I must confess that footy has never been amongst my interests, and I have little understanding of the economics of the business that manages to pay tens of millions to buy players and then pay those players up to two hundred thousand a week. I assume club income comes from gate receipts, corporate sponsorship and TV broadcasting rights.However, nothing typifies the conspicuous consumption of Brown's bloated boom decade more than football. A riot of laughable bad taste by the players, together with sexual excess and every variety of illegal and deviant behaviour imaginable, at the same time both lauded and condemned by the red tops.Will TV user subscriptions and advertising revenues dry up? Will corporate sponsors fall by the wayside? Will footy fans desert the terraces? I simply don't...

IT’S not just shoes that friends of George Bush want to shower him with. Here’s the list of things Bush scored this season:Foreign Gifts to White House Staff. Two books and a jazz CD from the Sultan of Brunei, “Stayed Tuned” by Joe Garner and “1,001 Reasons to Love America,” by Hubert Pedroli and Mary Tiegreen, along with “Jazz for Quiet Moments” by Greg Howard. Value: $70. When Bush goes, look out for the sequel: 1,002 Reasons To Love America. A Husqvarna 335Rx brush cutter with “comfort grip handles” from Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt. Its estimated value was $570. Keep your merkin in tip-top shape. Bush also received a $4,500 electric harp with a speakerphone (Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet) Bush playing a...

An article on the ILM website advises that while some office managers may think it is necessary to cancel the office Christmas party due to the current economic climate, it has been claimed is more important than ever to motivate employees.ILM advise that it is 'crucial' for management to make sure their team feels valued and help boost morale.The groups chief executive advised that even though holding a Christmas party may seem like a small gesture, it goes a long way toward recognising team achievements over the past year, showing them that their work is not being taken for granted.ILM advises that Christmas parties can be cost-effective and fun, and it notes that holding the party in the office or booking a venue which is free to hire are other money-saving ideas. So the question...

130,000 pairs of inflatable breasts have been lost at sea somewhere between Beijing and Sydney.The boobs, valued at £150,000, were due to be given away by a Australian mens magazine but the container, well, containing them, is nowhere to be found.Some fear it could be a case of man mammary overboard as the ship carrying it left docks in Beijing two weeks ago and should have arrived in Sydney this week.This will come as bad news for the obviously highly discerning readership of Ralph magazine.A spokesperson for the magazine has asked for beachcombers to keep an eye out for the inflatable breasts and get in touch if they spot them....

Food inspectors in northern Italy have closed a cheese factory after discovering mice were treating it as the ultimate all you can eat buffet.The ravenous rodents ruined 80 tonnes of top quality Parmesan valued at 800,000 euros, that's nearly £700,000.2010 Parmigiano-Reggiano cheeses were taken from the factory after inspectors discovered a number of dead mice who it seems had literally eaten themselves to death.Imagine the sweats and hallucinations they'd have had!Officials are looking in to the case at the moment although it seems there's a lot of holes in it. Experts will now inspect the cheeses to decide whether they can be eaten or if they should be destroyed....

READERS of Australia’s Ralph magazine hoping to get their hands on a pair of free breasts are forced to look elsewhere. Over 130,000 inflatable breasts, valued at $200,000 have been lost at sea en route to Australia. A spokeswoman for Ralph says the container left docks in Beijing two weeks ago but turned up empty in Sydney this week. Says Ralph editor Santi Pintado: “Unless Somali pirates have stolen them its difficult to explain where they are. If anyone finds any washed up on a beach, please let us know.” And if they are attached to Blue Peter junglist Nicola McLean, don’t pull on them too...

NEWS is that George Michael is finding it hard to sell tickets for his new show, his farewell concert. Michael says the show in Abu Dhabi will be his last. He will mark UAE’s independence and then retire. But with only days to go, promoters are finding it hard to shift the 35,000 tickets, each valued at £35. Says an “insider” in the Sun: “A lot of the youngsters here aren’t interested in his music – they’re into up-to-date stuff. It was embarrassing.” The thought of George playing to a half-vacant stadium sticks in the craw. Needs must and as we urge him to consider a small venue. Job done. And Anorak can now exclusively announce that George Michael will be performing at cubicle 3 of the portaloo on Hampstead Heath just as soon as you can get...

