e r i x l i f e

Nuclear animals saved

2012-02-01T00:31:00.002Z

A heart warming story has reached me from the nuclear devastated area of Japan. A 12 mile exclusion zone was set up following the tsunami which caused a major nuclear accident at the coastal power station, and the local population was banned from living in the immediate area.

In the haste to leave, many pets and other animals were abandoned. Now, a local animal charity is rounding up lonely and sometimes injured creatures, in the hope of re-uniting them with their concerned owners. Of course these animals will have also suffered radiation damage, and no one yet knows the extinct of this.

How wonderful that caring people can risk their own lives to rescue those unable to help themselves. I often wonder what happens to the creatures marooned by floods and other natural disasters. These things don't often get reported, but I imagine that countless animals must perish in these situations.

One of the most horrific sites I have ever seen was the mass slaughter of animals during the English foot and mouth outbreak some time ago. Before that I was shocked by news footage of cows affected by swine flu, staggering about in an apparent drunken state, and unable to stand up for long.

I admit that care of humans must come before animal welfare, but I am a proud animal lover even though now I am unable to host any resident pets. Whenever possible I enjoy stroking other people's dogs, and talking to cats when I am walkabout in my local area!

Person hit by train

2012-01-31T00:27:00.005Z

At the local station all services were delayed because of a person hit by a train, so the train indicator advised. I had to get a bus, and while I was waiting at the bus stop I thought about the tragedy of suicide.

Train companies will always minimise this unfortunate activity, but it is sadly a regular occurrence. One cannot fully understand the agonising decision to jump in front of a fast moving train - even at low speed, like approaching a station to stop, the weight of the train will quickly dismember or run over a limp body.

Think of the effect on the train driver, as the suicide victim takes his last look at another human seconds before he is smashed to death - like a hammer hitting a peach! Many drivers have to give up their job after the trauma of death is played out before them.

Emergency workers have to deal with the most horrible of sights, like gathering up bits of a body. Their professionalism is superb, but one wonders how they manage to go home to their families, and come back for work the next day, to do it all over again.

A suicide in a family has a devastating effect. A school friend of mine lost his older brother who jumped from the roof of a building, and died instantly. It is hard to imagine the mental torture of someone planning to jump, and the thoughts in their mind seconds before the fateful decision to go. Tom's parents divorced within a year of the death, and I am sorry to say Tom also took his own life some years later!

There have been moments in my own life, when I have considered committing suicide! I can remember once accelerating towards the support of a motorway over-bridge, but swerving away at the last moment. Many years after this, I was a Samaritan volunteer, and able to help others with whom I had shared the despair of life, and the hope of death.

marriage - choose a man or woman?

2012-01-29T00:22:00.007Z

The Archbishop of York has spoken about state intervention into what he considers is a church matter - marriage. Well, firstly it is so good to hear from the number two, number one (His Grace) is rather too quiet on all church matters!

Top church people should say a lot more than they do, and I happen to agree on this delicate matter of mixed or same gender. Gays have a special legal relationship, but the idea of "marriage" is hard to swallow!

Bearing in mind that almost half of all marriages end in divorce it is perhaps academic, but let us try to establish a proper religious and cultural agreement. The one difference is that marriages may produce children (by natural means). Civil partnerships may not.

For centuries the religious influence has crafted the ideal of a family, and it certainly seems to me to be the best there can be. As an adopted child, I have strong feelings on this matter. Certainly a child will benefit from two parents (one of each).

Single mothers (with multiple partners) seem to struggle to cope with the many children these short lived affairs have produced. You can see them (and hear them) in every supermarket in every town!

The erosion of marriage has accelerated in my lifetime, and I am saddened more by the failures than by the wishes of a few. "I am not too bothered" as they say, but what is needed is more responsibility in these matters.

Ultimately Church and State is actually the "marriage" made on earth - not in Heaven.

Bonus bankers - tip of the iceberg

2012-01-28T00:32:00.005Z

Yet again, we are discussing bonuses for big bankers...

