Saturday 8 - The Last Time
- when was the last time you bought something for someone else, and what was it?
- when was the last time you complimented someone, and what was their reaction?
- when was the last time you had to return a purchase to the store; what was it and why?
- when was the last time you had an ice cream cone?
- i had to take The Kid to the doctor. when was the last time you had to go to the doctor's office?
- when was the last time you were embarrased by something you did? What was it and what happened?
- when was the last time someone was kind to you?
- when was the last time you locked yourself out of your house/apartment/work? what did you do?
and my answers.....
- when was the last time you bought something for someone else, and what was it? I bought the tickets a while ago but last Sunday I took Scarlett to see Ice Princess: Disney on Ice. The thing that makes me happiest is buying things for others.
- when was the last time you complimented someone, and what was their reaction? Well I don't know whether it counts but I just complimented Deborah on her Shepherd's Pie which was pretty wicked. I was pretty starving though after just coming back from swimming.
- when was the last time you had to return a purchase to the store; what was it and why? Mmmm that's a really hard one. I think I took some smelly milk straight back to Tesco's but only because Deborah told me to. She is brilliant at it. Maybe it's a girl thing.
- when was the last time you had an ice cream cone? For ever just about. I don't like ice cream cones too much and I think I only had one ice lolly this summer just gone. That was a Solero. Oh I did have a tub of Haagen Daaz ice cream at the Opera last month.
- i had to take The Kid to the doctor. when was the last time you had to go to the doctor's office? I had to go because my hip was playing up again. It was keeping me up at night. This was a result of too much running when I was slightly younger and my hip joint has worn away. But then there is not a lot that the doc can do.
- when was the last time you were embarrased by something you did? What was it and what happened? I went to the BMX track with David and Scarlett and thought it looked really easy adn had a go on my mountain bike. I didn't fall off ( thank God ! ) but it didn't look very cool and hip.
- when was the last time someone was kind to you? Quite recently; Alex is a good guy. He offered me his trailer for £50, which was an absolute steal. Oh Alex and Nicola got some free fireworks tickets from work so that I could take the whole family and some friends of ours. That's kindness t0 me.
- when was the last time you locked yourself out of your house/apartment/work? what did you do? Never. I have forgotten to take my keys plenty of times and just had to wait for Deborah to get back frm wherever she was going. The boys are awful at forgetting their keys though.
Yet Another Wicked Site - Who Is Your Looky-Likey??
This site is wicked. Click on the celebrity face recognition, put in a recent full face picture of yourself and sit back and wait for them to match with your long lost celebrity brother / sister!
It's well worth a laugh! Mine came up with Alan Alda and Salman Rushdie!! I think Deborah was happier because they matched her with Heather Lockyer.
Scarlett's picture came up with Audrey Hepburn, Michael was matched with Ronan Keating and David ( apart from the lovely ladies that he was matched with, like Scarlett Johanson ) matched Michael J Fox.
Cool Site - But Nice To Be Unique
Saturday 8 - What If?
- If you could have named yourself, which name would you have chosen, and why?
- If you could relive a year in your life, what age would it be, and why?
- If you could go back and change one friendship in your past, who would it have been, and why?
- If you could have dated one person in your past that you did not date, who would it be, and why?
- If you could say one thing/idea/sentiment to someone in your past, what would it be, and why?
- If you had the opportunity to live in another country, which one would it be, and why? if you choose NOT to live in another country, why do you want to stay in your current country?
- If you could choose your dream job, what would it be, and why?
- If you could wish a wish and it be guaranteed to come true (and not to your detriment or to the detriment of anyone else), what would it be, and why?
- If you could have named yourself, which name would you have chosen, and why? I am happy with what was the Stuart James Bruce combo. The James and Bruce are family names but not sure about the reasoning behind the Stuart.
- If you could relive a year in your life, what age would it be, and why? When I was 19. I left University and headed off to Israel to work and live on a kibbutz. That was the most uplifting experience of my whole entire existence but, knowing what I know now, I could make so much more fo that time!
- If you could go back and change one friendship in your past, who would it have been, and why? I would have persuaded my best friend Ian not to go on that school trip from which he never came back.
- If you could have dated one person in your past that you did not date, who would it be, and why? I can't remember now if I actually dated her or not but I was besotted with Julie Gallagher at the swimming club when I was about 10-12. I think Mum and Dad still keep in touch with her family so she is probably married with kids by now!
- If you could say one thing/idea/sentiment to someone in your past, what would it be, and why? "Love you always" to my Nan because she was a great influence on my life and I didn't say it often enough and I wasn't around for when she was sick or when she died. Sorry Nan.
- If you had the opportunity to live in another country, which one would it be, and why? if you choose NOT to live in another country, why do you want to stay in your current country? The 2 that spring to mind are USA ( Florida ) and Spain but that is mainly because they are the 2 best places that we have been on holiday. But Spain may get the vote because of the pace of life, the weather, the people, the language ( I almost know what they are saying! ), and the whole family loves it too. We won't be going as it is too scary an option, especially when the kids are starting to get to exam age. Give it a year and we may have a holiday place over there.
