Special Days In May

michduncg · Post by **michduncg** » Sun May 04, 2008 10:47 pm

Have to say Gray, that I had a great 40th. It was the day of our Civil Partnership. We had Matt playing 'This is the life' and Bobby Darin singing 'More' as everyone gathered in the room, followed by some great speeches and a wedding disco in the evening, before getting up early to head of to Helsinki for Eurovision! Does life get any better!

Gray · Post by **Gray** » Mon May 05, 2008 8:07 pm

Hi Mike

Sounds like you had a fab day, that certainly is something to remember!
This weekend I took my family to Elland Rd Leeds Utd for Sunday lunch followed by a Stadium tour.
My family was, mum, dad, sis, bro in law, 2x nieces, Amanda Holly, Cate & Me.
I enjoyed this enormously and didnt mind when our stadium tour guide (ex- Watford, Rangers, Leeds & Northern Ireland defender) John McClelland tried to embarrass me by anouncing my 40th brithday to one and all.

Then last night, I took a load of chums to a Comedy Club, which was a giggle (but gosh it was blue

).
I had no idea it was going to be like that!
Then today, Amanda and I took Holly & Cate to Flammingo Land and we had a blast!

So, that's it, my birthday can now come and go on the 14th with nowt but a whimper, I've done my bit!:)

michduncg · Post by **michduncg** » Mon May 05, 2008 8:24 pm

Hi Gray

Sounds like you've had an action packed weekend. At least they didn't annouce your birthday over the PA at Elland Road

Flamingo Land - that takes me back. Remember going there when I was about 5!

All comedy is so blue nowadays. My Mum tuned into Graeme Norton to watch Tony Curtis and had to turn the sound off. She then put the subtitles on but I don't think was a good idea either as I don't they're censored! Still - good job you hadn't taken your parents!

Gray · Post by **Gray** » Tue May 06, 2008 6:57 am

Hi Mike

I cringe when I think what my Mum & Dad must see on late night telly - despite the fact they lived through the Second World War and have both been to a Leeds Utd game, I still want to protect them because I'm sure they have never heard naughty words before!

After the watershed, what do people watch who don't fancy being sweared at or insulted or see rude things!?

Wait, I've got it! 'The Sky at Night' is usually on once a month at 10 past midnight!

Marian · Post by **Marian** » Tue May 06, 2008 7:37 am

Peter has an aunt and uncle, both in their nineties, who have a stack of "Columbo" videos they watch all the time, as so many of today's programmes offend them.

They also like travel programmes.
Marian

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Tue May 06, 2008 8:37 am

Remembering Mary Whitehouse and her campaigne during the Sixties to maintain decency and morality in the home and on TV etc.
We wonder if there are people today who may have objected to her so called busy bodying in those days but perhaps on becoming parents since, wish those values could be restored today for their own children.

michduncg · Post by **michduncg** » Tue May 06, 2008 9:41 am

To be honest, the worst offender is 'Big Brother' when that is on. Its broadcast without any 'beeps' over offending words. And thats Channel 4 for you. Graham Norton (him again!) built his whole persona on C4 around the shock factor, and yet he'd have these wonderful US guests on like Michael Learned and Linda Carter (Mrs Walton and Wonder Woman) and they'd be genuinely shocked by what he would say on the air. But it can be funny, and I think it follows on from the traditionally fairly bawdy sense of humour that Brits often have. And even during more stiff upper lip times, you still had the likes of 'Carry on' pusing the boundaries, and Around the Horne with its constant hilarious double entendres.

As far as the decline in society goes L&H, I think its more down to booze Britain and bad parenting. The recent case in Portugal with a couple getting themselves so drunk that they passed out, with no regard for their ONE, TWO and SEVEN year old children is not an isolated one. I hope that this is a wake-up call for them, and many other families

We went on an all-inclusive holiday a few years ago, and the behaviour of the Brits compared to the German and Danish that were in the same resort was nothing short of shameful. Not just in the amount that they drank, but the Brits lack of control of their kids, their insistence that music be played around the pool from 8am to 12 midnight, their foul language to each other and towards the hotel staff - it really does make you wonder - and very ashamed.

This bad parenting is getting into its 2nd generation now and you only have to watch some of the programmes like Jeremy Kyle, Honey I shrunk the kids, Wife Swap or Supernanny to see what is going on. parents that just can't say no to their kids, and don't know anything about setting a good example. Kids in these environments don't stand a chance of growing up with any morals or principles. Even when I was growing up in the 70's, the combination of my parents and my school, and a little bit of church, gave me a 'strong moral compass' (my best friends description, not mine

) But I do really worry that the kids hanging out on street corner don't get any of those positive influences.

