Here we are, Saturday morning again. TW is upstairs in bed, the girls are next door watching some sort of trash TV, and I am here with my thoughts and a keyboard. That's a dangerous combination.
The students have been here a week now, and so far they have been no bother at all. They're very polite and quiet, although there have been a couple of evenings when it has sounded like they've been keeping elephants up in their room. That's the only way to explain the foundation-shattering bumps and thuds emanating from upstairs. They've been out to a disco (arranged by the school, they've not been clubbing it up at Ben Ten), they even went to the bowling alley last night, although I'm not sure they did any bowling; I think they were just "hanging out". And they said they thought they would be home by 21:30, and they got home at 21:30 on the dot. I wonder what the Spanish is for "hanging out"?
Today is the school summer fair, so that will take up most of the late morning / early afternoon. We will be meeting the MiL and the GiL there, as the Middle One is doing some country dancing, and singing in the choir as well.
TW wants to head off to Worthing Rugby Club this afternoon, as all her mates from Splashpoint are going to be there, and Murdoch's Crazy Eyes are playing as well, later. I shall probably leave her there, although that might mean that I don't see her until 3am tomorrow morning; but that's a risk I just gotta take. It'll mean I can get through a couple of episodes of Freakshow tonight, at least...
TTFN.
Saturday, June 27, 2015
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Sunday 15-06-21 Now We Are Seven
TW has decided to "retire", at the ripe old age of 38 (don't tell her I told you) and so in order to maintain some kind of income she has decided to take in EFL (English as a Foreign Language) students. Our first two arrived last night, they are Spanish boys aged 14 & 15. They seem polite enough, TW made most conversation with them, of course, and at least they didn't murder us in our beds as we slept. But as I've pointed out elsewhere, they are here for three weeks, there is plenty of time yet. So now we have five children in the house, and we are getting another one next Monday as well. At least it will bring in a penny or two.
Today of course is Father's Day (or is it Fathers' Day?), and so I was given the choice of what I wanted to do. My first choice is always to sit on my bottom and surf the internet, learning things and following stories in the news. However, I don't think that's what TW was offering. I did suggest Sleepy Hollow, but then I decided I wanted to see some views, so we went up to Highdown instead. We sat at the top of Highdown looking out across Goring and Ferring, out to sea, and it was lovely. The sun was shining, it wasn't too hot, it was very restful. Then we walked over Highdown, out towards Arundel, and we did consider striking out for The Spotted Cow, one of the GiL's favourite watering holes. Our only concern was that we did not know how far it actually was. Well, it seems that there and back is approximately 3.75 miles, which was maybe a bit further than we were intending to walk. As I write this, TW is having a nap, and my calves are beginning to complain about the amount of extra work they've had to do today. But it was a good walk, we had a soft drink and some chips when we got to the pub, and the youngest children didn't complain too much on the way back. Result. The students are up in London today, so they weren't with us, but they'll be back later.
All in all, it's been good. I should go and wake TW up in a bit, but I might let her sleep on...
TTFN.
Today of course is Father's Day (or is it Fathers' Day?), and so I was given the choice of what I wanted to do. My first choice is always to sit on my bottom and surf the internet, learning things and following stories in the news. However, I don't think that's what TW was offering. I did suggest Sleepy Hollow, but then I decided I wanted to see some views, so we went up to Highdown instead. We sat at the top of Highdown looking out across Goring and Ferring, out to sea, and it was lovely. The sun was shining, it wasn't too hot, it was very restful. Then we walked over Highdown, out towards Arundel, and we did consider striking out for The Spotted Cow, one of the GiL's favourite watering holes. Our only concern was that we did not know how far it actually was. Well, it seems that there and back is approximately 3.75 miles, which was maybe a bit further than we were intending to walk. As I write this, TW is having a nap, and my calves are beginning to complain about the amount of extra work they've had to do today. But it was a good walk, we had a soft drink and some chips when we got to the pub, and the youngest children didn't complain too much on the way back. Result. The students are up in London today, so they weren't with us, but they'll be back later.
All in all, it's been good. I should go and wake TW up in a bit, but I might let her sleep on...
TTFN.
