My kids were mean to me today

It was a snowed in day today.  I had intended to work from home today anyway, but it turned out that due to the intensity of the snow, that the schools were shut today.  This meant a day looking after the children and helping them with enjoying the snow after ringing in to take the day off work.  Years ago, Father Christmas had given them some sleighs which they have only used on one occasion before today.  Despite it snowing before, they have not had the chance to use them, other than one year when I dragged them around in the garden.  I had intended the take them to use them today though, taking advantage of the weather and I had intended to take them both early.  While they initially agreed, my daughter changed her mind and wanted to play in the garden instead.  And while my son and I were going to go out, we changed our mind and played with her, the intention to leave to use the sleighs, or as I was just taking the one child, sleigh.  But instead we went out into the back garden (the picture is of the back garden of another house along our street).  And that is when they were mean to me.  Two against one, they both ganged up on me.  The aim of my daughter was lethal, and she got me with several face shots when it came to the snow ball fight. My son was just as deadly sneaking up from the side of me to again, get me in the face.

I did get away when the kids were in the warm to take my wife into town, but got stuck when trying to park when back at home.  Fortunately, thanks to passing friends, two pushes allowed us to get the final few metres to home.  The kids went out again, and that involved another snowball fight, this one ending in tears, but this quickly resolved and over all, they kids loved the unexpected day off from school.  The odds are that they will probably be off tomorrow, but I will be back at my main job so will not be able to take the day off work.

Why I am part of a union

There has been interesting discussions about unions.  Some say that they are against people being in work. Well, let me say, that considering they depend on people who are working joining them, that is an insane argument.

I have noted in my job, that when seeing people with work induced stress, people who are members of a union are treated better than those who are not.  Management appears to be more careful in treating a member of a union compared with those who are not in one.  Although the same laws apply to those who are or not in a union (due to the work of the unions), due to the advocacy that workers in a union get, employment law appears to be followed better in these cases.


I however had joined a union before I saw (in my job) how unions had helped others.  And by being part of a union, in one of my jobs, our employment rights, which had been bent by our employer, were followed when challenged.  We had tried to discuss this matter without the help of the union, but we got no where, but when our union was involved, they told us what we needed to do to bring about the change we asked for, and once we did that, our employer had no choice but to accept that they were not following employment law.


My union has not always been successful in bringing about change, but I know that like other union members across the planet, I have more security from being in a union, compared to not being in one.

I am not sure which is worse, the loss or the gloating Scum fans

I am not sure which has been worse today.  I have seen loads of Scum fans (Spurs/Tottenham to those who did not know) who have had to mention the match yesterday.  And my manager who supports 'that team' has had a huge grin on his face all day as well. 

It could have been worse, but we play them again on Thursday.  I am fearful of the result. 

Diversions

Today was a lot busier than we had planned.  After getting out of bed late (my daughter had woken early), we had a few things to do.  My son's school shoes had come apart and needed to be replaced, which meant that we were going to see what shoes were on offer in Braintree as we also needed to get items for my son and his birthday cake, this meant a trip to Lakeland in Chelmsford.  So we went to have breakfast at The Bungalow Diner before heading to Freeport.  Once we got the shoes, there were clothes for the kids, and a check for winter shoes for the kids.  So we ended up spending a few hours there.  After this, it was to Chelmsford to prepare for cake and then, home.

Well, that was the aim, but my daughter let us know (today) that she needs photos of landscapes for later this week.  So we took a diversion, a big one to get some photos.  We went to Chappel to take a few, and then to Bures.  But the family decided to have tea, so it was a further trip, this time to Lavenham.  Sadly we arrived too late for afternoon tea but still relaxed there.  But one advantage was that I missed the thrashing of Arsenal in the cup final.

Anyway we are home and resting now.

Apparently I am crazy

Apparently I am crazy.  Well according to my daughter.

Last night, my wife had some friends round, and I was working late, very late,  So I was not too willing to get out of the warm bed this morning to cycle to a course to learn about hips, shoulders knees and toes.  But I did, and the cold wind that was blowing certainly woke me up on by bike ride.  The course was a good one and I hope put my new knowledge to use soon.  And the view was great with the sun being out.