Gray · Post by **Gray** » Tue May 06, 2008 7:35 pm

Well said, Mike.
Well said, Lena & Harry.

I agree with you all 100%, bad parenting, the booze culture, lack of respect for people and property, the greed and laziness within society, to me, it's all part of the same bundle: UK 2008.

I do think our society is in decline, but I try to concentrate on the positives in life with my children and hope they can steer themselves away from rocky waters when they grow up.
But, it's a worry to me what the future holds.

michduncg · Post by **michduncg** » Tue May 06, 2008 9:06 pm

Sorry Gray - this was about 40th birthday up until now!

I have to say that the teenagers I come into contact with at work are usually a good bunch, although they are lot more forthright with their views and you have to earn their respect. I have a colleague, who is close to retirement and she finds them a real handful. But then they play her up just to get a reaction cos she is quite explosive. I tend to be pretty honest with them but treat them with respect and calmly, which they seem to react better to.

Al Murray (who I really don't like cos I think he sums up UK 2008 as you call it Gray!) has a saying that the French have too few rules, and the Germans too many! But a lot of those rules that the Germans have (including not washing your car on a Sunday cos you should spend your time with your family) are actually aimed at promoting good social behaviour, and a good work life balance. We seem to believe in the UK that we have a right to have what we want when we want it, and thats alright as long as you're not abusing somebody elses rights to get it. As a final anecdote to illustrate this, I was met with a furious customer at 5.20 in my dept at work last Sunday. The shop had shut at 5pm, my team leave at 5.10 and we turn our lights out at 5.15. This woman had turned up at 5.15 and was refusing to leave through our staff entrance, which is what we normally ask late customers to do. The reason? Because her 3 year old daughter (who was happily running around) couldn't possibly be expected to walk the 5 minutes from out staff door back to the car park, when she could exit directly to her car through our locked doors. I pointed out that this entrance had been locked for 20 minutes and that tannoy announcements had been to indicate that this would be happening. The customer then proceeded to throw her purchases on the floor and demand an instant refund. I explained that our registers were now shut and so that was impossible. In the end, I had to get a colleague to wait with the customer while I went up to security, retrieved the key, disarmed the alarm, raised a security shutter opened the door and let the haradon and her 3 year old out with a quiet 'thank you'. Why did I do it? Cos I'm a professional I suppose. But she clearly had no care for my needs, or that of my colleague, or any thoughts for what we'd rather be doing at 5.30pm on a Sunday in the middle of the Bank Holiday weekend

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Tue May 06, 2008 11:05 pm

I suppose Michael, in your job, you see all sorts--the good and the bad--but that woman was unbelievably selfish, and not only that---she was teaching her child to be the same! I congratulate you on your calmness in what was really a very unneccessary episode.

michduncg · Post by **michduncg** » Tue May 06, 2008 11:16 pm

Thanks Mariana - I do have to bite my tongue but sometimes I do like to wind them up a bit even when I know I'm going to help them anyway!

Anyway - its my brother Davids birthday on wed May 7th, and my niece Lucy's on May 9th, then mine on May 11th

Gray · Post by **Gray** » Wed May 07, 2008 6:31 am

Mike

I salute you on your professionalism.
It is such a shame to read this posting, but you are the shining light of optimism within it!

Happy Birthday for the 11th!

Do you have any plans to celebrate?

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Thu May 08, 2008 11:06 am

We agree with all that you have said on your postings Mike, about morality and the foul language used on tv etc, but well done on dealing with that selfish person who like so many people today think they have the right to make their own rules, but the stay calm softly softly approach that seems to have been the method used these past few years may work in many situations, but in some situations for instance while watching the police catching up and dealing with severe driving offenders, we can't believe how the policemen often end up joking with these offenders.
Going back to morality and decency on the tele having no bounderies, we have seen and heard it all over the years, and nothing surprises , and we often find it well over the top, but although I know this is changeing the subject slightly.. what I find more disturbing and upsetting to watch on TV is the use of small children and babies being used in plays, where there is screaming and shouting to highlight the drama scene and the baby is obviously crying and frightened and visibly upset.
I call this child cruelty and I'm surprised that this is allowed to go on.
Parents seen in public in a situation like this would be condemned .
I did once complain about this, but all to no avail.

michduncg · Post by **michduncg** » Thu May 08, 2008 10:26 pm

Thats an interesting point L&H - i think they usually have the baby of set while they scenes of arguing are being filmed. But they must have to do something to get the baby to act upset, but I think thats usually done with the parent present.

Out of all the other events in May I forgot to say its the 1st anniversary of out Civil Partnership on May 11th as well! Oops

Marian · Post by **Marian** » Fri May 09, 2008 7:33 am

How the year has flown Mike! Enjoy your birthday, and your anniversary with Marc.

Marian.