Theirdoingwhatnow

Portmerion

2012-01-21T08:59:00.005Z

We drove up to Wales last night, as we rose above sea level we hit cloud banks over the hills, so Katie slowed her driving even more. We arrived around eight and registered at the main hotel within the village, and were escorted to the 'Villa Winch'. Even at night, the view of the village is gorgeous, actually quite romantic in its way, so I must try and take a night photograph.
What can I say but its wonderfully idyllic, the views from our balcony overlook the Village in its entirety, a balcony which we can easily have breakfast on, but for the rain!, and it didn't stop the 'Tits' and 'Robins' from coming right up to the doors. this afternoon we ventured into Portmadoc, the nearest town for facilities, they have a High Street as such, theirs tends to have very large hills at the end of it, to me their mountains!, nice small town, nice people. If the weather holds back I will walk down into the Village and take lots of photographs, and yes I have brought my Prisoner jacket before you ask, and I have been warned by Emma not to be to 'sad' and spoil the break for Katie!, I mean really!!, your in the Village, you just have to dress up as Number Six!.... I mean its the law... you must conform...

Its Important!...

2012-01-16T18:44:00.005Z

Its important that you know, friends, relatives, Prime Ministers and Presidents, that me and Katie will in fact NOT be available this weekend. In fact we will have totally disappeared off the face of the Earth; as we shall be staying at 'The Village'....

God its cold!...

2012-01-16T09:09:00.003Z

On the way to work this morning one could feel the cold. It really is cold as a Witches Tit. It aggravates your dental cavities, you can feel it against your lungs, and my ears sting!. My ears have not stung since I was a child on the way to Longford Park school of a morning. The Grand Union was also freezing over, birds skating along accordingly. The cold weather is certainly here!.

Ed Strakers Car

2012-01-13T10:13:00.004Z

I don't really have a hangover. just a mild reaction to the Vodka I drank last night in moderation I may add. The excellent weather we have been having here in Coventry is apparently about to change over to winter cold this weekend, so the log fire is prepared. I have had a good week, one where I eventually discovered the location of 'Ed Strakers' car, and apparently have opened a sort of hornets nest among the Fanderson community, every body seems keen to tell me what to do, and I really don't have time to pretend to be nice to people whom let iconic cars rot. So I have elected to send the owner a respectful letter, and he can decide the future of his car at his leisure; fate will once again lead the destiny of the UFO cars.

Walking Down Corridors...

2012-01-09T18:19:00.003Z

I walk down and for that matter,up corridors a lot in my job. I was looking at an old photograph of the large corridors that were at 'Rubery Hill Hospital', way back in the day. It brought back a singular memory of laeving the wards to the equivalent of a silenced, linoleum lined corridor, s sudden moment of calm as it were as I walked somewhere with purpose.
I find myself doing the same again this evening during my drug round, except on this occasion I can feel the stirring of 'Flu'!. I hope it holds back as I am training over the next couple of days!...

New Years Eve 2011

2011-12-31T11:01:00.003Z

Looking at my Garden its wet and rather grey today, enhanced with the un-usual silence of the City. Perhaps, like myself everybody is simply exhausted?.That said as I begin to stir, after being energised by my Bacon and Egg sarnie, I have some furniture to move about the house to accommodate Katie's sofas, more like a huge platform of brown leathery comfort, dominating the study, we both approve.
I stared this year by spending time in New Zealand, which has left with me the strongest of memories, all entwined with my 'Katie' and the boys moving in to our new home. Emma established herself in the 'Secret Tea Room' in London and surrounded herself with celeb's, 'Max' started working, and 'Harry' continues to discover himself in Madrid. My sainted Irish mother continues to be just that, but drinks and smokes a lot less these days. So what of the new year?, well perhaps, with out doubt it will be one of change, where the people will rise and speak out!?. Perhaps it will be a year of Focus, who knows,but for all of us, may it truly be a Happy New Year.

The Coach and Horses

2011-12-26T19:09:00.004Z

The Coach and Horses is a splendid Public House found in the West End of London. Very much a 'Blokes pub', Thirties interior styling, on three floors. So this is where I spent Christmas day morning, playing, in the fun sense of the word,'Bouncer' for Emma as the Xmas day crowd popped in. They were predominantly French families, as the Pub had been featured in a culinary touring TV show called 'Fork and Rucksack', and I must say what a pleasure it was to see them all enjoying themselves. They do a good pint of 'Old Rosie' by the way, worth it for that alone.
Always enjoy driving through London, this time I came via 'Golders Green' and found myself waving at the Rabbis strolling confidently down the street, then I parked up in Camden and saw Emma's digs for the first time.
Piccadilly Circus was a wonderful sight to behold, Lights everywhere, quite impressive for the Theatre crowd, wish we had the same in Coventry, we just have a building site this year!. Eventually got back to Coventry around six, managing I might add to catch a traffic camera just outside the city, which fairly dazzled me, now theres an accident waiting to happen!. I finally settled down to a lovely Christmas dinner which poor 'Katie' had laboured over, the stuffing was the best I have ever eaten!, so we added more Logs to the fire and as is tradition on Christmas day through out the length and breadth of the land; we dozed.

Happy Christmas where ever you Are.

2011-12-24T12:48:00.002Z

Once again its Christmas Eve, my angel 'Katie' is flying around today catching up with her last minute promised visits to one and all, so we started our day with a fabulous Bacon and Egg sandwich in bed!, very naughty, then utilised some of my time unloading the 'Ton' of Logs parked in the front garden. My afternoon is here, at work in Stirchley, and were all looking forward to a quiet shift to welcome in Christmas Day. I dashed into town yesterday and finally got Katie's present, its a pretty safe bet, and as usual, my present wrapping is quite appalling.
Even though Christmas day will be with the ones I love, Katie, Max and Emma, I will still be thinking of Harry, somewhere in Barcelona, am missing him this year, Harrison and Taylor are at their Fathers this Xmas, and I know Katie is missing them something rotten. Max will turn eighteen next month, so a few drinks down the Pub for all of us is due in the new year. First I must ring my Mum and wish her seasons greetings.
'Happy Christmas' everybody, wherever you are...

Pain

2011-12-22T20:37:00.003Z

As our evening progresses I manage to burn my forearm on some boiling water in the kitchen while trying to boil some potatoes, this would not have happened of course if her ladyship had stocked up on chips, but what's the smell of burnt flesh among friends?, as the evening progresses 'Katie' is quite convinced I am becoming more susceptible to the scotch as I rant on about what's his face, a group I can't remember as we watch a 'Top Of the Pops' re run, it drives me mad, as I suddenly exclaim, its 'Steve Harley the Cockney rebel'!!.
Despite the pain control, arm starting to hurt, now its Johnny Mathis singing 'when a child is born', very christmassy, bent as a 'nine bob note' mind you?... but a damn fine singer.

Menorah

2011-12-22T12:35:00.002Z

I am learning all about the Menorah, and this week has been a process of watching the Rabbi gather his congregation to prey and watch at the lighting of the candles. I am told there is a total of eight candle, which signifies the eight days that a lamp shone continuously in a temple surrounded by the Romans, it was a miracle lamp which alone lasted the eight days. All of which is an education to me at the age of fifty, but not apparently to Katies boys whom filled me in on it all!!. I was suitably impressed...

Winter Birds

2011-12-20T10:33:00.003Z

I awoke this morning to a feeling of being watched, and sure enough I found myself under the wistful gaze of a Robin Red breast, which had settled by the Holly, usually I am lucky enough to catch the pair of Yellow Tits hanging from our garden feeder, but Mr Red breast was an extra this morning. Where I am based in 'Stirchley', there are some Roses in the garden, in full bloom!.
I am on my second coffee, and an half watching a 'Herbie' movie as I type. Have just spoke with Mary next door, wished her a 'Merry Christmas', and asked her permission to park on her driveway, as were expecting a delivery of Logs between now and Friday. A roaring fire we shall have this Christmas, and we are grateful for that.
On Christmas day I will be driving down to London and bringing back Emma, so we shall all have a slightly late Dinner, so no rush for Katie.
As always this week will fly by, at least the trains are less crowded.

Things to do before you Die..

2011-12-16T12:07:00.003Z

This can be an exhaustive list of course. So even though my mind resented being over tasked these last few days,I am frankly, once again mentally exhausted; so I have to check my stress, and slow myself down. But not before I drag myself up to a beautiful part of Leicestershire called 'Husbands Bosworth' and place myself in the hands of 'Gareth' for a 'Military Vehicle Taster'. A gift I actually received from my darling 'Katie', last christmas.
We start driving around the rugged course of mud pools, rocky ramps and a bridge, in a 11 Ton 'Bedford' truck, which is really quite good fun, it bounces over all terrains with supreme indifference, and of course no 'mamby pamby' power steering for us boys. Then we progressed to the 'Vickers' tank,more of a APC with a turret on top, all 17 tons of it. Gareth then enquired was I Claustrophobic?, or subject to sicking up?, once reassured we dived in and my head elevated above this monster of a machine we tackled the first circuit, the second time around was with the hatch closed and a very limiting window to look through, this really was quite tricky, and quite a pig to drive, but a challenge which I relished. I completed my mornings learning curve by admiring the collection of military vehicles they had under roof, and their tiny museum; all in all, most enjoyable, my thanks to all at 'Armourgeddon'.

Jingly Bells...

2011-12-07T08:45:00.003Z

Well Christmas is upon us again. Yesterday was an odd day, when talking with Emma who's quite busy working in the 'West End', there was a sense of disappointment, a pre anti climax if you like by the general public as we approach the dreaded 'fiscal' aspect of Christmas.
You see I believe in Christmas as a religious festival, a time to reflect on the year, and to be if possible with our families, and remember those whom are no longer with us to share that Xmas dinner. As for the commercial, cynical push for spending money we don't really have, on gifts we don't really need, then perhaps a recession might be a good time for us to reflect on the society we live in.
On Christmas day I will drive over to the capital and finally catch up with where Emma works, a good day to reflect on the year perhaps, and re visit Londinium. I will leave you with an image of a wonderful winter place called Michelstadt in west Germany, a place I visited long ago, and holds special Christmas memories for me.

Chilly Saturday Mornings...