I am not sure why we are doing this, when a year or two ago, greedy bankers gambled with public money - and lost - causing global recession... which we will be paying back for a generation.

It may be easy to blame those at the top of the pyramid, but this culture of greed is rampant throughout our society at all levels. There has been a downward slide for too many years. Instant gratification is the name of the game, and I wonder if we will ever learn?

There are many high earners, notably top footballers earning as much in a week as a lottery win. Entertainment celebrities have always attracted unknown millions, and this is perhaps why young people starved of love and responsibility, seek to be celebs before thinking of a career.

Without leadership from the Church, without example from the Royal Family, and without strong political qualities our future is bleak.

We need to desire less rather than more. We need to decide between needs and wants, and we need to prioritise...

Wealth will not guarantee happiness, but happiness will guarantee a better form of "wealth" which no amount of money could ever achieve.

That peace of mind can only be acquired with a "minimum" philosophy.

friend

2012-01-27T12:40:00.002Z

How nice when a friend becomes a real friend. Today one such person helped me so much, by giving his time - that is the most generous of gifts. It is easy to "write a cheque" or promise a favour, but to give one's time to a friend is the ultimate choice.

We all seem to have more "friends" than ever nowadays - how one can call unknown Facebook faces - friends, I do not know. They become trophy friends only. True friends, especially those we have known a long time are even more important than family. We choose or are chosen as friends, but stuck with family members.

Emmerson said that we need "...to be a friend to have one" which is so true. In reality I have just a few friends. They are not all local, and sometimes keeping in touch is difficult for me (because of the telephone). People say the real test of friendship is whether you can "carry on where you left off" however long the time gap is. Yes, I would agree with that.

But for me, the real friend is someone you feel able to telephone at 3am with an emergency, or call at their home without a prior arrangement. One with whom you can talk privately and confidentially, and the friend who gives you their time.

Thank you dear friend - for your time.

Miguel will die before he is a teenager

2012-01-25T00:20:00.016Z

Miguel is a boy aged about 8 (but he is not sure) who will die before he becomes a teenager. He is a child miner and he has silicosis...

He lives in a small settlement high in the barren mountains of Bolivia in South America. His home is a small room which he shares with a younger adopted "brother" (who has no family alive). They support each other as best they can. Miguel's father and uncle have died, because of accidents in the mines or silicosis.

This terminal condition is a lung disease caused by the dust in the local tin mine, which has no safety procedures. People working there for less than a Dollar a day, have no protection and the local cemetery has so many graves - as many for children as adults, it is hard to find the one you seek.

The boys have never been to school, and never travelled off their mountain, where they will die. They will never touch the sea or see green fields, and do not know how to play. Ironically they have Coca Cola, and a plastic Mickey Mouse is their only ornament.

Because they know no other way of life, they accept their sad state and when not working in the mine, sleep to escape the poverty in their young lives. Both boys have a constant dry cough and breathlessness, which will get worse unless they can leave the mine...

Every day another child will die!

COMMENT

Today`s story, on your blog, brings home reality concerning life, how others in this world suffer silently, while we in the west become fat, selfish and worried about our own little lives.

Every day I thank God for my life for the things that I did in the past, present, and will do in the future. However, sometimes it is hard to think about other people who are worse off in life, because we are all blogged down with our own worries!

< C N N, Devon >

Uggie

2012-01-24T00:16:00.006Z

Having just seen "The Artist" I am in love with Uggie (like half the rest of the world!).

To me the star of this great film (famous for being silent and black & white) is nine year old Jack Russell dog - Uggie. Already on Facebook and Twitter, he has already appeared in "Water for Elephants".

He was a rescue dog, and the press reports that he is likely to be awarded an Oscar. I thought they were just for humans?

I enjoyed the film for its uniqueness, acting, music and emotion. The sense of melodrama in the silent movie came through, and with the sad then happy ending, I was quite moved, and the hanky came out of my back pocket!

