Ooh CLP, deep and important stuff on a Monday but you're right, if we all do what we can around us it does add up and make a difference.

Will we get an update at 5 on Enzo, the new car, Foxy's 40th and everything else?? Hope so.

Not at work today so I can tune in on the dot of 5pm instead of when Women's Minute starts... aha, I could nip out and sit in the car and call in from there... may try that!

Thanks for another thoughtful blog, off to watch Wimbledon, in the sun?!

Cheers

AnnieOakley/AnnieMac

Hi Chris,

You're so right as long we all do whatever we can to make the place better for ourselves and other people we will achieve something.

I always say treat other people as you would like to be treated by them - sees to work but not everyone is decent and honest so even if on 53% do it then that is better than 0%.

I hope Enzo is doing well at the hospital and that you are able to go and see him often - wouldn't do for him to pine.

Will be listening at 5pm on my way along the roads of Dorset.

All the best to all reading the blog

Afternoon Chris et al!

It has indeed been a busy weekend, what a lot you've been up to too!

Talking about trying to make the world a better place, you're right that we can only do what we can do. If we can do big things then we should - but not feel ashamed if we can only do "little" things. I've just read about a cafe that opened recently in Lebanon called Buns and Guns - "My goal was to make people laugh before they ask me why weapons. The important thing is that they laugh," what a great idea. How's that for doing your little bit to make life more bearable.

I've also just read Mark Easton's blog, about nudging us into changing our behaviour - I wonder if it's a big enough nudge. It's true though, "if you think people like you go to the gym, always pick up their dog poo, refuse their kids junk food but tend to overdo it on the Sauvignon, chances are you will do the same." I'm not sure who people like me are, though, let alone what they do. Maybe it's you lot but, in all honesty, how well do I know you or what you're like?

I am doing my bit this week by helping friends move house, the daft pair have just completed on a house sale - and are going on holiday next week. They get back to the UK a couple of days before their current tenency is up. Talk about cutting it fine.

So it's Monday - hurrah! That means an evening with friends, chinese takeaway and birthday cake, sunshine and happiness. Tomorrow I have to start the hunt for fabric to make a pocahontas outfit for a fancy-dress party at the weekend... and hope my sewing machine isn't full of cobwebs.

Three cheers for Monday, it needs it sometimes :)

xx

jumpingbean

Hi Chris,

Excellent blog today. No doubt about it, we can only cope with looking after our own backyard. That doesn't mean we have to be heartless to others who may need our help, of course we must help when we can. But we have to look after ourselves, and those dearest to us, first.

As for Wimbledon - I was there in 1989, was perfectly sure I would be back in a year or so. But, MsS decided to come into the world and just about every penny we've had since then has been spent on her! Worth it, it has to be said!

This time next week, my wee family and I will be in Spain - I can't wait!

C xx

P.S. jumpingbean, what a clever thing you are! Make a Pocahontas outfit? I have trouble making a sandwich! x

Bingo - are you wrockin' along to the Quo?

A

Chrissie - pocahontas - depending on how successful the sack is, I shall allow pictures of me in it to be tagged on FB!!

xx

MfR - how was Bon Jovi at the weekend? Please do tell .....

As for my first record - it was also Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen! Then when I stayed at my nans Queen were on TOTP - you remember, the one with Freddie writhing around dressed in leather on a harley ... I was at that age where I was sooooooo embarrassed!!!

Hey ho!

Back from nail bar - talons back to black, as they jolly well should be.

Still grinning from ARF !!

CtD xxxxx

Ello all - Didn't know if I should blog on # 13 past 300!!!!!!!!

OkAnnie - Don't worry about yer commmentations - am easy - know what am sayin'!!!!

PS Annie - Big cogrates on the #1 spot!!!!

PPS Annie - Am always wrockin'!!!!!

ALL - Ave just thought of a joke after listening ter Johnny Saunders sports bulletin!!!!!

A premiership football manager is in 'is office.........

when a workman appears at 'is window.........

blogs bust..........

And starts removing the window........

The manager says "what the 'eck are you doing"?

The workman replies "don't you remember when you signed.........

Your contract said you only ave a two year window"!!!!!!!!@!

Spasseba............... poka all!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry folks, I know I encouraged Bingo - our ever-wrockin' trucker - and the result was inevitable, haha!

A :-)

Welcome back CTD been too quiet without ya :)

Chris if everyone tries to be the best they can then it has to make a difference no? Baby steps remember :)

Sara xx

Goodness me, Christoff, I’m exhausted just reading about your weekend!! Send hugs and prayers still for Enzi - thanks for keeping us posted on the laddie! But where are all the stories about Fox’s 40th, huh, huh?!? It’s my 40th next year, so I’m looking for ideas!! Though I’ll have little energy with a four year old and a baby on me hands!!! I’m thinking health spa weekend!!

