Try Podcasting - its great!

Hello folks, how are you today?

Did you know that if you have the internet, which you do have because you are reading this...you can talk on the phone to anyone, anywhere in the world for free, providing they have the internet too. You have probably heard of SKYPE. Its a great free programme.

You can also make conventional phone calls from it too, and its much cheaper than BT to landlines or to mobiles. The quality is great too, just about as good as you can get.

Now to Podcasting, and no i dont have shares in Skype!!!! its just so good, and passes time on these dark nights too.

You choose a subject, anything at all, from sports, to cookery recipes, travel, holidays, just anything you like. Then you choose what time you want it to start and how long it will last for.

Its like having a party at your house! but everyone is on the phone, and you never know who will join you! and best of all it costs you nothing, and you can make friends for life.

Another good feature of Skype is that you can use a webcam if you own one, and have full screen video, which i dont believe any other programme uses.

If you want any further information, all you have to do is ask! you know where to find me.

Well thats all the technical stuff for today, hope you all have a wonderful weekend- dozens of people are now regular readers of my blog! A big thank you to everyone, ad if you would like to have a special mention, let me know.

Sandra Sets Sail

Sandra is one of our lovely Receptionists at the bbc in Blackburn. She and her Partner, Paul, set off last week on a holiday of a lifetime, firstly to America, and then on a cruise to the Caribbean! how good is that?

While i was at work i received a text from her saying she was in Miami and that it was very hot there, and they were about to board their ship! Her actual words were "its a bloody big ship"

I know she will enjoy herself thoroughly, and she deserves a nice break away from her Cheshire second home, by the river Dane (a caravan but hey its in Cheshire!)

She works very hard at the bbc (so she tells me-but i have no hard evidence of this)

I am posting a second picture of Sandra, this time being serenaded by world famous American country musician, Billy Yates, on one of his visits to the bbc, on the Joe Fish show. He is loved by his many fans in this Country, and one little known fact is that i have slept in his bed once!!! i hasten to add not while he was occupying it! (more details on request!)

If you would like to serenade Sandra, or Cassandra as she would like to be known as, drop me an email, and i will arrange it for you.

One Day in History

hello everyone...i was told that Saddam was about to be put to death today, but when i switched the big screens on at work i immediately saw a video of part of it, repeated and repeated, but they stopped short of actually showing the act. I didnt know how to react really. i felt sick inside me, i dont know why as this man has killed so many people, but strangely i felt some kind of sympathy for him, almost putting myself in his place, and wondering how i would feel if it was me standing there waiting for the rope around my neck. then i felt guilty for standing there ogling the screen, should they be showing this on the bbc i asked myself? i must be mad wanting to see a man being put to death, but i kept on watching, rooted to the spot.
No doubt within a day or two the whole event will be on the internet, but i just cant help feeling uneasy about the whole thing, or is it me being paranoid?
one thing is for sure, this Saturday 30 December 2006 will be remembered as the day Saddam was hanged.

Tony.

Stuffed again

Hi everyone, and its now back to work time, for some people anyway. We had a wonderful dinner on Christmas day. Expensive though, at £40 per person. Its a great place though to go to...Bonds of Elswick...its in the middle of nowhere really, not far from Kirkham, and on the road to Fleetwood and Cleveleys. We had to book way back in the Spring to get a place. Normally it would only cost about £12 for a brilliant 3 course dinner. Im actually feeling quite hungry thinking about it.
I got some lovely things as pressies, and gave some nice ones too. Paul loved his new phone, and i got Dale a Sony stereo, with a big bass box. He got me a ring, which was something i always wanted, and Paul and Dawn bought me some FCUK shower gell and deoderant.
Me and me Mum bought my Brother, John, one of the brand new Dyson car hoover thingies- its well nice.
Anyway like i said it was back to work today, but not many people working, and with the schools being on holiday, i got to work in record time, and coming back it only took me 35 mins, instead of the normal 55 minutes. Cant believe its Friday tomorrow though.
My fridge has been on the blink for a few weeks now, so it looks like i will be getting a new one over the weekend. Monday sounds good, as we are all off with being New Years day.
Thats all for today folks, more to come later, with a special page for Sandra our lovely receptionist (she will love that bit)

take care from tony and the gang

Joe in the Open Centre

How does this man have so much energy? Joe Wilson did a programme yesterday, from 6.30 am until 2pm. This is a picture of him sat in the window of the Open Centre. We had lots of visitors, and gave them free brews and mince pies- how good is that? It was a big day for football too, and Joe was pleased that his team- Bolton won, and so did mine- Preston. Arsenal (Dales team) had an excellent win over Blackburn 6 - 2. So now we are looking forward to Boxing day and another very full programme of games.

