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Towns again
Towns in America often have names reflecting the language its settlers spoke, or occasionally that of the natives who previously occupied the area. Mind you, these don't quite explain some towns just East of Lancaster, PA....
Fertility
What a great name. I also like Zook's Corner ! In Tassie there is a Paradise and a Penguin, which I kind of liked.
le parking pour le big yellow taxi
In Saltfleet, Linconshire, there is a Paradise Car Park, with a sign reading Paradise Car Park, No Caravans or Camping. It's unpaved, but it's a parking lot all the same.
Damn French
[Rosie] Yes, we can blame the French for dropped "w", silent "s" and all kind of manglings. I say "Shroozebury", btw, but then I also say "Sisister" for "Cirencester", and I may well be wrong about that. I also insist on "Alster" for "Alcester", despite the tendency of south Brummies towards voicing every letter in the name of the main road that I live just off. Bah!
More Damn French
[Dr Q] How about "Day Moyn" for Des Moines, but "Noo Orleenz" for New Orleans (refer to Orleans, Normandy for original).
Shrewsbury
I thought it was pronounced Shrooze-brie, but it seems to be more variable than that. Near me is Caerphilly, pronouced Ku-philly, but then all the Welsh names starting Caer seem to be pronounced like that, eg Caerleon. It took me ages to get them right, and it's probably different in North Wales. I also remember a sea-side village in Fife, on the Forth, called Ainstruther, pronounced Ainster. It's really a plot to make fun of tourists!
Starter for ten
Have a go at 'Mousehole' and 'Widemouth' if you would.
Oh, and...
while we're at it 'Woolfardisworthy'.
I seem to recall...
renting a car in Dover from a place in the Maison Dieu Road, pronounced "Mason Doo" by the young woman working there. It's not just Americans...
Sense of Place
Cornish towns are fun, more for the sheer improbability of the names than for the improbability of their pronunciation. "Perranarworthal", for example, is pronounced as it is written, which is in itself surprising.

Something I read recently in one of Bill Bryson's books (Made In America) was that the spelling placenames was regularised by a geographical names board. One of their more Philistinic acts was to say that all place names pronounced with the suffix "-burg" or "-boro" should be spelt that wayh exactly, and none of this confusing "-burgh" or "-borough" nonsense ("Pittsburgh" was given an explicit exemption).

Yay!
Posting from IE on WinXP now, and I note my little fiddle has fixed the PNG problem. More in 'Notes'...
(IE users should request a full reload of this page to get things looking - hopefully - right)
Yep, seems to work from here.
Da 'Burgh!
[Dunx] The Scottish Pittsburghers of the late 19th Century (notably Andrew Carnegie) decided to "Scottify" the city by adding the trailing "h". It looks nicer to me, and it differentiates us from Pittsburg, Kansas.
Cornish towns
I had a bit of a laugh the first time I saw the town "Feock". ;)
Logo
Yup!
Last person to know because I'm in such a hurry...
Many Happy Returns, Chalky. *tips hat*
logo
Yep, its all grey now! Not that I really noticed before..
pronunciation
And then of course there's Loogabarooga! Bruce. Ah, bringing us to the ever-irritating River Nene. We in the valley always said "Nenn", but then I heard Stephen Fry calling it "Neen" so now I don't know what to think!
Cornish names, etc
(rab) Mousehole rhymes with tousle, as in hair, but I don't know about the other two you mention. I do know that Fowey is Foy, more or less. But I'm fascinated by Probus. Sounds disgusting. (ZK) If you called it Nenn, then that's it, despite the estimable Mr Fry. Another variation on the burg, burgh, borough ending is of course Middlesbrough.
g'day
Did I say Loogabarooga? I meant Loughborough. There's fun.
Changing the subject: Would other posters be interested in having some sort of link to either their own sites or to a central site of some sort? This of course would depend on rab's willingness to provide such a link.
I am only thinking of something basic. For instance, I am building a small (free site) where I can post my details and, eventually, a few pictures of the area in which I live. At this point in time it is very, very ordinary (and may stay the same!) see here. It's amazing how many people I meet on the Internet - usually from places far and wide - who are genuinely interested to see what it looks like where I live. I too have that interest (e.g. I'd love to see Chalky's view of "The Spire", Dr Q's surroundings in Pittsburgh and suchlike.)
Without wishing to rake over dead coals, there was such a link on the now defunct 'Pants' site and, whilst many did not choose to contribute, it was still quite interesting.
Silly or just stupid?
sounds like a plan! :) rab?
catching up ....
[Googol] Cheers!
[Dujon] Not silly at all. I'm interminably curious about others' home environments :-).
[ZK] As you expressed an interest, have you made a decision on the Rugbypilg yet? Sounds as though you're not that far away. So far there are 3 girlies who hope to be there - Lib (wahay), pen (wahay) and me. My email address is further up this page, probably now in the 'expose more' bit.
Aaaw
I've just been back-reading. I was rather fond of my white square. It was geometrically sound and neat and artistically separate. Was it never meant to look that way?
pilg
[Chalky] I'm probably free on the date, but I've just splashed out a tad on some concert tickets so I'm not sure I can afford to go. Can I answer that question a few days into March (when I get money)? Plus, what is required of said pilg? I'm not quite sure I'm up to spontaneous wit (is that tautology?) when surrounded by my elders.
spontaneous wit
The real ISIHAC is not really spontaneous wit!
I had originally planned for there to be teams that will play - but I now think it would best to make it open to contributions from all although there will still be at least 1 compare (a Humph) to move thing along and hopefully a JLE on piano. The evening is going to be one of daft parlour games that all who wish to can prepare for. I'll be letting everyone know what all the games are before the event - if you want to take part in a particular game - great, if not just enjoy other peoples contributions. For example, one of the games I have in mind is "New Definitions for Old Words". If you come up with any ideas, write them down and bring them to the event. A full list of games will be published soon.
Parsons Knows
*wonders if JLE's brushing up on his rendition of the Minute Waltz.*
Logi Beard
[ZK] No, the logo was never meant to be that way... also the Expose buttons looked rather silly enclosed in a white square.

Um... linkages. Yes, in principle, a great idea. I've been wanting to construct a sort of 'profiles' section that is self-maintaining, which means a fair bit of programming at the outset (consults diary, balks at fact I'm in a show next week which is going to be very tiring) but hopefully thereafter will require no effort from me whatsoever...

PS Widemouth = "Wid-mooth', Woolfardisworthy = 'Woolsery'.
Show man
rab] Prey what is your show?
Prey? Pray?
[Btd] rab's entered the Cheshire's biggest marrow competition owing to a shortage of marrows.
Marrow entry
[Projoy] Better than the other way round...

