Well I have had Unreal for a year now; and have spent over 186 hous online playing. No wonder I've not gotten anything done! Well I'm going to keep playing and wishing for Unreal 2007!
Happy Christmas every one. :)
Monday, December 26, 2005
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Awards
Well what with the holiday and all I forgot to post this pic of Katie. She picked up four awards in the end, and we are all very proud of her achievements.
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Holiday
Well the family has just got back from a great midweek break in Center Parcs Whinfell Forest in Cumbria. The whole package was fantastic and we all had a brilliant time. The weather was very cold and frosty which made the trees look stunning. The pool complex was huge, warm and the children were addicted from the start. So much so we had trouble convincing them to try out the other facilities. In the end we tried falconry, fencing, archery and willow weaving. Lorii was very proud of her conical plant trellis. The Lodge was huge and well appointed; we certainly enjoyed having a dishwasher again. The food at the restaurants in the Village Centre was good and very filling. One of the main highlights for me was that cars were banned from the forest from Tuesday to Thursday; so I was free to drink. Bliss! In fact we had such a great time we are planning our return in January! Where I get to celebrate turning forty!
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Magic Moments PhotoBlog
Magic Moments PhotoBlog Well seems my picture of a train in snow has been blogged by someone else. I have no idea if this blog is viewed a lot and if my view count is going to soar. Only time will tell...
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Illuminations
Well it is about time I brought this up to date. Quite a lot has happened since my last entry.
Lorii has quit from the Hotel. That in itself is a whole nightmare that does not need airing in such a public place. But the upshot is Lorii has been spending a lot of time at home.
Katie has decorated her bedroom. Well I use the term decorated in its loosest sense as, as is the want of all teenagers, she has painted her room black. Yes, even the ceiling.
Badger has hurt his knee. The vet has banned him for running, and given him some pills that make him manic! For a dog that lives to run this is pure torture, and the ban applies till mid December.
My work has been keeping me really busy, and I’m actually getting some overtime in. This helps as Lorii is not earning, but the downside is I’m giving up my Saturdays to work these hours.
Katie has secured two places for her work experience in March. She will be spending one week at Supreme, in the marketing department. Which should score her some high points at her school as it calls itself a business college. The other week Katie is spending at the local funeral home. Teenagers!
Lorii’s health has not been too clever of late. We don’t know what is wrong, and as her sugar has been under control, we don’t think it is related to her diabetes. Lorii’s temperature perception has been all over the place. One second she is freezing, the next the windows are being opened and the family shivers while Lorii sweats. Add to this some bad mood swings, joint pain, itching skin and a disrupted sleep pattern. Understandably Lorii is getting pretty down about this, I only hope it clears up soon.
I took a brief hour out to take some pictures of the Illuminations. Living in Blackpool the lights on the front are usually nothing more than an inconvenience. Thousands of tourists in cars, jamming the whole promenade for five miles and forcing the locals to use the back streets, is rarely seen as fun. I recently made the hideous mistake of forgetting about the lights when popping out to the local Sainsburys in Bispham. This is the northern start point of the lights, and Jake and I were stuck in a traffic jam so slow that it took us 20 minutes to move the one hundred yards to the car park.
If you are interested in viewing the Illuminations may I recommend you plan your visit around 10.30pm mid week away from school holidays. You’ll be able to drive from Starr Gate to Bispham without the engine overheating, or having your view blocked by a coach full of pensioners staring out of steamed up windows!
Lorii has quit from the Hotel. That in itself is a whole nightmare that does not need airing in such a public place. But the upshot is Lorii has been spending a lot of time at home.
Katie has decorated her bedroom. Well I use the term decorated in its loosest sense as, as is the want of all teenagers, she has painted her room black. Yes, even the ceiling.
Badger has hurt his knee. The vet has banned him for running, and given him some pills that make him manic! For a dog that lives to run this is pure torture, and the ban applies till mid December.
My work has been keeping me really busy, and I’m actually getting some overtime in. This helps as Lorii is not earning, but the downside is I’m giving up my Saturdays to work these hours.
Katie has secured two places for her work experience in March. She will be spending one week at Supreme, in the marketing department. Which should score her some high points at her school as it calls itself a business college. The other week Katie is spending at the local funeral home. Teenagers!
Lorii’s health has not been too clever of late. We don’t know what is wrong, and as her sugar has been under control, we don’t think it is related to her diabetes. Lorii’s temperature perception has been all over the place. One second she is freezing, the next the windows are being opened and the family shivers while Lorii sweats. Add to this some bad mood swings, joint pain, itching skin and a disrupted sleep pattern. Understandably Lorii is getting pretty down about this, I only hope it clears up soon.
I took a brief hour out to take some pictures of the Illuminations. Living in Blackpool the lights on the front are usually nothing more than an inconvenience. Thousands of tourists in cars, jamming the whole promenade for five miles and forcing the locals to use the back streets, is rarely seen as fun. I recently made the hideous mistake of forgetting about the lights when popping out to the local Sainsburys in Bispham. This is the northern start point of the lights, and Jake and I were stuck in a traffic jam so slow that it took us 20 minutes to move the one hundred yards to the car park.
If you are interested in viewing the Illuminations may I recommend you plan your visit around 10.30pm mid week away from school holidays. You’ll be able to drive from Starr Gate to Bispham without the engine overheating, or having your view blocked by a coach full of pensioners staring out of steamed up windows!
Saturday, October 01, 2005
Awards
Well that lump of grey stuff between Katies ears has been showing off again. Last year it was only one, but this year Katie is collecting two awards! Needless to say both Lorii and I are very proud. My only concern is that Katies shyness will spoil this. Last year the thought of standing on the stage at school did not delight her. So how will she react to a command performance at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool! Is this really the way to encourage a young girl to academic excellence.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Bush - One of the worst disasters to hit the US
Wonderful. I only hope this really was flashed across the tv's of America, and is not a photoshop trick.
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Thing bites dog!
This is a picture of Breeze. Some 'thing' bit her, I don’t know what, but the result was a huge septic wound. She spent a few days in the vets, had a drain installed, and finally an operation to clean out the infection. Finally home, with my parents she is now the owner of the latest in post operative hair styles as well as some bitchin’ stitches!
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Coke, Jake and skirts
Well I have momentous news for those who know me well. I have given up Coke. I use the capital letter to differentiate between the white powder I have never used, and the soft drink full of caffeine. It was the caffeine that made me stop. I was fed up with the splitting headache I got if I didn’t have a Coke for a while. I actually had my last Coke three weeks ago, but I’ve been waiting this long to see if I could stick with it. So friends and family no longer need to make sure they have the real thing in stock any longer, and I can come down from the walls and chill out a bit.
Jake had his first day at secondary school today, Katie returns tomorrow. I took pictures of him in his new uniform, but he made me promise not to post them on the Internet. So if you want to see how debonair he looks you’ll have to ask him to change his mind.
We spent a stupid amount of our free time last week, looking for a dressmaking pattern for a pleated school skirt for Katie. None of the very reasonably priced, ready made affairs, in the shops are quite right. So Katie has bought some fabric, with the intention of making it up as she goes along. Lorii has sensibly insisted that she acquire a pattern first. But patterns seem to be very elusive things. So if anybody out there knows where one can be found…
Jake had his first day at secondary school today, Katie returns tomorrow. I took pictures of him in his new uniform, but he made me promise not to post them on the Internet. So if you want to see how debonair he looks you’ll have to ask him to change his mind.
We spent a stupid amount of our free time last week, looking for a dressmaking pattern for a pleated school skirt for Katie. None of the very reasonably priced, ready made affairs, in the shops are quite right. So Katie has bought some fabric, with the intention of making it up as she goes along. Lorii has sensibly insisted that she acquire a pattern first. But patterns seem to be very elusive things. So if anybody out there knows where one can be found…
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Lantic Bay
Beach combing between the piers at Blackpool usually turns nothing up more interesting than a jellyfish or a dead seagull. Today then was a real treat for the tourists. A ship! I think it’s a dredger, but why it was beached in front of the tower I cannot guess. If anybody knows I’d be interested in finding out…
Illuminations
Well we went to the Lake District again Yesterday. Climbed a small Mountain called Grey Knots. I had intended to take the Kids up Great Gable, but their hearts were not in it, and I did not want to spoil what was a great day by pushing.
