http://fairplay.blog.co.uk/Fair play in all you do.en-UKMokoFeed10http://fairplay.blog.co.uk/http://data5.blog.de/design/preview/20/6128ecbea008d16629a970ab0c222d_160x200.jpghttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/09/16/time-goes-by-6976273/tag:fairplay.blog.co.uk,2009-09-16:/2009/09/16/time-goes-by-6976273/Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:48:01 +0200It'll be a year tip Friday since BlueLight and I had our first date. He has now got a job up here and will be moving in to my newly purchased house. <br> <br> By far this is the most significant evolving relationship of my short life. It feels like the time is right to give it a go. <br> <br> Sand? Well, he may well be trying out one for himself. I've encouraged him to give it a go. As much as it is what he protests against, it is what he needs. I think he is realising that. I hope I played my little part in getting him to that point even if I couldn't take him all the way.<br> <br> So far it seems like things are working out for the best (as long as I disregard my father's reaction to my penchant)<p> <small> <a href="http://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/09/16/time-goes-by-6976273/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/09/16/time-goes-by-6976273/#commentshttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/08/27/out-of-the-habit-6837532/tag:fairplay.blog.co.uk,2009-08-27:/2009/08/27/out-of-the-habit-6837532/Thu, 27 Aug 2009 23:23:24 +0200 <p>Exams passed.</p> <p>Move completed.</p> <p>New job begun.</p> <p>All in a week or so.</p> <p>With a few weeks either side to wind up and wind down.</p> <p>Out of the habit of seeing what has been going on in here. Now I've had some time to catch up it's been good.</p> <p>I hope I'll be able to get back into the habit.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/08/27/out-of-the-habit-6837532/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>movenew-lifeexamshttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/08/27/out-of-the-habit-6837532/#commentshttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/07/22/worst-fears-6568945/tag:fairplay.blog.co.uk,2009-07-22:/2009/07/22/worst-fears-6568945/Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:56:25 +0200 <p>The young girl. Previously healthy, who died of H1N1 influenza (I refuse to give it the tragicomic 'S' word).</p> <p>Only she didn't. She died of <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8161905.stm">septicaemia from tonsillitis</a>.</p> <p>I've been expecting this to happen for a while.</p> <p>Most cases are mild. If you're really sick with it it is almost definitely NOT 'S' 'flu but something else.</p> <p>Many should hold themselves accountable. Professionals who won't see patients because almost everything is attributed to the 'flu. Failure in our communication to say there is nothing to be concerned about over and above the standard 'flu. Failure of papers and television to dampen down their reporting (where was the Daily Mail front page saying she didn't die of the flu?).</p> <p>Chloe won't be the last to die needlessly of swine flu. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/07/22/worst-fears-6568945/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>health-fluhttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/07/22/worst-fears-6568945/#commentshttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/07/05/busy-limbo-6449949/tag:fairplay.blog.co.uk,2009-07-05:/2009/07/05/busy-limbo-6449949/Sun, 05 Jul 2009 02:11:50 +0200 <p>The exam has been and gone. Some elements went well, others not so. Touch and go as to whether success will be mine.</p> <p>I find out at the end of the month. In the meantime I am preparing for my new job in August and the purchase of a house. It's been a bit protracted but hopefully completion is in sight.</p> <p>Looking forward to getting stuck in with the renovation and home building.</p> <p>All going well with BlueLight <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>And I'm disappointed that all the political machinations of the last few months have come to nothing.</p> <p>Hopefully this means that after summer things will get interesting. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/07/05/busy-limbo-6449949/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>housepoliticslifehttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/07/05/busy-limbo-6449949/#commentshttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/06/13/9-days-6293010/tag:fairplay.blog.co.uk,2009-06-13:/2009/06/13/9-days-6293010/Sat, 13 Jun 2009 03:23:07 +0200 <p>9 days away from my final exam. Still eerie, don't actually believe it is so close.</p> <p>Revision is getting harder and harder. It's practical - how you examine and answer questions.</p> <p>Soon it'll be finished. Am I prepared? We shall have to see.</p> <p>Fingers crossed (but I think I'm relying on that...) </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/06/13/9-days-6293010/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/06/13/9-days-6293010/#commentshttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/05/22/improved-6155177/tag:fairplay.blog.co.uk,2009-05-21:/2009/05/22/improved-6155177/Fri, 22 May 2009 00:28:01 +0200A busy few months. Had a nasty bug these last few days and I've belatedly been catching up on my favourite blogs.<br> <br> I'm going to try and update a bit more frequently. <br> <br> Hope you are all well!