Today marks the first day of the housing benefit reforms imposed by the Government. I already received one phonecall to my department today from a vulnerable person - who will no doubt be in custody by the morning due to the big change.
On this day, two articles caught my attention:
This article by Ricky Tomlinson:
"10 Lies We're Told About Welfare"
and in stark contrast:
"Queen receives a £5m payrise from the taxpayer"
Think about it.
Showing posts with label Home. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Home. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 02, 2013
Sunday, March 03, 2013
(Not so) Baby Sister
So, this weekend was spent moving my sister up to her first rented house up in Newcastle. No matter how old she gets this she's my lickle baby sister and it's both happy and sad that she's finally flown the nest.
She has a lovely little house up there in Newcastle and I really wish her the best of happiness. My little sister is all grown up!!
Whilst Saturday was mainly spent travelling there, a trip to IKEA and unpacking many boxes, we spent a little time this morning having a walk round Newcastle city centre. I picked out a pretty cool pub for her to try out before I next come to visit- I think it was called Brew Dog, and it had a giant Octopus hanging from one of the walls.
On the way home, we also stopped by The Angel of the North. I'm a big Gormley fan, and although it's an iconic image already seen by most of the UK popiulation, it's always worth seeing something like that with your own eyes.
A nice weekend, which went far too quickly! Roll on this Friday for my four day weekend! Woop!
She has a lovely little house up there in Newcastle and I really wish her the best of happiness. My little sister is all grown up!!
Whilst Saturday was mainly spent travelling there, a trip to IKEA and unpacking many boxes, we spent a little time this morning having a walk round Newcastle city centre. I picked out a pretty cool pub for her to try out before I next come to visit- I think it was called Brew Dog, and it had a giant Octopus hanging from one of the walls.
On the way home, we also stopped by The Angel of the North. I'm a big Gormley fan, and although it's an iconic image already seen by most of the UK popiulation, it's always worth seeing something like that with your own eyes.
A nice weekend, which went far too quickly! Roll on this Friday for my four day weekend! Woop!
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Reflections on 2012 pt 6: Oscar
In August, our cat Oscar died. He was a good old age but his death was still a bit of a shock. He had a rapidly deteriorating heart condition and had to be put down. I held him as he was put to sleep.
The house still feels odd without him and I know our remaining cat Phoebe misses him daily. She hasn't really been the same since.
The house still feels odd without him and I know our remaining cat Phoebe misses him daily. She hasn't really been the same since.
Miss you.
Monday, December 03, 2012
Reflections on 2012 part 1.
The year is drawing to a close.
I started off 2012 having left my best friend and partner of 8 years*, my home, alot of my belongings and the place where my heart and soul had resided for a year, impressing its gentle watermarks into the walls, surfaces and ambiance of each room. My mum was recovering from her breast cancer surgery, and my job was once again potentially under threat at a place where I'd found many friends and felt like one of the family.
Everything felt upside down. I was exhausted and mostly in tatters and about this time last year I had already decided that something had to change.
By January, I was back at my parents home, sleeping in a cold, back room of the house on a sofa bed. I started looking around for other jobs around this time too. By March, I was getting interviews for new jobs and after a few successful ones and two job offers I opted for a new job in Walsall, a promotion, and all round challenge. It was to be my second huge step into the unknown so early on into the year and despite the fears and conflictions I seized the opportunity as a new start.
During these months of interviews and CV's an job spiel, two things happened- I learnt how to juggle (!) and I met L* who was working down the coridoor in a temporary office. L has become my biggest smile of 2012. In him, I have found a true best friend for life and I owe him an awful lot for his stoic support, kind words and encouragement over the year. I love him dearly and hope I never ever lose his friendship.
In contrast, during this time I met a second person who would be my biggest mistake of the year. I also thought, this person- who I won't even grace with an initial, would be a true friend. I shared a great deal with them and, perhaps mislead by the sadness and instability in my life at the time, I leant on them for support. Instead, my trust was betrayed and I got caught up in bitter mind games resulting in nothing but let down, hurt and confusion.
