Mike Deakin's Big Yellow Taxi

The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)

2008-02-19T21:28:00.002Z

As if you can improve on perfection, Fox have announced that they are remaking the classic 1951 B-Movie, The Day the Earth Stood Still. The film will star Keanu Reeves as Klaatu and be ready for release in May 2008. UK release date to be confirmed.

Indiana Jones 4 Movie Trailer

2008-02-19T20:59:00.002Z

May 22nd

Star Trek XI Movie Trailer

2008-02-18T15:30:00.002Z

The new HD trailer for the new film due out at Christmas. Give it time to load!

National Treasure:Book of Secrets - Movie Review

2008-02-10T21:41:00.001Z

When one of Ben Gates's ancestors is implicated as the mastermind behind the assasination of Abraham Lincoln in 1865, he and his father are spurred on to clear their family name. The trail that follows is an entertaining treasure chase around the world looking for clues to the whereabouts of a lost city of gold and proof of his ancestors patriotism.

Along the way, Ben must find a mythical book containing all the answers to all the secrets from American history, such as the truth about who really killed JFK, Area 51, the missing minutes from the Watergate tapes and so on. The book, supposedly added to by each American President and handed down from President to President throughout the years. Ben decides the only way to find the book is to kidnap the President.

Ok, I'm not going to spoil the film for those that want to watch it. To really enjoy this film you need to suspend your belief and just go with the flow. The acting isn't necessarily the best, it's tongue in cheek and is just plain good fun. Nicolas Cage plays his character well as does his hunky side kick Justin Bartha, who provides the wit and sarcasm needed to balance the tension that is created from the fast paced plot. The car chase around London by the baddies in a brewery waggon is quite good as car chases go.

The time goes quickly with this film and I always find that a good sign for a well spent entrance fee. Will I be buying this on DVD. You bet I will!

There is an obvious open ended question in this film, which leaves the film makers with the option of a second sequel. I'm already looking forward to finding out what was written on page 47 of the Book of Secrets.

Summer

2008-02-07T22:54:00.000Z

Directed by Hong Khaou
What are you going to wish for?
This intricately crafted short delicately explores the ache of unrequited love as Leung (Peter Peralta) reveals his true feelings for his beefy straight pal Will (Jay Brown).

Torchwood - To the Last Man

2008-01-30T21:53:00.000Z

I've not commented so far on the new series of Torchwood, tonight's episode has just finished and I feel compelled to write something. If the quality of the rest of the season lives up to the standard of tonight's episode, then I'm a happy man.

Helen Raynor has written an interesting temporal plot line that, when complete, leaves you feeling satisfied, and moved. The story didn't need, gun fire and explosions to deliver its impact, neither did it need car chases and alien skulduggery.

The human story of attachment and subsequent loss was sufficiently powerful enough to carry the episode to its conclusion.

If you missed it, you can watch it again by clicking here. (only works from the UK, sorry!)

On a trivia point: If you thought that Tommy (Anthony Lewis) looked a little like Neville Longbottom (Matthew Lewis) from the Harry Potter films, then you'd be right. Anthony & Matthew are brothers.

Sweeney Todd - Movie Review

2008-01-27T21:55:00.001Z

Having seen the stage version of this musical some years ago, I was somewhat open minded about how Tim Burton would approach this project. Having Johnny Depp as your leading man means that you're at least assured that you'll get some significant footfall for this movie, even those who wouldn't normally venture to see a musical, may make the effort just to see Mr Depp's vocal performance of the demon barber of fleet street. I was somewhat disappointed in his portrayal. Sweeney Todd seemed to be an amalgamation of three of his previous characters, Edward Scissorhands (for moodiness), Inspector Abberline (from Hell, for mumbling British accent) and Jack Sparrow (for camp flair). Depp's mockney accent became more distracting when singing, although give him his due, he did carry this off quite well.

The film itself, was, as the subject matter dictated to some degree, dark, with washed out colours and stark grubby sets, setting the scene of a rat infested cesspit of London. The seem less CGI was impressive and I began wondering what was a special effects and what wasn't.

