tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79869672762646933472024-03-13T09:55:56.862-07:00Fart and CultureChildren, Family, Allotments, chillies and Music. It's Alex's Blog.Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03725569220672637737noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986967276264693347.post-19286469301097945702012-01-11T14:56:00.000-08:002012-01-12T00:00:17.062-08:00Hotel funI stayed in a hotel last night, It reminded me of something that happened last time I was there that I thought was amusing enough to share......<br />
<br />
It was about three years ago, My company had put me up there the night before an interview for the job I have now. <br />
<br />
I arrived late, tired from a long drive, I still had just enough spark to attempt a little flirting as the receptionist checked me in. To get to my room I had to walk through the bar to the lift at the end. It was a fairly uncomfortable walk because the bar was full and for all I knew anyone in there could have been on the interview panel or perhaps other interviewees, obviously first impressions count so I made an effort to walk tall, to act calm and composed and give off waves of confidence as I made my way through. <br />
<br />
When I got to my room, I immediately began hotel SOP, that is I took all my clothes off, save my pants (a particularily worn and crusty pair), set the bath running and grabbed the ice bucket.<br />
<br />
The ice machine was in the corridor just opposite my door, the place seemed completely deserted so I thought I would run the risk and nip out as I was for some ice, I leant out, checked left and right and made my move to the machine, chucked a couple of scoops of ice into the bucket, checked the corridor again and darted back to the room. <br />
<br />
I think I allowed myself a slightly thrilled smile as I reached my door having gotten away with my dirty dash. <br />
<br />
I pushed the door and.........it didn't move. <br />
<br />
I pushed harder...the door was stuck<br />
<br />
I pushed even harder....desperately trying not to accept the unthinkable truth.....the door was locked, I had walked out, without the key and the door had clicked shut behind me. <br />
<br />
<br />
Bugger. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X3PlTobZ4Mw/Tw6SSdMZFcI/AAAAAAAAAH0/DJE4xC4qqII/s1600/NudeHotel_narrowweb__300x426%252C0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="226" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X3PlTobZ4Mw/Tw6SSdMZFcI/AAAAAAAAAH0/DJE4xC4qqII/s320/NudeHotel_narrowweb__300x426%252C0.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
You can imagine the rest for yourselves. With the bath still running I had to act fast, I had to walk, in just my pants, through the bar full of my future employeers, back to the reception, to the girl I had attempted to flirt with not five minutes before and ask for another key. Armed with only a grungy pair of pants and an ice bucket, I briefly considered putting the bucket on my head to hide my shame, in the end I took a deep breath and as the lift doors opened onto the crowded bar everyone fell silent and I made a second effort that night to walk tall, act calm and composed and give off waves of confidence. <br />
<br />
<br />
I got the job.Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03725569220672637737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986967276264693347.post-68770366550782780162011-06-29T15:29:00.001-07:002011-06-29T15:31:41.934-07:00dream meeme<a href="http://www.mommatwo.com/2011/06/mommatwos-monday-dream-meme.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g344/Mommatwoblog/aviary.jpg" border="0" alt="mommatwo"></a>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03725569220672637737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986967276264693347.post-38128486265567407922011-05-09T10:45:00.000-07:002011-05-09T10:45:43.349-07:00Managed to spend a bit of time on the allotment this weekend, I collect and grow various chilli varieties and now spring has definately sprung things are starting to look good. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tWK2iQk_0W8/TcggrbUQ54I/AAAAAAAAAEs/mb7poQPeHlU/s1600/IMG-20110509-00305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tWK2iQk_0W8/TcggrbUQ54I/AAAAAAAAAEs/mb7poQPeHlU/s320/IMG-20110509-00305.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This is my ornamental tent, a few different varieties there that will grow into pretty compact plants bursting with various different colour chillies<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eVMHWhSgPEY/Tcgg04l_Y4I/AAAAAAAAAE0/c0rssDf8OIs/s1600/IMG-20110509-00307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eVMHWhSgPEY/Tcgg04l_Y4I/AAAAAAAAAE0/c0rssDf8OIs/s320/IMG-20110509-00307.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>This is the view into my main poly tunnel, a few tomatoes in there but mainly my main crop chillies, the block of plants in the bottom right all need potting up into decent size containers when I get the time and compost! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dPRIwL7KoBE/TcghD8ee2rI/AAAAAAAAAFA/JrJovV68kXI/s1600/IMG-20110509-00310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dPRIwL7KoBE/TcghD8ee2rI/AAAAAAAAAFA/JrJovV68kXI/s320/IMG-20110509-00310.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Pleased to see some really early chillies appearing already, these are Hungarian Hot Wax from a plant I kept alive indoors through the winter<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CgQoxYfB0hI/TcghMl_vFYI/AAAAAAAAAFI/O-6BXy4DNvs/s1600/IMG-20110509-00312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CgQoxYfB0hI/TcghMl_vFYI/AAAAAAAAAFI/O-6BXy4DNvs/s320/IMG-20110509-00312.jpg" width="320" /></a>Once the plants start to produce fruit it will be easier to differentiate them and show off some varieties, but for anyone who is interested my grow list is currently:<br />
<br />
<ul><li> Bhut Jolokia Chocolate </li>
<li> Dorset Naga </li>
<li> Habanero Chocolate </li>
<li> Habanero Mustard </li>
<li> Habanero Orange </li>
<li> Habanero Red </li>
<li> Habanero Tobago </li>
<li> Habanero White </li>
<li> Habanero Condors Beak </li>
<li> Bhut Jolokia </li>
<li> Jati Jolokia </li>
<li> Kharika Jolokia </li>
<li> Krishna Jolokia </li>
<li> Mem Jolokia </li>
<li> Scotch Bonnet Orange </li>
<li> Scotch Bonnet Red</li>
<li> Trinidad Scorpion </li>
<li> Trinidad Scorpion Yellow</li>
<li> Marouga Red</li>
<li> Habanero 7 Pot </li>
<li> Naga Morich</li>
<li> Aji Lemon Drop </li>
<li> Bishops Crown </li>
<li> Bolivian Rainbow </li>
<li> Cayenne </li>
<li> Cayenne Golden </li>
<li> Cayenne Long Purple </li>
<li> Cayenne Long Slim </li>
<li> Rocoto Red </li>
<li> Purple Tiger </li>
<li> Ring of Fire </li>
<li> Orozco </li>
<li> Portugal </li>
<li> Rodeo F1 </li>
<li> Serrano Tampequino </li>
<li> Serrano Purple</li>
<li> Apache </li>
<li> Aurora </li>
<li> Demon Red </li>
<li> Hungarian Hot Wax </li>
<li> Jamaican Red </li>
<li> Jamaican Yellow </li>
<li> Numex Centennial </li>
<li> Numex Twilight </li>
<li> Pasilla Bajio </li>
<li> Ring Of Fire </li>
<li> Super Chilli F1 </li>
<li> Tabasco </li>
<li> Thai Hot</li>
<li> Ancho Grande </li>
<li> Black Hungarian </li>
<li> Bulgarian Carrot</li>
<li> Cherry Bomb</li>
<li> Fresno </li>
<li> Jalapeno Early </li>
<li> Jalapeno Purple </li>
<li> Sante Fe Grande </li>
<li> Tam Jalapeno</li>
<li> Caloro </li>
<li> de arbol </li>
<li> Royal Black </li>
<li> Filus Blue </li>
<li> Aji Limo </li>
<li> Apricot </li>
<li> Cheeky </li>
<li> Pettie Bell </li>
<li> Trinity </li>
<li> Fairy Lights </li>
<li> Rooster Spur </li>
<li> Sparkly </li>
<li> Stumpy </li>
<li> Aji Crystal </li>
<li> Cobra</li>
<li> Bellboy </li>
<li> Big Red </li>
<li> Chocolate Beauty </li>
<li> Golden Californian Wonder </li>
<li> Hungarian Yellow Wax </li>
<li> Purple Beauty </li>
<li> Red Skin </li>
<li> Sweet Banana </li>
<li> Yolo Wonder </li>
<li> Orange Sun </li>
<li> Sweet Red Cherry </li>
<li> Diablo</li>
<li> Jalepeno</li>
<li> Nose Gay</li>
<li> Topaz</li>
<li> Demon Red</li>
<li> Cayenne</li>
<li> Rocoto Canario</li>
<li> Bode Vermhela</li>
<li> Caldero</li>
<li> Pulsa Swala</li>
<li> Cyklon</li>
<li> RedHabanero</li>
<li> De Arbol</li>
<li> Hot Cherry</li>
<li> Saraha</li>
<li> Naga Morich</li>
<li> Tokyo Hot</li>
<li> Cielo Rojo</li>
<li> Piaviaho</li>
<li> Cheiono Pessego</li>
<li> Cheiro Vermelha</li>
<li> Burts Golden Balls</li>
<li> Scotch bonnet</li>
<li> Bangalore torpedo</li>
<li> Hot tepin</li>
<li> Unknown</li>
<li> Chocolate habanero</li>
<li> Guards cielo</li>
<li> Wenks yellow</li>
</ul>+ Several varieties that friends are currently growing for me to swap later in the year. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03725569220672637737noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986967276264693347.post-56955277055584808682011-05-03T13:22:00.000-07:002011-05-03T13:22:53.411-07:00Baby hand mouldAnyone who has had children will tell you they grow far to quickly, before you even know it you are looking at baby photos without the faintest memory that they could have ever been so small.<br />
<br />
We visited my Mum at the weekend and she gave us a special present, a baby hand mould kit. Well I say kit, it was actually just the ingredients Alginate and plaster of paris. Ours had been given to my Mum by a friend who had it left over after commissioning some work from the police making rubber cadavers for use in training exercises ( I have seen them by the way - bloated and rotten corpse of overweight man found in water was my favourite) <br />
<br />
Anyway, we made a couple of hand moulds from baby jasper who is 10 weeks old (already!!)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J0Rs1Ze5Ze0/TcBaqVQMDZI/AAAAAAAAAC4/8pzzlGC58cc/s1600/IMG-20110501-00197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J0Rs1Ze5Ze0/TcBaqVQMDZI/AAAAAAAAAC4/8pzzlGC58cc/s200/IMG-20110501-00197.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
