Life Now I Am 60

Well folks slowly I am coming to terms with my new status, last week went to get my bus pass, sadly even got that wrong, remembered everything but proof of where I live, so another trip this week.

Tried to help friend out with shifting furniture, was okay till back set off, was fit for nothing for 2 days, so had to abandon all activity.

On the positive side, have been invited out twice this week, went to see Kath & Harry who I have known for for ever the other day, when we caught up with the last 40 years in an afternoon.

On sunday going to see Pauline & Billy for dinner, to show photos & have a chat about the party, Michelle who I have not seen for over 20 years will also be there, not sure if I will recognise her, again a sign of getting old.

Went for a meal out with Zorro today, tried to remember musical based on Shanglia took nearly 2 hours to remember it was Lost Horizon, neither of us could remember the hit song from Chorus Line that wasent "what I did for love" still cannot now, could go & look at LP( thats a big round vinyl thing for you young ones) but will get distracted & start other tasks.

Finally I have gone mad & ordered a brand new MP3 player so will see what exciting things I can do with it, when it arrives, so long as I do not loose it, or mislay it.

My computer will soon be upgraded with more memory so will then work quicker, shame the same does not work for me.

By the way all you readers what has happenned to the photos for my fast food blog, it seems to of gone very quiet.

Regarding the ME group, slowly getting to know the people there, have found some really nice people on the message board, the thing I have been most impressed at is how some people find the strenth to put up with the all that life seems to keep throwing at them, whilst still supporting others.

My loyalalties are being split at present my grand daughter signed me up to BEBO & the family keep sending me e mail which is lovely but for the fact often it is in text speak that I do not understand, also it means I have to go into this daily to read & reply, plus what an alien world they all live in, another sign of old age I suppose

What Happens Next

Hello readers, I am really pleased that some more people have finally had a look at my blog & I hope that they will continue coming back, so will have to work hard to keep this up.

Please provide suggestions that will encourage this to happen, if you have not seen the photos of the party please go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffreyb3/

Well on another site somebody said well what will he be doing for his 61st, well the answer is long before that the next event is a sponsored scooter event in August, followed by another concert to raise money for Shopmobility some time later in the year or early next year.

Before that I am off to look at the Isle of Man at long last for a weeks holiday, I am hoping the weather is going to be good & that I will get some good photos to show you all.

As far as I can make out we managed to raise £320 to help pay for education of children in Zambia, thanks to you all.

Apart from the big event, work did a special suprise event for me first thing Monday morning, then we went out for a meal out last night.

The Partys Over

At long last the secrets out I came as Merlin from the musical Camelot, who also featured in Shrek 2 & 3, I have to say nobody guessed it, you can now see whether the costume really was worth the effort, I think it shows me in another light.

Good morning all you readers, my 60th party finally took place last night, most of the friends I was expecting came, but sadly there were a number of people who could not come.

These included Laura who was so excited that she started with contractions, and was told to rest, Kath and Harry where health was a problem, as it was for Andy and Sue, you were all sadly missed.

It was great to see all the people that came, some I have known for over 40 years whereas others I have only known for a few short months, I feel that most of the people enjoyed the event, and it was great to see how much effort some had gone to in regard to their costume, although after all I had said I was disappointed that Tony did not come as the policeman from Allo Allo.

I have to say a special thank you to my son and his family, Brian and Tony, the staff at Smithills, and Wally, Amo and Tanya for providing the music and encouraging the entertainment of those that were brave enough to go on the dancefloor.

When I originally thought of this party I decided I was only going to invite nice people who are special to me, from the way the party went and the kindness of all the people I feel I achieved the objective, so thank you all again.

For those who read this but do not know, I had asked that people donate money to provide education for children in Zambia rather than give me presents, I do not know the final total, but with the cheques I have at present, it should pay for education of three children for at least a year.

I will try to give you all an update on how the money is spent when I am informed as well as how much was actually raised.

I have already transferred the video to my DVD recorder so if anybody wants a copy I will happily send one, I am trying to sort out the photographs and any of you who've taken photos at the event who are happy to send me theirs, I will happily put a selection on Flickr for the rest to see.

I am absolutely shattered but my son and family, will be arriving shortly so I will now sign off.

Sixty at Last

Hello everybody

Well I have finally got to 60, it doesent seem to of made any difference yet, in fact on the day I only recieved one card in the post, but got a text from my son & grand daughters who will soon arrive for the party.
Later went to shopmobility & was presented with a cake & cards, so felt a little better. When I got home there were birthday wishes from some of my new friends from the message board.

