By George

He’s tall and thin, and has a smile on his face. He knows how to greet people. He has thin wispy hair and a classic handlebar moustache alongside a large nose and stick-out ears. He has a small build with a bit of a bulge on his belly. He always aims to dress smart with the simplest of clothes, even when at home. He’ll always wear some kind of shirt; either a formal one or a polo shirt. He’ll take care in his appearance to  be well-groomed with the shiniest of shoes or the whitest of trainers. He listens very intently to people’s answers, and isn’t afraid to ask questions, although he does do it to insist that he does not mean to offend. He’s actually very intelligent, although he doesn’t like to show it, especially with a deep, loud and slow black country accent. He’s rather surprise people with what he can do.

Screening out for Change

It’s that time of day to log on and chat nonsense. We can talk about our worries or just muck about with what’s in front of us. Not much may have happened but we want to analyse everyone’s movements. It’s also good to hear that everyone is doing OK, and to see about getting people help and advice if they need it. But there’s not much that we can do if we don’t know about it. We also make plans based on the assumption that nothing is going to change in the near future. It’s odd that some of us have decided to use a company’s logo as an avatar when we’re not representing that company. I don’t think that the company would be very impressed. But we didn’t get too many invites to other people’s parties which probably said a lot about ourselves. We should really take the time for some self-improvement.

Change the Rules

-The Doctor,

Sometimes things just don’t work out. You’ve found a clause that others can take advantage to get their way and you’re not sure how things should work out. Someone is taking advantage and it doesn’t seem fair. If you want to stop that from happening again, something needs to change. If you just go and break them, you could get into trouble, even though the person in front of you may have gotten away with it. Sometimes it’s easier said than done and you’re going to need others to help you. That means making sure that they see things the same way that you do. You’ve also got to make sure that they’re going to be applied to everyone. Leaders pay attention to the most voices. Or, failing that, become one. And once you’ve got the policy set up, you’ve got to watch people who will try to overturn your decision.

NHS No

What would we do without the humble post-it note? It’s the gateway of computer passwords and there are probably millions of them stuck to screens and monitors. This one is to make a record of who I am which I probably won’t need when I get there. They’re more interested in my address and my date of birth rather than my number; so that they can direct someone to my house as soon as possible. It’s not a place that I visit regularly, and hopefully I won’t be doing the same in the future. It’s a makeshift place at the end of an industrial estate and there’s lots of parking and people on hand to direct me. I have to wait in a long line outside, but it’s only long because we all have to keep our distance. Inside, we all loop round to a person with a clipboard until we’re allocated a cubicle.

Crack on a Crack #devilsdaughter 28

Dust drifted down from the rafters. Realising how fragile the building was, she realised that she had a good chance of knocking the wall down. She didn’t want to touch the window, but if she placed all of her weight on the wall in one go, it had a chance of falling apart. The safest way was putting her crack on the crack that she had already made. She could feel it widen as she leant on it already. She thought about taking a run at it but remembered how the building shook earlier. She could feel cool air blow through the wall. She smiled and began to jiggle. Floorboards creaked underneath her. Debris began to fall and bounce off her giant derriere. She could feel the wind on her red hair. Then she stepped through like passing through a mirror into  the world beyond. She wasn’t sure what was behind her.

Bird Trap

I’ve found a forest friend in the most unlikely of places. Although there’s a giant wood nearby, there’s also rows of houses alongside a fast main road which is where I found him. Maybe he’s been raiding back gardens for food and now he’s pulling up worms from nearby grassy patches. The nice gap of brown soil is a good spot  to watch worms surface. The centre left gap might even be the entrance to a burrow. What’s on the left of that isn’t clear. It could be a rock, a bit of paper, or some tissue. The robin himself could have ventured out of one of these holes. It’s nearly like a magic eye. He’s lower to the ground than me so it’s probably easier for him to see them. He probably has much better eyesight than me too. But the ground could gobble up anything that puts pressure onto it.

If I buy an entire row of seats on a long flight so no one is next to me, can the airline sell one of my empty seats to someone or will they respect the fact that the empty seats are mine to do as I please with?

It’s weird that communications doesn’t work both ways, but unfortunately, people have to be checked in. Once the airline realises that those seats aren’t going to be filled; they’ll try to sell them to someone else; providing that there’s no-one waiting on stand-by. If you check in at the desk, someone may ask where the rest of your party is. You’ve got to make an arrangement with the airline first if you need more room. It’s difficult because they want to out everyone into the same bubble which makes things easier for them to deal with. But companies are different. You need to check the booking terms and conditions when you book. And if there’s a good deal, they need to put procedures into  place so that their competitors don’t buy these seats which would force customers to seek out more expensive flights. Know your rights before you go. It’s difficult to look them up once you’ve boarded!

Who would live in a house like this? #sambourne 14

It’s got to be an old couple. Either that or it’s rented out. They know what they’re doing. The Cotswold stones are there to protect the grass and prevent people from  parking and driving over their lawn. I wonder if they have to repaint the walls every year to keep them that pristine white. Maybe they get away with jet washing them every couple of months or pay someone to do it for them. It all adds to  the cost of village living. It’s quite cute, but the whole building does seem to lean on its chimney. You’d half expect it t be moving up and down like it was breathing in a cartoon. It could almost be inflatable, pinned down with telegraph wires and pitched anywhere the hosts fancy. The grass always looks greener on the other side. The fence looks a bit exposed though. Maybe it’s a pallet placed vertically to form a gate.

A Three Pack

These ice blocks came quickly; but we did have a less practical back-up option ordered to collect at a store just in case. They were light and chunky and easy to fit into the freezer and didn’t take up much room in the cool bag either, but did the job to keep the bag cool throughout the day. The brand name also gives a bit of reassurance that the product is going to do what it says on the tin. It’s a shame that they didn’t come in a choice of colours, but I suppose blue is the most practical and they do stand out when you’re looking for them. The non-toxic element is also reassuring. No-one wants to get sick after consuming a beverage. It’s a shame that you have to keep them on a flat surface when freezing. You may have to reorganise your whole freezer drawer to fit them in.

Glasshouse Tap is 5

I’ve never actually managed to visit. I’ve come close, but they weren’t open at the time. It wasn’t doing very well and they were struggling to keep the place open. I haven’t even seen anywhere that sells its beers or met anyone that’s tried them. The website is just a mixture of cans and t-shirts to choose from, and there’s no information about its history or how the name was chosen at all, even if you pry away at a side menu. I’ve been told that it’s easily accessible from the canal. It’s proving very difficult to find a picture. I’m guessing that tables are laid out like a Bavarian beer hall. It’s probably not somewhere that you’d choose to sit inside in warm weather. Still, it’s another one to attempt to tick off the bucket list; that’s assuming if it makes it to another year. Better try to get there sooner rather than later.