Sunday, June 14, 2015
Sunday 15-06-14 Sussex vs. Essex Friday Night T20
Friday night is cricket night around here, and so when work wrapped up it was off to the Hove County Ground for an evening's T20. A colleague gave me a lift into Hove, and I schlepped it to the ground after popping into Tesco to stock up on provisions. I was going to buy a ticket for the Euromillions lottery, as the jackpot was £92 millions, but unfortunately (or otherwise?) the branch of Tesco which I popped into didn't sell lottery tickets. It could have been me...
Anyway, to the ground, where I asked the stewards on my way in if it was going to rain. They reckoned not, apparently they had received word from the groundsman. I was sceptical; it had rained on and off during the day up to that point, and the clouds were hanging heavy and gray overhead. But so it turned out - we stayed dry throughout, and the rain only came once I had returned home.
Essex won the toss and decided to bowl, putting Sussex in to bat first. Of course the openers were Nash and Wright, and I really hoped that they would take the game away from Essex from the start. As it was, they got in, but then unfortunately they both got out, Wright for twenty and Nash for twenty-two. Then Jayawardene had a go, and scored 53, but unfortunately no-one could stay with him, and Sussex could only post 140 from their twenty overs. Topley took two wickets, as did Bopara, and Shaun Tait (used to play for Australia) took three.
I had a couple of pints of Amstel during the first innings, as I couldn't face the Sharks Gold bitter, apparently it's made by North Laines brewery, so it's a good local effort, and it's good for both partners, I reckon, but unfortunately I don't like the taste.
Sussex came out into the field then, for the second innings, and Essex were in. They opened with Jesse Ryder and Mark Pettini. I guess Jesse is New Zealand's answer to KP - explosive, exciting to watch, and with his own off-field issues. Tonight he hit two lovely sixes to get the innings off to a good start, and then was promptly out. No matter though, Pettini scored 48 and Westley 47, both at a pace, and so at the tail-end of the innings the required rate per over was two or thereabouts. As it was Essex wrapped it up within seventeen overs, and I was already at the train station by then, waiting to get home.
It was good to be able to see some stars of the game playing; Bopara, Ryder, Tait and Jayawardene. It was a shame that Sussex did so poorly, but to me the result is immaterial, really. I don't get into a fug about it. I had a nice chat with a Welsh guy who supported Glamorgan, of course, and was hoping for Wales to win against Belgium in the World Cup qualifiers. I was able to hook into the Sussex wi-fi and keep him updated on their progress (Wales won 1-0), and we discussed England's chances against New Zealand, and it was just a relaxed evening where I could focus on me and my wants. I have a fairly relaxed life any way, but there is something restorative about spending time at the cricket and aligning with the rhythms of the game. Focusing on the game and forgetting the demands of work and life at home takes me out of myself, and brings down the blood pressure, or at least it feels like that sometimes. I'm off again to see Sussex play Surrey at Arundel, I just hope they put on a better show today than they did on Friday.
TTFN.
Anyway, to the ground, where I asked the stewards on my way in if it was going to rain. They reckoned not, apparently they had received word from the groundsman. I was sceptical; it had rained on and off during the day up to that point, and the clouds were hanging heavy and gray overhead. But so it turned out - we stayed dry throughout, and the rain only came once I had returned home.
Essex won the toss and decided to bowl, putting Sussex in to bat first. Of course the openers were Nash and Wright, and I really hoped that they would take the game away from Essex from the start. As it was, they got in, but then unfortunately they both got out, Wright for twenty and Nash for twenty-two. Then Jayawardene had a go, and scored 53, but unfortunately no-one could stay with him, and Sussex could only post 140 from their twenty overs. Topley took two wickets, as did Bopara, and Shaun Tait (used to play for Australia) took three.
I had a couple of pints of Amstel during the first innings, as I couldn't face the Sharks Gold bitter, apparently it's made by North Laines brewery, so it's a good local effort, and it's good for both partners, I reckon, but unfortunately I don't like the taste.
Sussex came out into the field then, for the second innings, and Essex were in. They opened with Jesse Ryder and Mark Pettini. I guess Jesse is New Zealand's answer to KP - explosive, exciting to watch, and with his own off-field issues. Tonight he hit two lovely sixes to get the innings off to a good start, and then was promptly out. No matter though, Pettini scored 48 and Westley 47, both at a pace, and so at the tail-end of the innings the required rate per over was two or thereabouts. As it was Essex wrapped it up within seventeen overs, and I was already at the train station by then, waiting to get home.
