Look Out Tiger…

Go on to google and search “george barker golf uk” and the top of the list will be a story about my nephew. Well look here, I’ve done it for you:

www.google.com

I don’t know about you, but it would take a few more specific terms to find a link about me on google. Somehow my 3 year old nephew is capable of hitting a golf ball further than some of my other family members, (which perhaps isn’t saying much) but it seems to have impressed some PGA professionals. Who knows, maybe us Barker’s will finally get into the monies. Just have to make sure to keep in good favour with him!

“His technique is fantastic”

Couldn’t be more proud.

The Troll Under the Bridge

Twitter Campaign MP Sent Knife Threat Picture

So recently there’s been a large outcry to stop abuse on twitter.  Why? because a lady wanted a female on a banknote and received threats because of it. Threatening to kill/ rape or harm someone in any form of course is unacceptable, but, why are people surprised? People get abuse on twitter all the time, especially people who get themselves in the public eye. That’s the key. They’re getting abused because they have gone public about it, NOT because they’re women. Now I’m not saying that people in the public eye deserve to receive such treatment, I’m just saying it’s more likely. The more this story is talked about, the more extreme it will get, because let’s face it, people like to jump on the bandwagon, albeit a very sick bandwagon, and soon it will escalade to some of these threats becoming reality.

I’m not saying that these “trolls”  should get away with it, though I’m not sure how they can be traced or convicted of anything. (Is a tweet being sent from someones account evidence against the account holder? How can it be proved?) I’m saying that yes they should report it to the police and yes block them, but bringing it to the public eye is, in my opinion, a big no no. Everyone knows that threats of violence, if it makes the person feel unsafe, should be reported to the police and I know for a fact these people can be blocked, just don’t give them the satisfaction of making them public, it’s what they want.  If Caroline Criado-Perez has reported the matter only to the police, other women in the public most likely wouldn’t have received similar threats.

I fear it’s going to get a whole lot worse before it gets better.

Ass Kick

So it’s taken me 3 years to finally see this film and to be honest, I’m disappointed with ALL of my friends who didn’t make me watch it sooner! SHAME ON YOU! Love it and can’t wait for Kick Ass 2, which luckily is out very soon!

Hardcore Fan

That’s right, after watching my first ever baseball game about a month ago, which happened to be the Toronto Blue Jays, I’m hooked. I just wish it was a better team I chose to support, they seem to lose, a lot. Ah well, #LETSGOBLUEJAYS

Windows are Sh….ut.

That’s what it feels like with my new phone. I decided after much debating to go for the Samsung Ativ S (Windows 8 Phone) and I can now say I regret it, for now anyway. The idea of “live tiles” is great, you can see at an instant what’s going on and go to an app that’s captured your attention. In reality, it’s glitchy as f@!*. I never know if the apps are working or that I simply have no notifications (probably more likely?) I used to believe the latter was the reason, but if I have my iPad and phone next to each other, guess which one notifies me instantly? Of course it’s the iPad. Damn Apple and their sneaky ways to make people dependant on their products. You can try fighting them but it’s true. The integration and sleekness of apps has to be admired. I know most of it is to do with the developers but everything just seems easy on an Apple product. Microsoft has a LOT of work to do. Maybe in a year or so everything will be more fluid, but for now I feel I cut my ties with Apple too soon. Don’t get me wrong, it felt great at first being free from the oppression of the great big fruit with a chunk missing out of it but I do miss having access to all the latest “trendy” apps.

Open up Windows and sort your life out or I might just have to go back to eating that delicious forbidden fruit.

The Contenders

So I’m due for an upgrade next month, and what mobile phone I choose is proving to be a difficult decision. They are after all, the one possession we take everywhere with us. Normally the decision would be made for me to pick the current iPhone model that was out. Standard. But after seeing it’s performance from a couple of other’s and from what I’ve experienced with iOS6, I’ve decided it’s time to see what else is around. I mean, it’s still a potential candidate, I haven’t gone completely bonkers!

So the contenders are….

Nokia Lumia 920 LTE

Nokia Lumia 820

Apple iPhone 5

BlackBerry Z10

Samsung Ativ S

If anyone has any of these phone and can give me any advice then please get in touch! Or if you have a windows phone, I’d like to know if they’re any good!

