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All posts by Malcolm Toogood

Computer Says No

Posted by Malcolm Toogood on June 27, 2012
Posted in: Where's that Handcart?. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , .

Those of us that do not bank with RBS, or any of their subsidiaries, are probably breathing a sigh of relief that the recent computer glitch did not happen at our bank.  After all, how many of us could have coped with the ostensible freezing of our bank balances for the time it eventually took to fix?

But, unbeknown to many of us, and beyond the obvious immediate ground-zero of no anticipated money in one’s Nat West Account, there are potential side-effects that could still cause our own domino to be in line for toppling, even when RBS are not our bank – invisible, radiation-style effects brought about by IT systems automated to collect data for credit rating reports, that could diminish one’s apparent financial health in the longer-term?

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I was(n’t) there

Posted by Malcolm Toogood on May 15, 2012
Posted in: Sport. Tagged: , , , , , , , .

Watching that match on Sunday wasn’t just about the most amazing result – Manchester City winning with virtually the last kick of the season, a kick that impacted so visibly to the solar-plexus of the visiting manager at the Stadium of Light as he waited, this time in vain, for the regular sound of inevitability.

Still twenty five minutes to go, but it’s already too much for this City fan to bear

It was also about the way that the City fans still could not bring themselves to believe: right from the news of Rooney’s goal on twenty minutes, through the relative ecstasy of a half-time lead, then the increasing doldrums of two QPR goals totally against the laws of soccer physics.  Until, of course, those last glorious seconds. Continue Reading

Florence and the Interpretive Dance

Posted by Malcolm Toogood on March 14, 2012
Posted in: Music. Tagged: , , , .

I cannot remember too many occasions when a harp has featured on the stage of a rock concert, except perhaps for visual effect or, during the late seventies, to provide the pretentious ending to a tedious Jon Anderson lyrical soliloquy.

But I certainly have never seen one used as a major instrument throughout a ninety-minute set – until yesterday when, for once, a band with the word ‘Machine’ in their name were anything but mechanical.  Added to which Florence Welsh is not merely a vocal force of nature, she also comes over as, quite simply, a lovely person; not something you can say too often about female leads in these days of ladette culture. Continue Reading

Album of the Year – 2011

Posted by Malcolm Toogood on December 31, 2011
Posted in: Albums of the Year. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

I have probably purchased more albums during 2011 than for some years and, what’s more, it’s been more difficult than I can remember for many years to select a short list of just the ten.  So quite a bounce-back for this, my 49th, album of the year round-up.  Hopefully my fiftieth will be just as interesting next year; if not, I guess I can always do a retrospective!

AOTY11 This year there have been several albums from established artists that one might expect to be a shoe-in to any top ten, but somehow they proved disappointments, not even making it onto the buy list, thereby excluding them from possible selection.  Continue Reading