After showing an aptitude to music we have since discovered our second daughter is pitch perfect. We have been trying her with different musical instruments and it seems singing and the piano are what she works best at.
We have indulged her with a recorder and flute as musical theory is music theory.
We are hoping she is accepted into a local school which has a music specialism where she will be surrounded by the opportunity to play as much music as she wants.
We have bought her an Apple iMac computer and guitar all of which works perfectly with Garage Band and her existing MIDI keyboard.
Monday, 10 October 2016
Wednesday, 16 July 2014
The Lion King School Musical
Was a very proud date last night when I watched my eldest daughter perform her year 6 play/musical which this year was The Lion King.
Considering the amateur nature of the event, it was professionally produced and was much better than normally expected.
My daughter played young Nala lioness but my favourite character was Pumbaa played brilliantly by a lad who did a perfect rendition of a voice similar to Louis Armstrong.
Considering the amateur nature of the event, it was professionally produced and was much better than normally expected.
My daughter played young Nala lioness but my favourite character was Pumbaa played brilliantly by a lad who did a perfect rendition of a voice similar to Louis Armstrong.
Friday, 13 June 2014
Fathers Day at School
My almost 8 year old daughter's primary school had a Fathers Day event yesterday. Nothing fancy but just a little time for me to spend with at least one of my daughters. My 11 year old daughter was out on a week's camping trip with school, and my 2 year old daughter was far too busy at home.
We stacked cups, we made paper aeroplanes, we played bat and ball games, and went on climbing frames.
Nothing fancy nothing wild, but just really nice.
We got fed and watered and was free, and a genuinely nice gesture by the school.
We stacked cups, we made paper aeroplanes, we played bat and ball games, and went on climbing frames.
Nothing fancy nothing wild, but just really nice.
We got fed and watered and was free, and a genuinely nice gesture by the school.
Wednesday, 11 June 2014
Saving Face
Singstar on the PS3 is a great little program to help you realise that you can't sing. And stops most people from making themselves look like arseholes on X-Factor.
Bought for daughter no.2 8th birthday to help improve her voice.
Tuesday, 10 June 2014
Piano Lessons
Nothing gives me greater pleasure than watching and listening to my daughter no.2 play her piano with such passion.
Opening Statement
Sorry a bit late to the blogging arena.
Married man of almost 13 years, with 3 beautiful/trying/clever/annoying daughters.
This blog will be home to random nonsense and things which are family related amongst other things.
Married man of almost 13 years, with 3 beautiful/trying/clever/annoying daughters.
This blog will be home to random nonsense and things which are family related amongst other things.
Sunday, 19 July 2009
Crazy World
I'm not tagging this post, as Im sure it encompasses pretty much every tag I've got.
Life's pretty fucked up and weird for me right now. I nearly got divorced and lost the only woman who really loved/loves me. This has now been resolved, and we are stronger because of it. Mid-life crisis maybe?
The RPG group is fragmenting almost as bad. I lost 2 players to personal reasons, 1 additional player because he met an untimely death, and now being faced with 50% of the group wanting to kick out a player as he doesnt seem to fit in with their style. This year I've gained 2 players, and lost 5. There was only 5 of us at the beginning of the year!
Ive been made redundant twice in 6 months, realised working for myself doesnt work, and am now acting finance director to a young energetic printing company.
What makes it worthwhile though are my 2 daughters, and little comments from my wife... If your married you know what they are.
As for RPG, well I started a CoC campaign, Masks of Nyarlahotep, but has floundered because of player dropout, death and a player being removed. Im lost, in more ways than one. I adore RPG, but right now its not fun, and Im on the border of giving it an indefinite rest. I was 40 this year, and been gaming since I was 14...
Life's pretty fucked up and weird for me right now. I nearly got divorced and lost the only woman who really loved/loves me. This has now been resolved, and we are stronger because of it. Mid-life crisis maybe?
The RPG group is fragmenting almost as bad. I lost 2 players to personal reasons, 1 additional player because he met an untimely death, and now being faced with 50% of the group wanting to kick out a player as he doesnt seem to fit in with their style. This year I've gained 2 players, and lost 5. There was only 5 of us at the beginning of the year!
Ive been made redundant twice in 6 months, realised working for myself doesnt work, and am now acting finance director to a young energetic printing company.
What makes it worthwhile though are my 2 daughters, and little comments from my wife... If your married you know what they are.
As for RPG, well I started a CoC campaign, Masks of Nyarlahotep, but has floundered because of player dropout, death and a player being removed. Im lost, in more ways than one. I adore RPG, but right now its not fun, and Im on the border of giving it an indefinite rest. I was 40 this year, and been gaming since I was 14...
