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 welcome to erixlife - blog - May 2008...share Eric's story in words and pictures |
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Thursday 29 May 2008  power
Yesterday I had a power cut at home, but I was out at the time. My timers were out, and the printer (left on) was playing up... Large parts of London, Kent, Merseyside and Cheshire were affected. Tens of thousands of people suffered, and it was the worst power shortage for four years as two major power stations shut down within minutes of each other. One was in Scotland, the other in Suffolk, but this is how the National Grid works - shunting power around the country as needed. OK, but it is getting worse, some power stations are so old, they will fail within years. The demand for further power is unsustainable. The government have said they will revert to more nuclear power stations, but these will take many years to complete. Please note I am not in favour of this option, but is nuclear better than no power, or rationing? Later the same day a total of nine stations were out of action! Unbelievable, but PM, Gordon Brown says he believes in nuclear power, so that's what it will be. But, it doesn't have to be. Yesterday for the first time, tidal power was used to generate electricity. This happened on the Atlantic seabed off the island of Orkney to the far north of Scotland. Unfortunately this is one of a few different types of trial to prove that alternative renewable energy is there for free. Critics say it is too expensive, too difficult or too ugly, but compared to nuclear there is no argument surely. Wind turbines are the only visible alternatives we see, but also wave power is available twice a day, every day of the year. This could have been sorted twenty years ago, if governments had not been reliant on nuclear, and oil. Lets get started now, it is almost too late. We have daily reminders of the stark future of the planet. Alternative energy could eventually solve the problems.   wild birds
I now have ten (or more) species of birds regularly visiting my bird feeder. The latest arrivals are starlings - sometimes up to 15 at a time! The young ones are visiting now with mum, and waiting to be fed, fascinating. Their favourite is the suet slab, but when I put grated cheese in the bowl at the foot of the feeder they all go mad for it. Every visitor loves the cheese before anything else. Here is my list, with pride: Great Tit, Blue Tit, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Robin, Blackbird, Carrion Crow, Collared Dove, Feral Pigeon, Starling and Chaffinch. There may be more, and I am learning to identify the species, and am not always good with the young and female, but learning fast. Apart from the starlings, birds usually visit in pairs, and it is wonderful to see different species tolerating each other. Of course there are the squirrels, often coming in groups as well. I think I have conquered the squirrel problem, with gun grease on the pole, and fitting anti-squirrel food containers for the suet, nuts and seed. Some of the previous visitors took a while to get used to the new containers, but now they all seem able to cope. The starlings can reach the suet because of the long pointed beaks, but I don't mind, as this time of the year they need a high calorie intake. I change the water every morning, and they appreciate this. I keep everything as clean as possible, but am amazed at their doubtful toilet habits - fancy pooing into the drinking water? A recent report by the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds), stated that bread was of little value to wild birds, but I already thought this, and so they don't get any. I offer cake or biscuit crumbs, and leftovers including pastry which goes very quickly. Out of date foods are often suitable, and I am experimenting with dry porridge oats - a bit slow to go. They adore dried fruit, like raisins. In fact at present they will eat almost anything you put down. I once bought some dried worms (rather expensive). You soak them, and put out, but they didn't go all that quickly. The basic seed is cheap enough, but there are so many more varieties to choose from, each suitable for different types of bird. A tiny bit more expensive, so I buy in bulk where possible, then decant into small jars for daily distribution. I'll do it every morning, even if it is raining, as they seem to rely on me, and the "erix free bird food restaurant" being open for their breakfast...  Bank Holiday bus
Our local bus route stops on Sundays and Bank Holidays, but there is another one for these occasions, and yesterday inspite of the incessant rain for the second day running, I decided to emerge. Wearing my trusty old green Berghaus I ventured out to the bus stop at the appointed time to catch the 11.17. I always arrive in good time, and with my cap I felt fairly water-proof. Trouble was the zip had gone on my jacket, and although there was a velcro fastener, it suddenly wasn't the best bet for a wet and windy day. The bus was inevitably late, and the trainee driver was supervised by a regular friendly driver. We arrived without incident in town, and then I walked the mile or so to Staples. I was looking for a "Really Useful Box" gift wrap container, as my rolls of Christmas paper get squashed in the back of the wardrobe. A potentially helpful assistant was in sight, so I asked where this was. Unfortunately her boy friend was visiting at the time, and she had her mind on other things. However