Agony and Triumph

This oddly enough has been the best year of my life; it took 39 years to happen. 2007 has been a remarkable year with many highs and the odd low, it has been a year of agony and triumph. It started with aphelion, my furthest distance from the sun and the year is ending at a warmth opposite.

The year began with myself in abject pain, readying myself for a move to a new town and a new start, away from the bleak place where I lived, and indeed once happily called home. Times change places though and it didn’t seem like home anymore, it was indeed time to change course. So after trying for what seemed an age the move came about and I found myself a nice little place in Newark. Moving home with two busted hips isn’t easy but the whole life change had me driven above the pain which racked me.

Friends and family pulled together and just after mid January I moved. It was an exhausting process. Then seemingly a disaster struck, after leaving behind bad neighbours I inherited new noisier ones! A word with my landlord and I was offered another flat close by that had a quiet neighbour. So, with things barely out boxes I had another move on my hands. More pain, more bother but ultimately worth it as the new place is much better, and the neighbour is quiet too.

Then came the settling in period, scouting out a new local pub, making new friends and getting used to my new town, which incidentally I really like!

March came and the first hip operation happened, and just in time really as I had almost completely ceased up, x-rays showed my cartilage was shot through and it was bone rubbing on bone. Amazingly I was back on my feet in no time after the operation, and with one good hip life became that bit more bearable. Life improved, more friends were made and a couple of more driving tests were failed! My friend Gary came over from Hong Kong to visit his family and we visited Lincoln, climbing to the top of Steep Hill a mere six weeks after my op made me feel anything was possible…. Plus I wanted to get to the pub at the top!

So the year went on and I got out and about more, visiting London a couple of times among other places. The early part of the summer was almost like monsoon season but the weather improved.

Things seemed to be going well but on the relationship side I was to become hurt. I made the error of letting the ex back into my life only to hurt me all over again, at least I finally woke up to the person she really is, a selfish one devoid of compassion and motivated by clinical self interest, but hey, lets not give her too much press here, she doesn’t deserve it, I’m happy to say I’ve moved on in such a positive way. Being human you always hope things might work out, especially when you love someone, sometimes you don’t see the writing on the wall, you may love them but alas they never loved you.

So back on with 2007 and happier things. I passed my driving test in August and was completely over the moon. This was part of my year plan for changing my life and now I could go where I pleased. I purchased a car soon after and things have been good so far, though I still feel like I’m learning. As the year moved on more friends were made and I got back into work, a job which is very rewarding and I hope to return to shortly when the hip is healed. Talking of hips I had my second hip operation in November, and although I didn’t recover quite so quick this time I’m ok now, just a tad sore in the muscles.

Christmas has been a quiet affair, Gary is again over from Hong Kong and I’ve been given clearance to drive again after the op. I hope to return to work early in the new year.

So many things have changed this year, nearly everyone of them have been good, 2007 is a year I will remember fondly, a cornerstone year, a year of determination and a year of result but mostly a year of happiness, laughter, new friends and smiles.

Thanks to all my friends and family, especially my dad who has been a tremendous help all year.

And to anyone reading this? Well a happy new year to you too !

Weak Minded

Tony Blair's recent conversion to Catholicism just shows what a weak minded fool he is. To quote the BBC news website 'Last year, Mr Blair, who is now a Middle East peace envoy, said he had prayed to God when deciding whether or not to send UK troops into Iraq.' - A lot of fucking good that did Tony eh? I'm sure all that praying eased his own conscience though.

I may have Irish roots but I do have a vehement disdain for the Catholic faith, not just Catholics though, any organised religion be it Muslim to Methodist. I could never get my head around the fact a Catholic could slap his wife about, have an affair and then go to confession and say a few hail Mary's and everything is hunky dory again. It's a greedy dated religion whose history is bathed in blood. You don't have to be a history buff to know it was past popes that called for the crusades, events which caused deep rooted hatred with the middle east to this day.

The thing is, I've nothing against somebody being religious or having faith - its just not for me. I find religion too controlling, very divisive in the world today and riddled with inconsistencies. Maybe I read to much Nietzsche;

'Is man merely a mistake of God's? Or God merely a mistake of man's?'

Friedrich Nietzsche, Twilight of the Idols, Maxims and Arrows

I'll always say a church is a lovely serene place to sit and think but then so is a library, or a deserted beach. Mankind has fabricated marvellous awe inspiring churches but he's also fabricated religion. I can understand aspects of Buddhism and Paganism but that's about it for me. In my opinion we should celebrate the great buildings mankind has himself made, the breakthroughs in science and medicine and all the other positives mankind has achieved. If mankind concentrated on getting the real job done without religion's, such as saving the environment, exploring space and taking sciences to greater heights then we could surely create our own utopia. I'm a pragmatist though, and cynical, so I know it's not going to happen.

Anyway, back to Blair.... I wonder what Ian Paisley makes of it all?

Machete

After watching the amazing Planet Terror by Roberto Rodriguez the other day I was really chuffed that the ficticious grindhouse trailer before the film is actually going to made into a film starring the awesome Danny Trejo of Dusk Till Dawn and Desperado fame. I've long since thought Danny Trejo deserved greater fame.

Watch the video here.

60

She would have been 60 today, and starting her retirement. Today should have been a party, a celebration and to look forward to a life free from the daily grind of work. She's not here, for alas she passed away over two years ago. I was there, at her bed side, holding her frail body, having just consented to her life support being switched off - I held her. I watched her pass away, the machine beeped slower and slower and she died coldly in my arms.

I kissed her.

I wept.

My soul was torn asunder.

She was my mother.

She would have been 60 today.

An Old Friend

Ok, so I'm a geek, I love my computer games. Since having my surgery my Nintendo DS handheld has kept me amused loads. The Sony PSP has seen a fair bit of use too. It wasn't until last night whilst doing some web surfing for calenders I stumbled upon one of my favourite game series being released on the PSP - Disgaea !!!

I had no idea it was being released over here just yet and come Friday I'll be able to take my one of my all time favourite games anywhere on the PSP. Yay!

Life eh?

Well things have been pretty mundane of late, the good news is the legs on the mend, the bad news is I'm having problems with my eyes now, another test Friday on them and hopefully good news.

Bills have seemingly started to roll in at the wrong time and the car MOT is due soon too. To be honest I want to get Christmas over and done with and begin the New Year. Even though I'm off work at the moment after the op they rang Friday to invite me to the Christmas party and drinks after and check if I was ok to go health wise etc. I will be there, and I'm looking forward to it, the leg is up to moderate socialising now I think. There's also a band called the 'Jonnyguns' on at my local this Saturday who consist of some members who work at the same place as me.

So, despite feeling a bit subdued lately, things are generally ok, even better when I get to the bottom of this eye problem.

Bored Stiff

Well the leg is healing slowly, though the boredom is killing me, so is the irregular sleep. I'm missing work and a routine. All I seem to be doing is watching crappy daytime TV, playing video games or watching dvds for the umpteenth time.

soooo BORED!

I need a woman around here with a big arse and tits that kisses like a sink plunger to keep me busy!

