Rhyme and No Reason!

Blogger, author and rhymester who likes to find the humour in life.

Episode 200: World Book Grey! — March 6, 2015

Episode 200: World Book Grey!

World Book Day.. Oh how I remember when my daughter was in primary school and we had to try to think up a costume which depicted a character from a famous book (as the name implies). We did manage to participate every year (thanks mainly to good old eBay for the costumes), but it is not easy when you have very little time to prepare or no clue who to dress your child up as.

Not a problem for the mother of one 11-year-old boy. Well it’s pretty obvious isn’t it? I mean what child hasn’t read good old ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’! Yes that’s right, she sent her son to school dressed as Christian Grey! Oh, and just to complement the natty suit, he took along a couple of cable ties as well! Nice! All of his friends instantly knew who he was as well.

Understandably, the school were not enamoured with his choice, and pointed out to his mother (who amazingly is a primary school teacher)in a rather terse phone call. Explaining that the school had certain standards of behaviour that students were expected to conform to, and that dressing as someone who enjoys indulging in a bit of BDSM now and again is not the calibre of person one of their students should aspire to emulating!

Not only that, but they were not intending to introduce this kind of literature (I use the term very loosely here), into the school curriculum just yet! Their aim to ‘encourage children to read more’ might have to be a little better defined, as this young lad had done just that!

Episode 199: My Dream Theme! —

Episode 199: My Dream Theme!

Today’s Blogging 101 task is to try out a couple of new themes, even one that you have no intention of keeping. I am not actually going to participate in this one because I played around with my theme recently and I kind of like how it looks at the moment!

I like things that are either really simple, or extremely loud and snazzy! Two completely opposite extremes.  I am not a very arty or creative person (except maybe with words), so have to make do with the bog standard version of the theme,

My blog is pretty uncomplicated anyway, It usually follows the same kind of format, of writing an essay style piece about something, and posting a (hopefully) relevant picture to illustrate my point.

I tend to stick to what I know how to do, which isn’t a lot! I have worked out how to add  videos which is great as I wanted to read some of my poems out and I have found this easier than I expected once I got the hang of it.

I love widgets, and have found the theme I use (Sela) is pretty generous with them so that enables me to put in my favourite blogs and blogging community. I can also put badges on there such as the one for Blogging 101!

I am on the lookout still for a lovely, loud and colourful theme, that is good for mostly text and the odd picture or video. If anyone knows of one that I have missed then I would love to hear about it!

Episode 198: You Know You Are Past It When…… — March 5, 2015

Episode 198: You Know You Are Past It When……

  • You forgot what you did yesterday and it wasn’t due to an over-indulgence of alcohol! I like to keep a diary which I have done for years. The problem is when I go to write it up, sometimes I forget what I have done and have to try to work my way backwards to jog my memory!
  • Instead of having a bit of ‘afternoon delight’ you end up nodding off! You know the scene, you have got the house to yourselves, a good couple of hours of undisturbed time alone to do whatever you want…..so you fall asleep on the settee!
  • The only time you wear something ‘trendy’ it is accidental. You are at that stage now where comfort is a must; forget fashion, you want practical! So when you do put on something that is trendy, it is more likely that after 20 years it is finally back in fashion!
  • You still talk about ‘records’,’discos’ and ‘going to the pictures’. Most of the youth of today  do not know what a record is, and have never had the pleasure of listening to their favourite song jumping about all over the place where the record had become scratched or warped! Kids don’t go to discos (unless it is the school disco for some reason), they go to clubs (well at least I think so as I am way old to frequent such places)!  I still talk about ‘going to the pictures to see a film.’ No, that is old hat. It is called a MOVIE. Pah!
  • You type out a text message in full. Now I am pretty ‘with it’ I know an emoticon when I see one, and I can even do a smiley face. However, I do not understand all this shorthand typing the young favour when sending a text. Even worse is the lack of punctuation! Really!
  • You are getting ready to go to bed when the young are just getting ready to go out for the night! You know what it’s like….you got up early….work was busy…you are shattered, and end up in bed no later than 10pm! Now for young people the night is just getting started at 10pm. They have had a few drinks,and in ready to have a good time. When you are getting up early the next morning (another sign of being past-it), they are just falling into their beds!
  • You are always reminiscing about the ‘old days’! Yes things were so much better back then of course. Life was rosy and we never got bored! However, when you constantly harp on about the glory days to your kids, their glazed eyes soon tell you that they are bored, and you are past it!
Episode 197: Someone Like Me… —

Episode 197: Someone Like Me…

Todays’ Blogging 101 assignment is to publish a post you’d like your ideal audience member to read, and include a new-to-you element in it.