I started my new job at the end of April.* The timing couldn't have been better as I needed to get away from the pressure cooker of friend-politics that had been building. After three years communting by train, I had to step away from time tables, platforms, reading newspapers and books in a carriage and healthy, brisk walks- and swap it for a 25 minute commute of sitting still staring at a road surface. I felt lost, stepping away from the comforts of my good friends, my work family who I had loved seeing daily- into a cold, old building in a very different area of the West Midlands. At a time where I craved stability and order, I found the transition hard but was relieved to find that my new working team was friendly and welcoming.
Resolution 1: Be more active.
Despite my friendly team, the job itself has brought about a new perspective of policing, people, culture and criminality. Instead of working on the peripheries of policing in a supportive role, I've learnt an awful lot from being thrust into the thick of actual police work. It's opened my eyes and altered some of my opions, and this in turn has added to my angst and fury at this odeous, bile-inducing- Government's policies. It's left me very resentful, as I'm sure regular blog readers will already know with many of my posts this year taking on a political rant tone in utter disgust at some of the unjustified impositions this Tory government has created.
Resolution 2: Be less angry.
May saw the birth of my little neice- Natalie*; another small blossom of newness, hope and smiles in an otherwise tumultuous and rocky time.
In late July, early August, our family cat Oscar had to be put down*. He was a friendly, clumsy, 14 year old black and white cat who had seemed well up until the week before his death. He had a deteriorating heart condition due to his age. I'm glad that I was with him when he was put to sleep. I held him, stroked his head as his eyes closed, and kissed him goodbye with a thank you for his life in our family home. He's left a small hole. Our remaining cat, Phoebe misses him, and she has been changed by his absence. She seems lost sometimes, and anxious of being alone- something I can very much relate to this year. I miss him too.
Living back at the family home after almost ten years of independence hasn't come easy. It's had an impact on my family relationships, some of which I will discuss later*.
My creativity hasn't gone by the wayside this year either. It's been a busy, chaotic year but I've managed to find time to complete some sculpture projects amidst it all. I think one of my resolutions next year will be to make more time for creative projects. That means more photo's. More clay. And learning a new skill.
Resolution 3: Be more creative.
My main trip of the year was my visit to Brugge with N. It was a beautiful place and it was great taking photographs, breathing clean air into my lungs, and just experiencing being somewhere so quaintly, stunning. Whilst I don't think the two of us felt completely relaxed, images and sights will remain alive in my memory with fondness and warmth. Highlights included a fantastic Dali exhibition, and seeing works by Miro and Picasso in smaller exhibitions there. I also really want to go back to Brussels next year for a weekend and spend time visiting the many art galleries and museums as we only dropped by for a couple of hours on our way home.
Fast track a couple of months and I feel more settled in my job. My team friendships grow almost daily, and I feel that each passing week brings me closer into the fold. I am aware that my job will only be for another 12 months, but I'll try and make the most of being where I am for the time being; gathering as much training and knowledge as I can ready for my next step and challenge. As the year closes, I'm starting to miss my home again. Whilst I have much to be grateful for, I still have things to aim for, things I need in my life in order to feel whole again. I've entertained the thought that perhaps that bit of emptiness is okay,that it may always remain and that all I actually need to do is learn to appreciate and step back; to make more time for the things I enjoy, to laugh more and spend time with people I care about and who care about me. This year has taught me all those things are vital and while I'm entering the christmas period feeling wary of sadness- at a time where everyone turns to family and I'm still not sure where I belong- I'm also hopeful that what I've learnt this year will help me make better decisions and be a better person.
Truth be told, I was dreading this christmas away from home, away from a loving partner, and looking back on the difficulties of the year. But, my brother, his wife and my little neice will be joining the family Christmas this year for the first time and I hope that it will be special for that alone.
