tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-204366102024-03-14T05:46:29.996+01:00Smoggy BlogA Smog with a BlogPolarbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468171125439395865noreply@blogger.comBlogger228125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20436610.post-79037111771882836712009-06-16T02:59:00.002+02:002009-06-16T03:01:58.186+02:00Number 46I'm not that a big fan of Moto GP but after watching this race I am thinking about going to Assen next month. He doesn't ever give up that Rossi.<br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XtZYcxkbV-8&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XtZYcxkbV-8&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Polarbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468171125439395865noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20436610.post-53503749031340110422009-04-18T20:05:00.002+02:002009-04-18T20:30:37.095+02:00D.I.S.C.O<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">I took a facebook quiz this afternoon. "Singers from the past - how they look now."<br />The one I got wrong was Donna Summer which annoyed me slightly as it was the most played 7" in my childhood collection of vinyl. Mainly from visits from my cousin who always insisted put the "groovy record on".<br /><br />I was not surprised to see that this 7" has it's own </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Feel_Love"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">wikipedia page</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">. Also the 7" was pressed by NY's Casablanca Records. Cowley died of HIV in 1982 and has always been cited as an influence by bands as New Order and Pet Shop Boys.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">This version was a double sided 7". The first 3'45" on "A" side and the second 4'10" on the "B" side. There was a 15'45" version also produced on 12" which is a highly collectable item.</span><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BCKdBEiLqmM&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BCKdBEiLqmM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Polarbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468171125439395865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20436610.post-13740398003301851562009-04-05T01:53:00.005+02:002009-04-05T11:09:16.316+02:00Newts and mating frogs<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-kVAaSbOGL45-IVsIHWARsKTqKzRHL_Ldbs5fO-NSfMzR8HLfNbA2TsnFJQ8JmmXdoBxtRiJ_ZvBZK1S3lyaWUf0kbOP0L-CMWAsrV9x7jwi8LI2KKLArXXqKl0mEf8aVA-nbw/s1600-h/L_vulgaris_Scania_Sweden_9805_LB1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-kVAaSbOGL45-IVsIHWARsKTqKzRHL_Ldbs5fO-NSfMzR8HLfNbA2TsnFJQ8JmmXdoBxtRiJ_ZvBZK1S3lyaWUf0kbOP0L-CMWAsrV9x7jwi8LI2KKLArXXqKl0mEf8aVA-nbw/s320/L_vulgaris_Scania_Sweden_9805_LB1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320994378759255586" /></a><br />I was very pleased to find two common newts yesterday whilst cleaning out the pond. Not long ago they were on the endangered species list.<br /><br />They were sharing their living space with 12 mating frogs all attached (6 pairs) and refusing to let go even during their temporary trip to the bucket whilst the pond was cleaned.<br /><br />Now the pond water is clear and with the night spotlight installed the next few months should be interesting. Forg spawn galore and hopefully some newt spawn aswell.Polarbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468171125439395865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20436610.post-71632818250399932852009-03-09T00:04:00.003+01:002009-03-09T00:32:28.865+01:00Parking JobsworthI received a fine today from Parking attendent 009418 Maastricht Gemeente. 60 Euros for parking outside my own house where no parking restrictions exist.<br /><br />The parking fine was timed 19:49 Friday 06.03.09. But we drove the car away from outside the house at 19:30 that night to the proper parking places. 2 weeks before we had done a similar thing, gone for shopping parked to unload, and received a similar warning ticket with no fine.<br /><br />So we were very aware some jobsworth in our area was pissed off that we did do this. But Why?. Our car was not in the way of any road/access.<br /><br />Strange thing is that this parking ticket appeared on Sunday. But still dated Friday. So some local person has contacted a Parking knob to ask for a ticket to be printed out to be two days later planted on our windscreen.<br /><br />It rained most of the day Saturday and Sunday. And yet a perfectly dry parking ticket was placed on our windscreen on Sunday (but dated Friday).Polarbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468171125439395865noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20436610.post-53135153360826816092009-03-08T18:54:00.001+01:002009-03-08T18:59:43.666+01:00GramophoneI had a USB record player bought for me for Christmas which I have finally got round to setting up. So up to the attic to rumble around in my old vinyl collection to test it out.<br /><br /><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ef_W4uc66lM&hl=en&fs=1&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ef_W4uc66lM&hl=en&fs=1&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object>Polarbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468171125439395865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20436610.post-67314239137052002892009-03-07T02:00:00.006+01:002009-03-07T02:57:16.467+01:00The Check-out Girl<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLQzv5nnjutMekJlcANVhIl9Y5wVBaS46PR80_zKGT-OOqlQYfRDpTtSsdl520UcMlyp7w5M_-oci-FZuO5ZmJRRGKhkG3dLgmq04o4gI4oMmxu2PswpIvwgi2pQv00-OmzsiKQ/s1600-h/T2_498221a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310256706059073522" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 154px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLQzv5nnjutMekJlcANVhIl9Y5wVBaS46PR80_zKGT-OOqlQYfRDpTtSsdl520UcMlyp7w5M_-oci-FZuO5ZmJRRGKhkG3dLgmq04o4gI4oMmxu2PswpIvwgi2pQv00-OmzsiKQ/s320/T2_498221a.