Footy

I'm not a great lover of football. Sure, I watch World and European cups and enjoy the occasion, I also look out for the Notts County result come Saturday. It occured to me last night whilst watching the England Vs Croatia European qualifier that it's always expected that we win or qualify every single time. Well yes, thats the name of the game I hear you all say.

The thing is, it seems to be always read that England qualify or reach a tournament, it's just unthinkable to lose. It is always a case of 'We are England - we should be there' irrespective of if we actually play crap football along the way which results in us not qualifying, I just hate the 'we should be there no matter what because we are England' mentality.

I'm as patriotic as the next Englishman, I love to see us win, mainly because its bloody good for national morale, lets be honest we don't have much to celebrate these days do we?

So this time for the European qualifiers we didn't play so well, but thats sport, you win some - you lose some, to cap it all we got our arse kicked last night and we are out of the European cup.

Reality check.

So today we sack our manager and will most probably take on another foreign manager in the next few days, who of course we will over pay - and so the circle goes on.

Ouch time (again)

Got back out of hospital yesterday after getting the right hip sorted. I feel drained and sore. Last night, even though I was in my own bed I took ages to drift off to sleep, that said, I did sleep ok when I eventually fell into slumber.

The operation was done by my consultant at the Nuffield private hospital to cut down on the NHS waiting etc, the NHS paid - bless them! The thing is, private hospitals are lonely places, there's no common or smoke room at the end of the ward, I'd have gladly braved cigarette smoke for some company. my room was ok, en suite with a small portable tv, sadly it was situated near the main ward reception desk, so not all that quiet with room alarms going off regularly.

Nurses are no different in private hospitals, no less busy, apart from one who was a total idle cow. On the whole they do a marvellous job and in fairness I was a moaning git after the op with all the pain. So, private hospitals, apart from the food being only marginally better aren't really any different from NHS ones, more soulless perhaps.

So, here is a photo of my lovely bruising I took a couple of hours ago, it's spreading nicely down my leg!

Little things mean a lot

Today I left 'Unique Social Enterprise' where I'd been working for the last few months, I left because I have to go into hospital tomorrow for the second hip replacement operation.

Just before leaving today I was surprised to be presented with a couple of really cool leaving presents and a farewell card, it was unexpected as I've not really been there that long but I ended up hiding a rising lump in my throat. Such a lovely bunch of people to work with and such a great place for young people get education and life skills.

It's been a pleasure working there and thanks to everyone!

Madness

I Read this story on the net today.

Another reason religeon is beyond comprehension at times, a mother refusing a blood transfusion, her kids live, she dies - crazy. It wasn't so long back I had Jehovah's witnesses at my door with their twisted magazines they leave you to browse. In the issue they gave me it mentioned how to check that you aren't really gay! Of course what they were really saying is in their eyes its wrong to be gay. Of course if you think you may be gay the jehovahs witness answer is 'Throw all your anxieties upon jehovah in prayer, confident that he cares for you' or... 'this can give you the power beyond what is normal to keep you acting on wrong desires. Quoted of course from their bible, as they tend to back everything up with quotes anyway.

Get in an argument with them, show them logic and the quotes come at which they stick rigidly too.

Barking mad, the lot of them!

Open Microphone Night

A bit late posting this, as 'Open Microphone Night' was actually on the 23rd September in my local the Fox and Crown. It wasn't really a roaring success, as Andy the landlord hadn't really advertised it well so not many played, erm you could count them on one hand in fact!

Each person got to play 3 songs of their choice, only with a few turning up to play they got to play much more!

Here's a photo of my old man playing!

Baker's Banter

So, I was in the bakers in town today when I turned and noticed the guy in front of me was none other than the actor that plays Eric Pollard in Emmerdale (ITV, weekdays, 7pm)

He lives on the outskirts of town, I've seen him before a couple of times, The actress that plays Edna Birch lives in a village nearby too.

As I order some bread, he orders some cakes and jokes with the very attentive staff he intends to munch on the cakes later in the car.

The two female staff remain really polite and are all smiles till the moment he leaves.
Then one turns to the other and says;

'My lad went to school with his lad, my lad says his lad is a bit of an arse!'

The people in the shop burst out into fits of laughter.

The Fab Two

Had a really good and erm... tequila filled night at my local last night, The Fox and Crown. Returning again to the Fox was a Beatles tribute band called the Fab Two, and being a fan of the Beatles I had to be there. I'd actually seen the Fab Two in the Fox before and enjoyed them immensely.

Last night was also a charity night where the 'tequila wheel of death' was out in action again. Basically the tequila wheel is a wooden wheel that holds plastic cups filled with either water or tequila, the wheel gets spun and you drink the nearest beaker to you, it was 50p for 2 spins of the wheel and all proceeds went to charity.

The Fab Two were even better this time, playing other stuff besides the Beatles they really showed how versatile they are, they have great vocal harmonies and can really play guitar, they also played my fave Beatles track 'I'll be back' on request.

It was a great night, I had a stinking hangover to show for it this morning, I must have had 8 shots of tequila and about 5 pints!

The Fab Two (apologies for the dark photo)

Cor Blimey Guv'nor

The second boys away day with Gary being over from Hong Kong was a trip down to London, only a brisk 1 hour and 2o mins on the train, have a cuppa and read the paper and you're pulling into Kings Cross.

My first mistake of the day was telling Gary about the Harry Potter 9 and something platform just outside one of the entrances of the station. I was harangued till I took him there for a photo under the platform sign pushing the trolly through the wall, just so he could show the Chinese Harry Potter fanatics back home. I joked a Brian Potter platform from the Tv Series Phoenix nights would be more to my liking.

After that we headed down to the tube and onto Oxford Street, Down Berwick street where there are some fab cheap cd shops before meandering around China Town for a while and taking some photos.

Then it was off to my beloved Camden for some really blister inducing retail therapy. We were definately on a mission and hit shop after shop in search of clothing. I bagged a lovely hoody top from Cyberdog and several t-shirts from the several markets. We had some lovely Chinese food from the Stables market area before sitting down for a coffee and the second round of shopping. Ideally I wanted to do Covent Garden too but we just didn't have the time.

Later I managed to fit in a quick coffee with my old friend Pat at Starbucks near Kings Cross before we both exhaustedly caught the train home at 7pm - I must do London more often, perhaps a weekend in Camden even.

Somewhere in Soho ;-)

Somewhere in China Town

Dragonfly wall in Camden

Gary at Camden Lock

Skegness and Swordfish

I went over to the coast last week with my friend Gary whilst he was over from Hong Kong visiting his family. We decided to do the nostalgia trip and visit Skegness, home of our misspent early drinking years, namely Easter and August Bank holidays.

The weather was really fantastic and we marvelled at some of the changes in the much maligned Lincolnshire resort, even in September it was still bustling with people. We ventured onto the famous 'Chip Alley' and had ourselves some swordfish, chips and peas with a steaming mug of tea - it was amazing!

Sadly the fairground is a shadow of its former self, the rides for most part seem empty and the whole area wouldn't look out of place in a zombie flick, it needs a massive make over to compete with the likes of Butlins and Funcoast world a couple of miles down the road.

Skegness for me will always be a place of childhood memories and drunken weekends camping in crappy tents and trying to sneak into Butlins! It may not be the best holiday place in the country but it holds nothing but happy memories for me..... and some very hazy ones!

