stokes croft, Bristol

I drive past this in Stokes Croft every time I drive to work.
No idea what is it, but it's seriously cool.
It's in an area where the traffic is abysmal and it always makes me smile to see it.
Thanks to Psychbloke for the picture.
Ahh Kuumba Arts. That explains a lot.
Either that or aliens really have landed... not so sure they'd choose St Pauls to invade first though ;)

let's party

Happy 1st Wedding Anniversary Donna and Crash.
Let the love flow.
xxx

more neighbour trouble

My poor neighbours. Last week the shoplifting pair started doing their rounds again. Obviously out of nick now. Selling toothpaste and soap and shower gels prob from the local co-op.
I answer the door with a cheery... "Sorry no money" You don't like to upset these people. However I have given her a pound now and then when she's not had money for gas or electric.
She knocked this morning at 08.30 am... bloody hell I wasn't even up.
She had a River Island bag with her. I gave my normal response and she left.
BUT she must have tried the neighbour and not getting a suitable response lobbed a brick through their front window and legged it.
First the fence and now this. Bet she regrets moving here.

free!!

I reckon Dumb and Dumber from the Gym might enjoy THIS club!

gym bunnies

I'm becoming a gym whore. I've been there two days running. I can do 14 lengths of the pool now... Ok don't laugh but I really am unfit and need to build up my stamina again.
I do hate the kids in there though, but it is a nice place and I can see why parents take little ones rather than the stark nasty council pools.
Today I noted two lads come in (of about 20), they made headway for the Jacuzzi. They spent ages in there, messing about splashing each other, doing somersaults and generally leering at people who walked by. Basically being idiots. No one joined them in the jacuzzi. Their antics put people off and I could see they loved it.
So, I got out of the pool and joined them. They didn't look amused and were forced to tone down the stupid behaviour.
I wasn't to be intimidated though. After 5 minutes I went into the steam room.
There were three people in there. You couldn't see through the thick fog and I sat there enjoying the tranquility and peace. I have this fantasy of meeting a stranger in there and.......... Well ok make the rest up yourself. But I KNOW my own fantasy.
The door swung open and in came Dumb and Dumber. They sauntered in and laid out on the benches. The benches were wet and as they sat down their trunks made a loud farty sound.
They burst out laughing and proceeded to make fart noises over and over. The other three people got up and left.
I stayed there. I smiled to myself. The way to cope in a steam room is to sit up. If your laid down the air content is less and your lungs start to feel the lack of oxygen.
They stayed laid out like lords, giggling and being stupid. Talking is also not so easy in the steamy atmosphere.
I thought to myself, lets see how long these BIG MACHO boys last.
Suddenly one sat upright. "I feels a bit faint" he proclaimed to his mate. "I can't sand it either" his mate moaned and they left. They lasted at least two minutes.
I laughed out loud after they'd gone.
Pair of idiots. An asset to the community .... Not!

what a bunch of.......

Am I haunted?

"Mostly hauntings are spirits that have been left behind. I believe that when you die a window opens to let you go over to the other side. The portal only opens for a limited time and if for some reason you don't use it then you get left behind. It's not easy to cross over once the window has closed. So you're stuck."

That was Ghost Hunter Mia Dolan talking. Last night the TV was on in the background and I became aware of a presence. Yes, the presence of ITV2's Haunted House on my box.
You think Derek Acorah is bad? Mia spent an hour working the Scriven's family up to a fine lather about this ghostly woman they'd seen in their daughters bedroom. It turned out to be 'An Angry male spirit' who hadn't given his permission to be on national TV. It was so scary it even moved a cushion several inches to the left at one point.

Anyways the main point to this post is that, apparently, a sure fire sign of 'paranormal activity' in your home is an excessive amount of battery drainage from your 'appliances'
I'm pretty sure I must have a whole bunch of ghosts in my bedroom then.

Global project

Crikey check this out. She could have gone to Uganda or Zambia or Kenya. Oooh I might have been a bit more worried then.

(this is the school Abby is at this week)

A Batman Break

This site NEEDS more Batman.

Trin? a nightmare? never!

Nightmare Before Christmas!


What movie Do you Belong in?(many different outcomes!)
brought to you by Quizilla

Damn I WANTED to be in the Matrix... tsk.
(pinched from Karl... yet again.)

oxymoronic media

Just lately I feel sick if I even drive past a MacDonalds place. The smell of those burgers and fries... yeuk.
I did try their salad range once. It was vile. All lettuce and some rather odd dressing with bits in it. It could have been flies for all I knew. Crisp lettuce with chunky whole housefly. We're lovin'it.

thrilling Dublin?