Don’t get me started about Zimbabwe! We are so unbelievably hypocritical as a nation, getting on our high horse about the atrocities in Afghanistan and Iraq … yet the day to day lives of folk in Zimbabwe, and other countries, is dire or worse. Yet our politicians aren’t up in arms (literally!!) and content to meet up with that tyrant! I have always been of the opinion (and it’s just mho!) that we will be held accountable as a nation and as individuals for the compassion we have for those in less fortunate circumstances than ourselves, and for the stand that we take for them.

As for oil …. tell me something …. Saudi Arabia can charge a meagre 7p per litre for their petrol, and they produce 22% of the world’s oil, yet in Scotland we can produce almost 6 million barrels of oil PER DAY and we are paying £1.25 or more per litre!!!! How on earth does that work!? Certainly here in the Highlands we are seeing the knock on effect on food prices and the such. But then we are not in Ethiopia starving to death - no we are filling our landfills with all our waste food, producing huhe amounts of methane gas which speeds up global warming (or, wetting, delete as applicable!!)!!

And then there is all the cheap clothing - was really interested in the debate on the JV show today about that. It is undeniably sickening that child labour is being used abroad to produce our clothing …. BUT, if we withdraw from buying from such stores, as we can choose to do, the impact on us is negligible .. the impact on the families supported in these countries by this labour though can be the difference between eating or not eating, between life or death. That doesn’t mean we should be apathetic and not take a stand, though. We can lobby stores, our MP’s, foreign governments, etc and we can support charities that work in these communities, providing schooling for free for the children, and support for adults and families living in poverty. It takes just minutes to write a letter or email or to give to charity - those minutes can have life changing impact on those less well off than we are. Yes charity does begin at home, we have a responsibility to those around us, but it does not take a lot of effort to extend that to our neighbours in poorer countries.

As for global warming, well, we are all intelligent enough to find out about the wee things that we can do that can have a huge influence on the way our planet is going … slowing down when we drive, switching off appliances, walking to the corner shop or school or pub instead of using the car, etc, etc. I love the idea of us all trying to do a wee bit of the self sustenance with veg patches and the such. Though if anyone has any ideas as to how to get rid of snails and slugs without harming the cats or the children, I’d be most grateful!!!

Ok, ok, stepping off my soap box!!!!

Will catch up with y’all later!!

Huggles

Susan

PS Thanks for ARF opener by the way!!! We were chuffed in Lochcarron!

And after all that ....

we just made some strawberry jam!

Is it breakfast time yet ... ???

CtD xxx

Ola one and all

Two days left in Sunny Spain. Finding it hard to keep up with the blog as Pedro cannot connect me to the Internet.
Did a bit of kareoke (or however you spell it )the other night. I just love having that Mic in my hand......


Buenos Noches


coco

CtD

Bon Jovi this weekend coming!

Meanwhile.

Sun cream. Check.

Sun hat. Check.

Sunglasses. Check.

Off to SW19 tomorrow. Centre Court, here we come.

Just been trying to work it out, but I reckon this will be my 42nd visit to the AELTC.

And how, pray tell, has a man of my tender years acheived such a feat?

Well, for three years in the early 90s I cheated and worked there. I used to drive the players around, picking them up from their hotels and taking them to Queens for practice and the such like. A dream job for a tennis fan. You get paid to meet your heroes and to boot, you get the golden ticket - the 'access all areas' pass. Once you got to know the guys on the show court gates you were sorted. While the corporate toffs wasted tickets by spending the day lording it up in the Pimms tent, we snuck in and watched as much tennis as we could handle.

The sad thing is that nothing has changed in terms of the ticket distribution. The real fans sleep over (I've done that too) in hope that they may get a show court ticket while blue chip companies dish them out like candy to people who only want to ponce about and get pickled and wouldn't know a drop shot or a foot fault if it slapped them in the face.

If you want a chance, stick your name in the public ballot. We have got lucky more or less every year we've done it. See Wimbledon.org for details.

Much peace, huge love and new balls please.

MfR.

Oooh - CLP ... well done to Johnny Sports Monkey for (a) mentioning Scott Redding on tonight's show, and (b) having him in the locker as a guest later this week.

For those who don't know ... Scott won the 125cc Grand Prix at Donnington on Sunday, aged just 15. He's the youngest to do so, and the first Brit to win a GP for about a gadzillion light years!!! We all had our hopes pinned on James Toseland in the big MotoGP class, so Scott winning was a real bonus (esp as Toseland chucked it down t'road!!)

Thank again.

CtD xxx

PS: nite nite. sweet dreams x x

Matt

Enjoy Wimbledon!

Cheryl xx

Evening each

Chris, you're so right about Zimbabwe needing a helping hand. But nobody seems to be offering it. I've got to the point of just not reading about it, it's so dreadful.