The Big Wheel (with some added effects!)

The Jolly Fisherman

Gary by the sea!

Never Forgotten

The beautiful girl pictured below was my mum as a child, in happier days, she died 2 years ago today, she would have been 60 this year.

A candle burns for her memory this day, tears fall.

A son never forgets.

Love always and ever.

My New Love

Today I got my car, yep, my first car and I can't stop going outside and fawning over her.

I got her from a local farmer/car dealer for a really good price. I knew when I saw her online that it was the one for me. It's nothing special, just a Vauxhall Astra variant but I guess its the fact its my first car that I'm just excited, and for a cheap car its certainly packing extras.

Still a couple of things to sort before she's on the road proper but it won't be long.

Di

I'm not a royalist, never have been but there was no avoiding the news today about the anniversary of princess Diana. I guess her life was brief but in some respects she lived a life that some only dream about.

My thoughts were with the Princes though, on a base level of actually losing your mum, I know how that feels, and my thoughts are with them in that respect.

85th

It was my grans 85th Birthday today, a remarkable lady that's seen a lot of life ups and downs, I love her dearly.

I took some flowers and a card over and we had a good old chinwag and cup of tea. She's not as strong as she once was but she's as bright as a button.

Here's to another good few years for her!

Used Emotions

The friend

'This is your life, Right here, Right now. This is real time... not rewind. Do you understand what I'm saying... she doesn't love you. Maybe she did once, I don't know, but she doesn't now. These are used emotions. It's time to trade them in.'

My friends tone becomes more gentle.

'Memories were meant to fade. They're designed that way for a reason.'

I crumple a bit, I know I have to let go but it's so painful

Me

'Have you ever been in love with somebody who didn't return that love?'

The friend sighs and says in a low voice and says

'Yeah I have'

Me

'It didn't stop you from loving them Right? Or understanding them, or being able to forgive them...?'

The friend

'I guess'

Me

'And it didn't stop you from wanting to protect and care about them did it?'

The friend

'No it didn't'

Eyes brim with tears but nobody wants to wipe them away...

Once more unto....

I saw my consultant last Friday regarding the progress of my hip replacement.

Well to be succinct there's good news and sort of bad news. The good news is that the previous op has almost healed fully and to their mild surprise bone has actually grown around some of the metal fittings and kind of encased them. Why couldn't my bones have grown a bit more when I was bloody younger! So, anyway all is good with the new hip and it feels good too.

My right hip joint though has been causing me severe grief over the last three weeks, I use my right side for driving too and when I was last driving I really felt quite sore. On Friday they did more x-rays (that's how we knew the bone had grown over the fittings) and they showed my right him was fast deteriorating. So after a chat with my consultant it seems they want to operate within the next 18 weeks.

Deep down I'm happy about this, I want to be rid of the pain once and for all and get on with my life which is really coming together right now. The thing that makes me feel down is the fact I have to go through the ordeal all over again! Yes, I know its for the best and in a scant few weeks I'll be feeling really good, it's just it isn't a pleasant process and right now I really want to be getting on with things.

Common sense prevails though, it needs to be done, then both hips should be ok till I'm retired.

The pain I'm in now isn't nice, I don't like taking painkillers either, so I guess it's time to brace myself once more and ready myself for the letter with the operation date.

Blues Man

A few weeks back a band pulled out of a gig at my local, so instead of having no music at all some of the regulars rallied together to perform themselves, a sort of open night for anyone who wanted to sing and play.

My dad got up and sang three songs and went down a storm in what was his first real gig of sorts. He sang some Dylan and a song of his own and I'm sure we'll see him up there again in the near future strumming his guitar.

Drive

At around 10.55am this morning I heard those sweet words 'I'm pleased to inform you that you have successfully passed your driving test'.

I trembled, my heart raced and the adrenaline hit me, its taken me 4 attempts to pass.

It was a lovely day out, not a cloud in the sky and the light breeze on my face felt good.

It's been a long hard road though, I'd taken 2 hasty tests before my operation in March earlier this year, I really wasn't ready but I thought I'd chance it anyway, then of course there was the pain I was in before my operation, sitting still for so long whilst driving wasn't easy. I took my 3rd test about 6 weeks ago and nerves got the better of me, and like an idiot I got into a distracting chat with the examiner which didn't do my concentration any favours.

This morning though there seemed to be a change in the air, I really felt focused and ready, yesterdays lesson nerves had seemingly receded, usually I really screw up on lessons just before the test.

So, after a quick hours drive this morning before the test I felt eager, hungry to get on with it. I kept repeating the mantra 'keep calm, listen to the examiner and read the road ahead'.

I kept the chit chat to traffic lights, I concentrated, I repeated the mantra.

I passed. I hugged my instructor when I got out of the car, I shook the examiners hand vigorously.

Summer never felt so good.

Beer, Beer, Beer

A friend sent me this link the other day of a really cheerful little video. Have a look, I'm sure it will make you smile and the music is infectious!

See it here !!!

War Veterans

It was quite touching yesterday to see 2 of the remaining 3 war veterans who fought in the great war meet the Queen, one being 111, the other was 106. Their message was simple "We want people to know how much we owe them. They gave everything."

We all know that thousands upon thousands gave up their life in the great war, the flower of Britains youth back then went to certain death in the trenches, men who had more morals from a time when people were more civil.

The veterans through longevity of life must have seem an enormous amout of changes in science and society but I wonder what they really think of our country today?

Free

Its fantastic news that BBC journalist Alan Johnstone is free from captivity at last after 114 days. He looked slightly tired but other wise was as sharp as ever whilst giving out interviews to the press. I caught the ITV news bulleting where Julian Mannion warmly shook his hand as Alan looked up and recognised him, their camaraderie evident even though they represent different stations. I'm pretty sure when Julian concluded the report he had a lump in his throat as he held back tears.

Even during the hostage videos of him Alan looked calm under pressure and almost like he was still reporting rather than being a hostage - a true professional.

I'm pretty sure that in the near future Alan will be back on out screens reporting in that interesting yet concise way he seems to.

Best of luck for the future Alan.

When in Rome

Rome is back on BBC2, in fact its halfway through season 2 and what a rip roaring series its been! Full of intrigue, divided loyalties, conflicts, subversion and pure decadence.......oh and did I mention the gratuitous sex and violence?

Class acting from the likes of Kevin McKidd and Ray Stevenson as Vorenus and Pullo as their lives become ever more complicated and manipulated by Romes powers that be. Atia of the Julii played by Polly Walker remains as seductive and ruthless as ever and my personal favourite is Mark Antony played by James Purefoy, an arrogant machiavellian if I ever saw one.

David Bamber plays an excellent Cicero, always plotting and counter plotting and pulling some great facial expressions whilst doing so.

Last but not least is the sometimes malevolent looking Octavian played by Simon Woods, who incidentally reminds me of a young Malcolm McDowell.

Ok for the pedentics out there the series isn't historically correct but who cares when shows of this calibre come along to grace our often mundane tv screens!

Smoke Free

Well today England goes smoke free and about time! Some accuse the Labour party of creating a 'nanny state' but as regards the smoking ban I think they've done something sensible.

