tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17467438085043739092024-03-12T22:23:21.595-07:00@eddsnotdead baby, @eddsnotdead@eddsnotdeadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03857380119301199214noreply@blogger.comBlogger285125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1746743808504373909.post-5003587167252850232014-08-30T14:23:00.000-07:002014-08-30T14:23:22.174-07:00Ice Bucket Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />@eddsnotdeadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03857380119301199214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1746743808504373909.post-63877885853350790782014-01-19T12:14:00.000-08:002014-01-19T12:14:01.054-08:00Silent Sunday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />@eddsnotdeadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03857380119301199214noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1746743808504373909.post-26315360131784054042014-01-12T12:14:00.002-08:002014-01-12T12:14:28.850-08:00Silent Sunday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />@eddsnotdeadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03857380119301199214noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1746743808504373909.post-81226595834593110382014-01-05T02:01:00.002-08:002014-01-05T02:01:31.390-08:00Silent Sunday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />@eddsnotdeadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03857380119301199214noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1746743808504373909.post-16982270654307895822014-01-02T08:12:00.002-08:002014-01-02T08:13:45.475-08:00Wigglers Caterpillar Puppet Review! I entered a competition at <a href="http://tattooedmummy.blogspot.co.uk/">http://tattooedmummy.blogspot.co.uk/</a> in the later stages of last year, one that required me to tell you about a favourite toy from my childhood. Ken the (probably way too violent) giraffe had his day in the sun and I really enjoyed remembering those guerilla warfare days. Now I didn't win the competition, but I was contacted by the lovely Sian at <a href="http://www.onestopbugshop.co.uk/">http://www.onestopbugshop.co.uk/</a> who was providing the prize. She said she enjoyed my post and wondered if I'd be interested in reviewing a toy for them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLwUwPE82vN9FkGjWEbQ-LE7nbju6cLWrTtR8NPyv87vGsxQU9MtJeddB4lu5KeLoonVY1tyNpJtNGMeTPyvPfXPA8M3AfzJcOY0FhBdQoDARgEWCIp5eXFSV7vCmmKnubQiPhRfDw32A/s1600/sid+the+toy+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLwUwPE82vN9FkGjWEbQ-LE7nbju6cLWrTtR8NPyv87vGsxQU9MtJeddB4lu5KeLoonVY1tyNpJtNGMeTPyvPfXPA8M3AfzJcOY0FhBdQoDARgEWCIp5eXFSV7vCmmKnubQiPhRfDw32A/s400/sid+the+toy+7.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artist formerly known as 'Bramley'</td></tr>
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I totally said yes! :-)</div>
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So, we have been in the middle of a damn busy Christmas period in which I decided to paint the hall as well as do all the standard Crimbo things, and hence, I have been busy. But now comes the time to tell you about my excellent new friend. </div>
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Meet 'Bramley.' He's a cool customer who likes to party!</div>
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Now, here's a bit of general bumph about our red and black friend. He's a toy from the 'Wigglers' range, made by The Puppet Company. He's a puppet with both a head AND tail pocket and he has two big eyes, with very large black pupils and and gorgeous blue iris'. He has two small deely bopper type horns and his fur is a soft as a cats; it's lovely, thick and is very relaxing to stroke. </div>
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His tag says he's not suitable for children under twelve months, so I would have thought soaking him in dribble and swallowing his fur is a crap plan, but really, he's a harmless wee fella other than that. </div>
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Right, glad that's over! Let's have some fun!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHPb7-aY65dlI9pULupGeEHeonEPw8cMPqNcGIxkd_MpY6mMdhSzDZZJI2yWpVd8rKN65ySYSPsP9vTZ56DdkokSgikLtle9Kwc02o8wvB_y-xS_EydJSNMMc70b_EB-13luXienDuFt1p/s1600/sid+the+toy+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHPb7-aY65dlI9pULupGeEHeonEPw8cMPqNcGIxkd_MpY6mMdhSzDZZJI2yWpVd8rKN65ySYSPsP9vTZ56DdkokSgikLtle9Kwc02o8wvB_y-xS_EydJSNMMc70b_EB-13luXienDuFt1p/s200/sid+the+toy+3.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">twisty</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYmTMAltFmI-TuU0OrGyBfbH2Nej5AWzIEvokTdxaG5v4Cyx1Pt3zxRlqT3QQ8MNmsYQjNAOZyfQqLZnml7joGtJY3GqT_MG3CvHrTm7DG_mKdp_3TkyVO1rytyqzIMxFjfvDbvVyDAYm/s1600/sid+the+toy+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYmTMAltFmI-TuU0OrGyBfbH2Nej5AWzIEvokTdxaG5v4Cyx1Pt3zxRlqT3QQ8MNmsYQjNAOZyfQqLZnml7joGtJY3GqT_MG3CvHrTm7DG_mKdp_3TkyVO1rytyqzIMxFjfvDbvVyDAYm/s200/sid+the+toy+1.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bendy</td></tr>
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Okay, so Bramley is a bit of a serious name for such a soft customer and so I have renamed him 'Sid,' not as in 'Vicious' but just in a nice short named kind of way. It seems to suit him and I can tell you that he approves. Now those of you still paying attention probably noticed he had two pockets, well that's so you can control both ends (something that appeals to anyone that needs Imodium). Three fingers go in the head pocket and then, if your arms are really short, like kid small, then two fingers from the other hand go in the tail end. If you are a bigger person then poor Sid isn't quite long enough for that sort of action and so you have to more obviously control him. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXt5AW1uB16CPQvnDXS_hj6YfBbkzPdWvNSylzVdxTzUJ4oxjPgyDboufb-OJF-F-46RR_pcz7GV54P7yo9P3DagqBiKUsNa8TPe07xIBTQIeipB3V-jJHcu2txZxmzAm8zcVhLLqXrjWf/s1600/sid+the+toy+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXt5AW1uB16CPQvnDXS_hj6YfBbkzPdWvNSylzVdxTzUJ4oxjPgyDboufb-OJF-F-46RR_pcz7GV54P7yo9P3DagqBiKUsNa8TPe07xIBTQIeipB3V-jJHcu2txZxmzAm8zcVhLLqXrjWf/s320/sid+the+toy+2.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">damn good to stroke.</td></tr>
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Sid is bendy enough to perform a variety of groovy moves that wouldn't be out of place in a Run DMZ vs Jason Nevin music video, including 'The Caterpillar' and 'The Snake.' Of course you will have to make him hit those dance move highs yourself but he really isn't hard to control, in fact, it really isn't hard to get him wiggling around at all. </div>
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He doesn't have a vast amount of movement but with any puppet it depends on the person to deliver the character to the puppet, the human has to bring it to life... and Sid is a lovely toy to have that rapport with; he's soft, colourful and generally a pretty gorgeous toy. </div>
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Other things about Sid? Okay, well he's colourful, colourful enough to stick out, but there are six Wigglers to chose from on offer and they are all bright and vibrant, so I'd suggest taking him places is pretty fun and perhaps he's slightly harder to leave behind than other toys. Rolling him up brings him to about the same sort of size as an adult pair of gloves, meaning he fits easily into a coat pocket or a trouser pocket without any trouble at all. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhj_js1T2g0mcxfiWKO596WMckzdhr3lUBLiNIp6GyNfGn9wYys-SiElNt1UQ_p8Cq1UqTsAi7v28CiBve1P5NnW9gB9CGQE-gOySi_NksCJiGO2vK201WkGDvXg8nzK4IDYExqfi7BmQd/s1600/sid+the+toy+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhj_js1T2g0mcxfiWKO596WMckzdhr3lUBLiNIp6GyNfGn9wYys-SiElNt1UQ_p8Cq1UqTsAi7v28CiBve1P5NnW9gB9CGQE-gOySi_NksCJiGO2vK201WkGDvXg8nzK4IDYExqfi7BmQd/s320/sid+the+toy+6.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Petal loves him!</td></tr>
