I finished reading:

"Revolution: Five Centuries of Europe in Conflict" edited by Charles H. George.

-Richard

I finished leading to:

"August 1914" written by Alexander Solzhenitsyn.


-Richard

I had a first today. My first ever canceled flight. I was going to White Plains, New York for a meeting. I managed to get as far as Washington, Dulles airport where my connection was delayed and delayed and delayed again before being finally canceled. As it was too late to get to my meeting with the alternatives they offered I had no choice not to come home.

This also reminds me that I missed an airport of the list I made a couple of weeks ago - Newark, New Jersey.

Richard

As well as the Super Bowl on Sunday we had Super Tuesday for the Presidential Nomination Primaries. I have finally decided who I am going to support: Barack Obama. Although, at the moment I do not have the time to post the reasons why I am posting a cool video, again from You Tube.



-Richard

New York Giants Super Bowl Champions!!!

What a game and what a play-off run. Here I am the day after!!

Below is a "You Tube" compilation showing Tom Brady getting destroyed.



And here is the play of the day!!!



-Richard

The next step in my Citizenship application will happen on Tuesday, February 19th. I need to drive the three hours to Charlotte, North Carolina to have my finger prints taken. That will leave two steps to go, the interview and then ceremony.

-Richard

I finished the Bible book of 2 Samuel.

-Richard

I listened to:

"Dracula" composed by Philip Glass and performed by the Kronos Quarter.


-Richard

Docklands: 9/2/1996

Irish or British
Does it matter?
We speak the same language,
Share the same heritage.
Let the past be the past
We all want peace.
All?
A handful of mindless bastards
Seeking their own ends.
Not what the people want.
Their own personal glory.
Their selfish ways
Leads to pain for the innocent
Leaving children crying.
Fathers are dead;
Mothers are dead
A minority leading us all
To our own Armageddon.

11th February 1996 - Uxbridge, Middlesex, England.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"The Periodic Kingdom" by P.W. Atkins. A book trying to get across the principles of the Periodic Table of elements in a straight forward way. It did an ok job. For me, however, it was more of a trip back into the branch of Chemistry, inorganic, where I am much more at home rather than the Pharmaceutical/Organic branch I now deal with nearly 100% at work.

-Richard

I listened to:

"Seven Last Words from the Cross" composed by James MacMillan and performed by The Britten Sinfonia and Polyphony conducted by Stephen Layton.
"On the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin" and "Te Deum" both composed by James MacMillan and performed by James Vivian (organ) and Polyphony, conducted by Stephen Layton.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"We Never Make Mistakes" written by Alexander Solzhenitsyn. This comprised of two short stories: "An Incident at Krechetovka Station" and "Matryona's House".








-Richard

One of the most rewarding things that I do occasionally is to help teach a Basic Computer Class to residents of the Raleigh Rescue Mission. I've done this for a few years now. It is great to try and show people who have not had it easy, but, are so enthusiastic, so grateful but above all want to really try and start again new skills. For example when I was there yesterday I bumped into a student from a previous class. He is now going to college to attend culinary arts. It's so refreshing after all the negativity we here all around us and yet these folks who do have nothing are so grateful it really makes one think.

The other cool thing about the session that I have just done is that I did it for the first time with Jenn. Each class has an instructor and assistant. My previous assistant just had a baby so Jenn stepped into help and enjoyed it. She should actually be doing the teaching as she is the one that taught me most things that I know on the computer.

The class is always started with a short devotional as the goal is sharing Christ in a practical way that can apply to people's life. Yesterday's which was unplanned happened to be my favourite: Joshua 1 vs 9...paraphrased by me "Be Bold be Strong because the Lord Your God is with you"

-Richard

I finished reading:

"The Great Rehearsal" written by Carl Van Doren. An interesting read on the evolution of the Constitution of the US.







-Richard

I listened to:

"Birthday Sleep", "Butterfly Dreams", "The Second Coming", "Schuon Hymnen", "As one who has slept", "The Bridal Chamber", "Exhortation and Kohina" and "Shunya". All were composed by John Tavener and performed by Polyphony conducted by Stephen Layton.

-Richard

Yesterday "My" New York Giants reached are very unlikely Super Bowl beating Green Bay, in an extremely cold Lambeau Field. It's been a very exciting end to the Season and the next couple of weeks will be fun. However, its kinda like a poisoned chalice having to play arguably the greatest team in the history of the NFL - the 18-0 New England Patriots. A team driven by history to achieve only the second ever perfect season on the the first team to reach 19-0. The Giants pushed them very close in the final regular season game losing 38-35 so you never know!!!

