and I'm in a bit of a quandry. On the one hand, I'd say that he was pretty much instrumental in the downfall of communism in Poland. His "faith" and that which he imbued in his flock was vital in keeping the Polish national spirit alive during occupation by the Nazis and then by Stalin's red army and all the oppression that followed in their wake.

On the other hand, his exceptionally conservative beliefs have lead to a pandemic of HIV/AIDS in developing countries (which coincidentally seem to be those that have the highest number of zealous Catholics) which has killed millions. He's also guilty of antipathy, if not complicity, in the cover up of child abusing priests.

Althogether I find the massive outpouring of grief for him a little distasteful. He was an old and frail man who, to be honest, should have been allowed to die in privacy and dignity rather than being wheeled out to carry out his holy duties. Compare and contrast this to the case of Terri Schiavo.

I can only hope the next one is better, but somehow I doubt it.

Posted by Alex at 9:40 PM| Permalink | Comments (0)

Day 2

I think it's now been about 48 hours since my piercing. The first night was pretty rough - uncomfortable, and especially painful with the sensation of tearing when your morning stiffie occurs.

Yesterday day was also unpleasant, lots of bleeding (well, enough anyway), last night was much better thanks to the letters P and C - paracetamol and codeine. Today is getting better - it certainly still aches, partly that's the bruising I suppose, but there's not as much bleeding.

It does look quite nice though ;)

Posted by Alex at 3:32 PM| Permalink | Comments (0)