Here am I

This is my flesh.
I give it to you.
These are my thoughts,
and this is my work.
Here are my faults.
here is the fear
I discuss with myself.
Here are my good jokes,
here are my bad ones.
The flesh is falling apart,
it will have to do.
The thoughts are uncontrollable
some of them hate each other.

Here is my sweat,
and myd ecay,
the face only mirrors see.
This is my love
and my lack of love.
Here is my laughter.
here are the years.
here am I.

Steve Turner 1982

Good ... better ... best!

Good
Garda traffic police had a perfect spot to watch for speeders, but were not catching many. Eventually, they discovered the problem – a 12 year old boy was standing up the road with a hand-painted sign which read ‘SPEED TRAP AHEAD’. The Garda also found his accomplice down the road with a sign reading ‘TIPS’ and a bucket full of money.

Better
A motorist was mailed a photo of his car speeding through an automatic speed trap, along with an 80 euro fine. Being cute, he sent the gardai a photo of 80 euros. The gardai responded with a mailed photo of handcuffs.

Best
A young woman was pulled over for speeding. As, the Traffic Corps Garda walked to her car window, flipping open his ticket book, she said ‘I bet you are going to sell me a ticket to the Garda Traffic Department Ball.” He replied “The Garda Traffic Department don’t have balls…” There was a moment of silence. He then closed his book, got back into his patrol car and left.

I ache - therefore I am ...

...or I am therefore I ache (Marvin, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy)

Well I made it back. First visit to the gym today. and boy!, did it take it out of me! I only managed one set, and half my rowing, and that was enough. In fact, as I staggered off to the shower, it felt like it was more than enough!

And why the lay-off, I hear you cry? (I have very good hearing you know!) Well the good old Manx winter laid me quite low, with a cold the likes of which I have not had for many years. No it was not man-flu. but a good old fashioned cold. It coincided with one of the coldest spells of weather here for many years, so all I was fit to do was huddle in layer upon layer of clothes. I must have looked like the Michelin Man!

But the days are getting longer, the weather is warmer (for now anyway!) and I feel better. I hope this goes on for a bit!

Quaaltagh

First footing - the custom of bringing good wishes and good luck into the home.

A traditional blessing was

Nollick Ghennal erriu as blein feer vie

Seihll as slaynt da'n slane lught thie
Bea as gennallys eu bio ry cheilley

Shee as graih eddyr mraane as deiney

Cooid as cowryn, stock as stoyr

Palchey puddase as skedden dy liooar

(A merry Christmas and a good new year

Luck and health to your whole household

Life pleasantness and sprightliness to you together

Peace and love between men and women

Goods and riches, stock and store

Plenty of spuds and herring enough)

I can't put it better than that, except to wish you

Shee as boggey erriu car ny Heeaney sho cheet

(peace and joy to you throughout the coming year)