The War Between the Land and the Sea

This was an interesting series apart from the name; I wonder if it’s going to be a series of spin-offs with UNIT at the helm. The protagonist was involved through the strangest of blips and it’s astonishing how far along he infiltrated considering that this was a military operation. It’s a shame that we don’t get to see much of their world, especially during the descent. I would have expected that the vessel used for this would be more of a craft rather than a giant yo-yo. There were lots of special effects, but I felt that it was a bit drawn-out at the end with character development. It also wasn’t clear as to what Barclay has been injected with, and he could be the virus. There’s vague attempts at humour, but it’s sometimes too serious. It’ll be interesting to hear about what the Doctor has to say of this encounter and whether he’ll have to battle Stewart to save humanity.

Under the Hat

What is that bulge underneath that hat? Surely it can’t be a normal head. Perhaps it’s a huge mass of hair with something nesting in it. It could be a head of branches which is why there’s a branch of wriggling fingers reaching towards it. It also seems to attract the snow. It’s starting to match the jacket and scarf. But that’s more likely to make me move into shelter before I take my hat off. Maybe they’re just seeking out an opportunity for my head to be exposed. Then a winter cold will be inflicted upon me. Maybe I can pull one of those rings on my backpack and a little umbrella will pop out of my hat to cover me. Either that or I’m not going to survive this storm because I’m wearing the wrong hat and I’m about to be dissolved. But the reindeer are interested in the one that stands alone.

Launch Queen Trivia Challenge

So it’s a battle of wits. I expect music clips and a live leaderboard. Will there be more than three? Will they keep on coming until I get one wrong? Will they be multiple choice? I wonder how repetitive the questions are. It’s not as if they’re producing any new material. My first attempt is ignored completely. Maybe she’s sleeping. The second time I ask, I get the blue light to show that she’s listening, but she’s still not talking back to me. I’ll have to ask her something else to make sure that she’s working properly. After asking for a weather forecast, I try again. Nothing. It’s as if she’s totally confused as to what to do. She doesn’t even apologise or ask for clarification.  I even switch the word launch for start. Still nothing. And so the musical talent will have to wait until the geniuses fix the bots.

Three Go Wassailing

It certainly looks that way. We’re standing in the snow with carol sheets belting out tunes into the cold air. We’re only there to entertain the little ones. Some have given up on the activities and they’re just there to pose. They’ve built a tiny little fence to keep us out. Maybe they hope that taller people will have more sense to stay away or at least attempt to stop them from stealing the giant bows. The deer could step over it too to charge the humans if they wanted. There’s more brown stuff on our side, whatever it is. But their side looks much neater. I wonder what else the forest behind can knit. It doesn’t look like there’s much left of it. And it’s hard to work out if the red branches behind me are painted or natural. It might even be a torch to light up the deer at night.

 

Man, Where's My Car? #dreamdiary 212

I’ve parked my car for the day in a multi-storey car park. It was up on the second floor alongside other cars and I couldn’t see any signs saying that access was restricted for the day. But when I returned to the site, the whole building was sealed off with barrier fencing and white sheeting saying that the sign was closed for maintenance. I’d understood if this was for an emergency but this seemed to be for scheduled work as there was no-one around working. I started to get annoyed as the parking ticket would expire soon. I decided to go through the adjacent shopping centre to see if I could enter the building from the other end. At least if I could get to my car I might be able to unbolt the fence from the inside. I head through some double doors and there’s an armed guard in riot gear stood in the corridor by the lift.

The Dummy

Do we really want to lick this tree? Its tongue might be soft but it’s probably not a great idea in terms of hygiene in the current circumstances. It’s also not clear what you’re dropping in the drum. Is it the map sheets? I’m also worried what comes out when you put something in. It doesn’t exactly look child-friendly. The panel that the message is written on looks like a skanky skirt. The drum might be the little thing past in its ass on the right-hand side. I like how the arm above it seems to be pointing to a safer alternative. The smaller one looks like she’s seen thins sort of thing before. Maybe she knows that the claw on the lefthand side of her is going to sneak up and steal her away from our society. Perhaps a hollow door has already opened up to suck them inside the tree.

What if your underwear drawer started talking to you?

I would wonder how much I’ve had to drink or who the underwear drawer is. Would it be someone with a hidden microphone who can see me? That would be a bit kinky when I’m rooting around for my smalls. It would be animate and open and close as it speaks. I would have to force it to talk every time I needed a fresh pair. It’s quite lucky that it only contains clean clothes. It would tell me when I’m running low as it would feel cold and hungry. It would give me life advice as I laid in bed and we would have long talks into the night. I’d be given a plan to improve things. Or it might not hear me so it would just talk constantly until I’d gaffer tape it shut. People would ask me why I’m not sleeping and they’d be absolutely baffled by my answer. It would be really bored during the day so I’d have to leave the TV or radio on so that it would have something to listen to. It would watch the news for me and summarise it for me in a comedic style. Imagine the chaos it would cause when I leave it with a smart speaker. It would be constantly plotting to lure as many people to my room as possible or get me to refurnish it or move it to a better house. And it would be really creepy.

The Center of Attention

It’s been a long time since I’ve been to one of these, but we had to make sure that everything was suitable for a wheelchair user. We needed to make sure that everything was as step-free as possible including toilet access. We could probably get a deal online, but it felt more secure to book over the phone as we would have discussed it with a representative. I can’t remember the actual conversation, but I felt reassured after phoning rather than worried. We got a welcome from the team the moment we opened the door. Everything was on the same level, from the bedroom to the sofa. The customer service was fantastic whatever we decided to do. It was all included in the price. We managed to get up to a bit of mischief as well and we didn’t want to miss out on anything, but we always asked first.

The Tooth Factory

I thought the whole point of the tooth fairy was that they use kids’ teeth to make things rather than create the teeth themselves. Perhaps they’ve commercialised themselves in this day and age which is why you don’t see so many of them. Or it could be a refinery but young visitors might not know what that is. I love how the building is supported by a giant tooth and that some of the letters on the sign overhang the others to give them shelter. It looks like the house is watched over by sort of farm creature. It might be a guard to warn fairies to hide, or it could just be in charge of deliveries. There might be an upstairs as well so the whole operation takes place inside the tree and these are simply outhouses to assist in creating space. Or the tree could merely be a tunnel and transportation system and the real operation takes place underground.

Starmer calls for Man Utd co-owner Jim Ratcliffe to apologise for 'offensive immigration remarks

It’s another example of free speech under attack. You may not agree with what is being said, but there’s still the opportunity to express your opinion. It might put a few people off investing in your business though. I don’t know what other influences Ratcliffe has on our society, but he could have other controlling interests too. But you can see his point. The trouble is that immigrant as a double meaning and we need to be more precise with our labelling. There’s people that we’ve invited over or have earned the right to live and contribute to our society from another country. Some of his footballers can be classed as immigrants. And then there’s people who are claiming asylum and aren’t contributing who are depleting the resources that should be invested into our people. It’s not clear on the meaning, and it can be misinterpreted. Whether he’ll apologise or not, only time will tell.

