Should I be Scared of 2012

The short answer is no; no you shouldn't be concerned about this particular year any more than you would be about any other year. The idea that the year 2012 is predestined to be the year in which the earth is destroyed is complete and utter nonsense. But if that's true then why are so many people, apparently, so concerned about this particular year? The major reason why this date gave us a truly spectacular film and why it gives rise to such concern is because of a lot of ill informed hype. 2012 is another example of the internet's power to "uneducate" people. Now the Internet is without doubt the greatest "potential" educator there has ever been. It puts the worlds libraries in everyone's home. Unfortunately it also allows every ill-informed crackpot in the world access to those same homes. 2012, as everyone who's already seen the film knows, is the year in which the Mayan calendar completes its 5,125 year cycle. According to Mayan legends (please note that word - legends) the end of the cycle signals the end of the World. Now, if this in itself wasn't bad enough, 2012 has also been hijacked by the proponents of Planet X or "Nibiru" as it's also known. Planet X was supposed to unleash untold destruction upon the earth in 2003 but when this didn't happen and 2003 passed without incident "planetxers" searched for another significant date they could hook their theory on. 2012 was only 9 years different and in cosmologcal terms this is a mere blink of an eye so they decided that, hey they must have miscalculated and that Nibiru was actually due in 2012 not 2003.

Messed About Really

Done little or nothing today; didn't wake up until 2Pm and only then because the TV had been left on, a World Cup match had come on and the noise of those stupid bloody horns woke me up. I was totally bemused for quite a number of minutes trying to work out where the bees were! Besides that I've messed around with on line sites that let you make your own election posters. i only did this because I had tried on my suit to see whether it still fitted me (it did after 10 years it's looser around the waist than when I first bought it) because Deb has received three invitations to attend events at Brockington College, where she is now a Governor, and one of the requires formal dress. The ONLY formal dress I possess is my one and only suit hence my trying it on for size. Having never seen me in a suit or anything approaching formal clothing before Han was fascinated and so that was when we started taking pictures and after they were uploaded that's when I started thinking about messing about with these photos on-line...wasn't that a flip of along sentence! After I'd done mineI did a Tory poster for each of the kids too and they can be seen below:

Vote 4 Me - You know it makes Sense

The politics of failure have failed. 

We need to make them work again. 

Tomorrow,when you are sealed in the voting cubicle, 

I look forward to an orderly election which will 

eliminate the need for a violent blood bath.

Deep Face Book Final Response : Tina Turns Nasty

Re: Turf
sorry pal, thanks for bothering..I can't even read you on your own beliefs..just cuz you don't believe in something doesn't take it out of existence..you're brainwashed by bullshit..so thanks anyways..we have nothing further to say to each other..please don't bother to reply again..

I think she's missed my point. My non belief doesn't affect it's existence. I don't believe it because ALL the Evidence shows that it DOESN'T exist.
"just cuz you don't believe in something doesn't take it out of existence"
No No NO NO NO
Just because you DO believe doesn't BRING it into existence. Your belief or my non belief has no effect on whether or not something is real.
Instead to responding to my points she launches an ad hominem attack -  hence the "you're brainwashed by bullshit".
Well if I am brainwashed isn't it your duty as a compassionate human being to continue this conversation in order to show me where I've gone wrong and how I've been brainwashed; why turn nasty?
Is it because you know you're regurgitating Internet conspiracy crap? I regularly get sent an email by a conartist who tries to make me pay him/her for advice based on their "knowledge" of Numerology and Astrology. If they think it's true and want my cash they it's up to them to prove it. Ditto The Nibiru Collision and the very existence of Nibiru and other Fantasy Planets 
It's not for me to disprove them it's for those who claim them to be real to show me the evidence they base this belief on. If I'm going to tell you to believe in and worship the Celestial Teapot then it's up to me to prove that the teapot does in fact exist! Ditto Nibiru; prove it's really there because astronomers can't!!!
Brief Synopsis

The Nibiru collision is a supposed encounter between the Earth and a large planetary object (either a collision or a near-miss) which certain groups believe will take place in the early 21st century. Believers in this doomsday event usually refer to this object as Planet X or Nibiru. The idea that a planet-sized object could possibly come near Earth in the near future is not supported by any scientific evidence and has been roundly rejected as pseudoscience by astronomers and planetary scientists.

