Well I've been busy planning some more cozy weekends (and longer) with my friend Jane. We are actually getting together for a weekend at Stratford upon avon a week on Friday but we've been planning further ahead.
We've actually booked four days away at easter, we were actually considering going abroad & looked at flying to Budapest or going by Eurorail to Brussels. However we reckoned Easter isn't the best time to travel, usually crazy delays so opted to stay in this country. Howevere we've put the European destinations on ice for possible future trips.
We've found some good hotel deals its with a group that specialises in luxory hotels and they are offering a great two night deal Bed, Breakfast & Dinner on the first night at a very reasonable price. We've booked a couple of nights (Friday & Saturday) near Oxford & a couple at Kenilworth (Sunday & Monday).
But that isn't the biggest news I'm going back to my favorite American City Chicago in the summer during the taste of chicago festival for 9 nights and Jane is coming with me.
We will be staying at the Ambassador East hotel which is in the Gold Coast area, its quite a old & famous hotel with loads of history built in 1928, many of the old hollywood greats used the hotel and it featured in the film "North by Northwest" with Cary Grant.
I'm looking forward to showing Jane around the City in particular I've a massive love of the Chicago Blues Clubs so I'll finish with a Youtube performance of one of Chicagos great Blues artists John Primer playing at a local club on Halstead called B.L.U.E.S. Maybe we'll get chance to see John while in town.
Well just some May get togethers to organise now.
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
Wednesday, 18 February 2009
6th of the 6th (A big Cock)
I've been tagged by Cactus so here goes.
Here are the rules of the challenge:
Go to your photo folder in your computer.
Go to the 6th folder of the photos.
Go to the sixth picture.[no cheating!]
Put the picture on your blog with a description. Invite six friends to join the challenge.Link them in your blog and let them know they have been challenged.
Here is my 6th picture from the sixth folder :o)
Here are the rules of the challenge:
Go to your photo folder in your computer.
Go to the 6th folder of the photos.
Go to the sixth picture.[no cheating!]
Put the picture on your blog with a description. Invite six friends to join the challenge.Link them in your blog and let them know they have been challenged.
Here is my 6th picture from the sixth folder :o)
Well my 6th folder was my holidays 2008 folder, the 6th set in there was Kansas City & the 6th photo was this one. I took it on my first morning as I walked around close to my hotel, just thought it strange that there would be a big shuttle cock on the lawn outside this big house. I later found out it was the contemporary art museum, its amazing what crap they do in these places.
Tuesday, 17 February 2009
A Long Time Together
I've been busy over the last few days organising a party for my parents as next month they will be celebrating their Diamond Wedding Anniversary. Yes 60 years together & I reckon thats a long time.
Well I've booked a local Club where my Dad is a member for the do & arranged a local catering company to do a buffet. I've had invitation Cards printed which actually has a photo of their wedding on the front.
I've been on the Buckingham Palace website to print off a form to apply for a telegram from the Queen. Apparently you are entitled to one but have to let them know, I've to fill in a form and send it within 3 weeks of the day (March 26th) with a photo copy of the wedding certificate.
Just the invites to send out now and I think we are inviting around 80 family & friends.
My Mum is really looking forward to it but I don't think my Dad is bothered and just going along with it.
Well I've booked a local Club where my Dad is a member for the do & arranged a local catering company to do a buffet. I've had invitation Cards printed which actually has a photo of their wedding on the front.
I've been on the Buckingham Palace website to print off a form to apply for a telegram from the Queen. Apparently you are entitled to one but have to let them know, I've to fill in a form and send it within 3 weeks of the day (March 26th) with a photo copy of the wedding certificate.
Just the invites to send out now and I think we are inviting around 80 family & friends.
My Mum is really looking forward to it but I don't think my Dad is bothered and just going along with it.
Monday, 9 February 2009
Politics versus Common sense
Is it just me or do others think everyone involved in Politics whether it be Local, National or International have a complete lack of common sense. Some of the riddiculous decisions made (or not made) just defy logic.