On her Own

She likes being on her own to have her own moment of attention. Either that or her sister’s been swallowed up into the ground ready to be turned into a mushroom and she wants a grown-up to capture the evidence. The mushroom itself looks like it’s been pressed into a corner, as if it’s attempting to cope with its dimension. It might not be from this realm. It could also be a passing point marker to another world. The bushes on the left are about to creep in and block her from our sight. Are they protecting her or are they taking us to another realm? Or is she the one that’s being transported? She’s beginning to realise that one of us might not be safe, and she’s using the mushroom to summon assistance. Perhaps the pink marker acts as a barrier to warn us, but the investigation team haven’t reached the woods yet.

"The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide not to stay where you are."

 -JP Morgan.

That’s probably the toughest step to do. If your plans don’t involve something in the present, then you need to leave it behind. You’ve got to get up off your arse and move. It’s about leaving behind the comfort zone that you’re used to and venturing into the unknown. You can’t do everything, and you may need to have a plan to see you through broken down into steps to help you achieve your goal. And you either need to keep at what you’re doing a little bit harder, or do something completely different. You need to switch something off or tune something out to stop you from being distracted. It is nice to have a back-up plan so that you’ve got something to go back to if it doesn’t work out. But you’ve got to take that bold step first. It’s something that I’ve been trying to do for ages.

Not Mushroom Here

That’s if you are a mushroom propping up two little girls. Usually you’ve got lots of fresh air and sun in your patch. Your stalk’s a bit grubby. I wonder how many pairs of muddy boots have been rubbing against you. Hopefully no-one’s cocked a leg. You must be staked pretty deep in the ground to stop yourself from tipping over. Perhaps one day these will multiply and replace the plastic sticks stuck on the hill in the snow. Maybe the brown bits are spores in the making. All they need is a bit of weight and they can suck in the matter underground to convert it. The snow is simply disguising a bog. The little one’s taken a bite already. She’s even drooling. Any moment now, she’s going to try to pin her sister on top of the mushroom to take a bite. The mushroom’s already grabbed her jacket with a cord.

What happens if you drive off without paying at a petrol station in the UK?

Being as every car has a number plate, it gets recorded as soon as you start filling. If you’re driving a stolen vehicle, the chances are that the number plate will have been flagged for surveillance anyway. And if you haven’t got a number plate, the attendant won’t authorise the pump to be used. But once you’re done filling, the petrol team will simply log a complaint with the police for theft of fuel. Since most vehicles are registered, it won’t take long for them to track the driver down. You might get a knock at the door, or the police might just send a letter with a court date and a demand for payment or prosecution. It depends on how busy they are and how frequent the crime occurs. But you can legally depart the forecourt without payment if you leave your details and commit to returning to pay within twenty-four hours.

Oos at?

They’ve spotted the owl. They’re intimidating the hoot that it makes, probably because it’s not making any itself. They’re literally giving a hoot. It would be good if there was a speaker system out in to create an atmosphere; though that would cost more. The girls are getting excited as they’ve nearly finished the trail which means that they’re going to cash in their answers for a reward. But the bells for them to ring are just out of reach. As are the lights. They’re probably on a battery timer. I wonder what it’s like to have these visitors pass it. It’s probably interested in where they’re going, or when they leave so that it can swoop down and have a peck at that mushroom. But the visitors might leave tastier food behind. Once that’s done, it can have a nice rest before the net batch of visitors disturb them. And they’re loud.

It's not about getting drunk, it's about ticking beer

It’s an ambition to taste as many different beers as possible, then keep a record of what was sampled, where and when. You never know if they’re going to be continued to be brewed ever again. Some will be brewed by breweries who will halt production of a traditional bitter. Others will only be brewed for a special occasion. We might go wild at a beer festival but it’s only because there’s a huge range of beers to choose from that haven’t been tried before. I always aim to start with the breweries that I haven’t tried before. It’s all about trying new things, and when you’ve got them under one roof you’re going to be like a kid in a candy store. But you can only do so much in one session. And then you’ve got to add it to your record. I note it down on my phone then add it to an excel sheet, which I then update and send a copy to my phone.

Christmas Troll

Hiding in the bush is this strange creature. The thing around its neck could be a beard, a scarf, or a bit of tinsel. It might be preparing to take a dip into the river to catch its tea. It’s not exactly camouflaged, but it might have emerged from underground, or it might be wearing trousers made out of leaves. It might even have crafted a tool made of sticks; either a grabbing device or some kind of giant crossbow. And is that a gun next to his left arm, or a twig, or a walking stick in the shape of a foot made from bone? If all goes wrong, it can either sink back underground or pull itself up the vine behind him onto the branch. Either that or someone above has caught themselves a troll. Or maybe something behind him is preparing to pounce. It’s already gobbled up other things.

Leaving the Sway #vampress 25

She decided to gather the farm boys into the hall, before realising that there wasn’t much room for what she intended. Perhaps she could get the basement hollowed out with a trapdoor for n added effect. Could she wait that long? There would be a lot of stone to carve out. Although, with the right stimulus, she might be able to get it all done sooner than she thought, though there could be some structural damage to the house. Was there a way to reinforce it? She needed sound advice, and not just from anyone who would agree with her just to have her way. Perhaps she could hide somewhere and one of her minions ask the questions. That would involve giving them a bit of willpower. She’d have to practice her influence slowly to safeguard her secret. Could she influence someone without being under the sway? She’d have to surrender a bit of her power.

Bridging the Gap

For many people, pictures are all they have to revive them of these memories, but having experiences like these brings the family closer together. We can look back upon these pictures to remember where we were and what we did. It reminds us of the fun time we had and we felt like superstars being treated to a private experience, and that we could face any obstacles, not that there were any in front of us anyway. Even the gate on the other side of the bridge had been removed. It also felt a bit apocalyptic with no one else around. The trees behind could just curl up behind us and block out the light and our way back to the car park. The only way then is forward into whatever lays beyond the frame. Unless, of course, they’re suddenly going to get zapped by the lights that are wrapped around the bridge.

The Cosa Express Machine

Yup, I’ve actually been asked to rate a coffee vending machine. The world’s gone mad. It’s also worrying. Does this mean that if we rate them high enough then the barista will be replaced by these machines at some point? It was quick and simple since I could glance at all of the options available on my phone. The trouble is that if something goes wrong, you’re going to have to hunt someone down to help you, during which your current progress could be lost. I haven’t figured out if I can pay on my phone without going to the checkout, but at this site it’s not worth looking into since I’ll lose my employee discount. There was nearly a problem as I didn't get the cup into position, but luckily the machine picked up on it and waited for me. But there were so many things for me to play and help myself to. At some point, someone’s just going to nick all of it.

