Yeehaa! Geetar!

Got my acoustic guitar out when I got in and had a good old play, something that I haven't done in a while. Getting very itchy about doing music again. Efforts to find a band are failing miserably but at least JLU isn't quite dead, we are all hanging in there and trying to get another date where we can all have a jam.

LastFM Listening Post

Last weeks listening was something like this:

When does kinky porn become illegal?

A bill outlawing the possession of "extreme pornography" is set to become law next week. But many fear it has been rushed through and will criminalise innocent people with a harmless taste for unconventional sex.

BBC News article here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7364475.stm



WHAT IS EXTREME PORNOGRAPHY?
As defined by the new Criminal Justice Bill:
An act which threatens or appears to threaten a person's life
An act which results in or appears to result in serious injury to a person's anus, breasts or genitals
An act which involves or appears to involve sexual interference with a human corpse
A person performing or appearing to perform an act of intercourse or oral sex with an animal

The problem with this Bill is the words "appears" and "appearing".

Doctor teeth!

Took Sam to Orthoworld today to have his braces checked. Poor boy had them tightened up so his mouth hurts now. They also said that he might have to have two teeth removed as it's possible that the re-alignment is causing some overcrowding.

Golly jeepers, where'd you get those peepers...

Went to James Bryan Opticians today for my eye test. Had a chin wag with Sandra, Tracy, Bev and John. My eyesight has had a very slight deterioration but enough to justify getting some new frames. Despite being tempted by the purple Mikkli's I have opted for some cool Oakleys (based on the general consensus that they looked better on me).

Photos to be posted once I have them in my little mitts!

Washing and Child Benefit

Got up early today (as Sam had to go back to school) and did some washing and general tidying up before ringing the Child Benefit office. Seems that I have been getting the wrong rate for Sam for the last year and so I am now chasing up getting a back payment to make up for the correct amount. Seems I have a good chance of getting things back dated so fingers crossed that all turns out OK.

Crazy day

Our wonderful boys kept the whole house up throughout the night (despite getting a telling off by both Shane and Toni on more than one occasion)

As a punishment for this they were both despatched to the front and back gardens to cut and strim the lawn (much to their disgust).

Shane offered to sell Toni his sister's car stereo which she accepted. We went into Chelmsford to pick up some essential items from Boots and also to get a tool to remove the old stereo. When we returned Shane and Sophie fitted it and it was certainly pumping out sounds like never before once they had finished.

Aaron fell alseep on the sofa and was subjected to some Sam and Sophie humour, Robert Smith eat your heart out!:



We then found out what the boys had been doing all night to disturb us, making home videos! Thankfully I can't torture you all by uploading them to YouTube as I don't have the right technology but it was 3 parts scary to 5 parts disturbing and totally hilarious!

Oooh Mr Shane sir, you are so strong!



What a gruesome mob!


We then spent the evening listening to and watching Tenacious D CDs and DVDs before heading off to bed.

I wasn't really tired so had the misfortune of deciding to watch the New York Rangers lose to the Pittsburgh Penguins and trail the next round of the Stanley Cup Play Offs 2 - 0. After that watched some TNA Wrestling before finally crashing out.

Asda, dumps and garages

Was a pretty busy day today.
Had agreed to let Zoe use the garage to store some stuff in preparation for her getting a place with Liam but it need clearing out first.
Got Sam and Aaron to help as there was half a ton of crap and cardboard in there. Made a trip to the dump to get rid of some of the rubbish and cardboard before heading off to Asda.

Sophie saw Gloria in there so we had a quick chat with her while Toni started the shopping. She was delighted as she found gluten free rolls which meant that she could have "proper" burgers like the rest of us!

Once we had taken the shopping in it was time to reload for another trip to the dump where we bumped into Mark Parrish (who we know from the Chieftains games).

Zoe and Ron made a few trips over to drop various bits and pieces that they had collected that wouldn't fit into Liam's nan's garage.

Toni and I then chilled out and watched Goodness Gracious Me on DVD and had a good old chuckle.

