My goal for the day

For no particular reason I decided to learn how to pronounce THAT long place name in Wales.

After listening to the pronunciation several times, and I really mean tons of time, I think I have finally got it.

I tried to read Wikipedia's translation 

[ˌɬanvairˌpuɬɡwɨ̞ŋˌɡɨ̞ɬɡoˌɡɛrəˌχwərnˌdrobuɬˌɬantɨ̞ˌsiljoˌɡoɡoˈɡoːχ] 

but found that a bit difficult, so along with my son, Aron we played the audio piece from Wikipedia over and over and over and over and ... you get the picture ... and wrote it out exactly how it sounds.

This is what we came up with:

San vie pus squin gis go gira hurun dropoff santa silio go go goh

The name means: [St.] Mary's Church (Llanfair) [in] the hollow (pwll) of the white hazel (gwyngyll) near (goger) the rapid whirlpool (y chwyrndrobwll) [and] the church of [St.] Tysilio (llantysilio) with a red cave ([a]g ogo goch).  The Welsh don't like to do things by halves do they?

Well at the moment I don't know this pronunciation by heart, but I will do.

My Midlands weekend

At last we have had some sunshine and it couldn't have come at a better time than this weekend, for my cousin's wedding in Upton, Nr Nuneaton.

The hotel we stayed in was called The Millers, which is not far, in Sibson, from the reception. It is run by Old English Inns and definitely looks the part. It was really good value for money at £55 for a double room for the night and full English, plus continental, 

breakfast the next morning.  Even the dinner the first night was really good value at £9.99 for 2 main meals. Mmmm large battered haddock, chip & peas, love it.

Whilst eating our meal we were sat next to a beautiful fireplace and in the corner of the restaurant there was a working waterwheel.

And if your looking for a wedding reception venue, this could be the place to go.

We took a drive to Tamworth to look around the shopping centre, it's about a 30 minute drive from the hotel but mostly through beautiful country lanes, so a very pleasant drive. Tamworth has an indoor shopping centre above their multi storey carpark, level 5 as well as high street shops where there was also market stalls, which I love. A nice surprise was seeing some owls, probably my favourite bird, being exhibited in order to raise money for The Midlands Wildlife Trust.

The evening wedding reception was a little unconventional, held on a farm which is also used as a lorry park, in 2 large marquees. A reception with a pink bath, 

musical instruments, dressing up clothes, masks, 

odd table decorations, 

 

massive balloons and a mini art gallery,

outside a wood burner and a bar-b-cue.  It may have been unconventional but it was so very much the style I would have expected from my cousin and her new husband.

The happy couple had made their own play list, so no DJ, which had people up dancing throughout the night and into the early morning.

I do love family gatherings and this was no exception, three of my American cousins came to celebrate, two of which I had never met before. It was lovely getting to know them, I love to listen to their accent and was amazed at the tobacco chewing, heard of it, not seen anyone doing it before. I don't think it's done much in Britain today.

It was a wonderful weekend and to top it all the sun shone the next day and amazingly, now on Monday morning it is still shining, long may it continue. 

This sort of thing really annoys me!!

Teenager shouts 'Allah is great' in Arabic as he tries to grab the Olympic flame from hands of terrified torch bearer.

What right does this person have to terrify another in this way. It makes me so angry.

Nobody has the right to frighten, torment, terrorise, to inflict pain on another human being, why do some people think they can do what they like no matter of the consequence. 

In the grand scale of things in life this may seem trivial to some but the torch relay has brought lots of pleasure to thousands of people across the country. We are about to host one of the biggest sporting tournaments in the world, the cameras will be focused on our country. Most of us are proud and excited that the Olympics are being hosted in Britain. Many Britons are happy - yes, they are happy, they are enjoying the relay, they are excited for the start of the competition, me included. 

So why does some pain in the ass teenager think he has the right to frighten the torch bearer and potentially ruin the relay for the people of Maidstone. 

I know not everyone is interested in the Olympics, some think its a waste of money but they are not going out of their way to ruin it for those who do enjoy it.  This poor woman was probably extremely proud to be involved in the relay, was most probably having a great time when this lad decided to take that away from her. With the threat of terrorist attacks forever being talked about I would think this torch bearer thought her time had come.

