Drunken Ramblings

So I'm a bit drunk right now. A bottle of Chilean Merlot Rose wine is the culprit that's gotten me into this state and very nice it was too. I've been drinking it over the past few hours whilst watching episodes from the tail end of season 3 of Battlestar Galactica. Just got 2 left to watch at the time of writing... no that's not right, typing this post to my blog. And I'll watch those in a bit. As well as munch on another Magnum ice cream. I've eaten two tonight, but I bought 6 of them earlier, so I'm not about to run out anytime soon.

Got a wicked chocolate craving that choc ices just cannot sate. Time to get dressed (I'm dressed now, but in lounge about the house clothes you know) and head to the 24 hour Tesco supermarket to raid their confectionary dept I think.

One More Lonely Night

So I'm sat here drinking a pint of Jim Beam and cola and feeling just a bit sorry for myself. I shouldn't be, after all I've had a pretty good day. I had the day off work, and so I slept in late. I spent the latter part of the morning and early afternoon engaged in an enjoyable roleplay session online with noeva (one of the kajirae in my Slaver House chatroom). I then cycled to the cinema and watched Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, which if you've not seen it, is well worth going to see. And if you do go to see it, stay until after the credits to see the final ending for at least two of the series characters. Very worthwhile waiting to do so, and you'll get to hear the fantastic music as you do so.

The day went wrong I think when I decided to go out tonight. I went first to Henry's pub which was boring, and then on to Subway to get something to eat. There I had the misfortune to run into the fucking moron who works in the same store as me named Thomas. Honestly the man is a walking argument for infanticide. He should have been shot at birth! So I ate my 6" sub whilst listeing to his insane drivel in the background, leaving as soon as he noticed me and started trying to talk to me.

I headed to the Market House pub which was busy but not packed. Saturday night used to be 80's night, but now seems to be "the DJ plays whatever he wants too" night. Which is a shame, 80's night was usually good, tonight... not so much. Leaving there after a couple drinks, I headed to Yate's Wine Bar as I knew my friends Derek Adams and Tony Searle were going there as tonight was the final of the local Battle of the Bands. It cost 5 pounds to get in. I should have saved my money and come home. As it was I stayed for one drink, whilst listening to the band slaughter their way through a couple "songs". If they got to the regional final I shudder to think on how bad the groups that didn't make it were!

So I'm sat here now, typing this blog entry, which is a rarity in itself, as of late I've largely lost interest in this outlet. I think I would have been better off having stayed home tonight and saved myself the money I spent on food, drinks and door fees. I'll never meet anyone staying indoors though, but then I never meet anyone when I go out. I'm too shy to approach any woman I like, and no woman ever gives me so much as a second glance.

What Men Say (And What We Mean!)

Okay so I've shamelessly stolen this article from a message board that I frequent, but I don't care cos it's really funny.

"I'M GOING FISHING"
Means: "I'm going to drink myself dangerously stupid, and stand by a stream with a stick in my hand, while the fish swim by in complete safety."

"IT'S A GUY THING"
Means: "There is no rational thought pattern connected with it, and you have no chance at all of making it logical".

"CAN I HELP WITH DINNER?"
Means: "Why isn't it already on the table?"

"UH HUH," "SURE, HONEY," OR "YES, DEAR..."
Means: Absolutely nothing. It's a conditioned response.

"IT WOULD TAKE TOO LONG TO EXPLAIN"
Means: "I have no idea how it works."

"I WAS LISTENING TO YOU. IT'S JUST THAT I HAVE THINGS ON MY MIND."
Means: "I was wondering if that redhead over there is wearing a bra."

"TAKE A BREAK HONEY, YOU'RE WORKING TOO HARD".
Means: "I can't hear the game over the vacuum cleaner."

"THAT'S INTERESTING, DEAR."
Means: "Are you still talking?"

"YOU KNOW HOW BAD MY MEMORY IS."
Means: "I remember the theme song to 'F Troop', the address of the first girl I ever kissed, and the vehicle identification numbers of every car I've ever owned, but I forgot your birthday."

"I WAS JUST THINKING ABOUT YOU, AND GOT YOU THESE ROSES".
Means: "The girl selling them on the corner had great tits."