I'm going to be diving into some of the topics I've discussed here in more detail in the run up to Christmas.*
Resolution 4: Blog more.
I started off 2012 having left my best friend and partner of 8 years*, my home, alot of my belongings and the place where my heart and soul had resided for a year, impressing its gentle watermarks into the walls, surfaces and ambiance of each room. My mum was recovering from her breast cancer surgery, and my job was once again potentially under threat at a place where I'd found many friends and felt like one of the family.
Everything felt upside down. I was exhausted and mostly in tatters and about this time last year I had already decided that something had to change.
By January, I was back at my parents home, sleeping in a cold, back room of the house on a sofa bed. I started looking around for other jobs around this time too. By March, I was getting interviews for new jobs and after a few successful ones and two job offers I opted for a new job in Walsall, a promotion, and all round challenge. It was to be my second huge step into the unknown so early on into the year and despite the fears and conflictions I seized the opportunity as a new start.
During these months of interviews and CV's an job spiel, two things happened- I learnt how to juggle (!) and I met L* who was working down the coridoor in a temporary office. L has become my biggest smile of 2012. In him, I have found a true best friend for life and I owe him an awful lot for his stoic support, kind words and encouragement over the year. I love him dearly and hope I never ever lose his friendship.
In contrast, during this time I met a second person who would be my biggest mistake of the year. I also thought, this person- who I won't even grace with an initial, would be a true friend. I shared a great deal with them and, perhaps mislead by the sadness and instability in my life at the time, I leant on them for support. Instead, my trust was betrayed and I got caught up in bitter mind games resulting in nothing but let down, hurt and confusion.
I started my new job at the end of April.* The timing couldn't have been better as I needed to get away from the pressure cooker of friend-politics that had been building. After three years communting by train, I had to step away from time tables, platforms, reading newspapers and books in a carriage and healthy, brisk walks- and swap it for a 25 minute commute of sitting still staring at a road surface. I felt lost, stepping away from the comforts of my good friends, my work family who I had loved seeing daily- into a cold, old building in a very different area of the West Midlands. At a time where I craved stability and order, I found the transition hard but was relieved to find that my new working team was friendly and welcoming.
Resolution 1: Be more active.
Despite my friendly team, the job itself has brought about a new perspective of policing, people, culture and criminality. Instead of working on the peripheries of policing in a supportive role, I've learnt an awful lot from being thrust into the thick of actual police work. It's opened my eyes and altered some of my opions, and this in turn has added to my angst and fury at this odeous, bile-inducing- Government's policies. It's left me very resentful, as I'm sure regular blog readers will already know with many of my posts this year taking on a political rant tone in utter disgust at some of the unjustified impositions this Tory government has created.
Resolution 2: Be less angry.
May saw the birth of my little neice- Natalie*; another small blossom of newness, hope and smiles in an otherwise tumultuous and rocky time.
In late July, early August, our family cat Oscar had to be put down*. He was a friendly, clumsy, 14 year old black and white cat who had seemed well up until the week before his death. He had a deteriorating heart condition due to his age. I'm glad that I was with him when he was put to sleep. I held him, stroked his head as his eyes closed, and kissed him goodbye with a thank you for his life in our family home. He's left a small hole. Our remaining cat, Phoebe misses him, and she has been changed by his absence. She seems lost sometimes, and anxious of being alone- something I can very much relate to this year. I miss him too.
Living back at the family home after almost ten years of independence hasn't come easy. It's had an impact on my family relationships, some of which I will discuss later*.
My creativity hasn't gone by the wayside this year either. It's been a busy, chaotic year but I've managed to find time to complete some sculpture projects amidst it all. I think one of my resolutions next year will be to make more time for creative projects. That means more photo's. More clay. And learning a new skill.
Resolution 3: Be more creative.
