Parkour

Some very impressive Parkour here, well worth checking out...

The Daredevil Sheep

Here's a story all about how this dumb sheep abseiled fifteen feet down and I'd like to take a minute just sit right there, I'll tell you how he used his horns to carry out the dare.

Basically a sheep got his horns caught on a wire and when he tried to free himself, he slipped off the edge and accidentally abseiled down the wire to the nearest pylon. Read more about it here.

There is a less interesting story about a skunk getting its head stuck in a peanut butter jar here

15 Facinating World War II ads

These are American, for which I apologise, but still quite amusing.

See more here

Camo Art

This is an example of some very impressive body art, where they've painted a lass to blend into the background convincingly. Allegedly no digital tricks have been used. More can be found here...

and here.

Insurance claims....

"I was driving along the motorway when the police pulled me over onto the hard shoulder. Unfortunately I was in the middle lane and there was another car in the way.." (Thanks M Robson)

"Going to work at 7am this morning I drove out of my drive straight into a bus. The bus was 5 minutes early.." (Thanks N Bradley)

"I was driving along when I saw two kangaroos copulating in the middle of the road causing me to ejaculate through the sun roof." (from an Australian claim form - Thanks N Shepherd)

"The accident happened because I had one eye on the lorry in front, one eye on the pedestrian and the other on the car behind." (Thanks Sharon Burrows)

"I started to slow down but the traffic was more stationary than I thought."

"I pulled into a lay-by with smoke coming from under the hood. I realised the car was on fire so took my dog and smothered it with a blanket."

Q: Could either driver have done anything to avoid the accident? A: Travelled by bus?

The claimant had collided with a cow. The questions and answers on the claim form were - Q: What warning was given by you? A: Horn. Q: What warning was given by the other party? A: Moo.

"I started to turn and it was at this point I noticed a camel and an elephant tethered at the verge. This distraction caused me to lose concentration and hit a bollard."

"On approach to the traffic lights the car in front suddenly broke."

"I was going at about 70 or 80 mph when my girlfriend on the pillion reached over and grabbed my testicles so I lost control."

"I didn't think the speed limit applied after midnight"

"I knew the dog was possessive about the car but I would not have asked her to drive it if I had thought there was any risk."

"The accident occurred when I was attempting to bring my car out of a skid by steering it into the other vehicle."

More, yes MORE can be found here....

Ropid

An impressive robot built by Tomotaka Takahashi of Robo Garage at Kyoto University, he stands 38 cm tall, and weighs in at 1,600g. I think that's all the detail you need. Watch the video here

Religion Flowchart

A step by step guide to picking your religion...

Dead Fly Art?!

Yes, dead fly art. Its exactly what you think it is, art made from dead flies. To see more click here.

Some sobering thoughts...

Have a look at this link "world-o-meters" It counts various going ons. I have no idea as to the accuracy, but I see no reason to question it either...

http://www.worldometers.info/

Highlights of the high life

Write something about me? Ok then, if you insist.

Here are the top 5 highlights of my life:

At number 1, Christiano is looking like he'll be making a comeback (to marple) sometime in the near future. Click here for more

New entry at number 2, Coldplay Jay Z Girls Aloud and White Lies all played a stunning gig at Wembley. (In order of excellence Girls Aloud, White Lies/Jay Z then Coldplay) -Photo not by me (no link)

Up two to Number 3, Doves and Michael McIntyre is on the horizon (obviously, as this is a future highlight no photo is available) (no link)

Falling 2 at 4 is still the police raid in the Nav. (no link) I cant quite see who's the man in the mirror

And a new entry at 5 is my rediscovery of peanut butter sandwiches. (click HERE for a truely mind blowing link)

XKCD 4 U

"A webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language."

Worth checking out, more can be found here...

Back to the good old days

Remember when the internet was a new?

Remember when you had to sign in over your phone line?

Remember the noise the modem made?

If you can remember even further back in time, then you may remember this

Discover something new...

Let me show you my latest dicovery of the day...

Its a band and a great video, the band is called metronomy, and the song is My Heart Rate Rapid.