The idea was first proposed in 1995 by Nancy Lieder, founder of the website ZetaTalk. Lieder describes herself as a contactee with the ability to receive messages from extra-terrestrials from the Zeta Reticuli star system through an implant in her brain. She states that she was chosen to warn mankind that the object would sweep through the inner Solar System in May 2003 (though that date was later abandoned) causing Earth to undergo a pole shift that would destroy most of humanity. The predicted collision has subsequently spread beyond Lieder's website and has been embraced by numerous internet doomsday groups, most of which link the event to the 2012 phenomenon. Although the name "Nibiru" is derived from the works of ancient astronaut writer Zecharia Sitchin and his interpretations of Babylonian and Sumerian mythology, Sitchin himself denies any connection between his work and various claims of a coming apocalypse.

Further In-Depth Face Book Discussions

Tina Jewel 10 June at 23:56 Report

have you ever heard of Niburu? I believe climate change is affected by that and the effects of man are really, minimal..the climate changed before we came along and while we have been here and it will change again..there isn't much we can do..I'm all for polluting less or not at all ..but I don't really believe in over population..I believe in supression of resources..we have everything we need..but those who control the matrix haven't made it easy for simple solutions to reach the masses..I believe reality is much more surprising and supportive than we have been lead to believe..

Me 14 June at 03:38

I'm afraid that choosing "not to believe" in “something” has no affect whatsoever on whether or not that “something” is or is not correct.
It is never a question of choice it is always a question of evidence; hence those people who choose to believe in Biblical Creationism and deny or ignore the evidence of evolution do nothing to prove creationism and falsify evolution.
Their choice does not effect the FACT that Creationism, in all it's varying forms, is nonsense and evolution is a fact (by which I mean a Scientific Theory - NOT HYPOTHESIS - that has stood the challenge of falsification for over 150 years - that's as close as anything gets to being a fact in this Popperian Universe)
Re: Niburu; yes I have heard of Niburu and it's a complete load of hogwash; just like Big-foot, 2012 (yes I’m aware of the 2012/Niburu link) Crop Circles, 9/11 conspiracies, God(s)* and other such irrational nonsense.
Re: Niburu in particular I refer you to the following articles (http://bit.ly/1Zvcgj - Niburu and the End of the World) and (http://bit.ly/2NT5Mc - Astronomical Pseudo-Science: A Skeptic's Resource List point 11. On Nibiru and Doomsday 2012).
There is no one controlling “The matrix - whatever that is" there's no ZOG** or Illuminati conspiracies etc. If only there were, problems would be so much simpler to solve, but then that's the appeal of conspiracies, isn't it, the idea that there is at least “Someone” who has control.
I don’t mean to be offensive but Niburu is complete and utter nonsense of the first order…Sorry

*other than, of course, the Flying Spaghetti Monster and the Invisible Pink Unicorn …blessed be her Holy Hooves
** Zionist Occupation Government

Re: Climate Change - yes the climate has changed many times throughout the last 4 Billion years. No one, in their right mind, would ever deny this as the evidence is overwhelming. But the question isn't "does climate change over time" the question is, in face, "is climate change occurring now and if it is then is this change a direct result of human activity” This is what is meant by the term The Anthropocene: the current period in the Earth's history when human activities have had a significant global impact on the Earth's ecosystems

Sat 12 - Mon 14 June - Funny Couple of days Post Nat flip, Prince of Persia, At Jacobs all day, Deb Banged Arm, me Scrapped Arm,

It's been an odd few days since Nat had a go; it's left me angry and depressed but I'm the adult so eventually I'm going to have to deal with it. The X-Box and upstairs PC are off limits for a week. We'll have to see see how it go's; he strategically avoided me on Saturday, first going to the pictures, with Jacob and Brandon to see the Prince of Persia then spending the remainder of the day at Jacob's house.
There was very nearly a third hospital casualty when Monty bounded into Deb's hand and she thought he'd broken it. Luckily not but she's in quite a bit of pain. This wasn't to be Monty's only attempt to utilise NHS resources today. Later that evening he wanted to go out for a wee; I let him out and was getting a few beers to put into the fridge when he came bounding back. DO NOT MIX - narrow back alleyway, a crutch, hand full of tinnies and mad Labrador. I went flying, stuck out my left arm to grab wall, missed, arm slid down brickwork then scrapped against the wooden box, where we keep fire wood, before I managed to grab something and regain my balance. End result - left arm looks like it's just been to an Emo convention where it was the main exhibit.