-Richard

I bought Jenn a new digital camera for her birthday and I "inherited" her old one. She has an account on flickr were she takes a photo a day. Whist I certainly will come nowhere near a picture a day I am going to try and take some regularly of relevant things and post them on here.

-Richard

Christmas in Texas

Kids running wild
Christmas music playing
Tills jangling
Christmas trees decorated
Presents being bought
Snow outside?
No, seventy degree heat.
It is Christmas. Isn't it?

25th November 1995 - San Antonio, Texas, USA.

I finally joined one of the trendy technological revolutions. I bought an I-pod!! With the traveling I have had to do and will probably have to do it is something to pass the time more quickly.

-Richard

On Monday I went on another work trip. This time to Vandalia, Ohio and then to West Lafayette, Indiana. In the process I used three airports I had not been to: Dayton, OH, Indianapolis, IN and Washington-Reagan as well as Cincinnati which I have been to previously. This got me thinking about how many airports I'd flown in and out of:

Europe: England - London - Heathrow, London - Gatwick and Teeside
France - Paris -Charles de Gaulle
Holland - Amsterdam
Denmark - Copenhagen
Sweden - Stockholm
Russia - St. Petersburg

Rest of the World: Jamaica - Montego Bay
Sri Lanka - Colombo
Oman - Mascat.

USA: Alabama - Mobile
Arizona - Phoenix
California - Ontario, Orange County, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Fransisco, Oakland and San Jose.
Massachusetts - Boston
Florida - Miami and Fort Lauderdale
Georgia - Atlanta
Illinois - Chicago, O'Hare
Indiana - Indianapolis
Kentucky- Cincinnati (the airport is in Kentucky over the State line from Ohio)
Minnesota - Minneapolis
Michigan - Detroit
Nebraska - Omaha
New York - JFK and White Plains
North Carolina - Raleigh/Durham
Ohio - Cleveland and Dayton
Texas - Houston, George Bush and Victoria
Utah - Salt Lake City
Virginia - Washington Dulles and Washington, Reagan.
Wisconsin - Madison

-Richard

I finished reading:

"The Siege of Leningrad" written by Alan Wykes.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"The Wealth of Nations" written by Adam Smith.

-Richard

PC-World

Machines rule.
Man subservient.
Everything must be done
By the press of a key
Causing electrons whizzing
Programs running.
Crash!!!
It goes wrong
What do we do?
Nothing!
We can't.
We don't think anymore
We're lost:-
To the rule of the computer.

17th October 1995 - North Acton, London, England.

-Richard

As my meetings in LA finished early on Wednesday I decided to a little sightseeing and find the "Hollywood" sign. After driving down such iconic roads as Sunset and Hollywood Boulevards driving past Santa Monica and Mullholland I found the sign. I took a picture on my cell phone, which is not to clear. It was an amazingly humbling experience. How did a guy from Hartlepool, in the North-East of England end up here? My only answer is an could be blessing from God. I have worked hard, but, nothing could have been accomplished with out God and I am really, really humbled.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"The Fall of the Russian Monarchy" by Sir Bernard Pares.

-Richard

Back to California. Here, I am sitting in a hotel room back in CA. This time it is not the Bay Area, it is SoCal!! I am staying in Agura Hills, just north of LA. Of course I had to wear my San Jose Earthquakes shirt and jacket for the trip over. Strangely enough this is the first time that I have flown into LAX.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"Summer of '49" written by David Halberstom

-Richard

I listened to:

"Symphony N0.5 in B flat, Op.100" and "Ala and Lolly (Sythian Suite) Op.20" composed by Sergei Prokofiev. They were performed by The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir Simon Rattle.

"Symphony No.5 in E flat major, Op 82" and "Symphony No.6 in D minor, Op 104" both composed by Jean Sibelius. The were performed by The London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir Colin Davis.

-Richard

Happy New Year!!!

So, what does the New Year hold? That's a good question. I think the only certainty is that it will be interesting.

What I would like is for a year of stability at work where the new job is consolidated and hopefully I will be doing the same job this time next year as I think it will take at least that long to get it to position I want to allow growth to happen.
We will be reducing the amount we do for Snowflake slightly and I would like to do more work in the community in some form tutoring or teaching.
I think that's it really. A year of stability where at this time next year I will be able to say that it was a good year and I really did God's will and I have made Him proud and given Him all the Glory.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"Alexander II and the Modernization of Russia" written by W.E. Mosse.

