200 posts and the return of The Beast

Blog milestone

After 5 ½ years of steady blogging (certainly not as prolific as some, who seem to reach the figure in a matter of months) The BlackLOG reaches 200 postings (The fact that the number of followers are trailing way behind is of little concern, I shall continue to stick my head in the sand).  For those of you who like consistency and in spite of the considerable Blogging experience that I now possess, I’m delighted to report that the BlackLOG shows no sign of improving.....

Kitchen update

We have been contacted by the paint manufacturers who assured us,  in as reassuring manner as is possible,  that it is nothing to do with them or the quality of their paint (I.e. sod off you are not sticking this on us – just a shame that their paint has taken a similar non-stick approach to our walls)..... They are blaming the builders for putting on rubbish quality paint 14 years ago and Mrs B for not preparing the walls* 10 years ago when she got fed up with magnolia  (Note I’m totally blameless in the situation because I was too lazy busy relaxing doing important man stuff, to get involved in painting the house – I believe I was still holding out for 6 years of letting the house settle before changing anything.  Yet again a clear case of my Lazy laid back approach proving a retrospective winner.)
* What was Mrs B expected to do?  Sit the walls down and give them a good talking to about the facts of life and what to expect in the big wide world...? More layers of paint is the only thing that springs to mind ....and remind the walls to play nicely with the better quality colours and paints that they will meet later in life when we had more money.

Camera

The Beast is home safe sound and looking pretty damn good – after his cosmetic surgery – a dial tuck here, a lens lift there and the camera equivalent of lipo suction - he is like a fit young thing again, all the flab gone (A.K.A the gray masking tape that was keeping bits of him together**).  He was disappointed to miss Coldplay but he managed to sneak into Keane and Razorlight (you will have to wait for those in later blogs, otherwise it ends up like an extended version of War and Peace)
** Mrs B is bemused *** by my habit of referring to The Beast as “he” – while children, if referred to at all, are generally “it”. What can I say? I like cameras, well not all cameras - some of them are spoilt little brats....  *** OK, her reaction is possibly a little stronger. 

Bad news

This week I received a letter from the Veolia  Environment Wildlife Photographer of the Year, that I entered a few months ago....
“As you will be aware, the volume of entries, and the standard of those entries, increases year on year"

-       Reading between the lines – Your entries were rubbish

"So our jury is faced with ever-more challenging decisions to make."

-       Reading between the lines – They all thought your entries were rubbish

"I am therefore very sorry to have to tell you that, on this occasion, you were not successful."

-       Reading between the lines – I personally thought your entries were rubbish

"but I also hope this does not dissuade you from taking part again"

-       I.e.  – I look forward to receiving your rubbish entry next year

Ouch – Sounds like I won’t be winning this year.....

Better News

Almost a month after being told my White Party photos were not what the customer was looking for, I received £100 for my services... Makes me wonder what I would have got if they had actually liked them?  I also managed to sell 5 photos from the website I set up so it was not a total loss.  

If you go to the Photo finish section after Mega Mini Beasts Coldplay pictures you can see The Beasts return to action in at our Ski reunion party and some birds in the garden....

Coldplay

I find it amazing that so many people criticise Coldplay for being dull -  The reviews I read all begrudgingly gave credit for a great show but you could tell it was through gritted teeth and as much as they enjoyed it they were not happy admitting to it..... Mrs B and I like Coldplay’s music, have been fans since the first album.  The show was spectacular, entertaining and fun – everyone was given a coloured bracelet, which at set points in the show flashed across The Emirates Stadium in unison with everyone else.  So great music, fantastic show and entertaining support, Marina and the Diamonds, who flounced around and got the audience bouncing.  Sadly The Beast had not been let out of surgery.

Chris Martin frantically attempts to collect
gold tokens in the Crystal Maze...

Watch of the Week

As it is the 200th Blog I have selected Joe's most expensive watch that he
 currently has in stock - Sadly Joe recently sold the really 

expensive ones - How inconsiderate is that...... 

The regular section in support of Joe (Stunt Cock) and his growing watch business Xupes. Joe mentioned that they had been getting a number of hits via the BlackLOG. Xupes has been trading for over 2 years and Joe has recently developed some great contacts in the trade which enables him to pick up surplus stock and sell them at great prices. Mrs B is a regular purchaser from his jewellery section, going self-service once she finally realised that her husband is not the jewellery buying type…

UNIQUE BAIGNOIRE 18K DIAMONDS

PRICE    £29,995

RRP       £68,000

SAVING £38,005

Unique one off watch commissioned privately. Replacement today from Cartier would be circa £68,000. The watch is 18k yellow gold fully encrusted with nearly 10 carats of VS diamonds. Complete with box, manual and guarantee.

Record of the week

Viva la vida by Coldplay Every Teardrop is a Waterfall live at Glastonbury 2011 by Coldplay (You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party)- Live May 4, 2012 by Coldplay

Photo finish

Coldplay by the Mega Mini Beast

Marina with the Diamonds nowhere in sight gets
a "Starring Role" from Electra Heart (2012)

"Up in Flames"
From Mxlo Xyloto (2011)

Once Chris realised the cost of the clean-up
he decided to lend a hand...

God puts a smile upon your face
from A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002)

"Fix You" from X&Y (2005)

"Life in Technicolour"
from Viva La Vida or Death & all his friends (2008)

The return of The Beast at our recent Ski reunion party  - Happy people make goo d photo subjects, just saying....and some birdies decimating our garden feeders...

La-Terriere almost gets bear hugged to death by
Stuntcock who gets over excited when he spots
the exquisite Cheese Board.

Phil looking like a good old Southern Boy
he just needs a neckerchief and a 10 Gallon hat...

Sod the Soup Dragon and the Girl with Dragon Tattoo.  Meet
the Fire Dragon who lives in Big Ron's chiminea...
And no that is not a euphemism....

Mrs B gets the joke...

Although Christian isn't sure....

There is nothing like good food to stop all the laughter
and get everyone concentrating on the serious issue
of chowing down .... 

"Big Ron"
 attempts to transform himself  into
"Even  Bigger Ron"...

Lisa
"Are You having a Laugh?"

I'm not sure if the Fluffinator is
making a withdrawal or a deposit ..

Stuntcock reflecting on his film career...

Garden Sharks -
even the cats don't go near these aggressive buggers
when they are in a feeding frenzy ...

Hope to see you next time for Keane, Razorlight and an update on my Olympic Ambassador role