Helena Bonham Carter, who also surprisingly could hold a note, seemed to have lifted her entire deranged character directly from her Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix portrayal of Bellatrix Lestrange. I found it hard to warm to her character, even when she was showing kindness and warmth to the young Toby (Ed Sanders). Now, there's a young man who can really sing. His rendition of "Not While I'm Around" was very moving.

I enjoyed Sacha Baron Cohen's performance as Signor Pirelli, it was worth the entrance fee just to see him in his fantastically camp costume.

Overall, I thought that the film relied too much on its gore and bloodletting. I found some of the scenes distasteful and unnecessarily bloodthirsty, but I suppose in hindsight, they were in context for the film and Mr Burton does have a tendency to lean heavily on the Gothic side with his vision for movies.

I can't say that I didn't enjoy the film, but I tend to rate films on whether I would buy the DVD when it's released. In this case it's a definite, "No".

National Treasure - Movie Trailer

2008-01-21T22:28:00.000Z

The first of these films I saw whilst on holiday in the US. Ian and I happened to be in Santa Monica on the day it was released. Ian had never been to an American movie theater before, so we decided on this film. It's not the kind of film I usually enjoy, but it was kind of at the time I'd just read The Da Vinci Code and Ian pursuaded me that it was somewhat similar.

I really enjoyed the first one, and so it only seems natural that I go and see the sequal.

I've moved...

2007-03-01T07:50:00.000Z

You may be wondering why I haven't posted for a while, well actually I've moved over to Wordpress, click the picture above to view my new blog.

Bill Gates...very rich and very wise.

2007-02-16T00:21:00.000Z

Giving a speech at a school in the US, Bill Gates explained why being politically correct in schools, has turned out a generation of people with unrealistic expectations on life. He lists 11 things kids do not learn in school.

Enjoy them, I did...

Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it!

Rule 2: The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.

Rule 3: You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.

Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.

Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity . Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: they called it opportunity.

Rule 6: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.

Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now.. They got th at way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.

Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.

Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.

Rule 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.

Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.

Go Bill!!!

Thanks to blogger...

2007-02-05T09:21:00.000Z

I've discovered Dangerous Muse this morning...thanks guys, their music is right up my street!!

You can read more about them on their blog click here!

Another netsuke to the collection...

2007-02-01T23:30:00.000Z

...just this minute purchased this Netsuke Monster Mask (2.25" x 1.75") on eBay. Japanese boxwood, signed with cord holes to the rear. A snip at £4.95+postage.

I can't believe it's Potter...

2007-01-31T19:46:00.000Z

Yes, shock, horror look at how grown up Dan Radcliffe has become. It only seems like a few minutes ago when he was a little 10yr old. My how time has flown and it's been very good to him as you can see. This is a recent publicity shot for a play he is appearing in called Equus, in which he apparently performs naked. If you're wondering he's currently 17 years old!

Alien Song

2007-01-29T20:57:00.000Z

Ok, so I do have a sense of humour too, even if it is a sense of the ridiculous and camp! Enjoy the clip!

Jesus the musical.

2007-01-29T20:28:00.000Z

In response the Catholic Church's opposition to allow gay couples to use their adoption services in the UK when the new antidiscrimination law comes into effect in April of this year.

I am proud to present.....(drum roll)

Jesus. The Musical.

New Netsuke to add to the collection

2007-01-28T21:56:00.000Z

I've just bought this new netsuke from ebay...4.5mm x 3.5mm, made from non restricted mammoth ivory.

Holocaust memorial day 27th January

2007-01-23T07:36:00.000Z

The 27th January will be Holocaust Memorial Day. It's significance is obvious to those whose lives were affected by the Nazis "final soloution" during World War 2, however it also has a significance for me as well, although I'm not Jewish I shall be remembering all the gay men and lesbians who were also exterminated by the Nazis. Why? Read on...

"Thriving gay and lesbian communities had developed in Germany from 1900 to the early 1930s. This changed when the Nazis came into power in 1933. The Nazis declared aim was the eradication of homosexuality. During 12 years in power they implemented a broad range of persecutory measures. An estimated 50,000 gay men were sentenced and imprisoned, some of whom faced the death penalty. Up to 15,000 gay men were deported to concentration camps and made to wear the pink triangle symbol which identified them as homosexual men. Many of these Pink Triangle detainees were subjected to starvation and hard labour, castration, medical experiments and collective murder actions. Lesbianism was not illegal in Germany, so lesbians did not suffer the same level of persecution as gay men. However, there is historical evidence of police records being collected on lesbians and of lesbians being sent to concentration camps on the grounds of their sexual orientation. They were known as Green Triangle detainees.

