Goodbye 2008

Mum's funeral this afternoon, so I can't imagine I will be joining any revellers this evening for The Bells.
Got ready far too early for the funeral, hence this last post of 2008 - killing time with a lightning fast brief review of the year. The big events? International - Obama. National - the credit crunch. Local - the Fairer Scotland Fund saga. Domestic - sadly, that's obvious.
2008 is a year I won't forget, but I won't be recalling it with too many fond memories. However I don't want to make this last post too sombre, so best wishes to all my (okay, both my) loyal readers - here's to a happy 2009.
Incidentally, for those of you who sent best wishes for 2008 - those wishes clearly didn't work, so this year please send vouchers, fags, after shave,cash or even socks!

Hope 2009 brings everything you wish for - all the best.

A very different Christmas

My mum passed away in the early hours of Monday morning, peacefully at the end. We were called to the hospital early on Friday morning, and after discussions with the surgeon and anaesthetist accepted that there was little more that could be done for Mum - she was too frail to withstand an operation, and that an operation - even in the slim chance it was successful - would not improve her quality of life. We accepted that it would be the last act of kindness we could give my Mum was to make her as comfortable and pain-free as possible, and to let her slip away.
And slip away she eventually did, mercifully having had the chance to see and talk to all of her family while she was still lucid.
Keeping busy by organising all those things that have to be organised helps to keep your mind off Mum's passing, and that will be the way of it until the funeral next week - who knows how we'll all cope after that.
Nothing compensates for the loss of such a dear loved one, but if there is a comfort it's in knowing that she spent her life doing what she loved most - caring for her family. And in knowing that her homely wisdom and inherent goodness has been passed on to her grandchildren who all thankfully had the time to get to know her so well. Some other families don't always get that chance and I'm grateful that our children did. She may be gone, but she lives on in all of us.

So Christmas was so very different this year - all of my planned shopping trips were obviously cancelled, but Knutt kindly became my personal shopper and bought presents while I was at the hospital. Life does go on, and Christmas Day was spent down at Cardrona with family and I don't feel guilty in saying it was a lot of fun.

New Year will be oh so different too. Next week we have the funeral and we'll say goodbye. Heartbroken? Yes, but also so grateful to have lived my life with a mother who cared so much for all of us.

Thanks, Mum, for everything.

Back to reality

'The man who grows tired of London is a man who has grown tired of life'. So said Samuel Johnston back in the 18th century, and I'll echo that sentiment. It's an amazing city - full of life, constantly buzzing and teeming with busy people rushing everywhere. No-one stands still for long, unless you're a tourist.
Not much sign of a credit crunch in the affluent West End - the Coal Hole, my Strand local, was heaving with city types enjoying long pre-Christmas lunches and office nights out. Covent Garden was as busy as ever, and if shoppers weren't spending as much it wasn't apparent. As ever there were throngs of people in Theatre Land, and it's only much later into the night - long after the curtains have fallen and long after happy revellers have headed home to bed - when the other side of the city is revealed. Just off the bright lights of The Strand doorways and recesses are quickly filled with homeless people sleeping in cardboard boxes, the luckier ones with their own sleeping bags. London was freezing last week - and with so much affluence everywhere you turn, it's not a place where you'd want to be poor.

So it was cold, but it was bright and perfect weather for walks around all the usual tourist destinations - apart from the tour buses it's the best way to see and get to know the city - and we didn't have to rely on the Underground so much last week. Not that I've got any issues with public transport down there - to me the Tube is one of the wonders of the modern world.

Took in two shows during our trip - 'We Will Rock You', which for fans of Queen was probably everything you would want it to be, and 'Piaf', which was being staged just a minute's walk from our hotel. Having read great reviews of the show - and also great praise from Andrew Marr on his Sunday morning show a couple of weeks back - I'd planned to book tickets for 'Piaf' before we went down to London, but with everything else going on I hadn't got round to it. Indeed, even when we arrived, I was almost put off buying tickets by one learned critic (who was selling discounted theatre tickets from a booth in Covent Garden). "It's crap", he said. "Ain't even a proper musical!" Anyway I'm glad we didn't take his advice - the show was stunning, with Elena Roger's performance - she was on stage throughout the entire 90 minutes - spellbinding. 'Piaf' was as moving a stage show as you'll find anywhere, so if you get the chance - ignore the touts, go!

Much as the London trip was as enjoyable as ever, reality always intrudes and real life is never far away. My mum was taken back into hospital again while we were away - the Western this time - and it was straight to hospital when we got back to Edinburgh. Other than hospital visits (I even gave up my ticket for Easter Road on Saturday and missed the resurgent Hibs winning again), much of the remainder of the weekend has been taken up with tackling a massive email inbox - lots and lots of lovely Fairer Scotland Fund related items, naturally. London is quickly becoming a distant memory.

It's back to work tomorrow, with another deputation to prepare for and look forward (?) to on Thursday. Real life has returned with a vengeance - actually, it's never really been away.

Countdown

It's my last day at work today - I'm off to London for a few days next week and the break can't come soon enough. The long, long Fairer Scotland Fund saga is taking it's toll and I feel absolutely knackered. I go to sleep thinking about Fairer Scotland Funding, I wake up thinking about Fairer Scotland Funding and I suppose I dream about Fairer Scotland Funding too. It seems I've done nothing else but eat, sleep and talk FSF for months now - and it's still not over. I won't trouble you with all the latest updates as I'm even beginning to bore myself - but if you are really desperate to read more, see the front page of this month's NEN for the full details (just out, available free in all community outlets and distributed free across North Edinburgh - well, for the moment at least.)
There will be more to come on FSF in Forth; it's a live story and things are happening at different levels, but it would be unwise for me to comment on these developments at this time. So I won't.

Chancellor's Pre-Budget Statement
As I so rightly predicted in my last post, the Chancellor did indeed have an ace up his sleeve last week - and yes, it was National Insurance! The only bit I got slightly wrong was that he is raising NHI, not reducing it - but other than that, spot on!

Wogan No More
I freely admit to being a fan of the Eurovision Song Contest - the crap songs, the dodgy voting, the splendid tackiness of it all - but it just won't be the same next year. Terry Wogan is standing down after 35 years. In all his years of broadcasting, Eurovision was surely Terry's finest hour(s). Good luck, Graham Norton - it's a hell of a hard act to follow. Pehaps a change of presenter will bring a change to the UK's fortunes in the event? - nah, I don't think so either.

Karen Matthews
I watched the BBC's documentary on the truly awful Matthews case last night - one of the most depressing things I have sat through for a long time, almost like lifting a scab. 'Horrific' is an over-used word, but there are few others than can describe the ordeal a mother was willing to put her own daughter through. Karen Matthews will, rightly, spend a long time in prison - but that in itself doesn't solve anything.
One image will stay with me for a long time - and it isn't the footage of the mother pleading for her 'baby' to come home, sickening as that was. No, it was the grainy CCTV image of Shannon Matthews leaving a swimming pool with her classmates - last to leave, walking on her own - that summed the whole sorry story for me. What a tragic wee life. Shannon and presumably her six brothers and sisters have been failed by their parents and by the social services system. You've really got to hope that the support will be there for her now, and that an innocent wee girl will now get the chance to rebuild her life and start living again.

And finally ...
Tidying up the desk, clearing up the paperwork in neat(er) piles and a couple of wee festive jobs to cover today. Then it's an Edinburgh Community Representatives Network event on Saturday (more festive frolics, although I must admit I feel anything but festive or jolly at the moment). Then it's Hibs v Celtic on Sunday - I wonder what Hibs team will turn up? Will it be the Three Kings - Riordan, Fletcher and Nish - banging in goals aplenty, or will Hibs defence show seasonal generosity, bearing gifts for Celtic's strikers (who usually don't need that much help anyway)? You just never know down at Easter Road.
There's a winter chill down at Tynecastle too - not caused by the December temperatures. Some players haven't been paid again and creditors are banging on Vlad's door. Goodwill to all men? Here's hoping that Wise Man from the East can get his house in order - the Hearts community deserves better than this- some seasonal cheer is in order.

In the red?

