The week of Offshore Europe - Day 1. Offshore Europe Eve

Making the news today - Two of the child stars of Slumdog Millionaire, which I’ve STILL never seen, are set to earn a grand a day appearing in a film with Anthony Hopkins.

Rubina Ali - who's nine - and ten-year-old Azhar Ismail have reportedly been signed up for Lord Owen's Lady - which is billed as a Welsh Bollywood movie.

That’s got to be the first of its kind, I’d think.

A Welsh Bollywood movie.

Makes sense though.

Don’t know about you, but every time I try an Indian accent it comes out sounding Welsh.

Now it’s come full circle.

Meanwhile, more towards the sort of thing we're dealing with this week.

Just in case you get excited....let me cut this one off at the source.

I always read things online from some zoomers who use AFC chat boards....about what’s going on at Pittodrie, and I know this one will most likely generate chat in the week.

If you happen to be walking past Pittodrie and see at the far end of the car park, a big American vehicle...with a driver opening the door for the man who is obviously money riding in the back of it....all stetson, cowboy boots, wing tipped suit, and bad hair......it's not a saviour flying in to pump cash into the Dons.

They’ve just leased the car park to Offshore Europe for Park and Ride to the AECC for the week.

Don't say I didn't tell you.

Economy is going to be a word that features prominently over the next four days.

One year ago today - the US Government took control of the two largest mortgage financing companies in the States.... Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Sounds like a couple of cartoon characters doesn’t it - which is odd because that’s pretty much how they ran their companies.

Speaking of which - further back in time: 7th September 1974...again in America - cartoon fans saw the small screen debut of a new superhero called 'Hong Kong Phooey'.

Hong Kong Phooey.

Panrific.

How cool was he?

Saved the world in his goonie.

Lived in a filing cabinet.

He did.

That’s what he jumped out of anyway.

All great stuff.....

Do you remember, by day he was a mild mannered janitor called Henry. I always wondered, if, in the bottom drawer of that cabinet, that’s where he kept his sawdust for throwing over puke.

Every other janitor I’ve ever known always has the puke sawdust on standby somewhere handy.

Who else was there on there?

Sarge.

Rosemary the telephone operator. "Hello Hello...."

I tell you - she could teach our receptionist a thing or two.

You know, even just by picking the phone up and answering it, rather than simply sitting there berating whichever councillor’s on the front page of the P and J that morning.

Two things of note also making a few headlines today, just prior to Offshore Europe's launch.

1. The amount of UK personal debt has fallen for the first time since records began.

Wow.

Aye, maybe in your house.

I’m not saying we’re in danger, but the bank our mortgage is with has sent round a guy to move in, to be closer to 'the property'

2. Given the nature of the news that we're all apparently better off, in a week which sees a lot of socializing - call it networking if if makes you feel better - this is also noteworthy, and featuring in the national press today “To treat a hangover we should eat asparagus.”

I don’t know who came up with that, but it’s hardly brilliant, is it?

Treat a hangover with green chunky stuff.

However, that said - you be the judge. I'm not your keeper

Have a look here at a guide for delegates, as provided by Fifth Ring.

I love the inclusion of Dizzy's. Back in the Northsound King's Gate days, it was known as Studio 3!