If there is a god, he has a lot to answer for!

Return to Wonderland

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:43:52 +0100

Well, I'm back!

It's been a while and the blog fingers are a little rusty but I'm hopiing (!?) that they soon get back into the rythmn.

Apologies to those friends that I've not kept in touch with. Hope you forgive a man a sabbatical. To those friends that I've managed to keep in touch with through other means, thank you!

So, what's new? Looks like I've a bit of catching up to do!

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RIP Dad ....

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 21:25:16 +0200

Love you dad in law....

You were the greatest!

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Take a Dream, Any Dream ...

Fri, 15 May 2009 22:05:07 +0200

Dream Now,
Dream Then,
Dream Ever ...

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To Whom It May Concern....

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 21:02:01 +0200

Off to Wales tomorrow. See y'all next week!!!

*waves*

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Easter Brute ..

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:21:08 +0200

This year the Brute did not get any Easter eggs, only a plastic squeaky ring, which he thought he would eat anyway!!

Maybe chocolate next year eh Brute?

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A Tale of Two Days - Day Two

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 23:54:24 +0200

So, after yesterday's forage into the depths of a murky, smelly pool today was to be a more relaxed, calmer delve into the writing world.

Over the past week or so I've edited some of the writing projects I'm trying to progress as well as written some new material. So today, weather being fine (if a little cool) it was a case of taking the laptop outside (avoiding the stones waiting to be resubmerged in the ornamental pool) and sitting down and typing up.

Four short stories and two novel chapters later and all manuscripts are up to date. With the impending visit to Wales this weekend then the decks are clear to prepare the next batch. And wasn't the timing great! As I finished packing up and stepped inside, the heavens opened!

Oh, and the fingers are sore AGAIN! From typing this time!

Ho hum ...

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A Tale of Two Days - Day One

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 23:15:42 +0200

Well, yesterday it was deemed that the ornamental Japanese pool needed cleaning out. As it had not been touched for the last three years (apart from the odd leaf or hundred removed)there was a great build up of slime, sludge and rotted vegetation that needed removing.

This has got to be the stinkiest, filthiest job I've done in a long time (next to changing teething nappies). It took two hours to remove all the congealed stones (my fingers are still so sore), drain the water, and dredge out the sludge.

Once done, the fountain was taken down from its winter home on the garage shelf and reinserted into the pond. Electrics reconnected and pond filled time for the grand switch on. And it worked!! Fountain spraying upward, waterfall cascading downward. Sorted!

All that remains now is to clean the stones an put them back in - sounds easy but is backbreaking. A job for Wednesday methinks!

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It had to happen ...

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 00:47:59 +0200

.. all this female led rock just had to bring on a dose of Sharon!!!

Memories - Within Temptation

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High Voltage Rock 'n' Roll

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 00:17:51 +0200

Now that's what I'm talking about!!!

Dark Chest of Wonders - Nightwish

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Rock Opera .....

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 00:00:14 +0200

Don't You just love it when you find a new band that takes your fancy ...

She is my Sin - Nightwish

(I have no idea what she is singing but it sounds great to me!!)

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Finding Nemo ....

Sun, 12 Apr 2009 23:24:07 +0200

All I can say is WOW!!!

Do I like this band...

Nemo - Nightwish

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Tanya Wytebitz

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 21:41:31 +0200

A friend has a Tanning Salon in Manchester if you are ever in the area ....

Give her a call!

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And the Waiting Goes On......

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 23:45:23 +0200

Well, still no:

- news about a publishing date!
- news about short story competitions
- news about submissions to magazines

Will this writing ever take off?

Ho hum....

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She is so beautiful....

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 23:43:52 +0200

.. no more to be said...

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10 Greatest ........

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 23:32:26 +0200

...Female Rock Chicks..

10. Rindy Ross - Quaterflash

9 and 8 Nancy and Anne Wilson - Heart

7. Debbie Harry - Blondie

6. Pat Benatar

5. Sharon Van Arden - Within Temptation

4. Annette - Nightwish

3. Amy Lee - Evanesence

2. Kelly Johnson - Girlschool

1. Stevie Nicks - Fleetwood Mac

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Ice Queen

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 19:36:18 +0200

For .. well, you now....

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For Bright Star ...

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 22:50:48 +0200

enjoy ...

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Today has been ......

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 20:47:45 +0200

mainly good.