"OH, DON'T FUSS, I JUST CUT MYSELF, IT'S NO BIG DEAL."
Means: "I have actually severed a limb, but will bleed to death before I admit that I'm hurt."

"HEY, I'VE GOT MY REASONS FOR WHAT I'M DOING".
Means: "And I sure hope I think of some pretty soon."

"I CAN'T FIND IT."
Means: "It didn't fall into my outstretched hands, so I'm completely clueless."

"WHAT DID I DO THIS TIME?"
Means: "What did you catch me at?"

"I HEARD YOU."
Means: "I haven't the foggiest clue what you just said, and am hoping desperately that I can fake it well enough so that you don't spend the next three days yelling at me."

"YOU KNOW I COULD NEVER LOVE ANYONE ELSE"
Means: "I am used to the way you yell at me, and realize it could be worse."

"YOU LOOK TERRIFIC"
Means: "Please don't try on one more outfit, I'm starving."

"I'M NOT LOST. I KNOW EXACTLY WHERE WE ARE."
Means: "No one will ever see us alive again."

"WE SHARE THE HOUSEWORK"
Means: "I make the messes, she cleans them up."

Englishman In New York

I LOVE this song! I'm not an Englishman (I'm Welsh) and I have no great desire to visit New York in my lifetime. Nor do I have any great memories or introspective thoughts that I associate with this tune, but something about it just grabs me. Hope you like it too.

Englishman In New York by Sting

I don't drink coffee I take tea my dear
I like my toast done on one side
And you can hear it in my accent when I talk
I'm an Englishman in New York

See me walking down Fifth Avenue
A walking cane here at my side
I take it everywhere I walk
I'm an Englishman in New York

I'm an alien I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
I'm an alien I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York

If, "Manners maketh man" as someone said
Then he's the hero of the day
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
Be yourself no matter what they say

I'm an alien I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
I'm an alien I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York

Modesty, propriety can lead to notoriety
You could end up as the only one
Gentleness, sobriety are rare in this society
At night a candle's brighter than the sun

Takes more than combat gear to make a man
Takes more than a license for a gun
Confront your enemies, avoid them when you can
A gentleman will walk but never run

If, "Manners maketh man" as someone said
Then he's the hero of the day
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
Be yourself no matter what they say

I'm an alien I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
I'm an alien I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York

Consolidation

Anyone who knows me will know that I have had debts now for a long time. These are entirely my own fault, apart from the excessive fees that my bank has hit me with time and time again which have added to the amount owed. Over time this debt has slowly increased, despite my best efforts to reduce it, as without fail any time I got close to getting it under control, some huge expense or other would rear its ugly head and swallow my attempts.

No longer. As of last night I now have 1 debt to 1 creditor, having finally consolidated them all (apart from the Studet Loan that is which really doesn't count, as I'm not earning anywhere near the amount I would need to to have to begin repayments on it).SoI now owe £13,200 to Egg Bank, in the form of a single loan. This will be paid off in monthly installments of £204 for the next 84 months, or 7 years to put it another way.

While that is a long time, I at last have the peace of mind of knowing that the debt will be cleared at the end of that time. As oppossed to the credit card I just scrapped, where my monthly repayments were merely servicing the interest, and which would have taken nearly 30 years to pay off according to the woman I got all this sorted out with on the phone last night. Also, the loan is arranged in such a way, that I can make extra payments to it, should I have the money to do so.

Which brings me back to the fees the bank has been charging me. According to the law, those fees are illegal and thus the money can be claimed back from the bank. To the best of my knowledge, my bank owes me somewhere in the region of £6000 from the last 6 years of such fees. I intend to claim it back and use that money to pay off a big chunk of the loan early. Also there are the boxes of stuff under my bed to sell on ebay, another source of money to pour into getting that debt cleared a hell of a lot sooner than 2014.

More Signs

Presenting another batch of alternative "inspirational" photo/posters that better sum up the experience of working at a Morrisons supermarket, than the far more flattering ones displayed in the staff areas where I work manage to do.