B-sMum: Have at last got a digital camera and a lead thingy, have uploaded photies and now don't quite know what to do with them. Once I've worked it out, I'll be on FB and scare the lot of youse.

Been in Newcastle all weekend, arguing with my brothers, catching up with family and in the Aletaster in Gateshead on Friday to catch up with friends. Had a great time but its so nice to come home!
Anne xxx

Where is everyone the night?!?!

Back shortly ..... enjoying Grumpy Old Women! 'Tis I!!!!!!

being bingoed susan

BMxx

Don't start me off with muggy - why anyone in the world can't do something is beyond me. All these conferences he goes to - lots walked out of last one - why not all or when he turns up just all stop whatever rubbish discussing and go.

gonna out my orangebag on fb wall- bp dont like it!!

Beesmum

gonna out - mean gonna put must cut nails

.

CLP hope you are visiting Enzo regularly - needs to see his dad as much as poss. Love heals too you know!

Still catching up with blog back later or tom!

BeesmumXXX

nahnah!! bp!! orange bag story on fb! check it out anniemac nearly had a bit of an accident - can't laugh too hard these days!

gingembre hope he trips over his new broom and status as is reigns? here's hoping! grrrr!

Still catching up with blog but early start tom so nite nite all

Beesmum xx

I'm off too!! Nighty night!

Last few days

I spent the last few days here in the North Island. I shall be flying back to the UK on Thursday and should arrive back in Blighty on Friday. The last few days have been quiet with minimal driving. I enjoyed revisiting Rotorua, seeing the geysers and the thermal parks, I loved my four hour soaks in the hot tubs and swapping travel tales with others who were also soaking. I then drove to Warkworth, just north of Auckland and am spending my last few days at a special place nearby called Sandspit where Milo and I spent our last few days the last time we were here. If you are trying to find it on Google Earth (other satellite mapping services are available) I am at the point where the jetty meets the land on the south shore, on the right hand side. The beach is covered with shells and sand but also with the fossilised remains of bubbling mud, similar to that at Rotorua, evidence of its volcanic past. It is a charming sea front town, actually in a natural bay that almost completely empties at low tide and one can wander across the sand picking up bits of pua shell, watch wading birds scouring the golden carpet and every now and then the blue jet of a kingfisher flashes by to perch on a low rock to maintain an endless vigil. I have also been feeding the ducks and sparrows that have the courage to actually sit in your camper van with you. Just magic!

CLP - I am afraid I disagree with you - you can do things that matter - even if they are small and seem unimportant you can. Shame on you for the dismissive nature of "just plodding on doing what is right for you and yours". You, me, we, everyone can make a difference. It is those that go beyond the everyday that make a difference. Now you are a very successful man and have a lot of clout...if that is what you truely feel about changing the world then what chance have the rest of us got? I have met people all over the world who constantly strive for a better world...what sort of place would South Africa be is Nelson Mandella kept his head down and looked after himself....what sort of place would the world be if Martin Luther King decided to look after himself.

Sorry for the rant CLP - and you are within your rights to disagree but it is how I feel....grrrrr


EJR

I have been asked by literally a person why I went on holiday by myself (well actually 4 people have asked on FB) so here goes. Often when you are with others you make compromises. Indeed the very basis of all relationships is compromise. So by going on holiday alone one does not need to compromise at all. So for the last two weeks I have done exactly what I wanted to do (within the law of course). Whether is was turning right instead of left, stopping here rather than there, having an extra slice of cheese on my burger, having a burger rather than a salad, selecting what track to listen to on the CD player and a multitude of other things without having to explain myself or justify my selection and no “I told you so” when I inevitably got something wrong.

Working everyday with other people, making decisions that affect their work, careers and futures, speaking to audiences, imparting information, negotiating deals, resolving conflicts none of these mattered over the past two weeks.

So I guess rather than a holiday by myself I was on holiday with myself, or, if you prefer, on holiday from others.

Why NZ? Well, how much further can you go from the UK? Actually, the truth be told I had a gazillion air miles to spend (still do) so it was a good way to keep a promise to myself (I always promised myself I would come back), spend a few miles and I knew the photography would be excellent, so why not NZ?

And so, as with most good blog entries…a question for you. When was the last time you did something completely for yourself, without consideration of others, what was it and how long did it last? Be honest now (even if you don’t post the answer)…and be clear, just for you, you may get a shock.

Sara - you live near Oxford? Well come on to Rosies on saturday - if you don't want to you don't have to say hi...I am not that scary ;) And I certainly will not be wearing any spandex hehehehe

Jillygoat - I envy you the newness of visiting South Island - if you need a travel partner then I am happy to oblige!!!

Sparley Re #85 yesterday - nope..not for anyone ;)

CtD - hope the trip went well...hot tub is on order - please have it plumbed in and full by the time I get back ;)

Easyjobrob - crickey I agree with you twice...

