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20 December 2013

Good Twin / Evil Twin ?

I have two sons.

My favourite one talks to me pleasantly, is funny, makes himself a cup of tea and is occasionally helpful around the house.

The other one spends much of his time on the internet, playing electronic games or watching TV. He is intolerant of those around him, rude when spoken to, does little for himself and even less for anyone else.

They were born on the same day yet they are not twins.

'Good Twin' is a mature 20-something and 'Evil Twin' is a self-centred teen, 10 years his junior. Except that these ages are misleading.

An Only Child.

As a pre-schooler, my son was happy, cuddly, inquisitive, creative, chatty, always giggling. Primary school was a culture shock as he realised that the whole world did not revolve around him. However, he was mostly happy.

Senior school was a disaster and gave birth to Evil Twin.

My son is approaching 19, his 'Evil' self is exactly 5 years younger than his real age and his 'Good' self exactly 5 years older.

Good Twin re-emerged after a single term at university and is battling Evil Twin. I hope Good Twin wins.
Mum

18 December 2013

White Christmas Collection Highlights

From the film Holiday Inn:



Link to duet with Rosemary Clooney (from the same film)

Bing Crosby sang duets with many artists, including Frank Sinatra:



& around 70 years later, with Michael Bublé!



Bublé has taken on this role of White Christmas duets. Disappointing not to find a video of the Shania Twain duet but here's the audio only version:



Also, the Kellie Pickler version was dreadful but a duet with Kelly Rowland is good.



...which brings us to the end of the White Christmas Collection Highlights.
Hope you enjoyed it.
BeeBop!

15 December 2013

December - the recurring theme of Christmas

Trying hard not to be so 'humbug' about the whole Christmas thing, I've put up some decorations and a very nice tree AND splashed out on a couple of garden lights. It all looks quite nice... but there's no magic.

Starting with Christmas Cards - I dislike waste and, to me, that is exactly what Christmas cards represent. Whilst I genuinely appreciate the warmth of the greeting, the card itself presents a problem. To not waste the effort that went into the design and printing, in the past I used old cards to create new cards or gift tags for the following year, the surplus of which I donated to the village school who sold them cheaply at Christmas Fairs. Brilliantly, I have found somebody else who will use cards in this way so all cards are now recycled with very little effort from me.

Bah... Humbug!
Writing cards is a major effort, though, as I have lost my ability to write legibly. During the past 3 or 4 years, I've managed to send some cards to people I know. No plan, no list, just writing a few cards in response to those that trickled through the door. By mid-December, there's more of a deluge and, unable to keep up, I give up so only about 40% of the Happy Xmases have been reciprocated. That's assuming that Royal Mail employees can decipher the address scrawled on the envelope.

It's only a few days to Christmas and I haven't purchased a single present. Nor have I any inclination to do so but it's expected and, to be honest, the heavily decorated tree looks lonely without any wrapped gifts beneath it. However, the gift tokens that we'll be buying for our many nephews and nieces (because that's what they want) won't do the tree justice. Gift tokens - no wonder there's no magic... oh my god, I'm going to stop now. I've depressed myself into humbug mode after all... this wasn't the direction I meant to go with this post but, well, hey ho ho!

Em.Nester

06 December 2013

CHRISTMAS Party Planning

This post was submitted on behalf of online party supplies wholesaler Novelties Direct of Watford, Hertfordshire.

Planning a last-minute party for Christmas or New Year?!Here are some tips...


Start with a Party Pack for the appropriate number of people plus a few more. For a small company celebration or family gathering, there are Party Packs for up to 10 people with various themes: gold, silver, rainbow, Monte Carlo, 'Tux Nite', '42nd Street' and more.  For more people, buy more packs or check out larger party packs for up to 25 people and save money with party packs for up to 100 guests.

You'll need some party decorations, of course: balloons, tinsel, wall hangings, danglers, glitzy table centre-pieces and perhaps a life-size, free-standing 6ft cardboard cut-out Santa?

Don't forget the Christmas Crackers! A variety of options available including a pack of 100 Christmas Crackers for under £30 inc. vat. Wow!

If you are organising a kids' party (for any age up to 109) you may want some inexpensive novelties or stocking fillers. And, finally, who is the most important guest at a Christmas Party? Provide your Father Christmas with a lovely red outfit (luxury Santa Suit / budget Santa Suit) and look at other dressing up ideas, depending on your party theme: 'Miss Santa', Children's Santa Suit, Children's Elf costume, Christmas tree costume, various other Christmas dressing up outfits and accessories.

