Monday
Feb272006
Sense
Monday, February 27, 2006 at 2:34PM
This is not necessarily something cool - depending on your point of view - but it is something worth mentioning here.
My Mother-in-law volunteers for a charity called Sense. Sense is a charity that works with children who have severe disabilities, with a focus on Deaf-Blind children. Every year they have a number of charity events that are run with the aim to make money to provide funds for their ongoing projects. These projects run from centres for respite care to holidays for the children, their families.Â
As a part of these find raising actives they hold a fashion show in Glasgow where a lot of people donate their time, services and money free of charge to allow the event to take place. I have attended a number of these events over the past few years but this year I am not able to make it as we will be in New York.Â
I think it is important to remember the work that these charities do so if you are interested please take a look at their site and see if there is anything you would like to be involved in (http://www.sensescotland.org.uk/)
If you are looking for a little inspiration then read the following. It is not from Sense - it is something that I received via email. It likely is not true but the message is clear enough and it is important to remember that we all can play a part in these things by the decisions we make on a daily basis
------
At a fund-raising dinner for a school that serves learning disabled children, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended.
After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question:
"When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?"
The audience was stilled by the query. The father continued. "I believe, that when a child like Shay, physically and mentally handicapped comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true
human nature presents itself, and it comes, in the way other people treat that child."
Then he told the following story: Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, "Do you think they'll let me play?"
Shay's father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.
Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked if Shay could play, not expecting much. The boy looked around for guidance and a few boys nodded approval, why not? So he took matters into his own hands and said, "We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning."
Shay struggled over to the team's bench put on a team shirt with A broad smile and his Father had a small tear in his eye and warmth in his heart. The boys saw the father's joy at his son being accepted.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat. At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game?
Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible 'cause Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball. However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing the other team putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least be able to make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay.
Â
As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher. The game would now be over, but the pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game. Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the head of the first baseman, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, "Shay, run to first! Run to first
Never in his life had Shay ever ran that far but made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.Â
Everyone yelled, Run to second, run to second!" Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to second base.
By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had
the ball, the smallest guy on their team, who had a chance to be the hero for his team for the first time. He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions and he too intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head.
Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of himcircled the bases toward home. All were screaming, "Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay"
Shay reached third base, the opposing shortstop ran to help him and turned him in the direction of third base, and shouted, "Run to third! Shay, run to third" As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams and those watchingwere on their feet were screaming, "Shay, run home!"
Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero Who hit the "grand slam" and won the game for his team.
That day," said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world."
Shay didn't make it to another summer and died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making his Father so happy and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!
Â
Â
My Mother-in-law volunteers for a charity called Sense. Sense is a charity that works with children who have severe disabilities, with a focus on Deaf-Blind children. Every year they have a number of charity events that are run with the aim to make money to provide funds for their ongoing projects. These projects run from centres for respite care to holidays for the children, their families.Â
As a part of these find raising actives they hold a fashion show in Glasgow where a lot of people donate their time, services and money free of charge to allow the event to take place. I have attended a number of these events over the past few years but this year I am not able to make it as we will be in New York.Â
I think it is important to remember the work that these charities do so if you are interested please take a look at their site and see if there is anything you would like to be involved in (http://www.sensescotland.org.uk/)
If you are looking for a little inspiration then read the following. It is not from Sense - it is something that I received via email. It likely is not true but the message is clear enough and it is important to remember that we all can play a part in these things by the decisions we make on a daily basis
------
At a fund-raising dinner for a school that serves learning disabled children, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended.
After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question:
"When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?"
The audience was stilled by the query. The father continued. "I believe, that when a child like Shay, physically and mentally handicapped comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true
human nature presents itself, and it comes, in the way other people treat that child."
Then he told the following story: Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, "Do you think they'll let me play?"
Shay's father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.
Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked if Shay could play, not expecting much. The boy looked around for guidance and a few boys nodded approval, why not? So he took matters into his own hands and said, "We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning."
Shay struggled over to the team's bench put on a team shirt with A broad smile and his Father had a small tear in his eye and warmth in his heart. The boys saw the father's joy at his son being accepted.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat. At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game?
Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible 'cause Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball. However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing the other team putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least be able to make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay.
Â
As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher. The game would now be over, but the pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game. Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the head of the first baseman, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, "Shay, run to first! Run to first
Never in his life had Shay ever ran that far but made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.Â
Everyone yelled, Run to second, run to second!" Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to second base.
By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had
the ball, the smallest guy on their team, who had a chance to be the hero for his team for the first time. He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions and he too intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head.
Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of himcircled the bases toward home. All were screaming, "Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay"
Shay reached third base, the opposing shortstop ran to help him and turned him in the direction of third base, and shouted, "Run to third! Shay, run to third" As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams and those watchingwere on their feet were screaming, "Shay, run home!"
Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero Who hit the "grand slam" and won the game for his team.
That day," said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world."
Shay didn't make it to another summer and died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making his Father so happy and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!
Â
Â
Monday
Feb272006
Project Update
Monday, February 27, 2006 at 2:06PM
In an earlier blog I wrote about a couple of projects that I was taking on and figured that I should give an update. Does anyone other than me care about them ? Probably not but you know what - for today I just don't care. I am using this as a method of self motivation and I guess if your not interested then you just don't have to read it and if you are - well then cool I guess.
The scanning is now underway. There have been a couple of changes to my plans - namely that I have done some work getting some pictures of my Grandfather scanned in. Last year was hard for my family as we lost both my fraternal and maternal grandfathers. Anyway - I have already talked about that but my mum had some photos of her dad his wife (my nan who has not been with us for 15 years or so now) and the rest of the family, so they are now scanned in and have been enhanced to improve the image quality. I am not sure what I will do with the images - I need to ponder it some - but I am sure that I will come up with something. I guess it is not so much about doing something with them but more about having something to remind us of those that cannot be here on earth with us.
The other project has kinda stalled. I found that my muse/inspiration (or how ever you want to refer to it) has been MIA for a while. Last night I found that I was inspired to start writing again through, so slowly I am getting back on track. I have a new start to the second project and probably the better part of say the first chapter. It will be a short one but that’s ok (I think). It is hard to stay motivated with these because they are hard work. A lot of the time I find that issues/worries that I may have come out in what I am writing and I am not always comfortable with that. I guess it all comes back to anything worth doing is never easy.
In case you are wondering the couple of blogs that I mentioned I have been trying to write are still in progress. I had hoped that I would get one done this afternoon but other things have overtaken me. I will get them up as soon as I can. I feel like they are getting built up to something that they are not - but I have the urge to get them out (so to speak -- LOL) so they will turn up here at some stage.
Also while I remember, someone asked about the book review stuff. I have kind of stalled on this for a bit as I am not sure what write but there should be a new one soon.
Â
The scanning is now underway. There have been a couple of changes to my plans - namely that I have done some work getting some pictures of my Grandfather scanned in. Last year was hard for my family as we lost both my fraternal and maternal grandfathers. Anyway - I have already talked about that but my mum had some photos of her dad his wife (my nan who has not been with us for 15 years or so now) and the rest of the family, so they are now scanned in and have been enhanced to improve the image quality. I am not sure what I will do with the images - I need to ponder it some - but I am sure that I will come up with something. I guess it is not so much about doing something with them but more about having something to remind us of those that cannot be here on earth with us.
The other project has kinda stalled. I found that my muse/inspiration (or how ever you want to refer to it) has been MIA for a while. Last night I found that I was inspired to start writing again through, so slowly I am getting back on track. I have a new start to the second project and probably the better part of say the first chapter. It will be a short one but that’s ok (I think). It is hard to stay motivated with these because they are hard work. A lot of the time I find that issues/worries that I may have come out in what I am writing and I am not always comfortable with that. I guess it all comes back to anything worth doing is never easy.
In case you are wondering the couple of blogs that I mentioned I have been trying to write are still in progress. I had hoped that I would get one done this afternoon but other things have overtaken me. I will get them up as soon as I can. I feel like they are getting built up to something that they are not - but I have the urge to get them out (so to speak -- LOL) so they will turn up here at some stage.