Friday, 30 November 2007
Heroscape for Kids
As a father to a couple of young kids, I am always looking for ways to include them into my gaming interests. One game in particular which is holding my attention is Heroscape.
Its a hex-based fantasy battle game that comes with pre-painted figures and battle units. It reminds me of some of Games Workshop's better family/visual based boardgames. My eldest daughter is interested in "little statues" and with hopefully a developing interest in rules and playing boardgames, I think this game will do the trick.
Has anyone bought this game or could recommend a similar or better game?
pete_darby (194.60.106.5)
lawbag (86.149.178.39)
pete_darby (194.60.106.5)
seriouspaul (75.40.237.38)
seriouspaul (75.40.237.38)
Its a hex-based fantasy battle game that comes with pre-painted figures and battle units. It reminds me of some of Games Workshop's better family/visual based boardgames. My eldest daughter is interested in "little statues" and with hopefully a developing interest in rules and playing boardgames, I think this game will do the trick.
Has anyone bought this game or could recommend a similar or better game?
pete_darby (194.60.106.5)
30th Nov, 2007 14:20 (local)
Got it, play it with my nine year old, it's no stretch for him at all, quite fun (though takes as long to set up as to play... but is fun to set up)...
Search for it on the Argos site, they often have it for £7.50 or under...
Search for it on the Argos site, they often have it for £7.50 or under...
lawbag (86.149.178.39)
30th Nov, 2007 14:44 (local)
cheers, Ive seen them advertise on their website.
the game is meant to be £40 so 7.50, they are keen to offload it then?
my 2 daughters are 5 and 2 (give or take a few months)
the game is meant to be £40 so 7.50, they are keen to offload it then?
my 2 daughters are 5 and 2 (give or take a few months)
pete_darby (194.60.106.5)
30th Nov, 2007 14:55 (local)
Yeah, they were clearing out the old master set to make way for the new one at xmas... nothing on the website now, but ebay often has them around a tenner + postage.
5 should be okay: the only math intensive part is army building.
5 should be okay: the only math intensive part is army building.
seriouspaul (75.40.237.38)
30th Nov, 2007 14:43 (local)
I've been seriously considering purchasing it for my kids, as they're nearly old enough to start grasping the concepts. They love game night at my house-and enjoy watching me and my friends game.
seriouspaul (75.40.237.38)
30th Nov, 2007 14:47 (local)
I haven't read any of them in recent months, but I know in the past that both Brasky and Mike have dabbled in it. Before they started posting about it a friend of mine, Gyro-who games with us-bought it and brought it over. Since then I've seen potential in it for kids.
I know they do Marvel Superheroes, and a few other cool and easily recognizable lines.
I know they do Marvel Superheroes, and a few other cool and easily recognizable lines.
Saturday, 17 November 2007
Pregnancy No. 2
Saturday, January 14, 2006
I've heard of gamers retiring, or hanging up their dice bags and passing them on to the next generation, but role-playing is such a part of my life, that I will not go gently into the dark light. So what other gaming possibilities are there?
Lets do a little review, but not in a scientific way, just anecdotal or rubbish one.
(a) online games, replacement table-top gaming - well apparently none of these work well enough, plus you still have to get the group together (problems with transatlantic players etc) plus the amount of work required just isnt fun
(b) play close-enough PC games e.g. Dungeon Siege or World of Warcraft etc..., well these work, but only for a short time. Not really suitable for the casual gamer because of the power levels of the other players.
(c) other forms of postal gaming using a forum, IRC or email. again these just dont work due to lack of discipline, plus they tend to wander into storytelling and might as well be fan-fic based on you current game. The adventures tend to be about games you could never run in a group session.
Im sure there are other forms of gaming, role-playing that is, but I'll just have to read about other peoples games before one day coming back. Be interesting to see what games arrive when I do!
Pregnancy No. 2
Right, the wife has announced that she is pregnant, well, I kinda guessed as much too, but then it hit me. That means when sprog no. 2 turns up (a) no gaming for quite some time (last kid was almost 2 years!) and (b) the snip.I've heard of gamers retiring, or hanging up their dice bags and passing them on to the next generation, but role-playing is such a part of my life, that I will not go gently into the dark light. So what other gaming possibilities are there?
Lets do a little review, but not in a scientific way, just anecdotal or rubbish one.
(a) online games, replacement table-top gaming - well apparently none of these work well enough, plus you still have to get the group together (problems with transatlantic players etc) plus the amount of work required just isnt fun
(b) play close-enough PC games e.g. Dungeon Siege or World of Warcraft etc..., well these work, but only for a short time. Not really suitable for the casual gamer because of the power levels of the other players.