2011-11-26T12:02:00.003Z

Which it is I suppose. Much needed weekend off, as a very busy week; am very focused and frankly working quite hard sorting out the problems and especially the politics of this assignment. So after working seven days in a row, am snuggling with my Katie on the sofa, watching the Saturday morning cook programmes, perhaps Pasta tonight?.
Popped a new wheel on the Volvo, sorted out the Log fire, and am settling down to a cup of Tea. It is definitely Jumper weather, yet Sun is out, and essentially the weather is still wonderfully mild for this time of year.
So as the weather is holding up well here in the midlands (winds and rain etc elsewhere) I might mooch around the Garage and play with 'Purdy'. Brazilian grand prix tomorrow, which has not been to bad a season this year, so I may catch that; otherwise, as the in crowd say 'chillax'.

November Morn

2011-11-17T11:05:00.003Z

Day off so have decided to have a lazy one. After all have spent the last week and a half working flat out, and am so far quite enjoying my new role. An added extra is my daily commute a combination of power walking and occasional sprints, which is getting me back in to some sort of shape, and I am finally losing weight.
Every morning I arrive at Cadburys chocolate factory in Bournville, hoping that their employees could throw me the odd chocolate bar from their window, I would only give it to Katie any way!, but not so far, so make my way into Stirchley village and sniggering at the glut of traffic pouring out on the Pershore Road. Been there, done that;as I make my eleven minute walk to work.
This November is so mild, no thick coats yet as I get so hot walking about. The leaves are golden, the air is brisk and I have so much to learn about Judaism!, Milk kitchens, Meat kitchens Prep kitchens!, white eggs, certain numbers you cant use.. the list goes on, quite fascinating really.

Remembrance Sunday

2011-11-13T08:01:00.004Z

Awoke relatively early today, did Katie some 'breakfast in bed' which is not easy I can tell you, trying to fry an egg on top of a quilt!, but I digress. The weather looking good, but even so would never stop me attending the Remembrance Sunday service, at the Cenotaph in the Memorial Park.
I started attending long before Harry joined the Grenadier Guards, I think the reasoning behind it was it brought me a little closer to my memories of Dad, and still does, then my attendance was augmented with strong thoughts of Harry when he was in Afghanistan; and of course all whom served when out there, and still do today.
I hear a lot of cynical and ill informed criticism of our remembrance 'Poppy' appeal, the significance of the the Poppy in non Political, it gives everybody, no matter what age or culture, the opportunity to empathise with the profound impact that war has on us in many ways. For now, 'War' will not go away, and many of us will continue to remember their sacrifices.

Politics and Religion

2011-11-06T10:34:00.005Z

While transferring a pile of logs from my driveway to the back garden this morning I talked politics with a neighbour. Two fifths of our exports go to Europe, this may be affected if the Euro collapses, but I can live with those odds, we may apparently lose ten years of economic growth, well, strangely enough, I don't feel I benefited from that, so those ten years mean nothing to me, not a London banker I, or a Politician for that matter. Imagine though, a Euro Club that was never designed for people to leave!?, a collective of politicians whom believe they can get rid of Prime ministers?. I still am of the view that the PM of Greece was acting honourably by trying to create a referendum, as the people of Greece need to decide do they still want to stay in the Euro club?, and face the prospect of strict financial controls for the next 20 years!.
There was a religious debate ob TV this morning where Nina Myscow declared that paying over £15.00 to see St Pauls was shocking, and I whole heartedly agree as I ventured in to Coventry Cathedral this week (more a museum of Anglican Art) to find they were asking over a Fiver to look around!, I walked out in Disgust. Churches are for the people, sometimes I want to walk around our Cathedral simply to reflect and ponder, well not any more apparently, so much for our Churches, Coventry Cathedral is no longer an organisation I wish to support, we should not have to pay for an international centre of 'peace and reconciliation'.
The sun is out on a glorious Sunday morning, we had Egg and soldiers for breakfast, and have just been given a lovely cup of Earl Grey (thats Tescos not Twinnings). Back to work tomorrow, new challenges await me.

Requiem for Methuselah

2011-11-04T09:52:00.003Z

So I am catching up with this mornings episode of Star Trek,and the shocking conduct of Kirk fighting over a woman with an immortal called Flint.What the bloody hell is going on here? Kirk, and you call yourself a Star fleet captain?!. She was a bloody android anyway!. She never could understand true love, the Ecstasy, the broken rules, and glorious chances; which is in fact the same advice McCoy gives to Spock at the end of the episode,(which despite his supreme logic is somewhat lost for words) where upon he erases Kirks memory of the woman with a Vulcan mind meld.
Now the point I am making here is, what if we could erase certain aspects of our memory?, it lends itself to interesting possibilities; imagine you have just been through a difficult divorce, so you arrange to have your memory of HER erased, (the money stealing viperous cow that she is...) So you treatment is successful you walk out of the treatment room, and fall instantly in love with a red head you meet in the reception area, whom happens to be your recently treated ex wife!!!. Perhaps not such a good a idea?.
I suppose I would erase the selective memories of incredibly stupid and embarrassing moments in my life, falling off a shopping trolley I was trying to ride in a supermarket in Sussex while trying to impress a girlfriend, things like that. But as Kirk once said, 'I need my memories, sometimes I have turned left in my life, when I should have turned right; but those mistakes make me what I am'. So there is my wisdom for today, the more stupid we are, the better we become?...

Me and 'Elvira'....

2011-11-01T13:14:00.006Z

Its now Tuesday and have spent the morning with Emma which I enjoyed, and saw her off on the Virgin Pendolino at 12.11 to London. This gave me a chance to enquire at the ticket office about re-activating my train pass for next Monday.
So Halloween over for another year, which me and Katie spent falling asleep watching 'Frankenstein created Woman' and 'Dracula has risen from the Grave'. Dracula was of course dispatched back to the grave accompanied by some voluptuous wenches. I enjoyed watching Elvira 'Mistress of the Dark' the most, even though a little risque for Harrison, but great fun, she remains my Halloween Fave. Katie has conspired to plant reminders all over the place of my age, so the balloons took flight over Coventry city centre this morning, and the cards (which were wonderful) are put away. The sun is out, on what should be a very warm November week, so just took Purdy around the block to shake the cobwebs off her, prior to winter storage. I am looking forward to returning to work.

Halloween 2011

2011-10-30T12:26:00.002Z

I am surrounded by portents of death. Skeletal monk like figures hover over our patio door. Katie has just interrupted me to bury a Vole that had perished at the paws of Marmaduke in the garden. The house is full of Bats and dire warnings as well as things that glow ominously in the Dark. My daughter is down for the weekend and along with Katie and family friends have made my 50th a lot less depressing.
So the rest of our day will be invaded by children ET AL in various Halloween costumes, gorging on treats and Katie's famous Lasagna; perhaps we will enjoy the real Hallows Eve proper tomorrow, in a much quieter contemplative manner.

Turning Fifty

2011-10-28T11:50:00.000+01:00

The European Summit 2011

2011-10-27T06:10:00.005+01:00

Well they have been burning the midnight oil in the Euro parliament these last few days. They have convinced themselves that they have come up with a plan to save the day. Though it occurs to us all, they really have no option. The garlic eating surrender monkey Lofty Sarkozy is going to save us all by going cap in hand to the Chinese, oh Joy!; while collectively they have put one trillion in toy Euro money on the table. Once you make the adjustment for Italy's 1.8 billion debt, it gets less and less.
Mrs Merkel cut a dashing frumpy figure in a questionable velvet jacket (like a bag of spuds) as she dashed off in a gorgeous Audi. Well at least the Greeks are happy, as 50% of their debt has been wiped clean, perhaps they will have a whip round for a new jacket for Angela, but as my old headmaster Mr Lemon used to say "Beware of Greeks bearing gifts".

This Week

2011-10-25T10:20:00.003+01:00

This week we have the pleasure of enjoying the new mattress on our bed. As dull as that may sound, its not the case at all, as many of us will testify, a good mattress makes all the difference, especially for our backs!.
Mixed weather for October so far, generally mild, and occasionally sunny over here in England, which is is more than can be said for Scotland for example, god is smiling on us over here, for all our faults.
New Zealand has won the 'Rugby World cup', well deserved I must say, and Australia's prime minister is making republican overtures to the Queen, equally not surprising!, they appear so envious of New Zealand, as if they always have to prove something?, and I often wonder why.
The Boys are off this week, so will leave shortly as we will go shopping with my mum in Bell Green, sweets will be on their agenda no doubt, and the rest of my day may be spent on some hobby time, some further helmet restoration no doubt. Am I really fifty this week?.

The Art of self doubt.

2011-10-17T03:48:00.007+01:00

Its 03.50 in the morning, so as I cant sleep, kettle on and Earl Grey at the ready. It was a un-comfortable dream that woke me from my slumber, and it did not take me long to analyze it either.
I was back at my old school Whitkey Abbey, a new headmaster was in play, and we had all gathered at morning assembly, change was everywhere, the assembly had been re organised to a impressive spectacle, like a Roman amphitheatre, the new head started to demonstrate to the pupils how to play fight with plastic swords, and as his demonstration progressed the pupils got carried away and started hurting each other. You could see that this was becoming a source of irritation to the head, he was the type of person in supreme control, and a sharp suit. Then all of a sudden he singled me out, called me David by mistake, and informed me I had to go and see some authority figure as if to imply I was in trouble. I naturally resented this as I did not want to be part of his spectacle, and his actions were quite un-professional.
So I walked out of morning assembly in a suitably demonstrative fashion and attempted to make my way back to 'T' block, slowly crowds of pupils began to gather, and tried to restrain me!. I began to throw them off me like rag dolls, but they became quite over whelming, I then bumped in to Lieutenant Uhura whom was trying to help me, then all of a sudden she joins in with the melee, with an apologetic look on her face, as she needed to demonstrate her acting skills. At this point an elderly black gentleman approaches me and scratches my left forearm with a hypodermic syringe. I naturally resist, but am overcome by the sedative. My dream sees me being taken away somewhere in a state of sedation, as pupils watch on the pitiful scenario, and the man with the syringe explains to the paramedics about the antidote to his injection and how it can be quite dangerous...
It was all to much for me and I woke up. Of course it is all quite clear to me now (to quote Dave Bowman from 2010). This powerful dream was about my recent experiences working for my last health care company. The situation I found myself in by being witness to bad management on an almost daily basis by multiple managers and not being in a position to do anything about it, and as they fail, they try to find a scape goat in the like of muggins here. As also in the dream, as I may be made to move on, the problems remain endemic within the organisation, and it will continue to fail until somebody in authority really does something about it all. Uhura was just doing as she was told as in that episode of 'Mudds Women' from Star Trek, where she had to pretend to want to be a beautiful android, so she's forgiven. Now I think about it, the guy with the needle was possibly Barrack Obama?.
Doubts and insecurity are always natural before you start a job for a new company, the trick is to channel those natural fears into a constructive and positive sense of dynamicism, and teach those around you never to let it happen to them. There are many times in my career that I have hated nursing, but have always loved psychiatry, for within psychiatry lies the truth, within ourselves and the actions we all take.

