tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54539932923793946382024-03-18T21:06:42.126-07:00The One Nearest The DoorI'm always the one nearest the door. I can slip in and out with no one noticing me. Of course, nothing gets past me either.....Roz Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14475610145447087659noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453993292379394638.post-25576752686960261982019-01-04T16:18:00.001-08:002019-01-04T16:19:04.069-08:00Remembering Billy Connolly I think many of us have a greater sense of our own mortality sometimes.<p><br></p><p>Watching the second part of the Billy Connolly documentary - Made in Scotland - just made me glad, proud, grateful and pleased all at once. I’m sure I’m not the only one here glad to have seen him at least once. </p><p><br></p><p>His frustration that he can’t see as well, remember as well or move as well as he used to is not just part of Parkinson’s Disease but of getting older. A marvellous all round entertainer, his description of life and his love for Scotland and Glasgow in particular was glorious. He is sharing his experiences while he still can. </p><p><br></p><p>It’s a lesson we can all learn. Thank you Billy Connolly, for everything x</p>Roz Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14475610145447087659noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453993292379394638.post-49520669425714755952018-10-22T15:12:00.001-07:002018-10-22T15:12:07.847-07:00Mile High Club?<span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Because of the wait to get on the plane, for the first time ever, I got on the plane needing the loo! There were no sandwiches available at all; cabin crew had no time to restock from the previous flight. </span><br />
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I consoled my rumbling tum with a bag of cashew nuts and a Prosecco. Seemed like a good idea but I was bursting for the loo after that even more so asked the unfortunate lady on the outside to let me out. </div>
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I haven’t been in a plane toilet since I was a child! How does anyone join the mile high club in there? You barely enough room to have a wee, wash your hands and find paper towels without bonking your knees or elbows! Maybe a Flybe propeller job isn’t the ultimate flying experience but still, I wouldn’t be feeling ‘in the mood’ in that confined space! </div>
Roz Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14475610145447087659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453993292379394638.post-48853835150699722942013-12-15T12:50:00.001-08:002013-12-15T12:51:16.403-08:00A joke from IanO<blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_quote"><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"><tbody><tr><td valign="top"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div style="display: inline;"><div dir="ltr"><blockquote><blockquote><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 17px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A Glaswegian is stumbling through the woods, totally drunk, when he comes upon a preacher baptising people in the river. He proceeds to walk into the water and subsequently bumps into the preacher.<div><div>The preacher turns around and is almost overcome by the smell of alcohol, whereupon he asks the drunk,</div><div>'Are you ready to find Jesus?'</div><div>The drunk shouts, 'Aye, I am.' So the preacher grabs him and dunks him in the water. He pulls him up and asks the drunk, 'Brother, have you found Jesus?'</div><div>The drunk replies, 'No, Ah havnae found Jesus.'</div><div>The preacher shocked at the answer, dunks him into the water again for a little longer. He again pulls him out of the water and asks again, 'Have you found Jesus, my brother?'</div><div>The drunk again answers, 'No, Ah havnae found Jesus.'</div><div>By this time the preacher is at his wits end and dunks the drunk in the water again --- but this time holds him down for about 30 seconds and when he begins kicking his arms and legs he pulls him up.</div><div>The preacher again asks the drunk, 'For the love of God have you found Jesus?'</div><div>The drunk wipes his eyes, catches his breath and says to the preacher, <br>'Are you sure this is where he fell in?'</div></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote></div></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div></div></div></blockquote>Roz Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14475610145447087659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453993292379394638.post-10825848243397080782013-09-17T03:07:00.001-07:002013-09-17T03:07:13.093-07:00Hell to Pay - Jenny Thomson<div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">An unputdownable read!</div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">I had been out of the habit of reading books but decided to read Hell to Pay while on holiday after not having read a book for over a year. I started it mid morning and the next thing I knew was that it was starting to get dark outside and I had read the whole book in one sitting and was thirsty and hungry!