I love Dublin.
Great place. Full of Heritage and fun (and drink!). Danz liked Dublin, though she found bits rather dull. Wonder if the reason might have be the two old perishers on this bus?
Yep my parents.
He said Dublin was for girls.
Not when I went it wasn't. He find something to complain about in Buckingham Palace.
Imagine spending the week with this Darby and Joan :-/
Poor Danz.

the team

On the way to St Lucia. Wonder what St Lucia made of the motley crew?
I haven't heard much from Abby. I think she's ok. I rang once and she cried and said she was missing me.
She's text she's sunburnt. She said one of the other girls went rock climbing with no shoes on and got about 60 small black specks in her feet... Some sort of sea urchin things. She had to have them removed in hospital.
Danielle is back from Dublin. I'm no longer alone. She brought me back a lot of small Irish souvenirs :)

Oh Dear

Just when you think it's safe to get out of bed.....
This morning I got up and was getting ready for work. Taylor, the oldest cat was sat on my chair and I shooed him off to sit down with my cup of tea.
Horror, he went berserk and was lame. He couldn't put one of his hind legs down and was in an awful state.
I phoned work and told them I needed to take him to the vets. They were fine about it but I do feel guilty!
Then a call to the PDSA. They fitted him in and off we went.
The local PDSA is a wonderful place. Even the receptionist was friendly and lovely.
The vet was Swedish. Very dishy. Taylor was a nightmare. He's never been the friendliest of cats. I have no idea why, as he's been treated like a Prince his whole life (that's possibly the problem!)
He tried to attack the vet several times with loud hissing and growls.
Then the vet left me alone to go get an injection and he attacked me. I had to let him go and he was off the table and ran into the hospital. The vet was forced to chase after him. Luckily the lame leg prevented a major catastrophe.
The vet said he'd never met such a naughty cat. I was very embarrassed and tried to explain that he's treated very well.
Anyways it seems he's been injured in a cat fight (his fav pastime) and he has a very nasty infection.
I've never used the PDSA before even though I'm entitled. But money is tight this month. I gave a very generous donation on the way out.
They gave me a slip that said if I'd gone to a vet my bill would have been thirty pounds.
That made me laugh. I've had similar treatment before at the Local Vets and just that Painkilling / antibiotic jab would have cost 35 quid, let alone the vets fees.
But I do have to admit that I have never used PDSA before because I kinda feel if you can't afford a pet you shouldn't have one. They're such a worthy good organisation though. I was extremely impressed.

flour flour everywhere and not a cake in sight

City chaos as flour lorry crashes

I left for work at 2pm today and came across this nasty flour truck incident as it happened. A Hovis lorry on it's side with tons of flour spilt all around it (looked like wholemeal... nice and healthy).
The traffic inbound into the city was horrendous and I felt empathy for those fed up looking drivers.
I got into work and warned everyone not to go home that way.
(Besides it was raining and we all know what happens when you mix flour and water!)
So when work was finished at 8pm... I wanted to hurry home for the Brits...So which way did I go?
Yep... The flour way. I really thought that by 8 pm they would have cleared it. But no. Not likely. The traffic was way backed up the Portway and I took an hour to get home, it may have taken longer but I ditched the queue and drove through the city centre in the end.
The traffic in this city is abysmal. The amount of road works everywhere, the stupid lights system and these traffic calming measures that cause jams that were never there before.
I'm a miserable enough driver as it is!!!!!

media mutter mutter

I've had my hair cut... Looks nice. I'm pleased with the way I look (or least my head bit) for 2 seconds. Danz is back today yayayayayayayay. No more on my own. I did ok though. I was alright.
That advert for Burger King is on TV again. The one with the man at the vending machine and he turns round an there's this guy dressed up with a huge porcelain head behind him, with a burger in his hand.
The scariest thing I've seen since the Ring. /shudder
I also switched off local radio again this morning. Bush and Troy. GWR FM. A pair of idiots with verbal diarrhoea. Not much of any good comes out of those two.
But the long running piece that encourages listeners to call in with '101 ways to Kill Pete Doherty', is completely tasteless.
Pete might be a twat and messing up his life BIG TIME but he's ill. Drug addiction is an illness. He's got enough ammo to kill himself.
Totally unfunny.

Oooooh Mrs Emery?

Breaking Sun News!

"The grandmother of four was arrested days after newspaper reports revealed a woman had been caught dropping her trousers and urinating near a freshly-laid grave".

