andyluke

My social media publishings onweb are largely Twitter these days and my Livejournal, occasional diary entries. If you're looking for a website with a bio, reviews, comics and essays you could to check my profile page
Links to some of my other stuff are in the bar below.




Heres a link to Amnesty International cos I find them a useful resource so I do

I thought I could return my Twitterstream to you, I should never have taken it.
I have nothing to show, except a photo of Boris Johnston looking confused driving a train, but Graham Linehan tweeted it, so I suspect your Pooka has seen it.
Update: Here's a photo of a sad potato I found!

Horray for odd shaped foodstuffs!

Nothing much new to here either. I've gotten word of my first personal tuition job, so I'm all-a-scatter. It's GCSE History and a topic I haven't looked at since my own days at school. Textbooks are ordered, session plans drafted, it's coming together.

I've a few big announcements this year on the comics front. In December I started a weekly column at Alltern8.com. Just up: a Sheridan Cottage style comparison of British and Japanese comics festivals.

Next up, the emergence of that minicomic novel as webcomic. The first part was already previewed on Twitpic earlier this year and appears with the rest at:

More to come.
I'll be in London for a wee holiday 14th-19th January. Doing my best to get out to Oxford, but not going to plan so far. Anyone wanna plan for me? It would be great to see those of you in the areas.

Thoroughly fun, excellent series. Well written and well acted. I must remember to add Nathan's twitter feed.  ( spoilery last episode thoughts )

I've been feeling compelled lately to diary middle class homelessness online. They'll all be short I hope, under cuts like this one:

( Lost-ness.. )

Friends Locked, but reposted publically on www.andrewluke.co.uk
Sorry for taking up yr early morning stream with the non-entertaining. I'm pushed.

Number of months gone by I wrote about an incident involving the HMRC. Some horrible actions akin to their role as the stars of Torchwood Season 1, unlike the current lot who return overpaid taxes. The full piece of investigative journalism is here. If you don't know the story, heres a quick summary:

Coachload of pensioners on a community away day get stopped by British customs at Calais. They're asked to leave the bus and declare all goods. Five of them are hoisted aside for interviews while the others wait the extra hour and a half. Three old folk have their 3kg of tobacco confiscated, despite their being no law prohibiting that amount but for 'suspicion of criminal involvement'. The Customs office reeks of foul play, and I take detailed notes and interview and distribute.

I write to my local MP who is Andrew Smith. His office gives me a call a week later. They've read the reports I've sent them apparently and are quite annoyed particularly about their perceived racial discrimination. I answer their questions and allow their facts to be verified and I'm told the MP will be raising this matter in the Commons. I get a letter in the following days signed by Smith confirming he is going to do this.

April ends, May passes. I run a search on the Hansard Reports but theres no mention of it. June passes. July opens with a letter from Andrew Smith. Hes gotten his understudy Stephen Timms MP to contribute a page and a half of, well bullshit, to create the illusion the issue has gone away.

"I hope that you find this reply useful, and that it explains why coaches are regularly searched. I know this isn't recompense for the bad treatment you experienced and I would be more than happy to look into this more specifically, however that would require giving more personal details, and I'm not sure if this is something that would be acceptable to you." - Andrew Smith, July 1st

Stephen Timms opens up his bit, addressing both myself and Smith in some sort of literature seizure face. Stephen Timms, according to his website, "has strategic oversight of taxation as a whole, including overall responsibility for the Finance Bill, HM Revenue and Customs, and European and international tax issues." He references a letter on 16 April between Smith and Phil Woolas MP, before going on to offer a page on the mission statement of Customs and guide levels. Information I knew and cited in my original article. He goes on to remark,

"HMRC's intelligence and experience at the points of entry of Dover, Coquelles and other ferry ports continues to indicate that individuals and criminal gangs intent on smuggling tobacco into the UK are using coaches. We know for example that gang organisers pay passengers to pose as legitimate cross channel shoppers and purchase excise goods, which will later be sold for commercial gain. Other individuals utilise coaches to avoid the risk of having their own vehicles seized. This is a multi-million pund fraud, which HMRC are determined to tackle robustly. Accordingly their efforts are focussed on those who appear at risk and this does not include making selections based on ethnic origin, sexuality, religious belief, age or any such factor"

- Stephen Timms, 29 June 2009

So, there you have it. Stephen Timms responds to a sustained and reported pattern of abuse over time by citing the Pythons' Hells Grannies skit. I emailed Timms asking if he was aware of the full context of what he was writing about in the "correspondence" either Smith or Woolas sent him. I emailed Smith back asking what exactly hes done about this and What hes doing about it.

Timms claims to be a Christian Socialist. Woolas claims for nail polish and shoes. Smith claims for expenses and he claims rather a lot. They're all aware that there is a strict parliamentary protocol forbidding them from intervening on behalf of other MP's constituents.