Spit Like This

After a day of dossing (and having to cancel going to Club Antichrist due to lack of funds) I decided that we should do something. I had seen that Spit Like This were doing a local "all ages" gig and it was only £5 a ticket so we decided to go.

We eventually found the venue, The Hermitage in Brentwood (this was a challenge in itself as Multimap gave us directions that stopped 1 mile short!)

Turned out that tickets were only £1 each! As we entered the venue it appeared that not only was it an "all ages" show but that 99% of the audience were probably between 12 and 15. Seems it was some kind of youth club as the bar sold milkshakes and fizzy drinks and sweets LMFAO! Lots of what not to wear examples were present but I daren't take any photos because of their ages.

Spit Like This were great and I'd love to see them at an adults only show as it was fairly clear that they had to doctor things to make it suitable for the crowd.

Funny thing was we were home by 23:00 what with it being a kids show!

Toni


Me, the old tart


Guess who?


Vikki Spit


Lord Zion












All the photos can be found on my Picasa Web Album here:
250408SpitLikeThisAtTheHermitage

Nothing new going on!

Well here we are on day one of 3 days holiday. Was supposed to be in Whitby for the Goth Weekend but unfortunately lack of funds meant that it had to be cancelled so I opted to take the time off anyway and just chill.

Started early doing a little housework before Toni arrived with Aaron.

We decided to have a Star Wars day and started watching The Phantom Menace with the boys. We had to bail out early though and headed off to Lidl to get in some much needed supplies (and to meet Shane).

When we got back we made two attempts at watching Repo Man but failed miserably and fell asleep both times!

Toni started making dinner and got stroppy as I wanted to watch Hollyoaks and Eastenders (yes I know it's sad but I LIKE these two soaps)

Johnny Thunders RIP

Johnny Thunders , John Anthony Genzale, Jr
15 July 1952 - 23 April 1991

It was on this day 23rd April 1991 we lost our beloved rock n roll bad boy Johnny Thunders.

RIP dude and keep on rockin' n rollin'

Well done Sophie (again)!

Before Sophie started her current job she had got through an interview with Maximum Dynamics but when she went for phase two they told her that she had to be 18 and so couldn't carry on. Now she is 18 (and being unhappy with her current role) she attended their phase two session from 14:00 to 20:00 today and has been offered a job and starts on Monday! How about that for results.

Well done Sophie!

The Phantom comes early!

Ladies of Shenfield were breathing a sigh of relief this morning as they reached the railway station and realised that "The Phantom" had come early and passed through already!

Glam bam, where's the band?

Frustrated musician syndrome is starting to kick in!
I really really really REALLY want/need to join/be in a band. Been listening to tons of music this week and the more I listen to the more I want to be making music.
Gonna have to start putting myself out there and actively trying to do something as I have a feeling that JLU isn't going anywhere.

WATCH THIS SPACE!

Another busy day at the orifice

It's all go still! Even though I could well have wasted a day trying to sort out something that didn't really need sorting it was still quite productive and aided my learning if nothing else. Now that we have a QA "team" (well three of us) and some new procedures and a bit more control being introduced it is almost a pleasure going to work. Well I did say almost!

If things go well and we get to the stage we are aiming for soon we'll be able to start really focussing on automation and then the boss will be really happy!

Happy Birthday Big Pete

Happy Birthday Big Pete.

Hope you have a great day (wonder if you'll get a new sieve LOL)

See you soon

Keith and the clan

Having one of those emotional blips!

Bleeearrrrrgggghhhhh!
Having an emotional blip. I thought I had been down over the weekend due to lack of funds to do anything but it wasn't that at all I have just realised. The trigger to my feeling down was hearing about Zoe being pregnant and getting my head around what Sharon would have made of it.

Then at the weekend I had dug out some paperwork from when Sharon and I were buying a house together and I think it suddenly all came whooshing back. It was exactly a year ago today that Sharon and I went to view our dream home and put in an offer on it. Time seems to have flown by but I can remember it like it was yesterday.

Managed to speak to Angie just before I went to bed and talk through a few issues/concerns with her and once again my brain is back on track again. I am so glad that I have her there to share her experience of dealing with loss.