Mrs Emery?

watching the winners

Breaths a huge sigh of relief. Coldplay win the best Single for 'Speed of Sound' when you look at the other contenders including the frankly vile Shayne Ward... The X Factor idiot. You can see why I'm relieved.
Can't wait to watch it tomorrow night.
I want to see Prince doing Purple Rain.

Tuesday and all's well

I've been a bit manic for the past few weeks. Not maniacally high but low... I didn't realise I could be like that. Was careering toward self destruct and yesterday was a big day for me. Thank fully the people who care for me were aware and patched the wound and today I feel like I've climbed the biggest mountain ever and need to rest.
I didn't sleep very well. I woke up several times really thirsty. I had to get up and drink tons of water. But I was still thirsty.
I had some bad dreams. I dreamt I was driving the car. The girls were with me and were too slow to get in the car, so I took off to teach them a lesson. I was angry with them.
Danielle ran after the car , thinking I was playing. But I drove off. I left them stood there bewildered. Then I turned around to pick them up, but try as I might I couldn't stop the car. I drove past them again and again. I could see Danz little face streaked with tears and Abby looking shocked but I simply couldn't stop.
I woke up in a panic.
Then I dreamt I was at a girl guiding conference. I stood up to speak at the podium but I noticed I didn't have any trousers or knickers on. I tried to carry on as if nothing was wrong, but I got more and more anxious and panic stricken. I woke up again. 1/2 hour had gone by.
Bailey woke me up twice clawing my feet at the end of the duvet. Then scratching the new divan bed sides.
Control is very important to me.
I've lost it recently. Things happened I couldn't sort out. I guess I did well to cope and to be here rationally writing this now.
Someone in work said I looked ill today. They said I was an awful colour.
I laughed, but I think I don't hide my emotions very well.
Oh well, today is calm and serene and focused. I'm actually ENJOYING having some time to myself.
I've done housework and put up some shelves in Abby's room. Got some for Danz room tomorrow.
Ummm I did put them upside down.... Also they aren't completely straight... but only a small tilt. But hey. It WAS my first attempt.
She better not put anything heavy on them though....

of love and goats

For Clarrie.
Loving thoughts of you.
What the feck has a pair of ugly smelly goats got to do with loving thoughts?
Aside from the fact they're trying to kill one another?
Crazy Old St Valentine.

Love love lurve

What a beautiful E-Card I got sent... All for me ;) I don't think I'll bother with the large steak tonight now.
Happy Valentines Day to everyone.

texty joy

I got a text from Abby this morning

"Hello you very cold British person
It's sooooo hot here
Loves you"

Hmmm rub my nose in it Abby!

stop press... I got an email

It said "Psst have you forgotten something?"

"You love them, they love chocolate.
Chosen just for them, a heart-warming
gift from their number 1 fan"

Hmph, Thorntons, trying to hard sell their candies.
Have I forgotten something?... Thankfully NOT!

You shouldn't let dodery old men loose with guns

Dick Cheney shoots friend

"Vice President
Dick Cheney accidentally shot and wounded a companion during a weekend quail hunting trip in Texas, spraying the fellow hunter in the face and chest with shotgun pellets
Harry Whittington, a millionaire attorney from Austin, was "alert and doing fine" in a Corpus Christi hospital Sunday after he was shot by Cheney on a ranch in south Texas, said Katharine Armstrong, the property's owner".

Oh the old guy is the vice President of the USA?
Kinda Figures.

So wonder what George Dubya Bush has to say on the matter?

("the hunting trip is cancelled, sorry Dick, but I shoot myself in the foot enough without anyone else's help")

start all over again

"You know that I would love to see you next year
I hope that I am still alive next year
You magnify the way i think about myself
before you came I rarely thought about myself
Whats my view?
Well how am i supposed to know?
Write a review
Well how objective can I be?

I like to wait to see how things turn out
If you apply some pressure

What happens when you lose everything
you just start again
you start all over again

I like to wait to see how things turn out when you apply some pressure
I like to wait to see how things turn out when you apply some pressure!

What happens when you lose everything
you just start again
you start all over again
What happens when you lose everything
you just start again
you start all over again
What happens when you lose everything
you just start again
you start all over again" Maximo Park 2006

landed safe.

She's landed
BA2157 ANU UVF 12 FEB 17:10 12 FEB 17:04 Actual

There's a relief. 11 hours on a plane. Wow. Hope she didn't puke.

edit. Just spoke to her. Rang her mobile. It worked fine. She said it was a very long journey, she's met Christa and she's ok.
Happy Now.