[Bob] Part of the band for Princess Ida, being done by this motley crew. It's very tiddly-pom-pom type stuff.

Hamish and Dougal
Did anyone catch "You'll Have Had Your Tea?" last night? Best bit was Mrs Naughtie's "cup of tea.....a merangue?"....
just my cup of tea
[B'smith] Darn - missed it. That was the first of the new series, but it's been scheduled rather late in the evening [11.15 pm?]. We've been in the audience for the recordings of this series so far. In fact I've got 3 tickets for Sunday evening's recording which will be the last 2 of the series. Don't know if I'll be able to make it, though, so if someone in the London area has a burning desire to go [the Cochrane Theatre, Holborn] do shout now.
.
Bugger! I haven't haed me tea.

[Dujon] My website is mustela.phyast.pitt.edu.
tiddly-pom-pom
Projoy] And I thought he was just pleased to see me.
rab] I didn't know Gilbert and Sulivan orchestrated the Kazoo.
both] ;o)
The voice of Pittsburgh
(Dr Q) Just tuned in to your blog and looked at the piccies. That river looks a bit lively - do you get floods? Over here even a 15-mile piddle like the Darent can stray where it didn' oughta, but in 1996 it dried up almost completely. Your voice doesn't sound quite as American as I had imagined, and very laid back. Is that normal for Pennsylvania? Don't be modest.
"Come and meet, those dancing feet, on the avenue I'm taking you to: Forty Second Street!"
The matinee was a tad disastrous, but today is our first complete performance, with a proper audience and (hopefully) propr sound and lighting. (Save me!) Wish me luck! Or don't, I suppose: I just needed to tell someone!
Floods? Indeed!
[Rosie] That's the Youghiogheny (pr. "Yock-o-gain-ee", or just "Yock"). That one floods from time to time, and it has flooded twice this winter due to ice jams and/or rapidly melting snow. Same goes for the three rivers in Pittsburgh; The Ohio, The Allegheny, and The Monongahela ("Mun-on-ga-hay-la", or just "Mon"). If you want a look at them, go to one of our local TV station's webcams from high atop Mount Washington. Looking at the fountain at the Point (which is obviously off), the Allegheny is on the left, the Mon on the right, and they combine into the Ohio at the bottom.
To answer your next question -- the fountain has only been flooded once that I can remember (1996, I think).
musical theatricals
[Googol] Break a leg! What part are you playing? Or are you an amazing balancing tap dancer? Interesting how many MCers are involved in productions one way or the other. Our society does two a year, the Spring one usually a more traditional or light opera production, hence HMS Pinafore in May. At Christmas we're doing 'Annie'.
Pat Denning "Hello kid."
[Chalky] Oooh, funky: my mother's mother is trying to get me to join a society. Is it good fun? What parts have you played?
snowy weather..
Just to make all you antipodeans jealous, it's been snowing all afternoon in Cardiff, and anyone who lives north of Pontypridd was sent home at about 3pm because of weather warnings. BRRRR! The forecast is for -6 on Monday, sextuple BRRR!
"THe weather outside is frightful..."
Try again
[Snorgs] Same here over the bridge in christmas card South Glos, though the bastards' won't let us go home.
bright and beautiful
Stratford - (20 miles south of B'ham, midlands, UK) 17.45. Bright and clear. Not even a breeze. Chickens happy.
winter wonderland
Salisbury GMT 1803 - has been snowing for an hour or so - it's settling.
Tuh!
[rab] Why is it the University I came to has to be possibly the only one in the country without a Gilberty & Sullivan society? Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Sites
[Dr Q] Great photographs! Thanks for that. I like your sound blog too. :-) It looks as though you live in a nice green area, lots of trees and houses with yards!

[rab] Your comments are noted. I was only thinking of a simple link page to which posters might submit their sites through either yourself or a trusted soul (to avoid the obvious).

Cardiff
[Snorgle] What's your forecast for Sunday? Whilst I cannot make it I've about 30,000 like minded souls heading your way and hope like mad that the weather isn't going to spoil the day!
pissed off
I dunno - a mere six inches of snow that freezes and it's bleedin chaos here. Most of the roads into Salisbury were blocked last night due to some accident or the other. It took Mr C four hours to return from Bath [usually 40 mins]. This morning? All the schools are closed because 'the conditions are too dangerous for the children'. So all the parents have to completely re-schedule their working day and what are the dear little things doing? Playing out in the .. erm .. dangerous conditions. I was planning to do my party shopping this afternoon so I fully expect all the supermarkets to have run out of food.* mutter mutter *
snow, what snow?
Chalky]In north Wiltshire there is nothing not a flake, you could always move to Swindon, very good access to Bath.
Shows
On the subject of shows I last night had a dream in which there was a Newsnight piece on Michael Howard accompanied by a tune from Projoy and Thos's Dracula show... Nurse!
talking of Thos .....
HAPPY BIRTHDAY *hugs*
weather thos
Happy Birthday!

Weather for Sunday is sunny, max 8 degrees celsius, but northerly winds so it'll probably feel colder. The nights are clear and much colder - several degrees below zero. The snow in Cardiff melted, mostly by last evening, although it usually does. Cold but lovely and sunny today!

