Reading

I have spent a bit of time re-reading my Blog from August to December last year, from the sadness I felt as Mrs EB went to Brazil, her return, my excitement of going back to Malta and diving again to hearing the worst news ever. How I dealt with the news and how I felt over the first few months. I am really glad I kept this Blog, it has helped me by reading it. I know I don't feel the same now....I felt so numb and I don't feel numb anymore. I don't remember some days at all or where I went, what I did, I think I was just on auto-pilot for most of the time. The feelings I have now are of sadness but I also feel comfort from spending time with my friends who knew Matt and Chris. They often come up in convocation which is really nice. We talk about them and remember their parts in our lives. I don't really cry anymore, I guess that part with me has now moved on, I do still feel that great loss and I guess I will feel that for many, many years.

As September rolls round so quickly, I no doubt I will shed tears and spend time with people who knew and loved those special men. I will share stories and anecdotes, I will laugh a lot and have my heart break again, but that is OK. I have learned this year that a broken heart is a good thing if it is shared with people who love and care for you.

If you do read my blog please pray for the families of Chris and Matt, it doesn’t matter that you don’t know their individual names, God does and he listens to all prayers.

Wednesday & Thursday

After what seemed like an age and a half I finally managed to get the video onto my Mac along with the stills for Seconds Out and edit it, I think I have found a great track to go behind it, so when Georgie back off her holidays I will show it to her and see if she wants any changes.

I am feeling a very rough again today a bad head and feel a quite queasy I am noticing these things more these days now as I am feeling better more often than not now so the days I feel rough I really notice it. I am guessing that is a good thing?

I have noticed since I have started taking my medication I am feeling generally more with it, and have some energy and I feel brighter; I am also noticing how sweet something’s are now I have generally cut out sugar (I never had sugar added to drinks). I am still really craving sweets and I am supplementing that with an orange or peanuts.

I am still feeling a bit iffy and this is starting to worry me as I am now on a new medication...I will give it a few more days and then I will go and see Dr X if it continues.

Anyhoo I have spent ages varnishing the banister and balustrades with a finishing varnish, I had done them with just an interior varnish but that will lift with use so a hard exterior varnish was needed. I think we are ready - decorating wise for the carpets to be fitted on Wednesday.

Tuesday

I am having one of those days!!! Everything is taking 10x longer to do anything than I want it to!!! I was involved with the Church mission to Falcon Lodge in a small way. I was making balloon animals etc in the shop and stuff like that. Well a video was taken and I offered to edit it as the person who had edited it hadn’t really grasped what was needed. Unfortunately he gave me a CD Rom of the video in .wmf format (over 20mins) ... so I then had to convert it to .avi this has taken me all morning and it’s still converting, I need it uncompressed and in full for the best quality. I then have to unload that off the PC on then load it onto my Mac so I can edit down to about 3 to 4 minutes plus add some stills and music. I am also trying to back up my HD’s this is usually an easy job I do once every few days, but running this video editing stuff on my PC has slowed it to crawl.....urghhhh video on PC!!!! I am also listening to ITunes to try and find a song to go behind the video...not easy. Ho Hum I also have to make tea and do other bits and bobs....such fun.

Monday

It was a quiet weekend, we didn't do much really. Friday evening Skip came round, we tried to eat a Chinese in the garden but a few wasps made it annoying so we gave up and came inside, we had a good evening chewing Chinese and the fat. Saturday was a day we didn't do much we popped out to look for some chairs for "The Robber Button" and had lunch out, came home and did some odd jobs ( I cleaned the weed out of the water feature) and surfed the net. Sunday I was on sound, the Morning DR S took the service and it was very funny. The evening Mrs EB lead the worship (a jolly fine job she did too) and Mish Partner V preached. V is just an inspiration I could listen to her all day she is 70 and looks and sounds much younger...she is amazing. I had gone to collect the radio mic off her and was having a little chat, when a person from church came upto her (he is known to have a few problems) and asked for one her tracts known as BYN but he asked for a BNP leaflet I nearly laughed, but V was unfazed and corrected him and just carried on.

I went to the dentist this morning and had a polish and check up. I have managed to chip a small amount off one of my front teeth, so I had that filed down and sorted, apart from that all is well in the EB mouth department. I have made an appointment with a young optician called Rachel, the earliest I could get is September 11th...she is very popular. That is about it in the life of EB at the moment, apart from a visit last night from 2 Paddington Bears (They are from Darkest Puru you know? They kept telling me, it was very annoying when I am trying mix the sound) who sat with me on the sound desk courtesy of a certain Timelord who shall remain nameless... (Neither had Marmalade Sandwiches with them under their hats?)

Saturday update

I went to see Dr R at the hospital at 7:30am yesterday !!! I tend to forget things and I would forget half of what he said...so Mrs EB came with me. Over all Dr R is very happy with my progress. I am losing a little weight, my various readings in my blood are doing well, my Blood Sugar is still higher than he likes also my blood fats. I am now on a statin to bring those down (this is because my liver is damaged, and not to do with eating Bacon and Curry). I am also trying a different type of metformin a slower release, but now I am on a higher dosage (1000mg in the morning and 500mg in the evening) I haven't noticed any difference as yet but I am sure I will be able to get my BS down to 5 and 6 shortly. After a visit to see Dr R I made an appointment to see Dr X (Baddog did point out that I should get a new doctor as Dr X is always trying to take over the world) and took a letter from Dr R and got my new meds, came back here and had breakfast then started the new tablets.

The decorating is about done and the carpet should be going down soonish. Then onto the estate agents. We are still waiting for the cheque to come. so we can bank it then we can transfer funds to the marina for the boat, it is very frustrating we are all set to go and the surveyor who came Monday hasn’t sent off his survey yet this could set everything back by a week or two, I have already had to cancel our day skipper course once...it is looking like that will have to be changed again...grrrrrr. I wouldn’t mind, but the surveyor was a really nice guy he said he would get the thing off ASAP as well.

Oh well, I am sure we will just be very happy when it is all signed sealed and sorted. Lets hope for a long and hot Indian Summer and some great evenings and weekends on "The Robber Button"

A name..."A rose by any other name would smell as sweet"

EB and Shakespear...who would have thought it? not me....

Well Mrs EB and I have finally decided on a name for our boat and that name is "The Robber Button" what!!! ..... what? I hear my gentle reader say....well, Mrs EB and I are fans of Blackadder and in Blackadder 3; in the first episode, Dish and Dishonesty it goes something like this:-

Edmund Blackadder: Sir Talbot represented the constituency of(Dunny-on-the-Wold, and, by an extraordinary stroke of luck, it is a rotten borough.

Prince George: Really! Is it! Well, lucky-lucky us. Lucky-lucky-luck. (as a chicken) Luck-luck-LAKK-LAKK-LAKK-LAKK-cluck-cluck-cluck-cluck- cluck-LAKK-LAKK-LAKK.

Edmund Blackadder: ...You don't know what a rotten borough is, do you, sir?

Prince George: No.