(c) other forms of postal gaming using a forum, IRC or email. again these just dont work due to lack of discipline, plus they tend to wander into storytelling and might as well be fan-fic based on you current game. The adventures tend to be about games you could never run in a group session.
Im sure there are other forms of gaming, role-playing that is, but I'll just have to read about other peoples games before one day coming back. Be interesting to see what games arrive when I do!
Tuesday, 20 February 2007
TV Prompts Discussion
Me and the wife were watching TV last night, and we are getting to know the kind of programmes each of us likes watching, (in a proper married kind of way), and next up was a programme about people with a mental disorder in which they were hypochondriacs attempting to heal themselves of their obsession over medical issues.
A hypochondriac is someone who believes themselves to be in need of medical attention or medication, usually inventing their own symptoms to suit which ever disease they are reading about that week.
I'm mentioning this, because my wife is a borderline case. Every ache and pain she gets is cancer, and every bump and cough and sneeze emitted by anyone in the household is caused by cancer.
So while we watched this show, my missus admitted to me that she has a genuine fear of me dying, in addition to which she believes that one day I just wont come home, as I have died somewhere without her knowledge. Now I could have taken it 2 ways, one to laugh it off as nonsense and just normal paranoia, but the other is to take her fears to heart and realise that everyone should be concerned over this matter. I was quite touched by her openness, and giving thought as to how I can alleviate her fears on a daily basis, whether by emails, text messages or other methods, so that she knows I am still around and living.
pete_darby (194.60.106.5)
A hypochondriac is someone who believes themselves to be in need of medical attention or medication, usually inventing their own symptoms to suit which ever disease they are reading about that week.
I'm mentioning this, because my wife is a borderline case. Every ache and pain she gets is cancer, and every bump and cough and sneeze emitted by anyone in the household is caused by cancer.
So while we watched this show, my missus admitted to me that she has a genuine fear of me dying, in addition to which she believes that one day I just wont come home, as I have died somewhere without her knowledge. Now I could have taken it 2 ways, one to laugh it off as nonsense and just normal paranoia, but the other is to take her fears to heart and realise that everyone should be concerned over this matter. I was quite touched by her openness, and giving thought as to how I can alleviate her fears on a daily basis, whether by emails, text messages or other methods, so that she knows I am still around and living.
pete_darby (194.60.106.5)
21st Feb, 2007 12:13 (local)
I think my sweety still doesn't quite get this about me; whenever she is late, I worry that she and the kids are tangled up in a mess on the motorway somewhere. Especially if I can't get her on the mobile.
It's also why I text her all the time, tell her I love her all the time (and the kids)... because it would just be my luck that the last thing I said to them was "The cat's crapped on the clean washing, sorry, got to run for my bus, haven't got time to clear it up."
It's also why I got really hacked off when she had a bad asthma attack a couple of weeks ago, but phoned everyone else but me because she "didn't want to worry me." Sweety, worry means care.
It's also why I text her all the time, tell her I love her all the time (and the kids)... because it would just be my luck that the last thing I said to them was "The cat's crapped on the clean washing, sorry, got to run for my bus, haven't got time to clear it up."
It's also why I got really hacked off when she had a bad asthma attack a couple of weeks ago, but phoned everyone else but me because she "didn't want to worry me." Sweety, worry means care.
Sunday, 23 July 2006
Russian Food Funnies
Im married to a Russian woman, not a mail order bride or even an online mail order bride, but some poor woman who seemed to like me more than I liked myself.
But being Russian means she loves eating Russian food, and we are lucky to have 3 shops in the area that sell Russian food.
Well this blog today is about the food she buys. And today she bought some chocolate balls which taste just like Ferrero Roche, but due to bad translation end up as something else.
And thanks to Russian translation for the ingredients they become;
Sexy "Balls in Chocolate Power".
Mr Roche will not be quaking in his boots, and nor will our Russian guests think we are spoiling them.
But being Russian means she loves eating Russian food, and we are lucky to have 3 shops in the area that sell Russian food.
Well this blog today is about the food she buys. And today she bought some chocolate balls which taste just like Ferrero Roche, but due to bad translation end up as something else.
And thanks to Russian translation for the ingredients they become;
Sexy "Balls in Chocolate Power".
Mr Roche will not be quaking in his boots, and nor will our Russian guests think we are spoiling them.
Tuesday, 11 July 2006
Missing Reviews
sorry about the lack of reviews - I wrote about 6 of them on my phone, but the phone went wonky and is due to be upgraded in the next 2 weeks, but I have them saved on a memory card which I shall pull them off once the new phones arrive. RIP Orange M2000, long live O2 XDA Exec!
