A Book of Days

And they wonder why noone trusts them?

Tue, 12 May 2009 17:34:03 GMT

The current revelations about MP's expenses just shows what a moral vacuum Westminster is. Labour, for all it's self righteousness when it came in to office, makes the Tory sleaze look like rank amateurism. They all have their snouts so deep in the trough that they can't see the difference from legality and morality.

The purpose of the expenses is to allow those who are not independently wealthy to be able to afford to sit at Westminster not to enable them to feather their nests. Really is disgusting. Obviously Non-London, MPs need a place in London and I accept that those from Cornwall or Northumberland may need more than a pied a terre (unlike my own MP who can get up to town in about and hour and a half and has one of the most modest expense accounts) but how the hell can they justify renovating peoples third properties which are neither London nor constituency? Utterly obscene and inexcusable.

Well dad saw the GP today ...

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:18:40 GMT

They were looking for cancer and since the GP hasn't heard the assumption is that it is clear... so fingers crossed and thanks to those who showed concerr

Where hope and despair are akin....

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:19:13 GMT

Well most of today was taken up by taking dad for his CT scan at the district hospital. It took nearly four hours by the time we got stuck in traffic somewhat inexplicably - I have done the 10 mile journey quicker ar rush hour - then delayed since one of the scanners was broken. Not their fault but it is a bit tough on an 83 year old who had, at that point been fasting for over 30 hours. He wasn't as bad as last time but was still exhausted by the time we got back and grey and feeble and went straight to bed.

The scanner suite at RBH was much more pleasant than X-ray at Christchurch - light, bright relatively comfortable conveniently located just behind the main foyer but it can't hide the fact that if you are there then it is almost certainly a matter of life and death even within the hospital context. Having lost a parent to cancer I was all too aware that the smiley old lady waiting nearby probably didn't have a Judi Dench hairstyle as a fashion statement and as I waited you couldn't but overhear pleas from staff for scans to be fast tracked - "but it's an aorta " - "I have four aneurysms waiting all urgent...". Almost felt guilty that Dad was using an appointment - given that the acute episode of GI bleeding that they were following up was nearly six months ago now and that even if they found colon cancer it isn't likely they would operate - once you are past 80 it isn't such a big deal. At least there were no really young people. I will never forget when I was visiting my Mum when she was having treatment at RSH and I went across to the canteen to get something to eat and there was a young woman about my age then, with a scarf around her head and her husband and a little boy of about three and thinking that if one of us was going to lose our mum in all fairness it should be him not me. You never know how such things turn out and deals with God tend not to work but I so hope his mum is still there for him.

Sally's meme

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:40:56 GMT

I think my home made easter eggs may just work if I give them another layer of chocolate .. and the other thing that made me smile was being appreciated.
Tomorrow I shall probably not be online but I shall be happy with proper bakery hotcross buns on the proper day and by singing I hope at the Beaulieu Abbey Crucifixion...."fling wide the gates, fling wide the gates!"

Gah ..meme bane for the technically challenged...

Sat, 04 Apr 2009 18:32:44 GMT

Oh and my handwriting isn't blurry - it is your eyesight... ;)

Just when I thought it was safe to go to my inbox...

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 11:30:25 GMT

American/International companies are now urging me to buy stuff for their Mothers' Day . Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh.

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 12:05:14 GMT

In an idle moment I checked to see if comparethemeerkat.com existed .. it does and is funny for an advertising gimmick.

http://www.comparethemeerkat.com/results.html

This is the new error message I got. It seems to be trying to blame me!!

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 17:43:52 GMT

Internal Server Error
The server encountered an internal error or misconfiguration and was unable to complete your request.

Please contact the server administrator, webmaster@barrowdowns.com and inform them of the time the error occurred, and anything you might have done that may have caused the error.

More information about this error may be available in the server error log.

