Wednesday, 28 May 2008

working class and proud of it

Being working class - what is it good for? It pisses me off when people pretend class does not matter, everyone has had the same opportunities and there is no such distinctions made when applying for jobs, the army, or university. So many middle class asses pretend they are working class, they have had it hard, they have made it on their own etc etc. What bollocks. I don't care what class a person is, as long as they are honest about it. There are good and bad in every class, l defend the working classes as l am one of them, but fuck knows it is difficult. l would be the first to admit there are loads of narrow minded, vicious dickheads amongst the working classes, and way too many who vote Conservative because they read the Sun newspaper and don't question anything - no wonder the rich take the piss. however, at least most of them have had a piss poor education and hardly any parental backing, so don't expect a lot and don't think they deserve anything great from life, except for being factory fodder or front line army troops. Can't blame them if they turn to crime to make money, although a lot of the time it is robbing their own class, when they should be robbing the rich. The middle/upper classes have had a great education and make informed choices when it comes to taking the piss. I do know some middle and upper class people are sound, but for fucks sake, l wish they would stop pretending they are from the streets and have had it hard. Just be thankful you've had it good, and treat everyone the same. Working class heroes? Don't get me started on John Lennon either, semi detached suburban hero more like, but at least he stood up for the working class folks.
Bit pissed at the moment and rambling, so l will head off, as l have a BBQ to go to in 15minutes - in a privately owned house as well. Class traitor l am. Toodle pip

Monday, 26 May 2008

mum has died

It’s happened at last. Our mum died about 4.20pm on Saturday, after being pretty much out of it for a couple of days. We were all there the night (and day) before as we were expecting her to go any minute, but she kept hanging on. One of my sisters kids was there with us when she died, as was one of my mums ex partners, which, although it was good of him to visit, we would rather he was not present at that time.
Strange to see her take her last breath, and be such an empty shell afterwards. Still had her eyes and mouth open, which was freaking out my brother and sister, so l closed her eyes. They didn’t want me to attempt closing her mouth in case l broke her jaw or something.
Although everyone was upset, we all agreed that she should have died earlier, with medical assistance if need be. She was saying she wanted it all to be over the last time she was able to speak. We did ask if extra morphine could be given but they could not do so to the extent we wanted.
Got to sort out her bungalow and possessions now, plus arrange her funeral. Fun Fun Fun as the Beach boys would say.
My brother came up from Leeds a few days ago and now wishes he had stayed there, as he cannot get the image of mum dying like that, he wishes he had just remembered her when she was still alive and at least able to talk a bit. Will probably remember her alive more as time passes, although he will not forget the final day, at the moment it is too fresh in his mind. He went back to Leeds this afternoon, taking our sisters two kids with him to have a break for a few days. He was upset last night and stayed at my house, rat catching and chatting (yes, we still have bastard rats).
I felt sorry for everyone as they were crying and upset, but to tell the truth, l felt nothing but a fascination at witnessing her die. Still not been upset about it, maybe l will later, but l doubt it. Am pissed off l don’t feel anything, as l should do, but that is due to my upbringing, therefore not my fault (l say anyway).
Her last words to me were to ask if l enjoyed the football on Wednesday night. At least she realised how important that was to me ( l know, l am a callous bastard ).
Can soon start to write about other stuff on the blog, let’s face it, this has taken over recently.
Toodle pip

Friday, 23 May 2008

champions of europe

Get in my son!! Champions again and it was a good game - great to see Terry miss the penalty, pity it wasn't Ashley Cole instead. Superb stuff - still out celebrating the next day. Only complaint is Sky recorder never taped it all on ITV or Sky, missed out the last few minutes on both recordings, have to be a strong letter sent off to them. Long wait now till the new season. Toodle pip

Monday, 19 May 2008

more cancer and rats

Here we go with another thrilling update of my mums condition and the rat situation.
First of (l suppose or l will look pretty mean), my mum is (still!!) alive. No change really, we are still expecting her to die every time we visit or leave her, but the old girl is hanging on. Still have trouble understanding her, and she doesn’t always make sense (no change there then), but at least she is awake when we visit.

The rat situation seems to be getting better. Just been outside to check (it is 3.46am) and there were none about, except for one trapped in the rat trap we bought. l have currently caught three of the little gits, one died, one l let go away from our house, and one is in the trap now. There was one on top of the rabbit hutch earlier on, so they are not all dead. Don’t know if the coca cola l have been leaving is killing them or not, there defiantly appears to be fewer, but l am also feeding the rabbits just before dusk, then locking them away so the rats can’t get to the food. What great sport, non stop excitement round our way.