My main trip of the year was my visit to Brugge with N. It was a beautiful place and it was great taking photographs, breathing clean air into my lungs, and just experiencing being somewhere so quaintly, stunning. Whilst I don't think the two of us felt completely relaxed, images and sights will remain alive in my memory with fondness and warmth. Highlights included a fantastic Dali exhibition, and seeing works by Miro and Picasso in smaller exhibitions there. I also really want to go back to Brussels next year for a weekend and spend time visiting the many art galleries and museums as we only dropped by for a couple of hours on our way home.
Fast track a couple of months and I feel more settled in my job. My team friendships grow almost daily, and I feel that each passing week brings me closer into the fold. I am aware that my job will only be for another 12 months, but I'll try and make the most of being where I am for the time being; gathering as much training and knowledge as I can ready for my next step and challenge. As the year closes, I'm starting to miss my home again. Whilst I have much to be grateful for, I still have things to aim for, things I need in my life in order to feel whole again. I've entertained the thought that perhaps that bit of emptiness is okay,that it may always remain and that all I actually need to do is learn to appreciate and step back; to make more time for the things I enjoy, to laugh more and spend time with people I care about and who care about me. This year has taught me all those things are vital and while I'm entering the christmas period feeling wary of sadness- at a time where everyone turns to family and I'm still not sure where I belong- I'm also hopeful that what I've learnt this year will help me make better decisions and be a better person.
Truth be told, I was dreading this christmas away from home, away from a loving partner, and looking back on the difficulties of the year. But, my brother, his wife and my little neice will be joining the family Christmas this year for the first time and I hope that it will be special for that alone.
I'm going to be diving into some of the topics I've discussed here in more detail in the run up to Christmas.*
Resolution 4: Blog more.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Busy Bee!
It's a busy time of year. I am, however, smugly able to say that I have completed all my christmas shopping and about two thirds of it is wrapped and ready to roll!
It'll be a wierd christmas for me this year; no tree or home of my own to decorate for christmas. I am once again in charge of decorating the Christmas table at my families home which I have started to gather bits for. The christmas period itself will be nice, with my brother, sister-in-law and my little neice coming back to the UK for the first time in years. It'll be the first time I've met my neice and the first time the whole family will be under one roof.
I will be keeping myself pre-occupied and busy in the run up to christmas to avoid feeling glum about not being in my own home anymore and being out of a relationship. I have a couple of christmas do's and birthday parties to attend, so my weekends are fully booked. It should help to keep my mind off things, though my bank balance is bound to take a bit of a hammering!
It'll be a wierd christmas for me this year; no tree or home of my own to decorate for christmas. I am once again in charge of decorating the Christmas table at my families home which I have started to gather bits for. The christmas period itself will be nice, with my brother, sister-in-law and my little neice coming back to the UK for the first time in years. It'll be the first time I've met my neice and the first time the whole family will be under one roof.
I will be keeping myself pre-occupied and busy in the run up to christmas to avoid feeling glum about not being in my own home anymore and being out of a relationship. I have a couple of christmas do's and birthday parties to attend, so my weekends are fully booked. It should help to keep my mind off things, though my bank balance is bound to take a bit of a hammering!
Thursday, October 04, 2012
Eight Legged Freaks.
After a couple of weeks fighting the good fight and having to rid the house of these vile, evil beasts; imagine my utter horror happening upon the following article:
This article goes on to explain how ten zoos around the country have been breeding this uber spider and are about to set about releasing them into the wild. This actually means, they've been breeding billions and billions of a massive super spider which they're now about to release into peoples homes. We all know that these things are clever; evil-clever. They've managed to get themselves bred with the advantages and safety of scientific-human help and now they're being released into people's houses- because we all know they rarely live outside where they could catch a hell of a lot MORE of the food they ALLEDGEDLY eat: flies; A long held argument for their existence which is, of course, crap. They would have no need to live inside houses if they ate flies. There's a FAR greater chance of catching flies OUTSIDE- where all the flies are. Needless to say, the great big bastards that stalk people's homes don't have 'catchy' webs for flies, they just leave trigger trails to pounce on and eat, what I can only assume, are other spiders or people.