Ski Monday

Next, we trek out across the field. One thing that they’ve tried to do is to ensure that there’s a main gravel path throughout the trail to help people with mobility issues enjoy it. There weren’t any stiles or steps, though there might have been a gate. They’ve also stuck bright, visible waymarker poles throughout the trail in case too much snow causes confusion about the route and no one wanders off onto the main farm. We enter a self-contained wooded area. Here, there were more fenced off reindeers made of straw and little wooden houses with cute doors on them which were fairy grottos. It was a nice little winter wonderland, and the trail wasn’t long and no one got too cold. It wasn’t too crowded either. We finished with a round of hot chocolates while the little one ran round the playground. It was good to get outside and stretch our wings.

The Scarecrow's Wedding

This was a cute little animation story made for the Christmas period. I don’t think it needed a narrator and before the scarecrows met, I wasn’t sure if speech was needed either. It’s a very colourful production with some lovely colours, and the clumsiness made it more realistic, though at one point it did look like the scarecrows were drunk as they took each step. It’s nice to see that the scarecrow didn’t become a bridezilla and hunt down a cake for her guests. The animals were very cute, but I’m not sure that a pimp in a white suit was realistic and appropriate enough to be introduced as a rival in a children’s production, if only for a short while as a plot development. There might be too much smooching for younger children, and perhaps some of the items could be sought out by some of the animals rather than sending the scarecrow further and further away.

Wednesday Club #dreamdiary 211

I’m on a night out at a club. There’s a group of us in designer suits with a few happy fillies and I’m not the designated driver tonight. The club is one of those large spaces that’s designed for the weather. It takes ages to get to the bar. It’s at the end of a long corridor of shrubbery. I think about ordering a beer then think that this place is a bit more designer so I have a mojito instead and it comes in a tumbler layered up like rainbows. I’m vaguely aware that someone thinks that I owe them money but I’ve already paid them off. I just hope that they can remember. At least I can take them on if necessary. We ascend a metal staircase to a rooftop garden where I see a group of shops opposite. I feel like I have to hit those at some point.

Mapping it Out

The girls were given a map and an activity sheet and were pointed towards the first step of the trail. A lot of the snow had started to melt which ruined the magic somewhat. But we could still see that a lot of effort had gone into creating it, and it was a shame that we couldn’t book one of the night sessions where it would all be lit up. The first stop was at the reindeer which were sheltered by some very thinning Christmas trees, but the decorations looked expensive. There was a question and a photo opportunity at each stop. In all the excitement of what lay ahead, we somehow missed the very first question and had to head back to the cows. I guess we had our eyes on the reindeer. Then we spotted a charming fox sculptured out of wood whilst holding a wreath from its mouth. I hope he hasn’t got stung.

What If the postman brought you a letter from an aunt you didn't even know you had?

I would have questions. Who is this mysterious person that’s been hidden away from me for all this time? Why has she been concealed from me? Is she a criminal that’s just discovered me? What if my whole family has been on the run from her all this time because she’s crazy scary and powerful? And how do I know who to believe? It could be a con started by the postman. Id have to seek out answers from my family. And why does she choose this moment for a reunion? Is there a death imminent and we want to make sure that there’s no regrets? Or is someone trying to get up on a deal somewhere? I should really ask for some proof. Does my brother know? Am I the outcast or is she? There could be a fortune involved or it could be my downfall. Or she could just want to meet me and make her own mind up.

Churchfields Fairy Trail

This was a fun little activity that we could do with the girls just before the schools start to organise their lessons. It’s set in the countryside a few miles outside of Droitwich, and it’s a little drive down some narrow country lanes to get there, with just a small space for passing points on the final approach. It’s only been developed to host events in the last ten years, but a lot of work has been put into it. The road opens out onto a gravel road where’s there ample parking. Grassy areas are towards the back, and there’s more stones as you get nearer to the front. Just before the zebra crossing to the main entrance, there’s a vending machine where you can purchase milk directly from the farm. You can bring your own container or purchase one of theirs from the shop. Then it’s into the barn to get checked in for our walk.

Are you Local?

Is she going to talk to me in a silly voice? Perhaps she’s going to look up local happenings and sports results for me? Or does it all depend upon where I live and what data is available online? Does she know where she is? Perhaps she’ll admit that she’ll do her best to keep up with local events or tell me what the better resources are. The first thing that she tells me is that I’m in a safe environment. That gives me reason to stay. I’m then told that I’m not a local as there’s nothing for me here. It then gets a bit repetitive. I wonder if these are all quotes from The League of Gentlemen, of which I’ve never really seen. It all seems to entertain a fetish in a grotesque way. But if it’s all to do with the village shop and how people are treated, I’m willing to give it a look.

Lesson Time

It’s time for online school, but who’s teaching who? A limited number of children were allowed to come into school depending on their parent’s circumstances, mainly those who were vulnerable and couldn’t get access online. Others earned a place owing to their parents being key workers, but these places were harder to fill and were more popular. Millions of kids are forced to complete their lessons on a computer and have to master some IT skills very quickly, alongside some parents and grandparents. There was a list of things that we had to do and make sure that we could pass these onto the children. We also had to make sure that we had the right access codes and that these were kept secure. Or was this a reminder that someone’s nails needed trimming? I wonder if the system’s still there lurking in the background ready in case it’s needed again.

Canada school shooting latest: Police reveal details about attacker Jesse Van Rootselaar

It’s important to get the right details out to avoid speculation. There could be a backlash blamed on people that had no involvement on the incident whatsoever. But releasing this information to the public could cause a backlash if they’re not careful. Everyone has the right to free speech, but it’s what they do with it that counts. And this sort of thing is common in the US, but we hear less of it up north. Its almost as if we think that they’re more civilised. And it’s more terrifying when the attacker dies as well. It’s harder for people to find out why. The fact that makes this one so controversial is that it involves a transgender person. Could it be that they are struggling with their position or they were reacting to some bullying? There’s so much that we don’t know here, and this could open up a whole range of issues.

Did Someone Mention The Rules?

This is what we’re up against. We’re allowed back into the pub, but there’s rules that we have to obey. How are the bar staff going to ensure that people from different households aren’t mixing? It’s going to be such a waste of space if two people from different households want to meet. And then there’s masks. But the only lawful thing that they can request is to record a record of your visit so that you can be contacted if anyone is out at risk. Some people are ordering the cheapest food, but they’re not even eating it. They’re there to just drink. It’s such a waste. Is it worth the risk? There’s other places that you can meet. It depends on how threatened you feel, but at least our freedom isn’t under attack. Some people want to support our industries and don’t want our way of life threatened.