1. Lets start with the "Credit Crunch" Ok its been allowed to happen which is wrong & it is a world problem & governments have to deal with it. Ours like a few others have decided to bail out the banks with astronomical amounts of cash which they have borrowed. Maybe this is or is not the right way but surely if we are bailing out banks with tax payers money certain regulations should be put in place. When I hear on the news that banks like RBS who have taken a "£20 billion payout" are now planning to use "£1 billion" to give their top brass a bonus,surely these bonuses should have gone to the wall as part of the bailout rules. These people should think themselves lucky they have still got jobs & homes to live in unlike many other less fortunate people.
Then totally to rub salt in the wound I understand they are still sponsoring the 6 Nations Rugby, yes with tax payers money.
2. Staying with the banks bail outs & the debt the loans are causing the country creates the question how can it be paid back. I've only heard two solutions, higher taxes or lower public spending. Ok these are probably the only options available but why does it need to be one or the other. The problem is ours today not that of future generations, it is morally unfair to laden people of the future with the debt created today. The quicker we can clear National debt the better then we can all hopfully prosper. I believe the government are not always doing whats right but are just making decisions based on getting votes.
3. To change the subject recently we have had a number of Wild cat strikes with British workers complaining about foreign tradesman been brought in. The arguments for foreign labour in certain trades is that the British labour wasn't avaiable which in some cases is true.
However for this I blame Government lack of common sense for this, not just today but over the last 20 years.
Why ? Well there has been a massive lack in apprentiships with the silly push to get everyone to university. Yes we need good Electricians, Joiners, Plumbers, Welders, Fitters, etc if the country is going to prosper, lets start encouraging it. And despite government policies you can't learn these trades in a 12 week wonder course.
4. University is great & I don't deny anyone an education but surely sending the majority of the population is pointless as there are only so many suitable jobs to go around at the end of it. In fact I'd go as far as saying its a big government ploy to keep the unemployment figures down.
I would like to see a scheme where people going to Uni are sponsored by companies who in turn guarantee jobs if exams are passed. I understand over 50% of youngsters obtaining a degree do not use it to get a job & end up having to take low paid jobs that are available.
5. Local Government are no better when it comes to common sense take the recent bad weather, a few days of snow and many local councils run out of salt to clear the roads (f**k me it is winter), what a shambles, now remind me what do I pay council tax for ?
And of course the side roads & pavements have not been touched many of them just sheet ice causing many accidents.
Surely it would be worthwhile giving people out of work & claiming Job seekers allowance a minimum wage for a couple of weeks to keep our streets clear. In fact it should be compulsary for them, they are getting paid to be looking for work. I'm sure the cost would be covered by the lower work load our hospitals get with less broken limbs from people falling on the ice.
6. And of course International Politicians show no more signs of common sense, lets just look at the new American President, I've just read where he as had to apologise because a number of his team are convicted Tax dodgers, no doesn't that fill you with confidence.
7. And while on the subject of Obama, I laugh everytime he suggests closing Guatanamo Bay, yes he wants other countries to take the inmates. Hell yes just what we need a few international fanatical terrorists, think we should take a few, lol. Actually thinking about our government we probably will.
I could go on but I'll end my rant for today.
1. Lets start with the "Credit Crunch" Ok its been allowed to happen which is wrong & it is a world problem & governments have to deal with it. Ours like a few others have decided to bail out the banks with astronomical amounts of cash which they have borrowed. Maybe this is or is not the right way but surely if we are bailing out banks with tax payers money certain regulations should be put in place. When I hear on the news that banks like RBS who have taken a "£20 billion payout" are now planning to use "£1 billion" to give their top brass a bonus,surely these bonuses should have gone to the wall as part of the bailout rules. These people should think themselves lucky they have still got jobs & homes to live in unlike many other less fortunate people.
Then totally to rub salt in the wound I understand they are still sponsoring the 6 Nations Rugby, yes with tax payers money.
2. Staying with the banks bail outs & the debt the loans are causing the country creates the question how can it be paid back. I've only heard two solutions, higher taxes or lower public spending. Ok these are probably the only options available but why does it need to be one or the other. The problem is ours today not that of future generations, it is morally unfair to laden people of the future with the debt created today. The quicker we can clear National debt the better then we can all hopfully prosper. I believe the government are not always doing whats right but are just making decisions based on getting votes.