- If you could choose your dream job, what would it be, and why? An F1 driver. I love going fast in cars, bikes, go-karts. Motorbike on its way soon!
- If you could wish a wish and it be guaranteed to come true (and not to your detriment or to the detriment of anyone else), what would it be, and why? For everyone to understand and agree how we got here, whether it be by a God or scientific means.
Prom Night
Scarlett had a party the other day with Izzie, a girl that she has made friends with from her new Drama Group. It was a Prom party. So she decided to go al "Harry Potter" on us and dress in her Hermione ball gown. She looked positively beautiful and you can see by Deborah's concentrating face that lots of time was spent on making her look perfect!
I think her feet hurt a bit after the party though. Many parties to come until she is about 14 or 15 then she gets locked away and not allowed out at night!!
BLOG BRITAIN
OK so who else joined in with Blog Britain? It was just an ordinary day but fascinating to be part of the "
One Day In History" project.
Here is my entry.
Just another day. I woke up at 06:40 to get the kids ready for school. I had a discussion with Deborah and the kids about tidying and cleanliness. That has certainly changed in between generations! We had breakfast – cereals, toast, coffee and orange juice. A much more European breakfast nowadays than the old traditional bacon and eggs. Of course we watched BBC Breakfast while we ate.
The boys got on their bikes to Portchester Secondary School ready for registration at 08:20, Michael on his mountain bike and David on his BMX.
I went off for my dental appointment at 09:00. Not good news. I need teeth out, orthodontal work, implants putting in, bridge work doing. As it is a private dental surgery this could get expensive.
I cycled to work as well as there are no parking spaces at work due to the Government’s Green Plan. I feel virtuous as if I am doing my bit for the environment though. It is probably just as quick as well!
I work as an IT Consultant in a major American Bank based here in Bournemouth. What are my tools of the trade? A desktop computer with links to the company intranet, the outside world and the internet, an e-mailing system, an instant messenger system, a phone and a brain.
Deborah had made me a packed lunch, which included sandwiches, a packet of crisps and a chocolate treat. I had 2 cups of Latte during the day, which seems quite unhealthy as I never drink any water during the day.
I sent an acceptance mail to take my motorcycle test in December and had a scan of the news online. Too many wars still going on. Some things we never learn.hat used to do work
After work the kids have their extra-curricular activities. Scarlett went for her piano lesson and I took David to football training. While he was doing that I went for a training swim at the local leisure centre.
Afterwards, Deborah cooked a lovely meal of roast lamb, potatoes, cabbage, cauliflower cheese and onion gravy. Mmmmm! This was accompanied by a Chilean red wine from Tescos that seemed very tasty but was only about £4 a bottle.
While the kids were either watching SKY TV in the front room or using their MSN Messenger to talk online to their friends, Deborah and I watched thee new Robin Hood TV Series that we had recorded on SKY+ the week before.
Rita's Litter
Rita had a litter of 7 Spinoni puppies - Doris, Dorothy, Fatima, Edwin, Little Mo, Little Jo, Patches. Fatima ( aka Stella ) was the one who stayed at home while the others are now playing away. David was in his element, as you can see!
Gone Fishing
David went fishing with his mate the other day and came home absolutely beaming. He had caught his first ever fish. OK, so he knows now that he should have put him back but not before it had been captured for posterity!
And the fish?... unfortunately it became a customer of the Bournemouth sewags system.
Saturday 8 - Confession Time
1. what is it that you'd like to confess today? past sin? unclean thought? cursing at your mother or significant other?
2. have you ever broken a law? If so, what was it?
3. have you ever committed an act of betrayal against a friend or family member? explain.
4. have you done something that, to this day, makes you cringe when you think about committing the act?
5. freaky! have you ever found yourself sexually aroused by someone that you absolutely should not have been? what was that?
6. have you ever fantasized sexually about a friend or co-worker that they do not know about?
7. have you ever cheated at school? how so?
8. without compromising a current relationship, have you ever cheated on a gf/bf/spouse?
OK My answers :-
1. what is it that you'd like to confess today? past sin? unclean thought? cursing at your mother or significant other?Having said really hurtful and hateful things about Deborah, however bad the situation.
2. have you ever broken a law? If so, what was it?What do I own up to? Speeding at anything upto 100mph( apart from 120 mph in France ), parking without a ticket, smoking cannabis in Israel when I was 19, driving whilst under the influence of drink ( and not even remembering getting home ). Small stuff really!
3. have you ever committed an act of betrayal against a friend or family member? explain.I don't think so. The one rule I have tried to teach my kids is honesty. They can't lie in front of me anyway. I can tell!4. have you done something that, to this day, makes you cringe when you think about committing the act?Again I am so boring because I can't think of anything that makes me cringe, but I had a friend who did! Jim Fitzpatrick, who rented a room from me when I first moved down to Bournemouth. He enjoyed a friend's stag night so much that he ended up going to toilet ( no. 2s ! ) in the front porch thinking it was the bathroom.
