30th November 2016 - Happy St Andrews

Thought for the day:"If in doubt - add brandy"

Coming up to the anniversary of the Drunken Monk Teddies and their first video ..

so thought I may share again ..

Bright sunshine today and the kitchen is nearly finished - not that I have been much help with that ...

But on another note it is of course St andrew's Day -the patron saint of Scotland...
Except of course he was not Scottish...
The patron saint was born in Bethsaida, in Galilee, which is now Israel. His remains were moved 300 years after his death to Constantinople, now Istanbul, by the Emperor Constantine. While he was generally revered in Scotland from around 1,000 AD, he didn't become its official patron saint until the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320.

He was the first Disciple..
Andrew was a fisherman before he and his brother Simon Peter became two of the 12 disciples of Jesus. He was baptised by John the Baptist and was the first disciple of Jesus. In the Greek Orthodox tradition he is known as "Prōtoklētos" (Πρωτόκλητος) - literally "the first-called”.

He is not just Saint for Scotland..
Greece, Russia, Italy’s Amalfi and Barbados also count St Andrew as their patron saint. He’s also seen as the patron saint of singers, spinsters, maidens, fishmongers, fishermen, women wanting to be mothers, gout and sore throats. St Andrew is also the patron saint of the Order of the Thistle, one of the highest ranks of chivalry in the world, second only to the Order of the Garter.

The shape of the Flag is due to his crucifixion
St Andrew was crucified in Greece on 30 November 60AD - hence the date - by order of the Roman governor Aegeas. Legend has it that he asked to be tied to an X-shaped cross because he did not feel worthy of dying on the same shape of cross as Jesus. The shape has been represented by the white cross on the Scottish flag, the Saltire, since at least 1385.

Being foreign doesn't stop people believing that his remians are in Scotland
Purported relics of St Andrew, including a tooth, kneecap, arm and finger bone, meant the town of St Andrews became a popular medieval pilgrimage site up until the 16th century - when they were destroyed in the Scottish Reformation. In 1870, the Archbishop of Amalfi sent an apparent piece of the saint's shoulder blade to Scotland, where it has since been stored in St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh.



and so ...
Cheers!

29th November 2016 - Don't be a mug...

Thought for the day:"Making a wish before uncorking the bottle is my version of blowing out candles"

I seem to be surrounded by wonderful friends..  after I had my fall back in Germany - my favourite tankard - a gift from a good LARP friend, with ornate leatherwork, was damaged so hard that it could not be used. I dutifully placed it on my belt and let it jangle with the bells - as it was still a good advert for the Crimson Moon ... but I had to drink form another tankard...

Then a new tankard arrived - again a naked lady tankard - and duly inscribed with the words Vollsanger - here all week.
Sadly this only lasted a few events.. I did not damage it - but one day the bottom just fell off. The solder must have been faulty.

I sent it back to the company but they felt that it was no longer round and that they could not fix it - so it is on my shelf...

Then at the banquet for the wolves - a small parcel was handed to me.. and inside was a replacement tankard - brand new and leatherworked as was the first one .. I share it with you ...

 My grateful thanks to the wonderful work of Nikki ...

And so ...

If
By Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

or as I recall it - if you can keep your head when others about you can't... you don't understand the problem...

28th November 2016 - and a few words..

Thought for the day:"I like you. You remind me of when I was young and stupid."

Meanwhile - I today I found a list. Some lists fascinate me- indeed I have a book full of meaningless lists somewheer - probably in a box in the warehouse - but this one was fairly interesting - it is the list of words that you cannot use on the BBC - or in particular upon the BBC facebook pages... I share it with you..


