Short Track Speed Skating in the 2010 Winter Olympics

I don’t know whether you’ve managed to catch any of the action in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, but its well worth a look. After the controversy surrounding the death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili and the absolute lack of snow in Vancouver, it seemed like the event was doomed from the outset.

Speaking as a newcomer to the world of winter sports, I was quite dubious about the idea of some of the events featured in the Winter Olympics being classed as authentic sports. It did seem that activities that you can only do in snow - which, apart from in January 2010; we don’t get a lot of in this country – don’t register as note-worthy sports in some people’s estimation.

However, when I flicked on the TV very late one night, I became instantly addicted to one particular event – short track speed skating. Described by presenter Clare Balding as ‘compulsive viewing’, the speed skating events have complex rules, are hilariously entertaining, and feature a great deal of falling over.

Aside from the entertainment factor, short track speed skating is actually a highly competitive and reputable sport. Competitors tackle a number of laps round a 112-metre track, and the knockout element means that only the first few skaters over the final line will make it to the next round. The skaters will either pace themselves until the final couple of laps or attack the course fast from the start, all depending on the length of the event.

Whatever the distance, the climax and most exciting part to watch of each race is the final laps, where skaters play it down and dirty to get over the line first (although, of course, no foul play is allowed). The frantic nature of the final stages means that many skaters fall, taking other competitors down with them, or are catapulted fairly violently into the cushioned barriers.

Speed skating is very intense and exciting to watch. Apart from the suspense of seeing whether a number of skaters will be flung into the siding due to a last-dash skirmish, you also find yourself cheering on the underdog at the back of the pack, hoping they can artfully and bravely take the lead in the last seconds of the competition. This was especially true in the case of British competitors Jack Whelbourne, Sarah Lindsay and Elise Christie, who all made a valiant effort but were unfortunately unsuccessful in the medals.

Category Sport |

Five Star: The Gadget Show & Paul Merton in Europe reviewed

It's coming up for 13 years since the launch of Britain’s last terrestrial channel, Five (formerly channel 5), on Sunday 30th March 1997. After the initial fireworks of the launch Channel 5 quickly became the easy target for lazy comedians, a by-word for cheap churned out television. It’s easy to see why; the early years of Channel 5 were a groundhog day of tat, chat and soft-core pornography.

Like a plucky British underdog, Five stuck it out through the wilderness years, gradually increasing its advertising revenue, expanding its portfolio with Freeview digital channels Fiver and Five USA, and ultimately establishing itself a viable terrestrial viewing option.

Five still carries its fair share of crap (Live from Studio Five is unwatchable), but among the freak-show documentaries and interminable, spirit-sapping late night quiz shows, there is some quality alternative programming.
Peaks among the troughs include US dramas like The Mentalist and Flash Forward and (quite) original programming such as Billy Connelly’s World Tour-alike, Ross Noble’s Australian Trip.

Five’s Monday night programming is as competitive as the channel gets.

Sexy Suzi Perry brings a touch of glamour to The Gadget Show

At 8.00pm The Gadget Show, now into a staggering 13th series, is a smart, slick Top Gear for nerds and tech addicts. The presenting team of Suzi Perry, Jason Bradbury, Jon Bentley and recent addition Ortis Deley show genuine enthusiasm for their subject and any occasional techno-babble is carried along on a wave of relatable bonhomie. The product test challenges, where the presenters go head-to-head with a range of products, are always interesting and give a real feeling of a genuine field test.

As well as its quirky, contrasting presenting team, The Gadget Show has great regular features, and a staggering weekly prize giveaway. Also available to watch online, The Gadget Show is as good as anything on TV in its specialised field.

In recent weeks Five has been following its flagship show with Paul Merton in Europe, at 9pm. Merton’s shtick as he treks around Europe is part wonder and fascination and part bewildered Englishman abroad. It’s generally nicely judged stuff, and Merton’s variety of oddball tour-guides add an extra something. Merton is often exasperated with their eccentricities but their unusual taste in tourist attractions and local celebrities help make for a different kind of travel documentary.

A sad side-note to this Channel Five review is the recent budget driven demise of Five’s excellent coverage of US sports; Jonny Gould, Dave Lengel and co’s diverting filling between MLB innings will be much missed by the many bleary-eyed hardcore fans of Five’s late night sports output who braved the early hours on school nights to root, root root for the home team, regardless of who they were.

Category TV and Film |

Berlin Hostel Review: EastSeven Hostel Berlin

If you’re looking for a city break in Berlin on a budget this review recommends the EastSeven hostel on Schwedter Strasse.

EastSeven is ideally located in the up-and-coming Prenzlauer Berg; this hippest of districts in East Berlin is justifiably renowned for its fashionable artistic community and relaxed atmosphere. Prenzlberg is becoming increasingly gentrified, but it also has rich history with interesting local museums and landmarks within comfortable walking distance.

EastSeven is in a perfect central location with great access to the super-efficient underground train system- the U-Bahn (Senefelderplatz is the nearest station)- and great links to the Berlin Schoenefeld airport via Alexanderplatz- the main interchange station for Berlin.

These superior travel links mean you can get to all of Berlin’s best sights in a matter of minutes:

*Reichstag- the imposing German parliamentary building

*Brandenburg Gate- Monumental and historic, Brandenburger Tor is the centre of new Berlin, and a photo hot-spot for tourists.