3. To change the subject recently we have had a number of Wild cat strikes with British workers complaining about foreign tradesman been brought in. The arguments for foreign labour in certain trades is that the British labour wasn't avaiable which in some cases is true.
However for this I blame Government lack of common sense for this, not just today but over the last 20 years.
Why ? Well there has been a massive lack in apprentiships with the silly push to get everyone to university. Yes we need good Electricians, Joiners, Plumbers, Welders, Fitters, etc if the country is going to prosper, lets start encouraging it. And despite government policies you can't learn these trades in a 12 week wonder course.
4. University is great & I don't deny anyone an education but surely sending the majority of the population is pointless as there are only so many suitable jobs to go around at the end of it. In fact I'd go as far as saying its a big government ploy to keep the unemployment figures down.
I would like to see a scheme where people going to Uni are sponsored by companies who in turn guarantee jobs if exams are passed. I understand over 50% of youngsters obtaining a degree do not use it to get a job & end up having to take low paid jobs that are available.
5. Local Government are no better when it comes to common sense take the recent bad weather, a few days of snow and many local councils run out of salt to clear the roads (f**k me it is winter), what a shambles, now remind me what do I pay council tax for ?
And of course the side roads & pavements have not been touched many of them just sheet ice causing many accidents.
Surely it would be worthwhile giving people out of work & claiming Job seekers allowance a minimum wage for a couple of weeks to keep our streets clear. In fact it should be compulsary for them, they are getting paid to be looking for work. I'm sure the cost would be covered by the lower work load our hospitals get with less broken limbs from people falling on the ice.
6. And of course International Politicians show no more signs of common sense, lets just look at the new American President, I've just read where he as had to apologise because a number of his team are convicted Tax dodgers, no doesn't that fill you with confidence.
7. And while on the subject of Obama, I laugh everytime he suggests closing Guatanamo Bay, yes he wants other countries to take the inmates. Hell yes just what we need a few international fanatical terrorists, think we should take a few, lol. Actually thinking about our government we probably will.
I could go on but I'll end my rant for today.
Wednesday, 4 February 2009
Nice Weekend
Just reporting from my weekend away with my friend Jane. I was actually down in Swindon to play Table Tennis in the Veterans National league and took the opportunity to invite Jane along to watch & spend a couple of days with me as she lives just over an hour away.
Drove down Friday and as arranged met Jane at a service station about 10 minutes from our hotel where we stopped for a coffe.
We moved on to our hotel (Marriott) which was very nice. Jane produced a nice suprise, she had read my blog post about "The Photos" CD I wanted and had bought it as a present, that left me feeling chuffed.
In the evening my TT team mates contacted me when they arrived so we drove to their hotel and had a meal with them. Jane obviously hadn't met them before but soon made friends with them.
After the meal which was a "3 course eat what you want" we made our way back to our hotel for a nightcap before calling it a night.
I must admit I was worried with Jane would be bored at the TT & I would play badly and look a idiot. However from the playing point of view she seemed to inspire me and I managed to go unbeaten all weekend (10 wins) and my team finished 2nd gaining promotion.
Jane seemed to enjoy it and was getting nervous during some of the close games, other players also made her feel welcome which is nice when you don't know anyone.
Saturday night I was a bit tired so we decided to eat at our own hotel, we both had a nice steak with a bottle of wine to wash it down.
We said our goodbyes and went our seperate ways following Sundays matches just beating the bad weather that hit the country later that night.
Must say once again I loved Jane's company & can't wait for our next meet up (hope she feels the same), thats planned for early March.
Drove down Friday and as arranged met Jane at a service station about 10 minutes from our hotel where we stopped for a coffe.
We moved on to our hotel (Marriott) which was very nice. Jane produced a nice suprise, she had read my blog post about "The Photos" CD I wanted and had bought it as a present, that left me feeling chuffed.
In the evening my TT team mates contacted me when they arrived so we drove to their hotel and had a meal with them. Jane obviously hadn't met them before but soon made friends with them.