<p> <small> <a href="http://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/05/22/improved-6155177/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/05/22/improved-6155177/#commentshttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/05/22/renewing-the-system-6155147/tag:fairplay.blog.co.uk,2009-05-21:/2009/05/22/renewing-the-system-6155147/Fri, 22 May 2009 00:08:39 +0200 <p>I hope that the expenses revelations will be the straw that breaks the camel's back. For decades people have felt more and more isolated from those that represent and those that rule. Now is the time to get onto the real nub of the issue - the failure of politics.</p> <p>The system - not just expenses but the way we govern and are governed - is defunct.</p> <p>It is time for wholesale reform. Thinking of what people have suggested, here are some of my proposals.</p> <p>House of Lords<br> Currently has 738 members on an mixed appointed basis. This can easily be reduced in number and be fully elected. Terms of five years. </p> <p>House of Commons<br> Reduced to 500 with a two member constituency. Elected by single transferable vote from an open list. This keeps the constituency link but also has a more proportionality. A problem has been safe seats with MPs sitting for donkeys years - they become embedded. There should be no more safe seats from a party political point of view, but good MPs should still be able to be directly chosen.</p> <p>David Starkey tonight suggested having a directly elected Prime Minister who appoints a cabinet, separating the ones who make laws from the ones who vote them through and removing whips.</p> <p>What do you think? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/05/22/renewing-the-system-6155147/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/05/22/renewing-the-system-6155147/#commentshttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/03/04/book-em-danno-5695262/tag:fairplay.blog.co.uk,2009-03-04:/2009/03/04/book-em-danno-5695262/Wed, 04 Mar 2009 22:52:22 +0100 <p>1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen<br> 2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien<br> 3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte<br> 4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling<br> <strong>5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee</strong><br> 6 The Bible<br> 7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte<br> <strong>8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell</strong><br> 9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman<br> 10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens<br> <strong>11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott</strong><br> 12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy<br> <em>13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller</em><br> 14 Complete Works of Shakespeare<br> 15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier<br> 16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien<br> <em>17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks</em><br> 18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger<br> 19 The Time Traveller’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger<br> 20 Middlemarch - George Eliot<br> 21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell<br> 22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald<br> 23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens<br> 24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy<br> 25 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams<br> 26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh<br> 27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky<br> 28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck<br> <strong>29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll</strong><br> <strong>30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame</strong><br> 31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy<br> 32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens<br> 33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis<br> 34 Emma - Jane Austen<br> 35 Persuasion - Jane Austen<br> <strong>36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis</strong><br> 37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini<br> <strong>38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres<br> 39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden</strong><br> 40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne<br> <strong>41 Animal Farm - George Orwell</strong><br> 42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown<br> 43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez<br> 44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving<br> 45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins<br> 46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery<br> 47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy<br> <em>48 The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood</em><br> 49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding<br> <em>50 Atonement - Ian McEwan<br> 51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel</em><br> 52 Dune - Frank Herbert<br> 53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons<br> 54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen<br> 55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth<br> 56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon<br> 57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens<br> 58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley<br> <em>59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon</em><br> 60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez<br> <strong>61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck</strong><br> 62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov<br> 