Deep Exchanges on Face Book- In Five Parts with Three Players - Who Says F.B. has to be Trivial

Aminesh Patel Where to buy good turf from?...Any good places you have in you mind ? pls drop line.. cheers.

Tina Jewel 

I'm partial to northern alberta..though other people who live there..will say that's nuts..but there's a place up there that is elevated enough and is far enough away from possible volcanoes and earthquakes and cities..it would do fine during an earth change like a polar shift..should the ocean invade the land once again, this place would be an island in the sea..it has fresh water..but it's a native reserve so you can't buy land there I don't think..but you could buy land near by I bet.
I guess, I should ask what your intentions are for buying land..are you looking to go self sufficient? will you need ot be near a city for work? or could you get paid from home..it depends on what your priorities are..but yeah..my all time favorite wish is to end up, up north..in alberta..that's where my family is from..some of them!

ME

Loved your response to Amiesh's query about acquiring some turf. I'm not sure he was looking for a redoubt come the Apocalypse but it was brilliant anyway.

Tina Jewel 10 June at 21:05 Report

well, thanks for that..I figured it would be good to get that out there anywsys what with the BP thing going on right now..Soon according to the projections I've seen it will be getting into the atmosphere and the states closer to the gulf will be getting it the worst..Maybe I should've told him to go to Chicago or something..=:P I don't even know where he is right now or if he is even Canadian or anything..Still, I think if people could get situated in the right areas, going where it's safe will be easier for them..if there are good people along the way with properties people who would come for a gathering like that could make their pit stops along the way..I haven't been able to stop thinking about that place, what I consider to be the holy mountain, ever since 2001 when I first learned of a thing called Niburu..It's so hard to tell, when is just the right time to really bang that drum..People have to be thirsty enough for it to be open enough to recieve the message and to take action..Though it seems to me that most won't be able to even if they try..They won't know how to co-operate with each other enough to help each other get up there,they won't be able to escape fema rescue camps, I worry they won't be allowed past the border..It makes me think maybe the NAU might be good just for one reason..open borders..it would be nice to know how exactly things will pplay out..I'm not really much of a scriptures person though I have spend my fair share of time and brain power thumbing thru pages of them..It seems to me this time has been well aniticipated by a good many ancient people and not 'just' in the abrahamic faiths..So this apocalypse is a very real thing to me..It has many names but the story is the same..The unfolding of events seems to be our clue..Those who have eye to see..ears to hear..and it's funny, we hear about how people throughout history thought their time was THE end times..How do we know if this isn't the same as then? I'm trying to hold back, not to get all gung ho about it all quite yet but it's something that keeps popping up in my mind..When ever I see how things are unfolding, all I can think of is the mountain..as our refuge..
Thanks for your thoughts..It's nice to hear someone saying something positive about that, cuz I'd expect more of a ridicule based response..=:P I felt like a maniac for typing what I did but it was late so I didn't care..I just let it flow..If people notice that, maybe they will check it out, maybe they will take notice..maybe they will see it's not so nuts after all..maybe..that's the hope anyways..

thanks again, be well..Peace~

ME

I'm not a "spiritual" person in any sense of the word I'm a total materialist so I don't believe in a prophesied end time, an afterlife or any thing supernatural. Yes I can say with near certainty that the earth will not exist in 5 billion years time (give or take a few million) because our current best understanding of astronomy and the life cycle of stars makes the eventual destruction of the Sun as it now is inevitable. Equally, I can take an educated guess that the Human Race, unless it's gone extra solar, will almost certainly not have existed for a significant period of time prior to this event happening. The reason I am concerned that we might live in "The End Times" is because no one has yet been able to prove Thomas Malphus's conclusions, regarding over population and scare resources, wrong. Now add to his equation climate change and you have the perfect storm; one that could engender massive population decline within an insignificant period of time. Religious people want to live in "The End Times" because they are impatient to meet God (God help us if Sara Palin is ever elected President) and will do anything to hasten Judgement Day. The good news for them is that they won't be disappointed because once dead they won't be aware of the non-existence of God. I am concerned about "an end time" simply because I have young children and can perceive that perfect storm on the horizon and getting closer by the moment!

Thursday 10 June - Weight Watchers , Addicted to BB Eleven, Nat Flips

Weight Watchers - Lost 2lbs - well done

Oh Dear, it would appear I have become hooked on twittering about Big Brother 11. Woe is me; what will I do when the three months is up and BB leaves never to return. Are the authorities prepared, are they setting up places where addicts can go to recover? Perhaps they planning to open a BB wing at the Priory where they can warehouse all we sad cases; perhaps they could use the vacant house! Anyway, this time last year we were all getting behind Halfwit,  now it's time for all good persons to united behind Moley.

