Walking in the Shadows

Random musings from Warwickshire on life in general... Things that make me laugh, make me cry, things that wind me up beyond all endurance - and everything in between.

Another 'phone bite the dust...

Yep - the Cookie has bitten the dust.  I dropped it into water (don't ask where - other than it was clean) and it appears to be working for the moment (other than the call volume sounds rather low, and the ring tones sound... waterlogged) and the screen appears slightly soggy on the inside at the moment.

When I got it (the Cookie) I was really pleased, as I thought the colour was really good:



However, I did discover that there were drawbacks - primarily the fact that it was touchscreen.  Yes, this was a novelty at first, but it was one that soon proved bloody annoying. 

I had to use the stylus to do *anything* on the screen, as it didn't recognise the input when I was using my finger to do things on the screen, meaning that the screen itself soon became scratched.  Ok - I could have put a screen protector on it (did at first) but the response from the phone was even worse than normal, meaning that it was almost unusable. So, I took the protector off, and the result was a scratched screen.  Ok - annoying, but nothing that I couldn't live with.

I will admit, I have been thinking about replacing the Cookie, but it was half-hearted, as part of me loved the idea of the apps from the Android store, but the other part of me was not really happy, as it would have been yet another touchscreen phone, and I really didn't want to go down that route.  I also didn't want to have an Apple iPhone, as I really didn't (and still don't) see the appeal of the blasted things (not to mention it's bloody expensive for what I want!)

So, now that the Cookie has met yet another body of water, I've had to bite the bullet (or should that be 'phone bill) and get a new phone.  This time I've opted for something cheap (as in under £50) and reliable (I hope!)  I've gone for the Nokia C1-01. 





Ok - not exactly the most up-to date 'phone,  but this does exactly what I want it to - i.e. make calls (has bluetooth), and send texts.  Ok - if it's got games on it, then it's a bonus.  The only thing that would make it better is if it was waterproof, but I guess the remedy for that is me not putting the damned thing in the back pocket of my trousers (and keeping it off the edge of the bath!)

Ah well, time to call this quits - I need to test the Cookie to see if it works, and more to the point, keep praying that it lasts until I can get the Nokia.

Back later if I get the chance...


Karen

What I've felt, what I've known
Sick and tired, I stand alone
Could you be there?
'Cause I'm the one who waits for you
Or are you unforgiven, too?

More Potholes...

This comes from the BBC Website, and as per normal, I'll put my thoughts on this story at the end.

Karen

What I've felt, what I've known
Sick and tired, I stand alone
Could you be there?
'Cause I'm the one who waits for you
Or are you unforgiven, too?


********************************************************************************

Pothole repairs cost £90m, says asphalt industry report

Councils spent £90m repairing 1.7 million potholes across England and Wales last year, a survey suggests.



Engineers, forced into short-term planning,
are unable to do preventative work, the report says
But it will still take more than a decade to clear the backlog, says the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) report.
 
Local authorities say that while repair costs have fallen, £10bn is still needed to bring roads up to standard.


Councils received £200m in emergency funds after freezing weather in 2011 exacerbated the problem and ministers say they recognise an "ongoing need".


Potholes are formed when water runs through cracks in road surfaces, freezes and so expands, causing the surface to rupture and creating a void which later caves in under the weight of vehicles.

However, the AIA report suggested two-thirds of local authorities had been unable to make good damage caused by the cold weather of 2010-11, despite the emergency funding and a milder winter this year.

'Decades of underfunding'


It said the number of complaints to local authorities from the public about the condition of roads increased by 10% last year.


AIA chairman Alan Mackenzie said: "Severe winter weather would not, in itself, produce a plague of potholes on well-maintained roads.

"These disastrous figures result from decades of underfunding and enforced short-term planning."

Highways engineers had been unable to carry out necessary preventative work, leaving one-in-five local authority roads with a life of less than five years, he added.

The report did not cover Scotland, where authorities paid out £1.7m over four years in compensation for damage to vehicles caused by potholes.