Happy Days?...Perhaps.

2011-10-12T04:28:00.004+01:00

Ive finally finished my present placement in Stratford,politics being such in my profession that that I am on whats called 'Gardening leave'; and I could not be happier!.That said it was not the first time and will not be the last that I leave a facility that is quite frankly Dysfunctional, and that will never do justice to its staff and clients alike, at least CQC are on top of it.
So I have Un-expected leave, what to do with myself?. various jobs around the house, and maybe even take in a Museum or so, as I reflect on my coming big 'Five O'. Katie keeps taunting me with a surprise birthday pressie, she keeps telling me I couldn't possibly guess what it is?, every day is a birthday when I am with Katie and the boys.

True October

2011-10-07T08:34:00.003+01:00

I awoke this morning to a grey and chilly day. I have been given a late shift at work, so will take advantage of my companies indifference to its nurses and go for an interview. Interviews are sometimes like buses, you wait ages for them then two or three turn up at once!. This position appeals to me as its in Rugby, much closer to home, and is a straight forward position with the hours I need. Katie and the boys have not long left,and I resign myself to working this weekend; but not long now either way until I leave my present company, which is something to look forward to.
Spoke with Emma yesterday, whom was filling me in with all the gossip, how Harry Enfield popped in for lunch the other day, and was so very polite. She has invited us over for Christmas day in the west end, which as far as I am concerned is quite tempting. I drank to much scotch last night, which as usual effects my sleep, so will slowly stir,make breakfast, pop on my suit and drive over to Rugby.

A Perfect Day

2011-09-30T20:59:00.002+01:00

Weather wise that is, work was shit!, but the weather amazing. I wish I could have afforded to have had 'Purdy' on the road this year, as this is so cruising weather. Am sat here however with my Katie whom is suffering god bless her with a skin reaction, itching madly she is, so trying to help her!, will load her up with anti histamines and maybe a sleeping tablet.
So my to do list is ready for the weekend, starting with some work on 'Red' and various odds and sods.....

Autumnal Thoughts in Coventry

2011-09-28T08:26:00.005+01:00

Katie has dusted off our slow cooker, its crammed with delicious goodies and will be ready to serve when everyone is back this evening, full of carbs and vegetable delights, yes Autumn is here. Our windows were showing external condensation this morning, and as our Patio also adjusts to the changes in temperature, it develops that autumn colouring. We had a mist the other day over the City, some wag on the radio was expecting the 'Phantom Raspberry Blower of old London Town' to jump out on him at any minute!, which I had to giggle at.
So I am about to become a training Manager, I will be sharing my wisdom and experience with others, answering their questions, and stimulating their enthusiasm for Nursing, in some ways a challenge, as fundamentally I am a firm believer in being professional, as well as avoiding becoming institutionalised. Lots to think about this month as I prepare for my new role.
I have got to think about commuting by train, as it makes sense, as I will be based in Birmingham again, and perhaps join an agency for the odd shift?, have a month to do it in, as I approach my Birthday.

The White Hart

2011-09-24T10:15:00.002+01:00

The White Hart is back amongst us, spotted in recent days in the county of Devon. This Deer is the stuff of legend, long associated with Kings of the past and a singular belief in all that is England. Perhaps, like Arthur and Excalibur it arrives in our time of need to save England in its darkest hours?...
So I to will once again venture forward into a new position of training manager, no longer the rolling fields of Stratford for me, more the dirty brown bricks of the city. As I have spent the last nine months watching my career not only stall, but actually go into reverse while working for this wholly inept company,(like watching a train wreck) this change is long overdue.
You see, there is hope for all of us.

Computers

2011-09-17T09:42:00.003+01:00

When I was at school way back in the day we had a Computer. It was the size of a large Barbecue and looked like an over enthusiastic typewriter. I belonged to the Maths department in 'T' Block, and was rarely ever used, it fact it may have simply been a terminal to a local university. We were never of course were allowed to use it, with the exception perhaps of one of our Maths geniuses such as Sean Beesley, he ate equations for breakfast and was the sort of person whom could not wear a watch as they would simply stop working on him. So essentially it gathered dust in the corner, went out of date very rapidly; and we were scared of it!.
At this time Sinclair's and commodore 64s were just starting to come into play along with BBC computers. To most of us they were simply games systems, or expensive typewriters, free of the politics of Internet porn and the solicitation of riots and revolutions, Tom Baker would simply just play about with them on the TV, and we were happy enough with that, how times have changed, where governments gang up to stop us talking to each other, is that progress?.

Kitchen Pleasures

2011-09-10T10:21:00.002+01:00

We've finally got our Kitchen back!. The workman Ive had to share the last few weeks with have finally left, its Saturday morning and Ive just made some bacon and egg sandwiches. Katie of course asked for half a sarnie, and ended up eating two. Shes as happy as a sand boy running around filling up the drawers and cupboards "here's where we put the spices" etc.
The remainder of my day will involve some finishing off in the Kitchen and varnishing the upstairs doors, good time as any as the boys are at their dads, so out of the way.
So again back to the pleasure of eating my breakfast while wandering into the garden, the sun is out, a light breeze, God has given us a fabulous autumnal morning.

9/11

2011-09-09T09:13:00.004+01:00

There was a interesting program on TV last night which revolved around the conspiracy theories about the events of 9/11. Pretty much 95% all of these theories are absolute nonsense, but one things for certain, the American government, long used to not having an attack on its homeland; are milking the terror risk for their own ends. The chief of the West Midlands fire brigade over here in the UK has just announced they have spent £100,000 pounds on specialised training for such an event, why?, that will train about probably ten men, and why do we need reassuring?. In England were regrettably used to attacks, it goes back to the IRA in the seventies and eighties, 9/11 wasn't just a wake up call for the Americans, it also made them think about why they were giving lots of money and Arms to the IRA?. So this weekend the British media will be empathising with the American people in Memoriam, some how I don't recollect a similar response from the American government when our women and children were being blown to bits way back in the day, maybe I am indeed becoming cynical.

The BBC and my grey hair!...

2011-09-07T06:49:00.006+01:00

So after years of playing silly buggers and sending us no digital signals to our TVs, they have finally got around to increasing their signals to full strength. So Katie has avidly been tuning our TV this morning with some success, which means we don't have to spend £200 on a new Ariel, only one thing of course, no other channels, just the BBC!, In its pixalated glory; so weve exchanged superior Analog picture quality for a poorer digital picture?. Its a bit like exchanging the richer sound of LP's for Cd's, its not progress is it really?. Give it time and Sky TV will start re-selling us Analog, with the promise of real picture quality!. So until the independent channels get their act together, their screwed!?, with nonsense like this going on while were forced to pay for a service were not getting, is it any wonder I am going grey.
Any way I must get back to watching the idiot chef trying to change the quality of food in the NHS, and driving a poor woman called Pat to tears....

Twinings Earl Grey Tea

2011-09-05T11:31:00.005+01:00

It is just as much my responsibility as a avid fan of 'Twinings Earl Grey Tea' for many years, to concur with many others that the new blend is indeed quite foul and tastes of dishwater!. What is equally intriguing is the companies public self denial about it all, you've made a cock up, so go back to the original recipe, and the sooner you do it, the better; 'don't fix what ain't broken'.
Theres a lesson here about corporate management, change for the sake of change etc, but especially that we all make mistakes, recognise it, and revert back to what works best. Maintain the Status Quo.

Cancer

2011-09-03T20:35:00.002+01:00

A colleague came me at work this morning and informed me she had Cancer. She's one of my favorite team members, probably because as I realised we have the same glass half full view of life, and were both quite pragmatic, so I really empathised with her, and I will be there for her also as a friend in the months ahead. When I was single I always had a romanticized view of death, I would climb to the top of Everest with a bottle of JD in my pocket, drink it and slowly freeze to death, and if the kids ever wanted to see me, well they would know where I was. I have revised that idea now, and would hope when my time comes and God tips me the nod, I will pass on in the arms of the one I love, I would not want it any other way.

Ghettos of Mediocrity.

2011-08-31T12:33:00.006+01:00

Silence is very precious, when were all working so hard in our ghettos of mediocrity to simply live, we approach a point of exhaustion, we desperately need our days off, so we retire to our sanctuary's and try to relax. No so myself, as the work on the house continues and my grasped opportunity's to relax are far and few, and invariably permeated by the sound of incessant power tools and hammering. I have a headache.
Hope, in my case, and for that matter all of us can be found in Art and Design, and I am beginning to realise that theres a definite retro sixties look to Katie's furniture, so have elected to pick the wallpaper for the study myself, mind you she does not know this yet. Its all quite appropriate really as I may have said before the house was built in '63' so why alter perfection as far as I am concerned. Dad would be pleased.

Morning Glory

2011-08-24T09:32:00.004+01:00

I awoke to the Sun streaming through the leaves of the Willow, and black cats leaping around the garden, its that hint already of Autumnal sunshine,as usual the nights are starting to draw in, and theres a slight chill when I climb into my car in the morning. Emma has emailed me images of her first flat, proper, in London, which she will share with Matt. So exciting, to be so young was such fun.
I was wishing for a quiet relaxing day, however its punctuated by a screaming baby from the nursery next door, and complimented by builders hammering a drilling in the kitchen opposite me, as I type in the Study, which is temporarily our Kitchen and warehouse etc. Had a real crappy week at work, subjected to the machinations or supremely bad management, which frankly disgusts me, its one of those scenarios when you find yourself in an oppressive and depressing work environment; time to move on.
Perhaps I will occupy myself with little jobs today, while I like many others await the ultimate fate of Mr Gadaffi, perhaps found hiding in a ditch somewhere in Libya?, by definition we should all perhaps be on Red Alert as this guy was obsessed with germ warfare programs back in the day, we may yet discover the truth about our 'foot and mouth' outbreak in the past?. This guy was scary, and I hope the likes of Mr Blair feel ashamed of themselves, but I suspect not. Times the are a changing.