Signs

This post is really for those who read this blog and like me have to suffer the daily grind of working at a Morrisons supermarket. One of the many things that frankly annoys me about my workplace is the series of framed pictures on the walls of the staff area, each with a slogan like Achievement or Teamwork etc. I've always found them to be somewhat condescending. So here are a bunch of signs that I feel better sum up the experience of working for Morrisons. Enjoy!

Run To You

This is a fairly unusual song (to my mind anyway) as the lyrics pretty much celebrate adultery, or at least infidelity. As someone who has never really had a partner and thus would cherish a woman in my life, the actual meaning of the song is pretty repellant to me. Still, morals aside, the song has a kicking rythmn and is one of my favourite of Bryan Adams many tunes. I try not to let a songs message get in the way of me enjoying the tune where possible.

Run To You by Bryan Adams

She says her love for me could never die
But that'd change if she ever found out about you and I
Oh - but her love is cold
It wouldn't hurt her if she didn't know, 'cause...
When it gets too much
I need to feel your touch

I'm gonna run to you
I'm gonna run to you
Cause when the feelin's right I'm gonna run all night
I'm gonna run to you

She's got a heart of gold she'd never let me down
But you're the one that always turns me on
You keep me comin' 'round
I know her love is true
But it's so damn easy makin' love to you
I got my mind made up
I need to feel your touch

I'm gonna run to you
I'm gonna run to you
Cause when the feelin's right I'm gonna run all night
I'm gonna run to you

I'm gonna run to you
I'm gonna run to you
Cause when the feelin's right I'm gonna run all night
I'm gonna run to you

Happy Birthday To Me

Or at least it would be if I were writing this up a couple hours from now having just woken up. No such luck. I woke up an hour ago and have been completely unable to get back to sleep since. So I'm sat here in my dressing gown making the best of a bad thing by writing this, in the hope that staring at my keyboard and computer screen will make me tired enough to be able to grab that couple more hours of kip.

I turn 31 today, officially at about 4:10pm I'm told. Whereas last year I had a quiet day at home and a meal in the evening with my parents, brother and best friends, this year I have a considerably more packed day ahead. I say I, but I should really be saying We, as for the past few years, I have shared my birthdays actitivites with my housemate & best friend Tony Searle, as today is also his birthday (he turns 32 today).

This morning I have promised to spend a couple hours roleplaying in MSN with my good friend Cheryl Fredericks, who lives in New Zealand. I've been talking and roleplaying with her online for something like two and a half years now give or take. I left the last roleplay session we did on a bit of a cliffhanger and she's been nagging me (nicely though) to put her out of her misery and resolve it, so 8:00am-10:00am today are set aside for that.

At 11:00-11:30am Tony and I will be taking his motorbike down to the Riverside Park on the outskirts of the town and heading to the Pizza Hut there for lunch. Yesterday after mentioning our plans for the day to a couple friends in the Bakery dept where I work, I invited them along, so we might well meet up with our friends Richard Adams, James Whitfield and Dan Shapter (who I asked Richard to pass the message along too). Which would be great, though if it is just the pair of us, well that's good too.

After lunch we will be heading to the Odeon cinema a short distance away and there watching the 1:10pm showing of Night At The Museum, followed by the 4:00pm showing of Employee Of The Month. Tony did want to see Eragon (which I've already seen but would happily have sat through another showing of), but it turns out that the Odeon stopped showing it as of last Friday, so we are going with a complete comedy line up today. Very much looking forward to seeing both those films, especially Employee as it is a comedy set in a supermarket, which is where I work afterall.

Employee should finish at around about 6:00pm, so from there we'll likely trek to the McDonalds Drive Thru for dinner. I say trek, but I mean stroll as it's just across the car park from the Odeon. And from there to the Hollywood Bowl (across another car park) and to the bar and arcades inside. I'm keen to have a go on Time Crisis 4 which I've not played before, but I've loved playing all 3Time Crisis games in the series before it. There we will be meeting up with several more members of the Bakery dept, as the Bakery are having our first attempt at a dept social outing. Two games of 10 pin bowling, plus drinks, chat and some healthy competition should be a nice way to round out the day.