View it here...

Head towards about 50 second mark to fast forward to the song. Its not the official video, but the guy who has done it has done a great job.

It's coming back...

From the 28th August I will start writing regular posts again.

Thanks to the genious that is MARTIN ALDRED I have had my laptop fixed.

We love you Martin. I can start annoying the world once more....

Here's a nice little treat to keep you going

Still no sign of a reconnection to the virtual world that you and I call the internet. Its a cold* and cruel** world that is outside the bedroom.

I've been told my blogs are getting "lazy" and in a way, yes they are. I'll pick up the pace again when I can plug in from the residential dwelling from which I recline on a warm summers evening. In the meantime, enjoy these two little links. One is slightly amusing, one is slightly interesting. Neither were worth the wait from my last blog.

In no particular order:

Link 1 (click here) Slightly amusing: "only on a subway" (or tube)

Link 2 (click here) Slightly interesting: " Your future is calling: 15 cool cell phone concepts" (or mobile phone)

Apologies for the Americanisms.

To do:

Look at more english websites

Write the Deer Steve I have waiting

*Hot

**humid

Normal Services will Resume...

when I find someone who can fix the power port on my laptop.

Can anyone out there help?

Is a blog link called a blink?

No, a blog link is not called a blink Here's a picture from someone elses blog that I read. Feel free to click here to see more pretty pictures and read some interesting text. This is from a picture downloaded off the internet. He* doesnt know where it is from or whether it is real. He has more like this.  On an "interesting scale" I would rate it 7/10. Better then work, but probably not worth wasting your own free time on it. Much like this blog. Anyway, I hope you enjoy...

*he = Jakub

Going, going, oh it's gone... what?! when?! 2006.

2 blogs in a day?!  Have I gone completely mad?!  No. I haven't. Posting two blogs in one day is not a sign of madness, but thanks for the concern.

Here is a sample image from the 360degree tour of CBGB which was an iconic punk club in new york that shut its doors in 2006. 

Its got some great images -I could spend weeks looking at graffiti. The interface gets on my nerves a bit, but like I said the images make it all worth while. I wish I could have gone there, but I will have to experience it through the web. To see it in full click on the text...

Signpost Art

Hello. 

Of course in the last blog, when I said "later this week" I meant "I may post something, or I may not" as it turned out, I didnt. 

Here is some great artwork on signposts. More can be found by clicking here <-

The weeks just fly by

They really do. Its been a week since my last blog. Later on this week you can expect to see some celebrity gossip, and next week another Deer Steve letter. Dont forget to write in with your problems to s.p.stone@gmail.com 

In the meantime here is a great link....

http://greg.org/archive/2009/05/26/pastel_by_numbers.html

Scientists doing their best to create art* and they've done a darn fine job...

*"create art" = complete a true to life representation of what they are expecting to see.

I'm sorry... this is the link of the week

Tuesday was far too early for that call

http://weburbanist.com/2009/05/12/12-of-the-worlds-most-mysterious-monuments-ruins/

The above is entitled "12 of the World’s Most Mysterious Monuments & Ruins"

Vegetable tales

The weeks went by and nothing could be seen, diligently they watered, expecting to see green. Then one day out of the blue some shoots appeared and their expectations grew. Hurray said one Harrah said the other (for he was Southern and therefore slight posher). “We may yet have salad for free, salad that’s home grown, grown by you and me”

I wonder how much salad needs to be grown to pay for a new gardening fork… anyone know?

1 Fork = ?? Carrots

Link of the week....

A brave claim for a Tuesday.

http://blog.iso50.com/2009/05/18/what-goes-around/

Its a controversial and in my opinion very effective ad from the states.  Great designing from "Big Ant International"

"We''ve won the league" -Really? Are you sure?

(For the benifit of CRNs facebook status...

Christopher Nield has won the Premiership for the 11th time.16:13)

Deer Steve...

I am writing to you regarding financial advice. 