Contemplatively Ethereal

He’s tall and thinks he’s in charge with his plastic smile, perfect white miniature teeth and uncombed curly short blond hair, but he often overdoes it. He always wears plain colours as if he’s just finished a session in the gym, and doesn’t want to commit himself to a brand. He has a bit of a plastic personality and doesn’t like to talk about himself much. He prefers to remain active and demonstrate athletic skill instead rather than sit and chat. He’d rather move onto the next event than reflect, and will try to exert the highest authority unless someone else has already established it, in which case he’ll respect it and won’t try to overpower them. When he’s in a group, he’ll listen and join in with a jest, but he won’t necessarily create one for fear of being offensive. He looks forward to his own downtime and likes his privacy.

The Snowman and the Snowcat

Someone’s done their very best to gather up as much snow as they could to have some traditional winter fun. It’s a shame that this is all that’s left, but it’s good to see that someone’s tried to have a bit of neighbourly fun. Perhaps they’re having a protest to block people’s drives to raiser awareness of global warning. Either that or the snowman’s put its back into trying to push the car up the drive as the doesn’t want his cat to get run over. Or they could be shaking the car to get more snow off it to make themselves bigger. You’d be straining as well if you had a stick coming out of the top of your head. I can’t help but think if there’s the remains of something else next to the snowcat. Could it have been a snowbird, or perhaps another animal companion? It’s too small for a mouse.

What's their Motivation?

There’s a skill or power at stake that you need someone to utilise or stand down. If you want to convince someone to do something, you’ve got to find out why and convince them how it will benefit them. They may be pursuing a path for reasons as of yet unknown. Or if they’re doing something that you don’t want them to do, you’ve got to do the same thing. There’s a bit of detective work involved. It’s a great feature for character and plot development. People act for a reason. Is it for practice? Are they required to follow orders under a higher power for employment or have reacted to a controlled substance? Is there a love or family bond involved? Or are they just pure evil? Perhaps there’s a realisation that they’re missing. And if you can work that out and show them that your solution is better, they might just trust you.

Guinness is Good for You

We were due to go to the pantomime but as it was closed we got a televised one on DVD. We also got some games in and a buffet going. We’ve got nibbles while we prep the hot food, and some extra gifts and prizes. Some want to do their own party piece by pretending to be an adult. There maty be a bit of spinning involved.  Start them off early. It gives them a bit of protection and may make them settle down a bit. And even if they don’t taste anything, they can get used to the culture and branding. You can see the cloud of confusion begin to ascend upon her. Or is it the cloud of clarity descending? It might even inspire her. She seems to be enjoying herself with a slight expression of mischievous. It’s a bit of entertainment for everybody while we set up the next party game.

Why do some passengers refuse to give up their plane seats for families, and is there a way to handle it that benefits everyone involved?

Some people pay for those seats for a reason. It helps to get them through the flight. They could be a nervous flyer and need the extra reassurance. Maybe they like the view. Maybe they took the time to work out where the best views would be from that particular side of the plane. Maybe it’s a position where the seat is less likely to be jolted so that they can catch a nap. Or maybe they need access to the aisle quickly if they need to use the toilet. If someone’s paid money to select that seat, they’ve done it for a reason and you have to respect that. The only way round it is to offer them compensation for moving. It could be an upgrade, a free drink, or a snack, gift or meal. It doesn’t necessarily have to come from the airline. It could be a gift as a thank you for agreeing to move.

Any Regrets?

Someone’s looking like they’re regretting what’s been put in front of them. Maybe it seemed like a good idea at the time or they’ve decided that they’re just going to be sociable. Maybe they’ve been overdoing it. Or maybe it’s a really bad drink. Someone’s decided to alter it in some way with a naughty ingredient. It’s something that really sour or strong. Will she finish the glass? Will it take her a long time while others move onto more interesting beverages? Or will she pour it down the sink or into a plant pot when she thinks that no-one is looking? She could also pretend to knock the glass over and spill it, though she’ll have to do that delicately so that the glass doesn’t break. Perhaps it’s the foresight of a big clean-up that is yet to come that no one else will take responsibility for. It’s not something that you want to be doing on Christmas Day.

Utter Contempt for the Cats, Staff and Customers from Black Country Ales

It’s a shame that it’s come to this. A beautiful black kitten who brought so much joy to visitors has had to be evicted from the pub. It might be because of an allergy issue. It might mean extra cleaning. Leaving cat hair and scents on the upholstery isn’t great. I suppose it’s possible that some animals don’t moult and leave hairs behind. It’s not great when you’re eating food to have to have a feline disturb you for a piece of your snack, but it’s not like you’re having a sit-down meal. I wonder if there was a complaint from the public since the cat’s been there so long. Perhaps it was something that the cat did like raiding the kitchen, bringing in a dead animal or scratch and slash the furniture. Maybe it was sick in front of a customer. Or maybe someone had it in for the landlord. I hope that Hops is doing well in his new home, but this hasn’t gone down well with the locals and some of them have started to boycott the business.

Mind the Gap #titannabell 25

‘Watch your head.’

There wasn’t much space between the princess and the ceiling. Her hair and rear brushed it as the princess lifted her over the threshold as if she was a feather. She brought her to rest in front of her breast which was as big as she was. The princess laid her on top of her surprisingly level stomach which, while sculptured, was delicately soft. She asked the maid to close her eyes and give her breast a gentle stroke as if it were an animal. Titania was so sensitive and she could feel every caress and hair. It was a long time since someone had touched her this way. She began to sigh in ecstasy. Every cell in her body seemed so cramped, and she needed more room, but at the same time she realised that the sensation might stop as she stretched.

‘Hold on tight’ she said.

When You're Expecting...

No, no-one’s pregnant. But it is Christmas and our Chloe is expecting something to go wrong. She’s just got that expression. Maybe Dad’s going to burn the turkey. Or Uncle Paul’s going to drop the camera. He has got a reindeer on his head after all. Her Mum’s keeping an eye on her to make sure that she’s happy. Perhaps she need that reassuring pat on the shoulder. The youngest one looks as rosy as ever. She’s just cheerful that everyone’s enjoying themselves and it’s been a great day but she would like to rest her eyes and have a bit of quiet at some point but she also doesn’t want to  miss out on any fun. Or maybe the room’s getting a little slidey. All those bottles are going to start sliding any minute. Hopefully the food on the countertop isn’t going to topple because someone’s took their eyes off of it.

Indian Odyssey #dreamdiary 210

I’m in an Indian city. There’s much to explore. We’ve just had our breakfast and we’re exploring an old library. There’s a vertical concrete cone that just goes down below, at the bottom is a giant ceramic vase. It looks as if it’s a set-up for a video game and that I should attempt to slide down the cone to see what’s inside. Adjacent to this is a staircase for an ancient library. Inside, we buy souvenir mugs which aren’t wrapped but placed into a plastic bag. We ascend the stairs to see a balcony of colour. It’s the rooftops of a modern marketplace, of which there are beautiful decorations adorned and painted with idols of the Hindu gods. I drop my carrier bag in amazement. I peer inside and one of the mugs is smashed into pieces. There’s not much I can do about that other than purchase another one on the way back. We spend the rest of the afternoon browsing souvenir shops and restaurant menus.