</div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">Do not read this book on a train as you will miss your stop!</div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">I won't ruin the story for you by saying too much. It grabs you straight from the start when you wonder where Nancy is and what has happened to her. Finding out she is in a clinic having been seriously ill and deeply shocked by the murder of her parents and an attack on herself which should have left her dead, she decides to make herself strong and once released from the clinic, she sets out to investigate the crime herself having no faith in the well meaning inspector who tries to help her. Uncovered facts closer to home she is struggling to recall may hold the key...</div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">This is a gripping read and I loved the author's grim Scottish humour which made me laugh aloud at times. Read this! You won't be disappointed. Hurry up and write another one please Jenny!</div><div><br></div>Roz Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14475610145447087659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453993292379394638.post-71245392797578109702012-11-17T05:18:00.001-08:002012-11-17T05:32:04.817-08:00She Becomes You by O. G. TomesWell it didn't take me long to finish this! Right from the very first page you are inextricably committed to this book and you consume the words with a grisly fascination.<br />
<br />
The book was very well written and I felt the grief and sense of loss experienced by Amy, the writer you are first introduced to. I won't say much more for fear of ruining it for other readers. Evil without conscience fill the pages of this book. <br />
<br />
I'm surprised at O. G. Tomes as she seems such a nice lady on Twitter! Having read this book, I would think twice about inviting her round for a cup of tea in case the evil spirit within is unleashed on me!<br />
<br />
This is definitely a great read but shiveringly frightening at the same time. I look forward to the next book with trepidation!Roz Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14475610145447087659noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453993292379394638.post-47333253984768525662012-10-27T06:11:00.001-07:002012-10-27T06:13:43.618-07:00Vengeance Wears Black by Seumas GallacherAnother action packed thriller!<br />
<br />
This is the second in the Jack Calder series. For anyone who likes their reading material fast paced and no nonsence, this is definitely for you!<br />
<br />
There is no messing about here. Seumas grabs you by the throat and won't let go until you reach the end. No waiting for the wheels of justice to run their slow and tedious course. Jack and his ISP colleagues get straight in there to get vengeance and of course, they always wear black.<br />
<br />
This is a good, satisfying read where the bad guys always get their comeuppance. <br />
<br />
The world is safe from the villains, for a little while anyway.Roz Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14475610145447087659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453993292379394638.post-13469094060343369722012-09-14T03:46:00.001-07:002012-09-14T03:46:11.094-07:0025 Years at Solihull CouncilDear All,<br />
<br />
After I'd taken my O' Levels way back in 1987, I had that lovely long Summer stretching ahead of me before going on to do my A' Levels at King Edwards for Girls in Kings Heath. My summer holiday job at Beatties (now House of Fraser) fell through (in the ladies' shoe department so thank God for that!) and I ended up working here for nothing for a bit of work experience in the old Data Control section. This was thanks to my father as there was no way he was going to have me sitting around the house for six weeks doing nothing! Thanks Dad....<br />
<br />
The rest as they say, is history. I started permanently here as a Data Control Assistant exactly 25 years ago today and never went back to any school.<br />
<br />
Well, I am still here and I really mean it when I say I am glad about it and hope I'm still here in another 25 years.<br />
<br />
Now the serious bit - please forgive me if I don't get the flags out, throw parties and buy cakes etc. The fact I lost dad just over six months ago (Thursday the 8th of March) makes me not feel right about celebrating. He would have been so pleased and proud that I had lasted this long and have not been sacked in disgrace!<br />
<br />
Please believe me when I say I am glad to be here. Everything important that has happened to me in my life (apart from being born) has been while I have been working for SMBC.<br />
<br />
It just feels wrong to be going wild right now.<br />
<br />
Thank you all very much.Roz Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14475610145447087659noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453993292379394638.post-58970868349062813712012-07-30T00:34:00.001-07:002012-07-30T05:43:13.561-07:00All that glitters is not gold?The Vanity Game - HJ Hampson<br />
<br />
