let me put you in the picture, let me show you what i mean.....

hey everyone

well, those of you with an eye for quality song lyrics will know that the above title can be but one thing - a reference to my dear sister, Gillian. as it is the occasion of her birthday, it be only fitting and right that i pay homage to her here with some splendid pictures. it might, in some small way, make up for the fact that i have used a song lyric by The Stone Roses to mark her birthday - for some reason she does not appreciate the band in the correct way, which is to say not at all.

i am not allowed to say how old she is, by the way. she might not have been born in the decade that she has led Grant to believe she was, as it happens, so i shall leave that there.

and speaking of Grant, let's start off with a splendid pic of the effort we all went to with clothes and that on the day Gillian married Grant.





whereas Mum, Dad & Gillian always look good, Gillian looked particularly stunning this day, and Richard & i agreed (in principal) to look smart(ish) and keep our shirts in our pants for the duration of the ceremony. once we were allowed access to alcohol, however, all bets were off, really.

going back in time, and these pics are entirely random, let us look at the days when Gillian showed off that she "never, ever" had what is colloquially referred to as "big hair".





trying to just skip over that one, many of us (your narrator included) were impressed with Heath Ledger's portrayal of "The Joker" in the recent Dark Knight movie. what a lot of people didn't know, in my best Michael Caine writing, is that he ripped off the look from my sister, as you can see below!





influencing the look of that much celebrated film was but one of many brushes with fame for Gillian. long before the art of match fixing became as fashionable as it apparently is now, Gillian had no qualms whatsoever in greasing the palms of officials to ensure a good result.





in the above instance, i would imagine Gillian slipped the ref a few coins, probably left over from the purchase of a Five Star album, in the hope that he would ensure that Middlesbrough would lose "by no more than 4". nice work.

now, going back to more or less the start, here's a picture of Gillian at home with us all, probably early (year obscured so as not to worry Grant).





now, if Grant was a fashion man (ie if he wore things for reasons other than they had 'Sharks' written on them, that is) he might wonder why there was such a 70s feel to the picture with Gillian as a baby going on the year he has been led to believe Gillian was born. ho hum, he won't notice so there you go.


oh, go on then, here's another fine pic of Gillian just by herself, looking as lovely then as she does now!





Gillian has always had a love of travel, really. i mean, yeah, sure, now she settles for the set of The Lord Of The Rings, but it wasn't always like that. once upon a time she when to the much-vaunted locations around the world. like, for instance, Rhyl in North Wales.





and then there was that place next to where she is now, the land that the Manic Street Preachers wrote a song about.





yep, that would be Uncle Colin in the picture with us! my apologies, by the way, if my awesome socks distract from Gillian in the above pic.

also, if required, an apology for the next picture - the eye magnet that is Grant might distract you all from how truly beautiful Gillian looked on her wedding day....





...but then Gillian always looks good at weddings, like for instance when she was one of the bridesmaids for Colin & Angela's wedding, way back in a year i can't mention in case Grant is sat reading this with his calculator. which is more likely than you think, to be honest.





and finally, here we go with two of the more important pictures. firstly, Gillian has always been a great believer in "slumming it". one of her favourite partners for slumming it is our dear Auntie Susan. here are the two of them well and truly having a hard time at one of those day spa pamper fluffy things.




and finally, Gillian in the present day, with the three most important people in her life.





well, three most important people that were never ever members of The Stone Roses, at least!

what can i say other than, once again, a very happy birthday, dear sister. hope you've had a most splendid day (except for it involving going to verk, of course!), and you never know, we might one day all be together again to celebrate!!


be very excellent to each other!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010 : The Year Of Di Caprio?

hey everyone

in catching up with the film news today (well, what do you do at verk during this Christmas season?) i could not but help notice that what one could safely say are the two biggest known of films to be released in 2010, if we can leave a young man playing with his wand out of it, both feature a certain Mr Leonardo Di Caprio.

now, i'd hardly describe myself as a big fan of him; it was really only in The Departed that he started to look like an "actor", and even then if i recall my review he wasn't all that good. my view is the minority one, though, going on the $$$$ his films make and the top notch directors who work with him.

and in regards of top notch directors, it's the two best in the business at the moment who have him as the lead actor in their new films. in this regard, Christopher Nolan has already made enough classics to be considered one of the all time greats, there's no reason then to think that Inception will not be well worth watching.