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So, Sid is good for playing with, is a friendly, soft companion and a good listener, he also travels well, is tough to lose and is soft enough to just stroke like you would a cat, only you don't have to feed him. To be honest I got all Bond villain with him and if he sits on my lap I can't help but pet him till someone comes and takes him off my hands. </div>
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I'd like to thank Sian and The One Stop Bug Shop for sending us this lovely fella. He's a wonderful addition to the family. :-)</div>
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'Sid' aka Bramley is available from the <a href="http://www.onestopbugshop.co.uk/">http://www.onestopbugshop.co.uk/</a> and retails currently at £7.79. We loved him and I think you probably would too... though get one in a different colour, yeah, because I like thinking that we have the only 'Sid'. Okay? </div>
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Great. </div>
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@eddsnotdeadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03857380119301199214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1746743808504373909.post-25311161867567735952013-12-29T13:54:00.000-08:002013-12-29T13:54:43.650-08:00A Coin Toss At the beginning of a new year there is a sense of renewal. The promise of hope and a fresh start... or some crap like that. For me, of course, there is a feeling of new luck and I apply that to one of my favourite games of the year: The cinema game!<br />
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Each year my buddy and I hit the cinema as much as possible, realistically that means we go every Thursday unless something like life or illness gets in the way. We realised a few years ago that if we didn't go, even if there wasn't something good on then we wouldn't be getting the full use of our cinema cards; the very things that make regular cinema trips affordable, so we started the game. Simple rules for a simple game; if there is a week in which there isn't a film on that either of us want to see then any film is clear to be picked, no matter how shit that film is meant to be.<br />
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Last year my mate hit me with some nasty flicks, the worst being the torturous The Incredible Burt Wonderstone; a film so bad it should be made fucking illegal. <br />
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The first film of next year is one we were both looking forward to till the word came out that it was dire; 47 Ronin. We held the coin toss on Saturday night round a mates house and sadly... I lost.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thursday Night Face</td></tr>
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Each year starts with the potential to be great, and this years cinema looks like it's going to be epic, but I get the feeling the first one we see is going to be a kick in the nuts for me. It's a long year, and there will be many bad films forced upon weeping film fans, many battles in this year long, rolling war, but dammit...<br />
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...did I have to lose the first battle?<br />
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<br />@eddsnotdeadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03857380119301199214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1746743808504373909.post-47156676411952974992013-12-29T08:54:00.001-08:002013-12-29T08:54:12.404-08:00Silent Sunday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />@eddsnotdeadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03857380119301199214noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1746743808504373909.post-37193544218113306322013-12-27T15:03:00.000-08:002013-12-27T15:03:44.297-08:00Cinema: A journey Through 2013.Using the Cineworld cinema card I can hit the flicks when I want and not worry about the cost, this means that every week, come Thursday, me and my buddy @SchonsEvilTwin are at the flicks. We've had weeks off through illness and general life commitments and we rarely get the chance to dip our toes into art house as the big releases generally snaffle us up, but we've had a great year over all.<br />
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The list below contains every film we saw in the cinema and a sentence to give you my view. Hopefully This will be fun...<br />
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GANGSTER SQUAD: Solid cop film with a large cast. Made me think 'Holy shit, the T-1000 is very old!' 4*<br />
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DJANGO UNCHAINED: Brilliant but brutal and tough to watch in places. A long film packed with incredible performances. Tarantino's best since Pulp Fiction.<br />
5*<br />
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THE LAST STAND: Arnie proves he moves slowly and is past being an action star. A terrible, depressingly stupid film.<br />
1*<br />
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LINCOLN: Well made but not a film that struck any real emotional cord with me.<br />
3*<br />
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A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD: Die Hard five. It was terrible. Willis coasts and his younger cast members stink. Terrible.<br />
2*<br />
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HANSEL AND GRETEL: WITCH HUNTERS: 3D. : A fantasy action light film that has some interesting and well shot action but is ultimately very forgettable.<br />
3*<br />
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PARKER: A Statham vehicle that stays on the path of good without ever being great. Also features the return on Jennifer Lopez.<br />
3*<br />
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THE INCREDIBLE BURT WONDERSTONE: A film so devoid of comedy or charm that I'd rather chew an angry wasp than sit through it a second time.<br />
1*<br />
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G.I JOE: RETALIATION: The Rock heads up a franchise and takes it forward. It's the same sort of silly action as the first one, but better done.<br />
4*<br />
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TRANCE: Danny Boyle, James Mcavoy, Rosario Dawson and Vincent Cassel deliver a brilliant thriller that stays with you long after it's finished. Oh, and it's incredibly beautiful and stylish.<br />
4*<br />
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OBLIVION: Tom Cruise in futuristic thriller that lifts direct scenes from many other movies but looks quite nice.<br />
3*<br />
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OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN: A silly film in which King Leonidas has to save the President of the United States who break into his house. Morgan Freeman also stars.<br />
2*<br />
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IRON MAN 3: Shane Black and Robert Downey Jnr deliver a movie that has little to do with the Marvel Universe other than to piss on it, because it's shit, or something like that. *Slow hand clap*<br />
1*<br />
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STAR TREK: INTO DARKNESS. A rehash of Star Trek two, only at the wrong time, with a few swapped scenes. Seriously, I enjoyed it, but I can see why many people didn't.<br />
4*<br />
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FAST AND FURIOUS 6: Incredibly stupid film which features the worlds longest airstrip. It also ha lots of cars and action and fighting and stuff, and I like that kind of thing when it's done well. It was done well.<br />
4*<br />
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HANGOVER PART 3: A funny film, though not anything that hasn't been seen in the first two. More of the same.<br />
3*<br />
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THE PURGE: A great premise that quickly becomes mind numbingly stupid with each torturous second that passes.<br />
1*<br />
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AFTER EARTH: Nice design but realistically Big Willy and his kid don't make this breathe. A poor film.<br />
2*<br />
<br />
MAN OF STEEL: Goyer and Snyder forget they're making a Superman film ten seconds into the movie and unleash flying death merchant for mindless explosions and idiocy.<br />
