Bedtime Stories

Did your parents read to you at bedtime?
Did you read to your own children at bedtime?

If either of the above are true, then there was very likely a favourite story that was read again and again and again, resulting in worn out story books or a tale burned into memory to be recited anytime at a moments notice.

Well, I have no children to read to and was only the recipient of one bedtime story ... but what a story it was.

It was The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Night after night I would live the life of a Hobbit ... run with Elves ... partake in epic battles with Orcs ... race through the underworld with Dwarves ... until the dark lord Sauron was finally defeated.

My father, who read to me each night, was not the best of readers and, at times, many a humorous delay occurred as he tied his tongue into knots as he tried to pronounce the more difficult words, thus causing an already lengthy saga to become even longer.

But I still remember that tale and to this day, many years after the tale ended, I can recall that last evening as the final lines where read ...

"'Well, I'm back,' he said." read my father. "The end!"

"Thank f*ck for that!" I blurted out. "Now can I go to the pub?"

For An Old Friend

I fear not the darkness,
and death does not me hold.
I wander now in sunshine,
and such beauty I behold.
I am no longer bound by the years,
that made my poor bones creak.
So dry your eyes of tears,
for I have found the peace I seek.
Although our paths have parted,
I still carry your love in my heart.
And I know your thoughts are with me,
on this new life I now start.

Internet Blues

My router fused!

I am internetless. Unless I use this clever little telephone thingy.

But the keys ... they're so damned small!

Of course I'm suffering ... as you would ... from internet withdrawal.
Symptoms such as a feeling of claustrophobia, twitching fingers and memory loss wash over me daily.

But I'm cool ... I'm surviving!

Damn it though ... I can't use these keys any longer.

The picture is of yours truly looking suitably heroic whilst walking Clover.

Hope my new router arrives today.

Wibble!