"ass,ass lick,asses,asshole,assholes, asskisser,asswipe, balls, bastard,beastial, beastiality, beastility, beaver, belly whacker, bestial, bestiality,bitch,bitcher,bitchers, bitches,bitchin, bitching,blow job,blowjob,blowjobs,bonehead,boner,brown eye, browneye,browntown,bucket cunt,bull shit,bullshit,bum,bung hole,butch,butt,butt breath, butt fucker,butt  hair, buttface,buttfuck, buttfucker,butthead,butthole, buttpicker,chink,circle jerk,clam, clit, cobia,cock,cocks,cocksuck,cocksucked cocksucker,cocksucking,cocksucks,cooter, crap,cum,cummer,cumming, cums,cumshot,cunilingus,cunillingus,cunnilingus, cunt,cuntlick,cuntlicker,cuntlicking,cunts,cyberfuc,cyberfuck,cyberfucked, cyberfucker,cyberfuckers,cyberfucking,damn,dick,dike,dildo,dildos,dink,dinks, dipshit,dong,douche bag,dumbass,dyke,ejaculate,ejaculated, ejaculates,ejaculating,ejaculatings, ejaculation,fag,fagget,fagging,faggit,faggot,faggs,fagot,fagots,fags,fart,farted,farting,fartings,farts,farty,fatass,fatso,felatio,fellatio,fingerfuck,fingerfucked,fingerfucker,fingerfuckers,fingerfucking,fingerfucks,fistfuck,fistfucked,fistfucker,fistfuckers,fistfucking,fistfuckings,fistfucks,fuck,fucked,fucker,fuckers,fuckin,fucking,fuckings,fuckme,fucks,fuk,fuks,furburger,gangbang,gangbanged,gangbangs,gaysex,gazongers,goddamn,gonads,gook,guinne,hard on,hardcoresex,homo,hooker,horniest,horny,hotsex,hussy,jack off,jackass,jacking off,jackoff,jackoff,jap,jerk,jerkoff,jism,jiz,jizm,jizz,kike,kock,kondum,kondums,kraut,kum,kummer,kumming,kums,kunilingus,lesbian,lesbo,merde,mick,mothafuck,mothafucka,mothafuckas,mothafuckaz,mothafucked,mothafucker,mothafuckers,mothafuckin,mothafucking,mothafuckings,mothafucks,motherfuck,motherfucked,motherfucker,motherfuckers,motherfuckin,motherfucking,motherfuckings,motherfucks,muff,nigger,niggers,orgasim,orgasims,orgasm,orgasms,pecker,penis,phonesex,phuk,phuked,phuking,phukked,phukking,phuks,phuq,pimp,piss,pissed,pissrr,pissers,pisses,pissin,pissing,pissoff,prick,pricks,pussies,pussy,pussys,queer,retard,schlong,screw,sheister,shit,shited,shitfull,shiting,shitings,shits,shitted,shitter,shitters,shitting,shittings,shitty,slag,sleaze,slut,sluts,smut,snatch,spunk,twat,wetback,whore,wop,add me,am i pretty,helluva,ass,asshat,asshole,asswipe,bedroom peeping,bestfrend,bitch,brokeass,chica destrozo,cock,crack head,cunt,dick,dickhead,douche,dumbass,faggot,find out your total profile views,free 64 gb apple ipad,fuck,fukin,fukkin,homo,homos,i cant believe this actually works,i need a man,i'm dead,ipad,ipod,jackass,jetblue,jetblue,kike,macbook air,my top stalkers,naughtier,nice and cheap clothes,nigger,olive garden,pepeer,prick,proof lady gaga,pussy,see her penis,sex,sexual,sexual,sexuality,sexually,sexy night,shit,special kind of friend,starbucks,striping,tits,top facebook stalkers,whore,will be kissed,willing to rock my world,winehouse,boobs,stolen video,xxx,mira este video,click here to watch it,i can see you guys stalking me look here,esa chica se pasa bailando,click here to see who is stalking you,i know when you look at my profile using this,melts baby's brain,chuck norris dies,chuck norris died,ahole,anus,ash0le,ash0les,asholes,ass,ass monkey,assface,assh0le,assh0lez,asshole,assholes,assholz,asswipe,azzhole,bassterds,bastard,bastards,bastardz,basterds,basterdz,biatch,bitch,bitches,blow job,boffing,butthole,buttwipe,c0ck,c0cks,c0k,carpet