Painting, 6 Nations & A Proposal

Tuesday 1st February

Emma and I had booked the week off work, so that we could decorate the house. So, we up and into town early to get the paint and accessories that we needed. A quick trip to B&Q and a spot of lunch and then a taxi home. We moved all the furniture towards the centre of the room and began painting. We started with the two smaller walls, as these were going to be a 'dark teal' compared to the rest of the house, which was going to be a light 'gold' colour, similar to what was already in the house. By the end of the day, the two smaller walls were painted and one of the large walls had a coat of paint on it. I then popped out for a quick drink. On my return I went straight upstairs to Alysha's room as I needed to talk to her about something important. After our chat, we both went downstairs to where Emma was sitting on the sofa. It was then that I asked her to give me back her engagement ring. She didn't seem too happy about it, but she gave it back. I then told her that she could have it back on the condition that we had to be married by the end of March 2012. She agreed, so I gave her the ring back and she replaced it on her finger.

 

Wednesday 2nd

Up nice and early so that we could get a whole days painting done. Emma started touching up the 'dark teal' where we had missed a few bits and then started glossing. I carried on with painting the 'gold' on all the other walls, including upstairs. By the end of the day we had broken the back of it.

 

Thursday 3rd

Another earlyish start. Emma went into town for some shopping, while I went to my Uncle's house to help him put a new aerial in his loft. He then took me to B&Q to get another tin of gloss paint. (Our house has a lot of woodwork!) On my return home, Emma was busy glossing away and I carried on with the painting and touching up. By late afternoon we were almost done!

 

Friday 4th

A bit of a lie-in, before we got up and finished the painting. Everything was done with the exception of the radiators. They could wait a couple of days. So, after a spot of lunch we got all the furniture bak into its rightful places and chilled out. That evening we went to the Oddfellows to watch the opening match of the RBS 6 Nations Championship 2011, between Wales and England. Not the best of opening matches and not the start that Wales were looking for.

 

Saturday 5th

Another trip to the Oddfellows to watch Italy v Ireland and Scotland v France. Emma and I were joined by Len and Emma Jayne and Abigail from work. Emma and Abigail weren't staying for the whole afternoon as they were heading to their friend Kirsty's for a meal and drinks. Emma Jayne only stayed for the Ireland match before heading home, leaving me with an upset Len. Ireland didn't perform to their best and narrowly beat Italy. I was more shocked that I predicted the entire match to some friends before the match started. Right down to who would score and when. Spooky. Len, on the other hand, had been concentrating more on the Arsenal match. He was seriously upset when Arsenal, having been winning 4-0, drew the match. My Mum, who had been at the Emirates to watch the match, agreed with Len that the referee had obviously been bribed and should be shot at dawn! So, Len and I watched the Scotland v France match, with me still celebrating from the Irish win and Len still drowning his sorrows from the Arsenal draw.

 

All in all it was an eventful week.

 

Until my next blog...

 

May it be well with you.

January, 2011

New Year Weekend

Well, New Year came and went as normal. We didn't go out New Year's Eve, although Alysha did go to a friends, so we stayed in and watched the TV and waited until midnight to watch the fireworks, which were fairly impressive this year. Then it was off to bed. Emma was up early, as she had to work, where as I don't work weekends or bank holidays, so I stayed in bed for a bit. When I did get up I went for a wander, before returning home to watch some DVD's that I had received for Christmas. (Star Trek the Original series, all remastered). After that I just chillaxed for the remainder of the day. Sunday was spent watchin gmore episodes while Emma went to work, again. That is pretty much how I spent the whole of the New Year weekend.

 

Swany's Birthday

Swany ended up going out the night before his Birthday (11th) with some friends from work. They played pool and got drunk, before he ended up in the pond in Watford High Street... twice!! I popped round to his flat on the Wednesday (12th) to see how he was. He wasn't well at all, throwing up a couple of times while I was there. Then he asked me to take him to A+E as his foot hurt, from when he had fallen in the pond. So, I took him to A+E. A quick X-ray and it was discovered that his foot was just bruised. I then helped him back to his flat, where he proceeded to throw up, again. He wouldn't stop throwing up until four in the afternoon.