On getting home, my wife was not feeling too well so while she rested in bed, the rest of us went out to get some shopping (and forget one item).  While in ASDA though, the kids convinced me to buy them some chocolate brownies.  When I asked about helping them eat them, I was told by my son that this was not an option for me as I have a weight problem!

Later (after the kids ate the food), while my daughter stayed at home, my son and I walked round to a friends house and then later, into town.  There was an event for Pokémon Go, but sadly, when we got into town, my son and I realised that we had missed this.  He made the most of this with a trip to the playground where he had fun, and my wife had got better with rest and drove into town to collect us, something we appreciated as it was freezing.

After a trip to the supermarket again, to buy the milk that the rest of us had forgotten, it was back home to eat and relax before watching The Voice.  And it was over this time that my daughter, after over ten years disclosed her view that I am crazy.  Not sure how she came to this conclusion though...

Requiem

We have been watching Requiem.  My wife, has not been scared by it. Though this may have something to do with her playing Panda Pop while it is on.  I on the other hand have found it scary.  When my wife realised this, she decided to scare me more.  I now have to ensure she sleeps otherwise I am sure she will wake me up by scaring me later! 

Gun Controls do not mean banning all guns

I am grateful that I live in a nation where I do not have to worry as much as parents in the USA that my children will be murdered at school.

Danger is everywhere in all nations and the mass murder of children can happen in any western nation.  It last happened in the UK in 1996, following which a ban on handguns was imposed.  Before this, following a mass shooting in 1987, semi-automatic weapons had been banned.  Since then, we have had incidents where the murder of more than one person has occurred, but these have been rare, one example being, how Derrick Bird killed many innocent people, followed by the murderous rampage of Raoul Moat.  But this was in 2010 and while mass murder has occurred since then on several occasions, firearms have not been used in this manner to kill so many.

The thing is that guns are still legal in the UK, though there are restrictions on what guns can be owned.  Gun crime exists here, but the rates are far lower than in nations like the USA, just like how the overall murder rate in the USA is higher than in other developed nations.

The call in the USA by many is for assault weapons to be banned.  Those who are against it cite the second amendment to the US constitution which allows the right to bear arms.  But this was made in a time when a well trained person would take almost a minute to shoot three times.

I have discussed this with my wife, and she is of the view that nothing will change in the USA.  And to be fair, she may be right.  After the murder of many young children in Sandy Hook, assault weapons are still legal, and this is probably due to the campaign contributions made by organisations like the NRA to protect the right of Americans to have assault rifles, though this has meant the continued murder of children in schools.  Something that does not happen anywhere near as often outside the USA.

Starting a battle with no ammunition

I apologise of this picture causes offence in light of the recent school massacre in the USA. 

This morning, I woke, went to work to catch up on some paperwork and had to return home to be a taxi.  My daughter went into town and I dropped her at the friend with whom she was to walk into town.  In addition to this, my wife managed to get a free pampering session in town and went with a friend.  After dropping them off, my son and I went out to catch Pokémon.  He was annoyed with me playing Pokémon GO in Southwold yesterday but was more than happy to play it today.  In fact, yesterday he accused me of loving the game more than him.  I told him, that while he was wrong, he was right to tell me how he felt.  And then I explained all the things that we had done which did not involve Pokémon GO yesterday.  I do think that it is important to let him know that he can tell me how he feels, but while he was wrong this time, there will be times that he will be right.  I forgot to tell him that and will need to tell him that again.

After picking up my daughter, I had to attend a call of nature when back home.  During this time, I heard the screaming and shouting.  My son, had got one of his NERF guns and took a shot at his sister.  She got her NERF crossbow and shot back.  Apparently, my son felt this was unfair as he had no bullets.  My son, who started the battle, felt it was unfair.  And in addition to this, he forgot a very important issue with NERF bullets,  That being when you shoot someone, they can pick up the bullets to shoot you back.  However by the time I was able to get out to discuss this (I was tempted to walk out of the door and leave them to it) he was in such a bad mood, that he would not listen to logic on this matter.  That and he refused to let me look in his room to see if he had bullets there (though he agreed to this later).

