Read A Bloody Book (Again)!

You know me by now, I like to moan about the same things again and again. Well, I've finally got my assessment submitted, hardcopy and electronic copy for the plagiarism software to chew over. Now, I'm going to purchase some drink and try and read some of the books I've squirreled away over the last 2 months. I was into Waterstones in Aberdeen and was sorely tempted to buy a Conn Iggulden book that I spotted, but then I thought I should probably read the Conn Iggulden book that I have, and see if it's any good, before I buy anymore of his works.

What was I going to moan about this time? Oh yeah, grown ups who haven't read books. I know I've done this one, but it's still happpening and it makes me sick (something was said in a lecture today, that's why, triggered me off). It's compounded (or aggravated if you like) by the fact that the T.V. is virtually no longer watchable. No wonder people are detached and socially inept. I blame the parents, because it is the parents. If a mother or father never reads and there are no books in the house, what sort of message are they sending to their children? I've even heard people say that they've learned everything they know from the telly, and I believe them because they know jack-shit!

Scotland is failing miserably in the three "R's" and all that's needed is a few books on a book-shelf in every home, turn the telly off for a little while now and again and read some books. It's not hard and it can be very rewarding. It stimulates the imagination, it improves literacy and you might just learn something!

A Picture Tells A 1000 Words!

Yes, it's true, my generosity knows no bounds, in seeking out for you, such images as I hope will provide you with a great deal of pleasure in beholding! For, yes it's as they say "Seeing is believing", and the following images have a common theme, there must have been a rather interesting build-up to the event. The nature of that build-up is left to your imagination... enjoy!

Oh, and about that Dragonfruit thing, it did taste a little bit like Kiwi fruit, only decidedly more watery and without the sweetness. In fact it was rather bland. You wouldn't want to eat a whole one, or indeed find yourself in a situation where your very survivial relied on consuming an abundance of them. Still, to put it into context, Ive tasted worse! And, so have you!

Your Kids Dream Holiday?

I'm going to have a rant again today. What about this time... ? Well take a look at the horrendous castle in the picture and have a guess. Yes, it's Disney, but I haven't got anything particularly bad to say about Disney. What gets to me, are these people who make out that unless you've taken your kids to Disneyland Florida, then you must be a failure as a parent. As if it's a lifetime achievement to spend 2 weeks queuing in intense heat to get on to rides, with the occasional Mickey Mouse strolling past, while you throw cash around like there's no tomorrow.

"Oh, but it's worth it...", they say "to see the joy on their little faces!" Really, well my kids have no interest in Disney any more, and haven't had for a really long time, and the US in general cetainly doesn't rank as my top holiday destination. The kids agree. They'd far rather holiday here in Europe than go to the US. Yet, these parents have the idea in their heads, that their kids really want to go to Disneyland, and the kids agree, because they know that the parents really want them to want to go. It's laughable really, but I've seen it so many times. It shows a real lack of imagination really. They're very similar to those people who holiday in Majorca, Ibiza, Benidorm or such like, every year. It's a big wide world out there, try something different.

I tell you what, if I had the money, I'd be off to Mexico, Australia, Japan, Iceland, Peru.... places where you can have a rich cultural experience. That's the idea of a holiday, not re-visiting your childhood vicariously through your children who are already more mature than you are anyway. I read the other day that Brits spend £6k a year on average keeping up with the Joneses, and I fully believe that. I know people very well who have to have the best of everything, their children have to be the best at everything, and it's important to them that you know when they bought something first. They are completely moronic! Truly self-obssessed, to the point of making me wanting to shake them violently and tell them to get a life. Do you know people like these? I'll bet you do!