Saturday in the town centre

Today was my mum's birthday, plus my sister Carole was coming over from Bolton with my nephew Connor, so originally she was going to my mum's for a bite to eat then meet me in town later. Train travel being the way that it is, her first train was cancelled then the next one was 20 minutes late, so with evidence like that a change of plan was in order. Simple, meet in town and have a bit of lunch there, that was the plan and surprising it worked.

Here we are all together, Connor has his Bieber flick going on and is bored instantly, out comes his phone, he is now entertained, this gives us adults a chance to chat and catch up. As this is Blackburn there is not usually that much going on, unless you are looking for the magic mirror. A magic mirror you may ask, what is that?

Elegantly put, a magic mirror is an ordinary mirror but with special properties, one of which tells you that you need more blusher, secondly it will advise you  that your scouse brow of choice needs a little more filling in, and lastly your foundation doesn't need blending in and perhaps even needing another layer. I know when I was younger a similar magic mirror was available, but when you wanted to look like Siouxsie Sioux, more was definately more, and bright orange Oompa Loompa face masks where not the in thing.

Anyhow a few hours were passed wandering aimlessly around town, popping into the odd shop to get possible ideas for Christmas presents until it was time for my sister and Connor to get a return train home. Returning to Morrisons for little shopping we all went our separate ways, me to continue my lazing about, as a simple wandering is quite tiring for me at the mo, but fresh air is needed sometimes.

Happy Birthday Mum 

xx

44th Birthday

Today was my 44th birthday, took the day off work, did bugger all, had curry, few beers, that is all

Construction Time

Finally got around to building my outside structure. It's kind of a wooden patio / decked / conservatory. Having two weeks off work, gave me ample time to get on with it. The English weather being what it is actually meant I would have a few hours of clear skies and little rain, in truth the first few days brought good weather and so I was able to get out and do it.

Taking delivery of piles of wood and trying to decypher my scribbled plans occupied the first morning, then it was all woodworking go. Drilling, cementing, bolting, screwing, sawing and hammering till the early evening on three successive days got most of the work done, fortunately on the day I had fitted the roof, it began to rain, so I was then able to utilise the properties of a clear plastic corrugated roof and remain dry and end the day with a beer, admiring my work.

All that remains are a few final touches, like fitting some windows and doors so I can enjoy the outside inside. At this moment in time it resembles a crime scene, for the open sides are covered with a large clear tarp, just so the rain doesn't get in.

Oh yeah, celebrated my 43rd birthday with a curry and beers.

42nd Birthday

This year as it would be my 42nd birthday it was decided that I would have some kind of do, that do being a fancy dress do, and a do to be held at St Albans club in Blackburn. Some people did ask, why 42, and the obvious reply was, well it's the meaning of life isn't it. To which I would be issued with a puzzled look and a brief shaking of the head. Many of my friends embraced the idea and came in some kind of Pythonesque attire, even Michelle flew over from Spain for the weekend, just to join in with the crazyness.

As the venue had to close around midnight, and not wanting to transform into pumpkins, we ventured into the night and sought refuge in a local drinking establishment, The Napier. A few heads were turned, but some patrons saw the joke and kindly got into the spirit of it all. In all a splendid night was had by all, a few old faces made their current faces visible. Images of such have been digitally captured for posterity and made available by the wiggle and click of a plastic mouse.

Thanks to all those who made it a night to remember.

Click for more pictures

Cornwall - August 2009

Wednesday - arrived, had brief walk with kids and Mango. Sandra, Jos and Robin are also here.








Thursday - Went for great walk to celebrate 41st birthday, Chapel Porth to Porthtowan. Had food at the Blue (lamb curry), few beers, watched sunset and came home. John had baked a special cake with courgettes in, it may sound strange, but it was most splendid, and we did consume with great gusto.








Friday - Drove out to Hells Mouth, clambered down to beach, had glorious day of sunshine, drove home, had chinese take away for tea, more beer.








Saturday - Robin was all dressed up by Freya and Willow, visited Wheal Coates and the painted cow, home for cups of tea. Sandra, Jos and Robin drove home.











Sunday - Day of mist, me and Pla take Mango for long walk, head down to St Agnes, have couple beers, then wander back home for more beer.








Monday - Lucie and Fred paid a brief visit, had cups of tea in the garden, bought obligatory pasty, and flew home.








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Sandra and Michelle's 40th Birthday Party

Last night saw what could have been described as a celebrity gathering, if any real celebrities were actually there. Instead we took it upon ourselves to dress up all fancy like, and be somebody else for the night. All was in celebration of Michelle and Sandra's 40th birthdays. So here we were in Hebden Bridge, in a small room above the Stubbin Wharf pub, a dancing and a feeding, a chatting and laughing. Catching up with familiar faces from our respective past, capturing digital snapshots for the future.

A slight hiccup caused me a slight embarrasment, when my laptop decided to shut down, it had become too hot from sitting on a paper tablecloth. A quick restart and a mouse converted into a temporary prop, allowed the music to continue (phew). I had also managed to create a slideshow of images, and had them projected large form, for people to gape at and giggle. you can see some of them in the background, of the video at the end of this entry.

The highlight of the evening was the floorshow, when Michelle and Sandra, dressed up as the Anadin Brothers from Dr & the Medics, performed a choreographed jig and swirl to 'Spirit In The Sky'. Everyone who had come as somebody else excelled in their attire, 2 Elvis's (or Elvii), Meat Loaf, Cher, Captain Sensible, Bananarama, Avril Lavigne, Mama Cass, John & Yoko to name but many. Eventually the evening came to a close and we all slinked back to our regular existance, but images remain to remind us of an unforgetable night.

click here for gallery of pictures

On Being 40

So it's finally here, the huge landmark in the grand scheme of things, a time where life is supposed to begin, the midlife crisis, time to re-assess ones priorities, to take stock of what has gone before, ponder the inevitable.

For me, it's just another birthday, only this time with more food and presents. An excuse to get old and new friends together, have a laugh, for 40 isn't that old now now that i a actually here. But at 16, 40 seems such a long way away and a place where you got 'old'.

Do I feel any different, have I suddenly gotten old overnight, do my teeth reside in a glass by the bed at night. Has my mind started to fail me, and joint pain starting to keep me awake at night. Well some of these things are true, but have been for quite a while, but do I feel 40...........NO.

Personally I think I am growing old gracefully, dignified and with a little style. I make no attempts to disguise the fact I am going bald, my eye sight is what it is, and my little beer belly is still there. As for a midlife crisis, what midlife, my life is what it is and people who know me, know me and all agree, age is a state of mind.

I still like to go out, even though hangovers take a few days to get over. Music still has to be played loud and not because I qam going a little deaf, it just has to be. Ok I have no idea who is in the top 40, but have I ever?

Do I regret anything from the last 40 years, no. For there is no use in regret, for you cannot change anything, and if you could, you would not know if you had anyway.

So what for the future, who knows, just keep enjoying my life the way I have always have.

To all those who helped me celebrate my 40th, cards, pressies, food, drink, I thank you all. It meant a lot to me, for friends and family are more important than anything. See you for the next 40.