Free Falling Foxes

In recent times, they have started to let you know which hospital your blood was allocated to. Now, donors don't mind where, nor to whom their blood goes. I must say though, that when I received notice my latest donation had gone to a childrens hospital, the thought I may have helped a child made me feel so bloody good in myself - even pride. Yet all I did was sit down for half an hour, have a nice chat with the staff and other donors and yes, tea and biscuits

May I add that donations don't only need to include charities, nor a need to be monetary? Blood. Please donate blood if you are able. Sadly, after donating for many years, I am no longer able and one thing former donors are asked is to do is try and get as many others as possible to take your place. If you're worried about needles - don't look. If you are worried about discomfort, the most painful part is ripping the plaster from your arm later. Lets face it, if you or someone dear to you needed blood, you would expect it to be available. Please help.

With a growing number of people, I think it is down to an increasing sense of entitlement and expectation, yet also an unknowing and knowing contempt, along with ambivalence, for health and social services, and those who deliver these. I worked for adult social care for many years and far too often we would turn up for pre arranged appointments at folks homes, only to get no answer at the door. We would have people just brush it off with 'I forgot'. We would have them say you should have reminded me. We even started reminding folk on the morning of their appointment and still they would not be in. Problem was, there was no consequence to them. They would be offered another appointment - several times. Eventually, we would close their case only for them to contact us again and we were obliged to see them. And don't get me started on trying to get them to come to us......

Off topic but Christmas related: Wife and daughter took the grandchildren to see Santa today. They showed me some photos when they returned. I was really impressed with the Santa. 'He looks like the real one' I said with complete sincerity. Wellllll, it could have been him.....

Don't agree with this winding the Brum fans up, it'll keep them raucous when we need to silence them.

That James is bloody useful.

Mays. They also had a third that carried-out repairs.

I nearly put 69/70 but wrongly correct myself. It was indeed the first match. I was in the popular stand - 2/6 for boys.

Ahh yes, thanks for reminding me of Oldhams. Bought my first tools from there before beginning my apprenticeship, along with a beautiful wooden tool drawer/chest which my son now has. There was also a hobby/craft shop on Churchgate - Apex, iirc. I remember they had big model railway layout downstairs. I recall buying a pack of balsa wood from there as a younster to make some models.

Although I had been to Filbert St several times before under the ruse to help my sister in one of the kiosks, the first match I had to pay to watch was 68/69 season v Brum. Rodney Fern scored a spectacular overhead kick. Next day on 'Star Soccer', Billy Wright said he would travel a thousand miles to see a goal like that again.

This set me thinking about the actual recorded police interviews they show in crime programmes, where a suspect just repeats 'No comment' to all the questions. I know they are advised to do so by their solicitor but to me it implies guilt. 'Did you murder Mrs. Joan Smith?' 'No comment' What? If I was innocent, I would scream from the rooftops that they had the wrong guy.

Wilkinsons and Fenwicks are two recent casualties of Leicester companies that had their origins here but no longer. They do however, still have a presence elswhere in the country - albeit in Wilkos case under a new owner. Still we do have the 'Golden Mile'..........

I think you should go back to the bookies and tell them they made a mistake and offer to return your winnings.

The government have already covered their arses re this. There is some encouraging news for her however. Apparently, lenders got nervous and almost all said they wouldn't lend in such instances. This followed concerns about damp etc in Oct 21. Late this year they have relaxed their views somwhat. If a proper survey was carried-out prior to install and open cell spray foam was correctly applied and appropriate certificates and guarantees issued, then lenders are more likely to accept mortgages on such properties.

Saw this clip for the first time today.

No idea where this came from but had a craving last night for a Breville (remember them?) toasted sandwich with a chicken and cheese filling. Thing is; our Breville had long since gone so I improvised and used a George Foreman Grill. Basically does the same thing but doesn't seal the sandwich edges. Very tasty.

Have carried-out a rescan/updated your channel listings?

Not a favourite but a gem imo.

British Gas offering cheap leccy on Sundays, as long as you have a smart meter. We do, so registered for the discount. Apparently, our meter has a fault so it doesnt send them readings. I'll have new one then, says I. Your guarantee has expired, they said! Wtf? I haven't bought the bloody meter, it's theirs ffs. Their meter, their fault = I have to pay extra. Grrrrrrr!

Might be worth checking t'internet for work arounds? Previous printer of mine would indicate empty cartridge but putting some tape over some contacts on the colour cartridge itself, meant I got several more pages out of it. Now, back to the funny pics.....

My recollection from when I was growing up in the 60s/70s, was that most folk including mine, didn't put up their tree and decorations until early/mid December anyway. The last 20 years or more, its got earlier and earlier for many families. It's not unusual to see Christmas trees in October now.

I'm not too sure how we compare with other home supporters but suspect the King Power isn't unique. Even if we are one of the worst examples of half emptying stadiums currently, I think it will spread and increase elsewhere. The demographics are changing, or have changed. More families, more females, all seater stadia and fans becoming 'customers'. Urgh. Singing & shouting less so, but boisterous behaviour, anger, swearing are being consigned to history. And this has been encouraged of course, for all the right reasons. What we see is a consequence. Throw into the mix that, perversely, those 'customers' are treated with contempt by the clubs on occassions and regularly by the likes of $ky and BT with their switching of games for TV, I suppose we shouldn't be surprised.

Whoops

There was a study carried-out, although this was some years ago now, that found only 65% (iirc), supported their home town club.