Bangor-local

And Why Can’t We Get It Here?

Indeed. Why can’t we get it here? That is the question I would like answered, by the book sellers anyway, for and on behalf of the book readers. I went down into Bangor town last Saturday to purchase a new book that was published recently. The author was doing a book signing so I thought, on this occasion, I would go down to a shop and actually buy a copy and get it signed with the authors moniker. I went into the shop and I was greeted with a wall of said books along with the author and his Missus. But, and a BIG but at that. All the books were paperback. I didn’t want a paperback. I wanted a good sturdy, easy to read, nice hardback book to add to my collection. Why no hardbacks? I enquired. Apparently the people in Northern Ireland don’t get hardback editions from this publisher. It’s only the English market that gets them. Tough tit. Well, tough tit to the book seller, and a big raspberry on top. I said my good byes to the author and his wife, went straight home and ordered my hardback edition online from a well known book seller who gives a really good discount as well. Why go to the shops when I can get what I want online?

My book arrived this morning and I am really enjoying it. With or without the authors mark! Methinks the shops need to listen more to what the people want before they make their buying decisions.

That’s my Christmas moan over with for this year. Now, on with the festivities. We have our nephew arriving from Paris tonight. He is coming over to see his Grandparents for a few days and then heading back to France for Christmas. Next week my nephew and his wife and their twin girls (my great nieces, I think) are arriving from Washington DC and they are here until Boxing Day. They will be staying at my Sisters as she is the only one who has enough room for them all. I haven’t met my nephews wife or his kids so this will be a first for me as well as them. See how it all goes.

All week we have been busy decorating the house. We now have both trees up (including the real tree that we selected from hundreds only to end up with the wrong tree being delivered) and all the other we nic nacs that we have gathered up over the years. Our house really looks Christmassy without the tackiness. (I don’t do tack) (except for that thing that my wife and daughter insist on bringing out every year and put it by my feet on the hearth, they know the thing I mean)We do have to be careful where we put or position the cuddly toys though as Carrie thinks they all belong to her and she thinks that they are for chewing up or throwing about the place as all dogs do with toys.

I was hoping to get over to London before Christmas to visit some friends but so many hospital appointments have come in that it was no dice. I postponed everything until January but even that looks like a no -no as I already have 4 hospital appointments lined up for that month already. Maybe February boys. Wait and see.

Back to my book for another read. If you are interested to know who the book is by, it’s the new Bateman novel. ‘The Day of the Jack Russell’ I always enjoy Bateman’s books as there is always a good twist at the end.

Any comments on the above gack you know what to do

Byse byse

Posted :: Thursday 12/10/2009 8:45:00 AM

Avid Reader
hibernation mode everyone?....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz ?
Commented :: 12/13/2009 3:44:00 AM

Myself
Aha! So there is someone out there in the ether. I am busy watching stuff (Rolling Stones of course) on Ebay. Everyone wants to sell and nobody wants to buy. There must be a financial something going on. I am watching 7 items and hope, hope to win all of them. I will be happy with 5 though. Wait and see, wait and see.
Commented :: 12/13/2009 7:19:00 AM

Tido
Hi Mc Duff -- I just checked e-bay( Rolling Stones ) were does a man with too much time and money start? Thanks for your thoughts in card --
Commented :: 12/13/2009 11:14:00 AM

Mickmak
Been busy building new sheep counting out pens for the shearing shed, with help from a very good neighbour. I have also got back on a bike, without a motor, never seemed that hard when we pedalled all over NI as kids. Cycling is the new insport down here, as you are all aware the chances of getting hit by a truck or car out here is farly remote, the chances of getting rescued in the event of a breakdown (mechanical or physical)is also remote, but be a smart Bangor Tech trained lad I carry a UHF radio set, so I can call for backup. Christmas is coming up fast, better get out and buy a few pressies, I ordered Marys book on the net, (Cadel Evans, Close to Flying) guess who got the email confirming the order!!!!
Commented :: 12/14/2009 2:19:00 AM