Thanks Angie! xx

You Can't Put Your Arms Around A Memory

Feel so restless, I am
Beat my head against the pole
Try to knock some sense
Down in my bones
And even thought they don’t show
The scars are so old
And when they go
They let you know
You can’t put your arm around a memory
You can’t put your arm around a memory
You can’t put your arm around a memory
Don’t try
Don’t try.

- You Can't Put Your Arms Around A Memory (Johnny Thunders)

New York Rangers thourgh to the next round

Congratulations to the New York Rangers for beating the New Jersey Devils 4 - 1 in the first round of the Stanley Cup Play Offs.

Final game ended 5 - 3 despite the Rangers squandering a 4 - 1 lead.

Game breakdown was as follows:

GAME 1: Rangers 4, Devils 1
GAME 2: Rangers 2, Devils 1
GAME 3: Devils 4, Rangers 3 (OT)
GAME 4: Devils 3, Rangers 5
GAME 5: Rangers 5, Devils 3

Busy day at work

Although I am knackered by the time I get home it is quite nice to be very busy at work. Seems like every time I think that I may get the chance to come up for air it all goes nuts again. Not complaining though as it is certainly better to be busy with challenging work than to be sitting idle.

Lazing on a Sunday afternoon (again)

Lazing about on a Sunday is seeming to be a way of life now!
I did manage to do a little housework done and get some washing going though.

We caught up on Blade Trinity today to complete our vampire fest. Think we'll do the Underworld films and then and Razorblade Smile this weekend!

Toni had to spend some time filling in forms that she needed to give to her solicitor (something that she continually put off all weekend).

Dinner was pork and pepper meatballs with noodles which were absolutely delicious. I wish I could cook as well as Toni does. Her imaginative cooking reminds me a lot of Sharon :o)

Despite having to get back again, Toni and Aaron left at 22:45 (much to Aaron's delight as he didn't want to go home at all)

Have been a bit out of sorts all weekend, mainly down to having no money so hope it didn't spoil things too much for Toni with me being a grumpy bugger.

Vampire lasagne

Well not literally, just a good combination of things today!

We did nothing at all today (and why not!)

Had a quick trip out with limited funds to get some food in and we had lasagne for dinner (at the kids request). I know Toni was tired of making lasagne for a while but we all love it! As usual it was delicious.

As for the vampires..............we watched lots on DVD.
Watched the Blade trilogy although bailed out during Blade Trinity as I was tired.

Due to lack of funds we couldn't go and see Emilie Autumn today which kind of made me sad as I hate having tickets to gigs that I can't use. Being skint sucks!

Happy Birthday Mum

Happy Birthday Mum.

Hope you have a great day.

Lots of love from Keith, Sophie and Sam

Congratulations Zoë

Sophie bumped into Zoë on the bus today and found out that she was back with Liam and was now 16 weeks pregnant! WOW!

Congratulations Zoë, hope everything goes well for you. You have a wonderful family around you to support you. It's just a shame mum isn't here to see it but I am sure she is smiling down on you.

The Ballad Of Jayne

Got an email from my friend Simon in Edinburgh yesterday with an mp3 attached to it. Oh wow was I excited. It was his band Wynntown Marshalls doing a cover of the L.A.Guns classic "The Ballad Of Jayne". Have to admit there was also some trepidation as it's one of my favourite L.A.Guns tracks and I was worried how the country boys would interpret a glam/sleaze classic but I wasn't disappointed.

I believe their version of a track might be appearing on a compilation album soon so I won't post the mo3 on here just in case.

In the meantime here's L.A.Guns performing The Ballad Of Jayne:


The Ballad Of Jayne
She was always something special
A diamond shining bright in the rain
Everybody dreams of angels
No one will ever know how much I loved you so

Now it all seems funny
Kinda like a dream
Things ain't always what they seem
What a shame
What happened to Jayne

You were always on my mind
A childlike summer days in the sun
Slowly wishes turn to sadness
Time don't heal a broken gun
I wish I'd never let you go
Hear me now cause I want you to know

Now it all seems funny
Kinda like a dream
Things ain't always what they seem
What a shame
What happened to Jayne

Now she's breaking hearts in heaven
Shining bright in the sky
I still hear her voice in the wind
I still think of you in the night
Well I guess she'll never know
How much I need her so

Now it all seems funny
Kinda like a dream
Things ain't always what they seem
What a shame
What happened to Jayne

- The Ballad Of Jayne (L.A.Guns)

Let's Go Rangers!

