"Here's your Subzero, now plain zero"

I am rather tired today. Last night, despite the fact that I have seen it many times before, I stayed up to watch The Running Man. I can't decide whether this film is good or whether it is simply a hang on from my youth. Last night was the first time I can recall cringing at Arnie's one liners as he systematically ends the lives of the stalkers, Subzero, Buzzsaw and Fireball - I like that Dymano is able to continue with his operatics even after the buggy roll... 

So this has got me thinking, films that I claim to love but if I were to watch them now would I actually enjoy them? I am going to put it to the test, beginning with Robocop.

Nice Box

Every Cloud...

They say that that difficult times make us stronger, everything happens for a reason and experiences, both good and bad, shape who we are. I don't really want to go into details about what has happened this week, but rest assured it hasn't been great and I don't want to go through it again. However, the silver lining became apparent today when we went to find slippers.

Our first stop was M&S. They had the obligatory Mothers Day special display with a selection of indoor wear ranging from the Per Una seductive range (questionable) to the dear old Great Grannie comfies; I tried on both, obviously. The problem here was that the size 7 to 8 simply didn't accommodate my less than dainty feet; if I was one of those people who was happy to have their heels hanging off the back of their footwear I would have been fine, but I just don't think that it is a good look, not even in the house. In addition, the price of all ranges in my opinion was rather high, I believe that the cheapest offering was £10, and they were not very attractive. You may be thinking 'are slippers supposed to be attractive?', I would answer that if you are spending £10, the slipper should not make you gip. We left.

Next stop was Tesco, a place that, to me, does not often equate with quality footwear.I asked Alex whether he thought that David St. Hubbins would have shopped at Tesco, he said probably not, but we carried on regardless.

The word 'sale' often means that a store brings out all the old stock from several years ago and passes it off as a bargain to the customer; I generally avoid such displays of consumerism at all costs, apart from when shiny gadgets are involved. However, today Tesco delivered the goods. An amazing selection of quality slippers for the discerning shopper, so good that a decision was reached in seconds and both myself and Alex walked out after self serving with a glow of satisfaction. I know that you probably find this hard to believe, but I can assure you that we have never been happier with a purchase. TWO pairs of slippers for seven pounds, yes, that was two pairs for seven pounds. I am sure that you will agree, we have definitely stumbled across a mighty bargain...

£5, what more can I say?

Can you believe these were a mere £2???

Is it wrong?

Alex finds it most amusing that I have a soft spot for Nigel Havers. It began a long time ago; I had a brief episode of infatuation after I saw him as Serge in a production of Art back in 1997 and although it has mellowed, it seems to have lingered. Needless to say, I am very happy that he has graced the Street once more, however I'm a little bit jealous of Audrey...

I am going to convince Alex we need to meet him, I am sure he would be thrilled!

Ashes to Ashes

Having a little time on my hands has prompted me to explore the box set collection once again. I have decided to revisit the world of DCI Gene Hunt. The man has such a way with words, I say bring it back.

Quote of the day, "Today my friend, your diary entry will read 'Took a prozzie hostage and was shot at by three armed bastards'". Genius!

Bird Woman

An account of one Saturday in October 2011... What a day!

I dragged Alex along to the Black Knights Parachute Centre. We had to get up very early, that was not a good thing but I was booked in to do a very good thing so I tried not to moan. We arrived at Black Knights at 10:00 am and were told that it was too windy for me to throw myself out of a plane so we had to wait. 

Waiting...

Pops arrived to offer some support, he was in the middle of a Grim Rider escapade, needed to get a shot of a castle for the latest certificate; think I might have to sign us up for that venture next year.

Men talking about bikes

At two o'clock, they started asking people if they wanted to re-book, I chose not to. Pops decided that there wasn't a chance that I would get to do it and headed off with his photographers head on. 

A couple of hours later we got the green light and the smallest plane I have seen in my life was towed down a field by a quad bike (!) and men in flying suits climbed on board. These suits increased surface area so the chaps could fly across the sky - they were the 'Bird Men'. Anyway, as the plane took off and flew over our heads, the reality of what I had signed up for hit home, I am not ashamed to tell you that my eyes leaked slightly (might have been a bit of dirt getting in there). 

Ten bodies and it was full...

Next thing I know, there are several parachutes floating from the sky, all very surreal to be honest. My name was called (they couldn't say Syrichas!) and I went to get kitted up, a rather fetching ensemble if I do say so myself. I was particularly attracted to the head wear, a lovely baby blue, think it set off the shape of my head very well. 

There really is nothing to say.

I had trouble getting my legs in the jumpsuit, had to sit down and really concentrate on legs going in leg holes, I blame the nerves. I then waddled out and had my photo taken for the Hall of Fame, at this point I pondered exactly which hall I would enter, those who successfully opened the parachute or those that didn't!?! 

Second into the plane meaning last one out

The ascent was alarming, nine of us plus the pilot were in that little plane and it was very cosy. At 5000 feet they told me that this was the height the parachute would be opened, it was very high and I couldn't believe that we had to go up to 14000 feet. Anyway, we reached that height in less that fifteen minutes, which was nice, and I saw Blackpool Tower. 

I was the last to jump. Watching the others leave the plane was odd, slow motion. When it was my turn I had to hang out of the plane with my legs curled underneath it, held there by four clamps and a bit of material - I was bricking it! Next thing I know we were falling, it was awesome; we reached 124mph and experienced free fall for 9000 feet, it was over so quickly. Needless to say I had a stupid grin on my face by this point. My landing was pretty impressive, just walked, no falling over, no landing on my arse... 

One of those dots is me...

Legs up to allow for heroic landing...

And I'm done!

So, made it without any nasty accident and raised £700 for cancer research. Alex says that next time I should forget the parachute and do a Mary Poppins, not sure what to make of that...

Poddington Peas

The highs of two degrees has turned my attention to the garden once again, make of that what you will. I am indeed a fair weather gardener, however I think that I should put a little more effort into it. There was a radical transformation this summer, trees went, borders were taken back and stones were recycled; even the hedges saw some hardcore pruning action. It now sits there, looking a little bit barren. So, I have decided that I am going to search for some garden ornaments to brighten the place up, which will be nice...

Down at the bottom of the garden...