muncher,cawk,cawks,clit,cnts,cntz,cock,cockhead,cock-head,cocks,cocksucker,cock-sucker,crap,cum,cunt,cunts,cuntz,dick,dild0,dild0s,dildo,dildos,dilld0,dilld0s,dominatricks,dominatrics,dominatrix,dyke,enema,f u c k,f u c k e r,fag,fag1t,faget,fagg1t,faggit,faggot,fagit,fags,fagz,faig,faigs,fart,flipping the bird,fuck,fucker,fuckin,fucking,fucks,fudge packer,fuk,fukah,fuken,fuker,fukin,fukk,fukkah,fukken,fukker,fukkin,g00k,gay,gayboy,gaygirl,gays,gayz,god-damned,h00r,h0ar,h0re,hells,hoar,hoor,hoore,jackoff,jap,japs,jerk-off,jisim,jiss,jizm,jizz,knob,knobs,knobz,kunt,kunts,kuntz,lesbian,lezzian,lipshits,lipshitz,masochist,masokist,massterbait,masstrbait,masstrbate,masterbaiter,masterbate,masterbates,motha fucker,motha fuker,motha fukkah,motha fukker,mother fucker,mother fukah,mother fuker,mother fukkah,mother fukker,mother-fucker,mutha fucker,mutha fukah,mutha fuker,mutha fukkah,mutha fukker,n1gr,nastt,nigger;,nigur;,niiger;,niigr;,orafis,orgasim;,orgasm,orgasum,oriface,orifice,orifiss,packi,packie,packy,paki,pakie,paky,pecker,peeenus,peeenusss,peenus,peinus,pen1s,penas,penis,penis-breath,penus,penuus,phuc,phuck,phuk,phuker,phukker,polac,polack,polak,poonani,pr1c,pr1ck,pr1k,pusse,pussee,pussy,puuke,puuker,queer,queers,queerz,qweers,qweerz,qweir,recktum,rectum,retard,sadist,scank,schlong,screwing,semen,sex,sexy,sh!t,sh1t,sh1ter,sh1ts,sh1tter,sh1tz,shit,shits,shitter,shitty,shity,shitz,shyt,shyte,shytty,shyty,skanck,skank,skankee,skankey,skanks,skanky,slut,sluts,slutty,slutz,son-of-a-bitch,tit,turd,va1jina,vag1na,vagiina,vagina,vaj1na,vajina,vullva,vulva,w0p,wh00r,wh0re,whore,xrated,xxx,b!+ch,bitch,blowjob,clit,arschloch,fuck,shit,ass,asshole,b!tch,b17ch,b1tch,bastard,bi+ch,boiolas,buceta,c0ck,cawk,chink,cipa,clits,cock,cum,cunt,dildo,dirsa,ejakulate,fatass,fcuk,fuk,fux0r,hoer,hore,jism,kawk,l3itch,l3i+ch,lesbian,masturbate,masterbat,masterbat3,motherfucker,s.o.b.,mofo,nazi,nigga,nigger,nutsack,phuck,pimpis,pusse,pussy,scrotum,sh!t,shemale,shi+,sh!+,slut,smut,teets,tits,boobs,b00bs,teez,testical,testicle,titt,w00se,jackoff,wank,whoar,whore,damn,dyke,fuck,shit,@$$,amcik,andskota,arse,assrammer,ayir,bi7ch,bitch,bollock,breasts,butt-pirate,cabron,cazzo,chraa,chuj,cock,cunt,d4mn,daygo,dego,dick,dike,dupa,dziwka,ejackulate,ekrem,ekto,enculer,faen,fag,fanculo,fanny,feces,feg,felcher,ficken,fitt,flikker,foreskin,fotze,fu(,fuk,futkretzn,gay,gook,guiena,h0r,h4x0r,hell,helvete,hoer,honkey,huevon,hui,injun,jizz,kanker,kike,klootzak,kraut,knulle,kuk,kuksuger,kurac,kurwa,kusi,kyrpa,lesbo,mamhoon,masturbat,merd,mibun,monkleigh,mouliewop,muie,mulkku,muschi,nazis,nepesaurio,nigger,orospu,paska,perse,picka,pierdol,pillu,pimmel,piss,pizda,poontsee,poop,porn,p0rn,pr0n,preteen,pula,pule,puta,puto,qahbeh,queef,rautenberg,schaffer,scheiss,schlampe,schmuck,screw,sh!t,sharmuta,sharmute,shipal,shiz,skrib,adultxxx,aim,amateur,amateur hardcore,amateur housewives,amateur nude,amateur nudes,amateur porn,amateur sex,amateur xxx,amateurcouples,amateurhardcore,amateurhousewives,amateurnude,amateurnudes,amateurporn,amateursex,amateurxxx,amcik,anal,anal fuck,anal fucking,anal fuckings,anal fucks,anal jpg,anal pics,anal raping,anal sex,anal sex pics,analcum,analfuck,analfucking,analfuckings,analfucks,analingus,analjpg,analpics,analrape,analraping,analsex,analsexpics,anilingus,animal