Yes it has almost been a week. The longest time that has passed without me blogging since I began. No excuses really although time does seem to be marching quickly in 2011.
News updates? Not much. Another week at work. I have booked annual leave for the week of 21st March. I may go somewhere or may not...depends on flight prices! If not I will plan ahead and see if I can get a cheap deal for May. At least in May most of Europe has a good chance of being warm and dry.
I have a few things to do that week too. My bedroom needs wallpapering (Mum!) and I want to get a new TV/phone/broadband package installed.
So...another week another North African dictator loses his grip. Did you see that broadcast Gaddaffi did from a van with an umbrella? Whacky to say the least! I hope the revolution ends soon with as few casualties as possible.
My thoughts also this week to the people of New Zealand after the earthquake in Christchurch. Haven't the folks down under suffered enough recently?
The cricket world cup continues...I'm watching Sri Lanka v Pakistan as I type. A narrow win for England midweek against Holland (yes Holland!). The big game tomorrow v the hosts India.
I managed to play badminton this week. An hours work out....won 3 lost 1...not a bad start.
Last night I watched one of the best films I have ever seen. der Tunnel (the tunnel) is a German film about the true story of escapees under the Berlin Wall. I can't recommend it enough. Truly amazing and inspirational.
TTFN
Jono
Saturday, 26 February 2011
Sunday, 20 February 2011
I Took Month Long Vacations in the Stratosphere
OK. I couldn't think of a blog title so decided upon the next words I heard on my iPod...so Springsteen's "Growin' Up" it was...
Since my last blog there's little to report. Watched the opening game of the cricket world cup. I listen with the sound down on the TV. I prefer the radio commentary and I even had a tweet read out!
Watched a movie with a bottle of red last night. Ironic that it was red...so was the movie (yes red NOT blue!)...red in that it was a Russia language film about the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan - 9th Company. It was a good flick.
Two movies today...both Oscar nominated...True Grit and Kings Speech. Both great films. I think Jeff Bridges may have just sneaked best male lead for me but its a close call.
I made some pea soup at lunch. The recipe was kind of made up. Gee it was delicious. Yummy. A definite winner with the taste buds.
I think another bottle of the claret beckons tonight (Chilean Merlot) along with the last Top Gear in the series...due to start in 5 mins.
So Jezza, the Hamster and May...it's over to you.
Since my last blog there's little to report. Watched the opening game of the cricket world cup. I listen with the sound down on the TV. I prefer the radio commentary and I even had a tweet read out!
Watched a movie with a bottle of red last night. Ironic that it was red...so was the movie (yes red NOT blue!)...red in that it was a Russia language film about the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan - 9th Company. It was a good flick.
Two movies today...both Oscar nominated...True Grit and Kings Speech. Both great films. I think Jeff Bridges may have just sneaked best male lead for me but its a close call.
I made some pea soup at lunch. The recipe was kind of made up. Gee it was delicious. Yummy. A definite winner with the taste buds.
I think another bottle of the claret beckons tonight (Chilean Merlot) along with the last Top Gear in the series...due to start in 5 mins.
So Jezza, the Hamster and May...it's over to you.
Saturday, 19 February 2011
Cold, wet and miserable
Just to point out that the blog title is representative of the weather outside and not the blogger!
Now that that is clarified...
The cricket world cup starts today. I am not hugely excited about it. Should I be? I'm not sure. It's not the Ashes. Nothing is bigger than the Ashes and given it is only a matter of weeks since England's victory down under maybe this explains my lack of enthusiasm.
Maybe it is the format. It goes on 6-7 weeks which is way too long. Still the first game is very enjoyable. India and their co-hosts Bangladesh are slogging it out as a I type. A massive 370-4 from India with a sensational 175 from Sehwag. Bangladesh have made a good start so far but surely 371 is too much to chase?
OK so here are my predictions. England - semi-final at best. I would be very surprised if they win. They seem to lack one-day "box office" players, Pietersen aside. So, I'm going to tip Sri Lanka. I really think they will win. I know India are favourites but for me it's Sri Lanka. You heard it here first...
So, yes, its wet and miserable and freezing outside. No much incentive to walk. Went out this morning for a coffee (OK - and a muffin!) and some groceries.