I found what I was looking for - except that it was bundled with two other boxes at a "bargain " price - if you wanted them? I had an enjoyable look round the store, and thought of coffee back in the town. I must be the only customer who arrives without a car, so carefully I navigated the car park exit - designed solely for car owners! I walked back into town, and was sprayed by passing cars, who could have tried harder to avoid the puddles... By the time I arrived in the town centre, my jacket was completely sodden, my hands were frozen, and water was running off my cap. I felt pretty miserable, but did enjoy my de-caf cappuccino and a white chocolate cookie. I lingered in the warm friendly cafe for longer than I intended, but was sure the bus returned at twenty minutes to the hour. When I arrived at the bus stop, there was no one there, and I quickly realised that it went at twenty minutes past... So what should I do for another 40 minutes, have another coffee - well I did that once before, but missed the next bus as well, and there is only one an hour, best to stay put. A variety of other potential passengers arrived, but then wandered off, never to be seen again, like they knew something I didn't. At last the bus arrived, and off we went. It was still raining, and I was so glad to sit down and relax, without having to hold the jacket together in front of me. There were a few passengers laden with shopping also pleased to get home I am sure... Suddenly the bus stops, and the driver raises his arms and shouts out that the accelerator pedal has broken. The bus won't move, and we are marooned in the middle of nowhere. He calls the garage, and they say they will send out a replacement bus, but from the other side of Aylesbury, and that will take at least an hour. Great, but at least I was within walking distance from home. Probably three miles, so off I strode, not caring any more about the weather, as I couldn't get any more wet. My bank holiday bus adventure was nearly over, and I thought only of that cup of de-caf Earl Grey... Wonderful, but I wonder if the other passengers are still there?  Plymouth
News from Plymouth is rarely good when it gets into the national press, but today, life long local couple, Frank and Anita will celebrate their 80 years of marriage together - the longest married couple in Britain. Congratulations to them, and their large family. Because my best friend lives there, I follow Plymouth news with a sarcastic interest, and often joke with him about the lives of typical Plymouth residents. A recent survey revealed it was the most unpopular place to live in the UK. When you go there you reaslise why. In Devon one expects and hopes for... attractive scenic landscaped hillsides with Victorian villas in tree lined roads, but what do you get there - acres of council estates disappearing into the sunset. To be fair, the city centre was bombed to hell during the second world war (because of the local docks, and navy base) but what has replaced the space - Hemel Hempstead on Sea? A new shopping mall opened last year, called Drake's Circus, but it is is like any other, and meant more concrete infilling to an already over urbanised wilderness. What a pity they couldn't have created a park, or re-built the sad looking bus station? But then it is the people that matter isn't it, well yes, but in the case of Plymouth that might be the exception. Essex girls come to mind, and there seem to be more stretched limos than anywhere in the country. More pubs, clubs, discos... A throbbing red light district, but they do have a rather good theatre. The old harbour has become a posh looking marina overlooked by rather expensive flats, so perhaps the place is re-inventing itself. Let's hope so. During my last visit I had a hair cut, and amazingly the young woman assistant confessed she had never been to London! She had been to some Spanish beach resort... yeah, you can just imagine that can't you. Her, along with a load of her mates for two weeks in the polluted sunshine of Cost A Lot, trying to get laid as many times as she has a pena colada. Oh dear. The happy couple say it is love, romance and respect which kept them going, and a daily good-night kiss. He is already 100, and she will be next month. They now live in a care home, but seem quite energetic for their ages. Perhaps there is something to be said for living in Plymouth after all?  Eurovision
Still amazingly the biggest annual European tv party (after more than 50 years) with now 43 entries! Still we suffer the dulcet tones of (Sir) Terry, and the European audio trash, with ever more ridiculous costumes, and "dancing". Yet it still attracts millions of viewers. Just imagine if this was commercial television - they would make a killing! What can be the allure of this extravaganza? Well there are many older people who have watched the programme every year, since it first appeared as black and white, then over the years the foreign audience has of course increased one hundred fold. European, nowadays seems to mean more Eastern than Western. The whole thing is really so camp, and there are annual Eurovision parties in every part of the UK. Yet the UK has only won a handful of times. Perhaps because in recent years the chosen performer has been more minor than major. I remember a special occasion when Abba first sung Waterloo - an instant hit if ever there was one. This year there were only one or two possibles, to my mind. So many try really hard to be so different that they spoil themselves. Anyway