I imagine we'll get back here for about 9:30pm where I have the bottle of 50% proof Smirnoff Blue Label vodka in the freezer waiting for me. Enjoyed a glass of that with icecubes and Clementine Juice (it was on Buy One Get One Free in work and I was curious as to what it was like) last night and it was superb. All in all I think I'm going to enjoy myself today.

The Harpy

I only just found this poem, thanks in part to a good friend of mine and a slight case of mistaken identity. See my friend has for some time now gone by the callsign The Harpy on message boards and such, only recently retiring that name. So when one of the moderators on Alter Realm added The Harpy to their tags (along with a line from this poem), many people (including myself) thought that it was my friend and were surprised to see that she had been made a Mod. This prompted her to start a thread on the board to explain that it wasn't her, and the Mod in question posted this poem there, by way of explanation of why they had taken the name.

And now I'm posting it here because it is a good poem and I don't find that many that I like. Hope you like it too.

The Harpy by Robert Service


There was a woman, and she was wise; woefully wise was she;
She was old, so old, yet her years all told were but a score and three;
And she knew by heart, from finish to start, the Book of Iniquity.

There is no hope for such as I on earth, nor yet in Heaven;
Unloved I live, unloved I die, unpitied, unforgiven;
A loathed jade, I ply my trade, unhallowed and unshriven.

I paint my cheeks, for they are white, and cheeks of chalk men hate;
Mine eyes with wine I make them shine, that man may seek and sate;
With overhead a lamp of red I sit me down and wait

Until they come, the nightly scum, with drunken eyes aflame;
Your sweethearts, sons, ye scornful ones -- 'tis I who know their shame.
The gods, ye see, are brutes to me -- and so I play my game.

For life is not the thing we thought, and not the thing we plan;
And Woman in a bitter world must do the best she can --
Must yield the stroke, and bear the yoke, and serve the will of man;

Must serve his need and ever feed the flame of his desire,
Though be she loved for love alone, or be she loved for hire;
For every man since life began is tainted with the mire.

And though you know he love you so and set you on love's throne;
Yet let your eyes but mock his sighs, and let your heart be stone,
Lest you be left (as I was left) attainted and alone.

From love's close kiss to hell's abyss is one sheer flight, I trow,
And wedding ring and bridal bell are will-o'-wisps of woe,
And 'tis not wise to love too well, and this all women know.
Wherefore, the wolf-pack having gorged upon the lamb, their prey,
With siren smile and serpent guile I make the wolf-pack pay --
With velvet paws and flensing claws, a tigress roused to slay.

One who in youth sought truest truth and found a devil's lies;
A symbol of the sin of man, a human sacrifice.
Yet shall I blame on man the shame? Could it be otherwise?

Was I not born to walk in scorn where others walk in pride?
The Maker marred, and, evil-starred, I drift upon His tide;
And He alone shall judge His own, so I His judgment bide.

Fate has written a tragedy; its name is "The Human Heart".
The Theatre is the House of Life, Woman the mummer's part;
The Devil enters the prompter's box and the play is ready to start.

What Kind Of Horror Killer Are You?

Saw this on a message board I frequent and thought it'd be slightly ghoulish fun to have a go at. This is who I came out as...

You scored as Hannibal Lecter. You are Hannibal Lecter. You dont need to eat human flesh to live, but do so because it just taste good. You are very intelligent, and enjoy using it to your advantage to keep people guessing. You arent a killing machine, but when you do decide to let loose, watch out! Dinner is served, with some fava beans, and a nice chianti! Pinhead 45% Hannibal Lecter 45% Michael Myers 45% Captain Spaulding 40% Freddy Krueger 35% Jigsaw 35% Candyman 35% Jason Voorhees 25% Leatherface 25% Buffalo Bill 10% Which Horror Killer are You? created with QuizFarm.com

The Sales Annex

Time again for an excerpt from one of the Gor novels, in this case my favourite book of the series: Dancer of Gor (Book 22 of the saga). This section is from the end of Chapter 8, and the earthgirl slave Doreen is chained for display in the sales annex of a slave auction house, for customers to examine her (and the other girls up for sale) before they are put up for auction that evening:

