Horses are Not for Courses

Imagine you were invited to join a sport where:

• Someone whipped you in order to make you go faster/work harder/improve.
• It would be classed as nothing unusual for someone to die.
• Should you die/be badly injured, the event organisers, TV cameras and fans would think nothing of just merely covering up your body and carrying on the event around you.

Would you want to be part of that sport?  I certainly wouldn’t.  Even for the adrenalin junkies who might look at No2 and still think that it is a risk that they would choose to take, what about the other two points?  No, you wouldn’t choose a sport like that.

But yet, it is a sport.  A very popular one and all those things do happen.  Horse racing.

Animal Aid have been tracking the deaths of horses during racing since 2007 and incredibly, there have been 804 deaths since they started their record.  804.  That’s 3 a week.  That’s just in Britain alone.  With horse racing all over the world that figure is in fact much higher.    Update: since I wrote this post a year ago, the figure is now up to 944. 

 

Their findings are available for all to see, with the date, name of horse and the injury which caused them to be destroyed.  Here’s the link for you to see for yourself.

 

The jockey chooses to enter the sport.  He trains with the horse, rides with the horse, chooses to enter an event with the horse.  The horse?  Well he just likes to run.

 

The horse can’t be briefed for the race ahead.  He doesn’t know how many fences there are, how high they are, how many people and horses are going to be jostling around him for places.  He doesn’t know the fact that if he falls, he will more than likely be destroyed because he is then “useless”.

I was going to put a picture of here of horse racing and the falls.  But I can’t bring myself to.  If you are an animal lover they just make you sick to your stomach.

 

But this I will put on.  What the BBC called “an obstacle” in the Grand National last year.  I call it a travesty. 

 

"An Obstacle"

Horse racing is a business.  If people stop making the bets and boycott the events, a difference can be made.  It takes no effort on your part.  Just this year, don’t make your yearly Grand National bet.  If someone asks you to a race, say no.

 

When the public really get together and use their voice, their spending power and their opinion, it is amazing what can happen.  A horse may not be endangered, it may not be exotic like a lion or a tiger, but it certainly doesn’t deserve to be treated this way.

From an Apple to a Berry

I was going to do a phone review for my new Blackberry 9900 but then I wondered if there was any point.  The phone has been out for a while now, there are tons of reviews out there already, written and video and all the information is at your finger tips. 

I’m a firm believer that if you are to commit yourself to something, particularly technology, you need to do your research first.  I hate the people that buy a product, be it a phone, laptop whatever and then complain after purchase that it doesn’t do this or that.  If you had done your research, you would know what you are getting.  I knew for example that the battery wasn't great and would need charging once a day.  Coming from a phone I used to have to charge twice a day, that didn't faze me.

The reason I decided to do this post in the end was the amount of people who have been surprised, some shocked at my decision to move from Iphone to Blackberry.  I don’t see my decision as shocking, although as it is my decision, I guess I wouldn’t.

I wrote The Defection a few weeks ago before I committed and bought the 9900.  I said at the time that time would tell if I loved it or hated it.  Would I miss the full touch screen, would I miss all the apps?  The answer, no.  I am in love with this phone.

My requests from my new phone were clear cut.  I wanted a keypad but still with a decent touchscreen.  I wanted to still have the apps I used to have on my Iphone.  I also wanted to still be able to have all my music. 

The 9900 suits me down to the ground.  I love the keypad.  The geek in me loves all the lists, the countless options.  Anything I want to do on the phone, it can tell me how.  I have a media card in the phone so all my music is there, and unlike with the Iphone where you might have to limit yourself to an 8G due to the price of the phone, with this you can have 64G for a the price of a SD card.

Everyone told me I would regret it, that I was crazy to change.  But come on people, it’s only a phone.  It isn’t a life changing decision.  You decide what works for you want and you see what is out there that fits your specifications.  You shouldn’t have to limit what you want to fit with “the brand”.

I am slightly worried about myself however, now and again I find myself just looking at it, stroking the keys.  I may need to go Blackberry addicts anonymous.  But who cares, it’s mine, and I love it.  Plus, now I get to see this every time, am a McClaren girl through and through.

Tigers – Wild & Free?

