tag:,2008:/791 2008-01-27T17:24:26Z Do you have a pet hate, something which you’d like to banish from the world? Then share your view with Blog 101 and we’ll consign it forever to the dark recesses of Blog 101 … Movable Type Enterprise 4.21-en tag:www.blog101.merseyblogs.co.uk,2008://325.36888 2008-01-27T17:10:45Z 2008-01-27T17:24:26Z

Colin, from Woolton, has some really good points to make with his pet hates this week.......

Paula Burnell Colin, from Woolton, has some really good points to make with his pet hates this week.... 1) Crime statistics. According to the latest figures, virtually every major category of crime on Merseyside is down by about 25%. But according to any actual scousers you speak to, the air of menace on the city's streets has never been worse. Do these statisticians ever actually go out on the streets - or are they too scared? 2) Traffic cones - especially the ones in such profusion on The Strand. Did our city planners really want that to be the overwhelming image of the area given to all those tens of thousands who have been visiting the magnificent new ECHO Arena during Capital of Culture year? 3) Chelsea Football Club - for reminding all us Blues, even in this wonderfully exciting and successful season, just how far we still have to go if we are ever to match Comrade Moneybags's team of multi zillionaires. Thanks Colin, you've raised some really good ones this week! I know you can make statistics say whatever you want them to say and I don't trust them any more than you, and as for number 3, well it's football again (yawn) and that doesn't do it for me I'm afraid! But, as for number 2 - well yes, for goodness sake, when will it all end??? Into Blog 101 goes every single traffic cone (oops it's full up now!) tag:www.blog101.merseyblogs.co.uk,2008://325.36637 2008-01-23T17:02:09Z 2008-01-23T17:22:27Z

Hilary, from Birkenhead, tells me that she's normally a very placid person but these are the liitle niggly things that get right under her skin!...

Paula Burnell Hilary, from Birkenhead, tells me that she's normally a very placid person but these are the liitle niggly things that get right under her skin! 1) Shop staff who pounce on you the minute you walk in the store - almost as bad as the ones that ignore you completely! 2) Having to queue for ages at supermarkets check-outs - they keep you waiting and then chuck stuff at you faster than you can load your bags. Surely they make enough profit to staff all the check-outs when it's busy. 3) Checking-in at the airport. There must be a quicker way of doing it - same as the supermarket I suppose - not enough staff. We've definitely got a staffing problem here! I totally agree with all your gripes, Helen, but number 3 is the the one that annoys me the most. It's getting so bad that it makes you wonder whether it's worth all the hassle - so into Blog 101 go all those miserable hours spent checking-in! tag:www.blog101.merseyblogs.co.uk,2008://325.36254 2008-01-20T20:02:45Z 2008-01-20T20:08:01Z

Dave Bassett from Crosby sent me a few of his pet hates (thanks Dave). There must be lots of you out there with pet hates - and I would love to hear from you.......

Paula Burnell Dave Bassett from Crosby sent me a few of his pet hates (thanks Dave). There must be lots of you out there with pet hates - and I would love to hear from you.... 1) Cyclists on the pavement. 2) People who stop to chat in supermarket aisles. 3) Mobile phone users on the bus. Cyclist on the pavement can be annoying but I don't blame them so long as they're careful, because I'd be frightened to cycle on the roads as well! As for number three, well all mobile phone users are annoying (apart from me of course (ha ha)) not just the ones on the buses. So, my vote goes to number 2 this week - as if supermarket shopping isn't stressful enough without having to negotiate your trolley round all these people who've obviously got too much time on their hands - into Blog 101 they go..... tag:www.blog101.merseyblogs.co.uk,2008://325.34984 2008-01-06T21:59:41Z 2008-01-06T22:11:24Z

Greg, who is originally from Liverpool, then moved to Brighton and now lives in Barcelona, has been home for the holidays and has found a few things here quite annoying!...

