Interesting Jobs

Yesterday there was much furore of the estimaed cost of the London Olympics soaring. Over three times the original budget to be precise. Am I surprised, of course not, it always happens in the UK just look at the new Wembley stadium for instance.

Anyway, whilst travelling into work this morning I found an interesting job advert in the Metro. CLM Delivery, in partnership with the ODA, are looking to recruit " Cost Estimators". Obviously they don't like the current estimates that are coming in.

Logo outrage hits the commons

It looks as though the campaign against the new Olympic logo is gathering pace, with MPs now voicing their disbelief in the House of Commons. In a motion from Shipley MP, Philip Davies, Early Day Motion (No.1639), he states:

"That this House believes the new logo for the 2012 Olympics is childish, ridiculous and a pathetic attempt to appear trendy and brings the London Olympics, which should be an event of great national pride, into disrepute; further believes that the £400,000 cost of the logo has been a spectacular waste of money and may deter companies from sponsoring the Olympics given the widespread ridicule of the logo they would be able to use; and calls on the London Olympic Committee to scrap the logo and replace it with something more appropriate which would command public support and pride."

Even media junky MP Stephen Pound has had his two-penneth, with his EDM (No.1633) in which he goes even further stating:

"That this House views with dismay the incondite, inchoate and overly expensive symbol for the 2012 Olympics currently on offer; and urges the Government to use its best offices to persuade the Olympic Delivery Authority urgently to reconsider its choice before more seizures are triggered and the reputation of the London Olympics is further sullied."

Something tells me that this isn't the last we've heard on this subject.

Only one thing to say......

...A massive hat-tip to Theo Spark! I haven't laughed so much in years.



and......

New Olympics logo revealed.

The new logo for the London 2012 games has been revealed. According to Tony Blair, when people see the new brand, they will be inspired to make a "positive change in their life".



I must agree, it has changed something in my life. It has reminded me that my two year olds jigsaw puzzle is still on my front room floor and needs picking up. Can't think why that idea popped into my head!?!

Just one question, how much money has been wasted on this new logo?

Update: I now know that it cost £400,000! My two year old could have don't better, for that price of course.

Update 2: Had to laugh, it didn't take long but a petition has already been set up against the logo, with over 14000 people signing it so far.

New logo, but still no village

You would think that with only five years left, the Olympic Organising Committee for the London games would be a little busy with, say, building the venues. But no, it seems that instead of sorting out the problems of its spiralling budget, and getting the Olympics actually built the organiser seem more concerned with the games' branding.

Tomorrow the olympic organisers will launch their new look brand. In an email press release the organisers stated:

"Monday, 4 June will be a big day, as we introduce the new London 2012 brand to the world. We want you to be among the first to see it. It's energetic. It's bright. We hope you'll be inspired to join in."

Surely building the bloody venues will instill a bit more inspiration in tax payers. At least then we can see something for a tax returns, instead a flipping logo.

Besides how much of the olympic budget has been wasted on this new logo anyway?

New Olympic Lottery Scratchcard revealed

Hat-tip to Beau Bo D'Or for the grapic

Tessa ramps up the price.

Tessa Jowell finally announced yesterday that the total cost of the olympics will be £9.35billion. Over three times the original estimated cost of £2.4billion.

Now, if a builder quoted you a price, and then after you accepted their quote, they increase it by three times, a number things would happen. You would be mighty pissed off, call the builder a cowboy, report them to trading standards, write a letter to the BBC's Watchdog, and have undercover cameras recording the work for Rogue Traders.

The problem is that we are talking about our government. So, now that they have ramped up the price of the games by nearly 290%, I would be quite within my rights to call them a bunch of cowboys, wouldn't I?

Wembley handover is imminent

At last! After seven years the FA are about to be finally handed the keys to the new Wembley Stadium.

Although I have a request to make to Tessa Jowell. Please don't let Multiplex anywhere near the Olympics, as I somehow don't think the IOC will take too kindly to London holding a 2015 Olympics!

Olympic cost rises with the addition of the VAT

Graphic courtesy of Beau Bo D'Or

Cost of the Olympic games has already soared

The big news in London this evening is that the original cost of building the Olympic Games was ever so slightly miscalculated.

According to reports, the cost of the 2012 has been underestimated by £1billion!! This was due to an over sight in not calcualting the VAT, on to the building costs.

We shouldn't be surprised really.

It's not the first time a builder has added on the VAT after you've accepted the quote.

"Green" Olympic plan will result in increased pollution

London Mayor Ken Livingstone promised, in a letter to The Times last week, that the 2012 Olympics would be the "greenest" ever. Which is all part of his plan to make the capital a lower emission zone.

However, Ken's green plans are, as usual, well off the mark.

This is most obvious in the way he is currently dealing with one of the companies trading within the boundaries of the planned Olympic site. Concrete crushing company, Bedrock, are due to be evicted relocated as a result of the Olympic developement.

Bedrock currently makes 400 lorry movements a day, resulting in the recycling of one million tons of demolished concrete, and preventing it from packing the landfill sites, each year. Concrete crushing itself, although a dirty job, plays a very important role in the recycling industry.

The LDA has, however, offered Bedrock an alterative location, in Dagenham, seven miles futher east. This move would result in Bedrock having to purchase a further 25 extra lorries, which do eight miles to the gallon, and would have to be on the road for an extra 2800 miles a day.

But that would work out quite nicely for Ken, after all he's planning to charge "dirty" vehicles that produce high levels of C02 emmissions for driving in Greater London.

How thoughtful of him. Evict a recycling company, to a site that means they have to purchase more C02 producing vehicles, so that they can be charged extra for the use of.

Also posted on Anyone But Ken.