I’ve always wanted to see a tiger.  Big cats in general are a fascination for me but tigers in particular hold a little piece of my heart.

When I say I’ve always wanted to see a big cat, I mean in the wild.  Where they belong, where they are meant to be.  Where they were intended to be. 

Yet countless circuses are still allowed to parade these animals to the public, teach them tricks, cage them.  It isn’t of course just the big cats, there are the elephants, the zebras and many more.

Last year, after the massive publicity regarding Anne the elephant, a lot of the public finally woke up and joined the cry, that many of us have had as long as we have had intelligent thought, that these animals do not belong in circuses.

The Government claim that they will impose this ban.  Some time before 2015.  The MPs voted in the Commons last year for the ban of wild animals in circuses, yet now we hear “Oh but we have to change the licensing, then hopefully implement the ban”.  This does not placate me.

What the Government should have been doing, and continue to be doing with regard to the ban is find out exactly what animals are where, find alternative places for them, work effectively with DEFRA and bring the ban into force.

Let’s be realistic, these animals can never be re-introduced into the wild, it is far too late for that and whilst I do have a problem with zoos, there are some of them that have integrity, are sanctuaries and do work with getting wild animals back to where they should be, in the wild.

Future generations of these circus animals could end up back in the wild, that gives me hope.  An animal in a cage, on display for the public does not.

Numbers of the big cats have been in decline for as long as I can remember.  Deforestation, hunters, poachers, everyone in the world is an enemy to the big cat.  Would you like to live in a world where there are none of these beautiful creatures left in the wild but instead, behind bars?  Because I wouldn’t.

Which would you prefer.  This?

Or this?

Trashing the Memory Palace

You can read many articles and "How Tos" about memory palaces.   Why you should have one, how much easier is to remember things etc etc.

If you don't know what a memory palace is by the way check out this -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Method_of_loci

I think I have the haunted, creepy "You shouldn't go in there Timmy" type of memory palace.  It isn't one that I intentionally created for myself.  It evolved over the years.

I'm not naturally someone who will share their innermost feelings.  I can rant about anything and everything till I am blue in the face, but on the really personal stuff, the stuff that has hurt me and bad memories, I close up very fast.

When I am depressed, when something sad happens or I have a bad experience, my default mode goes into an action. 

• System check……… Status bad
• Clean up bots sent in
• Remove bad thing
• Tie up with rope
• Throw into dark cupboard
• Lock door
• Reboot
• System check…… All clear

The haunted memory palace is different from the one that you intentionally create to store your good memories, your facts and figures.   Because the haunted memory palace really does have a ghost in the attic, rattling it’s chains.  There really is something scary around the corner and if you try to open that locked door, something really will jump out and bite you.

Doing the blog over the past year has been cathartic for me.  I get to rant away on passing subjects and things that irritate me and in turn, putting those things on the blog, on paper so to speak, gives me time to sort through the rest of the crap in my head.

So today, I’ve started a mission.  A personal mission.  I’m masterminding a war on the haunted palace and little by little, the curtains will be opened, the light will be let in and the doors will be unlocked.  The ghost in the attic will be evicted.

Because the thing is, just like a real haunted house, you are always at your most scared before you step through the door, and then you tend to find that things aren’t as bad as you originally feared.

Extended Circles - Enter my Room 101

I have a rant.  It’s only a mini one about something silly, but if I don’t get it off my chest I may implode.  I don’t want that, it’s only Monday after all.

I have previously done a post on Google+ before see Google Plus, Well Not Much Actually  That was also a rant, done when Google+ was doing the popularity rounds and I was getting badgered from various people to join up.  

After a while I had another look at Google+ and found that, if you tailor it correctly to your needs, it actually can be quite useful.  Personally, although I do have a few friends on there, the main purpose of my account relates to this blog and people I have met through blogging.  It can be a useful tool in that respect to upload my new posts and also interact with other bloggers.

I also understand now the concepts of having different circles.  There are certain things that you would say to your friends that you wouldn’t to a work colleague.  You can make arrangements with people, organise events all without having the general public know.  For any status of a general nature you also have the option to open it up to the public, unrestricted.

