Comments
No hiding place from Twitter, me on the bike, JP in DC
2009-07-17 18:17:09
I always, always, always wear a helmet when cycling. Always. Except yesterday.
And guess which day it was that someone tweeted that they'd seen me out on the bike. Yesterday. Followed by someone who said they once saw me and Boris Johnson out cycling on the same day, though not together. Boris never wears a helmet so far as I can tell. Idiot.
As to why I didn't yesterday, just one of those moments. I forgot to put it on. Must have been distracted. Once I realised, well into the ride, that it was missing, I was desperate to get home. Non-helmet wearers may find that odd, but I keep as a reminder of the need to wear a helmet an old one with a horrible dent where otherwise my temple would have hit the pavement that delivered the dent.
The point though, as well as the obvious safety one, is that twitterers can see you here, there and everywhere. There is no escape. Ask John Prescott. Steps off a plane in Washington DC, heads to his hotel, and is raving about the film he watched on the way over from London, namely In The Loop.
'That was Alastair, that was. That was Alastair,' he apparently said of the foul-mouthed spin doctor main character. And how do we know he said this? Because it was immediately tweeted by one Armando Ianucci, creator of said foul-mouthed Malcolm Tucker. And how did he know? Because he was the person JP was raving to ... of all the people, in all the places, blahdiblahdiblah.
JP is in DC trying to set up a Council of Europe conference in advance of the Copenhagen climate change summit in December. He has been seeing experts from both Al Gore's team, and President Obama's. And the story of 'In The Loop'? A British politician going to Washington for important meetings with the Administration. Who'd have thought it ... JP as life imitating art.
No wonder he is going all luvvy on me. First liking a film which I had pronounced as not as good as it was cracked up to be by the critics. Then telling Ianucci he liked it. And then, once Ianucci had tweeted, tweeting back to tell him how much he had enjoyed meeting him, and adding 'Tucker IS Alastair, but with less swearing.'
After all I've done for him down the years. Bastard. Only joking. Bastard.
I suspect he and Armando are off to the ballet tonight.
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Berlin brothel leads the way to a greener worldPublish date: 2009-07-14 10:57:25
A time for GB to explain the whole picturePublish date: 2009-07-13 12:37:54
All hail Monty, Jimmy and Collie!Publish date: 2009-07-12 20:06:36
First triathlon of the summer for me, education award for FionaPublish date: 2009-07-12 09:43:06
Of Burnley's friendly and Obama's wandering eyePublish date: 2009-07-11 12:38:52
Two great early morning momentsPublish date: 2009-07-10 10:27:07
Cameron had better be sure he's rightPublish date: 2009-07-09 11:06:22
Guardian scoop has big questions for press, cops and CameronPublish date: 2009-07-08 20:40:54
Divisive legend: Lance ArmstrongPublish date: 2009-07-07 10:38:23
First hug a hoodie, now grab a gayPublish date: 2009-07-06 12:57:09
Mail on Scumday's wonderful account of Lansley's kipperdomPublish date: 2009-07-05 13:14:51
Ecclestone undermines his own success with alarming views on HitlerPublish date: 2009-07-04 14:04:04
When the conmen move more quickly than the councilPublish date: 2009-07-03 10:19:52
Andrew Lansley done up like a kipperPublish date: 2009-07-02 10:10:52
A day spent interviewing footballers, then being interviewed by a transvestite comedianPublish date: 2009-07-01 14:47:40
When the power of black eyes fadesPublish date: 2009-06-30 09:24:59
Farewell to Henry HodgePublish date: 2009-06-29 20:41:12
Honouring the power of sport to do goodPublish date: 2009-06-29 14:49:42
Andy Murray is a winner. Is that why some Brits don't like him?Publish date: 2009-06-28 09:19:20
New Parliament will look very different. The younger the betterPublish date: 2009-06-27 17:34:26
Two nice surprises, sad end to dayPublish date: 2009-06-26 09:16:33
Apology from the Spectator on Iraq boosts Henry Hodge fundPublish date: 2009-06-25 19:57:26