Apocalypse

2011-08-04T22:56:00.000+01:00

Is the Apocalypse upon us?. I know I should not have watched 'Torchwood' tonight, as the producer is famously dark and bleak, but I just love the production values. I had a irritating day at work surrounded by idiots with their own secret agendas, at least they thought they were secret. Then the Gas board send me a cheque in my ex wife name!!. Why?, the bastards get it right on all their other bills.
So I settle down to the 'News at Ten', death, starvation, financial disaster and Obamas birthday... just kill me now!. There must be something over the horizon that will cheer me up, cheer us all up for that matter. I don't like being a grumpy irritable old fart, but who can blame me. All the Police chiefs are bent, celebs whom seek fame are complaining about being hacked (who gives a flying fuck?) and society has gone to hell in a hand basket. I know I am overdue a Holiday, while desperately wanting to relocate a better job. May be these really are Dark days?. My sainted Irish mother would always say,"at least you have your health son", and you know what, she's bang on the nail. Time to re-focus, in fact perhaps we should all do that?.

What a Day!...

2011-07-29T11:41:00.004+01:00

Today I awoke with a long overdue determination in my mind. I had been putting it back for a few months now, but could not hold out any longer, I am now, more than ever a responsible adult; so to the 'Bank' I must go.
It was not as bad as I had though, in fact productive, Miss Smith was very helpful, I reorganised some of my debits, retrieved some credit which I was not aware of, and have made an appointment for next Tuesday to review my Mortgage. So am feeling very grown up with myself.
Yesterday I saved a clients life at work as he was choking. I feel a need to mention it as after 25 odd years in the job, this is the first time I can definitively say, I saved a guys life!. Makes you pause for though.
I was telling Emma about it last night and she was filling me in on her new job at 'The Secret Tea Room' in the big smoke. 'Private Eye' had their regular meeting the other day with various celebs in attendance, a very lucky lady in my opinion. Am proud of her no end.
So a boys weekend ahead of me, as Katie is abandoning me and Max to have the weekend away with her sister! I ask you!! how the hell will we manage?.... think of the Children!.

03.00 Hours

2011-07-20T03:03:00.004+01:00

Cant seem to sleep so am armed once again with a cup of Earl Grey. I did some work on the rear of 'Purdy' today(or was that now yesterday?) some spots of tin worm behind the rubber bumper, could do with a replacwement rubber bumper at some point, so was laying in bed contemplating this minor project and was getting to excited mentally, so got up.
Lots of guff at the moment in the Media about the Media, as if were impressed, eminent Police officers on the take having to resign, saying "my conscience is clear" poor darlings!, seems somebody forgot to tell them that it was a little naughty taking £12,000 freebies?. Scotland Yard in disarray etc. You have just got to love coppers haven't you really. On a lighter note Emma dragged herself in to a London cinema the other week to see a Brad Pitt film 'Tree of Life', it was one of these 'what the hell am I doing here' moments apparently, this obscure nonsense of family life in the '50s' was such rubbish she was speechless!, only on her way out she saw the notice that had been strategically posted!.
Up proper at 07.00 hours and off to work, if the Volvo gets me there as she was running a bit rough earlier, then another three shifts in a row, and weekend off. Katie and her sister are escaping for the weekend, so its me and Max, a boys weekend in. The school holidays begin! let battle commence!!.

What If?...

2011-07-15T09:00:00.004+01:00

What if somebody invented a Fart filter?. A device which you could pop in your bottom, and every time you broke wind, the device would change you trump to the lovely smell of let say... Strawberry's, or Spearmint?. So your stuck in a lift or at a restaurant table, and somebody exclaims, "ooh there's a lovely smell of mint in here", and inhales deeply, sharing in the goodness.
Or a contraceptive coil that really does pick up 'Radio Moscow'?... or accesses your mobile via blue tooth?... I mean if your going to all that trouble to shove a gadget up your nether regions?, makes sense to me.
On a certain trail in the United States cyclists have been told not to stop and pee, as it attracts Mountain goats whom relish the salt, it's suggested you urinate at least 200 yard off trail, where the bears will no doubt eat you alive!?, if the goats want it that bad we should all harvest our urine and sell it to the big corporates?. Oh I have been told they already do that!, its called 'Red Bull'.
And have you ever thought about 'Scooby Doo' as a vehicle for promoting drug abuse?, think about it, questionable hippy types, whom talk to a Dog?, who's best friend 'Shaggy' always has the munchies?, especially for some dodgy scoobie snacks?, all of them driving around in the woods in a psychedelic van chasing etherial spirits?, why didn't we realise what was going on at the time!.

'Look' Magazine 1967

2011-07-13T21:15:00.003+01:00

When I was a kid I remember when dad would park his car at the back of the house at night time and as we walked back to the house he would stop an pee in the garden!, not as daft as it sounds as he was adding Nitrates to his Rhubarb, so I would join in accordingly. That was about as sophisticated my life was in Coventry at the end of the sixties; but apparently not so in America, as I am enjoying in the annals of some magazines Emma brought me back from Los Angeles.
The 1967 editions of 'LOOK' magazine are full of wonders, I am stuck between deciding which Scottish whisky to drink, 'Walkers delux Burbon' or 'Ballentines'? or which american cigarette 'Pall Mall' or 'Salem Menthol' perhaps?, even the japs were sneaking in then with the '67' Toyota Corona at $1760. Along with amazingly lustrous ads for a triple spread Pontiac Firebird in a maroon colour. These magazines were not celebrity obsessed as you might think, and theres a wonderful feature on 'Disposable elegance' in the march 67 issue, its all about paper clothing, and right in the middle of the shot is non other than Mr Steven McQueen in a forest green suit, a mere snip at $150.00 by new york Tailor Horst.

Sunday Morning 08.30 Hours

2011-07-10T08:43:00.003+01:00

Its 8.30 on a Sunday morning in the centre of Coventry and I am standing in the garden in my dressing gown enjoying the relative quiet. I can just about here some loud buffoons voice in the distance, but in the main its just me and the vibrant bird song. The traffic is slowly building up now (there was a time many years ago in the 80's when Sundays really were quieter) and shortly I wil be preparing breakfast for me and Katie. The birdsong now punctuated by an aircraft coming out of Baginton airport, all I need now is the cat invasion, as you know we now have a 'Cat commune' where they progress from Philomena's next door to ours for a breakfast, back and forth through out the day, then they sleep over at hers, except for Marmaduke whom clearly enjoys his comforts here, as well as the field mice.
Today I will work on the garage, external woodwork needs doing, and finish off the installation of the strip light. That should be enough for me as was reasonably busy yesterday, we both were and flopped into bed just after 10.00 pm!. This will be a day for napping....

Thoughts of Mortality

2011-07-09T17:57:00.004+01:00

There was some idiot on 'Coventry radio' CWR today waffling on about how all Alan's are generally plain in appearance, not very attractive, well, Alain Delon may have something to say about that, and of course the late Alan Shepard, ruggedly handsome astronaut, whom if I recollect was president of the 'Society of Alan's', strictly spelt of course.
We lost Alan Shepard a while back with Leukemia, Space acquired perhaps. Today Mary next door dusted off her '73' mg convertible, with the intention of her son taking her out for a meal, I chatted with them both as he pulled the car out of the Garage, I had said before to Mary how his son looks so like his Father; so there he was pulling out his late Fathers MG, with the most stupid grin on his face, just like his Dad, he was hooked!, no doubt about it.

Grumpy Imortals

2011-07-01T19:20:00.006+01:00

Am about to watch 'Highlander' the series on the TV, it,s an episode in the Paris location, but even Duncan McLeod cant stop me feeling grumpy. Out of principle I bought a cheaper bottle of Vodka this evening, and the price of Chocolate, which I personally don't eat, has gone through the roof! and my mobile provider 'Orange' does not seem to want to let me text!!.
The politicos on TV are saying please employ British school kids, and the Employers are saying their poorly educated and indifferent!, we saw that one coming, and yet I am not pleased to be right. This equally indifferent Vodka will give me a bad head in the morning, just like New Labour.
Perhaps Paris was much more fun in the nineties, with Duncan running around with his Katana; because today the cost of living is going through the roof and were all affected. So I am grumpy, john has still to sort out my car and he's dithering, so that's in the back of my mind.
Katie has just had installed a fabulous bed, which we a going to christen tonight, something fab to look forward to, and Max has a interview for an apprenticeship next week, so its not all bad... is it Duncan?.

Greece Today

2011-06-28T22:29:00.001+01:00

Greece is in turmoil, the sort of turmoil it probably has not seen since the war years. The good people of this ancient land are fighting against the corrupt capitalist system, and they are right, the answer they seek may be harder to find, but one thing is certain, it lies in a fundamental belief in Greek Independence,(if they have one any more?) the Euro is beginning to collapse and Europe knows it.
Greece is a wonderful country, I have never had the chance to visit, I think they should totally nationalise the concept of a Greek Holiday, churn out everything at a reasonable price, their own Ryan air etc, then the tourists would flock in, and would save the day. A flight of fancy on my part? perhaps, but whatever happens (and I don't care for the Euro) Greece remains a land of Olives and beauty, and should never have indulged itself with the likes of the IMF and that stupid Euro!!..... So here in the UK our parasitic Teachers go on strike this week, and they like the greek government actually believe the public love them!.

Reflections of 70s Television

2011-06-24T22:34:00.010+01:00

When I was a kid in Coventry, and pretty much everywhere else for that matter, our TV was dominated by American television. We would watch fabulous shows like 'Rhoda', which I know for a fact my sister adored and probably was a major factor in her moving to the states, and the truth be told I envy her that. We would sit down with our beans on toast in the depths of a British winter and marvel at the California locations along with New York, Boston etc.
There was a showcase of I think it was NBC 'Mystery Movies' which premiered great shows like 'Columbo',(I have just heared Peter has passed) 'McMillan and Wife', 'McCloud', and then there was other companies like Quinn Martin that created shows like 'Cannon',with William Conrad, we had 'Kojak' and of course 'Starsky and Hutch' a Spelling Goldberg offering, and the 'Rockford Files'. It was wonderful, my fave is a difficult one; but I always admired that smoothie George Peppard as 'Banachek', the theme tune was glorious, and production values still hold up today. I still want to be Banachek....

Run Rabbit!....

