everyone was young once - part 34 - my parents

When l was around at my sisters yesterday, she showed me a wedding album from our parents marriage day in sunny Bootle that she had dug out. Someone is doing our family tree, so l wanted some pictures of our grandparents mainly, but while l was scanning them, l thought l might as well do copies of the ones from the wedding as well.
It's hard to believe our parents were ever that young, and l don't recall seeing my father that skinny ever.
Both are dead now, so l am officially an orphan, and therefore demand sympathy!!

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elvis is alive!

Looking through some old photographs on the computer, l came across this one.  What a classic - it's as if Elvis Presley himself is still alive.  This is the Elvis impersonator that we hired when we renewed our wedding vows in Las Vegas.  He was excellent, off his head giggling crazy, and getting stuck into the ceremony like he was full of beans, probably because he was also doing lines of cocaine in his office, so he had energy to spare (although the photograph catches him looking as though he is asleep).  The thing is, because The King himself was so nutty at the end, it was better for us to have somebody like this, as it added to the Vegas Sin City and Elvis madness, which was certainly the vibe we were going for.  It's not like we were angels ourselves at the time, and all of our (touring) party went out and got wrecked pretty much every day we were there.  Happy times indeed.   I wonder if this version of Elvis is still alive?   I'll have to dig out his website and check.

toodle pip

another wild night out with jack, dennis and michelle

This looks like it would have been a good night out, and I would bet anything that there had been a lot of alcohol and drugs taken.They certainly don't look sober, that's for sure.
There is also a good chance that this is Dennis Hopper and Michelle Philips wedding do, as their wedding only lasted for eight days, and l can't imagine Jack Nicholson was hanging about with them all the time.
Then again, maybe that was the reason they split up. I would normally think maybe the wedded couple would want some peace, quiet, and a relaxing time on their honeymoon, but l wouldn't think that was the case with these two lovebirds from the party planet.

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chris and hilary's wedding

Travelled back up to Newcastle on Saturday as it was Chris and Hilary's wedding day (on my birthday and wedding anniversary as well!). Managed to go to Forbidden planet beforehand, looking for decent books and t shirts, and went back to our hotel for the Manchester United win at Bolton (5-0!). Off to The Baltic for the evening do/BBQ and saw the Millennium bridge being opened, which was the first time l had witnessed it. Pretty damn impressive l must say. There was a band on and most people hit the booze (apart from the pregnant ladies), so everyone enjoyed themselves, although mentioning no names, they paid for it in the morning (OK, l've crumbled, that would be The FPO). The Quayside at Newcastle and Gateshead (plus Newcastle centre itself) has certainly had a lot of money pumped into it over the last few years, and has completely changed from when l used to frequent the place years ago. It certainly all looks flash and l know it has made the place more upmarket, but it is still a shame some of the old places had to go, such as The Haymarket and Broken Doll pubs. I drove back as The FPO was still too ill, then had a relaxing day watching recordings of football and The Sunday Supplement, while she quietly suffered, Bliss.

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back from the stinking holiday

Damn! Back from the holiday to Portugal already. We arrived back at Newcastle on Thursday afternoon, but have since returned up there for a wedding on Saturday at The Baltic. More information and pictures to follow, as l don't return to work until Thursday afternoon. I'd like to say it is great to be back, but it isn't.

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the royal wedding video

And if they did this, l would probably hate them that little bit more (if that was possible)

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the royal wedding

The nation is soooo happy! We are all walking around with smiles on our faces! Think of how much money this will make for the country! (even though l will be paying towards it).

Sod that l say.

A couple of outrageously over privileged spoilt bastards decide to get hitched. So what. I am not interested in their wedding one iota, but l am interested in the way the media are falling over themselves to build it up (and yes, l do know we are talking about our future king and queen).

It is supposed to be heading us all towards a classless society, and the Mail have even gone as far as calling her a commoner.

This is a commoner who went to a £30,000 a year school and lives in a one million pound flat which her parents bought her. Curious to know what (real) work she does as well.

Honestly, it makes my blood boil.

Bring on the revolution brothers and sisters.

toodle pip

tan hill wedding

Off to Tan Hill on Saturday for the wedding of Lynn (who works with the FPO) and Tony. Got a taxi there and back (at the cost of £60), but it meant I would be back at home and in my own bed for the Sunday papers. The do was better than I thought it would be and plenty off ale was imbibed, so the taxi turned out to be a good idea. The main surprise of the evening was seeing a couple of people I know working there. Ranting Ritchie was behind the bar serving the ale, and didn't recognise me at first as I have had so much hair cut off. This meant he called me "Sir" for a while before realising who I was (Oh! - how we laughed about it later!). There was also a bit of a shock when the food came out, as Newcastle Steve was the chef/cook and had prepared it. It was curry, and tasted pretty good, although I was a bit suspicious about his special sauce and avoided that. Sat in the bar after the do talking to Ritchie and Steve until about 1.30am, drinking double whiskies while waiting for the taxi. There was some talk about doing some kind of benefit gig for Ritchie's brother John, who is in hospital in a bad way after having a stroke a few weeks ago, which was also a bit of a shock as it was the first I had heard about it. Something may indeed happen, but who knows? Anyway, it was a good night, and followed up by an argument with the taxi driver on the way home as he was a Manchester City fan (albeit in good spirits).