Hmmm, this is a bit tricky as I don’t have a specific audience member in mind. I am just bloody grateful I have an audience at all really! So for the purpose of today’s task, I am going to base my ideal  audience member on someone like me. An ordinary person who blunders their way through life leaving a trial of havoc in their wake! Yes, someone who can bang into, trip over or knock down anything and everything! A klutz of the highest order.

This person actually loves interacting with other people, and actually once they get to know you, will appear to be quite outgoing and confident. On first meeting them though they will appear shy and awkward. They will smile nervously but not contribute much to the conversation unless asked directly to do so. Then they will stumble over their words and blush a lot!

This person loves to see the funny side of things. They have a wicked sense of humour, and a very dirty laugh. They can make something out of nothing and the double entendre is their best friend. Bursting into inappropriate laughter at times such as when they were asked to go and find a ‘scrotal sling’ for an unfortunate patient is second nature to them. When something tickles them, they are no longer shy, and usually succumb to the odd snort of laughter, hurriedly disguised as a cough!

This  person would love the sillier things in life. The more ridiculous the better, and they will suddenly chuckle to themselves when it comes to their mind. They also love to tell others about it so they can share the laughter.

Well there you have it. This was by no means intended to be an egotistical post. I just thought that the type of person who would enjoy my blog would have some similarities to me!

I have included a clip of one of my favourite characters, Sir Lancelot Spratt, played by the superb James Robertson Justice. I know it is dated a bit now, but I just love his accent, the way he shouts at everyone terrifying them. Plus it is set in a hospital, which is right up my street anyway!

Enjoy!

Episode 196: Ode To Blogging 101! — March 4, 2015

Episode 196: Ode To Blogging 101!

I couldn’t resist it. I had to write one of my little poems or rhymes about Blogging 101 and here it is:

Although I love this blogging lark

Sometimes it’s just not fun

There are bits of it I don’t quite get

So I signed up to 101!

It tries to make things clearer

And sets you tasks to do

Things like ‘Meet the Neighbours’

And following new blogs too

We also have ‘The Commons’

Where we can post our latest stuff

And get advice and feedback

For when we find things tough

There are people there to help you

And guide you on your way

Three weeks of constant learning

And blogging every day

I’ve learned new things already

And I’ve only just begun

I’m happy to be part of

The class of Blogging 101!

One-Liner Wednesday – Get Me Out Of Here! —

One-Liner Wednesday – Get Me Out Of Here!

Myself and Mr Grump went to visit my mum briefly to drop in couple of bits, and my younger sister was there.

When asked by my sister how I was regarding the impetigo and still being infectious, I explained that I was ok, although a little itchy still. I told her that I was back at work yesterday but our ward was closed with diarrhoea and vomiting and that both me and Mr Grump felt really sick

Rushing over to the sink to manically scrub her hands she stated,

“Well I really must be going now, nice to see you” and was out of there like a bat out of hell!

Thanks for the inspiration LindaGHill.

Episode 195: Doncha Wish Your Husband Has A Bum Like Me? —

Episode 195: Doncha Wish Your Husband Has A Bum Like Me?

Don’t you just hate commercials?! They interrupt your favourite tv programme, and are just plain annoying! In fact some of them really get me riled up and I end up shouting at the telly! (I’m turning into my Nan already, and that is not good)!

However, there is one advert at the moment that I just really love, It is so bizarre that, even after about a month, I still love it when it comes on.  Now, just to set the scene a bit, you may remember that I complained about Mr Grump not having any sort of a bum here. Well, meet Dave! He has got a bum to be proud of and he’s not afraid to strut it!

