My Thoughts on the Royal Wedding

So we have a wedding, and as a result I have a day off work, whoopy doo.  Prince William and Kate Middleton. 

So London is going to closed off as a result, lots of businesses are closed, while the toffs hooray Henries, That seriously deranged git who runs the country, other figure heads of the establishment, plus 100 priviledged ordinary commoners. 

Mass media have been ramming the event down our throats all week, even to the point that I switched the radio off in the car and put a CD on, while the DJ's were banging on about some none important detail of the wedding, probably, what colour socks the Prince of Wales would be wearing, or what brand of toothpaste Kate Middleton uses. 

Police and security have been looking at every speck of dust to make sure there isnt a bomb attached to it.  known activists and anarchists are being put under survaillance, ohh are they planning on saying some rude words and spoil the day, and do they have to behave and be good little Royal subjects???. 

I live in this country but I will never swear alleigence to the royal family, I was born a free man.  Yes they do some good, they support charities, and bring in tourists in the shape of fat American tourists who will tour round Windsor, Buck house and Sandringham, (as well as Stone henge),  spending money.  Kerching.

So the next few days will be full of pictures of kate and william along with the rest of the imbred clampits. and a big spread in OK i can imagine.  wonderful,  So I am showing my feelings on the whole thing by going out for the day, possibly with the camera, and making sure I am nowhere near earshot of the TV or radio.  So CD's only during the day.  So there you go My views. TTFN

Bank Holiday weekend 1

Well it has been Easter Bank holiday, which means one thing for me and that is the annual visit to LVVS, for their annual spring gathering.  I find it as a nice start for the rally season. 

If you read my observations of the rally scene then you will know that there are differant factions of the hobby.  Before I go in to ins and outs of rallies, I was out with the camera on Good friday, and as I stood at Broad marsh and a group of enthusiasts approached, what was a good sign was that one of these enthuiasts was a 10 year old lad.  So it may not be a dying interest after all. 

The seems to be young females taking an interest in public transport, as there were lasses with cameras at LVVS, again a good thing, because the common perception of the hobby was a geeky man who had now social skills, couldnt get a girl friend and still lives with his mother aged 60, and yes there are enthuisasts who fit this bill, and I must add, this is the one who will be shouting abuse at anyone who happens to breathe never mind walk in to the frame while he takes to 20th picture of that particular bus.

There are the rivet counters who insist everything has to be perfect down to all screw heads lining up, but wont put their hand in their pocket to assist in any way, but without the the buses there would be know show.

At the other end of scale you have the cranks, alot of whom I get on with.  These people dont necessarily care if the bus is original, but they will happily travel round trying to ride on every single remaining Leyland Olympian or Metrobus, travelling many miles to achieve the object, they mix this with having a laugh and basically enjoying themselves. 

Anyway, getting back to the rally.  There were some nice new restorations, but the numbers seemed to be down which is a shame really but a sign of the times.

Well back to work tomorrow, to have a break from all these bank holidays.  Well one good thing is all this royal wedding stuff will be over.  TTFN

A weekend of celebration and my views on good friday and relationships

Ok it has been a very quiet week work wise, with one day on and one day off, not that I mind too much, ok, I am not earning so much, but I am getting the rest in.  I have been using the time to catch up with things and obtained more material for the Calumbus page on Facebook. 

My thinking is, I like photography, so why not sure my pictures with my friends, Non transport subjects will go on there, and I will eventually do commission work for people.  The important thing is getting the material on there.  In a way it is replacing my fotopic page.  Calumbus is my own personal brand for myself, but that is for another time.

Today is Good friday, which is a celebrating the death of a man, who if he was around today would be classed as subversive, and anti establishment, he started something that was to become establishment in time when the religion was adopted by the Roman empire.  His message was basically be nice to your fellow man, and forgive him, which contradicts the crusades, and events of persecution during the middle ages, where people who didnt agree with the church were hunted down and executed.  Just think I would be burnt at the stake for writing this blog.

One thing this weather does is bring out the couples who insist on sitting near me, while I am minding my own business, then start a public display of affection.  I sitting there eating my sandwich thinking go away and get a room and bring a sick bucket while you are at it.
I am not in a relationship, nor do I intend to be in the near future, I loved and lost and got hurt in the process.  Some people move on to the next person, then there are people like me who build up walls so high and unbreachable, so when someone does come along they dont get a look in.  I am still good friends with my ex, but there is no way we will get back together, nor will anyone else come along, I know time is ticking away, but I will live life how I see fit.  rant over.  We are put here to breed and carry the genes on.