who cares really? Maybe it is just entertainment... It has become an institution though. This year you only had 15 minutes to make your telephone vote. That must be a technological marvel, as millions of calls across Europe are made simultaneously. I would have thought there would be meltdown. I didn't vote. I didn't watch, but I did listen to the show through my headphones. The voting is of course is totally political, and this can be predicted - unless of course there is a really spectacular song. I don't think there was, but Russia won the contest, with the lead singer showing as much of his body as possible - mind you it was worth watching! Russia hosts the show next year, but Terry says he has to decide whether he wants to be there any more! The UK came joint bottom. Surprise! What was interesting though was the amount of English spoken (and sung). That's some good news isn't it?  David Cook
A very worthy winner of American Idol - seventh series, David Cook, the young, tall and bearded ex bar tender, starts his new career today, and will surely do seriously well. His talent outshone the others by miles. The other David - Archuleta, young, sweet and innocent looking - like my (last?) ex-boyfriend, would probably have survived a year or so, but the more mature David Cook will be here for a long time. The final was a spectacular American production with many top names from the world of pop, including George Michael. It showed the best of the worst, and the worst of the best. I have watched this twice a week for months, and wouldn't have missed tonight for the world. I have been amused and annoyed by judges, Paula, Randy and of course Simon Cowell. I didn't always agree with their decision, but they are the experts I am told. The winner was decided by the American public, and apparently David Cook won by more than 12 million votes - amazing.  drinking
Well, it just shows how marauding football drinking fans can do without alcohol. The match in Moscow last night apparently went off without the usual boozing and brawling associated with English football, and therefore there were few arrests for anti social behaviour, and no vandalism, fighting or stabbings. I think the fans were overawed by the thought of Russian justice, and the fear of their prisons - unlike here! So if it can be done there, we need to adopt the same principle. Lets ban this pre-historic gang culture, and return the game of football to a family audience. Alcohol causes so many problems across the board. It has got completely out of hand. Around the country the weekly binge drinking behaviour of armies of young men and women over-stretches police resources, and makes town centres no-go areas for the rest of us. Breweries and pubs don't have to pay the cost of overtime, and damage. They greedily promote alcohol by special offers to encourage even younger people inside their doors. They go through the motions of talking "responsible drinking" but will do anything to boost their enormous profits. On a match day, nearby Watford becomes a different place from lunch time onwards, as armies of shouting and beer swilling louts arrive in the town, dressed in their medieval garb - to be met by many small groups of police wearing high visibility clothing and riot gear. Mounted police roam the High Street. The fans spill out from the noisy pubs, and take over the place. Little old ladies run for cover, and I go home early. Imagine what the place is like after the match, especially if they lose!  prison
Is the UK to become a prison state? We already have more cctv cameras than any other country, our prisons are full, and now the government is seriously proposing recording every telephone conversation, copying every text message and email, plus keeping a record of every web page visited! We already know that Google keep a record of every search engine query... The UK must be the most secretive government in the world already, yet it calls itself a democracy and is still trying to influence the policies of other countries - sometimes by force! It has been rumoured before, but this is surely the most outrageous suggestion to come from this Labour government? In the name of preventive terrorism, anything goes it seems. After surveillance, does censorship follow? Certain web sites are banned in many countries, as governments fear the power of the internet... the power of the people. The talk of a national ID card had been discussed for many years (they had one during WW2) and will no doubt continue, but this is merely first aid. The real cause of problems in this country is poor planning and even poorer policies by successive governments. They have let it happen - the rise in crime and disorder, the threat of terrorism, the break up of the family, poverty, mass immigration, unemployment, lack of education and a breakdown of the NHS. These are the things that need to be tackled in order to regain stability and security in the country. Then there will no need for this fantastic nonsense, first inspired by George Orwell in his Big Brother lifestyle creation "1984". With embryo research, perhaps the government is aiming to introduce a super race of well behaved, hard working zombies (didn't someone else have that idea?). I am sure we will be implanted with chips to control our behaviour and monitor our movements. The only thing is that there will need to be more people running this surveillance, than there are people to watch. If this goes ahead I expect they will be tracking all blog content, so I'd better be careful... !  China
