Yam Moans...

Unbeatable...

2012-01-26T09:44:00.001Z

I've been in hospital for the worst part of a week.

Most people who know me will be aware that I've got a bit of a dodgy heart with rapid and irregular pulse. It put me in hospital last year when I fell ill with rota virus.

This time, I'm hoping things will be a little different. I had a minor procedure that scars the heart to prevent the irregular beating. So far it has been deemed a success, although they have said they do not think it will be a permanent fix, and still think I will need a pacemaker at some stage.

But for now, I feel.....good.

2011 And All That Jazz

2011-12-31T10:20:00.000Z

Well this year has be amazing...not. I've been going over the things that have happened to me and to be honest it has been pretty shit.

I almost died, I've been hospitalized too many times, had constant hospital appointments, learnt that my sister is nothing but a 2 faced bitch, the family pretty much fell apart and I broke up with my girlfriend (my decision). It has been an annus horriblus to say the least...but despite all this, several good things have happened too...I went out of my comfort zone and took a trip out to London, and despite being ill while I was there I had a good time. I have made some good friends...and also made some people very close to me smile.

So...with that kind of year over, what does 2012 hold? Of course nobody really knows, although I know that I have trip to London in January and there are a few movies I'm looking forward to...and I'm sure a few Marmite related things will be coming my way too!

Well, dear readers...wether 2011 has been a good or a bad one for you, I hope that 2012 is a good one for you, and that you and everyone important to you are happy, safe and well.

Happy Birthday @HauntedRockCake !

2011-11-15T23:58:00.001Z

My dear friend Sandra celebrates her 50th birthday today, and I wanted to to wish her many happy returns...

If you are on Twitter, please wish @HauntedRockCake a happy birthday, I am sure all the wishes will make her smile!!!

An Email To The Bus Company...PART 2

2011-11-01T19:50:00.000Z

To my surprise, I actually got a reply back from Stagecoach bus TODAY!! At their customer service is quicker than their buses, although that would not be difficult...here is what they said:

Good Afternoon Mr May

Thank you for your email and I am sorry to read that you are unhappy with the service you have received from us.

Your email has been passed to Colin Ashcroft, Operations Manager for Basingstoke, who will come back to you as soon as possible but certainly within a week. If there is a need to do an investigation into your comments, they will let you know how long this will take.

Please find a link to our Code of Practice for Customer Suggestions and Complaints below, which outlines our commitment to handling your feedback in a prompt and professional manner.

Kind regards

Rob Kerr
Customer Services Supervisor
______________________________________________________
Stagecoach South Customer Services Team
Stagecoach South ‌ The Bus Station ‌ Southgate ‌ CHICHESTER ‌ West Sussex ‌ PO19 8DG
Telephone: 0845 121 0190 ‌ Fax: 01243 528743 ‌
Email: enquiries.south@stagecoachbus.com   Web: www.stagecoachbus.com/south

Our opening hours are:
Monday - Friday 0700-1900 |   Saturday 0800-1800   |   Sunday 0900-1300

Attached is a link to our company's complaints procedure on the website for your reference.
www.stagecoachbus.com/codeofpractice.aspx

Stagecoach (South) Ltd.‌ Registered in England & Wales No. 1673542
Registered address: Daw Bank, Stockport, SK3 0DU

So, my thoughts have been passed onto the Operations Manager for Basingstoke and apparently will get a reply within a week...well, we shall see.

More on this as I get it.

An email to the bus company...

2011-11-01T12:32:00.000Z

I have just written the following email to Stagecoach Bus complaining about their services (hey, there's a surprise huh?) and I thought that you might like a read.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to complain about the state of the bus service in my area.

I reside in Tadley, just outside Basingstoke and due to disability I am unable to drive, so when I need to get into town or the hospital (which is quite regular) I am reliant on the bus service (I would order a taxi, but it is too expensive for someone on benefits, although the way the prices keep increasing it will soon be about the same price) to get me there, but the problem is I cannot rely on the buses to be there on time.

If I have a hospital appointment, I need to make sure I'm at the bus stop an hour or more earlier (for a 15-20 minute journey) then my appointment to guarantee that I can get a bus there on time, and on more than one occasion it has been a case that I have waited over an hour for the bus to arrive and had to reschedule appointments. I have asked at the bus station in the information desk about this and they say it was a day with not enough staff, but this must be the case a lot as it this almost an every day occurrence.

Then there is the case of multiple buses seemingly "vanishing". This morning while waiting for the bus (over 40 minutes yet again) 3 Jazz 2 buses went up.....but only after the 3rd one did an actual bus arrive at our bus stop. What is happening to all these buses? If they are breaking down surely you should get better mechanics?

I don't expect the bus to be there at the exact time specified (we don't actually have a time specified for the bust stop, but 3-4 previous, which I take into account), with things like several passengers getting on a bus, or heavy traffic, but waiting 40 minutes or longer for a bus that is supposed to arrive every 20 minutes is an unacceptable way for this service to be run.

I was wondering if you could give an explanation for how bad the service is in my area.

I look forward to your reply.

Regards

Mr. S.B.May

I would love to hear what they have got to say for themselves, but I doubt they will reply...I mean they don't want to listen to me, I am a mere customer. I'll keep you posted with any replies I get.

Pedigree Adoption Drive...Take Ripley For A Walk!

2011-10-21T13:57:00.000+01:00

Steve Jobs RIP

2011-10-06T01:06:00.001+01:00

This has to be one of the saddest things to see and such a huge shock as such.

Jobs was the founder and former CEO of Apple, and also part of Pixar, without him there would be so many things we would miss out on.

Sure, either you loved or loathed Apple, bit regardless there was no denying how much it revolutionised the way people did things.

Good night Mr Jobs, you will be missed by many, but at least you are no longer in pain.

R.I.P. STEVE JOBS 1955-2011

If it ain't broke...

2011-09-22T10:53:00.000+01:00

What is it with websites/software producers/whatever "improving" their software constantly...so much so that it actually makes it worse?

The latest culprit of this annoying little trend is Facebook, who have altered their news feed so it is completely crazy and some of the options that people used have totally vanished, and there have been some subtle tweeks to home pages and ways you respond.

Facebook, when will you learn? Did you check to see if people actually wanted these changes? Did you consider doing this as an optional thing? No, of course you didn't...simple fact is you know it all don't you?

Actually, no...you are a bunch of fucking morons.

You see, people were fairly happy how it was beforehand...had people said to you "what we really need to make this perfect is for you to fuck up the timeline so it a)isn't in chronolgical order and b)a complete fucking mess"? Somehow I think not.

Seriously Facebook...it is ain't broke...don't fix it....because you are almost always guaranteed to fuck it up big time.

The theory of talking behind someone's back.

2011-09-13T12:27:00.000+01:00

REGULAR READERS PLEASE READ: My humble apologies for the following post, I appear to be having communication issues with some family...please disregard, normal service shall resume shortly.)

I have been having some interesting comments from my beloved sister Amy of late...

Not only am I nothing but "an evil cunt" but I apparently need to grow a set and say things behind her back, I need to say it face to face.

I have never said anything about you behind your back that I wouldn't say to your face...and if I was saying something behind your back, would I have put it somewhere where I know you can access and know you can read (you can read, right?), and all my social networks are public for all to see, I do not see the point in hiding something like that, and I have always believed honesty is the best policy.

Speaking of honesty....

You have been nothing but a lying conniving little bitch, you don't seem to be happy unless everyone is miserable and you are the centre of attention...you are nothing but a fucking hypocrite saying everything is all me me me...but destroying the family unit has made you happy, I really hope you are pleased with what you have done and the ensuing repercussions of what has been said and done.

So there you, a nice slice of honesty for you there, dear sister.

Thank-you and fuck you bitch.

P.S. If you follow Amy Eccott on Facebook, could you please please please make sure she gets this, I want her to see this is not behind her back and is open and honest.

Orange...Service With A Spit.

2011-08-25T17:15:00.000+01:00

HRC's phone (a nice shiny Motorola Atrix) has been playing up the last few days where sending any type of text message was verging on the impossible and as this is the second model she has had this issue with since May she wanted to get a different model phone as she did not want this to occur again.

We trundled off to the local Orange store, the sales assistant tried a few things and found that he was replicating the issue and said that there was nothing he could do, we had to call up the customer care line for details....they said there was nothing they could do in the store which I thought was a touch odd as I'm also an Orange customer and in-store they have helped me with issues with my iPhone 4 no problem....nonetheless we thanked him for his time and went outside to make a phone call.

Orange support immediately said that they would replace the faulty phone with the same model (it will arrive here tomorrow by courier) and when HRC asked if she could have a totally different phone as she was unhappy she was told no as this model could work fine...but that was said about the previous one as well!!

To top it all off she was then informed that if this third phone breaks down in the same amount of time (so far the average lifespan of an Atrix in HRC's hands is approximately 2 months) then they will replace her phone with one of THEIR choosing which could be older or newer than the phone she has currently!!

Orange, this is not customer service...this is basically the equivalent of you saying "Yes, you pay your money...but we don't give a flying fuck...want us to be reasonable? Kiss our collective asses". Shame on you.

Amy Winehouse RIP

2011-07-23T18:01:00.000+01:00

I have been saddened by the news of the passing of Amy Winehouse.

But as much as this is sad news, it was really inevitable....she was so bad with drink and drugs, she was a ticking time bomb going to explode at any time. In some ways her passing means that she will not be haunted by these demons anymore.

So, let us remember the music, she was a legend...and will be sadly missed

Amy Winehouse 1983-2011 RIP

Family Feud...great fun to play at home!!

2011-07-15T14:25:00.000+01:00

I have always believed that family matters...you know they are in trouble, you put your own issues aside and then help wherever you can....even against other members of family.

Yes, that is the current situation....3 members of the family have gone out of their way to destroy the family with utter bullshit. I was was asked help them too and I refused to do...I will not help people being deliberately malicious because they do not like someone and cannot have thing their way.

Thing is they think that things will be all great but they seem to forget the ripples that they cause by saying all these horrible things....and I am supposed to support them and smile and play happy families?

Not fucking likely....I'd rather risk things looking like it is all me me me and be the evil cunt they portray me to be...and if they hate me for it I'm not going to lose any sleep over it.

Oh, and before I forget...to whomever was kind enough to relay the previous messages about them on Facebook and Twitter...thankyou, I didn't have their phone numbers so was unable to tell them not to contact me again.

2011-06-09T08:15:00.001+01:00

May be a little quiet

2011-05-29T10:31:00.001+01:00

I am not sure if I'll be around much, things just seem to be going to hell in a handbag.

Sorry.

How rude can people be?

2010-11-21T21:01:00.000Z

Yes, I know...it was never going to last...I had to complain about something!!

I was in town yesterday and I almost got barged into a stand full of video games by this guy walking passed...why? Simple, it was because he was too interested in looking at his smartphone to take any notice of what was going on around him.

This is nothing exactly new, this has been happening for a while...people will be too busy using their phones instead of taking notice of what is going on around them, I remember a commercial based on a teen recording a video on their phone and getting run over because they were not looking where they were going...quite powerful stuff, and sadly something that happened all too often.

Then recently there was a new commercial where people were so interested in their shiny new phone they were walking into people, and being generally ignorant on the whole....yeah, like people need encouraging (and yes before you point it out to me it is supposed to be a joke, I am fully aware of that).

Even Haunted Rockcake does this, and it really annoys me...for example she will stand in the middle of a slim aisle, and read a message on her Blackberry blocking the gangway for everyone else (I must stress now, she is not a fat person before anyone conjures up that kind of image!!) despite the fact it is something she constantly moans about happening when people do it to her.