 

Five Fold Kiss

Saturday 12th January saw Five Fold Kiss perform their first Saturday night at The Horns. Steve B, Len, Emma Jayne, Swany, Pete, Adam and a few others all hit the pub at about eight-thirty, and waited for the band to start. Some more friends that I had told about Five Fold Kiss turned up, too. Helen and Russell, Valentina, Jenny and Anita. What a night! The band rocked and eveybody had a fantastic time. Ofcourse, my camera was their to capture the atmosphere of the night. After the band had finished, Len, Emma Jayne, Steve B, Swany, Pete and myself all went to Modello's for some more drinks. Then we all said our goodbyes and made our merry ways home. Steve B came back to mine as it was easier than trying to get back to Northwood.

 

Sunday 23rd January

Alysha was up early as she had a dance competition to go to. This wouold be her first of the year and she was really looking forward to it. (Alysha had only found out about it the afternoon before, when Bobby, her dance instructor, told her about it). So, off she went. Emma and I decided to just chill-out for the day, so we did. When Alysha finally arrived back, she had her arms full of trophies. It turns out that Alysha got a 3rd in couples, 3rd in Line Dance, 1st in Solos and qualified for the Nationals, in October!!! How proud am I?!

 

Sunday 30th January

Alysha was up early as she had her second dance competition of the year. As it turned out it wasn't her best performance, only getting a 4th place medal, but I am still proud of her.

 

Monday 31st January

Today would have been my Dad's 60th Birthday. It was also the first day of my week off work. We didn't get up to much, just relaxed and took it easy all day, as we had plans to decorate the house for the rest of the week.

 

Until my next blog...

 

May it be well with you.

Slovakia Today: Dog Adoption, Dubrava Style; or, The Shanghaiing of a neighbour by the village Press Gang

Shortly after my father, Joseph Anthony Gerard Morrissey, passed away in 2009, I discovered some hand-written 'diary entries', written by one of his many Slovakian friends, on loose A4 sheets of paper. Many other 'diary entries' had already been typed up, by my father, and published on a Slovakian website, which is unfortunately no longer on-line. I do not know who wrote the following, or how to go about contacting anyone that may know the author, so I am placing them here, to finish what was started.

If anyone reading the following 'diary entries' does have any information, or thinks they may know someone or something, please feel free to get in touch, by either leaving me a message or by e-mailing me.

Enjoy.

I have previously mentioned that after virtually every Christmas, one or two dogs are abandoned, in the snow, on the lane to our village. Their ex-owners tiring of their Christmas pets and, having no interest in the long-term responsibility of owning and training a puppy, and with their children back at school, simply drive up to our village and unceremoniously dump their dogs, like so much Christmas wrapping.

The village, again as previously mentioned, has an extravagant collection of dogs and this is an eyewitness account of how this heterogeneous pack came to be.

Last week, a little puppy was found, abandoned, freezing and starving to death - its ribs were starkly standing out - trapped deep in a roadside snowdrift. It was found by a good neighbour and was temporarily given to us to feed and warm up. We have, for unknown reasons, by far the warmest cottage in the village. It was very affectionate and desperately anxious to please, though, as we soon discovered, completely un-house trained, which, whilst speaking volumes about its original owners, kept us busy. The next day the finder, of the puppy, and some friends came round to discuss what was to be done with it. Most of the permanent residents are animal lovers. Between the half dozen of us in our cottage, that morning, I calculated that we had a grand total of five dogs (most of them abandoned outside the village). Four cats, five goats and three sheep. I have lost count of the chickens and rabbits, which count for eggs, meat and cash, therefore not counted as pets. The former all answer to individual names and are fed by hand. Oh, I forgot, there are a few million bees, who clearly 'know' their keeper. After much drink-fuelled discussion, (having the puppy put-down or put into a dog's home was simply not discussed, as this was unthinkable). Thank God a dog-less family in the parent village was fixed upon. The mother had intimated, in passing, to someone that they would like a dog for their two young daughters. That was it! We all set off, with the puppy, collecting on the way a growing throng of villagers, until virtually all the permanent, and semi-permanent, winter inhabitants (and their visitors) were in the Press Gang, some dozen or so. There was a metre of snow on either side of the lane, but the snowplough had recently visited and the lane was negotiable by two-wheel drives with chains and a bag of ash or by four-wheel drives. But it was a glorious, sunny midday, so we opted to make a festive walk of it, especially as many of us already had a number of drinks. Snacks, copious quantities of Pivo and home-distilled 'Slivo' were packed into rucksacks, and off we set. We walked three kilometre down to the family’s house. One of those four-storey houses - counting the capacious basement with its double garage that was self-built under the Communist regime - There was a huge pile of wood in the garden, as the modest means of the couple does not permit them to heat the large house by gas as was the case previously. (Current gas prices being way beyond them.)