-Richard

So here it is once again. - New Year's Eve. Another hours away from being over. It's amazing how time can go so quickly. I've been sitting here this morning thinking about the past year all the good, the bad and the ugly. It's certainly been an interesting year and very busy. Here are a few highlights and low lights.....

• It was a year of anniversaries for me: 30 years ago in September at the age of 8 I knelt and asked Jesus into my heart. Although I was 8 it was a true decision and the most important one that I have ever made. 30 years later I am still His child. Has been easy - no? Have I made slips - Yes!, but, am I still on the path yes!! 10 years ago on May 31st I got married to Jenn the second most important decision that I have made and am still extremely happy with it and could not imagine any other person to spend my life with. 20 years ago on September 30th I left home and went to Bradford University. Again, one of the best choices that I made, not because of the education that I received, but, for the people I met and the experiences and learnings that I received. A major step in growing up as a person but more importantly Spiritually and in understanding experiencing the Fullness of The Spirit. This is why the first anniversary is the most important because it is the foundation and guiding of all others that I make.
• It was a changing year in many years for our Church life. I did not go to Church as much as I would have liked and wanted to, due to other things in life that we have been called to. The Church got a new Pastor who so far has some good ideas. Our small group also took a change that was tough a first, but, I think through it all have grown. We have done some good studies together with a joint Leadership. Currently we are working on a series on Spiritual Warfare.
• Our work in Animal Rescue was tough this last year. We have made the decision that we need to cut back some in 2008. We basically got overwhelmed. There is such a need for foster homes and just people who care. We also, for the first time, for involved in some of the human politics of animal rescue. Unfortunately, as in everything, sometimes ego's get involved and people get hurt. Losing Fred, Cumulus and Cassie, as previously mentioned also shook us. However, despite it all we feel strongly that we are doing a work that we are called to and in an organization we believe in so are going to pull back slightly but still work actively in.
• Our families are doing well. Ourselves we added Pushkin as mentioned in my previous post. Jenn's family are in Huntsville, Texas. Are grandmother is not well, but, hanging in there. We are planning a visit in February and managed to spend some time with them in Houston in March. My family are doing well. My parents came over for there annual visit in October and we had a good time with them. I took a week away and we rented a cabin in Georgia (right) where we all had a really good time.
• Jenn and I also took a week's vacation this year. We also rented a cabin in Ellijay, Georgia. It was for 10th wedding anniversary. In fact it was the first full week of that I had taken from work since our 5th anniversary when we went to Tennessee. It was a really nice time spending time together, reading, writing and playing games. Nilla also went with us and really enjoyed herself.
• Work this year was interesting and very, very busy. At the beginning of the year I assumed new responsibility as "North American Training Supervisor". However, at the end of January the "US Laboratory Services" Manager quit. As I was based in the same office as he was I gained that job as an interim position. After doing the job for 5 months I got promoted to it permanently whilst keeping the other job. I did both jobs until November when the Training Job was divided up. I kept some of it, but, the major part was divested to other managers, so basically we all have a role to play in training. I also had to do some travel. I went to some new places: Detroit, Michigan; White Plains, NY; Madison, Wisconsin; and Toronto, Ontario.
  
• In sport it was an average year for teams that I support. England Rugby did really well in reaching the World Cup Final. Hartlepool United got promoted to League One and Durham County Cricket Club one their first professional competition. We had a new expansion USL-1 Soccer team in Cary which Jenn and I had Season tickets for and had a good time dragging other friends to as well. However, the big sports news of the Year is the return of the San Jose Earthquakes to MLS starting in April.
• I read 70 books, which is by far the most that I have read in one year. This is one of the benefits of traveling a chance to read on planes and in airports.

I think that's about the summary. Tomorrow I will work on my goals for 2008.

Happy New Year!!

-Richard

After a couple of sad posts it's time for a more "cheery" one. On Thanksgiving Day we added to our family!! We adopted Pushkin. We have always planned on adopting one kitten that we have fostered, and up to this point it had not happened. (The photo to the left is her before we adopted when we tried her our to see if she got on with our current family.)