I have an iPhone, I take it with me everywhere, but if I am going to answer a message I make sure I am either sat down on a bench or seat of some sort or out of people's way...it's not rocket science, and it is just courtesy.

Perhaps my mom brought me up the wrong way....

I Think I Found My Smile!

2010-11-17T14:51:00.001Z

Yes go on, make the jokes...it was down the back of the sofa!

You may well want to mark this date down in the calendar too, you see this entry in FBM is not any kind of rant or moan!

Things are changing here at Yam Towers...for the better too. Mentally there is a far brighter outlook, I am feeling a lot more positive about myself, my confidence and self esteem have boosted by tenfold..no a thousandfold and I catch myself smiling so much all the time, I just so very happy all the time!

People around me are noticing the difference in me too...saying that I carry myself totally different, I interact with people more, with enthusiasm too. I still feel a bit nervous and panicky about being around people but it feels more that if they stare at me it's their problem and not mine.

Sure, being on antidepressants has been a help making things feel better, but I have also lost weight and in just under a year I have lost over 10" on my waistline which has been great as weight has been a great issue for me for a long time.

I have had a great support network of really nice people who have been there for me despite being a miserable git a lot. I'm not going to name names but there was one person in particular who helped me more than they will ever realise, they made me realise that I am worth something, that I'm not a piece of scum like I felt I was. Well, you know who you are...and if you read this blog entry (I hope you do) I thank you from the very bottom of my heart for saving me from the freefall I was in mentally, I owe you a drink!

So yeah...good times ahead, maybe even slimmer times, but the future's bright...for once.

AVOID AVG

2010-10-29T13:17:00.001+01:00

There was once a time that I'd do nothing but sing the praises of AVG, I loved the free version and recommended it to people all the time, it was a great defence for the PC.

It looks like those days are gone.

Today I went to install AVG Free 2011 on my mom's PC and it was the biggest mistake that I have ever made in my entire life.

Well it installed ok, or so I thought, when despite it saying that it installed OK that the system was unprotected and had an invalid licence code (I checked their knowledge base they have no advice for this issue despite people having this problem). No matter what I did I got the same problems, so the only thing I could do next was uninstall this and find something else to replace it

AVG had other ideas.

Despite using a administrator account AVG was adamant that I did not have sufficient account access, and therefore couldn't remove it, which in turn means that no other antiviral software could be used on it...frustrating to say the least.

I decided to have a look on the AVG support forums, and lots of people are having serious issues with systems being screwed up by AVG Free 2011.

I'm frankly quite disappointed, they used to be so good, like I said at the beginning of this blog, I'd tell everyone to download and use it....now I suggest you avoid like the plague.

Incidentally, you need a piece of software specific to remove AVG 2011, and the link below is a direct link for the software to help you and instructions:
http://www.avg.com/filedir/util/support/avg2011remover_en.exe
I put the link here as it was pretty much buried in the forums, look in the knowledge base was pretty much useless....AVG Technologies, I'm really disappointed in you.

Good people out there, if you value your PC....DO NOT DOWNLOAD AVG 2011!!! Mom's system is now currently running avast! Antivirus and is working well.

I'm just this guy...

2010-10-13T19:31:00.000+01:00

A lot of people seem to get annoyed when I say to people "I'm just this guy" and although a few people know why I say I thought I'd try and explain why I say this.

I've always been a big fan of The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy by the amazing and sadly missed Douglas Adams, and own the books, radio series, TV series, comics and movie (I own it as it is part of my collection, but the movie is not that good..) and back in the 90s it was listening to the radio series that kinda kept me going when I thought I was losing it...and I got the nickname Zaphod after signing a Christmas card to a friend "Phil"! (The odd thing about the Christmas card it that no matter how much these people mention this card I do not actually remember writing this card ever!!)

OK, kinda time to explain a little more...Zaphod is one of the main characters of the Hitchhiker's series, he is a disgraced former intergalactic President (who when visited Earth used the pseudonym Phil) who steals a spaceship and goes on the run. Zaphod says he is the greatest guy in the entire Universe and beyond and is so full of himself it is unreal (something that is not me!! I'd be totally devastated if anyone considered me full of myself in any way, it's not the person I see myself as) and every so often when there is a news report about Zaphod in the series they tend to ask his personal brain-care specialist Gag Halfront and he always finishes by saying "well...Zaphod's just this guy y'know?"

Just this guy...that's me. I'm nobody special, and once run away from everything just to be a mere face in the crowd. I'm not trying to put myself when I say this...but I am just a guy who does this and that, no one in particular and really don't like it when people try and make me out to be something special (I know that people are just trying to be nice, but when people say about me on Twitter that I'm this great great it makes me shudder somewhat...I just don't see what they are going on about.) because I'm not the kind of guy who wants to be in the spotlight in that respect.

So yeah...I'm just this guy.

Primark, Larger Sizes Required!

2010-10-02T18:21:00.001+01:00

I went into town today to do some general shopping and decided to go into my local Primark to see if I was able to pick up some clothing in my size, as they sometimes do T-shirts in my size.
I was able to find a few designs in XXL but they were generic designs they had some really cool retro designs that were available but they were all too small, as were all the sweatshirts, shirts, jeans and pretty much everything else.
Primark, if you can do some generic T-shirts in XXL then why can't you do other things in larger sizes? Not everyone is a bloody beanpole you know, and despite what a lot of people think of outsized individuals it sometimes cannot be helped.
Sure, I can order clothes online(and for the most part I have to) but I like to be able to look and hold the item I want to buy!
I'd love to see Primark give a reason for the sizes on this blog, but I doubt they would even bother, but they really need to start introducing more clothing in their stores in larger sizes.
Anyone reading this, care to comment on this?

Lord Likely's Audio Adventure

2010-09-24T13:31:00.000+01:00

I look outside and I see that it's another dreary rainy day...great for me as I love it, but there are some of you out there, so I thought that this might be of interest for some of you, and audio adventure to listen to!

For those who do not know who Lord Likely is a funny character who is quite the ladies man, and his astonishing adventures can be found on his website which are really entertaining read!

And now, there is an audio adventure for fans to listen to! Part 1 of ‘The Filching Fog of Finsbury Park' is up on the website now, and can be downloaded directly from the website..

The year is 1890, and a spate of muggings has hit London town. But these are no ordinary muggings, for the victims swear that they were actually mugged by...the fog itself!

Can it be true? Has London's fog taken to robbing the citizens? Only one man can solve this mystery, but sadly Sherlock Holmes is unavailable. Instead, it is up to drunken, lecherous aristocrat Lord Likely to attempt to save the day...

I've had a listen and I love it and cannot wait for the second part (out Monday) so have a listen and enjoy!

Live in UK and want US Snacks and Sodas?

2010-09-16T14:37:00.002+01:00

You do? Me too! I love Mountain Dew but the UK version that is now available is pretty much rubbish, and they only have one flavour too (I really like Code Red!!) so I have been looking around for a good place to get my soda fix...

I have found a really good place where I can order various American soda, snacks and groceries (including my favourites Mountain Dew, Cheetos and Oreos!!) and if you order them by 1500GMT you can get the delivery sent to you the next day...how cool is that??

They have all sorts of American things there...sodas, powdered drinks, cereals, pie fillings, and even ziploc bags!

So head on over to American Soda and fill yer boots...check out their website on http://www.americansoda.co.uk and also follow them on Twitter or Facebook....you can also call them up on +44 (0) 161 359 3655 or email them on info@americansoda.co.uk...trust me, you won't regret being a customer and you will go back for more!!!

Oh, and here is a picture of my latest order from them, thanks to them I have my Dew fix and all is right with the World...until I need to get a bus!!

Dieting Ladies, Please Read...

2010-09-07T19:02:00.000+01:00

Ladies, I know many of you out there who are constantly on a diet, whether you actually need to be or not. I thought that the following image might be something you need to see...

Ladies (and even gentlemen who feel they are constantly needing to lose weight, there are some out there!!) remember no matter what your weight/size, you are loved..

The Nerd? Geek? or Dork? Test

2010-09-05T12:03:00.000+01:00

Well, I took this test and got the following result...

Your result for The Nerd? Geek? or Dork? Test ...

Outcast Genius52 % Nerd, 91% Geek, 74% Dork

For The Record:
A Nerd is someone who is passionate about learning/being smart/academia.
A Geek is someone who is passionate about some particular area or subject, often an obscure or difficult one.
A Dork is someone who has difficulty with common social expectations/interactions.
You scored better than half in all three, earning you the title of: Outcast Genius.
Outcast geniuses usually are bright enough to understand what society wants of them, and they just don't care! They are highly intelligent and passionate about the things they know are *truly* important in the world. Typically, this does not include sports, cars or make-up, but it can on occassion (and if it does then they know more than all of their friends combined in that subject).
Outcast geniuses can be very lonely, due to their being outcast from most normal groups and too smart for the room among many other types of dorks and geeks, but they can also be the types to eventually rule the world, ala Bill Gates, the prototypical Outcast Genius.

So there you go folks, I am apparently an outcast genius, and in theory Bill Gates should be my idol!! Somehow I just don't think this is me (yes, I know these quizzes are just a bit of fun before you say it!!) but I'm sure many of you would beg to differ on that!!

If you want to try the test youself CLICK HERE and let me know what your results are!!

What Is My Passion?

2010-09-02T19:30:00.000+01:00

I feel a touch daft...

I was asked recently by a good friend "what is my passion?" and even thinking about it now, it is a question that I am unable to answer...there are things, I like...there are things that I have great enthusiasm for, but what exaclty do I have a passion for?

I used to have a passion for The Turds, I put my heart and soul into the brand, but it didn't exactly end great, I still have most of my collection too...but I look at then and think they are cool, but that's about it really..

I like listening to movies, like watching Horror movies, collected a few animated movies and shows, I am a fan of Batman and several other comic books, have a keen interest in technology, I listen to a lot of different music, collect Transformers toys, and have the radio series/tv series/movies/books of The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy....but because I like them, does that make them my passion?

What are your thoughts...what is my passion?

Blue Plaque!

2010-09-01T02:01:00.000+01:00

Yay, that London recognises The Fat Bloke!

OK, ok not really, but damn I like that!!

Rules For Insulting The Fat Bloke

2010-08-30T21:59:00.000+01:00

There is an idiot doing his best to try and insult me on Twitter, and to be honest, he really isn't doing very well...so I thought for people's future reference, here are the rules for insulting me...

1 - Be able to spell. I'm sorry but try and insult me and you cannot spell or you do it in "txt spk" then I am more than likely to just laugh. Currently this guy is try to insult in almost all CAPITALS, in text speak and does not know how to spell some of the words he tries to insult me with.

2 - Actually know what you are talking about. It's not difficult to find out details about me, my details are not hidden in any way shape or form, yet this jackass tonight is insistent that I am a Pakistani female! In case you have not seen my ulgy mug, CLICK HERE and you can see that I'm slightly not...

3 - Actually have something original to say. If all you have to say is I'm ugly, stupid, trailer trash (junior jackass, take note...it is TRAILER not TRAILOR as you have been saying all evening) then stop right now because frankly you will seriously bore me.

Right, have you got the rules? Good good...

My brain hates me...

2010-08-29T12:39:00.001+01:00

Oh yeah my brain and mainly my subconscious truly hate me at the moment...

It's not good enough for it that I'm suffering these godawful dreams that are driving me nuts as it is, it wanted to kick the paranoia into full swing today too.

I went shopping at my local Sainsbury's and all was kinda going well, chest was a bit tight, but that was understandable as I'd walked uphill from Yam Towers to the store.

As I was walking around the store with Haunted Rock Cake, the old lady started staring at me, really staring at me...it was like a switch had been flipped in my mind...

