Happy Birthday Sarah!

Happy birthday to my favorite girlfriend. Hope you have a wonderful, relaxing, wine and chocolate-filled day. See you in a few weeks!

Family Feud - not on my wavelength

I've been playing an online version of "Family Feud" (I think it was called Family Fortunes in the UK). Basically you get asked 5 questions, and you get more points if your answer aligns with the majority of the audience when they were asked the same question. I think that the "online audience" for this game were definitely from the US not the UK.

For example, name a New Year TV host ...the most popular answer was Dick Clark...err, who? "Name something served over rice"...so obviously I answered 'curry' (duh, what else is there?). Well...Chicken apparently..which was the #1 answer with curry getting a big, fat zero.

And the one I felt sure would get me lots of points "Name a food that can be stuffed". I answered "Chicken". Would you believe the most popular answer was Peppers! What?! That audience have obviously been watching way too much Nigella....huh? who?

An "Exemplary father"?

Just read a news report about an Italian father who left his daughter in a hot car after forgetting to drop her off at daycare. His 22 month old daughter died. The mother appealed for understanding for her partner saying he was an "exemplary father".

I think you will find, if you look up exemplary in the dictionary, that it means "worthy of imitation; commendable". Sorry darling, I don't think I agree with your description. 

The "Best of England"

Apparently Barack Obama has told the BBC that The Queen symbolises the "best of England" to the whole world. How interesting. Just the best of England is it? Not Wales or Scotland or Northern Ireland?

Arrival delays due to dancers on the line near Antwerp

Here's a cool clip from YouTube filmed in Antwerp train station - it was actually done as a promotion stunt for a Belgian television program, where they were looking for someone to play the leading role, in the musical of "The Sound of Music". So glad I wasn't racing to catch my train that day...

The end of the world is nigh...or is it?

Just read an amusing mini-article in "The Week" - an excellent magazine that gives an unbiased roundup of the week's main events. I quote:
Good week for the human race after the world did not end on May 21st, as Christian radio broadcaster Harold Camping had predicted. [Editor's note: We filed this item several days early, but will print a correction if its wrong.]

Ours is not to reason why...

After 3 more sessions of acupuncture I can report a huge improvement in the state of my back pain. It has not entirely gone, however I can now move and bend and stretch like a normal person. I have been doing gardening, walking and even running! I actually look forward to each session, its incredibly relaxing. I have no idea how it works or how those needles in my legs and arms affect my back. All I know is that my back feels close to  normal again, I have more energy in general and feel much happier. Amazing...hats off to those Chinese!

Bye Bye Twin Towers

I was at Aston University, Birmingham in the 1980s studying Computer Science and Math. For 2 out of the 4 years I stayed in the "Halls of Residence", which consisted of tower blocks. In 1981-82 I stayed on the 17th floor of Dalton Tower, and in 1984-85 I stayed on the 11th floor of Lawrence Tower. Kind of sad to see that both towers were demolished this year to make way for a new student village. Here's a video of the demolition...end of an era.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Mam! Hope your present arrived safely. Enjoy your day!

A little prick does the trick (ooo-err Missus!)

Back from my first session of acupuncture...well...to be truthful, the treatment had to be cut short. I suffered from the very rare condition known as 'acupuncture fainting'! Yes, I passed out. I've no idea why. I remember telling the acupuncturist that I was starting to feel faint. Next thing I knew he was gently slapping my hand saying "Heather, wake-up...you are in the acupuncturist office...". Apparently I was out cold for a few minutes.

So having said that, here's what I can report from what I do remember. The needles didn't hurt (apart from one, but not much). The reclining chairs were incredibly comfy. My back does not feel much different but my stomach's been gurgling all day...must have done something but I withhold  judgement for now.

Its a pain in the back

For the past few years I have suffered from back pain, sometimes mild, sometimes not so mild. Its been a constant source of frustration for me, making me feel old before my time and preventing me from doing the exercise that I once enjoyed. I have tried many things to relieve the pain; I gave up exercise, I took up exercise, I did walking, swimming, yoga and nothing. I had X-rays and I had MRIs. I went to a chiropractor and a back specialist and I had steroid injections in my spine. Nothing worked. A friend has persuaded me to try acupuncture, so I have my first appointment this coming Friday. Not sure whether this will help at all, but I'm willing to give it a try. I will report back after my appointment. Watch this space...

A birthday rap

My son Robert wrote a birthday rap for Emma today. Not bad...

Yo, yo, E you were born today
Eleven years ago, just like yesterday
When you walk in the room, always gotta smile
Play B-ball and soccer, can run for miles
Got some prezzies for ya and I hope you're happy
and I'm sure there's more coming straight from yer pappy
Choosing what to buy you was no less than a dilemma,
Some chocolate? A stuffy? Happy Birthday Emma,
So sit down, relax, don't let your birthday go to waste
Blow out the candles and STUFF YOUR FACE!!
*WORD*

Happy Birthday Emma!

April 2011 - on the bumper cars in Busch Gardens

April 2011 - Busch gardens, Tampa, FL

Happy 11th Birthday to my daughter Emma. Growing up fast. Heres a few pictures from our recent vacation in Florida. Enjoy your sleepover party Emma!!