After the meal which was a "3 course eat what you want" we made our way back to our hotel for a nightcap before calling it a night.
I must admit I was worried with Jane would be bored at the TT & I would play badly and look a idiot. However from the playing point of view she seemed to inspire me and I managed to go unbeaten all weekend (10 wins) and my team finished 2nd gaining promotion.
Jane seemed to enjoy it and was getting nervous during some of the close games, other players also made her feel welcome which is nice when you don't know anyone.
Saturday night I was a bit tired so we decided to eat at our own hotel, we both had a nice steak with a bottle of wine to wash it down.
We said our goodbyes and went our seperate ways following Sundays matches just beating the bad weather that hit the country later that night.
Must say once again I loved Jane's company & can't wait for our next meet up (hope she feels the same), thats planned for early March.
Wednesday, 28 January 2009
A bit to report.
I don't seem to have much time for blogging lately partly because I've been busy & partlt that I've been spending some of my computor time doing Youtube slideshows (Now I know how). I'm actually going back over my vacation trip photos & making slideshows from each of them, still a lot to do though.
Update on my parents is that my Dad is much better & is getting to where he can look after my Mum. The plan is for her to come out of the Nursing home next tuesday, she is pleased about that.
Last weekend I played in the area Table Tennis Championships & did ok.
I was in 7 different events and managed to reach 4 finals winning two & losing two. I was a winner in the Mens doubles with my team mate & also won the Hard Bat Doubles in which partners are drawn but the best players are kept apart.My Runners up trophys came in the veteran doubles but we were pleased to reach the final because I was with a new partner and we weren't seeded, we put out the top seeds in the semi & 4th seeds the round before before going down to the 2nd seeds in the final. I reached the final of the Divisional event but lost to my team mate in the final, took it all the way before succumbing 11-8 in the deciding set.
In the main event (Mens Singles) I had a great run to the Semi-final but lost to the defending champion albeit by the narrowest of margins, I actually took the first two sets but ran out of steam as he fought back to pip me in the 5th.
Another Semi I reached was in the Hard Bat singles but to be honest I was well beat by the eventual winner.
The only real dissapointment was in the Veterans singles where I crashed out in the 2nd round, I was hoping to have a good crack at that event.
I'm playing again this weekend but I'm away in Swindon, its the Veterans National League and my team is hoping for promotion, we are third in the league at present & have five team matches over the weekend.
The other highlight is been down south its given me the chance to hook up with Jane again (for another cosy weekend).We are meeting up on Friday & she is staying with me and coming to watch me play for the first time (hope she isn't bored) although we should get plenty of time together. I'm really looking forward to been together again, it seems ages since the last meeting although we communicate daily, we seem to get on just great.
Got to mention Leeds United seem to be getting their act together at last this season, new manager Simon Grayson seems to have sorted out the inconsistency's and we are looking more solid.Back to Youtube slideshows here is a Leeds United one I did using photos from the "Flickr" Leeds utd group I'm a member of :-
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
Random Speed Blog
1. I'll start with me & I'm happy to report my Cold seems to have cleared up.
2. My Dads injuries are getting better he is walking around without the aid of sticks, was on two a few days ago.
3. Looking forward to competing in the York Championships this weekend.
4. Only 10 days to go before I meet up with Jane again for another cozy weekend.
5. Despite all the hype I don't think Obama is the answer to Americas problems, time will prove me right or wrong.
6. Impressed with Leeds Uniteds new manager SG so far and we can get automatic promotion.
7. My Pool team won last night in the cup semi, yes we are in the final.
8. Don't think I've lost or gained weight in the last couple of weeks.
9. I agree with the campaign to get everyone buying British is the best way out of the recession. All countries should help themselves, now is a good time to be patriotic.
10. P****d off at the value of the £, naffing up planning any holidays abroad.
11. Happy Petrol has come down in price (not before time).
12. Think the protestors objecting to a third runway at Heathrow of Environment grounds are complete numptys, the extra flights (& pollution) will just go elsewhere taking many potential jobs to other countries.
And finally for those of you that wonder what a Yorkshire accent sounds like here is a dubbed episode of Star Wars.