EVERYONE WAS STARING AT ME

I have to state now, I know that everyone was not staring at me. They have things going on their little Worlds that make an invisible dot on an invisible dot in comparison, but despite me knowing this my mind kept telling me everyone is staring at me and judging me.

It was like it all the walk home too, felt everyone in the cars and buses were staring at me, every window had someone staring at me...if I was able to run I would have.

I'm at home now, I feel less panicky, and I'm in my room, I'm safe nobody can see me...damn my brain.

Must I really sleep?

2010-08-29T03:13:00.000+01:00

You know there used to be a time I loved to sleep..I'd have beautiful dreams of various things (odd fact for you hear all my dreams in the last year barring last few months have always involved feathers! Oh yeah, and all my dreams have always involved something purple...odd, no?) and I would wake refreshed, sometimes relaxed and ready to take on the day.

Not any more.

For several weeks now I have had the same nightmare again and again and again, exactly the same thing and it is driving me nuts. I'm not going to go into details as it's not very nice, but it is one incident in my childhood that I would rather forget.

The only times I have had respite so far has been on evening a few nights back...and when I'm drunk, and I'm not going to become an alcoholic just so I can get a good nights sleep.

It is getting to the extent that I just do not want to sleep any more, I'd rather stay awake and go mental.

I just don't get why this would have to come up now, I really do think my subconscious truly hates me, I didn't think that was even possible.

So, so wrong....

2010-08-28T19:28:00.000+01:00

I was looking through my Twitter feed as you do, when I saw a link for a place called that does bikinis and and swimwear for babies...I mean, what the heck?

This is really so wrong...don't get me wrong, babies need nice clothing and all, but this really is not appropriate at all. I looked at the home page and just could not believe it, and immediately closed the page, this kind of thing is a paedophile's dream...and in some ways takes away from the innocence of a child too, which they deserve to hold onto as long as they can.

What going to be next...corsets, lingerie and crotchless diapers???

And no, there is no link to this website, I'm not promting this place.

The Cat in the Bin...Genuine Shocker or Set Up?

2010-08-25T11:40:00.002+01:00

OK, I think pretty much everyone would have seen the footage of a woman who looks like she is about to stroke a cat on a wall and then puts it into a wheelie bin...and in case you haven't then here's what you missed...

WARNING DO NOT PLAY THIS EASILY UPSET BY ANIMAL CRUELTY

Now, I am an animal lover, I have been around animals all my life and IF this is a genuine thing, then the lady concerned should be ashamed of herself.

However, I do wonder if this was actually set up so a few people got their fifteen minutes of fame.
The CCTV camera seems to be placed oddly for example, if it was there for security reasons, surely it would be aimed at the pathway?
Another thing, how come other people did not see this happen? She wasn't exactly sneaky about it at all, she was rather blatant.

I really hope this wasn't a set up for the poor cat's sake, but there's something about this that just doesn't seem to be quite right though.

Subliminal weight loss?

2010-08-22T17:08:00.000+01:00

As you guys may well know, I am a tad overweight (read - the guy is a fat melonfarmer!!) and I am now trying a new method to attempt weight loss, well new to me anyways.

I have downloaded an app for my iPhone called Lazy Diet, which basically places subliminals under a playlist of music (or you can just listen to the subliminal with no music, listening to music is my preference) and they say with listening to this for 2 hours a day every day you can lose weight as the subliminals

I cannot do anything right it seems

2010-08-21T12:38:00.000+01:00

I'm not going to be particularly active on the social networks (especially Facebook and Twitter) this weekend (except from maybe a few Fat Blog entries) as it seems every time I open my mouth I say the wrong thing.

If you need to get in touch, and you are important to me, you know how to get hold of me.

Getting it off your chest...

2010-08-12T10:24:00.000+01:00

OK, I have heard a few messages that seem to be condoning the Twitter #boobiewed ongoing cancer campaign.

In case you are not aware of this, on twitter, many ladies (and some gentlemen too) change their avatar so they are revealing their bra/showing their chest for breast cancer awareness. I personally think this is a brilliant and very clever idea (whoever created it deserves serious kudos in my opinion) and I'm not saying that because I'm a man and I get to see ladies chests for the day, I think cancer awareness is nothing but a good thing.

Recently, a few people have slammed this idea, saying that it should not be done...why?

It's not like they are completely topless, all the shots I have seen in my timeline have been quite tasteful. Is it a case of people being a bunch of killjoys? It's not like they are causing any harm to anyone, and for some people I can imagine it brightens up their day!

Come on people,you don't have to do it if you don't want to (after all we live in a age of choice) and if it bothers you that badly, you can always unfollow the people that do partake in this brilliant cause.

Me personally, I salute those people who do and will champion this cause.

Food...glorious food?

2010-08-02T20:34:00.000+01:00

What is it with people of late trying to make me eat?
Let's look at the facts, I am 6' 1" and currently weight a lot more than I should do...and of late I have not been feeling very hungry.

I am not going to waste away missing a few meals, in some ways I am probably going to do myself a favour. There would have been a time once that I'd force myself to eat three meals a day because I'm diabetic (a doctor told me I had to) and last year a doctor told me that there is no need for me to eat if I am not hungry and in fact would probably do myself a favour by not eating,

So, there's the medical facts, I eat when I am hungry and that's all there is to it...and if you don't like it, well....personally I don't care, it's your problem you don't have to follow/read/talk to me/whatever.

And I won't lose any sleep if you decide you don't want to know me....

2010-07-18T09:31:00.002+01:00

Well, the last week or so has been very interesting...

Things seem to be a-changing here for The Fat Bloke in many ways, and a lot of people don't seem to like it very much.

Ooh, ain't that a kick in the head.

Apparently because I am being more honest with people that is a wrong thing, and because I'm not all happy and smiley then there has to be some problem with me....yeah I guess there is a problem...I am fucking sick to the back teeth of pandering to who you think I should be. I'm not this all happy, all laughing clown for your entertainment...people change, get used to it.

And if anyone has an issue with this...jog on,get the fuck out of my face...talk to the floor, because frankly...I cannot be arsed.

A Tad Early...

2010-05-19T10:30:00.000+01:00

Today I looked in my email box this morning and saw the one thing that I dread...

Amongst all the annoying porn invites, get rich quick scams, bank account phishing emails (always for banks I'm not a member of funnily enough!) I found something far far worse.

An email from La Tasca wishing me Happy Birthday, offering me free food and alcohol.

Ok, there is nothing too major about getting an email wishing you a happy birthday (except I really hate my birthday, always have)...but my birthday is NEXT MONTH!

I know companies want to suck up to you and all so you buy stuff, but for me personally this is just way too much....it would have been barely acceptable if it had been during the week of my birthday, but this is just wrong!

The Power Of A Smile

2010-05-16T03:29:00.000+01:00

I was rather poorly in town today, I got all panicky, was sick and heart went all skitterish..but there was something that kinda chased the blues away on the bus home...

The smile of a child

I had my head in my arms on the bus and then I noticed this young boy looking at me, I looked at him and he hid, I made eye contact with him and he hid again.

We did this for about 20 minutes, and it made me feel better seeing his beaming smile, and as he got off the bus he waved and said goodbye to me, how sweet!

So maybe there are healing properties to smiles as well as laughter...

Check Out www.insomnialand.com!

2010-05-10T23:09:00.003+01:00

Do you suffer from insomnia?

May I suggest you join the Insomnialand forums, you can discuss your sleep issues and maybe even get some help. The forum was set up by a really nice chap called Martin Reed and although the forum is really still in it's infancy it has built up a great community and there are some really nice people to meet there.

I was one of the first ten members there, and although I'm not there as often as I should be, but I have met some great people on there that I consider good friends, and it is a very warm and friendly community which is great to be a part of.

Check out http://www.insomnialand.com and see what you think, and if you want to join the CLICK HERE and fill out the form...and don't forget to say hello to Yamerias, nice chap he is!

I am not awesome...

2010-05-06T20:51:00.000+01:00

This may seem trivial to some, but I have to do this blog post.

Many people have said that I am awesome...well, sorry to disappoint but that is the one thing I am not, I'm just this guy who does this and that because I can.

I know many people will not be impressed with me saying this...well you have your say below.

But I still think I'm just this guy, and not awesome in any way at all.

What we have here...is failure to communicate.

2010-04-26T21:21:00.000+01:00

I have always believed that it is a good thing to let people know what is going on..and if plans need to change to let people be aware of the situation...it's only right, and I have always considered it incredibly rude of people not to do especially if you are doing something to help them. It is exceptionally rare that I do not let people know of a change of circumstance.

There is some I know (we shall call them...Bloody Annoying) who will ask me if I will be in for the day so I can help them with various bits and bobs. I will say yes and clear my day (or half day..not that much happens in the typical day at Yam Towers) and make sure that I'm not doing anything.

Sometimes, Bloody Annoying will come over, we will have a good day/half day and most of the things help is wanted with is sorted out, and they go home happy...to be fair no matter what we do they go home happy which is always nice.

Which is what is so frustrating...

You most of the time, they don't bother to turn up....which means that I am waiting around for nothing. No calls or texts to explain that they are not going to bother to arrive....and if they have run out of credit on their cell phone they could get someone to send me a message via Facebook Twitter or email to let me know.

I think it is down right rude.....and just Bloody Annoying.

Sleep, or the lack of it, is fun...NOT!

2010-04-24T04:36:00.000+01:00

So, it's stupid o'clock in the morning, and my body has decided that it would be fun to wake up every hour or so...joygasm!
This happens a lot for me, but I just wish it hadn't now, I'm recovering from a stomach bug, and some solid sleep would really be nice for once...but hey, that would not be a feasable prospect here at Yam Towers.
So I lay here in bed, the lyric to The Message going round my head (not literally, that would be weird) and hoping I go back to sleep soon...
Meh.

It's back!!!

2010-03-31T21:46:00.000+01:00

When I was a small lad in the dim and distant past, there was one toy I wanted more than anything else...I wanted it more than all the Transformers, wanted it more than my Speak & Spell, my Major Morgan...anything.

What I wanted more than anything else...was Bigtrak.

Bigtrak, for those who are unware, was a tank like thing that you could program to go to places and you could also but an triler for it so it could carry things around and dump them around! Here is a commercial from the UK for the original:

Pretty cool huh? I would have given my eye teeth for this toy as a kid, but I never ever got one *cue violins*

Last year I was looking into buying an original Bigtrak, but it was going to cost loads of money, so I gave up hope of ever getting one of these toys.

But maybe all is not lost....

I was looking on Facebook the other day, and a commercial saying that Bigtrak was coming back caught my eye! I mentioned this on Twitter and gave a link to the Wikipaedia page for Bigtrack and this evening I was given the link to this video:

This is great too...BigtrakJr is smaller than his original counterpart, but is not any less awesome!

BigtrakJr is to be released in the UK Summer 2010 and has a RRP of 29.99

Follow BigtrakJr on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and Bigtrakisback.com

Check out Shmax.com!

2010-03-27T17:10:00.002Z

As you may be aware, I have been collecting Transformers toys for a few months now and I have amassed quite a collection (over 70 in less than 12 weeks!) and I was searching through a few fan websites when I stumbled across what in my opinion is one of the coolest sites for information on Transformers.

Shmax.com is a great database of all Transformers items that have been released to date from around the World, listed by people who have collected them. there are images of the item (if available), listings of what comes with it, when it was released, what territory it comes from and much more, and there is a forum where you can discuss Transformers with fellow members. They do have the odd valuation of some of the Transformers stuff there too.

If you like Transformers, collect them, want to see what models and toys are available around the World, then head over to Shmax.com, you will find all the information you could ever want!

Oh, and if you want to check out my collection the then CLICK HERE and let me know what you think of my humble collection!