A recent AA study suggested Scotland had a higher number of potholes per mile than the rest of Britain.

The motoring organisation says its Streetwatch survey last October resulted in volunteers across Britain reporting 14.9 potholes on average, compared with 12.5 in 2010.

We need a new approach to stop this vicious circle of decline which causes danger to all road users
Edmund King
AA President

AA president Edmund King "We need a new approach to stop this vicious circle of decline which causes danger to all road users, particularly those on two wheels, and expensive damage to vehicles."

On Tuesday, MPs on the Public Accounts Committee warned the UK's road network could deteriorate as a result of cuts in road maintenance spending.


'Chasing tails'


Overall savings would not be made if this ultimately led to higher repair costs and more claims by motorists against councils for damage to their vehicles, it said.

The Local Government Association, which represents councils in England and Wales, said the average cost of filling potholes had reduced from £64 to £48 apiece in the last two years.

But its economy and transport board chairman Peter Box said: "Councils are currently stuck in the position of chasing their tails, repeatedly patching up a deteriorating network rather then fixing it properly."

Increased central government funding would save billions of pounds in the long term, he added.

Transport Minister Norman Baker said the government was providing £3bn to councils for road maintenance between 2011 and 2015.

"I recognise there is an ongoing need for highways maintenance that can't be fixed overnight," he added.

**************************************************************************
Ok - so the roads need repairing.  Fine.  I thought that was the idea of the so-called "road fund licence" was so that the UK roads are kept in reasonable repair, instead of being used to swell the coffers of the bloody government.It appears to me, that the motorist (be you a biker, car driver or HGV driver) are seen as "cash cows" to prop up the coffers. 

Right. If we're going to be treated like this, then surely we have the privilege if not the right, to demand that our roads are kept in reasonable repair, so that we don't have to fight the insurance companies and the local authorities to get them to accept that we have damaged our vehicles / had accidents because of the poor state of the roads.

As I've said in the past, would it be possible for my family to get the 4.8 potholes repaired that we damned well pay for???

Lol Cats strike again

Amazing what I get sent when my best friend is bored at work...

Karen

What I've felt, what I've known
Sick and tired, I stand alone
Could you be there?
'Cause I'm the one who waits for you
Or are you unforgiven, too?







Staycation? I don't think so...

The latest idea to be pushed by the UK tourist boards for the Olympics & the Queen's Diamond Jubilee is the so-called "staycation". Ok - not a problem there, as it does help the UK economy. But what it doesn't take into account is the weather. And the cost of the so-called attractions.

Now I'm all in favour of the staycation, and regularly escape to various locations in the UK, but what does annoy me is when I hear some over-paid spokesperson saying that the cost doesn’t matter. Ok – maybe it doesn’t to him, but I have been looking to go to the Ironbridge Gorge museums  - or more particularly, the Jackfield Tile museum and the Coalport China Museum.

But what gets me is the fact that each of these two museums charge for the exhibits (£7.60 for the Coalport China Museum & the Jackfield Tile museum for me) or you have the option to pay £22.50 for a ticket that does all the museums. Ok – I don’t mind that as the ticket does last a year, but it’s a bloody long way and is very much weather dependant.

Now to me, £7.60 for 1 – 2 hours is ok value, but you still have to factor in the travelling, and at this time, the cost of the petrol. So, to do the two museums that I would like to do, would cost about £50 just for me. Imagine trying to do that sort of trip with two or more kids, and you start getting silly money. Add into this equation, the great British weather (as I type this, it’s raining!) and you get the reason why so many people (me included) say “Sod the UK for my main holiday!"

Ah well, time to call it quits - I'm due back to my desk in a couple of minutes...

Back when I get the chance.

Karen

What I've felt, what I've known
Sick and tired, I stand alone
Could you be there?
'Cause I'm the one who waits for you
Or are you unforgiven, too?