It was good to be able to see some stars of the game playing; Bopara, Ryder, Tait and Jayawardene. It was a shame that Sussex did so poorly, but to me the result is immaterial, really. I don't get into a fug about it. I had a nice chat with a Welsh guy who supported Glamorgan, of course, and was hoping for Wales to win against Belgium in the World Cup qualifiers. I was able to hook into the Sussex wi-fi and keep him updated on their progress (Wales won 1-0), and we discussed England's chances against New Zealand, and it was just a relaxed evening where I could focus on me and my wants. I have a fairly relaxed life any way, but there is something restorative about spending time at the cricket and aligning with the rhythms of the game. Focusing on the game and forgetting the demands of work and life at home takes me out of myself, and brings down the blood pressure, or at least it feels like that sometimes. I'm off again to see Sussex play Surrey at Arundel, I just hope they put on a better show today than they did on Friday.
TTFN.
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Thursday 15-06-11 Selling the Nation
So, George Osborne reckons it's time to sell off the RBS shares. He's been advised by Rothschild and the Bank of England that the time is now. I wonder who will take care of the sale for the government? It wouldn't be Rothschild, would it? I wonder who will actually make money out of this sale? The government, and therefore, we the people, aren't going to make any money. The shares are going to be sold at a loss, despite the fact that we've held these shares for seven years. RBS keep getting pinged for illegal business practices, and other assorted penalties. It's almost like they weren't being regulated those few years ago...
I have some shares personally in RBS, and they cost me about £100. They are still worth about £100. I'm not going to sell them until they're worth about £200. I don't know how long it's going to take, but I can hold onto them until then. I think the govt. should take the same approach. Ironically, on the news that Osborne was going to sell the shares, the price went up by 8p. That's not going to change my fortunes but it's a move in the right direction. Another 42p, and it would be worth selling. As it is, the govt. has an asset and they can sell it only once. Selling those shares now, at this price, is a mistake. Combine that with the sale of the shares in the Post Offoce, and it looks like there will be no assets left for any future govt. The good thing about valuable assets which keep appreciating in value, is that they create wealth and mean that the general population don't have to contribute so much in tax. Anyone would think, looking at the current general sell-off, that the Tory Govt. would like to keep the general population under the yoke. That can't possibly be the case, can it?
I have some shares personally in RBS, and they cost me about £100. They are still worth about £100. I'm not going to sell them until they're worth about £200. I don't know how long it's going to take, but I can hold onto them until then. I think the govt. should take the same approach. Ironically, on the news that Osborne was going to sell the shares, the price went up by 8p. That's not going to change my fortunes but it's a move in the right direction. Another 42p, and it would be worth selling. As it is, the govt. has an asset and they can sell it only once. Selling those shares now, at this price, is a mistake. Combine that with the sale of the shares in the Post Offoce, and it looks like there will be no assets left for any future govt. The good thing about valuable assets which keep appreciating in value, is that they create wealth and mean that the general population don't have to contribute so much in tax. Anyone would think, looking at the current general sell-off, that the Tory Govt. would like to keep the general population under the yoke. That can't possibly be the case, can it?
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Wednesday 15-06-10 American Horror Story - Freakshow I
I've started watching the new series, and it's full of the normal grotesques. Jessica Lange and the usual cast are in it, all performing out of their skins. Kathy Bates is particularly fantastic as the bearded lady, but even more remarkable is her accent.
Anyway, I am finding it hard to get into; I know how it will all end - in despair and hopelessness, the same as always.
The brilliant conceit though, is that the series is set in 1952, but the songs that Madame Elsa sings modern songs - "Life on Mars" by Bowie, "Gods and Monsters" by Lana Del Rey, and I'm sure there are more to come. I will keep watching, out of some ghoulish fascination.
TTFN.
Anyway, I am finding it hard to get into; I know how it will all end - in despair and hopelessness, the same as always.
The brilliant conceit though, is that the series is set in 1952, but the songs that Madame Elsa sings modern songs - "Life on Mars" by Bowie, "Gods and Monsters" by Lana Del Rey, and I'm sure there are more to come. I will keep watching, out of some ghoulish fascination.