Paula Burnell Greg, who is originally from Liverpool, then moved to Brighton and now lives in Barcelona, has been home for the holidays and has found a few things here quite annoying! 1) Premiership bosses who still send out "weakened" teams in the FA Cup - despite all the evidence that it's a disasterous idea. 2) City road planners. Weekend one of Capital of Culture and the "Heavy Traffic Leaving The Arena" congestion signs are already lit up. 3) "Car Park Full" signs in the Philharmonic Hall parking lot - despite 75% of spaces being empty. Do that many people really reserve places in advance? I take it your first gripe is because of Everton and Liverpool's poor performance this weekend in the FA Cup - but if we put bad results in Blog 101 it would be full by now! As for number 2, I think they were probably just testing the system because Friday was the first public event at the Echo Arena and I know they were taking that opportunity to test all sorts of things. So, I think I'll consign number 3 to Blog 101, because like yourself, Greg, I was at that wonderful performance by Wayne Shorter on Saturday at the Phil and we noticed that the car park seemed half empty as well - why would they do that? tag:www.blog101.merseyblogs.co.uk,2008://325.34751 2008-01-02T16:56:42Z 2008-01-02T17:12:35Z

Jack from Allerton says he would like to see the following irritating things consigned to Blog 101......

Paula Burnell Jack from Allerton says he would like to see the following irritating things consigned to Blog 101... 1) All the stupid stuff footballers and their managers whitter on about after a match. They all say the same thing over and over again and it gets boring. 2) Furniture shop adverts that tell us the sale - that to my certain knowledge has been going for at least the last ten years - HAS to end next Sunday. Do they really think we're mad? 3) City officials who are still pretending that everything is hunky-dory for the start of Capital of Culture year. Have any of them actually tried to drive around Liverpool city centre in the past twenty four months? It has to be number 2 without a doubt - how many people have actually been unfortunate enough to have bought a sofa from these people at full price I wonder?? Not many, if any, I would imagine. Into Blog 101 it goes......... tag:www.blog101.merseyblogs.co.uk,2007://325.34351 2007-12-27T21:50:52Z 2007-12-27T22:02:02Z

Claire from Huyton shares with us these thoughts on things that irritated her over the Christmas holidays........

Paula Burnell Claire from Huyton shares with us these thoughts on things that irritated her over the Christmas holidays..... 1) All the rubbish on the TV. I can remember years ago when it was hard to choose which channel to watch because there were so many good things on at once, and now we have hundreds of channels and there's nothing worth watching! 2) All the panic buying before Christmas in case you haven't got enough for everyone, and then throwing it all out afterwards because there's far too much. 3) Easter eggs, yes Easter eggs, in the shops already! Claire, I think for the first time I'm a bit stumped - every one of these could win a place in Blog 101. I thought the best thing on the telly over the holidays was Doctor Who, and I never thought I'd hear myself say that. And, yes, we're still eating turkey. But, come on - Easter Eggs??? Blog 101 here they come...... tag:www.blog101.merseyblogs.co.uk,2007://325.33401 2007-12-16T18:04:56Z 2007-12-16T18:13:33Z

Gary from Wavertree is obviously finding the holiday season a bit of a strain, as you can see.......

Paula Burnell Gary from Wavertree is obviously finding the holiday season a bit of a strain, as you can see.... 1) Demented shoppers treating Christmas like the build-up to World War III - clogging up every supermarket as they fill their trolleys with food they won't eat half of. 2) Football pundits who reckon everytime Rafa opens his mouth it heralds another "crisis" for LFC and its American owners. 3) Senior police officers who still deny - despite the highly visible teams on every major route out of the city - that they do random breath tests. You do and it's a good idea - so admit it! Hmmm - a difficult one, me thinks. Demented shoppers everywhere at this time the year not just in supermarkets, and, sorry, but I haven't been listening to the football pundits (what a terrible thing to admit to when you live in Liverpool!), and as for the police - well, yes, I agree, they should be up front about hauling in drink-drivers - and good on them. I think on balance I'll have to bin the demented shoppers - even though I've been doing a bit of demented shopping myself. tag:www.blog101.merseyblogs.co.uk,2007://325.31053 2007-11-21T19:26:18Z 2007-11-21T19:35:23Z

Simon from West Derby has been driven to the verge of madness by the following tiny niggly things that drive him potty!...

