For the first time in quite a while, something has gone right for me...
I have a Vauxhall Astra, and it has a slow puncture. I took it to the local garage here 'oop north' to get it fixed, and the spanner monkey who took a look at the car said to me "do you have the locking wheel nut tool?".
"What locking wheel nut tool?" says I.
Apparently, when I bought the car last year, it was supposed to come with a locking wheel nut tool - but it didn't. So, they couldn't remove the tire, which means I couldn't get it fixed. I phoned the garage I got the car from last week and spoke to someone who said I needed to check with my local Vauxhall dealer to see what they could do for me, and they would help with any costs etc. because they should have supplied the tool. Bit of a hassle thinks I.
Anyway - I did phone a local garage and they said all they could do is chisel the damn nuts off and then I'd have to order a new set of locking wheel nuts. Expensive. So I kind of forgot about it.
Anyway, today I thought "that's the wrong attitude, get it sorted lazy arse" so I phoned the garage I got the car from again, but this time spoke to someone who actually sounded like he knew what he was doing. He said to me "I'll go and look in our box of locking wheel nut tools, we might still have yours here"... and low and behold, they did! So now he's popping it into the post for me, and in a couple of days I'll have the tool and I can get the tire fixed. In the words of Napolean Dynamite - Sweet.
Oh, and as an aside, speaking to someone on the phone and saying "my nuts are this shape" and "I don't wanna chisel my nuts off" made me giggle.
Wednesday, 30 September 2009
Chinese remedies? Not for me
For a while I stuck to the regime and really tried to let the Chinese herbs I bought do their stuff. At first, there was no change. Then there was a change, but for the worse. The skin on my hands got even more flaky and sore. So "sod it" I thought. I gave up. Yes, I know, maybe I should have carried on, but when you can't even touch things because if feels like your hands are flaking away to nothing, it's a bit hard to stay positive.
I haven't, however, given up on folk remedies just yet. So.
After a very helpful comment from "Julzes" on an update post, I went to Earth Clinic and checked out what they had to say, and it seems Apple Cider Vinegar is the way to go. It looks as though it's a lot less hassle (I don't have to boil anything for an hour or sit with my hands in it for 40 minutes) and it won't stink up the place. All I need is a 50:50 split of water and Apple Cider Vinegar, then soak my hands for 15 minutes. I can do that! I bought some of the vinegar yesterday, so tonight will be the first go. We'll see.
In other news... I've had a headache since Monday I can't shift, I made the crab pasta last night (which was superb) and that's about it. Have a good day listeners.
I haven't, however, given up on folk remedies just yet. So.
After a very helpful comment from "Julzes" on an update post, I went to Earth Clinic and checked out what they had to say, and it seems Apple Cider Vinegar is the way to go. It looks as though it's a lot less hassle (I don't have to boil anything for an hour or sit with my hands in it for 40 minutes) and it won't stink up the place. All I need is a 50:50 split of water and Apple Cider Vinegar, then soak my hands for 15 minutes. I can do that! I bought some of the vinegar yesterday, so tonight will be the first go. We'll see.
In other news... I've had a headache since Monday I can't shift, I made the crab pasta last night (which was superb) and that's about it. Have a good day listeners.
Tuesday, 29 September 2009
I enjoyed that
I went to my first game of the season at City last night and it was a good 3 - 1 win over West Ham. I do enjoy going to the games. It's a pain in the arse traffic-wise getting there and out again, but once at the game, its good. This is the sort of thing that makes me think about a season ticket next year... we'll see.
I've had a hankering for that crab pasta I made a few weeks ago - so I think I'm gonna make it again tonight. I was just trying to find the post I did on it so you can have a nice handy link to the recipe, and do you think I can find it?! Nope. The bloody search tool isn't working for some reason (ggrrr...). And I can't be arsed to search through the 571 posts I've done since 2007. Anyway, if I can find it I'll link to it here.
Apart from that... a quiet night due tonight. There's Champions League on t'telly, so if I can find a decent game I'll watch that.
Oh, and three new things ordered from Play and that should be arriving today:
The Hairy Bikers "Tour Of Britain" recipe book.
Ian Brown's new album "My Way"
Hockey's new album "Mind Chaos" (this one is for My Better Half - note the capital letters. She will now officially be known as My Better Half).
Have a nice Tuesday everyone.
OK, no-one likes a smart arse, but now you know why I've given her the capital letters - My Better Half found the recipe on my own blog for me. I feel slow. Anyway, here it is, which is what I will (hopefully) be cooking tonight. Crab Pasta Recipe
I've had a hankering for that crab pasta I made a few weeks ago - so I think I'm gonna make it again tonight. I was just trying to find the post I did on it so you can have a nice handy link to the recipe, and do you think I can find it?! Nope. The bloody search tool isn't working for some reason (ggrrr...). And I can't be arsed to search through the 571 posts I've done since 2007. Anyway, if I can find it I'll link to it here.
Apart from that... a quiet night due tonight. There's Champions League on t'telly, so if I can find a decent game I'll watch that.
Oh, and three new things ordered from Play and that should be arriving today:
The Hairy Bikers "Tour Of Britain" recipe book.
Ian Brown's new album "My Way"
Hockey's new album "Mind Chaos" (this one is for My Better Half - note the capital letters. She will now officially be known as My Better Half).
Have a nice Tuesday everyone.
OK, no-one likes a smart arse, but now you know why I've given her the capital letters - My Better Half found the recipe on my own blog for me. I feel slow. Anyway, here it is, which is what I will (hopefully) be cooking tonight. Crab Pasta Recipe
Monday, 28 September 2009
Prison officer fail
So someone is inside for computer fraud. Do you:
a) Keep them away from all sorts of computers, especially the prisons own system?
or
b) Ask them to write a new program for you and give them full, unsupervised access to the prison computer system?
Guess which one they did.... D'oh!
a) Keep them away from all sorts of computers, especially the prisons own system?
or
b) Ask them to write a new program for you and give them full, unsupervised access to the prison computer system?
Guess which one they did.... D'oh!
