1606.09 HAPPY BIRTHDAY NAN

Yesterday I went to see my Nan, it was her birthday this week - she's 84. I've not been to see her for a while which is pretty unforgivable of me but I'm fully intending to make right of this. We sat and talked about lots of things including my Grandad. She told me she talks to him every day, I told her I do the same. It's almost 6 years since we lost him. She was in good spirits although she's started to become a bit forgetful and repeats herself a bit.

Happy birthday Nan 
[pic: Uncle Keith]

1606.08 DO I STAY OR DO I GO NOW?

Ok, I've been listening to the debates and to the opinions of others and I've made my decision. I've decided that I'd rather stay within the European Union. I don't like the idea of giving our government free reign to exercise their will over employees rights. Without the protection of the EU I believe that we could lose that protection. Not one of the 'Brexit' supporters has convinced me that there are any tangible financial benefits to leaving the EU, in fact I think there is a massive risk to be had. If Brexit wins we also run the risk if that dangerous buffoon, Boris Johnson becoming the next Prime Minister.

What convinced me the most was the interviews with the great unwashed on local news programmes and some of my less intelligent contacts on the book of face saying they wanted out because of those "bloody immigrants". That's the sign of someone who hasn't a clue about the real issues. 

I haven't a problem with anyone who votes out because they believe it's the right thing to do and have reached their decision after listening to the facts.

Anyway, I've submitted my postal vote now. I'm happy with my position besides I refuse to side with that imbecile, Nigel Farage and that prick, Michael Gove.

1606.08 SEA MONKEYS

Back in March this year I put out a flippant tweet about Sea Monkeys. "Sea-Monkeys is a brand name for brine shrimp—a group of crustaceans that undergo cryptobiosis—sold in hatching kits as novelty aquarium pets." - Source, Wikipedia. 

Well my birthday came along and thanks to my step sister in law I GOT SEA MONKEYS!! Sea Monkeys come with a mini aquarium, a feeding spoon and 3 sachets (water purifier, Sea Monkey eggs and growth food). So a couple of days later I started the process.

Purifying the water

Adding the Sea Monkey eggs

The next day I had hatchlings, hundreds of them...

 So since then I've fed them and cared for them. Loads of fell by the wayside and today they are getting  quite big. There are 6 left, all seem pretty healthy and active. I've read they can last for up to 2 years. Let's see how they go.

A photo posted by CaptainKirt™ (@captainkirt) on Jun 5, 2016 at 11:52am PDT

1606.06 HOME ALONE

Well, not quite alone but all this week it'll be me with my (not so) little girl, Rags. Morticia is off to spend a week at her mother's while life goes on up here at home. This is a regular thing, she goes probably once or twice a year for a little restbite. As always I think it's a good idea right up to the point that she has to get on the train, then it gets emotional. Anyway, I put her on the train and then dashed home (5 minutes away) to track her journey on the National Rail Enquiries website. Surprisingly she got to her destination with little issue (just the booked seat booked not being as requested).

Morticia leaving on the train (this isn't a stock pic,
it's the actual train leaving Meadowhall Station).

People abroad and in the south may be looking at this picture wondering how this train is running without electricity. Well up in the "Northern Powerhouse" our trains are pretty much long buses on train tracks. Luckily this was just the first leg of her trip, the rest of the trip was on more modern electric trains.

So what plans have I for my temporary freedom? Not much really, I'm planning to watch a few movies, grab a Chinese takeaway and generally relax. Naps without nags are in this week!

1606.05 TOP TELLY PART 3

The final installment of my pick of current shows being piped into my television... 

Doctor Who
I've watched Doctor Who since I had eyes. What is there to say? I love it.

Angie Tribeca
An Airplane/Naked Gun style comedy that's actually quite good.

Celebrity Juice
Got fed up with this ages ago but with a live show to start the latest series off I ended up watching the rest and enjoyed it (again).

Have I Got News For You
Classic comedy current affairs panel show. Still good stuff.

Marvel's Agent Carter
A spin off from Captain America this show featured a strong female lead. Sadly the American tv execs have decided to bin it after 2 seasons.

Big Bang Theory
One of the most successful sitcoms since 'Friends'. What's not to like?

Aliens
I thought this was going to be like 'Misfits'. If there's a season 2 I might just give it a miss.

Wentworth Prison
A reboot of the old Australian soap 'Prisoner Cell Block H'. With season 3 about to arrive in the UK this show is surprisingly great drama.

The Last Leg

Current affairs discussion with Adam Hills. One of the funniest and thought provoking shows on TV. New series from this week. 