Ultimate Trumps: Countries of the World pack

2010-03-04T11:05:00.000Z

You may recall I mentioned a few months back that Ultimate Trumps were releasing their on Trumps style cards games.

This first pack has been released, and it is called Countries of the World.

This is a 32 card game, played just like other Trumps games, where you try and beat another player by having better stats on a card.

This is a great fun game, and has great educational value, helping kids learn about places around the World. Games will last roughly 10-20 minutes per session.

The price is £4.00 and for collectors there is a superb sheet available to for just £30.00!
Buy Ultimate Trumps direct from Ultimate Top Trumps Shop and if you want a preview of the pack then look HERE

Legendary Combination!

2010-02-26T23:44:00.000Z

OK, please excuse the awful pun, but I just realised that there are 2 Revnege of the Fallen models that can combine!

You may be aware that Leader class Transformers Optimus Prime and Jetfire can be combined (I really want those models too!) well the Legend class models can as well!

Here are Optimus Prime and Jetfire in vehicle and robot modes...

And here they are combined as Jet Prime!

I'm guessing most of you if you are interested in TransFormers already know this, and I'm pretty slow on the uptake, but I think it's pretty cool and gives Optimus an even cooler look!

Sleep would be nice...

2010-02-22T02:48:00.000Z

It's 0243 and I'm lying in bed, writing this email on my phone.
I would rather be sleeping, I'm meeting a friend later on today and I don't think they would like the grouchy me there!
This is my fault though, I went to bed for a few hours as I wasn't feeling too great yesterday afternoon...
Well, here's hoping I get a couple of hours sleep before the alarm goes off....

New t-shirts!

2010-02-21T13:33:00.000Z

Got hold of 2 new t-shirts this weekend....and the quotes are fitting for FBM!!

Here is the first one:

And this is the other one...

I think they are great!

Time for a tattoo?

2010-02-13T13:28:00.000Z

For a long time, I have been facinated by tattoos. They are amazing piece of living artwork, defining a person. Sure, they might be permanent, but some designs are truly breathtaking!
I'm currently sitting in a tattoo parlour while Haunted Rock Cake is having a tattoo of a mask on her shoulder, and while she was waiting, one of the staff asked if I was getting a tattoo as well.
I really want a tattoo on my arm, but I was always led to believe that I could not have one due to being diabetic and suffering epilepsy.
I spoke to the staff here and they said they cannot really see an issue with me having a tattoo, which is great!
Wonder what Cuddle Bunny thinks of tattoos?

Sunday is Global Day of Lover's Extortion

2010-02-11T10:09:00.000Z

Yes, Sunday is St Valentine's Day, the day for lovers and for others to show love to people who may not know.

Pffft...what a load of garbage.

Don't get me wrong, I'd like to think that I am a romantic individual, writing poetry for my Cuddle Bunny, cooking her champagne breakfast in bed, buying her random gifts and so on...but it's not something I leave for a specific day...that's just wrong. Having specific days where you show your love is not right, if you love someone then you should show it at every opportunity...not just on anniversaries, birthdays and Valentines.

Then there is the cost...isn't it amazing that suddenly in February that chocolates, flowers, bits of string lingerie and various other romantic gifts suddenly are extortionately priced? It's become like every other holiday "special day" and is over commercialized rubbish....

TransFormers Crossovers...how cool are some of these?

2010-02-08T18:27:00.000Z

If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook then you should know by now I have started collecting TransFormers, and I have 21 in my collection so far...I have some really cool ones from the Movies and Cybertron, but the Crossover TransFormers have REALLY grabbed my interest.

I first saw some of these a year or so ago and they were all Star Wars ones, with a Death Star that becomes Darth Vader and so on, and they expanded on those and some of them are really cool, like this:

These are really cool, but then recently I found that there were some Marvel Crossover TransFormers, and after having a quick look on eBay among other places found models like Hulk (becoming a Tank) and Spider-Man (becoming a motorcycle). I have just recently picked up Captain America which becomes a 4x4!
However, the models in the Marvel Crossovers that are amazingly great have to be the Iron Man-Spider Man combiner...here are a few pics...

(I'm really hoping that someone will be generous enough to buy this for me for my birthday in 4 months time, but I have a feeling I will have to buy this one myself!)

Now, the Marvel and Star Wars Crossover TransFormers are really REALLY cool, but there is something even cooler in the Crossovers that is in Japan...Check this out...

OK, this doesn't look at like anything too special, it looks like a lorry almost from the TF:Animated series, but look at the logo on the side...does it look familiar?
Perhaps, if I show you you original coloured version os this and not the Halloween edition...

That logo looks like a very familiar, very famous Disney character, don't you think?
Well, heeeeeeere's Mickey (Or should I say Optimouse Prime)!!!

I think this is awesome, and even better still is the Donald Duck/Bumblebee...

And even better still for Pixar fans, it looks like there is a Buzz Lightyear one on the way too!

OK, I know the crossovers are not what TransFormers are all about really, but I think these are so cool, and aside from Legends and WST models, I'm seriously thinking about concentrating my collection mainly on these!

Robot in my mind?

2010-01-25T16:44:00.001Z

It's odd how the memory works...

I've just recently started collecting TransFormer toys (I got a Voyager Class Ramet last weekend) and despite the bad memory remembered my first one that I got as a child. Several of my mates got Optimus Prime or Megatron, which was awesomely cool, but I got Starscream, which I thought was the coolest toy ever (along with my many Go-Bots!).

The Starscream I had I rememer as being grey, blue and purple (mostly grey) and I had it for ages....
I recently had a look on several websites in regard to getting one and how much they were worth, but all the models I have seen so far have red on them instead of purple.
Before people say to me there was a TransFormer that was mainly purple and black, it was a different one (name currently escapes me).
I'm so sure this model exists...or is it my imagination?

Anyone got any ideas??

Terry's Nutcase Alliance

2010-01-24T12:07:00.000Z

I have been a wrestling fan for years, beginning with the British wreslting where Id sit between my mother and gran (bad call as they'd grab my arms and twist them!! Did I learn my lesson? Hell no!) and we would watch Kendo Nagasaki, Big Daddy, Mick McManus and Giant Haystacks (amazing to think originally Daddy and Haystacks were a tag team!) and now and then they showed then called WWF and WCW, which was totally different and over the top, and from that moment I was hooked and to this very day I still watch these guys apparently beat each other up for people's entertainment.

But over the years when I watched WWF/WWE, WCW, ECW, and TNA almost every company had one man that somehow got millions of fans, even though he needs 2 additional locker rooms for his ego.

His name....Terry Boella. Who you ask? You know him, he is one of the biggest names in professional wrestling today, the man who used to tell you to say your prayers and take your vitamins, the man with the 24" pythons....Hulk Hogan.

When Hogan jumped ship to WCW, I was glad... despite me hating him, he pulled in the fans...but his ego started making the show unwatchable and went to watching WWF...it's incredible to think that WCW almost destroyed Vince's company....

A few years after Vince bought WCW, Hogan went to WWE...an old man who has less than a handful of moves won the company's most prestigious title which fed his ego even more making it even bigger if indeed that was possible.

Last year, he signed on with TNA Wrestling, alongside Eric Bischoff and brought in the likes of The Nasty Boys, and also added WWE castoffs like Brian Kendrick and "Mr Kennnnnneeeeedaaaaaah" er I mean Mr Anderson.

It is a sad and dark time for TNA with this egotistical monster, getting rid of the six sided ring in favor for the traditional four sided and having a ramp akin the old WCW ring, tell the crowds watching (staff calling them cast members?) no gang signs, no distracting the talent....and recently trying to emulate the "Calgary Screw Job" with AJ Styles and Kurt Angle I see the company going downhill fast. The positive side is that in an interview he said it was unlikely he will wrestle, although the negative side to that is he has more time to screw everything else up.

You can only see TNA on BT Vision soon, Bravo said they wanted to air TNA exclusively and were told no, so not many UK will bein watching the shows or indeed the PPVs...and did you know that according the to TNA website you have to wait 17 days after the PPV to see the on BT Vision? And they wonder why people look for alternate methods to watch the shows.

Well, it looks like it is the end for WCW 2...er I mean TNA. Dixie you added a poison to the system, and it looks like it's just a matter of time.

2010 and all that jazz...

2010-01-02T15:23:00.000Z

So we are well and truly into 2010....most people are try to get over their excesses of the silly season and complaining about the monster debts accrued because they spent way beyond their comfort zone.

So what will we have to look forward to this year? Well, for sports fans there's Winter Olympics, World Cup and Junior Olympics....there is a total lunar eclipse in December and the ever "helpful" United Nations have designated 2010 as International Year of Biodiversity.

For me personally, I'm hoping for a year a damn sight better than 2009, my passport will be sorted out this year, I'll have more good times with my Cuddle Bunny...and more!

I hope all the people close to me, those not so close and even the people who really annoyed me last year have a brilliant 2010, here's to moving forward to a brighter future!

Questions appear to be a bad thing...

2009-12-30T01:14:00.000Z

I have to address an issue in regards to several people being a tad rude in regards to the use of Formspring.

If you are not aware, Formspring is a website where people can ask you questions (absolutely anything!!) and you can send your answers to Twitter, Facebook and your blog. I have recently come across a few people who have been quite rude and said that I should keep my answers to myself and why would be people want to know the answers to the questions (although ruder)?

I personally think this is a bit of fun, and well someone wants to know the answer to the questions...or they would not have been asked! So, they clog up your timeline, bypass them and carry on...or if it is really bad seeing these questions (which I will continue despite people whining) then unfollow and/or blog me...it's no skin off my nose.

Oh yes and in regards to the individuals who basically said to ask any intelligent user of Twitter if Formspring is annoying..I consider myself an intelligent individual (and I'm regarded as such by several of my peers) and I find this kinda thing fascinating...but should I now consider myself an idiot because I like something that others do not? I don't think so.

People seem to forget that Twitter and Facebook are social networking, communication....and to be blunt if you don't like it...tough. It does not break not break any regulations, so get over it...like it or lump.

I'm expecting to lose followers after this blog entry, but to but honest I don't really care, it's your problem and not mine.

Hiding in my bedroom...

2009-12-29T00:06:00.000Z

I'm currently sat in my room, door closed in almost silence...writing this current blog entry on my mobile phone.

Why, oh why, I hear you ask, are you hiding away, almost pretending not to be in your own home?

Because Haunted Rock Cake's estranged husband is here, having a coffee before they both go and see their son.

It's madness, we have been sharing a flat for years AS FRIENDS yet people cannot get their heads around it.
I know if he sees me, he will want a fight, he somehow blames me fir the end of his marriage with HRC but he was a complete jackass to her and she decided enough was enough..but although I'd known her for a few years previous, I didn't become her lodger until a year after they had seperated. We are now flatmates (not through choice, we were forced into the situation) AND JUST FRIENDS. I tell her family I'm going out with Cuddle Bunny and they think that's just to throw them off as they think I'm in a relationship with HRC too!

It's really sad, I have no feelings of ill will against this guy, despite all the threats and nasty things he has said about me (and I'm guessing he always will) and I'd be more than willing to sit down and talk to him man to man in an attempt to resolve the issue, but the man is too set in his ways/old fashioned/bigotted for this to happen.

GET IT INTO YOUR HEAD MAN, I'M ONLY FRIENDS WITH HAUNTED ROCK CAKE AND THAT IS ALL!!!

Oh, what's the use, he will never listen...

Bah humbug...