Have a great party, a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

05 November 2013

Book Reviews 2013

I downloaded a number of books this summer, including some classics. The ones I have read most recently are still in my memory and will be briefly reviewed here:
  • Treasure Island - Robert Louis Stevenson
  • Rushed - Brian Harmon
  • Officer Jones - Derek Ciccone
  • The Travel Auction - Mark Green
I had the Treasure Island book as a child but couldn't get into it. As an adult, I enjoyed reading it. Possibly some of the hero's feats are dubious but a good story and a happy ending puts this on my recommended book list. (UK)

The humorous telephone banter in Rushed kept me company during my journey with the main character, who was on a mystery quest that came to him in a recurring dream. The story itself was mostly interesting, as were most of the other characters who were introduced in the story-telling. Personally, I thought that the mystery should have been left as such at the end of the book because I felt that the explanation was a let-down. However, the 'hero' is worth getting to know and I would recommend this book as a worthy read - you may even like the ending. (USA)

A well-written novel about a TV news journalist who travels to the world's trouble spots and decides to cover one more job... after which he returns to his home town and the story focuses on Officer Jones, an exemplary cop with a perfect military and police background, apparently. It's a good investigative journalist story with a bit of a love interest. Formulaic, perhaps, but don't let that put you off, it's a good read and the characters in the book are so well described that they become people you feel you know. I wouldn't be surprised to see this as a TV mini-series. (USA)

The Travel Auction by Mark Green is a breath of fresh air. It's boy meets girl with a difference. I felt like a privileged friend to both as they shared their travel experiences and thoughts throughout the book. Amazingly, no - brilliantly - there was no gratuitous sex throughout the book, which some authors feel compelled to use in lieu of confident story-telling (I'm not saying that there's no sex). It has humour, drama and plot set in a travellers' guide to South America. I loved this book and thoroughly recommend it. According to the author's website, the paperback version may be available now/soon - a great stocking filler! (UK)

01 November 2013

A Tale of 3 Hot Water Bottles

1. Waking up in the middle of the night, soaking wet, is a bit of a shock. First thought: Did I wet myself? A hot water bottle is very comforting if you live in an old house with draughty windows and no heating but beware of old hot water bottles with perished rubber.

2. How can a hot water bottle be so hot that it sets the curtains on fire? If someone has a mental health problem, this seems quite reasonable to them. Naively, I tried to calm our elderly neighbour, reasoning that the heat would burst the hot water bottle and the water would put out the fire. Next problem: "Flood! We're going to drown..."

3. If you're trying to keep heating costs down, putting a HWB in bed while you get ready to join it is a good idea. However, ensure that you replace the stopper correctly and, just in case, move the bottle and feel the sheet before you leap into bed. Last night, I had to strip the bed and leave the mattress to dry overnight, spending the remaining hours in the spare room. Still tired... Zzzzzzz

30 October 2013

♪ ♫ Don't Let Me Down vs Don't Let Me Down ♪ ♫

About 5 years after The Beatles released Don't Let Me Down, Bad Company released a song with the same title - the 'Don't Let Me Down' chorus bit is quite similar too. Both are good but judge for yourselves:

Don't Let me Down
The Beatles (1969)

Bad Company (1974)

Beebopalula
 
 

29 October 2013

Dude, Where's my 'phone?

We were staying with some friends one summer when they saw their friend and neighbour get out of a car, his face bruised and stitches above his eye.

The previous evening, he (let's call him 'Vic' - short for victim!) and his friend who had been staying with him, got drunk and started arguing; the friend (no longer a friend) attacked Vic and walked out.

Vic walked several miles to hospital and, after receiving treatment in the early hours, hitch-hiked home.

After he told us his story, his cell-phone rang. Vic thought it was his girl-friend calling but it was the violent ex-friend. Angry, upset and emotional, Vic hurled the cell-phone across the garden. We politely suggested that he might want to retrieve it in case his girl-friend tried to contact him.

It was no-where to be found, not on the grass or in the shrub borders. Thinking that it couldn't possibly have reached the road beyond, we looked, nevertheless, but couldn't see it anywhere. Our friends called the number and we listened carefully - yes! Following the sound, we stood in the middle of the road above a drain and could see it, maybe a foot (30 cms) below the surface, through a grid. Incredible! Even Vic was laughing at how ludicrous this situation had become.

The cell-phone, thanks to a young girl's long and skinny arm, was retrieved! Vic is now fine and the ex-friend has never returned.

16 October 2013

Going up in a Stairlift

I was looking at the London Stair-Lifts website when I was reminded of an amusing story.

My aunt and uncle lived in a first floor apartment with a private ground-floor entrance hall. They would unload the shopping from their Yaris then one would take the stair lift up, followed by relays of bags of shopping, then the other person.

Just like a kid, I wanted to be allowed to use it too but was too embarrassed to ask!

I'm not convinced that they actually needed a stair-lift for themselves at the time but having one already installed enabled them to easily transport heavier shopping items to their upstairs apartment with its massive balcony and excellent views of the coastline.

Remember that scene from Gremlins?

10 October 2013

Nice Road in 9th Best Town

10th October: I've just walked along Wellingham Avenue, off the Bedford Road in Hitchin - the 9th best town in England (maybe you saw me - black ski jacket and jeans, fair hair, cool sunglasses - it's cold but sunny this morning).

Wellingham Avenue is a lovely quiet road set around three sides of a rectangle and has an open, spacious feel with almost no cars parked in the road (or on pavements). There are probably about 100 houses altogether (I didn't check).