Played one game, won one game.
Yes, my first run out for Wilmslow Town was a success. We won 2 - 0 away against Mobberley Rangers. As I had hoped, I started from the bench as a) it was my first game and b) I'm unfit! and I came on for the last 25 minutes or so. I didn't embarrass myself (I think) and more importantly didn't make any mistakes, which is all you can hope for on a debut. I'm hoping I did enough to be included in the squad for next week, and then as each week goes by and I get fitter I'll take part for longer in the games.
Jake didn't fair as well - he played a game on Saturday & a game on Sunday, and lost both, although he did score two in the second game on Sunday. Between you & me, the team he's in isn't as good as he's used to. He is probably one of the best in the team, even the best - and I know that sounds biased, but it could be true. The thing is, although it's a nice team, with a nice bunch of boys and the manager is a really nice bloke, it's not a good footballing side. So, Jake & I have decided that he'll play for them for a few weeks, see how it goes, but if they do not improve, we may have to look elsewhere. I know, I know, it sounds harsh doesn't it, but to be fair he needs to be playing at a high standard as a) he's capable of it and b) it's the only way he'll improve as a player. Watch this space.
This week - I'm going to watch City tonight for the first time this season, so looking forward to that, and then the rest of the week should be quiet. I'm going to find out today if I have to go to Birmingham this week (hope not!) and if I don't then I don't really have any other plans.
So, how was your weekend?
Peace.
Update: I just found out that Adam "MCA" Yauch has throat cancer. For those that don't know, he's the oldest member of the hip-hop group The Beastie Boys. It made me a little uncomfortable knowing this. I've been a fan of the group for ages, since License To Ill actually, and so I've almost grown up with them, and finding this out... I dunno, it kinda made me sad. However, reading his press release, it looks like he is going to be able to have an operation which will remove the cancerous gland, and he should make a full recovery. So that's good. Their new album "Hot Sauce Committee Pt 1" will be delayed (it was due out on Sept. 15th) but when it does come out I'll be getting hold of a copy. So remember kids - You gotta fight. For your right. To paaaaaarty!
Jake didn't fair as well - he played a game on Saturday & a game on Sunday, and lost both, although he did score two in the second game on Sunday. Between you & me, the team he's in isn't as good as he's used to. He is probably one of the best in the team, even the best - and I know that sounds biased, but it could be true. The thing is, although it's a nice team, with a nice bunch of boys and the manager is a really nice bloke, it's not a good footballing side. So, Jake & I have decided that he'll play for them for a few weeks, see how it goes, but if they do not improve, we may have to look elsewhere. I know, I know, it sounds harsh doesn't it, but to be fair he needs to be playing at a high standard as a) he's capable of it and b) it's the only way he'll improve as a player. Watch this space.
This week - I'm going to watch City tonight for the first time this season, so looking forward to that, and then the rest of the week should be quiet. I'm going to find out today if I have to go to Birmingham this week (hope not!) and if I don't then I don't really have any other plans.
So, how was your weekend?
Peace.
Update: I just found out that Adam "MCA" Yauch has throat cancer. For those that don't know, he's the oldest member of the hip-hop group The Beastie Boys. It made me a little uncomfortable knowing this. I've been a fan of the group for ages, since License To Ill actually, and so I've almost grown up with them, and finding this out... I dunno, it kinda made me sad. However, reading his press release, it looks like he is going to be able to have an operation which will remove the cancerous gland, and he should make a full recovery. So that's good. Their new album "Hot Sauce Committee Pt 1" will be delayed (it was due out on Sept. 15th) but when it does come out I'll be getting hold of a copy. So remember kids - You gotta fight. For your right. To paaaaaarty!
Friday, 25 September 2009
Pick me, pick me!
Yes, I've been picked for the squad for Wilmslow Town for the first time. I play this Sunday, away, against Mobberley Rangers. I am quite excited, I mean this is the reason why I train, but also dead nervous, not wanting to make a tit of myself or let the team down. I know it sounds silly to say, but hopefully I'll start on the bench, so there's not that pressure straight away. Eventually, I want to be first choice obviously, but to start with, I'd like to ease myself into the team. We'll see what happens.
Jake also has a game on Saturday, and maybe a game on Sunday too (depending on timing) so its a big football weekend. And it's also my better half's birthday tomorrow. She's going to be the grand old age of *cough cough*.
Finally, (more football) I'm hoping to get a ticket to see City on Monday night - they're at home to West Ham, and there might be a ticket available. Fingers crossed.
Well, that's about it for Friday. I may post more later, and will definitely post about the game on Sunday, so stay tuned. Have a good weekend listeners.
Peace.
Update: Very funny image: Click here.
Update: By Merlin's Beard, look at the size of these... Unnatural!
Update: City ticket has been obtained. Sweet.
Jake also has a game on Saturday, and maybe a game on Sunday too (depending on timing) so its a big football weekend. And it's also my better half's birthday tomorrow. She's going to be the grand old age of *cough cough*.
Finally, (more football) I'm hoping to get a ticket to see City on Monday night - they're at home to West Ham, and there might be a ticket available. Fingers crossed.
Well, that's about it for Friday. I may post more later, and will definitely post about the game on Sunday, so stay tuned. Have a good weekend listeners.
Peace.
Update: Very funny image: Click here.
Update: By Merlin's Beard, look at the size of these... Unnatural!
Update: City ticket has been obtained. Sweet.
Anonymous hotel rooms? Try hotel bars
This is a guest post from someone who, because they are shy, wanted to remain anonymous. Enjoy.
You made a comment about anonymous hotel rooms, but I have to say that hotel bars are the funniest.
I have just spent the last 30 mins listening to a very amusing conversation, I think what made it funny was the female of the group not only resembled Olive from on the buses she actually spoke exactly the same
They were having a conversation about cheese, nothing wrong with that, thought I may hear the arguments for and against, roeqefort, dolcelata, or something else French or Belgium maybe, but no, cheddar. Waitrose or Liddle own brand to be precise.