Trip to the local Garden Centre to get some more compost for Mrs H's gardening before sitting down to some serious writing.

And what a session!!! 12 pages! 3500 words! and a near completed short story!!

Thank goodness I booked tomorrow off work! I can go ahead and finish it in the morning.

I am taking Tom and Jen's advice and leaving it for the night in a position where I know what I have to write next.

Thanks friends!!

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Ok it gets worse ....

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 22:42:11 +0100

Enter Shania Twain ....

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Celine V Anastacia

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 22:37:21 +0100

Boy oh boy, I've seen it all now....

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Especially for ....

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 22:32:17 +0100

... Bright Star

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Top Ten Movie Themes ...

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 22:17:51 +0100

No 10. They're Here!!!!!!!

No 9. Gonna need a bigger boat!!!!!

No.8 We are gonna see some dinosaurs on this, er, dinosaur tour??

No. 7 Its's not the age, its the mileage....

No. 6 Broadsword calling Danny Boy ....

No 5 Never, in the field of human conflict ....

No 4 My Precious.....

No 3 May the Force be with you .....

No 2 Guess we're not in Kansas anymore ...

No 1 Come back...Come back...

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Not good ...

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 20:12:55 +0100

Ok, so today has not been so good.

Hit a low as deep as its been for the last four years.

Need to shake it off but don't know how.

Ideas in a brown envelope?

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Fed up...

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 23:56:12 +0100

I am getting fed up with work.

I really wish my writing would take off...

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Meme Borrowed from JaneAgain borrowed from ......

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 21:59:01 +0100

1. ONE OF YOUR SCARS, HOW DID YOU GET IT?
I have a scar on my left knee from football (soccer) left by a kind defender who thought he would play my leg instead of the ball. I was standing at the time so my knee was about a foot off the ground. High tackle or what!!

2. WHAT IS ON THE WALLS IN YOUR BEDROOM?
I did have a picture of Judy Garland but that has been removed by Mrs H.!!

3. WHAT DOES YOUR MOBILE PHONE LOOK LIKE?
Sony Ericsson - Black

4. WHAT MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO?
Mainly rock and classical - and anything inbetween

5. DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME YOU WERE BORN?
Nope

6. WHAT DO YOU WANT MORE THAN ANYTHING RIGHT NOW?
The Mighty Potters to stay in the Premier League

7. WHO DO YOU MISS?
Nana. - ditto but more so my son Thomas

10. WHAT’S YOUR MIDDLE NAME?
Gary

11. THE BEST TV SHOW EVER CREATED:
Band of Brothers - so powerful

12. THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO?
Mrs H.

13. DO YOU GET SCARED IN THE DARK?
Nope

14. FAVOURITE CHEESE?
Cheshire

15. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COLOGNE / PERFUME?
Tommy Hilfiger

16. WHAT KIND OF HAIR/EYE COLOR DO YOU LIKE ON THE OPPOSITE SEX?
Blonde\Blue.

17. WOULD YOU RATHER BE SMART OR FUNNY?
Smartly Funny

18. COFFEE OR ENERGY DRINKS?
Coffee - black filtered

FAVORITE PIZZA TOPPING?
Mushrooms

20. IF YOU CAN EAT ANYTHING RIGHT NOW, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Chocolate.

21. WHO IS THE LAST PERSON WHO MADE YOU MAD?
Naming no names but a certain rival IT support technician who called me "a waste of space" Er, Pot, Kettle, Black!!!

22. DO YOU SPEAK ANOTHER LANGUAGE?
Un peu, eine kleine, kalispara

23. WHAT WAS THE FIRST GIFT SOMEONE EVER GAVE YOU?
Life - my mother and father

24. DOING TONIGHT?
blogging, drinking, watching TV

25. ARE YOU DOUBLE JOINTED?
Nope

26. FAVORITE CLOTHING BRAND?
None really

27. WHAT’S YOUR DREAM CAR?
Nissan X-Trail

28. WHAT COLOR IS IT?
Red

29. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE KIND OF EXERCISE?
Was jogging but the knees don't agree these days

30. WOULD YOU FALL IN LOVE KNOWING THAT THE PERSON IS LEAVING?
Who has the choice whether to fall in love or not?

31. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO TELL SOMEONE HOW MUCH THEY MEAN TO YOU?
Write - agree.