Thanks, snorgle! Great news.
the undead
rab] That was no dream...
more plain text
Whilst I carry on with the cut and paste and player commentary, this weeks Celebrity MC as text only. It is always sad news when a player pulls out, but this week we lost two, as both Blob and boolbar left for that great red carpet on platform one.
Missed cues, ruined the dance, lost my voice: thank goodness there's just one more night to go...
So tired...so embarressed: HIDE ME!
Whoops!
[Inkspot] What's celebrity MC?
[Googol] Handy eh? This internet malarkey when you've lost yer voice. Hope all goes well for your last night. As for Celebrity MC - just follow the link and work it out :-)
Rugby Ball
Today I got to look over Brownsover Hall, the venue for the ISIHAC pilg. And I'm pleased. It is lovely! We have the use of the study (as long as Colnel Mustard doesn't get there first).
'Colonel'
Obviously
more shares
Googolplex]Celebrity MC is a league of fellow MC players who have invested on the BBC celebrity stock exchange 'Celebdaq'. Once a portfolio has been created, the ID is posted here and is added as soon as possible, the rest is upto the hamsters at daq towers. It is for fun but can be frustrating to keep going each week. Each player develops their own strategy, for my part I have two accounts one day trading the other in long term blue chip of David Beckham. My part is just to gather the results from the Friday payout, cut and paste over the weekend and add a bit of commentary, usually posting here on Monday night before I hop over to MCiOS e-pilg. If you wish to have a join, it will be a pleasure to welcome you aboard. (I have a feeling that I'm going to be kneecapped on Monday again)
Bransabre Ball
I wanno go!!!!!
Public Service Announcement
Any ladies in the GMT timezone should be aware they have only one hour remaining to propose. Go on - you know you want to!
[Chalky and Snorgle] Thank you very much! [Rab] Which tune?
daffodils
*Waves warm and happy St. David's Day greeting to all*
Bolton Wanderers
Commiserations to Dujon on Sunday's result. It was however a very good game.
Bolton Wanderers
As a Wanderers fan I was considerably annoyed at the constant references to Bolton "not having won anything since 1958". Does the Sherpa Van Trophy count for nothing!??! Didn't see the game 'cos I have no Sky dish and surprisingly it was NOT live on Italian telly. Was consequently glued to the PC listening to the 5 Live stream - my girlfriend was concerned at my frequent yelling and table-bashing. We'd have beaten United, Liverpool, or the Arse. We have a tendency to let the lesser clubs get the better of us. Sam is God (but shouldn't really be criticising the referee - it's not nice to mock the afflicted). The Wanderers will return!
ring zone
[rab] So did you get your proposal? Is that what your prompt was for? I ask only because I can't believe you would believe that there's only one day in every four years when a woman is permitted to propose to a man...
A pocket full of posers
[pen] That's what I've been told :) Though in my book, a woman can propose any time she likes.
dead ringer
[right] Coming right up... mwahahahaah!
Switch brain to 'on'
That should have been addressed to [rab]... doh!
I accept!
Dang!
Too late! It's March 1st and now you have to marry a daffodil instead!
Alive, but too tired to tell anyone...
[Chalky] Thanks, the second two performances went markedly better than the first: we needed more dress rehearsals really. Luckily, the event was recorded on video, so we'll be able to see what went wrong and where. *cringe*
Yackydah
So wots the epilg dress code tonight? Welsh?
tonight in the chatroom
[Btd] Yep, it's Welsh alright. See you in there.
Aendydd it is!
I Say, Porter
Can't talk here, I'll be howled down. Drop in and have a chat sometime.
Bigsmith
Thanks. :-(
(Dr Q) Nid oes dim o "x" yng Ngymraeg. There is no "x" in Welsh.
[Dr Q] Whilst Rosie is correct, there is a consonant which substitues for 'x' but which is reserved for the Elders (and is oft referred to as a 'gift from the faeries'); they clack their false teeth! .... Sorry, just feeling frivolous.
Bloody keyboard!
s/substitues/substitutes
Cymraeg
Also no "J", "K", "Q", "V" or "Z". BUT - "CH", "DD", "FF", "LL", "NG", "RH", "TH" and one other digraph (can't remember which) all count, so Welsh has a 28-letter alphabet.
chocolate cake
Somehow my confused computer managed to submit that without me noticing. It really has a mind of its own.
mmmm...chocolate
Maybe you did it telekinetically? Are you thinking of chocolate cake now?
mmmmm
[snorgle] Now you come to mention it, yes
Cymraeg eto
(Herr Bratsche) It's "PH" you're after. It only occurs as a mutation, i.e. a changed beginning to a word, which would otherwise start with "P". In my last post I left out an "h" in Nghymraeg, another mutation, as you can see. Many North Walians cannot pronounce the "zh" sound in words like "decision". It comes out as "sh".
Dressed for success
Had our dress rehearsal last night (hence absence from epilg). We're hoping that the age-old adage of "Crap dress rehearsal, good first night" holds true. For some reason, the only bit that got practiced twice was the bows. Something which I find to even practice once a little offensive... *grumble - bloody thesps - mutter*
sniped !
Well I suppose it was fair enough because the bid was higher than mine, but it was at £205 with 10 minutes to go, and I had down £275 as my max bid and it ended at £277 - bid placed 15 seconds before the end. Auction was for THIS, with normal and w/a lens I wanted it. With all my being. Oh yes. :o(
Bob le chien will be happy to know that I am considering coming along to the w/e pilghotel thing and am considering bringing a camera to take a photograph of us all.
So that's where you were....
[rab] with a nod to St David there was a Welsh flavour about the pilg last night ... and I was SO looking forward to your presence as a WelshRabbit ...

[std] We'll all be happy to know that you may be coming to the ISIHACThemeNightInRugby :-) You wish to reserve a single room?

fun and frolics in Rugby
[Chalky] Unfortunately I've taken the executive decision not to come as I think I need to sort my life out a tad. But I'd love to hear about it!
[ZK] OK :-)
Run rabbit
[Chalky] I'm sure I would have driven you hopping mad.
[rab] you'd never do that :-) ... I am much more likely to feel uneasy when nattering alongside *mystery* people who aren't particularly inclined to reveal who they are, Morniverse-wise. It probably doesn't bother anyone else :-(
std] *Happy*
Chalky] Me too, but only slightly. The fun is in the guessing. But who was that mysterious Bob the Dolgellau?
Rugby
Ha, so perhaps I might.
bobshappiness
BtD] Its only a thinking about it. I couldn;'t possibly commit that far ahead ;o0. I don't even know when it is ! ZK] Do you not think a weekend surrounded by people all talking nonsense could possibly help inspire you to sorting out your life ?
ISIHAC Theme Night In Rugby
[st d] Saturday 15 May - just the one night. In my role as Bob the dog's assistant - I booked the venue and reserved a block of rooms. Hopefully a final call on numbers won't be necessary for some time [to date we have about 12 definites and 10 possibles]
std] Ooh you tease!
Bool] :o)
Chalky] I'm not at home at the moment, and I don't have your email address, can you make sure that 'The Study' is booked in our name too? And how did the birthday party go?
ISIHaCluedo
[Bob] 'The Study' is now booked - along with the candlestick, the dagger and the lead piping [I'll bring the rope]. We should have access to the Library [via the secret passage] and the Lounge, Dining Room and Conservatory. I hope to be travelling with Miss Scarlett.
It's got me thinking ... the gothic mansion, the study ... there just has to be a game in this. I shall work on it :-)
Miss Scarlet
..in the bedroom, with the lights on.
North Walians
[Rosie] Er. Most North Walians I know/have met while living and visiting there for more than 10 years can say 'decisions' with a zh. (I know, because I asked them. All of them)
On the other hand, most North Walians I've known/met can't speak Welsh (fluently), so eh.
North Walians
(Nik) That's the reason then, isn't it? I only said "many" North Walians, not all of them, and by implication it would be the Welsh speakers, obviously.
Scarletting
[st dog] !
pen
oops ! sorry. Didn't realise Miss Scarlet was actually a PERSON, i thought she was just a platonic ideal.
Didn't sound particularly Platonic to me...
All I put was an exclamation mark...
Ida thought so.
Feeling really knackered now, and we've only done two show nights (three more, plus a matinee to go). Am becoming possessed by offensively catchy G&S tunes *do doooo di -- [camp pause] -- plonk -- [another marquee of a pause] -- ya-da-da-da-da, di-ya-da-da-da-da-da-da, di-ya-da-da-da-da-di-ya-di-da -- di - plong plong -- di - plong plong -- ya-di-da-di-daaaaa, continues for 2½hours*. I manage to flush this out before going to sleep by putting on a CD of something... else, but then wake up at 5am with *di-plong-i-plong-i-plonk, di-plong-i-plong-i-plonk* rattling in my head. Arrrrgh!!!

