Wot I did on my holidays.

Remember how it used to be?  You'd come back to school after a protracted break filled with fun times and sunshine.  You'd turn up and the first thing you'd have to do was turn in your assignment:  What I Did On My Holidays.

Well - I've had a protracted break.  It's been filled with fun times and two little rays of sunshine.  And here's my assignment - all three words of it:

I had twins.

Actually let me clarify.  My wife had twins.  I just stood there. 

Sat there actually. 

Apart from when I got up to take photographs.

But anyway, I digress.....

And all of a sudden, I have all this rich blogging material again.
And all of a sudden, I have zero free time and I'm perpetually tired.

But I'm going to try to write more.  Emphasis on the word 'try'.  Because let's face it:  it can't be any worse than the silence you've been enjoying for the last half a year.... right?  I either come up with something to read or, well, you're no worse off than you are now.

Right?

Go on - nod enthusiastically, be positive.  What's the worst that can happen?   *

ps:  thanks to Nancy over at f8hasit for inspiring me to make an effort (by complete accident) with her latest posting.

* That's right, I stop being an introspective poet (ego, anyone?) and just wax lyrical on my children in every posting.  But I'll try not to.  Well, I'll try to make it interesting anyway.....

The biggie.

There's only one real powderkeg topic.

More contentious than politics or religion.

I've avoided it forever but now I figure..... what the hell?

What's the worst that can happen?

THE best album ever, in my opinion:

Radiohead's 'OK Computer'

Closely followed by Stevie Wonder's 'Innervisions'.

I encourage you to comment, disagree......

.... tell me your choice.

It's a toughie, for sure. Feel free to comment, feel free to call me an idiot for not liking album X by so-and-so. At least that way I might get somebody new to check out!?

Oh - and stop by and say hi to the GMan. Can't wait to hear what he rates as numero uno.....

An absence explained.

Six months left to finish household jobs - and try to finish Skyrim.

Because after the birth, all bets are off. I'll be a sleep deprived dad with my hands full. No time to sit around or switch on an xBox.

Due date is mid August - but may well be sooner.

Because they say twins come early.......

For those of you who ever read me at my old site, you'll know that my wife and I have been doing IVF for the past eight years. To say that this is a big deal for us is an understatement - and to say that I am ecstatic is an equal understatement. I'm sure you'll understand why I've been a bit preoccupied and haven't posted. Anyway, I think I'm about to have blogging material for the next 18 years......

Friday Flash 55 is the G-Man's baby. Drop by and tell him that it's got his eyes......

The view (not) from the dancefloor.

Under halogen floods, strobes and a staccato bass they jump as one, wave as one, sing as one.
An undulating sea of bodies, average age 20. Full of life, full of promise, full of energy.

We watch from the sides, in our seats. We wish we were young again as we tap our feet......



Happy New Year to you all. Here's to a fantastic 2012. Oh yeah - participate, CLICK HERE, brag. The usual, really....

Ramblin' Franklin.

Gate left open and he's gone.

He's gone before, always returned or been found. You always worry though, always fret.

Someone finds him, calls. We collect him, scold him. Then love him.

We fear one day he won't return - that he'll meet a car, not a kind stranger.

Because you always worry, always fret.

Before you get all 'bad dog owner' on my ass, I should point out that it was a delivery guy who left the gate open, not us. Anyway, having defended myself against imaginary attacks, I should probably beseech you to play along in 55 words again, then go HERE in time-honoured tradition and boast about it.

FINALLY.... and just to see who actually reads to the end..... I'm thinking of going to a lighter blog page. As much as I love the picture blending into the black page, I'm thinking it's not overly user-friendly. Any feedback appreciated - comment or mail and I promise to take what you say into consideration......

Ticking, slowly.

Timing, so they say, is everything.

And so we sit poised. Breath held, counting down.

Preparing for the moment when it's show-time. When the light is green, when we're good to go.

When it's onnnnnnn.

It's the waiting game I'm no good at - never have been.

It truly sucks sometimes, this so-called constant called time.

Summed something up in 55 words? Well, why waste the chance to drop by HERE, say hi to the G-Man and share it with the group......

Rest In Peace.

Success is relative, wealth subjective - and as reinforced this week, life is the thinnest thread.

To a caring society, any suicide should be confronting. This one floored me and my only comfort is that I could no more do this subject justice in 50,000 words than I could in 55.

Rest in peace, Gary.

A sober posting this week which doesn't do justice to the bigger issue. You can most definitely write a better 55, so do that and then go tell the G-Man that you've done it. Less morbid service will be resumed next week.