2*<br />
<br />
WORLD WAR Z: Pitt makes a zombie film that bears no real resemblance to the brilliant book and so it shouldn't be called World War Z... but it is a very good film.<br />
4*<br />
<br />
DESPICABLE ME 2: A return to Groo and his family. Unicorns, long noses, killer chickens. Awesome.<br />
4*<br />
<br />
THIS IS THE END: Crass end of the world comedy that is juvenile, but is entertaining... if you like that sort of thing.<br />
3*<br />
<br />
NOW YOU SEE ME: Light street magic movie ruined by all the trailers and thought it was cleverer that it actually was. A likely cast make it less crap.<br />
3*<br />
<br />
PACIFIC RIM: Incredibly stupid giant robot kills giant lizard movie. Big, dumb, really dumb and really big. Big dumbness.<br />
3*<br />
<br />
THE WORLD'S END: The third part of the cornetto trilogy. Pegg, Frost and Merchant (?) deliver an epic pub crawl that spirals through disaster and into excellence.<br />
4*<br />
<br />
THE WOLVERINE: Action fest that sticks true to the comic book material. The second best comic book film of the year. The best comic book adaptation by far.<br />
4*<br />
<br />
THE SMURFS 2: Not as painful as I thought it would be, and yet still akin to slamming your genitals in a kitchen draw.<br />
2*<br />
<br />
RED 2: Action comedy I loved. Big cast and big laughs from this sequel that really delivers. John Malkovitch is brilliant in it!<br />
4*<br />
<br />
PERCY JACKSON: SEA OF MONSTERS: A decent kids action film that didn't disappoint.<br />
3*<br />
<br />
KICK ASS 2: Brilliant. Jim Carrey is fab, as are all the rest of the cast. Memorable, exhilerating, original and bone crunching. Really great off the wall comic book action.<br />
4*<br />
<br />
2 GUNS: Denzel Washington and Marky Mark do the unlikely buddy movie with guns and ammo. Good film. A solid piece of action thriller.<br />
3*<br />
<br />
ELYSIUM: Matt Damon is bald, he lives on a shitty future world. Earth is shitty, to escape it you must go to where the rich people are. Elysium. Sci-Fi brought to you by the guy that brought you District 9. You can see it's the same guy, but it's gorgeous and brilliant.<br />
4*<br />
<br />
PAIN AND GAIN: Enthralling story about three dumb criminals and their antics in Miami. They try to get rich, it goes horribly wrong. It's a good film but it's a horrible story. Hard to recommend.<br />
3*<br />
<br />
RIDDICK: A movie that isn't anywhere near as bad as the second one and nearly as good as the original. Not that original, but I did really enjoy it.<br />
3*<br />
<br />
RUSH: One of the films of the year! Seventies Formula one gods Hunt and Lauda go head to head in a biopic that's so well made I wanted to watch it straight after it finished. Ron Howard does a stunning job of directing and the two lead actors are amazing!<br />
5*<br />
<br />
FILTH: A horrible film about Scottish cops and the race for a promotion. James Mcavoy plays the main character and it's hard to think of a more unpleasant character than this one. Bastard of the year for sure.<br />
4*<br />
<br />
PRISONERS: Hugh Jackman and Terrance Howard have their children abducted from a small American town in at Christmas. A tense, terrifying film that is brilliantly acted but will leave most parents hiding behind their hands. Terrifying.<br />
4*<br />
<br />
ESCAPE PLAN: Stallone breaks out of prisons for a living. He's placed in a hard one to escape from and things get serious. Arnie is another inmate, looking for a way out. It's not brilliant, but it's not terrible either.<br />
3*<br />
<br />
CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2: A found my attention wandering as the cool cast from the first film wander around the island with sentient food on it. Not as good as the original, but okay.<br />
3*<br />
<br />
THOR 2: Emotional, action packed, funny, silly, rooted in the Marvel universe but accessible to all brilliance! A film I enjoyed more than any other this year in a raw, fanboy way.<br />
5*<br />
<br />
A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET: Cleaned up and made pretty this classic didn't fair that well. Notable for it's early Depp death and and it's terrible eighties soundtrack.<br />
2*<br />
<br />
GRAVITY: Stunning effects, wonderful storytelling and acting, glorious simplicity that brings incredibly rich performances from its two stars Clooney and Bullock. Film of the year... or is it Rush. Between these two.<br />
5*<br />
<br />
HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE: Another fabulous film from the Hunger Games trilogy. This is a tight, well acted, emotional rollercoaster that never seems to make the lazy choice. Brilliant.<br />
4*<br />
<br />
CARRIE: An okay reboot of a classic film, from a classic book.<br />
3*<br />
<br />
HOMEFRONT: Statham action film set in the south of the United States. It's hicks v Stathams ex spec forces, undercover killing machine. Great action, tight enough story and well developed supporting cast. A much better film than I was expecting.<br />
4*<br />
<br />
THE MUPPETS CHRISTMAS CAROL: Loved it for the three thousandth time! The best Muppet movie by a long way. Also one of the best Christmas films ever made. Brilliant.<br />
4*<br />
<br />
THE HOBBIT 2: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG: I enjoyed it and it didn't feel as long as the first one, but the 3d became confusing in places, and as much as I want to love it, it just missed a certain magic.<br />
3*<br />
<br />
MOSHI MONSTERS THE MOVIE: A horrifying cluster fuck of a kids film that left me feeling hollow and lifeless. The worst kind of drivel. Dog shit smeared on the screen could have been easier to stomach.<br />
<br />
So, there you go. My year at the cinema. Warts and all. You'll love some of the films I hated and hate some of the films I loved, that's a given, but I can tell you I felt the year was good over all, perhaps even great? Really enjoyed it and I can't wait for next years batch!<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading.@eddsnotdeadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03857380119301199214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1746743808504373909.post-20478269041344107582013-12-25T15:19:00.000-08:002013-12-25T15:19:49.131-08:00Christmas CheerThe day has been and gone and all the gifts are opened. Yes, the last few weeks, months of prep have come to fruition and hopefully the house is quieter now, the mini's are in bed and we are all content. For us it's a trying time of year at the best of times and yet, coming into this years, I presumed we would be handing out crackers and having a very quiet holiday.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It was keeping me awake and I was worrying. Work was non-existent, spare cash had become an alien concept and I was feeling pretty down. I remember asking the universe for a break, perhaps a miraculous windfall, a sudden peak in my writing projects, a steady run on a construction project, a regular sailor with needs and pockets full of cash who likes bearded men. None of those things happened though, but still we got lucky.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