Edmund Blackadder: So what was the chicken impression in aid of?

Prince George: Well, I just didn't want to hurt your feelings. Erm, so, what is a robber button?

Edmund Blackadder: *Rotten borough*.

Prince George: Oh, yes, you're right.

Edmund Blackadder: A rotten borough, sir, is a constituency where the owner of the land corruptly controls the both the voters and the MP.

Prince George: Good, yes...and a robber button is...?

Edmund Blackadder: Could we leave that for a moment? Dunny-on-the-World is a tuppenny- ha'penny place. Half an acre of sodden marshland in the Suffolk Fens with an empty town hall on it. Population: three rather mangy cows, a dachshund named `Colin', and a small hen in its late forties.

Prince George: So, no people at all, then? apart from Colin...

This really makes us laugh and we thought it a great name for a boat, so that's its name "The Robber Button"

Mrs EB filled out the registration last night and I made a few calls this morning and come Monday the Waterways Office will have our registration papers and things are really happening. The funds should be coming to us soon (I hope) and payments made. We are booked on a day skipper course next Saturday and I should be bringing "The Robber Button" up from Braunston on Sunday and be at Great Haywood for Saturday (it takes an hour in a car!!). It is all very exciting for us also a little scary. but nothing ventured nothing gained

Wednesday - Thursday

Wednesday

I had one of those days yesterday and today I am regretting it. It started by having blood tests then lifting all the old underlay in the hall, and landing (I had taken up the stairs the other day) I then had to take all the gripper rod up as I have to be careful about cuts and things on my feet. I then had to go ever the complete floor and get up all the nails, staples and other tiny tacks which took forever. I then toook all of that to the tip. Then to tesco for a shop, come home and cook tea. I know it doesn't sound much, but today I feel awful..... I am off to see the consultant Friday so lets see what he says about everything.

Thursday

Well I had to stop blogging yesterday as I ended up spending the day being very ill...ho hum. I even had to pop and see Dr X. I had some good news from him my diet is working and my bloods are looking much better.

Today I went to Braunston with a friend who also has a boat to get his views on the "unnamed" boat and he thought it very nice. Tervor (the surveyor) was there and has now signed off the boat, so as soon as we pay it is ours!!!! that is scary we are awaiting some funds then bish bash bosh hand over the dosh. We have the registration papers here....and we need to have a name to register the boat.... I think we are down to two names now....but that could change back to 3 or 4.

Tomorrow morning I am at the hospital seeing Dr R about the diabetes my bloods are still all over the place so I will see what he says about all of that.

The Simpsons

I recieved a link on my Facebook account today from music group singer Lisa S it lets you Simpsonize yourself and see what you would look like if you were lucky enough to ever get in The Simpsons

Monday

I had a really nice Birthday yesterday. As with most Sundays a very big part of it was spent at Church so I got to see a lot of my friends. We went to my Mum and Dad’s for a wonderful dinner, but I couldn't have any pudding... I am really missing puddings.

After church we went for a beer at the Jockey which was very nice, we had a little food and good company.

I called the marina and they are on target to finish the remedial work on the boat this week and the surveyor should sign it off Thursday, so if the money comes through we should have the boat shortly. We think we may have the name and when we take over the boat I will stick the name up here. I also have a small bottle champagne which I will open and toast the boat... there is no way I am breaking a bottle on the hull!!!! I might damage the hull and what a waste of good booze.

We had a surveyor come round and value EB Towers this morning as part of the loan agreement for the boat and that was OK he agreed on our price, so that should be all finalsied this week all being well. We have the decorator starting 9am Wednesday to finish off the hall, stairs and landing, it is all very exciting.

On the health front, I have an appointment at 7:30am Friday at the hospital to see Dr R and I have various blood test to take before then 9:40am tomorrow being one of them. I am feeling much better in myself, though I am still getting a headache it is not as bad as it has been.

Saturday August 4th

I was working in my garden yesterday, (I still have a good days works to do) I got to thinking about last year. This time last year Mrs EB was in Brazil with the mission team, and Matt would insist on taking me out for a beer and a curry....it didn't take too much insisting on his part really... I do miss our chats, we would talk all night about various things ranging from politics, religion.. friends our lives and work struggles. We would chew the fat and enjoy the company often bursting into gales of laughter with a few insults thrown in. On my birthday last year both Matt and Chris came along for a curry along with a few other special friends, Chris came late, ate early and went as he was going on somewhere else, I was just so happy he came, he was always going at 100mph but we all loved him so much and that was just his way. He gave me a beautiful bottle of wine, which I saved until Mrs EB was back from Brazil and we shared it together. He also gave me a card with the instructions not to show it to Donald !!! I am looking at it now with a tear in my eye. Heidi couldn't come along that evening as she had been at a carnival with work and was just pooped out. After the curry we all came back here to English Blogger Towers for puddings and Magno!!! and sat chatting for hours I don't remember what time Matt left, he was the last along with two other friends who were on Malta with us in September...Matt and Heidi also sent me a funny card with a joke about ...well maybe I will scan them both and put them after this waffle.

My heart is breaking again as September comes around, I know that it will be so hard for Heidi, Viv, Steve, Al, Carol Dorothy and all of the families and each will be in my Prayers. I was looking on the interwebbythingy for ways to pray (I am not a great prayer....so I look for inspiration sometimes) I came across this in some prayers for the loss of someone close. I thought I would add it to this blog as I found useful. I know Matt and Chris are in heaven, but they are also in my heart and this says that in a very special way.

I give you this one thought to keep ~ I am with you still ~ I do not sleep ~ I am a thousand winds that blow ~I am the diamond glinting on the snow ~ I am the sunlight on ripened grain ~ I am the gentle autumn rain

When you awaken in the morning's hush ~ I am the swift, uplifting rush ~ Of quiet birds in circled flight ~I am the soft stars that shine at night

Do not think of me as gone ~ as I am with you with each sunset & dawn ~ I will be constantly there ~ With you, always & forever more ~ Along your side ~ Always there…

A small explanation about Matt and Heidi’s card... Matt and I would spend a lot of time each day finding new ways to insult each other....ranging from just how ugly each of was to our sexuality, during one of these times Matt nick named me Brokeback Baynham and this where his card is coming from. Please don’t be offended by these cards I wasn’t, just enjoy them. I have looked at the cards a few times over the last 12 months and smiled and remembered two special friends. I usually throw away birthday cards a week or so after my birthday, but I kept them last year so Mrs EB could read them and then just put them away in my studio?

Being on a sugar free diet is very hard, I am really struggling. I am craving sweets, even Nestle sweets it is that bad!!!! it isn't even though I am hungry, it is just sugar withdrawal. I am sure this will pass as did the nicotine withdrawal but that was a toughie as well.

On the plus side I am losing weight not quickly but it is coming off, I am guessing eating porridge then lunch, two meals I could often skip and having a large tea my body would go into starvation mode and just store all the fat it could. I am now eating loads of fruit and three smaller meals a day and I am feeling better for it, also the tablets are sort of working and making me feel better than I have felt in years. The next trick will be to exercise a little more, that I will find hard as I am still lethargic most of the time...oh well small steps will finish the race.

we have had the chippie back in and he has now finished so it is over to me with sand paper and stain and varnish, so it will be ready for the decorator and then it will be carpets and a for sale board...and onto the next stage in our lives.