I sat, waiting, on the long, heavy, wooden platform, raised a foot or so above the dirt floor of the exposition area, it located in the annex to Teibar’s sales barn, he of Market of Semris, a dealer in tarsks, as they said, four-legged and two-legged. The platform was one of several, arranged in orderly rows. The platform I was on was near the center of the room. I sat there, waiting, small, helpless, naked, my feet tucked back, near my left thigh, my ankles crossed, as though they might be held together by a small chain, my left hand on my left ankle, my weight muchly on the palm of my right hand, a chain on my neck, running to its ring in the platform. I do not know how long I had been unconscious. I had awakened here, on the platform, feeling its heavy, sturdy, smooth wooden surface beneath my body. I had also become aware of the chain on my neck. A little later I learned what space and movement it would permit me. I could stand comfortably in it. This was intentional on the part of the masters, being connected with a concept of latitudes suitable for the appropriate display of merchandise. We were a ten-lot originally, it seemed, but as though in anticipation of a projected decision, we had been given different lot numbers. It seems they had not been fully decided, at least at one point, whether to sell us as a unit, a given ten-lot, or to break the ten-lot and sell us individually. They had now decided, it seemed, to sell us individually. I suppose it was a sound commercial decision, given the conditions current in their area. I do not really know. At any rate, they would do what they wanted, the same as with any other sort of merchandise. We were not the only ten-lot now in the room. There were girls, now, on most of the platforms, usually three girls to a platform. These others, I gathered, had been brought in during the day by wagons, or had perhaps been marched over from some other facility. Such things were the concerns of masters, not mine. My head was down. There was a number of my left breast. I was alone. Teibar, my master, who had so easily and imperiously captured me on Earth, and who had brought me here, seeing to it that I was suitably impressed into helpless bondage, had not wanted me. My hopes had been absurd. How naïve I had been. what a fool I had been. I should have known better. I could cry no more.

It was now early in the evening. Somewhat before noon we had been watered, doubtless that we would be freshened and our bellies pleasantly rounded. The men, customers, natives of the locality, agents, dealers and others, were then admitted, to examine us, and, if interested, take notes on our lot numbers. On the platforms, I, and others, had endured the most intimate scrutinies. They had moved about us, circulating here and there, going from one platform to another. They usually did this, it seemed, in a precise pattern, beginning at one point or another, thus making certain that the contents of every platform came within their purview, that they did not miss even one of the displayed wares. We, of course, perforce, must respond to their instructions. We found ourselves often standing, or sitting or kneeling, or moving or assuming attitudes, or pursing our lips, and so on, according to their commands. In these times we were often handled quite objectively, the firmness of our breasts and thighs being tested, and so on. But then animals are often handled on such a basis, slapped on the flanks, and such. Sometimes they would even put us bodily in desired attitudes. They wanted to form some ideas, it seemed, as to our condition and soundness, and what it might be for them, or their clients, to own us. We were even, occasionally, touched intimately. Under such attentions I could not help squirming. This seemed to amuse them. I gathered from some of their remarks, somewhat indelicate remarks, scarcely fit for the ears of an Earth woman, or one who had once been from Earth, that under true male attentions I might prove to be utterly helpless. I found this dubious. I assumed that it was false. I would learn later that it was not. Still I was so distraught, so much numbed, so much in shock, so despondent, so much in despair, so miserable over my rejection by Teibar, that I was not even remotely as responsive as I would normally have been. and this had to do not simply with feelings. Sometimes I was hardly aware of, or caring of, what was being done to me. Sometimes I knelt, and moved, and posed, almost without understanding or thinking about what was being done to me. To these men, I am sure, I must have appeared, though perhaps beautiful, inert. They were now gone. The exposition area was now closed to the public. It was in the early evening. I supposed that we would be watered again, later, that we might again appear fresh, our skin with excellent tone, glistening and smooth, our bellies sweetly rounded. After a large breakfast this morning, we had been fed very lightly, however, only a handful of dry gruel put in our mouths after the closing of the exposition area. To be sure, I supposed it was enough for us. We need far less food than men. It is cheaper to feed us than male slaves. There were other reasons, of course, why we had been fed so lightly today. Tonight they did not want us to be lethargic or sluggish. Too, they did not wish, particularly in the case of new girls, their stomachs turning and wrenching in misery, and terror, to risk disgusting accidents.