I too think we have to go beyond just doing ok by us and ours and even little bits make a difference (many a mickle mak's a muckle, after all).

And, after coming out of a thirteen year relationship quite a while ago now, I'm loving living on my own. I hope to have another relationship one day, but never, ever again going the coupledom route. No more compromises to the n'th degree.

And, something just for me... easy, did the bike learning and buying thing recently. Go to my allotment often and have just bought a ticket to the first day of Taunton v South Africa this weekend (cricket, for them's what don't know, and should!). I am REALLY excited.

Hope NZ continues to be fun.
jx

Hello all. Good weekends? I had a great one, catching up with my old mucker from Newquay who I haven't seen for about a year - great fun!

Didn't make it in yesterday - was actually BUSY at work for a change, which is great. Although, have applied for a new job where hopefully I will get through the day WITHOUT playing Sudoku online EVERYDAY.

Good blog Chris (and great post Susan). I think if you want to / can change things, you should. If you can't / don't want to / won't, don't moan about it. That's just my opinion.

How do I change my blog name, by the way? Do I have to create a brand new profile or what? Advice welcome please.

I'm on a hen night in a few weeks and have just found out that we have to wear matching T-shirts...may the ground open up and swallow me whole...first hen night I've ever been on and dreading it.

As long as there's no deeley-boppers,

Rosie x

rosie, I just started a new account x

.....do what you can for those around you, keep doing the right thing every day and that's all anyone can ask of you"

I think it's called the butterfly effect or something, a small gesture today can be a giant issue tomorrow. I try to greet everyone with a smile and be as polite as I can....yes even in the midts of the carnage at work some nights! I won't comment on the world issues but I'll relay a little story that happened to me last week -

I had a 'friend request' sent to me on fb from a female. I did not recognise the name but her message went along the lines of -
"Hi, you won't remember me from school but I've never forgotten you. I was fat at school and didn't have many friends but everytime you saw me you always said hello and smiled at me"

now that made me smile and feel good about myself and I'd like to think that's a good way of going through life?

As for Robs question - wel I honestly can't remember as I'm not that way inclined, however it's just been added to my list of things to do this year!

MfR - wow what a great job you had

Bonnet de douche

KWx

grrr bloomin blog

Morning all

Well, surprises at home this morn ... got up at 6. Opened blinds in kitchen to see the green before our house all taped off and police "guarding" it. Not sure why, or what's happened. Have looked on the local news website, but nowt doing. Weird, and a little scary.

EJR: the last time I did something completely and utterly for myself, by myself with nobody else to think about was back in May. Mr Diva went away for a lads weekend walking in the Lakes so I booked myself in for a spa day. Friends thought I was bonkers, going alone, but like you say, no compromises to make. I could go into whichever sauna/steam room etc I wanted to, and stay in there for however long I wanted to, and leave to go home when I was ready. It was fab! Only a little thing, but FAB nonetheless.

I think that's why me and Himself decided not to have kids. It is nice to do what you want, when you want and stuff.

BTW: hot tub will be installed hun. don't worry on that score!!

Back at work today - ugh! But we've got a cool Saturday lined up: back up to The Smoke to celebrate a friends' birthday. Hurrah!

Right, let's play catch up. chase me, chase me!

CtD xxxxx

Easyjobrob.

Lovely posts, lucky old you.

However, I think you've missed Christoffe's point.

He isn't saying there's nothing we can do to improve our world, he's saying quite the opposite. We can all improve the world around us by doing what is realistic as individuals. In the final analysis, is we all treated each other with respect, courtesy and compassion, there would be no war, no poverty and no abuse.

Overreaching our capabilities without examining our behaviour in our immediate environment is actually to pass the buck for the world's problems.

It's a common misunderstanding. Like the term Zero Tolerance. Use this term and you will invariably be on the receiving end of accusations of Fascism. But Zero Tolerance is not the old Hang-em-High theory; nobody gets dragged out in front of a firing squad for dropping a crisp packet in the street.

It simply means dealing with minor offences in the appropriate way so as to prevent this decade's litter lout becoming the next's armed robbers. It worked for New York's Mayor Julianni, unpopular as it made him at the outset, and we need to take note.

In other words, we have each to take responsibility for what happens at low-level on our doorstep, nurture accountability and compassion, and the rest will take care of itself. And we can all do that as parents and guardians and fellow human beings. Don't be afraid to stand up to bullies-yes, I know we all read horror stories of people who have done this and it's heartbreaking. But we HAVE to do it, the alternative is too bleak for all of us.

I mean. My own bully in the coffee-shop queue is somebody else's Robert Mugabe. It's the same thing. But whereas I would give most anything to have the power to sort out the horrors in that part of the world, I simply don't. So I shall stick to retuning said coffee-shop eejit's serve so that he might think twice before delivering a stream of rancid at the next little old lady who he thinks is standing in his path; and more importantly, teaching his own two small children his brand of co-existence.