Sir Tom McKillop, the outgoing chairman of Royal Bank of Scotland, today took personal responsibility for the plight of the Edinburgh-based bank which is now set to be majority owned by the taxpayer.He told shareholders assembled at an extraordinary meeting convened to sanction the record-breaking £20bn fundraising that the "buck stops with me as chairman". He said he was "profoundly sorry" for the situation that forced RBS to seek a government bail-out.He acknowledged the timing of the takeover of Dutch bank ABN Amro at the height of the credit crisis last year had "added to our difficulties".In his most candid assessment of the problems facing RBS, which was valued at £60bn at it peak and is now worth just a tenth of that, McKillop admitted the bank had been run on too low a capital...

The BBC show Antiques Roadshow has uncovered it's first £1,000,000 item.However, much to the disappointment of viewers, the item was not a vase that some little old lady had been keeping flowers in for the past 60 years.It was in fact the final model ofAntony Gormleys the Angel of the North before he created the massive northern icon, made just a couple of years ago it is not even an antique.To make matters worse, there was no look of shock on the owners face when the value was announced - it belongs to Gateshead Council who already knew what it was worth.Art dealer Philip Mould told viewers: "It's easier to value than a lot of things of this stature, of this iconic resonance, because another version did sell very recently ... I would comfortably value it at £1,000,000." Cllr...

Fraud.One out of five!I am Mr. Todd Graham, an Accountant with Lloyds Trust Bank Plc, I am the personal Account Manager to Mr. anderson.On the 21st of April 2004, Anderson Cook (Herein after shall be referred to as my client), his wife and their three children were involved in a car accident in London. Unfortunately they all lost their lives in the event of the accident, since then I have made several enquiries to locate any of my client's extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful. After these several Unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his relatives over the Internet, to locate any member of His family but of no avail, hence I contacted you to stand as his next of kin.I contacted you to assist in repatriating the money in addition, property left behind by my client...

Tune in to the BBC's Antiques Roadshow on Sunday, 16th November, 2008, if only to witness the facial expression of the lucky owner whose item has been valued at one million...

The first £1m object is valued on the Antiques Roadshow - but the item is being kept a secret until...

The suspense is killing me - when I awake I’ll know what the auction of this domain got me. I’m hoping for a surge in the last 6 hrs (it happens on eBay all the time after all). The price is still below what I had this domain valued at… Whatever happens I hope my readers will follow me across to the new...

[comics] Grant Morrison on All Star Superman: ‘In the end, I saw Superman not as a superhero or even a science fiction character, but as a story of Everyman. We’re all Superman in our own adventures. We have our own Fortresses of Solitude we retreat to, with our own special collections of valued stuff, our own super–pets, our own “Bottle Cities” that we feel guilty for neglecting. We have our own peers and rivals and bizarre emotional or moral tangles to deal with.I felt I’d really grasped the concept when I saw him as Everyman, or rather as the dreamself of Everyman. That “S” is the radiant emblem of divinity we reveal when we rip off our stuffy shirts, our social masks, our neuroses, our constructed selves, and become who we truly...

Fraud.One out of five!Dear Sir/Ma, I am Barrister Chris Dele, a solicitor at law. I am the personal attorney to Mr. Mark Applegate, who used to work with one of the oil company's in Nigeria. Here in after shall be referred to as my client. On the 21st of April 2000, my client and his wife with their two children were involved in a car accident along Sagbama express road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. Since then I have made several enquiries to his country's embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track his last name over the Internet, to locate any member of his family hence I contacted you. I have contacted you to assist in repartrating the money and...

