Well, today I am 44...
Yes, not too long ago, I thought that 44 was ancient but I don't feel any older today than when I was 24.
Mostly "Cash in Cards" this year, but Amanda is taking me to Torquay for three days, and I have had two actual presents:
An "American Chopper" : A scale model of the "Black Widow" bike, off the kids and a 'Chipper Net' from Jackie, Pete and Matt, so I can practice more golf shots in the garden. I almost bought one of those nets yesterday, but decided at the last second that I best not, at least not before my birthday - Wow I am getting telepathetic in my old age!
Finally for today, checked my weight again last night:
At 16:30 on 14-08-2005 : 13st 5lb, 26.3% BF
At 19:30 on 29-08-2005 : 13st 3lb, 25.8% BF
So another 2lbs lost, and another 0.5% BF... still going the right way, and at a speed that I am happy with... New aim, to be below 12st 7lb and in the 24.x% BF range by Christmas
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Monday, August 29, 2005
Cool Website for Music Lovers
http://www.pandora.com/
Just tell it the name of an artist you like, and it will create a personal 'Station" containing tracks from a variety of artists with a similar "feel". Be prepared for some (pleasant) surprises.
You can try it out for free - for 10 hours - after that it is a subscription service... $36 for a year. You do need broadband tho' as it's a 128 kbps audio stream. I still have a few hours left to make up my mind with regard to taking out the subscription
Just tell it the name of an artist you like, and it will create a personal 'Station" containing tracks from a variety of artists with a similar "feel". Be prepared for some (pleasant) surprises.
You can try it out for free - for 10 hours - after that it is a subscription service... $36 for a year. You do need broadband tho' as it's a 128 kbps audio stream. I still have a few hours left to make up my mind with regard to taking out the subscription
It's back
On Thursday, Sky One, 20:00 - "Brainiac - Science Abuse" Series 3
The show that takes a chemistry PHD, and uses it to blow up Caravans!!
The show that takes a chemistry PHD, and uses it to blow up Caravans!!
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Been a strange week...
Not been blogging for a few days, for a number of reasons...
Started two weeks leave, so the daily routine has been disrupted...
House Guests for 3 days, who use the spare room, which is where the PC is, so limited access to internet...
Been out and about, due to 1 & 2 above, so little time at home...
On top of that, we have had a problem with Amanda's mom this week, who is getting *way* to close to a nervous breakdown... Mike is still stable, but seriously unwell, but Carol is showing signs of cracking under the strain of it all.
OK, highlights of what we have been doing this week...
Monday: Golf Lesson
Alex and I have had our first lesson with the Pro at Halesowen Golf Club. So far we have just worked on the Grip and the Swing, and as a result, neither of us can actually hit a ball straight anymore!! We have another 4 lessons booked for September, so we are hoping that it all starts to come together by then!
Tuesday: Garage Clearance
Spent the morning at Carol's... Cleared the garage out, put it back tidy, and took two VERY LARGE loads of rubbish to the tip!
Wednesday: Gave Blood
1st time in over 12 months, due to having the tattoo done last year, but back on track now at 44 times and counting.
Evesham Garden Centre... Three new house plants, all three are varietys of "Dracaena - Dragon Plant"
Thursday: Stratford-upon-Avon
Some very nice new Mark Spains were seen in the "Castle Gallery", but I resisted temptation, and did not buy one, but I did get a nice polo neck jumper for £6 (RRP £20) from "Soccer World" in there closing down sale.
Saturday: Misc
Visit my Mother, cut the front lawn, tidy the garage, wash the bike, trim the front hedge, watch the cricket, find problem with computer!!
Yep, the boot drive on my main PC seems to be a bit delicate at present, some partition swapping and a re-written MBR seems to have stabilised things, but it has brought home how poor my backup strategy is... *most* of my music is also on my Iriver, but a don't have copies of any of my general data, OR my photos...
Sunday: Order External HDD
I have just ordered a Freecom FHD-3 250GB 7200rpm External USB 2.0 Hard Drive from Amazon for £145 inc VAT and delivery
Started two weeks leave, so the daily routine has been disrupted...
