Massimo's Birthday

Sunday 31st October, 2010. Halloween (Samhain).

 

After the Saturday night, I expected a lie-in. That never really happened as I was awake early, as usual. Once I was up I went downstairs and made a coffee and waited for Steve B to get up. Emma was still in bed. When Steve B did finally surface, he didn't look too clever, so we sat and watched 'Arthur 2: On the Rocks'. Brilliant movie that we had not seen in a long time. Then Emma got up and Steve B collected his things and got ready to go. He was meant to be meeting up with some friends but all he met was his duvet, when he got home. After a spot of late lunch, Emma and I got ourselves ready to go to Zinco in Watford for Massimo's Birthday. We arrived at the restaurant at 6, where we were met by Kirsty who Emma helped put up Birthday banners and balloons. Once everyone had arrived we all ordered our meals and started to celebrate. 12 adults and 2 kids. I had the Calzone Misto Carne (Folded pizza filled with meatballs, home-made slow cooked meat sauce, chicken, mushrooms, sun blushed tomatoes, mozzarella & tomato). It was delicious but it was not the best that I have had. (If you want the best, go to Maurizio's in Rickmansworth). Once we had all eaten and finished our drinks, we settled the bill and Massimo had said 'goodbye' to some of his family and friends, we all headed over the road to 'O'Neill's'. Being a Sunday it was very quiet, so we only had the one drink before we headed down the High Street to 'Que Pasa'. Again it was quiet, but we made the most of it by having some Jager Bombs! I am not sure what was scarier, as it was Halloween I was expecting to see people in fancy dress, but I wasn't prepared for 'O'Neill's' and 'Que Pasa' to both have their Christmas Trees up. After a couple of drinks we all headed to 'Revolutions', where it was slightly busier. Best part was that all cocktails were half price! Fantastic! We stayed here until closing and Emma and I finally got a taxi home, just after midnight.

 

All in all, another great weekend.

Alysha's 15th Birthday

On Thursday October 26th, 1995 at 17:55, my daughter, Alysha Tamsin Alexandria Morrissey, was born.

She weighed 5lbs 13.5oz. It was the happiest day of my life.

 

On Tuesday October 26th, 2010. My daughter turned 15.

 

Alysha started celebrating her Birthday on Monday (25th) by going Bowling with a couple of friends (Jade and Anita). After Bowling (which Anita won) they all returned home and did girlie things in Alysha's room. Anita left and went home leaving Alysha with Jade, who was sleeping over. We ordered the girls a pizza and trimmings while Me and Emma had steak with onions, mushrooms and Tiger bread. (Beautiful). Alysha and Jade then watched a DVD, before going to sleep.

The following morning (26th), I was up as usual and was waiting for Alysha and Jade downstairs. My Mum and her friend Sue arrived just before 08:00 to drop Alysha's presents, cards and cakes off, which was the time Alysha crawled out of her pit. Then Mum and Sue went to work. Emma got up at about 08:30 and then Alysha began to open her cards and presents.

She did very well:

A JLS hoodie, a pair of Uggs, an umbrella, Pineapple clothes, some toiletries, High School Musical 3 DVD, a £15 gift voucher, a £30 cheque and about £70 in cash. And some other things.

Then it was breakfast. Croissants for Alysha, Jade and Emma, and another coffee for me.

Then the girls went and got dressed and went over to Alysha's Great Nan's to see them.

They returned a little later and said that they were going into Town. So they went.

Alysha used her new Student Card to get her nails done with a discount. They then went clothes shopping and then mooched around the shops, until coming home, just after 15:00.

My Mum popped in after work for a cup of Tea and a cake. It was while we were we talking that my Mum suggested going out for a meal. A short discussion on where to go and we were all off getting ready. Mum went home to feed Poppy (her Cat) and get changed, while we did the same.

Then, Alysha, Jade, Emma and me walked to Mums and then carried on to the 'Rising Sun'.

The 'Rising Sun' is a pub/hotel on the old site of the 'Sun Engraving Co. Ltd.'