erotica,animalerotica,animalsex,anime,anus,aoa,arse,asian ass,asian bondage,asian hardcore,asian nude,asian nudes,asian pics,asian pleasures,asian porn,asian pussy,asian sex,asian sluts,asian thumbnails,asian xxx,asianass,asianbabes,asianbondage,asianhardcore,asiannude,asiannudes,asianpics,asianpleasures,asianporn,asianpussy,asiansex,asiansluts,asianthumbnails,asianxxx,asiasex,asphyxiophilia,ass,ass fuck,ass fucker,ass fuckers,ass fucking,ass fuckings,ass fucks,ass jpg,ass lick,ass licking,ass pics,ass worship,assclown,assfuck,assfucked,assfucker,assfuckers,assfucking,assfuckings,assfucks,asshole,assholes,assjpg,asslic,asslick,asslicker,asslickers,asslicking,assphuc,assphucd,assphuced,assphucer,assphuces,assphucing,assphuck,assphuckd,assphucked,assphucker,assphuckes,assphucking,assphucks,assphucs,assphuk,assphukd,assphuked,assphuker,assphukes,assphuking,assphuks,asspics,asspirate,assramer,assrapist,asswipe,b17ch,b1tch,bag 'o shite,ballsac,ballsack,bastard,basterd,beasiality,beastality,beasteality,beastial,beastiality,beastialty,beastility,beastlove,beastsex,beastuality,beastyality,beatiality,beavershot,beavershots,bedroom,bedroom cam,bedroomcam,bi7ch,big black cocks,big black tits,big clits,big cock,big cocks,big dick,big dicks,big hooters,big nipples,big tit,big tits,big tits free,big titts,bigblackcocks,bigblacktits,bigclits,bigcock,bigcocks,bigdick,bigdicks,biggest cock,biggestcock,bignipples,bigpussy,bigtit,bigtits,bigtitsfree,bigtitts,bish,bitch,bitching,black ass,black asses,black cock,black cocks,black cunt,black dick,black dicks,black hardcore,black porn,black porno,black pussy,black sex,black sluts,black tits,black xxx,blackass,blackasses,blackcum,blackcunt,blackcunts,blowjob,blowjobs,bltch,bondage,bondage pics,bondage pictures,bondage stories,bondagepics,bondagepictures,bondagestories,bondagevideos,boner,bong,boob,boylove,boylover,breast,brothal,brothel,butt,butt fucking,buttbanger,buttbangers,buttbanging,buttbangings,buttfuck,buttfucked,buttfucker,buttfuckers,buttfucking,buttfuckings,buttfucks,butthole,buttpirate,buttpirates,buttplug,buttplugs,buttreamer,buttreamers,buttsex,buttstuffer,buttstuffers,c0ck,c0k,cannabis,carpetmuncher,cawk,celebnudes,celebrities naked,celebrities nude,celebritiesnaked,celebritiesnude,celebrity nude,celebrity porn,celebritynude,celebritynudes,celebrityporn,celebritysex,celebs nude,celebsluts,celebsnude,centerfolds,cha!,chat sex,chatsex,chicks with dicks,chickswithdicks,childporno,childsex,childsexpic,childsexpics,chinesepussy,chink,clit,clitcam,clitfold,clitfolds,clits,clubsex,cocaine,cock,cock ring,cock rings,cock sucker,cock suckers,cock sucking,cockhead,cockmeat,cockring,cockrings,cockshaft,cockshafts,cocksuck,cocksucker,cocksuckers,cocksucking,cocksuckings,cocksucks,cocktease,cockteaser,cocky,cojones,cok,come bath,come drinkers,come eaters,come facial,come facials,come guzzlers,come shot,come shots,comebath,comedrinkers,comeeaters,comefacial,comefacials,comeguzzlers,comeshot,comeshots,comin' the cunt,condom,coolie,coon,coonass,coupin,crotch,crotchless,culo,cum,cum drinkers,cum eaters,cum facial,cum facials,cum guzzlers,cum shot,cum shots,cumbath,cumbaths,cumbucket,cumbuckets,cumcovered,cumdrinkers,cumeaters,cumface,cumfaces,cumfacial,cumfacials,cumgallery,cumguzzlers,cumhole,cumholes,cuming,cumload,cumlovers,cumm,cummin' the cunt?,cumming,cumqueen,cums,cumsh"