I'll not be naming any of the pensioners I was on the coach with. I'll not be commenting on whether they should come forward or not. Its not my decision. However, I might meet with Mr. Smith. I'm not happy at being lied to, and fobbed off. He clearly could use my help but he should have asked for it months ago. What personal details of mine can he possibly want?

If any professional journalists would like to pick this story up, link to it or re-tweet it please do so. I can be emailed at drew dot luke at gmail at com

Theres a house with lots of gargoyles on the side and a pub with hawks and owls and stuff. Photos were taken but it may be a while before theyre online.

My web connection is gone this weekend and leaving Oxford on the 21st. Next stop, Bangor (briefly) and then, Belfast. Still looking for paid work when I'm settled, with my Curriculum Vitae

Be patient expecting responses! Will have phone on me and should be available by text.

17/06 00:16 The Black Boat in Bangor might be a good place for activist musicians to communicate with. Rock!
19/06 13:11 Leaving Bangor with Henry Darger in mind. Next stop, the poet of Cregagh towers. He has his arms outstretched. Today shall be a rise.
19/06 17:00 Snake and Laurie Anderson's O Superman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDbTP0B94AM
19/06 13:59 Anyone got space for a co-tenant behind on the rent for up to a month? Dir message.
20/06 11:17 On the train to Dublin. Hoping to catch up with Tweets tomorrow.
20/06 11:23 Strikes me most adults don't read comics (pamphlets) because theres fewer comics for adults and they don't know were to buy them.
20/06 11:28 Delaying publishing of my new comic (book) a few weeks which means it won't be out in time for #luc176 sigh too dangerous even for 176
20/06 11:35 Other than the usual suspects, why do you see #luc176 as important beyond its attending number in the great british comics publishing industry?
20/06 17:35 Green fields of Anglesey - not now to sleep I think. Wheres the debate in the nature nurture debate?
20/06 20:03 Christ. I'm on the Chester to Crewe train with Gene Hunt The Musical.

Tues. Finished boxing most of my belongings for moving house, ahead of two week cavation.
1:30-3:30 Manage 2 hours in the dark rest "because a rest can be the next best thing to a sleep."
5am Sleep on the coach to London
9am Collect tickets from Euston. Discover I am short the rail ticket from Dublin to London.
1230pm Sleep on train from Euston to Holyhead.
1240 Contact booking office who only have me listed as to Dublin. They promise to re-listen to the calls and fund me my return to Dublin if they've screwed up. Theres evidence aplenty.
1310 Twitter if full of Matt Bahdham asks incisive interviews with comics festival organisers. Matt Badham needs a journalists job help him find one so say all of us. Very good, but ***andrew luke needs your love too bitches and beauties*** I text Matt a job I applied for in Manchester. I'd really like it, but Matts a great guy, family to support, has helped me out. Hes a referee on my CV, he's sure to get noticed! Quick sulk ends.
1320 Sleep on ferry to Dublin Ferry Port
1700 Only forty euros available from ATM. This covers exactly e2.20 coach to Connolly and e38 from Connolly to Belfast. Somehow I get by.
1710 - 1945 Sleeping on Dublin Enterprise
smetime after 1945 I'm in th eback of an ambulance with a very helpful paramdeic. Can't make out much of what hes saying. I had a seizure and they stopped the train to take me to a hospital near Lurgan. I try to stay wake but I'm wearing an oxygen masks.
Thurs 03:45 The nurses seem to like me. The don't like the alcoholic in recovery who talks non-stop for 7hrs insisting I do what I want.
0800 the nurses insist I have a brain scan but I disagree. Theres not usual seizure cut or bruise on me nor an anomaly found from their tests so far. No headaches, not even the downers. I feel chirpy. I'm on holiday, and I get to spend one day with my brother who I've not seen in nine months befre he leaves for Greece. My parents I get to see for four days. So I'm damn well not spending any more time than necessarry in a hospital.
1658: Typing on my mum's laptop. Someone has hacked into my livejournal account writing a gobbledygood entry for Tuesday. Yeah, life is strange.


ps I shall try to come up with some good original material. I have been neglectful. I feel bad and I am sorry.

• 22:10 Packing up for fortnights holiday in norn iron. Room full of boxes easing myself out gently. #
• 22:21 @PeteAshton well done lad and the internets #
• 23:31 Have remembered to pack Marvel's Essential Howard the Duck by Steve Gerber and Gene Colan. This translates the first 113 issues of Cerebus. #

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• 15:07 @smarthart take care chum #
• 15:08 Listening to Henry Wymbs Irish Eye on BBC Oxford. Not my usual delight but after hours of Hart FM its a comfort splendid #
• 16:06 #doctorwho isnt that, for children? A kids show? ..............
  hahahhahahaha ought to watch adult programmes like Pop Idol and Big Brother #
• 16:32 @KarlRove I loved that film with the potato head and all the blight and the head of straw u were in by Oli Stone. kill yourself lol lol die #
• 16:40 realising I've a substance of unchecked Twitter followers. If my following you is important, message and tell why, who u are and what u do #
• 17:40 @nineveh_havant ah, but i have been keeping my eye on you. for you're a politician....nineveh would have been a great name to run under :) #
• 17:43 Enjoying a site with a similar name to my own - www.jandrewedits.com/ loaded with some funny disturbing edited Trek: TNG clips #