A Blurred Christmas

It’s our annual cheesy family Christmas photo where we squeeze everyone together to show off our family getting together on the big day on social media. It’s time to show how much Christmas tack we’re wearing and what we’ve been up to. My brother looks like he’s just got back from work and has donned a paper hat to go with his pint. It’s time to show how cold I’m feeling as I’m shaking the phone as I take the picture (though others will chalk it up to booze). There’s a fair few of us on it though. My mother and my sister-in-law looks as though they’ve been having a right old singsong as the empties get put out of the way on the top of the kitchen cupboards. And the girls are happy because everyone else is happy enjoying themselves. It also disguises the fact that no-one got upset because a magic show got heckled and hopefully it’s all forgotten about.

Floresta Apartments

A nice but busy place to stay, but at times it was a bit of a battery farm. Reception was clean but we could have been aided by a second receptionist to check us in. Our room was surprisingly spacious and comfortable, but it took us a while to open the prison-style steel door. We were lucky enough to have a sea view, but our ground floor patio didn’t seem to be fenced off. The wi-fi was also limited during busy periods. We had just enough time to take dinner on arrival where protective staff patrol the area and are more concerned with guarding tableware and cleaning rather than welcoming newcomers and explaining how everything works. It’s touch and go on how hot the food is depending on when they brought out the trough, but there’s a microwave at the end to reheat your mound if desired. There’s also restaurant theme nights with cuisine from aro7nd the world as well as regular staples to cater for everyone. The pool was beautiful but it’s a shame that people reserve their sunbeds before breakfast, and as we didn’t do this on the first day we missed out. The bar is small but service is quick and most of the cocktails are pre-prepared in large plastic bottles. The pool bar food, although limited, is cooked fresh to order. There’s a great variety of evening entertainment which we tried to keep our younger party members awake so that we could see it. And there’s also a daytime activity programme for both adults and kids, though the mini golf seems to be a rushed addition. We’d probably stay again for the peaceful convenient location and amenities but might go half board instead to enjoy more of the island.

Getting Shirty

Is this a Christmas shirt or can I get away with wearing it when it snows? I don’t wear it at any other time. I guess a Christmas shirt would have more Christmas things on it. It’s getting old now but it’s a pleasant smart change from having to wear a Christmas jumper when I’m out somewhere formal for the evening. It’s also comfortable to wear a t-shirt underneath without getting too hot and I can unbutton it if necessary. Maybe I should get a top hat, scarf and broom to go with it. I could even wear a carrot as a snack if it’s comfortable, or get a plastic one. It’ll be a bit odd if I put it on in the summer unless I’m in the southern hemisphere or somewhere where I’m expecting it to snow. It’s something for the kids really. It’s a wish that we all hope will come true on Christmas day.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

This was an interesting film, but I can’t help but think that it was based on  a book owing to a decision to Americanise the protagonist. It’s got a good gothic style, but a bit more thought is required for plot development. Each of the characters had a hidden past and it would have been interesting to learn a bit more about how Miss Peregrine came to be. There’s no shortage on special effects though, and there’s good involvement in the real world. The list of powers suddenly seems endless, and it’s a shame that Jake’s power is a bit dull and nothing else develops, though it probably explains how he’s kept in human society. It’s enjoyable, but it’s hard to keep track of what’s what. It’s a shame that more time wasn’t spent investigating the lops since these featured heavily in the conclusion, and that Jake’s father is suddenly abandoned and forgotten about.

Fill Your Pants

This is a simple game that adds a bit of chaos to the household. It helps if you know where everything is, and it certainly gives you a home advantage. The aim is to get as many objects down your pants as you can  find. To this end, you’re given a massive pair of comical pants. You’re then given an object to seek out via a cryptic clue relating to colour or material, and you have to stuff it in your pants before your opponent finds something similar. Once it’s in your pants, it’s not clear. Perhaps we’re doing it wrong. Maybe we should be given three cards to complete the task, but the opponent has to have the same three cards. Perhaps this is where the rest of the team comes in. Or maybe you should bounce around with your pants full for the rest of the game until they fall off. Kinky.

Have you been to Yorkshire?

A useful response would recommend places to go and explore, or at least look up. A less useful response would be to give a reply in an attempted accent that’s just insulting to the Yorkshire people. Or it could be honest and just say no, but it always was interested in going. I get two single sentences that I have no idea what was just said. It might be useful to Yorkshiremen but not to anyone else. Hopefully there’s a few more phrases that can be deciphered without the aid of Google (which defeats the purpose of an AI if you have to use another one to look it up), or a Yorkshireman, which I unwisely do not have on retainer. I got a positive answer the second time around, but I’m still not sure what the follow-up phrase was. In my final attempt I got three phrases. Well, actually, it was the first two phrases repeated (possibly) with a third added that I did understand.

Battle of the Waves

It’s frustrating how it works. Some devices adapt to it quicker than others and will still be connected. You never know if you’re online all of the time, or if it’s fed through in predicted spurts. You have to use and check different devices to determine if your device or the connection that’s experiencing difficulties. Maybe someone else is using your network which is slowing it down. There must be a way to view how many devices are connected and what they are. Then you have to wonder who else is watching you. And that’s when the paranoia begins. You might get emails which take intelligent guesses and try to extort you. And it’d be great to fight back, but most people don’t have the right tools or know what they’re doing. Will you expose more loopholes that they can hold you hostage to? You need a bit more kit, or alternatively some kit that you don’t mind getting compromised.

Maduro says he is "a decent man and is still President of my country".

I don’t know much about Venezuela and how it’s governed. I can only just about spell it. It’s on the other side of the world so it’s of little concern to me. It might seem kind of selfish but I can’t keep track of everything. I’ve got no idea of the history of the south-west. There might be military dictators but that could be prejudiced because of what I’ve watched in the media. I honestly don’t know if this president deserved to be expedited. I haven’t been given any background of what he’s supposedly done. Wrenching a leader away from his home turf kind of seems like a war crime. Will there be repercussions? Will his country prove their loyalty by appealing for protection, defence and aid until their leader is returned to them? Who will be next on his list and will the rest of the world just let him do what he wants?

Mad About the Wi-fi

It seems such a waste when you walk into a residential area and you get hit by at least five different wi-fi networks, very few of which you’re able to get onto. But everyone has a different package. One log-on code should get you onto the network no matter what; providing that you’re eligible and you have an account with a ridiculously long password that’s difficult to try to work out how to personalise, so you get this little slip of paper that you always have to hand out to your guests. Some operators let you use their network regardless of who owns it, unless the user has paid for tighter security. When you’re mobile, you have to rely on the same signal as everyone else, though you can’t always get a signal. Sometimes you have to register, and it’s easy to kick off and it’s also difficult for these servers to remember your devices.