63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt<br> 64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold<br> 65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas<br> 66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac<br> 67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy<br> <strong>68 Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding</strong><br> <em>69 Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie</em><br> 70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville<br> 71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens<br> 72 Dracula - Bram Stoker<br> 73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett<br> <strong>74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson</strong><br> 75 Ulysses - James Joyce<br> 76 The Inferno - Dante<br> 77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome<br> 78 Germinal - Emile Zola<br> <em>79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray<br> 80 Possession - AS Byatt</em><br> <strong>81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens</strong><br> 82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell<br> <em>83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker</em><br> <strong>84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro</strong><br> <em>85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert</em><br> 86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry<br> <strong>87 Charlotte’s Web - EB White</strong><br> <strong>88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom</strong><br> 89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle<br> 90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton<br> <strong>91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad</strong><br> <strong>92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery</strong><br> 93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks<br> 94 Watership Down - Richard Adams<br> 95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole<br> 96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute<br> 97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas<br> 98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare<br> <strong>99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl</strong><br> 100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo</p> <p>More than I thought... </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/03/04/book-em-danno-5695262/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>in-traybooksa-lot-still-to-dohttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/03/04/book-em-danno-5695262/#commentshttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/03/04/quite-frankly-5689282/tag:fairplay.blog.co.uk,2009-03-03:/2009/03/04/quite-frankly-5689282/Wed, 04 Mar 2009 00:04:20 +0100 <p>Although I smirk that the Health and Safety police have to think again, if some people are stupid enough to do this they deserve to die.</p> <p>Kudos to the first person who can come up with a cocktail for <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7920576.stm">this</a>. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/03/04/quite-frankly-5689282/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>natural-selectionhttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/03/04/quite-frankly-5689282/#commentshttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/03/03/advanced-driving-test-album-meme-5682608/tag:fairplay.blog.co.uk,2009-03-03:/2009/03/03/advanced-driving-test-album-meme-5682608/Tue, 03 Mar 2009 01:18:31 +0100 <p class="center"><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/album/3282841" title="album"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/841/3282841_d0a30e4df4_m.jpeg" alt="album" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Today was the final postgraduate exam. The closest thing that I can describe it is as like a driving test - but for a specialty so I guess an advanced driving test. </p> <p>As such the main key is to conquer your nerves. Regrettably, that didn't happen and whilst I don't know the result as yet, I'll be utterly flabbergasted if I get a pass.</p> <p>So disappointing. Though the day was saved whilst waiting for my connection home with two young lasses - who can't have been more than 14 - who'd attempted to travel from Lichfield to Stafford but ended up on the wrong train.</p> <p><em>Excuse me, where are we?</em></p> <p>Warrington, I say</p> <p><em>Where's that?</em></p> <p>About half way between Liverpool and Manchester</p> <p><em>That's why everyone sounds strange. Focking hell we're in so much trouble, my curfew is at 1030pm, I broke it yesterday as well! Kayles, ring the home!</em></p> <p>There ensued some amusing discussion with a couple of us in the room about taxis to Stafford and a bit of banter. It was quite sad really, in the end they did look like young kids who'd gone too far from home, no matter how much they smoked or acted up or what she was bailed for. I hope they got back alright. I wrote down which trains they needed and how to get there. </p> <p>By the way, the picture is an album meme as per <a href="http://juzzzy.blog.co.uk/2009/03/02/album-meme-5681393/"><br> Juzzy</a>. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/03/03/advanced-driving-test-album-meme-5682608/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>artinessmusicyouth-of-todaywhere-are-we-goingtravelhttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/03/03/advanced-driving-test-album-meme-5682608/#commentshttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/02/28/somebody-s-watching-me-5666008/tag:fairplay.blog.co.uk,2009-02-28:/2009/02/28/somebody-s-watching-me-5666008/Sat, 28 Feb 2009 14:30:25 +0100 <p>The street outside my house is to get CCTV, one at each end of the road. I'm not entirely sure where the camera closest to me will be, but it'll be darn close.