Anyway, the day later turned out for the better.  And I guess in the interests of fairness, I should point out that my daughter left a bottle of orange juice (mostly empty) with the lid undone on the back seat of my car...

Southwold in February half term

Thanks to the visit of my mother, my wife and I were able to go out for Valentines day.  Her knee has improved to the point where we were able to walk to have a great meal.  One where I tried squid again.  And whereas I hated it before, I have to say I sort of liked it.  I doubt that I would make a choice to eat it from a menu again, but it something I would eat, possibly, in the future.  But it was great to be able to eat out, and while we love our children, having quality time together is very important.

Thursday involved a late meeting at work which mean that I was not able to watch the Arsenal match.  I was nervous before it as our opponents had beaten quality opposition before, but needless to say, I had nothing to be concerned about.  Some have commented that Arsenal can win the competition, which is true, but our away form is something to be concerned about in general.

But today, was a trip for all of us.  My mother had been dropped in London yesterday and the kids got to have a trip to Southwold which they liked.  They love the pier there, and today we ate in the Crown.  We have eaten here in the past, and before children, even stayed here one night.  The food as always was amazing, the kids absolutely loved the prawn burger that my daughter ordered, something that my wife tried as well  We enjoyed the pier while my wife browsed the shops and later, after collecting her, had tea there before heading back home.

Anyway, it is almost time for bed again, and here are the pictures my daughter took today.

Make up

I forgot a few things when I made my post yesterday.  

One was that I showed the kids where I used to live when we were driving through London.  I had the chance to show them my old primary school as well, but did not do so.  

What was interesting was how my daughter had gone out with makeup.  She is growing up, and while my kids will always be my babies, they are not babies any more.  I have to say, I almost did not notice it.  My wife did though.

Takeaway wine

I am tired, so a quick post and then for me, bed.

After waking up late(ish) for me, we travelled to London.  My wife had originally wanted to have breakfast at Brick Lane and then travel to Maltby Street, but after rising late, this was not possible, so instead we had something to eat in Colchester, and something to eat on the way down, and instead went to Maltby Street for lunch.  While I parked, by wife found somewhere to eat, a great place, out of the cold and with great and for us, original food.  I loved it, as did she.  The kids were in a bit of a funny mood so did not enjoy it as much as they normally would do.  The photo is of an array of wine that is available to buy to take away with.  I was surprised to see how empty the place was, but glad as this meant that we almost had it to ourselves, and of the food came quickly, something that is very important with two kids, kids who quickly can and have turned on us!

Before we left, we went to the Bad Brownie company, well, my son and I did, while my wife and daughter went to a different stall.  We are return customers to this stall, but we had something new, and loved it. My son was aware that it was not fully fair that his sister did not share her food,but got to eat some of the Brownies, but did not complain too much.  But considering that it is now the half term holiday, I am sure that will happen later this week.

After this, it was a drive to collect my mother who has kindly agreed to come up to Colchester to look after the children.  I made a bad choice when it came to the route we took, for we had decided to go to Costco first, but rather than take a quicker, but less direct route, I took my chances with a more direct route.  And I should not have.  To be fair, the kids were very well behaved over the two hour journey (that would have been much quicker if I had taken the roundabout route) and my son had so much fun catching Pokémon that he got bored and stopped.  I am not sure if my daughter was interested until she found out that she had a Mewtwo caught for her.  When on a trip to Brightlingsea last year she took part in a 'raid' and due to this, was offered a pass to an exclusive raid.  In summary, Pokémon Go is about catching and collecting as many Pokémon as possible. This raid allowed her to catch a powerful and rare one, one which I have failed to get, despite having two attempts.  We were not able to attend the raid in person, but one other player kindly used her account (with the permission of my daughter) to catch it.

Anyway, they are now all in bed and my mother is here to look after them.  They have grown over time, and I do hope that they behave for her, especially as she has given up so much time to look after them for us.

Last of all, the music is from a group, now defunct, formed by three singers from The Voice.  One has since left but we were listening to this in the car and no doubt till enjoy it again in the future.

