THE POWER OF THE PEOPLE

overnments are fundamentally supposed to look after the people they serve. I've previously voiced my profound disappointment in our current Labour government's initial proposals for welfare reforms, seeing them as a wanton attack on the most vulnerable in society.

THE CAPTAIN'S YULETIDE MESSAGE

ule is a special time, a moment of peace and reflection that transcends beliefs and means so much to so many. The world continues with its wars and the disasters continue it’s important to cherish the simple joys of life whilst the rich still seem bent on destruction for their own benefit.

So whilst the King is waffling on on the telly I get to deliver my message to the world.

2407.05 SILVER

On the 3rd July twenty five years ago we both said "I do", and so began our story.

2307.23 DESTRUCTION AND DEATH

Every story has an ending. Everything ends. During our lifetimes we witness many endings, some good some not so, but we can't avoid them. 

2012.07 GOLDEN TIME

Mum and Dad celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary this weekend gone. By 'celebrated' I mean it happened - celebrations are not permitted by law at the moment.

1912.25 THE CAPTAIN'S YULETIDE MESSAGE

As I usual I like to take an opportunity to look back at my year as it disappears in the 'rear view mirror'. The post is published at the same time as the Queen gives her speech, and as she does I've prepared it beforehand, I'm guessing at the moment it goes up I'll be tucking into our seasonal feast.

1907.03 TWENTY YEARS MARRIED

Twenty years ago this very day Morticia became my bride, we were married. Today we celebrate that day and the journey that has brought us to this day.

1901.01 TWO-K NINETEEN

So 2018 is gone. Disappearing into the distance as we move ahead with 2019, the final year of yet another decade. Was 2018 so bad (personally speakiing)?

1807.05 HAPPY BIRTHDAY NHS

*

A British Institution, often maligned and taken for granted, this week this pillar of our society turned 70. I thought I'd look how this amazing organisation has touched my life.

1807.03 NINETEEN YEARS MANACLED

Nineteen years ago this very day Morticia, for reasons only known to her, agreed to marry me.

1711.26 75 YEARS AT RICK'S

There's no way I could leave this anniversary without passing comment. On this day 75 years ago the greatest film ever made received it's World Premier in New York. 

1710.10 15 YEAR BLOGGERVERSARY

Ok, it might not be the most popular blog but I enjoy it and it's been around a long time, fifteen year in fact. That's right, I've been writing this stuff for a decade and a half.

1708.26 I THINK I'LL LEAVE MY HAT ON

Whenever I say where I'm from the usual response is something along the lines of "oh! The place in 'The Full Monty'". Of course they're referring to the 1997 hit movie which was filmed in Sheffield and today that movie is 20 years old.

1706.20 TEN YEARS LATER

Ten years ago today was the longest day of my life. It was a day of waiting... and waiting. A day of fear and did I mention waiting?

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.

1702.23 TWITTERVERSARY

Ten years ago I was looking for a service that would allow me to publish 'status updates' on my website and blog. Something small, short and snappy that I could perhaps update over WAP (do you remember WAP?) and not have to fire up the old desktop computer.

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. 

1607.03 SEVENTEEN YEARS

Today is Morticia and my wedding anniversary but because it was Saturday yesterday we planned to go out and celebrate last night. I did have to dash out and buy a card at the last minute. I booked a table at our favourite Chinese restaurant to be followed by drinks in town. It's not a special number but we do feel that every year is special to us.

Our Wedding Day

We started our evening as planned at our favourite restaurant. We were treated really well by the owner (who is a friend of ours), the meal was wonderful as always and washed down with a bottle of prosseco.

We had a wonderful evening

Afterwards we ventured into town where one of the local pubs were having a rock music festival ("Slamfest").

Slamfest

Now, where alcohol's concerned I'm a bit of a lightweight. So unfortunately last night took its toil on me despite only drinking a small amount,  and this morning I woke up feeling worse for wear which put paid to a planned cycle ride with my club.

This afternoon we enjoyed a family meal and tonight we plan just a quiet night in front of the TV.

1107.03 ANNIVERSARY FOR ONE

Today it's our wedding anniversary. So what's the plan? Dinner? Day out? Perhaps but not with me. I'm at home with the kids whilst my wife is in Paris with her friend. It's not an issue, we agreed to this months ago. So what am I doing for our anniversary? Nothing I wouldn't do on a regular Sunday, I'm considering having a curry for one tonight but I'll see how I feel later.

1006.03 LE TOUR!

Today sees the beginning of Le Tour de France, the pinnacle of the cycling calendar. A month of road cycling might not appeal to most but for me this is the one. You can keep your World Cup and your Wimbledon, I'll be tuned to Eurosport or ITV4 until 1007.25 when the bikes fly down the Champs Elysees.

My money is literally on Bradley Wiggins since I have placed a small wager on him winning the Yellow Jersey.

Today is also my 11th wedding anniversary, not sure how sat in front of the TV watching today's prologue is going to go down.