*Jüdisches Museum Berlin- Daniel Libeskind architecturally controversial Jewish Museum is breathtaking from outside and moving within.

*Berlin’s museum island (Museuminsel) collects all Berlin’s art treasures into one convenient location. You can’t possibly see everything in one day though, so give yourself a bit of leeway if you’re in Berlin for a museum-fest.

There is so much to see that I can’t possibly list everything, but we saw most of what we wanted to from our base camp at the EastSeven Hostel Berlin.

The EastSeven itself is comfortable and well appointed. A private room for a couple (with access to communal bathrooms) is cheap- our room was very homely and the serene view of Schwedter Strasse was a bonus.
The staff were unfussily helpful, and epitomised the friendly, laid-back attitude of P-berg. With access to local bars, coffee shops, restaurants, and a really convenient Lidl for daytime supplies, EastSeven Hostel is happily situated in Berlin. If you are going to check out one local restaurant, make it Pasternak which specialises in delicious Russian cuisine. The EastSeven staff will ring up and book for you if you’re nervous about booking over the phone, but make sure you call early because it gets busy.

Berlin was bitterly cold when we went in early February but the EastSeven Hostel was always a cosy and relaxing home-from-home to return to after a tiring day seeing the sights. When I go back for a cheap weekend in Berlin, EastSeven will be the first hostel I check for vacancies.

Category Travel |

Cutting Edge: A Gillette Fusion razor review

Bar the odd exception (usually free samples) my face has been subject to a steady diet of disposable razors over the years; you know the type, the white plastic numbers that cost about £1.79 for 30. I’ve always been reasonably happy to slum it in this way, reasoning that your expensive King of Shaves, Wilkinson Sword, and Mach 3 Turbo models were probably a bit of a swizz. How much better could these prestige razors be anyway?

Well, I recently got my hands on a new reusable Gillette Fusion razor to review and it has been a revelation.

A natty silver, blue and orange thing, the Gillette Fusion arrives in a bubble of packaging which makes it look like it’s been chronoported back from the future. It’s once you’ve negotiated this unnecessary cocoon of plastic that the Fusion proves its worth though:

*The Fusion’s five blade technology dealt with about a fortnight’s worth of beard growth with ease. I was smooth of face in no time.

*The Gillette Fusion gave the closest shave I can remember.

*The Fusion’s lubricated blue strip (you’ll have seen the advert with condescending mechanics talking about performance) made the shave smooth and comfortable. I could do without being dictated to by a razor though- I’ll change the blade when I want to thanks.

*The pivoting head on the Fusion meant that I could smoothly shave my whole face, a clean strip at a time- imagine preparing the pitch for a Wembley cup final. It dealt with the contours of my face easily, and the usually tricky transition from cheek to jawline was a doddle.

*Shaving with the Gillette Fusion was actually a bit of fun, like playing with a gadget rather than plodding through a tiresome chore.

There is a downside to living in the future of shaving, and it's the cost. The Gillette Fusion comes in at a wallet thinning £7.16 (cheapest). While replacement blades are over a fiver for a pack of 4. At those prices, something tells me I might be back to bi-monthly shaving and a bathroom full of clogged up plastic Bic razors before too long.

Category Health and Beauty |

Howard’s End: Halifax telephone banking review

I have a Halifax current account with a chip & pin debit card.

I recently used my debit card, against my better judgement, on a standalone cash point in local Spar shop. The card slot looked a bit shonky but I really couldn’t be bothered walking all the way to the high street for the sake of a £10 note. Mindful of at least some of the etiquette of cashpoint security, I covered my pin with my hand, got my money and went on my merry way.

Returning today to the scene of my laziness and stupidity I saw that the machine I had used was now out of order. Putting two and two together I came to the hysterical conclusion (2+2= scene from The Real Hustle) that my account had almost certainly been jacked, and that I would shortly be buying a range expensive items in countries the names of which I would struggle to spell.

Wanting to clear my mind of fantastical paranoia I called the number on the back of my debit card. After a short but acceptable wait, I was connected to a friendly voiced Irish gentleman (I think he was called Connor or something equally stereotypical). After running me through the security questions, Connor/Seamus/Diarmuid told me that no unusual activity had taken place in my account and was thoroughly helpful despite the fact I was obviously wasting his time.

The part that I’m a bit flipped off about is that Niall/Padraig/Dara then proceeded to exploit my security fears by trying to force a Halifax credit card into my stupid, gullible wallet. No shame on our loveable telephone operative of course, I’m sure he was just following orders, but for a bank so disgraced by the whole credit crunch thing to be trying to sucker customers into using a HBOS credit card (presumably in an effort to boost their dwindling coffers) is a bit rich. I’ve been warned off debt from an early age so I was impervious to his blarney, but a more susceptible type- the kind of person those shouty CCJ adverts are aimed at- might have been sufficiently tempted by the offer of a 12 month interest free credit card. For shame Halifax HBOS; I do not need your credit card and I definitely don’t need the sudden disappearance from my account of the interest on 12 months of accumulated debt.

Who gives you extra (high pressure telesales)? On this evidence, Halifax, they do!

Category Shopping |