Additionally, a 404 Not Found error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Apache/2.2.8 (Unix) mod_ssl/2.2.8 OpenSSL/0.9.8b DAV/2 mod_auth_passthrough/2.1 mod_bwlimited/1.4 FrontPage/5.0.2.2635 Server at www.barrowdowns.com Port 80

Absent Mothers

Sat, 14 Mar 2009 22:35:45 GMT

Prince William has recently become patron of a charity that supports bereaved children and has spoken about how difficult he finds Mothers' Day. Even though I was twice as old when my mother died (and she had lived nearly twice as long as his mother), I find it a sad time too. I used ot love making a fuss of her and since she died I have often thought that it never seems to occur to the politically correct band who object to calling Christmas, that many of us get festivals rammed downour throats that don't concern us but it is much more painful if they did once. Much easier to say I don't celebrate Halloween or St Patricks day or whatever than to deal politely with "What are you doing for Mothers' Day?" Since "Well I shall probably go to the grave" is a bit of a damper.

Obviously you don't begrudge anyone elses happiness and it is easy enough to look away from the stands of cards and gifts in Tesco or wherever but this year, probably due to the credit crunch, I have been deluged with about a hundred emails telling me it is not to late to send my mother a gift or to show her I love her ...but it is it really is you insensitive marketing bastards.

I prefer the traditional name Mothering Sunday rather than Mothers' day. It is a nice reminder that you can mother and be mothered without having or being a mother and feels more inclusive for those of us who rely on our surrogate mothers and children.

Finally a thought for two mites who I am faily certain will be motherless by next Sunday. I fully admit that I was astounded by the level of Jade goody's ignorance when she appeared on Big Brother (the only year I really watched much of), but when you found out about her background it was fairly clear she didn't exactly stand much of a chance (true failure of society and the education system) and really was doing quite well to have been holding down a job beforehand.

Generally I don't have much time for the famous for being famous but she is dying of cancer at 27 leaving 2 little boys who love her and whom she clearly adores and she is selling every last scrap of privacy and dignity in order to ensure that her boys get a good education and aren't reduced to what is effectively prostitution to have a chance at a decent life. I just hope that their interests will be properly looked after. And I hope that those people who have been against the HPV vaccine rethink.

Well I guess that is the start of spring..

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 18:29:48 GMT

I mowed the lawns today. I then gathered 3 bags of cuttings and still there are loads left at the back. Dad had muttered about spending a couple of hundred quid on the garden (if the sale of the Northfield house goes through he is expecting a nice "cushion") so I suggested he might like to invest in a more powerful machine that picked up the grass so I would have more time to do other stuff. I know that the first cut is always going to be bad but it really was hard work. There are bound to be bargains around soon and having the donkey kicking hedgecutters makes a big difference - pity I managed to slice through the cord on Monday (at least I was using the power breaker), however I should be able to fix it ok ..may just move the cord as I cut so near the end.

Still loads to do. I did think it was unnecessary of my aunt to offer to get us a skip when she arrived uninvited. Grr could have killed her but instead just didn't offer her tea...

Yay!

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 13:47:03 GMT

I made it to Somerset for the weekend despite gloomy predictions and the weather so that is encouraging and I may be more over my reluctance to drive out of the comfort zone (I think it was having a "shed" for so long - I was convinced it would break down if It went too far).

Then now with a newer and newly serviced car the weather fairies did there worst. So I set of with blankets, a shovel, and old curtain to provide traction, boots, more spare clothes than you an shake a stick at, hot coffee, jelly babies as well as the AA card and fully charged mobile. None of which I needed though I drank the coffee and the jelly babies are no more.

The snow has cleared in the immediate area (too much salt in the air for it too last long without it being significantly colder), it was hanging around by the time I got to the airport.