Also while I remember, someone asked about the book review stuff. I have kind of stalled on this for a bit as I am not sure what write but there should be a new one soon.
Â
Monday
Feb272006
Indiana Jones took him out with his whip.....
Monday, February 27, 2006 at 1:32PM
The guys at Weebls have done it again. Yet another cool 'Toon is up. Ultimate showdown is very very entertaining if you like that kind of thing (which I do). I mean you cannot beat the funny tune and the lyrics are top. It is guaranteed to cheer you up if you feel a bit down on a grey Monday.Â
Another cool thing that may help you pass the day is having a look at Nathan Quarry's site. I think I may have mentioned it before but if not you should have a look. (www.nathanquarry.net)
Nate Quarry for those of you that don't know was one of the guys who was showcased on Ultimate Fighter: Season 1. He did not get a chance to fight in show due to an injury but he was kept on as a coach for one of the teams. Now I do not know him, I have never met him etc etc but he comes across as a very genuine guy who represents a lot of the qualities that the MMA shows should encourage their fighters to display if they want to be considered as a mainstream sport.
Mr Quarry (to my mind) shows people that you don't have to be aggressively in peoples faces or bad mouth your opponents to be a good fighter. He seems (from what I have seen) to carry himself in a very honest and frank manner and seems to consider how his actions will affect others and reflect on himself.   Now I am willing to concede that this may simply be a persona that is put on for the public, but to me it seems genuine. I think that if it was not then he would not manage to maintain it as well as he does. Don't get me wrong I am not saying that the guy is some kind of perfect model of a human being, we all have our faults, but I do think he is a good spokesman for MMA and martial arts in general.Â
Anyhow if you have a look at his blog (click on the journal link) you will see a post that is dated 20th February. The article is about a couple of letters that he wrote when he was inspired (and on vicadin). You may not find them as entertaining as me but there is something infectious about his excitement in the article.Â
Quarry has a wry view on how the letters came about, which is entertaining in and of its self. What is even better is the outcome from one of these letters being sent. The upshot is the he is going to the Wizard Comic Book convention where a certain Mr Smith and Mews will be (Jay and Silent Bob !!). The sheer excitement that Quarry has to this is just infectious (as well as making me somewhat jealous). You should have a look and you will see what I mean.
Oh and if you are wondering why I vacillate between calling him Nathan, Nate and Mr Quarry – it is because I am not sure how you should refer to someone that you have not met. I am sure his friends call him Nate -but I don't not know him so it just does not seem right use it. Ah dear me, the decisions that you have to make
Â
Another cool thing that may help you pass the day is having a look at Nathan Quarry's site. I think I may have mentioned it before but if not you should have a look. (www.nathanquarry.net)
Nate Quarry for those of you that don't know was one of the guys who was showcased on Ultimate Fighter: Season 1. He did not get a chance to fight in show due to an injury but he was kept on as a coach for one of the teams. Now I do not know him, I have never met him etc etc but he comes across as a very genuine guy who represents a lot of the qualities that the MMA shows should encourage their fighters to display if they want to be considered as a mainstream sport.
Mr Quarry (to my mind) shows people that you don't have to be aggressively in peoples faces or bad mouth your opponents to be a good fighter. He seems (from what I have seen) to carry himself in a very honest and frank manner and seems to consider how his actions will affect others and reflect on himself.   Now I am willing to concede that this may simply be a persona that is put on for the public, but to me it seems genuine. I think that if it was not then he would not manage to maintain it as well as he does. Don't get me wrong I am not saying that the guy is some kind of perfect model of a human being, we all have our faults, but I do think he is a good spokesman for MMA and martial arts in general.Â
Anyhow if you have a look at his blog (click on the journal link) you will see a post that is dated 20th February. The article is about a couple of letters that he wrote when he was inspired (and on vicadin). You may not find them as entertaining as me but there is something infectious about his excitement in the article.Â
Quarry has a wry view on how the letters came about, which is entertaining in and of its self. What is even better is the outcome from one of these letters being sent. The upshot is the he is going to the Wizard Comic Book convention where a certain Mr Smith and Mews will be (Jay and Silent Bob !!). The sheer excitement that Quarry has to this is just infectious (as well as making me somewhat jealous). You should have a look and you will see what I mean.