Once we got home we went around to Kenny’s hotel for the switching on of the Illuminations. While we got a tram there, we had to walk back. Katie’s expression in the picture lets you know what she thought of that, after climbing a mountain.
Once we got home we went around to Kenny’s hotel for the switching on of the Illuminations. While we got a tram there, we had to walk back. Katie’s expression in the picture lets you know what she thought of that, after climbing a mountain.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Points of Interest
Well if you click on the picture it will enlarge with links to some points of interest.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
A trip to the dentist
Lorii has been in constant pain with tooth ache since Friday evening. Typically Lorii always waits until the start of a Bank holiday weekend to start such an ailment to ensure maximum pain and suffering on her part. So throughout this weekend Lorii has alternated through brief moments of consciousness, during which she has necked every non prescription analgesic she can get her hands on. Interspersed with long periods of unconsciousness during which she snored loudly.
This morning I took her to the dentist. One look at the tooth that thought it was a volcano and he declared it was coming out. He gave Lorii five injections and sent her out to the waiting room until she was really numb. Trouble is the adrenaline in the jab makes Lorii tremble almost uncontrollably. So she had a hard time not giving a small child the heebe jeebies as he waited for his turn. Eventually a numb and nervous Lorii is called back in. When she emerged she was as white as a sheet and obviously in trouble. It turned out there was a huge abscess on the end of the tooth. So Lorii was told to sit for a while until she was over the shock of the extraction, which despite the anaesthetic still hurt her a lot.
She is now (12.30pm) tucked up in bed, full of more painkillers praying that when she awakes the worst of the pain will be gone.
This morning I took her to the dentist. One look at the tooth that thought it was a volcano and he declared it was coming out. He gave Lorii five injections and sent her out to the waiting room until she was really numb. Trouble is the adrenaline in the jab makes Lorii tremble almost uncontrollably. So she had a hard time not giving a small child the heebe jeebies as he waited for his turn. Eventually a numb and nervous Lorii is called back in. When she emerged she was as white as a sheet and obviously in trouble. It turned out there was a huge abscess on the end of the tooth. So Lorii was told to sit for a while until she was over the shock of the extraction, which despite the anaesthetic still hurt her a lot.
She is now (12.30pm) tucked up in bed, full of more painkillers praying that when she awakes the worst of the pain will be gone.
Saturday, August 27, 2005
My old motorbike
A tale of woe from days gone by...
It was the Queen Mothers birthday, or there about. To be a little more precise it was a Saturday evening in 1989, all my mates were away on holiday, and there was nothing on the television. Well that's not true, there was something on the TV, a Royal Variety show in honor of the Queen Mum and I was not watching that. It was a very hot August and I decided to go for a blast on my bike to cool down. I wish I'd had a beer instead.
So warm was the night that I decided against putting my leather jeans and boots on, but I did put on my leather jacket over a T-shirt as well as leather gloves and my helmet. Denim jeans and a pair of trainers covered my lower half. My second mistake.
I headed out of the village and onto the bypass with the vague notion that perhaps I could stop by and see if Nadia was home. I turned off he bypass and headed towards Frensham and Hindhead, where Nadia lived. While I blatted past the ponds on the straight bits, the bike was too long and big to do the twisty bits well. A Kawasaki GPz 1000RX it was capable of over 150mph but with over 120bhp at the back wheel it was reduced to a point and squirt machine on the narrow bendy climb up to Hindhead. On reaching Hindhead I decided against Nadia, the winding road had frustrated me and the A3 beckoned, besides I didn't want a pillion.
The A3 was much better. The engine growled at last as I was finally able to open her up and get some cool air over it and me. I roared around and down past the Devils Punch bowl towards Guildford and then really let rip when the road opened up into duel carriageway. All the cars taillights seemed to streak past in some parody of the Millennium Falcon jumping to light speed as I pushed the bike hard. At Millford I decided to turn for home. Another mistake, I should have gone on to Guildford and come back via the fast Hogs Back. Ho Hum!
The junction's gone now, but back then there were some traffic lights and a Happy Eater restaurant at a cross road. I turned left behind a car. This car was SLOW. Especially after the silly speeds I had just been doing, but I just could not get past it. Oncoming traffic and parked cars seemed to be conspiring to keep me behind this tedious driver. Suddenly I saw an opening, I dropped two gears and darted forward. Once past I flicked my headlight up to high beam to see the chevrons of a tight 90 degree bend far far too close!
What happened next is not too clear. I have some very vivid memories, but it all happened so quick and I can't remember some of the bits between some of the more exciting highlights. When I saw the sign I new I was never going to make the corner. I grabbed a big handful of front break and held it until it was time to turn. I tucked the bike in, and knew false hope, I could make this... The back wheel first let go and then gripped again. The bike bucked, and the handle bars slapped savagely.
The first of my vivid memories was the very real but odd looking image of my left thumb hard up against my left arm as the grip pushed it back.
The second was a view of the front mudguard from above. The GPz was fully faired, you can't see the front wheel from the saddle, so I must of been flying over the top of the bike.
The next thing I remember was sliding along the road on my back. I was curled up fetus fashion sliding backwards. I could see the zip on my right sleeve cuff was broken, and as I slid along my jacket was getting pulled down my back and the sleeve up my arm. This was happening very quickly but I remember worrying if I would run out of jacket and start grinding my shoulder into the asphalt.
There was a bump and I stopped sliding along the road. I relaxed. I stretched out my legs and lowered my arms. Then I hit the ground! There was a chaotic bumpy moment and then I stopped for real. I lay there dazed. My first thought was, "Well that was interesting." Next I wondered if anything was broken. I wiggled arms and legs. No pain, amazing! I sat up and looked around. I could see how I'd been fooled, I'd shot off the road over a four foot bank down into a freshly harvested cornfield.
I examined myself a bit closer. There was no skin on my right forearm, the corn stubble had flayed it off. Still no pain! Both knees were bloody messes and my right foot was missing its trainer and bleeding too. I remember thinking that it was all going to hurt soon. I became aware that the bike's engine was racing. I stood up and hopped over to it, found the kill switch and turned off my bike of the last time. It looked so sad. All bent and twisted, my pride and joy. My bike was dead!
Someone called out, "Are you all right?" I turned to see a whole row of cars pulled up on the top of the bank. I had had an audience! Now don't ask me why but I replied, "I can't find my trainer!" Suddenly that seemed the most important thing to do and I started marching around the field looking for my missing shoe. My audience joined in and the field was full of a dozen or so people looking for my trainer. I was starting to get frantic at its loss, and though I was walking around I think my audience was beginning to realise that; A, I was NOT all right. and B, I was getting worse. My trainer was found and I calmed down a lot. A kind old gentleman asked me if I wanted a ride to the hospital? Everything was okay now I had my trainer, so I said no that was not necessary but could he give me a lift to a phone box so I could call the AA?
Once in the car I discovered that the driver was the person I had overtaken before the bend. He had thought I was going to make it too and then watched in horror as the bike flicked me high into the air. At that moment he said he thought I was going to die.
We get to a phone box and I called the AA. They say they will come out only if the bike is attended. The Kind Old Gentleman says he'll take me back to the bike, so I say okay to the AA. As I hang up the phone my knees buckle as the shock I'm in starts to hit home. It dawns on me that I am going to need to go to hospital after all and I can't go back to the bike. Kind Old Gentleman sees this too, and tells me so. I decide to call my parents and ask if they will go out to the crash site and wait for the AA. The first few lines of that conversation will always be with me;
"Mum I've crashed my bike!"
"Oh my God! Are you all right?"
"No."
"What?"
"No I'm not all right. I've got to go to hospital! I've lost a lot of skin, but never mind that. I need you to go to the crash site and wait for the AA."
"What!!!"
I don't know how but I talked them into it. When they got there they found the police there with sniffer dogs looking for my body! This was because as I hung up the phone on my mother I fainted a second time, and as I slid down inside the phone box the ambulance that had been called out by some other spectator drove by on a futile mission to find and take me to the A&E department. They reported me missing and the police were called out to help search for me.