We have been asked by a few people if we will be hiring out the “Unnamed” boat, we haven’t really talked about it in-depth yet, but my gut reaction is no. We will be using the boat most weekend as a getaway home, especially for Mrs EB who is working very hard and needs to unwind. We will of course take friends with us some weekends for short trips and mini breaks. This is not meant to offend anyone but I would not feel comfortable lending or hiring out the boat at the moment, especially as we haven’t even got it yet ;-)

Weekend boating we can't wait!!!

Over the weekend we popped to Braunston and Great Haywood to measure up for curtains and bits and bobs and to have another look at the moorings. This is the marina with the main building being a lounge and office for the site.

As usual click on the photo's to see a larger version

Just off from Great Heywood is a little village called Milford which made me smile. I have taken a photo, I think Matt would have approved as its very beautiful.

As you can see from the photo's the Marina looks a quiet and sleepy place which will be perfect as a getaway starting point.



The photo's below are from on the as yet to be named boat!!!

Friday

Another week is winding down...

This week has been quite good, I have had a couple of jobs from London in. I have been to Church to help out with the Computers. This week also saw a specialist come and install a new speaker system. Paul the deacon has been looking after it, so I kept my nose out. I popped in yesterday once it was finished and gave the new system a blast. I am very impressed. Mike and Paul gave it a run last night at music group practise and said it sounded amazing, I came down just after and had a chat with Paul and Mike and had a listen to the radio mike and see what they thought. All in all everyone is very happy. When I got home Mrs EB said all from music group were so happy they could hear things!!!

Both Mrs EB and I are very excited about the Boat, I have been working on designs for the artwork and the name for the Boat and Mrs EB has been looking at route planners for narrow boats. So now we know how to get to Great Haywood!!!!

Thursday

Well talk about plonkers!!!! Yesterday I had a small job for London to finish off, then pop out round the corner to the shops for something for tea. Which I did, and completely forgot to pick up my keys off the key hanger, I realised a split second after I had closed the door. This was about 3pm Mrs EB wasn't due back until 6:30, so I walked down to the shops and got the food had a chat with a friend then went to the pub with a news paper. During this time London called and asked for another change to the job, I explained I could do after 6:30pm. Mrs EB and I had tea in the pub and came home.

Not the most productive of days really.

Wednesday

Crikey nearly a week since I last blogged!!!! My health over all is a little better, though today I don’t feel so good. I am now on tablets twice a day after meals (metformin 500mg) and I keep forgetting to take my tablet after breakfast.

We went out last night to Brum city centre to show some friends what it's like around Symphony Hall. We had a really nice time, and boy was it full of Narrow Boats round there.... The School holidays have started and it seems everyone has headed to the waterways of Birmingham.

We are in the middle period of buying our Narrow Boat, it was surveyed last week and a number of issues were raised and these all need to be put right, then we have another inspection...this will not be for another two weeks really so we are just sitting and waiting. We have not decided on the name yet, we have a few we like, we also need to find an artist to do the artwork...not sure where to actually find one that we can trust...but I am sure the internet will answer us.

I am trying to decorate...and I am making a hash of it, I am not a decorator I am far to clumsy with a paint brush. We are going to tidy up the house and sell it and buy a smaller place and use the boat as a getaway home. The logistics are still being sorted as I need to work from somewhere!!!

I have spent a few hours at church... The offices have moved out of the main building and into port-a-cabins as the renovation started Monday and I set up the PC's in the offices and then got the network working again on the various PC's. It should have just be a matter plugging into the hubs...but it wasn't!!! some would work, others wouldn't.

Mrs EB has a nasty cold that has nearly taken her voice away .... and she lead worship on Sunday sounding quite husky...but needed to come home from work on Monday feeling quite ill. My PC has something wrong with it so I am doing all I can to fix it without having to reformat the HD. Thats about it really....

My sort of 5 favourite Albums

Summerset Bob has challenged me to list and explain why I love my 5 favourite Albums, it was supposed to be songs but I just couldn't do it, I tried that earlier this year, so I changed it slightly to albums... I could easily list 1005 albums, it is nearly impossible to list only 5 but it would take all day to do anymore.....

Tubular Bells...Mike Oldfield

This is the first album I ever bought, and still my favourite piece of music of all time. It has passion and energy and is technically just brilliant, Mike rerecorded this album in 2003 as an homage to his early work. The rerecording is mechanically, technically and musically better as there are fewer mistakes (I have found one technical mistake..producers ears!!) I think I prefer the original for the shear brilliance of its time, also Mike being only 19 at the time. Tubular Bells is a piece of music I listen to all of the time. I love all of the versions of Tubular Bells, Tubular Bells 2, 2003 and Tubular Bells 3, (I used Tubular Bells 3 on the Las Vegas Helicopter Video). I listen to all of these at various times; when I am sad to help with the blues in me, when I am happy to make me smile and all times in between, I even have Tubular Bells tattooed on my right upper arm!!!

The Beatles...Love

I was born a Bealtles fan, they were number 1 when I was born, the films were on TV during the school holidays, my sisters had the albums and would be playing them as I grew up. I sort of lived The Beatles as a child and I just love them. Sgt Pepper's is an all time favourite album and a shear masterpiece of concept music. But Love is the album that has being missing, it is what was needed, and had to be done, and Sir George Martin and his son Giles are the only people who could have done it. They have brought The Beatles into the 21st Century and to new ears. The transitions between tracks are mind blowing the displacement and replacement of instruments around the tracks is total genius. I hear new stuff all of the time in the tracks and this album is always being played on my IPod. If you get a chance to go Las Vegas the show will leave you speechless!!! By far the greatest Beatles album ever. The first time I listened to this album on Christmas day I had leaky eyes!!!

Genesis...A Trick of the Tail

An album that reminds of my teens and some great parties, lost girlfriends, mates that have long vanished and some amazing times of chewing the fat and smoking some funny fags. This is an album that I have played to death. This is the first album after Peter Gabriel left and to me is the best of Genisis’s work. It sort of has a rock opera feel to each track as every song tells a story in its own right. This is an album that I was unable to listen too for a few years as it was a late release on CD and my record deck was totally screwed, but it is now a favourite on my IPod.

Marillion...Clutching at Straws

The last album by fish with Marillon. I just love the feel of this album it so sad and reflective and has beautiful melodies and some amazing lyrics. Fish is a poet second to none and an amazing musician. The feel of this album is a little softer than most of the other Marillion stuff. I do love Misplaced Childhood, Script for a Jesters Tears, Fugazzi, Reel to Reel and all of the B' Sides, the live albums etc. But I think this album wins with the lyrics. Most of the early (Fish) Marillion music is in a style similar to early Genesis which is why I like them I guess, though the Marillion lyrics are 100x more powerful.