TTFN.
Saturday, June 06, 2015
Saturday 15-06-06 A Saturday Morning Ramble about Nothing Very Much
I love it when the date does that, I mean that the month starts on a Monday. Then it's easy to work out what the date is. Today is Saturday, that's the sixth day of the week, so it must be the sixth of June. Sorted. Sometimes numbers just work, you know?
Anyway, as I sit here slightly jaded (that's code for hungover), there's not much that I want to write. I had a small win on the Euromillions last night, £7.50, but it wasn't the full-on £72 million, was it? I've decided that I'm not going to play the lottery any more, I think I'm spending £8 a week on it. What with the Euro millions on a Tuesday and Friday, and the National Lottery on a Wednesday and Saturday, that's £8 a week or £32 a month, which is £380 a year, give or take. So I have decided to save that instead. I pay weekly into a savings account, so I shall just up my weekly amount. Paying weekly makes it seem smaller and it's therefore less noticeable. I only have less than £200 saved, but it normally comes in handy during months where I've overspent.
Speaking of overspending and overdoing things in general, Tuesday was the only night this week that I didn't buy booze for me and TW on the way home. Aside from the fact that constant boozing is not good for the body, the drain on my wallet is also not good. A bottle of prosecco and a bottle of wine these days is about £13, and that's in addition to the money I spend during the day at work on tea and pastries; I shall have to slow down.
I prefer an ascetic life I think, without many possessions. Despite what TW asserts, I am not a hoarder. I've decided that I am going to sell off the majority of my comics, as I'm buggered if I shall ever read them again. So hopefully that will bring in a pound or two during the month. It's just a bit hit and miss whether anyone will want them. I can sit here and value them by myself, but when I put them on eBay that's when reality strikes and I realise they're not worth that much at all. Still, I've got three boxes full, so even if they go for 50p per comic, that's still £150 or so. Which would be nice.
And I am also going to stop drinking. I know I've said it before, but with so many comics to read and shows to watch, I can't be doing with it. I watched two episodes of The Walking Dead last night and I can barely remember what happened. I shall find it hard to stop completely with a bottle of whisky in the cupboard, but let's give it a go, shall we. Even if I limit myself to a double per night, that would get rid of it and prevent me getting stocious. And I'm not getting my running in when I drink in the evenings, so it would be better all round, I think. I've probably chosen the wrong day as we are having two of the girls' friends for a sleepover, but actually if I am in charge of other children, I probably shouldn't be drinking anyway. I guess we'll see; it's an aspiration, aren't we an aspirational nation? At least Labour would have you believe that.
Oh, and politics in the mix as well! I wasn't planning on that! Well, in fact I am going to keep my powder dry for the time being. I just hope that as people see what is happening (and what will happen over the next five years), they start to say to themselves "I didn't want that to happen when I voted Conservative back in 2015". But we'll have to see how it turns out. More to come on that.
TTFN.
Anyway, as I sit here slightly jaded (that's code for hungover), there's not much that I want to write. I had a small win on the Euromillions last night, £7.50, but it wasn't the full-on £72 million, was it? I've decided that I'm not going to play the lottery any more, I think I'm spending £8 a week on it. What with the Euro millions on a Tuesday and Friday, and the National Lottery on a Wednesday and Saturday, that's £8 a week or £32 a month, which is £380 a year, give or take. So I have decided to save that instead. I pay weekly into a savings account, so I shall just up my weekly amount. Paying weekly makes it seem smaller and it's therefore less noticeable. I only have less than £200 saved, but it normally comes in handy during months where I've overspent.
Speaking of overspending and overdoing things in general, Tuesday was the only night this week that I didn't buy booze for me and TW on the way home. Aside from the fact that constant boozing is not good for the body, the drain on my wallet is also not good. A bottle of prosecco and a bottle of wine these days is about £13, and that's in addition to the money I spend during the day at work on tea and pastries; I shall have to slow down.
I prefer an ascetic life I think, without many possessions. Despite what TW asserts, I am not a hoarder. I've decided that I am going to sell off the majority of my comics, as I'm buggered if I shall ever read them again. So hopefully that will bring in a pound or two during the month. It's just a bit hit and miss whether anyone will want them. I can sit here and value them by myself, but when I put them on eBay that's when reality strikes and I realise they're not worth that much at all. Still, I've got three boxes full, so even if they go for 50p per comic, that's still £150 or so. Which would be nice.