K.O.G took me to the Royal Surrey in Guildford. I spent most of the journey apologizing for causing him so much trouble and bleeding in his car. Some point along this trip I started to hurt.
We get to the hospital and K.O.G goes off looking for a wheelchair as I suddenly don't want to bend my very sore knees. He comes back with a nurse who convinces me to walk into the Emergency Unit. Once inside a Sister approaches and asks me if I'm the missing Biker from Elstead? I say yes and faint again. I'm put on a trolley and wheeled into a cubical. The world stops spinning again and the nurse I was with goes to help the guy in the next booth who is dying from a bee sting!
A very young nurse then appears and tells me she has to undress me. I manage to take my jacket off rather than have her cut it. The jeans were so shredded I let her slice them off. She must have been new to the job cause she got embarrassed once I was in the buff. She helps me into one of those backless gowns and I'm on my own again.
My next visitor was a policeman. His opening line was priceless, "Okay son, where did you nick it?"
"Nick what?"
"The bike."
"It's mine, its not stolen."
"It had a false number plate."
"No I bought it from Gordon Farleys in Ash."
"What's it's number then?"
"I'm bleeding, I hurt, I can't remember."
"Well son, I can tell you that the index number on that bike was for a red ford in Newcastle."
"So what is it?"
"WPC 365 D"
"What should it be?"
"WPC 356 D"
"Hmm, I'm lying here in shock and bleeding. I think I've broken my left wrist. My right arm has no skin on it and you are hassling me over what even I can see is probably a clerical error?"
"So what happened?"
"I fell off."
"You didn't hit anyone?"
"No"
"Were you speeding?"
"I don't think so." (As it turned out I had not been.)
"Hmm, well you will be hearing from us." (I didn't, and was not prosecuted.)
Next the doctor shows up. I explain why I think my left wrist is broken. He gets a nurse to treat my arm with anesthetic jelly and sends me to x-ray. On returning to A&E the doctor informs me that the x-ray shows no fracture. I'm given my clothes and told I can leave.
Three days later I receive a post card from the hospital asking me to come back and have a cast fitted. Seems the consultant has reviewed the junior doctors x-rays and spotted the fracture I had been suffering with for the past few days.
My right arm healed up okay, though I damaged a small nerve in my wrist and a muscle in my hand wasted away. My knees are still scared, and they didn't have to graft over the hole in my right ankle that the junior doctor missed too.
The moral of this tale? Don't fall off your bike and always wear leathers!
By the way. The number plate had been made up wrong on the day the bike was sold new. It had been missed by everyone during each sale or MOT until that day. But I've often wondered how many speeding tickets the poor bloke in Newcastle got every time the cops saw me speeding. 'Coz I never got one while I was riding that bike!
PS I got billed for the ambulance even though I didn't get a ride!
It was the Queen Mothers birthday, or there about. To be a little more precise it was a Saturday evening in 1989, all my mates were away on holiday, and there was nothing on the television. Well that's not true, there was something on the TV, a Royal Variety show in honor of the Queen Mum and I was not watching that. It was a very hot August and I decided to go for a blast on my bike to cool down. I wish I'd had a beer instead.
So warm was the night that I decided against putting my leather jeans and boots on, but I did put on my leather jacket over a T-shirt as well as leather gloves and my helmet. Denim jeans and a pair of trainers covered my lower half. My second mistake.
I headed out of the village and onto the bypass with the vague notion that perhaps I could stop by and see if Nadia was home. I turned off he bypass and headed towards Frensham and Hindhead, where Nadia lived. While I blatted past the ponds on the straight bits, the bike was too long and big to do the twisty bits well. A Kawasaki GPz 1000RX it was capable of over 150mph but with over 120bhp at the back wheel it was reduced to a point and squirt machine on the narrow bendy climb up to Hindhead. On reaching Hindhead I decided against Nadia, the winding road had frustrated me and the A3 beckoned, besides I didn't want a pillion.
The A3 was much better. The engine growled at last as I was finally able to open her up and get some cool air over it and me. I roared around and down past the Devils Punch bowl towards Guildford and then really let rip when the road opened up into duel carriageway. All the cars taillights seemed to streak past in some parody of the Millennium Falcon jumping to light speed as I pushed the bike hard. At Millford I decided to turn for home. Another mistake, I should have gone on to Guildford and come back via the fast Hogs Back. Ho Hum!
The junction's gone now, but back then there were some traffic lights and a Happy Eater restaurant at a cross road. I turned left behind a car. This car was SLOW. Especially after the silly speeds I had just been doing, but I just could not get past it. Oncoming traffic and parked cars seemed to be conspiring to keep me behind this tedious driver. Suddenly I saw an opening, I dropped two gears and darted forward. Once past I flicked my headlight up to high beam to see the chevrons of a tight 90 degree bend far far too close!
What happened next is not too clear. I have some very vivid memories, but it all happened so quick and I can't remember some of the bits between some of the more exciting highlights. When I saw the sign I new I was never going to make the corner. I grabbed a big handful of front break and held it until it was time to turn. I tucked the bike in, and knew false hope, I could make this... The back wheel first let go and then gripped again. The bike bucked, and the handle bars slapped savagely.
The first of my vivid memories was the very real but odd looking image of my left thumb hard up against my left arm as the grip pushed it back.
The second was a view of the front mudguard from above. The GPz was fully faired, you can't see the front wheel from the saddle, so I must of been flying over the top of the bike.
The next thing I remember was sliding along the road on my back. I was curled up fetus fashion sliding backwards. I could see the zip on my right sleeve cuff was broken, and as I slid along my jacket was getting pulled down my back and the sleeve up my arm. This was happening very quickly but I remember worrying if I would run out of jacket and start grinding my shoulder into the asphalt.
There was a bump and I stopped sliding along the road. I relaxed. I stretched out my legs and lowered my arms. Then I hit the ground! There was a chaotic bumpy moment and then I stopped for real. I lay there dazed. My first thought was, "Well that was interesting." Next I wondered if anything was broken. I wiggled arms and legs. No pain, amazing! I sat up and looked around. I could see how I'd been fooled, I'd shot off the road over a four foot bank down into a freshly harvested cornfield.
I examined myself a bit closer. There was no skin on my right forearm, the corn stubble had flayed it off. Still no pain! Both knees were bloody messes and my right foot was missing its trainer and bleeding too. I remember thinking that it was all going to hurt soon. I became aware that the bike's engine was racing. I stood up and hopped over to it, found the kill switch and turned off my bike of the last time. It looked so sad. All bent and twisted, my pride and joy. My bike was dead!
Someone called out, "Are you all right?" I turned to see a whole row of cars pulled up on the top of the bank. I had had an audience! Now don't ask me why but I replied, "I can't find my trainer!" Suddenly that seemed the most important thing to do and I started marching around the field looking for my missing shoe. My audience joined in and the field was full of a dozen or so people looking for my trainer. I was starting to get frantic at its loss, and though I was walking around I think my audience was beginning to realise that; A, I was NOT all right. and B, I was getting worse. My trainer was found and I calmed down a lot. A kind old gentleman asked me if I wanted a ride to the hospital? Everything was okay now I had my trainer, so I said no that was not necessary but could he give me a lift to a phone box so I could call the AA?
Once in the car I discovered that the driver was the person I had overtaken before the bend. He had thought I was going to make it too and then watched in horror as the bike flicked me high into the air. At that moment he said he thought I was going to die.
We get to a phone box and I called the AA. They say they will come out only if the bike is attended. The Kind Old Gentleman says he'll take me back to the bike, so I say okay to the AA. As I hang up the phone my knees buckle as the shock I'm in starts to hit home. It dawns on me that I am going to need to go to hospital after all and I can't go back to the bike. Kind Old Gentleman sees this too, and tells me so. I decide to call my parents and ask if they will go out to the crash site and wait for the AA. The first few lines of that conversation will always be with me;
"Mum I've crashed my bike!"
"Oh my God! Are you all right?"
"No."
"What?"
"No I'm not all right. I've got to go to hospital! I've lost a lot of skin, but never mind that. I need you to go to the crash site and wait for the AA."
"What!!!"