First step make a container, cut the top off a bottle, split it down both sides and cover with tape, also tape over the rough top edge. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e7QlMm25_VY/TcBa5sFFtfI/AAAAAAAAAC8/YX61lBlFagw/s1600/IMG-20110501-00200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e7QlMm25_VY/TcBa5sFFtfI/AAAAAAAAAC8/YX61lBlFagw/s200/IMG-20110501-00200.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QU5NRPV1sko/TcBbCrji0nI/AAAAAAAAADA/KAg4oCu1NAc/s1600/IMG-20110501-00203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QU5NRPV1sko/TcBbCrji0nI/AAAAAAAAADA/KAg4oCu1NAc/s200/IMG-20110501-00203.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Next mix the Alginate (a very light blue powder) 1:1 by volume with luke warm water and mix<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AKV6LAOls3w/TcBbMLNC_WI/AAAAAAAAADE/C3MCOoEu2Ws/s1600/IMG-20110501-00204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AKV6LAOls3w/TcBbMLNC_WI/AAAAAAAAADE/C3MCOoEu2Ws/s200/IMG-20110501-00204.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b_lk1XTWZ7M/TcBbUxeChfI/AAAAAAAAADI/2P-974mhu60/s1600/IMG-20110501-00205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b_lk1XTWZ7M/TcBbUxeChfI/AAAAAAAAADI/2P-974mhu60/s200/IMG-20110501-00205.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Next step, swear a bit when you realise you have faffed about too long and the Alginate has set into a solid rubber chunk<br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dVGSRbDhTT4/TcBbeSw2ksI/AAAAAAAAADM/11iDXzivkho/s1600/IMG-20110501-00208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dVGSRbDhTT4/TcBbeSw2ksI/AAAAAAAAADM/11iDXzivkho/s200/IMG-20110501-00208.jpg" width="200" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Try again, this time directly in the (leaky) pot and mix quickly with a fork </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EW74KpI2EOs/TcBboR-eDpI/AAAAAAAAADQ/EGy3IdY91fo/s1600/IMG-20110501-00209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EW74KpI2EOs/TcBboR-eDpI/AAAAAAAAADQ/EGy3IdY91fo/s200/IMG-20110501-00209.jpg" width="200" /> </a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c_gBm91O3g4/TcBbxAnv51I/AAAAAAAAADU/SCQ7q4PlqK0/s1600/IMG-20110501-00212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c_gBm91O3g4/TcBbxAnv51I/AAAAAAAAADU/SCQ7q4PlqK0/s200/IMG-20110501-00212.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Stick babys hand in (Alginate is nice and gentle so you don't need any clingfilm or vaseline) try to hold still fort three minutes and get a blury shot of crying baby. Next gently pull arm out with a satisfying slurp, have a look in mould at little finger holes. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WyHL3M45ttk/TcBb7VLnRPI/AAAAAAAAADY/l2PZXE2FSeI/s1600/IMG-20110501-00213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WyHL3M45ttk/TcBb7VLnRPI/AAAAAAAAADY/l2PZXE2FSeI/s200/IMG-20110501-00213.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Mix plaster of paris 1:1 warm water and pour into the mould<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ljqua0PAM08/TcBcOGo9d2I/AAAAAAAAADg/GIZksTsmLSk/s1600/IMG-20110501-00224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ljqua0PAM08/TcBcOGo9d2I/AAAAAAAAADg/GIZksTsmLSk/s200/IMG-20110501-00224.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Eja2FOyZ-Uk/TcBcXkk4G0I/AAAAAAAAADk/ghlAGgW309o/s1600/IMG-20110501-00226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Eja2FOyZ-Uk/TcBcXkk4G0I/AAAAAAAAADk/ghlAGgW309o/s200/IMG-20110501-00226.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>When the plaster is hard the fun starts, peeling off the alginate<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dRjdXODSYuA/TcBcsMCOPII/AAAAAAAAADs/8hro48XCbp4/s1600/IMG-20110501-00228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dRjdXODSYuA/TcBcsMCOPII/AAAAAAAAADs/8hro48XCbp4/s200/IMG-20110501-00228.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rQS8LArVN-8/TcBc1QX53GI/AAAAAAAAADw/Z48skhN7q_8/s1600/IMG-20110501-00229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rQS8LArVN-8/TcBc1QX53GI/AAAAAAAAADw/Z48skhN7q_8/s200/IMG-20110501-00229.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WvygcaHx3-s/TcBcgqk5fDI/AAAAAAAAADo/IMB_nhtbn2Q/s1600/IMG-20110501-00227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WvygcaHx3-s/TcBcgqk5fDI/AAAAAAAAADo/IMB_nhtbn2Q/s200/IMG-20110501-00227.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<br />
The next bit is almost to exciting for words, you don't have any idea what you are going to get so as the little hand is uncovered it is almost like seeing you nnew baby for the first time<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tShBDxgVqTc/TcBdJZIiWOI/AAAAAAAAAD4/8igQV8F-8BU/s1600/IMG-20110501-00234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tShBDxgVqTc/TcBdJZIiWOI/AAAAAAAAAD4/8igQV8F-8BU/s200/IMG-20110501-00234.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZIbiBmsebQ/TcBdVc5XpfI/AAAAAAAAAD8/QVBK08Qt1YE/s1600/IMG-20110501-00237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZIbiBmsebQ/TcBdVc5XpfI/AAAAAAAAAD8/QVBK08Qt1YE/s200/IMG-20110501-00237.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CaiTON5qhk4/TcBdAOLJThI/AAAAAAAAAD0/CI-i1SDNpSI/s1600/IMG-20110501-00230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CaiTON5qhk4/TcBdAOLJThI/AAAAAAAAAD0/CI-i1SDNpSI/s200/IMG-20110501-00230.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Taa daa - a perfect tiny fist, a memory for ever. <br />
