I learned from my brother, Carl, today that a company named 64 oz. Games are making gaming more accessable to visually impaired gamers, like Carl and myself.
Initially it was just dice, but they hope in the future to make tabletop games more accessable.
To learn more, and/or to offer support - either through helping them fund it, or just by spreading the word - go here.
Whether you pledge anything or not, please help me spread the word, because it's awesome news!
Showing posts with label Board Games. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Board Games. Show all posts
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Monday, October 19, 2015
A-Z with me, part 3: O-U (LBE)
If you missed the first to, go here for A-G, and go here for H-N.
***
O is for outings.
I don't go on many outings, really, but I enjoy the ones I do go on. Perhaps I even enjoy them more for the fact they don't happen constantly?
When I say "outings" here, I'm not including trips to the local store.
We go out for breakfast when we can, and about once a month we go in to town to some of the places that sell things we can't get locally. But, other than that, we don't go out much.
I had a full day out at the end of September though.
Actually, I had a busy weekend in general, since my brother, Carl, Carl's girlfriend, Tory, my Dad, Dad's girlfriend, Cath, and my Nan (Dad's Mother) all came for a visit that weekend.
We got lucky with the weather. It had been really bad, but was quite nice that weekend; a little chillier than some would have liked, perhaps, but dry; perfect Autumn/Fall weather, I thought.
Anyway...
On the Friday evening, Carl and Tory helped us to start getting my iPhone all set up while we waited for the others to arrive, and then we all went and ate take-out down on the beach by moonlight. After that, they all went to the caravan they were staying at - since our second bedroom is a computer room, and couldn't sleep five adults even if it was set up as a guest room - and we came home.
On the Saturday we met up for breakfast at the cafe we took them to for breakfast when they visited last year, which they seem to like as much as we do. Then we all went to the aquarium - where we found Nemo - and had a bit of a walk around town (I have some photos, but I'll share those in another post, in a couple of weeks time, since this post will be long enough without them). I was getting really tired before they were done looking around town, and my leg was hurting, so - since Kelly and I go there regularly, which meant exploring town was more interesting to them - Kelly and I went home, ordered and ate dinner, and then took a nap.
On the Sunday we were all meant to go to Battle, but where the weather had been so wet, Kelly and I weren't eager to go. We can go quite easily any time, to be honest, which is why we were willing to let the poor conditions stop us from going. The others can't visit it so easily though, so decided to go anyway. They went there in the daytime, then most of them came to see us in the evening; Nan and Cath didn't, because they were exhausted from their day out. This is also when we said "goodbye" to Carl and Tory, since they had planned to go straight to the station on the Monday morning, since it was easier than them coming to us for just the few moments needed to say our goodbyes.
On the Monday we didn't see much of the three still in the area. They just came to say "goodbye" and for Dad to grab some stuff we were giving him; nothing special, really... Just some stuff we thought he'd like that we no longer wanted.
It was an exhausting weekend for me, but a good one!
I also had lunch out at a cafe near where we live this past Saturday (October 17th). It was with Kelly and Kevin. Kevin is a fellow blind author, who came for a visit for the afternoon, bringing his guide dog, Trigger, with him, of course.
***
P is for people.
The people in my life are all important to me; whether they're a small part of my life, or a large part of it. I don't always do a good job of keeping up with how everyone is doing, but my family and friends are always in my thoughts.
It was my brother's birthday on Friday (October 16th) and will be our niece's birthday in a little over a week (October 28th). So, belated happy birthday wishes to you, Carl, and happy early birthday wishes to you, Tamara!
Anyway... I appreciate every one of you; from my hubby, right down to those who only show up to read my posts from time to time, but never comment. Whether you be someone who once left me a review but never bothered with me afterwards, a follower I don't really know, someone I consider a good friend, or a family member, thank you for being you, and please remember that you matter.
***
Q is for quizzes.
As in, online quizzes.
I've eased off on this a bit recently, but I still love taking those online quizzes. I used to be addicted to them, and you can see many of the results of ones I took in the past on this very blog. These days I manage to control my addiction, and only take the odd online quiz. I don't know what it is about them... Most of them are for silly things... But they're very addictive, and I can't help myself sometimes.
My brother found an accessable quiz game for the iPhone, and I had him download it on to my iPhone while he was here. I haven't gotten as addicted to it as I was to the online quizzes though... At least, not yet!
***
R is for rats.
Spacifically my ratty girls, Skye and Star.
I'd wanted a pet rat for years and years, but Kelly always said "no" when I asked. Finally, almost a year ago, he gave in. Actually, he just came home one day announcing I could have rats. I didn't argue, or question his reasons at the time, though I found out later it was an attempt to cheer me up after we lost Kero a few months before.
Anyway, even Kelly admits that our girls are sweet little things, and very affectionate.
***
S is for scrabble.
I'm addicted to Scrabble!
It started because I wanted to get better at Scrabble so I could beat my brother, Carl, and grew in to an addiction. I have a Scrabble game on the computer, you see, and I have a nasty habit of playing it when I'm meant to be doing other things. Still, it has helped me with my spelling, and I did achieve my goal of managing to beat my brother at Scrabble, so it's not entirely a bad thing.
***
T is for TV shows.
My favourites being "The Big Bang Theory" and "CSI" among others. I'm also quite partial to cartoons... Call me a big kid for that one if you like. The other kinds of TV shows I really enjoy watching are nature shows, like the kinds you get on Discovery channel, or ones about animals, like the kind you get on Animal Planet.
I haven't been able to watch TV recently though, since there's a problem with the arial, and we haven't had a chance to do anything about getting it fixed. Besides, since we're in a place that allows it now, we're considering having more than just freeview again, so we can have more channels. We haven't decided for sure yet though.
***
U is for unanswered questions.
I'm always asking questions - sometimes just in my head, other times out loud - and seeking answers to them. I also enjoy solving riddles and brainteaser puzzles. Mostly though it's just finding the answers to random questions that happen to pop in to my head at any given time; which isn't as rare an occurance as you might think.
Anyway, this is a process made a lot easier with the internet being so easy to access... All the answers are out there somewhere; it just might take a bit to find them. It's fun looking though, and I love confusing the internet Gods with my random searches, so that they don't know what to recommend to me based on my browsing history.
Some of my random questions, and some of the random things I decided to look up, can be found among my old blog posts.
***
Come back next week for part 4, where I tell you about V-Z.
***
O is for outings.
I don't go on many outings, really, but I enjoy the ones I do go on. Perhaps I even enjoy them more for the fact they don't happen constantly?
When I say "outings" here, I'm not including trips to the local store.
We go out for breakfast when we can, and about once a month we go in to town to some of the places that sell things we can't get locally. But, other than that, we don't go out much.
I had a full day out at the end of September though.
Actually, I had a busy weekend in general, since my brother, Carl, Carl's girlfriend, Tory, my Dad, Dad's girlfriend, Cath, and my Nan (Dad's Mother) all came for a visit that weekend.
We got lucky with the weather. It had been really bad, but was quite nice that weekend; a little chillier than some would have liked, perhaps, but dry; perfect Autumn/Fall weather, I thought.
Anyway...
On the Friday evening, Carl and Tory helped us to start getting my iPhone all set up while we waited for the others to arrive, and then we all went and ate take-out down on the beach by moonlight. After that, they all went to the caravan they were staying at - since our second bedroom is a computer room, and couldn't sleep five adults even if it was set up as a guest room - and we came home.
On the Saturday we met up for breakfast at the cafe we took them to for breakfast when they visited last year, which they seem to like as much as we do. Then we all went to the aquarium - where we found Nemo - and had a bit of a walk around town (I have some photos, but I'll share those in another post, in a couple of weeks time, since this post will be long enough without them). I was getting really tired before they were done looking around town, and my leg was hurting, so - since Kelly and I go there regularly, which meant exploring town was more interesting to them - Kelly and I went home, ordered and ate dinner, and then took a nap.
On the Sunday we were all meant to go to Battle, but where the weather had been so wet, Kelly and I weren't eager to go. We can go quite easily any time, to be honest, which is why we were willing to let the poor conditions stop us from going. The others can't visit it so easily though, so decided to go anyway. They went there in the daytime, then most of them came to see us in the evening; Nan and Cath didn't, because they were exhausted from their day out. This is also when we said "goodbye" to Carl and Tory, since they had planned to go straight to the station on the Monday morning, since it was easier than them coming to us for just the few moments needed to say our goodbyes.
On the Monday we didn't see much of the three still in the area. They just came to say "goodbye" and for Dad to grab some stuff we were giving him; nothing special, really... Just some stuff we thought he'd like that we no longer wanted.
It was an exhausting weekend for me, but a good one!
I also had lunch out at a cafe near where we live this past Saturday (October 17th). It was with Kelly and Kevin. Kevin is a fellow blind author, who came for a visit for the afternoon, bringing his guide dog, Trigger, with him, of course.
***
P is for people.
The people in my life are all important to me; whether they're a small part of my life, or a large part of it. I don't always do a good job of keeping up with how everyone is doing, but my family and friends are always in my thoughts.
It was my brother's birthday on Friday (October 16th) and will be our niece's birthday in a little over a week (October 28th). So, belated happy birthday wishes to you, Carl, and happy early birthday wishes to you, Tamara!
Anyway... I appreciate every one of you; from my hubby, right down to those who only show up to read my posts from time to time, but never comment. Whether you be someone who once left me a review but never bothered with me afterwards, a follower I don't really know, someone I consider a good friend, or a family member, thank you for being you, and please remember that you matter.
***
Q is for quizzes.
As in, online quizzes.
I've eased off on this a bit recently, but I still love taking those online quizzes. I used to be addicted to them, and you can see many of the results of ones I took in the past on this very blog. These days I manage to control my addiction, and only take the odd online quiz. I don't know what it is about them... Most of them are for silly things... But they're very addictive, and I can't help myself sometimes.
My brother found an accessable quiz game for the iPhone, and I had him download it on to my iPhone while he was here. I haven't gotten as addicted to it as I was to the online quizzes though... At least, not yet!
***
R is for rats.
Spacifically my ratty girls, Skye and Star.
I'd wanted a pet rat for years and years, but Kelly always said "no" when I asked. Finally, almost a year ago, he gave in. Actually, he just came home one day announcing I could have rats. I didn't argue, or question his reasons at the time, though I found out later it was an attempt to cheer me up after we lost Kero a few months before.
Anyway, even Kelly admits that our girls are sweet little things, and very affectionate.
***
S is for scrabble.
I'm addicted to Scrabble!
It started because I wanted to get better at Scrabble so I could beat my brother, Carl, and grew in to an addiction. I have a Scrabble game on the computer, you see, and I have a nasty habit of playing it when I'm meant to be doing other things. Still, it has helped me with my spelling, and I did achieve my goal of managing to beat my brother at Scrabble, so it's not entirely a bad thing.
***
T is for TV shows.
My favourites being "The Big Bang Theory" and "CSI" among others. I'm also quite partial to cartoons... Call me a big kid for that one if you like. The other kinds of TV shows I really enjoy watching are nature shows, like the kinds you get on Discovery channel, or ones about animals, like the kind you get on Animal Planet.
I haven't been able to watch TV recently though, since there's a problem with the arial, and we haven't had a chance to do anything about getting it fixed. Besides, since we're in a place that allows it now, we're considering having more than just freeview again, so we can have more channels. We haven't decided for sure yet though.
***
U is for unanswered questions.
I'm always asking questions - sometimes just in my head, other times out loud - and seeking answers to them. I also enjoy solving riddles and brainteaser puzzles. Mostly though it's just finding the answers to random questions that happen to pop in to my head at any given time; which isn't as rare an occurance as you might think.
Anyway, this is a process made a lot easier with the internet being so easy to access... All the answers are out there somewhere; it just might take a bit to find them. It's fun looking though, and I love confusing the internet Gods with my random searches, so that they don't know what to recommend to me based on my browsing history.
Some of my random questions, and some of the random things I decided to look up, can be found among my old blog posts.
***
Come back next week for part 4, where I tell you about V-Z.
Monday, July 27, 2015
Monday's random mutterings - July 27th 2015 (FD)
My Mam, and my brother, Carl, came for a visit this past weekend.
We’d planned to go to Battle for the day Saturday, and have a picnic on the beach on Sunday, before going in to town to see what we could catch of this year's Pirate Day events (which was the original purpose of their visit being planned for this particular weekend). But the weather didn’t co-operate with us. There was a pretty good storm Friday night in to Saturday morrning, so we had to change our plans, since what we'd planned to do wasn't really advisable in slippery mud. Plus, it looked like it would rain again any moment, so we didn't want to be in the middle of things where we couldn't get in the dry again quickly if it did rain more. It didn't until Sunday, as it turned out, but everything was damp and muddy, and the black storm clouds were an ever-present threat. These things happen though, and we made the best of things, and had a pretty good weekend regardless.
On Saturday, the first thing we did was go for breakfast together. Carl and Mam had cooked breakfasts (egg, sausage, toast, mushrooms, bacon, hash browns, and a choice of beans or tomatoes; I never asked which they chose), I had an egg baguette, and Kelly had chicken pie with fries and peas. Yeah, I know Kelly’s wasn’t what you’d usually consider breakfast food, but it was available on the menu and he wanted it, so... *Shrugs*
Anyway, after breakfast we went to a few stores in the old part of town, as well as to a cute little coffee place that’s in that part of town; for a drink and a sit down. I think Kelly and I got bored of the stores before they did, but we get bored with shopping quickly anyway, and - though they do sell some unusual things - since we live around here, they aren't really a novelty to us, so it's hardly surprising. I did get some pirate treasure and some anseed balls though, so I was happy. Plus, the little coffee place was nice.
While in town, Carl and I made friends with a metal serpent...