"Position!" we heard.

Immediately every girl on every platform assumed position. I looked about, as I could. Every girl that I saw had assumed, as I had, the open-kneed position. It was required of them. I gathered, as it was required of me. They were all attractive. I wondered what sort of slaves we were, that we must kneel in this fashion.

In a few moments we were lined up, according to our separate lots. I at the end of mine, facing not the large, closed double doors which led to the area outside, those doors through which the customers had entered, but the other large, closed double doors, those which, apparently led somewhere else. Gloria was in front of me, as usual. Her hands were manacled behind her back. My hands, too, were identically secured. On her neck, as on mine, was a buckled, two-ringed, leather collar. It was the sort of collar which may be easily put on, and removed from a girl. The girl, of course, if manacled as we were, is helpless in it. The rings are located at 180 degrees from one another. This permits girls to be fastened, the collar oriented appropriately, either side by side, in ranks, or behind one another, in files. A leather strap, with snaps at both ends, joins the rings, usually the ring at the back of one collar to the ring at the front of another. Gloria, being ahead of me, was thus leashed to the ring at the back of the girl’s collar ahead of her, and I was leashed to the ring at the back of Gloria’s collar. As I was at the end of the line, the ring at the back of my collar hung free, against the leather, not utilized.

The double doors before us, were opened.

I could see a long corridor, dimly lit with lamps. It was, like the exposition area, floored with dirt. That made sense, as doubtless tarsks, those of the four-footed variety, those bristly, squat, grunting animals, as opposed to the two-footed variety, those soft, smooth, shapely animals, were often conducted through it.

I looked down the long, dark, dirt-floored corridor.

Our group, it seemed, would be neither the first, nor, given our position, the last to enter that corridor.

I looked down at the writing on my left breast. It was, I had been told, an "89," my lot number.

We had been fed very lightly today.

There was a reason for that. Tonight we were going on the block.

New Years Resolutions 2007

I should really have posted this a few days ago. While I could claim that I wanted to spend a bit longer thinking over what my resolutions for this year were going to be, the truth is I've known for days and have just been too bone idle to type them up. I have also been busy watching the DVD boxset that I bought of Season 1 of The Muppet Show. I finished watching the last of the 24 episodes on the sets 4 discs earlier today. Money very well spent I think. I've laughed more in these past couple days than I did in the whole of last year.

Anyway, moving on... here are my resolutions for 2007:

1. Reduce my debts. I'm going to take another crack at this, as this was a resolution last year as well and I failed spectacularly in regards to it. Still, I have a pretty good idea how to go about clearing a sizeable chunk of what I owe and as I have next week off work, I'm going to get started on that.
2. Take more pride in my appearance. I have been nagged by... well a lot of people actually, including my Mum and my boss at work about this. Not really sure how to go about this, or how it will benefit me as I'm quite happy the way I am, but I'll give it a try. I could ceetainly do with being nagged less.
3. Reduce the amount of possessions I own. I STILL have boxes of comic books, old toys and more under my bed and I want them gone. As I also have a need for money (see resolution 1 above), then selling them off on ebay seems to be the best way to go about this.
4. Try and get proofreading work. I passed the course in Copy Editing and Proofreading last year and as yet have done nothing with that qualification. 2007 is the year I try and get work in the publishing industry as a freelance proofreader.
5. Write my blog more often. This last addition is motivated by the stack of 5 novels sat on my desk awaiting their reviews to be typed up. Also of late I have gone to write posts many times and stopped short of doing so, for fear of offending someone. This is despite the disclaimer at the top of the main page which states clearly "if you don't like what I write, don't read any more of it". I will try not to censor myself as often as I have been doing.

So there we are, 5 resolutions to try and stick too for the coming year. Assuming I manage to do so and to succeed, then my life should improve considerably by this time next year. Wish me luck!

Or Maybe I Won't...

...Need the energy today that is. The reason being that at some very early hour this morning (somewhere between 4 and 5 am I believe) I got a text message from my mate Dan Shapter telling me not to come into work at 6am after all, and that I'd get a phone call later today from boss (I'm presuming he means Lyndsey by this) to explain what is happening. Fair enough I figured and went back to bed.