Italian Police Car

GALLARDO POLICE CAR


The new Italian Lamborghini Gallardo police car at its unveiling ceremony, one of two new high speed patrol cars in the Italian police force, needed to catch speeding drivers:









What a car!






Pity they couldn't find someone who could drive it...






Mamma Mia!




They don't seem to have any better luck steering ships, either!




One Expensive Crash...

This comes from the BBC website, and it did two things - one was make me wince, and the other was make me smile... Enjoy.

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most


***************************************************************

Luxury sports cars in costly Japan pile-up

A luxury sports car outing in Japan has ended in what may be one of the most expensive car crashes in history.

The drivers were on an outing to the city of Hiroshima
Eight Ferraris, three Mercedes-Benzes, a Lamborghini and two other vehicles were involved in the pile-up in the southern prefecture of Yamaguchi.

No-one was seriously hurt, but the road was closed for six hours after the accident. Media reports estimate the damaged cars are worth at least 300m yen ($3.85m; £2.46m) in total.

The sports cars - driven in convoy by a group of automobile enthusiasts - were on their way to Hiroshima, reports Japanese newspaper The Asahi Shimbun.

Police say they believe the accident, which took place on Sunday, happened when the driver of one of the Ferraris tried to change lanes and hit the crash barrier.

"A group of cars was doing 140-160km/h (85-100mph)," an unidentified eyewitness told Japanese broadcaster TBS

"One of them spun and they all ended up in this great mess."

Ten people received minor injuries in the crash, police said. They said some of the vehicles were beyond repair.

"I've never seen such a thing," highway patrol lieutenant Eiichiro Kamitani told AFP news agency. "Ferraris rarely travel in such large numbers."

****************************************************************************
These images below are courtesy of the BBC Website (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16029582)








******************************************

Hmm... Maybe the Ferraris in Japan don't travel together very often, but in the UK, they certainly do if they're off to Auto Italia at Brooklamnds!

I succumb... To Harry Potter.

OK - all the years that I have refused to get into the hype that surrounds Harry Potter, simply because I never rated the book.  Unfair, I know, especially without reading it, but it never really struck me as the sort of book that I would read.

Boy, was I ever proven wrong.  I was with friends a couple weekends ago, and some how I got sucked into accepting the first Harry Potter book (Harry Potter & the Philosopher's Stone) and once I'd started reading it, I couldn't put the damned thing down, and read it in a day.

Now I'm onto the 5th book in the series (Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix) and I am really beginning to get into the series, and am quiet anxious to find out what happens to certain characters.  I'm not going to reveal any more than that, as I don't want to spoil the surprise for people who haven't read the books.

I may well be asking for the Harry Potter series for my Christmas present, but part of me still feels embarrased to be reading it, as it's a children's book...  Isn't it?

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most


More from Lol Cats....

There are somethings that don't need explaining - and these are a good example.

Enjoy.

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most


funny pictures - The idiot in the jeep...he didn't really say  "Here, kitty, kitty, kitty"...did he?


funny pictures - Inside every grumpy old cat is a kitten wondering what the hell happened...


funny pictures - Should also be kept out the reach of children.


funny pictures - I'm a food photographer. And a bird watcher. Same thing, really.

funny pictures - Salami sensing device has now been activated


funny pictures - CSI CATS


funny pictures - The  last  thing  I  remember  is  mixing  tequila  and  catnip  and  the  next  thing  I  know  is  I'm  up  here.

Happy Halloween

funny pictures - To all you      ghouls out              there HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Something that made me smile...

Now normally, I don't follow football, but this cartoon in the Daily Mail had me giggling...

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most


*********************************************************************************


“….and when Manchester United scored their eighth goal, what did you do then, Sir?”

Car Hiccups

I was late into the office this morning, and the reason? Hiccups. Not mine – the car’s. I thought I had seen the back of the dreaded gearbox error message on the car when I had the sensor replaced in March, the car seemed to settle down and didn’t give me any problems.