I have no idea why there was a metal serpent there, but it was there, so we went to see it. Mam thought it was a snake, but I'm calling it a serpent, because it looks more like the sea serpents from old stories and legends than a snake to me... Or, perhaps, one of the versions of the dragons from old myths and legends; I've seen Chinese dragons that look sort of similar. Although, the head doesn't seem right for a dragon, which is why I'm more inclined to think sea serpent.
We also checked out a chess set that was set up there for some reason, which had plastic chess pieces that were a little over a foot high. Mam did get a few photos of that too, but I didn't bother getting Kelly to help me grab those off her Facebook.
Anyway, after that we went our own ways for a while, since Mam and Carl wanted to look in a couple of places really close to our apartment, so we decided to leave them to it and go check on the rodent gang (who appeared to be behaving themselves, and not too bothered by our disappearance). The other reason we seporated for a while is that none of us had slept well the night before, so everyone needed a bit of a nap.
We met up again in the evening and went for dinner at the cafe that’s at the hotel Mam and Carl were staying at. The food was really good. Carl had a beef and ale pie with mashed potatoes and peas, Mam had gammon and eggs with fries and peas, I had a red pepper and red onion quiche with fries and salad, and Kelly had smothered chicken with fries, coleslaw and salad. Kelly’s dinner also had a piece of garlic bread with it, but he gave it to me; he does like garlic bread, but he knows I love the stuff, and since they hadn’t put it anywhere near his chicken on his plate, I was quite happy to eat it for him. Dessert was oreo cream pie for Kelly, and cherry and apple crumble for the rest of us; with custard for me, and with ice-cream for Mam and Carl.
None of us slept all that well Saturday night either - most likely because we all had those afternoon naps - so Mam and Carl ended up getting bored and going to the beach in the early hours of Sunday morning, while it was dry enough to do so, and stopped in to say "hi" while they were nearby, since they saw we were up. This was Carl's first visit to our new place, and I know he's jealous of us being able to hear the ocean so well from our apartment; even with the windows closed.
Carl made friends with some of the rodent gang while they were here, and even Mam got brave enough to be within leaping distance for the rats while they were out of their cage. More on that in Friday's post.
We were going to have the picnic that was planned for Sunday at our place, but Mam and Carl decided to just pay us a quick visit, and bring me the jazz drops they'd fetched for me from one of the old style sweet shops that's near here, which they went to before coming to us, before heading back to Norwich (where Carl lives) since the bad weather that had been threatening to return had done so. Plus, I think they wanted to get back there before my Mam got too tired to do the drive.
So, that was my weekend, and - since nothing else worth mentioning happened recently - that's all I've got to say today, really.
We’d planned to go to Battle for the day Saturday, and have a picnic on the beach on Sunday, before going in to town to see what we could catch of this year's Pirate Day events (which was the original purpose of their visit being planned for this particular weekend). But the weather didn’t co-operate with us. There was a pretty good storm Friday night in to Saturday morrning, so we had to change our plans, since what we'd planned to do wasn't really advisable in slippery mud. Plus, it looked like it would rain again any moment, so we didn't want to be in the middle of things where we couldn't get in the dry again quickly if it did rain more. It didn't until Sunday, as it turned out, but everything was damp and muddy, and the black storm clouds were an ever-present threat. These things happen though, and we made the best of things, and had a pretty good weekend regardless.
On Saturday, the first thing we did was go for breakfast together. Carl and Mam had cooked breakfasts (egg, sausage, toast, mushrooms, bacon, hash browns, and a choice of beans or tomatoes; I never asked which they chose), I had an egg baguette, and Kelly had chicken pie with fries and peas. Yeah, I know Kelly’s wasn’t what you’d usually consider breakfast food, but it was available on the menu and he wanted it, so... *Shrugs*
Anyway, after breakfast we went to a few stores in the old part of town, as well as to a cute little coffee place that’s in that part of town; for a drink and a sit down. I think Kelly and I got bored of the stores before they did, but we get bored with shopping quickly anyway, and - though they do sell some unusual things - since we live around here, they aren't really a novelty to us, so it's hardly surprising. I did get some pirate treasure and some anseed balls though, so I was happy. Plus, the little coffee place was nice.
While in town, Carl and I made friends with a metal serpent...
I have no idea why there was a metal serpent there, but it was there, so we went to see it. Mam thought it was a snake, but I'm calling it a serpent, because it looks more like the sea serpents from old stories and legends than a snake to me... Or, perhaps, one of the versions of the dragons from old myths and legends; I've seen Chinese dragons that look sort of similar. Although, the head doesn't seem right for a dragon, which is why I'm more inclined to think sea serpent.
We also checked out a chess set that was set up there for some reason, which had plastic chess pieces that were a little over a foot high. Mam did get a few photos of that too, but I didn't bother getting Kelly to help me grab those off her Facebook.
Anyway, after that we went our own ways for a while, since Mam and Carl wanted to look in a couple of places really close to our apartment, so we decided to leave them to it and go check on the rodent gang (who appeared to be behaving themselves, and not too bothered by our disappearance). The other reason we seporated for a while is that none of us had slept well the night before, so everyone needed a bit of a nap.
We met up again in the evening and went for dinner at the cafe that’s at the hotel Mam and Carl were staying at. The food was really good. Carl had a beef and ale pie with mashed potatoes and peas, Mam had gammon and eggs with fries and peas, I had a red pepper and red onion quiche with fries and salad, and Kelly had smothered chicken with fries, coleslaw and salad. Kelly’s dinner also had a piece of garlic bread with it, but he gave it to me; he does like garlic bread, but he knows I love the stuff, and since they hadn’t put it anywhere near his chicken on his plate, I was quite happy to eat it for him. Dessert was oreo cream pie for Kelly, and cherry and apple crumble for the rest of us; with custard for me, and with ice-cream for Mam and Carl.
None of us slept all that well Saturday night either - most likely because we all had those afternoon naps - so Mam and Carl ended up getting bored and going to the beach in the early hours of Sunday morning, while it was dry enough to do so, and stopped in to say "hi" while they were nearby, since they saw we were up. This was Carl's first visit to our new place, and I know he's jealous of us being able to hear the ocean so well from our apartment; even with the windows closed.
Carl made friends with some of the rodent gang while they were here, and even Mam got brave enough to be within leaping distance for the rats while they were out of their cage. More on that in Friday's post.
We were going to have the picnic that was planned for Sunday at our place, but Mam and Carl decided to just pay us a quick visit, and bring me the jazz drops they'd fetched for me from one of the old style sweet shops that's near here, which they went to before coming to us, before heading back to Norwich (where Carl lives) since the bad weather that had been threatening to return had done so. Plus, I think they wanted to get back there before my Mam got too tired to do the drive.
So, that was my weekend, and - since nothing else worth mentioning happened recently - that's all I've got to say today, really.
Monday, October 28, 2013
Carl's visit and Tamara's birthday (FD)
Carl was here for the weekend. We carved pumpkins, made pasta with pumpkin sage sauce and cheese, made pumpkin pie and pumpkin juice, made cheese and potato pie with sprouts and peas, and ordered pizza. We also watched "The Craft" and "Practical Magic" and "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and "The Hunger Games" together. Oh, and we played Lego, I beat him four times at Scrabble, we won a game each of Battleships, he beat me twice at Snakes And Ladders, and I beat him once at Ludo. He was meant to go home yesterday (Monday) but we had a really nasty storm Sunday night/Monday morning and trains weren't running for most of Monday. Some still aren't now, but he was able to get home today at least.
While he was here we were going to do Halloween photos of the furkids, but only Kero would co-operate. The degus wouldn't stay still long enough, and it turns out Cara is afraid of pumpkins. I know I shouldn't laugh, but having her leap back in to my arms and cling to me shaking with fear just because I tried to put her beside a pumpkin is a bit funny... Well, actually, it's VERY funny, LOL!
***
It's our niece Tamara's 20th birthday today. Hard to believe that she's already out of her teens, but it's true! I hope she's having an amazing birthday!
While he was here we were going to do Halloween photos of the furkids, but only Kero would co-operate. The degus wouldn't stay still long enough, and it turns out Cara is afraid of pumpkins. I know I shouldn't laugh, but having her leap back in to my arms and cling to me shaking with fear just because I tried to put her beside a pumpkin is a bit funny... Well, actually, it's VERY funny, LOL!
***
It's our niece Tamara's 20th birthday today. Hard to believe that she's already out of her teens, but it's true! I hope she's having an amazing birthday!
Thursday, August 30, 2012
IMPORTANT! Please read!
It's amazing how difficult this post has been to write. I've put it off as long as I can though, and promised myself it will get posted this time. So, here goes.
*Takes a deep breath*
I've been blogging now for over six years. Sometimes it feels like it can't be that long, and other times it feels like I've been blogging forever. Whatever the case though, I know it's been a little over six years, and I know I've made a lot of friends through my blog. Some of these friends I stopped having contact with by my own choice, others sort of drifted away never to be heard from again, others I only now speak to because they're on Facebook, and others will read this post. The point is, I've made a lot of friends - many of them great friends I don't want to lose - and shared a lot on this blog; good times and bad.
Six years ago, when I first started blogging, I had no idea what I'd post about, and I didn't blog much even though I only had a couple of blogs to follow. Then I lost my eyesight and became bored and depressed. I clung to my blog like a lifeline; I needed the routine of posting every day unless I had a very good reason not to, and I needed the knowledge that somewhere out there someone cared enough about me to take the time to check my blog. I became obsessed with posting every single day. I told people I had no idea why, but I said that because I didn't want to admit the truth. You see, the truth was I was scared that if I didn't give my readers something to read each day they'd think I was one of those people who had dissappeared from the blogs, then they'd stop coming to visit, and I needed them to visit. But then I came out the other side and found myself feeling like it was all too much. So I started disappearing for a few days leaving posts up for my readers. Except then I felt guilty for not being around to read their blogs. It got to the point where blogging felt like a chore, and I haven't enjoyed blogging for some time.
I don't want to do this any more. And by this I mean blogging.
I want to do what I have been over the past couple of weeks; go to events nearby (like the charity coffee morning we went to near the start of August), take walks with Kero, jump on the train with Kelly and Kero to go in to Hastings, sit at a cafe outside the train station and have a drink, go down by the sea and just sit there listening to the waves and seagulls, have my brother visit and play scrabble and BattleTech with him without worrying about whether the post I scheduled went up OK, and so on. I want to be able to just drop people a quick note to tell them the things I think worth mentioning without feeling guilty because there's been nothing from me in days. But I don't feel I can do that with a blog. I know plenty of people do, but I don't feel I can. With those feelings combined with the fact blogger's new "improvements" have made it extremely difficult for me to do a blog post, I've had enough.
I've almost deleted my blog so many ttimes since the start of this year it's not even funny. What stopped me was that I don't want to lose touch with the friends I've made on here. So I took some time off from the blogs to think things over.
I've decided I will be stopping blogging. I'm sorry, but I feel it's the right choice for me.
My blog will remain up for a few weeks to give everyone time to see this message, but after that I will be deleting it for good.
For anyone who wants to keep in touch with me, here are the places you can find me, and ways to get in touch with me once I delete this blog:
My website: http://www.zigler.co.uk
My Smashwords author page: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/toriz
My Goodreads author profile: http://www.goodreads.com/toriz
My Facebook profile: http://www.facebook.com/tori.zigler
My e-mail: toriz at talk talk dot net (obviously without spaces, and with the "at" and "dot" changed for the appropriate spaces).
NOTE: If you usually use a nickname on the blogs and haven't let people know your real name in the past, please make sure you let me know it's you when contacting me. For an e-mail you can do this by putting your nickname in the subject line, and for Facebook you can do this by sending me a quick message when adding me as a friend. I think Goodreads has a box you can use when adding someone as a friend.
Yes, that's right, I'm keeping Facebook. The reason for that is, quite simply, that it's how I keep in touch with most of my family and some family friends. Plus the fact that it's gotten to the point that Facebook is easier to use (especially now that I've figured out how to sync my mobile phone with my Facebook account, so I can update my status and reply to comments people leave on it without even needing to connect to the internet).
Anyway, that's how things stand... I'm deleting my blog, so if you want to keep in touch you need to grab my e-mail address or add me on either Goodreads or Facebook.
To keep up with book news, keep an eye on my website, my Smashwords author page, and/or my Goodreads profile. I will also be posting any news about my books on my Facebook wall, and will e-mail anyone who wants to be e-mailed when new books are published.
*Takes a deep breath*
I've been blogging now for over six years. Sometimes it feels like it can't be that long, and other times it feels like I've been blogging forever. Whatever the case though, I know it's been a little over six years, and I know I've made a lot of friends through my blog. Some of these friends I stopped having contact with by my own choice, others sort of drifted away never to be heard from again, others I only now speak to because they're on Facebook, and others will read this post. The point is, I've made a lot of friends - many of them great friends I don't want to lose - and shared a lot on this blog; good times and bad.
Six years ago, when I first started blogging, I had no idea what I'd post about, and I didn't blog much even though I only had a couple of blogs to follow. Then I lost my eyesight and became bored and depressed. I clung to my blog like a lifeline; I needed the routine of posting every day unless I had a very good reason not to, and I needed the knowledge that somewhere out there someone cared enough about me to take the time to check my blog. I became obsessed with posting every single day. I told people I had no idea why, but I said that because I didn't want to admit the truth. You see, the truth was I was scared that if I didn't give my readers something to read each day they'd think I was one of those people who had dissappeared from the blogs, then they'd stop coming to visit, and I needed them to visit. But then I came out the other side and found myself feeling like it was all too much. So I started disappearing for a few days leaving posts up for my readers. Except then I felt guilty for not being around to read their blogs. It got to the point where blogging felt like a chore, and I haven't enjoyed blogging for some time.