</p> <p>Apparently the cameras are to deal with "low-level nuisance over the last few years and because it is felt that it can prevent crime".</p> <p>I've been here 18 months and I haven't particularly noticed anything.</p> <p>I actually feel more unsafe now than before. I'm not sure why - is it because I have missed this "low-level nuisance" or is it because of the greater surveillance of, not only criminals but the general populace too?</p> <p>With councils using anti-terror legislation to conduct their enquiries, I feel it may be the latter. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/02/28/somebody-s-watching-me-5666008/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>cctvis-it-mesurveillancehttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/02/28/somebody-s-watching-me-5666008/#commentshttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/02/27/seven-things-5661448/tag:fairplay.blog.co.uk,2009-02-27:/2009/02/27/seven-things-5661448/Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:36:34 +0100 <p><strong>1) The older I get, the less organised I become.</strong><br> I'm sure it's not meant to be that way - surely you grow up and get better at things like that? Take this <em>Seven Things Thing</em> almost a month late. And my revision. I peaked at 16 for my GCSEs - a miracle I've got as far as I have. I'm also now less tidy - which irks me - and I'm now more of a hoarder.</p> <p><strong>2) I'm afraid of the barbershop</strong><br> I don't like going. I know what to ask for now but it took me years to work out how to ask for it. It's probably due to the soup incident at the age of four. Plus, I don't like sitting in front of mirrors which can be a bit of a nuisance in some restaurants.</p> <p><strong>3) I'm also afraid of being the sole customer in shops</strong><br> I rarely go into shops if I am the only customer, or if I do I minimise time there. I think I'm scared I'll be accused of shoplifting or, worse, the shop assistant will come up to me and ask if I need help.</p> <p><strong>4) I get angry once every six months.</strong><br> Obviously things irk me from time-to-time but I do think I'm quite placid/laid back. What will be will be. However, twice a year I will get absolutely livid for often no apparent reason. I'll just be in a foul mood. Mutter to myself and charge round the house or listen to music loudly. It'll last a couple of hours then it's done for the season after next.</p> <p><strong>5) Ducks are the complete animal.</strong><br> Cute as babies, enthralling as couples waddling along the road, utterly delicious after an hour in my oven.</p> <p><strong>6) I don't collect anything</strong> <em>(number 1 accepted of course)</em><br> But if I did, I'd collect clocks and maps. I love the elegance of a classical clock-face and the beauty of the mechanics of the mechanisms. And maps are fascinating records of nature and man's effect on the landscape.</p> <p><strong>7) We concentrate too much on difference</strong><br> When you see the poor and the rich, the Western and Eastern, the good and the bad die every day, you know that the fundamental difference between individuals is zero. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/02/27/seven-things-5661448/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>ducksmapsfeardifferenceclocksangerhttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/02/27/seven-things-5661448/#commentshttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/02/26/we-re-all-foreigner-s-now-5653022/tag:fairplay.blog.co.uk,2009-02-26:/2009/02/26/we-re-all-foreigner-s-now-5653022/Thu, 26 Feb 2009 11:08:55 +0100 <p>While browsing today I noticed, to my mind anyway, this incendiary piece in the Daily Mail.</p> <blockquote><p>According to the new statistics, published yesterday, foreign-born people make up one in nine of the population of the UK as a whole.</p> <p>However although the figures from the Government's Office for National Statistics show an increase in numbers of foreign born people they still fail to record the true impact of immigration because they record their children as British rather than second or third generation immigrants.</p></blockquote> <p>Source: <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1153928/One-people-living-Britain-born-overseas-300-000-foreigners-settle-UK.html">One in nine people living in Britain now born overseas as 300,000 more foreigners settle in the UK</a></p> <p>So I'm not British, though I was born in the heart of the Midlands and have probably spent less time abroad than your average family who may spend a week abroad in Spain etc a year. <del>Not to mention those with homes aborad. </del>Nor are Harry or William because their grandfather was born abroad. That foreigner Winston Churchill as well with an <em>American</em> mother no less.</p> <p>What about the old empire? Do they count as British? In which case my family has been fully British since 1815 and not just the Welsh side of it.</p> <p>You see, it's not that easy.</p> <p>I know I shouldn't rise to this trash but it should be challenged. And it does make you feel alive. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/02/26/we-re-all-foreigner-s-now-5653022/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>immigrationwe-all-bleed-you-knowdifferenceshttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/02/26/we-re-all-foreigner-s-now-5653022/#commentshttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/02/24/such-a-lucky-fellow-5644527/tag:fairplay.blog.co.uk,2009-02-24:/2009/02/24/such-a-lucky-fellow-5644527/Tue, 24 Feb 2009 23:12:29 +0100 <p>The exam is not too long off. I have some study leave now mercifully. Whether it'll be enough I don't know - I know I should have revised more but I let myself be distracted by work too much.</p> <p>I missed the bigger goal in life by concentrating on the short-term. I hope it won't be to my cost.</p> <p>I haven't been very lucky either at work lately. That's not to say that things have been bad - I'm still really enjoying the job and value what I do there. But cases haven't been so good. I'm hoping my luck will turn. Passing the exam is a lot about luck - having cases or scenarios that you have dealt with before. The key part to revision is to increase your luck.</p> <p>And I haven't been able to do that.</p> <p>So I'll have to run with the luck I've got!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/02/24/such-a-lucky-fellow-5644527/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>soulworkhttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/02/24/such-a-lucky-fellow-5644527/#commentshttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/02/09/praying-for-time-5540224/tag:fairplay.blog.co.uk,2009-02-09:/2009/02/09/praying-for-time-5540224/Mon, 09 Feb 2009 21:30:45 +0100 <p>My parents now know about my <em>special interests</em>. I told them in November. Why? When I've known for most of my life?</p> <p>A few reasons. One, realising that I could have a relationship with somebody. It made it all more real. Two, the hints from my father about when I was going to get married and who I'd get married to. I was worried I was about to be introduced to someone as a potential date.</p> <p>He, and to a lesser extent my mother, are quite avid followers of one of the three great monotheistic religions. I haven't specified which one so we don't get tied down in the "Bible/Torah/Qu'ran says X/Y/Z". Suffice to say, none of them were initiated at a time when what I feel was allowed.</p> <p>We actually spent more time talking about religion, faith, belief, than anything else. My dear father wanted to understand. He cannot understand, in the same way that I cannot understand his faith. What I do, though, is respect his faith and beliefs. Which is why I refuse to pay lip service and pretend to practise for the sake of an easy life with him.</p> <p>I'm not sure if he fully gets that yet.</p> <p>I love him more than anything, but I cannot be perfect for him.</p> <p>I know he thinks he has failed. He wasn't at all religious until the last ten years or so. <em>Nowt so zealous as a convert.</em> If he was more orthodox then, surely I wouldn't have turned to the ways of the devil?</p> <p>That's why it took me so long to say. He hasn't failed. He nurtured us and cared for us and allowed us to grow uninhibited.</p> <p>One thing has stuck from my teenage years. I recall him saying to someone that children are always closer to their mothers than fathers. Whilst in a talking way I am closer to my mother, my father's death will affect me more deeply and profoundly than my mother's.</p> <p>Even though we are not speaking well at the moment, I love my parents more now than I ever have done.</p> <p>I just hope it's a matter of time. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/02/09/praying-for-time-5540224/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>familytimerelationshipshttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/02/09/praying-for-time-5540224/#commentshttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/01/27/touch-base-5454019/tag:fairplay.blog.co.uk,2009-01-26:/2009/01/27/touch-base-5454019/Tue, 27 Jan 2009 00:22:25 +0100 <p>Things still a bit busy and procure me from blogging. The date for the big exam has arrived - 2nd March. So fingers crossed and hopefully revision a plenty til then.</p> <p>Another interview tomorrow, hopefully with a successful outcome although I won't know till March.</p> <p>So Feb will be a busy one. All going well too with BlueLight, nice outcome with the friendship with Sand although family ructions still in the background. </p> <p>I'll have to fill the blog in on that at some point.</p> <p>I hope you're all well, I do drop in and see what is going on. I do miss updating but the guilt comes about exams and others! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/01/27/touch-base-5454019/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>bluelight-sandexamsworkhttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/01/27/touch-base-5454019/#commentshttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/01/15/i-m-still-waiting-5381638/tag:fairplay.blog.co.uk,2009-01-15:/2009/01/15/i-m-still-waiting-5381638/Thu, 15 Jan 2009 13:36:46 +0100 <p>I've taken the day off today to sort a few things at home. Chimney's swept and boiler timer fixed. Frustratingly the sweep has cancelled and the boiler people are still nowhere to be seen. Despite me informing them of the problem ages ago and being put on hold whilst they deal with emergencies. And booking both of them several weeks ago.</p> <p>Still, at least it's a bit of a rest. Had an interview yesterday which, although I didn't get the job, yielded a few possibilities as I did manage to impress them. They had to distinguish between us on CV points in the end.</p> <p>Take two is in a fortnight - hopefully I'll get the other post on offer...