As an anti climax I spent the afternoon at the hospital trying to sort out progress re his discharge.

This morning no cards before I left, but good friend rang about other matters, I thought eventually he would say why he had not been in touch, he did he had been walking in Derbyshire, I felt the need to ask him if he knew what day it was yesterday, Tuesday he said, my birthday said I, he was mortified.

Well went to work & entered our office I had decide that there would be a suprise party at lunch time for me because after all I was 60, I entered our office to the sound of party poppers & "happy birthday" my collegues had come through, the office had been decorated with balloons etc & I was presented with a posh new watch.

Sadly later I was then presented with a huge chocolate fudge cake, how did they know I cant resist this, we took some photos & I e mailed them but they have got lost so will have to post them later.

Came home, another card but where are the rest, hopefully they are going to arrive at my birthday party, if not I have judged the number of my friends very poorly & will not have another party for at least another 10 years when I have got my act together.

Having said that I going out next week for a joint celebration of my birthday & a friends pregnancy, just hope she does not get to excited & have the baby there, I wonder if I could insist that baby be in fancy dress.

Only 5 More Days To Go

Hi Everybody

Well only the music to sort out now, for the event, plus the the boredom when everyone finally sees the costume, there was me thinking it was a famous musical & when I checked it wasent even in the top 100.

I have just discovered Flickr so when its all over I will upload some of the photos so you can see whether it was all worth while.

As you will all be aware today was fathers day, sadly through circumstance apart from a conversation over the net I was unable to spend the day with any family, maybe next year it will get better, having said that there are other friends who have much greater problems than I

Nearly time for My 60th

Well everybody, I am nearly ready for my birthday, most people have now confirmed whether they are coming, sadly some will be unable to attend, so we will have to make some other arrangements.

My costume is sorted out & I have been cleverer than I thought & found it is quite topical at present.

Not satisfied with one party I am now exploring one at work for all those that can not go to the main event.

Besides this last week I was the official photographer for the local carnival, we had the famous Fred Flintstone & his beautiful wife Wilma as special guests , the only problem was his car being so old it stopped working quite quickly and needed people power to keep it going.

I have just arranged a trip to the Isle of Man with a friend in July, last time I was there it took 8 hours each way and we had 2 hours to see all the sights, so this time it will be for a week and hopefully I will see all the beautiful scenary.

When all this is over I then have to sort out a scooter rally & the next concert fund raisers, just reading through all this I am now feeling quite exausted.

June is busting out all over

6 June 2007

Good evening all you readers, sorry I have been quiet again but it seems to have been very busy in life at the moment.

At present the local Metro is not working very far & there is a link bus service in operation, to do 10 miles it took nearly two hours this morning.

I have just started to use speech recognition at work, hopefully soon I will be dictating at some great rate rather than making my hands worse than they are.

Well we are now very close to my birthday, but unforunatly some have still not replied so we will wait & see who turns up & how they will be dressed.

The forum I have joined in relation to my ME is proving to be very interesting & helpful, it has helped inspire me in relation to costumes for the party, for myself & others, but also has given me a greater insight into how difficult it is for others with ME just to get through the day.

Sadly yet again despite all my promises I have become hooked by Big Brother, the worst bit is to find out the twins are social work students, I just hope eventually they practice some of their training on the other housemates.

Some More New Adventures Of A Happy Togg

19 May 2007

Well hello all you readers, sorry I have not been in touch for a while but I have been really busy with other things.

Firstly it is now a month to my birthday, but a few extra to my party, so I have sent off most of the invitations & Zorro has already confirmed he had recieved his. I am quite sorry that Hamster cannot make it but after all it is a long way for him to come for one night.

It took me ages to sort out the invitations & I am very grateful to AMO for all her hard work

on the cards. I am sure you are all in agreement about this, thanks again AMO, you will go to the party.

The other thing that I have done is to join in with the local ME group forum, sorry I most probably have not told those of you that do not know that, I have had this condition for at least 15 years.

It has been an interesting experiance, both happy & sad, some people are coping in a very positive way as far as i can see, but sadly & maybe with some good reason others are very angry about the condition & their life since ME.

Tomorrow I am going to see a couple of choirs with Brian, so hopefully will report back to you all.

Back Safe & Sound from Scarborough

8 May 2007

Hello again readers, as you may remember the plan was to trip off to Scarborough this bank holiday.well Brian & I got there saterday morning, despite weather reports the weather was mild & even better no rain, but on the front it was quite windy.

