How times change.............

Yesterday we took the children to a garden centre to see Santa, they stood in line and then went to see him and explained how good they had been and that they deserved and wanted various presents!!

 Ironically looking at their lists the night before had scared me rigid enough, and we had managed to ease them down to a more reasonable figure, still excessive to me, but in lieu of before and looking at costs I am honest enough to say not a child's often ridiculous wishlist.When Santa was asked no sudden surprises came out of the woodwork, such as "I want a drum kit!!" and we all went home happy, but the event left me wondering about two scenarios, one more a piece of advice and one a quandary...............

I offer this advice to all parents, it is a very important piece of advice and I urge you all to tell everyone you know, I am sorry to all stores I am upsetting on the way but Christmas magic and children are more important.

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, ALLOW CHILDREN TO GO AND VISIT SANTA IN HIS GROTTO AFTER ABOUT THE 21ST DECEMBER!!! ABSOLUTELY DO NOT EVEN THINK OF CHRISTMAS EVE!!!!!!

I realise a lot of Santa's and Elves might also be bored here, but as parents we need to see a bigger picture and see a longer game. When a child sits on Santa's knee that close to Christmas Day, safe in the knowledge that only Santa can deliver, forget Amazon, Hamleys or any other trick we may know, a switch in their brain cuts in and suddenly then they ask for something we have never heard about before. It will be an item that was so common a few weeks ago that shops could not give it away, but now, with no time left, the child is going to find out that Santa cannot deliver everything, and in the worst possible way let downs happen I appreciate that let downs happen, but in my eyes they should not happen to a child at Christmas!!

So do not let a cild down and don't see Santa, and don't let helpful Grandparents, Uncles,Aunts or Friends try

2013......

It is 2013, Happy New Year!!! 2012 has gone and finished, we all cheered for Her Majesty, roared for the Olympics and Para-Olympics, and then collectively waited to see what was going to happen on the 21st of December, was the world going to end, were catastrophes about to strike nations the like of which have never been seen before, or did the WHOLE WORLD spend the day asking each other what time things would happen, argue and debate different time zones, and then go to bed disappointed!!!

So here we are, 2013, the World never ended, some of us saved some money as when we bought Christmas gifts the sales were on - after the 21st - and when I bought petrol earlier the service station was selling Easter Bunnies and Eggs, and the wheels keep turning...............

Let's go back a step, let's forget the frivolity, we had Christmas, yesterday, as tradition dictates the decorations came down, and for all intents and purposes it is all forgotten until October time when the rush starts again, and yet on the 1st of January many of us swore allegiance to the tradition of New Year Resolutions!!!!

We were going to do all sorts in the year ahead, all in the name of "it is a New Year and a new start!!!"

• Lose weight.
• Stop smoking
• Change jobs
• Get a job
• Start aerobics
• Start swimming
• Go to India
• Become a vegetarian
• Get married
• Get Divorced
• Learn to dance

The list is endless, it can contain things that seem so trivial to someone and huge to others, and at the same time so simple to achieve and at the same time impossible seeming to follow through.......

How many of us made resolutions that have already been broken or at the least been threatened? I always say "I am going to lose weight!" I only want to lose a stone, maybe two, you would think that is quite easy to follow, two stone, 12 months to do it that is 2 pounds a month!!!! So why have I just sat here and eaten chocolate whilst typing this, why last night did I suddenly need more chocolate at 11pm????!!!!!! 

I know I am a chocoholic, understand the chocolate tonight was Hotel Chocolat, single Estate, limited edition finest blend, 55% chocolate. I could fill pages with all the words in the world about how to taste chocolate, enjoy chocolate, the after taste, the explosion of flavours you will experience as the chocolate hits different flavour zones and how these then combine to formulate the final experience and flavour. How your own mind conjures up an expectation that the taste buds then match in order to complete the package; and a proper chocolate after taste will only be one of the purest chocolate flavour as the added tastes melt away.

But who am really telling this to?? I am using this as a reason to eat the chocolate instead of just looking at it, and as such gaining the 2lbs and not losing it!!!!

Which is why I have this suggestion, and it is not really all mine to take the credit for, my Wife told me how she had read this and we agree with it - 

Why set yourself up for a fall?? By all means have a dozen resolutions you want to follow, have 2 dozen, but, do not try to start them all on Day 1!!!! Write them all down, and then classify them in an order you want to follow. From there right down a month next to the resolution, so against the couple of really key ones write January, the next few write March, then have a break and write June against a few and so on.

Better to achieve slowly, than rush and fail all, look at the list see what is best and take it from there, and who knows, when you get to June it may seem that "build a snowman" is a somewhat pointless exercise................

Yesterday we took the children to a garden centre to see Santa, they stood in line and then went to see him and explained how good they had been and that they deserved and wanted various presents!!

Ironically looking at their lists the night before had scared me rigid enough, and we had managed to ease them down to a more reasonable figure, still excessive to me, but in lieu of before and looking at costs I am honest enough to say not a child's often ridiculous wishlist.When Santa was asked no sudden surprises came out of the woodwork, such as "I want a drum kit!!" and we all went home happy, but the event left me wondering about two scenarios, one more a piece of advice and one a quandary...............

I offer this advice to all parents, it is a very important piece of advice and I urge you all to tell everyone you know, I am sorry to all stores I am upsetting on the way but Christmas magic and children are more important.

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, ALLOW CHILDREN TO GO AND VISIT SANTA IN HIS GROTTO AFTER ABOUT THE 21ST DECEMBER!!! ABSOLUTELY DO NOT EVEN THINK OF CHRISTMAS EVE!!!!!!

I realise a lot of Santa's and Elves might also be bored here, but as parents we need to see a bigger picture and see a longer game. When a child sits on Santa's knee that close to Christmas Day, safe in the knowledge that only Santa can deliver, forget Amazon, Hamleys or any other trick we may know, a switch in their brain cuts in and suddenly then they ask for something we have never heard about before. It will be an item that was so common a few weeks ago that shops could not give it away, but now, with no time left, the child is going to find out that Santa cannot deliver everything, and in the worst possible way. I appreciate that let downs happen, but in my eyes they should not happen to a child at Christmas!!

So do not let a child down and don't see Santa, and don't let helpful Grandparents, Uncles, Aunts or Friends try to help either, I implore you!!

Now the quandary..............

If you are a store Santa what are you to do when all the children are asking for such inappropriate gifts. This is not a silly question of morality but a real one of conscience over wages??!!

Here is the scenario..............

Little Johnny or Mary is sat in the grotto telling Santa they expect an X-Box and a game which is totally not for their age group. Santa knows this is wrong, what does he say? he glances at Mum or Dad and they are talking on their phone and have no idea of the conversation. Or he glances over and the single parent is shaking their head and very obviously cannot afford this?? Santa has suddenly become a social worker as well as a child's eagerly awaited visit. Then add the pressure the stroe is piling on that says "get the answer so we can sell it!!"

So what does Santa do??

Is it for Santa to say whether a child should be encouraged to play war games or hire hookers? Surely Santa is the one person that can get away with this? If a nine year old thinks this is a good idea now, what will they be like at 18? As a parent it is a question I ask daily, but can Santa influence things.

Santa sees the rich and the poor, but to him a child is a child, is this a small chance to be able to gently put it to the child that the expensive toy may not be right at the moment, it may be later, but now would be a good time to cut back. Again Santa has that ability without causing a panic.

However, and here is the quandary, is this a store Santa's problem, is it their issue? What it comes down to is a scenario based on personal conscience and belief. Is the Santa here  to work 9-5 and get his wages every week, end of story, or is he here to conjure up some magic for the children, listen to their want's and reply to their questions. Leave the children safe in their belief.

If the Santa works 9-5 and takes home his salary, well the children are on their own and so are the parents. If the Santa conjures up magic, he is really working for the actual Big Man, he will report back, and he will ease the children into the right frame of mind.

The way I see things was made clear a few years ago, I always believed I just couldn't verbalise things in later years, and then............

Their is a Santa for everyone, he may not be seen as the big man in a red suit, as Coca-Cola, want us to believe, but we all have a visit of sorts, and, as long as the Santa that is seen is the second type it will be all right on the night, and if it is the first, never forget, the real Santa will find out somehow, and in time..............

Fresh - A look back and forwards.

Fresh

Stripped of emotion

Stripped of pain

Stripped of fear

Stripped of worry

Stripped of futures yet to come

A blank canvas to start again..........

Fresh - Reprise

Reborn emotions full of hope

Reborn emotions free of pain

Reborn emotions unknowing of fear

Reborn emotions without a worry

Reborn emotions eager to embrace the future

A blank canvas desperate to be painted...........

Acceptance

When a plan for the future is in place,

When a plan for tomorrow exists, and for the next day and every day thereafter,

Everything is so rosy and the path is so easy to follow.

But what happens when a fall along the way,

Stops the path being in place any more.........

The nicely mapped out future stops, 

The nicely forecast ways become a dream and not reality,

The hopes and expectations set before, crumble into dust.

Until the changes caused by a fall become faced, 

Acceptance never fully becomes reality, 

And as Acceptance fails to take hold, 

A healing process cannot begin.

The cracks can be papered over,

The fear can be pushed away,

But the ache of despair never leaves, 

The blackness of the pit only deepens,

The only cure is Acceptance.

The key remains Acceptance.............

It is the 30th October, we have fallen into that period of inbalance and hesitation caused by circumstance. It is not a new period it happens every year, and every year I sit here thinking the same and trying to decide where to best manouvere next so that things are best tackled as the next period confronts us.........