I don't know how but I talked them into it. When they got there they found the police there with sniffer dogs looking for my body! This was because as I hung up the phone on my mother I fainted a second time, and as I slid down inside the phone box the ambulance that had been called out by some other spectator drove by on a futile mission to find and take me to the A&E department. They reported me missing and the police were called out to help search for me.
K.O.G took me to the Royal Surrey in Guildford. I spent most of the journey apologizing for causing him so much trouble and bleeding in his car. Some point along this trip I started to hurt.
We get to the hospital and K.O.G goes off looking for a wheelchair as I suddenly don't want to bend my very sore knees. He comes back with a nurse who convinces me to walk into the Emergency Unit. Once inside a Sister approaches and asks me if I'm the missing Biker from Elstead? I say yes and faint again. I'm put on a trolley and wheeled into a cubical. The world stops spinning again and the nurse I was with goes to help the guy in the next booth who is dying from a bee sting!
A very young nurse then appears and tells me she has to undress me. I manage to take my jacket off rather than have her cut it. The jeans were so shredded I let her slice them off. She must have been new to the job cause she got embarrassed once I was in the buff. She helps me into one of those backless gowns and I'm on my own again.
My next visitor was a policeman. His opening line was priceless, "Okay son, where did you nick it?"
"Nick what?"
"The bike."
"It's mine, its not stolen."
"It had a false number plate."
"No I bought it from Gordon Farleys in Ash."
"What's it's number then?"
"I'm bleeding, I hurt, I can't remember."
"Well son, I can tell you that the index number on that bike was for a red ford in Newcastle."
"So what is it?"
"WPC 365 D"
"What should it be?"
"WPC 356 D"
"Hmm, I'm lying here in shock and bleeding. I think I've broken my left wrist. My right arm has no skin on it and you are hassling me over what even I can see is probably a clerical error?"
"So what happened?"
"I fell off."
"You didn't hit anyone?"
"No"
"Were you speeding?"
"I don't think so." (As it turned out I had not been.)
"Hmm, well you will be hearing from us." (I didn't, and was not prosecuted.)
Next the doctor shows up. I explain why I think my left wrist is broken. He gets a nurse to treat my arm with anesthetic jelly and sends me to x-ray. On returning to A&E the doctor informs me that the x-ray shows no fracture. I'm given my clothes and told I can leave.
Three days later I receive a post card from the hospital asking me to come back and have a cast fitted. Seems the consultant has reviewed the junior doctors x-rays and spotted the fracture I had been suffering with for the past few days.
My right arm healed up okay, though I damaged a small nerve in my wrist and a muscle in my hand wasted away. My knees are still scared, and they didn't have to graft over the hole in my right ankle that the junior doctor missed too.
The moral of this tale? Don't fall off your bike and always wear leathers!
By the way. The number plate had been made up wrong on the day the bike was sold new. It had been missed by everyone during each sale or MOT until that day. But I've often wondered how many speeding tickets the poor bloke in Newcastle got every time the cops saw me speeding. 'Coz I never got one while I was riding that bike!
PS I got billed for the ambulance even though I didn't get a ride!
Friday, August 26, 2005
Mountaineers
Well success at last, we conquered a mountain. Sometime around two o’clock on August the twenty fifth Katie, Jacob and I reached the summit of Helvellyn. It was very, very cold indeed.
After the previous debacle of chaos from the start, the day had started well. Jacob had risen early to prepare sandwiches, though oddly he was still asking if we had to go. I had nipped around Sainsburys to buy chocolate and energy drinks, before getting home to throw the family in the car. Since last time Badger had both been sick and had dumped in the back of the car I took him on a brief walk down to the local green so he could do the necessary.
The car journey itself was reasonably uneventful. We did partake in the obligatory traffic jam on the M6. Though ours was much smaller than the southbound guys had to endure. The police had closed junction thirty three, blaming an invisible accident, and the tail back on the south bound side went on for miles.
After initially missing the entrance to the car park we finally parked up and selected our kit for the accent. Katie sensibly decided to take her coat and a woolly hat and mittens. Jacob, who feels the heat and is nearly terminally lazy, could not bear to lug anything up the mountain he did not have to. At the foot of the mountain it was warm so he elected to wear a tee shirt and a sleeveless hoodie. Naturally as the responsible adult, and the only one amongst us who had been to the top of a mountain before, I was none too impressed with this. However, cowed by the knowledge of just how much Jake would bitch and moan if made to wear more, I elected to rely on my secret weapons packed in with the food.
We set off and the kids were immediately impressed with the scenery. The path followed a white water stream, which the children found enchanting, and Jake was all for taking lots of pictures. Once we had bridged the stream for the last time we came to a stile and gate. The other side looked like sheep territory, but none were visible. So I decided to leave Badger off his leash until I saw a reason to put him on it, asking the kids to keep a look out too. This was a mistake. Ten minutes up the side of the mountain Badger startles a sheep out of some bracken and the chase is on. In that moment Badger discovered his reason for being. He is fifty percent German Shepherd Dog, fifty percent Welsh Border Collie. Which makes him one hundred percent sheep dog. He soon had a small flock pinned against a dry stone wall; at the bottom of the mountain. As shouting, “Come by boy” was not working I had to descend to where Badger was guarding his flock. Put him on a leash and start the climb again.
The path up the mountain is well travelled and those in charge have protected the area from erosion by paving it with large rocks. This removed the task of forging a new route and left us to concentrate on just how much hard work is involved in climbing up this bloody big hill. We were all soon sweating and breathing hard, and many rests were taken. But the views improved and we kept at it. The children were mightily impressed when a fighter jet, practicing low level flying, screamed through the valley below us.
Soon the altitude started to cool the air and a stiff and steady breeze started up. Jake started wishing he had brought a coat, and the hoodie he had been carrying was put back on. It soon got colder though and Jake started complaining in earnest. Time to bring out the secret weapon; a bin bag. I had Jacob take off his hoodie and with holes in appropriate places put the sack over him and his tee shirt. Once modelling the latest in PVC fashion Jake put his hoodie back on over it and declared it was a vast improvement. Shortly after this, Jake now feeling warmer again and being a perfect product of the Playstation generation, he realised just how exhausted he was, time for secret weapon number two. A can of Red Bull. Such is the power of suggestion that before his body could have even thought about digesting the drink Jake was running up the Mountain.
Eventually we made the summits. There is a chain of peaks, Hevellyn being the largest, joined by a broad ridge on which the walking was much easier than the previous climb. The wind was bitterly cold and it was now only determination not to give up that saw us press on to the tallest peak. Fellow hill walkers stared incredulously in their goretex jackets and hiking pants at the clearly insane family in jeans and tee shirts, trailing the pet dog. One offered us clothing, which we politely declined, though I was aware that if we didn’t get down soon we were soon going to be in trouble. Stones were placed on cairns. Pictures were taken, and backs were patted. Jake gave in at this point and admitted he was still really cold. So Katie gave him her jacket! So we started our decent with Jake wearing a tee shirt, a bin bag, a fleece hoodie and his sister’s jacket complaining he was cold. While Katie pranced about the mountain top in only a tee shirt on which was printed a house brick and the word ‘subtle.’
We made our way down as speedily as was safe. We quickly warmed up but now we had a new need to press on; over on the other side of the valley rain was coming. Jake the poor mite was done in and so I hung back with him, but Katie still quite hyper was all for running down after seeing a couple start bouncing down the path. Initially I refused, but once we caught up the couple having a picnic half way down, I relented and allowed her to accompany them. Apparently she beat them to the bottom!
We all beat the rain and were heartily exhausted. I had earned two new blisters on my toes, and we were all wind burnt. But I think we’ve got the bug. Though not again until we have the proper clothes.
After the previous debacle of chaos from the start, the day had started well. Jacob had risen early to prepare sandwiches, though oddly he was still asking if we had to go. I had nipped around Sainsburys to buy chocolate and energy drinks, before getting home to throw the family in the car. Since last time Badger had both been sick and had dumped in the back of the car I took him on a brief walk down to the local green so he could do the necessary.
The car journey itself was reasonably uneventful. We did partake in the obligatory traffic jam on the M6. Though ours was much smaller than the southbound guys had to endure. The police had closed junction thirty three, blaming an invisible accident, and the tail back on the south bound side went on for miles.