Ok – so it seemed a little reluctant to pull away a couple of times, and I put it down to the fact that I was on the white line, meaning that the tyre couldn’t get the necessary traction… It was the same this morning, then it threw the dreaded error. Thank god its not done it when Mum’s been in the car – she would have been really worried, thinking that the car had a major problem. I admit it is a problem, but it’s one that I can deal with.

So one trip in to Arbury Peugeot (having confirmed that there were no warning lights on other than the blasted gearbox warning on the main display, I was able to get some coolant, and was told to wait until the car was cold and level, then do the top up, to bring the car back up to where it should be.

Needless to say, this will be something that I will keep a close eye on, as the last thing that I want is the car frying itself.

Ah well, guess I should be doing some w*rk, but I have a case of TNFI, and it’s only Tuesday.

Back when I get the chance…


Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

Can't you tell it's a Friday

It's a Friday, and I'm bored stiff. Thankfully, there are some cracking jokes being sent, and this is one of them.

Enjoy.

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most



***************************************************************************

SOUTHERN CHARM

Two informally dressed ladies happened to start up a conversation during an endless wait in the L A X airport.

The first lady was an arrogant California woman married to a wealthy man.

The second was a well mannered elderly woman from the South.

When the conversation centered on whether they had any children, the California woman started by saying, "When my first child was born, my husband built a beautiful mansion for me."

The lady from the South commented, "Well, bless your heart."

The first woman continued, "When my second child was born, my husband bought me a beautiful Mercedes-Benz..

Again, the lady from the South commented, "Well, bless your heart."

The first woman continued boasting, "Then, when my third child was born, my husband bought me this exquisite diamond bracelet.

Yet again, the Southern lady commented, "Well, bless your heart."

The first woman then asked her companion, "What did your husband buy for you when you had your first child?"

"My husband sent me to charm school," declared the Southern lady.

"Charm school?" the first woman cried, "Oh, my God! What on earth for?"

The Southern lady responded, "Well for example, instead of saying "Who gives a shit?" I learned to say, "Well, bless your heart".

Only in Canada

There are some things that don't need explaining - and this is one of them.

Enjoy.


Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most


**********************************************************************

Italian women are tough!

Just a little something that made me smile.

Enjoy.

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most


************************************************************************

An elderly Italian man lay dying in his bed. While suffering the agonies of impending death, he suddenly smelled the aroma of his favourite ravioli wafting up the stairs.

He gathered his remaining strength, and lifted himself from the bed. Gripping the railing with both hands, he crawled downstairs.

When he reached the bottom of the stairs, he leaned against the door frame, gazing into the kitchen, where if not for death's agony, he would have thought himself already in heaven for there, spread out upon waxed paper on the kitchen table were hundreds of his favourite ravioli.


Was it heaven? Or was it one final act of love from his wife of sixty years, seeing to it that he left this world a happy man?

He threw himself towards the table, landing on his knees in a crumpled posture.
His parched lips parted, the wondrous taste of the ravioli was already in his mouth.

With a trembling hand he reached up to the edge of the table, when suddenly he was smacked with a wooden spoon by his wife.

"Va fanculo!" she said. "Questi sono per il funerale."

(Translation: F. off. These are for the funeral)

On-the-spot fines planned for careless driving

This was announced this morning, and this seems to be rather interesting… The BBC has got this on it’s website…. As normal, I’ll post my thoughts at the end.

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most


*********************************************************************************

Police will get powers to fine careless drivers on the spot, rather than taking them to court, as part of a government strategy to make Britain's roads safer.

Ministers say motorists who tail-gate, undertake or cut others up often go unpunished and that introducing instant penalties would be more efficient.

Offenders would get a fine of at least £80 and three points on their licence.

Critics say the approach - likely to be introduced in 2012 in England, Scotland and Wales - is too simplistic.

Drug crackdown

Currently motorists who have driven in a careless manner have to be prosecuted through the courts.

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond will give a written statement to MPs on Wednesday explaining the new strategy for England, Scotland and Wales.