Myself
Oh Oh Big boo boo there Mickmak. I suggest you open your own accounts online or better still, do what I do, have your own separate computer and control everything with different passwords. Works a treat for me.
Commented :: 12/14/2009 3:19:00 AM

Mickmak
Aah, its alright McD, loves me even more now, and I will pick up the other pressie next week.
Commented :: 12/14/2009 3:22:00 AM

Mickmak
Welcome to The "boyfriend" see previous blog.
Commented :: 12/14/2009 9:45:00 PM

Myself
I looked, I saw, I read. Obviously some deluded character that is obviously deluded!
Commented :: 12/15/2009 3:40:00 AM

Myself
Did you know that it is cheaper to send a card via Airmail from Australia to the UK than it is to send one from the UK to Australia? I would like the Post Office to explain this to me someday. Thanks for the card Mickmak.
Commented :: 12/17/2009 3:45:00 AM

Myself
Happy bunny time. I have won 3 out of 7 Rolling Stones items on Ebay. One of the items I have been looking for for over 2 years. Great innit!
Commented :: 12/17/2009 7:59:00 AM

Anorak
I see the Seafront developement has been given the go ahead. I look forward to a 'coupla scoops'in one o'them thar Hotels. Excellent!!
Commented :: 12/17/2009 9:52:00 AM

Myself
You'll be retired by the time they dig the 1st sod!
Commented :: 12/17/2009 12:42:00 PM

"the boyfriend"
Thanks for the welcome Mickmak. I don't think I'm delusional, but maybe that's just me being delusional.
Commented :: 12/17/2009 2:22:00 PM

Mickmak
No worries McD, are you looking for a refund in the postage difference??? I,m starting to think "the boyfriend' is a figment of my imagination, if he is indeed the man, you could have your work cut out McD. Anorak,are you fair dinkum?? I better start reading the Spectator again!!
Commented :: 12/17/2009 7:59:00 PM

Anorak
Maybe retired McD, but i hope to be fit enough to oversee the work in progress. Get the video recorder out and do a time lapse film for yer archives. I'm doin' rightly Mickmac, the Bookie got a sore face from me last week!!!! Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to all!!
Commented :: 12/17/2009 10:11:00 PM

Myself
It's been snowing in my garden while I was asleep. What's it been doing in your garden?
Commented :: 12/20/2009 3:02:00 AM

Avid Reader
Give you one guess...........
Commented :: 12/20/2009 10:01:00 AM

Mickmak
Not in our garden,although the grass is crunching when you walk, looks like you are in for a white christmas, it,s making me a wee bit homesick.
Commented :: 12/20/2009 12:28:00 PM

Avid Reader
Just in case I don,t get a chance to look in tomorrow, hope you all have a great Christmas!!!!
Commented :: 12/23/2009 10:27:00 AM

Mickmak
Morning of Christmas eve here, bad news is the Aussie team beat the Irish team in trivial pursuit last night,we will seek our revenge this afternoon. Q! What is measured by both Moh,s Scale and the Knoop Scale? How were we expected to know that, can,t remember Mr. Ewing ever mentioning it at Bangor tech!! Hope you all have a very nice family Christmas, and a very rewarding new year. Bottoms up.
Commented :: 12/23/2009 1:17:00 PM

Mickmak
OK, one all now, final tomorrow, Christmas day, wish us luck.
Commented :: 12/24/2009 3:12:00 AM

Ann
To all the lads' and Irene a Very Merry Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.
Commented :: 12/24/2009 3:36:00 AM

Myself
Watch out for it. The Christmas blog of 2009. All the highs and lows to delight / depress you. Coming soon!
Commented :: 12/24/2009 4:04:00 AM