The accomodation was pleasant & there was even a teddy to stop us feeling lonely in the bedroom & the landlady was very pleasant & welcoming so after unpacking we went to the Spa & looked in on a piano accordian competition which was taking place with free admission, so in we went, immediately Brian found £15 which because there were young children there we worried that it could of been one of them that had lost it.

It was agreed that I would take it to the judges to hold in case the owner turned up so, I explained this to them & that we were not trying to bribe them. We then sat & egerly waited for the event that took nearly half an hour. Finally the young children came on, played a tune quite well then left. Because it was nice & warm we decided to wait another half hour & finally another group of children arrived played the same piece then left, we decided this was the time to go.

We then wandered round the town taking photos then went to my favourite chippy for Brian to try their fish & chips & for me to try the sticky toffee pudding with custard, which as usual was really enjoyable.

My back started to ache so off to the digs I went for a lie down whilst Brian continued to to explore, & we met later early evening to take photos of the beautiful sunset, the only problem was it was nearly an hour before we finally got the photos, what do you think of my effort. Sadly as on my last holiday I had started with blisters on my feet which I feel I will suffer from for the next few weeks.

The following day we went off to Cayton Bay which I had memories of from over 20 years ago, suprise suprise it was still as quiet & beautiful as I remembered. It is strange how we travel abroad when there are lovely beaches over here deserted. For a change we spent a fair bit of time taking photos then exploring the rock pools for sea life.

Eventualy as usual I became tired so we made our way back to Scarborough & back to the digs for me to have a lie down for a few hours. In the evening we went up to the castle for some more interesting sunsets which I hope you will agree were worth the effort.

On our last day we went to Peasholme Park looking for dragons, spending a really pleasant few hours there, as did many other people. I was pleasantly suprised at how many young families were content just to feed the squirrels & go on the pedalos as a family with no blasting out of loud music or drunken yobs, ( I realise I am really becoming a Grumpy old Tog) but it wa a beautifully laid out park with interesting little suprises round corners, well done Scarborough. By the way if you are very quiet & look closely you will see one of the heroes of this post above & if you are very quiet yo will see the shy dragons gathering together

Finally it was time to go back so before we left I went to buy some of my favourite cakes ( Little Jacks) Brian said they are just flat scones, but finally off we set, I fell asleep but when I woke up Brian was kind enough to say he had seen a whole new side to me, I did not talk in my sleep so it is possible for me not to speak for an hour.

When we got back the Mero service was suspended so it was nearly another hour, then when we got to the bus station guess what the bus had just gone, so I decided blow the expense so I finally got home at nine thirty at night.

We are off on our next adventure, Scarbourough here we come

3 May 2007

Well what about the location of those interesting photos from Hamster, did you guess well just in case it was I wil l let him describe the location

The near bye town where the KFC is located is called BRINCHANG (BURRR-IN-CHANG) and is in the CAMERON HIGHLANDS, West Malaysia. Once again, anyone who has done this excursion from KL will know this place. BT I did not try the KFC as there was a cracking Chinese Coffee Shop less than a block away where the KFC is, and a hundred other places that would leave KFC wanting.... Even if it does come with Rice as the photo shows ;-)

This bank holiday weekend Brian & I are off to Scarborough for a couple of days, I want to try good old fish & chips followed by jam roly poly & custard, then see a show or just relax. As usual we will try to find some interesting photos for the blog

Well readers here we go again, my health seems to be better, but life seems to of become a bit hectic, so Brian & I went to Heaton Park, there were some interesting local animals so these are some of them i managed to photograph.

The first was a strange sort of animal, that I also captured when on holiday earlier this year, maybe it came over for the warm weather. I am told it is quite a shy creature & prefers to hide amongst the undergrowth, I found it impossible to get a front view.

This next photo was of an even rarer beast that I was lucky to catch because it was ill & a vet known locally as a mechanic had come to make it better.

I am told that again it is a local animal not seen outside the area, also that it has a very unusual name & is called the Number 53 tram but that once they roamed all over Manchester, until as usual progress led to the local authority killing them off apart from a few ones that have been cared for.

Through research I have established that luckily these creatures are thriving in other parts of the world & people have managed to harness them as a form of transport.




Finally when I was just finishing I saw this heron that seemed quite happy & oblivious to all the noise from the people visiting the park, it is hard to think this is so close to a major city