I have found a number of spiders in my close proximity in the last few weeks. My knowledge of these things has grown over many years of observation and brain storming (see Spider Theory) and as such I knew the first few I saw last week were just the small ones; The scouts. The ones that stake out the territory before the big ones come in. I was right.
There it was in the bath.
There it was in the bath.
I tried to drown it. But it formed an umbrella with it's legs, an air pocket, so it couldn't drown. This intelligence fills me with dread. They know stuff. They think. You can see them thinking. I therefore had to resort tothe rather uncomfortable, but necessary, scorchingto death of turning on the hot tap. I don't care what anyone says- they're evil. It does NOT need to be in the house. If they wish to come up with an agreement by which they stay the fuck away from me, I will happily share the earth with them. But if they INSIST on invading my house, trying to crawl on me, or touch me in any way shape or form, or threaten to, they will die. Until of course they overpower us.
Not entirely sure how I'm going to sleep tonight knowing that some IDIOTS have been releasing these 8cm leg span spiders with the ability to glide over water... but still, I have a whole day off work tomorrow to enjoy so sleep I must.
Saturday, February 04, 2012
Home.
Okay.
I need to get this out. It's not likely to make much sense... but here goes.
I am in the process of a huge change in my life, and I'm feeling the biggest sense of loss I've ever experienced.
My home, my surroundings are incredibly important to me. Wherever I live- I need to feel that my surroundings reflect my personality, I need to feel safe, comfortable and like I'm stepping inside myself when I'm home.
Four weeks ago, I moved back to my folks house. I'm sleeping on a sofa bed, in a cold back room which isn't even a bedroom, with about a tenth of my belongings and pretty much living out of a suitcase and temporary clothes rail. It's the home I was raised in, but after living by myself for the past eight years, it's hard to suddenly find myself away from all my belongings, my home, my pictures on the walls along with all the independence and privacy that comes from owning your own property. Within the space of four weeks, I feel an immense sense of loss that I might be walking away from not only my relationship, my best friend of eight years, but also my lifestyle, my home... and probably the only chance I have at actually owning my own place and having it exactly the way I want it.
I need home. I miss it so much. I put my all into making this house a home... and now I face the devastating realisation that I have to walk away from it all and it hurts so freakin' much.
I'm in limbo right now and it would appear this is how it could be for a while, whilst I work out my next few unsteady steps.
I need to get this out. It's not likely to make much sense... but here goes.
I am in the process of a huge change in my life, and I'm feeling the biggest sense of loss I've ever experienced.
My home, my surroundings are incredibly important to me. Wherever I live- I need to feel that my surroundings reflect my personality, I need to feel safe, comfortable and like I'm stepping inside myself when I'm home.
Four weeks ago, I moved back to my folks house. I'm sleeping on a sofa bed, in a cold back room which isn't even a bedroom, with about a tenth of my belongings and pretty much living out of a suitcase and temporary clothes rail. It's the home I was raised in, but after living by myself for the past eight years, it's hard to suddenly find myself away from all my belongings, my home, my pictures on the walls along with all the independence and privacy that comes from owning your own property. Within the space of four weeks, I feel an immense sense of loss that I might be walking away from not only my relationship, my best friend of eight years, but also my lifestyle, my home... and probably the only chance I have at actually owning my own place and having it exactly the way I want it.
I need home. I miss it so much. I put my all into making this house a home... and now I face the devastating realisation that I have to walk away from it all and it hurts so freakin' much.
I'm in limbo right now and it would appear this is how it could be for a while, whilst I work out my next few unsteady steps.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Jersey and other things.
I just got back from a much needed break in Jersey for the weekend. It was beautiful. A bit cold and windy, but generally beautifully bright and crisp. It's a gorgeous place, lots of fusions of cultures and influences.