Tomorrow is Halloween, people will knock on the door, dressed in a variety of ghoulish costumes, with parents in tow as they are young and need protecting, but all looking for sweets, because they feel they are deserving of them, and as I have not the heart to say trick, nor do I want my car trashed, I give them sweets!!

Then we have firework night, another night of excess when all sorts of explosives are sent into the air, as we are surrounded by teenagers, we will spend the following few weeks having a variety of fireworks let off at stupid times and at inapropriate places. Eventually someone gets hurt and it stops until New Year!!

As a Pyro person I also shudder when I see small children with Sparklers, when will parents realize that these are white hot pieces of metal that we give to young children to wave around, then grasp with acrylic and wool gloves that melt into burning little hands and fingers!!!! Forget the injury when they poke each other in the eye!!

PLEASE USE GLOW STICKS INSTEAD!!!!

It is half term, so the children are also starting to say how bored they are, and what is a solution - Do their Christmas list??!!

And that is the period of inbalance..............

The clocks have gone back so now it is dark early, therefore it must be winter!! If it is not light they can't really go out on their BMX late, or to the park, so moan. As it is now winter where is the snow??? As it is not yet snowing that is my fault!!

All children have a belief that Santa knows the pages and item numbers in the Argos catalogue. They also are certain he has an Elf department whose sole job is to ensure that firstly the North Pole has always got all of the Argos supplements, leaflets and Christmas specials, and then to also make sure that regardless the items held on the pages are ALWAYS available!!!

A sensible use of this period of dullness would be to do the Christmas lists, but no, why would anyone want to provide anything to make life easier, why would a child want to allow Santa a bit of breathing space when the 20th of December is a far better date to announce what is really wanted!!

So here is that "no-mans land" of time, the music channels are not playing Christmas music, the film channels have not woken up to Christmas movies yet. Supermarkets are 70% there, but children do not go there often, and other shops we keep them away from, the food channels on the TV have not yet begun the endless rounds of festive recipes and treats, and the terrestrial channels have not yet started the usual round of Children in Need, Heroes at Christmas, Pride of Britain etc...

It is just a nothing time, a time when we all have great intentions to write cards, buy early gifts, and prepare food for the freezer. The reality, we run around as a taxi service, realize what is actually needed and then start to worry how we are going to do this, and I am sorry to sound like doom and gloom, this is not a James negative rant, but, if I just look at things with a pure financial slant, no one has a chance, I know I don't!!!

Does this mean that the time has arrived to turn the clock back, I don't know to when, but surely, Christmas is a time of togetherness in this time of neither Christmas or Summer we should prepare for this. We should also remember the words of Burton Hillis -

"The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other."

Surely now as we just meander we need to state, "forget the thousands of pounds, this year here there just will not be that, have each other instead"

Do we think it will work......................

Protect My Family............

This entry has come about as a result of my reading my friend Lisa in the USA's blog (www.imakemslookgood.weebly.com/blog.html) and how it set me thinking............

Here in the UK there have been a couple of high profile child abduction / murders lately. Everyone is up in arms and asking how and why?!

Well I am a bit confussed, if my car is stolen I tell Tracker who turn on the microchip thing and very quickly the police find my car, if they are really clever they then time things properly and catch the thieves as well!!

Why are my children, my wife and me and if you like, not also therefore microchipped?

I do not care if a "big brother" type wants to know I am in my house, or at the shops. I do however want to know that if my kids, wife or even me, are missing we can be located and rescued VERY,VERY quickly!!!!

I figure that someone is fairly aware of what I am doing most of the time anyway; most of the post I get seems to have some sort of "serial number" included on it, that is always the same, regardless of who the sender is. Therefore I have to assume somewhere a database is logging what I get. Google, I am told, is seeing where I go on the net, so is Microsoft!! I believe, again from what I am told, Orange, and all other mobile operators, are more than aware of my mobile activity.

I am absolutely certain that "agencies" are montoring all internet and phone traffic from EVERYONE, not listening in or reading, but if certain words or phrases hit a certain trigger, different levels of monitoring swing into action, it is fairly simple software to devise, and like it or not, I feel it is a vital part of homeland security.

Alongside all of this activity that is very hands-on we are surrounded by a network of cameras that follow our every move in towns, on roads and in shops. At all times and in all places information is being gathered on our movements and activities.

So why in this day and age are we suffering with a plague of children being taken. Maybe I am just being niaive, we moan if we find a stray dog that is not chipped, we moan if our car is stolen and not chipped, and yet here is a solution to keep tags on our most precious people, and yet this is seen as an invasion of privacy. If I give all of my children certain makes of phone, with the GPS bits turned on, I could use a similar phone to find out where they are, but I do not want my young children with phones as well, I want them going to school, after-school clubs, and other activities, without having more gadgets with them, this is before cost is brought into the equation.

Well I am sorry, privacy does not come into the picture if it is the only thing between me and losing my children or wife. I have an emergency bracelet thing for me I wear at home, in case I have a fall and need help. I do not want this for the rest of the family, just put an invisible chip somewhere under their skin, and if, God forbid, if I ever need to find them, quickly, we just turn it on, like Tracker on the car and Hey Presto..............

Please Chip my family, it must be a safer solution than just hoping it will be alright.................

Space The Final Frontier

Space, the final frontier, a whole and vast expanse of galaxies that lead to an unquantifiable amount of stars, planets and further galaxies.

We look at the planets that we are aware of, we see the planets we can visit and explore, and they are..........the moon!!!!

And even that is a struggle, we can send an unmanned craft to Mars and through our "advanced technology" can use rover vehicles to explore. some, of the planet. If the vehicle falls down a ditch, goes out of range or breaks down, it is game over!! And to go to Mars takes in excess of 6 months to get there, that means the rocket has to be pretty big with a lot of fuel, oxygen and food. As for the disposal of rubbish and toilet waste I am not sure I want to go there!!

But let's us think of a greater expanse than just the little area that we call "our universe." We know from looking far into space that there are an infinite number of universes, and as such an even greater number of solar systems like ours. Systems based upon the basic structure of having a larger "sun like" star that other planets rotate around. The system may have one or many suns, it may have a few or many planets. All we know at the moment is they are there.

This then in turn raises the question of "Quantum Leaping".  Right now this is a theoretical type of travel based upon a vibration theory and an infinite number of universes and Doplegang versions of us. In theory there are millions of galaxies, all overlayed and all with a very close version of ourselves, but not quite the same. The leaping bit means we can travel all of these galaxies at will and when we want. Any of these parallel universes are available to be visited.

There is a problem here though, the galaxies are more of a virtual entity than a real thing. Like the world in Avatar, they exist, however, their accessability is through the mind and not the body.

And so the question is brought up about all these universes and galaxies. If there are so many, a number that is so huge we cannot begin to compute it, there must be more life than merely the species on this one tiny planet. It cannot be possible that out of all of these opportunities, in this limitless expanse and wealth of variety, that only life has developed here on Earth.

What has to be acepted is that life is very unlikely to exist in a form that is currently recognizeable to us as humans. It is unlikely that life supported in this solar system is the same as that supported in another. There may well be others that have life forms similar, but there will be many where life forms differ hughely.

From this variety of life there must also be a huge variety in development levels accepted; as such we must accept planetary lifeform as being above, below or at our level. We have to grasp the greater technology with both hands. It must become our role to learn from above, develop the technology to our understanding and then mentor lesser lifeforms,

So there is a vast, untapped area, a huge unknown. We cannot take our current technologies and just go off exploring, we can only use the limited amount of resource we have to probe outer reaches that we can reach. All we are doing is scratching the tiniest surface of the unknown, all we can hope is that another, more advanced, lifeform, sees our attempts, does not rub their hands in glee as they see a soft target to destroy, but come to our aid in the never ending struggle to explore, learn and expand our knowledge.

I Tried, I Fought Against This............

I have done everything in my power to fight against this, I have fought inner demons and battled with my conscience repeatedly. I have had an Angel on my right shoulder telling me how good I am to resist and ignore, and on my left is that little red Devil telling, no, yelling, at me to "DO IT, WRITE IT DOWN, MAKE IT HEARD!!!!"

The battle started at the end of the summer, an event that is clearly marked in my mind by "The Last Night of The Proms" not the pseudo events that take place around the country as an excuse to get people to sit in a field and pay money for the privilege, but the real event, the actual event at the Royal Albert Hall. In my mind, and shared by others, that one event alone, and regardless of all the mumbo-jumbo about Indian Summers and hot weather fronts, is the true end of Summer. It is like Labour Day in the USA, it is the salient event that triggers the start of a whole host of chain reactions.

And so the battle starts...........

From this day onwards my whole attitude changes, my whole routine changes and my whole cycle of events changes -

• Attitude - I am like a hunting dog straining at the leash, I say nothing openly, I may make the odd comment, like the dog whining, but I do not enter into diatribes and rants about future events. But I observe. I go to supermarkets and notice spaces being cleared and different stock arriving, I eagerly hunt for the sneaky appearance of give away products, and I spot these tell tale signs that others miss. I buy the Sunday Times avidly to scan through the Culture section to see what concert dates are released, these too add to my tension until it is like a bow string stretched to breaking point.
• Routine - I start scanning the trees, checking for leaf change and conker development to show the season change. I check temperatures regularly to allow for addition of jumpers into the wardrobe, and then I spend hours, literally hours reading and scanning on-line for winter weather forecasts, changes, snow reports and ice reports, just to make sure things are going OK. 
• Cycle of Events - From the proms onwards things become more important, before they are not as important, but now there is a battle raging inside, I have this to deal with and control, and at the same time I am scanning papers, emails, magazines even shop windows for signs of activity, looking for the addition of extremities to buildings to hold things and places to visit. The cycle just got tighter!!!

