Sion Barry's World

boxes, thought and the walk to work

2011-10-04T20:28:00.003+01:00

BREAKFAST:

Was up at 6:20am, then downstairs, quickly followed by Isabella, who insisted on Rice Krispies with organic semi-skimmed milk .I had Cornflakes. Isabella then wanted some natural Greek yoghurt. I had removed the lid, but Mrs B then informed me it was out of date! A spoonful had been consumed. Don't really buy into the sell by date thing, but apparently it was at least a week out!

Walk to Work:

Not posted in this format for several years. Have recently moved from our humble abode in Canton, Cardiff, to about a mile away in Llandaff. Anyway, same concept in that I walk to work. Drizzle was in the air. It was down Pencisely Road and then at the top of Cathedral Road I made my way into Pontcanna Fields.

A few early joggers around. Then over the pedestrian bridge and through the grounds of Cardiff Castle. It was then

down the river way walk and into my venue of income generation.

LUNCH

1 banana

4 ham sandwiches on brown bread.

Random Thought:I want to think again inside the box!

Goodbye my friend

2011-07-03T15:52:00.007+01:00

Just in time for my arithmetic exam.

How can a mere moral live forever?

I climbed as high as I could... I surprised myself as I never thought I could.

When I dream of you, it will never be a dream, but an equation devoid of answer.

The tourist bus goes around and around this city; smiling faces looking out, weighed down with an array of electronic gadgetry.

"The exam has finished".

 It's time to rest my weary head and sleep and move along as we smile and meet on the top deck of that magical bus.

Isabella Barry

2011-04-24T21:00:00.002+01:00

Thoughts from the lift

2011-02-16T22:15:00.005+01:00

You take the stairs, I'll take the lift.

You still driving a car and playing a bass guitar?

Oh I get it you want some money. Okay pal take the whole lot. Go on don't be shy there's 600 bucks in here... just take it... Jesus Christ man just take the money!

You can always take the boat back to the hotel, there's one every 10 minutes.

Just enjoy the pastry, you've worked really hard today. Well done and just relax.

I've been in this elevator for hours. I want to get out. Time to scream!

2011-02-11T19:14:00.003+01:00

A winter's day

2011-02-05T22:07:00.002+01:00

Swirling leaves on a winter wind, like cats chasing tails

Melancholic green park benches looking on as a solitary soul walks on.

2011-01-06T22:34:00.003+01:00

There is a river running through here, sweeping past wondrous trees with golden leaves.

Take me home, take me home.

There is a light that shines so true and secure.

Time to rest , time to rest

The darkness holds no fear, the pain I no longer feel.

Say farewell, but don't despair.

I will be there, I will be there.

2010-10-15T14:11:00.004+01:00

Are you looking at me?

Can you hear me?

Have you any idea, perhaps you don't know I'm near, or even here?

I'm listening to music as you move out of sight, whistling obliviously and turning the corner at the last house in a row of contented terraces houses.

You know what? I'm going the other way towards the open fields, which I guess will not be green for much longer. but it's the right, yes the right way.

School Poles and next generation

2010-09-08T21:57:00.003+01:00

My daughter's first day at school today. Location: St Mary's RC School in Canton. Cardiff.

There are around seven Polish children too. My father started there I guess just before the end of WW2.

She did very well... all grown up.

Man in the Attic

2010-08-29T17:22:00.004+01:00

Dreamt the other night of noises from the attic.

Had to explore, with my wife and daugther below very scared, (and so was I).

I peered around to find a single bed to my left and then, as I turned to my right, a much larger bed with a huge man inside.

He was quick to his feet and moving towards me. This was no polite social call.

My wife had to wake me as I was punching the wardrobe.

A strange conversation

2010-07-14T19:11:00.001+01:00

A little podcast about God and Tony Jones from Cardiff

I just love trees

2010-04-11T17:13:00.001+01:00

I just love trees
Originally uploaded by sionbarry

Trees are just great.

2010-04-04T21:05:00.007+01:00

From here to there, I surely do care.

It grew on a tree at the end of a garden, I cannot be precise, but it came back to me the other day when clearing out old photographs... in black and white.

2010-03-07T21:44:00.005+01:00

You see this so clear from over the hill

And when you stand still your hands so gentle catch the wind

Spinning my memories back to you

A mother and child so pure and new

Wait for me dad

2010-02-12T08:49:00.001+01:00

Fontana di Trevi

2010-01-18T22:27:00.002+01:00

I first came here [pictured above] in circa 1972. I threw in a coin and wished not for a daughter born in the year 2006, but instead to win a gold medal in the 400 metres at the next Olympics.

Ciao

Sion

Cardiff man and his surreptitious night out

2010-01-13T21:08:00.003+01:00

2010-01-13T14:54:00.003+01:00

Breakfast:

A strange, but engaging combination of a few Shreddies a Weetabix and some porridge oats with cold milk.

Walk to Work

Snow had fallen over night to leave a settling of quite a few inches in Cardiff. From my humble abode in Canton it was down Cowbridge Road East where I came upon Mr Aled Blake.