2011-06-22T08:59:00.004+01:00

We lost the wonderful rabbit the other day, Max sauntered down to the run in the morning, and found him absent. There was evidence of minor tufts of fur, and the top of the run was askew, more than likely we suspect, was the actions of the wily urban fox.
At least I explained to Harrison the rabbit spent his last months doing what he only can do, digging tunnels and having fun. We will all miss our lovely grey friend. So today me and Max will again visit the re-cycling facility and drop off the old Hutch and run accordingly, no more rabbits for now. Busy myself with a little more work in the Garage, the plasterer has arrived to do some finishing off, and Katie will express some of her dissatisfaction on the 'signing off' tomorrow with the rep. It was Katie's birthday yesterday, so I stumbled into the house from another long shift well knackered, threw a sort of special meal together(well below par)and discovered her pressie still had not arrived!.
So I am thinking it gives me an excuse that tonight I will cook her a meal proper, and extend the Birthday a little more.

Dave, Hal , Kubrick and Me.

2011-06-14T21:58:00.007+01:00

I am getting terribly sentimental, at the moment I an trapped in a thought of fancy about the sixties and ruminating over Kubricks '2001 a Space Odyssey'. I popped a Email to Dennis Gonzales and politely informed him I missed his superb news letters,'The World tonight' he responded to the effect "well as your asking I will whip one out for you!" I though I had offended him, but apparently it was quite the contrary!!, he is going to do one after all.
All of this is compounded further by 'Katies' work on the house, fitting new installations etc, throws up elements of the house itself, built in 1963 (the same year Dr Who started)a bit like a Tardis, also I think the year Kennedy was assassinated?. Every now and again you come upon a remnant of 1963 wallpaper etc, which I personally think is awesome. My project for this month is building a panel of the 'HAL9000' series computer. I have come over all geeky lol!.

H20 F1 2011

2011-06-12T20:18:00.010+01:00

As I sit here waiting for the recommencement of the Canadian Grand Prix, its raining hard in Notra Dam outside Montreal, not surprisingly the realisation dawns on me that's it been a rather wet day in Coventry as well. Harrison just back from a wet weekend with his Scout troop, and he will not let me watch the TV as hes watching Son of Rambo, so I am watching on my PC, 'Tanya' just rang from Wellington and does not want me to tell her whats going on in Montreal, so I inform her the Red flag is out for the moment due to rain. A quiet, but tiring day at work, even though a day off tomorrow, it will be a mad house of window glaziers fitting up all over the place!. Then into a busy week of two shifts on, one off etc. Come Sunday I will be knackered, just when Emma pops in with the 'Bambinos' to visit. Somewhere in that lot is 'Fathers Day' apparently, wonder if any one will notice?, as then we all approach Katies Birthday. Once again all go!... and what a fantastic Grand Prix!, go Button!!

An English Garden 2011

2011-06-10T10:37:00.003+01:00

Because we worked on the Garden early this year, I managed to detach a lot of Ivy that had constricted some of my trees, the 'Mulberry' responded in kind by flowering early and produced a gold mine of Berry's for the Tits, Thrushes and Pigeons, so as me and Katie wake in the mornings were greeted by a flock of Tits and all sorts munching away to their hearts content, even the odd Squirrel. This combined with the gentle breeze through the branches of the Willow at the end of the garden, almost creates a hypnotic, relaxing effect. Even more so in the sunlight.
The scene is then interrupted occasionally by the antics of our Cats, chasing a field mouse, or playing games with the Rabbit when we let him out. When not chasing insects etc, Marmaduke and noodles climb onto the garden chairs, which are covered in a sheet of plastic (thus creating a mini greenhouse)and spend their day simply sleeping. I don't care about what people say, I do envy those Cats....

Sixth of June

2011-06-07T11:02:00.012+01:00

The sixth of June is and always be a reminder of D Day. So I am led to believe theres a bit of an exhibition down at the 'Herbert Art gallery', so I might just pop in. A brief pause in my typing, as again I have just chased the rabbit around the garden as he keeps escaping from his compound, apparently he's never more happier digging his escape tunnels. So I am now wet, as its started to rain. Katie of course thinks its hilarious as she and Marmaduke admire my antics from the garden door.
Just had a Pear, diet progressing kettle on, so what to do on my day off?. Could dust of my classic '59' model 'Mir' camera?, have already cut the lawns; will play it by ear, dry out first me thinks...

'The Beatles' and my Volvo

2011-06-03T09:52:00.007+01:00

This could be an expensive day. I have John our Irish Mechanic tutting and humming and Aring about the breaks on my Volvo. Prior to spending the last 25 years in the car business, he was in the music industry, and remembers turning down the Beatles!, took the Walker bros in their place in '63' at the Orchid, as the Beatles were asking £300. God only knows they need doing,(the brakes, not the Beatles!) and I have been waiting ages, only hope I can afford it!?. Got to be done, oh the pleasures of driving.
There will be no classic Car run this year in Coventry as they are looking to re-locate and the new location will not be ready until next year. So in essence that gives me this year to work more on 'Purdy', the wheels spring to mind as I have her upgraded replacements, they just need the tyres, will see John about that also. He likes his cups of Tea...

Sunny ville

2011-06-02T08:58:00.004+01:00

But for my need to breifly pop into Town to register with an agency, my day should be clear. I have all the boys with me, and apparently the weather looks promising.I may take Purdy out onto the drive way and wax her up, although I dont see myself running her on the road this year as money, like with most people these days; is tight.
Was tempted to visit the Transport Museum yesterday, but when I saw the crowd of noisy kids, I thought better of it. Essentially I will spend a relaxing day, chasing up some of my old hobbies, and if hot enough, sit in the sunshine.

Passing Thought

2011-05-30T14:46:00.003+01:00

Sometimes, when I look in the mirror, I see my Fathers face. I was at work today, and not for the first time something has irritated me no end, and as I walked into the office, a client said to me, "you look really Disgusted!", I replied 'really!' and laughed out loud. I was never good at hiding my feelings non verbally.
When I see my miserable face sometimes I see Dad, and I wonder, did we really piss him off that much, all the time!?. If we did (there was four of us he a had to look after)I apologise, and will try to not let things get to me, I hope we brought to him more joy than irritation, and I so miss him....

Scrambled Eggs with Roger Moore

2011-05-28T11:20:00.006+01:00

Two Eggs, dash of full fat milk, salt and pepper, whisk, put in Microwave for three mins, while I put the toast on. Butter the toast with salted butter, add the now scrambled eggs; and enjoy.
You may want to add a pinch of Cayenne pepper on the eggs for taste?. So I am eating this lovely breakfast, cup of Earl Grey to which I add milk and sugar, while Katie has a lay in. Mind you I have to mention 'Captain Scotts strong blend Tea', made from his actual recipe when he went to Antarctica, not bad at all. While getting dressed this morning I pull out some socks from my draw and as I unravel them, my hand is suddenly covered with black, volcanic sand!. I turned to Katie and said what a lovely reminder of New Zealand.
Its a lazy Saturday for both of us without the kids. The weather so far is cool to cold, so un exciting really, so I may take to the sofa and catch up with one of my favorite books 'A spy has no friends' given to me by my late Father. 'Purdy' is out of petrol so I really should top her up and turn her over?, I will take my time and relax, 'The Saint' about to start on TV, cant possibly miss Roger!....

Emma does LA # 2

2011-05-27T21:03:00.005+01:00

She's only been in LA 24 hours and she's hobnobbing with the neighbours already!, a rather good actor called Joe Turkel, only been in 'The Shining' (me and Emma both big Kubrick fans) and 'Blade runner'!.
Now why, why, WHY!, should I be envious of my Emma?.... Its me that pointed her in the direction of that job!.

A Yes and No day...

2011-05-22T18:26:00.004+01:00

Yes I was determined to finish off working on my restoration of my WW2 brodie helmet. I had already decided it would be '7th Army Desert Rat'. Already prepared in desert tan paint I set about hand painting the desert rat insignia (jeraboa) took me a few hours and I stood back to admire my work accordingly. These restorations are as much about restoring a historical artifact, just as I did the American M1 helmet; as it is a hobby, and will be displayable to museum standard.
So I am looking at this insignia and I realise , really, it looks quite crap!. So had to strip it all off and re spray the helmet again. While waiting I decide to drill a third hole into my soon to be recreation of a Brit WW2 para helmet, and I drilled and drilled to no avail, the helmet was just not having any!, so I will take it to work tomorrow and butter up the maintenance guy to do it for me. Sometimes what appears to be a simple project is never easy.

Emma does Los Angeles

2011-05-18T10:48:00.003+01:00

Its now Wednesday morning and again I am sampling my first coffee of the day. Reading through the paper I see that were in for a good Tomato crop this year, as Spain has problems, and the fabulous Tracy Emin has a show on somewhere in London.
Emma contacted me a few days ago to casually inform me shes of to 'LA' shortly, cow! so I will demand a shopping list of course, theres no way she off to the city of 'lost angels' and not bringing me back some Star Trek merchandise or Americana for that matter, as you can tell like most people I am envious, she should get into acting or something while over there?...
But then I can only dream of a rich daughter whom will look after me in my old age (does she read my blog?). She could always catch up with her cousins while over there, Linsey, Ashley and Byron and I cant remember if she ever met my sister Linda?.

Eurovision 2011

2011-05-14T21:31:00.005+01:00

Cant type watching Eurovision.... Well we didn't do that badly!, better than Nil points!? Azerbaijan Eh?, could be worst, and as for the French entry that was tipped to win!, I think not. The Germans managed a superb production to their credit, but their actual entry for this year a load of bollocks!.I regret to say to my shame that Estonia's entry was also pretty dire, god knows what they were smoking when they wrote that one?.

Cant Sleep!

2011-05-11T04:54:00.003+01:00

Just cant sleep, crawled out of bed at 03.30 and tried not to wake Katie. To many things on my mind I guess. Why is it that sleep and tiredness always catch up with us at work?, not when you want it to?. Actually the reason is I ate late tonight, chicken Kiev's with fries. So I was laying in bed trying to get back to sleep by counting to a hundred, then as I get to '61' the year I was born, the the summer of '76' American Bi-centennial, the Silver jubilee '77' etc I realise how all the years have flown by!!, Christ!, what did I do in the eighties?, and as for the nineties?!, so I examine things further, well you had the kids, big chunk of your life just disappeared there I rationalise; then the divorce, a painful five years in which I muddled through. So now have Katie and the boys in my life and am about to hit Fifty, PANIC!....

Obama does it again!...

