No prizes for guessing where I was on Thursday! Not with this picture to accompany the blog entry anyway! I first saw Maiden in my teens at the then Hammersmith Odeon, this time I got to take my teenage daughter with me too.
Initially the plan had been been for the whole family to go. Richard, a best mate from the age of around ten, had phoned and asked if I wanted tickets while he was buying his? I'd asked for four and started counting the days... Then Lorii's health got really bad, and three weeks before the gig she is on the operating table. I asked Richard to see if he could find a buyer for the fourth ticket, as Lorii was sure she would not be fit enough to go.
Come the day of the gig I come home to find Lorii ready to go and Jacob still in his school uniform. It was a very generous gesture by Jake; especially as this would have been his first ever concert. So we pile in the car and drive down to Richard's place, in Liverpool, where we intend to rendezvous before heading to Manchester and the show. Now Lorii had evidently had a few fortifying vodka drinks before I had picked her and Katie up. Lorii managed to demonstrate the wonders alcohol has on your co-ordination by upending her handbag into the passenger foot-well, forgetting the maps to Richard's place (I had never been before!) and, through miss-use, exhausting all my credit on my mobile phone asking for directions. Luckily the driver was both sober and in possession of a good memory, and remembered Richard's instructions on how to get to his house.
On arriving at Richard's he generously gifted us our tickets as an early Christmas present! (Thanks again Ric!) We then met up with Tim, the taker of the fourth ticket, and made our way to the gig.
We arrived for the end of Trivium's set. I know nothing of this band, Katie did not seem impressed, but a large part of the crowd seemed to enjoy them.
The first part of the Maiden set was their new album, A Matter of Life and Death, cover to cover. Now there were some great songs in there, but as poor me doesn't own the album I did not know where to sing along. I think a large part of the crowd were suffering the same problem because once this part of the show was 'out of the way' the gig really took off. Old hits were pulled out and the whole arena sang along. I felt fourteen again! Eddie, the band's mascot, made two appearances and the band finished on one of my favourite songs; Hallowed Be Thy Name.
Unfortunately Lorii was not up to standing throughout the gig, once the alcohol wore off I think the pain killers were not up to the job of sustaining a frail Lorii through the rigours of a Maiden gig. Worse for her; she is not a life long Iron Maiden fan and did not know the lyrics to the hits they did play. The Number of the Beast, No More Lies and Run to the Hills did not get an outing, which was a shame as Lorii had learnt those!
We came out of the arena into pouring rain and were utterly soaked by the time we reached the car. We picked up a KFC supper and were in bed by two in the morning. Three hours later I was up and off to work. So now I feel a little tired....
Friday, December 15, 2006
Sunday, December 03, 2006
A Bit Windy...
I took the dogs out for a walk on the beach today... only it was too windy to get down to. It was all I could do to stand up on the top of the sea wall!
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Oh No!
Well we are soon to be blessed with the sound of tiny feet! Nutmeg is a boy not a girl, and he and Izzy have been doing the wild thing! Despite the pet shop having the boys and girls segregated we have ended up with one of each. Have you ever tried to sex a guinea pig? My attempts obviously failed! Though a good clue that Izzy is a girl is all the dried semen in her fur around her privates! We are expecting the babies around Christmas and Nutmeg has been renamed Spunky!
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Grounded!
For the past few days the kids have been grounded. Grounded in our house does not mean that they are confined to the house, they would not find that a punishment. Rather that they are banned from computers, playstations and the cartoon network. The reason for this was, that with their mother ill, they had not been doing even the every day chores, let alone helping me out with the increased workload. So they were grounded until they changed their ways.
So last night Lorii and I discuss the situation, decide they have both made an effort, and resolve to lift the grounding. With Lorii installed on the sofa to get a break from the bedroom, I make my way up the stairs to give the kids the good news.
Now earlier on that evening I had had to pull Jacob up about the state of his bedroom floor. (Those who know me from my own childhood will be detecting a fairly hypocritical poacher turned gamekeeper thing going on here.) My parting words on this occasion were along the lines of, "Next time I enter your room all this mess will be picked up." (Oh how my parents must be reminiscing to those words!) So confident that Jacob would be happy to see me with my happy news I enter his bedroom. To find not one thing has been lifted up or put away.
Now when I was a nipper this would have been because the first thing I picked up was a book or comic. I'd start reading it, I can not help myself when it comes to words on a row, and time would be suspended until my mum caught me loafing about.
Jake was doing his homework; which made it hard to be really cross. So I told him he was ungrounded on the understanding that the floor was clean next time I came in his room.
So next I enter Katies room. Now her room was tidy, and without being told, and Katie was busy doing some clay modelling for her art homework. I tell her her grounding is lifted to which she replies, "Can I stay grounded please?" My jaw hits the floor. It turns out that she does not want any distractions from her homework. I swear she is not normal!
So last night Lorii and I discuss the situation, decide they have both made an effort, and resolve to lift the grounding. With Lorii installed on the sofa to get a break from the bedroom, I make my way up the stairs to give the kids the good news.
Now earlier on that evening I had had to pull Jacob up about the state of his bedroom floor. (Those who know me from my own childhood will be detecting a fairly hypocritical poacher turned gamekeeper thing going on here.) My parting words on this occasion were along the lines of, "Next time I enter your room all this mess will be picked up." (Oh how my parents must be reminiscing to those words!) So confident that Jacob would be happy to see me with my happy news I enter his bedroom. To find not one thing has been lifted up or put away.
Now when I was a nipper this would have been because the first thing I picked up was a book or comic. I'd start reading it, I can not help myself when it comes to words on a row, and time would be suspended until my mum caught me loafing about.
Jake was doing his homework; which made it hard to be really cross. So I told him he was ungrounded on the understanding that the floor was clean next time I came in his room.
So next I enter Katies room. Now her room was tidy, and without being told, and Katie was busy doing some clay modelling for her art homework. I tell her her grounding is lifted to which she replies, "Can I stay grounded please?" My jaw hits the floor. It turns out that she does not want any distractions from her homework. I swear she is not normal!
Friday, November 24, 2006
007
I took the kids to see the new James Bond movie, Casino Royale, last night. Daniel Craig makes an awesome Bond, with the whole genera getting the "Batman Begins" treatment; that is, they have dumped all the foolish frippery, and kept the core elements that make bond movies great. Aston Martin cars, martinis, womanising, explosions, M, and great spy gadgetry all stay, but in a more believable and realistic way. The fight scenes are more realistic too, this bond cuts and bruises, and right from the start of the film you can tell there is a more brutal edge to 007. As an Audio Slave and Soundgarden fan it was nice to have Chris Cornell singing on the opening credits too. I'll not spoil it for you by revealing the plot; I'll simply say that if you enjoyed the Sean Connery Bond, and enjoyed Daniel Craig in Layer Cake you will find Casino Royale to your taste.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
New look...