The Department for Transport (DfT) said it would also include a crackdown on drug-driving and the closing of loopholes that allow people to escape drink-driving charges.

Disqualified drivers would have to undergo retraining, and possibly take another test, before they got their licence back.

Courts would be encouraged to make more use of their powers to seize vehicles for the most serious offences.

Ministers insist the new approach will try to target genuinely reckless motorists rather than those who normally follow the rules but make an inadvertent mistake.

There will be support for new drivers who need to hone their driving skills, and wider range of retraining and education courses for cases of less-serious offences.

'Greatest danger'

A DfT spokesman said: "The strategy will focus on cracking down on the really reckless drivers through more efficient enforcement.

"By giving the police the tools to deal with those who present the greatest danger to others we can make our roads even safer.

"While seeking to do everything possible to tackle the most dangerous drivers, the strategy will also help the responsible majority to improve their driving.

"This is the government's twin approach to improving road safety."

But the Institute of Advanced Motorists  said on-the-spot fines were not necessarily the right approach for careless driving because, unlike speeding, cases were often not clear-cut.

It also said their introduction could make police reluctant to enter into lengthy prosecutions even in more serious cases.

*********************************************************************************

Good idea in theory, as it should mean that there are more traffic officers on the roads, but in practise? Not going to work, as the budget cuts as the police are losing staff left, rights and centre. Equally, what one person considers careless, another may not see any problem with…

So I’ll reserve judgment and see what happens, as I can see this plan not making any further than the ideas stage…


K

On-the-spot fines planned for careless driving

This was announced this morning, and this seems to be rather interesting… The BBC has got this on it’s website…. As normal, I’ll post my thoughts at the end.

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most


********************************************************************************************************
Police will get powers to fine careless drivers on the spot, rather than taking them to court, as part of a government strategy to make Britain's roads safer.

Ministers say motorists who tail-gate, undertake or cut others up often go unpunished and that introducing instant penalties would be more efficient.

Offenders would get a fine of at least £80 and three points on their licence.

Critics say the approach - likely to be introduced in 2012 in England, Scotland and Wales - is too simplistic.

Drug crackdown

Currently motorists who have driven in a careless manner have to be prosecuted through the courts.

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond will give a written statement to MPs on Wednesday explaining the new strategy for England, Scotland and Wales.

The Department for Transport (DfT) said it would also include a crackdown on drug-driving and the closing of loopholes that allow people to escape drink-driving charges.

Disqualified drivers would have to undergo retraining, and possibly take another test, before they got their licence back.

Courts would be encouraged to make more use of their powers to seize vehicles for the most serious offences.

Ministers insist the new approach will try to target genuinely reckless motorists rather than those who normally follow the rules but make an inadvertent mistake.

There will be support for new drivers who need to hone their driving skills, and wider range of retraining and education courses for cases of less-serious offences.

'Greatest danger'

A DfT spokesman said: "The strategy will focus on cracking down on the really reckless drivers through more efficient enforcement.

"By giving the police the tools to deal with those who present the greatest danger to others we can make our roads even safer.

"While seeking to do everything possible to tackle the most dangerous drivers, the strategy will also help the responsible majority to improve their driving.

"This is the government's twin approach to improving road safety."

But the Institute of Advanced Motorists  said on-the-spot fines were not necessarily the right approach for careless driving because, unlike speeding, cases were often not clear-cut.

It also said their introduction could make police reluctant to enter into lengthy prosecutions even in more serious cases.

*********************************************************************************

Good idea in theory, as it should mean that there are more traffic officers on the roads, but in practise? Not going to work, as the budget cuts as the police are losing staff left, rights and centre. Equally, what one person considers careless, another may not see any problem with…

So I’ll reserve judgment and see what happens, as I can see this plan not making any further than the ideas stage…


K

Another Bank Holiday, and more travelling

Well, it’s the end of anther bank holiday – this time it was a four day run, as it was the Royal Wedding on the Friday, and the traditional May Day bank holiday today.