 GO MOLE

#bb11Come on everyone lets get behind the best character in the house. He needs to survive his impossible mission! 

@TotalBBLive She'll have to stick crystals on them; next time when she's to fricking dumb to use her eyes she'll sense their energies. #bb11

@TotalBBLive When Davina showed off the transparent walls the potential 4 running housemate brain damage was obvious. But how to ID victims!  

 
#bb11- toad badger and ratty to enter house next week. Show is to be renamed Moley's Big Brother's Wind in the Riverbank Willows Fart Off

   
#bb11 He's gone to the smoking area will he have the "balls" to plant the ball? Once more into the Beach dear Moley once more into the beach

   
@jacobjunior7 YR right I wasn't having a go at Jade; rather the British public Her comments were reflective of her background not her racism

    

Off too bed, leave the smokers talking away. Extremely banal. It appears 2 B true; young women are the only growing smoking demography #bb11

The first five have a secret and David most hated have now been added as well to the beach ball. Tut Tut you are a very very bad mole! #bb11

@jacobjunior7 but knowing the female British public she'll probably win it because she's dead and that means she's no longer a racist! #bb11

    

#bb11 Josie is bookies favorite; hey seeking to sow discontent amongst his fellow house mates. what a very naughty little mole that boy is!

    

#bb11There appears to be a little Mole stirring in the house. Mind U he looks exhausted from blowing up the ball. May B 2 tired to plant it!

    

#bb11 wouldn't be surprised if they do close the blinds because that would give Mole a better opportunity to carry out his task undisturbed.

    

#BB11I wouldn't be surprised if they do close the blinds because that would give Mole a better opportunity to carry out his task undisturbed

   
#bb11 Shaby what was I thinking of, course they were messing with UR head that's why it's interesting 2 watch you become rats in their maze.

   
#bb11 Oh Shabby, was someone messing with UR head B4U entered the house. It seems unlikely 2 me I just can't see BigB being so manipulative!

    

Mad Monk is calling Mole Gareth Southgate It was Gareth Southgate badger from Harry Hills Badger Parade not Gareth Southgate mole; Twat #bb11

#bb11 Nothing further 2 add 2 last tweet; I just noticed that this will be my Eight-hundredth tweet so I thought I'd get it over with - Yeah

    

#bb11 - Please fuck off to bed now BB contestants; I'm losing the will to live and there are a few things I want to do on the PC before bed.

   

@jaymoore1756 Yeah it's gonna be rough on AM but after all he was, and may still be, DC's Lamest hero. Mind you is he not in Smallville now? - in reply to jaymoore1756

   

#bb11 put your trunks by your beds for goes sake. Why unpack now?

#bb11 nice one john james keep telling everybody you are only using your full name for mum's sake. Game player! about 12 hours ago via mobile web Delete    #bb11 Oh God how fricking vapid are these people? Sorry about that :)

  

#bb11 Oh God how fricking vapid are there people? about 12 hours ago via mobile web

That girl; is she Jordan and Lorraine Chase's sinister laboratory born love child. She gives me serious jitters, "makes sign of cross" #bb11

  

1 Mad Monk 1 crystal fan who studies medicine! 1 "The Secret" fan. It's nice 2 see the skeptic community so well represented this year #bb11

   

running 20 minutes behind on #bb11 so I'm just hearing the mad monk talk about God and Jesus. He should have stuck with the real wine - twat

   

#bb11 The Secret OMFG what a complete and totally dickhead this girl is. No wonder Devina thought you were mental you R http://bit.ly/33yEE8  

    

@Nintyplayer #BB11 That's probably why he feels like a dickhead wearing it. However, if he loans it to the girls he may earn brownie points! - in reply to Nintyplayer

   

#bb11 What I'll miss about BB11when it ends is the lovely bird song they play when someone is about 2 say something interesting or libellous  

    

@SeanMulkerrin #bb11 - All we can do is live in hope that he does. Maybe we'll be lucky! Mole isn't yet aware his costume is a suicide bomb! about 14 hours ago – in reply to SeanMulkerrin

CllrTim    So, that's a bunch of oddballs & loons locked together in a big house pretending to like each other until they're voted out. #BB11 #ConDems Retweeted by you

#bb11 yes a mole. go buddy go go go please make him year a mole costume

   

#bb11the next one is the pretty ausie boy who loves himself

   

Yes she seems very shaby and she's this year's disabled Irish lesbian except she's neither disabled nor Irish and is she? #bb11

   

@MrsStephenFry Sorry - "English libel law" - not laws how stupid off me; but see what risks you run if you replace accountants with lawyers.  