Bat out of Hell .. Meatloaf

This is the album that was the anthem of my youth, I don’t think a week went by when I didn’t sing along to the songs on this masterpiece. Jim Steinman is a hero of mine, I love his song writing style, Pandora’s Box his first concept album is where it all started and is amazing as is Bad for Good, but Meatloaf ads his amazing voice and here we get near perfection. The strings on For Crying Out Loud still sends shivers down my spine as does the piano on the title track. Between Jim Steinman, Meatloaf and Mike Oldfield my life has been set music and I love them all.

There are a stack of albums I could add to this like:-

Pet Sounds - The Beach Boys
Abba - Gold
Elvis Presley's - Greatest hits,
The Divine Comedy - A Secret History
Les Mis - Original Cast
Tom Jones - Reload
Amy Grant - The Collection
The News Boys - Shine
Rem - Automatic for the People
Styx - Caught in the Act
Simon and Garfunkle - The Concert in Central Park
Jimmy Nail - Crocodile Shoes
Pink Floyd - Dark side of the Moon
Michael Jackson - Dangerous
Jack Johnson - In between Dreams
U2 - Joshua Tree
Swing out sister - Kalaeidoscope World,
Led Zeplin - Led Zeplin IV
Lemon Jelly - KY
Lynard Skynyrd - One more for the Road
Queen - Queens Greatest Hits
Neil Diamond - Tap Root Manuscript
Baka Beyond - Spirit of the Forrest
Gary Moore - Still got the Blues
Robbie Williams - Swing When You're Winning
Vince Guaraldi Trio- Vince Guaraldi Trio
Jeff Wayne - War of the Worlds
The Who - Live from Leeds
Chris Eaton - Wonderful World
The Carpenters - Yesterday Once More

Of Course this list is just what I am thinking about at the moment and I could keep adding albums.....but I need to be doing other things.

I am told I need to tag 5 people to carry this on, they have to link back to me, if I have got it right?

so over to:-

Baddog http://www.baddogsblog.blogspot.com/

Timelord http://talesofatimelord.blogspot.com/

Teapot http://teapotdiaries.blogspot.com/

Amy and Amiability http://webgirly.blogspot.com/

Scubasis http://www.scubasis.blogspot.com/

A few busy days

I have had a couple of busy days, I have been at Amy's school helping her with her school musical play...helping is a little bit over an over statement really. I have supplied a few mics and a small PA and sat and watched the show whilst firing the CD and turning on the mics. I have really enjoyed myself, her year 6 class are wonderful and very funny. Also Amy paid me with a scrummy meal of roast half Duck at the Hedgehog, very tasty, they also had some wonderful sounding puddings...but they are now off my menu :-(

Mrs EB and I also went and booked a mooring in Great Heywood in a new marina, we met Geoff one of the owners who talked to us about the marina and what else they are doing there...he was very funny and could really talk!!!! Jenny who works and lives there with her Grey Hound on a boat was really nice. I think we will be very happy there. The mooring we have booked is really nice with great views of the area. All we need now is a boat!

My friend Summerset Bob has posted some wonderful pictures of sand sculpture in Western and I said I would try and dig out some we saw in Florida 12years ago!!! blinking heck that makes me feel old.

Monday again.

Well that was a great weekend. Well an interesting one...it started off at 8:30am Saturday with Mac a chippie coming over to do some woodwork around English Blogger Towers. Now he is a great chippie but he does like to chat...so I stayed in my studio most of the day editing videos, coming out to make coffee and bacon sandwiches. When Mac finished at about 5:30 I rushed to get a Bus...(I know me on a bus) to meet Mrs EB in Brum, we met up and went to Jimmy Spicer’s all paid for by someone else..the best sort of food. Mrs EB had been a very busy bunnie all day examining Dr's!!! Afterwards we popped to Jens for a 21st Birthday party which was wonderful and we saw some great friends including Timelord and Teapot.

Sunday was our 18th wedding anniversary....I know but I was 7 when we got married ;-)

Anyhoo we went out for the day Sunday looking at various sites for a mooring for a boat…oh? I hear you say. Well Mrs EB and I are thinking of buying a narrow boat. We are thinking of selling up English Blogger Towers and getting a flat around our locale and then having a boat to retreat to as and when. I am guessing this is something I will blog about later when things are signed and sealed!!!! I know but I can’t say too much at the moment. We did have a really nice day out and saw some nice places though. Also I am guessing friends will like to visit and go for a trip up the cut.

Feelings

Anyhooo how do I really feel about all of this then? well I am feeling many things...I feel relieved that I now have a diagnosis, I feel depressed I have a lifelong condition that will get worse as I get older, I am very tired as my BS is high, I am cheesed off I can't get my BS to lower no matter what I eat. I am angry with myself for not putting 2 + 2 together and asking about diabetes a few years ago. I am usually very quick to work out ailments and things in medical programmes on TV , but I couldn't see it in myself. Plus a load of other emotions are running around in my head.

Having read loads about diabetes on the internet and friends like Summerset Bob sending me articles to read I feel I am pretty up on the condition. Two and a half weeks ago I knew diabetes = no sugar ever unless you went hypoglycaemic , or hypo.

I have told my friends and family about the diabetes and the usual reaction is ...really...then, it's; what can't you eat now? so I say sweets and sugar at the moment but once my blood sugar is under control I can eat anything really as long as I don't overdo things.

I have read it is best to avoid sugar as it will spike my blood, but I can have say, an after dinner mint or two after a meal, they will not kill me, as some people tend to think. Most people with diabetes avoid sugar as it tends to send the blood hyperglycaemic or hyper, so I will do the same 99% of the time. Alcohol is another thing, people are saying "No more alcohol" with authority...not at all, that was one of the first questions I asked, and I was told my consumption of alcohol was fine. I usually have a couple of pints on a Sunday and maybe a glass of wine with a meal in the week. Alcohol lowers the blood sugar and can bring on a hypo (a hypo can look like drunkenness, it has some similar symptoms, slurred speech, loss of coordination, and can bring on sleep, which can quickly lead to a coma, so it is always good to have someone with you who can spot the symptoms. Having a mars bar or a biscuit or two can quickly bring you round or so my book says)

It is all about having a balanced diet not too much of anything really. I cannot eat sugar at all at the moment as my BS level is very high, but I can have Splanda (a sugar substitute) so I can eat my porridge in the mornings. I have been told to lower my calorie intake, which I am doing and I do need to do a little more exercise (well some would be good) So I have a little walk into Boldmere and things like that.

I am not being beaten by a big stick about what I can and cannot have, but I am now being careful and it is very hard at times. I was saying too Team Leader yesterday after a funeral, evenings are the hardest, sitting down and relaxing watching a TV programme I just fancy a bar of something...so now I have a peach or an apple. It is like smoking and breaking the habit I guess and using will power, so far I have been able to do that and hopefully like breaking the smoking habit I soon wont crave chocolate as much.