I can imagine lots of people are going to be all lovey dovey next friday during the royal wedding, wonder how many couples will propose?  who knows.  I am going to set myself a challenge last the day with out seeing any footage.  So total media blackout for the day for me.  Lets see if I can do it. 

So I am doing a bus rally on Sunday, where I intend to attend the LVVS rally, which I find a pleasure.  It is more a social thing, and I enjoy meeting up with friends during the day. So expect a full report on Sunday.

Remember keep living looking learning and moving on.  feel the fascination and keep it real.  TTFN

tuesday 19th April 2011

Well we are well and true in to spring, with temperatures due to reach the heights of 23 degrees, I am writing this as I am working this evening.  but I must admit I am looking forward to the weekend, where I will be going up to the LVVS for the easter sunday rally.  The saturday afterward will be the Paul S Winson running day, in which I am driving.

The Calumbus facebook page is upa and running, with lots of photos going on, I am hoping this will develop in to something good, although it was developed for something else, which I planned to do before the events of 2010, I do believe there is a brand there, we just need to find that right product.  I went off the idea of directly operating buses and coaches last year, but maybe the brand could promote support functions for the industry.  it is just lots of ideas I am thinking about, but for now I will display my photos on there, as well as providing the odd link which maybe useful.

What do I have planned for the rest of the week?, well at the mo I am unsure, but one thing I do know is that I will be getting very busy after the schools go back, which is what I need.  anyway talk soon ttfn

Monday 18th April 2011 the schools are off

As I write this, I would normally be driving a bus full of kids, well more like running in to the depot.  The sun is out and it is nice weather.  It will be a short week work wise, due to the fact that it is good friday, then easter weekend, with next week being even short, because there is some wedding on at the end of that week.

I am personally not fussed about the wedding, but I have noticed that everyone is starting to cash in on it, with mugs, plates, coins even condoms being produced for the occasion.  I dont know why the condoms, probably expecting the nation to feel romantic that even,  I dont know.  Its all bollocks to me.  It is the supposed to be the feel good event in these austere times,  One last thing about the royal wedding is that we as tax payers are paying for it, so go down to London wave your flag and celebrate, by giving glory to a family whose ancestors came over to the country and took it by force nearly a thousand years ago.

I will hopefully be attending the LVVS rally on easter sunday, so hope to get some nice pictures,  I will place these on my Calumbus facebook page, and on the transport menagerie page, as well as do a write up on here, in my own unique way.  Talk soon so take care TTFN

More views of the Government, and more thoughts of politcal correctness

Right, we all agree the country is in a mess, and because of the forced austerity caused by the Rothchild loving tosspots  namely the Prime Minister and the chancellor, who come from a knucle shuffling public school background, and have never lived in the real world.  People have stopped spending money, esstential services are being cut, while the corporate bankers are allowed to continue giving themselves stupidly high bonus's. 

We are in the process of scrapping the flagship the Ark Royal, and if you remember a couple of months ago a fleet of planes were scrapped at huge cost, what was horrific was the fact that these aircraft hadnt even entered service.  They say the previous adminstration was crap, but every adminsitration going back as far as I can remember have been equally crap.  The fact of the matter is put someone in power and they will do what it takes to remain in power.  Take Gadaffi for example, his defiance is the very fact he is clinging to power, and will do until the bullet is put into his head or the noose tied round his neck.  Saddam Hussain was arguing that he was still in charge right up to the point of his neck being stretched.

There is the referendum for the alternative vote, and I am still unsure and confused about it, I know the intentions are good, but, is it going to open a can of worms?  only time will tell.  It will also be interesting to see what the council elections will be.  This affects my own personal family as my father is standing for re-election on Nottingham City Council and I wish him luck.  I do believe politicians do have to work harder for the people, and as I have said many times the person who comes in to power and governs the country for the benefit of the people, instead of looking after old school chaps and business interests, yes that is the reason our once grate nation is intervening with Lybia, it is oil basically, we are running out and they have it.  It is the main reason Gadaffi has been tolerated for so long, and I still think that wanker who went home after being diagnosed as terminally ill, was relaesed as part of a business deal.

