Sunday Miscellaneous

It's all very well being named in Bryan's epoch-making Top 100 Blogs (which has made me come over strangely emotional and Winsletty - don't worry, it won't last), but it's no help when your home PC suddenly refuses to work, for no apparent reason (well, reasons are rarely apparent with PCs, but I did establish that it wasn't the disconnected lead that I reconnected with a premature cry of Eureka!). So, it's a day late that I pass on this St Valentine's Day gem. Bang on the button, as usual, though a pedant would point out that February 14 is no longer St Valentine's Day, but is shared between Ss Cyril and Methodius.
I've also been thinking (no, thinking's pushing it a bit) about advertising. The other day I saw two hoardings next to each other: one was informing the world that the Norwich Union (sound, dull, sensible name, perfect for these troubled times)had taken leave of its collective senses and decided to 'rebrand' itself as Aviva, thereby taking on all the allure and prestige of a second-rate provincial bus company. On the poster next to it, a repulsive suarian lifeform appeared to be endorsing some kind of car insurance. On closer inspection, I realised that this was none other than Iggy Pop. I now have yet another item to add to my ever-growing list of things I never thought I'd live to see. I mean, what odds could you have got 40 years ago on Iggy Pop (a) still being alive 40 years on, and (b) adveristing car insurance in the UK? Both posters also prompt me to marvel yet again at the sheer money-for-nothing madness of advertising and, gawd help us, 'rebranding'...
Oh, and while I'm online (I fear I shan't be tomorrow), I must say I'm suspicious about this story. Is this 4ft-tall, clearly prepubescent boy really 13, and is he really the father? I hope someone's checked...