whisky_priest

Gowanvale Jonella, "Gemma" RiP 9/11/95 - 5/10/09

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:41:36 GMT

I never thought I'd find myself writing an obituary for a dog, but we had to put our labrador Gemma down yesterday and remain absolutely traumatised by the whole thing.

I've never owned a pet before although Judith's family had dogs when she was younger.

Gemma was a wedding present given to us by her Uncle Howard and Aunt Pam Nightingale, we got her from breeders in Kendal the family had used for a while, Gowanvale Labradors run by Mr and Mrs Concannon.

She was a lovely puppy but a typical labrador, we had tons of stuff damaged, carpets peed and pood on, kitchen fitting gnawed and despite all of this, a whole lot of fun, she was a lovely dog, although I regret not taking her to obedience classes. I remember letting her off the lead in a field near our house in Wishaw and struggled to get her to come back, when I eventually got a hold of her she was starting to chew her way through a dead seagull she found. I'll never forget the sight of this thing wagging from the side of her mouth as she ran away from me!

She was just over 2 when Barbara was born and loved both girls with all her heart, when I brought Judith home from hospital with Barbara I remember the dog nervously creeping up to her and the baby to investigate this strange new bundle, Barbara moved her arm and the poor dog nearly jumped out of her skin with fright. She bonded with the kids almost instantly and seemed filled with almost maternal pride when we'd put Barbara and later on Mary Kate in the pram at the front of the house to enjoy the very occasional sun. Woe betide anyone with the temerity to walk by our house when Gemma was on guard duty.

Her special friends were my Gran and her sister my Auntie Kate, the first time they met her I remember them muttering that the dog didn't like them, almost immediately they became fast friends although I think a quarter pound of chopped pork might have played a major part in winning her over. She was at her most excited when pulling in to Tulloch Road in Shotts and would be practically hyper with excitement when we would get to 120, slobbering with anticipation over whatever my Gran would have in the fridge for her. We all took my Gran's death hard, but I sometimes think that Gemma took it hardest of all.

She bore the occasional tail pull from the weans and even one or two nips and slaps with grace and serenity, a wonderful family dog. Always happy to see us, enjoying walks in the neighbourhood, down the Strathy or further afield. When we moved to Motherwell she got to see the rest of the wider family more often.

She struggled from time to time and was in real pain for a while when she tore her cruciate ligament in her right hind leg, thankfully our fantastic vet Ms Nardini in Wishaw was able to source an orthopedic veterinary surgeon who managed to repair it. On seeing the bill I said a little prayer of thanks for the pet insurance we'd only taken out a few months before.

She hadn't been well for a while and found the wet and cold of winters especially difficult and it was clear from the last couple of weeks that she was struggling with her joints even more than usual, she stopped eating on Saturday, Barbara took her out for a walk on Sunday morning and she collapsed on the pavement outside next door. When we took her to the vet yesterday I think we both knew it was inevitable. Part of me regrets that few of the many people who loved her dearly were able to see her near the end, but with her obvious discomfort it would've been a crime to postpone her suffering.

It was quick, painless and merciful and at the end she even seemed happy again.

We get her ashes back on Friday. One of the happiest times we spent with her was in the spring of 98, Barbara was a tiny baby and her, Judith, her Dad Derek and I rented a fantastic cottage in Glenfinnan for a couple of weeks, my folks and some dear friends also came up to visit us. Gemma was in her element there, bouncing about the heather, crossing over to Skye on the ferry with us, splashing about in Loch Shiel and anywhere else bigger than a puddle. The kids are off school next week, we'll find a day to go back up, scatter her ashes, and remember her in one of the places she was happiest. But we know she'll live on in the hearts of everyone who knew her.

Mid-life crisis edition

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 18:56:19 GMT

I won't bore you with my doings for the last year or so, but I turned 40 at the beginning of August and have been musing on Life and other museable things.

Thankfully, I have resisted the urge to buy a motorcycle, but I have embarked on a, possibly, equally doomed task.

I am trying to read Joyce's Ulysses for, I think, the seventh time since I turned 18 and bought the book. I think my previous best would have been somewhere around chapter 8, but, either through cussedness or an accreted, deeper understanding of the subject matter I have now made it as far as the end of chapter 12, other a third of the way through.

It hasn't been easy, but I am finding it enjoyable. I do now realise that I made a mistake back in 1987 (I think) when I bought my copy, mine is the "Gabler" edition, now apparently roundly condemned as the most inaccurate version of the book, unfortunately, it's now far too late to start on another version, I'll just hold on for grim death and see where the book takes me.

Anyone interested in joining in?