House Guests for 3 days, who use the spare room, which is where the PC is, so limited access to internet...
Been out and about, due to 1 & 2 above, so little time at home...
On top of that, we have had a problem with Amanda's mom this week, who is getting *way* to close to a nervous breakdown... Mike is still stable, but seriously unwell, but Carol is showing signs of cracking under the strain of it all.
OK, highlights of what we have been doing this week...
Monday: Golf Lesson
Alex and I have had our first lesson with the Pro at Halesowen Golf Club. So far we have just worked on the Grip and the Swing, and as a result, neither of us can actually hit a ball straight anymore!! We have another 4 lessons booked for September, so we are hoping that it all starts to come together by then!
Tuesday: Garage Clearance
Spent the morning at Carol's... Cleared the garage out, put it back tidy, and took two VERY LARGE loads of rubbish to the tip!
Wednesday: Gave Blood
1st time in over 12 months, due to having the tattoo done last year, but back on track now at 44 times and counting.
Evesham Garden Centre... Three new house plants, all three are varietys of "Dracaena - Dragon Plant"
Thursday: Stratford-upon-Avon
Some very nice new Mark Spains were seen in the "Castle Gallery", but I resisted temptation, and did not buy one, but I did get a nice polo neck jumper for £6 (RRP £20) from "Soccer World" in there closing down sale.
Saturday: Misc
Visit my Mother, cut the front lawn, tidy the garage, wash the bike, trim the front hedge, watch the cricket, find problem with computer!!
Yep, the boot drive on my main PC seems to be a bit delicate at present, some partition swapping and a re-written MBR seems to have stabilised things, but it has brought home how poor my backup strategy is... *most* of my music is also on my Iriver, but a don't have copies of any of my general data, OR my photos...
Sunday: Order External HDD
I have just ordered a Freecom FHD-3 250GB 7200rpm External USB 2.0 Hard Drive from Amazon for £145 inc VAT and delivery
Saturday, August 20, 2005
The Corrs - Home - September 26th 2005
From "www.thecorrswebsite.com"
One year after their last studio album, The Corrs are returning full circle with their latest album Home, to be released by Atlantic Records on September 26th.
As the title suggests, The Corrs are back to fond beginnings, defining a journey that began 15 years ago. It is a record that is held close to the bands’ hearts, compiled through a songbook of the late Jean Corr, and brought to life by the bands’ urge to bring new interpretations to traditional Irish songs.
It was Caroline Corr who first suggested a return to traditional form, since “everywhere we go in the world we are asked to do more Irish music.” Featuring the BBC Radio 2 Concert Orchestra and working with orchestral arranger Fiachra Trench and producer Mitchell Froom, who has worked with The Corrs on three previous albums, the band set out to create an eclectic mixture of songs and instrumental airs.
Recorded over six months, the making of the album became a journey in uniting both old and new. Traditional Irish songs were carefully chosen, and set to new arrangements, whilst remaining true and faithful to the core emotion of the originals. The mixture of traditional and contemporary, is one that is truly celebrated throughout Home. Whereas the predominately Irish songs are interpreted in a contemporary way, other songs such as ‘Heart Like A Wheel’, originally written by Anna McGarrigle, remain strongly Irish in sound and spirit. This spirit shines through in tracks such as ‘Buachaill On Eirne’ which is one of two tracks sung in Gaelic; a true testament to the integrity of this album, and its desire to bring together Ireland’s past, present and future.
The full tracklisting is as follows: My Lagan Love / Spancill Hill / Peggy Gordon / Black Is The Colour / Heart Like A Wheel / Buachaill On Eirne / Old Hag / Moorlough Shore / Old Town / Dimming Of The Day / Brid Og Ni Mhaille / Haste To The Wedding / Return To Fingall
I have pre-ordered my copy from www.play.com for £8.99
One year after their last studio album, The Corrs are returning full circle with their latest album Home, to be released by Atlantic Records on September 26th.