New research shows that in Austria lesbians were criminalised and liable for prosecution and persecution. After the war, neither the Allies nor the German or Austrian States recognised gay men or lesbians as victims alongside other groups, so they were not considered eligible for compensation. Only in 2001 was the German and Swiss Bank compensation programme extended to include gay victims. Nazi laws against homosexuality remained in place in Germany until 1967. Unsurprisingly, very few victims of wartime persecution came forward to fight for recognition. Those that did were often further victimised. Comparatively few known victims are still alive today." (source, Stonewall)

Visitors in the night...

2007-01-22T20:30:00.000Z

I'm mentioned previous that one of the worst things about blogging, is that you never know if anyone out there is taking any notice. I've had a few comments left on my blog, so I know some people are stumbling across me from time to time. I've added a hit counter on my blog top left hand corner. This is really for my benefit, so that I can feel as though I'm not just talking to a void. If the number goes up occasionally, at least I'll know that someone somewhere is taking notice. I've rigged the counter so that it records unique hits, which means if the same person hits me twice it'll only count them once, something witchcrafty about recording ip addresses, it's all technobable and I'm sure someone somewhere will understand it.

Published Articles/Essays

2007-01-22T08:41:00.000Z

I've had a couple of articles/essays published, you can view them by clicking on the links in the new section on the sidebar.

Ok they're only on the web but it's a start. I'll update the list is I have any more published.

Brokeback on Ice!

2007-01-17T17:30:00.000Z

A little bit more exciting than the actual film don't ya think..!

THE PANTS AWARD

2007-01-16T21:52:00.000Z

I've decided to create a new type of blog, each time I come across something that really annoys me, I'm going to give it a PANTS AWARD!Watch out for these cropping up in my blog entries!

The delight of blogging...

2007-01-16T07:41:00.000Z

...is never knowing if anyone is actually reading your blog. I received one of my first commements yesterday about my netsuke collection, the commentor gave me some very useful information about the material that two of my netsuke are made from, information which I did not know. Thank you JL!

This is one of the reasons I started a blog in the first place.

Blog Hack...

2007-01-16T00:14:00.000Z

It's taken me since the new year to finally crack the code on this new template...I've finally been able to swap out the header title and decription and replace it with an image of my choice and making!

looking forward to 2007...

2007-01-08T11:09:00.000Z

While at Ian's this weekend we discussed things we'd like to do this year; places to visit, things we'd like to achieve personally that kind of thing. We had a frank and open discussion about our relationship and we talked about the possibility that I might actually move in this year.

We talked for a while about how that would work, would I travel to Sheffield from Leeds everyday? Would I still in Penistone some nights? I also discussed with him the possibility of changing my job for one in Leeds and how that would work.

The only thing that is stopping me from becomming determined to do it this year, is that he's still so bloody house proud and still occasionally makes me feel as though I shouldn't be there.

I know it's because for years he lived in a place that wasn't his and that he didn't feel like he was in control...blah blah blah, but I'm not going to be treat the same as he was..and I think he now understands.

We agreed to discuss it again soon. We'll see.

Time to switch fragrances...

2007-01-03T16:30:00.000Z

...a friend of mine has just emailed me with this advert for the new fragrance from Paco Rabanne "BlackXS".

Even if I don't like the new smell....I do like the advert!!

The 1st of 2007...

2007-01-01T18:58:00.000Z

...quite literally.

Well the new year is here and it's time to set those new year resolutions...

...nah, I'd only break them anyway.

I got home about 5pm from Ian's this afternoon with all good intensions of getting most of my ironing done ready for work tomorrow, but I haven't even looked at it yet.

I've resisted the urge to stand on the bathroom scales to see how much weight I've put on over the Xmas period because I know It'll only depress me.

The first thing I did was to add my new music onto the laptop and check out what emails I've had, which wasn't interesting, just junk stuff as per usual.