All that is good.  I like it.  But, as always with me, I have a couple of issues which irritate the hell out of me.  I can’t help myself.  It makes my blood boil.  You could say that I need something to be actually angry at but then again, would you really want to see that?

So here we go with my mini rant.  

“Extended Circles”

I usually only use either my friend circle, blog circle or public option but today I noticed this “extended circles” option and curious as it what it was, I clicked.  The option to post your status to “all your circles and all people in your circle’s circles”.  

What the actual hell?  Whilst I can understand you may want to post something to someone specifically, why also to limited people, who you don’t know?  What can be so important and secret about your update that it is limited like that?  So you are allowing people you don’t know to see your status, but as they are “pre vetted” being are friends of friends they are ok?

When I decided to write this post, and indeed until about half way through writing it, I thought it was Google+ making my blood boil.  But it isn’t.  It’s the WAY people use it.  Whilst it is Google+ (I refuse point blank to call it G+) that have come up with the whole circle business, including the extended circles which is ridiculous and snobbish, it is the way that people are using the circles that irritate me.

I constantly see people’s updates with the “limited” option on or “extended circles” and 85% of the time I wonder why exactly that update is so special/important/secret/friend only that has to be limited or “extended”.  It may be a joke, or a quote or just a comment on someone’s day.  Why is that special?  It can’t be sensitive information or important information, because all of your circles can see it, and all of their circles too….

For me, what started out as a good idea of circles has turned into giving it’s users the belief that what they have to say is more important and more worthwhile than what others have to say.  

“Oh yes Mr Smith, you are allowed to see this update, but no no no!  You can’t see this another one!  This one is special, there are words with more than one syllable”. 

“Oh no Mrs Turner, I post on my Google+ every single day!  Well, you of course can’t see them all, you’re not important enough for that” 

I was only slightly irritated by Google+ before, but the “extended circles” option has tipped me over the edge.  Maybe because it’s Monday, maybe because I was due a rant but maybe, just maybe because Google+ users are turning out to be status snobs.

I’m done.

My Ode to Juanita Weasel

 I came across The Bloggess a while ago.  She has give me many laughs over the months and been an inspiration too.  Check out The Travelling Red Dress

This week however, Jenny gave us something to play with and I've had a little fun.  I introduce you to Juanita Weasel!!

Chesney "Juanita" Hawkes

Adele "Juanita"

My Ode to every other day in the week

This Post has no Point

I'm having one of those days.  You know those days, when for some reason (illness being my reason today), every person in the world irritates you.

Usually if I am having a bad day/in a bad mood etc I am able to mask how I am feeling and continue to be happy, smiling and polite to those around me.  This obviously helps when I am at work.  Office environments and bad moods don't go together.

Today though, there is no hiding it.  The office junior is irritating me (although to be fair, she has the brain the size of a pea and no common sense), my colleagues are irritating me, the boss' OCD querks are irritating me.  Every client I speak to is irritating me too, although I really do have to be nice to them, I would rather not get fired.

I made a sign for my office door.  I think it gives everyone fair warning.  The short way of saying if you piss me off today, I may kill you.

 Absolutely pointless post, but I do feel a bit better for having a mini rant.

The Sign on your Head

They say that the first impression is the one that sticks in your mind.  Everyone says you shouldn’t do it, hence the “don’t judge a book by it’s cover” saying.  But everyone does, be it subconsciously or knowingly.

The way you judge someone on first impressions isn’t just about looks.  It is the aura that they give out.  Confident, shy, awkward, outgoing.  You can see a glimpse of what someone is like in those first few minutes, or can you?

Because not everyone is able to make a good first impression.  That doesn’t mean that the person you meet isn’t going to be someone great, they just aren’t comfortable in first time meeting scenarios.

Myself for example.  I don’t make a good first impression.  I’m shy, awkward, say things that don’t make sense and wary.  That’s just with women.  With men, double the wary, double the shy and apparently, accordingly to male friends I have, I have a “fuck off” sign invisibly stamped to my head.

Maybe this is why I'm single

When you actually get to know me, after that first meeting, I am nice (usually), sociable, sometimes funny and occasionally a bit mad.  I haven’t been able to escape that “first impression” I give over the years, but now, I think screw it. 