The Secret Life of the Zoo
The only documentary on my list. Behind the scenes of Chester Zoo.

The Walking Dead
Gripping zombie action. I would like some progression towards an end game next season.

X Files
It was great to see this show revived after son long with the original cast. I'm still only halfway through.

Mock the Week
Another comedy current affairs panel show. 

This list isn't exhaustive, it's a selection of shows I've watched this year. 

1606.02 NEW TOP GEAR

Top Gear is a British television series about motor vehicles, primarily cars, and the most widely watched factual television programme in the world. It began in 1977 as a conventional motoring magazine programme, but over time, and especially since a relaunch in 2002, it has developed a quirky, humorous and sometimes controversial style. [source: Wikipedia]

Ok, I admit it. Top Gear used to be a bit of a guilty pleasure. When the controversy ensued and the original trio were no longer going to be presenting I thought it was all done with. But no, the BBC pushed forward with an all new presenting team. Chris Evans was named the new front man with Matt LeBlanc and a number of other journalists assisting. The critics were against the new team before it even started. But they went ahead and made a new series, it aired on Sunday.

So today I decided to watch on iPlayer. I went into this with an open mind not listening to the critics. I wanted to like this, I was worried however.

Source: BBC

So the presenters? I like Chris Evans, I did feel the style was a little forced but this was the first show so I accept he needs to find his level. Matt LeBlanc seemed like fun, he handled the transition from acting to presenting. All in all the ingredients were there but what was wrong? The chemistry just wasn't there. I can't put my finger on it, maybe it'll find it's feet.

Overall the programme felt overlong even though it was the same length as previous episodes, I found myself distracted by anything and everything. I think the word I'm looking for is "boring".

Will I watch again? I may try episode 2 to see if it gets any better.

1605.30 STRICTLY SHUFFLE'S WEDDING

Yesterday (Sunday) we went to celebrate my friend "Shuffle's"  wedding. It was at a very nice hotel on the other side of Sheffield. It was in fact the same hotel Morticia used to work in about 20 years ago. It was a well put together do, now my friend Shuffle and his bride (and a number of his friends - not me obviously) are really good dancers. I've seen him perform a number of times. His wedding day was no exception, the happy couple performed a choreographed routine for their 'first dance' before the other dancing couples hit the dance floor. Later the amateurs got to have a go.

Fun on the Dancefloor

It was a great night with only the bar prices letting the event down.

1605.29 SPORTSMANSHIP

This weekend there has been 2 big football matches at Wembley Stadium featuring teams from South Yorkshire. I'm not about to talk about football, if you know me you know that football isn't my thing. What gets me is the reaction from some fans when a neighbouring team who pour hate and scorn over the achievements of others. I really don't get it. They are all as bad as each other. Surely if there are 2 teams playing then you put your support behind the one most local to you? I always thought the term 'sport' denotes 'fair play'.

1605.28 THE HEAVY BIKE PROS

Everyone in the cycling world seems to go on about how light a bike must be. Carbon fibre seems to be pretty much the norm on a Sunday club run. But what if I said there was something in having a heavy bike, usually made of steel? Maybe vintage? I'm not suggesting ditching the carbon bike by any means. What about that commute to work though?

I, like a lot of people, commute to work by bike. I don't use my favourite carbon machine or even the aluminium one I save for those bad weather rides. I have a heavy steel framed Raleigh which was built in the late 1980s. It has a rack over the back wheel with pannier bags for all my gear, the machine weighs about the same as a Nissan Micra(!).

So what's the benefit in the heavy weight? My commute isn't that far so to get the best out of the journey and for it to contribute to my training the weight provides some good resistance training, by making the going a little harder I get maximum benefit from the journey.

If you're in the market for a commuter machine and your journey isn't too taxing then consider a heavier bike. Don't go straight for the feather light or listen to the sales pitch about how a lighter bike is always better.

1605.26 CRYSTAL BALL

Morticia visited a clairvoyant yesterday. She likes that sort of thing. Personally I'm not convinced but I do have an interest in the supernatural so I like to hear what they say. The details of the reading are of course personal to Morticia so I'm not going to go over the whole thing but some things were said that relate to me. They're fair game. 

Our eldest daughter was mentioned, they said she would be in touch at some point. Apparently our luck is about to change and it might be a good idea to put the lottery on. My work is about to get better or my hours may change after a long stint of difficult times. Our youngest is extremely clever, well balanced and is going to succeed (I don't need a psychic to tell me that). 

I think to convince me they'd have to tell me something that I didn't know (but could later coroberate), after all I'm not above believing in mind reading.