No plans the rest of the day. Tacos for dinner and tonight will most likely be a DVD and a bottle of wine.
OK..back to the cricket.
Now that that is clarified...
The cricket world cup starts today. I am not hugely excited about it. Should I be? I'm not sure. It's not the Ashes. Nothing is bigger than the Ashes and given it is only a matter of weeks since England's victory down under maybe this explains my lack of enthusiasm.
Maybe it is the format. It goes on 6-7 weeks which is way too long. Still the first game is very enjoyable. India and their co-hosts Bangladesh are slogging it out as a I type. A massive 370-4 from India with a sensational 175 from Sehwag. Bangladesh have made a good start so far but surely 371 is too much to chase?
OK so here are my predictions. England - semi-final at best. I would be very surprised if they win. They seem to lack one-day "box office" players, Pietersen aside. So, I'm going to tip Sri Lanka. I really think they will win. I know India are favourites but for me it's Sri Lanka. You heard it here first...
So, yes, its wet and miserable and freezing outside. No much incentive to walk. Went out this morning for a coffee (OK - and a muffin!) and some groceries.
No plans the rest of the day. Tacos for dinner and tonight will most likely be a DVD and a bottle of wine.
OK..back to the cricket.
Tuesday, 15 February 2011
I Need to Get Creative
I think the blog is looking dull. I know it is only 46 days old (or young) but I think a makeover is needed.
No. Not makeover. The word makeover is only used on trashy TV shows. OK. It needs a new look. Yep, a new look.
Over the next few days I will see what I can do to make it more, well, I'm not really sure. More pleasing on the eye?
The cough has almost cleared up. Being (mildly) asthmatic, I think these things take a bit longer than normal. I am supposed to be playing badminton tomorrow. We shall see.
The usual day today really. Work, shop, cook and eat. If this is the fast lane then I pity the rest!
I had a good movie weekend. Here we go with my ratings out of ten:
- The Hitcher (road movie with Rutger Hauer) 8/10
- Baader Meinhof Complex (German language film about 60s & 70s West German terror group) 8/10
- The Assassination of Richard Nixon (with the excellent Sean Penn) 7.5/10
- U571 (war film not really based on the truth) 6/10
I was thinking of a movie tonight but I'm not so sure.
I hope your Valentine's Day was good. This single guy was reading his book in bed not long after 7pm. This sure ain't no fast lane!
No. Not makeover. The word makeover is only used on trashy TV shows. OK. It needs a new look. Yep, a new look.
Over the next few days I will see what I can do to make it more, well, I'm not really sure. More pleasing on the eye?
The cough has almost cleared up. Being (mildly) asthmatic, I think these things take a bit longer than normal. I am supposed to be playing badminton tomorrow. We shall see.
The usual day today really. Work, shop, cook and eat. If this is the fast lane then I pity the rest!
I had a good movie weekend. Here we go with my ratings out of ten:
- The Hitcher (road movie with Rutger Hauer) 8/10
- Baader Meinhof Complex (German language film about 60s & 70s West German terror group) 8/10
- The Assassination of Richard Nixon (with the excellent Sean Penn) 7.5/10
- U571 (war film not really based on the truth) 6/10
I was thinking of a movie tonight but I'm not so sure.
I hope your Valentine's Day was good. This single guy was reading his book in bed not long after 7pm. This sure ain't no fast lane!
Friday, 11 February 2011
Missing In (In)Action
My friends I must apologise. It has been a few days. I do have a reasonable excuse though. I have been lousy all week - sore throat early in the week gave way to a sore throat and cold which, as I write is now a cold, congestion and tickly cough. Oh well, at least the sore throat has gone!
After work this week I have wanted nothing more than a bite to eat and then off to bed, read for a bit, radio for a bit and sleep.
So, the above really sums up my week. Nothing memorable! Looks like the weekend will be much the same in terms of coughing and spluttering! Am going to try some red wine tonight though. Purely medicinal you understand!
Half way through the Berlin Wall book now. A terrific read. The weekend will be a mix of reading, movies, sport and TV. The right balance for feeling under the weather.
Have a great Friday night.
After work this week I have wanted nothing more than a bite to eat and then off to bed, read for a bit, radio for a bit and sleep.
