chickens in the yard an introduction

The chicken in my garden see me as their personal slave. I feed them, water them, cl an them out, I built their house and now every time they see me they expect I will do something for them. On the plus side chickens have more character than I thought possible. Each one a individual with their own quirky personality. I have 4 chickens

Mischief. The top Hen and the head of the escape committee. She is constantly trying to get over the fence to eat the neighbors plants after she has eaten all of ours.

Mayhem  The best layer and the fastest greediest bird we have. Always scratching and foraging in search of a bugs and slugs.  She lays double yoker eggs at least once a week and her eggs are much bigger than the others

Speedy  a quick little chicken who never wants to go back in the coop. I great explorer who likes getting as high as she can but has no interest in escaping the garden. She has a almost comic like start when she is setting off where she stays still but runs on the spot. 

Baby. The biggest and youngest of the chickens. She spends time sussing things out and is by far the cleverest. Apart from the fact she thinks she is still the smallest so happily takes a lower place in the pecking order. I have a feeling this will change in the near future. 
So that's the girls over the next few weeks hopefully you will get to know them pretty well. The photo is Baby. any questions just ask.

Stay safe, speak soon,

Russ

The fate of civilisation

Is civilisation on the brink of collapse. The summery for what caused the fall of the roman empire is.

Economic collapse and the arrival of the barbarian hordes had a lot more to do with the end of Roman rule." In 'The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire', Edward Gibbon blamed the adoption of Christianity as the official religion and a decline in civic virtue as the reason for the collapse.

According to Philip Matyszak, a historian and author with a doctorate in Roman history from Oxford University in an article from the times. "No historian is going to argue that debauchery brought about the end of the empire,"

Well if that's the case and all civilisations have finally collapsed how far are we off the end of the current capitalist system?

In the last 10 I feel I have seen a decline in society on the whole. I realise a lot of this comes from savage cuts to council budgets. Some is due to the extra litter and general wear and tear on community people stop caring about how things look. Areas are starting to look desheveled. Community is almost non existent in many areas. People don't talk to neighbours, use local shops or even engage with community events.

This is leaving young people with lack of guidance to do what ever they want on the streets. The police are over stretched and over worked. With reduced powers. How long before organised crime becomes a more dominant force in the uk.

If you look at what happened to Rome they were complacent they were to strong and to big to fall. A bunch of untrained barbarians sacked Rome and brought the empire to its knees. Is there a modern day barbarian horde knocking on the doors? Well there could be but we are taking them seriously right? Well not really.

I am genuinely worried about any grandchildren I might have and how the world will look for them.

Anyways that's all folks

Stay safe, speak soon

Russ

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My big "blue" tool kit

Hopefully you made it through blue Monday intact yesterday. I had planned in advance to be busy so was okay

What next blue Monday is gone but y he nights are still and the weather still cold.

For me it's about focus. I like to set aside time to be glum. I know it's sound daft but I know the gloom is always just over my shoulder so instead of running or hiding from it I like to accept that it is there and give it 20 minutes every now and again. In doing that I take its power sometimes I even laugh about it.

Don't get me wrong it sneaks up on me and derails my plans from time to time but on the whole I know it's there but own it. I use it to fuel my creative side.

Being creative however you feel is a really good way to express your feelings. I write scripts or short stories mainly. Other people I know paint or do crafts or make music.

It is important to look and see if there is something for you.

If it's not creative it could be sport or another hobbie. It could be a combination of all of these. The most important thing is to build yourself a good toolbox that can support you.

For me mindfulness is key 3 dedicated 15 minute spots a day without fail. I brake them down into a physical check in the morning followed by a mental check around lunchtime. Then before bed I like to process my day. I try to pick 3 good things a day out and relive them in my head.

Sometimes good can be "I managed to get up" sometimes it might be "I won an Oscar" (okay that's not true, I always get overlooked for Oscars like De caprio)

I think you get my point in finding the victories in the day. If you find them it sets up tomorrow. It kind of spirals into better days, Better mood and Bigger plans. It's self propagating.

This is just how I do it. Another key skill is "turn your phone off" beds are for sleeping not stalking ex's on Facebook; or reading random blog posts.

Well that's it for now

Stay safe, speak soon

Russ

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My 11 guests

Thinking about this I had to consider if the people would get along or if they would hate each other this made it impossible to ask my top guests. Then I thought it was my dinner party so I would just assume they would get along and that they would all speak English.

1. Jim Bradford - he was my best friend while in the army and I don't see him enough so any excuse. He would also be someone to talk to if the rest turned out to be really dull.

2. John peel - he is a bit of a hero of mine and it would be great to talk to him about music

3. Anne hatherway - she is an outstanding actor. I think she would be really interesting plus her smile is so big it would be easy to gage if she was having a good time.

4. Stacey Dooley - I love her honest niaviety and how she seems unphazed by the situation and more interested the individual than the whole.

5. Prince Harry - let's face it he know how to have a good time. Plus I would like to talk about his time in the army.

6. Dave Grimshaw - he was my lecturer last year and retired over the summer. I found a mentor and miss him a little. Although his replacement is doing a sterling job.