I don't want to do this any more. And by this I mean blogging.
I want to do what I have been over the past couple of weeks; go to events nearby (like the charity coffee morning we went to near the start of August), take walks with Kero, jump on the train with Kelly and Kero to go in to Hastings, sit at a cafe outside the train station and have a drink, go down by the sea and just sit there listening to the waves and seagulls, have my brother visit and play scrabble and BattleTech with him without worrying about whether the post I scheduled went up OK, and so on. I want to be able to just drop people a quick note to tell them the things I think worth mentioning without feeling guilty because there's been nothing from me in days. But I don't feel I can do that with a blog. I know plenty of people do, but I don't feel I can. With those feelings combined with the fact blogger's new "improvements" have made it extremely difficult for me to do a blog post, I've had enough.
I've almost deleted my blog so many ttimes since the start of this year it's not even funny. What stopped me was that I don't want to lose touch with the friends I've made on here. So I took some time off from the blogs to think things over.
I've decided I will be stopping blogging. I'm sorry, but I feel it's the right choice for me.
My blog will remain up for a few weeks to give everyone time to see this message, but after that I will be deleting it for good.
For anyone who wants to keep in touch with me, here are the places you can find me, and ways to get in touch with me once I delete this blog:
My website: http://www.zigler.co.uk
My Smashwords author page: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/toriz
My Goodreads author profile: http://www.goodreads.com/toriz
My Facebook profile: http://www.facebook.com/tori.zigler
My e-mail: toriz at talk talk dot net (obviously without spaces, and with the "at" and "dot" changed for the appropriate spaces).
NOTE: If you usually use a nickname on the blogs and haven't let people know your real name in the past, please make sure you let me know it's you when contacting me. For an e-mail you can do this by putting your nickname in the subject line, and for Facebook you can do this by sending me a quick message when adding me as a friend. I think Goodreads has a box you can use when adding someone as a friend.
Yes, that's right, I'm keeping Facebook. The reason for that is, quite simply, that it's how I keep in touch with most of my family and some family friends. Plus the fact that it's gotten to the point that Facebook is easier to use (especially now that I've figured out how to sync my mobile phone with my Facebook account, so I can update my status and reply to comments people leave on it without even needing to connect to the internet).
Anyway, that's how things stand... I'm deleting my blog, so if you want to keep in touch you need to grab my e-mail address or add me on either Goodreads or Facebook.
To keep up with book news, keep an eye on my website, my Smashwords author page, and/or my Goodreads profile. I will also be posting any news about my books on my Facebook wall, and will e-mail anyone who wants to be e-mailed when new books are published.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
My Mad Tea Party 2012 (FD)
I'm late, I'm late, for a very important date.
No, wait, I have the right time and date; I'm not late!
And you aren't late either... You're just in time for tea...
Ah, perhaps we'll use the kettle instead of the teapot today; the teapot appears to be occupied by our friend the doormouse.
I suppose she thought it would be safer in there?
Willow chases anything smaller than herself (which is most things) so she's probably right. I mean, if the squirrel chasing attempts are anything to go by, Willow enjoys chasing rodents...
I think I'll let the doormouse stay in the teapot where she'll be safe.
But what about the tea?
Hmmm....
Not to worry, I'll put the kettle on.
And while I do that, why don't you help yourself to a mushroom pasty; I have several in different shapes and sizes... Take as many as you like!
And how about a choco-hat cookie? Or maybe 2?
Don't feel pressured to take both; if you just want the cookies, go for it, if you just want the pasties, that's fine too. In fact, if you just want your tea that's also fine!
I can offer you cheese and crackers or something if you're in need of something to snack on while you're here though...
And, if you don't want tea, we have orange juice, water (flavoured and unflavoured), coffee, herbal or fruit teas of various flavours, milk, or cocoa.
Oh, and I have ice-lollies in the freezer if you'd prefer one of those... Plain fruit ones, or ones with ice-cream in them...
Just let me know what you'd like, and I'll see what I can do for you.
OK, now we have the refreshments sorted out, how about some entertainment?
I'm not good with party games, but I personally enjoy a good story telling session, and happen to think that nothing goes better with a cup of tea and a tasty snack than a good book!
How about we take turns reading something?
What would you like to read?
Perhaps "Alice In Wonderland" or "Charlie And The Chocolate Factory"? Or maybe "Carrie's War" or "Goodnight Mister Tom" are more your thing? Or perhaps the poetry of Robert Frost? Or maybe "Wuthering Heights" or "Oliver Twist"?
Ah, but maybe you'd prefer something newer? If so, may I be so bold as to suggest my own works?
"Mr. Pumpkin-Head And Other Poems" is a collection of 40 of my poems, and until the end of this month is available half price with the coupon code "SSW50" on Smashwords; bearing in mind the usual price is only $1.99 anyway.
"Witchlet" is a chapter book (AKA very short novel suitable for children as well as adults) about a young witch seeking acceptance in a world that views witches as warty old women. That one too is usually $1.99 but on sale with the coupon code "SSW50" at Smashwords.
"Bluebell The Fairy Guide" is my newest publication. It's a fairy tale about a little blind girl who gets lost in the woods, and a fairy named Bluebell who needs to figure out how to help her get home. This one isn't on sale, but at only $0.99 it's not that expensive anyway.
To see more details for, or take a look at free samples of - or even buy copies of - any of my books, you can either click on their titles, or go to my Smashwords author page at http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/toriz. "Mr. Pumpkin-Head And Other Poems" and "Witchlet" are also available elsewhere - though "Bluebell The Fairy Guide" isn't yet - and you can find out where by checking out my where to buy my books page.
But, hey, if none of those appeal to you either, we can do something else... You're the guest, so you get a say!
Perhaps you'd prefer some music?
I have all sorts ranging through country, oldies, pop, a bit of stuff that's just instrumental, and some rock too.
Or we could play a game...
Ludo? Snakes And Ladders? Scrabble? Something with cards?
Or we could do some crafts...
Oh, wait, I know...
Let's go check out the other parties going on! I bet they'll have something fun to do!
They'll probably have some more tasty things to eat too... Mmmm!
Yes, let's do that!
Click on the banner below to check out the rest of the mad tea parties going on around the web!
And, thanks for visiting!
P.S. My friend Parsley is also holding a tea party this weekend, so scroll down to check out yesterday's post for a couple of tasty recipes!
No, wait, I have the right time and date; I'm not late!
And you aren't late either... You're just in time for tea...
Ah, perhaps we'll use the kettle instead of the teapot today; the teapot appears to be occupied by our friend the doormouse.
I suppose she thought it would be safer in there?
Willow chases anything smaller than herself (which is most things) so she's probably right. I mean, if the squirrel chasing attempts are anything to go by, Willow enjoys chasing rodents...
I think I'll let the doormouse stay in the teapot where she'll be safe.
But what about the tea?
Hmmm....
Not to worry, I'll put the kettle on.
And while I do that, why don't you help yourself to a mushroom pasty; I have several in different shapes and sizes... Take as many as you like!
And how about a choco-hat cookie? Or maybe 2?
Don't feel pressured to take both; if you just want the cookies, go for it, if you just want the pasties, that's fine too. In fact, if you just want your tea that's also fine!
I can offer you cheese and crackers or something if you're in need of something to snack on while you're here though...
And, if you don't want tea, we have orange juice, water (flavoured and unflavoured), coffee, herbal or fruit teas of various flavours, milk, or cocoa.
Oh, and I have ice-lollies in the freezer if you'd prefer one of those... Plain fruit ones, or ones with ice-cream in them...
Just let me know what you'd like, and I'll see what I can do for you.
OK, now we have the refreshments sorted out, how about some entertainment?
I'm not good with party games, but I personally enjoy a good story telling session, and happen to think that nothing goes better with a cup of tea and a tasty snack than a good book!
How about we take turns reading something?
What would you like to read?
Perhaps "Alice In Wonderland" or "Charlie And The Chocolate Factory"? Or maybe "Carrie's War" or "Goodnight Mister Tom" are more your thing? Or perhaps the poetry of Robert Frost? Or maybe "Wuthering Heights" or "Oliver Twist"?
Ah, but maybe you'd prefer something newer? If so, may I be so bold as to suggest my own works?
"Mr. Pumpkin-Head And Other Poems" is a collection of 40 of my poems, and until the end of this month is available half price with the coupon code "SSW50" on Smashwords; bearing in mind the usual price is only $1.99 anyway.
"Witchlet" is a chapter book (AKA very short novel suitable for children as well as adults) about a young witch seeking acceptance in a world that views witches as warty old women. That one too is usually $1.99 but on sale with the coupon code "SSW50" at Smashwords.
"Bluebell The Fairy Guide" is my newest publication. It's a fairy tale about a little blind girl who gets lost in the woods, and a fairy named Bluebell who needs to figure out how to help her get home. This one isn't on sale, but at only $0.99 it's not that expensive anyway.
To see more details for, or take a look at free samples of - or even buy copies of - any of my books, you can either click on their titles, or go to my Smashwords author page at http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/toriz. "Mr. Pumpkin-Head And Other Poems" and "Witchlet" are also available elsewhere - though "Bluebell The Fairy Guide" isn't yet - and you can find out where by checking out my where to buy my books page.
But, hey, if none of those appeal to you either, we can do something else... You're the guest, so you get a say!
Perhaps you'd prefer some music?
I have all sorts ranging through country, oldies, pop, a bit of stuff that's just instrumental, and some rock too.
Or we could play a game...
Ludo? Snakes And Ladders? Scrabble? Something with cards?
Or we could do some crafts...
Oh, wait, I know...
Let's go check out the other parties going on! I bet they'll have something fun to do!
They'll probably have some more tasty things to eat too... Mmmm!
Yes, let's do that!
Click on the banner below to check out the rest of the mad tea parties going on around the web!
And, thanks for visiting!
P.S. My friend Parsley is also holding a tea party this weekend, so scroll down to check out yesterday's post for a couple of tasty recipes!
Sunday, June 10, 2012
The Game Challenge #3
It's time for the third challenge at The Game!
This time the challenge is based around the game "Chess" and our creations were to be black and white.
Here's my entry; a Father's Day card for my Dad:
Sorry about the far from straight lines; I cut the shapes out myself.
Anyway...
I think the main piece of card is from Craft Planet. The black card that the word "Dad" and the castle are cut from came from Hobbycraft, and the white paper the windows and doorway are cut from was from my hubby's printer. Oh, and the dog hairs were from Willow, LOL!
Yeah, sorry about the dog hairs; Willow keeps trying to help me make cards, and the result is that a lot of dog hairs become part of my work. But, hey, it stayed with the theme; she's a black dog! ;)
Anyway, why not pop over to The Game to see what the rest of the design team has made? And when you've done that, why not see what you can come up with for this challenge?
And, don't forget to check out my giveaway for your chance at winning one of 3 free copies of my latest book!
This time the challenge is based around the game "Chess" and our creations were to be black and white.
Here's my entry; a Father's Day card for my Dad:
Sorry about the far from straight lines; I cut the shapes out myself.
Anyway...
I think the main piece of card is from Craft Planet. The black card that the word "Dad" and the castle are cut from came from Hobbycraft, and the white paper the windows and doorway are cut from was from my hubby's printer. Oh, and the dog hairs were from Willow, LOL!
Yeah, sorry about the dog hairs; Willow keeps trying to help me make cards, and the result is that a lot of dog hairs become part of my work. But, hey, it stayed with the theme; she's a black dog! ;)
Anyway, why not pop over to The Game to see what the rest of the design team has made? And when you've done that, why not see what you can come up with for this challenge?
And, don't forget to check out my giveaway for your chance at winning one of 3 free copies of my latest book!
Friday, May 11, 2012
I is for Internet
There are lots of great things I can say about the internet.
Most of my friends are on the internet, and without it I wouldn't know them.
I published my book "Mr. Pumpkin-Head And Other Poems" on the internet, and hope to publish more books online in the not-too-distant future (more on that in a future post). Speaking of which; my book has finally been approved for premium status, which means it will soon be made available in the Apple store, Barnes And Noble, etc. YAY!
I'm also a member of a design team on the internet; the blog for it is called "The Game" and we have an interesting collection of people on the design team. The challenges are all based around different games. The first challenge will be posted on Sunday May 13th. If you like crafts, click on the banner below to join us:
Note: There's a content warning due to the fact people are encouraged to express their creativity however they choose as long as it fits the theme of each challenge.
The internet is also where I've been doing some online courses. I've just started a new batch. If you're interested, the ones I've signed up for this time are:
Balanced Life Principles
Board Games - The Business Process
Business Letter Writing
Business Report Writing
Business Writing
Comedy Writing Tour
Dealing With Stress
Developing A Business Blog
Ego And Conciousness Awareness
Feedback Skills
Feng Shui Lifestyle
Focusing Your Mind
Freelancers Client Contract
Improving Your Memory
Inventions - From Idea To Product
Listening Skills
Making Board Games
Paranormal Romance
Many of them I may never use, but... *Shrugs*... They're free, so why not grab them, eh? ;)
So, anyway... Lots of great stuff happening on the internet! :)
Most of my friends are on the internet, and without it I wouldn't know them.
I published my book "Mr. Pumpkin-Head And Other Poems" on the internet, and hope to publish more books online in the not-too-distant future (more on that in a future post). Speaking of which; my book has finally been approved for premium status, which means it will soon be made available in the Apple store, Barnes And Noble, etc. YAY!
I'm also a member of a design team on the internet; the blog for it is called "The Game" and we have an interesting collection of people on the design team. The challenges are all based around different games. The first challenge will be posted on Sunday May 13th. If you like crafts, click on the banner below to join us:
Note: There's a content warning due to the fact people are encouraged to express their creativity however they choose as long as it fits the theme of each challenge.