An auctioneer literally lost his head when he got off a train and realised he had left behind a valuable piece of art. As Joby Carters got off and walked away from a train at Maidenhead station, he realised he had left a wax model of Sir Paul McCartney’s head on the carriage. He had been entrusted with the piece of art work by a family friend and had taken the Reading to Ealing train service to get it valued by Peter Blake, a Beatles memorabilia expert who has a studio in Hammersmith. Mr Carters is due to sell the pop star’s head at auction on Sunday, October 26, and has offered a £2,000 reward for its safe return. It is believed the head, valued at up to £10,000, was originally on display at Louis Tussauds in Great Yarmouth and was due to be included in an auction of fairground...

Iain Dale the world-renowned Blog-conomist with a better grapevine than Peston's predicts a £20 Billion stock issue tomorrow, Monday for The Queen's Bank - that's Royal Bank of Scotland. He concludes:Does anyone really believe the government will be any better at running banks than it was running the railways? But what is the alternative? Answers on a postcard to the usual address...Might more usefully ask what fool believed that the private sector could run the trains (and the track, albeit briefly) better than as a public service? Or the gloriously privatised Utilities for that matter? From Thatcher's under-valued gains to our private-profit boosted pain.LoL site...

Zoe Williams on Sarah Brown: She clearly does not seek the limelight, and there’s not a sniff of the compulsive stuff-grab that characterised Cherie Blair. So not only does it reflect well on Gordon that his wife has relinquished her valued privacy in support of him, it also brings a favourable and timely reminder of the ways in which he and his household differ from the Blairs. Yeah, right....

There is something about good, old fashioned service. You don't seem to find it very much anymore, but yesterday was an exception. I drove to Newland Avenue in Hull and parked up. I bought a newspaper, then visited a bakery and bought some sausage rolls, fresh out of the oven. Then to the butcher to buy some beef and then across the road to the greengrocer to buy the veg. In every shop I was a valued customer and they had the time of day for me. More importantly, the produce I bought was of a high quality. The beef was lean and tender and was a beautiful, burgundy colour before cooking,  indicating it had been hung properly. All the veg was fresh and tasted so much better than the supermarket.  It is pure laziness that makes me get most things at the supermarket. With a little...

One of Kensington's favourite PCs, George Rees, has had his final day on patrol in Kensington as he moves on to a new post.He has been in the area for 8 years and will be sadly missed by us all, as he was a much valued member of the New Deal Community Police ForceHere are a few photos of the Thank You and Farewell party, courtesy of Maria Curran at Kensington Regeneration Good Luck George, from us allAll blogs are the personal comments of Louise Baldock and should not be deemed to be official Labour Party policy, thoughts or responses....

A 30-year-old man is to appear in court charged with attempting to smuggle heroin valued at £4.5m into the...

A 26-year-old Chandler man was arrested Sunday after police say he tore up his wife's new bra during an argument over his in-laws. Carlos Salazar called police to his residence on East El Pardo Court in Chandler to settle a verbal dispute with his wife's family, according to a police report. Salazar wanted his wife's family to leave and his wife did not want her family to leave. Salazar announced he was angry, went upstairs and tore up his wife's new bra valued at $28, according to the report. He then called his wife upstairs to show her the bra in pieces. Salazar was arrested on suspicion of criminal...

I have had emails this morning drawing my attention to a worrying trend:Some traditional names such as Edna and Norman are in danger of dying out in England and Wales, research suggests.It looks even worse when you examine the detail:In 1907, 1,048 babies were named Gertrude but none were in 2005. Baby Normans declined from 1,991 to two.I remain serene, for all that. We Normans have always valued quality above quantity. Rest assured, dear readers, I will not be discouraged. (Thanks: CB /...

Fraud.One out of five.Hi,Our online market research organization starts recruiting self-motivated and reliable individuals willing to take part in well-paying research conducted by leading international businesses. Your opinion as a consumer is important for the success and profitability of many business ventures. That is why they are ready to pay for what you think.Our members are paid for participating in online surveys, focus group discussions, and product/service evaluations. What's best, all you need to work with us is a computer, an Internet connection, and will to voice your honest opinion. We'd like to hear from you soon if you want to become one of our highly valued survey takers. Please excuse us if this email is unwanted for you and we have disturbed you in some way, but this...