Sunday, 2 July 2006
Children's TV for Adults
No this isnt an entry about pornography, but rather a review of children's TV, specifically CBeebies, the toddler channel from the BBC.
With a 3.5 year old running around who cries at the thought of not catching the latest episode of the Shiny Show or the Fimbles in the same way we hit the roof to miss Star Trek or Dr Who, I end up watching a lot of children's TV.
The reason it is CBeebies is (a) is available on freeview, (b) its from the BBC meaning it has a certain agenda which is visible and trust worthy, (c) advert free.
We try, as parents, to limit her viewing for the sake of her eyes, plus I dont want her to become a couch potato.
While I am not going to be reviewing any of the shows now, I will shortly, Im listing below the ones that I at least enjoy, in no particular order.
The Shiny Show
Big Cook, Little Cook
Come Outside
Lazy Town
Fimbles/Roly Mo Show
Teletubbies
Tikabilla
StoryMakers
Balamory
Boogie Beebies
Bits & Bobs
Boo
Smarteenies
Lunar Jim
Little Robots
Fab Lab
Doodle Do
Bobinogs
Tweenies
Im only going to review the ones Ive watched more than 5 times, and those she watches, you will see there are quite a few I havent mentioned, simply because I dont see them.
Remember my reviews are going to be from an ADULT's perspective giving ratings according to
educational information - i.e. telling me things I didnt know
entertainment value - it is agonising to watch or does it surprise
production value - even though you can spend a ton on a show it can still look crap
presenters - including both human and puppets etc...
emperor's new clothes - this is the one Im most interested in (apart from the last), are we learning the same stories (sharing toys, be nice to your mum and dad, never tell lies) but with different characters?
adult value - would you shag the female presenters, do they wear clothes that are inappropriate for the show, are there in-jokes and sarcasm lost on children that adults find funny (Doodle Do)
Well here goes. I hope to review all 19 by this time next week.
Each show will get a short write up, good and bad points, then each of the 6 (so far) sections will be rated 1-5, and a total at the end. And just for completeness Ill throw the figures into an excel spreadsheet and see what comes out the other end.
Any comments or extra criteria I should add?
With a 3.5 year old running around who cries at the thought of not catching the latest episode of the Shiny Show or the Fimbles in the same way we hit the roof to miss Star Trek or Dr Who, I end up watching a lot of children's TV.
The reason it is CBeebies is (a) is available on freeview, (b) its from the BBC meaning it has a certain agenda which is visible and trust worthy, (c) advert free.
We try, as parents, to limit her viewing for the sake of her eyes, plus I dont want her to become a couch potato.
While I am not going to be reviewing any of the shows now, I will shortly, Im listing below the ones that I at least enjoy, in no particular order.
The Shiny Show
Big Cook, Little Cook
Come Outside
Lazy Town
Fimbles/Roly Mo Show
Teletubbies
Tikabilla
StoryMakers
Balamory
Boogie Beebies
Bits & Bobs
Boo
Smarteenies
Lunar Jim
Little Robots
Fab Lab
Doodle Do
Bobinogs
Tweenies
Im only going to review the ones Ive watched more than 5 times, and those she watches, you will see there are quite a few I havent mentioned, simply because I dont see them.
Remember my reviews are going to be from an ADULT's perspective giving ratings according to
educational information - i.e. telling me things I didnt know
entertainment value - it is agonising to watch or does it surprise
production value - even though you can spend a ton on a show it can still look crap
presenters - including both human and puppets etc...
emperor's new clothes - this is the one Im most interested in (apart from the last), are we learning the same stories (sharing toys, be nice to your mum and dad, never tell lies) but with different characters?
adult value - would you shag the female presenters, do they wear clothes that are inappropriate for the show, are there in-jokes and sarcasm lost on children that adults find funny (Doodle Do)
Well here goes. I hope to review all 19 by this time next week.
Each show will get a short write up, good and bad points, then each of the 6 (so far) sections will be rated 1-5, and a total at the end. And just for completeness Ill throw the figures into an excel spreadsheet and see what comes out the other end.
Any comments or extra criteria I should add?
Sunday, 18 June 2006
Saturday, 17 June 2006
Family Plus 1
Okay time to come clean. In my user info I stated that Im married to a woman and father to 2 more. Well that was true as at 9.49am 17th June2006 GMT. But before then it was just a lie.
You see my wife gave birth to our new daughter to make my user info correct. I guess I was just being lazy and not wanting to update it.
Regardless Im here to start the welcome to the world Amelia Rosina XXXXXX.