2009-12-08T21:17:00.000Z

Tis the season to be jolly..pffft yeah right!
I really hate this time of year, it is a season for hypocrites and greedy corporations squeezing every every penny out of people (who usually cannot afford it).
I find it bizarre that many people celebrate Christmas yet are not religious.
And what is with the gifts? People feel they are obliged to buy gifts for people they would not get a birthday present...take note that I get gifts for people all year round, I don't need to wait for a holiday to give someone something special!
The stores have been promoting the Silly Season since March in somes stores..and some places even earlier than that!
Despite all this there is one thing that Christmas is good for...it seems to be a good time for families to get together...people may not see kin often but probably see each other then.
Still hate Christmas though, bah humbug!

formspring.me - What are your top ten favourite songs of all time? Top ten favourite albums aswell?

2009-12-05T19:08:00.002Z

What are your top ten favourite songs of all time? Top ten favourite albums aswell?

Ooooh top 10 songs AND albums?? OK, I'll give this a go, here are 10 songs and albums I really like...both lists are in no particular order.

SONGS
01)KISS - Black Diamond
02)The Beatles - I Am The Walrus
03)Coldcut - Timber
04)Steppenwolf - Born To Be Wild
05)Guns N Roses - You Could Be Mine
06)Drowning Pool - Step Up
07)Linkin Park - Papercut
08)Iron Maiden - Fear Of The Dark
09)Metallica - Enter Sandman
10)Shaggy - Oh Carolina

ALBUMS
01)Guns N Roses - Appetite For Destruction
02)Iron Maiden - Best Of The Beast (2CD)
03)UB40 - Best Of Labor Of Love
04)KISS - Greatest KISS
05)Meatloaf - Bat Out Of Hell
06)Weird Al Yankovic - Straight Outta Lynwood
07)Evanescence - Fallen
08)Rammstein - Mutter (Tour Edition)
09)Queen - The Works
10)Madness - The Business

Thing is there is so much music that my top 10 changes a lot!

Got any questions for me? No question too stupid!!

Ask Me Questions At Formspring.me!

2009-11-29T17:36:00.002Z

Got any questions for me? Go on, don't be shy...ask away! http://formspring.me/yamerias

No question is too stupid, so go on.....ask away!

Entries To Join The Marmarati

2009-11-23T18:47:00.000Z

I have entered a competition to win a jar of Marmite!
Before you all laugh, there is something special about this jar, it is extra strong Marmite in a handmade jar, and only 200 of these jars are being made!

To win these jars, I need your help, dear reader. I need you to vote on the submissions I have given to "join the Marmarati" the higher the votes I get the more chance I have of winning one of these amazing jars of this beautiful dark elixir.

The entries I have submitted are as follows:

http://marmarati.org/galleria/link/marmite-ascii-art - An ASCII art image of the Marmite logo
http://marmarati.org/galleria/link/tower-of-pleaseure - A picture of a pyramid of Marmite jars
http://marmarati.org/galleria/link/marmite-haiku - A Haiku about using Marmite in cooking
http://marmarati.org/galleria/link/marmite-label-in-pencil - A sketch of a Marmite label
http://marmarati.org/galleria/link/marmite-jar-in-felt-tip-pen - Drawing of Marmite jar in felt tip pen
http://marmarati.org/galleria/link/snack-of-the-gods - A picture of Marmite Cashews!
http://marmarati.org/galleria/link/love-marmite-twibbon - Links to my Love Marmite Twibbon!

Please vote these, and please vote them as 10s, that would be awesome!

Anti-Bullying Week.....What Would Percy Do?

2009-11-19T22:38:00.000Z

This week is Anti Bullying Week, and I thought I'd do an entry about Cyber Bullying and what you can do to protect yourself.

If you are on Twitter you may have seen a character on there called @PercyThePigeon who tells a story which has an anti bullying message...the general theme is "What Would Percy Do?" and the answer to that is tell someone you can trust, so they can help you and not to suffer in silence.

As someone who was bullied a lot at school (and in a few workplaces as well) I thought I'd help by doing a blog entry that was about keeping safe in cyberspace...

MOBILE PHONES

If you get a nasty text/video from someone, don't reply to it no matter how hurt or angry it makes you feel. There are numbers you can contact for your sevice provider (ie Vodafone, O2, Orange etc.) in regards to this. Check their websites for more details.
Be careful who you give your mobile phone number to, only give it out to people you know you can trust.
Don't leave your mobile phone lying about unattended around people you do not know or trust, they could get your number, or numbers of other people too.
If you do get abusive texts/messages, if you are able to save them to a folder on your phone as proof and tell someone you can trust and will be able to help you.

INTERNET

DO NOT GIVE OUT PERSONAL DETAILS ONLINE! Yeah, I know it sounds like something so obvious to say, but you would be surprised how many people do! People can take your details and use them, pretending to be you, and get you in trouble.
If you are using an instant messenger, or sites like Facebook or Twitter and you get abuse messages from people, you can block them.
Don't reply to abusive messages, you could say something that you regret and that could make the situation much worse.
Bully is quite serious, but if it gets really bad try to print off the offensive messages, and if they are on a school network let the teacher who runs it know.

There is a general rule of thumb, and I know it's not easy, but try to ignore the comments. Most times comments are made so a person will respond, but if the comments are ignored for the most part the people responsible will get bored and leave you alone.

The one thing though, even if you ignore the comments, let someone you cant trust know that someone is sending you horrible messages, it's not right, you don't deserve it and you should never suffer in silence.

Those little things can make someone's day!

2009-11-16T20:48:00.000Z

Well, today has been a good day...
It's Haunted Rock Cake's birthday today, and I got some cool presents for her over the weekend!
On Saturday, we went into Next in town and I bought her some purple suede boots, I also got her a NEON PINK wooly hat to go with her fleece (I'll try and upload a pic of her wearing it soon!).
I then went shopping in Sainsbury's yesterday..and as she is a big fan of Henry Hoover (actually she wanted the pink Hetty but I said no!) so I bought her a little battery operated one!
However, the best thing I did started at Midnight. I wrote a message on my Twitter account asking people to say Happy Birthday to @HauntedRockCake and it went pretty well as a lot of people did do just that including comedians Jason Manford & Mark Watson! Thanks to eveyone who sent Haunted Rock Cake a message, I think this was much more fun than a birthday card!
Was great to see her face when she got in from work and saw all the messages!

Testing my new mobile

2009-11-09T22:37:00.000Z

So, I've got hold of a new phone and thought that I'd to an entry from the phone!
I've bought a Nokia 5800 and it's a pretty good piece of kit, with the capability to watch movies listen to music, use WiFi, check maps...it does loads of stuff this can do!
Well, with any luck this will publish when I hook to WiFi later...

Charity Begins At Home...

2009-10-25T14:35:00.002Z

I was watching TV earlier on and I had a knock at the door. I've been expecting company so opened the door, and to my annoyance there was a little old lady with a tray full of poppies asking for money for the British Legion!!

Now I'm not against this charity, I do think that the people who fought for our country deserve support (even if some of them are cantankerous to say the least, but that is another story) but why come door to door? This is not the first charity this month to knock on my door, and along with bags asking for clothing and stuff and "begging letters" from other charities I seem to be getting (seems to be the only post that gets sent to me properly as post I actually want seems to get posted to the wrong people or gets badly delayed!) is a bit of a cheek really.

If I want to donate clothes/bric-a-brac/clothes/my time/etc I will approach them and ask them if there is something I can do to help.

Dogs and fireworks...some advice

2009-10-22T10:03:00.003+01:00

As you may be aware, Guy Fawkes night is getting ever closer, and if you have dogs (and indeed any other pets) this can be a time of great stress for them, with all the flashes and bangs going on.

Here are some tips to help you at this time.

KEEP YOUR DOG INDOORS!!! I know that sounds like something obvious, but keep your dog indoors, if your dog does not like fireworks than you could have a traumatised dog if they are left outside, obviously not a good thing. Baring this in mind, make sure you take your dog for a walk to make sure they have gone to toilet before the fireworks start.
TURN ON A RADIO OR TV FOR BACKGROUND NOISE. The sound of a radio or TV could distract your dog from the various noises of the fireworks.
FEED YOUR DOG AN HOUR BEFORE IT GET DARK. If you do this and maybe add a little extra and maybe make it a dish with white pasta or potato then you can feel the dog and make them a little sleepy.
DO NOT PET OR MAKE A FUSS OF YOUR DOG IF THEY GET A LITTLE SPOOKED. I know this sounds harsh, but doing that reinforces the behavior making them think it is right to be scared. Act as if nothing is wrong, and your dog will pick up on that.

There are other things you can do too, like getting "Fireworks CDs" where you play the CDs for longer and louder durations thus desensitizing the dog to the noises or getting a DAP (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) Plug-In that can help calm down your dog. Both of these methods need to be done a few weeks in advance to get a good effect.

Oh and one more thing...I know how stupid this is going to sound, but DO NOT TAKE YOUR DOG TO A FIREWORK DISPLAY!!! Yes, I know.....but there are people who do it and wonder why thier canine companion suddenly goes loopy! Leave them at home, and when you leave put some music on or the TV, and don't make a big fuss about going out or they will pick up on your concerns.

I hope everyone has the fun they want with fireworks, and that eveones dogs have a relaxing few evenings too!

UPDATE

A really good place for information about this is http://www.dogsandfireworks.com/ where you can get some advice, download a free MP3 file that can help desensitize your dog, and you can also donate to the Dogs Trust, a brilliant charity for all out canine companions. (Many thanks to Karen Wild for pointing me toward her site, it's brilliant!)

Ultimate Trumps!

2009-10-20T20:41:00.004+01:00

A very good friend of mine has decided to start making his own Top Trumps style card games under the brand ULTIMATE TRUMPS.

Nig Hewitt, the man who runs collector's site Ultimate Top Trumps has decided to have a go at making his own Trumps, and they are really rather good!

This is the mailout he has done to announce the first set to go live, "Countries Of The World"

As you can see by the images this looks like a great set, quite educational too...for a look at a slideshow of the cards back and front (the back makes up an image...wonder what it is?) then GO HERE and see what you think, the pack comprises of 32 9cm x 6cm cards and each pack costs £3.50.

The pack will be available very soon, details will be here when released.

Help charity...help yourself?

2009-10-20T11:01:00.004+01:00

I heard something that shocked me today, and I thought people should know.

Charity Bullying UK (Follow on Twitter: @BullyingUK) was in a meeting today for 30 mins speaking to a company (we shall call them XYZ, this is made up I will not give the real name of the company as it may cause grief for Bullying UK which is not what I want to happen, they are a brilliant charity and deserve all the support they can get) in regards to helping promote them, and it wasn't until the last 5 minutes that XYZ "offered to help them" for £1,200!

£1,200 may not sound like a lot of money to some people, but when you bear in mind that Bullying UK raise roughly £50,000 annually and that money is all used to help 500,000 kids being bullied all across the UK, so £1,200 is a sizable chunk of money and means 12,000 kids would not be helped.

I know some people are going to read this and think "So what? They have money put aside to do this kinda stuff!" look at it this way, surely charities should put as much money into helping the causes they champion than splashing out ludicrous amounts of money on PR because a company wants thier little star to shine. I know a lot of charities spend stupid amounts of money on things...recently a charity spent a stupid amount for a logo change (when asked they said "Less than £100,000"! Make of that what you will...could have been £99,999.99!) which is a waste of money when you bear in mind Bullying UK did thiers for less than £500!!

Companies, when you say you want to help a charity, be clear about the fact you want to help yourself unless you are going to do something for a charity for free.

The Postal Service = Pure Garbage!

2009-10-09T23:45:00.002+01:00

I have just about had it with the excuse the United Kingdom has for a postal service.

They have just recently taken a vote as to whether they should strike around Christmas time because of modernization of the Postal service. I guess most of you will not be surprised to know that the majority voted for industrial action...which means that if you want something to get to people for Christmas you should have posted it last Christmas.