As the title suggests, The Corrs are back to fond beginnings, defining a journey that began 15 years ago. It is a record that is held close to the bands’ hearts, compiled through a songbook of the late Jean Corr, and brought to life by the bands’ urge to bring new interpretations to traditional Irish songs.
It was Caroline Corr who first suggested a return to traditional form, since “everywhere we go in the world we are asked to do more Irish music.” Featuring the BBC Radio 2 Concert Orchestra and working with orchestral arranger Fiachra Trench and producer Mitchell Froom, who has worked with The Corrs on three previous albums, the band set out to create an eclectic mixture of songs and instrumental airs.
Recorded over six months, the making of the album became a journey in uniting both old and new. Traditional Irish songs were carefully chosen, and set to new arrangements, whilst remaining true and faithful to the core emotion of the originals. The mixture of traditional and contemporary, is one that is truly celebrated throughout Home. Whereas the predominately Irish songs are interpreted in a contemporary way, other songs such as ‘Heart Like A Wheel’, originally written by Anna McGarrigle, remain strongly Irish in sound and spirit. This spirit shines through in tracks such as ‘Buachaill On Eirne’ which is one of two tracks sung in Gaelic; a true testament to the integrity of this album, and its desire to bring together Ireland’s past, present and future.
The full tracklisting is as follows: My Lagan Love / Spancill Hill / Peggy Gordon / Black Is The Colour / Heart Like A Wheel / Buachaill On Eirne / Old Hag / Moorlough Shore / Old Town / Dimming Of The Day / Brid Og Ni Mhaille / Haste To The Wedding / Return To Fingall
I have pre-ordered my copy from www.play.com for £8.99
Friday, August 19, 2005
Monday, August 15, 2005
New Scales: New Starting weight
Last week, we replaced the bathroom scales, the new ones are electronic and calculate Body Fat %
So, as I am a firm believer in not comparing reading between two different scales, I shall take yesterdays figures from these new scales as the starting refernce point for any future weight gain/loss:
At 16:30 on 14-08-2005 : 13st 5lb, 26.3% BF (undressed)
So, as I am a firm believer in not comparing reading between two different scales, I shall take yesterdays figures from these new scales as the starting refernce point for any future weight gain/loss:
At 16:30 on 14-08-2005 : 13st 5lb, 26.3% BF (undressed)
Katherine - You were great!
A minor issue with lack of parking at Ragley Hall, but soon solved - even if the guya t the gate had no idea where we could park!
The concert itself was really good, KJ looked amazing, sang really well, and the fireworks were fantastic.
If you get to go to another outdoor concert, what have we learned?
1) Get there early!!
2) Take your own picnic chairs (£3 each to hire!! We sat on the picnic blanket!)
3) Take a flask (£2.50 for a small cup of coffee
4) Even if the BBC say the weather will be fine - Take a brolly!
5) Take a torch
There is a new CD out October 31st - "Living the Dream" - I pre-ordered my copy from Amazon as soon as we got back last night!
The concert itself was really good, KJ looked amazing, sang really well, and the fireworks were fantastic.
If you get to go to another outdoor concert, what have we learned?
1) Get there early!!
2) Take your own picnic chairs (£3 each to hire!! We sat on the picnic blanket!)
3) Take a flask (£2.50 for a small cup of coffee
4) Even if the BBC say the weather will be fine - Take a brolly!
5) Take a torch
There is a new CD out October 31st - "Living the Dream" - I pre-ordered my copy from Amazon as soon as we got back last night!
Saturday, August 13, 2005
It's been a week...
Since I wrote my note, message in a bottle...
Sorry, just got all Sting on my blog for a moment! Seriously I can't believe it's been a week since I last blogged..
Ok what's been happening then,
1) Been ill. Had a temperated and felt really rough for a couple of days. (Wednesday & Thursday)
2) Been to the Balloon Fiesta at Bristol (Friday) - Pictures to follow soon
3) Alex has managed to split his head open by fallingover at full speed in front of his mates push bike! He hs got a lovelly bruise and graze on the side of his face, and 3 sterastrips holding the gash together!