And now as I sit here it is the 1st of October, September has gone, is this now officially mid-Autumn, in fact soon can I not start classing this as late Autumn and even heading towards Winter? BUT STOP, the Angel appears and quite rightly says "do not wish the year gone yet!!" The Angel is showing a blood thirsty side I never knew was there!!

So let's look at the year and then I can explain the battle, but I am going to start in June, for ease -

• June, July, August - Summer, long days, sun (maybe!!) and not really much to worry about.
• September, October, November - Let's come back to this.
• December, January, February - CHRISTMAS, and then a huge come down!!!
• March, April, May - Forget new life, March is Yuk!! April is a bit better and at least May is getting to Summer!!

So let us come back to September, October and November -

Last Night of The Proms has kicked things off, Summer has ended and hold on tight the ride starts here, the mad roller coaster ride that happens every year and, like all roller coasters, has ups and downs and twists and turns, but always ends with a breathless rush to the finish!! 

So we climb the first incline, slowly, but at every turn of the wheels the anticipation grows, the knot in the belly gets bigger, as the climb gets a bit higher and the imagination starts whirring more and more, and all the time the Angel and the Devil keep on saying STOP and GO, GO like to demented mice on wheels. I hold my breath, afraid that if I breath I may blurt out my feelings and the Devil will win over before the race is run.

Silent I simmer, still I buzz with anticipation, my Wife knows and throws me the occasional lifeline in trips to wholesale suppliers that are more ahead than retail, akin to providing a drug addict with a small "fix" occasionally these visits go some way to maintaining me on an even keel, the Angel continues to pour soothing words into my psyche in an attempt to just keep me fighting a little longer.

IT IS NOW OCTOBER!!!!!

I have held back for over a month, yes I know the Proms were 8th September, but I started looking in August!! I cannot suffer any more, I have to bow to the inevitable, I tried to to keep this silence going, I fought hard against the tied that is heralded by the time. I have laid in bed with my iPod playing tunes of this period to try and maintain my status-quo, well I just can't any longer.............

You see, September, October, November are the best months of the year, they are the run up to CHRISTMAS. As of December 1st we have 31 days of Christmas and then we have January, February and March of absolute Yuk, April is not much better, but, September, October and November are pure heaven as everywhere prepares for December!! 

Shops start filling with Christmas fayre, outside Christmas lights start adorning High Streets, vendors sell chestnuts, and most importantly, people generally smile!!

I accept Christmas can be a terrible time for people, and I accept Christmas is really for the children, but it is also for everyone. Forget the religious side of things, just look around, smile at people, say hello and Happy Christmas. You will be surprised at the response. Christmas is hard for many, and we must not forget that, but to show them kindness and friendship with a smile and a few words costs nothing, I expect that those few minutes spent will mean a lot to some people.

I also want you to think of one other thing, I have a strange view on gifts, I have always had this - 

The value of a gift to me is not a monetary thing, I do not really care if something cost a thousand pounds or a penny. I really don't, what touches me is that someone has thought of me, and decided I would like an item and have a use for it and therefore wrapped it for me, taken the time to think of me and decide this for me!! It might be they saw me struggle with a load of paper so wrapped a few paper clips, they saw, they thought and they acted. That is what Christmas presents mean**. 

And there is the battle I have been having, I have lost, but I do not care, because now it is out there, it is the countdown to Christmas Day - 84 Sleeps, 2017 Hours, and it is on a Tuesday!!!

**Mother, if you are reading this, I struggled driving last week, and an Aston Martin would really help!!!

Books - the future...........

I keep reading (ironic!!) and hearing on the news and in passing this seemingly never ending debate about the pros and cons of the e-Book compared to the "good old fashioned" book.

There seems to be so much debate from both the old and the young, and surprisingly, not always in the directional swing in or out of the favour that we all would naturally expect!!

I found earlier today a blog by a fellow MS sufferer ( www.imakemslookgood.weebly.com/blog.) and she is writing a book, one of the debates she is having is paper or e-book, if this was the TV series "The Big Bang Theory" it would be easy,  a quick game of - Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard, Spock and the problem would be solved!!

If you need the rules either watch the show or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock-paper-scissors-lizard-Spock

Enough rambling on, let me put a theory down.............

I grew up with books, by the age of about 4 I was reading Steinbeck and at Primary school I had read every book in their library before I left!! My grandparents had a library in their house and I would spend hours, literally hours, sat taking down book after book and flicking through it, reading it cover to cover, re-reading it, taking down more books, rearranging books, and generally just sitting there inhaling the smell and soaking in the ambiance of the books.

The feel of magic that can only be brought about from the feeling of opening a new book, hearing the pages crackle and the faint smell of new paper drifting up, will never be replaced. The feel and smell of a well worn and loved tome will also never be replaced, as the volume falls into a place of comfort into the hand and the body and soul feels complete again; that is the magic a book brings. Not the words within, not the story, the history or the knowledge it reveals, just the physical BOOK.

So here we have a physical item, a new or well loved article. When we see it memories are evoked of where we bought it and where we took it. Places we read it or cities and villages it guided us to. We took the words held within and they spun a web that made us want to delve more and more into the abyss and mystery.

From the stories and tales we read, we learned about far off places, and haunts that may have been so close and familiar to us we had passed by daily for many years, and yet never thought, or really seen, what an author had. The words had inspired us to go and see, to visit landmarks, chase dreams or look for treasure, real or imagined, but either way conjured up from the words that a piece of literature had developed.

So here is the quandary, on the one hand is the magic inspired by the actual book, or on the other is it the words that conjure up the true picture that is beyond replacement??

So, here is a new slant, one that may have been seen, but may not have been said, well, I will say it!!!

I love physical books, and I love the words held within. I accept that a physical book cannot be replaced, I love my e-reader, but, it is not a book!! But there is a reason I NEED my electronic book, and why it is so good in the global scale of things...............

I am a disabled person, I have dexterity issues, not major, just annoying, I have found that handling books is an issue. Holding them, turning the pages without dropping them, or losing my place is a complete nuisance. I also need to flip backwards and forwards a bit between pages as I sometimes get characters muddled up!!!

My e-reader lets me flip pages, I can't lose my page, and I have dropped it a few times and it is fine!! I have thousands of books saved on this PC, on my reader I have a memory card and that has some 5000 books on it, that is 13 years reading, and then only if I read a novel a day!!!!! I do not read a novel a day!!!!

I do have about 6 novels on the go at the moment, but have I got these all over the house? No they are all on 1 device and I can flick between them as I want. I have lost the "feely touch" of a book, but the words are still the same, I am still reading and re-reading books. The same words are still taking me to magical lands, far away planets or dark alleyways where murderers lurk.

More importantly than all of these things, from a male angle, my wife got all her cupboards back, and the local charity shop got a HUGE delivery of books when my e-reader took over, so I was doing good!!!!

So e-Book or normal book, it is a tight call, I can get e-Books published and ready to go for FREE, normal books are not free. But a book is a real and tangible result. You put in the hours and here is the physical result, a finely printed, lovely bound, new book.

Wear my disabled hat - E-Book of course, why would I want a book to struggle with!!
Wear my gadget man hat - E-Book of course, real books are old hat, pah!!!
Wear my traditionalist hat - How can you not have a proper book first e-Book, pah!!!
Wear my real person hat - Perhaps by having a real book published first is the difference between an actual author and a person who can throw a few words together, put them into pages, and make an e-Book!!

I was upset,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

A strange thing happened today, for the first time EVER, in all the time I have had MS and been classed as disabled, which is some 5 years now, I was made to feel embarrassed, and was upset. I walked away and was not even going to be "eloquent" with a manager!!!

Normally, and I had made a pact not to, I was not going to use this Blog to rant about MS and stuff, but just his once..............

Let me set the scene -

Today was my Mother's 70th birthday, after I had ribbed her for being old and told her she really should now consider an OAP home(!!), I deliberately never told her I would join her and my Sister at Cliveden Hotel for afternoon tea, and everything was set for the afternoon.


I pulled up today outside the hotel, the concierge offered his help, I asked for disabled parking. He informed Cliveden had none but very grudgingly let me park next to a car half way down the car park. I drive a 3 year old Volvo S60, it is not a wreck and quite respectable. My Sister joined me a few minutes later, in her brand new BMW Z4, she just parked near the door, he never even looked, so you just need a nice car, or good figure!!!!

I  never reacted to this, we were at the hotel for afternoon tea, to spoil my Mother for her 70th Birthday.

There is no disabled ramp access, I have a walker device to help my mobility, but with help from my Mother and Sister, I was able to get up the steps to the hotel. No comment was made by any staff, no help or alternative was offered. We were shown to a table, and again no "easy" route was suggested, had there been people at other tables I would have had further problems. So either the staff were embarrassed or just plain ignorant!!!

Afternoon tea was very good, and the staff were very attentive and I could not fault their service. At least there is a plus point here.

And then the major issue arose..............

I needed the toilet, I went off looking for the disabled facilities, the easy access facilities designed with the disabled in mind. The ones on the same level, with no steps to negotiate, and maybe a little wider than normal with a few handles as well.