Well blogger have reinvented their interface. I was going to overhaul the complete look of the blog, but have settled on some minor changes. Let me know what you think...
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Endometriosis
Well Lorii's ailment finally has a name and it is endometriosis. It's been a long journey with quite a few scares on the way (We still have to wait for the re-scan of her chest to see if that nodule has grown.) but at least we now know what is causing Lorii so much pain.
Lorii had a laparoscopy on Monday afternoon. The surgeon found numerous lesions and adhesions which she sorted out. She also cut some of Lorii's nerves, where needed, to ease her suffering. Right up to the day of the surgery Lorii had been terrified that the surgeon would find nothing; and that she would be dismissed by yet another member of the medical profession. However after the surgery Lorii's surgeon told her that she described the site of the pain so precisely that it had helped her get straight to the seat of the problem. Obviously Lorii is feeling enormously vindicated.
Where we go from here we are not too sure. Endometriosis is incurable. But now the doctors know what her problem is there is a lot they can do to ease her pain and suffering. There may be further surgery, a hysterectomy may be on the cards, or there are some hormone treatments that may help. In the short term she is simply recovering from the effects of the laparoscopy. Bizarrely the gas they use to inflate the abdomen causes severe shoulder pain, added to the surgery and the endometriosis and Lorii is feeling pretty sore right now. I'll keep you posted as she recovers.
If you are interested to find out more about endometriosis here is a link to a site with a pretty good description of the symptoms and side effects.
Lorii had a laparoscopy on Monday afternoon. The surgeon found numerous lesions and adhesions which she sorted out. She also cut some of Lorii's nerves, where needed, to ease her suffering. Right up to the day of the surgery Lorii had been terrified that the surgeon would find nothing; and that she would be dismissed by yet another member of the medical profession. However after the surgery Lorii's surgeon told her that she described the site of the pain so precisely that it had helped her get straight to the seat of the problem. Obviously Lorii is feeling enormously vindicated.
Where we go from here we are not too sure. Endometriosis is incurable. But now the doctors know what her problem is there is a lot they can do to ease her pain and suffering. There may be further surgery, a hysterectomy may be on the cards, or there are some hormone treatments that may help. In the short term she is simply recovering from the effects of the laparoscopy. Bizarrely the gas they use to inflate the abdomen causes severe shoulder pain, added to the surgery and the endometriosis and Lorii is feeling pretty sore right now. I'll keep you posted as she recovers.
If you are interested to find out more about endometriosis here is a link to a site with a pretty good description of the symptoms and side effects.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
The Yawn
A friend once told me there was only one yawn in the world. But I've been thinking about this and I'm not so sure it is true. I think there may be two!
You see a yawn is capable of instantaneous travel from person to person. Sometimes a yawn will jump around a room making each person yawn in turn. It is this phenomenom that has led others to believe that the yawn is infectious. My friend has never seen two people yawn at exactly the same time; a syncronised yawn. So he has deduced that there is only one in the world.
But I think the yawn is searching. I think the yawn is lonley. If you fake a yawn you are probably going to yawn for real soon after. This is a yawn visiting to see if the fake yawn was the 'other' yawn. If someone else yawns you may find yourself yawning too; once again this may be the other yawn in search of its mate. I think yawns get a kick out of performing a syncronised yawn. They strive to perform this rare feat of bodily puppetry. To jump into two people, take over their bodies simultaniously, and to make them yawn in unison brings the simple yawn great pleasure.
So next time you yawn be ready to repeat the feat, as the other yawn takes over your body in search for its mate.
You see a yawn is capable of instantaneous travel from person to person. Sometimes a yawn will jump around a room making each person yawn in turn. It is this phenomenom that has led others to believe that the yawn is infectious. My friend has never seen two people yawn at exactly the same time; a syncronised yawn. So he has deduced that there is only one in the world.
But I think the yawn is searching. I think the yawn is lonley. If you fake a yawn you are probably going to yawn for real soon after. This is a yawn visiting to see if the fake yawn was the 'other' yawn. If someone else yawns you may find yourself yawning too; once again this may be the other yawn in search of its mate. I think yawns get a kick out of performing a syncronised yawn. They strive to perform this rare feat of bodily puppetry. To jump into two people, take over their bodies simultaniously, and to make them yawn in unison brings the simple yawn great pleasure.
So next time you yawn be ready to repeat the feat, as the other yawn takes over your body in search for its mate.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Mel & Andy
We got a phone call this afternoon from Lorii's dad to say Mel was on a web cam in Alice Springs. We dutifully logged on to look; and low, there was Lorii's little sister. Getting bladdered in Oz! Seemed very odd to look at all the people in shorts and summer dresses while rain lashed down here in Blackpool.
Anyway there was a facility to request songs from the bar's playlist and have messages read out to those in the bar. I had a go, but kept getting a 404 message from the bars server once I submitted the request. However it must have worked though coz shortly afterwards we get a phone call from a sozzled Mel thanking us for the request! I'd hate to see her mobile bill for that night!
Anyway there was a facility to request songs from the bar's playlist and have messages read out to those in the bar. I had a go, but kept getting a 404 message from the bars server once I submitted the request. However it must have worked though coz shortly afterwards we get a phone call from a sozzled Mel thanking us for the request! I'd hate to see her mobile bill for that night!
Steak
Last night Katie cooked us all sirloin steak for dinner. It was practice for a proposed fillet steak meal next week. All I can say is if this was the run up I can't wait for the main event. It was fantastic!
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Juggling
Katie is making juggling balls as a business exercise at school. This prompted me to dig out my clubs and make what follows...
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
G Pee's
The ginger one is Nutmeg and the black one is Izzy. Please don't ask me why I allowed the kids yet more pets... I must be a soft touch!
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Jake & Friends
Well Jacob had a utterly fantastic day today. On Thursday, when Jacob picked up his first prize for his poem 'Suicide,' he also received an informal invitation to visit the Mayor of Blackpool, in his Parlour, on the Saturday morning. There we met both the Mayor Allan Matthews and his wife Mayoress Angela Matthews, who had a lot of time for Jacob, as well as Norman Warwick of Just Poets and Brandon, a fellow poetry prize winner, and his mum Anne. Jake was gifted both a pen and a badge. Had a "really interesting" conversation with the Mayoress, as well as an informal photo-shoot in the council chambers. (He also got fed several pieces of cake, cups of tea and a small stick of rock!)
On from there I took Jacob shopping with his prize money. He bought himself a new sim card, for the mobile his granddad has gifted him, as well as the third book in the Lion Boy series The Truth by Zizou Corder.
Once home he got so animated telling his Mum all about it we actually had to tell him to stop and breathe! One happy lad.
On from there I took Jacob shopping with his prize money. He bought himself a new sim card, for the mobile his granddad has gifted him, as well as the third book in the Lion Boy series The Truth by Zizou Corder.