Anorak
Yep,it's Christmas Day.The Bookies took a kickin'regarding a 'White Xmas'. Still an' all i don't expect to see one on a pushbike or smokin' a roll-up!!! I'll be off down the Pub later on to count all the daft jumpers. Enjoy the break one an'all and have a prosperous New Year,Cheers!!
Commented :: 12/24/2009 10:42:00 PM

Mickmak
Can,t stop smiling, 3inches of rain since yesterday morning, we have lambs here that will see green grass for the first time. Off to Sydney with some of the family for the New Year eve fireworks on the harbour, leaving on Thursday. Hope you all had an interesting Christmas, it was very relaxing here.
Commented :: 12/26/2009 1:52:00 AM

Irish Irene
Trusting you all had a wonderful and blessed Christmas, remembering what the real reason for the season is.
Commented :: 12/27/2009 9:15:00 PM

The wife
Hey all, Mcduff has asked me to let you all know that he is in is favourite place. (hospital) Unfortunately he had a heart attack on Boxing night. He is still quite poorly.Was also tested for swine flu but thank goodness it came back negative. Regards to all his friends.
Commented :: 12/28/2009 2:11:00 PM

Irish Irene
Praying for McDuff that God will heal and give him strength and comfort for him and all the family. God bless all.
Commented :: 12/28/2009 10:06:00 PM

Mickmak
McD and Mrs McD, saddened to hear of another setback, although your man seems to take them in his stride, I sincerely hope that the Lord is kind and allows him back to his friends as soon as possible. Give him a cuddle from Mary and I, we will keep in touch.
Commented :: 12/28/2009 11:19:00 PM

Anorak
A worrying time for the McD family and closer friends, you and yours are in my thoughts and prayers at this time.God Bless!
Commented :: 12/29/2009 9:49:00 AM

Avid Reader
Sorry to hear that,especially after our conversation on Christmas Eve. Hope that he is soon back on his feet again. Best regards to you all.
Commented :: 12/29/2009 6:46:00 PM

The Wife
McD is out of isolation ward and onto the main ward. He quite liked the private room. I think he thought "do they not know who I am"? He now has to be with the normal? people. I think he got a shock when we had to go in to see him with our masks, gowns etc but now we don't have to do al that. He was asking me if his fans had been asking about him so I was able to pass on your kind best wishes.
Commented :: 12/30/2009 3:24:00 PM

Irish Irene
Praying that each and everyone of you and your families will have a blessed, healthy and happy New Year. Prayers also for McDuff for healing and strength. Temperature today in southern California is 70 degrees, bright beautiful blue sky. Tomorrow is the Rose Parade in Pasadena. It is about 45 minutes from our home, but we will watch it on the TV. Very very few times that it has rained on that day. Thus when the easterners in the snow see our beautiful weather on that day. A lot of people want to move to Calif. Our tradition for the "First" is my husband bakes various kinds of breads and sweet rolls and I make beef vegetable soup and chili and invite family and friends. I always say that we have been having party food for weeks, now it is time to have some foundation food to get us started for the new year. God Bless All
Commented :: 12/31/2009 1:38:00 PM

Anorak
A Prosperous New Year + VAT to all!!
Commented :: 12/31/2009 3:42:00 PM

Ann
McDuff I lit a candle for you in St.Pat's Cathedral today and I have no doubt the "Boss" knows your a VIP and will have you blogging away in no time. Happy to hear you are back with the plebs in the ward. I am sure you are keeping the nurses' highly amused with your banter. Rock on Mc.D.
Commented :: 1/1/2010 8:28:00 AM

Myself
Wahay! Smee. Back in the land of my home and decent bedding. Very tired but will put up the 1st blog of the New Year very soon. Thank you for all the kind comments and wishes. Your SFFF (swine flu free friend)
Commented :: 1/1/2010 9:47:00 AM

Mickmak
Onya McD, just back from Sydney, a night here with family then on to the farm in the morning, will update you from there. Happy twenty ten to all.
Commented :: 1/2/2010 2:28:00 AM