Why Pushkin? (apart from the name of one of my favourite authors). She was a very shy scared kitten that would be difficult to adopt out, but, above all we introduced her to the rest of our family and they took to her straight away and she to them. She is a very sweet kitten and some how stole my heart, so we decided she was right for us and Jenn adopted her for me (photo above is just after the contract was signed and she officially one of our family). She is still shy with us and is certainly not a lap cat, but, she has a great time playing on her own and with the rest of the family (right she is laying next to Coal who has accepted his new baby sister), especially Rollo, our eldest, who has regressed to be a kitten to play with Pushkin. Our family is now nearly complete.

-Richard

In Memoriam:

As I mentioned briefly in my previous post we also lost another kitten: Cassiopeia. She was a scared little fluffy girl that we trapped from behind Red Lobster in Raleigh. This is the same place we've got them before, including Nimbus who is still with us and is now one of my office cats. With the current litter there were six. Cumulus came in first, but, unfortunately as mentioned earlier, she died whilst getting spayed. We also got Orion, Moonbeam, Cassiopeia, Luna and Starlight. Cassie was very shy, but, just starting to come around and was at the point where she could be adopted. We took her to the vet to be spayed, but, during surgery she died. It turned out that she had a bad heart condition. Although we did not have her long she is still important to us and, made an impact on us, as do all the kittens and cats that come through our home. The photo taken of her was taken the day that she came in.

-Richard

In Memoriam:

November 15th is a very sad day in our house. On November 15th last year, Barney, one of long term foster cats died. On November 15th this year his brother, Fred, died after suffering a stroke. Exactly one year to the day of his brother. They had both been fighting a rare immune disorder which eventually came to much for them. They were wonderful and two of the sweetest and happiest cats there were. They were my "home office" cats so it is definitely a much sadder place to be in right now. However, there are many. many, happy memories of the boys. They had so much fun and even Fred the year he was on his own made new friends and did remarkably well. He was happy, playing, eating right up to the last evening. What more could he or we want? Losing him has been really tough and made us question what if what we are doing with Snowflake is right, especially after we lost two kittens this year (Cumulus previously mentioned and Cassie who will be soon) and going through the "human" politics and infighting a bit. However, seeing how Snowflake put these boys into our lives and the joy they gave us despite health problems when other organisations would have given up has helped re-focus us on the mission that we feel we have been called to, as well as honouring the memory of those who've passed on who came through our house: Baby Boy, Barney and Fred. All are part of us and all very much missed to the point that even although this is over month since Fred's passing it was very, very difficult for me to write about this.

In the photos, the black and white one sums them up perfectly. Fred is the one in the back acting silly whilst Barney in the front is serious. That is how they were Fred was the more playful one whilst Barney was happy to sit on a lap and was more serious. The colour photo of both of them is one my favourites and is framed on my office wall. Fred is on the left and therefore Barney on the right. They were both taken just a couple of months before Barney died by a professional photographer, Katie Britt who volunteers with Snowflake by taking some beautiful photos. I am so grateful that we got the opportunity to get the boys together.

The brothers are now reunited and happy although we are hurting that is a major consolation. Thanks for the memories boys. We will always miss you and always love you.

-Richard

This year we did our "traditional" photographs with Santa. This year was different. Apart from Nilla (above) getting her picture taken we also took two of our cats, Rollo (left with Jenn) and Andie (right with me). They did pretty good although we had to hold them. I also did some time as Santa for the "Santapaws" event at Petsmart. It is my favourite fund raiser for Snowflake of the year. It can be very hot under the suite, but, it is fun meeting all the different people and dogs.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"Warlock" written by Wilbur Smith.

-Richard

I listened to:

"Koyaanisqatsi" composed by Philip Glass. It is performed by Albert de Ruiter (bass), The Western Wind Vocal Ensemble and The Philip Glass Ensemble conducted by Michael Riesman.

-Richard

US Citizenship Update - Four months after applying for US Citizenship I received the acknowledgment in the main on Monday. I could get called from my interview any time in the next two years.

-Richard

I listened to:

"Coming up to Breathe" by Mercy Me. This includes one of my favourite new worship songs - "Bring the Rain".

-Richard

I've been really slacking over the last few months updating this. In fact, the last non-reading or listening post was the middle of October after we got back from our family vacation to Georgia with my parents. It's been a busy period. I will try and post the few key events over the next few days before the end of the year.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"The Earth Shook, The Sky Burned" written by William Bronson. It is the story of the 1906 San Fransisco Earthquake and Fire.