I never liked bad language ...

 

Cheers!

27th November 2016 - Back from Norsca

Thought for the day:"Sometimes I just want someone to give me a hug and say "you are going to be okay - have a chocolate and 5 million pounds"

A busy weekend, Appendant Orders in Bridgend on Saturday followed by a trip up to Kibblestone (Stone) for the Wolves' Banquet...

A steady trip up the motorway - and the sat nav led me nicely to the scout camp, which is where the problems started. I had noticed that the banquet was not on the main site.. but "just up the road"
Well - "just up the road" proved to be a little elusive - especially in the dark. I found "jubilee Drive" which looked quite promising - but after making my way down the long drive ( I did check first to see that it was drivable) the road plummeted down a steep hill and ended up at a house - with a van across the drive.. 47 point turn later - across the grass with risk of sliding wheels...

So, off we head back along the road - and into the village..  another lane heads up and looks promising - but ends up in the front garden of a private house - with three cars - I am not sure what they thought as I struggled to turn the Bothy in the very restricted space - petrified that I might knock a car...

Maybe there was an entrance at the lower section, through the council estate, and into the lanes - and so I found myself travelling further away form the site...  Put the sat nav back on to find my way back...

Back to the Scout camp - and it seemed that someone had driven a large van around the site - possible a White Camper Van - and the alarms had all gone off at the main buildings - which at least meant that there was a representation form the Scout Group - who were able to advise me as to where the Banquet was being held - but there were two groups on site - so you can never tell...

Half an hour later - I find my way up a narrow track and find a familiar face... and so the evening starts ...

Into the car park and start searching for kit - I had not really done the job properly - you know - the actual sorting out what clothes and kit you need...  that sort of thing. I had checked that I had a guitar. I had checked that I had a guitar strap to hold it in place. The rest - I sort of hoped that everything was where it was when I left it last time - and - for the main part it was...

So - in kit - bells a jingling and off to the banquet with a guitar over  a shoulder...
And - I must say - I was overwhelmed by the reaction as I walked in..
A universal cheer and it was pretty humbling to have so many people welcome you ...   Calls of "here all week" and "A green one"  but mainly - a heartfelt welcome - and that was for someone who was arriving three quarters through the event ... just in time for dinner - which was great of course

So an evening of songs and fun and chatting with the Gods and the Fay.. 

Photos will follow I am sure - though I did not take any myself..

But another great and enjoyable event among friends ...
Last until the new year ..

Praise be to the Wolves - Wolves be praised

Cheers

26th November 2016 - Off to the Wolves

Thought for the day:" Give me Coffee to help me change the things I can change - and whisky to accept the ones I cannot"

Off early
back tomorrow
bye

25th November 2016 - And nothing happened today

Thought for the day:"I hate it when people can't tell the difference between your and you're! There so stupid!"

So it is Black Friday. Yawn!
Looked at Wiki to see whether anythign ever happened on 25th November that is interesting - and failed to find anythign that grabbed my attention ..

Lovely sunny day though ... thoguht it is cold - but the new central heating seems to be working well so there are good sides to everything ..

All in all - I think that a gin and tonic is called for ..

Don't mind if I do ....

24th November 2016 - Black What???

Thought for the day :"The depressing thing about tennis is that no matter how good I get, I'll never be as good as a wall."

So, it is Thanksgiving over the pond. I don't mind that too much. We don't celebrate it but we can acknowledge that others may want to. What gives me more concern is the propensity for all the media to bang on about "Black Friday". Now Black Friday always used to be the Friday before Christmas. It was the last working day often and the day that all the office workers would have Christmas parties and after hours drinkies - and end up trollied in a club in town, get home to a domestic disturbance, end up in the wrong bed or sit on the curb throwing up wishing to be at home talking to God on the big white telephone.