Thanks to Mr Harper on mental health, rebuttal of Mr Hague on IraqPublish date: 2009-06-24 23:47:54
Glad to find Eric Cantona in a quiet cinema ...Publish date: 2009-06-24 00:46:23
By Dave's friends shall we know him?Publish date: 2009-06-23 11:30:20
The Speaker has to balance tradition and change - but defend ParliamentPublish date: 2009-06-22 11:58:44
Less a blog than an apology for not having done onePublish date: 2009-06-21 20:07:43
The day Lions skipper Paul O'Connell took my trousers downPublish date: 2009-06-20 11:48:28
On the Iraq inquiry, Independent article wrongPublish date: 2009-06-19 20:28:24
Thank you to three readers, now please get involvedPublish date: 2009-06-19 09:13:35
A tribute to a lovely manPublish date: 2009-06-18 17:19:40
Bad times in Belfast, great day for Burnley, odd statement from Ed BallsPublish date: 2009-06-18 10:04:47
A plea for five-figure cyber-donationsPublish date: 2009-06-17 07:40:42
On two inquiriesPublish date: 2009-06-16 08:57:39
From India to Iran to Labour witPublish date: 2009-06-15 10:13:17
Memories of Princess DianaPublish date: 2009-06-14 09:54:55
A House Divided?Publish date: 2009-06-13 02:53:47
A humbling NHS experience, a media row and a good GB speechPublish date: 2009-06-12 10:48:46
Psychiatrists heading for relegation in 'disease prestige' league tablePublish date: 2009-06-11 10:25:35
The shrinks awaitPublish date: 2009-06-10 09:44:16
As Obama fights for healthcare, let's celebrate the record herePublish date: 2009-06-09 12:52:55
Anger at BNP seats must be turned into activismPublish date: 2009-06-08 14:11:10
Can today be as frenzied as Friday?Publish date: 2009-06-07 10:31:04
Take heart from a win in LambethPublish date: 2009-06-06 18:46:40
JP is right there was no proper campaign but Tories still weakPublish date: 2009-06-05 13:47:20
Do we care more about the NHS or moats?Publish date: 2009-06-04 00:21:23
Guardian of social justice or attention-seeker?Publish date: 2009-06-03 10:19:33
Who says Britain can't deliver the best?Publish date: 2009-06-02 08:08:38
Mainstream has a duty to vote against BNPPublish date: 2009-06-01 11:03:29
Let Diversity inspire a vote against the hate-filled BNPPublish date: 2009-05-31 12:24:20
White House whack at UK media well-timed but sure to be ignoredPublish date: 2009-05-30 13:41:00
Elvis has a plan to make MPs King againPublish date: 2009-05-29 12:09:44
At least there's a campaign on in ItalyPublish date: 2009-05-28 09:04:32
A blow to gay rights and a boost for Cameron's short-termismPublish date: 2009-05-27 11:27:41
It's my blog and I'll be a big kid if I want toPublish date: 2009-05-26 23:25:58
Highs feel better after so many lowsPublish date: 2009-05-26 10:13:12
Only one present countsPublish date: 2009-05-25 11:05:46
Contrast Cheney and BushPublish date: 2009-05-24 12:11:45
Sex (or at least the female form) obsessed BritainPublish date: 2009-05-23 20:49:57
Sport at both ends of the financial spectrumPublish date: 2009-05-23 09:57:23
Stronger together - whether Scotland or expensesPublish date: 2009-05-22 10:22:36
Back to Number 10, familiar faces, familiar argumentsPublish date: 2009-05-21 10:14:34
Speaking up for ParliamentPublish date: 2009-05-20 11:44:17
Peace in the Middle East - yes he canPublish date: 2009-05-19 09:37:35
Breaking news - one frenzy at a timePublish date: 2009-05-18 10:34:30
Getting a good look at Vince CablePublish date: 2009-05-17 09:36:55
How do you solve a problem like Silvio?Publish date: 2009-05-16 09:32:21
It was the internet wot won itPublish date: 2009-05-15 10:04:57
There now follows ... a good whack at CameronPublish date: 2009-05-14 17:21:28
They got their kit off - so you get your cash outPublish date: 2009-05-14 07:41:11
Expenses row must not obscure Tory intentions on minimum wagePublish date: 2009-05-13 16:12:08
We love you Burnley, we do ... what a nightPublish date: 2009-05-13 02:37:17
A tweet cannot express the wonders of TGVPublish date: 2009-05-12 08:48:31
It's Mind week - Get it off your Chest with me and Stephen FryPublish date: 2009-05-11 06:29:15
Hate the Mail, love ObamaPublish date: 2009-05-10 10:04:00
Burnley 1 Reading 0 - a biased reportPublish date: 2009-05-09 21:26:32