Still not sorted the bastard internet upstairs, l am doing this on the upstairs computer and will then transfer it to the downstairs one (and onto the net) in the morning. Been to busy recently, but will have to do something. My brother is going back to Leeds after visiting our mum in the morning as he has to sign on (he was recently made redundant). He is going to stay down there for a couple of days and then come back up. He is half expecting our mum to die as he is travelling back to Leeds, but can’t just stay up here indefinitely as he has his family in Leeds to see. Hey ho, lets see what this week brings (European cup final on Wednesday – everything stops for that!).

Toodle pip

Saturday, 17 May 2008

cancer and the rats

Well, we can't believe it, mum is still alive and hanging on, my brother is still up from Leeds and we are still waiting for a phone call anytime from the hospital. l would have bet anything that she would have been dead by now, but that's probably why l am not a doctor (as l am too thick). She can be understood slightly now and is eating a small amount of food, but is still very hard to make sense of (no change there then).

On a different note, we have had rats going into our rabbits hutch that is kept outside. The little sods have been taking shelter in there during the night and eating some of the rabbit food. Saw at least five rats run out of the hutch yesterday morning. The rabbits do not seem to be affected by this, and have been sitting in their run next to rats, without either of them appearing to be bothered. Bought a humane rat trap and have caught two rats so far, also tried putting some coca cola down for the rats (spoiling them). read on the Internet that if rats drink coca cola, it kills them, let's see if it turns out to be true. Mind you, apart from this blog, l wouldn't trust anything 100% l had read on the Internet. We also have a different front for the rabbit hutch, so we can enclose them at night after feeding them, the last one had a gap so the rabbits could come and go as they pleased. Further updates to come (what an exciting life!).

Still not got our Internet connection sorted out on the upstairs computer, may have to get someone in to look at it (Louise, if you are reading this, that means you!). l am going to have a go at it this weekend, lot of good that will do.

Toodle pip

Wednesday, 14 May 2008

cancer news nearly finished and fainting

Been in to see my mum twice today, once with my brother and sister, and again later on with my wife and my sisters kids. Mum cannot talk properly now and is pretty weak, also doped up on morphine (lucky bugger). We think that she may well die during the night, or if not, tomorrow. She is not going to make the weekend anyway. The kids wanted to see her for the last time while she was still alive, one of them also wants to come in and see her when she has died. Not bothered about doing that myself, l would rather remember people from when they were alive, but as l will have to drive them in, l will probably have a look myself. We stressed my mum did not want resuscitating (not that they were going to try) as she had been going on about it. Now it's just a case of hanging around anticipating a phone call from the hospital, unless she survives the night, in which case l will go through again in the morning with my brother, sister and wife. Work have spoken to me today and said l could have as long as l want off (they will regret saying that!). Good news, as there will be the funeral to sort out and her house to clear. Nothing that any of us want really, so there won't be any arguments about who inherits what, as it's all mainly junk. Never know though, maybe she has a secret bank account she hadn't told us about.

Also flaked out again yesterday, something that happens to me now and again if l forget to eat as my sugar levels drop - you would never think l forgot at all looking at the state of me, but it's true. Never injured myself as l was sitting down at the time, but it is still embarrassing as l was in the pub. Thankfully it only lasts about 30 seconds and then l am fine again. No warning signs at all and l am never aware l have done it as l am fine afterwards, just what l am told has happened, unless of course if l fall over. Been checked out and everything is OK so l have to have some chocolate or sweet stuff (two crunchies yesterday) straight after or it may happen again. Sods law l don't even like chocolate that much. That's it for now Toodle pip

Tuesday, 13 May 2008

stalker

While out for an Indian with my family and wife tonight, they reminded me of a stalker l once had. Funny how you forget stuff that is so insane. This girl came up from Eastborne and stayed with my mother on the pretext of looking for a job oop north. l used to sell magazines, and she had met me and written to me, nothing wrong with that, and although l used to have a lot of sex in those days with girls who had met me doing that sort of stuff, l never had sex with her. When she said she wanted to come to Yorkshire and find work, my mother had a spare room and everything appeared to be fine. We met up, l introduced her to my mother, she went out with my friends and my soon to be wife, she wrote to her sister and said she loved me and we were together, she told my soon to be wife that she loved me and would do anything for me, and then denied it the next day (although l heard it) - start sounding a bit weird or what? The crux of it was she also pretended to be a top hair stylist and after a lot (and a lot more) of persuasion, she pretended to cut my brothers hair, in my mums kitchen, with everyone watching. She spent about half an hour snipping away, then stormed out of the kitchen, leaving no hair on the floor. We all fell about and my brother thought it was a crap hair cut. When he looked in the mirror and discovered his hair was exactly the same as before, he was lost for words. We then looked in her bedroom and discovered letters from her sister, ripped up in the bin. Putting them together, we read that her sister was congratulating her for being happy and with me, glad that our (so called) relationship had worked out. l telephoned her sister to say that l was concerned and it was all lies. She said she would try to speak to her, same as l said l would. Anyway, next thing we all know, she had buggered off. Bastard. l could have done anything with that woman. Also, l can say say stuff like that because l work with people with mental problems, so there. l may have had other stalkers, l may have them now, perhaps they are just too clever to be spotted. Maybe my wife is a stalker claiming her ultimate prize (the poor sod). Who knows, l have certainly had girls telling my wife they used to go out with me, when they never. Must be the aftershave. People are mad, which is great for me, as it keeps me in a job. Toodle pip