See, the usual set up is that the kids do a not-so-Secret Santa and buy one gift for one of the kids. Seven gifts cover them and then they get one bigger present from mum and dad. Those we're the gifts that looked pretty impossible this year. But each person got something cooler than they could have expected.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Looking around for deals, for any chance to land a present at minimal cost brought me to an uncomfortable place. I want to spend money on them. I want to have to the resources that I hoped I'd have. And yet, given the circumstances we don't, so when my Dad offered us a free E-Reader that he got from collecting newspaper tokens I said yes. I took that and stuck that under the bed. When my sister said she was getting rid of a t.v that she didn't need I said yes, took the dvd player that came with it, and stashed it. When my sister in law offered us a cheap third hand, but in great condition, netbook we said yes. My brother is going travelling. He was getting rid of his entire dvd collection and said I could have what I wanted. I took loads of them and yep, they went under the bed.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On Christmas morning we were able to give the young kids something we had bought or been given for free and cleaned it up. We gave the older kids something we didn't pay anything for, and they were really happy. It was a really good year. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I was stuck when it came to my wife, but I waited, took my phone in and slashed my bill in half when I upgraded... and I got a tablet for free with the new handset. The Tablet went to her. So we had a cheap Christmas. And it was really good. Saying that I don't want next year to be like this. I don't want money for money's sake, but I do want to be out of this trap. Because it can be really depressing to have nothing and know that without other peoples generosity we'd be properly screwed. So yes, you can do it on the cheap. Yes, you can make ends meet and still have a great time, and yes, you should always be grateful to the people around you that are willing to help.But it's not a lot of fun. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Thanks to everyone that made our Christmas possible. It was a great Christmas, but next years will be better. </div>
@eddsnotdeadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03857380119301199214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1746743808504373909.post-1355886014081229242013-12-17T12:49:00.001-08:002013-12-17T12:49:21.753-08:00Sandwich RouletteLunch can sometimes be a predictable, mundane, perhaps even a boring event, even for the most adventurous amongst us. What could we do when that happens? How far could we push the envelope of taste and reason? How far would we, could we, be willing to go... to get that excitement back?<br />
<br />
Have no fear, for I have the solution for you. Ready?<br />
<br />
Sandwich Roulette.<br />
<br />
Now this isn't what you think it is. You don't sit at the table with a mate and smash yourself in the face with a perfectly good bread based lunch until one of you quits. No, it's so much better than that. See this game can be played with young people (children) and adults alike and it can be on comfy, friendly, happy setting, or you can go with full on danger setting.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkOv9VlLjMjxb9aZqQyc0aL4i1xDl16d6RvG_O4MRaeeYt44TUpLwxXdQiOdN_8E9o2BAzNuchIZr4-P6PS1l5uZ8ZquYHvuBuP3snHtdc4NpcFJvBZZnk9YPnOTY-sps6G08sqs52ut2/s1600/Sandwich+Roulette+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkOv9VlLjMjxb9aZqQyc0aL4i1xDl16d6RvG_O4MRaeeYt44TUpLwxXdQiOdN_8E9o2BAzNuchIZr4-P6PS1l5uZ8ZquYHvuBuP3snHtdc4NpcFJvBZZnk9YPnOTY-sps6G08sqs52ut2/s320/Sandwich+Roulette+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
How does it work? Simple really, just make a sandwich for each person, quarter them and place them on a large plate, then issue in the players (hungry children/willing but stupid adults) and get them to select a quarter each in turn until all the sandwich quarters are gone. Then everyone eats them. Simple right?<br />
<br />
The fun really is in how the kids take to it, if they dive in and like to take a few risks then it's all good. If on the other hand they are particular about what they chew then you could be looking at a less exciting time, still, you can still have fun with it.<br />
<br />
If it's a hassle free time you want then deliver only fillings they like, if on the other hand there is an adventurous streak to your mini people then include things you'd eat like a cheese and fresh onion sandwich, a super Marmite mouthful, the mighty cucumber, cheese, ham and Marmite combo! Yeah baby.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KMhaWj6jhHAN_XkZxK8Xckbt0dvYhiWFDX4-1Ho7wl2Vl44WH2Y_uU0up3zjyeFd4ZKSL0eekYVzIQKLiAeLJGNC1lGdLcIBtB1BxBaljPSRKA0sokk2zlBnG6Jl-QzyJUyh3_0JehLk/s1600/Sandwich+Roulette+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KMhaWj6jhHAN_XkZxK8Xckbt0dvYhiWFDX4-1Ho7wl2Vl44WH2Y_uU0up3zjyeFd4ZKSL0eekYVzIQKLiAeLJGNC1lGdLcIBtB1BxBaljPSRKA0sokk2zlBnG6Jl-QzyJUyh3_0JehLk/s320/Sandwich+Roulette+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
If someone pulls the 'trap-snack' then you can eat the rest once they've had a bite. Normally we have a great time with a big plate of fairly boring sandwiches, livening up a meal with some much needed laughter. The song is important too...<br />
<br />
'Sandwich roulette, Sandwich roulette,<br />
You never know what your gonna get,<br />
with sandwich roulette.'<br />
<br />
Give it a try?@eddsnotdeadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03857380119301199214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1746743808504373909.post-35778644460750748782013-12-16T14:29:00.001-08:002013-12-16T14:29:52.151-08:00Music Monday: Jingle Bells.It's been a while (I've been busy) but I've decided we need some Music, and of course, this time of year brings that dreaded argument; what makes a good Christmas number one? Personally, I don't give a crap about the number one, though the X-Factor run at it annoys me, I have to be honest. Still, I'm not here to pick five Christmas number ones, no, I'm here to pick Christmas songs I love.<br />
<br />
First up we have some Bing, because I can't get through the season without him. :-)<br />
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<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/uPamW-WUf50" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
This next one you can play any day, but I always connect it with Christmas and the dark cold nights and the intense feeling of love that I have for the season.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ShN8UIk5-mw" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
To follow that we have this, something so stupidly cheerful that I can't help but ho, ho, ho.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/eIUlEUWKloM" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
Yes, I am a cheesy bastard this time of year, why deny it? Here comes the next one, featuring the now deceased comedic legend Mel Smith.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/hdnaPAJgAQI" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
Finally, my favourite Christmas song ever. I hear the first few seconds and I beam and stay beaming till the very end. I love the film it's from and have strong memories of that year. My favourite by a long, long way.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/S3J_3mcOwdQ" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
Yes, they may be kind of obvious and certainly poppy, but I love them. What hits the spot for you this time of year?<br />
<br />
<br />@eddsnotdeadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03857380119301199214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1746743808504373909.post-35988472671827056022013-12-15T13:09:00.000-08:002013-12-15T13:09:19.936-08:00Silent Sunday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiadlQxfhd_AkYi2DF1zuXKciG1nqcNV1SglMOguzF1HHk0gPvEb8JJAD0V9s6jacKiCqu2Aui0LVnprVdolIihyphenhyphenEyBUvUiPsaJfksAvjTEFD38V9q7Z_K3I0dLkeBV63dNe0gEFbH8b6vc/s1600/red+tree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiadlQxfhd_AkYi2DF1zuXKciG1nqcNV1SglMOguzF1HHk0gPvEb8JJAD0V9s6jacKiCqu2Aui0LVnprVdolIihyphenhyphenEyBUvUiPsaJfksAvjTEFD38V9q7Z_K3I0dLkeBV63dNe0gEFbH8b6vc/s400/red+tree.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />@eddsnotdeadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03857380119301199214noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1746743808504373909.post-25182375303988160442013-12-08T12:37:00.001-08:002013-12-08T12:37:22.536-08:00Silent Sunday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMs9OG0QkCo0q1WT4IjV2yczfBUN1vVhXnLIwLAQfPZy2GGfZU6g6utq6CZEAP1gpECGCuLoKVTZ2IGo-rX95ocVmKIKG0i5d07-o7SHCyvXs_l36LJzs9i7nbkIG2MfLcP2ZFVqxF1fkO/s1600/Batbaby+and+Wondermum.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMs9OG0QkCo0q1WT4IjV2yczfBUN1vVhXnLIwLAQfPZy2GGfZU6g6utq6CZEAP1gpECGCuLoKVTZ2IGo-rX95ocVmKIKG0i5d07-o7SHCyvXs_l36LJzs9i7nbkIG2MfLcP2ZFVqxF1fkO/s320/Batbaby+and+Wondermum.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />@eddsnotdeadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03857380119301199214noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1746743808504373909.post-18558601724359756952013-11-30T19:22:00.002-08:002013-11-30T19:50:20.835-08:00Silent Sunday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFH7dI5NaBUwcswvdgQgYFOp7U8-FNXf8rsG9eA4EhpbE-v5FrQQ_SLcJVW1lWGe6h1Mvb0M8lYcdeTuj1GYg71noMe0bd6bNz-TPKHdvaZYqeWf-lE_6Fvu0877DMk6HWFmUPkpT3zeX0/s1600/roo+in+a+tree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFH7dI5NaBUwcswvdgQgYFOp7U8-FNXf8rsG9eA4EhpbE-v5FrQQ_SLcJVW1lWGe6h1Mvb0M8lYcdeTuj1GYg71noMe0bd6bNz-TPKHdvaZYqeWf-lE_6Fvu0877DMk6HWFmUPkpT3zeX0/s640/roo+in+a+tree.JPG" width="384" /></a></div>