Well the New York Rangers are currently leading their Stanley Cup play off series 3 - 1 against the New Jersey Devils.

GAME 1: Rangers 4, Devils 1
GAME 2: Rangers 2, Devils 1
GAME 3: Devils 4, Rangers 3 (OT)
GAME 4: Rangers 5, Devils 3

A win tomorrow night will see them through to the next group! God bless the internet and SOPCasts for allowing me to watch most of the games so far live on the PC!

Another insane day at the grindstone

Crikey, does it never end?
Today was supposed to be plain sailing with regards to finishing the testing and signing off the latest build but things didn't go quite as planned. Spent the whole afternoon with Stuart importing and re-importing files ad-infinitum with what seemed like almost random results. I was certainly at the stage that I was going to have to pull all my hair out and scream but thankfully things did resolved themselves and we finally signed off just before I had to leave. PHEW!

Hurry hurry hurry, beer and curry!

After work tonight we headed into London en masse for a drink and curry courtesy of our benevolent managing director Steve. Went to Brick Lane to The Water Poet for a pre-meal drink or five. Jack Daniels and diet Coke tastes so much better when it's on someone else's tab :o)

It was nice to see such a big turn out from the office and even better that Pete suddenly decided to make an appearance as we all thought he had headed off home as he had been feeling ill during the day.

Had a wonderful meal at an Indian restaurant called Seraz, also on Brick Lane. Masses of food was consumed (and at least I didn't feel bloated as I'd stuck to the JD rather than going for beer).

After the meal we went to the pub for more drinks. I avoided the Absinthe (tempting though it was) as that was probably asking for trouble. Had another JD before Pete and I headed off to the tube.

Toni (the crazy loon) had agreed for me to meet her at North Greenwich afterwards and she then gave me a lift home. It was crazy as I didn't get to North Greenwich until 23:30!

Deadline looming

Well it just isn't getting any better. Despite getting so near yet so far, the testing still hasn't been completed as there are items that have failed and need fixing and then retesting again. It's like a never ending cycle sometimes.

GLF Merchandise

Posted on behalf of the Gothic Liberation Front UK Kommand Post

Hey everyone
I have mentioned previously that I have been trying to organize some merchandise to be sold for the GLF UK.

What is special about the artist/crafts lady I have asked to work with is her talent is second to none, and with her amazing pieces your guaranteed to have a top quality and highly unique piece. She sits there and hand paints everything to perfection, and her stuff, well words cant describe how amazing this lady is! And it is an honour to have her in the GLF Family.

Products will be coming soon... you will be able to purchase from either GLF UK Central and her page.

What else is so special about buying GLF products???
Well you will be helping raise awareness, not only that any profits GLF make from this, we will donate to the S.O.P.H.I.E funds!

Please keep an eye out for updates on this! I will have photos and more info coming soon!

If you are interested in purchasing GLF stuff then let me know so I can have a rough idea of what to order! It would also be helpful if you state what kinda product ranges you would like to see!

Thank you so much and please repost this!
*green hugs and love*
Debz- GLF UK

GLF website: http://www.myspace.com/glfbrightonuk

S.O.P.H.I.E:

Busy at work

It's pretty bonkers at work at the moment. We have a new build scheduled for release to some customers and a backlog of work that needs testing, fixing and retesting. Too many problems being found for me to confidently be able to see the release will be ready soon. Still, it's nice to be busy and focussed.

Coffee, Cake & Kink

Following on from the wonderfully names, but sadly disappointing, Cafe S&M at the O2 Arena my friend Kaz has now found me what could be the ultimate coffee shop in London.

Coffee, Cake & Kink website:
http://www.coffeecakeandkink.com

They even have a shop selling cute items!
http://coffeecakeandkink.com.lightning1.net

Let's do absolutely nothing (and then watch hockey)!