Paula Burnell Simon from West Derby has been driven to the verge of madness by the following tiny niggly things that drive him potty! 1. Wrapping paper within boxes within wrapping paper within plastic container which is then put in a carrier bag! There must be millions wasted in this way. 2. Queues and queues of cars with only one person in them. I know our public transport system leaves a lot to be desired but imagine the savings that could be made both personally and for the planet if people tried to car share. 3. People who dump their rubbish on the street and expect someone else to clear it up for them. How selfish is that? Well Simon, I can see that you have a huge interest in green issues and quite honestly I'm on your side. But the one that gets me the most is the wrapping paper issue. If they did away with all the unnecessary packaging we would probably only have to pay half the current cost and save the planet to boot! Sounds like a good solution to me! So, into Blog101 goes all useless packing. tag:www.blog101.merseyblogs.co.uk,2007://325.28991 2007-10-30T19:35:14Z 2007-10-30T19:49:33Z

Kate, who hails from Warrington, has sent me the following little pet hates in the hope that consigning them to Blog 101 will stop them driving her mad!!...

Paula Burnell Kate, who hails from Warrington, has sent me the following little pet hates in the hope that consigning them to Blog 101 will stop them driving her mad!! 1) Shop assistants who stand chatting while you're waiting to be served and then look at you as though you are something on the bottom of their shoe if you dare to say anything. 2) The quick-check-out queue monsters who moan when you've got 11 items in your basket instead of the upper limit of 10. Get a life! 3) Men who don't like being overtaken by women drivers. Why? Kate, I know exactly what you mean about shop assistants chatting - I sometimes feel like I must be invisible. And as for the speedy check-out queues, well, yes - I've come across those sad people as well and I just ignore them - it's the best way!! But I do have to totally agree with you about male drivers, Obviously, you only try to overtake if they're going too flippin slow so why do they speed up when you try to get past? Have any of you gentlemen out there got an answer??? Into Blog 101 you go (and you all know who you are!) tag:www.blog101.merseyblogs.co.uk,2007://325.28602 2007-10-25T19:11:22Z 2007-10-25T19:33:40Z

Thanks for your contribution to Blog 101 Paul, great to hear from you. These are the things that drive Paul from the Wirral, really crazy..........

Paula Burnell Thanks for your contribution to Blog 101 Paul, great to hear from you. These are the things that drive Paul from the Wirral, really crazy....... 1) English sporting heroes. A week ago we were going to qualify for football's European Championships, win Rugby's World Cup and the World Motor Racing Championship. The reality? - the overpaid footballers couldn't handle the plastic (unlike the WAGS), Johnny and co. are beaten by the Boks and our Lewis fails his driving test. Dump the lot! 2) Footballers' WAGS (Colleen included) - praised this week for setting an example to young girls by taking their GCSE's seriously. That's only because they think GCSE stands for "Go to Cricket, Spend Excessively". 3) People who've always done better, been further, got bigger, etc. etc. You must have all met them - whatever you tell them they can always top it! Paul, I know exactly what you mean about footballers wags - if they're so clever why don't they know how to behave themselves when their guys are representing our country? And as for number 3 - well, yes, I've met lots of those people as well. But it's got to be number 1 for Blog 101 this week - I can feel the passion (and disappointment) behind every word. tag:www.blog101.merseyblogs.co.uk,2007://325.28128 2007-10-21T18:22:35Z 2007-10-21T18:40:03Z

Got a message from Mike Rice, who lives in the city centre, and says the following things drive him crazy. If you've been harbouring some pet hates and want to let off steam, why not send them to me and...

Paula Burnell Got a message from Mike Rice, who lives in the city centre, and says the following things drive him crazy. If you've been harbouring some pet hates and want to let off steam, why not send them to me and I'll post them on this site for you. 1) The voice on the phone that says "the person you are calling knows you are waiting", because if they do know then why don't they ever answer. 2) The word "absolutely" because everyone seems to say it all the time and I'm absolutely fed up with it! 3) Boy racers who think it's clever to drive at breakneck speeds on busy roads - any idiot can put their foot on the accelerator - it doesn't mean you're cool. Absolutely! All three things drive me mad as well. What happened to the good old days when you just got the engaged tone? However, after much pondering I think I'll consign boy racers to the deep dark recesses of Blog 101 because the world would be a better place if we could. tag:www.blog101.merseyblogs.co.uk,2007://325.27423 2007-10-14T16:21:25Z 2007-10-14T16:40:04Z

Steve, from Halewood, sent me the following contributions to be considered for Blog 101......