Once home he got so animated telling his Mum all about it we actually had to tell him to stop and breathe! One happy lad.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Poetry Award for Jacob
I really messed up the exposure on this video, but you can still hear his poem...
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Slide Show
Keen to experiment in the art of posting videos on YouTube I have made a brief slide show. I've used some of my better pictures from Flickr. If you like anything you see in the slide show, pop over to my Flickr account where you can view the images in high quality.
Saturday, September 30, 2006
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?
Friday, September 29, 2006
Cable
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!
Monday, September 25, 2006
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
Sunday, September 24, 2006
More Fireworks
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....
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Fireworks II
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.
Friday, September 15, 2006
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!?
Also there is now only 101 days, 2 hours and 23minutes until the Christmas Dr Who special!
How sad is that!?
Thursday, September 14, 2006
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
Monday, September 11, 2006
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....
Sunday, September 10, 2006
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?
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Fireworks and name changes...
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...
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...
Sunday, September 03, 2006
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.
Friday, September 01, 2006
Rain on Blackpool
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...
Thursday, August 31, 2006
New Toy
Well I've found a new widget for my dashboard on my Mac. PC users who don't know what that means had better go look at Apples web site and go green with envy. Anyway now that I can blogg from my desktop I may blogg a little more often...
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Reflections
Today has been a miserable wet rainy affair.
Spent most of the day playing with photoshop, with the kids collaboration. Katie is pleased with this one, and you'll find others on my Flickr page.
Friday, August 18, 2006
Tired
Lorii was at the Hotel again tonight; Sue the owner has not been too well either!
Had a nice chat wiv me Mum on the phone this evening. It's clear she is worried for Lorii (We all are) and had called to have a chat. Still Lorii gets to see the specialist soon. Lets just hope they have some answers.
Katie has taken to wearing a very girly pink headband thing; not at all goth! I'm enjoying teasing her about it. Unfortunately I'm on quite weak footing as she just starts on my hair; or should that be lack of it. Still I don't have a choice... She chooses to wear this thing. I'll try and grab a pic when I can.
Had a nice chat wiv me Mum on the phone this evening. It's clear she is worried for Lorii (We all are) and had called to have a chat. Still Lorii gets to see the specialist soon. Lets just hope they have some answers.
Katie has taken to wearing a very girly pink headband thing; not at all goth! I'm enjoying teasing her about it. Unfortunately I'm on quite weak footing as she just starts on my hair; or should that be lack of it. Still I don't have a choice... She chooses to wear this thing. I'll try and grab a pic when I can.
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Hum Drum
Well with all that is going on in the world I feel I should have something momentous to talk about too. But I don’t. In fact I’m having a slow weekend, which is nice for a change.
Lorii is at the Hotel, I’ve done the dinner. Lorii’s parents are away and have left Max with us. The kids have cleaned the car. I’ve cooked dinner. That’s it.
Check back soon when, no doubt, life will have overtaken me once more.
Lorii is at the Hotel, I’ve done the dinner. Lorii’s parents are away and have left Max with us. The kids have cleaned the car. I’ve cooked dinner. That’s it.
Check back soon when, no doubt, life will have overtaken me once more.
Monday, August 07, 2006
Stereo Dog
I've done a few of these stereo/3D images now, and I must admit I quite like them. Full of myself I printed this one out at work expecting everyone to be impressed. But no one could see the 3D image. In fact my boss thought I was winding him up.
So can you see the 3d picture? All you have to do is cross your eyes so that you see three images. If you can get the middle image to line up and focus you should see Badger in glorious 3D.
Please post a comment if it works. Actually, post if you can't get it to work too. That way I'll have a better idea of the ratio of those who can to can't!
So can you see the 3d picture? All you have to do is cross your eyes so that you see three images. If you can get the middle image to line up and focus you should see Badger in glorious 3D.
Please post a comment if it works. Actually, post if you can't get it to work too. That way I'll have a better idea of the ratio of those who can to can't!
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Fledgling Rescued
Katie did her good deed for the day this afternoon, while we were out exercising the dog. Jake and I were walking, but Katie had elected to ride her bike, and was pedalling ahead of us as we walked Badger along the beach.
It was here, while searching for feathers, she came across a baby seagull tangled up in discarded fishing tackle. We tried to remove the tackle on the beach, but only managed to remove one hook from its beak and another from its foot. I quickly realised we were going to have to take the bird home where I could use some tools to cut away the rest of the mess.
Jake pushed Katie's bike, I took Badger in hand and Katie wrapped the gull in her prized Him top. As we walked home the bird, now with its beak free, started to show some spirit and peck at Katie.
Once home I used some side cutters to cut out two more hooks, including one from its wing. I also removed a large amount of line and a weight from around the birds feet.
We then tried to feed the gull some sardines, to help it regain it's strength, but it seemed to think the best thing to do with those was spray them over Katie's jeans for her trouble. It also crapped on her top for her.
Once we were happy the bird was fundamentally okay; wings worked and such like, we wrapped it up in a towel and took it back to the beach. Katie released it from the sea wall and was immensely gratified to see the bird fly off and rejoin its friends on the beach.
It was here, while searching for feathers, she came across a baby seagull tangled up in discarded fishing tackle. We tried to remove the tackle on the beach, but only managed to remove one hook from its beak and another from its foot. I quickly realised we were going to have to take the bird home where I could use some tools to cut away the rest of the mess.
Jake pushed Katie's bike, I took Badger in hand and Katie wrapped the gull in her prized Him top. As we walked home the bird, now with its beak free, started to show some spirit and peck at Katie.
Once home I used some side cutters to cut out two more hooks, including one from its wing. I also removed a large amount of line and a weight from around the birds feet.
We then tried to feed the gull some sardines, to help it regain it's strength, but it seemed to think the best thing to do with those was spray them over Katie's jeans for her trouble. It also crapped on her top for her.
Once we were happy the bird was fundamentally okay; wings worked and such like, we wrapped it up in a towel and took it back to the beach. Katie released it from the sea wall and was immensely gratified to see the bird fly off and rejoin its friends on the beach.
Bird Cuddle
Originally uploaded by Canon Fodder.
3D-Attic
Okay; I've been playing with my camera... If you go cross eyed at this (It works best if you try to get the red car to line up.) you should get an amazing stereo image of my attic! And you thought your life was complete! Silly thing!
Friday, August 04, 2006
Fire!
Had a minor bit of excitement when a local building decided to combust. No one was harmed in the conflagration, though the building looked to be utterly destroyed.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Still here!
Well I've been told off by loads of people for not keeping this up. so sorry to all those readers who have been waiting for my next post. But no... Should it be Hooray! For here it is in all its glory. Words in a row by wonderful me.
So what has been happening in my little world that has kept me so busy that I had no time to write?
LOADS!