Abandon Pub #sambourne 13

I’m not a big fan of this pub. It’s very picturesque but the couple in charge are a bit backwards. It’s run by a grumpy old bat and her grown-up son who runs the kitchen and tends to the bar on quiet evenings. We’d booked a room a few months in advance for a group meeting. And because it was a picturesque pub; we’d put it on the front cover of our seasonal magazine. I called ahead a few weeks in advance to remind them that we were coming. Then on the evening, the staff totally blanked us. They hadn’t got our room ready and only had one beer on which wasn’t in the best condition and soon ran out. At the break, I was considering abandoning the meeting to go to another venue; but they did add another beer. At the end of the meeting, they confessed to me that they’d forgotten that we were coming. I haven’t been back since.

Speak like Shakespeare

Am I to be bombarded with quotes from the bard? Will there be excerpts from his plays? Or is this an excuse to use ‘oldspeak’ and put ye in front of every word? She might not be able to do it successfully and give up in a tongue-twisted stupor. Or I might get an everyday conversation. I get a speech that I can’t understand, but that’s quite usual. The second attempt is different, and I begin to understand the first half but it becomes too long for my brain to process what it means. A third attempt is also unique and short, and I understood the first bit but not the second. Some of it doesn’t make sense; like cowards die many times but the valiant only die once. At the end of the day, it just a collection of quotes that it’s read out. It’s not like you can have a conversation.

When Trees Attack #sambourne 12

It looks like something’s getting ready to charge. They’re even pointing. The one on the right might be holding the branch like a cane. It might be the commander while all the left ones are lining up like obedient troops. There’s even a butterfly in the top left to act as a scout. Are the nearest ones having a duel about having to attack, or are they exchanging strategies? The door actually looks like quite a weak point. After all, it’s made as the same materials as themselves. The bushes have already been sent in. They’re blocking the windows and making sure that there’s no escape. And some more reinforcements have been sent in on the right behind them while some of the older troops have been sent to approach from the rear. And now they’re ready to begin their assault. Will they open fire or drop the command to charge?

Spider-Man: Homecoming

It was strange to see a film without an origin story; though it blended in nicely with the rest of the franchise and people were already familiar with the character. The idea of having another superhero as a mentor is also quite unique for this franchise and works well with the age of the characters. The relationship between Ned and Peter is also good fun; though the rest of the class is a little too close. There’s a bit of bullying but it’s mental rather than physical. At least Parker tries to do the right thing. This actor has the right level of immaturity which makes his decisions fun to watch. I like the irony that Happy is not happy to help Parker out and does so only under Stark’s direction. It was a shame that the final battle didn’t take place at school; but I suppose it makes sense when you put it into context with the other films.

Exquisite Gardening #sambourne 11

Someone has some serious skills here with a hedge trimmer. It must really irritate them when there’s a twig or leaf poking up out of place or not in line. Even  the tree is carefully pruned. It looks like it’s got eyes. I wonder if it nibbles a bit of hedge each time the wind blows and bends it over. I wouldn’t know how it reaches the bushes on the far side though. Perhaps the leafless tree does that. They do look a little more rugged. Perhaps there’s lasers at night that trims off any excess growth. The sensors could be installed on the drainpipes. Or maybe there’s a template for every shape that’s kept in the gardener’s shed. It might even be a school for trainee gardeners and the mistakes are kept around the back. I bet that little blackboard reads “Keep off the grass”. But it does look more than four words. Maybe it states the punishment as well.

On the Run #dreamdiary 224

I’m wandering around holding a knife. It’s a clean blade but it’s in full view. I’m wearing shorts so I haven’t really got anywhere to stash it. I’m trying to discreetly get rid of it but there’s people everywhere I go. There’s red, green and yellow bins everywhere but they’re all completely full. I’m approaching a multi-storey car park and there’s people standing in front of the doors. It’s too crowded to run without injuring anybody. All I have to do is raise my arm and they quickly part to let me through. I wonder if I’m being tracked on camera. All I want to do is get back on the train to rejoin my family. My head seems to be getting cold. The next thing I know, I’m completely bald and I’m holding a whole head of hair in one hand. Have I managed to butcher myself and cut it all off?

Raising the Bridge #sambourne 10

Continuing north, we crossed two very large fields until we reached the hedgerows and crossed a stile to turn left. Heading west, we followed this footpath until it brought us into contact with a house. At this first boundary, we turned left and headed south directly across the field. Turning right, we entered the wood and headed north-west which allowed us to cross the brook and bring us out onto a field on the other side. Heading south-west, we walked directly across the field past the tree in the middle of it to reach the other side. We followed the hedgerow north until we passed the border of an outhouse, then took the stile left over the hedgerow into a plain grassed field. Heading south-west, we cut across this field and passed through another to reach our last stile which brough us out to the driveway of our starting point. 

Another major football body questions Infantino's leadership as pressure grows on FIFA boss

The man’s done something wrong. It’s offended a lot of people. It’s hard to be so neutral about the position when you look at ticket prices charged for the previous world cup. And it’s hard to see what else they do. It’s not as if they’re touring the world to play football in villages leaving merchandise behind and encouraging them to buy tickets for the next match. I could understand it if they would use the money to lower ticket prices but they haven’t stated openly what they would do with this extra investment apart from give it to the teams who take part. Instead, they just want to sell off their matches to companies who would charge people to view them. It could be a good deal for venues who could take out subscriptions just to show them to bring more people in; but that’s only if they’re not reaching capacity already.

Approaching the Green# sambourne 9

Continuing north, we followed the footpath through a field, keeping the river Arrow on our left. Crossing a stile, we continued through a wood to another stile which led to a trail with a wood on either side. We continued north until we passed three more stiles to reach a building on our right. Here, we walked halfway alongside the property until the footpath presented a left turn and faced a footbridge heading south. This took us across the river then we bore south-west through the wood until the path turned directly east. We stayed true to the arrow which brought us up to a small hill alongside a house, and at the end of the wall was a kissing gate which brought us onto the main road. Turning right, we crossed the road then continued east through the gap in the hedge. We followed the hedgerow directly east until it reached a wood, then turned right and headed north.

Grocery Store

I spend a lot of time in grocery stores. You don’t tend to notice many conversations between people as they go about in their groups. They spend more time focusing on what’s in front of them; what’s on offer and what’s the most efficient purchase for them. Occasionally, they’ll remind each other of events coming up and whether or not they should purchase that particular item. Mothers might get stressed trying to keep their children in check. Others may make remarks about their fellow shoppers; their attitude and their attire. You might see some groups interact with each other if they bump into another party that they recognise; especially if they haven’t seen each other in a while, but even then it’s for a short period as they recognise that they want to finish the task at hand. You’ll see squabble and hesitations over the most minutest of decisions. After all, you’re not going to be able to return most of this stuff.