   

@MrsStephenFry Unless Mr Baziljet has been keeping up with current affairs; then it might B lawyers earnestly discussing English libel laws!

   

@MrsStephenFry Obviously we're all hoping 4 that; I wouldn't hold your breath. Y change the final series 4mat. No, it'll B accountants again - in reply to MrsStephenFry 


NAT FLIPS OUT
I was being a bit tough on Nat tonight about him over eating and sitting on his arse every evening in front of his X-Box when he flipped and attacked me. At first I though he was having a go in fun, as he often does, but I soon learned otherwise... hit in the chest with his cast and if there hadn't been a cushion on my lap a left fist straight in the balls. If that second punch had landed I wouldn't be typing this I'd be in hospital; I felt the power behind it even through the cushion and it still hurt me...it was a potential crippler!

It appears that he had a stinking headache and couldn't take any more. I've confiscated his X-Box  and PC indefinitely as I believe the amount of time he's spending on these, coupled with his shouting (which he's obviously not even aware of) when playing on line, may well be causing the headaches. How things will be between us is another matter. I had a physical confrontation with my father when I was seventeen and things between the two of us were never the same again. Mind you we were never close to begin with; Nat and I always have been exceptionally close because I had sole charge of him as a baby when Deb worked evenings. Now we'll have to wait and see what happens; unfortunately, now that I'm aware that I can't absolutely trust him I won't be able to let him attack me again with impunity. Now I can't be safe in the knowledge that he's only playing; now there will always be that doubt. I don't know if that kind of trust, once it's been lost, can ever be regained ...I suppose time will tell. 

Big Brother Eleven

It pains me to admit it but I'm actually watching Big Brother Eleven, well it is the last one and I never saw a single moment of the first six, and what a bunch so far. We have a Mad Monk, a girl who believes that "THE SECRET" actually works and someone studying medicine who covers everything she has with cyrstals. Even the mole has just said "I'm a typical Libre" FFS OMG WTF where do they find these wuckfits. Oh, the mole is also a BIG believe in Fate. Well that stops you actually having to do anything yourself doesn't it. He believes in Aliens, as we all do, however believes in the "they've visited us" kind of way. Here they all are, God Help Us:

Beyoncé-a-like Rachael has never been faithful to a boyfriend and expects to be booed by the crowd

They sweated it out as McCall riffled through 81 candidates before sending in six men and seven women. 

They included a Cheryl Cole backing dancer, a squatter, a church minister and an amputee ex-serviceman. 

On the girls’ side was 22-year-old Caoimhe – pronounced ‘kee-va’ – a ‘fag hag’ whose mother says she’s ‘her favourite slapper’. 

Amputee Steve joins the house

She was joined by bubbly Josie, 25, who lives in a wood cabin on her aunt’s farm and calls herself a ‘loser’.

Chatterbox Corin, 29, will add spice as a bisexual Jordan lookalike with ‘real’ 30G boobs.

Then there’s Cole’s ex-backing dancer, Ife – or Iffy – who sleep talks and Rachael, 23, who is a Beyoncé-a-like and ‘checks she’s still hot’ in the mirror 100 times a day.

Chatty Corin is one of the housemates

Shabby, 24, lives in a squat and eats food thrown out by supermarkets. She’ll get on well with medical student Yvette, also 24, who wants to be prime minister. 

Among the lads is clean-living minister David, 39, who once ‘visited the Sun’ in his mind and Tory boy Benjamin, who likes to tell lies. 

Godka’-drinking David

Nathan, 25, is a ‘Yorkshire Liam Gallagher’ while bisexual Govan, 21, will cause chaos with his messiness. 

He was joined by Australian John, 24, who thinks he looks like David Beckham, and father-of-eight Steve, 40, who is a one-eyed double amputee who has sailed the Atlantic. 

A 14th housemate was picked at random as BB’s mole, trying to disrupt the house, and was named as Mario Mugan. Let the rows begin!