Starting at the northern end and running east-west, there are well kept 60s-style semi-detached family homes, set well back from the road, until you reach the first corner where there is a small cluster of bungalows (a couple, unfortunately have their gardens overshadowed by a 4-story building on an estate behind them, which should probably never have received planning permission - or maybe it was there first but it looks newer).

Turning to the south, there are houses on the right and bungalows on the left. There was a cold east wind this morning but this part of the walk was beautifully sheltered. As you turn into the final section of Wellingham Avenue, the properties are more varied, a blend of bungalows, houses and chalet-bungalows. Most are semi-detached but some are detached properties.

I found this to be a thoroughly pleasant road, a 'nice' neighbourhood, yet less than ten minutes' walk from the edge of the town centre.
Bern.

08 October 2013

On behalf of the Sensible Party

Do we have too much information about other people's lifestyles? Instead of enjoying our own lives, are we comparing and envying the lives of others?

All political parties seem to class-obsessed (assuming class is now based on money rather than a person's character, which was a more admirable aspiration). That's no way to govern, yet it seems to be associated with all democracies.

      On class & equality:
          Conservative - every one should be almost as equal as we are
          Liberal - we are all equal but there's some balancing to be done
          Labour - let the poor rise up and destroy the rich, until we are the rich


On the bright side, if there is an apocalypse, there will be a chance to start over.
:-)
      And...
          Always look on the bright side of life ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫
          Always look on the bright side of life ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫
political fence-sitter

07 October 2013

TV Licences for Students

Added to the tripling of University fees, you will need to find money for:
  • accommodation, approx £5,000pa
  • set books plus stationery odds and ends, £200pa
  • depending on your course, you may need
    • computer (e.g.Apple Mac, accessories, software, £2,000)
    • other accessories: special clothing, personal equipment (£?)
  • everyday food and hygiene products, approx £30-£40 per week
  • additional sets of pots, pans, food storage boxes and other items
  • TV Licence!
If a student wants to play PlayStation or X-Box that requires a TV, a licence is necessary, even if no TV programmes are watched. If a student doesn't have a TV but watches live broadcasts on a computer, a TV licence is necessary. Here is a link to TV Licence Rules.

Some extracts:
"Your hall's licence won’t cover you, and you may not be covered by your parents’ licence. Thankfully, it’s easy to buy your own." Easy? Not if you don't have the money, it isn't!
"...you may need your own licence if your accommodation is self-contained – i.e. you have exclusive access to washing facilities..." What the hell does an en-suite have to do with a TV licence?!!

A total rip-off in the case of students in halls or sharing an apartment where a TV licence is already in place for the apartment - just because there is a private washing area in your bedroom? Unbelievable!

Posted on behalf of angry, broke and getting poorer Student

04 October 2013

Reading, Comprehension and Writing

Not long after my son started school, he was given a book and asked to read the page. After a minute's silence, he was asked "Can you read it?" to which he replied that he already had and was then quizzed on the content to test his comprehension. The teacher told me this because it is apparently unusual for young children to read without sounding out the words.

The teacher further commented that some of the children whose reading skills seemed to be ahead of the others did not take in the text and were unable to answer questions relating to the passage they had just read so beautifully.

My son enunciates very well and his comprehension is good. His writing, however, let him down and the primary school provided additional coaching in English and literacy to help him pass his SATs. Since today's focus is on using computers rather than pen and paper, he is thriving and is self-motivated to correct spelling or grammatical errors. In fact, as there are no longer any demands for pages of hand-written submissions, his writing has become neat and legible.

Good result, all round.

01 October 2013

Halloween Music ♪ ♫ pumpkins & party

Music ideas for your Hallowe'en Party:

WITCHES
Witchcraft (Frank Sinatra), Ding Dong The Witch is Dead & Bewitched Bothered and Bewildered (Ella Fitzgerald), The Witch (The Rattles), Bewitched theme

MONSTERS
Scary Monsters (David Bowie), Monster (The Automatic), Monster Mash

GHOSTS
There's a Ghost in my House (R Dean Taylor), Ghost Town (Madness), Casper the friendly ghost

DEVILS
Devil Woman (Cliff Richard), Devil in Disguise (Elvis), Devil went down to Georgia

WEREWOLVES/full moon 
Werewolves of London (Warren Zevon), Howlin' (The Black Keys) and finally...
one of my favourite songs from Credence Clearwater Revival in the late '60s ♪ ♫
I see a Bad Moon Rising ...



Oh all right then... and this one!



Beyond the Music
Pumpkin carving ideas: Cute or Extreme!
Try Novelties-Direct for halloween ideas.

Happy Halloween!

30 September 2013

Not Impressed, Dad.

Yesterday afternoon, a man at the bar in a village pub ordered a pint of beer and a half-pint of bitter-shandy and took the drinks into the garden where he handed the half-pint to a boy, aged about 8 years old, who said "thanks, dad". The pair had the same again before driving away in an Audi convertible with personalised number plate.

