31 January 2011

2011 huh?

I don’t seem to have much in my social diary prior to the summer and this simply isn’t good enough

Have been thinking about Tony and how hectic my life was with him around … I always seemed to be off somewhere with him but, not lately.

I love being a granddad but, that’s not all I am. I enjoyed going places with Tony, I enjoyed having a social life.

Maybe, and I don’t do resolutions really, but maybe I need to get off my ever increasingly fat arse and go do something?!

2011 huh?

I don’t seem to have much in my social diary prior to the summer and this simply isn’t good enough

Have been thinking about Tony and how hectic my life was with him around … I always seemed to be off somewhere with him but, not lately.

I love being a granddad but, that’s not all I am. I enjoyed going places with Tony, I enjoyed having a social life.

Maybe, and I don’t do resolutions really, but maybe I need to get off my ever increasingly fat arse and go do something?!

22 January 2011

‘The Sun’

Someone commented that the article we did was not entirely true. In that, they are correct. Some details were changed for various reasons. Some of those reasons are:

  • Lack of Space
  • Not having got the permission of those concerned first
  • To try, with near impossibility, to blur certain details so as not to create a bigger issue for us or anyone else
  • Because too much detail would have detracted from the basic story which is totally accurate

It just isn’t possible to include every last detail. We never mentioned about anyone having special needs. Job descriptions were changed because papers just like neat edges, ‘Carer’ would be meaningless to many people.

Those of us who were deeply involved with ‘all’ of the issues know what realities there were besides those printed and that is what matters. At the end of the day, it sold a story which was accurate enough to be recognisable which may also mean something to the reader.

To ‘anonymous’, I hope that satisfies your anger. I didn’t post your comment, it didn’t serve a purpose or add anything useful. Next time, perhaps speak to me directly about it? What I would love to see is your version of events from your point of view.

‘The Sun’

Someone commented that the article we did was not entirely true. In that, they are correct. Some details were changed for various reasons. Some of those reasons are:

  • Lack of Space
  • Not having got the permission of those concerned first
  • To try, with near impossibility, to blur certain details so as not to create a bigger issue for us or anyone else
  • Because too much detail would have detracted from the basic story which is totally accurate

It just isn’t possible to include every last detail. We never mentioned about anyone having special needs. Job descriptions were changed because papers just like neat edges, ‘Carer’ would be meaningless to many people.

Those of us who were deeply involved with ‘all’ of the issues know what realities there were besides those printed and that is what matters. At the end of the day, it sold a story which was accurate enough to be recognisable which may also mean something to the reader.

To ‘anonymous’, I hope that satisfies your anger. I didn’t post your comment, it didn’t serve a purpose or add anything useful. Next time, perhaps speak to me directly about it? What I would love to see is your version of events from your point of view.

19 January 2011

Publicity

Just for the record for those who would never consider or can’t buy the paper today

Publicity

Just for the record for those who would never consider or can’t buy the paper today

14 January 2011

2011

OK, so 2010 wasn’t a total disaster, too unbelievable for a soap but nothing out of the ordinary for us!

2011 is looking promising if we ignore the shit the government is about to throw on us and the almost unaffordable price of fuel which for diesel, what I use, is either £1.33 a litre, £6.05 a UK gallon or $7.96 a US gallon! Driving is fast becoming a luxury here. If travelling as a family, it is just about the only option as well as the cost of public transport becomes prohibitive once the journey cost gets multiplied a few times.

Not only are we having to pay directly so much for the fuel but it is also forcing store prices for essentials up as well. Our government would have us believe that current inflation sits at just over 4%, it seems they clearly don’t consider food in the inflation package or domestic fuel tariffs as both have risen at something crazy like 20%.

It is a sad fact that this government is also causing strife up and down the country. I am uncertain whether Zoey’s contract for her PA will be renewed this year. If not, it means she goes unsupported and someone who may not get another job is on the unemployment register. Even if they do, I have to sit down with them and discuss progress this year which may mean some changes have to be made. Not looking forward to decisions I may be forced to make if Zoey speaks her mind.

Me and Matt are soon to be appearing in the public spotlight again. It’s a risk but, one I hope is worth taking. Anyway, the last time it all went wrong we ended up, after a few years of hell, better off anyway. I believe this time we are far better protected and, should something start, words can be had in the right ears.

Have a new car now, Renault Grand Scenic. Have been using the right pedal rather too much and the fuel economy is currently nothing like the expected 40+mpg, barely half that. I am hoping that now I have got used to it, that figure shall improve.

IMG_4718

I also have a new lens for my camera, it was used to take this picture from the house. It’s a zoom lens, not a huge zoom but significant enough. It’s really heavy though so I expect I shall have to get a lot more used to using a tripod.

This time of year is crap for taking pictures, well, when it is wet and dreary like this. Got some excellent pictures in the snow over Christmas but, with all the mud about, there really isn’t a lot to do outdoors worth taking pictures of. I need some models to come forward and volunteer themselves.

I need to lose weight, the gravity effect is causing me too much pain so, eat less I think.

2011

OK, so 2010 wasn’t a total disaster, too unbelievable for a soap but nothing out of the ordinary for us!

2011 is looking promising if we ignore the shit the government is about to throw on us and the almost unaffordable price of fuel which for diesel, what I use, is either £1.33 a litre, £6.05 a UK gallon or $7.96 a US gallon! Driving is fast becoming a luxury here. If travelling as a family, it is just about the only option as well as the cost of public transport becomes prohibitive once the journey cost gets multiplied a few times.

Not only are we having to pay directly so much for the fuel but it is also forcing store prices for essentials up as well. Our government would have us believe that current inflation sits at just over 4%, it seems they clearly don’t consider food in the inflation package or domestic fuel tariffs as both have risen at something crazy like 20%.

It is a sad fact that this government is also causing strife up and down the country. I am uncertain whether Zoey’s contract for her PA will be renewed this year. If not, it means she goes unsupported and someone who may not get another job is on the unemployment register. Even if they do, I have to sit down with them and discuss progress this year which may mean some changes have to be made. Not looking forward to decisions I may be forced to make if Zoey speaks her mind.

Me and Matt are soon to be appearing in the public spotlight again. It’s a risk but, one I hope is worth taking. Anyway, the last time it all went wrong we ended up, after a few years of hell, better off anyway. I believe this time we are far better protected and, should something start, words can be had in the right ears.

Have a new car now, Renault Grand Scenic. Have been using the right pedal rather too much and the fuel economy is currently nothing like the expected 40+mpg, barely half that. I am hoping that now I have got used to it, that figure shall improve.

IMG_4718

I also have a new lens for my camera, it was used to take this picture from the house. It’s a zoom lens, not a huge zoom but significant enough. It’s really heavy though so I expect I shall have to get a lot more used to using a tripod.

This time of year is crap for taking pictures, well, when it is wet and dreary like this. Got some excellent pictures in the snow over Christmas but, with all the mud about, there really isn’t a lot to do outdoors worth taking pictures of. I need some models to come forward and volunteer themselves.

I need to lose weight, the gravity effect is causing me too much pain so, eat less I think.

FND Awareness month (but, always be aware)

This from my daughter - Daisy April is FND Awareness month & Autism Acceptance month. As someone who lives with both I wanted to raise...