September 11th Revisited

I wrote this a couple of years ago - it seems like a good idea to publish it again...
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First of all, today is my sister's birthday.  Happy Birthday Sis...

However, for one, obvious, reason, this was overshadowed 8 years ago, on "the day the world changed".

From that day on, thousands of lives around the world would never be the same again.

I write this as someone who had no personal or emotional involvement whatsover.
I didn't lose anyone.
I wasn't worrying about anyone.
Nevertheless, as a human, it's not possible to ignore the torment and suffering of those that were.

I can't pretend to understand their feelings.  I never will.  However, as I have been sitting and watching the numerous television programmes about the events in New York, I silently wonder what it must have been like.

How being trapped in the buildings must have felt;
What were the feelings of those on the ground, watching, helpless;
The police and fire departments all called into action;
No-one being in control of the situation;
Friends and family, watching the drama (because that is what it was) unfolding before them as television pictures were beamed around the world.

I remember exactly where I was when 'it' happened.  I can visualise my desk, my laptop, the work I was doing.
I also remember the mutterings that started around lunchtime; quiet talk, which, as the minutes drew on, became louder; colleagues first of all complaining that they had lost internet access.

"The BBC News site has gone down" was a common call.

Of course, the site hadn't gone down, it just couldn't cope with the demand.
I remember also trying the Sky News site, with limited success.
It was limited because, when I navigated to "the story", I lost it - but prior to that, there were images of The World Trade Center buildings, along with the headline.

Not much work was done that afternoon.  We were thousands of miles away, across the Atlantic, but nevertheless, we were caught in the drama.

That was the extent of my 'involvement'.

As the years go by, the memories slowly fade, however, whenever we fly, they are renewed as we go through security and controls at the airport.  They are there because of the atrocities of 9/11.

My thoughts and best wishes go to anyone and everyone who has lost a loved one; may you find strength in their memory.

Grand Prix Fever

The free practice sessions today saw Ferrari dominate the McLarens, however as we don't know the setup of the cars, it doesn't really matter until tomorrows qualifying.

Yet another team has been embroiled in the saga surrounding team secrets etc. It seems a shame that Lewis' results are being undermined by those who are jealous of his achievements. Just let the talented 22 year old get on with his job. He has proved he has the pace, whilst at one point today being the fastest on the track.
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I have just checked the weather report and it is looking really good for the rest of the weekend. I might even need to take some sun cream with!

Click here to see the latest forecast for Towcester, from the BBC.
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On Monday, it is The Wifes birthday, and as I won't be around on Sunday, I have decided to forgo my lie-in tomorrow morning. It will give me the chance to get the boys to write the birthday cards, and at some point tomorrow we will have to go and buy a present - but what?

Answers on a postcard - or by clicking the link below.
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So, an early night, in preparation for a long(ish) day tomorrow. There probably won't be any more blogs until after Sunday (can't think why, I must be busy...).
If you're going to watch the race on TV, then let's hope it's a good one.

Sleep well and enjoy the weekend.

Birthday Surprise

So, another year has passed, and I enter my 40th year. Yes. It's my birthday today. Not sure why I didn't mention it earlier, but anyway.
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We went to parents evening, and I am happy to report that they are both doing very well. Apparently they work hard, and Number One's SATS results were terrific - 2 x 2B and 1 x 2A (for maths). We are both very proud of them.
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After we finished at school, I popped into a friends to pick up a pair of wellies. I think I might need them next weekend at Silverstone, for the Grand Prix. Then it was to a restaurant for a meal.
We had arranged to go with my brother-in-law and his wife, as they are celebrating their wedding anniversary. When we got there, who did we see but my mum and dad.
In itself not amazing. Except they live in Bournemouth! That's 230 miles - for dinner! They hadn't called. What would have happened if we changed our minds, I don't know. But - it was absolutely lovely to see them.
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That's it for today. Sleep well.

Two Sleeps To Go

First of all, without the wish to bore you, but it's only 2 more sleeps until we go to Center Parcs. I found it on Google Earth the other day, and showed the boys where we're going. The clarity is amazing, and it was exciting to see the pool, the playgrounds, villas and surrounding areas.
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Tomorrows Monaco Grand Prix looks like it's going to be an exciting one. Lewis Hamilton did an amazing job, and was just beaten to pole, by his team mate, Fernando Alonso. Massa did well to come back - but it's an all McLaren front row, and it would be amazing if Lewis pulled off his maiden F1 victory here. I'd have a bet, but the odds would be rubbish now.
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The Baby is going to his first birthday party tomorrow. He hasn't got a clue, but The Wife is looking forward to it.
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Going to pack the car in the afternoon, so we can make an early start on Monday. So lots of packing to do during the day, to make sure we've got everything.
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Possibly going to see Pirates of the Caribbean - At Worlds End, tomorrow night, with my brother-in-law. Still to be confirmed, and the boys will be very jealous. They've got a pack of Top Trumps from the last Pirates film, and they want to see this film as well. It's rated as a 12A, but I'll see it first, to check it out.
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Right - time to go to bed, for the first of the last 2 sleeps. If I don't write again for a week - please forgive me. I'll report on the holiday when we return.

