trekka

In the UK, we're not likely to suffer catastrophic earthquakes and tsunamis. Sadly, the Japanese were always at a risk from both events and tragically, they deemed the risk in the technology fine until something changed that, something that was so catastrophic (but was always going to happen one day). Fukushima sits on one of the world's most active tectonic plate movement zones in the world and sits on the coast - there was always a risk that a huge earthquake, coupled with a monster tsunami was going to impact it. Nobody could have foreseen the devastating effect that the tsunami was going to have but I'm frankly amazed that the plant still exists at all. Comparing potential new UK nuclear sites to Fukushima is bonkers.

I've just been told by a friend in Portsmouth that all garages they've tried are out of diesel, they're running on fumes and have to make it to Dover this evening. She said that they've now been sat in a queue at Petersfield (way out of town) for the past half an hour hoping that they don't run out before it's her turn. Absolutely ridiculous.

The country is full of fucktards. It hasn't even been announced that a strike will take place and at worse, we're looking at a strike after the Easter break. I'm annoyed: yesterday I got stung £1.46 for unleaded which was essential as my poor little Aygo was running on fumes and it looks like if I've got rid of this lurgy, I'll be driving to Portsmouth on the weekend. So this means I'll be sat in queues over the weekend, trying to at least get as much as needed for the journey and paying ridiculous prices. Normally, I would have waited and let the panic reduce until the strike as actually been announced, but oh no, the great British public and its government cover themselves in glory yet again meaning we're all paying the price. Part of me thinks that this is a ploy by the Government to favour support (us v the union) and take the heat away from other not-so-nice stores. Nice way to stoke the fire, Dave. The other thing that annoys me is when receiving comments from friends saying they're all up for the strike as it'll make the government reduce fuel prices. It is nothing like the blockage of 2000 and IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH FUEL PRICES!!!! Jeez.

I'm off work with the dreaded lurgy. Feeling better tonight after some hot toddies with honey and lemon but today whilst feeling sorry for myself, I watched Supergirl. It gets my vote.

I've been adding some people to facebook today. I'm new to this lark but slowly (very slowly) I'm getting engrossed in it. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? (don't be surprised if some of you lot get some random "Be my friend....please!" requests from a strange bloke from Birmingham now living in Portsmouth ).

I had a great time in Moab, Utah. Some of the locals even bought us a round of beers.

Savannah and Charleston are great places. Also recommend St Augustine (you would be mistaken if you thought you were in a Spanish town). Memphis is good for a bit of nostalgia if you can't get to New Orleans (I recommend Sun Studio!).

I'm back in Portsmouth after leaving work early. No long wait on the M25...bonus! Rather long wait on the A3...gah! So I'm here, drinking Aspall Dry Premier Cru cider and readying myself for the CLEAN tomorrow seeing as I've got guests turning up for a few days. Glorious weather tomorrow apparently so methinks I may venture out for a walk along the beach

Take away the politics and America is a wonderful, wonderful country. I was lucky enough to spend a long time travelling the States and I would go back there in a heartbeat. I don't agree with the powers that be over there but the patchworks of people and landscapes that cover the country are magnificent.

I said a hip hop the hippie the hippie to the hip hip hop, a you dont stop It doesn’t seem that long ago A litre was less than a pound. It’s now somewhere around extortion; The price we pay to get around. the rock it to the bang bang boogie say up jumped the boogie to the rhythm of the boogie, the beat Shamelessly stolen for facebook

I've been playing a bit of Ooooh yes.

Woo! High Five!! I moved to Portsmouth from Brum too, and yes, it is amazing. I can spend my weekends walking along the sea front (which is lovely by the way) or sat next to HMS Victory drinking a coffee. I have never looked back. The only thing that was keeping me in Brum was family and friends. Both visit regularly and I have a whole new set of friends too! I was really nervous at first but don't worry - what have you really got to lose?

I passed first time about 3 years ago now. I was shit scared at first and I don't know how I made it through that first lesson as my legs were shaking to buggery. 3 years later and I love driving. It took me a while (can't remember how many lessons I had but it was lots. LOTS!) but I think that put me in good stead. Having a good instructor is key as others have said: My instructor was an ex-HGV lorry driver and had a big handlebar moustache. He was awesome He wasn't even in a bad mood after I buggered his clutch (I kid you not). I even remember him teaching me how to do donuts in the car park that was full of snow and him saying "5! 4! 3! 2! 1" before grabbing the handbrake when going round a roundabout over about 3 inches of snow (and ice). I think it was his way of teaching me how to drive out of a skid Don't worry about stalling it etc (everyone does it and it was my biggest problem) but you'll get there in the end. Slowly and safely does it

Speaking of Irn Bru, this ad had me laughing hysterically on the bus, much to the bemusement of my fellow passengers (shame it was, err, pulled really)

There is only one cure that works for me:

Can I refer to my signature?

...Sorry, this may be a repeat of previous threads but I've been reminiscing over pics I've posted on facebook and I thought why not bring it up again. Do you have pets? I've had 3 wonderful German Shep dogs, the first sadly died of cancer, as did the 2nd of twins (one of which we still have). So I thought it would be nice to share pics of your pets (be it your best friend or just "something" you have). Humorous the better but it's all good either way. I've posted these before but lets get the ball rolling (followed by a dog chasing it): You'll have to let me know if these pics don't work (I've never linked to facebook before!), but over to you, pet fans...

Finding what you thought was your favouritist ever DVD - you skydiving over Vegas when you were fit - only to find that it has nothing on it apart from some random pdfs that I must have copied over in a hurry. Humbug. Time to find myself a dvd recovery proggie. It must be on there, either that or I was pissed as a fart when writing on the cd. Ggggggrrrrr!

A day off work. A fridge full of Guinness and... "What I am saying to you, is that you are the kind of club-toting, raw-meat-eating, Me-Tarzan-You-Jane-ing, big, bald bubblehead that can only count to ten if he's barefoot or wearing sandals".

I've just watched Gremlins 2

Poltergeist definitely. Also a one-off but scared the bejesus out of me! Apparently, the BBC were receiving 30,000 calls an hour during it. Good old wiki says: and also ooh this too but what about Crazy crazy programme.

Nah, I burned the bugger! Ewww ewwww ewwwwww I can still taste it (I made a huge pot and just chucked most of it away )

I've got a feeling I'll be doing the same with my curry this afternoon. Did I mention that it was the worst. curry. ever. ?

I've got my folks coming to Portsmouth for the first time in ages. Today is CLEAN!