<br />
By now Jasper had fallen back asleep so we had another go and got another shape<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w7AT7LnRbWE/TcBdfm7WsRI/AAAAAAAAAEA/vNVjrGTB11g/s1600/IMG-20110501-00239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w7AT7LnRbWE/TcBdfm7WsRI/AAAAAAAAAEA/vNVjrGTB11g/s320/IMG-20110501-00239.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GMHztCoxvLE/TcBdplXx6BI/AAAAAAAAAEE/Ms1lauw1G44/s1600/IMG-20110501-00242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GMHztCoxvLE/TcBdplXx6BI/AAAAAAAAAEE/Ms1lauw1G44/s320/IMG-20110501-00242.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UOErzJFy-j8/TcBd19NRZjI/AAAAAAAAAEI/Yhu74sp4VwQ/s1600/IMG-20110501-00261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UOErzJFy-j8/TcBd19NRZjI/AAAAAAAAAEI/Yhu74sp4VwQ/s320/IMG-20110501-00261.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xBU3Euh4VXE/TcBeCe4QyGI/AAAAAAAAAEM/K2IDCcZ67Io/s1600/IMG-20110501-00263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xBU3Euh4VXE/TcBeCe4QyGI/AAAAAAAAAEM/K2IDCcZ67Io/s320/IMG-20110501-00263.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Disaster the hand has snapped off at the wrist<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wgFfynAjkVg/TcBeOB-jSMI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/vleUP8ojxa8/s1600/IMG-20110501-00266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wgFfynAjkVg/TcBeOB-jSMI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/vleUP8ojxa8/s320/IMG-20110501-00266.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XOvI8wlRi08/TcBfAI-OHFI/AAAAAAAAAEg/6UGGf9qYqbA/s1600/IMG-20110501-00274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XOvI8wlRi08/TcBfAI-OHFI/AAAAAAAAAEg/6UGGf9qYqbA/s320/IMG-20110501-00274.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The index finger fell of thsi one as well, but we fixed it with glue<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xVZ7_6Gi1h4/TcBfNf-A23I/AAAAAAAAAEk/CPAm9DiliUk/s1600/IMG-20110501-00276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xVZ7_6Gi1h4/TcBfNf-A23I/AAAAAAAAAEk/CPAm9DiliUk/s320/IMG-20110501-00276.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RYryhw5Os6U/TcBfYw35txI/AAAAAAAAAEo/ZDQILrwvee4/s1600/IMG-20110501-00277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RYryhw5Os6U/TcBfYw35txI/AAAAAAAAAEo/ZDQILrwvee4/s320/IMG-20110501-00277.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GFSAwChXhUc/TcBaYijvofI/AAAAAAAAAC0/Bewv4LDfpfw/s1600/IMG-20110501-00279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GFSAwChXhUc/TcBaYijvofI/AAAAAAAAAC0/Bewv4LDfpfw/s320/IMG-20110501-00279.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>You can get Alginate on eBay - we used about 150g for each hand.Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03725569220672637737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986967276264693347.post-78242556415341670022011-05-02T08:59:00.000-07:002011-05-02T08:59:35.692-07:00SushiA very heavily pregnant Elizabeth and I relocated to Dorset from London a couple of years ago. There are many things we miss (and even more that we don't) but chief among them is the variety of food. In our local supermarket the world food section is where they keep the pasta and seems to be carefully avoided by the locals. It's a far cry from our old life; Jamaican patties from street vendors in Greenwich, Korean food in Holborn, Ethiopian in Kentish Town and buying spices by the kg for about the same price you would pay for the little jars of stale and dusty Schwartz in the supermarket. But by far the biggest thing I miss is Sushi (vinegared rice) and fresh Sashimi (raw fish).<br />
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Semi regularily we do make our own at home, it's not really difficult as long as you keep your knives sharp and wet. We can't get sushi rice down here so I use Arborio which works just as well. There is a lot of fuss on the internet about buying Sashimi grade fish but I always just get whatever is on the fish counter in Morrisons and have never had any problems. I can't make it anywhere as near as neat and beautiful as a proper sushi chef but it tastes great.<br />
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</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SihKocVaPRg/Tb7KXSbL9aI/AAAAAAAAACE/vA0OJnUvWEM/s1600/18061_219224051930_534296930_3680036_7954673_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SihKocVaPRg/Tb7KXSbL9aI/AAAAAAAAACE/vA0OJnUvWEM/s200/18061_219224051930_534296930_3680036_7954673_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oJ_PosCVU1U/Tb7KYKqEVJI/AAAAAAAAACI/g8BR1fwkwOI/s1600/21061_243885716930_534296930_3805807_7808125_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oJ_PosCVU1U/Tb7KYKqEVJI/AAAAAAAAACI/g8BR1fwkwOI/s200/21061_243885716930_534296930_3805807_7808125_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAEf4M8hYss/Tb7KY52wulI/AAAAAAAAACM/4ITkXPtsLPI/s1600/39422_436783096930_534296930_5688750_5871833_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAEf4M8hYss/Tb7KY52wulI/AAAAAAAAACM/4ITkXPtsLPI/s200/39422_436783096930_534296930_5688750_5871833_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> The table above is from when @jenclone came to visit<br />