No more coming in from a night out with my clothing smelling of smoke, no more sitting in restaurants or cafes with people lighting up next to you as you eat.

Seemingly its worked in other countries and there's no reason why it shouldn't work in England.

To the smokers I say it has never been a better time to quit, you know it makes sense!

A quick guide to the smoke free law can be found here

Tony

Goodbye Tony, I'm not sure you've been the Prime Minister I wanted but I voted for you all the same ten years ago. I can't say I've been happy with everything you've done or agreed with all your home and foreign policies but in general I guess things haven't been that dire for me personally either.

Nothing radically has improved though has it? Its all been a bit mediocre. Mortgages have gone mad with sky high prices but white goods and food are cheap, its all been a bit ying yang. The health service is still remarkable but public transport could be vastly better. There could be more jobs out there and training but instead we've let too many foreigners in instead of building a skilled workforce of our own. The prisons fill up, the corpses keep coming back from Iraq.

We have peace in Northern Ireland, we have a good economy but I worry about implications if we join the European Union.

Oh well I didn't want this to be a political rant, in fact I actually felt for you when you stood in the despatch box today and made that final speech, you're a bloke that cares about his country and a job like that can't be easy, we all make mistakes. You were still as witty and sharp in the commons today as ever, perhaps more so, and the retort to the religeous question was a classic! I do think it is now time for a change but best of luck.

Lets wait and see what Mr Brown can do!

The last prime ministers question time can be seen here

Au Revoir (for now)

Here in Newark we have a world famous guitar making school and a violin school that attract students from all over Europe. A large majority of them are French and they do a variety of part time work around the town to supplement their college grants etc.

My local pub employs a French guy as a Barman, though he's from France his father is English so he speaks both languages. He's quickly become very popular in my local as he's such a great guy, hardworking, polite and always with a jest and a smile.

He's now gone back to France as his first year at the guitar making college has ended, and last night in the pub it seemed odd without him, its funny how you miss people isn't it? The good thing though he will be back in eight weeks or so with his irrepressable brand of gallic charm and humour.

Fridge Magnets

When I moved back in January I wasn't that organised when it came to packing, most things were thrown into boxes or bags quite haphazardly and then unpacked in a very random fashion at the other end.

Among items I couldn't find after the move were my fridge magnets, though at first I didn't pay much attention to it. Then later as I started to get bills and appointment cards I really wish I had them, as I used to pin things on the front of the fridge using various fridge magnets and with being in such a central place there was always a reminder of things 'to do'.

So this week, totally by accident and rustling around in a cupboard I found the fridge magnets, nearly six months later. They are now back doing their vitally important work of helping me remember stuff like paying the bills!

Iron Lady

A very satirical front cover to the new issue of the excellent Private Eye magazine that has been brought to my attention by my friend and fellow Margaret Thatcher admirer Pat. I've yet to see her statue in the Westminster lobby area but I'm sure Pat will joining me in paying homage to it next time I'm down in London.

Featureless

I've been meaning to post about the Market Square in Nottingham for some time now. I did do a blog some time ago about it when work was going on, and at the time I was really looking forward to the new square.

So a few weeks ago when I was in Nottingham I rushed excitedly towards the square clutching my camera expecting something that took over a year to do to be pretty damn good. I was stopped in my tracks, pure disappointment is all I can describe it as.

The old square had character, there were plenty of places to sit, gardens and water features, the new square has erm.... nothing but a water feature at one end that isn't spectacular at all.

The whole thing is barren really, great for open air events I guess but totally uninspiring.

At least I can still retire to one of my fave bars pictured below, the Pit and Pendulum which is a short stroll from the square.

Cruelty

Anyone who knows me well or has read pasts blogs will know I'm not really a pet / animal person. Sure, I love watching them on nature documentaries and I'll happily make a fuss of friends pets (unless they have huge dogs).

Last night I was watching the evening news and they ran this report about the EU banning fur from countries such as China.

I found some of scenes very disturbing indeed, cats crammed in cages and being poked with sticks as they huddled together in absolute fear, a dog being led off to be slaughtered wagging its tail meekly as it did so, a last attempt to perhaps to impress its cruel masters before it was roughly chained and butchered.

I saw animals in cages in China when I was over there, I also saw this little fella wandering lost and lonely on a street in Thailand when I was last there.

It is upsetting in this day and age that animals have to suffer, like I said I'm no pet lover but it really turns my stomach to see any animal suffer.

Reminders of the past

Its funny how certain things, fictional occurrences on telly for instance bring memories rushing back, painful ones at that. Something I saw today triggered feelings within me and reminded me of the day I lost my Mum.

She passed away on the 9th September 2005, aged 57, I was there when her frail hold on life ended. She’d been rushed into hospital the previous night with internal bleeding and by the time I got there I was told she was in a really bad way, I think they gave her a 10% chance. I was working nights at the time and to keep my mind occupied I decided to go into work. Every hour that passed I rang and each time was told she was stable and comfortable, something inside of me dared to hope she’d recover and come the daytime she’d be sat up in bed wondering what all the fuss was about. After work I got home and fixed a cuppa and readied myself for the uncertain day ahead, then the phone call came from the hospital telling me to get there as soon as possible.

Inside of my mind I knew what was coming really but something inside tells you never to give up hope, something inside you doesn’t want to believe the worse, its denial all the way, all the way of course till the gravity of the situation hits you.

On arriving I was led into a room and briefed by doctors. They told me she’d lost a huge amount of blood and because it was in her intestines there wasn’t a way back for her, in fact her brain had been starved of blood she’s been losing it at such an horrific rate, she’d lost so much blood they were concerned about keeping her supplied. Her temperature was being held aloft by a heated bed and the life support machine was the only thing keeping her alive. The doctors voices seemed to phase in and out, initially I wasn’t grasping at what they were suggesting … and that was turning the life support machine off. When the penny finally did drop I tried to reason but they clearly pointed out she was in effect dead already, only the life support kept her in this world and at any time the life support machine may be needed for someone who may come into hospital after a serious accident.

All eyes were on me, my mother’s only son and direct next of kin as my folks had divorced quite a few years ago. My mum’s partner was there, he was in a state of shock, we looked into each others eyes as the world began to fall apart around us. The doctors outlined things to me again, I took a deep breath and understood, I nodded and said we have to do what’s right, my hands trembling, my furrowed brow dripping with perspiration.

So I was led to her bedside with her partner, the process of the life support machine being switched off explained to me. I was showed the counter that monitored her blood pressure and told when it reached a certain figure she would have passed away. We held her cold tiny hands, my hand rested on her cold cheek and we watched her slip away. It was like she fought in a strange sense, the blood pressure counter seemed to remain steady for ages, then suddenly began to plummet. Hot stinging tears cascaded down my face, I must have croaked some unintelligible things, I honestly can’t recall, over the other side of the bed her partner was convulsed with tears at losing his partner, then she was gone.

Racked with internal pain my chest felt so tight it was going to explode, when the nurses finally led us away I still couldn’t believe it, it all seemed so surreal, like I was going to wake up at any time, but it was real and sadly mum was the only person not waking.

Like I said, it’s funny how things today can trigger memories from the past.