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />There is one job in this world that is not appreciated enough and that is the Supermarket check-out girl.<br /><br />Proven by the bestseller & succesful blogger check-out girl Anna Sam. Her book adapted from her blog has been translated into 10 languages.<br /><br />A University graduate, Anna, found her degree didn't help find her gainful employment so she went back to her student job in the supermarket in Rennes in France. A minimum wage job.<br /><br />She then set up her blog which was after a few years spotted by a publisher and she is now a bestseller. Strangely enough the book has not been translated into English.<br /><br />Some quotes from Anna's Blog (which attracts a lot of check-out girls)<br /><br />Margot: A man at my till told his daughter: “See, if you don't do your schoolwork you'll be as stupid as that woman.” I told him that I had a degree. “Well, it's not obvious from your face,” he replied.<br /><br />Maryline: A rich-looking woman asked me to look in her handbag for the right coins. I asked why. She said that she would ruin her manicure if she did it herself.<br /><br />Amandine: I've been a checkout worker for eight years and I've lost my taste for laughter. I can't even smile any more. I hope I have the courage to leave and do something else with my life.<br /><p>After the publication of her book Anna has been asked to help at Supermarket conferences to help on issues. She advised the managers at one conference to say "Hello" to all check-out staff at the beginning of the day.</p><p></p><p></p><p> </p>Polarbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468171125439395865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20436610.post-58714788337696062242009-03-05T00:00:00.006+01:002009-03-05T02:43:41.752+01:00The More important issues in life - Crisp flavourings<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfQhHUYM9nYYb5CVDPFw8kOkZUJutDhn4-IehZqvByZXlDZDZdSRG3q7kDmXkAv0QMeIDbRZAalkqU9tBcWDaoD9Ihbbqo0eNlVRQIOTa-rQUu_AHqpnADMHc-7yb9qAMGE5ACQ/s1600-h/HEDGEHOG_CRISPS_2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309513290495359042" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 301px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfQhHUYM9nYYb5CVDPFw8kOkZUJutDhn4-IehZqvByZXlDZDZdSRG3q7kDmXkAv0QMeIDbRZAalkqU9tBcWDaoD9Ihbbqo0eNlVRQIOTa-rQUu_AHqpnADMHc-7yb9qAMGE5ACQ/s320/HEDGEHOG_CRISPS_2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>In between writing reports on <a href="http://www.atc-network.com/NewsItem-29214-Faulty-Altimeter-factor-in-Turkish-Airlines-crash.aspx">'air disasters' </a>I like to turn my mind to more important issues in life.<br /><br />The flavours of the 'Chipje' (or crisps as they still like to affectionally call them in the UK).<br /><br />Since my arrival in Holland back in 1994 the adventurous Dutch 'Chipjes' market had explored only 2 flavours. : Plain (Naturel) & Paprika.<br /><br />But in recent years they have started to follow the English trend into adventurous flavours. I first realised how adventurous they were becoming about 4 years ago when I was invited to a company for an interview which specialised in powdered cheese.<br /><br />Anyway at this interview I was shown the latest developments in flavours such as Bolognese and Cheese & Onion. And I was asked on my ideas. Of which of course I babbled a whole list of the latest Walkers flavours from the 1980's which received bog-eyed responses. And this the snack industry!!!<br /><br />The reason for my blog this evening is that finally in the last year or two the 'Dutch snack industry' has finally become a bit more adventurous and tonight I had my first 'Roast Beef and onion" crisps. Lekker! And also on the market there is 'Thai spices', 'Salt & Vinegar', 'Roast Chicken and Thyme', but still no 'hedgehog'.<br /><br />It is nice to see the Dutch catching up in adding chemicals to their potato snacks but it makes the trips back to the UK less worthwhile.<br /><br />I think it is time for our superchefs to endorse Paprika and Plain 'organic' {<a href="http://www.europotato.org/display_description.php?variety_name=Bintje">bintje</a>} crisps!.</div>Polarbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468171125439395865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20436610.post-38283105160117343592009-03-04T09:30:00.005+01:002009-03-04T10:26:03.651+01:00Rise of the Superchef<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDH_CMdV0DmmBqv_hu6ilGUGGcfFQB07CDQpGf8DwcFU6EWIhIhdBHSgaL9RcFS-trps0NxXWITjdsGMzlgBccXV2hKQ-LGczS76q3p99kqOSZw99wJzUQuVZTkPZcWYwK1xHQfw/s1600-h/superchefs.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309261237111717090" style="WIDTH: 179px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDH_CMdV0DmmBqv_hu6ilGUGGcfFQB07CDQpGf8DwcFU6EWIhIhdBHSgaL9RcFS-trps0NxXWITjdsGMzlgBccXV2hKQ-LGczS76q3p99kqOSZw99wJzUQuVZTkPZcWYwK1xHQfw/s320/superchefs.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div>Last night BBC2 aired a documentary on the rise of the TV superchef. "<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00hy17g">The Rise of the Superchef</a>". The show pointed out some of the chefs are suffering from the 'credit crunch'. One in particular <a href="http://www.awtonline.co.uk/">Antony Worrall-Thompson</a> who has had to close 4 of his 6 restaurants last month after the holding company AWT Restaurants went into administration.</div><div></div><br /><div>I felt a little sorry for the carrot-topped double barrelled gastronome until it was later revealed in the programme most of his income comes from book sales and 'brand-slap' products. AWT slaps his 'boatrace' on various kitchenware products, to £700 barbecue grills to an 'environmentally friendly bathroom cleaner and lime scale remover'. His branded products are expected to generate over £60m in sales.