Balls
Ball-tampering.
There, I've said it.
Things that shouldn't be said: the judge in the Saddam trial appears to be wearing comedy specs and moustache. John Mark Karr didn't appear to be flying "coach". Could we have expected fellow passengers to gang up and demand he be turfed off the flight for looking a bit guilty?
On Friday's programme, we tried hard to bring you an interview with the Ministry of Defence, which had released figures about army recruitment. We first requested an interview at 09.30 and the bid was repeated several times during the day. We were told that the minister was "unavailable" - but (and we pointed this out on air) he did pop up on other media outlets.
No sooner were the words in the ether, it seems, but the MoD were on the telephone reassuring us we were loved and it was all just rather unfortunate.
I couldn't possibly comment. I DO find though that everyone in politics, even the perennially unavailable, is suddenly much more available for interview in the weeks before a general election.
Oh and while I'm on - most importantly - I am hopeful that I can bring you the "crap" montage this week. Maybe we'll do a "guess the voice" competition. Or maybe not.
Eric Edmonds
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I have, indeed, tampered with my balls this weekend, but am releived to be able to say that there is no sign of residual scuffing.
Also, I think I'm the first to comment to this blog today, and feel a bit smug. That said, if I'm not, it's because someone else was commenting at exactly the same time as me.
Spooky.
S
I have, indeed, tampered with my balls this weekend, but am releived to be able to say that there is no sign of residual scuffing.
Also, I think I'm the first to comment to this blog today, and feel a bit smug. That said, if I'm not, it's because someone else was commenting at exactly the same time as me.
Spooky.
S
"i before e except after c"
Slap wrist. Better go and tamper with my balls again.
S
If I were a govt minister I'd go for the straight forward mauling of the Today Programme of Newsnight any day - you're much more scary.
Which is good, it's the way we listeners like it....subtley hoisting people on their own petard is so much more entertaining!!
(Did I spell the petard bit right, or did I just make it up?).
Interesting blog about Balls.
No, I haven't tampered with any French people over the weekend.
What? Oh BALL tampering. I mis-heard you. I thought you said Gaul tampering. Sorry
So who is perennially unavailable? Let us know and maybe we could put bloggers' pressure on him/her.
I'm sure it took a lot of balls to write a blog entry with the tilte Balls and the first word Ball-tampering...
The calibre of person drawn to this blog disappoints, perhaps they should consider writing the comedy for the 6:30 slot (except just a minute of course) which is as equally unengaging and inane.
Might I add that the usual law of blogging is that the person who places ownership (i.e., I'm Eddie 'eating well' Mair) on it, writes it. Unless Eric is your 'pen' name Eddie of the jovial voice. Father Christmas over the festive period.
This now seems a little gimmicky.
Those gripes aside the points made by Eric/Eddie are relevant and noted. Then again, whenever I listen to the news and a rather touchy subject comes up this often occurs and is pointed out.
Thanks for pointing it out again though. I really will keep an ear out for those ducking their responsibilty in being brought to task by our 'lightly Scottish' chum.
Everyone is, of course, aware that Eddie Mair is an anagram of Dire Media?
I'm not sure -- even after re-reading the earlier post from Tobias, what he was on about but I think I got the gist. He clearly dosen't subscribe to Eddie's Newsletter
Is Tobias a Radio 4 Continuity person or is that someone else :-) ?
Love to read the whitty comments and of, course the blog - I'll steer clear of mentioning balls.
Has someone been tampering with balls?
RE: "The calibre of person drawn to this blog disappoints" from Tobais.
Honestly, how pompus!
Come on then Tobais, amuse us with your high calibre humour ...
Jonathon 'please visit my hotel blog' Perry, where did I lose you exactly?
Oh and no I do not 'take' the newsletter? What am I missing, half price board at your wondrous establishment?
Tobias
What?!?
Er, hotels? I don't think J.P. mentioned hotels at all, Tobias....
I'm sorry you disapprove of our comments here, Tobias. I, and I think a lot of other posters, subscribe to the PM newsletter, and attempt to post here in a similar vein. I think there's room here for all of us, don't you?
Re: non appearing ministers etc, come on Eddie, Name and Shame.
Room indeed, hence my expression of disdane at the double entendre's. They never grow old do they. As for the hotel remark, I take it you are new to this world so will seek to enlighten. There is the opportunity to provide a link to a website when commenting (that is found in the box marked "website") once posted this can then be accessed by clicking on the persons name. 'J.P's' (such an affectionate term) links to his hotel.