The friends I were with mostly seemed to enjoy the experience but unfortunately, as Uggie is nearly ten, his trainer has said the dog will probably not appear again.

I am sad about that. Thank you Uggie (and where did you get that name?).

A to Zen of Life

2012-01-20T00:18:00.008Z

Thanks to the Dalai Lama for his "Live one day at a time, and make it a masterpiece" sent to me by a good friend...

Avoid negative sources, people, places and habits
Believe in yourself
Consider things from every angle
Don’t give up and don’t give in
Everything you’re looking for lies behind the mask you wear
Family and friends are hidden treasures, seek them and enjoy their riches
Give more than you planned to
Hang onto your dreams
If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door
Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it
Keep trying no matter how hard it seems
Love yourself
Make it happen
Never lie, steal or cheat
Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values
Practice makes perfect
Quality not quantity in anything you do
Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer
Stop procrastinating
Take control of your own destiny
Understand yourself in order to better understand others
Visualise it
When you lose, don’t lose the lesson
Xcellence in all your efforts
You are unique, nothing can replace you
Zero in on your target and go for it

---------------------------------------------------------------
There are sometimes variations of this text.

more people - less jobs

2012-01-19T00:20:00.002Z

The latest Government unemployment figures reached a 17 year high today - now over 2.6 million, with youth unemployment at an all time high.

Recently a report by Immigration Watch highlighted the vast number of migrants from newly joined EU countries, who have been working here for many years. Most are young and willing to work for a minimum wage.

It is impossible to ignore the statistics when considering the high UK unemployment situation. The urban myth about incomers having a better work ethic is questionable. The massive influx has a long term effect and we are experiencing that legacy right now. The popular press often reports cases of these people having returned to their homeland and are still receiving UK Benefits!

Clearly the subject of UK immigration - legal or otherwise has become a complete nonsense, with no one having any idea how many immigrants there are in the country. Successive Home Secretaries have either ignored or been unable to cope with the volume of work involved in dealing with these matters.

Unfortunately the idea of a National ID has been abandoned (yet there is money for HS2 or a new Thames Estuary Airport) so how will we ever catch up, and control border security. The UK is small by comparison with many world countries, but is a highly desired destination for many.

This situation will get worse before it gets better!

photo secrets revealed

2012-01-18T00:11:00.017Z

My latest photo (right hand column) has aroused some interest amongst readers, so I thought I should explain...

The picture I am holding against my chest (not a T shirt pic) is a page from a magazine, advertising Specsavers. A visiting friend thought the model in the ad was very much like me!
Well, he does look a bit like me, so here we are together...

and the "innocent" looking puppet is concealing something...

Yes, a "bottle of brandy"...
(without his lips moving)

Cheers!

black, female, but not gay

2012-01-17T00:02:00.005Z

It saddens me that gay Dean of St Albans Abbey, Dr Jeffrey John has said he will take action against the Church because his wish to become a Bishop is blocked by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

English Dioceses have a majority vote to allow women bishops, the Archbishop of York is a black man, but no gay Bishops allowed! Yet, ironically the Anglican church have a high proportion of allegedly gay priests, who hide their earthly desires, and live a lonely existence in the shadow of the cloister.

The gay issue has been around for a while, and is likely to split the church, as evidenced in America. Can anyone imagine that because a man is a priest he cannot have a private life. Celebrities can, politicians can, Royals can. This affair is made worse by the "trial by media" syndrome.

Is this worse than Roman Catholic priests abusing children? We have a quandory over whether the church should have a say in politics or whether there should be politics in faith?

You must decide.

no more Costa

2012-01-16T12:38:00.005Z

As horrific as it is, the Costa Concordia accident will probably not put people off their cruising lifestyle, now more popular than ever.

At the time of writing, the ship is slipping further over and rescue attempts have been suspended. Many people are still missing and presumed dead. It is amazing that so many arrived at the nearby port safely.

Costa Concordia

Cruise liners get bigger and bigger every year, and now hold several thousand passengers, plus many hundreds of staff. How they manage to stay upright is a mystery to me. They all seem "top heavy" to me.