If someone is going to judge me on a first impression, they really aren’t worth knowing in the first place.

So sod it.  Apologies by the way for the sullen photo.  But I needed something with my forehead on and this was the only thing I had.  Honest.  Wasn't trying a moody sexy pose thing at all.  Hangs head in shame.  Oh god.

*Edit     Holy shit!  I never noticed before, my eyebrows are wonky!  Who knew!

Random Picture Challenge

I saw this on someone's blog and liked the idea so here goes!

The idea is that you find five photographs.  The five photographs must contain either random objects, scenes or shots that remind you of a great or funny time in your life.  If someone is in the shot you can only show body parts.  No filth!

Above all, the photos must hold a good memory, but it cannot be an "ordinary" photo.  Here are mine!

I love shoes, and my tattoos.
This is the day they had the perfect match

The Hanging Penguin - A very irritating Vettel
win on Grand Prix day.
We took it out on the
penguin.

Cocktail Hour the Night before my Best Friend's Wedding

A friend was missing on our holiday, so we made one

Fireworks on New Years in foreign climes.
The best New Years I have had.

The Big Match

IPhone v Blackberry.  Put a IPhone user or a Blackberry user in the same room and they could argue to the death.  People get as opinionated and as passionate about one or the another as they do about politics, animal rights…. You know, the actually important things.

The thing is, I have now entered that debate.  Before my last upgrade I had a Samsung I think.  Can’t remember which model but it had a keypad with very minimal touchscreen functionality.

I was, understandably, completely excited therefore to get an IPhone.  I absolutely loved it, still do.  For me, it is undeniably the best touch screen out there.  I’m not interested in an Android.  No particular reason, just personal choice.

I have however, hugely missed having a keypad.  Call me a geek, but I used to love the clickety click of tapping anyway.  Which brings me to my dilemma, and I’m asking, unashamedly, for help.

So here’s what I use on a day to day basis.  Email, Twitter, Facebook and, obviously calls/text.  Am not a big App person.  Games don’t really interest me and the few Apps I do use, are already on Blackberry.

This all therefore would lead me to moving to Blackberry.  I get the keypad I miss, and still the Apps I use.  If I move, it will be the 9900.  The battery charging reviews I have seen don’t bother me, as I am currently having to charge my IPhone twice a day.

Problem is, I, like everyone else know about the downturn on profits with RIM, with people saying that bankruptcy is a possibility, the question I have really is this. 

I will probably sound stupid for asking, but then, if you don’t know, ask!  If the worst happens, they go bankrupt and I have committed to Blackberry, what happens with the phones currently under contract?  Would I then be screwed?

Help, for the uninformed and ditzy, please!

I have a Girl Crush

Just a short post today and it's a blog recommendation.  Please, please checkout The Bloggess. 

I LOVE her.

If you are the type of person that thinks random thoughts, for instance if Jesus was resurrected, does that make him a zombie?  If you are the type to laugh hysterically at the things you shouldn't and have that little bit of crazy in you, I promise you will love her too.

Word of warning though, don't be drinking something while you read.  You will spit it out in laughter.

That is all.

Supernatural or Unexplained

Sooooo, this is one of those things where you go, is she crazy? Well yes, probably, but here goes...

I have always had a belief in the supernatural to a certain extent.  I've never seen a ghost and tend to only believe what I can see, but there are some things in my life that I can't explain,

Ever since my dad died, I have always seen, especially when I was sad, little lights.  I can be sat somewhere, be it work, home, anywhere really and all of a sudden, I am surrounded by tiny little floating lights around me.  This started right from when my dad died and has continued throughout my life.

No one else can see them, just me.  The scientific thinking will probably explain it away with some reason or another, but I like to think that it is my dad watching over me.  It has certainly faded over the years, the occurrences are less, but then again, I needed him more in the earlier years.

It is a visual thing, something that I am not imagining.  I've seen them for 24 years now and to be honest, I don't want the scientific explanation.  When they appear they make me happy, and if sad, they always cheer me up.

The other thing that happens, and this has happened only in recent years is this.  I moved to a new office about four years ago.  They tell me it is haunted, I have never seen anything so I can't comment on that.  However.... some strange thing does happen.