Around the back #sambourne 8

Heading east, we crossed the ford via the footbridge, then as it met the road we turned left to head north and follow the footpath on the other side. This footpath followed a wood on our left and over a stile into a field beyond. On our left was the back of the manor. There was a stile to access it via a footbridge, but this would put us back onto the property. I’m sure that’s someone walking the grounds like a tourist, but the property should have been closed. Maybe it was a ghost. It might have been a statue and it does look like it’s on a pedestal, but surely if it was it would be positioned directly in front of the entrance. Maybe it’s a dummy to deter passers by. It’s placed at just the right distance that you can’t make out if it’s real or not. It might even be a wooden mop with clothes on.

Revenge of the Postie

He’s a jolly old fellow. He’s got black hair that’s tall enough to  be a mop, and it turns to a grey whisp towards his sideburns. There’s big chubby cheeks which surround a large, classic moustache below wide glasses and a beard to match. He always wears shorts, even in the winter, on top of big thick socks and boots. He’s a big man with a big belly and makes the vehicle shakes when he climbs in. He’s happy to help shift big items to prove that he’s still got the stamina, but when it comes to paperwork, it’s not his strong point. He can be a bit late and lazy at times, and his personal hygiene isn’t the best but he does own up to his mistakes and admits his ignorance. He likes to drive at speed and get the job done quickly, but sometimes his eagerness makes him leave things behind.

The Crossing #sambourne 7

So here’s someone giving it a go, creating waves and making their mark on the local land. It’s a proper car prepared for the elements so it should make it. But the entertainment comes if it does get stuck. Will the driver risk getting out, or will they appeal to local witnesses to help come and push? I wonder if it set off only after watching the car in front. It’s worth wondering if this route is worth it or is there a safer one available. There’s even something on the green on the left which could be a tombstone or tribute to those who didn’t make it. Some wouldn’t attempt it and turn back. But it’s a dream come true for local mechanics who come to the rescue. That van could be one ready and waiting, or it could have been abandoned. It’s a shame that the bollard’s in the way, otherwise I could go online and check.

"Your smile will give a positive countenance that will make people feel comfortable around you."

-Les Brown.

Even if you don’t want to smile and end up putting on a fake grin like a maniac, people will be more willing to approach you. They’ll be inclined to smile back and trust you, and you’ll feel that things will go easier as well. It’s infectious, and it’s an essential skill of customer service. You have to do it even if you feel like something’s going to be long and complicated and they’re going to straight up miserable at you. You might be able to reverse their thinking by giving them a positive experience, so long as you can react with sympathy to any bad news that they care to impart. Be careful if you’ve got bad breath or wonky teeth though, unless you want to scare them away. Sometimes it’s the eye contact that has it. And sometimes you just want them to leave you alone and approach someone else.

The Search #vampress 27

These people would still need to be the crème of the crop to represent her. They may be more difficult to control, but would show how much power she would yield. She would have to attract them with money at first to encourage them to leave their home. Perhaps she could invent a situation to encourage a junior eager to make his mark upon the world to come and visit. Someone who could get her affairs in order in the legal way, making sure that her property was protected and within the confines of the law. She cast her mind for a soul who would be winning to undertake such a journey. And so, on a windy evening, she looked for a newspaper page that had been battered and blown across the land. She wasn’t necessarily looking at the words themselves; it would be the way that they displayed their words upon the page of the advertisement.

The Big Dip #sambourne 6

Heading east, we walked directly through the woods until the trail met up with a track. Turning right, we headed south until the track met up with the road by the ford. It’d be interesting to  see how deep this ford is in times of drought. There’s a footbridge to get pedestrians across, but for traffic you’ve got to take the risk and plunge through. Fortunately, you can see the bottom  today, so if you take it nice and slow, it won’t be a problem. Just keep your vehicle slow and steady so that water won’t come up through the engine and flood it. What you have to watch out for are the idiots who decide to rev their engines and floor their vehicle through, creating a huge splash as they enter the water. This makes it easier for water to enter the bonnet and create all sorts of problems for the engine.

Why should you put a bottle in a parked car tyre when travelling alone?

I’ve got no idea. Are we looking at plastic bottles, or glass bottles for defence? If it falls out, it could be considered littering as it rolls across the floor. It seems very strange and I can’t see what this achieves. Are you supposed to hear the bottle if the car approaches you if you’re on foot? Perhaps you’re supposed to leave money in it in the hope that the person who finds it is a shaman and will bless your journey. Or maybe the person who finds it will offer to accompany you on your journey so that you’re not travelling alone any more. It’s a very odd practice. Maybe the interviewer hasn’t thought the question  through properly. Perhaps you’re trying to confuse a thief as he’ll see that someone else is already trying the same scam that he is to lure you out of your car and it’s therefore being watched.

The Approach #sambourne 5

It’s a proper yellow brick road entrance. It’s as if we’ve come to the wizard’s home after a long journey. The bricks near the entrance. They seem distorted images that are about to fade in and out of a computer picture, leading to a true entrance. It might even slide away to reveal a garage or a passageway underground. After all, this was where the gunpowder plot was conceived. Even today, this still could be a communication monitoring station and headquarters. The flagpole could double as an aerial. It’s a building that could be easy to reinforce without being too suspicious. It’s in the countryside with flat open fields so it’s not a problem by air. There’s road and horse access through the countryside, and you can escape on foot through the fields if you need to. And there’s even a river that you can flood to prevent escape or create a distraction for another getaway.

We think about...picnics!

It’s not something you’d think that a video game company would typically think about. Spending time outdoors with other people away from computer games and screens is a distraction and totally discourages sales. Unless, of course, it’s a pitch to sell one of their mobile gaming units or encourage you to play a game on your phone. Or maybe the bright light will make them cower in fear and look forward to returning home to purchase more games. It’s hard to see a screen in broad daylight. The mind can’t focus on purchasing new games when you’re playing new games. Or maybe they’re not addicted and they’re happy that at work outside while you remain indoors enslaved to their products. They could be enslaved themselves. They’d love to go on a picnic; but they’re too busy creating more products for you to buy. Maybe they just want a lunch break.

Who lives in a house like this? #sambourne 4

The gardener’s come outside for a cheeky pose for her friends. She’s not doing a very good job though. She might be happy with the size, but I’m not happy with the sight. Some of the windows might have holes that need fixing. The grass is all scorched to match the stone. She’s certainly let it go. Maybe she’s leaving l=it like this for the new owners to take care of, or she’s quitting her job today. Her jacket nearly matches the grass. If she lay down facing the camera, there’s a chance that her torso could be disguised, and all she’d need to do is find a long patch to hide the jeans. Perhaps there’s an army hiding behind the bushes with rifles, or even on the ground covered in grass. The sergeant’s in the trees with a periscope spying on us both. We’re probably going to get shot just for being on the lawn.