However much money I had, this is not something that appeals to me, and after this catastrophe it is completely off the list!

less or more

2012-01-11T00:05:00.004Z

Whenever there is a shortfall in income, one can either obtain more money or spend less.

In my case, being retired it has to be the spending less option. This is something I have always had difficulty with!

Yet again, I am starting a new year with a resolution to spend less - always easier said than done. I am looking at ways of doing this, but before that I need to see where the money goes.

This can be a shock.

My wonderfully prepared budget has highlighted a few surprises (to me). I have discovered a few things, like not going out always saves money! Having a list before supermarket shopping, and overcoming High Street impulse buying.

Just after Christmas, I did just that. I was in HMV, where I saw a much reduced tech gadget in their sale. I was attracted to this item, and went in and purchased it without thinking. However, it turned out to be faulty and when I returned it to the shop, they had sold out, so I accepted a refund. This was lucky for me, and I resisted the temptation to look elsewhere. That was a close call.

Getting started with saving is the hardest part, once you start it seems to snowball. Getting into a routine of thinking before buying is also helping, but I know it will be an ongoing struggle.

A simple prayer

2012-01-10T00:52:00.002Z

A number of readers asked me for another inspirational item, so here is the prayer attributed to St Francis of Assisi, from the 13th century. There are many variations of this text.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, let me sow pardon.
Where there is doubt, let me sow faith.
Where there is despair, let me sow hope.
Where there is sadness, let me sow joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.
It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Desiderata

2012-01-09T00:13:00.004Z

Desiderata was written in 1927 by American, Max Ehrmann (1872-1945).

Go placidly amidst the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy.

mysterious female

2012-01-07T00:24:00.011Z

So, its official then "...women ARE a complete mystery". According to the world's greatest mind, Stephen Hawking - 70 in a few days, but not expected to live more than a few years when he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease at aged 20 something.

Married twice and with children, he said in an interview for the New Statesman that although he has solved many "impossible" scientific problems, the one thing he could not understand was women.

This of course has outraged Marigold mothers in Manchester and Matrons in Morden. The internet is awash with retaliatory comments, while gentlemen everywhere happily agree with Prof Hawking. Even some brave females admitted that they are driven by confused hormones in their quest for Mr Wonderful, who they then try to change into Mr Incredible.

Trouble is, Stephen takes about a minute to communicate each word so maybe it got "lost in translation". However the "Men from Mars..." brigade are out in force and so will this quickly become the War of the Sexes?

No, I don't think so. Women enjoy being mysterious, and men enjoy complaining to other men that women are mysterious!

I'm so glad to be male, at least I know who I am.

storm damage

2012-01-06T00:24:00.003Z

My pedestrian route to the village was interrupted by tree debris scattered on the road and footpath because of the ongoing high winds. Wheelie bins were blown over or moved a great distance from their home and many fences had collapsed. Litter was strewn widely and a constant howling accompanied my walk.

I had been woken in the night by this alarming noise, and wondered if I should get up - but to do what? As a child I was scared of the wind, and even now I am slightly alarmed, but getting up seems pointless unless their is evidence of something crashing into the property.

During the great storm of October 1987, I was living in central London, and experienced the aftermath of the overnight onslaught. I had been working late, arrived home around 0200, and could hardly stand erect - such was the force of the wind. Being tired I did sleep through until the next morning, when I had to drive to a different part of the capital... It was like a Hollywood disaster movie film set - debris from trees and buildings was scattered across every street, and one had to steer in a zig-zag pattern to pass. It was quite early, and maintenance crews had not started to clear the streets.

Not quite so bad here now, but around the country bridges have closed, and many vehicles have been struck by sudden falling trees - trapping the occcupants. Some people have died as a result of this.

Scientists and others predict more extreme weather as a result of climate change !

paranoia personified

2012-01-05T00:07:00.005Z

Today's Senior Film was "Crazy Stupid Love" described in advance by a knowledgeable movie friend as about relationships - well it certainly was...