Monday, 12 May 2008

fantastic new cancer update

So, mother is still alive and my brother is now staying till God knows when. He went to the office in Richmond to sign on as he is currently unemployed, and after exchanging phone calls with the Leeds office he was deemed OK to stay oop north and comfort his (and my) mum. Been to see her this morning, when we got kicked out as her catheter bag was full or it had come loose. Either way, there was leakage and we had to leave the room while she was cleaned up. Came back after lunch, to find her lying on her side after a suppository. What a fun day she was having. My sister withdrew the rest of our mums money from the bank before she dies (my mum, not my sister) and l managed to nick it off her without my sister noticing, while we were all in the wine bar. Forget to tell her before l left, so she should be panicking about it just about now. Next time she has money on her, she will keep a closer eye on it, hard lesson but fair. mum seemed miles better today, despite all the waterworks shenanigans going on, hope it's not her perking up just before she dies, although, as l have stated before, that would probably be the best for her. The remaining close family went for an Indian at White shops about 6pm, then went to our mums bungalow to divide up her DVDs and Cd's between us. What a load of crap though. After a few choices each, we really were not that bothered what we got, so just chose anything. Left a load of Cd's for our sister as my brother didn't want them, and l would rather watch Liverpool win than take a lot of the crap home. watched some new family guy when l got home with the missus, forgot how great it can be. It's sometimes a bit hit and miss and l don't always get the American jokes regarding their TV shows, but it is one of the funniest things on TV when they get it right.
Did l mention Manchester United won the league yesterday, beating Wigan 2-0 away? Once again, l hope we stuff Chelsea in the European cup final (as l still prefer to call it - keep it old school). Anywhoos, l am a bit pissed as l have been out since 10.30am and is hard work spending all day with my family and wife, l would rather relax and do bugger all, as l am a lazy sod (although l am also off work at the moment - superb!!). Told my wife this morning l reckon my mum will die tonight or tomorrow. let's see how right l am by the next time l post. Till the Toodle pip

Saturday, 10 May 2008

cancer and the bastard computer

Well, the fucking computer upstairs is playing up and l can’t get an internet connection on the bastard thing, hence a lack of posts recently.
As l write this, it is Friday night, just after watching Peep show, which was great, better series so far than the last one. Going to put this on the blog on Saturday, using one of the laptops. Anyhows….
Mum is now on her last legs (so to speak, as she can no longer walk). Deteriorated a lot in the last day and l would be surprised if she lasts till next weekend. Wouldn’t be surprised if she died this weekend.
She has seen a few people this week and my brother is still up here from Leeds, was going to go back Saturday but may stay longer now, haven’t spoken to him about it since we visited this morning.
My sisters kid also came today, taking the day off school to do so, before going to Newcastle for the weekend. I reckon it may be the last time they see each other, but who knows, find out more tomorrow.
Have to buy my mum some more bottles of coke before visiting, better not stock up as it may all go to waste. Another jolly day awaiting, especially for my mum. Let’s hope she doesn’t keep throwing up black stuff (she also has blood in her urine). The sooner it is over the better, although she will miss Manchester United doing the double this year. Mind you, she supports Liverpool so it is probably best if she went now. Toodle pip

Wednesday, 7 May 2008

cancer time again

So, time for the latest thrilling installment. Mum is now at the Friary in Richmond, pretty good room with a nice view. The sister told me it was the best room in the place, which may well be true. Obviously it is a short term stay and they probably want to make the last couple of weeks as nice as possible. Her brother Ray (plus wife and in laws), came up from Liverpool on Monday, arriving just as l turned up with my sister and brother (who came up from Leeds the same day). Couldn't have had better timing if we planned it.
Great to see them all and my mum was a bit shocked to see everyone walking in at the same time. Ray said he was going to come again in a couple of weeks (if mum lasts that long), otherwise it will be for the funeral.
Also had my mate Robbo and his wife Kerry calling round, as it was a year to the day since his mum died, and he wanted to put flowers on her grave (he stayed in the car, his wife did the flower bit). We all went to Wetherspoons for lunch before they went back to the Boro and we went to my mums (over the road).
Trying to sort out stuff at the moment like cancelling Sky and seeing what my mum wants for the funeral. We are maybe going for a coffin that has been painted by my sisters kids, but we haven't asked the kids yet, they may feel freaked out by it. Mother isn't bothered, as she said, she won't see it anyway.
Got £100 of her yesterday (way hay!!) which l spent on an external memory thingie for the computer, the rest (£20) l put on a horse which won (another way Hay!!). Spent the winnings in the Wine bar with my brother and sister. My brother is here till Friday so there's a lot of entertaining to do till then. More fabulous updates soon!
Toodle pip.

