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 welcome to erixlife - blog - June 2008...share Eric's story in words and pictures |
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Wednesday 25 June 2008
 more cosmic...
Another cosmic ordering experience this week... Because I needed another surface next to my PC, I moved an old unloved basic kitchen table from the hall, where I had used and abused it for many years, as a dump for things not often touched. I dusted it down, and covered it with an old tablecloth, so now it supports my printer and miscellaneous supplies, so freeing up the desk top. Right, so that left a big gap in the hall, and the urgent need to store bird feeding supplies. I decided I needed some shelving... Cosmic ordering here we go, I said, as I focused on my exact requirements for the space. I visualised the unit with an approximate number of shelves, but forgot to think about the width - to fit the space. Too late, my request had gone. Two days later I am talking to an affluent neighbour who casually mentioned his sale price purchase from Heals, and that he was disposing of an old shelf unit. Wow! Without asking him any details (like width) I said I would love to take the old one off his hands (I never thought to offer any cash!). He agreed, and the day after delivery of his new item, he gave me the loose shelves, and could I pick up the heavy bit myself? I did with the help of a another neighbour, and soon it was installed in my hall. YES, it did fit - exactly. Now how was that possible? Well, simply cosmic ordering. Available to us all, whatever we want (that is good for us!). We can acquire things, and change possibilities like you never imagined. Just focus, but don't ever stop believing. It WILL happen. Just believe. Trust me...   dreamer
Do you dream in colour? I have been asked, and well, I am never quite sure. Last night I dreamt about D, the most important lover of my life - if you judge that by intensity. We lived together for seven years (?) and he shaped the early to middle part of my adulthood. I don't know what it did for him, because regrettably we are no longer in touch. I wish it were possible. Could we be best or good friends now?. Somehow I miss him like I miss my birth mother. He seemed to be part of me. Do divorced people ever feel this way I wonder? I certainly should have behaved differently! Sorry! It was such a strong feeling of togetherness, than as soon as I got up I typed his full name into Google - nothing, except someone of the same name in America. I did check it out, because that would have been quite possible, but no good. I tried a few social networking sites, no. Where had he gone, what had he done. Was I the "parent" of a "missing" child? How much I miss you D. As I get older I miss you more. I suffer the pain of isolation without you. Do you ever think of me? Please let me know...  winner
My prize arrived today - first place in the adult category, from the Wayside Farm Open Day Photography competition. The Open Day was a couple of week's ago. The winning photos appear on their web site. My prize(s), a mounted print of a Jersey cow, and a mug with the same logo. Very nice and the first photo competition I have ever won (or entered). Maybe I should enter some more?  Adsense
Perhaps this should be Google "NonSense" but AdSense is the name of the Google ad placement service - ads according to text keywords. I've used this for many months (since last year) and as you would expect, earned nothing. Now, just as I have reached the minimum payment threshold - to ME as commission, they write to say... "my Adsense account has posed a significant risk to our Adwords advertisers... we have decided to disable your account". No other explanation. How odd that just before a payment is due to me, they decide on this course of action, so that's why there are no ads... Sunday shopping in Watford
Quiet at the Harlequin and Charter Place in Watford this morning, as I and a friend had a leisurely shopping trip to the "Palace of Retail Pleasure". What a joy it is to shop here, clean, quiet and never any trouble. Climate control - almost a vision of the future? All we need now is the money to spend! Perhaps there could be an award for the most needy shopper - me! I would be a good example to other shoppers, as I have impeccable manners and am always appreciative of assistance. I could do video ads on my blog for different shops in exchange for mega vouchers? I could be the sponsored shopper of the year. Anyone listening out there? I like the video blog today. You are getting better with the camcorder! CK (UK) I live in watford =) FM Wind Day
Visited the Kings Langley Windmill Open Day. Run by RES (Renewable Energy Systems) and founded in 1982 to promote wind farm development everywhere. Based on part of the old Ovaltine Farm site, there were many interesting displays. Stayed for two hours, and enjoyed looking around this local landmark, bordering the M25. A recent Royal visitor was the Duke of York who seeing the windmill from a journey on the M25, inquired and was shown round. Imagine someone phoning up and saying they were the Duke... If I phone you up, may I say I am the Queen? Apparently PM, Gordon has done it to people who wrote to him! (No, not that HE was the Queen!!!). Regular readers will know of my support for all things alternative, and my wish is to see many more of these eco friendly sites. Living as I do nearby, I can tell you there is no noise, and well, you get used to the site of one or more windmills. Just think of the benefits. Thursday 12 June 2008 first time with Disgo
Short test video with new Disgo camcorder. Should be able to do video blogging soon?  alfresco