Ex-backing dance Ife

John hails from Australia

Josie calls herself a 'loser'

Nathan is the class clown

Yvette is also known as Sunshine

Tory boy Benjamin likes to tell lies

Caoimhe has been called a 'slapper' by her own mum

Govan doesn't have a job

Squatter Shabby gets ready for her 15 minutes of fame

Baby's First Words...Ohhhhhhhhh

The Big Five Hundred - Yes My 500th Post!!!!! - What to say?

Thinking that technically this might not remain Post Number 500 because I'm writing history blog posts; obviously these will appear to have been written before this post and so it's position will change. However I, and now you, will know that this was No.500 th one I wrote.Tthe only thing is now I'm going to have to write something really profound and life changing. I'll keep thinking on that one; it's 6:00 AM and time for bed.

I was right about this not remaining Post No.500 for long. I've been doing more back posting and so this is now Post No. 537. So what to say; well  I've done 37 back posts since last I wrote here although you probably have worked that out. I've certainly done little else as most of the posts were photo orientated which means I've spent most of my time sitting here going through photo files trying to eliminate duplicates and ensure that like was contained, in a single file, with like...Like!

Who Dat Boy?

Who Dat Girl?

Governors Training at Winstanley College - Safe Guarding Children

Two hour course held from 7-9 PM learned a lot...more to follow ...holding

What's New with the iPhone Mr Jobs?

Well today's the day, finally Apple unveil the new iPhone. I couldn't watch the live coverage on the net because i had to attend a Governors training evening at Winstanley College (more on that later) So Mr Jobs what's new?

What a shook...The Price; have Apple finally seen sense and put this phone within the reach of Joe Public. The new 16 Gigabyte model will be $199 in the states (with a contract?) which if they do a straight conversion comes to just under £140. That's a hell of a price drop but what's in the small print? The 32 Gigabyte comes out at $299 which again is just under £210.
As for new features:
Better Battery Life which is now rated at 7 hours for 3G talk, 6 hours for 3G web browsing, 10 hours of WiFi browsing, 10 hours of Video and 40 hours of music! Pretty sweet if true. 
5 Mega-pixel Camera WITH FLASH
HD Video
Front facing camera for video calls or Face-Time as Apple call it - only works over WiFi for now?
Multi Tasking (at last) and sundry more stuff including retinal display; I'll let Apple tell you what that means:



Yet again they seem to have set the standard...will the Nokia N8, with it's better camera, be able to compete?

Monday 7 June - Blogging from Memory and Photos

Yesterday and today I've spent an inordinate amount of time on the PC filling in blanks in this blog. I first started it in 2007 but only made twelve entries that year and a further two in 2008. It was only in 2009 that I started writing regularly. Now this is something that has caused me more and more regret; as I've written I've regretted not writing sooner. Now bearing in mind that this item is always festering away at the back of my mind I decided yesterday to download Google Picasa 3 and catalogue all the photos I have on the various hard drives and use these to back date this blog. I hadn't realised just what a huge job this was going to be however it's astonishing what you remember once you start. After finding the photos of our holidays in Wales and Cornwall, for example, I could remember so much that I thought I'd forgotten. I hadn't forgotten i just hadn't previously had cause to remember. So that's what I'll be doing for the next week or so. What is confusing is trying to identify which photos I have already uploaded and to to which google account they've gone, I have six GMail accounts,

Sunday 6 June - Has the Pain Passed; Sleeping Again?

Once again I went to bed in the early hours but after some turning and twisting I finally dropped off and slept until 2 PM. Is this a signal, will I now start to sleep normally. I don't know because generally it's not sensible to reach a conclusion based on a single example but I'm hopeful. It would be nice to go to bed when tired rather than having to wait until one is exhausted.
Well it's 03.24 AM on Monday morning so it's evident that I haven't, as yet, gone too bed. In fact I've been sat here trying to remember important events over the last 13 years so as to try and record something before 2007 in this blog. Why 13 years; because, obviously, nothing ever happened before Nat was born?  I know that it''s true because he told me so! I've just got up to use the loo and discovered that I'm not as recovered as I though. I've been sitting here for a few hours and when i stood I thought for a moment that I would scream; it was really fricking painful!