Firstly a cleaner pointed at the "Gents" so I struggled down 4 steps, with my walker, but the toilet was down a spiral type staircase. I can't go down those with the walker. So I struggle back to the lounge, find a member of staff and ask for the disabled toilet, after a few minutes of consultation with a colleague, I am told the apparently only disabled toilet is "out of order!!"

My Mother and Sister suggested I used a "Ladies" toilet whilst they stopped others coming in. The staff thought that was a good idea!! So I struggled down another 4 steps, used the "Ladies" whilst my Mother and Sister stood guard. Maybe if they had rifles they could have marched up and down as well!!

I have MS, I was diagnosed back in 2007, through the progression of the illness I have been forced to use the walker since about 2010. In all that time today was the first time I have EVER been embarrassed through being disabled and having to use a walker.

I never thought of parking as an imposition, I never thought that I drove an embarrassment of a car, perhaps I should have used my Wife's Volvo XC90 instead. I certainly would never have felt that an establishment of the calibre that Cliveden claims to be would not have disabled facilities and a contingency plan in place if existing facilities are not in use.

Maybe they were meant to say "if I walked into the ground and cocked my leg against a tree like a dog, or maybe added to the water in the fountain lake................."

So I just wanted to spout off here a bit, because I was left a bit, or actually a lot, deflated, and surprised that in this age of disabled focus, and when the Para-Olympics have just been such a high profile, how anywhere, and especially somewhere of Cliveden's calibre and alleged excellence, can be so bad at dealing with a fairly low level disabled person!!!

Food, Food, Food..............

I was on a well known Social Media site the other day, and reading through peoples various posts. Some were funny, some sad and some were just a narrative on events of life.

And then I read a post from a friend who is the Fiancée of one of my oldest friends; a person who went through school with me, shared teenage life with me and lots of significant events in our history with me. I am proud to say that lots of things could not have happened without him being there. To be totally honest, along with another very long standing friend, also from when I was only about 7 or 8, he is similar to a brother!!!

As we left school and went to college I went the "A" level route and he went the chef route, so he learnt to cook, and he used this skill to very good effect for a good few years whilst working for some household names such as The Dorchester or Trust House Forte Group.

It was this training and success that has led his future wife to doubt herself, and try to emulate some of his work, now I want to turn the clock right back in my history, and show my culinary upbringing, and explain why this effects my friend...................

My Mother, and I am not speaking ill, or breaking a confidence, cannot cook!!! From the early days of her ill fated marriage to my Father her complete inability continued to amaze.

For a wedding gift she received a cookbook that suggested she needed a "pint of potatoes" my Father found her crying over a milk bottle trying to get potato out of it, this is a true story!!

My Mother went from bad to worse, one of my earliest memories is of a dinner party at my house, my Father, who ate no meat just fish, but was a good cook, told my mother merely to pod the peas. Surely a simple job??!! Having spent hours podding peas, all that was left was the cooking, this never happened, she dropped the peas!!! They went everywhere, Birds Eye to the rescue and the inevitable screams and shouts that took place still reverberate in my head some 35 years later when I think of this occurrence.

So having painted a picture let me sum up her cooking method, that still exists today -

1. Cook side 1 until it catches fire, then blow out flames.
2. Cook side 2 until it catches fire, then blow out flames.
3. Serve!!!

I need to just elaborate on my upbringing slightly here, in 1988 I met my Wife, I soon was invited to a Sunday Lunch at her house. I was just, literally just by a few weeks, 19 and until then had NEVER had a Sunday Lunch or roast dinner. When I was told that the Brother,  Aunt, Uncle, Grandparents, and Cousins were all going to be there I asked if it was a birthday or similar, and was most stunned to be told this was normal!! In weeks that followed I had Sunday Lunch at "Nannie and Grandads" and "Aunt and Uncles" as a result I am very close with all the family!!! But Sunday together and eating is normal and "the done thing. I never knew this.

And let me now explain how this picture also effects how my friend and I grew up and why he may not have told his wife a few details.................

I was the original latch key kid, that is not a complaint, we had a big house and garden, the river and a big pond. I knew three bounces of the Space Hopper and then "Whack!!" and my sister flew to the middle of the pond, and our village was small enough to be safe and back in the late 70's early 80's every adult was a parent and we all knew everyone else.

As a latch key kid we fended a lot for ourselves, after my parents divorced this was even easier as I was now living in a nice top floor flat, in an even safer road, with its own balcony, entry and garden. But remember my Mother still could not cook, so before going to work she would leave a sandwich or money to spend at the bakers and she then had to go.

Enter my friend.............. 

My Mother had instant Smash, a strange soya ready meal thing called Bean Feast, bread, salt and pepper.

We would have Smash sandwiches, Bean Feast sandwiches. I have known my friend eat a salt and pepper sandwich!! We didn't trust normal food, because who knew when it was bought, my Sister only ate Coco Pops or spaghetti and my Mother ate Cottage Cheese and boiled eggs because a weird diet said she should!!!

So we ate Smash and Bean Feast, bolognase or some sort of day-glow yellow curry flavour. So my friends fiancée may be worrying, but I say STOP!! Just show this to the big guy, and when he stops laughing, he will be humble and be quiet, and of course if this doesn't work give him a Smash Sandwich!!!!

My mother is my brothers son, maybe............

I was sat here the other day watching a certain, and very popular, morning daytime television program. This was not a program from which I could enter a competition from which I could win huge amounts of money and other prizes, if I answered a seemingly silly question, such as -

What colour is an orange?
a) Blue
b) Orange
c) Green

I am almost tempted to answer "a)" just for the sheer stupidity!!!

So, having established it is a show on ITV, and not the one with Holly and Phil............

I want to explain why we all should view the earlier show, learn from what we see, and also take comfort from the issues and situations we have been privy to!!

Let us start with what seems to be a normal situation -

A young (trailer trash type) girl appears on  screen, she is over 16, for legal reasons, she has a few children, and one of them, probably called something like Britney or worse, has an equally young Father, who is the Father of 2 or 3 other children as well, because he doesn't like condoms, and even if he does he cannot speak enough to actually go into a shop and buy them!! But alas for poor Britney, he denies she is his as he only slept with her Mother a dozen times, and as she is known as the local bike, Britney could be someone else's, besides Chardonnay, the trailer trash, has said he's not the dad so he can't be!!!

Then her friend starts shouting abuse from the audience, our poor host is getting lost here, in desperation he gets the mother and potential fathers mother out. They hate each other, they have never met, they have never spoken, and yet before anyone has chance to move they are hurling abuse at each other!!

Why, why are these two so angry?  because it turns out that unbeknown to the children the two mothers are also estranged sisters!! So now Chardonnay has a child by her cousin, that she never knew she had, and she hates him as well, and now there is a grey area as the law may have been broken!!!

Chardonnay wants a DNA test done to shut up Darren, the father, once and for all, that was all she wanted, suddenly she has a huge can of worms...........

"The DNA results show....... well, well, well, Darren, this needed doing when Britney was younger than the 4 she is now, but, this little girl, is.............NOT your daughter, I am really sorry!!"

At this point Darren starts crying, suddenly he wanted to be Dad, the mother goes mad and Chardonnay storms off, The Host follows,

"What now, do you know who is the father??"

Chardonnay reveals then and only then, that she thinks there may be 6 people in the frame for father, but if it is not one of those it is definitely one of the other 8 she knows of!!!

And so the show rolls on................

This is why we should watch this show, sometimes we watch this with our mouths open and we see the
 mother as her brothers son, literally!!

But the show serves a real purpose; in life everyone has ups and downs, we all suffer from periods when things are not looking good or going as planned. Sometimes we call it depression, or bad luck or just being plain fed up. This is where the show cuts in -

No matter how bad things seem, no matter how many blind alleys we find ourselves in, when we watch this show and then we see all these, and I apologise, but, "numptys" who seem to be without any idea, we suddenly realise that our lives, and issues are actually fairly insignificant and nothing to worry about.

So, I implore everyone to watch the Jeremy Kyle Show, and when the amazement in you drops away, smile and realise how easy things really are!!!!

The end of the Summer

I need to start by stating that this is not a rant about the end of the season, and Christmas coming and everything that can be tied into that. A melancholy tirade about the end of another year that is approaching.

If we turn around the negativity associated with the end of anything, we could say that this is this START of quarter 4 of the year. So actually this is a start!!!

I see events during the year as significant and show the start or end of periods. Easter is also the start of Summer, Later Summer Bank Holiday is the last one before Christmas, Valentines Day means Easter is coming, I could carry on.

However, the most significant event  has just taken place, it took place yesterday (the 8th September), it always occurs on this weekend in September, the actual date maybe the 8th or 9th, it may even be the 11th or 12th, but it still a very important date.

From when I used to watch this event as a small child, right through to yesterday, the format has never changed. A first half of various classical tunes, and a second programme of traditional music, responses, dances and occurrences. Always finished with Jerusalem, the National Anthem and then Auld Lang Syne led by the Promenaders themselves in readiness for next year.

So why is this event so important, so significant that it sets the scene for a whole sequence that unfolds for the future. The Last Night of the Proms is the event that symbolises, more than any other occurrence, the end of Summer. It matters not how hot the weather is, it matters not if there is not a cloud in the sky and it has not rained for weeks. The Proms is the end of summer, regardless!!

As I sit here, I have watched signs to prove my statement over and over again. Yesterday it was still fairly light at about 8pm. Tonight, ,one day after the Proms, it was lights on at home by 7.30pm!!! One day on and  summer has ended and the nights are drawing in already. I predict that within 2 weeks the heating is being put on, and on a regular basis, as the temperature starts to fall as the balmy days (poetic licence!!) of late summer draw to a close.