Capital One

Even when you move home and think you've got rid of a large portion of junk mail you used to get at the old address there's still one company who won't let go, yep the insidious credit card company Capital One (no I won't do a hyperlink to them!).

When I checked my mail the other day, there it was, an envelope on the doormat from Capital One, though instead of my name it just had 'The Occupier' on it. Will this company stop at nothing?

Obviously they must be raking the money in, adverts in most glossy magazines, tv commercials aplenty and the ability to send countless mail to the populace proves that.

I hate them.

Hypocrisy?

I'm confused. Though I'm not watching this series of Big Brother on Channel 4 I gather a housemate was evicted for using the term 'nigger' quite innocently whilst dancing with another house mate (of Afro-Caribbean background). Swift action was taken and she was removed from the show.

But surely Channel 4 are hypocrites? They readily show Hip-hop, R'n'B and rap videos and even programmes in which the word 'nigger' is clearly used.

Personally I don't like the word or agree with its use but it seems to me things are somewhat fudged these days as regarding certain words and who can say them.

You're always going to get black people that play the racist card and condemn certain words and actions but equally you are going to get black people that are quite happy with the word and freely use it. I understand the origins of the word and why it could be found distasteful for a white person to call an ethnic person it but I do feel that certain incidents on tv only serve to heighten racial tensions also.

But in closing I just think it smacks of hypocrisy from channel 4 who in trying to resolve it have seemingly made it a big deal.

Lack of interest

Usually I comment about Channel 4's Big Brother reality Tv show every year.

After watching last nights launch I can only say I have a pure lack of interest this year, the opening ensemble of women entering the house was dire, and why all women? Sure we know males are gonna enter the house at some point, and I'm sure the producers are hoping of a psychology of a few males will definately get the females hormones doing over time, personally I don't think it will work. The viewing demographics are going to be affected, as I imagine that the large majority of viewers are females, and lets face it females want their male eye candy and not a bunch of women bitching, they can get that down the office or factory where they work.

And the contestants/housemates this year, one word - Drivel.

11 female housemates, 7 of which are generic bimbo's, 2 eccentric old ladies, 1 punk resembling a cross between Worzel Gummidge and Albert Steptoe (with the charm of neither) and a normalish Welsh girl...... well normal for Welsh.

Will I be watching this year?

I think not.

Beer Fest!

Following hot on the heels of the Jazz Festival is the 12th Newark Beer Festival this bank holiday weekend. There's lots going on, plenty of bands on the programme and I'm sure again it will be another weekend to savour in Newark!

For more info click HERE

New(ark) Orleans

Here are some photos of this past weekends annual jazz festival in town. There was a real party atmosphere about the place and everywhere seemed really busy. I didn't see many of the acts in truth, perhaps about 4 or 5 over the course of the weekend but I'm not crazy about jazz, though live music is always nice. I had excellent company and really enjoyed the weekend.

The Sunday jazz parade through town, led by a local New Orleans style band

TJ Johnson bandRiver boat cruise leaving town lock

Tea

Drinking three or more cups of tea a day is as good for you as drinking plenty of water and may even have extra health benefits, say researchers.

Yay! I'm all for that, I like water but it's so bland, give me several cups of Earl Grey any time, garnised with a side serving of jaffa cakes of course!

read the report here

Newark Jazz Festival

It's the second annual Newark Jazz Festival in town this weekend. Last years was a roaring success and this years festival has attracted big names such as George Melly, Digby Fairweather and TJ Johnson.

There's 50 live acts playing over 25 venues. Now I'm no huge Jazz fan, though I like the slow sax stuff but events like this are great for the town and if it's anything like last year there will be a great atmosphere.

click here for more info

and for more about Newark click here

Lincoln Revisited

I visited Lincoln last Wednesday with Gary my friend who was over from Hong Kong having a break from work and visiting family. We caught the train from Newark into Lincoln which takes mere 20 mins or so. It was a lovley sunny day as you can see!

Lincoln is a lovely laid back city, some great visuals and lots to see and do, I really must go more often as I keep discovering more about the place each time I go. Climbing 'Steep Hill' with the new hip wasn't easy but I managed to make it with one short rest, it is always worth the trip up there.

Looking down Steep Hill

Cathedral view

Lincoln castle entrance

Waterside

Gary outside an antique shop, or should he be in it?!


The ascent of steep hill

Back !!!

There’s no excuse, I’ve neglected my blog – for more than a month too. It wasn’t until a friend pointed it out to me I realised how long I’ve let things slide. I could chime on about recovering from my operation, and that is partly true but the real truth is until the last couple of weeks I haven’t really been up to that much. Not only that, I’ve not really had the inclination to sit down and type – so I guess it’s been a time out of sorts, though I do regret missing so many weeks from my blog.

The good news is I’m recovering well, faster than expected, according to the specialist I’m a record breaker as I was the quickest patient he’s ever known to be back on his feet and leave hospital after a hip replacement, there’s hobbit stamina for you! The last few weeks haven’t been a breeze, pain killers coupled with bouts of insomnia haven’t helped but everything seems to be coming back together now, the crutches and sticks are gone, the scar is healing nicely and I feel very upbeat!

It’s good to be back………… did you miss me?

Scar

Well here it is, the scar from the hip operation, and quite nasty it is too, though I must say it is healing nicely and today those pesky staples came out! The bruise runs all the way down to my toes.

Small children and those with a weak stomach should look away now!

300

Well the first real trip out after the operation today, I kind of felt like a school kid out on a field trip. Dad kindly drove me to see '300' at the cinema (I paid for him too!), the movie version of Frank Millers comic book and wow, what a movie!!

Amazingly dad hasn't been to the cinema since he took me to see Star Wars in 1977 when he fell asleep during the film! So when we went into the massive mulitplex cinema I think he quite liked it. We both enjoyed the film, Gerard Butler was amazing as King Leonidas, Lena Heady was sensual as Queen Gorgo, proof you don't need big names to make a solid film. Though I thought the guy that played King Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) came across as very 80's Ru Paul. The story didn't really go over the top as I expected and pretty much stayed in format with Miller and Varleys hardback comic book and the actual historical tale.

Anyway, definately one to go and watch.

Getting to grips with hips

So, I am now the proud owner of a new left hip joint, I've said goodbye to the old hip that had served me so well for 38 years. Basically the cartilage and joint were knackered in the left hip, I was in agony most of the time, like a tooth ache in my hip that never went away, so paying to see a specialist privately I got ahead of the NHS crowd but it cost, the things pain makes you do.
Monday 12th March came around, I had to be at City hospital in Nottingham at 7.30am, on arriving I found my operation was pencilled in for around 3pm, so a bit of a wait. The ward was a bit drab and austere, not modern at all really, everyone looked glum and I could tell this wasn’t going to be a social few days. I sat and waited, with my book and Sony Psp, though I couldn’t concentrate on either really. I felt exhausted and ready for the op, the time soon came around.

I was wheeled down to the theatre in my gown and then taken into a room to be injected for the anaesthetic, I wasn’t having an epidural but the full hit, the full darkness. The needle went in the back of the hand, I was ready, more than ready, I needed the darkness just to escape. I liken the anaesthetic darkness to death itself, a void, a nothingness, tranquillity – perhaps that’s why old people want that peace when they get old?