5. freaky! have you ever found yourself sexually aroused by someone that you absolutely should not have been? what was that?Most women between the ages of xx and yy ( where you can add 10 years onto yy for every year I age! ) But my love is kept for just one.6. have you ever fantasized sexually about a friend or co-worker that they do not know about?Yes7. have you ever cheated at school? how so?I was more into getting others to cheat and I used to do their homework for money. 8. without compromising a current relationship, have you ever cheated on a gf/bf/spouse?What does "cheating on" mean? I have never had a physical relationship with more than 1 woman at a time. I did go out with 5 women at the same time when I was about 21 but... you guessed it... I ended up alone!
Saturday 8 - What If.........?
Here is Laura's latest set of questions :-
- What if a million dollars fell off a back of a truck. Would you keep it?
- What if you were most powerful person in the world. How would you use that power?
- What if you had exactly one year to live. What are the three things you'd want to do before you died?
- What if you could change one thing about the world. What would that one thing be?
- What if you could take one thing back. What would that one thing be? What is something you said, something you stole, something you did wrong?
- What if you were stuck on an island forever but had all the water, food and shelter you needed. What would be the three other things you'd bring with you?
- What if the internet didn't exist? Would the quality go up or down? How about the quantity?
- What if everyone liked each other. What would we complain about?
And my answers are :-
1. What if a million dollars fell off a back of a truck. Would you keep it?
My first thoughts were that it depended on who the million dollars belonged to. But then I realised that I am no better than the next person who steals. How would you fit a million dollars into your pocket anyway! I asked David my son and he said, "I wouldn't be gready, I would just keep $500,000".
2. What if you were most powerful person in the world. How would you use that power?
I would make sure that power was transferred down to ensure that children were taught / encouraged to look after the world.
3. What if you had exactly one year to live. What are the three things you'd want to do before you died?
I would hope to make sure I left a legacy for my children by inventing something that guaranteed a fortune, visit as many countries as possible to speak to their governments about what they are doing to the world, start a "pay-forward" scheme.
4. What if you could change one thing about the world. What would that one thing be?
Religious hatred.
5. What if you could take one thing back. What would that one thing be? What is something you said, something you stole, something you did wrong?
I don't think I have done too many bad things in my life. I suppose the most hurtful thing that I have ever done is saying "I do" when I wasn't really that sure.
6. What if you were stuck on an island forever but had all the water, food and shelter you needed. What would be the three other things you'd bring with you?
A solar powered MP3 player with the entire works of Queen, the works of JK Rowling, A solar powered computer with satellite internet connection.
7. What if the internet didn't exist? Would the quality go up or down? How about the quantity?
The quality of my life without the internet as a youngster was much better than kids nowadays, and healthier!
8. What if everyone liked each other. What would we complain about?
They would like each other in different ways, and then we would get different collective identities building up, then we would get discussion / argument / conflict and finally fighting and war.
Robbie Williams
" Now what is the best way to travel to the Robbie Williams concert in Milton Keynes?"
"I came out for a quiet picnic and all these people started turning up."
I can't believe it - Madonna and Robbie Williams concerts in the same year. How good is that? We had a horrendous journey up from Bournemouth. We set off about 12:00 for a 2 hour journey that turned into 6 hours. How bad was it? Well we were so hungry that we had to stop at a garden centre for something to eat !!
We found a neat place to park and headed off into Milton Keynes Bowl. Everything else was just brilliant. Basement Jaxx were supporting and they were great.
But I am so glad I didn't see "Robbie On The Road" on Sky TV before the concert. It would have ruined all the surprises. The set was good, Robbie was his usual cheeky self and is so good at charging the crowd up. At the end though he was quite emotional. He said that his Dad was watching in the audience and that he was ********** nackered.
It wasn't until the next day that we heard he had cancelled the Asia part of his world tour!
Great day, great company.
David - England F.C.?
David has just joined his first 11-a-side football team. Interesting that the team colours look very similar to A.C.Milan! The team is called Boscombe Albion. David is working hard at training and hoping to get a place in midfield.
Silverstone Day
" Now boys, can you arrange yourselves into an orderly line, smallest at the left and the tallest at the right."
" OK Michael, we are going to steadily pull away in 1st, change into 2nd....... and then put the pedal to the metal and burn rubberrrrrrrrrrrrr ! You have been to the toilet haven't you?"
"Oh my God, let me out, this boy is mad!" "Yeee - hah, Michael's the name, spinning's my game! "
We all had an absolutely cracking day at Silverstone for Michael's junior rally driving day. It was split into 2 sessions. The first one was really just getting used to the car and the track. The second session was faster and wilder and they also were all supposed to do 1 timed lap.
All of Michael's laps he span and stopped. There was only 1 lap where he didn't spin and that just happened to be his timed lap! He ended up being 2nd fastest. I am sure the fastest boy had been before so a moral victory for the Heritage boy.
Then me and Deborah had a go and a couple of laps each. Deborah was very girlie and I reckon she spent half the time checking herself in the vanity mirror. Of course I burnt the track up and beat Michael's time ( phew but only just! )
I think David knows what he wants to do next birthday!