Let me give you a sample of a recent day...
Get up a 6.00am to be in work for 7.00am. Work until 4.30pm. Arrive home and fix broken vacuum cleaner with parts that have arrived by post. Start to fix washing machine with some more parts. Stop to take some post down to post-office for Lorii. Return and finish fixing washing machine. Take Lorii to work at the Hotel. Return and help kids construct weight bench so they can do bench presses and the like. Cook kids and my dinner. Go for bike ride with kids to far end of prom. On return fetch Lorii from work. Cook Lorii a dinner. Shower and fall into bed exhausted around 1.00am to similar the next day!
No every day is like this... Sometimes I get to sleep.
Lorii is still very poorly. The Doc upped her pain meds today, and arranged a appointment with a gynecologist in about three weeks.
Katie is at a sleep over with a friend, so I'm just cooking for three tonight.
Will make a more coherent entry when |I have more time....
So what has been happening in my little world that has kept me so busy that I had no time to write?
LOADS!
Let me give you a sample of a recent day...
Get up a 6.00am to be in work for 7.00am. Work until 4.30pm. Arrive home and fix broken vacuum cleaner with parts that have arrived by post. Start to fix washing machine with some more parts. Stop to take some post down to post-office for Lorii. Return and finish fixing washing machine. Take Lorii to work at the Hotel. Return and help kids construct weight bench so they can do bench presses and the like. Cook kids and my dinner. Go for bike ride with kids to far end of prom. On return fetch Lorii from work. Cook Lorii a dinner. Shower and fall into bed exhausted around 1.00am to similar the next day!
No every day is like this... Sometimes I get to sleep.
Lorii is still very poorly. The Doc upped her pain meds today, and arranged a appointment with a gynecologist in about three weeks.
Katie is at a sleep over with a friend, so I'm just cooking for three tonight.
Will make a more coherent entry when |I have more time....
Sunday, May 14, 2006
I am alive!
Opps! I have been real busy of late. Nice weather and things have kept me away from the computer. I'll try and fill in a proper entry later.
Saturday, April 08, 2006
Update
Well I've not been able to get to a computer for a while so I'm taking this moment and blogging it!
Things have been pretty busy lately. Two weeks ago I repaired the shed roof, a huge task that was forced by the collapse of the last one. Last weekend my back popped again, which means I've not been able to clear up the detritus left in the garden from the roof fiasco.
Katie was put forward as Head Girl, though she did not make it. On top of this while one of her two work placements is eulogising her to her Head Teacher, the other is making an ill advised character assassination attempt! The school is not bying it.
Richard has been in touch and it looks like he and my family and I are going to see Iron Maiden when they come to Manchester as part of their current tour. I must admit that I never thought, as a teenager in the front row of the Number of the Beast tour way back when, that at the age of fourty I would be taking my teenage children to see the same band.
I've also been able to play a bit of Unreal recently too. Was nice to blast a few people, and I discovered a few new maps too. I'm going to have to download and learn them when I can find the time. If anybody is interested, or thinks they came up against me recently, you can check my stats here; My Stats.
Things have been pretty busy lately. Two weeks ago I repaired the shed roof, a huge task that was forced by the collapse of the last one. Last weekend my back popped again, which means I've not been able to clear up the detritus left in the garden from the roof fiasco.
Katie was put forward as Head Girl, though she did not make it. On top of this while one of her two work placements is eulogising her to her Head Teacher, the other is making an ill advised character assassination attempt! The school is not bying it.
Richard has been in touch and it looks like he and my family and I are going to see Iron Maiden when they come to Manchester as part of their current tour. I must admit that I never thought, as a teenager in the front row of the Number of the Beast tour way back when, that at the age of fourty I would be taking my teenage children to see the same band.
I've also been able to play a bit of Unreal recently too. Was nice to blast a few people, and I discovered a few new maps too. I'm going to have to download and learn them when I can find the time. If anybody is interested, or thinks they came up against me recently, you can check my stats here; My Stats.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Buzzard
This is picture was not taken by me. But I'm linking to it in the hope my Mother may recognise it as the bird sat outside her back garden!
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Metformin
I may have spelt the title incorrectly. Ho Hum. Well Lorii went to the doctors again today. Mostly for a check up on her diabetes rather than the still ongoing PID. She now has to take metformin regularly rather than on those occasions when her sugar levels go too high. As this drug gives Lorii bad stomach pains she is none too thrilled. However, it may help her control her weight, which has crept up a bit just recently. She is also in the near future going to get free membership of a gym, to help her control her sugar levels too. So it is not all bad news.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Skype
I just talked to my parents in Somerset for free! Oh, the power of the internet. Phone companies beware. The end is nigh!
On other matters; The kids did indeed have lots of fun in the snow. Jake made a very unusual snowman, it has straws for hair and knife and fork arms. I'll post a picture when I can.
Kate is in her second week of work experience. She spent the first in a funeral home. She found the whole thing fascinating, and true to form was not fazed in the least by the recently departed. This week she has been placed in the Marketing department of my own employers. She seems to have been let loose in Photoshop and is having a wonderful time producing all sorts of art.
On other matters; The kids did indeed have lots of fun in the snow. Jake made a very unusual snowman, it has straws for hair and knife and fork arms. I'll post a picture when I can.
Kate is in her second week of work experience. She spent the first in a funeral home. She found the whole thing fascinating, and true to form was not fazed in the least by the recently departed. This week she has been placed in the Marketing department of my own employers. She seems to have been let loose in Photoshop and is having a wonderful time producing all sorts of art.
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Snow
Sorry it has been so long with an update but life insists on continuing in its present interesting vein. It’s funny that when your life is full, or at least busy, you rarely have time to document it. Yet if you have done nothing, you have nothing to write about.
Lorii’s condition persists. The antibiotics are fighting a holding action at best. She went to a clinic during the week to have the coil, which is being blamed for the PID, removed. That was a very strange visit. The place seemed to be staffed exclusively by members of the Women’s Institute. Or, at least, a lot of women of a certain age, all wearing unsuitable trousers. On taking Lorii’s medical history (A very sad sob story) she was offered counselling, which she did not want. Only to be asked immediately after what method of birth control would she be using once the coil was removed? Umm, we will be using the enforced effects of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, you insensitive idiot. Can we have some counselling for the distress that comment caused please?
The days after the coil’s removal have been very uncomfortable for Lorii. The latest course of antibiotics are making her very nauseous and suppressing her appetite. The knock on of that is that Lorii is very tired and feeling pretty low. Still, I am sure that this infection will be sorted eventually; it may just be that Lorii’s diabetes is hindering things, and that with plenty of rest she will recover.
On a lighter note we have replaced the hideous carpet in the front room. Lorii’s parents bought a new one for their place and donated their old one. It was a struggle to fit as most of the furniture is too large to remove without dismantling the doorframe. But with Katie’s help I got the old one out, and the new one in.