Anyway, quality update... the first night was a little chaotic. Last night we had a good audience, and having managed to get through the ouverture without a cock-up, the orchestra had a great night. Slight signs of fatigue showing in some of the leads but hopefully they'll have had a good night's sleep and we'll have a top show tonight. I hope so, since it's the night that some of my friends are going...

Scardy-cat
Have I scared everyone off?
do doooo di -- [camp pause] -- plonk -- [another marquee of a pause] -- ya-da-da-da-da, di-ya-da-da-da-da-da-da, di-ya-da-da-da-da-di-ya-di-da -- di - plong plong -- di - plong plong -- ya-di-da-di-daaaaa, continues for 2½hours
Which G&S is that? Years ago dad did the sound for a G&S production. He had to time a piece of recorded cello so that it matched the actress playing a dummy cello. It went da-da-da-da-da da daaaaa [camp pause] dar dar da-da-daaaa [another marquee of a pause] da [pause] da [pause] da [pause] da-de-dadada-da-da-da-daaaaaaah. I wonder if it was the same show?
Just a thought...
Is there a game in this?
Name this classic TV sit-com theme tune...
Rink-dink-eedinkydink, Rink-dink-eedinkydinky dink dink der, (Boo-ba-boo-berr)...?
[camp pause]
[BtD] Well, you're thinking of Patience. I'm guessing rab's talking about Princess Ida. Bob, is that Steptoe and Son or have I had too much Lucozade? Actually, I can hear the tune in my head but I don't know what show it belongs to.
Oooh! The pineapple and courgette might be working . . . .
pinafore's ahoy
[rab] Scared everybody off?? Ya must be joking.
I've just got back from a Pinafore rehearsal ... Da-da-DAH-dada-da-dah-dah, da-da-DAH-dada-dah-da-da, da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-DA-da-da-da-da - [Never Mind the Why & Wherefore] and I can't get it out of my head. Not much in the way of camp pauses and marqueeses but an awful lot of mannered repetitiony bits ... "for that gallant captain's daughter ... for that gallant captain's daughter....and a Lord who rules the water ... and a Lord who rules the water ... "
Pineapple and courgette pudding
ZK] Yes, you win the star prize! Too easy really...
Another easy one:
Yinky plinky plink-plink plonk. (pause) Plinky plink plonk, donk donk dinky dink donk...
Ooh
Did I get the G&S right or the TV choon?
[Boolbar] Around the last couple of times I've posted you've piped up with something cryptic. Is it all coincidence and am I imagining it or are you being cryptic for reasons we're meant to understand?
As Bob the dog seems to have done, in fact (understood).
I wish you could see me at my computer going "Yinky plinky plink-plink plonk. (pause) Plinky plink plonk, donk donk dinky dink donk.." over and over again :)
yinkyplinky plonking out loud
[ZK] same here :-)
[Bob] Dad's Army?
getting it wrong
[Bob] nah ... can't be Dad's Army ...'cause that goes Whoo-doo-doo-dooh-dooh-doodoo-doodoo-Hitler!
plinky
[Chalky] The key's obviously somewhere in the "dinky dink donk," but it's not coming to me.
And it's not Eastenders cos there aren't enough pauses...
Ooh (again)
You know, I've just noticed something. The top 10 shortlist for best british sitcom are the ones that traditionally use(d) incidental music rather than pop songs. *makes a mental note and goes on to write a smash hit*
Whoo-doo-doo-dooh-dooh-doodoo-doodoo-Hitler!
Chalky] That had me spluttering into my fizzy water!
ZK] Boolbar is referring to a conversation I was having with him by email. He has a doglet that has a tendency to (SENSITIVE PEOPLE PLEASE AVERT YOUR EYES) eat its own poo. Apparently, if you feed the dog pineapple and courgette it stops doing this.
Re the tune - it is Eastenders - not from a sitcom(?!). Probably one of the most easily recognisable and yet irritating pieces of TV intro music ever. Apart from The Bill. Anyone fancy having a go at Doobeedooing that one?
Can I have the bill please
The Bill:
Nick! [pause] Nick nicky nick nicky ner-ner-ner nick [breath] ner-ner nick nicky nick...
Here is another police one. Ner-ner-ner, ner-ner ner ner-ner, ner-ner-ner, ner-ner ner ner...
I got Steptoe, but I've never heard a single episode of The Bill or Eastenders. So here's one that no-one else is likely to have heard, except for gil, if he's reading here. A long-running series in its day.

Dee dee dee, di-dee, di-dee dee dee,
Dee dee dee, di-dee dee deeee,
Dee dee dee, di-dee, di-dee dee dee dee,
Dee dee dee, di-dee dee deeee.

And yes, how about creating a new game for this?

Oops
That should be:

Dee dee dee, di-dee, di-dee dee,
Dee dee dee, di-dee dee deeee,
Dee dee dee, di-dee, di-dee dee dee dee,
Dee dee dee, di-dee dee deeee.