2. My Dads injuries are getting better he is walking around without the aid of sticks, was on two a few days ago.
3. Looking forward to competing in the York Championships this weekend.
4. Only 10 days to go before I meet up with Jane again for another cozy weekend.
5. Despite all the hype I don't think Obama is the answer to Americas problems, time will prove me right or wrong.
6. Impressed with Leeds Uniteds new manager SG so far and we can get automatic promotion.
7. My Pool team won last night in the cup semi, yes we are in the final.
8. Don't think I've lost or gained weight in the last couple of weeks.
9. I agree with the campaign to get everyone buying British is the best way out of the recession. All countries should help themselves, now is a good time to be patriotic.
10. P****d off at the value of the £, naffing up planning any holidays abroad.
11. Happy Petrol has come down in price (not before time).
12. Think the protestors objecting to a third runway at Heathrow of Environment grounds are complete numptys, the extra flights (& pollution) will just go elsewhere taking many potential jobs to other countries.
And finally for those of you that wonder what a Yorkshire accent sounds like here is a dubbed episode of Star Wars.
Wednesday, 14 January 2009
Famous at Last
Well I was just searching around a few Youtube videos and found this one, bet you've guessed it, I'm on it.
Its from the British league Table Tennis played at Widnes last Sunday.
Ok its not really of my match (& I'm only just in site), the match shown is from Grantham versus Ormesby but I'm playing two tables down. I come into shot at the right hand end of the screen just over 2 minutes into the video. I'm in a Blue shirt (similar colour to the umpires). We are playing a team from Nottingham but I lost the particular singles concerned, I did win my later match & our team won 6-2 so we was pleased.
For the record our 1st team are playing in the other match on the 1st table down from the featured match, they are in Yellow.
Its from the British league Table Tennis played at Widnes last Sunday.
Ok its not really of my match (& I'm only just in site), the match shown is from Grantham versus Ormesby but I'm playing two tables down. I come into shot at the right hand end of the screen just over 2 minutes into the video. I'm in a Blue shirt (similar colour to the umpires). We are playing a team from Nottingham but I lost the particular singles concerned, I did win my later match & our team won 6-2 so we was pleased.
For the record our 1st team are playing in the other match on the 1st table down from the featured match, they are in Yellow.
Sunday, 11 January 2009
Things not getting better yet
My Dad is still struggling, things got complecated he got a bit of infection in his operation wound so the Doc put him on anti-biotics which he had a adverse effect to (made him sick). He's had to come off them and I'm talking to the Doc tomorrow to sort an alternative.
Progress is slow with his mobility but there are small signs of improvement, think he's lost a bit of confidence but sure that will improve in time.
Myself I'm still full of cold, a bit bunged up and feel crappy but I'll get over it.
I'm a bit pissed off with a certain ex blog friend (lets just call him "Little Insect"), I just noted this person under an anonymous name has left a very abussive comment obviously referring to me on Cactus blog. Apparently this keyboard warrior who gets his pleasure from abusing people (online not to their face) accuses me of making my blog "Private" which I have never done.
Yes sure I changed my blog from World of Mick just over a year ago but I never left any of my blog friends out, I informed everyone at the time that I had emails for.
In fact I don't know what this idiot is on about because he has commented on the earlier Posts of my current blog, but I remember earlier last year he started writing abusive things saying I was ignoring him (on various blogs) so I basically thought I can well do without such fake friends the bloke is a complete muppet, why would I try to be friends with an abusive person.
Why he as suddenly raised the subject again I can't tell you but the fact he makes his comment anonymous about say's it all about him a absolute coward.
Personally I blog on here and MySpace to make friends and not abuse anyone, in fact I consider I've made some great friends but idiots like this I can do with out and it makes you wonder if its worthwhile.
Love to meet him face to face to tell him what I thought but I doubt he'd have the guts. He certainly needs to get that great big chip off his shoulder.
And to finish on a happier note, less than 3 weeks before I hook up with my friend Jane for (as Cactus would say) another cosy weekend. Its been far too long a gap between this and the last meeting think we are both quite excited about it. I'll probably take my new camera so have a few photos to post.