Saturday 5 June - The Riverside Festival

Slept late today; I didn't get up until after midday having not gone to bed until after 5 AM. Quick bite and we were off to the Thirteenth Annual Riverside Festival adjoining Bede park in Leicester. last time I went to this was two years ago when nat and I happened to be cycling down the canal and literally cycled into it. It seems as if the event is getting bigger every year. Bede park itself was full of tents and stalls. There were music events and a large beer tent... Hooray...but I had no money on me...Boo Hoo! It was very hot and we didn't stay long as we were literally penniless. Nat and I wandered the canal while Deb and Han took part in various craft activities; Han made a fan. We did, at one point, plonk ourselves down and take part in a pub quiz; we were absolutely and utterly humiliated scoring a disdainfully dreadful 6 out of 12. It would have been nicer if we'd had the cash to enable us to pop into somewhere and cool down. as it was we stayed only two hours before returning home to what turned out to be an uneventful remainder of the day. next year I might go later in the day and attended the evening events because this years program this looks pretty good. I'll probably go alone because Deb certainly wont be interested and I very much doubt that the kids will either. Below are a few photos I took whilst there:

Friday 4 June - Leicester City Centre, ASK Restaurant, Warhammer Tickets, iPad, Money Spiders

We went into Leicester City today in order to have lunch at ASK restaurant to celebrate, somewhat late, Deb's birthday; Deb had two for the price of one tickets but, unfortunately, she had neglected to read the small print. These were not valid on a Friday or Saturday. despite all this we decided to dine anyway. The food was excellent, Han had a child's meal and the rest of us had various pasta dishes. We ate outside in the court yard in the shade of a palm...very civilized, if only I could get the kids to stop throwing food our family might almost pass for human. As is my wont I took a number of unnecessary photos ALL OF WHICH can be seen below. I would have photographed the urinals but with my tinkle in one hand and my crutch in the other I found myself somewhat of a disadvantage photographically.

Before we ate we had a quick trip about, we had parked in the Highcross Centre so the first port of call was the Apple Store to play with an iPad. Unfortunately The Arch Technophobe Deborah would not let me stay long enough to explore all of it's options, a mere three to four hours I would guess, so alas, much as I would wish otherwise, I have no choice but to return another day...shame!

From the Apple Store we made our way to Silver Street where both ASK and the Warhammer store are located. While Deb, Nat and Han went to Warhammer I called into Forbidden Planet, the games/comic shop that I used, pre-children, to regularly frequent. They've had a revamp and once again the second floor is given over too comics. It used to be all comics, then it was all games with the comics, much reduced, downstairs now the games seem to be taking a back-seat. I wish, now, that I hadn't gone in; it's obvious that Marvel have gone all arty and their comics, particularly the X-Men and related mutant titles, appear, to my eye at least, to be virtually unreadable. Oh well, I suppose then that it's a good thing that I can't afford to start buying them again anyway.

Anyway, returning to the Munchies, the food was rather good and we resolved to return but only between Sunday and Thursday. The total bill was £38.10 which, the day before, would have come to just over £20 (because only the main courses are 2-4-1). Even if we had called in the week I still wouldn't have paid £5.75 for a 660ml bottle of beer however good it was supposed to be.
Later, at home, we were clearing away some bushes that Deb had pruned and stuffing them into the car boot for a one way trip to the tip when, clumsy cow, Deb disturbed a web full of baby money spiders. The photos are a bit blurred but as you may be able discern they became very agitated; I don't think they'll be bring her money luck any time soon!

Is there nothing I won't film...badly?

Thursday 3 June - Bosworth Battlefield, Farm-Shop and Garden Centre, Weight Watchers

Today we travelled to Bosworth to see the battlefield museum. This was where Richard the Third was defeated by henry Tudor finally bring the long running war of the Roses to a conclusion. Nat (?)  and Han have both been here before but this was the first time that either Deb or I had visited. If I'm honest, there wasn't a great deal there just the centre. The actual battlefield, it has recently been ascertained is actually about a mile from where it was thought to be. The Centre was quite small but fairly comprehensive and was filled with relics from the period. It was a very enjoyable way to pass a few hours and, given how wonderful the weather was, we thoroughly enjoyed picnicking in the grounds. We stayed for about three hours and the photos of our day can be seen below. On our way back we stopped at a local farm shop, but bought nothing, and a little later at an enormous garden centre where we spent quite a lot of dosh.


Didn't do much after we got home apart from Deb and I going to the allotment at around 7:00 to water what few plants we have this year. I've not been ther since the day before my operation (4 weeks ago) and I was gob-smacked when I saw how overgrown it had become. I think we are agreed that this year we'll do what we can and in the summer, once I'm fully mobile, we'll clear the rest and cover it over for winter. Next year we can make a proper start.