Bob's ner ner de ner ner
[Bob] That's Z Cars yes?
[Raak] I need to have a little dee-di-dee to myself before I can hazard a guess at yours. Am intrigued to know why only gil might know that [meaning I'm really fishing for a clue]
New game? Name That Tune? Can we kill Mrs Trellis?
Raak's dee dee
ooops - hit the enter too early
erm ... Is that Z Cars aswell?
Z
Z cars indeed for me and I think for Raak too. New game on the wayhey!
Beefy
The cpu fan in the server has been sounding increasingly self-destructive over the last couple of weeks. [waffle] The machine will be taken down for a bit, when I get the new one or it pre-emptively keels over.
Ida thought so again.
[ZK] Congrats on Ida, though I did leave at least one or two big clues... Meanwhile I'm slightly surprised, but pleased, to see what this show has spawned. *oof headache* Last night's show was not top notch, and given that we all went on the piss afterwards (including the traditional boat race - oh yes, I really did need to down that pint) tonight could be very interesting. We're going to try a gauche orchestra arrangement tonight, so that the cello "section" won't have its back to the stage... what this means in real terms is I get to feast my eyes on lots of eighteen year olds in tights and short skirts. Yay!
Z-Cars
[Btd, Chalky] Yes, didn't notice Btd had done it. I didn't think there were that many of us here old enough to remember Z-cars, unless there's been a rerun or revival in recent years.
classics
[Raak] I remember it well, probably because as a child I lived in Germany with no TV so when we came home 'on leave, I hungrily absorbed any British TV programme whatever its quality. It's all sort of crystallised in my consciousness. Although, having said that, there's loads of stuff I missed. My other half, who is a few years younger than I, can remember EVERY kids TV programme AND its theme tune. He is much in demand for music quizzes and suchlike.
Old!?!
Raak] I'm only (very) late thirties. I remember Pogles Wood in black and white, Patrick Troughton as Dr Who, The Wooden-Tops, Robinson Crusoe every summer holiday, the Singing Ringing Tree...
[Chalky, Btd] Late 40's here. I always think of Z-Cars as being 60s, although it must have gone well into the 70's, but I more or less stopped watching TV about then, except for stuff I actually wanted to see.
Telly
[Bob the dog] I'm right on your wavelength, and wouldd add Tales From the Riverbank with Hammy the Hamster, and NEW episodes of Dads Army!
".....I get to feast my eyes on lots of eighteen year olds in tights and short skirts. Yay! "
[Rab] ..and that's just the blokes!!
18
rab] you are a lucky lucky man.
[Chalky, Btd, Raak] Mid-thirties, so I'm very jealous of anyone who can remember watching Pat Troughton in Doctor Who on original transmission. Other childhood memories include Rentaghost, Ivor the Engine, Mary Mungo and Midge, Hector's House, Noggin the Nog, The Sweeney, Blake's Seven and Swap Shop. I am also proud/sad (delete as applicable) to be able to recite the preambles to Hong Kong Phooey and Camberwick Green, and the closing words to Bagpuss.
42 ...
... is the answer. Old enough to remember 2nd Doctor clearly, 1st Doctor vaguely. Miss "Magic Roundabout" very much indeed.
[UK] We appear to share a brain, or at least that part of it relating to childhood reminiscences.
Everything goes shimmery
I was born the year before the Beatles released Revolver. I remember an article on the radio about them splitting although it didn't make much sense at the time. We had a hippy lodger who used to play me Ummagumma by Pink Floyd when he was babysitting and I couldn't sleep. I used to get tuppence ha'penny pocket money when I was 5 - enough for a bag of Walkers Crisps.
household appliances
....moving on from telly to other things sold by Curry's. Does anyone have any opinions as to what makes a *good* gas oven? Or does anyone have a particularly favourite fridge? I need to buy this type of thing and haven't a clue where to start!
more Dujon
Musically I was born in the year Duane Eddy released Peter Gunn, not that I remember it except a couple of years ago someone gave me a copy of the 45.

Breaking News!!! Dujon is No1!! a great result not seen since august last year, *throws several tubs of confetti into the air.*

something broke?
rab]There should be two links in the last post but the on for 15 august does not appear.
White goods
Lib] Go for the most expensive brand you can afford - Bosch is my favourite - you get far better customer support if things go wrong. Never buy because of add-on features you'll never use. Go for the lowest energy rating possible (A is the best). Never take subscribe to add on insurance - most appliances are covered for two years regardless. Shop around - and don't be scared to ask for a best price. Happy shopping!
Dixons Group plc
[Lib] You can probably get a fridge better than you'd expect, for less than you'd expect, by hunting around the sole-proprietors and small chains. I much prefer not shovelling my cash at the known retail brands these days - same or less money, same or better service. And fighting the power, man. Admittedly, it's not so time-consuming to hunt through the small local types when the town and outlyings of Northwich aren't much bigger than <pick a sub-area of a sub-region of Manchester>. The theory that because Dixons Group is huge you get better post-sales service is invalid - Dixons has one of the worst reputations, and it's major competitors (ie Comet and Argos) aren't a great deal better. Sorry if I'm repeating common knowledge - it's always worth repeating.
Daq & missing link
Thanks all for letting me climb to the top once more - I thought it would never happen. ... ;-)
[Inkspot] you typed 'hef' instead of 'href' in the missing link.
Children's TV and other things
I was already nearly 16 (1958) before we had a telly, a thing the size of a wardrobe with a screen of several square inches, so I never watched kids' TV; just never been part of my life. (Dujon) Congrats on being top of the whatever-it-is; I don't do that one. I see from my weather browsing that eastern Oz is now very sweaty indeed, but not for long, probably. Take it easy, mate, you're not as young as you used to be, now, are you, goo' boy? (All) If you've absolutely nothing to do next Wednesday evening and are within a gnat's crotchet of Dartford, come along to the Mick Jagger Centre. Our band (Force Ten) are playing, starting 8 pm. A mixture of jazz, swing, funk, Glenn Miller-type stuff plus a very good female singer. Cost you £8, some of which will land up in my back pocket, I hope. Some tickets left, so I'm told. Hmm!
[BtD and Nik] Thanks for your words of wisdom. House purchase is delayed (grrr) so I won't be buying for a while (I've already got a sofa being delivered, which is kinda problematic as I've got nowhere to put it). Why is housebuying so infuriating?!?
Don't I know it - buying the place that now contains angrycake.com took almost *six months* after having my offer accepted. I'd had a cooker, fridge/freezer and bed bought and sat in warehouses for most of that time, having somewhat foolishly thought it'd only take the few weeks I was told it would take.
For Chalky, 'cos I now she'll know what I mean.
I just missed (well most of) 'That's Entertainment' on the local television. Unfortuanately it was on in opposition to the local F1 race in Melbourne - another one of my weaknesses (that's the cars, not Melbourne). Why can't the TV stations advertise that sort of stuff instead of some 'Z' grade movie in prime-time? I AM UPSET. I know, my fault; but if I'd realised I would have recorded the damn thing, as I don't have a copy filed away. *sobs - goes misty eyed after seeing the last 30 minutes and leaves with the full intent of getting rotten.*
The 'k' key on my keyboard, or perhaps my fingers, is/are in trouble.
All right - it's the misty eyes. ;-(
seeing red
Dujon]The race was repeated here this afternoon, I had high hopes fo Mark Webber, but only to be dashed again by reliability of the Jaguar. I would like to see him replace Montoya in the Williams. Would he beat his prospective team mate the petulant Ralf Schumacher? yes! without a doubt.
Green with envy
[Inkspot] To be honest (re Webber) I don't know. The media here tends to be so biased towards anyone with an Australian connection that it's hard to pick the facts from the hyperbole. No doubt he's a good driver, otherwise Jaguar would not be using him (apart from the money which he may have brought with him!), but it's an interesting thought.
The 'daq
Yay! I've been millionaired again!
[Dujon/Inkspot] Webber is indeed a top talent, with a great ability for doing good things with less than the best equipment. Our post race pub discussion on Sunday lunchtime centred around the (not totally unlikely) possibility of a Williams dream team in 2005 with Webber and our own Jenson Button on board.
Plinkaplonka
Managed to wake up without Princess Ida in my head this morning, so my sanity may shortly be restored (well, whatever sanity I had to begin with, anyway). The last night was fun, what with the substitution of a packet of cigars for some handcuffs, some banter betwixt lead and orchestra, and a plan to give the MD a brown-trousers moment in the last number which came off beautifully...

