Tonight's photos: I took these back in November. The little chap was about ten yards behind the sign - with about 30 of his mates! During November, quite a few parks and open spaces around this area had such signs. The posion seemed to have little impact - as there are now even more running around.
It was my birthday today - or rather yesterday - and also tomorrow. Although I am now 51, I never quite know when to celebrate my birthday.
It's not that I am absent minded, (although I did actually forget this years birthday until I wished a happy birthday) but I was born Feb 29 1956 - leap year.
It's not that I am absent minded, (although I did actually forget this years birthday until I wished a happy birthday) but I was born Feb 29 1956 - leap year.
When I was a kid it was always hard to decide when to have my birthday on "non-leap years". Feb 28 was the last day of February, but a day before I was actually born. On the other hand, Mar 1 is the day after February 28 but a completely different month. In the end I settled for March 1st, because of St David's Day - the Patron Saint of Wales (where I grew up). Having my birthday on St David's Day was rather neat because we would have the compulsory and deadly boring school concert in the morning followed by a half-day holiday.
Things became more complicated when I left school, and even more so when I started operating online.
All my clients and the majority of my friends are overseas - many hours behind Australia. In the case of the US, they are also on opposite sides of the country. This has the effect of creating an extended birthday period of a few days - not that I am complaining - it just gets mighty confusing!
But I wasn't the only one in my home town to be born on Feb 29 1956. In fact there was another boy - the rotten bastard.
Let me explain that last comment.
It was 1980 and I was all wired up to celebrate my 24th birthday. Within my circle of friends was a girl I had fancied for months but I was always too shy to ask her out. My birthday seemed an ideal opportunity to do so. I plucked up the courage to ask and much to my surprise, she accepted.
Before going to the main party, I took her for a drink in a local pub. Who should happen to be there? - the other boy born on Feb 29 1956. Somehow the three of us started talking and I suggested he came along to my birthday bash at another bar.
Big mistake. My date ended up with the other guy.
They went out for a few weeks but then his calls became few and far between. When she mentioned her own birthday to him, he told her that he couldn't go out that night as he had soccer practice. Eventually we found out he was married and it was decided that I should be the one to tell her. I broke the news to her on her birthday.
Now that may seem cruel but I knew how Jane was wired. I arranged for a few of us to go to a club and during a slow, romantic song, I gave Jane her present. She stopped dancing, opened the present, smiled, said "Thanks Mike" and gave me a soft kiss on the cheek.
Aaaaw.
What was the present?
A book - "The World Is Full Of Married Men".
As for Jane. She was the last female I spent a night with in Britain. Nothing actually happened I might add - but we did spend my last night in Britain together in a room at the Heathrow Sheraton. She even wore the nightie I bought her.
And why did nothing happen?
Long story!
Wherever you may be - be safe
Things became more complicated when I left school, and even more so when I started operating online.
All my clients and the majority of my friends are overseas - many hours behind Australia. In the case of the US, they are also on opposite sides of the country. This has the effect of creating an extended birthday period of a few days - not that I am complaining - it just gets mighty confusing!
But I wasn't the only one in my home town to be born on Feb 29 1956. In fact there was another boy - the rotten bastard.
Let me explain that last comment.
It was 1980 and I was all wired up to celebrate my 24th birthday. Within my circle of friends was a girl I had fancied for months but I was always too shy to ask her out. My birthday seemed an ideal opportunity to do so. I plucked up the courage to ask and much to my surprise, she accepted.
Before going to the main party, I took her for a drink in a local pub. Who should happen to be there? - the other boy born on Feb 29 1956. Somehow the three of us started talking and I suggested he came along to my birthday bash at another bar.
Big mistake. My date ended up with the other guy.
They went out for a few weeks but then his calls became few and far between. When she mentioned her own birthday to him, he told her that he couldn't go out that night as he had soccer practice. Eventually we found out he was married and it was decided that I should be the one to tell her. I broke the news to her on her birthday.
Now that may seem cruel but I knew how Jane was wired. I arranged for a few of us to go to a club and during a slow, romantic song, I gave Jane her present. She stopped dancing, opened the present, smiled, said "Thanks Mike" and gave me a soft kiss on the cheek.
Aaaaw.
What was the present?
A book - "The World Is Full Of Married Men".
As for Jane. She was the last female I spent a night with in Britain. Nothing actually happened I might add - but we did spend my last night in Britain together in a room at the Heathrow Sheraton. She even wore the nightie I bought her.
And why did nothing happen?
Long story!
Wherever you may be - be safe