I had a few moments to reflect, gather my thoughts and reflect on all the silly things I regret, past loves, people I love, my selfish actions, everything.

The next needle went in the groin, a masked face reassured me, I lay motionless, I was ready, I wanted that darkness to come and take me away – and it did, it came.

Then noise filters through, my senses creep back in, I lay in a recovery room, I hear the neighbours theme tune and see Harold Bishops face grinning down at me, I wearily regard the wall mounted tv, I sigh and pass out.

I wake again, the bed trolley is in motion, I’m told a triangular support is between my legs, holding them apart, then I try and feel, the agony rushes me, I want to close my legs, I can’t, pain courses through my body – I cry out, I want the darkness back.

Back to the ward, I’m still not with my senses, I muffle a moan about the pain, the morphine drip goes in and soon it seeps through my body, morphine I love you. The next few hours are a haze.

Tuesday 13th

1am - I feel ok, warm and sticky, bladder feels full, throat is dry, nurses are coming to me about every half hour, doing their tests, finally I get a brew and a good look at the curvy nurses arse, my spirits begin to lift, I even manage to blag a tuna sandwich.
I get a disjointed sleep and I’m visited by the specialist early, he tells me it went well. I then get a new guy in the bed next to me, he’s 87 and soon begins to irritate me as he takes me through both world wars, he’s as blind as a bat and gets lost on the way to the toilets a la Mr Magoo style, I chuckle, then berate myself for being wicked, he’s nice really but can talk forever. Later his son comes to visit and I discover he can talk more than the dad, he rambles on about Brian Clough to me and Forests glory days, I try to look unimpressed but it isn’t working. They are the last people to be ejected at the end of the visiting time, we all sigh in collective relief. I get my first bed bath, no complaints and I’m back on regular food, it isn’t bad either. Some male bonding and empathy takes place as the other patients realise I have the most irritating man alive next to me, he even talks to me about the colour of the walls, meaning of life etc, hell he even talks when I listen to my ipod. I get my first bollocking from a nurse for attempting to piss in a cardboard sample bottle whilst stood on one leg – you try pissing laid down!

Wednesday 14th

My neighbour from hell has gone, bless him, he says goodbye to everyone and then panics when he thinks he’s lost his wife and son, his goodbyes take forever even though he doesn’t know anyone. More male bonding and a trip out on the zimmer frame, I have my first real encounter with a normal toilet, and boy do I need it. Later I get to go on elbow crutches and feel gung ho as I traverse the ward, escape could be soon at hand – then the bastards take my morphine away and put me on tablets, the stapled stitches hurt like hell as they stretch the skin, my muscles feel on fire but I have to escape. A new patient decides to have the most irritating ‘Dom Joly’ type ring tone on his phone and conduct his companies business from the ward, feathers are ruffled, he’s loud and obnoxious, I decide to hobble over and ask if its an hospital or an office? and if he’s so loaded why didn’t he go private? A nurse senses my vehemence and stops me before she reads him the riot act about too much mobiles phone on the ward.

Later that night I hang out in the common room and watch spurs match eating jaffa cakes.

Thursday 15th

I lay and contemplate things all day, past, present and future, someone from my past has been supportive, their texts have made me smile, they don’t realise how much they’ve helped me. I try and bury feelings I once had, it’s hard. I have a new neighbour called Albert that has a habit of farting or being sick at meal times, this combined with the pain and lack of sleep makes me want to leave as soon as I can. Later I impress the physio with my slick moves, he agrees to let me go home, though I still have to have the district nurse come every day to inject me and change my dressing - all of a sudden I feel sub. I suspect the physio thinks I am masking pain and he’s right. Albert comes back from his hernia op, he looks frail and in immense pain, he tries to ring his daughter in vain on his mobile but his hands shake so much he drops it, he’s sick again. The nurses move in and pull the curtains around, he screams – it sounds like he is being tortured as his pleas seem to go unanswered ‘no, not that again, no it hurts – arrgghh’. Stood on my crutches I stare at the curtain with the other patients, some who have become friends, one guy begins to cry at his own dilemma as he can’t eat, he’s young, just got a place and a lovely girlfriend. I sit by him and try to offer solace from a place that is fast becoming bedlam. I look down to see my recently removed catheter wound is gushing blood all over my, the floor and the crutches, I call for a nurse but they are all busy with Albert, the blood keeps coming until eventually they see to me, but poor Albert, I get a peek through the curtains to see his ghostly visage, we all look at each other and see he seems to be fading fast.

Later I get the all clear to go home, a complimentary x-ray and a bagful of tablets and needles, a veritable tramps hamper! Dad comes to pick me up, he’s been almost saintly over the last few days, my rock. I leave and feel the fresh air on my face, the leg is moving and workable though painful, at least that night I’d get my own bed!

So, the cybertronic, bionic, hobbit goth spartan is back, a tattooed eye, a new state of the art hip joint – what next?

Hospital showed me many things, how precious life is, how fragile it is, and also when my time comes not to be afraid of the dark, to hell with the gods, who wants to live forever?

we can rebuild him! (the x-ray photo copy)

Busy

It's been a while since I've done a blog, not that I've been avoiding it, I just haven't had time.

Since moving to Newark everyday has seemingly been busy with one thing or another, it's all been a bit of a blur really. Firstly after moving I realised I had the most awful anti-social loud neighbour living above me, with an extended family that rivalled an amazonian tribe that were constantly visiting. I couldn't believe my bad luck initially and after a couple of diploamtic complaints I realised I wasn't going to get anywhere, so I took up the issue with the estate agent/landlord who offered me another flat that had become vacant very close by. Having just got set up in the new place I was reluctant to move again and suggested it should be my protaganist noisey neighbour that should go but the landlord hinted that they would be dealt with in due course, perhaps when their tenancy ended. So, wanting peace and quiet I decided to move albeit with an air of reluctance. Having now moved I'm glad I did, the new neighbour is fine, lovely and quiet and the new place is better than the last for several reasons.

The problem with moving is I now have no internet again, another long story, see my previous blog. It looks like I could be a few more days without internet at the new place due to a legality with Virgin Media getting install access rights to my new place because a previous tenant had NTL installed illegally by some rogue outfit.

I've also been busy preparing for my upcoming operation, having had the pre-op last week and everything explained to me in full I can honestly say I am not looking forward to it at all but I'm sure it will all be worth it in the long run and at least the existing pain I am in will have gone.

Apart from the above, things have been generally good, I really like living in Newark, it's a lovely place. It did seem strange at first but I guess that was just a settling in period but now I feel content. I have a new local pub close by which has a large range of real ales and some entertaining local characters that have embraced me as one of their own. Everything is really accessible in Newark, which is good with my current leg problems and will be handy after my operation.

So all in all life is good, I'm glad I moved, it was one of those life changes I really needed and I feel positive about future months, apart from being a bit worried about the operation, all that talk of morphine and needles and stapled stitches!

Failed

Well, failed the driving test today, ironically only got 4 minor faults out of an allowed 15 but I pretty much fluffed the bay parking bit due to the sun in my eyes. No excuses really, I should have taken more time but the bay park came right at the beginning of the test which I wasn’t expecting. According to my instructor I also got the most serious non talkative examiner! The fact he had to tap the break slightly as I reversed because of a metal post behind me earned the fail, even though I did the reset myself totally and complete manoeuvre again for the old trout.