 

The 'Sun Engraving Co. Ltd.' opened in 1919. At its peak it was the largest printing company anywhere in the world. In World War II much of the allies propaganda material, as well as all the manuals of aerial recon photographs used for the invasion of Europe, were produced there. The company also got involved in activities connected with the production of the atomic bomb. Much of the site was abandoned in 1989 after Robert Maxwell bought it and reduced the workforce, by streamlining the company. The site remained empty for a long time before redevelopment, which has resulted in a hotel, pub, flats, GP surgery, nursery, etc..

 

Anyway, we found a table and sat down to study the menu. The restaurant was busier than normal, for a Tuesday, as the 'Harvester' across the road is currently closed for refurbishment. 

Alysha and Jade ordered the Pasta Alfredo, Emma had the Pie and Cobbler, Mum had the Chicken salad and I had the mixed grill. (Steak two nights in a row!) Alysha then had a waffle with Belgian Banoffee Waffle for dessert, while Emma had a Bailey's Latte, Mum had a Liqueur coffee with Tia Maria and I had a Liqueur coffee with Jameson's. 

Once we had all finished, we made our way back to Mum's for another drink, while Alysha and Jade went back to ours to watch High School Musical 3. We stayed for about an hour before we left my Mum to go to bed, as she had work the next day. When we got home the girls were in Alysha's room watching the DVD, so we left them to it, and went to bed.

 

All in all I think Alysha had a great day.

A Lucky Escape!

I am so lucky to be alive!

It all started last night (30th). We had finished dinner and were all just chillaxin', when it happened. A blazing row over nothing. After a few heated words and a screaming match later, I decided to go out and get some air. It must have been about 21:45 by this time. Anyway, I went out on to the field outside our house when I got jumped. I hadn't seen anyone in the field, so I guess he must have been hiding, waiting to ambush anyone that went for a wander. All I saw in the dim light were these pair of eyes and flashes of white. I tried running but my attacker was a lot bigger than me and a lot faster. He dragged me into another field and started pounding me. The wet grass made it hard for me to find me feet, but I fought back as best I could. But it seemed that no matter what I did, I wasn't even making a mark. I was so close to giving up, when someone else showed up. This one was even bigger! I thought, this is it, but it turns out this guy had come to help me. He scared off my attacker and checked to see if I was okay. I have never in my life been so thankful to anyone. I couldn't understand a word he said, so he picked me up and carried me into his house. He cleaned me up and gave me some food and let me rest. I must have fallen asleep, because the next thing I know, it's morning. My Guardian Angel was also up and came to see how I was. He tried speaking to me, but I have no idea what language it was, so I just looked up at him. Then his daughter came to see me, but I couldn't understand her, either. A few minutes later and my guardian Angel helped me up and led me to the door. We walked down the road together until I got my bearings. I said 'Thank you', but I am not sure if he understood. He made noises too, but I can't say what the words were. I like to think that we did understand each other in the end and I hope to see him again some time. Anyway, I headed off home and I suppose he wandered off to work. I couldn't wait to get home as I had missed my family and I so wanted to see them and tell them what had happened. So I ran. I ran as fast as I could. All the while I kept thinking to myself, how lucky I was. That is the last time I go out at night in this area.

West Watford is no place to be at night if you are a mouse!

'Hello, Mister Capello.'

Before I begin, I must say...

I HATE FOOTBALL & I HATE MUSICALS!!!

Earlier this year my very talented daughter, Alysha, auditioned for a part in a musical. Because of her dancing abilities, and the fact they she is great on stage, she landed a role. She was happy and I was happy. She asked me if I would go and see her in it and I said, 'Yes.' Then she told me that the show was called 'Hello, Mister Capello.' and that it was a Musical set in Watford about Football. (Argh!!!)

The lead up to the play saw Alysha at rehearsals for most afternoons and evenings. (Luckily her dance classes had finished for the summer.) My Mum, Lynda, would have come to see the play but was away for her holidays, so me and Emma decided to take my Nan along to see it.

September 4th - Play Day.

Alysha had left the house early to go to dance, which finished at 13:00, giving her 15 minutes to get to the Palace Theatre. This wasn't a problem. The matinee was due to start at 14:30, so we walked to my Nan's and ordered a taxi and arrived at the Theatre at just after 2. We had deliberately picked seats close to the aisle in case Nan needed to get out for any reason. This was a blessing, as most of Alysha's performance happened stage left, so she was directly in front of us.

