Yettie One

Hiya Joann Thanks for the greetings, good to be back chick Erm I can't say the name of the deo for fear of some endorsement infringement, but it sounds very similar to Pure, and is advertised with a tick! ROFL Erm I really should get cracking with this pic thing shouldn't i?

Awww thanks Stellar. I know what you mean about craving a good nights sleep. Always best to be in your own bed for one of those.

Oh you big tease!!!!!!!!

I've always been an underwear guy in the sleep wear department. I can't wear socks in bed, feels weird and don't like the way a t shirt kinda wraps around you in the night, so that's a no no too! When it's real cold, I might put on a jumper.

Thanks Mark. So good to be back!

Heya NNN I didn't see the BBC coverage as you say, and maybe that may have made a little more sense had I seen it, however I still dispute the statement but would tend to agree with Bill on this one. I take your point about the stamina needed to endure the the race as a race leader in the way Bradley has, but in all honesty it is the nature of the TdeF, and while I have not tried riding up mountains for fun, let alone a sport, it is what you'd expect from a cyclist in the TdeF. Each sport has its own unique challenges, so does one that requires great physical demand like the TdeF make the achievement of another sports person less significant? Nah, I don't think that is fair in my opinion, but again that is only my opinion. You suggested comparing him against someone else. Again not something I think it is fair to do, as each sports person has made their own remarkable achievements, as has Bradley, within their own respective sports. I mean lets just think of a few..... I agree with Andy about Sir Steve Redgrave. But we also have Daley Tompson and Dame Kelly Holmes who have both significantly won gold over sustained years in their own individual events. They maintained their fitness over years of competition and won for Britain on a global platform. What about Seb Coe in his time? If we want to consider greatness in their own sporting arena, what about Torval and Dean? As impressive as a TdeF winner in terms of endurance? Maybe not, but still no less significant in terms of their commitment to their sport or the level of success they have achieved. Mathew Pinsent won gold over four consecutive games spanning 16 years. He and Steve Redgrave set the bar in terms of longevity and endurance. Pretty damn impressive in my book. What about Roger Banister and the four minute mile? Maybe not as significant now, but at its time it was ground breaking and put the man and UK athletics on the map! Then we have Sir Bobby Charlton. He lead the team in the 1966 golden moment, and went on to become one of the greatest names in UK football. What about Nigel Mansel, a 31 times winner in the world of F1, a career that spanned 15 seasons on the F1 Grand Prix circuit. Then we have possibly one of my favourite sports men, Martin Johnson who lead the British rugby team to lift the rugby world cup against all the odds. Of course if we talk rugby, think about Johnny Wilkinson who holds records for the most number of drop goals, the most number of points in a Rugby World Cup and is the only player to have scored in two rugby world cups. That aside from the fact he has kicked over 1099 points in his career. In the world of cricket can we forget Ian Botham or Wally Hammond, two giants of the game? Don't forget Paul Collingwood who has a fantastic One Day record. In boxing Joe Calzaghe is still the undisputed and undefeated champion of the world, having won 44 out of 44 fights, a stunning record. Let's also take our hats off to Ken Buchanan who won a grand total of 61 of his 69 professional fights, and is still regarded as one of the finest British boxers. Rebecca Adlington is our most successful swimmer and Tom Daley is our youngest ever world champion, having won that title at 14. Lots of different sporting achievements. Any of them as great as Bradley Wiggins? Hell yeah, if you put each into the context of its own sporting accolades then they are fine achievements. While I totally respect what Wiggins has achieved, I just feel it is not necessarily the finest sporting achievement of any British sports person.

Ok So Mr Bradley Wiggins is on course to be the first British Cyclist to win the Tour de France bike race this weekend, and I have to take my hat off to him and the Sky team for the remarkable success they have had. However........ I was watching the news on ITV tonight and saw them interviewing Chris Hoy. Now he reckons that if Bradley does win on the weekend, he believes it will be the most significant achievement of a British Sportsman ever in the history of sport in the UK! Erm........... what? The man wins the Tour de France once and its the greatest achievement in British sport ever? Ha, sorry I don't get that. It's a great achievement yes, but the greatest... In my opinion that's pushing the boat out just a little too far. What do you think?

We had a sever drought in Zimbabwe when I was a young lad in the late 80's that was no fun. Water rationing and failed crops. Food prices went ballistic, and we had to import food aid and all sorts. It's not a great experience. I feel for the farmers watching their crops and livestock go to ruin. I saw a report on the news the other day showing the roasted maize crop and struggling animals. Not good.

Moms are just the best. Simples.

LOL, that was brilliant fun!