A great read during which I almost felt I was reading a Jackie Collins novel initially. The reader feels like a voyeur, glimpsing the lives of the rich and famous whose good looks or talent allow them to have lifestyles where they can do anything with no penalty to pay. Is that true?<br />
<br />
I really don't want to say much more! Read this book. It's so dark and quite terrifying, not like I initially thought at all. Hampson tells the story so well that you drift from outrage to almost sympathy and back again seamlessly. It's a very clever book and makes you wonder if this could ever happen. <br />
<br />
I was going to call my review 'Horrific Brilliance' and that is equally true.<br />
<br />
Loved it. Excellent. 5 stars are well deserved here.Roz Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14475610145447087659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453993292379394638.post-74188634463896854942012-03-17T08:39:00.001-07:002012-03-17T09:12:17.971-07:00Speech for DadI was going to stand here today and read one of the many poems which are traditional on these occasions; you know the sort of thing, 'Do not stand at my grave and weep.......' but weeping is exactly what I would have done before I'd reached the end of the first verse. <br />
<br />
<br />
Instead, I'd like to start by thanking you so much for coming here today. We really appreciate it and I know dad does too. Dad loved his golf! It was one of the main reasons my parents retired here to beautiful Ayr, away from the stresses and strains associated with city life in Birmingham. Dad never took anything here for granted. He would never tire of looking out of the living room window enjoying the emerging spring flowers or the squirrels and birds in the trees. Of course, he would rant at the television - he had strong views on many things - or he'd wave my umbrella at the seagulls getting a little too close for comfort, but he loved his life and saw the best in everything and everyone. It's a pity it's taken his passing for me to fully realise that. <br />
<br />
<br />
If there is one lesson I have learned over the past few days, it's to stop being so negative! So, I'm telling you! <br />
Appreciate everything and don't ruin the present worrying about the future or regretting the past. These are things you cannot change. There is nothing wrong with making plans, but please don't spend too much time looking forward (or back). <br />
<br />
<br />
Above all, don't forget to tell people you love them. Life is a gift. Make the most of it. Let's try to be glad for my dad's wonderful life as he tees off on that great golf course in the sky.Roz Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14475610145447087659noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453993292379394638.post-64930147063905538802012-02-25T08:32:00.000-08:002012-02-25T09:41:47.067-08:00The Violin Man's Legacy by Seumas GallacherRight from the start, you know Seumas Gallacher means business! This book is not for the faint hearted. The Violin Man's Legacy is a fast paced, no nonsense thriller which has all the ingredients you could possibly want from an action story. No complicated plot here. The main character - ex SAS man Jack Calder - is instantly likeable and you get to know more about him and his formative years quickly, described with surprising gentleness given the tough introduction.
<br />
<br />
In a James Bond style plot, the action doesn't let up for a moment. There are plenty of merciless executions, jetting around the globe on the trail of the villains - marvellous scenery descriptions particularly of Hong Kong - and of course there is time for a bit of passion too.<br />
<br />
This was a very satisfying first book. I look forward to the next one!Roz Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14475610145447087659noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453993292379394638.post-40463472279434960162012-02-23T23:45:00.001-08:002012-02-23T23:45:52.294-08:00Some of the Most Sexy Chicks in the World!<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4-sdjzCs3jyM2xlvEqDvO8ef6R1RIgOFujbMc7cwmps0X8HA-x3NTaAI0vPnhnvXttFipjk9fZssK81mc4ytxWPCAQyxeZou8k02ZA0PL1r2qr1I0mXKaf-JWMw9O7bELRaf87RQ4fQ/s640/blogger-image-1627143208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4-sdjzCs3jyM2xlvEqDvO8ef6R1RIgOFujbMc7cwmps0X8HA-x3NTaAI0vPnhnvXttFipjk9fZssK81mc4ytxWPCAQyxeZou8k02ZA0PL1r2qr1I0mXKaf-JWMw9O7bELRaf87RQ4fQ/s640/blogger-image-1627143208.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQgwLWrXDNI2SnBtHZKu-FjnR3tP50iX9w7f0tlHF7_AgzCI6zaD49fyFoF-FFcOAHOPZLwrrEtAm5gyp1cpdEi_IzkrJY7hqg0zqJuYMVEQDff7ThTeuRxYY7zvfmieeckhxcJluJYrY/s640/blogger-image-335756445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyTxedRHz7mqejA-pPqaNNGvk0T18MaRDdqx93B1Uz3KhLZ2KP7lz1EjsS3O47EZbr-5h85A2aEVzvDtu_baP60DiEKST-0CYJ2C7CuNpTWC4MIlQ68qJYr7KR_Zdw_i9nvMcLuVsngvg/s640/blogger-image-1794649053.