Ok I'm off. Renee's on the warpath and ready to give out to the bin-men who had the cheekin' audacity to leave her bin in the wrong driveway. I've told her to be thankful she has a bin and a driveway to retrieve it from but she's spoilin' for a fight. So I shall watch and wait while she delivers her haughty admonition and turns on her heel, only to then realise she has her skirt tucked into her XL Sloggis.

Clodagh.xx

Eejit.

My favourite word ever.

Thank you Clodagh!

CtD xxxxx

Ooooh - apparently it was a stabbing last night.

So, last week it was our cars vandalised. Now a stabbing incident.

Time to move, p'raps???

CtD xxxx

And who was it who said this blog was too flippant???

You are all amazing, proof that there are lots of us who care and want to make things better in our own big or little ways! I am a great believer in the idea that tiny things can make a huge difference. "Pay it forward" is a great film to demonstrate that.

I'm going to really miss you over the next few days - I will hopefully be wired up and ready to go again on Friday so will be back on then at some stage to catch up and let you know how the move went.

Take care my lovelies - keep all spare fingers and toes crossed for us over the next couple of days please!!

T xxx

CtD - going by Clodagh's words, surely now is the time to get involved in your local community and say 'no more'!

jx

Ouch nasty

Move to a tiny village like I did and the worst that happens there is people don't scoop their poop, or the cows get out of the field :)

Sara

Good luck tinsel xx

EJR I read the blog differently - I thought Chris's blog meant if we all did our little bit to be respectful and polite then it would have a bigger effect throughout the world.

Gingembre - lovely story makes you feel warm inside!!

Keep us posted CtD

Morning my dear bloggers and blogettes!!!

Not on for long today - have to take our elderly friend shopping - his carer, whom we know quite well, has just lost her son - he was stabbed and killed a couple of weekends ago. And have to work this afternoon! Not liking this working lark!

EJR - When was the last time you did something completely for yourself, without consideration of others, what was it and how long did it last? Be honest now (even if you don't post the answer) and be clear, just for you, you may get a shock.

That has actually really depressed me even more than I am! The last time I did anything completely for myself was 2 months ago - my pal took the wee lass for half an hour and I got my nails painted. That is it, the sum total of all that I have done for me, just me.

I can understand totally why you go on holiday on your own!

Will 'talk' to you all properly later, my friends!!

Huggles

Susan

Oooh Cheryl maybe it was just deserts or retaliation for someone's aerial?

Rob - as I live on my own I make decisions on what I do, where I go everyday. Mind you doing something just for me now that's a different story - I booked a ticket to a polo event then told someone and they wanted to go so have got another ticket - hmmm

Will go to the healthy place just to relax in the outdoor pool as the sun is out just for me, how's that?

Nearly missed the blue bin men today - ran out to put bin out in my pjs - then realised that I still had stuff to go in it - ah well it will now start off the next bin load instead.

What a busy weekend you had CLP. Not only busy doing things but even busier thinking about things by the sound of it. To bring home the effect our smallest actions have on those around us (even people we have never met) you should read one of the greatest books I have ever read: The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. It's not a huge tome but it is so thought provoking and literally changed the way I see myself and others and even those I can't see.

Don't even start me on Zim. The day isn't long enough. Poor country - nothing the West wants - so they suffer!

Rob - good on you!!! It is not selfish to want to do what you want to do. It is only selfish when you expect others to.

Durbangirl

Durbangirl - I too read and very much enjoyed Five People...

Re Zimbabwe, I thought Paddy Ashdown spoke very sensibly about it all, especially calling on action from the other African nations. But how badly has his words been distorted for the sake of headlines. Again, our press do us proud - NOT.

jx

Morning all.

Ooh 'eck, lots of discussion and politics going on. Where do I begin?

Mugabe. Oh indeed. A vicious, cruel, repulsive man that has bribed, beaten and cheated his way to power and now is bribing, beating and cheating to stay there. How can the opposition fight against him when their supporters are hunted out and slaugheted? The answer is of course that they can't which is why they have pulled out. Something needs to be done, but nothing is being done because either people are too scared for themselves and family, or because there is no profit in it for them, for example - no oil. If they fall into the latter category surely they are no better than Mugabe.

Also CLP's point about not being able to do anything, well not being a sycophant but I agree there too. I don't think he is saying don't bother, but the world is a damn big place and though we may try to change a few things, we can't do everything. All we can do is look at our own responsibilities and try our best to live according to our ideals. One of my main concerns is the environment and I know that although I do my part with recycling, local buying and everything else that I can reasonably do to lower my carbon footprint I know its not enough just on my part to make a difference. True, if a majority of people do it then there is a chance that the effects may take longer , and maybe advances will be made to combat global warming with some real oomph! Additional to doing what I can I have also just undertaken a degree course in ecology, geology, earth and environmental sciences and zoology. Maybe I will make a breakthrough, and maybe I just might save the planet after all! Heres hoping anyway!