Christmas Eve 2006

Hello and Merry Christmas!

We had a long lie in today. omg i cant believe we were so lazy. Its very cold today, but at least its not snowing or windy, or raining.
Pauls girlfriend, Dawn came up, and at about 3 pm we decided to go out for a nice meal. We ended up in Apply Bridge, at the Star Inn. Its the first time i have been there,and its a really nice place. We had a couple of drinks (coke for me) and then some games of pool while we decided what to have to eat.
Dawn, Paul, and myself decided on the special christmas menu of turkey, etc, and Dale had some Wild Mushroomy thing. It was excellent, but we shouldnt have had the soup as it was more like a meal than a starter. Talk about being full!

After leaving the Star Inn we went up to Dale's parents and then back home. After much persuading i let Paul open one of his Christmas pressies- his new phone, and im writing this as he tries to get it set up.

Dale and myself are going to wait until Boxing day and go to the shops and find something nice for each other as we really havent had the time to go trapsing around this week, as i have either been feeling ill or been working till quite late.

Wow today has really flown by. In the morning i am setting off early to my Mums in Longridge as we are going out for our Christmas lunch, with my Brother, and two of our friends.


Thanks again for reading my blog, and have a lovely time everyone xxx

tony & friends

Its a bit parky outside

Greetings everyone,

I have not been well since Sunday night, and had no option but to have
Monday off work. I really love my work, and i was so disappointed when i couldnt make it in. I had emails from all the receptionists asking how i was, and today i decided i must make a special effort and go on, which i did, and now im back safe and sound, and i feel about 90% OK. Good job i have an understanding boss in Ben Thomson. *gets up of his knees again*
Gilly our afternoon drive time Presenter was concerned about me, and made several visits to see if i was still alive hehe. Hes a top man, and is judging the Christmas lights in Galgate, near Lancaster tonight! (adds a pic of Gilly)
Hes very big in the north of the County so he keeps telling me! He was even Scally of the week on the Ulverstanrant website!!!

Soooo now i have two days off, before work on Friday and Saturday. One thing i must do is get to Morrys tomorrow as our fridge has only butter, milk and one egg in it! The shop will be open tomorrow too, so i will see if i can make a quid or two in there. To get sprouts or not to get sprouts- that is the question, think i will go for carrots.

How many days to Christmas now? well anyway i got Paul a mobby which he asks me for every day, and so far, despite lots of good reasons to do so, i have resisted giving him yet. Dale has got an xbox game and a few bits, but he will get more after christmas when there is more time to look for bargains. Mum is getting two top quality bath towels, and a face cloth with Tony Livesey's face on it- so that wont get used hehehe. Judith another bath towel, and our John is getting one of the new car hoover things from Dyson which cost 100 quid. Little Sarah is being taken out for lunch as a pressie as she has everything lol.
Right thats me out of here, you lot take care and another blog before long i hope.
tony xxx

Friday night frolics (i wish)

Hello people, end of the week for some hmmm, but im working tomorrow as usual. I took Dale to work this morning at 5.30am but i went back to bed when i got home, and had another 2 hours kip. Its been a good week, but very busy indeed. Today we fitted some carpets at Clarrington House, which is a sheltered accommodation unit near where my shop is. The lady we fitted for is wheelchair bound and we agreed to move all the furniture, and dispose of all the rubbish and the existing carpets as well. It took quite a while, and 3 trips to the tip! Bryan and Paul did most of the work, but then Dale and myself lent a hand, after Dale got home from work at 11 am.

Garry from work wanted me to go in today but unfortunately we were just too busy. The shop has been doing quite well lately, and we have a few enquiries for after xmas too.

Just had a thought! Bradleys are doing turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce butties now, its worth going to Blackburn just for that!

thanks for reading my latest blog, take care xxx tones

who the heck is Miss Lancaster?

Miss Lancaster is one of our team of Receptionists at the BBC in Blackburn, and she will kill me for calling her that! but i dont care! Sarah, has had a rough time lately, with "Lancaster" but has come sailing through it now, and you will go from strength to strength my love. In fact 2007 will be your year. Go out and enjoy yourself.

We have an Open Centre Rich List, and at the moment, Sarah is just above Katie, but of course Pauline is the top! (lend us a fiver will ya)..so its Pauline, followed by Sarah, then Katie, and Sandra is next, and right at the bottom is little me.

Dales 21st Birthday Today!!!

Hello again everyone!

big day today, Dales 21st! i sent him a card with a photo copy of a 20 quid note, laminated, with a message on it saying "a plastic note for a plastic scouser.
I hope he sees the funny side of it, or i will have to watch out!