I have a very bad habit of biting my nails, I say this because of what I am about to say next.  At least once or twice a month, when I am sat in my office, I suddenly get scratches on my neck and chest.  Always the same areas.

My neck will start to burn all of a sudden, and itches.  I look in a mirror and I always have one or two raised welts on my neck or chest, like someone has scratched me with their finger nails.  Sometimes hard enough that there are a couple of blood drops there.  Can't explain it and never found anyone that has been able to explain it.

I can't explain these occurrences either.  I did wonder at one point if it somehow was caused by when I'm stressed out at work, but after monitoring when it happens, nine times out of ten I am calm and just getting on with my day.

So there you go, crazy or supernatural - it is unexplained at any rate.  Love the lights, hate the scratches.  Discuss!  haha

Shocking, Apparently

I am going to make a very shocking comment.  Apparently.  I do not want children.

I say “apparently” because I don’t find it a shocking statement.  But I am amazed at the amount of people who, when told (having asked), have reactions that range from scandalised to scathing and some who refuse to believe me.

The most irritating comment I get, on a frequent basis, is “You’ll change your mind”.  I’m sorry, but last time I checked I know my mind very well.  At 32 I’m quite able to make the big decisions.  Or the other classic “You just haven’t met the right man”.

People can, and do make the big decisions all the time.  Meat eater or vegetarian, gay or straight, religious or atheist, the list goes on and on.  All these choices are now socially acceptable.  You always get the idiots of course who will question these choices, but the majority of people will take what you say and that will be it.

But say that you don’t want children and people just don’t understand you. 

I would never dream of asking a parent why they wanted children.  Not just asking, but badgering, asking for detailed reasons.  But if you don’t want offspring, you find yourself under near interrogation sometimes, justifying your choice.

Personally, I am not a “child” person.  I have never had a maternal instinct.  In fact I would be the first person to admit that I am too self absorbed to have children.  I also couldn’t afford one either.  But my views on that particular point are a whole different blog.

So, to the “normal” people, as I have heard referred to as all those who want children as opposed to us “oddballs” who don’t want them, I say this.

I respect your decision to have children, please respect mine not to have them.  I work full time, I pay my taxes and in part, I am financially supporting you in your decision.  Please bear that in mind next time you question my decision.  

Mini rant over. 

Ranty Ranty

Well. We have reached halfway through the first month of the New Year and as yet, no ranting posts on the blog.  Considering the “Rantthedayaway” title, I felt that it was about time for something of a ranting nature.    It has all become a little bit to much "nicey nicey". 

Trouble is, and I will probably look at this in a couple of weeks and laugh, I don’t have anything to rant about.  This means you can guarantee that I will shortly be inundated with things to rant about.  So instead of a rant about a particular subject, I have a list instead.

Things That Fuck Me Off

         ·            Animal cruelty. 

         ·            Rudeness.

         ·            People who don’t understand sarcasm – actually that’s more of just an irritant.

         ·            Mornings.

         ·            Snow & ice.  I do not like falling over.

         ·            Winter in general.  It’s cold, enough said.

         ·            Liars.  You WILL always get caught out in the end.

         ·            Sebastian Vettel – yes I count him as a thing.

         ·            The fact that until four years ago, I had never seen Formula One.  I was stupid.

         ·            People who hate Twitter and the people who tweet.

         ·            Social network snobs in general.

         ·            People who judge on face level.

         ·            Child proof bottles.  I can’t open them.

         ·            A closed mind.

         ·            Shoes that I can’t walk in.

I think that might do for now.  I could have gone on all day.

Challenge Update

I think I may be doing a few of these blogs relating to the whole cut down smoking thing.  Apart from anything, when I am typing, I can’t smoke!

Cutting down 6 cigarettes a day doesn’t sound like a lot, compared to those who go straight into the quit, but you have to do what is right for you.  Personally, I prefer to do this on a slow process. 

I’ve been on 20 a day for over ten years and this is the biggest effort I have made.  On day 10 of  the intended 14 a day I have been good to my goal.  Some days have been 15 I have to admit, but in the long run, that isn’t a major thing.