So, the above really sums up my week. Nothing memorable! Looks like the weekend will be much the same in terms of coughing and spluttering! Am going to try some red wine tonight though. Purely medicinal you understand!
Half way through the Berlin Wall book now. A terrific read. The weekend will be a mix of reading, movies, sport and TV. The right balance for feeling under the weather.
Have a great Friday night.
Monday, 7 February 2011
Whatever Happened to Low Cost Airlines?
Looking for a cheap flight from Newcastle to Anywheresville, Europe is like...well...like looking for a piece of hay in a massive stack full of needles!
All I want is a cheap short break. Barcelona, Rome...anywhere will do. Once upon a time you could fly to these places for less than a good meal out. Not now. Or so it would seem.
I won't give up. There's got to be something out there!
It's gone cold tonight. Forecast is for a frost in the morning. Totally different to this morning - I actually had some cool air blasting in the car on the way to work!
Lack of motivation for a walk tonight. Naughty. No desire for huge amounts of chocolate. Not so bad then!
Thoroughly enjoying this Berlin Wall book. Despite the fact the wall still hasn't yet been built and I'm on page 219. That's some background context! It gives an incredible insight into 20C Europe and the horror of conflict/ Communism etc.
I reckon by page 230 the wall might actually go up!
Had a great prawn fishcake for dinner. And incase you are reaching for a dictionary - prawns are what we Brits refer to as shrimp!
All I want is a cheap short break. Barcelona, Rome...anywhere will do. Once upon a time you could fly to these places for less than a good meal out. Not now. Or so it would seem.
I won't give up. There's got to be something out there!
It's gone cold tonight. Forecast is for a frost in the morning. Totally different to this morning - I actually had some cool air blasting in the car on the way to work!
Lack of motivation for a walk tonight. Naughty. No desire for huge amounts of chocolate. Not so bad then!
Thoroughly enjoying this Berlin Wall book. Despite the fact the wall still hasn't yet been built and I'm on page 219. That's some background context! It gives an incredible insight into 20C Europe and the horror of conflict/ Communism etc.
I reckon by page 230 the wall might actually go up!
Had a great prawn fishcake for dinner. And incase you are reaching for a dictionary - prawns are what we Brits refer to as shrimp!
Sunday, 6 February 2011
A Quick Weekend Round-Up...
I'm heading to bed soon, another weekend drawing to a close.
I have put this off all day. Hungover I'm afraid. I think it must have been that Swedish cider!
As you can probably guess I was out last night. Enjoyable evening in Tynemouth with Iggy.
Not much happened today. Had a long sleep this afternoon (combo of old age/late nights!) and cooked beef tacos for dinner. Had planned to watch a movie today but didn't feel in a movie mood.
Off to bed to continue reading an excellent book on the history of the Berlin Wall. Interestingly I am now 100+ pages in and the wall hasn't been built yet!
Since all my followers (and of course when I say ALL I mean BOTH!) are Stateside, I hope you enjoy Superbowl Sunday. I will listen to some coverage on BBC Radio 5 Live as I head into my slumber but will be ZzZzZzZzZz before the game ends.
Enjoy and good luck Packers & Steelers.
I have put this off all day. Hungover I'm afraid. I think it must have been that Swedish cider!
As you can probably guess I was out last night. Enjoyable evening in Tynemouth with Iggy.
Not much happened today. Had a long sleep this afternoon (combo of old age/late nights!) and cooked beef tacos for dinner. Had planned to watch a movie today but didn't feel in a movie mood.
Off to bed to continue reading an excellent book on the history of the Berlin Wall. Interestingly I am now 100+ pages in and the wall hasn't been built yet!
Since all my followers (and of course when I say ALL I mean BOTH!) are Stateside, I hope you enjoy Superbowl Sunday. I will listen to some coverage on BBC Radio 5 Live as I head into my slumber but will be ZzZzZzZzZz before the game ends.
Enjoy and good luck Packers & Steelers.
Friday, 4 February 2011
Blowing in the Wind
Two days have elapsed since my last blog so, apologies to all who hang on my every word (sad though that would be!).
Not much to report on to be honest. Egypt still faces an uncertain future. I find it odd that the west has propped up this regime for 30 years. Democracy (that we preach to other nations) doesn't seem to matter so long as the regime is pro-western. Suits both parties really. The west has a friend in the tinder box world that is the Middle East and Mubarak is able to do as he pleases. I really think the good people of Egypt deserve better.
