Yesterday I had lunch with my partner in a firm that runs events in a few countries, together with a lady friend he wanted me to meet.
The excuse was to discuss an idea she has had for an online community which I think is frankly brilliant. So we met at the Frontline Restaurant off Praed Street, which I thoroughly recommend. The wine list is superb, the food excellent.
The restaurant has fond associations for me, because across the road in one direction is the office where 40 odd years ago I got much of my education in direct marketing and a few other things, whilst in another is a porn shop whose owner at around the same time asked me if I’d like to pose for some dirty photos.
I refused because I felt I wouldn’t be able to rise to the occasion. At the time I thought it was a great career opportunity lost, but I was quite right. I can tell you from subsequent experience that it’s very, very difficult. Anyone who can get a stiffy to order without chemical assistance when someone says “lights, camera, action” gets my complete admiration.
Anyhow, being not only startlingly attractive but clever, my partner’s friend had taken the trouble to read this blog before meeting, and when I admitted that many of the entries are written at highly unsociable hours, she said, “I can tell!”
So that is why there are so many typos, gentle reader.
But this entry was prompted by that question they have on those social networking sites that says, “What are you doing now?” I have no idea why so many of us are prompted to tell this to the world, especially as for the most part the answers are unspeakably banal and clearly omit many of the most common human activities, as in “Having a wank” or “About to take a dump” or “Farting uncontrollably” not to mention “Picking my nose”,
Apart from all the above, what I have been doing recently is reading a biography of Silvio Berlusconi, Mr. and Mrs. Bliars’ good friend. He is the chap who runs and owns a fair percentage of Italy. Every time I moan about the Fat Haggis or the Bliar my radiant partner who is Italian only has to say: “Berlusconi” in a menacing way to shut me up.
The book really does make the point that compared to Silvio our lot are a bunch of boy scouts (those are the people Obama had more time for than the Haggis yesterday). Berlusconi was clearly closely associated with, helpful to and funded by the Mafia to the tune of at least three hundred billion lire – either that or he found the money in a paper bag someone left in a public toilet by accident.
He’s only running Italy instead of being in jail because he’s repeatedly managed to rig the law in his favour, and his skill at bribing judges is one reason why Mr. Mills, “estranged” husband of our Olympics Minister, Tessa Jowls, has been sentenced to jail. I bet he never serves a day.
Incidentally, for those of you who think I’m really a secret agent for the Tory party, I spent a fair bit of time over the last few days reflecting on how all those mawkish pictures of David Cameron cradling his dead son got into the papers. Is there nothing politicians won’t do to win votes? And why do our crapulous media make it so easy for them?
Drayton,
Now I’m no fan of politicians but I do not for one moment believe that Cameron would use the death of his son to further his political ambitions especially when Brown did such a good job for the Tory party during his visit to Washington.
I do think you’ve overstepped the mark on this.
Simon
Berlusconi may have some financially suspect backers, although with the huge wealth that he has through newspaper and TV company ownership, I hardly think that he needs any muscle to win an election and would not need three hundered billion lire which might have just about bought him a pistachio ice cream. He is at least a very successful businessman.
Brown is a total failure. He was a college lecturer in history before becoming a full time politician. He has never run a whelk stall yet alone a country. Labour’s fiscal titan is a twat with an inability to listen to any advice – like calling an election when he would have walked it.
As far as Congress and the boy scouts are concerned, I think that you will find Brown was thrilled by their company if the persistant rumours circulating Westminster have even a grain of truth.
There is a whole range of ways you can react to private tragedy. One is to keep it private. Another is not to.
Rupert: how do you suppose Berlusconi acquired all these interests? Why was he so friendly with mafia-backed Bettino Craxi?
I have to agree with Mr. Bird on all points chaps…
Those that are honourable and have nothing to hide don’t pass laws to keep them (and their cronies) from behind bars.
As for Cameron, if he and the party really wanted to, they could have closed ranks and kept all media at bay.
Whilst I’m not suggesting Cameron has purposefully used this tragedy to further his own political agenda, I think his willingness to parade his family in front of the camera at every available moment will at least cast some doubt over his involvement here…
Drayton,
I could argue about the comparisons between the crooks in power in the UK and those in power in Italy, but the superior knowledge of a certain lovely Italian lady will clearly defeat me.
However, regardless of how you perceive Cameron, let me share with you his response to his son’s death;
“When we were first told the extent of Ivan’s disability I thought that we would suffer having to care for him but at least he would benefit from our care. Now as I look back I see that it was all the other way round. It was only him that ever really suffered and it was us – Sam, me, Nancy and Elwen – who gained more than I ever believed possible from having and loving such a wonderfully special and beautiful boy.”
Whatever you think people are capable of, capitalising on a child’s death is unthinkable.
You know what? I am not even sure myself. As someone else I was talking to pointed out, the media would have had pictures anyhow. Was it mixed motives? Obviously, absolute sincerity about a personal tragedy – but also, in the back of the mind – the sympathy vote wouldn’t do me any harm? Who knows?
From my point of view Berlusconi is like a pop star – nice look, glued smile, sometimes controversial speaches and no essential view.
Mr Bird hope we meet in Warsaw in couple of days during marketing fairs!
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