As I type this there is a blizzard raging outside! Well okay it’s snowing a bit. There should be a picture to accompany this entry. It is certainly the most snowfall we have experienced since we have moved to Blackpool, and quite unusual if the locals are to be believed. When the kids wake up they will be delighted. Snowball fights are on the cards!
Lorii’s condition persists. The antibiotics are fighting a holding action at best. She went to a clinic during the week to have the coil, which is being blamed for the PID, removed. That was a very strange visit. The place seemed to be staffed exclusively by members of the Women’s Institute. Or, at least, a lot of women of a certain age, all wearing unsuitable trousers. On taking Lorii’s medical history (A very sad sob story) she was offered counselling, which she did not want. Only to be asked immediately after what method of birth control would she be using once the coil was removed? Umm, we will be using the enforced effects of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, you insensitive idiot. Can we have some counselling for the distress that comment caused please?
The days after the coil’s removal have been very uncomfortable for Lorii. The latest course of antibiotics are making her very nauseous and suppressing her appetite. The knock on of that is that Lorii is very tired and feeling pretty low. Still, I am sure that this infection will be sorted eventually; it may just be that Lorii’s diabetes is hindering things, and that with plenty of rest she will recover.
On a lighter note we have replaced the hideous carpet in the front room. Lorii’s parents bought a new one for their place and donated their old one. It was a struggle to fit as most of the furniture is too large to remove without dismantling the doorframe. But with Katie’s help I got the old one out, and the new one in.
As I type this there is a blizzard raging outside! Well okay it’s snowing a bit. There should be a picture to accompany this entry. It is certainly the most snowfall we have experienced since we have moved to Blackpool, and quite unusual if the locals are to be believed. When the kids wake up they will be delighted. Snowball fights are on the cards!
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Heart Attack!
Well this week has proved to be an eventful one too. Lorii found using the bathroom, on Monday morning, so painful she thought she would faint. I quickly decided I would take a couple of days off work, to nurse her, until the antibiotics had started to improve the situation.
Indeed by Tuesday evening Lorii was feeling much better and decided that she would try and catch up on her E-bay selling. I set up a mini photography studio in the dining room, to take the pictures, and Lorii got busy uploading the descriptions. The Evening flew by and before we knew it, it was one o'clock in the morning and we were both pretty pooped. However, when we went to bed Lorii started to suffer from severe chest pain. Not totally sure it was her heart she asked me to call NHS Direct. They wanted to send an ambulance. Being a mother who put her kids first she was not prepared to let them call an ambulance as it may scare them unnecessarily. So waiving their responsibility if she were to drop dead on the spot, Lorii promised to go directly to hospital under her own means; i.e. me.
I woke Katie and explained where we were going and why. Told her what to do in an emergency and got her to repeat it back to me. With strict instructions not to wake Jake unless she had too. (It was his reaction to his mum racing off to hospital that Lorii was most concerned about.) All sorted we got in the car and made the brief journey to Victoria Hospital. We parked the car, and with Lorii leaning on me heavily for support, made our way into Casualty.
We got the trainee receptionist. It really was a farce. With Lorii nearly unable to stand we were made to wait while a numpty was guided through the steps on the computer by an expert. Neither Lorii or I new whether to laugh or cry as this woman hit the wrong buttons on her computer and filled in the wrong info on the forms. Finally though we were sent through to Triage.
The Triage Nurse was very blasé. He informed us that the NHS Direct receptionist had sent through seventeen people that night, and that it was always busy when she was on duty. He then told us to go through to the waiting room and that they would call us through to do an ECG to make sure it was not a heart attack.
Our wait was very brief, and to the sound of low mutters from the other occupants of the waiting room, we were called through by a nurse. Lorii was then wired up to the ECG machine, and had her blood pressure taken too. That done we were left to wait until the doctor arrived. Lorii was very impressed with him. He gave Lorii a thorough looking over, answered loads of questions in a way she understood, and then sent her off to have her chest x-rayed, and have some blood samples taken.
The nurse who took Lorii's blood was a bit brutal, according to Lorii's expert analysis. But the x-ray really caused her to squirm! First they wheeled her bed down the corridor as she weakly protested that, "I can walk you know!" Next as she waited to enter the x-ray room a nurse quietly informed her she would have to remove her bra. You should have seen his eyebrows shoot up, and Lorii's face go red, as Lorii asked him about her piercings!
X-rays taken we were returned to Lorii's room to await the doctor with the results. When he did return it was with a small cup of indigestion medicine and the news that both Lorii's heart and lungs were fine. However he was still waiting for the blood results to come in, and he would be back with those as soon as he could.
Shortly after this Lorii was moved onto the Observation Ward. This was a bit of a giggle too as the night light for Lorii's bed did not work. Every time a nurse came to check on Lorii they had turn the wards main lights on, thus waking everybody, just to see her!
Lorii and I were both pretty tired by this point. It had been a busy day and was now around five o'clock in the morning. Lorii's chest was hurting just as bad and kept her awake, but I nodded in the chair next to her bed.
Finally the doctor returned with the blood results. They showed that she had a massive infection, but then we knew that. He concluded that Lorii's pain was most likely down to the antibiotics her GP had prescribed. He gave her some stronger antibiotics that had less side effects, as well as some super strength pain killers, and strict instructions to return if things did not improve.
Then, finally, we were discharged. It was eight o'clock in the morning and neither of us had any real sleep. As I had just taken two days holiday, once I had returned Lorii home, I then had to go into work. (Or else lose two days pay) I don't think I was much use to them. But hey! It's their silly rule.
On getting home Lorii's pain was finally fading. Katie had no recollection of the night. On getting up and seeing our bed empty she had assumed that I had gone to work, and that Lorii was downstairs watching telly. She had proceeded to plug herself into the computer, which was where Lorii found her when she got in.
Jake never knew a thing.
Indeed by Tuesday evening Lorii was feeling much better and decided that she would try and catch up on her E-bay selling. I set up a mini photography studio in the dining room, to take the pictures, and Lorii got busy uploading the descriptions. The Evening flew by and before we knew it, it was one o'clock in the morning and we were both pretty pooped. However, when we went to bed Lorii started to suffer from severe chest pain. Not totally sure it was her heart she asked me to call NHS Direct. They wanted to send an ambulance. Being a mother who put her kids first she was not prepared to let them call an ambulance as it may scare them unnecessarily. So waiving their responsibility if she were to drop dead on the spot, Lorii promised to go directly to hospital under her own means; i.e. me.
I woke Katie and explained where we were going and why. Told her what to do in an emergency and got her to repeat it back to me. With strict instructions not to wake Jake unless she had too. (It was his reaction to his mum racing off to hospital that Lorii was most concerned about.) All sorted we got in the car and made the brief journey to Victoria Hospital. We parked the car, and with Lorii leaning on me heavily for support, made our way into Casualty.