Alistair Darling presents his pre-Budget Statement to parliament today. Some of the main points have been heavily trailed already - the intention to increase taxes on the rich (but only after the Election) and the 2.5% VAT cut, but will either move really have the desired effect of kick-starting the economy? It's doubtful.
However I can't help but feel that the government is holding something back - another wee nugget kept secret and launched at the despatch box to wrong-foor the Opposition. My guess - a reduction in National Insurance. That would do more for small businesses than a reduction in VAT and would also help hard-pressed tax payers; it may even get them spending again.
Whatever route the Chancellor takes, we will ultimately all pay for these short-term tax cuts with higher taxes further down the line. The economy is still in dire straits, and our government must share some responsibility for that, but the problem for the Opposition is that they seem unable to pin the blame for the UK's finances squrely on Brown and Darling.
It seems now. though, that clear blue water is opening up between Labour and the Tories over how to handle the economic crisis. Labour's spend now, pay later plans or the Tories' alternative. Ultimately it's the economy that decides how voters will cast their ballot, so it's a question of: who do you believe, who do you trust? Things may become clearer this afternoon - as may the date of the next General Election if Darling's statement is well received.
But taxing the rich? Is it really the end of New Labour and back to socialism. Has Red Alistair returned to his toon cooncil roots? All will be revealed!

A little light in the gloom ...

You needed a strong stomach to digest the news this week. No, not the ups and downs of the economy - although the plunging pound and rising unemployment will make more than a few people queasy. No, I'm talking about the horrific stories about children that have featured so prominently this week - and it's hard to find the words to express just how truly awful these cases are.
The short, tragic life of Baby P in Haringay, the killing of two toddlers by their young mother in Manchester and the trial of Shannon Matthews' parents and guardians - each tragedy makes you question what kind of society we have become. Three young lives lost and another ruined by the very people who children depend on to love, nurture and protect them. Of course mistakes have been made, the inevitable enquiries will now follow and I'm sure that some official spokesperson will soon insist that 'lessons have been learned and we are already acting on the recommendations made in the report'. And I'm equally sure that it won't be too much longer before we hear of another Baby P. somewhere in the country - another wee life cut tragically short, failed by inadequate parents and a system that is over-stretched to the point where it cannot provide a safety net for our most vulnerable. It's deeply depressing.
Amid the gloom, I was fortunate enough to attend three events this week that did much to lift the spirits. One was the launch of our local Children's Parliament exhibition in North Edinburgh Arts Centre. Many of our young kids are a real inspiration and, as an Ambassador of the Children's Parliament, it was a particular pleasure to see lots of people (not only parents) attending the launch. The children were fantastic and they should feel justly proud of their work. The second was at Oaklands Special School, where the children - many with extremely complex special needs - thought about others and did their level best to 'move a mile' to support Children in Need. Humbling.
The other event was the Kind Kids Awards at Ocean Terminal - four local schoolchildren were among 30 to receive certificates from the Lady Provost to mark their special contribution to making the world around them a better place. The event took place on World Kindness Day, and I went along after watching a news broadcast filled with the horror stories I talk about above. So three real-life horror stories and three uplifting events. Confusing? You bet.

Domestically, my old cat has been in the wars. He's getting on a bit now (an 'elderly gentleman' acording to my vet) and came into the house last weekend with his nose and mouth covered in blood. At first we thought he'd been involved in a scrap, but we were later informed that he's been hit by something - I guess we'll never know what, but 'it' broke his jaw and forced the removal of six teeth. And - something else to restore your faith in human nature - the vet also discovered an air gun pellet in his leg when he was x-rayed. She tells me that she's sure that, if all the cats in the city were x-rayed a good percentage would contain airgun pellets. Sickening. Anyway, the old boy is back at home with his jaw wired up, very quiet but enjoying the attention and getting back to his old self - hopefully he will soon be fit enough to take the odd wild slash at me again; then I'll know his recovery is complete! While he recovers from his accident, I am slowly recovering from the £300+ bill - he's worth every penny, though ...

And finally, D Day is almost upon us. Yes, after months of waiting and postponements Forth Neighbourhood Partnership's Fairer Scotland Fund decisions will be made tomorrow. I've been to many 'important' meetings over the years, but this will undoubtedly be the most difficult I've ever taken part in. Seventeen projects to fund, £800,000 shortfall in the pot - not a lot to look forward to, I fear. However at least staff, boards and clients will at last know their fate come tomorrow evening - the waiting has become unbearable for many. It would be great to be the bearer of good news but I just can't see it: it's looking grim.

Sorry for being a bit downbeat this week - things, as the old song said, can only get better! To brighten things up just a little I've added add a nice autumn waterfall picture taken recently near Kinloch Rannoch, but I'm still using my old Mac and some functions don't appear to be accessible (including spell-check, so apologies for that) . If it goes pear-shaped t'll just have to wait until next week, when I also hope to make a somewhat jollier posting. We'll see ....

The blogger's return

Hello again, folks! I'm almost back on-line after a two week sojourn. I say almost because my home computer is still out of action and I'm making this post on my Mac at work (note to Pilton Sucks - this is my lunch break!)
I don't know how it will look when it's posted as all the formatting is a bit different, so look on this as a test message. If it turns out okay - I will return!
So what's been happening? Well, there were the jolly japes of our noble Lord Mandy with his privileged chum Gideon 'George' Osbourne on that nice Russian bloke's yacht, then there was that rare old kerfuffle with Russell Brand and Wossy's phone calls to Andrew Sachs - what a wizard wheeze that was, eh?
And just last night, Labour wins three seats in by-elections (and earned me a few bob into the bargain). Resurgent or just a temporary reprieve? We'll see.
I'm going to try to publish this post now - not much point in typing away for hours if it all just disappears into the vapor .. although perhaps it just does that anyway!

Here goes ...

Still No' Fair

The last week's been dominated by the ongoing saga of the (Un)Fairer Scotland Fund. Indeed, this subject has increasingly dominated my waking life for weeks now, and there's still no end in sight.
Tuesday was supposed to be decision day, with more time set aside on Friday just in case it should be needed - and I've no doubt it would have been. However we received an email on Monday afternoon to tell us that Tuesday's meeting had been cancelled due to a 'conflict of interest' of one of the panel members. The whole decision process had now been put on hold until - after the Forth by-election. Hmmm ...
On Thursday I was part of a deputation from the Edinburgh Community Representatives Network (ECRN) to argue at Full Council for a fairer allocation of the fund - because of the formula used to calculate FSF allocations for each of the city's Neighbourhood Partnerships North Edinburgh loses out by around 40%. In cash terms it means that there is something like £800,000 less available for the 17 Forth projects who currently receive FSF. The deputation got a fair - if at times ill-tempered - hearing, and while I think we won the argument we predictably lost the vote. Very depressing.
The fallout from last week's decisions will rumble on into this week and FSF will dominate my life for some time to come, I fear.
Meanwhile, other life goes on as normal. Brian is home in less than three weeks and the house is still very much a 'work in progress' - it's a race against time to have this finished before he gets home, and it's a race we're losing at the moment.
And talking about defeat, Hibs did their level best to do just that against Hearts in yesterday's Derby at Easter Road. A goal up in the first minute, things looked so good but the ascendancy was quickly lost and Hearts deservedly equalised before half time. The second half didn't match the first for excitement and I have to say that Hearts edged it. As it was, though - the conditions were awful - I think both teams will be happy to settle for a point. Speaking to impartial observers, they say a draw was a fair result. Life's not always fair, however, as I'm sure the FSF situation in North Edinburgh will show - eventually.

Apocalypse Averted?

The government's attempts to shore up our teetering banking system appear to have worked; it was seat of the pants stuff, but the financial markets have reacted positively and the crisis appears to be over - for now at least.
More than a few commentators have noted that Gordon Brown looked like a man transformed while he was tackling the crisis, and while Brown and Darling haven't quite become the new Chuckle Brothers it's true that both men appeared to relish the challenge of saving the banking system. His status - maybe that should be 'stock'! - has risen as a result, and the present economic challenges have certainly put an end to any ideas of a leadership challenge.
With usual political hostilities put on hold, there's been an added bonus for the Prime Minister, who has been able to show a leadership that has not been apparent over the recent troubled months. It's a bit like when the safety car is brought out during a Grand Prix - there you are, lagging miles behind a distant runaway leader, when suddenly there's an accident - the safety car comes out and the whole field closes up again. Normal hostilities will resume in due course, obviously, and the government will face criticism over it's failure to regulate the worst excesses of our greedy bankers, but Gordon's at least back in the race and the predicted Tory landslide at the next election now seems rather less certain. Glenrothes may show us just how the public has responded to the new Brown.

