1607.07 BASIC CHILD SAFETY ONLINE

I was prompted to write this post after seeing a friend's child cropping up all over social media and in my opinion started putting themselves in potential danger.

I've always been strict about my children's use of the internet. This lead to quite a bit of friction with my eldest back in the difficult period (which we won't go into now). My rules, hopefully, have kept my kids as safe as can be whilst letting them access to the internet. I supervise as much as I can, online devices must remain downstairs at all times and a parent must have access to all online accounts. Now I know this isn't foolproof but it's also about teaching responsible use of online services. It a frightening world out there and young people are exposed to it too soon these days.

It concerns me when I see other parents not giving a damn about what their kids do online. They hand over a smartphone and don't give a second thought to what they're doing or who they may be chatting to (or worse?).

There's loads of advice online for kids and parents and I think it's a good idea to sit down with a child and discuss it. I have with both my kids. For more info check out CEOP.

In my work I've visited schools and spoken to children about internet safely and hopefully my words have made an impression to some of those kids. At the end of the day it's not up to me, every parent needs to take responsibility for their child's activity online. 

1607.04 POST HATE

Since the Brexit vote over a week ago there has been a nationwide increase in hate crime against immigrants and those perceived to be. It is being blamed on how certain groups ran the 'leave' campaign however I think that certain people are just using this as an excuse to exercise their prejudices. It's sad that in the 21st century these xenophobic attitudes prevail in our country.

With all this comes the rise in the humble safety pin. You may have noticed certain people wearing these on their clothes. No, it's not punk rock making a comeback but a statement, a sign of solidarity with those who share this island with us. To show that the person wearing the pin is a 'safe' person to sit with on public transport or stand with in a shop or pub.

Safety pin on my fleece

I am wearing my pin on my clothes and my uniform at work to show my support. I am disappointed with some of my fellow countrymen(and women) and stand together with decent hardworking people who have decided to make Great Britain their home.

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.

1607.01 ALMOST LE TOUR

After all the doom and gloom of the last week I'm glad that it's finally July which means Le Tour de France, 3 weeks of the best road cycling set against some of the most beautiful scenery. This year promises to be a threeway battle between Chris Froome, Alberto Contador and Nairo Quintana. Following some very grand departs in Yorkshire (which I was there for) and various other locations, this year is a more domestic affair starting in Mont-Saint-Michel and finishing at Utah Beach Sainte-Marie-du-Mont.

The next three weeks promises to be exciting, anything can happen and invariably does.

1606.28 REMEMBER MSN

From time to time I get asked to fix / work out / play with technology for my friends and family. This week I was asked to give the 'kiss of life' to an aging laptop that belongs to a friend's mother. I got the old machine to boot up and noticed it still had old MSN Messenger on it. That got me reminiscing...

I've had computers since I was 13 years old but didn't connect to the internet until the early 2000s. Some of the first things I did when I got online was; start a blog, learn how to build a simple webpage, use MSN.

The wondrous world of text chatting to your mates (SMS texting was about but at 10p a message was restricted) and if you were lucky viewing them on a dark fuzzy image  if they had a webcam. This was the world of 56K dial up where you couldn't use your landline at the same time as being online. Also our PC was in the dining room so being online, whilst being digitally social was anti-social because you were away from the rest of the family.

I remember finishing a late shift and arriving home at 1am only to jump on the PC and chat away with everyone I'd just seen at work. These sessions could go on for hours with multiple conversations and group chatting.

Far cry from now with WhatsApp and the like in your hand on your mobile practically wherever you go. Always on internet and never being online. Is this a good or a bad thing though?

1606.25 SIGH OF RELIEF

Following a ready bad day for our future yesterday I'd like to share some really good news we had this week. Some time ago I learned that planning permission had been sought to erect a number of flats on the land behind our house. I wrote about it here.

This week I learned that the planning has been REFUSED! I can't express the relief I feel at this news. It looks like the council agreed with mine and my neighbours concerns. They used similar wording to what I'd put in my objection like 'over development' etc.

Notice of refusal published on the local authority website

So now the land stays empty until the owner can come up with more acceptable plans. While they do I'll continue to enjoy the lovely view over the Don Valley.

1606.24 DAY OF RECKONING

Yesterday the United Kingdom voted in a referendum whether or not to leave or remain in the European Union.