<br />@eddsnotdeadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03857380119301199214noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1746743808504373909.post-49634083838534563592013-11-29T14:28:00.000-08:002013-11-29T14:29:23.259-08:00The Ex-MenI was out round a mates when someone introduced me to these Ex-Men clips from Pete Holmes's comedy show, aired in America. I haven't seen the show but I have seen his Dark Knight piss take vids with College Humor and I thought they were good.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here's Holmes laying into the X-Men and doing a pretty good job. The best, by far is Wolverine, but the rest are good too. Let's go hero by hero shall we?<br />
<br />
P.S They are a bit rude and sweary, so be warned.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
GAMBIT<br />
<br />
For me, Gambit needs the sack for sure. Is it that he came in at a point when the Uncanny X-Men was at a real low point? Is it that he entered the team as another loner, in a team of loners, when all the characters seemed to be written to be as much like Wolverine as possible... because he was popular, and so to make a another character popular you just copy some of the traits of a popular character?<br />
<br />
He can be written well, but for the most part he's just a bit crap from where I'm sitting. He's a Longshot/Wolverine hybrid, with none of the originality of either of the characters he's based on. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/oSfpEG3SFc8" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
ICEMAN<br />
<br />
Okay, there have been times when Bobby Drake has been a bit shit. The whole early period when he was covered in snow, because he couldn't form ice over his body yet, but was called Iceman? That wasn't good. I suppose they didn't want him to be called 'The Snowman.'<br />
<br />
Forget that and though he may be a tad dull... okay, very dull, I don't think he needs to go. Just perhaps be less... Dull.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Df87Ip_NXq8" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
ANGEL<br />
<br />
We do have to remember that Angel was the scrapper of the team before Wolverine turned up. He was the one throwing punches around with Beast, as Cyclops, Marvel Girl and Iceman did their thing from range. Is he the force Wolverine is? Or even half the modern characters really? No. But he's a hero from a different time.<br />
<br />
In the comics he's been made to be a bit cooler at times, but for the most part, he's not got anything on the second big wave of X-Men like Colossus, Nightcrawler, Storm, Wolverine or Banshee.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/8Ur9Ps5lqmc" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
JUBILEE<br />
<br />
She was always shit. I hated her from the start. I always will. There is no middle ground here.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/mt7Jj05EaXk" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
WOLVERINE<br />
<br />
This one is complicated.<br />
<br />
Wolverine is a great character and for one hundred issues he existed in the X-Men as the loner, later complimented by Rogue and Rachel Summers. Around the issue 200 mark the team changed and the direction of the X-men did too. We had the Massacre, which was a huge event in my young comic reading mind, and the Fall Of The Mutants that followed up the Massacre incredibly quickly.<br />
<br />
The team changed and with that change came a harder edge, a tougher X-Men and the characters seemed ever more likely and willing to kill or maim to get the job done, and though it wasn't the characters fault the popularity of Wolverine seemed to completely overshadow the entire X-universe.<br />
<br />
Now things are pretty much the same. He's in several X-comics, two teams of Avengers and is one of the most overused and stereotypically written characters.<br />
<br />
I'd fire his ass because in all reality Wolverine doesn't need to be in the X-Men. His star burns brightly and the light it casts unbalances a team book which should see characters moving forward and developing together, but Wolvie can't, because he's in all these other places and so he has to be a constant.<br />
<br />
Recently I got over some of my irritation with the character by reading Paul Cornell's brilliant run on the Wolverine comic. It's great and I found I started to like the character again, so I would fire his ass. For sure.<br />
<br />
I really enjoyed this one.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/mhko3m7D6UA" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
Right. Thanks to Mr Holmes and his comedic sketches and thanks for reading.@eddsnotdeadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03857380119301199214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1746743808504373909.post-84005007580009535482013-11-28T15:41:00.004-08:002013-11-28T15:41:36.644-08:00Presents and CorrectWe have lots of children, seven in fact, and four of them are born around the Christmas season. Fluffy is on the 27th of December, Roo is on the 8th of January, TrojanHero on the 15th of Jan and finally Sauraus on the 27th of January.<br />
<br />
You could be right in describing this season as a busy and financially draining time of year for us, and yet everything is going very well. We've had some luck in the form of large gifts just falling in our laps, cheap or even free, smaller gifts being found at even more reduced prices and we've been chilled at finding them.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI5TXpkZEwowt8-hkiRzsgCNCvqU2x8A3jY3KD0sZpRndQQXoo2SPWltXU4daZJUe1GFX6O9lI7juDTLS0uAllw6vochJU4ImP-rXKdZtYYzpvC0yKbdpUuOyAB2B8xk-wcCduuk3jMlxY/s1600/black+santa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI5TXpkZEwowt8-hkiRzsgCNCvqU2x8A3jY3KD0sZpRndQQXoo2SPWltXU4daZJUe1GFX6O9lI7juDTLS0uAllw6vochJU4ImP-rXKdZtYYzpvC0yKbdpUuOyAB2B8xk-wcCduuk3jMlxY/s320/black+santa.jpg" width="320" /></a>We have a big family, and we used to run on the idea that everyone got everyone else something each. It was a lot of present buying, a lot of money and it meant a lot of things were left in their stockings at the ends of the their beds, un-played with for a long time. It was too much.<br />
<br />
Two years ago we moved to a new structure, a new way of doing things. Everyone gets a present form mum and Dad, the kids get a gift for mum and dad from them, and then they all put their names in a hat and they pull out the person they are going to give a gift to. It means that every person gets two gifts and a stocking. I wrestled with this new regime, thinking it was paired back too much, that it would mean they would be unhappy to have less, but I've come to understand that isn't the issue at all.<br />
<br />
The issue was that I felt bad that we couldn't spoil them all because I didn't earn enough. It was all about pride, all about me, and coming into that first new Christmas I was dubious we'd see a happy day... But it turned out great!<br />
<br />
On that morning everyone had a cool stocking of cheap books and some very cheap movies and some sweets and bits and pieces. It was cool. When they hammered downstairs they knew they were getting two things and so when they got them they opened them carefully, not with one eye looking out for the next one, but concentrating on what was before them. With fewer gifts to buy people spent longer shopping around for the right gift, not the easy one, and we even brought in elements of having to make or craft something too.<br />