Love Daddy
You see my wife gave birth to our new daughter to make my user info correct. I guess I was just being lazy and not wanting to update it.
Regardless Im here to start the welcome to the world Amelia Rosina XXXXXX.
Love Daddy
Monday, 5 June 2006
Little Things Piss Me Off
Realised tonight that I have a dead pixel on my laptop. Yes its a Dell and its over 3 years old, so it has done well. But it still narks me off because Ive just coughed out money have the memory and hard drive upgraded.
Not done any writing as mentioned earlier, but spent the evening putting stuff on ebay.
Wife still on baby-watch, but worried the baby will be born tomorrow and have the birthdate of 06/06/06.
But my wife pointed out that a nicer birthday would be 20th June 2006, which would be 20 06 2006 or 2006 2006. But she cant wait that long, and nor can I.
Sitting here watching Big Brother, writing this blog and thinking of baby names. We have one in mind, but keeping an open mind.
Pissed that tomorrow will be the 4th episode of Lost season 2 that I have missed, but recorded and not watched.
Not done any writing as mentioned earlier, but spent the evening putting stuff on ebay.
Wife still on baby-watch, but worried the baby will be born tomorrow and have the birthdate of 06/06/06.
But my wife pointed out that a nicer birthday would be 20th June 2006, which would be 20 06 2006 or 2006 2006. But she cant wait that long, and nor can I.
Sitting here watching Big Brother, writing this blog and thinking of baby names. We have one in mind, but keeping an open mind.
Pissed that tomorrow will be the 4th episode of Lost season 2 that I have missed, but recorded and not watched.
Baby Update
Daughter is all in spain, with my parents, which leaves my wife perfectly situated to sleep 24 hours day while waiting for the big day. 7-10 days to go to the due date.
Name all sorted, clothes all arranged, carry-cot loaded, pram sorted - - mobile phone packed up! Of all the XXXXXXXX times that my phone could kiss goodbye to the corporeal world its now!
So I rang Orange because Im on a replacement contract and they want me to go through 20 questions before they believe it might actually be not working. They are finally happy and put me through to Orange Technical support who are off until 10am. Well its 11:30 and they still havent called.
I have an expensive phone and they are trying their hardest to wriggle out.
Update to follow later........................
In a mad rush this morning I forgot my book and notes, so its going to be a reading and writing free day, or so I thought. I remembered my writing partner's book he sent me for review and comments, so I did that instead.
Name all sorted, clothes all arranged, carry-cot loaded, pram sorted - - mobile phone packed up! Of all the XXXXXXXX times that my phone could kiss goodbye to the corporeal world its now!
So I rang Orange because Im on a replacement contract and they want me to go through 20 questions before they believe it might actually be not working. They are finally happy and put me through to Orange Technical support who are off until 10am. Well its 11:30 and they still havent called.
I have an expensive phone and they are trying their hardest to wriggle out.
Update to follow later........................
In a mad rush this morning I forgot my book and notes, so its going to be a reading and writing free day, or so I thought. I remembered my writing partner's book he sent me for review and comments, so I did that instead.
Friday, 2 June 2006
Parents
Mum and dad came over from Spain last night (2am!) as they have a wedding to attend to on Saturday.
Feeling very tired, and still have a whole day of work ahead of me.
Still they are going to take our daughter back with them for the summer in Spain, giving my wife and I space for the new baby.
I cannot believe the preparation time involved with visiting dignitaries!!!
Feeling very tired, and still have a whole day of work ahead of me.
Still they are going to take our daughter back with them for the summer in Spain, giving my wife and I space for the new baby.
I cannot believe the preparation time involved with visiting dignitaries!!!
Friday, 17 June 2005
Lifes Little Moments 1
Lifes little moments
Why is it that when your mobile phone rings, and its in your pocket, or sitting next to it, you can't hear it for toffee.
Yet, when its downstairs, in a trouser pocket discarded in the open washing machine, you can hear it clear as a bell, as it "cries" out for rescue!
Why is it that when your mobile phone rings, and its in your pocket, or sitting next to it, you can't hear it for toffee.
Yet, when its downstairs, in a trouser pocket discarded in the open washing machine, you can hear it clear as a bell, as it "cries" out for rescue!
Reasons to be Married 1
A woman can keep a single man from sinking all too quickly back into the barbarous ancestry we come from.
a woman is usually adaptable and upwardly mobile, whereas men seem to devolve to their neandrathal roots.
further proof that women are from another planet!
a woman is usually adaptable and upwardly mobile, whereas men seem to devolve to their neandrathal roots.
further proof that women are from another planet!
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