2011-05-04T09:12:00.003+01:00

Well you have got to laugh really, no really!. do the Americans have any insight into how they are perceived on the world stage, or is it just their President?. Ive said it before, nobody likes to see a man hunted down like a wild animal, evidently Mr Obama thinks otherwise.
This week he congratulated his armed forces, actually the US Seals whom managed a modest mission to kill an unarmed man, after only eight months of planning. I could have done the same job with less men and a bunch of squaddies in the same time frame. He also congratulated the CIA on their excellent intelligence, it only took them ten years to find him!. And then to satiate the conspiracy theorists whom have been saying for years Osama is dead, he orders the body buried at sea!!...
So this is how America works?, they were dancing in Times square chanting "USA USA" just like Saddam used to do with his mobs in Iraq, it was an uncomfortable and un-dignified parallel for the American people, and you wonder, is this what an American president has to do to get re-elected?.
Last week William and Kate got married, and the American networks were going on about our famous 'British reserve'; well, feel free to borrow some....

Well.. we finally cracked!

2011-04-28T22:25:00.003+01:00

So despite our patience we couldn't wait any longer and we both dived into the royal wedding pork pie this evening.... mmmmm most Delicious, slightly spicy. So tomorrows the big day Eh?, well, tried to talk him out of it, but would he listen?, of course not,their so in love.
I suspect they will really make a better go of it than Charles and Di, you can tell, different generation. I really wish them the best of luck on their exciting journey, I know Emma will be in the crowds watching, and I will be hanging up a flag or two outside our home in Coventry.

Easter Friday

2011-04-22T10:14:00.005+01:00

Its a beautiful day in the city centre of Coventry. Its also relatively devoid of traffic and pedestrians, this means that I can sit in our garden and hear the whistle of the birds and the sounds of the Willow above me; there is one person a few houses away presently using a Power tool outdoors, he will not have long to live...
Emma over today, a flying visit from the 'Big Smoke', lots to tell no doubt, catch up on the gossip. Harry just rang, sounds in good spirits, apparently equally hot in Barcelona. Must pick up some hot cross buns, boys arnt keen, however you can get chocolate ones Katie tells me. Pollen count high, so were both suffering, they don't seem to be mentioning this much on the news?.
Last night had to call in Doodles , Marmaduke's brother who's staying with us for a week; so I do the usual Cat whistle, within a few minutes am surrounded by Cats!, its kind of freaky as they stand their looking at you in the semi dark, grabbed Doodles and ran in...

Elizabeth Sladen

2011-04-20T10:23:00.004+01:00

Like most people on my age the seventies were a high point for us Dr Who fans, and the most successful of his assistants was perhaps 'Sarah Jane Smith' one of the first of his assistants with attitude, or was it more 'hissy' fits to get her way?.
Am pleased that this present generation of kids have enjoyed her show, and along with Jo grant whom made an appearance on her show (looks like a marsh mellow these days) they were fabulous assistants, Elizabeth Sladen passed on with cancer this week, she will be missed.

Union Jack cushions and Oregano

2011-04-15T09:28:00.004+01:00

I have taken a couple of days off work as I am exhausted. I have been tired and stressed out very much like most of my colleagues, which is what you tend to find when working for a company which is essentially disloyal.
So I have woken up this particular morning and the sun is struggling to get out, and as I look in the bathroom mirror, my heavily laden eyes are turning to a light grey, so I must be re-couperating. I am slowly beginning to remember what it was like to be re energised, on my second cup of coffee and am babysitting the boys. I may wander into Town, purchase some of those delightful Union Jack cushion covers, depends how I feel, and if the boys have behaved enough to earn a McDonalds.
Why do we end up working for shit companies?. It does not really make any difference if their big organisations like BUPA or small companies,their all pretty much the same at the end of the day, no genuine interest in Psychiatry or person centred care, and certainly no interest in their staff, which is so ironic as the two elements have to co exist together in health care, in fact its almost symbiotic.
I didn't always want to be a Nurse, I wanted to be(not a Lumberjack sic Monty Python)but one of the 'Men from Uncle'. I always felt I could make a great Ilya Kuriakin, then if that didn't work out, I could be Jim Rockford and drive a Pontiac fire bird, but 'twas all to naught' and I ended up being a damn good psychiatric nurse, in a profession that society does not care about, fighting the good fight for no sensible reason at all, if only that somebody should stand up to these idiots whom pretend to care about the Demented through their thin tissue of lies. God is that my epitaph?!.
Perhaps I should jump on a plane to Libya and help those poor rebels overthrow Gadaffi, fire off a few round from a AK 47 and throw in some grenades, then home just in time for the Royal Wedding. Alternatively will kick my heels around the garden, put up a hanging basket and plant some Oregano, much safer....

Me and Bob Wagner...

2011-04-12T19:41:00.009+01:00

Chores to do, such as, Power wash garden wall, wash and, fit new hand break handle on Purdie, nip down to the Tip with Max, sort out my Rota for Katie, do lunch for the boys, then a couple of hours doing work on 'Red' and finally Boys tea!.
This is my day off. Now on the Vodka!. Half listening to'Kung Fu the legend continues', before the start of 'Unsolved Mysteries'(am hopelessly addicted). Rice is cooking to go with the chili, Katie not eating, which suggests a diet?. Had a weird dream the other night, so must tell you about it. They were making a film in Coventry (not for the first time) so I am in town and Robert Wagner and some bird (not sure it was Liz Taylor) do this big entre at the back of Primark near Pizza Hut Lots of flash bulbs etc, then I am walking past Pool Meadow and I bump into Stuart Damon, who gives me the wink as if to say yes it is me from the 'Champions', and I havent aged a bit!, then as I walk up Trinity Street I bump into Henry Fonda!, so I ask him whats going on, and he says, "this is a happening place at the moment as their making a Film". All of this on Vodka!.

Slightly De hydrated..

2011-04-06T09:38:00.004+01:00

As I did consume a moderate amount of Scotch last night. Day off today and I have the company of Harrison as he apparently vomited last night, he still has to do his homework of course, even the cat vomited last night!. Something going around I wonder?.
Sometimes when your stressed you become weary of people ruining your precious day off, when all you want to do is relax. Last week for example I had a call from Plod about a non event which occurred at a facility in 2008!. Cheered me up no end that did. So I am a little weary of what may ruin my day off. 'Ben and Jerry' is on offer at Morrisons, £2.00 a tub. Not for me of course, but may wander over to the adjacent B&Q to pick up some mortar mix and do a mini shop. Picked up a hardback edition of 'Bear Island' from the market yesterday which I might have a stab at today, as I re hydrate, I am sure lots of possibilities will present itself.
On a lighter note Mr Bubble a singer of some reknown and whom Katie adores, got married the other day while some chaps broke into his apartment!, cheered me up no end!....

You know I am not well.....

2011-04-01T08:40:00.003+01:00

I have tried to tell Katie, but she supposes it to be a hangover. Truth is i am feeling a little nauseous and have intermittent neck pain come headache, as well as struggling a little with my apple blossom allergy. Even so still managed to change the oil on the Volvo yesterday, had to use the old 'screwdriver in the oil filter' technique. Not so bad today, but still there. Odd day today, I have to sort out a legal matter this afternoon which remains an inconvenience to me professionally. Then pick up Taylor from school. Tonight I may go Kentucky fried chicken (oh the thrill) only because I am busy. Tomorrow must pick up some mortar mix and look at pointing up part of the garden wall adjacent to Katies new Rose bed. No rest for the wicked.
Oh god! get Harrisons present!

Glorious Day Off

2011-03-24T10:49:00.003Z

And once again the weather is with me. I intend to do very little today, have not long got back form seeing Harrisons school assembly on American Music, he has an interesting drum technique. So I had no lay in as such, am eating a bacon and egg sandwich and despite my preparations I still manage to get ketchup on my lovely white 'Wrangler' denim shirt!.
Mmmmm coffee tastes good!. Will plant Katies shrubs and herbs in the garden today, but really that is all. Got a DVD from town on the 1944 'Ardennes offensive', will sit down to that, and a large packet of slightly salted crisps on stand by. Max is shortly off to college, so house all to myself, bags the sofa!.

What did you do in the sixties Dad?....

2011-03-23T09:40:00.007Z

Well, now you mention it son, I was being born!. In the year I was born man first went into space. To be more specific Yuri Gagarin, the supreme example of 'Homo Sovieticus', all five feet two inches of him (and dare I forget the first woman Valentina Tereshkova) Yuri became an instant celebrity world wide, popped over to Manchester in the summer of 1961 and had dinner with the queen on the way (and touched her knee! steady on!!). Were approaching his 50th anniversary of this amazing space flight, so this year to I become fifty. I must go to London and see the statue they will be unveiling to this hero of the Soviet Union, an exact replica of one they have in Russia, even artificially aged to match. Do we ever really get time to recognise real hero's anymore?, I wonder.....

A lovely Sunny Day

2011-03-19T13:15:00.003Z

All of my last few days off have been in the Garden. Coming from a New Zealand summer, your immediately in Garden Mode, so this year I have started early, and with luck, as today is wonderfully sunny. I have a massive amount of Holly to shift which is an absolute pain, along with dragging huge bags of the stuff down to the Coventry tip.
Trees trimmed, cat in the garden, rabbit in the garden!. Boys just left with their dad, so hopefully a relaxing evening with Katie, as this afternoon, on a late shift...

Reflections on New Zealand 2011

2011-03-17T19:11:00.016Z

What a journey it was, I had the pleasures of the Planetarium (they do a wonderful presentation with our own Ewan McGregor doing the voice over) and Botanical gardens in Wellington, the entertaining 'Southwards' Car museum on the way to New Plymouth where I discovered (apart from some well maintained Coventry cars) what happened to the car in Woody Allens classic film 'The Sleeper'?. Along with a limo that once belonged to Marlene Dietrich.
New Zealand is a wonderful place of contrasts, you discover the gastronomic delights of 'Mince meat on toast'!which I first experienced in its basic form in a likable pub called 'The Shepherds Arms' in Wellington,(good Cider on tap) be aware the 'Metre de' will collect your plates before you finish!, and then a more sophisticated form in I think it was Island Bay. The Sierra coffee house in Wellington, they do a reasonable potato and bacon cake, and ice chocolate frappes, its also good for people watching (odd side salad with peanuts in?). 'Cosa Nostra' on the Tinakori Road was wonderfully cosy on our last night where I had spaghetti with green lipped Clams,Calamari, tomatoes and mussels; again I can only recommend it. Then for your breakfast, I suggest the Cracked Pepper cafe, on Victoria avenue Wanganui, 'your breakfast specialists'. Scorcher Bay remains my favorite for now, but there are so many more. I would love to return one day, really explore the national Parks, the South Island; and Christchurch in recovery, visited by Prince William this very day.
If you have the chance do visit New Zealand, it deserves your patronage, and you will not be disappointed.