A bit later on after waking up, Gareth came back in from whereever he had popped out too and mentioned something about there having been a fire at a petrol station. So I went onto the BBC News website and had a look at the stories for the South West of England and lo and behold, there was a fire last night at the Rover garage (not actually a petrol station, but very close to Morrisons one as it happens) and that as a result of a fear of gas tanks exploding, a good chunk of Station Road had been cordoned off and houses evacuated.

I would imagine that a stretch of Priory Bridge Road is likewise cordoned off, thus preventing road access to the store. Without customers being able to drive to the store and park, opening the store makes no sense as it would get very little business. So I get another day off work today and I'm writing this now at roughly the time I would be finishing my shift had I worked. I've yet to get any phonecall though.

The main thought that preoccupies me now is that several of my friends live in very close proximity to where the fire was, namely Richard & Derek Adams, my brother Rhys, Mads Bak, Sean Chard & his fiance Steph and also Matt & Jen. I'm very glad no-one has been injured as a result of the fire.

Back At Home

So after a gruelling 8am-5pm shift on Xmas Eve which was a lot busier than I thought it would be (certainly with regard to the huge Flans we make in the store which myself and Lyndsey made 8 of in quick succession!), I packed up a few clothes, most of the presents I've bought (excepting Richard & Derek's gifts and they will get theirs on New Year's Day) and wrapped up warm, before trooping across town to my parents house. I spent the night there on Sunday and again last night. Sunday night I was tired and slept like the dead, last night... ehhh not so much. It took forever to get to sleep and at best I got maybe 3 hours of kip before the alarm clock woke me up. And it wasn't quality sleep either.

I've had a good Xmas all in all. I've eaten and drunk plenty, but done neither to excess. I've not gotten drunk despite drinking most of my parents bottle of Cointreau which I mixed with the remaining litre bottle of Kinnie that I brought back from Malta. Yes, I've had a bottle of soft drink sat in my wardrobe since early August just so I could enjoy it as my drink on Xmas Day. I'm home now though, having gotten a lift from my Mum a few hours ago. So what did I get all in all? Here's my Xmas Gift List:

• New Spectacles: This tends to be my Xmas present from my parents every other year, but this is the first new pair I've had in 3 years now. Thanks to Specsavers 2 for 1 deal, I also have a new pair of prescription sunglasses too with dark blue tinted lenses.
• A 70cl bottle of Jim Beam Black Label Bourbon, which is 43% proof. This will go very nicely with cola and ice, just as soon as I've bought and chilled some cola! Totally did not expect this present!
  
• A 1 litre bottle of Blue Label Smirnoff Vodka, which is 50% proof. This present I knew about, as I generally get a bottle of this every year. It is now sat in my freezer (the drink doesn't freeze) and I will open it on my birthday in 3 weeks time. It'll be ready to drink by then.
• Underpants, socks, a denim shirt and a pair of jeans were my clothes this year. The shirt was a total surprise!
• The book "It's Not Easy Being Green" by Dick Strawbridge, which accompanies the BBC2 series of the same name, about a family that decided to try and live as ecologically friendly and self-sufficient a lifestyle as they could without giving up their 21st century mod cons. Fascinating reading. I have my Grandparents to thank for this gift.
• Superman Returns DVD (2 disc edition) from my brother Rhys. I love this film, and watched it this morning as once I'd woken up I couldn't get back to sleep (damn single bed). Thanks Bro!
• Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest DVD off my Nan. Great film, and she already got me the DVD of the first film a couple years ago. Thank you Nan!
• A jar of coffee, a tub of hot chocolate powder and a handful of instant hot choc sachets in toffee, white choc, belgian choc and choca mocha flavours.
• A bag of peanut M&M's which got devoured last night whilst I was watching a 2 hour documentary on Channel 4 about the blood family of Jesus (namely his 4 brothers and 2 sisters) that the founders of the Christian religion did their best to write out of the Bible.
• A 6 pack of a Brazilian beer that I've never heard of before off Mads. No idea what it tastes like, but the other Brazilian beer I've tried (Brahma) is great stuff. They are in the fridge now chilling down.