Then I found out that the best cheese on toast in the south is in a café in west wycombe as they make sure the cheese is right up to the edge of the bread in order not to burn the crust,bless them.
But here lies the problem what do you do when 3 total strangers who have kept you quietly entertained decide that your opinion is valuable in their “very important debate”
Hotel bars, who needs a book or paper!
You made a comment about anonymous hotel rooms, but I have to say that hotel bars are the funniest.
I have just spent the last 30 mins listening to a very amusing conversation, I think what made it funny was the female of the group not only resembled Olive from on the buses she actually spoke exactly the same
They were having a conversation about cheese, nothing wrong with that, thought I may hear the arguments for and against, roeqefort, dolcelata, or something else French or Belgium maybe, but no, cheddar. Waitrose or Liddle own brand to be precise.
Then I found out that the best cheese on toast in the south is in a café in west wycombe as they make sure the cheese is right up to the edge of the bread in order not to burn the crust,bless them.
But here lies the problem what do you do when 3 total strangers who have kept you quietly entertained decide that your opinion is valuable in their “very important debate”
Hotel bars, who needs a book or paper!
Wednesday, 23 September 2009
Credit where credit is due
My friend Russ commented on one of recent posts about me being in Gloucester yesterday and today. He composed and created a fantastic comment, worthy of Byron, Shelley, Wordsworth, the Bard himself. I think it does not belong hidden away in the comment section of my blog, so want to dedicate this post to the comment in it's entirety.
So...here it is, his frankly genius comment. Enjoy!!
In response to Good morning children
"A colleague of mine from the hospital I worked at went to Gloucester once. He said it chucked it down all the way there and, when he was there, he stepped in some of the run-off water and it was so deep that it went up to his waist. He decided not to return ever."
Ta da! A round of applause please... well done Russ, well done!
So...here it is, his frankly genius comment. Enjoy!!
In response to Good morning children
"A colleague of mine from the hospital I worked at went to Gloucester once. He said it chucked it down all the way there and, when he was there, he stepped in some of the run-off water and it was so deep that it went up to his waist. He decided not to return ever."
Ta da! A round of applause please... well done Russ, well done!
Tuesday, 22 September 2009
Anonymous hotel rooms
Yes, that's where I am tonight. I have a dinner date with my mate John tonight (all you can eat chinese buffet - look out waste line) and then maybe a quiet beer in the bar before bed. I'm not sure what time I'll be able to escape tomorrow but hopefully around lunchtime as I have a long drive home.
Oh, and just a quick reminder to keep following me on Twitter. Pics and stuff will be posted all the time.
Peace.
-- Post From My iPhone
Oh, and just a quick reminder to keep following me on Twitter. Pics and stuff will be posted all the time.
Peace.
-- Post From My iPhone
Good morning children
I'm in sunny Gloucester today. It was an early start (on the road at 05.45!) but that meant the journey was very painless and I was sat in McDonalds at 07.30 enjoying a big breakfast. Into the office for 08.00 and now a leisurely day learning about a couple of new applications and having an I.S meeting with the CIO (Chief Information Officer) from the U.S this afternoon.
Tonight, I'll be going out to dinner with my mate John who lives down here (see, a few weeks ago, I would have said "up here", but now I'm a northerner... but I digest) and then back in the office in this office tomorrow.
Last night Jake had another training session with Stockport Vikings, and did well again.
And an announcement - welcome to the world to Evvie May, the new daughter of my very bestest friend Mr. P. Senior. Mother, father, baby and big sister all doing well. And Happy Birthday to the father, who turns *cough cough* today! It's all go!
Have a lovely day all.
Tonight, I'll be going out to dinner with my mate John who lives down here (see, a few weeks ago, I would have said "up here", but now I'm a northerner... but I digest) and then back in the office in this office tomorrow.
Last night Jake had another training session with Stockport Vikings, and did well again.
And an announcement - welcome to the world to Evvie May, the new daughter of my very bestest friend Mr. P. Senior. Mother, father, baby and big sister all doing well. And Happy Birthday to the father, who turns *cough cough* today! It's all go!
Have a lovely day all.
Monday, 21 September 2009
The (Tesco) Empire Strikes Back
I just read this story.
The last sentence cracks me up... "If Jedi walk around our stores with their hoods on, they'll miss lots of special offers."
People are weird, aren't they? Oh, and for those who want to join the Jedi Church - follow this link: Jedi Church.
The last sentence cracks me up... "If Jedi walk around our stores with their hoods on, they'll miss lots of special offers."
People are weird, aren't they? Oh, and for those who want to join the Jedi Church - follow this link: Jedi Church.
A football post
OK, I don't normally post too much about football, but I'm fcukin' seething about this so why not? At the weekend, my team, Manchester City, played their local rivals United (*spit*). It was a fantastic game - loads of chances, poor defending on both sides and 7 goals scored. The thing that really got my goat though was the fact the United's winner was scored in the 6th minute of what was supposed to be 4 minutes of added time. This is not the first time that this has happened at United's ground - in fact there is an in-joke in football that when asked how much extra time should be added on to a United game when they're losing or drawing it's "until United score". And this is basically how it felt at the weekend. City had done so well to come back each time United went ahead, and we scored with about a minute or so to go to make it 3 - 3. And then, the ref's assistant held up the board for 4 minutes added time. My brother in law and I (who was watching the game at mine) sat clenched buttocked watching the clock... we got to 94 minutes... then 94 minutes 30 seconds... "BLOW UP REF, BLOW UP!" we were screaming... then it got to 95 minutes... 95 minutes and 30 seconds... and then Owen scored the winner. Pig sick, I think is the term. And now, in all the media, I'm reading reports of "United show City their place"... "We quieted noisy neighbors City"... "We showed them who owns Manchester" blah blah blah... and the fact of the matter is, a draw would have been a fair result and if it wasn't for the cheating red git of a referee it would have been. Bastards. THIS is why so many people hate United.
In other news...
Number one son had a great debut for his new side, Stockport Vikings. They won 11-2 (VERY one sided) and he scored two cracking goals. So he was happy.