28 September 2013

Invasive Porn, thanks Google.

I ventured into blogging in 2007 and was almost instantly scared off! While trying to find my way around blogger, I clicked on 'next blog' at the top right of the screen - it was a very explicit porn blog. In sheer panic, I hit the back button but it wouldn't go away, it kept refreshing. Aargh! What if it's a virus that permeates my computer? What if there's a trace on people viewing porn sites? What if... lots of things. How could Google allow this???

I closed the browser, tried to clear my mind, opened up the browser again and immediately cleared all history and cache, then closed it again and ran all the anti-virus software. I have never, ever, clicked that link since.

25 September 2013

What Can Old People Do For You?

Think not what you can do for the elderly but what they can do for you because, in many cases, what you can do for them is to enable them to feel useful, wanted, valued.

Older people are not stupid, it just takes a little longer for bits of the brain to connect. Many older people have much wisdom. If you are patronising, they know.

So consider whether your attitude should be along the lines of helping to enlighten an elderly person that you know or fetching them cups of tea so they don't have to move - or whether it might be better to form a more natural give-and-take relationship.

Remember when you were young and your grandparents loved doing stuff with you, FOR you. It's natural to want to reciprocate as you become the stronger one but there is a danger of chipping away at their independence and self-worth if they become reliant on others. This is one of the major failings of some care homes - residents are generally not allowed to make hot drinks or butter some toast.

If you visit an elderly friend, please don't automatically jump in and do everything for them. If they can do something for you, please let them.


Moving home - many times

I think I must have nomadic genes. I've lived in some really great places yet I always have an urge to move on even though I don't necessarily want to. Why is this?

The first two or three moves were 'up the ladder' but after that it was just a change for no real reason which, financially, wasn't always for the better. For example, we moved from a modern house that we'd totally re-built to an old thatched house a mile away.

Since we married, we've bought and done up 7 houses and rented one for over a year while we re-built our previous home. Our current home is almost perfect so why have we spent the past couple of years looking for somewhere else? (Which, I might add, has proved difficult because we like where we are so much.)

When we first moved here, it was because we needed to be in the town and the choice of houses available was slim so it was a compromise. Our previous five houses were in rural locations so there was a lot of new stuff to get used to in a town: more noise, street-lights spoiling the dark of the night, neighbours a bit too close... However, there was the excitement of being able to walk to shops, restaurants and even a football stadium!

We must have got used to the noise and artificial light as they seem to be acceptable now and we are very lucky to have reasonably quiet neighbours who don't intrude. There is rarely a reason to walk into town but we sometimes do and we are also near to a countryside walk. This is, in fact, a near-perfect location - which is why we're having trouble moving on... but we're looking!

19 September 2013

The Big Bad 40

For my 40th birthday, my husband bought me a lovely 3-opal antique ring. Good start! A month later, we celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary with a great party followed by a week in Portugal, returning to England to move house the following week... Whew!

The house move, a result of us both being made redundant and having to downsize quickly, was stressful (quart into a pint) and work began immediately on the renovation. Meanwhile, the dog began acting oddly and we knew he wasn't well so we took him to the vet who operated without delay (cancer) and told us 3 days later that he had pulled through and should be able to come home soon. The vet called back a few hours later to say that, unfortunately, he just died.

Our change of address required that we changed our GP and had to undergo check-ups. It transpired that I was 3 months pregnant (a vague memory of celebrating our anniversary with a bit too much to drink) and I hadn't realised because life was so busy and stressful and - hey, I'm 40! So that's why I'd gone off coffee and ate lots of avocados (rich in folic acid).

We got over the initial shock and arranged to visit my parents to tell them, came back, then a neighbour brought our dead cat round - he'd been run over.

The father-to-be found a full time job and we had a holiday in Italy. Then the worst news: dad's 'ulcer' turned out to be aggressive cancer and he was given 3 to 6 months to live. He survived four more months but never saw his lovely and perfect grandson who was born two weeks after the funeral.

Wow, so to recap:

  • big birthday, 
  • big happy anniversary party, 
  • sold house, 
  • bought house, 
  • moved house, 
  • dog died, 
  • cat died, 
  • renovated house, 
  • decorated house, 
  • gave birth, 
  • dad died. 

All in under a year - I've had some birthdays since but 40 was certainly a memorable age.
40+

28 August 2013

♪ Early 60s round up - ask your Gran if she remembers...

Perhaps not so well-known as British legends Cliff Richard, Billy Fury, Marty Wilde, Joe Brown or Lonnie Donegan, we present...

John Leyton
actor/singer: successfully escaped in The Great Escape, Von Ryan's Express. UK hit records ♪♫ Johnny Remember Me & Wild Wind

Adam Faith
singer/actor: hit singles What Do You Want, Poor Me, Lonely Pup; several films; went on to star in TV series Budgie and Love Hurts with Zoe Wannamaker

Eden Kane 
singer, eldest of the Sarstedt brothers: hit records include Well I Ask You & Get Lost.