I haven't even unpacked my bag yet...well I suppose I'd beter make a move as the clock downstairs has just chimed 7pm...which means I've now only 3 hours left to do my ironing...

A fourth Netsuke for the collection...

2006-12-29T20:14:00.000Z

Ian's bought me this tiny ivory netsuke, it's carved from non restricted mammoth ivory, which is exempt from the import ban. The frog is less than 20mm long and the detail of it is extraordinary. This piece is also signed by the sculptor.

Getting Christmas under wraps...

2006-12-19T07:27:00.000Z

Its now only 6 days to Christmas an I started to wrap up my presents last night. I realised that I still have a little shopping to do. Therefore I'm going to be very brave and venture into Meadowhall tonight after work.

Wish me luck, it doesn't have the nickname Meadowhell for nothing!!

A new addition to the collection...

2006-12-17T19:30:00.000Z

Mum & Dad have bought me a new netsuke for Xmas, this one is again carved from a tagua (palm oil) nut and is in the shape of a Japanese god. The god is Daikokuten and is carrying a mallet, which is a Japanese symbol of prosperity.

Isn't he cute! The detail on his kinomo is lovely.

The start of a new collection...

2006-12-14T16:44:00.000Z

I've started to collect Netsuke (pronounced Net-ski). To explain what a netsuke is, is probably best left to the experts so click here for the Wikipedia explanation.

My 2nd piece which I've bought from eBay is a small frog sat on a flower (see below).

It's carved from a tagua (palm oil) nut and is approx 3.5cm in size. The holes underneath are where it would be attached to the cord of the inro. It is also signed by the sculptor. I have no idea of it's age.

Hob Nobbing & Netsuke

2006-12-11T23:20:00.000Z

This weekend Ian and I went to Chester to meet up with one of his clients for a meal, it's a ritual we've done for a couple of years, Ian spends all night talking shop and I bitch with his clients wife about what all the other women are wearing..It's usually quite good fun. We spent most of the day on Saturday shopping in Chester, a place I'd never been to before. What a suprise it's really quite nice.

On the Sunday morning as we were leaving the hotel I noticed a sign for an antiques fair which was being held in one of the hotel's function rooms. I mentioned it to Ian who naturally wanted to have a walk round.

While we were browsing the stalls, I spotted a piece of netsuke, which was a small sculpture of a cicada sat on a piece of bamboo, netsuke are small carved ornaments from Japan and were traditionally worn on a cord hanging from the belt or Sagimono (i think) of the kimono before western clothes were adopted. The piece I'd spotted was carved out of some form of wood, but often they are carved from ivory.

I've been interested in netsuke for years and have often seen them on sale for huge sums of money in America, but I'd never thought of buying one of my own. I asked the woman running the stall how much she wanted for it, I don't really think she knew what it was, she only asked for £20. Ian, knowing that I'd always wanted to start collecting netsuke, offered to buy me it. I obviously said yes. So now I'm the proud owner of my very first netsuke. Pictures to follow!!!

The wanderer returns...

2006-11-20T09:19:00.000Z

Getting back from two weeks away is always a wrench, even worse is having to go back to work. My body clock is still out of sync as I only got home at 10am yesterday morning, I've had plenty of sleep but my body still thinks it's the middle of the night. Its still 1am LA time!

The holiday itself was great, the first week in Las Vegas was good and the second week in LA was fantastic. Both hotels were really nice, but the Bellagio in Las Vegas was a bit a of a let down, the rooms were not as clean as they should have been, but apparently that's normal from what a few people have told me.

The Beverly Wilshire in LA was a different story, the hotel is great and very clean. I'd recommend it to anyone, especially for star spotting! In just one week we saw Bruce Willis, Leonardo Di Caprio, Daniel Craig, George Lucas and Angelica Houston. Not bad eh!

A flying start to the holiday....

2006-11-03T20:10:00.000Z

Just my luck, at 3.10pm this afternoon on the way home from work on Friday, the car hit a raised manhole, which ripped off the exhaust manifold from under the car, this has also resulted in the sump being dented and possible piston damage to the engine, which could mean a new engine is needed.

I had to organise for the car to be towed, inform the police, insurance company and get Ian to come and pick Dad and I up from the garage.....the insurance company was brilliant and by 5.30 everything was sorted with everyone.