He then described his dream of the two of us drinking wine at a classy joint in London, where the barman was a certain Wynford Emanuel - who plies his trade in Cardiff as a PR man!

It was over Canton Bridge into the centre of Cardiff, a very nice structure on which a certain Lana Banana from LA had a very bad experience back in the summer

Lunch:

A beef baguette and a mug of tea in Servini's Cafe

I then had a walk around the city centre and came across the director of IBW Ian Williams in a cafe with some very dubious looking company [colleagues]... okay they were fine, just fine.

Random Thought:

When people in the psychiatric chair are asked to describe their childhoods, perhaps it would be a good idea as kids that we regularly make note of our feelings for such moments.

Nice One Mate!

2010-01-12T22:25:00.001+01:00

The Tardis in Caerphilly

2010-01-10T21:16:00.004+01:00

I interrupt this castle for a semi important announcement.

Jimmy Saville and the Welsh Assembly Government

2010-01-10T12:27:00.003+01:00

Click here for an old Jimmy Fixed-IT classic

Cardiff Man has an Italian property for sale

2010-01-10T10:56:00.000+01:00

Hello there

2009-11-03T19:40:00.000+01:00

By the sea

2009-11-02T21:37:00.002+01:00

01/11/2009
Originally uploaded by sionbarry

Went to the seaside yesterday with Petra and our daughter Isabella.

It was very windy at Barry Island in South Wales. On the way home while driving the autumn leaves fallen from trees were dancing wildly on the road ahead, like hot chillies frying in oil.

2009-09-04T18:07:00.000+01:00

2009-08-31T15:38:00.002+01:00

I'm thinking of a dream I've yet to have

It lasts for an eternity, running my hands through luscious fields of green

The sea is not far away and I can see them clearly now in the distance waving happily at me

I haven't seen them for years, many when I was just a little boy.

Hands on Dad

2009-07-28T21:45:00.003+01:00

Was thinking today, about kinetic energy and how will we soon be able to power most electrical devices from everyday activities such as walking and of course sleep.

Marathon runners could be big contributors to the national grid.

Penblwydd Hapus Tom Walton!

2009-07-10T19:39:00.003+01:00

2009-07-05T12:58:00.000+01:00

A day back in time

2009-06-28T13:37:00.005+01:00

Do you remember the day before Christmas Eve 1970?

Yes I do actually I was five years of age and living somewhere in Cardiff, perhaps it's 45 Penhaved Street, Grangetown.

Anything else?

I was of course excited. I mean what kid wouldn't be? But I do remember one think that day.

Go on

Well I was walking along, perhaps it was to the corner shop. Anyway my older brother was with me. I then looked up into the sky and there was this strange intense light. It wasn't the sun though, as it was a very grey day.

How did it make you feel?

A bit scared, but very calm. Yes I was very calm and scared at the same time. It doesn't really make sense, but that's how I felt.

And your brother?

I didn't say anything to him. And I have never spoken about it until now.

And how do you feel now

Sometimes I'm scared, but not for me...but not for me

Monday June 1 lunchbox

2009-06-01T13:41:00.005+01:00

A VERY hot day here in Cardiff, South Wales. Mercifully my gout is relenting and I am able to walk. So for the first time in ages was able to march into the centre of Cardiff to my venue of income generation today.

Lunch

My sandwich box was back with four ham sandwiches, some blueberries and two rich tea biscuits.

I also ventured into the centre of Cardiff and paid my first visit to the new library... which is a very nicely designed building. I then bought half a pound of cherries in Cardiff Market for £1.

Random Thought:

Were any rock stars from the late 1960s thrown into art school?

Lunchbox May 22

2009-05-21T20:49:00.006+01:00

Walk to Work

Due to a medical condition, known as Gout, sadly this again was not possible. So a lift into the centre of Cardiff from Mrs, via nursery

Lunch

Make some bread the previous evening. So it was ham sandwiches

Random Thought

God: Who created me?

Me: Not me

God: I guess nobody did

Me: Yeap that's right

God: Then I created mankind

Me: You surely did

God: Would you like to be me?

Me: No thanks. No direspect or anything, but it's a massive job... If you asked me when I was 23 then possibly

God: Don't be so defeatist. Age is just a number. I should know

Me: Of course. Anyway we'll speak soon?

God: Of course now go and enjoy the rest of your human life.

2009-05-10T19:54:00.002+01:00

A WEEK away from work ends tomorrow. Have suffered six gout attacks in the space of six weeks... oh dear.

Been taking Chinese medicine. They are confident it will reduce my uric acid level. I am not so convinced, but I will try anything, before resigning myself to a daily dose of alluporinol.

Ian Williams of International Business Wales kindly came around our humble abode this evening, his first ever visit, to deliver some cherry juice, which is supposed to be good for gout.

2009-04-21T12:31:00.002+01:00

2009-03-28T09:04:00.000+01:00

http://qik.com/video/1288769

Lunchbox March 25th

2009-03-25T20:52:00.005+01:00

A walk to work was my desire, but my gout conspired to leave me at the mercy of automobile transportation.