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Still there is nothing like having Sushi made for you, so when we planned a day trip to London at the weekend Sushi was top of my list. The only problem with Sushi is that it is expensive and I generally leave the restaurant worried about the cash I have just blown and still hungry.<br />
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The solution for me is all you can eat Sushi buffet.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IvnR_WT5vm4/Tb7L2pJR3pI/AAAAAAAAACs/cYRVSftOiLQ/s1600/IMG-20110430-00135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IvnR_WT5vm4/Tb7L2pJR3pI/AAAAAAAAACs/cYRVSftOiLQ/s200/IMG-20110430-00135.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w4Qi231ahTo/Tb7SrKtzveI/AAAAAAAAACw/TPMpQ9k-Z78/s1600/IMG-20110430-00124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w4Qi231ahTo/Tb7SrKtzveI/AAAAAAAAACw/TPMpQ9k-Z78/s200/IMG-20110430-00124.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>We chose Hi Sushi because they do just that and went to their branch in Muswell Hill because it fitted nicely with our travel plans. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NovlzNGDOIE/Tb7Lwcqt3pI/AAAAAAAAACo/0OrhOLVGvhM/s1600/IMG-20110430-00133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NovlzNGDOIE/Tb7Lwcqt3pI/AAAAAAAAACo/0OrhOLVGvhM/s200/IMG-20110430-00133.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> I didn't much fancy trying to sit on the floor but luckily they have thought of that and brought the floor up to chair level. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kXLMRF2Ycq4/Tb7KktMPJAI/AAAAAAAAACQ/BMmGgd_tlzg/s1600/IMG-20110430-00126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kXLMRF2Ycq4/Tb7KktMPJAI/AAAAAAAAACQ/BMmGgd_tlzg/s200/IMG-20110430-00126.jpg" width="200" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First course, I can't remember exactly what is there other than obviously the salmon and the white fish is grey mullet</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uovo2kFwo-Q/Tb7KwpQc2_I/AAAAAAAAACU/q7rRHSp0OBw/s1600/IMG-20110430-00127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uovo2kFwo-Q/Tb7KwpQc2_I/AAAAAAAAACU/q7rRHSp0OBw/s200/IMG-20110430-00127.jpg" width="200" /> </a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2lwSxeYZfOk/Tb7LFnjgKJI/AAAAAAAAACY/uIgyuJkdgMI/s1600/IMG-20110430-00128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2lwSxeYZfOk/Tb7LFnjgKJI/AAAAAAAAACY/uIgyuJkdgMI/s200/IMG-20110430-00128.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> I had never tried straight boiled soya beans before but actually they were lovely, Lizi let one get away from her and it landed under a chair at the bar<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cCVZQAdYZPU/Tb7LTXGX-PI/AAAAAAAAACc/KFA8cIyuWzQ/s1600/IMG-20110430-00129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cCVZQAdYZPU/Tb7LTXGX-PI/AAAAAAAAACc/KFA8cIyuWzQ/s200/IMG-20110430-00129.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>We went for some hot food next, tempura prawns, squid and sweet potato, some spring rolls, pork and chicken escalope. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XBEazSboTSg/Tb7Le5GzfKI/AAAAAAAAACg/WjYZwIXrFyQ/s1600/IMG-20110430-00130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XBEazSboTSg/Tb7Le5GzfKI/AAAAAAAAACg/WjYZwIXrFyQ/s200/IMG-20110430-00130.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oM3ih0ldds8/Tb7LmrBCEdI/AAAAAAAAACk/5emqGeZ-xxM/s1600/IMG-20110430-00132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oM3ih0ldds8/Tb7LmrBCEdI/AAAAAAAAACk/5emqGeZ-xxM/s200/IMG-20110430-00132.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> More Sushi, this time Lizi ordered and did really well apart from the salmon skin sushi, I just couldn't get my head round it - but that might of had something to do with the insane amounts of sushi I had already eaten. We cleared the plate apart from two salmon skin rolls that we just couldn't face.<br />
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At this point I was stuffed, I had really wanted to try the clam sashimi but it wasn't to be.\<br />
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Fill up on Sushi = Mission Successful.Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03725569220672637737noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986967276264693347.post-58727388553814957252011-05-01T00:30:00.000-07:002011-05-01T00:37:57.630-07:00Silent Sunday<div class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9CrXFgp_PTc/Tb0MONdzFeI/AAAAAAAAAB4/tkoTTQBJ-q8/s1600/IMG-20110429-00123-763606.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601646949791110626" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9CrXFgp_PTc/Tb0MONdzFeI/AAAAAAAAAB4/tkoTTQBJ-q8/s320/IMG-20110429-00123-763606.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Silent Sunday<br />