We knocked and were welcomed in. The shanghaiing of the family, principally the father, by the Press Gang immediately commenced. It was an amazingly smooth, well rehearsed, sophisticated, psychological, psycho-social and totally ruthless operation. The head of the household, at least the nominal manifestation of it, was known to be partial to a drop or three of quality home distilled 60%-plus 'Slivo'. So a carefully selected bottle of the same was opened as was a packet of his favourite, pungent brand of hand-rolling tobacco, purchased at the village store adjacent to his house, where it was known to be kept especially for him. The unsuspecting victim was delighted by the 'Slivo' and the baccy, as well he might be. After all, this was just a party of friends and acquaintances, passing by. Slovak village hospitality is famous, or should I say, infamous.

After a few rounds of 'Slivo', his glass was always kept topped-up with the special 'Slivo', washed down with strong lager, the subject of the dog was introduced. It was gently, but firmly, eased into the general chit-chat about the snow, the local snowplough and its drunken driver, who considers himself a combination of Sterling Moss and Michael Schumacher rolled into one, when at the wheel of his racing snowplough, which he drives with prodigious, not to say reckless speed, enveloped in a self-generated small snow blizzard. A spectacular sight, both to behold thundering and flying along and carefully avoid. Yes, he sympathized with the Press Gang; it was indeed a criminally hard hearted thing to do to a puppy, as hard as Stalin, I added, knowing that his grandfather had vanished in the Communist takeover purges after the war. - My personal verbal contribution to the conspiracy. Fatally, he with much encouragement, stroked the puppy, which enthusiastically responded, at that very same instant, as if on cue, his two young daughters burst into the room, demanding to see 'their' new pet. The penny dropped. The bewildered man visibly, inwardly began gnashing his teeth, cursing his gullibility and feeling immediately less well pleased towards his unexpected guests, that he had welcomed with open arms. He had thought his daughters were safely out building a giant communal snowman. However, one of the Press Gang, on a 'lager replenishment trip', had slipped them the word that their Dad was adopting a puppy for them... NOW!

The father did not stand a dogs chance of refusing. The poor sap. How could he publicly disappoint his children? The reader can guess the rest: More 'Slivo' and lager followed, together with suggestions as how useful a guard dog would be. Though no one knew if the puppy would mature into a child-biting and intruder-licking dog. Exercise and companionship were mentioned, as was teaching the children responsibility. My partner and I played another small part in this shanghaiing by discreetly not mentioning that the puppy was totally un-house-trained.

At this point the mother, recognizing that discretion was the better part of valour, and as a woman being the head, as opposed to the nominal head, of the household, intervened saying, they did not have any dog food and that they would discuss the matter and let us know. Where upon the Press Gang triumphantly produced a five-kilo bag of dry dog food, three large tins of dog food and, to cap it all, a meaty bone. Most of them had much loved dogs, usually press-ganged upon them, hence the dog food and the zealous expertise in doing the return honour.

The thinking about the proposal was over. The inevitable accepted. The children marched out with their new dog, complete with collar and lead, also thoughtfully provided, to show their friends their new pet. We all celebrated the deal drinking to the happy family, including the chief victim, the happy Press Gang and last but not least a happy dog in a good home.

Deep down I know that after this, I am a marked man. Dog-less, an oddity in the village, resident for much of the year, so arguments about a small Bratislava flat and a seaside Croatian cottage will not wash. Therefore, sooner or later, the village Press Gang, with a strange dog in tow, will descend on me armed, not with cudgels, but with their knockout liquid equivalents. As I am known to be partial to wine and the odd cigar; a bottle of vintage wine and a fine Cuban cigar will be proffered along with home distilled 'fire-water', if past precedent is any guide.

Short of jumping out of a back window and heading for the the forests and hills, which once sheltered the anti-Nazi partisans, which is difficult in our case as we have no rear window to jump out of and there is, at this time of year, a metre-or-two of snow, the most likely time, making flight even more difficult.

So I know that the Press Gang will depart dog-less and our cat, much to its temporary disgust, will have a new companion, which hopefully will be house-trained.

I will keep you informed

A resigned to the inevitable

John

Christmas, 2010

Saturday, 25th December, 2010. Christmas!