My day was taken up with property matters and a meeting with a very nice member of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee.

RANDOM THOUGHT

Senor Fork: I want out Mr Knife. I want to go back to Sheffield

Mr Knife: Don't worry darling I can cut it by myself. The act has never been the same since you drove my beloved Miss Spoon away.

Senor Fork: Don't be such a drama Queen, she left because... oh what the hell I'm going to tell you.

Mr Knife: Well come on darling out with it.

Senor Fork: Because like you she's not steel, but plastic

Lunchbox March 06

2009-03-06T14:52:00.004+01:00

Not at my income of generation today, but spending the day with Isabella.

First port of call, after some painting, was the seaside resort of Penarth in South Wales (pictured above).

We then played in Alexandra Park and time looking into the bird house. Then we had a drink at seaside cafe Rabbiotti's.

Then home, where Isabella immediately took to her bed and has been asleep for more than an hour, which is unheard of for her. I think she is okay, but has been blown away by all that sea air.

Lunchbox Feb 26

2009-02-25T20:51:00.002+01:00

THE ROBOT IN MY HEAD:

Robot: Can I bid for a spectrum licence?

Ofcom: Of course you can Charles

lunchbox February 20

2009-02-20T11:04:00.002+01:00

THE FRUIT SALAD SONG

dedicated to Adam Walker

February 11 lunchbox

2009-02-10T13:24:00.005+01:00

This is Cardiff a city of 0.3 million and the capital of Wales.
Beyond the white building at the end of the street is the Millennium Stadium.

Walk to Work:

It was cold and damp so I quickened my pace into the centre of the city and my venue of income generation.

Lunchbox

4 ham sandwiches;
2 bananas;
some cherries;
1 apple

Random Thought:

Man: Where is the river?

Son: What river dad?

Man: The one that was here yesterday and has run through the middle of this village for thousands of years.

Son: Dad there is no river, or village, we are in the middle of a supermarket... one of the leading UK retailers to be precise.

Man: Okay son, I believe you.

Lunchbox February 6

2009-02-06T19:41:00.004+01:00

I thought I saw something in the darkness... it made me uneasy.

So I moved quickly and talked to myself to reassure.

I didn't sleep well and then the darkness returned.

Where to stay?

2009-02-01T15:22:00.000+01:00

lunchbox January 27

2009-01-27T08:18:00.003+01:00

Was up at 6:20am. Wondering if the D word will gather momentum, but surely only a recession,

Have 20 minutes before dropping Isabella to nursery then back home and the walk to work. This could be a busy one at my venue of income generation... should be grateful I have one.

Breakfast:

Bowl of Weetabix with hot organic semi-skimmed milk

A piece of toast with strawberry jam

A cup of tea.

Random Thought.

When I was young oh boy could I run. Relentlessly up and down my street or playground, back and forth until the interruption of tea.

That feeling of gliding over the ground at high speed, in complete control. The ability to move up and down the gears, fast, slow, fast slow and then somewhere in between,

Barack Obama inauguration

2009-01-20T20:35:00.001+01:00

Barack Obama inauguration
Originally uploaded by sionbarry

44th president of the USA sworn in today.

I enjoyed it

Many views of Christmas

2009-01-06T21:16:00.000+01:00

January 4 lunchbox

2009-01-05T22:26:00.005+01:00

One of the biggest hits this year for Isabella was Mr Tickle. I had a bread maker from my parents. Sandwiches in my lunchbox today came from its maiden bread... simply delicious

Overheard two conversations en route to work this morning. One behind was between two women, who were returning to work after the Christmas Holidays.

Women one: "To be honest I was bored last year and wanted to get back to work."

Friend: "Yeah I know. "

Woman one: " Not this year though, just loved every minute. "

20 minutes later on the riverway walk which runs alongside the Millennium Stadium.

A guy in I guess his early 20s talking on his mobile phone.

"She just don't know wenna stop [consuming alcohol]. She just blows up and don't understand why she's sick. When I feel sick I just has a glass of water like and I'm fine like... and bang I'm off again on the vodka."

I nearly came to grief on a sheet of ice a few minutes later on the walkway... it is quite a challenge to walk on these icy mornings of late in South Wales.

China and communism

2009-01-04T13:01:00.001+01:00

The bungalow tale

2008-12-28T22:40:00.002+01:00

lunchbox December 27

2008-12-28T16:25:00.002+01:00

December 2 lunchbox

2008-12-02T13:36:00.004+01:00

BREAKFAST:
Weetabix to the power of three with hot organic semi-skimmed milk.

Walk to Work.

It was via Cowbridge Road East, which could feature if there is recession inspired looting.

Then down the river way walk with runs alongside the Millennium Stadium in the centre of Cardiff. It had been gritted.. and just in time as I'm sure I would have fallen today.

Lunchbox

2 ham sandwiches on white bread.
2 beef sandwiches on white bread.
1 banana.
2 satsumas
1 banana.

RANDOM THOUGHT.

