Japan

Major world events in my lifetime include the fall of the Berlin Wall, Nelson Mandela released from prison, September 11th and the 2004 Asian tsunami.

The horrific scenes on our TV screens, websites and front pages of the printed media will live long in the memory of the tsunami and the near quarter of a million who perished.

Now, when I hear of an earthquake, especially in the Pacific I feel pensive. I awoke on Friday as the BBC were reporting the earthquake as breaking news. The magnitude of the quake indicated there could be severe damage.

By the time I got home the true horror of the tsunami was being played out on 24 hour news channels and the people of Japan have been on my mind since then. The pictures that have made their way on to our screens the last few days show the immense power of water and how it sweeps all before it. Cars tossed around like they are made of balsa wood. Houses like dolls houses. Even aircraft and ships.

Of course there is the ongoing drama surrounding the nuclear power plant. We can only hope meltdown doesn't occur.

There are countless thousand stories of human loss and misery. Each tale so tragic. Every one moving me to tears.

But, there is something about this tragedy that is different. A measured response by the authorities. Orderly queues in line for bread, water and fuel (taken for granted only a matter of days ago).

The people  of Japan have such dignity and purpose. They are a credit to themselves. They are a credit to the human race and can teach us all, and I include me in that, a big lesson in dignity, humility and decency.

Japan is going to take years to get over this. The mental scars will never heal. The clean up operation is almost unimaginable. The economy is going to take a hit.

The land of the rising sun may be a leading developed nation, but it still needs - and deserves our help. The people deserve it.

They are an inspiration. They are in my thoughts.

If I Was the Zimbabwe Cricket Captain...

...I'd like to be called Elton Chigumbura!

Yep, that's his name. Don't know why, I just like it. One of the great cricket names. Not as good as

*deep breath*

Srinivasraghavan Venkatravaghan!

OK back to reality. Or as close as I get. Another sunny day today but cold. I thought Spring had arrived last week but winter always seems to have a twist before you can be confident in these parts!

A long day at work. I organised some industry customer service training today (devised by the Canadians for the Winter Olympics in Vancouver last year). We are the first to roll the training out in the north of England so, for once, we are blazing a trail. Yeehah!

And some bad news...

I was too tired for badminton. So, no exercise, in turn led to no cooking (yes the only dexterity required for dinner tonight was dialing the phone). A delicious Indian it was -

- poppadoms and pickles
- tandoori chicken
- chicken rogan josh
- mushroom pilau rice
- garlic naan bread

And of course, why not go the whole hog! No exercise...check....take away...check...

...bottle of chianti open!

Ooops!

I promise a healthier day awaits tomorrow. Until then my good friends. I bid you good day.

Pancakes....yummy!

Pancakes are so tasty aren't they? I guess I used to only have them once a year as a kid. Pancake Tuesday. Well, Shrove Tuesday to give it it's proper name. Why once a year I don't know. They are...well...I was right...yummy!

I remember the first time I saw them on a diner menu in the USA (NYC most likely)..."pancakes with bacon AND syrup"? No. No.Yes. Yes. The flavours just go so well together. I guess you can work out what dinner was tonight.

I finally got my lazy ass out for a walk. It has been way too long. I have no excuse. I can look for some and perhaps invent many:

- It's raining.
- It looks like rain.
- It is forecast to rain later.
- It is the most sunny and glorious day in living memory...but you never know....it might rain later.

For those who don't know where I live, a 2 mile 30 minute walk can take in a Georgian street, a priory and castle (the burial place of saints and kings) and 2 blue flag award winning golden sandy beaches with amazing sea views. Yes. NO excuse at all I know. This is Tynemouth Longsands below...

I am getting more and more angry with the British Government. The whole economic situation in this country was caused by the 1980s greed culture of Thatcherism and privatisation as well as  irresponsible lending by banks.

Today it was announced that the Royal Bank of Scotland head is to get a £7.5 million bonus. The bank has made a loss of over a £1 billion this year and is over 80% owned by the tax payer. The news also reports that 12-28,000 police jobs are to go. There is only one word. Corruption. Cameron and his cronies are not much better than Gaddaffi and co they are keen to see deposed. It angers me beyond belief that it is ordinary people like myself, teachers, health workers etc who are paying, literally, the price. It was not our fault.

OK...that said it's almost Guinness time. I hope you enjoy(ed) your pancakes.

I know I did!

Ballad of a Thin Man

OK so I played badminton today but I'm not getting carried away in thinking that I now have an Olympian physique (unless you are talking about a 1980s East German shot-putter - female at that!).

It just happened that as I type this I'm listening to Bob Dylan's Highway 61 Revisited. I almost forgot what a classic album it was. Or is.

So my second week of badminton and I'm enjoying it. I used to play a bit and am pleased I dusted down the racket. It is on a drop in basis at the sports centre. I don't know anyone else but they seem friendly enough and no one is either hopeless or a potential gold medal winner so it's a good mix.

2 months ago the England cricket team were victorious in Australia 3-1. Retaining the Ashes in memorable style. Today (albeit in a different form of the game) they lost in the world cup to Ireland. To put that into perspective to my American readers thats like getting a few guys from your town, going to Yankee Stadium and beating the Yanks!

Fair play to Ireland...a fully deserved win. As a Guinness drinker I almost feel like an honorary Irishman anyway.

Bob Dylan in the background, the shiraz tasting delicious and a smattering of stilton to compliment it. Not a bad midweek evening at all.

35/1 9/2

No. It can't be. Surely?

Yes. It is. For sure.

1st March. 2011 is like an express train. Like a stellar object hurtling through space. A bullet speeding through the air, hurtling it's way to it's target. At this rate it won't be long until I'm drawing my pension.

You guessed it. It's fair to say that this year is speeding by.

Have you worked out the blog title yet? Yes...well done...top of the class. No...OK...I will explain.

35 blogs in January, 9 blogs in February. I need to better 9 in March. 1 day 1 blog = a good start.

So I have entered my last full month in my thirties. From a thirtysomething to a middle aged guy awaits in April. Scary? Maybe. But they do say life begins.

So the news. It's harder to decide who wins nutcase of the week this week. Gadaffi or Sheen. One a delusional despot with no grip on reality. The other a Hollywood star determined to isolate himself and see his acting career end.

I guess there is a moral there somewhere about power and fame. Maybe being me isn't such a bad thing. A small cog in a big wheel but in many respects and to many people an important cog. I may not be powerful or rich but I reckon I'm a decent guy and well liked. If I can put a smile on a face I can go to bed happy knowing I have accomplished something worthwhile.

There's probably a morale there too. I will let you decide.

It's Been a While...

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