Today was spent doing absolutely naff all!
Toni made bacon, Philadelphia and marmite pitta breads for breakfast. They might sound grim but they sure were yummy!

We watched Little Britain Series 3 and then a dodgy vampire film called Rise: Blood Hunter which was nothing special but mindness trash to veg out to.

We vegged out on the sofa and Toni had an outrageous phone call from her mum (which was funny but I don't feel it's write to post on here what was said - check out her blog, it might be on there)

Toni made a wonderful roast dinner with a mushroom and spinach sauce and mixed roast vegetables! I could get used to her wonderful cooking!

Spent some time stripping down the old laptop in the evening as Toni received a phone call from Nick that seemed to go on forever (even to the point of boring her so much that she felt compelled to tidy the kitchen)

As it is half term Toni didn't have to go home so she stayed over and had an early night as she was shattered whilst I forced myself to stay awake to watch the Rangers v Devils Stanley Cup 2008 game 3. Unfortunately the Devils won in overtime. Sean Avery had a classic moment though winding up Devils goalie Martin Brodeur. Not sure it was in the sprit of the game but it was funny!

12/04/08 Vendetta Club

It's that time again and our monthly visit to Vendetta Club. Once again we donned the bestest looking threads to strut our funky stuff.

As usual it was a great night out and the crowds seem to be slowly building up too. Lots of people dancing all through the night which was a very positive sign. I love Vendetta Club!

K.T.Glitz (Turning Japa....well Chinese):


Geminii:


Your hosts, Madame Vendetta and DJ Abdicate:


What a tart!


A lovely couple:


All the photos can be found on my Picasa web album:
120408VendettaClub

Friends and family united

After the service we went back to mum's for a drink and chat.
It was nice to see a lot of friends and family that I hadn't seen in a long while.
My uncle David was over from Belgium with my cousin Nadia (and her daughters Cammie and Victoria) and cousin Caroline was over from Australia (with son Jamie who I'd never even seen before). It had been far too long since we had been in contact with each other, in fact Caroline pointed out that it was 10 years ago at grandad's funeral that we last saw each other which is far too long.

It was nice to see Beryl, Janet, Helen and Chris too.

As the afternoon progressed we decided to indulge in a game called Tricky Golf (a game that I had played years and years ago with my cousins). Thankfully I still had the knack and everybody got frustrated playing it LOL.

Here's the main contenders:

Helen:


Caroline:


Uncle David:


Victoria:


Cammie:


Chris:


Nadie (and mum):

In remembrance of Estelle Joan Myrtle Gerrard

A lovely service was conducted today in remembrance of nanny (Estelle Joan Myrtle Gerrard)

You will be missed very much.

All our love

Keith, Sophie and Sam

There were some lovely floral tributes:






It was a pretty emotional time for me, not just having to cope with nan's funeral but obviously having to revisit the loss of Sharon as well. A BIG thank you to Toni for being there for me and helping me through it all.

Crazy weather, crazy drivers!

Well it was certainly an eventful trip to Statford upon Avon for nanny's funeral.
The weather was absolutely appalling and we caught in some serious traffic jams caused in part by roadworks and also by some incredible hail storms.

In "Crazy Van Drivers Part II", following on from our crazy blue van last weekend we encountered another today. The driver of this van (see photo below) stuck behind us and was flashing because she wanted to get past and then proceeded to cut us up and give us the finger once she pulled off. What is it with people on the road these days?


We stopped off for a comfort break at some services and I got a text from mum letting me know what was happening (and some timings that I was unaware of).

When we realised we were now very pushed for time we decided to divert as we weren't going to make it to mum's so we headed straight for the crematorium. We sniggered to ourselves as we passed through a place called Wheedon and then it rained on us as we left (I won't explain it, work it out for yourselves!).

This car was slow (wasn't actually doing anything wrong but I was getting impatient).. Number plate obscured because I am nice.


We got to the crematorium with plenty of time to spare and then the sun appeared!

Happy 18th Birthday Sophie

Happy 18th Birthday Sophie!

It's incredible that you are now 18!