MPs expenses - time for party leaders to meet againPublish date: 2009-05-09 09:50:19
Should happiness replace prosperity as national goal?Publish date: 2009-05-08 08:43:23
Musings from a sleepless nightPublish date: 2009-05-07 07:33:49
Darren Fletcher - an injustice that has to be rightedPublish date: 2009-05-06 09:52:29
Maggie's legacy not as great as she thinksPublish date: 2009-05-05 08:33:02
Here's hoping Cardiff is metaphor for CameronPublish date: 2009-05-04 09:38:30
More Mr Benn and Co pleasePublish date: 2009-05-03 10:03:00
Going Fourth with JPPublish date: 2009-05-02 18:25:41
Journalism - print first, think laterPublish date: 2009-05-02 09:10:01
In praise of two poetsPublish date: 2009-05-01 10:26:36
JP hits the road againPublish date: 2009-04-29 18:52:11
My night with Eddie IzzardPublish date: 2009-04-29 10:53:25
Explaining the 50p top tax ratePublish date: 2009-04-28 09:22:53
George Best and Martin McGuinnessPublish date: 2009-04-27 09:02:35
Cameron confused over indepdendence and impartialityPublish date: 2009-04-26 12:20:56
Guide ro Marathon running part 2Publish date: 2009-04-25 11:01:34
Good signals on coal and the OlympicsPublish date: 2009-04-24 10:45:28
Tips for the London MarathonPublish date: 2009-04-23 17:29:27
Missed the Budget, saw why it matteredPublish date: 2009-04-22 23:09:31
Football good, politics bad. AllegedlyPublish date: 2009-04-22 00:00:24
The Great Wall gets greaterPublish date: 2009-04-21 09:55:22
Two sides to police storyPublish date: 2009-04-20 11:39:54
Budgets, Balls, billionaires and Susan BoylePublish date: 2009-04-19 12:31:45
Do muscles have memories?Publish date: 2009-04-18 09:44:44
Bring back standing at footballPublish date: 2009-04-17 14:50:22
When Facebook friends fall outPublish date: 2009-04-16 12:29:16
Guardian sightings and the email and bath plug agendaPublish date: 2009-04-15 11:32:16
The spin is all in the prismPublish date: 2009-04-14 09:22:41
A setback, not a crisisPublish date: 2009-04-13 12:55:19
The real lessons from Damian McBridePublish date: 2009-04-12 10:49:47
Will English always be the dominant language?Publish date: 2009-04-11 10:02:02
On the pipes and what makes a ScotPublish date: 2009-04-10 11:06:20
John Prescott lazy? NO WAYPublish date: 2009-04-09 09:11:31
David Frost is seventyPublish date: 2009-04-08 08:48:38
The Speaker, BBC2, tonight and tomorrow 8pmPublish date: 2009-04-07 14:25:31
Obama, colds and being woken by Korean missilesPublish date: 2009-04-06 11:59:24
When a call matters more than protocolPublish date: 2009-04-05 11:33:42
Green Cities Champions LeaguePublish date: 2009-04-04 10:19:53
Could Cameron have delivered the G20 deal?Publish date: 2009-04-03 10:11:59
Of Benn and BonoPublish date: 2009-04-02 08:21:16
Memo to Sarko - allez vite a LondresPublish date: 2009-04-01 08:46:17
Happy April Fool's DayPublish date: 2009-04-01 01:44:05
Eurostar, Le Monde and a thought for the G20 sherpasPublish date: 2009-03-31 09:17:22
Why Kevin Rudd made an impactPublish date: 2009-03-30 10:24:41
Pre-G20 hype matters less than post-G20 processPublish date: 2009-03-29 13:17:28
The Damned UnitedPublish date: 2009-03-28 10:37:04
A hobby horse, a plug and a bit of sportPublish date: 2009-03-27 10:22:23
Cloughie - he had a lot to be big-headed aboutPublish date: 2009-03-26 09:38:36
A sad sight of the old fearing the youngPublish date: 2009-03-25 17:03:07
Post-modern, post-structural, or bullshit?Publish date: 2009-03-25 08:18:02
Learning the right lessons from ObamaPublish date: 2009-03-24 08:53:15
Lazy Dave needs to keep an eye on lazy KenPublish date: 2009-03-23 11:16:14
Farewell favourite restaurant, hello hometownPublish date: 2009-03-22 08:18:09
Dave, Danny and have the Tories really changed?Publish date: 2009-03-21 08:55:13
Life beyond Dover ...Publish date: 2009-03-20 10:11:21
My friends in The New Statesman - Fergie, Fiona, Tony, Sarah, Kevin, 'Dacre,' and a great GB idea for the G20Publish date: 2009-03-18 10:38:22
Iraq, Iran, GB, Obama and diplomatic chessPublish date: 2009-03-17 10:07:13
The Age of StupidPublish date: 2009-03-16 08:27:13
Is all change good?Publish date: 2009-03-15 10:00:06
The pressure of being a post-modern sex godPublish date: 2009-03-14 10:00:55