The first half lasted an hour, then there was a 20 minute break. Nan stayed in her chair while we went to stretch our legs. On our return to our seats, we bought Nan and ourselves an icecream. After the second half was finished, we made our way to Palace Cafe and waited for Alysha. She arrived all smiles and asked us all if we liked it. A Resounding 'Yes.' from all of us. She then told us that they were doing tours backstage. Nan decided that she was quite happy to sit in the Cafe while Me and Emma went on the tour. Alysha led us back in to the Theatre and we waited for the tour to begin. They split us all up in to groups of 8 and the tour began. We were taken around by Ian, the Stage Manager, and he showed us everything. The stage, the sets, Orchestra pit, lighting rigs, dressing rooms, etc. As we left the dressing rooms area, Ian asked Alysha if he had missed anything, to which she replied, 'No, I think that's all of it.' Obviously, over the course of the rehearsals, I think that Alysha had manged to talk to every member of the crew and, knowing her, had quizzed them on everything. After the tour we went back to find Nan and order a taxi. Alysha was staying at the Theatre as she had her final show to do later that evening. After the final show, Alysha phoned to say that they were having a 'wrap' party and asked if she could stay. Her friend would drop her home later. I told her to enjoy herself and that I was very proud of her.

Hello, Mister Capello.

The story revolves around a young man called Jimmy Champion, his sister, his family and a secret that threatens to destroy his family.

Watford Football Club.

Some local girls who want to be WAGS.

Three older ladies who meet up by the Watford Pond to feed the ducks.

Young people from Watford who try to get to the World Cup in South Africa.

And various other people from the Watford Area.

The songs in the play were all pop songs.

The play itself was brilliantly acted and directed. It was not all about football and it was not all singing. It was a good story and had some funny moments. It also had some darker moments but it was still good.



I still hate football and musicals,

but I would go and see this play again.

Superb.

Monday 16th August, 2010

IRON MAIDEN

Everything at work ran like clockwork, which made the morning go quickly. This meant that I could pop into Watford, at lunch, to buy the much anticipated 15th studio album by Iron Maiden, The Final Frontier! I had been waiting for this album for months and finally today was the day I would get it and listen to it. Iron Maiden had put one of the tracks from the album, 'El Dorado', on their website as a free download. This, I thought, gave everyone some indication of the sound of the album as a whole. Wrong!!! The style and composition of each track is incredible. From some heavy songs to amazing riffs to 'Metal Ballads'. (If there is such a thing.) This album has a completely different sound to some of their recent albums, but then is very similar to them. It also has pieces that sound as though they could have been taken from their albums from the early 80's, but are a lot heavier. And yet it has some amazingly soft tones to it. With each listen you get a better appreciation of how this band have grown and you can also see that there is no way they are going to stop... yet. Having listened to it for the last few evenings, when I have had the house to myself, it grows and grows on you. I thought that on first listening to it, that the song 'Coming home' was my favourite. Then it changed to 'The Talisman', then 'When the Wild Wind Blows'. Now, I can't pick out a favourite. Each song is unique and deserves to be a favourite. It is very rare that an album can hold my attention through 10 tracks, running at over 76 minutes, and I find that I don't want to skip a single song. This is quickly becoming my second favourite Iron Maiden album ever! After 'Number of the Beast.' If you get the chance, give it a listen.

Up the Irons!!!

 

On August 16th 1977, the World lost one of its greatest performers. Elvis Aaron Presley.