Imagine that you believe that you have won the lottery. What a day that would be, especially if a film crew was on hand to see you resigning from your job, buying a Rolls Royce etc etc.
Then at the end of the day you are told you haven't won at all, due to an electronic error.
Think myself that could make for interesting TV.

2008-12-01T19:01:00.001+01:00

November 28 lunchbox

2008-11-28T18:21:00.003+01:00

Not in my venue of income generation today.

It was a day spent with my daughter Isabella, after dropping Petra off at work.

To summarise: Cardiff Bay, Post Office, the bank, my parents, Penarth and the sea, Tesco, back to Petra's office..

lunchbox November 22

2008-11-22T08:26:00.004+01:00

Was up at 5:50am not by choice, but part of a grand plan of my daughter.

Made her scrambled eggs on a bed of toast, parts of which ended up on the living room carpet.

But the good news is that I am soon to depart for the joys of the supermarket.

Random Thought:

I am you, you are me.

I have been set free, so come and follow me.

So can you see beyond you and me to the big blue sea?

Simply say it through, think it long and true

Its just me and you.

November 13 lunchbox

2008-11-13T17:11:00.008+01:00

You often find men gathering around computer screens in offices. They all point and make suggestions. Never see women doing it though.

The hairdressers of hairdressers came to mind in the centre of Cardiff this afternoon. I had a huge box containing a Christmas tree in one hand at the time.

lunchbox november 11

2008-11-11T20:51:00.002+01:00

This day I walked to work. It was just like many other walks I have undertaken in my life, which if you look to the right of this blog page now exceeds 15,000 on this planet.

Now I don't believe I could walk until around 13 months. As for walking more than a mile on my own I have no idea, but I am guessing at around 1,000 days.

Random Thought:

A former hedge manager polished my shoes at the railway station. He said it was a good time to put some money into debt.

Lunchbox November 10

2008-11-10T14:06:00.005+01:00

BREAKFAST:
If I ruled the world bowl of Rice Crispies with semi-skimmed organic milk.

Walk to Work.

With an umbrella and a very nice raincoat it was down Cowbridge Road East and into the centre of Cardiff.
Fortunately the wind was in a calmer mood, unlike my walk home last night in gale like conditions.

Lunchbox.

4 ham sandwiches.
1 banana
1 apple

Random Thought.

A late uncle of mine use to enjoy an afternoon at Cardiff Magistrates or Crown Court. Some of the cases he sat on in the public gallery were very amusing. He operated on a new joke every time he visited or phoned. Some were good... very good.

Lunchbox November 9

2008-11-09T13:05:00.004+01:00

In my venue of income generation this fine and wet Sunday morning in South Wales.

I walked to work at a pretty impressive pace. I could have walked for hours, but revenue generation is unavoidable.

I neglected to make sandwiches this morning, so I will have to venture into the centre of Cardiff to purchase some food later.

Random Thought...

I saw a rabbit yesterday. He was standing outside a hairdresser's which I believe he owned.

He motioned to me to come inside for a hair cut, but I declined. Looking back I wish I had, but I was in a hurry.

November 6 lunchbox

2008-11-06T22:25:00.004+01:00

So Mr Obama you have done it.... the wasp has at last been stung.

But you are all inclusive and freshingly strangely elusive; well to me at least.

I have seen euphoria before, but not on such a scale.

A younger Tony Blair was cheered in the streets and the foreign office talked of a "ethical foreign policy." The man who promised later resigned after Tony stood John Wayne tall with Mr Bush to invade Iraq. The late Robin Cook took ministerial flight in such a principled move.

October 31 lunchbox

2008-10-31T18:18:00.004+01:00

This is Casperia a small village in Italy. I got married there.

Not in my venue of income generation today... and so seemingly is most of the working age population of Cardiff. I was going to brave the elements and run, but my will power is having none of it.

Walked here and there today. Heard that an old friend Chris Poole is having a baby in the New Year. So Chris if you are reading this congratulations to you and Leanne.

Random Thought.

From here my son you are alone... totally alone.
I've tried to perpare you for this time as best I can, but I must leave you and I cannot say I will be watching over you.
But you are stronger than you think.... and trust yourself above all.
So let's part with my final word association.

Rabbit: running.
child: happy.
saint: sinner.
middle: leg .
squirrel: tree.
me: you.
glow:flow.
music: Greek.

October 30 lunchbox

2008-10-30T14:41:00.005+01:00

Breakfast:

A bowl of Branflakes [that's right vicar a bowl of Branflakes]

Not at my venue of income generation today. At 8:30am I was in the dentist chair for a check-up and then in with the hygienist... all okay.

At 9:30am met up with the incomparable and soon to be father Wil Williams director of MBA at the University of Glamorgan and formerly of Rothschild and the British Army.

We had to discuss matters of turnover, Welsh businesses, and of course prams. We we were later joined by Petra and Isabella at a cafe in the Pontcanna area of Cardiff.

It's been cold [relatively] here in South Wales over the last few days. Have a cold and Petra has a splendid cough. She tries to stop herself coughing... but it's just no use.