We got the trainee receptionist. It really was a farce. With Lorii nearly unable to stand we were made to wait while a numpty was guided through the steps on the computer by an expert. Neither Lorii or I new whether to laugh or cry as this woman hit the wrong buttons on her computer and filled in the wrong info on the forms. Finally though we were sent through to Triage.
The Triage Nurse was very blasé. He informed us that the NHS Direct receptionist had sent through seventeen people that night, and that it was always busy when she was on duty. He then told us to go through to the waiting room and that they would call us through to do an ECG to make sure it was not a heart attack.
Our wait was very brief, and to the sound of low mutters from the other occupants of the waiting room, we were called through by a nurse. Lorii was then wired up to the ECG machine, and had her blood pressure taken too. That done we were left to wait until the doctor arrived. Lorii was very impressed with him. He gave Lorii a thorough looking over, answered loads of questions in a way she understood, and then sent her off to have her chest x-rayed, and have some blood samples taken.
The nurse who took Lorii's blood was a bit brutal, according to Lorii's expert analysis. But the x-ray really caused her to squirm! First they wheeled her bed down the corridor as she weakly protested that, "I can walk you know!" Next as she waited to enter the x-ray room a nurse quietly informed her she would have to remove her bra. You should have seen his eyebrows shoot up, and Lorii's face go red, as Lorii asked him about her piercings!
X-rays taken we were returned to Lorii's room to await the doctor with the results. When he did return it was with a small cup of indigestion medicine and the news that both Lorii's heart and lungs were fine. However he was still waiting for the blood results to come in, and he would be back with those as soon as he could.
Shortly after this Lorii was moved onto the Observation Ward. This was a bit of a giggle too as the night light for Lorii's bed did not work. Every time a nurse came to check on Lorii they had turn the wards main lights on, thus waking everybody, just to see her!
Lorii and I were both pretty tired by this point. It had been a busy day and was now around five o'clock in the morning. Lorii's chest was hurting just as bad and kept her awake, but I nodded in the chair next to her bed.
Finally the doctor returned with the blood results. They showed that she had a massive infection, but then we knew that. He concluded that Lorii's pain was most likely down to the antibiotics her GP had prescribed. He gave her some stronger antibiotics that had less side effects, as well as some super strength pain killers, and strict instructions to return if things did not improve.
Then, finally, we were discharged. It was eight o'clock in the morning and neither of us had any real sleep. As I had just taken two days holiday, once I had returned Lorii home, I then had to go into work. (Or else lose two days pay) I don't think I was much use to them. But hey! It's their silly rule.
On getting home Lorii's pain was finally fading. Katie had no recollection of the night. On getting up and seeing our bed empty she had assumed that I had gone to work, and that Lorii was downstairs watching telly. She had proceeded to plug herself into the computer, which was where Lorii found her when she got in.
Jake never knew a thing.
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Health
Well life keeps twisting and turning. Been through a bit of a scary time. Lorii is not a well bunny, proper poorly in fact.
She went to the doctors a week ago, with what she thought was a case of cystitis that would not clear up. The nurse she saw was obviously alarmed after examining her, and Lorii was kept in for the best part of an hour as the nurse alternated between treating Lorii and consulting with a doctor. Swabs were taken and questions were asked about when her last smear was. Finally she was dispatched with a prescription for some super strong antibiotics and a triple length appointment to see her doctor on the Friday. No diagnosis was offered.
So Lorii gets home and is straight on to the web. Her symptoms fit two diagnosis; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease or Cervical Cancer. Both are heavy shit. PID leaves you sterile. Cancer kills you. So we have spent the week with our hearts on our mouths wondering what the future has in store for us. Not fun.
Friday arrives and I sit in the waiting room praying that Lorii is going to come back out with a smile and a story about allergic reactions. Well I got the smile, coz she has not got cancer. PID was diagnosed though, so it looks like we'll have no more sprogs. Bit of a shitter that as we had been planing one. I'm not too sure how I feel about all this at the moment though as I'm just so glad Lorii does not have cancer. Right now she is taking so many pills I swear she should rattle. We left the chemist with so many drugs they supplied a large carrier bag. The plan now is we wait two weeks and then it is back to the doctors.
On a happier note we had the delight that is Katie's Parents Evening at school. All the teachers eulogised her wonderfully and Katie's ego is now measured in planetary terms. (I think it is somewhere between Saturn and Jupiter in size at the moment.) For some bizarre reason Katie's French teacher thinks she should go on to work in an embassy or consulate some where. Just sounds like a quick way to start a war to me. She may be good at languages but tact was never her strong point.
Jacob has turned twelve. Next stop and he is officially a teenager! Just recently he has been practising his teenager. His sulks are masterful, though the eye rolls and stamping both need work. Either way I feel he is well suited for the role and will do it well.
She went to the doctors a week ago, with what she thought was a case of cystitis that would not clear up. The nurse she saw was obviously alarmed after examining her, and Lorii was kept in for the best part of an hour as the nurse alternated between treating Lorii and consulting with a doctor. Swabs were taken and questions were asked about when her last smear was. Finally she was dispatched with a prescription for some super strong antibiotics and a triple length appointment to see her doctor on the Friday. No diagnosis was offered.
So Lorii gets home and is straight on to the web. Her symptoms fit two diagnosis; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease or Cervical Cancer. Both are heavy shit. PID leaves you sterile. Cancer kills you. So we have spent the week with our hearts on our mouths wondering what the future has in store for us. Not fun.
Friday arrives and I sit in the waiting room praying that Lorii is going to come back out with a smile and a story about allergic reactions. Well I got the smile, coz she has not got cancer. PID was diagnosed though, so it looks like we'll have no more sprogs. Bit of a shitter that as we had been planing one. I'm not too sure how I feel about all this at the moment though as I'm just so glad Lorii does not have cancer. Right now she is taking so many pills I swear she should rattle. We left the chemist with so many drugs they supplied a large carrier bag. The plan now is we wait two weeks and then it is back to the doctors.
On a happier note we had the delight that is Katie's Parents Evening at school. All the teachers eulogised her wonderfully and Katie's ego is now measured in planetary terms. (I think it is somewhere between Saturn and Jupiter in size at the moment.) For some bizarre reason Katie's French teacher thinks she should go on to work in an embassy or consulate some where. Just sounds like a quick way to start a war to me. She may be good at languages but tact was never her strong point.
Jacob has turned twelve. Next stop and he is officially a teenager! Just recently he has been practising his teenager. His sulks are masterful, though the eye rolls and stamping both need work. Either way I feel he is well suited for the role and will do it well.