I took less photographs than I intended to, mainly because it was so windy and cold, but I'm pleased with the few I took. I miss photographs. I miss the thick heavy gloss paper and the smell of them straight from the developers. I know there's still no reason why I can't still pay to get them developed and put in albums... and I still do sometimes, but generally it's a shared online album- a poor subsititute despite it's far reaching range, appearing on friends computer screens the world over in a matter of minutes.
Still. I have them. And I want to start getting them published into proper photo books rather than sitting on a disk unseen. Another project for next year when I have a bit of money to spare. IF. I guess it's always IF.
I feel a bit out of sorts today. I'm in between coats of paint on the lounge chimney and so, decided to upload my Jersey photographs from my camera. I tagged an extra days holiday onto my weekdn since I was feeling so ground down at work before I left on Thursday. I feel better for going away. I always intend to chill out on my days off- but I have to do something or I get bored or worse, get bugged by this sense that I'm wasting time when there's so much else I should be doing be it round the house or garden or whatever chores need doing. I think it's the one thing about having a house I dislike the most- that vague, perfectionists-nightmare sense that there will ALWAYS be things to complete around the house... a never ending list of work to do. I also took delivery of three prints for the house yesterday so I'm chuffed to bits with those and can't wait to start hanging them... except I keep changing my mind about where they're going to go.
Lots coming up in the next month or so... couple of gigs, few friend visitis etc. I'm well aware that Christmas is sneaking up too. I look forward to the business of this time of year... I hate the dark mornings and evenings, but it's worth it for the crisp, cold, sunny days under layers of warm clothes, gloves and scarves.
I took less photographs than I intended to, mainly because it was so windy and cold, but I'm pleased with the few I took. I miss photographs. I miss the thick heavy gloss paper and the smell of them straight from the developers. I know there's still no reason why I can't still pay to get them developed and put in albums... and I still do sometimes, but generally it's a shared online album- a poor subsititute despite it's far reaching range, appearing on friends computer screens the world over in a matter of minutes.
Still. I have them. And I want to start getting them published into proper photo books rather than sitting on a disk unseen. Another project for next year when I have a bit of money to spare. IF. I guess it's always IF.
I feel a bit out of sorts today. I'm in between coats of paint on the lounge chimney and so, decided to upload my Jersey photographs from my camera. I tagged an extra days holiday onto my weekdn since I was feeling so ground down at work before I left on Thursday. I feel better for going away. I always intend to chill out on my days off- but I have to do something or I get bored or worse, get bugged by this sense that I'm wasting time when there's so much else I should be doing be it round the house or garden or whatever chores need doing. I think it's the one thing about having a house I dislike the most- that vague, perfectionists-nightmare sense that there will ALWAYS be things to complete around the house... a never ending list of work to do. I also took delivery of three prints for the house yesterday so I'm chuffed to bits with those and can't wait to start hanging them... except I keep changing my mind about where they're going to go.
Lots coming up in the next month or so... couple of gigs, few friend visitis etc. I'm well aware that Christmas is sneaking up too. I look forward to the business of this time of year... I hate the dark mornings and evenings, but it's worth it for the crisp, cold, sunny days under layers of warm clothes, gloves and scarves.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Wanting.
I'm having another "want" phase. Consumerist greed and shallow hearted wanting of "stuff".
It shamelessly, selfishly and pathetically manifests itself in me every now and then and I just want want want. Funnily enough it usually coincides with me feeling anxious, insecure or poor.
I have found my perfect wallpaper. But it is horrifically expensive. But it is perfect. But it's more than I would ever ever EVER have considered paying for wallpaper before I had a house. But it is perfect. It's like my soul on wallpaper. I want it.
I had this great idea for displaying my favorite LP's around the house which I have steadily been gathering over the last month. Yet I've stumbled on an issue with the actual frames... that issue being that to frame all the buggers it's going to cost me £250. But they will look awesome. I want them.