At least I dont have to worry about that while I'm away.

15 hours and I'm officially on Holiday!

2006-11-02T22:42:00.000Z

That's it I've just finished packing my suitcase, I've run through and checked everything, passport, tickets, money etc...

All I have to do now is endure a half day at work, thank God I'm finishing work at 2.30pm. I don't think I could stand a full day, and then have to drive over to the hotel in Manchester in rush hour traffic. The thought of being able to check in at the airport the night before you fly is fantastic, no rushing across to the airport 2 hours before you fly. At least we can stroll across and have a leisurely, relaxed breakfast without the hassle of standing in line.

I don't know if I'll have time to post before I fly out on Saturday, I'm not taking my laptop so unless I find an internet cafe in Las Vegas or LA, you won't hear from me until I get back on the 20th November.

I still don't feel excited...

Early frost..

2006-11-02T07:09:00.000Z

It's happened, I had to spend 5 minutes defrosting the car this morning. Xmas is just around the corner, Sunday night is Bonfire night and the leaves have all but dropped.

The end of the year is nigh!

Time to finish packing my suitcase!!!

Altogether different...

2006-10-31T23:52:00.001Z

It's Halloween night and we've had the sum total of one little boy with his dad knock on the door. I know there's a lot of old folk where I live, but I thought we'd have had more than that. Oh well, maybe next year I'll go out trick or treatin myself!

I thought going on your holidays was supposed to be a stress free time, NOT. My head is a jumble of what to take, is it clean? does it need ironing? where is it?

I think I need to go to bed and start afresh tomorrow!

Halloween Madness

2006-10-31T09:12:00.000Z

It's now only a few days until my holiday, I've not even started to pack yet. I'll be standing ironing and packing tonight as I don't have much time to do it during the rest of the week. I lead an exciting life don't I?

Everything else is sorted, tickets, money, sunglasses..etc

If I don't get chance to post before I go...I'll catch up when I get back.

Wish me Bon Voyage!

A return to the fold...

2006-10-06T17:54:00.000+01:00

I can't believe it's been over a month since I last updated this. Time has just flown by and it seams that so little has happened.

My holiday is now only 4 weeks away and it seems an age since it was booked, but there it is almost on the horizon and most within reach if I close my eyes. I'm there already sat on the white sand on Venice Beach watching the guys go by…

Shameless Oppertunism...

2006-08-03T07:30:00.000+01:00

Big changes and shakes up at my employer meant that yesterday lots of people were made redundant...but not me.

This morning I arrived at 7.15am and claimed someones big leather chair.

I felt guilty for seconds...

When I first started with this employer, there were around 20 people in the workforce, it has steadily grown to around 40, and now today we're back at 20. In 3 years we seem to have gone full circle, and now I'm one of the longest serving members of staff. Which is weird. It also means I'm one of the most experienced too.

I've worked with some great people over the last 3 years and I'll miss some of them a great deal.

But now, it's time to look forward and focus on the tasks we've been set, if those of us who are left want to still be here in a years time.

I like my job....and I'll do anything to protect it and those of us who are left.

So, focus, focus, focus...

Mr Fahrenheit...

2006-07-18T07:31:00.000+01:00

The temperature guage in my garden reached 109 yesterday...there's no wonder the plants are wilting!

She sells sea shells...

2006-07-10T08:28:00.000+01:00

A wonderful weekend just gone, yesterday Ian and I took the dog to the east coast, not far from Hornsea, we spent most of the day walking up and down the beach throwing stones and sticks for Max into the waves. Max had the time of his life, he went right up to his belly in the water.

It was a nice warm day, not sunny, but just nice to walk around without a coat. We went fossil hunting and found some nice examples too. We had lunch and then on the way home stopped of and did some strawberry picking at Stamford Bridge.

When we got home we were completely wiped out, the dog fell asleep straight away and we almost fell asleep ourselves.

A day to remember...

Pizza Hut...

2006-07-06T07:51:00.000+01:00

Met up with Ian again last night, we decided to go to Pizza Hut instead of the Red Kite as the Red Kite was really busy. I left my car and Ian drove us in the Porche to Pizza Hut near the cinema.

