Guess who's Nightshift this Hogmanay (or as famously once described "Mahogany").
Thus, as one of the few sober eens amongst the stocious throngs, I thought this video was apt.
Bliadhna Mhath Ùr to all and sundry.
......... and the twist?
There's a bottle of Laughing Frog with my name on it waiting for my return home.
Slàinte Mhath!
© Noddy
Published by Toy Town™ Times
There was a time when my father passed away far too young in life and I was 'lost' without him.
I was searching for the friend, guide and counsel he represented.
I was unable to settle and one night I woke bolt upright from my sleep and these following verses were directed to me as if in a dream.
Being hardly the world's foremost expert on The Book, I hadn't even heard of Ephesians and knew even less about what was within.
Reading the verses, I found I had a new 'Father', guide, friend and counsel. There was an even more humbling message, which to this day I find so difficult to reconcile with my less than perfect 'brand' of Christianity.
On this special eve, I bring you my own revelation and the genesis of my faith.
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession — to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1, v2-14
© Noddy
Published by Toy Town™ Times
Getting my Xmas message in early 'cos some of us have to be up at dawn to go to work.
But to you and yours. Have a cracker.
© Noddy
Published by Toy Town™ Times
I am filled with a deep foreboding.
It is the dreaded 'Feel Friday' and guess who is lates?
People, oft referred to as 'pilot lights'* will be thronging toy toon sinter after much ale and jolly offices japes. Mix this with the usual suspects and the happy homecomings thereafter and we are due for a busy night.
Wish me well and if you are one of those aforementioned types, remember a whole weekend care of the local free B&B is a rough way to sleep off a hangover.
To fellow short straw pullers throughout the emergency services, the best of Scottish to you all.
That cough of mine seems to be getting worse. Now what's that number again for absence management?
*i.e. they never go out.
© Mr Plod
Published by Toy Town™ Times
I fear I am becoming obsessed, so whilst not promising, this may be the last offering. Epileptics look away.
© Noddy
Published by Toy Town™ Times
H/T to RT.
By the way I'm still waiting for those photos folks.
© Noddy
Published by Toy Town™ Times
A wee while back I posted about Gary McKinnon and suggested the US might overreact a tad.
The latest article from the Beeb suggests he could face up to 70 years in gaol. That's enough for me to suggest Mr Obama might want to reconsider when he comes to power in the New Year.
© Mr Plod
Published by Toy Town™ Times
You might have noticed from my sidebar that due to the apparent demise of fellow Polis bloggers, I appear to be the only Polisperson posting from north of the border.
I feel it incumbent upon me then to keep everybody up to date with the weird and wonderful happenings, Polis related or otherwise, up in the frozen wastelands of God's own country.
Following on from what might be considered the pilot post, I have decided to post regularly on such matters and I have these following offerings for you.
BBC NEWS | Scotland | North East/N Isles | Pub-goers to be tested for drugs
Random drug testing attacked - Press & Journal
Well at least it's a better plan than this or this.
Maybe Mr Rumbles should have a peek at this before he opens his mouth and puts his foot in it.
Twining will like this snippet.
Up here in Draconia we still occasionally persecute, sorry prosecute, very wee weans. But just to level the playing field, I believe adults will now have to suffer like the little children. It's significant that once the pain is to be meted out on adults, a furore starts. I did warn you. A crafty US judge has taken this principle even further.
We have just celebrated St Andrew's Day and Gadget will be interested to note this ovine method of marking the occasion.
You can read this snippet and make your own mind up. I have. Get off your behind, quine.
A while back I bleetered on about prostitution. I think that the Polis are going to say to the Law Makers, "We told you so."
By far and away my favourite snippet recently has to be the Spiderpig debacle. Brilliant.
As regular visitors will know, I have a passion for whisky (in moderation of course) and our wonderful Chancellor and his boss, despite being Scots, seem determined to destroy the industry and dent my pocket. I have four related offerings to mull over whilst you sip (very slowly) your dram.
Outrage at tax raid on the whisky industry - Press & Journal
Excise duty increase leaves a bitter taste - Press & Journal
BBC NEWS | Scotland | 'Whisky sour' claim after Budget
BBC NEWS | Scotland | Whisky duty rise 'to be revised'
I cannot leave you without commenting on what's happening down south. The new Government inspired (tongue firmly in cheek) Police Pledges leave me awestruck and this article's heading sums it up;
Police will respond quicker to burglary victims if they are 'upset' - Telegraph
I have yet to entertain a genuine complaint of housebreaking from a cheerful householder! I'll let Jacquie Spliff know when I do.
Secondly, I note there's been a bit of a stooshie over some CCTV footage again. Don't mess with me has posted the most illuminating take on this in my view. I also direct you to a previous post on the Perils of CCTV from my good self.
Finally, Jox Vox rule.
© McNoddy
Published by Toy Town™ Times
I dah ken aboot you, but fan the winter festival time comes aroond, een o' my favourite pastimes oan the job is tae ging roond an' see fit folk hae been pittin up on or ootside their hooses in the wiy o' Xmas decorations. Aye, Xmas I said.
It iywiz scunners me 'at the guid folk o' the sink estates seem to hae a puckle o' siller left in the bankie to spend on feel inflatables and hunnerds o' lichties emitting a carbon footprint visible fae the ISS.
