The BBC News Magazine has published a piece about "the other G20", the area of Glasgow known as Maryhill (and where I live, and have lived for nearly 9 years).

It is worth a read, and an interesting viewpoint of the area. It comes across as a bit depressing I think, which doesn't really tally with my view of the area. On the whole, people usually seem pretty happy with life here. Maybe I'm one of the "middle-class gentrifiers" that the story speaks of, though.

It reports that 29% of the population here is classed as "income deprived" by the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD), without explaining what this actually means (I tried to find out what it entails, but the reporting functions the Scottish Government use require some decades old Adobe program that doesn't work). The SIMD apparently measures a lot more than simply "income", but the BBC report makes no mention of any of the other measures.

Comments have been added to the story by some readers, all making interesting points, in particular the comments by Rod Fleming, Lynn McCulloch and Jonathan Kennedy.

Here is a recording of a debate on Blasphemy (actually religion in general) between Stephen Fry and Christopher HItchens, from the Guardian Hay Festival in 2005. (78 minutes long, taken from the Guardian website)

Some more (what I think are....) interesting news stories from this week...

The Lancet has responded to the Pope and his ridiculous claims about condoms in Africa. This is an "unprecedentedly virulent" attack by The Lancet, according the the BBC. There is now a Condoms for Pope Benedict XVI Facebook group you can join!

In other Pope news, the Vatican this week showed how in touch with the modern world they are, by discovering that the internet exists. If they are to use the internet as a guide to appointing new Bishops, then there are BOUND to be some interesting upcoming appointments...

The Archbishop of Canterbury has raised concerns that the BBC is neglecting its Christian viewers.
A spokesperson said "The BBC is a public service corporation. It is funded by licence payers and part of the broadcaster's duty is to represent the population. If it ignored Christians and the church it would be negligent."
To ensure consistency, I look forward to the progamming that the BBC should provide for the 390,127 people (0.8% of the population) who declared themselves as "Jedi" in England and Wales, in the last UK census.

Terrifying news from the UN, regarding "defamation of religion" now being declared unacceptable. This was voted for by the "Human Rights Council", who clearly decided that forgetting what "Human Rights" actually means was appropriate on this occasion. This was, of course, proposed by Pakistan, and supported by other such caring Islamic states.

If you've ever heard or used the phrase "Evolution is just a theory"... then read this. Language is important, and words do not always mean the same thing in all situations.

Someone showed me this at work today.... don't want to lose it! Enjoy!

I started my latest brew today; my first cider. This pack is from Finland (a place that seems more amazing every time I learn something new about it). I'm not a fan of that stuff that they sell in Ikea (which I KNOW is Swedish and not Finnish), so I hope it doesn't end up tasting like that.

I've gone for the minimum amount of water, with a medium amount of sugar - meaning it should be about 5% when ready. It needs less sugar than I expected would be needed for cider; I used about 500 grams, and it says the maximum that is needed is 800 grams.

The beer is coming along very well too - quick wee taste earlier was very promising. I'm a little closer to sourcing the heather honey for my mead (I THINK I know where I'll order it from), but still not ordered yet. I have received the yeast enhancer that I am going to use for the mead as well (arrived with the cider).

Possibly not the most exciting of topics, but certainly "important" in todays crazy financial times. This excellent video explains how Fractional Reserve Banking, possibly one of the craziest ideas in history, happens.

I've started brewing my latest batch of homebrew, Firkin's Bruces Best Bitter. I've used this pack once before, and it was really nice. However, I'm pretty certain I used far too little water (litres instead of pints? I dunno), because it was VERY strong (one bottle of the stuff had me staggering!). This time I've used the right amount of water. Hopefully I won't be disappointed....

I'm also currently researching my latest project - making mead. I'd initially planned on just doing a small quantity test run, because honey isn't too cheap. However, it appears that it isn't really drinkable within a year, and doesn't taste it's best until 3 years. Therefore, I think I'll take my time and do some proper research before starting. I've ordered champagne yeast, and am currently trying to source some good quality honey (of what type I've not decided yet... heather honey is a definite possibility).

Old Firm violence Being a member of the Children's Panel, where a large number of the cases are related to drink fueled domestic violence, I found this to be pretty interesting. It comes with some statistics, which are of course easy to manipulate (88% in domestic violence over what? Other Sundays, or other days, or what?), but is still pretty startling.

Pope opposes condoms I find this infuriating. How many people will die as a direct of the horrible disease that is AIDS as a direct result of this?

Fred the Shreds pension This has only interested me because it is still being discussed. It is almost certain that there is nothing that can be done about it, and it is simply being used to disguise the total lack of any action in sorting out the big fat financial mess. I suppose he is a pretty good figure of hate for people who need such things.

Richard Dawkins in Oklahoma I simply do not understand the US. The US Constitution is so often held to be sacred, yet also so often attacked in the most spurious ways but those who claim to defend it.

The importance of numbers cannot be underestimated. This is hilarious. Make you sure listen to the phone call.

I had my first visit to the Red Shed in Wakefield tonight. I had a really good tasting porter from Bradford (local to the area). A wonderful clean tasting pint :D

What a place too.... literally a shed that is red. There are plaques of various awards and pictures all over the wall, all squint, and all advertising just how good this place is.

If you are ever in West Yorkshire, go to Wakefield, and find the Red Shed.  If you have ever seen "Batteries Not Included", then you will experience what is basically the real life version of the cafe in that movie. A massive shopping centre is being built right next to it (though the building has currently been suspended due to financing issues). They tried to buy over the Red Shed and turn it into a bit of a shopping centre. They failed. Here's hoping they NEVER succeed.

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