Japan

2011-03-15T17:04:00.013Z

I would suspect the events in Christchurch pales into insignificance when I look at the images of Japan.Thousands of people dead, hundreds of thousands homeless; looking at the TV it's like a Hollywood disaster movie. Its all so overwhelming, never mind the potential for Nuclear disaster.Where is their emperor God now I wonder?.
Multiple Nuclear reactors in a Earthquake zone do not mix. Will Japan ever fully recover?, time will tell. Everything appears Pacific orientated these past months, first Australia, then New Zealand and now Japan, this is more than a disaster, it has the real potential to be a Nuclear tragedy at that.
That said as I write this entry I realise something quite personal. I do not like Japan. I dislike it as a nation, not for its people necessarily. You see, and this may sound like an old view, but I have not forgiven them for what they did to our troops, and their own people in WW2. They idolised and abused their own belief system in the 'Samurai' and the concept of Bushido for their own means. They created twenty thosands scientists for their own germ warfare program and carried out live vivisection on Chinese victims, whom they reffered to as 'logs'. They lied to their own women and children whom threw themselves off cliffs rather than surrender with real dignity to the American troops. They worship an Emperor whom they regard as a God, and followed his instruction, and above all else, they have never apologised for what they did. Lest we forget, never, forgive?, possibly, but that starts with real change and them seeking forgiveness.
When I saw the manager of the Nuclear plant crying his eyes out when having finally admitting to the mess he was in after their deceit to his own people, and the world, I realised somethings never change. Perhaps God is making a statement?.....

Sort of half way home...

2011-02-26T04:26:00.004Z

Sitting in a cyber cafe at Daresalaam airport (Brunei International), we've hi jacked the tourist information area, which appears to have been abandoned. Were here for a 12 hour flight stop over, so we have camped overlooking the foyer, and stocked up on crisps, and Australian ginger beer. Were a mere stones throw from the Chinese sea, the sun is shining, and the occasional exotic butterfly floats in to camp to cool down.
Next stop will be Dubai, a tedious sterile place, then finally Heathrow on Sunday morning; were praying Max has kept the house tidy, and it will be good to see him again.

All good things...

2011-02-24T21:09:00.005Z

Tonight were catching the 10.35. plane from Wellington to Auckland and begin our great journey home. Its thirty plus hours in all, where once again we become authorities on the Boeing 777, and the thrill of in flight food. As like most people returning home to Blighty in February, you just have to ask yourself why?.
New Zealand in a wonderful country of contrasts, one moment you could be in Monterrey California, the next Hawaii, or as you drive along its Surf Highway, the English countryside in the height of summer; but always in the South Pacific. We have been very privileged to have our Summer early this year.

Christchurch Earthquake

2011-02-22T21:10:00.006Z

Petone is a quite long road in part of Wellington, its here you will find the second hand shops, Antique shops and Army surplus, which me and the boys certainly enjoyed. Our visit was interrupted by news of the Earthquake in Christchurch. The situation is grim, their Earthquake last September was free of injuries, but this time, initially their are 65 dead; I fear there will be more. Its even more strange when an event like this occures in the heart of the city, reporters running yards from their offices to film the post events, then the impact sinks in, people are really dead this time, the powers out, and people whom are trapped in the buildings are texting their situations. A significant number of people are still trapped as I type this entry. The residents of Christchurch refused to sleep in their houses last night, despite them being declared clear, they were in fear of further tremors. Its been raining heavy, rescue teams are working around the clock, and they have arrived from all around the world.
Looking at the images of the affected area in the business district of Christchurch it looks as if a bomb has gone off; people are just not used to this, small tremor's yes, but not this; and you can see it in their faces.

New Zealand Adventures

2011-02-20T05:11:00.005Z

This weekend we decamped to Ahu Ahu which is roughly a four hour drive from Wellington, across their 'surf highway'. Were staying at a group of Villas over looking to our right, Mount Taranaki (where they filmed the last Samuri) to our left in into the infinite we also overlook Okura Bay, its a black sand beach, and yes, it does burn your feet!.
Were are here for Tanya and Andrews wedding, which took place overlooking the bay. The best way I can describe this place is like a smaller version of the Robin Masters estate in 'Magnum'. Its stunning, combined with the sea breezes, southern pacific sunshine for this Coventry kid, this is surly heaven.....

Island Bay

2011-02-16T20:56:00.004Z

Yesterday we drove down to Island Bay. I grabbed the opportunity to Kayake out into the bay among the moored fishing boats. We then visited the 'Bach Cafe', Bach is a New Zealand word for small beach house; I tried their Bach Chowder, served with green lipped mussels,and bread, on the side, it was superb!, I recommend this place to one and all, their seafood is fantastic,and a fabulous view over the Bay. We then made our way down to Carluccis crazy golf,its a course punctuated with great big pieces of Iron ware rusting gently in the sun, which was great fun. I came a respectable third.... Pictures to follow I promise.

New Zealand

2011-02-11T05:28:00.005Z

I am typing as more forehead burns from to much sun!. I did not actively seek it!!. We arrived in Auckland to the sound of their local 'Cicadas' its there form of crickets which are higher in frequency, and louder the hotter the weather gets. The humidity in Auckland is impressive, so we caught our last plane (the fourth) to Wellington. I have discovered as you enter the Mount Victoria tunnel, you have to beep your horn to scare off the 'trolls', this I liked immediately. Martin freeman has just arrived in New Zealand to film the 'hobbit', while Peter Jackson recovers from his ulcer at home, we drove passed his old home yesterday on our way to the Miramar, and our visit to 'wetta' studios, Tanya informs me that the winding road I am driving down was featured in 'The Frighteners' so cool!.
Important facts, the 'Subways' in this country has the same New York wallpaper as ours, but instead of Blue its Gold!, they also have different breads; they don't have Banana milkshake in McDonalds, but they do a Lime and Caramel,they drive on the left side of the road, and their currency has the queen on....

New Zealand calling...

2011-02-04T08:13:00.006Z

One of the consolations of flying off to New Zealand for a few weeks is the fact that I am getting away from the constant bombardment of the obnoxious Chris Evans!. Other things I will not miss is the cold weather, (the winds are buffeting my house this morning) along with insincere and irrelevant tabloid headlines, and the morning race to work in my car.
Its my first visit to the Pacific. In fact my first visit anywhere outside Europe. I imagine a quite different lifestyle, and the opportunity to wander the coasts and beautiful terrain, the culinary fayre and the chance to meet a new culture, I have never met a Maori!. Not forgetting of course the whole 'Lord of the Rings' experience!.
The kids will be high as kites in the morning, I will miss Maximus, whom will be in charge while were gone, he referes to it as his 'The Shining' moment!. So all's well, my next entry will be from New Zealand.

John Barry

2011-01-31T21:29:00.005Z

Today I learned of the passing of another great, the singular John Barry. When I was a teenager and all the kids were out buying Saturday night fever, one of the very first Albums I ever bought with my valuable fiver from Owen Owens was 'The Persuaders' by JB.
My father was into Mantovani and James Last so in a way he introduced me to big bands and Orchestra. So I fell in love with his film scores, after a while , and in his later years you could always recognise his style, from Bond, the Quiller Memorandum, King Kong, our of Africa, the list was endless.
In the early years he and Micheal Caine shared a flat together, and he was so talented, the worst band he ever worked with, 'Ah Ha', his favorite artist, Louis Armstrong.

Cold Nights at the Curry house.

2011-01-29T15:19:00.002Z

We near froze to death last night as we walked across Spon Street to 'Tumeric Gold'. It finely got down to a lovely minus 3 degrees last night and as Katie had pulled the quilt over to her side of the bed, I gave up trying to sleep and made myself a cup of tea. In all fairness to the sexy one, my stomach was not in the best of moods, complimented by two pints of lager and lime, on top of the Curry.
So now my heating is on and I am still finding it hard to warm up!. Will light the fire in the study I think, followed by a few scotchs perhaps?. Well the slow realisation and dawning of true excitement is slowly kicking in, were about to go on Holiday!, the great adventure begins, New Zealand awaits us all, its also their Summer.

Holiday

2011-01-27T11:20:00.005Z

Well firstly its perhaps important that the Irish side of my family know that Emma really isnt pregnant by a Taliban gipsy!, it was a joke; as I rapidly explained to my Mum yesterday!. In fact shes working for some actress come writer in London and could not be happier. Yesterday and for that matter the last few days of worry, finally culminated with my Katie attending the 'Gyne' clinic at Walsgrave Hospital for an investigation, with reassuring results I must say. I really dont know what all the fuss was about as I explained to her and her sister, "I have a laser pen upstairs, I can do you now and get it over with!" they looked at me scornfully.
In between running around and work, in a week or so me Katie and the boys will be on Holiday, the Holiday of a lifetime perhaps?. I will keep you all updated, and try and update my blog when I can, especially with pics if I can master it!. I am the sort of person that can go on a Holiday, enjoy it immensley, and hardly say a word about it when I get back, unlike some other people I know.

Cold Mornings in the Metropolis

2011-01-20T11:15:00.004Z

When you are tempted to simply stay in bed. But I didn't, and saw the boys off to school with a friendly wave from my cold porch. The sun is out above the great City of Coventry, and its damn cold. Just fed Max the left over spag bol with mushrooms from yesterday, and along with my back up mobile phone, wished him well also on his way to college. Marmaduke is running around the garden as I watch, while warming my hands on my first cup of Earl Grey for the day.
Katie has put up a lovely assortment of bird feeders in the garden, but it does occur to me that our garden and the adjacent ones are more than saturated with there fair share of Cats!, so I cant really see the Tits getting a look in?.
The president of America is busy brown nosing the Chinese I see on the BBC news, and the very real tragedy of the Rice boys in the Australian floods is counter balanced by two teenage idiots on their surf boards drinking beer while paddling in the flood waters of Queensland celebrating their good luck?. I feel immense sympathy for the good people of Queensland, while at the same time ask why did this have to happen?.
So in reality things could be a lot worst in our lives, so we should all remain positive if possible, and start this fractious year as we mean to finish.