</div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDvY1mqiYy1b0MF3yZ0v1mjFsr5vueVxO4vb75Av8pO6Tdh4UvT7Xrg0zpNKth7VIJz7Vp5SXAK6DiCwFiOtoSEkd7Gn6ZH4KSCJ2uQB1qTwLmBjhfI3sFufBZ2uLdEZJXw8tZQ/s1600-h/LN_030352_BP_3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309255428187193410" style="WIDTH: 170px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 170px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDvY1mqiYy1b0MF3yZ0v1mjFsr5vueVxO4vb75Av8pO6Tdh4UvT7Xrg0zpNKth7VIJz7Vp5SXAK6DiCwFiOtoSEkd7Gn6ZH4KSCJ2uQB1qTwLmBjhfI3sFufBZ2uLdEZJXw8tZQ/s320/LN_030352_BP_3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:78%;">Bathroom cleaner and lime scale remover</span></div></div></div>Polarbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468171125439395865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20436610.post-74574052763749019442009-02-18T03:32:00.004+01:002009-02-18T03:43:06.808+01:00Sennheiser<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wZ5z_kLNbrPBd0YQFfYZE2VvAj-6Str7FaAlvVuE2vIcHJlNpZqxwwUhym3J-C4tG7Tj0K1nT7BfJBul_EWisweBnM-9-Het4DRYCekXalVs9tpsZkmOnTLuFDKxkew3GSvzWg/s1600-h/Image2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303962032773705522" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 319px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wZ5z_kLNbrPBd0YQFfYZE2VvAj-6Str7FaAlvVuE2vIcHJlNpZqxwwUhym3J-C4tG7Tj0K1nT7BfJBul_EWisweBnM-9-Het4DRYCekXalVs9tpsZkmOnTLuFDKxkew3GSvzWg/s320/Image2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtk_3dawyBPIoEKu9tEsPa-kUSNeD90XcB-LrQwee245KcV0KuIOP26x25naSmhlC3ZR1x6cnf7s8Rny-f_rTF_fx86CuIN6KAWCxssjKqwq1ZFPThzFRWLwdJC2Vs8UXuWvlXsQ/s1600-h/Image2.jpg"></a><br />Lovely headsets oh yes indeed.<br /><br />And at only 300-500 Euros per shot</div>Polarbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468171125439395865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20436610.post-50278788478812095012009-02-16T03:00:00.002+01:002009-02-16T03:20:00.194+01:00In BrugesBest Movie I have seen in ages. And the line in the art gallery can surely be a line anyone can use "Rubbish by Spastics'.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PVClvMEQET8&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PVClvMEQET8&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Polarbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468171125439395865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20436610.post-69283854664385767902009-02-14T03:28:00.001+01:002009-02-14T03:28:55.066+01:00In joke for us darts fans<br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/F4IRVL2ORMI&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/F4IRVL2ORMI&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Polarbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468171125439395865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20436610.post-33883075782489937692009-02-06T15:45:00.002+01:002009-02-06T15:48:45.388+01:00Cactus 1549 in the Hudson RiverThis is the R/T recording between US Airways (Cactus 1549) just prior to it being ditched in the Hudson River.<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ji5428o1nMs&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ji5428o1nMs&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Polarbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468171125439395865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20436610.post-72648887297589582962008-12-30T15:23:00.004+01:002008-12-30T15:30:17.159+01:00Kingfisher<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjownrtoOzgHaTd7j1mQhA5VyqpWD7rKeoIBxrI6mRbKBFe-tfZCNSgVCU5QU75WC2mWBrtsij8tOr7LWyeYATlNyVQejr80Qh5Je7hu92_T4kHp_fSWaVbgVTGexBhVlXNeSbSeA/s1600-h/IMG_2103.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285589179482107346" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjownrtoOzgHaTd7j1mQhA5VyqpWD7rKeoIBxrI6mRbKBFe-tfZCNSgVCU5QU75WC2mWBrtsij8tOr7LWyeYATlNyVQejr80Qh5Je7hu92_T4kHp_fSWaVbgVTGexBhVlXNeSbSeA/s320/IMG_2103.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Alcedo atthis<br /><br />Last time I saw a Kingfisher was around 22 years ago at Old Nunthorpe 'Watersplash'.<br />But yesterday whilst walking in the "Dellen" in Meerssen we spotted one sitting in a tree next to the stream we were walking along.Polarbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468171125439395865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20436610.post-1804878063498471402008-12-28T02:07:00.004+01:002008-12-28T02:41:53.600+01:00List ProgramsWhilst watching the usual avalanche of list programmes on BBC1 I was wondering why so many wanna-be celebs are commenting on either other celebs or wanna-be celebs and slagging each other off so much.<br /><br />Well reason is they all want more air time surely.<br /><br />I was looking on YouTube for an example but found one which tickled me more.<br /><br />Mark. E. Smith was inducted into this hall of fame for his invitation to do the final score on BBC1 Sport.<br />Of course in the nature of the programme Colin Paterson 'a journalist' decides to relate the whole experience to MES's whole career. "Slightly shambolic, always mainstream, never making it". As about well-informed as most statements on these programmes. The most mainstream band ever The Fall.<br /> <br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TYItgGz7hqg&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TYItgGz7hqg&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Polarbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468171125439395865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20436610.post-84170760545186398172008-12-19T20:15:00.005+01:002008-12-19T20:26:52.407+01:00Redcar Tourist GuideLast week we went for a walk down redcar beach. And Took a few photos of the seaside town.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafOBs7wgcohej1FbXVKB4N0cJ-Yv93uOAMOBOOB1rGrzCTRPFPiLMJydZqKuZ_JPtt2dP2nLLv1yQqvEkJpBsXZ-E20gNNHZE8tHXhloBWqrkVHg-c9-uBxPvN0yIe268wI4kiA/s1600-h/IMG_2070.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281582907897067858" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafOBs7wgcohej1FbXVKB4N0cJ-Yv93uOAMOBOOB1rGrzCTRPFPiLMJydZqKuZ_JPtt2dP2nLLv1yQqvEkJpBsXZ-E20gNNHZE8tHXhloBWqrkVHg-c9-uBxPvN0yIe268wI4kiA/s320/IMG_2070.