-Richard

I listened to:

"Oceana" composed by Osvaldo Golijou performed by The Gwinnett Young Singers, The Atlanta Symphony and Chorus conducted by Robert Spano.
"Tenebrae" composed by Osvaldo Golijou performed by the Kronos Quartet.
"Three Songs" composed by Osvaldo Golijou performed by Dawn Upshaw (soprano) and The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra conducted by Robert Spano.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"Billy Budd, Sailor and Other Stories" written by Hermann Melville.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"Chaos: Making a New Science" written by James Gleick.

-Richard

I listened to:

"And on Earth, Peace A Chanticleer Mass" performed by Chanticleer.

-Richard

I finished reading the Bible book of 1 Samuel.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"World War One - a Narrative" written by Philip Warner
"Up From Slavery" written by Booker T. Washington.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"The Secret War Report of the OSS" edited by Anthony Cove Brown
"Digital Fortress" written by Dan Brown
"The Campaigns of Alexander" written by Arrian
"Deception Point" written by Dan Brown.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"The Secret War Report of the OSS" edited by Anthony Cave Brown.

-Richard

I listened to:

"Grand Pianola Music" composed by John Adams and preformed by Solista New York, Conducted by Ransom Wilson.
"Vermont Counterpoint" and "Eight Lines" composed by Steve Reich performed by Solista New York conducted by Ransom Wilson.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"Marshall Zhukov's Greatest Battles" written by Georgi K. Zhukov.

-Richard

I listened to:

"Double Concerto for Saxophone, Cello and Orchestra" composed by Michael Nyman performed by John Harle (Saxophone), Julian Lloyd Webber (Cello) and The Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Michael Nyman.
"Concerto for Harpsichord and String Orchestra" composed by Michael Nyman performed by Elisabeth Chojnacka (harpsichord) and The Michael Nyman String Orchestra conducted by Michael Nyman.
"Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra" composed by Michael Nyman performed by Christian Lindberg (trombone) and The BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Michael Nyman.

-Richard

I listened to:

"Introduziane all'ascuro" composed by Salvatore Sciarrino, "Nascosto (Nove Parti per Pierre Boulez)" composed by Sylvano Bussotti, "Differences" composed by Luciano Berio and "Waarg" composed by Iannis Xanakis. All were performed by Contempartensemble conducted by Mauro Ceccanti.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"A Spy at Twighlight" written by Bryan Forbes.

-Richard

I listened to:

"Glassworks" composed by Philip Glass performed by The Philip Glass ensemble conducted by Michael Reisman
"Itaipu" and "The Canyon" composed by Philip glass and performed by The Atlanta Symphony and Chorus conducted by Robert Shaw.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"Reveille in Washington, 1860-1865" written by Margaret Leach.

-Richard

I listened to:

""Low" Symphony" composed by Philip Glass and performed by The Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Dennis Russell Davies.

-Richard

I listened to:

"Idmen" and "Pleiades" composed by Iannis Xenakis and performed by Les Pleiades conducted by Sylvio Gualdo.

-Richard

I finished reading "The Book of Judges" in my Chapter of the Bible a Day Reading.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"A Moveable Feast" by Ernest Hemingway.

-Richard

I listened to:

"Symphony No.1" composed by John Corigliano and performed by The Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Daniel Barenboim.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"Paul Revere and The World He Lived In" written by Esther Forbes.

-Richard

I listened to:

"Magical Mystery Tour" by The Beatles.

-Richard

I listened to:

"Las Cuatro Estaciones Portenas", "Oblivion", "Four Tangos" and "Le Grand Tango" composed by Astor Piazzolla and performed by Friedemann Eichhorn (Violin), Julius Berger (Cello) and Jose Gallardo (Piano).

-Richard

I finished reading:

"Operation Sea Lion" written by Peter Fleming
"Yevtushenko's Reader" written by Yevgeny Yevtushenko
"Russia and the West - Gorbachev and the Politics of Reform" written by Jerry Hough
"Double Cross Blind" written by Joel Ross.

-Richard

I've just got home from two trips.

The first was a weeks vacation with my parents who came in from England. We rented a cabin in Cherry Log Georgia and had a really nice week together.

The second was my first ever trip over the Northern Border up to Toronto, Canada. During these two weeks I only had one day at home.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"The Sinister Pig" by Tony Hillerman.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"A Traveller's History of Scotland"

-Richard

Thirty Years ago today I left home. A very naive, shy 18 year old. I left home to study Chemistry and Chemical Technology at The University of Bradford. This changed my life. I learnt a lot about who I am and diversity in life. Yes, I learnt some chemistry, but, I think the whole experience, the making of friends, the meeting of so many different people, learning to live on my own above all experiencing a much more diverse, exciting, understanding and deepening of my Spiritual Walk.