Robin Wall Art

It’s a nice size that draws a crowd. It’s got a little button that looks like it’s dressed up for a formal event in a waistcoat. It’s a nice thin aluminium that hasn’t split, despite falling off its hook a few times. And being as it’s now over six years  old, the colour’s faded a little but it’s endured a lot of weather. The green might not match the surrounding real green, but the brown is beginning to match the fence paint. The yellow has faded to silver, but it still looks good, undamaged and chipped, and you can still tell what it is. The paint might have faded completely in another six, but the metal will still be there. And I might get creative then and do my own paint job or try to restore it. Or I’ll probably just try and buy another one if the manufacturer’s still trading.

Adaptive Camouflage #sambourne 3

Continuing east, we cross a stile to reach a small road. We turned right and found our next stile on our immediate left to continue east. This put us on a dusty track that passed a large farming structure on our right. The track slowly bore south-east and crossed a ditch before running alongside a brook. The brook carried on underneath the road, and we passed through two gates to join it. Crossing the road, we turned right and continued south passing the driveway on our left alongside a rail next to an open field. Passing a cluster of oak trees, we continued south to a second cluster and passed through a kissing gate on our right. This brought us out to an outside view of this stately home where the gunpowder plot was planned. It’s been one of those dry summers where the colour of the grass matches the building.

Good Morning

It might not be a good one, but with a little knowledge, you can hold onto it for the day and make it a talking point or a conversation starter for strangers and friends that you meet. Hopefully there’ll be  a new fact every day. Use it with caution though. You don’t want to sound like a bit of a know-it-all. I get an update about how difficult it might be to get up in the morning, and I’m compared to someone who has circumnavigated the globe fourteen years ago. That might inspire me to rise. I say it again and I get a brand-new fact which develops into a series of facts that might be hard to remember. I go for a third and it cycles back to the first one. I guess I’ll have to wait for tomorrow to get new content. At least it’s something to look forward to.

Under the Bridge #sambourne 2

It’s amazing what farmers use for a shelter. It saves them having to build anything themselves. I think it’s some kind of engine. It could be a cherry picker used to maintain the bridge itself. On closer inspection, it looks like a trailer carrying a trolley. I wonder if any liquid drips through, or is the bridge is sufficiently covered with ballast to prevent this06. It looks like there’s been an accident already, and that a fence has had to be built around one of the bridge supports to prevent the farmer from crashing into it again. The farmer might have took it upon himself to do that. It looks like he’s taped off the other side. It could be electrified, or he could just be marking the border of his land. There might be an embankment under the larger arches and that’s why the whole thing is fenced off.

Bagging and Dragging #dream 223

I’m in a shopping centre. I’m on a quest to retrieve our luggage. We’re about to board a plane, but our luggage is being brought in via bus. The only problem is that I can’t find the bus station. I was given directions but I can’t remember what they were. I pass escalators heading up, but I can’t find anywhere that heads down. All I can see are rows of designer stores and restaurants amongst paved slabs and foliage. Eventually, I find the right escalator. It’s dark and cold and I spot the bus straight away. There’s an instant drop in temperature as I descend. A few moments later, I recognise the driver, who’s a large jolly father-type man with a beard who waves me off with my luggage. We’re the last ones to collect our cases. Now to find the other half while wrestling three bags. I’m going to have to head off upstairs again.

Ghost Train #sambourne 1

We’ve left the car on a small road by the village. It’s not obstructing anyone’s drive and people can get by. And there’s less chance of people visiting each other at the moment because of the lockdown. Starting on the green, we headed east on a footpath past a small wooden bus shelter that led down a driveway to a gate. Just before the end of the driveway, we turned left and crossed a style, then turned right to continue east directly across the field. On the south side was this old railway bridge which was part of the line from Redditch to Evesham. There’s a great video  on YouTube which shows pictures of the area then and now as it tracks an old train making its journey. You’d think that the line would run vertically to connect the towns directly, but it’s possible that Sambourne used to have its own station. 

Ann Droid

This was a great little comedy that had me laughing at the deadpan situations. Morgan’s voice can be annoying at times, but it’s designed to be that way. Her comedic smile to reassure her human is brilliant. Johnstone does a fantastic performance playing Sue, and the series addresses real life issues like loneliness and bereavement. It’s quite realistic, and the plot focuses on incidents that are quite common. Linda’s full functions are unknown, but Sue can’t learn everything in one series. It’s good fun how Linda interferes with her life for the better though, even if Sue isn’t ready for it and her motives are exposed. I did feel that Ready’s character and associates were a bit plastic and unrealistic; though I’m sure that people can relate to him. I’m looking forward to a second series. I’d like to see more of the technician come round for repairs, upgrades and maintenance.

Clowning Around

It’s that time of year again. I had my red T-shirt and the famous red nose on my conk but that’s as far as I went. It might be more than others though. It did feel a bit misleading to see they were only available through Amazon. I guess the shops were fed up with collectors opening all the boxes and rifling through them all to try and find the ones that they needed. It did leave a bit of a mess. But the shops could have sold them behind the counter though. Instead, you’re now restricting sales to those who can access the internet. This year’s theme was garden animals and I managed to get hold of a robin. Though what I usually do is buy three and let my nieces choose what they want and I have the one that doesn’t cause any arguments. They got a ladybird and a fox.

World Cup favourites France knocked out as Spain reach final -follow latest

There’s kind of nothing left to follow. The news is broke. The only thing left to do is get the reactions from either side. You can catch up on the score and the match report, but I suppose every highlight will now be published as we learn it. And we’re assuming football but it could be anything. But rather than focusing on the latest result, we get speculation from everyone about tomorrow’s upcoming game. Let’s face it; it’s the one that we’re all interested in. We even get videos of former pundits reminiscing about the last game. We have to dig deep to learn more about the headline that we came to read, but there’s plenty of other headlines to distract us here. It’s just what we want with an ongoing event, which could change at any time. We also learn what we can to help us predict the future.

Out of the Box #bentley 8

Postmen stay the same, but what happens if a courier comes? Will he try to deliver a parcel through the door? Hopefully they’re smart enough to find a hiding place or the owner may have left instructions, but there could be an attempt. It looks like there’s a panel missing above the door, though that could be the wind. Perhaps it’s a home for the birds. It’s an odd place as it’s very close to the road. Are there curtains and an attic room? Is there a back door? Do they suffer from damp as water falls through the chimney? Do they pay rent? And what sort of mess do they leave? It’s obvious that someone’s spent a bit of time crafting this. It’s not something that you can just buy out of a shop. The base looks a bit rotten. I hope it ca withstand strong gusts of wind.

The Mall

I go in the back way. It’s a bit unusual, but it links up the place with nearby housing while allowing a local car park to be built with a ring road looping around the whole building. There’s also council flats with an exclusive lift; but that’s just for security purposes. The car park is now shut and its future is uncertain, but you can bet that they’ll probably look for someone to redevelop them into apartments. Once inside the mall; one of the first people that you’ll probably see are the security guards. Their uniform has evolved strangely over time from bluecoat blazers to yellow waistcoats. Their current set-up is modelled on riot gear; though with the amount of straps on the back of it it looks like a bigger version of a restraining suit. You’ll soon start seeing big-brand shops. Get there early to avoid the crowds otherwise you’ll face toddlers being let loose from  their pushchairs and stallholders trying to sign you up to things and unnecessary queues in the card shops.