One could identify with many characters and situations, and although slow in the early part it did rush towards a surprise anti climax, with thoughts of a Whitehall Farce. However the twist ending was quite brilliant and somewhat emotional.

People are strange creatures, and the main plot concerned a married couple separating then coming back together. Relationship watching can be a fascinating and frustrating experience, and many times it is quite impossible to understand how a couple operate.

With some there is no trust, but plenty of possessiveness - which seems like "using each other". Others have a dominant partner of either gender, and some seem like a parent and child relationship! Where one is rich, the "power principle" comes into play, and the game is then one of ownership - my... this and my... that. All these negatives can lead to paranoia.

Where fear of ageing and disability are present there is the pathetic plea for longer life. When self confidence masks insecurity the armour is thin and when sincerity has faded, the relationship becomes one sided.

No hope then for singles to become doubles - without the pain of youth!

telephone phobia

2012-01-03T00:25:00.002Z

I ought to be picking up the phone to call friends who have have written notes for me on their Christmas cards, BUT this is something I cannot do easily - for I have telephone phobia, that is a fear of making and receiving telephone calls.

I make extensive use of email (hate texting) and even that "old fashioned" art of letter writing. If ever I must make a call, I put it off for as long as possible!

Some friends have written me off as a loser, because of this, and their obsession with the mobile, which they carry in their hands at all times (like teenagers). They have almost abandoned email, and reply (and must enjoy) the voice method. Unfortunately this seems to make them bad listeners?

I wish more of my friends had the email though, which is so good for me as I can copy and paste and use BCC. My excuse is that they cannot read my handwriting!

lost

2012-01-01T00:13:00.002Z

Have you seen my kitchen scissors? I keep them in the drawer specifically for use with food, opening packets etc. They have orange handles... and they have completely disappeared. Being the methodical person that I am, everything is always in the right place, so this is most frustrating.

Perhaps I have the "Borrowers" resident - although it would need an army of them to carry the scissors!

I lost one of my gloves when out shopping. It was a showerproof mitten in black - a Christmas present! What good is one glove? I didn't retrace my steps at the time, thinking I would never find it, but perhaps I should have?

Is there to be a third item? Never mind.

Happy New Year.

reading the lesson

2011-12-25T01:00:00.005Z

I had the doubtful honour of reading a lesson at one of the Christmas church services. This was a first time for me, and I had practised reading the script before hand. On the day I felt quite nervous at the thought of this activity...

I have acted, debated and done public speaking - even making a (really bad) speech at a Round Table meeting, but all a long time ago.

As the proceedings got under way, my throat felt dry, and as I watched the previous readers, I thought I would fail this exercise. When my turn came, I paused before I walked the seemingly long distance to the Lecturn. I tightly clutched the paper, had my reading glasses, and hoped I would not lose my place.

I climbed the step and faced the congregation. This being Christmas the church was completely filled, but because candles alone illuminated the building, I couldn't identify anyone - it was just a blur of faces.

I put my glasses on, and started. I kept saying to myself "slow", and as I gently worked my way through the page of words, I paused frequently, looked up at the people sitting intently. I think I managed to speak clearly but had trouble with a couple of words, and messed up the ending, but hoped no one would notice!

All done, and I returned to my seat. Admiring glances and smiles on my return proved it had been a success, and some even said afterwards that I had been the clearest speaker of the service.

Whatever they thought, I was very relieved it was over, and although before I did it, I had thought "never again", now I am not so sure - perhaps I will?

Happy Christmas.

nearly there

2011-12-22T00:47:00.006Z

With the excitement of a child, I am anticipating the arrival of Christmas! Yet I have opened all my presents, reluctantly displayed my cards, done the shopping and even found out what films will be shown on TV.

Two new seasonal arrivals are finding their way around...

There is nothing left to do! I suppose I could do some Christmas cleaning, at least the washing up! Instead I am pacing up and down expectantly - but for what?