The Return of the Prince of Darkness

Who'd have believed it?He's back - arise, Lord Mandy! One of the most devisive and controversial figures in recent Labour Party history is back in the Cabinet, to the bewilderment of many. A man who was forced to resign - not once, but twice - is back in front-line politics, and enobled with a seat in the House of Lords too! David Blunkett - not perhaps the finest judge of character himself - described the appointment of 'Fighter not a quitter' Mandy as 'a masterstroke'. Many others have been rather more critical, however, and if Gordon Brown believes Mandelson's appointment will bring an end to the internal plotting against him and unite the party he's got this very wrong. Mandelson's a habitual conspirator and he'll never change. Watch your back, Gordon!

Another Return
Another far more popular figure made a return last week. Postman Pat (above), is back,with hos old chum Jess the cat of course - and he's been promoted after all these years! Who knows, maybe Pat will follow the Alan Johnson route and become a member of the cabinet too!

Worst Kept Secret Is Out
Popular local lad John Loughton is to stand in the forthcoming Forth by-election. John is perhaps best known for winning Big Brother Celebrity Hijack earlier this year, but there's an awful lot more to young John than that. I've known him for a number of years and watched him grow into a socially aware, honest and articulate young man who passionately cares about his community. Yes, he may be naive and he may not have all the answers - who does? - but he's willing to stand up and fight to make his community a better place. He's rejected overtures from the big political parties - expect the dirty tricks to intensify as the camapign develops - and has decided instead to be his own man. I admire his fighting spirit, and I know he has gathered a lot of support among the organised North Edinburgh community. He's certainly added a new dimension to the by-election, generated a lot of press interest and he's committed to running a positive campaign, hoping to enthuse voters who are turned off by the traditional 'ya boo' style party politics. Critics who would write him off as a joke candidate do so at their peril.

Other News
The world's financial systems teeter on the brink, Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling promise to 'do whatever it takes'. What exactly that might be is less clear, however.
Young Derek Riordan is banging in the goals for Hibs just as in the bygone days of yore - sorry, wrong club ...! Happy days at Easter Road, however.
Happy birthday to Janice Russell, who is 60 this week. Attended a pre-birthday celebration at Slateford Bowling Club on Friday night. £2.05p a pint - the more you drink, the more you save! - suffered for it on Saturday though ...
We're hoping my mum may get home from hospital today - great relief for all concerned, particularly my dad as it's been a very worrying couple of weeks. Her treatment, and of course the staff, were excellent - top class.
Fairer Scotland - the final presentations took place last Monday and now the really difficult part begins: thrahing out the detail of who gets what. There's just not enough money to meet the needs of all the projects, and a number will be receiving bad news following decisions that will have to be made next week.
No heating all weekend following the start of building work at home - cleared out bags and bags of books, clothes and the clutter of 20+ years. Good news for the local charity shops, but hard work for Caroline and me - be good to get back to work for a rest!
Hopefully the heating will be working again tonight - frostbite is setting in as I type this!
See you next week

Super-organised Me

With my mum in hospital, I've had to be very organised this week - and, all things considered, I've done not too badly.
The daily routine has been adhered to with military efficiency:

6am Deal with personal stuff - letters, emails, domestic chores.
7am Shower and get ready for work - Sod's law, I've had builders in this week to rip out my kitchen and bathroom, and, if they're here, they're here at 8am.
8am - Down to work; our October deadline was on Friday and there is a lot to write about this month.
4:30pm - Home briefly to see and feed the cat and check mail (maybe manage tea with Caroline if time permits) before heading out to hospital. My mum's in the Royal, and I've been picking my dad up in Priestfield on the way, and the trip from Drylaw can take anything from 30 - 45 minutes. It doesn't seem to matter which route you take, road works are everywhere!
6:30pm - Visiting time. My mum's looking and sounding a lot better, but in a long talk with her doctor last Monday we were told that she will be kept in for at least 7 - 10 days. My mother handled that news far better than I thought she might, and my dad seems a a lot more settled in his own mind now that he knows what is going on. Visiting ends at 8pm.
8:30pm - Drop dad off at home and pick up any shopping I need before going home, then a light supper with Caroline if I didn't have time earlier (I've no kitchen so cooking is slightly problematic - Chez Pick's menu is currently rather limited and the healthy diet is no more!) before checking emails and going to bed, knackered, usually before 11pm.

Because of this schedule I missed a couple of evening meetings this week - Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership and Drylaw Telford Community Council - but other than that I managed to get everything else done that I had to.
Monday saw first of the presentations to the Fairer Scotland Funding Panel in Forth. Six projects - all offering very different services - and the Panel will have to decide how best to allocate inadequate funds to support these. It will get harder - there are another ten projects to see on Thursday, the the really difficult bit begins when we start talking money ....
Got the last of the P1 pictures this week and also met a really nice local photographer who is staging an exhibition at North Edinburgh Arts Centre - some really nice images from Morocco, well worth a visit.
It was an unusually pleasant week for weather too, so on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning I finally managed to get my grass cut - due to all the rain we've had over the summer it was almost knee-high so it was a relief to finish cross this off the 'to do' list. I also had to go and pick tiles - this proved less of a trial than I thought it would and it was remarkably painless; they even had them in stock so I was able to take them away, so another job done.
Following phone calls from Forth branch members, I also submitted a letter to Labour Party HQ in Glasgow to express my own concerns over the recent selection process. There are questions to be answered about how this was conducted, and unless these answers are forthcoming our candidate does not have a legitimate mandate. However inconvenient it may be I think the selection meeting should be re-run - with the Labour Party's honesty and integrity under scrutiny like never before I believe it's essential that we are seen to do things right and get the campaign off to an untainted start. The letter went off on Thursday and I'll be interested to hear the Party's views.
Meanwhile, with everything else going on in my own wee world, there were lots of things happening in the wider world too. Gordon Brown's speech to Conference was a good one, although he is not one of the great natural speakers - Neil Kinnock, for all his faults, was an inspirational orator and one of the best I ever heard.
We also saw the American financial meltdown, with the resultant tremors felt all over the world. Here, we've seen another bank, Bradford & Bingley, nationalised - whoever would have dreamed that we'd ever have heard that word again in modern day politics? There was the Presidential hopefuls' 'head to head' - because of the parlous state of the US economy this eagerly-anticipated debate got nothing like the coverage you would have expected, and from what I've seen and read it was a bit flat, the pundits' vedicts being a rather disappointing draw. And there was the death of Paul Newman - one of the last of a generation of genuine movie 'greats' - died yesterday. Yes, lots happening out there, but with so much happening on my own domestic front there just isn't the time to digest it all.
Today, more clearing out of Drylaw Towers to allow the builders to come in and do their worst, lightened (perhaps) by a trip to Easter Road this afternoon to watch Hibs humble the mighty 'Gers! We live in hope ...
Then it's back out to hospital this evening.
One benefit of getting up ridiculously early is seeing some glorious dawns - the above picture is of an impressive sunrise over Drylaw this morning.
That's all for now then, folks - I've got a house to clear! See you next week.