Friday, 2 May 2008

yes! - it's another cancer update!

The news today is that my mum is to be moved into a nursing home/hospital called The Friary, in Richmond, North Yorkshire. This is because her treatment is still not working and they think a course of Radiotherapy would do no good. She is basically going there to die in more comfortable surroundings. Estimates are she would be doing well if she makes it to June, but that is unlikely. Still throwing up every day and Steroids not helping. What a way to end your life, sick every day for nearly two months (maybe three by the time she dies) and being unable to get out of bed or talk properly. Her brother is coming from Liverpool next week to visit, it will be the last time they ever see each other, what crappy circumstances. It will be great to see him but I doubt the chat will be cheerful. At least there is no hell or afterlife to fear - enjoy yourself now and hang the consequences! Toodle pip

john cooper clarke - twat

this man is a genius

Alberto Y Lost Trios Paranoias - Snuff Rock / Gobbing on Life

fucking love this

Thursday, 1 May 2008

chelsea through to the final

So Chelsea got through to the final, fat Lamps blubbing, Shevshenko miss firing, Drogba diving, Ashley Cole cheating and whining, Terry pissing everywhere and Joe Cole wasted with them johnny come lately, bigging it up, celebrity west London wankers. We had better stuff them and win the league as well. Toodle pip

Tuesday, 29 April 2008

Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi

Paul Scholes Barcelona Manchester U. 1-0 Champions League

Get in my son!!!

cocks of the north

We are United, the cocks of the north! What a goal by Scholes! What a great game by Tevez, Evra and Brown! What a player Messi is! What a tense finish! Let's hope l win the competition for tickets to the final in Moscow! Don't care who wins between Liverpool or Chelsea now, although if United were certainties to stuff Liverpool in the final l would want to play them. Couldn't stand it if Liverpool beat United though. Bring on West Ham and Wigan now. Squeaky bum time again, although l am hoping Newcastle get a result against Chelsea. In the meantime, it's celebration time!! Toodle pip

Monday, 28 April 2008

indian meal and chelsea

Out with the relatives at the weekend for an Indian meal at White shops, new place just opened. Went there on the opening night but didn't remember what the food tasted like as l was pretty pissed (had been with my brother all day). This time was better but l foolishly forgot to say no coriander on my food as l can't stand the bloody stuff - tastes like washing up liquid. Anyhows, everyone had a good time (there were eight of us), and we then retired to the Wine bar a few doors down, where we stayed till 2/3am. Walked home and the wife's sister lost her handbag, but was still in a good mood. God knows when everyone left our house, but Dazzer (brother in law) slept on the settee as no-one could wake him.



Up at lunchtime the next day for the Chelsea against Manchester United game. Another poor performance from United and it is certainly squeaky bum time now. Hope they go out and attack attack attack on Tuesday against Barcelona, could do with a good game at the moment. Rooney didn't look too good when he came off, hope he's fit in time. l predict 3-1 to United (if they go for it).



No change with mother. Still being sick, drugs and steroids not working at the moment (if they ever will). Just got back from the hospital, running out of things to talk about. Eating plenty of her fruit pastels though. Toodle pip

Friday, 25 April 2008

barcelona

Why o why did United not go for them? Barcelona have been crap this season and were there for the taking. A score draw would have been a decent result, but 0-0 leaves Barcelona a chance to score at Old Trafford and nick a draw, therefore going through on away goals. Fergie admitted afterwards that he was too defensive with the tactics he wanted Park and Rooney to play, and he has achieved so much with the club that l hate to question or criticize, but it is not all over by a long way. Of course if Ronaldo had put the penalty away United might have strolled it, with the home crowd getting on Barcelona's case, as they have done recently. l think however, United would still have played defensively and been happy with the 1-0. l don't want to win games 1-0 with a great defensive performance. lt's not the United way. l would rather they tried their best, attacked and went for it, see how it ends. Other teams should be scared of United and have to adapt their game to try and deal with it. Not the other way around. Anyway, lets hope United stuff them at Old Trafford. Toodle pip