I aimed for Bere Regis since I thought I would avoid the shoppers heading for Poole and of course got stuck behind a hay lorry which looked a bit vulnerable. I might have been bale ot get past but the centre of the road was a bit mucky with filthy snow and it wasn't worth the risk of skidding into a ditch so I had to wait about 10 miles before we got to dual carriageway. Fortunately was past by the time the second carriageway was unusable due to remaining snow. Bit disconcerting passing crashed and abandoned vehicles. I was expecting it to get worse but the Yeovil road was clearer and I made up some time.

TBC

What a stupid mess.

Sun, 11 Jan 2009 19:54:48 GMT

Really has me rattled.

So deeply fed up. Gah

I miss Woolworths already....

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 18:57:07 GMT

My dad managed to break two of my mugs this morning that were part of a toning set (same design in "sweet pea" colours that had cost me next to nothing at Woolies butlooked as if they could easily have come from somewhere fancy at a fiver each rather than for the set. I loved the colours and they were barrel type and felt nice inthe hand even when full and you got a decent amount of coffee in them. Dad has offered ot pay but it isn't the money so much as having to find ones I like as much. And when I do I bet they will cost a lot more... I got such a lot of nice stuff from there for teh kitchen and garden... I don't mind spending money on things where quality counts (I hate fake leather for example) but for things like mugs and bins and plain vases ..and garden lights it was brilliant...

I went in on nearly the last day and it was so sad to see it empty apart from the pick and mix and a few rulers. And some of the staff ..well I swear one woman had been there since I used to be taken to get school stuff - and I am thiking primary school. I know I hated the fact that the "Back to School" signs went up the second the summer holiday started but still....

On that subject I spotted Creme Eggs and Hot Cross buns in Tesco on New Year's eve ... it is just wrong....

Werewolf

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 20:54:04 GMT

Wel I am very carefully using my LJ as a repository for PMs and notes... but I will make a quick public post to say how delighted I am with the game so far - despite the double lynch on day one. Poor old Nogrod... couldn't believe it when I think of all the time I have failed to get him lynched day one when he was a wolf... :D. And poor Menel missed the cut in my first game and so I was so glad when he signed up... ah well lots of great players around still that I hope it will be entertaining all the way through. Keep TP around certianly helps with that ;).... Hope it won't be entirely onesided like my previous games.

More in due course.

A very cold Mithalwen....

Happy New Year - and a plug

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 18:11:57 GMT

New year and for the first time in ages - no sinisitis mark the occasion! However I had so many bugs in the autumn that I feel that I have had my share for a while.

I meant to read but I have ended up doing some knitting (all Kath's fault!!!)- but only scarves... I always felt I would end up like the old hags watching the tumbrils deposit their sorry cargo at the guillotine and now I am a tricoteuse.... I wouldn't want my lovely wool blood spattered though.

I am also plotting my WW game... go on .. you know you want to!!!

I am now working in Crapland New Forest

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:20:42 GMT

I can't leave my dest without finding that more tat and tack has been hung around it.

Where I am working has an interdepartmental competition for best decorations (prize a day off) and the dept I am sitting in have wasted so much time literally pinning up rubbish that I think they should work a Saturday. It is themed Scrooges Credit Crunch Christmas (and the missing apostrophe is annoying me deeply) and it is all newspaper paperchains and the old decs form clearing out someone's granny's flat post mortem. Oh an a spindly real tree and half a hedge. Less is more hasn't occured. It is like a bunch of five yearolds have been let rip. Purchase ledger have a reindeer made of cardboard boxes and slippery floor signs and others have a crib scene made of pallets. Madness.

I much prefer the monochrome taste of Estate Accounts.

But I adore Garlic and daylight and have no problem with cruxifixes!

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 18:04:23 GMT

Which creature of the night are you? Your Result: Vampire You are a social pragmatist, as likely to kiss as to bite. Your sensuality and social pragmatism is the counter-balance to your existential angst and your tendency toward depression.
Cthulu Spawn
Sorceror
Ghost
Incubus/Succubus
Werewolf
Demon
Which creature of the night are you? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

What I want to know is...

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 13:45:11 GMT

Dear Santa...