My better half is back from her trip today, so I'm looking forward to getting home after work and seeing her. And this week, I may have to go to Gloucester tomorrow and stay overnight until Wednesday. Yah boo sucks. We'll see.
Soundtrack of the day: Anything to drown out the smugness of the red gits in the office...
Update: OK, I've calmed down a little more now, and after reading a couple of other articles, I have realized that we do have cause for optimism. How many other teams will score 3 goals at Old Trafford? How many other teams will be allowed to come back from behind three times at Old Trafford? Not many. If any. So we do have reasons to be cheerful this morning. I think it hurts so much because we were so close getting something out of the game but were robbed of it. Being beaten fair & square is one thing, but not like this. We'll be looking for a reaction on Monday night at home to West Ham now, so fear for the East Londoners...
In other news...
Number one son had a great debut for his new side, Stockport Vikings. They won 11-2 (VERY one sided) and he scored two cracking goals. So he was happy.
My better half is back from her trip today, so I'm looking forward to getting home after work and seeing her. And this week, I may have to go to Gloucester tomorrow and stay overnight until Wednesday. Yah boo sucks. We'll see.
Soundtrack of the day: Anything to drown out the smugness of the red gits in the office...
Update: OK, I've calmed down a little more now, and after reading a couple of other articles, I have realized that we do have cause for optimism. How many other teams will score 3 goals at Old Trafford? How many other teams will be allowed to come back from behind three times at Old Trafford? Not many. If any. So we do have reasons to be cheerful this morning. I think it hurts so much because we were so close getting something out of the game but were robbed of it. Being beaten fair & square is one thing, but not like this. We'll be looking for a reaction on Monday night at home to West Ham now, so fear for the East Londoners...
Tuesday, 15 September 2009
Tuesdays Headlines
Patrick Swayze dead.
Yes, the iconic star of Dirty Dancing and Roadhouse and Ghost is kaputski. He lost his fight with pancreatic cancer, aged 57. He died with his family at his bedside. I'm not too sure how I feel about this... I mean, I wasn't a fan of any of his big films, and he's not an actor I've really followed the career of. But someone who I follow on Twitter said "It's so weird yet another person I've known my whole life is gone". And I guess that sums it up - most people of my generation would know who Patrick Swayze is, and now we're getting to the age where our heroes are starting to die. It's a sobering thought.
Number One Son enjoys training session with new team
Yes, he trained with the Stockport Vikings last night, and seemed to enjoy it. He started off quite quiet, but that lasted about 10 - 15 minutes, and then he was his normal...er... 'vocal' self! But he looked like he settled in OK, and I think the manager liked what he saw. There was talk of a match this Saturday, so we'll see what happens. Oh, and as I was stood there watching, I was asked to help out another group of blokes who were playing on another pitch (the training took place at a Goals / Powerleague place with multiple 5-a-side astro-turf pitches). They were one short, so dressed in tracksuit trousers and trainers I played with them for 25 minutes or so. Weren't too bad. We won. (Ha!).
Last day in the office for three days
Yes, for the rest of the week I'll be working from home to look after the dog / be there when Jake goes to school / comes home from school. Now, I'm not really allowed to get excited about that, I mean I'm supposed to be working, but when you have no work to do, and you're sat at home with Xbox, DVD... sorry, Blueray player, TV, books... well, use your imagination!
So I'm going training again tonight with Wilmslow Town. Last week, I wasn't very sharp / lacking in fitness / match practice, so this week I really am gonna work my nuts off to make a good impression. The team won on Sunday, as I posted yesterday, so it's going to be hard to force myself into a winning team, but I'm gonna give it my best. But, even if I don't get into the team, I'm enjoying the training anyway.
Have a peaceful Tuesday all.
Soundtrack of the day: I haven't really got one, it's so quiet here there's no need to drown out noise with my MP3 player. Instead, as I'm so quiet, I'll be reading "Generation A" by Douglas Coupland!
Update: Jebus!! Keith Floyd (one of my favorite chefs) has also died... story
Yes, the iconic star of Dirty Dancing and Roadhouse and Ghost is kaputski. He lost his fight with pancreatic cancer, aged 57. He died with his family at his bedside. I'm not too sure how I feel about this... I mean, I wasn't a fan of any of his big films, and he's not an actor I've really followed the career of. But someone who I follow on Twitter said "It's so weird yet another person I've known my whole life is gone". And I guess that sums it up - most people of my generation would know who Patrick Swayze is, and now we're getting to the age where our heroes are starting to die. It's a sobering thought.
Number One Son enjoys training session with new team
Yes, he trained with the Stockport Vikings last night, and seemed to enjoy it. He started off quite quiet, but that lasted about 10 - 15 minutes, and then he was his normal...er... 'vocal' self! But he looked like he settled in OK, and I think the manager liked what he saw. There was talk of a match this Saturday, so we'll see what happens. Oh, and as I was stood there watching, I was asked to help out another group of blokes who were playing on another pitch (the training took place at a Goals / Powerleague place with multiple 5-a-side astro-turf pitches). They were one short, so dressed in tracksuit trousers and trainers I played with them for 25 minutes or so. Weren't too bad. We won. (Ha!).
Last day in the office for three days
Yes, for the rest of the week I'll be working from home to look after the dog / be there when Jake goes to school / comes home from school. Now, I'm not really allowed to get excited about that, I mean I'm supposed to be working, but when you have no work to do, and you're sat at home with Xbox, DVD... sorry, Blueray player, TV, books... well, use your imagination!
So I'm going training again tonight with Wilmslow Town. Last week, I wasn't very sharp / lacking in fitness / match practice, so this week I really am gonna work my nuts off to make a good impression. The team won on Sunday, as I posted yesterday, so it's going to be hard to force myself into a winning team, but I'm gonna give it my best. But, even if I don't get into the team, I'm enjoying the training anyway.
Have a peaceful Tuesday all.
Soundtrack of the day: I haven't really got one, it's so quiet here there's no need to drown out noise with my MP3 player. Instead, as I'm so quiet, I'll be reading "Generation A" by Douglas Coupland!
