Give the guy a chance. Let’s face it, no-one really wants the job so if someone agrees to do it they should be supported. After all, they won didn’t they?
If anyone who knows Steve reads this, could you tell him I think he’s doing a bang-up job but if he’s got any sense he’ll jack it in and save himself the stress. ‘Cos lets face it, with the players he’s got available, we’re never gonna win anything anyway.
No, really, I want to know. I’ve been a big fan since about ‘82, when I read ‘Christine’ for the first time. Since then I’ve read everything that’s been published in book form (and e-book form) and over the last few years I’ve come to a horrbile conclusion - the guy has lost the plot.
The accident didn’t help, I think that’s a given. Being run over while out walking has got to screw you up big time. It certainly screwed up the guy who ran him over - I seem to remember hearing he’d drunk himself to death. But then Steve-O bought the pick-up…
King talked of retiring after the accident, and I think that’s exactly what he did. Anyone who’s read any of his intro’s and his non-fiction stuff will know about The Trunk. Where the books that weren’t quite good enough go to die. I think, though, what we’re seeing now - with From A Buick 8, Everything’s Eventual, Cell, Lisey’s Story and (unfortunately) the second half of the Dark Tower saga - is The Trunk being resurrected, updated and foisted on an undeserving public.
I’ve even harboured the thought on some dark, cold nights that maybe Tabitha couldn’t get a publishing deal anymore and so some of the recent stuff has been hers…
I long for the classic days; The Shining, Salem’s Lot, It, hell even Pet Sematary, but I fear that they are gone forever. It’s sad to see a master disappear slowly like this - much better to go out with a bang and leave them wanting more.
I think he really is publishing his shopping list these days…
Over the last four and a half years of riding a bike, I’ve had plenty of time to look at the abilities of other road users. I’ve taken this first-blogging opportunity to compile a list of just some of the things that really tick me off about car and bike users….
Drivers who pull over to the left when they’re turning right – or vice versa.
Drivers who, when their lane is blocked (by parked cars for example), don’t give way because you’re a bike and you don’t need so much space!
Drivers who pull out to overtake without indicating and without checking to make sure that there isn’t already a bike using that bit of road.
Drivers who just suddenly stop for no reason and without warning.
Drivers who don’t think once, think twice, think bike!
Drivers who still don’t use handsfree – aren’t we going to enforce this one, Mr Plod?
Taxi drivers who, because they’re POB, crawl along at 30mph under the speed limit holding up all the other traffic.
Lorry drivers who pull out to overtake as they start to go up a long, steep hill – thereby tailing the dual carriageway back for miles.
Anyone who parks on a “Keep Clear” section – especially if it blocks access to a bike park and even more if there are empty parking spaces on the other side of the road.
Anyone who doesn’t know what a yellow box is for.
Anyone who dawdles along looking at the scenery – you’re driving, concentrate on the damn road.
Anyone who tries to get out of a speeding fine by saying they were rushing to get home because they needed the toilet.
Anyone who doesn’t give a learner (car or bike) the benefit of the doubt – it might be their first five minutes behind the wheel, give them a break!
Bikers who overtake on blind corners and expect everyone else to get out of their way when there’s something coming the other way.
Bikers who over- and under-take between lanes on a dual carriageway or motorway when there isn’t actually any room to do so.
Bikers who expect drivers to get out of their way just because they’re on a bike and want to go faster.
Bikers who think that white lines and speed limits are only for drivers.
Bikers who wear T-shirts, shorts and flip-flops when riding their sportsbike at speed.
Scooter riders.
Scooter riders in packs.
Police bicyclists who ride on the pavement.
Road planners who insist on putting all the slippery stuff right where it’s going to have you off your bike.
Apparently, we’ve never had it so good; the UK is so much better off under ‘New’ Labour than it ever was under the Tories.
So then, Gordo, how do you explain today’s budget that directly raises the tax bill for a large amount of the population that don’t earn more than £20,000 per year.?
And of course a few years ago, he got rid of MIRAS…