Nervous

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:10:58 GMT

So despite my best intentions, August and September and most of October saw a lot of backsliding. Mrs Whiskypriest and I finally went back to the diet class a fortnight ago to find out the damage, 6 pounds for her and around 12 for me. Not great news, but understandable.

We went back because we are serious about the process and also because we knew we needed to do something to halt the slide before the annual festive bloating begins.

The first week back was full of good intentions, but the last week has been almost entirely faithful. I'll let you know.

Nine freaking pounds!

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:34:09 GMT

Not on. Off!!

Colour me surprised. I've not been pigging myself all summer, but I haven't been exactly observant either, two weeks in Spain, a fantastic Continuum in Leicester and a few other diversions.

But something certainly worked and although I've got a few events to attend in the next few weeks I've now got the impetus to carry on.

I'm not the man I used to be!

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 19:10:07 GMT

I'm 9/10ths in fact!

4 more pounds off takes me through the 10% barrier (yes, add all the previous entries up and you'll get my grim starting point)

What pleases me more was that this was achieved despite all the little weak moments and deviations.

I'll concede that I shouldn't have celebrated by sharing a kebab and some pakora with the kids, but I felt I was due a treat.

I won't be weighed for almost a month now, what with Spain and Continuum in Leicester coming up, but I reckon I've put down a good foundation for progress.

Thanks for all the support.

5 pounds!

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 19:12:20 GMT

Breathes sigh of relief.

I was really worried after last week, despite myself I knew I had struggled with buffets at various functions and succumbed more than once, including my nephew's first birthday party yesterday.

However, this was just the fillip I needed, now to keep up the run until Spain in July.

Thanks for all the support!

A Victory, of sorts!

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:42:36 GMT

As I've said, I didn't have a great week last week, I must confess I'm struggling this week for different reasons. It's the last two weeks of the school year in Scotland, this means that as well as the usual round of residents and other meetings I attend, I also get invited to loads of school shows, school leavers services, prize-givings etc. Nearly all of these come with food attached, I have managed to be "good" and resist the heaving plates of egg sandwiches and sausage rolls, but sometimes either the temptation is too much, or the desire to conform wins out.

On top of this I'm off for dinner with the Papal Nuncio tonight, it won't be a private affair, possibly 150 or so others are going to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the Diocese. I know I can fore-swear alcohol, I'll have to see about the rest though.

But now the victory. For ages I've been left with no choice but to buy my suits and business atire from the "Fat Boy Shop" aka High and Mighty, at outrageous prices. However, yesterday, I tried on one of my old shirts, admittedly one with a 19" collar, and it fitted. So if nothing else it is a reminder that good times do await.

Hopefully!

No change!

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:44:23 GMT

I'm surprised, baffled in fact.

I've been having my shakes and soups as directed, admittedly with two stumbles. on Thursday I partook of some of the buffet after the Police Board meeting, but even then I only ate the bottom half of the various rolls (including the filling of course) and on Sunday after Mass I had a sausage sandwich and some bacon at my mums.

When you consider what I had to eat the week I only lost three pounds I still should have shed something. I am surmising that maybe the reading last week wasn't as accurate as it should have been. 13 pounds over two weeks would have been fine, if slightly lacking in dramatic effect.

But, I'm in this for the long haul, so I'd better pick myself back up and stop whinging.

More next week. Hopefully I'll be in a better mood.

Thirteen more pounds!

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:54:55 GMT

That was a surprise. I really didn't think this was going to be such a good week, I just didn't feel I had lost so much.

Granted, only 1 of the 28 meals this week wasn't out of a packet. I'd been to a funeral in Edinburgh and had gone to a board meeting through there. It is a long standing co-operative tradition to feed the board prior to meetings and, despite having my measuring jug, hand whisk and packet of shake mix with me, I gave in to the temptations of steak pie with all the trimmings.

I'm really buoyed up just now and looking forward to next week, my only real hurdle is the Police Board meeting this Thursday in Paisley and the meal afterwards. Must remember to be strong.

Three more pounds

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 17:55:05 GMT

I'm not too downhearted, I've tried and failed too often in the past not to realise that there are always good weeks and bad weeks.

Just too many opportunities for weakness: going for dinner in Manchester while we went to see Bruce Springsteen, attacking Mary Kate's left-over giant dark chocolate Toblerone on Friday, the meal to celebrate my niece's baptism on Saturday night.

But, since the weigh in on Monday I have been faithful, and the additional fibre supplement has removed certain of the gruesomeness that I will spare you, gentle reader.