Me being me, didn’t spend the bank holiday at home. Instead, I travelled down to see my best friend and his family, and made the usual trip to Auto Italia at Brooklands.

Now the trip on Friday started out quite well, and I was making my leisurely way down the A5, and was starting to wonder if the weather was going to improve, as it was misty, murky, and generally overcast – and didn’t improve the further south I went!

For once, I didn’t manage to get lost, and arrived at my friend’s house, in time to see the Royal Wedding. Bugger. I was planning on avoiding it, but there was no way I could politely get out of it… but in a way, it wasn’t as bad as thought it would be, as it gave me a chance to sit and relax…

My friend arrived, and joined in the commentary with not so subtle comments about the camera angles from the BBC coverage, not to mention the dust that was very apparent of the tops of the wooden decorations on the choir area… Ah – the magic of television!

The rest of the day went quietly, with jokes being told, and plans for the following day being sorted – including lunch (we were taking a cool bag to Brooklands – past experience had taught the pair of us to take food & drink with us!)

The evening, after dinner, we sat watching the documentary Mega Factories (it had been on the National Geographic channel.) This time, it was on the Jack Daniels factory. Now, as it happens, I was given a bottle of Gentleman Jack. Now I am the first one to admit that I am not a great Bourbon fan… In fact, I normally avoid the stuff like the plague – but only because I had no inclination to try it…

However, having seen the program on the Jack Daniels factory, I found myself thinking about this bottle, and decided that it best thing to do would be to take the bottle with me, and crack it open with someone I could share a laugh and a drink with…

So, me being me, cracked the bottle open and shared it with my friend, who was a real sweetie, and showed me the difference between Gentleman Jack and the more “common” (for want of a better term – no offence intended!) Old No. 7. I have to admit that Gentleman Jack is a heck of a lot smoother, sweeter and smokier tasting…

However, there was a sting in the tail for me. I had the worst night’s sleep I have had for ages – and I would swear blind that it was the JD that did me in. So, it taught me one thing – don’t drink the stuff before I go to bed!

The following morning, I was squeaking like I was on helium again. No – not a chest infection this time – it was my hay fever that had gotten to my vocal cords. Aside from giving me nightmares, the JD had helped me to forget to take my Q-var inhaler (the brown preventer), so my immune system decided to go into overdrive…

Needless to say this caused much hilarity for my friend, but I took the ribbing good naturedly, as I knew that it wasn’t meant maliciously…

Brooklands itself has really changed since the last time I was down there – and in some ways, I’m sorry to say that it is to the detriment of the Auto Italia show. The cars were quite spectacular as normal (including the Ferrari Enzo) but there were not the normal range of cars… It seemed that the Lamborghini contingent was an awful lot smaller than normal, and that the Ferrari 430 Scuderia was rather too common for my liking, and there were no Pagani Zondas or Bugattis of any flavour – let alone the Veyron.

The test hill was only run the once, but that was well worth it, as some of the cars nearly didn’t make it up (mainly the small Fiats – things like the Cinquecento) but there were a couple of cars that were rather special going up the hill – including the Lamborghini & Ferrari safety cars…

After we’d watched the cars blasting (or not blasting) their merry way up the test hill, we had a walk around some of the cars that were organised into their respective car clubs… The one that did make me smile was a green Fiat campervan with a sticker on the rear screen that read:

Scrap that refuses to die

It really made me smile, and reminded me of the sticker that I’d had on my Toyota Yaris:

Not available from Toys ‘R’ Us

We finally left Brooklands at 16:50 (ish) and once we were on the grassy area where the car was parked, I freely admit to taking my shoes off, so that I could walk barefoot. Not because my feet hurt – far from it – they were too damned hot in my shoes!

We stopped off at the Marquis of Granby pub on the way home (no idea whereabouts – that’s one of the problems with not being local area) and had a drink in the gardens – well away from the smokers.