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Las Vegas Museys<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIPfXnvATtnyz45YE8qIRYetLSSSCzlFB544ilX9Yv9jLKMX1yj47kwTNEvAVTMh5Rh69QxzJAtrxcN8bZ2UZ1LUnjrTz_pG_Nqyg2iDEIoZFGviTzPLQOh21FNEQyoLL3x3zzQQ/s1600-h/IMG_2071.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281582917302461778" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIPfXnvATtnyz45YE8qIRYetLSSSCzlFB544ilX9Yv9jLKMX1yj47kwTNEvAVTMh5Rh69QxzJAtrxcN8bZ2UZ1LUnjrTz_pG_Nqyg2iDEIoZFGviTzPLQOh21FNEQyoLL3x3zzQQ/s320/IMG_2071.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Woolies<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQJy9aYu33zw9zMKCScAB6SLAggdbByOt4G4BbbTnhBfwQG3BvSm9N5QRSaP22pLrrJsYDo3SB75dLbQ6DfW4fWxREht3sDLhV4RAsK0fYEgtWqODNNvYWvV0mv1fMryt2sUGFQ/s1600-h/IMG_2073.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281582939135496530" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQJy9aYu33zw9zMKCScAB6SLAggdbByOt4G4BbbTnhBfwQG3BvSm9N5QRSaP22pLrrJsYDo3SB75dLbQ6DfW4fWxREht3sDLhV4RAsK0fYEgtWqODNNvYWvV0mv1fMryt2sUGFQ/s320/IMG_2073.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Pacittos<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDazdBXjQOB7mthnsnBiW1oHZRg4pbIpXuh7bCiuFNVHXpeVdQ_dlBrvkQd2XCC5TR9fqvG0lSH3HoIjvhFlDZzgKtvY_ndAPRsA242r4KEYKBQLLHhu4HR3DYatO1eYgX4kIHg/s1600-h/IMG_2072.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281582928567217250" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDazdBXjQOB7mthnsnBiW1oHZRg4pbIpXuh7bCiuFNVHXpeVdQ_dlBrvkQd2XCC5TR9fqvG0lSH3HoIjvhFlDZzgKtvY_ndAPRsA242r4KEYKBQLLHhu4HR3DYatO1eYgX4kIHg/s320/IMG_2072.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Redcar Front</div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqX96AyytTfIrR3biFJ47HQf6io0QpbZvpR6zmHMGtj0SPnjVAI0z7-ckmkNe9-uKH3OYwQsTW42FbwlXg7z8XbnBj0iCDlLAAW6TxPsuvflgHmdXZe3e6iLeyZj24jNK5qq5ujA/s1600-h/IMG_2074.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281582952022240994" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqX96AyytTfIrR3biFJ47HQf6io0QpbZvpR6zmHMGtj0SPnjVAI0z7-ckmkNe9-uKH3OYwQsTW42FbwlXg7z8XbnBj0iCDlLAAW6TxPsuvflgHmdXZe3e6iLeyZj24jNK5qq5ujA/s320/IMG_2074.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div>The Clock</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkNVCH6vLtZbjtfKkiO8ff7ur7SHj8LYdyHMZAc3s850tEmqhb0alPTWYmUVaYkfMm9n84wrdngudnajqpam5HX_j50xpfmMIrBsWysF1CI8qr3VrhE69jS5auAW1DDdw_cD-rMw/s1600-h/IMG_2075.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281583193300538562" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkNVCH6vLtZbjtfKkiO8ff7ur7SHj8LYdyHMZAc3s850tEmqhb0alPTWYmUVaYkfMm9n84wrdngudnajqpam5HX_j50xpfmMIrBsWysF1CI8qr3VrhE69jS5auAW1DDdw_cD-rMw/s320/IMG_2075.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div>Regent Cinema</div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyw-8Kp0Jp0ZPv6H358NFKZgEEuSoJphIXiayF0IYm6iTr0VPjp-qqhAC8LmW3Fxf1BgH-S-4m8cIxa1PxafdBCl-1PL5B1ReZ7JOEGJWJmVgznQm7jAkFxKaTrv0T23a1TqXUng/s1600-h/IMG_2076.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281583210520057202" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyw-8Kp0Jp0ZPv6H358NFKZgEEuSoJphIXiayF0IYm6iTr0VPjp-qqhAC8LmW3Fxf1BgH-S-4m8cIxa1PxafdBCl-1PL5B1ReZ7JOEGJWJmVgznQm7jAkFxKaTrv0T23a1TqXUng/s320/IMG_2076.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div>Laurel & Hardy</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdTZFYzFlh02GBOW4HPQlTf0hesUYh1rC2JG5L2x-iKb5zrQ4u0vNAfnPSIIQ5xqiOGx9nizLpAa3BdlMDIP3cUfVE0GZXdmN2cvSzmMG1inGcwefYB2ii-wsttfcjC1W88oUSQ/s1600-h/IMG_2077.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281583215403392210" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdTZFYzFlh02GBOW4HPQlTf0hesUYh1rC2JG5L2x-iKb5zrQ4u0vNAfnPSIIQ5xqiOGx9nizLpAa3BdlMDIP3cUfVE0GZXdmN2cvSzmMG1inGcwefYB2ii-wsttfcjC1W88oUSQ/s320/IMG_2077.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Penguins</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2W1kYNzyMoCPTwAa4ChjTnA6Q-t-yk_Qjxwti9-XUFgeHF0FajGPKV_r_CE3kD1BaoeujnqTp6MGgyXGTNX0DG1fgiDOD0x03L5ZIFigJ-L2Y8kHWpmhthZB9ERt5PnSAXcbWg/s1600-h/IMG_2078.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281583227835393714" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2W1kYNzyMoCPTwAa4ChjTnA6Q-t-yk_Qjxwti9-XUFgeHF0FajGPKV_r_CE3kD1BaoeujnqTp6MGgyXGTNX0DG1fgiDOD0x03L5ZIFigJ-L2Y8kHWpmhthZB9ERt5PnSAXcbWg/s320/IMG_2078.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Redcah Bowl<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiME8dvNJs7lITCrCJzjkhNxyT0sO34S2IrDAU4pDy8f4TMTpZ_LPBksvn9Y82vcFz9sRI9yFS5Z286N4ueJoLr-L1ZFfxV5uAMUPGdJnSkqBCYhG_JFEE6RZZGy5EF0Ddh4Wqdww/s1600-h/IMG_2080.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281583237599746514" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiME8dvNJs7lITCrCJzjkhNxyT0sO34S2IrDAU4pDy8f4TMTpZ_LPBksvn9Y82vcFz9sRI9yFS5Z286N4ueJoLr-L1ZFfxV5uAMUPGdJnSkqBCYhG_JFEE6RZZGy5EF0Ddh4Wqdww/s320/IMG_2080.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Oh Bertha lovely Bertha. Sometimes I think you're a dream!<br /><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div>Polarbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468171125439395865noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20436610.post-13459870826490204122008-11-13T01:29:00.018+01:002008-11-13T02:10:45.937+01:00Fossils from Redcar BeachJohn Appleyard is becoming a local fossil expert from his walks on Redcar beach where he has discovered many ancient fossils over the last years. Below are some examples of the artifacts he has uncovered from the beach.<br /><br />John's exhibits have taken a long time to be in their present presentable form for exhibition.<br />In his workshop he uses many methods to clean away sedimentary deposits and polish the fossils so we can enjoy their form.