Anyway it seems a lifetime since it was my 21st birthday. I can remember all my relatives clubbed together to buy me a coat! they were known as "car coats" and guess what? ive still got it somewhere and its in excellent condition. might put it on ebay lol.

I am going to be busy over the next few days, lots of work to do at the bbc, and when im not there, i will be in my shop. I need to shift some more xmas cards and wrapping paper! Its that time of year when everyone starts buying presents that get put into a drawer and never come out for years, or which get given to someone else for their birthdays! I find money is far too scarce to throw away on just any old pressie. Also do you ever buy people pressies each year and never get anything back? i do! so this year i have cut down on my list, and now it stands at just 4 or 5 people! It can be a nightmare for some people, who have dozens to buy for, and the cost just gets put onto loans, or credit cards, or overdrafts. What is the point in doing that just for one day, and having to pay back for many months, or in some cases years? I bet some people are stillpaying off for stuff they got last christmas.

Anyway thats the end of my rant for today, in fact i might start a "blog rant" at the end of each blog entry.

I seem to have gone on a bit dont i, but anyway, Dale hope you have a wonderful birthday.

thanks again folks for reading this! more soon!

tony xxx

Friday again

Well i have had a quite busy week, ive been to Fleetwood, but didnt smell any fish thankfully, but i did manage at long last to get some Morrisons Turkey & Stuffing pasties mmmmmm. Dale is here for the weekend, Dawn is here too, and Paul and Dale are having a go at the xbox. Paul got his wages today, so he has treated himself to an Xbox too for when Dales is at his Mums.

Picture above is of me obviously on stage at Fleetwood, in my snazzy bbc shirt lol. i think i need to slim down a bit.

Its very cold today, and been raining most of the day, but after all it is November, and its less than a month off the shortest day, so i think we will get over the winter well, although people are predicting a bad one this time.

Ben, my bbc boss has just emailed me asking me to work on Monday afternoon, so im looking forward to that.

Big football match tomorrow! Preston at home to Crystal Palace. I might put the mockers on them, but Preston have not lost at home since September 2005, which is an awful lot of games ago, but this time we could go to the top of the table if results go our way.

Thanks for reading this, and take care everyone xxx

tony

Alright, alright, this is about Robbo!

Hi everyone! what did i see in the paper today about bullying people via texts and tinternet?

Right there is this geezer, who was born in Ramsbottom (dont tempt me), and now lives in that posh place where Buckingham Palarse is. Hes Called Robbo, and i have known him for...oh must be 6 years now... and hes feeling out of it, because i did promise to give him a mention a while back, and through pressure of work hmmm, i kinda forgot.
Downside of Robbo, is that he supports a certain football team, not far from me, who play in red, and who have a Manager with a purple nose. He seems to think they are going to win the Premiership title this season too, but not to worry he is used to getting things wrong.

Soooo this whole blog is devoted to this famous Robbo, who occasionally comes out with a quite good joke. Here is the latest offering...if anyone can give me the right answer there might be a prize...

Which member of the England 1966 World Cup winning squad had a sister at number 1 in the charts at the same time?

Awaiting anyones answers - think i might be waiting a long, long time.

Robbo is a fabulous person, and also works in an Off Licence, which is very usful if you happen to be an alchoholic, or drink wine at £60 a bottle. He used to own a very fast Ford Cosworth, with useful wipe down leather seats too.

So there you are! if anyone wants his msn addy, just ask as he hasnt got many friends, apart from Daniel and Tommo.

He should of course start his very own blog, but im afraid it would have to come with a public health warning.

Cheers once again, and i bet you just cant wait to hear more about my jet setting life style

Get in there North end.

phew! its over at last

I didnt realise how good my life was until i finsihed my first aid training refresher course. it was just as bad as i expected, but its over yeahhhh i cant believe it! i wasnt even bothered if i failed it, i just wanted to get out of that bloody room!
Thursday seemed such a good day in the shop, i didnt give a shit if i sold anything or not!!! anyway i got an email from Ben asking me to work on thursday which was too late by the time i did get it, but i worked today friday, and im working my usual saturday, and mon through to thursday next week, as its children in need week again - blimey soon comes around.
I had an email from Talia saying she is in Russia somewhere, if i thought it was cold here, i bet its a lot worse there- poor thing. oh and poor Jane having to put up with her lol (hope she doesnt read this hehehe)
Im quite tired as its almost 9 pm and i was up at 6 this morning so that all im posting today!

have fun and lots of love from tony to everyone who reads this !