i wouldn't want to put too many details up here, but it appears that this film is about blackmail. "with a twist", of course, but then again all of Nolan's films thus far have had a sensational, dynamic twist.

then there's the small matter of Di Caprio once again working with the greatest director alive right now, Mr Martin Scorsese. now then, Shutter Island sounds sinister as it is, and the poster (and indeed trailer) just confirm that view.





the really odd thing about these two films is that they appear destined to be released outside of the Oscar recognition window. it's rare that a film released "early" in the year is remembered for the Oscars at the end of the year when voting starts. if i remember correctly, it was only Unforgiven and Silence Of The Lambs that were released before the big "Oscar release" time in the second half of their respective years that were well enough remembered to get (rightful) recognition.

if we are honest, and we are in the business of honesty here, 2009 has been a rather bland year for cinema. with at least two films worth getting excited about next year, we can only hope that the rest of the releases over the next 12 months are better than the last!


be excellent to each other!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

some new William pictures

hey everyone


well, as sort of promised in my last post, here's a few new pictures of William at home with us! my apologies to those logging in to see updates and finding none; it's really just the case that we have not as yet gone "camera happy" with him as such!

here's one of William chilling / winding with me yesterday afternoon, as i took a break from reconstructing my Dad's old stereo to allow my dear sister to get some new tapes for her car in New Zealand, and William takes a break from sleeping and eating!





and here's William chilling on the very excellent play mat / mobile that Uncle Chris very kindly bought for James some four years ago!





William is not quite big enough yet to play on it and appreciate it as much as intended, but he's getting there. James loved laying on it when he was just a baby, and as you can see he loves it all the more now that he can share it with his brother!





as for how young William is doing at home with us, i would have to say for the most part so far so good. he's getting into a relatively decent sleeping pattern, with just the odd night here and there seeing him a bit restless. and day too, now that i think about it!

we all hope that all is well wherever you may be in the world!!!!


be excellent to each other!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday James!!

hey everyone

well, here we go with starting off posts with "sorry for the lack of updates" again. ahem,

sorry for the lack of updates of late! i am sure you can appreciate that we have our hands full with the arrival of William, and of course the rather important matter of our beloved James turning 4! as James requires a minimum of 2 (two) birthday parties each year, we've been really busy!

first up was a party on Saturday for some of his school friends (and indeed Mum & Dad's friends) (and Grandma's friends) to come along and play. for this occasion, James decided on a rather magnificent Star Wars cake!





we gave him a few pics to choose from, and i think he just went with the one with as many characters as possible on it - i thought he would have had the one with Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon on it, but never mind!

one of the most excellent discoveries that James made was that he really, really really loves the device known as the see-saw!





erm, i was rather too big to play on it with him properly, but fortunately he had his friends around him to play with him somewhat better!

soon, though, it was time to have a go at that lovely looking cake. here he is getting ready - well done Grandma, this is an ace picture you got of him!





and, as you can see, sometimes the lure of icing (and indeed the Astros around it, acting as a border) means that sometimes you just cannot wait for all that blowing out candles, singing Happy Birthday business!





and, in case you were wondering, yes indeed it was the case that William's first "official" outing was to be at his big brothers' birthday party!





many thanks indeed to all who came along and made it a wonderful day! as for all the lovely presents James got, well, it's hard to say which is a favourite, as he's really enjoying playing with them all! a special mention, though, to the excellent Lego "Hoth Battle" set that Auntie Maria and Uncle Sinbad (for it is he) got him, that was opened first!


on to James' actual birthday today, and it was time for another cake. this time James decided he wanted a cake bearing the image of Aladar the dinosaur out of the film Dinosaur.





a big round of applause, ladies and gentlemen, for Grandma who arranged both of this magnificent, splendid cakes!





i believe that Dinosaur is one of the more popular films to watch on rainy days and "quiet times" at James' school, which is probably why he wanted to take that one there. just as well, really, as by all accounts all the children loved it!