Disappointed

First of all, I have a new iPhone. My old one had issues with its microphone which meant that I could speak to Siri and also record video's, but not make calls.  It has been an issue for a while and I needed to transfer photos and videos from it before having it sent away for repairs (well, trying to reset the software and when that did not work, sending it off).  I had an idea it might come thanks to the updates from EE, but once it arrived, my son and I walked into town to get it. One the way back, we stopped for what turned out to be his last Pokémon Go raid on his glitchy iPhone.  Because we had a spare iPhone 6 from having our phones from before, he has effectively had an upgrade, but his last iPhone 5 was terrible. He did not catch the raid boss, and he was understandably upset, but hopefully that will no longer be an issue for him.

After that it was a trip to see Tony and the Arsenal match.  And needless to say, I was disappointed.  In some ways I was expecting worse, but I never want Arsenal to lose, let alone against our local rivals.  The first half was a close thing, but our defence, the issue which I feared would fail us lost concentration too many times in the second half.  Still I was expecting worse, and it could have been so...

The one that got away

We have been the house of ill since I last posted.  My daughter had been off school and then, on Wednesday, my son was mysteriously ill.  Well, he did have a cough which sounded bad, and it is better, so I guess that he was ill enough to have the day off.  And due to the snow on Wednesday, I had to work from home as well (I did not feel up to cycling on ice).  Anyway, both are better now.  Sadly, my wife, who injured her knees on Sunday is not back to normal, though she is improving.

My son though is very happy.  When it came to Pokémon Go I had got another raid pass to catch a MewTwo. My son had got one as well, but this was for a raid in Devon, because of him playing Pokémon Go when he was there last year on our summer holiday there. Sadly, it is for this Sunday, and we have told him that we will not be travelling down there just for this. My daughter has been given a pass for one in Brightlingsea and we may or may not go to this. But going back to the raid, this was my second chance to get one of these rare Pokémon, the first raid being one that only a few turned up to take part in (which meant that I failed in this). And there was a large turn out. The MewTwo was defeated and of the fourteen players there, eleven caught it. And guess who was one of the three who failed...

Our fight song

Before I get onto freedom of speech, my son and I had an actual fight.  We are very alike in many ways and this can lead to conflicts that do not occur between my wife and him, nor between my daughter and I.  We have made up now though.  Both kids have been a bit snappish, but after breakfast, my daughter got herself out of it.  My son who was not as bad as she had been though continued to have a bit of attitude at times.  To be fair to him, most of the time, he was okay, but after an eventful trip to Freeport which involved a knee injury to one member of the family (or rather two), things got worse.  There was the odd occasion there, but nothing too much, but once at home things blew up.  It did not help that both of us were a bit tired.  But it is all settled now and my son was great once he calmed down and was the bigger man than me when it came to seeking peace between the two of us.  Anyway, the kids are relaxing in front of the Voice now before they head off to bed, which should be soon.  Due to my spectacular illness last week, we are catching up on that episode as well as the one from last night that we had not watched.

We had been out the night before with Isobel and Tony, starting in the evening which meant that Tony and I missed the Arsenal match.  While he was walking down with his lovely wife, he was getting updates on the score as Arsenal thrashed Everton at home.  My son was there with us while my daughter was at a birthday party.  We had good food, and for the two ladies, good wine.  That day had been a busy one for the kids and my wife with trips out shopping as well as a race to drop my daughter off in time.  

And the Arsenal match was a good one.  Our home form is much better than our away form, which is not good for our match against The Scum next weekend.  And we were helped by the terrible defending of Everton which is not going to be present next week.  It was great to see our two new signings play so well, but they face a much tougher test next weekend.

And when it comes to Fight Club, this of course refers to Jacob Rees-Mogg and his brave and appropriate reaction when people decided to prevent him from speaking.  I disagree with him and considering his latest comments which have been directed at the Civil Service over a report on Brexit, I consider him a fantasist due to his conspiracy theories.  But then interpreted, he decided to engage with the protesters who were not capable of engaging him in reasoned debate.  

I am a firm advocate of free speech (within reasoned limits) and my view is that if you can not debate with someone over a matter in a civil manner, you have no right to hold those views.