I have some more Ronnie Jokes and stuff

TOMMY COOPERISMS

This lorry full of tortoises collided with a van full of terrapins. It was a turtle disaster.

I told my girlfriend I had a job in a bowling alley. She said "Tenpin?" I said, "No, permanent."

I went in to a pet shop. I said, "Can I buy a goldfish?" The guy said, "Do you want an aquarium?" I said, "I don't care what star sign it is."

Batman came up to me and he hit me over the head with a vase and he went T'PAU! I said "Don't you mean KAPOW?? He said "No, I've got china in my hand."

I bought some Armageddon cheese today, and it said on the packet. 'Best Before End'

I went to buy a watch, and the man in the shop said "Analogue." I said "No, ju st a watch."

I went into a shop and I said, "Can someone sell me a kettle." The bloke said "Kenwood?" I said, "Where is he then?"

I was reading this book today, The History Of Glue. I couldn't put it down.

I phoned the local ramblers club today, but the bloke who answered just went on and on.

The recruitment consultant asked me "What do you think of voluntary work?? I said "I wouldn't do it if you paid me."

This policeman came up to me with a pencil and a piece of very thin paper. He said, "I want you to trace someone for me."

I phoned the local builders today, I said to them "Can I have a skip outside my house?" He said, "I'm not stopping you!"

I was driving up the motorway and my boss phoned me and he told me I'd been promoted. I was so shocked I swerved the car. He phoned me again to say I'd been promoted even higher and I swerved again. He then made me managing director and I went right off into a tree. The police came and asked me what had happened. I said "I careered off the road"

I visited the offices of the RSPCA today. It's tiny: you couldn't swing a cat in there.

I was stealing things in the supermarket today while balanced on the shoulders of a couple of vampires. I was charged with shoplifting on two counts.

I bought a train ticket to France and the ticket seller said "Eurostar" I said "Well I've been on telly but I'm no Dean Martin."

I phoned the local gym and I asked if they could teach me how to do the splits. He said, "How flexible are you?" I said, "I can't make Tuesdays or Thursdays."

a breath of fresh air

Around 12 years ago I gave up smoking after being addicted to smoking for well over 20 years. I woke up with the flu and just couldn’t smoke as I felt so sick, the next day I was feeling a little better and wanted a cigarette but thought, if I had managed 1 day without, how long could I go today without one? and that has been my challenge ever since, some days I still want one even after 12 years...I guess it is not dissimilar to an alcoholic with booze.

I am amazed at the kids today I see smoking? When I started in the 1970’s smoking was bad for your health, you shouldn’t really smoke. Today everywhere it is known that smoking kills!!!! Yet still they start. My one wish for this government is for a law on selling cigarettes to anyone under 21 and to put a super tax on all tobacco products so they are just too expensive for kids to get hold of them.

I know it is possible for people to stop smoking if they so wish, because my mother who started smoking in the 1950’s stopped at 70 year old just like I did a couple years ago.

I heard someone in my local high street moaning that they could no longer smoke in one of the local Indian restaurants anymore.....what a shame you can't ruin someone else’s meal with your smoke... and I have to say it was so nice to sit in a pub on Sunday and not have to even think about where to sit. I know I have friends and family who enjoy a cigarette but sorry guys it is now our turn to enjoy the freedom to breathe relatively clean air now. I really hope that the smoking ban will be the catalyst for many smokers to stop smoking, I know most health services are offing free patches, gum and other aids for anyone who wants to stop.

Tuesday

I read a few blogs most days, I like to feel a few bloggers have become blog friends over the years as we have exchanged views and thoughts.

One Blog friend is pondering quitting or changing to a new identity because he doesn't want potential employers reading his blog...When I started to blog I decided I didn't actually want to blog under my own name as I liked the idea of a pen name, I also didn't want nutters stalking me. I like to blog as I have said before it is a cathartic way of getting things off your mind and chest, I have a lot there at the moment, many emotions all trying to take over.

I am slowly coming to terms with my Diabetes, there was really nothing I could have done as it is genetic, (well maybe not eaten as many sweets) or so I was told yesterday, I also had to ask my mum to get in touch with my siblings and get them to go to the docs and get screened for diabetes, I am hoping and praying that each of them is OK. I am sure that I once my BS and my liver are a little better I will feel much better as well. I was told yesterday my liver has a form of genetic hepatitis as well, so it is no wonder I have been feeling pants for such a long time.

My new medication is interesting "Metformin", I took the first dose after tea last night, after 40 minutes or so I was feeling very strange; in a way I haven't felt since I last took waccy baccy in the 80's before giving my life to God. Metformin is to try to bring down my BS then it will help to regulate the BS.

Monday a new week and a new start

Yesterday at Church was amazing:-

Team Leader preached on the values of Christianity and forgiveness in the morning and used the last Dr Who episode to illustrate the sermon. I think it was one of the best sermons I have heard in ages. It was funny and so to the point, I am sure everyone there heard the message and it will stick.

Sunday evening was a sermon the Team Leader didn’t really want to talk on, but it was done so well. Hell !!! was the subject and do people live in hell or do they just die? I won’t go into the in and outs here, but I will say what was said was true and very hard to hear.

I saw the consultant this morning...and basically my life will never be the same again...I have medication to take daily (metformin), and I have a liver problem that may never clear up... and a metabolic syndrome? (basically a lot of problems in my blood) This was also hard to hear. I am so glad that Mrs EB came with me to the hospital because I am sure I have forgotten most of what Dr R said. The new medication is going to be in stages as the old liver is an issue, after a week I double the dose then in 6 weeks I have to see Dr R again and I will get another medication to take....Dr R was a really nice and sweet person, who is doing a very tough job, his clinics are so full he is now starting them at 7:30am!!! which is the time I will be seeing him next time.

Anyhoo it looks like I am being a good boy and looking after myself since I heard the news, he was quite pleased with some of my blood test results. especially my liver enzymes so keeping on the sugar free diet, eating porridge and having smaller portions seems to be the order of the day for a long time to come.

Friday

Another week has gone by and I don't feel that I have really achived a great deal.

My health is still naff, though my blood sugar does seem a little more stable around the 11 mark. I am being quite careful with my diet. Porridge for breakfast, a light lunch and then a nice balanced tea of chicken, potatoes and veg. I made a soup yesterday with the chicken and stuff which was OK, a little to much sweed and carrot as it tasted a little sweet, oh well trial and error. I am also eating uncooked peanuts as a snack, these are also a wonderful food for diabetics, so I hear from my font of infomation Somerset Bob. I don't have the cooked salted ones as they are very fatty and covered in salt.

The tablets I am taking for my other ailments are having a very sleepy effect on me, I am sleeping later than usual and I am quite tired when I wake up and feel I need another hour or so in bed. I am not doing that as I try to be ready should any work come in at 9am...not happened yet but you never know do you?

I was listening to the World Service news the other night, around 1 million die in Africa from Diabetes every year, it is the 2nd biggest killer after Aids related illnes's. This is a poverty issue and is criminal. a related link sent by Somerset Bob

I haven't had any work through this week, which is a blow, I felt I was making headway. I really do wish I was better at marketing.

