So, I’m feeling a lot more Christmassy now. This is about right less than two weeks before. I’m counting the days. It’s going to be a traditional family Christmas, maybe the last one for a while where we can all get together on the day.
The festive feelings all started with an office Christmas bash. Continue reading “Feeling Christmassy now”
Rugby is a game for men that can’t play football. The ability to cushion a ball with the instep, bend it with the outside of the foot or run fast with the ball under control-and changing direction- is beyond the capabilities of the lumbering brutes of the queer-shaped ball game.
Before I continue I admit to not having a wide knowledge of rugger and possibly some of the things in this essay could be countered by more learned gentlemen. The following is points based on my limited time spent watching the “ugly” game. Continue reading “The case against rugby”
December 2004
Was it really that long ago? Let me explain…
It would have been in the November that the principal of Quest School phoned to say that the local sports club that is (almost) adjacent to the school had been asked to host The Barmy Army’s charity event and wanted to donate the proceeds to us!
Remarkable.
Prior to the first test on any overseas tour The Barmy Army contact a local cricket club and hold a charity event, normally a limited overs match between their members and a ‘celebrity’ local team, followed by an auction of tickets, various memorabilia and a ‘fines’ session.
I made contact with Dave, the club captain and volunteered any help if he needed, not necessary he said but if I could arrange for a couple of children to come along, fine.
The event was planned for the 16th December, the day before the 1st test starting at St Georges Park and as luck would have it a public holiday!
Well, we arranged for a couple of extra items for the auction (a couple of cellphones, helicopter flip, game drive, the sort of things that a touring cricket supporter could use) and arranged a school picnic with all the children in their school tracksuits.
If you are full of the joys of the forthcoming Christmas season; if you have just finished wrapping the last on your list of Christmas gifts and fixing home-made little Hobbycraft holly leaves and berries to it; if you have all your Christmas cards written and in a wobbly pile on the sideboard waiting to be posted, please don’t read on. You won’t like it. You really won’t. Continue reading “And so this is..er..NOT Christmas!”
I would like to think that my survival instincts are quite finely tuned; somewhere between cowardice and neurosis.
I’m normally the first out of a building when the fire-alarm goes off. I happily abandon my shopping and proceed at speed to the nearest exit. Yes, I know they normally go off by themselves but I’d rather not take that chance. I’m always surprised to see everyone else blithely carry on filling their trolleys. Continue reading “Instincts of self preservation.”
Tonight, I’m going to stare into a fiery pits of a diabolically massive bonfire and get neck-ache going “oooh” and “ahhh” at some wondrous good rockets and other fireworks.
Bonfire night is one of those occasions I hate to miss. Not because I like noise – though I don’t mind it – but because of the connection with real fabulous, leaping fire, which you don’t see much these days unless you’re an ardent fire-engine follower – and the chance of seeing fireworks that are even more spectacular than last year’s. Continue reading “Pyrotechnic manoeuvres in the dark”
on CWJ’s Post.
A test because the comment I made on CWJ’s post fell into the junk.
What Job Ads Really Mean: Continue reading “A Test and A Follow Up”
Starting to see results dog-training the kittens. They both come and greet me at the door when I arrive home without me calling them. Leo bounds over to say hello vocally, cavorting and purring loudly. Think feline lawnmower. Lily takes her time as though she’s slightly resentful of having to turn out when she was, after all, fast asleep. Her purr has got louder. You no longer have to place a hand on her back to tell if she’s purring or not by feeling the vibrations. Continue reading “Feline dog-training II”
According to newspaper reports this morning, pushy parents can turn their children off sport for life. So what? Do we even care? Is it important that kids should try out and excel at some sports or is it all about churning out the next generation of national champions to boost patriotism?
I think sport is good for those who will enjoy it. If you discount the drugs and cheating in professional sport, training, competing and winning is incredibly character-building and keeps kids occupied during the formative years when they could easily find less desirable ways to get their kicks. Continue reading “Pushy parents – turning kids off sport?”
They are still out to get me you know. It’s something being harassed by a weird old lady in a wheelchair. It’s quite another thing shrivelling with embarrassment when a piece of supermarket technology starts shouting at you. Continue reading “Paranoia II”
Boadicea's Chariot 
You must be logged in to post a comment.