Week 12.2: feat. Simon Bates's Our Tune

English readers of a certain page may well remember Radio 1 DJ Simon Bates reading a daily story under the title "Our Tune". The violins struck up in the background, playing a melancholy sweep while the sadistic Bates unleashed a tale of absolute disaster and tragedy upon the nation. Usually these would have some sort of uplifting ending - usually along the lines of "and despite losing his head in a freak train accident, which also led to his wife leaving him, Jeff hopes that his new love Tracy - who he first met as a teenager before a tidal wave drove them apart.... blah blah blah". Well today I have a similar tale for you all.

Grab the box of kleenex and sit back folks...

Our tale today concerns a young fellow who we shall call Steve for privacy's sake. Steve was a hard working conscientious young man. He had met the partner of his dreams - Sally - while on holiday in Africa. Life was sweet. He persuaded Sally to move in with him back home in Europe. It was a real whirlwind love affair. Steve worked hard to build a new home ready for his wife's arrival. This delighted Sally and the pair were very happy in their new home.
Soon, nature took its course and the family was blessed with a young son, Sebastian. Things really couldn't have been better for this bright young family.
The events of Summer 2010 are well known to those in the region of Upper Bavaria. A freak storm formed by drifting saharan sands produced one of the largest hail storms on record. Property all over the region was damaged and destroyed. Greater tragedy struck Steve though. Steve rushed home from work  in the aftermath of the storm to find his young son had died through injuries from the hail. This was further compounded by the terrible injuries to his young bride.

Sally was given the best medical attention possible, but there was little hope from the outset. She died from the injuries shortly after.

Steve found it hard to get on in the first few months. He cut a lonely figure, half-heartedly repairing his house with which he had no-one left to share. Many of his neighbours feared he would never be the same again.

Eventually Steve decided to get away for a bit, returning to Africa, with its happy memories of his first love, for a long break.

Steve recently returned home and everyone was delighted to see him fixing his house up again with a definite spring in his step. The reason for this became clear today when we saw why he was so cheerful. Steve has found love again over the Winter. His new love moved in with him today, and the happy pair warmed the hearts of all who saw them. I would like to dedicate today's our tune "Learning to Fly" to Steve and his new bride Sandra:

Steve and Sandra, today

Yes, Steve is a Stork. That is a true story though, and Steve lives high up on the chimney at work. Last year's hail destroyed the nest - killing his mate and baby. Today's arrival of his new mate was very welcome - Steve's been here 2 weeks already getting everything ready.

Good luck for the new year :D

Week 12: Nippy, Spring, Hot Beverage Cereals and Dharma Cola (not in that order)

Hello Strangers - long time no see!

I am alone in the house with a bit of time to kill, which means I can finally add another post! A while back I promised you Nippy fans out there some exclusive photos of the Nippy Workout as a sneak peek of the Nippy Workout DVD which will be hitting the shelves of all good (imaginary) stores this summer.

Nippy doing pull ups, along to the sounds of her "Get Psyched" CD...

In other news, a certain member of this family (who cannot be named for legal reasons) recently displayed an incredible disregard for taste when he/she/it "accidentally"poured breakfast cereal into his/her/their cup of tea. Now I'm not allowed to name names, but I will say that Denis and Ewan don't really drink tea, and neither Nippy nor the cats eat at the table with us. I think that should keep Siegrid the lawyers happy.

 Unnamed person in cereal murder drama

 

My good friend, colleague and fellow LOST devotee Dominik celebrated his birthday this week, and received a very special present from myself and McWoaz:

Mmmm, Dharma Cola. If only Dominik knew the trouble I went to for that bottle - I was castaway for years on that bloody island...

Spring has finally began to take a hold on the weather here. My tribute to sunlight, warmth and the regeneration of life therefore:

Spring SOOC (and no, Hip Hop fans - that doesn't mean Straight Outta' Compton)

And seeing as though I've deprived you all of Nippy for so long - here's some bonus action of Nippy revisiting a freshly rebuilt Temple of Doom (just for kicks, 'cos she's a crazy hamster)

Day 65: Games Night Director's Cut

Bah! I noticed my darling wife's photo of the day boated some glaring omissions, therefore in the public interest I feel my blog can rectify that - therefore I present my Director's Cut of Games Night, with added booze, cigs and band hero :D

Anyway, have to go before she catches me doing this ;)

Week ?: Who's keeping count anyway?

Ha! Siegrid's off out tonight so I finally get to spend some quality time with my beloved computer again. I spent Sunday installing Windows 7 which normally leads to some form of unplanned disaster - therefore Siegrid has been blitzing through her backlog of work at every available opportunity recently, in anticipation of having a computer that would be crippled this week by Microsoft's evil plans. However I'm happy to report that my excellent IT skills triumphed :D

So what of my photos? Well I'm happy to report that I have been taking photos in the meantime, though there has been a lack of decent themes - no more vampire hamsters, a distinct lack of giant spiders (unless you count the fake one Ewan put on Siegrid's pillow - that was great!). All this changed at the weekend though, and once more it was Nippy the publicity-shy hamster who stepped up to the plate. Her glass home has a wire mesh cover (to keep the big hairy beast out, natch) over the top. Nippy has so far been content with playing "High-rats of the Caribbean", i.e. climbing to the top of the ship's mast, but on saturday she took it all to a new level. She slipped her claws through the wire and pulled herself up, like a tiny furry Rocky training for a fight. Sadly, she refuses to perform this trick for the camera, as soon as I stop singing the theme from Rocky to her she stops. As soon as I can capture this on camera you can all be sure that the photos will be gracing this blog.

 

Even though I stood here shouting for 5 minutes, no beautiful princess threw down her hair. Siegrid did give me a clip round the ear though.

  

  

  

Foxy Photos Inc.

  

Tree in the way? No problem, just build through it!

  

  

  

  

The three amigos, down on their luck...

  

The death star looms over Bavaria

 

The sign to my new business - opening 2019...

Right I'm off now, my inner geek has to trawl the Lostpedia forums for the latest theories - damn you Darlton - legendary episode.