I am bloody angry at the so called Western 1st World leaders.

I cannot believe on the last day of 2006 that people today think it is right and proper to hang someone for their crimes?
Am I in a minority who thinks taking a life is not fair justice? I know Saddam Hussein was an evil tyrant who murdered thousands and reined in terror over the people of Iraq. Putting him to death will solve nothing. There will still be civil war there, the electric still won’t work and crime will still be rife and he is now dead, what has it achieved? When he was alive and in prison there was a slight hope of him being redeemed, a tiny chance he would come to accept what he did was wrong. Today I am totally p*ssed off that George Bush, Margaret Beckett and other world politicians have condoned this action by saying Saddam has been “Held to Account” How the heck can he be held to account when he is dead? (and these people are in charge of our countries and world.)

As this year draws to a close I have been thinking about what this year has meant to me;

The year started off quite badly as my studio had gone bang and all of my savings had gone on a new Mac. I was suffering with very bad depression and very bad migraines. Someone at Church via a call from Mrs EB talked with me for many hours over the next few weeks/months and saw me through it. I also spent many hours talking with Matt about a way forward with my Company and Matt kindly re-did my website to look more professional and have a simple yet friendly look. Between us I honestly we did achieved it.

At around Easter time I did a mass mail out and got nowhere, I did a mass email out and the same!!! Then my friend Simon mentioned that one of the producers for his group was off ill and he would push work my way if he could. Then some work came from Kenya (not the easiest to get money out of though) London started giving me some work!!! Now it sounds like I am busy!!!! The truth is I am not. I get maybe one or two jobs a month from London, Simon has moved to Kenya, and his old group only passed work for a 6 weeks. I get very little from Kenya (not Simon someone else) And come the New Year I have to look long and hard at what to do and a way forward?

Mrs EB went to Brazil on mission with Church for three weeks in July / August and this was the strangest time really, I am used to Mrs EB being away for the odd overnight with work, but not for 3 weeks!!! I had a few invites for tea/lunch which was very nice. Matt and I went out for a few beers and the odd curry, Ian and I went out for a few beers and the odd curry. I also had my birthday whist Mrs EB was away, and I organised a curry!!!(can you see a theme here?) It was a great night and many friends turned out, including Chris and Matt, I still have the birthday cards sent by both. When Mrs EB returned we got ready to go Malta with 3 friends diving.

This was when I learned of the accident, and when I started blogging most days, before that Matt I blogged off and on, on a few blogs and chatted online via MSN and Skype. Some of those are on here in the archive and also some are saved on my old blog again a link on here.

I have found writing how I feel quite therapeutic and a way of expressing my feeling over the past months as I come to terms with all my feelings and my faith. (not really my faith, more how I understand my faith)
I may well stop blogging soon when I feel I have sorted my feelings and my head, until then I will keep updating as and when.
I don’t actually know who reads my blog apart from a few friends at Church and the odd person who may stumble across it. But that is OK. I am doing it for me, but if you read it and leave a comment thank you.

Anyway I will be back when I have a something to say or a joke to share or a photo or two to put up, what do you think Pixie?

God Bless and a very Happy New Year, English Blogger

Some end of year humour

This time of the year the news papers are full of rubbish, this was on a News Papers website for the stupidest phone calls of the year, well the made me laugh so I thought I would share them with you.

Customer: "I've been ringing 0700 2300 for two days and can't get through to enquiries, can you help?"
Operator: "Where did you get that number from, sir?"
Customer: "It was on the door to the travel centre".
Operator: "They're our opening hours".


Caller: "Can you give me the telephone number for Jack?"
Operator: I'm sorry, sir, I don't understand who you are talking about".
Caller: "In the user guide it clearly states I need to unplug the fax machine from the wall socket and telephone Jack before cleaning. Can you give me his number?"
Operator: "I think you mean the telephone point on the wall".


Caller: Does your European Breakdown Policy cover me when I am travelling in Australia?"
Operator: " Doesn't the name of the product give you a clue?"