I did a rant about political correctness, and the fact I thought is was bollocks.  The real problem with political correctness is the people who spout on about it.  These are the liberal minded types who usually work in the public sector or social services.  They are the ones who believe the kids should be wrapped in cotton wool, whilst the same kids live in a virtual world or text messaging computer games and social networking sites.  The kids need to be out, learning about the world.

So more rants, and if you have been offended by reading this then get back to your copy of the Daily mail you government worshipping, curtain twitching PC nazi.  lets making a change during the next election, however you vote, remember it is your choice, and that is what matters.  TTFN

My first Blog for a few days my thoughts of bus rally

It has been a funny period recently, lets just say it has been the anniversary of a lose, which came at a very bad time a year ago.  When I was worried myself.  I Suppose I am a natrual worrier.  I am going to try not to rant, even though I find lots of things irriating.  No as it the start of the rally season lets look at the amusing things, well the things I find really funny.

As you can imagine, just like with lots of other hobbies you have the differant factions,  The deadly serious brigade, who take the hobby seriously as they stand there with the note books, cameras and/or video cameras, heaven help anyone who gets in the way as they will be shouted at.  The dress sense of these people are usually a tweed jacket shirt and trousers, they usually belong to the old established societies and have been following the hobby for many years, infact the same people can be found in flowery shirts on the rally photos taken in the 1970's.  To these individuals if the bus is not halfcab and have a trianglular badge on the grill, then it should not be saved, never mind the youths who are buying Dennis Darts.

There are the enthusiasts who go along to meet up with their mates, these are a differant breed of enthuisast, these guys will take the pictures and bring the buses but they tend to by in it for the laugh, and the sense of enjoyment, and most importantly to socialise,  Now these individuals are usually the ones who sit on a bus, usually a Leyland Olympian, or a Leyland National and be chatting aware.  They will usually have the wives and girlfriends with them, which again is a very good thing to see.  Their usual dress sense is usually teeshirt and jeans, these go for the social occasion, and usual involve a trip to the pub.

Verging on the edge of the social scene, is the cranks, no they have a very odd behaviour, but they are generally harmless, and are usually accompanied by the words, dreadful, hellfire, beast, mylordzz.  I find them quite entertaining, plus they sometimes irritate the flatcap brigade. 

There are many subculutres with the preservationists, and enthusiasts.  The above is just a light hearted observation of them, and well if you cant take the piss out of your own hobby then you should not be in it.  after all it hobby and a way to get away from the stresses of work and running a house.  mind you all hobbies attract the ones who are deadly serious.

So This leads me on to something else now, I am a bus enthusiast, and I am a coach driver, and yes the two blend into each other and I have overload to the point where I get home and I dont want to see another bus or coach that evening.  I use things like facebook to socialise, I look things up on the net, even watch the vids on Youtube.  All these things take my mind off sitting behind the steering wheel.  To work in the industry and be an enthusiast for it, you have to separate your enthusiasm from professionalism, but it also helps too. 

I suppose there was a time when I was practically managing a company, as well as being a enthusiast and I must admit it tested that enthusiasm to the very limit, I was looking at other interests to take my mind off things, because it can burn you out if you are not careful.  Working in the industry gets in the blood, and once you get the bug it is the only thing you want to do. 

I will leave you on that thought, but I will also leave you with a nice pic I took at a bus rally.

Being part of the Clique?

It does not matter where we all are, be it at school, work, home and hobbies, there is always the clique,  ie the group of people who gather together around  common opinions looks fashions etc.  People wish to be part of the clique so they can join the social scene.

I was never part of a clique, I hated the idea that in order to fit in you had to conform, with opinions, fashion, even the like of TV programmes, taste in music etc.  Why?  well I am me, I am individual, I like things because I like them and not because the popular person likes it, and therefore it is law that everyone else has to like it. 

You see it in the playground at school, where the differant kids are singled out, as abnormal.  You here people who watch X factor, read those very magazines which want everyone to conform with the glitzy life style, which is beyond the grasp of the reader, centred round over rated disco's which are frequented by complete twats like Katy Price, and complete dickheads like roony, who are paid obscene amounts of money, for what they do. 

