Dogs

I’m going to be honest and start this blog with a forthright statement – ‘I don’t like dogs’. To me dogs are creatures that are used for the vanity of others, they are kept by the insecure, they are paraded by egotistical brainless thugs as status symbols – I think people even keep them as ‘pets’ too!

But, before you all go snarling at me with vitriolic hate, bear in mind, this is just my opinion.

In this country we make a big deal about dogs, we fawn and pamper over them, treat them as almost human beings, which of course they are not. On reading various news articles this week I’ve found it alarming how many dogs involved in attacking others are actually ‘owned’ and not stray.

It’s not just dog attacks that bother me, though I have been attacked twice by dogs, it’s the irresponsible people that own them who piss me off too, though I’m not denying the majority of dog owners are responsible.

We need to get sensible in this country about dogs; we need a dog licence that costs at least a £100 which would include the dog being micro chipped in the price - then true dog lovers would pay it, not those who use and abuse them. We need harsher fines and sentences for owners of dogs that attack others or foul the streets. Then there are the selfish neighbour types that go to work whilst their dog barks all day making others lives a misery. What about the unattended dogs, allegedly safe and secure on property who escape only to cause chaos? We all know when dogs escape they lose their marbles and revert back to a pack mentality; I’ve seen it countless times.

In my ideal world, dogs would be used on farms, used in Airports and for their best use – to aid disabled and blind people – not to serve the vanity or stroke the ego of others.

Hamster

It’s great to see the multi talented presenter Richard Hammond on the road to recovery. Though I’m not an ardent viewer of Top Gear I do like Mr Hammond presenting other shows, his documentary about the holy grail was superb. (Who would of thought the holy grail would end up in Nottinghamshire !)

Anyway, what has really amazed me is the nation’s response to the near fatal crash he was involved in. Thousands upon thousands sending good will messages, money donated to charity and a national feeling of support for the presenter affectionately known as ‘Hamster’.

As a nation, this is where we always come into our own – giving support when one of our own suffers bad fortune.

Sacred Oak

Yesterday I was out and about in the lovely Sherwood Forest, not been that way for a good while but fancied a look at the Major Oak whilst I was there. I must say, it's still looking great. I won't amaze you with the fantastic facts about the tree - you can read them here. It's good to know we have all the wonders of the world here in the Midlands!

There's also a new series about our dear old Robin Hood starting on BBC1 next month so I believe, although it could have been a near miss as the tapes were stolen. It was filmed in Hungary which I can't understand really, probably cheaper. The cast is largely unknown but Keith Allen plays the Sherriff of Nottingam, a role I think he'll be good at.

Yorkshire has been recently doing a lot to promote Robin Hood and trying to get on the bandwagon, even naming the new airport at Doncaster after him. Ok, so there's a few Yorkshire connections but I find it odd they are beginning to promote him now after seemingly not doing that much in the past. Mr Hood must of just got about a bit but he will always be Robin of Sherwood in my book.

The Oak is now supported by scaffolding.

Goat

This could only happen south of the river Trent....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/4748292.stm

Hobbit on the road

Just had my first ‘official’ driving lesson and I’m a happy hobbit. I’m having lessons with BSM and was due to start yesterday, when the rather dishy female instructor turned up it seemed the car wasn’t suitable because I couldn’t push the clutch to the floor without a stretch. So, plan B was a different instructor with a more modified Vauxhall Corsa. Shame about not having the female instructor but she would have been a distraction; but my new instructor seems nice, reminds me of Homer Simpson!

The actual lesson went fine though I did hack into a couple of corners early on, later after a few more laps of the more quiet part of town I felt fine, very confident, controlled and not bothered about other cars near me. The instructor even let me get a slight lick of speed on at one point, though it was probably only relatively slow in real terms - it seemed speedy to me. The hobbit is now on the road…….. and musing why he didn’t do it years ago.

Babe of the Week No.5

The tv presenter Johnathon Ross is a lucky fella, married to the voluptuous amazon that is Jane Goldman. I can only lust after her with big hobbit eyes and dream, mind you - hobbit's always want what they can't reach!!!!

Up or Down

I forgot to add this surreal photo to the Matlock Bath post below. The question is - am I going up or down? It looks like I could be doing either really, my friend suggested the photo as a laugh as we walked around Matlock Bath and looking at it throws me a bit, very strange indeed!

Nice comments about cute Hobbit arse in the box below please !

Gaffe

Oh dear Tony, it’s just not going well for you is it? Yesterday you came in by the back door and jeers at the Brighton conference to address the TUC union delegates (some walked out) Whilst Gordon Brown sashayed down the stairs with his entourage (hangers on) – I see Prescott was close to him!

Today’s news reveals unemployment figures were at a 6 year high rising 93,000 between May and July to 1.7 million, the highest since 2000. Yet Mr Blair announced a drop in August figures early yesterday of 3,950 to the conference before their official release by the Office for National Statistics. Of course your opponents are calling it an ‘irresponsible gaffe’ and rightly so! The ONS are also launching an enquiry into whether Mr Blair had broken protocols.

You’d think with the current Zulu dawn like massive wave of East European immigrant mercenaries coming here the stop gap would be filled. So what is going wrong? Are employers not declaring cheap labour in favour of cash in hand or is there a shortage of unskilled labour to fill the jobs? My guess is probably both but I am shocked to see unemployment rising in months when seasonal work is usually at a high.