Life's ups and downs

The week couldn't have started better - a big family get-together last weekend up near Aberfoyle in the most beautiful of surroundings (above), with a fun day at Nick Nairn's Cook School to celebrate Caroline's birthday - a real tonic after a difficult week.
Back to Edinburgh on Tuesday afternoon and real life took over again. The banking crisis boiled over with the loss of the Bank of Scotland - and doubtless thousands of jobs too.
Locally, the City's Labour Party organised a selection meeting to find a replacement for Elizabeth with rather indecent haste - a very tight timetable saw a selection meeting held just a week to the day since Elizabeth's funeral, angering many local party activists. This mood was not helped by a supporter of one candidate - who really should have known better - reportedly calling branch members to solicit support for their chosen candidate even before the process - or the candidate list - was formally announced! The candidates themselves only learned that they had been short-listed on Friday afternoon, just four hours before the selection hustings!
Unsurprisingly, given the circumstances - just five days notice, holding the meeting on a Friday night and members' anger about the whole process - there were insufficient local party members present on the night so the CLP Executives of West and North and Leith took part in the vote. The result was predictable, and I suspect may have been rather different had the process not been quite so rushed and local branch members had had a greater opportunity to have their say.
There is talk of official protests, and a number of local members have said that they will not work for the party during the campaign, sickened by what one claims was a 'stitch-up'. That's unfortunate as Labour will need 'all hands on deck' to hold on to a seat in Forth. It seems inconceivable that Labour could not have a presence in a seat with such huge swathes of working class votes, but these are difficult times and recent events have shown that there is no longer any such thing as a safe Labour seat. It promises to be a fascinating campaign - the by-election takes place on 6 November.
By a strange coincidence, the Labour Party conference kicked off in Manchester at the weekend and the call will be for unity. I would expect members to rally round the Prime Minister at conference - and I still don't see anyone of real stature who could conceivably fill his boots. It would be madness, political suicide even, to ditch Gordon Brown now.
However all the local shenanigans and even those national and global events paled into insignificance at the weekend when my old mum was rushed into hospital in the early hours of Saturday morning. She remains very poorly, so all plans have been rearranged to make sure we can spend as much time at her bedside as we can.
Global crises and even Labour Party leaders will come and go, but you only have one mum.

A return to real life

A Fitting Tribute
Yesterday's funeral service, while of course desperately sad, was also a real celebration of Elizabeth's remarkable life. Elizabeth organised the detail of order of service herself and I'm sure she would have been very satisfied by the way things went - even the sun was shining!
Personal friends of many years Cardinal Keith O'Brien and Eric Milligan shared their memories of Elizabeth with the hundreds who packed into Warriston, painting a picture of a woman with a joyous zest for life, a deep love of family and friends and a driven and committed politician. Whatever your views on Elizabeth - and as such a huge personality she attracted strong opinions - no-one can doubt the impact she's had on political life in Edinburgh during her remarkable life, or the massive gap her passing will leave in North Edinburgh.
I don't tend to cry at funerals, but there were a number of times over the course of the day when I nearly 'lost it'. Once, when I spoke to members of Elizabeth's Pilton Equalities Project who are completely bereft and shocked; again, when I saw the pain in the eyes of Elizabeth's close friends Brian Fallon and Paul Nolan, both of whom were finding it very difficult to find the words to express what they were feeling. And again, when I reached the top of the steps to the crematorium and glanced back over my shoulder to see an incredible queue of hundreds of mourners snaking it's way from the front gates all the way towards to the chapel. Hundreds of people for whom Elizabeth clearly meant something. On the darkest of days this massive show of support must have offered at least some little solace to the family. And finally, when meeting Betty Scammell, Elizabeth's mother, after the service. Betty conducted herself with so much dignity whilst going through a day which I am sure she could never have thought she would ever see.
Service over, there was the opportunity to meet and exchange small talk with many people you've not met for a long time - and, in all likelihood, who you may not greet again until another occasion like this one. Dozens of well-kent faces from the Labour Party, more old than new, old colleagues from Lothian Region and friends and colleagues from the North Edinburgh community who have moved on. Promises to keep in touch, which somehow never materialise because mundane, ordinary everday life becomes the norm again.
We spent the rest of the afternoon - and a fair part of the early evening too - in the Jinglin' Geordie, reliving the old days with some old pals and inevitably talking about what happens next. Life doesn't stand still, and a by-election beckons. That will all be sorted out over the coming weeks, but whoever is selected to fight the seat for Labour - and whoever is ultimately elected as the new member for Forth ward - has an almost impossible act to follow. If the new representative can be half as effective as Elizabeth was over the years at arguing her corner, dealing with constituents problems and working tirelessly for the people of Granton, North Edinburgh and beyond - then they will be doing well indeed.
After the holidays I will compile a celebration of Elizabeth's life for next month's NEN - contributions are flowing in already and we won't be short of material.

New Challenges
As I say, life goes on. Today, we will find out who has won the contest to lead the Labour Group in Holyrood. By all accounts it's too close to call between Iain Gray and Cathy Jamieson, though I think it will be the former. Whoever is successful has a major rebuilding job on his/her hands, and there's no doubting the scale of the challenge faced by the new leader.
Another young man facing a new challenge today is Derek Riordan. The prodigal son has returned to Easter Road and his re-signing has given supporters a much-needed lift. I was one who didn't want to see him go in the first place - he is one of the most naturally gifted young players in have seen for years, and managed to shine in a team that was blessed with an abundance of young talent. He's kicked his heels on the periphery at Celtic Park for two years, but I'm sure that Derek has lost none of his prodigious skills or talent over that time. And with an added maturity (well, hopefully!) and with the extra motivation of proving some people wrong, like most Hibs fans I'm expecting great thinks of young Deek.

Back to Work
If this week was dominated by Elizabeth's death, next week will see a return to what passes as 'normal'.
First up, a couple of day's holiday with the extended family to celebrate Caroline's birthday then there's a pretty full work diary. Too many meetings, as ever, but lightened by the delightful job of getting photographs of this year's P1 intake at all of our local schools. It's incredibly difficult to get twenty-plus four and five year olds to all look at the camera and smile at the same time, but it's good fun trying!
Less fun - but crucially important nonetheless - will be the FSF funding panel meetings. Elizabeth's passing meant that the dates are being rescheduled and these will be finalised next week.
So as I said life does go on, but it will be a less colourful one without Elizabeth's presence here in North Edinburgh.

Elizabeth's funeral

Elizabeth's funeral takes place at midday today at Warriston. It's been a surreal week - so many people I've spoken to are finding this all so difficult to take in. It is impossible to believe that someone so full of life and energy, someone who had such a huge role within this community is now longer among us.
I will post again later - in the meantime, like many hundreds of others, I will pay my last respects. My thoughts are with Michael and his family and hope that they will get through what is going to be a hugely difficult day.

A huge shock and a terrible sense of loss

God knows, I had plenty to moan about this week. The list was as long as your arm, then to compound it all I found my PC unavailable all day Sunday after uploading an 'upgrade' from Microsoft.
For the record, the things that caused me so much grief were:

The shitty weather (particularly the absence of any summer),
A severe and very painful case of athlete's foot - and heavens knows I'm no athlete, no doubt picked up at Ainslie Park during my 'get fit' period,
Dobbies Garden Centre clearing their shelves to make way for CHRISTMAS stock (on 6 September!),
Scotland's predictable failure in Macedonia,
Covering the NEN office alone - hobbling aboot - as Mary is on holiday and Vic was also signed off sick,
The shitty weather again ...
Computer failure just when you need it most ...

Fairly inconsequential in the great scheme of things, I agree, but enough to put me down in the dumps, if not clinically depressed. Irked. Annoyed.

However, by the time I did finally get the computer up and running again on Sunday things had changed. I had heard that Elizabeth Maginnis has died. All those minor irritations suddenly become exactly that - of no importance. Life, which generally goes along on a fairly even kilter with the occassional wobble, suddenly goes seriously askew. Things have changed - life is different.

I will post at length later on. Elizabeth's death - apparently of a brain haemorrhage - comes as an almighty shock. Other than the usual cliches like 'huge personality', 'a great loss to North Edinburgh and city politics as a whole' I just can't think of anything new or original to say about her just now.
We met three times last week and she was as full of life - and fight - as ever she was. And now she's gone.

As I said, I will post at more length later but for the moment I'll think about things and try to get this all into perspective. My athlete's foot is stil sair, my job is in the balance but Christ ... I'm still here.

It's now early Monday morning, I can't sleep and at 9:30 our Funding Panel will go through the applicants who are seeking Fairer Scotland Funding. Most of my weekend was spent reading the submissions - all very worthy in different ways but we all know there just isn't enough money in the pot to meet demands, thanks to the Edinburgh Partnership. It's grim ...
Speak to you later

A really amazing story ... honest!