EJR - in answer to your question, I do something for myself every day in a little way, but probably the biggest thing in recent times was booking myself on a 2 week adventure in Sri Lanka. Travelling by myself, with visits to the elephant orphanage and safaris all planned and some chill out time at the end. I was really looking forward to it. However, I met my man about a month before I was due to leave and though I was still excited and eager to go I felt that it wouldn't be as good as it could have been if he were to come with me. Despite this I still went to the airport, checked in, did the duty free shopping as required and boarded the plane. As the plane was taxiing it somehow managed to crash into a BA 777 (I think) on the runway. After 3 hours of sitting on the plane with no information we were finally taken back to the airport and told to either go to a hotel or go home and we would be contacted the next day with details. I went home. The following day I got the phone call from the airline saying the flight would be leaving in six hours. As I continued to speak to the chap on the phone he mentioned that I would be in the same seat on the same plane. The plane had suffered some damage to its wing. I said that I was not happy with that and would prefer an alternative flight which I was refused. So I didn't go. Instead we got to spend a bonus 2 weeks together doing exactly what we wanted to do when we wanted to do it. I don't ever feel compromised when I'm with him, more that I am compromising when we have to be apart.

Oh, sorry - mushy moment there.

I think that when you are single you can't understand why people want to be in a relationship as you then have to consider them before doing anything and maybe become a little more dull and a little more ordinary without the excitement of just being and doing. When/if you are with the right person for you then all that should change is your excitement and passions as they will hopefully share them, enhance them and make them possible.

Speaking, for ages, as a truly newly engaged person,

MW, a!

I do something just for me most days during term time. I go for a walk for about half an hour to an hour. It may not sound much but it makes me feel better, it's good exercise AND on days like this I get a tan too! A lot of people I know say they haven't got time to do things for themselves. Well, make time! The trouble is, people (women especially) are so worried about cleaning their houses and ironing their clothes that they forget who they really are. Make time for yourself and you will be a happier person and kinder to the ones you love.

Em xx

Sara

I do live in a village. In Suffolk. Usually the most hineous crime to occur is someone putting a plastic carrier bag in their blue recycling bin!!

But there you go .....

My mind keeps wandering today ...... I daren't put on here what it's wandering about tho - the BP would ban me for life!!!

LOL!!!

Hmmmmmm. Campervans!

CtD xxxx

The country with clout in Zim is China - they bought all the mineral rights and gave the man his lifestyle and keep on supporting him with whatever he needs.

The African Union is the route that would sort him out but they are all afraid of him - I am sure somewhere there is a an exile plan being made up so that he can be got rid of without him having to lose face. It is shameful that he has to result to the violence and intimidation that he is doing to prevent the people of the country from voting against him, cutting off fingers and hands is just not right.

I have relatives still in the country so have to be careful.

What I want to know is what Mandela thinks about Mug. He is the world's hero. He can influence Kings, Queens and Presidents. He is not shy about giving his opinion on such matters. Why is he so quiet about Mugabe? Someone should ask him.

Tsk tsk Christophe, getting all political on your blog...isn't that against the rules..?

Oh, bless me, you wouldn't be you if you weren't being a tad contravershul though woodja? Ay? No.

Turtley agree. No oil = no interest.

Anyhoo, I don't particularly enjoy any sort of sport (as you may remember from previous postings...) BUT the sound of tennis or cricket on the radio, while you're sitting in the sun, on a beeyootiful quintessentially English afternoon...is the best sound in the world for nodding off to...or doing a bit of gardening...or sunbathing...or just lion about...

...and did you hear Tel this morning? If Andy Murray wins, he'll be English...so true...

So I was just popping by, will see you all again later...

big hugs for Enzo
love
hazel
x

MWa! Was thinking about you just last eve...glad you're newly engaged! Bless you and your lovely delishus soppy boy! Didja have a good time? Didja get me a present? Do I REALLY now have to get my hat out of cold storage?

Answers on a postcard please...

I've been thinking about this doing something completely for yourself lark, (good morning by the way!!) and while nothing in particular comes to mind (it was probably getting my paints out, or spending the morning playing the piano) I much prefer doing things with people. That surprises me more than anything. As much as I appreciate and crave solitude, I really really appreciate my husband and my friends.

I am blessed to have amazing friends who take me as I am, don't mind if I can't eat the food they've prepared because I'm completely shattered and fall asleep on their sofa all evening, to have friends who happily travel a couple of hundred of miles to see us for a weekend, to have friends who would drop what they were doing to help us out when we were struggling and who we would do exactly the same for.