<br />
This year we have gifts bought, things stored and gathered, and I'm looking forward to the big day. We still have a way to go before we're ready, but we are getting there, even with the current sparse funds and lack of work, and though I am very grateful that we are coping... I dearly want this to be the last year we walk past the windows we want to look in and instead head to the ones we can only just afford.<br />
<br />
Don't get me wrong, I'm over the moon that we are lucky enough to be surrounded by thoughtful people that can see the issues and act without prompting, to help us out. But I'd much rather be doing it, and everything else, on our own backs.<br />
<br />
Still, their generosity is never forgotten and the kids love of the simpler gifts they receive is never taken for granted by me. I'm thankful for the wonder that they all are, and that is what the season is all about.<br />
<br />
Not the presents, but the presence. @eddsnotdeadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03857380119301199214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1746743808504373909.post-90595414147164656452013-11-26T15:21:00.002-08:002013-11-26T15:21:48.569-08:00Nanowrimo 2013, Day Twenty Six. Finish Line Number Two.I'm done.<br />
<br />
Let me quantify that?<br />
<br />
I'm done with this draft. That's far more accurate and far more revealing. See, I have hit 54,111 and that is a bit short of my target, and yet it is where I ended up. I know I now have to print it and step away from it.<br />
<br />
I'll store it on a shelf in plain sight in the bedroom and walk past it every day for several weeks. Realistically more like a month or two. I'll peek at the contents ever now and then. I'll open the first page and then put it back. I'll wait until all else is done and then, when the time is right, I'll have to completely overhaul what I've written.<br />
<br />
It's going to be a long and taxing edit and I know I'll moan and complain. I'm also hoping I'll laugh and maybe even be pleased during some passages, but over all I know this one hasn't gone anywhere near as well as I'd hoped it would.<br />
<br />
That's cool. No big deal. Just means I get to work hard on it all over again.<br />
<br />
Today's words are below...<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I was convinced it was my job to take out
Houlier. I have to tell you, I was all set for a swift hit. Get him out of the
way and move on. But then I thought about it, and I realised I was too close.
The whole Isabel think would have made it a huge mistake, I’d be easy to trace
as her ex husband and if I came to town on the same day he died it wouldn’t be
hard for her to put me in the line of the investigating cops. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Something I wasn’t going to give</span></span><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"> her the satisfaction
of doing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"> So I
went to plan B and that involved out sourcing. It’s not something I love doing
but in this case it had to be done, so I had to find the best way to get the
job done. I wanted it to be slightly silly, slightly daft, slightly throw away.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I wanted people to stand by his closed
coffin and have to find something else to talk about because the manner in
which he died was a topic right off the menu. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"> What I needed to do was hire a specialist…
And that is exactly what I did.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">That's the last set of words to be posted from this year. Again I'd point out it's unedited and as it went down on the page, so it hasn't been tickled and prettied before walking out in front of the beauty </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">pageant judges, but still.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 18px;">I have found this year tough, tougher than the other two years I've done the Nanowrimo. It isn't down to a lack of ideas, more a lack of understanding as to what I was trying to achieve. In the past I've known what I wanted to do and how I wanted to do it, and for the most part, I've succeeded. In the two previous years I'd come away feeling very positive.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 18px;">This year less so. I know there is a mountain to climb on this one and yet know I've climbed mountains before and so why not again? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 18px;">I'd like to say thanks for popping in. Thanks for reading and following if you did. Thanks for coming on the journey. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 18px;">Next year is going to be a hugely busy year for me writing wise, and it's good to know that I can produce something even when I'm finding it a slog, even when I've lost my way and even if I'm having to learn about the project as I go along.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 18px;">In the end, I got the word count and I finished in the month. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 18px;">For that, if no other reason, I'm a happy man. </span></div>
@eddsnotdeadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03857380119301199214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1746743808504373909.post-18404751830124890642013-11-25T04:27:00.001-08:002013-11-25T04:27:35.437-08:00Nanowrimo 2013, Day Twenty Five. Words On Top. I had the weekend off writing and enjoyed myself. It was very nice and I really needed those hours to gather some senses. Sadly brain had decided to consider this project nearly over and so has drawn me to sitting quietly and listening to music to find the mood for the next one.<br />
<br />
Damn.<br />
<br />
For now though I have the finishing chapters to do on this Nanowrimo project and I think it's probably better than I was dreading it would be.I am aware the edit will be hideous on it due to my inability to find the right tone for large sections of the book, but then none of my edits are easy.<br />
<br />
I need one of those things... you know, those things other people have that cost money... Ah, yes; an editor. :-) Though for now I'll do the job and rely on test readers to tell me to piss off if things suck.<br />
<br />
I cranked out 2396 words today, making my total 52,456 in total, which is excellent! I'm well above curve and still moving and I'm pleased I didn't give up on this as I was planning to mid month. <br />
<br />
As an example I'm not going to touch the posted words at all today. I'm going to leave them as they came out. Already I can see things that need sorting immediately, odd worded sentences and the like, but I'll resist the urge to make them slightly prettier so you can see my point about needing heavy edits. <br />
<br />
Anyway, here are some words from the day...<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"> Britney Usher sat down on the chair
nearest to her, her knees pushed together, her ankles quite widely apart, her
arms wrapped around her, as though she were hugging herself. She looked so
alone, separate, and alone compared to the supported and loved Arnie, who had
just made his confession and yet was still comforted. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"> I made a decision of my own. I would do
something that felt un-natural to me and yet I felt the urge to do it anyway. I
walked over to the shattered and shaken Britney Usher, knelt down, and hugged
her. She laid her head on my shoulder and then reached her arms around me,
gently, unsure, fragile. I hugged her harder and those arms of hers attached
like the most aggressive octopus in history and squeezed me hard, desperately,
her arms shifting, her hands gripping my thick coat with her balled fists, but
she didn’t cry. She didn’t try and cop a feel, she just held on for life like
she couldn’t let go even if she’d wanted to. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> I knew the three second rule was a waste
of time here; certainly in this situation, and I felt not just warmer for her
embrace physically but also I felt I was doing something actively nice.