Knowing this I knew that my friend, Len, would be round for a few drinks after work. He is a complete Elvis nut who is currently saving to go to Graceland in 2012. Sure enough he turned up. I was listening to my new Iron Maiden Album, 'The Final Frontier', when Len arrived. We cracked open a few cans and we sat in the garden while the CD came to its finish. Then I put Elvis on. Not your normal hits or anything. I put on his unreleased, live, rare, demo, one-off songs. Ofcourse the first one I played was 'I washed my hands in muddy water'. This is one of Len's favourites, and mine. Len didn't even know this song existed until I played it for him a couple of years ago. We had got talking in the pub and I asked Len if he had heard 'Don't cry Daddy' by Elvis and Lisa-Marie? He said, 'No' and that there was no such version. So i went home put the song on my phone and went back to the pub the following day and played it for him. Apologies all round. We quickly became good friends and I told him to pop over the house, and i would play some more tracks that I was sure he had never heard. Sure enough there were quite a few songs he hadn't heard. Or, rather, he had heard the songs but not the versions I had. This was especially true of the aforementioned, 'Muddy Water'. So we sat in the garden, drinking beer and listening to Elvis.

 

Cousin.

A little after Len had left , my cousin Mark came round. He was only down for one day, from Norwich, and had spent the afternoon with the Grandparents and his Uncle. Then I had called him and told him that i would be very upset if he didn't pop in to see me and Emma. So, he did. Emma had gone to a friends to drop in a Birthday present for our friends daughter, so Mark and I sat in the garden, with a beer. Since Len had gone home, Iron Maiden was playing again. Not soloud to deafen, but just enough to be heard in the background. We sat and talked and joked and basically caught up. Emma returned and they talked for a bit before Mark had to leave. As he was staying at my Mum's, he thought that he should get there earlyish, so that he could speak to her too. So we said our goodbyes and he left.

Time with Friends

After my trip to London with Alysha (see last blog), I relaxed for the rest of the week. Swany and I did go to 'Shoots' Garden Centre, on the Friday, as I wanted some more fish for my tank. On all of our last visits to 'Shoots' they have had a 'Snakehead' in one of the tanks. Unfortunately, no one had bought the Snakehead at 'Shoots' so it had been returned to the supplier. Snakeheads are usually found in freshwater in Africa and Asia. There are a number of different species of  Snakehead and they can grow anywhere between 25cm and over 1metre in length. They are predatory and eat everything from aquatic insects to rodents. They can also breathe air and when they are out of the water they use their muscles and fins to 'walk'. The female can lay up to 150,000 eggs a year! It is a great creature to see in a tank, but people have started to release them in to the wild, especially in America, where they are causing havoc with the local ecosystems. Anyway, I bought six Admiral Tetras and two Glass Catfish for my tank, along with an ornament for them to swim through. Swany, the mad man that he is, decided to buy a hamster. He had hamsters before and still had the cage, so he bought a small, female Russian hamster. On our way home we stopped off at Swany's to pick up the cage and then carried on to mine. While Swany cleaned his cage for his new hamster, I set installing the new ornament in the tank and acclimatising the new fish to the tank. While my fish were were bobbing about in their bags in the tank, Swany decided it was about time he named the hamster. Various names were thought of, including: Rachel 2 (last hamster had been called Rachel), Muppet (why not?!), MRS A (for a laugh), Treacle (for a millisecond), and various others, before he settled on... Lois. Quite apt as most people know Swany as 'Super Swany'. I did make the comment that Lois might get lonely and need a friend whom he could call... Clark. Swany was having none of it, so I left it. That night Swany had to drive to Wales so Lois stayed with us. That's Me, Alysha, Emma 14 fish and two cats, Tilly and Gerry, who thought the little furry thing in the metal box was for them to play with. Lois survived the night and was reunited with Swany on Saturday afternoon. Sunday I chillaxed and I returned to work on the Monday, at St. Albans City Hospital, and I was back at Watford for the rest of the week.

On Friday (13th) I went in to Watford with some friends. Chris, Adam, Michael and Kevin. We started off at the 'Oddfellows' for a quick one before moving on to the 'Moon Underwater'. We each had a pint and then we shared a pitcher of 'Green-eyed Monster'. Fantastic stuff. We then went on to 'O'Neill's' where we had 'Jager Bombs' and 'Sambuccas'. We then headed off to 'Yates's'. It was here that the words 'Beaver Club' kept getting mentioned. I was in no mood for visiting a strip club, so I made my excuses and scarpered back to 'O'Neill's', where I bumped in to Deano. He was up from Cornwall for the weekend and we always seem to find each other when he's back. So the two of us had a few drinks in 'Chicago's' before I left Deano with his arms around some young lady, and I headed home. Turns out this was a perfect idea, as the others did indeed hit the 'Beaver Club' and one of them even managed to get a bill for £240 on his credit card!!!