Grandma and Grandad loved their slices of the cake too, but as they have not sent on any pictures from their visit today, i can't show you an image of them enjoying the cake! Grandad really liked it, evidenced by the fact that he assisted James in finishing off his bit!

needless to say, actual birthday meant more presents, and James has spent much of the afternoon playing with the "Crazy Train" as he calls it that Grandma and Grandad got him, as well as some wild, wonderful "3D Dinosaur Adventure Game" that his Mum & Dad picked up!

now then, to finish off, a little game for you. here is a picture of some of the birthday cards James received. can you spot the one from Auntie Susan?





i think Susan is still spending far too much time wondering which flavour cup-a-soup Noddy and Dave will be having for dinner whilst she is out shopping!

right, that's all from your rather tired out narrator for the moment! more sooner or later!



be excellent to each other!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Tournament

hey everyone

well, whilst we are on limited sleeping shifts with William at the moment, we are getting to watch films at odd hours of the day and night. on that note, many thanks indeed to the Sony channel for showing many episodes of David Letterman and class films like Top Secret! and The Untouchables at one in the morning.

an anonymous and very dear friend (yes, you Maria - hello!) recommended something called The Tournament to me. why? well, it is one of the few films in the world set in my dear old hometown, Middlesbrough!

this being the case, and mindful of the fact that the film features the magnificent Robert Carlyle and the much admired but seldom used Ving Rhames, we figured it was worth a look.





the plot? erm, yeah. to describe a plot as such would do a great injustice to what is essentially a flimsy idea surrounded by improbable if not improbable gaps as it is, never mind actual plot holes. for the sake of a standard review, here we go.....

every seven years (six according to the poster, mind) it seems that the 30 best assassins in the world get together for a "to the death" competition (or, if you will, tournament), with the last one standing claiming a $10million prize from the confederacy of rich types who put massive bets on this. Middlesbrough, England is selected as the venue for the one in the film and this is where the 30 assassins (including the reigning champion, good old Ving) meet up to compete.

in the king of all the contrived moments on offer in this film, an alcoholic priest (played by Robert Carlyle) inadvertently ends up being sort of the 31st contestant in this tournament, albeit one shielded or otherwise protected by the exceptionally violent character played by Kelly Hu.





give or take the odd bit of dialogue and the occasional, admittedly rather funny one-liner here and there, what this film delivers is 90 minutes of sheer, unadulterated mindless violence for the sake of it. it's not bonkers like the splendid Crank films, but it's not too far removed from them either. the penchant on display here is very much "blowing $*** up", really - people, buildings, cars, anything you can name, really.

i should be slamming this film, but i really don't have the heart to do it - maybe it's because i was rather tired when i watched it, maybe it's because the film is apparently banned in Germany that caused some interest, but this film does really fall into the category of "awful, predictable and yet wonderful cult fodder.".





in the days before the "big" awards landed thanks to The Departed, Martin Scorsese was once quizzed on the lack of awards his talents attracted. his response was appropriate here; "film-making is not about winning awards, it's about making money.". in the broader implication of that statement, it certainly explains the appearance of "heavyweights" like Carlyle and Rhames in this.

and why not, as the greatest film critic ever is alleged to have said. Mr Carlyle and Mr Rhames need to pay the bills just like us, and i dare say a large chunk of the budget went to their bank accounts. as an added bonus to that, there's a bunch of relatively unknown actors in this film who can now boast of starring in a film with the two of them.

as for the setting, well, a little research suggests that a number of exterior and establishing scenes were filmed in Middlesbrough, but the majority of it was filmed in Bulgaria. i am not sure that when they were making it they were even aware of it being set in Middlesbrough, as there's no explicit references and they often mistakenly call it a city. we're not a city, we are proud of our town status, thanks.





do i recommend this film? well, sort of yes, really. it's perfect Friday / Saturday night fodder - witty, fast paced, and levels of gratuitous violence that put the majority of other films in this genre to shame, even if the "let's blow them up" approach does get a little tired by the hour mark. it's far removed from what one would call quality, artistic cinema, but it entertains just fine. if highlights of your viewing pleasure thus far this century features, but is not just limited to, the likes of Boondock Saints and Crank, well then, this is the film for you.


be excellent to each other!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

a magnificent calendar

Hi Everyone

Trevor very kindly sent on some images that i believe are to be used in the 2010 calendar made and sold by Conservative Club of Great Ayton, who you can contact if you wish by clicking on their name.

here's one taken from the bottom end of Low Green, apparently on a crisp Autumn evening or afternoon!





my, the Beck is something to admire, a lovely stream going right through the village.

here's a shot from the upper end, taken at a guess from dead centre on Low Bridge!





the amount of times i have walked over that small white bridge you can see, clutching some of Ray Gray's finest chips.......

right, before i wallow too much in nostalgia, will leave that there!

if you are in a position to buy and admire this calendar, i suggest you do so!!!

sorry Gramps for giving the Conservatives a plug!


be excellent to each other!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

home

hey everyone

well, i am delighted to update that Michele and William are now back home. ahem, Michele is back home, rather - William is now here living with us!!

whereas Mummy is thrilled to be home and Daddy is certainly glad that we are all under the one roof, how do the important ones, James and William, feel about it? see for yourself!





