swine flu - the facts!!!

WELL it would appear that Swine Flu is here and it is going to get a lot worse before it gets better.
Some of us will be very ill, tragically some of us will die, others won't even know they have had it!!!
The advice out there seems to be changing on a daily basis but it couldn't have come at a worse time for the economy - just in time for the school holidays when most small businesses (the backbone of the country) traditionally struggle.
Add to that people being off sick, not going out spending any money and the economy looks likely to plunge to an all time low!!!
I'm even having second thoughts about booking a summer holiday and travelling by plane - as one sure way of picking up a bug is sitting in a confined space next to people coughing spluttering breathing in the same recycled air!
Imagine being in a hot sunny country with a fever!!!
On a brighter note you can't catch swine flu from eating a bacon butty!

Farewell Jacko!

MILLIONS of music fans will this week bid a fond farewell to pop icon Michael Jackson who tragically died last week from heart failure at the age of just 50.
Although not a huge Michael Jackson fan, I did appreciate his music, especially the Thriller album, released in November 1982 which went on to become the biggest selling album of all time.
This album proved hugely popular with music fans across the divides of pop, dance and rock, with stunning videos to boost its popularity.
The video for the title track must go down in history as one of the greatest ever pop videos.
Michael had a unique talent and personality and his career was undoubtedly blighted by child abuse allegations.
We will never know the truth behind the allegations.
Personally I think Jacko was a child trapped in a man's body.
He never had a proper childhood, driven by his family to become a pop star.
When he had the power to finance his own lifestyle I believe Michael decided he was going to have the childhood he missed out on.
He will be undoubtedly missed by his many millions of fans around the world - and the fact that he could bounce back from the stigma of child abuse allegations, one of the worst accusations any human being could face, is testament to the power of his music, which is what he will hopefully be remembered for.

The art of communication!!

First there was email, then texts, then blogs, facebook and now twitter - where will it end?
Many of us are now starting to rely on the electronic art of communication.
The problem is so many of us are now communicating with each other, including many people we hardly know, or indeed in my own case people who are complete strangers, we are in danger of suffering information over load.
With 300-400 emails a day pouring into my inbox it is a never ending battle keeping up with emails.
The danger is so many are coming in important ones can be easily missed - and I am getting the impression this is happening with more and more organisations including, schools, colleges, councils, the police - the list is endless.
While all these communication tools are quick and cost effective - sooner or later I fear the wheels are going to come off!
Perhaps we should start to take a bit more notice of those wonderful old machines, the telephone and start talking a bit more!

Saying goodbye to an old friend

TODAY was a very sad day as I said goodbye to a very old friend - Sooty the family mogey.
A rescue cat from the Cats Protection League more than 18 years ago Sooty was on the scene before my daughters, who have known her all their lives.
You don't realise how attached you become to a pet until it is time to say goodbye.
Sooty was a very vocal cat and always used to be the first to welcome you home after work or after a holiday.
She loved human attention and has been a constant on my knee for many years, more so in recent weeks while feeling under the weather.
As common with many domestic cats it was her kidneys which gave in but now she is at peace.
Although upsetting she went to sleep peacefully and at ease with me at her side.
I have many happy memories from the day I brought her home when she rolled out of a cardboard box with her sister - and promptly hid under the kitchen table.
It was only when her sister went AWOL after a couple of years that she became a friendly cat.
She certainly became a unique character and will be sadly missed by all those who knew her.
RIP Sooty.

A picture is worth a thousand words!

Well I can't say my heart bleeds for the over paid sulkers from the Theatre of Clowns.
Completely outclassed by Barcelona and failed in their bid to win back to back Champions Leagues.
Never mind lads you can always reflect on the 4-1 thumping at Old Trafford by your friends from down the East Lancs Road :)

Another year gone!!

Well I've made it to the ripe old age of 46 - and regular readers will see I am still enjoying my "youth" as a frequent visitor to rock shows.
I developed my taste for rock music in my formative years at high school, with Status Quo setting the tone.
Now more than 30 years on a lot of the old favourites are still on the road, quo, ac/dc. deep purple and many more - the reason - they can't make much money from selling albums anymore - because most people download them online for free.
Trawling through my favourite CD's in HMV as a birthday treat I was pleasantly surprised to find you could buy most of what you wanted for £5 or £6 which is about half the price I was paying when CD's first came out!!!
So now I have stocked up my music collection and will continiue rocking all over the world!
Three more concerts lined up - Nickelback, Deep Purple, Quo - I can't wait.

The greatest rock show ever!!!

Well what can I say - I have been attending rock concerts since 1979, seeing AC/DC on their Highway to Hell tour with the late great Bon Scott and I have now just been blown away by their Black Ice tour - 30 years on!
Having seen many bands over the years it now takes something pretty special to impress me - but this latest tour by the boys from down under (well not that they are that well connected with Australia these days!!) was awesome!!!
From the opening scenes of the Rock n Roll train cartoon, to the riffs from Angus Young's guitar, to the life-like train bursting through the centre of the stage, this was not just a rock n roll show - it was pure theatre.
Two hours of total over load - and something which will live long in my memory.
As well as the Highway to Hell tour I also saw DC on their Back in Black Tour in 1980 and the For Those about to Rock tour in 1982 - but this topped the lot!
In fact I don't think this show will ever be bettered by any rock band ever again - yes it was that good.
Despite nearing their pensions the band, with their near original line up are still going strong after 36 years - and hope they will continue for a few more years yet.
I now know why the tickets sold out in less than three minutes!!!
If you want to see this band live you are going to have to be quick off the mark in the future!
I have to smile to myself when I recall being told by my father as a youngster that I was wasting my pocket money on these rock records and concerts, as it would be a passing phase!
FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK WE SALUTE YOU!