The internet is also where I've been doing some online courses. I've just started a new batch. If you're interested, the ones I've signed up for this time are:
Balanced Life Principles
Board Games - The Business Process
Business Letter Writing
Business Report Writing
Business Writing
Comedy Writing Tour
Dealing With Stress
Developing A Business Blog
Ego And Conciousness Awareness
Feedback Skills
Feng Shui Lifestyle
Focusing Your Mind
Freelancers Client Contract
Improving Your Memory
Inventions - From Idea To Product
Listening Skills
Making Board Games
Paranormal Romance
Many of them I may never use, but... *Shrugs*... They're free, so why not grab them, eh? ;)
So, anyway... Lots of great stuff happening on the internet! :)
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
100 Greatest Toys - Results
Back at the start of November I posted about a 100 Greatest Toys vote that Channel 4 was doing. The programme mentioning the winning toys was on before Christmas, but I've had so many other things I want to post that I'm only now getting a chance to post the results. Anyway, for those of you who want to know, here are the results:
"How The Toys Were Ranked
In order to get a broad spectrum of opinion on what were the greatest toys ranked 1 - 100 we ran two polls; one was an online vote on the Channel 4 website and we also commissioned an opinion poll carried out by ICM. We added the results of these polls together and it is the results of this amalgamation that can be seen in the programme. The 6 tied placings were decided by a panel of judges.
The Final Results!
1 Lego
2 Monopoly
3 Dungeons and Dragons
4 Wii
5 Nintendo consoles
6 Playstation consoles
7 Scrabble
8 Scalextrix
9 Trivial pursuit
10 Gameboy and other
11 Star wars toys
12 Transformers
13 Microsoft X-Box
14 He-Man & Masters of the
15 Cluedo
16 Meccano
17 Hornby train set
18 Connect 4
19 Airfix
20 Action man
21 Matchbox cars
22 Etch a sketch
23 Teddy bear
24 Rubik cube
25 Atari consoles
26 Play-doh
27 Plasticene
28 Subbuteo
29 Spirograph
30 Risk
31 Roller skates
32 Top trumps
33 Yo-yo
34 Teenage mutant ninja
35 Chemistry Set
36 Twister
37 Pokemon
38 Battleship
39 Hot Wheels
40 Mousetrap game
41 Sylvanian families
42 Fuzzy Felt
43 Jenga
44 Frisbee
45 Pictionary
46 Chopper Bike
47 Barbie
48 Mastermind
49 Yahtzee
50 Playmobil Play people
51 Slinky
52 Operation
53 Super soaker water pistol
54 Tamagotchi
55 Game of life
56 Tonka toys
57 Space hopper
58 My little pony
59 Kerplunk
60 Care bears
61 007 Aston martin
62 Mr Potato head
63 Evel Knievel stunt set
64 Hungry hippos
65 Thunderbirds toys
66 Hula hoop
67 Sindy doll
68 Tiny tears
69 Buckaroo
70 Power Rangers
71 Buzz Lightyear Action
72 TY beanie babies
73 Six million dollar man
74 Furby
75 Escape From Colditz
76 Polly Pocket
77 Simon
78 Cabbage patch kids
79 Weebles
80 Trolls
81 Stylophone
82 Girls world
83 Crossfire
84 Tickle Me Elmo
85 Stretch Armstrong
86 Magna doodle
87 Dr Who Cyberman mask
88 Pop-O-matic Games
89 Clackers
90 Johnny 7 machine gun
91 Beyblades
92 Striker
93 Pippa Doll
94 Peter Powell kites
95 Bratz dolls
96 Major Matt Mason action
97 Ben 10 Action Figures
98 Holly hobbie
99 Teletubbies
100 Raving Bonkers"
(Above taken from this site).
"How The Toys Were Ranked
In order to get a broad spectrum of opinion on what were the greatest toys ranked 1 - 100 we ran two polls; one was an online vote on the Channel 4 website and we also commissioned an opinion poll carried out by ICM. We added the results of these polls together and it is the results of this amalgamation that can be seen in the programme. The 6 tied placings were decided by a panel of judges.
The Final Results!
1 Lego
2 Monopoly
3 Dungeons and Dragons
4 Wii
5 Nintendo consoles
6 Playstation consoles
7 Scrabble
8 Scalextrix
9 Trivial pursuit
10 Gameboy and other
11 Star wars toys
12 Transformers
13 Microsoft X-Box
14 He-Man & Masters of the
15 Cluedo
16 Meccano
17 Hornby train set
18 Connect 4
19 Airfix
20 Action man
21 Matchbox cars
22 Etch a sketch
23 Teddy bear
24 Rubik cube
25 Atari consoles
26 Play-doh
27 Plasticene
28 Subbuteo
29 Spirograph
30 Risk
31 Roller skates
32 Top trumps
33 Yo-yo
34 Teenage mutant ninja
35 Chemistry Set
36 Twister
37 Pokemon
38 Battleship
39 Hot Wheels
40 Mousetrap game
41 Sylvanian families
42 Fuzzy Felt
43 Jenga
44 Frisbee
45 Pictionary
46 Chopper Bike
47 Barbie
48 Mastermind
49 Yahtzee
50 Playmobil Play people
51 Slinky
52 Operation
53 Super soaker water pistol
54 Tamagotchi
55 Game of life
56 Tonka toys
57 Space hopper
58 My little pony
59 Kerplunk
60 Care bears
61 007 Aston martin
62 Mr Potato head
63 Evel Knievel stunt set
64 Hungry hippos
65 Thunderbirds toys
66 Hula hoop
67 Sindy doll
68 Tiny tears
69 Buckaroo
70 Power Rangers
71 Buzz Lightyear Action
72 TY beanie babies
73 Six million dollar man
74 Furby
75 Escape From Colditz
76 Polly Pocket
77 Simon
78 Cabbage patch kids
79 Weebles
80 Trolls
81 Stylophone
82 Girls world
83 Crossfire
84 Tickle Me Elmo
85 Stretch Armstrong
86 Magna doodle
87 Dr Who Cyberman mask
88 Pop-O-matic Games
89 Clackers
90 Johnny 7 machine gun
91 Beyblades
92 Striker
93 Pippa Doll
94 Peter Powell kites
95 Bratz dolls
96 Major Matt Mason action
97 Ben 10 Action Figures
98 Holly hobbie
99 Teletubbies
100 Raving Bonkers"
(Above taken from this site).
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Welsh Weyr Gaming Club
At the time this is being published, I wont be here. Instead, I will be at the gaming club that my Dad runs, which I've mentioned several times in the past, in a building that's about a ten minute drive from my parents' place, and about a 35 minute drive from our flat.
My Dad has been running this club for about ten or so years now. It doesn't have a lot of members compared to many clubs. I mean, there are more than a dozen of us (Dad, Julian, Gareth, Ian, Ryan, Chris, Lee, Christian, Phil R, Phil G, Budgie, Jason, Daniel, Tim, Tom, Dave P, Drew, Dave, Carl, Kelly and I) but only four of us are there just about every week (Dad, Julian, Kelly and I) and only one other person shows up on a semi regular basis (Gareth). Carl has a great excuse, because he lives up in the North of England, where as we're in South Wales. Plus, Carl makes a huge effort when he is coming to visit, and is involved in everything he can possibly fit in to do with the club while he's visiting. The others? Well, they show up when they feel like it. The trouble is, family commitments started happening, and with how the economy is these days people are working more to make ends meet, then still not having much spare money for things like gaming clubs.
And what do we do at the gaming club?
We play figure games, like:
Bloodbowl
Classic BattleTech
Flames Of War
Horde
Monsterpocalypse
Warhammer 40K
Warhammer Fantasy
Warmachine
And others that I don't know the names of.
Welsh Weyr Gaming Club is also our roleplaying group. We try out most types of roleplaying, but currently being played, or planning to be played, are the following systems:
Call Of Cthulhu
Dungeons And Dragons
Mage The Awakening
Shadowrun
Star Wars
World Of Darkness
We also recently abandoned Warhammer Fantasy Roleplaying, due to lack of enjoyment and enthusiasm.
Club members also play trading card games, board games, etc, and from time to time movies and books are discussed and reviewed during sessions.
It's a nice little club. It's just a shame that so many of the members show up so rarely.
By the way, there is a forum here, though you wouldn't be able to read much of it without joining the forum. Note: membership to the forum doesn't automatically give you membership to the club, because forum members can come from all over the world, but would find it difficult to make it for even the odd session. Anyone is welcome to join the forum though.
Until very recently, there were a couple of days each week set aside for the club. First it was roleplaying on Mondays, and figure gaming on Saturdays. Then it was roleplaying on Fridays, and figure gaming Saturdays. Then it became roleplaying on Fridays, and figure gaming on Sundays. And, more recently, it was roleplaying on Saturdays, and figure gaming on Sundays. But we had a sort of meeting last Sunday - those of us who were there - and decided that we didn't need the extra days, so figure gaming and roleplaying will now be happening on Sundays. Officially it's figure gaming in the afternoon, roleplaying in the evening. But if someone can only make it in the evening and only wants figure gaming, or someone can only make it in the afternoon, and only wants roleplaying, then that can - in theory - be changed to suit whoever happens to be there. The idea being that it frees up Saturdays for either other activities, or extra time for prep work for games of whatever. Plus, it means we will definately have something happening at club, and wont be paying to have the whole day at the place it's run at for everyone to be done with their figure gaming after a couple of hours, then just go home.
Anyway, I just thought I'd talk a bit about the club, especially with the new changes happening.
Hope you're enjoying your weekend.
Tori
My Dad has been running this club for about ten or so years now. It doesn't have a lot of members compared to many clubs. I mean, there are more than a dozen of us (Dad, Julian, Gareth, Ian, Ryan, Chris, Lee, Christian, Phil R, Phil G, Budgie, Jason, Daniel, Tim, Tom, Dave P, Drew, Dave, Carl, Kelly and I) but only four of us are there just about every week (Dad, Julian, Kelly and I) and only one other person shows up on a semi regular basis (Gareth). Carl has a great excuse, because he lives up in the North of England, where as we're in South Wales. Plus, Carl makes a huge effort when he is coming to visit, and is involved in everything he can possibly fit in to do with the club while he's visiting. The others? Well, they show up when they feel like it. The trouble is, family commitments started happening, and with how the economy is these days people are working more to make ends meet, then still not having much spare money for things like gaming clubs.
And what do we do at the gaming club?
We play figure games, like:
Bloodbowl
Classic BattleTech
Flames Of War
Horde
Monsterpocalypse
Warhammer 40K
Warhammer Fantasy
Warmachine
And others that I don't know the names of.
Welsh Weyr Gaming Club is also our roleplaying group. We try out most types of roleplaying, but currently being played, or planning to be played, are the following systems:
Call Of Cthulhu
Dungeons And Dragons
Mage The Awakening
Shadowrun
Star Wars
World Of Darkness
We also recently abandoned Warhammer Fantasy Roleplaying, due to lack of enjoyment and enthusiasm.
Club members also play trading card games, board games, etc, and from time to time movies and books are discussed and reviewed during sessions.
It's a nice little club. It's just a shame that so many of the members show up so rarely.
By the way, there is a forum here, though you wouldn't be able to read much of it without joining the forum. Note: membership to the forum doesn't automatically give you membership to the club, because forum members can come from all over the world, but would find it difficult to make it for even the odd session. Anyone is welcome to join the forum though.
Until very recently, there were a couple of days each week set aside for the club. First it was roleplaying on Mondays, and figure gaming on Saturdays. Then it was roleplaying on Fridays, and figure gaming Saturdays. Then it became roleplaying on Fridays, and figure gaming on Sundays. And, more recently, it was roleplaying on Saturdays, and figure gaming on Sundays. But we had a sort of meeting last Sunday - those of us who were there - and decided that we didn't need the extra days, so figure gaming and roleplaying will now be happening on Sundays. Officially it's figure gaming in the afternoon, roleplaying in the evening. But if someone can only make it in the evening and only wants figure gaming, or someone can only make it in the afternoon, and only wants roleplaying, then that can - in theory - be changed to suit whoever happens to be there. The idea being that it frees up Saturdays for either other activities, or extra time for prep work for games of whatever. Plus, it means we will definately have something happening at club, and wont be paying to have the whole day at the place it's run at for everyone to be done with their figure gaming after a couple of hours, then just go home.
Anyway, I just thought I'd talk a bit about the club, especially with the new changes happening.
Hope you're enjoying your weekend.
Tori
Saturday, January 02, 2010
greeting 2010 (FD)
We didn't do much to see in the new year this year. Kelly and I watched a movie new year's eve (review will be posted tomorrow) while eating biscuits. Plus, I had a bottle of the non-alcaholic grape wine that I like. I don't know if Kelly's not keen on it, or if he just wanted to drink cola, bbut that's what he had anyway. I don't mind, because it means more for me if I'm the only person who's drinking it. LOL!
Anyway, I sort of dozed off a little before midnight, but woke at midnight to the sounds of fireworks going off nearby. So, I listened to those for a bit, said "happy new year," to Kelly, then went back to sleep. I woke back up then about 6:45 am, which is really good for me. But I've been sleeping well like that most of the time lately.
So, anyway, Dad came to get us about 11:30 am, and we went up to my parents place. Most people had a beef dinner (beef, yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes, broccoli, carrots and sprouts) but I'm not ready to face the idea of eating beef - and have never been a huge fan of beef joints anyway - and Mam doesn't eat beef, so Mam and I had some kind of chicken dinner. I still had some yorkshire puddings though, because I love them, and I wasn't going to miss out on yorkies just because I'm not having beef. There was also wine for those who wanted it, and the white grape version of the non-alcaholic grape wine stuff for those who don't drink. I wish I didn't keep forgetting what the stuff was called. I know it starts with "S" and recognise the name when people say it, but do you think I can remember it when I want/need to? No!