On Sunday (15th) Emma and I went to her sister Rachel's house for a BBQ, with all her family. The weather was perfect and so was the food. Plenty to eat and drink and we had a real good time. Alysha didn't go with us as she is currently on holiday with her friend, Sophie. Sophie's family had picked her up earlier on. I am sure she is having a great time and I look forward to seeing all the Photo's and hearing all the stories, when she gets back.

Until next time,

May it be well with you.

Drinks & A Tattoo!

I have had such a great weekend!

It all started last Thursday (29th July). I had the week off work and was looking forward to a night out with a few friends, Tendai, Ed, Alan & Swany from A & E and Alex from X-Ray. All six of us met up at Riley's in Watford for a couple of games of pool, at about 20:30. We had booked two tables so there were always four of us playing, until the last match when we all had a game of killer. I am not a very good pool player but I did manage to beat Swany, once. He was Okay about it has he did beat Tendai, which he rarely does.

After this we decided to go O'Neill's for a couple more drinks. One thing led to another and before you know it we were on Jager Bombs! (Alex's idea!) He soon regretted it as he was seen running to the toilet soon after. After a few more drinks, and a couple more Jager Bombs, we decided it was a good time to head off. Plus, the pub was closing. Alex and Ed were sensible enough to head home. Alan was determined to go to a night club, but in his state that was not going to happen, so he disappeared off with Tendai. Swany and myself decided to head back to his for a coffee, before I headed home myself. When we got back to Swany's, and after we had drunk some coffee, we decided it would be a good idea to sleep out in the tents. Mine was still up in my garden and Swany's was in his car which was on my drive. Superb idea! We got back to my house at about three thirty in the ayem and we set about setting up Swany's tent. Less than 10 minutes and it was done. Not entirely sure that Emma was happy about us pitching the tent at that time, but this is the sort of thing that happens when Swany and I get together.

Swany was not feeling too clever on Friday when he emerged from his tent at around 09:00. He went home to freshen up and was back round mine for about 13:00 as we had to go to see our friend Curtis in Dunstable. Curtis is my personal tattooist and Swany had been waiting an age to have a tattoo of a lion put on his shoulder. The Lion he had in mind was a sketch drawn by his Great grandfather, while in Africa. My tattoo was an Ouroboros against a cross. This gives it that Celtic look but incorporates two different elements. The cross itself is based on the rosary from the  film 'The Boondock Saints' while the Ouroboros is from the Chris Carter TV Series 'MillenniuM'. To say we were impressed with Curtis' work would be an understatement. Swany couldn't stop looking in the mirror after his was done and mine was just as good. Swany's was identical to the sketch that he had given Curtis, mine on the other hand I didn't get to see until it was going on my arm. I had given Curtis a brief with a few pics and then he designed it himself. He got it spot on!

Saturday Swany had to work, but came over afterwards with another friend, Pete. Len was also here and Emma had cooked us all stew and dumplings. Len didn't have any as he wasn't feeling too well and went home early, but the rest of us tucked in. Emma's stew is something to be savoured, as it is the second best Stew I have ever had in my life! (My Great Nan's was better!) After feeding we moved the tents so that they were facing each other than let off a few Asian Lanterns, just because we wanted to and because we wanted to upset a farmer in Kings Langley who is calling for them to be banned. His reasons being that his cattle might eat the Lantern and choke on the wire or they may cause fires. One: Our Lanterns have no wire as they use bamboo which bio-degrades. Two: By the time the Lantern falls from sky the fuel cell has been used up and the Lantern is stone cold. Besides, there are some 'Special' people in Bushey who believe that UFO's are flying every time we send a Lantern up. God help us!  After the lanterns had disappeared from view we settled in to our tents and continued to drink and chat. (Emma had already gone up to bed) Pete and I sat up talking 'til ridiculous O'clock, while Swany had passed out earlier.

So all in all a damn good weekend!

My next blog will be along shortly.

Until then, May it be well with you.