I don't think compromise is a bad word. I was listening to somebody talking the other day about how relationships these days seem a lot of the time to be about competition, about having to prove yourself to the other person; whereas relationships should be complementary, one person balancing with the other. I have no worries about not doing anything completely for myself, because I know that my husband loves me so much that he has let me be a housewife and a mum-to-be which has always been what I wanted, rather than doing a job that I am very competent at but hate. My husband on the other hand is doing what he loves, and has a wife who loves him and supports him in that. A perfect compromise, but we don't see it that way. It's just life, we both give 100% and, funnily enough, get 100% back in return.

Susan, taking time out to get your nails painted isn't a tiny little thing, and don't be depressed about it!! It's not what you do, or how long it takes, or who it's for, or whether it's for your self or somebody else, it's about how you do it - it's about your attitude and whether you do things with a grateful heart or with resentment.

Right that's more than enough for a Tuesday morning, far more than I intended, and if I'm not careful the entire morning will have slipped away and I won't have got anything done...

xx

jumpingbean

CtD, I reckon it's Time Team.

MW,a! - well said :) much better than my ramblings!

Em - I have to confess even being a housewife I am forbidden to do the ironing (I really am that bad) and... cleaning? hmm... I actually did some yesterday... that's really quite astonishing for me... Makes me wonder what I DO fill my time up with!

Jumpingbean - doesn't sound like you and hubby have to compromise but complement each other perfectly. Long may it continue,
jx

I've just looked up and seen a poster I have on the wall which says "love extravagantly" - that's the way to do it :) far more than just doing your bit: it's doing your bit with everything you've got, whole-heartedly, grateful that you have anything to give in the first place :)

HL ..... Hmmmmmm ... Baldrick in leathers!

Now there's a thought!

Cheryl x x

PS: wrong!

jumpingbean - Right back atchya - read your post and thought thats what I was trying to say...

HL - Might need to be more of a beach hat, but not decided yet...

Off to work now.

Shucks.

MW, a!

Morning all, phew what a blog!

I think that, much as I would love to change the world (make Mugabe disappear, ending poverty etc) I can't do it by myself. So maybe if I just do my bit, and other people do theirs, we can do it together? Might be a bit idealistic...

Bit off point, but let me tell you a story... Was in Harrogate a couple of months ago, wandering round. Saw men with clipboards, and one of them caught me! He was from Shelter, I think, and wanted me to fill in a form and give a monthly donation. Now, as I explained to the chap, I already donate to 5 charities on a monthly basis. Not a lot of money, but maybe it makes a difference when it's put with everyone else's little bit. And he said, well one more won't hurt then will it? Now, that just made me feel bad. Because I think I'm doing my bit, it may only be a small bit, but I'm doing it. And so many other people don't. And if I add one more to the list of direct debits, where does that stop. I'm sure there are millions of charities who might benefit from my few quid a month, but does that mean I should give to all of them?? See, now I'm wondering if that makes me sound really selfish? So I'm still feeling bad that I walked away. And yet not bad enough to fill in the form online...

Anyway, to lighter things! EJR, couldn't have said it better myself. Holidaying alone is a revalation! The only downside I see is that I do miss out on the nightlife of a place sometimes, not being one to go into a crowded bar by myself. I do love just sitting with a book though, having dinner and a couple of drinks, alternately reading and watching the world go by. I do think MW, a has a point though. Perhaps it's just finding that person?

The last thing I did completely for myself? Rome in June last year. Four days wandering around, getting excited by crumbling edifices and the roof of the Sistine Chapel, not having to worry about whether someone else was bored or wanting to see something different. Brilliant.

AF x

gingembre, from the few conversations we've had, it doesn't surprise me a bit that you were nice to that girl at school.

Tinsel - good luck with the move, hurry back!!

Baldrick in leathers - what have I missed?

It's a glorious day down here today - must get out in it instead of being here catching up with news and emails.

Ciao see you all later

See now if all the Miss Worlds had done wot they said they wuz gonna...we'd have had world peas *long* since wouldn't we?

Roll on Miss (street where I live). Well, you've gotta start somewhere...

Beach hat eh? As long as it's not straw. Makes my head itch, straw...

...and Baldrick in leathers, on a foldy-up bicycle...in the library with a cunning plan...and a small piece of pot...

I have to go now. This filing won't do itself. Or will it???

abracadabra
love
hazel
x

I was just wondering where the line is between doing something purely for your self, and being selfish, is.

Somebody has just written on my "wall"...

"Selfish, adj. Devoid of consideration for the selfishness of others." - Ambrose Pierce.

Made me chuckle :)

xx

jumpingbean

PS every time I go to write purely, I start off with purpley. What's that about.

I want to be in a relationship like MWa, Jumpingbean et al ... WAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

Sorry, don't know what came over me there .... ;-)

T xxx

Morning

Good luck with the move Tinsel.

Hope everyone is well.

