0906.30 HORIZONS

It's the end of June and I have loads of things coming up on the horizon.

This week (Friday) is my 10th wedding anniversary, it's a date we've both been planning since just after we were married. Initially we planned to celebrate in Vegas (maybe even renewing our vows), then because of financial constraints we downgraded to a weekend in London, perhaps taking in a West End show. Now with it being upon us and the final reality check kicking in we have decided to go out for the evening to our favourite restaurant followed by getting hammered in Rotherham town centre (I'm just an old romantic).

Next week it's my eldest daughter's 13th birthday when she can officially take up the mantle of 'teenager' (something she's trained hard to be). We are in the process of organising a celebration for her for.

Next August will see our annual pilgrimage to Wales, something which will finally give me a chance to relax during what has become a stressful year.

0906.29 MICHAEL JACKSON

Unless you live in a cave you can't fail to have heard about the death of pop star Michael Jackson. It's had a huge effect on our lives here since Morticia is a HUGE fan and has been so since she was about 3 years old.

I did see him live in concert about 12 years ago at Don Valley Stadium and as a 'non-fan' really enjoyed the show. I'm getting fed up with the constant news feed on rolling news stations such as Sky News, how much longer can they waffle on for?

0906.14 READ ALL ABOUT IT

This week saw torrential rain in Sheffield causing havoc and giving everyone flashbacks to the devastating floods of 2007. Wednesday night and the rain suddenly came down, the shear volume meant that the drains couldn't cope. This lead to flash floods. Luckily the rain subsided and things improved later on.

As a result of all this I found myself (and a colleague) on the front page of the local newspaper the next day.

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I'd like to say well done to all the girls who did the Race for Life today in ais of Cancer Research. In particular my Morticia and Harlz. Morticia did the race knowing the consequences to her physical well being and did really well.

Congratulations to them both and a big thank you to all those who sponsored them both.

0906.13 DOWNGRADES

Next month I'm due for an upgrade with my mobile phone supplier, Three. I've checked their current range of handsets and to say I'm disappointed would be an understatement. The only handset that would technically be an 'upgrade' would be the Nokia N96. Morticia is due her upgrade at the same time and there is nothing I can see suitable for her.

It seems that '3' are throwing all their eggs into the Skype basket and ignoring the wider market place. Surely this is going to hurt them. I for one (and Morticia for 2) will be voting with our feet.

I am now faced with waiting out my contract so I can get something decent from one of the other networks. I'm fancying the HTC Magic Android phone on Vodafone at the moment. It's so frustrating!

0906.06 AMBASADOR SPOCK

Collectormania is something I've attended for some years now. When I heard Leonard Nimoy was one of the guests I knew I had to be there. Unfortunately I' d completely forgotten about it until Mr C text me this morning asking what time I wanted picking up. Luckily I'd not planned anything else so off we went accompanied by the 'other' Ian.

We arrived late (around lunchtime) which meant that all the queue tickets for Mr Nimoy had been handed out. My heart sank, all this way for nothing. There was no other guest that I wanted to meet so it seemed like I'd wasted my day. Still, I made the best of it, looking at the dealer stalls at all the merchandise that I'd probably buy if I was a single man (that's the sacrifice us marrieds make). We mealed at a nearby Asda (£2.80 for Cornish pasty, chips and a large Diet Coke!) and returned to the event to see if there was any chance of joining that queue.

The guy running Mr Nimoy's queue said that they may open up the queue at 16:00 if it had gone down significantly. At 15:50 it was announced that they would be issuing further tickets for the queue, we were stood next to the guy that said this so got some of the first tickets issued. We jumped straight into the line and shortly after this happened.....

Photography or videoing wasn't permitted but I wasn't going to be without my picture of 'authenticity' so I set my camera to record video whilst it was slung arround my neck.

It was only a few seconds but I shook his hand and we exchanged pleasantries. That was everything that I'd hoped for.

What an experience for any Star Trek fan!

0905.30 DATE

It's been a different week with the kids staying down with Morticia's mother's and at work I've been performing the supervisor role (covering for holidays). On Wednesday I took Morticia up to the local carvery followed by an evening down the local pub. It was as if we were on a date. Normally we don't get to go out together, on the odd occasion we do we have to get back for a babysitter. This was different and special (in the fact that it was so ordinary).

0905.24 LACK OF LIFE

I haven't posted for a while now, this isn't because of lack of interest, nor is it because I've been too busy with a hectic lifestyle. It's simply because nothing of note has really happened in my life recently. Apart from having a stint of supervising the team at work to provide holiday cover, nothing is happening. Bed and work, that's it.

Currently I'm at Morticia's mother's in St Neots, all I'm doing is sitting 'round the house trying to find things to occupy me. I've tweeted, facebooked, I've read a cycling magazine. Now I find myself trying to blog about nothing, all in the aid of filling up my day.

If I have the cash I'd get an old bike and leave it here for me to get out and about whenever we come dow to stay. I'd love that and maybe then I'd have something to go on about.

Until something interesting happens I'll just plod on with my day. *yawn*

0905.11 STAR TREK

Ok, I went into the movie with some doubts....

I have to say I loved it, can't wait to see it again. But is it a Star Trek movie? Yes and no is the answer. Most Trek movies of the past were big budget elongated episodes that mainly appealed to fans, this is a blockbuster movie about Star Trek with plenty of references for the fans. Not sure about the new timeline clean slate thingy but I guess if Star Trek needs to survive and recruit new fans then I'll go with it. As long as by the 24th century it's all smoothed out so Picard and co. can get along with they're adventures I'll be content.

Don't be put off, it's a movie for fans and non-fans alike. You'll love it.

0905.11 PREQUEL

This is just a short post before I go off to see the new Star Trek movie. Never since the 'Motion Picture' has all all eyes been on Star Trek. I really want to like this film but I'm going with some reservations. Hopefully I'll be proved wrong and Paramount won't have abandoned over 40 years of back (and fore) story just for a profit.

I'll post later for my verdict.

0905.10 IN THE DUMPS

I seem to be in a bit of a low spot. I've been feeling down now all week and for the life of me I cannot put my finger on why.

First I considered it may have been a reaction to my birthday on Tuesday, but it's no milestone event and when I think of my age I don't worry about it at all.

Work? No, that plods along just fine, my reviews are good and I my superiors consider me to be indispensable (I hope!).

Home? It's just the same old same old, but could THAT be the issue?

If I had the answers I could solve the problem but I don't. Maybe I'm just feeling sorry for myself and I just need to kick myself up the arse and get on with it.