Caller: "If I register my car in France, do I have to change the steering wheel to the other side of the car?"


Caller: "I''d like the number of the Argoed Fish Bar in Cardiff please".
Operator: "I'm sorry, there's no listing. Is the spelling correct?"
Caller: "Well, it used to be called the Bargoed Fish Bar but the 'B fell off".


Then there was the caller who asked for a knitwear company in Woven.
Operator: "Woven? Are you sure?"
Caller: "Yes. That''s what it says on the label: Woven in Scotland".


On another occasion, a man making heavy breathing sounds from a phone box told a worried operator: "I haven't got a pen, so I''m steaming up the window to write the number on".


Tech Support: "I need you to right-click on the Open Desktop".
Customer: "OK" .
Tech Support: "Did you get a pop-up menu?"
Customer: "No" .
Tech Support: "OK. Right-Click again. Do you see a pop-up menu?"
Customer: "No" .
Tech Support: "OK. Can you tell me what you have done up until this point?"
Customer: "Sure. You told me to write 'click' and I wrote 'click'".


Tech Support: "OK. In the bottom left hand side of the screen, can you see the 'OK' button displayed?"
Customer: "Wow. How can you see my screen from there?"

Christmas and all that

Christmas Eve was a very busy and good day, it was spent at Church as most Sundays, the morning service was amazing. I loved Chamberlin the camel. The evening service was a carol and candle service which was very beautiful. Chris's family had sent a table centre piece which was placed on the communion table and was very special I was moved to tears a few times.

After the service 8 of us went for a Indian meal at Cafe Garden. It was really nice to eat and relax with friends and just enjoy some down time.

Christmas Day was a really nice day and saw 2 special guests arrive on the sound desk, yes none other than Robbie and Rudolph, though Rudolph only stayed for 5 minutes Robbie enjoyed the view for the service.


I always love the Christmas day service at Church, it is just one of those services that are always fun, loud and full of joy. It was tinged with some sadness, but over all a wonderful family day.
Once home I cooked the Christmas Dinner, Venison. Boy oh boy was it tasty!!!

Both Mrs EB and I really enjoyed it. Afterwards and once the dishwasher was loaded, a fire lit and we both had a glass of Red we opened our presents, a big thank you so much for your presents to us, they were all so thoughtful and special. That isn’t meant to be cheesy!

I have to mention one present from Mrs EB it is a NEW Beatles album!!! Called LOVE. I have a few hero's one of them is Sir George Martin. He produced The Beatles, and was asked by Cirque du Soleil if he could do something with The Beatles music? Well after 2 years and help from his son Giles this album is now available.

With LOVE, Cirque du Soleil celebrates the musical legacy of The Beatles

Born from a personal friendship and mutual admiration between the late George Harrison and Cirque founder Guy Laliberté, LOVE brings the magic of Cirque du Soleil together with the spirit and passion behind the most beloved rock group of all time to create a vivid, intimate and powerful entertainment experience.
LOVE evokes the exuberant and irreverent spirit of The Beatles, as interpreted through the youthful, urban energy of a cast of 60 international artists. Using the master tapes at Abbey Road studios, Sir George Martin and Giles Martin have created a unique soundscape of The Beatles music for LOVE. The custom-built theatre at The Mirage features 360° seating, panoramic video projections and surround sound which will envelop the audience, who will experience The Beatles music like never before...

The Album is amazing. I am totally blown away by it. It is a flowing album, every track is segued and the new mixes are just mind blowing. It is a sort of new Sergeant Peppers, but that would limit it. If you like The Beatles it is a must have album!!!

Now I really want to see the show

A late entry for to Pull Santa’s Sleigh

Though as Jo is a tad young I think Ben should lead and Jo just be there for cuteness and strength, So keep those votes coming in on Teapots blog

Christmas Eve -1 ;-)

Every year we get a Christmas card from Boldmere Churches Together, letting us know what services are taking place over Christmas. I looked at the card and thought sweet picture. Mrs EB looked at it and then looked on the back and saw who had drawn it!!!!