There's a fox loose aboot this hoose!
I know I call this blog Dave's Absolutely Amazing Adventures, but in my most honest moments even I must accept that it isn't always truly amazing. Not even exciting. Sometimes downright dull, even.
But this week, dear readers, I bring you a genuine exclusive - a tale of such excitement that it will have you on the edge of your seats.
Yesterday morning (during an unusual break in the endless rain) I nipped downstairs to hang out some washing. On coming back I heard my cat snarling away, so I assumed that another cat had nipped in to steal his food.
When I got to the bottom of the stairs, however, I got a bit of a shock. Standing at the top of the stairs was a young fox, which quickly ran into the house. I managed to get upstairs to shut most of the room doors and trapped the fox in my living room, but was then faced with a slight dilemma (i.e. what the f*ck do I do now?)
I edged closer to the animal - which was obviously feeling cornered and getting a bit distressed - though mindful that getting bitten was probably not a good idea. There was a brief stand-off - fox and me staring into each others eyes at a range of about six feet - before he bolted past me to the open door, and freedom.
No damage done, and Reynard lives to fight another day. I've mentioned before that I love watching the foxes at play in the garden, especially the young cubs, but this was just a wee bit too close to home!
So there you are, a real adventure - and like the true professional snapper that I am I even got a picture to prove it!
I can't promise quite as much excitement next week - could you handle it? - but who knows, look forward next week to The Strange Episode of the Wildebeest in the Kitchen ... !

The Norseman Cometh

A new dawn beckons ...
Behold! A mighty Norseman has swept down from the icy wastes, plundering everything in his unstoppable path. This heroic figure will inspire and transform the parochial world of Scottish politics forever. His name? Tavish Scott.
Well, maybe not. Young Tavish was the predictable choice of the Scottish Lib Dems - all 4000-odd of them who could be bothered to vote. What difference will the bold Tavish make? Not a significant one, one would imagine. Outside the Holyrood bubble life goes on as normal and the elevation of Tavish has hardly captured the imagination. Will it change your life? Will you remember where you were when Tavish was elected leader of the Scottish Lib Dems? No, thought not. Is it even a new golden dawn for the Lib Dems in Scotland? Nah, don't think so.
The Lib Dem leadership election hardly excited the media much either, with so much of genuine interest going on elsewhere. The world's response to Russian aggression, Alistair Darling's refreshingly honest and candid Guardian interview on the state of the economy, Obama's coronation swiftly followed by the Republican's surprise choice of little-known Alaskan governor Sarah Palin as McCain's running mate - perhaps not too surprising that the media's attentions were elsewhere.
However in a spirit of generosity let me wish Tavish well - he's probably a damn fine decent chap in line with all the damn fine decent chaps who have gone before. But just perhaps the new leader will be able to make it clear at last what the point of the Lib-Dems is - just what are the Lib-Dems actually for?.

And the rain keeps 'teaming' down!

We're all going on a summer holiday ...
Well, we've been, actually. I took a week's break last week - the plan was to top up the tan! Not to put too fine a point on it, the weather was slightly disappointing (see picture - just about sums it up). The opportunities for sunbathing were somewhat curtailed, and while my relatives were test-driving a luxury yacht in the Mediterranean (should that be test sail?)I instead set about dealing with all those chores you tend to put off - writing minutes, updating websites, shopping, ironing, etc. etc. while trying to get out to do things between cloudbursts (I'm not kidding about that yacht, by the way - I'll return to it in future postings).
All that mundane stuff can be very time-consuming but I got it all up to date by the end of the week and we managed a few outings too. I also did something I haven't done for probably ten years at least - I went for a swim!
It wasn't inspiration from watching the heroic feats in the Beijing pool that drove me to Ainslie Park - I have no plans to compete in the next Olympics unless they make 'Quizzes' an Olympic event. No, my daughter Knutt - a fitness fanatic - has been urging me to take more (i.e. any) exercise for months now and I could put it off no longer. Despite a fairly strict diet - devoid of the beloved Golden Wonder cheese and onion - my weight has stubbornly refused to drop below 15 stones and Gail reckons that the only way the weight will come down is by regular exercise.
i actually quite enjoy swimming but I've always managed to find 'good' reasons for not going - usually to do with not enough time. The real reason though was that I was afraid that my gargantuan size might frighten some of the more sensitive bathers.
Anyway, I threw caution to the winds last week and did it - while that smartass American guy managed eight gold medals I managed eight lengths (albeit with ever lengthening breaks in between!)
Many years ago we would be at Warrender and Infirmary Street Baths at least once or twice every week, and when the Commonwealth Pool opened (just round the corner from where we lived)my wee gang almost lived in the place - we went there most days.
It's like a lifetime ago now, but in those distant times I could swim a length of the pool under water. A lifetime, and many thousands of Embassy Regal too.
Now one half-hour swim every ten years or so can't really be classed as 'regular' yet but I've broken my duck now and I didn't send any swimmers scurrying to safety fearing that a blue whale had been released into the pool. I will return.

Labour Pains
Just when I thought my mind was made up (remember that nice letter I got from my new mate Iain Gray?) don't I receive letters from Andy Kerr and Cathy Jamieson? Iain was my one and only mate but now I've found that I've got not one but three bosom buddies! Then there was a phone call from Team Grey too .. Iain, Cathy or Andy - sometimes there's just too much choice!

Beijing's over - now the real show begins!
One side effect of the crap weather was that I watched far more of the Olympic Games than I had planned - it sort of sucks you in. I am now an expert on every sport under the sun (or, more often, the rain).
There's no denying that the British athletes were very impressive - you can't argue with a haul of 47 medals, 19 of which were gold. Finishing fourth in the medal table behind giants like China, USA and Russia is no mean achievement.
There were far fewer drug offences than I had expected, and while there were some outrageous judging decisions in favour of the host nation you've got to say that the event was a success (put to one side the opening ceremony which featured one wee girl miming because the real singer just didn't look 'perfect' enough, and the use of computer generated images to enhance the already-spectacular effects of the fireworks when the opening ceremony was beamed round the world).
There were many highlights, but my own favourite moment was when a Cuban TaeKwon Do player took exception to a judge's decision. No 'noble art' or strict discipline for this guy - he launched himself at the judge and landed a very impressive flying kick on the unfortunate official. Top marks for technical merit, but of course the rash chap has since been banned for life. Not that I would condone behaviour of this sort in any way, but I do wonder how many sportsmen who have been on the receiving end of a dodgy refereeing decision must have envied that bloke?
The minus side of the Games for me was the infuriating use of that odious phrase 'Team GB' by our over-partisan legion of commentators, and their constant references to London 2012. The Beijing games were hardly closed when the London party got into full swing and I fear we're going to hear of little else for the next four years. I'm already heartily sick of the sight of Sebastian - sorry, Lord - Coe. If you thought 1966 was bad, you ain't seen nuthin' yet!

Team Pickering takes to the ocean waves
It was Kevin's birthday last Friday, and it's customary for the birthday boy/girl to choose where we go to celebrate the event. Kevin opted for a Jazz cruise on the Maid of the Forth - very different from sitting in a restaurant or spending the evening in a boozer getting p*ssed! It was very pleasant - the trad jazz band were old hands and good fun - and while the barbecued chicken in a polystyrene tray was hardly Balmoral standards it was okay. The rain even stayed off!
Aye, you can keep your luxury yacht - the old Maid of the Forth will do for me!

The Week Ahead
Team NEN will be busy this week as we are going to print a day early (Wednesday). Team Drylaw Telford Community Council meets on Wednesday night with a very full agenda - top of which is the ongoing Fairer Scotland Fund saga. This one will run and run - a bit like Paula Radcliffe, really.

When second is nowhere

Super Sunday too?
Well if not super, surely very satisfactory? Not if you saw BBC's legion of pundits in Beijing (I'm sure they're breeding - there seem to be more and more of them every day)this morning. More golds to celebrate, but DISASTER - our four women rowers brought shame upon the nation by finishing only second! Silver simply isn't good enough for 'Team GB' and there were enough tears to start another regatta. Meanwhile in the studio there was the sense of stunned bereavement that is only normally evident when a great national figure has died or there has been a great natural disaster. Let's get this into perspective - our women finished second best in the world in the rowing fours; that's not really too bad, is it? Yet with targets to be hit and everything geared towards London 2012 it's all about winning. One commentator, probably unwittingly, summed it up this morning: "There's only one colour that matters - and that's the gold". As one who used to live by the 'it's not the winning, it's the taking part' creed when trying to encourage my own kids to enjoy sport, it made me feel quite queasy.
Judging by the BBC's coverage - where the gold medal tally is everything - is the Olympics now really only about winning? It certainly looks like London 2012 will be no place for losers. I can heardly wait ...