Oh and if you are wondering why I vacillate between calling him Nathan, Nate and Mr Quarry – it is because I am not sure how you should refer to someone that you have not met. I am sure his friends call him Nate -but I don't not know him so it just does not seem right use it. Ah dear me, the decisions that you have to make
Â
Friday
Feb172006
On posting and something for folks to look at while I get my act together
Friday, February 17, 2006 at 2:05PM
It has been a wee while since I have posted anything - and odly enough it is not because I had nothing to say (no comments on that please!). I actually have a couple of posts that I have been wanting to write for a week or so, but they are just not managing to come together. I have had to start writing them out to see if I can get them to make some sense. I am getting there but they are just not quite right so I am holding off putting them on until I am happy with them.Â
The whole blogging thing is kinda odd as usually I just sit down - splurge out what ever is rotating round my head and leave it like that - as I am sure you can all tell. These last couple of posts that I have been mulling over though just have not worked that way - maybe that is because I think that they are more important than some of the usual clap trap that I put up - we will see
Anyhow for the moment that is enough introverted self pondering and it is on to something more interesting. I don't really have something to say, I just feel like talking and the blog is better than having people stare at me like I am a lunatic while muttering to myself. Â
Because Your Mine........
The other weekend we took my folks to see Walk the line - the film about Johnny Cash, and you know what - it was pretty damn good as these things go. Pheonix did and excellent job portraying the 'man in black' and was actually pretty accurate on the vocals as well.
I was relieved that the film was so good as it was one of those things that really could have sucked if it was not done well. If nothing else you have to love the lines Anyone: "Why do you always have to wear black, you look as if you are going to someone’s funeral" Cash: "Well maybe I am". Well worth a view if you are looking for something to see.Â
From poor films to cool soundtracks
Recently I have been listening to a lot of podcasts and not very much music. This has largely been to do with the fact that I was annoyed and just generally fed up with the music that I had. Â
I tend to find that I like one thing and listen to it until it drives me nuts and then I go onto something else, rinse wash repeat, until I need to buy something new. So anyway the craving came upon me the other day and I went CD shopping and picked up a couple of albums that I have wanted for a while and you know what -it worked out pretty well.
I have always liked sound tracks - they have a good range of tracks and generally appeal to my, sometimes short, attention span.  Often because there are a lot of different artists on soundtracks I end up going out to get hold of something else by someone I had not heard of before (case in point - stroke 9 on the Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back album) - so its all good. More often than not I tend to only get the soundtracks to films that I like, but this time I made an exception. Â
Both Daredevil and Elektra were poor films. In fact I may even go so far as to say that if something could both suck and blow at the same time - they would have been it. From what little I could remember of the films I thought the soundtracks were pretty good so off I scooted and purchased them in a sale. You know what - they are not that bad. There is a good mix of tracks and styles, though I guess you could say that they are a bit on the whole soft metal side (or nu metal, or what ever it is called these days).Â
Spiderman, on the other had was a film that I really liked (as was Spiderman2) and I also picked these up in the same sale. These albums are from much the same mould as Elektra and Daredevil but are good non the less. I especially like the theme from Spiderman - sung by Aerosmith. I remember the one from the cartoons in the late 70's and early 80's and this rendition just makes me smile.Â
Mayhem Makes Me Smile
I have been perusing the usual array of sites and most of them have an update or 3 on them, but from the podcasts I have been looking at a couple of others (I warn you now though they are MMA). I listened to an interview by Jason 'Mayhem' Miller the other day - the man is a lunatic (in a good way) and needs to cut coffee, sugar and any other stimulants from his life. I have rarely if ever heard anyone with so much energy and life in them.  It was top and made me laugh - so I looked at his site and his blog. It, much like the man, is a strange mix of things but worth a look. Just go to MayhemMiller.com and have a look see. I will be writing something else on it later on, and will probably add it into the links later. Anyway Mr Miller - just wanted to say that you made me laugh on a really bad day - not that you will care but - cheers, you are a star.Â
Anyway - have a pile of work to do so I should get on with it - 'Slater Dudes
JÂ
Oh and on a work note - and while I remember - John feels very clever as he got the locale switching to work correctly - well really it was a big team effort with a lot of work from Daniel - but he is well chuffed anyway
Â
The whole blogging thing is kinda odd as usually I just sit down - splurge out what ever is rotating round my head and leave it like that - as I am sure you can all tell. These last couple of posts that I have been mulling over though just have not worked that way - maybe that is because I think that they are more important than some of the usual clap trap that I put up - we will see
Anyhow for the moment that is enough introverted self pondering and it is on to something more interesting. I don't really have something to say, I just feel like talking and the blog is better than having people stare at me like I am a lunatic while muttering to myself. Â
Because Your Mine........