I watched the polls close last night at 10pm then listened to opinions and predictions until the first few results were called. I'd spend the day touring a number of polling stations (as part of my job) and it was clear that the turnout was unprecedentedly high. As I went to bed there had already been a couple of shock results in favour of Leave.

I set my alarm for 6:50am to catch the result only to find that the result was already in and that the United Kingdom had voted to leave the European Union.

In the two hours that followed the UK economy lost $350 BILLION. That’s equivalent to 40 years of EU contributions. Nigel Farage then came out and said it was a 'mistake' for Leave to claim there'd be £350M a week for NHS. Scotland (SNP) then said they may start looking for independence again and Northern Ireland may considering reunification.

Then Prime Minister David Cameron came out to say he intended to step down following his support of the Remain cause.

I voted remain. I have always thought that the EU needed reform but I would have liked my country to be part of that process. I didn't like the focus of the Leave campaign on immigration and the hate some of their supporters expressed. I believe this vote was a reaction to austerity by the working classes against the elite and was sometimes twisted by the so called 'experts'.

I'm guessing that Boris Johnson positioned himself in the Leave camp so that if this eventuality played out he'd be favourite to be the next Conservative Party leader and thus Prime Minister. The idiots of this country love Boris, he's comedy gold and seen as a harmless buffoon but be warned - he's the UK equivalent of Donald Trump.

As it stands now I feel numb. I fear for the future for my children. I can only hope that whoever ends up in charge manages to keeps the country together and to negotiate trade links with the world. 

1606.22 ID4 - DOUBLE BILL

I've never been into the movie review business and I'm not about to start. If you're looking for an in depth look into the new Independence Day movie you're in the wrong place. I'll be doing my usual Movie Review in Seven Words at the end of this post.

I've not been to the cinema in an age which is a bad show on my part for two reasons; (1) I love movies, they are my music, (2) I have an Unlimited Card which I haven't been utilising (basically I've been throwing money away). Today I intend to break that cycle, when I heard that there was a double bill featuring the classic 1996 film Independence Day together with the new sequel, Independence Day - Resurgence, I jumped at the chance to reboot my cinema going ways.

I went with my best mate Mr C who picked me up (he has a company car). We weren't able to park in the complex (Valley Centertainment) car park as the neighbouring Sheffield Arena had Lionel Richie playing and complex security never stop arena patrons from parking (thus avoiding arena parking charges). We parked in my work car park which is only a short walk away (about 15 minutes). 

The original movie was shown in an extended version and really benefited from the big screen (I have the DVD but it's not the same). The credits rolled at about 23:30 which gave us 30 minutes to use the facilities and grab a second overpriced drink.

First movie ends

The new movie was in 3D and the most noticeable thing was the quality of resolution compared to the old one. The presentation finished just after 2am, we then had the walk over to pick up the car. By the time I got into bed it was 2:40, my alarm was set for 6:10am - I knew the next day was going to be difficult. 

The Captain's Movie Review

in Seven Words... 

GREAT SCI-FI ACTION, ORIGINAL STILL LOADS BETTER. 

1606.21 CRAVING ADVENTURES

Yesterday I had cause to visit a camping shop. My daughter is off to her Cadets camp this weekend so we had to get some supplies.

Rags at Cadets

I found myself in the tents section even though I had no need to be there (we were looking at sleeping bags and mats etc). I haven't been camping since I was a teenager since Morticia wouldn't ever entertain the activity. I found myself yearning for an adventure. Loading my bike up and venturing out on the open road and pitching up at a site for an evening before venturing on.

I know others who have been on such expeditions. Can I make this happen? I think I'd like to share the experience with a willing participant.

1606.20 BABY SEA MONKEYS

Since I last reported by Sea Monkeys have been busy. The other morning I checked the little aquarium to find loads of tiny little sea monkeys swimming amongst the 6 adults. Not sure how that's going to pan out but there is potential for a few new friends for my aquatic pets.

Then yesterday I observed 2 of the adults swimming together, on checking a few sea monkey websites (there are a few) my suspicions were confirmed. My sea monkeys are mating, apparently they can be coupled together for days!! 

My #SeaMonkeys are having sex! I'm gonna need another tank! #amazingliveseamonkeys #aquarium

A photo posted by CaptainKirt™ (@captainkirt) on Jun 19, 2016 at 1:50pm PDT

So there is a chance that there could be even more babies after this latest litter grows up.