And I am also going to stop drinking. I know I've said it before, but with so many comics to read and shows to watch, I can't be doing with it. I watched two episodes of The Walking Dead last night and I can barely remember what happened. I shall find it hard to stop completely with a bottle of whisky in the cupboard, but let's give it a go, shall we. Even if I limit myself to a double per night, that would get rid of it and prevent me getting stocious. And I'm not getting my running in when I drink in the evenings, so it would be better all round, I think. I've probably chosen the wrong day as we are having two of the girls' friends for a sleepover, but actually if I am in charge of other children, I probably shouldn't be drinking anyway. I guess we'll see; it's an aspiration, aren't we an aspirational nation? At least Labour would have you believe that.
Oh, and politics in the mix as well! I wasn't planning on that! Well, in fact I am going to keep my powder dry for the time being. I just hope that as people see what is happening (and what will happen over the next five years), they start to say to themselves "I didn't want that to happen when I voted Conservative back in 2015". But we'll have to see how it turns out. More to come on that.
TTFN.
Tuesday, June 02, 2015
Tuesday 15-06-02 Your Train Has Been Delayed
I was up early yesterday morning, about 05:10. I laid in bed, revelling in the warmth of the duvet and putting off the time I had to rejoin the human race. The kids had an INSET day (I'm assured that's how it's supposed to written, in CAPITALS), and TW would be looking after them, so it was like they had an extended weekend, and I was the only one to step back onto the treadmill. TW had even volunteered to look after some of our neighbours' children, but she had advised them that she would still be in bed when they arrived at 08:15. So it was just me getting back into the "routine".
So, I played Candy Crush, and completed my daily challenge on Temple Run 2. I dismissed the idea of going for a run. Then, as it got closer to 06:30, I got up and had a shave. I did intend to get up and iron a shirt too, but the warmth of the duvet prevented me. And my own lethargy. let's not pretend. After all, I did read once in Dune that (as a ruler) if you rule on a subject, you will be forever expected to rule on that subject. And the way I've integrated that into my own life, is that if I ever do anything, I will be forever expected to do that thing. So although it might look like I have adopted the philosophy and the lifestyle of the sloth, I am merely managing other peoples' expectations, and reducing future demands and expectations on my time.
Anyway, time passed, and it was time to get up properly, so I showered, dressed and went downstairs and made myself breakfast. I did consider making myself a chilli wrap, but decided not to, in the interests of getting to work early. And that's when things started to go wrong...
I was considering going into work late yesterday, due to the fact that I had to post a comic off to an eBay buyer. The Post Office doesn't open until 08:30, so getting into Brighton any earlier than 08:20 is a bit silly. But, as I mentioned earlier, the girls were on a day off, and so I made it to the station by 07:39. I looked at the arrivals board and saw that the next train was due at 08:39, so I chuckled to myself and told me that they had got their timezones wrong, or they hadn't taken account of British Summer Time (BST). But then I looked at the announcement below, and it seemed that someone had been hit by a train near Angmering, so actually the times given were correct. Dammit.
Of course I looked on Twitter to see what Southern Railways were saying, and they mentioned that SWT (Southwestern Trains) might be running normally. I normally catch the SWT train from Worthing station at 07:59, so I thought I could probably make it to there by 07:59. I bumped into a work colleague as I walked off West Worthing station and explained the situation, and we walked together to Worthing station.
Worthing was no better; all the trains were delayed. As it was, the first train arrived at about 08:15, It was too crowded for me to get on, so I bid my companion good luck, and I waited for the next train. Five minutes or so later, I was heading eastwards, with my own seat, with my earpods jammed deep in my ear canals, and I travelled to work in comfort. It was only as we drew closer to Brighton that I looked around and realised that my train was as busy, if not more busy, than the previous train which I had refused.
Eventually, after dropping in at the Post Office, I managed to get into the office at 09:15. It was a shitty day, made up of bits and pieces, and my mind was concentrated not on work, but on the person hit by the train at 05:18 this morning.
