1704.24 HAPPY ANNIVERSARY SPECCY

What was your first computer? If you're under 35 you probably wouldn't give much thought to when you were first introduced to a computer. If like me you're not a Millennial or a Baby Boomer then your first computer or even your first experience of a computer would have probably been a big event in your life. It certainly was for me.

1703.29 A SINGLE MAN

Don't panic, Morticia hasn't left me, she is spending a few days in London with a friend so it's just Rags, me and the cat back home. Years ago this would have meant me taking loads of leave off work for childcare but now it's really just me and the cat. Rags is busy with her out of school activities and when she's home she's always in her room (as it should be). So I'm left living the single man life for a couple of days.

1703.21 NEW DENNIS - EVOLUTION OF A CARTOON

The second thing I learned to draw when I was a kid was from my favourite comic. From an early age my parents had copies of The Beano delivered to our house for me, later I also got The Dandy as well. The Dandy sadly ceased a number of years ago, The Beano however has managed to reinvent itself and is still going strong albeit as something very different to what used to land on my mat every week.

1701.12 A NOTE TO MY YOUNGER SELF

I know this has been done before (I've read similar on at least 3 blogs before) but I've always wanted to do this. So here's the set up; you have one opportunity to briefly travel back in time and hand yourself a short note in the past.

1701.08 BLOGGING ON THE GO

I'm writing this to share how today, in 2017, I'm preparing an creating my blog posts. Ever since I got my first PDA many years ago (a Palm m100) I've been blogging from wherever I find myself. That is I use a device to make rough notes to expand on later.

1612.15 THE TRAIT I SHARE WITH DAN AYKROYD...

...and others.

I've been asked about fact #2 from my previous blog post (Versatile Award) where I revealed that a shared a trait with a number of celebrities.

1610.30 TEN YEARS ON THE JOB

Ten years ago today I ended my long stint as a bus driver and embarked on a new career path. Some know what I do for a living, some don't. I have my reasons for not telling in a public arena, mainly I get to keep my freedom of speech and expression. 

Anyway, those parts of my blog that cover this period are archived and no longer in the public arena but here for your delight and curiosity is the entry I posted on that day...

0610.30 FIRST DAY

I started my training today as a [deleted] at the Hilton Hotel in Sheffield.

There are two classes of 15 here. We are being trained by [deleted] and a [deleted]. Today was the usual icebreaker session. The group I am training with seems like a good bunch. This afternoon we had a talk from the [deleted, basically the assistant boss].

So here I am 10 years later. So much has changed in the last decade, I've survived the cuts, accidents and a mental breakdown, but I'm still here. No idea where I'll be in the next 10 years. Will I still be doing this job? Honestly? I hope I'm not - I hope I'm by the sea enjoying life. 

1610.28 DREAM CAR?

What would most people do if they had a windfall, say like winning the lottery? It's a discussion I've had with quite a few friends. It's nice to dream. The subject always moves on to what dream car would you have. Most answer with supercars like Aston Martins, Lamborghinis, Ferraris etc etc. Then they ask me. They're usually shocked when I tell them I want a van.

That's right, a van!

Ok, not just any old van. It'd be a nice van like a Mercedes (other vans are available). I'd have the top of the range and kit out the inside with secure storage for about 3 bikes. I'd have a kitchenette fitted so I could make a brew and deck it out luxuriously, it'd be the perfect base for cycling adventures. The exterior would be white and I'd have it painted up with Star Trek style decals (trademarks recognised). Imagine the attention it'd get at ComicCons! 

An artist's (me) impression of my dream van

It's nice to dream, I do realise that I've got a greater chance of been hit by a meteor than I have of hitting the jackpot on the lottery but it's one of my dreams and one day it might just come true. 

1609.08 HAPPY 50th ANNIVERSARY STAR TREK

If you didn't know already I'm a big Star Trek fan (even my blog posts are proceeded with a stardate). On this day fifty years ago the Original Series episode "Man Trap" was first broadcast in America, the first episode ever broadcast.

Star Trek is one of those shows that has always been in my life. The show was not shown in the UK until 1969 and ran through my birth to the end of 1971. It was subsequently rerun throughout the 70s and 80s. Throughout all of my life there has never been a time that Star Trek hasn't been on.