Last night I enjoyed the alfresco experience for the first time this year. Neighbours (a straight couple) invited myself and two other single gentlemen for a delightful meal in the communal garden outside their property. It was seven-twenty-five when I arrived. They said 7 for 7.30, so with my immaculate etiquette (?) I wished to arrive last. They were all seated. The table was laid with their best cutlery, and the garden umbrella shaded us from the last sunshine of the day. Luckily I had a spare bottle of wine at home, so was able to present a gift to the hostess. Because of the nature of the event I considered it appropriate to leave it unwrapped, but I did write a greeting on the bottle, with a permanent marker (to prevent them giving to someone else at a later date - how silly?) When taking white wine, I think it is best not to chill it in advance, in case they might think that you are suggesting you would like to consume it immediately - even if you do! How very British! Actually I did - start drinking it... It was "garden formal" although I had not dressed for the occasion. She was as always immaculate, and her tall slim body was draped in a simple black number. The long skirt was slit to the upper thigh, but was in no way offensive. She was very attractive, and had the personality to match. Hubby tended to enjoy being at the head of the table, and his shorts didn't conceal his overweight proportion. The first course came and went, but had been changed at the last minute, because I confessed to now only being a part-time vegetarian! The spicy main course had been stir fried in a wok and was good. During the break between courses he lit up his smelly cigarettes. There are times when I would like to smoke again, but this was not one of them. The smashed rhubarb creation was tasty, but I just do not like fruit... Then coffee... The conversation drifted as much as the evening clouds, but was very light hearted. The weather suddenly changed to a chill evening breeze, and we slowly rose to depart. I was feeling rather wobbly, after my three large glasses of wine, but was able to navigate the short distance, back to my bungalow. A really great evening, but wow, was I sleepy after that wine...  dreamtime
For the second night running I had the continuing dream about train travel. It is very unusual for me to have this experience. I have had recurring dreams - particularly being prone and falling flat... Odd. Now the dream... I seemed to have been stranded on a train for seven hours. There were other passengers, in particular a younger woman who always left it to the last minute, to leave the train before the doors closed. I told her I was impressed with her "party trick" but didn't think it was a good idea. In my dream I woke up alone in a dummy train - the sort I imagine that could be used for staff training purposes. Although it was dark, there was enough "light" to see where I wanted to go... I left the train (after some difficulty in finding an unlocked exit door) and stepped out onto a deserted station platform. Again, although it was dark, there was enough light to see. I walked continually for a station exit, but I never seemed to find one? Although it was a very real "experience" it could have been a dream within a dream. At no time, did I seem scared or threatened, but there was no ending, so do you you think I will "return" to my dreamtime? Because this was such an odd occurrence, I wonder if it is a premonition of death?  rationing
One of my earliest boyhood memories was of food rationing. My mother had one or more ration books (for different commodities) and I remember clearly when we shopped at the local UK Tea Company, she had to give up the appropriate coupons for basic foodstuffs. It wasn't pleasant for people during and after the second world war, but they were slimmer then! Now... we seem to be heading for another food famine, only this time it could be global. For most of my life I have been aware of the fact that half the world's population didn't have enough to eat, and suffered the short term guilt every time I was shopping in a supermarket, where the choice is embarrassing. Imagine the cereal aisle alone - a whole aisle just for breakfast cereals... Well, we have all seen the staggering food prices in recent months, and heard about the price and shortage of rice. That is already restricted to a certain amount for each customer (in certain areas). Whenever there is a fear of shortage, people stockpile food, and that instantly makes it worse. Remember what its like in every supermarket just before Christmas each year! Britain grows under half of its food requirement, so we are potentially in a serious state if things get worse. We need to start farming again, like we used to. Governments have paid farmers to maintain empty fields for far too long. Globally of course, there are far too many people! With climate change, things can only get worse, so we need to start NOW. Perhaps GM foods are OK, but growing food for fuel is an irony. Lets start to tackle the root causes, rather than use first aid?  London squares