My friend seemed to be doing his best to cheer me up, as I have to admit that I was feeling somewhat flat…

Can you help me remember how to smile?
Make it somehow all seem worthwhile
How on earth did I get so jaded?
Life's mystery seems so faded


Runaway Train – Soul Asylum


I explained what was happening (or not happening) with the cardio appointment, and I have to admit that I was really quite scared, because I thought that he would go loopy because I’d not mentioned it to him…

Bought a ticket for a runaway train
Like a madman laughin' at the rain
Little out of touch, little insane
Just easier than dealing with the pain


Runaway Train – Soul Asylum


Thankfully, I will admit to severely underestimating him. He was a real angel, and told me that he would be there for me, and all I had to do was pick the ‘phone up to him, and he would move heaven and earth to get to me. I don’t know what I would do without his friendship, and it’s really reassuring to know that there is someone out there who is willing to provide that sort of support to me.

Now that the world isn't ending
It's love that I'm sending to you
Isn't the love of a hero
And that's why I fear it won't do


Hero – Chad Koeger


We headed for home, but the trouble was, I was too damned tired to do the chilli justice, and freely admit to sparking out cold on the sofa (and snoring according to my friend!)

Sunday was a more relaxed day, and we went to the Aces High gallery in Wendover, in the morning. That place is becoming lethal to me, as I bought another print – this one of the Vulcan...




The afternoon was spent dribbling over some beautiful classic cars (even if I did think that a couple of the cars should have been excluded – one of them being a Jaguar XJS – the only thing that could have been called was scrap!)

Now onto today. I knew that I was heading for home, and I would be going to see my god-daughter, Amber. I also knew that Amber was less than impressed with me, because I’d been to Auto Italia, and not taken her (the kid is Tifosi – she almost bleeds scarlet and gold!). I arrived at her home, and she was standing in the front door, with a face like a major thunderstorm, and I knew that I was in real trouble with her…

Or at least I was until I burst into tears. It wasn’t intentional – far from it. it was a combination of stress over her reaction, and me being worried about my forthcoming hospital stay. Ok – I don’t know the date of it just yet, but it was (and still is) preying on my mind.

Amber was such a sweetie – she ran over to me, and flung her arms around me, and kept wiping the tears away with her handkerchief, telling me that I was going to be ok – she would thump anyone who hurt me! I mean, what can you say when your goddaughter says that to you?

I walk this empty street
On the boulevard of broken dreams
Where the city sleeps
And I'm the only one and I walk alone

My shadow’s the only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart’s the only thing that's beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
Till then I walk alone!

Boulevard of Broken Dreams – Green Day


So, as I type this, I am emotionally drained, and far form ready to go into the playpen tomorrow, but I guess that I had better call this quits, so that I can try and get some sleep tonight.

Back when I get the chance.


Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

Best Laugh Today

Occasionally, I get a real gem of an e-mail, and this is one of them.

Enjoy.

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most


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It can be hard keeping a straight face as a court reporter..

These are from a book called Disorder in the American Courts, and are things people actually said in court, word for word, taken down and now published by court reporters that had the torment of staying calm while these exchanges were actually taking place.

ATTORNEY: What was the first thing your husband said to you that morning?
WITNESS: He said , 'Where am I, Cathy?'
ATTORNEY: And why did that upset you?
WITNESS: My name is Susan!
____________________________________________

ATTORNEY: What gear were you in at the moment of the impact?
WITNESS: Gucci sweats and Reeboks.
____________________________________________

ATTORNEY: Are you sexually active?
WITNESS: No , I just lie there.
____________________________________________

ATTORNEY: This myasthenia gravis, does it affect your memory at all?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: And in what ways does it affect your memory?
WITNESS: I forget..
ATTORNEY: You forget? Can you give us an example of something you forgot?
___________________________________________

ATTORNEY: Do you know if your daughter has ever been involved in voodoo?
WITNESS: We both do.
ATTORNEY: Voodoo?
WITNESS: We do..
ATTORNEY: You do?
WITNESS: Yes , voodoo.
____________________________________________

