1. The prolonged period of roadworks in Manchester is coming to an end!

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/mancunian-way-hole-initial-work-9926966

As well as that whacking great hole on the Mancunian Way being repaired, direct trams are running through the city again from Friday. NO MORE REPLACEMENT BUSES!!

2. Manchester Pride is celebrating it's silver anniversary. 

It may have changed a lot over the years and people can have polarising opinions of it, but the fact that this event is now 25 years old is definitely something to celebrate! I hope that everyone attending has a great time and bucket loads of cash are raised for a great cause.

3. Jess Glynne 

4. Antony Murphy on Gaydio

Most radio now has become very safe and generic with no sense of fun anymore, so it's always pleasing whenever I hear this guy with his 90s show on Sunday nights. 

http://uk.gaydio.co.uk/on-air/antony-murphy/

So many great songs from the best decade of music! It really has been a perfect way to close the week :)

5. Pixar has got its mojo back!

The last few years for Pixar haven't really been the best. There have been too many sequals not really reaching the high standar set by film like Up and Wall-E. So when I saw Inside Out for the first time I was absolutely elated! It already is a true classic and, for me, the best film of the year so far. 

6. Who's Back

 Do I need to say more? Like most Doctors, Mr Capaldi has had an uneven first series, but I have every faith that now he has settled in to the role that things are going to be marvellous!

 So these are so of my reasons to be cheerful at the moment. Is there anything else that deserves a mention? Please let me know and have a great Bank Holiday!

Discuss

A couple of weeks ago the general election campaign started and usually by this point I'm having heated debates with people on how we are all going to vote. This time, not so much..

To be honest, apart from the idiotic rants from UKIP loons, I have not really paid attention at all.

Both the main parties are spending too much time slagging the other one off  rather than selling their good points to us. All the usual shit slinging is taking place and no one is coming out well.

I know who I'm going to vote for, I decided a while ago, but there are many first time voters out there who do not know where to mark their cross and need to make informative decisions.

Politicians need to break out of their usual campaign modes and do something different. Otherwise I feel there could be a very low turnout with no one happy with the outcome

For those who know me, you will know that the last few months have been proper hectic, and I would like to apologise for neglecting my blog so much. 

My aim is to blog on a regular basis but in the meantime I thought it might be with introducing myself and my site...

- See more at: http://www.coolmanchester.com/index.php/CM/introduce-yourself/welcome-back-to-coolmanchester-com#sthash.uIIMq12l.dpuf

Firstly I would like to apologise for neglecting my blogs for so long recently. I'm going to try and update this as often as I can...

The best thing about blogging is that you can get things off your chest and watching the news today has made me want to get behind my laptop and have a good RANT.

Two stories on have really angered me today: 

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signs anti-gay bill

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-26320102

Arizona passes law allowing shopkeepers to refuse to serve gay people

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/10654957/Arizona-passes-law-allowing-shopkeepers-to-refuse-to-serve-gay-people.html?fb

It is 2014 isn't it? I find it very hard to believe that this sort of behaviour still goes on. I don't get it at all. Both "laws" use religion as the reasoning behind them, particularly Christianity.

To me, using Christianity as a reason to discrminate is painfully ironoc as it should be based around the teachings of Jesus who famously said :

"You have heard that it was said, `Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:43-48, NIV)

I rarely use The Bible to strengthen my arguments but the "good book" is interpreted in many different ways and that is the major problem. People choose what they want to believe and will find whatever quote they need in there to back up thier prejudices.

Anyway, that's what I think. Don't even get me started on Russia...