I have also found some perfect prints and artwork that I need to have on my walls. Rather than have inane, pointless artwork from IKEA I wanted my walls decorated with things that mean stuff to me. I want artwork that I love around me. Things like this are so important to me. To fund this sort of important love though... will cost me in the region of a further £300.
I bought new jeans today because they made my bum look good.
I also want new shoes. But then I always kinda want new shoes.
I've also been planning landscaping the courtyard patio area, despite knowing I will never in a million years be able to afford this. Not ever. But I want a Ships Wheel for it nonetheless.
I'm off to try and paint my kitchen and hope that the fumes will kill off this greed.
It shamelessly, selfishly and pathetically manifests itself in me every now and then and I just want want want. Funnily enough it usually coincides with me feeling anxious, insecure or poor.
I have found my perfect wallpaper. But it is horrifically expensive. But it is perfect. But it's more than I would ever ever EVER have considered paying for wallpaper before I had a house. But it is perfect. It's like my soul on wallpaper. I want it.
I had this great idea for displaying my favorite LP's around the house which I have steadily been gathering over the last month. Yet I've stumbled on an issue with the actual frames... that issue being that to frame all the buggers it's going to cost me £250. But they will look awesome. I want them.
I have also found some perfect prints and artwork that I need to have on my walls. Rather than have inane, pointless artwork from IKEA I wanted my walls decorated with things that mean stuff to me. I want artwork that I love around me. Things like this are so important to me. To fund this sort of important love though... will cost me in the region of a further £300.
I bought new jeans today because they made my bum look good.
I also want new shoes. But then I always kinda want new shoes.
I've also been planning landscaping the courtyard patio area, despite knowing I will never in a million years be able to afford this. Not ever. But I want a Ships Wheel for it nonetheless.
I'm off to try and paint my kitchen and hope that the fumes will kill off this greed.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Sugaaaarrrr!
So I'm feeling better... I've been feeling better since Mum got released from hospital. She's doing okay but getting her to rest is probably going to prove harder than I thought.
I can finally sleep now. And I don't feel so tense all the time. My appetite is back too... with avengence. I completely overdosed on sugar at work yesterday and today suffered the sugar come-down with full on headache to boot.
Nothing that a faithful Annadin Extra couldn't sort out but still... I should probably ease off the sugar a bit.
My records are arriving steadily. I've been buying some classic LP's to display on walls round the house. I've been picking ones that mean something to me... but keeping it down to a few is hard, since so many have had a big impact on my life. I like the choices I've made. I need a couple more... and I've also got my eye on some awesome prints which I cannot WAIT to get my hands on. That little bit of overtime I did when the riots were on may well come in very handy.
:-)
I can finally sleep now. And I don't feel so tense all the time. My appetite is back too... with avengence. I completely overdosed on sugar at work yesterday and today suffered the sugar come-down with full on headache to boot.
Nothing that a faithful Annadin Extra couldn't sort out but still... I should probably ease off the sugar a bit.
My records are arriving steadily. I've been buying some classic LP's to display on walls round the house. I've been picking ones that mean something to me... but keeping it down to a few is hard, since so many have had a big impact on my life. I like the choices I've made. I need a couple more... and I've also got my eye on some awesome prints which I cannot WAIT to get my hands on. That little bit of overtime I did when the riots were on may well come in very handy.
:-)
Tuesday, September 06, 2011
Jelly.
Just back from my first visit to see Mum in the HDU. Her Op took longer than expected due to complications which is going to have an impact on recovery but hopefully things are going okay for the time being.
She looks so uncomfortable, swollen, sore. There's alot of wires and beeping equipment. There's just a single bed in a big, light room. And there's my Mum in the middle of it all, in a lot of pain... and I can't do anything to help.
She's going to be in longer than expected. In all probability she'll still be in hospital for her birthday which is rubbish. Hopefully we can make up for it with lots of balloons when she comes out.