It was a busy day for policing - but otherwise affected most people only little. Except for the hangover the next day...

But now, we have been subjected to Black Friday Week on all my advertising. Special Offers. Best Deals. Buy it now. And why?? because in America Thanksgiving Thursday - the 4th Thursday in November, is followed by Black Friday... What has that to do with us???

It seems to be the only time that America is happy to celebrate Black Anything. But like Halloween and Trick or Treat (or is it now Trick a Treat?) we seem to be importing all the worst customs of our old colonies.

A quick look at my Google shows me..

a media circus for sales and americanisation...

But I saw a cunning way to get out of giving presents this year - I shall go onto Facebook and expound the benefits of BREXIT and how TRUMP will bring in a new era of prosperity to the world - that will lose me a lot of friends...

Now I will carry on ignoring the media and advertising - Happy Thursday

Cheers!

23rd November 2016 - Desperately seeking Susan

Thought for the day:" I found my magic sleep number - it is 6 - 6 glasses of wine"

So - back to 1963...  and a junkyard owned by Mr Foreman

But whatever happened to Susan ??  I couldn't remember but the wonders of the world these days is that someone out there knows...

"Susan continues to travel with the Doctor and her two teachers until the 1964 serial, The Dalek Invasion of Earth. During the events of that story, Susan falls in love with David Campbell a young freedom fighter in the 22nd century. However, Susan feels that she has to stay with and take care of her grandfather. The Doctor, realising that Susan is now a grown woman and deserves a future away from him, locks her out of the TARDIS and leaves after a tearful farewell. Ford reprised the role of Susan on television in the 20th anniversary special The Five Doctors (1983), but no mention of David, or what became of him, was made on screen. In the novelisation of the same story, they are still married, while she struggles to age herself by applying make-up. Ford also reprised her role for the 1993 charity special Dimensions in Time"

Well - there you have it !!!

of course it wasn't really in colour then - but with the wonders of modern science and technology

True Colours

Gentler times ..
Cheers!

22nd November 2016 - Kittens and Cats

Thought for the day:"Anyone who uses a selfie stick needs to have a long, hard look at themselves"

Strange fact for the day - before kittens were the main weapon of choice to fascinate people on Facbook and Youtube... seems that in 525 BC the Persians had other ideas for them...

But it is still a little better than dogs - this helpful posting was seen today ...

DOG OWNERSHIP TEST !
Before you buy your first puppy, take this test to find out if you can cope with living and looking after your puppy
Best taken in the autumn or mid winter.
1. Buy a lead and tie it to a big stone, walk around dragging the stone behind you.
2. Get up at 5am, go out in the pouring rain and walk up and down a muddy path, repeating good girl/boy, wee wees...poo poos, quickly please
3. Stuff your pockets with plastic bags and pick up all the poo you can find, obviously not your dogs as you have not bought it yet 😊
4. Start wearing your shoes indoors, especially during muddy times
5. Collect leaves off the ground and spread them on the floor
6. Carry sticks and branches indoors and chop them up on your carpet
7. Pour cold applejuice on the rug and floor....walk barefooted over it in the dark
8. Drop some chocolate pudding on your carpet in the morning and then try to clean it in the evening
9. Wear socks to which you have made holes using a blender
10. Jump out of your favourite chair just before the movie ends and run to open back door
11. Cover all your best clothes with dog hair, dark clothes with blond hairs and light clothes with dark hairs
12. Tip all just ironed clothes on the floor
13. Make little pin holes in all your funiture, especially chair and table legs
14. When doing dishes, splash water all over the place and don't wipe it.
15. Spread toilet paper all over the house when you leave the house and tidy up when you get back home
16. Forget any impulse holidays and/or breaks
17. Always go home straight after work or school
18. Go walkies no matter what the weather, and inspect every dirty paper, chewing gum and dead fly you might find
19. Wake up at 3am. Place a correct size bag of flour on top of yourself and try to sleep, whilst wiping your face with a dishcloth, which you have left next your bed in a bowl last week.
Repeat everyday over 6 months and if you still think getting puppy sounds like a good idea, Congratulations, you might be ready to get your puppy

Seems Legit...