My mum was watching it in Gravesend to day and she thoroughly enjoyed it, I'm glad nobody ruined it for her

 

Rant over :)

 

 

Ridiculous Signs

I haven't got time to write a blog tonight so thought I'd post some comical signs. I'm sure no words are needed to say how ridiculous these are.

That will do hope they amused you. I'm off to bed now, night :)

A hero from my childhood

I have been looking forward to writing this blog, because when you are a child you develop hero's and although 'King' Kenny Dalglish was my hero from when I was 12 he was not my first.

The person who inspired me prior to Kenny was the late great Emlyn Hughes.

I have such fond memories of Emlyn. His pictures adorned my bedroom walls for years, I used to write notes to him in my scrapbook, especially after Liverpool lost the FA Cup final to Manchester United in 1977. I wote “never mind Emlyn you'll win the European Cup next week” and that's just what he and the rest of the 1977 legends did.

I used to write to many footballers asking for sign photographs, some replied, some didn't – Emlyn did. (He was at Wolves at the time)

He had such a bubbly personality, it was infectious. He looked like he really enjoyed life and especially playing football. He is responsible for getting this Liverpool fanatic hooked.

Emlyn played for Liverpool between 1967 & 1979 making 665 appearances and helping Liverpool become the top team in Europe. He became captain of his club and also of the national side making 62 appearances for England.

He had such a cheeky smile it was very hard not to like and admire this man.

He was a battler and had so much skill; an enormous amount of energy and enthusiasm, and that coupled with his amazing powerful runs earned him his nick name “Crazy horse”.

Emlyn was a major force and inspiration behind the all-conquering Liverpool team in the 1970's and helped them to win trophy after trophy.

All Emlyns trophies were won during his time at Liverpool except the League Cup, which he won when he captained Wolves to the final in 1980.

EMLYN HUGHES' HONOURS

2 European Cups

2 Uefa Cups

4 League Championships

1 FA Cup

1 League Cup

1 European Super Cup

INTERNATIONAL HONOURS

62 England Caps

Captained England 23 times

1st cap v Holland 1969

Unfortunately he was not too successful in management and after leaving Rotherham he started up on another very successful career.

From 1984 to 1987 he became captain on “A Question of Sport” opposite Bill Beaumont and here is where he became a household name to any non-footballing fans. Emlyn never did things by half and so he pushed himself into his new chosen occupation with gusto, he managed to gain the admiration of the thousands, maybe even millions or people who watched the show.

He made every episode hilarious with his wide grin and infectious laugh. He was cheeky enough to put protocol aside when he had Princess Anne on his team, by putting his arm around her shoulder.

In August 2003 Emlyn was diagnosed with brain cancer, I couldn't believe it, this was my hero and he had to pull through. He battled bravely for 15 months before the terrible disease took him.

He is an absolute legend and was my childhood hero. 

RIP Emlyn – miss you.

Other Liverpool related blogs :  

My Favourite Football Match

What does Hillsborough mean to me?  

How it all started for me

Racism

So I have finally decided to tackle a blog on racism.  Before I start let me just say I am not a racist, I don't agree with any kind of bullying whether its because of skin colour, hair colour, intelligence, disabilities, sexuality or anything. (please don't be offended by any words or phrases I use)

So what is racism? The dictionary says:

1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races  determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race  is superior and has the right to rule others.

2. a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.

3. hatred or intolerance of another race  or other races. 

When I was growing up and in junior school there were not many "black", or "Asian" people in fact, in my class, there was one "black" girl, I sat next to her and she was my friend. Her skin colour was never an issue and neither was mine to her. When I started senior school I think there were 3 or 4 "black" boys in my year and I can't recall there being any "Asian" or any other nationalities for that matter. Again skin colour was never an issue with me, I made friends with pretty much everyone.

As the years have passed things have become more difficult. Once the acceptable term to use to describe someone with dark skin was "coloured", not any more and to be fair I can understand why, as lets face it, everyone has coloured skin of one shade or another. Today's acceptable term is "black".  There are more Asians, more Polish, more Indians, more Pakistanis and several other nationalities living in multi cultural Britain today and therefore even more terms to be conscious of that may be offensive.

Over the last year I have heard more than I care to, with regards to someone being a racist or using racist language, whilst totally unacceptable to use racial abuse, I do think things are now being blown out of proportion.