Update: Jebus!! Keith Floyd (one of my favorite chefs) has also died... story
Monday, 14 September 2009
New read
I bought Douglas Coupland's new one - "Generation A" - on Sunday. I'll quote you from the blurb...
"Generation A is set in the near future in a world where bees are extinct, until five unconnected people around the world - in the US, Canada, France, New Zealand and Sri Lanka - are all stung. Their shared experience unites them in ways they never could have imagined."
I'm only 53 pages in, but you know when you've got a good book on the go when you're only a little way in but are hooked. It's that good. I think one of the things that make it good is not just the story, but the way it's told. Douglas Coupland has such a talent for telling stories like this. If you've never read any of his books, I'd recommend "Generation X", "Microserfs" & "J-Pod".
Via con Dios amigos....
"Generation A is set in the near future in a world where bees are extinct, until five unconnected people around the world - in the US, Canada, France, New Zealand and Sri Lanka - are all stung. Their shared experience unites them in ways they never could have imagined."
I'm only 53 pages in, but you know when you've got a good book on the go when you're only a little way in but are hooked. It's that good. I think one of the things that make it good is not just the story, but the way it's told. Douglas Coupland has such a talent for telling stories like this. If you've never read any of his books, I'd recommend "Generation X", "Microserfs" & "J-Pod".
Via con Dios amigos....
Easy like Monday morning
Another quiet weekend over & done with. I didn't go and watch the team I'm training with after all. To be honest with you listeners, I got comfortable on Sunday afternoon and couldn't be arsed to shift myself! However, they DID win 5 - 2 so it was a good result.
City also won, 4 - 2 at home against Arsenal, so it was a good footballing weekend.
This week is quite busy what with one thing and another. Tonight number one son is going for his first training session with a new team. They are called Stockport Vikings, and he's gonna go try out with them and see how he does. Tomorrow evening I'm training with Wilmslow Town again. Also tomorrow evening, my better half is going away for a few days, so it's just me and the boy and the dog. So for the rest of the week I don't really have any plans (apart from working from home Wednesday to Friday).
I hope you all had a nice weekend, and I'll update again soon.
Peace.
City also won, 4 - 2 at home against Arsenal, so it was a good footballing weekend.
This week is quite busy what with one thing and another. Tonight number one son is going for his first training session with a new team. They are called Stockport Vikings, and he's gonna go try out with them and see how he does. Tomorrow evening I'm training with Wilmslow Town again. Also tomorrow evening, my better half is going away for a few days, so it's just me and the boy and the dog. So for the rest of the week I don't really have any plans (apart from working from home Wednesday to Friday).
I hope you all had a nice weekend, and I'll update again soon.
Peace.
Friday, 11 September 2009
The weekend approaches
Yesterday's golf 'do' was very good. I didn't play too bad, but I can play better, and so subsequently I didn't finish anywhere in the top 5. But I enjoyed the day, the weather, the company and the not-being-in-the-office!
Another quiet day to get through today, and then it's the weekend.
The only concrete plan I have is 15:00 Saturday afternoon being sat in front of Sport Center on Sky Sports. Apart from that, nothing definite. I might go and watch my new (hopefully) team play their first home game of the season on Sunday afternoon.
I hope you all have a good weekend, whatever you have planned, and I'll update again soon.
Peace.
Another quiet day to get through today, and then it's the weekend.
The only concrete plan I have is 15:00 Saturday afternoon being sat in front of Sport Center on Sky Sports. Apart from that, nothing definite. I might go and watch my new (hopefully) team play their first home game of the season on Sunday afternoon.
I hope you all have a good weekend, whatever you have planned, and I'll update again soon.
Peace.
Thursday, 10 September 2009
Oasis
So one of my favorite bands have split up. I remember when Mr. P Senior first got me into them - he played me the vinyl version of Supersonic and we were both in awe. It was so different to anything else we'd heard before. And, a lot of their songs have very specific memories for me, for example:
Wonderwall - one of their great anthems, although played too much in too many bars so it became annoying. But, it was one of the songs of theirs I wanted to learn to play on the guitar (and did) and I remember being in a bowling alley with a few of my friends singing along in the bar at the top of my voice (Mr S. White was there, and he's the one face that stands out in that memory).
Talk Tonight - Another good anthem, and one I really love playing on the guitar.
Masterplan - Probably my better halfs favorite Oasis song
Married With Children - another guitar favorite of mine, and one that brings back memories of playing it in the kitchen of Mr. P Senior at a party and looking up and seeing loads of people all stood round watching and singing along
Live Forever - Mr P. Junior's favorite Oasis song (I think) and when I hear it I always think of him.
Whatever - Brings back memories of the one time I saw Oasis live, at the Hammersmith Palais with Mr. P. Senior.
I could go on - but I'll open it up to the floor, do any of you lot out there have any Oasis memories / favorites?
Wonderwall - one of their great anthems, although played too much in too many bars so it became annoying. But, it was one of the songs of theirs I wanted to learn to play on the guitar (and did) and I remember being in a bowling alley with a few of my friends singing along in the bar at the top of my voice (Mr S. White was there, and he's the one face that stands out in that memory).
Talk Tonight - Another good anthem, and one I really love playing on the guitar.
Masterplan - Probably my better halfs favorite Oasis song
Married With Children - another guitar favorite of mine, and one that brings back memories of playing it in the kitchen of Mr. P Senior at a party and looking up and seeing loads of people all stood round watching and singing along
Live Forever - Mr P. Junior's favorite Oasis song (I think) and when I hear it I always think of him.
Whatever - Brings back memories of the one time I saw Oasis live, at the Hammersmith Palais with Mr. P. Senior.
I could go on - but I'll open it up to the floor, do any of you lot out there have any Oasis memories / favorites?
Wednesday, 9 September 2009
Terrorism date?