This afternoon we really need to get out of our humble bode, where we were woken at 5.30am by Isabella.

So a trip to the seaside might be in order or a crunch credit exploratory visit to Lidl or Aldi... which I use to frequent in my days of singleton.

Random Thought:

Man with a new pram and the instructions: "This is just bloody useless... it can't be this difficult surely!"

New mum: "I'll ring my dad"

2008-10-26T13:35:00.002+01:00

TURNING 360 degrees

lunchbox October 14

2008-10-14T11:58:00.003+01:00

Oh dear have neglected this hearty blog for a few weeks [just service the car Sion we're not interested!]

Was up at 6am as Isabella holds all the aces in the waking up stakes in our humble abode.

Walked to work at great pace this morning, down Cowbridge Road East which takes mankind and potentially Daleks into the centre of Cardiff.

Lunchbox:

That's at home, but I will be lunching with a Mr Nel and Mr Commerford, two heavyweight commentators on the media landscape.

Random Thought

A question was asked of me by an elderly gentlemen at a bus stop many years ago. It was circa 1973. He was probably over 80 and could have been born around 1893.

I am assuming he is dead [sorry I cannot recall what the precise question was, but no doubt centred around the time of the next bus].

But was thinking if he had come into contact with anyone born in the 18th century. That's probably unlikely but let's just say when he was two months old his great great uncle called in to say hello. If he was aged in his late nineties he could have been born around 1799.

The spread is widening but could he have encountered some born in 1699?... I am tiring of this.

September 29 lunchbox

2008-09-29T19:53:00.004+01:00

Breakfast:

It was a bowl of Cornflakes, supplemented by a Weetabix, with semi-skimmed cold organic milk.

Walk to Work:

With a semi spring in my step it was down Cowbridge Road East and into the centre of Cardiff, which if the in financial services sector would no doubt have got embroiled in the current credit crunch.

Lunchbox

[welcome back my friend to the show that never ends]

4 tinned red salmon sandwiches with a hint of lemon juice

1 banana

Random Thought

When you're in your local supermarket and early in the shop you bump into someone you know you have a chat and then say goodbye.

The only issue [but is it really an issue Sion... it kinda says more about you than you think?]

is that you see them again a minute later on another aisle.

You just said goodbye so you play out a game of pretending that you haven't noticed each other even though they are about to take the same tin of plum tomatoes that you are going for... funny old thing is supermarket shopping. That's why we must rage against the tide of the internet.

September 27 lunchbox

2008-09-27T08:40:00.004+01:00

Every once in a while while out walking in a town or city, you will happen upon a film crew.

This happened the other day as I made my way into work on Cowbridge Road East. All the actors were in position, cameramen, director, sound crew too...

But what I always find interesting is Joe Public who gather just looking on intrigued, but giving the impression that they don't care less. I guess you can see their faces now.

Today is my sister's birthday who resides in LA. So happy birthday Sarah

September 24 lunchbox

2008-09-24T08:59:00.002+01:00

Breakfast:

Just a very decent bowl of Cornflakes with semi-skimmed organic cold milk. Also a cup of hot water with the juice of a lemon.

Walk to Work:

Not on the agenda today as I have a day off for working last Sunday. So I have a day with my daughter Isabella. Our schedule is a bit sketchy, but perhaps an afternoon trip to the seaside resort of Penarth is in order.

Lunchbox:

Well at time of writing it is just gone 9am, so it all a bit premature, but I will not need it as I will be dishing something up from home... which could be poached eggs on a bed of brown toast, followed by a strawberries and blueberries.

Yesterday my friend Mr Robert Llewellyn Jones suffered the dreaded experience of putting unleaded petrol into a diesel car... the smoke was something to behold!

2008-09-17T20:57:00.000+01:00

2008-09-17T20:52:00.000+01:00

2008-09-17T20:27:00.001+01:00

lunchbox September 17th

2008-09-17T20:25:00.000+01:00

September 15 lunchbox

2008-09-15T19:37:00.005+01:00

Been away to Cornwall in fact.... where the Celtic fringe is really just one beat up from a haircut.

That's not to say I have a Celtic barometer and the whole Celtic bonding thing really is over egged.

Walk to Work:

Had to drop Mrs B at my venue of income generation [I saw so I believe!] with her boss a certain Mr E, who once presided in corporateland with many whistles and bells. Now he tells stories to all who will listen of giant monsters and pots of public sector gold over the Barnett Formula rainbow.

I then took Isabella to nursery, who incidentally has a great rapport with Mr E!

Lunchbox:

My lunchbox almost forgotten in my mind's eye.

Random Thought:

Has anyone won the rat race yet?

September 1 lunchbox

2008-09-01T19:39:00.004+01:00

Walked home from work tonight and it rained and rained... soaked through to the skin like I was many years ago as a kid playing football in the streets.

Funny old feeling getting wet...but wan't fundamentally bothered by it though.

So back to the beginning

Breakfast:

Just a piece of toast and a glass of water.