I was recently lent the princely sum of ten english pounds, with the terms of the loan set out quite clearly as "i'll pay you back at the next cash machine we get to" and with an interest rate of zero. To cut a long story short the next cash machine arrived and neither party remembered that any payment was due. It has now been nearly one week since the debt was acquired. What should i do?

Whilst i could easily pay back this loan at a future date i feel that it might benefit both parties if i default on this loan and allow my creditor to apply for some government assistance.

Regards

Anon

Anon

Firstly I think its only fair to advise you of the fact I am well into my overdraft. Financial advice is not my strong point, but I’ll give it a go.

Getting into the grips of contract law, its is imperative that you really pay attention to what the sentence actually means, which is not necessarily the same as you’ve interpreted it. The term stated “I’ll pay you back at the next cash machine we get to” clearly states a place, but not a time frame. I would suggest that both parties take the time to remember where that cash point was, and make an appointment to reconvene at that location to fulfil the obligations of the contract.

As for the net interest rate of zero, as I recall, when I lent you this money, it was arranged on a similar basis to a fixed term mortgage, whereby the interest rate remains constant for a fixed period of time (in this case 3 months) following which the lender (me) has the right to change the interest rate in a way that he/she (I) feel fit.

Defaulting on this loan is not an option, and it must be paid back in full. I am however willing to discuss the clauses, and re-arrange the contract. In particular the location is no longer as important as I thought it was earlier this month.

I hope this helps you out Mark. The government weren’t interested in a bailout, although on my way out the local MP did ask if I had any receipts on me that they could take off my hands. I gave them the receipt for cleaning my moat.

S

Continue sending your letters to s.p.stone@gmail.com

Behind blue eyes...

"You've been quiet...."

Have I? 

Yes. Probably. 

Although behind the scenes I've been working and beavering away as hard as ever. Prepare for a new phase and a new wave. Just as darkness precedes light, this blog will precede a new beginning. 

Top secret, just like the content of a sealed top shelf magazine. To find out you must prescribe to a new way of thinking, but shhhhhh.... not even I really know yet.  

To be launched hopefully early next month. But until then I'm running with a blind enthusiasm. 

Normal blog services will continue during this time. Its your letters is due to be published Friday.

Name that song:

But my dreams 
They aren't as empty 
As my conscience seems to be

A lazy blog...

I may add to it tonight, but for now I hope you're satisfied with this:

Sandi Thom has set up a MySpace page for her dead cat Toots, after revealing that she believed it had been stolen, shot and then dumped. It's at MySpace.com/justicefortoots (MySpace).

 

Amy Winehouse is planning to adopt a St Lucian child

 

Boyzone want to collaborate with Mark Ronson, The Chemical Brothersand Daft Punk on new material (The Sun).

 

Lady GaGa lost her favourite tea cup - the one she was seen drinking out of on TV show 'Friday Night With Jonathan Ross' last week (April 17) - after leaving it at a London hotel. After realising, she paid a taxi driver to find it (The Sun).

 

The Rolling Stones' Ronnie Wood ate chipsticks on Primrose Hill, northLondon (Daily Star).

 

Lily Allen was pictured wandering around in a duvet in New York (Daily Record).

 

Victoria Beckham says she will never make a record again (Daily Star).

 

Blue are set to reunite tomorrow (April 28) (The Sun).

 

Spandau Ballet caused a scene after filming an appearance on 'Friday Night With Jonathan Ross' recently. Along with their entourage, they drank 200 bottles of beer and three bottles of tequila, before BBC security finally had enough and threw them out of the building (Daily Mirror).

 

Newly reformed boyband Blue want to play Glastonbury. "If Jay-Z can do Glastonbury, we can," said Duncan James (Daily Star).

 

Leona Lewis was head-butted by a horse in Los Angeles. The singer was set for an early morning ride, but the frisky filly butted her, splitting her lip and sending her to the floor. "She doesn't blame the horse," a friend said, which is good of her (Daily Mirror).