'He orchestrates the dance of my Habitate'.

2011-01-19T16:19:00.007Z

A slogan chalked on a wall in Manor Rd in Coventry. Lots of deep meanings to be drawn from such a statement. A reference to our government, or even a personal relationship?. More than likely the re-development of the adjacent 'Friars gate' in Coventry. A development with no real consultation with us, the public.

Chicken Chasseur

2011-01-19T13:35:00.004Z

Tonight its a French recipe, have you ever pondered on the singular smell that is an Onion?, and the skills we need to slice and dice it?. Its one of the pleasures that makes cooking fun. If you chop to fast, under the delusion that your a professional cook, you will invariably cut your finger. January should always be a month for dieting, so as I wait for my six o'clock meal, you begin to re-awaken your interest in the art of real cooking, its smells and tastes, you simply appreciate your food even more; its a little like being back at school again, and your first lessons in Domestic Science.
So tonight the boys are at their fathers, am relatively alone with Katie, Max will no doubt be about, usually upstairs on the PlayStation.I have just awoke a memory of Harry asking me how to fry an Egg, he was only 18 at the time!, the next thing you know he's holding an SA 80 and shooting the Taliban.

What a Week!

2011-01-15T13:25:00.006Z

Primarily exhausting, so now am attempting to relax with a Chicken al orange for supper already prepared for later. Am not really enjoying working with this new manager, shes a bit of a Dinosaur, she holds these stupid daily meetings in the middle of the morning drug round, her own sort of 'Camelot', quite irritating to say the least, I suggested a protocol for managing a challenging client yesterday, she shot it down with bliss full ignorance, so I simply said, "well we will just have to agree to disagree" I suspect it pissed her off, it wasn't intentional on my part, she challenged my expertise, and I responded; perhaps it's about time this woman was taken down a peg or two?. Shes got no idea what shes doing!.

Like I care, my annual leave is confirmed, and all's well will enjoy my Holiday, while processing more favorable job positions in the meantime. Am on a Diet again! bloody hell, must get in shape for holiday...

Things I promised myself..

2011-01-04T22:07:00.002Z

Things I promised myself I would not do in 2011. Ditched reading the 'Daily Mail' on line. Stopped taking the BBC news service seriously. Avoid GQ magazine (have you seen this months edition on Romeo Beckham?). Totally try to ignore the American Government, Obama so pisses me off. But above all else, if the people whom I work for don't measure up, and do their jobs properly, then 'Fuck em!' and move on.
New Year, New Attitude.

Year of the Rabbit

2010-12-31T18:18:00.000Z

Australia opens our new year with its usual colonial pomp. Right now were nibbling on a cold buffet, the kids seem happy enough, and I continue to lust after my gorgeous Katie. Covered myself head to toe in mud earlier using the pressure washer, its never a quick job!, and you forget how wet you get. 2010 a year to remember?, I guess so but a controversial one of failed governments, selfish bankers, and arrogant American policy. On which I essentially have not enjoyed, with one exception; with the woman and family I love moving into our new family home. Lets all move forward in 2011, lets give these bastards a great big kick in the balls.
Happy New Year everybody.

Daniel dates Rachel

2010-12-28T07:58:00.004Z

Woke up to headlines that Daniel Craig is dating Rachel Weitz which is not fair as I fancied her since seeing her in 'Enemy at the Gate'. Well Rachel, hes probably got more make up products in his cupboard than you have, and hes a crap Bond anyway! Bitch, Bitch.
Weather improving thank god, am finding it a little hard to re-adjust to long days again, but will get there. Boys at their dads for most of the week, so have the joy of coming home to a less stressed Katie at the end of the day. If I don't get the chance to say, Happy New Year everybody.

Dreaming of a White Christmas

2010-12-24T19:08:00.002Z

Well, by any definition we have one. Back working in Stratford we have been visited by beautiful Winter scenes, low temperatures and fabulous Icicles!. To every body, every where, who ever you are, Incarcerated, Exhausted, Contented, Busy; may I take the opportunity to wish you all a Happy Christmas, and fabulous New Year. And with no apologies to the late, great Dave Allen.
'May your God be with you'.

Emma Pregnant by Taliban Gypsy!..

2010-12-23T20:28:00.003Z

Just to get the attention of one of Emmas ex- boyfriend whom claims my sense of humour has deteriorated!?. Should I be offended?, its been a busy few months you know!. Classic joke #1. Guy in hospital gets a visit from Doctor, "I have some good news and some bad news!, Ok Doc" he says Bad news First.. Tomorrow morning your going down to theatre and I will cut off both your legs!, Christ!" he exclaims , after a while he calms down, and the good news?... " Well the Doctor says, you see that blonde Nurse over there by the drugs trolley, yes" he says, "Well I am going to Fuck her tonight"!!!.

Merry Christmas Mr Manning

2010-12-18T11:12:00.006Z

I suspect its going to be a rushed week, so I will not forget that this Christmas holds a certain poignancy for some. Mr Assange has been released on bail in England, and can fight his good fight. However Bradley Manning remains incarcerated in an American jail somewhere. He's not a traitor in my opinion, their is no redefinition of status or classification when it comes to ethics and the truth, and time will reveal that to be so. So my thoughts are with you Mr Manning. There are many of us outside your four walls thinking of you.

Cold Post and incompetent schools

2010-12-17T17:56:00.003Z

That's what you get at Christmas in a cold snap, Just got home to find a item delivered from Oregon got her quicker than a local item I have yet to receive!. Then Katie forgot her Mobile, and the school of course texted to say pick up the kids early!, she didn't, they weren't, and yet the roads are fine so their interpretation of adverse weather conditions in 'Stoke', of course is a load of Bollocks!,and has no doubt pissed off an awful lot of parents!. More the teachers wanted to get off early to shop, or simply never turned up more likely, you may have gathered, I dislike the teaching profession, I find it as distasteful as our Politicians, Solicitors, Estate Agents etc.
So its minus 2 outside, I hope the rabbit and the Guinea Pig are OK it's gone six and no kids or Katie!, should I panic?. A finally their home!!....

Home Sweet Home

2010-12-13T10:14:00.008Z

Our 'House' is more like a Warehouse!.If you put down your coffee cup, you may not find it!. The Cat is here somewhere?. This weekend Katie and the boys finally moved in, and weve been so busy, the house is choc a block with her gear, the rabbits in the garden, and today I have to pick up 'Red' before the cold snap returns.
I could not be any more Happier!.

Heating on... Cup a Soup in hand.

2010-12-10T12:44:00.005Z

Kettle boiling, shall I risk a Cuppa soup? (more like cup of sludge!), they can leave a fouls taste in ones mouth?. Emma left this morning for a week in London, she can have her moments, but you do tend to miss them when they go. My Princess Katie was as sick as a Dog yesterday, so watched over the poor thing. Its either Viral or a brewing infection?. Will have to see, but does her no favours as the move is imminent this weekend. I could not believe it when she crawled back into bed with me yesterday morning, "I don't know how I managed to drive here?" she croaked. In the mean time 'Marmaduke' appears to have developed a frown since he was done, enough said.
There are things I should do today, try and contact some scrap merchants to collect the old dishwasher for one, and move some furniture about. It will be all hands to the deck on Saturday, sofas being lugged about etc. The van is hired, space at the 'tip' booked, so once the bulk of it is done, we can all relax a bit. Still have to figure out what to do with 'Red'?. Must find some place to store her. Tip of the week, don't ever drink the last mouth full of a 'Cup a Soup'!... really, do not.

Julian Assange' Hero'

2010-12-08T09:24:00.006Z

There are moments in our lives when Politics becomes unavoidable, not many, but there are moments. One of these Epiphany's is the case of Mr Julian Assange, he is the mastermind as it were, responsible in part for 'Wikileaks'. Wikileaks is a mechanism born of the computer age, a mechanism for whistle blowers all around the world. While deemed as controversial, it has one objective, where possible, to tell the truth about whats really happening in our world. Truths we've always suspected, but needed confirming, and truths we did not even know about. Naturally the warped mentality and duplicitous governments of ours find Mr Assange a bit of an inconvenience. So American politicians demand he be killed!, British politicians sit quietly on the fence, as their reputations crumble. And we the public are subjected to a constant barrage of biased politically motivated press statements informing us this man is Evil, yet managing to publish his allegations of course, well done Mr Murdoch.
As intelligent people we have matured beyond believing every thing our governments say, and especially every thing the press prints.
To me, Julian Assange is a modern day hero, he may not think so himself, however, he and 'Wikilealks' are actually making history. Because as we realise our political systems can no longer cope with this new century, we all have to decide where to go from here, and that starts with people telling the truth.

'Facta non Verba'

Realisation

2010-12-08T00:08:00.002Z

Sometimes you just have one of those moments. Its late and I was doing my best to help Katie wash Taylor's football kit bag, she had just done his mud covered boots. I was thinking how lucky these boys are, in my day we just shoved our filthy boots in our school bag and headed home.
Its then that I had a flashback, I remembered I was in the sports hall at Whitley Abbey, being bollocked out by Mr Kemp in front of my piers, because my white PE kit, especially my pumps, were filthy. He was right of course, they were; but they would be as Mum was never around to sort these things out, I sort of had to improvise. I guess nobody told Mr Kemp that?. Kids today, don't know how fortunate they are. And sometimes perhaps neither do I as Katie has put up with so many of my acquired bad habits over the years, all born of my 'improvising', time for change, and for the better.

Cold Snaps and Stargazing with Patrick Moore

2010-12-06T21:04:00.005Z

Were into a cold snap yet again in Coventry. As I look out of the windows the cars on the street are all frozen over with that wonderful glittering powder of ice crystals. Yet its very deceptive, though while beautiful its fiercely cold and potentially lethal out there. So I am compensating for this extreme of weather by putting some fish and chips in the oven, with mushy peas of course; to lift ones soul.
Was on EBAY earlier and had this sudden compulsion to bid on something I always promised myself as a kid, a Astronomical Telescope!. In our day they were absurdly expensive, so in a way I am trying to recapture my youth full imagination, to gaze upon the moon once again and to dream a little. When I was a teenager I always tried to catch Patrick Moore in 'The Sky at Night' and still love the show to this day, what a hero!. I could involve the boys of course, if their interested that is, being the computer generation, they maybe beyond simple Astronomy; but not in this bloody cold weather!!.