I’m at a computer in the Harrogate International Centre, where the LibDem spring party conference is being held. Listened to Charles’s speech earlier, which was very good, and I’ve now popped online to do some last minute research before my speech tomorrow morning on the Government’s house arrest plans.

There is still time to vote for in my Song for EuropeMaking Your Mind Up poll. Even though the programme is tonight, feel free to comment on who you would have rather had represent us than whichever nobody gets picked.

The Beeb will be showing Making Your Mind Up (aka A Song for Europe) this Saturday. So, inspired by the Best Decade poll at Troubled Diva (where you can still vote until Friday night), I’m offering you, dear reader, the chance to rank the five songs shortlisted to represent Royaume-Uni.

Andy Scott Lee – Guardian Angel
You may remember Andy Scott Lee from such failings as boy band 3SL, Not Winning Pop Idol and having a sister who was the rubbish one in Steps (<waits for Nick Barlow to point out this doesn’t narrow it down>). Here he attempts to destroy any remaining credibilty (yeahright) by singing a song co-written by the one from Blue that has the Kenneth Williams nostrils. You know the one, Gordon’s friend.

This does sound like a particular bad Blue track. It stretches Mr Scott Lee’s voice to the limit and, unfortunately, beyond. Trite tripe. Next.

Gina G – Flashback
Ooh, aah, Gina G’s back. This gives me the opportunity to revive my comment that “Gina G” is an anagram of “Aging”.

Judging by the clip, Flashback is nothing special – standard pop fare. But while it lacks any obvious pros, there are no glaring cons either.

Javine – Touch My Fire
Javine was apparently on Popstars: The Rivals. She was the last person evicted/executed/whatever to leave the remaining five as Girls Aloud. She must be gutted.

This is more standard pop fare with some teasingly effnic strings. I can’t see this wowing millions across Europe, but it’s the best so far.

Katie Price – Not Just Anybody
I know what you’re thinking: “Wasn’t Katie Price a candidate for Parliament in 2001?” Yes, she was but since then she’s become famous as a model or something. Oh, and she’s engaged to Peter Andre, wot did that song once.

So <sigh> even more really standard pop fare. I guess that’s what Eurovision’s all about though. Not much to choose between this and Gina G, except that Gina G isn’t Jordan and therefore gets a bonus point.

Tricolore – Brand New Day

And so to our final contenders, Tricolore, their name a cunning plan to bag the French, Italian, Irish and Belgian votes. They are one of those “making boring music trendy” groups who sing classical stuff but have nice hair and appear in Just 17.

Well, it’s different, but who said that was a good thing? (Apart from, erm, Tricolore.) A tinny beat doesn’t make this any more exciting. Even a bonus point for not being Jordan won’t help this sub-Michael Ball trio.

My verdict then: 1. Javine, 2. Gina G, 3. Katie Price, 4. Tricolore, 5. Andy Scott Lee. And whichever of them wins, we’ve surely already lost.

Please rank the acts yourself in the comments section. I’ll give 5 points for a first place (I was tempted to start at 12 but it really doesn’t work for five choices), 4 for second, 3 for third, 2 for fourth and 1 for fifth even though he doesn’t deserve it.

Vote now!

Of the numerous calls I made to cancel my cards the other day, none was stressful and every operator was polite. Egg (I think) had a particular hip’n’trendy patter, which included “Is it OK to call you Will today?” which amused me for no good reason.

I went to the bank today to sort out a new card and withdraw some cash for the weekend. The chap there was also very helpful and switched me to a better version of my account which comes with insurance for my mobile phone.

Flashback: Thursday, December 16, 2004

Met up with friends in London to go to see Gene’s final gig (at the Astoria), almost a year to the day after I was at the penultimate Suede gig. We were drinking in the Montague Pyke on Charing Cross Road (where went to the US election party) and I took the opportunity to take some photos with my camera phone so that I could add thumbnails of my friends to my phonebook. As my phone was being passed around so that everyone could share in the joy of my photographic skills, it found its way into a pint of beer. When I finally trackde down a company prepared to repair liquid damage (and not just the beer – I’d, erm, washed it out with water afterwards) they were only able to save the phone numbers. Nokia 6600 the First, RIP.

Gene were very good despite the phone incident (perhaps they didn’t hear about it, or just didn’t care). Had a good singalong. During the gig, Martin Rossiter tippexed the word “Gene” on the bass drum to read “Gone” and not long afterwards they were.

Not only do I have phone insurance. From the list of account benefits I noticed that I am entitled to card protection insurance (as recommended by Ian in the comments). Indeed I had it already but hadn’t set it up. D’oh. I shall be setting this up as soon as my numerous bits of plastic have arrived.

Apologies in advance for this particularly nerdygeeky post.

I’ve noticed around Edinburgh that many cars have number plates consisting of three letters and four numbers, e.g.: LCZ 2981. More than you would expect appear to have Zs in.

Anyone know why this should be? Was there a separate number plate system in Scotland at some point? Olav’s British Number Plates doesn’t seem to have the answer, unless it’s just a variation of “1931-62 re-registration” plates.

I’m also mildly curious about the preponderance of 71 (e.g. N71 AFL) number plates in Edinburgh. Not that I have an interest in number plates – I’m just inquisitive.