Thing is....the postal service is nothing but a joke anyway. I am constantly having issues with things being posted...either parcels "vanish" (I guess that the very nice people at the sorting office guess it's something they want and decide that it should be posted into their pockets/rucksack and taken home), the items delivered and received in very poor condition where the post(wo)man is trying to force more than one parcel into my letterbox at a time instead of knocking on my door to let me know....or like today they don't even bother posting the parcel/letter and leave it 2 foot away from my front door!

The postal service is garbage...maybe if they improved the way they worked then things would be better for them to...right now they are over priced, lazy god for nothings.....perhaps the postal service needs another company to give them competition, mabye we will get a better service then.

How does he do it?

2009-09-17T19:05:00.002+01:00

I have had a few people recently ask me how I get my DVDs so cheap, so I thought I'd let you know about the places I go and get them....

Look on Play.com and check what Play Traders are selling. I have found some amazing bargains by looking at what Play Traders are selling. Sure, it's second hand, but it's still usually in very good condition! Also looking through Play Traders stuff you may be able to get import versions (if they interest you) cheaper than they are on PlayUSA!
Check out CEX in you local town (if there is one) or online. These stores are great for picking up bargains, and sometimes special editions of DVDs that you may not be aware existed! Trust me, pop into your local CEX and you'll see what I mean...however, if they have got one in your area then have a look at CEX Online and see what you can find!
Look in charity stores, car boot sales etc. You'd be amazed what gems you can unearth in charity shops and sales where you need to rummage. I have found SteelBook cased DVDs and boxsets at brilliant prices...and in a car boot sale you can always haggle and see if you can lower the price even more!
Don't always buy the version of the DVD you want as soon as it is released. I know that sounds a little mad, but look at it this way...it could be in a sale in a few months and could be half price or even cheaper!
Check out eBay! Yes, I know...that place some people lovingly/hatingly call "The Greedy Gits Club". Sometimes you can grab some seriously cool bargains, just make sure you are paying by PayPal so you are covered!
Check out the bargain bins and sales! Yeah, I know that sounds obvious...but the bargain bin is something that is overlooked and you'd be amazed some of the treasures you can find! Same applies with sales, especially when things look like they are stupidly cheap...it's not always crap budget movies that get sold for £1!

Well, I hope that helps...and of course if you have hints and tips of your own the please let me know!

Percy the Pigeon badges!!

2009-09-09T12:18:00.002+01:00

I just got an email that I wanted to share with all you good people who follow and support the brilliant Percy the Pigeon anti-bullying campaign...

Hi,
Today we have some news! We launched our special Percy Badge.

The price of the badge is 80p plus p&p with a donation of 20p from each sale, going to the charity Bullying UK.

The size of the badge is 25mm. It is not suitable for children under the age of 5.

The badge is available through our website - Online shop

Each badge comes with a backing card with our information.

Please let your friends and family know :)

So, let all your friends know, and get buying those badges!!!

Today has been a REALLY good day!

2009-09-02T19:51:00.003+01:00

You know, life can feel like a steaming pile of crud some times, you feel like you are trapped in a personal for which there is never going to be a way to escape, which drives you mad...but then there is the occasional metaphoric glimpse of sunshine, that makes you feel great and you then feel that life is worth living again.

Today has been one of those glimpses.

I woke, and thought I'd weigh myself today to see if I had actually lost some weight.
I almost fainted when I saw I'd gone from 22st 9lb to 21st 11lb!!!
This is almost like a miracle in my opinion, I have been battling with my weight for years and this is the first time in a very VERY long time that my weight has been lower than 22st!

That made me feel really good, but then things were going to get better...

I was able to get preview tickets for the movie Julie And Julia...sadly my Cuddle Bunny is working late shifts so she will not be going with me (I got 2 tickets, which was cool!) but Haunted Rock Cake said she would like to go, so at least the ticket is not wasted!

Topping the day off with the glorious rain we have had here in Tadley, there is not really much that could make this day better!

The World is filling with heavier people, but clothing companies ignore that fact!

2009-08-23T12:57:00.003+01:00

As you know (or probably imagine) by the title of my blog and username in various places, I can a "heavy bloke". I stand tall at 6' 1" in my stockinged feet (but that's odd, I have never EVER worn stockings!) and I weigh in at a chair crushing 22st 4lb. This is not the heaviest I have weighed (I used to be 28st) but I have always had a battle with my weight.

I love wearing hoodies, t-shirts and stuff like that and but it is almost impossible to get hoodies in my size. I contacted Vans (one of my favorite clothing brands EVER) and asked what size they go up, and 3XL is a no go, in fact almost nowhere does hoodies in my size. If Vans and other places like that did hoodies in my size, I would start up a hoodie collection (to go with my beanies).

I can get away with 2XL hoodies too but then it is a case of there is no such thing as a universal size and that a 2XL from WWE Shop in the US is huge (My Undertaker hoodie is a good example there) yet I go into Fat Face in Newbury yesterday and try to put on a lovely orange zip up hoodie and I couldn't get it round me....yet I can go to Freespirit in Basingstoke and get a lovely Cream/Brown hoodie in 2XL and it fits nice!

What bugs me is this....why is it that big brands don't make larger clothing if the World is getting populated with ever larger people, and why oh why oh why is it that if I get 2XL (or 3XL when miracles happen) items from more than one brand one will be bigger than the other?

Dammit clothes companies, get your damn act together and this this stupidity out already.

What The Hell Is It With Old People?!?

2009-08-18T18:54:00.003+01:00

I was always brought up to respect my elders, for they are older wiser, and that I can learn a lot from them.

I beginning to wonder if this was the right thing to teach me.

Don't get me wrong, I hope that I am courteous to everyone around me, open a door for people, help moms with their buggies ion and off buses, grabbing things from high shelves for people who cannot reach (and no I don't mean grabbing porn for kids!) because that was the way my mom brought me up, to have respect for others.

So why can't the elderly have some manners as well?

All day today I seemed to have bumped into the rudest and most obnoxious elderly people you could ever meet. I was sitting on the bus going to the cinema and this elderly lady pretty much crushed me into the corner of the seat (Im a big guy width wise, but damn she was big!!!) when she could have asked me to move (even though I am disabled and entitled to sit where I did). She then went on a rant at me saying it was my fault she couldn't sit comfortable!

After that I was looking in HMV at the DVDs and BRDs when this lass whacked me with her trolley, and then looked at me as if it was my fault and I had broken wind on her or something!! I would have understood if I was in the middle of the aisle but I wasn't and there was plenty of room to get past me!

Then to top it all off, as I was getting the bus home, I was waiting in an orderly queue for the bus when this old couple just barged to the front of the line!!

What the Hell is it with old people?Do they think because they have survived a war it gives them the right to be obnoxious morons? Damn!!!

Dennis the....Softie?!?

2009-08-12T14:42:00.002+01:00

OK, I learnt something today that I think is very VERY silly and wrong.

The BBC have BANNED cartoon character Dennis the Menace from using his catapult, water pistol and pea shooter...he has been banned from picking on Walter Softie, Dad cannot use his slipper on Dennis and even Gnasher has to behave!

Dammit, what the Hell is going on these days?

I'm aware that that bullying is wrong (I do not agree with it, being bullied by many people over the years) but this is just bloody damn ridiculous! This is yet again another case of Political Correctness going over the top yet again.

Dennis the Menace is pretty much a British institution, all my mates used to collect them (as did I along with Dandy comics too) and Dennis using his arsenal and playing pranks was just a bit of harmless fun. Sure he was a naughty boy, but he got reprimanded by his father (damn he must have needed a slipper factory the amount of time he used them on Dennis!).

So...now that is to be changed, and it's wrong. It was a bit of harmless fun, reading these comics never made me a bully or want to incite violence on anyone.

So what's next...a total ban on Tom & Jerry?

Sharp in many ways...

2009-08-08T20:38:00.003+01:00

I tend to have the strangest things happen to me...

I was sucking on one of the super sour boiled sweets I'd bought for Haunted Rock Cake yesterday when I had gone to Southsea and thought it was very nice too, when my tongue suddenly felt like it was burning and then my tongues started bleeding! Somehow the damn sweet had cut my tongue!

Here is a picture of what it did (don't look at this if you do not like tongues obviously!!)

I really cannot believe this happened to me, I had something similar happen several years ago when I sucked on a sugar free lollipop!

Perhaps I should avoid hard candy in future, looks like it is REALLY bad for you =:cO

If only today could have lasted forever...

2009-08-07T22:48:00.002+01:00

Today has been one of the best days of my life...

Me and Cuddle Bunny hopped on a train (not literally of course, how stupid would that be...and imagine the injures we could have got? Damn...) and went off to Southsea and had some fun in the arcades for the day.

We did this last month on my birthday and it was an absolute blast!

We played on the 2p machines and we didn't really do as well as last month, but got almost 20 keyrings....and I did have a go at the grabber machines to no avail, although Cuddle Bunny got 2 prizes...damn, should have got her to do mine, could have wond a plush Sonic The Hedge or Fizzy Duck!

I also had a play on Guitar Hero III Arcade and it was great fun to play! I played a few tracks and topped the highscore on Easy for Rock And Roll All Nite by KISS (Whooo! KISS ROCK!!!). Yeah ok, I know it was only on Easy which does make me pretty lame, but I got to top of scoreboard so I don't care!

I was a great day, and after a few hours we headed into town and I grabbed a copy of the movie Midnight Meat Train (if you like Clive Barker stuff...you MUST get this movie!) and then we made our way home.

It was a lovely day (aside from the weather a little too hot for me personally, but Cuddle Bunny likes it) and cannot wait to do that again!

Well, that was different!

2009-08-05T23:09:00.002+01:00

I just had something happen that made me smile...

I have asked a few people on Twitter if I could have their autograph (nothing ventured, nothing gained) and one of the comedians I asked, lived up to the title of comedian...the sent me a Direct Message with just their name in it!

I replied back to them saying thanks for the digital "autograph", certainly not what I expected (most people just ignore you!) but it certainly made me smile!

A new idea for promoting stuff!

2009-08-04T22:53:00.002+01:00

I have decided to have a look at a few more "different" things to promote the various charities I have been trying to help a little on Twitter, when I have hit upon another idea...

I have done some designs for the guitar grip for Guitar Hero On Tour for the DS. So far I have done 2 designs for charity (for Bullying UK and Dogs Trust) and there are more on the way.

If you want to have a look at them then have a look at the photo section of my Facebook Account (http://www.facebook.com/yamerias) and of course please let me know what you think!

I have a few more ideas too...watch this space!!!

An apology...

2009-08-03T22:33:00.002+01:00

I've not been online much today, and not really text anybody either because today I woke and I am pretty certain I had a seizure the night before, and I have been feeling pretty crud all day.

I'm not apologizing about not communicating online or by though, I am apologizing to a very dear friend.

Haunted Rock Cake had a day off today, but I'm guessing she wished she hadn't pretty much because I was nothing but a grouchy little shit. she would make a comment and I'd just snap at her...it wasn't my intention for it to happen it just did...and I feel so bad about it now.

She is in bed asleep now bless her, and I did say sorry to her and she said it was ok, but no it wasn't. She didn't deserve it when she has so many other things on her mind right now.

I'm not sure if you are going to read this hon, but I'm sorry...and these words come from the very bottom of my heart.

Sticks and stones

2009-07-31T14:43:00.002+01:00

Some people really do not get it do they?

I come over as this guy who laughs and jokes about almost everything, you can put every kind of situation in front of me and I'll throw out a few wisecracks and there's a stupid grin on my face. The smile is infectious and other laugh and smile too...a clowns job is never really done.

But, like a lot of people, I'm merely wearing a mask.

