The First Post : Rome must apologise for enslaving Britain

See?

The Union forever?

I must admit to be a bit stunned by the recent poll favouring a formal split between England Scotland (nobody seems to have asked Wales, but Scotland still has more separate systems (such as the law and education). The basic summary seems to be that the Scots resent rule from Westminster, while the English resent the additional per capita spending Scotland receives.

A bit of background, especially in relation to this article. I grew up in the north of England, and remember the resentment towards Westminster and the jokes about joining an independent Scotland. I then moved to Scotland for five wonderful years for University. I then moved to London for a year and have spent the rest of my life trying to move back to Scotland, but never quite making it.

It's a long time since I looked closely at the economics of this (its more than just the oil). But I think its daft.

Nobody expects all the residents of a nation or even a city to be best pals all the time. One of the wonders of Britain is the diversity that has been with us for ever. One of the reasons the Romans found it so easy to invade was because the British tribes fought each other more than the invader (and remember that Hadrian's wall was built to control trade and stop the border tribes fighting each other, rather than to keep anyone "out").

Since then northerners have resented the south, Lancastrians aren't too keen on yorkies, Blackburn fans hate Burnley and people in Longridge thought there was something about the residents of Ribchester.

Who would want to claim the language of Shakespear and reject Burns and Dylan Thomas? Who'd want the Lake District and not want to see the Highlands and Snowdon as well, and see all three as part of their country? Who could marvel at Shearer or Charlton and not want to see Dalglish and Giggs as well (and Best for that matter)?

I love bring British, as much as I cheer England on and love all the days I have ever spent in Wales and Scotland, and want to spend more. (I've only been to Northern Ireland for a week, but it was very nice).

The present situation is clearly not perfect, but a split would make us all worse off. Let the people decide, but please make them think first.

My brain

If you've ever wanted to know exactly what's going on in there, now is your chance.

Please note that this photo is a decade old, and there may have been shrinkage. On the other hand, I know a lot more about nappies than I did back then.

Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation

"A U2charist is an Episcopal Eucharist service that features the music of the rock band U2 and a message about God's call to rally around the Millennium Development Goals."

Motor skills - Google Video

Where I grew up

This is where I grew up. And this is what I think of when people say Lancashire. There is a mill in this photo, but you'll have to look hard for it.

BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Blackburn Rovers | Friedel builds for the future

Brad is an absolute 100% Rovers star, and we love him to bits. And now it also appears that he's a really nice guy as well.

Land of the giants - Google Video

Sean's Russia Blog: The Komsomol and Punk Rock

... or how the Soviets feared the violence of Yazoo. (Well, Alison Moyet could have sat on them). Whilst this list is good for a laugh, it and the book it comes from does point to a deeper discussion that Sean goes into below the list.

Not just a father but a dad | Ask MetaFilter

Well, this is all true, and amazing. Some good ideas here.

Who was the best rock band of the '80s? - By Dan Kois - Slate Magazine

A good overview of U2 and REM. I like U2 a lot, but I love REM. Amd while U2 have only really put together one really great album (Joshua Tree), has any other band in the modern era put together a run of albums to match Life's Rich Pageant, Document, Green, Out of Time and Automatic for the People, especially after releasing such a lauded debut as Murmur? It's a crying shame that things have dipped so badly since Bill Berry left, but REM are a band I would still drop almost anything to go and see live. And I will buy the new comp on the day it comes out.

The New Yorker: The Critics: Musical Events

I went to see My Name is Daniel, Cello phase and Music for 18 Musicians recently at the Barbican. Although Drumming is still my favourite Reich piece, it was all stunning. Music for 18 Musicians was incredible live - I was almost speechless after.