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgecIWiTkamF_mXBsyQv-lE-euGLWpzsniSb9cs7TF-jgWHNtlFFccEXT34wotHe0moChCaJktVEGo-ISeZtlldYZuC2eHgmt9uZ7J31815kTvLwD6r7c_ckvluxFahsWAkS8sHzrVlak/s640/blogger-image--473944467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgecIWiTkamF_mXBsyQv-lE-euGLWpzsniSb9cs7TF-jgWHNtlFFccEXT34wotHe0moChCaJktVEGo-ISeZtlldYZuC2eHgmt9uZ7J31815kTvLwD6r7c_ckvluxFahsWAkS8sHzrVlak/s640/blogger-image--473944467.jpg" /></a></div>Roz Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14475610145447087659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453993292379394638.post-37558444784003510132011-12-30T07:47:00.000-08:002011-12-30T07:47:03.542-08:00Dead Money by Ray Banks<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Even if Mr. Banks decided to write a book about the joys of studying carpet fibres, I would relish it now. Why do I say that? Well, I must be honest. I really struggled with Dead Money to start with and was very slow reading the first 20%. As someone who rarely even bothers to buy a lottery ticket and who has a father who used to have a terrible one-armed bandit addiction, the subject was not appealing to me and the title said it all. How glad I am I persevered!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Alan Slater and his sort of friend and colleague Les Beale are window salesmen with a penchant for gambling. To be fair to Alan, he initially acts more as a bodyguard/minder to Beale, although Alan constantly gambles with both his marriage and his soul. When Beale gets involved in a fixed game that goes horribly wrong and loses everything, he turns to the only person he feels can help get him out of a dire situation. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alan reluctantly goes to his aid with disastrous results. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s the sort of tale where you cringe, clutch your head and wail ‘Oh no!’ as things seem to go from bad to worse. The author keeps you glued right to the end with skilful portrayal of the events which overtake Alan and Les. Gamblers need luck more than skill. Who was the most successful gambler? Who was lucky? I’m not telling you! I daren’t say another thing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The grisly humour did it for me and the author’s wonderful descriptions which had me feeling chilled to the bone as if I was out in the pouring rain, watching. A cracking read. </span></div>Roz Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14475610145447087659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453993292379394638.post-33021404234299837842011-12-13T05:53:00.000-08:002011-12-14T14:19:39.968-08:00The Red Hot Chilli PipersHere are just a few pictures from Saturday 10th of December at Ayr Citadel. It was a cracking night. I really enjoyed it and so did my parents. There were 12 band members! These pictures barely convey the wonderful atmosphere but here we are.... The support act was Jill Jackson, a fine blues/folk/rock singer songwriter. A great start to a terrific evening. <br />
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/rozwood1970/RedHotChilliPipers?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKCPvtH9zcL3dw&feat=directlink" target="_blank">https://picasaweb.google.com/rozwood1970/RedHotChilliPipers?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKCPvtH9zcL3dw&feat=directlink</a>Roz Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14475610145447087659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453993292379394638.post-67986739635128542202011-11-19T09:53:00.001-08:002011-11-20T03:40:34.691-08:00Choke On Your Lies - Anthony Neil SmithI really enjoyed this book! It's unusual in that there is nothing endearing about any of the characters initially. I had the urge to slap poor Mick Thooft, as he appeared downtrodden and manipulated by everyone he came into contact with. That expression "Grow a pair!" so often used these days seemed perfect for him. <br />
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Mick turns to Octavia, the power crazy, omnipotent and physically enormous lawyer for help to save his house from the claws of his treacherous wife, Frances who has decided their relationship is over. <br />
Octavia is fearsome! She uses her power, wealth and intelligence to outwit her adversaries and manipulate her employees and anyone close to her. This includes Mick who is perhaps her one real friend; it's a friendship that has survived the years even though he sometimes fears Octavia too. Does she have a softer side to her complex personality?<br />
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You need to read this fantastic book where the characters are as cleverly constructed as the storyline which takes you through filth and sleaze all brilliantly described with the most wonderful humour. There are parts which are downright hilarious! Also there is an amazingly touching speech from Jennings (Octavia's right hand man and another of her captives) which nearly had me in tears. This book takes the reader through so many emotions - frustration, annoyance, sadness and happiness. It's so well done.<br />
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Read it. It was a real surprise and a pleasure to read. Loved it!!!<br />