Now most women have a bit of a job trotting about in high heels (it ends up more like teetering), but Dave can strut in his! Oh yes, I am more than a little envious that he can even walk in these massive skyscraper heels that he wears, when I wouldn’t even be able to stand in them!

Anyway, Dave with his heels and bum strutting to ‘Dontcha’ by the Pussycat Dolls is in my book a recipe for success and if you don’t believe me, then check this out!

Episode 194: Being Neighbourly —

Episode 194: Being Neighbourly

Today’s Blogging 101 task was to meet the neighbours. We had to find some new blogs to follow via the Reader, plus look up specific genres that we might find enjoyable.

Now funnily enough, despite my social awkwardness and shyness, I do not find it a problem finding new blogs to follow and commenting on them, (I might worry later that a comment I have made might be taken the wrong way though)! I really enjoy interacting with people from all sorts of backgrounds and blogging is a fantastic way to do this.

We all have so much to offer each other, and there are so many wonderful and interesting people out there for me to meet and interact with, In the six months that I have been blogging, I have been extremely lucky in that I have already met a number of people who I have really ‘clicked’ with and that i would consider my blogging friends.

Blogging is not just a one way street, and if you want to have people comment on your blog then you must also comment on theirs! It did take me a while to pluck up the courage to do it at first, but it is so rewarding to build up a rapport with someone. I love it when people comment on my blog. I appreciate that they might have enjoyed something (or not as the case may be), that I have written and want to add their own thoughts to the mix, or maybe tell me of their own experiences.

I feel really lucky that this blogosphere is so vast and that there are hordes of neighbours for me to get to know. Even better is the fact that they all have something different to offer.

The Votes Are In….. — March 3, 2015

The Votes Are In…..

I just wanted to say a huge ‘thank you’ to everyone that voted in my little poll as to whether I should change my tagline or not.

By a large majority (15-4) plus some other comments, the winner is…..

Ta Da! Keep it the same! ‘A humourous look at the life of an everyday woman.’

Yep! If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, so I won’t!

Thanks again.

Episode 193: The Best Of British! —

Episode 193: The Best Of British!

Us Brits are a breed apart you know. We have our own little ways that make us stand out from the crowd. We may be a small little island, but we know how to make our make on the world! This is the kind of thing that puts the’ Great’ into Great Britain.

  • You can tell a Brit on holiday a mile off. We are the ones that are burned to a deep shade of lobster red, on the vast expanse of exposed skin we have on display. Why bother with suncream? We are determined to get a tan and we don’t go in for sunblock,Oh no, that is for sissies!
  • Similarly the Brit abroad is going to seek out the only English cafe/pub around so that they can continue to eat the kind of food that they are used to, Why would they want to try the local cuisine and experience something new when they can get fish and chips  and a pint of lager at Joe’s Cafe!
  • Over in our own country, in the summer, whatever the weather, you will often find the hardy Brit swimming in the sea when it is pouring with rain, and ‘sunbathing’ on the beach in a swimming costume when there is no sun to be seen! (seriously, I am guilty of both of these). It is summertime, You are at the beach. You will bloody well enjoy yourself. This was how I was brought up!
  • We apologise for everything! If someone barges into us, we say sorry.Even if we bump into a lamp-post we apologise!
  • We queue for everything! Yes us Brits do love a queue; everywhere from supermarkets to the loos! Woe betide anyone that tries to jump the queue though! You will get some serious dirty looks, and someone might even be brave enough to tell you off!
  • Tea is the curer of all ills. If you have had a shock, a cup of tea will calm you down. Feeling peaky? Have a nice cup of tea. Also if you want any work doing by anyone, you need to have a tea on tap! It’s the workmen’s fuel (together with a bacon butty)!
  • We are very modest, It is very bad form to ‘blow your own trumpet’ so if someone gives us a compliment they will wish they hadn’t! We will turn it around, and put ourselves down, and make you feel dreadful for daring to mention how wonderful we are!

So there you have it, the best of British in a nutshell!!

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