I have eventually sorted my online banking for business account which means I can now pay my clients online which is a good thing and will bring down a small costing on my banking.

I am doing the sound at 2 funerals next week at church, I don't mind doing the sound at the thanksgiving services even though they are very sad. I do miss Chris at those times, I used to do the sound at the services he took. Chris was just wonderful at those times with the families and did amazing euolgies.

I had to pop to the Doc's this morning and give some blood for Monday, I checked my blood this morning it isn't too bad 11.7 mmol. I sort of wish it had been a little higher as it is most of the time?

I have to take the cats for their MOT today I have registered them with a new vet yesterday, this vet is just across the road from my house. I have used the same VET for years and years and thought I would stay with him. During the summer last year when Mrs EB as in Brazil with the Church I found a lost blind cat in my back garden. I took him over there as I didn't know what else to do. The Nurse there was just wonderful and really caring so I thought, lets go there.

(UPDATE)

Well the cats are fine and dandy and healthy. I had them microchiped as well today so they can now be traced if they do ever get out.

Another day

Today is July 4^th, American independence day...and it is one of those days that Matt and I would have been having a laugh at our cousins across the pond.

I really miss both Matt and Chris, I dreamt about Chris last night, a strange and surreal dream, but it was just wonderful to see and hear him again. I woke up feeling sad and happy together, grief is a strange master of the emotions.

It is at times like this, when I miss my two friends so much that I actually have to stop and give thanks that I knew them and that they shared their short and very fruitful lives me.

Dear Lord and Father of Mankind,
I offer up my gratitude to you for Matt and Chris;
They were Men after knowing your pure heart and they had a passion to spread your Good News.
Please send your comfort to those of us who miss their passing for here to you;
We shed a tear for ourselves and not for them as they are in your Glory sharing the fathers feast.
I ask this simple pray in your Name.

Amen

Date changes

I am now seeing a Dr R at the local hospital on Monday instead of Friday, but it is bright and early!!! at 8am...phewwwwww 8am....oh well.

On the whole I am feeling quite naff, but now I don't know why my blood sugar levels remain very high even after eating my oats? they are staying up in the late teens and popping up to the twenties on occasion. It has been quite fascinating to do the blood checks and actually see how I feel compared to the BS levels.

I was speaking to friend of mine the other night and he said it explains how I could down a pint of Sunkist after a dive in a few seconds!!!! It does make me wonder as well. My BS seems to be on a rollercoaster ride, either very high or middle ground high, the other day they actually came down to what most people are, around 6, but that was like a small blip!!! Hopefully once I see Dr R I can get them down and steady with drugs or whatever.

I can honestly say after reading the booklet I received, I understand a little more about my Diabetes and the ins and outs of what I can do and what I can eat. I am still a little confused about Carbs and Oats? both are slow release; one sends my BS sky high the other just sends it slightly high. I need to ask Dr R about diving and the do’s and donts I do want to continue with diving. I know you can dive with diabetes as long as you are in full control of it. But always best to ask rather than assume. (crikey I am becoming an adult!!!)

Work wise it is very quiet again, I wish I was better at marketing myself I really need a few clients ....

Another day

With thanks to my friend Somerset Bob, I am now eating Porridge with Spenda for my breakfast...well it tastes great and it reminds me of damp school mornings and running for the train (yes I do have a very good long term memory).... I also believe it is doing me the power of good. My blood sugar (BS) is coming down slightly which is a wonderful thing.

I should be seeing the diabetes consultant this week and I am sure diet will come up :-s I am working on that myself with a nice diet of fresh fruit, (juicing it) fresh vegetables and chicken. I am also aiming to do a small walk most days. This should help with the blood sugar and with a little medication I should be able to bring my BS levels down to a steady level.

I still feel bloody awful and yesterday I felt like I was going to be sick most of the time and my headache was just so intense I couldn't stand it. I missed Mrs EB leading worship at church and even a beer afterwards!!! lets hope that once the BS is level I will start to feel much better

No Smoking

Hurrah

From 6am today it is now illegal to smoke in a pub, work area or any enclosed public area...oh the joy. Since giving up the weed over 10 years ago..I think it is more like 12 years now, I cannot stand the smell of 2nd hand cigarette smoke. It makes me smell and makes me very wheezy.

I don't go to many pubs...but now I can visit anyone I like without being poisoned by smokers!!!

Blood tests and what to eat for Breakfast?

Every day now I have to prick one of my fingers and release a drop of blood. I have to do this about 4-8 times a day until I see the specialist on Friday. When I have released the blood I then have to test it using my state of the art blood tester!!!! "The GlucoMan Visio."

The thing that looks like a pen is a device that goes with little blue things in front of it, the square end comes off those little blue things to reveal a little sharp pin end, this fits in the pen and you pull the end back press the green button and it fires a tiny jolt by putting this on the end of your finger it pricks it and a tiny drop of blood appears quite painless really, though for the first two days my finger was a little sore!!!

I put a tiny strip into the machine it tells me what code it is? not sure what that bit is about. then it says it is ready. I then dip the other end in my blood, it shows a count down from 10 then it tells me my blood sugar level. Normal Blood sugar will be around 5 - 7 mmol/L mine are around 12 at the moment and have been as high as 19!!! This isn't good really and I am trying to bring them down with diet. Now bringing my blood sugar down with diet is flaming hard!!! Carbs get turned into sugar, so I am trying a few less carbs, but that is hard as I get hungry. Fruit is wonderful but full of natural sugar!!!! so just a meat only diet it is then.

I made a paella for Mrs EB and myself last night, I had a portion, no bread and some fat free yogurt with a banana for pudding and my blood sugar was very high at 19 mmol/L .....I know yogurt isn’t ideal, but I still crave sweet things so much.

Breakfast is a tough meal; I am not up to cooking anything first thing as I usually feel my worst when I wake up. I like cereal but only sweet cereal, I can’t be doing with cornflakes without a sprinkle of sugar on top, so I am having toast (which is bread and bread is carbs...which get turned into sugar!!) as I have to eat breakfast now. I spent ages in the cereal aisle of Tesco the other day looking for something I could eat. Somerset Bob a fellow blood tester eats porridge, I do like the oats but again with sugar or honey...I tried “Fruit” the other day and my blood sugar went through the roof!!!! stupid me fruit is just full of sugar.

Amazing Doctors.

I received a phone call yesterday evening. Dr X!!!

EB..
Yes
How are you feeling?
OK I guess, I am avoiding all sugar and I am taking things easy and I am walking to places.
Good, Good. How are your bloods?
Not good actually very bad up at 14 (they should be between 6 and 7)
That’s OK, keep a full record don't panic! I have spoken to the consultant about you today, he is going to see you a week on Friday, he will write or call, but if he forgets here is his mobile phone number if you haven't heard by Wednesday call him. (now that is amazing service)

To say I have been amazed by Dr X over the past week or so is an understatement. I understand Diabetes is a serious condition, and it will affect my life from now on. But Dr X has been amazing.