And that's it (I think). All in all a pretty good haul. Some nice surprises in there, and the items I knew about are all things I wanted/needed. I am back in work tomorrow at 6am to re-open the department, only to have to close it all down again on Sunday for New Years Day when the store is shut again. Still I have Thursday off to look forward too. Here's hoping I sleep well tonight, as I'm going to need the energy tomorrow!

A Different Christmas Poem

I thought I'd post a poem as it's a been a while since I have. Last Xmas Eve I posted a couple of them, both the traditional "Twas the night before Christmas" and and alternative version! I found this poem on a messageboard I frequent. I'm not sure if the person who posted it there is the author or not, but I don't think it matters. The poem is clearly written by an American and is a bit patriotic, but I think the message is one that crosses national borders. Hope you like it, I know I do!

A Different Christmas Poem

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn’t loud, and it wasn’t too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn’t quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
a lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

“What are you doing?” I asked without fear,
“Come in this moment, it’s freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!”

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire’s light.
Then he sighed and he said “It’s really all right,
I’m out here by choice. I’m here every night.”

“It’s my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I’m proud to stand here like my fathers before me.

My Gramps died at ‘Pearl on a day in December,”
Then he sighed, “That’s a Christmas ‘Gram always remembers.”
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ‘Nam’,
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I’ve not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he’s sure got her smile.

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue… an American flag.

“I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.”

“So go back inside,” he said, “harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I’ll be all right.”
“But isn’t there something I can do, at the least,
Give you money,” I asked, “or prepare you a feast?”
It seems all too little for all that you’ve done,
For being away from your wife and your son.”

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
“Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we’re gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.”

Upgraded

About an hour ago I finally got around to upgrading this blog to the new version of the Blogger software. For the most part this change is behind the scenes as it were, in that the blog itself looks pretty much the same as it did before. What has changed though is at the bottom of many of the posts you will now find a Labels link. I have spent the past hour going through the list of my posts and flagging them with various tags to group them. Thus all the Song Lyric posts have the lyrics tag, all the Quotes From Three Movies posts have the movie quotes tag, all the Book Reviews... well you get the idea I'm sure.

This makes it easier for me to organise the site and keep track of what movies, books etc I've covered already, and it makes it possible for those who want to do so, to view all the posts of a similar topic by clicking the link. The list of labels as of now is:

• Book Reviews
• Gor
• Lyrics
• Movie Quotes
• Movie Reviews
• Poetry
• Rogues Gallery
• Taunton Tour
• Website

I'll likely add more as I think of them, but those should serve to make the site a bit easier to get around for now. If you find a post that should have a particular tag and doesn't do let me know. I'm sure I've gotten them all, but I'm only human afterall.

This Advert Needs No Blurb

See what I mean?

With Or Without You

I love this song. I have no great memories of it to relate however, as I've only recently added this song to my collection of mp3 tracks. The bass in this song is just awesome though, my speakers hum & throb from the power of the music.

With Or Without You by U2

See the stone set in your eyes
See the thorn twist in your side
I wait for you

Sleight of hand and twist of fate
On a bed of nails she makes me wait
And I wait without you

With or without you
With or without you

Through the storm we reach the shore
You give it all but I want more
And Im waiting for you

With or without you
With or without you
I cant live
With or without you

And you give yourself away
And you give yourself away
And you give
And you give
And you give yourself away

My hands are tied
My body bruised, shes got me with
Nothing to win and
Nothing left to lose

And you give yourself away
And you give yourself away
And you give
And you give
And you give yourself away

With or without you
With or without you
I cant live
With or without you

With or without you
With or without you
I cant live
With or without you
With or without you

How Will You Die?

So I woke up early this morning and I found an interesting thread on one of the message boards I like to peruse, read and occasionally comment on. Namely a thread concerning a website that claims to be able to predict how you will die and at what age.

That website can be found here. Give it a go, it's fun (in a slightly morbid kind of way). For what it's worth, here is how the site predicted I will meet my final end:

Robert E. Langford: At age 72 you will be struck by lightning while trying to move the antenna beside your mobile home in order to pick up late night adult movies.

Hmmm, not the best death I suppose but could have been worse... Tony will apparently die at age 66 by being hit by a train whilst napping on the railway tracks!