They are good times for which I will also have happy memories and will always be grateful for. So much of who I am, even now, goes back to those days. Yes, the were ideal and, in some ways, we lived in an Utopia, but, the foundations were set.

For the my first year I lived in the Revis Barber Halls (left) of residence which was a blast and for the last two years lived with some friends in a house in Number 36 Grantham Road (right). Great times!!

-Richard

I finished reading:

"Hunting Badger" by Tony Hillerman.

-Richard

The next cat we fostered was Venus. She came to us from the main foster home on Valentine's Day 2006. She was adopted out the week of April 11th 2006. Unfortunately this home did not work out for her and she came back to us the week of July 18th.


Not long after she came back to us we noticed that she was not acting right and had turned a yellow colour. We took her to our vets in Durham. She was diagnosed with "Fatty Liver Disease" a very serious illness in cats where the liver basically is not working properly. The chances of recovery were very slim. It treatment involved a process of intravenous fluids and eating several times a day. Jenn and I tag teamed it. To the vets amazement she started to pull through and now several months later she living in our house very happy and healthy. There is a major concern that this could reoccur so we will probably not be adopting her out as the risk of the change on environment is to great. She is happy playing and mixing with our animals. In fact, she is the only one of our foster cats that is out freely in our house. The rest are kept separated in different rooms of our house (every room is utilized!!).

This again another story why we believe in Snowflake as most other organisations would not have proceeded with the treatment, but, as there was a chance she would recover her quality of life we made the decision to proceed. As you can see from the story and the photograph above, taken earlier this year, it was worth it.

-Richard

National Poetry Day

One day set aside,
One day to encapsulate
The thoughts,
The hurts,
The art of many
Experiences past and present.
How?
How can it show?
How can it demonstrate
Life
In twenty-four hours?

13th October 1995 - Uxbridge, Middlesex, England.

-Richard

Sports Update:

Some Seasons or competitions have finished over the last couple of weeks.

International Cricket: England won only one game on the World Twenty20 Cup. This was enough to get to the second stage. The competition was eventually won by India who beat Australia in the final.

Cricket: Durham's remarkable season came to an end on Saturday. Apart from winning the 50 over competition and the Second Division of the 40 over competition they finished second in the Premier Championship, the County Championship by far their best every performance. They only lost out the last day of the Season when Sussex, the reigning Champions beat Worcestershire. They finished with 7 wins, 5 losses and 4 draws for a final points total of 197.5 points only 4 1/2 behind Sussex. A great Season.

Football: The Carolina RailHawks inaugural Season is over. For an expansion team I though it was a big success. At times they played very good football. At times they played like an expansion team. I think the nucleus of the team should be kept the same. Where improvement is needed is up front where they need better goal scorers, but, more importantly forwards who know how to run off the ball to create space. My only real complaint about the Season is that the forwards were far to static.
They made the semi-finals of the US Open Cup beating Chicago Fire of the MLS on the way, which was probably the best performance of the Season. They eventually lost to MLS's powerhouse New England Revolution in Extra Time.
In the league they made the play-offs, which is a good achievement in a teams first year. They finished 8th in the league with a final record of 8 wins, 12 losses and 8 draws. They lost to regular Season Champions, Seattle Sounders 3-0 on aggregate in the first round of the play-offs.

Rugby League: Bradford Bulls Season came to crashing end after Wigan Warriors knocked them out of the Super League play-offs with a 31-30 victory. This was after Bradford were leading 30-6 after an hour.
In the league table they finished third with a record of 17 wins, 1 draw and 9 defeats.

-Richard

I finished reading the Bible Book of Joshua. This is for my reading a chapter of the Bible every day. This book contains one of my favourite verses. It is the verse that myself and Louise, one of my best friends use to encourage each other. It is verse 9 from Chapter 1:

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go" NIV Version.

Easier said than done, but, it is something that I try to do and especially remember when there are difficult situations going on.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"Moscow Under Lenin" written by Alfred Rosmer.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"A Thief of Time" written by Tony Hillerman.