OK, just another quick one. Am I the only person who, when today came round (with the date of 09/09/09 or '999'), thought about a potential terror attack on the UK? There is an article on the BBC news web site (here) that says that today is being used by people who want to get married and use it as a memorable wedding date. Particularly people who work in the emergency services. But the first thing I thought of was the terrible 9/11 tragedy. I'm sure at the time, or a few days later, the story came out that this date was chosen as the day to attack the U.S because of the significance of '911' (the U.S version of '999'). So, when today came round with the date '999' I thought that I wouldn't be surprised if something happened - or if a story broke of a plot being broken that would have attacked the UK. But when I've mentioned this to a couple of people, they've looked at me like I'm mental. So is it just me?
Comments in the usual way...
Comments in the usual way...
Football - communication that trancends cultures
I went for my first training session with my (hopefully) new team last night. They are called Wilmslow Town, they are a vets. team (veterans, as opposed to veterinarians) and play in the Cheshire FA's Veterans league. I was nervous for a number of reasons - lack of fitness due to no exercise for Lord knows how long, lack of sharpness due to not playing for ages, meeting new people (something I'm no good at) and about not making a fool of myself!
Anyway - all day it had been a lovely day, and as soon as I got to the training pitch the heavens opened (typical) and the whole session was like it was taking place underwater. So I got a bit moist. But all in all, the session went OK, I wasn't laughed off the pitch, I was technically as good as the rest, I just need to get my fitness and sharpness back and I should fit right in. I really enjoyed it. I will be going again next week, and hopefully I'll make enough of a good impression soon to be asked to go play on match day.
The title of the post - I was struck again by how even though I had never met any of these people before, and I only learned one or two of their names, we could still all communicate and work together as a team when on the football pitch, as the language of football is all encompassing. You know where you're supposed to move, what you're supposed to do with the ball etc. etc. If I was asked to go along to a meeting or something and meet all these new men, I'd probably poo a little out of nerves - but once you're on the pitch, it all becomes natural.
In other news - a much better journey today. It only took about 1hr 15, which was nice.
Half day tomorrow as I'm playing golf. And then it's Friday. Oh, and it's number one son's first day back at school today! Wish him luck, and I'll look forward to talking to him later, to see how he got on.
Peace.
Anyway - all day it had been a lovely day, and as soon as I got to the training pitch the heavens opened (typical) and the whole session was like it was taking place underwater. So I got a bit moist. But all in all, the session went OK, I wasn't laughed off the pitch, I was technically as good as the rest, I just need to get my fitness and sharpness back and I should fit right in. I really enjoyed it. I will be going again next week, and hopefully I'll make enough of a good impression soon to be asked to go play on match day.
The title of the post - I was struck again by how even though I had never met any of these people before, and I only learned one or two of their names, we could still all communicate and work together as a team when on the football pitch, as the language of football is all encompassing. You know where you're supposed to move, what you're supposed to do with the ball etc. etc. If I was asked to go along to a meeting or something and meet all these new men, I'd probably poo a little out of nerves - but once you're on the pitch, it all becomes natural.
In other news - a much better journey today. It only took about 1hr 15, which was nice.
Half day tomorrow as I'm playing golf. And then it's Friday. Oh, and it's number one son's first day back at school today! Wish him luck, and I'll look forward to talking to him later, to see how he got on.
Peace.
Tuesday, 8 September 2009
And to think I used to like golf
Jumped up Jebus on a bike, look at the size of this bastard...
Now tell me mother nature isn't a bitch...
Update: I should add, this photo was taken on a golf course - apparently, the guy who took the pic said his mate spotted this 30 yards away. Good God and all his little demons...
Now tell me mother nature isn't a bitch...
Update: I should add, this photo was taken on a golf course - apparently, the guy who took the pic said his mate spotted this 30 yards away. Good God and all his little demons...
Monday, 7 September 2009
Dancing in the sound of silence
There's an interesting article on the Telegraph's website about silent discos.
Go ahead and read it, I'll wait....
OK? Right. Part of me thinks this is actually a good idea - you get the buzz of being with like minded people having a good time to music, but with the benefit of being able to control your own sound track & volume (which at my age means turned down low). There is the comedy element of seeing someone dancing to something completely different to you, but hearing your own tunes, so making it seem as though they are dancing completely out of time, and you don't have to scream your lungs out to be heard if you want to chat - just lift an ear phone!
However, I, like many of my peers, spent their youths in loud and noisy discos / parties where going home at the end of the night with a buzzing in your ears normally meant it was a good night. And many of my patented chat up lines would not have worked so well if they were heard perfectly in near silence. The fact that I had to scream them, and get close to the ladies ear to make myself heard, no doubt helped in my de-flowering of many a drugged up party goer.
So I think that the youth of today (how old do I sound?!) should still go to the more traditional get togethers with loud music and base that makes your heart pound out of sync... but this new idea will certainly catch on more and more and I for one wouldn't mind trying it.
Peace.
Go ahead and read it, I'll wait....
OK? Right. Part of me thinks this is actually a good idea - you get the buzz of being with like minded people having a good time to music, but with the benefit of being able to control your own sound track & volume (which at my age means turned down low). There is the comedy element of seeing someone dancing to something completely different to you, but hearing your own tunes, so making it seem as though they are dancing completely out of time, and you don't have to scream your lungs out to be heard if you want to chat - just lift an ear phone!
However, I, like many of my peers, spent their youths in loud and noisy discos / parties where going home at the end of the night with a buzzing in your ears normally meant it was a good night. And many of my patented chat up lines would not have worked so well if they were heard perfectly in near silence. The fact that I had to scream them, and get close to the ladies ear to make myself heard, no doubt helped in my de-flowering of many a drugged up party goer.
So I think that the youth of today (how old do I sound?!) should still go to the more traditional get togethers with loud music and base that makes your heart pound out of sync... but this new idea will certainly catch on more and more and I for one wouldn't mind trying it.
Peace.
A murder on our street
(Warning: This is a little upsetting)
When I say murder, I actually mean an accidental death - a neighbor's cat got knocked over and killed last night. My better half was coming back from her sisters yesterday evening, and she passed the cat lying in the road a few doors up from us. She called me (so as not to upset number one son) and said could I come outside and maybe move it out of the road. The poor thing. It was lying there, not bloody or anything, but still warm, so it'd only happened fairly recently.