After initially missing the entrance to the car park we finally parked up and selected our kit for the accent. Katie sensibly decided to take her coat and a woolly hat and mittens. Jacob, who feels the heat and is nearly terminally lazy, could not bear to lug anything up the mountain he did not have to. At the foot of the mountain it was warm so he elected to wear a tee shirt and a sleeveless hoodie. Naturally as the responsible adult, and the only one amongst us who had been to the top of a mountain before, I was none too impressed with this. However, cowed by the knowledge of just how much Jake would bitch and moan if made to wear more, I elected to rely on my secret weapons packed in with the food.
We set off and the kids were immediately impressed with the scenery. The path followed a white water stream, which the children found enchanting, and Jake was all for taking lots of pictures. Once we had bridged the stream for the last time we came to a stile and gate. The other side looked like sheep territory, but none were visible. So I decided to leave Badger off his leash until I saw a reason to put him on it, asking the kids to keep a look out too. This was a mistake. Ten minutes up the side of the mountain Badger startles a sheep out of some bracken and the chase is on. In that moment Badger discovered his reason for being. He is fifty percent German Shepherd Dog, fifty percent Welsh Border Collie. Which makes him one hundred percent sheep dog. He soon had a small flock pinned against a dry stone wall; at the bottom of the mountain. As shouting, “Come by boy” was not working I had to descend to where Badger was guarding his flock. Put him on a leash and start the climb again.
The path up the mountain is well travelled and those in charge have protected the area from erosion by paving it with large rocks. This removed the task of forging a new route and left us to concentrate on just how much hard work is involved in climbing up this bloody big hill. We were all soon sweating and breathing hard, and many rests were taken. But the views improved and we kept at it. The children were mightily impressed when a fighter jet, practicing low level flying, screamed through the valley below us.
Soon the altitude started to cool the air and a stiff and steady breeze started up. Jake started wishing he had brought a coat, and the hoodie he had been carrying was put back on. It soon got colder though and Jake started complaining in earnest. Time to bring out the secret weapon; a bin bag. I had Jacob take off his hoodie and with holes in appropriate places put the sack over him and his tee shirt. Once modelling the latest in PVC fashion Jake put his hoodie back on over it and declared it was a vast improvement. Shortly after this, Jake now feeling warmer again and being a perfect product of the Playstation generation, he realised just how exhausted he was, time for secret weapon number two. A can of Red Bull. Such is the power of suggestion that before his body could have even thought about digesting the drink Jake was running up the Mountain.
Eventually we made the summits. There is a chain of peaks, Hevellyn being the largest, joined by a broad ridge on which the walking was much easier than the previous climb. The wind was bitterly cold and it was now only determination not to give up that saw us press on to the tallest peak. Fellow hill walkers stared incredulously in their goretex jackets and hiking pants at the clearly insane family in jeans and tee shirts, trailing the pet dog. One offered us clothing, which we politely declined, though I was aware that if we didn’t get down soon we were soon going to be in trouble. Stones were placed on cairns. Pictures were taken, and backs were patted. Jake gave in at this point and admitted he was still really cold. So Katie gave him her jacket! So we started our decent with Jake wearing a tee shirt, a bin bag, a fleece hoodie and his sister’s jacket complaining he was cold. While Katie pranced about the mountain top in only a tee shirt on which was printed a house brick and the word ‘subtle.’
We made our way down as speedily as was safe. We quickly warmed up but now we had a new need to press on; over on the other side of the valley rain was coming. Jake the poor mite was done in and so I hung back with him, but Katie still quite hyper was all for running down after seeing a couple start bouncing down the path. Initially I refused, but once we caught up the couple having a picnic half way down, I relented and allowed her to accompany them. Apparently she beat them to the bottom!
We all beat the rain and were heartily exhausted. I had earned two new blisters on my toes, and we were all wind burnt. But I think we’ve got the bug. Though not again until we have the proper clothes.
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Hill Walking
I went walking in the Lake District today. The plan had been to take the kids to the top of a mountain, but that all went a bit pear shaped. After researching on the net I’d decided that Helvelyn seemed as likely a choice as any at 950 meters. But I parked in the wrong car park and we ended up an a place called Alcock Tarn, half way up a lesser peak called Heron Pike. We are going to have another go later this or next week, now that we have proper maps and have scouted out the area.
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Friday, August 12, 2005
Mercedes
There is one in the real world! A Mercedes McLaren SLR on the street, I wonder who's it is?
Sunday, August 07, 2005
Been Shopping
Well Lorii and I have been car shopping today. The Astra’s MOT is due to expire in October and it will never pass for a new one without major repairs. So Lorii and I scoured the lots of numerous car dealers until we found a rare thing indeed. A car we could afford! After shelling out the redies, I get to pick up a white Ford Mondeo 1.8 16V this week. Best bet was we got to trade in the rust Astra for £400 which is only shy £150 of what I paid for it.
Friday, August 05, 2005
Feeling glum...
I have not received all that many comment about the things I either twitter on about, or the pictures I post. I wonder why? Top of the list must be that no one reads this. Hmm A public diary held private by disinterest.
My favourite Unreal Server was pronounced dead today. No more Pointless Mayhem. Something crashed, and the Admin had neither the cash nor the motivation to put it back up. Ho hum…
Lorii is spending the night at the Hotel. So I’m home alone. I’m feeling pretty tired, but can’t sleep. Have finished the latest book I was reading, the Algebraist by Iain M Banks. Really enjoyed it. There is a character in it called, Quercer & Janath. I’m thinking of using this as my new handle on Unreal. Does anybody have an opinion?
My favourite Unreal Server was pronounced dead today. No more Pointless Mayhem. Something crashed, and the Admin had neither the cash nor the motivation to put it back up. Ho hum…
Lorii is spending the night at the Hotel. So I’m home alone. I’m feeling pretty tired, but can’t sleep. Have finished the latest book I was reading, the Algebraist by Iain M Banks. Really enjoyed it. There is a character in it called, Quercer & Janath. I’m thinking of using this as my new handle on Unreal. Does anybody have an opinion?
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Sunday, July 31, 2005
Saturday, July 30, 2005
Eyes
The picture shows the, hideous and disfiguring, injury inflicted upon me my by callous, cruel and unfeeling fiancée. Perpetrated under the guise of ‘larking about’ the wound was caused by a viciously wielded umbrella. It is by luck alone that my sight was undamaged. Indeed, as I remonstrated just after the wicked wench giggled at my suffering, “You could have had my eye out with that…!”
Friday, July 22, 2005
Natures wonders...
Found this on Flickr... Not sure if its real, but it made me laugh either way.
I got this reply from my3rdcareer...
Everyone knows the rock who lives around there... not photoshop on the rock itself... I did move the rock in the picture a few... feet to get it more in position for the model.... but that was it.
So I have sent this...
Hi,
Well thank you for clearing that up for me. As you may of noticed from my profile, I'm not from Utah.
Says something about Photoshop and photo editing, that it is now easier to move a large geological ediface, than get a model to take a few steps. Still, I expect the heels on those wonderful boots were killing her. };o))
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
ModelPlanes
Well my Dad sent me this picture of his plane. It is the one at the front. Thought I'd post it up for all to see.
Saturday, July 09, 2005
Friday, July 08, 2005
Godlike
Finally I am recognised by others of note that I truly am Godlike! In all honesty I was as surprised as anyone when the computer screamed out that word. I was still on a high from making Rampage. So can I still call myself Canon Fodder? Can canon fodder be Godlike? Each time you are killed, or if you kill someone in Unreal it puts the message on the screen, “You were killed by…” with the name of the perpetrator inserted where the dots are. It is just begging for a humorous name. Jake simply calls himself “A Ten Year Old” so that each victim is told, “You were killed by A Ten Year Old.” I’ve seen others called Accident, Mistake, A Virus and Greed. But if I rename myself what should I choose? Syphilis has sprung to mind as has God. A large selection of improbable murderers seem promising, such as Bambi or Tinky Winki, but I don’t think I want to go around with an alias of Tinky Winky. I’m going to give this some thought, but if you have any suggestions just click on the envelope to the right of the word comments just below this article.