Still, knowing I only got 4 minors and getting a test under the belt makes me feel more positive for the next one that is booked in March.

Time for a beer me thinks!

NT-Hell

Well at long last I am back on the net, no thanks to my service provider NTL.

Its been a long hard frustrating struggle just to get my internet bloody working again at my new address, forget the name NTL, the should be called NT-Hell !

I phoned them about a week before I moved and was told everything would be a seamless transition, that a technician would call at my new address on the 24th and to take my old cable modem with me and everything would be working as it was at my old address. Well the technician came and went, it was straightforward as the previous occupant had NTL before me, in fact her old tv box still worked, I know as I connected it up to my telly and watched free films!

On leaving the technician said I may have to call their broadband helpline to get properly up and running, he also wrote my new phone number down wrongly causing me to pass it onto folk who couldn’t contact me, they must be on commission the speed they are in and out of your house.

So, when he went I couldn’t access the net, so rang the helpline who said they couldn’t help because my old address was still active, this being several days after I had moved, I was told matters would be resolved after midnight when my details changed on the server.

The next day came, still no internet. Another phone call and I was told because NTL have merged with Telewest there had been problems and I was called a ‘hanging house move’ and it would take two days to update my details, which basically was just a change of address, amazing. I did protest but was told nothing more could be done until another department entered my details, unfortunately there was a back log.

So the weekend passed and I was on the case Monday again only to be given a whole raft of excuses and call centre swerves. People promising to call back or resolve it, or email another department etc, nothing seemed to happen and my blood began to boil. This debacle went on till this morning when I kept on insisting to speak to someone higher up the ladder, the promises of ‘oh don’t waste your time in queues or your money calling us, someone will call you, nobody did. Another round of waiting on the phone till eventually I decided to take no prisoners and wouldn’t leave the phone until it was resolved. So eventually a tech guy from India calls me and resolves it quite simply in the end, something that could have been done days ago should anyone have been interested.

The reason I kept NTL was that I wanted to keep my email addy etc and was happy with the previous rock solid connection that never seemed to let me down.

My advice to anyone dealing with call centres is take names, id’s and extension numbers, ask them if they have updated tracking notes with every call, because people were conveniently not updating notes every time I called so they’d take no responsibility etc.

I told the supervisor that dealt with my case that questions needed to be asked from this, the fact from the date of installation till my net working was a week, 11 days inclusive of the move from my old address. Having worked in a call centre for the MOD before I know the tricks and swerves people use working in call centres, so that helped.

One thing I have realised is how much I rely on the net just for day to day stuff, internet banking, paying bills etc, and of course chatting to friends. Moving to a new town and having no net made it even worse, and I hate texts as a rule. I have got 2 months free services out of it all but that’s not much to a massive company like that.

Ironically the guy that sorted it was supposed to call me back at 4pm as a courtesy to check if my net was now working…… he never called.

Catharsis

I never knew moving home could be so hard, both physically and emotionally.

Just had to take a break, write something down, this blog will probably be my last for a while, I hopefully move Saturday so will be off the net for a while, unless I jump on dad’s pc.

I guess I didn’t think I has so much stuff, there’s just loads I didn’t realise I had. Then there comes the emotional pangs of finding old letters from loved ones, cards and other items that had been long shut away from view and from mind. Each one I’ve re-read again which evokes all those old memories, it’s like you know you don’t want to read stuff but can’t help it. Then of course there are the old books I’ve thrown away, the old mementos too including an old bar stool I kept when my favourite pub closed down and refurbished.

My feelings are fluctuating, happy that I am leaving for a much better place, sad at leaving a place that has been my home for the last seven years, there is a lot of memories here, it’s been a place where I matured vastly.

There is though an inexorable pull in me to move forward and leave my home town behind, I no longer like it or want to be here (and haven’t done for some time), I want new challenges and a better environment. Being near dad after my upcoming surgery will help too as I am going to need much help and support for which promises to be a painful time.

I wish I could write something emotional with meaning, something fluid and poignant but I can’t, everything seems disjointed in my head, I feel drained. The more I seem to chuck things out and fill boxes the more there seems to do.

But I know, leaving here, moving on will be the catharsis I need.

Frustrating

Last week I thought my move over to Newark was almost in the bag but was told the last link in the chain was a reference from my current landlord, which also happens to be my local council.

So the estate agent that I am going to be renting from remarked they would inform their references agency people to obtain a reference from my local council. Last friday I got a phone call from HomeLet referencing who said my local council wouldn't give me a reference unless I paid a fee of £27.50. Incensed I charged (well hobbled on my bad hips) to my local council offices and on the way decided not to argue as I really want to move and also wanted a good reference, not that they could give me a bad one as I've always paid my rent but there is always a chance they could have chucked a spanner in the works. So I pays the money and rings HomeLet up to tell them its paid and to contact them again from a reference.

Monday comes and I ring the estate agents to get the final wording, the final piece in the jigsaw so I can go ahead and move, they tell me nothing has come through. So I ring my local council around lunchtime who tell me they sent a fax to HomeLet at 8.53am that morning and even have a fax receipt for it. So I then ring HomeLet and say you should have the fax from my council with my reference, 'what fax? We've had no fax!' HomeLet retort.

So it becomes a game of we've sent it - we've not had it, then in true call centre tradition we get the excuses 'it may not have been processed in the system yet' and 'we'll chase it for you' among many other call centre put off routines.

Tuesday comes and it is the same old story whilst I am still stuck in limbo. I keep my cool and call HomeLet again, state I worked in the call centre industry for 6 years and know the spiel, I just need a damn fax from one person to be sent to another - simple stuff really this day and age, 'can't you ring the council?' the guy asks on the phone. At this point I start to lose it a little bit and ask 'isn't this what you are supposed to be doing on behalf of my estate agent?'.

'ah yes' comes an unsure reply.

Eventually after another phonecall around 4.30pm Tuesday I am assured things have at last happened and my new landlord has received the reference they did indeed get early on Monday morning, so two days of planning wasted and a very frustrated me.

After the call ends I check my email with a cup of tea, and to my total disbelief a chirpy email arrives from HomeLet arrives in the inbox stating 'congratulations on your new home - would you like to take out home insurance with us'.

For the first time ever my pc monitor nearly goes through the window.

Leo

The thing celebrities know about going into the Big Brother house know is that is can give them a little more exposure and some longevity to their fame or they can be made to look right idiots. It is of course a gamble they take and my argument is that we at least get to see the celebrity aura disappear and see them as their real selves.

And what a jumped up little mardy prick Leo Sayer is turning out to be. He moaned in the Big Brother diary room that he is worth more than they paid him to appear in the show, of course if he was so fantastically rich and famous he wouldn't have been there in the first place.

Dirk Benedict from A-Team fame seems a very grounded bloke and openly criticised Leo for talking to much and not letting anybody finish a sentance. So what does Leo do? - he goes childishly mute. Then in another diary room rant Leo demands to see his Big Brother contract and says the conditions in the house are appalling. Of course on reading his contract he does indeed see what he has signed up for and can't really argue any further.