Saturday fun- i wish

Work today! i was up at 6.30 am which was far too early but i couldnt sleep any more and i needed to go to the smallest room hehe. It was freezin cold this morning, but i expect we will get worse before it gets better. At work for about 7.45 am and sat in with Joe Wilson for half an hour or more chatting about various things, and putting the station to rights. Opened up for about 8.45 and went to Bradleys for some toast and a butty for me dinner.
After a while i got a shout from Katie, she asked me to go round into the reception area. She had received some bad news over the phone, and was desperately upset about it. I wont go into details.
The Open Centre was beginning to get very busy, but at least this week everything was working well.
I went straight to pick Dale up from his Mums from work, and Paul was there and Dawn, when we got back. Very tired now, think it will be an early night tonight :)

all the best from tony.

Preston north end vs Leeds United tonight!

I writing this before the game, rather than during or after, as if we lose i wont want to write anything at all! Its a very important game, as we lost our last one at Burnley last Friday night.

I had an emai from Talia today, from the USA, she seems to be enjoying herself, but should be back home to dear old Preston within a week or so. Then she is off to Russia!

The temperature outside has dipped a lot today, and tonight its forecast to reach freezing point! The shop has been quite busy today for a change, so its lifted my spirits. I didnt go to see Dale tonight, as i had shopping to do at Morrisons, etc, so i will be going tomorrow night i think.

I am on my own again tonight (everyone say awwww) i dont really mind but its very quite without Paul being here. He is staying at Bryans house again, to keep him company. Oh just realised its Trick or Treat tonight! i thought there were a lot of people around.

See you soon! take care and thanks for reading :)

Greetings everyone

Well the clock went back yesterday, so it was dark by about 5 pm today. The shop has been quiet today. Tonight i went with Paul to Dales Mums, and we all went to the golf driving range, but they closed early, even though they have flood lights, which is a bit of a shock as we are going to be limited to going on Fridays and Sundays now. Anyway we then went to Southport to Halfords, to try to get a gadget for my Tomtom, but they didnt have one. Then on to Currys to enquire about a Dyson car vacuum cleaner for my Brother for Christmas. They had just got them in, so we will have to go back another day to look at them, and decide. they arnt cheap though, around 100 quid!
We then went to a chinese chippy, and back home. Now im watching Manchester City vs Middlesbrough on Sky.
Ive been wondering how Talia is going on in America, as i cant see any recent blogs from her. I think i will drop her an email. Oh i bought some new reading glasses today from Tesco, they are well good, and cost me 5.95
I have been having real problems with my chest lately, but today i feel much better and im wondering if the antibiotics have finally kicked in.

Right im off for a while now, hope to write something tomorrow when Preston play against Leeds united

ta ra xxx tony

Thursdays thoughts

Hello everyone! you are welcome.

Its been quite an ordinary day today, but my asthma has not been very good today. i got some antibiotics off the Doctor, so im hoping it will get better soon. The shop has been quite busy too, which is good.
i had a shock this morning, i was following a car, and a waggon came the other way and a cobble stone fell off it and hit the car in front of me. the in a split second i had to decide whether to swerve or break hard, or just run over the top of it. i decided to just drive over it, and i was wrong! it actually scraped the plastic skirting, but i couldnt see any actual damage. Bryan has been down again, and today he got some good news - hes managed to get a job refurbishing a local pub.
its been a cold day today, and winter seems to have arrived now. the wind has been stronger than for ages, and the leaves are coming off the trees with a vengeance.

Thats all for today folks! thanks for reading this blog

Gettin tired - time for bed

I forgot to tell you something about myself. I live in Wigan, not far from Manchester, in the North West of England. I have two jobs- i have a little shop, where i sell carpets and fit them, and sell hardware, greetings cards, cut keys, and all kinds of other stuff.
I also work at the bbc, in Blackburn, which is usually just the weekends.

I have been chatting on msn to a friend of mine, who works for KFC in Preston, he is down in the dumps because he bumped his car while he was filling up with petrol. He is called Phil, and its a proper shame, because he loves his car, and im hoping he can get it repaired soon.

I live above the shop which i run, and i have a lodger, he is called Paul and he has a lovely girfriend called Dawn. My other close friend is called Dale, and he lives in Skelmersdale, but he is always visiting us, and stays weekends mostly. He works in the big warehouse in Wigan, for JJB Sports.

More soon, take care from tony xxx

Its cold outside !

Hello everyone!

This is my very first Blog on this site!
Im Tony and i live in Wigan, Lancashire, UK, and this site is not just for me, but for my friends, and for others to see what we have been up to!

Im mad about sport, and my team is Preston North End, and they are one of the original Members of the Football League. They currently play in the Championship League, and have had a good run, and are currently 2nd in the table!

More to follow soon!!

tony xxx