Paula Burnell Steve, from Halewood, sent me the following contributions to be considered for Blog 101... 1) Rafa Benitez's silly beard - more in Zorro than in anger! 2) Mersey Tunnel tolls. Not nearly high enough. Scousers hardly ever use them. Wirralonians come in to work and shop, then spend all their time slagging off Liverpool - as the very successful play said, we should "brick 'em up". 3) Mobile phones - especially in pubs. Although I'm a long-term non-smoker, I'd far rather they allowed the smokers back in and slung the mobile phone monsters out! I think we've got a bit of a comedian here - at least you had me tittering Steve! But I think Rafa looks quite sexy with his beard so we won't get rid of that. As for number 2, I saw "Brick up the Mersey Tunnels" as well Steve, it was absolutely brilliant wasn't it? That leaves mobile phones - and yes, I agree with you, they should be banned from pubs and lots of other places. You often see people who are obviously supposed to be out together chatting away on their phones and ignoring each other - what's that all about! Into the dark recesses of Blog 101 they go.......... tag:www.blog101.merseyblogs.co.uk,2007://325.27312 2007-10-11T19:23:17Z 2007-10-11T19:31:57Z

Mike Barry from Dale Street thinks the following should all be consigned to the bottomless Blog101........

Paula Burnell Mike Barry from Dale Street thinks the following should all be consigned to the bottomless Blog101..... 1) The word "luxury" whenever used as an adjective to the word "apartment". Scousers don't live in apartments, they live in flats - smart flats or grotty flats! 2) Liverpool City Council Planning Committee for deciding that the only type of building our city needs is "luxury apartments", despite the obvious fact that most of the ones we've got are owned by outside speculators and half of them are unoccupied. 3) Liverpool Council leaders for moaning that the Government isn't giving them extra money for "Capital of Culture". This city has had hundreds of millions over the lat 15-20 years. It's not the Government's fault that the city has invested most of it in "luxury apartments". Hmmmm... there seems to be a theme going on here! This is a very hard decision to make, but I think I'll bin "luxury apartments" (but it was a close call)!! Is anyone else out there worried about the number of flats they're building in Liverpool?? tag:www.blog101.merseyblogs.co.uk,2007://325.26768 2007-10-07T19:02:57Z 2007-10-07T19:13:37Z

Jenny Squires from Aigburth emailed me with a couple of things that irritate her.......

Paula Burnell Jenny Squires from Aigburth emailed me with a couple of things that irritate her.... 1) Drivers who don't stop when the traffic lights change to red. Why do they think that the rules of the road don't apply to them? 2) Cafes that decide what you should eat and when - i.e. breakfasts only served until 11am. I give these sort of places a wide berth. 3) People who don't say thank you when you've held the door open for them. I've sometimes been left holding the door for ages while people march through - maybe they think it's my job! Yes to all of them Jenny, but if I have to pick just one for Blog 101 it will have to be number one. I've lost count of the number of times I've had to jump back on the pavement because some nutter has decided to go through red light - so in the bin it goes. Come on lovely people - let me know what drives you mad!!! tag:www.blog101.merseyblogs.co.uk,2007://325.25783 2007-09-27T12:30:01Z 2007-09-27T12:38:53Z

Echo Editor, Alastair Machray, says the following are a few things that drive him crazy.......

Paula Burnell Echo Editor, Alastair Machray, says the following are a few things that drive him crazy.... 1) People who drop cigarette butts and think it isn't littering. 2) Waiters who ask 'is everything all right with your meal?' before you've had so much as a mouthful. 3) Ugly fat blokes who watch MIss World on the telly and say things like 'Phwoarrr, I wouldn't half sort her out' when they've never even had a girlfriend. I know what Ali means about waiters - but I've yet to hear someone say : 'No, it's horrible, take it away' As for number three, I don't know any ugly fat blokes! So, I think I'm going to bin number one today - it's right up there with chewing gum on pavements, which is one of my pet hates.