I hae started a competition amongst my colleagues tae undertake a Phase B search tae find the worst excesses. There is a clear leader already wi' a 30 foot tree in a garden wi' tinsel (aye tinsel!) and a flashing star on the top, an' lichties a' oer. Jist to ram the pint hame, the same folk hae put up mair lichties a' oer the gable end o' the hoose. I hanna had the chance tae ging roon the front tae see fit delights await me yonder.
I wis considering takkin my camera wi' me on nichts jist tae record a' the worst eens and get a snap o' the hale hoose aforementioned, but 'at wid be surveillance an' I hanna had time tae pit in the necessary forms!
Please feel free to join in the competition! Jist mind the paperwork first, min.
© Mr Plod
Published by Toy Town™ Times
This terrible incident highlights just how fine the line is between life and death for all those who serve.
It also looks like this was a particularly dreadful way to go.
I can only hope, but somehow doubt, that those who caused the assistance shout to be made, realise the implications of their actions.
RIP.
© Mr Plod
Published by Toy Town™ Times
Personally, I thought I had been, but it seems I need to address some learning points.
© Noddy
Published by Toy Town™ Times
Just back from a very long shift that started teatime yesterday.... all say ahh!
I was directed to this site by UHDD. I watched the video at the same time as I was considering another post on autism related matters in respect of an article I read.
Please take time to watch the video and read the article/comments.
The point the video makes and one that hit home was that making snap judgements without investigating properly can seriously discriminate against those with conditions they would not wish upon their own worst enemies.
As stated, coincidentally, I had seen the headline about Gary McKinnon and was about to launch into a tirade about why the heck should British taxpayers have to fork out for his detention over this side of the pond, when suddenly the fact that he has Aspergers grabbed my attention. I hope to God that the USA's intoxication with all things security related does not cloud the fact that Gary may not have had the restraint in his actions that you or I might imagine as 'normal.' I will be watching that case with interest.
Never, ever, think that those with problems with their noggins are less human than you or I.
Why?
© Noddy
Published by Toy Town™ Times
Once you go Barack, you never go back.
I am aware that fellow bloggers are split on who should have won the US Election.
I don't know if Obama can live up to the hype and rhetoric, but I do know that his election heralds a new era as far as diversity is concerned. Let's face it he has been welcomed with open arms by most black and white constituents even though he is actually mixed race. That, I think, speaks volumes about change in the USA and I hope will project a more tolerant attitude to others abroad and a similar sympathetic response from us foreigners to the US. God knows the USA needs an image overhaul abroad!
In terms of genuinely amazing events this stands up with other sights I never thought I'd see in my lifetime such as the fall of the Berlin Wall.
© Noddy
Published by Toy Town™ Times
A wee round-up of happenings north of Watford Gap.
Lost and Found.
A Toy Town™ Polis spokestoon commented, "We are glad to see the wee bear back with Piglet, Eeyore and the gang. Winnie has a serious pot habit (honey that is- ed.) and he was persuaded by some clever but unscrupulous types to venture into Toy Town™ to source his stash. Fortunately, we combed the city and in the bees nest that is Hundred Acre Hood, during a co-ordinated intelligence-led sting operation our colleagues traced Winnie. Toy Town™ Polis would like to take this opportunity to reiterate that it will not tolerate the kidnapping of toons."
PC Milne (no relative) added, "I'm glad he didn't come to a sticky end."
Woke this morn to an inch o' sna and decided 'at global warning is definitely a fraud.
At first glance at the headline for this report from Reuters, I thought we'd had the good old pint metricated.
However, it appears that someone thinks there is somebody out there somewhere who cannot cope with a whole pint of beer/cider, but thinks a half pint is too little.
Plain daft if you ask me, but apparently it's a common measure (425 mls) in Oz and known as a Schooner in most states there, but not all. I always knew Aussies were lightweights!
I won't bother to twother.
On another booze related tack, this proposal fairly took the wind out of a Toy Town™ publican's sails (Geddit?). Speaking from experience, at 3am in the morning in the town centre at weekends, I'm rarely running into folk blootered on tins of Tennent's Special from the Offie. I wonder where they've come from? Mind you, the publicans can now say they only need to pay 2/3 of the cost, 'cos abidy will be downing twothers, even the quines.
Meanwhile, another British institution is tinkered with and goes down the plughole of multi-nationalism. However, on reading the article, apparently the change in the speaking clock disnae bother the rest of the Union and is only upsetting for our English cousins. Perhaps we could have a separate Jock Clock.
Calling time folks.
© Noddy
Published by Toy Town™ Times
.... have all the fun.
By the way, did you know Fireman Sam was a ginger?
Why can't I get calls like this and this to brighten my day.
I have to ask how the Lothians F&R Service justified their call out and just how do you cover a camera in chocolate? That certainly made Bumpy Dog raise his eyebrows.
No doubt they called it a training exercise. It sounded like a bit of a marathon, but it made me snicker.
Getting back on topic in respect of the wee rodent, and being ever resourceful, I have found a friend more than willing to find Fudgie.
Indeed, as you can see, she begged me to be let loose.
She whispered to me that she's a no nonsense, don't need all that specialist kit, cat. That's a boost. She did ask if there was a bounty though. I told her that it would be no picnic, but if she was successful she could revel in being a smartie and do a twirl.
Ripple of applause please!
Time out methinks.
UPDATE:
Thanks are due to DBA Dude again for keeping me up to speed on developments in the crisis situation and major incident that was the disappearance of Fudgie. A Galaxy of friends met her when she reappeared. No photo opportunity though as she was so tired she just flaked out.
Sweet!
© Noddy
Published by Toy Town™ Times