</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/01/15/i-m-still-waiting-5381638/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>possibilitiessoulhttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/01/15/i-m-still-waiting-5381638/#commentshttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/01/13/happy-birthday-5368351/tag:fairplay.blog.co.uk,2009-01-12:/2009/01/13/happy-birthday-5368351/Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:02:12 +0100 <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/motown/3139437" title="Motown"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/437/3139437_3cb3c7edfa_s.gif" alt="Motown" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a><a href="http://classic.motown.com/news.aspx?bid=47">http://classic.motown.com/news.aspx?bid=47</a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/01/13/happy-birthday-5368351/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>musicsoulhttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2009/01/13/happy-birthday-5368351/#commentshttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2008/12/29/delayed-tag-from-rubychoo-5295375/tag:fairplay.blog.co.uk,2008-12-29:/2008/12/29/delayed-tag-from-rubychoo-5295375/Mon, 29 Dec 2008 22:09:25 +0100 <p>Whilst pondering on my next blogging moves, a belated meme.</p> <p><em>The Rules</em><br> 1) Link to your tagger and list all these rules in your blog.<br> 2) Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.<br> 3) Tag 7 people at the end of your post by including links to their blogs<br> 4) Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog</p> <p>Given my tardiness I have forgone the latter two.</p> <p>1. My first solo singing was as <em>Mystic Dion</em> a Celine Dion/Mystic Meg hybrid.<br> 2. I have promised to myself to only ever live in towns with a castle and river. I'm on my fourth consecutive town with such features.<br> 3. I enjoy prolonged dozing because it means I can remember - and influence - my dreams.<br> 4. My favourite time of day is between 1500 & 1530.<br> 5. I'm disappointed if people decline my offer of tea and cake.<br> 6. My first act as world leader would be to outlaw block-paving of front drives. (I have a five year plan for this).<br> 7. My big career decision was between medicine and meteorology. I have a thing for weather forecasters still.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2008/12/29/delayed-tag-from-rubychoo-5295375/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>weatherwaterteablock-pavingmeme-tagsingingrivershttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2008/12/29/delayed-tag-from-rubychoo-5295375/#commentshttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2008/12/24/solstice-sorting-5272237/tag:fairplay.blog.co.uk,2008-12-24:/2008/12/24/solstice-sorting-5272237/Wed, 24 Dec 2008 20:19:05 +0100 <p>It has been a while still. On this Christmas Eve I sit here with a relaxing spirit and pleasantly deflating body. I'm listening to Carols from Kings and tidying the house and washing clothes. </p> <p>A quiet Christmas Eve.</p> <p>The only gift I ask for is completions and connections with those who are close to me. But tonight shall be one for solitude.</p> <p>Cleansing the home will declutter the mind and allow me to declutter the soul. I shall leave the latter for another day.</p> <p>May I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a satisfying day.</p> <p>x </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2008/12/24/solstice-sorting-5272237/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2008/12/24/solstice-sorting-5272237/#commentshttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2008/12/10/short-and-sweet-5200061/tag:fairplay.blog.co.uk,2008-12-10:/2008/12/10/short-and-sweet-5200061/Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:31:20 +0100 <p>A lot to say since my last.</p> <p>Family ructions<br> A tag to do<br> Job opportunities<br> Change in the home.</p> <p>Bit-by-bit and to catch up with what's happening with yous.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2008/12/10/short-and-sweet-5200061/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2008/12/10/short-and-sweet-5200061/#commentshttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2008/11/20/it-s-no-fair-5068517/tag:fairplay.blog.co.uk,2008-11-20:/2008/11/20/it-s-no-fair-5068517/Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:06:45 +0100 <p><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2U6Kh4nkmI4/SSP2lHuwfTI/AAAAAAAAAAs/BqqDOBb_EXo/s400/griffin5.jpg" alt="Where is it?" title="Where is it?"></p> <p>And more <a href="http://lolgriffin.blogspot.com/">here</a>. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2008/11/20/it-s-no-fair-5068517/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>politicshttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2008/11/20/it-s-no-fair-5068517/#commentshttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2008/11/19/turdlywinks-5062608/tag:fairplay.blog.co.uk,2008-11-19:/2008/11/19/turdlywinks-5062608/Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:14:52 +0100 <p class="center"><img src="http://dotm1.net/cpnImg/2001/4/45CABDFGBIEI29/119010_DirtytoiletWASHgraphic.gif" alt="World Toilet Day" title="World Toilet Day"></p> <p>As a <em>doctor-in-utero</em> I took a year out of my studies to do a degree and some experience in International Health. It looked at the reasons behind poor health across the world and the various merits and drawbacks of trying to improve it.</p> <p>One of the best sessions we had was by an engineer. He probably did more to improve health than any doctor, nurse, government official or charity. He went through sanitation and toilet design for us. I think even now five years on I could build a rudimentary but safe toilet with anti-fly vent.