lucky turtle

lucky little (or not so little ) turtle

Wednesday, 23 April 2008

more cancer updates and liverpool last minute goal

More highlights in the fight against cancer my mother is currently undertaking. She has a definite blood clot on her lungs, which is currently being treated. She was sick today when me and my sister visited and looks bloody awful, gone downhill a lot in the last few days. The hospital is hoping to send her to James Cook hospital for a MRI scan, but it depends on how well she is feeling. Still don’t know if she will have to travel to James Cook for her Radiotherapy, or if she will stay there for it. At the moment, l don’t think she will last another week, but who knows.
Had to phone my mums brother in Liverpool and tell him the news. What a pisser. Obviously he is also upset and wants to be kept informed. Unfortunately, he does not have loads of money and cannot afford to travel up all the time, so will try to get through near the end. Not sure how close my mum and him were, after all, they are brother and sister, but there is a ten year age gap between them.
Loved my uncle when l was young. He was the man who took me to Manchester United games and got me supporting them, even though we are both from Liverpool (he used to go to games in the early 60’s). Although l became mad about football, my father had no interest in taking me, but my uncle did. I will always be thankful to him for that.
Anyway, lets see what the morrow brings. Till then … Toodle pip

PS Own goal for Liverpool at the kop end tonight, four minutes into injury time – brilliant!! (Although l don’t like Chelsea, l can’t stand Liverpool football club - way too successful over the years).

Tuesday, 22 April 2008

amazing spider-man comics

l collect old comics, Amazing spider-man, Silver Surfer etc (l know it's sad, but what the hell). This guy has an amazing collection (see what l did there) but the idiot has clipped them all, therefore no marvel chipping. Would have been superb otherwise as they look to be in great nick. Still wouldn't mind them though. Toodle pip

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AMAZING-SPIDER-MAN-1-40-AM-FANTASY-15-BOUND-VOLS_W0QQitemZ310025599469QQihZ021QQcategoryZ32739QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247

Monday, 21 April 2008

more cancer updates and ipod news

What a fun time everyone is having. My mother has now got a suspected blood clot on her lungs and is being treated for that before any treatment can be undertaken for the brain tumor. She has had to have another scan and her oxygen adjusted, as she was having trouble breathing. No trips out to James Cook hospital at the moment. She is still unable to walk and still feels dizzy (although she has always been a bit dizzy, so no great change there). Visiting again in the morning with my sister, lets hope she has improved, or rapidly goes downhill to put her out of her misery. I have got two months on the sweepstake, so here's hoping! (that's a joke).
On a lighter note, my brother has just been on the phone from Leeds for an hour, as he has just purchased his first ipod, and needed instructions to get his ipod and itunes up and running. He said he had been pratting about with it since lunchtime today and felt like throwing it out of the window. All sorted now though. Wait till he receives my bill for the expert advice. he won't be so happy then. Toodle pip

The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age Of The Understatement

jacques brel - mathilde

Here's Jacques, influenced Scott Walker, who influenced the Last Shadow puppets sound. Check them all out.

Scott Walker - Mathilda

Here's the Scott Walker version

The Last Shadow Puppets - My Mistakes Were Made For You

Another top song and the album is great as well - go buy or download it now!

Saturday, 19 April 2008

dickie best

The father of George Best passed away aged 88 years old a couple of days ago ( l have just found out). Dickie Best had been in hospital for the past four weeks.
His family, who were with him when he passed away at a Hospital in Dundonald, have described him as "irreplaceable".
"Over the years, as everyone knows, Dad had his sorrows to bear but he faced them always with courage and dignity," a family statement said.
Brings back memories of George and his funeral, plus of course the innumerable magical football moments he provided over the years. Ronaldo is doing the business this year (and last year), but to me, Georgie was the man. Until the later years, he never went down easy, and hardly moaned about some of the outrageous tackles that went flying in against him. Just picked himself up and got on with it. What a player.
I know George had his demons to fight and was not always a nice man, especially to his wives, but the way he played football made me want to play and made me fall in love with the game. He is one of the men that made football beautiful.
Praise the lord for Dickie then, for without him, there would have been a huge void in the great scheme of things (whatever that means). Toodle pip

trevor eve as hughie green



Trevor Eve was fantastic in the Hughie Green biographical film on BBC4, which l have just watched on sky+.

Eve looked uncannily like the Opportunity Knocks presenter even though he just used facial mannerisms and a little make up. I never really considered him as a good actor before, having only seen old Shoestring episodes and never having watched Waking the Dead. Credit where it's due though, it was definitely the best performance so far in the curse of comedy plays (even Ken Stott couldn't match it playing Hancock).

Mark Benton (the fat one from the bank ads) plays Green's arch rival, Stars On Sunday host Jess Yates, who Paula Yates thought was her father, until the News of the World reported Hughie Green was, a couple of days after Hughie's funeral. Paula appears on television in the background.