Pizza Hut wasn't too busy, and we were seated fairly quickly. I was really hungry and couldn't wait for the pizza, so I ordered two salad bowls so we could nibble before the pizza arrived, with the side order of potato wedges.

After we finished at Pizza Hut, we drove back to the Red Kite and sat outside and had a drink as it was a warm night. We ended up talking about Big Brother, which is a laugh because Ian swore blind he'd never get caught up in it!

My week so far...

2006-07-05T10:46:00.000+01:00

It's been a strange week this week, I don't seem to have had time for anything. I was at college yesterday having a tutorial for my teaching degree, which was vile; we were stuck in a cramped office with no aircon and loads of black insects swarming everywhere. It wasn't an interesting or stimulating day. I was glad to get away.

Last night, i spent the whole of the evening re-writing an essay because it wasn't written in "academic language". So that was fun! Finally gave up and crawled into bed about 11.30pm.

Even happier...

2006-07-03T13:01:00.000+01:00

to see the new Spiderman 3 movie trailer...

Another weekend over...

2006-07-03T09:44:00.000+01:00

...and what a nice weekend too, I did a little bit of shopping, bought some new shoes, DVDs, a new top and some new pants (steady there!) all at sale prices..yahoo!

Had a nice lunch yesterday at TGI Friday's at Birstall near IKEA, then spent the rest of the afternoon sitting in the sunshine drinking cherryade and reading New Scientist and Empire magazine until the rain started!

Looks like there are some good films coming up for the summer. I'm looking forward to Pirates 2 and Superman Returns.

Out for tea...

2006-06-29T08:27:00.000+01:00

Ian and I met up at the "Red Kite" in Wakefield last night for something to eat. I like it there, it's full of middle 30 somethings of undecipherable sexuality.

I had the biggest fish and chips ever, it could have been a whale I swear. The whole bill including drinks was less than £40. You can't beat it.

It's a small world...

2006-06-27T21:16:00.000+01:00

Whilst attending a meeting at the JCP this afternoon I bumped into a woman I used to know about 10 years ago, she was working at Barnsley & Doncaster TEC at the time and I was a partner in my own business. We had a lot to catch up on, I was glad to see that she came out well from the demise of the TECs.

It reminded me that no matter what happens to the business you're employed by, something always crops up. The old saying "as one door closes; another door opens" is such a truism.

I've travelled down many paths in the last 10 years, all of which have led me to the point where I am now. It's funny to think 10 years ago our paths were similar but then split apart and we went our seperate ways only to find that 10 years later they converge once again.

The Gallery opens...

2006-06-26T07:37:00.000+01:00

I have created a new photo gallery page where I will be depositing and sharing my photos. A link to the page can be found in the "My Links" section.

Another weekend...

2006-06-25T22:07:00.000+01:00

I'm home after spending the weekend in Leeds, I had a nice relaxing time doing the usual mundane stuff, shopping, watching TV, eating...etc

I'm a man of simple pleasures...although I have over done it with the chocolate again this weekend.

What is it Oscar Wilde said, "I can resist anything but temptation!" Oh I hear ya Oscar!!!

View from a hill...

2006-06-23T13:31:00.000+01:00

The pictures below were taken on Wednesday 21st June at about 7pm. They were all taken within a mile of where I live.

Lies...

2006-06-22T22:46:00.000+01:00

I read an interesting line today, it said

"It takes two to make a lie work, one to speak the lie, another to believe it."

Amazing Pictures...

2006-06-22T13:12:00.000+01:00

The amazing picture below was taken from one of the space shuttle missions. It shows Europe emerging from night into day. The right hand side of the picture shows parts of Europe and nearly all of Africa in darkness, with city lights clearly visible. The left side of the picture shows France, the UK and parts of Spain in full sunshine. What is also quite breathtaking, is that you can also see the Sahara Desert running the full width of Africa, and at the same time, snow covering most of the Nordic countries.

When I first saw this picture it reminded me of just how small we really are.

Rooney...what's all that paint about then?