Let me use an example: The recent case of footballer John Terry, allegedly, using  racist language towards Anton Ferdinand.  This has been widely broadcast and most of us have seen the footage of JT mouthing the words "f**king black c**t" (sorry for the *'s but I don't like using bad language). This stems from an argument between 2 adult males on the football pitch during a heated game of football. JT was in court this week on this issue. Now what is insulting in the phrase used, The word black?  Really? is not being called a "f**king c**t" the real insult?  Like I've said these words were used in the middle of a heated confrontation, supposedly it's a misunderstanding, but for whatever reason the phrase was used it was between to grown men who can handle themselves, was there really any need for an expensive court case.

We have another example where another footballer, Luis Suarez was accused by Patrice Evra of calling him a "nigger" (a unacceptable word most definitely), however the actual word used and spoken in his native tongue was "negritto" an endearing term used in his country, Uruguay. I can understand how there may have been a misunderstanding over the translation of the word. However what I found racist throughout this affair was the FA (football association) choosing to ignore the difference in the Uruguayan culture and language to that of the British. Basically saying "you're in our country now so what's acceptable for you to say or do in your own country doesn't come into it"  (this is just my opinion).  The FA were in their own way being racist.  However yet again the incident was between 2 grown men, during a heated football match, who can give as good as they get and believe me Patrice Evra has been caught on camera actually calling a French international team-mate a nigger, so it baffles me how or why he found it offensive when he thought the word had been used towards him.

So we have racist comments that are referring to a persons skin colour, we have racist comments referring to a persons birth place. People from Pakistan find it offensive to be referred to as a Paki, why? I'm not trying to be offensive if they don't like that term that's fine but I just want to know why they find it so offensive? We, as British people shorten words all the time. A Scotsman is called a Scot or even a Jock, do they find that offensive? The Italians refer to white Britons as lymies, the Australian use Poms do we find that offensive. We even refer to ourselves as Brits and I'm sure other nationalities refer to Britons as Brits too, I can't see what's so wrong.

Are some people really that sensitive?  Or do they use the "racism" thing to get their own way. 

I know there are racist people in the world from every nation and I know some people still suffer from racial discrimination and it is appalling and must be stopped, but lets concentrate on the real issues and not petty squabbles between grown adults. I've heard many a thing said in the heat of an argument and far worse than what colour someone's skin is or where they are from.

We always hear of incidences of racism against non-whites. But racism works both ways. White people are suffering against racism too. In 2006 an article was written in The Guardian called "Racial murders: Nearly half the victims are white"  In 2011 a survey was carried out by Sociologists from Harvard and Tufts universities in America with both black and white people and it became obvious that racism against blacks has decreased over the years whereas racism against whites has increased.

Racism in Britain is not just a problem against black people, or Asian people or any other non-white "people" it is also common against whites just usually ignored or unreported. Interracial violent crime is overwhelmingly black on white ...

“Our true nationality is mankind.”
― H.G. Wells

Only Fools & Horses Work

My blog title today sums it up really. Are we workers really the fools?

I work in an industry where people are telling me, all the time, that they are off on their holidays or are treating themselves to some pampering treatments and I am consistently asking myself "how do they afford it?" 

Now don't get me wrong there are people who work hard and genuinely can afford to and should treat themselves to whatever they want.  But ... there are others who really get my goat!!

A few months back I was with a client who was having several beauty & holistic treatments and when I had finished she readily booked in again to have the same and more on her birthday. I was confused as I was sure she told me that she didn't have a job.

I spoke to my work colleague and to my astonishment she told me that the client in question was on benefits. Why was I surprised?

When her birthday arrived she came back in the salon for her treatments and during her time with me she divulged that she was a single mother, I asked how long she'd been single, bearing in mind she now had 3 young daughters, she told me she'd always been a single mother.

I asked who was looking after the children whilst she was having her birthday treat and she told me one was at school and the other 2 were at childcare.

I have to say (I shouldn't have been) but I was stunned, here I had a woman who was and always has been a single parent, no job, living on benefits. She had her rent paid for her, her council tax paid for her and childcare paid for her (when she had no job to go to). She told me about a holiday she was planning for herself and her kids at Centreparcs (that is not a cheap holiday).  I felt myself really begrudging this woman her pamper session, birthday or no birthday.

When this client left the salon her bill came to £130 - one hundred and thirty pounds - can you believe this (I'm still shaking my head).

And this is where I started asking myself I must be a bloody fool. I work hard and so does everyone in my family, yet can any of us warrant, let alone afford, spending £130 on pampering ourselves.

