Farewell, my beloved 64

Today is a very, very sad day.... After nearly 22 days, my beloved Commodore 64 has finally given up on me and died.

Actually, in honesty it does still work, but the SID chip (Sound Interface Device) has stopped working, and a Commodore 64 with no sound is about as good as a completely dead C64 anyway.

Still, through the wonders of Ebay I have been able to purchase a replacement, which is great because once I get it I will be able to use my newly aquired C64TPC device for transfering all my old programs from tapes to my PC for eternal preservation!

'Oh 64... you've been with me for such a long time....

I was but 10 years old when my fingers first caressed your keys.

You helped me through school, and during bad times.

I owe you so much.

I may have neglected you when I got my Commodore Amiga in 1992, but even now, with my PC, Laptops, PlayStation 3 and other computers and game consoles, you have always had a special place in my heart......'

I will miss you.

Double trouble

Just as Kieran was getting ready for bed this evening, he came over to me, gave me a big hug and said,

"Daddy, can I have two sisters please".

It brought a tear to my eye. Bless him!

"Two heads are better than one, it's double the pleasure babe, It's triple the fun"

What a day....

Today, Thursday 12th February 2009 is the day that we found out that we were having twins!

Even now, some 5 hours later after the scan it still hasn't sunk in properly. Don't get me wrong, we are both over the moon, thrilled and really happy - it was just such a shock.

To be honest, I've had a gut feeling for a week or two. Michelle is only 13 weeks pregnant, yet she is so..... 'big'. I mean that in the nicest possible way. I've been telling her that either she is wrong with her dates or that there is more than one in her belly!

The moment the sonographer placed the transducer on Michelles tummy, the two babies were as clear as can be. I knew it straight away, but didn't say anything until the nurse finally confirmed it to both of us.

Of course much of the time at Cheltenham hospital today was spent informing us of the complications that can occur when having twins, and to be truthful, some of the things we were told were quite scary.

The good news is that Michelle will be scanned and monitored every 4 weeks from her 20 week scan.

I really do not know what else to say. I'm still a little lost for words.

To Boldly Go.... (Again)

I've been taking a few pictures of my model Enterprise and touching them up on my computer, and here they are for you to look at.

Snow Show

The baby scan has been 'postponed' until next Thursday due to the 'severe' weather that has gripped the country over the past few days. By severe, I mean an inch or two of snow. Michelle rang Cheltenham hospital (St Pauls Wing) and was advised not to come.

I remember years ago when it snowed much worse than this, and I still had to go to school, or work. Even the slightest dusting of snow these days and that's it..... nobody can get to work.... schools close.... public transport comes to a standstill. It's like the end of the world!

Still, I can't really complain - they did decide to shut my school today, so I've been at home doing various things like putting a new facia on my PSP, putting a few shelves up, and editing a few home movies. I also managed to play out in the snow with Kieran and Michelle.

They say more snow is on the way. To be honest, I would actually like to get back to work - I've got so many things I need to be getting on with.

Anyway, I will leave you with these two pictures. The top photo is looking out from our frontdoor (obviously touched up in Photoshop), and the bottom one is of Kieran enjoying himself in the white stuff.

"We don't need no education"

After nearly five years of working in a school, today has proved one thing - there is no such thing as discipline in our schools anymore... The children rule.

Walking through the corridors at Evesham High School today I have seen kids on their mobile phones without a care in the world, being mouthy to the staff, listening to their MP3 players during lessons and ignoring the teacher when they have been told to switch them off. I have seen them trash classrooms, unplug computers, and show absolutely no respect whatsoever to their environment, or us.... the staff.

Just a typical day really.

When I started at the school, I was quite keen to go to university to get a degree so that one day I could teach - It is something that I had always wanted to do - I don't think I'll bother. Why should I waste my time trying to help such unruly, disrespectful little turds. It's not just here though - it's everywhere.

There are no consequences for their actions - If students do something wrong, they get a nice warning and told not to do it again. They realise that they can push teachers as far as they like and that nothing will come of it. Schools are so much different from when I left 16 years ago. I never dreamt of calling a teacher gay, or a wanker to their face, or vandalise valuable school IT equipment.

These are the people who will one day be running our country in the not too distant future - is there any hope for us?

Rant over - sorry. I needed to get that off my chest. I actually had a really nice day at work really.