Differant fashions have cliques, and some movements such as the none conformists have to conform with their friends in the quest of non-conformity.  Anyway rant over

Saturday 02 April 2011 my views of society, freemasonary and other crap

So it is the weekend and I am here with lots on my mind, as always.  I know I have had some outbursts this week, I think one of bloggs I wrote struck a cord with a few people, I do find that people who preach potlical correctness are the biggest hyprocrits going, along with the so called middle class environmentalists.  You know, the one with the kids called Tarquin, peaches, Apple. 
They preach about saving the planet, yet drive the kids to school in the Mitsubishi Shogun, the are the ones who will buy the free range stuff, yet work for some big global capitalist corporation.  We all know some.

I suppose I have grown up being a very quiet shy person, I have been bullied through life, but quite alot of the time the biggest bully in my life is the person I look at in the mirror, I try to be honest.  I know the biggest thing that holds me back is me.  I am baby of the 1970's born in 1977 the year when punk burst on the scene, I was a gurgleing bundle of joy when we had the winter of discontent.  I saw the thatcher years as a child, and remember the violent clashes between the police and the Miners, the strike busters.  I saw crap government replace crap government,  So I feel I have alot to say, We all have alot to say.  We can all influence change, it is just that society is full of people who can be easily manipulated.  Infact we are all lemmings heading towards to cliff, guided by mainstream media. 

Lots of things annoy me, but before the bloggs I had few things to channel that annoyance.  I have been watching footage of the TUC marches, and well BBC and the media sensationalised it.  I just looked at it with the view that lots of people are extremely pissed off. 

I will admit I also have a dislike of freemasonary and other secret societies, now what is so special about them?, but when you think that Judges, policemen town planners and even some members of the criminal fraternity are members then it makes a mockery of the justice system.  I have known some freemasons, and whilst they havent done me any harm personally, I just dont see a point, but having said that I do not like elitieism full stop.  We are all born equal, it is only when we enter this world when life is mapped out.

I believe we are shaped through life, Society pidgeonholes us, and the ones who chose to say bollocks and do their own thing, and make a success, well they get my respect.  I like the mavericks of the world, they push the boundaries and make the differance.  afterall with out the mavericks we would not be where we are today.  On that note TTFN

April fools day, this is not a joke

Ok, This morning, I was driving the bus on one of my regular school runs and had the local mediocre radio station on for traffic reports, when an announcement was heard. It sucked me in at first, basically the report said that as of 12 noon standard eastern time and 5 pm uk time, Facebook was being forced to close down, due to content in the film the social network.  Now it did get me going and thinking, due to the recent loss of fotopic, the host site for my photographic adventures, which contained over 5000+ images.  I am working on a flickr photostream, but it will be a long process, putting the pictures on there.

There were comments from listeners, some of whom were glad it was finishing, due to lots of reasons which I will go in to shortly.  Some people live there lives on there, but, most people use it for catching up with old friends.  With the number of users world world wide, and if you put all these users together, it would be the population of a country,  not bad for something started as a college project.  Mind you conspiracy theorists have some sort of idea that it was started by the CIA to gather info on the world population for the new world order, but they think that for most things though.

We also learned that Eddie Stobart died at the age of 56, he was the man who inherited the family business, and built it up to a well known brand.  The lorries still have the impact and look very smart.  He also cashed in on people taking numbers of his lorries and started a fan club, which sell a wide range of merchandise, and organise depot visits.

 My thoughts are also with a friend who lost a very close member of the family this week, a very sad occasion.  I suppose lose is a terrible thing, and we grow up as children thinking that our parents are going to be there forever, we also meet friends some of whom will move on different things, we might lose some friends through tragic circumstances, life can be very cruel at times, and as time goes by, we pair up, some may start families.  I suppose losing someone in their prime really hurts, because of the future they will miss out on.  I suppose we have our friends, and the close ones we love, and we wish nothing bad happens to them, but we all have to go one day, and make way for future generations, but we do our best to leave a legacy, usually our children, who will continue that legacy and the cycle goes on.  I believe someones life is to be celebrated and the East Europeans have a custom, that when a family meal takes place, such as  Christmas, an empty place is set at the table complete with cuttlery and plate and this is for the absent friends who cannot join them.

Yes it is mothering sunday, and to many our mother is like a best friend, they are there for you, they offer unconditional love, they are a shoulder to cry on, they patched you up when you grazed your knee, So even if you cannot be with your mother, have a thought for her, No one can replace your mother.

I'm not going to rant tonight, I will save that for another occasion.  I will leave you on those thoughts TTFN