My first vegetable patch

Once upon a time in garden far across town two people were sat drinking cold homemade lemonade in the weekend sun. Whilst discussing the wondrous spring in all its glory, one of them spoke up, “I have seeds,” they said whilst the other declared with great grandeur “and I, have a garden” –This was the less intelligent comment, for that is where they were sat. However, the point was made and without one more word spoken aloud they set to work in perfect harmony. 

Forks and spades, and trowels and rakes, watering cans and of course bare hands were working at such a rate they could barely be seen.

 Oh no said one, I’ve snapped your mums gardening fork. Barely being able to move for laughter the other said don’t worry, we have a spare mum wont mind. They ran inside, and from outside was heard a cry “you’ve done what?! A spare we’ve got? I don’t think so!" -Oh dear, oh no. Still they struggled on, and before too long with pride they sat and said, “we did that”

My first vegetable patch, hopefully a Sunday afternoon well spent.

PS Sorry about the fork. It must’ve of been rotten. Maybe.

Size isnt everything -There are 1500 Carrots, and around 1300 lettuces in this small piece of Cheshire. I'm confident they will all grow. There's even room for some Runner Beans at the back!

Thanks for the feedback, now smoke me some kippers I'll be back for breakfast

OK I KNOW, I KNOW. Far too many words, not enough pictures, I get the point. Dont go on about it.

Here's my solution. A pretty picture for you to sit and stare at.

Its your letters -write to Deer Steve

This was a deer from Lyme Park before I butchered it in my rushed cutout!

The first letter chosen for this section:

“Deer Steve,

I have this acquaintance, who we'll call "S" for anonymity. Apart from me, S has no friends which means no one sends letters into his blog. He's asked me to write in which I think is a vanity thing to make him look popular. I don't want to turn him down because I'm afraid he might hurt himself or someone else, but I'd feel like a fraud if I wrote in and pretended to be someone I’m not.

What should i do?

Yours truly confused and concerned,

Anon

Cheltenham”

If I were put in this situation, I would find a way to approach S in a calm and mature fashion. You should find a gentle method of communication that will allow him time to absorb the information slowly at his own pace. This way you are more likely to avoid any serious repercussions. I would suggest writing a letter or an email. Perhaps a gentle discussion could follow -ask him how he feels and ensure that he feels loved. I always find honesty is the best solution provided you go about it in the correct way.

On a side note, I do feel sorry for S and I’m glad I’m not in that situation. 

edit added:

I’d like to say thanks to my Mum for writing in with that letter. Sorry I missed your call, I got your message though, and I’m feeling fine. Love you too Mum.

/edit 

Continue sending your letters to s.p.stone@gmail.com

 

PS Check out the new news section on the right from time to time. This will change as the blog matures. 

the view - same jeans

I'm afraid I've been a bit busy this week, so there have been limited blogs. I will post a "proper" blog some time over the weekend (maybe), in the meantime, I hope you enjoy some more pop trivia in graph form. "Same Jeans" by The View. 

Coming up next week on the blog:

• More photos
  
• Some photoshop graphics
  
• Maybe an anecdote or a story
  
• The all new Fortnightly Gossip Section. (Its not new, it will be the second post)
  
• and to top it off, a brand new section called "Its your letters" 
  

So pop on your clogs, skedaddle out of here, have a great weekend, and I'll see you on the flip side.

Home sweet home

PHOTOS FOUND AND ADDED -The 2 Pigs. 

Those of you who arent from Cheltenham may not consider this blog worthwhile. However you may wish to read about the life and times of Marlon Brando whose career included The Godfather, and the original Superman films. If this is the case, then click here for the Brando Biog to lead you away from this blog

//

I was back in Cheltenham over the weekend seeing family and friends. Sadly, I did not take any photos. I should of. If I had my time over, I think I would have taken some photos. "Something for the weekend"/blog. I do think I can live with my decision not to take photos, but it may take some time. Maybe next time, I'll drag out some old photos from days gone by. I'll probably forget though.