Oof! Back to work...

A wandering minstrel I
I'm not going to be available to come to the e-pilg tonight - but how about a Gilbert and Sulivan theme..?
Minstrel in the gallery.
Me Cryptic? No. But the pelican has no tomatoes.
Chocs away!
Bool] I think our cryptic postings have scared everyone off. Good job I didn't mention the bonfire that our neighbours are having in their swimming pool (no joke). The smoke is making the chickens sneeze!
Hello everyone, it seems I can get into MC5 at last. Whether this is just temporary or not I don't know!
**waves at darren**
Hooray! Can you email me another traceroute output please?
Well, I'm still here but paradoxically "tracert" now says "Destination net unreachable" after the first entry!
it's quiet..
Slow week in the morniverse. **whistles eerily**
*coughs*
*munches crisps noisily*
Did anyone watch the programme last night about the crisp industry?
*Thinks* I've got no telly and I'm on a diet and I was working last night.
Wish I had. Was it good?
crispology
[Btd] Well if you were working, why would you need a telly? It was OK. Just surprising how much I knew about crisps. I eat more than I should, but then I don't eat other stuff... much.
A Cross-Post By Any Other Name Would Still Be As Annoying
Cross-posted from Orange, but... a small announcement - White Rose MC is, at last, online. This is a version of the York/!York archive, rejigged to use the same technology as Orange MC (hence my desire to give it a different name).

Enjoy!

Server maintenance.
...and, again, reeeeee-lax. The new fan is much less painful to listen to.
Coo
[Dunx] Wow. I'll ungrey the York link Sometime Real Soon Now (i.e. when I can work out how out-of-synch the live version is with the dev version, and whether applying all updates would break anything. Yes I do use CVS, no I don't understand it and hence use is propery).
While of mean
Any chance of a similar stunt being pulled for the Pants archives?
White Rose
Dunx] You are a hero!
Dead Pants
[rab] Not by me, no - I don't believe there was any backup of the Pants archives.
Pants archive
Pardon me for dropping in here: but, Dunx: if you were so inclined, you could find the archive.org record of Pants MC (it's surprisingly extensive) and manually pinch everything they've got there. I've already got the Lock Cup matches and a few others of interest: I'm slowly building up to getting the lot before archive.org crashes or gets taken down by an army of ravening copyright solicitors, but it is an option. If we really really really really really badly want the archive to be taken and re-hosted, that is.
Workflow
[Angus] I feel that Dunx might already have enough on his plate... but if you do have all the games in a reasonable format there could be scope for archiving it appropriately.
Am I alone in believing that NOT all games need be archived? Only those which are *of particular distinction*, whether in quality, style or genre.
more tacky daq docs
Aplologies to all at Celebrity Monington Crescent, somehow moreteaplease regained No1 without trying. Last Friday after I had sold all my shares I reinvested them in Prince Charles, if was he in the news I don't remember seeing him anywhere? and he paid out a handsome 5.57 a share! So I'll let them ride for another week and see what happens.
Super duper new tunes!!
My halfwit band have some new tunes for you to listen to. So when you have five mins, toddle along to http://www.papalazarus.com and have a listen. Why not leave some nutty inane message on the guest book while your there? Ok cheap plug well n truly over......ftangftang......wibble
Archival Questions
[JLE] Well... possibly. The problems are that (1) someone has to go through all the games to make a judgement on which are or are not worthy; and (2) you're relying on just that person's judgement. Even if there were a panel of judges, you would be requiring that their judgement be accurate for all time.

From an archaeological point of view, a lot of the most interesting artifacts and documents are the ones that people thought weren't worth keeping at the time. If all that is kept is the exceptional, then the context for those exceptions is lost.

So, possibly, but in my judgement, no.