Do the Charlton

He’s got one of those forgettable faces. You wouldn’t know him if you passed him in the street, and if you showed up on his turf again, it would take you a while to work out what his role is. He might be the man behind the scenes that makes the magic happen. He’d wear a black shirt and probably wore glasses. He could be the chef or he’s the one changing the barrels. And they had quite long lines which meant the beer quality wasn’t always the best. But for a while, it felt like a proper pub. They had events and festivals. It was somewhere that you could go for just a drink. Then the chains took over and made it restaurant only. You couldn’t sit in and enjoy the grounds without splashing out. And you can’t even see the original character of the building any more. You’re just shown straight to a table.

House of Brad #bentley 7

Nothing says that this your territory than putting a giant flag outside. After all, an Englishman’s home is his castle (or is it the other way around?)You could take it down when you’re not in (or pretend to), but that would be a big giveaway for the burglars. It’s just as well that it’s got its own camera system. But that’s only on the approach to the main gate. You might also have to take the flag down in bad weather or risk prosecution. Or you could change it for special occasions like sporting events or if someone from another nation should happen to visit. And I’m not sure if the miniature house outside is a bird box or a mailbox but it’s a great addition, though it’s a shame that it’s not a replica of the current building. Perhaps it’s a memory of a previous home. It’s a bit strange that they’ve named the whole house ‘Bradley’.

"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough."

What if you don’t? Will you want to start again. Will you be dealt a better hand? And how will you know if things are going better next time? It’s very hard to remember what you did in your previous life. Perhaps that’s what feelings of déjà vu are all about. If you feel that you’ve done everything right, would you want to go round and experience it again? Some people would, if only to cherish the times that they’ve reminisced upon. But they wouldn’t know they’d be reminiscing upon them as they relived them. It’s all very confusing. Some people argue that they do live more than once, especially if they’re trying to evade the law and have successfully faked their death. But how you do know if you’ve done everything right? Surely everyone’s said or done something that they regret and wish that they could take back. Maybe that’s why we go again every time.

On the Tracks of... #bentley 6

Is this the work of random soil erosion? Or something else passed by here? Something large and sinister has managed to pierce the grass to reveal soil? Perhaps it was a really bit of juicy grass that the sheep could just not resist. There’s even a chunk left if anyone else wants some. But before that, a giant chicken could have been squashed into the ground so hard that the ground’s been pierced and the soil has been compressed into rubble. You can even make out some skinny legs squashed into an outline underneath. It might have laid a little something before it perished. Or perhaps some weights fell at height, either from some farm machinery or from overhead, squashing the newly chewed patch instantly. This is all that remains to tell us that something was once here. It was its last mark upon this earth. A little worm has come up to investigate the surface. Or perhaps he is responsible…

Bric-a-Brac #titannabell 27

Finally, a breeze came through. The more she moved towards it; the smaller it was; until; suddenly, she burst through the brick and she was outside. Her next thought was where her small friend ended up. She quicky remembered where she was place and fished her out and placed her on top of the ramparts. She then realised how big she was in order to achieve this simple action. Her hair had also grown and some of it was still inside. Then she realised that she might have drawn a bit of attention to herself over the course of this interaction, and the best thing to do was to clean herself up. There was only one other way to ensure her safety. She wrapped her hair around herself as if it was a golden dress and headed off down the hill, still shaking the foundations of the castle as she walked.

Little Lambalot #bentley 5

This little lamb was a bit adventurous. Rather than running away, it was curious and decided to follow us. At least it didn’t chase us. I wonder how it got the guts to do that. How can something so small and fluffy be so confident? Maybe it’s been shunned by the flock and just wants to make friends. Maybe it’s mistaken us for the famer who’s going to feed and nurture it. Or maybe it needs our help and wants us to follow it. It could have come from a different land. The hole in the hedge behind it looks a little warped like a portal. The branches could even be made of bones of previous lambs and we can still see specks of their fur. The one in front of us could be a ghost. We climbed the hill in a northeasterly direction to return to the road where we were parked.

How do you tell someone their name is wrong?

You take a deep breath and speak to them. Or you can write it in a letter if you prefer. You don’t even have to post it to them; you could send it as an email. It all depends on how direct you want to be with them and fast you want a response. It depends on how urgent you think this is. If you wanted to be novel, you could splash out and hire a skywriter. But the name that they’re using could be a nickname or it’s shortened for something else. The parent could have really liked the sound of the name but was unsure how to spell it. Or maybe they wanted to be unique. It might be for religious, family or cultural reasons. The person in question might not like their real one. But do you really have the authority when someone’s been using it for so long? Does it offend you?

The Hills might endeth #bentley 4

There’s little sign of a town in front, but you get the feeling that years ago, there used to be more trees. At least they’re facing whatever’s approaching us to offer us some cover. Someone’s been busy. But the diggers are approaching them from behind while they’re distracted. I don’t know how you can tell the front of a tree from the back, but you just get the impression that they are. Maybe they’re scared of the sun, and they’re using the hills to shelter from it. How far back do those hills go? Just when you think you can see the sky, another one fades in just behind it. Each one gets steeper as you go up and down to face the next one. Fortunately, we’re not going that far. We continued west alongside a stream, then our footpath shifted ninety degrees and we started to climb north-west. We passed over a track into the next field, then turned immediately left.

Masterplug 4 socket grey and green indoor & outdoor cable reel

Its bright colour makes it easy to find. It’s shorter than you think. I like the fact that you can control it with one switch, though I’m not sure why I’d need a whole four outlets for the task. I’d rather sacrifice that for more length. It’s not meant to be a permanent solution. It feels nice and sturdy, but there’s something catching on the inside which prevents the wire from uncoiling smoothly. The grips on the inside of the reel make it comfortable, and they seem to go all the way around the reel which saves you some time. It’s light enough to throw around without cracking easily as it hits the ground, yet heavy enough to take some impact. The plugs needs a bit of a push into the socket, but it’s probably because they’re heavy-duty plugs and you want that firm and safe connection. I haven’t seen the thermal protection in action, but hopefully I won’t have to rely on it.

Watch your Step #bentley 3

At least someone’s made an effort to aid our progress across the brook. A simple plank mounted securely on two bits of wood makes all the difference and we don’t have to worry too much about getting our shoes wet or muddy. I suppose in winter the whole thing floods, but no-one would venture to come out in that anyway. There’s still someone who’s going to be overly cautious though. They just can’t bear to get a speck of mud on their shoes. I can’t stand that type of person. What’s the point of venturing out into the countryside in the first place? You’re there to enjoy it and should expect a bit of dirt. At the T-junction, we turned right and headed north along the road. We crept up a small incline until a farm appeared on our left. Turning left, we headed south-west through the farm to reach a footpath at the end.