The other weekend we took my folks to see Walk the line - the film about Johnny Cash, and you know what - it was pretty damn good as these things go. Pheonix did and excellent job portraying the 'man in black' and was actually pretty accurate on the vocals as well.
I was relieved that the film was so good as it was one of those things that really could have sucked if it was not done well. If nothing else you have to love the lines Anyone: "Why do you always have to wear black, you look as if you are going to someone’s funeral" Cash: "Well maybe I am". Well worth a view if you are looking for something to see.Â
From poor films to cool soundtracks
Recently I have been listening to a lot of podcasts and not very much music. This has largely been to do with the fact that I was annoyed and just generally fed up with the music that I had. Â
I tend to find that I like one thing and listen to it until it drives me nuts and then I go onto something else, rinse wash repeat, until I need to buy something new. So anyway the craving came upon me the other day and I went CD shopping and picked up a couple of albums that I have wanted for a while and you know what -it worked out pretty well.
I have always liked sound tracks - they have a good range of tracks and generally appeal to my, sometimes short, attention span.  Often because there are a lot of different artists on soundtracks I end up going out to get hold of something else by someone I had not heard of before (case in point - stroke 9 on the Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back album) - so its all good. More often than not I tend to only get the soundtracks to films that I like, but this time I made an exception. Â
Both Daredevil and Elektra were poor films. In fact I may even go so far as to say that if something could both suck and blow at the same time - they would have been it. From what little I could remember of the films I thought the soundtracks were pretty good so off I scooted and purchased them in a sale. You know what - they are not that bad. There is a good mix of tracks and styles, though I guess you could say that they are a bit on the whole soft metal side (or nu metal, or what ever it is called these days).Â
Spiderman, on the other had was a film that I really liked (as was Spiderman2) and I also picked these up in the same sale. These albums are from much the same mould as Elektra and Daredevil but are good non the less. I especially like the theme from Spiderman - sung by Aerosmith. I remember the one from the cartoons in the late 70's and early 80's and this rendition just makes me smile.Â
Mayhem Makes Me Smile
I have been perusing the usual array of sites and most of them have an update or 3 on them, but from the podcasts I have been looking at a couple of others (I warn you now though they are MMA). I listened to an interview by Jason 'Mayhem' Miller the other day - the man is a lunatic (in a good way) and needs to cut coffee, sugar and any other stimulants from his life. I have rarely if ever heard anyone with so much energy and life in them.  It was top and made me laugh - so I looked at his site and his blog. It, much like the man, is a strange mix of things but worth a look. Just go to MayhemMiller.com and have a look see. I will be writing something else on it later on, and will probably add it into the links later. Anyway Mr Miller - just wanted to say that you made me laugh on a really bad day - not that you will care but - cheers, you are a star.Â
Anyway - have a pile of work to do so I should get on with it - 'Slater Dudes
JÂ
Oh and on a work note - and while I remember - John feels very clever as he got the locale switching to work correctly - well really it was a big team effort with a lot of work from Daniel - but he is well chuffed anyway
Â