-Richard

The North-East of England lost one of it's Sporting Football Legends last week. Ian Porterfield. He scored the winning goal in Sunderlands shocking 1-0 defeat of Leeds United in the 1973 F.A. Cup Final at Wembley. This is considered the greatest final shock in the history of the competition. Although, it was three years before the first final I can remember watching (1976, also an upset with Southampton beating Manchester United 1-0) I have seen the match many times as it is often replayed. It is also hard to imagine today that this could be an upset with Leeds in League One and Sunderland in the Premiership. However, in 1973 Leeds where the juggernaut and where considered one of the best teams in Europe and in fact where the reigning League Champions , in todays language, the Premiership (they won the league in 1969, 1973 and 1974 during their hayday). Sunderland on the other hand where struggling in the then Second Division aka The Championship. I guess it would be like say Hull City beating Manchester United in the FA Cup final in todays language, next to impossible,

Below is the goal captured from You Tube.



Thanks for the memories!!!

-Richard

Sports Update:

Durham County Cricket Club won their second Championship of the Season. This time it is a Second Division Championship. They won the Natwest Pro 40 (4o hour each side one day games) 2nd Division Championship by beating Glamorgan yesterday whilst Somerset lost to Middlesex.


-Richard

I finished reading:

"In Flanders Fields, The 1917 Campaign" by Leon Wolff.

-Richard

I Finished Reading:

"Listening Woman" by Tony Hillerman.

-Richard

In Memorium,

We lost a kitten on Thursday. Cumulous. She came into us four weeks ago. We rescued her from behind the local Red Lobster in Raleigh. In fact, this is the same place that we rescued eleven kittens from a couple of years ago, including Nimbus who is still with us.


She was a wild little spitball when she came in, but, became really sweet and friendly and was ready to get her "forever" home. We took her to be spayed, but, unfortunately towards the end of the operation her heart stopped and they could not resuscitate her and she did not make it. This is the first kitten that has come into our house that we have lost. She was a pleasure to foster and will be missed.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"The Indian Heritage of America" written by Alvin M. Josephy, Jr.

-Richard

Heroes

People we look up to,
Those that are worshiped
Fail so badly
Yet, we still praise;
Cheering the the adulterer
Hoping the murderer is released
Because he stared in films.
Then we ask why!
Why the world is a mess;
Societies crumbling?
We're breaking Gods basic laws.
We dare ask "Why?"
We dare to ask:-
"Where is God?"

3rd October 1995 - North Acton, London, England.

-Richard

Sports Update:

Yesterday was an historic day to be an England fan!!! All three of the major international teams played at the same time AND WON!!. I had fun jiggling between different matchtrackers and listening to the BBC Audio of the cricket team.

The results were:

England 28 USA 10 in the first game of the Rugby Union World Cup. Not a very good performance, but, a win is a win.



England beat India by 7 wickets in the deciding one day international match of a seven game series between the two countries. England win the series, the first in three years by 4 games to 3.





England 3 Israel 0 in a European Championship qualifying game. England move up to third place in group E. They have a MASSIVE game against second place Russia on Wednesday.




-Richard

It's been a while since I have posted about one of my favourite places that I have visited. As, I am taking the day off work today I figured it's time to do it.

This place is Arizona. We have been through it twice. Once, when driving from Texas to California when we relocated to the Bay Area and the other when we were re-locating to North Carolina. In both cases we stopped in Flagstaff and fell in love with place. It is just breath taking scenery. On the way to California we did a detour via the Grand Canyon. Sometimes when you visit one the famous tourist places there can be an anti-climax. However, the Grand Canyon was beyond my wildest dreams. It was awe inspiring and I don't have the words to describe it. If anyone has the chance to visit I would one hundred percent recommend it.

-Richard

Jazzy was the next cat we fostered. She was a return. By this I mean that she had been adopted out by Snowflake, but, for some reason the people that adopted her did not want her anymore. This is one of the traumatic things that we go through because we give all the cats in our care everything that we have and try our very best to place them in the right home. So, when they come back it hurts. It is generally very, very stressful for the cats. In fact, the first cat that Jenn and I adopted, Jubilee, was the first return we ever saw. She was so stressed and upset that we took her home. If, the people saw how badly affected there cats are I think, I hope they would think twice. In some cases there are genuine reasons, such as bad allergic reactions or illness not allowing them to take care of the cat properly, but, most are very tenuous and very, very weak. In Jazzy's case she came back due to "medical" and "temperament" problems that needed medication. Once she was in our home she was great and did not need any medication and was a very sweet cat. She came to us the week of January 31st 2006 and was adopted very quickly the week later. She is doing really well in her new home.

One of Snowflakes requirements when we adopt out is that if the cat is to be given up for any reason even if it a long time later they will be returned to us. The reason is that we once found a situation where one of our cats was taken to the local animal control and would have been euthanized but for sharp attention from someone there who recognized the Snowflake medical record and new that we would take them back.