More tonne bags of Crushed Granite conveyed to site and unloaded by workboat 'Swinton' this morning. Plenty for the volunteers to work with

I suppose it’s another way of telling us that the towpath is going to be closed for a while. But whereabouts specifically and for how long? When will it be safe to plan a trip out there again? Maybe we can track the boat to find out. Is this a call for volunteers to come and help get the job done quicker? It’s going to take more than one morning, but there’s no call to arms here or indication of how long it will take. Will a morning be a whole session? It sounds like everything is organised and is divided by a number of teams but we just have to wait and look out for future tweets. In the meantime, we have to hope that the work doesn’t get in our way. Maybe we have to revert to previous tweets to find out. Hopefully, nothing got vandalised in the first place.

On the Bench #bentley2

You come across certain features on a walk that look so good that you just have to pose with them. Some places are so popular that people even queue up for them. Spring was in bloom and this was a perfect spot for a weary traveller; though we hadn’t clocked up much mileage yet. We continued past a junction on our left, then just before a barn on our right we took a signed footpath bearing east through a steel gate. Here, we bore right through a field alongside the edge of a thicket, then passed over a stile and through a second field to reach another stile. Instead of crossing, we headed south and followed the outline of the wood and continued directly south through a section of it before emerging into another field. This footpath ended on a small track and we turned right to head west to a T-junction.

 

Left Behind #dream 222

I’m visiting a theme park with a friend. I wouldn’t say it was a childhood friend; it was more like a bully that your Mum had paired you up with for the convenience since they lived up the road from you. But we’d both had a good day out at the park looking at all of the models on display. When it was time to go, the exit to the station was a lift made of lego with red, yellow, white and green bricks. I’d stopped for one last photo, and when I’d put my phone away, my friend was nowhere to be seen. I assume that she must have gone up without me. I pressed the call button and ascended alone. But when I got to the top, there was so sign of her there either. It was an empty walkway with a concrete floor and colourful barriers made of lego to look like those sturdy iron gates with the curves.

Bentley Book Store #bentley 1

This walk had an interesting start and we were quite lucky with the weather considering the time of year. There were also a lot of lambs about which made it fun. There’s been some great use of red phone boxes across the country to keep them in their place as part of our English heritage and this was a good one that we’d stumbled across. Unfortunately, we didn’t bring any cash or books to purchase one. They also don’t seem to be published on the map. There was also no official car park, but we found a lay-by on the edge of a corner which seemed to be suitable without blocking anything or getting in anyone’s way. Bearing east, we followed the road alongside private cottages with pristine trimmed hedgerows as it slowly curved to the south. We came across a beautiful bench placed underneath an oak tree that was begging for a pose.

Can you get Funky?

I’m not expecting her to move, but I’d imagine that you’d have to in order to get funky. I can’t see anyone getting funky while just standing there. She’ll have to play some sort of music. Or she may be honest and just say no and admit to being an inanimate object. After a pause, I’m treated to a variety of sounds before I realise it’s beatboxing. It’s not what I would call getting funky.  I think it’s a slightly different tune every time, though it’s not very memorable. She doesn’t answer the question, but there is an attempt. I wonder how many tunes she knows and whether she can do any other styles of music as well. There’s no reaction at all when I ask her to get jazzy or hippy. I’ve got no idea why the genre of funk is so important to her, but I suppose that’s just down to preference.

The Sheep Detectives

This was a fun and novel idea, with a cure theme, but it could have been a bit more comedic with more jokes. It seemed to be a seriously focused on the murder to get the plot right; though there’s some slight slip-ups for the Americans. The inheritance is in dollars, there’s mail carriers instead of post men who also happens to be the local paramedic, though it’s possible that some roles are doubled up in village life. Some of the voice actors will keep you guessing, and kids will love the chaotic actions that the sheep will get up to. For an ensemble cast, it’s quite well-balanced, although there would have been more chaos and fun if more of the sheep had decided to adventure from, the meadow. But there’s also mockery and common sense amongst the hysteria. But there could have been a bit more mockery with the detective theme.

On the Fence

One of the things that my mum likes to collect are garden ornaments; specifically colourful animals that can be pinned to the fence. These get mounted via tiny nails which is risky during storms. I should invest in proper hooks to stop them from being blown across the garden. Some of them are never found again. The ladybirds an the butterflies are the worst as they’re 3D. It’s as if the tortoise by the pond is jealous of their view. The sets come from bargain clearance shops; but we order the bigger ones online for occasions. Look how bright they are compared to now. We tried to set a scene so that each panel tells a story. The girls love it and they instantly realise when an ornament’s been installed that they haven’t seen before. The ones sticking out of the pots seem insignificant in comparison. Maybe those should be a symbol of what we suspect is growing in them.

Are Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce about to tie the knot? Why speculation has hit fever pitch

Why are you asking me? I’m just a humble reader in another country. Yes she’s a beautiful pop idol, but I won’t let it bother me. Perhaps it’s hit fever pitch because there’s a world cup game involved and the ceremony will be performed as part of a half-time show as a tribute to their country? It is coming up to an American holiday after all. I’m not entirely sure who one of them is either. I thought he might be a singer but apparently he’s an American  football player. I wonder what they have in common? Apparently one of them thinks that they’re at school and they’re both teachers. Weird. Maybe they think they’re getting married at a school. In actual fact, it’s at an arena, and there’s been a lot of celebrity invites. It’s not something that can be easily hidden. The secret’s out. And it’s also getting in the way. It’s easier not to care.

The Pink Flamingo Club

I have a friend  who’s obsessed with flamingos. She’s built herself a little bar in the back garden that’s completely flamingo-themed. It comes with an obvious name because I don’t know of a flamingo that isn’t pink. Perhaps it’s an excuse to exhibit as many pink things as possible. I don’t really know how this fit into a bar though. Perhaps if it was an outhouse, it would fit in with the décor if the building was used for other things as well. I’ve also got no idea why flamingos are ideal for featuring on an ironing board. Perhaps they make people think of happier times or places when they’re doing their chores. Anything that sells. Maybe there’s other products like tablecloths and glasses available. They might be different shades, patterns and sizes, which makes the whole bar seem random. But she might not appreciate this entirely, especially as it’s not bar-themed.

What if your teacher embarrassed someone every day and today was your day?

They might be doing it deliberately to build up your character and resilience. It might even be part of the curriculum. But you just have to put with it. After all, everyone else has had their moment which you’ve enjoyed which is only fair. But what if you’ve had enough? You’ll have to think of a way to fight back. How have other people coped? Have they ignored what is happening? Have they cried; complained, got upset or ran away? Maybe they’ve fought back in an outburst; either physically or verbally. Or maybe someone’s stood up and said this isn’t right. Maybe this person could be you. How cool would that be? You could be the class hero. Or maybe you could get together with your friends to talk about it. You could discuss what’s happening with another teacher if you haven’t got the confidence to talk to your teacher directly. It all depends on how wrong and inappropriate you feel this is. It is important to emphasise that this needs to stop for everyone and not just for the people who complain.