Tonight however I have a problem.  I have reached my 14 limit, and have had the extra one.  Bed is not in sight anytime soon and therefore smoking is inevitable. 

You can say to yourself “It’s weekend, don’t worry, do what you want” but I can’t do that. I have my goal and going past that is not something I want to do no matter what day it is.

So, with that in mind, my goal for tonight is just not to go past 20.  When   at home for the weekend I have always smoked more, sometimes 25-30 in one day as opposed to the usual 20. 

As long as I am strict with myself and go back tomorrow to the goal of 14 I am not worried.  I have never done this quitting thing before, obviously, so I am just going with the flow.  Whether it is right or wrong I don’t know.

That’s the update so far.  Progress report was doing well, but today has to read: Could do better.

Baby Steps

I’m a smoker.  I have been since the age of 14.  I’m not proud of it, but I’m not ashamed either.

Many people seem to look down on you when you say that you smoke.  If you are a considerate smoker, i.e. never smoking around non smokers, I don’t see why you should feel ashamed.  It isn’t like I am saying I’m a heroin addict (which I’m not before you ask).

Over the years I have thought about quitting, but until now that is all I have done about it.  Think.

The trouble is, I love smoking.  I bloody love it.  It calms me down when I’m stressed, it’s enjoyable with a drink of something alcoholic or after a meal. 

Obviously I am aware of the health issue.  It has always been at the back of my mind but unfortunately that competes with the side of me that doesn’t like being told what to do and it someone says I shouldn’t do something, I more than probably will. 

Over the New Year however I was away with friends, none of whom smoked and as such, the amount of cigarettes I smoked went down.  No one likes standing out in the cold for a cigarette and particularly not when you are on your own. 

I am usually a 20 a day person.  Over the New Year I went down to about 14, which given the amount of alcohol consumed over that period is amazing.  It started me wondering when I returned home if it was something I could keep up.   So I decided to give it a go.

The end plan of course is to eventually quit.  Health issues aren’t going to scare me out of smoking but the fact that I could have a lot more money at my disposal is more than tempting.  At this points “shoes” runs through my brain.

So for now, my little challenge is to maintain the 14 a day I started with at New Year.  Then once I have a handle on that, well, we will see how we go from there.  Baby steps, not a marathon is more likely to work with me. 

The end goal, stop smoking (without a goal date though as I don’t like to be pushed).  Present goal, maintain what I’m doing for a month and then review.  If I manage to quit completely, my aim is to use a few months’ worth of the saved money for a pair of Louboutins.  Now that is something to aim for as I am after all at heart a shoe girl.

I’ll let you know how I go on.

New Years Resolutions?

Soooo, New Year’s resolutions.  Don’t really stand much faith with them.

People make them, and then break them.  I know people who already who have  broken theirs.  All drinking related, you alcoholics!

I do have a few things I want to change in my life, but making a “resolution” is not my thing.  So instead, am going to make a list of things I am going to continue doing instead.

1.  Keep ranting.  I love it and haven’t had any complaints (as yet) !

2.  Make sure that at least one holiday planning is on the burner.  You need something to look forward to.

3.  Find a way, any way, to watch every F1 race next season.

4.  To keep saying what I think and not agreeing when I don’t.  Not connected to ranting!

5.  Maintain the absolutely fantastic friendships I have got going.  I love my “jebs” more than anything.

Hope everyone had a fab New Year’s Eve xx

Holiday Times

After years and years going out on New Year’s Eve, usually spending a king’s ransom, getting pushed and shoves in crowds at the bar, waiting forever for a taxi at the end of the night and waking up the next morning wondering why I did it, it was time for a change.

So three years ago my friends and I decided enough was enough.  For what we were collectively spending on one night out at New Year’s, for just a little more we could have a holiday instead so that is what we decided to do.

The first year we decided on Portugal.  That was, and remains the best New Year’s Eve I have had to date.  A new place to explore, the 5.00pm cocktail hour, spending the night with people you actually want to see.

We spent New Year’s Eve in a small local Portuguese bar where we were made as welcome as any local to the area.  At midnight champagne was passed round and we then raced to the beach next to the bar, in time for the fireworks and a paddle in the sea. 