Anyway, we had more crackers with dinner too, but these ones weren't as much fun as the ones we had Christmas day, since they all just had stickers in them. So we all gave them to Mam and Rachel, who like stickers. There only seemed to be two different types though, so they didn't get much of a collection. One was a penguin and the other was a snowman.
After dinner was over with and cleaning up had been done, we played "Escape From Colditz" together. Well, Nan and Wayne didn't want to play, but the rest of us played.
Kelly was the Germans, and I think he was enjoying playing them just a little too much. LOL! Dad was the French, Mam was the British, Rachel was the Americans, Carl was the Polish, and I was the Dutch. The rules say that the Germans win if one of the other armies - aided by the others - don't manage to have two soldiers escape within 2 & 1/2 hours of gameplay. We almost managed to achieve that, but rran out of time just as Mam's second one was about to finish escaping. Had we had time for her to get another turn in then we probably would have won, since you roll to dice, and if you have doubles then you reroll (regardless of what the doubles are) and she only needed 5 to get her second guy out and safe. Our victory wouldn't have been guaranteed, but we'd have stood a chance. As it was, the time ran out, and the Germans won.
It was fun, but, as I said, I think Kelly was enjoying being the Germans a little too much. LOL!
So, that's how we welcomed 2010... A movie, biscuits to nibble on, and a nice drink on new year's eve, and a family dinner followed by a board game on new year's day. Quiet, yes, but nice!
How did you see in the new year?
Tori
Anyway, I sort of dozed off a little before midnight, but woke at midnight to the sounds of fireworks going off nearby. So, I listened to those for a bit, said "happy new year," to Kelly, then went back to sleep. I woke back up then about 6:45 am, which is really good for me. But I've been sleeping well like that most of the time lately.
So, anyway, Dad came to get us about 11:30 am, and we went up to my parents place. Most people had a beef dinner (beef, yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes, broccoli, carrots and sprouts) but I'm not ready to face the idea of eating beef - and have never been a huge fan of beef joints anyway - and Mam doesn't eat beef, so Mam and I had some kind of chicken dinner. I still had some yorkshire puddings though, because I love them, and I wasn't going to miss out on yorkies just because I'm not having beef. There was also wine for those who wanted it, and the white grape version of the non-alcaholic grape wine stuff for those who don't drink. I wish I didn't keep forgetting what the stuff was called. I know it starts with "S" and recognise the name when people say it, but do you think I can remember it when I want/need to? No!
Anyway, we had more crackers with dinner too, but these ones weren't as much fun as the ones we had Christmas day, since they all just had stickers in them. So we all gave them to Mam and Rachel, who like stickers. There only seemed to be two different types though, so they didn't get much of a collection. One was a penguin and the other was a snowman.
After dinner was over with and cleaning up had been done, we played "Escape From Colditz" together. Well, Nan and Wayne didn't want to play, but the rest of us played.
Kelly was the Germans, and I think he was enjoying playing them just a little too much. LOL! Dad was the French, Mam was the British, Rachel was the Americans, Carl was the Polish, and I was the Dutch. The rules say that the Germans win if one of the other armies - aided by the others - don't manage to have two soldiers escape within 2 & 1/2 hours of gameplay. We almost managed to achieve that, but rran out of time just as Mam's second one was about to finish escaping. Had we had time for her to get another turn in then we probably would have won, since you roll to dice, and if you have doubles then you reroll (regardless of what the doubles are) and she only needed 5 to get her second guy out and safe. Our victory wouldn't have been guaranteed, but we'd have stood a chance. As it was, the time ran out, and the Germans won.
It was fun, but, as I said, I think Kelly was enjoying being the Germans a little too much. LOL!
So, that's how we welcomed 2010... A movie, biscuits to nibble on, and a nice drink on new year's eve, and a family dinner followed by a board game on new year's day. Quiet, yes, but nice!
How did you see in the new year?
Tori
Monday, November 02, 2009
News from my part of the planet (FD)
I don't remember what I did between my last catchup type post and last Tuesday.
I know I recently managed the walk to town using my cane without my mobility officer. OK, Mam was there, but just for the company. I don't remember if I mentioned doing it, so if I haven't before then I'm doing so now.
Again, I don't know if I mentioned this, but I'm no longer having mobility lessons. It was decided I'd done all I could with her for now. If I need her again, I just have to phone her though.
I also got a new bread maker. It's an early birthday present from Mam. So, I've been making my own bread.
I think that's about it for things that happened before this past Tuesday, so...
Tuesday:
Mam and I went shopping, then I came home, changed the bedding on our bed, did laundry, etc, etc. I don't know what happened to most of Tuesday to be honest. LOL!
Wednesday:
I spent most of the day cooking up some more meals for the freezer and baking cookies. Then I spent most of the evening playing with Halloween quizzes (you can see my results in Wednesday and Thursday's posts) and working on crafts.
Thursday:
We spent most of the day at my parents' place. Mam ccooked dinner, and we played some more of the Dungeons and Dragons game we started playing a few weeks back. Well, OK, Mam and I weren't there the whole time. Around lunch time we left for a bit, went and brought a new "bird feeding station" (more on this at a later date) and then went and set it up at my place.
Friday:
I didn't do much. I had been going to the market with Mam on Fridays, but since I didn't need anything (I've got a freezer full of meals, plus some cans and packets of soup) we didn't bother going. I think all I really ended up doing was walking Kero, catching up with blogs (or trying to) and working on crafts a bit.
Saturday:
Kero got an extra walk. I hadn't been taking him Saturdays, but it was a nice day, and I had a bit of free time, so why not? Anyway, I also carved a pumpkin (pictures to come in the near future). Then I made pumpkin spice muffins. I used fresh pumpkin, and made my own cake mix though. Everyone who tried them seemed to like them (at least, they led me to believe so). After that I joined in with the roleplaying game. Kelly and Dad have had one going here on Fridays with some friends, but they've recently changed the day to a Saturday since the stuff that was happening on Saturday is now happening on Sunday. Anyway, I don't mind a bit of roleplaying, and I had no other plans, so I decided I might as well play too. It's either that or I just continue to go off in the bedroom for the evening by myself. And, besides, the systems they're playing sound fffun.
Sunday (yesterday):
I didn't do much. I wrote that post, then spent most of the day just watching whatever happened to be on TV, and working on crafts. I ended up watching the movie version of Oliver Twist. Not that I mind... It's a good movie! It was just starting when I was flicking through channels after another show I'd been watching - can't remember which one - ended, so I decided to watch it.
Monday (today):
Mam, Kelly, Dad and I had dentist appointments. Most of us need to go back for one thing or another. In my case it's because one of my wisdom teeth has come through with a hole in it, so I have to go back on November 23rd to get that filled. That sucks! My teeth don't usually need anything done, then this wisdom tooth finally comes through - after giving me hell - and it needs a filling almost right away? *Shaking head* Mam told me once that wisdom teeth are nothing but trouble... I now see she was right. My top two are through (it's one of those that need a hole filled) and the bottom ones are close enough to coming through to make my gums sensative, and to be damn right annoying, but far enough away from coming through that they're not going to be breaking the gum just yet, and will be giving me hell for a while yet. I sympathize with all teething babies and toddlers at this moment in time! Why do we need wisdom teeth anyway? I already had enough teeth! 28 teeth really is enough teeth... Honest!
OK, this will do for now... Enjoy whatever's left of your day, and stay safe!
Tori
I know I recently managed the walk to town using my cane without my mobility officer. OK, Mam was there, but just for the company. I don't remember if I mentioned doing it, so if I haven't before then I'm doing so now.
Again, I don't know if I mentioned this, but I'm no longer having mobility lessons. It was decided I'd done all I could with her for now. If I need her again, I just have to phone her though.
I also got a new bread maker. It's an early birthday present from Mam. So, I've been making my own bread.
I think that's about it for things that happened before this past Tuesday, so...
Tuesday:
Mam and I went shopping, then I came home, changed the bedding on our bed, did laundry, etc, etc. I don't know what happened to most of Tuesday to be honest. LOL!
Wednesday:
I spent most of the day cooking up some more meals for the freezer and baking cookies. Then I spent most of the evening playing with Halloween quizzes (you can see my results in Wednesday and Thursday's posts) and working on crafts.
Thursday:
We spent most of the day at my parents' place. Mam ccooked dinner, and we played some more of the Dungeons and Dragons game we started playing a few weeks back. Well, OK, Mam and I weren't there the whole time. Around lunch time we left for a bit, went and brought a new "bird feeding station" (more on this at a later date) and then went and set it up at my place.
Friday:
I didn't do much. I had been going to the market with Mam on Fridays, but since I didn't need anything (I've got a freezer full of meals, plus some cans and packets of soup) we didn't bother going. I think all I really ended up doing was walking Kero, catching up with blogs (or trying to) and working on crafts a bit.
Saturday:
Kero got an extra walk. I hadn't been taking him Saturdays, but it was a nice day, and I had a bit of free time, so why not? Anyway, I also carved a pumpkin (pictures to come in the near future). Then I made pumpkin spice muffins. I used fresh pumpkin, and made my own cake mix though. Everyone who tried them seemed to like them (at least, they led me to believe so). After that I joined in with the roleplaying game. Kelly and Dad have had one going here on Fridays with some friends, but they've recently changed the day to a Saturday since the stuff that was happening on Saturday is now happening on Sunday. Anyway, I don't mind a bit of roleplaying, and I had no other plans, so I decided I might as well play too. It's either that or I just continue to go off in the bedroom for the evening by myself. And, besides, the systems they're playing sound fffun.
Sunday (yesterday):
I didn't do much. I wrote that post, then spent most of the day just watching whatever happened to be on TV, and working on crafts. I ended up watching the movie version of Oliver Twist. Not that I mind... It's a good movie! It was just starting when I was flicking through channels after another show I'd been watching - can't remember which one - ended, so I decided to watch it.
Monday (today):
Mam, Kelly, Dad and I had dentist appointments. Most of us need to go back for one thing or another. In my case it's because one of my wisdom teeth has come through with a hole in it, so I have to go back on November 23rd to get that filled. That sucks! My teeth don't usually need anything done, then this wisdom tooth finally comes through - after giving me hell - and it needs a filling almost right away? *Shaking head* Mam told me once that wisdom teeth are nothing but trouble... I now see she was right. My top two are through (it's one of those that need a hole filled) and the bottom ones are close enough to coming through to make my gums sensative, and to be damn right annoying, but far enough away from coming through that they're not going to be breaking the gum just yet, and will be giving me hell for a while yet. I sympathize with all teething babies and toddlers at this moment in time! Why do we need wisdom teeth anyway? I already had enough teeth! 28 teeth really is enough teeth... Honest!
OK, this will do for now... Enjoy whatever's left of your day, and stay safe!
Tori
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
A catch up type post (FD... Kinda R/WP)
Yeah, I know, I'm late with today's post. I didn't have anything scheduled, and after having a bad night I ended up going to lay down this afternoon. Then I had to get caught up on things - which includes blog posts, and comments - so it's only now I'm getting around to sorting a post on my own blog.
As was mentioned in Kero's post, Kelly, Kero and I went up to my parents' place last Thursday. Mam, Dad, Wayne, Kelly and I played a tabletop version of Dungeons and Dragons... Kelly says it was 3rd edition. I think they're on at least 4th edition with that game now. But it's 3rd edition Dad has as a tabletop game, so that's what we played. Dad played DM (Dungeon Master, for those who don't know). We ended up playing it all afternoon, then stopped to eat the vegetable curry Nan made us (she made vegetable so I'd eat it too) then we played some more. I think we played for about six hours in all. It was gone 10:00 pm when we got home... Bearing in mind my Mam had picked us up just after 2:00 pm. Yes, I know that's more than six hours... I was deducting the time I think was taken out for food, tea/coffee breaks, etc. Everyone seems to have enjoyed.
I spent most of Friday, Saturday and Sunday listening to the other Katie Flynn book while working on crafts. When I wasn't doing that I was either watching TV, or doing housework. Yeah, I know, I'm boring. But I'd rather be doing that than going out to noisy clubs and such. I'm sure some of you will disagree, but that's up to you... Each to their own, as they say.
I finally got a call from the library Friday evening to say the potato peel pie book was there waiting for me. I told them it would be Monday or Tuesday before someone could pick it up. They said it would still be there when I was ready to get it... I just politely said, "that's OK then... Thank you!" Though I was tempted to say, "I should bloody well think so, especially since I've waited two weeks longer for it than I was told I'd have to!" I mean, I do understand that it takes time for things to come from one library to another, but when you're told something will be there waiting for you at the end of the month, it should be there! You shouldn't still be waiting for it nearly two weeks later! Anyway, Mam picked it up for me yesterday, since she was up town, and she had my library card from when we went there last time.
Yesterday (Monday) I had a mobility lesson, and my mobility officer... Sorry... My "rehabilitation officer" did a blindfold exercise with Mam, Dad and Kelly. They did all learn something from it, though not really what I'd hoped they would. And she was training another woman, so she probably - well, hopefully, actually - learned a few things too. You can tell that woman is new though, because she really isn't sure what she's meant to be doing yet. She'll learn though.
As for today (Tuesday) I went shopping with Mam. We went to look for something I wanted to get my Dad for Christmas, but couldn't find it where we looked. I know where else it's available, but if it was still in Tescos or Asda it would have been cheaper than it will now cost me. Not that I begrudge my Dad the extra few quid, but... Well... If you have the choice, you don't pay the higher price, do you? Especially when the quality will be the same, regardless of which price you pay. I wont say what it is though. Dad rarely reads my blog - and would probably forget by Christmas anyway - but I don't want to say on here what I'm getting everyone for Christmas. I mean, it's not only the people in question who I'd rather not tell... It'll be no fun for everyone else if they know what everyone else is having... If that makes sense.
