Common Bloody Sense

Frank Zappa (RIP)

2009-05-14T12:49:00.001+01:00

Frank Zappa once said that the most common element in the universe wasn't hydrogen, it was stupidity.

The case rests m'Lud...

Tailgating drivers

2009-05-12T16:13:00.002+01:00

Tailgating Drivers:

Do you really think that by driving right up the arse of the car in front it will get you anywhere that much quicker?? Or will make the driver in front think, "Gosh that guy behind me is driving so close, he must be really important. Therefore I shall speed up / get out of his way at my earliest opportunity so that he may continue on his breakneck journey to get to his important place/meeting."

No. I actually think you are a twat and I will slow down simply to irritate you.

If I can't see your wheels or numberplate in my rear-view mirror, then you are too close. Moron.

Shirts - labels sewn into clothing in general

2009-05-01T21:16:00.004+01:00

Why oh why, do manufacturers of shirts, t-shirts, knitwear, underwear, etc, etc. Continue to put labels right where they irritate the back of the neck? Primark seem to have got it right: their labels are printed onto a lot of their items. Obviously this is done for cost reasons but with the added benefit of not irritating the hell out of you whilst wearing it.

Planning permission is not highways permission

2009-04-27T10:43:00.003+01:00

Builders/developers, your planning permission does not give you the right to decimate the public highway by running construction traffic across it and walking away as if it is someone else's problem.

Remember that when you do your budget forecasts and be sure to include the full cost of remedial works and Local Authority fees etc, etc. If in doubt ASK. Use your common sense...

Biodiesel

2009-04-27T10:39:00.001+01:00

Check this out: www.purefuels.co.uk

Biodiesel.
In North London
13p cheaper than Tesco.
Nuff said

Toilets - officially crap

2009-04-27T10:29:00.003+01:00

Having spent the sum total of 9 hours trying to fix, first the flush mechanism, then having to replace all of the interior gubbins in the cistern, (due to the long-encrusted seals being now broken, plus the modern fittings are all cheap, nasty plastic that doesn't quite match the old stuff) then having to refit the, "doughnut," washer three times. It came to mind that the design of toilets and plumbing in general is utter crap. No pun intended.

Surely in the 21st century there should be a more elegant & simple solution. Anyone? Please?!!

Some real common sense

2008-10-02T15:36:00.002+01:00

Check out this link for a great example of what I'm talking about http://www.badscience.net/
Also read the book Bad Science.
(Superb section about Gillian McKeith and how she's not a doctor at all! http://www.badscience.net/category/gillian-mckeith/ )

Developer? Builder? Architect?

2008-10-02T14:37:00.000+01:00

Developers / Builders / Designers / Architects.

Remember when you build something: you do not build it in isolation.
Consider how you are going to match up to the public highway and the area around your site. No matter what your planning permission says, the local highways authority will need to be involved.

The two authorities are not one and the same thing...

Statement of intent

2008-10-02T14:36:00.000+01:00

Ever thought to yourself, "Why have they done that?" or "That's ridiculous!" or "But why?!" or "God how stupid is that?!" or "What a moron." or "I can't believe they did that!"
Well this is the place to rant about it. Frank Zappa once said, "The main element in the universe is not hydrogen, it's stupidity." Boy was he right.
If, like me, you get frustrated and annoyed by how things never seem to work quite the way they should and that anyone with any common sense could see why and how it could be improved, then once again dear reader, this is the place for you.
Like the classic example of those little metal teapots you seem to get in every hotel/restaurant/motorway service station, that when you actually try to pour your tea from, proceed to spill all down the side and over your table/trousers/skirt/partner/child etc.
One thing I really hate is bad design and or function. Where some clever little inventor decides that s/he knows best and you think, "How the hell did that ever get made? Didn't they test it in the real world?"
I alos hate the stupidity and selfishness of people. You know the ones: they park on double yellow lines at junctions to, "pop into the shops, just for a minute." without a thought for all the other poor saps that then have to negotiate around them. Instead of finding somewhere else to park and then "popping into the shop," they inconvenience the world around them. Thus adding to the sum total of human misery.
Right that's me started.