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1dyPayi0h7-dE_yL5_6n3CCoub1lkauUmAapSew0sO3ls_fYq4LfEgi4rmOWETMVc4GKqwwd1sFge3HrlbbpSqbN01MjZ_7uaHvGfJC5ES7Y2iQHvmyXDn_YO-hoxgwXXKFDF5g/s1600-h/fos1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267934167823301106" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 204px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1dyPayi0h7-dE_yL5_6n3CCoub1lkauUmAapSew0sO3ls_fYq4LfEgi4rmOWETMVc4GKqwwd1sFge3HrlbbpSqbN01MjZ_7uaHvGfJC5ES7Y2iQHvmyXDn_YO-hoxgwXXKFDF5g/s320/fos1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">A calcified ammonite fragment - Ammonites existed 400-65 million years ago - this creature would have been around 2 1/2 feet in diameter<br /></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7r4658jAmmlj3PCAHPDove05kpSYQfCdUNKxAYgnworTrAajO_fzLMuJvK8hazhlAlGf_FRu2vmqiDNCZVi-4oq8JOL0cNC6IqCf4PVEFwFKRz9tOJ8QV8EIwLDUwvSQOI0dRkA/s1600-h/fos2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267934233559094066" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 204px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7r4658jAmmlj3PCAHPDove05kpSYQfCdUNKxAYgnworTrAajO_fzLMuJvK8hazhlAlGf_FRu2vmqiDNCZVi-4oq8JOL0cNC6IqCf4PVEFwFKRz9tOJ8QV8EIwLDUwvSQOI0dRkA/s320/fos2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Belemnite (related to the squid/cuttlefish) existed juring the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9HUkWwkjSXSdf7f6-TCuXM-3ng60fTRTy7RS0zdNC8HuE8Xu3A6PwtiCLXWuuMZRhrWGEl6uJ4rDjpc3GHQEGfLOVrvW8Vp2R6kNPqT8Bmubn1S3-yDXioygHFTbba_bcltCRw/s1600-h/fos5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267937232568564498" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 204px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9HUkWwkjSXSdf7f6-TCuXM-3ng60fTRTy7RS0zdNC8HuE8Xu3A6PwtiCLXWuuMZRhrWGEl6uJ4rDjpc3GHQEGfLOVrvW8Vp2R6kNPqT8Bmubn1S3-yDXioygHFTbba_bcltCRw/s320/fos5.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Ichthyosaur snout - A Dolphin type reptile that existed between 240 million and 90 milion years ago. Originally land based they eventually moved to the sea.</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIVHQNvcLxwVCHlbm67LhRoav95m80RNRGahXW40zovmsTPi09dPhtdyQpSYQnWjZPanVCZx2GhGdcP8ldZ5YHc7-TkbzRowafTRhr8ctEi6Carq-4cYrhRvgvj_vr7MY-74r0Uw/s1600-h/fos6.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267937303819542738" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIVHQNvcLxwVCHlbm67LhRoav95m80RNRGahXW40zovmsTPi09dPhtdyQpSYQnWjZPanVCZx2GhGdcP8ldZ5YHc7-TkbzRowafTRhr8ctEi6Carq-4cYrhRvgvj_vr7MY-74r0Uw/s320/fos6.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Nautilus - One of John's finds which still exists today</span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br /><br />You can hear Mr Appleyard talk about his discoveries on Redcar beach at the BBC local History Website at this link<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/tees/content/image_galleries/fossils_gallery.shtml">http://www.bbc.co.uk/tees/content/image_galleries/fossils_gallery.shtml</a>Polarbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468171125439395865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20436610.post-13230176123611957842008-11-10T01:22:00.010+01:002008-11-10T02:03:39.833+01:00Washington DCI was lucky enough to have to visit Washinton DC last week for my work and it was surprisingly one of the nicest cities I have ever seen.<br /><br />The most wonderful thing about WDC is that all the museums, art galleries and even the zoo are all free to visit. It is a surprisingly clean city and very international in it's residents.<br /><br />I didn' t have a lot of time to look around but a free Sunday gave me chance to see a lot and also a lot of blisters to bring home as a momento.<br /><br />A few pictures an a video of the president flying into the whitehouse follow.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4sKuTZwSGzPTW58vWCwYwGHA6epVpcdwwDzZZBIlHwItv2zE9H1irs9p0x_oTTJ6-lgtaWd6v_lp4oP__nuXj9K3g8KRHkp2eJWy5Fqnz5lc18JRULiGzMvKY5TtgNMW5bfLPA/s1600-h/IMG_1926.JPG"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266822218149724626" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4sKuTZwSGzPTW58vWCwYwGHA6epVpcdwwDzZZBIlHwItv2zE9H1irs9p0x_oTTJ6-lgtaWd6v_lp4oP__nuXj9K3g8KRHkp2eJWy5Fqnz5lc18JRULiGzMvKY5TtgNMW5bfLPA/s320/IMG_1926.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The Washington Memorial</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Paxlq3HNtGtZdCL_vg3JSECDAbAXTBimgIbfIYh92bE0EEOSEYavno7SDyEaF0hkjdueX_5UjO3P3RR3SGnS70XFUb1uD8IpHtpt3PgivLnmYWVsma4zMy0eOfWkrVqrqCO4JA/s1600-h/IMG_1921.JPG"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266822145031907442" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Paxlq3HNtGtZdCL_vg3JSECDAbAXTBimgIbfIYh92bE0EEOSEYavno7SDyEaF0hkjdueX_5UjO3P3RR3SGnS70XFUb1uD8IpHtpt3PgivLnmYWVsma4zMy0eOfWkrVqrqCO4JA/s320/IMG_1921.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />The Whitehouse</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmML0_YGH14uATus9MWoqVKs3UV7nH4PXVIV5Roh33HeBmmQVkeTj7b27eazRZitxDQ7aYFJweoLNYyHAj_82_oANp52qsTOq1gFVAAsiZkRA2YmvP8pStn_UzBGlSbEdttGAJA/s1600-h/IMG_1960.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266823095369371202" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmML0_YGH14uATus9MWoqVKs3UV7nH4PXVIV5Roh33HeBmmQVkeTj7b27eazRZitxDQ7aYFJweoLNYyHAj_82_oANp52qsTOq1gFVAAsiZkRA2YmvP8pStn_UzBGlSbEdttGAJA/s320/IMG_1960.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Capitol Hill</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIj4fmz4FQwa75SKbhSwLYp3HRslr9YVmu299FJSBdfkjFS_OKfv8vCX7ZO0ghDz8o5NgOLSdjQKQYSD8pZIi0L_ZdfzW9l7cSEGPoUV62zZrEi_rjiFfpChgCtlNK5UO0u9d9cA/s1600-h/IMG_1970.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266822484378779954" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIj4fmz4FQwa75SKbhSwLYp3HRslr9YVmu299FJSBdfkjFS_OKfv8vCX7ZO0ghDz8o5NgOLSdjQKQYSD8pZIi0L_ZdfzW9l7cSEGPoUV62zZrEi_rjiFfpChgCtlNK5UO0u9d9cA/s320/IMG_1970.