archivism
[Dunx, JLE] I'm with Dunx on this one. Many's the time I've searched through the archives loking for a particular post of mine or someone else's. I'm afraid I have a habit of using these sites as a sort of highly social blog, and they're one of the few ways I can remind myself of what I was thinking about and preoccupied with at particular times, and when certain events happened. Players' reactions to Sep 11th are particularly interesting to look back on from this distance, particularly in locations other than the chat game, where life proceeded as normal within less than hours. Future historians might look at the pages and say "What were these people thinking? Joking and limericking away before the dust had even settled on such a huge historical event!".
gallows humour
[Projoy] I didn't realise these boards went back that far - where's all that then? curiosity declared
[Projoy] Well, I haven't seen a single comment throughout any of the Morniverse about the Spain bombings, so I don't see why there should have been so many about the ones in America either. I think our sense of importance is greatly warped by our peculiar belief that what happens in America is more important than what happens elsewhere.
Now, the verdict on Betsygate - that's what I call important!
Betsygate?
You mean you haven't been following it with bated breath?
Madrid
I think everyone is horrified. And also very aware that the target could so easily have been here.
[Breadmaster] Oh, Betsygate, I do beg your pardon!
[BM] We don't really know the significance of the Madrid attacks yet, which makes them at present equivalent to the earthquake in Bam. But the significance and symbolism of the 11 Sept attacks were immediately obvious and pretty much unignorable. And arguably what happens in America (at least in some contexts) is more important in terms of international repercussions than what happens here, so the perception is not entirely arbitrary. [ZK] If you're interested in the reaction to Sep 11th, you can see it breaking here. CdM and I were midway through a debate on insurance when Néa was the first person to react, ahead of PaulWay hearing the news. What's really interesting in retrospect is how Drewsxpa provides future MC historians with an aside on the event for context - but of course, the date and the event is now burned on everyone's memory, and we need no such thing.
What you might need context for, on the other hand, is the "yipee" comment on 13 September by "Iain Duncan-Hague". You may recall that a man with a similar name was elected Conservative leader on that date. You don't? Oh, well, hard to blame you.
Archives
There's a fair few archives we may never see again: Beer Powered Mornington Crescent Frenzy is gone for good, I believe, as is Huxley's rather stylish, but short-lived server. Delphi remains in limbo, too.
[Projoy] Thankyou. I haven't quite read all of it, but will do so at my leisure. As to the more recent attacks (in Spain, obviously) I suspect no-one has said a lot because, callous as it sounds, we've sadly seen this all before, with my sincerest apologies to whoever that statement offends (including me). I was, however, visibly appalled when I was following the news on TV on Friday (I didn't quite grasp the scale via the internet on Thursday), so it's not as though I'm not affected. I am. But what is there left to say? Aside from that, watching those parades yesterday, I was overwhlemed by one particular thought - how proud I would be to be Spanish right now.
Madrid
I was horribly shocked - but it still isn't certain who actually perpetrated the attacks. So we've been sidetracked into thinking it may have been ETA, rather than Al-Quaeda. There was also the way that passenger planes were hijacked and crashed into the towers, which seemed to make it even worse, somehow.
Spain and the world
I sometimes wonder if there is a difference between honest belief and being brainwashed. That statement applies to myself as much as to anyone else. Whilst I have been raised within a society that, basically at least, follows the principle of 'do unto others ...' I often ask myself why someone would act in the manner which many do. I have also come to the conclusion that no-one can overcome extremists should such decide to launch plans to disrupt a country's activities by targeting its citizens. What those people or groups would hope to achieve by such activities also eludes me; surely such operations would merely strengthen the resolve of those targeted. It would appear that capitalism does have its weaknesses, particulary when it comes to the indiscriminate use of wealth to obtain a goal without due concern about those who might be affected by the process and its consequences. In that sense perhaps it is time that governments - honest ones, if that's not some form of anti-logic - took a wee bit more control over the activities of companies (multi-national or otherwise). However, I digress. I applaud the reaction of the Spanish people to these latest attempts to undermine the fabric of their country - even those in the Basque areas.
That should read "even more those in the Basque areas".
celebdaq
Does anyone have any idea why Ralf Little's shares keep going up?
The motivation of terrorists
The tape claiming Al Qaeda responsibility says it all, really: "You desire life; we desire death."
Um...
Have the gremlins crept into my computer, or am I simply imagining all this minimalism?
Oz syndrome
ooh, that was confusing. did I imagine it?
I see
No, I didn't. How very strange. Approving of new fontage, however.
I don't
New fontage? Everything looks the same to me.
[Raak] I suspect the gremlins have got at my computer. Everything switches intermittently to Times New Roman and similar sparsity.
New stuff
I did just notice the new favicon -- very nice.
Where next.
The world is so small today, that news can be transmitted around the world seconds after it has happened, with instant assumptions of responsibility.
What has frightened me, is that as further details emerge is that this could happen anywhere, that Al-Quaeda have a long term goal and as a result they chose the place, time and method. They have the upper hand. The next act of terror will be unlike any that we have seen by them.

Once the west has bled the middle east dry of oil what kind of societies will be left? Looking at the news pictures of post-Iraq its hospitals, schools and housing were no bettter than that of a debt ridden third world country. I have yet to see evidence that everyone in Saudi has the same standard of living as you or I. With parts of America have already run dry of oil and its consumption shows no sign of slowing down, the exploitation of the middle east by the west only fuels the fire of Al-Quaeda fanaticism.

frontage
I momentarily experienced what looked like a plain text version of this page too, under IE6. Have reloaded and now it looks normal again.
Inky for President!
errmmm
Is there an e-pilg type thingy tonight? If there is, I could pop in for a little while, fairly early-like.
Update
I did update the site last night, so it might be your caches getting confused. Hit Reload if things look strange, and it should be ok.
Madrid
I'm observing a 3-minute silence. Does posting this count as 'not silence'?
As it happened - I didn't press 'enter' until the silence had finished so I'm OK.
[Inkspot] The West is paying the Middle Eastern states for the oil, and, I recall, was previously being criticised for not allowing Saddam to sell it. If they have the standard of living of third world countries, that is entirely the fault of their rulers. Saudi Arabia, in particular, is run as the private property of its despotic royal family, who indeed do not have the standard of living of you and I. Bill Gates would be a better comparison.
[3 minute silence] There is gesture inflation going on. If 2 minutes is enough for the dead of two world wars...
silence
What's wrong with 1 minute? It's just a gesture, after all. No amount of silence can bring back the dead. If a person wants to spend longer in silence, that's up to them - they can spend 10 minutes praying, etc.
oh yes ...
[flerdle] great to see you and yes, I hope so ... what is early-like for you?
Rich Rulers
[Raak] cf also Emir of Kuwait, rulers of Bahrain, Qatar, Oman etc. Not to mention the Sultan of Brunei. Now, how many of these countries have real, working parliaments with teeth?
Royals
I should perhaps point out that I recognize the immense wealth of HM the Q of UK&NI - however, she does not (indeed cannot) act in a despotic way except within her own four walls. Bill Gates can be said to have earned his pile, whatever reservations one has about the business methods of Micro$oft.
[HB] None, yes?
likely earls
[Chalky] Probably about 8:30pm or so for an hour.
measuring sticks
[HB, back one post] I will keep investigating .om and get back to you. What I've seen so far is pretty good, however. It's probably because it has just enough (oil) wealth to get the country developing, but not so much that he (SQ) can take it for granted. It will not last forever, and he knows it.
banter banter banter
sooo....read any good books lately? Seriously though, I'm a little confused - was does SQ stand for?
detective work, SQ
Have a look around here, which leads to here for the (rather long) official blurb. Perhaps I should have said HM S QbS.
Oman
[flerdle] Hmmm, a relatively benign dictator if you believe the somewhat hagiographic blurb - however, I remember, prior to a school trip to Romania in 1975, reading the official government literature on what a wonderful fellow that Nicolae Ceausescu was and how all Romanians were privileged to be ruled by such a caring, sharing fellow. It just makes one wary, that's all.
I know, and I'm wary myself :-). But I'm living here now, so will be able to see a few things "up close", as it were...
[flerdle] There are some things in that hagiography that one could, were one so despicably inclined, read in a rather different way than was presumably intended.