The year after was spent in a beautiful cottage in the Lake District.  Log fire, en suite bathrooms for all, champagne flowing and lots of fun times.  This year was more of the same.



These three years have been the most fun I’ve had on any of the New Year Eve night’s out before them, plus you get away for a few days, spend time with the people you want to, what is better than that?

Christmas isn’t Christmas without presents said Jo

I’m not money orientated.  I would always choose poor and happy over rich and sad.

We all gets presents at Christmas.  Some little, some big, some expensive and some not.

This year I was completely spoiled.   I got a lot of presents, all things I wanted, from a coffee machine to theatre tickets, from body soufflé to face masks.

The best present I got this year however, didn’t cost a thing.  My dad died when I was eight.  For as long as I can remember I have always been upset that I don’t have photographs of him, particularly pictures of he and I together.

This year however, my amazing mum did a photo album for me, complete with captions which told me when and where the photos were taken.  I now have about 50 photos of me and my dad, spanning from a baby with him right up until just before he died.

I can honestly say that it is the best present that anyone has ever given me.   I must have cried for an hour on Christmas morning, another “happy tears” moment.

Having something like that, something that is so special to me is more important to me, and is worth more than any money can buy.  I will treasure it forever and always.

Another soppy post, but then again, it is Christmas.

A Good Year

It’s Christmas time.  So this post will not be a rant, a rave or on a subject in the headlines.

Christmas is the time of year I always look back over the past year and more often than not, have thoughts of the year to come wishing that this will change, or that will improve.

But this year, instead, I want to look back at my year and remember all the good things, and hope that they carry forward with me to 2012.  This may be a longer post than usual, but for once, that is a good thing. It means that are a lot of things to be happy about.

So here is my happy list:

Family

Family is something that you will always have, and will always be connected with my happiness.  This year has been a very good year for family.  I have founded a relationship with a sister who I have never had any time with over the years, but now we are getting to know each other and building our relationship.

This year also saw an end to a long standing argument with my other sister, who is both so very much like me, and yet so very different.  Having her back in my life, and with both of us in a place now where we understand our differences and cherish the similarities is a wonderful thing.

Friends

I’ve never been a person with millions of friends.  I prefer to have very close friendships with a few people and that is exactly what I have.  One of the highlights of my year was watching my best friend walk down the aisle, to a man who now I count as a close friend.  It is the only time in my life, that I remember, shedding “happy tears” for someone else.

It makes me incredibly happy that I have four friends that will be with me forever, probably still all as crazy as we are now.  We all have a bond that we feel lucky to have.

Added Bonuses

They say in your thirties that everything finally comes together.  You figure out who you are, what you want in life. While I definitely don’t have it all figured out, I feel like I know who I am.

Believe it or not, Twitter, and this blog helped me with that.  Although always opinionated, voicing my thoughts on Twitter, having my little rants and putting down what I think and feel on here has brought me more out of myself in the real world.

I always used to play down my opinions, was more the type to agree with someone rather than voice what I thought rather than say it.  Now I say it, and I mean it. 

There are always things that you wish you had, more money, a relationship, life in another country, but looking back on what I do have, life is good.

Sorry for the soppiness of this post, but I wish everyone who reads this a very Happy Christmas. Drink too much, laugh too loud, dance away the night and above all, have fun!

Rants and raves will resume in the New Year.

The Bet

I'm a bit of a ranting person on here, (hence the name of the blog) and on Twitter.

However, something I can never say no to usually is a bet with someone.  Except this time I have really landed myself in it.

As someone who reads my Twitter feed and has seen my blog, I have been bet by a friend that I cannot last a week without some kind of rant either on Twitter or on here.  Not a problem at all! I claimed..... Hmmm.  Not sure about that.

But, in my stupidity I have agreed to the bet so am posting it here so I can't get out of it, claiming I can't remember agreeing.

So: 1 week, starting from today.  No ranting on Twitter, no ranting on the blog.  I do however have to post something on the blog in that week, just to show I am not saving it all up for when the week is over.

The loser buys the winner a bottle of something nice.


UPDATE: 21 December 14.02
Well, am now buying someone a nice of bottle of wine.  I lasted approximately 24 hours before having a mini rant on Twitter and then two very large rants today.  Oops.