As a child I played with a toy Starship Enterprise and dreamed that I was Captain Kirk. I read the books and comics, magazines and fan fiction. My nickname at school was Captain Kirt - something I would keep for my online presence.

Then when I was 16 The Next Generation came on and new episodes just kept on coming. Deep Space 9, Voyager, Enterprise plus the movies. When I was 21 my parents had a Star Trek ring custom made. I still wear it today, it's commented on by strangers regularly. When I got to 30 I had my 'moment of madness'  and had the symbol of the Klingon Empire tattooed to my arm (I'm immensely proud if it).

How I wear my fan devotion 

I've been privileged to meet many of the cast over the years (and collect their autographs) including William Shatner and the late Leonard Nimoy.

My encounters with some of the actors of Star Trek 

Today there is barely a week that passes where I don't watch some iteration. My ringtone is the theme to 'The Motion Picture' and my dressing gown is a Captain Kirk one.

What I'm trying to say is that Star Trek has always been part of my life and whilst it doesn't define me, it's very important to me. Since its Star Trek's 50th birthday I'd like to say a massive thank you to all those who fed a little boy's imagination and continued to entertain him into middle age. 

Live long and prosper.

1609.03 NOT MY CUP OF TEA

I've had this post on a back burner since March, it was initially about my dislike of coffee but then I read a post from Mili Wifey about all the things she hates that everyone else seems to love (see the original post here) and it got me thinking...

Here goes...

Since the post was originally about coffee then let's start there.

Coffee

I HATE coffee. The smell, the taste and the rise of the 'coffee shop'. I'm a tea person, I like nothing better than a cuppa. I blame the rise of the coffee shop for the drop in tea quality and rise in price of the humble brew. All of which links into my next item...

Posh/Flavoured Tea

I love a cuppa. No fuss, no frills, a mug of tea with milk and a sweetener (instead of sugar) - not too weak, in fact a cup of builders is perfect. I don't like green, camomile, peppermint or any other version of the popular infusion.

Lager

 There are a couple of the continental beers I can put up with but I just can't fathom the obsession with flavourless brews (Budweiser and Carling I'm looking at you).

Shots

What is it with these mini drinks that generally make the drinker recoil and shudder after drinking. No thanks.

Harry Potter

I've never read the books or seen any of the movies (although I have been on the studio tour). Not really interested if I'm honest. Same goes with...

Lord of the Rings / Hobbit

Everyone says that since I like science fiction I must therefore like these. Really? This isn't the same at all.

Game of Thrones

Just never have...

Football

For the international reader of course I mean Association Football. I just don't like it. It's a general assumption that all males know about football and can converse about it. I can't. I don't know anything about it, it's just not my thing.

And here's the big revelation. The one that gets me more funny looks and odd comments than any other...

Cheese

Ok, ok, I just don't like it. Please don't hate me it's just not something I've ever liked. Of course this means I don't like pizza either. It means I usually have to ask for a special order for a burger.

So there you have it. Of course this list isn't exhaustive and I may follow up one day with more stuff that's not my cup of tea.

1606.19 IT'S FATHER'S DAY

Father's Day in my opinion is a very important day. It celebrates male role models that are sometimes sadly lacking in some children's lives. I'm a firm believer that dad's are an important part of a person's life. Good dad's need to be celebrated and that is what today is all about.

Sadly I've not been on great terms with my dad for some years so today, for me, is just a 'one way street'. I'm not going to linger on the matter - let's just get on with the day.

I am lucky to be the father to 2 beautiful daughters. Anyone who's read my blog for a while will probably know that my eldest doesn't live with us anymore and is not in touch. This is solely her choice and we wait with a metaphorical open door. My youngest is poles apart, she is the light in my darkness and my hope for the future. She is a mature and caring young lady who makes me proud to be her father.

My morning starts with breakfast in bed. Rags insists even if I have to wait an eternity for it! My cards and gifts come next.

My little girl knows me too well. 

We had a little trip out later to Hathersage, had a walk around the church yard (quick visit to Little John's grave) before visiting the Scotsmans Pack Inn. Later, and closer to home, we enjoyed a carvery dinner. 

There are a couple of other pics over on my Instagram. 

I only wish my eldest daughter had elected to be part of today. Sadly, so far, I haven't heard from here.