Today I saw another Christmas film "Love actually" which I enjoyed - even with my tears! A sneezing bout brings me back to reality at the thought of a cold, and having to stay in bed. Perhaps that is the answer?

No, I still have several more social invitations, culminating in a super traditional lunch on THE Day. A joy to share a meal with friends, who unlike me, all seem to have and enjoy cooking skills!

Perhaps it will be another anti climax. If only I could have that holiday in the sun at this time. Maybe then I could feel I was "on holiday" instead of just "at home".

All unwanted travel tickets welcome...

help in the aisles

2011-12-21T00:32:00.005Z

Shopping in Asda yesterday, I realised the disadvantage of not having children...

Little ones fit in the trolley and stack the items, bigger children can be sent in all directions to select purchases and even older ones can run amok so that one can choose in "peace" while other shoppers keep a respectful distance. The biggest of the flock can go ahead to reserve and "protect" an empty check out!

Being on my own I am constantly struggling to avoid approaching customers and keeping clear of harassed staff trying to re-fill empty shelves. So many assistants seem to be "shopping" for online customers - just more people in the way, obstructing my progress. So many special offers of doubtful authenticity. Just so many people...

Yes, even with my eyes closed I would know it must be Christmas in a supermarket!

red envelopes

2011-12-18T13:28:00.005Z

Most of my Christmas cards have probably arrived by now, but year after year people send cards in RED envelopes! This may be festive, but how anyone can read the address I can't imagine. Whatever colour ink one uses it is virtually unreadable.

I say BAN red envelopes, not only for the sake of the Post Office staff and postcode reading machines, but for the recipients as well.

While writing about Christmas cards, may I add a plea that people try harder to write clearly or print not only the address, but inside as well. Each year I have a number of cards, without knowing who sent them because I can't read the name/signature. There is no return label, so I have to guess!

It is only once a year, so let's try a bit harder - please.

hamster racing

2011-12-16T00:36:00.003Z

Waking early, as I often do, watching tv in the early hours is a frequent activity for me. Imagine how horrified I was to see hamster racing on the television...

This is quite gross. I am not actually saying this is animal cruelty, but how can this be entertainment? It was a freeview channel - Pick TV, and the programme was entitled "Pet Nation".

Presenters were encouraging pet owners to put their hamsters into car like models powered by the hamster, which propelled the forward movement of the car. It was a race between three hamsters!

OK, so it didn't last very long, but to treat animals on national television in this way is fundamentally wrong. I know some hamsters have a circular treadmill in their cages, but they shouldn't be in a cage at all.

This public practice should be banned.

Yang Guang and Tian Tian

2011-12-15T00:05:00.009Z

Now high on my wish list is to visit Edinburgh Zoo to see the newly arrived Giant Pandas from China. They are Yang Guang and Tian Tian or otherwise Sunshine and Sweetie respectively. What fabulous names in any language!

Pictured here is the handsome male "Yang Guang". Everyone is now waiting until that two day availability slot between February and May, when hopefully they will mate and have lots of baby Pandas.

Loaned by China (at enormous cost) for ten years, the hope is that this endangered species will have a better chance of surviving by sending out pairs, to zoos around the world.

Lets hope this works out, but I see from the TV pictures that their specially built enclosures at the zoo are incredibly small - ideally they should be able to roam free across the Highlands of Scotland in reserves covering many square miles of open countryside.

That is how they should live.

Tiger

2011-12-14T00:31:00.008Z

My latest addition to the family is "Tiger". I named him that as he had a label stapled to his ear proudly announcing his name - well it was the shop label. A good friend and neighbour has just given him to me. Cute isn't he...

Meet Tiger

I have only recently discovered this shop - a mix of Ikea and Clas Olson. Tiger is also European. They have shops in London and the south east. The nearest branch is in The Harlequin, Watford.