Anyway... After our unsuccessful present hunt, Mam brought us a cup of drink (tea for me, cappachino for herself) at Asda's cafe, because - despite the sun - it's been a bit of a chilly day. Then we did the food shopping. I hate shopping, I really do! And it wasn't helped today by the fact they had the shop's radio on so loud... It's normally a decent volume, but today it was loud enough to drown out most convversations in the shop. This made hearing each other quite difficult. And, by the time I got home, I had a headache to add to my scratchy throat. Oh, goody! Just what I need... NOT! I hope I'm not getting the flu virus everyone else has had lately... I can't afford to get sick right now. I have too much to do! I have craft items to make, Christmas shopping to make a start on, a buffet menu to figure out, planned outings to go on, a dog to walk... And probably a bunch of other stuff I'm forgetting about!
The rest of today was mentioned in the first paragraph. I wont repeat it.
OK, that'll do for today. Enjoy whatever's left of your day! :)
Tori
As was mentioned in Kero's post, Kelly, Kero and I went up to my parents' place last Thursday. Mam, Dad, Wayne, Kelly and I played a tabletop version of Dungeons and Dragons... Kelly says it was 3rd edition. I think they're on at least 4th edition with that game now. But it's 3rd edition Dad has as a tabletop game, so that's what we played. Dad played DM (Dungeon Master, for those who don't know). We ended up playing it all afternoon, then stopped to eat the vegetable curry Nan made us (she made vegetable so I'd eat it too) then we played some more. I think we played for about six hours in all. It was gone 10:00 pm when we got home... Bearing in mind my Mam had picked us up just after 2:00 pm. Yes, I know that's more than six hours... I was deducting the time I think was taken out for food, tea/coffee breaks, etc. Everyone seems to have enjoyed.
I spent most of Friday, Saturday and Sunday listening to the other Katie Flynn book while working on crafts. When I wasn't doing that I was either watching TV, or doing housework. Yeah, I know, I'm boring. But I'd rather be doing that than going out to noisy clubs and such. I'm sure some of you will disagree, but that's up to you... Each to their own, as they say.
I finally got a call from the library Friday evening to say the potato peel pie book was there waiting for me. I told them it would be Monday or Tuesday before someone could pick it up. They said it would still be there when I was ready to get it... I just politely said, "that's OK then... Thank you!" Though I was tempted to say, "I should bloody well think so, especially since I've waited two weeks longer for it than I was told I'd have to!" I mean, I do understand that it takes time for things to come from one library to another, but when you're told something will be there waiting for you at the end of the month, it should be there! You shouldn't still be waiting for it nearly two weeks later! Anyway, Mam picked it up for me yesterday, since she was up town, and she had my library card from when we went there last time.
Yesterday (Monday) I had a mobility lesson, and my mobility officer... Sorry... My "rehabilitation officer" did a blindfold exercise with Mam, Dad and Kelly. They did all learn something from it, though not really what I'd hoped they would. And she was training another woman, so she probably - well, hopefully, actually - learned a few things too. You can tell that woman is new though, because she really isn't sure what she's meant to be doing yet. She'll learn though.
As for today (Tuesday) I went shopping with Mam. We went to look for something I wanted to get my Dad for Christmas, but couldn't find it where we looked. I know where else it's available, but if it was still in Tescos or Asda it would have been cheaper than it will now cost me. Not that I begrudge my Dad the extra few quid, but... Well... If you have the choice, you don't pay the higher price, do you? Especially when the quality will be the same, regardless of which price you pay. I wont say what it is though. Dad rarely reads my blog - and would probably forget by Christmas anyway - but I don't want to say on here what I'm getting everyone for Christmas. I mean, it's not only the people in question who I'd rather not tell... It'll be no fun for everyone else if they know what everyone else is having... If that makes sense.
Anyway... After our unsuccessful present hunt, Mam brought us a cup of drink (tea for me, cappachino for herself) at Asda's cafe, because - despite the sun - it's been a bit of a chilly day. Then we did the food shopping. I hate shopping, I really do! And it wasn't helped today by the fact they had the shop's radio on so loud... It's normally a decent volume, but today it was loud enough to drown out most convversations in the shop. This made hearing each other quite difficult. And, by the time I got home, I had a headache to add to my scratchy throat. Oh, goody! Just what I need... NOT! I hope I'm not getting the flu virus everyone else has had lately... I can't afford to get sick right now. I have too much to do! I have craft items to make, Christmas shopping to make a start on, a buffet menu to figure out, planned outings to go on, a dog to walk... And probably a bunch of other stuff I'm forgetting about!
The rest of today was mentioned in the first paragraph. I wont repeat it.
OK, that'll do for today. Enjoy whatever's left of your day! :)
Tori
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Wednesday at my place (FD)
This post has taken a lot longer to write than it should have. Why? Because Kero decided it was play time about when I started writing. So, I've just been alternating between "trying" to write this post and playing with Kero with his toys. I'd have made him wait until I was done, but... Well... It's surprising how much it hurts when you get hit on the leg by a squeaky toy or rope tuggy. LOL!
Anyway...
Mam took Kero out for me today. I was going to go with her, but because I didn't seem in any hurry to go anywhere she just took him herself. I guess she was fed up of waiting for me. I can get ready to go places quickly if I either want to or "need" to, but if I don't "need" to then I don't tend to bother rushing. My Mam's not very good at taking her time doing anything though, so it's not unusual for her to get fed up of waiting for me when she doesn't "have to" wait. Oh well... Kero got a walk, and that's what matters most at the end of the day.
We had some of Mam's fish pie with some peas for dinner. Home made fish pie is the only kind I'll eat... I wont touch the shop brought, premade stuff. We don't have it often though, because - although I've started eating some kinds of fish, and do enjoy it - I'm not a big fan of fish, so couldn't eat it too often. My Dad's the same way. Mam and Kelly could easily have it once or twice a week though. Well, if it wasn't so expensive.
We (Mam and I) had a game of Ludo while dinner was cooking. It was a good game... One of those games that's anybody's game right up until the very last second. Mam won, but it could have easily been me, because it was the luck of the dice that gave her the game in the end. We both needed the same number to win... She just got it first.
And that's my day... Not all that exciting, but... *Shrugs*... It was a pretty good day. Hope yours has been a good one too. And - if it's not over yet - then I hope the rest of it is too! :)
Tori
Anyway...
Mam took Kero out for me today. I was going to go with her, but because I didn't seem in any hurry to go anywhere she just took him herself. I guess she was fed up of waiting for me. I can get ready to go places quickly if I either want to or "need" to, but if I don't "need" to then I don't tend to bother rushing. My Mam's not very good at taking her time doing anything though, so it's not unusual for her to get fed up of waiting for me when she doesn't "have to" wait. Oh well... Kero got a walk, and that's what matters most at the end of the day.
We had some of Mam's fish pie with some peas for dinner. Home made fish pie is the only kind I'll eat... I wont touch the shop brought, premade stuff. We don't have it often though, because - although I've started eating some kinds of fish, and do enjoy it - I'm not a big fan of fish, so couldn't eat it too often. My Dad's the same way. Mam and Kelly could easily have it once or twice a week though. Well, if it wasn't so expensive.
We (Mam and I) had a game of Ludo while dinner was cooking. It was a good game... One of those games that's anybody's game right up until the very last second. Mam won, but it could have easily been me, because it was the luck of the dice that gave her the game in the end. We both needed the same number to win... She just got it first.
And that's my day... Not all that exciting, but... *Shrugs*... It was a pretty good day. Hope yours has been a good one too. And - if it's not over yet - then I hope the rest of it is too! :)
Tori
Thursday, August 07, 2008
All about me meme
OK, since I can't sleep I thought I'd do the meme thing I saw on Kaylee's blog that I wanted to have a go at.
***~***
I AM: A Zigvi from the planet Torizworld
I THINK: Too much (according to some people)
I KNOW: All sorts of different bits of info on all sorts of different topics. But that's not enough knowledge!
I HAVE: A very vivid imagination
I WISH: I'd taken the time to memorise my family's faces better before I lost my sight.
I HATE: People who make promises then don't keep them.
I MISS: Being able to see the beauty of nature with all my senses.
I FEAR: Deep water.
I HEAR: Everything!
I SMELL: Grape juice (probably because there's a cup of it beside me).
I CRAVE: Waffles with maple syrrup.
I SEARCH: For answers to the mysteries and questions all around us.
I WONDER: How Carl and Rachel are enjoying Africa so far.
I REGRET: Not finishing my education when I had the chance.
I LOVE: All my friends and family... Even those who couldn't care less about me.
I ACHE: When those closest to me are hurting (physically or otherwise).
I AM NOT: As special as everyone thinks I am.
I BELIEVE: In dragons, fairies and other such creatures.
I DANCE: Only when nobody's around to laugh at me.
I SING: When I want to.
I CRY: When I am sad.
I FIGHT: Like a cat... Using my teeth and "claws" as weapons.
I WIN: Most "debates" because other people usually give up quicker.
I LOSE: At most board games.
I NEVER: Take orders.
I ALWAYS: Offer a shoulder to a friend in need of one.
I CONFUSE: A lot of people.
I LISTEN: To everything that makes a noise.
I CAN USUALLY BE FOUND: With something in my hands.
I AM SCARED: Of deep water.
I NEED: A cup of tea.
I AM HAPPY ABOUT: Most things in my life.
I IMAGINE: Myself in to books when I'm reading them.
I TAG: Whoever wants to do it.
Tori
***~***
I AM: A Zigvi from the planet Torizworld
I THINK: Too much (according to some people)
I KNOW: All sorts of different bits of info on all sorts of different topics. But that's not enough knowledge!
I HAVE: A very vivid imagination
I WISH: I'd taken the time to memorise my family's faces better before I lost my sight.
I HATE: People who make promises then don't keep them.
I MISS: Being able to see the beauty of nature with all my senses.
I FEAR: Deep water.
I HEAR: Everything!
I SMELL: Grape juice (probably because there's a cup of it beside me).
I CRAVE: Waffles with maple syrrup.
I SEARCH: For answers to the mysteries and questions all around us.
I WONDER: How Carl and Rachel are enjoying Africa so far.
I REGRET: Not finishing my education when I had the chance.
I LOVE: All my friends and family... Even those who couldn't care less about me.
I ACHE: When those closest to me are hurting (physically or otherwise).
I AM NOT: As special as everyone thinks I am.
I BELIEVE: In dragons, fairies and other such creatures.
I DANCE: Only when nobody's around to laugh at me.
I SING: When I want to.
I CRY: When I am sad.
I FIGHT: Like a cat... Using my teeth and "claws" as weapons.
I WIN: Most "debates" because other people usually give up quicker.
I LOSE: At most board games.
I NEVER: Take orders.
I ALWAYS: Offer a shoulder to a friend in need of one.
I CONFUSE: A lot of people.
I LISTEN: To everything that makes a noise.
I CAN USUALLY BE FOUND: With something in my hands.
I AM SCARED: Of deep water.
I NEED: A cup of tea.
I AM HAPPY ABOUT: Most things in my life.
I IMAGINE: Myself in to books when I'm reading them.
I TAG: Whoever wants to do it.
Tori
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Books, blogs, sunshine, dinner, Scrabble and dogs
I never mentioned the books I took in to hospital with me (both of which I'd read before I even went down for my op) so I figured I'd start today's post off by mentioning them.
The first one - which I read with my Mam before she had to leave - is called "Touch The Universe" and is a NASA braille book designed to allow blind people to see some of the images captured by the Hubble Space Telescope. The author's name is "Noreen Grice" and the book contains tactile versions of some of the images the HST has captured along with some information on what's in the pictures. I found it fascinating and even my Mam - who's not big on all the space themed stuff that I enjoy - actually seemed to be enjoying the book (though she insists she was just bored)... LOL!
The other one was "Misty The Guide Dog" by Phyllis Flowerdew. It was the first grade 2 book I ever read and is really special to me because it was a gift from Carl (my brother) because he was proud of my learning braille and had promised it to me if I practiced hard and learned well (this was a good ten or more years ago mind you). I think he regrets giving it to me now though, because it means he no longer has a copy, and we both think it's a cute little story. It's the story of a yellow Labrador and how she goes from being a playful little puppy living on a farm to being a fully qualified guide dog for the blind. Like I said, it's a sweet little story, and I've always loved it. I took it with me because I wanted something happy and fun to read while I was stuck in hospital (I didn't know at the time I'd be using it to keep myself occupied while waiting to go in for the op).
And... Staying on the subject of books for a moment... When I got home yesterday a package was waiting for me containing a couple of books I'd ordered. "Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them" by Newt Scamander and "Quidditch Through The Ages" by Kennelworthy Whisp. Yes, the same books Harry Potter has. I'm taking them with me to read when I go to Norwich for Carl and Rachel's wedding. If any of the others I've ordered arrive in time I'll probably take them too, but for now it's just the two books since they're the only ones that have arrived so far.
Since I enjoy reading and writing so much and am missing playing World Of Warcraft, my Dad's suggested I write some stories telling the adventures of the characters I played (in particular my main character... A rogue named Zararose) using what I can remember and - if I get stuck on remembering anything - asking him, Kelly or Mam for any info I need. I think it sounds like a fun idea! Which brings me to the second part of my title... Blogs! My Dad is going to post the stories on the forum for Y Ddraegau (the guild I created, which is now his) but you have to be in the guild and a member of the site to read the stuff on it, so I've decided I'll also post them on my story blog. So, if you're interested in reading them, keep a look out for them showing up on there.