I am slowly coming to terms with taking my blood all the time, though my fingers are getting sore, I am a bit confused about what I can and can't eat, as carbs get turned into sugar in the body, my blood sugar is so high it is scary, I tried a beer last night (alcohol reduces the blood sugar) but it hasn't helped they are at 15 this morning, so I'll be giving it a miss for the time being...maybe I'll have one Sunday evening after Church.
I am off to Tesco to find a drink I can have that isn’t boring or taste of NutraSweet!!!! I also need loads of fruit to munch on and something for lunch and tea.

It maybe an answer, but it stuffs up a few things...

I tried make an appointment with Dr X on Friday but he was fully booked. So I reasoned that Monday would be OK. My blood test results could wait and they should all be back by then. Anyway I wasn't feeling great, so I just got on with a few things, then a job came in....just after lunch time the phone went...

EB? ..

yes?

this is Dr X are you OK to talk?

Yes, I said tentively....I tried to book an appointment with you this morning, but I wasn't able too as you had no appointments.

No? Oh, did they tell you your blood test results?

No I replied.

OK, I have to tell you, you have Diabetes, and I need to see you.....

I know he said more than this...but all I remember is Diabetes and after some fudging I am seeing Dr X on Tuesday morning. Well to say this news is a bit of a bolt is an understatement.

We had a very busy weekend we had two celebrations one in Sutton and one in Cumbria...I have instructions from Dr X to take things easy and avoid certain things which I will do. I am feeling quite naff at the moment and maybe getting my blood glucose levels right may help? I really hope so...

Tuesday...

After visiting Dr X and the Practice Sister (who is wonderful) I sort of know how to handle my Diabetes. I have also found out I have a few complications!!!! yes me; who would have thought it?

It would seem that all my naff illness over the past few years could have been this all along!!!! The headaches, the sickness..the whole lot...So, my liver has damage and because of that I can't go on medication straight away..Dr X wants me to go to see a consultant at the local hospital. So I have to monitor my food and do blood tests a few times a day and avoid chocolate!!!!! (that one hurts I can tell you)

I do find it ironic that the amount of blood tests I have had over the past few years that diabetes hasn't been looked for? I have to be honest and say I am not angry or annoyed more relieved that this may be an end to feeling so awful for such a long time.

What a fluffy day

I have been on medication for a few years now; so I have to give blood for tests to make sure that everything is OK. On Tuesday I gave some blood for a check and went to the chemist to collect some new meds. I started these Tuesday evening all was OK. I get a call Wednesday morning from the Doc's surgery to say I need to have another blood test fasting!!!! as something had shown up???? I said I thought I had fasted? She said one second she would put the Dr on to the phone….

Hello English Blogger…

Hello Dr XXXXX....

EB your blood glucose was very high…did you eat or drink anything after 9pm?

Ermmm I think I had some pop …

oh right that could it…could you come in 9am tomorrow morning after fasting from 9pm only water is allowed.

OK I said and put the phone down …

Then I remembered that Mrs EB and I had eaten a bag or marshmallows Monday night!!!!! No wonder my blood sugar was sky high!!!!! what a plonker EB as Delboy would say.So I am now waiting for the results of that test...back to normal I would have thought!!!!

I am now on on some new medication that at the moment are making me feel very woozy and out of my head. Last night I took them and was out of it until about 11am today!!! I went to the Drs for my bloods at 8:30 am and came home again and I don’t remember going or coming home? scary huh?

The BBC independant?

I was reading the BBC News online today and saw this link The BBC must become impartial I nearly wet myself laughing.

I love the BBC they make some of the best TV in the world, but as an impartial broadcaster.... don't make me laugh, They only broadcast news and programming that will not rock the political boat. They are in Parliaments and the Civil Services's pocket, that will never change until the TV licence is abolished and the BBC become's a self financing company. The BBC is paid via them and the PM's office appoints the boss of the BBC. Does that sound like an impartial company? The BBC World service is paid for via a bursary from the Foreign and Commonwealth office...ermmm, so via the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who gives them the money so that will be the Government again then.

Are the BBC reporting the Gulf in truth? What do the people of Iraq honestly think of us being there? What do the soldiers honestly think? if you read some blogs it's totally different to what the BBC seem to report. Happy kids waving at tanks as they drive past, it is just a few insurgents causing all the troubles? Well if that was the case shouldn't the might of the British, US and European Armies have a few insurgents sorted PDQ?

The BBC is an amazing company that I have been privileged to work for, I am proud to say that I am an EX-BBC employee, but please let’s be honest. They are in Parliaments and the Civil Servants pockets and will remain so to put out propaganda until The BBC becomes an impendent broadcaster and is not scared of losing its money or having its head removed.

Blogging

I have been blogging off and on for a few years now. my friend Matt got me into the idea of the blog. I find a great way of saying whats on my mind, and I know Matt used it as a way of expression and release as well.

I have been round my friends blogs and see a lot have now stopped blogging as they are now on facebook. I will be updating my Blogroll later in week and I will take off those that are not updating anymore I haven't done this yet as I was waiting to see anyone would stay with the old blog.

I-Roulette

I have over 4200 songs in my ITunes and on my IPod which equates to 12.2 days of solid listening should I so wish... so I have taken to listening to my music at random or ITunes or IPod Roulette as it is called. I just select Party Shuffle on ITunes or "Random Play" on my IPod and let it choose 100 songs and off it plays.

Now I don’t actually know all 4200+ songs as Mrs EB uses the same ITunes to load her IPod as well. I had already loaded most of my music when Mrs EB got her IPod, I thought it daft for her to have to upload all her music on to her PC laptop when I had already uploaded so much music to my Studio Mac. Once an IPod is synced with either a PC or Mac you cannot change its format.

So the long and short of it is the ITunes on my Mac is a collaboration of both mine and Mrs EB’s taste in music. We both like a lot of the same sort of thing, from Genesis to U2, but there is the odd thing that Mrs EB cannot stand in my tastes like Meat Loaf and I am guess a few others as I find Maroon 5 very hard to listen too (to me every track sounds the same)....this is what makes ITunes or IPod Roulette such fun!!

I have really enjoyed listening to all this music over the last few weeks; I have heard some tracks for the first time that has actually been a true pleasure to hear, 1 or 2 have been hard work, but I have endured. On my Blog I have now installed from Last FM "what I am listening too," I think this will display something like the last 5 tracks played on the Mac, so as long as I am not recording a VO or mixing adverts I am playing music....I just wish I had thought about doing this last year when I got my IPod.

Sex God - An amazing book

I have just finished reading Sex God by Rob Bell, this took a little time as I would read a bit then mull over what he was saying. Rob Bell is an amazing teacher and this book is just an eye opener. I don't want to say to much as it is a book that explains so much about Man, God and the sexuality of the world, that I would rather people read it for themselves.


I highly recommend this book for anyone who is a follower of Christ. .