4) Recieved my Beta copy of Windows Vista, running it on the laptop. Not too impressed at this stage, some hardware not fully functiona, and IE7 is not nice! It also seem noticably slower that XP on the same (admittedly fairly low spec PC), and to top it all, the video card in the laptop does not support the advanced renedering on Vista, so I don't get the full visual effect.
5) Had my final weigh-in for the Body Transformation Program. Final results weight is down by 10lbs, waist is down by 4.5 inches, body fat% is down by almost 2%
6) Purchased the first three seasons of ALIAS on DVD
7) Managed to hear the new CD by Charlotte Church - Tissues & Issues; Excellent
8) Man Utd managed to get off to a winning start to the Premiership today with a 2-0 win at Everton
9) Purchased a new Electric Toothbrush (a Sonicare model from Phillips, on the advice of my dentist)
because... finally
10) Had my new tooth fitted. There was no need for a temporary one, and I have the finished article in my mouth NOW! - Picture to follow soon!!
Off to the gym early in the morning, the 6 week program is over, but I want to lose at least another 10 to 15 lbs... and then tommorow evening we are all off to see Katherine Jenkins in concert at Ragley Hall.
Sorry, just got all Sting on my blog for a moment! Seriously I can't believe it's been a week since I last blogged..
Ok what's been happening then,
1) Been ill. Had a temperated and felt really rough for a couple of days. (Wednesday & Thursday)
2) Been to the Balloon Fiesta at Bristol (Friday) - Pictures to follow soon
3) Alex has managed to split his head open by fallingover at full speed in front of his mates push bike! He hs got a lovelly bruise and graze on the side of his face, and 3 sterastrips holding the gash together!
4) Recieved my Beta copy of Windows Vista, running it on the laptop. Not too impressed at this stage, some hardware not fully functiona, and IE7 is not nice! It also seem noticably slower that XP on the same (admittedly fairly low spec PC), and to top it all, the video card in the laptop does not support the advanced renedering on Vista, so I don't get the full visual effect.
5) Had my final weigh-in for the Body Transformation Program. Final results weight is down by 10lbs, waist is down by 4.5 inches, body fat% is down by almost 2%
6) Purchased the first three seasons of ALIAS on DVD
7) Managed to hear the new CD by Charlotte Church - Tissues & Issues; Excellent
8) Man Utd managed to get off to a winning start to the Premiership today with a 2-0 win at Everton
9) Purchased a new Electric Toothbrush (a Sonicare model from Phillips, on the advice of my dentist)
because... finally
10) Had my new tooth fitted. There was no need for a temporary one, and I have the finished article in my mouth NOW! - Picture to follow soon!!
Off to the gym early in the morning, the 6 week program is over, but I want to lose at least another 10 to 15 lbs... and then tommorow evening we are all off to see Katherine Jenkins in concert at Ragley Hall.
Friday, August 05, 2005
Day out at the Safari Park
On Wednesday, we went to the West Midlands Safari Park. A good day was had by all, and I got some reasonable photo's (Having finally remembered to take my camera out with me!)
You can see them here : http://www.redbreva.com/Photography/_PhotoAlbums/WMSP-08-2005/index.html
You can see them here : http://www.redbreva.com/Photography/_PhotoAlbums/WMSP-08-2005/index.html
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Impressions, eBay, Buckets and Choppers
We have started a new working pattern this week, and I now get 1.5 rota days every three weeks. As I had a dentist appointment this morning, I booked 1/2 a days leave, and I get two days off...
So this morning I went to visit the dentist, and he has taken the (hopefully) final impression of my mouth. I have to go back next Wednesday for the fitting of the initial tooth... A final ceramic one is still a about a month away.
From there it was a vist to the post office, I sold three audio books on ebay last night, and then on the the driving range where Alex and I shared a bucket of balls. He is getting about 20 yards, I am getting about 120!