Tomorrow will be problematic, I'm off to Edinburgh for a funeral and will be staying there for meetings. Caving in would be easy, but hopefully I can find the time, and opportunity, to stick to the diet.

Thanks for all the support.

More next week

sixteen pounds!!!!!

Mon, 26 May 2008 20:24:33 GMT

I won't bother boring anyone with what I've been up to for the last year, although I might back-fill later.

However, one thing I do want to share, which is obvious to anyone who has ever met me, is my need to lose weight. The final straw was probably being told by the local hospital when I turned for a routine CT scan, that they couldn't take me, but they could arrange for a trip to the vet school for a shot on the equipment they use on cows.

Judith and I have now started a new diet. We decided to try one of those VLCD things and, after comparing the different ones, opted for one called W8. Again, I'll spare the gruesome details, but the good news is, as you'll see from the title, I've lost 16 pounds.

Any support, prayers or vibes over the coming months will be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Irish Elections

Wed, 30 May 2007 19:30:57 GMT

One of the most interesting books I ever read was "This Great Little Nation: An A-Z of Irish Scandals" you'll find it here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/This-Great-Little-Nation-Z/dp/0717129373/ref=sr_1_1/202-1532584-7884600?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1180552947&sr=1-1
It's a wonderful resource for things you'd half-heard about the dark heart of the Celtic Tiger and all sorts of other Hibernian jiggery-pokery. I shudder to think what the Scottish version might look like.

I was reminded of it again when courtesy of the Snob http://reactionarysnob.blogspot.com/

I came across this fantastic analysis of the Irish Elections http://twentymajor.net/2007/05/26/dont-complain-you-stupid-stupid-cunts/ It is however NSFW, unless your employers look kindly on swearblogging.

Enjoy.

If you have a problem, if no one else can help, then maybe, just maybe, you can hire the Fellowship.

Tue, 08 May 2007 21:16:30 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBmZN2LnDbA

ROTFLMAO

I have returned

Tue, 08 May 2007 20:33:01 GMT

*Coughs* testing, testing, is this mike on?

It's been a hard few months, I decided to slip off into purdah during the election campaign, partly through a realisation that I wouldn't be able to blog consistently, but also because of an awareness that candidacy can do strange things to people and I had no desire to blog anything in anger that I might later regret. On top of which I have been enjoying this as a process that gets me away from Politics.

I have no fear of being fisked, but that is what I do and live with the majority of the time, where I'd rather this was a quiet space away from that.

Still, I'm glad for the kind words and messages of support, in a strange way I'm even glad about the abuse (you know who you are). I'm back in and looking forward to whatever challenges come my way between now and 2011.

Maybe now I can get back to posting about whatever takes my fancy.

The 7 Minute Sopranos

Thu, 05 Apr 2007 21:09:47 GMT

I've lost touch with most of TV this year, Battlestar Galactica included.

However, you'll have to prize The Sopranos out of my cold dead fingers! I can't wait for the series conclusion and found this invaluable:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tz_Ees_-kE4

I was surprised at how little I'd forgotten.

Join the frackin union you asshole!

Sat, 10 Mar 2007 20:27:08 GMT

This is hilarious

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3mw49mk_x0

If only Unions recruited like this for real!

Cricket. A True American Game?!

Tue, 06 Mar 2007 20:38:44 GMT

I'm not sure where my love of cricket comes from, I don't even remember being really aware of it until just before my teens, but something about it gripped me and wouldn't let go. It definitely pre-dates my involvement with Mrs whiskypriest, who is a real cricket fanatic.

I was surprised to find this:

http://www.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/NATIONAL/ICC_MEMBERS/USA/USA_HISTORY.html

but the story of English class snobbery stifling the development of cricket as a professional sport across the pond definitely rings true.

Lost for words

Fri, 02 Mar 2007 20:58:48 GMT

When I first heard about this:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/6389845.stm/

I thought it was a wind up, but no, a Slovenian swimmer is attempting to swim the entire navigable length of the Amazon.

He's now half way through and hasn't been eaten by Crocodiles, savaged by Piranha's or had those really scary spiny fish creep up his penis.

I hope he makes it!!

Civil War

Sun, 25 Feb 2007 15:49:25 GMT

So, just to clarify things, now that Planetary has ended, my comic buying mojo is hanging on by its fingernails, although I would be happy to hear any suggestions.

One of the things hacking me off is the all consuming metaplot's that are disfiguring continuities everywhere. Admittedly as someone with a complete run of the First Secret War and DC's Crisis on Infinite Earth's in his loft I realise I must accept a teensy weensy bit of blame for this.