Roz Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14475610145447087659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453993292379394638.post-69975806916306727952011-10-07T14:42:00.001-07:002011-10-07T14:54:48.355-07:00A Mayonnaise Jar and Two Beers - A Lesson for LifeWhen things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the two beers.<br />
<br />
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.<br />
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When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.<br />
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The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They again agreed it was.<br />
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The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous '"Yes".<br />
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The professor then produced two beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.<br />
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"Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things, your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favourite passions. If everything else was lost, and only they remained, your life would still be full. <br />
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The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car. <br />
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The sand is everything else, the small stuff.<br />
"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.<br />
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Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend timewith your children, spend time with your parents, visit with grandparents. Take the time to get medical checkups, take your spouse out to dinner or play another 18 holes.<br />
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There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. <br />
Set your priorities ..... the rest is just sand."<br />
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One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the beer represented.<br />
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The professor smiled and said, "I'm glad you asked. The beer just shows you that, no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of beers with a friend."Roz Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14475610145447087659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453993292379394638.post-12754514905482225272011-09-30T15:16:00.000-07:002011-09-30T15:16:17.217-07:00SlammerI finished <strong>Allan Guthrie's Slammer</strong> last night. <br />
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I'm glad I finished it in the evening rather than saving it for the start of my Friday off. To end one day in a contemplative mood feeling sombre is better than to begin the next feeling sombre before even getting out of bed. I think so anyway.<br />
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That doesn't mean I didn't enjoy reading Slammer. Far from it. In the usual books I read, a crime is committed at the start and is solved at the end by a crumpled hero and that's it; the world is put to rights again and we can all rest easy. I am almost complacent as I switch off the light, the next book already lined up, the one just read not dwelling long enough in the mind to cause a problem.<br />
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Mr. Guthrie doesn't do flowery stories about crime, featuring characters with straightforward lives touched by misfortune. There are no 'goodies' or 'baddies'. Slammer is the third of his books I have read. With this, like the others, I felt uncomfortable when I finished reading, once again shown the frailties of human nature. Nick Glass is introduced to us as a nervous, young man with a family to provide for - something he did not choose but made the best of - which is why he became a prison warden. Like many of us, he turns up at work each day and goes through the motions until it's time to return home, only to repeat the same routine again the next day. <br />
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I don't think I liked poor Nick much even before his troubles began. He doesn't get any more appealing as the book goes on but I was dragged along through the shadows, until it was too late; there was no escape. I watched with dismay wondering how things could get so out of control. Nick was conquered by his demons and so was I, the reader, in a way. It was with grisly fascination that I followed Nick along his path to self destruction. <br />
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It's a very sad, disturbing book. It demonstrates how easy it is to be led astray. It makes you wonder if we really aren't all creatures of circumstance. Life isn't meant to be predetermined. We have choice, don't we? <br />
<br />
Read this book, as unsettling as it is, it's a great read. Don't expect a happy ending though. <br />
<br />Roz Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14475610145447087659noreply@blogger.com3