It is compact, with a one-way customer route, but full of attractive, fun and useful gifts, gadgets and must haves. It is impossible to come out without a purchase. I didn't notice a "Tiger" when I visited the shop for the first time a week ago, but I am very pleased to have him here - even if there are millions of look-alikes !

going... gone

2011-12-13T00:51:00.004Z

A recent overnight dream saw me dying - that seems like a bad omen doesn't it. Anyway it got me thinking about the reality of death, and I thought of some occasions when I might die.

Ironically, the greatest potential threat to my life was when I had major heart surgery but some how at the time, death was not that evident. I can't explain why, but for many years now since I took up Reiki (now abandoned) I lost my natural fear of death, and I can say to myself that I am "ready" if you know what I mean.

One of the most frightening moments was when I fell off the back of a boat (so no one saw me fall in). This was during an early Easter holiday on the Norfolk Broads, when the weather was bad, and the water was incredibly cold. I was fully clothed and they quickly absorbed the icy water. I was seriously afraid, and too cold to shout for help - as the boat sped away into the distance. I remember mouthing the words and nothing coming out! I splashed about, thinking this would be a quick and scary way to go...

Suddenly, calls from fisherman on the bank shouted that the water was only 3 or 4 feet deep, so not to panic! In a few moments, the boat returned looking for me, and I was able to get to the bank, where they pulled me out. It was a joyous reunion with my friends, and after that I vowed to learn to swim.

Although now I can swim, I still have a fear of water!

'I before E except after C'

2011-12-12T00:05:00.002Z

When I was at school, learning by rote was part of every day - remember those history dates, and the times tables. The rule 'I before E except after C' was something that stayed with me all my life.

It was only recently that I realised this "rule" was complete rubbish, as there are so many exceptions it is a complete waste of time. How cheated I feel. I had to look up the word their and quickly found the rule to be at fault.

Further research proved the weakness. For example, what about science ?
There are so many others, I will get cross listing them all, but how many exceptions can YOU think of ?

So as you will gather the rule is a joke, and I wish I could find that English teacher and tell him so!

URL shortener

2011-12-11T00:26:00.003Z

While checking into QR codes, I found out more about shortened URLs - (uniform or universal resource locator) that's simply an internet web address that would normally start with www...

Some URLs are quite long, and for ages now there have been alternatives. Perhaps the most famous would be TinyURL. Let's see how this works.
My erixlife blog URL in full is http://erixlife.blogspot.com
The Tiny alternative would be http://tinyurl.com/c2wq94r but that's only two characters less than the original, so not really very helpful.

An improvement is http://tinyurl.com/erixlife but there doesn't seem much point in changing from the original, except to disguise the URL.

Google have a URL shortener service and their offering is goo.gl/lZfmN
That is certainly shorter, but difficult to type accurately I believe, as of course they are all case sensitive.

Because this system diguises the original URL, inevitably the bad guys have moved in, and as a consequence many shorteners are blocked or ignored by ISPs and search engines. However if you ever wish to check the full original URL go to http://www.findhiddenurl.com/index.php - gosh that's a long URL !

QR code

2011-12-10T00:22:00.006Z

Wherever you are, you will have seen an image like this - at bus stops, in magazine advertisements, even on a T shirt. They are widely used in social media.

This is the QR code for erixlife - try it.

Known as QR (quick response) they are like a barcode, but may contain much more information. Able to be read (photographed then processed by software) by a modern mobile phone, they are the ideal instant connection to a web site or similar. So, advertising and information exchange are the main uses.

Invented in Japan in 1994, their first use was in the automotive industry but quickly spread around the world. Free to obtain and use, but you do need a smartphone to read.

Unfortunately I haven't got one!

Twas...

2011-12-09T00:13:00.001Z

Seeing Polar Express got me thinking more about the subject, and I had to resort to "Wikipedia" to solve the answer of what the reindeer were called.