None other Ruebun and Ester's daughter!!!!! Isobel what a star!!!! By far the best drawn card ever I say!!!!

Harry Potter, work and quiet nights in

I am a very big Harry Potter fan, I much prefer the books to the films, though I have enjoyed the films as well. Today JK Rowling announced the title of the 7th and final book in the series “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.” When this will be finished who knows, but I am guessing mid 07 with a publishing date of mid December for the Christmas market…

Oh yes you can buy an adult edition of these books, it isn’t just the cover that is different

Today has been different!! I went to do a location record, and met Philtheus. It was an interesting project which I enjoyed greatly. Then back home to edit it, and wait patiently for a job to arrive from London. At the time of writing I am still waiting…ho hummm.

Last night I was going to have a quiet night in, a bit of food, a bottle of Red and the TV, The Bill was on then Torchwood. As I settled in with a nice log fire the doorbell went, it was Mrs EB’s brother, a nice surprise, I poured him a glass of vino and we had a chat he had come to drop off some presents from relatives, always nice. Anyhoo he left,The Bill came on, I was there for the night total bliss …the phone goes, it is Mr Hudson the coffee shop owner….With a “Where do you live again on Jockey Road?” so I poured him a glass and waited for the doorbell. I never did get to watch The Bill after the first set of adverts or any of Torchwood, oh well, they were both nice surprise visits and it really was a wonderful surprise to see Mr Hudson again and catch up.

Some Christmas Humour?

Not from Ronnie this time but a friend in Spain, I have omitted the very bad/disgusting/dubious ones

Well they made me chuckle a little, and I think Mrs FLN will like the last one...

A new week

Sorry I haven’t posted much over the last few days, a couple of reasons:

I have been up to my ears in busyness, Cabaret and sound at Church, I have also been feeling quite ill, with an ear infection and have had between 0% to 60% hearing in one ear and I have been constantly dizzy and trying not to throw up most of Weds and Friday, Thursday was a complete no go day. Saturday I just felt so grotty and ill, but “The Show” had to go on. Sunday I started to feel a little better and did the recording and Today I feel awful again. I have decided if I feel that ill again I will just say I can’t do stuff even at short notice, there are others about who could do it I am sure. I really want that sort of Outreach to be right and sound the best it can and be as professional as it can be. But I must start looking after myself, It is going to take my body weeks to recover as I don’t recover as fast as most people and that isn’t fair on Mrs EB or myself…

Well enough of my misery and woes here is another Ronnie Joke to Start the week off with.

A Safari

A wealthy old lady decides to go on a photo safari in South Africa, taking her faithful aged poodle named Cuddles, along for the company. One day the poodle starts chasing butterflies and before long, Cuddles discovers that he's lost.

Wandering about, he notices a leopard heading rapidly in his direction with the intention of having lunch. The old poodle thinks, "Oh, oh! I'm in deep doo-doo now!" Noticing some bones on the ground close by, he immediately settles down to chew on the bones with his back to the approaching cat. Just as the leopard is about to leap the old poodle exclaims loudly, "Boy, that was one delicious leopard! I wonder if there are any more around here?"Hearing this, the young leopard halts his attack in mid-strike, a look of terror comes over him and he slinks away into the trees.

"Whew!", says the leopard, "That was close! That old poodle nearly had me!"

Meanwhile, a monkey who had been watching the whole scene from a nearby tree, figures he can put this knowledge to good use and trade it for protection from the leopard. So off he goes, but the old poodle sees him heading after the leopard with great speed, and figures that something must be up. The monkey soon catches up with the leopard, spills the beans and strikes a deal for himself with the leopard. The young leopard is furious at being made a fool of and says, "Here, monkey, hop on my back and see what's going to happen to that conniving canine!