Of course the other side of the coin is, could I live with myself morally if I decided to give up work and live off the state?    I might get a holiday.

I don't think I could, and there we have the fool.

Enterrement de vie de garçon

Having attended my future cousin-in-law's hen party last night I though I'd write a bit on the history and traditions of Stag/Hen nights.

Also know as in the UK as stag, the bachelor party saw it earliest roots as early as the 5th century B.C.  The good old ancient Spartans made a celebration out of their friend's last night as a single man by holding a dinner in the grooms honour and making toasts on his behalf.


Since the 5th century the celebrations have gradually become more, shall we say, adventurous. Many a couple have separated after rumours of what occurred on the last night of freedom. 


The word bachelor was used in the past to mean a young knight or a student with a bachelor's degree, however it's first reference to meaning an unmarried man was in Geoffrey Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales' in the 14th century.  It was not used as the term bachelor party until until 1922.  A bachelor party is know in other countries by different names, in the UK, Ireland & Canada we refer to a stag party, in Australia its a buck's party, the Americans used the term bachelor however the French really have the correct words for it: the enterrement de vie de garçon the translation being "the burial of the life as a boy"  (Take note cousin Mark).


As I previously mentioned a stag party generally meant a meal hosted by the grooms friends and toasting the, soon to be, bride and groom, however today this is so different.  Today it is more common to hear about, or partake in, a night or weekend of  humiliation, debauchery & hang-overs.

It wasn't until the 1960's that women started their version of pre-wedding celebrations. The hen party was born out of the equality sexual revolution. No longer was it just a case of a bridal shower whereby gifts were made to the bride in order to acquire a dowry in preparation for the marriage. Some prefer not to be humiliated on their night of celebration, however a lot of 'hens' these days can be as raucous as the stags. Whats good for the goose is good for the gander springs to mind. If men can drink til they drop, so can the women, if men can make a weekend of it, so can the women and if men can have strippers then so can the women.  

You just have to love sexual equality.


But whichever way the stag and hen party's are celebrated they are still celebrating the same thing "fairwell single life, hello married life"  

 Good luck Mark & Leanne (Aug 17th 2012) looking forward to it x

It's raining again

Tomorrow is St Swithun's Day (and my mum's birthday) and the British weather lore proverb says that if it rains on Saint Swithun's day, 15 July, it will rain for 40 days. I can assume that most of us in Britain are praying for a dry 15th July this year then.

Back in March we saw a total precipitation of 36.4mm of rain and 156.5 hours of sunshine across the month. It was also the fifth driest and third sunniest March on record.

 

So what has happened to the British weather since then! 

April 2012 was the coldest April since 1989 and the wettest since 2000. The increase in rainfall from March was a hugh difference; there have only been three wetter Aprils in 285 years of records in England and Wales.  

May ended up being an average month overall, the temperatures, rainfall and sunshine all near normal. However, it wasn't really normal as it was chilly through the first half of the month, unusually dull in the south and east for three weeks. It was only in the last ten days it turned abnormally warm and often sunny, and some high temperature records were broken.

As for June, it was the second wettest June since 1910 and the Met Office confirmed it had been the wettest April to June period in the UK since 1910. 

We're still in July and I am sure most of us have not seen any improvement, the rain still keeps falling. Some areas have massive floods, and we are being warned, at least in the South, to expect heavy storms, which seems ridiculous in our mid summer. 

Forecasters tell us it's the jet stream which is causing all this bad weather at present.

A jet stream, stuck in a rut, is often the cause of prolonged periods of similar weather conditions in the UK - ranging from exceptional sun and heat right through to long hard Winters like 1962-3.

The weather's onslaught on Britain this month is the result of a sluggish jet stream, a series of areas of low pressure and the time of year.

The cause of this is sluggish jet stream is thought to be because of the very hot temperatures in the USA (which have caused very serious wildfires this summer).  Normally you'd expect a hurricane to knock the jet stream back north in the USA – but this hasn't happened, it has been a very quiet start to their hurricane season.  The reason for this?  Weather scientists think that El Nino might be building in the Pacific, which in turn causes lower sea temperatures in the Atlantic.

Its all very complicated – can we expect a change soon – predictions say NO!

 

Please don't rain tomorrow.

Update:  Well it didn't rain here on St Swithun's Day so no rain for 40 days & 40 nights - probably just get it for 39 days instead :o/