Cameron still hasn't sealed the deal with businessPublish date: 2009-03-13 09:21:49
Stand up for social workersPublish date: 2009-03-12 08:31:17
Surely Malcolm Tucker could have told Armando Ianucci ... You can't spin a spinnerPublish date: 2009-03-11 10:58:25
Start of a new approach from Labour?Publish date: 2009-03-10 09:54:12
A peace process still strongPublish date: 2009-03-09 08:21:05
Day of destiny for the real footballer of the yearPublish date: 2009-03-08 09:21:06
Private advice to Peggy Mitchell - the leaked note in fullPublish date: 2009-03-07 08:17:21
Boris, the Tories and the tummy-tickling poodle pressPublish date: 2009-03-06 09:49:37
A day in the life of the self-obsessed TV reporterPublish date: 2009-03-05 07:55:47
GB - good speech, well deliveredPublish date: 2009-03-04 19:31:05
Notes on the environment, a role in EastEndersPublish date: 2009-03-04 10:58:56
She may be my 'wife' but it is time to rebut!Publish date: 2009-03-03 10:52:59
Some speeches matter more than othersPublish date: 2009-03-02 12:04:45
Mental health and the Carling Cup FinalPublish date: 2009-03-01 09:08:17
Inside the chocolate factoryPublish date: 2009-02-28 10:23:59
GB on the G20, JP on Jeremy KylePublish date: 2009-02-27 09:14:36
Charity and the credit crunch, please give generously!Publish date: 2009-02-26 08:55:12
Why oh why are the Tories not home and dry?Publish date: 2009-02-24 09:44:59
Me, Dermot and ten top songsPublish date: 2009-02-23 10:02:19
Names round-upPublish date: 2009-02-22 08:43:39
What's in a name?Publish date: 2009-02-21 09:58:14
Editing the New StatesmanPublish date: 2009-02-20 11:42:36
Salute Peter M’s proper use of the F wordPublish date: 2009-02-19 09:58:58
Labour's communications challenge for the NHSPublish date: 2009-02-18 10:34:39
In praise of KeighleyPublish date: 2009-02-17 14:33:57
A night at the EmiratesPublish date: 2009-02-17 00:06:51
When marriage is testedPublish date: 2009-02-16 13:36:35
Spare me the myths and the whiningPublish date: 2009-02-15 13:29:50
Dave Cameron - is that all there is?Publish date: 2009-02-14 11:11:55
Boris Johnson: F is for ...Publish date: 2009-02-13 07:55:10
The Cameron vacuumPublish date: 2009-02-12 14:48:33
Lincoln, Obama, Blair and the 24 hour media culturePublish date: 2009-02-11 10:28:47
Eighteen interviews later ...Publish date: 2009-02-10 19:24:45
Time to talk about Time to Change on NewsnightPublish date: 2009-02-09 22:47:49
So that’s what they mean by online community?Publish date: 2009-02-08 12:12:51
First blogPublish date: 2009-02-05 15:23:57
Trevor Malcolm, Portsmouth Hampshire
2009-07-20 02:03:32===
SLEEPLESS IN PORTSMOUTH, WRITES: Throughout Sunday, 19 July 2009, now past midnight and into the early Monday morning hours of 20 July
Still sleepless and concerned here, because since you first launched your website on 2 February, earlier this year, you've conscientiously blogged us at least once daily
Every day, it seems, including Sundays. No Sabbath "Day of Rest" for atheists
And if 18-19 July seem the first exception, say, because like the news reports on TB's wife, Cherie Booth, you've succumbed to the debilitating symptoms of swine flu and need to convalesce, then you'll be "better than well" again soon
Optimistic, I'll remain. No blog, but an easy, obvious explanation, eg a technical glitch, would reassure frayed nerves. What's worrying me is the prospect of your dark clouds of depression - "The Darkness Visible" - descending and engulfing you temporarily
Or the "Noonday Demons" of the Old Testament, claiming you as their temporary victim of endogenous depression
The above, all mere surmise and speculation, "feminine intuition" because those of us who don't follow tweets, know nothing of your weekend whereabouts or activities
Swine flu? Or worse, episodic depression, (which, I think, last engulfed you mere days before Easter in mid-April), either way, you're best with your head "under the duvet" until recovery, health restored. No twitterers will espy you under there
Any of the above hunches, if true, thoughts of your well-wishers all focus on you swiftly restored to your inimitable best form
Trevor Malcolm
===============
===
Louis Eustace
2009-07-18 01:47:14Great last line!