Now, the old poodle sees the leopard coming with the monkey on his back and thinks, "What am I going to do now?", but instead of running, the dog sits down with his back to his attackers, pretending he hasn't seen them yet, and just when they get close enough to hear, the old poodle says."Where's that damn monkey? I sent him off an hour ago to bring me another leopard!

Moral of this story....Don't mess with old farts...age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill!

Bullshit and brilliance only come with age and experience.

Pigeons

The first of the cabaret was lastnight and went well. Tonights is the big one at SCBC.

If you have a few seconds to spare read the story, not very interesting then read the comments that readers have put, it has to be one the best reads for ages Pigeons. Enjoy

Owwww

Well I didn’t get too much sleep last night as the pain was pushing me to the limit, but when I did sleep and then awoke my ear was a little better, so thank you for the prayers. I am really annoyed because my parents are coming to the Cabaret and they are bringing guests and my ear is playing up (grrrrrrr)!!!! how ironic? But I am really Praying that all these small steps will lead to them coming to a service soon, so I really want to be on top form and make this Cabaret the best yet. So I am being attacked....I think someone is scared we are making an impact on my parents...

I am taking things easy today, though I am going shopping with Mrs FLN for a bit of urgent Christmas Shopping!!! I need to get something for Mrs EB to open on Christmas day or I might just be living in the Cat pen on Boxing Day, maybe I could get her some leadblack for the Yorkshire puddings? (read Timelords blog for full story)

Re: Calling all would be REINDEER! from Teapots Blog

There you are Mrs Teapot, Angus Santa's new big helper

The phones arrived at 7am yesterday morning!!!! Mrs EB received them, lol, I was still asleep. Anyhooo both phones are very sexy and nice. I have swapped most things over on to my new phone, the one thing it won’t let me swap over are my Texts. I am very sad about that as I have two TXT’s from Matt and I did want to keep them. I am sure I will work out what to do.. Shelagh's phone is also a PDA so its going to take her a few hours to work how it all works.

I have also finished the music quiz x2 for Mission Team Leader, I am just awaiting her approval and her answers... apart from that not much has happened.

Oh beggar!!!!

Every now and again I get an eczema in my ears, well today is that lucky day, yeeehar I was on the phone to the Doc's and got some antibiotic spray, I am in a heck of a lot of pain...please pray for me as its the Cabaret on Friday and Saturday, rehearsal Wednesday...

Well that was an interesting weekend.

Saturday was spent sharing a Golden wedding with two great people from our Church, it really is wonderful to see people still very much in love after 50 years. We came home after and shared a curry and watched a horror film called The Ring, the problem was it was an old DVD and it kept sticking…then the last 2 mins wouldn’t play!!!!! Got a refund from Blockbusters!!!

Sunday morning was different, Jimmy Cricket another comedian from the 70’s and 80’s came to Church, he did a routine for 30 minutes, it was very corny but also very funny, the juggling in styles was excellent. Though when interviewed he didn’t really give anything away…very good service though, Mark lead and Rev D spoke so well again. Afterwards we went to my parents for Sunday dinner, Mary from Spain was there and we shared some great food and laughs. Mmmmm Roast Beef and Apple and Raspberry pie, oh so tasty.

The evening service was taken by Mission Team Leader and was about the feeding of the 5000 and giving things over to God…an excellent service though I did giggle in a couple places because of certain people around the building. Afterwards in the Bishop it was a very big crowd, and so wonderful to see so many people, I didn't get to chat to everyone, though I did chat with Martin's dad which was really nice.

During both services I was trying a new recording system. Recording Via PC to Adobe Audition I had a few teething problems, which is OK it was the first of four Sundays to set it up. I was very happy by the end of Sunday evenings service, a few more tweaks but I think it is the way forward.

TWAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT

They were together in the House

Just the two of them.

It was a cold, dark, stormy night. The storm had come quickly and each time the thunder boomed he watched her jump

She looked across the room and admired his strong appearance....and wished that he would take her in his arms, comfort her and protect her from the storm.