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Mei Xiang in the National Zoological Park<br /></span><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7nTt9dfWbrk&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7nTt9dfWbrk&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Polarbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468171125439395865noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20436610.post-42352700060246730052008-10-28T00:03:00.006+01:002008-10-28T01:30:32.036+01:00DHL- Dalsey, Hillblom and Lynn<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0876uhyphenhyphen-3XrUpVhr4HGmxpm5zT3c68BGtEEv_q6szLDLedt754i4Qm44E5YEpH8q6GDczTY8xzlkM2y3w2NFtKM14l-L3aLL0bNVGjqnPMBpD9dLj_Z3bzxz1bWJFcI2WNIGTpQ/s1600-h/0701253.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261994781899566482" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 219px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0876uhyphenhyphen-3XrUpVhr4HGmxpm5zT3c68BGtEEv_q6szLDLedt754i4Qm44E5YEpH8q6GDczTY8xzlkM2y3w2NFtKM14l-L3aLL0bNVGjqnPMBpD9dLj_Z3bzxz1bWJFcI2WNIGTpQ/s320/0701253.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:78%;"> </span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">East Midlands Airport where my CDs will leave tonight (hopefully)<br /></span><br />A company which I have worked for which I have a lot of respect for, but has unfortunately become to big for itself and lost the plot a little since setting up so many country self-administrated branches.<br /><br />Last week I spent 100- Euros for a next day shipment to the UK from Holland. The next day I had a call from a sales guy asking me why I don't use their services so much and how could they change that.<br /><br />I told him if he wanted to get me as a loyal customer make sure that when the shipment I sent to the UK (a single CD), is transformed into 3,000 CD's; Make sure the 3,000 CD's can be shipped to me in NL and I am a happy customer.<br /><br />The reply.....No that can't be done. There is forms to be signed. No way around it. You need an International account. It will take a week to set it up.<br /><br />So I ring DHL UK and ask if they can organise the 3,000 Cd's to be shipped to me. The answer was yes. I went through the procedure to be told at the final point that no we can't do this because your credit card is not a UK credit card. Rang my sister who tried to help as she had a UK bank credit card, but again the same result so ended up having to ask my father to ask to use his credit card to solve the situation. So after the call to my Father I managed to pay for the overnight service and tomorrow (before 12 AM ) I should have the package.<br /><br />The next step is to use DHL again for an express service to Alexandria, Virginia. This wil take two days. It has to be there latest Friday this week. So tomorrow I will put my 'living' in DHL's hands and order a pick up from my Dutch location to arrive in USA 2 days later before 12 midday latest.<br /><br />They are administratively screwed up DHL but you can 100% guarantee they do what they say.<br />If you can manage to pay them for it. Which I tried 3 times today with 3 different credit cards.<br /><br />I am shocked that a company can be so reluctent to receive payment for it's servcies. In such a way that they would prefer to turn customers away. The only reason that I kept on trying is that I knew that they will do what they say they do. Deliver next day before 12 AM.<br /><br />So at the end of the day me working my arse off to get around their rules gave them the business. Not them doing the same to help me.<br /><br />Plus as a side comment, their red/yellow colour scheme sucks.<br /><br />I think the Red symbolises the colours you see in your eyes when you try to arrange an unusual shipment.<br />The Yellow? Maybe what you see almost coming into your pants when you realise that their new administrative rules might screw up your plans!Polarbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468171125439395865noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20436610.post-36504450444911138982008-10-23T16:40:00.002+02:002008-10-23T17:19:49.462+02:00Rebirth of the Eyldergaard Tree<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwZ5pnjBXrKIiJOqUxJ3rXq4QNMul_E0KCav_-79Yf3ket4xgyp8TBxR4D8Ts4jYErP2xgfQp6O0diNKLkgTZZ4H0dz050Nmaq2759jbkv0eccM7u8f93se2359zzTZhm-X77RA/s1600-h/IMG_1888.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260366860587332690" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwZ5pnjBXrKIiJOqUxJ3rXq4QNMul_E0KCav_-79Yf3ket4xgyp8TBxR4D8Ts4jYErP2xgfQp6O0diNKLkgTZZ4H0dz050Nmaq2759jbkv0eccM7u8f93se2359zzTZhm-X77RA/s320/IMG_1888.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">The Eyldergaard Tree Returns</span><br /><br />Followers of this blog may remember in May 2007 the local 'Gemeente' decided to brutally savage an ancient tree that stands in the middle of my district of Maastricht, "Eyldergaard".<br /><a href="http://smogsblog70.blogspot.com/2007/05/denise-if-tree.html">http://smogsblog70.blogspot.com/2007/05/denise-if-tree.html</a><br /><br />It turned out the tree was actually diseased and was about to die anyway. Finally the Gemeente have decided to replace it. It has a long way to go to catch up in size. But it has a very nice birdbox attached. Bonus!Polarbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468171125439395865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20436610.post-46022008533322689462008-10-16T02:05:00.005+02:002008-10-16T02:18:51.471+02:00Cheeky little number<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsLHolFJVTMyPn6et8DSnmCii185DaBQDDtkeOK_zAaXr9aYlvsGgNaQKIrmUBf9IYmU2rBImXG4d-GqnX1MVO_LiblyWKe1Ikn7_sQbSsyWosCgxLkqpAlqAyAtAP2VI5I28AA/s1600-h/capsulefbcabsauv.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257538305318771906" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsLHolFJVTMyPn6et8DSnmCii185DaBQDDtkeOK_zAaXr9aYlvsGgNaQKIrmUBf9IYmU2rBImXG4d-GqnX1MVO_LiblyWKe1Ikn7_sQbSsyWosCgxLkqpAlqAyAtAP2VI5I28AA/s320/capsulefbcabsauv.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I bought a bottle of red wine tonight with a cheeky title "Fat Bastard".</div><div></div><br /><div>A Marketing ploy?. Most definitely. But one I fell for. The lable on the back of the bottle reads something like....