Demping Around

She’s one of those people who you’ve heard of from somewhere but you’re not sure know how they know you or you them. She’s suddenly appeared on my phone. You probably wouldn’t recognise them if you saw them. You’ve clicked on them as a friend on social media. Occasionally something would pop up that was shared, liked or an event attended and tagged, but very few personal posts were posted. She’s a friend of a friend. She might have even been the partner of someone. I think she’s bit butch and muscular with grey whitish short hair. Tank tops and tattoos are pictured. It doesn’t sound great, but I’m not entirely sure if she’s with us anymore. I think we had a connection through beer but we didn’t really engage with each other. I got the impression that she liked to travel and had family commitments and didn’t want to get too involved in running things. 

Heading it Up

The idea seems cool but you need a lot of expensive kit to make it work, including a console  well as a TV and space to play. The console costs as much as the headset but it’s new technology so people have saved up or have sought out credit deals to get their hands on one. You do get a lot of cables to give you many charging options. Some people thought that you just needed the headset and tried to return it on that basis. There were also people who had headaches from using it and thought that that enough was a good excuse to qualify them for a refund. It looks like something that you’d use for curling. I wonder if anyone has ever tried that instead of trying to resell it. Other manufacturers have given up on this idea, although in the last few years someone’s developed one without the extra equipment.

Only in the darkness can you see the stars

-Martin Luther King Jr. 

There’s an exception to this rule. You can see one star in the daylight, unless it’s covered by cloud as it’s our sun. But then again, the quote is plural. And you might not be able to spot them in cloud at night either, but you can always see them on a screen, though some would see it as cheating as you’re not looking directly at them and you’re protected from the twinkle. It’s odd because you know that they’re there in the day, and you can even see the moon sometimes. In the future you might be able to wear special viewing glasses that filters out the daylight. But for now, you have to wait until nightfall to see the stars, and hope that it’s a clear night with no light pollution, road lights, air traffic or international space stations. And that your eyes are open, unless your head is spinning.

The Truth about Loss

There’s lots of different types of loss. The more significant it is, the harder it is to cope. It all depends on how much you rely upon the item or person that’s lost. And the effort required to replace it or them and if that’s possible. It might be a handy item or tool that you’ve misplaced in the house. You might not need it at this particular moment but you’d like to find it or know where it is for next time. In the meantime, you can put the task off completely, use a different tool or borrow or purchase another one. Then there’s important things like keys, phones and wallets. Again, there are ways around these and they can also be replaced but you really want to find them for your piece of mind. Panic can set in if you don’t know where they are as they could have been taken from you. And you’ll have to undertake a series of tasks to secure or replace them.

Sharp's Doom Bar at the Red Lion, Alvechurch

The lounge has a very traditional layout with wood-panelled walls while the dining room is very contemporary with lots of different tables and shelves designed to create a large open-plan room with sections. I was a bit disappointing to see just the one beer on offer on this visit, but these were different circumstances to usual. We were led to the lounge as we’d booked and the table were wide with banquette seating. We didn’t get a good look at the bar owing to the restrictions but I think it’s been given a better paint job compared to the pallet-coloured pine state that it used to be in. There was a pre-printed menu which seems to be personalised as to what was on offer at the time. The chef was named and the dishes listed felt like they were his creations. This could be a pub that’s easy to redecorate very quickly in stages.

Backend of a Heist #dreamdiary 209

I’m at a social club on a motorbike. I’ve had to buy tickets for my mother who wants to attend a charity quiz night. On the way home, I notice two teenagers on the dual carriageway who are also on motorbikes racing each other. I decide to catch up with them to see if I can beat them. There’s something happening as a lorry has pulled onto the hard shoulder and two cars are coming at me on the wrong side of the road. Once I’ve got around the hazards, I accelerate where the wind somehow catches up with me and lifts me up, and I manage to land in an adjacent field. My belongings are scattered about a bit, and I notice that the police have arrived to pick up bits of paper. Upon examining them, I realise that they’re £20 notes. I try and cram some into my wallet, then when I’m spotted gathering them up, I bring the ones that I’m holding in sight over to the police officer. 

A Warming Return

Here, we followed a footpath north-east alongside the river Arrow where it began to get a bit muddy. The path carried along the banks before reaching a mill pond. We continued until we reached the main road marked by a tile, then turned left. We continued along the road until we reached the roundabout, then took the first eft which took us straight back into the village. This wasn’t the most imaginative way to get back, but it was the driest. Fortunately, we had dry clothes back at the car. Heading south, we passed back underneath the motorway until we entered an area of modern built-up detached housing. Some of it was separated by hedgerows. We passed the school then arrived back outside the pub. We were shown inside to the lounge where two tables had been set aside for us to be socially distant while remaining in the same room.

Is life in the UK as bad as people are saying? I've heard of so much negativity about it, and I don't know why. Some people make it sound like hell and keep claiming that the UK has become just like a third-world country.

It depends upon who you talk to. Inflation is never-ending which makes it hard for independent businesses to thrive. We’re on an island which relies on a lot of imports including food because the global market is cheaper than the cost of creating our products. People who have seen all of these problems evolve over the years are naturally going to compare it to how things were. There’s a lot more people and there’s the same number of resources. Too many different people are trying to make changes and it’s not working out. There’s a lot of people struggling to cope with rates rising. But it’s not exactly a war-torn country. Some people are still able to do very well out of it. People can get stuff paid by the taxpayer, especially if they’ve made it across by boat and have a family. But there’s still some beautiful and unique places to see.

Ambling Around Alvechurch

This was a short winter walk that we did to attempt to battle the elements. We went for a Christmas meal afterwards, but got a bit muddy in the process. We parked not at the pub itself, but at the back of the pub at the end of the lane since it’s the village’s own free public car park. Heading east, we followed the footpath through the fenced thicket which brought us out onto the pub’s car park. We crossed the main road and headed north-east down a narrow lane past a series of terraced cottages. At the end of the lane was a small, gated car park with some playing fields. We followed the path around the field to the northern corner where it trailed east to meet with a road. Here, we turned left and followed the road to the next corner and continued north onto a footpath via a stile on the right-hand side of a cottage.

Next Year Fail @jdvance

Is this guy serious or is this guy just going along for the comical journey and filling in the important bits that his boss leaves behind? Is he supporting a project or leading it? It’s not clear when he’s lounging around on a sofa talking to a radio host. Does his boss know what he’s getting up to? Or is he subtly waiting for him to make a mistake so that he can step in? It seems like that he’s the man in charge of making it happen. The trouble is that the video is heavily edited so that you can’t get the full context. It’s as if he’s being made to look like an indecisive slacker. But he recognises the lack of power in people’s lives and wants to do something about it. But you’ve got to take the power away from someone else who’s not going to like it.