Notable things that are new in Cheltenham:

• Loads of shops have shut in the town centre
  
• A fair few have changed their frontage
  
• Two Pigs still provides the standard cheltenham night out
  
• Apparently my blog does not go down well in Cheltenham (either with family or some friends) but those friends still read it. I find this curious. I wouldnt say this is the general rule, but it certainly received critism (Hi, I hope you are enjoying this one a bit more)
  
• Josh* is on level 6, -level 4 was the hardest
  
• Josh's favourite real life football player is Scott** -who doesnt play for Everton***
  

I think those were the highlights. Sorry if I didnt get round to seeing you, either you dont make my "top ten friends" or you couldnt be bothered to make it out to the pub/had other plans. Ratings are regularly being reviewed, so you have got room for improvement. 

Background information:

*Josh is Brett (of Bournside) and Nikki's son.

**Scott is Brett's brother.

***Josh (and Scott) support Everton.

Celebrity Bi-Weekly Gossip Section

Ok, so the title of this segment may need a bit of work. 

Its been suggested that I publish a gossip column, and as a regular reader of "hot magazine" I thought I was just the person to this...

My main* source of information was NME's "Daily Gossip" sections.

Amy Winehouse has told reporters not to mention hubby Blake Fielder-Civil's name (Daily Star).
Sorry who?

Keane are ditching the UK to concentrate on the US because they are sick of being labelled posh.  (Daily Star).
Posh/Boring/Mediocre... Anyway, Americans have lower standards. FACT (probably).

 

The Enemy singer Tom Clarke has denied that the band's new album title - 'Music For The People' - is pretentious, calling it "humble" (Daily Record).
Sorry Tom Clarke, I’m afraid it does sound very pretentious. But that doesn’t diminish the quality of the music –you managed to do that all by yourself**

 

Eels frontman E says his beard inspired his new album 'Hombre Lobo'(Daily Star).
This one speaks for itself

 

Lily Allen has been outed as a secret member of Atomic Kitten. The singer made her hush-hush debut with the band after she was brought in to replace Natasha Hamilton on the lead track from 2001 football film'Mike Bassett: England Manager', which is directed by Allen's dad Keith. Allegedly, the Scouse pop band's original vocals weren't strong enough on the track, so Allen was brought in as a secret replacement (The Sun).
She's like a sexy version of that "slightly larger" chinese girl who sang at the olympics... 

 

Amy Winehouse has warned her 13-year-old goddaughter Dionne Bromfield against duetting with Pete Doherty (Daily Mirror).
A sensible suggestion, and whilst we’re on the subject, Pete Doherty has been told he’s allergic to cats and has to get rid of his feline friends for health reasons. I would have been more concerned about the A-class drugs in his system, but maybe it’s just his way of coping with allergies. A drugs councillor might say something like "Find the route to cure the symptom"

 

*Only

**Actually The Enemy aren’t that bad

Katy Perry

If someone asked me to present pop trivia in graph form, then I might do something like this:

There is hope for the old shed yet

Got talking to this old guy in the pub about the shed in the last blog, he was kind enough to give me this old photo from his wallet. As you can see, the shed has been like this for quite some time. There may be life left in it yet.

Actually there isn't, I'm trying to learn how to use photoshop -this is my first "ageing" attempt... More may follow. Sadly that does mean that there isn't any hope for the old shed after all.

"I need somebody to lean on"

Empty I stand, no longer loved, no longer cared for. Propped up with scraps, I can't perform my function any longer. I don't know why I exist. I'm visited only just enough to stop me falling out of existence. Slowly I'm rotting from the outside in. I'm beyond repair. They are only delaying the inevitable. If I had just been shown a little more love a few years ago -well, things would be different now. 

Despite this I am still beautiful -I can see it in the eyes of passers by, they have a look of both pity, and wonder. They know I have a story to tell, even if they do not ask. 

Soon I will be gone, and there will be no trace of me left. I will be cleared away and room made for something new, something better. If only they had seen what I'd seen, maybe they'd understand.

//

I resisted the temptation to give the old garage a little shove. It had a beauty in its emptiness, although its still a little tempting to hear the creek of wood as it crumbles. Every dog has his day. This photo was taken on a walk through Primrose Farm which is between Mellor church and Mill Brow.