Anyway...
It's been a beautiful day today, and it was made even better by the fact I was able to go outside and enjoy it. Mam and I spent a lot of the afternoon out in the garden (accompanied on and off by Eleri and Faye).
My parents came for dinner today. Mam made toad in the hole (basically sausages, onions and tomatoes in batter) with roast potatoes, carrots and peas. It was very tasty. She doesn't usually make it because one time she did and the batter went wrong so it shook her confidence and she became convinced she couldn't do it. But I asked her to try for me and as it turned out she did a fantastic job.
We had some strawberry cheesecake too, but Mam didn't make that.
Before and after dinner, Kelly and Dad played on the computers while Mam and I played Scrabble (in between trips outside to enjoy the sunshine). Mam won every game, but most of the games were really close. Besides, it doesn't bother me. If I only played to win I'd have given up on Scrabble a long time ago, because it's very rare for me to win at it. LOL!
Kero slept beside us while we played... Man can that dog snore! LOL!
And, speaking of Kero... I think he thinks it's his fault I'm in pain or something. He sniffed near my eye the other day and then put his head down and flattened his ears like he does when he thinks he's in trouble. He's done it a few times since then too. I've tried to tell him it's nothing he did, but I don't think he's convinced. Bless him!
I think that covers everything I wanted to say. I'm not feeling so drained today, and the pain's hardly noticeable (though that's because of the pain killers, but at least they're working). But I'll let this do for today anyway. Enjoy whatever's left of your day. :)
Tori
The first one - which I read with my Mam before she had to leave - is called "Touch The Universe" and is a NASA braille book designed to allow blind people to see some of the images captured by the Hubble Space Telescope. The author's name is "Noreen Grice" and the book contains tactile versions of some of the images the HST has captured along with some information on what's in the pictures. I found it fascinating and even my Mam - who's not big on all the space themed stuff that I enjoy - actually seemed to be enjoying the book (though she insists she was just bored)... LOL!
The other one was "Misty The Guide Dog" by Phyllis Flowerdew. It was the first grade 2 book I ever read and is really special to me because it was a gift from Carl (my brother) because he was proud of my learning braille and had promised it to me if I practiced hard and learned well (this was a good ten or more years ago mind you). I think he regrets giving it to me now though, because it means he no longer has a copy, and we both think it's a cute little story. It's the story of a yellow Labrador and how she goes from being a playful little puppy living on a farm to being a fully qualified guide dog for the blind. Like I said, it's a sweet little story, and I've always loved it. I took it with me because I wanted something happy and fun to read while I was stuck in hospital (I didn't know at the time I'd be using it to keep myself occupied while waiting to go in for the op).
And... Staying on the subject of books for a moment... When I got home yesterday a package was waiting for me containing a couple of books I'd ordered. "Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them" by Newt Scamander and "Quidditch Through The Ages" by Kennelworthy Whisp. Yes, the same books Harry Potter has. I'm taking them with me to read when I go to Norwich for Carl and Rachel's wedding. If any of the others I've ordered arrive in time I'll probably take them too, but for now it's just the two books since they're the only ones that have arrived so far.
Since I enjoy reading and writing so much and am missing playing World Of Warcraft, my Dad's suggested I write some stories telling the adventures of the characters I played (in particular my main character... A rogue named Zararose) using what I can remember and - if I get stuck on remembering anything - asking him, Kelly or Mam for any info I need. I think it sounds like a fun idea! Which brings me to the second part of my title... Blogs! My Dad is going to post the stories on the forum for Y Ddraegau (the guild I created, which is now his) but you have to be in the guild and a member of the site to read the stuff on it, so I've decided I'll also post them on my story blog. So, if you're interested in reading them, keep a look out for them showing up on there.
Anyway...
It's been a beautiful day today, and it was made even better by the fact I was able to go outside and enjoy it. Mam and I spent a lot of the afternoon out in the garden (accompanied on and off by Eleri and Faye).
My parents came for dinner today. Mam made toad in the hole (basically sausages, onions and tomatoes in batter) with roast potatoes, carrots and peas. It was very tasty. She doesn't usually make it because one time she did and the batter went wrong so it shook her confidence and she became convinced she couldn't do it. But I asked her to try for me and as it turned out she did a fantastic job.
We had some strawberry cheesecake too, but Mam didn't make that.
Before and after dinner, Kelly and Dad played on the computers while Mam and I played Scrabble (in between trips outside to enjoy the sunshine). Mam won every game, but most of the games were really close. Besides, it doesn't bother me. If I only played to win I'd have given up on Scrabble a long time ago, because it's very rare for me to win at it. LOL!
Kero slept beside us while we played... Man can that dog snore! LOL!
And, speaking of Kero... I think he thinks it's his fault I'm in pain or something. He sniffed near my eye the other day and then put his head down and flattened his ears like he does when he thinks he's in trouble. He's done it a few times since then too. I've tried to tell him it's nothing he did, but I don't think he's convinced. Bless him!
I think that covers everything I wanted to say. I'm not feeling so drained today, and the pain's hardly noticeable (though that's because of the pain killers, but at least they're working). But I'll let this do for today anyway. Enjoy whatever's left of your day. :)
Tori
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
More on the eye appointment,and my week so far
Quick warning for you... This is probably going to be a long post, so you might want to grab a cuppa. There's also a few food related parts, so if you're one of those people who get hungry when reading about food then you might want to grab a bite to eat too. LOL! I have tried to keep things short for you though. :)
Anyway...
You all seem under the impression it was only my eye appointment that tired me out on Monday. It wasn't. For one thing I was already tired due to lack of sleep. For another thing I did a lot more than just going to my eye appointment on Monday. Before I go in to the rest of the day though, I thought I'd give you a bit more info on the eye appointment.
So...
We got there a few minutes before my appointment expecting the hour (at least) wait we usually have. Didn't happen though! We'd pretty much just sat down when we got called by a nurse who intended doing one of those tests where you've got to see what letters you can see from that lit up board thingy... You know what I mean? So we walk in the room and a slightly embarrassed nurse asks if there's any point in us doing this (I think it was when I walked in holding my Mam's arm with one hand and my cane with the other she realised). Shows how well they read the notes before hand, eh? Anyway, we told her there wasn't and she told us to take a seat back in the waiting room. We just sat down when the actual doctor was ready for us. I've never been seen so quickly in my life! Well, that I can remember anyway.
The doctor was one of the ones I've seen on and off since I was about a week old. I swear the people in that hospital (the eye department of it anyway) know me better than the wizarding world knows Harry Potter! I actually mentioned this to one of the nurses while we were waiting for the surgeon and she laughed and said she thinks I might be right. We both agreed though that Harry was famous for something a lot nicer than I was.
Anyway...
The doctor looked in my eye, shone lights in it, etc (to see what - if anything - I can see) then asked if I was still sure I wanted it out. I said I was sure so he sent for the surgeon. While the nurse went to ask him to come see me, the doctor asked if I knew what had been done with my other eye when that one came out. I told him what I could remember and he said they'd probably do the same thing again.
The surgeon (who seems really nice btw) came in, started looking in my eye again, announced that he was happy to do the op, agreed that he would in fact be doing the same thing as was done with my other eye and told me more about how it's gonna work. I knew it already, but they have to say it all, don't they?
For those interested...
The op only takes about an hour. I'll be going in one day and "should" come home the next day (as long as I'm well enough). What they do is scoop out the eye - leaving some of the bits around the edge - then put something (they gave it a medical name that I can't remember) in the hole they've made to make it so the eye moves and - to a certain extent - acts like a working eye. The difference being you can't see out of it. I think it's a bit of coral they use. I know that's what was used in the other one anyway.
Like I said Monday... It's going to be a good few weeks before I can have it done though because the surgeon is "very busy this time of year." Mam and I wondered if a holiday had anything to do with it. Not that we could do anything if it did. Would be interesting to know though.
Anyway...
As we were leaving the hospital (we'd literally just walked out of the door) an elderly woman had a nasty fall. We're not sure if she fainted and fell and then hit her head, or if she tripped and fell and then hit her head. All we know is she fell and Mam ran to get someone while another woman who had also just walked out of the hospital tried to get some kind of response from her. We know she came around pretty quickly, but we couldn't hang around to find out if she was badly hurt. We just waited to make sure she was being cared for then left. Hope she was OK.
After that we went to Tesco and did a bit of shopping. Mam and Dad do their weekly shop on a Monday so they needed a fair few things, I just needed a couple of bits though. I hate shopping for food. It's SO BORING!!!
When we were done in Tesco we went to B&Q to get the curtain poles for the spare room and the living room. We've been meaning to for a while but never seemed to get around to it. We've got them now though.
Then we went to a couple of clothes shops because I needed a few things (like some new trousers) and Mam... Well... She just likes looking in clothes shops. I got myself 2 new pairs of trousers and I got some socks for Kelly and didn't even spend £10 (£10 is about $20 US).
On our way home we (Mam, Dad and I) had an ice-cream. A Mr Whippy ice-cream! And man was it good!!! :)
I'd left home a little after 1:30 pm and it was somewhere between 6:00 pm and 6:30 pm when I got home. By that time I was VERY tired. I just had something to eat, did that quick blog I did on Monday and went to bed.
Just a shame I didn't sleep much even with how tired I was (and still am).
Tuesday (yesterday) I didn't do much. I didn't feel like doing much. I did make several attempts at getting some sleep, but it wasn't working too well. I got quite a bit of the Harry Potter book I'm listening to listened to though. I'm about 3/4 of the way through it now.
Kelly couldn't go shopping (long story... Not going in to detail) so Mam ran some errands for us yesterday. So, thanks for that Mam. :)
The only other thing I have to say about yesterday is that it was Canada day and Kelly's Granma's birthday. So belated happy Canada day to everyone, and belated happy birthday to Kelly's Granma. Not sure how old Kelly's Granma was, but apparently Canada is now 141 years old. :)
As for today...
A package arrived this morning that I've been waiting almost six weeks for. It's a couple of games I REALLY wanted that I can no longer get over here so had to order them from somewhere in Canada (at least, I think that's where the company is based).
Anyway...
My Mam and Dad were down for the afternoon (as usual) and my Dad made a start on putting the curtains up. He couldn't finish though because of screw issues. He's "hopefully" finishing up tomorrow.
My Mam made dinner again. This week she made a beef, mushroom and onion pie with roast potatoes, carrots and swede (sp?). It was delicious!
She also made a "Jam Rolly-Poly" for pudding. That was fantastic! At least, I thought it was!
Right... Well... I think that'll do for today... Going to go curl up with Kero.
Enjoy whatever's left of your day. :)
Tori
Anyway...
You all seem under the impression it was only my eye appointment that tired me out on Monday. It wasn't. For one thing I was already tired due to lack of sleep. For another thing I did a lot more than just going to my eye appointment on Monday. Before I go in to the rest of the day though, I thought I'd give you a bit more info on the eye appointment.
So...
We got there a few minutes before my appointment expecting the hour (at least) wait we usually have. Didn't happen though! We'd pretty much just sat down when we got called by a nurse who intended doing one of those tests where you've got to see what letters you can see from that lit up board thingy... You know what I mean? So we walk in the room and a slightly embarrassed nurse asks if there's any point in us doing this (I think it was when I walked in holding my Mam's arm with one hand and my cane with the other she realised). Shows how well they read the notes before hand, eh? Anyway, we told her there wasn't and she told us to take a seat back in the waiting room. We just sat down when the actual doctor was ready for us. I've never been seen so quickly in my life! Well, that I can remember anyway.
The doctor was one of the ones I've seen on and off since I was about a week old. I swear the people in that hospital (the eye department of it anyway) know me better than the wizarding world knows Harry Potter! I actually mentioned this to one of the nurses while we were waiting for the surgeon and she laughed and said she thinks I might be right. We both agreed though that Harry was famous for something a lot nicer than I was.
Anyway...
The doctor looked in my eye, shone lights in it, etc (to see what - if anything - I can see) then asked if I was still sure I wanted it out. I said I was sure so he sent for the surgeon. While the nurse went to ask him to come see me, the doctor asked if I knew what had been done with my other eye when that one came out. I told him what I could remember and he said they'd probably do the same thing again.
The surgeon (who seems really nice btw) came in, started looking in my eye again, announced that he was happy to do the op, agreed that he would in fact be doing the same thing as was done with my other eye and told me more about how it's gonna work. I knew it already, but they have to say it all, don't they?
For those interested...
The op only takes about an hour. I'll be going in one day and "should" come home the next day (as long as I'm well enough). What they do is scoop out the eye - leaving some of the bits around the edge - then put something (they gave it a medical name that I can't remember) in the hole they've made to make it so the eye moves and - to a certain extent - acts like a working eye. The difference being you can't see out of it. I think it's a bit of coral they use. I know that's what was used in the other one anyway.
Like I said Monday... It's going to be a good few weeks before I can have it done though because the surgeon is "very busy this time of year." Mam and I wondered if a holiday had anything to do with it. Not that we could do anything if it did. Would be interesting to know though.
Anyway...
As we were leaving the hospital (we'd literally just walked out of the door) an elderly woman had a nasty fall. We're not sure if she fainted and fell and then hit her head, or if she tripped and fell and then hit her head. All we know is she fell and Mam ran to get someone while another woman who had also just walked out of the hospital tried to get some kind of response from her. We know she came around pretty quickly, but we couldn't hang around to find out if she was badly hurt. We just waited to make sure she was being cared for then left. Hope she was OK.
After that we went to Tesco and did a bit of shopping. Mam and Dad do their weekly shop on a Monday so they needed a fair few things, I just needed a couple of bits though. I hate shopping for food. It's SO BORING!!!