</div><div></div><br /><div>Thierry Boudinaud, a renowned winemaker who had crafted wines from California to France, from Chile to South Africa was sitting in a cold damp wine cellar one winter day when the door burst open. It was Guy Anderson his dear friend from London who had just arrived to sample the recent vintage. “It’s cold enough to freeze the balls of a brass monkey” Guy bellowed with a big smile on his face. “Now Thierry let’s find out what gems we have this year.”<br />Guy was a rebel in the wine industry believing that quality was paramount in a wine but that the average consumer hated the traditional intimidation heaped on them by most of the wine industry. The two had collaborated before and this was yet another chance to drink wine, catch up on family and enjoy a few days together. After tasting hundreds of barrel samples both were pleased with the quality, but not blown away.<br /><br />The next day after sleeping in past noon due to the late night before, Thierry thought he would have Guy try an experimental wine he had in a few barrels in the back of the cellar. “Dis is a experiment wine we left it on de lees. We try it no?” “Sure Thierry, you know how hard it is to get me to try a new wine.” Both friends had no idea that leaving the wine in barrel on the lees (yeast cells) would result is such a dramatic difference from the wine they tried the day before. It had a wonderful color and rich, round palate. Both men stood and stared at each other for what seemed like five minutes until Thierry exclaimed “now zat iz what you call eh phet bast-ard” </div><br /><div></div><div>So a cheeky marketing ploy, web-site set up with tee-shirts to buy on-line etc. surely a good wine. I would guess so but hang on I forgot how it tasted after reading the web-site bumph.</div><div>No hang on it's coming back to me now it tasted like 3.99 bottle of red wine. You Daft Bastards!</div>Polarbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468171125439395865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20436610.post-73058344985987737232008-09-17T03:08:00.002+02:002008-09-17T03:24:18.231+02:00The The<div>Took a look at the 'The The' website tonight. All their catalogue is available to listen to free of charge for 1 min 30 secs. And the option to buy of course. Very nice quality in stereo even on the rubbish PC boxes. Better than most Ipod earphones though!</div><br /><div></div><div>Problem is that most The The songs don't event start the first verse by 1 min 30.<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwE8hmZNtfUVyRttUDd9639mfuqXdK2ZUgEtd75W_Pa6Bkt8Lm7kBrjvaYb7agWvCLTrTHyGgFz0OqHub8rmwka5JUVi-uDTtb1H9qu6U5LHnzpJv2pJeC5ilU7uLmnRWCNchEw/s1600-h/thethe.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246794812859469890" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwE8hmZNtfUVyRttUDd9639mfuqXdK2ZUgEtd75W_Pa6Bkt8Lm7kBrjvaYb7agWvCLTrTHyGgFz0OqHub8rmwka5JUVi-uDTtb1H9qu6U5LHnzpJv2pJeC5ilU7uLmnRWCNchEw/s320/thethe.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.thethe.com/sections/jukebox/jukebox.html">http://www.thethe.com/sections/jukebox/jukebox.html</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Polarbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468171125439395865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20436610.post-88570675912254607332008-09-07T11:25:00.002+02:002008-09-07T11:27:56.441+02:00New Presidential Candidate<a href="http://www.inews3.com/topstory.php?id=43687269737c57616465">http://www.inews3.com/topstory.php?id=43687269737c57616465</a>Polarbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468171125439395865noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20436610.post-51127526723565839262008-08-30T18:50:00.004+02:002008-08-30T19:08:11.420+02:00Ebay is pants<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPIw_CVmXxDOkPxcQKy1-cvBT_IKR423jFOSUzd9OGrFG-pQoZ3VKw_B4HYN4iT6ki3dM01V0xLvtmGCqE0vt1e_mgDjYQbBmgLErjt4j0wxvAhhqf94TzR2gVis4_w0t9t5Oww/s1600-h/marktplaats.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240358181138843090" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPIw_CVmXxDOkPxcQKy1-cvBT_IKR423jFOSUzd9OGrFG-pQoZ3VKw_B4HYN4iT6ki3dM01V0xLvtmGCqE0vt1e_mgDjYQbBmgLErjt4j0wxvAhhqf94TzR2gVis4_w0t9t5Oww/s320/marktplaats.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Floggin off your old crap has never been easier</span><br /><br />I have always Ebayed but recently have started using a more geographically suitable website www.marktplaats.nl. Ebay has never really been as succesful in Holland as in the UK and I think the main reason for this is the success of marktplaats. And lately due to Ebay making it more complicated to list items I have stopped using it.<br /><br />With Marktplaats you can search on category geographically. Choices of <3km, <5km, <10km, <15km, <25km, <50km, <75km or no restrictions. This makes buying furniture, cars etc very manageable. Plus it is very simple to post an item. Choose category, add photo and text and post. Your contact dets are always listed through your profile. Plus there are no fees for most items.<br /><br />Today whilst cleaning out the garden shed I found the stereo from our previous car which was destroyed by an MB 'Actros' whilst I was shopping.<br /><br />I placed it on Marktplaats at 14:08, had a bid at 16:56, haggled till 18:42 and someone is coming to pick it up in the morning at 10.00.Polarbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468171125439395865noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20436610.post-10741814870680598522008-08-19T03:35:00.002+02:002008-08-19T03:39:57.608+02:00McClaren talks to his FC 20 supporters<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/i3ZfiIACbM0&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/i3ZfiIACbM0&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />I only hope that his PR team tell him his team is called 'FC Twenter'. They might be happy that they understand "big club!", but I am sure they still don't get who FC Twenty are.Polarbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468171125439395865noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20436610.post-77471733848350934782008-08-02T04:41:00.003+02:002008-12-12T02:22:54.389+01:00Une Belle Fille comme moi<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGlYeqbzsr1JnU7zwkyrhy3DC-BIESgc87OmO7g1pX05ohNXwW-jkZVdmAOnfpW7t80wTOg5kJ1072ympvhBKrg0WOMs3xXiHdn2zD2-lkVn6-zAmrgQrkCLNUg4zAdEelwEt0Q/s1600-h/bfcm.