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• 18:12 Alfred Lehmberg's Conspiracy's Sociopathy, www.alienview.net/conspire.html #
• 18:19 Dear Internet Explorer, you are useless. Please stop shitting the brood. #

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• 00:25 @MattBadham Indefectible -what a great word! #
• 00:28 @richardbruton Y'know, Oli Smith stole first LUC controversial idea from me. But do I get featured in return of the excellent Grumpy Days? #
• 00:41 @richardbruton I'd quite like to show my face. @JonScrivens & I found a great hostel for a tenner a night. :D Birmingham has an openmarket #
• 00:43 @gynosaurusrex Give em hell babes! #
• 00:46 Saturday 9am -5pm Bullring Open Market www.bullringopenmarket.co.uk/ How to get a casual market stall at Birmingham is.gd/HCNi #
• 01:16 The guest list is up for the 2D Festival in Derry next weekend. www.2dfestival.com/ see you there @pauljholden #
• 02:02 Retweet source unknown: batteriesfeelincluded.blogspot.com/2009/05/309.html Sheer brill! #
• 18:07 via Ian Sharman / ComicBookAlliance / Wired US man convicted for possessing manga bit.ly/OmHjx #

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• 02:10 @mrtonylee writes comics and his tweets are pleasant to my eyes. He'd also like lots more followers. Have at it Tweetpeeps! #
• 18:40 @jonscrivens as featured in this weeks Ashes to Ashes: Anti-Nowhere League, Streets of London bit.ly/tbx2Z #
• 18:47 RT: new riff on SheridanCottage @MattBadham w/ @theolismith bit.ly/10AKgh Tough con truths in one place @richjohnston column gold no? #
• 19:07 Hoping to go see acoustic Branch Immersion (is.gd/HcT7) at Gardeners Arms (is.gd/HcPv) in Jericho tonight. If I can find it. #
• 19:09 @skinofstars Give us a call if you're going through the city centre. I'm in one of my bitchmoods about walking to new places unacccompanied. #
• 19:27 @saorisenic After huge years of thinking at this I suggest the idea is to keep college notes as research for future projects. #
• 19:29 @saorsenic If you're in this for life. Next big trend, educational cartoonists adapting their coursework. Buy many tidy folders & strongbox #
• 19:38 "Convention organisers aren't helping" "entry fee....their son saw Wolverine at the cinema.", "vanity press?" @MattBadham @richjohnston huh? #
• 19:42 "£120 for a table." also at is.gd/HfyT amount would print 60 copies of my first graphic novel. Paypal advances to drew.luke@gmail.com #
• 20:12 Waiting over twenty minutes for brookes bus at gipsy lane. A timetable board? Fuckers #

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• 01:08 Anti-Nowhere League's Streets of London on YouTube, closing a show with digital green 80s bit.ly/tbx2Z #
• 01:09 shouldve been "digital green 80s lettering". Working the GMT night-shift updating my CV and LinkedIn profile. #
• 10:32 @richjohnston WTF? #
• 10:39 @richjohnston had me worried there for a moment. Curiouser and curiouser. Any chance of seeing you at LUC 176? I hear theyre revolting. #

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• 00:28 1/3 of th way through john robbins coyote road. Handmade substantial right old read and an inventive joy. His wildest adventure yet. #
• 00:54 Susan boyle? Who is that? Is she the average looking singer on that dom abusive pimp trail of carnage of freakshows? I'm doing fine thanks #
• 01:00 Heres another one. Mahatma ghandi. Used to be a lawyer banker, ended up not being a fat arsegit. Inspiration from unlikely sources, real ... #
• 01:00 hard to find. #
• 16:33 Arisen from early morning video chat and beers session. Trying to move but only got so far as @littleterrors Ustream bit.ly/i0vVX #
• 18:50 Just checking the UK costs for council tax. You people are oppressed to fuck. I understand the riots, I dont understand a lot of the rest. #
• 19:02 @crazydiscostu might not you want to update Twitter? Seeing as its not, yknow, incompentent and rusting junk down for hours? #
• 19:09 @saoirsenic he is a master of wit and theatrical chop moves. #
• 19:24 Do you like old skool zines? How about comics, arty w/out pretention? Classic cinema? Equals Doug Noble online with reader is.gd/Dqn4 #
• 23:46 RT @peteashton clear winner for the all one name here too bit.ly/K2Tzf #
• 23:49 @davidbaillie @pauljoholden 2000A what? #
• 23:53 Ashes to Ashes just downloaded very fast. Enjoying, this series, every bit as good as Life on Mars. Ducking out, twitter. #

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