An reworked blog

This blog is a bit of a cheat, plus I see that I have reached double figures in blogging.

In case I don't blog for a while, but Scotland might give me good reasons too, I thought I would blog an old short jlog as I call them. I wrote a couple of these, I like the style and I like sharp punch (if its there). So enjoy the read and comment away.

Good Cop, Bad Cop on a boarder crossing

By

Mark O’Donnell

Thursday 14th June 2007

I hate flying. Not a correct statement, but a statement all the less. What I hate is the trapped boredom. Fixed in place, stuck, no computer, no remote, and no freedom.

Ok so it gets you there quickly, fine. Then you land, then you grab your bags, then you stand in queue. Then you meet customs.

8 hours of flying followed by 10 minutes of grilling if your lucky. Only if.

The green card, your one and only chance to impress that customs officer. And of course you always find the good cop, bad cop next to each other.

First time, forgot to sign the back of the card. Well very sorry says I. The blank reply. ‘You wont give an apology. You will correct it. Go back over there.” He pointed back to beyond the line.

The thought crossed my mind we would have to go back to Manchester. A quick fix, signed and dated, then look for the good cop.

Thank whatever god of travel you like, but good cop was right next to bad. A smile, at last, “Welcome to the USA.” Or welcome back for some. Finally allowed to step past that line, only to meet the next pair.

Customs round two. Bags down, coats off, jumper off, shoes off and still I ended up bleeping. It’s the belt. Back you go belt off try again. Almost stripped but finally allowed to step past that line. But no, this time the good cop pulls us over. From my bag they produce two water bottles.

What deadly danger did this Manchester airport water pose this great country? Cute they maybe, but travel any further. No chance.

So finally, well for this airport any ways, we stepped past that line, that magical myth and onwards into well just onwards really.

Good cop, bad cop on a boarder crossing. You truly can’t beat them.

Bank Holidays

Blogs can sometimes be like a bank holiday. They appear at the same time each year (almost the same bar one which is a pain due to various things I wont go into), they can appear to be long, they often have new 'something or others' but mostly end up repeating themselves.

This blog was started on bank holiday Monday in August while watching Ironman. So to catch up with what I have been up to.

Archery plays a big part of my weekends now, it is so calming, annoying, delightful and amazing when I do shoot, and certainly very good for me. Its almost an art when you draw the bow, when you actually pull that string back and feel the power building up. You have to hold that raw power for that moment, when the arrow strains to be let loose. Your fingers feel the string that point at which you let it slip through. Then the arrow flies. In seconds you hear the hit.

I have had ups and downs like everyone does and I have to remember that it has not been a year since I started. The club is excellent, very helpful people and perfect for me. The outdoor season is almost finished and now I will concentrate on of course indoor season.

What else since the last blog. Well the Doctor Who story is still under revision which is annoying as I really want to finish it. Problem is no book is never really finished so the true authors say. For me it's not just a matter of completing the book it's a matter of pride, knowing I can write.

Also I need to sort out my poems and put a few new ones on the web site along with some new photos. I may do that after my Scotland expedition, particularly after the steam train.

Cricket. How wonderful. The ashes back again and England did play well for once. Trott could be a new find and lets hope a long term batsman.

Soon the new rugby union season starts and this year I will be able to watch some of the matches as I have sky sports.

Guess that wraps it for this blog and the rain keeps coming. Roll on Scotland.

North face of shopping

Well its been a couple of weeks since my last blog/journal thing.

Like Gibbs on NCIS I do sometimes wonder what a blog is for, web log as it really should be known. I don't blog everyday as I use things like twitter and face book, but I feel a good long blog helps the soul. Well helps my soul at any rate.

And who does read this, my version of the world, what I am up to, what I enjoy etc.

This past couple of weeks have been fun. Archery plays a role now in my life and last Sunday (7th August 09 just in case) I went to my third archery competition. It is - as I have said - amazingly calming, mind clearing and just fun. Shooting at 80 yards was a first, not brill as yet but not a complete mess. 108 shots, 487 scored a personal best of course. Wonderful day, great weather, great company around me.

So what else has happened. Well Maddie had her 7th birthday - Steve and Carlys daughter. Plus they have a new puppy Logan (and if the name is for that Logan the runner then wonderful). That will be a full household and yes we will go to visit. Oh yes and English cricket had its ups and downs as normal with the Ashes.

And I hear someone ask (I hope anyway) what does the title mean. Well it means I went to North Face at Cheshire Oaks and found a few things to buy. That's not difficult for me really. New shirt for archery (green), new daypack (green) and canvas jeans (green). Green is the new black or white.

Also I will be spending the day at Edgebaston 20/20 cricket, watching the two semi's and a final. I will blog on that later.

Time to wander now. Oh yes and films. A few to see, GI Joe, Harry P and a couple of others. More later.