This message was sent from a Blackberry device. </span> <br />
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________________________________________</span>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03725569220672637737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986967276264693347.post-29766491662013597782011-04-28T15:06:00.000-07:002011-04-28T15:06:56.188-07:00My boy all grown upVideo Blog today!<br />
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When he was about 8 months old Roman suddenly started crawling, he just flopped forward on the living room floor while Elizabeth was out and dragged himself along, then did it twice more, that was it he was a crawler!<br />
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I took him up to pick his Mum up from her kickboxing class and using the good old car keys as a carrot trick I demonstrated his newest trick, I caught this one on camera. So here it is Roman's 4th ever crawl and the first time his Mum saw him do it <br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/AyE8pfVcR_g" width="425"></iframe><br />
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The Second video is from Easter Sunday just gone and a family trip to Farmer Palmers, Roman getting very excited and joining a herd of sheep. He sounds like he is shouting "BASTARDS, BASTARDS" but I assure you it is "Baa Sheep, baa Sheep"<br />
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<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FNwZnoTphMQ?hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FNwZnoTphMQ?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03725569220672637737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986967276264693347.post-50559549330118692812011-04-27T01:46:00.000-07:002011-04-27T02:07:02.352-07:00Yes to AV<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I was going to try and write a well reasoned and passionate argument about why I am going to vote Yes to AV, but you know, boring and that, so instead I am going to try and present my argument in pictorial form courtesy of the wonderful people at b3ta.com ( I can't claim that any ideas presented here are my own original thought)<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cnVhnvpb7r8/TbfRMRUUIPI/AAAAAAAAABo/mwC__vs6xSI/s1600/fptp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cnVhnvpb7r8/TbfRMRUUIPI/AAAAAAAAABo/mwC__vs6xSI/s320/fptp.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The fact is, I currently have an MP I didn't vote for and in all likelihood so do you. Under the current system almost all MPs are currently elected with a minority share of the vote. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Even more infuriating is the NO campaign constantly drawing comparisons to sports or horse racing - I would just like to point out THIS ISN'T A RACE, this is a way of selecting people who will represent your opinions in parliament. The positions shouldn't go to the person with the least weak claim, it should go to the candidate that the MAJORITY of voter's support. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--b30yU6fI8c/TbfRKjAkueI/AAAAAAAAABg/2Qxd1qTRiSI/s1600/av-dogshit.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--b30yU6fI8c/TbfRKjAkueI/AAAAAAAAABg/2Qxd1qTRiSI/s640/av-dogshit.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This is a real problem, if you support the Green party but live in a labour stronghold what do you do? Throw your vote away on Green? or vote Conservative because you dislike them less than Labour and it is the only chance you have to get Labour out? What about your support for the Greens? don't you have a right to express that? Its probably not going to get them in but at least it might send a message about voter opinions to whomever does win<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g1W3Rt8RRpA/TbfRI7oYh4I/AAAAAAAAABY/oW12Tfe7v80/s1600/av.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g1W3Rt8RRpA/TbfRI7oYh4I/AAAAAAAAABY/oW12Tfe7v80/s320/av.gif" width="265" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The NO campaign is in a tough position, to defend FPTP is to defend the current political system, a system that over the last few years has been discredited and exposed and dishonest and corrupt, the general public hates politics and politicians even more. So what do they do? The only option is to attack AV, spread lies and half truths, to muddy the water and resort to scaremongering. