See What I Have to Put Up With?

Found this photo on the Internet, (sorry don't know who took it so can't credit them) and just burst out laughing - the expression on Ali's face says it all!

Twelve More Years!

U2 have signed a deal with Live Nation, for an undisclosed sum, to oversee the band's touring, merchandise and Website for twelve more years for an undisclosed sum. Recording and publishing remains with Universal. Bono said in a statement, "With regards to U2.com, we feel we've got a great Web site, but we want to make it a lot better." It's not that great Bono, let's hope they make it a LOT better - especially regarding basic organisation, communication and ticket sales for members!

So it looks like the lads intend being around in the music world for some time yet. Yay!!!

Meet a Greyhound Day

Braved the strong, icy north wind and intermittent snowflakes today to meet up with my cousin Janet and go into the city centre. The Continental Market, which I always like to visit, was on, but my main reason for daring to venture into town on a Saturday afternoon during the (hopefully) last blast of Winter was to attend the Meet a Greyhound Day outside the Town Hall.

The Meet a Greyhound Days are held all over South West Scotland and Northern England is held by the Dumfriesshire and Cumbria Greyhound Rescue in order to educate the public on the plight of Greyhounds and maybe find forever homes for some of them. The dogs patiently stood as crowds of strangers came and patted them, a feeling of calm about them, they took it all in their stride.

These people do a wonderful job of rescuing Greyhounds usually after they have served their use as racing dogs, usually at the young age of three to five years. It's heartbreaking that these special dogs often end up cruelly abused, killed or abandoned. The organisation fosters dogs out to homes so they get house trained and also learn how how to live in a home - apparently Greyhounds adapt to the good life very quickly! The fostering also helps the organisation to get to know the dog in order to eventually place it in the right forever home.

I used to do dog walking for the RSPCA and many of those dogs were abandoned Greyhounds, that's when I first fell in love with that breed. They had never appealed to me looks-wise, but I soon learned to appreciate their nature. They are gentle, calm and loving dogs, that walk well on the lead - they put my boisterous mini Dachshund Max to shame!

When I retire later this year I intend getting a Greyhound from this organisation and I can hardly wait! I'll introduce him or her on my blog here. I know Dumfriesshire and Cumbria Greyhound Rescue are always looking for people to adopt, foster, raise funds and help out in any way they can. And it is not just for people in Southern Scotland and Northern England, anyone is welcome to help out in any way they can. Please visit their website for further information on their work and Greyhounds at: http://www.dgrescue.org.uk/index.html

First Day of Spring!

Today is the first day of Spring, so I thought I'd change the colour scheme of my blog to something a bit brighter to celebrate that! Unfortunately the weather isn't very spring-like here to day - we have a storm forecast for later today with snow on higher ground! Hopefully the last parting shot of Winter.

Snow Snow Snow - It's Great Being a Panda Cub!

Found these great photos of panda cubs frolicking in the snow, what fun they are having! Makes you realise just how important it is toprotect these adorable animals.

This is a rare treat for these animals being looked after at the Giant Panda Breeding Centre in Wolong National Park, in China's Sichuan province, where 128 of the world's total 1,600 panda population live.

The 500,000-acre reserve, opened in the early 1980s with funding from the World Wildlife Fund, cares for bears born in captivity and those that have become lost or injured in the wild and are unable to survive unaided.

(Daily Mail)

Slainte! It's the Official St Patrick's Day!

Today is the offical St Patrick's Day! Apparently the Catholic Church realised that the March 17th date coincided with the second day of Holy Week which is a key date in the church calendar. Church rules decress that the sanit's feast day does not rank as highly as the Monday before Easter and therefore it had to be moved.

The celebration should have been moved to the next available day in the Church's calendar, April 1, but senior Irish clerics wanted to keep the date as close to international civic celebrations as possible, as they are planned years in advance. The next date it will have to be moved again is 2160.

So, Slainte to the Irish and Ireland and I'll raise a glass to you tonight!

PS Found the photo below on the Net and couldn't resist putting it here!

Update on New Year's Resolution

You may remember I made the standard New Year's resolution this year that many people make - to lose weight. Well, would you believe I've stuck to it and now have lost 17.5 pounds so far! I can hardly believe it myself, I am really motivated this time. I am losing it slowly which is the best way, and I am staying with it. I still treat myslef every now and then and Max is enjoying all his extra long walks! I already feel better for the weight I've lost and I'll stick with this diet for as long as I need to.

Ring My Bell Bono!

Seems U2 have finished recording in Dublin, for now anyway. Bono was out and about today with his other job meeting politicians and representatives of DATA in Berlin. He's like a mischevious boy with that bell!

Bono on Vertigo Radio from Bubblin' Dublin

This is absolutely classic - Bono at his best!

It's buzzin' at HQ

There have been lots of stories coming from the studios at Hanover Quay in Dublin, U2 are in the studio! They have been there at least two weeks and it's said they will be there until the end of this month. With rumours of an album in October/November it's good to see them at work again.

There seem to be fans there from all over the world and Bono, Edge and Larry have been meeting fans regularly. I think Larry is being elusive as I've not read of any stories of people meeting him!

When I read about fans meeting the band like this it makes me realise how lucky U2 fans are to be able to meet them so easily. No burly security men, if you are willing to wait a while you have a good chance of a meeting, getting an autograph and maybe a photo with one of the band. Not many bands of U2's stature would so open and informal with their fans - and you can't get much bigger than U2 in the music world!

I must admit I've been sorely tempted to go over to Dublin myself as I am on holiday from work the week after next. I checked flights and could get to there and back in one day for £20! Luckily, living in the UK means it's easy to do a day trip to Dublin. I'm someone who much of the time is quite sensible, but I do like a bit of spontaneity and madness sometimes so the thought of nipping over appealed to me. But something I read today helped me decide not to go. A fan's report said there were 20 fans at HQ today and I thought, no I don't want to go when there are a lots of fans there, it sometimes can get a bit chaotic then. So, sensible Sue prevailed over spontaneous Sue this time! I'll content myself with reading other fans' stories (which I always love to hear about) and see their photos through the wonderful medium of the Internet.

Writing of photos this funny photo from Hanover Quay has been doing the rounds on the Net, I'm sure he didn't do it on purpose!!!

Charlie Bit Me

This is SO funny, go have a look at it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OBlgSz8sSM

Spring is Here!

Just come back from a long walk with my dog Max. It's a gorgeous day and it felt good to be in the fresh air and sunshine. Though we may still get some nippy days I know they won't last long, Spring is definitely here and well ahead of itself, as has been normal for the past few years. The cheery daffodils are well out, the first pink blossom blooming, buds on trees and scrubs are ready to burst open and even the grass is growing!

As I walked, I was aware of the birdsong everywhere as they heralded the Spring and started looking for mates. Everything felt so alive and vibrant. I always find this a very optimistic time of year, all about the amazing rebirth of nature and the resultant hope and energy that gives us. We'll get into our gardens again, maybe decorate the house and make plans for our year. So, I think I should go out into the garden and do my first grass mowing of the year!