Gotcha

 In a time where nothing is certain, it feels great to obtain something that’s so high in demand. This was the latest games console that everyone was trying to get their hands on for Christmas. My cousin who’s a nurse was trying to get one for her son, and I was drafted in so see if I could help out. I had to keep an eye on the stock that we could order in as well as when reserved ones expired. I was lucky enough that one did. I had to check with my manager to ensure that I wasn’t exploiting my position, and she had to check the order history. But it was a genuine cancellation so I was able to make the purchase. I sent a teaser picture to my uncle, who sent my cousin to my doorstep to collect it and gave me a small gift as a token of her appreciation.

Costa Luz

This seemed to be a restaurant of convenience rather than a specialised cuisine. It was on the rooftop of a block of bars and we were recommended to go there to keep things neighbourly, though many of the locals came from there for takeaway pizzas so that’s probably what we should have stuck to. We were slightly disappointed as we were hoping for something a bit more authentic since it was our first venture out of the all-inclusive hotel. Our paellas were well presented in skillets but looked a bit dry and didn’t seem to have any vegetable stock included. We also ordered a burger which came as a huge tower of food but looked slightly overdone. The garlic prawns were delicious but could have been bigger. The pizzas were nice and fresh which was the best part of the meal. We weren’t presented with a dessert menu; instead we got complimentary shots with lollies for the children (I’m guessing they wanted to call time on a late Thursday night).

Masked Santa

I bought this as part of a bundle for my family to remind people that it’s still a certain season however things get. I was a bit worried that they wouldn’t arrive in time, and the seller was concerned too. At least when they did arrive, they were of high-quality material, though I never got any feedback from the fam. Perhaps they weren’t medical grade enough. But they were stretchy and elasticated enough and I don’t know how they worked when it came to washing them. If I had a cold, I wouldn’t spread it, but I would certainly need changing. But it was making an effort to obtain what wasn’t available in stores, and I was disappointed that no-one asked where I got them from. There were different designs for both men and women. I think one of them was a white snowflake design on a red background. Another was plain black with a graphic picture of Santa.

Under Pressure #nuclearmermaid 25

It would only take a few swipes to release some more of this red fluid. It felt warm, rich, and fruity, and she sucked it dry. Then the arm turned soft and white ad it was soft enough to sink her teeth into. There was a bit of a hard bit in the middle though. She sated herself until the whole room was dry. Then she felt the swelling as her skin started to expand and she became heavier. The shiny platform that she was balancing started to tilt, so she decided to slide off it. She managed to push it to the side of the room simply by exerting force through her scales. There was a loud screech as the metal began to bend and slide across the floor. Cracks began appearing on the other side of the wall as her bodyweight was leaning upon it. Suddenly, the wall caved in and she fell through it.

The People you'll meet

You never know what kind of people you’ll meet when you’re out on a walk. Some you just want to acknowledge with a friendly hello as you pass. They might give advice of the route in the direction that you’re going, like if there’s any troublesome livestock in the next field or the amount of mud that’s coming up. Others might want to chat and be glad of a rest. But sometimes you have to drop the hint to keep moving. You might have to get back to beat the time you’ve put in at the car park. You might have to be back at the pub for your booked reservation before they close for lunch. Or you might just be standing around in the cold and you need to keep warm. But keep talking, and one of you might end up looking like this, chilling on a boat while needing the odd push around.

Hallow Road

This was a short and suspenseful piece of drama that didn’t require much in its execution. The terror all came from what you heard rather than what you could see. There was a bit of backstory that was revealed perfectly, and it even had an element of unrealism stemming from the unknown. You could sense the suspense and tension in the actors and there were just enough developments to keep things interested. There’s a touch of folklore and something of evil lurking within a plotline that you’d expect in a soap to keep it away from that genre. They don’t call it Hallows Road for nothing. The characters were young enough to keep people interested but old enough to have the experience. How far would you go to protect your child? It also allows you to draw your own conclusions, though you have to wonder if there could be a sequel which would be even more thrilling.

Dem Bones

We should have carried straight on the road back to the main road, but I wanted to explore and make the walk longer. There wasn’t much of significance, but I was in area that I hadn’t explored before. So we turned round and took the next right at the farm, which saw us walk down a stone track. We then turned right onto a footpath and headed west until we reached a treeline alongside the King’s Norton Rugby Club. There was a bit of activity here and I wondered if we were going to get moaned at for trespassing as we were very close to the pitch but I was sure that we were on a footpath and it turned out that the caretaker just wanted to come over for a chat. At the south-west corner, we headed south through a line of trees which brought us to the motorway services station. We decided this wasn’t the best route back, so we headed backed to the club.

Will You Marry Me?

Will wedding bells ring? Will she detect any passion in my voice? Is the answer honest? Is the answer based on my relationship with her? I’ve asked her to shut up a few times when she goes on so she may not like me. She might change her mind every time I ask. Maybe she’ll send me a link to look at wedding rings. Should I get down on one knee when I pop the question? She’s got no eyes though. Rather than a one-line answer, a series of questions are put to me to assess how well I know it. I’m asked to answer one or two questions but I’m actually asked three. I manage to achieve two out of three, but she didn’t accept my proposal. However, I have got the option of asking again. I’m even asked if I’ve enjoyed these questions, and I’m thanked for playing. I’m asked about animals and pizza preferences. On my second go, I get all three questions right (two were repeated), but she still didn’t accept my proposal. It’s probably because of how I treat her.

From Bone Damage to Solar Radiation -inside the lab trying to protect the astronauts of the future

I understand what solar radiation is but I’m not sure how it has bones. Perhaps the presence of the astronauts affects it. I shouldn’t think this is a major problem as there’s not that many astronauts. However, the last thing we want is to poke more damage into the greenhouse effect. If we could reduce solar radiation through bone dame, it’s probably one of the first things that we should do. But the article focuses on how to survive space. It’s a bit ambitious as most of us won’t get there in our lifetime, but there’s a few spoilers of what mankind’s plans are that way. But I suppose it’s good to be prepared. It’s difficult to determine when you’re going to be free of the laws of gravity. Exercise is very important, and you’ve also got to watch out for natural light s it’s not filtered by the ozone. I wonder what factor you’d need. But if the whole process is so dangerous, why go there in the first place?

Golden Bridge

We started this walk to complete the last section of the canal that we hadn’t completed between Birmingham and Hopwood. Our plan was to park at the pub, but because of it being shut the car park was locked up so we parked on the small road on the other side. From here, we followed the towpath east until it bent to the north. Along the way, we passed under a bridge where the sunlight and leaves touched the embankment just enough to look like everything was golden. A few miles later, the canal gets swallowed up into the tunnel towards Birmingham. Climbing the embankment, we turned left and walked uphill heading north along a road until we found a footpath on the righthand side. Crossing the stile, we headed south down a steep hill with beautiful views of the shire. At the bottom, we returned to  a road and turned left.