There is an individual in my flatmate's life (let's call him...nothing, he's not even worth mentioning by name.) who got it into his stupid head that I had split him and my flatmate up. Yes, we are friends but that is it and it has always been the case although some have always believed that a man and a woman cannot be just friends (and frankly that is just pathetic).

Anyways, this individual whenever he mentions anything to do with me he can never say my name but calls me "Fatty" to whoever he is speaking, especially my flatmate or her son...I know he does this because he knows it will get back to me. I call myself The Fat Bloke...and that is because I'm a bloke and, well I'm fat (I guess the clue is really in the title) and although I quite regularly make fun of myself (much to Haunted Rock Cake and Cuddle Bunny's annoyance) on the inside it is quite a different matter...

Why does he have to do this? Appart from the fact that he knows name calling hurts more than people let on (the saying Sticks and stones means diddly squat...) I'm guessing he is just too immature to handle his lot in life.

I know a few things about him, but you never hear me talking about him with a derogatory name like Slaphead, Cripple and so on and I'm younger than him (by many years) so he really SHOULD know better.

Sadly I know this is never going to be the case, until this old man dies...not that I wish it on him (I'm not that kind of person, and I'm certainly not dropping down to his level no matter what).

Make your own anti-bullying poster with Bullying UK's poster maker!

2009-07-30T13:12:00.001+01:00

More ASCII Art Wallpapers

2009-07-20T09:32:00.003+01:00

As promised here are some more links to some of the other ASCII art wallpapers I have made.
So far they have all been given a thumbs up from the relevant peoples, but if anyone involved with the organizations who run the charities or make the product do not like them then please email me on number2.turds@yahoo.co.uk and let me know. In brackets you will find Twitter usernames and websites.

Anyways the next batch of designs are as follows:

Starbucks (@Starbucks http://www.starbucks.com)
Red Bull (@redbull http://www.redbull.com)
PlayStation (@PlayStationEU @SonyPlayStation http://www.playstation.com)
Guitar Hero (@GuitarHeroDevs @GHWT @GuitarHero http://www.guitarhero.com)
Marmite (http://www.marmite.com)

Please feel free to comment, and I'll post more links to others done soon.

Support Bully Free Zone's "Follow The Heard" Campaign!

2009-07-17T09:14:00.007+01:00

Bully Free Zone have kicked off a new campaign called "Follow The Heard" and I thought I should tell you guys all about this.

The message behind this campaign is that basically do not suffer in silence, tell someone if you are being bullied. You tell someone what's going on, and you keep telling people until it gets sorted out.

What Bully Free Zone want is for people to tell them about experiences of being bullied where it has helped to tell someone to get it sorted...or maybe you were the bully and you realized that you have a problem and that you got help. Maybe you have a poem about your experiences that you would like to share....whatever you have it can all help in the fight against bullying.

For more details on what Bully Free Zone are doing go to
http://bullyfreeteam.blogspot.com/2009/07/as-part-of-bully-free-zones-follow.html and if you think you have something that can contribute towards this brilliant campaign then please email Kev Walsh on office@bullyfreezone.co.uk as soon as you can.

Please, if there is anything to you can do to help, then get in touch....bullying really needs to be reduced greatly...it's unlikey that bullying will ever be totally irradicated, but just stopping it little by little is nothing but a good thing.

ASCII art wallpapers

2009-07-10T18:29:00.003+01:00

I have had some fun this week, as I have been messing about with some ASCII art and at the same time I promoted a few things too!

I made the ASCII art that I did into wallpapers for people to download. most of them have been for charity, but there have been a few company logos I decided to do too, and the links for each one are as follows (In brackets are Twitter usernames and websires):

Bully Free Zone (@BFZonline http://www.bullyfreezone.co.uk)
Percy The Pigeon (@PercythePigeon http://www.areyoubeingbullied.com)
Bullying UK (@bullyinguk http://www.bullying.co.uk)
X-Games 15 (@espnxgames)
Vans (@VANS_66 http://www.vans.com)
Dogs Trust (@dogstrust http://www.dogstrust.org.uk)
Born Free Foundation (@BornFree_UK @BFFoundation http://www.bornfree.org.uk)

I have done some more, but I'll put up the links for those later!
Please feel free to leave your comments here and let me know what you think!

How can this be?

2009-07-10T11:56:00.002+01:00

I'm shocked, this is something I'd never expected to find.

I was reading tweets from some charities this morning and Bully Free Zone (@BFZonline) asked if there was any other charity apart from them that did direct support for victims of bullying. so I thought that I'd have a look for any kind of bullying support in the Tadley area.

I found nothing.

How can this be? Bullying is a major problem no matter where you go, no matter what age you are and no matter what walk of life you come from. I cannot believe that there is no issues with bullying so there is nowhere that can help.

As I have said before I have been bullied, and when I was in school Childline had just started and I'd never heard of the NSPCC (although I think they were around in the 80s). It seems it is just as bad now, even with all these big anti-bullying charities out there. How canit be that there are big organizations but nowhere that is grass roots to help pick up the pieces? and by that I don't just mean the people who are bullied, but also the bullies (after all a lot of the time they need help themselves...if they have the help perhaps they would stop bullying or not even do it in the first place!).

I really don't know what to say, how can it be like this?

Please take care of your dogs in this weather...

2009-07-02T14:36:00.003+01:00

I'm kinda shocked about what I heard on the news this afternoon...

On Tuesday, 2 German Shepard dogs belonging to Nottinghamshire Police had passed away after being left in a car.

I used to be a dog handler for a security company and I just cannot believe that this has happened. You never EVER leave a dog in a car on a hot day, it's just asking for trouble the thing is that leaving a bowl of water or having the window open slightly does not help, the heat can feel furnace like very rapidly.

Please, if you have a dog, please be very careful if you have a dog in the car...in fact be really careful even if your dog is at home. Here are some tips that might help keep your dog cool:

If you leave your dog alone, they will usually find the coolest spot wherever you are.
Do not think just because the window of your car is slightly open and there is a bowl of water in the car your dog will be ok, it doesn't stop the temperature rising so rapidly to lethal levels.
Unless you have no choice, do not take your dog out for a walk until later in the day when it is cooler, it will make it more bearable for you too!
I personally used to spray my dog reguarly to keep him cool, and Preston loved it! If you do this don't forget to spray the paws and underside of the dog too!

Please, take care of your dogs and other pets during the hot weather.

Percy The Pigeon wallpapers

2009-07-02T09:24:00.003+01:00

You may have read a few blog entries back I'm supporting a cause called Percy the Pigeon, a great anti-bullying campaign.

I have designed a few wallpapers to try and help spread the word a little further, which you can check out on my Twitter feed (@yamerias) or you can click on the links below to get to the images directly...

Wallpaper #1 - Please Tell Someone http://www.twitpic.com/8yxzp
Wallpaper #2 - Book Front http://www.twitpic.com/8yxi1

The Percy The Pigeon campaign is based on a book called "Matty-Boy & The Secret Pigeon Racket" which is a fun book with a strong anti-bullying message. Please buy this book, each copy of the book bought means a donation of 50p to Bullying UK, who help victims of bulling.

For more details of this brilliant campaign and to find out how to buy the book head on over to http://www.areyoubeingbullied.com

Cool advert!

2009-07-01T22:33:00.003+01:00

Well, have a look at this advert on a bus shelter in Tadley...

I'm not sure how old this poster campaign is for Tango in the UK, but this is the first time I had seen it and it made me smile!

What a way to advertise your product, by saying that if you drink a huge amount of it you flatulent emissions will have a citrus fragrance....priceless!

Britvic have al;ways had some really cool promotional campaigns for their Tango soda drinks, I wonder if there will be any more posters like this around? I'll have to look out for them!

Guilt? Don't know the meaning of the word...

2009-06-29T12:32:00.003+01:00

I have just read a very powerful poem on another blog here called "Guilt!" and has been written by someone who used to be a bully.

If you want to read this poem, then head on over to the Bully Free Zone Volunteer Action Team Blog...the link to the poem is http://bullyfreeteam.blogspot.com/2009/06/guilt.html

This poem kinda touched me as I was bullied a lot when I was younger..when I was at school, when I went to train in several jobs, and I was even bullied by my father. Anti-bullying is a cause I'm more than happy to back, so as well as looking at thier blog (http://bullyfreeteam.blogspot.com) also have a look at the Bully Free Zone website (http://www.bullyfreezone.co.uk/) and also follow them on Twitter (@BFZonline if you are a Twitter member, or just have a browse by going to http://www.twitter.com/BFZonline).

Percy the Pigeon

2009-06-26T23:30:00.004+01:00

People who have been following me on Twitter (if you have a twitter account, my username is @yamerias but you can look at my tweets by going to http://www.twitter.com/yamerias if you are not) may have noticed that I follow and retweet someone called @PercythePigeon (again, if you are not a Twitter member, you can look at this member's tweets by going to http://www.twitter.com/PercythePigeon). I thought it might be nice to give a bit of an explination about Percy and the cause that he supports.

Percy The Pigeon is a character who is in the book Matty-boy and the Secret Pigeon Racket written by a talented authoress called Anita Hunt. The story is about a Matty-boy, a boy who lives with foster parents, and he finds a raggedy bundle on the window ledge of what is soon to be his bedroom. The "raggedy bundle" is Percy, who helps him deal with bullying.

I think this is a brilliant idea and as well as the book there is a campaign including Percy on Twitter, he has his own website and there is even a knitting pattern so you can knit your own Percy toy...how cool is that?

Anyways, if you are interested at looking at the Percy The Pigeon site, go to http://www.areyoubeingbullied.com/ and have a look at the ideas behind the story (and you could buy a copy of the book and other various items from thier online store)...or you could download the knitting pattern for Percy The Pigeon!

I fully support this campaign and it is very close to my heart...I was bullied a lot as a child, by kids and also by my father and I felt like there was nobody to turn to and it really got to me a lot, I see now if I had maybe spoken to one of my teachers or even one of my neighbours things could have been so different.

Please have a look at this website, and please support Percy the Pigeon.

A day of coolness...

2009-06-22T14:29:00.005+01:00

Today has been a really good day so far.

I have been pottering around in the garden and I think in one of Haunted Rock Cake's plant pots we could have the starting of a bumble bee nest. This is great news really, as they seem to be dwindling, so anything to help them. I'll be keeping an eye on this and there will be more as it develops.

The post today was REALLY awesome! I got 2 parcels today, one from my friend Steff in Germany which contained postcards for my collection, a DVD and an amazing I Am Legend beanie hat! Another beanie hat for collection is nothing but a good thing, and if you want to see my collection so far then head on over to http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=89410&id=574249516&l=7ab007658e and see what you think.

Then I got a piece of artwork by the supremely talented Adam Atherton!

I humbly thank for this dude, it is an amzing piece and I'll be getting a frame for this and hanging it up as soon as I can! Just in case you have not been following my blog (and if not why not?) Adam Atherton is the creator of the brilliant webcomic Lilly Of The Valley (there is a few pages of this if you go to http://www.zudacomics.com/node/1237) which will continue around September time. The image is of Lilly and is just amazing as you can see!

So yeah...it's been a really good day, and I cannot see anything ruining my day!

Save Shipley Windmill!

2009-06-22T00:34:00.004+01:00

I was looking at Twitter earlier and I saw some very sad news...

Shipley Windmill, the windmill that was used as the fictional home of Jonathan Creek in the show of the same name, is to be shortly closed down to the public indefinately due to a non-renewal of the lease by the landlords.

This is a real shame, the place is amazing, but they cannot get any help to run the place through grants for urgent repairs from The National Lottery, English heritage or the like becuase they do not have a longger lease as the landlords are not interested in extending the lease.