Lots of love from dad and Sam
xxx

Samburgers and an early night

Toni came over after work and we headed off to Asda to get some stuff in for dinner (as we had decided not to go out for Sophie's birthday)

Ended up getting stuff for Sam to make some of his delicious hamburgers which always go down well.

We had an early night in readiness for the long journey tomorrow for nanny's funeral.

*sniff*

Just logged on to MSN and Sam was online and his tag line is "there's one more angel n heaven, one more star in the sky"

He's obviously set that since nanny died. Poor boy had enough to cope with when Sharon died without having to deal with nanny so soon but he says the most wonderful things.

*sniff*

Stupid Lunts!

This made me laugh. I want to move there.............

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/7338151.stm

Theft Problem IMPORTANT MESSAGE

You've heard about people who have been abducted and had their kidneys removed by black-market organ thieves.

My thighs were stolen from me during the night a few years ago. I went to sleep and woke up with someone else's thighs. It was just that quick. The replacements had the texture of cooked oatmeal. Whose thighs were these and what happened to mine? I spent the entire summer looking for my thighs.

Finally, hurt and angry, I resigned myself to living out my life in jeans. And then the thieves struck again.

My butt was next. I knew it was the same gang, because they took pains to match my new rear-end to the thighs they had stuck me with earlier. But my new butt was attached at least three inches lower than my original! I realized I'd have to give up my jeans in favor of long skirts.

Two years ago I realized my arms had been switched. One morning I was fixing my hair and was horrified to see the flesh of my upper arm swing to and fro with the motion of the hairbrush. This was really getting scary - my body was being replaced one section at a time. What could they do to me next?

When my poor neck suddenly disappeared and was replaced with a turkey neck, I decided to tell my story. Women of the world wake up and smell the coffee! Those 'plastic' surgeons are using REAL replacement body parts -stolen from you and me! The next time someone you know has something 'lifted', look again - was it lifted from you?

THIS IS NOT A HOAX. This is happening to women everywhere every night.

WARN YOUR FRIENDS!

P.S. Last year I thought some one had stolen my Boobs. I was lying in bed and they were gone! But when I jumped out of bed, I was relieved to see that they had just been hiding in my armpits as I slept. Now I keep them hidden in my waistband.

LastFM Listening Post - it's back!

Get well soon Aaron and Gemima

Toni's kids Aaron and Gemima both have chicken pox!
Get well soon to the pair of you

Facebook Anthem

Home again, home again, jiggedy jig!

After the game we got the tram back to Phoenix Park and drove Shaggy back home and said our thank you and goodbyes to him and Helen. We then hit the road for a rather uneventful trip back. We stopped off for coffee and crisps en route and then got home to be greeted by a well tanned Sam who had returned that morning from his snowboarding trip to the USA.

EIHL Play Off weekend - Sunday

Skipped breakfast this morning (what with still being stuffed from last nights JD ribs) and had some nice coffee to wake us up. It was snowing in the night and there were a few flakes falling as we headed off for the tram.

You can't see my hands...


...but you can see mine!


Shaggy doesn't want his picture taken!


Hope you like tramming too!


Got to the NIC and went and settled into our seats with coffee, popcorn and Minstrels.

Under 19s England v Scotland
This was a pretty entertaining game although we did miss part of it as we went off to talk to Edinburgh Capitals general manager Scott Neil. England beat Scotland 4 - 0.





Don't lean back!



After the Under 19s game Toni and I left the confines of the NIC once again and went to Pizza Hut to chill out and have a spot of lunch before walking back in another light snow shower.

PLAY OFF FINAL: COVENTRY BLAZE V SHEFFIELD STEELERS
This was a strange game in the league champions Coventry Blaze didn't really turn up and were nowhere near as good as they had been yesterday. Steelers took a 0 - 2 lead and never really looked in danger of losing it. It was a shame as it could have been a classic game but instead it was just OK and quite entertaining.

Face off!


Steelers defending their lead!


Your 2008 EIHL Play Off Champions


Jonathon Phillips lifts the Play Off trophy



You can view all the pictures on my Picasa web album:
060408EIHLPLayOffWeekendSunday