2006-06-21T07:45:00.000+01:00

It's funny, I never posted a blog yesterday and I feel quite guilty about it. I wouldn't say that nothing happened yesterday, it did, lots of things happened. It's just that nothing that I would consider worth commenting on…except that bloody awful picture of Wayne Rooney in the Sun Newspaper. Who wants to see a picture of some ugly, lumpy football player practically naked, painted white, with a red cross daubed across his torso?

I could understand if it was David Beckham or Freddie Ljungberg…but Rooney?

If that guy is being looked at as a sex symbol, then it's time to turn in my whoopsie union card.

While I remember...

2006-06-19T16:14:00.000+01:00

The thing with blogs, is that once you've made a post, you remember other stuff which you wanted to say.

I thought I'd better mention it, but I'll start to make reference to my holidays fairly soon. We've booked (my partner and I that is!) a week at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, and a week at the Regent Beverley Witlshire in LA. You may remember these hotels from films like Ocean's 11 (Bellagio) and Pretty Woman (Regent Beverley Wiltshire). We fly out on the 4th November. This is our second visit to Las Vegas and LA, so we pretty much know what to expect and I'm really quite excited about it!

Secondry to that we've also booked a long weekend away in Amsterdam over the August Bank Holiday. Although I'm not sure what the name of the hotel is.

So when I start mentioning holidays, you'll know what I'm talking about!

That's all for now.

My lovely group

2006-06-19T13:06:00.000+01:00

I just thought I'd introduce you to my group of learners and to some of my work mates. The photo was taken Xmas 2005 during our festive party. I'm in the middle somewhere with a green t-shirt on!

Sad News

2006-06-19T10:40:00.000+01:00

I've just heard that Lisa, one of my colleagues is going to hand in her notice today. It's sad, she joined the company just before I did and she is a really valuable member of our team.

This is one of the reasons I've never felt comfortable building relationships outside of work with work colleauges, as once they leave you kinda lose touch.

I don't like saying goodbye....I don't suppose anyone does. Do they?

Half Asleep

2006-06-19T07:53:00.000+01:00

It's now 7.50am and I'm sat at my desk at work. The loved ones returned last night, their plane touched down about 10.45pm but due to traffic on the way home we didn't get back to the house until 1.30am this morning. I obviously haven't had a decent night's sleep, so I'm probably going to be a bit crabby today!

I'm off to put the kettle on and clear the milk that’s gone sour in the fridge! I DO GET THE GLAMOUROUS JOBS!

The last Sunday

2006-06-18T12:06:00.000+01:00

I woke up at 8.40am this morning feeling great; I had a good night’s sleep, which I needed after the night before. I’ve cleaned and tidied up again. Where does the dust and dirt comes from. I’ve been out and watered the plants in the hanging baskets and done the plants in the greenhouse. It’s surprising how dried up they were considering I only missed one day!

I hope they make a full recovery.

Well the weather is rubbish today, still warm but overcast and cloudy, and it’s just started to rain, although only a little. Typical after I’ve just watered the garden.

Its’s 12 noon now and I’ve not eaten today as yet. I’m waiting for Ian to turn up. I can’t remember whether he said 12 or 1pm…suppose only time will tell.

Last day of freedom.

2006-06-17T21:55:00.000+01:00

Well it's 9.30pm on Saturday the 17th June. Tomorrow, the loved ones return from Portugal and I have to pick them up at 10.45pm from Manchester Airport.

I've made the most of the last two weeks, I've run around the house in my underwear, not made my bed and generally done what I want when I wanted to. It'll be great to see them again and I know the pooch will be very pleased to see them home safe and sound.

I've spent a few hours today cleaning the house from top to bottom, putting things back where they sould be, fluffing up cushions, dusting and cleaning the bathroom. I don't think there will be any accusing looks.

Anyway, my brain is fried after only having 4 hours sleep last night..so I'm going to sign off for today.

The main reason

2006-06-17T19:02:00.000+01:00

One of the reasons I wanted to set up this blog page, was that I wanted a cathartic experience of writing a diary; a diary that other people could read and if they wanted to, make comments on. I will make this blog available to all my family and friends so there will be some editing, but not much.

Taking the plunge

2006-06-17T18:17:00.000+01:00

Hey world, I've finally taken the plunge into the world of blogging. Which when I think about it is a stupid first line because it's stating the obvious.

Great, so much for making the right first impression.