toodle pip

back from marmaris

Another trip finished and l am now back for a while. Arrived back from Marmaris last night, but there is no peace (for the wicked) at the moment. Off to a wedding at Tan Hill this afternoon, and decided to get a taxi there and back so lots of drink can be taken and l will also wake up in my own bed in the morning, awaiting the Sunday paper. The cost with Frontline taxis is £60, but it would have cost just as much to book a hotel, plus somebody has to drive. The offer was on to stay at the pub itself, but l didn't fancy dossing down with a load of other people (Christ l am getting old and boring). Pick up is at 3.15pm, so l had better go and have a quick bath and wash some of the Turkish filth off me. Who knows, l may even treat everyone and have a shave as well.

toodle pip

emma and pauls wedding

Back to work today (Saturday), after being at Emma and Pauls (the head) wedding reception last night, just outside the Boro, (Stainton?). Drove there from Robbo and Kerry's, then picked the car back up before coming home today, as I wanted to watch the United v Spurs game (3-1 to United) before heading off for work. Had a good time at the do and we all got suitably pissed (and I even managed to remain standing). Mandy stormed off to bed in a huff when we got back to Nunthorpe, as she was pissed and thought we were all picking on her for trying to stop Robbo breathing (it's a long story). All fine afterwards though, and laughing about it in the morning. I got up through the night to use the loo, and must have got out of bed a different way, as I ended up trying to find the door handle where it wasn't, as I was trying to open the wall, not the door (it was pitch black). Worked it out in the end, although I thought I might piss my pants if I couldn't find it pretty damn sharply. At work again at 3pm, but haven't done too much tonight, and even fell asleep at the end of Match of The day, which is pretty unusual for me, so I must still be tired. It must be all the blood they have been taking out of me recently. Ah well, beddy byes is a calling, so..

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mark owen and shaun ryder

Shaun making an honest man of himself (again)

Mark with Neve, his mistress of five years

So little Mark Owen has admitted he has had a few (maybe 10?) one night stands and he has also had an affair for the last five years. First of all, what a surprise. He is a good looking international pop star with lots of opportunities while he is away on tour or recording. Secondly, there is no way he wanted to come out and admit all this. The Sun obviously had the story, but rather than just print it, gave Mark the chance to tell it from his side, getting more sympathy for himself and them not alienating Take That, thus losing stories and exclusives in the future. They would have told Mark that if they did not print the story, some-one else would, so it would all come out anyway, therefore leaving him no choice except to spill the beans. More damaging to his marriage is the long term affair with Neve (above), as that will be looked upon by his wife as more of a betrayal, rather than a drunken one night stand. Mark says he has been faithful since getting married (good man - four long months), but I also reckon he would have had a lot more than 10 one night stands. That is just a good figure to give, as it does not seem too many, but will explain away any women coming forward trying to sell their story, as he will be counting on the number coming forward being less than 10. I bet he is forgiven, will have to stop drinking and make more statements about how sorry he is, how stupid he has been, and how he has now cleaned up his act. It will never last.

In other news, Shaun Ryder has got married again Doesn't he look great when he's straight? Another one that will never last, unless he dies before the divorce.

Pop stars eh!

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Bonnie Scotland

Drove up to a place called Paxton at the weekend for Sue and Bills blessing. Got there early so we managed to hit the pub (The Cross Inn at Paxton, meant to do really good food) beforehand and have a couple of wee drams (or rather, large double drams). Quick change in the pub car park then off to the ceremony.
A good time was had by all, there was an emotional speech given by Sue and Bill which nearly had me wiping a tear away, but l managed to keep it all together (English pride etc, don't want to let the side down in front of the Jocks). Mind you, Ken's introduction nearly reduced me to tears (only joking, he kept it short).

Plenty of food and drink after (All free!! Hurrah!!), then we drove back (well, Mandy did, although l did offer). Back to Catterick about 2am, which wasn't bad at all. it was good to go to the do but still wake up in my own bed in the morning. Seemed a bit unreal that we had been out for a night out in Scotland the night before, but l suppose it's not that far if the roads are clear.
May post some film or photos when l can get to the computer again.

Not been able to get at the computer till now as Mandy has been doing her degree stuff, working till about 1.30am last night. Has to be in by Thursday so at least it is now nearly over, plus it's the start of holiday time at the end of next week - Turkey here we come!

Also....

Footie is back! Started with a 1-0 win against Birmingham. The points are the most important thing at the start of the season, plenty of time to play decent football once the team has settled after a few games. Looking foreword to Burnley on Wednesday now.
That's it. got to go now as l am off to York for the night, hope the weather stays decent.

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