So I gently picked it up and laid it on the pavement. We then had to try and find who owned it. We'd seen it before (in fact, it had had a narrow escape from our garden and our dog, who nearly caught it the other day!) but we didn't know who's it was. We knocked on one house, and said "Do you own a black cat?" and unfortunately for them it was theirs. I was of course upset for them - being told by a stranger that their cat was dead is obviously horrible - but we also worried that they thought WE had knocked it down. I mean, you could see why they would think that, couldn't you? But obviously we didn't and I hope they appreciated the fact we told them AND stopped the body being run over and mashed up. At least they could give it a decent burial. That's the problem with cats - very independent and with a 'go where I like' attitude which can often get them in trouble.
So that was a fairly low note to end the weekend on, which otherwise was quiet.
This week:
Birmingham office tomorrow (balls, bum, poo, piss) and then first training session for me with a new football team.
Birmingham office on Wednesday (hell fire & shit cakes)
Half day Thursday as I have a golf society afterNOON (idiot) tournament (really looking forward to that)
and then before we know it, it's Friday again!
Have a good Monday listeners.
When I say murder, I actually mean an accidental death - a neighbor's cat got knocked over and killed last night. My better half was coming back from her sisters yesterday evening, and she passed the cat lying in the road a few doors up from us. She called me (so as not to upset number one son) and said could I come outside and maybe move it out of the road. The poor thing. It was lying there, not bloody or anything, but still warm, so it'd only happened fairly recently.
So I gently picked it up and laid it on the pavement. We then had to try and find who owned it. We'd seen it before (in fact, it had had a narrow escape from our garden and our dog, who nearly caught it the other day!) but we didn't know who's it was. We knocked on one house, and said "Do you own a black cat?" and unfortunately for them it was theirs. I was of course upset for them - being told by a stranger that their cat was dead is obviously horrible - but we also worried that they thought WE had knocked it down. I mean, you could see why they would think that, couldn't you? But obviously we didn't and I hope they appreciated the fact we told them AND stopped the body being run over and mashed up. At least they could give it a decent burial. That's the problem with cats - very independent and with a 'go where I like' attitude which can often get them in trouble.
So that was a fairly low note to end the weekend on, which otherwise was quiet.
This week:
Birmingham office tomorrow (balls, bum, poo, piss) and then first training session for me with a new football team.
Birmingham office on Wednesday (hell fire & shit cakes)
Half day Thursday as I have a golf society afterNOON (idiot) tournament (really looking forward to that)
and then before we know it, it's Friday again!
Have a good Monday listeners.
Friday, 4 September 2009
Progress on a couple of things
I've found a football team that I am going to go and train with on Tuesday evening. It's a based in Wilmslow (which is about 10 miles away) and they play in the Cheshire veterans league, so I should be playing with / against players of my own age / fitness levels, which means I shouldn't look too much of a tit!
I'm also going to go and try the local driving range after work today. It's about 5 minutes away, and from what I've seen online it looks OK, so we'll see how that goes. As I don't 'do' gyms, I do need something to do once or twice in the evenings, and the driving range (when not too cold) would be ideal.
The skin on my fingers has got worse over the past couple of days. I don't know if this is because I missed two days of treatment (because of visiting parents) or if it's something else, but I'm not happy. I'll give it a few more days of treatment but if there is no change, I might have to give the shop a call and see what they say.
That's about it for today. If I think of anything exciting, I'll post more later, otherwise, have a great weekend everyone.
Peace.
I'm also going to go and try the local driving range after work today. It's about 5 minutes away, and from what I've seen online it looks OK, so we'll see how that goes. As I don't 'do' gyms, I do need something to do once or twice in the evenings, and the driving range (when not too cold) would be ideal.
The skin on my fingers has got worse over the past couple of days. I don't know if this is because I missed two days of treatment (because of visiting parents) or if it's something else, but I'm not happy. I'll give it a few more days of treatment but if there is no change, I might have to give the shop a call and see what they say.
That's about it for today. If I think of anything exciting, I'll post more later, otherwise, have a great weekend everyone.
Peace.
Wednesday, 2 September 2009
Chinese remedies - bullshit or brilliant?
Well, I'm trying to find out. A week ago on Saturday whilst shopping in Manchester with my friend Mr. P (junior) I decided to take the plunge and try a Chinese remedy for my hands.
A bit of background - I have a skin problem on my hands that causes periodical peeling and cracking of the skin on my fingers. I know, gross, right? It doesn't hurt as such (although when the skin has come off and my fingers are showing raw 'new' skin, that can hurt) but it does itch and generally makes my hands look and feel pretty horrible. I've tried various steroid creams from the doctors but none of them seem to work. So, back to the Chinese Health shop...
I had thought about trying a remedy from a Chinese herbalist for a while, knowing that nothing else had seemed to work. And, as we went to leave the shopping center, we passed one. "What the hell" I thought. So in I went. I had a brief chat with the dude behind the counter, and he said I should wait to talk to the doctor. So we waited for about 10 minutes, and then a consultant came and had a look and a prod at my hands. She didn't speak English, so through a translator she asked me some questions about my hands, and then decided that I had a 'fungal infection' below the skin. (Nice, eh?). This was why the creams, that only helped repair the skin on top, failed in the past. She recommended some herbs and stuff that I needed to soak my hands in once a day for half an hour over a course of about three weeks. "OK" says I, "And this will definitely work will it?" I mean, I won't say how expensive it was, but it weren't cheap, and the lady says "Yes, it will definitely work".
So, I decided to go for it, and they started to make up my 'doses'. Scientific it ain't. They laid out 12 or so paper plates on the counter, and then the chief medicine man started grabbing hand fulls of herbs and stuff from different pots and dividing it up amongst the plates. It seems almost random, and the dosage I'm sure was different from plate to plate, but what do I know?
Anyway, all this caused much hilarity for Mr. P (junior) - talk of being mugged, "saw you coming" etc. filled the air. To be fair, it was funny.