Didn't enjoy Mark Benton's performance, as l couldn't forget the bank ads. Trevor eve more than made up for it though. Buy the man a drink! Toodle pip

another bleeding cancer update

More news on the cancer front. There is a golf ball sized tumor in the back of the brain that is too large to operate on (they think). Going to try radiotherapy and chemotherapy to try and shrink it so they can operate. This involves travelling to James Cook hospital in the Boro. More details from the hospital in a day or so. This makes it sound like my mum might live for a while longer yet but l still don't hold up much hope. They were a bit keen to take details today for contacting the next of kin etc. Mum still feeling dizzy and sick - no way she can come home and look after herself (no, me or my sister/brother are not going to do it). Still loads more hospital visits to go yet.We are thinking the worst (or maybe the best) and seeing how it all progresses. Don't want to end up like that, l would rather kill myself if life got too shit. Luckily United are still winning so it's still hunky dory on the football front! Toodle pip

Floyd Mayweather vs Big Show

No wonder the English take the piss out of American sports. What a load of crap this is. How Mayweather can lower himself to take part in this is unbelievable.

Thursday, 17 April 2008

brother visiting

Been a busy old week. My brother came up from Leeds to stay with me for a couple of days, so he could visit our mum with our sister. Good to see him and our mum was also pleased to see him, although he was a bit shocked at how bad she is. With visiting our mum, going to work, and going out with my brother and sister, I don't feel like l have had a moment to myself. Dropped him off at the train station yesterday so it is now all quiet in our house. Still cds everywhere as he has also been copying a load of my cds while he was here (for backup only of course). Can now get to the computer again and move around in the spare bedroom. News of my mum does still not look too good. Find out more info later on today. That's it - off to work again! Toodle pip

Tuesday, 15 April 2008

view from my room




Here's the view from my bedroom window today - impressive eh!

Monday, 14 April 2008

good night out



Looks like everyone in the club when its a really good night - if you know what l mean

Saturday, 12 April 2008

cancer update

Still no further news - more scans to be done etc before the specialist will confirm anything. Went to visit yesterday with my wife, sister and kids. Mother upset about it but probably happy that she can prove now there is something wrong with her. On steroids (my mum, not me), so depending on how long she has left to live, she may be able to kick me in soon. She has said that she does not want any more chemotherapy as she hated it last time. She is upset that she may not have much longer to live, but does not want to suffer the chemo again if it only adds a short amount of time to her life. Can't say l blame her - l wouldn't have it myself in her position.
Working this weekend, so l am not visiting till Monday. l am however, looking foreward to United against Arsenal on Sunday. You may think l am in denial going on about football at this time, but it is just the way l feel. The illness still has not affected me, apart from making time for visits and phone calls. More news as it comes - God, this blog is starting to get depressing. l will have to put some links to comedy or porn to liven it up. Or comedy porn - sounds like my sex life.The wife does always laugh when l get naked (only time l do make her laugh). Till next time toodle pip

Friday, 11 April 2008

cancer

So, what can l say? Turns out my mum is pretty bad after all and has cancer in her brain (l assume secondary mets cancer as she has already had lung cancer). My wife phoned the hospital and spoke to her earlier on in the evening, as l was out and she couldn’t get hold of me. News that was not expected. My sister is pretty upset about it and has been crying half the night. We are all off to the hospital tomorrow to see her and find out how bad it is. Steroids have already been given but we are all unsure what other treatment may be available, as we do not know how advanced the cancer is. My own guess would be a couple of months, seeing how bad she has been recently. Then again, she may not be too advanced and last a year – certainly don’t think that will be the case though.

Not sure how l feel about all this. Other people are all a lot more upset than me, even my wife. Obviously l feel sorry for the condition my mum is in and how scared she must be, but l am defiantly lacking something. l know people may say l am in shock and maybe l will be a lot more upset later on, or even tomorrow, but l doubt it. It upsets me more seeing people close to me upset. Hell, l even cry if l see strangers crying or upset on the TV. Think l have too much bottled up inside (serial killer alert!!).

l remember when my dad died. My immediate family and my step family were all crying and hugging, but l felt nothing like that. l was pissed off that they had those feelings and l didn’t. l even turned up late for the funeral and did not put a flower on his coffin. Don’t misunderstand me, before he died, l used to go and see him in the pub, but he was just like some fellow l knew in there. Not a father figure. l have a horrible feeling that history is going to repeat itself.

Anyway – find out more tomorrow

Toodle pip

PS Still pleased United beat Roma – football has always been there for me

Thursday, 10 April 2008

ambulance blues

My mother has been ill for a couple of weeks, has had various visits from Doctors, and last night they decided to admit her to hospital. The decision was made at 6.05pm and an ambulance was called, coming from Northallerton Friary hospital to Catterick. Which is about 14 miles. Guess how long they took? Four hours. Unbelievable. They also got lost and went to a completely different address using their sat nav. Had to phone a couple of times and were told different answers on both occasions. Good job she was not at deaths door.

