The second series of Life on Mars will be its last, says the Beeb:

The producers said two endings to the second series had been filmed “to keep everyone guessing until the very end”.
[…]
Executive producer Claire Parker said the story would reach a “natural and explosive climax”.

I wasn’t a big fan of the first series, but did enjoy it. Hopefully this decision will ensure that there is a decent resolution.

Unless you’re going to the football, I recommend not trying to get to Glasgow – and even more so not trying to get back out of Glasgow – if Scotland are playing at Hampden Park. From slaloming around the kilted hoards at Edinburgh Waverley at lunchtime to queuing for a train back again at night, to trying to ignore the drunk women on the slow train you finally decide is a better option screaming “I’m on the long train!” over and over again into her mobile phone, it’s not fun.

I ventured to the west for the latest Scottish blogmeet. Along with organiser Gordon and various other familiar faces, it was good to meet newcomers Peggy and Patrick.

Richard L and I played an epic game of pool, as captured on camera by Richard B. Neil disappeared off to the football, but returned later to taunt us Englishers.

Despite some transport hiccups (the first train I tried to get was cancelled, most of the FastTicket machines at Edinburgh were out of order, etc.) and a smattering of rain, it was a very pleasant afternoon/evening, so thank you all for your company. Oh, and there was table service from the bar, which was most continental.

In the event that any readers are Jake Thackray fans, or are just interested in the concept of a humorous Yorkshire singer-songwriter, put BBC4 on this minute. They are showing Thackray programming between now (9pm) and half ten this evening.

Jake on the Box and Jake Thackray: His Songs are on again at 00:20 tonight, and once more at 11:40pm tomorrow (Saturday) evening.

Disgraced Republican congressman Mark Foley, who resigned last week over messages he sent to young congressional assistants (he was accused of turning pages), has blamed alcohol for his problems.

“It’s not my fault. Some may say that I had inappropriate relations with teenage men, but I was driven to what I did by Charles Kennedy’s drinking.”