For the full story click here.

Matlock Bath

On Monday my friend and I visited the spa village of Matlock Bath in the Derbyshire peak district which is just down the road from the town of Matlock itself. It sits on a corner of the river Derwent and is a bustling tourist attraction, outdoor pursuit centre and mecca for local bikers. I've always loved Matlock Bath since being a child and visiting there with my parents, from climbing the surrounding hills, eating chips, spending money in the penny arcades to just generally soaking up the scenary. Matlock Bath feels like a seaside town with it's amusements, pubs and chips shops that grace the parade that runs along side of the river. In the autumn and winter months there are also illuminations. Matlock bath is very popuar for rock climbers, Canoeists, ramblers and at the weekend the roads are festooned with motorcyclists coming from miles around.

Overlooking Matlock Bath
The river Derwent
A fearsome beast guards the entrance
A balloon passes over Matlock Bath

Sunset with cable car in the distance

Puma Sisters

I've always been partial to Manga artwork and some of the cartoons. The Puma Sisters sexy dance in the Manga aninme cartoon 'Tank Police' springs to mind, so I thought I share it with you - enjoy!

Two

Yep, the Hobbit's Journal is two years old today, I honestly didn't think it would go on for this long but I guess blogging draws you in. It was Pat they got me started so a special thanks goes to him for his initial help in the early days. Of course, I expect lots of ego stroking tributes in the comments box from my fellow bloggers!

Fond Memories ...

Dear Mum,

It’s been a year today since you left me. These past 12 months have been strange, a lot has happened and in the quieter more reflective moments its felt like a wilderness. I’m not going to be hypocritical and say we had an idyllic mother and son relationship because we didn’t but I know that in times of hardship we were there for each other. I know your love was unconditional despite our ups and downs. When you passed away I felt numb but also a sense of relief, you were a troubled soul and I think at times you didn’t feel you were understood, I did try but perhaps nobody really understands the illness you had. Looking back I probably could have been a better son, it’s a shame my counselling skills came along when it was too late but isn’t that the sad irony that is life?

Everyone misses you, none more than me, grief is a funny thing, when you passed away I had to be strong but now I can shed tears freely and with fond memories of better times we had.

Love always

Jay

Flat

On Monday I went to view a flat over at Newark after getting a call about it last week. I must admit to being excited as I’ve been after moving there for ages and been on council and housing association waiting lists for a good few months now.

So, heading over there Monday I had a spring in my stride when I arrived to meet the person that was showing me around. Sadly the place was nothing more than a box, hardly bigger than a bed sit and with a prison like claustrophobia feel to it. I wouldn’t have managed to fit half of my stuff in there so sadly had to decline it. There were other factors too, when I asked about trouble with tenants the housing association rep had to disclose there had been.

So I guess it was for the best and in time the ideal place will come along.

I’m Currently listening too … (5)

Thea Gilmore – Cheap Tricks. Catchy tune from the rock/folk singer-songwriter’s new album 'Harpo’s Ghost'. A nice indie acoustic sound.

M.Craft – Sweets. Bought the album on the strength of this one song and wasn’t disappointed.

Juliette and the Licks – You’re speaking my Language. From the album of the same name, Juliette Lewis kicks ass with her band.

Sparks – When do I get to sing ‘My Way’? Another classic track from the Mael Brothers album Gratuitous sax and senseless violins.

Paradise Lost – How soon is now? Halifax’s very own doom metal merchants cover version of The Smiths song.

The Birthday Massacre – Happy Birthday. This track being my fave one from the bands ‘Violet’ album

Billy Idol – Flesh for Fantasy. Eighties Icons never die, they just get listened to over and over again by fans of the era like me.

Tristania – Aphelion. Awesome 2nd track on the Scandinavian gothic rock bands album called ‘Beyond the Veil’. Fantastic growling vocals with female vocal harmonies all linked together by some skilled guitar grinding.

Ace Frehley – Do ya. This track is currently used in the monster.com advert, though it’s badly done. Top track from Ace’s ‘Trouble walking’ album

The Free Association – Code 46 Soundtrack. Wasn’t sure on the movie and don’t know anything about the band but the soundtrack was excellent.

Leicester

Last Thursday I went to Leicester, I never really realised it was so close to me... and so good. It's about 23 minutes or so on the train from Nottingham, so quick and easy to get to as you can catch a London train that only stops at Leicester en route. The first picture is of the lanes area, small roads, arcades and alleyways filled with shops of all descriptions, some excellent clothes shops.

The next photo is of Leicester cathedral which if I'm being honest isn't really that magnificent at all, smaller in fact than the Mary Magdalene church in Newark. Not far away is a massive covered market, one of the biggest covered markets in europe I'm told. There is also a large fish market nearby.

The Good Earth restaurant on Free lane is where I had my lunch, it has a very retro feel with varnised wooden decor throughout, even the walls have wooden stained panels. The food was excellent and would suit veggies down to the ground (no pun at the restaurant name there!). The food is lovely, fresh on the day and when its gone, they close basically!

So, all in all I really enjoyed Leicester, it has a lovely multicultural feel to it that some cities don't. The shopping is excellent and it looks like there is alot of work going on in and around the city redeveloping areas, when its all done I'm sure Leicester will fantastic for a day out, not that it isn't already.