Because of this it looks like the place will only be open now until July, however as it looks like this will be last season this beautiful windmill will be open there will be no admission charge.

If there is any way you can help the volunteers there while this place stays open then there are details to contact them on thier website, http://www.shipleywindmill.org.uk/ and I know it's a long shot, but if the landlord of Shipley Windmill is reading this blog, please please please renew the lease, this is an amazing place and it would great for the public to be able to see this place for many years to come.

Check this out!

2009-06-16T09:11:00.005+01:00

This is the teaser image for Adam Atherton's Lilly of the Valley webcomic. I'm really hyped for this and I really cannot wait for September when this should be released.

In case you have not read this so far, then head on over to http://www.zudacomics.com/node/1237 and have a look at this amazing piece to whet your appetite...and you can leave comments for Adam Atherton via Twitter (@AdamAtherton), his blog (http://lilyofthevalleycomic.blogspot.com/), and you can also join "The Herd" and be part of the Lilly of the Valley Facebook group (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=71143685849&ref=ts).

Have a look at this story and enjoy!

2009-06-12T08:54:00.005+01:00

I thought an update for what has been going on this week would be in order!!!

I have been having a bit of a nose around to see if Adam Atherton had done any more comics on Zuma barring Lilly of the Valley and I have found that he did another called Bleed, which looked quite interesting. If you fancy a look then head on over to http://www.zudacomics.com/node/945

I saw 3 movies last week...The Hangover (I got preview tickets for free, which was nice), Drag Me To Hell and Terminator Salvation.
Drag Me To Hell wasn't too bad, it was about a woman who is cursed to be dragged to Hell by a demon and her race against time to break the curse. I'm not going to spoil anything, but I did like the way that a small item near the beginning of the movie changed everything right at the end of the movie. This one is certainly one that I will be adding to my DVD when it is released!
Terminator Salvation....oh what a can of worms this movie has opened! A lot of people have "boycotted" this movie as there is none of the original cast in it, but to be honest I think that was a good thing. I enjoyed the movie (Cuddle Bunny went with me, and she liked it but thought that the previous 3 movies were better) and I liked the way that it seemed to ignore the third movie. In a lot of ways this felt more like a franchise "reboot" than a prequel/sequel (not sure what catergory it would be in because of the "time travel" element of this franchise). I liked Christian Bale as John Connor, and look forward to getting this on DVD as well. For people who enjoyed this movie, IMDB have it listed that "Termiator 5" is to be released in 2011 (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1340138/).

My birthday went kinda well, which was nice too..me and cuddle Bunny went to Southsea and walked from South Parade Pier to Clarence Pier. We went into every arcade between the two points and played all the 2p machines! I won quite a few keyrings and stuff which I gave to Cuddle Bunny, although I Kept 2 that I had won (Clumsy Bean and Nurse Bean from Bean World, have a look at them on http://www.bean-world.net/) and kept one for me and gave the other to my flatmate. We also had fish&chips by the sea, which I was really looking forward to but they were horrible...the fish was swimming in grease!
We also went to Victoria Park which was nice, although it has changed a lot since I had been there!
It was just great to have a day with Cuddle Bunny, I loved every minute!

My DVD collection has broken through the 1,000 barrier! That is a LOT of DVDs! sure I know there are people with loads more than me, but I have only the DVDs I want, and most of them as collector's editions which is nice. Here's to breaking the 2,000 barrier!

Well, that's all for now, but I'm sure I'll be back soon!

Dragged into the present kicking and screaming!

2009-06-04T19:14:00.003+01:00

Oh boy the last week or so has been interesting in regards to getting people communicating!

Last week I got GFP up and running on Twitter (@HaunterRockCake) and she seems to be using it well...and today I got mumsie (@gypsyrose57) on there as well, and I got her used to the Facebook account I set up for her too! Please add them,and add me too if you like (@yamerias)!

Oh, I have heard that David Caradine has passed away...such sad news and a great loss to both the martial arts and movie communities....Rest In Peace Grasshopper.

Lilly Of The Valley - Zuda Winner!

2009-05-31T13:43:00.003+01:00

You guys may have remembered I mentioned a webcomic on Zuda called Lily of the Valley...well it won the monthly competition and now has a contract with DC Comics! Congratualtions to creator Adam Atherton for making a seriously cool comic.

In case you are not aware of what this comic is, well you really need to have a look at this, you will be in for a treat! It's about a girl so has some mental issues, and she works through them (in her view making herself normal) by killing people. She picks people who will be a challenge, no easy pickings and she also feels she is doing them a service and feels they will be thankful. It's kinda creepy, and maybe a little disturbing in some ways, but it's bloody brilliant! If the comic carries on as well as the 8 pages that are currently on Zuda them we are all in for a treat.

If you want to see this fine comic then head on over to http://www.zudacomics.com/node/1237?page=1 and if you think it's cool then you can follow Adam's blog at http://lilyofthevalleycomic.blogspot.com/ and if you are a member of Facebook you can become part of "the herd" by joining the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=71143685849&ref=ts. You can also drop any comments for Adam on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/AdamAtherton.

So why are you still reading this? Go and have a look at the comic already!

2009-05-29T12:52:00.003+01:00

Whoa another post so regular, what's wrong with me!

Three Faces of Foley arrived yesterday, and it's not too bad! It shows the interview as Mankind when he attacked Jim Ross which is slightly disturbing, why can't they do storylines like that any more? As far as I'm aware I have all the WWE/WWF Mick Foley DVDs in my collection, I'm now on the hunt for Undertaker ones.

Guitar Hero: Metallica is released today! I'll be picking up my copy before I meet Cuddle Bunny later, and I'll give my impressions of what I think it is like after a few plays.

Me and Cuddle Bunny are going to be seeing Angels & Demons this evening...I'm looking forward to the movie and it's even better I get to spend time with my Cuddle Bunny! I've been told that apparently it is difficult to compare this movie with The DaVinci Code as this one is a lot more action based. I'll give my thoughts later or tomorrow.

Kosh and Lisa are down for the weekend (Kosh is Haunted Rock Cake's son and Lisa is Kosh's wife) and they were kind enough to give me some more postcards for my collection. These ones promote the games Resistance: Retribution and WWE SmackDown Vs Raw 2008. Cheers Kosh!

Well, that's all for now folks...maybe some more later.

2009-05-28T08:24:00.002+01:00

Yes it's another blog entry!

I'm rather narked at the moment, and I guess it's something quite petty, but it's quite annoying.
Our neighbour has decided that he is going to put all his garbage in my bin..not an issue if they had a full bin, after all neighbours are supposed to be a helpful community..but this guy has a perfectly good empty bin of his own. The reason for going to my bin? The only thing I can put it down to is that he cannot be bothered to go to his own bin, which is a little further away! Damn, what a lazy git! Dammit dude, stop filling up my bin!

I was sitting in the middle of Tadley waiting for GFP to come out of work yesterday and as I was watching the traffic, I have noticed that there seem to be more Minis on the road in the area I live than anything else! I really like the Mini, I think it is an awesome car (I may not be able to drive, and to be honest I seriously doubt I'll ever fit in one...but I love them anyways) but I never realised they were THAT popular!

I can't believe it's a new blog entry!

2009-05-27T11:08:00.002+01:00

Yes, your eyes do not decieve you, The Fat Bloke has done another enrty and there is no gap of weeks betwwen the previous one! It's a lovely rainy day, so I thought I'd update the blog and say what has been going on...

The rain is lovely...I really like this weather as it is usually cooler (think of it this way...when you get cold you can add extra layers, when you are hot you cannot remove your skin!) and the bonus for me is that I don't have headaches during this weather for some odd reason. It's also going to do the garden so good too.

I have finally got Twitter to work on my mobile! Granted, I need to access mobile internet on my mobile (well, I could do it by text but it would cost me as it is classed as an overseas text!) but I have got it to work. Last time I tried this it was on my old phone (a Nokia N70 on O2) and the button to sign in never came up, so I could not log in! This was rather frustrating, but since I got an LG KS360GO (aka Etna) I thought I'd try again and it works great! Add to that the O2 Web Bolt On and it's all good, I can tweet from almost anywhere I can use my phone! If you want to have a look at my Twitterings, then head on over to http://www.twitter.com/yamerias
It's great to be able to use both Twitter and Facebook on the go!

I was supposed to be going to the cinema yesterday to see Angels & Demons, but Cuddle Bunny was knackered (she's just started a new shift pattern which means she gets up earlier bless her!), so that was a no go. Hopefully we shall be going on Friday after she finishes work, more on that as it happens. I did meet up with Cuddle Bunny yesterday though...and we shopped for socks...how exciting is that?

Cuddle Bunny was supposed to be only working for 4 hours today, but somehow she got drafted to help with a stocktake at another store today, which means now I'm not going to see her until Friday as I have to do a load of shopping tomorrow because Sandra's son and wife are down for the weekend (and turn up tomorrow evening). I'm kinda worried though, as one of her ex's works there as manager and they didn't finish on good terms...mind you not heard anything so far, so perhaps the guy has finally grown up, but time will tell.

I am awaiting a few DVDs for my humble DVD collection, and I have to thank the good people at CeX for making my day! I was looking at DVDs on thier site and thought I would have a look through thier wrestling DVDs and I found "The Three Faces of Foley" for a mere £4 on DVD! Obviously I had to get myself a copy, so I'm just waiting for it to arrive which will be with any luck in the next few days! they have quite a few wrestling DVDs (WWE/WWF, ECW and TNA) at really good prices because they are second hand and they will beat getting them from eBay too.

Well, that's all for now...maybe there will be an update later if any DVDs arrive.

This and that...

2009-05-21T21:44:00.002+01:00

Ah yes...it's time for another updaye by The Fat Bloke!

Things are kinda ok, I have just recently got over some cold/lurgy that made me feel absolutely awful. I'm ok now (I think) with just the odd sniffle, although GFP seems to have caught it from me which is not good for her as she is on a course for work!

I went and saw my "adoptive daughter" Ro last week (she kinda adopted me as a father figure many moons ago) and I saw her son Zack for the first time...he's adorable! I held him in my arms and I was instantly smitten. I hate to say it but I really want to have a kid now, and that is something I never ever thought I'd ever say. Ro and her husband Pete are well, although just getting over the passing of Pete's grandfather.

Cuddle Bunny was away on holiday last week...I had to handle 9 days away! I'm hoping I wasn't too bad toward people (everyone has said I'm fine, but I worry they are just being nice). I felt like Hell, each second felt like a minute, each minute an hour, each hour a day and ever day dragged like it was a week! It's great to have she's back though!

I have preordered Guitar Hero: Metallica and it's out next week! I preordered from my local HMV and the incentives to preordered are as follows:

Postcards (yay, more postcards for my collection!)
Zombie skins for the characters in the game
Guitar Hero: Metallica T-shirt

The t-shirt would be cool, but I can almost guarantee that it will not be in my size!

I have seen an awesome comic called Lilly of the Valley...A love story for the over and under medicated, the disenchanted, the excessively violent and the soft-spoken. Welcome to a valley of emotional turbulence. if you want to have a look at this then head on over to www.zudacomics.com/node/1237 and join Zuda and vote for this, with enough votes it could be picked up by DC comics!

Well, that's all for now....hopefully the next update will be a little sooner!

2009-04-27T16:01:00.002+01:00

Well, not much going on really in the World of The Fat Bloke, but I thought I should do a little bit of an update.

Things are going REALLY well with Cuddle Bunny, I personally do not think I have been happier than I am now, things are just so so good. I love her so very much!

that aside there's nothing much really going to be happening this week except me getting my eyes tested but that's nothing that special...oh and I have started writing poetry again, so I may stick some of it up here soon.

Until next time people!