-Richard

Another Day

Same Day.
Another Day.
One minute one day
The next another
(No it's not midnight!!).
One minute one life
Another minute a different life.
We live for the change
From day to the next.
Not the tick of a clock,
But the click of a turnstile
To the other side;
A new day!

2nd September 1995 - North Acton, London, England.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"Dance Hall of the Dead" by Tony Hillerman.

-Richard

The next cats that we fostered, and in fact are still fostering came to us in January 2006. They came to Snowflake in 2005. They are actually related to Rollo our own cat. When Rollo was rescued Hannah, Hallie and Archie went somewhere else. Unfortunately that situation did not work out well and the person who took them went through some major problems and could not take care of them. They came to us completely freaked out, very sick and malnutritioned. In fact they were only 4 lbs. Because they were struggling in the main foster home they came to us so that they could go in a smaller room with fewer "roommates". We nicknamed them "The Little Rollo's"!!

Archie (above left), a very shy and timid orange tabby has heart problems so is basically unadoptable. He lives in my home office with Fred and Nimbus where he is happy and doing well. Hannah (above right),who is a very shy tabby girl and is deaf and her sister Hallie (left) is a very shy and scared little tabby girl. They share our adult foster room with Katrina, Addison, Mac, Splish and Splash and are doing well. Hallie, especially is staring to really blossom.

-Richard

An American in London

At last she's here!!
Dreams of showing her
My country,
My culture.
I'm nervous waiting.
What will she think,
Will she like it?
It's all so different
Although we speak the same language
(well, reputed to be):-
Driving on the wrong side of the road
Or is it right?
Who knows, I don't
I guess she won't soon.
Is it gas?
Is it petrol?
Pavement?
Sidewalk?
I could go on and on.
Do we speak anything the same?
Yes!
Christ on the Cross.
And of course:-
Our love!

2nd September 1995 - North Acton, London, England.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"Three Who Made A Revolution" written by Bertram D. Wolfe.

-Richard

The next cats we fostered were a mother and six kittens that came into us on October 10th 2005. A pregnant mom was left behind in a rental home in Garner, NC. Fortunately the lady moving in was an animal lover and took care of the mother, and then mew born kittens until we had room. When they came to us they were healthy except Serenity (centre), the mother who was dehydrated. Fortunately she pulled through. The family was named after characters from the "Firefly" show on TV. We had Simon (top left), a grey tabby who was adopted out November 7th 2005, River (top right), a fluffy grey girl who was adopted by Dr Green, one of our vets on October 31st 2005. Mal (left) and Inara (right)two tabbies were adopted the week of November 7th along with Jayne (below left) an Orange tabby boy. Book (below right), another tabby boy, was actually the first to be adopted the week of October24th 2005. Their, mother, Serenity was herself adopted on February 13th 2006.





-Richard

Words

The same old story.
Words so simple,
Words so brief
Can heal,
Can hurt.
I love you.
Fuck off.
Meant or not
Go into the heart
And ferment, developing
To form and perhaps
Shape a character.
Forever.

13th August 1995 - Uxbridge, Middlesex, England.

-Richard

Yesterday there was a big upset in College Football when Appalachian State, from North Carolina, beat one of the most storied programs and the 5th ranked team in the country in their stadium. I love upsets (unless one of my sides are on the losing end!!). I think this is why Soccer is so special. It is arguably the major sports where upsets are most likely to happen on any given day. There are so many examples. Hereford United non-league team beating Newcastle United, York City beating Arsenal even my Hartlepool beating Crystal Palace. It's part of the excitement. This year I was there when the Carolina RailHawks beat the Chicago Fire.

In other sports American Football, Rugby, Cricket, Basketball etc... yes, upsets can happen, but, how regularly? For example the game yesterday was the first time a non-1A team had beaten a ranked opponent and as I mentioned in my previous post, Durham as a Minor County beat Yorkshire in cricket. Fans of lower teams, dream of the big one and in Soccer the dream has a little more chance to come true.

-Richard

Sports Update:

Durham County Cricket Club with their first "Professional" Championship. The won the Friends Provident One Day competition after destroying Hampshire in the final. It's been a tough 16 years since the County turned first class from being a very strong minor league team. They won the Minor County Championship several times. They are also famous for being the first minor county to beat a first class county when they beat Yorkshire in the Gillette cup in 1973.

-Richard