At least Manchester United beat Roma at the same time all this was going on. Barcelona in the semi finals should be good. Squeaky bum time again ( yes my mum had that as well ). Toodle pip

uncyclopedia

Check out this site -

http://uncyclopedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

Who needs wikipedia?

Wednesday, 9 April 2008

fun at the weekend

Another messy time at the weekend. Went out about 1pm on Saturday for a drink at our local pubs, The Wine Bar and The Colburn Lodge, and to put a bet on the Grand National. Ended up staying out and going to J.T's bar, where some mates of ours were playing that night ( in a band called Jismn ). Had just about had enough and were ready to go when other mates turned up, so of course we ended up getting very drunk and staying out till midnight. Pizza takeaway then home. One of those nights were people turn up that you haven't seen for a while, so it's good to have a crack on with them. Therefore, hats off to Powlie and Deb, Chorley girl and Ann, Jim and his wife, Whit, Lonnie, Steve, Jacket and Mrs Jacket, Bazzer, Dazzer, Mazzer etc who all made it in the line of duty.

Up early the next day to go to Boro to watch the Manchester United vs Boro game with Robbo. Chucked it down with thick snow and the 2-2 draw was not so good but we had a laugh. Had some food with Robbo and Kerry then back to Catterick ( via dropping off a present for Dazzer in Stockton ). Last night of the owners of the Colburn Lodge, Sue and Martin, so stopped off there and continued with the merriment. Nicked myself a framed picture of George Best from the pub that l had my eye on for a while. Took it up to White Shops to show it off and continue drinking, then walked back home for midnight. lt's a hard life. Toodle pip

Friday, 4 April 2008

Johann Pachelbel - Canon in D

so many bands have nicked this

Impossible guitar

this guy is slightly better than me

Pachelbel's Canon goes rock

nearly as good as me

the english language

Ever think about the word "malodorous"? Words beginning with the Latin prefix mal- usually imply opposites, like "malpractice" and "malfunction" and "malnourished", but both "odorous" and "malodorous" mean the same thing. Pathetic (yes l know they do not mean pathetic). English can be so complicated. Toodle pip

Thursday, 3 April 2008

who needs water ?

Dr Stanley Goldfarb, a kidney specialist at the University of Pennsylvania, has just written a review in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, stating that drinking lots of water does you no good. He states that their research has shown drinking excess water does not improve skin tone, nor "flush out" toxins in the system. Drinking too much water can hinder kidney function. He does not think that drinking a small amount of extra water helps headaches or obesity. Either research proved there was no benefit, or no good research had been done on certain topics, it was a topic that had been passed on as safe, but there was no real data to support the argument.

l say drink more lager and wine, avoid salad if possible ( especially celery ), put mayonnaise on nearly everything and do illegal drugs ( in moderation ). Water and salad is bad for you. Then again, you should see the state of me. Toodle pip

cruyff turn

short, sweet, and perfect

Wednesday, 2 April 2008

Hancock and Joan - The Curse of Steptoe and Son

Ploughed through the sky+ yesterday, watching the plays on the BBC about Steptoe and Son and Tony Hancock and Joan Le Mesurier. They are both originally linked by the outrageously fantastic writing of Galton and Simpson, a genius partnership. They were both represented in the dramas and some of the acting was excellent. Ken Stott did a fine job of Hancock, not a straight copy but his own representation of him. Maxine Peake was also very good as Joan Le Mesurier, who Hancock had an affair with before committing suicide in 1968. Alex Jennings, who played John Le Mesurier was crap though, way too straight and reserved. lt was more like a poor Prince Charles impression. The Curse of Steptoe and Son was better, although l love Tony Hancock ( especially the radio shows ), l preferred the acting in the Steptoe one ( Jason lsaacs as Harry H Corbett, Phil Davis as Wilfrid Brambell). Check them out if you get the chance, or better still, watch the original Steptoes or listen to the Hancock radio shows. Toodle Pip

Tuesday, 1 April 2008

The death of Ivan Ilyich

Just finished the Death of lvan llyich by Leo Tolstoy - excellent book and highly recomended. Some people do not like Russian novels as the long names put them off, the same sort of people who don't like films with subtitles as they don't like reading and watching a film at the same time. lt's a great loss as there is so much good stuff out there ( Crime and Punishment, Das Boot, Bullet in the Head etc ). Anyway -check out the book for yourself, there's bound to be cheap copies on ebay. Here's a summery from Wikipedia