O ye of little faith
Yes, I got it wrong about Hibs yesterday. A goal inside fifty seconds did help, and what an enjoyable game it was (and still would have been even if HIbs had lost their lead, as lokked likely late on. There were a lot of positives on show at Easter Road and both sides played open, attackign football. To use another fottball cliche (this blog will be liberally sprinkled with them over the coming months) it was a great advery for Scottish football.
I was impressed by Falkirk's football, and their striker Higdon in particular. A big brutal battering-ram in the mould of the old-fashioned centre-forward, he shoved, pushed and battled away all game and was rewarded with two goals. A cross between Viduka and Hartson without the touch. But two goals, a couple of near chances, more than a few warnings from the ref about his 'over enthusiasm' - yes, I'm sure he'll be delighted with his day's work, if not the result.
However the mighty Hibs have started their inexorable rise up the SPL table - let the others quake!

Oh no! Not another one!
The death of the sitting Labour MP in Glenrothes has given Gordon Brown another headache he could have done without. In normal times Glenrothes would be solidly Labour but as we have seen over recent months these are not normal times, and the bookies have already installed the SNP as long odds-on favourites.
The dilemma for Brown is timing - whether to call the by-election before or after Labour's Party Conference. Go early, don't give the SNP any time to organise, take the defeat on the chin if/when it comes and then use the conference speech to relaunch the Party? Or use the conference speech to galvanize what's left of the party faithful, show strong leadership and issue a call to arms to members to come to the aid of the Party? What to do, what to do?
The added complication of Henry McLeish's 'constructive' suggestions - and his being mooted as a possible candidate by some (surely mischievious elements) - won't be doing Gordon's blood pressure much good, and Milliband's manoueverings and lukewarm support haven't been exactly helpful either.
Internationally, there's the Caucasas problem still festering away and all the doestic economic indicators are dire. Oh Gordon, what to do indeed?

Picture: Your humble scribe offers Gordon Brown some words of wisdom. It was a long time ago.

Super Saturday?

Fingers Crossed
While 'Team GB' (ghastly title) are sweeping all before them on the BBC's self-styled 'Super Saturday' in Beijing, my sporting attentions are turned a bit closer to home - it's off to Easter Road shortly for my first home game of the season.
In years gone by the visit of Falkirk would not have caused too many palpitations, but we are looking at a decidedly underwhelming Hibs team at the moment and expectations are not high. By all accounts Hibs didn't play too badly at Kilmarnock last week, but Falkirk dominated Rangers for long periods in their game and they could be quite a useful side. If Hibs can score early (scoring at all would be a bonus) I think we can go on and win, but if we fall behind I'm not convinced the current side has what it takes - guile, invention, fighting spirit - to come back.
All will be revealed at 4:45, but I'm predicting a draw.
Incidentally I finished an impressive 9000+th in last week's BBC Scotland Predictor game so there is room for improvement. To use a couple of favourite football cliches, though, it is 'early doors' so I am not 'sick as a parrot' just yet.

The picture above is the Hibs support in happier times - singing their way to victory in the League Cup final in 2007. It all seems like a very long time ago!

Flooding on The Fringe

Washout
If July's weather was bad, hasn't August been awful? My cousin and her family came up from Wales to take in the Festival last week, and they couldn't have picked a finer few days to see Edinburgh at it's most drookit!
They were also fortunate enough to have tickets for the Tattoo on Wednesday night - yup, the night of the tropical storms - so I don't think they'll forget their visit in a hurry. Hopefully the trench foot will clear up soon ...
I was hoping to catch some of Fringe Sunday today but the Meadows will be like Paschendaele after last night's deluge so I'm giving it a miss. I didn't go to see Pilton Video's show at the Lawnmarket last night for the same reason - maybe I'm getting too soft in my old age.
As I write the sun is splitting the sky so no doubt the snowstorms will be here by teatime ...

Other news. We picked up a Gold Medal in the Road Race today - damn fine show but 75km. on a bike looks like hard work. A taxi would surely have been cheaper?

There are potentially serious problems in the old USSR, with Russia taking an unhealthy interest in the goings-on in neighbouring Georgia. South Ossetia province (and, no, I hadn't heard of it either) could prove to be a serious flashpoint and once again we're seeing how impotent our international organisations can be in the face of naked aggression. It's a time for cool heads.

The footie season gets under way, Celtic win with a soft penalty. Hibs are disappointing, Rangers struggle but still win. Plus ca change!

And finally, a quick word on recent events in sunny old North Edinburgh. I have been heartened by the response I received to the letter I wrote to the NEN regarding some shenanigans surrounding a recent meeting. Callers and emailers have been very supportive, and I'm more convinced than ever that my community council did the right thing in calling that meeting. The misguided wreckers can't be allowed to win, and I'm pleased to hear that the vast majority of those who take an interest share that view. No doubt I'll be returning to this issue over the coming weeks.
I'm off to find my wellies before venturing out into the now lashing rain - as my old friend Captain Titus Oates so nobly said, 'I may be gone some time'!

Cheerio, chaps - tally ho!

And they're Off!

Leadership Elections
I received a mailing from the Iain Gray campaign this week. Yes, us ordinary hoi polloi are getting a say in who will lead the Labour group at Holyrood!
I am touched - moved even, that a candidate would take the time to write to a humble member seeking support. Because the letter starts 'Dear David' I am taking this as a sign that Iain Gray is now officially my mate so I will vote for my new buddy!
Seriously though, despite the fact that he has the support of Lord George Foulkes, I will vote for him. He has a background that indicates some experience of real life: as a teacher and as a worker with Oxfam. And as a fellow Hibs supporter, he also intimate knowledge of dealing with constant disappointment. Inspirational he is not - none of the candidates are - but I do think he has an air of honesty that Andy Kerr does not. I like Cathy Jamieson, but as Deputy Leader, she was too closely involved in the Alexander Affair for my liking. And while I think Cathy's politics are perhaps closest to my own, she may also be hindered by the 'always the bridesmaid' syndrome. An able Deputy Leader (what does the Deputy Leader actually do, other than stand in at FMQs from time to time?) does not necessarily make her leadership material.
I think Iain's enforced absence from Holyrood - he lost his Pentlands seat to David McLetchie in 2003 before returning last year - has probably done him no harm either. He returns of something of a fresh face (admittedly not a particularly photogenic one, but a fresh one nonetheless) and he will not be closely associated with what is increasingly seen as the 'same old same old' face of Labour in Scotland.
I reckon Iain may also be the beneficiary of an East - West split, with his opponents' supporters likely to cut each others' throats (metaphorically, of course) over in the Wild West.
Whoever wins will have a big task on his/her hands to rejuvenate the Labour Party in Scotland (yes, I know the victor is only head of the Holyrood group of MSPs, but as far as the media is concerned it's the 'Scottish Labour leader'). None of the three will particularly scare the SNP leadership, but I think Iain Gray's grasp of detail may serve to unsettle Mr Salmond a little. The SNP have had it all too easy so far and the country - any democratic country - needs an effective opposition.
Whoever wins I wish them the very best of luck. I've had one victory already as Cheeky Charlie Gordon could not amass the five nominations necessary to allow him to enter the leadership contest. Clearly my comrades have learned something from Donorgate, and that's as good a starting point as any.

We tend to forget that there is another ongoing leadership contest, of course - the media spotlight appears to have been switched off completely as far as the Lib Dem contest is concerned. Surprising, as the three names in the frame are political giants - well, in the world of the Lib Dems they are ... maybe. The clash of the titans here is between eternal outsider Mike Rumbles, Ross 'Captain Mainwaring' Finnie and some Viking bloke from up north who may be a distant relation of Noggin the Nog - yes, that's him, Tavish Scott. The Lib Dems are clearly spoilt for choice - and I can't help but wonder how different it may have been for them had they went into coalition with the SNP at the start of the Parliament. Would they be in the state of inertia that they are now? We'll never know, but I doubt that a new leader make any difference to their position in the polls.
I've no preference or real interest who will win this contest, but I do find Ross Finnie quite a comical figure. I reckon Scott will win - spin over substance - but the Lib Dems should maybe go for a more senior figure. What about Scott's wicked uncle, Nogbad the Bad? If he's not a card-carrying member get him signed up now - his dastardly cunning and evil plotting would make him more than a match for Wee Eck!