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGlYeqbzsr1JnU7zwkyrhy3DC-BIESgc87OmO7g1pX05ohNXwW-jkZVdmAOnfpW7t80wTOg5kJ1072ympvhBKrg0WOMs3xXiHdn2zD2-lkVn6-zAmrgQrkCLNUg4zAdEelwEt0Q/s320/bfcm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229744109615925314" /></a><br />Since buying the box set of Francois Truffaut from Japan about 3 years ago I have not managed to watch more than 1 or 2 of the films. The reason why i bought it from Japan is that it is the only place it is available from. A bit strange considering he is one of France's prized directors from the era.<br /><br />But I decided to lob one in one my lunch break today and I remembered why I love his movies so much. There are only a few I haven't seen and this was one.<br /><br />Une belle fille comme moi[1972] - was the title, translated as "A Gorgeous Bird Like Me".<br />For Truffaut it has more than the usual amount of humour, akin to "Bed and Board" (Domicile conjugal)[1970] so this must have been his comedy period.<br />Saying that there is always an element of humour in most FT movies, but the cartoon cinematography of parts of this particular film set it apart from his other works.<br /><br />The basic plot of the story is based around the lead character Camille Bliss played by Bernadette Lafont (still very much active and starring in 'Broken English' [2007]). She is introduced as a bit of a slutty village girl who knows how to use her charms to get what she wants after being accused of murdering her drunken abusing father by removing his ladder when he is looking for wood in a garage attic.<br /><br />A socialogist, Stanislas Prévine, goes to prison to start a thesis about 'Ciminal Women' and Camille is his first study. Despite protests from the prison warders, that she is just a 'hussy' and other murderers may have more intersting stories he persists in interviewing Camille.<br /><br />Camille then begins to tell her life story. The interviews with Stanislas are intercut with the reality of what happened and also with Stanislas and his secretary Helene typing up the thesis. Helene becomes very jealous of Camille as she is in love with Stanislas and repeatedly persuades him that she is just a common whore.<br /><br />During these sesions we find out that Camille had various lovers who she seduces. Her first, Clovis, a simple country boy who lives with his mother. She then goes on to marry Clovis just to annoy his Mother (who she eventually murders). <br />Then Sam Golden, a R&B bar star who she sleeps with whilst married to Clovis to annoy her husband and also to try to succeed at singing which she is not that good at. Following this affair is Marchal the lawyar who tried to help her after Clovis is run down in a car accident. He then sleeps with her after promising a lot of compensation but only to blackmail her later with adultery to help Clovis. And finally Arthur the 'pest killer'. A succesful religious man who willingly parts with his money to help Camille in any way. The one character in her life who doesn't seem to want to get into her pants. Confused by this she forces him to. The reaction to this encounter is that Arthur wants to top himself and asks Camille to join him in jumping of a cathedral roof. She obviously refuses. <br /><br />As the interviews proceed Stanislas quickly falls for Camille and brings her various gifts. She becomes more and more flirtatious with her interviewer and even though she reveals more and more about her 'femme fatale' character the socialologist falls for her more and more and decides he wants to free the woman he loves as his attraction to her has made him believe she is innocent.<br /><br />Eventually he finds a way to provide the courts with the evidence thay need to quash the conviction. A small film-fanatic child who had filmed the 'murder' of "Arthur the exterminator" which put her away. It turns out to be a suicide. The child Jerome seems to be vary much based on Truffaut himself as he refuses repeatedly to show the film as it hadn't yet been edited.<br /><br />Eventually Stanislas and his secreatary convince the small child to show the film and they see that Camille did not push Arthur from the Cathedral walls. <br /><br />We then see Camille freed and quickly Stanislas visiting her in a theatre using her less than talented voice as more jovial than vocal entertainment. But Stan seems to miss the plot yet again and brings her flowers night after night until she brings him home to her appartment where he almost beds the lead lady. <br /><br />Clovis returns, a fight ensues and Stanislas is knocked out. Camille shoots Clovis and places the weapon in the unconscious hands of the socialologist. He is then imprisoned. <br /><br />Stanislas's lawyer comes to visit him in prison and they come up with a plan. He suddenly remembers a piece of evidence which could convict her for the murder of Clovis' Mother. But instead of the blackmail that they plot it backfires on him again as Camille 'charms' the Lawyer and they together have the house destroyed.<br /><br />The film ends with Camille visiting the smitten Stanislas in prison and telling him how prison could help him. He always wanted a book published. Prison helped her get her singing career and maybe prison could help him in the same way. Ironic ending as the beginning of the movie we see a woman asking in a Library "Do you have a copy of Criminal Wamen - It's a Sociological thesis?" - " No it was never printed - No idea why."<br /><br />FINPolarbearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468171125439395865noreply@blogger.com3