Something even compassionate. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There you go. More tomorrow I hope. :-)</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thanks for reading.</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
@eddsnotdeadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03857380119301199214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1746743808504373909.post-89493294089933961662013-11-24T07:31:00.001-08:002013-11-24T07:31:31.259-08:00Silent Sunday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2KPkIa1jIpf7jnCbyvj4hDoaZlBTDqjFZCDEiYxWLiz6rmo4LF0d40LbSIGgSE1U1D3mqhUjV7FLOKFCe-rUudF3k29exgZ-oqlTZLERX5Jy1e-8ZujppFiIBxbOxSEUqaND76hmj3Uv8/s1600/stuck+car.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2KPkIa1jIpf7jnCbyvj4hDoaZlBTDqjFZCDEiYxWLiz6rmo4LF0d40LbSIGgSE1U1D3mqhUjV7FLOKFCe-rUudF3k29exgZ-oqlTZLERX5Jy1e-8ZujppFiIBxbOxSEUqaND76hmj3Uv8/s400/stuck+car.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />@eddsnotdeadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03857380119301199214noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1746743808504373909.post-81263990539319388502013-11-22T15:39:00.002-08:002013-11-22T15:39:50.809-08:00Nanowrimo 2013, Day Twenty Two. Over The Finish Line!!Had a tough day plastering today and so was knackered when I got home, but I waited and took my time and watched Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D and generally stayed my hand and then, when the kids were in bed, I hit the keys.<br />
<br />
I'd been considering the scene all day, working out who, what, why, when and how and all the other things your meant to, like how many times I can get away with saying 'Fuck', would it be better to use a different way to show how dangerous the main character is, or perhaps, should I really use the word 'Pubes' right there? Hmmm... Still it all played out from head to fingers to keys to screen and now it's in the lovely thing I call Kylie. All there. All 50,060 words so far.<br />
<br />
I have a way yet to walk to finish over all and the edit is something that's going to be a big fat punch in the face. You'll see me moaning on here or more likely on Twitter about how I hate it/I like it/I hate it, but as I look back I can see where I've gone wrong and what I'll need to do to fix it. I can see the layout of the land far better and I know it's not such a bleak and ugly tundra as I first thought it was. There are trees and glades, glistening pools of water where insects skip across the surface, clouds above and though some of the land is shadowed by cloud and rain and thunder rolls after lightening flashes, some places are kissed by perfect sunlight and comfortable, warm breezes.<br />
<br />
It's not perfect. Not writing project is on the first draft, of course it isn't. But I feel there is something here I can hone and temper, something I can craft into a thing of some beauty, and though it may never be covered in the fine engraving and gold leaf, it will still be beautiful to someone, somewhere.<br />
<br />
I'm feeling confident, and that is probably the first time I can honestly say that about this book.<br />
<br />
Here are the words...<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The hut had a single light lit and I could
see that there was movement inside, someone was pacing by the window. I used
all of my skill to get closer without being seen. No songs played in my head, I
was treated to the soundtrack of the slopes; wild winds and the sound of snow
impacting on my protective clothing. Ice and snow covered the slopes and the
mountain ranges around us, ice also ran through my veins as I prepared to do
what had to be done, what was called of me by some strange emerging code from
inside. I was hell bent on saving Britney Usher and I was willing to sacrifice
some of myself to complete my mission.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I wasn’t sure if this was a step forward
or just some strange reaction to being treated like a joke by my peers? Did I
feel they had rejected me and so I would reject the rules that had governed my
professional life up until this point? I didn’t know and what was even scarier was
that I didn’t really care; I was running on instinct now, hunting for the kill
without a plan and without restraint. I was predatory, stalking the hut, ready
to take blood in exchange for… for what? For life? Yes. But for love and
adoration? No.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 18px;">There you go, words from the winning day. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 18px;">I'll continue to post up paragraphs for the remainder of the Nanowrimo season, but I'll probably take tomorrow off. I feel knackered and I think I've earned it. :-)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 18px;">Thanks for reading.</span></div>
@eddsnotdeadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03857380119301199214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1746743808504373909.post-35272903534257869402013-11-21T06:47:00.002-08:002013-11-21T06:47:40.277-08:00Nanowrimo 2013, Day Twenty One. <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I am within striking distance of the end, just two thousand three hundred left to go before the target of fifty thousand words is reached. Of course, the story won't end there; I still have another ten thousand to write on top for this first draft to be done. From there I'll leave it for a month and then return in the new year and edit, probably adding another ten thousands words of detail, fleshing out and actually explaining of the plot. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes, I know most people edit down, but I get the ground work in and find I always need to expand in the first edit, then edit down in the second. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Does this make it a long and sometimes frustrating process? Yes, but it's always worth it, whether what I churn out is amazing or just 'okay', because I'm putting effort into the craft, finding my way and gaining much needed experience. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tomorrow should see me cross the line. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For now though here are today's words...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"> My blood boiled at the thought of not
getting to finish the copy of Chloe I’d bought at the airport, but even more
than that, the idea that Britney and even Beefy were dead, clawed at my brain.