I have been following closely the events in China since the earthquake last week. Horrifying TV pictures have reached us from the mountainous region where the giant panda lives. I have chosen a positive image to escape the terror in the faces of survivors, and relatives of the dead and injured. In the west we cannot imagine this scale of disaster. So many thousands killed, so many more thousands homeless, and so many thousands of lives touched for ever. Generations of children have been killed at a stroke. Many of the bodies will never be found. I applaud the efforts of the Chinese government to tackle this event with such practical support - unlike the Burma government! Inspite of this personal assistance it was not enough. There was never going to be enough time, never enough heavy lifting equipment etc. They did their best, and when another person was found, the helpers clapped. I even saw pictures of them crying, along with the families. Such emotion from uniformed men is so very human. Now is the time of realisation that no one can be left alive, and now is the beginning of the gradual re-building of lives. It will take many years, and some may never recover. Let them be in our thoughts at this time, and for the future.  SP1
I knew when I couldn't de-frag my PC, that something was wrong. I had just installed Vista Service Pack 1 from a CD supplied by Microsoft. I should have known better. "If it aint broke, don't fix it" comes to mind, but I had read that the update had many wonderful features. I followed the advice carefully - my system was already up to date, and I deleted unwanted files from the hard drive using System Tools - Disk Cleanup. Installation took around one and a half hours, but of course I didn't sit there and watch. It re-starts several times automatically. This morning after an ordinary boot up, it failed to de-frag. It carried on for hours, and I had to abandon it. When I started using the web (Mozilla Firefox) I got the blue screen... (of death). I restarted normally, reported to Microsoft, and it happened again! At this point one can start to panic, but I logically ran through what it might be... a virus (maybe), bad software (nothing new, except SP1). Yes, it had to be that. So I went to restore point, and went back to before the installation. It is running fine now. So, from my experience, don't use SP1.  caring
After caring for her sick husband for over five years continuously (24/7) one day a few months ago over three successive days she (1) tried to choke him with his dressing gown cord (2) smothered him with a pillow, and (3) pushed his head under the water in his bath. Wow! you might say, what a wicked woman, but imagine her fear and loneliness, her shear desperation, her utter and complete despair at their situation. This was the man she had shared her life with for over 25 years, and now she was alone with a living "cabbage". How terrible. Apart from this general situation, she had survived a cancer scare, had financial worries and been mugged just before the incident. On the third day she telephoned the police to confess to trying to kill her husband. Bless her, she loved him too much inspite of his condition, to carry it through... The judge agreed, and gave her 100 hours of community service. He believed that because of her mental problems brought about by the situation, she should be spared the ordeal of prison. She still wants to care for her seriously sick husband, but needs to live apart. No wonder dear. You need all the help that is possible. It is more than humanly possible for one to care for another at that level of support. What a tragic case to come to my attention. I am saddened by their plight, and yet amused at the thought of three attempts... My wicked mind at its worst!  garden notes
Everything is growing at a fast rate, and I am watering my pots frequently, which are placed in front of the bungalow - that is south facing. I don't know what they are called as the original labels have been lost. I aimed for just foliage, but some are attractive flowering plants, and much admired by appreciative neighbours and visitors. I once bought some expensive grasses from a nursery (a Sunday newspaper offer) and they have become well established and seem quite exotic. Most people have never seen anything like them before! A lot of plants do better from the second season onwards, and these were miniature when they arrived, and completely dried out. I never thought they would survive, as they stay out during the winter. Squirrels digging in the earth are another hazard for the plants, but the plants just get bigger each year. I deliberately re-potted the small shrubs from the garden centre when I bought them, and covered the top of the soil in each pot with gravel. One day I will have to re-pot them again. I don't have any formal garden as such, because the lawns are open plan - much easier as I get older! Yesterday morning while having my breakfast in the living room, I heard the most awful squawking from the garden, and rushed to the window to see a crow attacking a magpie on the lawn - the crow was on top of the magpie (who was on his back, loudly squawking, with his legs in the air) and the much larger crow was pecking the magpie's chest. Another magpie was also squawking for help, and feebly trying to deter the crow. My presence at the window was enough to scare them all off, and luckily they all flew off at high speed, never to be seen again. I am still greasing the pole of the bird feeder with olive oil to deter the agile squirrels from climbing, but magpies and starlings now attack the hanging fat slabs from above, fluttering their wings frantically to maintain stability. I may not know what types of plants I have in my two dozen pots, but the National Trust have started a project to catalogue their entire plant and shrub collection in their top 80 properties around the country. They are listing, and photographing everything that grows, and then plotting them on a satellite positioning gadget. Sounds absolutely amazing, and I expect it will eventually be available online. Early plant collectors who brought back items from around the world would be pleased to see their work rewarded today. I am sure the Trust will discover many unknown species that have survived since Victorian times. Well done them.  