Dasher
Dancer
Prancer
Vixen
Comet
Cupid
Donner
Blitzen

One of my favourite books as a child was "Twas the night before Christmas" which told the story of Father Christmas and his reindeer on Christmas Eve. The poem by Clement C. Moore was originally entitled "A visit from St Nicholas" written in 1823, and was the basis of a fabulously illustrated book, which I treasured for many years. I would never tire of my father reading this aloud to me, before bedtime. When I see a copy in a bookshop, tears form quickly, and a lump in my throat takes me back to the joys of my childhood.

Many people suggest that I have never left my "childhood".

Polar Express

2011-12-08T00:56:00.010Z

Today's Christmas film was "The Polar Express" from 2004, and what a magical presentation it was. I have never been a real fan of animation, but have been persuaded to see several films featuring a number of animal species! I must say I have been pleasantly surprised at the quality and believability.

At the Seniors Film Club, with a very small audience, we witnessed a magical production with many parts voiced by Tom Hanks. The story of a young boy at the sort of age when one doubts that Father Christmas is real, goes on a train journey to the North Pole, where he meets the Elves and Mr C, himself.

Train passing wolves in the forest.

Pure fantasy, yet something we have lived through as a child (apart from the train journey). On the journey he meets and makes friends with other children. There are many exciting adventures, and spectacular scenes, and even more spectacular scenery. Emotional and beautiful - score 7/10.

I believe...

Plantar Fasciitis

2011-12-07T00:43:00.011Z

What, you haven't heard of it either? My GP had of course, and diagnosed my condition instantly - while I am struggling to get my socks off for an examination!

My latest painful situation causes me to hobble about, when getting up to walk after sleeping, walking at any time and sometimes even when I think about it! Mainly in my right foot the pain under my foot, from the heel joint forwards, is extreme.

"It will go away, eventually" he un-helpfully stated (while I am struggling to put my socks back on). He printed out some notes, and suggested a few things I could do. The most drastic of which was to buy a night splint, which would force my foot up towards the front of my leg. He said even though it would seem like I would never get off to sleep, I would... He spoke from experience!

Well, I haven't got that far yet, and am doing some basic exercises, wearing a heel support in my shoes, thinking about taking yet another pain killer, plus wishing I had a bottle of brandy, handy.

No I haven't.

binge

2011-12-06T03:39:00.004Z

The annual Christmas meal out, means just one thing - too much (rich) food! In my case there is no alcohol involved, but after indulging in the orgy of food I quickly feel the effects of over eating - that awful "stuffed" sensation.

I remember on each occasion, saying "never again" but it always happens. However good the service, and the value for money, it is always the same - too much to eat. I couldn't fault any aspect of the meal, and the company of friends and neighbours was excellent, but I ate too much. When it is on the plate in front of you it is hard to refuse, and if you were brought up like me... impolite to leave anything on the plate!

So, I've done it again, and am suffering right now. The fizzing Alka-Seltzer is taking time to work, and I am feeling miserable. Serves me right, and perhaps I won't repeat this again next year? Doubtful.

simplify

2011-12-05T12:54:00.007Z

I used to run several blogs and websites, and previously Twitter and Facebook - but found myself to be a slave to the PC, and the virtual life! At a stroke I ceased all activity, and for several months I have enjoyed the freedom of "isolation".

However, it did mean loss of contact with the outside world - so now I have re-started a blog. It incorporates links to worthwhile activities and locations, and will hopefully satisfy my many "fans". I say that modestly, but it is quite amazing how many Internet friends one can accumulate. It is good to hear from them, with their various comments about "erixlife".

A blog provides an instant (and free) web presence, and I have returned to Blogger where I had my first blog many years ago. The erixlife web site no longer exists, and this is a meaningful substitute. I am sure searching for "erixlife" will quickly link to here.

I will provide an anti spam email link, and look forward to your comments, once again.

Advent 2

2011-12-04T18:57:00.006Z

Welcome back.

As usual my life seems to be organised chaos, but I am content, busy and mostly energetic. The ravages of inflation are affecting me, so next year will be one where I am spending less, staying at home more and maybe eating less !

In the meantime I am trying to be a better Christian after half a lifetime in the darkness - more later about this.