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Faces
Well I have let the blog go a bit... mostly because I have been super busy. Lorii is over the hotel tonight, so I've had a chance to sit down in front of the computer and catch up. That said there is so much to write about I'm not going to get it done in one sitting.
Above is a picture of the family plus one at the Cancer Research Race for Life. Chris entered officially, Jake and his friend Rachel kept her company.
Other news I'll enter later: I now have an iPod mini, and I tried for a new job, but did not get it.
Will write more soon...
Above is a picture of the family plus one at the Cancer Research Race for Life. Chris entered officially, Jake and his friend Rachel kept her company.
Other news I'll enter later: I now have an iPod mini, and I tried for a new job, but did not get it.
Will write more soon...
Friday, June 03, 2005
Heart workout
Well today I rode the bike to work for the first time. It is in fact just over six miles to work if I go along the front. On the way there I had the wind against me all the way along the prom and it was a killer. It took me forty minutes to do the journey. On the way back, of course, I had the wind to help me. It only took thirty-three minutes, which is how long it takes me in the car of an afternoon. Also while my average HBM was 169 on the outward leg, coming home it was only 154. Needless to say my legs are jelly and there are a lot of sweaty clothes in the wash.
Katie has provided us with some drama today. It seems a couple of days ago that she thought we could do with some help tidying up. To this end she gathered the large pile of papers on the coffee table together and binned them. Now while the newspapers on the top were indeed out of date, the stack included; my insurance documents, packs from both Lorii’s and my solicitors and a cheque for over £560.00 from the insurance company. Needless to say we were not amused. Some frantic phone calls seem to have undone most of the damage. Good job I did not have my heart monitor on when that news came through. I think it would have broken it.
Katie has provided us with some drama today. It seems a couple of days ago that she thought we could do with some help tidying up. To this end she gathered the large pile of papers on the coffee table together and binned them. Now while the newspapers on the top were indeed out of date, the stack included; my insurance documents, packs from both Lorii’s and my solicitors and a cheque for over £560.00 from the insurance company. Needless to say we were not amused. Some frantic phone calls seem to have undone most of the damage. Good job I did not have my heart monitor on when that news came through. I think it would have broken it.
Monday, May 30, 2005
Life is precious
Well we have had a fairly relaxing weekend. I must say it is strange to have nice weather on a bank holiday, but that does not mean I’m complaining.
The weather has not been great all weekend. Yesterday we had really strong winds. So strong in fact that two lads won themselves Darwin awards, which is tragic for those so young. The lads, both sixteen, thought it would be a good idea to play with their dog on the promenade while huge waves thundered into the sea wall. If a ball was miss thrown I do not know, but the dog jumped the wall, and that is where this tale should end. For all the locals are aware that the death toll for people going over the wall at that very spot stood at 8 and that the last 3 were policemen trying to save a dog. But sanity was out to lunch and first one boy went over to try and rescue the dog, followed by the other lad to rescue the first. Now all 3 of them are dead and the death toll stands at 10.
My daughter and I had the unlucky privilege of witnessing the emergency services attempts to rescue the lads. Some brave soul put his life on the line and was winched below a helicopter into ferocious seas. Large crowds watched from the shore as man was winched back up and the helicopter moved inland. I was not aware then but whatever was plucked from the sea was already dead. Later my son and I went out for a bike ride. As we rode down the front we were confronted with the sight of numerous police scouring the sea with binoculars. While the off shore lifeboat searched further out to sea. Only then was I aware that somebody had lost his or her life. This morning I took both the kids and the dog for a walk on the beach. Attached to the gate to the sands were bunches of flowers, some bearing pictures of the lads when they were small. I made my kids look. Gave them the lecture. Then proceeded to enjoy a lovely walk on the open sands, where only the day before two children had died.
The weather has not been great all weekend. Yesterday we had really strong winds. So strong in fact that two lads won themselves Darwin awards, which is tragic for those so young. The lads, both sixteen, thought it would be a good idea to play with their dog on the promenade while huge waves thundered into the sea wall. If a ball was miss thrown I do not know, but the dog jumped the wall, and that is where this tale should end. For all the locals are aware that the death toll for people going over the wall at that very spot stood at 8 and that the last 3 were policemen trying to save a dog. But sanity was out to lunch and first one boy went over to try and rescue the dog, followed by the other lad to rescue the first. Now all 3 of them are dead and the death toll stands at 10.
My daughter and I had the unlucky privilege of witnessing the emergency services attempts to rescue the lads. Some brave soul put his life on the line and was winched below a helicopter into ferocious seas. Large crowds watched from the shore as man was winched back up and the helicopter moved inland. I was not aware then but whatever was plucked from the sea was already dead. Later my son and I went out for a bike ride. As we rode down the front we were confronted with the sight of numerous police scouring the sea with binoculars. While the off shore lifeboat searched further out to sea. Only then was I aware that somebody had lost his or her life. This morning I took both the kids and the dog for a walk on the beach. Attached to the gate to the sands were bunches of flowers, some bearing pictures of the lads when they were small. I made my kids look. Gave them the lecture. Then proceeded to enjoy a lovely walk on the open sands, where only the day before two children had died.
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Cycling
Okay, well as I am staring forty down the barrel of a gun, my waist line keeps getting larger and my stamina is decreasing, I thought I’d do something about it. To this end I got my bicycle out of the shed this weekend and got it road worthy.
Yesterday I took it out for a very short spin; Just down to Gyn Square and back, to let my cycling muscles know that I planed a come back.
Today I went a little further. Down onto the Prom and along as far as Rigby Road. A round trip of 4.7 miles, which I averaged at 10.1mph. This was enough to make me sweat and leave my legs feeling a little wobbly.
The plan is to build up slowly until I’m fit enough to ride the bike to work each day. In theory though I’m already there as work is only about five miles or so.
Yesterday I took it out for a very short spin; Just down to Gyn Square and back, to let my cycling muscles know that I planed a come back.
Today I went a little further. Down onto the Prom and along as far as Rigby Road. A round trip of 4.7 miles, which I averaged at 10.1mph. This was enough to make me sweat and leave my legs feeling a little wobbly.
The plan is to build up slowly until I’m fit enough to ride the bike to work each day. In theory though I’m already there as work is only about five miles or so.
Saturday, May 21, 2005
Saturday, May 14, 2005
Typical!
Unreal stats down and I had my first Dominating! My only hope is that once fixed they will be back dated. Ho hum. :(
Catching up
Well I haven’t made an entry for a while, mostly because I’ve been real busy. Lorii has had a really bad cold; bordering on flu. So I have been kept busy doing the single parent bit on top of all the ‘looking after Lorii’ stuff too.
So, to catch up: The little yellow thing called Matiz has been returned to the hire people. I have bought a red, diesel, Vauxhall Astra estate. I performed this deed at an auction, which was pretty scary. But the car seems sound and I got it for a snip at £550. The Mondeo was written off to the value of £750.
Jacob had a proper fight at school. His glasses got destroyed. But since he has not been involved in any more, I guess the school population has learnt the lesson; ‘You don’t pick on Jacob, unless you want a pounding.’ Apparently it took two dinner ladies to pull the berzerking Jacob off the lad foolish enough to try and steal his art book.
Katie has been on her first ‘camp’ with the Air Cadets. It turns out that along with being an incredibly smart kid, she is a crack shot as well. So don’t get my daughter mad. She can put a bullet in your eye at four hundred meters and talk her way out of the murder wrap!
Lorii’s sister Mel has departed for Australia. Before leaving she got hypnotised so she would not be scared of the spiders. This, it seems to me, is an idea that is contrary to survival in a country where the spiders can kill you. If it has worked or not I have not heard. However unfortunately Mel is freaking out at the large, and numerous, cockroaches! They were not covered by the hypnotherapy.
Baby Ben is home. That is his picture at the top of this entry, with his sister and grandma. Apparently after his shaky start he now weighs 12lb 6oz. That is a gain of nearly 3lbs in four weeks.
Annoyingly the stats page for Unreal has been down for a while so any claims of Rampages etcetera will not be verifiable.
Monday, May 02, 2005
Australia
Lorii’s little sister Mel is going to live in Australia for a couple of years. She leaves early Tuesday so we had the first of a couple of family evenings last night. Being the only driver in a chaotic family means I’m usually almost tea total, so I have morphed into the worlds cheapest date. Three bottles of Bud saw me tipsy, and five and a bit saw me turning in early feeling sloshed. Pathetic! To think I once used to put pint after pint of real ale down and then laugh at the drunken antics of my friends.