New section added - my certificates, in ascending date order, with images... View at erixlife certificates. Saturday 10 May 2008  sunshine
Living in the northern Europe, I appreciate the sunshine, but am not a sun lover. Having been a winter baby, I seem to prefer the spring and autumn, rather than the hot, bright skies of summer. I am more of a shade person! I can enjoy laying under my garden umbrella and snoozing... Suddenly in England it seems like summer (after a few warm days) and I notice everyone seems to be in a better mood. More people talk and smile. They are definitely more friendly. Staff in shops respond better, and workers in call centres will actually seem human again. We are all planning or thinking about holidays away, and I am too, although it is some time yet. In a few months I will be off on the train to Cornwall to stay for a week in a converted railway carriage. I once knew some people who had a train carriage in West Wittering, Sussex, they kept as a holiday home. That was great fun. I dream of far off places, like going back to Australia or even re-visiting Porto Santo (direct flight from Gatwick now) but my lack of cash and hatred of flying have put me off. I'll have to be content with travel brochures and tv travel programmes. Last summer I had an offer of a Mediterranean cruise, but I wasn't willing to share a cabin(!) and the thought of first class insulated observation doesn't appeal - straight from the cruise liner to an air conditioned bus, to peer through the double glazing at locals! Not a lot of scope for my photography, and who wants to be stuck with a load of over inflated ego's, intent of talking rather than listening. It could be rather like living through one of those Christmas round-robins. How awful. The warmer weather brings out the worst in fashion though. Those half mast trousers on men, the too-small bikini on a fat woman - ugh! The fatter the person, the shorter the garment, it seems. Do they look at or care about themselves, have they no self respect? I am not happy wearing shorts myself, but if you do, try to get a decent pair so when you are walking the legs don't ruck up. It seems trendy (disgusting?) for women to wear the top of their knickers showing above their jeans or whatever. They have so much cleavage at the front, now the back too? Soon they will be able to have hair implants on their arse so they look like builders! Not for me, I'll probably be indoors with the shades down, in the cool, and feeling comfortable... Friday 9 May 2008
 erix cars
New section added today, all about the cars in my life - once a passion... now the bus! Discover Eric's best car and van - ever, and what's his dream car? Find out at erixlife cars. Wednesday 7 May 2008  new life Its here - Summer or so it seems. Spring is merging into Summer with warmer temperatures, new birth abounds - on trees and with legs. Visited a local open farm yesterday to see for myself. Teeming with life, all is well again. Imagine how early man had to worship the Gods to ensure good weather for a plentiful harvest. Feel a surge inside me as I leave off the warmer clothes of winter. Excellent. Being away from the blog and everything routine has given me a chance to re-appraise my life (again) but with no major new decisions, must be fairly on track. Won't be writing this every single day, and maybe more meaty when I do? Having "given up" the massage, healing and naturism, now seeking to further deepen my personal development and wishing to start meditation classes locally. More about this when it happens. More than ever resigned to the "single" life, yet even today responded to an old ad in Gumtree, what a joy, a young guy looking for the love of an older man, and not interested in one night stands! Amazing, but wait for it, since his ad he has moved overseas with his father. So dead end? Have been struggling with technology recently - trying to set up a wireless network... Succeeded, but what a nightmare at times. Took the old printer to a dear friend in Devon, and connected it - he was delighted. Re-cycling at its best. With all the recent sunshine, felt I should clean the windows, that led on to many other housekeeping chores, but it is so nice when its done. Even cleaned the bath and wash hand basin. There we are then, back again... speak soon. |
 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) June 2008 (17) 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: Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad. Anon. INDEX OF ENTRIES (16) May 2008 alphabetical order Bank Holiday bus caring certificates China David Cook drinking erix cars Eurovision garden notes new life Plymouth power prison SP1 sunshine wild birds |