Monday, January 30, 2006
Hawks & Eagles
Wow, I had an awesome day yesterday. After posting a query on a falconry forum a while back, I received an invitation to bring Katie to spend a day, to find out what it was like to be a falconer for real. The idea being that after cleaning out an owls aviary of three weeks worth of guano, of helping with the dead rats and chicks the hawks eat and then going hunting so that Katie was in at the kill, she would be put off from such a demanding sport/lifestyle.
However the day did not work out as planned. The falconer, a very friendly gentleman by the name of Richard Cooper, started by giving us a brief tour of some of his birds. I've been to zoo's with less! He has eagles, falcons, hawks, vultures and even a parrot. He does not stop at birds either. As well as the ferrets and polecats he uses when hawking he has spiders, scorpions, hedgehogs and even sugar gliders. (That's flying squirrels to you and me.)
So after the tour Katie was presented with an owl enclosure that had not been cleaned for three weeks, a bucket and a pressure washer. A girl used to emptying the litter tray for the cat, as well as cleaning out our rats, Katie made light work of this.
Next we moved on to the larder and a collection of dead rats, chicks and birds. None of which fazed Katie, even when Richard pulled off the chicks legs and cut off their toes.
The hawks were boxed and put in the van. Then Richard dealt the line that made up Katie's mind even if he did not know it, "If you are going to hunt hawks you are going to need these too." So saying he extracted two ferrets from their hutch to squeals of delight from Katie. Hawks and cute furry animals? Oh pleeeze!
We then piled into his van and made a short trip to a local farmers field to hunt bunnies. Unfortunately we did not catch any, though that was not from a lack of trying. Katie was given the job of ferret wrangler, and said creatures certainly did their part. A number of rabbits were flushed but they were all very lucky bunnies. One managed to dodge a hawk as it stooped on it head on, and another managed to run nearly the length of the field, with both hawks in hot pursuit, to dive down a hole at the last second. Our lack of success did not detract too much from the hunt though. The anticipation of not knowing what was going to surface, a sprinting rabbit or the snowy face of a ferret was quite exciting, and when a rabbit thumped and ran for it the hawks were incredible. The scenery was stunning too; the field being close to the Pennines with their snow capped fells. We also saw two wild peregrine falcons dispute the patch of sky over our heads.
Once it was clear the rabbits were not joining in our game we headed back to base. Katie was given the job of holding a Harris Hawk while it devoured half a rat. I think Richard gave her this job in lieu of seeing bunnies die in the wild. Katie just stood there grinning as the hawk dismembered the rat on her hand.
As a finale to the day Richard took his newest bird, a enormous golden eagle called Morpheus for a fly in the field in front of his home. The bird is young and provided some comedy moments with some clumsy landings. But once on the wing this bird was spectacular.
So are we going to let Katie keep a Harris hawk? That I still do not know; But she is going to call hers Binky and I'm going to call mine Canth!
However the day did not work out as planned. The falconer, a very friendly gentleman by the name of Richard Cooper, started by giving us a brief tour of some of his birds. I've been to zoo's with less! He has eagles, falcons, hawks, vultures and even a parrot. He does not stop at birds either. As well as the ferrets and polecats he uses when hawking he has spiders, scorpions, hedgehogs and even sugar gliders. (That's flying squirrels to you and me.)
So after the tour Katie was presented with an owl enclosure that had not been cleaned for three weeks, a bucket and a pressure washer. A girl used to emptying the litter tray for the cat, as well as cleaning out our rats, Katie made light work of this.
Next we moved on to the larder and a collection of dead rats, chicks and birds. None of which fazed Katie, even when Richard pulled off the chicks legs and cut off their toes.
The hawks were boxed and put in the van. Then Richard dealt the line that made up Katie's mind even if he did not know it, "If you are going to hunt hawks you are going to need these too." So saying he extracted two ferrets from their hutch to squeals of delight from Katie. Hawks and cute furry animals? Oh pleeeze!
We then piled into his van and made a short trip to a local farmers field to hunt bunnies. Unfortunately we did not catch any, though that was not from a lack of trying. Katie was given the job of ferret wrangler, and said creatures certainly did their part. A number of rabbits were flushed but they were all very lucky bunnies. One managed to dodge a hawk as it stooped on it head on, and another managed to run nearly the length of the field, with both hawks in hot pursuit, to dive down a hole at the last second. Our lack of success did not detract too much from the hunt though. The anticipation of not knowing what was going to surface, a sprinting rabbit or the snowy face of a ferret was quite exciting, and when a rabbit thumped and ran for it the hawks were incredible. The scenery was stunning too; the field being close to the Pennines with their snow capped fells. We also saw two wild peregrine falcons dispute the patch of sky over our heads.
Once it was clear the rabbits were not joining in our game we headed back to base. Katie was given the job of holding a Harris Hawk while it devoured half a rat. I think Richard gave her this job in lieu of seeing bunnies die in the wild. Katie just stood there grinning as the hawk dismembered the rat on her hand.
As a finale to the day Richard took his newest bird, a enormous golden eagle called Morpheus for a fly in the field in front of his home. The bird is young and provided some comedy moments with some clumsy landings. But once on the wing this bird was spectacular.
So are we going to let Katie keep a Harris hawk? That I still do not know; But she is going to call hers Binky and I'm going to call mine Canth!
Friday, January 27, 2006
Bean Slicer
Woohoo! I've got a bean slicer... Okay I know this makes me look sad, but I've been after one of these bad boys for years. That said... Mum, I still want yours when you die!
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Look an eagle!
Well after our recent trip to Cumbria Katie has reaffirmed her burning desire to own and fly a bird of prey. This is down in most part to Karen and her Harris Hawk, Bob. For not only did Bob give a superb display. But Karen sold Katie on the idea, that it is indeed practical to keep a hawk, in the back garden of a mid terrace in Blackpool!
So I have learnt a lot about hawks and hawking over the past week. I even joined a forum where I got a lot of very good advice; Link to Forum
The upshot of all this is a very generous gentleman has invited Katie and I to spend a day helping him with his birds, in Cumbria. He runs his own falconry and has lots of birds, including Golden Eagles, Eagle Owls, Peregrine Falcons, Buzzards and Harris Hawks to name just a few. The idea is Kate helps butcher their food, clean their mess and in the afternoon go hunting. That way Katie finds out just how much work is involved and what it is like when a cute furry bunny meets death from above.
Off topic we have had a small piece of luck. Lorii has diligently been selling all the detritus around the house that we have no room for on ebay. Just recently she got around to posting a large collection of Subbuteo. It turns out one of the teams is very rare indeed, and it has cause quite a stir amongst the officiano. Bidding has been unbelievable, and while most teams sell for around £5 or £10 this team has already reached £86 and the auction is not over!