Lots of pictures were taken on Mel’s new digital camera, so I can confidently promise pictures later.
Lots of pictures were taken on Mel’s new digital camera, so I can confidently promise pictures later.
Saturday, April 30, 2005
Jacob revealed!
Just in case you were wondering what Jake looked like... Oh and yes he does hate this picture!
Jacob's Blog
Jacob's Blog My son Jacob has just started his own blog. He too has picked a Unreal graphic for his avatar. He is showing his age with the odd 'Not telling' comment and some stunning gramatical errors. But all told it's not a bad start.
Saturday, April 23, 2005
Rampage
Well I got my first Rampage this morning. About time too. Once again in the Dome of Death, and it boosted my ranking for a very short while. Click here to see the proof.
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
So sue me!
Well the insurance people have given me a Daewoo Matiz, in yellow! The Mondeo has gone to be assessed and I suspect written off. Both Lorii and I have been appointed solicitors. Independent ones at that, I guess in case I’m found at fault and Lorii ends up suing me!
Sunday, April 17, 2005
Our Sun:
Burning Bush II
The sun taken with an ultraviolet camera on a satellite stationed in a Lagrange point. If you notice there is a flare ejecting or exploding, whatever the technical term is, just to the right of centre. The radiation spewed or emitted, once again I struggle to describe something so powerful and enormous, went on to cause a fantastic display of 'Northern Lights.' Which you can see if you go here; www.flickr.com/photos/johncharlton/4974282/
Saturday, April 16, 2005
Ford-Found On Roadside, Dead
A totally crazy day today with many blogable moments so settle in for a good read. Lorii and I decided that we needed a new bed today, and we also needed to pop into town and buy a present for baby Ben now that he is home. So, with Katie out with her friends, I loaded the rest of the family in the car and set off for the furniture shop. As I approached the store, the junction it sits on does not allow traffic to turn right into the car park. So I drove past looking for somewhere to turn around. At the next set of traffic lights I went to turn right, into a car park for a car hire store where I could turn round. Now as I went to make this turn I could not see the oncoming road as there was a large white van facing me also looking to turn to his right. However as the lights turned to red as I sat in the middle of the junction I felt it was safe to proceed. Wrong! Just as I moved off a bus shot from behind the van, it had obviously been lurking in wait. I tried hard to stop, but the bus didn’t. Well it did, but only after it had taken half the bumper off the front of the car in exchange for some fetching green paint.
We stopped and exchanged details. The bus driver decided he did not want the bumper he had just ripped from my car so I put it in the boot. Everyone was asked if they were okay, and as everyone felt fine we went on our way. As we drove home Lorii said that her neck was starting to hurt. So when I got in I’m straight on to the insurance people. They are very helpful, which seems wrong somehow, I’m sure they’ll make up for it later. Anyhow they arrange for a garage to take the car in hand on Monday and for a hire firm to deliver a car on Monday too.
Next I call the police to report the accident, they take the details and tell me to take Lorii to the hospital. Great, both our hearts sink at the prospect of a Saturday afternoon spent kicking out heels in A&E. So we gather some good reading material and head for the door. Just then a lass called Sarah calls to ask if she can walk our dog for us, which is sweet but inconvenient. So we say no, we have been involved in a traffic accident and are on our way to hospital. She says, “Oh what happened?” We say, “We were hit buy a bus.” Her reply will live with me to the day I die, as the last thing I expected was, “Was it a No.7?”
So we get to hospital who broke every record for speedy service. The only comment the nurse made, as she confirmed Lorii had whiplash, was there would soon be the entire passenger manifest in off the bus, claiming whiplash too. So now I sit here typing this Lorii is off buying drugs, and I’m awaiting a visit by the law who will probably wait until there is something good on the telly before coming round. Ho hum.
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Ham
Take one ham. Score the fat in a grid pattern and rub in plenty of whole grain mustard. Marinade in cider for a couple of days. Place in a hot oven, still in the marinade and covered in foil. Roast for one hour. Remove from oven; pour away marinade and coat with lashings of honey. Put back in the oven for another half an hour. Remove from oven and allow to stand for half an hour before carving in thin fine moist succulent slices. Yes Mum I am eating well!
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Ben II
As promised pictures of Ben. Turns out that the infection has passed and he is out of danger. They do not know what the infection was, (but his CPR should have been between1-6 went as high at one time as 22) but it was not Meningitis. After aggressive doses of antibiotics the mystery infection is now under control. He is under a double"blue" lamps to get his vitamin D up and the jaundice down, they are taking blood samples every four hours to check on his biliruben, unfortunately the anti c blood from Tracy (My Sister) crossed the placenta wall. It is having a bit of a battle in Ben's arteries with his blood - but he's doing fine and looks cute in his sunglasses.
Monday, April 11, 2005
Ben I
Well it seems baby Ben is not a well lad. Due to complications during the pregnancy he was born with a damaged immune system- or something, Mother is not to clear. Anyway, the mite has come down with an infection and has landed in an ICU at hospital. All we can do is wait and pray.
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Lunar
I had a storming game of Unreal last night, The map was Lunar and my team won. But better than that, I was the best player on my team. The secret was we worked as a team, with me as leader! I like Lunar and if it is played properly it is easy to win. On a personel level I made a point of charging down the map and firing at the enemies node. It did not matter if I was killed without fragging one of them, as the point is to make the other team spawn back at their core. Once the opposition were on the back foot it was just a matter of advising my team mates, which were the best weapons to use. Three players scored higher than me. But I think that was only because of the abandon some of my side showed when charging down the bottleneck to the enemies’ core. It was a real blast and I’m still on a high from it now!
Saturday, April 09, 2005
Silly Buggers
Have been playing silly buggers. Found a group on Flickr who draw lasers from their pets eyes. I've submited the effort on the right. How long before they chuck me out?
Friday, April 08, 2005
Uncle
I'm a fresh Uncle! My little sister, Tracy, has just given birth to her second child. A boy weighing in at 9lbs 91/2oz his name is Benjamin Martin. Well done sis.
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
Marching to Roast
Tonight Katie, my eldest, is enrolled in the Air Cadets. We have to go down to watch her march up and down a bit tonight, before passing out. As a sort of a celebration I’m cooking a roast dinner. Also Katies best friend, Katie, who we all call Kenny to avoid confusion is coming with her mother. I’ll post pictures as and when I have them.
Monday, April 04, 2005
Run you Bugger!
Well I had a game of Capture the Flag today. Makes a change from the usual onslaught. The map was my favourite; Face Classic. I’d forgotten what it was like to have grabbed the flag and be running for your life with every other bugger trying to kill you. Unfortunately this server did not have a great deal of team spirit, and so on those occasions when I did grab the flag I was picked off on my way back. I tried to do my bit and offer cover when others had the flag, but little old me was not enough. Predictably my team of egos lost. Still I enjoyed the blast and think I’ll be going back some time soon.
Sunday, April 03, 2005
Burning Bush
Lorii and I have always had this romantic dream that it would be nice to get married under the northern lights. Images like this only reinforce my desire to make this dream reality.
Yawn
Lorii is away for the night again, and I’m up at this ungodly hour due to a domestic emergency some friends are going through. It’s six in the morning and I’ve not slept. Normal blogging will be resumed once I have had some sleep.
Saturday, April 02, 2005
Friday, April 01, 2005
Being Patronised
Well my Ranking is fixed. Went on a server I don't usually play on. The map was Nevermore SE. It was being Dominated by a dude called Zofu. I went up a tower and sniped a bit. At the end of the game I'd not done well but I'd held my own. Most folks had scores around the high teens to low twenties. Mine was something like fifty or sixty, though my side had lost. Zofu the cheeky fuck was three hundred and something! So I typed up a congratulatory "Well done Zofu." Just to let the rest of his team know who had won the game for them. So he types back; "Thanks M8...", "...you didn't make it easy." So there's me put in my place. :p
Silly...
I dove in and got slaughtered. Played crap actually. I'm ashamed and my rank is once again a big fat zero.