The Big Kick Off

It seems to have come round awfully soon, but it's back to SPL action today.
The referees have negotiated themselves a pretty decent pay rise (no wonder some of those 'fat cats' are looking slightly overweight!)
Regular readers will know that I'm an ace tipster so you'll be desperate to hear my predictions for the new season! Here goes:

RANGERS will win the SPL. Yes, I have been drinking, but I think their (entirely merited) early exit from Europe could prove to be a blessing in disguise as far as their League challenge is concerned - although they'll certainly miss the £8 - £10 million they've lost as a result of their defeat by Lithuanian giants Kaunas. If they can keep their squad together - some of the ambitious Europeans may try to get a move to enjoy European football - I reckon they can be a match for Celtic, who will be embarking on a European campaign and won't be able to concentrate solely on the League.
As ever, the title will hinge on who comes out best in the four Old Firm games. My mates think I'm mad, but I reckon Rangers will do it.
As to the annual question - who'll finish third? I'm going for Dundee United, despite their poor finish last season. Craig Levein is a talented manager and I think he'll get the best out of his squad. They have also signed Sandaza,a new striker who is apparently red hot. So it's United for me for third spot.
I expect both Falkirk and Motherwell to have decent seasons, Kilmarnock to finish around mid-table with Aberdeen, and St Mirren and Hamilton to struggle and fight it out to avoid the drop.
And the Edinburgh teams? If there is no interference and Hearts' new manager is allowed to get on with the job of picking the team, I could see a big improvement in Hearts this year. It is a big 'if', though, and you can't predict Hearts' fortunes with any confidence.
Hibs' pre-season has been pretty dire and the squad is not a patch on previous years. The club was fortunate to have a particularly good start last season, and they will need that again this term. I expect a bottom six finish (I expected that last season but was pleasantly surprised to find Hibs almost in the running for a European spot near the season's end). I just can't see that this time round, but if there is one ray of hope it is the signing of former Gretna player Fabian Yantorno. If this guy can stay injury free he will be a real asset to the club - I'm looking forward to seeing him get an extended run in the side.
So here's how I see things shaping up:

1. Rangers
2. Celtic
3. Dundee United
4. Motherwell
5. Falkirk
6. Hearts
7. Aberdeen
8. Kilmarnock
9. Hibs
10. Inverness CT
11. St Mirren
12. Hamilton

Here goes for another season of false hopes and misery!

Incidentally, my Jinglin Geordie Fantasy Football selection is:

Olejnik (Falkirk)
Whittaker (Rangers)
Considine (Aberdeen)
Craigan (Motherwell)
Hogg (Hibs)
Hughes (Motherwell)
Stewart (Hearts)
Murray (Hibs)
Vennegoor (Celtic)
Boyd (Rangers)
Lee Miller (Aberdeen)

What can possibly go wrong now? I'm counting my winnings already!

Farewell Old Friend

I know you shouldn't feel sentimental about a piece of metal, but ...
Tyson, my wee Citroen and companion of many years, has departed to the Great Scrappie in the Sky (well, William Waugh's in Granton actually). I am bereaved.
Logic dictated that Tyson would have to go - getting on in years, a bit battered and bruised, niggling wee problems like a slipping clutch and a minor oil leak, a driver's door that couldn't close properly after losing a battle with a fierce gust of wind - I could go on but you get the picture.
It would have cost more than the car was worth to get it through another MOT, then there's the Road Tax, insurance, the cost of running it; it made sense to get rid of it, and yet ...
I loved that wee car. It was gutsy, reliable and handled the challenge of getting young Knutt through her driving test without complaint - hundreds of reverse turns round corners, dozens of 'turn in the road using forward and reverse gears' (I would have said three point turns, but you clearly haven't seen Knutt's driving).
Yes, the lack of power steering turned me into Charles Atlas, but every time you turned the key in the ignition - Tyson started, first time. Nothing flash - you could leave Tyson anywhere safe in the knowledge that no self respecting car thief would nick him, or no vandal would attack him as he looked fully vandalised already! You couldn't leave him for long in more affluent areas, though - the sight of Tyson parked in the street for long would have houses prices plummeting!
Tyson was a real wee diesel workhorse who never let you down - and even on that final journey he started first time, game to the end ...
I drive a Picasso now, and though it's far more comfortable - palatial compared to the cramped wee Citroen - it's got nothing of Tyson's personality; it's just a car.
So goodbye then,old chum - it was an honour to know you.

Beijing Countdown

Just two days until 'the greatest show on earth', as the BBC is billing the Olympic Games. Mind you, the Beeb has got to big it up - they seem to have dozens of reporters there already - even Radio Scotland has two, for goodness sake - and the games haven't even started yet.
Many years ago I used to love watching the Olympics - the good old days when all the competitors were amateurs - well, supposedly - and they competed only for the simple glory of representing their country and taking on the best in the world. Ah, life was so innocent then! Sadly, the days of Alf Tupper winging his way to Olympic immortality in his battered plimsolls (on a drug-free diet of traditional fish and chips to boot!)are no more.
These days, it's all about big business - without the lure of massive new marketing and commercial opportunities do you think the IOC would even have considered staging the games in Beijing?
The Olympics should really be sponsored by the world's big drug companies, for the biggest competition in China will likely be the ongoing battle between the drug cheats and the authorities, who seem to be fighting a losing battle in trying to clamp down on the use of banned substances. My predictions (these come with a health warning given my recent run of form):
1. The first positive drug test will be a weightlifter.
2. Great Britain will finish 6th - 8th in the medal table. The British Olympic Association is deliberately talking down our likely medal tally, perhaps in the hope that, if we win more medals than they are predicting, the nation will take the BOA to it's collective bosom - as opposed to seeing the bloated organisation as a massive waste of money. As usual, most of our medals will come in equestrian events, rowing and cycling.
3. China will come very close to toppling the mighty USA at the top of the medal table. This will be because a substantial number of Chinese competitors will produce a suspiciously improved level of performance. This will have nothing to do with the use of banned (but undetected) substances, of course, but because they are competing in and for the glory of their beloved homeland.

Let battle commence, then, but I won't be watching. I am already in training for London 2012, by which time I hope that darts will be an Olympic event. Who needs anabolic steroids - a few pints and a nightly fish supper should get me in fine shape by then! The Corinthian spirit is alive and well - step forward, son of Tupper!

Stormy Waters

Turbulent Times
I had quite a lot to write about last week but my blogging time was seriously curtailed by a real 'stooshie' that's blown up in North Edinburgh. Unsurprisingly, it's over Fairer Scotland Funding.
Drylaw Telford Community Council asked North Edinburgh Trust to organise a joint meeting with our neighbouring CCs and projects likely to be affected by some sizeable FSF funding cuts - North Edinburgh has taken a serious blow in our allocation. So far, information emanating from the Neighbourhood Partnerships on what's happening with FSF has been poor to say the least, so we saw the meeting as an opportunity to let local communities know what is going on, what the effects of reduced funding could be, and to try to agree a joint way forward to get the best deal we can for the area.
All very well-intentioned, you might think; laudable, even. But clearly not everyone shares that view, and since the day following the 23 July meeting there's been a flurry of activity. Malicious gossip, misinformation and accusations of political skulduggery have been flying around - all anonymous, of course - and the end result is a lot of mistrust and genuine anger. The motives of some good people have been criticised and an awful lot of damage has been done by some misguided individuals who see political plots where none exist.
This story is ongoing and there's a lot more to come out. All I'd add for now is that you'd be amazed at the time it takes to deal with something like this - even when it's founded on nothing more than mischievous tittle-tattle.
So all of the stuff that's been happening out there in the wider world - fuel price increases and obscene profits, hapless Hibs, two leadership election campaigns in Scotland (no, I'm not including Gordon Brown here), the capture of Karadic with his Papa Smurf comedy beard disguise, the Fringe ticket farce - all of these issues will have to wait for the moment.
There are a number of important meetings taking place across the area this week - North Edinburgh Trust's board, the Fairer Scotland Funding Panel and Evoc's Forth Voluntary Sector Forum are all due to meet, and each in it's own way will determine how things are going to look in the not-too-distant future in North Edinburgh.
I'll keep you posted - confidentiality clauses permitting, of course.