So we've seen the real Leo, a jumped up, pompous prima donna who when he isn't the centre of attention likes to privately vent off 'F' words at the cameras to try and look big.

Oh yes and for the uninitiated 'Mardy' is a local word where I live for childish!

No Medal for This

The biggest distributor of lottery funds have warned that charities will feel a massive impact if more money is diverted to pay for the 2012 Olympics. The fund pays around 600 million to good causes and may well be asked to pay more towards the 900 million Olympic park. Basically if more money is diverted this will affect around 86,000 grants that rely on lottery fund money.

In the original Olympics budget it was agreed the national lottery would provide 1.5 billion of funds, £625 million would come from London council tax and another £250 million from the London development agency. Then Tessa Jowell admitted last September an extra £900 million was needed because of the rising cost of steel etc.

The Department of culture media and sport said its up for debate but added that a memo of understanding drawn up in 2003 stated that the government should share the cost with everyone involved, should extra funding be needed. Mayor of London Ken Livingstone has ruled out the idea of getting more money from council taxes because currently councils are being used to set up silly workshops to teach immigrants English and other improvements that are Olympics orientated.

So, small nationwide businesses that employ handicapped people and charities that provide for the underprivileged could very well go to the wall. It made me sick to the core when I saw an old metal workshop in Stroud that have been converted into a craft business and is run by people with learning problems may have to close because money won’t be available. The craft business may not be a massive concern but to the people with learning problems it is their life, their purpose and their chance to give something to society. 86,000 such like units and causes could be affected – so in turn how many lives could be affected from that?

Whitehall is of course regarded as not really understanding the lottery, it likes to dab into it when it see’s fit and regards the Olympics as being more beneficial in the long run. Though I’ve no doubt the capital (and more of the capital alone), businesses and others will indeed benefit financially from the 2012 Olympics it seems the rest can go and whistle.

But look at the big picture, all that money for something that lasts about 4 weeks, most of us watching a majority of athletes that are well paid (though I agree some from some corners of the globe are not). The medals are dished out and then it gets consigned to history, whilst some of the disadvantaged and disabled could well be consigned to oblivion for the rest of their lives.

Would I rather see a piece of art done by an autistic child that benefits from the lottery fund or would I rather see someone break the 100 metres hurdle record?

I think you know the answer.

Channel 4 news article is here

Video is here

Afraid Of The Dark?

I was in the Fox and Crown in Newark last night and came across this fantastic beer mat, I just had to take a couple home with me, scan one and share it! Anyone wanting to know more about Hobgoblin beers and Wychwood Brewery, click here.

Judgement Day

The Date for my driving test has come through, it is the 6th February at 2.32pm.

Any driving test tips would be most welcome, at the moment I am semi confident, though I am sure this could change nearer the time.

Bulgar Off !

So, the first Bulgarians disembarked at Victoria coach station in London yesterday now they and Romania have EU membership from January 1st. Metro newspaper asked two of them about their plans to which they replied ‘we have a friend who can help us find a house and then we’ll look for work’.

Obviously unskilled workers then with no real plans, other than get a place and get some more of their family and friends over, yep another tidal wave of East Europeans hits ours shores despite government assurances they’ll crack down, yeah right.

The Madness Returns

Celebrity Big Brother is back and I am of course in raptures! (Sad character that I am!)

A veritable cornucopia of C list celebrities this year all vying to make themselves look like complete idiots. I sat giggling at jaded film director Ken Russell’s entrance, as he wobbled down the aisle to meet Davina gurgling ‘I’m singing in the rain’ – cringe telly at its very best. Of course there are the usual none entities in there such as failed beauty queen and footballer shagger Danielle Lloyd and Jo from past none entity band S Club 7.

But then there’s Cleo Rocos……… drool, yes kinky 80’s babe Cleo Rocos from The Kenny Everett show. She looked hot back then; she still gives me a shiver now.

There’s also the awesomely beautiful Shilpa Shetty of Bollywood fame, Indian women always look amazing but Shilpa is a real jewel among them.

So who else is in the Big Brother house?

Punk singer Donny Tourettes of Towers of London, widely regarded as one of the biggest pricks in punk/indie music. Acidic Sun Journalist Carole Malone. Cigar puffing Dirk Benedict of A Team fame. Jackson Five singer Jermaine Jackson and talking of singers there’s my friend Pats favourite singer Leo Sayer (thanks for the Leo link Pat!). Now I don’t know the exact details but Pat met Leo some time ago in Coffee Cake and Kink in Covent Garden in London and it all remains pretty clandestine.

Oh yes and there’s ‘H’ from forgettable manufactured 90’s band ‘Steps’, well there had to be one token irritating Welshman in there I guess!

Let the madness Begin!

Here's a photo of the gorgeous Shilpa Shetty.

Moving

So it comes to pass that I am going to (deep breath) move home at long last!

I've been trying to move to Newark for over a year and this morning brought the confirmation I was looking for in the post. I'll probably be moving later this month, anticipating arount the 19th for some reason and now the hard slog of moving home begins. Changing addresses, settling bills, arranging transport for my stuff - all a logisitical nightmare if you're not used to it.

Personally I am really ready for the move, it is long overdue and with my upcoming surgery its going to be essential to get settled in my new home and environment. I'm really excited about my new place, a ground floor flat tucked away in a cul-de-sac with off road permit parking and very close to Newark town centre.

Best get some cardboard boxes sorted and get packing!

Dullsville

I was in Birmingham last Thursday for a day out, a very uneventful one at that. I didn't get chance to see much of the city because of time constraints and the weather was lousy too. shame as I'm sure it is a big place and has different areas such as Broad Street, the canals and the Jewelry quarter etc. So I only really got to see the Bull Ring Shopping area and Rag market but managed to bag a Frank Miller book in Nostalgia and Comics, also had some excellent noodles in wagamama's which was pretty heaving with sales shoppers. Compared to recent excursions it was pretty dullsville but I'm sure I shall return in the future perhaps. I found there was plenty of our East European friends there, especially when I tried asking for directions, I think the first two I spoke to were from Poland and said 'sorry I don't speak English', I felt like saying 'why?' but I'm far too polite for that, then there was an American religeous nut and eventually I found an English speaking person...... who wasn't sure on the directions!

I've been to Birmingham a few times and trained for my last job there, just never got around to seeing the city itself on foot.

As you can see from the photo below taken outside of the Bull Ring shopping centre, it was a grey day indeed.

And here is a photo of a crane for my friend Pat, just to show him how it's done!

2007

Well here it is, 2007 'a hobbits odyssey' - I wonder what it will bring?

I just hope it is not as stagnant a year as 2006 was for me.

Watching the fireworks last night on the telly in the pub made me muse 'why does it always have to be from London and in front of Big Ben?' Ok so we had the unremarkable London Eye to look at whilst there was a panoply of fireworks in the back drop. Why can't we have celebrations from another city or landmark, there's plenty to choose from. The news did show other places celebrating but as ever London has to be the focal point. Alright there's obvious answers to this, 'it is the capital etc etc blah blah' but it would just be refreshing to see it done from somewhere else.

Lines of immigrants marching home under the lighting of big ben would have been much more pleasing.