Charles Hatton, thank you for your input. I note you didn't attempt to prove otherwise.
Excellent blog title!
Tobias. I note that neither did you, either.
I've had a look at your website. I was pleasantly surprised. Your photography is quite good, if standard "photography club" fare. Your composition is, in most cases, ok although not original. You do seem to have the usual contrast problem. "Fishing Boat" for instance. Where has the sky gone? Filters! "Bluebell Wood" is fine, but taken at the wrong time of day. The sunlight is too strong, bleaching the scene.
I could go on ...
Tobias, in the same way, doesn't your linking of your website denote the same "please visit my site and tell me how good my photos are" pleading?
Seriously, though, you do appear to have a problem with people making comments that don't match your pre-conceived idea of what a PM/Radio 4 listener should say. If, as we can agree to, there is room here for everyone, then surely a "Live and let live" policy should be in force, not a "I don't like the look of you" policy....
Now now. Everyone calm down or I'll have to box your ears :P
Good grief, whatever next? A food fight? As Tobias points out, both he and JP link to their sites - no doubt good for a bit of publicity. But I for one quite like the style of this blog without it necessarily following the mores of blogging elsewhere. Afterall, you hardly think of the PM crew as being prototypical bloggers, do you? Relax Tobias and go with the flow. If it starts to flounder, then perhaps we'll need your input then, to put us right. As for the ball tampering - my eyes are watering at the mere thought of using a finger nail to lift the seam...
Sorry, Susie! We promise to be "good little boys"! :D
Um, I just wrote it for a reaction really Fearless and gained one. I thought I was quite witty in my opening remarks, it sort of slid as I dealt with objections. All tongue in cheek though.
As for the images, Charles, hmm. All good critique. The fishing boat was taken whilst on a trip. The problem being I put off shooting until a blanket of cloud had appeared. I use various filters but have yet to find one that combats this. The only other approach would be to use a technique known as HDR, all the rage at present. This provides a slightly more dramatic sky. There is no image entitled 'Bluebell Woods' but if it is the one I think you refer to I agree. Time constraints etc led me to shooting it anyway. The only reason that one remains on view is due to it having been used for the cover of a recent publication. You can see this on the purchase page. Funny old world, what people choose to use.
I like all of Tobias's photos, and I think the hotel looks fabulous, I am a good boy, and PM is the finest news program on the ´óÏó´«Ã½.
Feel free to check out my website, btw.
There are no balls or bluebells, unfortunately.
Did someone say foodfight! Hoorah!!
Oh dear Tobias!
Your use of a possessive apostrophe after "double entendre" makes me shudder with disgust (and that's never good). Does the word "disdane" actually exist? I look upon your spelling with disdain...
Hey ho, now we're all it - FIGHT!!!!
No mention of balls here, either...
Well, if we're showing off photos, and egotrip mwebsites, try mine:
Vaya con Gaia
ed
Tobias, if you are going to express "disdane", you might as well learn to spell it correctly.
I've just logged on because Eddie 'sexy voice' Mair recommended the quality of the discussion. I have to say, I'm disappointed. Ball jokes?
I think I've discovered what all the Big Brother viewers are now doing to fill their days...they're all arguing here ;-)
Fortunately I don't think you'll find any pictures of me, unless you really go crazy through my links - so I'm safe.
And I don't run a hotel.
Did that guy find his car keys ??
Tim.C
I'm glad to see that a suitable tone is being struck here. Start as you mean to go on. By the way, I'm not one of those who only post messages in order to fish for visits to my exciting, dynamic, ever-changing website. I'm really here to discuss the serious issues of the day.
At present I'm listening to Christopher Hitchens who has just mentioned his book, which must have the longest name ever. He said 'As I described in my book, 'The Police Decided Forty Years Ago to Stop Patrolling, and Give Up Every Pretence of Trying to ... blah blah'. Five minutes later, he still hasn't finished telling us the title of his book.
I just bought some new fur lined boxer shorts....
Oh ho! Sorry, I thought it said ball pampering :)
still to come on the programme: Mark Doyle on Congo. Also: the Post Office and Tom and Jerry.
(Sorry I just wanted to see if I could do this while we're on the air. Thank goodness Hugh can talk...)
Big Brother! How dare you Tim...
I'm looking forward to Tom and Jerry - I just hope that Tom hasn't been smoking in the house again!
erm, psst... I don't like the look of Tobias. Looks and sounds shifty. As does the other fella. y'know. They've been talking at each other and looking at photos. One of them was checking his watch too.
y'know. shifty.
