Iron Man

I really didn't fancy Iron Man the first time I saw a trailer and I think that most of the trailers really suck but there's this one trailer that just gets me everytime... I think it's ace and it really makes me want to see this movie. Maybe you've seen it? That one that says something like 'Is it the car? Is it the women? Everyone knows it's the suit that makes the man'. It's to the point, it's clever and as a result it's appealing. Somehow, all the explosive action of the main trailers just doesn't cut it!

I'm now really looking forward to seeing this movie, so I guess that just shows the power of advertising. Of course, it might also have something to do with the bombardment that is taking placing ahead of the premiere - every ad break has at least one trailer for this movie. I wonder how many people are being put off by this? ;-)

Election!

My postal ballot arrived yesterday so let's talk about the local elections on the 1st of May.

First and foremost, no matter what the circumstances I intend to vote. I have voted in every election (bar one, when I was out of the country) since I was 18 and don't plan to break the habit. 'Why?' I hear you ask. It's my right! All over the world there are people who can't vote or people, like those in Zimbabwe, whose vote is made meaningless by their corrupt leaders. It may often seem like a vote in this country is meaningless but to those who honestly believe that I suggest you try living in dictatorship for a while and see how you feel about British politics then! Also, remember that just as there are many people whose vote means nothing, there are as many who can't vote. In the past many women have fought and died in this country for my right to vote and I am not about to insult their memory by squandering my vote. Thus, I would rather spoil my ballot than not actually vote and I encourage EVERYONE to think alike. It's your right, your voice and your power. If you choose not to wield it, you choose not be heard and not to act therefore you can't complain when everything's going tits-up!

Anyway, returning to my point, who should I put my trust in as my chosen representative in this local election? Well, in my ward I can vote Labour, vote Conservative or vote Lib-dem. What a choice! I am salivating at the endless possibilities!

Lets face it, by voting for the Labour representative I am effectively giving a seal of approval to the existing Labour dominated council. Here in Salford, our council tax is one of the highest in the area and we have just had the highest percentage increase of an council in Greater Manchester. For that increase we have roads that are riddled with pot holes, a substandard recycling programme and not much else. True, the Labour council are redeveloping my area - knocking down derelict buildings in favour of new 'low cost' housing - but they are also in favour of introducing congestion charging in Manchester and, the so-called low cost housing is, in reality anything but, the new housing is years from being built and the council is also looking to close schools in favour of larger super schools. All in all, not a great picture. I feel it could be time for a change.

So, what of the other candidates? Well, I have no idea what the Conservative candidate will stand for since we have had nothing from them. In general, however, the Tories are against anything that Labour want to do so you would think that makes them an ideal replacement. But I have a problem voting for a candidate that hasn't made any effort to convince me to elect them. It's almost as if the Tory candidate has decided that I won't vote for Labour therefore I will vote for them. They are not worthy of my vote.

That leaves the Lib-Dems as the only other choice. However there is always the concern that the Lib-Dems, as the 'third' party in this country, are unelectable. Even if they did get power, I'm not convinced they would know how to use it. At least THEY have made an effort to try and convince me!

So, what to do?

Sunday!

It's Sunday - the day of rest and Formula 1 Grand Prix!

Thus, after fiddling with my blog layout and profile and stuff, and deleting some, quite frankly, rubbish posts, I have to think of something to write about. So, let's write about the blog.

Newly introduced at the bottom are some nice banner ads. I used to hate them (and still hate the ones that are irritatingly distracting with loads of animation and noises and stuff) but these are Google AdSense, which are static, low key banners. Plus they will earn me pennies. I've also added some weekly picks - each weekend, I will update the photo with a favourite from my own collection or an image from the previous week's news. I've also added my pick of TV and movies for the coming week and will change this each weekend, too. Finally, I've added a news feed. I haven't quite got the keywords right as yet so I might be changing this over the course of time.

So there you go... a few key changes to my bloggy wog!

And so, I am off to watch the Bahrain Grand Prix. I am, of course, supporting the 'local boy', Lewis Hamilton (come on, Ham Sandwich!) but no matter what, the hot, dusty track of the Bahrain circuit once again promises a fun-filled afternoon with lots of exciting racing (and maybe even crashing!) and for a while we will try and forget the indiscretions of, Formula1 governing body president, Max Mosley. However, before we do brush this nasty business aside, let's dwell on it for a brief moment.

It is reported that Max Mosley, regularly hires teams of prostitutes to meet his sexual needs. Those needs, it appears, include 'kinky' role-play sex and, on at least one occasion, may have involved a Nazi type scenario. Personally, I don't take issue with his sexual desires - if role-play gets him off, so be it - but I believe that by engaging the services of 'sex-professionals' he has broken the law. He has also embarrased the sport on the international stage, lost the respect of many of the sport's participants and offended some of the sport's host nations. For those reasons, and those reasons alone, I believe that he should resign. We will watch and wait to see what happens next but for the time being, lets just enjoy the race!