Friends & Family Archives - Page 18 of 51 - Antony Simpson is an Author, Blogger, Nurse & Witch.

Some Plans for 2017

Sunday 12 February 2017 / Antony Simpson / Leave a Comment

Reading Time: < 1 minute

I was ill for the first few weeks of January. At one point, I took to my bed for three days. As a result, I haven’t finished deciding on or writing up my goals and new experiences for 2017.

But I have started making plans. So far my plans include:

A Big Birthday Bash for Chrys. Still do most of the planning and organising for. Still to source of suitable present.
Finish my tour along Hadrian’s Wall (along with ancient sites of interest) with Simon. Date set. Still to plan in more detail.
My Birthday. Still to sort. My birthday is on a Sunday this year.
Kay & Alex’s Wedding. Hotel booked. Still to buy a new suit and source of suitable present.
An adventure to see Stonehenge, Glastonbury and Amesbury over two days with Simon. Dates set and hotel booked. Further planning needed.
A visit to Sheffield Botanical Gardens with Simon. Date set.
To see Despicable Me 3 with Steve or Neil, Rhianne & Ethan.
To see Sister Act with mum. I got tickets off mum for Christmas.
To Celebrate Samhain. Still to arrange.

Take care,

Antony

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A Rare Photo

Friday 13 January 2017 / Antony Simpson / 4 Comments

Reading Time: 2 minutes

the-three-brothers-photo — A Rare Photo: Alex, Antony & Neil.

Date: 14th May 2007
Event: My 21st Birthday Family Meal

Above is a rare photo of all three men that my mum brought into the world. Three brothers. Alex. Me. Neil. We were raised together. We shared everything including family meals, bedrooms, hand-me-down clothes and holidays. This was before Shaun, my Long Lost Brother, came into our lives.

For my 21st birthday we had all gone out for a family meal. I don’t remember where. But I do remember thinking that there were next to no photos of Alex, Neil and me together as adults and on insisting that this photo be taken. Just before the camera went off, Alex said something funny and we were laughing as the photo was taken. He was always doing that. Saying things to make everyone laugh.

I remember showing Alex the photos when I got them developed and telling him, partly in jest, that he had ruined the photo by laughing. But looking back on the photo now, he simply used the photo as an opportunity to show his sense of humour. He had this wonderful ability to find laughter everywhere and in everything.

6 years ago today Alex died. I’ve examined this photo in great detail since he passed. But until recently, I never noticed the old lady in the background on the right-hand side of the photo. So in the spirit of Alex’s sense of humour: That old lady was well ahead of her time! She photobombed our photo, back in 2007, before it became a thing. She probably didn’t even realise she was doing it. 🙂

This photo is one of the most precious things I own. I can’t remember what he said, as the photo was taken, that was so funny. I can’t remember what the impression or joke was. But when I look at his face on this photo, I laugh. Every time.

Write soon,

Antony

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Christmas: Fabulous Food, Drunken Drinks, Family Fun and the passing of George Michael, Liz Smith & Carrie Fisher

Tuesday 27 December 2016 / Antony Simpson / Leave a Comment

Reading Time: 2 minutes

I’ve had the most brilliant Christmas! Filled with fabulous food, drunken drinks and family fun.

I’ve had two Christmas dinners and one buffet, plenty of Prosecco and the occasional Bailey’s coffee. My family and I have played Bingo, The Game of Life (junior edition) and Minion Monopoly with my five year old Nephew.

I have been treated to some terrific presents, each one I am extremely appreciative for, including: Tickets to see Sister Act next year, two Yankee candles (cosy by the fire & Christmas cookie scented), five books (Cell by Stephen King, The Wonder by Emma Donoghue, More Moaning by Karl Pilkington, Insomnia by Stephen King & 11.22.63 by Stephen King), lots of Harry Potter goodies, a minion cup, some chocolate, some clothes and other stocking fillers.

2016 has been a year of losing some great creative people. Death comes to us all, but this year we’ve all felt these deaths. We started in January with the loss of David Bowie (which I blogged about here: The Life of David Bowie), then it was Alan Rickman. In April we lost Victoria Wood (which I blogged about here: Today the World has Lost a Great Source of Laughter). Unfortunately Death wasn’t going to give us a break over Christmas. Over Christmas we have lost George Michael, Liz Smith and Carrie Fisher:

Christmas-2016-GM-LS-CF — Past Away This Christmas: George Michael, Liz Smith & Carrie Fisher

Lets hope that Death is kinder in 2017 and doesn’t continue to take so many of our wonderfully creative people. Lets also hope that currently unknown creative people have the right luck and opportunities to find their public.

Write soon,

Antony

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The Cure Live in Manchester: Just one word – Phenomenal

Wednesday 30 November 2016 / Antony Simpson / Leave a Comment

Reading Time: 3 minutes

My friend Simon and I went to see The Cure at Manchester Arena yesterday. I have just one word to describe the event and that is: phenomenal. It’s without any doubt the best gig I’ve been to in years.

The music was spot-on and was performed perfectly from the first note to the very last. The vocals were incredible, it was like listening to an enhanced version of an album. The three rows of lights gave an impressive accompanying light show.

Here are some photos, click on any photo for full size image:

The Cure (1) – opening song.	The Cure (2).
The Cure (3).
The Cure (4) – The music was spot-on and was performed perfectly from the first note to the very last.
The Cure (5) – Vocals were awesome, it was like listening to an enhanced version of an album.
The Cure (6).
The Cure (7) – The setlist included my favourite song ‘Lovesong.’
The Cure (8) – The setlist also included ‘Friday I’m in Love’ and ‘Boys Don’t Cry.’
The Cure (9) – The finale was ‘Why Can’t I Be You?’

Prior to going to the gig, Simon and I had a lovely tea in Via Fossa on Canal Street, Manchester (gay village). Then we walked down to the arena.

Along the crowded walkways on the frosty winter evening, I counted at least 12 homeless people. This is the most homeless people I’ve ever seen on any of my many visits to Manchester. It’s crazy to think that in 2016 people are still becoming and/or living homelessly.

Driving home after the gig, the temperature dropped to -2°C and I thought of the homeless people I had seen earlier. In my thoughts I wished them a safe evening, prayed that the temperature didn’t drop any further and prayed that it was quick to rise again.

Write soon,

Antony

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