</p> <p>Sanitiation is still a key factor in improving health. Clean water and toilets mean less diarrhoeal disease (which still kills hundreds of thousands of children a year), improves nutrition and as a knock on effect can be a stimulus for improved education and "development".</p> <p>So check out <a href="http://www.wateraid.org/uk/get_involved/world_toilet_day/default.asp">World Toilet Day</a>.</p> <p>And play <a href="http://www.wateraid.org/uk/get_involved/world_toilet_day/5064.asp">Turdlywinks</a>. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2008/11/19/turdlywinks-5062608/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>international-healthhealthturdlywinkshttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2008/11/19/turdlywinks-5062608/#commentshttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2008/11/18/i-wish-i-knew-how-it-would-feel-to-be-free-5058632/tag:fairplay.blog.co.uk,2008-11-18:/2008/11/18/i-wish-i-knew-how-it-would-feel-to-be-free-5058632/Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:56:00 +0100 <p><img src="http://www.kalamu.com/bol/wp-content/content/images/nina%20simone%2047.jpg" alt="Nina Simone" title="Nina Simone"></p> <p>Well, you know, I think I just might.</p> <p>After yesterdays evening's events it took me a while to take it all in and get to sleep. I've surprised myself with how I feel about the situations and protagonists involved.</p> <p>Waking this morning I felt good. That a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.</p> <p>There is still mutual care, affection between us. I'm glad that we can have a close friendship. I'm glad HairDye isn't the one that has "captured" him. Though if he were to find someone I would genuinely be happy for him. I think she was a bit to contemporaneous and too close for direct for comparison to really accept her as a worthy victor.</p> <p>That makes me feel very human, and a bit nasty.</p> <p>I actually feel sympathy for her, she is going through what I have gone through for the last two years. Fallen for his charms, the reciprocation teasing that there is something there but no appetite for completion.</p> <p>Moreover, I'm appreciating more about what could be between me and BlueLight. It's early days, there are no great expectations, but there is potential.</p> <p>And I look forward to it.</p> <p class="center"> <em>¡Liberación!</em></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2008/11/18/i-wish-i-knew-how-it-would-feel-to-be-free-5058632/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>bluelightsandacceptancerelationshipshttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2008/11/18/i-wish-i-knew-how-it-would-feel-to-be-free-5058632/#commentshttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2008/11/18/getting-there-5055187/tag:fairplay.blog.co.uk,2008-11-18:/2008/11/18/getting-there-5055187/Tue, 18 Nov 2008 02:06:20 +0100 <p>A meal.</p> <p>Some witty observations.</p> <p>Some help with his work-based problems.</p> <p>Back to mine, a cup of tea (for two).</p> <p>A few hours in, tentatively - the nitty gritty.</p> <p>Musings.</p> <p>Suspicions? Confirmed</p> <p>Answers? A few.</p> <p>Mercifully, enough.</p> <p>And so as we head to our beds, the friendship will be there in the morning. Of that I am glad.</p> <p>Whatever else, whatever it was called</p> <p class="center"><em>Fin</em></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2008/11/18/getting-there-5055187/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>sandacceptancehttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2008/11/18/getting-there-5055187/#commentshttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2008/11/17/hanging-on-a-string-hanging-on-too-long-5052673/tag:fairplay.blog.co.uk,2008-11-17:/2008/11/17/hanging-on-a-string-hanging-on-too-long-5052673/Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:53:39 +0100 <p>Quick stop by. Back from beautiful Barcelona and a nice family holiday. I shall share some of that later.</p> <p>I left on Friday morning after receiving a "I'm bored at home please give me some succour" message. Well, that is how I interpreted it. I've decided I've no time for niceties and that didn't really have anything of substance to reply to so, as hard as it was, I left it.</p> <p>It certainly helped being a couple of countries away and when the phone went on this lunchtime there was "Hey fella. Just wondered if you had time for a curry or a snack or something some evening this week. Let me know if you are about eh? <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0">"</p> <p>Well, that's more like it. So we're off out this evening. What's going to happen? I don't know. I'm going to try and make something happen.</p> <p>Fingers crossed. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2008/11/17/hanging-on-a-string-hanging-on-too-long-5052673/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>possibilitiesacceptancerelationshipssandhttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2008/11/17/hanging-on-a-string-hanging-on-too-long-5052673/#commentshttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2008/11/13/children-social-work-and-bad-people-5030754/tag:fairplay.blog.co.uk,2008-11-13:/2008/11/13/children-social-work-and-bad-people-5030754/Thu, 13 Nov 2008 18:39:47 +0100 <p>A rather good synopsis of the problems facing social workers and society at large after the Baby P case.