Another week has gone by

I have had a little spurt of work as the London company I do some work for are away from today until Monday, so they had to clear the decks. That has been really nice as I have had a few things to do. One ad was a remake of an advert that they had made last year but had lost the original parts, for a shopping channel on TV, so I had to emulate what they had already mad, I think I did OK.

I am still not feeling great, but I am feeling a little better, so that's a good thing. I just wish I could wake up and not have a headache....one day.

Tonight is a Church Meeting so my evening is taken up with that.

Not much has happened in the last week really a little work, shopping and cooking. Mrs EB got a couple of films out on Saturday evening.....well one was called "Them" (we do enjoy a good scary film) and we put it on...the opening scene is in a car a Mother and Daughter...it is raining... they start to talk...it's in Hungarian...with subtitles....they crash...a few things happen...scene ends ...we cut to a school....and it's a French class all in French....with subtitles...Mrs EB says ermmmm I think this film is all in subtitles...as it said subtitles on the box!!!!!

It was a good film and actually a little short with a very abrupt ending. The other film she got was excellent "The Prestige" a sort of who or how done it!!!!

Over the Rainbow

(If you click the picture of the CD above it will take to an online links to buy the CD)

I watched Challenge Anneka last night. Her challenge was produce a 12 track CD full of stars in 5 days and have a gala release!!! This CD had to include the song Somewhere over the Rainbow and a choir with Boys and Girls from Hospices. All the proceeds are to go to the Childrens Hospice's in the UK. They chose a theme of "Song's from the Shows" (wonder where I have heard that theme before?) The CD was released yesterday it is excellent, it can be found at your local supermarket, or Woolies or ITunes!!!!

It was an excellent programme, I cried like a little girl when one of the Children passed away a day before gala. Actually I cried most of the way through the programme....but as Mission Team Leader says I am a big poof anyway.

The Princes' and Channel 4

I have worked in the world of the media for a few years now doing various jobs. On the whole I have really enjoyed working in the media, it has its ups and downs, but I am usually very proud of the media in the UK, but not today.

I am not a royalist in any way or form, as most of my friends know I really do think they are a complete waste of time and money. I will also defend everyone’s right to free speech and that right is paramount for free speach in News and Journalism in this amazing country of ours.

I have to say what Channel 4 are about to do today is totally wrong. Channel 4 are to show a documentary about the fatal car crash in which Diana Princess of Wales died, including pictures from the Paparazzi which were taken at the scene. The Princes William & Harry have asked for some respect and have asked for certain pictures of the car crash in which their mother is involved not be shown. Channel 4 have refused. I cannot believe Channel 4 can be so callous or so wrong on this; it is not News it is just digging up old ground and will not add anything apart from some distressing pictures. All that will do is upset two young men who have been through more than enough. William and Harry have every right to ask for this, as it is an invasion into Diana's and their privacy, and, as they have said, it will cause them great distress. Channel 4 have a code of taste and decency and above all a moral choice to William and Harry and their late mother also to the British public not to show these pictures.

Tuesdays Child

This morning I couldn't think of what my stutus should be on Facebook...I know another facebook blog, sorry.

So I said....Dave is.....being Tuesdays Child whatever that is?

So I looked up the poem:-


Mondays child is fair of face,
Tuesdays child is full of grace,
Wednesdays child is full of woe,
Thursdays child has far to go,
Fridays child is loving and giving,
Saturdays child works hard for his living,
And the child that is born on the Sabbath day
Is bonny and blithe, and good and gay.

I have to say to pick any day I would pick Tuesday, so that is my Prayer today.

I was actually born on a Wednesday !!!

Find out what day you were born on

Monday June 4th

I went to Church for about an hour or so last night, but I couldn't stay any longer as I felt to rotten. I really enjoyed listening to what Timelord had to say, but I knew my head would not take a loud music night and the worship last night would be loud. So after communion I went home.

I am having a day to sort out a few more things, I need to go to Tesco and do a big shop, I also need to pop to my parents and see if I can fine tune their new TV. I also need to send a few invoices.

On Facebook, It is very addictive!!!!! you can add favourite quotes and I have added this one at the moment. It just makes me laugh, but it is also quite profound really.

Captain Jack Sparrow: "Me I'm dishonest, and a dishonest man you can always trust to be dishonest. Honestly it's the honest ones you have to watch out for, you never can predict if they're going to do something incredibly stupid."

Sunday 3rd June

This is the first in what must be over a year that I am in Sutton and have not gone to Church for the morning service!!! I will go this evening, esp. as Timelord is preaching. I always enjoy it when Timelord talks in church.
There are three reasons I am not going, the 1st is I am feeling pretty naff and the 2nd is it's a parade service and the 3rd is it is Sutton Fun Run day and the service is 3o mins early add all three together and I stayed in bed.

I am very tired and I have this blinking headache, I did the sound at a beautiful wedding yesterday, then we popped up to my Mom and Dads they were expecting us, but had gone out without their mobile phone, so we came home. I then did some gardening which wiped me out. So now I am just drinking tea and taking it easy.

June is here

June the 1st today and I am having a sorting day, Mrs EB is in London doing very important things for her Professional Body. I am feeling pretty crap so I thought I would try and sort out a few things.

1) I have an old laptop that is virtually no more, so I have been getting the odd thing off it that I would kick myself for if I didn't ever boot up again.

Well I have found some old digital photo's and a few old MSN convocations that Matt and I had...I read a few bits and bobs and what I did read made me laugh. I also found a few photo's that Matt sent to me that I will pass on to Mrs FLN if she would like them.

2) I have also been looking for photos of Mission Team Leader that I know I have somewhere but I just can't quite put my fingers on just yet....time is on my side I think, they will turn up.

3) I have ripped all of my 200+ Sound Effect CD's in Itunes (this gives all track infomation and disc details) and made 4 DVD ROMs I have also backed them up to my Firewire HD, this is a £4000+ collection and I would be mortified and totally at a loss if it failed as I couldn't work without it. So making DVD ROMs and HD backups seemed a sensible thing to do.

4) I need to do my invoicing for last month’s work.... I have done the one, I need to work out another one...but now my head is making me dizzy I think I'll do later.....

5) I am smiling today as it is 1 month today that Pubs and Resturants become SMOKE FREE huzzahhhhhh

Friday

I haven't blogged for a few days...I have been quite busy with some work and I have not being feeling very well. I have not been really well since Las Vegas when a migraine started. I have had several since and a constant headache. I have been to see the Doc and he just said I had to just sort of get used to it, I have had a bad head for a very long time now.....since getting Glandular Fever over 5 years ago. To say I am cheesed off feeling rough is an under statement....

Well what has been happening....I have been at Cube a few times and I have also being producing stuff here for a community station and for Kenya. I have popped up to the 24/5 prayer at the Way Inn. I love what they have done up there. You can really feel the power of prayer working up there.

I have been updating my Facebook account, this seems to have really taken off and Facebook seems to be where every one is; which is amazing. It took me a few days to work out what it is about. It seems to be a online contacts/messaging service not quite Friends Reunited (I have deleted my account on there) and quite a bit less cluttered than Myspace.