Harry Miller
2009-07-17 20:18:50The first half of In The Loop was very funny and witty, like most of the TV series. It did, however, start to trail off, becoming muddled, bitter, less funny and interesting as the movie went on (with the exception of the marvellous Jamie and the fax machine scene). The mocking of petty bureaucracy and petty people was what made The Thick of It glorious; Ianucci's cloudy and ineffectual tackling of 'Important Stuff' sadly sacrificed humour and style. In The Loop ended up far too lighthearted to be a serious political film and too morally overbearing to be a really good comedy, just scraping above the sort of dreadful 'satire' ruled over by Rory Bremner.
So there's a decent argument for not being Alastair Campbell and not liking the film as well. Just saying, so as to dispell the opinion that everyone unanimously enjoyed that film!
Nicola Clubb
2009-07-17 19:56:11Mind you to add to my last posting I think quite a few cyclists need a dose of reality as well, especially the ones who jump lights at red or break the rules of the road.
Nicola Clubb
2009-07-17 19:53:50I do not wear one either and I know the accidents that are possible. But i think you will find more often than not it is the cars and other vehicles that cause most accidents and they should be forced to ride a push bike for a few years before getting behind a wheel of a car. They might then understand that they are not the only road users.
Thomas Rossetti
2009-07-17 19:20:15You do indeed seem to be the only person who doesn't like "In The Loop". I also wonder why.
I have just finished reading Michael Ashcroft's very interesting book "Dirty Politics, Dirty Times" in which he details the way the establishment have tried to smear him over the years. In the book he comes very close to suggesting that you and a Times journalist lied in the Hutton Inquiry about leaking David Kelly's name to the press. How do you respond to this?
jane A
2009-07-17 19:16:38@Mark - "windswept liberty"?
Bet you would rather he was busy being a Mayor than sitting around composing Fifth Form poetry. Still, I guess it keeps him out of trouble.
Katharine T.
2009-07-17 19:09:40Personally I avoid bicycles like the plague; seems I am very uncoordinated and every time I get on one I fall off and seriously injure myself. Fortunately, dentistry in Canada is quite good to compensate for the teeth that get knocked out.
So, on that note, I think full padded armour, complete with full faced helmet is in order for me to ever ride one of those blasted things ever again.
Also, just think sir; if you weren't famous enough to bother tweeting or twittering or fluttering or whatever it is about, then you would have never sold a single book and probably no one would care about what you have to say....sort of how you probably feel about our comments. :)
Cllr Mark Bennett
2009-07-17 18:53:22I am often ticked off for not wearing a cycle helmet. If people want to wear them, fine by me, but I choose not to. Opinion is divided over how protected you are - some research says you are less cautious if you are wearing a helmet, because you assume you are safer.
Incidentally, when Boris came to Lambeth for a policing event, he cycled here and wore a helmet. I cycled to the event without a helmet.
I have to agree with something he said in his Telegraph column (the one he gets paid chicken feed for): "As for cycle helmets, we should be allowed, in our muddled way, to make up our own minds. Sometimes we will go for hatless, sun-blessed, windswept liberty; sometimes for helmeted security."
Em
2009-07-17 18:36:56This won't make you feel better but it needs to be said: Alastair, this is why they pay you the big bucks. You are a "name" and thus under greater scrutiny. I never wear my helmet and, as far as I know, it has not been mentioned on Twitter. Then again, I'm not a member of the Twitterati.
It's difficult to feel sorry for you in this instance since this episode will only reinforce your memory and you are unlikely to forget your helmet ever again.
I'm sure BoJo doesn't need to wear one. I read somewhere that the upper classes have thicker skulls (especially in the frontal area, especially if they are right-wing) and he's got a lot of hair to cushion the blow.
As far as "In the Loop" goes, the movie is about to open in Canada and I plan on disregarding your review. Seems you are the only one who disliked it. I wonder why.
RGA
2009-07-17 18:24:40Perhaps JP is in the ballet .... now that would be a sight worth seeing!
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