What movies or TV series have you watched more than 5 times?
There are a number of movies and tv series that I have watched multiple times over the years, however one from each category really stands out for me.
I have grown up with the James Bond franchise, as have many in my age group, and these films are still watched and enjoyed to this day.
But these are not my favourites. These are my favourites below.
Film wise I absolutely love the old James Stewart classic “The Glenn Miller story” this remains my favourite movie of all time and when it is on, that is my time, sit down, shut out all the noise and enjoy the wonderful story on how he created a unique sound that is still practiced to this day. And just like any good story it abruptly ends with his sad demise. A wonderful film in my eyes.
Glenn Miller
Secondly a tv series. That goes to the amazing Carl Sagan and his years ahead of its time “Cosmos” series. For a youngster brought up through the space race years there was a hunger for knowledge of our universe, that this series more than catered for. I have this entire series on DVD and it has even been updated from its original issue date in 1980. In 1986 more animations and commentary were added. Sagan passed away in 1996. He was the science teacher we all wished we had at school.
Carl Sagan
So that’s it for me, two of the finest televisual treats that I am aware of and still watch to this very day.
Have a wonderful day. Don’t let anyone take you down.
I’m parked in a local park. I’m waiting for my wife who has a hair appointment, and I’m now looking for Dolly.
That last day. Me and Alf in this very carpark
Who’s Dolly?
Dolly is a puppy, she would be 18 months old now and when I last saw her it was on the 16th August 2024. The day our Alf lost his battle with his illness and went to sleep. Is there a cure for a broken heart 💔
We took a little walk into the park that day and he just sat at the entrance, nothing left in the tank, when an 11 month old bundle of fluff bounced up to him and wanted to play. He let her sniff around but he didn’t stir from his staring out into the fields where he once used to bound around just like Dolly.
Nothing in the tank, just so tired
I spoke with Dollys owners and told them what was happening that day, Dolly did not want to leave him, she knew something.
It was a sad and at the same time wonderful thing to see, as one life was ending and an exciting new one was just beginning.
I often pop back here in the hope that I will see Dolly again, even my wife encourages me to do so. I just want to say thank you to her and her owners, it was a beautiful moment when they both met but so tragically cut short. They would have been great friends as Alf loved everyone and didn’t have a bad bone in his body.
And if her owners allow, I want to give her a big cuddle. Another beautiful little soul.
I’ve been reading through today’s blogs, and this particular one really struck a note with me regarding mistakes we all make with blogging. This post was created by “Lifesfinewhine” and it contained some great advice especially around those who seem intent on bombing your pages. You know those people who like about 20 posts in 20 seconds, come on guys These posts have taken days and even months in some cases to put together and you can read them in seconds?….i don’t think so. Just don’t do it. Read them, and make contact. I don’t bite.
Have a look and see what you are doing wrong. Some great advice here.
One piece of advice is to let people know you will be away for a while so as you don’t lose followers, I’m guilty of this as I must admit that the prompts I normally rely on to kick me into action, have for the last week or so already been answered at some time in the past. I must be more original and organised in my blog attempts, this won’t happen again. I promise.
A simple candle
I was given a lovely gift by a neighbour yesterday. They make their own candles for a hobby, and all they ask of us is that we give them any old candle jars or holders in return. I think, the ability to bring light into anyone’s life is beautiful, and a simple gift like this to my wife and I, is a wonderful thing. We sometimes just sit there in the dark with nothing but a candle burning, watching its flame dance around in wild abandon and just talk. It’s a wonderful moment in time and makes you really appreciate all you have.
It really is the most simple things that sometimes bring the most joy.
My favourite space mission and one I have followed for many years. I even have models and posters around the house. I even have an orchid impersonating the model (see post picture)
It will be a sad day when it all shuts down, here’s hoping we get to see their 50th anniversary’s.
Great post from Hackaday, read some of the comments as well, some excellent conversations taking place…
Saying farewell is hard, and in the case of the Voyager 1 & 2 spacecraft doubly so, seeing as how they have been with us for more than 47 years. ……
This is the first prompt for days that I’ve been able to answer as I’d already answered those others previously. I’m going to make a slight change to this prompt and remove the word “Hate”. I never use this word as it’s such an awful one, and unfortunately it’s too prevalent in our world at present. I’m going to use the word “Dislike” as dislike can always be improved upon rather than the other word that is just so final. Once Hate is in place. There really is no turning back. So here we go.
