Last of the fireworks

Well the firework competition came to an end last night. The crowd was bigger than ever, and we did not arrive early enough to secure a good vantage point. The fireworks were, however, fantastic. The British firm putting on the display were not competing but if they had I think they would have won. There is a video of the highlights at the end of this. France won the competition, which surprised me, as I felt it should have been between China or Italy. But then what do I know about fireworks?

Cable

Cable
Originally uploaded by Canon Fodder.

While Lorii was having a shower this morning, this burnt out cable was setting fire to my house! Luckily Jake was late leaving for school and saw the smoke and raised the alarm. No damage was done other than a melted fuse box and some burnt insulation. So a close shave and we are all counting our blessings!

You Tube

Well you'd have to be blind not to notice the videos on the blog. I've now set up a 'Channel' on You Tube; essentially a home page for my videos just as Flickr is where I keep my pictures. You can find it here: http://www.youtube.com/foddersvids

More Fireworks

Pyro China 1
Originally uploaded by Canon Fodder.

Well China's entry was really good. So much so that I voted for them. Next week is a display by a British company, but not part of the competition, and the winner is announced. I've made a short video from a few mpegs I took during France and China's entries. Please let me know what you think....

1812 Ovature

Stumbled on this while surfing around. Enjoy;

Fireworks II

Pyro France 1
Originally uploaded by Canon Fodder.

Well Katie and I went to watch France's entry in the fireworks competition last night. There was a much bigger crowd this time and we could not get a tram to the pier; so we walked. This gave us quite a good look at some of the Illuminations and a 'Illuminated' tram went by too. (Video at the bottom of this entry.) The fireworks were good. Katie felt they were better than Italy's but I disagree. We are both looking forward to next week as that's China who are expected to dazzle.

Official

Katie will now be; Katie Cerys , and Jake is now officially Jacob Zachary as well as my surname. 

Also there is now only 101 days, 2 hours and 23minutes until the Christmas Dr Who special!

How sad is that!?

Katies Blog...

I stumbled (Okay I went looking.) across my daughters blog this afternoon. So if you enjoy reading the rantings of an articulate teenager here is the link: http://vampirefreaks.com/journal.php?u=Chiisaineko

Unreal Tournament 2007

Now the masthead to this blog proclaims me to be a 40 year old child who likes to play Unreal Tournament. Which is true. So that inner child in me is really excited right now because I’ve just seen a trailer for the latest version of the game. Now I know I’ve just posted three movies prior to this entry; but I just have to share! Having viewed this trailer I’m now bursting to know; when it will go on sale, will there be a Mac version, will my Mac be up to running it, how much is it going to cost (I’m willing to trade my smallest child I think.) and do you think Lorii will mind if I disappear with the computer to learn all the new maps, wepons and vehicles for six months or so? For those of you who have been reading my blog without an understanding of what Unreal Tournament is about the following trailer may give you a small inkling as to what I’m ranting on about…

Tetris fool

Katie has a fascination with the music from the Tetris video game at the moment... so that explains the singing. I'm not sure how to explain the rest of their behaviour. I can promise you they had not touched a drop of alcohol....

Kids!

Now the kids both want a set of these... actually I do too! They would get Jake fit... Now where do I find the money?

It this sad or amazing?

Noah takes a photo of himself every day for six years....

Fireworks and name changes...

Pyro Italy 4
Originally uploaded by Canon Fodder.

Last week saw the start of an international firework competition in Blackpool. I did not make it down to watch the first display, but I did last night.
In fact the kids and I did quite the tourist bit! First we walked down to Gynn Square and took in the sunset. Then we took a tram to North Pier sitting on the top deck to admire the Illuminations. Once there we picked a nice spot and waited for the fireworks. The display was huge; a large sum of money went up in smoke and pretty lights before our eyes. Unfortunately my poor efforts with the camera do not do it justice. Towards the end of the display Katie was struck in the side of the head by a frightened pidgeon!
Once the display was over we all made our way over to Sue's Hotel. Where I was treated to a wonderful phenomenon called a bottomless bottle of beer!

The family are having fun with names at the moment as the kids have been presented with an opportunity to pick new middle names. I'm in the process of adopting them officially; and as of next week they will take my surname. While the solicitor is changing their surnames they can officially pick new first names too.
Katie has decided to honour her welsh roots and has chosen Cerys as her new middle name.
Jacob though has been struggling to choose a name he likes. The first choice would have been something Japanese; but both his mother and I stomped on that idea. Next he was going to go with Azrael; biblical but then so is Satan. I got him to drop that one by pointing out it was the name of the cat in the smurfs! Seth got a short run. But the current runner is Zackerie; though I'm sure I'm not spelling that right. Watch this space for the final solution...

Badge

Well as I said earlier I have renewed my Flickr account. So to celebrate I have updated my flickr Badge. This time it is based on pictures other people have favourited. I hope you like it; you can find it on the right if you scroll down.

Money

There is never enough is there? I've just been reading my mothers blogg and she has just been stiffed by the vet for over £200 and they have another big bill on the way. I've just shelled out for new tyres for the car and the MOT looms. The gas people just hiked the standing order up over 100% and took the first new payment without telling me! The council recently joined in by clearing out my savings account and I'm sitting here wondering who or what will be the next thing to demand the contents of my wallet. (Good luck to them; it's empty!) I actually felt guilty asking Lorii if I could renew my Flickr account this morning. Lucky for me she said yes and I'm free to pursue my photographic hobby at a cost of $2 a month.

Rain on Blackpool

Rain on Blackpool
Originally uploaded by Canon Fodder.

Well I did not make it to the switch on of the Illuminations. The plan had been, for me and the kids, to ride our bicycles down to Sue's hotel and enjoy the show from there. However, my planed route along the front did not meet with Jacobs approval. So an unnecessary sulk started. When he was having difficulties keeping up the pace into a stiff breeze, and as I was concerned that the approaching black cloud would drown us, I tried to help him by giving the lad a friendly push. This promoted the sulk into a full blown temper tantrum. Never one to put up with childish dramatics I sent Katie on alone and turned Jake around. Once home again I phoned Lorii to tell her her son would be conspicuous by his absence, and once the teenager was put to bed, I would be along later. But the weather had beaten me! There was no way I was going to make it without a soaking. The picture shows the very personal and hateful rain cloud over Blackpool. So I'm spending Friday night in. Sitting a woeful teenager and not eating Pizza and drinking beer... Ho hum. Anyone thinking of having kids.... Be warned!

Switch On

Blackpool's famous illuminations are switched on this evening. I'll be leaving to observe the proceedings and will probably post some pictures later. Watch this space...