Potato People

This was a homework project that one of the girls had to do for an art class, and it was so much fun that the rest of us ended up joining in. We had to use household items to decorate them, and we got the idea of using pushpins for legs and clothing buttons. I had a small one so I decided to make it into a ladybird. We’ve been watching too much Ben and Holly. I had enough pins to make it 3-D but I’m not sure if they’re eyes, tails or feelers. The youngest one thought that we were just drawing on potatoes so she drew her favourite character which is the blue alien named Stitch. And I’m not sure if the oldest one’s bear has a moustache or a surprised expression. She was going for a Paddington. It was difficult to draw clothes on potatoes so we got the ideas of making them paper clothes instead like dolls. Hopefully they’re warm enough.

Mysterious Bricey Boy

He’s a man that’s mysteriously ended up on my phone. I’ve got no idea why. And with the inclusion on mobile phones, there’s no area code so I haven’t a clue where I know him from. It’s tempting to ring him up and say, “Hi Bricey, how are you, it’s your old mate here’ but I doubt that he doesn’t know me either. He could have even passed away or have changed his number so who knows who I’m ringing. I might get someone bugging me for life that I can’t stand. But if I don’t take that chance, however, bizarre, I might never know. I haven’t added him on social media and he may not use that anyway. But somewhere down the line, I’ll go ‘Oh, he was the guy I met at’. Come to think of it, I’ve just worked it out. He was a teacher who I used to work alongside as a van driver.

Final Take

 

I’ve done my best to get rid of my squeaky voice. I was gong for an X-Factor announcer. I wonder if that’s something that ChatGPT can fix? Chloe’s voice can be heard a lot clearer. Maybe it’s because the microphone is a little closer. I wasn’t sure what was wrong with the other takes, but this was the one that she liked the best. She tries to be so serious in her newscaster pose that it’s cute and hilarious. Maybe she took the time to improve upon everything with each take. But you never know when it’s the final take. You might not get a chance to do another one. You may be out of time and resources. And there may be a take you don’t like that someone else does and vice versa. But there’s always a chance that someone will correct and edit the mistake in editing. Hopefully her teacher was pleased with the project.

"Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever."

Not all pain is temporary. Many will agree with this, particularly those who have been in a serious accident. You might be able to forget about it sometimes, but it still comes back. It might be a long type of temporary that gets numbed with medication. You might need some help to get rid of it, but if you’re an independent type, you might choose to stick it out. But there’s a way forward with everything, though it might not be a path that you like. If you give up on something, it’s a definitive moment. But something or someone may persuade you to return to the role later. You might have been too hasty. There are some things that can be undone, providing that others are willing to cooperate. But you’ve got your morals to follow. It’s up to you. It might benefit just yourself, or it might benefit everyone. You’ve got a decision to make.

Spinning Chairs

 

They’re good fun. And a simple turn can make some dramatic reveals. Sometimes you don’t want to stop spinning. You get to take in a lot of the room very quickly. The smaller you are; the easier this is to do. It’s tempting to make a fun noise as you go. The danger is when they turn too fast, as the older ones aren’t really designed for riding. Parts could fall out very easily; especially if they haven’t been checked and tightened in a while. And when you stop, nothing has changed. Time may have travelled, but so have you. It might take a while for your head to catch up with everything else. Once it stops, it’s irresistible to move it back in the other direction. But you should take advantage of it when you can. You never know when you’ll get the opportunity again. It’s difficult to do it when someone’s watching.

Curvy Corridors #nuclearmermaid 27

Jenny’s curves were confusing after digesting the biped. Some of them had grown larger and beyond her control. She felt heavier, but she needed more. It was a shame that she’d scared the others away. They could still be in the building. Perhaps if she found enough material, she could in good time grow her way up. There must be something nearby that she could consume. Some of the tubing was smaller than others. Maybe she could bend them. But for now, she needed to move. It was no good lying propped up on her globes. To propel herself forward with her fin and stomach would take ages. It would be easier if she slowly rolled across the floor. She wasn’t sure how she’d fit through some of the gaps, but maybe she could fall through some of the other walls. A few strikes from her tail might weaken it.

Where could the Treasure have gone?

 

It’s hard to decipher what our young reporter is saying. It’s probably the low-quality microphone that I had available at the time. I also can’t remember the full subject; but it’s something to do with the Egyptians. It might have ended up with the original family, if they can be traced. That would be nice. If not, it should be sold off to help support the local people. It certainly shouldn’t have gone to the people who discovered the tomb in the first place, as they were the thieves that broke in (sorry Chloe!). I don’t think these groups of people would be willing to share, and there was probably a fight or maybe even a war about this. Some of it might still be lost out there. Some of it might have been taken to a faraway land. And some of it could have been melted down and disguised as other objects. 

Reflex Active 50m SeaVenture AMOLED GPS Blue Smart Watch

I’m familiar with the brand. My niece has one that I’ve set up for her. Some of the reviews weren’t kind, but as long as it was functional, I was willing to take the risk for the price cut. The silicone band isn’t a great look, but as least it’s comfortable and secure. I'm hoping that the abbreviation stands for armoured which makes it sound tougher. I haven’t managed to get the heart rate function working yet, and I must remember to sync it every day so that I don’t lose any data. The different faces are quite fun. I can upload a photo, but I’m a bit disappointed that there’s not a random function. I haven’t tested any of the sport functions or timers yet, but I’m happy with the notifications that I receive. I’m a bit reluctant to test it in water. It’s the sea that killed the last one. But I do have the insurance.

Questions with Chloe

 

This was a little project that we worked on as a piece of homework. We had a question and we decided to answer it in the form of a kids news show, hence the big chair. It was giving off the impression that she was a TV reporter. My voice is a bit crackly with the intro. With a bit of time, we could have rehearsed a proper TV voice, but we didn’t have all the time in the world to get this project done. The wardrobe also needs a bit of work. And we’re not sure what she’s grabbing onto at the end. Maybe it’s a bit of stress relief. But she’s only eight. She wrote down what she wanted to say, then she rehearsed it. What we did do were a number of takes to make sure that we got it right. It’s good to know what kids think. Maybe she’ll get recruited to a news agency. 

Why don't we eat Turkey eggs?

Come to think of it, I’ve never heard of them; even though I’m sure they must exist. |They are birds after all. Duck eggs are widely available; so why not turkey? Perhaps it’s the taste. They might not be fully developed,  or we must wait for them to mature. Maybe they’re like drugs and they’re too good to be put out for sale. You’d have to sneak onto the farm to obtain them yourself or try the black market, though you’d need to know the difference otherwise you could be fooled. Apparently the real reason is all to do with commercial production, and it’s much cheaper to produce chicken eggs as they’re laid more often. Maybe the market for turkey eggs is already saturated, and there’s a secret waiting list to get on it for a supply. You’ll have to ask your local turkey farmer. He’ll probably tell you that turkeys don’t lay eggs.