Finally, for now, We are hoping to go the Bristol (Parkland of Ashton Court Estate) on the 12th of this month... There is an "International Balloon Fiesta" on, but the main attraction will be that "American Choppers" will be there! You can even buy your car park ticket online, get access to a closer car park, save money and beat the queues!!
So this morning I went to visit the dentist, and he has taken the (hopefully) final impression of my mouth. I have to go back next Wednesday for the fitting of the initial tooth... A final ceramic one is still a about a month away.
From there it was a vist to the post office, I sold three audio books on ebay last night, and then on the the driving range where Alex and I shared a bucket of balls. He is getting about 20 yards, I am getting about 120!
Finally, for now, We are hoping to go the Bristol (Parkland of Ashton Court Estate) on the 12th of this month... There is an "International Balloon Fiesta" on, but the main attraction will be that "American Choppers" will be there! You can even buy your car park ticket online, get access to a closer car park, save money and beat the queues!!
Monday, August 01, 2005
Busy Weekend
As a surprise for the kids, we have just spent the weekend at Alton Towers.
It was not a good start, with Amanda feeling unwell on Saturday morning. A couple of phone calls to the doctor and we were sent to the Primary Care unit at the local hospital. After a trip to a pharmacy to collect the required medication (Anti Biotics and a Nasal Spray, she has sinusitus) we were finally able to get on our way : at 13:30!!
Got to the hotel with no major problems, and spent a couple of hours in "Caribba Creek". Alex is now big enough t have a go on most of the rides in the waterpark, but the 'Master Blaster' did scare him a bit. A nice evening meal, with a glass of wine, followed by an hour of watching TV before 'trying' to get an early night rounded things off nicely.
Sunday morning, we were up, fed and out to the park by 09:15, and by 10:15 we (Amy and Myself) had been on Nemesis twice (Once front row, once back row) - Excellent... and Air twice (Again once front row, once in the middle)- Good. By then the park was starting to fill up a little, we went on Ripsaw, and arranged to meet Amanda and Alex for lunch at 13:00..
We then queued for 100 minutes!!!! to ride Rita: Queen of speed, and OK it was good, but not that good... After lunch, Enterprise (with Alex):OK, Oblivion (with Amy):Excellent!!, Hex (with Amy and Alex): Pretty Good, Corkscrew (with Amy): OK, Dual (Amy and Alex): OK, Runaway Train (with Amy and Alex): Good and finally the River Rapids (with Amy and Alex) : Good.
A steady walkt back to the car, and a clear run home - back for 19:00, and an early night was had by all.
It was not a good start, with Amanda feeling unwell on Saturday morning. A couple of phone calls to the doctor and we were sent to the Primary Care unit at the local hospital. After a trip to a pharmacy to collect the required medication (Anti Biotics and a Nasal Spray, she has sinusitus) we were finally able to get on our way : at 13:30!!
Got to the hotel with no major problems, and spent a couple of hours in "Caribba Creek". Alex is now big enough t have a go on most of the rides in the waterpark, but the 'Master Blaster' did scare him a bit. A nice evening meal, with a glass of wine, followed by an hour of watching TV before 'trying' to get an early night rounded things off nicely.
Sunday morning, we were up, fed and out to the park by 09:15, and by 10:15 we (Amy and Myself) had been on Nemesis twice (Once front row, once back row) - Excellent... and Air twice (Again once front row, once in the middle)- Good. By then the park was starting to fill up a little, we went on Ripsaw, and arranged to meet Amanda and Alex for lunch at 13:00..
We then queued for 100 minutes!!!! to ride Rita: Queen of speed, and OK it was good, but not that good... After lunch, Enterprise (with Alex):OK, Oblivion (with Amy):Excellent!!, Hex (with Amy and Alex): Pretty Good, Corkscrew (with Amy): OK, Dual (Amy and Alex): OK, Runaway Train (with Amy and Alex): Good and finally the River Rapids (with Amy and Alex) : Good.
A steady walkt back to the car, and a clear run home - back for 19:00, and an early night was had by all.
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