I fed her mushroom soup. Vic fed her jelly for afters.
She's in the best possible place; her doctor and nurses all seem nice and they're keeping avery close eye on her... and I know no matter what happens she'll get through it... all that rational bullshit that you get told over and over... but ultimately, my Mum is in pain and I can't do anything to help and that pretty much sucks.
She looks so uncomfortable, swollen, sore. There's alot of wires and beeping equipment. There's just a single bed in a big, light room. And there's my Mum in the middle of it all, in a lot of pain... and I can't do anything to help.
She's going to be in longer than expected. In all probability she'll still be in hospital for her birthday which is rubbish. Hopefully we can make up for it with lots of balloons when she comes out.
I fed her mushroom soup. Vic fed her jelly for afters.
She's in the best possible place; her doctor and nurses all seem nice and they're keeping avery close eye on her... and I know no matter what happens she'll get through it... all that rational bullshit that you get told over and over... but ultimately, my Mum is in pain and I can't do anything to help and that pretty much sucks.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Okay. My first thought turned to this ---------------------->
Pop-Up Pirate, the game that many of us had when we were small I'm sure. It seemed this was to be merely my first encounter with the my Pirate Destiny.
I believe this game belonged to my older brother who also spent many an hour playing with Pirate lego, Pirate playmobile and so on. I must have been pretty much surrounded by pirates as a child so this was bound to have a long lasting effect on me.
Here's my brother when he was little, possibly about 8 or 9 years old... look closely at his clothing. Stripes, a scarf, belt with big buckle and a parrot on his T-shirt... blatantly Pirate. (Thank god he's in Japan, he'd kill me if he saw this). He also owned a Pirate ship which I think is still in the attic somewhere.
My first piece of evidence was in the form of a photograph of Drayton Manor Theme Park... the photo plainly showed the Pirate Adventure ride- which happened to be my favorite at the time... mainly because I was way too small for most of the other rides and I pretty much hate anything that moves faster than I can think- no jokes about my brain speed please. I remember many a holiday to Cornwall. Hell, we still go there now, and I think we all hold it in our hearts as our family holiday destination. Cornwall, aside from being a holiday destination famous for pasties, piskies and cream teas, is also famous for Pirates. Lots of them, and a quick internet search will pick up many a tale and legend.
As I trawled through lots of family photographs spanning over some 20 odd years I should think, I found a pattern emerging. On most holidays, my family were able to track down large galleon sailing ships! My dad does have a fascination with boats so I think that explains it- but just how many photographs I found of these damn galleons was incredible, and now I too have seem to get drawn to these big ships when I see them. I even took a photograph of one last holiday in a place called Charlestown- another famous Pirate place.
So, even our family holidays were tinged with Pirate activity, visiting Pirate locations and playing on galleons. Look on the left and you'll see my brother playing with a cannon aboard one ship.
On the right here, my poor father experiences Pirate torture as my brother and I develop our blood thirst at a young age.
My little sister was born in 1989, and even years after these photos were taken, our family holidays were still including visits to sailing ships- possibly to train up the new Pirate in our midst. In the picture below, my sister could be no older than three and yet she finds herself at the helm of another Galleon. Incredible.
To Conclude:
Wether or not my family has REAL Pirate blood running through our veins is yet to be proven, but the overwhelming evidence suggests that it's a trait that we won't escape.
Holidays were tainted with Pirate activity, spending more than average amounts of time on large galleons and sailing ships. Echoes of this at home seeped into our lives playing with Pirate games, wearing Pirate clothes (in my brothers case) and playing with Pirate themed toys. The visiting of Pirate heritage still occurs on family holidays today.
It seems the Pirate instinct has lain dormant for some time and has gradually been re-awoken. Unable to pull away from the magnetism of the Skull and Crossbones symbol, The Jolly Roger has crept into my families wardrobe, decor and right into the core of our being.
It really is no wonder I just HAD to buy those shoes.
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