Back to the Backpack #dreamdiary 208

I’m passing through some woods with a backpack. A lot of schoolchildren like to camp here with their friends and it’s my job to make sure that they’re OK. I call into a small tent with interconnecting entrance tunnels and a living quarters in the centre. A young girl is in the centre setting up her sleeping quarters. I ask if she’s OK as I crawl through. She just stares at me. I presume there’s another child in the wood gathering fuel and water. I wonder what’s going through her mind, ‘Who is this person and what right does he have to climb through the tent?’ I scramble out and head to the outside of the woods where my bike awaits. I decide to cycle uphill to the next town, which takes me through a set of roadworks. I overtake queuing traffic on the hill, aware, that they’ll have to overtake me at the red light. I reach the lights and I realise that I’m blocking the driver’s view of the lights so I edge forward past them. Then, when they do turn green, I struggle to pull off up the hill. Once I’ve exited the roadworks, I realise that I’ve left my backpack at the edge of the woods where I collected my bike.

Grass v Concrete

It’s a British version of Central Park, only it’s before the buildings surrounded the trees. Here they are lining up to do battle against the city. Some of the buildings even have heads, or they just could be giant cameras. They’ve just marched down the hill, and it’s taken all this time to line up in formation against the buildings. But there’s already some infiltrators on the left. Though they’re not a tall as their generals, they’ve managed to insert themselves amongst the enemy. They might have even fenced them in with a crude piece of rope so that there’s no turning back. They’ve even drawn lines in the sky. We’ve got no idea what those are connected to. On the left, you can see that there’s a bit of land left to conquer. Perhaps this is where nature will be rallying on rock formations that the builders cannot reach or cut through the trees.

Mopsy

At first glance, she doesn’t give the best of impressions. She’s got grey hair that sticks out like a mop and it hasn’t been combed in a long while. At the same time, she’s got the ace of a ditzy blonde that doesn’t take in her surroundings properly. And the dress sense doesn’t help. She’s always wearing thick coats, even in the summer. But when she speaks, it’s quite confident and she’s not afraid to make sure that she’s heard and make suggestions. Sometimes she doesn’t realise what we can and can’t do, but she’s participating and making an attempt, even if it’s easy to shoot down or she doesn’t realise the work that’s required with the request. She’s got a phone but sometimes needs help with the technology. I’m quite baffled with how she got engaged and wonder if anything’s going to happen in the near future, especially when I witness the odd argument.

Elf in a Bag

I filmed this for my friend who is absolutely mad about this film. I was wondering if I was going to get a message back to save it for her. I’m not sure if I even got a thumbs up. I don’t know why I couldn’t get the sound and the audio in the same frame. I suppose I needed both hands to hold the toy and pull the cord. The sound quality is actually quite good and it’s a shame that I only recorded the one phrase. Perhaps the hands are in the wrong place. They do look a bit constipated. I wonder if the arms are posable. You don’t get the full effect while it’s wrapped in plastic, but for some reason the packers have opted to put small punch holes in it. Is it to convince kids that it needs to breathe? I haven’t seen them on the shelves lately.

" A strong, positive self-image is the best possible preparation for success"

-Joyce Brothers

If you take the time to look the part, people will do their best to help you. It’s a projection of confidence and people will be able to trust you. Even if you haven’t prepared a speech, people will be willing to listen if you have a good excuse and they’ll help you out if they’re not eying up the competition or are open to a little negotiation. You may not have to show muscles, but you do need to portray strength, confidence, and the willingness to get things done, and you need to form a bond. Even if you’re late, you might be able to get away with it by a little smile to show that you genuinely respect them. If you don’t prepare, and you believe that you can’t do it, then people may not even want to take a look at you, and they’ll want to form a relationship with someone else instead.

Little Tits

We’re back for a wander around Earlswood. It’s a winter’s day and there’s a lot of frost but we’ve come to attempt to walk around the lake. We’ve found a nice car park that’s free that has a small footpath directly to the lake via a small footpath through some woodland. Once we’re lakeside, there’s a stream of water emptying out into the lake. Turning right, we follow the path alongside the lake until we pass through some woodland. In this section, the ground is quite dry and there’s plenty of bird and bat boxes mounted upon the trees. It’s a great spot to see wildlife in action. As we approach the boatyard, it gets muddier. We try  to swap tip with fellow walkers upon their approach about what the route is like ahead. But in the end, the only way forward is to put your feet in front of you and go for a good squelching.

The Truth about Competition

It can be healthy for you. It will encourage you to do more, not just for profit, but to improve your practices. It can also encourage you to work hard for those extra sales. But in some instances you can be forced to work too hard and if you haven't got everything in place then it can have a detrimental effect, especially if you're struggling. It also depends if there's a team involved and whether everyone wants to share your goal of being top dog. So you have to watch what everyone is doing and react accordingly so that there's an opportunity to overtake your competitors if you can afford it. If you're leading the way, you'll naturally be the first choice, but you have to bear in mind that sometimes people will want to give your competitors a go, especially if there's a promotion on. There's a lot of work involved to keep your top spot.

A Walk Around the Windmill

I’m back for another wonder around the windmill. We’re roughly doing the same walk but with less pubs. We’ve crossed over the railway and we’re just about to get to the canal when someone trips over a root. Panic sets in as we’re quite away from an urban area, though we’re not far from a line of cottages. It’s not going to be easy to get an ambulance here. I’d have to leave her to get the car or maybe find a stranger to help. I might even have to get the air ambulance, though it would need someone to land. Luckily, I manage to help her onto her feet and she’s able to stand. After a little rest, she’s able to walk quite normally and we’re able to finish the route as planned without even mentioning it. But for a moment, we were down. Then we got back up again and got on with it.

I fired an employee for eating a hamburger during his lunch break. Was I within my rights?

There’s lots of questions at stake here which requires context. If you work with hamburgers, it can be seen as theft. If your firm doesn’t have anything to do with hamburgers, there may be a bit of a problem. You can’t tell people what they can’t eat, and employees are legally able to do what they like on their time off including rest breaks on site. You might not like it and it might be contrary to your beliefs but your employee has the right to be free too. You need to provide a space for them to do this so that it doesn’t interfere with your other activities, or have a policy for them when they leave site so that it doesn’t affect your business. But if they’ve eaten somewhere in an area that they’re not supposed to like a preparation room then that does give you grounds for dismissal no matter what time of day it is.

The Future of Pints?

This isn’t liquid inside a plastic bag sent as emergency alcohol. They’re actually paper wipes. I know that there’s some high alcohol content in these disposable sanitising wipes, but I never would have thought that they’d attempt a beer-flavoured one! You can smell the alcohol but you probably wouldn’t want to taste it. Perhaps it’s designed as a new dispense method that you would inhale or maybe even tear up and chew. You might even be able to absorb it through the skin. I wonder if they’re partial to making it as a stout? But its immense ABV would actually reclassify it as a barley wine or old ale. But unfortunately it’s some sort of chemical compound which takes all the fun out of things. Still, it might be a cheaper relief for those addicted to alcohol. It might warn them off the stuff, especially with how it’s administrated. Unless they’re going to absorb it into their skin…