But, I just want to stress a point, I want to reiterate my earlier statement, this is not a doom and gloom rant, this is a post to point out that the End of Summer has been highlighted to us, so now we have a few days, maybe a week or so, to enjoy what was, look back at Summer and smile!!

And now look forward to a new season, the start of  Quarter 4, and the beginning of the traditions, customs  and family quirks that the seasons of Autumn and Winter bring.

What unique events signify the end of these seasons..................

Inspirational Quotes

“The trouble with not having a goal is that you can spend your life running up and down the field and never score.” - Bill Copeland

If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put foundations under them. Inspiring Quotes-Quote by Henry David Thoreau

“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” - Michael Jordan


A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, and always with the same person. - Mignon McLaughlin

Behind us are memories, beside us are loved ones, ahead of us are dreams.

Enjoy the little things in life, for someday you will realise that were the big things.

And I could fill pages and pages, with quote after quote, designed to offer inspirational thoughts to us from people in all walks of life and from all periods throughout history.

The question is, however, are we inspired or do we merely see these quotes as the opposite, purely here to show what can be done and achieved whilst we struggle to even manage the simplest of tasks!!

I am well aware that to make things happen I really should put in place a goal to aim at, or else I will just run up and down achieving nothing. Do I need Bill Copeland to point this out to me? Did I need his genius to tell me that I am meandering around doing very little!! 

Am I inspired or just plain fed up because another smart-arse is pointing out the obvious, that will be the smart-arse who is probably not thinking how to pay the mortgage, credit card bills or anything else, because making statements like this are quite happily making him a wage.

Sometimes these quotes mean nothing, and yet we still say "wow, what a great quote!!" 

I am sorry, what total rubbish!! what does the Henry David Thoreau quote really mean? A castle in the sky, that would be a personal dream of mine, and  it would not be a reality, ever, so how can I put a foundation under it!!!

There are people who are masters of the rubbish quote, that they thought was inspirational - 

Ronald Reagan: Nations do not mistrust each other because they are armed; they are armed because they mistrust each other. 

Ronald Reagan: "I have left orders to be awakened at any time in case of national emergency -- even if I'm in a Cabinet meeting."

Ronald Reagan: "Well, I learned a lot....I went down to (Latin America) to find out from them and (learn) their views. You'd be surprised. They're all individual countries"

Bill Clinton: As we have throughout this century, we will lead with the power of our example, but be prepared, when necessary, to make an example of our power.

An empty head is not really empty; it is stuffed with rubbish. Hence the difficulty of forcing anything into an empty head. - Eric Hoffer

Worryingly Reagan seems to have a staring role here!! But we just need to look at the quotes, digest, and then realize they are total rubbish. However I look at things I cannot glean inspiration from knowing my head is full of rubbish!!

So how can a quote inspire me? Some thing's I read must, when I read of a Para-Olympians triumph over adversity to then win a gold medal, I might be inspired. Not inspired to be an athlete, but inspired that in their world they needed to prove their athletic prowess existed and that disability would not hinder them. In my world acceptance of what is past and what is present is an issue, so an inspiration to me has to ignite a flame to overcome this challenge. 

The inspirational quote to the athlete may have been something totally non related to their circumstances, it may have had nothing to do with sport. They may have felt that when Richard Bach said “The more I want to get something done, the less I call it work.” was so inspirational they just took that as their mantra and took on the world!!

Thus in reality any quote, from a one liner from a Christmas cracker, through to a Shakespeare monologue can be viewed as an inspirational quote. The words take on a meaning that in theory is unique to every reader. 

A joke - A man walks into a bar, Ouch!!

Somebody seeing this may draw inspiration..........

An example if I had a drink problem I might see this as my inspiration and mantra in that I would say it every time I walked past a bar and wanted / needed a drink. 

I walk into that bar - OUCH!!!

I am reminded of consequences, my choice is then to face the demons or take the consequences; inspiration from a silly one line joke!!

Therefore, I can say I feel some quotes are rubbish, I would say some statements out of certain peoples mouths are just dangerous in their stupidity, but, I have to accept that my opinions are just that, opinions!!

I cannot make people accept my point of view as correct, unreservedly, any more than I can be made to accept theirs. An inspirational quote is just that, and remains, as inspirational as it is needed to be.

Desert Island Discs Re-Visited

A while ago, actually a long while ago, I offered a suggestion of what I might take if I was lucky enough to be  put on an Island with a few discs and a few luxuries.

Now in 2012 I want to the the liberty of revisiting this, picking 10 songs, a book and a luxury. Have things changed that much since 2008..............

1) Someone Like You - Adele: This song paints a picture of what might happen if you don't seize the moment. I know I am bad at this, I am the original example of "do as I say not as I do" but this song shows the extreme. If you do not tell your partner how you feel do not be surprised if they marry someone else!!

2) Believe - Trans Siberian Orchestra: Everything about this song explains why some sort of belief is necessary in life. I am not saying everyone needs to suddenly find religion, or rush to Church, Mosque or Temple, but this song shows, and clearly says, that regardless someone is always there for everyone, we just have to believe this and ask. A little like "Your wish is my command" but this is not materialistic, this is for help and support, and this makes the song special, sometimes we all need reminding.

3) This is Your Song - Ronan Keating: A song for everyone's Mother, and mine, and every time I here it it reminds me that although we may sometimes have different views, or strange words, it is still my Mother and this song is special for that reason alone.

4) Hallelujah - Bon Jovi: There are lots of versions of this song, everyone has tried it, Jeff Buckley did it first and everyone else followed. The version in Shrek is great, but, the Bon Jovi version is just a reminder that after all is said and done Jon Bon Jovi still does justice to great songs like this!! He did Dead or Alive all those years ago, and this is not that removed. The song has great lyrics and is just a great version of a classic Leonard Cohen song.

5) For Cryin Out Loud - Meatloaf: We have all been there, whether we were 14 or 40, we poured out our hearts to a prospective partner, but "for cryin out loud" it just wasn't quite sinking in, they were always there, always helping and listening and then "bang!!!" you realize and they haven't yet, and the song lets you pour your heart out!!

6) Goodbye my Lover - James Blunt: When things go wrong, and an end appears on the horizon there is nothing other than heartbreak, the end may not be caused by anything deceitful or offensive, it may just be a natural progression, it may be, God forbid, a real end, whatever it is emotions will be blown all over the park. This song tries to show these emotions from one slant, and bring them back, it doesn't look for an excuse, or forgiveness, it just highlights the past and how the future will be felt. A moving tribute to a possible occurrence.

7) Fairytale of New York - The Pogues: The definitive song for Christmas, but also just a song for always. When Kirsty Mcoll died tragically the music industry lost a huge talent. The song just epitomises everything about Christmas, relationships, New York life in general and also still has a good feeling about it, so for that reason alone off to the Island it goes.

8) Say a Little Prayer - Bomb the Bass: In 1988 my Wife and I became a couple, this song became "our song" way back then, lots of people have released versions of it, but this version is just slow and somehow part of the whole 80's thing. The song remains, as does me and my Wife, we have never been apart since and this song will always stay with me.

9) Yellow - G4: I just love this version of yellow!! I know it is not the original, but it is just better to my ears, I am maybe older and prefer the more classical song, but it is great and coming with!!

The 10th, and last song, possibly the hardest to choose, I have spent a while, but here it is.........

10) The Prince of Peace - Trans Siberian Orchestra: This song is from the first TSO album, Christmas Eve and Other Stories, in the Christmas Trilogy. I first found the TSO back in about 2004 when looking for a certain song, I fell in love with their music right there and then. I quickly had parts 1 and 2 of the trilogy and Beethoven's Last Night, and eagerly awaited part 3 of the trilogy at the back end of 2004.

In the middle of 2004 my Father's cancer got worse, and his return to Cyprus was not possible, I often had the TSO albums on in my car as I journeyed to see him in London.

In November 2004 I got that fateful call telling me to get to London, and I was in Birmingham with my terminally ill Grandmother (another tale), just over an hour later I was in London!! On my car radio this song was playing, the TSO were on in my car when I left the hospital 3 days later. When I now hear these albums, especially this song, it reminds me of my Dad. Not the bad end, but the nice times, the fun and the good times. This song, and the others, are just the catalyst to awaken those memories.

I am not living in the past, playing this over and over, but when I hear it I smile, so I'll bring it to the Island and smile when I need to!!

The book - 

Right, I get a Bible, and Shakespeare, can't wait to think how to use that(!!), but I need a book, I am a massive advocate of eBook readers, they are the best thing for those of limited dexterity. You will never replace a books feel and smell. The joy of turning crisp new pages cannot be replicated, but, with my eBook I don't loose my page, drop it or struggle with the weight, so I want one of those not real books please, I think I can argue that on medical grounds!!

For a book that is hard, I still love The Dark Materials Trilogy, but I have read so much!! I know every Wilbur Smith intimately, I have enjoyed all Dan Brown books, I keep hearing of 50 Shades of Grey, The Hitch Hikers Guide to The Galaxy..............

It has to be The Dark Materials Trilogy.

The Luxury Item - 

That is easy, I am very fussy, I just want a never ending supply of Shea Butter Toilet Roll, as I am used to!!!
The correct wiping of my bottom is very important to me, and I do not hold with leaves and stuff. When I go away I take rolls with me!!!

The end of school holidays

We're bored, we want to do something, we want to go somewhere?