What is one question you dislike being asked? Explain
Anyone that keeps an eye on this blog and reads the content will know I’m an individual who likes to keep himself busy. Just look at the projects and stuff I’ve posted recently, and the fact I still have 18 posts still in draft mode and you will see I’m a busy guy. On top of that I am a full time employed individual with a house to run a garden to look after and a wife who loves spending (Bless her x)
My time is quite well planned, so when that phone call comes in asking me, “Are you busy?” That’s when I have a sharp intake of breath. Normally it involves fulfilling tasks for friends and family, giving time that is precious to me and in many cases already accounted for. Now don’t get me wrong, I do not mind helping anyone, there is no greater pleasure in seeing someone’s face light up at the end of a well done project. The thing is I take so many on, that it normally means the same job at my own home is being neglected, it’s always more fun doing the job at someone else’s property for some unknown reason though.
The reason I dislike being asked is that I just can’t damn well say no. Saying no makes me feel guilty but that’s just the guy I am. I guess to me it’s just like that word “Hate” it’s just not in my vocabulary.
So that’s why I dislike being asked this question as I’m just not wired to say “No”.
One day I’ll learn to say it. But that’s not today. And probably even tomorrow.
This is a jest post as all the prompts that have appeared recently courtesy of WP, are repeat suggestions, and there is no point in answering them if nothing has changed.
I know a female who has succumbed to the dreaded manflu (pic: courtesy of Happythreads)
For the last 7 days now me and the good lady have succumbed to a quite nasty cold that we believe was obtained from a trip to the south of Iceland. A couple of inconsiderate souls behind us on the bus were coughing and sneezing throughout the trip and I believe they wanted to share their misery with us. Well it has worked. Thanks for that.
We’ve been through massive ups and downs in illness this week, and the thing the common cold does brilliantly is to give you the impression you are getting better and then the next day hit you with a more ferocious, and violent second infection. That was on day three and four this week and the second wave was when the sore throat from hell hit, it did give me a lovely husky tone though.
Normally as a couple it is usually only the one of you that goes down with it, and the other partner who signed that invisible contract looks after you and makes you feel more comfortable. That is where the Manflu accusation usually comes in as the Female of the relationship undoubtedly ends up attending to the needs of the mortally wounded male in the partnership. There has been none of that this week as we both Cough and splutter around the house, with zombie like motions both sounding like honking geese with our constant barking coughs.
Now this was a real show of love and commitment and we have both gotten through it.
And the wife has not been able to use the Manflu tag against me once, as she has suffered it too. I may use this post as a reference for her to look back to during any future discussions regarding how this situation developed 😂
I haven’t missed work though. “How selfish” I hear you say, but you are wrong. I work mainly alone and the only contact I normally have with anyone is when I hand over at each end of the shift. I have contacted my colleagues prior to handovers and these have been carried out as they were in Covid times in the carpark. I haven’t used the office, I’ve stayed mobile in the van. The last thing I want to do is to pass this on to my colleagues and their families.
Day 7, today we are both a bit better, another day indoors will probably see us well, we have been drinking plenty, eating as best we can, and taking many potions and lotions to get us through. I think we can finally remove the “Unclean” sign from the front door, and ask that guy with the barrow who keeps passing by to stop shouting “ Bring out your dead!” In the grand scheme of things we are fine though and as stated this post is a jest post.
It could be the first documented case of Manflu transmission to the Female species, and I witnessed it first hand. I wonder if our fickle governments should consider a lockdown?
If you could be someone else for a day, who would you be, and why?
I’d like to be my father for the day. Not because he was someone who could be admired and loved and cherished, he was none of that. He was a nasty evil man that made my mothers, my younger sisters and my life an absolute misery.
I would like to know what made him tick, what was his reasoning and did he ever consider getting help for the way he was.
I’d kick start that change even if I could’ve been him for a day. He has ruined my life and still haunts me in nightmares to this day. Never was I more pleased when someone passed away, it’s a horrible thing to say but my life began in earnest that day. However my faith and beliefs tell me we will meet again one day and that is what bothers me now, I’m not prepared for that..
His evil ways, I carry as a burden everyday.
As a child it is not right that you have to be protecting your mother from abuse and a little girl for being downright petrified of her own father. As for what I endured it goes to the grave with me.
I’ve always said to my wife I want to be a better man and be nothing like him. I’ve managed that well, I have never raised a hand to woman in my life and will never do so. My mother was a punchbag and far too many times it was me that absorbed those punches as I tried to protect her.
