Savile And Margaret Thatcher
The recently released papers show lots of details of meetings between Jimmy Savile and Margaret Thatcher. The details are here on the BBC.
It would appear that Margaret Thatcher did nothing untoward. In fact some of things that were suggested by Savile, were being thought of by the government anyway.
So there doesn’t seem to be much guilt by association here!
Aspall’s New Bottle
I went to the Barbican cinema yesterday to see the film, Safety Not Guaranteed. The link is to the review in the Guardian, which gets it about right.
I did though get a bottle of Aspall’s cyder to take in to the screening. The draught cyder was in a new shape bottle.
Aspall’s New Bottle
It looked different and I suspect it saves glass and energy, but at least the cyder tasted the same.
A Double-Sided Card Holder
Like many in London, I have my Freedom Pass or Oyster Card in a small plastic folder.
My Freedom Pass Folder
I used to keep one of my credit cards in the same folder, so I didn’t have to carry a full wallet. But now that the Oyster system can read credit cards, I don’t want to confuse the system and get charged as well. So now, I just have the Freedom Pass in the folder. But it is inconvenient, as I often have to get out my wallet to say pay in Waitrose.
What is needed is a folder which is say blue on one side and red on the other. With one colour face up you get the Freedom Pass or Oyster Card on the reader and the other way up, the credit card can be used on a swipe terminal.
It could even be embossed on both sides, so that the blind would get the right card on the reader.
Of course it would be in something better than cheap plastic, like leather.
I think, judging by the gossip I’ve heard, that Transport for London, are getting a bit of a problem, with the system charging an inadvertently swiped card, instead of the Oyster or Freedom Pass.
The Zopans
In my previous post, I used the term Zopans to describe those working on processing the loans at Zopa.
It conjures up images of dark figures in a subterranean hell forging iron with immense powerful machines. Some of these images go a bit over the top!
I think though it illustrates how the choice of a company name is important!
The Zopans Are At Work
There has been activity on my Zopa account this morning, with £150 credited from repayments and a couple of outstanding loan offers have been approved.
I suspect that a lot of these actions are just clever software, but some might have needed an OK from someone with a face and a brain!
Four loan offers have also appeared on my account with today’s date. So there are definitely people out there, who need a loan on most days in the year. My two loan offers on Christmas Day are still being processed.
Incidentally, looking at my loan book, I have a loan that was started on Christmas Day 2010.
London’s Swedish Black Cab Driver
I found this article about London’s only Swedish black cab driver.
I wonder what other unusual or unexpected nationalities drive London’s black cabs.
I remember years ago, when we lived in Suffolk, our postman was Californian. He’d come in the USAF, married an English girl and he’d stayed.
He actually preferred the climate, just like the Swedish cab driver says he does.
A Pension Scam
I’ve also received a text message saying.
Hi, as you have a frozen pension, you can get a large cash payment within 4 weeks, to get it started today reply ‘CASH’ to this text.
It was unsigned. That told me it was a scam, as if my pension manager wants me urgently, he comes round on his bike, or gives me a call on the land-line.
The grammar is all wrong too. one of the advantages of an education system, that no longer teaches how to form sentences correctly, is that it’s easier to spot frauds.
And my grammar isn’t perfect!
What Is O2 More?
I just received some advertising spam, which said this.
Do you run a UK business with global aspirations? HSBC could help. Ring 08452669781. Terms apply. To stop O2 More text stop to 20502.
I, of course didn’t ring or text either of the numbers.
But if I get another, the ICO will be hearing from me. I will be leaving O2 as well. Especially, as I never registered to receive spam.
Certainly, HSBC has gone on my not do business with list.
A Pharmacy With Young Assistants Wearing High Heels?
When I first went to Liverpool, the local girls were always described as totties. So this pharmacy caught my eye in Charlton!
A Pharmacy With Young Assistants Wearing High Heels?
The explanation at the time for tottie, was that the girls always tottered on very high heels.
I suppose now, they’d be called supertotties, as the heels are so much higher.
The Anonymous Widower 