Dear Santa,

This year I've been busy!

In March I donated bone marrow to calenaldion in a life-saving procedure (300 points). In February I got in line at the supermarket at the same time as someone else and I didn't yield (-8 points). Last Monday I farted in an elevator (-6 points). In April I saved a busload of nuns in Angola (326 points). Last Tuesday I gave oneofthemearas a life-saving blood transfusion (50 points).

Overall, I've been nice (662 points). For Christmas I deserve a pony!

Sincerely,
Mithalwen

why is Eomer alone almost equivalent to a bus load of Angolan nuns?

Ah well as I moaned at my father in A&E last night (ok he is the one with the GI bleed but I was the one who had to clear up a house that resembled the battle of the Somme), one day something nice will happen... and now I get a pony ..few decades late but..

Sorry - can't resist a risque ME bumper sticker

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:15:53 GMT

Old Ents never die - they just get Huorny

Brave new world

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:54:08 GMT

Such good news - I have been quite addicted to the coverage and when a couple of colleagues came in sneering about how dull it was and how could anyone stay up all night I kept quiet and swallowed more coffee. I did doze off some time after Ohio and then woke about 5 when it was all done and dusted. Was a bit late for work but hey..

What makes me happy - apart from the fact that I was dreading La Palin being a sick old man's heartbeat away from the Presidency, and that Obama will surely be more sensitive on the world stage, is that it will give such a sense of possibility to non white Americans.

I know many people still hate Mrs Thatcher, but the fact that there was a female PM did mean that there seemed to be no limits on women of my generation, reaping the dividends of the battles of an early generation of feminists.

It was great to see so many people voting, feeling they had a say. It isn't going to be easy in the next months and years but there is a hope and optimism I have never sensed before. Fingers crossed....

Five hours to vote? Why?

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:44:55 GMT

It takes me about five minutes to vote even if I have forgotten my polling card - and that includes getting to the polling station at the Methodist Hall round the corner. And we only get three weeks notice for our General Elections where as the US with Fixed Terms know exactly.

Maybe it is the voting machines? Whatever they are. Here we have the low tech solution of booths, ballots, pencils and black boxes. That and a few old codgers with clipboards. Seems to work fine.

Suprising since Islamic is the one I know least ...

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:23:28 GMT

Your result for What Your Taste in Art Says About You Test...

Traditional, Vibrant, and Tasteful

25 Islamic, 4 Impressionist, 8 Ukiyo-e, -17 Cubist, -25 Abstract and 12 Renaissance!

Islamic art is developed from many sources: Roman, Early Christian, and Byzantine styles were taken over in early Islamic architecture; the architecture and decorative art of pre-Islamic Persia was of paramount significance; Central Asian styles were brought in with various nomadic incursions; and Chinese influences . Islamic art uses many geometical floral or vegetable designs in a repetitive pattern known as arabesque. It is used to symbolize the transcendent, indivisible and infinite nature of Allah.

People that like Islamic art tend to be more traditional people that appreciate keeping patterns that they learned and experienced from their past. It is not to say that they are not innovative personalities, they just do not like to let go of their roots. They like to put new ideas into details and make certain that they will work before sharing them with others. Failure is not something they like to think about because they are more interested in being successful and appreciated for their intelligence. These people can also be or like elaborate things in their life as long as they are tasteful. They tend to prefer geometric patterns and vibrant colors.

Take What Your Taste in Art Says About You Test at HelloQuizzy

Is anyone else unable ot access the Downs?

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:29:25 GMT

Or is it just me?

Why...

Sat, 16 Aug 2008 19:50:03 GMT

is it that the first part of my time off was taken up by housework..ok the kitchen was rank but it is not a way to spend a holiday. I only managed to leave the house on the pretext of having run out of cillit bang. I hope to paint it this week. And my bedroom - blue grey to suit my mood ....

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 20:53:23 GMT

Hoping
that all will be well... against the odds