I was supposed to be visiting the London Garden Squares Open Weekend, yesterday, and although I had purchased my garden ticket, it had been such a long time since I was in London, that I actually had more to do than a leisurely look around some (beautiful) garden squares - although most of them are only open once a year! I was in search of a new product, a (cheap, and therefore basic) camcorder. I had read in the press, and seen the web site, that Creative had launched an ideal model called the VADO, selling at something like £70. Sounded like a real bargain. I started my search in that ideal location, Tottenham Court Road, where half of the shops are palaces of retail technology. Well, I must have asked in at least ten shops, but no one had heard of it. Yes, Creative but not the Vado. I remembered that Currys was one of the listed stockists, so I called in to their shop on Oxford Street. NO. Maybe a department store, tried John Lewis, NO. By this time I was feeling like a break, so found a quiet spot for coffee cake. While I was in the area, I visited the outside of the building on Goodge Street, where I lived for a while, a hundred years ago! I had a bedsit at the back, on the second floor. Very nostalgic! Took a photo, for the new section on erixlife about my previous homes. So, had by now abandoned the quest, and enjoyed the rest of the day, exploring, and re-living many past experiences of the capital. It was a good day, and not to beaten, I stopped off at PC World in Watford on the way home. If there was a Vado to be had, this was the place to look. No, again! OK. Guess what, early this morning when I am reading the Sunday Telegraph with my early cuppa, there in the paper is a large ad from PC World... YES and advertising the Vado camcorder. Would you believe it? Surely the man in the shop must have known about this item? I feel a letter coming on. Who is the Chairman of DSG Retail - owners of PC World?  meditation
After much thought on this topic, I am starting with 1-2-1 sessions. Simple meditation, visualisation, relaxation. Learn to be calm in the midst of turmoil, stress and noise. Appointments in Kings Langley (or a daytime visit to you, by public transport) to calm you, and enable you to be quiet when you need to. Payment by donation - suggested amount is £20 minimum. Write me an email to get started. I am a Reiki (Healing) Teaching Master, qualified masseur and hypnotherapist, although I am retired. I am also thinking about classes and groups, which may start in the Autumn? Please contact me if you are interested.  squirrel baffle
Here is the latest on my continuing battle to keep squirrels from stealing the bird food on my feeder. The above pic shows a circular shaped perspex dome which fits onto the central pole. This is positioned just below the lowest food container and now at last I am sure the pesky critters will no longer be able to rob the containers - which are also "squirrel proof". While I was in the garden centre I purchase a small clear perspex window feeder. This fits on the outside of the living room window, is filled with seed, and then as the little ones come for their food, they will be just inches away... Sounds good. This product is endorsed by Mr Bill Oddie! I am watching him every night on tv's Springwatch, a very interesting series about wildlife. His eccentric style is not everyone's favourite, but he does seem quite knowledgeable.  Jersey cows
Yesterday was the National (free) Open Day for farms around the country, and I visited our local dairy farm to celebrate this. It was a delight, and as a city boy I reveled in the sights, sounds and smells of country life on the farm. The small farm specialised in Jersey cows for butter, cheese and yoghurt. They were such friendly and inquisitive animals - I was licked on the hand at one point as I stopped to look at a group in a field. There were many calves on show - how delightful and cute they were. Lots of farm type activities were available to watch, including sheep shearing. The machinery and vehicles were available to inspect, and of course there were many local produce stalls selling home made cakes, jams etc. Refreshments as well. It was very well supported, and was well controlled with many marshals directing traffic, and being available with information. Sunday 1 June 2008 So, 14 years old George is winner of Britain's Got Talent
- the fast moving final was last night's favourite viewing for 13
million people. I have been watching the semi-finals all the previous
week, and amazingly the final act each evening was the one that went
forward to the final. However, I think George won the contest during
his semi final performance of Singing in the Rain
break-dancing style. It was sensitively acted out, and he finishes "in
the rain" and appeared breathless and drenched - quite a sight. He
repeated this for the final, and it was as if it was a recording -
brilliant. The judges liked his tenacity, and he will do well as a West End dancer I am sure. He is a real life Billy Elliot and his modest appearance was very appealing to the audience. I was slightly surprised at the choice, but is was a talent contest, not a singing one. So well done you, you are a £100,000 richer, and will be a hit at The Royal Variety Performance later in the year. You are an instant celebrity, with your picture on every Sunday newspaper. I hope fame doesn't spoil you. We don't want to read of drunken violence or drug taking - please don't appear again as a victim of the sunday tabloid press. |
 every completed monthly blog page, has a linked alphabetical index of entries - by title this month October 2008 (12) September 2008 (12) August 2008 (31) July 2008 (20) May 2008 (16) April 2008 (19) March 2008 (28) February 2008 (29) January 2008 (33) December 2007 (48) November 2007 (28) archived from Blogger (41)  see whose linked please link to erixlife <!--start erixlife link--> <a href="http://www.erixlife.net/blog.html"><img src="http://www.erixlife.net/erixlife-blog80x15.gif" border="0" height="15" width="80" alt="erixlife - blog - photos and more"></a> <!--end--> My saying of the month: Revenge proves its own executioner. John Ford (1586-1639) INDEX OF ENTRIES (17) June 2008 alphabetical order Adsense alfresco Amersham dreamer dreamtime first time with Disgo George Jersey cows London squares meditation more cosmic... number one rationing squirrel baffle Sunday shopping in Watford Wind Day winner |