From Drop Box

From Drop Box

From Drop Box

Weight Watchers - Lost 3 lbs

Wednesday 2 June - I love my kids...But

Roll on the start of term next week because I don't think I can take it much longer; I love my kids but, Jesus they never stop bickering. My brain feels as if it's being squeezed into mush by the pair of them. If Nat calls Han Meg (fans of Family Guy will understand - and if you aren't a fan what on earth are you doing here reading this!) one more time I'll scream and if she goes off in a huff again I won't be responsible for my actions. Lake District Taxi Drivers will be small potatoes compared to my explosion of rage. I knew that tactical nuke I built at night school would come in handy one day! So shut up you little buggers or Leicester gets it!!!!!

As you can guess from the above we've all been trapped in the house together for yet another long interminable day; why do I get annoyed when Nat locks himself away upstairs with his X-Box, I should be giving thanks! Obviously there's no pleasing me, is there?

Twickenham Saturday 29 May 2010 - Nat's Report on the Guinness Premiership Cup – Vipers Under Twelve's (12’s) Trip (incomplete)

We took Nat to the Vipers at 10:45 and deposited him on to the coach; that signally the end of our involvement until 11;50 that evening!

In the rugby community the people are represented by two groups, The Teams and The Supporters, these are their stories – actually this is one (Nat) supporter’s story.

The Dramatis Personae

Nat (Son, Brother and all-round…………..insert as applicable), Neil + (Son Ben) Connor + (Dad Paddy), Luke +(Dad), Brandon + (Mum and Dad - Paula, Mark ) Ollie + (Dad, Brother),

The coach left at 11, I was sitting at the back with Laurie.  I ate crisps and jelly squares ; the jelly was Ordi’s and the crisps were mine. We stopped at the services about 2 hours later . The thing about services [and I do love them] is that they are really too expensive!!! So we just had a quick look around and got back onto the coach; Twickenham next stop.

On the motorway we passed some gypsies – I took a photo of them just in case – everyone else jeered at them out of the windows – I hope they were gypos and not some poor family on their way on holiday. We passed Heathrow airport – could see the planes taking off.Arriving at Twickenham – coach parked next to the stadium by the Harlequins ground. In the car park they was a stall selling large pork baps with stuffing and crackling – The club paid for them MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM PORK COB!!!!!!!!
 

We arrived and parked the coach after which we crossed a bridge and there we were... Twickenham National Stadium; outside the Stadium there was a rugby fair – I did an amazing line out throw even with a broken arm.  I threw and got the ball through the 25 point hole despite the fact that it had a tyre in front of it. After this we got our faces painted by Hazel – with red, green and white stripes, Tigers colours - and entered the Stadium..

We went to find our seats – Cameron was on my right and Luke on my left.  The tigers mascot ( a tiger naturally) had a fight with the two Saracens mascots which were dogs!!! The tiger won – but of course.  As the teams came onto the pitch there were fireworks -  let the game begin.

At half time – tigers leading – I texted Jacob to see where he was – he was behind the tigers posts which was about to become the Saracens posts.  On the pitch there was a tag match between some primary schools – lucky buggers.

A fantastic match – tigers won with a last minute try and conversion. -

After the match it was straight back to the coach and we were back on our way home.



the return trip

services

return part 2

vipers at last

Sunday 30 May – Tuesday 1 June : Bank Holiday Weekend

Nothing, basically we have done absolutely nothing over this Bank Holiday. This was in part due to the weather in the main was due to a lack of cash. We did have a small BarBQ on Monday afternoon but that’s about it. Stayed up too late and slept in too long. Deb managed to get an hour in at the allotment on Sunday morning whilst the rest of us slumbered in the arms of Morpheus. I did post some stupid jokes to Facebook and Twitter based on different European Countries Terror Alert Status’s and these picked up a few likes on FB. Other than that Sod All … aren’t we a Fricking Boring Bunch of Barstools!

Whoopee; Deb’s just bought me The Hanged Man as my present “from the kids” for Father’s Day! I keep telling Nat that I expect his Blog entries to be a minimium of two hundred words. it would appear that at present I’ve not lived up to my own standards! What on earth am I to do, should I stop now in the hope the the day will provide more to say later or should I waffle on to the two hundred repeating words unnecessarily repeatedly whenever the opportunity to repeat them presents itself. That would seem to be a very underhand strategy especially if I used it repeatedly! Hold on; the last word in that last sentence was the Two Hundred and Twenty Fourth Word so the debate is moot! I’m so glad I didn’t have to cheat, I mean what kind of impression would that have made?

Go Go Gomez