However, Imagine my delight to discover that mightygodking has reimagined the Marvel Civil War series. It is now almost good, a major improvement.

Enjoy

Imagine?

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 21:54:07 GMT

I'm not sure what worries me more, the insidious creeping anti-americanism currently disfiguring the public sphere on this side of the Atlantic, the effects of which are deftly highlighted by the 18 Doughty Street Crowd here:
http://www.18doughtystreet.com/on_demand/165
or the scary wing-nut bedfellows that these people normally cohabit with.

Nevertheless the debate needs to be had.

Duke Special and Stephanie Dosen, King Tut's Wah Wah Hut, 9th Feb

Wed, 21 Feb 2007 13:38:53 GMT

I love king Tut's, easily one of my favourite venues especially when it's packed as it was for this gig.

I first heard Duke Special when the wife and i saw him support The Divine Comedy last year and, after some urging from ianmcdonald I bought Songs from the Deep Forest. As anyone who's been checking my Last.Fm Profile will know, it has been getting heavy rotation.

The support was the the American singer/songwriter Stephanie Dosen. Glasgow crowds can, in my experience, be quite rough on support acts, but they also know when they are hearing a good one. I picked up her CD at the gig and would be happy to recommend it.

Duke Special was fantastic, playing cuts from the album and some of the older stuff from the EP's. I took my sister with me as a belated Christmas present, she'd never heard any of his stuff before, but was completely blown away. I never expect to hear a live performance completely replicate the CD, but in this case the performance was even more passionate. My only grumble would be that this would probably be my last chance to see him in such an intimate venue, surely greater success beckons.

He told us he's coming back to Glasgow in May, can't wait, I only hope it is after the election rather than before.

Sal Paradise Was Right

Mon, 19 Feb 2007 09:40:17 GMT

The Hold Steady, Glasgow Cathouse, 14th February

I haven't anticipated a concert more than this one for a very, very long time. If you don't know who they are yet The Hold Steady are a New York Based bunch of former Minneapolisians (is that a real word?) They have been compared to Springsteen, Husker Du and the Replacements, but they are way, way more than the sum of their influences. Lyrically they are one of the most interesting bands I've heard with vignettes about the seedier side of American life, overlaid with a sense of spirituality.

This was their first tour of the UK but hopefully not their last, I was completely blown away, Craig Finn spits his lyrics like machine gun bullets spinning the stories of Holly/Hallelujah, Charlemagne and Gideon as they drink, take drugs, screw and do their best to survive.

Musically they are really tight as well, the wonderfully flamboyant Franz Nikolay's keyboards, giving a tremendous contrast to the thundering guitars.

They deserve to mean a lot to a lot of people. Let them mean something to you.

An American in Scotland!!

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 14:30:19 GMT

I found this link: http://www.girlalive.com/food/index.html courtesy of metafilter.com

This poor woman has decided to subject herself to everything that British cuisine can throw at her, God help her.

One caveat, if you are going to eat processed crap from Tesco, you aren't going to have that great an experience of Haggis, Custard etc.

However, her review of Marmite is absolutely spot on. Hate the stuff

Too little time

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 14:23:36 GMT

I will try to update more regularly, one of the problems with trying to manage family, career and social life at the same time as exploring the nether regions of teh interweb.

It might not be so bad if I hadn't tried to set up a myspace page and get totally addicted to Last.FM at the same time as beginning blogging.

However, Last.FM is absolutely fantastic, it tells the internet what you are listening to, finds other people with similar music tastes, plays you music and gives you access to free mp3'a (although some are awful!!)

The plug-ins are simple to download and easy to manage. You'll find me here:
http://www.last.fm/user/michaelross/

Why not join in?

Pheeewww!

Sun, 21 Jan 2007 21:45:11 GMT

Time to draw breath, I think. As I said last Sunday this has been a busy week, Tuesday saw confirmation that our bid for Fairtrade Zone status for Motherwell has finally been successful. This kicked off almost two years ago and has seen some spectacular hard work from all involved, congrats and kudos to all. There are still a few i's to be dotted and t's to be crossed, but now we have to build on the achievements and try and get the rest of North Lanarkshire to follow suit.

Tuesday Night was my selection conference, I didn't have any real fears, but I'm always susceptible to a few attacks of "candidate syndrome" However, the introduction of STV has seen a drastic re-write of the playbook. I really, really don't like the idea of majority suppression, but it is something I'll have to get used to.

Wednesday Morning saw the arrival of our first group of Congolese refugees. The fruits of hard work, almost 18 months in the planning. Things seem to be going well despite some really shitty weather. It looks as though the families are settling in well, but, in many respects, the hard work only starts now!