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One piece of misinformation is the fact that the NO campaign likes to point out that only three countries currently use AV, that much is true, but the implied message is that the entire rest of the world uses first past the post - that is absolutely incorrect. There are dozens of different voting systems used all over the world: Instant run-off voting, Borda count, Condorcet method, Plurality voting, Approval voting, cumulative voting, weighted voting, supermajority, unanimous consent, Sainte-Laguë method, d'Hondt method highest averages methods, largest remainder methods, Mixed Member Proportional , Single Transferable Vote. You get the idea, to suggest that low incidence of AV indicates the superiority of FPTP is absurd. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nn5zQIRckoQ/TbfRLsN5smI/AAAAAAAAABk/9YLdgycKBgA/s1600/avexplained.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nn5zQIRckoQ/TbfRLsN5smI/AAAAAAAAABk/9YLdgycKBgA/s320/avexplained.jpg" width="213" /></a></div> The worst lie is that AV is complicated. It's not. It's how the voting on X-factor works - I can't even expand on this point, the picture above says it all. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Is3Wc_qJEgk/TbfRJmBrVyI/AAAAAAAAABc/foZ7hxHVI5A/s1600/av2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Is3Wc_qJEgk/TbfRJmBrVyI/AAAAAAAAABc/foZ7hxHVI5A/s320/av2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> The AV campaign isn't about party politics, or at least it shouldn't be, but this picture made me smile<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mDJ1_dnLldo/TbfRQT6u0OI/AAAAAAAAABw/_-BAiqeXrIg/s1600/voting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mDJ1_dnLldo/TbfRQT6u0OI/AAAAAAAAABw/_-BAiqeXrIg/s640/voting.jpg" width="241" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This final picture kind of undermines my whole argument but I had to include it because it is brilliant. </div>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03725569220672637737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986967276264693347.post-34743955960318609092011-04-26T10:39:00.000-07:002011-04-26T10:39:32.900-07:00DandelionsWhen I got home this evening Roman our two year old was climbing up the walls with cabin fever having been stuck in the flat all day while lizi was cleaning it top to bottom. <br />
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It was still light and warm so I took him on a little walk to stretch his legs, we live right next to the Rodwell trail which is an ideal place for a wander or cycle. <br />
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The Rodwell trail follows the path of the old Weymouth to Portland railway that used to transport quarry workers adn the stone they mined on and off the island. It has been closed as a railway since the 1950s but has been given a new lease of life as a footpath with lovely smooth tarmac. The platforms for several stations still line the route and give an eerie glimpse of the past. There are some great photos <a href="http://website.lineone.net/~wendyedwards/rodwelltrailcont.html">here</a><br />
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As soon as we got onto the trail Roman started shouting at me about 'flowers, flowers Daddy!' and was soon grubbing about in the undergrowth, seemingly impervious to the great clumps of stinging nettles. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac322/ChilliAlex/IMG-20110426-00103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i8="true" src="http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac322/ChilliAlex/IMG-20110426-00103.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>After he emerged with a handful of what I call Elderflowers, (i'm sure I have the plant name wrong but if you do ever want a positive ID on a plant or bug you have found the best place to go is <a href="http://www.ispot.org.uk/">Ispot</a> where you can upload your pictures and have a geek check them for you), and starting puffing away I soon realised he was actually looking for a dandelion. I steered him towards something more suitable<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac322/ChilliAlex/IMG-20110426-00099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i8="true" src="http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac322/ChilliAlex/IMG-20110426-00099.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Thus armed he has another go<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac322/ChilliAlex/IMG-20110426-00101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i8="true" src="http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac322/ChilliAlex/IMG-20110426-00101.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac322/ChilliAlex/IMG-20110426-00102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i8="true" src="http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac322/ChilliAlex/IMG-20110426-00102.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>only instead of blowing he sucked....yuck<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The story does have a happy ending, I re-armed him and we spent some fun time blowing dandelion faries everywhere - hurrah!