Catch Up

Last weekend, I had a blast (quite literally) at LaserQuest. It was Number One Son's birthday, and he and a few of his friends battled it out in the smoky and noisy environment of the battleground. And I joined in. What fun.

He had a great birthday, and received some really good presents.

The re-modelling of the bathroom got underway on Monday. Everything has now been delivered; the tiles, the suite, the lino and all the other bits and pieces. A skip now resides on the driveway, slowly filling with the old tiling, suite, and other stuff that we want to throw away.
I'll post some pictures here soon.

The diet was started again. I want to lose some more weight before our holiday. I don't want to look like a beached whale.

I also went to the gym last night and had a swim. Not a long swim, but enought to make me feel better. I got home to find they had called about my membership, so I'll need to follow that up today.

My mobile phone is playing up. It can't latch onto the Vodafone network, and means no-one can get in touch. What a shame!
It also means my beloved TomTom can't communicate to update the traffic status; which I've come to rely on for my journeys to and from work.

Well - must get on and do a days work.

Birthday Countdown

Number One is nearly 7. Can you believe it? We can't! What's more, he's not too well at the moment - I only hope he gets better soon.

He is so excited, and is looking forward to his party at LaserQuest. I must admit that I am also looking forward to it!!

So what else is news. It's been a while since I posted anything, but so much has been going on. The Baby has not been well - and it really knocked the wind out of his sails.
Not to be outdone - Son Number Two decided he wasn't feeling too well either - well, there's no show without Punch.

The bathroom has been delayed by a week, so all the running around at the weekend was in vain. However, now we have chosen a flooring, ordered the tiles and bought the paint etc. So, we're ready to go.

The In-Laws went to see "The Producers" the other evening, at the Palace Theatre. It stars Peter Kaye, and apparently it was fantastic. I'm going at the end of April, and am really looking forward to it.

BIG news. My Wife has actually had her car valeted. It took 2 men about 4 hours! No, only joking. More like 5 hours!! But it is now spotless (and I must have a look before it gets trashed again).

Well, that was a brief update on what's been happening.

Suppose I'd better do a days work. Need to pay for the bathroom somehow.

It's A Boy

Fantastic news. At 12:48am, nephew number 4 made his appearance in the world. Last night I alluded to the fact that my wife wanted to attend the birth. Well, she didn't get the the opportunity, since, apparently, events happened a lot faster than expected.

So fast in fact, that the baby was born within an hour of them arriving at the hospital. And not only that, less than 30 minutes later they were on the phone to tell us the news.

I was prepared. I had moved the phone closer to the bed, so I didn't have to fumble across the bedside table for it. I reckon I answered it within 2 rings. Not bad for someone who was fast asleep at the time.

So, he's here, and I can't wait to meet him.

The BIG Weekend

At last, the birthday has arrived. My littlest is now ONE.

Oh the fuss and bother we made, but it was great fun.

We started with present giving on Saturday morning (since we knew we'd be busy today - and he doesn't know any different anyway).
Then my parents arrived with my sister and nephew. That was wonderful, and the boys had a great time with their cousin.
They played on the PlayStation, and in the evening we all went to TGI Fridays for tea.
Later in the evening, my cousins from Bristol arrived. It was lovely of them to come up, and it was such a fleeting visit.
We plied them with food and drink before they went to their hotel.

This morning it was off to the deli and bakers to collect the respective orders. Then everyone got to our house about 9.30, before getting to the party at about 10:30. I think great fun was had by all.

Back home for lunch (more food) and everyone left at about 2:30 to make the long journeys home. All was not lost - my brother-in-law and his family cam round at about 3.30 to help with the copious amounts of food, and they stayed until about 5:30.

Then, it was bath and bed for the three of them - all exhausted after a busy day.

My baby's ONE.

Let's hope this week is a good one. No doubt there'll be missives as the week progresses.

That Friday Feeling

Well, maybe it's too late for Friday, but anyway.

It's THAT weekend. My baby is going to be one on Sunday, but we're starting the celebrations early; i.e. today. As Sunday is going to be so busy, we're going to give him his presents today - well he doesn't know any different - in fact one of them needed to be put together and I've already done that. It's a Fisher Price giraffe, that should encourage him to pull himself up.

This afternoon, I took my oldest to Borders to buy a couple of books. He's recently got into Captain Underpants, and having read one of them the other day, I promised we would get another. So that was a pleasant little trip (plus he wanted to look in Game - he loves that shop).

I've just finished watching King Kong (the Peter Jackson version) which is why I'm still up. It's very long, but the effects are terrific, and there are some scenes that are totally computer generated. Beautifully done, but the scenes on the ship could have been shortened. I saw the original not long ago, and that was also great, and about half the length.

Apparently it's going to snow tomorrow. It tried this evening, when I went to Tesco, but since then nothing. I think we're going to get away with it.

Right then. It's late, and it's going to be busy tomorrow. Off to bed.

Sleep well.