7. James cordan - I would love to talk about is career path and generally try and get a smiffy style rant out of him

8. Julie Andrews - who would not want Mary popping at their dinner party.

9. My nan on my dad's side - She sounded like a spirited woman who I never had the fortune to meet

10. My niece Ella - as I am very proud of her and would love to see her taking the fact that she is speaking to people who should be dead in her stride.

11. Freddie Mercury - well Ella would love that and he would be great for entertainment after dinner

12. Kate aide - she saw some shit going down. It would be good to hear her stories

Well that's my 12 like I said it can be anyone living or dead. There are loads of people you should invite but remember it's your dinner party don't feel pressured. There is the whole mother Teresa Nelson Mandela thing but it's my party and I am choosing

Let me know yours.

On another point my real favorite is with shell and the kids but I am pretty sure she would understand if I got invited to that party. She is good like that

Stay safe, speak soon

Russ

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Worlds best Dinner party

Who would you invite to a dinner party?

So A formal dinner with you and 11 guests. You can choose anyone living or dead but need reasons.

I will work on mine you work on yours I will let you know mine later.

Motivation lacking, faith questioning?

I don't have any lectures on a Wednesday. Today I planned to start glossing the hall and landing. Start work on another essay. I managed to watch telly. I did turn my computer on  so big points for me there. Win.

It's been a strange day. I got a message off someone I know vaugly. I have always thought them a nice person but never really had the chance to get to know them. We had a short discussion about mental health and faith/church.

This is all a bit deep for me but I have been questioning my faith a lot recently as over the last 8 years I don't think I have visited a church apart from a wedding. I have not prayed since I left the army. Then a couple of weeks ago I started praying again. I asked for the strength to be a better man. I have been asking the same since. Then today I got a message from someone who I barely know offering me words of support and helpping me re open the internal reflection with my relationship with my faith. It just seemed a bit spooky.

This afternoon I went out for lunch and then had a hospital appointment. I am going to have a few tests and see how things are. I don't think there is much wrong with me that loosing some weight would not fix. (Obviously I do think I am ill and about to die but I am trying to fool myself, shhhhh don't tell me)

So tomorrow I am going for some blood tests. Hooray that will be fun.

We bought an Aldi smoothie maker today which I thought would be rubbish but it's pretty good to be honest.

This evening we have had a meeting about the restructure at work which just feel a bit intimidating to be back in this process again. I won't talk about that at the moment. As it's a sore point really the way I feel on the subject.

Then this evening before bed I watched heartbreak ridge. You gotta love gunny highways method of preparing his troops.

Stay safe, speak soon

Russ

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Tuesday night is Awesome

It's Daddy daughter Tuesday hooray.

So today is our after school experience. I was planning  on a nature walk but rain stopped play. I didn't  want to do trampolining again but Freya did. The roller rink was closed so there was nothing for it but Legoland discovery center Manchester.

It was awesome. Due to being after school it was pretty quite only about 8 other people in there.

The whole experience from start to finish was sugar coated candyfloss flavour family fun. I was amazed at the sheer joy that I felt. It was like being 8 years old getting everything I could have ever wanted for Christmas.

We got to get all the lego factory machines working. We had a battle with orcs trying to over run a castle. We did karaoke in the lego friends cafe. We built towers on earthquake tables and Freya made the tallest one which stayed up made me very pround. Mine collapsed but I think my earthquake was more severe and I am pretty sure I saw godzilla near mine.

We also watched a 4D film. I don't want to give anything away but I will say it's worth a visit.

We left via the shop and build our own lego characters. I made Steve jobs.
I wanted to make a David Bowie but they just never had the parts.

I would definitely go again for longer. It's a 4 star rating on the scale.

Stay safe, speak soon

Russ

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Jumping into that fitness

Well with riding so much on my bike and now trying new fitness thing you would think I would be  stick thin. I am not this is because I love pies and pizza and most of all cake.

So I have been trying to sort that out for the last few weeks and I am getting better. Oh and I did start before Christmas this is not a really new idea. The only thing new for this year is doing new things with Freya every Tuesday.  Tomorrow we are going on a nature walk unless it's really cold then I will need a indoor plan.

Not sure what yet if you can think of something for a 38 year old fat lad and a 6 year old girl to do let me know. If I don't use it tomorrow I have 50 other weeks to fill.

Ideally everything will be something energetic. It's part of my personal fitness campaign.

My reflux was bad today during the class best not eat before I go next time. I knew this really but as we have already discussed I am a greedy pig. I won't make that mistake again though.

Stay safe, speak soon

Russ

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Turn and face the strange

"Turn and face the strange"

Let's take that statement and roll with it.

Change is a part of life and even the force exerted in fighting change is in itself a change to your normal habits.

I have struggled with change in the past. The last 2 occasions I have had major significant change I really struggled. My mental and physical heath took a pounding. Now not so much I have learnt to embrace change.

Iv not just rolled over to the inevitability of in just change I still fight and try to stop the growing wave of change that removes our rights.