32. WRITE A NUMBER FROM ONE TO A HUNDRED:
94

33. BLONDES OR BRUNETTES?
Blondes

34. WHAT IS THE ONE NUMBER YOU CALL OFTEN?
Local Indian Takeaway

35. WHAT ANNOYS YOU MOST?
Bad manners

35. HAVE YOU BEEN OUT OF YOUR COUNTRY? WHERE DID YOU GO? WHAT PLACE DID YOU LIKE BEST?
Yes, Mediterranean/Carribean/USA/Canada/Europe - Caribean for the sun/Canada cause it is an awesome country

36. YOUR WEAKNESSES?
#Chocolate

37. FRIES/CHIPS, RICE OR BEANS?
Chips

38. FIRST JOB?
Paperboy

39. EVER PRANK CALLED SOMEONE?
Yep, at work pretending to be a disgruntled customer to a mate

40. WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE YOU FILLED OUT THIS?
Reading Blogs

41. IF YOU COULD GET PLASTIC SURGERY WHAT WOULD IT BE?
New knees!.

42. WHY DID YOU FILL OUT THIS MEME?
For fun

43. WHAT DO YOU GET COMPLIMENTED ABOUT MOST?
Aftershave lol

44. WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF ALCOHOL BECAME ILLEGAL?
Drink coffee

45. WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY?
Don't really know

46. HOW MANY KIDS DO YOU WANT?
Three are enough

47. WHERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
My grandmother (Phyllis) and My grandfather (Harry - Gary!)

48. DO YOU WISH ON STARS?
Yes

49. WHICH FINGERS IS YOUR FAVORITE?
Chocolate Fingers

50. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY?
Night before my sons 18th (cried for his twin brother no longer with us)

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For Miramaze ....

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 23:17:29 +0100

Buddha and his Zen Garden ....

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Novel idea!!

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 22:30:12 +0100

Yesterday's 6am writing session didn't go as planned!

The idea was to start the next chapter so staring at a blank piece of paper eventually a sentence or three went down. After half an hour a side of A4 appeared but it didn't seem quite right. I liked the idea and knew where it was going but it did not fit into the overall direction of the novel. So I shelved it. Idea for a short story I thought!

So, another blank piece of paper. Another set of sentences. Another A4 side on a different tack. But no! Yet another idea that I knew where it was going but not in the direction I needed it to.

So it was time to get ready for work and no progress on the novel!

But I do have two more beginings of short stories!!

Ho hum..

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Dilema ....

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 23:37:46 +0100

Apparently The Offspring are playing the Leeds Festival this summer. Now I would love to see them live and I have in my possession a ticket for the festival which I bought for my eldest son.

Should I be evil or should I be good? You decide ...

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Early Morning Writing ...

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 23:31:20 +0100

I've taken to getting up at 6am these days to get an hours writing in before work. It's a struggle but, hey, its working.

I'm averaging about 500 words a throw and have calculated that at this rate it should take me 15 more weeks to get the book finished. Its only taken 6 years but its getting there...

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Mother Dearest ...

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 00:26:03 +0100

With Mother's Day just around the corner I thought this might bring a few laughs to Blogland..

25 REASONS WHY I OWE MY MOTHER

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.
'If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.'

2. My mother taught me RELIGION.
'You better pray that will come out of the carpet.'

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL.
'If you don't wise up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!'

4. My mother taught me LOGIC.
'Because I said so, that's why.'

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC.
'If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going shopping with me.'

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT..
'Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident.'

7. My mother taught me IRONY
'Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about.'

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.
'Shut your mouth and eat your dinner.'

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.
'Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!'

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA.
'You'll sit there until those vegetables are gone.'

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER.
'This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it.'

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
'If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!'

13 My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
'I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.'

14.My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.
'Stop acting like your father!'

15. My mother taught me about ENVY.
'There are millions of less fortunate children in this world
who don't have wonderful parents like you do.'

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
'Just wait until we get home.'

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING.
'You are going to get it when you get home!'

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
'If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to stick that way.'

19. My mother taught me ESP..
'Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?'

20. My mother taught me HUMOR.
'When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me.'

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT.
'If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up.'

22.My mother taught me GENETICS.
'You're just like your father.'

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.
'Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a stable?'

24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
'When you get to be my age, you'll understand.'

25. And my favorite:

My mother taught me about JUSTICE
'One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you

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