16th June:

The English language has always been full of words that are highly context-specific. One particularly irritating example of this phenomenon relates to the World Wide Interweb.

Apparently, web sites have to be "checked out". One cannot simply visit a site, nor even browse. Reading is a definite no no. One checks it out. "For more information on this and other great offers, why not check out our web site at www.snugandrubbery.com". You see?

You probably hadn't even noticed it before, but now that it has been brought to your attention you'll find the phrase popping up all over the place. It's one of those nasty pieces of English that looks a bit hip and trendy at first sight but actually has 'contrived' written all over it. Think of your Grandad reciting the lyrics to something by Tupac and you're getting close on the cringe-o-meter. Come to think of it, who decides this kind of stuff anyway? Probably a focus group of 45 year-old men in grey cardigans. Give the yoof what they want, eh?

So, there we have it. Thanks for visiting the blog. Would Sir care to check out now?

15th June:

Everyone's favourite pop starlet (everyone apart from me, that is) Britney Spiers has popped up in the press today with the somewhat predictable 'I hit rock bottom, my drink and drugs shame' confessional that we all expect these days as a precursor to the equally inevitable new-album-comeback-attempt. She has even asked her fans to help her name the new album. Insert punchline here. The apathy is palpable. Your congenial host would suggest "Meh, whatever" as an opening gambit. Any takers?

Let's face it, where else do you go when the world has seen your fluffy bits on YouTube?

In other news, Palestinians continue to shoot at each other as the government is dissolved and a state of emergency declared. You cannot help but think that all this factional in-fighting has also killed the dream of an independent Palestinian state for another generation. Idiots. Meanwhile, Israel stands quietly on the sidelines, licking its lips.

It's a glib statement, but perhaps Bush's greatest success has been in dividing the Arab world.