I have moods occasionally and I put them down to being like him, and I dislike it when someone says I look like my father, there is no one I’d rather be.
It’s a curse to be honest, and here I am just a few small years away from retirement still paying the price, and very much afraid.
It’s not fair. Domestic abuse is not acceptable, it affects lives for longer than you can imagine, it’s probably going to be with me way into the afterlife. It’s a life and death sentence. And he is the winner. It’s wrong.
Describe the most ambitious DIY project you’ve ever taken on.
I’ll always attempt anything, but when it comes to plumbing or high voltage electricity, that’s when I get the professionals involved.
In my current home the most ambitious DIY has probably been landscaping the garden. We purchased a rickety old house that’s been a constant project since it was brought, back in 2018. So really that could be the most ambitious couldn’t it?
Anyway, the one I’ve enjoyed most is landscaping the garden, not concreted over with no concerns for wildlife, my garden was designed around the needs of the Hedgehogs and birdlife we have that visit throughout the year. They have easy access to the whole garden, a part that is wilded for them to forage in and plenty of food and water stations as well.
One of our visitors
We also have a feral cat “Tabs” who has lived in our garden longer than we have, she gets on with us, we feed her and she has plenty of weather protection in and around the garden, and she tolerates the hedgehogs, so that’s harmonious.
Some colours in our garden
The garden has been a big project taking about 6 years to reach a maturity with flowers, shrubs and trees all planted to create a little bit of the country side in a city urban environment. I am so proud of my garden come spring time when all the new buds are breaking through, and it is a riot of colours come summertime. And it took a lot of planning as it’s a north facing garden.
The gardens the place i’d rather be, it’s like producing art, art that changes on a weekly basis.
If you could permanently ban a word from general usage, which one would it be? Why?
We are now on a WP quote repeat cycle. This question was last asked on the 2nd of March 2023.
Back then the answer to the question from me was “Impossible” and I include the link to it here Thoughts 2/3/23
It’s pointless blabbering on about it again when it’s already out there. It’s only a short piece and I can’t think of any other words to add to it apart from a couple used by the younger set being, “Babe,” I hear that word and I cringe, or the word “Like” used as an informal adverb, though it is used so often in that context it’s now quite formal and swamping conversation.
adverb
1. INFORMALused in speech as a meaningless filler or to signify the speaker’s uncertainty about an expression just used.”there was this funny smell—sort of dusty like”
2. INFORMALused to convey a person’s reported attitude or feelings in the form of direct speech (whether or not representing an actual quotation).”so she comes into the room and she’s like ‘Where is everybody?’”
Oxford English dictionary
Oh well, that’s me moaned out for the day.
Have a great day out there today. And if you have sun – enjoy 😉
What is the biggest challenge you will face in the next six months?
Well there’s a question.
I think my biggest personal challenge is going to be health related, things that have concerned me in the past, that were under control, have now started to raise their horrible little heads above the parapet again. But there is always hope, and if you have a modicum of hope then you are in a good place. Anyway I’m not going to bore anyone with my issues.
Let’s look at what other challenges I’m liable to face in the next six months. I know that within the next few weeks my wife will be saying that the house needs to go up for sale, that’s because we’ve been looking around a little town on the outskirts of where we live and we’ve seen some nice properties, ones that remain warm in winter unlike our old 1930s semi that we currently reside in. And when that day comes where she says it’s happening, I’m then going to be fully employed getting the place spruced up and dealing with those little diy projects that I’ve put on hold for sometime. That said, we also have a plan if we don’t decide to sell, where we are going to extend the property that will also keep me occupied for many a month.
So I anticipate being challenged to work as much outside of work as inside it, but hey that’s nothing new!
I think in the Uk as general though, we are all going to be challenged over the next few months especially with the ever increasing cost of living, and a wage structure that is not rising commensurately. Businesses, especially those smaller ones that are failing miserably as there is no support from a system that is systematically strangling the life from them, I know of this first hand as friends in such a business are really struggling.
So forget my little struggles, as a society the next six months, will probably make or break us as a collective, it’s getting to the point that one more little straw will break the camels back. I sincerely hope I’m very wrong and everything will miraculously change, but it’s just that my realistic head thinks it’s not going to be, but as I said at the very beginning this is where “Hope” comes in to play.
I Hope that things improve for everyone in the next six months, as it cannot be allowed to decline any further.
Foxes Den 
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