Where can we go and spend money, where can we go and spend your money??

How many parents have had conversations revolving around these statements over the last 7 weeks or so? How many parents have lived in fear of what would come next if the holidays carried on much longer!!

As we sit here, most of us have spent the last week doing the "uniform thing". Buying sports clothes and new shoes and making sure that everything is named so it can be easily identified, when, in the first week it is lost!!!

But why do schools still play the game of trying to be unique and making their pupils have uniform that can only be bought from certain shops and not from the usual budget haunts that are used, not purely because we are "cheapskates" but because our children will - 

• grow out
• ruin
• lose
• refuse to wear
• never have to wear
• swap

A large proportion of this so called bespoke uniform, so I do not feel it unreasonable of me to be happier if this is happening to a £3.00 shirt rather than the £20.00 shirt that the school insists upon!!

So I have a theory here, a theory based upon a certain amount of experience, learned from many years of business. One made without prejudice, so don't come after me with a big stick, but I sort of smell a rat here.........

Why would a school insist I buy uniform at an over-inflated price from a specific shop? 

1. The aforementioned uniform is not of such a stunning quality it is unique.
2. The clothes are not of a material that grows with my children.
3. The clothes do not have a homing device fitted so they cannot be lost.
4. If they are "borrowed" by another, they don't cover a new owner with a permanent ink.
5. They are not coated with some sort of coating so they can't be ruined.
6. They don't have an auto-wear facility so they must be worn.
7. They always stay in fashion, so they are never threatened with not being worn.

All of these make you ask why I can't purchase shirts from Tesco or Blazers from Matalan??

Well here is a possibility, it is not proven and only a thought, but it is a possible one and does make sense - 

If we have to use the shop that the school says, and we have to pay the stupid prices as told by the shop, is it not a reasonable assumption to make, that the school is therefore receiving a healthy back hander from the shop, or if not the actual school, maybe the head, secretary or selected other people who are telling us to go to the shop!!!

So if my theory is correct, and because I have a thing about under handed methods, I would rather pay the school fund £20.00 up front and then shop where I want. I appreciate this is controversial, but that is my view!!

Any others?????

Oh Lord won't you buy me............

A Mercedes Benz, a colour TV, or a night on the town!!!

If all my friends drive Porsche's they have no children, great jobs and no mortgage!! But hey, jealousy will get us everywhere and we may as well keep asking the good Lord!!!

Janis Joplin, she sang about this, but she was smart, she was quite open, her friends apparently all drove Porsche cars, so she asked for a Mercedes Benz!! I see the wisdom here, why be a sheep...... everyone has a Porsche, so have a Mercedes, it may be a little bit slower, but it is different and in the long run who really cares about a small bit of speed when all around have the same. Look at another way, Porsche cars are easy to sell, no one wants to buy a Mercedes so the price falls in line with the lack of demand, who is silly, not Janis...............

I jest, and take the magic out of a song that truly is magical; "Lord won't you buy me." Your wish is my command, I am sure I have said this before, and yet here we are, yet again, with a classic song, telling us to do exactly the same.

But wait, we take music for granted, we listen to tunes all the time and frequently have no idea what we have heard. I sit here at the end of August knowing that I listened last night to the Trans Siberian Orchestra and some of their Christmas songs before their Night Castle Album which is not Christmas. I am sat here now with a variety of songs playing from Bat Out of Hell through to a version of Hallelujah performed by Jeff Buckley.

Every possible type of music is here, a few classical tunes such as Jerusalem and Land of Hope and Glory, and some real weepy love songs, "mushy crap" as they are referred to by my nearest and dearest. Throw in a helping of ballads and some heavy rock such as Led Zeppelin and Guns and Roses and suddenly we have a variety which becomes divers to the extreme. And I do not care, I like all the songs, and that is all that matters. The mix is called JTS Ipod and it is on my Ipod, and when I can't sleep, which is often, in go the earphones, on goes the mix and Voilà, 10(ish) hours of music!!!!

I have other things on the Ipod, albums and audio books, and this brings me to my warning of tonight, Audio Books.......

I want to warn everyone of the dangers of listening to audio books, when in bed, and then falling asleep.

• We start listening, and enjoying the book, it begins at chapter 1 and away we go.
• It works its magic and at chapter 12 we fall asleep.
• The book keeps playing and in our sleep, or however, the Ipod turns off at chapter 27.
• Rewinding on an Ipod is not really possible.
• Up to chapter 12 we have listened intently and heard a key character die / go to prison forever / vanish.
• Chapter 32 and the character is doing something vital!! Has he been resurrected / escaped / reappeared???
• Before we find out, and still worrying we fall asleep!!
• Chapter 58, more confusion, and is the afore mentioned character now dead / escaped / in prison / vanished / appeared????
• Sleep is now impossible, rewind is not an option and you now stay awake until the end of the book.
• And you are still not really any wiser!!! 

And I can prove this, I have had the audio book of the Lost Symbol by Dan Brown for over 2 years, I have listened to this at least a dozen times, and at this time I STILL HAVE NOT HEARD THE WHOLE BOOK!!!!

My wife has bought me the paperback version, so I have had the audio book that long, but I am that confused that I am afraid to read it, all I know is that there is revenge involved, a kidnap, masons and Washington DC and also that Robert Langdon gets drowned, very graphically, but 10 chapters later is being a hero!!! There is a love interest for him and he does save her at some point, I think after he drowns, but by now I am just confused again, so it may be earlier!!

So now I have passed on my warning, I realise I have rambled a little tonight, maybe it is like listening to an audio book - it misses out chunks, but you never know where or what!!!!

I hope it helps...............

Get Flocked!!!!!!

Yawn, stretch, yawn again, have a scratch or two............

Look around the room and see if everything still looks vaguely in-place -

1. Bed, Yes, I am lying in it.
2. Wife, Yes, looking perfect lying next to me.
3. Mirror on wall, Yes, still there and still straight(ish).
4. Radio, Yes, and playing BBC London, what is Paul Ross talking about now??!!
5. Ottoman, Yes, Still in place and with a few clothes on it.

Looking good so far, the children are still asleep, or at least not in my room, and the sky outside, behind the curtains, does not sound like it has water falling from it.

Let me cut the boring part out here, no one needs to know about my trip to the shower and other associated ablutions, so let us just assume they all took place as needed!!

It is the part that happened next that is the shock, not the usual get dressed part, not the normal hair drying and "choose a tie" routine, it is what happened after that.

I opened the curtains, I looked at the sky, and observed that the sun was slowly peaking through the daily clouds, and then my eyes drifted down to check the garden was all as it should be, a totally normal thing to do........

I HAD BEEN FLOCKED!!!!!!!

Resting quietly in my garden was a flock of flamingos, a whole crowd of birds, 36 in total, were quite happily stood in my garden enjoying the ambience and the fact it wasn't raining!!!

What could I do or say, here was a flock of 36 pink flamingos mooching around in my garden as if there was nothing in the world to worry about, not a thing that mattered other than whether their plumage was pink enough!! Everyone thought it was great, everyone felt the flamingos were full of fun; all the children wanted to do was be in the garden with them all!!

Why was no one concerned that I had been FLOCKED!!! In the night some one, or more than one, had crept into my garden and FLOCKED me!!! I had 36 flamingos in my garden, and they were pink, the same pink as my shirt!!!! In fact when I went out we had 37 flamingos, just one was big and a bit fat rather than smooth and elegant as the other 36.

Who would want to  flock me? I had suspicions, I felt I knew who had told "the leaders of the pack" to flock me, but no one was talking. Everyone who may have know was silent and those that were involved were definitely not going to reveal anything. 

So I admit defeat, I enjoyed being flocked, I was proud to have the flock with me for a day. And then I called the number on the tag and then the birds vanished, and at my request, and following funds (for charity) passing over, I also arranged for someone to be flocked, I hope they were as surprised as me and also as thrilled....................  

Help there is a big cat loose..............

Help there is a LION loose in the Clacton area, that is Clacton in Essex, is this much maligned county opening itself up for more ridicule???

Can an Essex inhabitant tell the difference between a Squirrel and a Lion? many would say NO!! If current press reports are to be believed this is correct, and if the television show about Essex couples, or changing couples, is followed, a Squirrel would appear to be more of a threat than a Lion!!!

It has been suggested that the Lion cannot be in Essex, why?  The 'Lion' that was seen in a field in Essex was just a Golden Retriever with a spray tan and hair extensions.

And the jokes roll on and on............


For the best news story ever, we just need 1 of The Only Way is Essex girls to be wearing a zebra style jacket & for that lion to swing by!!!

Text from Prince Harry: "There's a lion loose in Essex? Big deal. You should see the dogs in Vegas". Awkward.

- Hope they manage to find the Essex lion before somebody persuades it to get mane extensions and a vajazzle.

Now I could carry on here but I am going to stop, but as Mr Kenny Everett would say "It is all done in the best possible taste!!!"

But, if we look seriously for a minute, well sort of seriously, and just take a scenario..........

Mr Lion in Yorkshire, where he was seen last, hops on the train, that was held stationary for 2 hours because of him, and toddles off down to Clacton. Yorkshire is nice but we all like a holiday sometimes, so off he goes..............

Now he is in Clacton, he goes for a wonder in the woods and sees some friends, the odd Puma and Leopard, that we all deny exist(!!), and just enjoys a break. But then, shock horror he wonders out of the thick wood and finds that he is just in thick grass. Unintentionally a few humans see something, some take photo's and panic ensues.

