the wine bar on monday

Part of the mayhem and carnage from Monday night in The Wine Bar with Paul and Linda.  This was still early doors, and we ended up being the last ones to leave JT's with Eleanor and Billy (who had been hilarious earlier on, sellotaping some tampons to his ears to drown out Jimmy's swearing).  There should be a photograph up of it in the pub now, as Stella Steve snapped one, and said he's arrange it.
A fun night for all the family.

toodle pip

a quiet night at jt's

After sitting around watching TV on Saturday, l managed to persuade the FPO to hit the White Shops for a drink, as we had already been drinking wine, had run out, and it was only 7.30pm.  We called in at The Wine Bar first, where there was about 3 other people drinking in there.  Nothing that unusual, but on stepping into to J.T's (just around the corner), we thought there must be a football match on the big screen, as it was heaving.  We had only gone and forgotten it was a late Halloween do, so it was  a pretty fun night, mainly talking to Michael and watching the FPO fall over dancing.  She is certainly a classy act once she's had a few ales.  A fun night for all of the family.

toodle pip

wine bar talk about help for heroes and predeterminism

Had a good night in The Wine Bar this evening, met up with Old Joe, Ritchie, Joe Lynch, Larry and The FPO and argued about various subjects, but mainly Help For Heroes and Predeterminism /Predestination.

Although troops who have been wounded should have the best possible care, l hate all the Help for Heroes talk around the troops as l feel that it serves as a propaganda tool which has the effect of more people joining the Army. I would not mind this so much, but most of the people joining up would have had a poor education, be working class, and more than likely be from the inner cities, with no great career or University places looming ahead of them. Obviously some poshos go to Sandhurst or join as officers, but at least they will be making more of an informed choice and have a lot more options in life available to them. There is also a lot of bravado involved, going with your mates and 'looking forward to some action'. The reality is a lot of ruined lives. We might as well go back to having the old Lord Kitchiner 'Your country needs you' posters.

As for the philosophical talk, some around the table were believers and did think their whole life was already mapped out, which l found amazing. To me, life is just a series of random events which we can try and control and make the best out of, but then that is it, no Heaven, Hell or judgement. The sweet relief of death. Only joking at the end there (the sweet relief bit), but life should be lived and enjoyed as much as possible, just try to be good and not hurt anyone else. Easier said than done and l have been a right bastard in the past, but at least l am trying to be better. As for death, when l have too many aches and pains and life becomes not worth the effort, l would have no problem with killing myself, as l would rather choose my own death rather than slowly dying in a nursing home or hospital. Pass me the extra morphine l say.

toodle pip

richmond and pub

I had to go into Richmond this morning (on my day off!) for a meet and greet with someone who is thinking about moving into a home in Richmond. Went back to the Richmond office afterwards, but then managed to escape and go for a quick pint in the Unicorn, where l relaxed and listened to my ipod, as it was pretty empty (and l am a miserable unsociable bastard). Left Richmond at about 2.45pm and got a taxi to the Wine Bar, where l met up with Joe (plus Dave the health and safety man, Ritchie, Pat etc) for the usual crap. The FPO was meant to be picking up the car from the garage, but it turns out it needs extra work doing to it, as she had put oil in the steering fluid, so it's messed up the engine (or brakes or whatever). The brake pads need changing anyway, so we are careless at the moment. She came to meet me in the Wine Bar, so we had a quick one there (ooer), went to JT's for a quick one (ooer again), and then home. It's not too bad for me having no car, as l can cycle to work, but we definitely need one for her. Bloody things.

toodle pip

bedale and the wine bar

had a great day on Tuesday. Didn't start out so good as l had to go to a work training thingie at the White Rose hotel in Leeming Bar, which didn't finish till about 1pm. Had the rest of the day to myself then, so l went and had a stroll round Bedale, calling in a couple of pubs (wagon and Horses and Oddfellows Arms). The landlady from the Oddfellows had gone off to pick up her new husband from the Gambia (Gatwick actually, but you get the idea). It will never last, l am sure she phoned him the last time l was in and pretended the call was from him. Also said he had a permit already, which sounds dodgy. Wonder what attracted him to a 49 year old divorced woman with money and a pub - can't think of a reason myself.
back to Catterick afterwards to meet Joseph in the wine bar. had a good crack on and he bought in a book for me, Our George, about George Best by his sister Barbara. Made me cry in the second chapter, but the rest of it wasn't that good. Peter fell out with Richie over a game of pool and stormed out, plus l won £10 off Richie (he was drunk and more idiotic than usual). Nice.
Toodle pip