So after seeing the contenders, who will be the winner? Let me know who you think it should be!

 

        

Flight

Now I didn’t know much about this film before I went to see it, other than the fact it starred Denzel Washington and it involved a plane. I hadn’t even seen the advert, although my Grandad had and he said it was a comedy, a stupid man flying a plane upside down etc etc. Hmm I thought. I can’t imagine it being a comedy, I don’t really see nor have I ever seen Denzel play a comedic role? However, after seeing the film he wasn’t far wrong and I think John Goodman is to thank for this, for without him bringing light heartedness to severe cocaine drug abuse, this film would’ve been boring. So we start of with a film that’s action packed with a womanising pilot (Denzel) who miraculously lands a doomed plane safely, creating tense scenes that apprehensive flyers probably shouldn’t see. Predictably after the film takes a dark turn to him struggling with his alcohol and drug addiction which grew greater than the norm for him. Things spiralled out of control for Captain Whip and Denzel portrayed the cocky, nice, abusing pilot brilliantly whose addiction costs him his marriage, job, potential romance and life as he knew it. Worth a watch.

☆☆☆

Who’s that Girl

 

It’s Jess. 

So I got New Girl season 1 for Christmas, and tbh I think it’s only because they bought a double for my brother. Started watching it the other night and I LOVE IT! Unfortunately just as quickly as I fell in love with it had I finished it so hurry up with season 2 please.

 

PS. I wish I could have a theme song for my life. Secretly, I think we all do?

How to Train your Dragon

These days, I find that my Google searches have changed…

Funny how a small creature can take up most of my time!

If anyone knows how to entertain a bearded dragon then let me know! All he seems to want to is get back into his vivarium and sit there, not sure how much exercising he should be getting. I’ve tried tempting him with a ball and tissue as various sites have suggested but Smaug isn’t interested. I know he just wants to get back to keeping an eye on his Gold but I tell him it’ll be fine. Have I turned into a crazy lizard person? Probably.

 

Hello 2013!

So 2012 ended and the world is still here. I’m sure it was the same for everyone but my December was busy. VERY busy. What with work, Christmas shopping, various social events, I don’t think I’ve had much time for doing sod all. In fact today is the first Monday since the beginning of December where I’ve had what I call “my day off”. This entails watching a variety of TV and general slobbing about. I can’t even remember what Bob Ross looks like! Who am I kidding, I have that legend’s face imprinted on my brain! Where was I?

December. Yes. It was an enjoyable one, even kept up the 2 year tradition of going to a panto. Christmas came and I got some lovely gifts. I was Santa this time and when you have a family of 11 of us, each buying each other a few presents each, the present opening saga tends to drag out. I was exhausted. Not to mention my Nephew George wanted to move onto his next present as soon as he finished unwrapping the previous. Whoever said children don’t appreciate the value of Christmas? Two main presents I’d like to mention are tickets to see Matilda. I’m very excited for this, I’ve heard it’s supposed to be amazing. Not a great fan of Tim Minchin but I love the story of Matilda and musicals so this is right up my street. Can’t wait for a nice evening out!

The next present is Smaug. He is a Bearded Dragon (Pogo Pogona). He loves gold and hates dwarves, well not hate, but would kill them for their gold. You can check him out on Smaug Cam to the right. I’ve wanted a lizard for as long as I remember, every birthday and Christmas it would be top of my list. Through the years I’ve received lizard teddies, air fresheners and ornaments but still no luck. That was until 3 years ago I opened a large present that appeared to be a tank. I was so excited, I couldn’t unwrap it quick enough! That was until I found out it was an aquarium for fish. I was disappointed, don’t get me wrong it was an amazing present, unusual but has now become a part of my life so I am grateful. At that point I had given up hope, and a lizard didn’t make it on to my list any more  Now Smaug or Smaug the Magnificent resides in the spare room and I spend hours just watching him. Everyone says don’t you get bored, and you think I would. He does just pretty much sit there, but I don’t. I love it. Now I just need to become an expert in the field so he can enjoy his life.

So Happy New Year everyone, I’ll leave you with a treat from our murder mystery party. It was quite a night!

Fanny Fascinator: “I can be strong – when life circumstances
call for it.”

If that doesn’t already make your 2013, I don’t know what will!