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr Your going to hound me for this pic now ain't ya Mr??? Ha Ok Ok, I'll have to sort one out for ya. However............. I assure you it is not of me in a Nik or even in the Nik! haha x

This relentless forward march of time seems to sore past me like a bat out of hell some days, and then on others it barely stands still. It's weird. So they tell me that I need to learn to associate my feelings with what is happening to me or around me at the time my feelings are provoked! Hmmmmmm That is really not as simple as it sounds! Right, you suddenly feel blue. No apparent reason. Logically something must have caused it right? It's just I don't think this is a very logical illness. I've sat trying to figure it out, but don't seem to be winning. I'm lucky I've been massively busy and haven't had much time to sit and ponder this much, as I think I may find it really frustrating, and that doesn't seem to be the positive result I'm meant to be looking for. Zola Lilly I am so sorry you been feeling down recently. I hate the way the dark days creep up on you, and can only imagine your frustration. I appreciate that desire you express not to return to the darkness of the abyss, and hope that you are able to avoid walking these dark, lonely corridors once more. If you should find that you are walking those well worn flagstones, please feel free to reach out and grab a hand for company, or bend an ear if you need, lean on a shoulder if you choose. I, as many others am here, and will stand shoulder to shoulder if we should wonder these halls together. Marky, you continue to inspire and amaze me young man. You are a remarkable guy, with some amazing ideas about life. Thank you for being there, a quick whit and a cheeky smile on days I just need to know that there is someone that cares. Wayne, buddy I really, really hope and pray that things work out with your dad. Things sounds like such a roller coaster of emotion and uncertainty for you right now, that it must be stress of an unbearable nature. I can only say I feel for you so mate. Stay strong, keep smiling if you can, and shout if you need. Sending you a huge Yettie hug as always buddy. Harcallard, was lovely to get a message from you the other day bud, and I'm so glad you've had some good days of late. There will be good days among the bad I guess, and that is probably what we focus on living for ey? Enjoying the good times and working through the tough times together? Hugs man. Podga, wise words and thanks for sharing. It was certainly food for thought. Joe, I'm not a pro on writing by any measure, but I've also been going through a bit of a block on writing. I've sat twice now and tried to force it out, and when I read back over what I've written it's dark and wild. Not what I want to be writing at all, so I guess that is not really the right thing to do, at least in my situation. I'm just trying to say, when the time is right the words will come to mind and flow from you. Take heart buddy, there is so much going on around you, and change is always going to upset the normal rhythm a bit. Hang in there mate, and hope things settle down for ya soon. Mike and Joann, thanks for your words of encouragement for us all, and being there for us when we need it. I know I love to see the simple lines of kindness and take heart from knowing there are people who care, and understand. To anyone else I haven't mentioned, smile, take a hug, you deserve one, and shout if you need to, I'm always here, even if a few days late sometimes. ps. If anyone knows how Roan is, plz let me know. xx Ta.

Wow, I'm home, lying on my own bed, feeling very happy indeed. I didn't think that I'd miss this place as much as I did this last week. I was busy, doing exciting stuff, seeing and doing and being... Yet in as much as I love to travel, as much as I love my work, and as much as being away from home is a refreshing break, it is lovely to come home. It's the little things that make me smile right now. I forgot to take nail clippers away with me. I mean, come on, who thinks to pack nail clippers when your too busy checking you got your Dictaphone, or packed your mobile charger, or you've got your rain gear. I'm a little fussy about my nails, something that came about through forcing myself to stop biting my nails, so when they get a little too long, they drive me insane. I was going to go out and buy a pair of clippers, but decided I've done that about five times on other trips, and have a drawer full of clippers now, so i'd force myself to be patient and wait. OMG I nearly jumped out the car window on the drive home tonight. It feels so good to have nice clean trimmed nails tonight! I'm a pillow man, and have a thing about my pillows. Just the right number, just the right softness, just the right height. You can never get that in a hotel. So home now, snuggled into my pillows is such a comforting feeling. I do love my pillows. I even have a tendency to cuddle one while I fall asleep at night. I missed this place. I've kind of gotten used to GA, and am forging some great friendships with some amazing people. You get into a comfort zone when you can message and chat to people you like when you like. When that freedom is restricted it is kind of like being a little boy not quite tall enough to reach the cookie jar. Damn, it was not a good feeling. Grrrrrrrrrrrr! Despite the fact I was able to jump on now and again, I still had to be mindful that I was not at home, and on a private wifi connection that was not their to be abused. It's not easy suddenly feeling cut off. I missed my access any time I wanted, visiting where ever I wanted. Plus I got home to an email advising me that BT Infinity is now available in my area. BONUS. But aside from all of that, the best thing to come home to was a massive great big hug from my mom. Argh, I guess I'm still a mommies boy at heart. In these days of precious time we get to spend together, I treasure these moments, and to sit with her and listen to her excited babble, even though she had a lot of difficulty remembering things, made my heart feel warm. I missed her, and I'm glad to be here near her for a few days again. So yeah. Home it is, and James didn't spare the horses on the way home either. haha I'm off again later in the week, back down to London to be in place for everything to kick off on Friday next week. Olympics 2012, here I come. Hugs to all you wonderful people, you'll probs all get a hoard of messages from me now I'm back. Hope you don't mind me filling up your in boxes. xx Thought for today - "Love begins by taking care of the closest ones, the ones at home." Mother Teresa Song for today - Free the Flame by The Sound of Cathedral House

Hey Wayne. Sending ya a massive hug buddy. Hope things settle down and work out for the best. Hope that the puppy keeps you smiling and lets you sleep. Take care bud and don't stress out too much. Keep ya chin up. xx

That was tooo funny! awwwwww, classic. LOOOOOOOOOOOOL.