Wanderlust #dream 221

I’m on a holiday walk with the girls. It’s late afternoon. We should be heading back to the apartment complex for evening showers ready for a night out. We’ve decided to climb a huge steep stone trail which is in the direction of our complex. We think it’s a shortcut as it feels that it’s in the right direction, but there could be a fence or locked gate that stops us from entering our property. The path is lined either side by a walled fence with vegetation growing on top. As we reach the peak of the hill, we literally have to pull ourselves up. At the top of the trail, there’s a bungalow on our left and the trail carries on to the right. The gates of the bungalow and a man in an electric wheelchair comes out. He’s wearing a hat at an angle which exposes part of his brain. He explains that the quickest way back to the apartment complex is to go back the way we came as there’s no throughfare to our apartment complex. We’re baffled as to how someone has managed to build a bungalow at this altitude.

Extra Time

It looks like the course has been extended. A glass table has been set up as an obstacle. Although it looks sturdy, this probably wasn’t the best of ideas. There’s also a bottle slug powder, which we wouldn’t want them to touch. Meanwhile, the judge’s table comprises of a cordless telephone (perhaps we were expecting an important call), a lantern with mock-effect shattered glass that had probably  been blown down by the wind); the worksheet in question alongside a pen, a mobile phone, a tablet, and possibly some medicine as it’s too small a glass to be refreshment. There’s also the possibility of a pink thing that could be a water bottle but its natural soft pink brightness could be a flower or a stuffed toy. But if it encourages them to get out into the open for some fresh air then it’s worth doing, especially if it tires them out. 

 

Can you Hum?

She probably can, but it could be an annoying constant humming rather than carry a tune. Or it could be very repetitive. She could just say yes or no and not provide an example. With a bit of luck, she’ll launch into a creative rap and we’ll hear something different every time. I can’t believe that the first attempt is a Christmas tune. It’s June. And the suggestion was published in May. At least I only get the full chorus. The second time, it’s something different. I can’t name it, but it is one I recognise. I’m ignored the third time around. Perhaps she’s gotten bored of me. I don’t recognise the fourth one. Maye it’s because it’s too short. At least she hasn’t told me that she’s not fed up of trying. On my fifth attempt, I’m back to Jingle Bells. I wonder if the sixth attempt will echo the second?

Obstacle Course

It’s important to land with a really loud noise; especially if you are small, to make yourself heard.  You may want to omit a loud noise as well to be sure that people are paying attention. If you re in an enclosed space, you might be able to create an echo for emphasis. It’s usually a dead sound that bounces off the stone. This may hurt your heels upon landing, so be sure that you’re wearing appropriate footwear. The last thing you want to make sure of is where you land. Landing on a stone could be quite painful with the wrong footwear and the pain could go straight through your heel and into the bone. Ouch. But if you’re lucky, it might end up in a crack in between your shoe print pattern and it’ll come loose the next time you jump or the moment you set that shoe inside a house.

L.A Confidential

This was a great film as we got a glimpse of actors in their earlier elements. It wasn’t immediately evident what era the film was focusing on, but it’s probably because I’m not from that era or area. I loved how all the detectives got around in an old Mercedes Coupe all to themselves. It’s a bit hard to follow who the lower protagonists were but it was hard to favour one main protagonist over the other, and it take me a while to work out the film plot arrests were real. I enjoyed how quickly the events climaxed in the last hour of the film. I was pretty shocked how it all came to fruition. It would have been interesting to see more of a plotline from the antagonist perspective, but it’s not a good look for the public. I guess that they had to go on the values of the time.

Hair Raising

You’ve got to hope that there’s a brain and head in front of all that hair. All we can see are bits of a pink flesh that forms a face, and for all we know, that could be a mask. Something else could be pulling the strings. It could be a small insect or an alien. It might even be a robot controlled by something many moons away, and they’re still trying to master the controls of a child before they move on to master an adult. They’re going to push it to its limits. They might even achieve things that are humanly impossible which might draw a bit of attention to themselves. They might make the hair grow even longer and persuade it to act independently of the body to draw power and use it like arms with superhuman strength without the brain or host knowing. Or they might simply need a haircut.

Iran deal scheduled to be signed on Sunday

This comes from a president who just wants attention. Anything he says will be printed and posted a million times over, but we ought to know by know that there’s no truth in what he says. He’s said this too many times before. Apparently, this is the final decision. It’s also not clear what the deal is. We know that there’s some interest in their nuclear arsenal. Will there be a total bombardment if it’s not accepted? It would be interesting to see what the other side has to say about these deals, but they probably don’t trust us. On Monday we’ll probably be told that they need some time to think it over and we’ll be back to square one. It’s a bit selfish that the rest of the world has to absorb the cost and put up with it. Some of us are just fed up with hearing about it.

Invincible

This little spark has been amazing. Despite not having the best start as a toddler; she’s always been happy and smiling in her demeanour. When young, she’s always been willing to try new things to work out what she likes and dislikes. Now that she’s taller and a teenager; her tastes have changed but she’s found a good circle of friends to look after her. She’s becoming addicted to her phone and it’s becoming difficult to talk to her. The conversations are shorter. When she does start a conversation, it’s very dominant and inquisitive. The biggest discussion we had recently was about dinosaurs and how other animals survived when they died so I might have to read up about this. Apparently she watched a documentary about it. She still likes sport but runs more to keep fit rather than to compete. She’s not sure of her future yet but who is nowadays?

What if you would only eat Strawberries?

Scientifically, it wouldn’t be good for your diet. You’d be eating sugar all of the time which might force you to become diabetic. You’d lose a lot of protein so you wouldn’t be able to develop or sustain any body fat. You’d lose a lot of weight. And it would be socially awkward at mealtimes too. You might have to avoid visits or carry a small supply and ask your hosts to dispose of them afterwards. You might need a guaranteed supply of refrigeration and you’d have to ensure that you can source them wherever you go or be able to have some transported to you unless you can take some for the shole duration of your trip. It may even stop you from having trips away. You might end up with reddish teeth from the constant strawberry stains. People may be concerned about your mental health and will visit you to try to change your diet; or take you to others who will attempt to do the same. You may deteriorate sooner than you think.

The Short Jump

With the wet weather, the field is out of bounds because of the wet grass. but it’s a bit drier today so we’ve been granted patio access. There’s not a lot of room for running but there’s a bit of room for jumping. And even though the athletes don’t have access to their full track and equipment, they’re taking the opportunity to practice what they can. The grass may need cutting but sport comes first; and we make do with what materials we have around the home. It would be impressive if they cleared the three-metre mark, but as long as they stay stationary towards the end, we can still capture record-breaking attempts, even if they’re not able to fully complete the process in proper attire. Their hair might be a bit too long, but there’s nothing that we can do about that and we just cope with what we’ve got.