Craig Douglas
singer: Only Sixteen, When My Little Girl Is Smiling

Emile Ford
(originally from St. Lucia) hits include: What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For, Slow Boat To China, Counting Teardrops, Them There Eyes.

Tommy Steele
(actor/singer) The Duke Wore Jeans, Half A Sixpence, Little White Bull, What A Mouth, Flash Bang Wallop (What A Picture)

Frankie Vaughan
singer: Green Door, Garden of Eden, Tower of Strength, Don't Stop - Twist! Plus about a hundred other singles

Mike Sarne
actor/singer: several acting roles plus hit singles Come Outside (with Wendy Richard) & Just For Kicks

Female artists:
Kathy Kirby: Secret Love
Susan Maughan: Bobby's Girl
Helen Shapiro: Please Don't Treat Me Like A Child, Walking Back To Happiness  



Because They're Young - Duane Eddy.

Beebopalula

16 August 2013

♪ ♫ Ghost Riders in the Sky on the Storm

Hmm, bit of a mashed up title mixing two great songs linked by the word 'Riders'. I just can't decide which of the songs I like best. No contest, though, as to the best video (in my opinion).

Writing this post was inspired by the previous blog post featuring Riders on the Storm and, coincidentally, saw a tweeted link to Frankie Laine's Ghost Riders in the Sky which featured a great video - so good that it's included below for you to enjoy...



12 August 2013

The Doors

A vague title that allows a number of items to be covered. Obviously, in musical terms, reference to the artists who gave us Riders on the Storm is a must, and the video below is a 'must see' for Doors fans. It's 7 minutes so here's some information to read while it plays...

This post also refers to patio doors of many kinds:
  • bi folding doors (various frames)
  • sliding doors (various shapes & sizes)
  • slide & turn doors (various frames)
For each section, there is an introductory paragraph and a link to more information.

Bi Folding Doors are retractable which means that they open completely to the sides of the opening, allowing maximum width of access. They are double-glazed doors with side frames on which the hinges are attached to enable the doors to zig-zag open as they slide and fold. Double-glazing, therefore each door, is quite heavy so that the frame and hinges need to carry that weight, carry that weight a long time. This means that stronger aluminium framed doors can be manufactured with slimmer frames than pvc, which is how to tell them apart at a distance. SunSeeker Doors is a manufacturer and installer of aluminium framed bi folding doors.

Sliding Doors can overlap to open or retract into the wall (pocket doors). There are manufacturers who create glass sliding doors that are better than the 'bog-standard' patio door; these include extra large glass doors with panels up to 3 metres by 6 metres, sliding doors that open from a corner, plus curved glass doors and windows. All are available from Sightline Doors.

Slide and Turn Doors are fully retractable, similar to bi-folds but without hinges, therefore all doors open independently. Available with UltraSlim side frames or as Frameless glass doors, they are manufactured by SunSeeker Doors and ideal modern replacements for old patio doors or as room dividers. Demonstrations of Slide and Turn Doors are available on YouTube.

Post submitted by The BPc on behalf of clients.
Thanks for listening! 


Music Analysis 1960s & 50 years later

Why did songs from the 1960s convey feelings of unrequited love or of the hurt that follows rejection, whilst the trend today is more about sex or aggression? Discuss.

There was limited social acceptance of teenage boys and young men admitting to 'soft' feelings in real life during the 1960s therefore the rock-and-roll outlet was a credible alternative to release the angst and share with others who were secretly feeling the same way.

So many examples come to mind from Ben E King's 1961 hit Stand By Me, Go Now in 64/65, and a number of Lennon-McCartney songs, including: I'm A Loser, If I Fell, You've Got To Hide Your Love Away, Don't Let Me Down (okay so they are mainly John Lennon's lyrics - he had a lot of angst).

These days, homosexual relationships are not illegal (it was a criminal offence in the 1960s) and it is more acceptable for boys to confess their 'soppy' feelings to sympathetic ears, male or female. It is less 'taboo' to harp on about sex (previously disguised in songs as 'making love') unlike in 1969, when Je T'Aime… Moi Non Plus was banned in several countries for being too explicit.

There are other frustrations for today's youth, leading to a growth in rap (ranting-to-a-beat) which, regretfully, I'm unable to comment on as I haven't listened to much of it, except some Run DMC which is the exception that proves the rule!

Agree or disagree? Please feel free to comment but keep it polite and keep it clean, thanks.
BP2

06 August 2013

♪ Great 'Mama' Songs!

Mama Mia - obvious, so obvious, too obvious. Well, That's All Right Mama because there are far better ones! Mama, oo-ooh, didn't mean to make you cry... Mama told me not to come... ♪♫ Here's the Three Dog Night version:


 
Recommended Music Blog: soundsandvision
Beebopalula

05 August 2013

Reading Sir ACD's Sherlock Holmes

Thanks to a free download from Amazon book store to my kindle, I've been reading through the full Sherlock Holmes stories for a while now and I'll be sorry when I'm finished (which I nearly have, so I've slowed down) because I'll miss the companionship of Holmes and Watson. Sounds odd, I know.

