Jul 31 2009
Swine flu back with a vengeance and this week’s news in summary
It’s been another action-packed week, to the point that Retro Yakking could not fit every individual news story into its own article. Here’s a selection of stuff that didn’t quite make it to full post status this week, but is noteworthy nonetheless.
Another fire took place in Blackpool this week, on this occasion at the disused Grand Hotel on Station Road. Arson is the suspected cause, though it’s just as likely that some cigarette ash from a nearby pub (blatantly flouting the no smoking laws, of course) landed close to the building and set it ablaze. Retro Yakking found that a previous fire was caused by none other than a dragon, so maybe it escaped from Blackpool zoo to wreak havoc upon the town once again.
Despite these dubious goings-on, Blackpool is still better than Paris.
On Monday, Retro Yakking reviewed Radio 4’s brand new ‘broadwebcasting’ experiment Bigipedia. After some thorough investigations, we can (not so) exclusively reveal that their official website is in fact unofficial, and a rather bizarre wiki about stingray toys or something. I would not be surprised if this is some weird stunt concocted by the writers to garner some publicity for the show. Alas, it most likely isn’t, but is certainly rather curious.
Episode two of Bigipedia is on iPlayer now.
Remember when I said nobody gives a stuff about swine flu anymore? Well, things have changed since then. Around this time last week, it was reported in the mainstream press that the government’s new website offering swine flu advice crashed within the first 24 hours of it going online. Apparently a vast majority of people have been successfully scared by the Daily Mail and really do believe they have swine flu. Remember the official advice: shoot anybody with swine flu. It’s for your own safety.
Finally, in cricket, Lancashire’s abandoned Twenty20 semi-final against Somerset was decided by rock, paper, scissors yesterday. Lancashire opted for rock, whilst Somerset chose paper, meaning (for those not well versed in the rules of RPS) the Sabres emerged victorious. As a result Somerset are through to the money spinning finals day on 15th August, where it’s thought a mass game of skilly all out will decide the winner in the event of a tie.
Twenty20 bowlouts: because it’s marginally cheaper and more fun than tossing a coin.
Have a safe week, and don’t eat that genetically modified chipmunk burger. You’ll regret it in the morning.