"How do you use the herbs?" I hear you asking. Well, it's like the herbs you'd take internally, but you don't drink these. I have to boil & simmer them for about half an hour (and they stink, by the way) and then let it cool before soaking my hands in the strained juice. It also stains my hands a nice nicotine yellow for a while as well, which is dead pleasant.
So now I'm just over two weeks into the treatment, and have I noticed a difference? No. I am trying to stay positive, and I'm going to complete the course and then see how it goes. But rest assured, there will be an angry man standing in a Chinese herbalists in a few days if nothing has changed, demanding some answers!
Chinese remedies? The jury is still out, but stay tuned...
A bit of background - I have a skin problem on my hands that causes periodical peeling and cracking of the skin on my fingers. I know, gross, right? It doesn't hurt as such (although when the skin has come off and my fingers are showing raw 'new' skin, that can hurt) but it does itch and generally makes my hands look and feel pretty horrible. I've tried various steroid creams from the doctors but none of them seem to work. So, back to the Chinese Health shop...
I had thought about trying a remedy from a Chinese herbalist for a while, knowing that nothing else had seemed to work. And, as we went to leave the shopping center, we passed one. "What the hell" I thought. So in I went. I had a brief chat with the dude behind the counter, and he said I should wait to talk to the doctor. So we waited for about 10 minutes, and then a consultant came and had a look and a prod at my hands. She didn't speak English, so through a translator she asked me some questions about my hands, and then decided that I had a 'fungal infection' below the skin. (Nice, eh?). This was why the creams, that only helped repair the skin on top, failed in the past. She recommended some herbs and stuff that I needed to soak my hands in once a day for half an hour over a course of about three weeks. "OK" says I, "And this will definitely work will it?" I mean, I won't say how expensive it was, but it weren't cheap, and the lady says "Yes, it will definitely work".
So, I decided to go for it, and they started to make up my 'doses'. Scientific it ain't. They laid out 12 or so paper plates on the counter, and then the chief medicine man started grabbing hand fulls of herbs and stuff from different pots and dividing it up amongst the plates. It seems almost random, and the dosage I'm sure was different from plate to plate, but what do I know?
Anyway, all this caused much hilarity for Mr. P (junior) - talk of being mugged, "saw you coming" etc. filled the air. To be fair, it was funny.
"How do you use the herbs?" I hear you asking. Well, it's like the herbs you'd take internally, but you don't drink these. I have to boil & simmer them for about half an hour (and they stink, by the way) and then let it cool before soaking my hands in the strained juice. It also stains my hands a nice nicotine yellow for a while as well, which is dead pleasant.
So now I'm just over two weeks into the treatment, and have I noticed a difference? No. I am trying to stay positive, and I'm going to complete the course and then see how it goes. But rest assured, there will be an angry man standing in a Chinese herbalists in a few days if nothing has changed, demanding some answers!
Chinese remedies? The jury is still out, but stay tuned...
Tuesday, 1 September 2009
Bank Holidays are fun while they last
But all to quickly it's back to work *sigh*.
I have a little bit of work to do today, so I'm sitting here after catching up on blogs / sports pages etc. thinking "do I do the work now, and then have nothing to do later, or do I take my time getting into the work so the day is more bearable?" Decisions decisions.
So the weekend was good. Saturday was spent clearing / tidying up in preparation for my parents first visit up north. They arrived at about 11.00 on Sunday, and we spent the day relaxing before going out to dinner on Sunday night. They left Monday morning to get back home. They have never been up north before, and I think they enjoyed it. It was just a shame that the weather wasn't brilliant so we couldn't really do much out & about.
This week, there's not much going on really. I have to work from home on Thursday to look after Jake & the dog, but apart from that, it's a quiet week in store.
Oh, I just remembered! I bought one of those iPhone / iPod speaker docking station things on Monday for my iPhone. It's dead good. The sound is really impressive for the size of the unit. I can plug my iPhone in, and the remote that comes with it can control which track, volume etc. It's really good. I've been wanting something like that for a while, as in the main dining room we didn't have any way of playing tunes, but now we do. And I like it. Oh, and I got all excited because I bought a new frying pan, a new grill pan, and a new chopping board. Middle-age, here I come!
Finally, in other news, it's the last day of the football transfer window today when all deals will have to be done by 17.00. Normally I get all excited about this, because City used to wait until the last minute to get their deals done, but this year, we've spent big, and spent early, so I don't think we'll see too much activity. Still, it'll be interesting to see who else makes moved today.
Have a nice Tuesday all.
I have a little bit of work to do today, so I'm sitting here after catching up on blogs / sports pages etc. thinking "do I do the work now, and then have nothing to do later, or do I take my time getting into the work so the day is more bearable?" Decisions decisions.
So the weekend was good. Saturday was spent clearing / tidying up in preparation for my parents first visit up north. They arrived at about 11.00 on Sunday, and we spent the day relaxing before going out to dinner on Sunday night. They left Monday morning to get back home. They have never been up north before, and I think they enjoyed it. It was just a shame that the weather wasn't brilliant so we couldn't really do much out & about.
This week, there's not much going on really. I have to work from home on Thursday to look after Jake & the dog, but apart from that, it's a quiet week in store.
Oh, I just remembered! I bought one of those iPhone / iPod speaker docking station things on Monday for my iPhone. It's dead good. The sound is really impressive for the size of the unit. I can plug my iPhone in, and the remote that comes with it can control which track, volume etc. It's really good. I've been wanting something like that for a while, as in the main dining room we didn't have any way of playing tunes, but now we do. And I like it. Oh, and I got all excited because I bought a new frying pan, a new grill pan, and a new chopping board. Middle-age, here I come!
Finally, in other news, it's the last day of the football transfer window today when all deals will have to be done by 17.00. Normally I get all excited about this, because City used to wait until the last minute to get their deals done, but this year, we've spent big, and spent early, so I don't think we'll see too much activity. Still, it'll be interesting to see who else makes moved today.
Have a nice Tuesday all.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
