NCP Tackle Homelessness

I WAS PLEASED TO SEE THAT A CITY CENTRE CAR PARK HAS PROVIDED THE HOMELESS WITH A PLACE TO STAY.

I took a picture with my cameraphone. Click on the image to enlarge.

It shows a wheelie bin outside the car park.  The bin is filled and overflowing. On the side is written

NCP
REFUGE
ONLY

It is so nice to know that there is a refuge at the NCP. I had always thought of those wheely bins as being for Refuse or Rubbish, and it would certainly seem to be the case that some silly person has mixed up Refuse with refuge and filled the wheely bin with refuse! I do hope this doesn’t inconvenience the homeless people using the bin as refuge at this time of year.

Woody Grave Stone

AT EGLINTON TOLL THERE IS A MONUMENTAL SCULPTOR’S YARD THAT IS FILLED WITH EXAMPLES OF THEIR WORK.

There are many styles of tombstones or gravestones, but one which caught my eye was the one with Woody from Disney-Pixar’s “Toy Story”.

First sight of this gravestone brings a chaos of emotions and thoughts. I thought of how sad it would be for a small child to die, and how shocking such a grave stone would be to visit. Then I thought of the context — how out-of-place such a grave might be, what reactions it might cause in other people visiting other graves… unless there was a children’s area of the cemetery filled with similar scenes.

Another thought was about copyright infringement, but would Disney-Pixar sue a mother and father with a recently deceased child? Perhaps this is licensed by Disney-Pixar? Things would certainly be getting worse if promotions have moved on from McDonald’s paper cups to graves.

Elephant Saving Kitchen Paper

I WAS STOPPED DEAD IN MY TRACKS BY THE CLAIMS ON THIS PRODUCT IN MY LOCAL SUPERMARKET.

It states that — by simply buying their kitchen roll — you could save African Elephants!

No one wants to harm African elephants, which is (by implication) what you would be doing by either buying some other brand of kitchen roll, or simply by not buying this Thirst Pockets brand of kitchen roll.

Things are getting bad when the future of African elephants lies in the balance and depends on you  and your shopping decisions.

Same Flat Syndrome

IN THE WINDOW OF ANY ESTATE AGENCY ARE PHOTOGRAPHS OF FLATS FOR SALE.

Things must be getting worse because every flat is decorated in the same style! Notice the pseudo traditional sanded floorboards, fireplaces, couches and plain walls.

Perhaps the television make-over shows are to blame for all this, but it was never like this in the past; I quite enjoyed viewing flats for sale and browsing estate agencies, and the variety in décor was exactly what made house hunting fun. Things are getting worse when we all live in the same flat, or aspire to sameness.

Glasgow Dress Code

WE ARE GRATEFUL TO RECEIVE A LOT OF FUN THINGS BY COMMENTS AND E-MAIL.

Some are virals and round-robbin items, but others are (or seem to be) genuine originals.  This photograph taken of a public house notice in Glasgow has the appearance of being authentic.

Thanks to Robbie for this.  We reckon it will make Glaswegians smile, but still, things are getting worse when we have to resort to public admissions of bigotry and foolishness.

For those out there in the internet world who wouldn’t know what this means, allow me an explanation: pubs in Glasgow are known as “Rangers Pubs” or “Celtic Pubs”; these are places where football fans congregate after matches to drown their sorrows or celebrate their victories. There are several football teams in Glasgow, but the biggest two are Celtic and Glasgow Rangers.

Other pubs distance themselves from football and the associated bigotry and religious sectarianism, to avoid drunken violent incidents and perhaps try to cater for families.  These pubs put up notices stating the policy of refusing access to people wearing “football colours” — meaning scarves, football tops, flags and the like.  The word “Fud” is a local slang term for vagina, but it means “fool”.  Now you know!

Holy Roads!

THE POTHOLE SITUATION HERE IN GLASGOW CITY IS TERRIBLE, APPARENTLY DUE TO THE RAVAGES OF THE SEVERE WINTER ON OUR BELOVED TARMACADAM.

Imagine my surprise, however, to spot a sign at Blythswood Square that simply warned me to expect more potholes!

[Please click on the photograph to enlarge image]

Things are getting worse when the council will spend money on signs instead of repairing the roads.

Supasnug

AN ITEM CAUGHT MY EYE WHILE SHOPPING RECENTLY.

I have to ask myself, who would buy this item? It is called “Supasnug”, and the legend states:

“Keeps You warm and Your Hands Free”. There is a picture to prove what it can do for you.

Click on the image to enlarge.

This seems fine if you are a Benedictine Monk in a chilly old monastery, but the box shows how attractive the Dominican Friar look can be to the opposite sex; it shows a young girl, also clad like a Cistercian, snuggling in.  This is a particularly uncomfortable image. He looks like her father. She hold a TV remote control suggestively.  Is there a bulge? She’s smiling far too much.  He only has one hand visible — yet we know BOTH hands are free.

He holds a cup of cappuccino (ironically enough), which puts them both at risk — there is a suggestion that the supasnug could be cappuccino-proof.  The next image to cross one’s mind is this man walking about making coffee dressed like a capuchin monk. This is not a good look, surely.

I do think this garb is dangerous and ugly.  How on earth does it fasten? At the back? “Blanket With Sleeve” suggests a single sleeve, but the picture shows two rather massive and frankly hazardous wizard sleeves. Risky with hot liquids in my opinion. I do not think it would attract women nor should it. Things are getting worse if you have a coffee and a smiling blonde snuggling into you, and you need more snugness to the extent of needing this garment.  Heaven preserve us! Buy second hand central heating or use a blanket!

Brrr-Bikini

TODAY, PARKED ON SAUCHIEHALL STREET WAS A MOBILE BILLBOARD ADVERTISING A PARTY AT A CITY NIGHTCLUB.

It states:

“Free entry in beachwear before 11.30pm”

Let me remind you that this is Glasgow city centre in the wettest April on record, which is also windy and cold.  I know there’s a recession on, but really!

Things are getting worse when people to turn up and queue outside this nightclub in a bikini or trunks simply to gain free entry.

Strange Poster

TODAY I WAS AMAZED BY THE POSTER ON AN OFFICE BLOCK.

It just seemed a little “suggestive”. Please click on the image to see it enlarged.

It seems to be by King Sturge, and might be about letting office space in the building.  However, it is a close up of a woman’s head, something long and white is coming out of her mouth, and there is the lettering “wow”.  Above her head are the words,

“AND GREAT VALUE FOR MONEY TOO”

You have to know that this is the nearest thing to a red light district in Glasgow city centre, and I would consider this Lichtensteinesque poster to have been deliberately chosen to target businessmen cruising the grid of an evening. Things are getting worse indeed!

Spotted What?

ONCE AGAIN, THE STOCK IN A LOCAL SHOP CAUGHT MY ATTENTION.

The last time I was in, I spotted Cream Pies, and was immediately transported back to a special time and place. This time they had the rather delicious-sounding Goblin Spotted Dick. Please double click on the image to see an enlargement of the display.

I can’t tell you the last time I had Goblin Spotted Dick on my menu, but I can tell you what’s going down tonight.