Thursday, March 31, 2005
Riverdance
I’m the only adult in the house tonight. Lorii, my better half, has gone for a girls night out. She is going to see one of the last performances of Riverdance. Something she has always wanted to see but I can live on without the experience. So tonight I get to play my favourite game without having to fight Lorii for access to the computer. Now do I continue playing the sniper or do I dive in and get slaughtered..?
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
Rankings
My ranking on Unreal has shown some improvment recently. Mostly coz I'm hanging back from the fight and playing the sniper. It's not as much fun though. I guess I just love barreling in too much. Another thing the game has done is destroy my computer desk. I've one of those with the keyboard part on tracks os it can be pushed in. In my excitment Im pushing down too hard and I've ruined the mechanisim. Time for a new desk at the weekend
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
All sewn up!
People do the strangest things. On what planet would you do either of these things? I asked the girl who sewed her mouth shut, why? Her responce; "For the experience." Why would you want to expereince that? Life throws enough pain and shit my way without the need to go looking for more. Or perhaps I'm missing something here? If anyone can enlighten me...
Fire Starter - Twisted Fire Starter
When I stumbled onto the picture of lightening below I was so impressed that I wrote to the guy who had posted it on Flickr. I wanted to know all about how he made this picture. It turns out that he did not take it. Which is a bummer cause it could be a fake, but I don't want it to be. I want it to be real. Thing is there are things wrong with it. Where is the lightening comming from? Why the dome glow where it strikes but nowhere else? Why do some of the forks just fade away? Nature can produce some startling images, but so can Photoshop. If anyone knows about this picture (Yes I know that the readership of my little personal blog is so small as to be almost undetectable.) or has an informed opinion, please let me know.
fire_starter
Trawling through Flickr I found this. WOW! If this is real then what a lucky photographer!
One for the ladies
Okay girls, if you have ever wondered how to get there, now you know! Take exit 88!
Monday, March 28, 2005
North Shore
Was walking the dogs on the beach, again, this morning. Had the camera with me and I took a few pictures. Knocked up this montage (top) of North Shore. Had everything against me; No tripod, sun in wrong place, crap camera ect. Still it gives an idea of just how far the tide goes out! (Click on it to go to Flickr, where there are larger versions.) I may try again if I find myself on the beach with the sun in the right place... But don't hold your breath.
Sunday, March 27, 2005
Trompe l'oeil
I think this is wild! There is a whole pool of people on Flickr doing these. The technique is called trompe l'oeil. Go check out the others.
Badshot Lea, Surrey, UK 1982
I took this when I was sixteen. I'd gotten a tripod for my birthday and was keen to use it. I had seen the trains going by on the horizon from my bedroom window and was keen to see if I could make a good timed exposure. The snow was heavy for southern England and as I waited for a train I froze my butt off. However, the picture does not do justice to the amazing spectacle of that train passing under the bridge I was camped out on. With the ice causing huge arcs of electricity from the electrified rail, and the train moving slowly in case of drifts, it was lit up like a space ship from close encounters. I will never forget that moment. Anyway, in the next few years of life the negative got lost and the only print left got damaged. This is the result of may hours in Photoshop removing creases and mending tares. While lots of inconsistencies are still visible, they were all lost once the image was sent down to the large format printer, and I now have a huge copy of one of my favourite pictures over my mantle.
Friday, March 25, 2005
Hard at work...
Katie has decided to decorate her bedroom. Now if only she put this much effort into doing the washing up!
Happy holidays...
Just come back from a walk on the beach with the dogs. That’s Badger who is ours and Max who belongs to Lorii’s mother. As usual they chased each other around the beach like nuts. I’ve also dug out the kid’s bikes from the shed and Jake is having a whale of a time circling the block. The weather has been great all day and so far the bank holiday weekend looks like being a fantastic one.
Thursday, March 24, 2005
Working it out...
Well Easter is upon us and the kids are very much under foot. Unreal is now played with an audience, which I don't like. Call me a grumpy old sod if you like but I hate having someone perched on my shoulder telling me what I should have done. No I've never clamied I was the brightest spark but I've noticed a trend in the way the game scores. Seems you get more for staying alive than dieing. Hmm, and it took me this long...
Friday, March 18, 2005
Bloggernity
Have added my blog to a blog listing site called Bloggernity. Time will only tell if this was a good idea. I hope it is....
Thursday, March 17, 2005
RIP NaNook
Sadly NaNook passed away today. She was an old lady and was enjoying life. The two kittens had perked her up a bit, but in the end I think she was just too tired. The picture shows NaNook in her favourite spot, perched on someones shoulder.
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Options...
Well we are off to Katies school tonight to meet with the teachers. She has to select which lessons she is going to take for the rest of her time at this school. It's called Options and is probably the biggest decision she has to make before her final exams. She has decided to attend this meeting dressed as a fairy goth! If she were not a straight-A student... Can anybody tell me why people decide to become parents and raise kids?
OMG
Oh My God! Not just SIX Double Kills, but also a Ultra Kill, a Holy Shit Kill, THREE Multi Kills and a MONSTER KILL.
Click here to see the proof.
Click here to see the proof.
To every cloud....
The down side to the ebay news came home to roost today. I get home from work and finf Lorii waiting with three bags stuffed with parcels for the post office. I let a woman in the queue jump ahead of me, as I felt like a bloke from the penny arcade come to cash the days takings. The local post office only has one window, and by the time I'd posted £26 worth of recorded delivery parcels, there was a very long queue. I cleared out sharpish whilst trying to ignore the dagger like stares.
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
e-bay
Well Lorii has made an absalute mint on e-bay this week. We've shifted a wardrobe that worked in the last place but has never fitted here. Lorii has also sold loads more stuff and made about £300 this week. Who knew that we could make so much cash. Lorii is now fire up and selling EVERYTHING!. You name it, it's going on e-bay. Everything from rubber shirts to glass paper weights and Hot air balloons. Could Lorii be the next e-bay millionair. I bloody well hope so!
Sunday, March 13, 2005
CanonFodder
Well if you have not guessed I call myself Canon Fodder coz I get killed alot in Unreal. Thought I'd treat you all to a screen shot of this sad and sorry process in action. On this occasion I've just been blasted out of the sky by the tank below. Earning him an Eagle Eye award and forcing me to respawn, again. Ho hum.
BobAndBob
Well here are Bob & Bob. Who, interestingly, are actually called Ratilin & Lithium by my youngest. I just call them both Bob as they are does (That is girls as in female dear.) and I can't tell them apart!
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
Gosh!
Just re-watched ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.’ I enjoyed the film as much as I did first time around. Was weird seeing such a young Danny Di Vito & Christopher Lloyd. I’d never realised that these two had worked together prior to Taxi. You live and learn.
Sunday, March 06, 2005
Pointless Mayhem
Disaster! Went to play on my favourite server and was greeted with a password request. Have sent an email to Nixy, the server admin, to ask why. Hope it's not bad news as Luna, Tank Wars and Dome of Destruction all live there.
Sunday, February 27, 2005
The trend contines...
Well are these the stats for 'Fodder' or the 'bringer of death'?;
Handy external link.
If anybody reads this suggestions for new name will be taken in the spirit with which they are offered.
Handy external link.
If anybody reads this suggestions for new name will be taken in the spirit with which they are offered.
Saturday, February 26, 2005
I must be getting better...
Read it and weep; Four killing sprees in one match! http://ut2004stats.epicgames.com/matchstats.php?match=11619157
If I keep this up I'll have to lose the handle! Still I did die more times than I killed.
If I keep this up I'll have to lose the handle! Still I did die more times than I killed.
Thursday, February 17, 2005
Wow
Lorii proposed on Valentines day! I said yes. We are gonna buy a ring on the weekend. On a more frivolous note we aquired two more rats to keep Na Nook company. Both does we are calling them both Bob for now!
Sunday, February 13, 2005
Did good...
Yeah! I had a good game!
http://ut2004stats.epicgames.com/matchstats.php?match=11231196
I even had a killing spree... Improvement at last.
:))
http://ut2004stats.epicgames.com/matchstats.php?match=11231196
I even had a killing spree... Improvement at last.
:))
Sunday, February 06, 2005
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