James, as the picture says, is thrilled to have William home with us! and indeed he's glad to have Mummy too, since William can't quite play ace Star Wars games with him just yet!





considering James is usually rather camera shy, it speaks volumes that for the next two it was James who suggested that i go and get the camera. and yes, before you worry, Michele's arm was firmly behind William's head!





now then, when James and William do something their father hasn't quite done properly (grow up, that would be), they are rather welcome to do as they wish. i would of course prefer if they pursued a career which led to them featuring in the Ashes, but that's up to them.

if, however, they start a mega-successful rock band only to start arguing with each other and breaking guitars in, of all places, the home of cheats, Paris France, i think i will show them this next picture.





right, well, i guess Michele & i are on those three hour sleep shifts for the next few nights going on William's feeding habits at the moment! updates may very well be tired and scarce for a few days as we work out a routine!


be very excellent to each other!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

School Concert

hey everyone

well, to cap a rather busy week for us, it was James' school concert on Friday night. James has been looking forward to this for ages, and by my word did he do a really good performance!!





all of the children were fantastic - they all did the songs lovely, even though for some bewildering reason the school decided to have a sound system so loud it nearly drowned out their lovely singing!

James' class did a wonderful rendition of Jingle Bells, a song we have been listening to him practice for the last six weeks or so. we don't get snow or any sort of sleighs (one horse or other) here, but lovely to hear anyway!





James also did his usual "Tanganastix" demonstration, it really is wonderful to see all the fun exercises they do each week!





well done James, Grandma and Daddy loved being able to watch you perform and have so much fun!!!!


be excellent to each other!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

William Norman Stanley

hey everyone

well, a flying update - i am on a quick "shower break" from the clinic, but with so many wanting to see pictures, here he is!!

William Norman Stanley, born at 8:50am today, weighing in at 3.58kgs and measuring 52cm.





baby is, in the words of the doctors and nurses, "exceptionally healthy", passing all tests, results and what have you with ease. he's probably ready to go home, but better to be safe!!

Mummy is recovering fine - she's looking forward to being able to walk around again soon!





as for baby's name, i am sure many of you worked out his first name from the clues i left all over the site - quotes from William Shakespeare and William Blake, not to mention a line from The Smiths single William, It Was Really Nothing. James picked the name, and the middle names are of my two dear Grandfathers. yes, the two middle names also mean that his Uncle Richard and Grandad are calling him "Fletch"!

and speaking of James, he is absolutely over the moon to have his baby brother here at last. many thanks to Grandad for capturing the below picture!





well, time for me to hit the shower and get back up to the clinic for a couple of hours before trying to get some sleep. before i go, though, one last pic for now!!!





be very excellent to each other!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

construction time again or, if you will, cot-building

hey everyone


well, some of my regular readers (for i believe there are a few - thank you and bless you) will be logging on expecting to see some baby pictures. patience, baby is now a mere 12 (or so) hours away!

in the mean time, here's some images of us putting together our lovely cot from New Zealand, or if you will our "bassinet" from New Zealand. that's some poncy name that Michele and Gillian call it, as well as it being its proper name according to the box.

thank you very much indeed Mum & Gillian for buying this for us - i presume the fact that it would be me putting it together led to you selecting a more simpler to put together model?





yes, indeed that is James helping me by means of reading one of his many books. it didn't actually contain any information pertaining to constructing a cot as such, but it was of some benefit all the same.

i did have a look at the instructions anyway, as you can see.





some magic moments later, one of which was James deciding that putting his Darth Vader outfit on would help, and the cot was constructed. James was very taken with it - almost as taken with it as he is with the notion that soon his baby brother shall be with us!





and here's a picture that Michele has approved of and endorsed appearing here. yes, reader, she is rather big and very much ready to deliver!!





as baby brother is not here yet but the cot is, James took it upon himself, as is his way, to improvise a touch and populate the cot ("bassinet") with some of his favourite toys....





well, there you go. unless something occurs to me in the middle of the night, the next post should be after baby has arrived - with some luck there will be pictures (this is dependent on me remembering to charge the batteries and take the camera. and charged batteries) and a name for those of you yet to work it out.....

please, kind people, hold us in your good thoughts!!!!


be excellent to each other!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!