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac322/ChilliAlex/IMG-20110426-00109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i8="true" src="http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac322/ChilliAlex/IMG-20110426-00109.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03725569220672637737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7986967276264693347.post-61107681569737539092011-04-25T12:27:00.000-07:002011-04-25T14:41:24.975-07:00Hello World..<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h_cpxJgOmlM/TbXWucdZKgI/AAAAAAAAAAk/MAUBt4zSDmk/s1600/wedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h_cpxJgOmlM/TbXWucdZKgI/AAAAAAAAAAk/MAUBt4zSDmk/s200/wedding.jpg" width="150" /></a>The bandwagon has been rumbling around these parts recently and I have decided to jump on with both feet.... Everyone around me suddenly has a blog and that, combined with my ego telling me that the world has a right to my opinion and the fact that I have no friend on twitter has spurred me to start my own.<br />
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<a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/FartandCulture">Find me on Twitter</a><br />
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My Friend Kathryn Ashcroft blogged recently that "blogging is terribly masturbatory" and I couldn't agree more, but I have never been able to resist a bit of self indulgence so I can't think of a more fitting pastime.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vhiLW8xv9aU/TbXWorL_UxI/AAAAAAAAAAM/PiiiRkeVEPo/s1600/allotment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vhiLW8xv9aU/TbXWorL_UxI/AAAAAAAAAAM/PiiiRkeVEPo/s200/allotment.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>I'm Alex, I'm 29, I live by the seaside and work in sales. I am married to Elizabeth with two boys; Roman 2 years and Jasper 10 weeks. Aside from my family I am most interested in my allotment, growing vegetables and (currently) 107 varieties of chilli. I am addicted to radio 4 and am currently working writing a script for an afternoon play.<br />
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I like cooking and eating (a bit too much) and am interested in music production, currently trying to learn to play the piano. I take sporadic interest in exercise, fishing, boxing, kayaking and mountain biking. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OaGa41Uuj_c/TbXWsX0fJWI/AAAAAAAAAAc/qnyNzRAw2Zw/s1600/fosh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OaGa41Uuj_c/TbXWsX0fJWI/AAAAAAAAAAc/qnyNzRAw2Zw/s200/fosh.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Qp9Iog_N2c/TbXWp7grf0I/AAAAAAAAAAQ/SJBk6c3MB7U/s1600/balls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Qp9Iog_N2c/TbXWp7grf0I/AAAAAAAAAAQ/SJBk6c3MB7U/s200/balls.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3IV61AFb1qo/TbXWq-fOlxI/AAAAAAAAAAU/fA3OAuzw_tw/s1600/chilli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3IV61AFb1qo/TbXWq-fOlxI/AAAAAAAAAAU/fA3OAuzw_tw/s200/chilli.jpg" width="200" /></a>I am planning for this blog to become an eclectic mix of high brow features, thoughtful reviews of the arts, insightful political musings and witty economic debate......unfortunately I know myself a little too well so what you are actually going to get is random updates about things Roman has done that made me laugh, links to things the internet has done that made be laugh, gratuitous pictures of my allotment including graphic close ups of various chillies, posts that are subtle dig at my wife, very unsubtle make up posts extolling the virtues of my wife. I might even occasionally get worked up enough to have a proper rant about something. Oh and not forgetting the time where I am going to be convinced that I am going to 'get fit once and for all' and for a that short period I will be able to talk about nothing else and might even sound vaguely convincing when I try to kid myself that I actually enjoy undressed salad and tinned tuna, don't worry though it only lasts a couple of weeks before I get sucked back in to the sofa. <br />
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You know how crap, never gonna make it, musicians spend a lot of time talking about their 'influences' hoping to achieve some type of admiration by association? Well I'm going to do it now but with blogs. These are my influences:<br />
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http://www.mommatwo.com/ - My lovely wife, she has only been blogging a few weeks but has taken to it like a fish to bicycle<br />
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http://www.tonysullivanphotography.co.uk/Site/Blog.html - My boss, he decides my pay reviews so I have to be nice, but in all honestly his blog so far has been very good<br />
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http://www.kathrynashcroft.com/ My friend, Kathryn has been doing this for ages, and somehow she manages to keep her blog nicely highbrow - it would be perfect if it just had a few more pictures of dogs on skateboards.Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03725569220672637737noreply@blogger.com0