The random happenings in my life during February 2010. The names of the guilty have been changed. But they should know who they are. I might even be subject to some retribution…….
Burger Boy does NOT have a girlfriend. This is a fact. Well, that’s what his Dad tells me.
Bob the Builder keeps sending me loads of text jokes. He’s a good lad!
Skype finally released the official version for my mobile phone. Downloaded and installed fuss free. A test call or two and no problems encountered at all. But this was over my Wi-Fi network, yet to test it over 3G. Suspect it will be a bit flaky.
I am not sure whether this is just an “age thing” on not, but I increasingly despair at how soft and forgiving we are nowadays. Another classic example was a carer who stole money from a disabled woman she was looking after. The whole incident was caught on camera as well. She was given a four month suspended sentence. So in other words, just a slap on the wrist and no more. Yet the person had a position of trust and abused it. Sends out the wrong message in my book.
We all had a good moan at the MP expense candle. And now the Parliamentary body set up to monitor future expenses is to cost 6 times more than the repaid expenses. Nice to see common sense being applied then………
Just for a bit of a giggle, I started to do the Lottery again. Not taken part since the first few weeks when it started many years back. Decided to do it all on-line and it was dead easy to register and set up. I’m doing random numbers on the Euro Millions. Why? Well, bigger prize money and statistics show that if you are less likely to share a payout on random numbers. Will let you know if I win. Wonder from which part of the world I will post the news!!
And now for an update on my Power Monkey. It works a treat and charges both my mobile phones and i-Pod from the different adaptors. However, so far the solar charger is useless. The red charging light comes on in the weak winter light, but it has insufficient power to actually charge the unit. So now all packed away until April. I hope it works then as the cricket and motorbike seasons start, so I’m outdoors a lot.
Power Monkey at the back, solar charger in front
I’m now getting pretty well with my Wobble Board. It has taken some time to get used to, but the perseverance is worth it. It uses muscles that cycling and walking do not use, improves the balance and strengthens the legs. All for just a few minutes each day whilst watching the telly.
Here’s a good one for all you observant people. In all the disaster type movies and TV programmes, people walk everywhere. The humble bicycle is ignored even though it would be the most efficient type of transport. Anyone know why?
After his last cycling adventure, Mr Ranter decided to buy a proper racing bike. He went the whole hog and splashed out an astonishing £2,700. Then he had to buy some “extras”….like pedals. Er, what? You spend all that money on a new bike and you don’t get pedals?! Strewth almighty, it’s a barmy world alright.
Weather wise, I had one dry week in the month and went for it. 54 miles cycled in damn near freezing conditions mind. At least I wore the right clothing so was warm and dry, honest! But the wind was a bit of a killer..I had the ultimate kick in teeth during one of my cycle trips. I reach the crown of the original Severn Crossing (now M48) and ease up as now on the down slope. But due to the headwind, I had to keep peddling to maintain speed. Doh! No rest period for me then.
General Randomness
No new blogs or rants in the month I’m afraid. There are a few new jokes in that section mind. So mosey on over and have a butchers!
And now for a monumental feat. In February Mark Beaumont completed his latest cycle adventure. It took him 9 months to cycle from Alaska to southernmost tip in Argentina. A total of 13,000 miles. He also climbed the highest peaks in North America and Southern America during the trip. Wow. What an epic venture! His travel documentary is on the BBC on 23rd and 30th March. Final part on 6 April. Set your recording apparatus!
Sports News
For me the 4th of February was one of those great days as it meant spring is not too far away. Yes, the Yamaha YZR-M1 2010 was launched. What’s that then? Why it’s the coming seasons MotoGP bike for Rossi and Lorenzo. Time to dust off those knee sliders chaps! The riders had two separate testing trips in Sepang. Needless to say the fastest on all days was Mr Rossi. Has he already won the mental battle? Time will tell.
And then I learn a new MotoGP fact. When they crash and the parts are not fixable – they get crushed! How sad is that. Would love to buy a part and put it in the living room on display. Oh well.
And for a sports mad person, the Winter Olympics passed me by. Simply not interested at all. Oh well! I did hear though that GB won a Gold medal. No surprise really. It’s all down to the Nation’s love of tea. So that’s jumping on a tea tray and hurling yourself down an ice slope. The posh name for it is the Skeleton.
On the watching football side, I thoroughly enjoyed my trips to Cossham Street to watch Mangotsfield. There is a hardcore dozen (ish) who have a good old sing song and banter. Must be the funniest crowd in the league by far. Keep it up chaps – and of course chapess!
And the month ended with Portsmouth FC going into Administration. That’s good in my book. It’s about time the Revenue wised up and put the knife into clubs that don’t pay. Hopefully Crystal Palace, Chester et al will all go. I have nothing against these clubs. Believe me; it’s for the long term good of the game. See my rant https://smarty09.wordpress.com/2009/11/03/football-clubs-and-tax-debts/
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