Today is apparently the day that JFK was assasinated - which makes tomorrow a big anniversary for Doctor Who - the first showing the day after the assasination ...
But that will be tomorrow..

Cheers

21st November 2016 - Hello and Covers

Thought for the day: "There are no limits to what you can accomplish when you are meant to be doing something else"

Someone tells me it is World Hello Day - so "Hello"

It is also Monday so a day to change the covers..

one for me....

and one for the Wolves Banquet this weekend

Cheers

20th November 2016 - And the Temperature goes down

Thought for the day :"I'll drink to that--and pay for it later. (G Takei)"


 More DONUT - shut up and dance...

So, at last managed to get to the police and make my statement about being ripped off over eggs and an incubator back in March..   Seems that things will proceed after all which is slightly gratifying even if it has taken 8 months to get this far ....

Temperature seems to be dropping - which is of course the moment where the radiator starts to leak due to rusting through at the bottom - plumber should be out in the week..    But as the temperature is dropping it led me to this short fact from the History Book ...

Well - not that cold yet - maybe best get some mulled wine out :)
Cheers...

19th November 2016 - More Donut

Thought for the day:"On average - How much do you spend on a bottle of wine ? Me??  About half an hour"

Another video from the Zombie Fest.. Donut

Cheers

18th November 2016 - Donuts... Just Saying

Thought for the day: "I am a perfectionist and a procrastinator - I want my house to look perfect .. Tomorrow!!"

Busy day - so I will just pop a video here of a band called Donut - a good friend is the lead singer  and this was the Zombie Fest...

Cheers!

17th November 2016 - More Dead things and Zombies...

Thought for the day: "For someone who loves to sleep so much - you would think I would go to bed early"

Did a bit of video editing - managed to get some footage of the Zombie weekend - mainly pictures with the music of Donut behind ..   but came out quite well ...

Cheers!

16th November 2016 - Relatively Quiet

Thought for the day:"The japanese method of decluttering is to hold an object in your hand - and if it does not bring you joy, throw it away…  So far I have got rid of all the vegetables, the electric bill, the scale, and my diet book.."

An interesting thing about relations is how they all hang together. I came across this little schematic which helped me understand how all those cousins end up being removed .. thought it was interesting enough to record for posterity ...

Not that I have that many relations - though if I go back through the family there were many with more than half a dozen children..  I was happy with two !!

So a day for getting the books out -First Degree Ceremony in Craft on 24th November, Appendent Orders - Prelate 2nd Part on the 26th, and Secret Monitor and 2nd Grade Scarlet Cord on the 1st December  - ho hum - keeps thebarin active I suppose...

Cheers!

15th November 2016 - Tools and Toiling

Thought for the day :"Turning vegan is a big missed steak."

It is strange how important having the right tools and equipment becomes and how much easier a job is when that happens. Let me tell you about our kitchen. It is in need of a bit of upgrade to be honest. We did a nice job of converting it a number of years ago - but it is getting a little shabby and in need of a lick of paint and some repairs.

And so we bought the paper and have some paint ready - but the fluorescent light in the middle of the kitchen was well past it sell by date. It also had about an inch of grease all over it as well, and was hanging up with a piece of wire fixing it to the ceiling..

So we bought a nice new light, made up of four spot lights upon a central bar.. that sort of thing..

So, having switched the power off, I took the old fluorescent light down - unscrewing for the ceiling and unwiring it ...  Where the problems started. The wires were so old an corroded that they were brittle and looked as though they really needed replacing - which would mean re-wiring form the switch to the central rose - which would mean taking up floors and digging the wire out of the plaster - and a lot of grief. But - there was an alternative ...  Insulating tape ! Wrapping that around the wires would keep them safe - if I had some insulating tape...

So, a coat on and umbrella and out into the fairly warm, yet penetrating mizzy rain, and into town to my favourite elite shop - The Pound Shop - where I duly found 6 rolls of insulating tape - called Fire resistant tape for some reason probably surrounding copyright  for a pound and came home..

Now the power is still off - there are bare wired hanging form the kitchen ceiling and unbeknownst to me Susie has had to stir from her bed to answer the postman. And she remembered the eggs that are in the incubator which of course is no longer warm and rocking....  Her solution? Take the eggs back to bed with her and keep them warm..