This is an example of history we are living through. I have just started a book about the Berlin Wall. At over 650 pages it could take me longer to read than the 28 years it stood as the definitive symbol of the Cold War. The Iron Curtain that separated east from west. It looks like it will be a gripping read.
So a wind blows through Egypt as it did through Germany in 1989 when the wall fell. There is also a wind blowing out there. A gale to be precise. It has to be one of the strongest winds I can remember. Not a night for going out. Friends are heading to the pub to watch Wales v England (6 Nations Rugby tournament). Not me - wine & DVD.
I went to a school yesterday to do a lesson about tourism to some 15-16 year old students. It was weird as it was my old high school and the teacher who invited me was an old Maths teacher of mine. All very surreal but enjoyable. It is interesting to see how teaching and indeed education has changed over 24 (can it be that long?) years.
I hope you have a good weekend. If this wind dies down (I'm not sure of the weekend forecast) I will head out for a walk. If not, the exercise bike may make a rare appearance.
The answer, my friend is blowing in the wind. (With thanks to Bob Dylan).
Not much to report on to be honest. Egypt still faces an uncertain future. I find it odd that the west has propped up this regime for 30 years. Democracy (that we preach to other nations) doesn't seem to matter so long as the regime is pro-western. Suits both parties really. The west has a friend in the tinder box world that is the Middle East and Mubarak is able to do as he pleases. I really think the good people of Egypt deserve better.
This is an example of history we are living through. I have just started a book about the Berlin Wall. At over 650 pages it could take me longer to read than the 28 years it stood as the definitive symbol of the Cold War. The Iron Curtain that separated east from west. It looks like it will be a gripping read.
So a wind blows through Egypt as it did through Germany in 1989 when the wall fell. There is also a wind blowing out there. A gale to be precise. It has to be one of the strongest winds I can remember. Not a night for going out. Friends are heading to the pub to watch Wales v England (6 Nations Rugby tournament). Not me - wine & DVD.
I went to a school yesterday to do a lesson about tourism to some 15-16 year old students. It was weird as it was my old high school and the teacher who invited me was an old Maths teacher of mine. All very surreal but enjoyable. It is interesting to see how teaching and indeed education has changed over 24 (can it be that long?) years.
I hope you have a good weekend. If this wind dies down (I'm not sure of the weekend forecast) I will head out for a walk. If not, the exercise bike may make a rare appearance.
The answer, my friend is blowing in the wind. (With thanks to Bob Dylan).
Tuesday, 1 February 2011
Where Did January Go?
1st February already? Surely not. Where did the first month of 2011 go?At this rate we will all be eating turkey and singing Christmas carols again soon.
February is one of those nothing months. It's not a December with Christmas, nor a summer month. Not January, a new start or March when Spring arrives nor is it one of those summer months where the sun shines, the beer garden beckons and the sound of leather on willow can be heard.
No wonder it only has 28 days.
Not much to report on since the weekend. 2 days down, hump day tomorrow.
Off to the pub today but I think I need a snooze first.
More interesting things happening around the globe. Australia seems to be in the firing line from severe weather again. I sincerely hope it is not as bad as Queensland. And incredible political change seems to be sweeping Egypt. I hope there is no more bloodshed.
I will leave you with a joke I saw on Twitter today which made me chuckle...
The barman said I'm sorry we don't serve time travellers...a time traveller walks into a bar!
Genius!
February is one of those nothing months. It's not a December with Christmas, nor a summer month. Not January, a new start or March when Spring arrives nor is it one of those summer months where the sun shines, the beer garden beckons and the sound of leather on willow can be heard.
No wonder it only has 28 days.
Not much to report on since the weekend. 2 days down, hump day tomorrow.
Off to the pub today but I think I need a snooze first.
More interesting things happening around the globe. Australia seems to be in the firing line from severe weather again. I sincerely hope it is not as bad as Queensland. And incredible political change seems to be sweeping Egypt. I hope there is no more bloodshed.
I will leave you with a joke I saw on Twitter today which made me chuckle...
The barman said I'm sorry we don't serve time travellers...a time traveller walks into a bar!
Genius!
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