Every once in a while you come across a pure gem of a person. They are few and far between. People that do not read between the lines, have no hidden agenda, are happy and cheerful regardless of their own circumstances and make the kind of friend that you've always dreamed about. I think that its really admirable the qualities you speak of. Acceptance of a person regardless of our petty prejudices is a fantastic trait. The ability to listen and hear is a great asset in a friend. These are things we can all do, but choose not to for whatever reason it may be, so when you find someone that isn't like the rest of us, its rare, heart warming and special.

Back home in Africa we all had pets as kids. Mine was a Toy Pom called Tammy. She was such a tiny little thing, and so full of gusto. Gosh I miss her. There were a variety of other dogs, birds, fish, hamster once. I dream these days of owning a Husky. I think they are such amazing looking dogs.

I watched a Spanish Horror called The Orphanage. It's not a classic horror in that you see the bad guy/monster, you merely get a suggestion of evil. Oh My Gosh, I had goosebumps all over when the TV went black at the end. I watched Alien when I was 15 and I couldn't go around in the dark for a while after that movie. Jeeeeesh. And The Ring. That scene at the end sends shivers down my spine.

I learnt a while ago that all of my important paperwork goes together in one simple to carry lock box, and that came from the experience of a break in, not a fire. Insurance can be a real bugger, and they get fanickity about detail when it comes to a claim. It's just easier to have everything documented, so that would deffo be the first thing I'd grab. External hard drives. Four of them built into a box so it could be carried as one item. The music collection I have on these is just too much too lose. My back pack. Keep my wallet, keys and phone in there, so it'd be pretty easy to save all of those.

Wooooooooop I have waited patiently for this instalment of this amazing story with ants in my pants I promise you Stellar, and boy I wasn't disappointed. My heart was in my mouth when I realised that Sofia had drugged him. I felt ill. Thank god Mira can track while moving a dozen miles an hour! Also, your description of the alcohol? Pure genius mate. Your writing is amazing, and this story is really well put together. I'm soooo looking forward to more.

I am sorry that you think that someone's expression of hope for the recovery of a person that is ill strikes you as being stupid Bumblebee. Prayer isn't only about talking to yourself about what you wish for. For me personally, prayer is a way of sharing my worry or hope with others. Does it do any good? I cannot answer that question, I guess faith is about trusting that something will change regardless of my words or not. There are many different theories of positive thinking. One such idea would suggest that if enough people channel positive energy through a combined focus of for example prayer, hope or wishing for someone's well being, that it can have an effect. Others believe in the power of God and that in being unselfish by putting the well being of another before your own selfish needs, that God may hear your words and provide a miracle or healing. I grew up in a religious home and I guess I have a faith, although I do not agree with all the teachings of the church. I also live in a country several thousand miles from the person I care for, and therefore in the absence of being able to pick up a phone and talk to him, or jump in the car and visit him, I can but hope for his recovery. If that means that I mumble to myself every night in some silly ritual in the desire to see him get better, so be it, I'll gladly make that effort for him and anyone else I care about. It does not hurt me or them, and who knows, if it does help, at least someone is trying it hey? I guess the important thing to remember BumbleBee is that everyone is the world is different. We all have our own unique weirdness, I'm sure if I knew you better, I'd find there are things that you do that seem strange or silly to me, but it is who you are, and just because what you do is something I do not understand, does not make it any less important, meaningful or real to you, so I must learn to accept it and you without judgement. Hope that helps explain why bud. Hugs to everyone, hope your having a really great week.

I know its a bit last year, but there is just something about this tune that always manages to put me in a good mood. I was burning a disc for a mate of mine today, and was listening to this as I was doing it. I figured it was worth shearing.

I think i'd be bouncing off the walls a lot more than Cole. Ha, it would seem he is heading for a mixed up world of pain and fear with a touch of danger just to keep it exciting. So much we still need to learn about SarEr and the whole Jiro saga. I can't help but wonder if Jiro doesn't harbour feelings for SarEr. Hell that'd be a twist. Unfortunatly there is no simple solution for SarEr. Only time will tell where this story will lead, but I am enjoying the ride so far Lilansui.

So we are into first date territory! Ha. I figured Cole was going to have to get tough with Savan. Funny how two such high spirited men sound to be so right for each other, yet they seem to be the only stubborn fools who can't see it. I love it.

Oh the steam builds below the surface and a fiery passion looms on the horizon. Wow about time Cole took the initiative. Sometimes you've just got to grab what you want with both hands and make it happen. Oh and I love the sound of the salon. As I read it, and pictured it in my mind, I suddenly wanted to be there, relaxing on the couch, watching the stylists snipping away at work. Fantastic Lilansui. Keep it going.