Progress is slow with his mobility but there are small signs of improvement, think he's lost a bit of confidence but sure that will improve in time.
Myself I'm still full of cold, a bit bunged up and feel crappy but I'll get over it.
I'm a bit pissed off with a certain ex blog friend (lets just call him "Little Insect"), I just noted this person under an anonymous name has left a very abussive comment obviously referring to me on Cactus blog. Apparently this keyboard warrior who gets his pleasure from abusing people (online not to their face) accuses me of making my blog "Private" which I have never done.
Yes sure I changed my blog from World of Mick just over a year ago but I never left any of my blog friends out, I informed everyone at the time that I had emails for.
In fact I don't know what this idiot is on about because he has commented on the earlier Posts of my current blog, but I remember earlier last year he started writing abusive things saying I was ignoring him (on various blogs) so I basically thought I can well do without such fake friends the bloke is a complete muppet, why would I try to be friends with an abusive person.
Why he as suddenly raised the subject again I can't tell you but the fact he makes his comment anonymous about say's it all about him a absolute coward.
Personally I blog on here and MySpace to make friends and not abuse anyone, in fact I consider I've made some great friends but idiots like this I can do with out and it makes you wonder if its worthwhile.
Love to meet him face to face to tell him what I thought but I doubt he'd have the guts. He certainly needs to get that great big chip off his shoulder.
And to finish on a happier note, less than 3 weeks before I hook up with my friend Jane for (as Cactus would say) another cosy weekend. Its been far too long a gap between this and the last meeting think we are both quite excited about it. I'll probably take my new camera so have a few photos to post.
Monday, 5 January 2009
Bad Start to the Year
Well the new year hasn't started good at all, first I didn't go out New Years Eve because I was ill so just spent the night at home feeling sorry for myself.
Anyway thats not all, think I said in an earlier post that my Dad went into hospital for a Gall Bladder operation NYE & with it been keyhole I was suppsed to pick him up New Years Day. Well the actual operation went well however on the night he spent in hospital he had a bad fall. It happend when he got up during the night to go to the toilet, he felt dizzy (still effected by the anaestetic I think) reached for a table to steady himself. The table was on wheels so he crashed to the ground hurting himself on his left side mainly his shoulder & hip. The hip was a concern because he only had a new joint 7 months ago.
Luckily the x-rays have revealed nothing broken however he is badly bruised & still in hospital. He can't lift his arm very far & struggles to get up out of the chair, he is a bit of pain.
So I've been spreading my time visiting him on a afternoon & my Mum in a morning. My Mum as gone in a Nursing home as she is disabled & my Dad is her main carer. She was only supposed to be there for a week or so but its looking like it could be a bit longer.
My Dad was in York hospital which is a bit of a trek as its at the other side of the City so a bit of a pain with the traffic during the day. They have now move him to Selby to recover & have physio but they forgot to let me know so I drove to York to find out, wasn't pleased particuraly as Selby is only 400 yards from my home.
Anyway thats not all, think I said in an earlier post that my Dad went into hospital for a Gall Bladder operation NYE & with it been keyhole I was suppsed to pick him up New Years Day. Well the actual operation went well however on the night he spent in hospital he had a bad fall. It happend when he got up during the night to go to the toilet, he felt dizzy (still effected by the anaestetic I think) reached for a table to steady himself. The table was on wheels so he crashed to the ground hurting himself on his left side mainly his shoulder & hip. The hip was a concern because he only had a new joint 7 months ago.
Luckily the x-rays have revealed nothing broken however he is badly bruised & still in hospital. He can't lift his arm very far & struggles to get up out of the chair, he is a bit of pain.
So I've been spreading my time visiting him on a afternoon & my Mum in a morning. My Mum as gone in a Nursing home as she is disabled & my Dad is her main carer. She was only supposed to be there for a week or so but its looking like it could be a bit longer.
My Dad was in York hospital which is a bit of a trek as its at the other side of the City so a bit of a pain with the traffic during the day. They have now move him to Selby to recover & have physio but they forgot to let me know so I drove to York to find out, wasn't pleased particuraly as Selby is only 400 yards from my home.
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