Me and the other passengers are getting nervous....
maybe we should call the captain?
"Stewardess? Stewardess??! STEWARDESSSSS!!!!!!"
And it's not big or clever to correct the grammar and spelling of bloggers (who are typing as quickly as they can, poor things) as it makes you sound smug, self satisfied and, well, Radio 4 listeners!
Sheena, I think it's ok to correct another blogger's spelling when he is being condescending about the calibre of posts on the blog.
Tom & Jerry???? that's GOT to be a highlight of the week:D
Nice to hear Eddie refer to the "fabulous ding-dong" going on here. I know it was about 30 minutes ago, but I was listening in the car, so I've only just been able to log on again.
Big Brother?!?!? Gaah, I'm shuddering just thinking of being subjected to that.
Are you bald? The top of your head goes off the screen.
Several weeks ago the Israeli Army murdred four unarmed UN observers in Lebanon. Neither Israel or her soldiers were punished and now they cant find anyone willing to be part of a peace keeping force in Lebanon. Am I the only person not surprised at this?
I also cant help being reminded of Steinbecks, "Of mice and Men" whenever Blair and Bush get together.
"Tell em about the war George."
Phil
Surely I can't be the only one puerile enough to notice the connection between ball tampering and having a "fabulous ding-dong"...?
"fabulous ding-dong" - not forgetting the bluebells.
Off-topic - of the blog posts so far - but a topic from PM today ... postage charges by size.
The leaflet explains that the reason for the introduction of paying more for larger (but not necessarily heavier) letters is that it costs the post office more to handle them.
I can see that very large envelopes might need extra manual handling in their sorting offices - but the entry level size does seem quite small.
I just posted something in a "jiffy" bag - and it exceeded the thickness limit.
Will people simply fold the contents more to get it into a smaller envelope? If so - where is the saving?
Do any other national postal organisations serving non-business users charge like this?
Ding-dong, said in a Leslie Phillips voice certainly give it an extra connotation that Eddie wasn't meaning to add!!
As for what Paul has just posted, I think that one of the reasons that's caused the Post Office to introduce this new arrangement regarding potal costs could be the proliferation of online shopping. I buy a lot of things (DVDs, CDs, etc) from online shops. One of the shops I use posts these items in padded envelopes. A combined CD/DVD case and padded envelope will, I believe be more than 25mm thick (or will be classed by the PO to be more than 25mm), so it will cost a lot more than before to post. as more and more people shop online, this will be a great money-spinner to the Post Office....
No-one's yet mentioned googlies...
Well, we could mention that interfering with your balls can make your Chaniman work better.
Tim.C
Sorry, there's no way I can see to edit your posts.
Mine, of course, should have said 'Chinaman'
Why's everyone so grumpy today. I dunno, give you guys a blog and all you can do is use it as a chance to moan about each other. Anyway, I'm very impressed that Eddie can blog and present simultaneously. More please. Would particularly appreciate sly commentary on the progress (or otherwise) of the programme and the quality of guests. Feel free to vent your anger here when someone won't give a straight answer, or when Rupert's messing things up.
Eddie, looks like the blog has dumbed down to the common denominator of the audience, what a relief there was the programme to distract me. Unfortunately like iron filing to a magnet I got drawn back to the blog to become part of the common denominator.
Wow, if i'd known the blog was going to be so... angry I'd have come on before this!
Personally I don't think there are enough balls on radio four. You can't have too many. Can you?
Why wasn't Ed Balls asked to come on and answer for himself?
And why was anyone tampering with him??
Yes, I admit it, you canot take a supereer staanc if you're speling (and gramar) is seveerly laking ;)
My only excuse, work pressures, I would never make a a good journalist.
Please, could we just drop the balls. otherwise one will be forced to move on to a full toss.
I AM YOUR GREATEST FAN, EDDIE, AND I THINK THAT THE PICTURE OF YOU ON YOUR BLOG IS GREAT, BUT TO BE HONEST, THE BLOG IS PUERILE. WE HAVE ONE AT WORK, CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND IT IS MUCH MORE INTERESTING AND EXCITING THAN YOURS. BASICALLY, YOURS IS JUST A REPEAT OF YOUR NEWSLETTER. YOU'LL HAVE TO TRY HARDER.
Julie, I couldn't quite make out what you wrote, perhaps you could shout a little louder.
I've never yet seen an exciting blog, and rarely an interesting one.
John
Amersham