To try and throw trackers off the scent all poo is collected in poo bags and put in bins, the Lion and all his friends run around roaring randomly so that stupid people say they heard a huge pack of Lion's at all sorts of places. The police and searchers decided that 1 of 2 things we going on here -

1. The whole thing was made up and people are just messing around now, after all this is Essex, and as said this might be a squirrel and balloon!!
2. It might really be a Lion, and they are dangerous, so refer to No.1 and deny all knowledge of this No.2!!!!

So the police have an ideal get out clause, the people of Essex are victims of their own past reputation, and now all things being equal Mr. Lion can have a nice holiday, and when ready can get a train back up to Yorkshire!!!!! 

I need to post this............

I need to post this joke, I cannot take credit for it, that must go to my Step-Mother, I also want to say up front that this is the Irish version of the joke.

You can replace the Irish bit with 2 Jewish chaps - Moshe and Benny - or 2 Scottish men - Jock and Jim - or maybe 2 Indians - Raj and Arif - whoever you choose I think you get the point!!



The Irish Millionaire

Mick, from Dublin, appeared on 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire' and towards the end of the program had already won 500,000 euros.

"You've done very well so far," said Chris Tarrant, the show's presenter, "but for a million euros you've only got one life-line left...phone a friend. Everything is riding on this question. Will you go for it?"

"Sure," said Mick. "I'll have a go!"

"Which of the following birds does NOT build its own nest?

a) Sparrow

b) Thrush,

c) Magpie,

d) Cuckoo?"

"I haven't got a clue." said Mick,
''So I'll use my last lifeline and phone my friend Paddy back home in Dublin."

Mick called up his mate, and told him the circumstances and repeated the question to him.

"Fookin' hell, Mick!" cried Paddy. "Dat's simple it's a cuckoo."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm fookin' sure."
Mick hung up the phone and told Chris, "I'll go with cuckoo as my answer."
"Is that your final answer?" asked Chris.
"Dat it is."
There was a long, long pause and then the presenter screamed, "Cuckoo is the correct answer! Mick, you've won 1 million euros!"

The next night, Mick invited Paddy to their local pub to buy him a drink.

"Tell me, Paddy? How in Heaven's name did you know it was da Cuckoo that doesn't build its own nest?"

"Because he lives in a Fookin' clock!"

Mid Life - A time for a crisis??

Mid-Life Crisis, here it is a train wreck waiting to happen, and potentially as we all reach an age that can be considered "mid-life" here comes the crisis!!

So what is mid life, and indeed what is the crisis?? is it a real occurrence or are all of us using it as an excuse? A fable we use to cling to our youth and deny the encroaching years, a reason "why", or just a lame get out clause that is raised when the going gets tough.............

Mid-Life, if we forget unforeseen accidents and illnesses, not because they are any less tragic just for ease they are not appropriate here, we assume mid-life to be a mystical era that we all strive to attain and avoid at the same time!!!

We are happy to say we are early 40's but not middle aged, we laugh when so called old people say they are middle aged, but deny we are near there. So is middle aged also a never to be realised era that only exists in the imagination? Old people want to be that young, and "young" people could never be know as middle aged!!!

So if middle aged is a fable that we never really are, and we seem to jump from "early 40's" to "old people" where does the mid-life bit fit in? how can we have a crisis if the crisis time doesn't exist??!!

What is classed as mid-life, it is not early 40's but later, say 45 that means we will all be at least 90 when we call it a day and go onto pastures new, Prince Philip is, I know of other 90+ people. My own heritage would suggest an earlier time, my Father checked out at 65 so did my Mothers father. My Fathers Mother was around 65 as well. Ironically my other Grandmother and Grandfather were well into their 80's. My Mother is approaching 70 rapidly and spending my inheritance nicely!!!! But based on these, although somewhat scant, facts I should accept my mid-life was a few years ago, and also I can no longer have a crisis!!!

Which brings us nicely to the whole crisis subject..........

From observation the crisis seems to take 3 forms -

1. A juicy affair
2. A complete going off the rails and mad stage
3. The purchase of a very silly large motorbike

If we look at these 3 areas all have significant downsides - 

No.1 ends and normally badly and with divorce

No.2 ends badly and normally with medical intervention, and maybe divorce

No.3 ends (probably) badly, with medical intervention, life altering injuries, and a stupid grin!!

So what happens?? I only talk from one side of the coin, I have a view that is only my view and in no way can be used as an excuse. I do not want irate partners coming after me having been told "this blog said this, so I did that!!" 

When we reach the elusive age called "mid-life" a panic sets in, suddenly a wake up call occurs and reality hits as any unfulfilled dreams or thoughts may well be about to be slipping away terminally. 

Some people always wanted to sleep with hundreds of people, or just that one hunk or beauty at school - hence the affair.

Others wanted totally unattainable dreams, at 20 they looked real at 30 they were there still by mid-life realisation occurs that they will never happen, and off the rails they go.

Some always wanted the thrill of danger and speed, they yearned to be a pilot in the RAF or Jenson Button, but, in reality life said "NO" now they can do a little, thus the motorbike!!

And from the ashes of a dream formed in youth comes the mid-life crisis!!!

Some people are lucky; they don't have the crisis, life goes on and with it their lives. They have what they want and need, they asked for whatever and "your wish is my command" they got it. They may have an "Old Age Crisis" however, one thing at a time!!!!

Personally, I feared being 40, many men did, I feared the thought that I may have a mid-life crisis to worry about.......and what happened, absolutely NOTHING!!! Maybe I was already off the rails and mad!!! I really don't do motorbikes, no balance you see, I fancy a convertible but that is sanctioned, and as for the other I am unshakeable for my wife, and the man or mouse thing eek, eek, eek............

So is the whole mid-life thing overrated, Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh would say so, my jury is still out, I know of plenty who have had and are having a crisis. I know of many divorces, I know of more motorbikes!! All I do know for sure is that like it or not we all get older and at 40ish something does change, or maybe we just realise our own mortality for the first time when our child challenges us to a race to the car and wins......................

A Win / Win For Christmas

I want to propose a quick win/ win scenario here.

I have been forced to think of this due to the occurrence of two recent events..............

1. Suddenly, the back to school ads are coming to an end, and surprise, surprise, Christmas ads and talk has started. It has not yet reached the end of August and yet already retail is gearing up for Christmas!!! Go into a large supermarket such as Sainsbury or Tesco and I guarantee that the signs are there - the tops of shelf units clearing, winter clothes coming into stock, and I bet there are sneaky appearances of a few early mince pies or tins of chocolates to start you thinking!!
2. I am being bombarded with various reports, mainly by email, telling me of the impending doom and prophesied end of the world on the 21st December. The 3rd phase of the Mayan calendar ends then and with it the world as we know it. How I know the world is still under debate, how we debate this economic, biblical or through war, the Mayans, who have always seemed pretty clever, have said "Bye-bye" on December 21st!!

So here is the Win / Win...........

If we wait until the 22nd December before doing any proper Christmas shopping we can't lose, if the world ends as we know it we can forget worrying about Christmas and we will still have our money or a smaller overdraft / credit card bill to not add to our worries!!!

If there are no real changes, by the 22nd December retail will be in its usual panic and the sales will have started and everything will be cheaper, so we save money and thus, and again, the overdraft or credit card bills are less!!!

And so whichever way we look at things, all clouds have a silver lining, and there is a positive in all............ A win / win scenario................

Your Wish is My Command.............

Abracadabra, Hocus - Pocus, Open Sesame, Hey Presto, Bippity - Boppity - Boo!!, Shazam!!!, or just Izzy Wizzy Let's get busy................

Magic words, words to provoke magical occurrences. I walk into a certain bedroom and say one and hope it magically becomes tidy, I look towards a child and say another and hope it means an Xbox is forgotten for a while and I am remembered. The law of attraction says "ask and you will receive - Your wish is my command!!"

The reality of visualisation, if I visualise hard enough, and long enough, here comes the goods............

What if I am watching a film about elephants, I like elephants and sit here visualising how great an elephant would be. Goodbye Volvo, hello Jumbo!!! I go to bed still laughing about the thought of going to Tesco on my elephant and parking it in the car park.

And then Shazam!! "Your Wish is My Command!!" here comes an elephant for freeeeeeee!!! But i wanted a blue one with go faster stripes!!

If this is how the law of attraction works we have a problem, if I had watched Sigourney Weaver in Alien last night who knows what would have arrived!!!

Let's look at the serious side of this, if you think you feel sick, you will be sick, if you visualize being poor by saying you are poor, guess what, "Your Wish is My Command!!"

And here is the funny thing, tell the bank the story that you are rich and not to worry and see what happens, watch their eyebrows go up.

When HSBC (or similar) ring and point out your overdraft is now larger than the national debt of a small countries like Papua New Guinea; it is not because they are going to send you a prize and cup. When I asked how big a space I needed to clear on the sideboard for the cup they did not see the humour in this!!!

Remember the Law of Attraction will attract to you what you ask for, the Laws of Visualisation helps you visualise. So visualise the house on the hill, the car to suit the house and the bank balance to match. Then just ask for it.

"Your Wish Is My Command!!!"......................

A new start Friday 23rd August 2012

Today is the 23rd August 2012, for a period of time, one to long, I have, for reasons too complicated to discuss, left this Blog untouched...............

I always used it as an area to talk about anything, air any views and publish thoughts that many of us felt about. Some were controversial and others were merely fun. I remember asking for Desert Island Discs selections and associated items, and we had fun. I also ranted about the price of fuel, at the time we were annoyed, looking where we are now we must all of been "poco loco!!!"