Didn't walk to work as I had to drive to Abercynon to visit a company which is one of the world's largest deployers of IPTV.

Lunchbox:

I'm so sorry my dear old friend I forgot all about you today.

Random Thought:

Gladys: Okay death comes to us all... but do you really have to go on about it all the time Herbie?

Herbie: Silence.

Gladys: Herbie! oh my God he's gone!

August 26 lunchbox

2008-08-25T11:28:00.003+01:00

THE world's worst Aussie accent dedicated to the Holly Bush duo who actually started the global credit crunch by defaulting on their student loans: it had nothing to do with the toxic debtors in the US!

Speaking of toxic, Lord Lucan is now Australia's answer to chemical Ali. The only sensible one it would seem is Kim... so make sure you keep 'em on the straight and narrow, unless they could end up on Antarctica shovelling penguin you know what for the rest of their lives.

Peace out and see you next year

Sion

August 19 lunchbox

2008-08-19T13:17:00.004+01:00

Breakfast:

Middle Earth bowl of Weetabix with a sprinkling of porridge oats with semi-skimmed cold milk.

Walk to Work:

Rain in the air, but I am pretty use to that living here in humble South Wales [Sion don't assume anyone from outside the UK is reading this dribble!]

I headed down Cowbridge Road East and over the River Taff into the centre of Cardiff... it rained on and off.

Lunchbox:

4 ham sandwiches

Nectarine

Grapes and strawberries in the smaller lunchbox pictured above.

Random Thought

Someone likes snails and painting their nails

They live nearby, but I'm not quite sure where

Give me a call as I would like to talk

August 14th lunchbox

2008-08-14T07:41:00.005+01:00

TURNING BACK THE TIDE

Have been on a retreat on the advice of blogiatrist. He suggested that I was overdosing on YouTube and should reconnect with the bloggersphere.

I was paying £50 a hour [nearly $100 US] ... but the food and air were good.

There were only a few of us there. One was a hedge fund manager from the Cayman Islands who said he had left his wife for Twitter.

Another was a young woman called Candy from Kansas... I have no idea why she was there as she didn't speak for the whole two weeks, at a former monastery in deepest Devon.

There was even talk towards the end of a crash course in Cornish, but by then I had run out of cash.

Torrential rain here in South Wales most of this week. I remember as a kid in the 1970s we hardly had any rain in August.

But I have been walking to work; arriving very wet, but in the grand scheme of things just fine.

I have taken a few lunch boxes too.

Random Thought:

Dear Mr Phelps,

Can we have a chat? You see a few years ago I sold off the UK's gold reserves at what in hindsight was a very silly price at the bottom of the market.

Ps I also need swimming lessons as I feel as if I'm drowning.

Yours Sincerely

G Brown

August 4 lunchbox

2008-08-03T10:34:00.002+01:00

July 29 lunchbox

2008-07-29T19:25:00.006+01:00

Breakfast:

Joyful and songful bowl of Weetabix with semi-skimmed organic milk.... I am alive and I intend to keep it that way.

Walk to Work:

It was down Cowbridge Road East which is wide enough to accommodate an army marching on its stomach into the centre of Cardiff.

Lunchbox:

Oh dear I forgot about that today. So into M&S in the centre of Cardiff for a banana, some orange juice and a salmon sandwich.

Was also on an errand to find some pyjamas for Isabella: a vest and shorts style purchase I had in mind as the nights in South Wales this last week have been very clammy.

I tried this shop and that with the success of any dad in a girls' clothing dept. In one shop a rather rotund lady asked me what the price was of an item.... it was time to exit. But at the next shop, it was Mothercare, I had success!!

Random Thought.

Plumbing a washing machine I had a dream

All shopping had migrated online and the high streets on Saturdays were silent

I looked to the north as far as the eye could see and I could make out an army marching purposefully down from the mountains.

I happened to have a pair of binoculars and as I twisted them this way and that it was clear as clear can be... at the front leading this far from ramble like crowd was an old shopping trolley piping what could only be an enchanting tune.

July 24 lunchbox

2008-07-24T19:10:00.004+01:00

Breakfast:

Delightful, and I don't use that word lightly, bowl of Cornflakes with semi-skimmed cold organic milk. Was deliberating over having a bowl of Shreddies, but I am so glad I didn't... not to say I have anything against Shreddies mind you.

Walk to Work:

A slight gout attack overnight meant I needed Mrs B to drop me at my venue of income generation.

Lunchbox:

Four organic chicken sandwiches with tomato and salad on brown bread

2 satsumas

1 banana

1 apple

2 digestive biscuits.

Random Thought:

Jesus has not had a shave in 2008 years. Which is not really true as he probably had a beard when on earth too, perhaps from the age of 16.

July 17 lunchbox

2008-07-16T21:21:00.002+01:00

July 15 lunchbox

2008-07-15T08:04:00.003+01:00

Me, Mrs B and Isabella

Isabella and the world of transportation.