She wanted that...more than anything .

Suddenly, with a pop, the power went out....

She screamed...




He raced to the sofa where she was cowering. He didn't hesitate to pull her into his arms.

He knew this was a forbidden union and expected her to pull back.

He was surprised when she didn't resist but instead clung to him.

The storm raged on...as did their growing passion. And there came a moment when each knew that they had to be together. They knew it was wrong... Their families would never understand... So consumed were they in their passion that they heard no opening of doors...just the faint click of a camera......

Mobile Phones

Well it has come to pass that my Mobile phone is now to be retired. I phoned the people at O2 and said I want to cancel my account with you and go back to T Mobile. "Oh we don't want you to go, Mr EB please stay, " She said. "I know, we will up the amount of texts you can do for free from 25 to 300 and we will let you talk for free for an extra 50 minutes a month and we will cut your bill £10 a month, also Mr EB you can choose some now phones for Mrs EB and yourself."

Ohh that’s nice I thought, choosing a nice phone from the website for Mrs EB that would let her edit Outlook and her diary...and choosing one that I can keep in my pocket without dialling some poor person again and again, sorry if I did this to you with my last but one phone. Anyhooo the upshot is I am stuck at home today and Monday; I am unable to go out as TNT are delivering the phones today or Monday, they couldn't tell me which....arggghhhhhh.

Oh well it is giving me the chance to do Miss Mission Team Leaders music quiz's for the Cabaret.

A couple of Ronnie Jokes

I thought I would pass on a few more jokes from Ronnie my Dad.

A young ventriloquist is touring the clubs and stops to entertain at a bar in a small town. He's going through his usual run of stupid blonde jokes when a large, blonde woman in the fourth row stands on her chair and says, "I've heard just about enough of your denigrating blonde jokes! What makes you think you can stereotype women that way? What does a person's physical attributes have to do with their worth as a human being?"
The ventriloquist looks on in amazement. "It's guys like you who keep women like me from being respected at work and in my community," she continued, "and of reaching my full potential as a person because you and your kind continue to perpetuate discrimination against not only blondes but women at large... all in the name of humor." Flustered, the ventriloquist begins to apologize. The blonde interjects, "You stay out of this, mister. I'm talking to that little guy on your knee!"

Test for Dementia

Below are four (4) questions and a bonus question. You have to answer them instantly.

You can't take your time, answer all of them immediately. OK?

Let's find out just how clever you really are....

Ready?

GO!!!

(scroll down)

First Question:

You are participating in a race. You overtake the second person. What position are you in?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Answer:

If you answered that you are first, then you are absolutely wrong!

If you overtake the second person and you take his place, you are second!

Try not to mess up next time.

Now answer the second question,

but don't take as much time as you took for the first question, OK?

Second Question:

If you overtake the last person, then you are...?

(scroll down)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Answer:

If you answered that you are second to last, then you are wrong again.

Tell me, how can you overtake the LAST Person?

You're not very good at this, are you?

Third Question:

Very tricky arithmetic!

Note:

This must be done in your head only.

Do NOT use paper and pencil or a calculator.

Try it.

Take 1000 and add 40 to it. Now add another 1000 . Now add 30. Add another 1000. Now add 20. Now add another 1000 Now add 10. What is the total?
Scroll down for answer.....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Did you get 5000?

The correct answer is actually 4100.

If you don't believe it, check it with a calculator!

Today is definitely not your day, is it?

Maybe you'll get the last question right....

....Maybe.

Fourth Question:

Mary's father has five daughters: 1. Nana, 2. Nene, 3. Nini, 4. Nono.

What is the name of the fifth daughter?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Did you Answer Nunu?

NO! Of course it isn't.

Her name is Mary.

Read the question again!

Okay, now the bonus round:

A mute person goes into a shop and wants to buy a toothbrush.

By imitating the action of brushing his teeth he successfully expresses himself to the shopkeeper and the purchase is done. Next, a blind man comes into the shop who wants to buy a pair of sunglasses; how does HE indicate what he wants? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He just has to open his mouth and ask...