I have no idea how anyone can get into the state where throwing oneself under a train is the best way out. I can't see that anyone should ever get into the position where they feel they have no-one to talk to, and if people feel that they have no support, I am sorry for that. Flippantly, if I was going to commit suicide, I think Monday morning might be the optimal time because then at least you avoid the treadmill of the week at work. I imagine that the guy worked in London; can you imagine a journey of two hours (from Angmering) to a job you hated, only to spend two hours travelling home again at the end of the day, in order to go to bed and sleep so that you could get up and travel to London the next day? And that's assuming the guy was of sound mind and not depressed, where these challenges take on disproportionate importance. It may be that the journey had become such a symbol of all that was wrong with the guy's life that he couldn't take it any more. But conversely he must have experienced those days when the trains were disrupted by a jumper. I'm not saying we shouldn't know that someone has decided to end it all, but disrupting the south coast train network for one person is a bit disproportionate.
Anyway, it wasn't me. So that's a plus.
TTFN.
So, I played Candy Crush, and completed my daily challenge on Temple Run 2. I dismissed the idea of going for a run. Then, as it got closer to 06:30, I got up and had a shave. I did intend to get up and iron a shirt too, but the warmth of the duvet prevented me. And my own lethargy. let's not pretend. After all, I did read once in Dune that (as a ruler) if you rule on a subject, you will be forever expected to rule on that subject. And the way I've integrated that into my own life, is that if I ever do anything, I will be forever expected to do that thing. So although it might look like I have adopted the philosophy and the lifestyle of the sloth, I am merely managing other peoples' expectations, and reducing future demands and expectations on my time.
Anyway, time passed, and it was time to get up properly, so I showered, dressed and went downstairs and made myself breakfast. I did consider making myself a chilli wrap, but decided not to, in the interests of getting to work early. And that's when things started to go wrong...
I was considering going into work late yesterday, due to the fact that I had to post a comic off to an eBay buyer. The Post Office doesn't open until 08:30, so getting into Brighton any earlier than 08:20 is a bit silly. But, as I mentioned earlier, the girls were on a day off, and so I made it to the station by 07:39. I looked at the arrivals board and saw that the next train was due at 08:39, so I chuckled to myself and told me that they had got their timezones wrong, or they hadn't taken account of British Summer Time (BST). But then I looked at the announcement below, and it seemed that someone had been hit by a train near Angmering, so actually the times given were correct. Dammit.
Of course I looked on Twitter to see what Southern Railways were saying, and they mentioned that SWT (Southwestern Trains) might be running normally. I normally catch the SWT train from Worthing station at 07:59, so I thought I could probably make it to there by 07:59. I bumped into a work colleague as I walked off West Worthing station and explained the situation, and we walked together to Worthing station.
Worthing was no better; all the trains were delayed. As it was, the first train arrived at about 08:15, It was too crowded for me to get on, so I bid my companion good luck, and I waited for the next train. Five minutes or so later, I was heading eastwards, with my own seat, with my earpods jammed deep in my ear canals, and I travelled to work in comfort. It was only as we drew closer to Brighton that I looked around and realised that my train was as busy, if not more busy, than the previous train which I had refused.
Eventually, after dropping in at the Post Office, I managed to get into the office at 09:15. It was a shitty day, made up of bits and pieces, and my mind was concentrated not on work, but on the person hit by the train at 05:18 this morning.
I have no idea how anyone can get into the state where throwing oneself under a train is the best way out. I can't see that anyone should ever get into the position where they feel they have no-one to talk to, and if people feel that they have no support, I am sorry for that. Flippantly, if I was going to commit suicide, I think Monday morning might be the optimal time because then at least you avoid the treadmill of the week at work. I imagine that the guy worked in London; can you imagine a journey of two hours (from Angmering) to a job you hated, only to spend two hours travelling home again at the end of the day, in order to go to bed and sleep so that you could get up and travel to London the next day? And that's assuming the guy was of sound mind and not depressed, where these challenges take on disproportionate importance. It may be that the journey had become such a symbol of all that was wrong with the guy's life that he couldn't take it any more. But conversely he must have experienced those days when the trains were disrupted by a jumper. I'm not saying we shouldn't know that someone has decided to end it all, but disrupting the south coast train network for one person is a bit disproportionate.
Anyway, it wasn't me. So that's a plus.
TTFN.
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