When we were done in Tesco we went to B&Q to get the curtain poles for the spare room and the living room. We've been meaning to for a while but never seemed to get around to it. We've got them now though.
Then we went to a couple of clothes shops because I needed a few things (like some new trousers) and Mam... Well... She just likes looking in clothes shops. I got myself 2 new pairs of trousers and I got some socks for Kelly and didn't even spend £10 (£10 is about $20 US).
On our way home we (Mam, Dad and I) had an ice-cream. A Mr Whippy ice-cream! And man was it good!!! :)
I'd left home a little after 1:30 pm and it was somewhere between 6:00 pm and 6:30 pm when I got home. By that time I was VERY tired. I just had something to eat, did that quick blog I did on Monday and went to bed.
Just a shame I didn't sleep much even with how tired I was (and still am).
Tuesday (yesterday) I didn't do much. I didn't feel like doing much. I did make several attempts at getting some sleep, but it wasn't working too well. I got quite a bit of the Harry Potter book I'm listening to listened to though. I'm about 3/4 of the way through it now.
Kelly couldn't go shopping (long story... Not going in to detail) so Mam ran some errands for us yesterday. So, thanks for that Mam. :)
The only other thing I have to say about yesterday is that it was Canada day and Kelly's Granma's birthday. So belated happy Canada day to everyone, and belated happy birthday to Kelly's Granma. Not sure how old Kelly's Granma was, but apparently Canada is now 141 years old. :)
As for today...
A package arrived this morning that I've been waiting almost six weeks for. It's a couple of games I REALLY wanted that I can no longer get over here so had to order them from somewhere in Canada (at least, I think that's where the company is based).
Anyway...
My Mam and Dad were down for the afternoon (as usual) and my Dad made a start on putting the curtains up. He couldn't finish though because of screw issues. He's "hopefully" finishing up tomorrow.
My Mam made dinner again. This week she made a beef, mushroom and onion pie with roast potatoes, carrots and swede (sp?). It was delicious!
She also made a "Jam Rolly-Poly" for pudding. That was fantastic! At least, I thought it was!
Right... Well... I think that'll do for today... Going to go curl up with Kero.
Enjoy whatever's left of your day. :)
Tori
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Not much going on, but...
It's been a few days since I did a "proper" post. So, I thought it was probably about time I did one. I'm sure anyone who reads my blog for the purpose of wanting to know what other people spend their days doing will be longing to know what I've been up to. Well, sorry to disappoint those people, but I haven't been up to much.
I ordered a few things from "Future Aids - The Braille Superstore" a couple of weeks back, and one of the parcels have arrived. Not the one my Mam wants to hurry up though. The one my Mam wants to hurry up contains a couple of games she's dying to play with me. This one was a different parcel. In it was a braille book called "Flat Stanley" by Jeff Brown. I've got one of the other books in the set ("Stanley's Christmas Adventure") and wanted this one.
Carl and I were also curious about whether there was a difference in braille in America and Canada to braille in the UK. We know - for example - that there are different contractions used for Welsh, French and German braille (neither of us know the Welsh, but Carl knows most of the French and German ones). Anyway, I decided the best way to find out was to buy a book and compare the braille (since nobody seemed to know for sure). It turns out there's no difference. None that I've been able to detect with what I've read of the book so far (I think I'm about 1/4 of the way through the book). Obviously some things are spelled differently (like in print) but the contractions are the same and that's what matters.
OK, how many of you actually understood that? If you didn't and would like to, feel free to ask. :)
Anyway...
I'm afraid that's pretty much it for things that have been going on here. I've just been messing about online looking for interesting stuff for future blog posts, and playing "Egg Hunt" (got my score up to 10 now, lol), playing with Kero, and that's about it. I've got a few movies coming though, so I should have some movie reviews for you soon. :)
Kelly's been doing more. He even did a couple of blog posts over the last couple of days, which is quite rare for him. LOL! So, if you want something more interesting than this post to read, and you've got some free time on your hands, you could always pop over to his blog and take a look. :)
Hope everyone who's not well, or is just feeling a bit out of sorts, is feeling better soon. :)
Enjoy whatever's left of your day. :)
Tori
I ordered a few things from "Future Aids - The Braille Superstore" a couple of weeks back, and one of the parcels have arrived. Not the one my Mam wants to hurry up though. The one my Mam wants to hurry up contains a couple of games she's dying to play with me. This one was a different parcel. In it was a braille book called "Flat Stanley" by Jeff Brown. I've got one of the other books in the set ("Stanley's Christmas Adventure") and wanted this one.
Carl and I were also curious about whether there was a difference in braille in America and Canada to braille in the UK. We know - for example - that there are different contractions used for Welsh, French and German braille (neither of us know the Welsh, but Carl knows most of the French and German ones). Anyway, I decided the best way to find out was to buy a book and compare the braille (since nobody seemed to know for sure). It turns out there's no difference. None that I've been able to detect with what I've read of the book so far (I think I'm about 1/4 of the way through the book). Obviously some things are spelled differently (like in print) but the contractions are the same and that's what matters.
OK, how many of you actually understood that? If you didn't and would like to, feel free to ask. :)
Anyway...
I'm afraid that's pretty much it for things that have been going on here. I've just been messing about online looking for interesting stuff for future blog posts, and playing "Egg Hunt" (got my score up to 10 now, lol), playing with Kero, and that's about it. I've got a few movies coming though, so I should have some movie reviews for you soon. :)
Kelly's been doing more. He even did a couple of blog posts over the last couple of days, which is quite rare for him. LOL! So, if you want something more interesting than this post to read, and you've got some free time on your hands, you could always pop over to his blog and take a look. :)
Hope everyone who's not well, or is just feeling a bit out of sorts, is feeling better soon. :)
Enjoy whatever's left of your day. :)
Tori
Saturday, May 24, 2008
My afternoon with Carl
Carl and Rachel are visiting for a few days to attend the pre-wedding party my Mam is throwing for them this evening. And, this afternoon, Carl came down to spend some time with me.
We cooked ourselves pasta, hot dogs and cheese for lunch, which was really nice. Then we took Kero out for a walk along by the river, which I know Kero REALLY enjoyed, and we enjoyed it too. It would have been even more enjoyable if my eye had stopped hurting though, but that can't be helped. I don't think I'm going to get pain-free time until after the op now. *Sigh*
Anyway... After we'd taken Kero for a walk, I washed up the lunch dishes in between showing Carl a few things I wanted him to take a look at. Then we baked some cakes, which were very nice, if I do say so myself. LOL!
While the cakes were cooking, we played battleships. We only played one game, which I won. Then we played Snakes and ladders. And, guess what? I won that to. We'd planned on playing best of three, and it turned out I won two games in a row, so we never played the third game. Besides, by that time it was pretty much time for Carl to go.
Yep, it's been a good day... I'm knackered now though! LOL! :)
Tori
We cooked ourselves pasta, hot dogs and cheese for lunch, which was really nice. Then we took Kero out for a walk along by the river, which I know Kero REALLY enjoyed, and we enjoyed it too. It would have been even more enjoyable if my eye had stopped hurting though, but that can't be helped. I don't think I'm going to get pain-free time until after the op now. *Sigh*
Anyway... After we'd taken Kero for a walk, I washed up the lunch dishes in between showing Carl a few things I wanted him to take a look at. Then we baked some cakes, which were very nice, if I do say so myself. LOL!
While the cakes were cooking, we played battleships. We only played one game, which I won. Then we played Snakes and ladders. And, guess what? I won that to. We'd planned on playing best of three, and it turned out I won two games in a row, so we never played the third game. Besides, by that time it was pretty much time for Carl to go.
Yep, it's been a good day... I'm knackered now though! LOL! :)
Tori
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Saturday night's nonsensical dribble
I ordered some talking kitchen scales, more labeling tape (to sort the rest of those movies) and a couple of other bits from the R.N.I.B on Monday, and they arrived on Thursday morning. It was only early this morning I figured out how to change the scales from grams to ounces though (a lot of my recipes are in ounces so I needed to know how to change it). And Kelly and I got some more movies labeled today. Still got loads to do, but between needing to get other stuff done and the fact the machine is hard on the wrist after a bit, it's taking longer than it should. And me having to keep stopping because I can't concentrate because of the pain in my eye doesn't help matters.
The "couple of other bits" consist of two games and a talking alarm clock, all of which are early anniversary presents from Kelly (I didn't know what I wanted, and he didn't know what to get me, so he told me to pick something from somewhere, order it and tell him what he was paying for... lol). The games are Snakes And Ladders and Solitaire. I do have a 3D Snakes And Ladders game my Dad got me for Christmas, but I wanted the ordinary version of the game too. And the Solitaire game is that game with the pegs where you have to try and get down to just one peg left. Mostly I only manage to get down to four left, but I did get down to three this morning. LOL! As for the clock... Well, my old clock had finally given up - after something like ten years of use - and I needed a new one, so figured "why not?" It's a little cube shaped one. I wanted a burgandy and cream one, but they didn't have any and weren't entirely certain when (or even if) they'd get more. So, since I needed one and couldn't just wait and hope, I ordered the grey and yellow one instead (it was that one or just a plain black and silver one, and just because I can't see the colours doesn't mean I don't want to know they exist, so I went for the one with some colour in it).
Anyway...
Almost done putting my dinosaurs together. My Stegasaurus just needs a few more of those spiky bits that are on its back put on, and my Triceratops just needs it's two top horns and its feet.
We (Kelly and I) did intend sorting the photos of the garden out today, but we didn't get around to it. We will sort them soon, I'm just not sure when "soon" is just yet. LOL!
That covers most of what I wanted to say. The only other things I have to say are comments on two of the TV shows I watch. "American Idol" and "I'd Do Anything" to be exact. I'll do "American Idol" first because what I have to say about that show will take the least amount of time. So...
I think almost everyone saw the "David Vs David" final coming. I know I wasn't the least bit surprised when it was Saisha who was voted off. So, now the question is, "which David will win?" *Shrugs* does it really matter?
As for the girls from "I'd Do Anything"...
I was glad that Ashley was voted off last week. I think Andrew Lloyd Webber did the right thing in saving Neeph. Unfortunately, Neeph had a VERY bad night and I think she's going to be the one to leave tomorrow. I don't think she got even one good comment from the judges tonight. It's a shame, because she's good. I guess not enough people feel that way though. But then... Maybe I'll be wrong and Neeph will survive to be in the "Nancy Semi-Finals" next week? That would be nice. I mean, it's Jody I want to win, but I'd like Neeph to make it to the semi-final at least. Maybe even the final? Personally, I'd send Samantha or Rachel off this week. Thing is, it's not up to me. Oh, well, I guess we'll have to wait and see what happens tomorrow night, wont we?
Anyway, that's all I wanted to say today, so... "Goodnight" from me, :)
Oh yeah, I forgot to say yesterday (and almost forgot again today) that yesterday was my Mam's cat, Felix (AKA Baby)'s birthday. So, belated happy birthday to her.
Tori
The "couple of other bits" consist of two games and a talking alarm clock, all of which are early anniversary presents from Kelly (I didn't know what I wanted, and he didn't know what to get me, so he told me to pick something from somewhere, order it and tell him what he was paying for... lol). The games are Snakes And Ladders and Solitaire. I do have a 3D Snakes And Ladders game my Dad got me for Christmas, but I wanted the ordinary version of the game too. And the Solitaire game is that game with the pegs where you have to try and get down to just one peg left. Mostly I only manage to get down to four left, but I did get down to three this morning. LOL! As for the clock... Well, my old clock had finally given up - after something like ten years of use - and I needed a new one, so figured "why not?" It's a little cube shaped one. I wanted a burgandy and cream one, but they didn't have any and weren't entirely certain when (or even if) they'd get more. So, since I needed one and couldn't just wait and hope, I ordered the grey and yellow one instead (it was that one or just a plain black and silver one, and just because I can't see the colours doesn't mean I don't want to know they exist, so I went for the one with some colour in it).
Anyway...
Almost done putting my dinosaurs together. My Stegasaurus just needs a few more of those spiky bits that are on its back put on, and my Triceratops just needs it's two top horns and its feet.
We (Kelly and I) did intend sorting the photos of the garden out today, but we didn't get around to it. We will sort them soon, I'm just not sure when "soon" is just yet. LOL!
That covers most of what I wanted to say. The only other things I have to say are comments on two of the TV shows I watch. "American Idol" and "I'd Do Anything" to be exact. I'll do "American Idol" first because what I have to say about that show will take the least amount of time. So...
I think almost everyone saw the "David Vs David" final coming. I know I wasn't the least bit surprised when it was Saisha who was voted off. So, now the question is, "which David will win?" *Shrugs* does it really matter?
As for the girls from "I'd Do Anything"...
I was glad that Ashley was voted off last week. I think Andrew Lloyd Webber did the right thing in saving Neeph. Unfortunately, Neeph had a VERY bad night and I think she's going to be the one to leave tomorrow. I don't think she got even one good comment from the judges tonight. It's a shame, because she's good. I guess not enough people feel that way though. But then... Maybe I'll be wrong and Neeph will survive to be in the "Nancy Semi-Finals" next week? That would be nice. I mean, it's Jody I want to win, but I'd like Neeph to make it to the semi-final at least. Maybe even the final? Personally, I'd send Samantha or Rachel off this week. Thing is, it's not up to me. Oh, well, I guess we'll have to wait and see what happens tomorrow night, wont we?
Anyway, that's all I wanted to say today, so... "Goodnight" from me, :)
Oh yeah, I forgot to say yesterday (and almost forgot again today) that yesterday was my Mam's cat, Felix (AKA Baby)'s birthday. So, belated happy birthday to her.
Tori
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)