I am currently undergoing big change in my own life with more government cutbacks effecting my job again. I have only just come to terms with the last round.

The change that I will be taking time to reflect on today is the death of David Bowie.

Can music change you?

I think it can feed your soul which can be a catalyst for change on our journey through life.

What do you think? Let me know

I will leave you with this

"The truth is of course is that there is no journey. We are arriving and departing all at the same time."

David Bowie

Stay safe, speak soon

Russ

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DIY DAD

So it been a busy few days of sorting and out and getting wallpaper stripped oh the joy. It's not a exactly been a pleasure. After 2 full days I have finished the hall stairs and landing and most of the front room. I have 1 alcove and above the windows.  As far as a workout goes it's been pretty good for the arms.

Being busy has also stopped me snacking. I also feel genuinely ready for bed.

Being busy like I have always makes me wonder about being a good dad. As due to doing D.i.y I have not had the same amount of time to invest in Freya.  I asked her about it today and she had not even noticed. Which I guess is a good thing.

We have been planing our Tuesday activity for after school. So far it is a nature adventure unless it's raining. Then it's an indoor thing but not sure which.

I am trying my best to be a better man. I even said a little prayer about it the other day. Which is strange as I don't feel religious. I wonder what that's all about.

I am off to jump fitness again tomorrow night. Let's see how that goes. I am still sore from last time.

Any ideas for daddy daughter dates are much appreciated.

Stay safe, speak soon

Russ

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Big effort, Big rewards

To start with I have a massive headache and pain down my neck. Due to the fact that I am a massive hypochondriac this means I am definitely dying. Or stripping wall paper all day after doing jump fitness might also be the explination. If I do feel really ill I will get it checked.

Is life down to luck?

Well yes but I think luck for those of us from hubble beginning comes directly from the effort we put in.

This is a broad sweeping statement that can be proven in either direction by multiple case studies. If I look at the people I know the ones who are committed to stuff and put in the effort are the ones who achieve the luckiest outcomes in life.

This effort is often undermined by the efforts of others but in the long term determination does seem to pay off.

Natural ability and circumstances of birth obviously influence the way people progress in life but with out drive it is easy to squander the advantages. The level of effort needed by people without this advantage is vastly increased but you still see people breaking barriers and grabbing their opportunities.

Rant over with a final message "if you want something go out and get it" (me, just now.)

Well did book onto jump fit again on Monday at 8 if you fancy it book in quick.

Today has been spent mostly striping wall paper from hall stairs and landing and front room. Tomorrow will be spent the same way. Except tomorrow might include picking some paint too. I can't wait! Is it fair as a bloke to say. I really don't care what it looks like.

Speak soon, stay safe

Russ

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Jump don't fall

Many people will already be giving up on new year fitness plans. Well don't drop of it jump instead. 

As you will know if you have been reading for a while on Tuesday I went to jump wearhouse and had an amazing time with Freya


I felt a bit sore and looked online at there site and saw they offered fitness classes I went over this morning feeling apprehensive (being a fat lad) at the the thought of it. It was however much more fun than I thought. It was body combat on trampolines. I came out feeling fully worked out but my joints all feel fine no aches like I usually get after any kind of circuits.

If you are looking for a way to get fit that at the same time helps you feel like a 6 year old jumping on a trampoline. This is for you. The personal trainer taking the class claimed it could burn upto 1000 calories a session. I fully believe it. What I also really liked was walking out of a really fun workout back to my car and seeing the misirable faces on the people in the gym. I bet they quit before the end of the month.

I will be booking in on Monday evening. Join me if you like. If you know Warrington it is just by LA bowl. Or this is the website

http://www.jumpwarehouse.com

While the session today was very intimate you need to book for evening sessions.

I will might look at doing a podcast about this.

Stay safe, speak soon

Russ

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Determination, Decoration and Daleks

I am still struggling with snacking but I did only snack once and it was not the usual kind of binge. Which is a positive. I am booked into jump fitness tomorrow at the trampoline place even though at the moment I am still hurting from playing on them on Tuesday. Am taking a voice recorder and going to do some stuff for the radio/podcast. Put together a bit of a package and see how that goes.

Today has been pretty productive. Got loads of the hall and landing sorted out today, found a crack in the plaster and called a plasterer to see if it was OK....... Good news it was bad news while he was in I got a quote for the ceilings downstairs so am forking out for them on Thursday next week.

Went to uni and did some script writing, played Lego with Freya and made a Lego Dalek trap because why the hell not. I am still procrastinating about uni work but in think I am OK. Just need to make sure I am keeping up to date as the weeks move on. I am half way through my second year which is pretty scary stuff. If everything keeps going as planed I will graduate just before my 40th birthday which is really nice.

Reflux not as bad guess that's due to not eating the rubbish I normally do. Spoke about doing at LGBT podcast with a LGBT group in Warrington.

Shell has been quite bad with her Fybro over the last couple of days I am starting to get a bit worried about her again. I really don't know what I can do to help.

Stay safe, speak soon

Russ

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