Fraud.One out of five.Good day I am Barrister Ben williams an attorney to Ronald Lake and Joyce Lake who used to work with Frank Howard Allen Realtors. On the 31st of January 2000, my client and his wife were involved in a Plane Crash (Alaska Airlines Flight 261) all passengers unfortunately lost their lives, since then I have made several enquiries to locate any of my client?s extended relatives but this proved unsuccessful. You can read more about there death on this website below:http://archives.cnn.com/2000/US/02/01/alaska.airlines.list/After all these several unsuccessful attempts, since it's not compulsory that the next-of-kin must be a blood relation to the deceased, hence I contacted you because you are from the same country with my late client, Be informed that a next-of-kin can...

One of RecyclingCDs valued and talented artists will be exhibiting this month at the Brick Lane Gallery in London. Vincent Chong will be joining a group of other emerging and mid-career artists promoted by the gallery in this regular featured exhibition.The show runs from 30th July until 11th August 2008 with a preview opening night on Wednesday 30th July, 6-9pm.Venue: 196 Brick Lane, London E1 6SA / T: 0207 729 9721Nearest Tube: Liverpool Street / Aldgate EastClick for further info:Art In Mind / Brick Lane Gallery / Vincent Chong* Racheblue - Striving for Sustainability & Ethics in Art, Design & Lifestyle...

Ann Widdecombe voted to give MPs (and of course herself) a 4.6% pay rise. This week local government workers are on strike over being offered 2.45% Ann Widdecombe's income is reported to be around £400,000 (£60k for being an MP and the rest from other work).This is a real slap in the face for hard working council employees and I completely support the industrial action this week. There is a real need to send a clear message to government that the real workers need to be valued.With inflation at 3.8% even by the government's own favoured method of measuring (CPI), 2.45% is a hefty pay cut. Of course we all know that inflation is much higher. The RPI is at 4.6% and fuel at the pump has risen by 20-30% this year; bread is up 9% - as so on, you hardly need me to spell it out.We need need to...

It's Lovely! I'll Take It! (via)Dismantling the World's Largest Gantry Crane4 Amazing Ancient Cities of Colour (via)Slovenia’s Gorgeous Honeycomb Housing Complexin action: a skyscraper’s amazing 728-ton stabilising ballDynamic Tower Skyscraper: Every Floor Self-Rotates, Powered by Wind and SunWoman builds house from junked jumbo jetSuperb Examples of Architectural Adaptive ReuseIn Pictures: America's Oldest Neighborhoodsliving on the edge: 2 stunningly scary clifftop communitiesProperty Shock for Owner of '£80,000 Home' Valued at £1The Bank That Was Sent Through the Post OfficeWhat Were They Thinking? Homes Edition...

Love is a fine thing, and in that neck of the woods love of animals is not to be looked askance at. I loved my cat Meems. Whether, however, loving your dog puts you in touch with the truth, indeed the ultimate truth, strikes me as more doubtful. At any rate, it needs more argumentative support than it gets here from Jeremy Barris. Yes, there's the appreciation of beauty, goodness and other valued qualities in love, and there's the desire for the object of love and what she, he or it embodies to flourish, to endure. But so, also, are the possibility of self-delusion and elements of selfishness wrapped up in love. And uncompromising commitment to the truth as such can have some unloving implications and...

I just joined because their vision seemed worth standing up for: We want a society: In which those who have no religious beliefs do not suffer discrimination or disadvantage as a result. We want to ensure that religion is not allowed to dominate those areas of society that we all have to share – education, health care, social services and the political arena. We think religious views should be accorded only the respect they earn, not what they simply demand. Where free expression is recognised and valued as the very bedrock of a democracy, and where it is vigorously protected. Where people are allowed to make up their own minds and allowed to freely change their beliefs or abandon them if they want to. In which education is objective and free from ideological manipulation....