"Sultan Qaboos resorted to military force in order to eliminate a group of renegades based in the south who repeatedly declined the opportunities extended to the Omani population."

Yes :-D I know that too. There is a fair bit it doesn't say.
Top o' the marnin ta ya!
Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!
feck off!
What is all this St Patrick's day nonsense? Until we see the same kind of fervour for England and St George, I'll have none of it! And another thought that struck me. Earlier this week, legislation to curb binge drinking was proposed, and yet... It's a load of feckin' hypocrisy! bah!
St. Paddy
[pen]Boo! Hiss! Anyway, what's stopping you celebrating St. George(if he ever existed and visited England) and prancing about wearing English things, and dancing round a maypole, or something? I do that EVERY DAY! Ha!
[penelope] Too right! I will celebrate St Patrick's day the day I celebrate Thanksgiving. This is just another example of the horrible rape of our culture by vile Americanism. The notion of celebrating St Patrick's day is entirely American and therefore to be resisted.
[Zooological Keeper] Not that I wish to rebuff rudely your cheery greeting, naturally.
St.Paddy
American? *wonders why it's a bank holiday in Ireland today*
Scary thing is that we've been invited to a St Patrick's Day party tonight.

No, not by locals.

party!
Hmm, will there be much illegal drink? Or will you be sipping soda water?
Merry Christmas!
Well, because my free Guinness hat looks like an Australian one I'm going to get very confused about my accent for the day. I agree it's all horribly commercialised but hey, it's a reason to celebrate - we don't get that many of those any more, unless you count the eejits who seem to think that Bonfire Night lasts 3 and a half months. [Snorgle] Oh that's you, is it? [Breadmaster] Thankyou. You couldn't deter me anyway, I'm in too good a mood. *does a little nationally unspecific jig*
[snorgle] The celebration is a big deal over in the americas although mostly among the Irish population, oddly enough :)
[snorgle] If you're a foreigner, and not Muslim, you can get a permit for a certain value per month. We will be sipping water, most likely; it's not the sort of "scene" one really wants to get into.
[flerdle] Drink orange juice, it's more interesting! :)
drinking and stuff
[flerdle]Or tomato juice. Put some Worcestershire sauce into it, and there you go! [ZK]I grew up in Canada and it's popular there too - especially amongst those who may possibly have had an Irish ancestor at some point, or knew someone who once drank a Guinness. The green beer and popcorn the loony lady across the street used to offer everyone, however, still gives me shivers.
[Breadmaster] Please cease from making your "vile Americanisation" comments. This is not the appropriate forum for them.
[snorgle] Lol. I suspect it really is just such a big deal over here because people want to drink a lot, and Guinness want them to. It's win-win apart from the poor sods who run the police stations and hospitals.
[rab] No offence intended - it's only the Americanism I deplore, of course, not Americans.
Housebuying saga
Well, until half past three yesterday afternoon I was going to become a homewoner on friday. Everything was set up, including my sofa being delivered to my boyfriends house (but it wouldn't fit through the dining room door, so is currently blocking the hall and being a huge health and safety risk) and a van and things booked. I'd chosen the white goods I wanted (with a little help from my firnds in the crescent!) And my solicitor has all my money. It was looking hopeful, but then, at approximatly 3.19pm GMT I received a call from the estate agent.
There was a SIX WEEK delay!
Some silly people up the chain (and as there's only three people involved I would call it more of a link that a chain, but anyway) are emigrating to NZ and have found out that they need to stay resident in the same property for 40 days, or something silly like that. So I can't move, and there's no point me pulling out as I want that house and I'd loose a lot of money having come this far. So I've just got to wait. And sulk.
And my state of mind wasn't helped yesterday by my mum telling me that I look awful in my bridesmaid dress for my brother's forthcoming wedding.
Hopefully seeing friends tonight and drinking to celebrate St Patrick's Day will help.
Gah!
[Lib]Sorry to hear it Lib! Is your mother usually so forthright? It's not going to turn into a soap opera, I hope. My father's family wedding always ended up in drunken brawls and being barred from the hotel they were staying in. [ZK]I won't be getting THAT drunk tonight(I hope!).
The maligned English saint
[pen] Quite. Standard conversation fair:
<Everyone>: So Nik, when's your birthday?
Nik: St. George's Day.
<Everyone>: Err. Sorry?
Nik: Mwuahahaha!
Or conversation fare, if you're not in the carnival mood.
St Paddy's
I had some Bailey's & Guinness myself, and kept it quiet.
St Patrick's Day
Breadmaster is right; St Patrick's day, as celebrated these days, is largely an American invention. Americans would do well to realise that on this side of the pond we merely like the Irish, but don't worship them.
Saintly festivals
Just to shove my oar in for a moment... British food and drink outlets seem to go loopy every St Patrick's Day, and I must concur with Rosie and Breadmaster's opinion that it's the US influence that fuels this. On the other side of the coin, I went into my local Tesco outlet (and it's the major one for the area) at the end of February to see what I could get to celebrate St David's Day (what with having Welsh ancestry). I was laughed at by staff. When I suggested that, surely, the massive efforts poured into their St Patrick's Day marketing might indicate a degree of 'racial bias' (I stopped short of institutional racism!), I was told "Well, you can buy a daffodil or a leek." I would have replied, but the manager had lost interest and walked away.
Dewi Sant
[UK] Wot, no lava bread or Welsh cakes? No Welsh whisky? No bottles of Brains, Felinfoel or Tomos Watkins? Disgrace!
St David
Well, there is always plenty of stuff available in Wales to celebrate it, but then Welsh cakes, although nice, aren't as exciting as Guiness, for most people. I think although it's definitely commercial - no-one really minds an excuse to drink and eat, just like at Christmas and Easter.
I'm going to make millions!
Right. My ambition now is to plan the mass-marketing off the back of St. David's Day. St. George's Day needs no help, in Clinton's at least, and I suspect is fuelled quite nicely by the football industry.
Pfft. I'm sure half of that wasn't in comprehensible english, but you get the right idea.
Guinness USA certainly capitalises on St Patrick's Day over here -- they've shown quite a few ads on TV here equating St Patrick's to Christmas, with everyone getting cases and kegs of Guinness and Harp....

[Nik] If St George had been asked what his birthday was, would he reply, "Nik's birthday"? (NB Nik's email address removed by request -- rab)

[ZK] I'd help you with the American marketing of St David's Day, but most Americans wouldn't know a Welshman if he came up and shoved a leek up their collective arses. ;) See also Church, Charlotte, meeting George W. Bush
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