I didn’t want to accept that as a possible reality and so ended up humming S
Club 7 hits to keep my mind occupied. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I recalled how nervous I’d felt when I
went to a signing they were doing at Tower Records in London. I was there, in
London, to carry out a simple double tap to the head, some banker that had
become an irritation to his brother. I didn’t bother with the back story too
much. It was an easy hit and to be honest I was far more interested in the idea
of meeting my idols than I was of killing the target. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">More tomorrow, and perhaps a big celebration? </span></div>
@eddsnotdeadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03857380119301199214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1746743808504373909.post-64982801788530369492013-11-20T14:21:00.002-08:002013-11-20T14:21:28.651-08:00Nanowrimo 2013, Day Twenty.No day time session and so hit the keys in the evening. Was looking for three Thousand but settled for two solid ones and the chance to leave it a logical breaking point. Tomorrow I can jump in and go for a good four Thousand. As of tonight I'm switching off on forty-four-thousand.<br />
<br />
Posting four tomorrow would see me tearing towards the line and past it on Friday morning, which would be fantastic.<br />
<br />
Here's a small bit of tonight work. It's not a lot but it is what it is. :-)<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I looked at her and knew what was coming.
Inevitably, here was the fuck over. I dived sideways dramatically but due the
beating I’d taken I wasn’t as sure of my place in the room as I should have
been and I have to admit that I threw myself head first into the wall. I lay dazed for a time and then passed out.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I was pretty sure I wouldn’t be waking up
again.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">More tomorrow! </span></div>
@eddsnotdeadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03857380119301199214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1746743808504373909.post-13820087009091335042013-11-19T07:32:00.000-08:002013-11-19T07:32:00.810-08:00Nanowrimo 2013, Day Nineteen. Very tired today, falling asleep while typing and so I've posted just over a thousand words so far today. Not a lot, certainly not enough to see me finished by Friday, but I'm confident I'll get another session in today and my cold will pass, leaving me with enough energy to hit the keys.<br />
<br />
At least, I hope so.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I can see what you’re thinking, that you
can’t believe that’s what we did? That and obviously you are trying to untie
your hands from behind the chair, don’t do that, it will just lead to even more
unpleasant events for you. Sit back and listen, believe me, you have the time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I think we found in that moment a
happening, a change in our mindsets, even though it was only fleeting and
perhaps doesn’t make up for the horrible shit we have done to our fellow men
and women I do feel we had a moment. We agreed by that pool that there were
people we would not kill, and so we all agreed that we would try and save as
many lives as we could at the resort. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">More later and tomorrow I hope. Need to get the whip cracking. </span></div>
@eddsnotdeadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03857380119301199214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1746743808504373909.post-36285833643899353592013-11-19T05:34:00.002-08:002013-11-19T05:34:16.691-08:00The International Day For Men. So, there are things in this universe that annoy me, things I can nothing about, things like; The way Saturn's rings hang, or how people can't do simple jobs properly but then you have to interact with them, while they do their job badly, and you have no job. Standing there thinking 'I could do ya damn job if someone would just let me' really rots at the soul. Mike the fucking Knight being such a little shite.<br />
<br />
You know, important stuff.<br />
<br />
So, one of my pet hates is, of course, days dedicated to certain groups and how generally irritating they are. Let me explain.<br />
<br />
On St Patrick's day I would always be dragged out by my great Irish mates and we'd bang a few back. Come St George's day and the pub's empty. That used to piss me off. Now I don't care. I celebrate what I want to and I don't get dragged into anything.<br />
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International Women's Day rocks up and everyone praises women and delivers lists of inspirational women and their hard fought contribution to society and history. That's cool, I joined in and slammed up some real life women that I admired and thought were awesome. Come International Men's Day and it's all 'every day is men's day.'<br />
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Yeah, I get it. This is obviously a patriarchal society which plays host to many a ridiculous assclown or wanker that cops a feel in the office or on the train. Newsflash; those people are arseholes 365 days a year! Boom! They are not going to be swayed by a day of highlighting what's wrong with our society. Let's face it we could make 'What's Wrong With Our Society' day everyday and it still wouldn't cover all the stupid shit we let fly, from M.P's and their pay rises to rape culture and female genital mutilation, through to casual racism and the buckling economic policies that punish the poor for not working when there are no jobs whi<br />
le at the same time make the rich, richer.<br />
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We could do that all year round.<br />
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I think the reason I hate these'special' days is because they aren't special. They are every day. Treat people right, equally, fairly, kindly and cut ya fellow human beings some slack. That's every day. That's how it should be. But yes, I know there is inequality, and the system itself is screwed and isn't going to get any better and I know other people need these days. To hail their personal heroes, to vent about the shit they've heard said to them, to point out the incredible in someone else.<br />
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So keep the days if you want.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgZmMZGrqdkhudqSYAeHE44a6d_o5joUzj-p5Za0lyrGiVZ1GJQMtsH-Eb_I6oS0FTZXDJWOLRM1OkogRv3X98KXLYM8WR3RgWM-e8b3z07hzDug9S3__7cvBF3cbtOVH6QMxydaBW4nw/s1600/handshake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgZmMZGrqdkhudqSYAeHE44a6d_o5joUzj-p5Za0lyrGiVZ1GJQMtsH-Eb_I6oS0FTZXDJWOLRM1OkogRv3X98KXLYM8WR3RgWM-e8b3z07hzDug9S3__7cvBF3cbtOVH6QMxydaBW4nw/s320/handshake.jpg" width="320" /></a>Today is International Men's Day, so treat it like a normal day, but add a 'thank you' to the guy on the checkout that's just trying to make ends meet and still chatted to you warmly even though he feels stuck in a job that's doesn't pay enough to really support his family. Say 'I love you,' to your father figure, be he your biological, foster, step or honoury father. Say something nice to the guy in your life that makes your day, be he your best mate, lover, husband, brother, dad, uncle, or just the guy that serves you your coffee just the way you like it.<br />
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Take these days and use them to be positive, supportive, and thankful and you are probably doing it right, and through your support and positive attitude we may activate the change that this society so desperately needs. <br />
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So what I' saying, as each day of the year celebrates someone, is celebrate, be positive and help the people and around you. Because that's what we are meant to do, because that's what we need to do, because everyday, every single day, is a day to show compassion towards your friends, family and neighbours.<br />
@eddsnotdeadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03857380119301199214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1746743808504373909.post-83977118056880433042013-11-18T12:21:00.000-08:002013-11-18T12:21:04.553-08:00Nanowrimo 2013, Day Eighteen. The Feel Like Crap Day.As the title may have hinted at, I feel like crap. It's a cold, day one, and I'm hoping it pisses off a.s.a.p or I'm going to have a pretty crappy week. Still, hit the 39,000 mark today, leaving only 11,000 to go.<br />
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Easy.<br />
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Here are the words...<br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I wondered if we could all team up, kind
of form an assassin version of the Power Rangers? Each week posed with
eliminating an almost impossible target? I’d almost certainly be the Red
Ranger. I know it would be a lot of pressure, being in charge, but I thought I
was up to the task. We’d have call signs and costumes and those crazy sized
robot things and it would be cool.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Isabel cleared her throat and I snapped
back to the pool and the room and the murderous ex. I’d probably be much
happier clad in spandex right now. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 18px;">More tomorrow, I promise. </span></div>
@eddsnotdeadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03857380119301199214noreply@blogger.com0