ATTORNEY: Now doctor , isn't it true that when a person dies in his sleep, he doesn't know about it until the next morning?
WITNESS: Did you actually pass the bar exam?
____________________________________

ATTORNEY: The youngest son , the 20-year-old, how old is he?
WITNESS: He's 20, much like your IQ.
___________________________________________

ATTORNEY: Were you present when your picture was taken?
WITNESS: Are you shitting me?
_________________________________________

ATTORNEY: So the date of conception (of the baby) was August 8th?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: And what were you doing at that time?
WITNESS: Getting laid
____________________________________________

ATTORNEY: She had three children, right?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: How many were boys?
WITNESS: None.
ATTORNEY: Were there any girls?
WITNESS: Your Honor, I think I need a different attorney. Can I get a new attorney?
____________________________________________

ATTORNEY: How was your first marriage terminated?
WITNESS: By death.
ATTORNEY: And by whose death was it terminated?
WITNESS: Take a guess.
____________________________________________

ATTORNEY: Can you describe the individual?
WITNESS: He was about medium height and had a beard
ATTORNEY: Was this a male or a female?
WITNESS: Unless the Circus was in town I'm going with male.
_____________________________________

ATTORNEY: Is your appearance here this morning pursuant to a deposition notice which I sent to your attorney?
WITNESS: No, this is how I dress when I go to work.
______________________________________

ATTORNEY: Doctor, how many of your autopsies have you performed on dead people?
WITNESS: All of them. The live ones put up too much of a fight.
_________________________________________

ATTORNEY: ALL your responses MUST be oral, OK? What school did you go to?
WITNESS: Oral.
_________________________________________

ATTORNEY: Do you recall the time that you examined the body?
WITNESS: The autopsy started around 8:30 PM
ATTORNEY: And Mr. Denton was dead at the time?
WITNESS: If not, he was by the time I finished.
____________________________________________

ATTORNEY: Are you qualified to give a urine sample?
WITNESS: Are you qualified to ask that question?
______________________________________

And last:

ATTORNEY: Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: Did you check for blood pressure?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: Did you check for breathing?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the autopsy?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: How can you be so sure, Doctor?
WITNESS: Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar.
ATTORNEY: I see, but could the patient have still been alive, nevertheless?
WITNESS: Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive and practicing law.

Things that make you go “Smeg”

The car service for one. My 207 has had its 40,000 service, and it flagged a couple of issues… One of them being that the rear exhaust bracket (it’s corroded) and the other being a temperature senor that was leaking.

Now I know that the car has thrown its toys out of the pram a few weeks ago, when it threw the gearbox error at me… It turns out that this sensor could have been the reason for the snatchy gear changes when the little monster was cold. So, Arbury have sorted the sensor, and all I have to do is go and collect the little monster (without getting nabbed by the sales team, who seem to be desperate for the monster!)

Ah well, time to log off and go and collect the beastie…

Back when I get chance.

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

That’s what’s been happening just recently. If things can go wrong, they have done. I had the car serviced – ok – not an issue there – until I got a call from the garage to say that there was a problem, and a couple of advisories….

Now I hate it when I get that sort of call. It turned out that the problem was a blasted sensor on the cooling system that had decided to start leaking. Ok – not a major leak – but it was one of those little nasties that could develop into a major problem – and it would be just my luck for it to go when I was on the motorway.

The advisory was to say that the offside front tyre had 3.5mm left on the tread (the UK legal limit is 1.6mm) and that the back box on the exhaust pipe is showing signs of corrosion.

So, the sensor was replaced, and the car seems to be running ok. Thankfully, it looks like this sensor problem has sorted out the gearbox issue (but I still keep the little monster in full auto mode until it’s got some heat into the engine!)

The tyres can wait until I can get the tyres that I want, as I know what suits both the car and me, but the back box I’ll ask for a second opinion , as I don’t want to rush off out and spend money needlessly on the car…

Ah well, time to call it quits – I’ve got stuff to sort out before I pick the car up.

Back later…

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most