Now that the dust has settled ...

Reflections on Glasgow East
Well what do you make of that? Apart from the bold Mr Salmond himself, who would have predicted that result? I always thought that the by-election would be close but I genuinely thought that a 13500 majority was just too much to overcome. Just shows you how wrong you can be.
So what happened? Well, firstly, let's take nothing away from the SNP. As I said last week their candidate is a very popular local councillor - increasing his majority at subsequent council elections - and he didn't put a foot wrong despite the constant media attention. There were some sneers about his quiet manner, his lack of pzazz and the fact that his Leader was constantly by his side. Whatever the detractors say, he was quietly effective and he chimed with local people. The voters knew what they were getting when they elected him.
Then there was the campaign itself. When you are on a high, as the SNP undoubtedly is, it's quite easy to get supporters out and working - the sense of excitement is there, you're enthusiastic and the adrenaline's there. The SNP had hundreds of willing volunteers available, and their presence on the streets was impressive. Come a General Election they would not be able to flood constituencies across the country, of course, but this was a remarkable achievement nonetheless.
So I don't think it's quite as simple as saying that Labour lost the election - the SNP had to go out and win it, and they did. They enthused people to work for them, they enthused voters to go out and vote for them - they deserved their victory.
As for Labour, where do you start? There's the suspicious (for some) circumstances of having to call a snap by-election in the first place, then your preferred candidate decides not to turn up for his selection meeting (more questions). You then have to quickly rewrite the rule-book to lever another candidate in - and only then can your campaign begin in earnest!
And that's against a backdrop of crippling fuel prices, high interest rates, food prices going through the roof and rising unemployment. You've just lost your leader in the Scottish Parliament, your chums at Westminster have supported (then belatedly rescinded) the abolition of the 10p tax band and, shortly after deciding against cutting back their own ample expenses. To top that, in the crucial last week of campaigning your government announces bold new plans to get claimants off welfare and back into work -and the by-election is in one of the poorest and unhealthiest constituencies in the country! Add to this potent cocktail the fact that this Labour government has become one of the most unpopular since records began, you begin to see that you might have a bit of a problem here ...
And yet despite all that, I thought Labour would hold on. Too big a majority, I thought, and turnout will be poor - it always is there. Well turnout was low, but those people who did choose to vote sent a very clear, if unpleasant, message to the Labour government, and it is simply not good enough to say 'we're listening - we share your pain'. Patronising words won't win the seat back or convince an increasingly sceptical and disillusioned public that Labour really cares about ordinary people anymore.
However I believe that there is absolutely nothing to be gained by ditching Gordon Brown, as some hysterical back-benchers are demanding - a change of leader will not change the Party's fortunes, and honestly - what ambitious Labour MP would want that job right now? No, if it wasn't clear before it should be crystal clear now - it's time to ditch the 'New' and to get back to real left-of-centre policies. That's what Labour is for

This week's pic is NOT George Foulkes and Eric Pickles enjoying a spot of rough and tumble for the cameras - it was taken at a community fun day at the Civil Service Playing Fields last Friday!

All To Play For (2)

An auld fiddle plays the best tune?
It's my birthday today - thanks for all the cards and presents, it took me hours to open them all - twenty-one again!
Actually fifty-one's not that old - although it does look like it when you type it out in full. Apart from failing eyesight (cannae read a thing without the specs), dodgy knees, greying sideburns and creaking bones I feel fit as a fiddle. With my change of diet and new fitness regime of the last few weeks I have managed to put on two pounds: I am strongly tempted to return to my trusty Golden Wonder diet next week!
Getting older does have it's advantages, I'm told - but I've yet to find out what these actually are. However the alternative to growing older isn't really a palatable option, so we soldier on. And growing older doesn't mean that you have to grow up!
I am inspired by Greg Norman's performance in the Open this week. He starts the final day with a lead of two shots, despite having played little seriously competitive golf over the last few years - and he's 53! He looks extremely fit and seems to be enjoying himself immensely. My guess is that he, too, has discovered the benefits of the Golden Wonder diet!
I'm off to open the rest of my presents - if I can find my glasses!
The image above is neither Greg Norman nor myself, although this chap looks how I feel some mornings.

All to play for (1)

Final countdown in Glasgow East
The political parties and the media have moved into overdrive as we move into the last few days of campaigning. The papers are full of it, the blogosphere is filled with thousands of postings about it, party activists can talk about nothing else - the only people who seem slightly less than enthusiastic about the whole political circus are the local punters themselves.
The word is they are fed up with being accosted on the local streets by strange alien visitors from another world brandishing leaflets as they nip out to the shops for their 'Sun' or 'Daily Record', or fighting their way past yet another camera crew as they try to get the Lottery ticket on in time. They are not even safe in their own homes - if it's not some eager canvasser knocking on their door seeking support it's the dreaded telephone canvassers - sometimes called Jocasta or Justin -calling during East Enders or Corrie or when they're trying to feed the bairns. The double-glazing and kitchens salespeople can't get through to offer their 'once-in-a-lifetime opportunities' for the party political telecanvassers queueing up to offer even better deals!
The end is nigh, though - what passes as daily life in the East End will return to normal come Friday, when the media circus will have moved on and all that will be left are dozens of leaflets littering the streets and lamp-post posters awaiting removal.
The talking points of the last week were the intervention of Taggart actor John Michie, who was out on the streets campaigning for Margaret Curran. Only last year the same actor is recorded on film making a passionate plea for independence! Following this revelation the Glesca thespian exited stage left (or maybe stage right?)and has not been seen on the streets again. It's not uncommon for actors to play two roles in one production but this is surely a case that would baffle Taggart himself!
The other 'highlight' was Newsnight Scotland's hustings edition on Thursday night. It was a disappointment, we learnt nothing new and chairman Glenn Campbell didn't exactly cover himself in glory. Dimbleby, Paxman - even Kirsty Wark - he is not.
The Tory candidate has no change of winning so was quite relaxed; no doubt it's been a good experience for her and she'll find a seat in due course.
The Lib-Dem was the identikit Lib-Dem wallpaper candidate - unremarkable, uncontroversial and saying what he thought the studio audience wanted to hear. Again, he'll be back.
The SNP's Councillor Mason is an accountant to trade with a background in the church, so it was always unlikely that you were going to get a song and dance routine from this chap. He certainly came across as competent, though, and as one of Glasgow's longest serving councillors - and a resident of the East End - he didn't let himself down under the glare of the studio lights.
Margaret Curran is often described as 'feisty'. That's usually seen as something positive, but it's a quality that seems to work both ways with the Labour candidate and she appears to be turning off as many voters as she is garnering support for the cause.
Ms Curran's style is to 'talkveryveryfastandsaylotsandlotsofveryveryimportantthingswithouteveryreallyansweringthequestionthatwasputtoherinthehopethattheinterviewerwillforgetthequestionheaskedinthefirstplaceandallowingmargarettoansweratotalydifferentquestionormakeacompletelyunrelatedpointinstead'
She's very good at it, but it's dreadful to watch and a pain to listen to. Why not just answer the questions?
Labour is also said to be worded about problems with having two Currans on the ballot paper - Frances Curran is standing for the SSP, and they fear that this could cause confusion amongst voters. This has been an issue before but you've really got to ask: if voters cannot distinguish between the two different parties on the ballot paper should they really be allowed to have the vote at all?
The fate of the candidates will become clear in the early hours of Friday morning. My prediction (forget the golf and Euro 2008 forecasts!)? While the SNP will certainly get their vote out I still think Labour will hold on, on a much reduced majority and on a very low turn-out. And whatever the result, at least the good folk of the East End can feel safe to leave their homes again to enjoy what's left of their Glasgow Fair holidays.
Incidentally the pictures above are not Glasgow's East End, but pictures I took on the way to work the other morning - North Edinburgh shares many problems with our cousins out west. (As dear Kirsty might say 'More on that story later').