So, back to the light fitting - and I duly wrap the wires in insulating tape and make them safe. And then afix the hanging bracket to the ceiling.. Which is fine except for the fact that the ceiling is plaster board and the supporting wooden slats are where the old light was affixed - at each end and not in the middle. Sadly the screws go in very easily, and look prone to coming straight out again. But with more hope that expertise I attach the brackets, and carefully rewire the cables into the central part of the light fix to the bracket - where it promptly sags and falls like an acrobat on a high wire...

So - the fixture is unwired and the bracket falls to the ground...

What is needed is those little screw attachments that extend through the plaster board and expand on the other side to keep it secure. They are easily available and not that expensive. But more important, I do not have any in the house..

So, Coat and Umbrella and a trot back into town. A smile from the busker in the shopping centre. He has seen me hurrying back and forth - he is singing Wild Mountain Thyme but I have no change for him or for the Captain of the Salvation Army patiently standing in the entrance of the indoor market.
Pound shop will not help here - it will have to be Wilkinsons or Wilko as it seems to be named now... And what a selection of fixings - but I choose and pay my £1.75 ...

Back home, a touch of sweat as it is one of those clammy days and back into the kitchen. A job that would be easier with someone to hold onto the drill while climbing up and down the ladder and reaching for parts, balancing light fixtures and holding wires - but Susie is on egg duty so I do not disturb her ...  And the fixtures are great - secure and steady.

So the light is in place and with the power back on - looks pretty good - just a coat of paint to cover the old gaps... 

Oh, and the eggs were fine and still warm...

With the right tools the job would have taken about 10 minutes - but I will not get those two hours of my life back....


So - as we started another week - best change the covers...

Lorien Trust Wolves event in York

and a personal cover

So - on a serious note..

Seems Legit

Cheers!

14th November 2016 - Chemistry of Fireworks

Thought for the day :" Roses are red - Mondays are hard - I suck at poetry … Caffeine!"

There are moves to try to ban fireworks because they scare the animals (and some people), and indeed I have a dog that seems to be petrified of the bangs. According to the RSPCA, it is estimated that 45 per cent of dogs in the UK show signs of fear when they hear fireworks. With this in mind we decided to look into ‘quiet fireworks’ as it is now possible to buy fireworks that are being marketed as silent or quiet.  

In fact, reading a review of these new fireworks I find that they were not silent or particularly quiet, BUT they were considerably quieter than standard fireworks. The colours were just as vivid and the displays were beautiful. The pops, whizzes and bangs were slightly muffled but not quiet. "We would certainly not recommend inviting your pets along to see them any time soon, however we would feel comfortable knowing that they are inside safe and less likely to disturbed!"

I would miss the spectacle - though I think that the move towards major central displays rather than individual sale makes a  lot of sense. And would possibly get us back to November the Fifth as Guy Fawkes night rather than three weeks of  continuous disturbance...

But the real reason for these comments is that I found this little picture explaining the Chemistry of Fireworks and I know that I will want to find it again one day - so I will put it here so I can find it again.   It takes me back to my childhood days mixing magnesium powder and sulphur and sellotaping it up to make a big bang - or a smoke screen...  

and on other thoughts ...
Cheers

13th November 2016 - Need an Umbrella ??

Thought for the day:"I thought growing older would take longer..."
Had a great time yesterday acting as zombie for a friend's 40th Birthday...

So he thought he was off the the airport for a surprise holiday - he had a surprise alright ..
A blindfold in the car and his trusty friends take him to an unknown location.. A van crashed ... with toxic waste dripping from the punctured barrels ... a medical tent with bodies - and zombies hidden throughout the site ...  a fine surprise!!

the marionette

and yes - that is the same lady

Fun was had by all..

Back home now ... safe  (I think)

12th November 2016 - On the Road Again

Thought for the day:" My budgie broke its leg so I splinted it with two swan vesta matches...  as it walked for the first time its little eyes just lit up "

off to a strange event.. Cannot say what as it will spoil the fun..
update when I get back ..

In the meantime - something to ponder on

What do you see here ???

or how about now ??

I'll drink to life not always being what it seems ..
Cheers!