It's really very simple.... Like you!

PASS THIS ON TO FRUSTRATE THE SMART PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE!

Have a nice day everyone.

Blue Man Show

In early January Mrs EB and I are going down to London again to see a show and stop over and do a little sight seeing. We are going to see The Blue Man Show, you may have seen these guys doing an advert for Pentium a couple of year ago. I am really looking forward to seeing the show they do all sorts of things a sort of Stomp meets something that has lots of lights and clever things. I also want to go to the Tower again (No clever remarks about being kept in please Timelord) I last went there when I was about 7 with Little Sutton Junior School.


We are down there for a few days, so any ideas for two tourists, but nothing that goes up in the air like the london eye please, big poof here who doesn't do hights.

Another rant.

Some things in life I don’t get, I really do not understand?

Like how someone can be cruel to an animal, I eat meat, I enjoy it, and if push came to shove I would kill a say rabbit to eat. I wouldn’t torment it, I wouldn't chase it for miles so it is almost scared to death as a sport. I would use a snare to trap it then quickly kill it or if I had a gun I would shoot it in the field. If I kept chickens and a fox was worrying them I shoot the fox in the same way if I was keeping sheep and a dog worried them again I would shoot it. I would feel awful afterwards but I would protect my livelihood.
I was listening to Otis Ferry, the spoilt brat son of Bryan Ferry, saying how he hates the new anti-hunting law and he will not obey it, he has already been in contempt of court for storming the House of Commons, and is up for drink driving in January (what a nice young chappie he is). He is master of hounds at a hunt, so it is his hunt! I for one hope he filmed doing his deed and sent to jail, he thinks because his dad famous and has money he can do what he wants. Maybe 6 months with Mr I-Like-Nice-Posh-Boys as his cell mate will change his views on life, lets see how he likes being chased for sport.

I don't know how I feel about Christmas this year?

Mrs EB's mother won’t be joining us as is the norm, so it will be just the two of us for dinner. A nice quiet afternoon of food, drink and presents. I never spent Christmas with Chris or Matt though seeing people at Church Christmas day is always a fun thing...all in new jumpers and socks...We don't open presents here until after dinner and the washing up is done, the fire is lit and a large Red Wine or brandy is in my hand.

Christmas is a time for family and friends, so feeling rather sad is part of this year’s Christmas, I am sad for Heidi and Stephen, Viv and Al and for Chris's family, but I am also sad for Mrs EB as She would probably be singing with Chris over the Christmas period, and I know doubt I would be mixing it, I would have gone for a curry or two the both and shared more than a beer or two. I will enjoy Christmas and the cabarets but I will also shed a tear or two and raise a glass to two friends who I miss very much.

Don't Drink and Drive this Christmas

........and IF you laugh at this you're bad !!!

December 1st today…December isn’t my favourite month by a long shot, it is cold, wet and the shops get far too busy and people get very grumpy. Also my big pet hate is Xmas….I really do hate Xmas it makes me go Grrrrrrrrrrr “Put Christ back in Christmas” and leave him there.

Oh yes some very good News today

From July 1st 2007 I will be a little happier it has been revealed that from that date Smoking in enclosed spaces in England and Wales will be banned not August 2007 as originally stated.
Being an Ex- Smoker (we are always the worst) I really hate going into a pub or restaurant and coming home and smelling like an ashtray. Sometimes friends will go to a different pub than the Bishop (a non-smoking pub) and I usually say no. I just don’t want to go home put my clothes in for washing and have a shower to get that stench out of my hair (yeah, yeah, yeah) and off my body. Well from July 1st I will be able to go to any pub or restaurant and be in comfort. What really gets me angry is the smokers who say well there is a no smoking area…Smoke isn’t that clever, it travels where it wants, also the smoking area is usually by the bar, (smokers can’t walk that far) so I have to walk through the smokers to sit down or fetch a new drink.