Love
Debbie xx

hi christoff i am a new blogger just experimenting thankyoooooooooooo

hiya one and all

been away for puter lat week and yesterday was manic but I'm back on board now - did I miss much?

going to see radiohead tonight - anyone know where victoria park in London is and which tube station I need to get to - looked on the london tube map but couldn't get my bearings!

hope all are well - welcome to all newbies!

Super bp x

sorry - that should be from 'puter!

Super bp, good job you did that, I was about to send the apostrophe police after you!!

Have a great night!

AF x

"Me" time is never 100% though is it? bet whilst nails were being done you were thinking about next job to do etc etc/ off on hols - always one little thought about family? Must admit when I lived on my own it was bliss but never than one hundred percent - oh well.

Trouble in t' village CtD bad news - seems it's happening all over - even bolt holt which is like a time warp back in 50's had a "rave" - well about 20 folks apparently but they moved from the beach to the village and kicked up a rumpuss - fighting etc. and burning national trust finger posts! frightened some of the old folks to pieces! plod was called and took just over an hour to get there!!

Tinsel best of luck!

got headache reading blog - back later!

Beesmum xx

that one hundred even?

bm

Jumpin bean and mwa - that's really sweet!!

Beesmum xx

Still trying to think of last "almost" one hundred percent me time - eeeeerm?

Beesmum xx

just caught up on some of the posts

ZIm - I am lucky to have friends from Zim of both colours and I can say that everyine seems to be united about mugarbe - however the British cannot storm in and sort it out as, thanks to our conquering in the 19th century - we are not really welcome as a ruling party and this does need to be sorted out internally.

first record ever bought - I would do anything for love but i won't do that - meatloaf - well i liked the bikes :-)

doing something for me - can't remember when i last did this - had last week off and most days were spent in others peoples company although Tuesday was just me and a physiothearpy session - which was nice - I find it very hard to switch off though although I do like time on my own (theres a good reason me and him own a three bed house for two of us!)


and I hate it when one of the charites I donate to write to me asking for more money - I give what i can - leave me alone!

super bpx

durbangirl - agree mandy ella where is he? and phoenix - china - abso- flippin -lutely!!

Beesmum xx

AF / Pink pussy - the charity things - I so hate being stopped in the street - what a cheek! and they are so pushy! and the old regular payments are what I can afford at mo although I do top up occasionally when I can afford it.

Beesmum xx

ps and I can now re-cycle where I couldn't before (which made me feel guilty and bring stuff home - much to himself's displeasure!) in an orange bag!!

every little can help maybe?

I am having me time :) not much left as Mr jumpingbean will be home for lunch soon (which is just as good!) but mmm yummy fruit salad (cherries and a clementine) followed by a spot of gardening, sorting out my pots and plants. In the sunshine. Baby's getting a bit squished but it doesn't seem to mind. I am happy :)

Sorry all, I was preachin' a bit there again.

But I do so passionately wish we didn't have such a bullying culture at the moment. It upsets me greatly to see its manifestations in so many forms, whether it's in the form of the soaps, with their constant plots depicting a barrage of vile behaviour, language and aggression between the characters, or on the various X-Factor shows. Or was it always thus? Am I finally turning into a sentimental old biddy?

I reluctantly watched one (well, half of one) episode of Big Brother whilst incarcerated in a hotel room in Ireland with one of my younger colleagues who can't get enough. And I simply couldn't bear it; I told her I couldn't stand it another minute, watching these deranged people like monkeys in a zoo in the knowledge that there are millions out there salivating in anticipation of some psychological, if not physical, carnage. And promptly switched it off, to her chagrin.

"It's only true life," she wailed, with the bottom lip out like I haven't seen since the daughter was four.

"Then you need to change your life, sweetheart." Says I.

So that's what we need to do. Change our life channel. Vote with our feet and change what we can.

And so yet again, apologies for preachin'. Because I know I'm preachin' to the converted here.

Clodagh.xx

Clodagh - preach away :) I have dipped into BB via the website mainly to find out what people have been waffling on about ("the bully got evicted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" and such) and found my jaw dropping more and more. What on earth is the point. Is this what people actually aspire to? Making an eejit (I too, love that word) out of themselves on national television?! Sometimes I wonder if I'm actually on the right planet...

All doing our own little bit. What we can. when we can.

I can't afford to find a cure for cancer, nor would I have the know-how. But I am taking part in a longevity study for Breakthrough. Financially, it's costing me nothing. Just a phial of blood every few years and a questionnaire about my health, family health, history etc.

I've also done my 2 Moonwalks which raised best part of £2K for breast cancer research.

Also did the Race For Life earlier this year. Along with a few thousand others.

All dong what we can, when we can will change things. Eventually.

Of that, I am sure.

CtD xxxx

Planting done, head needing some ice now to combat the sunshine on dark hair... Should've worn a hat ;) Mmmm icepops...

PS: The diva is giving BB a miss this year too.