Another odd thing I noticed while reading was that, in my head, Sherlock Holmes' dialogue was delivered in the style and voice of Jonny Lee Miller (from the SkyTV series "Elementary") yet my head-based Watson was played by Martin Freeman.

Of note: Moriarty barely featured in the books, same with Irene Adler, both hyped up from the original stories. I also recognised a few expressions that had been 'borrowed' from the stories, too. Not so many as from Shakespeare's works, of course, but interesting (I never could get to grips with Will's style of writing). Thumbs up for ACD!

Here's a link to the free downloadable version: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1661


28 July 2013

Forever Replacing Household Appliances

Our central heating boiler is over ten years old and we expect to have to replace it any time soon, probably in the middle of the coldest winter since records began.

We recently replaced the washing machine, the previous one was over ten years old, and we've had the tumble drier for about nine years (it occasionally leaks).

The kitchen was renovated five years ago therefore the oven, hob, extractor hood, dish-washer and 'fridge-freezer are that age too. The oven has always leaked condensation through the door, requiring constant clearing up, and the fan button needed fixing a couple of years ago. The extractor is rarely used. We had to buy new pots and pans to use with the induction hob but it has been brilliant - until recently when, through no fault of its own, the top shattered when a heavy object fell on it. Apart from having to replace this, most of the appliances should continue to work well for some time (except the dish-washer, which is making clunking noises) and the kitchen still looks good. The 'fridge-freezer has been mostly trouble-free except for the ice dispenser which is constantly blocked; we won't be buying one of those again.

Small appliances have been replaced several times since the kitchen was fitted - we're on our third toaster, our third kettle and our second coffee pod machine.

To summarise, it seems that the cheaper the appliance, the shorter its anticipated life expectancy:

  • Boiler - up to 15 years
  • Large white goods - up to 10 years
  • Small appliances - approximately 2 to 3 years
Financially organised people will need to put aside £50 per month into their 'household appliances replacement fund'.
h/o

22 July 2013

Releasing Green Belt Land for Housing

What really bugs me about this is that the ordinary citizen who wishes to build a modest individual home of tasteful design on a quarter of an acre plot in a quiet, non-estate location has to fight tooth and nail for permission. Yet, completely spoiling acres of beautiful countryside by cramming in as many ugly cloned homes as possible seems to happen frequently.

Does it make sense? You can't build a single house in a field as it will spoil the natural beauty of the area but you can pile tons of bricks, tiles, concrete and tarmac in a field with inadequate infrastructure for the influx of families and an average of an additional vehicle per bedroom.

Don't get me wrong, I understand that affordable housing is necessary. My point is that the individual who wants to undertake a self-build home can rarely find a decent plot with permission.

It would be great if the Letchworth principle of individual homes was applied to a portion of the acreage released for mass new building. Seeing rows of regimented housing is quite depressing.

21 July 2013

Twitter: join in, be nice!

I'm following over 300 accounts on Twitter. Some because they're entertaining or informative, others because we share some common interest. I can't control who follows me, currently almost 300, and haven't tried to analyse our followers!

If I see a tweet that made me smile, I 'favourite' it so that I can easily find it and smile again another time! What I enjoy about most using Twitter is interacting with friendly tweeters but this isn't as simple as it seems because many tweets are statements that do not invite or encourage responses. For example, some of my tweets provide links to blogs I've read or written, therefore the response is more likely to be in the form of a comment posted on the blog rather than a reply-tweet.

However, amongst recent tweets, I've specifically invited responses. It all depends, of course, who is on-line at the time and their particular circumstances: time available, cheerful mood, etc. In response to "And why do so few people respond to tweets? (here's your chance...)" there was nothing although a similar tweet "while we're on the subject of blogs, what does it take to encourage people to add comments?" did receive an amusing response from a local pub-restaurant account, Twitter.com/RadcliffeArms.

I like to respond to tweeters who are reaching out but the mind is a complex mass of What-ifs, such as: will they take my comment in the spirit it was intended? Am I being intrusive/ presumptuous /original? Will they think I'm stalking them or will they become a hanger-on? And so on.

Anyway, please respond to tweets and be nice!


20 July 2013

Film Review: The Watch

Not to be confused with The Watch in the Discworld novels. 

Starring: Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Richard Ayoade and Jonah Hill.
Synopsis: four men form a Neighbourhood Watch group, the local police are rude, there are aliens.

Two of us watched this film and had contrasting opinions. It began with the CostCo night-watchman irresponsibly getting drunk then murdered, the police didn't take it seriously. His manager and friend, played by Stiller, appeals for help to find the killer and the other 3 co-stars turn up to half-heartedly form the Watch, the police didn't take them seriously. The Watch members get drunk but not killed, although someone else does, which is when the Watch discover an alien.

At some point, there's an orgy and a separate episode involving a teenage daughter and her gross boyfriend. The film ends where it began - at CostCo. I won't describe how it ends as the last half an hour was the most engaging of the whole film and, should you watch it, I don't want to spoil it for you.

