A ray of light

Not all doom and gloom
While GB2009 PLC seems in dire straits, across the Pond our American cousins were able to put their financial woes behind them - for a while at least - when the new President was sworn in. Little more than a generation ago it would have been unthinkable that a black man could become the leader of the free world, but it's happened and there is a palpable sense of hope, of new beginnings and an opportunity for the United States to become a force for good. That is a huge weight of responsibility on the President's shoulders, but his announcement that Guantanamo Bay will close is a good first step.
Incidentally, the President may not only be the first African-American president, he may also be the first Irish African American. This has not been confirmed, but a taxi driver told me that Mr President's real name is in fact Barry O'Bammer and he had family connections in County Mayo, where his descendants were potato farmers. I'm amazed that the press hasn't picked up on this; perhaps further corroboration is required. I will investigate this - I feel an 'exclusive' coming on ...!

Some hae meat ...
But I hae meetings. Policy & Strategy Committee again this week, and if the politicians and officials are sick of the sight of deputations from North Edinburgh I can assure them that the feeling is mutual - in the nicest possible way of course. There was a glimmer of hope for Forth projects following that meeting - it seems that officials will be asked to investigate the possibility of using some of the funds 'top-sliced' for strategic, city-wide programmes to support beleaguered Forth projects. The devil, as ever, will be in the detail and the interpretation of this Motion, but perhaps it's a sign that there may be some movement from the administration. Time is not on our side, though, and there is a pressing need for urgent action before jobs are lost and services suffer.
Other meetings this week included Forth Voluntary Sector Forum, a meeting with a lawyer to discuss Fairer Scotland, a staff team meeting and a particularly bruising meeting of the Edinburgh Unionist Club's committee.
Like many pubs and clubs across the country, the Unionist Club is suffering - too much expenditure (costs constantly rising)and not enough income; people are just not going out so much and are reining back on what they spend. The Club's situation is concerning, and the scale of the financial problem and how we tackle it was the main subject of last week's meeting. It was a particularly heated and acrimonious affair and there was too much heat and not enough light. Nothing was agreed, there is much to be resolved and a meeting will be held in the near future to take a cold, hard look at the Club's finances - some tough decisions lie ahead.
Despite the Club's financial woes, though, we did manage to stage a very successful Burns Supper on Friday. It was well attended, proved very popular with Members and guests and everyone went home happy (probably because most were "fu'")! The Burns Supper was arranged and organised in record quick time and it shows just what can be achieved when Members pull together and put in a bit of effort. Such was the success that a Valentine's Night is now being planned. The Elvis jumpsuit may just get an airing, although the elastic waistband is coming under increasing pressure and could go at any time ...

Book of the Month
Yes, I've read one! Suffering from the excesses of Friday night (and with the internet down) I spent yesterday reading Mark Blake's excellent 'Pigs Might Fly', the inside story of Pink Floyd. A tale of titanic personality struggles, superhuman drug use and yes, even some discussion about the band's music, this is a 'must read' not only for Pink Floyd aficionados but anyone who is interested in the history of rock music. Like them or loathe them, Pink Floyd will always be considered one of the world's truly great rock bands and theirs is a fascinating story. For a band that's been on the scene for forty years there's an awful lot of story to tell, but Mark Blake tells it so well.

The joys of technology
It should have been so simple, but I guess I knew the reality would always prove more complicated. For months now I've been having problems with my mobile phone - it's become so hard to hear what callers are saying that it seems that everyone is calling from deepest Uzbekistan - so last weekend I resolved to deal with it (and also put a tick against at least one item on my ever-growing 'To Do' list).
My mobile contract, and also my internet service provider, is with a large and very well-known communications company - let's call them, say, ET - and I called them last week to request a new phone. Quite straightforward, you may think, but wait - it seems that ET no longer 'do' simple mobile contacts, but instead offer a new super-duper all singing, all dancing solution to 'all my communications needs, both at home and on the move'. New phone? Perish the thought - what I should really be doing is upgrading to Option 3 of ET's broadband service and then I can receive not just a run of the mill old mobile phone but - a PDA! Yes, I can keep my existing number, and all this for less than I am paying at the moment!! Of course I accepted this once in a lifetime bargain offer - what could possibly go wrong?
The equipment arrived early last week - the boxes (yes, plural)were ominously large, and when opened I found them filled with a dazzling array of cables, electronic boxes and, oh yes, I nearly forgot my new phone - sorry PDA.
Some days (and one two hour phone call to ET) later, I found that, while I do indeed retain my mobile number, a new SIm card means all of my contact telephone numbers have gone and an awful lot of inputting names and numbers will be required. My internet service has also been up and doon more times than a hoor's drawers (as Rabbie Burns might have said, but probably didn't) but at least I have learned at last how to turn on my new phone - sorry, PDA. I can now be contacted wherever I roam - assuming, of course, that I learn how to answer a call on this new device. An old banger 'Pay As You Go' mobile has been retrieved from the back of a drawer and is charging, ready for action, as we speak - meanwhile the new PDA sits blinking at me in a silent, threatening manner; a malevolent, brooding presence.
If you do call, don't expect an answer anytime soon - I've got a hefty manual to study first!
See you next week, when - Option 3 permitting - I should be posting again.

This week's picture is the East End of Princes Street, taken through a window in the City Chambers. Edinburgh can be fairly bleak in January, but not quite so colourless - this is a black and white image!