Ivan Ilych Golovin, a high court judge in St. Petersburg with a wife and family, lives a carefree life that is "most simple and most ordinary and therefore most terrible." One day, he begins to suffer from a pain in his side. As Ilyich's discomfort increases, his behavior towards his family becomes more irritable. His wife finally insists that he visit a physician. The physician cannot pinpoint the source of his malady, and soon it becomes clear that his condition is terminal. He is brought face to face with his mortality, and realizes that although he knows of it, he does not truly grasp it.
During the long and painful process of death, Ivan dwells on the idea that he does not deserve his suffering because he has lived rightly. If he had not lived a good life, there could be reason for his pain; but he has, so pain and death must be arbitrary and senseless. As he begins to hate his family for avoiding the subject of his death, for pretending he is only sick and not dying, he finds his only comfort in his peasant boy servant Gerasim--the only person in Ivan’s life who does not fear death, and also the only one who shows compassion for Ivan. Ivan begins to question whether he has, in fact, lived rightly.
In the final days of Ivan’s life, he makes a clear split between artificial life, the life of himself and his family that masks the true meaning of life and makes one fear death, and authentic life, the life of Gerasim. Authentic life is marked by compassion and empathy, artificial by self-interest. Then “some force” strikes Ivan in the chest and side, and he is brought into the presence of a bright light. His hand falls onto his nearby son’s head, and he pities him. He no longer hates his son or wife, but rather feels sorry for them, because he has found at last a joy in authentic life and they will continue their artificial lives, fearing death. In the middle of a sigh, Ivan dies.

Monday, 31 March 2008

Midnight Express truth revealed by Alinur Part-1

Just watched the film Midnight Express again - great film, but it shows all the Turks to be gits, which they are not, they are some of the nicest people l have ever met. The film says it is based on a true story but the book is completely different. Here's an interesting interview with William (Billy) Hayes, the person the film was based on.

Midnight Express truth revealed by alinur. Part 2

Sunday, 30 March 2008

united edge closer

Great win for Manchester United yesterday ( against Villa ). 4 - 0 and it could have been a lot more. Arsenal had a great comeback but l still think Chelsea are the team to be worried about. Let's hope the Boro get a result today. l don't expect them to but a draw would be nice. l will be up at the Boro on Sunday for the game against United. Hope we get a better day than last year. Good result but me and Robbo got thrown out for trouble making in the Boro end after only 15 minutes - and it was the Boro fans who started on us after Robbo foolishly told one of them l am a United fan. The stewards bottled it and were wankers, but never mind, United won. Roma on Tuesday as well. Football at this time of the year is better than normal as every match is so important. What a great game! Toodle pip

Friday, 28 March 2008

the morning after the night before



Don't we all look happy! At the Coronation in Boro

new york


l love going to New York. Yes l know it's a cliche and everyone loves it but it's true. Even without the twin towers it still looks great. Took this photo on the Staten lsland ferry. Can't wait to go back ( September this year ).

Thursday, 27 March 2008

Old Greg

the mighty boosh at their finest

New York Dolls - Jet Boy (Old Grey Whistle Test, 11-73)

Another classic!

NEIL INNES - PROTEST SONG - Rutland Weekend Television

Classic stuff - and l am a big Dylan fan. Remember seeing this when l was a kid.

you tube vids

As you can see below - l have sussed out how to post videos from you tube properly. Look out for loads more ( stops me having to post so much ). Toodle pip

Status Quo- Caroline - Disco 1973=

ONE OF THE GREATEST SONGS OF ALL TIME! WHEN THEY USED TO STILL BE A ROCK BAND

mgmt

Top song and video - check it out

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=XVnRzEjpUmE

This is our decision to live fast and die young - we've got the vision - now let's have some fun.

arctic monkeys / shadow puppets

Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys) & Miles Kane (The Rascals) are The Last Shadow Puppets.

This song is great - undertones of scott walker doing jaques brel. Love the arctic monkeys but this is completely different. looking foreward to the album.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=XGV8xCkpXjE

Wednesday, 26 March 2008

words as weapons

Why does everyone ( organisations ) feel the need to change expressions all the time. l understand the reasoning if it sounds really bad - ie the spastics society. Words become weapons in piss taking, but sometimes it becomes too sad. What is the difference between service users or residents - who cares. learning difficulties or learning disabilities - who cares. Bi polar or manic depressive - who cares. Tonic clonic or grand mals - who cares. Nutters, spazzies, whatever people have said in the past may become irrelevant in the future. Some blacks are trying to reclaim nigger. Don't know if that is right or wrong as l am not black. What l do know is any terms that are at the moment " right on " will become piss taking terms in the future ( ld's - special needs etc ). People should treat other people with love and kindness ( not that l always do it myself as l am a piss taking twat ), but words are just sounds. be nice to people, if they are your mates, feel free to take the piss. The main thing is, do piss taking on an equal footing. let them be able to take the piss back as much as they want without either of you getting upset. Don't be racist or a twat. Don't try to impress your mates with being post modern etc. Be cool and say what you want to with others, but say it with love underneath. The lesson from a drunken fool has ended. toodle pip