Summary:
Him: "after the first half hour, it was quite good".
Me: "75% was total rubbish, the end bit was OK".




19 July 2013

♬ In the Summertime When the weather is...

HOT! School's out and so are the BBQs.

We have temperatures to rival the Caribbean or other exotic destinations so if you are planning a gathering, here are some ideas for a themed gathering:
  • Reggae Party - fruit punch, goat curry, Bob Marley music & dreadlocks
  • Aussie Barbie - jumbo shrimp, the amber nectar & cork hats
  • Arabian Nights - decorate your gazebo as a bedouin tent
Which theme would we choose? Easy! Because of the music, it has to be a Caribbean party theme!

Here, Stevie Wonder sings about Marley, party, Hotter than July: Master Blaster (Jammin) 1980. Enjoy!



Everyone's feeling pretty
It's hotter than July
Though the world's full of problems
They couldn't touch us even if they tried
From the park I hear rhythms
Marley's hot on the box
Tonight there will be a party
On the corner at the end of the block

Didn't know you 
Would be jammin' until the break of dawn
I bet nobody ever told you that you 
would be jammin' until the break of dawn
You would be jammin' and jammin' and jammin', jam on

They want us to join their fighting
But our answer today
Is to let all our worries
Like the breeze through our fingers slip away
Peace has come to Zimbabwe
Third World's right on the one
Now's the time for celebration
'Cause we've only just begun

Didn't know that you 
Would be jammin' until the break of dawn
Bet you nobody ever told you that you
Would be jammin' until the break of dawn
You would be jammin' and jammin' and jammin', jam on
Bet you nobody ever told you that you
(We're in the middle of the makin's of the master blaster jammin')
Would be jammin' until the break of dawn
I know nobody told you that you
(We're in the middle of the makin's of the master blaster jammin')
Would be jammin' until the break of dawn
We're jammin', jammin', jammin', jam on

You ask me am I happy
Well as matter of fact
I can say that I'm ecstatic
'Cause we all just made a pact
We've agreed to get together
Joined as children in Jah
When you're moving in the positive
Your destination is the brightest star

You didn't know that you
(We're in the middle of the makin's of the master blaster jammin')
Would be jammin' until the break of dawn
I bet you nobody ever told you that you
(We're in the middle of the makin's of the master blaster jammin')
Would be jammin' until the break of dawn
Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, you
(We're in the middle of the makin's of the master blaster jammin')
Would be jammin' until the break of dawn
Don't you stop the music, oh no, 
(We're in the middle of the makin's of the master blaster jammin')
Na, na na...
(We're in the middle of the makin's of the master blaster jammin')
Nobody told you Oh, Oh, Oh, you 
(We're in the middle of the makin's of the master blaster jammin')
Would be jammin' until the break of dawn
I bet you if someone approached you 
(We're in the middle of the makin's of the master blaster jammin')
yesterday to tell you that you would be jammin' you would not believe it because you never thought that you would be jammin'
Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh,
(We're in the middle of the makin's of the master blaster jammin')
jammin' 'til the break of dawn
Oh, Oh, Oh, You may as well believe what you are feeling 
(We're in the middle of the makin's of the master blaster jammin')
because you feel your body jammin'
(We're in the middle of the makin's of the master blaster jammin')
Oh, Oh, you would be jammin' until the break of dawn
(We're in the middle of the makin's of the master blaster jammin')
(We're in the middle of the makin's of the master blaster jammin')

Beebopalula

01 July 2013

A Wedding on the Horizon

After Christmas, my weight crept up to 12 stone so, in January, I determined to diet - but only Mondays to Fridays, rewarding myself with a relaxed attitude to dinners with friends on Saturday evenings and Roast dinners with family on Sundays.

I set myself a target of 1000 calories per day during the week, meticulously writing down everything that passed through my lips. There were often one or two days each week that the calories were closer to 1200, but that's all.

In six weeks, I was under 11 stone and we went on holiday so the diet was put on hold. Two weeks later, at 11 stone, the diet resumed and it was another month before ten and a half stone was achieved, which brought us to Easter - and chocolate.

However, enough is enough! I stopped the incessant calorie counting whilst keeping to a similar eating routine and continuing to weigh myself every Saturday morning. At the end of June, my weight is the same. I would like to lose some more before a major family wedding in two weeks' time but I think I've left it too late to make much difference.

Oh, well, the dress fits!

28 June 2013

Stars like Jewels on the Crown of a Queen

party crown
Celebrating over 50 years, Joe Brown and his Bruvvers are still gigging throughout the UK this year. The title of this blog is a line from one of his songs from the early '60s, A Picture of You.

This, and another song from the same era, That's What Love Will Do, are two of my favourites.

As a contrast, though, Joe Brown also sang silly songs, e.g. What a Crazy World We're Livin' In (from a film with Marty Wilde, father of Kim Wilde); the lyrics describe a typical lifestyle in parts of London (and probably elsewhere) at that time.