July 13 lunchbox

2008-07-14T13:21:00.003+01:00

BREAKFAST

Amazing bowl of Weetabix with semi-skimmed cold milk

Walk to Work:

My first day back after a week's holiday/vacation, so opted for the tranquility of the Taff Trail, which meanders people of different sizes, ages, nationalities etc etc into the centre of the Welsh capital.

En route I came across an old friend of this blog; Wales's greatest ever civil servant the affable Gareth Hall.

We could have chatted all day, but we both have very important high powered jobs!

Lunchbox:

Lunchbox is somewhere at home, probably as I write watching some daytime TV. So I went across from my venue of income generation to chemist/retailer Boots for a not so great Meal Deal - anchored by two prawn sandwiches.

Random Thought

Man sitting on a stone bench just after 4pm at a piazza in the middle of a small Latin American town. There is a very nice fountain just a few feet ahead of him and his faithful dog is a sleep in the shade below the bench.

What's he thinking? Don't ask ME!

June 27 lunchbox

2008-06-27T10:23:00.004+01:00

BARRY/CARDIFF Man on comedy Gavin & Stacey

June 26 lunchbox

2008-06-26T19:04:00.008+01:00

Up at 4.30am as Isabella [pictured above] for the last few weeks had decided to enforce sleep deprivation on her parents.

So yes I am very tired... trying to be John Waynesque, but with with mixed results.

At just after 5am I was washing up the dishes I was too tired to wash from the previous evening. However, having spoken to a certain Francois Nel later in the day, I am considering utilising my newly found downtime to re-launch my athletics career.

Walk to Work:
It was an automobile this morning, courtesy of Mrs B who has not been too well of later [nothing more of later]

Lunch withOUT the box:
Met an old friend Mario Risoli for a quick coffee. We then stretched our legs on a short walk in the centre of Cardiff, where at its market I bought a quarter of mixed toffees and then later a Cornish pastie.

Random Thought:

Man on the Moon: I could murder a curry!

Man on Mars: I wonder what the man of the Moon is having for tea.

Woman on Pluto: I wonder if the Man of the Moon will call me tonight.

Last man on Earth: For God sake can you please keep the noise down!

God en route to Jupiter: Oh I just don't know why I bother!

2008-06-22T14:27:00.000+01:00

A video about paper clips and calculators

June 16 lunchbox

2008-06-16T13:03:00.004+01:00

Was up at 5.30am to the sound of Isabella basically saying she was up and wanted to get on with the day, which was slightly at variance to my view point at the time.

Mrs B is not well at all... having spent the weekend in duvaland. So I had to drop Isabella to nursery for 8am.

Managed to get back to our humble abode for 8.25pm for a quick bowl of Weetabix and a single piece of toast.

Walk to Work:

This didn't go to plan. A swollen knee meant I had to catch a bus on Cowbridge Road East into the centre of Cardiff. One of the passengers was talking loudly to a not so willing passenger about how

if you take a life then you should get life.

When I got off he asked if someone was going to work [I had the sense that he was not really economically active]. She replied she was and he made me laugh when he replied: "Good for you."

Lunchbox:

That's at home so was forced to limp across to Boots for a not very impressive deal meal.

Random Thought:

I love Italy... it's the greatest country in the world. First went there in 1972 and I have three Italian cousins. Mr B speaks very good Italian and we were married there.

June 12 lunchbox

2008-06-12T12:41:00.002+01:00

Me and my friend Chalky Part II (we have no plans for III or beyond)

Lunchbox June 11

2008-06-11T14:00:00.004+01:00

Starring me and my friend Marc White [he's the little fellow]

Lunchbox June 10

2008-06-09T19:50:00.007+01:00

Not really had the desire to blog of late... not that anyone is interestED.

Had tonsillitis, took some penicillin, but came out in a rash and my skin started to sunburn like peel.

But after a few days of abstinence it was back with a vengeance, so I'm on some terrible antibiotics instead... I mean anything with an anti in it is sort of in your face.

Mrs B is not very well too. And Isabella has been, now what's a good word if she reads this in a cyber dust filled archive in 2019? Oh yes challenging [that's code for the commencement of the terrible twos].

So there you have it. Such joy of joys of late. And yes, sure I know things could be a million times worse, but this is sort of cathartic and I'm not even thinking about screaming at 5am.

See you all again soon

June 3 lunchbox

2008-06-03T13:28:00.004+01:00

Not much sleep last night, with our 2 year old daughter being sick through the night.

Breakfast:

Just a good old fashioned bowl of Cornflakes with semi-skimmed cold organic milk

walk to work: Into the centre of Cardiff with my i-pod semi-blasting. It was cloudy, but pretty agreeable. I could have walked on for a few more hours, but that was not really an option, well it was, but I didn't take it.

Lunchbox

2 ham sandwichces
2 cheese sandwiches
1 apple
1 banana

Isabella rang at midday to say she wanted to give me a hug... that was a very happy moment.

Random Thought:

I will leave that to you... oh yes please

2008-06-01T11:41:00.002+01:00

SILENCE

May 26, lunchbox

2008-05-26T20:29:00.004+01:00

Not at my venue of income generation today. Terrible rain here in South Wales as Mrs B and I headed into the centre of Cardiff, leaving Isabella with Petra's mother.