So what now???

This remains a Blog to talk of anything, but, I have learned, or maybe have been taught, to be a little less controversial, or perhaps the phrase here is that I should wear my heart on my sleeve a little less, and stop revealing every intimate detail of my life!!

I also am aware that as I get older, now not 30 something but early 40's, I am more outspoken and less tolerant, I am a young "Victor Meldrew", but also I see humour everywhere and I pick up on this and share it. A one line Christmas cracker joke is fine, but, a real life occurrence is often so much funnier..............

I had coffee last week with a friend who genuinely has only one leg, this is a tragedy and I would never mock this, I myself am disabled, we were talking, along with a round table of a few others and my Friend was saying how he lost his leg at a certain hospital. An involuntary response came from my mouth "That was careless, do you want a lift back to find it??!!" It was humour from reality.

The laughs occurred, he followed up by pointing out he could not enter an arse kicking contest, again hilarity followed!!!!

My question I leave you with is one for you to check, my friend with one leg alerted me to this, but mine is sorted out. Is your kettle an upstairs or downstairs one?? It is important that if it is an upstairs kettle it is in the bedroom and downstairs in the kitchen. If you have a bungalow use the loft!!!! I think this is a similar thing to using the microwave to fast freeze by turning the timer clock in reverse..............

It has been a year.......

It has been just over a year since i was able to last enter stuff onto this blog.

It has been a long year, in many ways it has been filled with issues and the grief caused by these. In some ways it has been a good year filled with new experiences and challenges.

So what has it really brought that was unexpected and not easy to manage??

Let's think back a year, it was summer and things seemded no different really from the norm, sure i was a little more headachy and tired, but i put this down to stress, the same as millions of other people. My usual GP said i was depressed and that my symptoms were normal for a person stressed as i was. After all i had had a breakdown (according to her) and all my ailments were just linked with that........

How lucky am i therefore that i saw a different GP as mine was on holiday and also that i had BUPA and the speed this afforded so my usual GP was not involved in this appointment.

It is strange when a consultant looks up as you walk in and tells you that you don't look well!!

i am paying for this?? A few tests and it was established that if i put my legs together and closed my eyes i fell over!! It was also seen that if i had to walk as on a tightrope, i cannot do this either!!

So onto a scan. That is fun (not!!) you are put in a narrow and claustauphobic scanner with your head in a cage so you can't move it and there you lie whilst the radiographer takes all sorts of pictures. Apparently you can have music as you lie, however the player wouldn't work. I even offered to pay the meter but NO!! thats ok you have a rear view mirror affair so you can see what is happening, the only issue is you cannot wear glasses or contacts in the scanner, so the myopic people like me can only see blurs!!! I can however report that the scanner produces a lot of noise and that this rythmn is at 1/2 second intervals. 45 minutes is 5400 beats - see how bored i was!!!!

So what is now wrong?? is it a trapped nerve, a tumor or more cognitive as the GP said........

No, it is none of these things, it is MS, primary progressive MS, i didn't see that one coming. Other illnesses maybe, different treatments to face possibly, MS probably not!!!

What does it really mean to me, i know there are lots of things out there and MS is a recognized critical illness, but in my small world what does it really mean to a (just) 40 year old bloke??

The Good

well let's us see....

• I no longer pay congestion charge.
• I have a disabled badge so parking is a lot easier.
• Put the above together and i can go shopping at Harrods and pay for no congestion charge or parking, i can park right outside now!!
• I have stopped working for 2009 as i deal with all else, look at my suntan!!
• I am doing a couple of days a week at the Shaw Trust as a volunteer, i seriously look forward to this.
• Because i have a critical illness my critical insurance policy paid me some money, this is invested, it needs to be. Apparently a DB9 is not an investment. Law according to wife!!
• I go swimming every week (apart from school holidays) and only pay as disabled.
• I have an exercise bike, i think i have ridden to Birmingham so far!!
• I can apparently get cannabis on the NHS!!
• I can apparently get Viagra on the NHS!!

The Bad

• I have no money any more!!
• I have no income as such any more as i walked away.
• I am disabled now.
• I get so tired i cannot carry on. I was at a concert and had to go and sleep in the car!!
• Mentally i am just a mess, i cannot yet accept everything.
• I am in mourning for my dashed expectations.
• I am 40 - how old is this!!!
• I have no short term memory, i forget what something is mid conversation about it.

The Ugly

• My phone is a lot quieter.
• You tell people and they physically take a step backwards.
• Contrary to this blog, i so need the spell checker!!
• Switzerland is suddenly a real option and a real reason exists!!!
• I don't feel ill, i am just wiped out a lot.
• I blame every ailment on MS. My shoulders hurt today, it must be MS, or is it carrying 25KG of BBQ gas earlier.........
• I can see no prospects right now, i need to think about going back to work but how and doing what. I may advise and help lots of people at the Shaw Trust but i cannot deal with myself. at all, ever!!

I am sure there are lots more "good, bad and ugly" points i could add, but i think the general idea is here.

So what is what, and what is next??

I help people to do their CV's, jobsearch, interview practices and just general James mentoring, so why can't i sort out myself??

I truly believe and tell lots of people at the trust that we are the luckiest people alive. I know this is contrary to all i say, but i believe it. We are whatever age, assume like me 40, and we can start again in any type of career or job we like, if we sat at school dreaming of space we can be an astronaut, although the training is very punishing!! We can be a zookeeper or a roadsweeper. Our choice is endless and is governed only by ourselves and limits we may set.

That is the problem, i can wax lyrical to others. I really believe what i say here. I know i can do absolutely anything. All i need to do is make sure enough money comes in, but if it is less than i need, well maybe we will just manage anyway!!!

So here i sit, 18th August 2009, 1 year on from my last entries. It has been a long and trying year. Over the time

• I have laughed a lot.
• I have been impossible, shouting at all and sundry and often for the smallest thing!!
• I have (and remain) been low and a miserable person to be near.
• I mourn my life as was, but i can't cry or have closurer yet.
• I guess i am still angry and still ponder the "why me" scenario too much.
• Maybe i just (as my wife says) think to much.

Perhaps if i could just forget and ignore things i can get back on the roundabout that is normal life. Right now i feel i am stuck on the really high slide, i can see the bottom, i know how to get there and that it will be alright and i shall laugh all the way down. But fear keeps me from sliding down. What if i am wrong, what if it is actually terrible. Up here it is safe, not satisfying, and not a solution, but safe.........

Do i slide down, if i do i might want to go on that again, and again and forget the roundabout, can i do this?? What if i was right and the slide down is the worst. Will i go on the roundabout? or will i just run for cover?

You tell me, all advice is welcome!!

25th July Summer or the "run up" you decide.....

Another day, the end of a week where the children have broken up for the summer and suddenly the roads seem quieter, funny that!!

But what does the summer really bring and how is it already looking to winter.......

The weather is (finally) nice and hot and the sky is full of birdsong. Now is a time to drink cold drinks, eat outside and linger over long evenings with food and drink, maybe friends, maybe some music. Possibly just in silence to enjoy the evening peace as darkness falls. How nice and idealistic.

But what really happens? What do we really do?

Well forget peace and quiet, no doubt this will be shattered with calls from children and all to often tears to grab attention. Forget food and drink other than whatever is "in the house" often this does allow for cold beer or similar. All to frequently though it means a glass of water or a cup of coffee left on the side to go cold whilst we deal with the immediate needs of others!!

So how do we return to the idealism of summer??

Well I say go outside now and look around. Look at the great outdoors and how this can be benefitted from.

There is no reason to get up early as the children are on school holiday, so if they go to bed real late - who cares!!

If the children want to fight and cry - let them, if we ignore their attention seeking they will soon stop, if they are really hurt they will tell us!!!

And if we only have water - so what!! fill a glass, find a forgotten nook in the garden and just sit quietly in blissful solitude.

Now is a great time to reflect, invite friends in and just enjoy the now!! I know it can be hard, I know how easy it is just to withdraw into ourselves and not share anything with anyone. Sometimes though it is better to screw up our courage, bite the bullet and integrate.

And this is why -

It is July 25th today and already retail is focussed on Christmas and January sales.

QVC has a "Christmas in July" weekend and BidUp TV has a Christmas weekend of auctions. If we go into the shops they are going through sales to clear space for a new season. If we go into large supermarkets (Tesco, Sainsbury) I guarantee that they are starting to leave the tops of gondalos clear, putting up temporary storage outside and selling off "seasonal" lines as they start looking towards the festive period.

So last Christmas is only just becoming a memory, last winter is still fresh in our minds as a bleak period. Spring has sprung and Summer is becoming the usual wash-out.

BUT it is only the end of July!!!

I openly admit to loving Christmas and all it offers. I love the pre-Christmas build up and the festivities pretty much up until January 6th. Between then and April I have issues but that is another entry!!!

Now I say STOP!!!

Christmas is wonderful, everything surrounding it is great but how can we think of Christmas in July? Or August and September? Harrods opens its Christmas store this weekend, by the middle of August it will be amazing how much Christmas is all around.

So I say do not get fully Christmassed up until AFTER halloween. The clocks will go back and then it is truly the run up.

But for now, in July and August just enjoy the summer, enjoy what there is to enjoy. Have long nights, see friends and family and sit outside in the sun. Find that quiet place for solitude.

I love Christmas and find lots of resons to "mention" it a lot, but even I have to adhere to my advice!!!

Tell me your advice or thoughts, I would love to hear.................