 

I love Christmas! I count down to it every year from Boxing Day, much to the annoyance of some of my friends and family. This year was no different than any of the others. I was up and about just after 7 to feed the cats and fish. Then Alysha was up and so was Emma, once she had a coffee. Emma and I sat on the sofa while Alysha gave out the presents, which we then opened, throwing the discarded wrapping onto the floor. Suffice to say that it looked like a tornado had hit our living room afterwards. Just as we had finished opening them, we had a visit from Swany. More presents exchanged. He was over the moon with his presesnt, which we had had in the house for about 6 months! (Nothing like starting early!) After Swany left (nearly stacking it on the slippery path outside)we got ourselves together, at about 11, and headed over to my Nan's house to see the rest of the family. More presents exchanged, before we left for home and dinner. This year we had lamb with brussels, potatoes, carrots, broccoli and gravy. Last year we had steak. The year before we had a grill-up and the year before that was home-made pizzas. (We have something different every year, but we don't do turkey!) After dinner we sat and watched a bit of TV and then Alysha headed back to my Nan's. The rest of the day was quiet with Emma and I just chillaxin'.

 

Sunday, 26th December, 2010. Boxing Day!

 

I love Boxing Day as much as Christmas Day, if not more! Our Boxing Day consists of an 'Open House' party. Every year we invite friends over for food, drink, music and fun. Saves us having to go anywhere and also our friends help demolish all the food that is left. This year was no different. My friend Dave popped over in the morning and he loved his present. (An 'Il Duce' T-Shirt from the Boondock Saints! For anyone who hasn't yet seen these amazing movies, SEE THEM ASAP!!!) Then Swany arrived followed by Alysha, who had stayed at Nannie's Christmas night. Tracy and her kids, Madison, Sienna and Cheyanne then arrived follwed by Adam and Lauren and baby Kane. Len and Emma then arrived followed by Alysha's friend, Sam. Then my friend Colin arrived for an hour-or-so. What ensued was fun. Lots of laughing and joking while watching You Tube videos or listening to music. All this time drinks flowed and food was eaten. Tracy and the kids were the first to leave, as the kids were getting tired. Then we started on some drinking games. Shots of Chocolate and Chili Liqueur, Lemoncello, Teacher's, Bailey's, Toffoc, Etc.. Swany left soon after this as he had to work the next day. Lauren then took baby Kane home leaving Adam to stay at ours. Len and Emma were staying, too as was Sam. Luckily we had a spare room for Adam to stay in while Len and Emma had the sofa which converts into a double bed. Somehow, (it might have been the alcohol) Emma missed the bed, landing on the floor, knocking the coffee table flying. I managed to get a couple of photos before we helped her up. Luckily no damage was done to the coffee table or the floor. And, in case you were wondering, Emma didn't do herself any damage, either. Then it was off to the Land of Nod. Emma and I didn't surface until 12:30, (although, Emma had been up earlier to let Gerry out at stupid O'clock). That was when we heard movement from Len and Emma downstairs. That is not a pretty sight first thing in the morning and I am glad I don't have to wake up next to it everyday, and Emma didn't look too good either! (Only joking you two!) As it turns out, Adam had walked to Rickmansworth earlier in the morning and got a Taxi back to Amersham, so the house wasn't as full as it could have been. Alysha and Sam were just waking up as Emma and I headed into Watford for a little bit of shopping. We got back home minutes before Steve B arrived. Steve B had been away with friends for Christmas, so had missed our Boxing Day party. The rest of Monday was spent watching TV with more food and drink. We always buy four bottles of Snowballs every year, just for Steve B. 

 

Tuesday, 28th December, 2010. Grandad's 85th Birthday!

 

Up slightly earlier than the previous day, so that we could go to Grandad's to give him his Birthday presents. Not long after we got there, Alysha's friend Sam turned up and they headed off to Brent Cross to do some shopping. Then my Mum arrived and Emma and I headed home. Steve B was up and Emma said that she was going into Town, so Steve B and I walked into Watford with her. After a quick look around some shops, Steve B and I disappeared off to Mangan's for a drink with friends. Some time later, Emma met up with us and we headed to the Oddfellows to see more friends, before heading home. More food was eaten and drink drunk. Then, it was off to bed as Steve and I had to go to work the next morning.

 

A great Christmas was had by me and I think everyone else enjoyed it, too.

 

Merry Christams and Happy New Year, Everyone.

 

May it be well with you.

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!