THINK

Bit of a change from my usual posts.

I love driving. It is one of my favourite things to do.  A clear motorway, in the fast lane, pedal to the metal, there is nothing like it.  But the thing I, and everyone should remember, is the road may be your friend, but other drivers aren’t.

Whether it is someone driving too fast in traffic, texting and driving at the same time or driving when tired, there are so many hazards and potentially fatal outcomes that you can’t predict, or sometimes prevent against.

In winter you have the additional problems of ice on the road, leading to terrible driving conditions, yet you still get some idiot on the road speeding through, endangering lives as they go.

My dad died when I was eight, killed by a speeding motorist, weaving through traffic with no consideration for others, and the consequences were fatal.  He left that accident with a broken arm, my dad never left.

There have been so many accidents on the motorways of late.  The accident on the M5 brought back so many memories.  I know how the people left behind felt.  I still remember being that little girl, asking why my daddy wasn’t coming home.

So next time you are wondering whether to have that last pint before you drive home, THINK.   Before you are tempted to take that call on the motorway without your handset, THINK.  Before you speedily weave through the traffic in an effort to catch the start of a programme, THINK.

Think because your actions don’t just affect you when you are driving.  They affect everyone driving around you, and their loved ones when things go wrong.

Christmas is a time for being with your loved ones.  It is a time when I think of my dad and wish that he were here now and that it why, every time I get in a car, and every time you get in a car, we must remember to THINK. 

The Don’ts of a Christmas Do

Office Christmas parties.  Depending on where you work, and of course who you work with, they can either be a chore, an obligation that you are forced to attend or a fun time you look forward to every year.

At my office we all love a good time, from the office junior right to the owners of the firm.  We try to make sure we all go out every few months.  It helps with the whole “team spirit” thing I think.  A happy office is a productive office and all that.

We have two Christmas parties every year.  One which the staff pay for themselves, with drinks supplemented by the owners, and another for all the offices, with all food and drink for free.

Surprisingly however, it is the staff paid for parties that always have the gossip and all the events.

I’ve just had my yearly office party this weekend, which inspired the post today.   It went on the usual format, Christmas meal after works, then hit the bars and a club if we make it that far.

Drinks-a-plenty, dancing, general silliness and pranks are always on the go and are encouraged.   The silliness and pranks are usually after a shot or two but we all have a great laugh, owner and worker alike.

What always surprises me, are the people that forget, even though they are out on “their time” and drinking, that they are still out with the boss.  If you are wrong kind of drunk (after one drink or ten), then surely, you would either avoid the work do altogether, or just have a couple and leave it at that.

I say this as we have that type at my office.  The wrong type of drunk.  Too loud, too aggressive, the damn irritating type.  The type you need to babysit.  Being this type of drunk around your friends or family is one thing, they at least know how to handle you, but out with colleagues, and your boss is another. 

After a night spent babysitting this person on Friday night I have complied a “Don’t Do” list for work Christmas parties.  Mainly because it irritated the hell out of me.

• If you can’t handle your drink, don’t drink or don’t come;
• Tinsel on Christmas trees is not for stealing for your own Christmas tree;
• If you are on the floor more than you are standing up, go home;
• Don’t argue/insult the boss.  They will remember in the morning, even if you do not;
• Don’t start an argument with a colleague over something stupid, they too will remember in the morning;
• If you haven’t brought enough money out with you, don’t steal other people’s drinks.  Also on those lines, have enough money to get you home;
• Finally, if you are over 20 and you still need babysitting when you drink, maybe work parties are not the place for you.

I’m giggly and happy after a few drinks.  I like to dance, am up for silly things and can generally be talked into a lot after a few (don’t read too much into that one, haha).

I am not the usual passive aggressive type and this is clearly a passive aggressive rant here, but I wanted to get it off my chest rather than cause office dramas.  Thankfully, my blog is not read at the office, they don’t know it exists and are not the blog reading type.

The drunken one is not going to the free office party this weekend, thank Christ, so I can eat, drink and be merry all I like.  Passive aggressive rant over.  Am aware I sound like a bit of a cow.