Another interesting piece of trivia is that Joe Brown's daughter, Sam, who also sings, had a song written about her: 'Mrs Brown, You've Got A Lovely Daughter' written by Trevor Peacock of 'Vicar of Dibley' fame and originally sung by Tom Courtney in a TV play. The song was later performed by Herman's Hermits and was also the title of a 60s Britcom film of the same name, starring Peter Noone.

If you've not heard Joe Brown (then or now) search for him on YouTube, maybe catch a live performance.

21 June 2013

Psychosis - short film

A 5-minute 'film noir' mystery with a sting... keep watching after the credits!



This was one of a series of short films by NHC media students, shown at the Broadway Cinema in Letchworth (aka Mermaid in Worlds End), June 2013.

The story features a detective and introduces Malum, a character inspired by adversaries such as Moriarty and the Riddler.

The end is a one-on-one, each with a gun. Off camera, we hear a shot. Roll credits... Who survives? Keep watching.

13 June 2013

♫ Moon River(s) Collection

A classic tune written by Henry Mancini for the film, Breakfast at Tiffany's, released in 1961 starring Audrey Hepburn with George Peppard (A-Team) and Buddy Ebson (Beverly Hill Billies). The song has been covered many times.


Audrey Hepburn singing in the film Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Link: Original opening title sequence performed by Henry Mancini.

Eric Clapton & Jeff Beck live on stage London 2010 'Together & Apart'

Tom McFly posted this version by Mr & Mrs Fletcher.

Some others...
Danny Williams UK #1 61/62
Andy Williams TV performance
Frank Sinatra 'Best of...'
Elton John live - en France


20 May 2013

Help! Very Minor DIY Plumbing Question

Long hair somehow manages to wash down the plug-hole of the bath, despite cleaning around the hole after every shower. It tends to wrap around the screw thread that attaches the visible plug-hole to the hidden drainage bits. Eventually, the outlet becomes partially blocked and water takes longer to drain away.

I know this because it has happened to me. I found out how to remove the chrome plug-hole so I undertook this simple task this morning and disengaged the offending hair (not much hair, it has to be said, but of significant impact to the drainage process).

Then I tried to re-assemble. The drainage pipe under the bath has dropped a little and needs to be raised in order for the top plug-hole element to be re-attached.

Here is the problem. I can use a gripper tool to grab the lower pipe and raise it but how to keep it in place while the top bit is screwed in? I thought of putting a hook on a string through the top plug-hole but all the hooks I could find were too wide. Someone suggested cutting a wire hanger but this would also be too large. I looped a small hook that I fashioned from soft-wire and tried to raise the lower pipe but couldn't get the pieces aligned before the weight of them slipped from the weak, inefficient hook.

Any ideas, tips, etc. that don't involve buying expensive tools or calling even more expensive plumbers will be appreciated URGENTLY, please!
Hopeful of Herts.

16 January 2013

♫ British Pop 1968. Amen.

1968 was a great year for British pop groups.

My friends at school each had their favourite pop groups: Beach Boys, Rolling Stones, Love Affair, The Herd, Amen Corner - and our soon-to-retire English teacher liked Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Titch! Note the heavy emphasis on British groups in that list.

My personal favourite was Amen corner. Their first album, Round Amen Corner, included their first three singles: Gin House Blues and The World of Broken Hearts - both blues numbers with a jazz sound - plus their first pop song hit, Bend Me Shape Me. Every track was good! The seven strong group from Wales had a unique sound; featuring two saxophones and the falsetto voice of Andy Fairweather-Low.

Others British groups popular at that time included Traffic, Marmalade, The Equals, The BeeGees (sort-of British) and, of course, The Beatles were still together.

Top of the Pops: Bend Me Shape Me - Amen Corner



60s teen

12 January 2013

♫ British Pop on the Radio 1967

Before off-shore stations Radio Caroline and Radio London began broadcasting, Radio Luxembourg was the only Pop Music station but reception in the UK was generally terrible.

I was a dedicated Radio Caroline fan; listening to Keefer's Commotion while getting dressed for school, spending the evening with Robbie Dale (theme tune: I was Kaiser Bill's Batman) and going to bed with Johnnie Walker under my pillow - not the whisky. I even listened to Tony Prince on Radio Caroline North when visiting my grandparents during school holidays.

It was on Radio Caroline that I first heard "Last Train to Clarksville" by the Monkees. It was Radio Caroline that played "Ooh La La" and "Going Home" by Australian singer Normie Rowe.

The day that the Labour Party alienated a generation of future voters was 14 July 1967, when the Marine Broadcasting Offences Bill became an Act of Parliament.

Then, an iconic moment in time: BBC Radio 1 was launched on 30 September 1967, with ex Radio London DJ Tony Blackburn playing 'Flowers in the Rain' by The Move.

Did we all defect to 'the establishment'? No! We continued to listen to Pirate Radio Caroline as long as we possibly could.

For any other Radio Caroline 259 Fans, here is 'Caroline' by The Fortunes. Enjoy!


 
Recommended Music Blog: soundsandvision 
 
Beebopalula