So I have learnt a lot about hawks and hawking over the past week. I even joined a forum where I got a lot of very good advice; Link to Forum
The upshot of all this is a very generous gentleman has invited Katie and I to spend a day helping him with his birds, in Cumbria. He runs his own falconry and has lots of birds, including Golden Eagles, Eagle Owls, Peregrine Falcons, Buzzards and Harris Hawks to name just a few. The idea is Kate helps butcher their food, clean their mess and in the afternoon go hunting. That way Katie finds out just how much work is involved and what it is like when a cute furry bunny meets death from above.
Off topic we have had a small piece of luck. Lorii has diligently been selling all the detritus around the house that we have no room for on ebay. Just recently she got around to posting a large collection of Subbuteo. It turns out one of the teams is very rare indeed, and it has cause quite a stir amongst the officiano. Bidding has been unbelievable, and while most teams sell for around £5 or £10 this team has already reached £86 and the auction is not over!
Monday, January 16, 2006
Shattered
I've got this cough. Just as I'm about to drop off to sleep I start hacking. :( It's 6.30 in the morning and I've not slept all night. I have to leave to work in 45 minutes and I'm feeling pretty glum. I cannot call in sick as employment laws dictate that if I don't return after paid holiday my employer does not have to pay my for the said break. And, unfortunately, my employers are tight enough to enforce the rule. Ho Hum
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Red Squirrel
Well I'm back from a fun week at Center Parc in Whinfell Forrest, Cumbria. Though it would have been better if Lorii and I were not both suffering with heavy colds.
We had lots of fun Badger watching (The real things not our dog.) squirrel spotting and flying hawks. Katie has really been bitten by the hawking bug, and is now determind to become a falconer.
I have turned forty. Thank you to all who sent me cards and presents. I am now patiently waiting for my life to begin.
We had lots of fun Badger watching (The real things not our dog.) squirrel spotting and flying hawks. Katie has really been bitten by the hawking bug, and is now determind to become a falconer.
I have turned forty. Thank you to all who sent me cards and presents. I am now patiently waiting for my life to begin.
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Tomorrow never comes....
Well tomorrow is my fortieth birthday. I've been around that long? Bloody hell! Not sure how I feel about it. I didn't like turning thirty, but I've been experiencing nothing like the dread I went through in the run up to that. Perhaps that's because my life seems so sorted at the moment; Loving partner and family, stable job ect. I expect to be very busy from tomorrow so I'm not sure when I'll next post. I'll let you know how the big day went then....
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Mirror Ball
On the way home from work I noticed the Rollercoaster was all lit up, pretty unusual for this time of year. So with Jake keen to try out his new camera I took him straight back as soon as I got home. We both took pictures of the 'coaster. But this picture of the giant mirror ball has come out much better than I had expected.
Monday, January 02, 2006
This year and last...
Well here we are at the start of a new year. It seems to me that I should either start making a few more entries or quit all together. So while this is not a New Years Resolution lets see if I can improve….
So to bring things up to date;
My parents came up to visit just before Christmas. We really enjoyed their company and I hope they can do it again some time. It’s a big trip though and, what with fuel prices, it is never going to be something done very frequently. Unfortunately with Badger having a total rest order from the Vet, he had to go and stay with Lorii’s parents while my parents’ dogs were around. Shadow and Breeze had a great time on the beach, though I fell climbing the sea wall and hurt my back.
My back has been very slow to heal. The immediate bruising and stiffness cleared up as expected, but I live in fear of sneezing. Every time I sneeze it is as if someone is sticking a knife in my spine. The Doc thinks I may have bruised my Thoracic Ligaments, but said if the pain does not go in two weeks to return. Well it has been more than two weeks so I’ll be making another appointment soon.
Just before Christmas both Lorii and the kids were struck down with very heavy colds. While the kids losing the last week off school is no major drama, Lorii too ill to organise Christmas was. In the end it all got sorted, though we missed the deadline for the last post on the card front. The children, as always, got some great gifts. Jacob got a remote control Dalek, and a battery charger to ensure the intergalactic invasion does not get put on hold. He also received a digital camera, so I can see him posting lots of pictures on Flickr too. Katie got lots of cool clothes, including a Harry Potter scarf that she lives in, as well as some oriental style pyjamas that she is happy to spend all day in. Lorii was given some Channel 19 and I got OSX 10.4 for the Mac.
The New Year was seen in at the Paparazzi restaurant on Gynn Square. The food was stunning and Karaoke was laid on for afters. I embarrassed myself with a rendition of Queens ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love’ and unfortunately there is video evidence. Lorii’s sister Mel, who was back from Australia for Christmas, led us all in a chorus of ‘Sweet Caroline’ and the video of this too is tainted with proof that I cannot hold a note in a bucket.
As I write this Lorii is accompanying Mel to the airport to return to Oz. At some point the family has got to get back into the nine to five swing again. But with my fortieth birthday and a trip to Center Parcs looming on the horizon I’m not sure when or how…
Have a happy new year everyone.
So to bring things up to date;
My parents came up to visit just before Christmas. We really enjoyed their company and I hope they can do it again some time. It’s a big trip though and, what with fuel prices, it is never going to be something done very frequently. Unfortunately with Badger having a total rest order from the Vet, he had to go and stay with Lorii’s parents while my parents’ dogs were around. Shadow and Breeze had a great time on the beach, though I fell climbing the sea wall and hurt my back.
My back has been very slow to heal. The immediate bruising and stiffness cleared up as expected, but I live in fear of sneezing. Every time I sneeze it is as if someone is sticking a knife in my spine. The Doc thinks I may have bruised my Thoracic Ligaments, but said if the pain does not go in two weeks to return. Well it has been more than two weeks so I’ll be making another appointment soon.
Just before Christmas both Lorii and the kids were struck down with very heavy colds. While the kids losing the last week off school is no major drama, Lorii too ill to organise Christmas was. In the end it all got sorted, though we missed the deadline for the last post on the card front. The children, as always, got some great gifts. Jacob got a remote control Dalek, and a battery charger to ensure the intergalactic invasion does not get put on hold. He also received a digital camera, so I can see him posting lots of pictures on Flickr too. Katie got lots of cool clothes, including a Harry Potter scarf that she lives in, as well as some oriental style pyjamas that she is happy to spend all day in. Lorii was given some Channel 19 and I got OSX 10.4 for the Mac.
The New Year was seen in at the Paparazzi restaurant on Gynn Square. The food was stunning and Karaoke was laid on for afters. I embarrassed myself with a rendition of Queens ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love’ and unfortunately there is video evidence. Lorii’s sister Mel, who was back from Australia for Christmas, led us all in a chorus of ‘Sweet Caroline’ and the video of this too is tainted with proof that I cannot hold a note in a bucket.
As I write this Lorii is accompanying Mel to the airport to return to Oz. At some point the family has got to get back into the nine to five swing again. But with my fortieth birthday and a trip to Center Parcs looming on the horizon I’m not sure when or how…
Have a happy new year everyone.
Monday, December 26, 2005
Happy Christmas
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. :)
Happy Christmas every one. :)
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
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