Every vehicle seemingly on the planet was heading to the same car park.... I just hate driving in those places.

It was kinda of strange not being with Isabella. Cannot remember the last time we spent time togther in the day. It was great though, but we couldn't really be without her for long.

So we just went here and there, no real plan, which is more me than Mrs B. We had lunch in Pizza Express, with was very busy.

We didn't last too long after that and were back my 3pm.

May 22 luncbhox

2008-05-22T14:08:00.002+01:00

May 19 lunchbox

2008-05-19T19:24:00.003+01:00

Breakfast:

Regal bowl of Cornflakes with semi-skimmed cold organic milk

Walk to Work:

It was down Cowbridge East at some pace I should add and into the centre of Cardiff for some income generation.

Lunchbox:

4 ham and salad sandwiches

2 chococlate digestive biscuits

1 apple

1 banana

1 peach

Random Words

In a different place there is so much grace.

I hardly expect you to understand, but it's time for me to stand my ground.

I'm convinced you can come around, and time is what I have.

So dispose of that edge and do something good for once in your life

May 15 lunchbox

2008-05-15T19:14:00.002+01:00

May 12 lunchbox

2008-05-12T13:00:00.003+01:00

Here is Isabella who has just turned two. I missed her birthday party a few weeks back as I was in the North of England town of Preston trying to make sense of strategic marketing.

Walk to Work:

Oh dear a bout of gout was my morning wake up call. Not able to walk very well, so Mrs B dropped me at my venue of income generation. Young master Blake [work colleague] is as I type en route to Cardiff Market to purchase some cherries.. apparently they are good for gout, but I am not drinking any Port yet in celebration.

Lunchbox:

2 ham and salad and two smoked salmon sandwiches.
1 banana
1 apple
1 plum

Random Thought:

I sat by a man on the bus yesterday, he waved back at me as he got off at his stop. I didn't know him from Adam, but I had a feeling that he was Eastern European, possibly Polish.

So what about this?

I siedzieli przez człowieka w autobusie wczoraj, waved powrót na mnie, jak on dostał się na jego zatrzymanie. Ja nie wiedziałam go od Adama, ale miałem poczucie, że Europa Wschodnia, ewentualnie Polski

May 9 lunchbox

2008-05-09T12:57:00.003+01:00

Breakfast:

Slightly left of centre bowl of Shreddies with organic semi-skimmed cold milk.

Walk to Work:

Avoided that by way of a motorcar driven by Mrs B, who took me pretty close to my venue of income generation.

Lunchbox:

Back today [very happy about that]

4 salmon [tinned variety] sandwiches with a hint of lemon juice

1 banana

Some strawberries, grapes and an apple too.

Random Thought

Kid aged 5: I didn't ask to be born!!!!

Dad aged 35: Yes, but you are so deal with it.

Kid [laughing]: Dad that is a truly awesome answer.

Dad: Yeah it was pretty good. Tell you what let's go ten pin bowling.

Kid: Brillant dad... you're amazing!

Dad: Don't mention it

May 7 lunchbox

2008-05-07T12:56:00.004+01:00

Not generating income day as bless the Lord I worked Sunday and Monday too.

This morning Mr B, Isabella and I went to view some houses in Radyr, which is near Cardiff. New build or old... that is the question. But I am no nearer with any answer.

Random Thought:

2045: The UK's last daily newspaper reader goes into his second coma.

May 6th lunchbox

2008-05-06T13:05:00.004+01:00

May 5 lunchbox

2008-05-05T12:13:00.009+01:00

At a venue of income genration today.

Did some of those IQ test things online last night... and I have to say I was very pleased with the results. I mean I thought I was really really stupid, but I am just stupid.

Walk to Work:

It was down Cowbridge Road East which takes you into the centre of the capital of Wales, Cardiff. Not many people around today, apart from a few rugby league supporters from the North of England who are in Cardiff for some games at the Millennium Stadium.

Lunchbox:

That's at home as it has all bank holidays off... unlike me!!

Random Thought:

The sky above was looking down on me and I could see it was sad... very sad.

I had never seen this before and it made we feel frightened

So I ran and I ran until I reached the house of the Professor... or as the Mayor calls him the "village idiot."

Professor I screamed the sky is looking very sad, I think something really terrible is going to happen!

The Professor turned from behind his calculating computer screen and said: You are right young man we don't have much time.

May 3 lunchbox

2008-05-03T13:20:00.002+01:00

April 29 lunchbox

2008-04-29T13:39:00.002+01:00

IN the North of England this week, at a town called Preston.

Took a train to get here and managed to take a taxi ride to the wrong hotel... but don't worry, it was an interesting experience.

Random Thought:

Rich pictures: If you have a pen and some paper handy draw an animal that you think best represents you.

Then spend 10 minutes being that animal.. okay make that 39 seconds.

All the love in the world to Mrs B and Isabella, whose 2nd birthday I will sadly miss on Thursday.