</p> <p><a href="http://nhsblogdoc.blogspot.com/2008/11/time-to-crucify-social-workers.html">Time to crucify social workers</a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2008/11/13/children-social-work-and-bad-people-5030754/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>social-worksocietyhttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2008/11/13/children-social-work-and-bad-people-5030754/#commentshttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2008/11/13/just-stop-it-5030721/tag:fairplay.blog.co.uk,2008-11-13:/2008/11/13/just-stop-it-5030721/Thu, 13 Nov 2008 18:30:03 +0100 <blockquote><p>A friend or neighbor (sic) whom you need to contact might be in and out all day, dear Leo, and therefore you could have trouble reaching them. Phone or e-mail probably won't work, as your friend might be too busy to check messages. The best way to reach them could be just to hop in the car and try to catch them wherever they might be. Take the side streets, however. The main drags are probably clogged with traffic!</p></blockquote> <p>Now even my faithful Yahoo daily astrology is trying to change my ways. Well, I don't have time to do that even if I was to turn up unannounced at work or home. Which would confirm his worst fears about everything.</p> <p>In the meantime things all seem to be going well with BlueLight, spent a rather nice couple of days chez his. Yesterday spent the day pottering whilst he was at work and shopped prior to cooking meal for the pair of us.</p> <p>Off to see the switch on of the lights then off to Barcelona with the family tomorrow. All good <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2008/11/13/just-stop-it-5030721/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>holidaysbluelightsandfoodastrologyhttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2008/11/13/just-stop-it-5030721/#commentshttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2008/11/10/the-sadness-of-dreams-5015681/tag:fairplay.blog.co.uk,2008-11-10:/2008/11/10/the-sadness-of-dreams-5015681/Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:41:40 +0100 <p>The nights are over. Two weeks of leave begin. I did my best to try and correct my body clock but I have dozed for the best part of 9 hours now so I don't holdout much hope.</p> <p>One thing that dozing does do is make your dreams easier to recollect. I also think they reflect your conciousness more - less delving into the deeper aspects of your psyche and more in what's going trough your thoughts at the time.</p> <p>Sand has populated a couple over the last few days. I wake up and then it dawns that they weren't true. All the dreams have been about is arranging to meet up. The last one had him saying he couldn't manage more than a couple of hours via a text message.</p> <p>I thought of the song Warwick Avenue:</p> <blockquote><p>When I get to Warwick Avenue<br> We’ll spend an hour but no more than two<br> Our only chance to speak once more<br> I showed you the answers now here’s the door</p></blockquote> <p>Its still quite sad and raw. I know that we would have been able to meet up if there was the will power on his part. He says he is busy and unsure of my shifts. Repeatedly I've said just call me and we can arrange something. He's not far away. He visits our town quite frequently to see HairDye.</p> <p>I think that is what hurts more than anything - it's like a lack of respect for what we have had. I'm starting why he seems to attract demanding manipulative people because it is the only way to get him to do things.</p> <p>But I don't want to go down that road, I really don't. I've too much pride in myself to do that. That's a positive I guess, to take from it all. </p> <p>"Aww sweet" I can here him and others say. It does kind of instil the belief that nice guys and gals finish last.</p> <p>I am looking forward to seeing BlueLight tomorrow. I feel really bad that I still have these thoughts about Sand, that it is not cleared up and sorted. It's time to practice what I preach about making things work and making a decision and sticking to it. Relationships require work and sometimes you need a different style of person to make it work properly.</p> <p>We'll see. </p> <p>As Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young say...</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2008/11/10/the-sadness-of-dreams-5015681/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>bluelightpossibilitiesrelationshipssandacceptancehttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2008/11/10/the-sadness-of-dreams-5015681/#commentshttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2008/11/09/one-just-one-5007062/tag:fairplay.blog.co.uk,2008-11-09:/2008/11/09/one-just-one-5007062/Sun, 09 Nov 2008 11:41:29 +0100 <p>The debate grumbles on about what to do about the Olympic Stadium in London after the end of the Olympics in 2012.</p> <p>I agree completely with what <a href="http://www.iaaf.org/aboutiaaf/news/newsid=48221.html">Lamine Diack</a> says. How many football stadiums are there in London? Do we really need another. And even if there has to be football involved, would it be so terrible to have an athletics track around it in one stadium.</p> <p>I think Britain deserves a world class athletics stadium. After the travesty of Pickett's Lock (London was supposed to host the 2005 World Athletics Championships but couldn't due to stadium issues), Wembley being a national football rather than a national stadium, here is a golden opportunity to correct those. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2008/11/09/one-just-one-5007062/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>athleticsolympicsfootballhttp://fairplay.blog.co.uk/2008/11/09/one-just-one-5007062/#comments