e r i x l i f e - blog - pictures - and more

Monday 29 December 2008

I think I hate Christmas

Here I am reflecting on the doubtful merits of Christmas, and if I had my way I would change the calendar...

Christmas Day, 2008

Christmas message

Well if the Queen can do it, so can I. Here is my Christmas message, with thoughts about the previous and next year, and a personal request for someone! Wonder if they will take note?

Happy Christmas to you all.

Wednesday 24 December 2008

I'M A PC

I've been selected by Microsoft to join the thousands of people who have submitted a 5 second video of themselves, starting with "I'm a PC...".
I say that I follow Zen. Well that's true enough, although to define the word is a job in itself. I've discussed this before.

See what you think!

Tuesday 23 December 2008

touch

I knew - the moment I felt his small hand touching my arm... I was pushing a heavily laden trolley in Sainsbury's when I felt my arm being gently prodded by a young boy of about nine or ten. He wanted to hold my hand, and was asking permission. His mother was with him and said he wanted a hug. I recognised the signs of autism immediately, and obliged. That was a magic moment for me, and in an instant I knew that I had to abandon helping elderly people and work again with younger people in need. After all it was just a few weeks ago when a little girl held my hand in a supermarket! I cannot ignore the signs any longer.

As it happens I have heard nothing from the elderly charity that I contacted weeks ago, not even a Christmas card. I worked with learning difficulty children and young people for 18 months as a volunteer, when I lived in Worthing - and so I will again. I shall immediately contact the Volunteer Bureau, to seek out a suitable vacancy.

Who says our "prayers" are never answered?

Saturday 20 December 2008

railway carriage holiday

Video showing where I stayed in September at St Germans in Cornwall - courtesy of railholiday.co.uk They have other restored railway carriages available for holiday lets, with everything included. It is a family run business, and they are really friendly and helpful. I am going again in 2009, to the old travelling post office. Much bigger and more luxurious. Can't wait...

My post production techniques are lacking somewhat, and there is one correction - the old luggage van is actually 24 feet long! Enjoy.

Saturday 6 December 2008

Milton Keynes

Visited MK with two mates by speedy train. Although rather cold we had a good day yesterday, shopping, eating and wandering around the city centre and shopping city - an incredible construction, which must be one of the largest indoor shopping centres in the country. Everything was not just geared up for Christmas, but literally every shop was discounting stock. Woolworths was completely packed, and although just three weeks to Christmas I didn't feel it was that crowded for a Friday. Perhaps today (Saturday) will be busier?

My picture is pretty self explanatory - the Christmas Grotto or playground for kids of all ages, complete with train ride as well. Very colourful and well constructed replicas of working fair ground rides, with helter skelter too. Very popular.

Was really impressed with MK, and will visit again some time.

Friday 5 December 2008

hedgehog

What a joy, when early this morning around 0630 and still dark, I spied a hedgehog rummaging in the grass outside my front window. He then walked very quickly (to my surprise) and I followed him outside the front door (wearing my dressing gown!) to the side of the property, where I snapped a few shots from different angles. I thought they would have been hibernating at this time of the year. It was a cold and frosty morning, so perhaps he was hungry? I believe they are becoming rarer, so I will investigate, and perhaps provide suitable food, and maybe a hedgehog hut? I'll let you know what happens.

Thursday 4 December 2008

new mobility

Have acquired a second hand mobility scooter (similar to this one) to help with my "walking" - especially uphill. I have a long list of difficulties which make walking increasingly difficult, and hills almost impossible. So, I am looking forward to a new chapter of exploration at a maximum speed of 4mph! Have been cleaning it up, and now waiting for the cash to pay for insurance and servicing. Hope Father Christmas comes early!

Monday 1 December 2008

born again Netscape Composer

I am starting the new month with great joy, having just discovered Mozilla SeaMonkey - the up-to-date version of my first love, NETSCAPE. This was my first browser (and internet suite) and we grew and developed together, until one day a big bad Internet Explorer came along and gradually took over. It was a long and painful death. However I was for ever faithful, clinging to an old version, and even until last week I wrote all my web pages with version 4 of Composer. This is my tribute to the greatest web program ever. I salute you Netscape, and now Mozilla - long may you prosper and continue. I don't often provide hyperlinks in my blogs, but will in this case - just click on the above link for a great adventure of discovery!

November was a dreary month for me in many ways, and I so glad to moving on. I won't dwell on all the negative aspects, so will now start afresh. Today I put up the Christmas decorations - well, the old plastic wreath for the front door, last years' flashing blue window lights for the front room, and that old faithful - the small plastic holly plant bought by my father (from Gamages) at least 40 years ago. That is my sentimental link with past family Christmas's. I have printed the Christmas card labels, stuck them on, together with the postage stamps, and begun to write a little message to each person.

I am experimenting with live video streaming, so watch this space. My video blogging has diminished somewhat, but this new direction could be the way forward for me.